NXT 7-1-15 Review

Original Airdate: Wednesday, July 1st, 2015
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida

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Vaudevillains vs. Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson

We get some good teamwork from both teams early on. It's good to see Dash and Dawson get some more TV time, even if it's in an obvious losing effort. Like a lot of NXT during this era, just as the action is getting good, we get an abrupt finish. Gotch hits the Whirling Dervish and that's all. Whatever.

Match Rating: *

They hype up Beast In The East and talk about the main event of Samoa Joe and Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens and Rhyno tonight. 

We go to Becky Lynch to hear about her recent injury. She sprained her hip flexor at TakeOver and she has to take a few weeks off. 

Baron Corbin vs. Tucker Knight

Knight is a big boy, so I guess that makes this a little different than his usual squash. The match is the same except the crowd hates him now. Next.

Match Rating: 1/4*

William Regal is listening to Enzo, Big Cass and Vaudevillains arguing in his office. He tells them to stop and let's them know that they will face off to determine the #1 contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championships. 

We get the final chapter of the behind the scenes look at Finn Balor. This time they focus on him arriving in NXT and choosing his character. These have been well done. 

Emma vs. Carmella

Dana Brooke is out with Emma if anyone cares. This one follows the typical formula for these matches. Emma takes control early on, Carmella makes a short comeback and then Emma put on the Emma Lock for the victory. Carmella does seem to be improving and Emma is a solid hand. 

Match Rating: 1/2*

We go to Bull Dempsey yelling at a vending machine. Just as he's about to smash it with a bench, Regal grabs the bench from him. Regal uses a finger to wipe chocolate off his face and licks it. He tells him to get a hold of himself or he won't like the outcome. 

They show an interview with Jason Jordan after his loss last week. He's upset and says that he's being forced to do this. Chad Gable comes in and says that he's looking like a loser, but he wants to help prove that he's not one. Chad says he's ready, willing and Gable. 

Tyler Breeze vs. Tye Dillinger

Dillinger shows off some aggression by stomping a mudhole in the corner. He hits a scoop slam and the crowd is getting into the 10 gimmick, even though there is no mention of it. Breeze hits a hurricanrana and unleashes some right hands. He hits the Beauty Shot and that's all. This was just the reverse of the Emma match. I'm not really sure why they don't let some of these matches go on for more than a couple of minutes so that the crowd can get to know some of the newer talent. 

Match Rating: 3/4*

Dana and Emma are backstage. Sasha Banks is wondering what they are doing in her locker room. They say that they are taking over the NXT Women's division, but Sasha says she'll take them both on. Dana wonders who would ever want to be Sasha's partner, but Sasha says she will find one. 

Finn Balor & Samoa Joe vs. Rhyno & Kevin Owens

Surprisingly we get Finn and Owens early on. I figured they'd tease it until the end of the match. Balor is dumped outside, so that means it's time for a commercial break. We get even more Finn and Owens. Owens hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Balor counters out of the Attitude Adjustment and hits a double stomp. Owens has so many feuds going on at this moment, which is something you don't see too often. Joe gets the hot tag and goes to town on Rhyno until Owens interferes. Owens charges Joe in the corner, but Joe catches him in midair and slams him down. Balor is up top, but Rhyno knocks him off the top. Owens hits the Pop Up Powerbomb on Joe and a superkick on Finn. Finn comes back with the Pelé Kick. Rhyno goes for the Gore, but Balor moves out of the way and hits Owens with it. Balor hits the running dropkick on Owens. He hits the Coup de Grace on Owens and gets the pretty shocking victory here. I did not expect that at all. This was the type of action and storytelling I have been looking for on the weekly TV show. Good main event.

Match Rating: ***

This was a big improvement. They still have too many short matches that don't let the lesser known stars show much, but at least this week they were more entertaining matches. 

Overall Rating: 59%