7 Ups And 2 Downs From WWE NXT (Sep 30)

7. Shotzi Blackout

We open the evening with Dakota Kai taking on the woman who eliminated her from the battle royale, Shotzi Blackheart. For all the criticism leveled at NXT for having no better options for its title picture than two incredibly messy matches two weeks out from TakeOver, it at least opens the door for fresh rivalries coming out of this. Blackheart/Kai feels like one that's got some legs.

The match itself followed a surprising pattern, with Blackheart physically dominating Kai in the opening exchanges. In a company where a babyfaces's only job is to sell, it's always refreshing to see them look strong from the offset. It didn't last long of course, but the fact we came back from the break to Shotzi giving it to her opponent (as opposed to a rest hold) is something we don't see enough of.

Sadly, an absolutely sickening bump on the ring apron took all the steam out of this. It's not the first time we've her take a potentially life-altering fall in recent months, and how she was able to continue is beyond me, but sooner or later her luck is going to run out with these. Here's hoping it's the last one.

Of course, you don't get to shun one well-trodden WWE convention if you're not going to submit yourself to another, and after a really good even contest Blackheart "stole one" with the most deadly move in professional wrestling... a surprise roll-up. Guess we're getting this all again in a few weeks then.