NXT 82

September 13, 2011 – Toronto, Ontario

The show starts with Darren Young & JTG antagonizing Matt Striker & William Regal. They didn’t say it explicitly, but it’s implied that JTG is teaming up with Young because he hates Regal for hating on him all season. They’ll have a tag team match tonight.

Percy Watson & Titus O’Neil def. Derrick Bateman & Tyson Kidd
No word as to why Kidd is teaming with Bateman, and why Watson is back in NXT at all, except the old racist wrestling trope that all black wrestlers have to be connected in some way. The chemistry between Bateman and O’Neil has improved 0% by adding tag partners to the mix as long as the matches are focused on those two. *¾

Maxine def. AJ
Before the match, Maxine shows AJ a photo of Hornswoggle canoodling with the Bella Twins, and then admits it was photoshopped as soon as AJ walks away. Good thing every word on this show isn’t recorded… If you’re interested in a rest holds and awkward strikes, this is the match for you. I like Maxine’s finisher, though. ½*

Darren Young & JTG def. William Regal & Matt Striker
Michael Cole takes Regal’s place on commentary, and his ranting is frankly a lot more interesting than the punchy kicky match. Cole is really going for it, knowing that it doesn’t matter what he says, never taking a breath, spouting the most random things he can think of. If he’d been this entertaining through his whole run on NXT I wouldn’t have been as upset about the season 3 mess. The final couple minutes of the match are actually pretty good, with Striker really busting his ass but screwing up to give Young the win. **¼

The Usos run out after the match and attack JTG and Young.