PWP Nation contributor Doug Turrington details six things we learned from the May 15, 2019 episode of NXT.
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve checked in on the black and yellow brand. With the senior year of college doing its worst to break some of us, we may have been down, but have not submitted. The people, the PWP Nation, need to process each week’s NXT and dammit, that’s what we’re going to do.
With ongoing turmoil with the Undisputed Era bubbling over last week, a cloud of uncertainty circling the tag team division and people like Keith Lee, Mia Yim and others with various scores to settle, here’s what we learned from this week’s episode.
#5 – Beth Phoenix will take over for Percy Watson
After rejoining WWE as an announcer in 2016, “Showtime” Percy Watson has decided to leave WWE to pursue other endeavors. The show kicked off with Mauro Ranallo making the announcement and then introducing us to his replacement, the “Glamazon“, Beth Phoenix.
The 2017 WWE Hall of Famer has made multiple appearances in the booth over the last couple years and will now make her new home at Full Sail. Watson must have left on good terms, as he was given the proper send-off, but hasn’t made a statement, yet.
#4 – Some rivalries are moving along, and some are on pause
Mia Yim and Bianca Belair are set to continue their feud after Belair’s win via holding onto the ropes with her trademark hair. Belair seemed to think that she was going to just move on to a rematch with Shayna Baszler, but Yim beat her to NXT General Manger William Regal’s office, who made the rematch official for next week.
Meanwhile, Keith Lee is back and brought the glory we all bask in. He made quick work of Cezar Bononi, who has a similar size to Lee’s rival, Dominik Dijakovic and the commentators made sure to make mention of that. There was no run-in, well… because Dijakovic just had knee surgery. But, it seems that when he comes back, it seems likely that Lee will be waiting.
#3 – Aliyah: The Queen of Gimmicks
I wrote a few weeks ago about how Aliyah can’t seem to figure out what she’s going to do with her gimmick. This week, as she accompanied Vanessa Borne to her match against newcomer, Jessie, and kept the experimental props coming, rocking a bag on her way to the ring. Combined with the outfit, it was akin to something you’d see from someone like an Ariana Grande.
I think she might be starting to get closer to what she’s going to turn into. She’s clearly got the look of a star, but if she’s going to go the route of the new-era mean girl, it could work. To me, she’s got to settle on something and get some reps in with it, but I think she’s starting to do that with some elements of the gimmick, like her disgusted looks to the crowd and what not. The gimmick hasn’t fully become her yet, but once it becomes second nature, she should start moving forward.
#2 – The Era continues… for now
During an interview outside of Full Sail Studios, Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish, were interrupted by Roderick Strong. Strong said that he knew that Cole was right, when he said that they are at their best when they are on the same page and handed over the bloody sandal of the “King of Bros“, Matt Riddle.
The Era was more than pleased with Strong’s peace offering and Cole offered up his Undisputed Era armband to Roddy to signify the hatchet being buried. It seems the boys are back on the same page for now, but will it last?
#1 – Cole versus Gargano II will go down at NXT: TakeOver XXV
With the Undisputed Era back on the same page, Johnny Gargano acknowledged that he has an even bigger target on his back as NXT Champion. But, in true “Johnny Wrestling” style, he didn’t seem to mind. He announced that he already talked to Regal about scheduling a rematch with Cole for NXT: TakeOver XXV, set for next month.
There was no stipulation added this time, but we should still expect a classic title match with these two involved. Will the Undisputed Era get involved? If they do, will it work out or will Cole fail again, further adding to the Era’s drama? We shall see on June 1 on the WWE Network.
