American Alpha def. Blake & Murphy with. Alexa Bliss
We kicked off this week’s episode of NXT with the hottest tag team in the division, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable complete with new ring attire to match their new name as they took on former NXT Tag Team Champions, Blake and Murphy who of course, were accompanied to the ring by Alexa Bliss.
The tag team division was hyped up as the hottest and most competitive it has ever been by the commentary team before the match, which this author would agree with and these teams are two of the very best in the division.
American Alpha's athletic abilities were quickly put on show as they dominated the early going's of this match, but Murphy grabbed the hair of Gable to allow his team to take advantage, which was good to see as heels should act like heels. This is something that happens regularly on NXT, but not so much on the main roster (take note Triple H).
A leapfrog by Murphy saw him fain a knee injury which brought a stop to the match. With the referee distracted as he tended to Murphy, his tag partner Blake would attempt to ambush Gable. Gable saw the sneak attack coming but after dealing with Blake, he was quickly hit by a clothesline from Murphy, who was miraculously healed.
The team then targeted the knee of Gable, with Bliss even getting in a cheap shot out of the referee's view. Blake began using the rope as leverage to jump down on the knee of Gable, inflicting severe damage. Gable later used his good leg to kick Blake over the top rope and make the hot tag to Jordan.
Jordan quickly used his power and strength to take out both Murphy and Blake, as he showcased his athletic ability by hitting several huge dropkicks and then suplexing Blake onto his tag team partner Murphy in an excellent spot. A running shoulder tackle and then the Grand Amplitude was enough for American Alpha to get their first victory under the new name, and continue to progress in the division.
Analysis-
This was a very solid match that could have easily been a great match if they had been given another five minutes. What they managed to do during the time they had was excellent, they are two of NXT's best teams and they proved why here.
Blake and Murphy haven't had much purpose since losing the belts. They have been used to simply put on good matches whilst other teams leap frog them. That’s exactly what happened here, but they still looked strong in defeat. The way they attract heel heat throughout matches is brilliant.
Both Jordan and Gable are two of the company's rising stars and are only growing in confidence, ability and popularity with every week. They are certainly going to be getting a title shot in the near future, and therefore having them look strong and continue to gain momentum was the only decision for this match.
Backstage interview with Dana Brooke and Emma
The two Diva's are backstage and are asked about Carmella's victory in the number one contender's battle royal, which Emma simply put down to luck. Just as she was lucky to beat them last week, but she quickly pointed out it was Bliss who took the fall not her.
Dana Brooke stated next week Carmella will be the unluckiest diva in the ring as she faces Emma. They also pointed out that she was beaten by Blue Pants and Emma asked her partner if she even works here, which was a funny line and a good way of reminding fans about the popular diva who pops up on occasion.
Analysis-
A simply backstage segment but both of these women are relishing their heel persona's and are continuing to develop each week. Brooke has made the most of her time since being injured (which is why she isn't wrestling lately) and Emma's match next week should be a fun one.
Nia Jax with Eva Marie def. Liv Morgan
This was a basic squash match to put over Nia Jax since she lost to Bayley at Takeover:London. Even though Liv Morgan attempted to get some offense in, it had very little impact with her two dropkicks not even taking Jax off her feet. Jax hit a sidewalk slam and a leg drop to pick up a quick win.
Analysis-
Very little can be said about this it was over so quickly. It’s good to see Morgan getting T.V. time though as she is one of the trainee diva's for NXT, but it shows that they have faith in her to progress and develop and it allows her to build a fan base. Jax still looks strong as she is still in her debut push, Marie served little to no purpose at ringside.
Backstage segment with Carmella and Team SAWFT
Carmella was backstage and told the NXT Universe she heard what Emma and Miss. Piggy (Brooke) had to say about her earlier on. She said next week she will prove she is to be taken seriously when she faces Emma. Big Cass then spoke about Dash and Dawson's comments from last week and said instead of running their mouths they should be running on a treadmill. Enzo Amore finished up with a passionate speech about how he didn't enjoy Christmas due to not being a champion, and said he looks forward to getting his hands on them.
Analysis-
Very basic stuff, but this is why NXT is so popular. It's small promo's like this which keep storylines going and show continuity, whilst allowing talent to develop their skills, whilst these are some of the better talkers in NXT. Big Cass' line about the treadmill didn't work, but not every promo can be a home run.
Alex Riley def. Bull Fit
Alex Riley made a surprise return to NXT to take on Bull Fit. It appears that he now has a more aggressive and heel like personality instead of the frustrated face character he previously portrayed in his short feud with Kevin Owens. Riley made short work of Dempsey, as he beat him down in the corner screaming, "Is this what NXT has come too?" before hitting a huge spine buster and a knee to the jaw for the victory to kick start his return.
Analysis-
Riley has been out injured for around four months, and his return had no build up so fans were genuinely surprised to see him come back to Full Sail. He has plenty of talent but has never managed to get the big push since his time with The Miz. His new heel character could be the start of something for him, as for Bull Fit, it's tough to see where WWE can go with him at this point, as he is seen more of a comedic relief which is hard to come back from.
Backstage segment with Alex Riley
Riley was seen in a backstage area where he claimed he had told WWE HQ several times how he was progressing, and the exact date of his return. For some reason he wasn't promoted or teased on the product, yet he saw weekly videos for Sami Zyan's return and Apollo Crews has received huge media. He claimed that's what eight years of hard work and passion gets you and said that he wasn't shocked that the fans were surprised to see him.
Analysis-
This was a very good promo by Riley. He has plenty of potential and he probably is genuinely frustrated that his career hasn't progressed as much as he would have hoped. He is certainly going in a heel direction and that's refreshing to see.
Elias Samson def. John Skyler
It was yet another quick and dominant victory for Elias Samson who still remains a mystery to the fans and is struggling to get over and be relevant to the product. He quickly beat down Skyler, hitting a huge knee to the jaw and a neck breaker to gain a pin fall victory.
Analysis-
This drifter character simply isn't working, the fans don't care, the commentary team (both heel and face) are bashing him saying he is bringing nothing to the product. Overall it seems to be one of those characters that comes and goes, unless NXT creative do something fast.
NXT Championship Number One Contenders match- Sami Zayn - Baron Corbin - Samoa Joe - No contest
Fans had been patiently awaiting this match and it started off with both heels cornering the baby face. They would seemingly attack him and take him out of the match but a quick cheap shot to Samoa Joe from Baron Corbin ended that relationship pretty fast.
From then on we got the match people wanted and expected. All three men doing everything possible to win and hitting all their main moves on each other, but it would be Zayn and Joe who had the first main interaction as they brawled outside the ring until Corbin attacked the popular face from behind.
Once back in the ring Zayn made the most of an opportunity, as he jumped over the ropes taking out both the heels who had been concentrating on each other. Joe would regain his dominance and beat the returning hero to a pulp as he could barely stand in the corner of the ring.
Joe then looked for a Muscle Buster but Zayn would fight out of it until he was hit with an enzguri. This allowed Joe to set up his finisher until the Lone Wolf put a stop to it, sending the submission specialist out of the ring. This gave Zayn a chance to fight back and hit the Blue Thunder Bomb on Corbin, which gained a near fall.
The former number one contender dragged Zayn out of the ring and locked on the Coquina Clutch, but was met with the End of Day's on his return to the ring. A pin fall which was broken by Zayn who then hit the Helluva Kick on the former American Football player.
Zayn then locked in the Sharpshooter on Corbin and without him noticing, Joe would lock in the crossface on Corbin as well.Corbin was forced to tap, but the referee couldn't determine which man he was tapping out too. GM, William Regal was forced to head to ring and the show ended with him stating he would have to review the tape. No one was declared the winner, but it's down to either Zayn or Joe.
Analysis: A very good, main event worthy match as three of the biggest stars in NXT battled for a shot at the top prize. It followed the typical triple threat proto call with one man being laid out whilst two fight, which is always a frustrating concept, but the way they worked it in the match meant it was something fans could buy into. The exchanges when all three were together were brilliant, just a shame about the way the ending was booked, it could have been better.
Score: 8.5/10
Another excellent show from the developmental brand, the opening and closing matches were both very entertaining and showcased plenty of NXT's best workers. The return of Alex Riley was good to see, as it wasn't known before hand.
It would have been great to have a decisive finish to the main event, and the fact that the fans couldn't hear what Regal was saying to the wrestler's meant the live crowd were left aggravated with the ending of what he been a very fun match up.
Yet again there was development ahead of next weeks show, even if it's a small mention of matches to come or a two minute promo. It's the simple things that makes this brand entertaining and means each match has investment. On the flip side of that, the show could have easily done without the squash matches and given more time to the two main battles on the card.
BREAKING NEWS- Shinsuke Nakamura's WWE debut has been confirmed, and it will be in NXT at the Takeover:Dallas event, want to find out more about it and learn who his opponent will be (spoiler) then check it out here.
Moment of the show: The main event certainly stole the show. Anytime you have three of the best workers in the brand sharing a ring, especially with such an important prize being at stake, you know it's going to be entertaining and tough to top. Nothing did top it, although the tag match wsa also fun.
Star of the show: This will be shared by both Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe this week (I'm sure they are both thrilled at the honor) but it was tough to pick between them. They both stood out the most in the main event, and will now likely continue feuding moving forward.