NXT Quick Takes 11/4/20

Ember Moon vs Dakota Kai

Moon took care of Kai for the first half of this match, Moon took control back, excellent back and forth match to tell a great story in the ring. I could have done without the corniness from Ember though. The quick distraction by Gonzalez leads to a victory for Kai.

Cameron Grimes vs KushidaLove the mean streak from Kushida, he’s taking it to his opponents and they aren’t ready, I believe he is on a collision course with Finn Balor. Kushida wins but what does that mean for Grimes?

Drake Maverick and Killian Dain vs Ever-Rise

The match was going fine until McAfee and his merry men took the camera from the crew and beats down both teams. Pat McAfee is playing the role of obnoxious jock and he is nailing it.

Retirement ceremony

McAfee drops one helluva promo on Undisputed Era. Dunne is still salty from Roderick turning on him. Great words from Lorcan and Burch. Instead of hanging the banner in the rafters, they throw Undisputed Era’s banner in the trash. What storytelling and they explained it all. Dain wasn’t done so he got jumped in the parking lot and got his head smashed by a car door for his efforts; icing on the cake.

Toni time

Toni Storm vs Shotzi Blackheart

Shotzi with some sloppy work early on and it really put a damper on the match, setting a tone that they could not get back from. Storm took over as ring general and did her best to get them back on track. They didn’t have to use a goofy distraction for Toni to win. I’m not in the mood for a Shotzi/Candace feud. Shotzi doesn’t have to be upset and shaken about a toy tank, she should be angry not crying.

Thatch-as, Thatch-can

Reversals

Thatcher goes too far again. Brilliant stuff, even Jim Cornette has to like what he sees. A former student gets revenge.

Ciampa vs Dream

Match was good but who was I supposed to root for? I had zero interest in this story. Ciampa wins easily enough but not without some scars.

Honorable mentions

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Io challenges Rhea Ripley, Ripley responds.

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Gargano vignette.

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Xia Li interview, I like the mystery of the story

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Jake Atlas runs away after attacking Legado Del Fantasma.

Final take

Next’s new look really sets it apart from everything else on TV and I love it. The episode was mostly to move story and they did a very good job at that, next week will be a work date episode I’m sure ( not that there was a low work rate on this show).

#VelveteenDream #ShotziBlackheart #NXT #toniStorm #TomassoCiampa