NXT Cliff Notes 7-29-20

Io Shirai [c] & Tegan Knox vs Dakota Kai & Candice LeRae

Dakota Kai atta kz Io on the ramp just as she did last week to start the night off. Dakota Kai walks out on LeRae then Knox and Io pick the bones. Io looks as if she landed on LeRae’s face. I actually wanted a longer match.

Kai runs into Rhea Ripley in the back after an interview. Ripley is going to make Kai earn it and I believe that’s kinda what Dakota will do. Dakota will win but there will be some shenanigans.

Gargano vs Strong

Does it matter who won? I just wanna see them run this one back. Telling the story of why they turned heel in each strike. A very low-key great story that will probably be missed on some. Gargano picked up the win but I think Roderick Strong would win in a rematch.

Shotzi Blackheart vs Mercedes Martinez

A strong showing for Shotzi but it ended in a loss. Mercedes looks dominant and will be in the title picture soon enough. A great addition to the Robert Stone brand, making it relevant, Aliyah is perfect to take pins for Martinez, it’s a perfect fit. Shotzi is not exactly on the rise but she can be heated up at any time, she has the “Balor factor” meaning she is liked no matter what.

Imperium returns

NXT’s version of the Young Bucks, Ever-Rise get taken to school. Ever-Rise actually got in a little bit of offense before being destroyed.

The Undisputed Era gang up on Imperium to show that they are still a force to be reckoned with, I think it’s to rebuild the tag team division that has suffered greatly during the pandemic era.

Swerve Scott vs Jake Atlas

I want to see Atlas do a little more and get a push to face Escobar. A low-key fire match. I like both wrestlers quite a bit but Legado del Fantasma is where it’s at however, they would be excellent challengers. Really cool moves throughout the match, Atlas really is specia, they gotta use him just a tad more.

Finn Balor vs Timothy Thatcher vs Dexter Lumis

Lots of hype for the match for each man. No one could get enough offense going, every time one man landed a big move, another would prevent him from gaining the advantage. In the end, it was Lumis punching his ticket to Takeover 30. Lumis put Thatcher to sleep as he held onto the ankle of Balor. Lumis is the unlikely pick but a breath of fresh air that NXT needs to shake things up.

Honorable mentions

1. Great vignette on Bronson Reed. We really got a sense of who he is and I loved the Michael Jordan quote.

2. Damian Priest speaks on his match next week.

3. Ridge Holland debuts next week. He looked impressive in his vignette.

Final take

Storytelling at its finest. The North American Championship is being elevated to new heights. The tag division is being rebuilt and the Cruiserweight Championship is the most important it’s ever been. A home run.

#KeithLee #NXT #BronsonReed #KarrionKross #DexterLumis #northAmericanChampionship