On the last episode of NXT, we saw four matches that helped elevate every division of NXT. The show started off with the NXT Women’s Champion, Asuka, who defeated “The Red Queen,” Eva Marie. Even though Eva Marie lost the match, she had a solid showing against one of the most dominant female competitors in NXT history (perhaps the most dominant, considering that she is still undefeated). The show switched gears to the tag team division, where The Revival insist on continuing the “Tag Team Revolution.” This included a win over local talent (Matt Lee and Jeff Parker), as well as assaulting the Hype Bros after they defeated former NXT Tag Team Champions Blake and Murphy. To main event the night, we saw the second NXT television match of Shinsuke Nakamura, who soundly defeated “The Drifter,” Elias Samson.
Tonight is sure to have a lot in store, considering that Samoa Joe has not appeared on NXT television since he won the NXT Championship from Finn Balor at a house show in Lowell, Massachusetts. Also tonight is the return of “The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived,” Austin Aries, who has not been seen on NXT television since he defeated Angelo Dawkins, which was one week after NXT TakeOver: Dallas when he defeated Baron Corbin.
Opening Segment
To kick off the show, NXT Champion Samoa Joe makes his was down to the ring for the first time since winning the gold. He says that it is a new era, and if anybody has a problem with that, they can stop him. And somebody does have a problem with it: Eric Young. This is Young’s first appearance on NXT, and it is a surprising appearance since he was a big star in TNA in recent years (he was essentially given the Daniel Bryan story). It is interesting what will happen between these two, as they have a history over the years.
Tessa Blanchard vs. Nia Jax
Tessa Blanchard has made a few appearances on NXT, but the second generation wrestler has not found much success. Nia Jax, however, seems to be in the NXT Women’s Championship title hunt, and was very close to winning it from Bayley at TakeOver: London.
Tessa Blanchard tries her best, giving Nia Jax her all, but Jax puts barely any effort into the match because she doesn’t have to. Jax hits an emphatic atomic leg drop on Blanchard to pick up the victory. Winner: Nia Jax
Austin Aries vs. Tye Dillinger
Aries is another former TNA star that is now on the NXT roster, and it is interesting to see where A-double is going in his NXT career. Tye Dillinger has been doing a good job at putting people over (it helps being one of the most technically solid wrestlers on the roster), and even had a win over Alex Riley a few weeks ago.
Dillinger almost puts Aries away with a vicious neckbreaker, but Aries gets enough momentum to put “Perfect 10” away with a 450 Splash. Winner: Austin Aries
The Hype Bros (Zack Ryder & Mojo Rawley) vs. The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder)
Both of these teams had victories last week, but The Revival would be the team standing tall at the end of the night. After the Hype Bros defeated Blake & Murphy,
The Hype Train rolls on as Rawley clears house, but solid tag team wrestling benefits the Revival as Dawson and Wilder hit their patented double team on Rawley to pick up the victory.
No Way Jose vs. Noah Kekoa
A couple weeks ago, No Way Jose picked up a victory in his debut match. He has a pretty simplistic move set, but his charisma (and entrance theme) sets him aside from the competition.
No Way Jose hits a full nelson slam on Kekoa to pick up his second victory in a row since debuting. Winner: No Way Jose
Samoa Joe vs. Eric Young
Eric Young made his first appearance on NXT tonight (as you should know by now), and he makes his in-ring debut against someone he is very familiar with. Young has a very unique opportunity (not like Dario Cueto’s unique opportunities in Lucha Underground), because he is facing the NXT Champion in his very first night. If Young can get a win over Samoa Joe in his debut, he could be automatically shot up to the title picture.
Eric Young gives a valiant effort, but Joe hits the muscle buster and the Coquina Clutch on Young to put him away. Winner (via submission): Samoa Joe
