THIS WEEK ON NXT TV:
- The opening video package hypes the main event, by focusing on Apollo Crews and his rise to the NXT title shot.
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Asuka vs Cameron was a fun squash. Cameron seems to have improved a bit and sold Asuka's offense really well.
That armbar Asuka applied when Cameron tried to slap her was some boss-level stuff. I mean, Asuka killed Cameron with kicks and palm strikes, it was fun! Asuka landed 3 spinning backfists and followed it up with a spinkick! Asuka then dragged Cameron around, locked in the Asuka Lock and Girl-Bye, Cameron!
- Carmella gave us a medical update regarding Big Cass, he has a sprained MCL and will be out a while.
Then, The Mechanics interrupted and gloated about what they did last week. Carmella called them George Constanza and Danny DeVitto!
1:
She also said they better watch their backs 'cause her boys will be coming after them once they're back. Carmella then walked off and The Mechanics talked about how they have a Tag Team title match with The Vaudevillians next week. They roll in a wheelchair and tell Tom to give it to The Vaudevillians because they'll need it after next week.
- Jordan & Gable cut a hilariously good backstage promo. Gable called themselves the WORLD'S GREATEST TAG TEAM (Yes, I got that reference!) and Jordan tells him not to say that. Gable admits it's his bad. Jordan wants them to challenge arguably the greatest tag team in NXT history, but Gable says they can't wrestle themselves!
1: Man, I love these two! Anyways, Jordan says they should fight the most dominant and the longest reigning NXT Tag Team Champions in history, The Ascenscion. Gable agrees, so The Ascension should come back if they are READY, WILLING AND GABLE!
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Bull Dempsey vs Angelo Dawkins was a generic squash. There wasn't much to it. But hey, at least Bull's entertaining now.
- Tom Phillips is backstage with The Vaudevillians and brings them the wheelchair The Mechanics left for them. Aiden says they know what they did to Enzo and Cass and it wasn't pretty, but neither was their own climb to the tag titles. They plan on adding their names to the pantheon of NXT greats when they beat The Mechanics next week. Simon says what The Mechanics do (easy wins), works for them. But, being gentlemen has worked out well for The Vaudevillians and they'll maintain their status as NXT Tag Champions.
- Apollo's shown sitting in the locker room. He then stood up and looked over at the NXT Championship that was hanging on Finn's locker.
- Tom Phillips is standing by Bayley and her partners are revealed, it's The Hype Bros!
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Eva Marie vs Marley (Giona Daddio) was horrible.
I must say, Marley's impressed me more with little to no offense than Eva Marie has in her entire run with the company.
- Emma and Dana were backstage with Tom, and Tom asked Emma if she's scared of Asuka. Emma said no. Asuka actually has her utmost respect, but she just doesn't like Asuka smiling at her. Dana said she respects Asuka, too, but she didn't appreciate the way Asuka patted her on the head... It was childish. [Hello! You're doing it, too, blondie!] Dana wants another shot at Asuka someday, but Emma says she'll have to wait her turn because she will give Asuka a proper welcome to NXT!
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Finn Bálor vs Apollo Crews was a really good ME! I enjoyed it, despite the DQ finish.
That finish actually protects both guys, so I can't complain. I had three possible scenarios for the ending of this match:
First one being, Bálor turns heel and gets himself DQ'd and retains the title. The second one being, Bálor turns heel and forms the Bálor Club stable.
His babyface mask is finally off. And once Hideo is back, he will reveal it was Finn behind the parking lot assault. And well, the third scenario did happen, Joe turned on Finn. Angry Joe is fun Joe, actually. So, this shall be a fun feud!
This week's show felt quick and easy to watch, it featured a lot of backstage promos and segments, but it was all for storyline development, so all's cool.