NXT’S product mirrored that of AEW Dynamite during the first segment of the night, however, NXT did it a little better. It’s not that the quality of these two matches was drastically different, it’s just that the opening match on NXT felt like it carried a little more weight since the NXT Championship was on the line. The limited commercial interruptions also made it feel like a Takeover match.
Adam Cole is more than worthy at this point to be champion. The return of Johnny Gargano is much appreciated as NXT is clearly a lesser product without its heart and soul.
Rhea Ripley winning the NXT Women’s Championship and ending Shayna Baszler’s oppressive 14- month-long reign as champion was clearly the highlight of the night. Baszler has been women’s champion for most of the past two years, so it was time for a change. The 23-year-old Ripley will be a welcome change of pace to the women’s division in NXT. Baszler may get a call sooner rather than later to move over to the main roster because she’s done about everything there is for her to do on this brand.
Damian Priest clearly has a higher ceiling than Killian Dain and was hampered in the scenario by 50/50 booking.