411’s NXT Report 2.25.15

The opening weekly video for NXT reminds me of how loaded the roster is.

Hideo Itami vs. Bull Dempsey

I swear commentary said this would be Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze. Oh well. Bull Dempsey starts by pummeling Itami. He ducks some shots but eats a clothesline anyway. He charges in he corner but Itami gets his feet up, only to run into a shoulder block for two. Bull moves to the chinlock but Itami fights out and hit sa clothesline. He can’t chop down the tree however and is hit with a body block for two. Itami rallies with some kicks and chops that get the crowd pumped. Hesitation dropkick connects in the corner and he connects on a big flying kick to win.

Winner: Hideo Itami in 2:46

This was booked odd. Bull Dempsey dominated and then fell after a flurry. Obviously the right guy won but it was still weird. **

As Hideo Itami celebrates on the stage, Tyler Breeze appears to hit him with a superkick. He then uses his selfie stick to take a picture of Hideo laying lifeless behind him. He can’t get the right angle, allowing Itami to get to his feet and bring him to the ring. The crowd calls for the “GTS” but it doesn’t happen. He lights Tyler up with kicks, running him off.

It’s announced that next week, Sasha Banks defends the NXT Women’s Championship against Charlotte. Tonight, Bayley meets Becky Lynch. Also, Finn Balor takes on the returning The Brian Kendrick. After a commercial, we are taken to a The Brian Kendrick video package, featuring his amazing “Man with a Plan” theme music.

The Lucha Dragons vs. Jason Jordan and Tye Dillinger

As Jordan and Dillinger come out, Solomon Crowe hacks in to interrupt. He’s somewhere backstage and says that he’s going to be NXT Champion. “You’ve been warned.” Jordan starts with Sin Cara and slams him. Kalisto gets the tag and counters a slam with an arm drag. He runs into what looks like a fallaway slam, only to be dropped on his face. A very aggressive Jordan follows with an elbow before tagging in Dillinger. The Lucha Dragons work their double team kick and wheelbarrow senton for two. Corey Graves states that Dillinger has been in way too long, even though the match has been less then two minutes. The former Champions work another double team for two. They do yet another, featuring a Sin Cara senton, for two again. They look much better tonight than at Rival. Jordan wants the tag, but Dillinger shouts “RELAX” at him. Kalisto goes for his offense but Tye takes him down. He goes to tag now, but Jordan walks out on him. Kalisto hits his finisher and Cara nails a Swanton to win.

Winners: The Lucha Dragons in 3:32

That came from out of nowhere. Tye Dillinger and Jason Jordan haven’t really had issues and one “Relax” is enough to make him walk out? The match was fun for the time it had though. **1/4

Finn Balor is interviewed backstage about his mental state preparing for Kevin Owens. Finn will deal with Kevin Owens in due time, but his focus tonight is on The Brian Kendrick. He mentions Kendrick being a former WWE Tag Team Champion. I guess we still don’t count his few minutes as WWE Champion during the Scramble Match at Unforgiven. Never forget.

Tye Dillinger is in the ring and demands to hear from Jason Jordan. He shouts that he doesn’t care who is next, because they can’t lace his boots. Baron Corbin is next. I don’t think this will last long.

Baron Corbin vs. Tye Dillinger

The fans are counting this down again. Dillinger takes a shoulder block before the End of Days hits.

Winner: Baron Corbin in 0:19

Your expected squash from Baron Corbin. SQUASH

Devin Taylor interviews Charlotte about her NXT Women’s Title rematch next week. Charlotte isn’t taking anything away from Sasha, but she’s never beaten her in a singles match.

Tyler Breeze cuts a selfie promo backstage. He calls Hideo Itami in a cockroach. We are informed that Sami Zayn will address the NXT Universe next week. We are shown footage of Sami Zayn working the Abu Dabi shows.

Bayley vs. Becky Lynch

Commentary puts over Becky Lynch tossing girls around at TakeOver: Rival. The crowd gives both girls chants, but Bayley obviously gets more. Beky bridges out of a pin and hits a shoulder block. Bayley retaliates with one of her own. Bayley nails a springboard armdrag but Becky comes back with the pumphandle suplex. They call it a Bexplex. Becky fires in with her series of leg drops for two. We are told that Sasha Banks and Charlotte are main eventing next week. Becky works a submission and as Bayley rallies, knees her. She is knocked outside and hits her face on the apron. Bayley goes out and hits her corner dropkick but it doesn’t come off well. The NXT cameramen manage to angle it so it doesn’t look bad. The wonders of a taped show. Bayley gets in some aggressive elbows inside before firing away with punches. She charges in the corner with a shoulder thrust, back rolls out and hits three big back elbows. She tightens her hair band in the middle. As she puts Becky up top, Becky knocks her off. Bayley comes off the second rope with a sweet back elbow for two. She tries for the Belly to Bayley, but Becky grabs the arm that was hurt in the corner and applies an armbar. She gets up and wrenches it back hard, forcing Bayley to tap.

Winner: Becky Lynch in 4:27

I really enjoyed that. Both girls worked their butts off and I loved the finish. The arm submission looked sick. **3/4

Devin Taylor interviews Rhyno. He says that he heard all the good things about NXT and wanted to come here to reignite his fire, since the guys at NXT have a lot of fire. How will he do that? With a GORE! GORE! GORE!

We get a clip from the back during the women’s match. Jason Jordan is asked for an explanation on walking out but declines Kevin Owens walks out to get on commentary.

The Brian Kendrick vs. Finn Balor

These guys start with a feeling out process. Finn Balor counters a sunset flip with a dropkick. Kendrick flips into the ring and seems to have tweaked his ankle. Kevin Owens is curious as to why Balor is giving Kendrick space. Kendrick was playing possum and it costs Finn. Kendrick works the mat but ends up getting dropkicked outside. Owens gets on Alex Riley for having never been a champion, which clearly upsets him. Kendrick kicks the shit out of Balor for two. Riley and Owens get a bit heated, so Owens leaves before he hurts him. Commercial break time and it’s a hype video for Charlotte/Sasha next week. Returning, Balor gets in some clotheslines and then a big chop earns him a near fall. Kendrick gets two of his own on a tornado DDT. He nails a missile dropkick before a tiger suplex gets two. He goes for The Kendrick, but Balor blocks it and takes him down with a kick. Slingblade connects and Balor follows with the big dropkick. He goes up top and hits the big double foot stomp for the 1-2-3.

Winner: Finn Balor in 8:03

A good main event this week. Nothing extraordinary, but still a lot of fun. The Brian Kendrick is still damn good, and Finn Balor is one of the best in the world. ***1/4

Kevin Owens appears on the stage and stares down Finn Balor. He walks over to the commentary booth and attacks Alex Riley. He tosses him over the announce table. I like the idea, but I wish he did more. Riley is awful.

Overall: 

7.5

The final score: review Good

The 411

Solid episode of NXT again.  Hell, just seeing Alex Riley getting beat up always makes a show worth it. The main event was really fun and the Becky/Bayley match showcased the women of NXT in a strong fashion once again. As usual, nothing on NXT was bad and everything was at least entertaining.  It moved at a brisk pace and was enjoyable.