{"id":105575,"date":"2020-10-01T15:15:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T20:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=105575"},"modified":"2020-10-02T13:34:12","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T18:34:12","slug":"nxt-hits-misses-9-30-intergender-tag-main-event-build-to-takeover-31-noxs-injury-undisputed-breakup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/10\/01\/nxt-hits-misses-9-30-intergender-tag-main-event-build-to-takeover-31-noxs-injury-undisputed-breakup\/","title":{"rendered":"NXT HITS &#038; MISSES 9\/30: Intergender Tag Main Event, Build to Takeover 31, Nox&#8217;s Injury, Undisputed Breakup?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-718836329\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Shotzi<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Blackheart vs.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dakota Kai<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0w\/Raquel Gonzales<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Raquel Gonzales accompanied Kai to the ring, adding that extra level of security for Kai.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Which, in the realm of kayfabe, she certainly looked to need at the onset of this match.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shotzi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">spent the better part of the first few minutes in control of the bout. Kai turned the tides after she was put i<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n a lengthy submission that focused on wrenching both her arms and legs, barely selling the sixty seconds that she was in the hold. It\u2019s a nitpick, but it\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">something that certainly took me out of the match. With how well she sold the move while it was appl<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ied to her, I was expecting it to play more into the overall story<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">he only part of the match that wasn\u2019t particularly heated was the commercial break, which was played picture-in-picture. Kai had the upper hand wi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shotzi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in a plethora of submission holds. However as soon as the commercial break was over,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shotzi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0immediately reversed the hold and took control.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shotzi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0took a nasty bump on the ring apron, landing quite literally face first on the hardest part of the ring. The match\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">was allowed to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0continue<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">However,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0it seemed like they immediately went to the finish where Gonzales was about to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">interfere<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and Rhea Ripley came out of nowhere to make sure that didn\u2019t happen.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shotzi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0then got a quick roll up for the win.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While the rest of the matchup was<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">good as I had hoped, the lack of selling during the spots that I had mentioned\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">took me out of the moment. It\u2019s not enough to warrant a MISS by a long shot, but it was\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">disappointing. Here\u2019s also hoping that\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shotzi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is okay after breaking that fall with her face.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Cruiserweight Interview: Escobar &amp; Swerve<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Tom Phillips interviewed both men in a split screen format with Swerve on the right and Escobar on the left. Swerve said he was the better competitor and said that he\u2019s the only talent in all of WWE that has a victory over Escobar.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Escobar then called him a parasite and said that he\u2019s a loose end that needed to be tied up. The two went back and forth arguing, a la the first Presidential Debate,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">with Swerve calling out all of Escobar\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shenanegans<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in their former matches where the Cruiserweight title was on the line.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While Escobar is maybe a notch above Swerve on the mic, both men cut great promos on one another and continued to build the division up to be a prestigious one.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019ve said it for months now, this is the best the Cruiserweight division has been since PAC\u2019s (then known as Neville) final run.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3352738129\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Mysterious Green Hue Vignette<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For a couple weeks now, we\u2019ve gotten these weird vignettes with this green hue where someone with a disguised voice lays claim to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">coming back for<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0NXT Title.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Apparently, this Sunday we will find out who is behind these videos as 10.04.20 appeared on screen.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-A Look At Kyle O\u2019Reilly\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Think of the quality video packages that NXT has put out over the last year or so. This one was no different. A wonderful and extremely well edited video showcasing the most babyface of babyface, Kyle O<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reilly<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and his quest for NXT Gold.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I absolutely love it when they produce these videos for wrestlers who could use a little extra added to their story. For those of us who know about KOR\u2019s past, we know just how great he really is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. For those who only know his NXT work may only think of him as a tag performer. This video package really helped to frame him as someone worthy at a title shot. Though, there was no doubt in my mind of that worthiness.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-The Gargano\u2019s Address Tegan Nox ACL Tear<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For the first time on TV,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nox\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0legitimate ACL injury was reported by Tom Phillips after a commercial break. After the announcement, Sarah Schr<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">iber<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, asked Johnny Gargano &amp; Candice\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LaRae<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0what their thoughts on the injury were and if\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LaRae<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0regretted what she did. \u201cShe broke my\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">TV,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0you tore her ACL!\u201d ex<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">claimed Gargano. What a heel duo, playing up this injury to get heat. Love it, this is the best version of the Gargano\u2019s yet.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They went on to say that they will be victorious in their match against Shirai &amp; Priest<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-2548515656\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Cameron Grimes Addresses an Empty Arena, Gets Booed Out of the Building<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Grimes came out to address his loss last\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">week, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0was loudly booed by a non-existent audience. The audio was super, super loud and obvious as they were also showing where the crowd would be.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">He said since the gauntlet eliminator match was so stupid, he created the Cameron Grimes\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stepping Stone<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Invitational to the Moon Match. He introduced a handful of jobbers to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">beat up, when Ridge Holland came down to the ring. Holland pretty much laid waste to a cowering Grimes and the ref rang the bell for this \u201cmatch\u201d of the invitational.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Holland spent the next 30 seconds assaulting Grimes until the ref rang the bell to stop the match from such a vicious beating.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Usually when they do something like this, it looks awful. Holland made the beat down look super legitimate. Great character work by Grimes here, showing his rang<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e as a sniveling heel. Holland looked like a million bucks and a legitimate threat to the\u00a0midcard.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Austin Theory Requests Interview<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Theory requested an interview and said that he should have been in the Gauntlet Eliminator match. Theory said that he\u2019s only 23 and already wrestled at\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wrestlemania<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. KOR needs to catch up to Theory, not the other way around.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While I liked the way Theory delivered the promo, I can\u2019t buy him as any sort of threat whatsoever to the NXT Title. Whether it be his past still haunting him, subconsciously making me not want to cheer him<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. I\u2019d rather see him work his way up the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">midcard<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0than get thrust into a main event spotlight if that\u2019s what they have planned for him.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Miss<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-A Look At Kushida<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Before Kushida\u2019s match, a video package on a new \u201cvicious\u201d Kushida aired that was almost as good as the KOR video earlier in the night. It was a lot shorter and focused on his recent injuries, but the fact that they are giving him a spotlight to showcase a new side to this character is very promising for\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">those of us who can\u2019t wait to see Kushida wreak havoc in the ring.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Kushida vs. Tony Nese<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wearing ring attire with colors and designs straight out of 1994, Kushida went up against Tony Nese, jobber to the stars. I had completely forgotten that Nese was a fo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rmer Cruiserweight champion as Philips mentioned it on commentary during his entrance. Sidebar, that\u2019s a testament to just how great Escobar has been for that title.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kushida held the offensive for the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nearly<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">all of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the bout, mostly playing a game of cat and mouse with Nese. Kushida probably could have gone for the win at just about any time, but he ba<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">sically just toyed with him and inflicted as much damage as he could before going for the Hoverboard Lock.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After the match, Kushida\u2019s opponent for Takeover appeared on screen. I still refuse to name him for now. It was basically par for the course with that character, playing\u00a0mindgames.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: HIT<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Dexter <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lumis<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Returns\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cameron Grimes was licking his wounds backstage, looking for Regal. He ran into Dexter\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lumis<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0who just menacingly stared back at him. Grimes asked him where Regal\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">was<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and he continued to stare. Grimes called him a weirdo and walked away, with the camera focusing in on\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lumis<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019 face staring into the distance.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Glad to see him back, and hoping that they give him a little m<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ore direction than he had before getting injured<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Adam Cole Addresses The Audience<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Impromptu Cole vs. Theory<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cole came to the ring and said that the Undisputed Era has been the most dominant force in NXT for three years. He said that the group is as strong as ever even though there are rumors of dissention\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in the ranks. Cole called Theory out saying that if he could bad mouth Kyle O\u2019Reilly, he could come to the ring and say it to his face. Theory came out to the ramp but wouldn\u2019t enter the ring. Cole said he had two options. Bring his st<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">upid face into the ring and fight him, or don\u2019t move so he and the rest of the UE can kick his ass.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Theory chose option 1, and the impromptu match was underway.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The match was mostly Cole on the offensive, but Theory did manage to get a few\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">pinfall<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0attempts in there. Frankly, I was very impressed by Theory<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and his technical ability here. I am every time I see him in the ring.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I loved this, it advanced the story of Undisputed Era and their eventual split\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0continued to build Theory. While I\u2019m no longer as high on Theory as I once was<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(maybe that\u2019s unfair as they are due to the allegations against him)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, it<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019s clear that the WWE brass are. He may have gotten his butt whooped, but the simple fact that last week he faced Ciampa and this week he faced Cole certainly says something in Theory\u2019s favor.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They wouldn\u2019t give him that opportunity unless they saw something in him.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Oh, and the fact that Cole was touting Undisputed Era unity while being out there solo for the entirety of the segment was not lost on me. The Undisputed Era\u2019s days\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">as a faction\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">are numbered, and that my friends, is\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Undisputed.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Shirai &amp; Priest Speak on Their Match Tonight<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sarah Schreiber asked Priest and Shirai if they were worried about their match against The\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Garganos<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">later on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0tonight. Priest gave a rather generic babyface promo, nothing b<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ad but nothing spectacular either. Shirai spoke mostly\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japanese, but<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0seemed very subdued. Neither felt like they were going into a \u201cbattle\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Miss<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Kayden Karter w\/Kacy <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Catanzaro<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0vs. Xia Li\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A few weeks ago, after a tag match with these three women involved, Xia Li snubbed a post-match handshake from Karter and Cat<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nzaro<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. That lead into this match tonight. Xia Li showed some aggression tonight,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">moreso<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0than we\u2019ve seen out of her in the past. She showed signs of it after that tag match, but not during the Battle Royal last week.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is super promising for all women involved here, even Catanzaro who was sitting ringside. These women are starting to come into their own and I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019m looking forward to a bright future from all of them.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Xia Li may have\u00a0lost once again, but in her refusal to shake Karter\u2019s hand is fueling the fire for that character.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Shawn Michaels Moderates Balor \/ O\u2019Reilly Debate<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shot cinematic style, Balor &amp; O\u2019Reilly met in the ring with Shawn Michaels moderating. The two competitors shook hands and Balor said congrats on winning the Gauntlet Eliminator. This started out as respectful as possible between the two.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Balor put KOR over super strongly, saying that KOR proved himself all over the world as a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">singles<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. KOR returned the respect, calling him a fighting champion. Though, he turned that respect quickly<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0into saying that Balor has no chance.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Balor questioned the unity of Undisputed Era and if KOR would be on his own this Sunday. Shawn Michaels addressed the elephant in the room saying that Cole may show some jealousy if KOR wins the title. But KOR\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">held firm that they were unified.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Let\u2019s put it this way. For a conversation between two fighters, kayfabe or not, they were one thousand times more respectful of one another than the two \u201cMaster\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Debat<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ors<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d we witnessed during the first presidential debate. Yet this was a gripping segment that\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">cemented the fact, for me, that this has the potential to be one of my favorite matches of the year.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Johnny Gargano &amp; Candice <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LaRae<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0vs. Damian Priest &amp; Io Shirai<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Intergender tag matches in the WWE environment are not always easy to pull off. Only women can fight women, and men can fight men. So that means that momentum can shift drastically when one person tags out where both<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0competitors need to let their tag partners enter.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That wasn\u2019t something that happened in this contest, however. It never felt like the match really shifted gears due to that gender stipulation.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Though it did feel like two separate matches that kept getting put on hold so the other match could re-enter the ring.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That may\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">be something that is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0unavoidable in this type of a contest, as I feel like that\u2019s how most intergender matches in WWE come across.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The nitpicking of the gender stipulations out of the way, I really liked the rest of the way the ma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tch was built. The\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gargano&#8217;s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> continued to show their true colors, interfering on each other\u2019s behalf on at least a half dozen occasions. Initially, I figured since they won, they may not wind up their respective matches at Takeover 31. But, where Takeover 31 hasn&#8217;t really been built properly, I think my money is on one of the two of them winning, if not both. Heck, they looked great with the titles around their waist to close the show.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Verdict: Hit<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Total: 13 Hits &amp; 2 Misses for a rounded Hit Percentage of 87%<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-1790246366\"><div id=\"pwtor-1216517276\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>-Shotzi\u00a0Blackheart vs.\u00a0Dakota Kai\u00a0w\/Raquel Gonzales\u00a0 Raquel Gonzales accompanied Kai to the ring, adding that extra level of security for Kai.\u00a0Which, in the realm of kayfabe, she certainly looked to need at the onset of this match.\u00a0Shotzi\u00a0spent <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/10\/01\/nxt-hits-misses-9-30-intergender-tag-main-event-build-to-takeover-31-noxs-injury-undisputed-breakup\/\" title=\"NXT HITS &#038; MISSES 9\/30: Intergender Tag Main Event, Build to Takeover 31, Nox&#8217;s Injury, Undisputed Breakup?\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":105630,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,28,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-105575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-specialists_hitsandmisses","category-specialists"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2020\/10\/MichaelsOReillyBalor.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105575"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105575\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105590,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105575\/revisions\/105590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/105630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}