Finn discussed who deserves to get rubbed by him or something, Karrion Kross returned and sonned Damian Priest, The Garganos were delightful, Toni Storm shortly turned into a Scooby-Doo character and Io & Boa still seem to be missing.
Tonight: Will Raquel continue dominating the women’s division on her way to a probable title shot? What’s next for Karrion Kross? Is someone finally gonna call the authorities so they can look for Xia & Boa? Or at least call Breezango? Will Kenny Omega & Don Callis show up?(no)
Already In PROGRESS (Wrestling)
We’re already in the process of starting the only match advertised this week involving Leon Ruff, Kushida and Johnny Gargano when the show begins. Already a step up from beginning with a promo parade last week.
There was a scary moment in the middle of the match where Leon missed a step when doing a senton from the turnbuckle and tripped and landed right on the ground, but he appears to be fine and is able to finish the match.
Leon & Kushida lose here and Damian appears to have moved on to the NXT Championship as well as Karrion Kross, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Johnny moves on to another challenger after this, but I hope they also have something for Leon too as he’s really grown on me. The guy is easy to cheer for.
POP: Teacher’s Pet
This match was shockingly competitive. I have to assume that NXT brass have plans for Tyler Rust because he’s a relative new-comer and he’s going toe to toe in a match with a former NXT Champion who’s also probably one of the most protected wrestlers on the roster. I was all ready to make jokes and crack wise like I always do, but the guy really impressed me. I guess those Thatch-As-Thatch Can classes really did something.
Now Rust didn’t win of course, which I have to say is because he didn’t take Malcolm Bivens up on his offer to manage him. Which is a stupid decision, come on Rust, what are you thinking?
To further the story along, Ciampa sets out a chair for Thatcher during his entrance, then in the middle of the match Thatcher inevitably shows up, gets accidentally kicked for his troubles and gets sent to the back and then after the match, comes out to yell at Ciampa some more.
According to Vic, Thatcher put Grimey out for 4-6 weeks so I’m pretty pissed off at him right now. How’s he supposed to go to the moon now?
Thankfully Bivens tha Gawd shows up during the commercial break to speak some sense into Rust.
This is like when Diddy met Mase. pic.twitter.com/3TMDMshNiJ
— Malcolm (@Malcolmvelli) December 17, 2020
POP: Happy Knee Years
This was a fucking battle, man. Dunne and Kyle straight up battered each other all over the ring. Anytime there’s a match between Pete Dunne and basically any member of the UE, it’s a guaranteed instant classic and that did not change here. You really felt that they were fighting for a chance at the NXT Championship and it really could’ve gone either way here.
Personally, I figured Pete was going to win because we’ve already had Kyle vs. Finn, but maybe they’re saving that for a TakeOver. I don’t mind Kyle taking the W here though, because we already know Finn and Kyle can put on a clinic. New Year’s Evil shouldn’t be any different.
I got kind of worried at the top of the match that there was going to be a bunch of overbooking with their respective teammates accompanying them to the ring, but the Kings were quickly attacked by the Not Best Friends, which lead to the UE joining in, and then a surprise return from Breezango which lead the fight heading to the back.
There was a kinda funny spot where Pete’s mouthguard fell out, so he reaches for it, and Kyle stomps on his hand, like he refuses to let him protect his teeth or something. But I digress, it was a 5 star match.
Finn follows up with what must’ve been a hastily filmed promo located in Purgatory where he points out that Kyle broke his jaw and yet he still won, which is a solid reason for him to not be worried.
???: Saw vs. The Grudge
This week on Xia & Boa Awesome Show Great Job!, Xia’s beating the crap out of Boa. That’s pretty much it. We get some more shots of the lady who’s doing this to them, but mostly the eyes.
I’m pretty close to just giving these segments a BOTCH because they really don’t make any sense and are stupid, and will probably lead to a match with Xia & Boa who don’t really do that much for me. I mean, I’m probably higher on Xia than most, but still.
Will no one call the authorities? Again, the commentators acknowledge the videos, why are they not asking who is sending them to be put on TV? What is this?
BOTCH: Shotzi Fired
Earlier, Shotzi was interviewed for the first time since losing at WarGames, and she’s still feeling confident and is bragging about breaking Candice’s arm. As far as she’s concerned, the beef between her and Candice isn’t over by a long shot (Which…I mean, shouldn’t it be? Shouldn’t WarGames be the finale to a feud? Where are you going to go from here?).
Shotzi vs. Indi as a match was kinda sloppy to be honest. It felt like there was some miscommunication here. There was a moment when Indi was very clearly just waiting for Shotzi to hit her with a kick, and when Shotzi went for a seated senton, Indi was clearly supposed to block, but her feet missed and she got hit, but then got up and kinda no selled it and proceeded to stomp Shotzi anyway, it was not a good look.
On top of that the finish was pretty wack and very main roster-ish as a person handed Indi Candice’s trophy, which she then proceeded to hit Shotzi with in full view of the ref causing a DQ. Then the Garganos just kinda awkwardly come into the ring and Candice hits her with Evil Stepsister and they all gloat.
I wasn’t feeling it. Also now they call themselves “The Way”, which is actually a pretty cool name so i’ll give them that.
Reedy, Willing and Gab-I Mean Able
Next week just got COLOSSAL!#WWENXT @bronsonreedwwe pic.twitter.com/0y5Xz8BzTV
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 17, 2020
Bronson Reed returns next week after what feels like forever, so there’s that to look forward to. He’s been a missed presence on this show. I feel like Damian and Killian are the only big guys around here (and I guess Karrion, but I’m pretty sure he’s just normal sized by WWE’s standards).
POP: Mostly For The Entrance, ngl
Speaking of Karrion, damn I cannot wait until the World is as close to normal as it can be again so I can see that entrance in a packed Full Sail. I really missed it.
The match did what it was supposed to: re-establish Karrion Kross as an imposing force in NXT (poor Desmond Troy). After making short work of Troy, Kross screams a challenge to Damian Priest for a match at New Year’s Evil. My reaction? That’s gonna slap.
Isaiah Serves Salt
In a backstage interview, Swerve’s being asked about why he didn’t shake Jake’s hand last week after their match and he just explains that he was frustrated about losing to Jake because he’s been here longer than him. So, he asked Regal for a rematch next week.
Also, the red and blue dreads are certainly a choice.
Immediately afterwards, Never-Rise piggyback off of Swerve’s interview (because how else would they get one) and proceed to explain to MacKenzie that they requested that their loss last week should be stricken from the record by WWE Corporate due to the unfairness of it “being a handicap match”.
No one tell Braun Strowman and Ryback that all their handicap matches didn’t count.
What scared me is when the Never-Riser with the headband yelled out “HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, GOLDBERG! WE’RE COMING FOR YOU!”. Please don’t do or say anything that could possibly cause Bill to show up on this show. Don’t even joke about that.
Look, Grimey’s gonna be out for a minute so I need some loud dork(s) to fill in on this show. I guess Never-Rise will do for now. “EVER-RISE RULES” admittedly made me laugh.
Someone Arted In Here
Dexter Lumis is luming over the CWC the entire night drawing a picture, and we find out that this is his way of letting us know that he will be the host of New Year’s Evil. He’s an interesting choice considering he doesn’t talk, but hey I do want to see how they get around that.
It’ll probably be goofy pictures.
POP: RockStar Wars
Ok, so NXT is finally acknowledging the blood feud that came out of two of the biggest stars to come out of NXT UK: Toni Storm and Rhea Ripley. First they have Toni do a recap of their beef from her POV and how she “sent Rhea to NXT” when she beat her for the NXT UK Women’s Championship and how Rhea uses fear to beat her opponents and claims that won’t work on her.
Rhea gets asked about both Raquel and Toni, and it’s clear she isn’t sweating either of them.
I’ve been waiting for these two to cross paths in the ring one on one ever since Toni popped over to NXT Stateside. These two have faced each other a bunch of times and they wrestled like they have to. They were both very familiar with each other and had counters to each other’s counters.
Even the small stuff like Rhea remembering to sell the headbutt by rubbing her head was great because a lot of people, even the best ones of this generation, forget to sell moves throughout the match.
Raquel shows up to interfere and tosses Rhea into the turnbuckles which helps Toni set up for a Storm Zero and get the win, so we also get a build up for Rhea vs. Raquel Part II.
Really good episode of NXT TV this week, with a damn good Main Event, and a lot of setting up for New Year’s Evil.
Don’t forget to check out all the other recaps & reviews on this site, share this article on all your sharables and if you also want to complain about Malcolm Bivens not being on the show every single week, join the SRP Discord.
Peace.
Next Week:
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Jake Atlas
A Very Gargano Christmas (can’t wait)
The biggest news coming out of last night..
Next Wednesday @WWENXT in conjunction with @USA_Network PROUDLY present..
A VERY GARGANO CHRISTMAS!🎄 🎅🤶🎁
(I've already asked how much money is in the budget for claymation) pic.twitter.com/yCqx7ot0SQ
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) December 17, 2020
