‘WWE NXT’ Review (Aug 26th 2020)

Welcome to this week’s NXT review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and NXT has no competition from AEW this week, so let’s see if Vince’s red-headed step-child gets beaten with the beatin’ stick this week. Carole Lombard could kick your ass and NXT starts now.

Match #1: Breezango def. Imperium – NXT Tag Team Championship Match

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

The second time was the charm for Fandango & Tyler Breeze to finally capture their first gold in WWE. Rising to the occasion, Breezango capitalized on a misfired double-team attack by Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner, allowing Fandango to make a much-needed tag to Breeze, who delivered superkicks left and right. After tagging himself back in, Fandango put them away by hitting a double leg drop on both opponents for the massive victory.

My Opinion: 3.4 out of 5 – These two teams had a solid, steady, sturdy match that was better put together than anything from IKEA. The Bruschaga stayed together for five minutes and then exploded. What kind of a chair explodes? Speaking of explosions, Breezango winning was not what I was expecting. I wish Imperium would have gotten more time to add to their run with the straps, but they were believable as champions and that counts for something. The Dancing Queens as champions kinda has a freaky ring to it, so I’m on-board with them taking the strap on. All in all, this was a good way to get some new champions and good fun overall.

Match #2: Tommaso Ciampa def. Jake Atlas

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

The Blackheart made a huge statement in his first NXT action in more than two months, dismantling Jake Atlas in short order.

My Opinion: 2.7 out of 5 – Ciampa squashed Atlas. I hate these damn squash matches. Why not let them go fifteen minutes? Eh, screw it.

Match #3: Shotzi Blackheart def. Mia Yim

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Shotzi Blackheart once again made life living hell for Robert Stone, running him over with her tank for a third time before competing in this match against Mia Yim. Blackheart also took care of business in the ring, defeating The HBIC after a top-rope senton.

My Opinion: 3.3 out of 5 – This was a freaky smack to the ass that got a bit gonzo when Yim punched Shotzi in the throat for no reason. I liked the jagged edges on this one, so much so that I didn’t even mind getting cut when I tried to touch it every so often. The action was slow, but it was precise and even a bit ambitious from time to time. I shot JR and this match was hella good…HELLA!!!!!!

Match #4: Santos Escobar def. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott – NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Santos Escobar eschewed the rest of Legado del Fantasma’s help, ordering them backstage as he made his way to the ring. However, they eventually got involved before being neutralized at ringside by Breezango joining the fray. Escobar donned a luchadore mask before blasting Isaiah “Swerve” Scott with a huge headbutt to put him away.

My Opinion: 3.6 out of 5 – This was a careful yet adventurous bout that had hard-hitting action and thrilling moments of suspense, but was never too much for its own good. Swerve worked hard to be the wide-eyed challenger to Escobar’s sadistic bastard and was successful. The wrestling was always consistently vigorous, with big moves happening at the opportune time, rather than the desired one. This match was another excellent chapter in the history of the NXT Cruiserweight Title.

Match #5: Kyle O’Reilly def. Drake Maverick

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Seeking payback for Undisputed ERA’s attack during his match two weeks ago, Drake Maverick came into this bout a house of fire, even taking out Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong at ringside with a top-rope senton. Kyle O’Reilly eventually took control, forcing Maverick to submit to a leg lock.

My Opinion: 2.7 out of 5 – Kyle and Drake had a nice tease for what they can really do, but it never quite was a match in of itself. Well, at least Kyle won, since he is still too damn good to be seen as just some vanilla midget. If you like fun wrestling action stuffed into a pizza roll, then you have weird eating habits.

Match #6: (Main Event) Dakota Kai & Raquel González def. Io Shirai & Rhea Ripley

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Dakota Kai & Raquel González enjoyed some help from Mercedes Martinez, who ambushed Rhea Ripley during this bout, leaving Io Shirai on her own momentarily. Ripley was weakened from Martinez’s assault when she finally tagged in, and González took advantage, dropping her with a blistering big boot and a massive slam to pin the former NXT Women’s Champion.

My Opinion: 2.8 out of 5 – This was by the numbers wrestling, with the usual malarkey on display from the bookers. The wrestlers did their jobs well, but there was no spark of greatness to separate this from any match on the card, let alone the year. I kinda get depressed just thinking about this. Well, it was a match. There you go.

News Of The Night:

1. Candice LaRae wants to turn Tegan Nox into her lackey.
2. Tommaso Ciampa turned heel…I think…or crazy…I think.
3. Karrion Kross relinquished the NXT Championship, due to injury.
4. Finn Bálor, Tommaso Ciampa, Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano will compete in a 4-Way 60 Minute Iron Man Match for the NXT Championship, next week on a special Tuesday episode of NXT.

Final Verdict: 2.9/5

Two prize fights kept a lame show from being even lamer.