BRM Reviews the 4/27/2016 NXT (disappointing)

[Big Red Machine]

ASUKA vs. EVA MARIE- 4.75/10
I was quite curious to see how Asuka would be received in her first appearance after crushing Bayley’s dreams. Then I remembered that she is facing Eva Marie.
Vince, Steph, and Mark Carano were all in the crowd for this match. At least I assume they were, as I can’t possibly conceive of anyone else cheering for Eva Marie. The match was a lot longer than I expected. Also, it was much less of a public execution than I expected. Asuka didn’t even rip any of Eva’s limbs off and beat her over the head with them, never mind rip any of her internal organs out.
They seem to be building towards Asuka vs. Nia Jax.

STUFF ABOUT JOE WINNING THE TITLE AT A HOUSE SHOW ON THURSDAY- good.
Joe’s promo was decent.

THE REVIVAL vs. “MATT LEE & JEFF PARKER”- great squash
Holy sh*t that’s 3.0!
After the match, Dash & Dawson cut a good promo.

BLAKE & MURPHY vs. THE HYPE BROS.- 3.5/10, but I have to assess this match a 15 point penalty for not having Alexa Bliss!, so the official rating for this match is -11.5/10.
I don’t get it. If Alexa Bliss! isn’t out here, then what is the point of Blake & Murphy being on TV at all?

POST-MATCH SEGMENT- The Revival jump the Hype Bros. from behind to show that they are putting the whole division on notice like they said in their promo. I think it would have gotten this across better to have them also attack Blake & Murphy.

CARMELLA vs. ALIYAH- 2/10
Wow. Without Enzo & Cass, Carmella just comes across like someone trying to rip them off but having no understanding of what makes their entrance schtik work.

NEW GIRL INTERVIEWS THE DRIFTER- utter sh*t.
“Shinsuke Nakamura- tonight I will show you that I am the Drifter.” He really said that.

SHINSUKE NAKAMURA vs. “THE DRIFTER” ELIAS SAMPSON- 4.5/10
The drifter ruins a Nakamura match by being involved in it. F*ck off, Drifter! And don't come back!

A very disappointing episode of NXT. The women’s division in particular was a mess. Carmella vs. Aliyah was boring and had no heat, Alexa Bliss! wasn’t at ringside for the Blake & Murphy match, and I didn’t get to see Eva Marie being strangled with her own intestines.