In tonight‘s episode of NXT, Finn Balor takes on Apollo Crews in a non-title match that Crews requested a few weeks ago. Also, Carmella faces Bayley for the NXT Women’s Championship next week, and she needs to build up some momentum to the biggest match of her career.
The Vaudevillains (Aiden English & Simon Gotch) vs. The Hype Bros (Mojo Rawley & Zack Ryder)
It has been a while since we have seen either of these teams in action. The Hype Bros haven’t really had much success other than the occasional win. The Vaudevillians have been a little more successful, winning the NXT Tag Team Championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. What these two teams have in common, however, is that they are very good examples of “gimmicks.” Two party-hard, high-energy “bros”, and two men who are right out of a 1920s carnival.
The Vaudevillains hit a nasty European uppercut to swinging neckbreaker double team, known as the “Whirling Dervish,” on Zack Ryder for the win. Winners: The Vaudevillains
Backstage Segment
Carmella is being interviewed by Tom Philips, to hype her NXT Women’s Championship match next week against her best friend, Bayley. Seeing how much the NXT Universe got behind Carmella after she won this opportunity is promising, and she could possibly be the next big babyface of the Women’s Division when Bayley gets called up to the main roster.
We switch to Dash and Dawson, the current NXT Tag Team Champions, who aren’t afraid of Enzo Amore and Big Cass. This is the opposite case of Carmella, because I cannot see them being the faces of the company at all. However, they are very solid in the ring.
Carmella vs. Emma (w/Dana Brooke)
Emma has been in a good spot for a while in NXT. Even though she isn’t winning any of her recent feuds, she has been putting on great matches, and makes her opponents look very good in the ring. After a lot of finisher counters, Carmella wins with a backslide pin. Winner: Carmella
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs… who knows
It’s pretty obvious who is going to win this match, considering we don’t even know the names of the people Enzo and Big Cass are versing. They didn’t get an entrance either. Enzo Amore hits the splash from the top turnbuckle for the win. Winners: Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady
Backstage Segment
William Regal has made his decision regarding the tie from last weeks #1 Contenders match for the NXT Championship. Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe both made Baron Corbin tap out at the same time, so they will verse each other to determine the true #1 Contender.
Asuka vs. Santana Garrett
Just like the previous tag match, this is the first time we are seeing Garrett, except for maybe the Women’s Battle Royal a few weeks ago. Asuka locks in the Asuka Lock (a mix of a rear naked choke and a crossface chicken wing) for the win. Winner (via submission): Asuka
Apollo Crews vs. Finn Balor
A win in this match would be huge for Apollo Crews, and he could make a case to be put in the #1 contender’s match with Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe. Crews definitely has the in-ring ability to be a believable threat this soon into his NXT career. This is similar to Kevin Owens, who went from debuting on NXT to winning the NXT Championship, defeating John Cena, and winning the Intercontinental Championship all in less than one year.
An interesting thing to note is that when Finn Balor entered, the Balor Club logo was heavily featured. With the signings of AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura, two of Balor’s colleagues from New Japan Pro Wrestling, Balor might be getting the gang back together.
After a lot of close calls, Finn Balor hits an underhook brainbuster on Apollo Crews for the victory. Winner: Finn Balor
Next week on NXT, Bayley will defend her Women’s Championship against “The Princess of Staten Island,” Carmella. Also, in two weeks, we will find out the #1 Contender for the NXT Championship.
