NXT Minus 6: Match of the Quarantine

This week, we got the best NXT of the coronavirus era and a MOTY*

6. It’s easy to see the dazzling athletic ability of Ricochet or Swerve Scott. I’m not saying he’s in that class, but I think people overlook Dexter Lumis’ athleticism. This guy moves like someone 30 pounds lighter. Watch the spot where Killian Dain tries to throw him into the steps. Lumis flips and nails a perfect roll on the landing. Color me impressed. BTW, a great hoss fight to start the show. I’m giving Dain & Lumis 4 stars. 

5. Oney Lorcan and Timothy Thatcher are quickly moving into Rivalry of the Year territory. One or two more matches like they had this week & it’s theirs for the taking. Once again, they slapped the snot out of each other for a 4.5 star banger, but that wasn’t even the best match of the night! And in the middle of the carnage, Tom Phillips reminds us that Lorcan previously had a broken eye socket. Top notch announcing. If you haven’t heard them together on 205 Live, Phillips & Corey Graves are this generation’s Gorilla & Brain. 

4. I admit it. Robert Stone is growing on me. The guy knows how to play an arrogant moron. I still see him as more of a RawDown gimmick and I sure don’t think Mercedes Martinez needs him. I hope he gets the call up & I wish him well. However, when he told Mckenzie Mitchell “the last thing I want to see is your face,” I can only assume he was sticking to the script. 

3. Karrion Kross versus Dominik Dijakovic was a 4 star burner with a 10 star ass kicking. I know Kross has Keith Lee in his sights, but please first give us Kross and Dijakovic for 15 minutes at Takeover. That finish was brutal, tense, uncomfortable. By the end of 2021, Kross will be the the WWE or Universal champion. First I need Kross versus Thatcher…versus Balor…rematch with Dijakovic…  

2. Without a doubt, the best match of the coronavirus era is Roderick Strong versus Johnny Gargano versus Bronson Reed. I love triple threats & this is one of the best I’ve seen in a while. I’m calling it MOTY* because there were a few matches pre-quarantine that I rank a touch higher. So many stories. Gargano & Strong teaming up to overcome Reed’s size. Reed wanting to prove he can hang with two of the best in the world. Everybody fighting for a chance at the North American title. Give me best-of-5 Gargano versus Strong & I’ll be a happy camper. Everything from the pre-match promo to the ending was solid gold dipped in gold. 4.6 stars

1. This week’s That’s Why I Love Wrestling goes to…Everything. Overall, this was possibly the best episode of NXT this year & one of the best since they went to two hours. It was clear that Vince’s fingerprints were all over Great American Bash. This week, everybody got to exhale & have some fun. Every match was enjoyable. Shotzi was Shotzi. Great promos from Balor & Swerve. Ever-Rise made me smile trying to get the crowd to chant D-Fence. Fandango looked like he was having the time of his life. This felt like NXT of old. The time flew by & damn if I can’t wait for next week.