NXT – May 24, 2017: The Chicago Dream

NXT
Date: May 24, 2017
Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness, Tom Phillips

This is one of those cool down shows that was taped before Takeover started off. In other words we’re in for a night of quick matches with a bunch of interviews and recaps being used to fill in the gaps. Odds are we’re not going to find out any storyline development tonight but slowing things down a bit isn’t always a bad thing. Let’s get to it.

As expected, we open with a long recap of Saturday’s show. This makes the ending of the Women’s Title match look a lot better.

Opening sequence.

Aleister Black vs. Curt Hawkins

This is actually fallout from an episode of Main Event where Black beat Hawkins without much effort. Black starts fast with his backflip into the seated position and grabs a rollup for two. A hard shot to the face staggers Hawkins and Black picks him up with a boot underneath the jaw. Hawkins bails to the floor but the chase goes badly as Black Mass ends Curt at 2:50.

Video on Saturday’s ladder match with the Authors of Pain retaining and Tommaso Ciampa turning on Johnny Gargano to end the show.

Ember Moon talks about how her career got a boost here in Chicago but it sucks sitting here watching all the action.

Video on the Women’s Title match, this time with narration.

Video on Roderick Strong vs. Eric Young.

Velveteen Dream vs. Robert Anthony

The Dream is the former Patrick Clark (with the music spelling out C-L-A-R-K in the background) in something like an Exotic Adrian Street gimmick. A dropkick drops Anthony early on and we get some shouting in the corner. Dream goes up top for a spinning chop to the head as the LET’S GO JOBBER chants start up. A Rude Awakening sets up a very high top rope elbow to put Anthony away at 2:27. Dream looked good, albeit in a small dose.

Video on the UK Title match.

Dunne says bring on all comers because he’ll do the same to them.

Video on Roode vs. Itami with Roode retaining his title.

Roode isn’t surprise he retained and he’ll decided who and when he fights again.

Roode will have a Glorious Celebration next week.

Wesley Blake vs. Drew McIntyre

This was set up backstage last week. McIntyre runs him over to start and tells Blake to bring it. Blake talks some trash and gets kicked in the face, followed by an overhead belly to belly to send Blake flying. Drew’s throat is snapped across the top rope and we take a break. Back with Blake working on the arm with a Kimura and a cross armbreaker.

Drew fights right back with a clothesline and a sitout powerbomb for two. Blake sends him shoulder first into the post and grabs a quickly broken Crossface. Another comeback is countered with a Codebreaker onto the arm, only to have Drew toss him off the top. One heck of a headbutt sets up the running boot to the face to end Blake at 11:20.

Rating: C-. The announcers treat this like a big deal because Blake is a former NXT Tag Team Champion. Well yeah, and Drew is a former Intercontinental Champion. I really don’t think it’s all that impressive of a win. At least Drew is being featured now and I could easily see him challenging for the title in Brooklyn after Roode faces someone else (Roderick Strong being a likely option).

Overall Rating: D+. This was your usual post-Takeover show, meaning almost nothing happens and it’s mainly a chance to catch your breath. It’s nothing you need to see but if you don’t have time to watch the full thing, this is as good an option as you have. Oh and they managed to advertise something for next week because they’re just that good at their jobs.

Results

Aleister Black b. Curt Hawkins – Black Mass

Velveteen Dream b. Robert Anthony – Top rope elbow

Drew McIntyre b. Wesley Blake – Running boot to the face

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:

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