On September 1, 2020, NXT aired a live broadcast from Full Sail Live in Orlando, Florida, showcasing several key matches and storylines significant for the development of the brand. Bronson Reed’s performance stood out, offering a strong display of potential that highlights both his strengths and areas needing further polish. This evaluation explores how Bronson Reed’s early NXT push fits into the broader landscape of the brand’s evolving narrative.
High-Intensity Six-Man Street Fight Delivers Chaotic Action
The opening match featured Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) against Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, and Joaquin Wilde) in a six-man street fight characterized by its no-rules environment and unpredictable flow. The confrontation took place with various weapons and objects utilized outside and inside the ring, including tables, ladders, and trash cans, creating a frantic pace that defied concise recapping.
Early on, the heels controlled the intensity, with Mendoza being targeted by Swerve after an Irish whip reversal. Breezango and Swerve worked cohesively, eventually clearing the ring of their opponents with strategic high-flying sentons from a forklift and multiple splashes executed simultaneously from ramp side turnbuckles. Swerve ultimately secured the victory with his finisher on Escobar after an 11-minute battle.
The match served as a gritty display of faction warfare and reinforced Legado del Fantasma’s menace in NXT’s tag division, which remained muddled in a three-team rivalry. The chaotic nature of the street fight delighted fans interested in hardcore action.
Character Depth and Emotional Undercurrents in Women’s Division Segment
Tegan Nox delivered an emotionally charged segment in which she addressed her complicated relationship with Candice LeRae, someone she described as more family than friend. Tegan expressed uncertainty about their friendship’s future and revealed the personal challenges that had transpired over recent months, showing a new layer of her persona beyond mere in-ring performance.
Following this, Kacy Catanzaro faced Candice LeRae in a match where Candice maintained an unenthusiastic, emo persona, winning decisively after targeted offense and a hip attack. Post-match, Candice’s treatment of Kayden Carter suggested upcoming conflict, adding narrative layers to the women’s division.
This storyline development introduced a nuanced emotional dimension to Tegan’s character, which had previously lacked depth, while Candice’s antagonistic posture set the stage for further feuds within the roster.
Bronson Reed vs. Timothy Thatcher: A Clash of Styles That Highlights Potential
Bronson Reed faced Timothy Thatcher in a physical match that contrasted Reed’s power and intensity with Thatcher’s technical and grappling approach. Reed entered the ring with a new, more aggressive theme, setting expectations for a meaningful clash of styles. The contest featured exchanges of uppercuts, lariats, sentons, and tope suicidas that elicited crowd reactions.
Despite some strategic offense by Reed, including a fireman’s carry and strong strikes, Thatcher ultimately won with a Fujiwara armbar submission after forcing Reed to tap at just under five minutes. The bout demonstrated intriguing storytelling but contained minor performance hiccups.
While Reed showed flashes of his rising star status, the finish underscored the need for refined in-ring psychology and pacing before his broader singles push. Given the scarcity of uppercard babyfaces in NXT at the time, cautious development was advised to maximize Reed’s potential without compromising his momentum.
Building Rivalries with Promises of Future Showdowns
In a backstage confrontation, Rhea Ripley challenged Mercedes Martinez to a steel cage match, marking a significant escalation in their ongoing rivalry. Martinez accepted, solidifying the anticipated brutal contest for the following week’s show.
This feud continuation served as a platform to maintain intensity in the women’s division while showcasing Ripley’s fierceness and Martinez’s tenacity, contributing to compelling weekly storytelling.
Ironman Four-Way Match for the Vacant NXT Title: A Grueling Endurance Test
The evening’s main attraction was a one-hour, Ironman four-way match for the vacant NXT Championship involving Finn Balor, Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa. Each competitor brought a distinct style and fan following, heightening the match’s importance in defining NXT’s immediate future.
The competitors were introduced with significant fanfare, receiving mixed to largely positive reactions from the crowd. The bout kicked off promptly with all four participants tactically engaging, trading offensive maneuvers, including knees, forearms, suplexes, and high-impact strikes, as the clock began ticking.
Throughout the grueling contest, each wrestler scored a fall, creating a tense back-and-forth dynamic without a clear dominant performer for the majority of the hour. Finn Balor claimed the first fall with a Coup de Grace on Adam Cole, surprising some with the crowd’s subdued response. Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole each secured pinfalls to keep the score tied, while Tommaso Ciampa gained a critical fall without the pain of being pinned.
As the match progressed, intricate sequences unfolded, from superkicks and submissions to dramatic near-falls, all underpinned by strategic ring psychology and vigilant crowd control. The use of split-screen broadcasts during commercial breaks allowed continued storytelling across multiple fronts, preserving the complexity of the narrative.
The final moments saw frenetic activity with Ciampa executing his signature Air Raid Crash, Balor landing a last-minute Coup de Grace, and Cole immediately responding with his finisher, establishing a thrilling climax. The match concluded tied, setting up a decisive singles bout for the NXT Championship the following week.
Next week, on NXT Super Tuesday 2, the two of you will face off, one fall to a finish, and the winner will be NXT Champion!
—William Regal, NXT General Manager
Assessing Bronson Reed’s Trajectory within NXT
Bronson Reed’s early use in NXT displayed strong physical presence and audience reaction, marked by solid offensive bursts and resilience despite a loss to Timothy Thatcher. His music and entrance have evolved to match a more intense persona, which suits the brand’s emphasis on character development.
However, the match revealed that Reed’s in-ring tactics and storytelling require further guidance for sustained success, especially given NXT’s need for credible babyfaces who can carry the upper midcard and eventually the main event. His near-contact with uppercut counters and pacing suggested that fine-tuning his technical execution is necessary for long-term positioning.
As NXT builds ongoing narratives with wrestlers like Finn Balor, Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa, Reed’s push remains promising but not yet fully realized. His presence adds depth to the roster and offers fresh potential if matched with consistent character work and programmed rivalries.
Continuing Storylines Promise Intense Developments Ahead
The episode furthered multiple ongoing feuds, including the escalating hostility between Candice LeRae and Tegan Nox as well as the brewing steel cage showdown between Rhea Ripley and Mercedes Martinez. These storylines complement the championship race’s intensity and provide a strong framework for weekly programming.
Next week’s NXT presentation will feature the much-anticipated steel cage match, likely serving as an explosive opener, while the men’s NXT title scene transitions to a definitive one-on-one contest. This scheduling maximizes narrative depth and viewer engagement across consecutive broadcast dates.
Overall, Bronson Reed’s early NXT push, while exhibiting clear promise, underscores the need for precise development within a competitive environment rich with established talent and emerging story arcs. His progression will be a storyline worth monitoring as the brand navigates its complex storytelling landscape.
