3 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's NXT

1. All For One And One Four Way

Ok, for all you've read about why the main-event represented a worrying lack of logic or booking nouse, and for why it's a damning indictment of NXT's first year on television, it's time for the positive stuff. Admittedly, it's being able to reliably garner praise like this that's probably created these issues in their first place, but just because ice cream rots your teeth doesn't stop it being delicious.

This match, though far from being EVERYTHING it could have been, was spectacular.

The sequence immediately after the Gargano fall leading to Cole's first was breathtaking. The small details calling back to both DIY and the Bullet Club were glorious. Commentary constantly referencing conditioning and having a "physical lead" over your opponents was a great touch. The finish, despite it earning an almighty roll-o-the-eyes, was wonderful pro-wrestling.

Sure it could have been tighter, sure it could have had more energy, sure it didn't need to spend a grand total of 15 minutes hidden in a tiny box in the upper portion of the screen while I developed an overwhelming need to order a Subway™ for lunch, but there was more than enough there to love this contest.

It'll be labeled "divisive" in the coming weeks, but only if the second-installment between Balor and Cole doesn't deliver. For now, it's a suspect finish that's soured an otherwise engrossing 60 minutes of professional wrestling, but hopefully one that's remembered more fondly on its own terms in the future.