BRM Reviews the 7/5/2017 NXT (Roddy vs. Roode!)

[Big Red Machine]

OPENING VIDEO PACKAGE- good. Between this and Roddy showing up to the arena with his wife, son, and mother, I’m starting to get some Flair vs. Steamboat vibes with the rich champion in gaudy robes vs. the hardworking family man.

KASSIUS OHNO & HIDEO ITAMI vs. SAnitY (Alexander Wolf & Killian Dain)- 6/10
A good match that did a perfect job of moving the story along. Due to SAnitY, Ohno wasn’t there when Itami needed a tag, so later Itami refused to tag Ohno in. This led to them losing due to Itami being worn down, and a contrast was drawn by having SAnitY use a rather extreme version of teamwork where Wolf allowed himself to eat a GTS as a distraction so that Dain could hit Itami with his finisher and get the win.

EMBER MOON IS INTERVIEWED BY “THE MEDIA”- I LOVE the fake press conference gimmick so much, when it’s done right, and this one was definitely done right. It hits that wonderful spot for me of a “real sports” presentation while being so clearly a work that I can’t help but smile.
Ember said she would beat Asuka. Ruby Riot came over and took exception to this. For some reason she seems to think that she deserves a title shot before Ember even though she lost her last title shot while Ember was robbed of one by an injury. Ember said she’d take on anyone who gets in her way.

DREW MCINTYRE INTERVIEW- Great!
He wants a title shot. It’s nice to see that he’s finally doing something after three months in NXT. Also, apparently Killian Dain said he wanted a title shot. Has he even talked on screen?

JOHNNY GARGANO RETURNS NEXT WEEK- also, we got a recap of Ciampa’s turn, but, oddly, not of his promo.

EARLIER TODAY, KAYLA BRAXTON INTERVIEWED BILLIE KAY & PEYTON ROYCE- They’re annoyed because only Peyton remembered Billie’s birthday. Really.
More importantly, in the background, Almas was arguing with a woman. She stormed off. Kayla asked Andrade who she is. He ignored her.

RODDY-ROODE VIDEO PACKAGE- AWESOME!

NXT TITLE MATCH: Bobby Roode(c) vs. Roderick Strong- 8.5/10
Before the match Roddy was asked what is on his mind heading into this match. Roddy simply said “victory.” Roode was asked a similar question and cut a good promo. The storytelling here was excellent, and the finish does an excellent job of keeping Roddy hot as a contender while still giving Roode what is technically a clean win.

An awesome episode of NXT.

[KILLdozer]

That was Thea Trinidad.

[Big Red Machine]

That was Thea Trinidad.

Right, but she doesn't have a kayfabe name yet.

[KILLdozer]

That was Thea Trinidad.

Right, but she doesn't have a kayfabe name yet.

Pretty sure she's been on under that name before.

[Big Red Machine]

That was Thea Trinidad.

Right, but she doesn't have a kayfabe name yet.

Pretty sure she's been on under that name before.

I think she did a job to Nia on the main roster last summer under that name but that's it. And either way, if she hasn't been identified as that same person then we're not supposed to consider her that same kayfabe person.

[KILLdozer]

Don't you just love how much sense that makes sense? Lol