Recapping the May 3 edition of WWE NXT, which saw a women’s battle royal and more introducing of Roderick Strong.
Dain Cooks
Danny Burch can’t catch a break these days. At his most vulnerable, when he needs a win more than ever, General Manager William Regal did Burch no favor by putting him up against SAnitY’s scariest (not including Nikki Cross), Killian Dain. It wasn’t much of a challenge for Dain to destroy Burch, but where does Dain go from here? Sure, he’s the the biggest slice of the wrecking ball pie we call SAnitY, but does he have talent that will eventually exceed the need to be in a group?
If that happens, let’s hope it’s not for a long time; I want SAnitY to continue to rise as NXT’s big dogs, at least until they face Authors of Pain and Heavy Machinery in a Triple Threat tag team match that would need at least four rings, and could literally make the entire world explode.
Speaking of Heavy Machinery…
Men vs. Machines
The match wasn’t long enough for me to remember who their opponents were, but Heavy Machinery continues to be my MVPs of the Tag Team division. This week’s finishing maneuver was unlike anything I remember seeing, and would be a comical sight to see a smaller tag team attempt.
When HM’s time finally comes to go after the gold (I’m hoping it’s real soon), it’s not an inconceivable thought of them winning it immediately. #DIY is overdue to be called up to the main roster, and with injuries to TM-61, Heavy Machinery may be the perfect candidates for that open spot on the Takeover: Chicago card to face Authors of Pain.
Is It Itami’s Time?
Pre-match advice from Bobby Roode wasn’t enough for Kona Reeves to stop Hideo Itami from winning his first televised NXT match since he fought Lince Dorado back in September. Itami showed that he can still take a bump, and that he hasn’t lost any ability to kick the life out of someone.
If you ask me, I’d say Itami shouldn’t get bumped to the top of the line. In the next section, I mention who Itami’s opponent is next week for the NXT Championship No. 1 Contender match, and I don’t think Itami should win. Let’s have him get through a mid-card feud for a few more weeks without getting hurt before we throw him at the alpha male of NXT, Bobby Roode.
Who Is Roderick Strong? (Part 2)
Act II of Roderick Strong’s life so far was an uplifting story of a guy who’s been fighting his way to the top with nothing but pure talent and drive. Maybe “nothing” is the wrong word; Strong’s family is supportive, and his fiancé, MMA fighter Marina Shafir, just gave birth to her and Strong’s first child. That’s motivation if I’ve ever heard it. We learned a little more about his thirteen years in Ring of Honor, and it was the kind of spark Strong needed to make his next match a No. 1 Contender’s match for the NXT Championship against Hideo Itami, conceivable that he can win.
The crowd was pretty fired up for Roderick Strong’s debut back in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but the cheers turned to “meh”s pretty quickly, so this video package, coupled with the opportunity Strong has ahead of him next week, could be the spark Strong’s NXT career needed. Will he get past Itami? I think the results could surprise us.
Women Who Battle Royally
It’s nice to see that the NXT Women’s division has expanded enough to have some jobbers, because there were at least eight of them in this Battle Royal for the No. 1 Contender spot. The only women I know were in it were those who had televised entrances: Lacey Evans, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Nikki Cross, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riot, and Ember Moon. The drama really began when there were five girls left, as Ember Moon eliminated both Billie Kay and Peyton Royce to leave Riot, Moon, and Cross left for battle.
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As much as I enjoy watching Royce & Kay, I couldn’t help but imagine the viciousness we’d see if these remaining three fought in a Triple Threat match. After Asuka left ringside with a wake of destruction behind her, William Regal appeared to let everyone know that because Asuka ruined the main event, she will now be defending her NXT Women’s Championship in a Fatal Four Way match at Takeover: Chicago against Riot, Cross, and Moon. And that, boys and girls, is a story of how dreams can come true.
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