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MIZ TV ON NXT
Well, I never thought I’d be covering an episode of NXT that kicked off with NXT Champion, Dolph Ziggler and his tag partner Bobby Roode featured on Miz TV. But here we are.
Isn’t this show supposed to be a developmental show? Why are we kicking things off with three main roster stars? While the segment wasn’t bad, things certainly picked up when an actual NXT star, LA Knight, stepped up to the plate to lay claim to Ziggler’s newly won title.
I understand using the main roster talent to put over the newer stars and make NXT 2.0 feel bigger than it is. But Ziggler, Miz, Roode and Knight for that matter are so polished, it made the rest of the show look like amateur hour in comparison.
I’ve been high on Ziggler in NXT, but I do wish that they’d stick to what they wanted to do in the first place – make NXT 2.0 a developmental territory. Right now, it’s beginning to feel like a B show for RAW specifically.
The segment itself doesn’t warrant a miss, it was actually rather entertaining and I looked forward to Ziggler vs. Knight for the NXT title. But, I’d rather see NXT talent putting over NXT talent. That’s how it used to be under HHH and the Black and Gold brand. Now, they’re using the main roster to try and bring eyeballs to the product which, I feel, lessens the impact of the younger talent.
Verdict: Lukewarm HIT
CAMERON GRIMES vs. SANTOS ESCABAR – NA CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT QUALIFIER
To determine Carmelo Hayes’ challenger at Stand and Deliver, a tournament has begun beginning with Escobar vs. Grimes. What. A. Match.
For the first match of the night, this was fire. These two are incredible performers in their own right, and in the same ring together they made magic. Grimes was the underdog as Escobar had Mendoza, Wilde & Lopez in his corner, but he showed a lot of heart trying to overcome Escobar.
What got me was the fact that it felt like neither of these men could stand to lose this match. Escobar was sort of in the NXT Title picture a month ago, and then all of a sudden wasn’t, making him feel a little less important than he should. Grimes has been stuck in the mid card for so long, it feels like they have to pull the trigger on him sooner rather than later if they’re going to do it at all. I felt like a loss for either man results in a “Well, what next?” mentality for either of them.
Grimes ultimately ate the pin, meaning he’s not going to be in the NA title picture. He won’t be in the NXT title picture, as that’s crowded as it is. So what is next for the bitcoin millionaire? That’s the question.
Verdict: HIT
A-KID vs. KUSHIDA
This is the first A-Kid match I’ve watched bell to bell, and I’m instantly a fan. A-Kid wrestles an extremely similar style to Kushida, which led to an absolute clinic as we crept up on the 2nd hour of the show. Kushida, unfortunately, has not had a stellar NXT run sidelined by injuries a couple times. He’s been relegated to a glorified jobber, and even though he may have lost to A-Kid, this match could potentially raise Kushida’s stock. This was such a fun, competitive and bombastic match – albeit on the shorter side – that I hope the NXT brass take notice and give him some more air time.
Verdict: HIT
THE MYSTERIOS ON NXT?!
Speaking of main roster talent infiltrating NXT… LdF was giving an interview backstage when Rey and Dominik challenged LdF.
I’ve been saying for quite some time that Dominik could benefit from some time down in developmental. Though I doubt he’ll be down there for long, I hope he takes something from his time in NXT.
It’s just also hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that just six months ago, NXT had a roster full of its own stars. Now, we’ve had five main roster stars show up during the first hour of tonight’s episode. While it’s not bad TV per se, I miss the days when NXT was being pushed as a third brand and not just a feeder system.
Verdict: MISS
TIFFANY STRATTON vs. SARRAY
Last week, Sarray cost Stratton a win and Stratton looked to get her revenge tonight. She attacked Sarray before her entrance where she “transforms” into a wrestler or something. Instead, she wrestled Stratton dressed like a Japanese school girl, and lost in what seemed like 30 seconds.
Just another reason why I don’t like this new gimmick for Sarray. It’s supernatural. Supernatural gimmicks are incredibly difficult to pull off and Sarray just hasn’t done it for me yet.
Stratton, on the other hand, has finally won me over. I think I finally agree with my fellow PWT Talks NXT co-hosts that she could possibly be the next major star in the women’s division on NXT or even the main roster.
Verdict: Lukewarm HIT
INDI HARTWELL vs. PERSIA PIROTTA
Well, this was awkward. Both Indi and Persia came out together to face one another in this match. Not all has been rainbows and butterflies between these two ‘best friends’ as of late, leading into this contest tonight.
I hate to say this, as I love me some Indi, but this was easily the bathroom break match of the night. The fans looked disinterested, sounded disinterested, and could be seen looking at their phones or around the arena. Persia’s man, Duke Hudson tried interfering, causing Dexter Lumis to emerge from under the ring, garnering the biggest pop of the match.
This is clearly working towards a mixed tag at Stand and Deliver, and frankly, I’m actually looking forward to that match more than I’d expect to be. I was so invested in the InDex storyline before the 2.0 rebrand, that it’ll be great to finally see them work together in the ring.
Verdict: Match gets a MISS. Potential mixed tag gets a HIT
RAUL MENDOZA vs DOMINIK MYSTERIO
Rey Mysterio is arguably one of the most beloved wrestlers of all time and inspired an entire generation of wrestlers and luchadors to enter the squared circle. His son, Dominik, has some majorly large shoes to fill. His size makes his wrestling style seem like he’s lanky and not in control of his body, though he definitely is in control most of the time. I feel like Dominik needs to change up his style. Create his own wrestling style that is a hybrid of Rey’s as well as something more appropriate for his body type.
That said, this was actually an entertaining matchup. Briggs, Jensen and Henley got involved in the match after having a squabble with LdF last week. The distraction led to Mendoza being distracted and Dominik to pick up his first NXT win.
Verdict: HIT
DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. LA KNIGHT – NXT CHAMPIONSHIP
Dolph Ziggler in a main event isn’t really something that I thought would excite me. But, I was looking forward to this match all night long. Say what you will about Ziggler, but there is no denying that his ring work is outstanding and his charisma is certainly nothing to scoff at either. LA Knight is also a talent who never has a bad match and has charisma for days. Put these two together, and you’ve got a winning combination.
No, it was far from the best NXT Championship match in the show’s history, but for a TV defense, it was extremely entertaining and kept me invested the entire way.
Bron Breakker showed up after Ziggler’s win after being banished from the building earlier in the day. Ziggler demanded his rematch, punched Roode out, and stared Ziggler down until Ziggler gave him his rematch at Stand and Deliver.
Nothing surprising here, this is more or less what I predicted would be the case last week. Not the random LA Knight title shot, but Breakker getting a rematch at S&D. My guess is that he’ll win the belt back just so they can refer to him as a two time NXT Champion.
Verdict: HIT
“Ziggler demanded his rematch, punched Roode out, and stared Ziggler down until Ziggler gave him his rematch at Stand and Deliver.”
I’m guessing BRON punched Roode?