Hi! I’m here this week, filling in for Alex Wendland as he’s probably off having that thing called a social life that people talk about all the time in front of me while I look at my Twitter timeline on my phone. (Or he’s out-of-town for work, one or the either).
I’m fresh off another stint as a Raw reviewer as Sean has reclaimed that position once again. And what a time to relinquish it, considering what went on this Monday. Anyway, NXT last week featured a pull apart brawl between Finn Balor and Samoa Joe, as well as Dash and Dawson winning the NXT Tag Team titles, beating the Vaudevillains. Tonight, former pixie fairy thing turned dubstep meanie Alexa Bliss challenges Bayley for the NXT Women’s Championship. Will we see two title changes in two consecutive weeks? Let’s find out!
Carmella vs. Nia Jax
You know what’s weird? Carmella seems like a natural heel to me. Maybe it’s because of her line delivery during her intro but there’s just something about her that naturally bugs me. Nia Jax has presence already, something that not everyone has when being called up to developmental TV. Ring work of course needs improvement, but I see what they like about her. Jax dominates for a while, and despite a comeback Carmella is soon pinned after a gigantic legdrop by Jax.
Alexa Bliss cuts a promo with Blake and Murphy in the background. Alexa says that Bayley might have gotten respect at the last Takeover show, but now it’s Bliss who wants respect, and she’ll take what she wants — the NXT Women’s Championship. All the other four horsewomen have left Bayley behind for greener pastures and now it’s time for a new era, the Alexa Bliss era. Who would have known she’d be a perfectly fine heel?
Jason Jordan & Chad Gable vs. The Ascension
They might have started out as heels, but Jordan and Gable are quickly becoming the most popular tag team in NXT. Gable easily is one of the best prospects WWE has built from the ground up in years. Jordan’s gone from being a bland job guy to someone with a lot of potential as well. The chemistry is just there, in spades. Gable and Jordan got the win after Jordan launches Viktor and Gable pins him in midair with a bridging back suplex.
It’s Bayley’s turn to do a promo. It’s tough being champion, but it’ll be tough for Alexa to take this title away from here. She might be here in NXT still, but that’s because she has the NXT title, and will defend it successfully here tonight.
Emma vs. Mary Kate
They didn’t give Mary Kate an intro for whatever reason. She’s the former Rosie Lottalove of TNA fame. Emma destroyed her for most of the match, then submitted her with the Emma Lock. I don’t even remember if Mary Kate got any offense at all, but hey, Emma looked good here.
Backstage promo with Baron Corbin. He said he just doesn’t like Crews. Oh, okay. Basically just challenges him to a match at Takeover.
Dash and Dawson vs. Corey Hollis & John Skyler
I’ve heard good things about the second team, but didn’t see much out of this match. Dawson and Dash are better than the last two champions, though I wish they were built up a bit more before taking the titles. No team has really stood out in this division besides Gable and Jordan, so maybe they’re leading a program between those two teams down the line. Dash and Dawson win with a flapjack/codebreaker combo.
Asuka was being interviewed by Tom Phillips when Dana Brooke walked in. She says that Asuka has earned her respect and would like a rematch next week. Askua said yes, then left. Emma walked up to Dana as soon as Asuka left and asked if she bought it. Dana said hook, line and sinker. Uh oh!
It was announced here that Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe will take place at NXT Takeover London on December 16. That was followed up with a Samoa Joe promo. He was told by William Regal to stay away this week for his own protection, but he knows better. He knows that it’s really to protect Balor. In seven short days, the contract will be signed and soon he’ll get what is rightfully his.
NXT Women’s Championship
Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss
Alexa didn’t get a lot of offense in with the only thing of note: a sunset flip off the top rope for a nearfall. Bayley ended it with a Bayley to Bayley. It was a fine TV match, but certainly didn’t feel like it lived up to the hype given throughout the show.
Just like a big-time New Japan Pro Wrestling title match, Eva Marie came out to challenge Bayley for the title. At least, she tried to challenge her, but Full Sail absolutely hated her, booing Eva Marie out of the building. It’s amazing as no one in this company has this kind of heel heat, and it’s not because Eva Marie is a great heel. She is one of the most wooden performers on the roster, but hey, maybe that’s working for her.
After telling the crowd multiple times to be quiet, including calling them dorks, Eva eventually said she wanted a match next week, and Bayley accepted. I can’t wait for next week’s show, I’m telling you that right now. I think I am the only one rooting for a Eva Marie title win.
Final Thoughts: This week’s episode of WWE NXT was just alright. The main event was fine but didn’t feel like a main event match. Bliss is improving but still not ready for that kind of slot, and it showed. Beyond that, there was still some nice build here and there for the London show, and overall it was an easy show to watch and digest.
