3 Ups And 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE NXT (Nov 4)

2. Big Match Main Event

The Asuka match aside, this really was the only match on last night's show, and even though it was slightly marred but a messy non-finish, the battle between two of WWE's brightest rising stars did not disappoint. From the opening bell, the action was crisp, acrobatic and hard-hitting. With both men such stellar athletes it wasn't surprising that "HOLY S***" chants were radiating around Full Sail before the evening was done. The men competed with duelling dropkicks, Crews countered a Reverse Bloody Sunday with a Fallaway Samoan Drop, Balor countered the standing moonsault with his knees before missing the Coup De Grace, eating a big boot, but countering with a Pele Kick. Breathless stuff. Another nice addition to the match: the atmosphere blue lighting during the wrestler introductions. The two men stood toe-to-toe and were bathed in a cold spotlight, which instantly gave the match the big fight feel that many, including myself, worried that it would be lacking. It was, by a wide margin, the best match that Apollo Crews has had in NXT and, had it ended with a clean finish, might have rivalled some of Balor's finest works, although not his match with Neville. Nothing can top that.