WWE NXT Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for April 26

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Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Drew McIntyre

Result: Drew McIntyre defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas via pinfall.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

McIntyre’s second match since returning to WWE looked just as crisp as the first. He has a fire in his performance that wasn’t there three years ago, which, granted, may have been due to the lowly 3MB stable on the main roster.

Almas’ party gimmick continues to be brought up by commentary, but it’s still not being displayed in the ring or with promos. Looking for more evidence of it, rather than us just being told Cien enjoys night clubs.

Aside from that, this was a physical match here with McIntyre and Almas. The stiff slaps to the chest highlighted this, including the big boot the Scotsman laid on his opponent’s jaw.

It’s only a matter of time before McIntyre gets into the NXT Championship picture. That may not be at TakeOver: Chicago, but in Brooklyn III? Sure.

William Regal Announcement

Regal announced Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross for later in the show. That’s not going to explode again, right?

“Who is Roderick Strong? Part I”

We get a video package, titled “Who is Roderick Strong?” As always, great work from the department, but where was this months ago? I guess now that Strong is away from the No Way Jose’s and Kassius Ohno’s of NXT, a bigger spotlight will be placed on him as a standalone Superstar. Let’s see if that translates to anything.

Strong’s backstory was fascinating, though. You learned about his past, which featured his violent father and his mother, who shot him. Strong explained this all while sitting outside his old home.

A clip from this can be seen below, which is worth going back and watching.

It also gets announced we’re receiving Part II next week. The more character development, the better, right? This is a good thing, and will hopefully get the crowd further behind Strong.