Yes indeed, it is time for the first NXT in a Nutshell in quite some time, and this time around the show is setting up Stand And Deliver.
The brand’s next big special on a major PLE, that happens over WrestleMania week.
To be honest, I truly miss TakeOver specials, because that era of black and gold hit different.
But, the current roster is nothing to sneeze at, and it’s time we put some more attention on the “developmental” brand.
So, it’s our first one of these for the NXT brand in quite a few years (I assure you, I did used to write these). If you are a fan of the Nutshells, the format remains the same.
And if you aren’t? Well, the format still remains the same.
So, enough setting the table, it is time to get into…
NXT In A Nutshell: Setting Up Stand And Deliver
Lets crack this one open and get familiar all over again!
Best Match of the night:
For my money, the best match was Noam Dar versus Charlie Dempsey.
Sure, there was a lot of interference that lead to the win, but even take that out of the match and the action was really, really good.
Worst match of the night:
No complaints.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Shut the hell up
Holy sh!@
Star of the Night
Melo is him.
Charlie Dempsey got himself a new cup.
I like this new Shawn Spears.
Tony D’Angelo was gold on the mic.
Spot of the Night:
That one chop delivered by Dijak on Crusifino…that hurt me, and I am several states away.
Jobber of the Night:
Not this time around.
Upset of the Night:
I am pretty sure Ridge Holland will be pretty upset with how tonight went.
He basically shushed Tatum and Lyra out of the ring. Wanted to apologize for his actions, or justify them.
Then the arena went black, leading us to….
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
TYE DILLINGER IS BACK. Yes, I meant to do the caps.
We knew he was out from AEW. There had been some cryptic messages the past several weeks, including some in Japanese.
So much so that fans were dreaming of a certain major free agent.
But the arena went dark, the video wall shared the message but with a voice. And then Dillinger dropped Holland (and then revealed that it was him).
Officially, according to Vic, we shall now call him Shawn Spears.
OK…Joe Gacy HAS to head to RAW or SmackDown soon, right?
But in the meantime…man comes down, breaking out of a straight jacket, and whips on Dijak?
Playing crazy really well, that’s for sure. But yes, I really do think he needs to be getting a call up very soon.
Botch of the night:
Not tonight
LOL Moment of the night:
Booker can be an absolute hoot on commentary. Perhaps an acquired taste, but he was fine for me.
Noteworthy Moment:
The Good Brothers are in NXT now that they’ve been split from AJ Styles, and they are not making any friends.
Tye Dillinger is back where he belongs. OK, fine, Shawn Spears.
Looks like Sol Ruca’s return to television is imminent.
We have a big tag title match next week, with Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley getting a shot at the Kabuki Warriors.
Overall lowlights:
No complaints.
Overall highlights:
Carmelo is destined for main roster greatness, but he and Ilya have something good going on in NXT.
Putting Dillinger/Spears back in NXT makes a lot of sense. He did great work there before.
Can the OC find themselves again, as Baron Corbin has?
NXT could become a redevelopment place…or it already has.
Either way…things are lining up for NXT to really be setting up for Stand and Deliver.
After the final bell:
Big show to get back into the black and gold, and next week’s Roadblock is even bigger.
Yes, I know Roadblock is between us and Stand And Deliver…but we all know whatever happens now and next week is with the bigger show in mind.
It’s good to be back.
