Did you miss NXT this week? Well, I’m here to make it all better. It’s the weekly NXT Recap, right here at Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Did you miss last week’s recap? Check it out and catch up here.
So, who is the WWE United Kingdom Champion? Tyler Bate or Jack Gallagher? Additionally, what happened in the next chapter of the feud between Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot? Let’s find out, shall we?
NXT Recap: (4/26/17) – Tyler Bate Defends the United Kingdom Championship
Promo: Nikki Cross
As our show opened, Nikki Cross began a haunting promo calling out Ruby Riot. Perhaps out of spite, Riot soon complied to Cross’s demands and sauntered out to the ring. And then…well, it takes two to tango. The two women absolutely annihilated each other, brawling until security came out and then some. Eventually though, security pulled the two apart with Cross getting the last laugh. After all, she did slam Ruby Riot’s face into a set of steel stairs. If anything, that opening was…odd. But then again, that’s what these two are all about. It’s almost like they’re made for each other.
Segment Grade: B-
Match: Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Drew McIntyre
Next up, the scorching-hot Andrade “Cien” Almas took the ring against Drew McIntrye. Coming off a re-debut, McIntyre was ready to fly. Certainly, he wasn’t having any of Almas’s antics during this match. The two locked up, and after the preliminary goofing around, McIntyre kicked the taste out of Almas’s mouth. Sure, Almas still got some offense in, but McIntyre is just too good right now. Even though Almas has been on a hot streak as of late, Drew McIntyre is getting a push to the moon. Therefore, this bout was over soon enough. Following a few devastating strikes, McIntyre took full control. There is just no stopping this guy right now. This was a “flex your muscles” bout through and through, and McIntyre definitely needed it.
Segment Grade: A-
Regal’s Announcement
After that hard-hitting bout, NXT‘s general manager made a huge announcement. Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross would be happening later on tonight. Well, that’s exciting to say the least.
Segment Grade: B+
Match: Kona Reeves vs. Aleister Black
Who is Kona Reeves? Well, I myself am not exactly sure. This kid is very mysterious and I can’t seem to figure him out. Nevertheless, he wrestled against Aleister Black this week. Unfortunately for Reeves, Aleister Black is more than a monster. This guy is an absolute stud, and much, much more. His character is captivating, he’s exciting in the ring, and he’s a total enigma. Nothing about this guy makes sense, and yet it all falls into place.
Plain and simple, this was a squash match. From the outset, Black wasted exactly no time. Aside from a few swift kicks, Kona Reeves got absolutely no offense in on Black at all. After bringing Reeves to the ground and literally dragging him back up again, Black decided that it was time. Aleister Black hit Reeves with the Black Mass Spinning Heel Kick, and this one was all over but the counting. One thing’s for sure: Aleister Black is downright terrifying in that ring.
Segment Grade: A+
Match: Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross
Next up was the fruit of William Regal’s announcement. And before Riot could even get into the ring, Nikki Cross came after her. The two brawled their way around the arena and basically drove each other even more insane. Ruby proceeded to give Nikki Cross a suplex on the entrance ramp, and that sounded like it hurt. Then, multiple referees came to break up the action, but to nearly no avail. The two just would not stop, and eventually, Ruby Riot came out on top. This segment was absolute in-SAnitY, and I personally loved every second of it. Referees and security had to actually carry Nikki Cross to the back area, but this thing was an image of chaos all the way.
After the bout, William Regal announced that the two would have another bout next week. Whoever won that match would be the number one contender for Asuka‘s NXT Women’s Championship.
Match: WWE United Kingdom Championship: Tyler Bate vs. Jack Gallagher
Finally, the match we had been waiting for. Tyler Bate defended his WWE UK Championship once again (finally) against Jack Gallagher. These two promised a great, overly-English bout, and boy, did we get both of those. The two competitors shook hands, and we were underway.
Jack Gallagher does a lot of fooling around in his wrestling, it seems. Yes, he’s a “gentleman”, so maybe he’s supposed to. But at the same time, it grows a bit old after a while. He’s almost like an anti-Neville; he takes a while to get things done and is the ultimate English babyface. But sure enough, he got to work eventually, and started to take out Bate’s arm. Some of those holds looked downright nasty, but Bate quickly countered. Man, these guys work oh, so well together. However, it seemed that the yellow brand crowd wasn’t exactly into this one. They seemed dead for a while, until the finish came along. Said finish was a back and forth sequence ending in an incredible Tyler Driver ’97. Once again, the 19-year-old Englishman Tyler Bate reigned supreme. Aside from a cold crowd at Full Sail, this bout was great.
Segment Grade: A
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.
Tonight, we saw a picture of chaos in the form of Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross. They’ll be fighting again next week. Additionally, we watched Drew McIntyre smack around Andrade Almas for a while. After that, Kona Reeves got destroyed by Aleister Black. And finally, Tyler Bate took down Jack Gallagher to retain his WWE United Kingdom Championship. Overall, this show’s final grade is a B+.
