6 Ups & 4 Downs From NXT 401

2. Aleister Black Vs Bobby Fish

Fish was introduced to a considerable pop, including from the commentators, although it's not clear if he's going to be a fixture on the roster or an occasional foil as Rich Swann was prior to his cruiserweight breakout. Fish certainly has personality, with his grand hipster facial hair and plenty of bustle, and made a great contrast with the taciturn Black.

The two immediately showed what NXT's mark-friendly indy style is all about with swift counters and some lightning-quick martial arts cut and thrust suggesting these two have done this plenty of times before.

The match was a more competitive outing for Black who has been squashing opponents so far and he didn't get everything his own way, especially with Fish's knee-to-the-temple counter out of a suplex and a sweet 'senton atomica' as called by Mauro Ranallo. Fish also broke out the kind of turnbuckle exploder suplex that looks like it will kill the man taking it if he under-rotates. Black's later kicks met Fish's legs and chest with the kind of meaty thwack that can only be the result of genuine and painful impact.

Both men got to show off their technical game and authentically nasty-looking strikes in the kind of rock-solid match NXT is looking to make its stick in trade.