By Jason Powell
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NXT on WWE Network
Taped June 9 in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University
The NXT opening aired and then a video recapped last week’s Shinsuke Nakamura and Finn Balor angle…
1. Tye Dillinger vs. Oney Lorcan. Morgan scored an early takedown and mocked Dillinger’s “10” gimmick. Lorcan scored the early offense. Dillinger regained control and made the mistake of looking to the crowd only to have that be the turning point in his latest loss…
Oney Lorcan defeated Tye Dillinger.
Powell’s POV: Lorcan is the artist formerly known as Biff Busick. The broadcast team played up the idea that Dillinger is one key win away from becoming a star. The loss was definitely more about Dillinger than it was about Lorcan winning. By the way, Zack Zimmerman has the night off because he is in Orlando for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic taping on Thursday and the NXT TV taping that will be held on Friday night. Keep an eye out for his review of both tapings.
Backstage, Austin Aries was interviewed and said Muhammad Ali didn’t win every fight. He said Shinsuke Nakamura was the better man at Takeover. No Way Jose crashed the set and told Aries that he could learn how to be positive from him. He said that when life tells you no, you say no way…
Bayley was shown outside the building talking about how she will return to the ring tonight. Phillips noted that she’s been sidelined for a month due to an injury caused by Nia Jax…
2. No Way Jose vs. Josh Woods. Phillips noted that Jose was unbeaten, and he noted that Woods had an MMA background. Jose dominated the match and got the clean win with his version of the urinage.
No Way Jose beat Josh Woods in 2:00.
After the match, Austin Aries came and and spoke to Jose as he walked to the ring and eventually joined him in the ring. Aries said you’re not defined by victories but rather by your defeats in the pro wrestling industry. He spoke about being defeated by Nakamura. He brought up Jose telling him he could learn something from him. Aries admitted that he questioned what he could learn from Jose.
Aries said he realized that NXT is about having fun. Aries thanked Jose for reminding him of that, who he really is, and who he needs to be. Aries offered Jose his hand, and Jose shook it. Aries went to leave the ring, but Jose stopped him and tried to get him to dance. Aries was reluctant, but gave in and danced with Jose and on the ring and then up to the ramp.
Aries stopped Jose on the ramp and pointed at the broadcast table. They climbed onto the table and danced, then Aries suddenly struck Jose with a forearm shot. Aries smiled and then roughed up Jose on the floor. There was an Austin Aries chant and some “sucks” chants afterward. Aries applied the Last Chancery on Jose on the ramp as referees barked at him. Aries jawed at the crowd and then headed backstage while the broadcast team said the loss to Nakamura caused something to snap…
Powell’s POV: A good angle. I’m sure most viewers assumed that Aries was going to turn on Jose from the start. I loved the way the dragged out the dancing long enough to make it seem like that was the focus of the angle and only then had Aries attack Jose.
Footage aired from earlier in the day of William Regal speaking with Shinsuke Nakamura. Regal announced Finn Balor vs. Nakamura for TV in three weeks. Buddy Murphy crashed the scene and complained about Regal ignoring his requests. Nakamura spoke and then Regal told Murphy to be careful what he wished for…
The broadcast team hyped a looked at the NXT Women’s match from Takeover, and Bayley’s return to the ring… [C] The broadcast team recapped the previous angle…
3. Bayley vs. Deonna Purrazzo. Bayley won clean with the Bayley-to-Belly suplex…
Bayley defeated Deonna Purrazzo in 2:45.
Powell’s POV: Why is Bayley still in NXT? Honestly, it’s absurd that they haven’t figured out a role for a character that should have printed money on the main roster at least a year ago. And before anyone says they are trying to find the right time, remember that this is a character that she could age out of.
Backstage, Carmella was being interviewed and speaking aobut her desired to be the face of the division when Alexa Bliss showed up and they bickered with one another… Phillips hyped Nakamura vs. Murphy…
A Samoa Joe video package aired… Graves raved about Joe and his win over Finn Balor… Footage aired of Asuka vs. Nia Jax from Takeover. The video included footage of Asuka preparing for the match and reluctantly shaking hands with Bayley beforehand, as well as the actual match… Nia made her entrance for a match…
Powell’s POV: A good video package, yet I’m not sure whether it was necessary. How many NXT viewers don’t watch the live specials?
4. Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan. Jax jumped out to the quick start. Graves said it was similar to the way she stepped up her game after losing to Bayley. Morgan had a hope spot, but Jax powerbombed her and pinned her clean…
Nia Jax pinned Live Morgan in 2:15.
Graves hyped the Nakamura vs. Murphy main event…
Powell’s POV: A bounce back match for Jax following her loss to Asuka.
Carmella vs. Alexa Bliss was hyped for next week… Ring entrances for the main event took place…
5. Shinsuka Nakamura vs. Buddy Murphy. The broadcast team spoke about the Blake and Murphy issues and noted that Wesley Blake was not in the building. Graves said Murphy’s favorite NBA and NHL teams lost in their respective finals and now he has to face the King of Strong Style. Nakamura controlled the early offense. He ducked a couple of quick punches and remained in control.
Murphy came back, but Nakamura no-sold some of his forearm strikes. Nakamura regained offensive control and threw a great series of kicks. Nakamura finished off Murphy with a Kinshasa kick for the win. Phillips closed the show by hyping the Nakamura vs. Finn Balor as a dream match…
Shinsuke Nakamura beat Buddy Murphy in 5:10.
Powell’s POV: Nakamura domination in front of an appreciative live crowd. Why is Nakamura in NXT and not a huge star on the main roster? He won’t age out of his gimmick like Bayley, but he is 36 years old and WWE should want every moment they can get from him on the main roster. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about Balor vs. Nakamura too, but I fear that it will lead to Nakamura becoming the face of NXT and having an even longer stay. I dig NXT, but this is a business and Bayley and Nakamura will make more money for this company on the main roster. Anyway, a good hour of NXT with a nice Aries turn and some nice spotlight matches.
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