NXT's blockbuster main event had plenty going for it before the bell thanks to the undeniable star power of The OC. Or if that's being too obviously generous here, AJ Styles.
A good match became a great one when 'The Phenomenal One' was in there, particularly when Matt Riddle made the hot tag to kick off trademark WWE tag team finishing sequence that may currently be the most satisfying segment of any match in all of wrestling.
Red hot became white hot as 'The Original Bro' ploughed through the former WWE Champion and his clubmates to the sound Full Sail University collectively losing its f*cking sh*t. A finish looked imminent until a brilliant pounce to AJ to the referee took out official Drake Wuertz in one of the best zebra bumps of the year.
Shortly before Mauro Ranallo could reference the Lego Movie, everything really was awesome. But then in WWE - and now NXT - more is always more...
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
