WWE NXT Review - April 26, 2017

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot Brawled

This was a refreshing change of pace from what we usually see open NXT (i.e. a match or a talking segment) and that's why I loved it. Cross already in the ring when the show started was a nice touch and the brawl she had with Riot was well done. It's great that there's a secondary feud in NXT's women's division that isn't over the title, not to mention that it's a logical next step following the feud between SAnitY and Tye Dillinger and company.

Drew McIntyre def. Andrade "Cien" Almas

McIntyre has fantastic fire for a face that makes all of his matches (or at least those he's had since leaving WWE the first time) so awesome, and I'm happy he's brought that with him to NXT. Meanwhile, although Almas doesn't have the best win-loss record, the guy is an excellent athlete and he had a solid showing here. It didn't live up to its full potential because of its brevity, but I enjoyed it while it lasted and it kept McIntyre's momentum rolling. As for Almas, it's cool that his recent string of losses are being explained in storyline with how he's too distracted with partying.

Aleister Black def. Kona Reeves

This went a little longer than Black's last bout on NXT, but it was a standard squash match all the same. However, that was all it needed to be with Black hitting his signature spots, including his badass finisher that never looks any less impressive. I'm not sure who his first feud will be with, but his last month in NXT has been a success in my opinion and I appreciate the different kind of character he brings to the table while also being exciting to watch in the ring.

Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross Went to a No Contest

I would have fine if they kept it at the brawl from earlier in the evening, but this was a great way to further their feud without giving away their first one-on-one match against each other. I feared they wouldn't wait until TakeOver: Chicago next month to do the matchup, but it appears at this point that they will. This was an even hotter brawl between the two that the audience was engaged in and it made me want to see them do battle that much more.

WWE United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate def. Jack Gallagher

Gallagher received a hero's welcome from the Full Sail University crowd when he made his entrance, which further proves my point that 205 Live would be better taped from there. Anyway, this match started out slightly slow (though that was to be expected with the technical wrestling), but it built to a really fun second half. Gallagher works a certain style that Bate can relate to well, so these two unsurprisingly had an entertaining affair. I look forward to the debut of the upcoming United Kingdom Championship show, even if I feel like I'm already overloaded with all the wrestling I currently watch.

Overall Show

I didn't mention it above, but a phenomenal video package aired for Roderick Strong looking at his crazy upbringing and how he got interested in wrestling, a story I don't believe he had shared publicly prior to this point. That was the best thing on the entire episode, but the rest of the show gets a thumbs up from me for an above-average main event, a nice little match from McIntyre and Almas, Black keeping it short and sweet once again, and the women doing a great job progressing their rivalry.