Reviews by Dave
Show air date: July 8, 2020
Honestly, WWE seemed to have set up Night Two of NXT’s Great American Bash like they didn’t want anything to be memorable except the title change at the end. Just nothing happening for most of the first 90 mins of a two-hour show. Some good in-ring work but if you missed most of it, you didn’t miss much.
Candice LeRae defeated Mia Yim
They opened with a streetfight to settle the feud between Mia Yim and Candice LeRae. It was aight. Typical WWE paint-by-numbers streetfight where they take assorted table bumps and sell blows by shit that doesn’t hurt. LaRae won. Right person. Past time to move Yim.
Bronson Reed defeated Tony Nese
Interesting match between Bronson Reed and Tony Nese. Booked off TV mostly, but they did a good job filling in the blanks. Good TV match with Reed picking up a much-needed win. I don’t think he was anymore respectful of Leon Ruff than Nese with him carrying him over his shoulder two weeks ago but…WWE.
The Robert Stone Brand
A horrible segment with Robert Stone, Aliyah, Shotzi Blackheart, and Killain Dane. Just horrible.
Johnny Gargano defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
Johnny Gargano got a win over Isaiah “Swerve” Scott in a very good match. The finish was a little eye-roll-inducing with Scott going for a double stomp on the floor and missing, leading to Gargano getting the clean pinfall off the slingshot DDT. Gargano and LaRae do an interview backstage and Gargano is aiming for Finn Balor next.
Video Package for the Women’s Title Match
Great video package on the upcoming Women’s title match between champion Io Shirai and Tegan Nox next week. Subtitles can work and this showed it.
Tales of the Tape: Adam Cole vs Keith Lee
Talking to WWE Hall of Famers and champs helped give the main event a big fight feel. Odd tale of the tape for the main eventers. In the style category, what the hell is “Poise and cunning” or whatever they said about Cole? What kind of style is that? Half-assed.
Legado del Fantasma defeated Drake Maverick and Breezango
Legado del Fantasma–Cruiserweight champion Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza–got a win over Drake Maverick and Breezango–Tyler Breeze and Fandango. It was okay but it did seem to drag a bit. With Escobar pinning Maverick clean, that feud is effectively over.
Mercedez Martinez defeated Santana Garrett
Mercedez Martinez made her return to NXT TV, beating Santana Garrett in a nice TV match that did a good job of showing how badass Martinez is and will be. She looks to be the next dominant Women’s champ for them. I notice Mauro Ranallo must have learned his lesson from the earlier taping as he dropped all the NWA GAB references. Good read of the crowd, Mauro. You were just popping me and a few other 45yr olds.
Keith Lee defeated Adam Cole for the NXT Championship and retaining the NXT North American Championship
“Limitless” Keith Lee ended the longest title reign in NXT history, unseating Adam Cole (BAY! BAY!) with the Big Bang Catastrophe in a very good match and also retaining his own North American championship. The only problem was Lee early on selling running into the plexiglass retaining wall. That just looked bad but everything else was a great big power wrestler vs faster, technical wrestler matchup. Both guys played their part well and with the size difference, I had no issues with Lee kicking out of Cole’s finishers. Size matters. As Lee celebrated, Karrion Kross watched from on high.
Not much of a show overall but they finished strong, sort of like a late 90s WWE ppv.
