Sunday, December 15, 2019

WWE: NXT on USA Review - December 11th, 2019


Coming off a hot Survivor Series showing that boosted them over AEW in the weekly ratings war, can NXT keep the momentum?

1) Lio Rush (c) vs. Angel Garza - Cruserweight Championship Match

Okay, so, this match answered my opening question right of the bat - yes. This is easily one of the best WWE/NXT matches of 2019 and one of, if not the best cruserweight title match since the title's reintroduction. No offense to Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, or even Buddy Murphy, but these two crushed this title match. Lio Rush is just such a good dickhead and Angel Garza is super easy to love. Rush jumping Garza before the lights even came on during the ring introductions fucking RULED. And set the tone for a way more aggressive cruserweight title match than we are used to. This had what most of them lack - urgency. A reason to stay glued to your screen. And they kept from bell to bell along with a hot, wild ass finishing stretch to boot with a bunch of false finishes for a very responsive crowd. I am FIRED ~ UP ~. Angel Garza wins a banger via submission to become the new cruserweight champion. I want a rematch, god dammit.

Match rating - ****1/4

Shayna Basler video package airs talking about her match with Rhea Ripley next week, she says she's just another trend of the week that will fall to her.

Finn Balor promo is next and it's GOOD. He runs down Keith Lee and Tommasso Ciampa in route to their match later on to determine who faces Adam Cole for the NXT Title.

2) Cameron Grimes vs. Raul Mendoza

Cameron Grimes is Trevor Lee's WWE incarnation for those who didn't know and its... weird. But the booking of it match wise has been good so far. He stomped everyone in quick matches for a few weeks only for KUSHIDA to beat him last week. This led to Grimes having a breakdown and attacking KUSHIDA backstage. Which leads us here where Raul Mendoza scores an upset win in an extremely short amount of time thanks to KUSHIDA coming down and distracting Cameron Grimes. Ready for that rematch!

3) Travis Banks vs. Jackson Ryker

Thank the lord this was short and thank the lord Banks won. That's all.

4) Mia Yim vs. Dakota Kai

First off, Mia Yim rules. That was the big highlight of this. Kai won the match which was fairly short, but decent. After the match, Yim snapped and suplexed Kai off a balcony through two tables in dangerous fashion in the crowd. DANGEROUS. So sick, though.

4) The Singh Brothers vs. Fandango & Tyler Breeze

This was honestly pretty fun. Fandango almost killed one of the Singh brothers with a powerbomb on the apron at one point which was brutal. Breezango wins.

Match rating - **

6) Bianca Belair vs. Kayden Rose

Squash for Bianca. Luv her. Bye.

7) Finn Balor vs. Keith Lee vs. Tommaso Ciampa - #1 Contender's Match

This was super fun, especially towards the end with the exchanges they came up with. However to me, it just couldn't match the Garza/Rush match from earlier. Which is a super weird thing to think about when you look at both on paper. I hate to say it but I feel like Finn being on coast mode until the finishing stretches typically drags his matches down. Keith Lee ruled all around here and Ciampa was fine. The big highlight wasn't one person, but moreso the various spots near the end. Very innovative finish with Finn getting the win. God help us during his match with Cole, I hope they both bring their A game.

Match rating - ***1/2

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