As if the world wasn’t crazy enough right now, NXT 5/6 opened with the former heart of the brand, a full blown HEEL Johnny Gargano versus Dominic Dijakovic. Not be that guy but …(my famous last words) I absolutely loathe Johnny’s new entrance music. It is so generic, especially compared to CFO$ ‘s “Rebel Heart” theme that was absolutely brilliant. In fact if you paid close attention, the chords to Johnny’s former song are an inversion of the chords in Ciampa’s theme – a la the old Black Heart versus Rebel Heart dynamic.
No, I don’t like this one bit. The reasons behind Gargano’s heel turn not only storyline-wise (YOU KNOW WHY!!), but being “best for business” leaves me scratching my head. This a guy who has not only influenced myself, but many others in and outside of the ring. This is a guy who stops for every single fan and goes the extra mile. This is a guy who says if you see him at Disney Springs, please come say, “Hi.” This is a legit good person with some of his charity work, and who carries the NXT banner on his shoulders. Everything about him screams baby face. Yes, I can separate reality from storyline, but I still don’t even know what this story is. I just don’t get it. End rant.
Now just because I completely disagree with everything going on with his (and Candice LaRae’s) persona right now, doesn’t mean I don’t see some of the cleverness here. The new T-shirt and Titantron Quote, “All Heart, No Soul” is really great. Heck, Johnny is a good enough actor that is heel work is actually stellar as well. We knew it would be.
But that being said, during the entire match the whole “The Gargano Way” thing is being shoved down our throats. Gargano’s tights now read “TGW” and he uses every heel maneuver in the book (fake injuries, hooking the tights and a Candice distraction) to get the W over the impressive Dijakovic. Gargano even wins the match with an exposed turnbuckle into his signature jumping DDT now called, “One Final Beat.” This was actually a really good match but again, I just don’t get it. My Rebel Heart is broken.
Next up on NXT 5/6 we see Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner cut a promo to challenge Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher for the NXT Tag Titles. They will get their shot next week.
Back in the ring, the Cruiserweight action picks up with a solid match-up between Akira Tozawa and the much less “Gentleman-ly” Jack Gallagher. I’m so happy to see Tozawa on TV every week on either RAW or NXT. I’m even happier to see the former Cruiserweight Champ pick up the win to go 2-0 so far in the tournament.
Next up Robert Stone accompanies Chelsea Green to the ring for a quick matchup against the always impressive Xia Li. Aliyah causes the distraction allowing Green to pick up the win with the “I’m-Prettier.” Stone seems to take a liking to Aliyah, so we’ll see if we have a faction in the making here.
In the words of The Great One…..”FINALLY” Killer Kross…ahem, Karrion Kross makes his very long awaited debut on the black and gold brand and let me say it was perfection. His black and white entrance accompanied by Scarlett Bordeaux seemingly singing along, smoke, and amazing cinematography was just brilliant. Everything about this production from the camera angles to the blocking was perfect. It was like old school film noir meets a massive bringer of destruction. And yes, this particular theme song was straight fire.
It’s saying something when the internet blows up over the guy’s entrance alone. Mind you there was NO ONE in the audience. PERFECTION.
This is was more than worth the wait as Kross made quick work of Evolve’s Leon Ruff with the Kross Jacket submission. Stellar debut.
In a Takeover caliber hyped matchup Io Shirai finally gets her title shot for the NXT Women’s Championship against the Queen herself, Charlotte Flair. This was a great back and forth match which made Io look very strong. Io is so fluid in the ring as she hit one of the most beautiful Frankensteiners I’ve seen in a long time. Both women missed their signature moonsaults which you knew were coming. What I didn’t expect was Charlotte to lose this match via DQ after suddenly hitting Io with a Kendo stick. I was super bummed with this quick finish, but it still made Io look strong.
As Charlotte continues her attack on Io, Rhea Ripley who I thought was in Australia makes her return to NXT for the save! I’m happy again. Charlotte retreats and Rhea is fired up. Io is less than grateful as she jumps Rhea mid interview backstage, likely setting up a match between the two moving forward. Welcome back, Rhea. This is your brutality!!
Continuing with cruiserweight action on NXT 5/6, Kushida takes on the very impressive Jake Atlas in a really fun, fast-paced match. These guys are both very fluid in the ring and can mix up with a lot of different styles. I would’ve been happier if this got a little more time but Kushida proves that it is indeed his time, with an arm bar counter from a spring-boarding Atlas for the win. Kushida is a heavy favorite to win the title in my mind.
Back at the podium …. I’m gonna stop right there. How does everyone feel about this NXT podium thing?
I feel everyone is just accepting Slammy Awards but maybe I’m just old school. Regardless, Finn goes to the podium stating that he has no idea who his attacker is BUT he knows they are doing for a push. He says they are doing it for a push but they are really going to get Squashed.
Cameron Grimes makes quick work of Denzel DeJournette before mouthing off about Finn Balor.
Balor comes to the ring and delivers a stomp, sling-blade combo on Grimes. He then finishes his earlier promo. This is interesting, but also a little strange to have a major heel be the guy getting jumped this time around. Interesting….
Speaking of “interesting,” our main event for the NXT Championship starts with only 10 minutes left in the program. I’m very surprised by that. You could tell how little time there was too because both Velveteen Dream and Adam Cole (BAY BAY!!) came out fast and furious. Lots of power moves in the first six minutes, that seemingly left these guys winded. Don’t get me wrong, the match was really good, but it was only one speed. It definitely felt rushed.
As we’ve seen many times before the Undisputed Era got involved, allowing Cole to capitalize. What I did not expect was to see Dexter Lumis come to Dream’s aid. I still don’t know what to make of Lumis’ persona. He looks like a G.I. Joe, but has the persona and entrance music of some mystical being. I’m still waiting for the bass to drop in his music.
I digress, The U.E. distraction allows for the ref bump, and Velveteen not winning the title after a sucessful Elbow of the top. Cole uses the continued U.E. distraction to hit the last shot to retain his longest reigning NXT Championship run.
NXT 5/6 was a really good showing by the company tonight. Although I am at times baffled by some of the character direction, they got a lot of things right. We all know it’s not the same without the key component that is the NXT audience, but things like Mauro Ranallo and good storytelling are helping fill that void. In this day and age, we will certainly take what we can get.
