A Room with a Review: NXT 05/27/20

This week’s NXT features fired wrestlers, a fighting pit, and some missing teeth. Just another day for us Floridians.

• The show starts off with a bang as Drake Maverick goes up against Kushida and Jake Atlas, with the winner scheduled to face off with El Hijo del Fantasma for the interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship. It’s a guy that’s already been fired versus Japanese Marty McFly and a gay man who can only hint at why things are different for “people like me” (note: I tried to find this vignette and link it, but it seems WWE doesn’t have it posted anywhere. I guess even hinting at his “differences” was a little too much for them). They are all excellent, though, and I want them all to win. Seriously, I would not have minded if this match was the whole two-hour show. Instead, they only get 15 minutes, with Maverick pulling off a sneaky win, putting his arm over Atlas while Kushida had Jake in an armbar. Good stuff, just wish there was more of it.

• After a commercial break, the announcers point out an alternate camera angle that shows Jake Atlas tapping before the ref counts three. Controversy!

• Johnny Gargano comes to the ring with Goth Elsa, Candice LeRae. He announces an open challenge to a youngster in the back. Out comes Adrian Alanis, who I believe was featured in a previous column as one of two possible Johnny Swingers. Gargano makes him tap quickly with the GargaNo Escape. After the match, Mia Yim and Keith Lee pop up on the TitanTron, imitating the vignettes that Johnny and Candice have been doing. There was even a Tegan Nox cameo, as she delivers a pie from Gargano’s Pizza, which must be really cold after traveling from Cleveland to Orlando.

• Drake Maverick is being interviewed backstage when Kushida comes up to him and says “just win”. Drake responds by saying that Kushida will get the first shot at the title after he wins. So, I’m guessing we’ve got a Kushida heel turn coming. I bet he will cost Maverick the match, which means that Drake will finally be officially gone from WWE.

• Next up is Shotzi Blackheart and the best tank in wrestling since Rusev at WrestleMania. She will be facing Raquel Gonzalez, who is accompanied by Dakota Kai. At one point Kai tries to steal the tank, but Tegan Nox runs down and takes her out. Shotzi does a coffin drop, but nobody catches her and she lands on the back of her head. Gonzalez wins after some interference by Kai.

• We have tag team action as Rhea Ripley teams with Io Shirai against Charlotte Flair and a mystery opponent. After racking my brain trying to come up with who it might be, it ends up being Chelsea Green w/ Robert Stone. Interesting rub for Chelsea. It was a good showing for Green as she ends up on the winning side, with Flair pinning Shirai (aided by having her feet on the ropes). 

• Backstage, the Gargano-LeRaes express their anger at what Keith Lee and Mia Yim did earlier. Candice challenges Yim to a match next week.

• Next is a match negotiation between Adam Cole (bay bay) and William Regal, sponsored by Zoom. Cole says he’ll face Velveteen Dream if Dream is barred from any future title shots. Regal agrees and says he’ll find the perfect location to spotlight both competitors. My hope? Dexter Lumis’ basement.

• Leon Ruff, who was literally murdered by Karrion Kross in Kross’ debut, now gets to face Tomasso Ciampa, who is going against Kross at Takeover. Scarlett, who is the manager and real-life girlfriend of Karrion Kross, stands at the end of the ramp, distracting Ciampa long enough for Ruff to get some shots in. Tomasso wins with the Fairytale Ending, staring at Scarlett the whole time. 

• For the main event, it’s Matt Riddle against Timothy Thatcher in a modified cage that they are calling a fighting pit. Special guest referee? The recently released Kurt Angle. They’re straight up bookending the show with fired talent. This “fight pit” has scaffolding around the ring, approximately eight feet higher than the ring. It’s an interesting look. They are trying to get Thatcher over as a tough guy by making it look like Riddle knocked out a couple of Timmy’s teeth, but are letting him continue to fight. Thatcher picks up the victory by submission when Riddle was knocked unconscious by a rear naked choke.

NXT is still great after all this time. I’m excited to see what Gargano and Lee can do together and I’m really hoping they give Maverick/Fantasma the time it deserves. Which upcoming match are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comment section below.

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