NXT HITS & MISSES 11/1: Build-up to Takeover Houston and War Games, McIntyre vs. Almas NXT Title match contract signing, Gargano

HITS

Drew McIntyre and Andrade “Cien” Almas’s Contract Signing:  Throughout this week’s show, the contract signing between McIntyre and Almas for the NXT Championship has been hyped up with Twitter posts and a visual of McIntyre signing the contract in William Regal’s presence. The buildup thus far has been lackluster, but it was elevated by Almas’s attack of the champion on the entrance ramp.  It showcased Almas’ viciousness as kicked and beatdown of McIntyre to be followed by him signing the contract and sticking it onto McIntyre by using Zelina Vegas already chewed gum.  This segment for the first time made Almas seem as a viable threat to possibly take the championship away from McIntyre, adding to the continued build up to Takeover: Houston.

Sanity vs. The Authors of Pain (NXT Tag Team Title Match): As a rematch to their NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III, neither team held back any punches.  The match all throughout was very hard hitting and rugged.  Both teams had their time of controlling the match as the Authors of Pain dished out heavy levels of punishment while Sanity showcased their in the ring skills with stellar tag team continuity.  Alexander Wolfe was getting the brunt of it during the middle of the match until Eric Young got the hot tag and the tides turned.  Later, the Authors of Pain regained controlled and seemed to be on their way to victory and regaining the tag team championships only to be attacked by the Undisputed Era, concluding the match as they attacked both teams.  Killian Dane came to the ring to try to make the save, but caught a beating as well.  It looked like it was about to get more brutal as Roderick Strong came to the ring to where it seemed as though he was going to become the newest member of the UE, only to attack them and make the save for the Authors of Pain.  It was then that William Regal came out to announce that the Authors of Pain and Roderick Strong will be added to the War Games Match at Takeover: Houston, truly hyping this match as one for the ages, or possibly one to live up to the standard that was set basically 20 years ago.

**EXTRA**

This is a little something that I’d like to call the “B-Side.”  It is a mention of something that did not happen on this week’s show, but exists because of it.  What I am talking about are the three promos for the War Games match at NXT Takeover: Houston’s three participants.  It serves as a true build up as each team makes their claims on how dangerous the match can be and how they will be victorious.  What made it so great is that it highlighted exactly what each team brings to the table through their characteristics.  Sanity’s promo was one that was very cryptic and strange, only to match their personalities as the Undisputed Era’s was very calculated, serving the same purpose.  But it might have been the Authors of Pain and Roderick Strong’s promo.  Even though none of them did any talking, Paul Ellering, speaking from first hand experience, did a fantastic job painting a picture of how destructive this match could be and how they will be victorious.  Now to be honest, I’ve been very critical of how NXT cuts its promos, but this time, they hit it right on the head as it truly builds up anticipation for one of the greatest stipulated match formats in the history of wrestling.

MISSES

Taynara Conti vs. Nikki Cross: When Taynara Conti first attacked Nikki Cross at the Mae Young Classic, then again, a couple of weeks ago at the latter’s triple threat qualifying match for the Fatal 4-Way NXT Women’s Championship match, it appears this possible feud had potential.  This week’s match proved just the opposite.  From the onset, it was all Cross.  She was highly aggressive and controlled most of the match except for a couple of moments that Conti was able to get in a takedown and a couple of kicks.  That was the end of her offense as she went for a submission move only to have it countered and she never recovered.  Cross hit Conti with a swinging fisherman neck breaker to conclude the match.  The question is, what was the point of this feud?  This match was not competitive, nor did it elevate the status of either wrestler.  If anything, it lowered any possible momentum that Conti may have had up until this point.  One cannot see this feud going any further as Cross continues her championship pursuit while Conti is left just drifting in the wind.

Mercedes Martinez’s Promo:  Besides it being a weak and scripted promo, there was no actual point.  Martinez was questioned about last week’s women’s battle royal and who will win the Fatal 4-Way match for the NXT Woman’s Championship.  Her response was that she did not know who was going to win, but she knew who wasn’t, Ember Moon.  She went on to say that Moon could not win the big matches when they count.  Where did all of this come from?  What is her exact issue with Moon?  Martinez was not eliminated by Moon during the battle royal, in fact, Moon was not even in the battle royal.  Maybe this is foreshadowing a possible feud in the future, but as of right now, it just seemed out of place and rather forced.

Johnny Gargano vs. Fabian Aichner:  Overall, this was a very good match.  Both cruiserweights showed off their talents with excellent technical moves that entertained the crowd.  As the case of late, Gargano once again came up short.  This has one to question, what does NXT have planned for Johnny Wrestling?  For the most part, week after week we see Gargano losing in close matches to where he is bewildered afterwards.  This is not to take away any praise of him as an outstanding in the ring performer, but if they are making him out to be an underdog, he must win more matches in an impressive fashion to really live up to that standard.  Ever since the dissolution of DIY and being attacked by his former partner Tommaso Ciampa, Gargano seems as though he is just caught in a purgatory as of late with no true end in sight.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: NXT HITS & MISSES 10/25: McIntyre interview, Women’s Battle Royal, Velveteen attacks Aleister, Strong vs. Almas