This Week in NXT 06/19/19

Ladies and gentlemen, the following is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, weighing in at 165 pounds, hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada…the Don!

My real name is Donna-Marie (I like calling myself the Don, just like Becky Lynch likes calling herself the Man) and I’m the freshest face on the Wrestling Classic. It’s an honour to be here and share in this house that Justin built. This feels like home; a safe place too. Whenever someone describes how they got into wrestling, a common phrase I always hear is: “I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember.” Most of us started watching because we had a parent, an older sibling or a family member that got us into it. Growing up with three older brothers who experienced the magic of wrestling in the 80s and early 90s was the threshold and foundation that sparked my interest. I’ve never turned my back on it since and frankly, I probably never will.

Since I’m clearly not fit to actually get in the ring, I chose to talk about what goes on in it instead! I’ll be checking in to chat about NXT (*starts chant*) (*thanks Triple-H*). Truth be told, I’m actually a late bloomer and didn’t catch on to NXT until I realized just how important it was in the story-telling process for each superstar that makes it to the main roster. Plus, there’s no feeling quite like watching your favourite NXT wrestler debut on Raw or Smackdown. Those butterflies are like no other.

So, let’s talk about what else gives me butterflies-watching the Undisputed Era take over NXT week after week. I know, that’s a crazy statement BUT I can’t help but feel like this is how it should be. They continue to prove all of us RIGHT by securing their presence and legitimacy on the mic and in the ring. They remind me so much of the NWO in their glory days and I can’t turn away. Their dominance, depth, charisma and talent not only as a team, but as individuals is so striking and impactful.

This week, they opened up the show and didn’t disappoint to get the crowd excited. They were then interrupted by another favourite of mine (and whom I think is the best thing since WWE ice cream bars), the Velveteen Dream. Followed by that, Matt Riddle and “Prince Pretty” himself, Tyler Breeze came out to stir the pot and alas, the main event match was made-3 members of the Undisputed Era against Dream, Riddle and Breeze.

So, back to my NWO point. Remember when they were at the top of the food chain and essentially nobody in WCW liked them? This notion of being an outsider plays well with the characteristics of the Undisputed Era too. Either you get with them or challenge them. On this week’s NXT, Adam Cole made it clear that they’re in a league of their own and no one can go toe to toe with them. Is he right? Later in the show, I suppose they proved that point by defeating Dream, Riddle and Breeze. You know it’s not over for them though and Dream doesn’t go down that easy.

For now, all I can remember are the words that came from Roderick Strong: “dream on.” Until next week!