WWE NXT Recap, Grades & Opinion: July 10, 2019

WWE NXT Recap: July 10, 2019

A.K.A The One Where The Smoke Was Brought

This episode is packed with action that includes Io Shirai addressing the crowd after her beatdown of Candice LeRae a few weeks ago, another match of the NXT Breakout Tournament between Jordan Myles and Boa, Damien Priest showing off his incredible presence again, and NXT Tag Team Champions the Street Profits defending their belts against Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. All of that and more, tonight on WWE NXT.

Results:

• Damien Priest def. Blanco Loco
• Jordan Myles def. Boa
• Street Profits def. Lorcan and Burch

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Match of the Night: NXT Tag Team Championship Match- Street Profits (c) def. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch

The Street Profits dominated the match early on, displaying their fun tandem offense while also being boisterous and cocky in their typical fashion. Lorcan and Burch are brawlers and fought like hell to leave the night as champions. The match got stiff REAL QUICK after Lorcan and Burch were able to take control. Burch put Angelo Dawkins in a crossface for a good period of time and almost forced the tap. Montez Ford came in and penalty kicked Burch’s arm.

The tables were turned when Ford got the hot tag and was able to show off his insane athleticism. Burch and Lorcan were able to get some heavy offense in but Ford wouldn’t be put down. After some back-and-forth action, the Street Profits were able to hit their finisher to retain their titles. The match was not the best of main events, but it certainly was a fun one to watch for Montez Ford alone. The man is going to be massive if they allow him to be.

Three Thoughts:

WHY, IO?! WHY?!

In her first appearance since her shocking heel turn after the cage match a couple of weeks ago, Io Shirai came out with a completely new look and entrance. She radiated heat with the Full Sail crowd while also looking incredibly badass. She just stood in the middle of the ring amongst the boos and said, “I don’t need any friends. I don’t need any of you.” And with that, NXT found its new major player in the women’s division after Shayna loses the belt. Shirai came off looking like a million bucks and while her lack of English speaking skills will hinder her, she is too talented in every other aspect to fail. The segment was short, but it went above and beyond in its execution.

Damien Priest: The King of Cool

Damien Priest had another squash match on NXT TV this week and everything that I wrote about him a few weeks ago stands. Priest has one of my favorite entrances in all of wrestling and he has the presence of a Greek God. He looked like such a slick and cool dude with that smirk he made after the first kick he landed to start the match. Things got even better after he was pissed off by a smack to the face. He hit a great lariat and then followed with the Cyclone Kick and a Corkscrew Cutter to end it all. Priest is just going to be massive for the company and I cannot fanboy enough about him. 

GOOD GOD. #WWENXT @ArcherOfInfamy pic.twitter.com/UD2ZQx2jpD

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 11, 2019

The Swag Was Brought

The Street Profits are major stars. If it wasn’t enough that they were brought up to Monday Night Raw the past few weeks and have been tasked with being hype men, this week’s NXT proved it. The team is over like gangbusters with the Full Sail crowd and the transition to the main roster may prove to be favorable to the team, who has everything that WWE would be looking for in a team. They are great talent on the mic and in the ring, very marketable, and are able to get over with any age group. Their win over Lorcan and Burch highlighted just how entertaining yet good they can be in the ring. Those boys want the smoke, and they may soon be getting some burn.

EXCLUSIVE: #StreetProfits @MontezFordWWE & @AngeloDawkins took care of business tonight… because that's what CHAMPS do! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/AsHP6GRHJc

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 11, 2019

Grade: B-

This was a decent episode of NXT. There was some good wrestling, highlighted by the main event tag team match. It was definitely an episode used to move stories along stories in the undercard of NXT. Io Shirai showed us a glimpse at what her role as a heel will be moving forward. Velveteen Dream brushed off Roderick Strong’s prospects for a North American Title Match. Damien Priest continued his ascent to superstardom. Jordan Myles showed some real promise in his victory in the NXT Breakout Tournament. Shayna Baszler brushed off Mia Yim’s challenge, and the Street Profits did their thing while also moving things along in the tag team division. It was certainly worth the watch, but it isn’t a memorable episode by any means. Even with the less eventful episode, NXT still knocks it out of the park.

One More Thing:

Killian Dain got another video package and cut a promo this time talking about his childhood challenges and tribulations he’s faced in life. The rage and passion he showed in this promo really displayed how scary and good Dain is within his character. Coming back to NXT will be great for Dain’s career and he should be able to make himself a major player on the brand. I look forward to what his first program will be.

Javier Melo is a writer of Pro Wrestling for Full Press Coverage and an Assistant Sports Editor for the Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Follow Javier @JMeloSports on Twitter.