WWE NXT CW Debut - Best and Worst - Former champion returns after 8 months, CM Punk attacks former AEW star, Major name WALKS OUT!
With only four official matches booked for the premiere of NXT on the CW Network, the action needed to deliver. For the most part, each contest provided either a satisfying outcome or logical storyline advancement.
Moving to a new network also necessitated changes to the visual presentation of the product. The NXT logo is silver and black yet it stands out with thick block letters. Triple H and HBK also unveiled new titles to open the show.
The graphics in the intro video package are crisp and simple yet get the job done. Gone are the over-the-top bright colors that briefly remained in the arena from the NXT 2.0 era.
Moving the show to a new venue also greatly improved the quality. With the first episode of the CW Era in the books, here are the best and worst moments from the debut episode of NXT on CW.
#3. Best: Cora Jade is back and potentially reuniting with Roxanne Perez
Once Giulia's WWE signing was announced, most people assumed she'd immediately take the NXT Women's Title from Roxanne Perez. The Beautiful Madness and Perez matched strikes, counters, and holds in the first-ever NXT match on the CW Network.
Both women delivered in a huge spot. It was only when Cora Jade made a shocking return by hitting Giulia with a DDT that Perez was able to hit a Pop Rox for the win. Some may argue that Giulia should have won.
Had she captured the title, it would have hurt the aura and credibility built in Perez's second run as champion. Even Ethan Page lost in his first attempt to win gold in NXT. Perez and Jade also teased a reunion in a backstage segment.
Giulia will get another shot soon and probably dethrone The Prodigy. Stephanie Vaquer looms in the background as does Delta, who may have appeared in a quick, pre-taped vignette walking down the highway toward St. Louis.
#2. Worst: The new NXT theme song
While the new graphics and video package to open NXT on CW were great, the accompanying theme song was not. Provided by 2 Chains and Lil Wayne, Millions From Now was hard to understand. It was also monotone and didn't have any memorable lines.
Millions From Now sounded too similar to Ethan Page's theme in terms of tone and delivery. Many feel All Ego's entrance theme has been lumped in with some of the lesser entrance anthems in wrestling.
With the quality of the new visual presentation, the new theme on a new network needed to be a home run. Instead, it felt like a bunt single in an era when WWE's themes feel generic and forgettable.
#2. Best: The action delivers all night, including huge Street Fight
Some fans were concerned that only four matches were booked for the premiere episode of NXT on the CW Network. The women's title match set a good tone for the rest of the night and the street fight kept the crowd engaged.
Due to the personal nature of the feud between Zach Wentz and Wes Lee, the match needed to be different and stand out. Both men went through tables and used various weapons.
Lee's Meteora off the top with chains around his knees to pick up the win was a nice touch. Trick Williams and Ethan Page then told a different story in the main event, providing decent variety on a night with only four contests.
#2. Worst - Fatal Influence gets a big win but immediately loses momentum
The match between Fatal Influence and the duo of Jaida Parker and Lola Vice was fine between the ropes. All competitors worked their tails off in a big spot. Kelani Jordan tried to get Parker and Vice on the same page before the match but it didn't happen.
Jordan also joined commentary for the showdown. Her presence overshadowed her allies, especially with how the segment ended. After Parker walked out on Vice following more miscommunication, Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley picked up the win.
With Pure Fusion Collective seemingly losing any credibility on RAW, Fatal Influence needed to maintain its momentum after the big win. It didn't happen as Jordan got in the ring and brought Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill to back her up. They immediately crushed Fatal Influence.
WWE often tries to build up formidable trios, only to book them to lose in most of their matches. The post-match antics led to a six-woman tag match for next week that Fatal Influence will likely lose.
#1. Best/Worst: The MizTV spot could have done more
Instead of a fifth match, The Miz hosted North American Champion Oba Femi and Tony D'Angelo on MizTV. The two will do battle next week in St. Louis. Both men stated how they had changed since their first meeting.
The Don of NXT regained his confidence after getting reassurance from Adrianna Rizzo and the rest of the Family. The segment was fine but nothing new came across in the big encounter between champion and challenger.
Since he's from Chicago, the segment was likely booked to get Tony D'Angelo on the show. On a night of great action for a debut episode on a new network, it felt out of place. Another match could have taken that spot to give other stars the spotlight.