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This edition of NXT was an All-Star Card. It had two title matches, the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Classic, appearances by John Cena and Cody Rhodes, as well as other Main Roster stars.
NXT MENS HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Men’s Champion: Grayson Waller
After Greyson Waller’s successful title defense at Halloween Havoc, CM Punk challenged him for the title. Punk and Gayson Waller put on the match that you would expect these two to have. It was a back-and-forth, highly-athletic contest. Each participant hit high-impact moves in an attempt to finish the other, At the end, Punk’s adversary and opponent on Friday Night Smackdown, Kevin Owens, distracted Punk. Waller rolled up Punk for the pinfall and a successful title defense.
Brandler’s Bit: The finish was telegraphed by a social media post earlier in the day in which Shawn Michaels told Kevin Owens he was banned from the building. If you were a new fan to pro wrestling you would assume, “this means Owens won’t be there.” If you’ve seen wrestling more than once, you know that means he will interfere. Waller is on top and right now, there is no top contender. I’m sure by the time NXT’s TLC Premium Live Event which is Dec. 12, we will know his next opponent.
NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Women’s Champion: Kelani Jordan
After Kelani Jordan’s successful title defense at Halloween Havoc, Jordan was to face a “mystery opponent” tonight. The mystery was solved when Paige made her return to NXT. These two women had a really good match. There were many near falls and reverses of big moves. The ending finishing sequence involved Jordan hitting her “One of Kind” split-legged moonsault. This move was reversed and Paige attempted her “Rampage” move. Kelani reversed that into a rollup for the pinfall victory. Kelani has many possible opponents for her next title defense on the Women’s roster including a possible rematch with Kendal Grey.
Brandler’s Bit: Paige was the perfect opponent for Kendal. It was a fresh match up with a very seasoned wrestler, guiding an up-and-coming and main roster ready wrestler to a good match. It is rumored that Paige was not the first choice. It would be interesting to learn who was.
DUSTY RHODES TAG TEAM CUP CLASSIC MATCH (Finals)
Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Romeo Moreno & Noam Dar
This was the eleventh Dusty Cup Final. Cody Rhodes was on commentary. These two teams fought three other opponents to get to this match. This was a contrast in styles between tag team veterans Hank and Tank and Dar and Moreno. These teams went all out in this match. We got to see highly-flying by Moreno, submission wrestling by Dar, and good big-man action by Hank & Tank.
Hank & Tank hit their top rope splashes on Dar for a very long two count. Dar came back and hit a very lengthy knee bar which was broken up at the last minute by Tank. Moreno & Dar hit stereo “Crossroads” which set up their high/low finisher for the win. Rhodes came to ring side and awarded Moreno & Dar the cup and then told them the best news. Next week they will meet the Vanity Project for the NXT Tag Team Titles!
Brandler’s Bit: Great match. Better ending. I loved the long-term selling by Hank as he tried to save Tank from the pin, but his knee that was brutalized by Dar in the knee bar earlier gave way. Cody’s commentary with Booker T and Vic Joseph was too much noise. He distracted viewers from the match instead of adding to it. The announcement of the title match for next week was great and, if NXT wants to take the titles off of the Vanity Project, Dar & Moreno would be a great team to hold them.
MID-CARD MATCHES
Six-Man Tag Team Match
The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes, NXT Tag Team Champions) & Jackson Drake (NXT North American Champion) vs. Dragon Lee & Rey Fenix & Chad Gable. This matchup had the team with great chemistry versus three stars teaming together for the first time.
The Vanity Project is a classic “old school” heel team that takes short cuts, engages in double-teams, and uses outside interference to win matches. In this match, however, talent was greater than teamwork. All three main roster wrestlers showed their talent. The finish came when all three hit simultaneous finishers: Lee hit “Operation Dragon,” Fenix applied his submission stretch move, and Gable used an ankle lock.
Brandler’s Bit: This match was shorter than I expected. It was all action and great to see the Vanity Project rub elbows with the stars. I’m curious where this team is headed. Will they end up as an entry on the main roster like Fatal Influence? Will they break Drake off as a singles wrestler and push him into the NXT Title picture?
Unsanctioned Match
Cruz Montana vs. Dion Lennox
This match was set up by lots of trash talk by Dion Lennox. Cruz Montana gave him a “beat down” as a result. On Monday, Cruz joined The 946 faction so this change added extra dynamics. This was violent and aggressive. Michael Chandler of the UFC was the guest referee. Cruz started quickly jumping Lennox prior to the bell. Later he suplexed Dion through a wall at ringside. Predictably Dark State came to interfere. They, however, were greeted by The 946 who beat up Lennox, Osiris Griffin, and Cutler James. Montana won with a “Rolling Elbow.”
Brandler’s Bit: I’m not sure I understand the “Unsanctioned” stipulation. How was this any different than any other “no disqualification” match? If they wanted to use an Unsanctioned stip, why not do it at the end of the night as in a “Lights Out” match? It seemed like a great excuse to show The 946 to another audience rather than have Cruz settle the score with Dion Lennox
The John Cena Classic Announcement
John Cena came out. He did some nice John Cena accolades for the fans and just introduced the latest entrant into the Cena Classic. He brought out Zilla Fatu. Cena stated “ Your family has done so much for me… I loved your dad.” That statement was unexpected.
Brandler’s Bit: Short sweet and to the point as compared to Cena’s Raw bloated appearance.
NEXT WEEK ON NXT
- The Vanity Project vs Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar NXT Tag Team Title
- Ek Prosper vs. Kam Hendrix (Revenge for Prosper since Kam cost him the North American Title)
- Sean Legacy vs Saquon Shugars vs Tristan Angels (Three lost wrestlers trying to move up the card)
- Lizzy Rain vs Chantel Monroe (the rematch from last week)
- Wren Sinclair vs Izzi Dame (Wren is upset with Izzi’s treatment of Zaria)
