Csonka’s NXT TV Review 5.30.18

Csonka’s NXT TV Review 5.30.18

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– The War Raiders defeated Jimmy & Johnny Boots & Tights @ 2:45 via pin [NR]
– EC3 defeated Fabian Aichner @ 2:35 via pin [NR]
– Ricochet defeated Chris Dijak @ 2:12 via pin [NR]
– NXT Women’s Title Match: Champion Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai @ 5:40 via submission [***]

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– We get highlights from last week’s show. Ciampa & Gargano are banned from the building tonight and will face off at Takeover: Chicago in a street fight.

Aleister Black Talks: Black arrives and says that there is some dispute over who will challenge him in Chicago, but he only needs one shot to finish his opponent. Lars Sullivan arrives and he has something to say, noting that there is no dispute as Regal awarded him the title match in Chicago. Lars says for 16-years Black has traveled the world and made all of his opponents fade to black. But Black has never faced a man like him. Black can try to ignore his emotions all he wants, but the reality is this; he will take everything Black worked his whole life for. And there’s nothing Black can do about it. Lars looks to attack, blocks Black Mass and hits the freak accident to stand tall. Lars poses with the championship. This was a short, sweet, and good opening segment to set the title match and make Lars look like a threat.

The War Raiders (Hanson & Rowe) vs. Jimmy & Johnny Boots & Tights: Jimmy attacks, but Rowe immediately cuts him off and tags in Hanson for double teams. Johnny tags in and is leveled right away. The Raiders work quick tags as Rowe lays in rapid-fire strikes. The XPLODER follows and then more double-teams by the Raiders. The knee strike follows and then they hit the double team German. Fallout finishes it. The War Raiders defeated Jimmy & Johnny Boots & Tights @ 2:45 via pin [NR] This was a fun squash, with the Raiders looking great.

– We get a Dakota Kai vs. Shayna Baszler video package.

– Lacey Evans is interviewed backstage, she faces Kairi Sane next week and plans to win again.

EC3 vs. Fabian Aichner: They lock up and EC3 takes him to the corner and works him over. Aichner fires back and hits a back spinning elbow. The gut wrench suplex follows. Aichner looks to springboard in but EC3 knock him to the floor. Johnny Gargano arrives at commentary, delivering his signed contract to face Ciampa at Takeover. With EC3 distracted, Aichner hits a run up high cross to the floor. Back in and EC3 cuts him off, and the TKO finishes it. EC3 defeated Fabian Aichner @ 2:35 via pin [NR] EC3 wins again, while Aichner puts in another fun performance.

– We get the second part of the Bianca Belair profile package, discussing her family and legacy she feels she has to live up to. She would do enough to get by but knew she was naturally superior to others. In college, she turned it on and dominated, graduating with two degrees. She got into cross fit and that led to NXT. This was good stuff.

Ricochet vs. Chris Dijak: Dijak is finally making his NXT TV debut (he signed in January 2017). They waste no time, getting right to action. Ricochet lays in kicks and follows with a running knee strike. Dijak to the floor, and catches the Ricochet suicide dive and hits an apron chokeslam, The springboard elbow drop gets 2. Dijak then misses the moonsault, Ricochet works him over with kicks and hits the suplex and rolls into the dead lift suplex. Ricochet heads up top, and the 630. finishes it. Ricochet defeated Chris Dijak @ 2:12 via pin [NR] This was a hell of a little sprint here, Ricochet got a needed rebound win, while Dijak made a great first impression.

– Post match, Ricochet puts over Velveteen Dream, but you find out how good you are when the spotlight is the brightest. Last week, Dream showed how much of a punk he was. Dream arrives and says Ricochet can have the spotlight tonight. Last week, Dream showed anything Ricochet can do he can do better. Ricochet tells him to come and take the spotlight. Dream refuses and says while they would be epic together, so Ricochet will have to wait until Takeover: Chicago. Ricochet the dives over the top and to the floor, landing on his feet and daring Dream to prove himself. This was a really great follow up to the Ricochet win.

NXT Women’s Title Match: Champion Shayna Baszler vs. Dakota Kai: Baszler backs her off right away, continuing to play the bully. Baszler largely just fucks around with Kai, scaring her and then taking control as she targets the leg of Kai. Baszler dares Kai to fight back and continues to punisher challenger. Baszler is just dismantling Kai, working with great aggression and focus all the while talking shit to Kai. Baszler now follows with mounted strikes and then gets an ankle lock. Kai fights, and finally makes the ropes but Baszler is right back with the ankle lock. Kai hits a desperation enziguri and follows with rights, rocking Baszler. The bicycle kick follows, and then the big yakuza kicks connect in the corner. Baszler cuts off the code red/backstabber and locks in the choke and Kai passes out. Champion Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai @ 5:40 via submission [***] I’ve noticed a lot of people have been really impatient with this feud and feeling that it made Kai look weak. And it has, which was the point. Kai has no character beyond “she’s team kick” and absolutely adorable. She’s a great babyface and has been positioned in the underdog role here, and this was the first time she managed to stand up to the bully. And once she did, she proved to herself that she could fight, evolving the character. Yes, she lost, but it was a good story and they played the match very well to add to that. I really enjoyed this.

– Post match, Baszler locks on the choke again, but Nikki Cross arrives and makes the save. Cross is fired the fuck up, Baszler doesn’t know what to make of this, but the crowd loves Cross. Baszler powders but Cross steals the belt from her and Baszler is pissed. Cross dares her to come back and get it, Baszler returns, and Cross continues the mind games and takes it back, she wants a title shot and wants Kai to referee. Cross lays out Baszler with the purge and Kai counts to three as crazy Nikki celebrates. Cross completely changes the dynamic of the title feud, she seems to like Kai, but at the same time gives absolutely no fucks about Baszler’s bully act.

– Next week…

* Danny Burch vs. Roderick Strong
* Kairi Sane vs. Lacey Evans

– End Scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.5

The final score: review Good

The 411

This week’s NXT TV was light on matches with a lot of substance, but overall I found it a good show, as they confirmed Black vs. Sullivan. Ciampa vs. Gargano, & Dream vs. Ricochet for takeover. EC & The War Raiders continue to win as they look to get locked into a program, the Ricochet vs. Dijak match was a banger of a little sprint and the Ricochet/Dream promo segment was enjoyable. The main event continued the Kai vs. Baszler angle, and also introduced Nikki Cross into the title picture, which is a pleasant surprise. While just glancing at the results may make it appear as a nothing show, I thought this was a good and enjoyable show that accomplished quite a bit.