Brad runs down some commentary on the recent week’s product and the NXT releases.

6. Johnny Gargano versus Dexter Lumis is a perfect example of good match/rotten story. What they did in ring was solid, competent work. Lumis is stale, but Gargano could carry Flair’s broomstick to at least 3 stars. I give not two shits about InDex. They can save this trash for RawDown. Instead of kissing him, Indi Hartwell looked like she was trying to chew off Lumis’ face. Hard to believe 13 superstars got cut but this crap ass storyline survives. 

5. The first Breakout Stars tournament was loaded. You could start a solid federation with Bronson Reed, Swerve Scott, Joaquin Wilde, Cameron Grimes and Angel Garza. I don’t see as much promise with the second group. That said, here’s my top 3 in order of potential: 3: Duke Hudson 2: Carmelo Hayes 1: Joe Gacy. Even in a loss, Gacy impressed me. He’s a hard hitting bruiser who looks like he’d be at home in a real bar fight. He’d make a great fourth member of Gallus. They should ship him overseas before the next round of cuts. 

4. Santos Escobar stole the grill from Swerve Scott’s mouth! That is next level heel work. I’m putting that one notch below Tommaso Ciampa taking Johnny Gargano’s wedding ring & spitting on it before he threw it into the crowd. It took Escobar over a year to get there, but I’m finally seeing the reason for all the hype. 

3. While the number of cuts is alarming, the amount of talent isn’t. Tyler Rust and Jake Atlas are puzzling because both have been pushed pretty hard. Atlas has been piling up victories on NXT and 205, so he’s clearly someone they had big plans for, until this week. Rust’s release turns Diamond Mine into Roderick Strong solo. I’m not complaining about that, but the DM promos had a longer run than the actual group. EFF the E for letting them go. 

2. If I had to guess, the one thing every wrestler wants is get over organically. They work their asses off to get real, honest reactions from the fans. That’s exactly what Leon Ruff did. His energy and smile were infectious, his in-ring work was fresh and exciting, and he made us care about the stories he was telling. I’m confident Ruff will find a place in this wrestling world that appreciates his talents, but EFF the E for letting him go. 

1. The biggest loss from the latest round of cuts is Bronson Reed. He’s a talented, likable big man with one of the best finishers in all of wrestling. Tsuuuuuuu NAMI! He worked his ass off to get over, and the fans loved him for it. If a wrestling company can’t figure out how to make a few bucks off a guy like that, they shouldn’t be in the wrestling business. If I’m running the show, I’m keeping someone the fans love. EFF the E for letting him go.