NXT MAY 29TH 2019
Mia Yim vs. Bianca Belair
This was a rematch from Belair’s stolen win three weeks ago. Because of the finish last time, both were more aggressive than in the first match. And it was another good match, but the crowd were a little in and out of it, which hurt. Mia hit Eat Defeat but Belair ended up rolling out of the ring. Mia then went out to try and prevent a count-out, but got dropped onto the apron with a double chickenwing by Bianca, who unlike Mia tried to take the count-out. Mia got in at 9 though and after a flurry from Belair, she hit Protect Ya Neck, using Belair’s hair to get her into position for it, to score the first pinfall win over Belair.
Hype video for Breeze and Dream. The premise here was Dream cutting a promo into a phone on a selfie stick, pointing out Breeze’s fall since going to the main roster and claiming NXT had upgraded to him in the meantime.
Recap of Io saving Candice from Baszler and co. last week with a kendo stick. Baszler was interviewed after a photoshoot with Jessamyn and Marina, asked if she was concerned if Io would do the same thing at Takeover. Baszler pointed out Io wouldn’t be allowed weapons at Takeover and unlike her, she’d run out of friends.
KUSHIDA vs. Drew Gulak
This was very grapple-heavy, which was a good idea for a Gulak/KUSHIDA match, but maybe not for a match so late in an NXT taping. Things livened up a bit more as the match went on at least, but at times it was an old school EVOLVE vibe, with a polite but very quiet audience. KUSHIDA would get the win with a Gedo Clutch after Gulak had blocked the Hoverboard Lock and the two argued post match, so clearly this wasn’t the last match between the two.
Cathy interviewed Io about Baszler’s comments. Io said she wasn’t afraid of Shayna or her friends and she wouldn’t need a kendo stick to beat her. Candice appeared and thanked Io for helping her last week, before saying she’d have Io’s back at Takeover.
Hype video for Gargano and Cole.
Forgotten Sons vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
Given the previous comments about the crowd, I was worried about this match, because people really don’t seem to like Forgotten Sons. They kept this very short though and set up an angle instead. Ryker got thrown out for tripping Lorcan and Street Profits attacked him on the stage as he was leaving. The Street Profits then caused the match to be thrown out as they went after Forgotten Sons, before brawling with Lorcan and Burch. Blake and Cutler quickly laid everyone out with chair shots and called for Ryker to come back. Cole and Strong jumped him and pitched him off the stage though, before Fish and O’Reilly went for Forgotten Sons. Undisputed Era put a four on two beating on Forgotten Sons, then the four used a ladder on Ryker and posed on the ladder on the stage, with Cole sending a message to Riddle and Gargano to close the show.
RECOMMENDED VIEWING: Belair vs Yim and KUSHIDA vs Gulak were both good matches, but brought down a little by the crowd. The closing angle was pretty strong and the Dream/Breeze hype video in particular was really well done, but with that presumably airing on Saturday too, there’s nothing essential here.