WWE NXT Review 11.02.16: Scott Dawson Injured

Location: Various Arenas

Previously on NXT….

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to this week’s review as WWE NXT delivers every match of the second round in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.  The presentation is shaken up a bit this week as the matches airing were pre-recorded from live events over the last week during the NXT California tour.

Roderick Wrestles Alone

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Match #1: Roderick Strong vs Shane Thorne

Winners: Shane Thorne (pin fall via small package)

Before the Match: Austin Aries comes out not dressed to compete.  He addresses the injury that he received during a previous Shinsuke Nakamura match. Then, he proposes the idea that TM61 just forfeit the match since he can’t compete.  General Manager William Regal then comes out stating that instead, Roderick Strong faces Shane Thorne one-on-one to decide which team advances.

There’s decent back and forth in this match including a very high altitude dropkick from Thorne.  Thorne takes control early, but then Strong catches his opponent mid-air. He shows the NXT Universe why he is known as the “Messiah of the Backbreaker.”  Strong sets up a Superplex, but Thorne is able to reverse it into a double stomp, while Roderick lays in the tree of woe position.  Thorne delivers a Last Ride Powerbomb to put away Strong, but Aries interferes allowing Strong to make the comeback. However, a quick small package allows TM61 to pick up the win and advance.

Not the match we hoped to see, but there was still good wrestling involved. GOOD (*** 1/4*)

Match #2: #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa vs The Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson)

Winner: #DIY (forfeit)

Before the Match: Scott Dawson appears on stage with crutches and states that he is injured with a possible ACL/MCL/meniscus tear. Due to “doctor’s orders” The Revival must pull out of the tournament. 

Unfortunately we don’t get to see a one-on-match as we did during the opener.  Where were you this time Regal?  There is no match and #DIY advance to the semi-finals. 

Later, Backstage: #DIY displays their disappointment in The Revival. Then state that after they win the Dusty Rhodes Classic, they look forward to challenging the NXT Tag Team Champions. 

The Last Chapter

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Match #3: Authors of Pain w/Paul Ellering (Akam & Rezar) vs Rich Swann & No Way Jose

Winner: Authors of Pain (pin fall after Last Chapter)

Finally, we get a true tag team match for Round 2.  No Way Jose and Rich Swann use their speed and agility to out maneuver the big men early in the match. This forces Rezar to the outside.  Swann makes a leap from the corner only to get caught by both Rezar and Akam. However, No Way Jose quickly launches himself as well and lands atop all three that leads to a commercial break.

When we return Rezar is in control and does well to isolate his team’s half of the squared circle.  Some classic heel tactics on display as Paul Ellering gets involved with a choke at ringside when the referee isn’t looking.  After escaping from a Canadian Backbreaker, Swann makes the hot tag to Jose, who comes in with right hands a blazing! Jose then shows off his strength with the TKO but only gets a 2 count.  After a blind tag to Akam, the Authors of Pain dish out the Last Chapter double team maneuver to finish the match. VERY GOOD (*** and 1/2 *)

 

Mickie is ready to TakeOver

Between matches there’s a vignette of Mickie James previous run in WWE mixed with her promo from last week.  She talks about how she’s never been called NXT Women’s Champion and looks to take the title from Asuka in Toronto.

In another promo, it’s announced that #DIY will face off against The Authors of Pain next week.

Final Dusty Rhodes Classic Second Round Match

Match #4: Kota Ibushi & T.J. Perkins vs. SAnitY (Alexander Wolfe & Sawyer Fulton)

Winners: SAnitY (Oklahoma Slam/DDT double team.)

Although Kota Ibushi and T.J. Perkins are the veterans in this match. The best part is every man is given the chance to look great.  Alexander Wolfe’s ability to sell the devastation of Ibushi’s kicks and Perkins’ speed make this match very entertaining.  Both Wolfe and Sawyer Fulton find themselves victims of Perkin’s kneebar early. However, each man interferes to break up the submission before any damage can be done.  Despite the frightening aura of their opponents, Perkins and Ibushi control the majority of this match with hard strikes and high flying action. But, that is soon to be revealed as their downfall as Perkins is caught mid-air and slammed onto the apron.

Once Wolfe takes control of the momentum, the bigger men slow the pace with working holds and hard slams.  On commentary, Corey Graves says, “nothing about 300lbs standing on your back feels good.” That’s the story during the middle of this match.  Once he reverses a second double team attempt, Perkins gets the hot tag to Ibushi who runs in with multiple kicks then impressively drops the much larger Wolfe with the Golden Star Powerbomb. Eric Young and Nikki Cross distract the referee allowing Fulton to break up the pin. He gets the tag and they finish Ibushi with an Oklahoma Slam/DDT double team. VERY GOOD (*** and 1/2*)

On to the Semi-Finals

Overall Thoughts: 6 out of 10  Unfortunately due to injuries, we missed out on two of the tag team matches that should have happened. That being said, there was still three quality matches tonight. This was a short and sweet episode that might not have been the best. But it still meant something as we head closer to the finals in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Next week, the semi-finals begin with the following matches in-place:

TM61 vs SAnitY

Authors of Pain vs #DIY

Farewell for Now

That’s all she wrote for this week folks.  What else is on deck for next week?  Will Billie Kay and Peyton Royce continue to run roughshod over the women’s division?  Will Tye Dillinger get retribution after Bobby Roode’s attack last week?  And what can we expect from the Shinsuke Nakamura and Samoa Joe contract signing?  Tune in next week!  Mr. Howkstanding OUT!