May 24, 2017
Episode 394
(taped May 20, 2017)
#WWENXT
City: Rosemont, IL
Venue: Allstate Arena
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Video
Clips from Takeover: Chicago this past Saturday.
Intro Video
“Rage” by CFO$
Match 1
Aleister Black vs Curt Hawkins
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Aleister Black wins via pinfall after a Black Mass kick
Time: 2:51
Match Thoughts
Definitely one of Black’s better matches. Black showed some nice speed and fluidity. Hawkins didn’t get much offense, but he helped make Back look good. I liked this one even though it was short and almost completely one sided.
Video
Clips from the tag team ladder match and Ciampa’s attack on Gargano from Takeover.
Video
From before Takeover, Ember Moon has to sit on the sidelines while Asuka defends her title.
Video
Clips of the Women’s Title match from Takeover.
Backstage
From Takeover, Kayla Braxton asks Asuka “what’s next?” Asuka says no one can stand against her.
Video
The Velveteen Dream premieres next.
Video
Clips from Strong versus Young at Takeover.
Backstage
From Takeover, Kayla Braxton asks Roderick Strong about pinning Eric Young. Strong says he’s overcomes the odds his whole life. Bringing Strong’s family into their issues was a mistake.
Match 2
Robert Anthony vs Velveteen Dream
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: Velveteen Dream wins via pinfall after a diving elbow drop
Time: 2:28
Match Thoughts
A squash. Dream looked fine, but there was nothing really special about the match.
Video
Clips from the UK Title match.
Backstage
From Takeover, Kayla Braxton asks Pete Dunne about how he feels as the new UK Champ. Dunne says everything is now his.
Video
Clips from the NXT Title match.
Backstage
From Takeover, Kayla Braxton congratulates Bobby Roode on his victory. Roode says he proved that Itami isn’t even in his league. He also says he’s going to relax and take some time off.
Match 3
Drew McIntyre vs Wesley Blake
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Drew McIntyre wins via pinfall after a running single leg dropkick
Time: 8:08 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. This was maybe McIntyre’s most competitive match in NXT so far, but he still didn’t seem to have too much trouble. Blake got some offense and looked good, but McIntyre’s strikes and moves were all very strong.
Show Impressions
This was an okay show. The main event was fine, but otherwise the matches weren’t anything special. There was a lot of recap going on as well. This really did just feel like a recap show with a few matches thrown in.
Match of the Night
Drew McIntyre vs Wesley Blake
I’d like to see Blake get more matches. I think he’s pretty good.