5 Ups & 1 Down From Last Night's WWE NXT (Apr 25)

Ups...

5. Cole Thwarts Lorcan

Adam Cole Oney Lorcan
WWE.com

NXT's first match saw Adam Cole defend his North American Championship against the always game (and criminally underused) Oney Lorcan. It wasn't anything stellar, but it was a fun, solid bout, with Oney starting out by targeting Cole's injured ribs, before Cole cut him off after taking a powder. The pace increased thereafter, with Lorcan relentless in his rush to dethrone 'The Panama City Playboy,' though he was ultimately felled by Cole.

Adam had sent The Undisputed Era to the back prior to the bout, but his "fighting champion" act was a ruse. The gang inevitably arrived when it looked like Cole was on the verge of losing his belt, with Roderick Strong's backbreaker on the apron allowing his stablemate to hit the Last Shot, and leave with the belt.

It was a solid heel move after sending the Era away earlier in the night, and a smart continuation of the segment that came before it. Undisputed are now well established as NXT's alpha heel force. Their presentation has been sublime, and while it's a shame that injury has robbed Bobby Fish of the opportunity to compete anytime soon, Roddy already feels like a great fit.

Advertisement
In this post: 
WWE NXT
 
Posted On: 
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.