3 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE NXT (Jan 25)

1. Rushed Hype

Roderick Strong Cien
WWE.com

The TakeOver specials hold an advantage over their main roster counterparts because the longer duration between them creates scope for more storied and subtle builds. That the match between Roderick Strong and Andrade "Cien" Almas has been thrown together with almost tangible desperation calibrates the brand's wider downfall.

Their backstage confrontation was unassuming in the extreme. Almas trotted out some Spanish before the inevitable interruption. "If you wanna kick me in the face," said Strong. "How about you kick me in the face right now?" Those were words were uttered by a Random Babyface Spiel Generator. Anybody at any time could have spoken them. They shed no light on Strong's character because he barely has one.

Both men, in fairness, are undergoing a period of transition. Strong is almost as new to the face role as Cien is to his - but the rushed hype job did little to create intrigue for what promises to be a better match than it looks on paper.

Almas is excelling in the heel role - between the ropes, at least - but cutting blistering promos in a foreign language just isn't an effective tactic of generating heat. It didn't work for Alberto Del Rio. Geopolitics are passé in wrestling, with Rusev the rule-proving exception.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!