NXT UK – April 10, 2019: The NXT Way

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: April 10, 2019
Location: Coventry Skydome Arena, Coventry, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s the final show from the taping cycle and while the United Kingdom Title changed hands about six weeks after this was filmed, I’m sure something will be mentioned in an inserted video. As for tonight though, we have the Women’s Title to worry about as Toni Storm is defending against Jinny. They have quite the rivalry in Progress so this should be good. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Storm vs. Jinny. Storm won the title earlier in the year and Jinny is tired of it always being Toni Time. We get some clips of their Progress matches, with Toni saying that Jinny doesn’t like being made to work for something and tonight she has to fight.

Opening sequence.

Travis Banks vs. Kassius Ohno

Feeling out process to start with Ohno taking over off a wristlock but getting reversed into a headlock. Banks tries a shoulder but Ohno doesn’t go very far. He turns his head to look at Banks and says “Oh I didn’t see you! I didn’t feel you either.” Ohno loads up a shoulder of his own but stomps on Banks’ foot instead. Banks goes with the kicks to the chest instead and one to the back puts Ohno on the floor.

The dive is countered though and Ohno kicks him in the face. Banks is fine enough to hit a running kick to the chest from the apron, only to be sent into the steps for his efforts. Back in and a running legdrop gives Ohno two but he misses a backsplash. The kicks to the chest (they like kicking in this one) keep Ohno in trouble until a knee to Banks’ injured shoulder has him writhing on the mat.

Ohno walks around for a bit until they trade more kicks. The pump kick gives Ohno two so it’s time to pull on the arm a little bit. A reversed whip sends Ohno to the apron and a dropkick puts him on the floor. Now the suicide dive connects, allowing Banks to hit a running knee to the face.

Back in and Banks gets caught in an electric chair, which is countered into a victory roll for two. A quick Kiwi Crusher gets two more but Ohno throws him onto his shoulders again for a Rubik’s Cube (One Winged Angel) for two which should have been three. Ohno is so surprised that he gets rolled up twice in a row, followed by a third attempt for the pin at 14:47.

Rating: B. Questionable use of such a major move that didn’t end the match aside, this was a smart way to use Ohno. He’s so much bigger than Banks (or just about anyone else on the roster) and it’s a good idea to have him wrestle this kind of an aggressive style. Banks looks like he can beat a monster, which is a good way to get him back on the right track.

We look back at Piper Niven debuting last week and scaring off Rhea Ripley.

Long video on Pete Dunne vs. Walter.

Jordan Devlin is sick of hearing about Dunne’s rematch because he’d rather hear about his own title shot.

Piper Niven vs. Killer Kelly

Piper stalks her a bit and we get an early handshake. Kelly goes a little more aggressive than I would have expected and tries a cravate, earning herself a slam and backsplash. A regular splash gets two and we hit the chinlock. Back up and Kelly slips off Piper’s shoulder and grabs a sleeper, which is reversed with a crash into the corner. A Cannonball into a Michinoku Driver gives Piper the pin at 3:35.

Rating: D+. Not quite a squash but Kelly never felt like any kind of a threat. That’s the right way to present someone like Piper, who shouldn’t be in any kind of trouble until she’s in there with Ripley. Yeah she’s big, but she moves around very well and came off as very athletic, which is a great combination.

Post match Rhea tries to sneak in but gets stared back up the aisle.

Moustache Mountain is ready to come to New York to face Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews.

The Grizzled Young Veterans aren’t happy with having to go to New York because Gibson doesn’t want to miss Liverpool games. There’s going to be a non-title challenge to any team from the NXT UK roster.

Joseph Conners vs. Jack Starz

Starz spins out of a wristlock to start and puts Conners down into a wristlock. Conners’ British Bulldog lift out of a short armscissors is countered into a sunset flip to give Starz two. With early frustration setting in, Conners hits a top rope shoulder and it’s off to a neck crank. Some elbow drops have Starz in more trouble and Conners wants the referee to check on him. The referee thinks Starz is fine so Conners hits a hard clothesline but Starz slips between his legs. A running corner dropkick sets up a high crossbody, which Conners rolls through into Don’t Look Down for the pin at 4:46.

Rating: C-. Remember all the other times I’ve criticized Conners’ matches in the same way? It’s the exact same thing here. Don’t Look Down is a good name for a finisher and it’s not a bad move….but it’s Joseph Conners doing the thing. I’d like to care about him, but he is just so uninteresting and dull that there’s nothing he can do to fix his problems.

Video on Dave Mastiff, who is back soon.

Women’s Title: Toni Storm vs. Jinny

Jinny is challenging. They go right at it to start with Toni getting the better of it and grabbing a half crab. The fans don’t make it any better by calling Jinny a Primark Princess, though Toni switching to an STF might be more painful (emphasis on might). After using the rope for a break, it’s off to a camel clutch to put Toni in trouble for a change. Storm reverses into a surfboard on the mat but Jinny is right back in the ropes for the break.

A Downward Spiral into the middle buckle knocks Toni silly and it’s time to start in on the back. Jinny hits a backbreaker and grabs a chinlock with a knee in the back. Now it’s a regular chinlock as Jinny is looking rather strong so far. Toni fights up with some rolling German suplexes but another shot to the back cuts her off. Jinny’s version of Storm Zero is countered with a headbutt and Jinny is rocked. She’s fine enough to try a hurricanrana, which is reversed into a powerbomb. Storm Zero retains the title at 10:34.

Rating: B-. Jinny was treated as an equal here and a real threat to the title, which is the best thing that can happen to the division at the moment. Storm and Ripley have been on top for so long that they need someone fresh in the ranks. It doesn’t have to be someone to win the title, but there needs to be someone who makes Toni sweat, which is what we had here.

Overall Rating: B+. That’s one of the better shows they’ve had and they’re wisely taking a path that NXT took: what you see right now on this show, no matter what it might be, is the most important thing. They treated the Women’s Title match like a big deal, just as they did Trent Seven vs. Joe Coffey before. It makes everything on the show feel important, which gives you a reason to want to watch. Some things are of course more important than others, but you wouldn’t know that from commentary and that’s the right way to go about things.

Results

Travis Banks b. Kassius Ohno – Rollup

Piper Niven b. Killer Kelly – Michinoku Driver

Joseph Conners b. Jack Starz – Don’t Look Down

Toni Storm b. Jinny – Storm Zero

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

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

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NXT – April 10, 2019: I Think We All Needed A Break

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: April 10, 2019
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for the fallout show from Friday with a show taped prior to the show we’re recapping. Tonight we’re looking at a bunch of clips from Takeover: new York plus a trio of matches that took place before the show went on the air. These shows are usually very light and there’s no reason to believe that this should be any different. Let’s get to it.

Here are Friday’s results if you need a recap.

A long recap package of Takeover opens things up.

Opening sequence, now with a new theme song.

Aliyah vs. Candice LeRae

Vanessa Borne is in Aliyah’s corner. Aliyah takes her to the mat and gets in some forearms to the back but Candice is right back up with an armdrag. A knee in the corner slows Candice down and Aliyah demands that New York cheers for her. Vanessa offers a distraction and Aliyah gets in a kick to the face to take over. The chinlock doesn’t work for Aliyah as Candice takes her down and hits a step up backsplash. A neckbreaker into a Lionsault (with Candice possibly tweaking her knee) finishes Aliyah at 4:12.

Rating: D+. Standard Welcome To The Show match to kick off the evening and that’s fine. It was just an exchange of moves with Candice overcoming the odds and winning without breaking much of a sweat. That’s fine for this match though as Candice is such a likable person and character that it’s easy to see why she’s in a spot like this.

We look at Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle with Dream retaining the title in a bit of an upset.

Dream talks about his win as Buddy Murphy walks by. Dream says that’s someone who couldn’t handle the spotlight at Wrestlemania. Murphy doesn’t like that so Dream asks where his title is.

Video on the War Raiders retaining the Tag Team Titles against Ricochet and Aleister Black in what was likely Ricochet and Black’s NXT farewell.

We look at Kushida signing with NXT.

Jaxson Ryker vs. Danny Burch

Steve Cutler, Wesley Blake and Oney Lorcan are at ringside. Burch takes him straight down for two and hammers away in the corner with right hands and clotheslines. Ryker pulls him off the middle rope and blasts Burch in the face with an elbow. A middle rope headbutt gets two but Burch is right back with a forearm. The other Sons offer a distraction so Lorcan takes care of them, leaving Burch to walk into the Widowmaker to give Ryker the pin at 3:10.

Rating: C-. They packed quite a bit in there and Ryker’s intensity is really starting to shine through. Having the Sons as a trio of wrestlers instead of a team with Ryker as a manager has some potential and with Ryker working as the monster, they could go somewhere. Lorcan and Burch are going to be fine no matter what they do because they’re good enough in the ring.

We look at the four way Women’s Title match at Takeover with Shayna Baszler retaining.

Baszler says she’s running out of competition and she’s keeping the title forever.

We look at Pete Dunne FINALLY losing the United Kingdom Title to Walter.

Pete says there will be a rematch.

We look back at Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole in a 2/3 falls match with Johnny overcoming the odds and becoming the NXT Champion after chasing the title for over a year. It’s still a very good match but they went just too far to make it perfect. Tommaso Ciampa coming out to endorse the win made up for a lot of it….I think.

The Undisputed Era isn’t happy with the loss with Roderick Strong and Adam Cole getting in an argument. Cole orders the camera shut off.

Street Profits vs. Fabian Aichner/Marcel Barthel

Aichner knocks Dawkins off the apron to start and drives Ford into the wrong corner. Ford is fine enough to dropkick both of them down at once but Barthel kicks him in the face. Barthel has to pull Ford back from a tag and it’s a spinebuster from Aichner to keep him in early trouble.

As you might have guessed, Ford crawls over for the tag a few seconds later and it’s Dawkins cleaning house. A spinning splash in the corner connects but a Doomsday Device is broken up. One heck of a moonsault gives Aichner two on Ford but Dawkins spears Aichner down to break up a powerbomb. The Doomsday Blockbuster finishes Barthel at 6:02.

Rating: C-. Much like the previous two, this wasn’t the kind of match that you need to see but for the live crowd, it was a nice way to warm things up a little bit more before they got to the important stuff. The Profits are entertaining and have a ton of charisma so having them go over the rather dull European team was the easy choice.

Overall Rating: D+. Completely skippable show as usual, but after everything we’ve gotten to see in recent days, it’s fine for them to take a little break like this. The wrestling wasn’t the point this time around as everything was about taking a breather and catching fans up in case they didn’t see Takeover (Though why wouldn’t you have?). We’ll get back to the important stuff next week and everything will be fine.

Results

Candice LeRae b. Aliyah – Lionsault

Jaxson Ryker b. Danny Burch – Widowmaker

Street Profits b. Fabian Aichner/Marcel Barthel – Doomsday Blockbuster to Barthel

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

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Takeover: New York: The Gold Show

IMG Credit: WWE

Takeover: New York
Date: April 5, 2019
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

We’re finally in the big city for what might be the best show of the weekend (I’m looking at you ROH/G1. Impress me.) with a new NXT Champion guaranteed in the main event. Other than that we have all title matches up and down the card with the United Kingdom Title on the line as well. I guess I can deal with this if I have to. Let’s get to it.

We open with a look at the history of Takeovers (and Arrival) before getting to tonight’s card. The history was rather quick and that’s fine in something like this.

Tag Team Titles: War Raiders vs. Aleister Black/Ricochet

The Raiders are defending and come out with vikings beating on drums because they’re awesome that way. Ricochet and Black won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic to get the shot. Black and Rowe start things off and they actually go technical with Rowe taking him down but not throwing a right hand at a downed opponent. Back up and Black puts his foot on the side of Rowe’s head as the mind games continue. They bump fists and it’s off to Hanson vs. Ricochet, much to the fans’ delight.

Ricochet goes with the speed and sends Hanson outside, leaving Rowe to take a dropkick. Black moonsaults to the middle and has a seat next to Ricochet as the NXT chants go up again. Back in and the pace quickens with Hanson sitting on Ricochet’s chest in the corner, setting up a slam to drop Rowe onto him again. With Ricochet mostly crushed, Rowe starts in on Black’s arm but the second tandem slam is cut off with a legsweep.

Ricochet already comes back in for a kick to the head and a springboard clothesline drops Rowe. Black’s elbow to the face gets one and we hit a seated abdominal stretch as the fans go nuts over something in the crowd. They chant YOU DESERVE IT until Rowe fights up and throws Black down with a slam. Hanson comes in to clean house, including the running clotheslines in the corner. Ricochet has had it with the beating and FALL AWAY SLAMS HANSON for your WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT/MAMA MIA spot.

Black and Rowe slug it out with Black kicking him in the head but getting kneed out of the air. A knee strike of his own sets up a heck of a German suplex for two on Rowe and the fans get to breathe while applauding. Hanson and Ricochet come back in for a flip off until Ricochet scores with his own kick to the head. That’s fine with Hanson, who hits a Tajiri handspring elbow (he shouldn’t be able to do that) for his own near fall. Ricochet knocks him off the top but it’s a blind tag, allowing Rowe to knee him into the corner.

Rowe throws Hanson into Ricochet in the corner and it’s a springboard clothesline/German suplex combination for two more with Black coming off the top with a double stomp for the save. Hanson gets sent outside and moonsaulted by Black, who takes a suicide dive from Rowe (whose feet got a little caught on the ropes). Ricochet busts out a corkscrew Space Flying Tiger Drop but it’s Hanson with a Cannonball off the top because it’s ok if he kills everyone.

Ricochet and Rowe dive back in to break up the count and it’s Black coming in as well. Rowe growls at him and takes a sweet Black Mass, knocking him silly. The 630 connects but Hanson shoves Black onto the cover for the save. Another 630 misses and Hanson blasts Black with a clothesline on the floor. Back in and Thor’s Hammer hits Ricochet and Hanson suicide dives onto Black. Fallout to Ricochet retains the titles at 18:39.

Rating: A. Yeah that was incredible and an instant classic with all four doing things that shouldn’t be humanly possible. Hanson alone is an athletic freak and their power moves are more than enough to carry them as far as they need to go. Ricochet and Black are going to be fine as they have solid chemistry, though Black still seems more like a singles star. Anyway, outstanding opener as the bar has been set.

Post match, hands are shaken and Black/Ricochet get the big sendoff to the main roster. Well they certainly deserve that.

Piper Niven and Toni Storm are here.

We recap Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle. Dream finally won the big one by winning the North American Title back in February but Riddle showed up to get a better look at the belt. Dream didn’t like someone taking his spotlight and the match was made.

North American Title: Matt Riddle vs. Velveteen Dream

Dream is defending. Riddle comes out in a pinstripe jacket and Dream…..is the Statue of Liberty, sitting on a throne carried by four men ala Macho King Randy Savage. There certainly are some similarities. The fans are split (of course) and Dream doesn’t like that posing on the corner. Riddle starts kicking at the knee and Dream is completely dominated when he tries to take it to the mat. A springboard armdrag into an armbar has Dream bailing to the ropes as the champ is in early trouble.

They go to a back to back test of strength until Riddle flips over him and reverses a monkey flip into a cross armbreaker. That’s broken up as well so Dream gets smart by stomping on the bare foot. Dream gyrates the hips and gets gutwrench suplexed for his efforts. Riddle picks him up again and gyrates his own hips, allowing Dream to get out and hit a dropkick. With Riddle outside Dream tries a dive but lands in a German suplex on the floor. Back in and Riddle sends him flying with an exploder suplex but it’s too early for the Bromission.

The threat of an armbar sends Dream bailing to the ropes for the break and he’s right back up with a release German suplex. Riddle doesn’t sell German suplexes though and it’s a jumping knee into a fisherman’s buster for his latest near fall. Some forearms in the ropes show some frustration from Riddle so he counters what looked to be a powerbomb into a triangle. With that broken up, a GTS into a German suplex gives Riddle two. Kicks and knees to the chest make Dream HULK UP, meaning it’s a big boot and clothesline to the floor.

There’s the ax handle as we get both sides of the Mega Powers. Dream hits a Fameasser but dives into a jumping knee. A Codebreaker of all things gives Dream two but his running knee is countered into an ankle lock. Riddle switches feet to block Dream kicking him in the face but Dream is right back with a superkick. The wind up DDT sets up the Dream Valley Driver and Dream goes up.

The Purple Rainmaker is countered into most of the Bromission, sending Dream bailing to the ropes. Riddle takes him into the corner for a release German superplex into a corkscrew Swanton for a crazy hot near fall. A superkick doesn’t work for Dream as Riddle knees him into the Bromission but Dream flips back over for the pin at 17:33.

Rating: A. Well those were some of the best near falls I’ve ever seen and they actually got me on the finish. Riddle teasing the heel side during the match because his athleticism couldn’t get around Dream’s creativity and unorthodox style. This was an incredible match and the kind of match that Dream needed to win to really establish himself. I’m surprised that Riddle got pinned so soon, but he didn’t lose much at all from this. Great match as Dream steals another show.

Takeover: New York Preview

We’re under two days away from Takeover: New York and I believe that’s close enough to start getting excited. The show, as always, looks awesome and with a special imported match this year, we could be in for something even better than usual. There isn’t a bad looking match on the card and if things go well, it’s already going to be the show of the year. Let’s get to it.

Women’s Title: Shayna Baszler(c) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Kairi Sane vs. Io Shirai

We’ll start off with a confusing one as it depends on which wrestling story you go for. First of all you have the idea that when everyone else cancels themselves out, the champion, and best performer (maybe) at the moment, in this case Baszler, retains. At the same time though, there is the chance that we could have Baszler showing up on the main roster either over the weekend or next week. You could go either way, or cut it down the middle and have Baszler retain and show up on the main roster.

I think I’ll go with Belair winning, which I hope doesn’t lead to her talking more often. She’s an incredible athlete but she’s also one of the most annoying talkers I can remember in a very long time. Baszler can move up to the main roster while Belair feuds with the Sky Pirates or some of the other upcoming stars in the division. It might not be the most appealing choice, but it’s the one that makes the most sense.

North American Title: Velveteen Dream(c) vs. Matt Riddle

You know what I love the most about NXT? Ok maybe not the most but it’s certainly up there? It’s almost impossible to know who is going to win any given match. This one is a real tossup and it comes after a four way tossup. Dream is crazy over, but Riddle isn’t going to lose this soon in his NXT career. That and Dream just doesn’t win on the big stage most of the time.

That being said, I’ll take Riddle, as Dream might be on his way to the main roster (egads I hope not though). It’s what makes the most sense at this point and that’s usually the way NXT likes to go. These two could have an incredible match with Riddle playing by the rules (mostly) and Dream being so out there that it messes with Riddle’s mind. Either way, the fans are going to be going nuts and it should be awesome. But yeah, Riddle wins in the end.

Tag Team Titles: War Raiders(c) vs. Aleister Black/Ricochet

Can I please have an easy match on this show? Not everything has to be so well put together that it’s hard to figure out. Black and Ricochet are going to get a SmackDown Tag Team Title shot on Sunday. Now with that being the case, do you really want them to lose on an NXT show in a Tag Team Title match? If they do, why aren’t the War Raiders getting the shot at WrestleMania? Then again this company doesn’t tend to think that way so it’s anyone’s guess.

I’ll go with the War Raiders retaining here, as Black and Ricochet are locked in on the main roster and there’s no good reason to give them the NXT Tag Team Titles and expect them to be defended. Unless we’re getting some insane title unification deal (which I don’t think we are), the money move would be to make the War Raiders look even more dominant, as they’ve held the titles for a few months now but barely defended them.

United Kingdom Title: Pete Dunne(c) vs. Walter

Just take my money now. I’ll even up it to $19.98 for this one. These two are going to have one of the hardest hitting, knockdown drag out fights you’re ever going to see and it’s going to be awesome. Dunne is the kind of guy who would rather die than lose but he’s come close to being beaten before. How do you get around a monster like Walter? I’m not sure it can be done at this point.

Hence why I’m going with a new champion. Dunne has had an all time title reign and somehow doesn’t feel like he’s outgrown the title or is ready to move on from it, which is perhaps the most remarkable thing about the entire reign. He has to lose at some point though and if it’s not to Walter, who else could it be to? This is where the title change goes down, with Dunne fighting until the bitter end.

NXT Title: Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole

Let’s pause for a second and mourn the missing of what could have been the greatest blowoff in WWE since….I’ll get back to you on that. This was going to be Gargano FINALLY winning the title from Tommaso Ciampa and ending their war once and for all but the pesky neck injury is going to stop us from seeing it for the time being. This is for the vacant title and it’s 2/3 falls, which is kind of NXT’s signature match for a cool change of pace.

And I’m taking Cole winning the third fall after some kind of a distraction from Ciampa. That final match is going to happen and NXT is smart enough to keep Gargano hot until he’s back (they did it before), provided we don’t get something stupid like Cole being called up. Gargano is at his best when he’s chasing something and is foaming at the mouth to get it, so having him lose again and move on to something else is the right call. Also Cole is a great long term champion and could hold the title for months without much of a problem.

Overall Thoughts

Yes. Do I need to explain this any further than that? This could be one of the most entertaining shows of the year (it will be) with this crowd around them. NXT just gets these things and it’s going to be an incredible show with five matches that could all be classics. Just let them do their thing and be handed the weekend, because I don’t think it’s classified as stealing anymore when it’s expected of you.

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

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

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NXT – April 3, 2019: Get Your Checklist Ready

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: April 3, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

This is where NXT tends to shine (among other places) as we have the final show before Takeover: New York. The card is set but now it’s time for the final push towards Friday (yeah Friday again) and that should be awesome. As for tonight we have Bianca Belair vs. Kairi Sane in a match that is going to end in interference. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

War Raiders vs. ???/???

Non-title. Rowe tosses both of them around and it’s a pop up powerslam for the complete destruction at 1:01.

War Raiders want some more competition.

War Raiders vs. Adrian Jaoude/Cezar Bononi

Non-title. Hanson gets to beat both of them this and it’s off to Rowe, who slams Hanson onto Jaoude. A powerslam/World’s Strongest Slam to both Jaoude and Bononi at the same time makes Rowe look like even more of a monster. Fallout finishes Bononi at 1:22.

Video on Pete Dunne vs. Walter. Just take whatever NXT’s share of my 9.99 is now.

Ad for the Performance Center YouTube channel, including a bunch of shots of people outside the Performance Center. I could go for something like Breaking Ground.

Earlier today Candice LeRae talked about being happy for Johnny Gargano. She wants a title shot of her own but here are Vanessa Borne and Aliyah to laugh at the idea. Then she and Johnny can be failures together. Candice says they would know about failures and says she’ll start getting towards the title with Aliyah.

Oney Lorcan vs. Jaxson Ryker

Danny Burch and the rest of the Forgotten Sons are here. Ryker (I always forget he wrestles too.) drives Lorcan into the corner but Lorcan is fine with the intense brawling style. Lorcan’s shoulder and chop have no effect so it’s time for Burch and the Sons to get in an argument on the floor. The distraction lets Ryker nail a fireman’s carry gutbuster for a near fall. Lorcan’s chops still don’t work and we hit a bearhug to make Lorcan scream. This time he fights out and the chops work for a change but Lorcan misses a charge. A sitout spinebuster finishes Ryker at 5:25.

Rating: D+. This was pretty much a squash, which you don’t often see between established names. Lorcan is now on 205 Live anyway so maybe this is it for him as a full time guy around here. Burch is the kind of guy who can go on his own so he’ll be fine. The Sons are in a better place than they were a few weeks back, but they’re still a long way from where they need to be.

Video on Tommaso Ciampa having to vacate the NXT Title, setting up Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole in a 2/3 falls match for the vacant title in New York.

Video on Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle. That’s your dark horse for show stealer.

We look at Keith Lee vs. Dominik Dijakovic from five weeks ago and the followup fight at the Performance Center.

Keith Lee has a mini press conference and promises to make Dijakovic bask in his glory in two weeks.

Next week: the Street Profits vs. Fabian Aichner/Marcel Barthel and LeRae vs. Aliyah.

Bianca Belair vs. Kairi Sane

Sane takes off the wristband to start and sends Belair to the apron, allowing her to mock the hair whip. A spear and basement dropkick have Belair in trouble but she’s right back with a powerslam. The abdominal stretch stays on the ribs and Belair covers with one foot, including a mock of the ahoy pose. Sane is right back with an Octopus Hold but gets broken up in a hurry.

Instead she heads up top and dives into a fall away slam for her efforts. Belair’s splash hits some quickly raised knees and Sane dropkicks her to the floor. Back in and Belair’s suplex is reversed into a DDT, meaning it’s the sliding elbow in the corner. A top rope forearm gets two but Belair is fine enough to catch her on top. The superplex, with Belair hanging onto the ropes, drops Sane so a moonsault can get two. Belair loads up the hair whip but it’s Shayna Baszler running in for the DQ at 8:26.

Rating: B. Obvious ending aside, this was a rather strong trading of big spots with Belair being at her best just showing off her athleticism. Sane can more than hang with her in that area though, making this a very entertaining match. I’m not sure who leaves Takeover with the title but at least the ending was the right call and no one too a loss.

Post match Io Shirai runs in to help Sane but gets beaten down by Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir. The women’s division comes out to break it up and Belair throws Lacey Lane onto the pile. We’re not done as Shirai moonsaults onto everyone and poses with the title to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. You can picture the checklist that NXT follows as they run through the go home shows. Everything on here served a purpose and each of the Takeover matches got some kind of attention. Nothing was left out and matches were set up for the next two weeks. That’s very impressive and it’s a good match on top of that. If Takeover comes close to its potential, it’s the show of the year so far, as tends to be the case. Typical NXT here.

Results

War Raiders b. ???/??? – Pop up powerslam to ???

War Raiders b. Adrian Jaoude/Cezar Bononi – Fallout to Bononi

Jaxson Ryker b. Oney Lorcan – Sitout spinebuster

Bianca Belair b. Kairi Sane via DQ when Shayna Baszler interfered

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

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

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

Wrestling Wars Podcast Episode 60 AND 61!

Yeah it’s a double shot this week with the second edition of Talkover (All things NXT) with special (and hilarious) guest Uncle Sam:

https://mightynorcal.podbean.com/e/wwp-60-join-norcal-and-special-guest-uncle-sam-for-nxt-talkover-everything-nxt-including-a-takeover-preview/

And the extra big show where NorCal and I preview Wrestlemania plus hit some prop bets:

https://mightynorcal.podbean.com/e/wwp-61-a-mega-size-wrestlemania-preview-with-norcal-and-thomas-hall/

NXT – March 27, 2019: Made From Scratch

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: March 27, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Mauro Ranallo

A lot of things changed last week and while that was the kind of thing that had to be done, NXT managed to do it very well, setting up what should be a heck of a match at Takeover. Tonight should be some of the hard selling for Takeover and that often makes for some of the best TV around here. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a quick preview of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic finals.

Opening sequence.

With the NXT Title on a pedestal in the ring, here’s Adam Cole for an opening chat. Cole talks about outlasting four people last week to get to NXT New York against Johnny Gargano. Cue Gargano and the dueling chants have begun. Cole finally cuts them off saying he doesn’t need their support and can win the title on his own. Gargano says he loves the JOHNNY WRESTLING chants.

Johnny tells the fans to get their cameras out and take a picture because Cole is actually at a loss for words. He’s going to Takeover to end his story by becoming NXT Champion. Cole cuts off the JOHNNY TAKEOVER chants by saying that it should be JOHNNY PARTICIPATION chants because he doesn’t win at Takeover very much. Takeover has been a good place for Cole, with him winning the North American Title, winning the first WarGames match in WWE history and beating down Drew McIntyre.

Last week Cole beat four people at once, but what has Johnny done. Gargano goes into a great speech about being at a tryout and being told no. Then he came back and was told to keep going, when he was put in a tag team with someone he didn’t know named Tommaso Ciampa (I thought the story was they had known each other for years before coming here?) and told to fight for their lives.

Then came DIY and the Tag Team Titles and a war with Ciampa, plus the North American Title. He’ll fight until New York, when he becomes the NXT Champion. Gargano’s music plays but Cole goes to the ramp and says hang on a second. Cole says Johnny’s life is like a Lifetime movie playing right in front of his eyes. No matter what happens. Cole is leaving the Barclays Center as the NXT Champion. This brings out the Undisputed Era with Cole saying that the 2/3 falls match will be undisputed. The Era’s music plays them out. Outstanding stuff here as they built a match I want to see in a fifteen minute stretch.

We see a clip from after last week’s show with the Forgotten Sons beating down Ricochet and Aleister Black.

Vanessa Borne/Aliyah vs. Lacey Lane/Kacy Catanzaro

Lane grabs Borne by the wrist to start and takes it to the corner for a triple springboard wristdrag, sending a freaked out Borne to the floor. Back in and a double team gets Lane caught in the corner, allowing Borne to kick away. Aliyah comes in and stomps some more as the Horsewomen come in, meaning Aliyah and Borne make their exit. Shayna kicks Lane in the ribs for the DQ at 2:50.

Post match the beatdown is on with Catanzaro escaping the Kirifuda Clutch for a few seconds before getting choked out. Shayna comes to the announcers’ table to say that this is going to keep happening until she’s respected.

Takeover rundown.

Matt Riddle vs. Kona Reeves

Man I thought Reeves had been a bad dream. Reeves has been training with Don Muraco for a name you haven’t heard in a long time. The more aggressive than usual Reeves knocks Riddle up against the ropes and knees him in the ribs but the Hawaiian Drop is countered. Instead it’s a backsplash to Reeves’ back and a gutwrench suplex for a bonus.

With Riddle in control, here’s Velveteen Dream, with two good looking women wheeling him out on a couch. Reeves uses the distraction to send Riddle throat first into the post and get two off a belly to back suplex. The cobra clutch goes on for a bit until Riddle pops up with a bunch of strikes to the chest. The ripcord knee to the face sets up the elbows to the face into the Bromission to make Reeves tap at 3:49.

Rating: C-. Better than I was expecting here with the more aggressive and serious Reeves being a better option than the old version. I mean, he’s still not worth the TV time but having him be a jobber to the stars instead of the…..whatever he was before is at least a step up.

Dream says that Riddle wins because he gets to go face Dream in New York, bringing Riddle up to the stage to wreck some of Dream’s stuff.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: Forgotten Sons vs. Aleister Black/Ricochet

The winners get the War Raiders for the Tag Team Titles at Takeover. The fight is on in a hurry with the Sons being knocked outside without much effort. Blake comes in for a headlock on Black before handing it off to Cutler, who gets kicked in the face. Everything breaks down again and it’s Ricochet and Black flipping over them into stereo poses. They head outside with Ricochet hitting the 619 from the apron, setting up the big Fosbury Flop onto both Sons.

Cutler tries to bail again but gets sent inside just as fast, allowing Jaxson Ryker to get in a cheap shot from the floor to take over. The reverse chinlock goes on to keep Ricochet down and a flip away isn’t enough to get him out of trouble. Instead it’s another chinlock and another flip away, though this time Black gets pulled off the apron. Ricochet kicks both of them away and rolls over for the hot tag though, meaning it’s time for the kicks. Black Mass is broken up and Cutler’s butterfly backbreaker gets two.

Ricochet comes back in with a jump over Black and Cutler into a hurricanrana on Blake, followed by a kick to the face. A springboard spinning Meteora drops Blake and we settle back down to Ricochet and Blake fighting over a suplex. Ricochet’s spinning version finally takes Blake down but the Phoenix splash misses.

That’s not enough for the tag though and it’s Black coming back in for a kick to the face and a near fall of his own. Ricochet gets sent into the steps, leaving Black to take the Backstabber into a top rope elbow for the big near fall. Black Mass hits Cutler but Blake gets in a powerbomb into a gutbuster. Ryker gets caught shoving the foot off the rope for an ejection, leaving Black Mass to knock Blake silly. The 630, with Black diving onto Cutler, is good for the pin and the tournament at 14:27.

Rating: B. This was rather good though it never hit that other level. I’m actually a bit surprised by the ending, but if Black and Ricochet don’t make it onto Wrestlemania, at least they have this as a consolation prize. If this is their last major match on the TV show, they went out on a rather good note for a team that has been together for all of three months. The Sons looked very good, but they still aren’t on that level that WWE wants them to be.

Post match Ricochet and Black get their trophy as the War Raiders come out for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a storytelling/staredown show with a big main event and that’s a good way to go. The card for Friday is all set up and they should be able to have a heck of a card, with the main event looking like a nice surprise. The show itself should be a blast and there’s a real chance next week’s show is a good go home edition. This week was more NXT greatness though, which isn’t even a surprise these days.

Results

Lacey Lane/Kacy Catanzaro b. Vanessa Borne/Aliyah via DQ when Shayna Baszler interfered

Matt Riddle b. Kona Reeves – Bromission

Ricochet/Aleister Black b. Forgotten Sons – 630 to Blake

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

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

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

NXT UK – March 27, 2019: Strong British Style

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: March 27, 2019
Location: Coventry Skydome Arena, Coventry, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We’re down to two shows before Wrestlemania weekend, meaning we’re in for the build towards Pete Dunne defending the United Kingdom Title against Walter in what should be an incredible showdown. I’m not sure what else we’ll be seeing, but at least we should be in for some entertaining stuff, which has become the norm around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Jordan Devlin vs. Dan Moloney

Devlin takes him into the corner to start and offers a clean break before sneaking in a chop. We hit the armbar for a bit, followed by a standing moonsault for two on Moloney. An elbow to the jaw sets up a cobra clutch as Moloney can’t get anything going. Back up and a slingshot cutter keeps Dan in trouble. A headbutt rocks him again, setting up the hard Saito suplex for the pin on Moloney at 4:29.

Rating: D+. They’re building Devlin up quite well, as there’s a pretty wide gap between the title contenders and the rest of the roster. Giving Devlin a step towards that top tier is a good idea, as the promotion needs some fresh talent at the top of the card. Devlin has been on a roll for a long time now and makes as much sense as anyone else.

Here’s Kassius Ohno to a chorus of booing. He’s new around here and wants to speak from the heart. Ohno reads an apology from his phone, wishing his deepest condolences to Ashton Smith’s friends and family. He shouldn’t have revived Smith and then knocked him out again….but he just couldn’t help himself.

It’s really gratifying to knock someone out over and over again. He could have gone anywhere he wanted but NXT UK chose him. When he came here to make an impact, he saw some guy from New Zealand trying to make play British wrestler. If Travis Banks tries to go against Ohno, the Kiwi Buzzsaw will be smashed to bits. Ohno did well here, as it takes a lot to overcome the whole being Kassius Ohno thing.

Video on Dave Mastiff.

In two weeks: Toni Storm defends the Women’s title against Jinny.

Jinny is in India for the WWE tryouts because WWE chose to send her there instead of Toni. She’s more marketable and better in the ring than Toni, and she’ll prove it in two weeks.

Xia Brookside vs. Rhea Ripley

Rhea throws her down a few times with very little effort. Xia goes with a jumping headlock and Rhea can’t quite power her way out of it. The second attempt at a power escape works a bit better and a hard forearm to the back gives Ripley two. A delayed suplex keeps Brookside’s back in trouble but she’s right back up with a bulldog into a headscissors.

Double knees in the corner let Brookside send her outside and it’s a high crossbody to a very strong reaction (much better than I was expecting). Back in and a middle rope Codebreaker gives Brookside two more but Ripley has had enough. A hard toss into the corner sets up the Riptide to put her away at 7:22.

Rating: C+. This was a very nice surprise with Ripley selling a lot for the still young Brookside. Much like the men’s division, the women’s division has a strong top group but needs a lot more than what they have at the moment. You can only get so far with the same two people so adding Jinny and a few more, like Brookside down the line, would be a good idea. Brookside getting this kind of a reaction is a really good sign for her future though and hopefully she can go somewhere.

Post match Ripley says she’s the most dominant woman in NXT and no one can compete with her. That’s a REALLY bad thing to say and here’s Piper Niven (Viper) to chase her off. Piper says Ripley isn’t the most dominant woman around here anymore.

Isla Dawn is excited to have a fellow Scotswoman on the roster when Kay Lee Ray (I think) comes up to say she’s not Isla’s friend because they’re both from Scotland.

Video on Walter, showcasing a lot of his success in Progress. The destruction of Jack Starz’s chest is disturbing with the broken blood vessels.

Trent Seven doesn’t like Joe Coffey calling him the dead weight of British Strong Style. He’s coming down Moustache Mountain with the Trent Seven Army behind him, waiting for Coffey.

Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner don’t like Kenny Williams and Amir Jordan dancing around. They’re ready to take those two out because that mat is sacred ground and they’re ready to be successful.

Mark Andrews vs. Noam Dar

Dar takes him tot he mat to start but has to spin out of a wristlock. A missed kick to the head sends Dar into the corner and it’s an early standoff. Andrews has some more luck with a headscissors into an armbar, though it doesn’t last long. Dar knocks him to the apron instead and a baseball slide sends Andrews to the floor.

Back in and Dar crotches him on the top for two, followed by an armdrag into the ropes. Andrews fights up by kicking him away, setting up the knees slide into an enziguri. There’s the double stomp to the ribs so Dar rolls to the floor, leaving himself open for a suicide dive. A standing corkscrew moonsault gets two back inside but Dark picks the ankle for the ankle lock. That’s broken up as well and a middle rope moonsault to the floor takes Dar out again.

Rating: B. The ending is a shame for multiple reasons (including the most obvious) as they were having a heck of a match before the injury. This was your awesome cruiserweight match and while I’m not a big Dar fan, hopefully the injury isn’t all that bad and he’s back in the ring sooner rather than later.

Post match they’re both taken out on stretchers but they do give double thumbs up each.

Next week: Trent Seven vs. Joe Coffey.

Here are Sid Scala and Johnny Saint for the contract signing between Pete Dunne and Walter. Scala hypes up the match and Walter signs while staring Dunne down. Dunne says Walter doesn’t have to say anything because he wants this match even more than Walter. In New York, Walter will learn that NXT UK belongs to the Bruiserweight. Dunne signs but Walter calls him Peter and says he could put Dunne through a table whenever he wanted to. Dunne’s time is up and the reign of the Bruiserweight ends in New York City. The staredown ends the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The ending segment was good with the intensity dripping off these two guys and that’s about all that mattered on the show. The rest of the card worked well enough and they’re building some stuff up for the future. If that’s the big thing they take away from the American version, they’re going to be in good shape. Just blow the roof off the place in New York (as you know they can) and it’s a successful Wrestlemania season.

Results

Jordan Devlin b. Dan Moloney – Saito suplex

Rhea Ripley b. Xia Brookside – Riptide

Mark Andrews vs. Noam Dar went to a no contest

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

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

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

NXT – March 20, 2019: Plan B

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: March 20, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

We’re on the final taping cycle with three shows left before Takeover: New York. Last week’s big story saw Johnny Gargano finally outsmart Tommaso Ciampa after DIY was eliminated from the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Unfortunately a neck injury is going to put Ciampa on the shelf for a long time so now we have to find out what is being done to replace the most obvious title change ever. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Here’s HHH to get things going and he’s got the NXT Title. After a HHH chant, he talks about how this place is special because dreams can become a reality. For some, the dreams start here but for others it takes years. Sometimes, that dream gets derailed in the blink of an eye. He was supposed to be out here to announce Johnny Gargano challenging Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT Title in the main event of Takeover: New York. The truth though is that reality has stepped in.

Ciampa has had neck surgery and has been forced to relinquish the NXT Title. That means there’s a spot open though as Gargano needs an opponent. Tonight, it’s Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle with the winner going on to New York to face Gargano for the vacant title in a 2/3 falls match. This was about all they could have done in the circumstances and that’s fine.

Cathy Kelly is in the back to talk to people about the fatal five way. Kona Reeves will watch but it won’t be the finest. The Forgotten Sons aren’t happy with next week’s main event being forgotten because they’re going to the finals of the Dusty Classic. They’re winning the tournament and will be forgotten no more. The Sons isn’t a great team name.

Video on Ricochet and Aleister Black. They’re a team and are going to win the Dusty Classic but after tonight, they’ll know which one of them will be working twice at Takeover.

Velveteen Dream likes the spotlight in New York and therefore tonight’s match is Dream over. At Takeover, he’s the first ever double champion.

We see Tommaso Ciampa heading into surgery in Montgomery, Alabama. The surgery was a complete success but it could take up to a year for him to heal. That is so rough to hear as the Gargano feud was coming up as an all timer and the title change could have sealed it.

Matt Riddle says he’s been here for a long time….well maybe not too long but long enough. He’s worked his ace off (yes ace) to get here and nothing is changing his undefeated streak. He’ll become champion in New York.

Adam Cole says he makes history around here and no one is winning the title other than him. He debuted in the Barclays Center when he attacked Drew McIntyre and held the title up. That’s going to happen again, but this time he’s going to be champion.

The Sky Pirates are excited for the main event but also ready for next week’s four way match. They’re friends but they’re ready to fight. Bianca Belair comes in and says they wouldn’t be involved if Kairi Sane hadn’t interfered. She’ll win in New York because her mindset is un-de-fea-ted.

Adam Cole vs. Ricochet vs. Aleister Black vs. Matt Riddle vs. Velveteen Dream

One fall to a finish. Everyone goes after everyone to start until Black and Dream are left alone in the ring. Black’s small package gets two but he has to go outside to kick Cole in the chest. Back in and Riddle rolls some gutwrench suplexes on Ricochet but gets enziguried by Cole. Black is back in and, after a handshake, squares off with Ricochet.

Cole breaks that up and sends Black outside so he can suplex Ricochet for two. It’s Dream back in to send Cole outside and drop a top rope ax handle to the head. Back in and Riddle blocks Black’s kick and reverses into the Bromission with Dream making a save. The Bromission goes onto Cole this time around with Dream making another save.

The three of them chop it out until everyone comes back in for an exchange of strikes and it’s a five way knockdown. Ricochet goes up top but gets met by Dream and Cole, but Riddle and Black join him for a quadruple suplex. Black and Dream are left alone in the ring until Riddle comes in with a fisherman’s buster to take Black down. Cole breaks it up at two and hits the brainbuster for two.

Now it’s Ricochet coming in with a reverse hurricanrana to send Cole outside and that means the Space Flying Tiger Drop to Cole. Back in and Riddle knees Dream in the face and the Bromission makes him tap but Cole pulls the referee just in time. Black Mass hits Riddle but Black walks into the Dream Valley Driver. Ricochet breaks up the Purple Rainmaker with a hurricanrana to the floor. There’s the shooting star to Riddle but Cole comes in with the Last Shot to finish Ricochet at 14:43.

Rating: B. This was exactly what you would expect from a match like this and that’s a good thing. There wasn’t much of a personal issue going on at the moment so going with all action was the right move. Let them just go out there and do their thing and get to the next big match. It worked fine and Cole is the best choice of the five names they had here. It’s actually a fresh match against Gargano, which hasn’t happened in NXT yet (televised at least).

Overall Rating: B+. You almost have to put an asterisk on this show as they had to throw a lot of things out for the sake of the main event. It’s annoying, but they got caught at the last second and there was nothing else that could have been done. They made it work with a good match and we have a replacement title match to set up in the next two weeks. It might not be great as a regular show, but it did everything it needed to do under some rough circumstances.

Results

Adam Cole b. Ricochet, Matt Riddle, Aleister Black and Velveteen Dream – Last Shot to Ricochet

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

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

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

NXT – March 13, 2019: What Could Have Been

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: March 13, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

We’re less than a month away from Takeover: New York and the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is already off to a fast start. Last week’s show was almost entirely devoted to the tournament, meaning tonight should have a little more variety to it. You can imagine a lot of the Takeover card already but some of the matches will be probably be confirmed this week. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s first round.

Opening sequence.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinals: Moustache Mountain vs. Forgotten Sons

Jaxson Ryker is at ringside as it’s Cutler and Black for the Sons again. Bate and Cutler take turns working on the arm to start but it’s off to Black for a slam and chinlock. That doesn’t last long as Bate fights up and brings in Seven to suplex Blake for two. Cutler starts in on the knee to continue a formula that has worked, including the spinning toehold to make Seven scream. The Figure Four goes on but is reversed in record time with Blake not just letting go for some reason.

Since the knee got a break in the Figure Four, Seven is able to bring in Bate for the airplane spin to Blake and since he’s that strong, he does it to Cutler at the same time (Nigel: “It’s a biplane spin!”). The Sons are sent outside where Bate misses the shooting star off the apron but is right back with the corkscrew dive back inside. The running clothesline/dragon suplex gets two on Blake with Ryker making the save. Back in and Seven loads up the Burning Hammer but Bate gets shoved off the top. That’s enough for Seven to take the top rope double stomp/reverse DDT for the pin at 9:40.

Rating: B. I would have bet on this one getting more time but I also would have bet on the Brits going to the finals so I was wrong all around here. The Sons haven’t been the most thrilling team in the world so far but they’re getting a nice push here and that’s the kind of thing you have to do at some point. Good match, which was the one thing I did expect.

Matt Riddle says he’s here to win titles so he checked to see if the North American Title came in Bro Size. Adam Cole comes up to say the title is coming back around his waist so a challenge is made.

Io Shirai vs. Bianca Belair

The winner gets a Women’s Title shot against Shayna Baszler, on commentary here, at Takeover. Feeling out process to start with Belair picking up the pace and taking her outside for a drop onto the steps. Back in Shirai rolls up the cocky Belair for two but gets caught in a double chickenwing. Shirai fights up and scores with a kick to the face but walks into the hair whip to put her in trouble again.

It’s louder than effective though as Shirai catches her on top with a super hurricanrana. The moonsault hits raised knees and Belair hits a spear to stay on the ribs. That’s enough for Baszler who goes to the ring and pulls Shirai to the floor for what will be a no contest but should be a DQ at 5:27.

Rating: C. Belair continues to just be there in this story as she’s not ready to hang with this level of talent. I’m sure we’ll get a four way at Takeover as Baszler needs better competition than but Belair isn’t at that level. Let it be a three way with the Sky Pirates in there instead as the match will be better and Belair won’t annoy me.

Post match Kairi Sane comes in for the save but gets choked out as well. Shirai makes the save and takes a choke of her own.

We look back at Keith Lee vs. Dominik Dijakovic from two weeks ago, followed by a near fight the following week. Their rematch is next week.

The four way for the Women’s Title is confirmed and Baszler isn’t happy. Why does this continue to surprise heels in this situation?

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinals: DIY vs. Aleister Black/Ricochet

DIY has the matching shirts again. Black knees Ciampa down for less than a one to start and it’s off to the early armbar. Ricochet and Gargano come in and it’s time for Ricochet to flip around and dropkick Johnny outside. A springboard dropkick has Ciampa in trouble as well and it’s Black moonsaulting into the seated position with Ricochet sitting down next to him. Gargano comes back in with the slingshot spear to take over on Ricochet and it’s Ciampa coming in as the fans aren’t sure who they like more.

Back to back neckbreakers keep Ricochet in trouble, followed by Gargano coming in to stomp on the arm. The chinlock goes on for a bit until Ricochet makes the comeback, including sending Gargano into Ciampa who DDTs his partner by mistake. Black comes in and moonsaults onto both of them as everything breaks down. Ricochet and Gargano are sent outside but Ciampa hits an elbow to set up Meet in the Middle.

Gargano gets pulled back outside though and Black knees Ciampa in the head. Black takes too long going after Gargano though and gets caught in a Tower of London on the apron. The slingshot DDT gets two and DIY slaps on the stereo arm holds (with Nigel bringing up the Takeover: Toronto finish because he’s good at his job).

Black is in more trouble but Ricochet powers up and Death Valley Drivers Ciampa onto the other two for the save. The crash landed on Gargano’s knee so he bails to the floor, leaving Ciampa to trade forearms with Ricochet. They both get knocked down but since there’s no Gargano to tag, Ciampa has to try the Fairy Tale Ending on Black. That’s broken up and it’s Black Mass into the 630 to finish Ciampa at 13:15.

Rating: A-. This was well done storytelling as you can see something coming at the end that should be great stuff. Ricochet and Black teaming up to take out Ciampa doesn’t hurt the champ at all and gives them a path to Takeover, which should go very well for them. It might not be as good as some of the matches last week but what we got here was a more enjoyable story.

Post match Candice LeRae comes out to check on Gargano with Ciampa helping him up. Gargano needs help walking up the ramp as the fans applaud him. They get to the stage where Ciampa tries to throw him into the screen but Gargano’s knee is just fine and he sends Ciampa in instead. Candice has the biggest smile on her face as Gargano is back and suckered Ciampa in this time around. The JOHNNY WRESTLING chant ends the show as I get sad over how great this could have been in New York. It was a perfect setup for these two and Gargano could have finally conquered him if not for Ciampa’s neck.

Overall Rating: B+. While not quite up to last week’s nearly perfect show (which isn’t a fair comparison), this was another great week with an incredible angle to finish the night. They could have been heading for an all time feud blowoff in New York but the injury stopped everything in its track. What we got was very good here though and I’m not sure what to expect in the finals. Awesome show and Takeover, of course, is looking great.

Results

Forgotten Sons b. Moustache Mountain – Top rope double stomp/reverse DDT combination to Seven

Io Shirai vs. Bianca Belair went to a no contest when Shayna Baszler interfered

Aleister Black/Ricochet b. DIY – 630 to Ciampa

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

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

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