NXT continues to prove its expert ability to make both the winner and the loser in any given match look strong. Though Shane Thorne’s match with Johnny Gargano didn’t have a lot of backstory, Johnny Wrestling made Thorne look like a star. We’ve mentioned the suddenly stacked group of NXT’s main eventers. But the brand needs to continue building new stars and they might be onto something with Thorne. We haven’t gotten a thorough preview of his personality yet but he’s already got two major elements of success, a great look and a solid in-ring skill set. He even fits in with other NXT fan-favorites (regardless of his moral alignment) because he has a whole arsenal of stiff kicks at his disposal. Yes, Thorne lost to Gargano on Wednesday. But based on his performance, Thorne will be one of NXT’s most intriguing up and coming stars.
Man, it was good to see Gargano back at Full Sail. He’s the heart and soul of NXT. There always seem to be rumors suggesting he’s bound for the main roster. Well, NXT is now officially the third branch of the main roster so, for now, he should be free to stay where he belongs. Gargano has faded into the background since his NXT TakeOver: Toronto loss to Adam Cole and a clean victory over Thorne makes you wonder what the future holds for Gargano. (With a loss, you’d think he and Thorne would have a rematch.) Eventually, NXT has to pick up Ciampa-Gargano story that elevated NXT to new heights. But Ciampa has his sights set on Cole’s title. Maybe Johnny Wrestling will elevate more young talents while the top of the card sorts itself out. If that’s the case, there’s no one more equipped for the job; Gargano can make anyone look like a million bucks.
The main event NXT Tag Team title match between the Undisputed Era was solid. But, if not for Ciampa’s return, the show would have ended on a flat note. That’s inherently the risk when you decide to open the night with the contest that would normally go on last. NXT’s top performers consistently put on fun matches. The latest bout between these two teams did just that. Montez Ford continues to shine and he oozes potential. The crowd really got behind Dawkins, too. And we already know Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly are a great team. But this match just repeated what we’ve already seen: the Undisputed Era once again retained their titles due to outside interference. A clean loss could have set up the Street Profits for a move to RAW. But an anticlimactic finish feels like a disservice for one of NXT’s best teams. Like Gargano, the Street Profits are in limbo and it’s unclear where they’re going.
Aside from a main event that failed to stand out from its predecessors (on the show and in the rivalry,) the most glaring flaw on NXT was the decision to feature split-screen commercials. Though the bout between Riddle and Cole wasn’t affected, commercials ate into most of the other contests. At times, it felt like we were watching a two-hour episode of commercials with limited NXT. Featuring standard advertisements would have been a more enjoyable viewing experience. But when that’s the show’s worst problem, they clearly produced a good episode.
Some people will focus on the ratings, which suggest AEW won this round. But let’s just appreciate that NXT, once again, showcased everything we love about it. Given the returns of two of the brand’s top former stars and the strong nucleus that’s been carrying it, the present and the future looks remarkably bright.
