My Thoughts on NXT (3/2/16): AUSTIN F**KIN' ARIES

(Sorry for not posting anything in a while, I've been really busy lately)

Another week, another NXT. This week features the highly anticipated match between Neville and NXT Champion Finn Balor. Here are my thoughts on the show:

• The Vaudevillians vs Hugo Knox & Tucker Knight-First off, I just want address the team of Hugo Knox and Tucker Knight:

For starters, talk about contrasting body types. And second, what is with the polka dots? They just look weird as a team. Knox and English start, and after a dropkick by Knox, the Vaudevillians take control. The two work over Knox until Knox flips out of a suplex by Gotch and tags in Knight. Knight runs wild on Gotch, but Gotch blocks a corner splash by getting his feet up, which sets up the Whirling Dervish. The Vaudevillians get the win over the Polka Dot Squad. Simple squash match to make the Vaudevillians look strong. Knox's one dropkick was pretty nice, though.

• Backstage, Alex Reyes is interviewing Dana Brooke and Emma. Dana calls Deonna Purrazzo a nobody, and Emma says she's going to make an example out of her opponent. Best part of this whole thing is when Emma counts down to Dana patting Reyes' head.
• We get interviews from Enzo & Cass and Dash & Dawson (now called the Revival) over the parking lot attack last week. Cass calls Dash & Dawson gutless, and that he and Enzo will win the NXT Tag Team Championships. Dash (whose arm is in a sling) & Dawson call them cowards, and that they might let them spit shine their belts. They announce that The Revival will defend the titles against Enzo & Cass at Roadblock (that's such a dumb name for a show.)
• Emma vs Santana Garrett-Like I said last time Santana Garrett was on NXT, this match would be an absolute banger if Santana was actually on the roster. The two lock up, but Emma takes control early. Emma works over Santana for the majority of the match before Santana escapes a submission hold. Santana runs wild, but get caught going to the top rope and gets caught in a Tree of Woe. Santana almost gets a quick roll up, but Emma kicks out and locks in the Emma Lock for the win. Overall, good match, Santana got a good amount of offense in.
• In William Regal's office with Eva Marie and Nia Jax. He says the two should be treated like stars and books them in a tag match against Bayley & Asuka. He leaves to go meet NXT's newest signing.
• After a commercial, Regal is in the ring, and introduces the newest signing in NXT...AUSTIN ARIES!

F*CK YEAH! He walks down the entrance way, but outcomes Baron Corbin, who demolishes him. Corbin finishes Aries off with an End of Days on the floor. Aries scurries to get up, but the refs stop him.

• Steve Cutler vs Elias Sampson-It's The Drifter. Nothing else to say really.
• Backstage, we've got the Hype Bros. Mojo Rawley says that it's good that they lost to the Vaudevillains, because now they're more focused on winning. They say their going to beat up the Vaudevillians and leave. From behind the set, outcome The Vaudevillians, who say nothing and smile.
• Neville vs Finn Balor-The crowd is chanting "This is Awesome" before the match even starts. The two go back and forth with some incredibly smooth offense. Neither one of them can get the advantage for than a few moves. Neville finally takes control after a Irish whip into the corner as we go to commercial. We come back to Neville getting a two after a knee drop. Neville plays the heel in this match very well, using every second he's got in the ropes and working over Balor. After the ref tells Neville to get Balor out of the ropes, a fan screams "NEVILLE, CAN YOU LISTEN?!", which Neville responds to with a death stare:

He holds on that stare for like five seconds. Balor flips Neville over the top rope and he takes a SICK bump to the outside. Neville barely makes it back in the ring before the 10, and sends Balor out of the ring with a body block, followed by a springboard moonsault to the outside. The two exchange strikes, ending with a Pele kick by Balor, and Balor takes control. Neville rolls to the outside, which Balor responds to with a dropkick through the ropes, and hits a kick from the apron. Balor goes for Bloody Sunday, but Neville flips out of it and hits some kicks and a German suplex. He follows that up with a dead lift German suplex for a two. Neville goes to the top rope, but Balor hops up to stop him. Neville jumps over him and hits an enziguri, and goes right back to the top rope. Balor hops up again and hits an enziguri, sending Neville to the floor again, which Balor follows up with a tope. Balor goes to the top rope, but Neville pushes his feet out from under him. Neville hits a beautiful top rope frankensteiner and goes for a shooting star press, but Balor dodges and hits a Sling Blade. Neville dodges a charging Balor and rolls him up for a two, Balor destroys Neville with a clothesline, hits his corner dropkick, and hits a Coup de Grace. Balor finishes Neville off with a Bloody Sunday and gets the win. Phenomenal match, one of the best I've seen in a while. After the match, Balor lets Neville bask in the fans cheers, and Neville raises Balor's hand.

• Backstage, Rich Brenann is with Samoa Joe and Sami Zayn to discuss their #1 Contender's two out of three falls match. Joe calls Zayn ungrateful for not letting him be #1 contender after saving him from Kevin Owens. Zayn says that he's not going to let Joe take his spot. Joe says he's going to take away Zayn's career next week

And that's about it. Overall, a good show. The fact that only one match wasn't a total squash really hurt the show, but the Neville-Balor match totally made up for it.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to share if you enjoyed.