NXT UK – May 22, 2019: The Big Fight Feel

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: May 22, 2019
Location: Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for a big one as we have Pete Dunne vs. Walter II for the United Kingdom Title. The first match was the biggest match in the history of NXT UK and now Dunne wants his chance to get the title back. That’s all but a guarantee for some shenanigans but the question is what kind. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match: Travis Banks vs. Joseph Conners

Banks takes him down by the arm to start before heading outside early on. Conners sends him into the steps so the fans get behind Banks with the KIWI BUZZSAW chants. The chinlock cuts those off as the energy isn’t exactly here yet. Banks fights up and sends Conners to the floor again, this time for a heck of a suicide dive.

The Slice of Heaven misses back inside though and a running sunset buckle bomb (nice) gives Conners two, plus some polite applause. We hit the pinfall reversal sequence into a standoff as the fans get behind Banks all over again. Back up and Conners sends him into the corner but Banks comes out with the Slice of Heaven. The Kiwi Crusher finishes Conners at 8:27.

Rating: C+. Nice match here with Banks getting the win that he should have had a long time ago. Conners…I know he’s trying and they seem interested in pushing him but it’s not working. At least they dropped the idea of him not liking all the new talents around here because even the older ones aren’t even a year old yet. This could have been worse though, which tends to be the case in Conners’ matches.

Post match Banks promises to run through Dave Mastiff, Jordan Devlin and Joe Coffey to becoming #1 contender. The match is in two weeks.

Nina Samuels is proud of how she manipulated Toni Storm into the title match. Now it’s time for her masterpiece next week when she wins the title in her series finale.

We recap Mark Andrews vs. Noam Dar from two months ago when they beat the heck out of each other and were too injured to finish.

Noam Dar vs. Mark Andrews

Of course Dar gets the big home country reception. Feeling out process to start with Andrews missing a kick to the head for a standoff. Andrews takes him down again though and a standing moonsault gets two. Dar grabs a very spinning backslide for two and it’s off to the quickly broken ankle lock. Instead Dar hits a bicycle kick for two but Andrews is right back up with a jumping enziguri. Stundog Millionaire sends Dar outside for the running flip dive with Dar’s knee giving out. That would be goldbricking though and Dar hits a quick Nova Roller for the pin at 5:50.

Rating: C-. Well that was a little shorter for the sake of the heel turn at the end, which isn’t the most interesting thing in the world. Their first match was quite entertaining and this one was more of an angle than anything else, which doesn’t do much for me. At least we got something out of it though and they didn’t waste time until getting to the ending.

The Grizzled Young Veterans don’t care about Moustache Mountain calling them out for a title shot because the champs decide when they defend their titles.

Here’s Rhea Ripley for a chat. She knows how much people want to see her wrestle tonight but it’s just not going to happen. Rhea has been told that Piper Niven is something of a big deal here in Scotland but she sees Piper as a wannabe superstar who reeks of fear. All Piper can do is talk about her and as soon as Piper steps in the ring with her, nightmares become reality. Short and to the point here.

Kassius Ohno is rather happy that he gets his update from Sid Scala and Johnny Saint this week. Since Saint isn’t here, Scala gives him Jack Gallagher for next week, which seems to work for Ohno.

Next week: Nina Samuels vs. Toni Storm for the Women’s Title.

United Kingdom Title: Pete Dunne vs. Walter

Pete is challenging and gets powered into the corner to start. That’s reversed into a series of rolls on the mat into a standoff. Dunne takes him to the mat this time and tries for the arm stomp but has to duck the chop. Back up and Pete grabs a headlock, which is reversed into one from the champ as they’re firmly in first gear. The sleeper is blocked and Dunne grabs the leg to send Walter outside.

Dunne follows though and this time it’s the big chop to give Walter his first real advantage. A kick to the arm doesn’t do much for Dunne as Walter kicks him in the face to take over again. There’s a whip into the barricade and Walter stomps him on the steps. Back in and Dunne is in trouble but he sneers up at the champ anyway. That just earns him some hard stomps and a reverse chinlock as things stay rather slow.

Dunne fights up and drops Walter with a single forearm as the fans are behind Pete (or Peter actually). A middle rope dropkick to the knee takes Walter down again and it’s off to a kneebar. Dunne can’t get it in all the way so he kicks Walter in the arm instead and hooks something like an Octopus hold while pulling on the finger. A crucifix bomb gives Dunne two and annoys Walter so much that he hits a rather hard clothesline.

The Boston crab stays on Dunne’s back but Dunne gets out again. Some stomps to the head have Walter in trouble this time and a double arm crank is broken up as well. Walter’s fingers are tied in the buckle and Dunne dropkicks the hand for a bonus. Dunne’s super hurricanrana brings Walter back down for two but he’s back up with a chop between the shoulder blades.

A German suplex rocks Walter, who is fine enough to explode into a clothesline for two on Dunne. The top rope splash is punched out of the air and Dunne grabs the Bitter End. The fingers are bent back….and here’s Fabian Aichner to push the rope toward Walter. With the referee on the floor with Aichner, Marcel Barthel runs in to hit Dunne with the belt. Walter’s powerbomb retains the title at 16:33.

Rating: B+. It’s good and a hard hitting brawl but it was a far cry from what they did in New York. The problem here was they went from the slow start to beating the tar out of each other in the span of a few seconds and it didn’t have the smoothest transition. The ending is a good way to move things forward while also keeping Dunne strong for the future. It’s a very good TV match, but not a great, classic one.

Walter, Aichner and Barthel post to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. They weren’t messing around here with a huge main event, a match to set up the #1 contenders match and a heel turn in the middle. They’re setting things up for the future and when you add that to the good stuff this week, it’s a heck of a show. This place is officially on a roll and the new villains vs. British Strong Style will work just fine for the time being.

Results

Travis Banks b. Joseph Conners – Kiwi Crusher

Noam Dar b. Mark Andrews – Nova Roller

Walter b. Pete Dunne – Powerbomb

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

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NXT – May 22, 2019: Well Of Course The Can

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: May 22, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Beth Phoenix, Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness

We’re somehow less than two weeks away from the next Takeover (thanks Saudis) so things need to hurry and get ready now. Last week saw the NXT Title and Women’s Title matches being set up, along with what seems to be the Tag Team Title match being set up. That leaves a few things needing to be done, which should be taken care of tonight. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of the Viking Raiders dominating the tag team division but then vacating the Tag Team Titles to go up to the main roster. They faced the Street Profits last week until the Forgotten Sons interfered, setting up a huge brawl with other teams getting involved.

William Regal announces the Street Profits vs. the Forgotten Sons vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan vs. Kyle O’Reilly/Bobby Fish in a ladder match for the vacant titles.

Opening sequence.

Here’s the Undisputed Era for a chat. Adam Cole talks about how the team is going nowhere and everyone’s contract may say NXT, but the Undisputed Era owns them. They’re taking over, and that begins next Friday when O’Reilly and Fish take the Tag Team Titles. Cole will be busy that night too as he gets the NXT Title that has been him all along.

This brings out Johnny Gargano, who knows that Cole is obsessed with winning the title. Cole brings up winning the first fall in New York, though Gargano explains the math in a 2/3 falls match. The fight is teased but here’s Matt Riddle to go after the Era first, with Johnny joining in to clear the Era out. Riddle vs. Strong at Takeover wouldn’t surprise me.

Sean Maluta vs. Mansoor

Mansoor starts fast with a headscissors into a high dropkick but Sean gets in a Samoan drop for a breather. A middle rope Codebreaker gives Maluta two and we hit the neck crank. That’s broken up in a hurry and Mansoor hits a slingshot reverse neckbreaker. A lifting reverse suplex into a swinging neckbreaker Maluta at 2:50. Mansoor looked good, as always.

Regal yells at the Undisputed Era and makes Riddle vs. Strong for Takeover (I can call those obvious ones.). Tonight, it’s O’Reilly and Fish against Riddle and Gargano.

Here’s Velveteen Dream to say that everyone wants to feel him and hold him but he’s too big to hold. When you say his name, you better say it correctly….and here’s Tyler Breeze. The fans are very happy to see him but Dream doesn’t like someone else being called gorgeous. Breeze is glad to be home and knows what it’s like to have everyone talking about him.

Ever since the fashion left NXT though, it’s been a little dull around here. There are wannabe impersonators and cheap knockoffs, but as flattering as that is (Breeze: “And believe me Dream, it’s flattering.”), there is only one Prince Pretty. Dream welcomes him home to the Dream’s NXT but things are a little different around here. NXT wants a man instead of a boy, especially not a boy who plays cops and robbers. Just because Breeze couldn’t cut it on Monday and Tuesday, he can’t come back here and demand the spotlight.

Breeze says the title inspires him and an inspired Tyler Breeze is too much for Dream to handle. Dream calls him a dollar store detective who has forgotten how things work while he’s sitting in catering on Monday and Tuesday. To make sure everything is cool though, Dream offers a selfie with the champ. Breeze goes for it but has one more bit of advice: when you write your number on your trunks but no one calls, no one is interested. A phone shot knocks Dream down and Breeze leaves. Just the battle of the entrances alone will be worth seeing.

Post break Breeze says he wanted to introduce Dream to an inspired Prince Pretty.

Candice LeRae vs. Reina Gonzalez

Candice’s early rollup attempt is easily blocked and Reina powers her down into an arm crank. Back up and Candice spins around into a rollup to the floor, followed by a drive into the steps with Reina’s arm hitting first. Back in and Candice’s top rope hurricanrana sends Reina into the corner and the Lionsault gives Candice the pin at 3:15.

Rating: D+. Well that was quick. I’m rather surprised that Reina got beaten so fast as she’s a near giant in the division and loses in just over three minutes. Candice is a bigger star than most though and her winning makes sense, but I was expecting a little more of a competitive match.

Post match the Horsewomen hit the ring to go after Candice but Io Shirai makes the save with a kendo stick.

Dream will defend the North American Title against Breeze at Takeover. That should finish the card.

Kyle O’Reilly/Bobby Fish vs. Johnny Gargano/Matt Riddle

Riddle has taped up ribs. No Cole and Strong here with the Era. Gargano and O’Reilly go to the mat to start for an early standoff. O’Reilly tries to pull him into a triangle choke so Gargano rolls out into a failed Gargano Escape attempt. Gargano gets taken into the corner but is fine enough to kick Fish in the face, allowing the tag off to Riddle. That means the palm strikes and kicks to the chest, followed by an exploder suplex.

Some rolling gutwrench suplexes have Fish in more trouble so O’Reilly comes in without a tag, earning himself his own rolling suplexes. That’s enough for Fish to get in a cheap shot so Riddle can finally be put in trouble in the corner. A sliding knee to the bad ribs keeps Riddle in trouble, setting up a slingshot hilo to give Fish two. With the rib work not being so successful, O’Reilly strikes away at the chest, earning himself a knee to the face. It’s back to Gargano who tries an O’Connor roll on O’Reilly but Fish tags himself in.

Chasing the Dragon gets two but Gargano breaks up High/Low. Riddle comes back in and no sells a German suplex, setting up a Penalty Kick to O’Reilly to put all four down. The Broton into the Floating Bro gets two on Fish with O’Reilly making the save. Riddle and Fish slug it out until Riddle hits a powerbomb into a knee to the face. O’Reilly makes another save but here’s Cole, who gets taken out with a suicide dive from Gargano. Now it’s Strong to suplex Riddle onto the apron, setting up High/Low to finish Riddle at 13:29.

Rating: B. Strong main event here as the Era wins a match they should have won. The interference keeps Riddle protected and gives him a reason to want to take care of Strong even more. It wouldn’t shock me to see Riddle getting the title shot over Summerslam weekend and going through the Era to get there is a great start.

Post match the Era beats down both guys to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. Every time I watch this show do things so fast, I’m impressed that much more. They threw together three matches, all of which make sense, in the span of an hour. That’s really hard to do with this kind of efficiency, while also showcasing the other matches for Takeover. While this might not be the best looking Takeover in the world, you can feel how good it’s going to be because that’s what they do. It’s another good show, but more importantly it shows how these people can turn on the jets, which is even more impressive.

Results

Mansoor b. Sean Maluta – Lifting reverse swinging neckbreaker

Candice LeRae b. Reina Gonzalez – Lionsault

Kyle O’Reilly/Bobby Fish b. Matt Riddle/Johnny Gargano – High/Low to Riddle

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT UK – May 15, 2019: I Don’t Remember When

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: May 15, 2019
Location: Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We’re coming up on the big rematch between UK Champion Walter and Pete Dunne but we also need to look to the future with more qualifying matches for the #1 contenders fatal four way match. That alone should be enough for a good show but I’ve started to like the prospects of what we might be getting around here week to week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Piper Niven vs. Jamie Hayter

Jamie, making her debut here, grabs the arm to start but gets pulled into a standing chinlock. After slipping out, Jamie tries some trash talk and gets headbutted down for her efforts. There’s a Cannonball in the corner and the Michinoku Driver finishes Jamie at 1:48. Total squash.

Toni Storm warns Nina Samuels to stop talking about her career. An out of control Storm is not a good thing and she’ll even put the title on the line.

Sid Scala is excited for both the title match and the qualifying matches when Kassius Ohno comes up with a complaint. He’s here to showcase pure British wrestling but he’s not in a qualifying match. Scala promises an answer next week.

Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match: Ligero vs. Jordan Devlin

Feeling out process to start with Ligero sending him into the corner to start, meaning Jordan wants an early breather. Devlin takes him down in a test of strength but Ligero is right back with a scary looking Canadian Destroyer (or a very sloppy Code Red). Thankfully Devlin isn’t knocked silly as Ligero dropkicks him to the floor, setting up the slingshot dive.

Back in and Devlin trips Ligero right back to the floor for a ram into the barricade. A backbreaker sets up the release Rock Bottom into the standing moonsault for two as Ligero’s ribs are banged up. Something like a seated abdominal stretch stays on the ribs, meaning Ligero fighting up for a crossbody isn’t the best idea.

Ligero gets two off a middle rope dropkick but makes the big mistake of trying a top rope splash. That means raised knees so Devlin can get two, but his moonsault hits raised knees. A powerbomb into the top rope splash gives Ligero two, with the ribs being a casualty again. Devlin breaks up C4L though and it’s the Saito suplex off the middle rope to put Ligero away at 10:33.

Rating: B-. Ligero has really surprised me as you wouldn’t think of him as someone who could hang in a bigger match like this. What we’ve been getting instead is a guy who can wrestle a pretty good match against different styles of opponents, which I never would have expected from a guy in a mask with big horns like that. Good stuff here.

Post match Devlin says this match shouldn’t have happened because he should be #1 contender without a qualifying match. Every card in the deck falls short against the Ace.

Walter says there is normally pressure on the new champion but he isn’t normal. Being in the ring with Pete Dunne was difficult but enjoyable because Dunne brought the real competition. It’s good that Dunne is training so hard because Walter wants him at his best.

Moustache Mountain is ready to see Dunne win the title back. Then they want another rematch for the NXT UK Tag Team Titles.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Jack Starz

Nigel is VERY excited about Dragunov, possibly due to his entrance, which features a song of people singing in Russian and closeups of Ilja’s red eyes. Dragunov takes him straight into the corner for an elbow to the face and Starz’s uppercuts just make him smile. Some running clotheslines, followed by a standing clothesline, knock Starz’s head off and an even harder one does it again. Starz gets in a dropkick and a choke, which is easily broken up by Dragunov. A jumping backsplash sets up Torpedo Moscow (running headbutt to the chest) to finish Starz at 3:07.

Rating: C-. Oh yeah they’ve got something here with Dragunov. I’ve seen him before and there are very few people with that kind of intensity. The finisher of a running headbutt to the chest will work just fine, but Dragunov’s mannerisms and look will get him a long way. You can’t stop looking at him when he’s in the ring and that’s a great thing to have.

Noam Dar and Mark Andrews are ready for their rematch next week. Noam is sorry for what he’s done before and wants the competition.

Killer Kelly vs. Xia Brookside

Xia rolls out of a wristlock to start but gets pulled down with a top wristlock. A headlock doesn’t get Xia very far as she gets reversed into a headscissors. That’s reversed into another headscissors as the feeling out continues. Back up and they shake hands….and here’s Jinny to interrupt. Jinny brings out the debuting Jazzy Gabbert and the match is thrown out somewhere around 2:45.

Gabbert comes to the ring so Kelly runs, leaving Xia to take a Dominator. So Jinny has some muscle, which is an improvement for her future.

Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match: Dave Mastiff vs. Wolfgang

Mastiff wastes no time in running Wolfgang over for an early two so Wolfgang gets a little smarter with some clotheslines in the corner. An armbar works a bit better on Mastiff and Wolfgang even mixes things up with a full nelson. Mastiff fights up again so it’s an ax handle to the head into a fireman’s carry slam, which is good enough for some polite applause from the fans. The Howling misses though and Mastiff hits a running crossbody. A German suplex sends Wolfgang into the corner and Into the Void sends Mastiff to the four way at 4:35.

Rating: D+. It was short but those holds in the middle took away some of the energy the match had. Mastiff’s push continues to surprise me as you would have expected him to lose at some point already but that actually hasn’t been the case yet. That’s a positive sign for his future as the longer he goes before the loss, the better his chances are after that.

Post match the Coffey Brothers run in and beat Mastiff down, allowing Wolfgang to hit the Howling. That means the only WE LOVE GALLUS chant in history.

One more video on Walter vs. Dunne wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C+. This show came and went, which isn’t the worst thing in the world. It didn’t feel long and when you consider that it was little more than a way to set up a future match for a future title shot, that’s not too bad of a result. The wrestling wasn’t too bad and while some of it was better than the rest, nothing is horrible and I want to see next week’s title match. I don’t remember the last time this show was bad and that’s a good place to be.

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT – May 15, 2019: Get It, Got It, Good

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: May 15, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Beth Phoenix, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for a fresh taping cycle and that means a few fresh things around here. First of all we have to deal with the Tag Team Titles, as the Viking Raiders are now on the main roster, meaning they aren’t likely to be able to defend the titles around here. Oh and Takeover is in two and a half weeks so we need some matches. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Mauro and Nigel talk about Percy Watson leaving and wish him well. Beth Phoenix is introduced onto the team.

Here are the Viking Raiders, with Mauro giving a quick explanation about the name change which we really didn’t need. They talk about raiding Raw recently and promise to raid again in the future. For right now though, they want William Regal out here for an announcement.

This brings out the boss and the Raiders make it quick: they’re relinquishing the titles effective immediately. Cue the Street Profits, who think the Raiders are running from them. They know they can beat the Raiders, with Dawkins making a joke about the Raiders not using their real names. The Profits want one more match for the titles and Regal says it’s on. As usual around here: the problem comes up and NXT has a solution to it in a hurry.

We look at the end of last week’s show, with Roderick Strong costing Adam Cole the match against Matt Riddle. Cole wasn’t happy and the argument continued after the show went off the air. A fight nearly broke out and Cole thought Strong didn’t deserve to be on the team.

The Undisputed Era, minus Strong, talk about who the leader of the team is but something is going on behind them. With all of them trying to see what’s happening, here’s Strong to say that he thought about what happened last week. The Matt Riddle problem has been taken care of, and Strong hands Cole a flip flop. That’s quite the abrupt shift in storyline so there might be something bigger afoot.

Cezar Bononi vs. Keith Lee

Lee leapfrogs over him to start and runs the big Bononi over with a shoulder. A drop toehold sends Lee throat first into the rope but Bononi’s shoulders have little effect. Lee blocks a whip and hits a running forearm in the corner, followed by a heck of a Pounce. The Spirit Bomb finishes Bononi at 2:30.

We look back at Io Shirai jumping Shayna Baszler last week at the Performance Center.

Official for Takeover: Baszler defends against Shirai.

The Forgotten Sons don’t like the Street Profits being handed another title shot. They won’t let Regal forget them again.

Kona Reeves vs. Kushida

Kushida taps his watch to make the lights change for a nice touch. They go straight to the mat with Kushida getting a front facelock and riding Reeves all the way to frustration. A hammerlock keeps Reeves down but here’s Drew Gulak of all people to watch from the stage. Reeves fights up and slams him into the corner, followed by some right hands to the head. The chinlock goes on but Kushida is up in a hurry, this time with a series of kicks for two. The Hoverboard Lock is countered so Kushida kicks him to the floor and hits a top rope flip dive. Back in and the Hoverboard Lock makes Reeves tap at 5:05.

Rating: C. This was a strong showcase for Kushida with Reeves only getting in a few shots here and there. Kushida vs. Gulak could be rather interesting for a technical showcase and the popular Kushida shutting up the annoying Gulak is a good idea. I’m liking how Kushida is being presented so far and he could be a big success around here.

Bianca Belair doesn’t like Mia Yim talking to Regal about stealing her title shot but Yim was talking about a rematch with Belair. That doesn’t work either so Belair goes into Regal’s office.

Riddle has taped up ribs and talks to Johnny Gargano about something.

Gargano isn’t worried about the Undisputed Era being back so strong. That’s why he’s defending against Cole at Takeover.

Vanessa Borne vs. Jessie

Jessie is from the Mae Young Classic. Borne runs the rather tall Jessie over to start and hooks a drop toehold for good measure. Some stomping makes it even worse and stomping in the corner makes it much worse, but in a corner. Aliyah adds a slap to Jessie’s face but she comes back with a spinwheel kick to Borne. That’s it from Jessie as Borne snaps off a running swinging neckbreaker for the pin at 2:50.

Tag Team Titles: Street Profits vs. Viking Raiders

The Raiders are defending. It’s a brawl to start with the Raiders taking over but the Viking Experience is broken up with a spear from Dawkins. Ivar and Dawkins trade cartwheels and Dawkins takes him down again, setting up the frog splash from Ford for two. We get down to a regular match and it’s the Forgotten Sons coming in to jump Ivar for the DQ at 2:15.

Post match the brawl is on, with Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch joining the fun. The Profits take Erik down and count their own two before running away. The Vikings aren’t happy and it’s a springboard clothesline/German suplex combination to Burch. Lorcan gets thrown over the top and onto a pile of people, followed by the Viking Experience to Blake. The Raiders hold the titles to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was flying by with a bunch of matches that didn’t get a lot of time. However, they also got a lot of stuff done with the Tag Team Title situation being addressed (more on that next week I’m sure), the issues with the Undisputed Era getting fixed up (for the time being) and two title matches being set up for Takeover. As usual they know how to get things done when they need to and that’s what happened here.

Results

Keith Lee b. Cezar Bononi – Spirit Bomb

Kushida b. Kona Reeves – Hoverboard Lock

Vanessa Borne b. Jessie – Running swinging neckbreaker

Viking Raiders b. Street Profits via DQ when the Forgotten Sons interfered

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT UK – May 8, 2019: Keep Following NXT

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: May 8, 2019
Location: Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We’re back in the UK and that means things can get a bit more back to normal around here. In this case we have a Tag Team Title match with the Grizzled Young Veterans defending against Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams, which seems like a filler feud until we get to something more important. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Sid Scala welcomes us to the show and announces an upcoming fatal four way for the #1 contendership. Tonight, we get the first of four qualifying matches with the eventual winner going on to face the winner of Walter vs. Pete Dunne.

Opening sequence.

Moustache Mountain vs. The Hunt

They seem to have dropped Wild Boar and Primate’s regular names, thank goodness. Bate takes Boar down to start and gets two off a crossbody. Seven comes in to chop Primate in the corner, which just gets him growled at for his efforts. Primate yells at him again so it’s a chop to the leg into a DDT to take Primate to the floor. The suicide dive drops him again but a Boar distraction lets Primate take over back inside. Seven fights up on Boar but it’s way too early for the Seven Star Lariat.

The Hunt hits a double slam and Primate drops Boar onto Seven for two. A missed charge sends Primate into the corner and the OH TRENT SEVEN ARMY chants fuel the hot tag off to Bate. An overhead belly to belly into a running shooting star gets two on Boar. Seven’s sitout slam gets the same on Primate but Boar throws Primate at Seven for two of his own. Everything breaks down and it’s a double Bop and Bang, setting up the clothesline/dragon suplex combination to pin Primate at 7;22.

Rating: C+. The Hunt looked better than usual here and that’s a good sign for their future. Just dropping their real names makes them seem that much more animalesque and the wrestling backed it up. Having them wrestle like wild men is a unique way to go for them and the match was entertaining with Moustache Mountain being built up for a future title shot.

Amir Jordan has been attacked and seems to be favoring his arm as he goes to the trainer’s room.

Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match: Joe Coffey vs. Flash Morgan Webster

Coffey is the hometown boy. Flash gets thrown down with raw power to start and the fans are very pleased with Coffey. Another hard charge takes Webster down for the biggest reaction you’ll ever see to a shoulder block. Webster gets in a shot of his own to knock Coffey outside and a dropkick knocks him off the apron. Back in and a flipping splash gives Webster two, followed by a hard whip into the corner as it’s almost all Coffey so far. The swinging butterfly suplex gets two and it’s off to the nerve hold.

Webster fights out of a full nelson for a crossbody and some right hands. They fall out to the floor with Webster getting back in and hitting a running flip dive. Back in and a jumping knee to the face gives Webster two, with the fans being rather pleased on the kickout. The Swanton hits knees though and it’s All The Best For The Bells to finish Webster at 6:06.

Rating: C. Interesting crowd reaction aside, this was a fun match with both guys trying hard and Webster not being sure what to make of the fans booing him. You had to see that coming though and Coffey winning was the obvious ending, especially if they didn’t want the fans to storm the ring or something. Not bad at all and Coffey looked fired up.

Post match Gallus says this is their kingdom to try and cool the fans off but it doesn’t work in the slightest. Wolfgang wants Dave Mastiff next week but Joe tells him to focus on the four way.

We look at Pete Dunne training for his rematch with Walter in two weeks.

Ilja Dragonov is coming.

Nina Samuels vs. Kasey Owens

The fans are behind Kasey, who looks to be a little goofy. Nina stomps her down in the corner to start and a dropkick to the back makes it even worse. The chinlock goes on until Kasey fights back up for a running dropkick of her own. A shot to the back takes Kasey down again though and Nina cartwheels off the top to avoid a charge. The fireman’s carry backbreaker finishes Kasey at 2:52. Notice how they’re building Nina up. Instead of beating the champ and going for the shortcut version, she’s winning a bunch of matches in a row before she gets the bigger match. It’s worked for years and it still works now.

Post match Nina talks about how she respects Toni Storm but she’s coming for the title.

Dave Mastiff promises to beat up Wolfgang next week and smash Gallus’ kingdom. He leaves but here’s Kay Lee Ray to take his place. Kay applauds Nina for her gumption, but Kay is getting the next title shot.

Preview of the remaining qualifying matches.

Tag Team Titles: Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Amir Jordan/Kenny Williams

Jordan and Williams are challenging. Before the match, Gibson says the title match isn’t happening because Jordan is injured. The fans need to put their shoes back on and head home because the fairy tale ending isn’t happening tonight. Williams comes out to accuse the champs of attacking Jordan so he has a replacement partner.

Tag Team Titles: Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Kenny Williams/Noam Dar

Williams and Dar are challenging. The fight is on in a hurry with all four heading outside. Back in and Dar knocks Gibson into the corner with a northern lights suplex getting two. Drake comes back in for a running dropkick to Dar’s head and it’s a forearm to put him on the floor again. We settle down to Dar getting beaten down with Drake driving a knee into the ribs to keep him in trouble.

A diving save cuts off a hot tag attempt and for once it doesn’t go through a few seconds later. Dar gets in a clothesline and dives over but Gibson pulls Williams to the floor at the last second. The third attempt works a bit better and now it’s Williams coming in to clean house in a hurry. A bulldog sends Drake head first into the corner and a tornado DDT makes it even worse.

The champs head to the floor for a springboard trust fall from Williams, followed by a top rope back elbow for two on Drake. It’s back to Dar for a kick to Gibson’s knee into the ankle lock but Gibson is too close to Drake for the tag. That’s fine with Dar, who ankle locks Drake with a grapevine. Williams does the same to Gibson at the same time but Gibson kicks and punches his way to freedom.

Everyone is down until Drake gets a half crab on Dar’s recently repaired knee. Williams grabs the hand to block the tap and then kicks Drake in the face for the save. A running clothesline has Gibson in trouble but he’s right back with a middle rope Codebreaker to Dar. Williams’ wheelbarrow faceplant gets two on Gibson but Drake breaks up the Nova Roller. That leaves Williams alone against the champs, with Drake hitting a running dropkick in the corner. Helter Skelter into the 450 retains the titles at 13:30.

Rating: B. I wasn’t expecting much from the match in the first place but they made a very smart change by swapping Dar in for Jordan. This was a serious match and there was no room for Jordan’s dancing in the middle. Dar isn’t my favorite guy in the world but he was working well here and the match was rather good as a result.

Overall Rating: B+. These shows have gotten better recently and this was no exception, mainly because of another NXT principle. The main event wasn’t the biggest deal in the world but the announcers treated it like something that mattered more than anything else going on. They didn’t spend the match talking about the four way or the UK Title match and it made all the difference in the world. Rather good show here and the Glasgow crowd helped carry things very far.

Results

Moustache Mountain b. The Hunt – Dragon suplex/clothesline combination to Primate

Joe Coffey b. Flash Morgan Webster – All The Best For The Bells

Nina Samuels b. Kasey Owens – Fireman’s carry backbreaker

Grizzled Young Veterans b. Noam Dar/Kenny Williams – 450 to Williams

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

NXT – May 8, 2019: There’s Certainly A Dispute

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: May 8, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness, Mauro Ranallo

We’re suddenly racing towards Takeover, which is less than a month away thanks to the schedule changes. In this case we’ll be seeing Matt Riddle vs. Adam Cole as part of the ongoing Johnny Gargano/Riddle vs. Undisputed Era issues. The Takeover card needs to start filling in but NXT knows how to do this in a hurry. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need them.

We get a quick main event preview.

Opening sequence.

Mia Yim vs. Bianca Belair

The fans are behind Mia here, as expected. They trade armdrags to start and then block each others’ armdrag attempts, causing them to say they see each other. Belair knocks her down and tries that UN-DE-FEA-TED line until Mia kicks her in the head. A ram into the corner puts Mia down and it’s off to a cravate to keep her down.

Belair’s forearm to the back sets up an Alley Oop onto the top turnbuckle for two and she does that dance of hers. Mia doesn’t like being mocked so Belair slams her down again and grabs another cravate. A splash hits knees though and Yim dropkicks her into the corner. Mia tries a sunset flip but Belair sits down on it and wraps her hair around the ropes for the pin at 7:37.

Rating: C-. She’s an athletic freak but there is something missing about Belair and it shows in every match she has. It was missing again here and I still can’t put my finger on what it is. The cockiness makes perfect sense with how she’s dominated athletics for so long so that checks out. It might just be her rather weak talking abilities, as she rarely says anything memorable aside from the UN-DE-FEA-TED line.

The Forgotten Sons attacked the Viking Raiders at the Performance Center.

Shayna Baszler was coaching Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir at the Performance Center when Io Shirai ran in to attack her. A bunch of trainees broke it up.

Raul Mendoza vs. Riddick Moss

This is Moss’ return match after tearing his Achilles last year. He now follows the Riddick Regimen, which seems to be a workout plan. Moss powers him into the corner to start but Mendoza pushes him away, meaning it’s time for the posedown. Hang on though as Moss pulls out a massager and works on his shoulder for a second.

Mendoza handspring backflips over him and hits a springboard hurricanrana, setting up a running shooting star for two. Back up and Moss plants him down but hang on as we need some hydration. Moss charged into a dropkick to the knee to send him into the buckle and a headscissors does it again. A springboard corkscrew splash gives Mendoza the upset win at 4:40.

Rating: C. I liked the Regimen thing as it’s something that has been done before but Moss having various things to pull out made it better. That being said, Mendoza had to win a match at some point as he loses nearly every time he’s in the ring. He’s probably not going to be a top star but he’s a heck of a hand in the ring and needed something to keep him going.

We look back at Kushida’s debut last week. He’s in action again next week.

Matt Riddle vs. Adam Cole

Riddle easily wrestles him down but Cole bails to the floor before the Bromission. Back in and Cole isn’t sure what to do here so he grabs a headlock, which is reversed into one from Riddle. A backsplash to Cole’s back gets two and some rolling gutwrench suplexes make it even worse. The fans aren’t sure who to cheer for as Cole takes him down again for some knees to the back into a figure four necklock.

Back up and an elbow to the face drops Riddle so Cole calls him a joke and nothing. Riddle strikes away until a jumping enziguri staggers him, only to snap off a German suplex to put Cole down as well. It’s Riddle getting the better of things with running forearms in the corner and an exploder suplex, setting up a running kick to the chest for two. The deadlift German suplex gives Riddle two more but Cole is right back with a fireman’s carry backbreaker.

Riddle throws him up into a fireman’s carry but Cole spins out into a Backstabber. A strike off goes to Riddle and he takes Cole down for the Bromission, which is reversed into a fisherman’s buster. Cole is right back up with the brainbuster onto the knee but the middle rope Canadian Destroyer is blocked.

Instead he hits the Last Shot for two on Riddle and Cole can’t believe the kickout. Riddle is right back with a knee to the face and a GTS, followed by another knee to send Cole outside. Cue Roderick Strong, who gets kicked in the face as well, but the distraction lets Cole superkick Riddle’s head off. That’s good for two, but the kickout pulls Cole into the Bromission for the tap at 13:45.

Rating: B. They had a good story here with Cole not being sure what to do to beat Riddle but managing to survive the athleticism and get in some offense to break him down. The ending was a good way to advance the stories going forward and with the Undisputed Era showing some cracks, Riddle could be moving up the ladder fairly soon.

Cole and Strong are about to come to blows with Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly playing peacekeepers. Cole and O’Reilly leave with Cole ranting about how he wins things by himself but Strong screws everything up to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. It wasn’t the most in depth show they’ve done but what we got was entertaining enough and should set up some more stuff going forward. That being said, they need to start getting ready for Takeover as the show is in less than a month and there hasn’t been a single match set up for it. I trust NXT to pull it off though as setting up five matches isn’t the hardest thing in the world.

Results

Bianca Belair b. Mia Yim – Sunset flip with a grab of the ropes

Raul Mendoza b. Riddick Moss – Springboard corkscrew splash

Matt Riddle b. Adam Cole – Bromission

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

NXT UK – May 1, 2019: This Kid Has Something

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: May 1, 2019
Location: Pier 12, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We’re still in New York and that means it’s hard to say what we’re getting this week. There is however one very big match set up with United Kingdom Champion Walter facing Jordan Devlin in a non-title match. I’ve seen them have a heck of a match elsewhere so I have some high hopes for this one. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Travis Banks vs. Mansoor

Busy day for Mansoor as he was on the regular NXT as well. Banks takes him to the mat and Mansoor demands that the referee get him off as soon as the rope is reached. Mansoor flips out of a wristlock so Banks is right back with a running knee to the face. A trip to the top doesn’t go well for Banks as Mansoor shoves him off the top and possibly bangs up the previously injured shoulder.

Back in and we hit the arm trap chinlock to stay on the arm (showing some intelligence rather than going with the regular chinlock) but Banks is up in a hurry. The running dropkick hits Mansoor in the corner to put him on the floor, setting up a hard suicide dive. Slice of Heaven is broken up though and Mansoor hits a reverse spinning suplex for two. Banks has had it with him though and it’s the Slice of Heaven into the Kiwi Crusher for the pin at 5:57.

Rating: C+. Banks is someone who seems ready to break out at any given time and now he seems to be getting ready to move forward. This place needs some fresh blood on top and people like Banks and Devlin could fill those roles very well. Mansoor is someone else who is showing their potential and I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him today.

Video on Xia Brookside, who is ready to keep fighting after Rhea Ripley beat her up. The bubbly personality continues.

Ilja Draganov is coming. Cool.

Nia Samuels is ready for her revival. I’m not sure if I am.

Piper Niven vs. Reina Gonzalez

They fight over the power game to start with Reina actually driving the bigger Piper into the corner. Piper’s waistlock is broken up by a ram into the corner and Reina kicks her in the back. The chinlock is broken up so Reina goes with more kicks to take her back down. Niven gets smart by sending her outside for a breather and now it’s time for the slugout. Piper gets the better of this one with an ax handle to the chest, setting up a running crossbody. The backsplash gets two and it’s the Michinoku Driver to finish Reina at 5:00.

Rating: C. This was fun with the two of them hitting each other really hard until Niven had to take it up a notch to beat her. Reina looked good again, just like she did in the tournament. The Texan thing works well for her and the gear gives her a unique look that makes her feel like someone different. Fun hoss fight here, which is exactly what they were shooting for.

Kenny Williams and Amir Jordan want a Tag Team Title shot. They don’t get how the Grizzled Young Veterans can’t lead a locker room they know nothing about. That title shot needs to come in Glasgow.

Gallus can’t wait to come home next week.

Next week in Glasgow: Jordan/Williams get their title shot.

Jordan Devlin vs. Walter

Non-title. Walter throws him down with ease to start and Jordan isn’t sure what to do here. Back in and a few shots have no effect and Walter sends Devlin outside again. Back in again and Devlin blocks the sleeper so Walter kicks him in the face. It’s time to start in on the arm with a hammerlock and then a Crossface as it’s all Walter so far.

A suplex sends Devlin outside for the third time but this time he’s able to get a few shots to the knee. Devlin dragon screw legwhips him around the rope and puts on the half crab. Walter powers out and avoids a dropkick to the knee, setting up a seated senton but the knee gets banged up again. The knee is fine enough for a backdrop and a release German suplex gives Walter two.

The powerbomb is countered into a rollup to give Devlin his own two and they’re both down. Devlin strikes away but gets pulled into a hard Saito suplex for two (the referee telling him to kickout probably helped). Walter goes up top so Devlin tries to pull him down into the Saito, which only kind of connects. That’s enough for Walter, who hits the powerbomb for the pin at 12:37.

Rating: B. This worked very well in a Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles formula, with Walter dominating until Devlin got in a few shots to slow the monster down and even things up. Devlin has become one of the better names on the roster and I could see him getting a major push down the line, especially if they ever do a taping in Ireland, which is almost a guarantee.

Post match here’s Pete Dunne to demand his rematch. Walter nods to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. These shows are getting more and more interesting as the top starts make for good shows, but so do the lower level names. That’s what works for NXT and it’s working here too because it’s how wrestling should be done. This show felt important, but so did what they did last week. Next week will be the same, and it makes the show something I want to watch. It’s another good show

Results

Travis Banks b. Mansoor – Kiwi Crusher

Piper Niven b. Reina Gonzalez – Michinoku Driver

Walter b. Jordan Devlin – Powerbomb

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

NXT – May 1, 2019: Nice To See You Japanese Favorite/The Velveteen Dreamiest

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: May 1, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness

Things are staying interesting around here and tonight we have the latest import in the form of Kushida, who makes his in-ring debut. As usual he gets to face Kassius Ohno, which should work out well for everyone involved. Throw in the Undisputed Era having some issues and we could be in for a good night. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a quick video on Kushida and how important he is.

Opening sequence.

Forgotten Sons vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan/Humberto Carrillo

Fallout from last week’s brawl. Cutler and Lorcan strike it out to start until a running Blockbuster takes Cutler down. Blake comes in instead and gets uppercutted out to the floor. That means the big dive onto all three Sons and it’s off to Carrillo for a standing moonsault to the legs. The sky high springboard armdrag sends Cutler outside but it’s Ryker coming in off a blind tag to unload on Carrillo. The Sons take turns on Carrillo in the corner with various combinations of stomping.

Ryker’s cobra clutch doesn’t last long and a missed headbutt allows the tag off to Burch. Cutler gets pulled down into the Crossface with Ryker making a save. Everything breaks down and Carrillo’s suicide dive hits Lorcan by mistake. That leaves Burch on his own against all three Sons, which works as well as you would expect. A Polish Hammer drops Burch and Carrillo gets buckle bombed into Cutler’s raised knees. Ryder holds both Carrillo and Burch in a double reverse DDT for top rope knees to the chest (with Ryker dropping them instead of DDTing them) for the pin at 7:33.

Rating: C. Here’s where NXT is so many steps ahead of Raw and Smackdown: the Forgotten Sons weren’t working as they were, so NXT changed things up a bit and turned them into something that did work. They actually fixed the characters instead of throwing up their hands because their first half baked not completely developed idea wasn’t a runaway success. That’s how wrestling is supposed to work, but the biggest wrestling shows don’t get that.

Shanyna Baszler and company don’t like being asked about Io Shirai pinning Baszler so the microphone is slapped away.

Earlier this week, Bianca Belair and Mia Yim yelled at each other at the Performance Center. They’ll fight next week.

Mansoor vs. Dominik Dijakovic

Mansoor is smart enough to duck the cyclone boot and hurricanranas Dijakovic into the corner. A high crossbody is countered into the standing backbreaker and Mansoor is tossed outside, thankfully not breaking his leg as it awkwardly crashes into the barricade. Dijakovic gets two off a splash but Mansoor is right back with a sleeper. That doesn’t work very well so Mansoor goes with a kick to the head. With Dijakovic kneeling, Mansoor jumps onto the leg and uses it as a springboard for another kick. Dijakovic has had it and knocks Mansoor silly, setting up Feast Your Eyes for the pin at 5:12.

Rating: C+. This was a lot better than I was expecting and Mansoor looked good here with a lot of offense. Much like the Sons though, Dijakovic has gotten far better as he’s now just an athletic monster who has said what he wants. You don’t need to go into some huge development. Just feature them and give them impressive wins so people think something of him. It worked with Dijakovic and it would work with pretty much anyone else.

Post match here’s Velveteen Dream on a purple couch, accompanied by some good looking women. He’s heard that Dijakovic had words for him, so Dream has his own….in the form of a personalized version of the Star Spangled Banner, promising to steal the show like he does with his big elbow. Of all the Velveteen Dream things, this was the Velveteen Dreamiest.

We look back at the end of last week’s show with Matt Riddle helping Johnny Gargano against the Undisputed Era.

The Undisputed Era promise to take care of Riddle but bring up Strong’s loss last week. Strong walks away and Bobby Fish follows him, saying Cole’s timing was terrible.

Kassius Ohno vs. Kushida

Kushida gets the big debut entrance and looks just like he did in New Japan, which is a good move as the Back to the Future look is a signature for him. Ohno kicks away a handshake offer and throws the much smaller Kushida into the corner. Kushida’s wristlock is countered into a quickly broken chinlock as the fans are firmly on Kushida’s side. A takedown goes to Kushida, who rides Ohno’s back to mess with him a little bit.

The cartwheel into a basement dropkick rocks Ohno again but he’s right back with the cravate. That’s reversed as well and we have a standoff. The wrestling isn’t working so Ohno kicks him in the face but Kushida is fine enough to come back with a springboard missile dropkick. Ohno’s sitout facebuster gets two and Kushida’s nose is busted open.

The bloody nose doesn’t stop Kushida from coming right back up with a springboard hurricanrana for two. The handspring elbow is cut off with a hard forearm to the back of the head to give Ohno two more. There’s the pump kick to Kushida, who is right back with a running shot to the face. With Ohno rocked, Kushida grabs the Hoverboard Lock (not named) for the tap at 8:07.

Rating: B. Given that Kushida was my favorite New Japan name, I was kind of expecting to like this one and then it lived up to the hype. It was a very good, hard hitting match with Kushida taking everything Ohno could throw at him at and winning in the end. He’s going to be just fine around here and he looked great in his first performance.

Overall Rating: B-. A strong debut, stuff set for next week, no bad matches and angle advancement make the show the usual awesome evening. After watching two mostly bad major TV’s this week, NXT continues to be the big saving grace that fixes so many of my problems in about forty five minutes. Another good show here, and I would expect nothing less.

Results

Forgotten Sons b. Humberto Carrillo/Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan – Top rope knee to Burch

Dominik Dijakovic b. Mansoor – Feast Your Eyes

Kushida b. Kassius Ohno – Hoverboard Lock

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT UK – April 24, 2019: That Will Never Stop Impressing Me

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: April 24, 2019
Location: Pier 12, New York City, New York
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph

We’re still in New York and the big story seems to be the setup for the rematch between Pete Dunne and Walter for the UK Title. That’s more than enough to carry the show for the time being as the match itself feels so huge. Couple that with some of the rather nice midcard material they have and we’re in good shape. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Ligero vs. Kassius Ohno

Ohno powers him down to start and talks trash about Ligero being one of the best British wrestlers around. A sunset flip attempt is blocked and Ohno kicks him in the face for one. Back up and Ligero grabs a headscissors to send him outside but the flip dive from the apron sends Ligero head first into the steps. Ohno: “DID YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT???” The chinlock goes on with Ohno laying back to bend Ligero over his knees. With that broken up, Ohno steps on Ligero’s hand and kicks him in the head a few times. The pump kick and backsplash miss though and Ligero starts firing off kicks to the knee.

Some kicks to Ohno’s head even things out a lot and a top rope splash gets two. Sliced Bread is blocked so Ligero gets two off a victory roll. Code Red gets the same and there’s a running flip dive over the top to drop Ohno again. Sliced Bread off the steps plants Ohno on the floor and he barely beats the count back in. With nothing else working, Ohno goes for the mask to blind Ligero, setting up the Roaring Elbow for the pin at 10:08.

Rating: B-. I know it makes sense but I’m rather tired of going for the mask against luchadors. Otherwise this was a rather good match with Ohno being all cocky and arrogant until Ligero fought back to make it even. Ohno needing to cheat in the end completed the story very well and there’s a good chance that we’ll be getting a rematch, which could be rather entertaining.

Jordan Devlin isn’t happy that his match with Walter is going to be non-title because Johnny Saint wants to protect the rematch of the century. Devlin doesn’t care, because next week he’ll beat Walter up and earn himself a title match.

Video on Wild Boar and Primate.

Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel walk through Axxess, making fun of fans at the create an entrance booth. The entrance and the ring are sacred ground and they don’t like having it treated as a joke.

Here’s Toni Storm for a chat. She’s proud to represent this brand on the most important week of the year. Toni lists off all the great talent in the division (including Rhea Ripley) but promises to be champion for a long time. That’s it for Toni, but it’s Kay Lee Ray (who Storm didn’t mention) coming out as Storm is leaving.

Kay Lee Ray vs. Xia Li

In a bit of an interesting note: the Network description for this show lists this as Ray vs. Xia Brookside, because somehow we have two wrestlers named Xia. Feeling out process to start with Kay taking her to the mat but not being able to get anywhere with the headlock. Kay loads up the test of strength but puts her hand higher than Xia can reach…so Xia jumps up and grabs the hand. That’s some intelligence.

With the hold broken up, Kay has to duck away from a spinning kick to the face and hits a superkick of her own. Li is in trouble in the corner and Kay makes it worse by sending the arm into the corner. The armbar doesn’t last long as Li throws her down and comes back with some forearms. A flying mare sets up a spinning kick to the face for two on Kay, who is right back with a superkick. The Gory Bomb finishes Li at 5:27.

Rating: C-. Li has gotten better since she was in the Mae Young Classic but this was all about getting Kay over as a star. The lack of a mention from Toni is a good way to start something between the two of them and Ray’s reputation suggests that she should be fine on that level. Kay looked good here, and that’s what matters.

Piper Niven is at Axxess (or at least on the Axxess set as there doesn’t seem to be anyone around. She’s ready to keep proving herself to Rhea Ripley.

The Grizzled Young Veterans throw Kenny Williams and Amir Jordan’s gear out of the locker room.

Mark Andrews/Flash Morgan Webster vs. Moustache Mountain

Bate and Andrews start things off and we get the handshake of respect. The battle over arm control allows Bate to use his very British counter to escape and it’s back to a standoff. Andrews’ armdrag attempt is blocked with pure power so he switches off to Webster to come in with a top rope stomp to Bate’s arm. That doesn’t hurt Bate’s leg though and he dropkicks his way out of trouble, allowing the tag off to Seven. Webster is fast enough to drop toehold him down and grab a front facelock, meaning it’s back to Andrews.

That doesn’t go very well as Seven rips the skin off of Andrew’s chest with some chops. The fireman’s carry slam into the Swanton from Bate gets two and it’s already back to Seven to keep Andrews down. Andrews finally elbows his way to freedom and it’s Webster coming back in with a standing Lionsault. Seven backdrops his way out of trouble and hands it back to Bate to speed things up again. That means running elbows in the corner to Andrews and Webster, followed by the airplane spin/giant swing combination (that will never stop impressing me).

Webster counters the Tyler Driver 97 so it’s an airplane spin on the floor. Back in and the running shooting star gets two on Andrews, who is right back up with the double Pele to both Mountaineers. The tornado DDT gives Webster two on Seven and we settle back down to Seven chopping both of them away.

Bate comes back in for the Dragon suplex/clothesline combination, meaning Webster has to come off the top with a Swanton to break up a double cover. Webster gets the blind tag and it’s a running knee/reverse hurricanrana combination (cool) for two on Bate with Seven making the save. Seven comes back in for the snap dragon suplex, setting up the Burning Hammer/top rope knee combination to finish Webster at 12:29.

Rating: B. This took its time to get going but at the end Moustache Mountain was sweating a bit, which is more than you would expect from a team like Webster and Andrews. The tag division needs teams like these and Andrews and Webster got a nice rub here. That being said, Bate and Seven are getting the titles at some point, as they should.

Overall Rating: B. Another strong show here with mostly good wrestling and things being set up for the future. It’s no classic and the American crowds aren’t as interested as their UK counterparts, but they saw a good hour of wrestling, which is more than a lot of audiences get. Good stuff here, and the big guns are coming back soon.

Results

Kassius Ohno b. Ligero – Roaring elbow

Kay Lee Ray b. Xia Li – Gory Bomb

Moustache Mountain b. Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews – Burning Hammer/top rope knee drop combination to Webster

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

NXT – April 24, 2019: Keep Planning Ahead

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: April 24, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

Things are getting interesting around here as Johnny Gargano is still dealing with the Undisputed Era. That could make for some fun matches going forward and we’re starting those tonight with Roderick Strong getting a non-title shot at the champ. Other than that, we could be in for the first steps towards Velveteen Dream vs. Dominik Dijakovic for the North American Title. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a quick recap of Gargano vs. Strong.

Opening sequence.

Jaxson Ryker vs. Humberto Carrillo

Ryker powers him into the corner to start but Carrillo flips out of a belly to back suplex. A springboard kick to the face gets two and there’s a headscissors to take Ryker down again. The standing moonsault is good for two more but Ryker gets all serious and hiptosses Carrillo into the corner. The Widowmaker sends Carrillo outside but Ryker follows and sends him into the barricade a few times. They head over the barricade with Ryker kneeing him in the head against another barricade for….I guess the double countout at 2:59.

Post match the beating continues until Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan come out for the save.

Adam Cole doesn’t want to hear about Strong getting a match with the cowardly Gargano. It doesn’t matter though because Strong will get the job done. Matt Riddle pops up to laugh at Cole being so jealous. Cole leaves and Riddle does his photo shoot with the goofy poses that feel more natural for him than talking.

Vanessa Borne/Aliyah vs. Candice LeRae/Kacy Catanzaro

Aliyah takes Catanzaro down to start and drops a knee with a flip forward for a bonus. Catanzaro is right back up with a flipping kick to the back so Aliyah pulls her down by the hair. Borne comes in to forearm her in the back and it’s Aliyah working on something like a surfboard. A double neckbreaker gets Catanzaro out of trouble and it’s off to Candice to pick things up a bit. The missile dropkick sets up a springboard jawbreaker (Nigel: “NOT TO THE FACE! NOT TO THE FACE!”) to Borne and the Lionsault is good for the pin at 4:26.

Rating: D+. Candice is clearly miles ahead of the other three, which for Kacy is just due to inexperience. Aliyah and Borne can get by without embarrassing themselves but Aliyah should have gotten better just due to time spent around here. The match wasn’t bad, but Candice was the only thing worth seeing.

We look back at Io Shirai being forced to watch Kairi Sane having her arm crushed last week.

Shirai promises to get Shayna Baszler but Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke beat her down.

Video on Kushida, who debuts next week.

William Regal is excited to see Kushida debut and like clockwork, here’s Kassius Ohno to interrupt. They exchange pleasantries and Ohno offers to be Kushida’s first opponent. Regal thinks that’s an excellent idea and the match is made.

Street Profits vs. War Raiders

Non-title. How often do you see NXT’s continuity behind WWE? Ford hits a big flip dive over the top to take the champs down and it’s a spinebuster into the frog splash for a VERY close two on Rowe. A Doomsday Device is escaped and Hanson is in to hammer on Dawkins. The running seated crossbody drops Dawkins and a heck of a clothesline puts Ford down. We settle down to a regular match with Hanson slamming Rowe onto Dawkins, who is right back with a right hand to the jaw.

Ford’s running forearms stagger Hanson, who kicks him in the face. Ford is right back with a delayed belly to back suplex and Rowe gets knocked to the floor. Some spinning splashes in the corner get two on Hanson but the handspring double elbow takes the Profits down. Rowe comes back in for the knee to Dawkins’ head, setting up the springboard clothesline/German suplex combination to Dawkins. Thor’s Hammer finishes Ford at 5:48.

Rating: B. That was a lot of fun with the only lower point being the part where they were actually doing a regular tag match. The Profits can go and with the Raiders heading up to the main roster (under whatever name they’re called this week), someone is going to have to take the titles. I don’t think the Profits will be the team to take them, but they had a very good match here.

Mia Yim doesn’t like Bianca Belair calling herself undefeated because she’s been defeated. Yim should be getting the next title shot and she’s going to prove it.

Roderick Strong vs. Johnny Gargano

Non-title. Strong front facelocks him to start but has to roll his way out of an early Gargano Escape attempt. Gargano knocks him outside for a kick to the face from the apron. A half nelson backbreaker onto the apron puts Gargano in more trouble and a gutbuster gives Strong two. He cranks on Gargano’s arm for a bit before chopping him on the mat and yelling at Gargano to stay down.

The Gory Stretch makes things even worse for Gargano and he rolls outside. This time the half nelson backbreaker is countered into a whip into the steps to put Strong in trouble for a change. Back in and the slingshot spear gives Johnny two. The rolling kick to the head sends Strong outside again for the Cannonball from the apron. They head inside again with the low superkick giving Gargano two but the Lawn Dart is countered.

Strong gets a butterfly suplex into a backbreaker for two, followed by another backbreaker and the belly to back faceplant for two. Johnny pulls him down into the Gargano Escape but here’s Adam Cole for the distraction. A rollup gives Strong two as the rest of the Era comes out. Cue Matt Riddle for the save and the distracted Cole kicks Strong in the head by mistake. That sets up the slingshot DDT to give Gargano the pin at 13:38.

Rating: B-. This was all about the ending but it was nice to have Gargano get a victory over someone with some credibility after the title win. I’m hoping the Era isn’t about to split as they never quite made it all the way to the top of the promotion. Cole as NXT Champion with his minions around him could have made for a good story, but the team has been together for a long time now and I can see why they might want to move on.

The Era argues to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. It’s another show where they just do everything right, including good wrestling and storyline advancement that the show thrives on. I can’t emphasize enough how great it is to have things built up for next week. When Raw and Smackdown are seemingly written the day of the show, it’s so nice to have some structure instead of setting everything up the night of the show. Do more of that and things will get a little better.

Results

Jaxson Ryker vs. Humberto Carrillo went to a double countout

Kacy Catanzaro/Candice LeRae b. Aliyah/Vanessa Borne – Lionsault to Borne

War Raiders b. Street Profits – Thor’s Hammer to Ford

Johnny Gargano b. Roderick Strong – Slingshot DDT

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