WWE Programming's Best Matches for Week of August 29
Last week, you voted Sasha Banks versus Bayley from NXT Takeover: Brooklyn as the match of the week—and it was definitely the right decision.
Even on a weekend of wrestling as stacked as the one that played out in the run-up to SummerSlam 2015, Banks versus Bayley stood out. Whether you've been watching since the two women debuted in NXT or the event was your first exposure to the brand, it's difficult to imagine not being blown away by the bout.
It simply hit every possible target: memorable manoeuvres, great in-ring storytelling and the culmination of a long-term character arc. It's no exaggeration to say we'll be talking about it when Match of the Year lists are circulated once 2015 is finished.
It'll be a while before WWE or NXT can produce something quite as good as Banks against Bayley—but until then, here are the candidates for the best match of the past seven days.
Contender No. 1: Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro on Raw
Fresh off a terrific match at SummerSlam, Kevin Owens and Cesaro had another engaging encounter on this week's broadcast of Monday Night Raw. The key descriptor here is hard-hitting—lots of matches are intended to fit that bill, but few actually accomplish it.
"Genuinely shouting at the TV because I'm enjoying Cesaro vs Owens so much. Can they just do this for another hour please? #RAW
— PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) September 1, 2015"
Both Cesaro and Owens have a knack for in-ring logic, which helped elevate this bout beyond a standard television match. We know neither man likes the other, so it makes complete sense the match would begin with a lengthy period filled with little other than strikes.
Moving forward, Owens began to show off a bit of his duplicitous character by backing off from the fight he started. Obviously, this helps KO further expand upon the difference between the man he talks about on the mic and the way he behaves in the ring, but it also gave Cesaro chance to really shine.
The Swiss Superman has a war crate of which any pro wrestler in history would be envious, and crowds love to see his more impressive feats of strength and technique. Owens' tendency to avoid the signature moves of his opponent always helps work the audience into a frenzy when the signatures begin to hit.
The pacing of this match also has to be praised. Many criticized Owens for his matches with John Cena, citing overuse of big manoeuvres as the problem. However, a bout such as this demonstrates he's more than capable of spacing out high spots to garner their full effect.
If this is to cap off the rivalry between Owens and Cesaro, it was a very worthy match to do so. However, you can bet we haven't seen the last of these two facing off, even if we have to wait a while for the next chapter.
Contender No. 2: Chad Gable and Jason Jordan vs. Neville and Solomon Crowe
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic got underway this week, and it looks set to provide a whole host of entertaining tag team encounters. Part of the appeal of the tournament is it combines established tag teams with some very odd pairings.
Neville and Solomon Crowe aren't the strangest of the duos set to compete, but they're not exactly two men that jump to mind as a cohesive unit. Fittingly, this first-round match demonstrated that two men on the same page will always conquer a pair of individuals in tag team competition.
It's a shame we didn't see more of Crowe here, but it's understandable why he was used in the manner that he was. Neville was the returning Full Sail hero, and the team of Jason Jordan and Chad Gable is a hot prospect for the immediate future.
In fact, it's difficult to think of any team outside of Big Cass and Enzo Amore that's quite as ready for the main roster as Jordan and Gable. In a relatively short period of time—on NXT television, at least—the pair have developed the makings of a brilliant tag team.
The mechanic they're working with was showcased in this bout, as Gable demonstrated his technical mastery, while Jordan was on hand to deliver some effective power moves. This winning combination could produce great matches with a number of teams currently on the main roster.
This match is well worth watching for it's canny implementation of a nice spin on the typical tag match formula. This tournament would grow tiresome rather quickly without that sort of innovation, so it's promising to see some novel thought as early in the first round.
Contender No. 3: The Dudley Boyz vs. the New Day on Raw
Much like the women's division, midcard championships and just about everything outside of the main event, the tag team division is only now recovering from a damaging lack of attention it received at the height of John Cena's reign of terror. That being said, the future looks very bright.
The New Day has blossomed from an awkward stable into the sort of group a flourishing division can be built around. Now, the return of the Dudley Boyz has given them a wildly popular pair of fan favourites to cement their position as the most hated champions in WWE at present.
This week gave us our first glimpse of the chemistry between the two factions, and it certainly bodes well for the future. D-Von and Bubba Ray always had a gift for comedy, and that looks set to pay dividends as they engage the New Day.
Xavier Woods' cameo, receiving two hip tosses—one into the ring, and one out—demonstrated how both teams can slickly integrate a bit of humour into an otherwise competitive match. The five men involved in this feud are all masters at working with a live crowd.
Look at the extended beatdown of D-Von as he was stranded in the New Day's territory. Conversely, look at the well-worked and sudden end to the match. The best wrestlers are able to define their characters by their actions in the ring, just as well as they can pontificate in an interview.
There seems to be little doubt this program is building to a Tables match, one that will no doubt blow the roof off whatever venue it takes place in. However, is it too much to ask for it to be a six-man elimination bout, with the long-missing Spike Dudley making an appearance to even up the odds?
Which bout do you have down as match of the week? Vote in the poll and make your case in the comments section below.
