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 WWE 24! Let’s check out what happened This Week on NXT!
Firstly, Ciampa vented to Regal about the constant harassment by Johnny Gargano. Regal solved this by making an unsanctioned match between the two at NXT TakeOver New Orleans. Hell. Freakin. Yes. Regal later came to the ring to open NXT and announce a new title, the NXT North American Championship. The announcement was suddenly taken over by the newly signed EC3. Ethan Carter III basked in the glory of the NXT crowd and by god he was charismatic doing it. He had the delusional thoughts that Regal had made the newly announced championship just for him. Regal clarified that you have to earn rewards in NXT, this one would be earned by a 6-man ladder match at NXT Takeover.
I’ve barely watched EC3 when he was in Impact, but damn I’m loving what he’s bringing to NXT so far.
MEANWHILE:
– TM61 was being interviewed, but apparently more interesting things were happening behind them as Ember Moon and Shayna Baszler had a scuffle. Sure, imply that something happening in the next room is more interesting than them. *sigh*
– William Regal was being interviewed outside his office when he confirmed Adam Cole would be in the ladder match at NXT Takeover. An interrupting Velveteen Dream appeared to make his intentions known, this then led to Regal adding Dream to the match as well.
– William Regal was interviewed… again. He invited Lars Sullivan to take part in the championship ladder match, Lars gladly accepted and was excited to bring destruction in the match to Killian Dane. Coincidentally, Dane is now also in that match, but Sullivan will also get to face Dane next week.
DUSTY RHODES TAG TEAM CLASSIC: SEMI-FINAL – Street Profits vs Authors of Pain
A fairly short match with a little twist. AOP expectedly dominated at the start as Angelo Dawkins clawed some momentum back. Montez celebrated the change in tides before coming face to face with Paul Ellering. Paul refused to take a sip of the Street Profits cup (follow Paul Ellering kids, don’t take drinks from strangers). The distraction led to AOP taking over and ending the match with the Last Chapter.
Lars Sullivan vs Jobber
Poor, poor, Jobber. He never stood a chance. Sullivan just unloaded on him with a military press slam, diving headbutt, and finally the Freak Accident to put the cherry on his return to action. Yes, it’s a squash match. But I’ll give it a pass this time since Lars has been away from TV for a while.
Dakota Kai vs- NAH IT’S A BEAT DOWN NOW MATE!
Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas attacked Aleister Black and completely took him out. His body was dragged to the ring and left to be recovered by medical staff. It’s a decent way to build up to the championship match, but it’s another instance of a wrestler being left as an afterthought. Twice? On one episode! I know everyone has their place but there must be better things they can do right?
DUSTY RHODES TAG TEAM CLASSIC: SEMI-FINAL – Sanity vs Rodrick Strong & Pete Dunne
The tension was thin as both teams seemed eager to get in and cause havoc. Sanity dominated to begin with thanks to the synergy in their teamwork. However, Strong and Dunne have shown to be in the same mind and work together quite well. Predictably Strong and Wolfe went 100% when it came to delivering excitement, leaving Dunne and Young to hit harder and try to break each other.
Finally, Pete Dunne and Rodrick Strong beat Sanity’s Eric Young with a modified Bitter end. I can’t believe it, but Dunne and Strong might just be able to be the new tag team champs (still forgetting Dunne is UK champ already, but hey we’re on a roll with afterthoughts this week so why not throw more on the fire).
All was said and done this week apart from one lingering question. Who is the last competitor in the ladder match? Fortunately, William Regal was interviewed AGAIN when we found out it’d be none other than Ricochet! TakeOver looks set to possibly top WrestleMania once again, but will it succeed?
