Brad highlights the NXT & NXT UK shows, including a historic moment. Or well…probably historic…question mark?

6. I’m conflicted about Swerve’s new posse, Hit Row. On one hand, it’s WWE’s most pathetic trope: stick all the black wrestlers together, because they’re black. On the other hand, this feels like a big moment and a big push for Swerve. That is long overdue, so I’ll hold my doubts in check and see how high they let him fly. I’m also hoping for a fifth member, because War Games needs a new problem. 

5. Welcome back Bobby Fish. Long time no see. I understand that you and Kyle O’Reilly want to do your own thing, but you sure blew a golden feelgood moment when you bypassed the hug for the stare down. Brothers can hug it out. And Kyle, wear the damn hat to the ring! Don’t make me tell you again. 

4. If you aren’t watching NXT UK, you’re missing some of the best character work in the business. Thunderstorm Sam Gradwell is “jackass who sticks his nose in other people’s business just to piss them off.” It’s so simple and effective, AND it translates well to sensible in-ring work. He’s a jackass, and fans like to see a jackass get beat up. Simple. On the other hand…

3. I like Cameron Grimes, rich hillbilly. I love Cameron Grimes, in-ring technical savage. I feel like the two are completely separate characters. Once the bell rings, the rich guy thing goes out the window. I’m looking forward to him blowing all his money and returning to his dirty, backwoods Carolina roots.     

2. I have discovered the secret to make Santos Escobar entertaining. Let him wrestle KUSHIDA every week. I’m going 4.5 stars for their latest encounter. KUSHIDA has been wrestling for 16 years. Escobar has been wrestling for 21 years. Every time they clash, the experience is evident. I’m also enjoying Escobar’s transformation from defender of Lucha (yawn) to cool, cocky jerk. So cool. So cocky. Such a jerk.  

1. I could be wrong, but I believe Raquel Gonzalez versus Mercedes Martinez is the first time in NXT history that two Hispanic women faced each other for a championship. For a company that crows about how much history they make, it’s hard to believe and disappointing that they missed this. Initially I thought it was the first matchup of its kind in WWE history. There are surprisingly more female Hispanic wrestlers than I remembered. It’s likely that two faced each other for a title, possibly during the Diva’s belt era when everybody was champion for 15 minutes. If you can think of any such match, please post it in the comments.