Reviews by Dave
By David E Houston II
Show air date: April 27, 2021
NXT on USA had a better show this week than the last couple of weeks but still not a show that felt like a “must-see” show. They did move some stories along and a handful of strong segments or matches. A one-match show with some basic talking.
Mercedes Martinez defeated Dakota Kai
By DQ
Mercedes Martinez got a DQ win over Dakota Kai after NXT Women’s champion Raquel Gonzalez interfered on behalf of her tag partner, Kai. The match was a good TV match but felt like most WWE matches so it didn’t hold my attention. I guess Gonzalez and Kai aren’t babyfaces after all with that finish.
Grizzled Young Vets In-Ring Promo
Zack Gibson and James Drake–Grizzled Young Veterans–had a good in-ring promo, challenging tag champs, MSK (still with no explanation?) when they are interrupted by Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa. Ciampa and Thatch start a fight (it’s only a “cheap shot” when heels do it) and GYV leave. Okay segment but uh…did they ever explain where Thatcher has been? Is the thing with Imperium over now?
Swerve Accepts Leon Ruff’s Challenge
Swerve Scott accepts Leon Ruff’s challenge from last week and announced it will be a falls-count-anywhere match. Best Swerve promo since his turn.
Zayda Ramier defeated Toni Strom
Toni Storm loses to recent arrival Zayda Ramier when she got distracted just by her rival Zoey Stark walking down the ramp. Ramier wins with a shooting star press from the top rope, her biggest win to date. Nothing much of a match or an angle but good for Ramier.
Bronson Reed defeated Austin Theory
Bronson Reed beat Austin Theory in a match we’ve seen a lot: some solid work, a ton of The Way shenanigans and Dexter Lumis cameo.
Imperium defeated Drake Maverick and Killian Dane
Imperium–Fabian Aichner and Marcel Bartel with Alexander Wolfe–beat Drake Maverick and Killian Dane and good golly, Miss Molly, they overbooked this match. First, they were doing a thing where Maverick is suspicious of Dane since Imperium is recruiting him (they’re off Thatch, I guess) then Wolfe doesn’t hit Dane with a chair and then protects Barthel when Dane is going to send him into the post or stairs or whatever. FIRE RUSSO!!!
Pete Dunne Spitting
Pete Dunne spitting some bars but not really saying shit.
We Almost Got a Match
We almost got a match with Women’s tag champs, Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon facing Aliyah and Jessi Kamea but thankfully, Candice LaRae and Indi Hartwell saved us. Biggest babyfaces of the week.
More Talking to be Talking
Adam Cole has an okay poolside interview. More talking to be talking.
Main Event: Legado del Fantasma defeated MSK and KUSHIDA
Legado del Fantasma–Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, Joaquin Wilde–defeated MSK and Cruiserweight champion (got it right this week) KUSHIDA in the best match of the show but still not some classic. Everyone worked hard but man, Escobar was on one for this match. Star of the show for me. Seems to be finally moving in a direction, just very slowly.
Thanks for reading!
