The Authors of Pain VS #DIY
Johnny Gargano and Ciampa try to take Akum down with multiple dropkicks, but to no avail. Rahzar and Ciampa get in the ring and all four men brawl in teh ring. Ciampa hits a high knee on Rahzar, while Johnny Gargano hits a super kick on Akum. Gargano attempts a dive, but is caught by both men. Ciampa tries to dive as well, but Akum and Rahzar throw Gargano into him mid air. The pace shows down considerably as Gargano’s upper body is worked on. A hot tag to Ciampa who hits multiple kicks to Rahzar. Ciampa hits another knee and German suplexes Rahzar for a two count. He only gets a two count. Gargano and Ciampa spill the big men over the ropes again, followed by a running knee off the apron. Ciampa and Gargano hit their finish, but Paul Ellering distracts the Referee. The Revival appear from under the ring and attack Gargano. The Authors of Pain hit their finisher to head to the finals.
This was a really good match between two completely different teams. I really enjoyed the length of the match and NXT giving Gargano and Ciampa the opportunity to really carry the match. Instead of them winning and getting them to the finals of a rather meaningless tournament, their feud with The Revivial continues and has a nice little twist to it. This will give them a tag team championship match, which they will gladly trade in for the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Tonight showed the excellent in-ring work from two guys who are so consistent and dependable. I do give credit for The Authors of Pain, two big men who really stepped up against one of the most athletic tag teams in all of WWE.
Ember Moon picks up a Win
We see the athletic Ember Moon in a glorified squash match on NXT. One of the questions in my mind would be about Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. I really think these two women could pair up and take on Liv Morgan and Ember Moon at NXT Takeover. If you do not want ANOTHER tag team match, let Moon and Kay work together. I do think that Ember Moon has been wasted upon her debut. What has she really done to develop in front of the NXT crowd on a weekly basis?