5 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE NXT (Dec 11)

1. Bianca Belair Vs. Kayden Carter: Just A Match*

Bianca Belair
WWE.com

*When the show needed something more than just a match.

This was solid, and Kayden Carter impressed in spells with her ingenuity and timing - particularly from a springboard reversal kick to the mush - but the entire show was dragging badly at this point, ranging from tedious to aggressively fine for about 45 forgettable minutes. Something felt off in respect of Bianca Belair's performance. The confidence/obnoxiousness balance was misjudged; at various points, it felt like she'd turned heel and nobody told us.

Has she turned heel? Survivor Series was as confusing as sh*t.

That NXT ran with this Just A Match highlighted problems elsewhere. Too many top or emerging acts are without direction. Matt Riddle is awesome, and very popular in the elusive, key demographic, and he has lost far too often and is not embroiled in a programme of note - and any plans, it feels like, as a worrying byproduct. Isiah 'Swerve' Scott is an outstanding talent. NXT has neglected the North American and Tag Team Title divisions to the cost of the product. Stakes are missing.

This erodes confidence in the future.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!