Reviewing all the happens from the March 8 edition of NXT, including the in-ring return of Shinsuke Nakamura
No honor among the sane
To kick off this week’s episode of NXT inside the UCF Arena, Eric Young was slated to battle Tye Dillinger. Young was about to walk to the ring with his hounds, SAnitY, but then told them to head towards the back, as he wanted Dillinger all for himself. For a second, it seemed like Young was looking for honorable competition, until his band of misfits came back towards the ramp, with an extra guest: the limp body of Roderick Strong.
No Way José came out to back up his friends, but it wasn’t enough. SAnitY went 3-for-3 on making their enemies unconscious. WWE has done a great job booking this faction as unbeatable, so let’s hope they don’t prematurely drop the ball … again. *cough* Braun Strowman *cough*
Alright, alright, Almas
Now we moved to a match between Ho Ho Lun and Andrade “Cien” Almas. Lun made a name for himself in the first round of the Cruiserweight Classic, where he beat 205 Live Superstar Ariya Daivari. He went on to lose in the second round to Noam Dar, another 205 Live star with lots of talent.
Across from Lun, Andrade Almas has had a hard time building himself up enough to be considered a threat. He’s lost mostly every match he’s been in going all the way back to TakeOver: Brooklyn, when he lost to a debuting Bobby Roode, and then failed in the spotlight again at Takeover: San Antonio to Roderick Strong, who also hasn’t really proven himself as a blue chipper.
This was actually a good showing for Almas, who made quick work of Ho Ho Lun. It’s tough to predict what his ceiling is. On one hand, as mentioned before, Almas has lost to people who have gone on to become NXT Champion, and also someone who was literally asleep at the beginning of this episode. On the other hand, once Nakamura and Roode eventually get called up to the big leagues — throw Dillinger in that mix also — someone is going to need to carry the NXT torch. It could be quite a ways away, but No Way José, Almas, and even Elias Samson may be the future of the yellow brand. (Okay, I’m not serious about Samson, but don’t you wish I was?)
Ember torches Kay
It didn’t take long for Ember Moon to jump over every woman in the division in the last couple of weeks — sans Nikki Cross, who is involved in so many storylines it’s hard to keep track. Last week, she came to the aid of Asuka who was taking a beating from Kay and her partner, Peyton Royce, and flipped the script on both of them. This week, Moon pummeled Kay after being taunted by her and Royce at the Performance Center earlier that day.
Kay and Royce were named NXT Breakout Stars of the Year, and were looking for a place to put their trophy, which didn’t please Moon. Kay ended up needing help from trainers after the match; the Eclipse really is no joke.
Moon would be my obvious choice to give Asuka the biggest challenge for her belt, and William Regal agrees. Later in the show, he announced that Moon will face Asuka for the NXT Women’s Championship at Takeover: Orlando. I’ll admit, I’m a teensy, weensy bit sad that Nikki Cross hasn’t been more vocal in putting her name in the hat, as a Triple Threat match would be my ideal fantasy booking, but it’ll be an exciting match nonetheless. Moon will be the first person Asuka has faced since her debut who has a legitimate chance to beat her.
WE GO HARD (SOMETIMES)
The Ealy Brothers picked odd opponents to make their debut against, The Revival. Thanks to the Authors of Pain, their debut was delayed for another time, as the twins were taken out before the bell rang. The Revival, in classic heel fashion, scampered through the crowd once they realized they were the real targets for the champs. The Revival have one more five-star match in them before they eventually get called up to save main roster tag teams, and it will involve the Tag Team Championship. It’s just a matter of whether #DIY will get involved too.
Ohno speaks
Kassius Ohno sat down with Tom Philips to talk about next week, where he will face Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship. The interview was cut short as Roode interrupted via satellite from Toronto to smear glorious all over our screens. I don’t have much faith in Ohno beating Bobby Roode, but it should be an entertaining match that will remind the NXT Universe how glorious their champion is, and how the roster could use such a legitimate force in the ring like Ohno. While Ohno’s time isn’t quite now, it’s not too far in the future.
The King has returned
The main event featured the inaugural Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins throwing down with the most recent NXT Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura hasn’t been in action since his title loss to Bobby Roode at Takeover: San Antonio. Perkins has talent, but his gimmick is meant to entertain little children who think it is hip to dab and play Super Mario. (Fine, I’m also part of the Super Mario demographic, but he’s still annoys me.)
Nakamura looked like a guy who hasn’t skipped a beat, even though his last televised match was over a month ago.
Both these guys got some offense in, but ultimately it was the King of Strong Style who picked up the victory. I have a feeling the UCF crowd would have rioted if it went the other way. The match itself took a solid eleven minutes, and didn’t lose momentum at any point. For Perkins, this isn’t much of bump down, as it could be considered an honor to lose to the best (or second best, in this case).
As for Nakamura, he still is due his rematch against Bobby Roode — or, by way of a miracle, Kassius Ohno — so we will see him in the main event of Takeover: Orlando at some capacity, as confirmed by William Regal before NXT went off the air.