Clever character development and some strong in-ring performances? Before Vince gets his hands on them, it’s time once again to check in and see what happened this week on NXT…

As always, we’re welcomed to Full Sail University for this week’s edition of NXT. Let’s gather round and see what happened…

First up, story-time with Ricochet. He says how important it is for people to remember him, which was his aim during Wrestlemania. The one and only has only one thing on his mind, and that’s the NXT championship (not socks). Velveteen Dream rocks up, and isn’t having any of it. Dream claims that he’s the ‘one and only’ that should be in contention for the NXT championship. It doesn’t matter how many flips Ricochet can do. Ricochet fires back, saying that he knows who Dream is; giving a not-so friendly reminder that Aleister Black once upon a time took Dream’s head off. Dream threatens to make Ricochet’s nightmares real, Ricochet saying that yeah, Dreams good, but he isn’t him. Ricochet makes it clear that he’ll steal Dream’s show, Dream taking no prisoners and saying that anything Ricochet can do, he can do better.

Looks like we’ll be getting a feud out of these too very soon, and it’s almost certain to be an absolute barnstormer. Nice way to open the show, even if we’ve become all too reliant on promo class leading us into a given night’s events.

EC3 vs. Raul Mendoza

Simple story of the match here, with EC3 once again making it clear he’s not stopping until NXT is NX3. Mendoza had little offence, with EC3 cutting him off soon after the bell and finishing the match up in under 3 minutes. All in all, a good, solid television debut for Carter. It leaves many wondering quite why he’s down in NXT-land (I can carry on with the Impact puns trust me) when he’s been there, done that and has been moulded for greatness from venturing elsewhere for the big-time. Still, he’ll be a valued asset for the yellow and black brand until he’s snapped up.

Backstage, Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan had a chat with young and still somewhat bitter Pete Dunne. In a collective epiphany, they decided that even though they don’t like each other, working together to kick the collective sh*t out of Undisputed Era is a much better idea than apart. Just watch that Peter doesn’t throw any shoes at you too, lads.

Dakota Kai vs. Vanessa Borne:

Again not much to note from this match, other than that Dakota is killing it as the face in distress. Borne plays the aggressor well, and with time should mould into the role well given more time. Back and forth action until Kai connects with the Kai-ropractor – I mean come on that’s just a dope name for a finish and the rotation into the knees please hold me and insert many heart face emoji’s here finishes things off.

Shayna Baszler arrives, and Kai looks like she’s seen death itself. Baszler enters the ring, backing Kai into the corner. Dakota gets the fu*k out of dodge, and watches Borne get choked out instead. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Baszler is a dickhead of a heel, and Kai is the complete opposite. This story writes itself in a classic sense of good vs evil.

Backstage, Kai says she wanted to help Borne but froze. Baszler pops up again and dares Kai to kick her, but she freezes again. Nikki Cross joins in and just laughs.

Triple threat anyone?

Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker) vs. War Raiders (Hanson & Rowe)

Rowe and Otis start, trading some big bois strikes. Raiders take control, working quick tags and double team moves. Otis looks like he’s going to big lad’s heaven until he strikes back with a suplex. Tucker and Rowe tar each other until Tucker nails a dropkick. Hanson cracks out a suicide dive, Rowe delivering with a knee strike. They see their opportunity, and wrap it up for the three count with Fall Out. A nice, big bois scrap fest with Hanson and Rowe coming out as the new dominant force in the tag division, what’s not to love?

Quick recap of TM61 getting the dirty win over Street Profits last week, naughty lads. It’s followed up by the Profits saying they want the tag titles… sorry what?

Kassius Ohno vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Ohno comes straight out of the gates, attacking Ciampa and taking him to the floor. Ciampa fights back, and takes it back into the ring. Ohno connects with a suplex. Senton connects from Ohno, but Ciampa trips him, nailing a running knee. Ciampa follows up with a dropkick, keeping Ohno grounded. Ciampa continues the assault, until Ohno sees red and connects with an almighty right hand and the big lads bicycle kick. Ohno keeps the momentum going, following up with the big boot. A knee drop follows, seizing the moment and attacking Ciampa’s previously messed up eye (We’d boo you, but considering its Ciampa – genius). Ohno keeps going, working over Ciampa with knees and getting a solid two count.

Realising he’s probably fu*ked it, Ciampa cowers behind the referee and gets a cheap shot in on Ohno. Ciampa goes for Ohno’s eye, but Ohno connects with another bicycle kick, missing the elbow. Ciampa nails a knee strike for the near fall, with Ohno back to his feet. They trade shots, until Ciampa kills Ohno with a huge lariat. Ciampa connects with the neckbreaker to finish it for three.

Post-match, Ciampa takes off his knee brace, attacking Ohno and wrapping it around his face, mirroring what Gargano did to him at Takeover. Ciampa says he broke Johnny’s body, and broke Candice’s heart. The fairytale is over.

Ciampa continues to be a vindictive, zero given at all times bastard of a heel.

Dickhead.

Joshua White – Steelchair Magazine 2018.

(All photos courtesy of WWE.com)