NXT Quick Takes 1/27/21

MSK vs Dain & Maverick 

Strong opening match, NXT are known for those and during the Dusty Cup they don’t miss. MSK were going to win no matter what but if they don’t win was it for the best? We got some strong teams left and MSK are the newcomers, we’ll see where things go from here. Dain and Maverick need a big time feud to gain some momentum and stay relevant.

Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez vs Aliyah & Jessi Kamea

Another easy pick however, Kamea looked pretty good in this match. Kai looked weak, figuratively and physically. Losing weight isn’t always a good thing, the weight Kai lost in her lower body makes her look far less credible especially with her kick heavy offense. Gonzalez came in and dominated, makes it hard to think anyone else is going to be able to go through her to win the cup.

GYV vs Ruff & Kushida

I was half expecting a sweece. I thought the Grizzled Young Veterans may lose just to tell a different story a little later. A post match beatdown by the Way was a nice touch.  Dexter Lumis is never too far behind Gargano and is always well placed for his gimmick. Lumis needs a serious, big time feud, to add some major creep factor and depth to his character. A cinematic match with Karrion Kross could be just what the doctor ordered. 

The big (title) picture

Toni Storm is met in the ring by Io Shirai when Martinez attacks. Martinez is a big deal, she is finally being pushed the way she should. Toni Storm is one of the only women to beat Io, along with Shayna Baszler a million times. I wouldn’t mind seeing Storm with the title and a babyface Gonzalez beating her. I also wouldn’t mind Mercedes Martinez holding gold. Not lots of babyface challengers but a little hot potato with the title wouldn’t be so bad.

Swerve vs Reed

Not as good as I wanted it to be, I am not sure why I didn’t like it but I just wasn’t impressed.  NXT has a very high level of competition so the bar is ridiculous. I am okay with the story they told just thought I’d see some really crazy spots. I thought I was gonna see a Takeover caliber match and just got a really good television match. Reed I’d on the rise and I expect to see him challenge for the North American title soon.

KOR & Finn Balor vs Lorcan[c] & Burch[c]

An absolute slugfest. Lorcan, Burch, Balor and Kyle O’ Reilly are among the heaviest hitters and brawlers in all of WWE. O’ Reilly went on a tear ro win the match but it was all about setting them up to get jumped. Dunne comes out of nowhere and the numbers game gets the best of Balor and KOR until Undisputed Era shows up.

Honorable mentions 

1. Interview with cruiserweight standout, Legado Del Fantasma whoops his ass.

2. Imperium vignette.

3. Scarlett vignette.

4. Thatcher and Ciampa team up to take on UE in the Dusty Cup

5. Tyler Rust shows off his skill.

Final take

Another solid show, the Dusty Cups are going well and side feuds are strong as well. It was a little paint by numbers but it got the job done. There is a lot coming up so the next weeks will be big for NXT, with the cup coming to an end and Takeover happening on Valentine’s Day.

#Ciampa #IoShirai #FinnBalor #NXT #TimothyThatcher