Csonka’s NXT Review 4.26.17

Csonka’s NXT Review 4.26.17

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Drew McIntyre defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas @ 3:55 via pin [**]
– Aleister Black defeated Kona Reeves @ 1:15 via pin [NR]
– WWE UK Title Match: Champion Tyler Bate defeated Jack Gallagher @ 10:10 via pin [***]

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– With Lucha Underground on hiatus, I will be trying to fit NXT into the weekly schedule, and hopefully going forward..

– Nikki Cross arrived, and called out Ruby Riot to play. Riot arrived, they had a stare down in the ring and then they brawled. They kept attacking each other, security and refs tried to break them up, which failed as Riot and Cross kept breaking free. I like that they have transitioned from Sanity vs. Tye & Friends to Cross vs. Riot, both need something to do and I am all for a strong secondary feud in the women’s division.

– We get highlights of Itami returning and hitting the GTS on Bobby Roode last week.

– Roode is interviewed, and says Itami’s attack was cowardly and unprovoked; this is his NXT and Itami can challenge him all day long, but he’ll have to earn his shot.

Drew McIntyre vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas: Almas is tranquilo early, looking to dick around and eats a kick to the face and is sent to the floor. Almas tries to bail, but cuts him off and they brawl ringside with Almas slamming McIntyre to the steps. Back in and they trade chops, with Almas hitting the neck breaker into the final cut for 2. Almas slaps McIntyre, which was a bad idea as that just pissed off McIntyre. McIntyre then beat the hell out of Almas in the corner, hit a clothesline off the top and they then traded chops. McIntyre hits the powerslam and claymore to finish off Almas. Drew McIntyre defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas @ 3:55 via pin [**] This felt like a real waste of Almas, they seemingly have no idea what to do with him outside of his little “party too much” gimmick, but they need to decide what they want him to be, one week they want us to believe he’s a top guy, and then they do something like this and present him as just another guy. I guess part of it comes down to the fact that Almas has largely not connected with me during his NXT run, outside of the great match with Strong; I guess I keep waiting for La Sombra to appear but he never does. McIntyre looked great here, with superb intensity and coming across like a star.

– William Regal announces that Nikki Cross will face Ruby Riot later tonight.

– Next up in a really well done “Who is Roderick Strong?” video package, which is something the company as a whole should be doing more of. these type of thing allow you to not only get to know a performer, but to also make an emotional attachment with the performer. He didn’t have a perfect life, his mom had addiction issues and his dad lived a rock star life and he had to baby sit himself most of the time. Things got so bad, his mother shot his father. He fought to be a success, and when he found wrestling, he fell in love with it. His dad started to train to be a wrestler under Jim Neidhart, and they had a ring in the backyard. This was really great, we get a part II next week.

Aleister Black vs. Kona Reeves: Reeves charges at the bell, they work to the ropes and he scores with a cheap shot. This was a poor choice, because Black is pissed and unloads with rapid-fire strikes and kicks; the high kick follows and then Black Mass finishes Reeves, he was 25. Aleister Black defeated Kona Reeves @ 1:15 via pin [NR] Aleister Black keeps murdering folks by kicking them in the head, and I continue to enjoy it.

– Ruby Riot is interviewed, she can appreciate that Sanity doesn’t want to conform to the rest of the world, but can’t respect that they expect others to conform to them.

An interviewer (Kayla I think) tries to catch up with Almas, but he’s with some ladies and heading out to party and likely get a hotel room. Almas invites Kayla to come along, but she refuses; Almas and his ladies get in the car and leave.

– Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross never starts because Cross attacked her before the bell, leading to them brawling on the floor once again. Riot battles back, hitting a suplex on the ramp; they continued to brawl and officials again had to break them up, leading to Riot hitting a high cross off of the stage. Good intensity from both ladies, this could be a really fun feud if they can bring this vibe to their matches.

– William Regal informs Asuka here will be a battle royal next week to determine the next challenger for her title. This amuses Asuka, who gives no fucks.

Champion Tyler Bate vs. Jack Gallagher: We’re gentlemen to begin as they shake hands. They lock up and do some basic hand fighting, with both men working some slick escapes early. Gallagher looks to take control, but Bate escapes the full nelson with ease. Gallagher then gets a takedown, and starts to work the leg. He transitions into a pinning combo, but Bate kicks out. They pick up the pace, both looking for pins, and then take a break. Post break, Gallagher is working the arm, grounding the champion and keeping good focus. Bate keeps fighting to escape, but Gallagher stays one step ahead as he continues his assault on the arm. That leads to a near fall for Gallagher. Bate finally over powers Gallagher, taking him to the mat, and into a slick monkey flip counter sequence. Gallagher then hits the dropkick, but Bate lights him up with a jab and a German for 2. Bate is frustrated here, looks for a suplex, but Gallagher works a Breaks special; Bate finally powers out into the suplex. Gallagher to the apron, Bate sends him to the floor, looks for a dive but runs into a head butt! Gallagher back in and then hits another head butt for the near fall. Gallagher then connects with uppercuts, goes back to the arm and Bat escapes and hits the rolling kick, the Tyler driver 97 connects for the win. Champion Tyler Bate defeated Jack Gallagher @ 10:10 via pin [***] keeping the UK Title on the minds of the fans through another NXT appearance is a smart move, especially because the show will be on the Network. Gallagher was also a smart pick for an opponent this time around, he’s been extremely consistent on the main roster and has also built up a nice following. I’d call this a good match, with some really smart and clean work, but it really lacked as far as drama goes, and I never really had the feeling that Gallagher could win.

– Pete Dunne (who did not look thrilled to be there), Mark Andrews, Wolfgang and Trent Seven were sitting front row as they continue to tease the UK show, they will do some taping for that in May, but WWE remains hush-hush on the details.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.5

The final score: review Average

The 411

Strong show this week, with McIntyre & Black being positioned very well and as guys you need to pay attention to. I also thought that the official kick off to the Cross vs. Riot feud was well done and that the Strong video package was excellent, and something they need to do more of moving forward, but the Almas stuff just isn’t connecting with me at all. The main event was good and fun, but lacked in terms of getting near great.