WWE NXT Review - November 8, 2017

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Heavy Machinery def. Sean MAluta and Chris Payne

Heavy Machinery have been gradually building momentum since resurfacing a month or so another, and this was another showcase match for them as they destroyed two "local athletes." The audience eats up their offense, making their matches such a blast to watch. I don't know where they'll fit into the NXT Tag Team Championship picture after TakeOver considering The Street Profits are also on the rise, but it helps to have such a deep tag team division either way.

Kairi Sane def. Billie Kay

We haven't seen too much of Sane since she won the Mae Young Classic two months ago, but she has shined in her few appearances so far. Kay isn't amazing in the ring, but she can certainly hold her own and this was a nice little match. Sane was able to hit her signature spots and pick up a credible victory ahead of challenging for the NXT Women's Championship at TakeOver. Interaction was also teased between her and Peyton Royce, who will be a part of the Fatal 4-Way as well.

The Velveteen Dream def. Cezar Bononi

Aside from his one upset victory versus Andrade "Cien" Almas earlier this year, Bononi​ is essentially a glorified enhancement talent, but he isn't bad whatsoever. That said, this was all about Dream and getting him and his mean streak over. He won with something different than his normal diving elbow finisher before cutting a promo about why Aleister Black will "say his name" by the time their upcoming match is over. I am really digging this feud.

Roderick Strong def. Adam Cole by Disqualification

Strong and Cole are, of course, no strangers to one another given their history in Ring of Honor, and while we know they can go out there and contest a barn-burner of a bout, this was a superb match for what it was with both men having great performances. We've seen one too many non-finishes on NXT TV as of late, but I understood this one was done to protect both men. The post-match brawl that ensued surely wet the appetites of the audience anxiously anticipating WarGames.

Overall Show

The build to TakeOver: WarGames has been so simple yet so effective, and needless to say, I am extremely excited for the event. This was another easy-to-digest edition of NXT with Heavy Machinery having an enjoyable squash, Sane and Dream receiving some focus, and the three teams taking part in WarGames furthering their feud. NXT continues to be the most entertaining hour of WWE TV each week with booking decisions that don't leave me scratching my head like with the main roster.