NXT Quick Take 10/14/2020

NXT 10/14/2020

Match 1: Undisputed Era vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch

Kyle O’Reilly cuts a quick promo talking about the second coming of the golden prophecy before Strong and Fish start the match. This was a great way to start the show. I could watch Burch and Fish fight all day. The same goes to Roderick and Oney. It’s funny, it’s easy to think about reDRagon and remember how good they are but I do really like Fish with Strong. Roderick gets the win for his team with the jumping knee. Your number one contenders are…Undisputed. Oney Lorcan showed a lot of heart tonight and I’d love for him to get a singles opportunity at some point.

Segment: Ember Moon

We get a video package of Ember Moon explaining what it means for her to be back and what it means to be back in NXT. I’ll take a video package over a live mic with Ember any day but I am really glad to see her back on the black and gold brand.

Match 2: Ashante “Thee” Adonis vs. Jake Atlas

This match was meant to expand on the story between Legado Del Fantasma and Adonis. After a quick back and forth, Mendoza and Wilde distract Ashante, allowing for Atlas to get the roll up. Santos Escobar appears, as does Swerve Scott to even the odds. This was fun. I’d like to see a full match between Adonis and Atlas in the future.

Match 3: Austin Theory vs. Johnny Gargano

Interesting heel vs. heel match. I still wonder what the endgame with Theory will be. Both men have very similar styles and, in a way, similar personalities so, this was fun, especially seeing Gargano play off of Austin’s inexperience. Theory got a few convincing near falls throughout the match. In the end, Gargano gets the win with one final beat. Theory’s losing streak continues.

Match 4: Candice LeRae vs. Shotzi Blackheart (Number 1 Contender’s Match)

Bay Area vs. So, Cal! I’ve been a Shotzi fan for a long time and I am very glad to see her in the position she has been in lately. This was fun. The match prior had a lot similarities between the two, this was the opposite. This was a dynamic contrast of styles and demeanors. Candice was cold and calculating while Shotzi was frantic and maybe even anarchistic at times, using moves that are just as damaging to herself as they are to her opponent. I appreciate Candice being so vicious despite her size. It keeps her believable. The match ends with Candice LeRae laying out Shotzi with some brass knuckles given to her by Indi Hartwell. Your number one contender for Halloween Havoc is the Pint Size Pixie.

Match 5: Aliyah vs. Toni Storm

I’m not sure if I would have made this as competitive as it was. I would have had this be a straight up squash. I guess they’re trying something with Aliyah. Storm wins with the storm zero.

Match 6: Killian Dain and Drake Maverick vs. Imperium

As far as sheer entertainment is concerned, the story of Dain and Maverick has been great. The odd couple tag team trope doesn’t always work but this one does. The ring generals of Imperium against the accidental tandem offense of Killian and Drake was a lot fun. Imperium gets the win with their double team finish. Drake gets confronted by Ever Rise only for them to get taken out by Killian who lets Drake know he’s the only one that gets to beat up Drake.

NXT North American Championship: Dexter Lumis vs. Damian Priest (c)

When I first about this match, I was really curious to see how this would play out. Over the course of the year, both men have really grown on me. Again, we have another style clash with Dexter’s slow and methodical approach against Priest’s high impact moves. Priest smartly goes after Dexter’s ankle a few times. I love little details like this, it adds to the continuity. We do a little bit of a screwy finish as Cameron Grimes interferes and attacks Lumis, allowing Priest to hit a sit out chokeslam for the win. I didn’t care for the finish here. We’ll probably get Dexter and Cameron soon but I’m not sure if I would have used this match to get there.

#NXT #prowrestling #wrestling #WWE