6 Ups And 1 Down From WWE NXT (24 Jun)

5. Escobar For The Course

There wasn't much about the match between Jake Atlas and El Chapo del Fantasma* that wouldn't have just as easily been accomplished with a giant sign that read "THESE THREE MEN ARE PUTTING THE CRUISERWEIGHT DIVISION ON NOTICE, BETH", but it was an enjoyable encounter nonetheless.

Atlas is quietly marking himself out as someone who deserves some investment from creative, in the wake of the Cruiserweight championship tournament. His clashes with Nese, Maverick and, in particular Kushida, made him look experienced well beyond his 25 years. The character needs a lot of work, but the performer underneath could do a lot in NXT.

This clash with Escobar was his longest singles match in NXT, and it served to make his opponent look ruthless and dominant. Mendoza and Wilde, on the other hand, felt relegated to J&J security levels of mild-interference and a million miles away from the Fish/O'Reilly level they were painted as upon the initial reveal. It\s still early days for the group, but right now it looks like a vehicle for its leader only.

*this is probably the best joke I've done while writing these columns and I'm really sorry if you don't get it.