BRM Reviews the 12/25/2019 NXT (AWESOME!)

[Big Red Machine]

We start off with the B-Team in the studio, who pitch it to Nigel and Mauro in Full Sail. Hopefully that isn’t an indication that this show is going to be full of filler.

RODERICK STRONG PROMO- Lamely holiday themed, but Roddy can get away with it because he’s a whiny heel who thinks he’s clever when he’s really being lame. Roddy is in a giving mood so he is making an open challenge to give out a North American Title shot.

NXT NORTH AMERICAN TITLE MATCH: Roderick Strong(c) vs. Austin Theory- 8.5/10
The crowd knew Theory well and reacted to him like he was someone who mattered. Not like he was a major star, but not like he was some unknown goof, either. This was an awesome debut for Theory, but I think it would have been better if he hadn’t been… well… Austin Theory. He’s a natural heel, so it’s kind of hard to cheer for him, no matter great a performance he puts in.

BACK TO THE PANEL FOR TALKING- Pat MacAfee is a total goof. He was embarrassing. Instead of going back to Nigel and Mauro, they pitched us over to Brooklyn with Tom Phillips and Beth Phoenix for…

JACK GALLAGHER vs. ISAIAH “SWERVE” SCOTT- 8.5/10
Another awesome match! The story was both men working over the arm, with Swerve picking up the win after a sick arm-cracker stomp followed by his finishing kick the head. Gallagher worked perfectly as the subtle heel and Swerve’s selling was excellent.
The announcers talked about all of NXT’s great history in Brooklyn and trying to push it as a “home away from home,” but their entire soon argument amounted to “the first TakeOver outside of Full Sail happened here, and then some other TakeOvers also happened here.” The announcers went back to this point immediately every time they tried to push Brooklyn as a “second home” to NXT, the panel started talking about it the moment we cut back to them as well.

CANDICE LERAE vs. TAYNARA CONTI- 6.75/10
Whoever suggested that Candice LeRae’s TitanTron graphic should be a wrapped piece of Candy should have been fired the moment it was suggested. This was the best Conti has looked pretty much ever. Crazy how that happens when you put her in there with a fantastic babyface and let the babyface sell a lot.

ARTURO RUAS VIDEO PACKAGE- GREAT!

DOMINIK DIJAKOVIK vs. BRONSON REED- 6.75/10
A very good hoss fight.

WORLDS COLLIDE 2020 PLUG- They’ve booked UNDISPUTED ERA VS. IMPERIUM… which means now I actually have to watch this show.

SHOTZI BLACKHEART vs. BIANCA BELAIR- 6/10
They gave Shotzi a lot but Bianca got the win.

DAMIAN PRIEST & TONY NESE vs. LIO RUSH & KEITH LEE- 7/10
A great match, but several notches down from the first two matches. I could have done without the silliness with the hat.

This episode of NXT was an awesome watch. Hopefully at least the results of the matches will mean something for storylines down the road.