0 of 7
The March 31 edition of WWE NXT was the last one before NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, a monumental two-night event.
Before that show, one final match had to be determined. Austin Theory, Pete Dunne, LA Knight, Tyler Rust, Cameron Grimes, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, Jake Atlas, Bronson Reed, Roderick Strong, Dexter Lumis, Kushida and Leon Ruff would compete in a Battle Royal.
The final six would compete in a gauntlet match to face Johnny Gargano on the second night of TakeOver. The winner of the Battle Royal would not only get a shot in the gauntlet but also be the final man, giving him the best odds of facing the North American champion.
Before that Battle Royal, Strong had some business to settle, challenging Grimes. It would be the first test of the former Undisputed Era member now that the legendary stable had disbanded.
Raquel Gonzalez also wanted a tune-up match against newcomer Zoey Stark before facing Io Shirai at TakeOver. With Dakota Kai in her corner, Gonzalez was the clear favorite, but Stark has impressed many in a short time.
This was only the tip of the iceberg for a jam-packed night that would be the final stop on NXT's road to TakeOver ahead of WrestleMania week.
1 of 7
Cameron Grimes put up a logo before the match mocking Undisputed Era. This set off Roderick Strong, who attacked The Technical Savage early. However, Grimes showed his crafty side by outmaneuvering Strong repeatedly.
It was clear that Grimes had Strong's number. He pulled out an Undisputed Era armband at the key moment. The Messiah of the Backbreaker could not take his eyes off it, and Grimes took advantage with the Cave-In for the victory.
NXT aired a vignette for Karrion Kross as he explained his strategy. He would play to his strengths and brutalize Finn Balor. The Prince answered with a clear promise that Kross would choke against his enduring constitution.
A vignette was also shown for Walter, who talked down to Tommaso Ciampa for his lack of commitment to wrestling. Later, Ciampa promised to show he is only better now and would rip the NXT UK Championship away from The Ring General.
Result
Grimes def. Strong by pinfall.
Grade
B-
Analysis
This was a solid opener between two talented men, but it was rushed out unnecessarily. They could have fought at any time. Their rivalry began last week. The Battle Royal main event included both stars. This was not the right time for these two.
The chemistry was still obvious, plus the story of Strong's obsession with Undisputed Era is fascinating. He is arguably one of the most talented men in wrestling. However, he will struggle to defeat any serious competitors if an armband can make him lose his focus.
Grimes is a great opportunist. In one of his best recent matches, he knew exactly how to play mind games with his opponent.
2 of 7
Santos Escobar challenged any cruiserweight who would step up to him, wanting to prove he is absolutely the best. Tyler Breeze answered, calling the NXT cruiserweight champion entitled.
Escobar tried to go after the legs of Prince Pretty early, which worked until Escobar got overconfident. He let Breeze get back into the fight and trap him in a Sharpshooter. The champion fought through and hit the Phantom Driver for an emphatic win.
Legado del Fantasma tried to do more damage to Breeze, but MSK arrived. Legado cleared out, and Grizzled Young Veterans appeared on the Titantron to mock both MSK and Legado del Fantasma ahead of the Triple Threat for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Result
Escobar def. Breeze by pinfall.
Grade
B-
Analysis
This was the second match in a row that was good enough but could have used more build. Prince Pretty is an ideal challenger for Escobar because of his experience and standing. The champion has mostly fought underdeveloped cruiserweights. Breeze could be a different kind of threat.
However, with an emphatic victory over Breeze, it seems unlikely that we will see Escobar vs. Breeze for the title any time soon. Ultimately, this came off too much like filler ahead of a bigger match than an actual competition.
The post-match action only emphasized that. TakeOver next week is so important that this week's NXT is certain not to stand out much on its own merits.
3 of 7
Austin Theory promised to recreate the Fingerpoke of Doom with Johnny Gargano if he won the gauntlet. Candice LeRae challenged Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon while Indi Hartwell was distracted by thoughts of Dexter Lumis.
While Gigi Dolin and Zayda Ramier got in their shots, they were no match for The Way. LeRae hit the Wicked Stepsister followed by Hartwell connecting on a diving elbow to win.
LeRae took the mic and made clear she wanted Blackheart and Moon at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. The champions accepted. The champs shot something at The Poison Pixie through their tank. The match was shortly made official.
Result
LaRae and Hartwell def. Dolin and Ramier by pinfall.
Grade
C-
Analysis
This was not all that impressive a squash match. Dolin and Ramier may be able to do more with time, but they did not look good in this brief encounter with plenty of sloppy spots. LeRae and Hartwell are a fine team, though The Poison Pixie is carrying the less experienced competitor.
NXT took a while to announce this women's tag team title match. The two teams have fought multiple times in solid but unspectacular encounters. It is unclear why The Way is more of a threat now than it was a few weeks back.
4 of 7
Io Shirai attacked Raquel Gonzalez backstage, but again the No. 1 contender took out the NXT women's champion and left her hurting.
Zoey Stark had a fantastic game plan against the bigger woman, using her size against her. She even managed to take Dakota Kai out of the equation outside.
With a series of impressive knees, Stark nearly got the win on the No. 1 contender. But Gonzalez kept kicking out and then caught Stark with a single-arm powerbomb to seal the win.
Afterward, The Genius of the Sky ran down to keep fighting, but Gonzalez planted her once more. Later in the night, another attack ended with Shirai going through a window.
Result
Gonzalez def. Stark by pinfall.
Grade
B+
Analysis
While it would have been even better with more time, Stark vs. Gonzalez was a great showcase of what is to come. These two have chemistry and clearly thought about what they wanted to do in the ring. Stark had a strategy of continuing to chip away at her opponent until she won.
Meanwhile, all it took was one single-arm powerbomb to seal it for Gonzalez. She had to win here to keep up her momentum, but at some point, Stark has a good chance of taking out the dominant woman.
The next wave of women in NXT is slowly arriving, and Stark feels like the clear leader of the pack. She has impressed repeatedly.
5 of 7
Pete Dunne interrupted Kushida's interview, making clear he was better than the Japanese Superstar. Kushida was glad to let his actions speak for him in the main event.
In a preview for the Prime Target special, NXT looked back on the feud between Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly. In a dramatic retelling, the promo video showcased the big moments in this story and explored the long friendship between these two.
Grade
B+
Analysis
This showcase of Cole and O'Reilly's story worked well. It might have been a bit overdramatic, but that is wrestling. The two have spent years building to this moment. It feels like a culmination that started long before their time in NXT.
The ultimate goal is to let the two wrestle and tell the story they have always wanted to tell together. It would honestly be shocking if this match did not steal the show. Undisputed Era's end has to be something truly spectacular.
6 of 7
Throughout the night, a Pomeranian ran through the Capitol Wrestling Center, ending in the arms of a woman who promised to debut in two weeks on April 13.
While Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter seemed confident in their chances against Tian Sha, the air in the room changed as the trio arrived. Xia Li walked to the ring and stood confidently, ready to fight alone.
Carter no longer wanted to wait for the mysterious woman who leads Tian Sha. She marched up the ramp only to get choked out, followed by a strange mist. Back in the ring, Li took out Catanzaro once again with a cyclone kick to win.
Result
Tian Sha def. Catanzaro and Carter by pinfall.
Grade
C+
Analysis
This was not much of a match, but it was a fascinating segment. The promise of the debut of the mystery woman could have been built more. Instead, she remained in the background, letting Li continue to dominate at a higher level.
Tian Sha is frightening in the best way, and the women's division needs a stable like this. It will be interesting to see who is truly established as the dominator in the end, but one of the two women in Tian Sha will likely be NXT women's champion soon.
The mysterious dog tonight was familiar to those who know Taya Valkyrie's work, and she and Prince Presley will be another fun addition to NXT's constantly evolving women's division.
7 of 7
Before the match, Leon Ruff attacked Isaiah "Swerve" Scott. Roderick Strong also did not show up for the match after his frustration spilled over in the opener.
Malcolm Bivens helped Tyler Rust eliminate Jake Atlas, but Rust was quickly taken out of the match as well. Austin Theory nearly survived elimination but kipped up on his feet when he fell to the floor. Kushida and Pete Dunne got into it and fought over the top rope, eliminating both.
This established the final six that would compete in the gauntlet. Bronson Reed threw out Ruff and Swerve to set them up as the starting two men. The three men left eliminated The Colossal. Cameron Grimes tried to buy off LA Knight and Dexter Lumis, but they took him out for it.
Knight slipped through the second rope outside and tripped Lumis off the apron to win the Battle Royal and earn the final spot in the North American Championship gauntlet.
Io Shirai called out Raquel Gonzalez after marching to the ring. She took down the No. 1 contender and dived with a crossbody onto a crowd of women trying to break up the fighting.
Result
Knight wins the Battle Royal. Ruff, Swerve, Reed, Grimes and Lumis qualify.
Grade
B+
Analysis
Battle Royals can often be tough to sell to audiences. They are so chaotic. However, the limited 11-man field helped this immensely. The stories told throughout were clear and consistent, and few looked bad in the process.
Knight got his big win to start building a legacy in NXT. Lumis still seems like the most dangerous competitor in the gauntlet match. Reed will have a chip on his shoulder. Swerve and Ruff should be electric starting the match off.
It made sense to end the night with Shirai, who finally got her moment on top. That Night 1 Stand & Deliver main event will be special, and it is not wholly clear who will win in the end.
"results" - Google News
April 01, 2021 at 06:33AM
https://ift.tt/3drt8vE
WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 31 - Bleacher Report
"results" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2SvRPxx
https://ift.tt/2Wp5bNh
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 31 - Bleacher Report"
Post a Comment