To paraphrase the spectacular NBC sitcom “The Good Place,” the show-opening confrontation between “NXT” Champion Carmelo Hayes and #1 contender Ilja Dragunov was intense, and if we’re being honest, sexually charged. Is it possible we just feel that way because we’re gearing ourselves up for Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi teaming up again on “AEW Dynamite” this week? Yes. Yes, it is. But it really did feel there were some vibes going on between Hayes and Dragunov, even if they were the “not consciously intended” kind that wrestling tends to naturally generate when men start talking to other men about how manly they are. Don’t believe us? Go back and watch the segment again. Even the crowd can feel it.

Anyway, that whole element aside, the champ and the challenger had a good segment this week, with Trick Williams trying to lay the blame for last week’s loss on The Judgment Day’s mastery of the numbers game, only for Hayes to jump straight to blaming Dragunov for interfering. It’s nice having the cocky, superior version of Hayes back in our lives — his title feud with Bron Breakker before the latter turned heel was entirely too respectful, and he’s been struggling to keep his edge ever since — and Dragunov is as smooth on the mic as he is in the ring, accusing Hayes of being all calculation and no feelings, prompting Hayes to open up about the pressure and meaning of holding the “NXT” title. When it comes to putting over the importance of their championship match at Great American Bash, it was good stuff. And as a secret romance novel, it ended up being even better, as Dragunov continued stepping in to defend Hayes from heels like Schism despite the fact that Hayes has no interest in being defended by him, meaning Dragunov will have to overcome his overprotective instincts while Hayes overcomes his fear of codependence if they’re going to get together by the end.

What? Are we really the only ones who see this? Joe Gacy literally said “We can all sense the tension,” I mean, come on! Hayes didn’t call himself Christian Casanova on the indies for nothing!