6 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's NXT (Jan 15)

2. Beth Phoenix

It should be said though that, in the absence of Nigel McGuinness, Beth Phoenix massively stepped up this week. For the duration of NXT's run on the USA Network she's very much been the third element in the three-person booth; struggling to add anything not covered by McGuiness, and sometimes even a word in with Ranallo. Tonight she felt important and insightful, and long may it continue.

I've personally been critical of her occasionally feeling like a spare part on the show, so I'm delighted to report that this now feels more like a product of her simply being crowded out as opposed to not having anything insightful to offer. Hopefully going forward producers will take steps to ensure he's getting a fair crack of the whip.