Previously on NXT: Nikki Cross defeated ‘Oil Changing’ Amber Nova, Ricochet was attacked by the Undisputed Era, Kassius Ohno picked up a rare win, Velveteen Dream threw EC3 into a pool, we basked in Keith Lee’s glory, Taynara Conti earned her spot as the final entrant in the Mae Young Classic and Ciampa interfered in a Gargano/Black match. Then after all of that happened, Aleister Black was attacked backstage by an unknown assailant.
Cold Open
A video package is shown showcasing last weeks drama. Regal made a triple threat match with Black/Gargano/Ciampa but then Aleister was attacked in the back while we got a video showing a “who done it?”
Street Profits vs. The Mighty
Profits get the energy going when they make their entrance. Montez Ford is a damn star, he commands your attention by simply existing and feels like he is something very special.
The Mighty have duster jackets and a cool back to back pose. This is a match built on a feud based on distraction. Hey! Whatever gets these teams in the ring works for me.
I am serious when I talk about Montez Ford, in the span of two minutes the man had multiple GIFable moments. He takes a beating very well too.
The Profits hit a Black Panther Splash where they yell “WAKANDA” before hitting the move. Honestly I could describe every move, body movement and facial expression Street Profits give off but this recap would be 3,000 words long. It’s almost a shame because The Mighty is a great team but they are severely overshadowed in this match.
Montez gets the hot tag and shows a lot of aggression that gets the crowd riled up. Ford is almost deterred by getting rolled up with his tights getting grabbed, but Ford reverses the pin and grabs the tights for the win.
Ford immediately jumps into the crowd and yells at the camera man to get his Solo Cup. These guys are pure entertainment. Great showing.
Shayna Baszler is seen backstage giving Aaliyah some advice for Aaliyah’s upcoming match against Kairi Sane.
Undisputed Era have their signature backstage promo where they stand around some lighting fixtures and have conversations as a group. They kind of rip on everyone in the tag division. Adam Cole says The Undisputed Era dominate everything.
Kairi Sane vs. Aaliyah
It’s funny that this is the only woman’s segment on NXT and there isn’t even a YouTube video on WWE’s page.
What I find disappointing with the NXT crowd is that no one sings Kairi’s song. There is a big “Yo Ho” pirate part which is MADE for people to sing. You had Sami Zayn, Becky Lynch and hell even Shinsuke Nakamura all having theme songs the crowd sang along to. Nakamura’s didn’t even have vocals, whats the deal with Sane’s entrance and why doesn’t the crowd sing it?
Before the match can even happen Baszler makes her entrance and heads over to the commentary booth. Kairi seemed mildly annoyed but was quickly refocused before the bell rang.
Aaliyah has been going through another character change. She has been on the brand for nearly three years to my knowledge. Her first entrance and character really had nothing to it. She was featured on WWE Network’s Breaking Ground. Then she went into this “I’m a cat” character, which was a piss poor version of Nattie Cat. Now Aaliyah acts ‘sexier’ and meaner. I still don’t know what her character is, but she is certainly trying to find her niche somewhere.
The whole time it took me to type that about Aaliyah, she was put in a Stretch Muffler, rocked by Sane in the corner with some strikes and hit with TWO Insane Elbow’s.
Kairi keeps staring at Shayna and repeatedly hits the Insane Elbow, she pulled Aaliyah up before three to prove to Baszler Kairi has a killer instinct. Kairi does this straight jacket Boston crab type move. Sane pulls back on Aaliyah so hard that Kairi is able to do a head stand and stare at Shayna until Aaliyah tapped out. Very quick, very good. Tells the story it needs to tell and layers the story heading into Takeover even more. I’m ready for this Takeover match!
We get a video package of the last year of Adam Cole’s career. His entire NXT career is only a year. In that year he was one of the winners of War Games and the first ever North American Champion. The video transitions to Ricochet and how Ricochet is here to change wrestling forever. Adam Cole says Ricochet may be a great wrestler but he isn’t special, special like Adam Cole. This is the story going into Saturday’s event.
Velveteen Dream in ring promo
Before The Dream can even speak into the mic, the crowd applauds and chants “Velveteen”.
Dream says EC3 funny, smart, clever and charming. Which elicits an “NX3” chant which turns into a “Velveteen” chant. This is making me very excited to hear the atmosphere this match will create in Brooklyn.
EC3 interrupts and says “So this is what it sounds like when doves cry?” and compliments Velveteen’s fanny pack. The crowd is eating it all up. EC3 cuts a promo that has a cadence and delivery unlike any other Superstar. This is a special feud, which is crazy to say because every feud Velveteen has been in has been crazy. Dream knows how to build anticipation and make you care about whatever match he is about to have. Having EC3 as a dancing partner is just the icing on the cake.
This is Kevin Bacon from Footloose vs. John Travolta from Saturday Night Fever if we are still making dancing references. Both men captivate, both men have the abilities to dance their asses off and both men do it in their own styles that make them them.
We see the video of Black being taken out again and Kathy Kelly is now an investigative reporter.
and holy shit is this a creative way to do this angle. I love everything about the investigative video. We don’t know where Rikishi was though, so he is always a suspect. The only question is, what did Aleister do to The Rock?
Gargano and Ciampa get a video package to sell this Saturday’s main event one last time before Takeover.
There is a video of Bianca Belair training for her comeback from injury. She has quickly become one of my favorite Superstars. Not to mention her theme song is top notch.
Tyler Bate vs. Roderick Strong
I may be biased during this match. I respect Roderick Strong, his work ethic, his heart and desire. I just don’t like him, and not like “he is a heel” I don’t like him. Like, he does nothing for me, I can’t get into his matches. I know he has the ability, I know he puts on great matches, I just can’t bring myself to stay invested in him as a character or his matches.
The match starts off fast and furious. The beginning of the match is back and forth with a pace like these men are double parked. The match slows down a bit after a big backbreaker from Roddy. The crowd is split on who they want to win while Roderick works Bate’s back over.
Strong loses control of the match when he goes for a superplex. Bate was able to fight off Roddy and hit a diving forearm. This leads to a yay/boo spot and it feels like we are already going into the last part of the match.
Bate shows his strength and acrobatics by hitting a T-bone suplex and following that up with a standing shooting star press. Bate attempts an airplane spin but Roddy’s earlier back work paid off. Tyler was unable to lift Roddy.
Lots of strikes and knee slapping going on as both men make a sprint to the finish. Strong keeps trying his signature and finishing moves but Tyler is too wily and crafty. We see one of the best sequences I’ve seen lately which is damn near impossible to describe.
There is some shenanigans from the Undisputed Era’s Kyle O’Reilly but Trent Seven is there to keep the match clean. Tyler is able to hit the Tyler Driver ’97 and gains the victory to close out the go home show for NXT Takeover Brooklyn 4.
This was a fast episode jam packed with so much story. Not really a wasted moment and a great way to hype the upcoming show.
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