SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
This was a decent episode this week for NXT as we are a little over three weeks out from NXT: New Orleans, so things are starting to mount up. We had a contract signing for the NXT championship as well as more developments in the Dusty Rhodes Classic tournament. In addition, there was an extremely good United Kingdom Championship match in contrast to a women’s division match that was very short lived. With that being said, let’s proceed into this week’s action.
HITS
Heavy Machinery vs. The Street Profits (Dusty Rhodes Classic Tournament Match): This match was very entertaining. Both teams were over with the crowd to where both teams served as faces. Anyone watching could see that Montez Ford is a star. His presence during the Street Profits’ entrance and in the ring is overwhelming as he catches the crowd’s attention with amusement. From the dancing to the offering his cup to Heavy Machinery’s Otis Dozovic was hilarious, mainly just because of his actions/reactions alone. Heavy Machinery was impressive as well as they (mainly Tucker Knight) performed some great moves in the ring. One to mention would be when they used Ford as a battering ram against his partner Angelo Dawkins in the corner. It was the Street Profits picking up the victory when Ford hit magnificent frog splash that went about half of the distance of the ring, advancing them in the tournament to face the Authors of Pain.
Contract Signing for the NXT Championship: First of all, wow, how fine is Zelina Vega! Just off of that makes the segment as hit, but actually, this segment was great from top to bottom. I was worried at first when Vega stated that Andrade “Cien” Almas was not going to be there to sign the contract, but it is just a testament to how great Vega is, as she held her own on the mic. Aleister Black was impressive as well as he was very succinct manner while being very humorous, mainly when he “stooped” down to her level when he did his signature sit down pose. Vega showed her vicious side when she slapped Black and demanded for him to sign the contract. Black was excelled in his run down of Vega and Almas and his quips were on point. The only slight downside was when Black brought out Candice LeRae as we have seen this time and time again, so its getting kind of old. But this did not take away from this segment as it was still great and one can only anticipate the battle that will take place in New Orleans between the two phenomenal competitors.
Adam Cole vs. Pete Dunne (United Kingdom Championship Match): This match definitely lived up to being the main event this week. Even though both Adam Cole and Pete Dunne are heels, Dunne was definitely the baby face in this match. Cole was his usual cocky and confident self as Dunne was still brash, but he was very over with the crowd. Dunne basically controlled the match from the beginning with his signature joint manipulation techniques, but just when you though he was out, Cole managed to get a move or two in that would keep him competitive in the match, proving his wiliness and living up to his character traits. This match definitely highlighted both wrestlers’ characters that blended so wonderfully. There was one point in the match that had an outstanding exchange of hard hitting moves that ended with Cole planting a well placed super kick on Dunne in mid air when he was attempting a moonsault. The other members of Undisputed Era served the match well as Cole’s henchmen, antagonizing Dunne during the whole match. Dunne picked up the win via DQ when the UE attacked him when he was going for the Bitter End. It was then Roderick Strong came to his aid and continuing being a thorn in the side of the UE as they both sent the stable scrambling up the entrance steps/ramp. One of the most entertaining parts of the match was when Strong went to shake Dunne’s hand only to receive a brush on the shoulder and a signature nonchalant shrug, the work of pure beauty.
MISSES
Lacey Evans vs. Dakota Kai: This match was a definite miss as it was extremely short. What made it worse was when Shayna Baszler came to the ring after Dakota Kai picked up the win, Kai looked like a damsel in distress. Even though it was fear, one should have some courage facing the person that tried to end your career, especially when you are a professional competitor. And why did she stay in the ring so long before Ember Moon came to make the save? She could have department much sooner as she did when Moon entered the ring to fight Baszler. And her hit from behind made her look kind of cowardly. Basically this match was a set up for the women’s championship match that was announced for NXT: New Orleans.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: NXT HITS & MISSES 3/7: Aleister shows some vulnerability against Killian Dane, TM-61 returns in Dusty Classic against Authors of Pain
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