Bodeen’s Top 5 Moments: WWE NXT (2/17/21)

With TakeOver Vengeance Day behind us, NXT delivered a great show, as we saw the winners of the Dusty Rhodes Classic celebrate, as well as the emotional reaction from Kyle O’Reilly after Adam Cole shocked fans and superkicked O’Reilly. So let’s look at the top 5 moments that stood out on the show.

5. Austin Theory returns  

Austin Theory joining The Way has been extremely entertaining to watch. Even though Theory is made to look stupid at times, it has never negatively hurt him or made him look weak as he has still looked amazing in the ring, now that he is under the guidance of Johnny Gargano.

Despite being without Austin Theory, The Way would appear on NXT as Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae faced Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon. Gargano would be a star in commentary as he stated his concern for his lost Way member.

Gargano would eventually find Theory after a van pulled up in the parking lot. While the match was nothing special, this was still a fun little segment to watch.

4. KUSHIDA beats Tyler Rust 

In just a few short weeks since making his debut in NXT Tyler Rust has made a name for himself in NXT and is arguably one of the next big names in NXT. Rust had another great performance on NXT as he faced a hurt KUSHIDA with Malcolm Bivens in his corner

This was a great match with KUSHIDA getting the early advantage against Rust, with Rust getting momentum back as he targeted the neck of KUSHIDA which was still hurt from his intense match against Johnny Gargano at Vengeance Day.

Tyler Rust would lose, after KUSHIDA locked the hoverboard on him causing Malcolm Bivens to call for the bell, protecting his investment.

3. Why? Adam why? 

After Adam Cole superkicked him at TakeOver: Vengeance Day, Kyle O’Reilly would open the show, giving a heartfelt promo about his reaction to Cole’s actions, stating that Cole was still a brother to O’Reilly even after what Cole did to him at TakeOver. Unfortunately for O’Reilly, Roderick Strong would come out and try to explain Cole’s actions.

Finn Balor would then come out, stating that he was also looking for Adam Cole saying he didn’t trust Kyle O’Reilly, before all 3 men were ambushed by Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch, setting up the main event for later in the night.

This was a great opening promo and did an amazing job in highlighting Kyle’s reaction and response to Cole, as well as setting up the main event for later in the night.

2. Pat McAfee was right all along 

Pat McAfee without a doubt was my favorite superstar to make his debut in 2020. In just a few short weeks, McAfee proved his skills on the microphone as he put on amazing promos on NXT, as well on his podcast, The Pat McAfee Show. McAfee would then prove he could back up his ability on the mic, in the ring as he put on a great match with Adam Cole, as well as his amazing performance in the War Games match against the Undisputed Era.

McAfee would give fans another solid heel promo this week, as he called out fans about him being right about Adam Cole. This was a short, but amazing with McAfee playing the role of heel perfectly as he did throughout his time in NXT in 2020.

With Pat McAfee back on NXT television could then be the start of Pat getting involved with the Undisputed Era once again?

1. The end of an Undisputed Era  

Despite it being a short and chaotic match, the main event between Roderick Strong, Finn Balor, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch told a great story and was filled with subtle attention to detail which made it amazing to watch.

The main story of this match was Kyle taking out his aggression on his opponents, refusing to tag Roderick Strong in the match. A great bit of subtle storytelling was Dunne targeting the fingers of Balor which were still hurt from their match together.

The match would end after Adam Cole came out and attacked Balor and O’Reilly leaving Dunne to hit the Bitter End of Finn for the win. Adam Cole would later superkick Balor, holding the NXT title to close the show.

These were my top 5 moments from NXT this week. What were your top 5 moments and what did you think of Pat McAfee’s promo? Let us know in the comments below.