Top 2 things that went right on the Dec. 28 episode of NXT 2.0

Much like Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, it appears this week’s NXT 2.0 also underwent some changes due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak within the company. It would explain why WWE altered several advertised matches throughout the show and why the finish to the main event came off as odd as it did.

With those caveats in mind, WWE put together an underwhelming but digestible episode of its developmental program. Yes, there were the usual frustrating moments, but we also saw some positives sprinkled throughout the show, too.

These are the top two things that went right on the Dec. 28 episode of NXT 2.0.

Malcolm Bivens, Trick Williams, and Carmelo Hayes during the contract signing

At New Year’s Evil, we will see North American Champion Carmelo Hayes battle Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong in a title unification match. To hype this matchup, WWE turned to the ever-tiresome contract signing gimmick in an attempt to frame this as a huge encounter despite only starting the build to it a week ago.

This went the way most televised legalese segments go but the banter between Malcolm Bivens and Trick Williams — which included Bivens hilariously translating Williams’ promo for the white people in attendance — made this a much watch segment, as did Hayes’ promo toward Strong. Even Strong, who is not known for doing great work on the mic, turned in a solid effort.

Yes, it would’ve been nice to see WWE put more effort into building this match, but thanks to the talent, this latest example of WWE laziness worked out.

Giving wrestlers needed wins

None of the matches in this section reached the level of quality that would make them worth a rewatch (unless you’re huge fans of the participants, which is fine, too) but the Von Wagner vs. Malik Blade, Harland vs. Andre Chase, and Grayson Waller vs. Odyssey Jones matches served their purpose of giving important wins to wrestlers that WWE has decided are worthy of pushes.

Whether or not these wrestlers SHOULD be pushed is a different discussion (particularly with Waller, who still comes across as a midcard dork), but if these are the people who WWE thinks have star potential, this is what the company should be doing to help get these guys over.