NXT Quick Takes 8/3/21

Hit Row vs Legado

Hate the non ending but I understand it. I like both groups but I love my luchas more. Hit Row are officially babyfaces now though. Good idea considering they are well liked by a variety of fans and it was so hard to choose who to root for.

Ridge Holland vs Ikemen Jiro

Holland continues to impress. I like him more that he is back then I did when he first started. Jiro is going to be special if they hold on to him. Holland does the basics well and works the way a major player would so he has potential. It’s matches like these where the real talent shines.

Fish vs Strong

They went to war, a war of finality. I wasn’t overly impressed. Also, we knew Strong was going to win so there were no real stakes involved. If Fish had somehow pulled off an upset victory then I would have been more invested.

GYV vs Grimes & Knight

Things start off normal then Knight leaves the corner as we figured he would. Cameron Grimes never gave up and almost beat both men with a flurry of offense that the crowd loved. I’m surprised this pairing is as good as it has been but keep GYV involved as well, they’ve done remarkably well.

Let me explain

Dakota Kai, has an excellent video package, detailing her relationship with Gonzalez. This is the match I’m interested in the most; I need to see this. The excitement level is maxed out, what I want to know is how exactly will Dakota Kai win and who is her first defense against.

Breakout tournament

Trey Baxter vs Joe Gacy

I wanted to see Gacy vs Jones, Big man vs Big man. Baxter doesn’t stand out to me. Perhaps that will change in the next match but for now I think they have not made this a great tournament. It’s good, it just needs to go up a level. We’ve seen it all and NXT is where the bar is set so they need to reach higher.

Love her or loser her/Lover or loser

Two good workers entertaining in every way possible in this match. Lumis needs to be used a bit more, I want him on the main roster creeping people out. Gargano wins but that makes no difference whatsoever. Indie jumps Lumis in the ring anyway. Plenty of interference but one man was noticeably absent, Austin Theory. I’m hoping he reemerges as a serious character with some serious goals. As for the Gargano Way, let’s hope these interesting recent events turn things upside-down and give us some great segments along the way.

Honorable mentions

1. Io and Zoe hangout at a Japanese restaurant.

2. Dragunov vs Walter 2 video package.

3. Joe takes out security trying to get to Kross.

Final take

This next Takeover will be the beginning of a new era in NXT. Seems as if lots of talent will move to the main roster. I like the current stories but I don’t love all of them.

#NXTTakeOver #CameronGrimes #ridgeholland