nXt has become the gold standard when it comes to WWE programming over the last five years and this last Saturday was a perfect example as to why. They continue to give what the fans want with a shorter show and quality wrestling. If you haven't seen this show yet I will tell you that it is a must watch as every match on the card was 4 stars or better.
The show started with the Original Bro Matt Riddle taking on Roderick Strong. This match progressed nicely with a lot of hard hits and good back and forth mat wrestling. The rolling side suplex that Riddle does is a thing of beauty and Roderick strong could be one of the best at picking a body part and targeting the back to set up his finisher the Strong hold. This match had me hooked until a couple of spots near the end, After Strong escaped a power bomb attempt when Riddle's back gave out. Strong backed into the ropes and caught a charging Riddle with a kick to the face and followed it up with an enziguri which knocked riddle back. A running V-trigger by strong followed up by three running forearms to the face and a front facing side suplex that planted Riddle on his face only got a 2. After that Riddle hits a ripcord v-trigger, a powerbomb, and the Final Flash that Strong kicked out of at 2. They were able to pull me back into the match with the amazing grit the two of them showed. Kudos to Matt Riddle for selling the back injury. 4 stars for a match that even though it faltered in the middle was able to hook me back in towards the end.
Next up we got four way tag team ladder match for the vacated tag team titles. The Street Profits vs Oney Lorkan and Danny Birch vs the Forgotten Sons vs the Undisputed Era. An amazing match with some crazy spots from Wesley Blake hitting a suicide dive into a ladder being carried by the Undisputed Era to a great spot where Lorkan and Birch duck the ladder shot to German Suplex the Forgotten Sons who were carrying the ladder. The ladder was launched onto Kyle O'Reilly in a spot that could only be O'Reilly in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Kyle O'Reilly took some ridiculous punishment in this match and I am honestly surprised he doesn't have a broken back. Everyone took some crazy hits with the ladder and the match was on it's way to 5 star territory until Jackson Ryker made his appearance and decimated the field. The UE took the fight to Ryker and they were joined by the Profits and Lorkan and Birch to deliver a good old fashioned horsemen stomp. Having all three teams do what they could to take out Ryker got this match back on track and told an incredible story. Lorkan and Birch used the ladders to give the Street Profits a Con-Chair-to. Every team had a chance to shine, to hit there spots and the violence (especially to O'Reilly) was ridiculous. Street Profits stand victorious at the end in a helluva match. 5 Stars all the way. They had a chance to WWE this and ruin the match but took it into a whole new direction that I didn't see coming. Fresh story telling is what launched this match as high as it did.
Tyler Breeze vs the Velveteen Dream is up next. They started the match trying to one up each other by showing who was the flashiest. Then the match got going and didn't quit. A very aggressive Breeze brought out a very aggressive Dream which made this feel like a very personal fight. After smashing Breeze's face into the table multiple times, Dream grabbed the belt and a phone to take a selfie with a dazed Breeze on the announcers table. This was a great match were Breeze played the plucky cagey veteran and Dream played the young emotional competitor that let his feelings lead him to make mistakes. The ending seemed rushed and really out of place considering what the entire match showed. Breeze got distracted and we got the Dream Valley Driver followed by the Purple Rain Maker for the pin. If the ending had been a little tighter this was a 5 star match unfortunately it was rushed and a little out of place so it was dropped down to a 4.5. However they got bonus points for the story leading in and the post match selfie. 5 Stars.
Shayna Baszler vs Io Shirai is up next and Io comes out to a completely drained audience that really has nothing left to give to her entrance. Baszler comes out alone as the remaining horsewomen stay in the back. A very aggressive Shirai actually looked at times like she might win this. False finishes all over the place until Baszler places her into the Coquina Clutch for the win. Io took a drained crowd and brought them back into a match that they had absolutely no energy for. Io Shirai snapped after the match and attacked Baszler with a kendo stick and a couple of moonsault's using a chair with the second. This was a solid 4.5 Stars especially considering what they needed to overcome with the crowds energy.
Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole is the main event and how can these two possibly top their performance from Takeover New York. The crowd is pumped for this match from the start as Gargano and Cole pace around the ring staring at each other to drag out the suspense. These two had a really good new take on the stand off to begin a match that has become so popular in today's wrestling when they sat on the floor staring at each other with disdain instead of mutual respect. Much like the Dream v Breeze match you can feel the hatred between these two. Fast paced, athletic, and had a good mix of high spots with just flat out fighting to get this crowd on their feet and keep them there. Reversals and counters and ducks highlighted a very personal match that showed how well these two know each other. Johnny sold his knee injury perfectly, unlike other people that have had injuries Gargano never one time forgot about his injury just to hit a high spot. A classic figure four spot was done brilliantly and the counters continued throughout the match. Gargano has continued to show that never say die attitude that has made him one of the best wrestlers in the world. Panama Sunrise followed by a Last Shot and I have a new front runner for match of the year. 5.75 Stars.
Wow what a match to end an unbelievably great show. The entire production was an easy 5 star and one of my favorite PPV's of all time. From the dominate presence of the Undisputed Era to the quality of matches, crowd energy and running time of the show. This one is going to be very hard to beat.
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