NXT, from Full Sail University, August 16, 2017. The "go-home" show for NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III
This NXT title feud is not completely heatless, because Rooe can get heat, as evidence after he blew up the match between McIntyre and Strong, but he's working a feud with both guys at the same time, and the more important one is the one that doesn't involve the title. The match itself was good, and it didn't help that it was the main event of the tapings, but it really did struggle to get reactions until Roode blew up. They didn't even have any interviews prior to the match, if Strong won this match he would get a shot at Roode after takeover, but they never specified that he won by DQ since Roode beat both of them up. Despite all of this, I don't want to see either guy win the title, I'd rather have Roode drop it to Black or Garango, preferably in Philadelphia so mileage can be made out of Roode possibly holding the title for a whole year.
I don't get the sense that they'll pull the trigger on putting Asuka and Ember in the main event, but with the women's tournament about to air and a 500-day title reign, I think they should. They're definitely getting better reactions than the guys. Ember has done an adequate job establishing herself as a contender that can win, but putting it in the main event will force the crowd to take notice think it can happen whether they want it to or not. Tonight was the contract signing, Ember made her peace, Asuka just yelled at her in Japanese, it was fine, but they've had better.
Video package on Sanity vs. AOP. Something that I don't think that's been put over has been Paul Ellering leading AOP into that sneak attack the last time they met and how despondent he looked afterward. AOP are the faces but I'm pretty sure Sanity will get the pops. Alexander Wolfe is very good at playing his character.
Ruby Riot vs. Billie Kay in one of Billie's best matches, but that's not saying a whole lot. Says more that Ruby is good because she is, although understandably not quite as over as when she was pushed as a top face. Deadly Night Shade from Ruby in the corner, but Billie eventually rebounds and has Ruby centered, but Ruby hits the windup overhead kick for the win. Peyton chews up Ruby after the match, imagining that will be a dark match in Brooklyn. Or maybe a tag match with one of the women in the tournament so that it can be promoted.
Street Profits vs. Lars Sullivan and Chris Silvio. Lars begged Regal for one more tag match, promising that he would not beat the holy hell out his teammate after the match in the ring if they lost. Silvio gets into the match. Street Profits work in all their moves they're trying to get over. Pop-up spinebuster into the frog splash gets the pin. Lars never got into the match, so he is pissed. He drags Silvio out, and does not eviscerate him - in the ring. Instead he carries him outside works him over and throws him in a dumpster. Street Profits have a bit of a campy entrance, but they have great music, and I think they're going to get over in the long-run.
Nothing regarding Gargano/Almas nor Itami/Black. Or anybody from ROH.