NXT HITS & MISSES 12/6: Gargano vs. Ohno in the main event, Trent Seven vs. Killian Dane, Riott vs. Deville

This week’s episode of NXT was very solid as we saw two qualifying matches for the Fatal Four-Way match that would determine the number one contender to the NXT Championship and a No Holds Barred grudge match between two arch rivals.  Once again, NXT did not disappoint as it was straight forward with very little fillers.  In addition, the matches served a higher purpose that will extend for the weeks to come.

HITS

Trent Seven vs. Killian Dain (Qualifying Match for the No. 1 Contender Fatal 4-Way Match)

Mainly, this match came across as a squash for Killian Dain and to project him to look strong going into the Fatal Four-Way match.  At the start of the match, Seven immediately attacked his opponent but was soon subdued with a strong forearm.  From there it was the Killian Dain Show as he served up hard hitting blows leveling his opponent.  Seven tried to make a comeback with a series of chops and a quick DDT for a two count.  He then attempted a fireman’s carry to no avail as Dain executed a fireman’s carry into a forward slam followed by a senton.  The match concluded with Dain hitting a Vader Bomb for the win.  Anyone who has seen Killian Dain wrestle before knows that he is an excellent in-ring performer (most notably in the War Games match at the most recent Takeover event) and this match solidified that notion to carry him strongly into the Fatal Four-Way contenders match.

Ruby Riott vs. Sonya Deville (No Holds Bar Match):

It is plain to see that there is no love lost between these two adversaries even though they have been promoted to the main roster.  Somewhat different from their last bout; by that, I mean it was a standard regulated match, but this week was a different story.  There was a lot of back and forth between the two, but after Deville locked in an ankle lock early, the match somewhat changed course.  Riott was now playing the role of the underdog as she battled through her injury very valiantly.  Deville surely impressed with her aggression, pounding Riott into corners and following up with some heavy strikes as she is know for, but was not able to keep Riott down.  Riott was very determined to win, not giving up and giving everything she had.  She hit Deville with an impressive STO to keep her in the game, running off of pure adrenaline.  She even performed a nice leap outside the ring to put DeVille on her back on the entrance ramp.  But she was not able to capitalize as she was put in a triangle as she tried to re-enter the ring.  Even though she did not give up, she was not able to withstand the hold and passed out for Deville to pick up the win. A very good match between these two to where it might be a long time before we see another match between them as they go their separate ways to the main roster.

Johnny Gargano vs. Kassius Ohno (Qualifying Match for the No. 1 Contender Fatal 4-Way Match):

This match was simply amazing!  Johnny Gargano is an outstanding wrestler with great resilience and heart.  This match had everything that one could ask for; excellent story telling, great in-ring executions, and beautiful match psychology, as well as being very innovative.  This was the story of the underdog ( a title usually held by Gargano) going up against a much larger and stronger opponent in Kassius Ohno.  After a series of pleasantries given by the two, it was on from there.  Ohno did not disappoint or stray from what would become the story of the match as he delivered some powerful forearm strikes as well as kicks, but could not keep Gargano down.  Gargano did an outstanding job selling every blow that he received in classic fashion.  Ohno was able to put some of his agility on display as well.  It could be said that one thing that makes Gargano great is that he makes others look good in the ring with him.  This is not to take away from Ohno, but it has been a while since we have seen Ohno straight wrestle as opposed to just delivering hard hits.  In the end, it was Gargano who emerged victorious after putting Ohno in the GargaNo Escape.  The only thing I would have like to have seen was Ohno not giving up so quick; maybe a little bit more struggle before submitting.  After the match, both contenders showed mutual respect for one another as Ohno made his way up the entrance ramp as Gargano remained in the ring to celebrate his victory.  It is interesting to see where Gargano goes from here. Will he be able to keep up this momentum all the way to face Andrade “Cien” Almas, or will he suffer a close defeat as we have seen many times before. I guess we just have to wait and see.

Misses: There were none.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: NXT HITS & MISSES 11/29: Kairi Sane vs. Peyton Roce, Dunne & Andrews vs. Bate & Seven, Street Profits vs. Sabbatelli & Moss