The NXT Report Card (3/28/18): “The Formula for Success”
With TakeOver: New Orleans under two weeks away, can NXT continue the momentum built up on last week’s stacked episode?
Last week, NXT stepped up in a big way and put together an action-packed hour that in many ways, ticked all the boxes. Now with just two more episodes to go before New Orleans, they’ll look to keep that momentum going as this card truly takes shape. Other than the women’s title match, I don’t think anything else has really gotten enough focus but luckily, there’s still some time to change my perception on that. The question is can they do exactly that? Well, let’s head to Full Sail and find out.
DISCLAIMER: any wild predictions I make that you disagree with will likely be proven completely wrong in the coming weeks, months and years anyway so don’t worry too much. Basically, take everything you read from this point forward with a grain of salt as its credibility is preposterously low.
We begin this week’s episode with footage of Tommaso Ciampa arriving at Full Sail. He ignored our random reporter’s questions and confronted Lord Steven Regal. He blamed Regal for Gargano’s actions but Steven instead announced that at TakeOver: New Orleans, Johnny and Ciampa will face each other in an unsanctioned match. He then made a DIY reference because he’s English and us English people are very smart.
EC3 arrives in NXT
Speaking of that heroic man, Lord Steven then made his way to the ring and welcomed the live audience. He announces that at TakeOver: New Orleans, we’ll see the first ever NXT North-American Champion crowned. Then, the words “I am in the top one percent” sounded and I assumed my computer had broken. Instead it was EC3, and goodness gracious was he looking smart. He apparently is a flagrant liar also though, and told Mauro Ranallo that his name stood for the formula for success. Whatever pal.
Either way, he basked in the glory and highlighted his confidence on the mic immediately. This crowd was very excited and EC3 was too, thanking Regal for awarding him with the NXT North-American title. He then lied again and called it the greatest region on earth but was cutting a strong promo so I’ll let him be. Regal then informed EC3 that he’d not be handed the belt but instead, he’d have to earn it as “no one is handed anything in NXT.” He then handed EC3 a title shot by putting him in a ladder match with 5 other men.
This is very main roster and not in-line with the 1981 NWA presentation that I most enjoy from NXT but nonetheless, I’ll embrace this ladder-fuelled chaos. On a serious note, this belt should help NXT’s overloaded roster a little and moreover, EC3 came across like an absolute star here.
Grade: A
Todd Pettingill is back again now to run us through the Dusty Rhodes Classic and after that, we got some brutal TM61 strategy talk. We were then saved from this awfulness when Shayna Baszler and Ember Moon began to brawl in the Performance Centre. This excited the camera man quite a bit and me too, honestly this feud has been very well done and it’s smoothly established both women in their opposing roles. Good stuff.
The Street Profits
Our first Dusty Rhodes Classic semi-final is up now as The Street Profits take on The Authors of Pain. Montez was all fired up until Rezar began to shout back in his face, he then immediately tagged out. Rezar then battered Dawkins briefly before Angelo turned things around with a big dropkick and a flurry of offense that floored both Akam and Rezar. This made Ford very happy and he grabbed his cup before dancing around at ringside. That brought him face to face with Precious Paul Ellering.
Ford asked Ellering to take a sip but Paul refused, knocking the cup to the ground. This angered Montez who was now distracted, allowing AOP to hit The Last Chapter on Dawkins for the win. I don’t know if Ford is injured or something but this wasn't ideal. It made Ford look more dumb than cool or endearing and created a very underwhelming semi-final clash. I always enjoy this team’s presentation and energy but clearly, there was a limit on how good they could look coming out of this particular match.
Grade: B-
Authors of Pain
I’ve pretty much said everything I can about this match as there was hardly any actual work involved but I’ll add this, I don’t love the way this represented AOP either. They are supposedly desperate to reclaim this trophy yet here they are, winning by distraction. It wasn't like they clearly needed Ellering’s help but that spot did come after Dawkins laid both out which created a less than optimal lasting impression. I’m nit-picking though, they always look cool regardless.
Grade: B-
That match’s end brought Charl…Todd’s return as we got an explanation of tournament brackets and how they work.
Lord Steven was back again now and he was very happy to see Cathy Kelley. He announces Adam Cole for the North-American title ladder match and that brought the arrival of The Velveteen Dream. Regal listened to his case and then announced him as the match’s 3rd participant. Dream is tremendous by the way, don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned that.
Lars Sullivan
My goodness, Lars is back as promised and he’s got a tremendous silhouette entrance too. His opponent here is John Silver and he immediately threw him onto his face before unleashing some huge elbows. He then launched Silver into the turnbuckle before squashing him in the corner. He also hit an incredible power-slam out of the military press and went up top for a big diving headbutt. The Freak Accident followed, giving Lars the win.
This is the most violent Sullivan has ever come across I think, a perfect return.
Grade: A*
Cathy is back again and so is Lord Steven…they seemingly just follow each other around the building at this point. Either way, Lars then arrived and Regal added him to the ladder match gimmick. He then got very excited and began speaking in a way that made me chuckle. Either way, Regal accepted his request and booked Lars vs. fellow North-American title contender Killian Dain.
THAT’S WHAT YOU GET ALEISTER BLACK
Dakota Kai is here and that’s fun but oh my, forget that because King Almas is battering Aleister Black in the parking lot. He even dunked Black’s head in water before dragging him to ringside. Normally I’d be upset to not see Kai wrestle but in this case, Cien content takes precedent…over literally everything. Almas reigned supreme here, as he should, and that’s always a good thing.
Grade: A* (mandatory)
Sanity
Main event time now and it’s our 2nd Dusty Rhodes Classic semi-final, as Sanity takes on the duo of Roddy Strong and Pete Dunne. Cold wrestling got us started with all four men squaring off on two separate occasions. Sanity then soon took control, using double team offense early. They continued to work Dunne over briefly too before a big forearm turned the tide and Strong came in to unleash some chops on EY.
Young was then controlled for a portion before turning things around, powering out of a double wrist-lock with a big suplex. That brought in Alexander Wolfe for a relatively mild back and forth sequence but Wolfe’s German suplex had a ton more physicality to it and so did the follow-up Death Valley Driver. A big double team maneuver came next but Dunne broke up the pin, and floored the leaping Wolfe with a big forearm.
Young then removed Dunne and hit his big elbow drop on Strong for 2. Roddy then rallied and after Wolfe was taken out, Young was pinned by a double team maneuver. Sanity looked fine here but this whole match lacked energy for me and that was emphasized by the tired crowd. Decent but rather unremarkable.
Grade: B-
Roderick Strong & Pete Dunne
This match wasn't really a good example of what I sense this team is capable of but again, they looked solid here nonetheless. Their tandem offense, finisher included, wasn't exactly sublime but I suppose that’s to be expected, especially considering the circumstances. Regardless, they are obviously both tremendous wrestlers and that showed in spots throughout. Everything Strong does is particularly excellent and anytime he wrestles, I’m happy to be watching. We got End of Heartache too, so how much can I really complain?
We’ll see what this team delivers in different circumstances, I sense it’ll be quite spectacular.
Grade: B
Cathy is back again now (seriously) and she wants to find out the ladder match’s final participant. Regal says that she’s in luck as he’s just finalized the deal. Ricochet then emerged from behind Regal’s office door and he looked tremendous whilst informing Cathy that she’d see him at TakeOver!
I mean, I’m not sure that kind of personal interaction should even be making air and what it has to do with the ladder match I’ll never know. In all seriousness, Ricochet looked like a star here and is obviously a perfect fit for this match. Exciting news.
Final Thoughts
Sadly, I don’t think this show continued on last week’s path. It certainly started the right way though, with EC3’s tremendous debut being the show’s clear highlight. That said, both Dusty Classic matches underwhelmed me for different reasons and other than the tremendous Lars’ squash, there wasn't much else to see. TakeOver will almost certainly be excellent and the card looks great but I do wish the main event had been given a more substantial build. Their angle on this show felt rather bland to me. Overall, Solid progression nonetheless.
Grade: B
