It's summertime and I'm a week behind on my NXT. Just finished watching last week's episode via Hulu and here are my thoughts.
The evening started off with a grudge match between Ember Moon and Dakota Kai. Back and forth side headlocks to begin the match. Kai tries to end the match earlier with 4 unsuccessful pin attempts. Ember soars through the ropes to slam Dakota into the barricade. Back in the ring the action continues with Gonzalez on the outside yelling "You're nothing without Shotzi!" One more kick to the face by Kai to Moon and she picks up the win. I appreciate both women's athletic abilities.
The action didn't stop there. Xia Li comes out after the match and gets in the face of Raquel Gonzalez. Li issued the challenge for Raquel's gold. Let's see if Mr. Regal gives his blessing.
Next, a million dollar promo skit. Cameron Grimes debuts as LA Knight's butler. He gets a mini make-over before his duties start. I love Trevor Lee. He is so good at, not only his wrestling abilities, but also embracing the necessary qualities to get his character over. Even as domestic help, the man has style. He is still wearing his cowboy boots in a tux. Next we learn that the millionaire butler has delegated his chores to a young kid while he lounges poolside in his Calvin Klein skivvies, cowboy boots and white gloves. I didn't realize that was a fantasy I needed. Thank you WWE.
Following the fantasy is the match between Santos Escobar (accompanied by Wilde and Mendoza) and Dexter Lumis. I'm rooting for the unflinching Lumis. A man of action and no words. He is an athlete in the vein of The Fiend and Alexa Bliss but Dexter is the one that I can tolerate.
Early in the match, Santos goes to the outside to regroup, Dexter goes under the ring and travels to the other side to pull Escobar under by his feet. His efforts are fruitless thanks to Santo's entourage. Back in the ring, Escobar has control of the action. Lumis catches his breath and hits his opponent with punches and a clothesline followed by a running bulldog. With interference from the outside, Santos Escobar is able to regain control and win the match with the help of the phantom driver.
Next, Duke Hudson squares up against Ikemen Jiro in the first round of the Breakout Tournament. At the announce table, Wade Barrett comments that Duke looks like a younger version of himself and I have to agree.
Interesting to watch Jiro compete in one of his signature blazers. Hudson, on the other hand, is focused on getting the job done. Boss Man Slam wins the first round for Duke Hudson.
The main event of the evening is for the NXT Championship. Johnny Gargano challenges Karrion Kross with Samoa Joe as the special referee. Karrion has to drop the belt to someone before he moves up to the main roster. I'm okay with it being Johnny. Kross is such a beast of an athlete and I love that he has kept the gladiator attire that he debuted back at NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver.
Johnny lays into the champ before the bell. The challenger throws caution to the wind but the champ comes back with full power. He picks up Johnny like a ragdoll and slams his back into the announce table. Here's where my brain plays the "What If" game. What if one day Karrion Kross faces Bobby Lashley in the ring? That would be epic.
Back in the squared circle, Johnny executes a slingshot spear on the champ and sends him outside the ring into the barricade. Gargano's plan is all high risk and, hopefully, high reward.
The champion is able to get the Kross Jacket submission on his opponent who immediately counters with a submission of his own. Kross beasts out and gets the Jacket back on Gargano. Johnny gets to the ropes before passing out and the ref calls for the break but Karrion refuses to break. Samoa Joe pulls Kross off of Gargano. They lock eyes for a moment but the champ keeps his cool.
Action moves to the outside where Karrion repeatedly slams Johnny head into the plexiglass barrier. He then gives Joe a disrespectful gesture before picking up the steel steps to use on his nearly lifeless opponent. Samoa Joe blocks his efforts and now their nose to nose again. This opens up an opportunity for Johnny to attempt a pin. Champ counters with insane power bombs and one final European forearm to the back of the head of Johnny to retain his title.
The feud continues with Joe and Karrion after the bell. Joe tries to be the better man and leave the ring. Kross is determined to settle their issues with a Kross Jacket from behind. Samoa Joe is out. Until next week....
#BringBackBraun
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