This week's episode opens with the NXT Champion Finn Balor. Balor looks very pleased to be holding the NXT Championship. He nods his head with a look of accomplishment, as he makes his way to the squared circle. The crowd pops huge with a "Finn" chant. NXT announcer Greg Hamilton is in the middle of th ring to interview the champion. Finn goes onto explain how he's been doing this for 15 years, with 8 of those years in Japan.
All kinds of sacrifices he's made to get where he's at. He explained all those sacrifices and decisions were worth it, once he became the NXT Champion. Hamilton then addresses the NXT rematch at NXT: Takeover Brooklyn. He states the match will be made official tonight with a contract signing. Finn builds Owens credibility by going through the list of individuals Owens has gone through since appearing on the scene. Finn was very confident and had a good cadence with his delivery.
Eva Marie is shown with backstage announcer Devin Taylor to discuss what the NXT Universe expects to see during her debut. Eva explained how she appreciates the oppotunity Regal has given her. She believes the NXT Universe is shaded with their view on her and needs to open their eyes because they'll like what they see. Eva Marie sounded better than past week, but there is still a great confidence lacking her promo delivery. She almost sounds nervous or timid in a way. With time Eva Marie could be great, but is she willing to put in the time to reach her full potential?
Eva Marie vs. Cassie
Eva struts to the ring in a Ric Flair like red robe with black bowas around her wrists and neck. Her opponent was in the ring awaiting her arrival. Eva has been training exceptionally hard with Brian Kendrick. If she's going to improve she has the perfect trainer to help. The crowd erupts in an "Eva sucks" chant. Eva definitely improved, but with time her ability will appear more fluid.
The main thing that was very apparent was Eva needs to put all her effort into running the ropes, irish whipping opponents, and running into the turnbuckle. Her moveset has vastly improved. Cassie was trained by Lance Storm and had some great Booker T- like spinning kicks, but didn't have much of an offense during this match. It was more or less a squash match to give Eva Marie an opportunity to shine. Eva Marie used Kendrick's finisher Slice Bread #2 for the victory.
Winner by pinfall:
Eva Marie
William Regal is shown in the back on his Phone with Tyler Breeze in his office. Breeze wants to discuss what Regal has in store for him, as it's not with the NXT Championship. He tells Regal he better have something good for him at Takeover.
Baron Corbin vs. Unnamed Opponent
His opponent was in the ring awaiting Corbin's arrival. Mere seconds into the match-up Corbin lands the End of Days for the victory. It's great to see the NXT brand utilize the squash match concept of the past. Unfortunately there is not enough of this on the main roster, but NXT does it to perfection. It's a great way to introduce and help fans believe a wrestler as being a viable contender in an organization. Baron doesn't have a lot of experience and it limited in certain ways, but these kind of matches help protect one's inabilities and focus on their positives.
Winner by pinfall:
Baron Corban
Samoa Joe vs. Mike Rawlis
It should be noted Samoe Joe came out to a new theme song and it's a huge step up from the last one. Rawlis starts the match up by rushing Joe with a round of punches. Joe soon gains the advantage with jabs and a running boot. At one point Joe has Rawlis on the ground in the corner and connects with his boot swipes across the face of his opponent. He then goes to the adjacent corner and attempts a broski boot, but Rawlis attacks Joe before he can fully connect.
Joe looks furious and connects with a big slam out of the corner. He then puts Rawlis on the top turnbuckle to connect with the muscle buster for the victory. Samoe Joe's intensity is right where it needs to be. Joe continues to run through his opponents. He loud pops throughout the match. It's so great to see Samoa Joe in a WWE/NXT ring. It's almost surreal to see Joe in the WWE. If given the right opportunities he will definitely shine. So far, Joe has ran through everyone put in his path. This is the perfect role for Joe's character and shouldn't be swayed too far from a killer.
Winner by pinfall:
Samoa Joe
Dana Brooke and Emma are shown in the back with Devin Taylor. However, there wasn't much to this interview and it ended in a hug between both teammates. This segment could have been used to help Solomon Crowe or even Bull Dempsey. It almost seemed like a wasted segment.
Emma vs. Bayley
Bayley's entrance is perhaps the greatest in NXT. It's so much fun to watch and her theme is very memorable. She has the it factor and will one day be a great addition to the WWE Divas division. This is Bayley's return match from an injury to her right hand. The crowd is extremely loud for Bayley. Such an original talent, unlike anyone before her. Emma's mean streak is the perfect fit for her persona. She is doing great as a heel and doesn't disapoint during this match. Bayley no sells headbutts into a corner, to explode with a visciousness some would say was lacking previously.
Bayley reverses the headbutts to bang Emma's head into the turnbuckle and follow through with a nice bulldog. Emma rolls out and Bayley reaches for her, only to have Emma slam her injured hand on the apron. From here, Emma gains the upperhand for a good portion of this match. Focusing mainly on wrenching Bayley's injured hand. There were a good amount of rest holds with Emma putting more pressure on the wrist and hand of Bayley. Bayley is able to reverse and does a great job of selling the injury. Bayley get's the crowd engaged by showing her intensity with facials and verbal panter. There was an awesome spinning elbow from the top rope as well. While both women are on the mat Dana Brooke grabs Bayley's hand and wrenches it. Only to have the referee remove Dana Brooke from ringside.
Bayley is able to capatilize and lands her signature finisher, the belly to Bayley suplex. She picks up the microphone after the match to show her appreciation to be back and receive a great ovation from the NXT Universe. Bayley says she is back to become the NXT Women's Champion. She says to do this she has to beat the very best and would like a match with Charlotte. Now that Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Sasha Banks are on the main roster Bayley is the perfect person to be the next face of the NXT Women's Division. She is a fantastic wrestler and will continue to bring praise to the division.
Winner by pinfall:
Bayley
There is then a recap shown of the NXT Women's invasion for the main roster's Divas revolution. Backstage, Devin Taylor is shown interviewing Charlotte. Charlotte says it's more than a revolution, it's a statement. She said there is no one more deserving than Bayley to challenge for the NXT Women's Championship. Dana Brooke then interrupts and states she never was given the chances Charlotte was given because she doesn't have a famous last name. Dana wants to make a statement by beating Charlotte.
Charlotte says Bayley can wait another week and the statement will be one Charlotte makes and Dana Brooke never forgets. Funny thing about this is Dana Brooke is the wife of WWE Superstar Bo Dallas and is a former power lifter with little wresling experience prior. Her gimmick doesn't support Brooke's experience. One would assume the only reason Brooke is there is because of who her husband is.
The Vaudevillains vs. Angelo Dawkins and Sawyer Fulton.
Dawkins and Fulton remind me of the Steiner Brothers. They're both big and have a great amateur background. Gotch gains the upperhand on Dawkins near the beginning of the match, but Fulton tagged without Gotch's knowledge. Fulton attacks Gotch from behind and for a good portion the two gain the advantage. Aiden English gets the take from his opponent and takes over.
There was a very unique Regal-like neckbreaker. English then tags Gotch and they connect with the whirling dervish for the victory. There is a great chemistry between the Vaudevillains. The tag team division in NXT is leagues ahead of the main roster. The main roster tag division could use a tag team revolution similar to the divas.
Winner by pinfall:
The Vaudevillains
Blake, Murphy, and Alexa Bliss are shown in the back with Devin Taylor. Alexa definitely is the mouthpiece for this team. The interview was short, but sweet. This was more mic time than previous week's have offered the tag team champions, but Alexa Bliss said the most. There is something about this team that is great, but their lack of promo skills may hinder them in the long run.
Regal appears in the ring, discussing NXT: Takeover Brooklyn in the Barclay's Center. Regal says "the biggest audience in NXT history will witness" and is suddenly interrupted by the music of Kevin Owens. Owens looks very cold and calculated. He appears to be upset and ready to go. NXT Champion Finn Balor then makes his way to the contract signing. Once both are in the ring, Owens asks "How does it feel to be NXT Champion? How does it feel to defen it on the biggest show in NXT History?" He then gains heel heat by saying it's taking place in Brooklyn. Pointing out how the special will not be at Full Sail University and the crowd erupts.
Owens goes through his debut and the opponents he has gone through. Owens is complete gold on the mic. Such a fresh feeling to his promos. He has a great presence about him. Owens explains how Japan was a fluke. This get's a rise out of Balor. Finn says everyone knows he likes to talk, but in Brooklyn he'll take his words and shove them right down Owens throat. He then sets his mic down and signs the contract. Followed by Kevin Owens signing and William Regal signing. Regal then picks up the mic to announce the NXT Championship match being official in Brooklyn. Owens flips the table and cracks Finn's face on the edge.
He then punches William Regal. Owens then pushes Balor off the ropes to set up the pop-up powerbomb, but Finn reverses into an elbow. Owens rolls to the outside and rushes back into the ring. Only to be met with a running jumping dropkick from Balor. Owens retreats again, but this time up the entrance ramp.
The contract signing between the two had a great energy around it. Both men signed the contract and the pot continues to boil between the two. Great ending to this week's episode of NXT with both opponents shining in their own way. It's amazing how stacked one hour of NXT can be.