It’s Over
Finally. After what felt like 84 years, ZaRuca is no more.
Now, for the most part, this played out how I predicted. What I didn’t get right is the how. Props to Shawn Michaels and crew for getting to the obligatory betrayal before the bell even rang. That left the door wide open for a Rolling Encore and another successful title defense for Jacy Jayne.
But that was only the start.
This beatdown was personal and filled with loathing. Zaria wasn’t torn nor was she holding back. I loved it. Besides the fact that I’ve predicted it so many times now only to get nothing for it, but it was well done on everyone’s part. I still feel they teased this breakup for way too long and they bled it dry.
All is not lost. Zaria demanded an NXT Women’s Championship match next week. Jacy granted the request out of pure fear and because, apparently, her two running mates are useless. Sol is in bad shape after getting beat like she stole money, stole a spouse, and stole a car. I expect her to blow up Zaria’s first big opportunity, which will only heat up the feud. If they can make this more personal and give these two a match on the biggest stage NXT has, then they can make the wait worthwhile.
This is a more than solid start. It was my highlighted chaos on a very chaotic episode.
B-Sides
- Tony D’Angelo finally made good on his promise to take everything away from DarkState. Remember when Dion Lennox wrestled for the NXT Championship? Remember how Tony interfered in that ladder match to make sure Dion didn’t win? No? Because it didn’t happen despite making all the sense in the world. The territory didn’t make that mistake twice. DarkState and Vanity Project were in the middle of the now standard NXT tag match where one team dominates for the first half only for said team to give their opponents an opening. Then it becomes a standard back and forth until the main story element shows itself. That’s what brought us to Tony D! While Cutler James found himself distracted with Jackson Drake, Tony D snuck in ringside and hit Saquan Shugars with a Spinebuster on the ring apron. One three-count later, and we have new tag champs. The win doesn’t feel as big as it should because the tag titles were a bit stagnant. NXT’s tag division has tons of teams but the titles and the now-former champs never got the importance they deserve. Hopefully that changes with Vanity Project I’d like to see the titles get the love this brand was known for in its heyday. Also, I’m very happy we’re moving forward with Tony’s beef. It was the obvious move but that doesn’t make it a misguided one.
- This night was all about title changes. Elio LeFleur pinned Jasper Troy in the triple threat match for the Speed Championship. I didn’t expect Jasper to take the fall with Eli Knight as an option. Putting the champ on his back shows some confidence in Elio. Hopefully that means elevating the Speed Championship. Matches like this look great but I feel emotionless watching them since the territory gives the title very little investment.
- Speaking of Speed, Blake Monroe tasted defeat. Sure, Jaida Parker helped Thea Hail get the W over Blake and move forward in the women’s Speed tourney, but it’s still more puzzling booking for someone who came in very hot. Jaida owed her though, and it looks like her neck injury was either a work or she wasn’t as hurt as I thought. Either way, I’m glad she’s back. To the person who predicted Blake losing to Thea in record time, you should play the lottery today.
- Chase U is finally over right? I’m out of the prediction business but we gotta kill this thing. It’s a shell of what it was in its heyday and it never found traction in its new form. Uriah Connors emphatically defeated Kale Dixon and left Andre Chase stunned. I have to admit, Birthright intrigues me a bit.
- And then another title change! Myles Borne is your new North American Champion. He and Ethan Page put on a solid match that didn’t come down to Ethan’s bum ankle, but rather a ton of outside shenanigans. Vanity Project interfered on Ethan’s behalf, Hank & Tank neutralized them. Ricky Saints came to Ethan’s side, only for Joe Hendry to take care of him. I do wish the match came down to Myles needing to make a decision about how far he’s willing to go for the title since that was part of the story going into the match. A missed opportunity but emotionally satisfying seeing Ricky and Vanity Project get their just desserts.
A chaotic and eventful episode that still felt lacking
