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.
Highlights of the Night
- Bayley vs Charlotte: With all the hype surrounding the NXT Divas revolution, the pressure to perform at the highest quality possible has never been higher for the women at Full Sail University. Charlotte and Bayley are not strangers to one another in the ring, so their natural chemistry came through in a big way with a twist on the underdog tale they’ve told before. Bayley is the perfect female underdog character and after her Belly-To-Bayley Suplex from the top rope, and subsequent victory, the crowd couldn’t have been happier.
- Samoa Joe vs Rhyno: I remember a time when two powerhouse wrestlers going against each other would make eyes roll among wrestling fans. This match however, had fans anticipating this smash mouth showdown, which didn’t disappoint. Samoa Joe and Rhyno took it to each other hard and kind of made me wish NXT would bring in a proper heavyweight championship. If this is the kind of match we could expect from those guys, I would be on board straight away.
- Jushin “Thunder” Liger Announcement: While most of the internet had heard this announcement weeks ago online, the crowd in Florida hadn’t, and their reaction was one of shock and awe. It’s hard to blame them, given Liger’s incredible history. If you weren’t aware of said history, then NXT’s producers managed to put together a nice little highlight reel so you could know exactly why this is such a big deal. Let’s hope these continue as we get closer to Brooklyn.
- Kevin Owens Interview: NXT has done a very good job of building up the main event for their Brooklyn live special, and the interviews with both Owens and NXT Champion Finn Balor helped fuel that fire this week. While both men did a great job, Owens left the biggest impact by not only throwing out a new stipulation, but by showing us some signs of desperation, something we’re not used to from his character.
The Future Five
5. Tyler Breeze: Tyler Breeze had a pretty damn good week I’d say. While his opponent of Aaron Solow left something to be desired in the quality of opposition category, it did allow Breeze to remind fans of what he is capable of, before NXT General Manager William Regal made a huge announcement regarding Tyler. At NXT Takeover Brooklyn, Prince Pretty will face the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger. Not only does a match like this raise the stock of Breeze, but it demonstrates the confidence that NXT officials have in his abilities to want to showcase him like this. Win, lose, or draw, Tyler Breeze’s stock has jumped because of this announcement.
4. The Hype Bros: I am a fan of the Hype Bros. I think the pair of Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder have great chemistry and their whole is worth much more than the sum of their parts. I was quite surprised to see these two achieve victory over a team that just last week shocked the world in such a way that they took home the number one spot on this list: Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder. I was ready for these two roughnecks to keep the winning ways alive. Alas, it would be short lived, as they weren’t able to get past the new dynamic dudes. The match was fast paced and entertaining, and maybe a small rivalry could be born from this. I hope so, asbI like both teams, and more action in the tag team division of NXT is fine by me.
3. Kevin Owens: Owens is three for three on the Future Five. It seems like above all other superstars, he maximizes his minutes and makes the most of the time he’s given. This week is a perfect example. Without even having a match, Owens provided us with one the most memorable moments of the night. His answers to Michael Cole were dripping in sarcasm. His accusations and demanding of a ladder match made him seem desperate, and when he finally removed his microphone and walked away, we were watching a different Owens. His words not only elevated the hype for the main event in Brooklyn, but also changed it completely by adding the ladder match stipulation, something we haven’t seen in NXT since the very first special Arrival. Kevin continues to prove that no matter what you give him to do, he will do it well.
2. Samoa Joe: Slowly but surely, Samoa Joe is starting to get his heat back, and having a string of hard hitting victories is a great way to do it. Rhyno is no slouch, and for fans not familiar with Joe’s work, this was a huge victory – figuratively and literally. Joe knows his time at the top is coming, so in the meantime he’s content to become NXT’s resident ass kicker. Rhyno was a pretty good starting point, even if the Man Beast’s record as of late has been less than stellar. A match between these two on paper had the potential for disaster, but both men have a style that made it exciting and engaging. When you come out on top in a match like that, against a former world champion, its worth quite a lot in the rankings.
1. Bayley: She came, she saw, she hugged. Bayley has done a great job of playing up her underdog character, and fans are completely buying into it. What makes Bayley so great is that her character is genuinely likeable and you want to see her win. Even though she has had championship opportunities in the past, this win meant a lot to her, because she defeated a woman thought so highly of by both the fans, and Bayley herself. Not only did she win the best match on the show, but she also created an incredible moment when she gave her headband to a fan at ringside who cried tears of joy for the spunky superstar. Even after a huge victory like that, when given the task of facing Becky Lynch in order to prove herself once more, she accepts the challenge with a smile. Can she hug her way to a championship match in Brooklyn? Here’s hoping.
Final Thoughts
This was a very good, thoroughly entertaining hour of NXT. The matches ranged from good to very good, and all the content was purposeful. Even the #Bullfit segment, which I actually enjoyed for its simplicity. Nothing felt wasted here, it either entertained or built toward Brooklyn, or sometimes both. The only notable exception was the Baron Corbin squash, but I have a feeling they might be heading towards a Corbin vs Joe showdown, which would make my day as a fan. Things seem to be running on all cylinders in NXT as we get closer and closer to Brooklyn. Let’s hope they can keep the momentum going.
