SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE aired Part 2 of a “Best of NXT” special Wednesday night on WWE Network recapping the top events of 2015.
WWE NXT Report
January 6, 2016
Aired on WWE Network
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor
Tonight is the second half of the “Best of NXT” special.
In NXT related news, James Storm made his return to TNA last night at the live event, which will surely disappoint NXT fans. But there are a number of changes happening in NJPW which look like it will be potentially result in a number of top stars landing in WWE.
– Speaking of Japan, the show opened with a summary of the set-up to the Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor match on July 4 in Tokyo when Balor won the NXT Title.
– Rich Brennan says he is disappointed in how Corey Graves treated his Christmas present last week.
– Replay of the end of the Owens-Balor match in Japan.
– Elias Samson playing the guitar, singing about being a drifter.
– Quick blurb on Apollo Crews, then Tye Dillenger.
– The end of a match from November 5 was shown when Apollo Crews went against Tye Dillenger. Crews ended up winning.
– Video package on Bayley’s trials and tribulations on her rise to the top. Then, short blurbs on her competition, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, Emma, Dana Brooke, and Asuka.
– Tribute to Dusty Rhodes in the context of NXT. They aired soundbytes from Triple H, Daniel Bryan, Natalya, Bayley, Kevin Owens, Byron Saxton, Paige, Sasha Banks, Enzo Amore, William Regal, and John Cena.
Then, a recap of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament which culminated at NXT Takeover: Respect.
– A look at the various NXT wrestlers who have headed to the main roster in 2015.
– Talk of the new NXT wrestlers, in particular the renewal of the tag team division.
– Highlights from the eight-man tag team match from NXT Takeover: Brooklyn are shown – The Hype Bros., Enzo Amore, and Colin Cassady vs. Dash & Dawson, Jason Jordan, and Chad Gable. This was before Jordan & Gable managed to make an insanely successful babyface turn based on nothing more than their in-ring work and some minor tweaks to their in-ring style.
– Video package on the Samoa Joe-Finn Balor feud that developed over the last part of 2015.
– Rich Brennan vows to let bygones be bygones. Graves promises to treat Brennan a bit nicer, then he takes Brennan’s pocket square out and drops it on the floor and says “maybe tomorrow.” Brennan huffs off.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: One thing that really came to mind while watching the various match replays is how much Corey Graves and Rich Brennan enhance the product when they are staying on point. Brennan in particular displays real passion for the matches, not the manufactured pap that you hear particularly from Jerry Lawler on WWE TV.
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