September 7, 2016
Episode 353
(taped August 25, 2016)
#WWENXT
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Intro Video
“Roar of the Crowd” by CFO$
Match 1
TM61 vs Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Nick Miller pins Ariya Daivari after Thunder Valley
Time: 8:00 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. It felt like Nese and Daivari surprised TM61 with their speed and power. Nese and Daivari took control early and were all over TM61. Nese was especially impressive on his own, but he and Daivari both showed good teamwork. TM61 eventually fought back, but it was tough for them the entire time. Good match.
Backstage
Earlier today, Tom Phillips interviewed Asuka about her match with Bayley, her place in the women’s division, how important it is to her to represent Japan, and who she’ll face next.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes asks Steve Cutler about facing Nakamura. Cutler wonders what Nakamura has really sacrificed.
Match 2
Leah Von vs Ember Moon
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: Ember Moon wins via pinfall after a Diving Corkscrew Stunner
Time: 2:45
Match Thoughts
An okay match. It was a showcase for Ember Moon, and for that it was fine.
Backstage
Charly Caruso asks No Way Jose about Bobby Roode disrespecting him last week. Jose says that “you do not mess with No Way Jose.”
Backstage
Tommaso Ciampa works on his ribs when Johnny Gargano tells him that they have a tag match at the Cruiserweight Classic next week. After that, they’re going after The Revival and their titles.
Match 3
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs Austin Aries
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Austin Aries wins via submission with the Last Chancery
Time: 8:13 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Both guys looked really good, and the finish was very nice.
Video
What is “Sanity”?
Match 4
Steve Cutler vs Shinsuke Nakamura (NXT Champ)
(referee: Eddie Orengo; guest commentary: Samoa Joe)
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura wins via pinfall after Kinshasa
Time: 3:27
Match Thoughts
Kind of a squash, though Cutler got a little offense in the corner.
Show Impressions
This was a much better show than last week’s. Even though it had two matches that were basically exhibitions, the other two matches were very entertaining.
I liked how Joe handled the guest commentary he did. You could see him seething at the table, but he held it in when he spoke and he never attacked Nakamura. I think that’s a good way to build tension rather than to just have him be angry and crazy.
Match of the Night
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs Austin Aries
This and the tag match were both good, but I really enjoyed the finish to this match. I think that just put it over for the top spot of the night.