The Vaudevillians def. The Hype Bros
NXT kicked off this week with tag team action as the former champions, The Vaudevillians returned to action to take on the Hype Bros, as both teams looked to pick up a win to push themselves to a future title shot.
The manly duo took control from the opening bell, isolation Zack Ryder from his tag partner, using frequent tags to cut the ring in half an work on Ryder, until he managed to fight back and get the hot tag to Mojo Rawley.
Rawley got hyped and took control of the match for his team, clearing out both men, until he missed a splash, which saw Ryder re-enter the match and get in some offense.
He attempted the Broski Boot, but some clever team work from The Vaudevillians (which was missed by the cameras) would make sure he missed, and the new heel team would hit the Whirling Dervish for the victory.
Analysis: It was a quick match with both teams getting in some offense and having a few minutes to control the pace, but if creative are hoping to make the former champions heels, perhaps them cheating to win would have helped push them in that direction.
Interview with Dash & Dawson
The current champions were backstage, and they gave their thoughts on Team SAWFT's promo from last week, where they challenged them to a rematch, and after a quick recap of the teams history Dash and Dawson accepted.
However they did warn them that they would suffer the same fate they had at Takeover:London, and went on to say how they were at the forefront of the tag team revival.
Analysis: Very good promo from a team that grows in confidence every week, there certainly is an argument to be made about them being at the front of the tag team revival, and the "Clink me" line was funny, good job.
Carmella def. Emma with Dana Brooke
The number one contender, Carmella took on Emma with Dana Brooke by her side, in what could have been a very entertaining match up between two talented Divas, but sadly that was not the case.
What the problem was is hard to pin point, but this just felt wrong from the get go, and never really improved, with very little noteworthy moments to discuss. The story had Emma underestimate Carmella, until the number one contender won the match with a backslide.
Analysis: This was the biggest disappointment of the night, these ladies are very talented and it would have been fun to see them go at it fully, but they just didn't click.
Havin Carmella win made perfect sense as she faces Bayley for the title next week so naturally, she needs to look strong, for Emma and Brooke it's difficult to see what the creative team actually have planned for them, but they deserve an actual storyline.
Brooke has made the most of her T.V. time in her manager role since her injury, and she is continuing to grow every week.
William Regal announcement
The NXT general manager was in his office, and he was ready to announce the outcome of last weeks indecisive finish to the number one contenders match, until Baron Corbin interrupted him.
William Regal told him that the only thing he was certain of, was that Corbin lost, and that Samoa Joe and Sami Zayn will face each other in a singles match to determine the true number one contender, for Finn Balor's title.
Analysis: Even fans who don't read the spoilers must have seen this one coming, but that doesn't make it a bad decision, seeing two of the most talented guys on the roster face each other is something to look forward to, hopefully it's soon.
Team SAWFT dominate
Enzo Amore and Big Cass head out to the ring next, and after another promo about how they want the NXT tag team titles, they win a decisive squash match against a team who get no introduction or names.
Analysis: This is just filling up time, and the show probably could have given these five minutes to something else, but it served a purpose in making the look angrier and more determined.
Surely a main roster call up isn't far away for these guys, they are talented both inside the ring and on the microphone, they're hard working, popular and quite frankly the New Day need some fresh teams to mix it up with.
For the other guys, they didn't even get their names announced...
Asuka def. Santana Garrett
Santana Garrett gets some offense in early doors in this matchup, even managing to lock in a submission move on the Japanese star, but a few sharp kicks from Asuka and she quickly takes over.
A hip attack and several arm bars later, and Asuka locks in the Asuka Lock, and Garrett taps out straight away.
Analysis: Asuka continues to be a dominant force in NXT is the story here, in what was a fun match given that they only had around three minutes, it was certainly better than the previous Divas match.
Finn Balor def. Apollo Crews
The much anticipated rematch between two men who never finished their initial bout for the NXT Championship competed in what was being called a, 'title-free' match (why? I do not know).
It was very slow paced in the early settings and that seemed to suck the live our of the crowd, but once the pace picked up and both men began to hit the moves they are known for, as well as some high flying action, things began to get interesting.
Both men hit their finishers but can't put their opponents away for the win, until Balor hits a Coup De Grace, followed up by a Bloody Sunday for the win, and the two shake hands as a show of respect afterward.
Analysis: It was good, but not great, and they are certainly capable of better matches. Neither man has been in a match on NXT in a while so it was good to see them in action though.
Balor hitting the Bloody Sunday after hitting his main finisher is NXT's way of making Apollo Crews look strong in defeat, and you can't fault them for that, it just about worked.
Score: 5/10
Not the greatest of shows this week, it seemed to be lacking in intensity, and there was no real direction or pupose about the matches, with most being quick squash type fights.
You could tell the crowd was tired after several hours of NXT tapings too, that certainly didn't help the show.
Moment of the Night: Whilst the main event wasn't as good as this author had hoped it would be, both men certainly proved why they are two of the best in NXT, and put on a solid match.
Star of the night: Corey Graves. His commentary was fantastic all night, his smark comments and quirky one-liners work brilliantly, and as well as several of the wrestlers, he is equally deserving of a main roster push.