7 Ups And 1 Down From NXT: The Great American Bash 2

DOWNS

1. I'm Sorry, I Thought This Was (The Great) America(n Bash)

You can't have it both ways.

Either this is a special event for NXT, deserving of the branding and the hype and the hoopla and the main event, or it's an episode of TV. It's either The Great American Bash, one of the most storied and famous wrestling shows in US history, or its the USA Network's weekly show in the Wednesday Night War. WWE were absolutely convinced that it was both, but it doesn't work like that.

As a direct piece of counter-booking to AEW's Fyter Fest, the idea was that they would retain (or even attract) viewers under the premise that this was an even bigger show than they'd see on the other channel. Night one, arguably, was and the ratings reflected that. However, by the time Mercedes Martinez and Santina Garrett entered the ring prior to the main-event, it was painfully apparent they'd stretched themselves too thin.

This is no slight on either woman, as the match itself was really impressive and I've personally been desperate to see Martinez made a permanent part of this women's division, but it came after a run of three filler matches. If this had been Reed/Nese, or even Gargano/Swerve, they'd be getting the down here instead, but luck of the draw means it's these two.

This was a quick, effective, and entertaining TV squash, but it wasn't the blow-off to a rivalry or a hard-to-call title match. In short, it was good, but it wasn't the Great American Bash.