NXT: Mid 2000s watermark edition was a solid 2 hours of wrestling this week although the program is showing main rosterisms in its worst of ways sometimes.
Still getting used to seeing the overall presentation due to the fact that, as mentioned previously, the stage reminds me of Wrestlemania 27 and for that, I'll be a picky POS and put it in my "don't like" section of the review.
Also, what in Joe Pesci's universe was Parker's new look? My man looks like an extra out of Blade Trinity.
Images via WWE.com
Ember Moon vs Mandy Rose.
"Toxic Attraction" is a great podcast name for podcasts starring white dudes that rant about WWE given how they basically hate-watching something that they're a fan of.
Mandy Rose was honestly the highlight of the match. She stood toe to toe with a great performer like Ember Moon.
Rose defeated Ember with an impressive looking kick.
While I'm not the biggest mark for this new stable, I will give Mandy Rose credit for improving her overall presence.
It's almost as if she needed that time in developmental to "XP boost" her arsenal, you feel me?
Santos Escobar was like, "imma grab that North American championship, buddy!" Trust me, he's gonna get it before October 22nd given who's holding the belt.
Odyssey Jones vs LA Knight.
This ain't WWE without a good old fashioned distraction finish as Odyssey Jones was the latest victim of the cliche tiresome wrestling trope.
At least LA Knight actually won a match, right? Great week for those who are the eater of pins, first Shayna Baszler and now my man, Knight.
Von Wagner aka white Great Khali told Kyle O'Reilly that the reason why he jumped into the 4 way NXT championship title scene is that Wagner wanted an opportunity and took it. Cool.
Bron Breakker Wants Goldie.
Breakker asked for a title match at Halloween Havoc and Tommaso Ciampa accepted the challenge.
Bron Breakker has the energy that blends his dialogue perfectly which is why he's my new favourite wrestler (never mind the fact that Bron's persona reminds me of his uncle, Scotty besides the profanity).
Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta were talking about Dexter Lumis measurements and Hartwell replied with, "nine and a half".
God damn. Dexter might have some black DNA in him because that's a BBC, right there.
Oh, and it led to a quick Tia Sha cameo.
Joe Gacy vs Ikemen Jiro.
Joe Gacy gives me the "anarchist that took a shower, had a haircut and did yoga" vibes (that's oddly specific, Omar).
Gacy wins with a mean-looking clothesline. Minutes later, Gacy approached Tommaso Ciampa for an NXT championship opportunity and Ciampa told him that if Gacy defeats Ciampa in a one on one match next week then Gacy will be part of the title match.
The main roster's writing smell is strong, especially in this segment with the "beat the champion that leads to a title match" cliche.
Franky Monet vs Cora Jade.
Franky Monet took out a local competitor which is how she's in this match. Why? I have no idea, people!
Coral Jade pulled an upset victory with a roll-up. Cool.
Pete Dunne vs Cameron Grimes.
A very good match. The ending with Dunne turning Grimes' finisher into a slingshot followed by a bitter end was superb.
Kyle O'Reilly took a beating from Pete Dunne given that O'Reilly failed his mission on further inflicting damage to Dunne during and after the match.
All I can say is, just give me the time and date of the Pete Dunne and Kyle O'Reilly exhibition.
Tony D'Angelo vs Malik Blade.
Tony D'Angelo's character screams italianphobia (by the way, I'm being sarcastic here).
D'Angelo defeated Malik Blade with a "gabbi gabba gooo".
The dude actually offered a sort of date with Lash Legend and after he left, this woman legit said, "I just love him in the new Sopranos movie".
Lash Legend is already the greatest women's wrestler with that comment alone.
Indi Hartwell vs Mei Ying.
Wasn't Mei portrayed as an unstoppable monster especially with her blowing smoke onto people like that weird dude in the middle of the night?
So, it isn't a good choice that she suddenly loses just like that.
In a video highlight, Malcolm Bivens promotes the entire Diamond Mine stable.
Bivens is a great case as to why managers are so crucial in character development. Bivens is so f**king good.
Raquel Gonzalez was saved from a 3 on 1 beating by the new Toxic Attraction crew thanks to Io Shirai and Zoey Stark. Meh.
Msk vs Brooks Jensen And Josh Briggs vs Carmelo Hayes And Trick Williams vs Grizzled Young Veterans For The NXT Tag Team Championship.
A match that is nothing to write home about.
After Msk retained the titles, Imperium gave the tag champs a full-on stomping because something, something "I want the tag titles".
The NXT tag team title scene is the least exciting thing about the rebrand.
I appreciate the tag team championship being in the main event but I cannot seem to get hyped up with what's going on with the tag team division.
Will see what happens though.
So, to recap for all of you slow mofos.
Like: Mandy Rose vs Ember Moon, Cameron Grimes vs Pete Dunne, Malcolm Bivens is no shocker good at what he does, Lash Legend just Lash Legend, Bron Breakker.
Didn't like: Mei Ying losing, Parker Bordeaux's look, a sense of familiarity in the worst of ways at times.