3/21 NXT PRIMER (Spoiler-free): Adam Cole vs. Kassius Ohno, Third Time’s the Charm for Chiampa, who will join Roderick Strong

NXT PREVIEW
MARCH 21, 2018
TAPED AT FULL SAIL UNIVESRITY IN WINTER PARK, FLA.
AIRED ON WWE NETWORK
REPORT BY JOEY GALIZIA, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

ANNOUNCED BY WWE:

• Who will join Roderick Strong in the Dusty Classic?
• Adam Cole clashes with the knockout king Kassius Ohno
• Ember Moon looks to build some momentum as she takes on Aliyah
• Third time’s the charm for Tommasso Ciampa?

“A MOST DANGEROUS MAN”

It’s safe to say that Tommasso Ciampa is currently transitioning into one of the darkest timelines ever, and I’m not just talking about wrestling. The man dubbed the Sicilian Psychopath was booed so vigorously during the last two weeks of NXT television that he ended up leaving the ring without uttering a word. Ciampa clearly wants to address his actions and why he believes that he is in the right. I have a sneaking suspicion that he may make a pretty decent argument. Problem is that the man whose job got lost because of him is the most LOVED wrestler in the NXT Universe. (I would say in the company but Daniel Bryan did just return.) According to previews, Ciampa will make yet another attempt towards speaking his mind. I just hope for his sake that the Full Sail crowd doesn’t chew him up like the fans in Atlanta did.

“MYSTERY MACHINE”

The Dusty Rhodes tag team Classic wages on, and yet another first round matchup comes our way this evening. This time, it’s the unlikely pairing of Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch taking on Roderick Strong and…. someone. That’ right. Roddy’s partner has yet to be revealed and most likely won’t be until it’s time to make an entrance. Best bet says that it is the United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne after he and Strong stood tall to fend off the Undisputed just seven days ago. Strong had also approached Dunne earlier to congratulate him on his victory in their clash for the U.K. Title. Respect is earned oozes from this relationship, and the fact that these two strive to be nothing more than the best spells out bad news for anyone who stands across the ring from them. This of course, is all just speculation since his partner has yet to be revealed. (It could also OBVIOUSLY be Sting.) Either way, the winner of tonight’s round goes on to face SANITY in the semifinals.

“THE KING OF THE GATE”

-Also in action tonight will be the Undisputed’s leader Adam Cole. After taking to Twitter and claiming that he is an “uncrowned” champion, the knockout king Kassius Ohno promised to give Cole a crown he can wear for the rest of his life: AN ELBOW CROWN. Can Kassius earn a big victory and maybe find his way onto the Takeover card?

-NXT Women’s champion Ember Moon finally gave Shayna Baszler the rematch she’s been asking for, and those two will meet on April 7^th. As for this evening, Ember looks to build some momentum towards her meeting with the Ace of Spades as she goes one-on-one with Aliyah.

-Not certain if we’ll see any more developments from the NXT Champion Andrade Cien Almas and his manager Zelina Vega this week. Zelina did get beaten up by Candice LeRae during last week’s contract signing with Cien’s Takeover opponent Aleister Black. However, Cien was not present for any of this. Will he try to respond?

-Still waiting on the direction of guys like Ricochet, EC3, and Velveteen Dream for the New Orleans card. Expect that to come soon.

Never thought I’d say this but I’m pretty excited that NXT returns to its home in Full Sail! Three weeks until Takeover! You watching?

NOW CATCH UP ON LAST WEEK’S TV SHOW: 3/14 NXT TV Report: Tomasso Ciampa returns, Adam Cole vs. Pete Dunne, Almas-Black contract signing, Sanity vs. Moss & Sabbatelli