By Eric Martinez
Sami Zayn vs Adam Rose
Only in his second match back, Sami took on a returning- and rather surprising to see- Adam Rose who came out with no Rosebuds by his side (however, he was not as partypooperish as he has been in the past). Rather surprisingly, the match was evenly matched between the two men in the beginning. It wasn't a complete squash for Sami, and it wasn't the usual heel beats down face until comeback moment. In the end, however, Sami won by submission via a surprise Koji Clutch to an unaware Rose.
What I liked: The finish was wonderful because of the fact that it helped solidify the Koji Clutch through realism. A submission can and will come out of nowhere especially by someone who knows submissions, or that submission in particular, extremely well. Therefore, the Koji Clutch is built up as a finisher with "outta nowhere" meaning more potential for Sami pulling out a surprise win against an unassuming opponent. Furthermore, Rose isn't in the hold for too long before tapping. A submission can and will hurt you if you're in it too long or it'll make you pass out.
Plus, the crowd not joining some lone dude in chanting "Leo Kruger" was pretty cool.
What I disliked: While it was nice to see the match was even and the finish was wonderful, it wasn't particularly eventful. A decent match that did just good enough to be average. It was merely meant to help Sami look good going into his #1 contender's match next week. Honestly, you can skip it even with the creative finish.
Only in his second match back, Sami took on a returning- and rather surprising to see- Adam Rose who came out with no Rosebuds by his side (however, he was not as partypooperish as he has been in the past). Rather surprisingly, the match was evenly matched between the two men in the beginning. It wasn't a complete squash for Sami, and it wasn't the usual heel beats down face until comeback moment. In the end, however, Sami won by submission via a surprise Koji Clutch to an unaware Rose.
What I liked: The finish was wonderful because of the fact that it helped solidify the Koji Clutch through realism. A submission can and will come out of nowhere especially by someone who knows submissions, or that submission in particular, extremely well. Therefore, the Koji Clutch is built up as a finisher with "outta nowhere" meaning more potential for Sami pulling out a surprise win against an unassuming opponent. Furthermore, Rose isn't in the hold for too long before tapping. A submission can and will hurt you if you're in it too long or it'll make you pass out.
Plus, the crowd not joining some lone dude in chanting "Leo Kruger" was pretty cool.
What I disliked: While it was nice to see the match was even and the finish was wonderful, it wasn't particularly eventful. A decent match that did just good enough to be average. It was merely meant to help Sami look good going into his #1 contender's match next week. Honestly, you can skip it even with the creative finish.
Tye Dillinger vs Apollo Crews
We're treated to a rematch from NXT Takeover: Brooklyn that stands on its own. Again, Crews stood tall, but not after Dillinger gave him some trouble. Dillinger held his own and even hit Crews with his patented running bare knee. However, in spite of his offense, Dillinger would be defeated via a spin-out powerbomb.
What I liked: A very fun and enjoyable back-and-forth match between both men. I loved some of the fun and cool spots like Crews' stalling suplex and Dillinger's 10 taunt as well as a suicide dive.
What I disliked: I can't really say much. It's an enjoyable match but not quite must-see. However, it doesn't fall into the category of skippable matches. If you like both guys, definitely check it out.
We're treated to a rematch from NXT Takeover: Brooklyn that stands on its own. Again, Crews stood tall, but not after Dillinger gave him some trouble. Dillinger held his own and even hit Crews with his patented running bare knee. However, in spite of his offense, Dillinger would be defeated via a spin-out powerbomb.
What I liked: A very fun and enjoyable back-and-forth match between both men. I loved some of the fun and cool spots like Crews' stalling suplex and Dillinger's 10 taunt as well as a suicide dive.
What I disliked: I can't really say much. It's an enjoyable match but not quite must-see. However, it doesn't fall into the category of skippable matches. If you like both guys, definitely check it out.
Baron Corbin vs Rich Swann
The Lone Wolf of NXT came out to assert his dominance tonight. However, both the NXT crowd and we, the viewer, were treated to a surprise debut by one of the top guys on the independent circuit- Rich Swann. On a storytelling level, this match made sense since Corbin has been targeting independent guys for months now. Corbin continued his winning streak after an absolutely beautiful spinning side slam.
What I liked: Now this was a very fun and worthwhile match to see. Not a complete squash by Corbin due to the fact that Swann actually got in a lot of offense. He looked impressive out there and I'm so glad he got signed.
Some of the little things I liked in the match were:
What I disliked: As much as I enjoyed the match for its spots and fun, the continuous pace of spot, spot, spot, spot got a bit annoying. In the beginning of the match, Swann targeted the leg of Corbin - something I pointed out that I liked- to the point where Corbin was limping which implied that the kicks had an effect on Corbin's mobility. However, we only saw this briefly because Corbin went on what felt like a 10 spot combo between Swann and himself with no slowing down or selling.
The Lone Wolf of NXT came out to assert his dominance tonight. However, both the NXT crowd and we, the viewer, were treated to a surprise debut by one of the top guys on the independent circuit- Rich Swann. On a storytelling level, this match made sense since Corbin has been targeting independent guys for months now. Corbin continued his winning streak after an absolutely beautiful spinning side slam.
What I liked: Now this was a very fun and worthwhile match to see. Not a complete squash by Corbin due to the fact that Swann actually got in a lot of offense. He looked impressive out there and I'm so glad he got signed.
Some of the little things I liked in the match were:
- Rich Swann's leg kicks because it makes sense to chop down such a big guy by targeting his legs.
- Corbin heeling it up with some crowd taunting.
- Lots and lots of spinning offense from Rich Swann which looks flashy and makes sense considering an opponent can become confused and not know how to react. In any case, it makes Swann look good since fans love spinning stuff.
What I disliked: As much as I enjoyed the match for its spots and fun, the continuous pace of spot, spot, spot, spot got a bit annoying. In the beginning of the match, Swann targeted the leg of Corbin - something I pointed out that I liked- to the point where Corbin was limping which implied that the kicks had an effect on Corbin's mobility. However, we only saw this briefly because Corbin went on what felt like a 10 spot combo between Swann and himself with no slowing down or selling.
Emma w/ Dana Brooke and Alexa Bliss vs Carmella and Bayley
I absolutely love both Emma's and Alexa's new themes. Slightly remixed versions of the old combined with a newer sounding style to match their new personalities. In Alexa's case, I love the mix of her old theme and dubstep like Blake and Murphy's theme. Baymella, as they dubbed themselves, are tested when they team up for the first time against two of NXT's top female heels. However, it was Baymella's night after Carmella made Alexa tap out via figure-four headscissors.
What I liked: The start of the match was brilliant. By recognizing Bayley as the champion as well as the more experienced and, honestly, better competitor, Alexa Bliss and Emma targeted her first with a double beatdown. It's smart heelwork - double teaming, cheating, etc - that helped make Bliss and Emma look strong. Even further, I loved that they made sure to push Carmella out of the ring first so she couldn't interfere in the beginning.
Hell, the whole match was damn good in terms of storytelling. Bayley looked like a sympathetic babyface since she was beat down for most of the match. Furthermore, she actually sold the damage of the opening sneak attack for the whole match!
Keeping Carmella as the hot tag was smart as well. In terms of skill, Carmella was the weakest woman in the match so a hot tag made the crowd pop and allowed Carmella to hit her spots on the way to a win. It helped get her over and make her look strong without a grand effort because of good storytelling.
Honestly, it's my match of the night.
What I disliked: Nothing immediate comes to mind. Definitely worth a watch.
I absolutely love both Emma's and Alexa's new themes. Slightly remixed versions of the old combined with a newer sounding style to match their new personalities. In Alexa's case, I love the mix of her old theme and dubstep like Blake and Murphy's theme. Baymella, as they dubbed themselves, are tested when they team up for the first time against two of NXT's top female heels. However, it was Baymella's night after Carmella made Alexa tap out via figure-four headscissors.
What I liked: The start of the match was brilliant. By recognizing Bayley as the champion as well as the more experienced and, honestly, better competitor, Alexa Bliss and Emma targeted her first with a double beatdown. It's smart heelwork - double teaming, cheating, etc - that helped make Bliss and Emma look strong. Even further, I loved that they made sure to push Carmella out of the ring first so she couldn't interfere in the beginning.
Hell, the whole match was damn good in terms of storytelling. Bayley looked like a sympathetic babyface since she was beat down for most of the match. Furthermore, she actually sold the damage of the opening sneak attack for the whole match!
Keeping Carmella as the hot tag was smart as well. In terms of skill, Carmella was the weakest woman in the match so a hot tag made the crowd pop and allowed Carmella to hit her spots on the way to a win. It helped get her over and make her look strong without a grand effort because of good storytelling.
Honestly, it's my match of the night.
What I disliked: Nothing immediate comes to mind. Definitely worth a watch.
Johnny Gargano vs Samoa Joe
Good match up to see. Johnny played the underdog well against the massive force that is Samoa Joe. Unfortunately, that force bulldozed Gargano like nothing. The night belonged to Samoa Joe after making Gargano submit via his patented Coquina Clutch.
What I liked: Damn fun match. It was more of an extended squash to keep Joe looking like a vicious, destructive force and it definitely succeeded. Some fun spots here and there, but the storytelling in each move is what helped sell that match. It felt like Gargano had no chance and Joe looked every bit the destructive monster that he is with a lot of brutal, vicious looking attacks. Yet, Gargano's fighting spirit shined and he took the fight to Joe as best he could.
What I disliked: I wasn't a fan of the fact that this match felt like a squash. A match between these two has the potential to be a great 3+ star match so hopefully, we can see that in the future.
Good match up to see. Johnny played the underdog well against the massive force that is Samoa Joe. Unfortunately, that force bulldozed Gargano like nothing. The night belonged to Samoa Joe after making Gargano submit via his patented Coquina Clutch.
What I liked: Damn fun match. It was more of an extended squash to keep Joe looking like a vicious, destructive force and it definitely succeeded. Some fun spots here and there, but the storytelling in each move is what helped sell that match. It felt like Gargano had no chance and Joe looked every bit the destructive monster that he is with a lot of brutal, vicious looking attacks. Yet, Gargano's fighting spirit shined and he took the fight to Joe as best he could.
What I disliked: I wasn't a fan of the fact that this match felt like a squash. A match between these two has the potential to be a great 3+ star match so hopefully, we can see that in the future.
A fun episode that I would say is worth the watch. The Zayn/Rose match can be skipped, but the show progressively gets better throughout the night. I'd give it a solid B grade.
