NXT Recap: August 12th 2015

With just over a week before NXT invades Brooklyn for their latest Takeover event, the roster make some final preparations filling the card for that special show. This was especially the case in this week’s main event, as Bayley battled Becky Lynch for the right to become number one contender for Sasha Banks’ NXT Women’s Championship. With Bayley on the run of her career and the title in her sights, she has one final hurdle to overcome, but Lynch is a difficult force on any night, and would be desperate to go one better than her contest with Banks at the previous Takeover.

NXT Champion Finn Balor is also in action in a tune-up match against the monstrous Marcus Louis. The Irishman has Kevin Owens to contend with in a ladder match in Brooklyn, but certainly couldn’t afford to take his eyes off his deranged opponent on this show. Solomon Crowe and Tye Dillinger square off in the night’s opening bout, and somebody finally stands up to the dominant dreariness of Baron Corbin.

Quick Results

• Tye Dillinger defeats Solomon Crowe
• Baron Corbin defeats Axel Tischer
• Finn Balor defeats Marcus Louis
• Bayley defeats Becky Lynch

Tye Dillinger vs Solomon Crowe

The show was opened with a clash of forgotten men in NXT, as Tye Dillinger and Solomon Crowe stepped into the ring. Both of these men have struggled to make a noticeable impact, which has been particularly difficult for Crowe as he only debuted a few months ago. His character has struggled to connect with the audience, but Dillinger had a gimmick change of his own to broadcast, as he is now referring to himself as “The Perfect 10”. Would his performance against Crowe back-up that lofty claim?

Highlights

Off an Irish whip, Dillinger grabs the rope, does a cartwheel and makes a 10 gesture

A nice headscissors hold by Crowe that he uses to kick Dillinger in the face

Running high knee by Crowe to the face of Dillinger leaning against the turnbuckle

Crowd Reaction

The crowd really took to Dillinger’s 10 gimmick immediately, which is nice to see

Low Points

I think both athletes looked good, but crowd were a little subdued and disinterested beyond the 10 shtick

Finish

Dillinger kicks Crowe outside the ring, and as he reenters Dillinger pulls him headfirst onto his exposed knee to earn the victory

I have to say when I saw this match was set to take place, this wasn’t the result I was expecting. But it is very promising to see Tye Dillinger finally get a character after over a year in NXT without much development in that area. The early signs are promising, so hopefully the Perfect 10 will get some fire behind it and not simply become a one-dimensional mistake. As for Solomon Crowe, there are some serious issues. His gimmick seems non-existent right now, and it seems he’s already become enhancement talent on the roster.

Rating – 2.5/5

Baron Corbin vs Axel Tischer

Everyone knows the drill when it comes to a Baron Corbin match, and that repetitive garbage finally rubbed the crowd into a frenzy of frustration. Chants of “We Want Wrestling” and “Boring” rained down on this so-called match after they had witnessed Corbin decimate three opponents in as many weeks, and Tischer made it four for four. After the win, Corbin grabbed a microphone to say that this is what happens every time he steps in the ring – he dominates and dismantles with the End of Days. And he saved another of his finishers for Steve Cutler, who charged the ring to get a piece of the man who conquered him last week.

But, thank the heavens, finally someone meaningful stepped up to challenge Corbin in the form of Samoa Joe. The submission machine got in the face of the giant, stating outright that Corbin wouldn’t be able to exert his will onto him. Joe challenges him to a fight right there and then, which Corbin initially refuses before connecting with a cheap shot to the of his adversary. However, when he went for the End of Days once again, it was reversed into the Coquina Clutch, which Joe used to make Corbin pass out.

Rating – 1/5 (Rating for Joe choking out Corbin – 5/5)

Finn Balor vs Marcus Louis

As he prepares for his NXT Championship defense at Takeover: Brooklyn in a Ladder match against Kevin Owens, Finn Balor found himself in a warm-up match against the maniacal Marcus Louis on this episode. Louis has maintained this angry, unhinged monster ever since having his head shaved bald, with zero connection achieved with the NXT audience. With Balor facing a major test in less than two weeks, Louis’ only chance as if the Irishman was looking too far ahead to that contest.

Highlights

Balor looks fantastic in that entrance with the NXT Championship around his waist

A big side slam from Louis briefly taking the champion down

Slingblade connects perfectly by Balor to set up the closing exchanges

Crowd Reaction

The audience was unsurprisingly fully behind Balor

Low Points

Louis’ character just doesn’t work, he really needs more depth

Finish

Balor crashes down with the Coup de Graces onto Louis to earn the victory. After the match he is assaulted by Kevin Owens, who leaves him laying following a Pop-Up Powerbomb in the middle of the ring.

An inoffensive squash match to give Finn Balor some momentum heading into Brooklyn, as well as give Marcus Louis a bit of experience and exposure against the NXT Champion. It won’t live long in the memory, and the real story was the post-match attack by Kevin Owens, sending a message before their Ladder match that he can physically dominate Balor at any time. This will undoubtedly prove one of NXT’s greatest main events in its brief history if both perform to the peak of their abilities.

Rating – 2/5

Bayley vs Becky Lynch

The main event of the evening would determine one of Takeover: Brooklyn’s biggest bouts, as NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks was still without a challenger for her title at the show. The Boss has been a force to be reckoned with since capturing the belt at Rival, as she has rode exceptional defenses against Charlotte and Becky Lynch all the way to her spot on the main roster with Team BAD. But, she would face an extremely tough test against either of these ladies on August 22, with Bayley on the run of her life and Lynch determined to make up for her defeat the last time she and Banks contested the gold.

Highlights

Very crisp chain wrestling to begin this contest, both women looking up for the fight

Lynch’s consistent offense and storytelling on her rival’s arm sets an excellent example to others of in-ring strategy

Unique submission hold by Lynch, trapping Bayley’s arm with her feet alone

Powerful pumphandle suplex from Lynch throwing Bayley across the ring

Bayley with an Oklahoma slam from out of the corner, not a move she has used often in the past

Crowd Reaction

The crowd chanting Lynch’s entrance theme is a unique element to her

Audience split between the two popular performers, with Bayley perhaps just edging it

Low Points

Nothing really other than the subdued nature of the crowd, but this was the final match after four straight tapings so the performers can’t be blamed for that

Finish

Bayley counters a Dis-Arm-Her attempt by Lynch into a roll-up to become number one contender

A very good match, not quite at the level of Bayley’s victory over Charlotte last week, but it got the job done very well. Becky Lynch has been a wonderful asset to NXT, having risen up from a lackluster, condescending gimmick into a hugely popular star with her own personality. She’s made to the main roster on merit, and hopefully she thrives there. But, like I said last week, this is Bayley’s moment in the spotlight, and she’ll go into her battle for the belt with Sasha Banks in Brooklyn full of confidence, momentum, and the support of the fans.

Rating – 3/5