Mustafa Ali showed up in NXT with the intention of putting on a performance we wont forget, and he achieved that.
The NXT and TNA Wrestling ShowDown event on the October 7 episode of WWE NXT featured a major title bout with deep personal history included. Ethan Page defended the NXT North American Championship against Mustafa Ali, who made a surprise return to the brand.
The match carried extra weight, as Ali was originally scheduled to compete for the same title last year before his WWE release. His unexpected comeback wasnt just about revenge, because it was about reclaiming the opportunity that was once taken from him.
This match had fans going the whole time, and The CW actually had to bleep out a lot of those chants. The two fought hard through a commercial break, and when we came back, they were battling for position on the top rope.
Ethan Page was able to put Mustafa Ali out and then nearly decapitate him with a big boot. Then Mustafa Ali bridged out of the pin and fell flat on his face. The match kept going, but Ethan Page couldnt close the deal, no matter how hard he fought.
Mustafa Ali fired back with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Then Page moved out of the way of a 4-5-0, and he nailed a kick. Ali was able to reverse out of an Egos Edge for a roll-up, but Page kicked out. Then Ali went for a massive springboard stunner, but Page knocked him out of the air. Page went for a Twisted Grin next, but Ali countered into a two count.
They went to the outside, where Ali nailed a suicide dive on Page. Fans chanted holy sh*t as they were bleeped the whole time. Ali climbed up to the top rope, but the microphone cord was tied around his feet. Then Page shoved him off and Ali took a sick bump. Page went outside right after that, and he threw Ali back in to hit a Twisted Grin to retain his title.
Whats your take on the North American Title match at ShowDown? Do you believe that things should have been booked differently? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
