While there is not a lot on NXT that has been good lately, one thing that has been very entertaining is the story between Cameron Grimes, LA Knight, Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and the return of the Million Dollar Championship. This has been storytelling at its finest. The three men working together, the introduction of a title, and the payoff at NXT Takeover 36 was absolutely brilliant. Give Triple H, Shawn Michaels and the rest of the NXT crew props for incorporating real-life events into the product.
The Build Towards NXT Takeover 36
Ever since Cameron Grimes debuted his new gimmick as the richest man in NXT after striking it big on the stock market investing in Gamestop, he tried to be like the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase. For weeks, Grimes tried to do what Ted DiBiase did in the 1980s being an obnoxious rich guy. He would do similar acts to the Million Dollar Man, but instead of succeeding, he would fail miserably. There were so many vignettes leading up to the Million Dollar Man showing up in NXT.
The story that was being told between Ted DiBiase and Grimes was must-watch television each week on NXT. You never know what was going to happen next. Each week the Million Dollar Man would continue to one-up Grimes, outbidding him in various purchases. The line repeatedly used by Ted DiBiase is that you are no Million Dollar Man. This led to a faceoff between Ted DiBiase and Cameron Grimes.
Introduction of LA Knight
On the May 25th episode of NXT, the Million Dollar Face-Off between Grimes and DiBiase happened. DiBiase was looking for someone to carry on his Million Dollar Legacy. The Million Dollar Man thought Grimes showed characteristics of him but lost focus ever since becoming rich. Enter LA Knight, who has got the look. Not only can talk and back it up in the ring. LA Knight lays out Grimes which sees Knight and DiBiase leave together. The following week it is announced Grimes and Knight will battle in a ladder match for the Million Dollar Championship at NXT Takeover: In Your House.
You could clearly see that this was all being set up for Grimes to be pushed by Ted DiBiase and for eventually DiBiase to be his manager. The match between Knight and Grimes was excellent with LA Knight becoming the Million Dollar Champion. The following episode of NXT saw DiBiase present Knight with the title and Knight striking the Million Dollar Man with the belt. This saw Grimes make the save setting up a match at the Great American Bash for the belt.
Their Knight won again not only keeping his title but making Grimes his personal butler. However, Grimes did everything in his power to drive LA Knight crazy as his butler. This eventually saw the Million Dollar Man return to encourage Grimes to go after the belt one more time. Again coming back full circle with DiBiase always believing in Grimes, but needing to push him more. This time at NXT Takeover 36, the added stipulation saw if Knight won, DiBiase would be his personal butler.
The Pay Off
Grimes and Knight put on another solid match as they opened NXT Takeover 36. The dynamic between these three was great. The heel getting over the babyface time and time again until the babyface finally prevailed. Though the odds were against Grimes, he was able to defeat LA Knight to win the Million Dollar Championship with DiBiase in his corner. Even the Million Dollar Man got in on the action putting the Million Dollar Dream on LA Knight.
The MILLION DOLLAR DREAM lives on!!@MDMTedDiBiase@LAKnightWWE#NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/OaovvJ8H9R
— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2021
But this was storytelling at its best. This was not a rushed story. This was put together over months and months with the payoff coming and the babyface prevailing. That is how wrestling is done. And it was the perfect ending to a great story. While there may be more to come between these three, this is how you build up to something and have the proper payoff. This was an excellent story and will continue to be must-watch television.
