Clever character development and some strong in-ring performances? It’s that time once again guys, time to check out the best WWE Network show… No, not Ride Along! Let’s check out what happened This Week on NXT!
The Velveteen Dream vs Tyler Bate
Tyler treated Dream like a joke, running around him and escaping all of Dreams’ lockups. It was obvious the embarrassment was getting too much for Dream, so he took action and with one strike put himself in the lead. Tyler brought it back some hope after managing to use the aeroplane spin, even while Dream countered it, Tyler clawed the moment back with a quick clothesline.
Back and forth the match progressed. But, thanks to a drop onto the ropes by Dream, Tyler Bate was left too stunned to kick out of Dreams Elbow Drop. The commentary team have addressed Bate’s recent losing streak, hopefully meaning that they will be building this up to something that finally breaks it… right? RIGHT?!
Winner: The Velveteen Dream
Meanwhile…
– Paul Ellering and the AOP built themselves up for the upcoming Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
– Johnny Gargano signed his release form, he must now leave NXT for good.
– Street Profits interview themselves on who will win the DR:TTC, funny enough and makes a change from standard interview segments.
Cezar Bononi vs Adam Cole
Before the fight could get started, Adam Cole took to the mic to praise Bononi for being a future rising star of NXT in 2017. They offered him an opportunity to join the Undisputed Era, but it was merely a bluff as Cole took a cheap shot. Bononi, clearly pissed, struck back and almost managed to gain control of the match. O’Reilly & Fish distracted Bononi just long enough for Cole to steal the momentum and win thanks to a Superkick and a running knee strike to the back of the head.
See! This is how you seek alternatives to fill time instead of the standard squash match. We see how the UE works in manipulating opponents. They’re effective, not to be trusted, but damn are they charismatic.
Winner: Adam Cole
Kairi Sane vs Shayna Baszler
Kairi proved that she wasn’t going to stand down to Baszler, going straight in with the offence. Baszler, on the other hand, took her time and struck back trying to break Kairi. Kairi was close to nailing the Kabooki elbow, but Baszler was determined to punish Sane. She stopped Sane on the top rope, went into a suplex position and then dropped her into a submission clutch to make Sane tap out.
Baszler then stated to the commentary team that she’ll be leaving with Ember Moon’s championship, or be leaving her with a limp. Hoping that something new comes for Sane soon, really don’t want her to get lost in the shuffle.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas Speaks
Zelina opened by mocking the optimism of Johnny Gargano and the respect that he had earned from the NXT audience. Andrade mocked the multiple losses of Gargano and even nicknamed him “Johnny Jobless” and everyone should recognise Andrade as NXT Champion.
Fortunately for us, Andrade isn’t short of future opponents. Both Aleister Black and Killian Dane came down to make their intentions known about the NXT Championship. Killian told Black to stay out of his way, this then led to infighting and leaving Dane standing over Black. Who will be next to challenge for the title? Whatever the case, it’s going to be a lot of fun finding out.