Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches - Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

They got NeXT.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 1, 2016

OK. Alphabet soup time. "NXT" is to WWE as "AAA" is to MLB as the "D-League" is to the NBA. WWE Superstar, current (at time of writing) WWE Champion, and company COO Triple H's brainchild, NXT is the fan-favorite developmental branch of the WWE, the place where tomorrow's superstars go to find their footing today. A massively popular hit with fans -- in many ways more so than the main stage product -- and boasting a deep and rich history in its relatively short lifespan, the promotion has produced plenty of top-level talent and continues to feed the main roster with extraordinary superstars who are making waves around the sports entertainment world. As Triple H says during the course of this two-disc program, every match at WrestleMania 31 -- with the exception of his clash with Sting -- saw at least one participant that was a product of NXT. Talk about a program bearing fruit.

Warriors.

If its title -- WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches Vol. 1 -- isn't a giveaway, this isn't a full-fledged NXT documentary but rather a match compilation with some historical morsels, insights, and interviews mixed in. Fortunately, those nuggets are more than enough to paint a fairly through and vivid portrait of the NXT brand. It covers NXT's evolution from "reality show competition" to its current mold, from its roots in Florida Championship Wrestling to the stature it enjoys today. The segments go on to explore the importance of the WWE Performance Center, the Diva's revolution, the brand's explosion in popularity since its prominent placement during the debut of the WWE Network, and the many stars who have crossed over to main roster WWE and made a major impact on the company's landscape.

As a basic match compilation with documentary elements, the presentation satisfies. Even with only a few years' worth of material -- the earliest match dates back to August 2012 -- there's plenty of great entertainment here and plenty of big names who have already moved on from NXT to main roster WWE. Rollins has held the WWE title. Big E holds, at time of writing, the WWE tag title. Cesaro once held that same title. Kevin Owens, at time of writing, holds the Intercontinental title. It seems only a matter of time before Neville, Sami Zayn, and, hopefully, Bray Wyatt get their hands on a belt. The context comes in something of a choppy manner, with snippets here and there between matches, but the broader story line usually follows a key match or two that embodies the concept being discussed. It's not an earth-shattering release in any way. It's very much in the tradition of the basic WWE structure, so fans who have enjoyed previous compilations should love this, particularly with its focus on a new subject heretofore untapped by the WWE Home Video Blu-ray market.

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches Vol. 1 contains matches across both Blu-ray discs.

Disc One:

• NXT Championship Finals: Seth Rollins vs. Jinder Mahal. NXT -- August 29, 2012.
• No Disqualification NXT Championship Match: Seth Rollins vs. Big E Langston. NXT -- January 9, 2013.
• NXT Match: Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt. NXT -- May 1, 2013.
• NXT Women's Championship Finals: Paige vs. Emma. NXT -- July 24, 2013.
• 2 Out of 3 Falls Match: Sami Zayn vs. Antonio Cesaro. NXT -- August 21, 2013.
• NXT Match: William Regal vs. Antonio Cesaro. NXT -- December 25, 2013.
• NXT Championship Ladder Match: Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville. NXT ArRival -- February 27, 2014.
• NXT Women's Championship Finals: Charlotte vs. Natalya. NXT TakeOver -- May 29, 2014.
• NXT Match: Sami Zayn vs. Tyson Kidd. NXT -- October 16, 2014.
• NXT Championship Match: Adrian Neville vs. Sami Zayn. NXT TakeOver: REvolution -- December 11, 2014.
• NXT Women's Championship Fatal Four Way Match: Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch vs. Bayley. NXT TakeOver: Rival -- February 11, 2015.

Disc Two:

• NXT Championship Match: Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens. NXT TakeOver: Rival -- February 11, 2015.
• NXT Match: Adrian Neville vs. Cesaro. Columbus, OH -- March 5, 2015.
• NXT Match (Arena Cam Only): Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze. San Jose, CA -- March 27, 2015.
• 6 Person Tag Team Match: Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady/Carmella vs. Blake/Murphy/Alexa Bliss. NXT -- June 17, 2015.
• NXT Championship Match: Kevin Owens vs. Finn Bálor. Beast in the East -- July 4, 2015.
• NXT Women's Championship Match: Sasha Banks vs. Bayley. NXT Takeover: Brooklyn -- August 22, 2015.
• Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: Finn Bálor/Samoa Joe vs. Baron Corbin/Rhyno. NXT Takeover: Respect -- October 7, 2015.

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches - Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches Vol. 1 features another 1080i, 1.78:1-framed WWE Home Video presentation. The output comes exactly as expected. In the broadest sense, the image satisfies. Matches look particularly good, producing vibrant colors, notably yellows but also those that make up wrestler attire and digital and handmade signage. They contrast nicely against the darker-themed NXT mat and accents. Details hold up very well during matches; too. Wrestler skin textures and tattoos never want for more definition. Near-ring audience faces are clear, and so are signs even some distance from the action. Severe macroblocking does creep in, particularly in the darker corners, but front-and-center action never struggles. Some of the interview clips are of a lesser quality, favoring a softer, choppier look that downplays detailing, sharpness, and color. Most are good to go, but it's clear that some interviews are sourced under extremely varied conditions and circumstances. Overall, however, this is another good, as-expected WWE release.

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches - Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches Vol. 1 arrives on Blu-ray with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Ringside commentary fluctuates between accurately balanced and a little boomy. Interview clips, however, always find natural clarity and prioritization. Music is a bit more robust than normal. Wrestler intro music is very aggressive, detailed, and well spaced. Bálor's is particularly noteworthy; its ability to stretch and find precision placement around the stage is the unequivocal sonic highlight of the entire program. More intimate crowd sizes allow for greater controlled detailing. Chants, cheers, and one-off shout-outs present with expert clarity and a "being there" immersion. Crashes and slams onto the mat are likewise a little more pronounced, offering tangible bounce and depth to every slam.

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches - Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches Vol. 1 contains the following extras on disc two under the "Blu-ray Exclusives" tab.

• NXT Match: CM Punk/Seth Rollins vs. Antonio Cesaro/Kassius Ohno. NXT -- October 17, 2012.
• 2 Out of 3 Falls Match: Adrian Neville vs. Corey Graves. NXT -- November 13, 2013.
• NXT Moment: Bray Wyatt Thanks the NXT Universe. NXT -- August 14, 2014.
• Bonus Match: Paige vs. Becky Lynch. NXT TakeOver: Fatal Four Way -- September 11, 2014.
• NXT Women's Championship Match: Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte. NXT -- July 15, 2015.
• NXT Match: Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze. NXT TakeOver: Respect -- October 7, 2015.

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches - Volume 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches Vol. 1 doesn't break new ground, holding firm to the tried-and-true WWE Home Video match compilation formula. Yet it feels rather fresh, and it is, in a way. Made entirely of very recent history and looking back on stars still just making their mark in the WWE, the program makes for a great refresher or companion for fans headed into WrestleMania and the year to come in WWE, a year that will no doubt continue to be shaped by the faces that appear throughout this set. WWE Home Video's Blu-ray release of WWE: NXT's Greatest Matches Vol. 1 features typical video and audio for a WWE release. A handful of extra matches are exclusive to the Blu-ray release. Recommended.