What's NXT? With, Derek McCauley

WHATS NXT?
Episode 6

With the Host with the Most:
Derek McCauley- I will be back to video soon! 


How’s it going NXT faithful!  It’s been a couple weeks but it feels damn good to be back!  Before I begin I want to give a big thank you to Adam for sitting in and doing the show proud in my absence.  True to form my return coincided with an explosive episode of pro wrestlings hottest brand, so let’s drop the small talk and dive into this thing!

1. Before the opening video even plays we’re treated to a brief conversation outside of Regals office between the NXT GM and Bobby Roode.  Roode is left smiling and thanking Regal repeatedly as the Opening video rolls.
   
   1. Roode’s introduction to the NXT Universe last week was as glorious as it was effective.  His presence as the “holier than thou” jerk in a suit switched loud cheers into emphatic boos in a matter of minutes. Add that kind of mic presence with his in ring ability and one of the best themes in the business and you get one of the companies next megastars.  Roode is going to be in title contention within a year.
      
2. We start the show with Regal standing front and center in the ring for the highly anticipated contract signing between Asuka and Bayley
   
   1. Both Bayley and Asuka come out in non wrestling attire, it doesn’t look like there’s going to be any physicality
      
   2. Bayley paints a beautiful metaphorical comparison between her title win over Sasha at NXT Brooklyn and her loss to Asuka in Dallas as her “Dream” and her “Nightmare.  Bayley gets directly in the champs face and promises to become a two time champion.
      
   3. Asuka tells Bayley she doesn’t have what it takes to win but she respects her.  The champ extends her hand but Bayley knocks it away and shoves the champion aside to leave the ring. The segment ends with Asuka holding the belt up in Bayleys face and grinning.
      
   4. The intensity between these two was surprisingly brought about by the huggable challenger in this segment.  We got to see a darker, more focused and more unforgiving version of Bayley than we’ve seen before. She’s in full on title hunt mode and Asuka is still smiling.  This is going to be an all out war.
      
3. AUTHORS OF PAIN vs. LOCAL TALENT:
   
   1. The dimming of the lights before the Authors enter the arena is a nice aesthetic touch.  It blends well with their driving early Pantera style ring music. These guys are being given everything necessary to come across as inhuman monsters.
      
   2. The match ends predictably within three minutes following a two powerbombs executed in stereo by the authors and their leg sweep/clothesline finish.
      
   3. Graves repeatedly refers to the authors as “beasts” and points out individual members as “the tattooed one”.  This kind of anonymity was interesting at the start but at this point it’s beginning to wear thin.  I’d like to know more about this tandem soon, preferably through an Ellering promo.
      
   4. TM61 (Haste and Miller) hit the ring to very little reaction and get destroyed in under a minute trying to help the local guys.  This was likely to quickly set up a higher level squash for the authors at Takeover:Brooklyn, but it did no favors for TM61 who were gaining some steam up until this.  They didn’t appear to be a challenge at all to the Authors, and therefore the match at takeover risks being a rare throwaway for the yellow brand.
      
4. We see Nakamura getting interviewed backstage about Samoa Joe looking for him.  Hes unfazed by the threat and jokes that he’ll find Joe before Joe finds him before walking off.
   
5. ANDRADE ALMAS vs. ANGELO DAWKINS:
   
   1. Almas continues to look like a background dancer from the Smooth Criminal video and I don’t understand it.
      
   2. As questionable as his ring attire is, Almas’ smoothness in the ring is undoubtedly top five in the company.  The former La Sombra is a virtuoso of seamless counter wrestling and lucha style takedowns. He’s a joy to watch work.
      
   3. Dawkins got a pretty loud pop from the Full Sail crowd!  Considering his entire tenure with the brand has been spent putting other guys over it may be an outlier, but it’s worth mentioning that the crowd was digging him tonight.
      
   4. Almas puts Dawkins away with an innovative Hammerlock DDT and Graves puts him over by reminding the viewers that Almas is currently undefeated in NXT.
      
   5. Then we’re graced by the most glorious theme in all of professional wrestling!  Full Sail pops loud for the theme both because it’s awesome and because it became viral over the past week following the #GloriousBOMB videos featuring Gargano and Ciampa sneaking up on Roode and playing his theme at full volume.
      
   6. Roode quickly belittles Almas’ victory over Dawkins, offensively points out his lack of English speaking skills and confirms that Almas will face him in Brooklyn.
      
   7. Roode leaves Almas in the ring shaking with rage.  What could easily be midcard fodder in most other companies just officially became an exciting match.  Almas will lose his undefeated streak to Roode but he’ll give the glorious one a hell of a fight in Brooklyn.
      
6. We see Austin Aries backstage in Regals Office:
   
   1. Regal has his brass knuckles presented proudly on his desk. That doesn’t matter at all in the context of the segment but it’s a great little touch to remind us of Regals fighting past.
      
   2. Aries complains that Roode got a match after just one week with the company and demands that the greatest man that ever lived get a spot on the Brooklyn card.
      
   3. Regal makes No Way Jose vs Austin Aries official for Brooklyn and insinuates that Aries has been ducking Jose.  Aries takes offense and walks out vowing to crush Joe in Brooklyn.
      
   4. A solid segment that did what it set out to do.  Another match is added to the Takeover card and there’s backstory supporting why it should happen.  Even in it’s most predictable moments NXT covers its bases.
      
7. BILLIE KAY vs. LIV MORGAN:
   
   1. Liv Morgan is what you’d get if Carmella and Alexa Bliss raised a child together.
      
   2. Billie Kays music is still odd but I like the arrogance she brings to the ring with her during her entrance.  The music screams unhinged, the swagger looks like a cover up of sorts.
      
   3. Morgan hits an old school Trish Stratus Whirlybird headscissors in the center of the ring
      
   4. Morgan has alot of fire and the crowd got into her quickly but she’s still noticeable green in multiple areas.  Her kip up looked awkward and her striking distance needs work to make her punches look more effective.
      
   5. A lazy spinning wheel kick costs Morgan the match as Billie dodges it easily and plants her with the big boot for the win.
      
   6. Billie Kay has great physicality and it was on display here in full force.  It’s good to see an actual one on one match between two legitimate developmental talents.  Their growth will be enjoyable to watch over the coming months.
      
8. Gallagher and Rich Swann are shown in the audience!  Gallaghers quirky presence and impressive chain wrestling skills have made him one of my favorites in the entire CWC tournament.  The cross promotion between NXT and CWC has been a welcome edition each week.
   
9. A video package plays highlighting the modern classic bout between Gargano and Ciampa from last weeks first round CWC finale.  It’s smart to capitalize on such an incredible match.  
   
   1. We then see Ciampa and Gargano in Regals office as they’re officially made the number one contenders for the Revivals NXT Tag Team Titles in Brooklyn
      
   2. Ciampa and Gargano are simply on fire right now, this will be an early favorite to steal the show on an already stacked card.
      
10. Another Ember Moon spot plays and continues the theme of steadily revealing more and more of the mysterious new womens competitor.  Her gear is badass, it’s a kind of Assassins Creed homage with darker colors.  The flashing red effects to her eyes to end the vignette were a nice touch.  She’ll be debuting in Brooklyn so add that to ever growing list of reasons to be pumped up!
    
11. CIAMPA/GARGANO vs. CLARK/KNIGHT:
    
    1. It’s seriously great to see Patrick Clark getting a real shot in WWE after being the lone standout from that awful Tough Enough reboot.
       
    2. His airbrushed tights are fantastic; A great throwback to the ravishing one himself, Rick Rude.
       
    3. Gargano and Ciampa work so well for two guys that have been primarily singles workers throughout their careers.
       
    4. The double superkick finish is as brutal as it is satisfying.  It’s the more devastating version of what the Rockers would do to guys back in the early 90’s.
       
    5. Graves constantly talking about Gargano and Ciampa turning on one another is interesting.  It could easily just be usual heel commentary from Graves but it could definitely be foreshadowing.
       
    6. With that being said I don’t see Ciampa and Gargano winning the belts off of the Revival.  If anything their classic in the CWC lit the fuse on the powder keg that will blow up this tag team.  There’s too much great television to be made with them facing eachother to pass that up. I’m not predicting they split in Brooklyn, but there’s too much potential there for it not to happen.
       
    7. Ciampa and Gargano facing eachother reminds me alot of the Zayn vs Owens rivalry so I’ll leave you with that comparison to dwell on.
       
12. Mojo Rawley is briefly interviewed before his main event bout with Joe and he calls the champion a fat, overweight bully that won’t push him around again.  Questionable words from Mojo but believable intensity and pride.  Decent lead in to the match.
    
13. SAMOA JOE vs MOJO RAWLEY:
    
    1. As soon as the bell rings Rawleys on top of Joe with haymakers and kicks.  He’s attacking the champion with reckless abandon and he manages to tackle Joe to the outside, stunning the champion.
       
    2. That recklessness bites Mojo in the ass quickly as Joe sidesteps a shoulder tackle and Rawley slams himself into the steel ring steps.
       
    3. Graves and Phillips put over Mojos heart and Joe’s intelligence throughout the match.  This bout is meant to show Joe’s viciousness but also his resilience.  He’s a brute with a brain and he knows how to use it.
       
    4. Nakamura vs Joe is being painted as a war between a raging bull and a calm and calculated spider.
       
    5. Joe spikes Mojo into the mat, yells Nakamuras name directly into the hard camera and chokes Rawley out with the Coquina Clutch.  Message Sent.
       
    6. Post match Joe yells into the camera again and continues to choke Rawleys who’s long since gone unconscious.  
       
    7. Nakamuras music plays and Full Sail explodes as the enigmatic king of strong style executes the calmest run in I’ve ever seen.
       
    8. It speaks to Nakamuras presence and mind games that he didn’t even need to rush to the ring to get Joe to release the hold on Rawley.  The champion is bothered by Shinsuke and it’s written all over his face.
       
    9. Nakamura mocks Joe from the corner as the champion is held back by about ten security guards.  Joes rage is palpable and feels real, Nakamura isn’t fazed.
       
    10. This is the Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman of professional wrestling and it will from hence forth be dubbed the “Rumble In Brooklyn”.  Not to be confused with the “so bad it’s great” Jackie Chan film Rumble In the Bronx.
        

Another week goes by and NXT continues to raise the bar guys.  I can’t state it emphatically enough, if you do not currently have the WWE Network do yourself a HUGE favor and subscribe now.  NXT is the best thing going in the business today and you’re getting it all for pennies on the dollar at $9.99/Monthly.  On the main roster this would be an episode of rushed content and jammed in feuds to get ready for a big show, but not on NXT.  This episode made multiple matches (and a debut) official in under and hour and each feud has a legitimate reason for existing and clear stakes on the line.  This is NXT, this is the future,and the future is now.  Stay tuned everybody and hold on for a wild ride!

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