5 Biggest Takeaways from NXT 2.0 (September 14th, 2021)
I like to keep things as positive as possible.
I like WWE.
I like AEW.
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NXT 2.0 has arrived and it came with a bang. The new set is beautiful, the crowd is much more visible for the camera and there is a night and day difference in the lighting… literally. If you were a fan of the previous version, you might find yourself like me and slightly disappointed in the new direction after watching last night’s episode. That’s not to say it’s bad, it just was very different from what we have come to expect from the now extinct black and gold brand.
It definitely had the feel of a Raw or Smackdown show with how the production was handled and the matches seemed to have been watered down a bit. The story lines unfolding definitely had a Vince/Bruce feel to them but to be honest, they have been trending that way for the last few weeks. But overall, the online reaction to the show seemed to be positive which is a good sign for what WWE is trying to accomplish with the rebranding.
The one thing about the show that I think was absolutely fantastic was the pacing/flow of the show. A lot seemed to happen for a 2 hour show and at no point did I feel like I was being bombarded by segments that felt forced or unnecessary. With all that happened, we’ll dive right into the 5 Biggest Takeaways this week from NXT 2.0;
#5: Diamond Mine Continues to Grow
We started with Roderick Strong, Malcom Bivens, Tyler Rust and Hideki Suzuki. After the multiple releases, Rust was gone and the group became a trio. After a few weeks of riding with the three, the Diamond Mine has now grown in numbers. Last week we were treated to the debut of The Creed Brothers. Two big ol’ boys that know how to slam people in multiple variations. A great edition to the team that resembles the kind of style that is similar to Roddy. Now this week we have a female addition, Ivy Nile. I don’t know much about Ivy other than she is a physical specimen. She looks like she can hurt you. With a chain hanging from her neck and a diamond shaved into the side of her head, she has a look that will separate her from the rest of the women’s roster. I look forward to seeing what kind of style Ivy Nile brings to the table, and how impactful she can be in taking Diamond Mine to the next level.
#4: The Wedding
To think that this 8 month storyline payoff would only be number 4 might make you think the segment was a dud, but it wasn’t. That’s just how much action/story we had thrown at us last night. The best part of this wedding though? We got to see it through. No interference or funny business, we now have a Mr. & Mrs. Lumis.
We got the return of Austin Theory, who has been severely missed with his comedic chops, and a ring full of guests from the roster. The Grizzled Young Veterans showed up and made the prediction of foul play. Ikeman Jiro got to be the last minute ring bearer when Austin Theory decided to give Jiro those ring carrying duties. Andre Chase even got to have himself a fun little moment after a hearing mishap.
When it came time for the guests to speak up on why Index shouldn’t go through with the wedding, everyone in the crowd slowly raised their hands. Those hands went back down rather quickly though as Dexter let it be known what he was carrying in his coat. Johnny Gargano did his schtick, “Are you sure? Like are you completely sure?” Dexter even put the pastor to sleep after the pastor decided to question Dexter’s decision to give a thumbs up for his vows. The big pop comes at the end, after Beth Phoenix steps in to finish the ceremony and we hear Dexter speak for the first time. “…I………. DO.” The guests in the ring pop as well as the crowd, and the wedding is sealed with a kiss. A feel good moment that was a bit cheesy, but the funny parts hit in all the right spots and the segment ended up being more enjoyable than I would have thought.
#3: Youth Movement
The most noticeable change in last night’s episode was the abundance of fresh faces/young talent. After removing Kyle O’Reilly from the main event, he was replaced by Von Wagner. Wagner is a name that nobody seemed to have any idea of but he showed up in the main event and did not look out of place at all. He should have a bright future. Carmelo Hayes came out with a new attitude to him and was accompanied by a friend, Trick Williams. Trick convinced Hayes to stop letting people push him over and that new attitude got displayed when the two of them attacked Duke Hudson moments later. The Creed Brothers showed their dominance once again in a squash match, Bron Breakker(Rick Steiner’s son) was featured at the very beginning and the very end of the show and we even got an old style vignette promo for a soon to be debuting, Tony D’Angelo. It is very clear that they wanted to make a big statement last night. NXT 2.0 is exactly what they said it was going to be and they are wasting no time making that transition.
#2: Goldies Home
Name me your Mount Rushmore of NXT. It would be very hard to make an argument to not include Tommaso Ciampa on that list. What he has done in NXT from the moment he has arrived has been fantastic. His work with Johnny in DIY was among some of the best tag team wrestling we have seen on the show. His rivalry with Johnny that would follow is THEE feud of the decade, and you can’t tell me anything differently. Since returning from his injury, he has found himself booked all over the place, but has made each of those situations work and continued to put on some of the best matches NXT has to offer. Hell, he had a match of the year candidate showing earlier this year when he went head to head with Walter.
But with all of that, his best work came when he was NXT Champion. He named the title Goldie and referred to himself as Daddy as he let the entire roster know that nobody would take Daddys little girl(goldie). His heel work during the run was next level. He took his promo work to a whole new level as he became can’t miss tv when the microphone was in his hand. His matches? We already know they were great.
When he had to vacate the title to injury, it took something from him. As I said, he didn’t have much direction after failing to regain Goldie when he returned. And even though he has still remained relevant, his title reign was still missing closure. We never got the Gargano vs Ciampa title match that would have been Johnny’s crowning moment and that sucks. We never got to see the end to Ciampa’s run on his own terms and that sucks too. The story arc of the Daddy character needed to see it’s end and I am really hoping we get that with this title run that will more than likely end sooner rather than later. By who you ask? …
#1: Bron Breakker
This new era of NXT 2.0 started with Bron Breakker interrupting LA Knight’s opening promo. As Knight finishes, the camera pans over to a jumping Bron with a giddy smile on his face full of excitement. Bron wants to make an impact and Knight obliges him by telling Bron to go out to the ring and he’ll come beat him up. Big mistake by Knight as Bron Breakker would prove to be a very game opponent and would shock everyone by beating LA Knight clean in the middle of the ring for the 1, 2, 3.
Bron Breakker looked great in the ring. No surprise there with who his daddy and uncle are but it’s still impressive to see that kind of performance during a first outing on tv. His suplexes looked fresh and impactful and he was able to show off his strength as well. The very first statement made on this show was that Bron Breakker was going to be a big deal moving forward and the audience better get used to seeing him.
If opening the show wasn’t enough, we got to see Bron at the very end of the show as well. With the wedding having the happy ending, the camera crew caught up to Ciampa backstage. Watching the wedding on a tv backstage and Goldie hanging over his shoulder, Ciampa would be approached by Bron Breakker. Tommaso extends his hand for a handshake. After a long hesitation by Bron as he stared at Goldie, he finally accepted the handshake. The show would come to a close as both men stared at each other breathing heavily. The seeds are planted and the push for Bron Breakker is already in motion.
Overall, the new show was not bad. It will take some getting used to for the older fans but I think in due time everyone will come around. There was still one big name that people have been waiting for that didn’t debut last night. Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later because fans are dying to see what Parker Boudreaux(now Gunner Harland) can bring to the table.
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