NXT 1-8-14 Review

Original Airdate: Wednesday, January 8th, 2014
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida

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Summer Rae vs. Bayley

Bayley teases a hug and instead rips Summer's headband out. Bayley's headband comes out and for some reason the camera awkwardly pans to Natalya. Summer has actually turned out to be a solid heel over time. Bayley hits a splash in the corner and then hits a leaping reverse elbow for a 2 count. Bayley then hits another reverse elbow, but this time off the second rope. Bayley hits a Bayley-to-Belly and gets the victory. Not that this match needed to be 10+ minutes, they could have easily used another 3 minutes to make this not feel like a squash. 

Match Rating: 3/4*

Xavier Woods is backstage and he basically just goofs around. 

Colin Cassady vs. Aiden English

For whatever reason, English's singing gimmick doesn't get any reaction here. Cassady is really trying to get the "Sawft" over and it is semi-working. After both guys getting a short amount of time in control, English kicks Cassady in the knee and then hits the Director's Cut for the quick pinfall victory. They must not have much faith in Cassady still because his matches are never longer than 2 minutes. 

Match Rating: 3/4*

Adrian Neville is being interviewed and then his phone rings. It's Tyler Breeze calling from right next to him. He said if he talks on the phone, that way he doesn't have to look at his ugly face. They will be facing each other next week. 

Xavier Woods vs. Alexander Rusev

Kane comes out and rambles on and it all leads to him announcing that Rusev will be his opponent tonight. Rusev hits a big Samoan drop. After a dreaded nerve hold, Woods fires back and hits the Honor Roll. Rusev hits him with a clothesline and puts him in the Accolade for the victory. Seems like a wise use of Woods, who apparently was called up to Raw recently. 

Match Rating: 1/2*

They show an interview from Kofi Kingston after his loss to Rusev. He admits to underestimating Rusev, but he won't do it again and he challenges him to a rematch. 

Tyson Kidd vs. Baron Corbin

Corbin is still getting the "already in the ring" treatment. They must be thinking Corbin is getting close here though, as he is dominating the match. Kidd comes back and hits a big running dropkick. Kidd hits a top rope neckbreaker and that is all for Corbin. 

Match Rating: 3/4*

Tornado Tag Team Match

Hunico & Camacho vs. The Ascension

With this being somewhat of a feud and given that the rules are that all four men can be in the ring at once, you would expect this to get off to a hot start. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. It kind of feels like I am at 75% speed here. Hunico and Camacho go for stereo punches in the corner, but the Ascension both hit powerbombs to get out of it. O'Brian hits a flapjack on Camacho for a nearfall. Hunico hits a crossbody off the top rope. Camacho hits a Samoan drop and Hunico follows it with a swanton, but Viktor breaks up the pin attempt. Camacho goes for a dive, but he is greeted with a big uppercut. The Ascension hits Fall Of Man and that is all. The last minute or two finally picked up, but it wasn't good enough to make up for the first segment. 

Match Rating: *1/4

Like I have said in previous reviews, NXT's talent is increasing here in 2014, but you can't put them all on each episode. Even on a mediocre episode like this one, there is enough good to make it breeze by. The tag team division still stinks, but the singles division is building up quite nicely. 

Overall Rating: 56%