Csonka’s NXT TV Review 5.23.18

Csonka’s NXT TV Review 5.23.18

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– TM61 defeated Heavy Machinery @ 7:05 via pin [**¾]
– Lacey Evans defeated Kairi Sane @ 5:04 via pin [**¾]
– Lars Sullivan defeated Velveteen Dream & Ricochet @ 9:45 via pin [***¼]

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TM61 (Thorne & Miller) vs. Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker: Thorne and Otis begin. They work power vs. speed, power wins out and power wins out as Tucker tags in and works over Thorne and then Miller. Heavy Machinery is in control, using Thorne as a battering ram on Miller. Tucker struts around and continues the heat on Miller, slamming him from corner to corner. Thorne tags in and takes out Tucker, taking control. Miller back in ad TM61 works quick tags and keeps Tucker isolated. Thorne in with a lariat to the back of the head, and Tucker manages to fight them off, suplexing both. Hot tag to Otis, he runs wild with shoulder blocks and clotheslines. The worm follows into the elbow drop for 2 as Thorne makes the save. It breaks down, Tucker tosses Thorne around but gets dumped to the floor. Otis hits an XPLODER, looks for a Vader splash but Miller cuts him off and Thorne cradles him with the ropes for the heelish win. TM61 defeated Heavy Machinery @ 7:05 via pin [**¾] This was a pretty good match, with TM61 picking up another heelish win as they continue their change in attitude, and pick up momentum.

– We get a pre-taped interview with Bianca Belair. She claims she’s the hottest woman in the whole division, and plans to keep proving it next week.

– We get an EC3 video package.

Lacey Evans vs. Kairi Sane: Sane attacks at the bell with a dropkick and Evans quickly fires back with chops. Sane gets pissed and she fires back with chops, and takes control. Evans cuts her off with a kick and takes out the knee, covering for 2. Evans grounds the action, and then starts working the arm. Evans slams her to the buckles, and then continues to work the arm in the ropes. The broncobuster follows, and the cover gets 2. Evans keeps it grounded, Sane counters out and hits a running blockbuster and axe kick. The spear follows and the sliding D follows and Evans powders. Evans hits an elbow off the steps, back in and Sane up top but leaps into the KO shot and Sane is done. Lacey Evans defeated Kairi Sane @ 5:04 via pin [**¾] This was short, but also pretty good as they have locked these two into a program. Same was a great fiery babyface and they had a great crowd, but this felt like Evans’ most composed and complete performance to date as she has really found herself in her heel role.

– Cathy Kelley catches up with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Johnny has a neck brace. He teases that he has made a big decision, and he doesn’t want to do it, but says it has to be done.

– Following last week’s big win, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch feel they have earned a tile shot.

– Backstage, Undisputed Era get promo time and says that Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan, and Danny Burch were lucky. O’Reilly blames Dunne for giving two nobodies a chance to shine, and says he wants Burch one on one.

Velveteen Dream & Ricochet vs. Lars Sullivan: Lars ruined last week’s match between Dream & Ricochet, which led to this match. All three have an eye on an NXT title shot. Dream starts off with Lars, and Lars tosses him around. Ricochet tags in and Lars quickly slams him down. Dream in and they double-team Lars, the double dropkick follows and Ricochet hits a missile dropkick and Dream covers for 2. Dream follows with double ax handles off the ropes; Dream & Ricochet work double-teams and take control. Lars cuts off Ricochet, Dream saves him and they continue to double team with superkicks and Lars is down, they dog pile on him covering for 2. Lars fights them off, killing Dream with a lariat and then tosses him across the ring. The cover gets 2. Lars continues to control, working over Dream in the corner. Lars continues to beat on Dream, and hits the powerslam for 2. Lars up top and hits the diving head butt for 2 as Ricochet makes the save. Lars chases him, but Dream cuts him off and Ricochet runs wild with strikes and chops. The 619 follows, Dream follows with a high cross, and Ricochet hits the running shooting star press for 2. Dream in and double teams follow and Ricochet hits the springboard 450. Dream then turns on Ricochet with the rolling DVD. Dream calls Ricochet pathetic and says he’s screwing him. Dream bails and Lars hits the freak accident and puts Ricochet away. Lars Sullivan defeated Velveteen Dream & Ricochet @ 9:45 via pin [***¼] I tend to really hate handicap matches, as they tend to be lazy and not very good. But I liked this. It was a good match, Lars got to play monster, Dream & Ricochet worked well together and were believable in their offense and hope spots until Dream’s ego got the best of him and he turned on Ricochet, hanging him out to dry. Lars picks up a huge win due to that, and Dream & Ricochet still have issues to be worked out,

– Next week, Shayna Baszler defends the NXT Women’s Championship against Dakota Kai. Dakota says she’s wanted this title shot for years and getting the chance is her dream Shayna arrives to scare her and runs her down, telling her she has no chance. Kai says, “We’ll see about that.” Shayna is confused by this.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae: Johnny has a neck brace on as they make their way to the ring. Johnny & Candice get a great reaction, and Johnny details the last attack by Ciampa. He left on a stretcher, and his body reminds him of that attack every morning when he struggles to get up. He’s been doing this his whole life, but he’s realized something. He has to think about his future, to think about their future, and he has to ask himself if it’s worth it. The injuries have added up and it’s taken a toll on his family, friends, and wife. He rips off the neck brace and says it’s worth it and calls out Ciampa as Candice begs him not to. Ciampa says he’s coming to the ring and if Johnny is still there, he will finish this. Refs arrive to try and stop this, and Candice is trying to talk Johnny out of this. Ciampa tells Johnny to be a good little boy and listen to his wife. Johnny refuses to listen and looks to rush the ring, but Ciampa knocks him back to he floor and onto Candice! She’s down and the refs call for help as Ciampa exits This was a really good angle, and a nice next step in the feud. Johnny is such a great babyface, Candice plays her role very well and Ciampa continues to be a completely unlikable asshole. As we have seen, the feud is taking an emotional toll on Candice, but now due to Johnny’s desire for revenge, she’s been physically hurt; there are a lot of great layers to this.

– End Scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.2

The final score: review Good

The 411

The last few weeks of NXT TV have been solid shows, but also inconsistent and feeling as they were missing something as the brand rebounded following the latest call-ups and was fighting to find it’s new identity and a cohesive flow. Overall, I thought that this week was a bit of a turnaround, as it felt like a more complete and fun show. TM61 & Lacey Evans are embracing their heel roles, Lars is being positioned for big things, while Velveteen Dream & Ricochet still have unresolved issues. Gargano and Ciampa continues and is heavily relying on the emotional element, which they will need as they go back for a rematch of a feud that felt finalized. Overall, this week’s show was a good one.