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WWE NXT 5/18: Rating and Ranking Every Match

by Robby Steven 0 Comments

Robby Steven
Latest posts by Robby Steven (see all)

WWE NXT moves forward with their eyes set on next month’s TakeOver: In Your House. Bronson Reed gets a shot at the North American Tille as he battles Johnny Gargano in a cage match. Toni Storm gets a chance at redemption against Zoey Stark, while LDF take on Ciampa and Thatcher.

Every match on WWE NXT will include a highlight moment, what the storyline progression is, and a final analysis. Each match will be given a star rating and be ranked from worst to best.

Matches Ranked from Worst to Best

7) Hit Row (Ashante thee Adonis & Top Dolla) d. Tony Nese and Divari
Highlight Moments: With Tony Nese on his back, Top Dolla completes a power slam on Divari. Ashante thee Adonis tags in to connect with a sweet dropkick before Dolla tags back in to get the win after an inverted Death Valley Driver on Divari. After the match, Scott says he will have his eyes on the main event cage match.

Storyline Progression: Hit Row formed last week and they took steps to continue making a positive impression.

Final Analysis: A retro squash that would’ve been seen on Wrestling Challenge back in the 1980s. SQUASH city. Take a Pass.

Imperium Implodes

6) Alexander Wolfe d. Killian Dain
Highlight Moments: Killian Dain gets the upper hand first with several avalanche splashes in the corner. Alexander Wolf is able to break free a German suplex. When the rest of Imperium urge Wolfe to use a chair, Dain charges with a crossbody for the win. After the match, Imperium attack Wolfe and lay him out with an Imperium Bomb.

Storyline Progression: Imperium have staked their claim in WWE NXT, but that hasn’t stopped Killian Dain and Drake Maverick from stepping up to the plate.

Final Analysis: Not much to see here match-wise, but it was built for the post-match turn. Quick and easy, but you can Skim It for storyline purposes. *1/2

Sarray keeps the streak going

5) Sarray d. Aliyah
Highlight Moments: Sarray starts off with several arm drags and dropkicks before getting distracted by the Robert Stone brand on the outside. Aliyah hits a hardback elbow for a near fall. Sarray makes a comeback with a missile dropkick before getting the win off a head and arm suplex.

Storyline Progression: Sarray debuted less than a month ago and looks to continue her winning streak.

Final Analysis: Another quick and easy match to digest. Aliyah got enough offense in to avoid a squash as Sarray continues her offense of dropkicks and suplexes. Skim It. **

WWE NXT: Everybody has a price

4) Jake Atlas d. Cameron Grimes
Highlight Moment: After a video played to highlight Ted Dibiase, Cameron Grimes was visibly upset before getting knocked out of the ring by Jake Atlas. Back in the ring and Atlas continues his advantage with a springboard hurricanrana. Grimes eventually gets the upper hand with a stiff lariat. Grimes catches Atlas with a modified Spanish Fly as the Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase appears allowing Jake Atlas to get the roll-up for the win.

Storyline Progression: In recent weeks, Ted Dibiase has been a party pooper as he’s hampered the plans of Cameron Grimes regards of the situation. The skits between the two have been some of the best segments on WWE NXT.

Final Analysis: Fun match that was built around the appearance of the Million Dollar Man, which has been fantastic. Worth a Watch. ***

Back on track

3) Toni Storm d. Zoey Stark
Highlight Moments: The action starts quickly as Zoey Stark gets on the offensive with a springboard dropkick. On the outside of the ring, Toni Storm bounces back by pulling Stark off the apron before tossing her into the steel steps. Stark regains the advantage with a plancha to the outside before the commercial. Back from the break and Stark continues her onslaught with several stiff kicks and a running dropkick. Storm is able to fight back and get a near fall after the Storm Zero double underhook powerbomb. Storm goes back at it and gets the win after an inverted headlock slam. After the match, Franky Money appeared on the entrance ramp.

Storyline Progression: Zoey Stark pulled off a major upset when she defeated Toni Storm in their first meeting on WWE NXT. In an attempt to make lightning strike twice, Stark took on Storm in a rematch.

Final Analysis: Really strong opening match as Zoey Stark and Toni Storm have good chemistry together. Worth a Watch. ***1/2

WWE NXT: Tag Team action

2) Legado Del Fantasma d. Tomasso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher
Highlight Moments: Tomasso Ciampa quickly pulls Joaquin Wilde to the outside and tosses him into the barricade. Timothy Thatcher is tagged in before Raul Mendoza sneaks in a tag for himself. Thatcher and Ciampa rotate tags as both men work over Mendoza with a series of stiff strikes and a ground attack. Mendoza gets busted open in his mouth before making a comeback with several kicks to Thatcher before falling victim to an ankle lock. Ciampa runs in to cut off Wilde with an ankle lock of his own.

LDF breaks free as all four men brawl to the commercial. Back from the break as Ciampa unloads with multiple closelines on both members of LDF. LDF regain the advantage by double-teaming Ciampa for a two-count. Both teams get their chance to shine before Wilde takes out Thatcher with a flipping plancha before Ciampa hits the Willow’s Bell as he re-enters the ring. The Grizzled Young Veterans attack Ciampa on the outside allowing LDF to hit a double team Russian Leg Sweep and high kick for the win.

Storyline Progression: Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde were interviewed earlier in the night calling out MSK for a tag title shot. Tomasso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher confronted them before issuing a challenge of their own. Timothy Thatcher is tagged in before Paul

Final Analysis: I would’ve liked a clean finish, but it protects Thatcher and Ciampa with their feud with GYV. Great match though as expected. LDF are hitting their stride right now and deserves a victory. Thatcher is a legit beast and Tomasso Ciampa is the best professional wrestler in the world. Must-Watch. ****

WWE NXT: Main Event Cage Match

1) North American Title Match: Bronson Reed d. Johnny Gargano (New Champion)
Highlight Moments: Johnny Gargano attempts to dive through the door as the bell rings but is caught by Bronson Reed. Gargano continues to climb for a potential escape but is cut off each time by Reed who toses the champion into the cage fence. Gargano finally gets on the offensive after connecting with a moonsault from the middle of the cage. Reed is able to quickly bounce back, getting a near fall with a powerslam. Reed climbs the cage but Austin Theory distracts him allowing Gargano to crotch him on the top rope before the commercial. Gargano works over Reed throughout the picture and picture break before coming back to the live feed.

Reed catches Gargano leaping from the top rope with a powerslam before catapulting him into the catch. Reed brings Gargano to the second rope and hits a Samoan Drop but can only get a two-count. Theory blocks Reed’s attempt at crawling out of the door while Gargano catches him with a tornado DDT. Reed gets up in time to stop a Gargano escape attempt and hits a superbomb from the top rope. Theory again blocks Reed from escaping the cage, but the big man leaps from the top rope for a splash. Reed goes back up to double down and gets the win and the title.

Storyline Progression: Bronson Reed has been on the heels of Johnny Gargano in recent weeks, including coming close to victory at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. In what could be his final opportunity, Reed got his shot inside a steel cage.

Final Analysis: Great match to finally end the feud. Johnny Gargano is one of the best in the world but his title reign needed to come to a close and Bronson Reed was the right guy to take it. It’ll be interesting to see where each guy goes from here. Must-Watch. ****1/4

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