NXT 3-18-15 Review

Original Airdate: Wednesday, March 18th, 2015
LC Pavilion
Columbus, Ohio

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This week's episode I believe is the first one to not take place at Full Sail University. We are coming from Columbus, Ohio this week. 

Kalisto vs. Tyler Breeze

We have a Madison Square Garden type setup here, with the entrance directly in the background. Kalisto shows off some of his unique crazy athleticism early on and Breeze rolls out of the ring. Kalisto goes for a springboard move, but Breeze hits him with a dropkick for a 2 count. After a commercial break, Kalisto hits a modified hurricanrana to Breeze on his knees, driving his head into the mat. Kalisto goes for a springboard move, but gets hit with the Supermodel Kick for a nearfall. Kalisto goes for the STS, but Breeze counters it and hits the Beauty Shot for the victory. This was a solid opener, with both guys getting a chance to show off what they can do. 

Match Rating: **1/2

We get a Kevin Owens/Alex Riley video package. 

Alexa Bliss is excited to show her hometown what she's all about. 

We get a video package of NXT at the Arnold Sports Festival. They show Triple H being honored to be put in the International Sports Hall of Fame. Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart and Ric Flair were also there to hype up NXT. I truly feel like this was the proof that was needed that NXT was capable of selling out arenas outside of Florida.

Finn Balor approaches Alex Riley and says that he'll watch his back. Riley says that he's going to humiliate Owens tonight. Balor warns him not to overlook Owens or there will be no tomorrow for him. 

Wesley Blake vs. Big Cass

The crowd is very much into Enzo and Cass. Cass throws Blake around the ring in the early going until Blake is able to snap Cass's neck on the top rope. Cass makes a comeback with a splash in the corner and a side suplex. Buddy Murphy gets up on the apron and Cass gives him a boot off the apron. Blake rolls up Cass and picks up the victory. Well, that was certainly quick. Carmella also got knocked off the apron and is selling her knee. It's really interesting how they book Cass. It's almost unlike any big man that I can remember and that is very un-WWE like.

Match Rating: 3/4*

Dana Brooke is coming soon to NXT.

Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks

They hype up the hometown crowd for Bliss, but Sasha is very much over too. Sasha hits the double knees in the corner early on. Alexa battles back and hits a standing moonsault for a 2 count. She does a variation of a sunset flip that doesn't pick up the victory and then hits a dropkick to knock Sasha out of the ring. Alexa leaps off the apron and starts taking it to her. Sasha is able to fight back and throw her into the hardest part of the ring. Alexa throws Sasha into the ring post and rolls into the ring for the countout victory. That was an interesting way to book this one. They hardly had any time and the babyface gets the heel victory. 

Match Rating: *1/4

Kevin Owens addresses Alex Riley tonight and Finn Balor for next week. He says that no one is taking his NXT Championship away from him and his family. 

Alexa Bliss talks about beating Sasha Banks and Sasha comes into argue. William Regal says that next week Sasha will defend the Women's Championship against Alexa. 

Alex Riley vs. Kevin Owens

Owens hits some clubbing blows early in the match. Riley is able to get a dropkick in, but Owens is back at it and hits a cannonball. Owens goes for another one and this time Riley is able to move. Riley hits a spinebuster and gets a 2 count. Owens quickly is back and hits a trio of sentons before dumping him outside. Owens picks him up and throws him into the elevated metal rail. Back in the ring, Owens hits the Pop Up Powerbomb for the victory. That was basically a complete squash. I'm not really sure what they were going for with the weeks of build on this story if Owens was just going to completely bury him. The match wasn't much.

Match Rating: 3/4*

After the match Owens goes for another one, but Finn Balor's music hits and he's out to tell him to stop. Balor leaps off the apron and they start brawling. Balor gets the best of him and Owens retreats to the back. 

The booking on this show was kind of interesting. It was cool to see them out of the NXT Arena, this one just wasn't their strongest effort. 

Overall Rating: 50%