WrestleRant
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Store
  • About
  • Contact
Picture

WWE NXT Review - December 14, 2016

12/14/2016

0 Comments

 
PictureShinsuke Nakamura takes the fight to Samoa Joe.
By Graham "GSM" Matthews

NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura def. Samoa Joe in a Steel Cage Match

I heard from some poeple that were in attendance for last week's live event title match between Joe and Nakamura in Japan that it was actually a lot longer and better in person, and I assume that was the case with this championship clash as well. It wasn't quite the caliber of contest as their past encounters, but it was enjoyable, nevertheless. I liked how they played off spots from the first cage match back between Joe and Finn Balor. I was surprised Nakamura pinned Joe instead of escaping the cage, but I suppose they want to finish off the feud once and for all with the decisive conclusion. At least Joe was made to look strong in defeat. Now time for him to head to the main roster where he belongs.


Tye Dillinger def. Eric Young by Disqualification in a Qualifying Match For the No. 1 Contender's Fatal 4-Way Match For the NXT Championship

Well, this was hardly a match at a mere minute long, so there really isn't much I can say about it. The bout was barely getting underway before SAnitY interfered, though the non-finish did prevent Young from eating a pinfall loss. Perhaps the biggest thing coming out of this was Damo seemingly alligning with SAnitY. It isn't official yet, but he would be an excellent addition to the group.

PictureIs Damo looking to join SAnitY?
Andrade "Cien" Almas def. No Way Jose in a Qualifying Match For the No. 1 Contender's Fatal 4-Way Match For the NXT Championship

It's obvious Almas is much more comfortable in the heel role and I'm happy to see it. He's an awesome wrestler to boot, so he and Jose had a nice little match here. Jose was able to put up a good fight while also allowing Almas to advance to the No. 1 Contender's match. Almas can be a major star for NXT if given the proper push, and this was a step in the right direction for him.


Roderick Strong def. Elias Sampson in a Qualifying Match For the No. 1 Contender's Fatal 4-Way Match For the NXT Championship

Strong hasn't done too much of note since Austin Aries was sidelined with an injury, but this was an encouraging return to prominence for him. I'm not sure what exactly he's supposed to be since he was a heel (?) when he debuted, but as a singles babyface, he should shine, especially now that NXT needs more star power. Sampson bores me to tears, but Strong did his best to get me invested in this match for as long as it lasted.


Bobby Roode def. Oney Lorcan in a Qualifying Match For the No. 1 Contender's Fatal 4-Way Match For the NXT Championship

I initially questioned why they would save this match for the main event when it was easily the most predictable, but then I realized it was for two reasons: Firstly, Roode is a more notable name than anyone else in the tournament. Secondly, it was the best bout of the night. Locan may be positioned as a glorified enhancement talent at the moment, but the guy is a great worker and this was entertaining despite being a squash for Roode.


​Overall Show

NXT should have taken a page out of Lucha Underground's book in stretching out the qualifying matches over the course of a few weeks. Instead, they rushed all four qualifying matches in one night. None of the matches would have been instant classics anyway, but it would have helped fill out episodes of NXT through the end of the year. This wasn't a must-see show, but each match served a purpose in building to a big No. 1 Contender's Fatal 4-Way match next week and the highlights of the Steel Cage match were cool as well.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Categories

    All
    #AskGSM
    Battle Of The Belts
    Cruiserweight Classic
    Halftime Heat
    Hidden Gems
    Interviews
    Lists/Rankings
    Mae Young Classic
    Mixed Match Challenge
    News
    NJPW
    NWA Shockwave
    NXT PLEs
    Opinion
    Previews
    Retro Reviews
    Reviews
    RJ's Two Cents
    Satire
    Slammy Awards
    SNME
    SummerSlam Recall
    The Deadly Draw
    The World Is A Vampire
    Tribute To The Troops
    Women's Eliminator
    Worlds Collide
    WrestleMania Recall
    WWE Draft
    WWE Network Specials
    WWE PLEs
    WWE Starrcade


    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    RSS Feed

©2025 WrestleRant. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Store
  • About
  • Contact