NXT Date: July 19, 2017 Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
It’s all about the NXT Title tonight as Drew McIntyre faces Killian Dane for the title shot at Takeover: Brooklyn. Bobby Roode suggested the match for the shot at his title, which would suggest than shenanigans are afoot. Other than that we’re getting ready for the rest of the show, which is just a month away. Let’s get to it.
Opening sequence.
Ember Moon vs. Ruby Riot
The fans sound split here. Mauro asks Percy to give us the keys to victory for both of them. As you might expect, Watson has no idea and just says they both want to win. Thankfully Nigel is there to say it’s all about the Eclipse as they trade some early rollups. Riot monkey flips her but Moon lands on her feet but takes her down again and grabs a chinlock. Ember reverses into a bow and arrow for a bit (which Percy manages to identify as a hold working on the back) but Riot is right back up to hit Ember in the face. A Flatliner drops Riot for two and we take a break.
Back with Riot hitting a top rope backsplash for two but getting sent hard into the corner to change control again. Riot catches her on top with a hurricanrana though and the fans are WAY into this one. Ember goes with a roaring elbow and a modified backbreaker, setting up the Eclipse to put Riot away at 11:35.
Rating: B. This match felt important instead of just another match. As has been the case, they continued to build up the Eclipse as the biggest move in NXT and probably the one move that can finish Asuka no matter what she throws at Ember. Riot definitely has a following too and she’ll get her chance once things shift at the top of the division.
Earlier today Kassius Ohno was giving an interview when Hideo Itami came in to ask about their match next week, which Ohno requested. No violence ensues.
The Street Profits are coming.
Oney Lorcan vs. Danny Burch
Feeling out process to start with both guys getting an early two, only to have Burch punch him in the face to take over. Burch hits a dropkick and head kick in the corner, followed by the Tower of London (a hanging Diamond Cutter, Nigel’s old finisher) for two. Lorcan gets in a shot to the face of his own and it’s time to exchange some hard uppercuts. Danny turns him inside out with a clothesline and a rather sloppy powerbomb gets two. Back up and Danny misses a dive out of the corner and Lorcan rolls him into a half crab for the tap at 4:38.
Rating: C+. They were hitting the heck out of each other here and I like the idea that they have this kind of match on NXT from time to time. There isn’t much of a story here but they hit each other really hard and offer entertaining enough matches to warrant time on the shows. Sometimes that’s better than doing the same stuff over and over every week. Good little match here.
Danny shakes his hand post match and asks for one more match. Oney is game.
No Way Jose vs. Cezar Bononi
The fans sing about Jose and he scores with an early armdrag. Bononi takes him into the corner and gets in a good looking dropkick before throwing Jose around. That goes nowhere though as Jose gets in a clothesline and some dancing, followed by the pop up uppercut for the pin at 2:09.
Post match Andrade Cien Almas comes in to go after Bononi (who upset him a few weeks back) but Jose chases him off.
Drew McIntyre vs. Killian Dain
The winner gets the title shot against Roode at Takeover: Brooklyn. It’s odd to see Drew fighting someone bigger than he already is, which shows how small a lot of the NXT roster really is. Dain can’t intimidate him to start and gets taken down by a top rope shot to the head. Killian is right back with a basement crossbody to send Drew outside though and we take a break.
Back with Drew still in trouble and getting tossed hard into the corner. Dain stomps on the chest and drops a running elbow for two. Some hard crossface shots to the jaw have Drew in trouble. We hit the neck crank for a bit before Dain hammers away in the corner, only to get caught in a running powerbomb to give Drew a near fall of his own.
White Noise gets two more, only to have Dain hit a quick Wasteland into a backsplash into a Vader Bomb (collectively named the Belfast Blitz). The Ulster Plantation is broken up and the referee tells them they have two minutes left. Dain takes him up again and grabs a fisherman’s superplex for a delayed two but walks into Future Shock for one. Drew’s shocked face is great and it’s even worse when the Claymore (running boot to the face) isn’t even enough for a cover. A second Claymore sends Drew to Brooklyn at 13:35.
Rating: B-. Well you can’t say they didn’t have Dain looking strong with that ending. This was another good, hard hitting brawl with two big guys beating the heck out of each other until Dain couldn’t get up anymore. Drew winning is the right call and I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t win the title in Brooklyn as he’s looking like one of the most polished performers in the promotion at the moment.
Drew says he’s coming for the title to end the show.
Overall Rating: A-. The goal here was to set up a title match at Takeover and they nailed that as well as they could have. The show also had two very solid matches and a good brawl between Burch and Lorcan as a bonus. This was a very entertaining fifty one minutes of wrestling and I’m starting to get the itch for a Takeover, which has potential to be a very impressive show. Really good outing this week.
Results
Ember Moon b. Ruby Riot – Eclipse
Oney Lorcan b. Danny Burch – Half crab
No Way Jose b. Cezar Bononi – Pop up uppercut
Drew McIntyre b. Killian Dain – Claymore
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:
NXT Date: July 12, 2017 Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness
Its another big night tonight as we have the NXT Tag Team Titles on the line with the Authors of Pain defending against Heavy Machinery. In addition to that we have Johnny Gargano making his big return to the show after Tommaso Ciampa turned on him at Takeover: Chicago. Let’s get to it.
We open with a long recap of DIY splitting up.
Aleister Black vs. Bobby Fish
Now that’s a nice surprise as Fish makes his NXT debut. They trade wristlocks to start (with Mauro calling Fish Roderick Strong by mistake) until a kick to the ribs puts Fish down. Fish scores with some strikes of his own but Black shows him how it’s done, knocking Fish outside before having a seat in the ring. Bobby sweeps his leg from the floor though and we take a break.
Back with Fish winning another striking battle and hitting a dragon screw legwhip. A half crab is broken up but Fish is right back with a rear naked choke. Black escapes and finally has enough of this, scoring with a kick to the ribs and a springboard moonsault to a standing fish. A jumping knee to the jaw sets up Black Mass to put Fish away at 11:08.
Rating: B. That’s quite the debut for Fish, who got in a lot of offense here and looked dangerous to someone on Black’s level. Black continues to look awesome as well with Black Mass becoming one of the best finishers around. It seems that he’s moving up the ladder and I could see him near the NXT Title picture for Brooklyn.
We recap Kassius Ohno and Hideo Itami having even more issues last week.
Post match, Ohno said he was tired of Itami blaming everyone for his problems since Chicago. Ohno is done talking.
The Street Profits are coming.
The Velveteen Dream was annoyed at an attempted interview.
Mae Young Classic Qualifying Match: Vanessa Borne vs. Jayme Hachey
Borne has been on NXT before under the name Danielle Kamela. Hachey has performed around the indies under the name Jayme Jameson. Jayme takes her down and works on the arm but Borne comes up with forearms to the face. Something like a spinning belly to back suplex with a leg hook puts Jayme away at 1:48. That really wasn’t a good finisher.
Last week, Sanity attacked Drew McIntyre in the parking lot. Wolfe said that Drew’s time is running out.
Bobby Roode is in William Regal’s office with the boss talking about the new #1 contender. Roode actually takes charge and suggests Dain vs. McIntyre for the #1 contendership. Regal goes with it and makes the match for next week.
Here’s Gargano for his return speech. Gargano has been thinking about what Ciampa did to him over and over and he just can’t get it. He’s ready to move forward though because he can’t control what happened but he can control how he reacts to them. Takeover: Brooklyn is coming up and Johnny has to be on that show, though he seems a bit hesitant.
Tag Team Titles: Authors of Pain vs. Heavy Machinery
The Authors are defending. Otis and Razar go nose to nose to start with Otis going nowhere off a forearm. A standing body block actually drops Razar and it’s time for a standoff. Back from a break with Akam holding Tucker in a cravate and sending him into the champs’ corner. We hit the neck crank for a good while before it’s back to Akam for a chinlock. Yeah it’s slow but what were you expecting from these four?
Tucker finally gets in a hard clothesline for the break and the hot tag brings in Otis. Everything breaks down and a rather impressive overhead belly to belly sends Akam flying. Tucker’s powerslam gets two on Razar but Akam breaks up the Compactor. The Last Chapter ends Otis to retain the titles at 11:16.
Rating: C. The match had a long stretch in the middle that wasn’t great but the rest was the power slugout that it needed to be. I don’t think anyone was really buying Heavy Machinery as a major threat to the titles and there’s nothing wrong with having them lose here. I’m not sure who is going to take the titles at this point but that could make for something interesting going forward.
Post match Sanity comes out to stare down the Authors. Pages of the Book of Dominance fall and Wolfe eats one to end the show.
Overall Rating: C+. I liked this show more than I was expecting to as they’ve started setting their sights on Takeover: Brooklyn and that’s the biggest show of the year. There are stories going down that have my interest and the build should be a lot of fun. McIntyre getting into the title hunt is a good sign as he was ready for the main roster the day he debuted, meaning it would be a waste of time to not push him towards the title picture almost immediately. Throw in a heel vs. heel feud for the Tag Team Titles and we have some good stuff going on.
Results
Aleister Black b. Bobby Fish – Black Mass
Vanessa Borne b. Jayme Hachey – Spinning belly to back suplex
Authors of Pain b. Heavy Machinery – Last Chapter to Dozovic
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:
NXT Date: July 5, 2017 Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watson
The title shows continue as we have the NXT Title on the line tonight. Bobby Roode has gotten far underneath the skin of Roderick Strong, including talking about Strong’s wife. The title is up for grabs tonight with a ticked off Strong wanting both the title and a measure of revenge. Let’s get to it.
Opening sequence.
Strong and his family arrived earlier today.
Sanity vs. Kassius Ohno/Hideo Itami
Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain for Sanity here. Ohno blasts Wolfe into the corner to start and it’s off to Itami for the kicks in the corner. Dain offers a distraction though and it’s Wolfe snapping Itami across the top to take over as we take a break. Back with Itami still in trouble as Dain easily cuts the ring off to keep him down. Itami comes back with kicks and Ohno is ready for the tag but Itami doesn’t even go near him. Instead it’s a Falcon Arrow to Wolfe but Ohno gets knocked outside by Dain. The GTS knocks Wolfe silly, only to have Dain crossbody Itami for the pin at 9:44.
Rating: C+. Fine storyline advancement here with Itami wanting to prove himself to continue making up for his loss to Roode. I can go for the long form story like this, though I’m not sure where it’s going to end. Itami might get a future title shot but a heel turn seems to be in his way first. Well, after a match with Ohno of course.
Ember Moon is training for her comeback at the Performance Center when Ruby Riot interrupts the mini press conference (in the Performance Center mind you) to say she should get the title shot instead. Moon doesn’t seem to mind.
We look back at the awesome Last Woman Standing match.
Video on Drew McIntyre.
Drew wants the winner of tonight’s title match.
We look at DIY splitting.
Johnny Gargano is back next week.
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce were annoyed that Peyton was the only one to remember Billie’s birthday when Andrade Cien Almas got into an argument with his unnamed female associate (Thea Trinidad).
Last week in an untelevised match, Bianca BelAir defeated Aliyah to qualify for the Mae Young Classic.
Video on Bobby Roode vs. Roderick Strong, which is the wealthy/powerful one vs. the family man who has worked to get here.
Strong has victory on his mind.
Roode says Strong is about to face reality.
NXT Title: Roderick Strong vs. Bobby Roode
Strong is challenging. Roode gets the better of an amateur exchange and does his GLORIOUS pose, earning himself a pair of dropkicks. A half nelson backbreaker drops the champ and we take an early break. Back with Roode grabbing a Blockbuster and stomping away, only to take another backbreaker.
Roode bails to the floor again but sends Strong’s knee into the steps to take over. It’s time to really work on the knee in the Ric Flair style, including a kick to the knee to cut off a comeback. We come back from a second break and come back with Strong kicking out of a leglock and sending Roode into the buckle.
The Angle Slam and another backbreaker give Strong two but Roode is right back with a chop block to take over again. The knee is wrapped around the post but Strong catches him on the top and shoves the champ out to the floor in a crash. A quick Glorious DDT gets two on Roderick and you can feel the crowd getting into things again, mainly because they knew better than to buy one finisher as the pin.
Now it’s Strong popping back up with knees to the face and a backbreaker for the pin…..with Roode’s foot underneath the ropes. That was a heck of a false finish with Strong all the way outside hugging his wife when he was told it wasn’t over. Roode knocks him off the apron and hits a Glorious DDT on the floor (with a sneer at Strong’s wife), followed by another inside to retain at 25:34.
Rating: B+. I’ve said this before and it’s still true: Roode doesn’t do anything flashy but he does everything so smoothly and simply that the style works. The leg work took away from Strong’s backbreakers and the Sick Kick, throwing off his entire offense. Couple that with a false finish and Roode being the kind of jerk that glares at a man’s wife before dumping him on his head and there’s very little to complain about here. It seems that Drew is waiting for the title and that sounds like a great main event in Brooklyn. Strong is similar to Ohno back in May: a one off challenger who will go back into the midcard after a nice rub in the title scene.
Strong hugs his wife to end the show.
Overall Rating: B. This was a lot of setting things up for later and that’s all fine considering we already have the Authors of Pain vs. Heavy Machinery next week. The main event was over half of the show and that meant it had the time that it deserved. That’s much better than the main shows where no matter what the main event is, it’s rarely going to get more than fifteen minutes. Good show here with a really solid main event.
Results
Sanity b. Kassius Ohno/Hideo Itami – Crossbody to Itami
Bobby Roode b. Roderick Strong – Glorious DDT
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:
NXT – June 28, 2017: One of the Hardest Things to do
NXT Date: June 28, 2017 Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness
It’s a new taping cycle here and that means a major change in the commentary team. This time around Mauro Ranallo has taken over the lead play by play role which should help for tonight’s main event. Tonight, Asuka defends her Women’s Title against Nikki Cross in a Last Woman Standing match. Let’s get to it.
The opening video looks at the Women’s Title match and how Cross is a different kind of challenger.
Opening sequence.
Nigel welcomes Mauro to the announcers’ team and we preview the title match.
Velveteen Dream vs. Hoho Lun
Lun kicks and strikes away to start, earning himself a boot to the face. Dream easily powers him up for a Jackhammer and the top rope elbow puts Lun away at 1:54.
Asuka was arriving earlier today when Cross jumped her car. Security made the save but Asuka got out for the staredown. Why the car didn’t keep going when Cross was no longer in front of it isn’t clear.
We look back a few weeks at Hideo Itami attacking Oney Lorcan until Kassius Ohno made the save.
The Authors of Pain and Heavy Machinery are in William Regal’s office where he makes a Tag Team Title match in two weeks.
Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan
Lorcan knocks him into the corner at the bell…..and Itami’s nose is bleeding so badly that the match is stopped at 1:19, about 60 seconds of which was Itami being checked.
We recap Roderick Strong vs. Bobby Roode with some clips from Strong’s bio videos from a few weeks back. Strong has a newborn son and wants the NXT Title to complete his family but Roode laughs off the idea of Strong moving up that fast because Strong isn’t on his level. Roode then went a step further by making a bit of a pass at Strong’s wife, officially sending Strong over the edge.
Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan
Itami has his nose taped up and kicks Lorcan in the jaw at the bell. A running knee to the back of the head knocks Lorcan even sillier and we take a break with Oney down on the floor. Back with Lorcan hitting his running European uppercuts and a Blockbuster gets two. The GTS is broken up and Itami snaps the throat across the top. Lorcan goes down holding his knee but the GTS finishes him off anyway at 6:45.
Rating: C. This was an entertaining fight with two of the stiffest workers in the promotion. I’m not sure if this was supposed to make Itami look like a face or a heel though as fighting through an injury is going to get you cheered but that GTS to an injured opponent was rather heelish. I’d assume the match would have gone the same way with or without the bloody nose though I’d assume the heel turn is still happening.
Post match Itami calls Ohno out….but here’s Sanity to go after both of them. Itami is thrown out side (where he lands on Lorcan) as Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain leave Ohno laying. Wolfe says we need to get rid of these false friendship and Eric Young knows how to do so.
Women’s Title: Asuka vs. Nikki Cross
Asuka is defending and this is Last Woman Standing. Nikki gets beaten up against the ropes and out to the floor but Asuka’s baseball slide gets caught in the ring skirt. She hammers on the champ and builds up a pile of chairs as we take a break. Back with Asuka not being able to suplex Nikki onto said pile but getting sent into the steps instead. Nikki goes into the steps again but Asuka sends her into them as well.
It’s trashcan time and that means an ECW chant. Asuka puts the can over Nikki’s head and kicks away, followed by a missile dropkick for good measure. They fight over a chair with Asuka being sent outside, only to have Nikki dive into a knee to the head. Another pile of chairs is stacked up in the ring and Nikki is slammed off the top onto the pile for a seven count.
We take another break and come back with Asuka kicking her in the chest, drawing laughter from Nikki. Cross grabs four straight fisherman’s neckbreakers (because she’s a bit crazy and actually acts like it for a change) but Asuka is up at nine. Nikki grabs the belt but gets it kicked back into her own face.
She’s up at eight and laughing even more before blocking a suplex to the floor. A powerbomb onto the pile of chairs on the floor gets nine on the champ. They stagger up the ramp with Asuka hitting the hip attack off the stage for nine. Nikki picks her up and hits a hanging swinging neckbreaker off the barricade for a sick thud. She’s up at nine again and Nikki is looking crazier than usual. A spinning backfist sends Nikki staggering into the back and it’s table time.
Nikki sets one up near the announcers’ table and grabs a ladder to make things worse. They both climb the ladder and Asuka superplexes her through the announcers’ table for a huge crash and the HOLY S*** chant. Nikki is DONE and Asuka beats the count at nine to retain at 26:00.
Rating: B+. It takes something special to know the ending to a match (if nothing else it’s hard to believe that anyone other than Ember Moon is taking the title) and still get completely sucked into it. These two beat the heck out of each other in one of the longest women’s matches in WWE history and it was all good stuff from start to finish. They kept building up to bigger and bigger spots until the last one finally put the psycho away. I had a blast with this one and it was a heck of a match. Check this out if you get the chance.
Medics come out to check on a smiling Nikki to end the show.
Overall Rating: B. The main event easily carries this as we wrap up the first ever week with women main eventing every WWE show. The rest of the show helped set up some stuff going forward and has me looking forward to the NXT Title match next week and the Tag Team Title match in two weeks. Add in Ember Moon likely getting ready to go after the title again and things are looking up for NXT again, especially when Strong is out of the way and you can have your pick of great challengers to go after Roode’s title.
Results
Velveteen Dream b. Hoho Lun – Top rope elbow
Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan went to a no contest when Itami was injured
Hideo Itami b. Oney Lorcan – GTS
Asuka b. Nikki Cross – Superplex through the announcers’ table
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:
NXT – June 21, 2017: That’s Very Clubber Lang of Him
NXT Date: June 27, 2017 Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida Commentators: Tom Phillips, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
It’s the last episode of a taping cycle and that means we have a major match to wrap things up as Aleister Black is facing Kassius Ohno in what could be one of the hardest hitting matches we’ve ever seen in NXT. If nothing else Black needs to get a win over a bigger name instead of just beating nobodies time after time. Let’s get to it.
Quick look at the main event.
Opening sequence.
Bobby Roode and Roderick Strong had a backstage altercation earlier today and we’ll see it later.
Ember Moon vs. Peyton Royce
I rather enjoy Royce and Billie Kay’s entrance but you can feel the pain coming from here. If nothing else I’m glad we get to hear Ember’s awesome theme again. Ember sends her cowering into the corner to start and hits a running forearm to really take over. An early Eclipse attempt is broken up but Peyton can’t hit a fisherman’s superplex (that’s a new one).
Instead she sends Ember shoulder first into the post and we take a break. Back with Peyton elbowing the bad shoulder like she should be doing. Ember fights up with the good arm but handsprings into a spinning kick to the face. A headscissors staggers Peyton but the threat of an Eclipse makes Billie pull her to the floor. Ember dives onto Kay to take her out and grabs a crucifix for two. Something like a Widow’s Peak (without grabbing the chin) gives Royce two of her own but Ember sends her face first into the buckle. The Eclipse (still looks great) is enough to put Peyton away at 9:01.
Rating: C+. Despite Ember being out for several weeks, the Eclipse still feels like one of the deadliest finishers in NXT. They set up a perfect story with Asuka being worried about that one move and seeing it come back felt like a big moment. Instead of possibly finishing Asuka, that feels like the be all and end all for her reign if Ember can hit it. That’s a great story and the roof is going to come off when she hits it on Asuka.
Hideo Itami comes up to Ohno to kind of apologize for his recent actions. Ohno understands and thinks they should be good to go, but Itami needs to stick on the good side.
Ealy Brothers vs. Sanity
Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe this time. Gabriel and Wolfe start things off with the twin being taken down for an elbow drop from Young. Sanity stays on him with alternating beatings, including Wolfe letting Gabriel get close to his brother and then drag him right back. That’s the kind of heel work I can always go for. A missed charge allows the hot tag off to Uriel, who cleans house for all of five seconds before getting caught in a belly to back suplex/middle rope neckbreaker combination for the pin at 3:21.
Rating: D+. Just a squash here and that’s something Sanity could use at this point. They don’t really have anything to do at this point so letting them squash a good looking team isn’t the worst idea in the world. That’s also a solid finisher which plays off of Young’s wheelbarrow neckbreaker. Nice little piece of business here.
We look back at the end of last week’s show with Asuka and Nikki Cross being left laying. Next week: Last Woman Standing.
Sonya Deville video.
Rachel Evers vs. Sonya Deville
Sonya wastes no time and clotheslines Rachel down for a knee to the back. Another knee to the ribs sets up some kicks in the corner, followed by a quick bodyscissors. The fans get behind Rachel and her right hands but Sonya takes off the glove and pounds away at the ribs. A Kimura makes Rachel tap at 2:42. Another total squash though couldn’t the finish have been something on the ribs, which were worked on all match?
Earlier today, Roode was in a photo shoot when Strong and his family showed up. Roode said Strong’s wife could be with a real man any time she liked and Strong snapped as you might expect. It’s quickly broken up with Roode saying Roderick can have a title shot anytime.
That anytime would be in two weeks on the 400th episode.
Aleister Black vs. Kassius Ohno
Feeling out process to start with Ohno getting a quick takedown for almost no effect. Black sits him on the top rope for about the same impact and it’s back to the technical work. Ohno gets two off a rollup but gets caught in a front facelock. A hammerlock keeps Kassius in trouble but a rope grab gives us a clean break.
The threat of Black Mass sends Ohno outside and it’s the moonsault into the meditation pose. Ohno tries to kick him from there so Black nips up with a knee to the face. Kassius knocks him hard to the floor and we take a break. Back with Ohno chopping away in the corner and dropping a backsplash for two. To really make this personal, Ohno sits down like Black, who doesn’t take kindly to the disrespect.
Ohno pounds away again and asks if Black is good or evil. That’s quite the perceptive question no? Somehow not crushed by the weight of that gut, Black pops up and slugs away, including a kick to the head for two. Another exchange of hard kicks gives Ohno two more as the BOTH THESE GUYS chant starts up. Since that worked so well, Black knees him in the head again for two more. A spinning bicycle kick (cool) gives Ohno two but a LOUD knee to Ohno’s jaw staggers him again. Not that it matters as Ohno loads up the roaring elbow but walks into Black Mass for the pin at 16:47.
Rating: B+. Most matches have a distinct style to them and this one would be “hit each other in the face over and over again”. I had a lot of fun watching this as they were beating the heck out of each other until one of them hit their big shot. It made both guys look especially tough, which is something we hadn’t quite seen out of Black yet with all the short matches he’s had so far.
Overall Rating: B. A return, two squashes, title matches announced for the next two weeks and one heck of a main event in the span of about 58 minutes. I’d certainly call that a success as it felt like an old version of NXT, which is one of the highest compliments I can give to a show. Really solid stuff here and hopefully they stick with this formula.
Results
Ember Moon b. Peyton Royce – Eclipse
Sanity b. Ealy Brothers – Belly to back suplex/neckbreaker combination to Uriel
Sonya Deville b. Rachel Evers – Kimura
Aleister Black b. Kassius Ohno – Black Mass
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:
NXT Date: June 14, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Tom Phillips, Percy Watson
It’s title week on NXT as Asuka is defending the Women’s Title against Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross in an elimination match. This still feels like a way to set up the returning Ember Moon as a title challenger, which should make for one heck of a challenge to the title. Other than that we’re likely to get some more development towards Bobby Roode vs. Roderick Strong. Let’s get to it.
We get a quick recap of the original triple threat in Chicago with Asuka retaining.
Opening sequence.
Drew McIntyre vs. Rob Ryzin
Drew throws him around to start and grabs a quick belly to belly. A superkick gives Ryzin a quick one count but a suplex toss cuts Rob off again. Drew unloads in the corner and shoves Ryzin from the top to the floor. Back in and the running boot to the face is good for the pin on Ryzin at 3:26.
Rating: C. This is the kind of match that makes McIntyre look like something special. He’s already bigger and stronger than most members of the roster and this kind of dominance really showcases his physical advantages. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t in the title picture by the end of the year, if not the end of the summer for that matter.
We look back at Ember Moon being medically cleared and scaring Peyton Royce and Billie Kay.
Moon vs. Royce next week.
Video on Aleister Black.
Authors of Pain vs. Dominguez/???
Non-title. Akum kicks Dominguez in the face as Paul Ellering has Rezar on the floor while writing something down. Something like a Death Valley Driver ends Dominguez at 55 seconds.
The jobbers take a Super Collider after the match. Ellering calls Heavy Machinery as foolish as they are large. They’ve been here for a year and have defeated every team thrown against them. It’s time to write the first chapter in their book of dominance and Heavy Machinery won’t even be a footnote. Heavy Machinery comes out for the showdown but the champs back off.
We look back at Roode and Strong’s showdown from last week.
Video on Sonya Deville.
Velveteen Dream vs. Raul Mendoza
Mendoza was in the Cruiserweight Classic. Dream shoulders him down to start but Mendoza nips up to offer a bit of a scare. An attempt to speed things up earns Mendoza a kick to the face and it’s time to make fun of Percy for not being able to tell that Dream’s tights are purple. Mendoza flips out of a suplex and kicks away, only to miss a charge in the corner. Something like a cartwheel Death Valley Driver sets up the top rope elbow to put Raul away at 3:40.
Rating: D+. That elbow drop still looks great. Dream might have a goofy gimmick but he has a good look and can fly through the air well enough that he looks impressive. I’m not sure how far this kind of a character can take him but he’s done well with it so far, albeit in a rather low dosage so far. Mendoza looked good too and will be fine with some more experience and exposure.
We look back at Kassius Ohno saving Oney Lorcan from Hideo Itami.
Ohno doesn’t like what he did last week but Itami needs to get over it. Next week, Ohno faces Aleister Black.
Video on Ember Moon.
Women’s Title: Asuka vs. Nikki Cross vs. Ruby Riot
Asuka is defending and this is under elimination rules. The champ is sent outside to start so Nikki dropkicks Riot down, only to have Asuka come back in with one of her own. Asuka gets knocked outside again, which doesn’t make the most sense considering she has to be eliminated either way. Ruby sends Asuka face first into the middle buckle for a running knee as we take an early break.
Back with Riot elbowing Asuka in the face but eating a hip attack for her efforts. Nikki comes back in and gets dropped as well, only to have Riot catch Asuka’s running kick (nice callback to Chicago). Cross pulls Asuka outside and pounds away until Ruby takes them both out with a dive. Asuka misses a missile dropkick and takes Nikki’s fisherman’s neckbreaker but wisely rolls outside. Ruby tries a save but gets caught in a hanging neckbreaker for the elimination at 10:05.
Back from another break with Cross firing off the forearms until Asuka hits a spinning backfist. Cross gets smart by going to the eyes but can’t hit a neckbreaker out of the corner. Instead they fight to the floor with Nikki still in control as Asuka is in over her head for a change. They fight to the back….and that means a no contest at 15:04.
Rating: B-. It was going really well until that pretty dumb finish. If anything goes, why in the world is it a be a no contest when they fight outside even more? This felt like a cheap way out to protect both of them, which makes me wonder why they made it an elimination match in the first place. I’m assuming we’ll have Ember vs. Nikki for the next shot so maybe this was just a way to extend the story.
The announcers talk for a bit until we cut to the back where the fight continues. Asuka gets sent into a wall but drives Cross’ head into the wall to get us back to even. They head over to a cooler full of ice and water with Asuka’s head being soaked. Back to the arena with the fight heading to the announcers’ desk and then the tech area. Cross keeps getting the better of it but Asuka forearms her a few times. A crossbody takes Asuka off a barricade and through a table for the big crash. Both women are down to end the show.
Overall Rating: C. This was something closer to a placeholder show with a big main event. One of the better things about NXT though is they’re capable of having an interesting show without their bigger stars around. It might not have been a classic or anything but it was more than capable of holding the fort until we get back to the top stories. In other words, it pays to develop more than two or three acts on a huge roster.
Results
Drew McIntyre b. Rob Ryzin – Running boot to the face
Authors of Pain b. Dominguez/??? – Death Valley Driver to Dominguez
Velveteen Dream b. Raul Mendoza – Top rope elbow
Asuka vs. Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross went to a no contest when Cross and Asuka fought backstage
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:
NXT Date: June 7, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Percy Watson, Tom Phillips, Nigel McGuinness
Tonight is, in theory at least, all about Bobby Roode, who promised to show up for a Championship Celebration. Then again he said the same thing last week and had more important things to do. Teasing the crowd like that is far more effective of a heel tactic than a lot of them you’ll see so it’s not the worst idea. Let’s get to it.
We open with a quick video for tonight’s two big matches.
Opening sequence.
Heavy Machinery vs. Victor Andrews/Lars Sullivan
We actually get an inset promo from the jobbers with Victor being worried about his partner but Lars saying he’s got this. The huge Lars shoves Tucker into the corner to start and the shoulder blocks go nowhere. Knight actually gets taken down so it’s off to the much smaller Andrews, who is quickly bearhugged. Tucker throws Andrews into another bearhug and a belly to belly. The double standing splash crushes Andrews again and the double fall away slam (the Compactor) is good for the pin at 3:54.
Rating: D+. Just a squash and there’s nothing wrong with that. Sullivan continues to look great and is likely ready to be pushed at almost any time. I’m almost sure Heavy Machinery will be facing the Authors of Pain next in what could actually be an entertaining power feud. I don’t think they’d change the titles but it could be a lot of fun.
Heavy Machinery leaves so Sullivan annihilates Andrews, including an over the shoulder backbreaker. Fans to Sullivan: “SAY YOU’RE SORRY!”
We look back at No Way Jose returning to save Roderick Strong and Kassius Ohno from Sanity.
After the match, Killian Dain said no one was safe.
Here’s Roderick Strong for a chat. Over the last year or so, he’s been on quite the roller coaster (Was it the one at Wrestlemania?). Now he has a fiance and a beautiful baby boy. Now all he needs is the NXT Title. It’s no longer Roddy vs. the World because it’s his family vs. the World. This brings out Bobby Roode to talk about what an emotional story that was. Strong has a lot going for him right now with a hot fiance and a mostly normal boy.
Now Strong thinks he needs to move into the big house on the hill but it takes more than just asking for a title shot. Strong needs to stay in his lane and maybe one day they can take a picture together that he can show his kid. As for the title though, Strong just isn’t man enough to win it. This was the first step on what feels like a long road to a match and that’s fine.
Nikki Cross wants Asuka next week and gets her next week in a triple threat elimination match, also involving Ruby Riot.
Video on the Authors of Pain.
Sarah Logan vs. Peyton Royce
Logan is also known as Sarah Bridges but more famous as Crazy Mary Dobson. Sarah takes her down by the arm to start but Billie Kay’s cheering gets Peyton out of trouble. A good looking spinning kick drops Logan and it’s off to a chinlock. Logan fights up and hits a hard headbutt but gets kicked again, setting up a fisherman’s suplex to give Royce the pin at 3:44.
Rating: D+. Just a quick squash here as they continue to not have much for Dobson to do. Granted the same could be said for Royce and Kaye, who have been the same characters in the same place for a long time now. Granted they’re still good in those roles so it’s hard to complain about something that’s working.
After losing to Cesar Bonani last week, Andrade Cien Almas went out on the town again. An NXT reporter asked him about the loss so one of his lady friends slapped him in the face.
Oney Lorcan vs. Hideo Itami
Hideo takes him up to the ropes and slaps Oney in the face to start before a kick to the chest gets two. Lorcan gets the same off his running Blockbuster, only to charge into a kick to the head. It’s too early for the GTS as Lorcan slips out slaps the heck out of Itami over and over. They’re so bad that Itami stumbles to the floor, allowing Oney to hit a flip dive off the top. Back in and Itami begs off but uses the distraction to kick Lorcan in the knee. More kicks set up three straight GTS’s for no cover. Instead Kassius Ohno comes out to shove Itami down and it’s a no contest at 6:40.
Rating: C+. A lot of that is due to Lorcan’s slaps, which really did sound great. Lorcan is a heck of a tough jobber and can get a quick win if he’s given the chance. I’m already liking Itami’s heel character a lot more than his face stuff as the rapid fire kicks are a good way to cut someone down. Maybe this was what he was needing the whole time, as it’s not like anything else was working.
Video on Drew McIntyre.
Ember Moon wants the winner of next week’s triple threat.
No Way Jose vs. Killian Dain
The dancing doesn’t get Jose very far to start but a top rope ax handle and big boot send Dain outside. Back from a break with Dain planting him with a slam to slow things down. We hit the neck crank for a bit before a Wasteland and backsplash crush Jose all over again. Jose fights back with some chops but makes the mistake of trying a fireman’s carry. Dain misses a corner splash and eats a clothesline, followed by an impressive looking TKO. That’s about it for the offense though as Dain comes back with a running dropkick to knock Jose into the corner, followed by the Ulster Plantation for the pin at 10:33.
Rating: C+. I know he’s lost a lot of his fire but I still like Jose every time I see him. If you can get him away from the dead end dancing gimmick, he might be able to actually mean something one day. As he is he’s the perfect choice for a house show opener but I’d like to see him do something else. Dain is a great monster and should be able to be a big deal when he’s given the chance.
Overall Rating: B-. This was the NXT that I know and love. They had a bunch of things they needed to get done and as a result, a lot of stories were advanced. This show advanced several stories and had me wanting to see more from some of them. On top of that they hyped up next week’s title match to keep us coming back for more. Good show here and it’s nice to be able to say that about NXT more often.
Results
Heavy Machinery b. Victor Andrews/Lars Sullivan – Compactor to Andrews
Peyton Royce b. Sarah Logan – Fisherman’s suplex
Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan went to a no contest when Kassius Ohno interfered
Killian Dain b. No Way Jose – Ulster Plantation
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:
NXT – May 31, 2017: Are They Always This Annoying?
NXT Date: May 31, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness, Tom Phillips
We’re back in Orlando for the first in a series of shows that isn’t likely to build towards a Takeover. After last week’s stand alone show from Chicago, tonight we’re scheduled to see the Glorious Celebration from NXT Champion Bobby Roode, which will likely see a new challenger arise. Let’s get to it.
Opening sequence.
Here’s Tommaso Ciampa on crutches to a mixed reaction. He’d like Johnny Gargano to come out here right now but it turns out that Gargano isn’t here tonight. Tommaso asks if people would like to see Johnny replaced because he’s been thinking about that idea a lot lately. Two days before Takeover: Chicago, he sustained an injury that was going to keep him out.
There was never any doubt that Ciampa was going to wrestle but in less than one day, fans were talking about dream partners for Gargano. It made Ciampa feel like an afterthought and that’s not what he is. They fought together and lost, but during the match Ciampa felt something in his knee pop. He’s been doing this for twelve years and knew that it was an injury instead of just being hurt.
Despite that though, he knew they had to keep fighting for the people. After the loss though, he knew that Gargano wanted to replace him just like the people did. The fans chant afterthought so Ciampa rips into the fans for ruining DIY. If Ciampa had to go away, Johnny Wrestling was going with him. Ciampa is going away for now but he’s coming back more dangerous than he’s ever been because he is professional wrestling. Really good promo here as Ciampa explained everything, even though he’s likely out until next year with that knee injury.
Video on Danny Burch.
Bobby Roode says he won’t be here tonight but promises to make his presence felt next week.
Danny Burch vs. Pete Dunne
Non-title. Dunne works on the arm to start but gets tripped down into a leglock. The fans are behind Dunne again because heels don’t really exist in wrestling today. Burch snaps Dunne’s fingers but can’t get the Crossface. Instead Dunne slaps him in the face as we take a break. Back with Burch hitting a middle rope dropkick and one heck of a right hand gets two.
Burch headbutts him for two (SWEET! Dang this crowd is annoying me tonight.) but gets caught in the X Plex for two. It’s too early for the Bitter End so Burch blasts him with a clothesline. Both guys are down though and Dunne bails to the apron for a breather. Burch’s hanging DDT gets two but he gets German suplexed into the corner. The Bitter End finishes Burch at 10:48.
Rating: B-. These British guys know how to have some great matches and this was another entertaining one. Burch looks like a grizzled veteran and a win over him, even though he loses quite a bit, feels somewhat important. Dunne getting TV time is a good thing right now as the win over Bate made him look like an even bigger star than he already did. Let him do stuff like this, if not winning a little more easily, and he’ll feel bigger still.
Dunne brags about his win and says he’s happy to not have to watch someone carry around his title any longer.
Velveteen Dream says the ambiance isn’t right for an interview.
Video on the Authors of Pain.
Andrade Cien Almas vs. Cesar Bononi
Bononi is the huge guy who we saw a few weeks back. A dropkick sets up the early double knees in the corner as Cesar is rocked to start. Bononi gets in a few knees but something like an Eye of the Hurricane drops him again. One heck of a sliding kick to the face sets up the running slap in the corner but a suplex is countered into a small package to give Bononi the pin at 3:04.
Rating: D+. This is more about Almas losing but someone who looks like Bononi is going to get attention and a chance just because of his size. Hopefully we see a bit more of him in the future as he could have some potential. I’m still not sure where they’re going with Almas but Regal yelling at him again should be entertaining.
Almas seems to laugh it off.
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are at the Performance Center and looking for something iconic when they run into Ember Moon. As they insult her, a trainer comes up with her medical release.
Asuka will defend the Women’s Title against Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot in an elimination match in two weeks.
After losing to Roode, Hideo Itami snapped and wouldn’t listen to Kassius Ohno. This felt heel turnish.
Earlier today, Itami and Ohno shook hands in the parking lot.
Sanity vs. Kassius Ohno/Roderick Strong
It’s Young and Wolfe for Sanity here. Strong slugs away at Young to start and gets two off a half nelson backbreaker. Wolfe comes in and takes a running splash in the corner from Ohno. The first pump kick sends Wolfe into the apron and it’s back to Young, who eats a kick as well.
Killian Dain trips Ohno up to take over though and the slow beating takes us to a break. Back with Ohno fighting out of Young’s chinlock but getting taken down into another one from Wolfe. A kick to the face gives Wolfe two as the fans are split on if they want Roddy. Half of the crowd is disappointed then as he comes in off a hot tag and house is quickly cleaned.
An Angle Slam and faceplant get two on Wolfe but Young makes the save. The double teaming begins with Dain getting on the apron, only to have No Way Jose make his return for the save. Ohno forearms Wolfe down and the suplex backbreaker (End of Heartache) finishes Young at 13:42.
Rating: C. This should be the beginning of the end for Sanity, which didn’t have that far to fall down in the first place. They could split up and be just fine on their own with Dain seemingly ready to break out as a major heel force. Speaking of breaking out, Strong is clearly the next challenger to Roode right? There’s really no other option at the moment and there doesn’t need to be.
Overall Rating: C+. I don’t know if they’re like this every week but the crowd was more annoying than I can ever remember here. They were cheering the heels, mostly booing the faces and doing that WAY too annoying “SWEET” after every near fall. It’s one joke and much like TEN or WHAT it’s going to get old in a hurry, meaning it’s destined to go on for years.
As for the show itself, they advanced a few things and gave you reason to come back later on. The wrestling was good enough but Roode looking like a jerk who doesn’t have time to show up and address the fans is a solid heel idea. Then again the fans are going to sing every word of his song so it’s not like anything he does matters.
Results
Pete Dunne b. Danny Burch – Bitter End
Cesar Bononi b. Andrade Cien Almas – Small package
Roderick Strong/Kassius Ohno b. Sanity – End of Heartache to Young
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:
NXT Date: May 24, 2017
Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness, Tom Phillips
This is one of those cool down shows that was taped before Takeover started off. In other words we’re in for a night of quick matches with a bunch of interviews and recaps being used to fill in the gaps. Odds are we’re not going to find out any storyline development tonight but slowing things down a bit isn’t always a bad thing. Let’s get to it.
As expected, we open with a long recap of Saturday’s show. This makes the ending of the Women’s Title match look a lot better.
Opening sequence.
Aleister Black vs. Curt Hawkins
This is actually fallout from an episode of Main Event where Black beat Hawkins without much effort. Black starts fast with his backflip into the seated position and grabs a rollup for two. A hard shot to the face staggers Hawkins and Black picks him up with a boot underneath the jaw. Hawkins bails to the floor but the chase goes badly as Black Mass ends Curt at 2:50.
Video on Saturday’s ladder match with the Authors of Pain retaining and Tommaso Ciampa turning on Johnny Gargano to end the show.
Ember Moon talks about how her career got a boost here in Chicago but it sucks sitting here watching all the action.
Video on the Women’s Title match, this time with narration.
Video on Roderick Strong vs. Eric Young.
Velveteen Dream vs. Robert Anthony
The Dream is the former Patrick Clark (with the music spelling out C-L-A-R-K in the background) in something like an Exotic Adrian Street gimmick. A dropkick drops Anthony early on and we get some shouting in the corner. Dream goes up top for a spinning chop to the head as the LET’S GO JOBBER chants start up. A Rude Awakening sets up a very high top rope elbow to put Anthony away at 2:27. Dream looked good, albeit in a small dose.
Video on the UK Title match.
Dunne says bring on all comers because he’ll do the same to them.
Video on Roode vs. Itami with Roode retaining his title.
Roode isn’t surprise he retained and he’ll decided who and when he fights again.
Roode will have a Glorious Celebration next week.
Wesley Blake vs. Drew McIntyre
This was set up backstage last week. McIntyre runs him over to start and tells Blake to bring it. Blake talks some trash and gets kicked in the face, followed by an overhead belly to belly to send Blake flying. Drew’s throat is snapped across the top rope and we take a break. Back with Blake working on the arm with a Kimura and a cross armbreaker.
Drew fights right back with a clothesline and a sitout powerbomb for two. Blake sends him shoulder first into the post and grabs a quickly broken Crossface. Another comeback is countered with a Codebreaker onto the arm, only to have Drew toss him off the top. One heck of a headbutt sets up the running boot to the face to end Blake at 11:20.
Rating: C-. The announcers treat this like a big deal because Blake is a former NXT Tag Team Champion. Well yeah, and Drew is a former Intercontinental Champion. I really don’t think it’s all that impressive of a win. At least Drew is being featured now and I could easily see him challenging for the title in Brooklyn after Roode faces someone else (Roderick Strong being a likely option).
Overall Rating: D+. This was your usual post-Takeover show, meaning almost nothing happens and it’s mainly a chance to catch your breath. It’s nothing you need to see but if you don’t have time to watch the full thing, this is as good an option as you have. Oh and they managed to advertise something for next week because they’re just that good at their jobs.
Results
Aleister Black b. Curt Hawkins – Black Mass
Velveteen Dream b. Robert Anthony – Top rope elbow
Drew McIntyre b. Wesley Blake – Running boot to the face
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:
NXT Takeover – Chicago: It Worked Before And It Works Again
Takeover: Chicago Date: May 20, 2017
Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Tom Phillips, Percy Watson
How did we not get here before? If there’s one town that seems perfect for one of these things, it’s Chicago. We have a five match card here and thanks to the addition of the United Kingdom Title match, four of those matches are for titles. The card might be a bit predictable as is usually the case with Takeover but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. Let’s get to it.
The opening video focuses on underdogs winning here in Chicago, including a shot of Wrigley Field. As a Cleveland Indians fan, SCREW OFF! The Cubs were the favorites coming into the World Series and it was really tiresome listening to people treat the Indians like they were some kind of nuisance that had to be dealt with so EVERYONE’S favorite team could win the World Series.
Roderick Strong vs. Eric Young
Strong comes through the crowd to lay out Sanity and Young is scared about having to be on his own. The fans are behind Roddy as you can tell it’s a hot crowd tonight. Young gets beaten around ringside before grabbing a neckbreaker back inside. Strong makes his comeback but goes after Wolfe and Dain, the latter of whom hits a crossbody on the floor to take over.
The slow beating continues inside with Young working on the neck to set up that wheelbarrow neckbreaker. Strong dropkicks him out of the air though and there’s the first backbreaker. A belly to back faceplant sends Young bailing to the floor but he gets in the wheelbarrow neckbreaker to take over again. It takes too long to throw him back inside though and Strong is out at two.
The top rope elbow looks to set up another wheelbarrow neckbreaker but Strong is ready for it this time. Another shot knocks Dain off the apron but Young breaks up the Angle Slam. The fans stay behind Roddy as he catches Eric on top and knees him in the jaw, knocking him down onto Sanity. Back in and a suplex into a backbreaker gives Strong the pin at 13:38.
Rating: B+. And that’s how you make a star. Tye Dillinger spent months trying to do what Strong just did in one match and it made Strong look like the hottest thing in the company. If nothing else I’m glad he’s going with something other than a running boot to the face, which is the same thing Drew McIntyre and Hideo Itami use, at least on occasion. Really good match here too with Strong never being far enough gone that you couldn’t believe he could make a comeback.
We recap the UK Title match, which I believe is the same recap that opened the UK Championship Special from earlier this week. Tyler Bate defeated Pete Dunne to win the inaugural title back in January but Dunne is back and more serious.
Jim Ross comes out for commentary on the next match.
United Kingdom Title: Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate
Bate is defending and has a mustache and beard, making him look like he’s a fourteen year old trying to buy beer. The fans are behind Dunne (the Bruiserweight) but Tyler does have some fans. At least they’re not cheering for CM Punk. Dunne works on his arm and cranks away a bit but can’t stomp Bate’s hand into the steps.
Instead Bate pulls away and pops him in the jaw (I believe that one was Bop), only to have Dunne hit an X Plex (release suplex) onto the apron. Back in and it’s time for more working on the finger but Bate shrugs off some kicks to the face. Bate grabs a suplex and flips out of another X Plex. A standing shooting star shows off some of Tyler’s athleticism but he gets caught in a triangle choke.
Now it’s time to show off the strength with Bate powerbombing his way to freedom. A very long and very fast airplane spin gives Bate two more and both guys are down. Dunne flips out of a German suplex and blasts him with a forearm, followed by an X Plex into a sitout powerbomb for a very near fall, drawing a standing ovation. They slug it out again with neither getting an advantage until Tyler rolls into a kick to the head.
Dunne gets out of the Tyler Driver but the Bitter End is countered into a DDT in an awesome counter. They’re somehow not done yet as Tyler goes up for freaking SPIRAL TAP and another near fall. Bate misses a big dive over the top and knocks himself silly though, setting up the Bitter End for the pin and the title at 15:29.
Rating: A. And that’s going on the Match of the Year list. That’s certainly the logical ending but I completely forgot about the story and was just watching them beat the heck out of each other and trading one major spot after another. Absolutely outstanding match and if Bate isn’t a major star one day, WWE is more inept than I was expecting them to be. Check this out if you have the chance.
We recap the Women’s Title match. There was a battle royal for the #1 contendership but Asuka interfered, making the classic mistake of thinking that she wouldn’t have any challengers. As is always the case, the boss made it a four way, though Ember Moon was injured and had to pull out.
Women’s Title: Asuka vs. Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross
Asuka is defending and undefeated. Nikki throws her jacket at Riot to start but a hip attack puts her on the floor. We get Ruby vs. Asuka with the fans being split again. Ruby sends her outside and loads up a dive, only to have Nikki come back in to break it up. Asuka comes back in with a missile dropkick to Nikki while landing on Ruby in a top rope splash. It lands on the knees but it’s still a cool looking spot.
With Nikki down on the floor, Asuka grabs a powerbomb on Ruby but Nikki makes the save. All three wind up inside again with Ruby mostly missing a hurricanrana on the champ. Asuka and Nikki head and Ruby dives on the champ, followed by a top rope backsplash for two on Cross. Nikki gets superkicked into a German suplex from Asuka but the champ catches Ruby’s dive in the Asuka Lock.
A reverse DDT onto the apron knocks Riot silly and Asuka’s baseball slide gets her caught in the ring skirt for a beating. All three are down for a bit until Asuka gets sent outside again, leaving Riot to kick Cross in the head. Asuka dives back in and runs the rope before making the save, forcing Riot off the cover so she doesn’t get the pin. The knee to the head knocks Riot silly and Asuka pins them both at 12:22.
Rating: C+. They were trying here but there were some noticeable botches, including the ending. I think the idea was for Cross to kick out and knock Riot into the shot to the head but that’s really not how it looked. It’s still good, but I don’t think there’s any secret to the fact that Moon is the real challenger and this was just a stop on the way there.
The Velveteen Dream arrives this Wednesday.
We recap Hideo Itami vs. Bobby Roode, which actually isn’t closing the idea. Itami is finally back and healthy and Roode needs an opponent. They’ve been going after each other for weeks with Itami knocking him out via GTS twice now.
NXT Title: Hideo Itami vs. Bobby Roode
Itami is challenging. A computer generated piano appears on stage and plays the start of Roode’s entrance before the real things takes over. Feeling out process to start with Itami taking him down into a headlock. Roode pulls him off the ropes though and grabs a Blockbuster for two.
We’re already in the chinlock as Roode is keeping things simple to continue his custom. Itami fights up and hits a running boot to the face, followed by some running clotheslines. A top rope clothesline really picks things up and Roode’s missed charge sends him shoulder first into the post. Roode escapes a weak Fujiwara armbar but gets caught in a Falcon Arrow for two.
Another shot to the arm looks to set up the GTS but Roode slips away and snaps Itami’s throat across the top rope. They head outside with the shoulder going into the steps but Itami’s dropkick only hits the steps, leaving both guys down. Back in and Itami has a bad knee but still manages a running dropkick in the corner.
The GTS doesn’t work though and it’s a Glorious DDT for a close two. Itami pops up for a GTS but it knocks Roode to the floor and only gets two. Itami punches him in the face over and over but another GTS is countered into back to back Glorious DDTs to retain Roode’s title at 17:49.
Rating: B+. I love the fact that Roode keeps winning these matches pretty clean. It’s similar to Ric Flair as he takes a heck of a beating but then survives long enough until he can capitalize on a mistake. The matches continue to surprise and this was no exception, even though Itami felt like a one off challenger more than anything else. I’d assume Strong is next and that’s a very good thing.
Kevin Owens, Milwaukee Brewer Eric Thames, Sami Zayn, Pat Patterson and Kassius Ohno are here.
We recap DIY vs. the Authors of Pain. DIY finally beat the Revival but the Authors took them apart in their first shot at the titles. They haven’t gotten a rematch yet though and tonight it’s in a ladder match. The other issue is Tommaso Ciampa’s knee/ankle, which he injured at a house show two days ago. Word is he’s good to go but it should be interesting to see how he’s doing.
Tag Team Titles: Authors of Pain vs. DIY
DIY is challenging and it’s a ladder match. The fight is on in a hurry with the Authors being knocked outside. It’s too early for a ladder though and Akum is sent face first into the steps. DIY brings in a huge ladder to set up at ringside but have to dive underneath it to take the champs down.
For some reason they both climb the ladder, allowing Akum to make a pretty easy save. Razar does the slowest climb in history and DIY quickly breaks it up. The Super Collider doesn’t work but DIY gets dropped onto the ropes. Ciampa is holding his knee but seems to be good to continue. The Authors are smart enough to drop down and crush DIY with the ladder again.
Now it’s time for the big ladder and of course the fans (who have been good tonight) want tables. Two ladders are bridged from the apron to the barricade with a standing ladder between them but double powerbombs are broken up. Strikes to the head put the Authors on the ladders……and DIY climbs the big one. Stereo splashes crush the champs, with Gargano nearly overshooting his target.
Back in and all four go up two ladders with only Gargano being left, only to have Paul Ellering come in for the save. Gargano superkicks him down but the Authors get back up and massacre Ciampa in retaliation. Ellering gives the sign to end things and Gargano shoves Ciampa out of the way to take one heck of a ladder shot to the face. The champs both climb again and it’s Ciampa with a superplex THROUGH A LADDER (as in breaking it, not bending it) to put both guys down.
Akum knocks Gargano away before moving the ladder, which gets caught around his neck. That means Meet in the Middle to knock him silly and all four are down. DIY goes up at the same time but the Authors kick the ladder away and pull them down for the Super Collider. That’s enough to retain the titles at 20:11.
Rating: B+. That was very good stuff and they’ve made the Authors feel invincible but NXT is running the risk of ticking the crowd off by pushing the Authors so strong. You could hear the crowd turn on things both here and in Orlando when they retained as the fans want to see DIY with the titles but it really didn’t last very long. Still though, very good main event and the right choice to close the show.
Post match DIY gets the big heroes’ ovation….until Ciampa turns on Gargano and lays him out with a running knee to the face. White Noise off the announcers’ table and through a bunch of tables ends the show. That’s the right call as it’s not like they have anything else to do, especially since they’re clearly not getting the titles back.
Overall Rating: A-. Yeah this worked, even though it didn’t feel like a major show. I’m hoping we wait a few months to have another one as they don’t need to be monthly. Either way, at least we had an outstanding show here with the ending being the right idea. It says a lot when you can get a Chicago crowd to turn on you like Ciampa did at the end there. They put on a great show with the worst match being more than acceptable, which is how it was during the best days of NXT.
Results
Roderick Strong b. Eric Young – Suplex backbreaker
Pete Dunne b. Tyler Bate – Bitter End
Asuka b. Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot – Running knee to Riot
Bobby Roode b. Hideo Itami – Glorious DDT
Authors of Pain b. DIY – The Authors pulled down the titles
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