A Room with a Review: NXT 07/29/20
Here’s an excerpt of what’s waiting for you on NXT this week: “Balor and Thatcher pound each other while Lumis watches.” You’re welcome.
- We start with women’s action as NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai heads to the ring, only to be jumped by Dakota Kai. Shirai’s tag team partner for the evening, Tegan Nox, comes to the rescue. Kai’s partner, Candice LeRae, joins the party and a referee finally gets them in the ring. You know, I never realized it before, but Dakota Kai and Bayley could be related. Io picks up the win after nearly killing LeRae with a moonsault.
- Next up is a recap of an “incident” that happened between Adam Cole (bay bay) and Pat McAfee on McAfee’s radio show. Cole dropped some f-bombs, so people were convinced it was legit, but anybody who has watched wrestling for any length of time should know better.
- Next up is a match that was booked because of a Twitter spat. It’s Johnny Gargano vs. Roderick Strong, who seems to be playing the face in this match. There’s a lot of great counter-wrestling in this match. Johnny Gargano wins with the One Final Beat DDT.
- McKenzie Mitchell is backstage with Dakota Kai. She declares herself the number one contender. Rhea Ripley walks up and says that she’s next in line for a title shot. Dakota says she’s going to go ask William Regal.
- After a commercial break, McKenzie talks with Timothy Thatcher, while Dexter Lumis watches.
- There’s a bit of in-fighting with the Undisputed Era backstage, but Kyle O’Reilly says they need to get their shit together.
- Here comes Shotzi Blackheart in her tank. She’s facing Mercedes Martinez, who is accompanied by Aliyah and Robert Stone. Shotzi tries her best, but Martinez is just too much, grabbing the win after an Air Raid Crash.
- We get a nice vignette for Ridge Holland, who is making his way across the pond next week.
- Keith Lee head’s to the ring so he can yell at Karrion Kross for trying to murder Dominik Dijakovic last week. He swears a couple of times before calling out Kross. Cameron Grimes is the one to answer the challenge, though, and promptly gets flattened. Scarlett comes out and gestures at the TitanTron. Karrion Kross appears on the screen and says he wants a title shot. Keith Lee says to pick the time and place and he’ll “whoop that ass”.
- Next up is tag team action as Imperium makes their return to TV. The NXT Tag Team Champions take on EverRise, who have been doing a good job as entertaining jobbers. They continue their streak, losing quickly to a European Bomb with Fabian Aichner getting the pin. The Undisputed Era runs down to the ring and trounces Imperium.
- We get a video package showing us Bronson Reed’s path to NXT.
- NXT General Manager William Regal says no dice on the Kross/Lee match. He won’t be bullied into making matches.
- It’s Cruiserweight time as Isaiah “Swerve” Scott faces Jake Atlas. There’s a lot of great action and Swerve gets the pin with a JML Driver.
- Damian Priest talks with McKenzie backstage, says nothing important.
- Closing the show is a Triple Threat match to determine another participant in the ladder match at TakeOver 30. Balor and Thatcher pound each other while Lumis watches. Wait, this isn’t my slash fiction blog. Finn tweaks his left knee and Thatcher immediately goes to work on it. While he has Balor in a leg lock, Dexter sneaks in and puts Thatcher in a chokehold. Lumis picks up the win and will be part of the ladder match at TakeOver.
This was a solid show with story development, fresh matchups, and great wrestling. I could watch Roddy and Gargano work the full two hours. I’m glad they seem to be putting on the brakes with Keith Lee and Karrion Kross. It would be too early for either of them to take the loss.
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