Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady with Carmella - Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder
As soon as the music begins there is a thunderous roar from the NXT Universe at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. Enzo has his microphone in hand, letting everyone know “My name is Enzo Amore and I am a certified G and a bonafied stud and you can’t teach that.” Enzo also went through his Carmella and Big Cass “you can’t teach” that promos. The crowd was with Enzo every step of the way. Enzo is pure gold on the mic and Big Cass isn’t too far behind. These two have something about them that is sorely lacking on the main roster. Hopefully we see them get called up to the main roster to add more dimensions to the currently lacking WWE tag team division. Enzo and Cass had several tags during the match and showed great double team skills. At one point there was a giant cross body from the top turnbuckle from Enzo Amore to Dash Wilder. Wilder and Dawson also had a chance to double team on Enzo. Both teams definitely shined during this match. NXT has done an excellent job giving this division great focus with each program. Wilder and Dawson aren’t the biggest, but they both have the right mechanics to be viable contenders for the championships. Enzo was in for most of this match. Once Big Cass got tagged back in, he cleared house and tagged Enzo. However, he became in a cat and mouse chase with Wilder. He was caught with a big clothesline on the outside from Dawson. They then rolled Enzo into the ring, bounced him off the ropes with Dawson lifting Enzo into the air(Similar to a 3D), and Wilder connected with a big codebreaker. Their finisher was called the shatter machine and it was very effective. This can only be seen as an upset and a big win for the uprising team of Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder.
Winner by pinfall:
Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder
Jason Jordan and Chad Gable are shown in the backstage area with Devin Taylor. They’re basically establishing themselves as a credible tag team for the NXT tag team division. Both men sounded confident, comical, and intriguing. As stated previously this division is getting the much needed focus it deserves. Hopefully we can see this kind of shine for the WWE tag team division in the coming weeks. It almost feels as though there needs to be a WWE tag team revolution with this “Divas revolution.”
Baron Corbin - Jesse Sorenson
It should be noted Jesse Sorenson is a former TNA talent. Notably one who received a neck injury with a long recovery, while with TNA. This match didn’t last long at all. A typical Corbin match with one to two moves performed before the finish. Shortly after the bell rang Sorenson received an end of days from Corbin.
Winner by pinfall:
Baron Corbin
Tyler Breeze makes his way into Regal’s office concerning his opponent for NXT: Takeover in Brooklyn. Breeze appears to be shaken up after Regal whispers his opponent into Breeze’s ear. The opponent wasn’t named, but most likely his opponent will be Bull Dempsey or Samoa Joe, as both men have yet to be announced for the event.
Jason Jordan & Chad Gable - Elias Sampson & Venezuela Jr.
Jordan out wrestles Venezuela, causing Venezuela to tag Sampson into the match. Jordan then tagged Gable into the match. Gable shows off his mat technician skills by rolling around with Sampson and locking in a submission hold into a head lock. The team of Jordan and Gable are very similar to that of a Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. They both have an amateur wrestling background and aren’t afraid to have it reflect in their match. Venezuela gains the upper hand and tags Elias Sampson back into the match. Sampson and Venezuela now have control, but not for long. Gable is able to connect with two takedowns, then tags Jordan into the match. As Jordan is tagged, so is Venezuela. However, Jordan sticks a big over the head belly to belly release suplex. He tags Gable back into the match, As Jordan throws Venezuela into the air Gable is there to connect with their finisher, the grand altitude.
Winner by pinfall:
Jason Jordan & Chad Gable
Devin Taylor is in the back again, but this time it’s with Dana Brooke and Emma. Dana Brooke goes on a tangent about nobody believing she can’t beat Charlotte, and she’ll prove everyone wrong just like she did with the fitness world. Dana comes off very much the opposite of her husband Bo Dallas. She doesn’t appear to have much charisma, nor the wrestling background she should for her current role.
There is then a video package of Bull Dempsey’s workout regime and his dedication. This came off like a 1980’s wrestling vignette. It was not laugh out loud funny, but it was pretty entertaining.
Charlotte - Dana Brooke w/Emma
The crowd is loud for this one and behind Charlotte all the way. Charlotte gives some Flair-like knees to Brooke, but gets distracted by Emma. Brooke then takes the advantage, but it doesn’t last long and Charlotte begins focusing on Dana’s legs. The two showed their power during this match, as both women gave some strong-style slams to the other. The crowd is all over Dana Brooke with a deafening “Dana sucks” chant. Dana did an awesome job of taunting the crowd and getting that heat. Charlotte is able to catch Dana off guard and finishes her with the natural selection finisher. Charlotte’s moveset is eerily similar to her father’s, but she puts her own twist on the moves without limiting what she does to this moveset. Although the match was short it was still a good showing by both women. Dana Brooke gets better and better each week. She appeared to be much more comfortable with her character this week than prior weeks.
Winner by pinfall:
Charlotte
Samoa Joe is in the backstage area to let the NXT Universe know he’s there for the NXT Championship. He then calls Rhyno out saying “You’re a man-beast, a visciuos predatorial animal, but when you’re across from me in the ring you know I’ll get in there, I’ll beat you down, and I’ll choke you out.” Very confident and intense promo from Joe. His intensity is unlike any other currently in NXT. Awesome promo by Joe, proclaiming his spot at the top of NXT.
William Regal is shown again, but this time it’s footage from last week. He is asked about the fallout of the contract signing between Kevin Owens and NXT Champion Finn Balor. Regal explains he’s not sure if he was hit on purpose or out of a reaction. Owens appears out of nowhere and apologizes for his actions, claiming he didn’t mean for it to happen. Regal looks very meticulous during Owens apology. After Owens walked away from Regal, Regal stated he couldn’t wait for Owens to get beat at NXT: Takeover in Brooklyn. Good little spat between the two. It’s great when these loose holes are filled with legitimacy and logic.
After this vignette, there is a promo from Eva Marie with Devin Taylor. Eva Marie speaks on her performance from last week and says “Sasha Banks you better watch out.” This came off as a little forward, especially since she has only had one match in NXT. This could possibly turn potential fans away from her character. Only time will tell if Eva Marie has what it takes to be NXT Women’s Champion.
Kevin Owens - Martin Stone
The match begins with a big clothesline from Owens. At one point his opponent landed a tight enziguri, but Owens took control for the remainder of the match. Upon gaining control Owens was able to land a release german suplex, a cannonball, and a swanton bomb. Owens then finished the match quick with an impactful pop-up powerbomb. It’s great to see squash matches featured on NXT. Once a characterized wrestler is stuck with a “Jobber” or “enhancement talent” role it’s very hard for them to get out of this role. It’s great when this happens to a wrestler who has yet to establish any credibility within the company. It makes them forgettable, it makes their opponents look like killers, and it doesn’t take away from any of the current wrestlers who have already established their character within the company. After the match, as both men were leaving Owens delivered a vicious powerbomb to Stone on the ring apron. This only goes further to legitimize Owens as being the number one contender for the NXT Championship, as well as the predator to watch within the NXT Universe.
Winner by pinfall:
Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Championship match:
The Vaudevillians - NXT Tag Team Champions Blake & Murphy w/ Alexa Bliss
The Vaudevillians were the crowd favorites for this one. It still has yet to be defined as to what the gimmick of Blake and Murphy are. Either way, Blake and Murphy appear to have a live-wire gimmick. The two were neon matching colors, but don’t add much more to the gimmick other than their attire. Gotch starts this one off, as the Vaudevillians gain control in the early going. English is tagged into the match and continues to single out Wesley Blake. Blake is able to make the tag to Murphy, but English is out maneuvering both men. Regardless of the Tag Team Champions tagging each other the Vaudevillians have taken control of the match. There is no slack given from Aiden English. At one point English side stepped a spear, causing a suicide dive from Murphy to Blake on the outside. Blake then distracts English, causing Murphy to seize his opportunity. From here Blake and Murphy slow the pace of the match down with some rest holds. English is able to get out of the way of a shoulder tackle and tags Gotch back into the match. Gotch then out wrestles Murphy with one move after the other. He tags English into the match and sets up the whirling dervish. Alexa Bliss is able to grab English’s ankle and Murphy rolls him up for the victory. It should be noted Murphy had a handful of tights. While the Tag Team Champions are celebrating they’re attacked by the Vaudevillians, who are able to connect with their finisher the whirling dervish. The two then begin to circle Alexa Bliss. The crowd starts a loud chant of “Chivalry.” The Vaudevillians show some chivalry by going to the ropes and sitting on them, allowing for a graceful exit from Alexa Bliss. However, Alexa calls both men “pathetic” and slaps each one of them, then leaves the ring. Absolutely awesome tactics from Alexa Bliss to cause the NXT Universe to truly despise her. This match truly allowed both teams to shine. The Vaudevillians appeared to be the more deserving of the two, while Blake and Murphy appeared as conniving as ever. Great way to add more depth to both teams.
Winner by pinfall:
NXT Tag Team Champions
Blake & Murphy w/ Alexa Bliss
There were three tag team matches displayed throughout this week’s episode of NXT. Some would say that’s way too much emphasis put into the NXT tag team division. Others would lay claim that this is another way NXT is leading by example. By proving tag team wrestling is not dead, but rather alive and well. This is how you legitimize, bring attention, and add credibility to a division. The only way to engage the audience is by giving them characters and wrestlers they can sink their teeth into and live vicariously through. What has been seen for the past couple years with the WWE tag team division is a perfect example of what can happen when the emphasis, importance, and focus is lost within a division. The WWE main roster’s tag team division could really utilize and implement some of these tactics for building its own division. This is very similar to what has happened in recent weeks with WWE Divas division and the NXT women’s division. The main roster was sorely lacking in many ways with the WWE Divas as they currently are with their tag team division currently.