WWE NXT Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for August 2
By Rob Furness
WWE.com
Aleister Black vs Kyle O’Reilly
Result: Black def. O’Reilly via Black Mass
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Kyle O’Reilly makes his NXT debut and with a tall order, facing off against Aleister Black. O’Reilly is a well-traveled competitor with a huge championship pedigree, including reigns as the ROH World Champion, PWG World Champion, and NJPW IWPG Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
The two have a very competitive match. Both O’Reilly and Black tried to work their styles, with Aleister attempting to stave off submissions with his strikes. After finally breaking through his defenses O’Reilly is able to work a much more technical style against black. I don’t think Aleister has ever encountered such stiff competition.
I think we’ll see Aleister Black in the NXT Championship scene after NXT Takeover: Brooklyn. In the meantime, WWE continues to book Black Strong against very good competition.
Next: WWE NXT Results: Highlights July 26
Overall a solid NXT taping. We had a nice variety of strong matches, dominate performances, and backstage promos and recaps that escalated feuds. With only 2 more episodes before Takeover: Brooklyn III, expect battle lines to be drawn. Next week, we’ll see Roode and Drew McIntyre in-ring together. Andrade “Cien” Almas will also go head-to-head with No Way Jose.