NXT

[Team Farrell]

Jesus, i do not think we need to see Ciampa/Gargano 4 times.. as much as i like the feud. Keep it simple and blow it off at Summerslam weekend.

I'm with you. They're 1-1, do the straight rubber match. And I don't think that it needs to be for the title. It's always great to have two drawing matches on a card.

I really want to see Ciampa and Gargano blown off in Hell in a Cell at Takeover SummerSlam weekend. I'd like it to be the old, smaller HIAC cage because NXT is the "smaller" brand (and because they aren't exactly hulking guys and I think that the new giant cage will make them look tiny inside) and I'd like it to be the only HIAC match NXT has for a very, very, very long time.

Then both men move on to bigger and better things. One to the main roster -- maybe Ciampa because they could use some fresh heel blood on SmackDown -- and one to the NXT Title.

[mizfan]

Well, I've heard the feud compared to the HHH/HBK feud of the 2000s, and that featured 5 PPV singles matches, and 4 more on TV, so... yeah, hoping they don't go all the way down that road.

I like the ring canvas getting stripped on very rare occasion, but I do agree then you've gotta treat it as a really big deal, not just another random set piece for a visual pop and not much meaning.

[Oliver]

Just to point out, I was only suggesting one more Gargano vs Ciampa match in that story up there - go Ciampa vs Black I at Summerslam, then Ciampa vs Black II at Survivor Series, then Ciampa vs Gargano III (which is technicall IV including the CWC, but whatever) at the Rumble, while writing Gargano out until Ciampa has the title.

[mizfan]

I do think a Black/Ciampa/Gargano triple threat could work really well at some point. Would be a nice mix of a lot of things and I feel like the chemistry would be on point.

[205 Clive]

I would also be in favour of a triple threat between these guys. The Gargano Ciampa storyline has been done well, but it's at the point where they should move past their differences and tie it in with NXT gold again. I definitely hole this is the road NXT creative goes down.

[205 Clive]

I think I've changed my tune regarding my post above:

Is it just me, or is anyone else ready to move on from the Gargano Ciampa stuff? Gargano's character performance last night said to me he is still suffering emotionally from what happened in Chicago. I get it and all, but it's time to move on for me.

[comfortablynumb]

I want a third match badly, and I’m pretty sure it’ll happen SummerFest weekend. I think the storytelling is great and totally disagree with whoever said the two are exactly where they were when they started this feud. We need the rubber match.

[LK3185]

There's gonna be a third match. Even if you don't want it, its going to happen and frankly would be weird if it didn't cause they're not moving them up anytime soon.

[SirSam]

Just wanted to call out how amazing the Moustache Mountain v Undisputed Era tag team match was.

SPOILER AHEAD - if you haven't seen the match DON'T READ THIS just watch the match.

Amazing performances from all around but especially Trent Severn who just sold and sold and sold and sold. The story and psycholody that they bought to the match was so good and perfectly executed. Watching the pain on Tyler Bate's face while he saw these two hyenas just tear up his partners need was incredible and pulling out the towel was an inspired choice. Bate has had some really good matches in the WWE even one or two great ones but this was the first time I'd say he told a really great story.

I have to admit I was not a huge fan of the Undisputed Era when they first showed up but over the last few months and particularly since Roddy Strong joined them, they seem to just be one upping themselves over and over again. Strong in particular has gone from someone I have next to no interest in to someone I am coming around on as he has been able to show a viscous, competitive streak.

[LibSuperstar]

That tag match was tremendous. Nonstop action and I like how Seven kept selling the leg.

[205 Clive]

I was also not a huge fan of Undisputed Era, moreso Adam Cole. But Cole's match with Aleister Black saw me respect Cole a bit more for the punishment he would take in the name of the performance. Then he had a match with Pete Dunne on TV which was top notch.

Now since Mania weekend, and most specifically Strong's betrayal of his tag partner in Dunne, Undisputed Era have been on fire. Amazing singles/tag/6 man matches almost every single week. The TV has been delivering match of the year contenders all the time, it's hard to keep up. Absolutely loving this Pete Dunne & Friends vs UE stuff. Now that Moustache Mountain have their own beefs with UE, there is a shared universe element on the go just now that is a joy to watch.

[Degenerate]

The Undisputed Era has grown massively on me ever since Roderick Strong joined them. I had just about zero interest in Strong until that moment, when he's really turned it around. The group is one of my favorite parts of NXT.

I just watched this week's episode of NXT (everything after this should be considered a spoiler if you haven't watched yet - you've been warned).

Although it's been already done a couple of times, I'm happy to see Kairi Sane get the title shot against Shayna Baszler. I can't see Kairi losing yet again, so I wonder if this means that Baszler is getting a call-up to Raw or Smackdown soon. It's probably too soon for it but what would be next for her if she wins or loses?

I'm really looking forward to Velveteen Dream's next "experience". That guy is so damn entertaining.

There's actually a lot of stuff happening on NXT that I'm looking forward to. Adam Cole vs. Ricochet for the North American title should be awesome. I'm curious to see how War Raiders are portrayed as they impressed me the little times I saw them in New Japan matches. Even EC3 vs. Kona Reeves is a bit intriguing. Part of me hates that NXT is a one hour show, but on the other hand the anticipation it builds is great. Can't wait to see the lead-up to NXT Brooklyn.

[Oliver]

The trouble is that I can't watch Undisputed Era and not think someone's spent too long watching old nWo tapes. Especially when it was ReDragon and Cole. The whole air guitar with the belt thing, I think, doesn't help.

ReDragon are an incredible tag team, though, and Strong and O'Reilly are working really well together too.

[comfortablynumb]

Kona Reeves dresses exactly like Sonny from Miami Vice. Is EC3 slowly turning face or just being a tweener? Heat with Dream and now Kona.

[Degenerate]

The trouble is that I can't watch Undisputed Era and not think someone's spent too long watching old nWo tapes. Especially when it was ReDragon and Cole. The whole air guitar with the belt thing, I think, doesn't help.

I never really noticed it until now. Even the guitar in their theme song has some shades of nWo's theme as well, at least in my ears. Now I'll never be able to un-see this. Damn you, Oli. I don't think it's a bad thing, though. I'm sure these guys have been heavily influenced by that white-hot late-90s wrestling period, so it makes sense to try to take things and incorporate it in their own careers. I'm just happy they kick ass when it comes to having matches.

Speaking of them having a match, Dave Meltzer gave the NXT Tag Team Championship match between The Undisputed Era vs. Moustache Mountain from last week's NXT a five-star rating. Extremely well-deserved, in my opinion.

I think that's a first in the WWE in a few ways - the first tag match with five stars, and I think the first non-PPV / non-Takeover match with five stars. Crazy. Give those guys a raise. Or at the very least keep them in NXT forever.

Is EC3 slowly turning face or just being a tweener? Heat with Dream and now Kona.

That's what I was thinking. I think they're pushing him towards the face side of things, especially since people just loathe Kona Reeves. But his character is so perfect for being a heel these days so I don't know if that would work while keeping the whole "1%" thing going on.