Purse Snatchaz
This wasn’t a very newsworthy show. No
championship changes, no huge story developments. It’s a pre-taped holiday show so that’s kinda the norm. Rather than talk about what didn’t happen, I just want to wax poetic about Sol Ruca for a bit.
Sol got a big W over Bayley at Saturday Night’s Main Event, which means she’s primed for greener pastures sooner or later. She was just as impressive this week against Chelsea Green.
Sol’s just so fluid in the ring. Nothing feels forced and every move is an extension of her character. The crowd loves her and she knows how to play to them within character. There’s an aura she has that just exudes coolness. That’s not something anyone can fake nor can anyone learn it; they either have it or they don’t.
I didn’t expect her to defeat Chelsea given the context, but they didn’t let her loose cleanly. We got more than a little interference from Alba Fyre & Ethan Page. Moose took care of the latter in the match’s final minutes, but Ethan successfully distracted Zaria long enough for Alba to stop Sol from snatching Chelsea’s soul. She didn’t win the match but she won the night when she and Zaria teed off on the heels. Hitting a double Sol Snatcher on the United States Champion and her compadre is a big deal.
That’s all. Just wanted to say how much I like her. Love the career trajectory too. Like Je’Von Evans, she’s unique in WWE. Hopefully her future is just as bright as the one they want for him.
B-Sides
- Tatum Paxley said she’s afraid of what she’ll do to Izzi Dame and the rest of The Culling. Well, I’d say attacking them like she’s Leatherface certainly counts as something to fear. Izzi, already in the middle of a very physical match with Lola Vice, suddenly found herself on the outside of the ring running away from the revving sounds of a chainsaw. Yes, a chainsaw. Tatum got the drop on her old friends in an insanely fitting way. Izzi ducked back into the ring while Shawn Spears made like one of the little piggies and ran all the way home. That clearly shook up Izzi, which gave Lola the chance to finish the match a spinning back fist. Props to NXT for weaving stories together because we not only got forward movement on Izzi vs. Tatum, but also Lola vs. Kelani Jordan. Kelani whooped Lola like she owed her a Telfar bag. This is the continued Kelani evolution and I’m happy to see it.
- Tavion Heights got the W over Evolve’s Eli Knight in the Speed Championship tournament. Good spotlight for Eli, especially since the Speed rules require wrestlers to get a lot in during a very small window of time.
- I liked the Thea Hail and Blake Monroe segment for the most part. Blake showing up in a robe with no shoes showed just how disheveled she is since losing that championship. I cackled when she reached out her hand and told Thea to give it back. Thea, for her part, cut an impassioned promo but there’s still a disconnect with me on her character. I love that she’s no longer happy to be here but she’s still finding her voice. Who is Thea Hail? That’s the question I ask any time she talks and I’m unclear on the answer. I’m not sure if she’s holding on to this championship she wasn’t supposed to win but if she does, I hope it gives her the chance to hone her character. But she still knows how to scrap, which is why it’s a good thing this segment ended with them throwing hands. Less talking, more fighting. Also a great reminder that Blake can throw an serious punch.
- Oba Femi and Leon Slater’s sit-down got me excited for their upcoming match. Oba was his usual boastful self while Leon, by necessity, gave a bit more insight into who he is and why he’s here. The best moment came when he said he’s not about the boastful words since he’d rather let his actions do the actions do the talking. He did this while stepping to Oba and extending his hand for a shake. It’s important that Leon not look intimidated by a guy who is extremely intimidating. He respects Oba but doesn’t fear him. Oba’s ego is his Achille’s heel. Will it hurt him at New Year’s Evil? I don’t think so but it will make the match interesting.
- I said it before and I’ll say it again: Heel Ricky Saints is the version of Ricky Saints. He sounded confident, cool, and collected during his face to face with Je’Von. Je’Von, for his part, found his groove when he pulled out his CV, as the Brits say. Once Ricky’s jealousy became obvious, Je’Von reminded Ricky that he was the one on Raw, SmackDown, and John Cena’s last event. He took it a step further and reminded Ricky that not only has Ricky never seen that life, nobody there mentioned him. But I liked that Ricky didn’t let that truly get under his skin. He came into the ring preaching emotional intelligence, so he practiced what he preached. It was still Je’Von itching for the fight and making threats. We’ll get the actual fight next week.
- Shiloh Hill & Skylar Raye defeated Arianna Grace & Stacks in a chaotic, silly, Christmas-themed match. That’s all I got on this one.
- “Have you been in my office the whole time?” Ava made me laugh out loud with this poignant question to Joe Hendry. Dion Lennox wants a piece of the man he feels stopped him from getting an NXT Championship shot. But before that, we’re getting a Joe Hendry concert next week. Something tells me the show won’t go on.
Rather than give my feelings on the show or go into a paragraph about it, I want to wish everyone reading this Happy Holidays. However you celebrate, whatever you celebrate, I hope you’re safe, loved, and have some fun. Show your loved ones how much they are loved. And remember to say thank you to those who aren’t here anymore. Appreciate you all!
