NXT 7/29 begins immediately with some Women’s tag team action between Io Shirai and Tegan Nox, against Dakota Kai and Candice LeRae. The match starts out with some very high energy and sustains it throughout. Dakota Kai and Io Shirai exchanged most of the blows. Shirai almost manages to finish her but Kai does not go down. Even though this is a tag team match it basically showcases Shirai and Kai with both of them being incredible. The match ends with Io Shirai pinning Candice LeRae in rather spectacular fashion. It was also a good look to have Kai not be the one to get pinned, keeping her in a strong position.
After the match there is a quick recap of the Pat McAfee Show from a few days ago where Adam Cole was the guest. Adam Cole went off on McAfee after some grilling regarding the Undisputed Era. As far as works go it was pretty good. I’m a fan of Pat McAfee and I like other areas where wrestlers get to sound off, even if it is staged.
The next match features Johnny Gargano vs. Roderick Strong. Gargano wins in convincing fashion with One Final Beat. This was another good match; I always enjoy a Johnny Gargano match. It is interesting that him being a heel keeps him less vocal and more ferocious than when he was a face, but you cannot deny his work, which is outstanding.
Next is Shotzi Blackheart, one of my personal favorites on the women’s roster, vs. Mercedes Martinez, accompanied by Robert Stone. Compared to the first two matches this match was a lot slower paced. However, it’s tough to compare to the first two matches since it featured some all-star talent. Mercedes Martinez wins rather quickly. This was mostly an uninspired filler match.
Next up is Keith Lee, my favorite wrestler in NXT across both rosters. In terms of a wrestler, mic presence, and all-around entertainer, no one is better in my opinion. He calls Karrion Kross to fight but instead he gets Cameron Grimes. Keith Lee chokes Grimes, taking him out incredibly quickly. Scarlett comes out as Karrion Kross sends him a message on the screen. He demands a shot at the NXT Championship, so he can “whip that ass.”
Next up on NXT 7/29 are the NXT Tag Team Champs, Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel), they square off against Ever-Rise. The match was not quite a squash match, but it was the closest thing to one. Imperium takes out Ever-Rise effortlessly, albeit with a botched finisher at the end. Standard dominance match for Imperium. After the match the Undisputed Era comes out to take out Imperium, setting up an eventual matchup I’m sure.
Another quick match featuring Jake Atlas and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. They trade moves and finishers for most of the match. Jake manages to get a Samoan drop for a near fall, but Swerve is able to hit a House Call, and brings Jake back for a JML Driver for the win.
The final match of the evening is a Triple Threat match for a shot at the eventual North American Championship match featuring Dexter Lumis, Timothy Thatcher, and Finn Balor. The match starts out great with Balor and Thatcher going at each other while Lumis watches menacingly. Lumis quickly joins the fray as Balor comes at him. The combatants trade blows back and forth as match remains even throughout the first half. Eventually Thatcher takes out Lumis and it becomes a match between Balor and Thatcher as they trade blows. Lumis comes back and starts taking out both Thatcher and Balor. All three men are exhausted as they try to get up and secure a victory. Lumis gets a choke hold on Thatcher but it’s broken up by a coup de gras by Balor. Thatcher gets a leg lock on Balor, Balor refuses to tap out, giving Lumis the opportunity to put him in the choke hold, Thatcher passes out giving Lumis the victory. Great match by three great competitors!
That’s it for the NXT 7/29 episode, what started and ended with some good matches, this was an above average show for sure, setting up some future matches and sending Dexter Lumis to NXT Takeover 30. I’m excited for the eventual Keith Lee and Karrion Kross showdown which I’m sure won’t disappoint.
