WWE NXT Review, March 2, 2016: Thumbs up, thumbs down

Your very official NXT review for March 2, 2016

So here’s your weekly primer on what you’ve been missing on NXT:

The issue between Samoa Joe and Sami Zayn will finally (!!) be resolved on next week’s show in a two-out-of-three falls match. This has been dragged out a little far, but who am I to complain about two of the best performers in the company going at it in a two-out-of-three falls match?

Somewhat related to this is the fact that Baron Corbin is angry, you guys. He was the only decisive loser in the triple threat match between himself and the aforementioned duo, but since no decision has been made, he wants back into the mix. General Manager William Regal gave him the “child, please” treatment and now Corbin is swearing revenge.

Bayley continues to battle all comers, even those lurking in the distance. She’s currently fighting off the advances of Nia Jax and her boss, the wonderfully awful Eva Marie. But now the devastating Asuka has entered the fray and will be teaming with Bayley next week to battle the All Red Robot and her heavy.

The tag team division continues to be worlds better than the main roster version. The Revival, formerly Dash and Dawson, continue their build towards what is likely a final match with Enzo and Cass even as American Alpha continues to build momentum. Then you remember teams like the Vaudevillains are lurking in the background and it becomes ridiculously apparent how much better NXT’s tag team scene is.

That about covers all the important points, so lets get into your Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down for NXT March 2, 2016.

Thumbs Up: WWE Does Video Packages Like No Other

It can be kind of infuriating when you think about it, but the WWE is hands down the best at hyping something up with a video package whenever they feel like it. Here, they do just that to hype us up for the main even featuring the longest-reigning NXT champion in history, Neville, and the current awesome champion, Finn Balor.

In just a few short minutes, it gives insight into just who both guys are and what makes them so spectacular. WWE can’t accomplish this on the main roster with an infinite amount of time, making it infuriating whenever they pull something like this out. More of these, please.

Thumbs Down: Treading Water

I’ve said this a few times now, but most of these shows have felt like they are simply treading water to get to the important stuff they’ll build for Takeover: Dallas. That includes lots and lots of squash matches like this, the Vaudevillains barely breaking a sweat against Hugo Knox and

Not-Bull-Dempsey

Tucker Knight.

I love the uniqueness of the Vaudevillains, but it’s really hard to do much of anything with a simple squash. They keep implying that the VV’s are getting to their nastier side in order to be more successful, but we really haven’t seen much of that other than a few ominous faces.

I feel like our expectations have been ramped up for NXT so much higher than the main roster that even okay stuff, which would kill on the main roster, is poo-pooed because we know how great NXT can be.

Thumbs Up: Emma and Dana Because Obviously

Dana and Emma cut a short promo about how they’re both awesome and they basically run NXT. I will never get tired of Dana and her inability to speak like a normal human being. I just won’t.

This is followed up by Emma vs Santana Garrett. A squash, sure, but I totally dig almost anything Emma does these days and I think the main roster is missing out on “bitter Emma” because they can’t do a story other than “women be crazy, M I RITE?”

Also, a thumbs way up for Garrett and her Wonder Woman outfit, something I hope we see a lot more of in the future.

Thumbs Up: All Asuka Everything

We get a backstage vignette where William Regal is blowing smoke up the asses of Eva Marie and Nia Jax, telling them how awesome and integral they are. Eva is like “about time, WE ARE STARS” as she tries her hardest to remember her lines, before Regal drops the bomb on them: next week, they’ll face Bayley and Asuka.

Now, I know this is the same match we just got only with Asuka swapping in for Carmella. And yes, I know it makes Carmella look slightly inferior, but guess what? EVERYONE IS LESS THAN ASUKA. This is how you develop stories, people. Bayley gets the help of the most dangerous woman in NXT to fend off the All Red Robot and her goon, but also kind of has to keep looking over her shoulder because Asuka is coming for her title at some point.

It’s ridiculous how easy NXT makes weaving multiple stories together look, especially when WWE can’t even tell one story coherently. I understand that creating content for three hours versus one is a completely different monster, but the difference in quality between NXT (even when it’s not great) and the main roster is staggering.

Thumbs Up: That Free Agent Acquisition

So last week, I messed up. I assumed the hyped free agent that was set to debut this week was Shinsuke Nakamura. He’s still coming, but this week wasn’t him. No, instead we get the debut of none other than AUSTIN ARIES. I don’t know when NXT became every indie fan’s wet dream, but I am all for it continuing.

As cool as it was to see Aries walk out, we got something even better: pissed off Baron Corbin having enough of that. I absolutely love the idea of Corbin just being super angry with any of these indie darlings that get signed and brought into NXT like they are the next big thing.

Honestly, as is the case with most of WWE’s heels, Corbin kind of has a legit beef. He’s been busting his butt to get better and has legitimately worked his way up the ladder in NXT only to be bumped back in line by whoever they sign next. Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Apollo Crews and now Aries? It isn’t fair, but the way he’s handling it makes him look like the dick. Perfect character development.

Thumbs Way Down: Enough of the Drifter, Please

I understand not every gimmick on NXT can get over and that’s fine. But can we please call it a day on Elias Sampson and his “drifter” gimmick? Honestly, it is the dirt worst and no one is buying it. Him sneering while the crowd chants “drift away” isn’t heel heat, it’s them legit not wanting him in front of them anymore.

The gimmick itself doesn’t even make sense. Sure, I get that he’s a nomad who drifts place to place, but why does he need the hipster scarf or the guitar? Especially considering he never plays the guitar. I’m not asking for him to play songs, but get rid of that stuff and we’d at least be in the right direction.

And don’t even get me started on his finish. A short-arm swinging neckbreaker? That’s it? That’s his devastating, end of the match move? No wonder people hate him. Was the overdrive not available?

Thumbs in the Middle: The Backstage Stuff

To save time, we’ll roll all this stuff together.

First off, the Hype Bros talk about the Vaudevillains. They say a bunch of bro-y stuff about how the Vaudevillains are trying to be bad guys and they don’t get what the deal is. Mercifully, the promo is short and they leave, revealing the Vaudevillains had been hiding behind the set the entire time. Presenting them as Saturday Morning cartoon villains is probably not the way they wanted this to come off.

Thumbs Way Up: The Main Event

Giving 25 minutes to Finn Balor and Neville to tear the house down is always the right move and that’s exactly what they went with to end this week’s NXT.

The match itself was wonderful, as expected. It began with a friendly game of one-upmanship, the pace getting more and more frantic as time passed. Both guys got their offense in, making it look hard and heavy. The ending was fast-paced, featuring Finn unloading with the Coup de Grace and Bloody Sunday (the move is unnamed right now) to get the win.

And this is how you make both guys look good without some awful distraction finish or the usual B.S. that the main roster is plagued with. It was back-and-forth, both looked strong and it took a tremendous effort at the end for Finn to get the win. They end with the friendly handshake, which actually makes sense in this instance considering both guys are supposed to be face and just enjoyed a well-received, hard-fought match.

Also worth noting: the commentary team is openly talking about the Bullet Club now. The rumor is that Doc Gallows and Machine Gun Karl Anderson, both Club mates of Balor in Japan, are jumping ship to the WWE and that they could join Finn in the Balor Club. Oh god, please. Please make this happen, I beg you.

To finish the show, we get a little short interaction between Samoa Joe, Sami Zayn and Regal. Both competitors feel they have legitimate gripes as to why they haven’t been named No. 1 contender already before Joe, who claims he saved Zayn’s career, threatens to end it. All par for the course, nothing bad, nothing good.

Next Week: Baysuka vs Eva Jax and two-out-of-three falls!