NXT Quick Takes 5/4/21

Falls count anywhere

Swerve vs Leon

The kind of excellence NXT is known for. Swerve started off hot but Ruff battled back. Leon Ruff had the match in hand after attacking Swerve’s leg then a guy from Swerve’s entourage showed up to uneven the odds. Ruff was actually about to win. Really really good match by both guys, the best I’ve ever seen Ruff in an NXT ring. Swerve is so good as a heel and babyface, not a guy WWE can afford to let go.

Asher Hale vs Cameron Grimes

Competitive squashes should happen more often. Grimes gets a much needed win without it being meaningful. Adher Hake can work, seems like a good job guy, I’d like to see how he does against Pete Dunne or Finn Balor.

Ever-Rise try to get in on the act, glad to see they are doing something. They would be a cool team for Grimes to work with sometimes.

Ciampa & Thatcher vs GYV

Hard hitting affair, would you expect anything less? I like to see a babyface cheat to win like Eddie sometimes, makes me feel good. Not all good guys are as dumb as rocks. Thatcher gets the tap out and the tag team division looks pretty damn good right now. I expect Grizzled Young Veterans to be the next tag champs while Ciampa and Thatcher chase. A humbling loss for GYV, something they will have to come back from.

Return of the prince

Kross speaks to the boys in the back, he doesn’t want to wait until they come to him. Kyle O’Reilly responds. I was hoping we didn’t get the Charlotte booking parade of challengers but we did. Dunne had something to say but the prince comes out swinging. Security gets some too, Kross and Balor put hands on a couple of guards for their troubles. Gargano and Theory are the last to attack and actually knock him out after Johnny hits him with the North American Championship.

Zayda Ramier vs Sarray

Sarray seems bland to me, always has she like Daniel Bryan before wwe started letting him speak. Zayda needs to pack on some weight and change that ring gear too. I like that the debuting talent is getting a good start just hope its not too much of a push to start. What a nasty suplex to finish, Sarray is small but hits like a truck.

Jake Atlas vs LA Knight

We need way more LA Knight. Good promo, good match; competitive. LA Knight needs meaningful TV time and meaningful feuds, Jake Atlas may be the start of all of that. Patience is the name of the game on this one because things are going to have to fall into place for LA Knight. That name is taking some getting used to as well.

Street fiiiiiight!

Dog shits in the tank and we get new champs. The tank must have been their good luck charm. The match had its moments. I am certainly no fan of the sloppy work of Indi but matches like this hide a great amount of in-ring ability. Candace LeRae was not a favorite of mine either before she turned heel but once she did she won me over(kinda like Roman Reigns). She deserves to hold gold.

Honorable mentions

1. Gargano and Theory have a run-in with Scarlett.

2. Imperium receive instruction from Walter.

3. Diamond Mine vignette.

4. Toni Storm promo on Zoe Stark.

5. Legado in-ring promo. Kushida interrupts on screen to challenge Escobar.

6. Dibesse strikes again.

7. Gonzalez and Martinez have a split screen interview.

Final take

Certainly a wonderful wrestling show. SmackDown has some steep competition. Next week there are some great Championship matches on the card. Can’t wait to see how the next Takeover builds. Great debuts, great rookies, great character development without any bullshit.

#petedunne #LegadoDelFantasma #FinnBalor #NXT #KarrionKross #nxtmovestoTuesday