Lots of angles, not many matches:
As the sub-title suggests, this was a different NXT than we have become accustomed to. If anything, this show felt like it was a throw back to the former-NXT. The show centered around a ton of backstage promos, video packages and hype videos on Money in the Bank. Considering audiences are used to seeing 4-5 matches in an hour, we were only treated to 3 this week (although, on the plus side, 2 out of 3 matches got considerable time which is always good). While i appreciated the producers of the show placing emphasis on building angles, these segments needed to be dispersed better and cut down considerably. Case in point: I enjoyed seeing Richie Steamboat get into a brawl with Leo Kruger. However this segment was wedged between a complete rundown of Money in the Bank (something we could of easily seen on both RAW and Smackdown) and the debut video of Raquel Diaz. Also, by this point in the show, we had already seen another audiovisual package on Bray Wyatt (who was already scheduled to wrestle on the show) and another backstage interview involving Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater (two guys who aren't even on the NXT roster).
Time is of the essence on NXT and i don't believe it was used to its complete advantage this week. Considering NXT is only 1 hour in length, the producers need to cut down on so many segments. Consolidate these angles, throw out the ones that waste time and implement them into in-ring action (ie like in the Kidd/Camacho match). NXT has been coming off a much different show than that of RAW and Smackdown. Saturating the show with segment after segment takes away this originality. Lets hope this is rectified next week.
Time is of the essence on NXT and i don't believe it was used to its complete advantage this week. Considering NXT is only 1 hour in length, the producers need to cut down on so many segments. Consolidate these angles, throw out the ones that waste time and implement them into in-ring action (ie like in the Kidd/Camacho match). NXT has been coming off a much different show than that of RAW and Smackdown. Saturating the show with segment after segment takes away this originality. Lets hope this is rectified next week.
Match Results:
Match No. 1:
Camacho
def
Tyson Kidd
Rating: **1/2
Comments:
It was definately weird that NXT opened with a match that we can see every week on Superstars. I thought the idea was that NXT is for rookies, not for already established stars. As this show progressed, the lack of rookies on this show was one of its definite negatives.
Regardless, Camacho and Kidd should wrestle more often because we were privy to Camacho's best match to date. I haven't been shy about the fact that i am NOT a fan of Camacho's work in the ring. Granted, i have not seen much from him, but what i have seen hasn't set my world on fire. Tonight, he brought it and showed some unique offense on Kidd that freshened this bout (for example, Camacho's Double Underhook Suplex from the top). The commentary of the match also assisted in making Camacho come across as a calculated killer. Camacho can thank Regal talking about "Scruffing" for that positive outcome.
Tyson Kidd on the other hand is quickly becoming my favorite wrestler to watch week after week. He has a knack for bringing out the best in every opponent he faces. His "Babyface on fire" spots at the begining of this match are text book examples of Kidd's greatness. His combination of quick pin attempts, mixed with devastating kicks and flips built beautifully to the tranistion spot in the match (ie Camacho delivering a face-first leg trip on the apron). If you don't believe me when i say that Kidd is amazing at his job, just listen to the crowd leading up to the transition. The fact that Kidd is able to evoke that kind of reaction from such a small audience is testimate to his tremendous skill set.
The match had a flat detraction finish involving Michael Migillicutty that damaged the finish product of the match, but my main complaints on this match focus on the commentary of the match. I found it very strange that William Regal and Byron Saxton never mentioned that Tyson Kidd is competing for a World Title Contract at Money in the Bank on Sunday. Wouldn't that be the first thing you mention when he came out to the ring? Acknowledging this promotes the upcoming PPV and puts over Kidd as future potential World Champion. Not acknowledging Kidd's current history assists in fans forgetting about Kidd's involvement in Money in the Bank. Considering a big chunk of WWE's audience is casual based, commentators should ALWAYS be promoting current superstars. Unfortunately, this would not be the last time the commentating team ignored current WWE storylines.
Match No. 2:
Bray Wyatt
def
Aiden English
Rating: **1/2
Comments:
On every single episode of NXT since it's revamp, we have been presented a video package on the mysterious Bray Wyatt (WWE's Former Husky Harris). These packages are some of NXT's most polished and professional. This slow burn demonstrates that WWE have big plans for this big man. Such a move also puts a TON of pressure on Wyatt's shoulders. Considering Wyatt was 1 of 3 matches on NXT this week, even more added emphasis fell on the debut of this new superstar.
Thankfully, Wyatt rose to the occasion. Much like the video packages that came before him, this guy OOZES charisma. His presence on the stick and in the ring is unquestionable. His semi-drunk/crazed walk to the ring, coupled with his ultra-aggressive manner makes this NXTer someone that is hard to ignore. There is no one like him on NXT. Furthermore, there is a mystery attached to him. We don't really know what he is about. We don't know what he is talking about when he says "all will be reveled". This emphasis on mystique is a definite plus going forward on NXT: once you provide the audience with a captivating character that people don't truly understand, they will tune in to find out more about him every week.
The match with English further conveyed this aura of mystique. I loved how Wyatt went from pro-wrestler to crazed maniac in a heartbeat (ie his attack on English on the outside was BRUTAL). Furthermore, i really liked his transition into his finisher. Going from dancing with his dazed opponent to hitting him with a Spinning-Reverse DDT while cradling him like a child is VERY different indeed. All these unique touches made this squash one of the best squashes yet on NXT. Like most fans, i am looking forward to seeing what Wyatt brings tot he table in the coming weeks.
Match No.3:
The Prime Time Players
def
The Usos
* Match of the Night*
* Match of the Night*
Rating: **3/4
Comments:
This match was yet another example of NXT producers ignoring current WWE storylines. By this point, i getting quite annoyed that:
a) No one mentioned that the Prime Time Players are currently the NO.1 CONTENDERS FOR THE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP.
b) The Prime Time Player's manager, AW, was no where to be seen and was never touched upon during thier match with the Usos.
Again, wouldn't these pieces of information be CRUCIAL to convey during a match involving The Prime Time Players!? By not supplying these facts, this "important" tag team comes off as just another generic combination.
While this annoyed me, i was very happy with the match. The Usos, like Tyson Kidd, always bring out the best in teams that they verse and having the Samoan tandem go up against the Prime Time Players can do nothing but help this team going forward. I also liked the charisma Young and Oniel expressed throughout this bout. They interacted with the live crowd nicely and got considerable heat on Jay Uso by working on a body part. This beat down sequence was the best of the show as i can't remember the last time a team isolated a partner by working on a leg using STFS and Spinning Toe Holds. As crazy as that sounds, this was nice and fresh to watch. The finish was good and the PTP got to show off their tag team finisher (a Top-Rope Leg Drop into a Back Breaker). A fine tag team bout to close out another episode of NXT.
Final Thoughts:
This was probably the worst NXT episode yet. I didn't like the fact that the show was dominated by segments and matches involving already established WWE Superstars. This is NXT: a show that - i thought - was desinged to get new talent over in the eyes of audiences. Hopefully more rookies get the chance to shine next week.
However, saying that NXT was bad this week compared to previous episodes doesn't mean it was COMPLETELY horrible. Far from it. Although we only got 3 matches this week, each contest was fun and well executed. The only debut on the show, Bray Wyatt, was a memorable outing for the new comer and i look forward to seeing him next week. Kidd looked great as always. The Prime Time Players are coming along nicely. Although this show wasn't the best, there was still a lot to like as it relates to NXT.
b) The Prime Time Player's manager, AW, was no where to be seen and was never touched upon during thier match with the Usos.
Again, wouldn't these pieces of information be CRUCIAL to convey during a match involving The Prime Time Players!? By not supplying these facts, this "important" tag team comes off as just another generic combination.
While this annoyed me, i was very happy with the match. The Usos, like Tyson Kidd, always bring out the best in teams that they verse and having the Samoan tandem go up against the Prime Time Players can do nothing but help this team going forward. I also liked the charisma Young and Oniel expressed throughout this bout. They interacted with the live crowd nicely and got considerable heat on Jay Uso by working on a body part. This beat down sequence was the best of the show as i can't remember the last time a team isolated a partner by working on a leg using STFS and Spinning Toe Holds. As crazy as that sounds, this was nice and fresh to watch. The finish was good and the PTP got to show off their tag team finisher (a Top-Rope Leg Drop into a Back Breaker). A fine tag team bout to close out another episode of NXT.
Final Thoughts:
This was probably the worst NXT episode yet. I didn't like the fact that the show was dominated by segments and matches involving already established WWE Superstars. This is NXT: a show that - i thought - was desinged to get new talent over in the eyes of audiences. Hopefully more rookies get the chance to shine next week.
However, saying that NXT was bad this week compared to previous episodes doesn't mean it was COMPLETELY horrible. Far from it. Although we only got 3 matches this week, each contest was fun and well executed. The only debut on the show, Bray Wyatt, was a memorable outing for the new comer and i look forward to seeing him next week. Kidd looked great as always. The Prime Time Players are coming along nicely. Although this show wasn't the best, there was still a lot to like as it relates to NXT.
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