Last night Toms River, NJ was treated to an intimate showcase of champions and some of the overall best wrestlers in the world at The RWJ Barnabas Arena. The unofficial WWE third brand rolled into town with something to prove as they always do, and absolutely tore the house down.

Kassius Ohno vs. Domink Dijakovic

Personally, I would not have opened the show with this match up because of the extremely slow pace. Things eventually picked up when a “Super Boot Party” took place while both competitors repeatedly (and simultaneously) continued to kick each other. In fact, there were more boots than a Timberland store. Dijakovic was able to showcase his strength by lifting Ohno into a torture rack into a modified GTS (Editor’s Note: Move formerly known as Feast You Eyes) for the win.

Winner: Dijakovic

The Forgotten Sons (Jaxson Ryker, Steve Cutler, Wesley Blake) vs. Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch, and Matt Riddle

Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch come into the ring and announce they were unable to find a tag team partner for the match. However, they said they were able to find a – BRO! The Bro chants are in full force as Matt Riddle makes his way to the ring. I’ve been tough on Riddle in his NXT matches so far, but he was able to get some time in the ring tonight and impress me. For a guy his size, he is incredibly strong. He busted out some dead lift suplexes on the likes of Jaxson Ryker (see our interview with Jaxson when he was known as Gunner in TNA). and knee strikes that impressed me as well. Lorcan and Burch who always impress were able to hit their wheelbarrow DDT but were not able to pick up the win. Riddle however, picks up the win with a running bicycle knee.

Winners: Matt Riddle, Lorcan & Burch

“The Est” Bianca Belair vs. “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo

This was a story all about how Purazzo got flipped, turned upside down…. Belair took on more of a heel role this match as Purrazzo played the part of the hometown favorite. The crowd was split right down the middle in this one. I was disappointed at the lack of hair whips this match, but the ladies impressed early with lots of reversals. Purazzo was unable to lock in her patented armbar submission while the EST of NXT was able to score the victory with an impressive torture rack into front slam called the K.O.D. It is absolutely devastating to see in person, and it is awesome. Belair has a ton of potential with her strength and agility. Beware the hair.

Winner: Bianca Belair

The Sky Pirates (Kairi Sane & Io Shirai) vs. Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir

This is the first time for yours truly seeing these particular two of the four horsewoman of MMA in action, and I have to admit they already look pretty solid in the ring. Duke is an impressive specimen with a lot of leg, which she wisely utilized throughout. Io Shirai also impressed in person as she flew around the ring. Yet nothing out shined the Pirate Princess’s flying In-Sane Elbow from the top which got the Sky Pirates the win. I’m really loving this new team.

Winners: The Sky Pirates

NXT Tag Title Match: War Raiders (Hanson & Rowe) vs. The European Union (Fabian Aichner & Marvel Barthel)

When the War Raiders came to Asbury Park last year, I absolutely fell in love with them. These dudes could fly, take hits, and would throw each other around as weapons. (Much like we saw at TakeOver Phoenix) I was a bit disappointed the tag champs did not go all out again for this one, but it was still a good match. Aichner impressed with what I could best describe as a double springboard moonsault, while Rowe was able to take strikes from one opponent while lifting another. War Raiders handled business with a tandem powerslam for the W.

Winners: The War Raiders

NXT Women’s Championship Match: Candice Larae vs. ‘The Queen of Spades’ Shayna Baszler (C)

This is my match of the night right here. These ladies really told a story in the ring. Early on the Queen of Spades would toy with “Candice Wrestling” but Lerae would quickly give her a taste of her own medicine. Baszler who methodically picked at her opponent would soon take on an onslaught of high flying attacks from Lerae including not one, not two, but THREE suicide dives! I’ve been a fan of Candice for a long time and we need to see her much more frequently on NXT episodes. She always impresses. The high risk moves however, would be her undoing as a missed lionsault led to a tap out after Baszler locked in the Kirifuda Clutch.

Winner: Shayna Baszler

Main Event:

Ricochet and Velveteen Dream vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa)

The Toms River crowd popped big for every single one of these guys. In theory, we are the first to see the unofficial reunion of DIY as Gargano is officially teamed up with Ciampa in this one. However, Gargano will not tag himself in and refused to perform tandem offense strikes with Ciampa in the early goings. This was actually a pretty clever way to start the match because of Gargano’s full on tweener status. He’s absolutely crushing this role. Although they hit a few spots on each other, I did notice match of the year contenders Gargano and Ricochet were never the legal men at the same time. (Something I was hoping to see)

Dream also impressed as he mimicked some of Richochet’s moveset, while Ricochet just continuously wow’ed the crowd. Gargano eventually got on the same page with Ciampa, but was unable to successfully execute some classic DIY offense. The finale of the match ended with a flurry of superkicks from nearly every competitor including two missed superkicks by Johnny Wrestling onto his partner, the NXT Champion. Velveteen got the pin on Gargano surprsingly, as Ricochet and Dream simultaneously hit flying elbows.

Winners: Ricochet & Velveteen Dream

Ricochet thanks the crowd, and Velveteen touts that NXT is the best brand. He talks about Half Time Heat, and reminds the crowd that “WE ARE NXT.”

I’ve been saying this for a while now, but don’t sleep on any of these guys. Most 2018 match of the year picks involved Johnny Gargano, and early 2019 MOTY nods include Gargano and Ricochet. These guys all have something to prove, and more importantly they always fight like it. With NXT the future is now, and if you have a chance to see these guys before they get called up, make it happen.