NXT Recap: August 5th 2015

NXT is just over two weeks away from its first Takeover event from outside of Full Sail University, when they travel to Brooklyn on August 22nd. And this show keeps the great action in developmental going, especially with an extremely hard-hitting main event between Samoa Joe and Rhyno. These two veterans are well-known for a stiff style and being able to withstand as much as they dish out. With these two brawlers arguably the most physical men in NXT right now, fireworks were certainly expected.

Another contest that was highly touted heading into this show was Bayley’s quest for recognition and glory, when she battled Charlotte. The pair might be friends backstage and outside the ring, but when confined to the squared circle, both are all business. Bayley is desperate to show that she can be the standard bearer for the women’s division in NXT, but Charlotte will be sternest test so far in proving that.

Also on the card, The Hype Bros are in the tag team action against the fierce Mechanics, Baron Corbin partakes in yet another meaningless squash match, and Tyler Breeze finally discovers who his outstanding opponent will be in Brooklyn, and certainly is not disappointed at the outcome.

Quick Results

• Bayley defeats Charlotte
• Baron Corbin defeats Steve Cutler
• Tyler Breeze defeats Aaron Solo
• The Hype Bros defeat the Mechanics
• Samoa Joe defeats Rhyno

Bayley vs Charlotte

The night’s opening contest would be a significant turning point in the career of Bayley. The fun-loving Diva has developed a strong competitive edge whilst pursuing the top spot in the NXT Women’s division. But in order to get there, she has to prove herself against the best, which is why she made the challenge to one of NXT’s favorite daughters, Charlotte. The former NXT Women’s Champion was more than happy to accept this, but if Bayley thought she’d get an easy test from her friend, she was sorely mistaken.

Highlights

Figure-four headlock by Charlotte, rolling through and flipping Bayley all over the ring

Spinning back elbow off the middle rope from Bayley onto Charlotte

Bayley lands an amazing hurricanrana from the top rope, sending Charlotte flying

Spinning neckbreaker by Charlotte, followed by a massive spear

Bayley reverses the Figure-Eight, a feat that has not often been witnessed

Bayley uses the turnbuckle to flip over Charlotte, straight into the Bayley-2-Belly, only to see her kick out

Crowd Reaction

Strong applause for the pre-match handshake, demonstrating the respect the athletes have for each other

Audience split between the two women, both immensely popular within the WWE Universe

“This is wrestling” chants echoing around Full Sail

Low points

Some of the spots felt a little rushed early on, but it didn’t damage the overall flow of the match

Finish

Bayley reverses an attempt from Charlotte at Natural Selection from the top rope, and instead connects with a Bayley-2-Belly from the turnbuckle to defeat her opponent. Bayley finds out later from William Regal that she will face Becky Lynch next week over the number one contendership.

If anybody was unconvinced that Bayley was not ready to take on the very best in women’s wrestling, this contest proved it in spades. She pulled out maneuvers that some were unaware she had in her locker to take down Charlotte, demonstrating the scope of her improvement in the ring. There were some slightly rushed spots in the early exchanges, but the closing moments more than made up for this with their high-impact offense. I look forward to see Bayley’s next test opposite Becky Lynch, before hopefully getting to step up against the Boss in Brooklyn.

Rating – 4/5

Baron Corbin vs Steve Cutler

Okay, because this is the third week in the row we as fans have had to endure these meaningless squashes of Baron Corbin, I’m going to give this review the same attention the creative team seem to be. Corbin walks to the ring, staring down his latest victim Steve Cutler. Corbin hits a single punch, and then the End of Days to end the bout in a matter of seconds. Corbin leaves as the crowd boos and roll their eyes.

Rating – 0.5/5

Tyler Breeze vs Aaron Solo

A second subsequent squash match followed, as Tyler Breeze’s demands for real competition appeared to fall on deaf ears on this edition of NXT, as he was presented with 190lb Aaron Solo. Breeze would proceed to decimate his opponent, whilst berating if this is the best on offer. Finishing him off with the Beauty Shot, Prince Pretty didn’t get much chance to preen in celebration before William Regal appeared on stage. The NXT General Manager said that he took Breeze’s request for a big name combatant at Takeover: Brooklyn, scouring the globe for the best talent available. And his search brought a stunning result – former WCW Cruiserweight Champion and Japanese megastar Jushin “Thunder” Liger.

Rating – 1.5/5

The Hype Bros vs The Mechanics

The NXT tag team division took center stage last week with a series of intense matches, and one of the biggest surprises from that show was a victory for the Mechanics over Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder sent out a marker for the rest of the teams in the division that they aren’t in NXT just to make up the numbers, and they would hope to continue their form against the most hype team on the roster, Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder.

Highlights

Liking some of the tag team combinations of Dawson and Wilder, clearly have been working on those diligently

Crowd Reaction

Crowd initially responding well to Rawley’s antics, but still a loud pocket against him

Low points

Rawley not connecting with some of his punches as cleanly as he should have

Finish

The Hype Bros combine with their assisted Rough Ryder to pick up the win. Following the loss, Dawson sends Rawley shoulder first into the turnbuckle, before assaulting Ryder and laying him out with the Shatter Machine.

An okay tag team match, certainly nothing special, but I personally do not see the sense of giving The Mechanics a big victory over Enzo & Cass last week if they’re then going to lose to the Hype Bros, who should be nowhere near the NXT Tag Team title picture. The post match assault adds a bit more character and aggression to their unit, and establishes them as firm heels going forward. It does show the company has some investment in their tandem.

Rating – 2/5

Samoa Joe vs Rhyno

A match which wasn’t two long ago a worthy main event on Impact Wrestling, Samoa Joe and Rhyno bring their powerful, aggressive styles to the main event of this episode of NXT. Rhyno has looked a renewed beast since joining the developmental territory, producing many strong performances, but this could be his toughest test to date against the Samoan Submission Machine. The same could also be said of Joe, who has blended some simple squashes with a few tricky bouts since joining the roster, and would be looking to show anyone who was not yet aware why he is considered one of the best in the world.

Highlights

Joe dives through the middles ropes on Rhyno at ringside

High impact spinebuster from Rhino, hoisting the behemoth Joe and dropping him hard

Combination of a big boot followed by the running senton by Joe

Huge move by Rhyno, hoisting Joe onto his shoulders and rotating him into a cutter

Big single-legged dropkick from the middle rope by Joe

Crowd Reaction

Audience chanting “Joe” with every strike he connects in the corner

Low points

A very physical competent match, which whilst having a gradual pace was deliberate and timed well

Finish

Rhyno gets caught on the second rope by a flying kick by Joe, followed up by the Muscle Buster for the victory

A strong showing by both veterans, who have both aptly displayed what assets they are to NXT. Samoa Joe has both the name value and performance, as his physical aggressiveness and the manner he carries himself around the ring is intimidating to say the least. As for Rhyno, he produced another solid match that belies his age, and showed that he has a lot to offer the young talent in developmental for some time to come.

Rating – 3/5