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

WWE NXT Review - December 5, 2018

12/5/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Matt Riddle def. Punishment Martinez

Martinez's NXT signing wasn't confirmed all too long ago, and already he's debuting on NXT TV. That's an encouraging sign for his future, and I honestly have faith that they'll utilize him correctly on the brand (if only for his size). Sure, he lost in his debut match, but so did Kyle O'Reilly, Bobby Fish and many others. The important thing is that he had a strong showing and impressed the audience with his skill set. Afterward, Riddle was ambushed by Kassius Ohno, so a rematch between them is inevitable.

Forgotten Sons def. Raul Mendoza and Humberto Carrillo

Forgotten Sons haven't done a ton for me in the past, but this just might have been their best outing yet. Granted, Mendoza and Carrillo had a ton to do with that because they're a terrific tandem and are a blast to watch in the ring, but Forgotten Sons more than held their own and showed that they are worth the investment. NXT has a very well-rounded tag team division at the moment and it's cool to see all of them getting an equal amount of attention.
Picture

NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler def. Dakota Kai (Non-title)

These two have had a handful of matches against each other this year and have worked well together every time. Thus, I fully expected this to be an entertaining outing and they delivered. Baszler winning was never in doubt, but the ultimate underdog Kai put up a hell of a fight and looked like a credible threat to Baszler in defeat. Io Shirai came to Kai's aid post-match, and I assume Kairi Sane wasn't there due to recently being diagnosed with some sickness (she should be cleared to compete soon, though). On a related note, a Fatal 4-Way will be held in three weeks to determine Baszler's opponent for TakeOver: Phoenix, and Bianca Belair is the only one confirmed so far.

Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano Interrupted NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa

Per usual, Ciampa was a glorious asshole during his promo by recapping his strong 2018 before being interrupted by Black. Of course, Black is still owed a championship rematch since he never received it over the summer, and then Gargano had to butt because of his unfinished business with Black. That led to Ciampa causing them to set their sights on each other and declare that they fight in a Steel Cage match. This was a strong segment all around, and if their initial encounter at TakeOver: WarGames II was any indication, Black vs. Gargano inside a steel cage should be stellar.

Overall Show

This was the first fresh show to be taped since TakeOver: WarGames II and I thought the follow-up from the event was solid. The women's division is wasting no time in moving forward with a new title program, Black vs. Gargano is confirmed for a future episode while Ciampa vs. Black for the NXT Championship is set for TakeOver: Phoenix, Forgotten Sons returned to action and appear to be on the ascent again, and several feuds were furthered (specifically Riddle vs. Ohno after the opener). NXT continues to fire on all cylinders and the one hour shows are so easy to watch and digest each week.
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