Diana Ross
Malik Blade and Edris Enofé had their debut party during its week. Pretty Deadly Wrestling for their NXT tag title is the biggest moment of their career, and they answered the call with the speed of a 911 operator. I’m putting this so high because it was a great match for anyone reading this to see, but I also feel like it wouldn’t do my words justice. The simple summary is that the game shatters expectations in the few moments when they put the champions on the ropes and the heels are normally successful. When they finally did, it took too much outside of them.
Losing to champions is never something to be ashamed of, and I believe this show has done so much more for them than Pretty Deadly. And that takes nothing from the tag champions. They showed Malik and Edris really well, especially as a team that underestimated their opponents so much. And the priceless facial expressions in those few moments said it all. To borrow a phrase from my favorite football coach, Malik & Edris took the champions deep and nearly drowned them.
We rarely see wrestlers take the next step right before our eyes. Take this opportunity to do just that.
extracurricular
rock music
Ava Raine is the newest member of The Schism! That mysterious person! If there is a real “holy sh*t” moment. Schism just got a lot more interesting. And by that I mean they just got interesting.
War
Ilja Dragunov did everything she could. But with broken ribs and battle scars halloween havoc, never had a chance against JD McDonagh. The match started perfectly with the Czar going after JD during JD’s entry. In the end, the war damaged Ilja’s body and the medical team almost stopped the match. At first I thought it was a bad move, especially getting into the game too early, but it worked. As the match continued, things took another turn. JD took control, but Ilja showed the fire he was famous for, even as he sold out the psychology of his injury and JD was constantly chasing after him.
In the end, Ilja succumbed to the pain. It’s not voluntary, sorry. During a submission, his body gave up and the referee called the match. Too much punishment and too much coercion from JD made it academic. Ilja’s bloody face and her getting out of the ring on a stretcher was also a nice touch, selling off the brutality of the match and the disgust these men felt for each other.
Great main event even if it doesn’t have the best flow due to the early pause.
Still Champions. Still a Real Team
I applauded when this game was over. First, because I’m a fan of Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Two, because it was a really good match with an unpredictable finish. Nikkita Lyons and Zoey Stark became close. They got really close. In fact, they actually won for a moment. The match resumed, however, when the 1st referee informed the other referee that Chance was not legal when Stark had his shoulders pinned to the mat. It always feels weird for WWE to use this device. It’s like if you can do it once, why not do it all the time? But unfortunately here we are.
All hell broke loose when the match started again. Chance & Carter played a small game of divide and rule and used their experience as a team against the inexperience of their opponents. Even though Stark and Lyons were dressed alike, which was a nice touch, they weren’t as ready as they thought.
BTO
Shotzi took over Lash Legend this week, as Miss Legend disrespected Shotzi. halloween havoc. The discussion was the highlight of the match, as Legend still looks forward to action from action. But she’s getting better and Shotzi is a good dance partner. Another reason the fight works so well is because it creates a sense of legitimate discontent between the two of them. Some feuds are better as a fight than a wrestling match. If he continues beyond Shotzi’s win, this could be one of them.
Curious and Curious…
I agree with Ivy Nile here…why. After Sanga and Veer celebrate Julius and Brutus’ anniversary, Bros. He attacked Creed. halloween havoc won and told Damon Kemp to come and get it for him. Sanga hesitated for a minute as Veer provoked her, which points to bigger problems between the two. Ivy wants to know why, and yes, I agree.
I’m Back Like I’ve Never Been Gone
Elektra Lopez is back! After being briefly rejected by Zelina Vega, she made her way back to NXT here, beating Indi Hartwell and Sol Ruca.
Truths
R Truth killed him this week. Dressing as the Joker, Truth blocked Wes Lee & Grayson Waller from hosting halloween havoc. Of course that was a few days ago, so Truth was late to the party as usual. Next week Truth vs. I’m not sure how I feel about Grayson and that.
We often talk about these shows in real time at the Cageside office. And we all think NXT is in this weird place where a show like this week offers at least two great games, but then the show overall does too much. We have at least two mysterious angles, a Toxic Attraction segment played out at this point (we get it, they’re gorgeous) and a whole bunch of mismatched stuff. I know NXT is developmental, but the show itself needs to feel consistent like any television show. NXT is like throwing a handful of jelly at the wall and watching everything slide so slow. Sometimes, something sticks out because a few wrestlers are pretty good at what they do, but the presentation and vision are lacking.
B level-
This is my note and I will stick to it. Your turn.
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