NXT Hits New Heights with Its Latest TV Special, Roadblock
When NXT first started their TV specials, it felt like they were delivering a Premium Live Event on cable television. However, their latest special exceeded expectations as it felt more like the Takeover PLEs that made NXT so popular. Personal rivalries and a huge champion vs. champion winner-take-all match highlighted the monumental card in New York City, and like always, each match delivered. The Silver and Black brand is currently on the road to Stand and Deliver, and the excitement and storylines Roadblock delivered tonight turn the anticipation level up for when NXT comes to Las Vegas for their biggest PLE.
The biggest winner of the night was Stephanie Vaquer. La Primera defeated Giulia in the biggest women’s match in NXT history to capture both the NXT Women’s Championship and the NXT Women’s North American Championship. Vaquer becomes the first woman to accomplish this feat and the first NXT superstar since Keith Lee to hold two major championships on the brand; Lee held the NXT Championship and the North American Championship. It will be interesting to see if Vaquer defends both titles or vacate the women’s North American title to focus on defending the NXT women’s title as Lee did with his championships in 2020. No matter what happens, Vaquer is a star in the making, and she will have plenty of challengers looking to defeat her. The first one might be Jordynne Grace, who defeated Roxanne Perez at Roadblock. A matchup between the Dark Angel and the Juggernaut would be an amazing match during WrestleMania weekend.
All five matches delivered on this night, and every competitor brought the energy. Every match got a “This is awesome” chant, and they all deserved it. Two matches in particular, Oba Femi vs. Moose and Fraxiom vs. the Hardy Boyz highlighted what the agreement between WWE and TNA was all about: delivering big-time matchups for the fans. Femi vs. Moose was a slugfest, with the Ruler of NXT retaining his NXT Championship, and the Hardy Boyz proved that they are still the best tag team of all time against the reigning NXT Tag Team Champions. One has to wonder what is the next big matchup that the two brands can pull off. Another big-time match was Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans, who ended their rivalry with an emphatic win by Evans in a Street Fight. The Greensboro native provided moments that defied gravity and exhilarated the crowd. Overall, NXT delivered with Roadblock by providing exciting moments and delivering matches that are accustomed to the Silver and Black brand.
