DAKOTA KAI VS. SANTANA GARRETT
It would seems they’re looking to get Kai a win over a recognizable name leading up to a feud with Lacey Evans. The moves aren’t very crisp in this match. Not sloppy, but slow and weak-looking. They each look like they’re standing and waiting for the other to finally do their move. Besides Kai’s finisher, all of the moves looked very ineffective and fake. We know they’re “fake” to a point, but it’s not supposed to look that way.
Match Rating: One Gold Medal
IN-RING PROMO: SHAYNA BASZLER
Way too rehearsed. Didn’t feel natural at all.
Promo Rating: Eight Bobby Lashleys
HANDICAP MATCH: OTIS DOZOVIC VS. THE MIGHTY
Good move creatively to have TM take out Knight, otherwise this would be a butchering. That would be fun to watch, but this gets more heat on TM and keeps the match competitive. I expect a lot of heel tactics in this match. Not a pretty double suplex by Dozovic but it got a nice pop. As over as Heavy Machinery is, I’ve often wondered why they aren’t further up the card. It does feel like there’s something missing that keeps them from being a championship team, but I can’t put my finger on what it is. Dozovic takes a big fist to the back of the head as The Mighty gets the win.
Match Rating: Six Gold Medals
Adam Cole vs. Danny Burch next week. I’m down.
VELVETEEN DREAM VS. CHRIS DIJAK
I don’t know who Dijak is, but the announcers are playing up his accomplishments. He’s god damn impressive, and if they’re gonna give him a win in his first match, having it be against Dream is a huge deal. Even if he doesn’t win, the showing his made is certainly gonna leave an impression. Dream flips Dijak off the apron and he hits the ring steps face first. That looked nasty. A DDT gives Dream the victory. Nice win for Velveteen Dream, but an excellent debut for Chris Dijak, he was the story of this match.
Match Rating: Seven Gold Medals
EC3 VS. JOHNNY GARGANO
Why does EC3 get as many cheers as he does? He doesn’t seem to do anything special, and he’s a heel. The action is fast and furious and EC3’s moves look EXTREMELY painful, especially the nasty decapitating clothesline when Johnny gets back in from the outside. He’s such a powerhouse. Maybe that’s his crowd appeal. Johnny snaps and gets mean. It’s obvious Ciampa is still in his head. Keep that storyline going. He hits the same DDT that Ciampa hit on him in Chicago for the win.
Match Rating: Six Gold Medals
Overall Show Rating: Five Gold Medals
It's Damn True: All About WWE 