WWE NXT 4/20/2021
Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/wwe-nxt-4132021.html
NXT has a new intro and it sucks.
Kyle O'Reilly came out. They are pushing a new character with him with "Cool Kyle". He looks very goofy with large sunglasses, a hat and a jean jacket and isn't sure on his next move but then brings up Karrion Kross and his title. Cameron Grimes then comes out.
Grimes said he made a bunch of money betting on Kyle to beat Cole at Takeover. He said if he watched his back and invested in him, they could be successful. Kyle seems to agree and says he is cleared to compete. He says he is looking for his opponent tonight and says it isn't Grimes. Then he puts on his glasses and says Grimes actually is his opponent and decks him.
Sarray with Simon Inoki is greeted by Regal in the parking lot. Zoey Stark comes out and wants a match with Sarray tonight. Sarray accepts and the match is set. Man, let this girl get comfortable first, jeez.
LA Knight does a promo. He said he was ganged up on in the North American gauntlet eliminator a few weeks ago and said he will take out Lumis while he stares at him goofy eyed.
They show clips from last week of Indi Hartwell trying to get Lumis' attention then throwing out Theory. We then see her giving herself up to be taken away by Lumis. I didn't see this as that match devolved into intergender crap which I wanted to no part of.
Dexter Lumis vs LA Knight
Lumis lariats Knight early and takes a kick to the shoulder. Knight talks trash but is put in the silencer and runs out. Knight slingshots in with a shoulder but Lumis comes in with a high back body drop. Lumis backs up Knight and he ends up crotching himself, getting stuck and then hit with an uppercut. Knight then hits a jumping neckbreaker.
We do a picture-in-picture break with Knight in control and when we return, Lumis spinebusters him. Lumis hits more punches then bulldogs him. Lumis jumping legdrops him then slingshot suplexes him.
Knight goes outside and pulls Lumis into the barricades, then runs his back into the apron. Lumis discoveres Indi on the outside and she trips but they stare at each other. Knight then blindsides Lumis. Knight flirts with her but Lumis dives on her. Lumis continues to stare at Indi and is caught with a cutter as he enters back in the ring and loses.
The announcers pushed this as Lumis losing due to being distracted and it seems like part of this story will be if Indi is intentionally costing Lumis matches or not. Indi enters the ring after and stares at Lumis. The crowd chants for them to kiss and Indi tries to but is pulled out by the way. Austin Theory then drags her off. The match was fine and all but I really do like this angle and want to see where it is going. They have been building to it for a while.
Leon Ruff does a promo on Isaiah "Swerve" Scott. He said he enjoyed beating up Swerve and said it's Swerve's move now.
Io Shirai is getting ready for an interview.
Io is interviewed by Beth Phoenix. She said winning the NXT Women's title was the best night of her life. Io said it hurt being powerbombed by Raquel. She said Raquel was her biggest challenge and will get her rematch in the future. She said she wants to take a rest. Franky Monet's dog then interrupts. She congratulations Io on her title reign and said she watched Beth since she is a kid. Io mentioned she would take time off and Franky said she will take her place while she is gone. Io goes off in Japanese and said she likes cats.
Breezango vs The Grizzled Young Veterans
Breezango is dressed up as British queen's guards and come out to Rule Britanna. The Grizzled Young Vets are not pleased and said the fun and games will get them nowhere. They said they hope MSK are taking notes as they will be the next NXT champs soon.
The Vets are lariated over the top to start. Gibson gets the early advantage on breeze but Breeze hurricanrana's him and punches him. Gibson is thrown into the corner but Drake saves him from hitting the buckle. Gibson gets thrown outside and Fandango flip dives onto him and Drake at the same time.
We go to break and return with Drake jumping off the top and landing on his leg, then apparently being in pain. Gibson thumbs Fandango in the eye and Drake capitalizes on it. Fandango gets beat up for a bit and tags out to Breeze. Breeze gets a little offense in but takes a ticket to mayhem for the GYV win. This wasn't anything too special.
Indi Hartwell gets interviewed and The Way comes in and stops it. Bronson Reed then comes in. He says Lumis would be a good addition to the Gargano family and says he wants Johnny's North American title. Johnny tells him to get to the back of the line and Theory gets in Reed's face. He calls Johnny "Papa John" and said the only way he gets a title shot is if he beats Theory, according to Regal. This was a confusing segment. I guess Theory was being an idiot here? But why does beating Theory make you worthy of a title shot? The announcers put it over as Theory being an idiot, so I guess we will go with that.
Cameron Grimes is interviewed. He says Kyle is no good and will end up back in the hospital. He read a letter over an NFT he tried to buy, where he was declined for it. For those who don't know, an NFT is a virtual image. These things are exclusive to the person who owns it and some people are putting out big bucks for them. It seems pretty stupid to me, but a fool and his money will soon part ways.
It is revealed that Ted Dibiase outbid Grimes for the NFT he was trying to buy and he flips out on him for it. This made sense as it seems like something Grimes would do and he has been trying to start something with Ted Dibiase for a while now.
Zoey Stark vs Sarray
Sarray has to win here. Beth Phoenix talks about joshi and name drops Aja Kong and Manami Toyota. Sarray bridges out of a pin attempt then dropkicks her. She then double stomps her back. Sarray then indian deathlocks her but Zoey hits the ropes. Zoey comes back with a sliding lariat for 2.
Sarray and Zoey trade forearms and Sarray forearm flurries her. Sarray hits a big chest dropkick then dropkicks her against the ropes, but doesn't go through the ropes like usual. Sarray fisherman suplexes her for 2. Zoey super kicks her then half and half suplexes her.
Zoey misses a 450 and is rolled up for 2. She hits another super kick then Sarrya comes back with a spin kick and exploders her for the win. I like Sarray but she didn't get as much offense as she should have here and I'm not sure that Zoey was the right opponent for her. It was a good match and Zoey's best showing so far, but they could have given Sarray more. I don't think Sarray is going to be an instant hit and I think she's going to be a long term project.
Toni Storm attacks Zoey on the outside, throwing her into the barricade. Sarray checks on her.
Raquel Gonzalez was interviewed with Dakota Kai. She said she is going to prove she is a better champ than Io. Kai said they beat Io so bad that now she has to take a vacation. RG said she will take on anyone and beat them.
Indi and LaRae are talking in the back. Lumis appears from behind a glass door and as LaRae walks, Indi goes to the door with Lumis in it. LaRae goes up to Shotzi and Ember and says she has their tag titles. LaRae expects Indi behind her and LaRae sees there is nobody there. LaRae knocks a drink into Ember's face and is pulled behind a door and is seemingly beaten up.
They talk about Kushida's title win. They show us the Japanese commentary for it, some articles in Japanese on it and Steve Corino puts him over, looking like a mess.
NXT Cruiserweight Title - Kushida vs Oney Lorcan
Kushida said since he won the title in an open challenge, he is offering an open challenge up here. Oney Lorcan comes out.
Kushida puts a bow and arrow on Oney early, but Oney escapes. Kushida armbars Oney and Oney hits the ropes. Oney sits on the top rope and is enzugiri'd off to the floor.
We go to break and return. Kushida hits some kicks and takes a euro uppercut after a handspring into the ropes. Kushida punch combos him in the corner then diving knees his arm from the top. Oney does a messy running blockbuster and they trade shots. Kushida hiptosses him into a dropkick then Kushida punches him.
Kushida then puts an armbar on and wins it. This felt kind of short and the break hurt this match.
Santos Escobar's music hits then LdF jumps Kushida. They beat him on the table but MSK comes to make the save and clears off LdF.
NXT has a new intro and it sucks.
Kyle O'Reilly came out. They are pushing a new character with him with "Cool Kyle". He looks very goofy with large sunglasses, a hat and a jean jacket and isn't sure on his next move but then brings up Karrion Kross and his title. Cameron Grimes then comes out.
Grimes said he made a bunch of money betting on Kyle to beat Cole at Takeover. He said if he watched his back and invested in him, they could be successful. Kyle seems to agree and says he is cleared to compete. He says he is looking for his opponent tonight and says it isn't Grimes. Then he puts on his glasses and says Grimes actually is his opponent and decks him.
Sarray with Simon Inoki is greeted by Regal in the parking lot. Zoey Stark comes out and wants a match with Sarray tonight. Sarray accepts and the match is set. Man, let this girl get comfortable first, jeez.
LA Knight does a promo. He said he was ganged up on in the North American gauntlet eliminator a few weeks ago and said he will take out Lumis while he stares at him goofy eyed.
They show clips from last week of Indi Hartwell trying to get Lumis' attention then throwing out Theory. We then see her giving herself up to be taken away by Lumis. I didn't see this as that match devolved into intergender crap which I wanted to no part of.
Dexter Lumis vs LA Knight
Lumis lariats Knight early and takes a kick to the shoulder. Knight talks trash but is put in the silencer and runs out. Knight slingshots in with a shoulder but Lumis comes in with a high back body drop. Lumis backs up Knight and he ends up crotching himself, getting stuck and then hit with an uppercut. Knight then hits a jumping neckbreaker.
We do a picture-in-picture break with Knight in control and when we return, Lumis spinebusters him. Lumis hits more punches then bulldogs him. Lumis jumping legdrops him then slingshot suplexes him.
Knight goes outside and pulls Lumis into the barricades, then runs his back into the apron. Lumis discoveres Indi on the outside and she trips but they stare at each other. Knight then blindsides Lumis. Knight flirts with her but Lumis dives on her. Lumis continues to stare at Indi and is caught with a cutter as he enters back in the ring and loses.
The announcers pushed this as Lumis losing due to being distracted and it seems like part of this story will be if Indi is intentionally costing Lumis matches or not. Indi enters the ring after and stares at Lumis. The crowd chants for them to kiss and Indi tries to but is pulled out by the way. Austin Theory then drags her off. The match was fine and all but I really do like this angle and want to see where it is going. They have been building to it for a while.
Leon Ruff does a promo on Isaiah "Swerve" Scott. He said he enjoyed beating up Swerve and said it's Swerve's move now.
Io Shirai is getting ready for an interview.
Io is interviewed by Beth Phoenix. She said winning the NXT Women's title was the best night of her life. Io said it hurt being powerbombed by Raquel. She said Raquel was her biggest challenge and will get her rematch in the future. She said she wants to take a rest. Franky Monet's dog then interrupts. She congratulations Io on her title reign and said she watched Beth since she is a kid. Io mentioned she would take time off and Franky said she will take her place while she is gone. Io goes off in Japanese and said she likes cats.
Breezango vs The Grizzled Young Veterans
Breezango is dressed up as British queen's guards and come out to Rule Britanna. The Grizzled Young Vets are not pleased and said the fun and games will get them nowhere. They said they hope MSK are taking notes as they will be the next NXT champs soon.
The Vets are lariated over the top to start. Gibson gets the early advantage on breeze but Breeze hurricanrana's him and punches him. Gibson is thrown into the corner but Drake saves him from hitting the buckle. Gibson gets thrown outside and Fandango flip dives onto him and Drake at the same time.
We go to break and return with Drake jumping off the top and landing on his leg, then apparently being in pain. Gibson thumbs Fandango in the eye and Drake capitalizes on it. Fandango gets beat up for a bit and tags out to Breeze. Breeze gets a little offense in but takes a ticket to mayhem for the GYV win. This wasn't anything too special.
Indi Hartwell gets interviewed and The Way comes in and stops it. Bronson Reed then comes in. He says Lumis would be a good addition to the Gargano family and says he wants Johnny's North American title. Johnny tells him to get to the back of the line and Theory gets in Reed's face. He calls Johnny "Papa John" and said the only way he gets a title shot is if he beats Theory, according to Regal. This was a confusing segment. I guess Theory was being an idiot here? But why does beating Theory make you worthy of a title shot? The announcers put it over as Theory being an idiot, so I guess we will go with that.
Cameron Grimes is interviewed. He says Kyle is no good and will end up back in the hospital. He read a letter over an NFT he tried to buy, where he was declined for it. For those who don't know, an NFT is a virtual image. These things are exclusive to the person who owns it and some people are putting out big bucks for them. It seems pretty stupid to me, but a fool and his money will soon part ways.
It is revealed that Ted Dibiase outbid Grimes for the NFT he was trying to buy and he flips out on him for it. This made sense as it seems like something Grimes would do and he has been trying to start something with Ted Dibiase for a while now.
Zoey Stark vs Sarray
Sarray has to win here. Beth Phoenix talks about joshi and name drops Aja Kong and Manami Toyota. Sarray bridges out of a pin attempt then dropkicks her. She then double stomps her back. Sarray then indian deathlocks her but Zoey hits the ropes. Zoey comes back with a sliding lariat for 2.
Sarray and Zoey trade forearms and Sarray forearm flurries her. Sarray hits a big chest dropkick then dropkicks her against the ropes, but doesn't go through the ropes like usual. Sarray fisherman suplexes her for 2. Zoey super kicks her then half and half suplexes her.
Zoey misses a 450 and is rolled up for 2. She hits another super kick then Sarrya comes back with a spin kick and exploders her for the win. I like Sarray but she didn't get as much offense as she should have here and I'm not sure that Zoey was the right opponent for her. It was a good match and Zoey's best showing so far, but they could have given Sarray more. I don't think Sarray is going to be an instant hit and I think she's going to be a long term project.
Toni Storm attacks Zoey on the outside, throwing her into the barricade. Sarray checks on her.
Raquel Gonzalez was interviewed with Dakota Kai. She said she is going to prove she is a better champ than Io. Kai said they beat Io so bad that now she has to take a vacation. RG said she will take on anyone and beat them.
Indi and LaRae are talking in the back. Lumis appears from behind a glass door and as LaRae walks, Indi goes to the door with Lumis in it. LaRae goes up to Shotzi and Ember and says she has their tag titles. LaRae expects Indi behind her and LaRae sees there is nobody there. LaRae knocks a drink into Ember's face and is pulled behind a door and is seemingly beaten up.
They talk about Kushida's title win. They show us the Japanese commentary for it, some articles in Japanese on it and Steve Corino puts him over, looking like a mess.
NXT Cruiserweight Title - Kushida vs Oney Lorcan
Kushida said since he won the title in an open challenge, he is offering an open challenge up here. Oney Lorcan comes out.
Kushida puts a bow and arrow on Oney early, but Oney escapes. Kushida armbars Oney and Oney hits the ropes. Oney sits on the top rope and is enzugiri'd off to the floor.
We go to break and return. Kushida hits some kicks and takes a euro uppercut after a handspring into the ropes. Kushida punch combos him in the corner then diving knees his arm from the top. Oney does a messy running blockbuster and they trade shots. Kushida hiptosses him into a dropkick then Kushida punches him.
Kushida then puts an armbar on and wins it. This felt kind of short and the break hurt this match.
Santos Escobar's music hits then LdF jumps Kushida. They beat him on the table but MSK comes to make the save and clears off LdF.
Mercedes Martinez does a promo. She says Raquel Gonzalez is ducking her and hasn't answered her challenge. She said RG is Kai's lap dog and said she would take out Kai so that wouldn't be an issue anymore.
The Way meets up in the back. Johnny wants to know how Theory set up this match with Reed. LaRae comes to the back and is battered and beaten and Indi says she saw Lumis. Indi says she saw Regal and they are giving LaRae and Indi a tag title match. The Way leaves minus LaRae, who is left sitting there.
Ever-Rise vs Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel)
Imperium does an inset promo. They said they will continue to expand their message and power.
Aichner backdrops Martel early then Parker comes in. Parker tries to crossbody him but takes a fallaway slam. Parker gets stuck over the middle rope and takes double dropkicks. Killian Dain comes out and argues with Wolfe. Parker almost gets the pin on Aichner. Drake Maverick comes out to go after Wolfe and Dain takes him to the back.
Imperium hits a twisting uppercut + powerbomb combo to win in a quick squash.
The Way meets up in the back. Johnny wants to know how Theory set up this match with Reed. LaRae comes to the back and is battered and beaten and Indi says she saw Lumis. Indi says she saw Regal and they are giving LaRae and Indi a tag title match. The Way leaves minus LaRae, who is left sitting there.
Ever-Rise vs Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel)
Imperium does an inset promo. They said they will continue to expand their message and power.
Aichner backdrops Martel early then Parker comes in. Parker tries to crossbody him but takes a fallaway slam. Parker gets stuck over the middle rope and takes double dropkicks. Killian Dain comes out and argues with Wolfe. Parker almost gets the pin on Aichner. Drake Maverick comes out to go after Wolfe and Dain takes him to the back.
Imperium hits a twisting uppercut + powerbomb combo to win in a quick squash.
Kyle O'Reilly runs into Karrion Kross and Scarlett near the ramp. He stares them down.
Next week has Kai vs Mercedez and Theory vs Reed, where Reed gets a future title shot if he wins. Kushida and MSK vs LdF is also set.
Kyle O'Reilly vs Cameron Grimes
Kyle has new blue camo trunks. They go to the mat early with Kyle in control. Grimes shoulders him down but is tripped right after. Kyle slaps him across the face then hammerlock ddt's him. Grimes goes for a sunset flip but is armbarred and hits the ropes.
Grimes does Ricochet's moonsault into a german and Kyle sells his neck as he rolls outside. Grimes maintains control over the break and we return to him putting Kyle in a neck crank. Kyle fights out but gets lariated. Grimes puts his knee in Kyle's back and pulls back with a facelock. Kyle then running knee's him.
Kyle hits a strike combo and leg sweeps him. Kyle backdrops him into a heel hook but Grimes hits the ropes. Kyle hits a knee then Grimes does a spinning sitout side slam for 2. They trade strikes then Grimes standing spanish fly slams Kyle as he comes off the ropes. Grimes hits a superkick but Kyle rebounds off the ropes and lariats him. Kyle then brainbusters him and hits a top rope knee drop for the win. Not a bad back and forth match here. They worked pretty well together but I would have liked to have seen Grimes work the neck more.
Overall thoughts: Not a bad show with some decent wrestling but the show still kind of has a boring feel to it that needs fixed. They really do have to get more characters on this show and I don't think "Cool Kyle" is one of them.
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