5 Ups & 2 Downs From NXT: The Great American Bash

2. Great American Lash

The Roderick-Strong-Is-S**t-Scared-Of-Dexter-Lumis story has been, low-key, one of the most entertaining things on the entire show in recent weeks. It's showcased precisely how entertaining the Undisputed Era are when they're not merely relegated to running interference in Championship matches, and given us a few extra weeks before Lumis's gimmick begins to wear thin.

As a blow-off to the whole thing, this was excellent. Both men made inventive use of the strap, hitting hard across the arena, and even teasing a repeat of the trunk spot that started the whole story off. Lumis getting the victory, despite how much he's dominated this feud, probably goes down as a bit of an upset given how inevitable his turn on Cole feels at this point.

For all it would have made sense for him to "overcome his fears" leading into that, it's also incredibly compelling to have everything bottom out for him. For Lumis, nobody has made more of the opportunities afforded to him in this Empty Arena Era, and this landmark win over one of the brand's biggest names. He could very easily have been blink-and-you'll-miss-it, but everyone's eyes are wide open now.