Welcome to NXT Future Five on Last Word On Sports, where each week we analyze the latest episode of World Wrestling Entertainment Network’s hottest program, NXT and rank the five performers who made the biggest impact.
Show Overview
- Elimination Chamber Recap: The show opened with a video recap of Kevin Owen’s victory over United States Champion John Cena at Elimination Chamber. This was huge deal for NXT so it was smart to open the show with that
- Tyler Breeze vs Adam Rose: A response to Breeze’s attack on Rose a few weeks ago, I was looking forward to this match and see if the NXT Universe would accept Rose as a baby face. The crowd seemed ready to accept him, singing his theme song and cheering for him during his entrance. Rose looked more determined an serious than usual. Some in the crowd picke dup on this and began a dueling chant of “We want Kruger (Rose’s former persona)” and “No we don’t!” Neither man had an advantage early on, but then, an aggressive Rose took control and wore Breeze down with a side headlock. Prince Pretty managed to fight back with a pair of beautiful drop kicks, but it didn’t last long as Adam found himself once again dominating Breeze and wearing him down with a sleeper hold. In many ways, Tyler was the underdog here, constantly fighting from underneath. He managed to come back with a hurricanrana,but Rose was back on the attack shortly after with his own version of the Sick Kick. Rose continued to impress with a spine buster that transformed into a Boston crab, and a leg drop on the ring apron. He followed that up with a Cactus Jack elbow that started a “Foley” chant from the crowd. After rolling Prince Pretty into the ring and bouncing off the ropes, the leader of the Exotic Express was caught with a Beauty Shot and left staring at the lights while Breeze covered him for the pin.
- Solomon Crowe Backstage Interview: Solomon was up front in admitting he took a beating last week, but vowed that he would come back better than ever while endorsing Samoa Joe.
- Dana Brooke Video Package: Footage was shown of Dana Brooke competing in the Arnold Classic Brazil. A good video to keep fans abreast of what was happening with her and ensuring they wouldn’t forget her.
- Eva Marie Interview: Eva came out to a chorus of hate from the Full Sail University Eva did her best to put over the NXT Women’s division and win over the crowd, and while a few were willing to give her a chance, the majority just chanted “You can’t wrestle!” She is really going to have to prove herself to get over as a baby face with this crowd. She has her work cut out for her.
- William Regal Announcement: William Regal was shown backstage at a podium, when he announced that in addition to a number of huge WWE main roster stars that would be competing in Tokyo, Japan, Finn Balor would wrestle NXT Champion Kevin Owens for the NXT Championship.
- Carmella with Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs Alexa Bliss with Blake and Murphy: After a backstage attack and the events of NXT Takeover: Unstoppable, things quickly degenerated into a cat fight between these two. Alexa took control after dropping Carmella face first into the top turnbuckle, and proceeded to wrench Carmella’s neck in horrible ways. With Enzo Amore and Big Cass cheering her on, Carmella was able to dodge a corner attack, then used her body as a battering ram to stun Bliss. Once on a roll, Carmella let her confidence get the better of her and one roll up later, Alexa was grabbing the rope for leverage and scoring the pin fall
- Rhyno Backstage Interview: Rhyno talked about enjoying going to war with Baron Corbin, then quickly switched gears to talking about his opponent tonight, Finn Balor. Rhyno said that beating Balor tonight would put him closer to becoming NXT Champion. He also said Balor’s mind games would have no effect on him.
- Sami Zayn Video Package: We saw footage of Zayn going to Andrews Hospital and discussing how he got there. We then heard from his surgery explaining the injury and what they needed to do. We actually got to see footage of the surgery, and got some good news from his doctor saying that the surgery went well. It ended with a hopeful thumbs up, that honestly made me smile. You just can’t help but love Zayn.
- The Vaudevillians vs Jason Jordan and Marcus Louis: The Vaudevillians made their return tonight but so did Louis, and he didn’t even get an entrance. The Vaudvillians started off by double teaming Louis, but their momentum was halted quickly once Jason Jordan was tagged in, who threw around Aiden English like he weighed practically nothing. Louis tagged in a took control and looked quite terrifying clawing at the face of Aiden. The crowd willed English to make the tag to Simon Gotch, who attacked both his opponents like a house of fire. One Whirlydervish later (that’s an uppercut/swinging neck breaker combo), and the Vaudevillians had a successful return. On the outside, Jason Jordan berated Louis for losing the match.
- Sasha Banks Video Package: This is a great video package for anyone not familiar with Banks. She came off as cocky and stuck up, as she should. A nice highlight video full of action and well put together.
- Finn Balor Backstage Promo: Balor spoke about his history in Japan and how important the NXT Championship match in Tokyo is to him. He reiterated that he is not looking past Kevin Owens but he was about the meet the demon, and Balor was walking out of Japan as NXT Champion.
- Rhyno vs Finn Balor: A feeling out process started out the contest, with Rhyno demonstrating his power, and Balor demonstrating his technical expertise. Rhyno began dominating Balor after a hard shoulder block and a series of chops brought the Irish sensation to his knees. Balor showed some fire and hit the Man Beast so hard that he sent him to the outside, leaving him open for an over the top dive. Back from commercial, a power slam from Rhyno put him back in control of the match, and used the opportunity to apply a body scissors, squeezing the life out of the #1 contender to the NXT Championship. Rhyno was getting quite a few cheers and did whatever he could to turn the crowd against him, including mockery and spitting at the fans. Balor started to come back with a running chop and top rope forearm, but one spine buster later and Rhyno was back on top. It was to be short lived however as Finn nailed a Pele kick, Sling blade, and drop kick, followed by a missed Cou De Grace and school boy roll up for the victory. Rhyno seemed visibly upset after the match, and when Balor posed atop the NXT ramp, Rhyno ended the celebration by Goring Balor in thunderous fashion to close out the show.
I feel like this week’s episode was an improvement from last week’s. We had plenty of solid action and were presented with a mix of matches, each telling a unique story. Combine that with some very well produced video packages and an announcement that is sure to get the wrestling world buzzing, and fans got a solid show this week. With two shows going head to head with it instead of one, NXT will need to keep the quality high. If they continue to put out episodes at this level, they should have no issue competing against the likes of Lucha Underground, Ring of Honor, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
The Future Five
5. Adam Rose (Last Week – Not Ranked): While he did not win his match, Adam Rose was quite impressive this week. First, his newly adopted attitude had fans paying attention to him and even earning him some cheers, something he hasn’t heard in a long while. Secondly, this new outlook also seemed to aid him in his match against Prince Pretty this week, as he was in firm control most of the contest. His moment of poor judgement cost him the match, but if he had stayed focus, he very well might have pulled off a huge upset. I hope this isn’t the last we see of Rose in NXT, or his new demeanor.
4. The Vaudevillians (Last Week – Not Ranked): When one member of a tag team becomes injured, there are many questions that loom over said team like a dark cloud. Questions about the ability to come back from an injury, and function as a unit again. While the Vaudevillians did show a small bit of ring rust against the more powerful duo of Marcus Louis and Jason Jordan, The Vaudevillians still managed to look razor sharp when on top during their contest. It was easy to see that the time spent away from the ring went towards hours in the gym as well, as both Gotch and English looked to be in phenomenal shape.
3. Tyler Breeze (Last Week – Not Ranked): One thing to be said about Tyler Breeze, he always manages to bounce back and land on his feet. Despite what must have been a very frustrating loss to Finn Balor last week, Breeze stayed focus on winning matches, instead of throwing a hissy fit like usual. In fact, his actions this week were somewhat out of the ordinary for Prince Pretty. While still exuding confidence outside of the ring, inside of it, he seemed much more focused than usual. It is very possible that focus allowed him to zero in on an opening and hit the Beauty Shot with precision accuracy, leading to the fall.
2. Finn Balor (Last Week – 3): It is safe to say that Finn Balor is on a roll heading to July 4th, a date that could end up being the biggest in Balor’s NXT career. Despite being over powered by the Man Beast Rhyno for most of the match, Finn was able to come back and show that no matter what the style, be they technicians like Tye Dillinger last week, or roughneck brawlers like Rhyno this week, Balor can adapt and execute for victory. When his Cou De Grace move failed, he recalculated and instead beat Rhyno with a simple leverage move. It shows that Finn can think as well as fight.
1. Rhyno (Last Week – Not Ranked): Sometimes in life it isn’t about wins and losses, but what kind of impact you make. Although he might have lost in the main event this week, when the cameras stopped rolling, Rhyno was the name in everybody’s lips. The Gore he gave Balor was truly brutal and the Man Beast completely dominated the #1 Contender to the NXT Championship. On top of that, this match may have been Rhyno’s best performance since his debut in NXT, and for a veteran with decades of experience, that says all that needs to be said about his spot on top of the mountain this week.
Final Thoughts:
Honestly, picking the number five spot might have been my most difficult decision this week. There were many contenders, but of the handful of nominees, only Adam Rose captured my imagination and had me hoping he would win, just so we might see him again later. It looks like we will certainly be seeing more of the Vaudevillians, who showed what they may lack in ring time over the last few weeks, they will more than make for with enthusiasm. Tyler Breeze continues to lounge about in the NXT upper mid card, but is it possible that we may be seeing a change of heart in the future for Prince Pretty? Finn Balor continues to be one of the most beloved and skilled talent son the NXT roster, and his match this week did nothing to change that opinion. While Rhyno may not have won his match, he had the NXT Universe talking about him by night’s end. Sometimes even bad press is good press.
