JOHNNY GARGANO & TOMMASO CIAMPA vs. TM
They’re even still saying “the mighty don’t kneel” in their promos… so why change their name? What does this “61” symbolize?
Really good introduction for TM61. I was actually shocked that they lost, just because if Ciampa and Gargano are going to be competing the Cruiserweight Classic, then they’re going to wind up as singles guy in a few months so there is no reason not to have them job in this tag match to what will definitely be a tag team that will stay together for quite a long time.
Why are they showing a commercial for the NXT’s Greatest Matches DVD on the WWE Network during NXT? If I’m watching NXT on the WWE Network I obviously know that already have access to all of this footage. The place they SHOULD be advertising this DVD that they don’t is on Raw.
WOMEN BACKSTAGE- This started off as a really good interview with Bayley that was interrupted by Nia, transforming it into a good segment between those two... but then they turned it into one of those corny, contrived WWE “skits” where all of the other women in the match happen to be walking by and have to drop their comments in. Alexa was great, as usual, but by the time she showed up the segment was already dead. Carmella was particularly terrible, and I’m not even sure how to describe what they had her wearing, but she looked like a complete and total doofus.
VIDEO PACKAGE FOR ANDRADE “CIEN” ALMAS- cool.
AUSTIN ARIES & SHINSUKE NAKAMURA SEGMENT- that’s really all I need to say to convey how awesome this was.
Regal books them against each other at Takeover.
Okay. Everyone changed their pants?
AMERICAN ALPHA PROMO- GREAT!
NO WAY JOSE vs. A JOBBER- entertaining squash.
And the announcers were fun, too.
FINN BALOR VIDEO PACKAGE- awesome
ASUKA PROMO- okay.
#1 CONTENDERSHIP MATCH: Nia Jax vs. Carmella vs. Alexa Bliss!- 6.75/10
Why Alexa Bliss! is awesome- Exhibit A:
This match was everything that’s great about Alexa Bliss! She’s a lot like Ausitn Aries in that they are both small but they know how to carry themselves like they are much bigger than they are, and it makes them come off like stars. Also, that comedy spot with Alexa and Nia in the beginning is certain to be the funniest thing I see in a wrestling ring all year.
POST-MATCH SEGMENT- Asuka came out and had a GREAT stare-down with the winner.
A great show from NXT. Lots of fun, with a great mean event, some awesome promos and video packages, and ARIES AND NAKAMURA CUTTING PROMOS ON EACH OTHER.
