On the heels of another critically acclaimed live event special titled TakeOver: Rival, NXT returned to the WWE Network airwaves for its February 18 episode.
Kevin Owens is the new NXT champion following his controversial victory over Sami Zayn, in which Owens never officially pinned the former champion or made him submit.
What would Owens have to say about the savage beating he inflicted upon a man he once considered a friend? More importantly, how would the NXT Universe greet the new champion as he stepped back inside Full Sail University for the first time since his monumental win?
Speaking of huge championship victories, Sasha Banks accomplished her dream of being NXT women's champion, defeating Charlotte to win the title in a Fatal 4-Way match also involving Bayley and Becky Lynch. Just one week after defeating her protege Charlotte, the woman she helped groom for championship success, what would Banks have in store as she met cult favorite Blue Pants in one-on-one action?
During TakeOver: Rival, fans witnessed a bizarre and momentary hack of the television feed, promising that the takeover was not done. What did the ominous warning mean? Was it a hint at a debuting star? The wrestling world got the answer Wednesday night, and it was certainly one poor CJ Parker is not likely to forget anytime soon.
With the sports-entertainment world buzzing about the extraordinary broadcast that unfolded a week ago, there was pressure on the stars of NXT to follow up with another outstanding show.
Did they succeed?
Find out now.
Kevin Owens Promo
NXT general manager William Regal kicked off the show, asserting his dominance as the authority figure and booking Kevin Owens vs. Adrian Neville in a non-title match for this week's main event.
Kevin Owens made his way to the ring to kick off the live portion of this week's show, holding the NXT Championship with pride as he made his way to the ring. The NXT Universe was very much divided as Owens called for a microphone and prepared to address the fans for the first time since capturing the title.
Chants of "Kevin Owens" and "Sami Zayn" rained down, preventing the champion from speaking.
Owens was unapologetic about his actions at TakeOver and reiterated that he would fight anyone and everyone to make life for his family better. He did that by capturing the NXT title.
He referred to Zayn as "the past" and then turned his attention toward No. 1 contender Finn Balor.
Owens promised that no one would take the NXT Championship away from him or his family, ending the promo on that note, without interruption.
Highlight
"Who I beat, or how I beat them, is relevant. What matters now is that Sami Zayn is the past." -Owens
Grade
A
Analysis
Short and to the point is the best way to describe Owens' opening promo.
The new champion addressed the audience, reaffirmed that everything he does to his fellow stars is in the name of a better life for his children and then left.
He did not scream, yell or come up with an overly convoluted reason for attacking his former best friend.
His explanation made sense and backed up everything Owens has said from Day 1.
That is the type of simplistic booking that works every time. Instead of replicating it on the main roster, WWE Creative has a tendency to think too much.
That is why NXT is critically praised week in and week out, while main roster shows have a hit-or-miss tendency—a tendency that has swayed more to the latter than the former as of late.
Rhyno vs. Elias Samson
Rhyno made his surprise return in the night's opening contest, drawing a huge ovation from the NXT Universe.
The Man Beast pummeled Elias Samson, tossing him with a huge belly-to-belly suplex and then finishing him off in mere seconds with the Gore.
Rhyno soaked in the applause and adulation of the fans following the win.
Result
Rhyno defeated Elias Samson.
Highlight
The fan response to the surprise return of Rhyno was something truly special and one that the performer is unlikely to forget.
Grade
A
Analysis
Rhyno's return to NXT is interesting in that it gives the brand an injection of recognizable star power that it did not have before. Sure, Balor, Owens, Neville and others have done a phenomenal job of carrying the reputation of the brand based on their phenomenal in-ring work, but Rhyno brings legitimacy from having competed in three of the biggest promotions of the last 20 years (ECW, WWE and TNA).
The best asset Rhyno possesses is his unselfish nature. Sure, he is a veteran who has worked all over the world, but he has proved on more than one occasion that he will do what is right for business. He is not a guy who will cry and moan about putting a younger star over. Instead, he will do it and rest peacefully knowing that he has contributed to the future of the industry.
That the fans greeted him with the response that they did proves that he has a connection with fans that will only help Triple H and company accomplish everything they hope to with the Man Beast.
Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. the Vaudevillains
The Vaudevillains made their return to the NXT Arena in hopes of earning a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championships that are currently held by Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake. To toss their names in the title hunt, however, they would have to defeat the immensely popular Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady Wednesday night.
Aiden English caught Amore with a cheap shot, immediately turning the tide in the favor of the heels early on. They isolated Amore and wore the much smaller competitor down, much to the dismay of Cassady.
Commentators Rich Brennan, Jason Albert and Corey Graves discussed the intensity and aggression demonstrated by The Vaudevillains, who lacked the over-the-top personas that they had become associated with in recent months.
Big Cass erupted into the match, delivering a big splash to English, followed by a big boot. Moments later, Amore scored the pinfall victory for his team, pinning NXT's resident Artiste.
After the match, Blake and Murphy appeared on the video screen and talked trash. The NXT tag team champions flirted with Carmella and then mocked the catchphrases of the babyfaces.
Result
Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady defeated The Vaudevillains.
Highlight
In a perfect world, "Butterscotch Gotch" would be trending on Twitter right now.
Grade
A
Analysis
With Lucha Dragons failing to knock off Murphy and Blake at Takeover, the brand was left with a vacancy at the tag team No. 1 contender's spot.
Enter Amore and Big Cass, who have long been the most over team in NXT. They proved it again Wednesday, bringing their unique brand of excitement and electricity to the show before running over The Vaudevillains.
The most interest note was Murphy and Blake's attempts to get under the skin of the conquering duo by targeting Carmella, flirting with her and attempting to get the beautiful Staten Island native to drop her associates and join with the champions.
It should be interesting to see how the feud unfolds in the coming weeks. Amore and Cassady are storyline guys more than they are traditional wrestlers, so crafting a story that fans can follow, while enhancing the credibility and importance of the tag titles, will be key to the success of the rivalry.
Solomon Crowe Debuts
CJ Parker, irritated by the lack of respect shown to him as of late, not to mention the fact that he was not involved in TakeOver: Rival, threatened to hold the show hostage, going as far as to rope the ring off with caution tape.
Suddenly, the lights and graphics were interrupted by a hack of sorts. "This is not a test" flashed on the screen, and suddenly, Solomon Crowe came from out of nowhere and attacked Parker.
He grabbed hold of a microphone as fans chanted his name. "Now we return to your regularly scheduled broadcast," he stated before tossing the microphone away and heading back to wherever it was he came from.
Highlight
Crowe's debut is one that fans of NXT have anxiously anticipated for quite some time. Seeing him finally appear on television, laying out someone as despised as Parker, was the perfect start for the competitor.
Grade
B+
Analysis
Crowe's arrival in NXT gives the brand yet another phenomenal talent to add to, arguably, the best roster in wrestling.
He did not do nearly enough Wednesday night for viewers to get a feel for the character or what direction he may head in eventually, but his arrival did pop the crowd and make for a memorable moment as the brand attempts to maintain the momentum it built with last week's simply fantastic show.
Blue Pants vs. Sasha Banks
The new NXT women's champion Sasha Banks made her way to the ring for her first in-ring action since capturing the title just one week prior.
Fans greeted the heel with a warm response; they were respectful and appreciative of the hard work she put in to become the top dog.
Her opponent, Blue Pants, entered to an equally impressive pop.
The crowd was split as the women prepared to lock up. Banks ordered Blue Pants out of the ring, to which the underdog responded by kicking her to the arena floor.
Banks answered a quick pin attempt with a flurry of hard rights. Moments later, the double knees to the midsection in the corner netted a two-count before the champion pulled her opponent off the mat.
The Bank Statement followed, and Blue Pants had no choice but to tap out.
After the match, Banks cut a promo, calling herself the baddest Diva in NXT.
Result
Sasha Banks defeated Blue Pants.
Grade
A
Analysis
After receiving a fairly big pop for her title win at TakeOver: Rival, Banks needed a match against such a sympathetic and popular performer like Blue Pants to re-establish herself as the top heel on the NXT Divas roster.
Showing such ruthlessness and aggression against someone so beloved and innocent reaffirmed just how unlikable the Boss character can be when the time calls for it.
It was a good start to her title reign and one that perfectly fit the character that has been established over the last year.
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