Csonka’s NXT Review 7.20.16

Csonka’s NXT Review 7.20.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Non-Title Match: Champion Samoa Joe defeated Rhyno @ 6:25 via submission [**]
– The Authors of Pain defeated American Alpha @ 6:45 via pin [***]
– Austin Aries defeated Patrick Clark @ 2:00 via pin [NR]
– Bayley defeated Nia Jax @ 13:40 via pin [**¾]

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NXT Champion Samoa Joe vs. Rhyno: They went straight up hoss early, running into each other and trading strikes. Joe had this look like he just did not give a fuck about Rhyno, beating him down with ease. Joe and through some trademark offence, and then worked the nerve hold. He really doesn’t care, at all. Joe was in full control until he missed the running senton, allowing Rhyno to get back to his feet and trade strikes with Joe. Rhyno hit a belly to belly, but Joe countered the gore with strikes and the STJOE in the corner. Joe locked in the clutch and that was that. I have no problem with bringing in part timers like Rhyno to help work with the young guys and help them get acclimated to working WWE TV, but in no way did I ever buy him as a threat to Joe here. This was a very bland and very basic TV match that felt too long.

– Asuka gave a promo backstage; discussing that she will face either Bayley or Jax for the title soon.

– We get highlights, showing some of the NXT stars getting drafted.

– The Authors of Pain attacked American Alpha during their entrance. Paul Ellering was pleased with the destruction his team just accomplished.

– After a video package, William Regal arrived to check on American Alpha. Alpha were pissed off and demanded that they fight and the match is underway!

The Authors of Pain w/Paul Ellering vs. American Alpha: American Alpha hit the ring, fully pissed off and cleared the ring. The match officially started, and Alpha got some run early but Gable got quickly cut off, and the Authors of Pain took the heat and mixed in some double teams on the smaller man. They also worked a lot of bear hugs; it felt rather slow and then Gable got the hot tag. Jordan ran wild, tossed these guys around with suplexes, dropped the straps like it’s 1983 Memphis and hit another suplex, but there was a kick out at 1. Gable tagged back in, great fire as he tossed one of the Authors with an overhead suplex for a near fall. It broke down with all four brawling and Gable getting the ankle lock. Jordan hit a big dive to the floor to stop one of the Authors from saving the other. Gable went for a baseball slide, but was caught and slammed to the apron. Jordan was then tossed to the steps, and Authors of Pain finished Gable with their double team Russian leg sweep. With American Alpha leaving, the Authors of Pain needed to win and did so here. Also, this was far from a squash, as they did the pre-match attack and American Alpha came off as the never say die faces. This was a good match, with Alpha selling their asses off for the monsters and giving it their all post attack in loss. The crowd was also into it

– NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival did a backstage promo, noting that they are the only two-time champs in NXT, and said there are no teams left for them to beat and that they did it all. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa arrived to remind them that they beat them and that the only thing they hadn’t done was win the NXT tag team titles.

– Hideo Itami returns in two weeks.

Austin Aries vs. Patrick Clark: Clark made the mistake of getting in some offense, so Aries beat him down and hit the shotgun dropkick. Aries then hit the rolling elbow as Clark tried to fly into the ring, and then Aries locked in the last chancery to pick up the easy win. Aries held onto the hold for a bit before breaking. Post match No Way Jose hit the ring to run him off. They brawled to the floor and Aries tried to run as referees separated them. Jose was pissed here and kept attacking, which I loved because he needs depth to the character. On a side note, I saw him live when NXT was in Charlotte, and the dude is a GREAT live event performer.

Bayley vs. Nia Jax: This is part of the Bayley redemption tour as she looks to get a rematch against Asuka. Jax kept trying to cut off the ring, Bayley tried to grab holds but Jax kept tossing her aside. Bayley used her speed to try and hit and run, but Jax’s power was too much and she scored with snake eyes before sending Bayley to the floor. Jax then slowed things down, choking out Bayley and then delivering elbow drops. She then worked over Bayley in the corner; Bayley tried to fire up and slammed Jax to the corner repeatedly. Jax cut her off and tossed her across the ring and sent her to the floor again. After a Network commercial break, Jax rag dolled her a bit and then locked in a million dollar dream. Bayley escaped and connected with kicks but got caught on the cross body, ate a back breaker and Jax covered for 2 before tossing Bayley back to the floor. They did a countout tease, and Jax then continued her attack. Bayley finally sent Jax to the floor, and then hit a clothesline off of the apron. Bayley then sidestepped Jax, who ran into the steps for another countout tease. Bayley hit a neck breaker in the ropes and she fired up and worked her over. Corner spear by Bayley, another and then the third was cut off. Jax then posted herself on a charge, Bayley connected with knees and went up top and hit the high cross for a near fall. Jax then went for a powerbomb but Bayley got a victory roll for 2. Jax then ran her over Vader style and hit a jackhammer for a near fall; that was a sloppy jackhammer. Jax then went for a leg drop, but then pulled Bayley to the corner and climbed up but Bayley popped up and hit the Bayley to belly from the middle rope to pick up the win. That was pretty good, not as good as London (and didn’t have the atmosphere) but Bayley works well as the underdog to the monster, so it worked.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.5

The final score: review Average

The 411

This was a rock solid episode of NXT, with some good wrestling, set up for the next tag title match, the Bayley redemption tour continuing and no wasted segments.