WWE NXT Review: Results, Analysis, and Grades for May 4; Samoa Joe vs. Eric Young
By Bryan Heaton
Samoa Joe vs. Eric Young
Result: Samoa Joe defeated Eric Young via submission
Rating: 2.9 out of 5 stars
The match was made official following their encounter earlier in the episode – Joe’s first match after winning the NXT Championship would be against the debuting EricYoung.
Turning Points: The early part of the match saw the two veterans trading stiff strikes in the center of the ring.
It's become an exchange of strikes as @SamoaJoe and @TheEricYoung quicken the pace of our main event! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/cY4mZpfNv7
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 5, 2016
Joe gave up on strikes for a bit and tossed Young to the outside.
When @SamoaJoe wants you out of his ring... HE TAKES YOU OUT OF HIS RING! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/QJI8Ce4NGf
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 5, 2016
Following up after removing Young from the ring, Joe launched himself through the ropes with a suicide dive.
The monstrous @SamoaJoe goes head first outside the ring and RIGHT INTO @TheEricYoung! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/7yOrVC5YpN
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 5, 2016
Back in the ring, Joe flattened Young with a running body block.
Is there anything @SamoaJoe DOESN'T have an answer for?! @TheEricYoung is FLATTENED here on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/wAThVUWGMI
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 5, 2016
Young began a brief comeback, countering Joe’s strikes with some of his own.
The #NXTChampion is hit HARD by that right hand of @TheEricYoung! @SamoaJoe #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/6gEH5ACBpV
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 5, 2016
Joe hit a back body drop to regain the advantage.
.@TheEricYoung goes UP and OVER @SamoaJoe's head, launched straight into the mat! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/DkU1Zker9y
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 5, 2016
Young came back, getting his larger opponent up for a vertical suplex.
Don't worry about @TheEricYoung delivering a SUPLEX to #NXTChampion @SamoaJoe!!! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/H9sHsi6qLh
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 5, 2016
As Young looked to build momentum, Joe caught him with a modified chokeslam/STO out of the corner. He continued with a Muscle Buster, but rather than a pin attempt he locked Young in the Coquina Clutch for a submission – then refused to let go of the hold.
THIS is how @SamoaJoe makes someone "SIT DOWN!!!!" @TheEricYoung #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/S5MZK95GJY
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 5, 2016
Bryan’s Thoughts: When two guys are as familiar with each other as Joe and Young, a stiff match is a pretty good spectacle. Watching these two just wail away on each other was almost painful to watch, but in the “ooooh, I can almost feel those chops myself” way, and not the “ugh, I feel like I’m watching TNA” way.
Not sure what the end goal for Young is here, being as how he gets to show up, call out the guy who just demolished the longest reigning NXT Champion in history, and then get whooped in the main event. Sure, he got some offense in, but this match was all about making Joe look destructive. And mission accomplished there.
Joe becoming the guy who won’t let up the submission after the match ends is a good touch for his character. He’s the most vicious NXT Champion in history – yes, more so than even Kevin Owens, if we’re being honest – so let him just be a big bully about everything.
Overall, this was a solid episode of WWE NXT. What did you think?