Lucha Dragons vs. Tye Dillinger and Jason Jordan
Result
Sin Cara and Kalisto defeated Tye Dillinger and Jason Jordan
Highlights and Quotes
"Two guys who seemingly have everything ahead of them but can't get on the same page as a tag team." -Rich Brennan on Jordan and Dillinger
"Their man-scaping is on point." -Alex Riley on Dillinger and Jordan
"I'm a lookin' and I'm a likin'." -Renee Young on the perception that Jordan and Dillinger are nothing more than pretty boys
Grade
D+
Analysis
The in-ring action itself here was well below average.
Sin Cara botching his first offensive maneuver really hurt any chance the contest ever had of hitting its stride late, while everything preceding the "hot" tag was fairly generic.
The post-match beatdown by the Vaudevillains helped salvage the segment but undoubtedly drew the opposite of what management would have wanted in terms of fan response as Aiden English and Simon Gotch were cheered for their actions.
Whether that affects how the champions are booked going forward, or even brings an end to their title earlier than anticipated, remains to be seen. One thing is clear, though: Fans are not buying into the generic babyface champions.
Leva "Blue Pants" Bates vs. Carmella
Enzo Amore and Big Cass delivered a hilarious introduction of Leva "Blue Pants" Bates, throwing in a Blue's Clues reference for good measure.
Carmella sent her opponent to the ground, then cockily and arrogantly stepped on her hair. The fans made their support of Blue Pants known.
The self-proclaimed Staten Island Princess found herself distracted by Amore and fell victim to a small package rollup that brought Carmella's winning streak to an end.
After the match, Carmella attacked Amore before Big Cass split the two up.
Result
Blue Pants pinned Carmella
Highlights and Quotes
"Carmella got all the right moves in all the right places." -Alex Riley
"I know a lot about bass. No treble, though. I'm not about that." -Riley
"Inspired by Sami Zayn and NXT Takeover: R Evolution, in her road to redemption..." -Enzo Amore on Blue Pants
Grade
A+
Analysis
This was the epitome of outstanding booking.
Absolutely reminiscent to the old-school angle pitting the 123 Kid against Razor Ramon, a fact eluded to by Renee Young, Blue Pants was built up as a jobber for weeks, never winning and never being particularly impressive in her matches against Carmella.
Then, with the audience behind her, she scored a huge pinfall victory and was suddenly and seemingly made into a potential breakout star, if given the opportunity to become an NXT regular.
The dissension between Carmella and Enzo Amore should lead to the former becoming a heel, a role she appears far more suited to fill.
Major props to Blue Pants, better known to Indy wrestling fans as Leva Bates, though. A talented young woman who is an incredibly fun performer and has a well-established loved of all things comic books. If given the opportunity to perform for WWE, she has all of the tools necessary to one day be a star for the Divas division in the same vein as AJ Lee.
Baron Corbin vs. CJ Parker
CJ Parker, apparently a glutton for punishment, again attempted to bring Baron Corbin's recent win streak to an end.
He failed miserably.
Corbin delivered snake eyes, a big boot and End of Days in a match that lasted longer than normal, thanks only to the presence of Bull Dempsey at ringside and the distraction it provided.
After the match, Corbin grabbed a microphone and addressed Dempsey.
Corbin pulled his rival over the guardrail, and a brawl between the two erupted.
Referees pulled the stars apart, and Dempsey backed up the ramp while Corbin watched a game from inside the squared circle.
Result
Baron Corbin pinned CJ Parker
Highlights and Quotes
"CJ Parker is a seasoned veteran here in NXT. I expect him to maybe beat Kevin Owens." -Alex Riley, destroying all credibility
"That man has an abundance of what I call presence." -Riley
"The hardest thing to teach is presence." -Riley, recalling a conversation he had with NXT head trainer Bill DeMott earlier in the week
Grade
B
Analysis
Baron Corbin talking immediately killed a bit of his mystique. Luckily, the quality brawl between he and Bull Dempsey at least made up for it, even in the slightest.
The squash win over CJ Parker was nothing we have not seen before, but the fact that Corbin allowed Dempsey to distract him, ensuring that this week's bout ran longer than normal, proves that the other dominant star on the roster may be getting into the head of NXT's resident Lone Wolf.
NXT's creative staff has done a phenomenal job of building up a potential match between the unstoppable force and unmovable object. How they pay it off and when they pay it off will be key in determining the overall effectiveness of the story.
Charlotte's in-Ring Promo
Devin Taylor introduced Charlotte to the squared circle, who drew a somewhat lukewarm response from the NXT Universe.
Charlotte mentioned the two victories over Sasha Banks, who interrupted, along with Becky Lynch.
Natalya made the save, drawing a big pop from the fans. She stood side-by-side with Charlotte, staring down The Boss and her latest associate to end the segment.
Highlights and Quotes
"No one chants while the most genetically advanced Diva in NXT is speaking." -Charlotte
Grade
C
Analysis
It was interesting to hear Charlotte talk down to the NXT Universe, even if she did so with a smile.
The daughter of the legendary Ric Flair, she has clearly been presented as a babyface for months now, so for her to approach this week's promo the way she did was certainly interesting.
Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch interrupted Charlotte smacked of the repetition, as it is clear the NXT Divas division is struggling to come up with fresh challengers for its champion.
Natalya coming to the aid of Charlotte made sense, given the respect the two have for each other following their classic from NXT Takeover. With that said, it would have been far more beneficial for someone such as Alexa Bliss to get the rub by backing up Charlotte.
Instead, fans will be treated to what is sure to be a fine series of tag matches. Even if they are somewhat repetitive.
Finn Balor and Hideo Itami vs. The Ascension
In a much-anticipated rematch from their NXT Takeover: R Evolution bout, Hideo Itami and Finn Balor battled Konnor and Viktor of The Ascension in this week's main event.
Balor dominated the action early, showing great intensity and aggression, especially as he wore down Viktor with a series of hard chops to the chest.
A big uppercut to Balor sent the international star to the arena floor and turned the tide in the favor of the former tag champions.
Konnor and Viktor used their power advantage to wear down Balor, who had started so hot but suddenly found himself in great despair.
Balor fought his way out of a full nelson by Viktor but fell prey to a big slam by Konnor to cut off his comeback attempt.
A Pele Kick allowed Balor to make the hot tag to Itami, who entered the match like a man possessed. Fired up, he delivered a huge kick that scored him a nearfall.
Balor delivered a huge dive to the outside, taking Konnor out and allowing Itami to deliver a spin kick for the victory.
In a much-anticipated rematch from their NXT Takeover: R Evolution bout, Hideo Itami and Finn Balor battled Konnor and Viktor of The Ascension in this week's main event.
Balor dominated the action early, showing great intensity and aggression, especially as he wore down Viktor with a series of hard chops to the chest.
A big uppercut to Balor sent the international star to the arena floor and turned the tide in the favor of the former tag champions.
Konnor and Viktor used their power advantage to wear down Balor, who had started so hot but suddenly found himself in great despair.
Balor fought his way out of a full nelson by Viktor but fell prey to a big slam by Konnor to cut off his comeback attempt.
A Pele Kick allowed Balor to make the hot tag to Itami, who entered the match like a man possessed. Fired up, he delivered a huge kick that scored him a nearfall.
Balor delivered a huge dive to the outside, taking Konnor out and allowing Itami to deliver a spin kick for the victory.
Result
Hideo Itami and Finn Balor defeated The Ascension
Highlights and Quotes
"The most dominant force we have ever seen." -Alex Riley on The Ascension, clearly forgetting The Shield. Or Goldberg. Or The Undertaker. You get the point.
"That looks like it made The Ascension a bit uncomfortable." -Renee Young on Balor's entrance, despite the lack of face paint
"Instead of spiking the football, he spikes human beings." -Young on Riley's comparison of Konnor to the New England Patriots' tight end, Rob Gronkowski
Grade
A
Analysis
While not as good as the Takeover: R Evolution match, this week's main event was a fitting way to close out the first episode of NXT in 2015.
One of the top stories in the brand for the last three months, Itami and Balor put a definitive end to their issues with Konnor and Viktor Thursday night and now find themselves looking forward. The Ascension, on the other hand, recently made their main roster debuts and are also looking to the future.
It will be difficult for NXT to produce a tag team that dominates the way Viktor and Konnor did, but in the tradition of the old school wrestling territories, they did the honors for Balor and Itami on their way out. That style of booking is sorely missed and will always endear NXT to longtime fans of the industry.
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