Csonka’s NXT TV Review 8.30.17

Csonka’s NXT Review 8.30.17

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Peyton Royce defeated Ruby Riot @ 8:25 via pin [***]
– Heavy Machinery defeated Johnny & Jimmy Boots & Tights @ 2:19 via pin [NR]
– Roderick Strong defeated Bobby Roode @ 15:20 via pin [***¾]

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– Follow all of my reviews at this link.

– I reviewed the first four episodes of the Mae Young Classic, and you can check those out below…

* Episode 1
* Episode 2
* Episode 3
* Episode 4

– We open with footage of Sanity & security laid out in back of the building as it looked like Cole, O’Reilly, and Fish were walking off into the dark.
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/903045384364113921

Drew McIntyre is Here to Talk: You’re new NXT champion arrives, looking spiffy. He gets “you deserve it” chants. McIntyre says that this is his life, all of the sacrifices and dreams for the last 17-years led to this. This title is his life’s work, and he knows there is a target on his back and he’s fine with that. McIntyre calls out Fish, Cole, and O’Reilly and everyone in the locker room, they are all on notice and this is his world now; if you want a shot, step into the ring and ask him like a man for a fight. Roderick Strong arrives, and he’s dressed to fight. Roddy congratulates McIntyre, but says that McIntyre is the target but doesn’t care about “them” and what happened at Takeover. He only cares about him, his family and that title. After he beats Roode tonight, he will step up and fight McIntyre like a man. McIntyre loves this and says Roddy is a man, he just hopes that he’s ready to get KO’d like a man. This was a good opening segment, with both guys coming off well and setting up a potential title match. It also didn’t overstay its welcome, staying focused and to the point.

– We see footage of Roode talking about his unfinished business with Strong.

– Mauro talks about Asuka’s injury. She will be here next week to give an update on her future.

Ruby Riot vs. Peyton Royce w/Billie Kay: Riot recently defeated Billie Kay. They lock up to begin, with Riot taking Royce to the corner. Royce fights back, talks trash and Riot takes her down and works a side headlock. Royce counters into a head scissors. Riot escapes, picks up the pace and hits a dropkick for 2. She grounds Royce, who then gets to her feet and lays Riot out with a kick. Royce follows with forearms and kicks, and sends Riot to the floor and we take a break. Post break, Royce is in control back in the ring. Royce lays in some slaps, but that fires Riot up, and she hits clotheslines, kicks and a dropkick. Riot sends Royce to the corner, hits a superkick and covers for 2. Riot up top, but Royce cuts her off. Royce follows her up, Riot shoves her off but Royce hits a spin kick and DVD for a good near fall. Royce throws a fit, but Riot avoids the high kick and hits a powerbomb for another good near fall, Kay pulls Royce to the floor, and Riot wipes them out with a suicide dive. Back in and Royce grabs onto the ring skirt allowing Kay to lay out Riot with a kick. Back in and Royce hits the fisherman’s suplex for the win. Peyton Royce defeated Ruby Riot @ 8:25 via pin [***] This was a good match from the ladies, with good energy and an invested crowd. I could have done without the interference, but it plays into the story and now we see if Riot can find a friend to counter the Iconic Duo. This was fun and enjoyable.

– Regal talks about the attack on Sanity. Ohno arrives, and requests a match with Itami. Regal makes the match for next week, but Ohno requests a no DQ match. Regal agrees.

– We get a heavy Machinery promo. #SteaksandWeightsBaby

Heavy Machinery vs. Johnny & Jimmy Boots & Tights: Otis in to start, he dominates and Tucker tags in to continue the assault. The Boots & Tights brothers try to fight back, but fail. Otis and Tucker do their compactor onto the other man and they pick up the easy win. Heavy Machinery defeated Johnny & Jimmy Boots & Tights @ 2:19 via pin [NR] This was a good squash to get some momentum back for Heavy Machinery.

– We see Lars Sullivan killing No Way Jose at Takeover. Regal met with Lars earlier today, and informs him that next week Lars will face three men in a handicap match. Lars Sullivan gives no fucks.

– Next week, Lars Sullivan vs. three men, Cezar Bononi vs. Andrade Cien Almas & a no DQ match between Itami & Ohno are set. Asuka will also appear to give an update on her injury.

Bobby Roode vs. Roderick Strong: The crowd chants “thank you Bobby” and then Roode says Strong is a failure and that this will always be his NXT. Strong shoves him down and attacks. Roode immediately fights back, laying in chops and rights. They work into some fun back and forth, with Roode grounding the action. Strong fights back, hitting a dropkick and continues the attack. Great intensity so far from both guys. Strong hits the back breaker, and another; Roode rolls to the apron, Strong follows and they trade strikes. Roode posts Strong, and then slams him to the steps. Roode follows with the spinebuster as we take a break. Post break and Roode hits a neck breaker for 2. He then chokes out Strong, and then hits a side back breaker. He hits another, mocking Strong a bit and then lays the boots to him. Strong tries to fire up, but Roode whips him to the buckles and grounds him with a chinlock and lays in knee strikes to the back. Strong fights back, hitting a pop up gut buster for 2. Strong is too slow to follow up, favoring his back. They trade strikes; Strong hits a lariat and chops. Roode counters a suplex, but Strong hits a back breaker for a near fall. Strong hits the tiger bomb and into the Strong hold. Roode makes the ropes, and then hits the TKO. The cover gets 2. Both men are slowed here, they get to their feet and trade strikes until Roode hits the spinebuster. Roode calls for the glorious DDT, but Strong counters into the Angle slam, the knee strike follows but Roode kicks out at 2. Roode rolls to the apron, Strong tries to pull him back in but Roode stuns him off the ropes. Roode up top, Strong cuts him off and follows him up. They battle for position, Strong shoved to the mat but then crotches Roode with an enziguri. Strong then hits the superplex, covering for a good near fall. They trade strikes from their knees, and then go Frye/Takiyama until Roode hits the glorious DDT but Strong gets a foot on the ropes. Roode yells at Strong, calling him an embarrassment to his family. Strong is fired the fuck up, hits knee strikes, drops the kneepad and hits another and then the back breaker. But Strong isn’t done just yet, blows him a kiss goodbye, hits another back breaker and Strong wins! Roderick Strong defeated Bobby Roode @ 15:20 via pin [***¾] This was a VERY good, leaning towards great match. They worked with great intensity, fitting of their feud, and Strong gets the big win, getting redemption for he and his family while Roode gets his comeuppance on the way out.

– McIntrye arrives, but Cole, Fish, and O’Reilly attack him and Cole lays him out with a DDT on the ramp. Security arrives and they bail. The tease will be that former ROH pal Strong did nothing to help, making you wonder… whose side is he on?

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.5

The final score: review Good

The 411

Tonight’s edition of NXT TV was just what the doctor ordered, we got a good opening segment, a good women’s match, matches made for next week, an extremely well done main event in ring and story wise, plus the small segments with Cole, Fish, and O’Reilly were well done and keeps the focus they started at Takeover. I am really interested to see how Strong plays into that story. NXT feels like all cylinders are firing right now.