NXT HITS & MISSES 10/24: EC3 interrupts Undisputed Era promo in a great set-up for Cole vs. EC3 main event later

HITS

•Undisputed Era Promo: Great promo from the newly reunited stable as all four men were present.  Adam Cole set the tone as he put the NXT locker room on notice that it is their NXT.  It was good to see them going back to the stance that established them in the first place.  Even though they have been the work horses of the promotion for quite a while now, this promo added edge to them after Bobby Fish’s vicious return last week.  Cole also spoke of his rivalry with Ricochet and “his” North American Championship.  He pointed out how it was Pete Dunn was the one he pinned in their triple threat match, but is then interrupted by EC3.  It’s good to see EC3 being involved in a decent segment as he was given some mic time.  The bad thing though is that he needs to work on establishing his own persona as his seems to be a Rock impersonation.  He told Cole that he did not deserve a shot at the title where in turn Cole challenged him to a match that happened soon after.  Great set up for a match that we would otherwise see at a Takeover event.

•Adam Cole vs. EC3: Cole began this match aggressively, attacking EC3 after the bell rang to back up his challenge and taking offense to EC3’s words.  Fish was outstanding outside of the ring being obnoxious, chiming in at every given moment.  EC3 soon took control but soon Cole gained the upper hand.  Both men pulled off some of their trademark moves and the distractions began as the rest of the UE stood on the apron only to be knocked down by EC3.  He then managed to roll up Cole for the win, but it did not end there.  The stable attacked EC3 from the ring up to the ramp to where Fish topped it off by bashing EC3’s knee with a steel chair.  As of late, it’s almost as if Fish is being established as the “heavy” of the stable, not in the sense of a Sid Vicious or the like, but more like an Arn Anderson, an enforcer. Maybe this could lead to a single’s run, who knows but its good that they are possibly establishing some variety.   This match was a win for everyone as EC3 picked up a much needed win over an established competitor and the UE reiterated their claim of putting down anyone who defies them.  And lastly, it sets up for a possible feud down the road.

•Free Podcast on this episode: “PWT Talks NXT” PWTorch Livecast

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•NXT Championship Match Announcement for Takeover: War Games:  Once again, Ciampa is money!  He is the total package of a heel, his persona, his mannerisms, just his overall presence.  The way that he came to the ring as a covetous, slimy troll not only exemplifies the characteristics that were just mentioned, but shows how much this championship means to him.  He then insults William Regal who was already in the ring and tells him to make the announcement.  Before he can, the Velveteen Dream comes out to say it should be him only to be followed by Lars Sullivan who says the same.  In the middle of the chaos that ensued, Lars Sullivan choke slams the Dream and Nikki Cross comes out to announce “he’s coming”.  We then see Aleister Black beating up security guards on his way to the ring.  Ciampa exists the ring before Black comes in and delivers a brutal Black Mass to Lars Sullivan.  As he is demanding Regal to tell him where someone is, Johnny Gargano comes out of nowhere and super kicks Black to end the show.  This was great as there were so many moving pieces that can go some many different directions.  Hopefully this will close up this this whole “who attacked Aleister Black” angle as it is dragging, but the set up seems like it might pay off as Gargano is assumed to be the person who attacked him.  But why?  That’s another piece of the mystery that we have to just wait and find out the answer.

MISSES

None.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Overall, great show that seems to be picking up as we are a couple of weeks’ out from Takeover: War Games.  We saw the debut of Mia Yim on the promotion as well Kassius Ohno in match that showed his mounting frustration of the lack of competition that he has been receiving as of late.  We also saw more promos, one that was a set up for Evolution with Kairi Sane and Shayna Baszler and their history.  Its good to see that things are starting to come together that builds the anticipation for the next pay-per-view event.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: NXT HITS & MISSES 10/17: Undisputed Era defends NXT Tag Titles vs. War Raiders, Bianca Belair vs. Nikki Cross