We’ve talked a lot about loving newcomers to “NXT” like Lizzy Rain and Mason Rook, but there are quite a few other faces who are helping the developmental brand with its new, fresher feel who deserve some recognition. Those guys may not be immediately in the top title picture like Rook or Kam Hendrix, who is also after NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo, but they’re helping to pad out the roster after call-ups and departures, and just the general need for “NXT” to feature new talent.
Tate Wilder was involved in a really fun six-man tag team match alongside Sean Legacy, who also feels fresh having just recently returned from injury, and EK Prosper against BirthRight. Wilder immediately had an interesting story, as well, with not wanting to tag out to prove his worth to the other guys, with that failing, resulting in a loss. We’ll see him in singles action next week against Keanu Carver next week, which seems like it’ll be a good match.
While it looked like Naraku was going to also immediately gun for D’Angelo and the NXT Championship, it kind of now looks like he’s going to fight his way up and stack some wins. He took on Lince Dorado, who I feel like we haven’t seen in quite some time on WWE programming. I personally need to see a little more from the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he’s, again, a new, fresh face. Despite what I and others may think of him in the ring, his character is interesting, and it will be even more interesting to see him work to adapt to WWE’s style.
There were also some backstage appearances by other new faces, like Dorian Van Dux, who I’m really interested to see in the ring again. Thankfully, he said he’ll be ready to go by next week, and I can easily say I’m looking forward to that. Noam Dar was seen backstage with Romeo Moreno, a name I had already forgotten about, and after Dar’s loss, it looks like they could be involved in a story, with Moreno helping Dar remember exactly who he is after returning from a year-long absence.
There was Shiloh Hill and Tristan Angels, and anything Hill does is a win for me, as I really love his weird, quirky character. Putting him against the vibe I’m getting from Angels seems like it’ll be fun and ridiculous, and I’m here for it.
“NXT” is feeling new and fun on all levels, not just the top title scene. Tonight’s episode may not have had many stakes, but it set up a lot of interesting things for the new guys, which is sometimes all we can ask for.
Written by Daisy Ruth
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