The version that aired on USA was missing a match (likely due to time constraints) between Ember Moon and Peyton Royce.  Here it is, in case you wanted my thoughts on a five minute match.  I’ll also edit this into the regular review.

Ember Moon vs. Peyton Royce

Non-title. Royce gets a rather nice reaction. Peyton wastes no time in kneeing her down, only to get caught in a headscissors. That’s enough to send Peyton bailing to the floor so Moon dives onto both of them for a not great looking crash (she didn’t get a ton of height). Back up and Royce’s version of the Tarantula takes us to a break.

We come back with Moon armdragging her way to freedom and kicking Royce in the ribs. A double underhook is blocked and Royce fires off some kicks to the face for two of her own. The kickout draws some screeching and Mauro calls Peyton Royce the J Lo of WWE. Nigel: “IT’S PEY RO!” Royce’s spinning kick is countered and a middle rope stomp to the ribs sets up the Eclipse for the pin at 7:36.

Rating: C. You can see Royce’s dance background very clearly when she spins and it’s a nice touch. As usual, the Iconic Duo are some of the best things in the division but they need to actually win something at some point. Not a bad match at all, but Moon has bigger challengers coming after her.

Post match Billie Kay jumps Moon (Mauro: “Every kick begins with Kay!”) and Royce adds a knee. Nikki Cross of all people makes the save. The Aussies bail and Nikki looks at the title.

NXT
Date: December 13, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Percy Watson, Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness

This is a special show as we’re on the USA Network as part of WWE Week. It’s the first time that the modern version of NXT has aired on TV and there’s no way to guess how well this show is going to draw. That being said, it’s a big time show with a qualifying match for the upcoming four way #1 contenders match. Let’s get to it.

Note that there was a slightly different version of this show airing on the WWE Network. Things aired a bit out of order so if you’re reading this after watching the normal version, there might be a few differences.

We open with a look at the NXT Title situation and the four way #1 contenders match being set up last week.

Opening sequence.

Andrade Cien Almas vs. Fabian Aichner

Non-title. Aichner beat Almas a few months back before Almas won the title. Almas dropkicks him down to start but charges into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. The champ bails to the floor but gets caught with a HUGE springboard dive. Back in and a tornado DDT gets two on Almas, followed by a hard powerbomb for the same. They head outside with Almas sending him into the steps as it’s time to get fired up. Back in and the hammerlock DDT puts Aichner away at 2:15. Fun while it lasted.

Video on Aleister Black.

Video on Ember Moon, including her rise to the Women’s Title.

Authors of Pain vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan

Burch slugs away at Akum to start and everything breaks down in a hurry. Burch and Lorcan both hit running shots in the corner but Razar runs Lorcan over. A death valley drivers into the corner sets up the Super Collider and the Last Chapter ends Lorcan at 1:18. Another very energetic match while it lasted but rather short.

Next week: Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne for the UK Title and Undisputed Era vs. Sanity for the Tag Team Titles.

The following match didn’t air on the USA version but did air on the Network.

Ember Moon vs. Peyton Royce

Non-title. Royce gets a rather nice reaction. Peyton wastes no time in kneeing her down, only to get caught in a headscissors. That’s enough to send Peyton bailing to the floor so Moon dives onto both of them for a not great looking crash (she didn’t get a ton of height). Back up and Royce’s version of the Tarantula takes us to a break.

We come back with Moon armdragging her way to freedom and kicking Royce in the ribs. A double underhook is blocked and Royce fires off some kicks to the face for two of her own. The kickout draws some screeching and Mauro calls Peyton Royce the J Lo of WWE. Nigel: “IT’S PEY RO!” Royce’s spinning kick is countered and a middle rope stomp to the ribs sets up the Eclipse for the pin at 7:36.

Rating: C. You can see Royce’s dance background very clearly when she spins and it’s a nice touch. As usual, the Iconic Duo are some of the best things in the division but they need to actually win something at some point. Not a bad match at all, but Moon has bigger challengers coming after her.

Post match Billie Kay jumps Moon (Mauro: “Every kick begins with Kay!”) and Royce adds a knee. Nikki Cross of all people makes the save. The Aussies bail and Nikki looks at the title.

The Street Profits talked to the fans, who seem to like them.

Sanity says they haven’t left the battlefield and next week, they’ll finish what they started.

Adam Cole is ready to win the NXT Title.

Shayna Baszler is coming.

Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match: Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black

Black gets him to the mat for a headscissors but Cole easily flips out for a pose. Back up and Black calmly drops him before firing off the rapid strikes. A knee to the head has Cole bailing up the ramp. We take a break and come back with Cole driving him down into a Crossface until Black gets over to the rope. Cole manages to pose but Black doesn’t think much of the trash talk.

Back up and Black starts the strikes, including the running kick to the head. The springboard moonsault drops Cole again but it’s too early for Black Mass. Instead Cole goes up but dives into a kick to the head for two. A jumping enziguri sets up Cole’s Backstabber for two more and we hit that NXT chant. More kicks to the head rock Black and the fireman’s carry backbreaker gets two more. Black blocks a low superkick though and knees Cole in the jaw. Cole: “WHAT DO YOU GOT???” Black Mass ends Cole at 11:15.

Rating: B. Black may do a lot of strikes but sweet goodness Black Mass looks great every time. There’s something so sweet about kicking someone in the face and Black makes it look awesome. Cole losing clean is a bit surprising but I’d be stunned if Black isn’t NXT Champion in the fairly near future.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a showcase episode and aside from the lack of a women’s match (which may be due to the shortened run time thanks to the longer commercials), they hit every important point here. The champion was in action, they had an energetic tag match and a solid main event that advances the top story. Solid show here that flew by in a good way.

Results

Andrade Cien Almas b. Fabian Aichner – Hammerlock DDT

Authors of Pain b. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan – Last Chapter to Lorcan

Ember Moon b. Peyton Royce – Eclipse

Aleister Black b. Adam Cole – Black Mass

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume VI: July – December 1999 in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/11/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-and-thunder-reviews-volume-vi/

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

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

NXT
Date: December 6, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

Things are about to get interesting around here again as we start the process of crowning a new #1 contender to challenge Andrade Cien Almas for the NXT Title. That process will take place over the next several weeks as we’ll have four qualifying matches to set up a four way match with the winner getting the title shot. Let’s get to it.

We open with William Regal announcing the competition to establish a new #1 contender. Velveteen Dream was scheduled to face Kassius Ohno but is being held out due to an injury. A replacement will be named.

Opening sequence.

Here are Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega for the big championship celebration. Vega tells us to get on our feet while Almas says he told us all so. He laughs at the idea of injuring Drew McIntyre and says WE ARE NXT to wrap things up in a hurry.

Earlier today, Lars Sullivan called Roderick Strong a handsome guy, which Sullivan certainly isn’t. All Lars cares about is getting his hands on Strong so he can become the NXT Champion.

Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match: Trent Seven vs. Killian Dane

Seven charges straight into a forearm and a running dropkick sends him into the corner. We hit the neck crank on Seven for a bit before he kicks Dane in the knee and grabs a DDT. The Seven Stars lariat is cut off with a crossbody for two more. A second attempt at the lariat gets two but Dane is right back up with a backsplash into a Vader Bomb to end Seven at 3:13.

Rating: C. Now that is how you make Dane look like an unstoppable monster. He beat the heck out of Seven here, nearly no sold his finisher, and ended him in short order. Dane looked awesome out there and someone pinning him later will look like a bigger deal as a result. Seven will be fine of course as he just needs a promo about his mustache to get him back on track.

The Undisputed Era talks about awesome they are with Adam Cole promising to take out Aleister Black next week. The week after that, Fish and O’Reilly will take the Tag Team Titles from Sanity.

Ruby Riott vs. Sonya Deville

No holds barred. Sonya wastes no time in throwing her down, only to get rolled up for one. A snap suplex gives Ruby one but the Riot Kick is countered into an ankle lock. Ruby grabs a rope but realizes it doesn’t matter, meaning it’s a kick to the head for the break instead. Back from a break with Sonya breaking up a dragon suplex and driving a hard knee into the ribs for two.

A jumping lariat gets the same and we hit the chinlock. Riott fights up with some forearms to the jaw, followed by a springboard faceplant for two of her own. Sonya is smart enough to head out to the floor and Ruby’s ankle is fine enough for a suicide dive. Back in and Sonya kicks her in the face, followed by a triangle choke (in the ropes, which doesn’t matter) for the knockout at 11:15.

Rating: C+. This was hard hitting stuff and a good way to wrap up the feud. They made a big point out of Riott not tapping, which keeps her looking strong in defeat. That’s the right call when you have two people who recently made their debuts on Raw. Good fight here and the ending worked well.

Ember Moon is answering questions when the Iconic Duo comes up. Moon didn’t pin Peyton Royce so she should get a title shot. The match is quickly granted for next week.

Pete Dunne defends the UK Title against Tyler Bate in two weeks.

Video recapping the history between Bate and Dunne.

Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match: Kassius Ohno vs. Johnny Gargano

They circle each other for a bit with a handshake being the only contact in the first minute. Some early cradles give both of them two each until Gargano kicks him in the face to take over. The slingshot spear is countered though and Ohno blasts him in the face to send us to a break.

Back with Ohno dropping a knee to the face with the knee pad pulled down. Gargano tries to fight back so Ohno kicks him square in the jaw for two instead. The backsplash hits knees though and Johnny scores with some clotheslines of his own. A hurricanrana out of the corner sets up an enziguri to send Ohno outside.

Now the slingshot spear connects for two but Johnny misses his rolling kick to the head. Ohno has to bail out of his own dive to the floor and it’s a suicide dive into a tornado DDT to drive Ohno into the ramp. That should probably kill him but he’s right back up without too much energy.

Back in and Ohno’s Cyclone Kick gets two and frustration sets in. Gargano gets two off a victory roll but Ohno hits a great looking flying forearm to the back of the head for the same. Mauro: “What is Johnny Gargano made of??? SOMEONE TEST THAT MAN’S DNA!!!” A series of kicks has Kassius reeling though and the Gargano Escape makes him tap at 14:40.

Rating: B+. This was a heck of a beating with the two guys hitting each other as hard as they could for a long time. Gargano surviving to win in the end was the right call and tells a much better story. Ohno is the kind of guy who can lose over and over again and still come out just fine, which is what will happen here. Really great fight though with the right ending.

Gargano calls Ohno back to the ring for a fist bump of respect to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The main event more than carries this show but it’s clear that we’re in for the long form build on a lot of these stories. The best thing continues to be building up more than one week’s worth of matches, which gives you ample reason to come back. You get the feeling that this is a very well planned out show and that’s such a nice change of pace over Raw and Smackdown, which feel like they’re made up that day (likely because that’s probably true).

Results

Killian Dane b. Trent Seven – Vader Bomb

Sonya Deville b. Ruby Riott – Triangle choke

Johnny Gargano b. Kassius Ohno – Gargano Escape

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume VI: July – December 1999 in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/11/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-and-thunder-reviews-volume-vi/

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

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

NXT
Date: November 29, 2017
Location: Aztec Theater, San Antonio, Texas
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watson

We’re back on the regular schedule this week as it’s time to get ready for Takeover: Philly. Therefore, we need to deal with the lack of Drew McIntyre, who has wrecked his elbow and be out for several months. Tonight will be at least partially focused on the women though with Kairi Sane facing Peyton Royce. Let’s get to it.

We’re in San Antonio this week with some matches from a recent house show.

Street Profits vs. Riddick Moss/Tino Sabbatelli

Dawkins waistlocks Moss down without much effort and gets in a slam for good measure. Ford comes in for the belly to back moonsault but Sabbatelli gets in a cheap shot to take over. That goes nowhere though as the Profits clean house without much effort. Back from a break with Ford being knocked off the barricade to really take over for the first time.

Moss stops to mock Ford’s dancing before hitting the chinlock. Ford flips out of it though and avoids a charge in the corner, setting up the hot tag to Dawkins as house is cleaned. An elbow gives Tino two with Moss grabbing Ford’s feet, forcing the referee to break things up. Back up and the spinebuster into the frog splash ends Sabbatelli at 12:49.

Rating: C. I’m starting to dig the Profits but they still need a better set of opponents. They’re nailing the charisma though and that’s what’s going to get them a lot further than anything else. Sabbatelli has a great look but his in-ring work just isn’t the best in the world. Moss….well he’s there too.

Last week the UK guys set up a tag match for this week.

Trent Seven and Tyler Bate are ready for said tag match and are ready to teach a fake team a lesson.

Mark Andrews is teaming with Pete Dunne tonight so he can get a future UK Title shot.

Kairi Sane vs. Peyton Royce

Peyton hiptosses her down to start but gets rolled up for a quick two. A dropkick gets the same, only to have Peyton spin kick Sane in the face for the same. Back from a break with Sane holding a chinlock until Sane fights up and hits a spear to cut her off. A running Blockbuster sets up the sliding corner elbow but it’s too early for the Insane Elbow. Sane stomps her down again, cuts down Billy Kay and drops the Insane Elbow for the pin at 9:46.

Rating: D+. Sane continues to not exactly thrill me in the ring though I’ve seen far worse. I get the hype and she has a great look but I’m still waiting on the great match. Royce and Kay are still good foils for the faces but they have to actually win something at some point to really make things more believable.

We look back at Sonya DeVille vs. Ruby Riot from last week. Next week it’s a no holds barred rematch.

We look back at Andrade Cien Almas winning the NXT Title from Drew McIntyre. Drew’s injury is also confirmed.

Tyler Bate/Trent Seven vs. Mark Andrews/Pete Dunne

Dunne front facelocks Bate to start before a hard shot to the face allows the tag off to Andrews. Seven comes in as well but gets dropkicked down for a fast two. It’s back to Dunne to crank on the fingers and we take a break. Back with Andrews working on Seven’s arm until the much bigger Seven blocks a monkey flip.

That’s fine with Dunne, who comes back in with a Backstabber to take Seven down all over again. A quick Seven Stars Lariat cuts Dunne off though and the hot tag brings in Bate to clean house. Tyler hits a middle rope elbow to the jaw but the Tyler Driver 97 is broken up. Andrews’ standing corkscrew moonsault gets two and the fans think this is awesome.

Andrews loads up a top rope hurricanrana but Dunne slaps him in the face for a tag. Not that it matters as the hurricanrana sends Bate into a sitout powerbomb for a strong near fall. A step up enziguri drops Seven but Andrews can’t hit the shooting star on Bate. Instead it’s the airplane spin until Dunne tags himself in. It doesn’t do much good though as Bate drops Dunne with a shot to the face, setting up the Tyler Driver for the pin at 15:53.

Rating: B. The usual good stuff here, though not as great as they’ve been before. This should set up another Bate vs. Dunne match and I’m not sure how many people would really be complaining. Bate and Seven are a really solid team and I wouldn’t mind seeing them in the Tag Team Title hunt, assuming their schedules would allow it.

Dunne lays Andrews out to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. It’s always good to have these shows taped just in case you need something like this. They were able to deal with the holiday schedule and still deliver a perfectly watchable show with a good main event. That’s a lot better than a Best Of show or something like that, which often feel like a waste of time.

Results

Street Profits b. Tino Sabbatelli/Riddick Moss – Frog splash to Sabbatelli

Kairi Sane b. Peyton Royce – Insane Elbow

Tyler Bate/Trent Seven b. Mark Andrews/Pete Dunne – Tyler Driver 97 to Dunne

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume VI: July – December 1999 in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/11/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-and-thunder-reviews-volume-vi/

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

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

NXT
Date: November 22, 2017
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Mauro Ranallo

We’re finally getting to the end of the Houston tapings with a pair of dark matches from this weekend’s Takeover: WarGames. Therefore, aside from the two matches, expect a lot of recaps from Saturday. That’s not the worst thing in the world though and lets the main stories take a breather. Let’s get to it.

The long recap of Saturday’s show kicks us off.

Opening sequence.

Ruby Riot vs. Sonya DeVille

Before the callups, which are mentioned and even shown during the entrances. Feeling out process to start and they head to the mat with DeVille grabbing a waistlock, only to get thrown off without too much effort. Back up and DeVille slide kicks the bad leg out and we take a break.

We come back with DeVille staying on the leg and grabbing a spinebuster for two. A leglock keeps Riot in trouble until she fights up with some clotheslines and an STO for two. Sonya slaps on a triangle choke and switches into an ankle lock until Riot makes the dive to the rope. Back up and Riot hits a quick Pele kick to the face for the pin at 10:34. It’s as sudden as it sounds.

Rating: C-. It’s kind of a weak way for both of them to go out as neither of them did anything special here. At least they had a match to close out their mini feud though, which is more than some people get at times. DeVille looked good but I could still go for some more development for Riot. You would have thought she was going to be in the Women’s Title hunt picture but this is quite the sudden promotion.

Quick look at Velveteen Dream vs. Aleister Black.

Quick look at Lars Sullivan vs. Kassius Ohno.

Sullivan says he took those kicks like a man and he dominated like he knew he would. If anyone wants to step in his way, they’ll be destroyed too. I really could have gone with him never talking as he doesn’t have the most intimidating voice.

Video on the Women’s Title match.

Ember Moon says this is a dream come true and everything has paid off. She’s going to keep fighting as hard as she can. Remember when Moon used to be nearly supernatural and is now just a woman who fights? That’s quite the drop of a gimmick.

Video on Andrade Cien Almas winning the NXT Title.

McIntyre is banged up and disappointed by the loss. If it is a torn bicep, I’m hoping he doesn’t come back to NXT and just goes up to the main roster. It’s not like he has anything else to prove down there.

Last week, the Street Profits were dancing on a car when Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli came up. An argument broke out and a match was set for next week.

Also next week: Kairi Sane vs. Peyton Royce.

Long video on WarGames, showcasing just how brutal it really was.

Sanity could barely walk after the match.

Undisputed Era bragged about their win.

UK Title: Pete Dunne vs. Johnny Gargano

Dunne is defending and has to spin out of an early wristlock. The technical wrestling goes to Gargano, who sends Dunne outside and follows him out with a cannonball off the apron. Dunne is right back up with an X Plex onto the apron though and we take a break. Back from a break with Dunne cranking on both the arm and the fingers, with Mauro being smart enough to say it helps prevent the Gargano Escape.

Johnny rolls away and hits the rolling kick to the head for a breather. The slingshot spear gets two and a suicide dive into a DDT should have Dunne rather dead. Instead he’s able to block a slingshot DDT into something like a bridging belly to back suplex for a near fall. The Bitter End is countered into a DDT and the Gargano Escape goes on, only to have Dunne bite the fingers for the break.

Dunne’s enziguri staggers Johnny but he takes Dunne’s head off with a clothesline for a double knockdown. Gargano picks up Dunne’s mouthpiece….and superkicks the heck out of Dunne for two. The slingshot spear only hits forearm though and it’s the Bitter End to retain the title at 12:54.

Rating: B. Gargano was a good choice for this as he can wrestle a good match against anyone. Dunne is just on another level though and while some of that is due to being on the show so infrequently, there’s some incredible talent there. The fact that he’s only 24 years old is downright staggering as he could easily have another fifteen years in front of him. Really good match here, as expected.

Overall Rating: C+. I never know how to rate these recap shows as the two matches ranged from good to not bad but the focus was on taking a breather after the big show. Things will pick up again next week as they’re already having to get ready for the build towards Philadelphia. This was more like a week off than anything else, though it was still certainly watchable and set stuff up for next week.

Results

Ruby Riot b. Sonya DeVille – Pele Kick

Pete Dunne b. Johnny Gargano – Bitter End

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume VI: July – December 1999 in e-book or paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/11/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-and-thunder-reviews-volume-vi/

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

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

Takeover: WarGames
Date: November 19, 2017
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Commentators: Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness, Mauro Ranallo

It’s time! After nearly twenty years of waiting, we’re FINALLY back to the biggest gimmick of them all. Well at least to the WWE version of the thing. Tonight there will be three trios involved in the match, which could make for a rather interesting edition of WarGames. At least it’s here though. Let’s get to it.

The opening video of course has a war theme, with clips of President Roosevelt declaring a state of war, peppered with clips from the build to tonight’s show. The rest of the card is thrown in at the end, which is how it should go.

Kassius Ohno vs. Lars Sullivan

Sullivan is an unstoppable monster who needs better competition. Ohno gets driven into the corner without much effort to start and a forearm to the jaw has no effect on Lars. They head outside with Ohno being dropped face first onto the apron, only to have Sullivan charge into a boot in the corner. An enziguri staggers the monster but a clothesline turns Ohno inside out. A pop up powerslam plants Ohno and Mauro is freaking out at the power display (fair enough).

Back up and Ohno slugs away with some solid success, including a flying forearm to the back of the head. The cyclone kick actually drops Sullivan for two (which was necessary to make the fans believe this could happen). Ohno STOMPS HIM IN THE HEAD over and over and drops a backsplash for one. Some discus elbows don’t have much effort though and it’s the Freak Accident for the pin on Ohno at 5:35.

Rating: C. Not a great match but EXACTLY how it should have been booked. Sullivan looked like he was in some trouble but then barreled his way through Ohno for the win. That’s all this should have been as Ohno is basically just a fresh meal for Sullivan, who has some serious potential. Well booked match here.

Some of the UK wrestlers are here.

We recap Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream. Black was ready to make an announcement but Dream interrupted him, saying that everything that fades to black will one day come to light, like the light of the Velveteen Dream. Black wouldn’t acknowledge Dream, which has Dream obsessed with getting Black to say his name.

Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream

Black does his still awesome rising up entrance. Dream debuts some custom made tights with himself on one leg and Black on the other ala Rick Rude back in the day. The fans are rather pleased with Dream, even as he slaps Black in the face. They hit the mat to start with Black working on an armbar before grabbing something like an Octopus hold. Dream slips out and actually tries to turn it into a striking match, earning himself a trip to the floor.

That allows Black to backflip into his sitting pose, right in front of Dream. A hip swivel doesn’t seem to get on Black’s nerves, but he does look away a bit. Dream sits down as well as the fans chant SAY HIS NAME. Black crawls forward like Dream did a few weeks back, freaking Dream out for a change. Dream actually snaps his throat across the ropes to send Black outside, meaning it’s time for more posing.

Back in and Dream gets two off a good looking superkick before we hit a reverse chinlock (Dream: “SAY IT! SAY IT!”). Black gets tied up in the ropes as the fans really want him to say it. Dream slaps him though and that’s just not a good idea. Black speeds things up with some strikes and a springboard moonsault press for two (SWEET, according to the annoying fans).

A quick Death Valley Driver gives Dream two so he tries a super version, only to get kicked down. Black knees him in the face for a close two, only to get caught in a Sister Abigail into a DDT for a delayed two. The Purple Rainmaker lands on a raised boot though, sending Dream into the ropes. Black kicks him in the face but walks into a superkick. That’s enough for Black though and it’s Black Mass for the pin at 14:41.

Rating: B+. Who knew Dream had that in him? This was all about the mind games at first but at the end of the day, you (mostly) knew it was going to be Black Mass wrapping this up. Black seems ready to become a huge deal around here and Dream….I’m not sure where he goes from here actually. Really good match though.

Post match Black takes the mic and says “enjoy infamy….Velveteen Dream.” I’m not sure what to make of that. Sign of respect maybe?

Asuka, Funaki and Finn Balor are here. What a random trio.

We recap the Women’s Title match. Asuka had to vacate the Women’s Title upon moving up to the main roster so it’s time for a four way to crown a new champion. Kairi Sane won the Mae Young Classic and the other three won qualifying matches.

Women’s Title: Kairi Sane vs. Peyton Royce vs. Nikki Cross vs. Ember Moon

The title is vacant coming in and it’s one fall to a finish. It’s a brawl to start with everyone fighting everyone at once. They head outside with Sane diving onto Royce, only to have Moon dive onto both of them. Naturally Cross is right there but Moon powerbombs her on the floor (THUD).

Back in and Kairi hits a running spear in the corner on Moon but Royce is back in with a half nelson over the ropes, using her leg instead of the arm. Back up and another spear cuts Royce down, sending Sane up top rather early. Moon is right up there but Royce makes the save with a Tower of Doom for a huge crash. Cross is back in though and dives onto all three at once. Sane gets caught in the Tree of Woe for some stomping but Royce makes the save for some reason.

Cross’ fisherman’s neckbreaker gets two on Sane with Moon making a diving save. Royce is back up with a fisherman’s suplex for the same on Cross as Sane makes the save. Sane piles up Royce and Cross for a double Insane Elbow. This time it’s Sane making the save but Moon sends her outside. That sends Moon up top for the Eclipse to Royce and Cross at the same time for the pin and the title at 10:09.

Rating: B-. Good match but rather shorter than I was expecting. Moon was my pick to win and she makes sense after getting so close, though having her lose over and over to Asuka and then win the title without Asuka around doesn’t look great. At least there are some solid challengers to come after her in the near future though, which is a great sign.

Asuka presents Moon with the title.

Takeover: Philadelphia is on January 27.

Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe are here.

We recap the NXT Title match. Drew McIntyre won the title back in August and didn’t really have a major feud. Enter Andrade Cien Almas, who has recently been recharged by new manager Zelina Vega. Drew said come get a shot so here we are.

NXT Title: Drew McIntyre vs. Andrade Cien Almas

Drew is defending and again towers over Almas. Andrade wastes no time in sending him outside for a hurricanrana attempt from Vega….who is calmly planted back on the apron. Drew knocks a dive out of the air but gets his throat snapped back across the top rope. We hit a triangle choke over the ropes into a Fujiwara armbar as Almas has an early target. A snap belly to belly gives Drew a breather though and a top rope clothesline sends the champ into a nipup.

Drew misses a charge in the corner though and gets caught in a reverse tornado DDT for two. A reverse hurricanrana is countered into a reverse Alabama Slam but Almas avoids another charge to send him outside. With Vega screeching, Almas scores with a moonsault press to the floor for a very close two back inside. Almas catches him in the Tree of Woe for the top rope double stomp, followed by the running knees in the corner for two.

Drew has had enough of this getting beaten up thing and comes back with a hard Batista Bomb for a near fall of his own as they’re both a bit spent. Future Shock out of nowhere gets two more but Almas sends him hard into the corner for another double knees to the back. Almas heads outside and grabs the title, allowing Vega to score with a hurricanrana driver.

The hammerlock DDT gives Almas a crazy close two and the crowd is losing it. Back up and a Claymore out of nowhere gets two with Vega putting the boot on the ropes. Another Claymore hits ropes though and Drew is in trouble. He heads up top for some reason but gets caught in an inverted draping DDT to give Almas the title in a big upset at 14:43.

Rating: B+. Well I’m surprised. This felt like a pit stop on the way to McIntyre vs. Adam Cole in Philadelphia but sweet goodness that was a shock. There’s a good chance that this is pretty much it for Drew in NXT as there’s just no reason to keep him toiling down there when he was ready for the main roster the day he debuted. Really good match here too with an even better ending.

Drew is dejected and Almas holds up the title on the announcers’ table.

Long recap of the main event. Undisputed Era showed up a few months ago and started attacking everyone on the roster, including Sanity. They tried to get Roderick Strong to join them but Strong wasn’t interested. The Authors of Pain had a rematch for the NXT Tag Team Titles but the Undisputed Era interfered. Therefore, Strong joined forces with the Authors to make it a three way feud.

There are some different rules than in regular WarGames matches. Three men will start with their partners in individual shark cages. After five minutes, one team will be allowed to send in its remaining two members. Then, after three minutes each, the other two teams will be added in as well. It will be the first pinfall or submission to win and if you leave the cage, you forfeit the match.

Dustin Rhodes and Arn Anderson are here.

Sanity vs. Undisputed Era vs. Authors of Pain/Roderick Strong

There’s no roof on the cage. Strong has an Authors of Pain outfit this time, which doesn’t quite suit him. Eric Young, Adam Cole and Strong start things off and this is SO strange to see in WWE. Cole tries to bail to start but they all wind up in the same cage. Young sends Cole into the cage and it’s a double team to keep Cole in early trouble. He’s able to crotch both of them on top though and everyone is down.

Back up and Strong starts slugging away, sending everyone into a cage until Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish are the first team in. Strong and Young are in very sudden trouble thanks to a series of strikes from the fresh team. Fish and O’Reilly send both of them against the cage and crash into them over and over as this is one sided at the moment. That sounds like time for a fresh team, which in this case is the Authors of Pain. Undisputed Era can’t hold the door closed and the destruction is on in a hurry.

Everyone is sent into another ring with the Authors LAUNCHING Strong onto the pile for a big old crash. Young and O’Reilly are caught in the Tree of Woe, leaving the Authors to give Cole and Fish Death Valley Drivers to untie them. The clock counts down and it’s Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain completing the field. Wolfe is smart enough to bring in a nightstick to beat down the Authors while Dain throws in some weapons. As Sanity cleans house, the fans want tables so Dain, who hasn’t gotten in yet, pulls one out. Dain finally gets in and locks the cage….before eating the key.

Dain beats on the Authors in the corner, including a shotgun dropkick with a backslash. That’s not enough so Dain climbs the cage for a huge crossbody and a near fall on Strong. Cole swings a cane at Dain with Fish coming in for a failed save attempt. Dain picks up O’Reilly and Fish for a fall away slam/Samoan drop combination while Razar does the same thing in the other ring. The slugout it until Dain crossbodies him down. Akum comes back in with a powerslam to Dain but O’Reilly walks the cage for a tornado DDT.

Strong gets caught in Chasing the Dragon for no cover. Instead Fish and O’Reilly clean house with a bunch of kicks before Kyle ties Wolfe up with a chain. Using said chain, O’Reilly puts on a cross armbreaker with Young making a fast save via a top rope elbow. Fish is back up with a moonsault and everyone is down at once. The Authors are back up with a Super Collide as Dain is a little busted open.

Young is back up with a Death Valley Driver to send Akum into Razar for two more. Strong pops up with the backbreakers and an Olympic Slam on Dain for the same. Everyone heads into the corners of the different rings, meaning stereo Towers of Doom. Cole managed to stay on the ropes though, meaning he’s the only one not destroyed at the moment. Smart man Cole. The Authors crotch him on the top though….and grab the tables. Wolfe is up though and for some reason saves Cole, who climbs up to the top of the cage.

Akum gets German superplex through the tables and Young neckbreakers Razar off the top. With Cole still on top, Dain cleans house and grabs a trashcan….FOR A COAST TO COAST ON O’REILLY!!! Ok so it was more like Coast to the Ohio Valley but not bad! Cole stands up on top of the cage but Strong is looking up at him. Strong climbs up as well (Fans: “PLEASE DON’T DIE!”)…..for a superplex onto the pile!

Strong covers Cole for two as we see Wolfe still down with a referee checking on him after the German superplex, which was nearly five minutes ago. Razar and Dain slug it out between the rings until Akum comes in for the Last Chapter out of nowhere. Something like Total Elimination drops Akum but Sanity takes out O’Reilly and Fish. Strong gets wheelbarrow suplexed into the cage but Cole knees a chair into Young’s face for the pin at 35:54.

Rating: A. Oh yeah it still works. This felt like the war it was supposed to be and that’s exactly what they were shooting for. Throw in Dain and Cole looking like killers and the Undisputed Era looking like stars, especially as we’re coming up on what will probably be their crowning night in Philadelphia. It says a lot when I’m actually tired after watching a match but that’s what happened here. Definitely check this one out as it more than lives up to the WarGames reputation.

Overall Rating: A. Well that was amazing. With the main event being outstanding and two other matches rocking as hard as they did, it’s about as good as you’re going to get. The worst match was a perfectly acceptable (and short) match with the perfect booking. Aside from that, this is good to excellent the rest of the way

Results

Lars Sullivan b. Kassius Ohno – Freak Accident

Aleister Black b. Velveteen Dream – Black Mass

Ember Moon b. Kairi Sane, Peyton Royce and Nikki Cross – Eclipse to Cross

Andrade Cien Almas b. Drew McIntyre – Hanging inverted DDT

Undisputed Era b. Sanity and Authors of Pain/Roderick Strong – Running knee into a chair to Young

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Updated History of the Intercontinental Title in E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

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NXT
Date: November 15, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Mauro Ranallo

It’s the last show before Takeover: WarGames and that means things could be getting very fun in a hurry. The big story tonight, aside from the build towards Saturday’s main event of course, it Andrade Cien Almas and NXT Champion Drew McIntyre coming face to face. That match hasn’t gotten a lot of attention so a good focus could serve it well. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Street Profits vs. Riddick Moss/Tino Sabbatelli

This has been built up in a culture clash feud over recent weeks. Sabbatelli drives Dawkins into the corner to start but a shoulder puts him down, allowing Ford to come in for a basement dropkick. That’s about it for Ford’s offense though as he gets double teamed in the corner, followed by Moss’ hard belly to back. Ford is able to get over for the hot tag though and house is cleaned in a hurry. Sabbatelli avoids a splash in the corner but gets punched in the jaw….for the pin at 3:18.

Rating: D+. Well that was sudden. Alexa Bliss did that to Mickie James a few weeks back but you kind of expect it to be a long time (like years) before you see it happen twice. Sabbatelli has an incredible look but you have to wonder just how bad he is to not get a chance after all this time.

Recap of Velveteen Dream vs. Aleister Black, which is all over Dream wanting Black to say his name and doing whatever he can to get such attention. The best ending: Black is about to say his name and then kicks Dream in the face so Dream can’t hear it.

Lars Sullivan vs. Raul Mendoza

Mendoza fires off some kicks to start before being run over in the corner. A powerslam and some crossface shots set up the Freak Accident (standing Boss Man Slam) for the pin at 1:50.

Post match Sullivan goes after Mendoza again but Kassius Ohno comes in for the save with no violence. Mauro makes a rare error by saying Takeover is one week from Saturday.

Johnny Gargano is in William Regal’s office to say he can turn it around. Regal knows he can and puts Gargano in a UK Title match against Pete Dunne next week.

Long recap of WarGames with a look back at how the Undisputed Era arrived and took out everyone in front of them. Sanity stood up to them and Roderick Strong/the Authors of Pain are out for revenge. It’s kind of a shame that British Strong Style can’t be the third trio but Strong and the Authors are a fine choice.

Mercedes Martinez vs. Ember Moon

Last week, Martinez said Moon can’t win the big one, which is pretty true so far. Martinez grabs a headlock to start and holds Moon down for a good while. Back up and a one footed dropkick has Martinez in trouble, followed by a double footed version to the side of the head for two. Martinez throws her outside though and we take a break. Back with Moon striking away but getting her skin chopped off for her efforts.

Three Amigos look to set up a fisherman’s buster but now the enziguri connects to get Moon out of trouble. That means a big suicide dive to the floor, only to have Martinez come back with a Tower of London, much to Nigel’s delight. Not that it matters as Ember kicks her down again and hits the Eclipse for the pin at 10:27.

Rating: C. This was a nice win for Moon as Martinez was turned into a big deal in the tournament but can put people over time and time again. The best thing about Saturday’s match is how any of the four could conceivably win, which is where NXT shines. It keeps you from being bored and waiting on the win as is so often the case on the main roster. Good tuneup for Ember here and I wouldn’t be surprised if she won the title.

Here’s McIntyre for the face to face meeting with Almas. Before Andrade comes out, Drew talks about how a plan came together. It was Zelina’s plan but it was still a plan indeed. When the pressure is on Andrade though, will be be able to rise to the occasion? Vega has been talking about mountains but for Almas, Drew is the mountain.

Drew wants Almas out here if Zelina will let him off the leash. Cue both Zelina and Almas and the brawl is on in a hurry. Zelina tries a crossbody but gets caught without much effort. A chop block takes out the champ’s knee though and Almas plants him with a hammerlock DDT. Zelina holds up the title to end the show. This was quick but it did its job.

Overall Rating: C+. Good episode that set up some stuff for Takeover, though most of the card was already set in stone anyway. It was nice to have the title match get some focus as, while it’s a simple story, it hasn’t gotten a ton of attention. Gargano vs. Dunne is a fine choice for an off week main event and then we can move on to the build towards Philadelphia in January. This show did its job though and that’s what matters most for a go home episode.

Results

Street Profits b. Riddick Moss/Tino Sabbatelli – Right hand To Sabbatelli

Lars Sullivan b. Raul Mendoza – Freak Accident

Ember Moon b. Mercedes Martinez – Eclipse

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Updated History of the Intercontinental Title in E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

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

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NXT
Date: November 8, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Mauro Ranallo

Last week saw NXT turned on its head as we heard the announcement that WARGAMES is coming to Takeover with a three team, nine man match. Other than that it’s time to get everything ready for the show, which is mostly set already. NXT is great at setting up the shows and that’s what we’re doing tonight. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of the end of last week’s show with the WarGames announcement and the huge roar from the crowd.

Opening sequence.

Heavy Machinery vs. Chris Pain/Sean Maluta

Otis runs Chris over to start and Sean gets the same treatment. The big man actually hits a modified Worm before it’s off to Tucker for a kick to the face. A springboard elbow (from the bottom rope) crushes Pain again and it’s the Compactor for the pin at 2:22. Squash.

Ember Moon doesn’t like what Mercedes Martinez said about her last week and will face her next week.

Kairi Sane vs. Billie Kay

Kairi bows to her to start so Billie runs her over with a shoulder. A headscissors and a dropkick get Kairi out of trouble but Peyton Royce gets up for a distraction. It works quite well though as Kay grabs a torture rack. Sane fights out with some chops in the corner before marching across the ring for the sliding knee for two in the corner. After an elbow dispatches Royce, the top rope elbow finishes Kay at 3:51.

Rating: C. Sane was clearly winning here but at least Kay got in some offense. The Iconic Duo are kind of stuck in limbo here as they have nowhere to go in NXT. They’re not going to win the Women’s Title and the main roster divisions could use some fresh blood so just send them up there as the new Laycool.

Kassius Ohno, in a Cesaro shirt for a wink at the smart fans, comes in to see William Regal. He wants in on the NXT Title hunt so he should start with Lars Sullivan at Takeover. Regal grants the match.

Video on WarGames with clips from most of the matches. Having people like Ric Flair and Arn Anderson in there to talk about the brutality is a nice addition.

Zelina Vega and Andrade Cien Almas have a sitdown interview to say Almas will win the title at Takeover. Vega won’t let Almas answer a question about their relationship but she says they’ve known each other for seven years. Almas speaks Spanish and then in English says this is the new Andrade, who will be the new champion. Vega is excellent in this role and has made Almas a hundred times better in short order.

Velveteen Dream vs. Cezar Bononi

Dream wastes no time uppercutting Bononi into the corner and a spinebuster makes it even worse. The rolling Death Valley Driver (Death Valley Bomb) ends Bononi in 1:13.

Post match Dream says he’s on Aleister Black’s mind and he’ll get what he wants at Takeover when Black says his name.

We look back at Ruby Riot’s leg/ankle injury.

Earlier today, Ruby was told to rest her injury for a few more weeks. Sonya DeVille comes in to laugh at her. She tries to blame Ruby for not being in the title match so Ruby challenges her to a match when she’s healed up. Sonya tells her to heal fast.

The Street Profits run into a guy in a suit and give him a cup. Tino Sabbatelli’s dry cleaning is brought in and the Profits say it’s theirs. As luck would have it. Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss come in to say the Profits can’t afford this kind of suit. A match is set.

Ember Moon vs. Mercedes Martinez is set for next week.

Almas and Drew McIntyre will be face to face next week.

Roderick Strong vs. Adam Cole

They fight into the corner to start and head to the mat for a battle over a hammerlock. A good looking dropkick puts Cole on the floor and Strong hits a dive over the top to take him down again. Back from a break with Strong kneeing Cole down and dropping an elbow for two. Of course that means a chinlock with Cole whispering sweet spots into Cole’s ear.

Strong fights up and grabs a backbreaker for a breather. A jumping clothesline rocks Cole again and another backbreaker gets two. Cole’s enziguri gets the same and a superkick sets up the Last Shot for an even nearer fall. Cole takes him up top but gets reversed into a drop onto the turnbuckle….drawing out Fish and O’Reilly for the DQ at 12:04.

Rating: C+. This was getting good at the end but they were just waiting for the interference ending. That’s how this should have gone though as there was no reason to have it be anything other than a run-in. If nothing else, it’s nice to see a promotion smart enough to not have the participants of a huge match lose in a meaningless TV match.

Sanity and the Authors of Pain run out and the big brawl is on. Wolfe dives onto the Era (with Fish running over to help catch him) and Cole superplexes Strong onto everyone for the huge crash to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The main thing here is I want to see Takeover more than I did when I came in. They built the matches up well and the go home show should be entertaining. WarGames is clearly the top draw of the whole show and that’s all it’s going to need. The fact that the TV leading up to it is good is just a very nice bonus. Good show this week and I’m not surprised.

Results

Heavy Machinery b. Chris Pain/Sean Maluta – Compactor to Pain

Kairi Sane b. Billie Kay – Top rope elbow

Velveteen Dream b. Cezar Bononi – Death Valley Bomb

Roderick Strong b. Adam Cole via DQ when Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Updated History of the Intercontinental Title in E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/10/02/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-the-intercontinental-title-updated-version/

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

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NXT
Date: November 1, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

We’re less than three weeks away from Houston and by now a lot of the card can be figured out in advance. The big story from last week is the addition of the Authors of Pain to the main event mix, making things even bigger than they already were. The major match for Takeover hasn’t been announced yet but you know what’s coming. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Andrade Cien Almas will officially challenge Drew McIntyre at Takeover. Their contract signing is later tonight.

Taynara Conti vs. Nikki Cross

They’re not wasting time this week. Cross goes right after her and knocks Conti to the floor for some forearms to the chest. Back in and Conti uses the legs for some kicks to the arm, only to get dropped by a short arm clothesline. A Scorpion Death Drop sets up the swinging fisherman’s neckbreaker to give Cross the pin at 2:38. Energetic while it lasted but you knew Cross wasn’t losing this close to a title shot.

Mercedes Martinez blames her failures on Ember Moon.

Fabian Aichner vs. Johnny Gargano

Gargano takes him to the mat to start and grabs a rollup for an early two. A standing dropkick gets the same as Johnny is moving out there early on. Aichner sends him outside though and we take a break. Back with Johnny elbowing his way to freedom and scoring with a rolling kick to the face.

Aichner makes the mistake of sending Gargano to the apron and then charges into the slingshot spear for two more. The slingshot DDT doesn’t put Aichner away either so he grabs a heck of a powerbomb for two. Gargano is back up with a running kick in the corner but the Gargano Escape is countered into a rollup to give Aichner the clean pin at 9:14.

Rating: B-. Aichner gets a big win and a huge upset but the more interesting story here is Gargano, who is trying as hard as he can but still can’t win a bit match. That has the potential to be a heck of a setup for when Ciampa returns (which should be in the next few months) and I’m really curious to see where they go with that idea.

Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream is official for Takeover.

Earlier today the Street Profits were admiring Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss’ very expensive car when Tino and Riddick showed up. Trash was talked but nothing gets physical.

It’s time for the contract signing. Drew comes out holding the contract but Andrade jumps him and signs the contract. Zelina hands Andrade her gum, which he uses to stick the contract to Drew.

Peyton Royce and Billie Kay are upset about Billie not being in the title match when Kairi Sane, with her pirate wheel, comes up to scare them.

Tag Team Titles: Sanity vs. Authors of Pain

Sanity is defending with Alexander Wolfe and Eric Young representing the team. There’s no Paul Ellering at ringside. Wolfe hammers away on Akam in the corner as Mauro talks about Wolfe starting “sports entertainment training” at thirteen. I get not calling it wrestling in a general sense but does ANYONE outside of Vince think that sounds natural or good? Just say training. Anyway Wolfe gets hammered down in the corner and the slow beating begins. We hit a chinlock and take an early break.

Back with Ra’zar holding Wolfe in a front facelock until a double clothesline allows the double tag to Young and Akam. Young cleans house in a hurry and gets two off the top rope elbow. Wolfe comes back in with a top rope clothesline but everything breaks down and the Authors hit the Super Collider. The Last Chapter takes Young down but the Undisputed Era runs in for the DQ at 10:28.

Rating: C+. This was getting good near the ending but you could feel the Undisputed Era interference coming (which isn’t a bad thing). The Authors have gotten their title rematch out of the way and that’s what matters most in all of this. Good main event, but bigger things coming after are more important.

Killian Dain runs in but gets taken down as well. Roderick Strong comes out and puts on the Era’s armband, only to lay them out a few seconds later. The Authors are back up and help Strong clear the ring. Cue William Regal to make the big announcement: a triple threat match at Takeover inside WARGAMES. The fans are stunned and the Takeover: Houston logo turns into Takeover: WarGames as a YES chant takes us out. Mauro: “Houston, we have a WarGames.”

Overall Rating: B. Well that worked. I knew the WarGames announcement was coming and I still got excited when they finally said it. They’re pushing a lot of stories at once here and I’m genuinely interested in how things are going to go in Houston. The Authors and Strong are the weakest of the trios and it’s still entirely conceivable to have them win. Good show this week and a lot of stuff was advanced.

Results

Nikki Cross b. Taynara Conti – Swinging fisherman’s neckbreaker

Fabian Aichner b. Johnny Gargano – Rollup

Authors of Pain b. Sanity via DQ when the Undisputed Era interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Updated History of the Intercontinental Title in E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/10/02/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-the-intercontinental-title-updated-version/

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

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NXT
Date: October 25, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

We’re getting closer to Houston and that means things are about to get a lot more interesting. The card is going to be filled out in the upcoming weeks, starting with the fourth woman being added to the Women’s Title match. There’s also the issue between Andrade Cien Almas and NXT Champion Drew McIntyre. Let’s get to it.

William Regal tells us that Nikki Cross will be in tonight’s battle royal for a spot in the Women’s Title match. On top of that, next week the Authors of Pain will receive their rematch for the Tag Team Titles. Only two members of Sanity will be allowed in the arena.

Opening sequence.

Tino Sabbatelli/Riddick Moss vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan

Riddick offers Lorcan a free chop and skin is almost peeled off. One heck of a running dropkick staggers Moss and it’s off to Burch. Sabbatelli comes in as well and eats a middle rope dropkick, only to cut Burch off with a clothesline. Fans: “YOU STILL SUCK!” Well at least they’re honest about it.

Some running dropkicks in the corner keep Burch in trouble and we hit the chinlock. Back up and a missed clothesline allows the hot tag off to Lorcan so house can be cleaned. Moss actually cuts him off with a fall away slam into the corner before putting Lorcan in a Gory Stretch. Tino adds a running bulldog into a faceplant for the pin on Oney at 4:04.

Rating: D+. Well I wouldn’t have bet on that. Sabbatelli and Moss have the potential to be a nice heel team and that’s a good finisher to make it work even more. I’m also kind of shocked that Burch and Lorcan lost so early in their time as a team. Maybe they won’t last long but it’s still surprising.

Quick look at Taynara Conti costing Nikki Cross a chance to be in the four way.

Battle Royal

Vanessa Bourne, Bianca Belair, Sage Beckett, Mercedes Martinez, Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Taynara Conti, Lacey Evans, Sarah Logan, Dakota Kai, Zeda, Abbey Laith, Santana Garrett, Aaliyah, Reina Gonzalez, Nikki Cross, Billie Kay

I think that’s everyone. Cross goes right after Conti and gets rid of her in less than a minute. Conti pulls her under the ropes though and sends Cross into the barricade though, followed by Peyton Royce sending Nikki into the post. With Nikki still on the floor, various people are nearly eliminated but there’s not much to talk about otherwise. That’s kind of the point of a battle royal though and it’s not the biggest surprise.

Belair picks someone up and swings them into Ripley for an elimination with Zeda being thrown out a few seconds later. Back from a break with Beckett dumping Kai as the ring is starting to clear out a bit. Gonzalez is out as well and Aaliyah has been knocked out off camera. Cross is back up though and dives onto everyone at once before tossing Bourne and Beckett. Garrett and Laith are the fourth and fifth victims for Cross, leaving us with Cross, Kay, Belair, Martinez, Logan, Evans and LeRae.

There goes Logan and we’re down to six. Evans gets sent to the apron and Candice kicks her leg out for another elimination. That’s all of Candice’s good luck as Belair gorilla presses her out to the floor in a very impressive power display. Billie is sent over the top but grabs Belair BY THE HAIR to hold on. Kay gets back in so Belair whips her with the hair as we settle down a bit. Cross chokes Kay out to the floor (no elimination), leaving Martinez to chop away at Belair. They wind up on the apron and it’s Nikki running in for the double elimination. Kay misses a big boot and Nikki wins at 15:20.

Rating: C+. This was a heck of a battle royal where Cross was the favorite but you could buy the idea of a surprise getting in instead. They kept the pace very fast here and that makes for a solid effort. Above all else though, the future of the women’s division is bright. Let these women get some experience and coaching and they could be some major stars.

Post match Ember Moon and Kairi Sane come out for the staredown with Cross and Royce.

Earlier this week, Zelina Vega came up to Drew McIntyre to ask why Andrade Cien Almas never received the contract for a title shot. Drew says if Andrade wants one, come up to him like a man.

Aleister Black comes out for a match but the Velveteen Dream jumps him from behind. Black gets tied in the ropes and Dream demands that Black say his name. Dream loads up a big boot but Black gets up a boot of his own. The threat of Black Mass sends Dream bailing.

Andrade Cien Almas vs. Roderick Strong

Before the match, Vega again complains about the lack of a match with McIntyre. A quick trip to the mat goes nowhere and the first backbreaker gives Strong one. Back up and Almas drops him onto the apron and we take a break. We come back with Almas in control and the fans asking him to take Strong down one more time.

A triangle choke over the ropes has Strong in more trouble and even gets a two count. It’s off to an armbar for a bit until Strong comes back with a running clothesline. A pop up gutbuster drops Almas again and Strong slaps on the Strong Hold around the ropes (think a reverse Tarantula).

The back is banged up even more with a backbreaker on the apron and Almas is in trouble. A tiger driver is countered into a hurricanrana and Almas hits his running knees in the corner for two. Another knees attempt is countered into the Olympic Slam and a clothesline to the floor. Vega is right up with a hurricanrana to send Strong into the apron though, which the fans REALLY seem to like. The hammerlock DDT gives Almas the pin at 12:19.

Rating: B. Good match here and Vega’s involvement was a very nice addition. She’s quite the good choice for a talker and manager and if she can throw in a good hurricanrana at the same time, so be it. Almas is pretty clearly next in line for McIntyre and the NXT Title so a win like this should do him a lot of good.

Post match Vega and Almas say they’ll see McIntyre next week.

Still in the ring, Strong is looking upset but here’s the Undisputed Era. Adam Cole throws him an Undisputed Era armband and says he needs to join the family. Strong takes it and looks at it as the team leaves without him.

Overall Rating: B-. As usual, NXT gets to showcase a lot of people at once with a good main event and a very strong battle royal. They did some good stuff on here and we’re getting ready for Takeover. The NXT Title match is acceptable enough and the Women’s Title needs some personal issues, which they have time to make. Other than that though, the show needs that one big attraction to make it work.

Results

Tino Sabbatelli/Riddick Moss b. Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch – Gory Bomb/Bulldog combination to Lorcan

Nikki Cross won a battle royal last eliminating Billie Kay

Andrade Cien Almas b. Roderick Strong – Hammerlock DDT

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Updated History of the Intercontinental Title in E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/10/02/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-the-intercontinental-title-updated-version/

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

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