JOBBERS IN EVERY MATCH
(AND THE INDIE JOBBER MAIN EVENTS. WOW!)
The opening video package of the outcome of Unstoppable was a bit of a disappointment. They didn't even try to mask how much they disregarded the tag team championship match. Even Balor/Breeze got more attention and focus in the package than the tag titles match - A CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH. I suppose yet again I'm the only person who thinks that's annoyingly stupid for NXT.
So the entire show was a regular televised talent against a jobber. Except Emma, who isn't even on the NXT roster, but the main roster. Despite this, the show was pretty good. Further proving that these talent that don't come from some well-known company before they enter the WWE can actually add to the show. Even if it is minimal.
The actual show began with an Owens segment. Reminiscent of Raw with the Authority constantly opening the show with Rollins nagging for minutes, but this was much shorter and infinitely better too. Owens really is a natural and I'm glad that the absolute best guy out of all of the overly pushed ex-indie guys is actually the one being pushed the most. At least there's logic in that. Anyway, to the point of the promo, Owens completely fooled and clowned everyone. The audience, Regal, Crowe, probably even the sound guys in the back, it was great. Regal, a guy well known for his great promos and ability to think fast was stopped in his tracks more than just one time by Owens, it made it look like Regal came out with nothing to say at all. And god I don't remember anything Crowe said but he looked like nothing next to Owens. Both in stature and... well, verbally too.
Moving past that completely unexpected intervening by Crowe, the main roster talent Emma comes down to job to Bayley, BUT ACTUALLY WINS. Well done on the booking actually letting an NXT talent lose to someone who had been on the main roster again, it's like they forgot about that.
Though there's barely anything to mention about the match, I liked Bayley going for her amateur takedown and instead of using that spinny thing for the pops, she started pummelling Emma's head in. It really showed that brutality that Bayley has apparently adopted since her feud with Emma began. Dana Brooke and Charlotte facing off is inevitable. It may even be a match at the next special.
Baron Corbin with an awkward promo staring at Renee, only made more awkward with Rhyno's homo-erotic breathing and subtle hype.
The tag match was another throwaway match against jobbers, but it wasn't bad at all. Rawlis and especially Samson look pretty good aesthetically and I could see them going far if they're good in the ring too. Rawlis might need to be better at promos because he's not as champion-looking as Samson is, but they both need better names, they're such shit names. Bad, bad names.
Speaking of bad names, the tag champs had a decent showing too. I really like the vertical suplex/brainbuster to frog splash combo, it's so simple and yet so pleasing. Blake does a great frog splash and though I clearly like Murphy a lot more in the duo, Blake is pretty good himself too.
"FINN BALOR IN ACTION... NEXT!"
Thanks for telling me it was against Dillinger so I could actually care, commentary.
Dillinger had the best showing of the night overall when you consider how little people would expect from him. That short, short match went so, so fast because Dillinger kept the pace high up until that rest-hold which was completely unnecessary for resting but great in timing to slow the pace down to get that heel momentum and the obligatory face comeback for Balor. The taunt in the middle of the match was so well-timed as well. Dillinger has what Sasha and Owens have as a heel - great timing with his taunts and the ability to really control a match at an almost perfect pace the entire time. A true ring general in NXT, I hope his "Perfect 10" gimmick gets over and he gets a real opportunity soon.
Oh and I guess Balor did okay too.
...Well I can't say I was hyped (completely unintentional until I re-read what I typed) for the main event. I really care about Crowe less than I care about literally anyone else not named Mojo Rawley (who by the way I am devastated seems to be returning), but I'm kinda glad I spent the time. It wasn't horrendous but there wasn't much special about it. Owens always jumping out of the ring and baiting his opponents is a double-edged sword to me. I see how smart Owens is doing it but everyone he's against looks dumb as fuck running after him trying to get him, KNOWING they're getting tricked for him to start with the upper hand.
BUT, the match had the spot of the night. Owens yelling at a wounded Crowe (heh) laying in the middle of the ring, only to get nipped in the head by a kick from Crowe's stubby ass leg, followed by Owens stomping the shit out of him was fantastic. Little things like that are great, and Owens not only accentuates these little things but makes them so much better and entertaining. He acts so aggressively over the slightest things but is so calm otherwise.
Owens really is the star of NXT, not just now, but since the beginning too. I really think he is the absolute best wrestler they have had on the show. Better than Zayn, who I'd have put at number one ahead of virtually everyone beforehand.
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