Did you miss NXT this week? Well, I’m here to make it all better. For now until the foreseeable future, I’ll be recapping NXT right here on Last Word on Pro Wrestling.
How did 19-year-old Tyler Bate‘s first United Kingdom Championship defense on NXT go? Additionally, is Shinsuke Nakamura going to be okay? Let’s find out, shall we?
NXT Recap: (2/15/17)
Match: The Authors of Pain vs. A Bunch of Nobodies
Our show tonight opened up with a squash match. Yes, really. During the NXT tenure of the Authors of Pain, they have absolutely destroyed opponents. The match lasted a bit over two minutes, and local enhancement talent put up no fight whatsoever. After the match, Paul Ellering called for the Authors to hit their Supercollider on the poor souls. This thing was over before it began.
Winners: Authors of Pain
Analysis: This match was over as soon as I blinked, which is a testament to the incredible push given to the Authors of Pain. While I’m not sure that a tag team squash match is a great way to start a show, there’s no doubt that it gets the point across. The Authors look like beasts, Ellering looks like a genius, and everyone goes on with their lives. Although it was a questionable start, it left no question as NXT‘s plans for the Authors. Creative is booking them essentially as a tag team of two Braun Strowmans. And it works.
Match: Billie Kay and Peyton Royce vs. Liv Morgan and Ember Moon
After the questionable start to the show, we moved on to women’s tag team action. Before we move on, can I just say one thing? I absolutely love everything about Ember Moon. Okay, now that I’m done fawning, let’s move on to the match.
Like most NXT matches, this bout was pretty fast-paced, not to mention exciting. The show’s emphasis on developing women characters continues to impress me. For once in my sports entertainment-watching life, I actually care about these women. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce picked up the win, which is honestly what they needed.
Winners: Kay and Royce
Analysis: Kay and Royce got the victory here, and it makes a lot of sense. As they gel as a team, they should be beating rag-tag teams like Liv Morgan and Ember Moon. Those two are not an organized team by any means. However, Kay and Royce are, and that really makes all the difference. The two are getting their push as a women’s tag team force. And with their similar attitudes, it really works! I thoroughly enjoyed this match. In addition, Royce and Kay’s tag team finisher is absolutely brutal.
In-Ring Segment: The Authors and The Revival Attack DIY
Following the women’s tag bout, we got a riveting promo by DIY. The duo came out to chants of “DIY! DIY! DIY!” and so on and so forth. They mentioned their match at NXT Takeover: Toronto and how they had been through it all. Including the Authors of Pain. Oh yeah, and Johnny Gargano then proceeded to call out the Authors. This prompted Paul Ellering to come out with his two Braun Strowmans, and promised them a NXT Tag Team Championship rematch in two weeks.
As Ellering was giving his promo and telling DIY to “make peace with their loved ones”, something incredibly interesting happened. The Revival blind-sided DIY. Smartly choreographed by Ellering, the Authors stepped in and laid the beat down on DIY. The beatdown was short, sweet, and to the point.
Analysis: Well, that was incredibly intriguing. Are the Authors and The Revival in cahoots? Well, it looks like we as an audience will found out rather soon. I’m loving this storyline. Please keep this coming, NXT. Because I have no idea where it’s going.
Backstage Segment: William Regal
Between the in-ring segment and Tyler Bate’s title defense, William Regal had a few things to say. The NXT GM made a point to recognize the women’s division on their heated competition. He then announced that next Wednesday, Peyton Royce, Liv Morgan, and Ember Moon will have a triple threat match. Said match will determine the #1 contender for Asuka‘s NXT Women’s Championship, and the two will fight two weeks from now.
Analysis: I’m really excited. That match next week is going to be great, and I can’t wait to see who wins. Please let it be Ember Moon. Alright, I’ll stop. But really, please, Creative?
Match: WWE United Kingdom Championship: Tyler Bate vs. Trent Seven
Finally, Tyler Bate had his first title defense. So that’s a big deal. To make the match even more bittersweet, Bate defended the title against his mentor. Trent Seven became an odds-on favorite in the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament but lost in an upset. The young Bate emerged victorious as a champion for the future, and a star for years to come.
After an amazingly paced bout, Tyler Bate emerged victorious. Following a Tyler Driver 97, Bate successfully defended his title and this one was over. The match was incredible, the crowd was into it, and everything worked. At times, both competitors looked unbeatable, which is perfect harmony in the wrestling world. But Bate was able to turn the tides ever so quickly in his favor, and this one was over.
Analysis: Wow. First of all, I have to mention that billing Trent Seven from “Moustache Mountain” is downright hilarious. Next, I am thoroughly impressed with the performance of both Bate and Seven. While the beginning of the match took on an almost comical tone, the action quickly picked up. Due to Seven’s rise in aggressiveness, the excessively British antics quickly gave way to a brawl. And a good brawl at that. During the match, fans got both the finesse of Bate and the power of Seven. While Tyler Bate treated the crowd to his high-flying antics, Trent Seven used his size to his advantage.
The two shook hands after the bout as a sign of respect. I’ll admit, I did not watch the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament, and now I am incredibly sad that I made that choice. Tyler Bate and Trent Seven were both incredible, and that’s about all I have to say on the matter.
A Hundred Words or Less
For those who said, “Too long; didn’t read”, I offer you this. Tonight’s NXT in one hundred words or less.
So we had an opening squash match won by a team of Braun Strowmans with Paul Ellering as a manager. Next, we got a women’s tag team match that finished with a devastating knee to the head. Then, the Braun Strowmans and The Revival attacked DIY. Finally, NXT treated us to an amazing title match between Tyler Bate and Trent Seven. Bate emerged victorious, shook hands with his opponent, and the show went off the air. Overall, I give tonight’s show an 8/10.
