NXT TakeOver: Toronto took place last Saturday, and was a very solid show from top to bottom (more so than Survivor Series for sure). As usual with post-TakeOver episodes of NXT, tonight features a ton of Toronto flashbacks and matches for Superstars who did not compete on the big special. The only advertised match for tonight is a six woman tag match, where Liv Morgan, Ember Moon, and Aliyah face Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, and a partner of their choosing.
Rich Swann vs. Kona Reeves
Rich Swann won a triple threat match against Noam Dar and TJ Perkins two nights ago on Monday Night Raw to win a Cruiserweight Championship opportunity against Brian Kendrick. Before the debut of 205 Live, the cruiserweight specific show where that title match is taking place, he has a match against Kona Reeves. Reeves definitely is not a cruiserweight, and some fans might remember him as Noah Potjes a few weeks back.
Swann goes to hit the standing 450 splash on the man seemingly twice his size, and SAnitY interrupts before the match can end. They throw Rich Swann out of the ring, then all four members assault Kona Reeves. Swann tries to save Reeves, but he tasted the same fate.
After the assault, No Way Jose checks on his former Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic partner, then he calls out Eric Young to a match in an attempt to avenge Swann. Immediately, Young calls for Sawyer Fulton and Alexander Wolfe to get involved, and they lay out No Way Jose.
If you like Rich Swann and want more cruiserweight action, tune into 205 Live after SmackDown Live next Tuesday (November 29) on the WWE Network.
Backstage Segment
There is a clip of Shinsuke Nakamura after losing the NXT Championship to Samoa Joe Saturday night. On the way out of the building, the King of Strong Style tells the cameraman that he wants a title rematch with Samoa Joe as soon as possible. Joe seemed to have Nakamura’s number for the whole match, but he only got the win after he was able to sneak in a low blow.
Liv Morgan, Aliyah, & Ember Moon vs. Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, & Daria Berenato
Over the past few months, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay have had it out for Liv Morgan and have attacked the New Jersey native at every opportunity they got. Unfortunately for them, Morgan managed to gain more allies throughout the subsequent weeks. Last week, Ember Moon helped out Aliyah and Liv Morgan from another beatdown, and the numbers game was in their favor. This would force Kay and Royce to find a third partner, and they found Daria Berenato.
Not much is known about Daria Berenato other than that she has an MMA background, and it shows in the match. She uses strikes and grapples that would be commonly seen in the Octagon, and has an intensity to her move set unlike most of the NXT Women’s Division (excluding Asuka and Ember Moon).
Billie Kay tags in Berenato (who is clearly reeling from being the main participant in the match), and Ember Moon lands her signature spinning stunner from the top rope on an unaware Berenato to end the match. Winners: Liv Morgan, Aliyah, & Ember Moon
Whilme Berenato showed some potential in this match, it is clear that Ember Moon is miles ahead of the other women in the division. She has fluidity, agility, and she already presents herself in a way that is already like a true WWE Superstar. For women like Liv Morgan and Aliyah, however, they clearly are in the “developmental” part of the brand (this is not a bad thing, not everyone is an independent veteran before coming to WWE).
Match Announcements
Next week on NXT, No Way Jose will get a proper match against Eric Young so he can finally avenge Rich Swann and get revenge for himself.
When NXT hails from Osaka, Japan in two weeks, Shinsuke Nakamura will have his NXT Championship rematch against Samoa Joe.
