NXT 288

July 22, 2015 – Winter Park, Florida

The new NXT Champion Finn Balor kicks off the show. He gets to celebrate in peace because Kevin Owens isn’t really in NXT anymore, and to be honest he kind of never was.

Eva Marie def. Cassie
This is a pretty ballsy opener after the experience that was Sasha Banks vs Charlotte in the main event last week. It wasn’t a disaster by any stretch, and Cassie actually had some really impressive kicks from angles and parts of the ring that I can’t remember seeing before. Marie wasn’t embarrassing, but she’s a little slow and needed a lot of help hitting that Shiranui to finish. Maybe she should have a less involved finisher. *¾

Meanwhile, Tyler Breeze wants a big match for Takeover: Brooklyn. I wonder what William Regal will cook up for him.

Baron Corbin def. Mr. 450
This was probably Corbin’s quickest match yet, so whatever. N/A

Samoa Joe def. Mike Rallis
Just a squash. It’s proximity to Corbin’s squash made me think they were going to rehash the feud Corbin had with Bull Dempsey but sub in Joe. N/A

Bayley def. Emma
This was pretty fun, and a good way for Bayley to get some momentum going after a minute away. Turns out if you give Emma something to focus on, in this case Bayley’s hand and having a good match, she brings the goods. Bayley wants the title, but first she wants a match with Charlotte. I am very excited that Charlotte is going to have another match in NXT. In the back after the match Dana Brooke says that Charlotte has been given, “Chance after chance to reign the championship.” Why does this woman have a job?! So Charlotte is going to fight Brooke before she fights Bayley. ***

Aiden English & Simon Gotch def. Angelo Dawkins & Sawyer Fulton
Just another squash, but Gotch did some cool stuff here, so that’s worth noting. N/A

The show ends with a contract signing between Balor and Owens during which Owens ties to attack Balor and Regal. Balor ends up coming out on top.