The Architecture of NXT: Episode #128

The Architecture of NXT
Episode #128
August 1st, 2012 | Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida

This week’s episode starts with interim NXT General Manager, Dusty Rhodes, talking in the back. He discusses championships and what they mean, saying NXT needs that. Tonight, a Gold Rush Tournament begins to crown the first NXT Champion. Participants include Richie Steamboat, Bo Dallas, Leo Kruger, Seth Rollins, Michael McGillicutty, Drew McIntyre, Jinder Mahal and Justin Gabriel. The lack of Tyson Kidd makes me sad.

Jim Ross, William Regal and Byron Saxton are on commentary.

NXT Championship Gold Rush Tournament Quarterfinals: Leo Kruger vs. Richie Steamboat
Commentary discusses that these two have wrestled a bunch in the past and are about 50/50 in terms of wins and losses. Leo tries an early rollup but only gets one. Richie starts doing his thing until Kruger cowers in the corner because his knee is hurt. OR IS IT? He fires out with a forearm, clearly playing possum. Leo takes the time to wear down Richie, focusing on the neck. Richie shows babyface, just like his daddy, and mounts a comeback. He hits a missile dropkick for a near fall. Leo goes back to wearing down Richie. Steamboat fights free and hits the slingblade to advance at 7:53. Fine way to start the tournament. It was better than their previous match. Leo played a better heel here and Richie’s comeback was solid. [**½]

VIGNETTE ~ Big E Langston doesn’t get paid by the honor. He doesn’t train to fight, he trains to win.

Big E Langston vs. Adam Mercer
Mercer is not a small guy, but he’s no match for Langston. He manhandles Mercer with backbreakers and shoulder thrusts. Mercer gets in a shot, so Big E just runs him over. THE STRAPS ARE DOWN! The Big Ending finishes it at 1:59. A great squash to introduce Big E. He’ll catch fire rather quickly. [NR]

Audrey Marie vs. Raquel Diaz
I always thought there was potential in Audrey. She no longer wrestles, but is married to current WWE Superstar Tyler Breeze. Diaz’s pre-match promo is odd. She attempts to give a reason why she looks extra good tonight, but instead just says her exfoliating ugliness tour commences now. It’s strange. Raquel works a chinlock, laughing the entire time. She takes pleasure in grating away at the faces of her opponents. They do an awful looking drop toe hold spot. There are “you can’t wrestle” chants. Raquel wins with the Gory Bomb at 2:34. I don’t rate squashes, but if I did, this would get a very low score. [NR]

Raquel takes lipstick and draws a large “L” on Audrey’s forehead. That’s some fine character work.

Backstage, Briley Pierce interviews Paige about what she just saw. Paige doesn’t say much, but isn’t a fan and I guess she’ll be facing Raquel again soon.

Camacho and Hunico vs. Jason Jordan and Mike Dalton
In five years, Hunico will be Sin Cara, JJ will be in a successful tag team, Dalton would find success as Tyler Breeze and Camacho will be a former IWGP Tag Team Champion. Strange times. Jordan gets to showcase his amateur skills early on, overwhelming Hunico. Dalton gets the tag and things start to go the other way. Hunico and Camacho take turns beating on him. Jordan has to save him from getting pinned but it just leads to double team stomps by the heels. They try a tandem powerbomb spot but Dalton counters and pulls Camacho into a rollup for the upset at 3:41. Surprising result, especially since Dalton and Jordan wouldn’t make waves for quite some time. The match was fine for what it was. [*]

VIGNETTE ~ They air the Bo Dallas vignette from the debut episode. It’s so cheesy and he was the ultimate white meat babyface.

NXT Championship Gold Rush Tournament Quarterfinals: Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins
A rematch of last week’s main event, which was won by McIntyre. Their early exchanges see McIntyre pummeling Seth, who responds with his quickness and athleticism. To avoid a dive, Drew slides under the ring. When Seth goes after him, Drew pulls him into the apron. Since he hurts his arm on that, that becomes Drew’s focus. He slams it on the steel steps and modified his offense so it targets the arm. Drew wisely continues to use his environment as part of his offense. Seth gets a pretty great DDT counter to start his big comeback. He follows with a suicide dive and has the crowd behind him as they head back inside. He hits a corner forearm but Drew turns him inside out on a clothesline for two. Seth tries a middle rope cross body, only to get caught in a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for another near fall. McIntyre avoids the Phoenix Splash but misses a big boot and gets caught in the corner. Seth hits the Curb Stomp to advance at 9:31. An improvement on last week’s match. I liked the hand work and felt like they got there logically with Drew using his veteran instincts. [***¼]

7.5

The final score: review Good

The 411

I dug this episode. They have a clear focus with the NXT Title Tournament now and both matches were good. McIntyre and Rollins delivered what was probably the second best main event so far. They highlighted Raquel Diaz, debuted Big E Langston in a strong way and gave us an upset in the middle of the show. Everything flowed nicely for one of the better episodes so far.