4 Ups And 2 Downs From WWE NXT (Nov 4)

DOWNS...

2. Storm In A Teacup

Well, this was a mess.

Toni Storm, since returning to WWE, hasn't quite looked at it. After getting an entire promo push based on how this was a new version of her that was going to destroy everyone in her way, commentary spent her return match talking about ring-rust while she sold for Aliyah.

Even here, against more experienced opposition, she didn't seem to be at the level that saw her win the Mae Young Classic. Transitions were sloppy, moves looked mistimed, and the energy levels plummeted dramatically after a frenetic opening. I'm not even going to mention the show billing this as a contest of "mutual respect" only for Storm to take advantage of a distraction for the win.

As for Shotzi, it's a simple fact that every pro-wrestler has a botch in them, but for her they seem to occur when she is attempting to do something eye-catching. Landing on her head diving out the ring, not quite rotating all the way when flipping on the apron and, here, slipping off the ropes during the opening segment.

Mercifully we had the cover here that she was distraught at her missing tank, but that didn't stop the match careering around with loose work. Both these women are a lot better than this match made them look but, regardless, it didn't look great.