WWE NXT Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for January 11

Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Oney Lorcan

Result: Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated Oney Lorcan via pinfall

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Right off the bat, props to Oney Lorcan for not sitting there like a goof when Almas lounged on the ropes. How many guys have stood around twiddling their thumbs as Cien just mocked them? Lorcan has seen it, remembered what happened, and adapted to make him pay for it. Continuity is keeping it 100. (Ok, I promise, no more puns.)

I really liked the first match between these guys in Osaka, but I really think I liked this match better. Since the Osaka match was from a WWE NXT live event, they got a bunch of time to fill. House show matches are a chance for guys to go out and try things out, so they last a while. In a truncated form, the fat is trimmed and only the good remains – ideally, at least.

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Because this match built off the first one, it enhanced what was already really good. Lorcan is as talented as his name is stupid. Almas as an evil, arrogant showboat is fantastic. 50/50 booking aside, this one hit the high points and left out the excess.

Moving Almas into a feud with Roderick Strong is an interesting turn. I still think the Austin Aries injury messed up not only the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic booking, but how Roddy was going to be used as well. He came in teaming with an arrogant guy who thinks he’s the greatest, now he’s booked against… an arrogant guy who thinks he’s the greatest? At least Roddy has a type, I guess.