WWE NXT Review: Results, Grades and Analysis for March 25th

This week’s WWE NXT looks set to be a great show, with a blockbuster match between Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano set to headline the show

With TakeOver: New Orleans now in the rear-view mirror, and several major NXT superstars leaving the brand for the main roster, WWE NXT has shifted its focus to Chicago, the host of its next Takeover event.

The brand has begun its slow build towards the show, hinting at major storylines that will carry it through the coming months.

Johnny Gargano made his triumphant return to NXT last week and instantly declared his intention to compete against Aleister Black for his newly won NXT title. While he may have overcome Ciampa in New Orleans, The Sicilian Psychopath is still likely to be lurking in the shadows, would he make his presence felt on this week’s show?

Elsewhere on the show, The Undisputed Era, now with added Roderick Strong, were out to address their success in New Orleans, and Strong’s decision to turn on his partner at the event, Pete Dunne.  While Adam Cole would be defending his North American Championship for the first time against Oney Lorcan.

With plenty of exciting matches scheduled, let’s take a look at what happened on this week’s edition of NXT.

Source: WWE.Com

A New Undisputed Era Begins

The Undisputed Era, including Roderick Strong, is out to address the crowd. Adam Cole takes the mic and talks about how, since the day they arrived, everyone has been working against them, but now they are in charge.  Bobby Fish talks about War Games, and how they have survived whatever NXT has thrown at them before Roderick Strong takes the mic and addresses his heel turn.

Strong says that he had an epiphany. He realised that it has always been Roddy against the world, so why fight alone? He says the Undisputed Era could take over NXT. O’Reilly gets a chance to talk last and he says that they are done being back into a corner. Adam Cole then tells the guys to go to the back, because he doesn’t need their help beating Oney Lorcan, which was a nice touch.

I loved this opening segment last night. All four members of The Undisputed Era are excellent on the mic, and it has been a while since we had a dominant stable holding all of the gold in the WWE. The team are also super over with the crowd, especially Cole, so let’s hope that they can dominate NXT for the foreseeable future.

Source: WWE.Com

Adam Cole Vs Oney Lorcan

Result: Adam Cole wins with the last shot

Grade: C

Adam Cole’s first defence of his newly won North American Championship is against Oney Lorcan. Lorcan is one of the brand’s most underrated in-ring performers, so having him feud with The Undisputed Era is a nice way to give him, and his partner Danny Burch something interesting to do.

The match itself wasn’t bad, but it really just existed to set up a little storyline between the two teams, and also to further establish The Undisputed Era as a dominant heel stable, and really sell the loyalty between the group.

Lorcan began to take control of the match, which led to The Undisputed Era making their way to the ring. Roderick Strong then hits a backbreaker on Lorcan while the ref is distracted, allowing Cole to pick up the victory.

Danny Burch ran down after the match, only to get beaten down by the group as well. This could potentially lead to a match for the tag team titles at the next Takeover event in Chicago. Which, given the talent involved, I’m completely down for.

Heavy Machinery Vs Tito Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss

Result: Heavy Machinery win with a combined finisher

Grade: D

This felt like more of a segment than a match, with the purpose of it being to expand two storylines, one involving each team. The match itself was very average, and Heavy Machinery picked up the victory after Sabbatelli finally walked out on Moss, presumably confirming the split between the two, and allowing Heavy Machinery to hit their finisher.

After the match, Heavy Machinery cut a fairly amusing promo calling out The War Raiders, which presumably sets up a match between the two teams in the coming weeks, which should be fun.

Backstage we see Dakota Kai talking about last week’s incident with Shayna Baszler. Baszler shows up and tells Kai she is her worst nightmare. This was an excellent little segment, with Baszler coming across as absolutely terrifying, and Kai coming across as the sympathetic, and genuinely frightened babyface.

Source: WWE.Com

Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa

Johnny Gargano’s music hits and he appears on stage with Candice LaRae for the night’s main event match with Aleister Black.

Out of nowhere, Tomasso Ciampa jumps Gargano from behind and the two proceed to brawl at the top of the entrance ramp. Gargano begins to gain the upper hand, but Ciampa hits a low blow and takes advantage. The fight ends with Ciampa putting Gargano through a table off the stage, forcing stretchers to come and remove Gargano.

We then see Gargano being taken in an ambulance, leading to an excellent shot of Ciampa standing on top of a truck staring as his former partner is taking away.

This was an excellent segment. Gargano and Ciampa’s feud has been the best thing in WWE this year, and I didn’t think things could get much better after their incredible bout in New Orleans. Ciampa came across like a man hell-bent on destroying his opponent here, and his character work is second to none in the business right now. This looks to be leading towards a triple threat match between Aleister Black, Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano at NXT Takeover: Chicago, and I, for one, couldn’t be more excited about that.

Aleister Black then makes his way out to the ring and addresses what has just happened. He calls out Ciampa but Sanity’s music hits and Eric Young challenges Black to a match, giving us the night’s new main event.

Source: WWE.Com

Aleister Black Vs Eric Young

Result: Aleister Black wins with Black Mass

Grade: C+

Having Aleister Black instantly accept Eric Young’s challenge was a nice touch, and further establishes him as a no-nonsense champion. The two men put on a solid back and forth match, which still managed to be exciting, despite its obvious result.

There were some nice spots in the bout, and Black picks up the victory with the Black Mass, which is still one of the coolest finishers in NXT.

After the match, Killian Dain and Desmond Wolfe attempt to attack Black, but he takes both men out with a Black Mass. This made Black look strong, and was probably the last time we will see Sanity in NXT, with the group set to make their Smackdown debut in the next week or two.

Overall, this was a solid edition of NXT. The opening segment was excellent, and the on-going feud between Gargano and Ciampa stole the show once again. The brand is beginning to establish several interesting feuds for TakeOver: Chicago, and looks set to maintain its momentum from New Orleans.

Next: WWE 205 Live: Results, Grades and Analysis for April 24

On next week’s show, Pete Dunne will square off with Roderick Strong, while Candice LaRae will be in action against Bianca Belair.