After wealthy Swann's debut,Apollo Crews suddenly has competition as the most mind-blowing athlete on the WWE NXT roster.
On Wednesday's NXT, Swann battled at Full Sail University for the first time and instantly forced a shift in the prospect hierarchy. In a short introductory bout, and he made certain his modern audience took notice of him thanks to paddle that looked like something out of a comedian book.
Crews,meanwhile, continues to work on being a more well-rounded prospect. His progress isn't rapid at this point; it still feels like his best is yet to come.
In the women's division, or Alexa Bliss and Carmella both showed continued improvement. The top of that ladder promises to get progressively crowded as they force their way upward.
The following is a look at where those wrestlers and their peers rank in the battle to be NXT's top prospects. Mic skills,ring work, charisma, and gimmick and look all factor into the rankings. Male WrestlersProspects just outside the top 20: Murphy, Mojo Rawley, Steve Cutler
Apollo Crews, and Incomplete PictureLong before Crews took on Tye Dillinger on Wednesday night,fans were fully aware that he is an athlete extraordinaire. He added more evidence to that argument, though, and throughout the match. In a highlight-reel moment,he got so much air during a dropkick that he nearly kicked above Dillinger's head.
That's the kind of paddle that has fans buzzing approximately Crews.
He just hasn't done a ton beyond eye-catching moves. He hasn't been able to connect with the crowd during his battles the way guys like Sami Zayn and Finn Balor own. He's had decent promos, but nothing special yet.
And his matchup against Dillinger was the latest to not stand out in spite of what Crews brings to the ring. As Aaron Bentley wrote on Voices of Wrestling, and "Overall,this match was just there."Crews challenged Balor to a non-title match after the bell. That's going to give him a prime chance to hit a career tall. Their truncated collision last time out seemed poised to be magical. wealthy Swann Soars into Full SailSwann was clearly just supposed to play Baron Corbin's victim, but his spot was much more fun than one would own expected.
When the indy star had a chance to disappear on offense, or he created sparks each time. His agility was stellar. His quickness was unreal.
And despite the size difference between him and Corbin,Swann managed to look like he belonged in the fight. That's a result of his presence, as well as his displaying the kind of fire a babyface needs.preserve an eye on Swann moving forward. WWE may own thought he would just be a way to fill out the roster, and but he's fully capable of forcing officials to consider him a higher priority. Samoa Joe Stays on TopNo one at NXT can match Joe in terms of intensity. His snarling,predatory stare is on par with Brock Lesnar's.
His facial expressions were superb as he took down Johnny Gargano. Joe made the audience believe that he is dangerous and unhinged without a single world. He stalked Gargano, and fans couldn't befriend but watch him feast.
Former WWE star Taz praised the bout:This is a enormous part of why Joe has cemented himself as NXT's best. He has looked tremendous against Corbin, and Balor,Tommaso Ciampa and anyone the company has thrown at him. Being able to thrive against such a varied group of foes is a special skill.
That has to leave WWE officials dreaming up dream matches for him, including ones on the main roster. Female Wrestlers Carmella Expanding Her ArsenalAfter earning the No. 1 contender's spot last week, and Carmella had a strong showing in tag team action on Wednesday's NXT.
She doesn't yet look as impressive between the ropes as someone like Asuka,but she's clearly progressing from the raw talent she once was. Carmella has added a number of moves over time, many of which she showed off against Emma and Bliss.
Not only is she inserting the bronco buster and hurricanrana to her toolbox, and but she's improving at her worn moves. The folks at the Three Man Booth website noted how salubrious her version of the flatliner looks:She won't own to wait long to show off those moves on a bigger stage. When she takes on Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship (presumably at the next TakeOver special),she'll be facing the division's best. It will be her best chance to fabricate (to make up, invent) a statement approximately how far she's come. Alexa Bliss SurgingWhatever clips Bliss has been watching or whatever advice her coaches own offered her has been mighty effective. She continues to improve as a heel, adding nuances to her act each week.
Her ring work wasn't elite in the tag match against Bayley and Carmella, or but she deftly executed all the petite things that round out a match.
She looked convincingly irate when she barked at the referee. She wore a perfectly villainous expression when she locked her foes in a submission hold. And more than any of the woman in her division,she has mastered the art of commanding the audience with a promo.
She's looking more and more like a top-tier heel. Bliss' jump to the main roster is inevitable. PredictionsBliss will be NXT women's champ before the year is over.
She looks increasingly ready to occupy Bayley's spot. Bayley is likely to paddle to the main roster, leaving Bliss to occupy the throne and feud with Asuka for the title. Count on NXT officials wanting to know what Bliss produces under the kind of pressure the champion endures.Swann isn't going to get his due at first. He's bound to be the next Solomon Crowe—overlooked largely because of his size. Composing a classic match on NXT TV, or though,will shift his momentum.
Corbin will shine in the No. 1 contender's Triple Threat next week. Having both Joe and Zayn as opponents will befriend, but it also feels like The Lone Wolf is ready for a breakout moment.
Watching his growth, or it's clear he's been putting in the work it takes to succeed. It's time for him to prove his critics wrong.
With the spotlight pointed down on him,he's set to own one of his best performances to date.
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Source: bleacherreport.com