‘WWE NXT: The Great American Bash – Week Two’ Review
Welcome to this week’s review of NXT, right here on Nerdly. This week is the second week in the Great American Bash double-header for the black and gold brand, so let’s get straight into the review and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: Pete Dunne def. Trick Williams
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Pete Dunne came to NXT and made a statement by defeating former NXT Champion Trick Williams in one-on-one action. The action devolved quickly into a brutal fight as the competitors brutalized each other until Williams hit Dunne with a remarkable neckbreaker after catching the Bruiserweight in mid air. Dunne continued to manipulate Williams’ joints, but the former NXT Champion became fed up and fired back at his opponent with a flurry of moves, including a big boot and a Book End. The Bruiserweight preyed on that over aggressive behavior as he countered the Trick Shot and hit a Bitter End to pick up a monumental victory for himself.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: NXT Women’s North American Championship – Kelani Jordan def. Tatum Paxley
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The NXT Women’s North American Championship remains with Kelani Jordan, but not before a vicious battle with the deranged Tatum Paxley. The peculiar Paxley has always been odd, but it’s become even more apparent since her affinity for dolls, including one of Jordan that was eerily placed under the ring. The demented Wendy Choo made her way to ringside as the two waged an incredible war in the ring, and with one leg compromised, Jordan hit a tremendous Frog Splash to retain her title in epic fashion.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: NXT Championship – Ethan Page def. Oro Mensah
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Oro Mensah gave it his all, but it was Ethan Page’s night. The animosity between the two Superstars was palpable as Page looked to prove that Mensah’s momentum was a fluke, but The Main Man was up to every single challenge as he withstood the champion at every turn. After a dive to the outside and a flying kick on the inside, Mensah was in solid position until Page put him through a picnic table set up near the entrance way. Mensah rallied one final time, but his attempt at a springboard splash went awry as he crashed and burned, allowing Page to hit one final Ego’s Edge to win the match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Joe Hendry def. Joe Coffey
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Joe Hendry made everyone in NXT believers with his performance. After bringing the fight to Gallus, Hendry tricked his opponent by channeling Eddie Guererro and playing chicken, forcing the referee to eject Mark Coffey and Wolfgang from ringside. Hendry electrified the NXT Universe with his offense and planted Coffey with a sit out chokeslam to secure his victory.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Wren Sinclair def. Kendal Grey
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The No Quarter Catch Crew has officially added a new member as Wren Sinclair proved her worth and earned Charlie Dempsey a championship opportunity after a win over Kendal Grey. Tony D’Angelo offered Dempsey a Heritage Cup match if Sinclair won, and she showed out by impressing with her chain wrestling skills. Grey was formidable, but proved that she was better on this night as she clinched a spot in the highly decorated NQCC.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: NXT Tag Team Championship – Axiom and Nathan Frazer def. MSK
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The NXT Tag Team Champion Axiom and Nathan Frazer retained their title, and what happened afterwards was nothing short of shocking. All four Superstars showed up and showed out with the champions taking flight and taking out the challengers with tandem splashes to the outside. Axiom and Frazer followed that up with a Spanish Fly/Phoenix Splash combo, but they suffered a brutal miscommunication when Axiom kicked Frazer and nearly lost them the match. The champions isolated Lee and after two Golden Ratios, Axiom scored the win. After the match, Lee stunned everyone by attacking Wentz and ending the team of MSK.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Goddamn if this wasn’t a fantastic episode of NXT… Again. Yes, the little brand that could, that people complained was filled with non-wrestling PC-trained wannabes is, right now, kicking arse! We’re not quite up to the peak of the black and gold era, but that was packed with indie wrestlers – here we got homegrown talent shining. And, for me at least, they’re all providing more interesting and more FUN matches than most of what we’ve seen on the main roster shows in recent weeks. This week’s wasn’t quite as good as week one but still rivals this week’s episode of Raw in terms of being a great example of WWE television.
