NXT Minus 6: Who Wants Lemonade?

NXT is turning lemons into lemonade. That cool refreshing drink.

6. Whether or not he wins the cruiserweight tournament, I am formally demanding Jordan Devlin versus Swerve Scott. I’ll start a petition. I’ll take legal action. I can’t get enough Swerve Scott. Seriously. I am officially putting him in the running for NXT Wrestler of the Year. I occasionally pick 6 wrestlers to start my own federation. Scott is really close to making the cut. If you’re wondering, Tyler Bate, Keith Lee & Kota Ibushi are locks. The other three are in flux.  

5. If your wrestling persona is your personality cranked up to 11, what does that say about Dexter Lumis? Even worse, what’s that say about his parents? If anybody should be billed from “Parts Unknown” it’s Lumis. He’s impressive in ring and I dig his combination slam/submission. I would like to see more personality, because right now he’s too much of a character to be taken seriously.  

4. Last week, El Hijo was announced as weighing 217 pounds. This week? 203!!! Dude cut 14 pounds in a week. I smell shenanigans…or a wellness test. 

3. I was fully prepared to rip into Candace Lerae for her watered-down performance against Kacy Catanzero. Then towards the end of the match, she throws an elbow, goes berserk and kicks the crap out poor Miss Ricochet. You slow rolled us, Candace. Well played. But if I was you, I’d be pissed too if Cruella de Vil was doing my hair & makeup. 

2. The Newly-Bros was crap. Absolutely pointless. Raw/Smackdown garbage. That’s what I would say if it was anybody but Matt Riddle. He’s the only guy in NXT who can make that work. And during the whole segment, I was waiting for Riddle & Timothy Thatcher to get jumped by two menacing foreigners. Luckily I was right and wrong. 

1. No audience? No cruiserweight champion? No problem! NXT is turning lemons into lemonade. There isn’t much in the way of non-Japanese competition, but the Cruiserweight Tournament is running away with the award for American wrestling tournament of the year. Every match has been good to great. KUSHIDA and Akira Tozawa look rejuvenated. I like the Drake Maverick story. I’ve even enjoyed two Tony Nese matches. TWO!!!