WWE NXT #445

WWE's Orlando Showdown: A Night of Surprises and Statement Wins

March 3rd, 2021, saw the WWE roll into the Capitol Wrestling Center (formerly the Performance Center) in Orlando, Florida, for a star-studded TV show that brought the house down. With five matches on the card, this edition of WWE's Tuesday night spectacle was all about making a statement – and boy, did some guys make them.

Match 1: Burch & Lorcan Steal the Show vs. Thatcher & Ciampa

In the opener, the unlikeliest of duos, Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan, outwrestled Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa to kick off the evening in thrilling fashion. The underdogs' high-flying offense and quick tag-team exchanges had the crowd on their feet as they pulled off the upset victory (9:46). This one's gotta be filed away for future reference; these four competitors have some serious chemistry.

Match 2: Ember Moon Shines vs. Aliyah

In the first of two women's matches, Ember Moon got her groove back with a dominant win over Aliyah in just under five minutes (4:53). Moon's impressive aerial assault and Aliyah's spirited defense made for an enjoyable, if brief, contest. The takeaway here is that Moon's still got it – and we're excited to see what she does next.

Match 3: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler Crowned Queens of the Ring

The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship was on the line in the main event of the evening, as Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez challenged the reigning champs, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. What followed was a thrilling 13:18 affair featuring all four competitors at their best. In the end, Jax and Baszler retained their titles via pinfall – but not before each team showcased their incredible strength, power, and agility.

Match 4: Cameron Grimes Gets His Revenge vs. Bronson Reed

Cameron Grimes got his pound of flesh back against Bronson Reed in a hard-hitting, no-frills affair that saw the Aussie battler get his comeuppance at the hands of the "Method Man" (5:06). Grimes' technical grappling and Reed's explosive offense made for an entertaining, if not overly complex, match. Expect to see more of these two in the future.

Match 5: Finn Bálor Strikes Back vs. Roderick Strong

In the evening's penultimate contest, Finn Bálor made a statement against Roderick Strong with a dominating win that showcased his best qualities (13:47). The Coup de Grâce sealed the deal for the former Universal Champion, who now finds himself in prime position to make another run at the top. Strong, meanwhile, took a beating but proved he's still a force to be reckoned with.

Final Thoughts

This WWE show had it all – upsets, surprises, and some seriously impressive performances from the likes of Burch & Lorcan, Ember Moon, and Finn Bálor. With so many great matches and moments to choose from, it's hard not to feel excited about what the future holds for these competitors. Until next time on WWE TV, we're left wondering: who'll be making their mark in Orlando?

Grade: A-

Recommendation: If you missed this one, don't worry – there's plenty of quality wrestling to go around. But if you did catch it, then you know exactly why we're giving it a solid A-.

Card Details

Date: 03 Mar 2021
Promotion: World Wrestling Entertainment
Arena: Capitol Wrestling Center (WWE Performance Center)
Type: TV-Show
Broadcast Type: Live
Broadcast Date: 03 Mar 2021

Matches

Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan defeat Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa in a Non Title Tag Team Match
Match Time: 09:46
Ember Moon defeat Aliyah in a Singles Match
Match Time: 04:53
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler(C) defeat Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez in a WWE Women's Tag Team Title Match
Match Time: 13:18
Cameron Grimes defeat Bronson Reed in a Singles Match
Match Time: 05:06
Finn Balor defeat Roderick Strong in a Non Title Match
Match Time: 13:47