NXT 11/18/2020 Quick Takes

Match Number 1: North American Championship- Leon Ruff (c) vs. Johnny Gargano

This was less of a match and more of a plot device. Ruff got a chance to prove that he deserves his championship and Gargano got a chance to prove that last week was a fluke. The two had a decent showing but things got a little muddy once Damian Priest got involved by distracting Gargano. Once that didn’t work, Priest pulls Ruff to the outside and knocks him out, apologizing beforehand, allowing Ruff to retain the title via DQ.

Match Number 2: Dexter Lumis vs. Cameron Grimes-Blindfold match

Full disclosure, the Grimes/Lumis feud has been something that I initially couldn’t stand but have quickly come around on it. Cameron aimlessly fighting air as Dexter just stands around was comical to me, especially when he thought he got his hands on the referee, thinking he was Dexter. Again, this wasn’t much of a match but it moved along the story of these two. I have no idea what the endgame is for them but I am intrigued at the notion of where they are going.

Match Number 3: Candice LeRae/Indi Hartwell vs. Kacy Catanzaro/Kayden Carter

Not a whole lot to this one other than it helped drive the partnership of LeRae and Hartwell. Kacy got to do what she does with some great athletic displays but other than that, this was a showcase for the heel team. Candice gets the win for her team with the Wicked Step Sister.

Match Number 4: KUSHIDA vs. Arturo Ruas

This was a lot of fun. I’m a sucker for chain wrestling and grappling and this did the trick. I do appreciate it when KUSHIDA gets a chance to show off his MMA background. With Ruas’s experience with BJJ, I would have loved to have seen this match to have taken place in the NXT Fight Pit. Ruas tries to hook KUSHIDA with an ankle lock but gets caught in a bridge, giving KUSHIDA the win.

Match Number 5: Raquel Gonzalez/Dakota Kai vs. Ember Moon/Toni Storm

More than anything this match seemed to exist to further establish the women’s War Games teams. Kai and Gonzalez continue to be a fantastic pairing. Moon and Storm seem random on paper but, I could actually see them teaming up regularly. The rivalry between Ember Moon and Dakota Kai continues to press on and I’m glad it is. Since Ember’s return, I have been waiting for her to really have that spark that she had in her initial NXT run. I think she has it back. Toni Storm is able to get an inside-cradle on Kai for the win. After the match, Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell attack Storm and Moon before throwing them back to Kai and Gonzalez, letting get the heels get a bit of revenge.

Match Number 6: Timothy Thatcher vs. August Grey

This was essentially a squash match. Thatcher quickly dispatches his “Thatch as Thatch Can” student with a Guillotine Choke. Post-match, Tommaso Ciampa comes down to the ring as Thatcher continues to beat down Grey. Thatcher quickly backs off and lets Ciampa know that he has no qualm with him. Moments later, Tommaso lets us know that he simply wants to fight Thatcher.

Damian Priest vs…No Name Given

This had no inkling of being an actual match. Johnny Gargano attacks Priest during his entrance. The two brawl for a bit before Leon Ruff gets involved. During the melee, Ruff is able to avoid much of the commotion and escapes as Priest and Gargano look on.

NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai (c)vs. Rhea Ripley

This was a PPV quality match. This had some brutal strikes, blood, and some genuinely awe-inspiring spots. This was the best Rhea’s looked in some time. I felt that Rhea has cooled off some since Wrestlemania and it was great to see her back in a prime position. Io continues to be a top commodity in NXT. Io retains her NXT title after connecting with a Moonsault. After the match, the two opponents show a mutual respect for each other. I could be wrong but, I feel a sense of finality here. Perhaps Rhea is going to the main roster

Closing segment: Finn Balor

The Prince is back in NXT to address the situation with his title. Soon after he begins, he is interrupted by Pat McAfee and his gang. Pat runs down Finn and lets him know that while he has been gone, team McAfee has been running the show and suggests that Finn relinquishes the title. Balor responds by letting Pat know that he is back and he’s not alone. Undisputed Era is out and a brawl ensues as Adam Cole absolutely destroys McAfee as the show fades.

#IoShirai #AdamCole #JohnnyGargano #FinnBalor #NXT #RheaRipley