Might as well make one for NXT like I have for OVW and ROH!
Source: PWInsider
WWE NXT wrestlers Enzo Amore, Judas Devlin and Scott Dawson are currently sidelined with major injuries, PWInsider.com reports. Details on their respective injuries, as well as an update on Corey Graves, are as follows:
(http://www.genickbruch.com/pics/bio_gross/101281360953755.jpg)
- Enzo Amore has been sidelined with a broken leg and will be out for approximately six months.
For those unfamiliar with Amore, his WWE.com bio states, "Dubbing himself "Jersey's finest," Enzo Amore reps the Garden State "like 225 on a barbell, 10 pounds of hair gel, steadily working on his swell." The realest guy in the room everywhere he goes, Enzo Amore is a straight shooter. He speaks his mind at all times, and at an incredible rate."
In recent months, Amore has been appearing as the eccentric mouthpiece and tag team partner of Colin Cassady.
(http://www.genickbruch.com/pics/bio_gross/101381368824728.jpg)
- There has been fan speculation on the whereabouts of Judas Devlin, who has not appeared on WWE NXT since March. He remains under contract to the sports-entertainment organization, but is currently sidelined with a spinal injury.
According to WWE.com, Devlin "is one of the more deranged, oddly intellectual NXT Superstars." His bio states, "Standing at 6'5" and covered in colorful tattoos, this modern day Aristocrat uses his intellect to confuse and break down his opponents mentally before ever stepping foot in the ring."
(http://www.genickbruch.com/pics/bio_gross/101381375988645.jpg)
- Scott Dawson, who recently disappeared from WWE NXT programming, is currently sidelined with a torn ACL.
For those unfamiliar with Dawson, his bio states, "Scott Dawson has been a survivor his entire life. Forced to grow up fast, Dawson overcame adversity and became the "man of the house" at an early age. Dawson cut his fighting teeth through bouncing in local clubs — developing his take-no-guff attitude and strong jaw. Now, Dawson is looking to take on some new challengers — in the squared-circle of NXT."
- The former Sterling James Keenan, Corey Graves, has returned to action after suffering a concussion last month.
- WWE NXT has announced William Regal vs. Antonio Cesaro and Adrian Neville vs. Bo Dallas for the NXT Title for the November 21st NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University. As noted, NXT will tape their 200th episode that night.
This week's episode of NXT opens with Byron Saxton, Tensai and William Regal on commentary.
Bayley and Charlotte come down to the ring.
Bayley and Charlotte vs. Summer Rae and Sasha Banks
Bayley gives her and Summer headbands and Summer tosses them to the floor. Charlotte and Sasha start off. They lock up and Charlotte shoves her across the ring. Charlotte hits a shoulder knockdown and a fireman's carry. She locks in Sasha's arm from behind. She takes Sasha to her corner and Bayley tags in. Sasha hits her with a knee to the stomach. She tags in Summer. Bayley elbows her into the corner and hits a flying corner splash. Bayley hits a fireman's carry and gives a thumbs up to Charlotte. Summer hits a clothesline off the distraction.
Back from commercial and Sasha is in control of Bayley. She has a Chinlock locked in. She slams Bayley into the turnbuckle and Summer tags in. Summer chokes her on the center rope. Summer gets a two count and then locks in a full Nelson with her legs. Bayley gets out and tries to tag in Charlotte, but Summer drags her across the ring. Sasha tags in. She goes for a body slam, but Bayley counters out. Sasha slams Bayley's head into the mat.
Summer tags in and chokes Bayley with her boot in the corner. Sasha comes back in and locks in a headlock form behind with a body scissors. Bayley gets to her feet and rams Sasha into the corner. Bayley hits a belly to belly Suplex. Bayley goes to tag in, but Charlotte slaps her across the face. She hits Bayley with her flipping cutter and then goes back to the apron. Sasha pins Bayley.
Winners: Summer Rae and Sasha Banks
After the match, Charlotte raises Summer and Sasha's arms in the ring.
Then, Aiden English is shown backstage. He is practicing singing.
Camacho vs. Aiden English
They lock up. Camacho backs him into the corner. They lock up again and shove each other around the ring. English lands kicks and strikes in the corner. Camacho hits a big clothesline and a body slam. He charges English in the corner. English puts an elbow up. English charges and Camacho back body drops him. English calls for a time out and tries to shake Camacho's hand. Camacho stomps English. He picks English up and drops him back first to the mat. Camacho hits a standing leg drop. He goes for what looks like Samoan Drop, but English counters into The Director's Cut for the win.
Winner: Aiden English
English gives an encore after the match.
Then, Alexander Rusev is backstage with his new valet. She's walking around him, speaking what I assume is Bulgarian. Rusev then speaks in the language too.
Danny Burch vs. Mason Ryan
They tie up and Burch gets backed into the corner. Burch hits a strike to the back. Ryan hits a clothesline into the corner. He whips Burch and charges, but Burch hits an elbow. Burch tries to slam Ryan's head into the corner, but Ryan stops him. Ryan hits a big shoulder tackle. Burch battles back with strikes and kicks in the corner. He keeps the strikes up on Ryan into another corner. Ryan battles out with kicks and a headbutt. Burch rams his shoulder into Ryan's gut and slams his head into the turnbuckle. He clubs Ryan in the back. Ryan comes back with a big punch to the head. He tosses Burch onto the ropes and hits a running boot. Ryan hits his cobra clutch slam for the win.
Winner: Mason Ryan
2 Out Of 3 Falls
Corey Graves vs. Adrian Neville
Neville hits a dropkick. He knocks Graves down twice. Graves hits a back elbow. He slams Neville into the corner and hits body shots. Graves lands a headbutt. He hits Neville with a snap Suplex. Graves lands a body slam and a fist drop. Graves goes for a vertical Suplex, but Neville flips out. Neville hits a pair of clotheslines and a dropkick. Neville kicks Graves from the apron and goes up top. He hits the corkscrew shooting star press for the first fall.
First Fall: Adrian Neville
Graves rolls to the outside. Neville kicks him through the ropes. He goes outside and hits Graves with a chop. Graves battles back with a pair of headshots. Neville hits another chop. He kicks Graves in the chest against the apron. Neville tosses him back inside and goes up top. Graves rolls out of the way. Neville follows. Graves goes out of the ring and Neville follows. Graves gets back in the ring. Neville gets on the apron and Graves kicks his legs out, sending him outside. Graves follows and kicks Neville's leg. He slams it into the floor and sends him back inside.
Graves hits several big elbows. He strikes Neville repeatedly in the corner. He keeps working on Neville's leg as things go to commercial. Back from commercial and Graves is in control. He slams Neville's leg into the ring post. Graves strikes and kicks him in the corner. He pulls Neville out and locks in a single leg Boston crab. Graves pulls Neville to the center of the ring. Neville gets out of the crab. He hits Graves with gut shots. Neville goes for a quick pin attempt. Graves keeps trying to lock in submissions, but Neville kicks him off. Graves finally hits the chop block to the knee. He locks in Lucky 13 and Neville taps.
Second Fall: Corey Graves
Graves stalks Neville. Neville hits a big elbow to the face. Graves rams his shoulder repeatedly into Neville's stomach in the corner. Graves goes for a move, but Neville counters out and kicks Graves in the head. Graves rolls to the outside. Graves gets back in and charges Neville in the corner. Neville puts an elbow up and hits a series of chops. He strikes Graves in the head several times and then elbows him in the corner multiple times. Graves kicks out Neville's knee.
Graves goes for another chop block to the knee and Neville drop kicks him in the top of the head. Neville goes up top, but his knee gives out and he falls off. Graves locks in Lucky 13 again. Neville crawls towards the ropes. He makes it and the ref breaks the hold. Graves kicks Neville's leg repeatedly again. He goes to lock in Lucky 13 again, but Neville counters into an inside cradle for the third and final fall.
Third Fall: Adrian Neville
Winner: Adrian Neville
- While NXT has been releasing their own Power Rankings via Facebook for a little over a month now, WWE's website posted their first-ever NXT Power Rankings for the month of November. Here's how the first list looks:
1. Bo Dallas
2. The Ascension
3. Summer Rae
4. Sami Zayn
5. Paige
6. Alexander Rusev
7. Corey Graves
8. Adrian Neville
9. Emma
10. Tyler Breeze
- WWE NXT star Judas Devlin noted on Twitter that he's headed to Nashville, presumably for tonight's RAW. It was recently reported that Devlin has been out of action with a spinal injury. No word yet on why he could be headed to RAW.
most likely a dark match
Quote from: Fnord on November 18, 2013, 06:44:43 PM
- WWE NXT star Judas Devlin noted on Twitter that he's headed to Nashville, presumably for tonight's RAW. It was recently reported that Devlin has been out of action with a spinal injury. No word yet on why he could be headed to RAW.
If he's out with a spinal injury, I'd imagine he'll be in a backstage thing with Punk/Bryan.
- Ring of Honor stars Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards are at the WWE Performance Center for a week-long tryout. Richards will still be leaving for Japan in a week or so to work for the Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion but apparently they will return to the Performance Center for more work after that. Richards and Edwards are not signed but are reportedly being paid while they're in Orlando.
As noted, WWE NXT star Judas Devlin was brought in for RAW in Nashville this week and is backstage at tonight's SmackDown tapings in Atlanta. Devlin has fans on Twitter speculating that he may be debuting as a new member of The Wyatt Family after this tweet mentioning Sister Abigail:
"I feel the pain Sister Abigail..."
It was recently reported that Devlin was out of action with a spinal injury but earlier this week he tweeted that his back was feeling "taut" or tight, which could be a reference to those injury reports.
Devlin's look could easily fit with The Wyatt Family. For those who haven't seen him on NXT, here's a photo:
(http://wrestleshare.com/?dm=94DW)
- Just a reminder that Kane, Antonio Cesaro, Kofi Kingston and Natalya will be appearing at Thursday's WWE NXT taping from Full Sail University.
PWInsider is reporting that Colt Cabana is at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando today.
- While not under contract to WWE, word is that Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards will be appearing at the NXT TV tapings this Thursday night from Full Sail University. They haven't gone through the drug testing or the medical testing that WWE requires when signing talents but WWE is going to use them in NXT.
- IndianExpress.com reports that a wrestler named Rajesh Kumar is set to begin training with WWE in Japan soon. Kumar uses the name "The New Khali" and stands 7 foot 5 inches, weighing 335lbs. The 39 year old says he met WWE's The Great Khali when he came to India two years ago and that motivated him to start training.
Source: PWInsider Elite
We noted before that Ring of Honor stars Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards were not offered a WWE deal after their tryout because Triple H felt they were built from the same mold as guys like Sami Callihan, Sami Zayn, Daniel Bryan or CM Punk, and WWE has enough "indie-looking" guys. A WWE source said, "Triple H feels we have enough Tyson Kidds."
With Richards and Edwards currently at the WWE Performance Center for a week-long tryout, many fans have been wondering what led to WWE bringing them back. Word is that William Regal went to Triple H and really fought for Richards and Edwards, explaining that they are really good in the ring and deserved to get another look.
Many feel that this week-long tryout may be a precursor to Edwards and Richards being signed to a short three-month deal. The duo may be finishing up with Ring of Honor at the December 14th Final Battle event.
- Regarding independent star Sami Callihan, who now goes by the name Solomon Crowe for WWE NXT, word is that he could end up on the main roster in a tag team. Sami signed with WWE this past summer and debuted in a loss to Xavier Woods in August.
Quote from: Fnord on November 21, 2013, 03:20:39 PM
Source: PWInsider Elite
We noted before that Ring of Honor stars Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards were not offered a WWE deal after their tryout because Triple H felt they were built from the same mold as guys like Sami Callihan, Sami Zayn, Daniel Bryan or CM Punk, and WWE has enough "indie-looking" guys. A WWE source said, "Triple H feels we have enough Tyson Kidds."
With Richards and Edwards currently at the WWE Performance Center for a week-long tryout, many fans have been wondering what led to WWE bringing them back. Word is that William Regal went to Triple H and really fought for Richards and Edwards, explaining that they are really good in the ring and deserved to get another look.
Many feel that this week-long tryout may be a precursor to Edwards and Richards being signed to a short three-month deal. The duo may be finishing up with Ring of Honor at the December 14th Final Battle event.
you ask yourself why Regal not head of talent relations
Seriously. Give that guy some financial backing and let him smash the WWE.
Still bitter about him fucking up his big run as GM of Raw with a wellness violation. Cutting to black during the main event? Brilliant!
December 18th, Episode #200:
[spoiler]* Sami Zayn and Tyson Kidd defeated Antonio Cesaro and Leo Kruger.
* NXT Women's Champion Paige defeated Sasha Banks with Summer Rae in a non-title match. Sasha accidentally kicked Summer while she was trying to provide distraction.
(http://wrestleshare.com/?dm=JRP6)
* The Ascension defeated The American Pitbulls (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards) in a non-title match. After the match, Camacho and Hunico had a staredown with The Ascension.
* Howard Finkel came out to introduce the main event of NXT Champion Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville in a Lumberjack Match for the title. Bo won and retained his title after Tyler Breeze helped him avoid Neville's finisher.[/spoiler]
December 25th Episode:
[spoiler]* Lana and Alexander Rusev come out next. Kofi Kingston is out next to barely a reaction. Rusev dominated Kofi and got the easy win. Lana spoke in Russian after the match.
* Natalya vs. Emma in a #1 contenders match is next. Emma got the win and Natalya celebrated with her after the match. This was said to be a very good Divas match.
* There was a singing contest with Aiden English and Colin Cassaday. Cassaday sang "Danny Boy" and "My Girl" while Aiden sang his own songs. English attacked Cassady to end it.
* Tyler Breeze defeated Mason Ryan after Sylvester Lefort distracted Mason.
* Leo Kruger vs. Sami Zayn in a 2 of 3 Falls Match is up next. Zayn gets the first fall by pinfall and the second fall by submission.
[/spoiler]
January 1st Episode:
[spoiler]* Bayley with Natalya defeated Summer Rae with Sasha Banks in a quick match. This was described as another very good Divas match.
* Aiden English defeated Colin Cassady.
* Xavier Woods comes out for the next match but Director of Operations Kane interrupts. He congratulates Xavier on his RAW debut but is going to punish him for being part of the petition to bring Big Show back a few weeks ago. Kane brings out Alexander Rusev.
* Alexander Rusev with Lana defeated Xavier Woods.
* Kane watched the last match from ringside and ended up chokeslamming Sylvester Lefort in the ring.
* Tyson Kidd defeated Baron Corbin in a quick but good match.
* The Ascension vs. Hunico and Camacho in a tag team tornado match is up next. The Ascension get the non-title win.
[/spoiler]
January 8th, 200th Episode:
[spoiler]* Adrian Neville defeated Tyler Breeze.
* CJ Parker defeated Jason Jordan.
* Bo Dallas defeated Mojo Rawley in a non-title match.
* Alexander Rusev defeated Kofi Kingston again. This may have been a re-tape for the December 25th episode.
* Antonio Cesaro defeated William Regal in what was called the match of the night. Cesaro hit an impressive Cesaro Swing on Regal.
[/spoiler]
For what it's worth, Rob Feinstein of RF Video wrote a post on Facebook last night stating that WWE plans to keep Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards as a tag team and after a few months in NXT, officials would bring them to SmackDown as a tag team to see if they get over. Feinstein also noted that William Regal and Joey Styles had to push Triple H to give them another tryout. We noted earlier this week that Regal went to bat for the Ring of Honor stars and scored them another tryout.
Richards tweeted the following after their match at last night's NXT tapings:
"@ringofhonor our time may possibly be coming to end. In my heart I will always and proudly be an "ROH GUY". I'm forever in debt to you."
We noted that they wrestled as The American Pitbulls at last night's tapings. For those wondering, they both had new individual names also but our correspondent did not recall what they were.
Source: The Tiger News
South Carolina college newspaper The Tiger News today published a recent interview with Curtis Axel. Axel, who was still Intercontinental Champion when the interview was conducted, was asked about which NXT talents have the potential to be headliners.
"I'm a big fan of Bo Dallas," Axel replied. "I know he's the NXT Champion right now, but I remember I was in developmental when he first got there, and he was 18 years old and a young kid running around, and now just watching how he's grown, it's amazing. He's a great wrestler. He knows what he's doing, and I look forward to him getting brought up in the near future.
"Other than that, there's this guy that I've been seeing. He's actually been working some of the live events with us. He's Sami Zayn. He's a high-flying kind of guy.Check out Wrestling Inc. It brings some different elements into the WWE, so we'll see. I think those two are two guys you should keep an eye on in the future to get brought up to the main stage."
- We've been posting about how WWE NXT star Judas Devlin has been teasing that he will be a new member of The Wyatt Family. Devlin was backstage at Monday's RAW and is apparently in town for tonight's Survivor Series pay-per-view. He tweeted another teaser:
"Boston There is a 'buzz' in the air..."
There is talk that WWE NXT star Leo Kruger debuted a new gimmick and name at a NXT live event last week.
Apparently he is now called Adam Rose. However, Kruger worked last Thursday's NXT tapings and will be appearing on the December 18th and December 25th episodes under his normal name. Kruger's Twitter hasn't been changed either so either there's nothing to it or he could be debuting the new gimmick after the December 25th episode airs.
Here is a photo of Kruger as Adam Rose:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZ2csGUCMAEMhh_.jpg)
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Puerto Rican wrestler Sebastian Guerra, who is 21 and 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, was at the same WWE tryout camp with Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Joey Ryan and others several weeks ago. WWE wanted Guerra to get more experience and learn better English so he's planning on going to OVW for more training and hopes to improve his English by living there.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Regarding Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards, apparently there were no issues with their most recent WWE tryout. They are scheduled to be back for the next set of NXT tapings in January but were not offered a contract yet.
NXT writer Ryan Ward is pushing for Triple H to sign them and it appeared they got good reactions from NXT trainers Billy Gunn and DeMott also.
WWE is allowing Richards and Edwards to finish their commitments to Ring of Honor on December 14th but do not want them working anymore dates for that company.
- There's talk of bringing up more NXT stars to WWE's main roster after the first of next year. NXT Champion Bo Dallas and masked star Kalisto are expected to be called up.
KALISTO!
Quote from: Fnord on December 03, 2013, 02:54:59 PM
- There's talk of bringing up more NXT stars to WWE's main roster after the first of next year. NXT Champion Bo Dallas and masked star Kalisto are expected to be called up.
What about Sami Zayn or Corey Graves or Adrian Neville or Aiden English or Tyler Breeze? All of those guys are more entertaining than Bo Dallas, both in the ring and on the mic, not to mention more polished, and they get a crowd reaction in NXT. I haven't seen much of Kalisto, but the little bit I have seen, I can't really see where he would fit right now.
- WWE NXT star Scott Dawson says he was cleared to resume training on Tuesday. He tweeted:
"Cleared to get back in the gym today. #DawsonRecovery 37%. Still the best even on one leg"
WWE NXT star Solomon Crowe, formerly known on the indies as Sami Callihan, debuted his new hacker gimmick at last night's NXT live event in Tampa, Florida.
While Kalisto, the former Samuray del Sol, was in the ring hyping up the crowd during intermission, the lights went out and the sounds from an Emergency Broadcast Signal alarm went off. The lights flickered and when they came back on, Crowe was standing above Kalisto, who he had just laid out. Crowe had a tablet in hand, indicating that he had hacked the entire arena and had control over everything. Crowe didn't speak but pressed a button on the tablet again, turning off the lights and activating the EBS sounds again so he could disappear.
Crowe tweeted:
"11000011110001111111..... Numbers tell the story #SongsOfSolomon"
"The Crowe has landed....... #NXTTampa #SongsOfSolomon #ItHasBegun"
"@KalistoWWE is the first of many.... You will never....see....me....coming.....11000101110110000101011101 #SongsOfSolomon #NXTTampa"
Here's a photo of his new look:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BaxlYoUCYAEOPMI.jpg)
- NXT star Alexander Rusev worked last night's WWE live event in Stockton, California. He cut a heel promo before the match and defeated Zack Ryder by submission in about 7 minutes. NXT Diva Lana, who acts as Rusev's manager, was not with him last night and is not on the road with WWE this weekend.
The Crowe debut
http://officialwwenxt.tumblr.com/post/69325831180/tumblr-exclusive-see-the-shocking-debut-that (http://officialwwenxt.tumblr.com/post/69325831180/tumblr-exclusive-see-the-shocking-debut-that)
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Davey Richards is done with Ring of Honor and will not be having a farewell this month. Richards and partner Eddie Edwards are still under a trial period with WWE developmental and are expected to work the next two sets of NXT TV tapings. Their debut match came against The Ascension last month and may or may not air on the December 18th episode.
WWE had insisted that both Edwards and Richards finish up with ROH, even though they aren't under a WWE deal yet. ROH was willing to continue using them, even having them do an angle where them being on NXT would be part of the storyline in ROH. However, WWE was insistent that while they could finish their commitments to ROH, which were through the end of this year, they couldn't extend those commitments because WWE wanted them on nothing that would air while they were being used on NXT TV.
It's sort of a bad situation for Edwards and Richards because while they're not making big money with the tryout, it's costing them both payoffs for shows until WWE decides if they will be signed or not.
After their appearances at the next two sets of NXT TV tapings, the belief is they will have either convinced Triple H to sign them or the tryout will be over.
- WWE's website has a new interview up with NXT Diva Lana, who is the valet for Alexander Rusev. Her official title is Rusev's Social Ambassador. She was also asked which WWE stars she would like Rusev to face."
"The Champ, John Cena! Daniel Bryan, CM Punk and Brock Lesnar," Lana said. "If given the opportunity, I believe Rusev also has the ability to end The Undertaker's Streak at WrestleMania."
- Below is WWE's latest NXT Power Rankings:
#10 Aiden English
#9 Tyler Breeze
#8 Charlotte
#7 Sami Zayn
#6 Summer Rae
#5 The Ascension
#4 Alexander Rusev
#3 Adrian Neville
#2 Bo Dallas
#1 Paige
- WWE NXT Diva Lana, who manages Alexander Rusev, has been tweeting about how she's in negotiations to bring him to the main roster. Rusev recently worked a series of WWE live events and it's been noted how WWE officials are high on him. Here are some of Lana's tweets:
"We are in negotiation now for @RusevBUL until then we wait for debut on #RAW #RusevLegacy is #BestForBusiness"
"I go back for negotiations with authorities for @RusevBUL & #RusevLegacy #RAW @WWE #BestForBusiness"
- Mike sent word that The Ascension vs. Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards match will indeed air on tonight's 200th episode of NXT. There had been some speculation when it was taped that it was a dark match but a promo aired on last week's NXT about The Ascension issuing an open challenge. The NXT Twitter account tweeted the following today:
"Who will answer @VikorRiseWWE & @KonnorWWE's Open Challenge for a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championship? Watch on @Hulu #NXT200"
- NXT has removed Mickey Keegan from their roster page and he is now working as a creative assistant for WWE developmental.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- There will be three new talents starting at the WWE Performance Center when 2014 hits - "Trademark" Tommy Maclin from the Monster Factory, powerlifter and indie wrestler Brian Tannen and Shane Taylor, a 350-pound former football player who has been working the indie scene for years.
- Regarding WWE releasing Knuckles Madsen from NXT this past week, he was signed in 2012 and had not made it to TV yet. With so many newcomers starting in early 2014, some of the talents who haven't reached the level officials would like them at are likely to be released.
- It was speculated recently that NXT star Judas Devlin may be joining The Wyatt Family after he posted some cryptic tweets and was brought in to a few WWE TV tapings. Devlin is still under contract but out of action with a spine injury. The belief among some is that his in-ring career could be over.
- WWE quietly released Richie Steamboat recently. He had been out of action for a long time with a back injury.
- Chris Hero (Kassius Ohno) revealed in his newest RF Video shoot interview that Triple H and John Cena are high up on WWE NXT star Enzo Amore. Amore is a product of DeFranco's Gym in New Jersey, where Triple H and Stephanie McMahon regularly train. Enzo has been out of action since November with a broken leg. It was reported he would be out of action for 6 months. You can check out a photo of Enzo below:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BX2bkhrCQAATM1D.jpg)
- WWE NXT's final event last Thursday at its former base in Tampa, Florida, the NXT Arena (formerly known as the FCW Arena), featured the return of Brandi Rhodes (née Reed, formerly known in WWE as Eden Stiles) and the first live appearance of Sarah Backman (a 22-year-old former World Arm Wrestling Champion from Sweden). The newcomers and other female talent appeared as "Santa's Helpers" during a skit featuring "Santa," Eugene and Aiden English.
Rhodes, who is the wife of Cody Rhodes, re-joined WWE this fall after leaving the promotion two years ago. Both she and Backman began wrestling training at the WWE Performance Center in November.
\
Source: PWInsider Elite
Regarding Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards and their recent tryout work with WWE at the Performance Center in Orlando, apparently the tryout wasn't leading to a deal at first.
The idea was that they worked the first week in NXT and if officials liked them, they would be brought back to the Performance Center and NXT to work for the first few months of 2014. That would then have led to a deal if everything went accordingly. There is still no word yet on whether or not they are coming back after the first of the year but it is expected.
There is lots of talk going around that TNA is getting ready to or may have already made a play for Edwards and Richards to join them.
Dixie: Hey, Eddy, Davey.... How about you boys take a ride on the Dixie Train? Choo Choo!
Quote from: jagilki on December 26, 2013, 11:41:15 AM
(http://m5.paperblog.com/i/23/230857/dont-turn-into-the-crypt-keeper-waiting-on-th-L-Sf8RYy.jpeg)
Dixie: Hey, Eddy, Davey.... How about you boys take a ride on the Dixie Train? Choo Choo!
Quote from: Fnord on December 22, 2013, 02:29:38 PM
- Chris Hero (Kassius Ohno) revealed in his newest RF Video shoot interview that Triple H and John Cena are high up on WWE NXT star Enzo Amore. Amore is a product of DeFranco's Gym in New Jersey, where Triple H and Stephanie McMahon regularly train. Enzo has been out of action since November with a broken leg. It was reported he would be out of action for 6 months. You can check out a photo of Enzo below:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BX2bkhrCQAATM1D.jpg)
Realest guy in the room here.
Source: F4WOnline
- WWE officials are very high on NXT star Mojo Rawley. There's a feeling he will be pushed big when he's brought to the main roster. Rawley is seen as someone that can possibly carry the company in the future.
MOJO
If he doesn't end up with JoJo as his valet I will be very sad
Quote from: Fnord on December 13, 2013, 12:16:09 PM
- Below is WWE's latest NXT Power Rankings:
#10 Aiden English
#9 Tyler Breeze
#8 Charlotte
#7 Sami Zayn
#6 Summer Rae
#5 The Ascension
#4 Alexander Rusev
#3 Adrian Neville
#2 Bo Dallas
#1 Paige
Fucking .com idiots stealing our social media ideas.
- The live WWE NXT special on the WWE Network on February 27th will be airing in primetime, head-to-head with TNA's taped episode of Impact Wrestling that night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6NEXPkny0M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6NEXPkny0M)
I am not impressed with his performance
He's not that bad, I doubt he's done any wrestling at all prior. He has a presence, which is important. It wasn't that bad of a debut, imo
Quote from: The Soul of Philly on January 11, 2014, 09:20:42 AM
He's not that bad, I doubt he's done any wrestling at all prior. He has a presence, which is important. It wasn't that bad of a debut, imo
The problem is, he gets no reaction from the crowd. He's not great in the ring, short of yelling "I don't get hyped, I stay hyped", he can't do crap on the mic, and if Ohno got released for being flabby around the middle, this guy never should have been hired. The big thing though, I've seen like 3 or 4 matches, and the crowds have been dead for him. He doesn't get cheered, he doesn't get booed, he gets silence, and that is the worst thing in the World. Unless he has drastically improved since those set of tapings, there's at least 8 guys in NXT, who are far more deserving of a call up.
He had people chanting 'Mojo'...
Quote from: Chris Shields on January 11, 2014, 03:13:25 PM
The problem is, he gets no reaction from the crowd. He's not great in the ring, short of yelling "I don't get hyped, I stay hyped", he can't do crap on the mic, and if Ohno got released for being flabby around the middle, this guy never should have been hired. The big thing though, I've seen like 3 or 4 matches, and the crowds have been dead for him. He doesn't get cheered, he doesn't get booed, he gets silence, and that is the worst thing in the World. Unless he has drastically improved since those set of tapings, there's at least 8 guys in NXT, who are far more deserving of a call up.
Difference between KO and Mojo, Mojo was a former Defensive Tackle for football, where being 280 pounds is considered too small for the positition, just getting into wrestling. KO was a pro wrestler of almost a decade and couldn't get in shape in almost two years of being in developmental FOR THE BIGGEST WRESTLING COMPANY IN THE WORLD.
I also don't know many talents that on a developmental level or indy that have 3 or 4 matches and have the crowds alive for them. I haven't seen much promo wise just in that video and it's ok. It's going to improve but the guy has a shtick. Motivation. everything about him is about motivation and really, that's a very very relateable gimmick that could go face or heel.
- While NXT Diva Lana hasn't been on the road with Alexander Rusev at WWE live events, the plan is to bring them up to the main roster together. It's now said that the NXT stars slated for call-ups the quickest are NXT Women's Champion Paige, Emma and the team of Rusev and Lana.
- WWE NXT Diva Charlotte recently had minor surgery for an unknown injury.
- Regarding the live NXT special on the WWE Network on February 27th, it's rumored to be two hours long. The plan is to do something bigger than your usual NXT episode, something similar to WCW's Clash of the Champions specials.
- WWE has updated their NXT Power Rankings for January:
10. Mojo Rawley
9. Emma
8. Aiden English
7. Tyler Breeze
6. Sami Zayn
5. Adrian Neville
4. The Ascension
3. Paige
2. Bo Dallas
1. Alexander Rusev
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- WWE NXT Diva Becky Lynch, formerly known as Rebecca Knox, wrestled her 4th match for WWE at last night's live event in Lakeland. She debuted new green attire to go with her Irish heritage. Here is a photo from Instagram user nerdyjordy:
(http://wrestleshare.com/?dm=TOBH)
- Emma being called up to WWE TV this past week had nothing to do with Kaitlyn's departure. There has been talk for a while of bringing Emma and Paige to the main roster.
- NXT star Tyler Breeze worked tonight's WWE live event in Hammond, Indiana. He defeated Justin Gabriel.
- WWE NXT star Enzo Amore, who has been out with a leg injury, tweeted the following return teaser this weekend:
"@WWENXT @WWE I should letchu know ahead I'm coming back on my worst behavior #NXT #CertifiedG"
- Tyler Breeze vs. Corey Graves has been announced for the February 15th WWE NXT live event in Orlando, Florida. Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville has been announced for the February 22nd NXT live event in Jacksonville, Florida.
- Cody Rhodes' wife Brandi Rhodes is now using the name Eden in WWE NXT where she has been doing ring announcing. When she was signed to WWE a few years ago, she used the name Eden Stiles.
- While there's still no word if international star Prince Devitt has accepted WWE's offer, word is that the company offered him a deal to where he will spend just a short amount of time in NXT before going to the main roster. Some close to Devitt noted to F4WOnline that he will more than likely end up signing with WWE.
- WWE taped the following matches for tonight's NXT:
* Emma vs. Summer Rae
* Tyler Breeze vs. Adrian Neville
* The Ascension vs. two unknown wrestlers
- WWE was interested in bringing NXT to broadcast TV this past September but apparently there was no interest from networks and now it's being advertised as a WWE Network exclusive show.
WWE NXT Arrival Promo
Don't Miss NXT ArRival - Thursday, Feb. 27th at 8/7c only on WWE Network! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imoQ309MEPs#ws)
- You can check out a promo for Thursday's NXT Arrival in the video above. The event will air exclusively on the WWE Network at 8pm ET.
- WWE also posted a four part tour looking at the WWE Performance Center, which you can watch below:
Part 1: Welcome to the WWE Performance Center
Welcome to the WWE Performance Center: WWE Performance Center tour - Part One (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ReFfyCzqKk#ws)
Part 2: Superstars get pumped
Superstars get pumped: WWE Performance Center tour - Part Two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XDDJoS2M8Q#ws)
Part 3: Step into the Magic
Step into the Magic: WWE Performance Center tour - Part Three (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vll3Tm8I3o0#ws)
Part 4: Superstars take flight
Superstars take flight: WWE Performance Center tour - Part Four (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbIfk0mBGWw#ws)
- Many fans were wondering why there was no new WWE NXT episode added to Hulu on Wednesday. However, the site notes that episodes will now be added on Thursday. As of this writing, the new episode has not been added yet but most likely will this afternoon. NXT begins airing on the WWE Network every Thursday at 9pm EST beginning March 6th.
- It appears WWE NXT will continue airing on Hulu for the time being. The entire NXT Arrival event and clips from the show have been added to NXT's Hulu page.
Just got done watching Arrival - the first wrestling I've actually watched for at least a year. Enjoyed it.
Impressed with Paige (go Norwich girl!), Rusev and Neville. Rusev is a beast. Cesaro and Zayn was great - I hope Cesaro is used properly, he has it all.
It's the first exposure I've had to Bo Dallas too and honestly I quite enjoyed watching him. His deluded character I found amusing.
He does, however, remind me of Abrigo.
Quote from: Dorling on March 04, 2014, 05:20:19 PM
Just got done watching Arrival - the first wrestling I've actually watched for at least a year. Enjoyed it.
Impressed with Paige (go Norwich girl!), Rusev and Neville. Rusev is a beast. Cesaro and Zayn was great - I hope Cesaro is used properly, he has it all.
It's the first exposure I've had to Bo Dallas too and honestly I quite enjoyed watching him. His deluded character I found amusing.
He does, however, remind me of Abrigo.
lol ..I watch ii too , love the Cesaro / Zayn match ... Paige and Emma one of the best divas match i seen in a while . and that Ladder match between dallas and Neville was great ...
It was first time i got look at Bo Dallas character , it reminded of early kurt angle when he enter the wwe . He does it quite while
Check out WWE NXT this Thursday at 9/8 C, only on WWE Network! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1lmLoBehSs#ws)
- There was some speculation at last Friday's WWE NXT TV tapings that the previous set of tapings for March would be scrapped because of the happenings at the NXT Arrival special. That appears to be the case as WWE released a promo for this Thursday's NXT episode, airing on Hulu and the WWE Network, and it mentions Adrian Neville as NXT Champion, as seen above.
is there any way to watch the Zayan/cesaro match??
http://www.desirulez.net/threads/626772-WWE-NXT-Arrival-2272014-27th-February-2014-HDTV-Watch-Online-Download (http://www.desirulez.net/threads/626772-WWE-NXT-Arrival-2272014-27th-February-2014-HDTV-Watch-Online-Download)
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- WWE NXT talents were told at the recent set of TV tapings that the NXT product would be pushed more significantly now that the WWE Network is up. The talents were told that the company wants to get behind NXT as a pure wrestling product within the WWE. They were also told that while some people may be brought up, like Emma, it's going to be a slow process and for everyone to be patient with the idea that with the Network, they'll all be getting lots of exposure even without a call up.
Source: F4WOnline
- This week's episode of WWE NXT is already available on Hulu Plus and it appears they kept some parts of last month's tapings that were scrapped. As noted, NXT will debut on the WWE Network tonight at 9pm EST and we will have live coverage.
WWE NXT was added to Hulu today, hours before it debuts on the WWE Network. The original plan was for NXT to air on the Network on Thursday nights and then be put up on Hulu on Friday. It's possible that will change with next week.
Okay Adam Rose has the coolest entrances I seen in ages..
Fuck that Cesaro/Zayn match was amazing.
I won't lie, Cesaro is quickly becoming one of my favorite wrestlers.
Quote from: ! JDM The Professional ! on March 07, 2014, 09:18:34 AM
Fuck that Cesaro/Zayn match was amazing.
I won't lie, Cesaro is quickly becoming one of my favorite wrestlers.
I watched their second and third matches, the one on Arrival was number 4, and those were pretty damn epic as well haven't watched the first go around yet.
Found a upload of Adam Rose's(formerly Leo Kruger) entrance from his debut last night, it's poor quality but eh best I could find.
Adam Rose nxt entrance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjcIzc818Bg#ws)
Adam Rose has a posse.
Also, I think Sami Callihan and Kalisto (Samuray Del Sol) got some much needed screen time with that "launch party" segment they did.
Want to see a spoiler?
[spoiler]
(http://i.imgur.com/pVagCgo.jpg)
[/spoiler]
Also in other news, I have a feeling that the current NXT tag champs The Ascension(Konnor and Viktor) maybe getting called up to the main roster fairly soon since they already have them working house shows with the main roster starting with yesterday's show at MSG when they defeated Los Matadors(not surprising Trips and Steph were also at the show, where they teased a fight between Bryan and Trips after Bryan's match against Boring Kane). If they are going to the main roster then I wouldn't be surprised if they don't start showing up on RAW around or following Mania to give the Usos a team to feud with over the WWE Tag Titles.
Yes because Bray Wyatt, Xaiver Woods, Ohno all got called up after shortly doing a couple house shows. Not trying to be a dick (although I know am) but you'r reading too much into them working house shows, imo
Quote from: The Soul of Philly on March 09, 2014, 03:17:02 PM
Yes because Bray Wyatt, Xaiver Woods, Ohno all got called up after shortly doing a couple house shows. Not trying to be a dick (although I know am) but you'r reading too much into them working house shows, imo
interesting statement , because wyatt and woods did get called up in the end . My bet there where trying to see how the wwe crowd would react to them. more telling is that they beat Los matadores , It brings me back to when i saw Brock at a wive show before he debut on the main roster . The crowd was at all over him and he beat I believe Perry Saturn in that match.
I think there main roster ready in my opinion
Quote from: The Soul of Philly on March 09, 2014, 03:17:02 PM
Yes because Bray Wyatt, Xaiver Woods, Ohno all got called up after shortly doing a couple house shows. Not trying to be a dick (although I know am) but you'r reading too much into them working house shows, imo
true, true. Which is why I said
possibly they may be getting a call up, meaning "WWE may be entertaining moving them up" since they aren't doing much in NXT now and WWE could use a heel tag team to go against the Usos post Mania and there aren't many choices save for Rowen and Harper, the Old ass outlaws who probably going back to their roles backstage and at the performance centre after Mania, and the push-lackers who currently have been demoted to jobbing out to Los Matadors on Superstars, not omg they are at a house show they are soo getting a call up. I maybe be many things but stupid is not often one of them.
Quote from: Black Death on March 09, 2014, 03:30:41 PM
interesting statement , because wyatt and woods did get called up in the end . My bet there where trying to see how the wwe crowd would react to them. more telling is that they beat Los matadores , It brings me back to when i saw Brock at a wive show before he debut on the main roster . The crowd was at all over him and he beat I believe Perry Saturn in that match.
I think there main roster ready in my opinion
my thoughts exactly, just hope if they do get called up that they don't make Vicki their manager since she was playing their manager from what I gathered. If there going to stick them with a manager make it Heyman at least.
Quote from: Black Death on March 09, 2014, 03:30:41 PM
interesting statement , because wyatt and woods did get called up in the end . My bet there where trying to see how the wwe crowd would react to them. more telling is that they beat Los matadores , It brings me back to when i saw Brock at a wive show before he debut on the main roster . The crowd was at all over him and he beat I believe Perry Saturn in that match.
I think there main roster ready in my opinion
I was bringing up more the fact that they were called up "fairly shortly" after they worked their house shows. I believe it was almost a year before Wyatt was called up and even longer for Woods. Ohno never was called up. WWE has proven they'll bring them up when they're ready, but not before WWE has an plan behind them. I'd imagine they'll feud with El Matadors when they are called up because they're the only face tag team that can take a couple losses straight, unless they lead to a Rhodes split
EDIT: Chris, you said "maybe getting called up fairly soon" and "I wouldn't be surprised if they were brought up post mania. To me that 'omg, they are at a house show'. I think they'll be on the roster around Summerslam more so.
Quote from: The Soul of Philly on March 09, 2014, 03:50:33 PM
I was bringing up more the fact that they were called up "fairly shortly" after they worked their house shows. I believe it was almost a year before Wyatt was called up and even longer for Woods. Ohno never was called up. WWE has proven they'll bring them up when they're ready, but not before WWE has an plan behind them. I'd imagine they'll feud with El Matadors when they are called up because they're the only face tag team that can take a couple losses straight, unless they lead to a Rhodes split
EDIT: Chris, you said "maybe getting called up fairly soon" and "I wouldn't be surprised if they were brought up post mania. To me that 'omg, they are at a house show'. I think they'll be on the roster around Summerslam more so.
Okay maybe I should of worded that better, Post mania was a poor choice of words I will admit that since I meant post mania as some undetermined date after Mania not the next night after mania. again should of worded it better.
As for me saying fairly soon: Fairly Soon means before too long as in some undetermined point in the not too distant future, not too far away but not really in the immediate future :P
Oh as for Ohno/Chris Hero he was getting called up but didn't want to get put on a little more mass so they pushed him back and then cut him loose.
The only knock that I ever had on Hero was ... he was never sharp enough his moves. Every time I seen him wrestle he never same to be smooth with his transition from move to move. I don't know why
totally off subject here, but I was at a ROH show last night that had Hero VS Cole in a match for the world title and it was horrible. The fans all stayed seated and were very uninterested.
WWE has announced a "Vengeance" theme for this week's NXT. A promo for the show is available on WWE.com. The following matches have been announced:
* Mojo Rawley vs. CJ Parker
* Tyler Breeze vs. Xavier Woods
* Natalya vs. Charlotte
* Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville for the NXT Title
Solomon Crowe worked a match against CJ Parker at live event in Starke, Florida and it seems he has a new look:
(http://wrestleshare.com/?di=4C88)
This would explain them scrapping his debut on NXT that was taped a few weeks ago.
NXT Live Event Results From Starke (3/29): Bo Dallas Vs. Sami Zayn, Tatsu, Paige, More
Thanks to WrestlingINC.com reader @bhsqueen03 for sending in these results from last night's NXT live event in Starke, FL:
* Angelo Dawkins defeated Danny Burch
* Yoshi Tatsu defeated Bull Dempsey by DQ (Corey Graves attacked Yoshi Tatsu)
* Adam Rose defeated Sylvester Lefort
* Cal Bishop and Travis Tyler defeated Slate Randall and Baron Corbin
* Bayley, Paige & Alexa Bliss defeated Kendall Skye, Charlotte & Sasha Banks
* CJ Parker defeated Solomon Crowe
* Colin Cassady defeated Tyler Breeze
* Sami Zayn defeated Bo Dallas
- WWE NXT talent Cole Andrews, whose real name is Stephen Good, has reportedly been released from his contract. He was an offensive lineman from the University of Oklahoma. For what it's worth, he hasn't been active on social media since late February.
- WWE NXT talent Angelo Dawkins is now known as Gary Gordon. Former Irish rugby player Pierre Marceau is now known as Marcus Louis.
- According to a fan at today's WrestleMania XXX Axxess event, Corey Graves may have been injured in his match against Troy McClain. The match ended in a no contest and Graves was helped to the back. Other matches at Axxess today saw Bayley defeat Sasha Banks and Bo Dallas defeat Sami Zayn.
- Viktor of NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension teased on Twitter last night that they would be coming to WWE's main roster soon.
Quote from: Fnord on April 08, 2014, 01:21:55 PM
- Viktor of NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension teased on Twitter last night that they would be coming to WWE's main roster soon.
Called it
- The following matches are scheduled for tonight's WWE NXT on the WWE Network:
* Adam Rose vs. Danny Burch
* Sasha Banks vs. Bayley
* Mojo Rawley vs. Sylvester Lefort
* Bo Dallas vs. Justin Gabriel
NXT Champion Adrian Neville and Brodus Clay will also be appearing.
- Booker T noted on Twitter that former Reality of Wrestling commentator Rich Bocchini will make his debut on tonight's WWE NXT episode.
- After Bo Dallas and Adam Rose come up to WWE's main roster, the next NXT stars in line to come up are Sami Zayn and NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension.
Quote from: Fnord on April 10, 2014, 05:41:27 PM
- After Bo Dallas and Adam Rose come up to WWE's main roster, the next NXT stars in line to come up are Sami Zayn and NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension.
The Ascension I saw coming and while they are not the greatest they will at least help add some new blood to the tag division on the main roster and make room for them to build some more tag teams in NXT.
Sami Zayn will be a nice surprise, also heard Corey Graves was also on the list to be called up sooon but since he got that concussion at Access that may have changed.
Source: F4WOnline
- As noted, NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension are likely to debut on WWE TV in the next few months, in addition to the NXT stars that were pushed on Monday's RAW.
With many talents being promoted to the main roster, look for Shaun Ricker (Slate Randall) to get a push on NXT TV soon. NXT Champion Adrian Neville will stay on NXT through the end of the summer at the very least.
- With Paige winning the WWE Divas Title on RAW, the NXT Women's Title will likely be vacated with Charlotte or Sasha Banks as champion, being chased by Bayley.
Quote from: Fnord on April 12, 2014, 06:01:26 PM
Source: F4WOnline
- As noted, NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension are likely to debut on WWE TV in the next few months, in addition to the NXT stars that were pushed on Monday's RAW.
With many talents being promoted to the main roster, look for Shaun Ricker (Slate Randall) to get a push on NXT TV soon. NXT Champion Adrian Neville will stay on NXT through the end of the summer at the very least.
- With Paige winning the WWE Divas Title on RAW, the NXT Women's Title will likely be vacated with Charlotte or Sasha Banks as champion, being chased by Bayley.
Neither really excite me but if push comes to shove, I would give it to Sasha for awhile till Charlotte gets her groove then have her turn on Sasha, finally ending the Beautiful peo...I mean the BFF's and then enter into a program where she takes the belt off her.
- We noted back in November that NXT star Scott Dawson was out of action with a torn ACL. He was doing some minor training in December but was just cleared to get back in the ring this week. Dawson tweeted the following yesterday:
Quote"Day 3 in the ring. Starting to feel normal again. By normal I mean, my body hurts! #Dawsome"
- NXT fan favorite Enzo Amore returned to training this past week. He's been out of action with a broken leg since last fall.
- The following matches were taped for tonight's WWE NXT episode but all likely won't air:
* Aiden English vs. Colin Cassady
* Camacho vs. Oliver Grey
* The Ascension vs. an unknown team
* The Great Khali vs. CJ Parker
* Jason Jordan and Ty Dillinger vs. Baron Corbin and Sawyer Fulton
* Adrian Neville vs. Brodus Clay
Source: PWInsider
WWE will announce on tonight's NXT that NXT General Manager JBL will strip Paige of her NXT Women's Title because she can't hold that title and the WWE Divas Title at the same time. The segment will feature Paige initially refusing but finally agreeing.
The segment will be released online today and inserted into tonight's broadcast. It was likely produced at Monday's RAW.
A storyline that will crown a new NXT Women's Champion will kick off at tonight's tapings at Full Sail University.
Jason Jordan & Tye Dillinger ask the WWE Universe for help - Video Blog: April 24, 2014 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLg2oRTbjWk#ws)
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- In the new video blog above, NXT stars Jason Jordan & Tye Dillinger ask fans for suggestions on a new tag team name.
Black Death will be happy for this for FWL reasons!
yes ... yes i am
The NXT Tag Team championship for them... very soon I hope
WWE announced the following today:
WWE NXT Takeover to air LIVE on WWE Network on Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m. ET
STAMFORD, Conn. — WWE announced today that NXT Takeover, a live, two-hour action-packed special, will air exclusively on WWE Network on Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m. ET. Following the success of NXT ArRIVAL, the special will once again showcase the best and brightest from the WWE Performance Center and include appearances by WWE Superstars and Legends.
30 minutes prior to the event, the NXT Takeover pre-show will air at 7:30 p.m. ET and include exclusive interviews and appearances by NXT Superstars, WWE Superstars and Legends.
"As NXT continues to grow in popularity and our fans demand to see more of the next generation of WWE Superstars, we are going to deliver live, in-ring programs featuring up-and-coming talent on WWE Network," said Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. "Our live NXT specials on WWE Network bring out the very best in our performers and make for must-see TV for the WWE Universe."
On February 27, NXT ArRIVAL on WWE Network had 21 worldwide Twitter trends and was No. 3 in overall social mentions for primetime programs on both cable and broadcast. The event had more social mentions than American Idol, the Vikings premiere on History Channel, college basketball on ESPN and Vampire Diaries on CW.
** SPOILERS ** From This Week's WWE NXT TV Tapings - Airing In May
[spoiler]* Eden is doing ring announcing.
* Alexander Rusev defeated an unknown wrestler in the dark match.[/spoiler]
May 1st Episode:
[spoiler]* Tyson Kidd defeated Bo Dallas.
* Sasha Banks with Charlotte defeated Bayley in a match for the NXT Women's Title tournament.
* Adam Rose defeated Danny Burch. Camacho appeared during Rose's post-match party.
* Natalya defeated Layla in a match for the NXT Women's Title tournament.
* Mojo Rawley defeated Oliver Grey. Aiden English came out after the match and cut a promo on Mojo.
* Adrian Neville defeated Brodus Clay in a No Disqualification match for the NXT Title.[/spoiler]
May 8th Episode:
[spoiler]* Triple H kicks off the episode with an in-ring promo. He talks about how NXT is the future and is taking over. He hypes the live Takeover special for May 29th on the WWE Network. He also announces a battle royal to determine a new #1 contender to the NXT Title.
* Charlotte defeated Emma in a match for the NXT Women's Title tournament.
* Kalisto and El Local (Ricardo Rodriguez) defeated The Legionnaires (Sylvester Lefort & Marcus Louis).
* Camacho defeated Captain Comic from Adam Rose's group of party people. Camacho had a confrontation with Rose after the match. (Our correspondent originally said Hunico had a confrontation with Rose. We apologize for the error.)
* Alexa Bliss defeated Alicia Fox in a match for the NXT Women's Title tournament.
* Up next is a battle royal to determine a new #1 contender to the NXT Title. Participants are Xavier Woods, Brodus Clay, Baron Corbin, Curt Hawkins, Aiden English, Jason Jordan, Danny Burch, Oliver Grey, Marcus Louise, Sylvester Lefort, Big Cass, Camacho, Mason Ryan, Kalisto, El Local, Mojo Rawley, Sami Zayn, Yoshi Tatsu, Tyler Breeze, Bo Dallas and Tyson Kidd. Zayn, Breeze and Kidd were all eliminated last at the same time. Triple H comes out and announces a triple threat between them to crown the #1 contender.
* The Ascension defeated Buddy Murphy and an unknown wrestler.[/spoiler]
May 15th Episode:
[spoiler]* Charlotte defeated Alexa Bliss in a finals match for the NXT Women's Title tournament.
* Mojo Rawley defeated Aiden English.
* Big Cass defeated Angelo Dawkins.
* Tyson Kidd defeated Tyler Breeze and Sami Zayn in a triple threat to become the new #1 contender to the NXT Title.[/spoiler]
May 22nd Episode:
[spoiler]* Paige defeated Tamina Snuka.
* Adam Rose defeated Camacho.
* Natalya defeated Sasha Banks with Charlotte in a finals match for the NXT Women's Title tournament. It will be Natalya vs. Charlotte for the title at Takeover.
* Adrian Neville defeated Curt Hawkins.
* Tyson Kidd comes out for an in-ring confrontation with Neville to hype their match at Takeover.
* Big E defeated Bo Dallas. The stipulation was that if Bo won, he got a NXT Title shot and if he lost, he has to leave NXT.[/spoiler]
Three matches set for NXT Takeover on May 29th
-Adrian Neville vs. Tyson Kidd for the NXT Championship.
-Natalya vs. Charlotte for the vacant NXT Women's Championship.
-Sami Zayn vs. Tyler Breeze in a No. 1 contenders match.
- Tyson Kidd is booked for this weekend's NXT live events against NXT Champion Adrian Neville.
FORMER NEXUS MEMBER, SECOND GENERATION DIVA AND MORE RELEASED BY WWE
by Mike Johnson @ 1:22 PM on 4/30/2014
WWE released several NXT talents this afternoon.
Mason Ryan, a Welsh talent who had been brought up to the main roster for a short period of time as a member of the Nexus while it was under CM Punk's control. Ryan had been pushed in NXT as a big monster type but had disappeared from TV in recent months. He returned to TV on the last episode of NXT, losing to Tyson Kidd.
Shaul Guerrero, the daughter of Eddie and Vickie Guerrero, who was in her second WWE developmental run. She was part of an early version of The Ascension during her first run and had not been used on TV during this run.
Oliver Grey, a British talent, who had just returned from a knee injury after being out for quite some time, losing to Camacho on NXT TV. He was formerly a tag team partner of Adrian Neville, who had been moved into a big singles role while Grey was injury.
Danny Burch, a British talent, had been signed since 2011. He debuted on NXT TV in 2013 but had never been given a regular role or push.
If PWInsider.com confirms additional releases, we will have them on the site ASAP.
Surprised at mason ryan. After seeing him against Kidd, I thought they may eventually give him another run.
- Rob Van Dam and Ric Flair have been announced for the live WWE NXT Takeover special on May 29th. They could be panelists on the pre-show but that's not confirmed.
What is Ryan Mason doing in the Impact Zone, Tenay?!?!?
(No doubt he's there to end Mr. Anderson's streak of suck at Slammiversary...)
Source: PWInsider
PWInsider reports that NXT Diva Sarah "Shara" Backman requested and received her WWE release several days ago. Backman is a former Swedish arm wrestling champion who signed a developmental deal in March of 2013. You can check out a photo of her below:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BaGgE_ACMAAXM4M.jpg)
- The following matches were taped for tonight's WWE NXT:
* Tyson Kidd vs. Bo Dallas
* Sasha Banks vs. Bayley in a NXT Women's Title tournament match
* Adam Rose vs. Danny Burch
* Natalya vs. Layla in a NXT Women's Title tournament match
* Mojo Rawley vs. Oliver Grey
* Adrian Neville vs. Brodus Clay in a No DQ match for the NXT Title
- Out of the 5 NXT talents released by WWE this week, the only two to comment publicly so far are Oliver Grey and Danny Burch. They wrote on Twitter:
Burch: "Had a great 2 years. Here's to the next chapter of Martin Sone/Danny Burch"
Grey: "Thank you for all the messages today...I will be sad to say goodbye but I leave with no bad feelings and excitement for the future"
- Some of the WWE developmental cuts were made last week because a number of new talents are starting this month and next month. Gerald Brisco was going to send 6 to 8 amateur wrestling recruits to begin training in June at the WWE Performance Center. University of Minnesota's Tony Nelson was the guy Brisco was highest on but at last word, Nelson had not signed with WWE.
- Matches taped for tonight's WWE NXT include Emma vs. Charlotte in a Women's Title tournament match, Alicia Fox vs. Alexa Bliss in a tournament match, Camacho vs. Captain Comic from Adam Rose's Rosebuds, Kalisto & El Local vs. Sylvester Lefort & Marcus Louis, The Ascension vs. Buddy Murphy and a partner plus a battle royal to crown a new #1 contender to Adrian Neville's NXT Title.
Alexa Bliss gets ready for her NXT debut - Video Blog: May 8, 2014 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5mKkkCw1F4#ws)
- Above is a new video blog from WWE NXT Diva Alexa Bliss, who makes her TV debut on tonight's episode.
- WWE NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension vs. Buddy Murphy and Elias Samson did not air on last night's NXT episode but is scheduled for next week.
- Tyson Kidd tweeted the following about last night's NXT battle royal and next week's triple threat to crown a new #1 contender:
"Crazy ending to the battle royal on @WWENXT Next week is a triple threat match, I'm positive you don't want to miss it"
Kidd also revealed the official NXT Takeover logo:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BnKVA0hCYAAEkko.jpg)
- The former Drake Younger worked last night's WWE NXT live event in Orlando as a referee. There had been rumors that he was being signed by WWE to work as a referee instead of a wrestler.
- WWE NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension continue to tweet about coming to WWE's main roster. Viktor tweeted the following last night after The Shield defeated Evolution:
"The Shield survives through the chaos. Rest up Hounds of Justice for chaos attracts more chaos. #WWEPayback"
That would be a cool way to be called up, go right after The Shield.
- Fans were turned away from last week's WWE NXT Takeover event at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The same thing happened with the NXT Arrival special. The NXT Arena at Full Sail is a 400-seat building.
Quote from: Fnord on June 06, 2014, 10:48:59 PM
- Fans were turned away from last week's WWE NXT Takeover event at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The same thing happened with the NXT Arrival special. The NXT Arena at Full Sail is a 400-seat building.
Good news for the NXT quarterlies, take them to bigger arena in Orlando
- WWE NXT Divas Carmella and Devin Taylor made their in-ring debuts at last night's NXT live event in Tampa. Carmella picked up the win. Carmella is the former Leah Van Damme and uses a "Princess of Staten Island" gimmick. She was paired up with Big Cass recently. Devin is the former Brittany Fetkin and has been doing backstage interviews and ring announcing for several months.
- WWE NXT star Baron Corbin said to be one of the developmental talents to watch. He defeated Wesley Blake at the May 30th NXT tapings in a dark match but did not compete during the actual tapings. Corbin, real name Tom Pestock, previously played for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts and the Arizona Cardinals.
- There was talk this past week that WWE may bring NXT star Kalisto to the main roster by the end of the year as WWE still feels that they need to have a Latino babyface.
- At Thursday night's WWE NXT tapings noted that three of Tyler Breeze's fingers were in a splint and appeared to be broken.
- Also, at Thursday night's WWE NXT tapings noted that Solomon Crowe, who defeated Buddy Murphy in a dark match, has lost a lot of weight compared to how he looked when fans knew him as Sami Callihan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBrjNs3BVdM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBrjNs3BVdM)
Bo Dallas is comedy freaking gold. Seriously, ever since he got the delusional heel gimmick, he has been fantastic. He still kind of sucks in the ring, but he plays the gimmick to perfection and if you need more proof of his comedic abilities, just watch the most recent NXT.
He takes bumps and sells well enough, but I agree, his moveset sucks.
Quote from: Chris Shields on June 15, 2014, 11:52:35 AM
Bo Dallas is comedy freaking gold. Seriously, ever since he got the delusional heel gimmick, he has been fantastic. He still kind of sucks in the ring, but he plays the gimmick to perfection and if you need more proof of his comedic abilities, just watch the most recent NXT.
I have never laughed harder at an intentionally funny moment than I did as he was being escorted from the ring. A thing of beauty.
- WWE NXT star Corey Graves has been off WWE NXT TV and live events because he suffered a second concussion, according to PWInsider.
WWE NXT Star Getting Re-Packaged Again?
Solomon Crowe - NXT Presentation Skills [19.11.2013] [480p] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAOVi7ShyxQ#ws)
- PWInsider reports that there's talk that NXT's Solomon Crowe may be repackaged before being brought to WWE TV.
Quote from: Fnord on June 22, 2014, 03:18:20 PM
WWE NXT Star Getting Re-Packaged Again?
Solomon Crowe - NXT Presentation Skills [19.11.2013] [480p] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAOVi7ShyxQ#ws)
- PWInsider reports that there's talk that NXT's Solomon Crowe may be repackaged before being brought to WWE TV.
Again? what is this the 3rd or 4th repackage? good lord why do I feel he's going to be repackaged at least two more times before he get's on a NXT broadcast or just get's cut?
Source: PWInsider Elite
WWE NXT star Marcus Louis is currently out of action with a leg injury. Cal Bishop is also out of action, with a torn rotator cuff and that could have him out 7-8 months if he needs surgery. Here's the list of recent injuries that we know of to WWE developmental talents:
* Tyler Breeze, broken finger
* Corey Graves, second concussion
* Kendall Skye, broken wrist
* Dana Brooke, leg injury
* Veronica Lane, leg injury
* Marcus Louis, leg injury
* Cal Bishop, torn rotator cuff
- Following the June 20th WWE NXT live event in Lakeland, Florida, Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn thanked NXT referee Darrick Moore as he is headed to the main roster to replace Marc Harris, who was cut earlier this month.
Replacing a black referee with another black referee? Racists!
Well, Sami was 300lbs as teenager I am thinking losing a little more weight could be good for him since he is really short.
He's 6'1" and 205 lbs... why would he need to lose weight?
He's down to 201lbs I thought he was heavier.
He's in pretty good shape right now. Would probably be main roster if they had something to do with him.
- We noted before that NXT referee Darrick Moore was given a farewell by Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville after the June 20th NXT live event as he will be moving up to the main roster to replace the recently released Marc Harris. After last night's NXT live event in Starke, Florida, Zayn and Neville gave a farewell to referee Dan Engler as he too will be coming up to the main roster. Engler previously worked in TNA as head referee Rudy Charles.
- WWE developmental talents Slate Randall (formerly Shaun Ricker) and Braun Stowman (former tough man Adam Scherr) will likely be making their NXT TV debuts soon.
Becky Lynch debut and she's a ginger!
- One half of the NXT tag team The Vaudevillains, Simon Gotch, has been added to the NXT roster page on WWE.com.
Gotch is a unique wrestler to say the least. WWE's bio on him states, "Often found performing classic feats of strength while simultaneously keeping opponents off-balance with his grandiose claims (Gotch says he is undefeated in matches versus bears), the eccentric "Steam-Powered Madman" is determined to bring his "quite manly" style of grappling to the forefront of NXT. He has a helping hand in doing so from Aiden English. Gotch and "The Artiste" have teamed up, and the duo known as The Vaudevillains has found great success in NXT so far."
I like The Vaudevillains!
I was a huge fan of Gotch when he got signed and I looked him up out of curiosity. Been waiting for them to do something with him since then.
Hence why I drafted him for FWL.
- As seen on this week's RAW Fallout and the WWE App, Brandi "Eden" Rhodes was used as an interviewer. She is now officially working the main roster full time but will still be making the occasional appearance in NXT.
We noted before that NXT stars Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson are now working as a tag team called The Mechanics. Dawson later clarified the name on Twitter and it has to do with "in-ring mechanics" such as teams like Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard, Steve Austin & Brian Pillman, Eddie & Chavo Guerrero and others.
Dawson and Wilder are both from North Carolina. They are wearing similar gear, as seen in the photo below. Dawson tweeted the following about their name:
"I've never changed oil in my life. I have, however, punched someone in the face...really, REALLY hard. #Mechanics #Dawsome"
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrTrPROCEAIFm14.jpg)
- Viktor of WWE NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension tweeted the following about The Usos after they retained their titles at Battleground last night:
"Battle at it's finest. @WWEUsos gave it their all but I hope they saved some for us!! #WWEBattleground"
Enzo Amore and Big Cas still the greatest things on the roster. Cas especially is coming along really well.
- The rumored date for the next live WWE Network NXT special is Thursday, September 11th but that has not been confirmed yet. We should know more after this Thursday's NXT tapings from Full Sail University. A set of NXT TV tapings was previously rumored for September 11th but if they do the live special on the 11th, the tapings would be the next night.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- We noted before that there was some talk of having Bayley win the WWE NXT Women's Title from Charlotte at Takeover 2 on September 11th as a way to bring Charlotte to the main roster. The idea behind this is that it would give Ric Flair a regular role on TV.
More WWE NXT Takeover 2 Matches Announced, Updated Card
William Regal is announced as NXT's new General Manager: WWE NXT, Aug. 28, 2014 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BnyhPr7w_I#ws)
Below is the updated announced card for WWE NXT Takeover 2 on September 11th:
Fatal 4 Way for the WWE NXT Title
Sami Zayn vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Tyler Breeze vs. Adrian Neville
NXT Women's Title Match
Bayley vs. Charlotte
NXT Tag Team Title Match
TBD vs. The Ascension
Hair vs. Hair Match
Enzo Amore vs. Sylvester Lefort
Mojo Rawley vs. Bull Dempsey
Quote from: Fnord on August 28, 2014, 09:05:05 PM
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- We noted before that there was some talk of having Bayley win the WWE NXT Women's Title from Charlotte at Takeover 2 on September 11th as a way to bring Charlotte to the main roster. The idea behind this is that it would give Ric Flair a regular role on TV.
I support that. Ashley Flair aka Charlotte has grown since she debuted in WCW all those years ago. She needs to be on the main roster she is a big fish in a small tank.
Paige needs someone to go up against.... not much on the main roster.
Quote from: Gravedigger on August 29, 2014, 05:25:08 PM
Paige needs someone to go up against.... not much on the main roster.
Lets look at the Main roster for Diva division
AJ Lee
Alicia Fox
Brie Bella
Cameron
Emma (only on Main Event or Superstars)
Eva Marie (Barely appears)
Layla
Naomi
Natalya
Nikki Bella
Paige
Rosa Mendes (Where is she)
Summer Rae
Tamina Snuka (Injured)
Yeah, we need her and Bayley, Becky Lynch, and I hate to say this Sasha Banks (shudders)
Quote from: Krazy on August 29, 2014, 05:30:09 PM
Lets look at the Main roster for Diva division
AJ Lee
Alicia Fox
Brie Bella
Cameron
Emma (only on Main Event or Superstars)
Eva Marie (Barely appears)
Layla
Naomi
Natalya
Nikki Bella
Paige
Rosa Mendes (Where is she)
Summer Rae
Tamina Snuka (Injured)
Yeah, we need her and Bayley, Becky Lynch, and I hate to say this Sasha Banks (shudders)
Going off this list, the only ones I don't want to see Paige with are Rosa, Eva Marie, and Cameron. The rest are entertaining and are solid by diva's standards. I don't think the diva's division has been this good in a long time.
I'd rather see AJ, Nattie, Fox, Naomi, and Tamina get cracks at Charloette first. Hell I think I want to see Fox vs Charlotte before any of them.
Yeah in fairness, that's probably the finest collection of female talent since the days of trish, lita, Molly, ivory, Victoria and Gail Kim.
I'm not saying they're utilized right or anything... But you can't say there's no talent there.
Sin Cara and Kalisto became the new #1 contenders to WWE NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension on this week's NXT episode. Below is the final card for next Thursday's Takeover 2 event on the WWE Network:
Fatal 4 Way for the NXT Title
Sami Zayn vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Tyler Breeze vs. Adrian Neville
NXT Tag Team Title Match
Sin Cara and Kalisto vs. The Ascension
NXT Women's Title Match
Bayley vs. Charlotte
Hair vs. Hair Match
Sylvester Lefort vs. Enzo Amore
Mojo Rawley vs. Bull Dempsey
Ric Flair welcomes Kenta to NXT
- While NXT Champion Adrian Neville, Sami Zayn, Tyler Breeze and The Ascension were backstage at this week's RAW and will be booked regularly for the next few months, they were not used this week because it's the go-home shows for Night of Champions and they're not booked for the pay-per-view.
- It was reported today that WWE has released developmental wrestlers Kendall Skye and Troy McClain. Their departures have been made official as both talents have been removed from the NXT roster page on WWE.com, with their respective profile pages deleted as well.
No other talents were removed from the page.
Can CJ Parker and Mojo be gone also!
MoJo doesn't just get employed, he stays employed.
Quote from: Fnord on September 17, 2014, 08:32:22 PM
- While NXT Champion Adrian Neville, Sami Zayn, Tyler Breeze and The Ascension were backstage at this week's RAW and will be booked regularly for the next few months, they were not used this week because it's the go-home shows for Night of Champions and they're not booked for the pay-per-view.
I think Ascension gets on the main roster first ... Neville and Zayn need to run together feuding over the Nxt title before either one of them can be move up ...more than likely Neville . Not sure about Breeze don't have much data on him yet
I finally watched the main event from the Take Over event last week and it was excellent. The best wrestling match I've seen in awhile - love El Generico's or Zayn or whatever he's called now but hate that he's probably never going to be anything other than a mid card guy. He just seems too goofy to ever be considered a top guy.
Quote from: Johnny Rebel on September 20, 2014, 01:40:42 PM
I finally watched the main event from the Take Over event last week and it was excellent. The best wrestling match I've seen in awhile - love El Generico's or Zayn or whatever he's called now but hate that he's probably never going to be anything other than a mid card guy. He just seems too goofy to ever be considered a top guy.
I agree the match was excellent ... I think he can be a top guy ... but it would help him greatly if he work with others guys that can showcase him and lift him up ... where he goes in the future depends on who going to be around him when he get to the main roster
"RIP" "Prince Devitt"
QuoteFergal Devitt will be rechristened "Finn Balor" when he debuts for WWE NXT, PWInsider.com has confirmed.
NXT is taping NXT tomorrow 9/25 in Winter Park, FL at Full Sail Live. Devitt may be debuting on that taping.
http://pwinsider.com/article/88489/prince-devitts-wwe-name-is.html?p=1 (http://pwinsider.com/article/88489/prince-devitts-wwe-name-is.html?p=1)
Finn Balor is the best they can do?
Here's what I don't get.
They make this huuuge deal about signing Kenta and Devitt and Steen. They specifically mention on their websites, TV shows, etc. "Holy crap, boys! We signed Kenta!" They do interviews with them on the website, specifically calling them by their well-known names, etc. etc.
And then turn around and give them dumb WWE names anyway.
I mean, what's the point?
Trademarks. Copyrights.
Quote from: The Soul of Philly on September 25, 2014, 06:48:37 AM
Trademarks. Copyrights.
This. They at least did a thing where KENTA came out and said he was going to be called Hideo Itami, which was pretty cool at least.
Drop prince devitt, pick up finbar balor ;D
CM Punk ruined it for everyone who wants to keep their name.....
It's not the worst name I've ever heard, and it is an Irish sounding name. Balor is actually a figure in Irish mythology, so Devitt may have actually had some say in the name, similar to KENTA.
Finn and Balor are both big names in Irish mythology.
Finn maccumhail is like the most legendary figure in Irish mythology. Though it should be be spelled Fionn. I think Finn is a more anglicized/Americanized version of the name.
Then again wwe spell it Shawn instead of Sean. Surprised they don't spell seamus with a H.
Should of named him after the greatest RKW Jobber ever.
Prince Drama Queen.
Quote from: Drama Queen on September 25, 2014, 06:17:01 PM
Finn maccumhail is like the most legendary figure in Irish mythology. Though it should be be spelled Fionn. I think Finn is a more anglicized/Americanized version of the name.
Then again wwe spell it Shawn instead of Sean. Surprised they don't spell seamus with a H.
They do spell Sheamus with the H...
Much like Hideo Itami, it's a name that makes sense with the heritage of the wrestler, but isn't corny or gimmicky. The name change I'm really interested in is Steen. There's not a lot of Canadian mythology or comic book characters to choose from. All though there are a ton of Canadian sports stars, actors, and some musicians. Could also maybe use the fact he was trained by the Quebecers, or they could just go with a random normal sounding name. With KENTA and Devitt, they had a direction they could go in to find a new name, not so much with Steen.
Breaking.
Kevin Steen is now known as Tom Horton.
Quote from: jagilki on September 25, 2014, 06:37:40 PM
Breaking.
Kevin Steen is now known as Tom Horton.
This is funny on the Tim Horton's joke, and funny on a personal level because that happens to be my uncle's real name.
Kill Horton Kill...
....
................
Horton hears a WHAT?
LMFAO
He could go as Lloyd Boner?
Quote from: Krazy on September 25, 2014, 10:11:47 PM
He could go as Lloyd Boner?
Your attempted joke was bad and you should feel bad.
Quote from: JackHondo on September 25, 2014, 06:42:07 AM
Here's what I don't get.
They make this huuuge deal about signing Kenta and Devitt and Steen. They specifically mention on their websites, TV shows, etc. "Holy crap, boys! We signed Kenta!" They do interviews with them on the website, specifically calling them by their well-known names, etc. etc.
And then turn around and give them dumb WWE names anyway.
I mean, what's the point?
Your answer, in a nutshell.
http://youtu.be/CtOl-0imIqU (http://youtu.be/CtOl-0imIqU)
Was this a dark match/Impromptu brawl? I ask because there was no commentary on the video. Not that it matters... I didn't select him for this week in fwl :P
Crowd seem to lap it up though, name change and all.
Probably wasn't commentary because it wasn't aired yet
NXT Spoiler 10/16 - 11/6
[spoiler]Dark Match
*Dash Wilder def. Chad Gable
10/16
*Baron Corbin def. Elias Samson
*Sami Zayn and Tyson Kidd had a dueling promo segment to set up a match later in the show
*NXT Tag Team Champions The Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara and Kalisto) def. Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake
*NXT Women's Champion Charlotte def. Becky Lynch
*Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs The Legionnaires (Sylvester Lefort and Marcus Louis) was a no contest after Louis turns on Lefort and beats him down
*Carmella def. local talent (SHIMMER/SHINE regular Leva Bates)
*Sami Zayn def. Tyson Kidd
10/23
*The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) def. Jason Jordan and Tye Dillinger, Hideo Itami made a run-in post match but got beat down
*Tyler Breeze def. CJ Parker, Mojo Rawley taunts Breeze from the stage post match
*The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and Simon Gotch) def. Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake, The Vaudevillains apparently have new "more sinister" entrance music
*Sasha Banks def. Bayley, Banks beats down Bayley post match until Becky Lynch comes down appearing to make the save, but instead joins in and turns heel
*Adrian Neville def. Titus O'Neil to retain the NXT Championship, Sami Zayn appeared post match to challenge Neville for a title match but Neville brushed him off
10/30
*The Vaudevillians (Aiden English and Simon Gotch) win a tag team battle royal to become No. 1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship, the other participants were The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor), Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady, Jason Jordan and Tye Dillinger and Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake
*The Ascension cut a promo on Hideo Itami
*Carmella def. Emma
*Bull Dempsey def. Justin Gabriel
*Baron Corbin def. Tony Briggs, the NXT crowd apparently chanted a running count for the short length of this match
*Marcus Louis and Sylvester Lefort had a dueling promo segment that ended in a brawl
*Sami Zayn def. Titus O'Neil, Tyler Breeze appears post match to challenge Zayn to a match for No. 1 Contendership to the NXT Championship
11/6
*The Ascension v Hideo Itami and a partner of his choice is apparently happening later in this show
*Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch def. NXT Women's Champion Charlotte and Bayley
*Tyson Kidd def. Dash Wilder
*Sami Zayn def. Tyler Breeze to become No. 1 Contender to the NXT Championship
*The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) v Hideo Itami and Finn Bálor (the former Fergal "Prince" Devitt) was a no contest after Itami and Bálor laid out Konnor and Viktor[/spoiler]
That will answer you DQ (if you want to read spoilers)
https://twitter.com/fergaldevitt/status/515498424922542080
Ah gotcha. Thanks jag, those spoilers help me know when I finally start earning fwl points ;D
- It's expected that Finn Balor (Fergal Devitt) and Hideo Itami (Kenta) will be brought up to WWE's main roster before most of the other NXT talents that are currently in developmental. While Itami came to WWE because he really wanted to do it, Balor was not brought in to spend a few years in developmental. Both men will have a run in NXT, because all talents do, but we could see them on the main roster before 90% of the other NXT talents that will be getting called up.
Source: PWInsider Elite
- With former NWA Champion Adam Pearce making his third visit as a guest trainer at the WWE Performance Center this week, there is a lot of speculation among the wrestlers that he is there to interview for a job. Pearce may end up replacing Nick "Eugene" Dinsmore, who was released several weeks back.
- WWE brought in a number of indie talents for a week-long tryout at the Performance Center this week. Top indie star Uhaa Nation is the biggest name at those tryouts. WWE held a similar tryout with women's wrestlers a few weeks back and Veda Scott, among others, participated.
Veda Time in NXT? Uhaa is a beast and would break the mold of a big guy.
Quote from: Krazy on October 22, 2014, 12:59:34 PM
Veda Time in NXT? Uhaa is a beast and would break the mold of a big guy.
He is not a big guy, by any stretch of the imagination. The dude is 6' and 240, in what universe does that qualify him as a big guy? The only reason he seems like a big guy, is because he's worked with a shit ton of really small spot monkeys. I guarantee that if he was signed by WWE, he wouldn't be doing all those crazy ass moves he does now, because 1. He'd be in the ring with guys that are closer to his size, and 2. they're freaking ridiculous, just like so many of these indy guys who have zero sense of psychology and are just out there to show off. I swear to God, if I see one more indy fuck, just completely no sell a superkick, I'm gonna freaking lose it.
Quote from: Chris Shields on October 22, 2014, 06:50:34 PM
He is not a big guy, by any stretch of the imagination. The dude is 6' and 240, in what universe does that qualify him as a big guy? The only reason he seems like a big guy, is because he's worked with a shit ton of really small spot monkeys. I guarantee that if he was signed by WWE, he wouldn't be doing all those crazy ass moves he does now, because 1. He'd be in the ring with guys that are closer to his size, and 2. they're freaking ridiculous, just like so many of these indy guys who have zero sense of psychology and are just out there to show off. I swear to God, if I see one more indy fuck, just completely no sell a superkick, I'm gonna freaking lose it.
Uhaa isn't the mold of a classic big guy. He does the flippy stuff WWE has a mold of big guys. Uhaa would make amazing midcarder. By the way I am huge Veda Scott mark.
Quote from: Krazy on October 22, 2014, 07:49:47 PM
Uhaa isn't the mold of a classic big guy. He does the flippy stuff WWE has a mold of big guys. Uhaa would make amazing midcarder. By the way I am huge Veda Scott mark.
To break the mold of the big guy, you actually have to be a big guy. Plus, WWE has had it's fair share of big guys who can do some incredible things. Vader, Bam Bam Biggelow, Taker, even right now you have Harper doing plancha's and shit like that. As for the flippy stuff, most of the time it makes no damn sense and he's doing it just to show that he can do it, and get a few dorks to jizz in their shorts. Far too many of these indy guys focus on what they do, rather than why they do it. Everything I've seen of Uhaa Nation, he's one of these super indy guys that is ultimately doing way more harm to wrestling. These guys are taking moves that used to be finishers and turning them into mid-match spots that don't even get 2 counts. They have shit psychology, but people pop for the crazy shit, so they don't bother to do anything more.
Maybe it's the efedder in me ... but that finish of his can't be serious right?
Gorilla Press Slam ... into a Standing Moonsault ... into a Standing Shooting Star Press??
APPLICATION REJECTED
Big Update On Kevin Steen's WWE NXT TV Debut
KEVIN STEEN VS EL GENERICO LADDER WAR (FINAL ROH MATCH) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-m9UW4lTNk#ws)
Source: PWInsider
Kevin Steen has been filming vignettes at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this week to build to his debut on NXT as Kevin Owens.
Steen is currently scheduled to make his NXT TV debut at the December 11th NXT Takeover special or the NXT TV tapings the next night.
Quote from: Fnord on November 04, 2014, 06:58:52 PM
Big Update On Kevin Steen's WWE NXT TV Debut
KEVIN STEEN VS EL GENERICO LADDER WAR (FINAL ROH MATCH) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-m9UW4lTNk#ws)
Source: PWInsider
Kevin Steen has been filming vignettes at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this week to build to his debut on NXT as Kevin Owens.
Steen is currently scheduled to make his NXT TV debut at the December 11th NXT Takeover special or the NXT TV tapings the next night.
Can Steen screw over Zayne?
Why?
KILL STEEN KILL oops KILL OWENS KILL!
I like the name Kevin Owens, it's not too different from his normal name, I would liked to seen Steen but WWE changes names to do copyrights so we all knew it'd happen.
From what it sounds like WWE allowed him to pick his name and he went with his sons name as his last name, which I don't mind because his son was named after Owen Hart, so some good call back history with the name and some good family tribute I think.
Steen/Owens debut teaser:
A cryptic warning is sent to the NXT roster: WWE NXT, Nov. 20, 2014 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTYm_u-nf3M#ws)
got to admit "Fight, Owens, Fight" still has a good ring to it..
- There's been some talk of having Finn Balor and Hideo Itami make a run at the NXT Tag Team Titles before having singles runs in NXT. There's still no word on their main roster call-ups but it was believed when Balor signed with WWE that one of his requests was that he not stay in developmental for too long.
** SPOILERS ** WWE NXT Tapings For December And January
[spoiler]
* Brian Kendrick vs. Solomon Crowe is the dark match. Crowe won after a good match. Kendrick got a big welcome back pop.
12/18/2014 Episode:
* In ring segment with Adrian Neville and Kevin Owens. Neville says Sami Zayn isn't here. Owens says he will fight if Neville wants to.
* Becky Lynch defeated Bayley.
* Bull Dempsey defeated a local wrestler.
* Baron Corbin squashed a local wrestler. Bull watched from the ramp and there was a quick altercation after.
* The Ascension defeated Enzo Amore and Big Cass. Ascension did a promo on Hideo Itami and Finn Balor after the match.
* The referee stopped Owens vs. Neville when Neville got pushed into the ring post and was out. Owens powerbombed Neville on the apron after. This was a great match.
* Neville was stretchered out.
12/25/2014 Episode:
* Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch came out. Ric Flair came out and praised Charlotte before introducing her. Charlotte retained over Sasha and celebrated with Flair.
* Sin Cara and Kalisto defeated Jason Jordan and Tye Dillinger. The Vaudevillians laid them out after the match.
* Enzo and Cass introduced Carmella before she cut a promo. They also introduced Blue Pants, who got a massive reaction. The former Leva Bates won after Enzo accidentally distracted Carmella. Carmella hit Enzo, lost her weave and stormed off.
* Baron Corbin squashed CJ Parker. Baron called out Bull, who was watching from ringside. Baron pulled Bull over the barrier and they brawled until officials separated them.
* Devin Taylor interviewed Charlotte. Sasha and Becky cornered her but Natalya came out and they retreated.
* Finn Balor and Hideo Itami defeated The Ascension.
1/1/2015 Episode:
* Sami Zayn comes out to a big pop and talks about being NXT Champion. He runs through the crowd. Adrian Neville interrupts but is friendly. William Regal comes out and makes the rematch for next week.
* Tyler Breeze defeated Chad Gable.
* Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss.
* Sin Cara and Kalisto retained over The Vaudevillians.
* Hideo Itami defeated Curtis Axel.
1/8/2015 Episode:
* Finn Balor defeated Tyson Kidd.
* Sasha and Becky defeated Charlotte and Natalya.
* Baron Corbin defeated Bull Dempsey.
* Sami Zayn defeated Adrian Neville to retain. Owens attacked Sami after the match.[/spoiler]
That DDT..
(http://giant.gfycat.com/HatefulElaborateEchidna.gif)
was a thing of beauty
Quote from: Chris Stern on December 18, 2014, 05:22:44 PM
That DDT..
(http://giant.gfycat.com/HatefulElaborateEchidna.gif)
was a thing of beauty
awesome...
the total match was five star
Quote from: Black Death on December 19, 2014, 02:46:12 AM
awesome...
the total match was five star
I agree. If NXT keeps churning out this level of awesomeness, I really do hope that Trips get's Vince to make it a full fledge brand so long as Trips get's to keep full control over it and keeps Vince and Dunn far away from it. Since it could possibly do well enough to convince Vince that this is the way to go and start making the main shows more like NXT.
Hey a man can still dream.
Did Steen/Pac have matching in PWG? When I was watching it I was like this match reminds me of a PWG match. The ending spot talking about that powerbomb spot is awesome! Graves sells it like he was hit with it. This shows Trips needs to be in charge of creative not Vince.
Quote from: Krazy on December 19, 2014, 07:04:51 PM
Did Steen/Pac have matching in PWG? When I was watching it I was like this match reminds me of a PWG match. The ending spot talking about that powerbomb spot is awesome! Graves sells it like he was hit with it. This shows Trips needs to be in charge of creative not Vince.
Technically Trips is already head of creative(he was moved up from head of Talent relations about a year or two ago) but yeah he still answers to Vince, like all heads of creative and if what the dirt sheets were saying are true, trips is also having problems with Kevin Dunn. So basically nothing will change in WWE until Vince steps down or takes a back seat/hands off approach to the promotion.
Quote from: Chris Stern on December 19, 2014, 07:16:06 PM
Technically Trips is already head of creative(he was moved up from head of Talent relations about a year or two ago) but yeah he still answers to Vince, like all heads of creative and if what the dirt sheets were saying are true, trips is also having problems with Kevin Dunn. So basically nothing will change in WWE until Vince steps down or takes a back seat/hands off approach to the promotion.
Vince's stupid ass needs to step down and Kevin Dunn needs to be canned. The way to improve the ratings of main programming and get those buys for the network. Remove those out of date idiots.
Does anyone know if PAC took on Steen in PWG?
Quote from: Krazy on December 19, 2014, 07:33:44 PM
Vince's stupid ass needs to step down and Kevin Dunn needs to be canned. The way to improve the ratings of main programming and get those buys for the network. Remove those out of date idiots.
Does anyone know if PAC took on Steen in PWG?
You would be hard pressed to find someone that is a wrestling fan that would argue with you on that. Not saying that there is not some idiots out there that think Vince and Kevin are doing fine or at least Kevin Dunn isn't a shit head anyway but in time they will be gone, once Vince steps down Kevin Dunn will be gone as well since if what is being said is true Trips is going to fire him the first chance he gets especially if Kevin is trying to sabotage him.
And yes PAC/Nevile took on Steen/Owens in PWG
PWG - PAC vs Kevin Steen - Highlights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OncUyyTLHc0#)
NXT can't be a third brand because there are no brands any more. And even if there was, remember the last time there was an interesting third brand. ECW was interesting for the first few months then WWE said, it's not WWE enough. NXT is but would be watered down by having more main roster guys on it and it would lose the aura of it not being WWE while still being WWE.
Quote from: The TeeJ of Philly on December 19, 2014, 08:39:41 PM
NXT can't be a third brand because there are no brands any more. And even if there was, remember the last time there was an interesting third brand. ECW was interesting for the first few months then WWE said, it's not WWE enough. NXT is but would be watered down by having more main roster guys on it and it would lose the aura of it not being WWE while still being WWE.
I was just going on what Trips said in a conference call with Meltzer and others before NXT Arrival R Evolution.
I honestly that'd ruin it. Even if he had full say over it, I think the part we all love about it is that it's not WWE while still being WWE. We all suspend our disbelief for the hour each week and enjoy the show, not worrying about what the WWE will do with them once they get up, not worrying if they'll really pan out properly. That hour is bliss because we don't do anything but enjoy watching the matches. That and the fact it's the simplest of writing everyone has one goal and everyone else is just getting in their way of it. You make it a full fledged show and it that means you have to make each story different because it's no longer about making it to the WWE.
It's been a year and they've done a lot and they're hitting a now level of entertainment, but I think becoming a third show on the level of Smackdown should be at least another year away.
If I'm Vince rather than spend money on having NXT on the level of smackdown, I'd give Triple H the post Mania time and give him control of Smackdown. Vince will never ever let RAW go until he is finally done, but Smackdown I could see him giving to HHH and say "You're doing great with NXT, try something else"
I'd love for NXT to stay how it is, it's great and it's an alternative to it's own company, anything that make it like the other shows, I'm not for.
Love that I read this last page of this thread (Great reading by the way, I still maintain NXT is the WWE Show I am most likely to enjoy based on what little I've seen of it), and then saw this which kinda relates to the chat and made me giggle (when it comes to NXT, even I'M not quite this cynical!).
(http://s29.postimg.org/6r4c9fjdz/Trips_Indy.jpg)
if they apply what they use on nxtt with the other shows , they would be better off .
In terms of creative, certainly. Same applies for a few other companies too, including TNA. There was a point where OVW was TNA's Dev Territory and I watched their weekly shows on their website, it was amazing how much I enjoyed it with the variety of storytelling and characters. Certainly better than a lot of what I saw on Impact (and I say that as someone who mostly enjoys TNA).
Quote from: Krazy on December 19, 2014, 07:33:44 PM
Vince's stupid ass needs to step down and Kevin Dunn needs to be canned. The way to improve the ratings of main programming and get those buys for the network. Remove those out of date idiots.
I understand where people think this, but you have to remember one thing. The ONLY guy in the modern era to consistently run a wrestling company that is VERY profitable, is Vince McMahon. The guy took charge in the early/mid 80's, and took it out of the end of the territory system, and grew it to the point where the company is public, they have their own network, and their premiere show sells out the largest stadiums in the country. Bischoff had a profitable couple of years, Heyman had a great product that didn't make a dime.....but Vince has been King for going on 4 decades now.
People may clamor for him to step down but, who's to say that there is ANYONE else that can fill his shoes? Nobody else has proved that they could do it yet, despite many people reaching for his brass ring.
- WWE NXT officials are looking at doing a lengthy singles feud between Kevin Owens and NXT Champion Sami Zayn. Depending on how long they can keep the title reign going, Zayn could be in NXT for another year.
Quote from: Fnord on January 04, 2015, 05:38:25 PM
- WWE NXT officials are looking at doing a lengthy singles feud between Kevin Owens and NXT Champion Sami Zayn. Depending on how long they can keep the title reign going, Zayn could be in NXT for another year.
I'm cool with that. Let Zayn keep growing for a bit longer, help Owens build as a devastating brute as well as keeping them far, far away from any stupid "creative" changes that may happen if/when they go to the main roster.
- WWE taped the following matches for tonight's NXT:
* Adrian Neville vs. Tyson Kidd in a tournament
* Baron Corbin vs. Bull Dempsey in a tournament match
* Charlotte and Bayley vs. Sasha Banks and Becky
* Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy vs. Sin Cara and Kalisto for the NXT Tag Team Titles
* Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens contract signing
Adrian Neville vs. Kevin Owens: WWE NXT, Dec. 18, 2014 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLro8uP7Wfg#ws)
Source: PWInsider Elite
PWInsider reports that word from within WWE is that merchandise sales for NXT star Kevin Owens are doing extremely well. Owens' first-ever WWE t-shirt first went on sale during the weekend of Takeover on December 11th.
WWE officials are very happy with how the former Kevin Steen has brought his fanbase with him to NXT, something a lot of NXT talents don't do.
Lucha Dragons vs. Wesley Blake & Buddy Murphy – NXT Tag Team Title Match: WWE NXT, January 28, 2015 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-_Opp36ehA#ws)
Sin Cara and Kalisto recently dropped the WWE NXT Tag Team Titles because officials have been toying with a new gimmick for Kalisto, according to verified WWE insider MetsFan4Ever on Reddit.
He reports that WWE is looking for a new masked star to take over with Rey Mysterio likely leaving but NXT officials recently tried Kalisto out with a new, unmasked gimmick - that of a gay hair stylist.
Kalisto reportedly did very well in the role and is seriously being considered to do that gimmick instead of continuing with the Kalisto character.
Quotegay hair stylist.
Midas finally gets to be represented in NXT.
(Insert obligatory "give this gimmick to Darren Young" comment here)
- WWE officials were impressed with Mexican star The Laredo Kid, who had a tryout several weeks back in Texas. He told Super Luchas that he will be back for another tryout in April and word from within WWE is that officials like him as a new masked wrestler to develop in NXT.
Quote from: Fnord on February 04, 2015, 04:41:06 PM
- WWE officials were impressed with Mexican star The Laredo Kid, who had a tryout several weeks back in Texas. He told Super Luchas that he will be back for another tryout in April and word from within WWE is that officials like him as a new masked wrestler to develop in NXT.
So, they brought in a masked guy to replace the masked guy that they brought in to replace the masked guy, and now they want to bring in another masked guy, because they want the newest masked guy to no longer me a masked guy? Why not just do something with Hunicara, who is actually decent, and has the cool looking mask that still sells well?
I read that about kalisto and automatically think of Sacha baron Cohen portraying Bruno!
Quote from: Chris Shields on February 04, 2015, 04:55:27 PM
So, they brought in a masked guy to replace the masked guy that they brought in to replace the masked guy, and now they want to bring in another masked guy, because they want the newest masked guy to no longer me a masked guy? Why not just do something with Hunicara, who is actually decent, and has the cool looking mask that still sells well?
Probably is influenced by the mighty Neville gimmick. If they're going to put Neville in a mask, it hurts him to debut another talent a couple months. Plus it wouldn't hurt to have him work without the mask and see if he could get over without it. Give him a gimmick with some personality and some room to grow as an entertainer. They know his work is good, there's just a limit to what you can do under the mask other than be an underdog.
It was reported last night via Reddit's MetsFan4Ever that WWE NXT officials recently tested out Kalisto with a gay hair stylist gimmick and that it may be his new character going forward.
A WWE source reached out today and said that the report is not true and there will be no character change with Kalisto.
Kalisto was trending worldwide on Twitter around midnight after the report came out and fan reaction was not positive.
Since when is fan reaction for ANYthing positive these days?
Quote from: Drama Queen on February 04, 2015, 08:40:37 PM
Since when is fan reaction for ANYthing positive these days?
We live in a cynical world. Theirs a reason triple h said its almost the worst thing you can do to someone is turn them fave.
So in other words they want another Rico
Finn Balor defeated Hideo Itami and Adrian Neville defeated Baron Corbin to advance to the semi-finals of the #1 contender's tournament at next Wednesday's WWE NXT Takeover: Rival event. We may get one or two more matches added at the last minute but here's the card for next week:
Grudge Match for the NXT Title
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Fatal 4 Way for the NXT Women's Title
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte
NXT Tag Team Title Match
Sin Cara and Kalisto vs. Murphy and Blake
#1 Contender's Match
Adrian Neville vs. Finn Balor
No Disqualification Match
Baron Corbin vs. Bull Dempsey
Looks like a nice card, hopefully I'll be home to see it.
Beast of a card for RoH... What do you mean this is WWE?!
Honestly, match I'm looking forward to the most is Balor/Neville. Those two will absolutely tear the house down in terms of work.
Owens/Zayn is going to have the crowd frothing at the mouth, these guys have worked so many matches together they know EXACTLY what to do to get the crowd into it.
Women's match (Sorry I refuse to insult these ladies by call them "Divas") has alot of potential - I'm not 100% sold on Banks or Bayley, but I reckon these 4 could put on something great.
Tag match & No DQ... don't really give a hoot if I'm honest.
Quote from: BamBamBunglow on February 05, 2015, 03:46:58 AM
Beast of a card for RoH... What do you mean this is WWE?!
Honestly, match I'm looking forward to the most is Balor/Neville. Those two will absolutely tear the house down in terms of work.
Owens/Zayn is going to have the crowd frothing at the mouth, these guys have worked so many matches together they know EXACTLY what to do to get the crowd into it.
Women's match (Sorry I refuse to insult these ladies by call them "Divas") has alot of potential - I'm not 100% sold on Banks or Bayley, but I reckon these 4 could put on something great.
Tag match & No DQ... don't really give a hoot if I'm honest.
Balor/Neville , awesome , main event caliber match going to steal the show in my opinion
Owens/Zayn going to be fantastic match , like you said they know how to work with each other and this feud has potential to be a show stopper throughout the year
4 way women's title match is also going to be great...Charlotte, Banks , Lynch and Bayley are all solid and it been a great build up . another potential show seller in my book
I like Murphy and Blake , getting a hardy boy vibe from them.
Corbin look really good in the longest match I seen him in against Neville. But Neville is a very good worker and get a good match out of a lot of people ... i see a big brawl happening here , could be fun
- Hideo Itami confirmed on Twitter that he will be facing Tyler Breeze at Wednesday's WWE NXT Takeover: Rival event from Full Sail University.
Can Hideo stomp the windpipe of Mikey Dalton oops Tyler Breeze? I see that CJ Parker and Mojo are not being shoved down our throats now get rid of Breeze there will be real talent then the crap they did have.
Breeze is one of the best things they got going right now.
I like Breeze. I'm looking forward to a Tyler Breeze VS Marcus Louis feud!
It's his poor attempt of being Rick Martel is what bothers me.
He's portraying every douche in the world and it's great.
Quote from: T-Lover on February 08, 2015, 04:40:17 PM
Breeze is one of the best things they got going right now.
This times one hundred.
Final Card For Tonight's WWE NXT Takeover: Rival Event
NXT Champion Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens tell their history (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBgbI35memU#ws)
The pre-show will feature Renee Young, Corey Graves, Jason "Tensai" Albert and Byron Saxton. Below is the card for tonight:
Grudge Match for the NXT Title
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Fatal 4 Way for the NXT Women's Title
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte
NXT Tag Team Title Match
Sin Cara and Kalisto vs. Murphy and Blake
#1 Contender's Match
Adrian Neville vs. Finn Balor
No Disqualification Match
Baron Corbin vs. Bull Dempsey
Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze
Quote from: Krazy on February 08, 2015, 04:34:02 PM
Can Hideo stomp the windpipe of Mikey Dalton oops Tyler Breeze? I see that CJ Parker and Mojo are not being shoved down our throats now get rid of Breeze there will be real talent then the crap they did have.
Don't be such an uggo.
Quote from: Gary on February 11, 2015, 01:27:36 PM
Don't be such an uggo.
+1!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/517174684375584769/PVS4tWcg_400x400.jpeg)
Quote from: Fnord on February 11, 2015, 01:33:29 PM
+1!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/517174684375584769/PVS4tWcg_400x400.jpeg)
Yup, same as what Fnord said, Gary.
Post NXT Rivals tapings Spoilers:
[spoiler]
February 18
– William Regal spoke about the title change at Takeover. He booked Owens vs Neville tonight.
– Kevin Owens spoke in the ring. He said Sami is the past, and FINN Bálor is the future. Owens said he's ready for Bálor anytime. Owens said he made his intentions clear when he came in, and he did what he said he'd do – become champion.
– Rhyno defeated Elias Samson quickly with a spear. The crowd loved him, chanting Rhyno, Holy Shit, and ECW at him loudly.
– Backstage, Rhyno faced off with Finn Bálor.
– Enzo & Cass defeated Vaudevillains with the assisted splash.
– Backstage, Blake & Murphy said they were no flukes. They hit on Carmella to her horror.
– Backstage, Adrian Neville said it was sort of a relief not being hunted anymore as champion. He's the hunter now. He's hunting Owens.
– CJ Parker came to the ring, putting caution tape everywhere. He was upset he wasn't on Takeover, so he was canceling the show. Solomon Crowe debuted, taking CJ out. Crowe came in through the crowd, and left through the crowd.
– Sasha Banks defeated Blue Pants via submission with the Bank Statement. Blue Pants has music and a Tron now. Post math, Sasha was interviewed in the ring about her win at Takeover.
– Kevin Owens defeated Adrian Neville in a fantastic match, non-title. Huge spots from Neville including a 450 splash from the ring apron onto Owens on the floor.
February 25
– Hideo Itami defeated Bull Dempsey. Hideo was attacked by Tyler Breeze and his selfie stick attacked Hideo afterwards. As Tyler was looking at himself, Hideo recovered and beat up Breeze to end the segment.
– Lucha Dragons defeated Jason Jordan & Tye Dillinger via pinfall when Sin Cara pinned Tye with a senton. Jason Jordan walked out on Tye during the match.
– Baron Corbin defeated Tye Dillinger in 20 seconds. Tye was calling Jordan back out, but Corbin came instead.
– Becky Lynch defeated Bayley.
– Finn Bálor defeated Brian Kendrick in an excellent match given plenty of time. Finn won after the double foot stomp. Owens sat in on commentary. After the match, Owens stood up and stared off with Finn. Kevin then laid out ALEX RILEY, who returned to commentary for this episode.
March 4
– Tyler Breeze defeated Adam Rose with the Beauty Shot. The rosebuds were trying to dance with Breeze but he kept them away with his selfie stick.
– Dubstep Cowboys defeated Angelo Dawkins & Sawyer Fulton of Shoot Nation.
– Baron Corbin squashed Tony Briggs. During the match, Kevin Owens went to commentary and stalked Alex Riley. Eventually, Owens poured water and Riley's head. Jason Albert had to hold Alex back while Owens laughed.
– Alex Riley stormed off from commentary.
– Solomon Crowe defeated Bull Dempsey via pinfall after his slingshot splash.
– Sasha Banks retained her Women's Championship against Charlotte. Sasha pinned Charlotte after throwing her off the too rope, then covering her using ropes for leverage.
March 11
– Enzo & Cass defeated Lucha Dragons. Enzo & Cass are building for a tag title shot. Enzo pinned Kalisto after the assisted splash.
– Alexa Bliss defeated Carmella via top rope moonsault.
– Alex Riley defeated CJ Parker with the Blockbuster. After the match, Kevin Owens came to the stage to call Riley the dumbest man in WWE. He said Riley was foolish for getting his back tattoo, and for giving up commentary to fight Owens. Owens vs Riley is coming.
– Tyler Breeze defeated Hideo Itami clean with the Beauty Shot in a very good match given time. Breeze the MVP of this set of shows.
[/spoilers]
Nxt has the best in ring stuff of any company hands down.
- There are people within WWE who are high on former NXT Women's Champion Charlotte but she also has people who are negative on bringing her to the main roster. The negativity may have to do with some people having their vision of what a WWE Diva should look like and Charlotte not fitting the supermodel image. Charlotte is still expected to be brought to the main roster soon.
Just started watching the new show, holy shit.......a complete show from wrestling, storylines and now surprises.
[spoiler]RHINO![/spoiler]
Taping spoilers from last night.
[spoiler]* We don't have the dates confirmed but it looks like they will be airing live NXT matches from WrestleMania 31 Axxess for the week of March 28th. It was announced that the next tapings will take place on Thursday, April 23rd. We're waiting for confirmation on dates and will keep you updated.
* NXT General Manager William Regal announces that we'll see Sami Zayn vs. Rhino, Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor and Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze in a 2 of 3 Falls Match tonight.
* The Vaudevillians defeated Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder in a dark match.
3/18/2015 Episode:
* Finn Balor defeated Tye Dillinger with a stomp. Tyler Breeze appears on the big screen and cuts a promo on Balor after the match.
* Bayley vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte in a #1 contender's match is next. Becky wins after pinning Bayley while Charlotte had Bayley in a Figure Four.
* Hideo Itami vs. CJ Parker is next. Itami gets the pin after a kick.
* Rhino squashed an unknown wrestler with a Gore. Fans chanted "you still got it, never lost it!" at him.
* Kevin Owens vs. Alex Riley is next. Riley got some offense in but Owens won with a powerbomb. Owens beats up Riley after the match until Sami Zayn makes the save. They brawl and Sami hits a big top rope dive. Sami stands tall to end the episode.
4/1/2015 Episode:
* Tye Dillinger vs. Jason Jordan is first. Jordan wins and the crowd wasn't sure who to cheer for.
* Emma vs. Bayley is next. Bayley wins with a roll up. Emma was acting "off" and not as bubbly as usual.
* Blake and Murphy defeated Sin Cara and Kalisto.
* Sami Zayn cuts an in-ring promo about Kevin Owens. Sami has a plan. He's going to use his rematch and kick Owens' ass.
* Rhino squashed another unknown wrestler with a Gore. He cut a promo and said he's coming for the NXT Title.
* Tyler Breeze vs. Hideo Itami in a 2 of 3 Falls Match is next. Hideo wins the first fall after a kick. Breeze wins the second fall after Beauty Shot and using the referee as a distraction. Tyler then wins the final fall with a Beauty Shot. The last fall was said to be very good.
4/8/2015 Episode:
* Solomon Crowe defeated CJ Parker by submission.
* Baron Corbin defeated an unknown wrestler as fans counted to 29.
* Big Cass and Enzo Amore vs. Shoot Nation's Angelo Dawkins and Sawyer Fulton is next. Blake and Murphy come out during the match to hit on Carmella. They give her flowers and leave. Big Cass gets upset, runs wild and sets up Enzo's splash for the win.
* Dana Brooke made her debut and defeated Blue Pants. Dana won with a fireman's carry into a front slam.
* Sami Zayn vs. Rhino is next. Sami wins with a Helluva Kick in what was said to be an amazing match.
* Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss by submission to retain the NXT Women's Title.
* Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor is next. Owens retains the NXT Title with a powerbomb after a long grueling match. There were said to be some amazing spots in this match. This was the end of the tapings.[/spoiler]
Last night's NXT was great. Rhino got a nice reaction, the squash was perfect for him, and the interaction with him and Balor was done well. Enzo and Cass are freaking money, and I swear Enzo Amore can do just about whatever he wants with his look, and it works for the character. Seriously, that freaking beard? On most people you would be saying the guys a freaking idiot, but with that character it's part of the fun. Then you had a decent women's match that had a story and a purpose, plus Blue Pants is so freaking over. The main event, that was just a fantastic match. I wasn't sure when I saw where someone had said it may have been better than Balor/Neville and Owens/Zayn from Rival, but after seeing it, I'd say it was on par with those 2 for sure. NXT is the best wrestling show out right now, at least of the ones that are showing current matches (the new NJPW show is awesome, but it's older matches).
- Both Rhyno and Solomon Crowe have been added to the NXT roster section on WWE.com following their respective debuts last night.
Someone was noticably missing from the latest set of NXT tapings. I wonder if that means a callup is imminent.....
[spoiler]I'm talking about Adrian Neville[/spoiler]
OR cause he was DESTROYED!
Quote from: Mike Powers on February 19, 2015, 04:41:30 PM
Someone was noticably missing from the latest set of NXT tapings. I wonder if that means a callup is imminent.....
[spoiler]I'm talking about Adrian Neville[/spoiler]
More then likely hope you are ready to hear this everytime he comes out..
Mighty Mouse Theme Song YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsPa8QgGGkc#ws)
Only if it is Andy Kaufmann performing it.
Quote from: Mike Powers on February 19, 2015, 06:47:52 PM
Only if it is Andy Kaufmann performing it.
I would actually pay good money to see that but only if it's the real Andy Kaufmann and not a hologram. Sure he's dead but Kaufmann would of been cool with it, and by it I mean using his remains for that.. I'm not even trying to be smarky either Kaufmann had a very unusual sense of humor. Seriously he once did a stand up routine where he sat there and ate ice cream for 6 minutes and another time he read the entirety of the Great Gatsby.
Andy Kaufman I'm From Hollywood "Great Gatsby" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAbuVM5oVV4#)
Andy Kaufman - Eating Ice Cream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8vOt8_T0mk#)
I'm still waiting for him to come out and say his "death" was one looooong troll.
Quote from: Mike Powers on February 19, 2015, 07:27:52 PM
I'm still waiting for him to come out and say his "death" was one looooong troll.
Many of us are.
Quote from: Mike Powers on February 19, 2015, 07:27:52 PM
I'm still waiting for him to come out and say his "death" was one looooong troll.
Vince beat him to it
Quote from: Fnord on February 13, 2015, 11:08:31 AM
- There are people within WWE who are high on former NXT Women's Champion Charlotte but she also has people who are negative on bringing her to the main roster. The negativity may have to do with some people having their vision of what a WWE Diva should look like and Charlotte not fitting the supermodel image. Charlotte is still expected to be brought to the main roster soon.
The people who think this shit should be fired ... there fucking idiots.
Quote from: Black Death on February 21, 2015, 07:02:40 AM
The people who think this shit should be fired ... there fucking idiots.
But it's Vince and Dunn.
Quote from: jagilki on February 21, 2015, 08:26:58 AM
But it's Vince and Dunn.
even more reason to fire them..
...plus didnt HHH hand select her to help with his mania entrance? She'll be fine.
Anyone want NXT to A) Go to 1.5hrs B) Add a mid-card belt?
I'd rather them add a Mid-Card Belt, I think and hour is good for their show.
Quote from: Tezmission Black on February 26, 2015, 12:50:37 PM
I'd rather them add a Mid-Card Belt, I think and hour is good for their show.
I just see a feud like Itami/Breeze would be nice for a mid-card belt with Itami works on engrish and such, plus monsters like Corbin who arent ready for the title scene and all the old, still over guys like Rhino/Kendricks.
Just see the Title picture, divas, tag and then theres everyone in the middle. Just think if they went this way, they'd need more time....2hrs makes it feel like a Raw, but 1.5 lets them have one more story + 1 more decent lenght match,.
NXT, Divas, Tag, Mid
4 titles for a show that's stand-alone and only 1 hour a week? Seems like overkill.
Quote from: Fnord on February 26, 2015, 02:16:53 PM
NXT, Divas, Tag, Mid
4 titles for a show that's stand-alone and only 1 hour a week? Seems like overkill.
But the thing is they don't always spotlight the different titles on each week as is, thats the nice thing about NXT, lets take last week as an example, we had Kevin Owens on the show and Adrian Nevel in the ME, but we did not see Sasha Banks or the New Tag team Champs.
But the show did not suffer for it, and they had even had weeks where they had no World Championship contenders and focused on the Midcard, honestly as long as things smoothly focus on the enviable blow off at each live 2 hour special every three months then I'm more than happy with them adding a second tier title.
Quote from: Tezmission Black on February 26, 2015, 03:50:36 PM
But the thing is they don't always spotlight the different titles on each week as is, thats the nice thing about NXT, lets take last week as an example, we had Kevin Owens on the show and Adrian Nevel in the ME, but we did not see Sasha Banks or the New Tag team Champs.
But the show did not suffer for it, and they had even had weeks where they had no World Championship contenders and focused on the Midcard, honestly as long as things smoothly focus on the enviable blow off at each live 2 hour special every three months then I'm more than happy with them adding a second tier title.
Yeah but it makes it tough to count on any of them for fwl points >:(
I don't do the Fantasy Stuff like that I watch for the entertainment that I get out of it :P
Quote from: Tezmission Black on February 26, 2015, 03:50:36 PM
But the thing is they don't always spotlight the different titles on each week as is, thats the nice thing about NXT, lets take last week as an example, we had Kevin Owens on the show and Adrian Nevel in the ME, but we did not see Sasha Banks or the New Tag team Champs.
But the show did not suffer for it, and they had even had weeks where they had no World Championship contenders and focused on the Midcard, honestly as long as things smoothly focus on the enviable blow off at each live 2 hour special every three months then I'm more than happy with them adding a second tier title.
This.
It just seems like theres a risk of guys in the middle not having any meaning...sometimes storytelling alone is fine but why not add some value to these feuds? Ownes/Zayn is going to be your long term main event feud, occasional Balor/Itami being tossed up there, but thats their angle.
Divas is phenominal, and the tag division is what it is, will develop over time (man how awesome for a Hass/Benjamin reunion to add to the mix down there, or Kendrick/London) but what do you do/reward the midcard guys?
Everyone raves how NXT does the right thing in terms of booking, but one of the key elements to a promotion is that mid-card belt that will eventually propel the mid-card guy to the main title picture AND until then the belt holds relevance, meaning and importance (unlike the US/IC title or whatever it is nowadays). Itami needs a little more work than HHH's other recruits, and how many times will someone in the midcard attack him burly on the basis of "your not better than me!?" aka Breeze right now, and was already done with Curtis Axel coming back.
With the talent that is there like Balor, Itami, Breeze, Crowe, Neville, Corbin in the middle add a meaningful title into the mix, and with the old guys coming back that are still over with Rhino/Kendrick and hopefully a few more (I've heard Shelton Benjamin rumors) I fear if they dont add a mid tier belt they'll either have to stick 2 of the guys above and have them tag for some reason for the tag belts or just have the old guys squash/put over, rince and repeat (+ Corbin).
Add a half hour to the show which will meet the growing demand for more NXT and give room for another title picture.
- WWE has added The Brian Kendrick to the NXT roster page, just like they did with Rhyno after he debuted last week. There's been no talk of either Superstar signing a new deal with WWE.
- The April 23rd WWE NXT TV tapings are sold out.
Is there a chance in the future, if the network hits the level of subscribers they want, that NXT begins to get as big as Raw?
Quote from: Rob on February 27, 2015, 08:08:13 PM
Is there a chance in the future, if the network hits the level of subscribers they want, that NXT begins to get as big as Raw?
No
NXT apparently barely cracks the top 10 for shows viewed on the network each week.
Quote from: T-Lover on February 27, 2015, 08:30:44 PM
NXT apparently barely cracks the top 10 for shows viewed on the network each week.
don't understand why more people are not watching
It's the main reason I got the network in the first place and 95% of what I've watched on it since I got it earlier this month.
4 out of every 5 subscriber bought the network only to get the PPVs for 10 bucks.
I must've been the 1 out of the 5, then lol
I bought it for the PPVs, but I now watch NXT every week (though there was a stretch of time where I just didn't get around to it)
Quote from: Black Death on February 27, 2015, 08:34:37 PM
don't understand why more people are not watching
Doesnt help that they dont promote it on Raw/Smackdown.
Quote from: T-Lover on February 27, 2015, 08:30:44 PM
NXT apparently barely cracks the top 10 for shows viewed on the network each week.
Heh not true. Last year WWE used to run 'Top 10 Most watched WWE Network shows of the week' on Raw and WWE NXT was always on it, this was even before Fatal 4 Way and [R] Evolution when NXT's popularity exploded. What held NXT back for a while was the episodes getting uploaded at 4 PM but ever since the Wednesday move that isn't a factor. We are now getting trending topics weekly on Twitter, you may roll your eyes at the trending thing but it actually matters, so that it isn't in the top 10 each week is laughable? If it was on it last year, it is sure as hell on it every week now.
Well, he didn't say it's not on there...
He just said it barely makes it...
Yeah it would clock in between 6 and 9 each week behind re-runs of RAW, SD, PPVs, WWE Countdown, Total Divas to name a few.
Quote from: Gates on February 28, 2015, 07:55:22 PM
Well, he didn't say it's not on there...
He just said it barely makes it...
It was in the Top 6 the last few weeks it ran on RAW and on the top 10 list every week the list ran. This was before Fatal 4 Way. Being in the top 6 is not 'barely making it'. Also RAW/SD? They aren't Network shows so why would they be counted? And Total Divas are just re-runs. The only thing T-Lover mentioned that is actually considered would be PPVs (which are monthly and Countdown). So he is just speculating, wrongly I might add.
Yeah and we would comment about it in chat how NXT was towards the bottom of the list. This was when they were showing the graphic on RAW after WM last year hyping up the network.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that the idea behind NXT has changed a lot lately as Triple H loves all the praise he gets for NXT on social media. WWE originally was looking to train new talents from the bottom to the main roster but it appears they are recruiting top talents for the NXT brand itself. The idea is to replace some of the top indie stars who can already work good matches with more indie stars.
Regarding call-ups, there's no word on NXT Champion Kevin Owens or Sami Zayn getting brought to the main roster but there has been a lot of talk about NXT Women's Champion Sasha Banks, Adrian Neville and possibly Charlotte getting called up. With how WWE likes to introduce new talents after WrestleMania, it's possible we see new main roster talents in April.
Source: WWE
WWE has announced that NXT Champion Kevin Owens underwent a partial meniscectomy for a knee injury late last week. He commented:
"I'm not the kind of person that lets things like this get in my way. I'm already walking around without crutches and doing physical therapy at the WWE Performance Center.
"Now that I'm at the level I am now, and with as much at stake as there is, I don't think it's going to slow me down. I'm on the way back.
Source: F4WOnline
- As noted, WWE NXT Champion Kevin Owens underwent a partial meniscectomy for a knee injury late last week. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio notes that Owens will likely be out of the ring for 4-6 weeks, which means he probably won't be wrestling at the big NXT live event during WrestleMania 31 weekend.
- We've noted earlier via PWInsider how The Briscoes were not expected to go to WWE as they're locked-in with Ring of Honor until at least mid-summer and then they're expected to stay with ROH. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports this week that there is still belief within WWE that the brothers will be in NXT by mid-summer.
Quote from: Fnord on March 18, 2015, 07:10:36 PM
- We've noted earlier via PWInsider how The Briscoes were not expected to go to WWE as they're locked-in with Ring of Honor until at least mid-summer and then they're expected to stay with ROH. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports this week that there is still belief within WWE that the brothers will be in NXT by mid-summer.
One of the best tag teams ive ever seen and a dumbed down version of their gimmick would be sick....but I thought they couldn't pass the initial physical?
- Regarding WWE NXT Champion Kevin Owens undergoing knee surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus, you're usually out of action for 6-7 weeks after that operation but WWE officials are expecting Owens back in the ring in 4-6 weeks, as noted. Owens has had bad knees for years so this could have been just an operation to clean the knee out without having major surgery that would put him out of the ring for at least 6 months.
Quote from: Cory on March 18, 2015, 07:46:13 PM
One of the best tag teams ive ever seen and a dumbed down version of their gimmick would be sick....but I thought they couldn't pass the initial physical?
The way I'm reading it all, if they are brought in it won't be to be in "development" but just to fill out the touring NXT roster. I'm sure the people signed in that way will be given slightly more leeway as they will prolly never make it out of NXT.
Quote from: jagilki on March 18, 2015, 11:22:29 PM
The way I'm reading it all, if they are brought in it won't be to be in "development" but just to fill out the touring NXT roster. I'm sure the people signed in that way will be given slightly more leeway as they will prolly never make it out of NXT.
This.
They're not exactly guys you want to represent a publicly traded company that partners with LGBT groups, promotes anti-bullying, and other things. Hence why they've not been in WWE yet. Now, guys you want working with young tag teams or teams you'd like to see work together, they're great for that role. They're too young to lock down to just be trainers, but too old to put time into to develop in the WWE style and get a lot of out of them.
I feel like there should be that medium between talent and trainer, whatever you would call it, road trainers, travel trainers, would help them as they go out on the road and get in front of different crowds, let them work different in front of NXT's home crowd, because clearly that indy-feel crowd doesn't represent the demographic of RAW and Smackdown like they'd hope (See Adam Rose, Ascension, Woods). You can make the case that the three of them were treated badly but Rose and Ascension were given vignettes and still feel flat on their RAW debuts. Its the reverse of TNA's problem back in 2011-2012.
So, Jimmy Jacobs is coming in as creative and there's an expected influx of ROH/Indy talent. Yup, that's solidified my mind on it, as well as HHH's comments about "NXT isn't a development brand, it's a brand". Calling it now;
The indy guys on NXT (With POSSIBLY the exception of Generico - I could see him scoring big in the main roster. I'd love to see Balor on the main roster but I doubt it'll happen) currently will be staying there, probably permanently. They'll top it up with Briscoes, Joe (Who may escape, not sure), I reckon Adam Cole will jump ship at some point in the future... outside chance of maybe Michael Elgin. And that's just from ROH.
NXT will stay an internet only brand, switch it up to 2 hours or two 1 hour shows per week on the Network. They will tour and basically be the WWE's wrestling brand - they're making their own alternative and will make money off it. It's the sort of power move only a huge company like WWE could make - "Why bother watching NJPW, GFW, DGUSA, ROH, PWG, etc? We've got all the stars you smarks love in ONE PLACE!"
This way, any "Main roster" stars they bring in will have a world of experience to draw from and learn from.
Vince gets the heat for putting on sub-par TV. HHH takes the praise for making an immense "Indyriffic show". This will continue until Vince kicks the bucket.
The touring idea is a must. The non-Indy guys will never learn and improve if they're only working in front of the same crowd every week at Full Sail. Getting them on the road, working in front of tougher crowds, and learning how to adapt is an incredibly smart move.
I wrote about the set up on MFX this week - WWE have basically created their own competition with NXT, but still have it open for guys to move up onto the main roster as and when required. It's a great idea, as long as the guys on NXT are getting more than a few hundred bucks a week. I'd happily keep most of the top guys in NXT forever, as long as they're earning decent money.
Quote from: Duckman on March 19, 2015, 09:51:23 AM
I'd happily keep most of the top guys in NXT forever, as long as they're earning decent money.
Or until Trips takes over and fires the current creative ;) Jimmy Jacobs for head of creative! :D what... I can dream ;)
You're basically spot on though mate, they've made their own competition and if they can expand the roster by 10-15 REALLY good workers and add an extra hour (preferably 2 shows, not one 2 hour show) to keep the match length decent, I would be welllll happy.
Anyone notice the brilliance of after the main on this weeks show when Balor was chasing Owens, while making his way around the ring on the outside Owens laid another shot into Alex Riley?
I donno....little things like that do it for me.
Quote from: Cory on March 19, 2015, 10:19:53 AM
Anyone notice the brilliance of after the main on this weeks show when Balor was chasing Owens, while making his way around the ring on the outside Owens laid another shot into Alex Riley?
I donno....little things like that do it for me.
This. The little things make the absolute world of difference to a character. Dean Ambrose is especially good at this kinda thing.
One of the things that Balor did that made me mark out at the last NXT Special was, during his entrance, he leapt towards the camera and thrust his throat at it - with the makeup it just looked like some kinda snapping hellhound and was VERY cool.
My all time favourite is Samoa Joe, when someone jumps off the ropes at him (usually for a cross body block or something akin) and he just casually walks out of the warm and gives the audience a smirk of "What a fucking noob". Makes me giggle every time.
It's worth noting that Sami Zayn was advertised for both of this month WWE NXT live events in Ohio but ended up just cutting in-ring promos and did not wrestle. Sami's last two matches came on February 18th at the NXT TV tapings against Rhyno and on February 20th at a NXT live event with a win over Tyler Breeze. According to a live event report from that night, there was no indication that Zayn suffered an injury. Sami wrote the following on Facebook about this month's shows in Ohio:
"Thanks to everyone who came out and supported NXT in Ohio this past weekend. I meant every word I said. This is a group that is taking control of our own destiny and taking over the industry in the process. Revolution is in the air and thanks for being a part of it."
Furthermore, The Wrestling Observer Newsletter mentioned this week that the former NXT Champion is indeed out of action and hurt. WWE did a storyline injury angle with Zayn after his title match loss to Kevin Owens at Takeover but there's been no reports on Zayn suffering a legitimate injury until now.
NXT's Hugo Knox checks in from the WWE Performance Center - Video Blog: Sept. 9, 2014 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLkixoxLwMQ#ws)
- Regarding former UK soccer goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson, who is working in WWE NXT as Hugo Knox, word is that considering his experience he is progressing way ahead of the rest of the talents. Knox is 29 years old and has been in developmental just 15 months. He's currently doing a Chippendale type gimmick for promos but has also started wrestling and is said to be agile for his size.
Quote from: Fnord on March 19, 2015, 12:08:56 PM
NXT's Hugo Knox checks in from the WWE Performance Center - Video Blog: Sept. 9, 2014 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLkixoxLwMQ#ws)
- Regarding former UK soccer goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson, who is working in WWE NXT as Hugo Knox, word is that considering his experience he is progressing way ahead of the rest of the talents. Knox is 29 years old and has been in developmental just 15 months. He's currently doing a Chippendale type gimmick for promos but has also started wrestling and is said to be agile for his size.
Wait. WWE has guys in developmental that are showing actual potential that aren't guys they picked up from the indies?
Colour me shocked.
- Samoa Joe was telling people at an indie wrestling show in Queens this past Friday night that he is indeed headed to WWE in April, according to Reddit user MetsFan4Ever, who has broke several WWE stories in the past year or so. This should be taken as a rumor until confirmed by other sources. It was noted that Joe is expected to start in NXT as Triple H has more interest in him than Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn.
Well Duh. Kevin Dunn is a gap toothed, mentally challenged doofus.
Take this with a wagon of salt - 'cos it's from PWInsider.com, but apparently the first post-Mania callups (as in 1-4 weeks post Mania) will be Finn Balor and Adrian Neville.
This may be due to my man-crush on Devitt, but I will mark the fuck out when they pop on TV.
Source: PWInsider
PWInsider reports that NXT star CJ Parker requested his release, which was granted last Saturday.
PWInsider noted that the release was amicable, and WWE allowed Parker to work last weekend's AXXESS events.
Quote from: Fnord on March 31, 2015, 08:33:43 PM
Source: PWInsider
PWInsider reports that NXT star CJ Parker requested his release, which was granted last Saturday.
PWInsider noted that the release was amicable, and WWE allowed Parker to work last weekend's AXXESS events.
That's a shame but really he was going nowhere outside of being the hippie version of the Brooklyn Brawler.
Vince McMahon attended his first WWE NXT live event in San Jose this past Friday night. Vince was said to be very high on Charlotte after seeing her match with NXT Women's Champion Sasha Banks. There had been talk of bringing Charlotte to the main roster but that talk multiplied once Vince saw her work. Vince also requested that Charlotte be featured more in the new Tapout commercials.
Vince also reportedly loved the work that Banks did at the NXT live event on Friday.
Quote from: Fnord on April 01, 2015, 12:22:25 PM
Vince McMahon attended his first WWE NXT live event in San Jose this past Friday night. Vince was said to be very high on Charlotte after seeing her match with NXT Women's Champion Sasha Banks. There had been talk of bringing Charlotte to the main roster but that talk multiplied once Vince saw her work. Vince also requested that Charlotte be featured more in the new Tapout commercials.
Vince also reportedly loved the work that Banks did at the NXT live event on Friday.
Good to know the big boss had never watched Charlotte before....
Quote from: Gravedigger on April 01, 2015, 12:59:06 PM
Good to know the big boss had never watched Charlotte before....
Well that was because Vince really didn't care enough to watch NXT. Now it seems he's finally changed his mind and is taking a more active interest in at least as far as watching the talent in action and seeing who to call up anyway.
I think that his about face when it comes to watching NXT may have come from a need to build new stars and the last few NXT call ups floundering due to not having much of a clue about what they can do and what was getting them over and how best to tweak that to make it work on the main roster.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
As noted, WWE NXT Superstar CJ Parker has left the company after being granted his release. The split was amicable as WWE allowed Parker to work WrestleMania 31 Axxess.
Parker was reportedly very frustrated as he had been with WWE for four years and realized he wasn't going to make it to the main roster.
When Parker left, he was apparently told by WWE officials that he would be welcomed back in the future. Parker was said to be well-liked in the company and was saying his goodbyes at the post-WrestleMania party on Sunday night.
Parker is looking to get a job with New Japan Pro Wrestling in hopes of making a name for himself and is focused on continuing his career.
Just finally caught up with NXT - seeing Itami hit the GTS, and the crowd reaction, was fucking phenomenal, capped only by the line "It's my move, I'm taking it back".
Itami, Balor, Neville. Get them all up onto the main roster, put them in the IC title hunt with Bryan. Money. If those four (and Ambrose/Ziggler) can't bring legitimacy to that title, then I don't know who can.
Quote from: BamBamBunglow on April 11, 2015, 08:21:02 AM
Just finally caught up with NXT - seeing Itami hit the GTS, and the crowd reaction, was fucking phenomenal, capped only by the line "It's my move, I'm taking it back".
Itami, Balor, Neville. Get them all up onto the main roster, put them in the IC title hunt with Bryan. Money. If those four (and Ambrose/Ziggler) can't bring legitimacy to that title, then I don't know who can.
Ugh, gods no. I'm with duckman, pay them raw salary but keep them on nxt... Where the title has tons of legitimacy.
Granted my view is selfish, I make no denial,of that whatsoever... If they go to the main roster, I would have to start watching main roster shows in order to see them.
Neville's already gone up lol
Only a matter of time before the others do as well, I'd guess.
I like the idea of an Indyriffic brand, but these guys are awesome enough to deserve the main roster. Granted, the main roster is crap, but they deserve a chance for more than the network subscribers to see 'em.
I guess Vince couldn't ignore NXT after it was being chanted at shows.
And I don't see how recent NXT call-ups have been failures? Sure, Adam Rose and Bo Dallas struggled but that says more about them as wrestlers when the first ever NXT champion is the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion and another former NXT star just had a Wrestlemania match vs John Cena.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Mexican wrestler Laredo Kid, without his mask, received a WWE tryout on April 7th at the tapings in Dallas, Texas. He was one of the wrestlers who worked a dark match against Los Matadores. Laredo claims WWE has offered him a deal and they will be doing medical testing soon. If all goes well, he could be in NXT as early as June.
Wednesday's announcement is gonna be fun :)
We can haz hint?
Road Trip?
Does that work?
Good shit man! You're still enjoying yourself down there I take it?
Quote from: Mike Powers on April 19, 2015, 12:52:58 AM
Good shit man! You're still enjoying yourself down there I take it?
Yep. Add to the fact that WWE awarded me a $10K scholarship for my work with NXT, so yeah it has been a blast. By Oct. I should know if I'm a WWE employee.
Best (and weirdest) part has been seeing NXT grow from house shows that drew 25 people, and a TV show on Hulu plus..to getting 5,000 (and when HHH plugs NXT social media he is talking about me) at house shows to moving to WWE Network. So it has been fun.
Fucking awesome man!
Thanks! Trust me this Wednesdays announcement will be BIG and hopefully a lot of people will like it.
Gary man , I am happy for you man ... can not wait to hear the news
glad to hear you having fun man
Same here mate. Awesome stuff and keep living that dream!
I'm thinking NXT becomes less of a developmental deal, and instead it's own touring brand. They've been doing more shows and spreading out beyond just Florida, plus there was a little teaser about it last week.
First date announced tonight. Albany on May 16. more to follow this Wednesday.
Quote from: Gary on April 20, 2015, 10:58:30 PM
First date announced tonight. Albany on May 16. more to follow this Wednesday.
No shit, that's around my neck of NY, seriously Albany is about a 1 or 2 away. Hmm..
WWE NXT announced these live event dates today for the "#NXTRoadTrip" tour:
* Thursday, May 14th: Tower Theatre, Philadelphia, PA
* Saturday, May 16th: Washington Avenue Armory Albany, NY (previously announced)
* Thursday, June 11th: Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA
* Friday, June 12th: Agora Theatre, Cleveland, OH
* Saturday, June 13th: LC Pavilion, Columbus, OH
Tickets will be available for all events starting Friday, May 1st at 10am EST.
Albany and Philly aren't impossible for me, it'll depend on the price, I'm on vacation that week anyway.
hoping for a west coast swing in the future
Caught up on the last couple shows. Rhyno and Zayn was great and I've liked Riley stince he started on the second season of NXT. I hate Dana Brooke's voice.
Also, Graves has turned into quite the Lawler-lite, and I really enjoy it. Loved his "Becky called me a hipster, and I almost spilled my craft beer!" line during Lynch's entrance in the triple threat match, which was great.
I'm hoping some of these live shows turn into tv tapings, because I'm starting to get annoyed by the crowd. It's still great, but I don't know, sometimes their chanting is annoying. Like "better than the divas" chant is stupid, because they're labeled as NXT Divas. They're like the bizarro TNA taping crowd. Instead of being uninterested and slow reacting, if at all. Everything that is done is treated like it's amazing. I swear, I saw Zayn pick his trucks out of his ass and the crowd went crazy.
But that dive to the outside into security + Owens, I thought that was awesome as hell.
And I fully expect myself to buy tickets when the pre-sale for the Philly date opens up.
Coverage of Triple H's media conference to promote tomorrow's NXT Takeover: Unstoppable.
* Triple H apologizes for his voice and says "with a nose like mine, changing allergy zones three times" is a bad thing.
* HHH puts over Charlotte and Sasha Banks headlining an NXT live event last week. He wants them to change the perception of what women do in the industry.
* The NXT tours will continue. He's looking at festival touring and some international shows as well. He wants NXT to be a full brand by next year.
* HHH thanked ESPN and Jeremy Schapp. He said he hopes that they can work together more, or produce more of those for the Network.
* Sami Zayn has been cleared, an will compete.
* HHH thinks Becky/Sasha could steal the show.
* Matt Bloom has been promoted to permanent head coach at NXT. Sara Del Rey is assistant head coach now.
* Sara Del Rey is still working as a road agent as well.
* He already considers NXT an additional brand. He wants to find what's best suited for NXT. Things that work on the main roster may not work in NXT.
* Triple H wants NXT on the road 3 days a week by 2016. He wants NXT to have a two-tour function eventually. He doesn't want to lose the homegrown fans in Flordia, either.
* Triple H doesn't care if someone has indy experience or not, but having experience helps.
* He doesn't know if NXT will become a cable TV show. He's happy where they are on the WWE Network. Triple H sees NXT as a selling point for the Network, too.
* Hideo Itami will be represented, but will not be wrestling tomorrow night.
* While NXT is a third brand, it's still there to get people ready for the main roster, Triple H says. He says the best problem he can have is Vince calling him in the middle of a hot angle and asking for that star.
* Triple H says that there are several talents in NXT ready for the main roster, but there aren't spots for them, or else they'd be there.
* HHH says WWE developmental is a young man's game. He says it takes a while for them to get talent up to speed.
* Triple H says he likes Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate. He says he's not trying to make NXT a direct competition to them. He wants to make the best roster that he can. He thinks if NXT's business grows, so will RoH's. He said he'd love to help support ROH and grow.
* Triple H says there are talents that said they turned down NXT deals for ROH. He says they haven't spoken to those talents on any level.
* Triple H says he wanted to make NXT an individual brand from day 1, but didn't tell anyone that.
* Triple H thinks Samoa Joe is a phenomenal talent. Says he was at the performance center a month or two ago. He doesn't know if they'll do business. He said they only spoke for about five minutes, and it was mostly pleasantries.
* He says there are plenty of talents that won't make it on the main roster, and gimmicks that won't work on the main roster.
* Vince McMahon doesn't see all of NXT. Triple H shows him bits and pieces.
* HHH doesn't see Cena going anywhere. He thinks it's great that Cena is confident enough to give younger stars a time to shine. Time pushes people to move to different roles.
* Someone asks about Emma. Triple H says it's more than possible for her to get back in the title picture.
* Triple H says Vince McMahon was blown away by the NXT show WrestleMania weekend. Triple H didn't know Vince would be there until last minute. McMahon messaged him and said he'd be there. Triple H said that several WWE executives came and were impressed, and wanted to do more with it.
* Triple H puts over the progress of Sami Zayn working without a mask and Baron Corbin.
* There aren't plans of an all-female NXT show or special, but it could happen.
* Nothing in NXT was by accident. He had a vision for this.
* The majority of the fans dictate what they do.
That ROH bit makes me all giddy. Having a mid level guy like axel show up on ROH and have a good match with someone like Cole that Cole wins, from a visual standpoint, would help everyone. Axel works a different crowd, Cole looks like a true champ over a WWE guy.
I was just watching one of ECWs early ppvs I think November to remember 97 and seeing Mabel come down and Spike "giant killer" Dudley stand tall over him, made spike look even bigger.
WWE help ROH... ROH grows, the talent pool they can pick from grows, win/win. WWE has already been incredibly fruitful with basically every single guy they've got from there.
Also with the Samoa Joe thing, for some reason I take it with a pinch of salt. Smoke and mirrors maybe?
[spoiler]Samoa Joe debuted in NXT tonight.[/spoiler]
AMAGAD AMAGAD AMAGAD!
*still marking out*
FUCKING AWESOME!!!
That how you end a show
NXT hit it out of the park ... again
Watch this show right now ... that all I got to say
I don't know what it is about Kevin Owens ... outside of a ring standing around I can only focus on his big ass belly. But in a ring he can work hard and I believe him. But I can't seem to erase the image and feeling I have of him outside of the ring. I guess I now understand all those Rey Mysterio haters who hated on height alone.
Quote from: ¿PapaPancho? on May 21, 2015, 04:27:53 AM
I don't know what it is about Kevin Owens ... outside of a ring standing around I can only focus on his big ass belly. But in a ring he can work hard and I believe him. But I can't seem to erase the image and feeling I have of him outside of the ring. I guess I now understand all those Rey Mysterio haters who hated on height alone.
LOL! I get what you mean. When he walked down the ramp to meet Cena on RAW I was like "Whooooa that's a hell of a belly, Kev!"
Makes him feel a bit more real to me - bit more like a bar brawler/ass kicker than a chiseled adonis body type.
I will say though, he needs to change his boots & shorts - they're make his legs look far too skinny. He looks like an easter egg on top of a pair of matchmakers.
Samoa Joe, who debuted for WWE at last night's NXT Takeover: Unstoppable event, is expected to work tonight's NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University. Joe has indeed agreed on a deal with WWE to work NXT and the effort to bring Joe in was spearheaded by Triple H.
For the time being, Joe will continue to work existing and future indie dates. Joe will still be working the JT Lightning Memorial Tournament this weekend in Cleveland. The deal also included merchandise, as noted earlier.
The deal could grow into a full WWE-exclusive deal but as of last night, it's believed Joe has not signed an exclusive deal, according to PWInsider. This is a new type of deal for WWE but they clearly thought Joe was someone that they could try this out with.
Since we kind of thought he might turn up eventually anyway, I was actually more surprised to see the mountain there as Stephanie's guest. Anything behind that?
Also these specials just get better and better. The main event was booked and executed amazingly.... But Sasha and Becky stole the show for me. It was the only match I found genuinely unpredictable until almost up to the end.
Also love Becky Lynch's new look ... but Sasha is still my bae
Thats the thing with KO... The fact he is a tub of jelly and he can still pull off the moves he does makes it even more entertaining t watch in my opinion
Quote from: ¿PapaPancho? on May 21, 2015, 05:36:08 PM
Also love Becky Lynch's new look ... but Sasha is still my bae
Sasha's ratchet.
Quote from: Stoner on May 21, 2015, 06:48:22 PM
Sasha's ratchet.
I know the normal response is No She's Not ...
but really Sasha can still be ratchet and be my bae
I think the mountain was only there to generate news as everywhere he goes now creates some buzz. He was at a Phillies game for batting practice and people freaked.
Quote from: The TeeJ of Philly on May 21, 2015, 07:40:24 PM
I think the mountain was only there to generate news as everywhere he goes now creates some buzz. He was at a Phillies game for batting practice and people freaked.
He is legit one of the strongest men in the world , he can not do GOT forever ... trying to build a relationship with him for something farther down the road not a bad move for E .
Finally got around to seeing the E:60 piece on NXT. I thought it was great. It made me do something that the WWE has never done - give me a reason to like/care about Corey Graves and Adam Rose.
Quote from: Mike Powers on May 22, 2015, 04:07:58 AM
Finally got around to seeing the E:60 piece on NXT. I thought it was great. It made me do something that the WWE has never done - give me a reason to like/care about Corey Graves and Adam Rose.
That Adam Rose segment .... right in the feels.
What.A.Show.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Former ROH TV Champion Tommaso Ciampa is another indie talent that will be working the WWE tryouts that begin next week in Orlando.
- We noted before that toughman Hafthor Bjornsson of HBO's Game of Thrones was visiting at the WWE Performance Center last week and working out. WWE officials are interested in signing him. One person who was watching him train noted to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that it seemed like he didn't have his heart in it.
- WWE officials have discussed having the NXT Divas work the main event of the next NXT Takeover special. This is due to the success of recent NXT Divas matches as well as the crowd reactions.
- Regarding WWE NXT Women's Champion Sasha Banks missing last week's NXT live events and TV tapings, there is now talk that she suffered either an arm or shoulder injury. It was reported earlier this week that she was not injured.
Banks was scheduled to work a match during the 4th episode of last Thursday's NXT TV tapings but she left to go to the hospital when her fiance Sarath Ton, working as Mikaze, was legitimately knocked unconscious during a tag match with Jason Jordan and The Vaudevillians. As noted, Sarath was recently hired as the new WWE seamster. We don't know yet if Banks went into her Takeover match against Becky Lynch with the injury or how serious it was. As noted before, it's possible she didn't wrestle at the tapings due to Sarath's injury and now we know that her match was scheduled on the same taping that he was injured on.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- After recently having shoulder surgery, Sami Zayn is expected out of action until October. WWE has another NXT Takeover special tentatively scheduled for October 7th and more TV tapings on October 8th so Zayn could possibly return then.
Quote from: Fnord on June 04, 2015, 08:53:17 AM
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- After recently having shoulder surgery, Sami Zayn is expected out of action until October. WWE has another NXT Takeover special tentatively scheduled for October 7th and more TV tapings on October 8th so Zayn could possibly return then.
Damn it Sami..
Samoa Joe to make NXT debut this Wednesday... very excited for this , hope they let him use the Muscle Buster as his finisher
Quote from: Black Death on June 09, 2015, 01:03:25 AM
Samoa Joe to make NXT debut this Wednesday... very excited for this , hope they let him use the Muscle Buster as his finisher
Hes been using it in dark matches
good ... very good ... like i said very excited
Yay for FWL points \o/
hope they dont closely link it with Rybitch's finisher
Um... isn't that how Kidd got hurt? lol
Quote from: Fnord on June 09, 2015, 02:18:50 PM
Um... isn't that how Kidd got hurt? lol
I've yet to read how it actually happened - it was apparently a "freak accident that had nothing to do with joe". May have missed a source.
Joe look good in the debut , just the right amount of nastiness ... muscle buster look good and they called it the muscle buster . plus honest he looks damn big in the wwe ring compare to when he was in tna ... maybe it way the WWE shoots there shows or maybe it the first time i seen him in a long time
it been set Samoa Joe vs Kevin Owens on NXT next Wednesday... not a title match , just a straight up fight. I am counting down the days right now
can not wait for this match
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjJizlEbMws#)
That is an awesome hype vid.
Samoa Joe vs Owens was an awesome match in my opinion and teaser to something more ... love it , remind me of old school brawl. can not wait for more. plus I love the finn balor doc they did , it was great stuff , can not wait for part 2 next week.
*** SPOILERS!!!! ***
Upcoming August Takeover special!
We have Balor/Owens Rematch;
Tyler Breeze Vs. Jushin "THUNDER" Liger! I AM MARKING OUT IN ADVANCE!
Quote from: BamBamBunglow on July 17, 2015, 03:48:50 AM
*** SPOILERS!!!! ***
Upcoming August Takeover special!
We have Balor/Owens Rematch;
Tyler Breeze Vs. Jushin "THUNDER" Liger! I AM MARKING OUT IN ADVANCE!
well...DAMN!
Quote from: Black Death on July 17, 2015, 03:52:56 AM
well...DAMN!
Indeeeeeeeed. I'm trying not to read too much into this... I don't wanna get my hopes up about importing NJPW guys for crossover shows in NXT...
I may be failing. I may end up disappointed :(
Triple H revealed new matches for WWE NXT "Takeover: Brooklyn" today. Here's the updated card for Saturday night, which now has a 7:30pm EST start time:
Ladder Match for the NXT Title
Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor
NXT Tag Team Title Match
The Vaudevillians vs. Blake and Murphy
NXT Women's Title Match
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks
Jushin "Thunder" Liger vs. Tyler Breeze
Samoa Joe vs. Baron Corbin
Bull Dempsey vs. Elias Samson
Apollo Crews vs. Tye Dillinger
Eva Marie vs. Carmella
Enzo Amore, Big Cass, Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley vs. Jason Jordan, Chad Gable, Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson
Charlotte vs. Emma vs. Becky Lynch vs. Dana Brooke
During this morning's NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn conference call, Triple H clarified that not all of the matches advertised on his Twitter will be taking place on the TakeOver special.
The company is set to tape 90 minutes of TV from the Barclays Center, which will then be followed by the special event. The start time is set for 9 pm EST.
- There have been rumors going around WWE NXT that there will be several talent releases coming in September.
- With that said, I've also heard there will be 4-6 new talents starting with NXT at the WWE Performance Center in late September or early October. This isn't confirmed but it seems like most of the new incoming talents are from the indies.
We noted last week via The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that indie stars Rich Swann and Biff Busick were on WWE's radar in a strong way. I was told that both are pretty close to actually signing with WWE but still had not taken or passed their physicals as of last week. Swann and Busick could be 2 of the 4-6 talents that are expected to debut this fall, as mentioned above. It was believed that their signings could be announced when, and if, they pass their physicals.
Jushin Liger may NOT be finished with WWE yet - another promoter has attempted to book Liger and been told "WWE has already booked him on those same dates".
Tyler Breeze has also stated "He's not done with Liger Yet".
*SPECULATION BELOW*
Given that the NJPW President and IWGP heavyweight champion were both backstage at Summerslam, there is at least a small glimmer of hope at some further NXT/NJPW crossover. This obviously all depends on the NJPW/ROH partnership agreement and terms, but if some NJPW superstars bleed across, it could get NJPW some serious exposure to the average American/Canadian/British fan.
Got tickets for the NXT show in Glasgow in December!! 8th row ringside! Should be a fun show.
I got tickets too. I'm on the floor opposite the ramp, Row L.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Becky Lynch vs. Emma vs. Charlotte vs. Dana Brooke at the WWE NXT TV tapings held before "Takeover: Brooklyn" saw the finish botched as Charlotte was supposed to win but Emma won. All four Divas and referee Drake Wuertz were all worried when they got backstage but there was no heat on them. Wuertz was assured that it's his job to count the pinfalls no matter what and he did the right thing. The Divas were said to be very upset after the match, especially Becky.
- As Marc mentioned last week, indie stars Rich Swann and Biff Busick are WWE bound and they could be 2 of the 4-6 wrestlers expected starting with NXT later this month or in early October. Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio over the weekend that both wrestlers are just waiting on passing their physicals before joining the company.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Indie wrestler Leva Bates, known in WWE NXT as Blue Pants, reportedly has a lot of heat on her right now from others in NXT.
According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is said to be resentment over how the company brought her to Brooklyn for the NXT Takeover angle with Alexa Bliss, an angle that any of the Divas would have wanted to be in, that she sells her own merchandise and doesn't have to split a cut and that she's not under contract so she doesn't have to go through the daily training at the WWE Performance Center.
There is also reportedly resentment over how she's still able to work indies and because she's increased her fees on the indies, talents believe she's making more money than they are, and being pushed more than they are, then getting over more than they are.
- Here are the brackets for the WWE NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The winners of the first-round matches will then go to the semi-finals and the winner of Bracket A will face the winner of Bracket B while the winner of Bracket C will face the winner of Bracket D. The finals will take place on October 7th at Takeover from Full Sail University.
Bracket A - First Round Matches
Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. Angelo Dawkins and Sawyer Fulton
Finn Balor and Samoa Joe vs. The Lucha Dragons
Bracket B - First Round Matches
Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy vs. The Vaudevillians
Tucker Knight and Elias Samson vs. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder
Bracket C - First Round Matches
Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder vs. Marcus Louis and Alexander Wolfe
Jason Jordan and Chad Gable defeated Neville and Solomon Crowe (tonight)
Bracket D - First Round Matches
Rhyno and Baron Corbin defeated The Ascension (tonight)
Tyler Breeze and Bull Dempsey vs. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa (airs next week)
- WWE taped another match for the NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament on Thursday night in Orlando. The match saw "The Hype Bros." Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley defeat Alexander Wolfe and Noah Kekoa. Wolfe was originally scheduled to team with Marcus Louis but that was changed.
Below are updated spoiler brackets for the first round:
Bracket A - First Round Matches
Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady defeated Angelo Dawkins and Sawyer Fulton
Finn Balor and Samoa Joe defeated The Lucha Dragons
Bracket B - First Round Matches
Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy vs. The Vaudevillians
Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder defeated Tucker Knight and Elias Samson
Bracket C - First Round Matches
Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder defeated Noah Kekoa and Alexander Wolfe
Jason Jordan and Chad Gable defeated Neville and Solomon Crowe
Bracket D - First Round Matches
Rhyno and Baron Corbin defeated The Ascension
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa defeated Tyler Breeze and Bull Dempsey
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Current plans have WWE NXT Women's Champion Bayley feuding with Dana Brooke and then Eva Marie.
WWE officials really want to validate Eva Marie right now by making her NXT Women's Champion. The idea is that they can tell the story of Eva proving her critics wrong through hard work.
This is just speculation but it looks like Bayley vs. Brooke could kick off at the September 10th NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University with a possible match at the October 7th Takeover event. Eva could start feuding with Bayley at the next set of tapings with a possible match at the NXT "Takeover: London" event in December. A three-way feud to carry them through December is possible also.
WWE issued the following:
WWE® ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF KANA
STAMFORD, Conn., September 8, 2015 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) announced today the signing of international superstar Kanako Urai, aka Kana, to the NXT® division. Kana will officially report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida in late September.
Over the course of her 11-year career, Kana has become one of the most exciting women ever to compete in Japan. She has appeared in many organizations throughout the country and has held multiple championships. Last month, Kana made a surprise appearance at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, sitting in the audience ringside next to WWE Hall of Famer "Nature Boy" Ric Flair®.
"We are very excited to have Kana join the NXT roster," said Paul Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Creative and Live Events. "Her exciting in-ring style will make an immediate impact on the already impressive NXT women's division."
got to say ...very good pick up , can not wait to see her throw down
October 7th NXT "Takeover: Respect" event from Full Sail University:
30-Minute Iron Man Match for the NXT Women's Title
Sasha Banks vs. Bayley
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals
TBD vs. TBD
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semi-Finals
Samoa Joe and Finn Balor vs. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semi-Finals
Rhyno and Baron Corbin vs. Chad Gable and Jason Jordan
Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze
Asuka vs. Dana Brooke
WWE NXT Superstar Tyler Breeze is expected to make his main roster debut in the next few weeks. Dave Meltzer noted on F4Wonline.com today before RAW that at one point Breeze's debut was scheduled for Tuesday at the WWE SmackDown tapings in Austin, Texas. However, that could change and they may end up pushing the debut back a week or two.
YES!
WWE NXT Superstar Colin Cassady is currently injured with a leg injury and is on crutches. No word yet on the exact details of the injury but word is that he will be out for several weeks. He and Enzo Amore could be back in action for the NXT UK tour in December.
- Backstage talk at last Thursday's WWE NXT TV tapings was that indie star Tommaso Ciampa will not be signing with the company after all. Apparently the angle done at an indie show in London where they teased Ciampa's signing was just an angle to promote their next show with his return. This doesn't mean we won't see Ciampa used at future NXT TV tapings but he's not expected to be signing any time soon.
WWE Announces 19 New Talents For The Performance Center
WWE issued the following:
Tough Enough competitors join new class of recruits at the WWE Performance Center
STAMFORD, Conn. — WWE Tough Enoughcompetitors Mada Abdelhamid, Daria Berenato, Patrick Clark, Zamariah "ZZ" Loupe and Amanda Saccomanno have been signed to developmental contracts and are part of a new class of 19 recruits that have begun training at the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla. The former competitors will join Tough Enough winners Josh Bredl and Sara Lee, who began training at the facility in early September.
WWE Tough Enough, a hard-hitting reality series, searched for the next Superstar and Diva over the course of 10 weeks. Contestants were trained by WWE Legends Booker T, Billy Gunn and Lita, while judges WWE Superstars Daniel Bryan and The Miz and WWE Diva Paige helped fans crown one man and one woman "Tough Enough," with each winning a one-year, $250,000 contract.
"With support from our remarkable coaching staff at the WWE Performance Center, this new class of recruits will be able to develop their skills, in and out of the ring," said Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. "Our unparalleled training facility gives our talent every opportunity to succeed and grow. The sky is the limit for these talented individuals, and I'm pleased to welcome each and every one of them to WWE."
With seven training rings, a world-class strength and conditioning program and cutting-edge edit and production facilities, the Performance Center will allow the new class to hone their skills through a comprehensive program that includes in-ring training, physical preparedness and character development.
The new training class includes:
* Mada Abdelhamid (Los Angeles) — Former Tough Enoughcompetitor, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 275 pounds. Abdelhamid was born in Egypt, where he played professional basketball until 2011 and is the former trainer for "Game of Thrones" actor Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo). He is fluent in Arabic.
* Christopher Atkins (Melbourne, Australia) — Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 250 pounds, Atkins is a former bodybuilder who has competed in New Aussie Wrestling, where he trained under George Julio and Craig Cole. Atkins also trained under Shane Trikki in Professional Championship Wrestling (PCW).
* Daria Berenato (Los Angeles) — Former Tough Enoughcompetitor, standing 5-foot-7. Berenato comes from a mixed martial arts background and is the former co-host of the YouTube show "UFC AfterBuzz."
* Cezar Bononi (Sao Paulo, Brazil) — Competed in the Brazilian Wrestling Federation and is a former three-time state champion in the Sao Paulo Football League, where he was captain of the All-Brazilian Football Team and named "Best Tight End." He is fluent in Portuguese.
* Josh Bredl (Denver) — Male winner of WWE Tough Enough and current cast member of the new WWE Network original series Breaking Ground. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 290 pounds, Bredl was one of the top football recruits in Colorado coming out of high school. Following a standout collegiate career at Colorado State University–Pablo that saw him named to the All-Conference team and defensive captain, Bredl had a short stint with the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.
* Patrick Clark (Washington, D.C.) — Former Tough Enough competitor with experience in the Mid Atlantic Wrestling Association. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 220 pounds, Clark spent 10 years in the JROTC program and also wrestled for Forestville Military Academy from 2011 to 2013.
* Gabriel Ealy (Milwaukee) — Trained under Angel Armani at MIAW Wrestling and performed as an extra on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown in September 2014. A former Ford Model, he has been featured in television commercials and print publications. He has an identical twin brother named Uriel.
* Uriel Ealy (Milwaukee) — Trained under Angel Armani at MIAW Wrestling and performed as an extra on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown in September 2014. A former high school basketball standout at Pinson Valley High School in Birmingham, Ala., he has an identical twin brother named Gabriel.
* Christopher Girard (Boston) — Trained under Mike Hollow at Chaotic Training Center (CTC) in 2008 before moving to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to train with Lance Storm in 2010. He previously worked for EVOLVE, Pro Wrestling Guerilla, Dragon Gate USA, wXw (Germany), Southside Wrestling Entertainment (United Kingdom), Beyond Wrestling, 2CW, Top Rope Promotions, and Combat Zone Wrestling.
* Dallas Harper (Canton, Ohio) — Trained under Jimmie Lee at ASWA Professional Wrestling in Mansfield, Ohio, and also worked with Anarchy Wrestling out of Cornelia, Ga. He is a former high school basketball standout at Perry High School in Massilon, Ohio.
* Adrian Jaoude (Beirut, Lebanon) — A world-class amateur wrestler who has competed in state, regional and national competitions. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 220 pounds, Jaoude was named "Best Brazilian Wrestler" for the junior category in 2000 and the senior category in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2012. He comes from a legendary family of Aikido martial artists and is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.
* Sara Lee (Hope, Michigan) — Female winner of WWE Tough Enough. Prior to Tough Enough, Lee was studying to become an ultrasound technician. In addition to her studies, Lee was a competitive power lifter. At 5-foot-6, she can squat an impressive 230 pounds.
* Zamariah "ZZ" Loupe (Thibodeau, La.) — Male runner-up on WWE Tough Enough and current cast member on the new WWE Network original series, Breaking Ground. At 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, Loupe was the youngest of the Tough Enough competitors at age 19. When back in Louisiana, Loupe often wrestles alligators and has one for a pet, named "Mr. Gator."
* Daniel Matha (Erie, Pa.) — Trained under Matt Cappotelli at Ohio Valley Wrestling. Former offensive lineman for the University of Pittsburgh, where he played for head coach Dave Wannstedt and with current Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy. Named First Team Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AAAA All-State as a junior and senior at Erie McDowell High School in Erie, Pa.
* Eddie Orengo (Newark, N.J.) — Referee who has previously worked with Jersey All-Pro Wrestling, Northeast Wrestling, Combat Zone Wrestling, The Monster Factory, Family Wrestling Entertainment, Pro Wrestling Syndicate, wXw Wrestling and International Wrestling Association (Puerto Rico) among others. He is fluent in Spanish and English.
* Adrienne Reese (Dallas) — Trained with WWE Hall of Famer Booker T at Professional Wrestling Alliance (PWA), where she became PWA Women's Champion. Prior to training with Booker T, she trained with Rodney Mack. She has more than six years of experience wrestling for the likes of Ring of Honor/Women of Honor, Shimmer Women Athletes, Women Superstars Uncensored, Absolute Intense Wrestling and Anarchy Championship Wrestling.
* Amanda Saccomano (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) — Tough Enough female runner-up and current Total Divas cast member. Standing 5-foot-5, Saccomanno was crowned the 2014 World Beauty Fitness & Fashion Bikini Champion. Over the years, she has been featured in multiple fitness publications, including "Fitness Gurls Magazine," "Fit & Firm Magazine" and "FitFemme Magazine" for her work in the industry. Saccomanno graduated from Iona College where she received a B.A. in Speech Language Pathology.
* Gzim Selmani (Huizen, Netherlands) — 2013 Rough Diamond League (RDL) Kickboxing Champion and former MMA professional with Bellator MMA. He is fluent in English, Dutch and Albanian.
* Richard Swann (Baltimore) — Former Dragon Gate USA Tag Team Champion and also wrestled for Dragon Gate, Japan from 2010 to 2013. He previously worked for EVOLVE Wrestling, Combat Zone Wrestling (USA), wXw (Germany) and Revolution Pro Wrestling (United Kingdom).
The new class will join a group of 57 men and women training out of the state-of-the-art, 26,000 square-foot WWE Performance Center. The venue offers a full training experience with real-time feedback from WWE coaches, trainers and doctors, giving performers the resources they need to develop their talent both athletically and creatively. Additionally, recruits will be immersed in WWE's Professional Development program that focuses on four key pillars of development: life skills, education, wellness and career success.
- On tonight's episode of WWE NXT, Carmella said that Colin Cassady, known as Big Cass, has a sprained MCL and will miss time.
- WWE Diva Cameron made her televised return tonight, losing a match to Asuka on NXT. She's been absent from WWE TV since this spring.
- The Vaudevillians will defend their NXT Tag Team Titles next week against Dash and Dawson.
- Zack Ryder, Mojo Rawley and WWE NXT Women's Champion Bayley vs. Blake, Murphy and Alexa Bliss has been announced for next week's episode.
- WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor was seen leaving the WWE hotel earlier today with the rest of the crew, including The Undertaker, according to reader Jay Miles. Balor will be backstage for tonight's RAW in Manchester but there is no regular live event tonight, so all WWE talents on tour are likely required to be at RAW. There has been a lot of fan speculation that due to the absence of Seth Rollins, John Cena and Randy Orton, that we may see Balor make a TV appearance this week.
- A fan who attended Friday's WWE NXT panel in London just sent word that NXT Champion Finn Balor teased he might help Kane and The Undertaker battle The Wyatt Family at WWE Survivor Series. This should be taken strictly as a rumor for now as Balor may have been joking around.
Quote from: Fnord on November 09, 2015, 02:52:52 PM
- A fan who attended Friday's WWE NXT panel in London just sent word that NXT Champion Finn Balor teased he might help Kane and The Undertaker battle The Wyatt Family at WWE Survivor Series. This should be taken strictly as a rumor for now as Balor may have been joking around.
We're talking about the guy that tweeted a picture of himself doing a crotch chop outside a TNA office. Of course he's joking around.
- I've heard unconfirmed rumors of James Storm working tomorrow night's WWE NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University. Storm has not worked NXT since making his debut several weeks back.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
WWE officials are becoming more aggressive when it comes to contacting wrestlers that are currently signed to Ring of Honor and Lucha Underground.
WWE is preparing to do extensive touring with NXT in 2016 and they are trying to add a lot of top indie wrestlers to the roster, talents that previously may not have been signed due to restrictions on size and look.
The plan was described to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter as a show with the WWE branding and WWE production but with ROH-level main event matches.
I noted before that there were rumors of James Storm possibly working tonight's WWE NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University. Storm is currently backstage and is expected to wrestle tonight.
Former TNA stars Gunner and Austin Aries are also backstage at the tapings.
A-DUB? OH MY GOD PLEASE, YES YES YES!
Wwe can't decide whether they want Indy talent or not. They keep going back and forth.
- James Storm wrestles tonight for Renegade Championship Wrestling in Chatsworth, Georgia, which the independent promotion is advertising on Facebook as his "final trip to RCW before becoming full-time with the WWE." The promotion is also billing Storm as a 'current WWE superstar.'
Despite debuting in NXT in October, WWE has not indicated whether Storm is a full-time performer.
It's now confirmed that Sami Zayn will be returning to the ring on the WWE NXT UK tour that kicks off this week.
There has bee a lot of speculation on whether or not Sami would be wrestling or just appearing but his in-ring return is now confirmed.
Sami is scheduled to compete in a Triple Threat with Baron Corbin and WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor on Saturday in Sheffield, England. Other matches announced for that show include Emma vs. NXT Women's Champion Bayley and Apollo Crews vs. Samoa Joe.
This likely means that Sami will be wrestling at next Wednesday's NXT "Takeover: London" event. Sami's last match came on May 20th at the NXT "Takeover: Unstoppable" event against Kevin Owens.
Yay!! I'm going to the show in Glasgow on Friday - along with Marc Abrigo and a few other MFXers. Can't wait.
The venue announced the main event on that show is Zayn v Balor.
Been a while since I've done one of these! Check out my review of NXT Glasgow and a little bit on the meet up with the Scottish listeners of MFX and MFX legend - Marc Abrigo.
Check it out, leave a comment on the site, share the link on social media. Thanks!
http://www.marksforxcellence.com/duckman-on-nxt-glasgow/ (http://www.marksforxcellence.com/duckman-on-nxt-glasgow/)
- Alex Riley is backstage for tonight's WWE NXT TV tapings and should be returning to the ring. He's been out of action since May of last year.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- The plan is for the WWE NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic to be an annual event. There's been talk of having the finals of the tournament held at an annual Takeover event in conjunction with SummerSlam each year. The inaugural tournament was won by Samoa Joe and NXT Champion Finn Balor last year at "Takeover: Respect" in Florida. They defeated Rhyno and Baron Corbin in the finals.
Take this with a huge grain of salt.
Quote- It looks like WWE NXT star Levis Valenzuela will be receiving a new gimmick soon.
WWE filed to trademark the term "No Way Jose" earlier this month for use with a new character. PWInsider reports that the term is for Valenzuela.
The Dominican wrestler from North Carolina, who uses the name Manny Garcia, was signed by WWE in May of last year. He's been doing a dancing gimmick as of late.
Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries is currently backstage in Orlando for tonight's WWE NXT TV tapings from the University of Central Florida.
Aries is expected to make his WWE TV debut at tonight's tapings. At last word, he had not signed a deal but likely will soon.
This could be the "huge surprise" that Triple H was tweeting about earlier.
WWE announced the following tonight:
QuoteAustin Aries Arrives In NXT
ORLANDO, Fla. — NXT continues to show why it is the fastest-growing brand in sports-entertainment, making waves with another huge signing during Friday's tapings at the CFE Arena on the campus of the University of Central Florida.
Austin Aries, a 15-year veteran of the squared circle who's competed against the likes of Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins and Samoa Joe, stepped into a WWE ring for the first time to put pen to paper on his NXT contract. The signing will air on Wednesday, March 2.
News of Aries' arrival was first reported on the official NXT Twitter account. WWE COO Triple H also tweeted his thoughts on the huge signing.
Why has The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived chosen to step between the yellow ropes now? What does he have in store for the Superstars of Tomorrow? Find out by watching WWE NXT, Wednesdays at 8/7 C, only on WWE Network!
Damn
According to PWInsider, two more NXT names have been released. Magno (Oscar Vasquez) and Peter Howard were let go, bringing the total number of NXT cuts today to five.
Magno made an appearance on TNA TV in 2013 as a part of their Gut Check Challenge, taking on current NXT coach Adam Pearce. He'd performed under the name of "Oscar" on a few NXT live events over the past few months.
Howard, a UK-born wrestler, participated in a live event battle royal for NXT last fall, but hadn't made it to TV. As reported earlier today, Bull Dempsey, Marcus Louis and Sylvester LeFort were all released as well.
Bull-shit
Bull fit sucked.
Am I supposed to be heart broken about these guys getting fired? I dont mean it in a cruel way, but I didnt think any of the 3 were going to be the next huge break out star.
I liked Bull Dempsey and Marcus Louis. I thought they were used wrong.
Source: Squared Circle Sirens
SquaredCircleSirens, which has broken several WWE NXT tryout related stories in the past, has revealed several names that were present at the most recent set of tryouts.
Below are a list of names mentioned thus far, which include ROH, EVOLVE and PWS wrestlers, as well as those from the grappling worlds of Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
* Cedric Alexander, ROH Wrestler.
* Taynara Melo, Judo black belt.
* Deonna Purrazzo, who has appeared for NXT, TNA, ROH and GFW
* Tony Nese, EVOLVE wrestler, former TNA and PWG talent.
* Brennan Williams, former NFL player
* Corey Hollis, NXT enhancement talent
* John Skyler, NXT enhancement talent
* Justin Chavers, stunt actor.
* Chris Payne, PWS talent
* Kamila Turquetti, jiu-jitsu practitioner.
* Marcus Pitt
* Bryan Payton
* Jeremy Payton
* Maneey Abrol
* Jose Moreno
* Roy Sims
* Danny Duggan
* Idan Dagan
* David McIntosh
* Kuba Ka
* Noelle Jones
* Mike Fierro
* Mike Parrow
* Rhett Giddins
* Laura James
* Anne Phung
* Jayme Jameson
* Marja Chow
* Shana Chow
* Jenna Becerra
- WWE NXT Diva Dana Brooke is back to training after being out of action for several months with an undisclosed injury. Her last match came on November 18th at the NXT TV tapings, a No Contest against Asuka, where she didn't actually wrestle. Prior to that, her last match was her October 7 NXT Takeover match against Asuka.
WWE NXT stars Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady and Carmella are on the road with WWE's main roster this weekend. It was noted in Jonesboro, Arkansas last night that the trio received no reaction when they came out for their match with The Ascension. After that win, they were attacked by The Wyatt Family. This led to Big Show making the save, then the babyfaces winning a six-man match. It should be noted that the NXT stars were over by the time the six-man ended. Correspondent Max Hopson sent the following observation:
"While the crowd was dead for the first match, their natural charisma won and everyone loved them by the middle of the six-man match and especially the end. Maybe it was the rub from Big Show but I'd say it was their natural charisma. They were awesome."
Hmm, most times I read spoilers it seems the southern crowds aren't very smarky and are everything Vince wants in a crowd.
- We reported back in November that former UFC fighter and current EVOLVE wrestler Matt Riddle was expected to start working with WWE in February of this year. WWE actually helped Riddle get the job with EVOLVE.
Riddle recently met with Triple H and now he's expected to be working in WWE NXT very soon. Riddle is not scheduled for the WWE Global Cruiserweight Series as he weighs more than 205 pounds.
- It was believed that WWE NXT Superstar Hideo Itami would be back in action by now but he's still out with a shoulder injury. Itami has not wrestled since April 30th of last year.
I'm watching this week's NXT and during Balor's entrance they mention the Bullet Club and rumors they are coming to NXT. Yep. Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows will be at NXT soon.
- Pro Wrestling NOAH tag team "TMDK" Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste are expected to sign with WWE NXT soon. The wrestlers from Australia worked their last NOAH show today, defeating Mitsuhiro Kitamiya and Naomichi Marufuji. "The Mighty Don't Kneel" cut a promo after the match to thank the fans in Japan and NOAH for all their support. They also tweeted their farewells. No word yet on when they will arrive in Orlando to begin work at the WWE Performance Center.
WWE NXT Announces International Tag Team Has SignedWWE issued the following:
QuoteTag team specialists The Mighty Don't Kneel sign with WWE
Australians Michael Nicholls & Shane Veryzer — who've competed around the world as The Mighty Don't Kneel — have signed with WWE and will report to Orlando next month.
One of the globe's most decorated tag teams is on its way to the WWE Performance Center.
Michael Nicholls and Shane Veryzer have signed with WWE and will report to the WWE Performance Center in early April to begin training as part of a new class of recruits, WWE.com has confirmed.
Hailing from Perth, Australia, the duo — known to fans as Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste, aka The Mighty Don't Kneel — has competed on their home continent and beyond, achieving their greatest notoriety in Japan under the banner of Pro Wrestling NOAH. While there, Nicholls & Veryzer trained in Japan's rugged dojos, crossed paths with the likes of current NXT Superstar Hideo Itami and former ECW Champion Masato Tanaka, and won the league's heavyweight tag team titles twice.
TMDK also developed a reputation for innovative double-team maneuvers, and were voted the top tandem of the year by members of the Japanese media in 2013. It was the first time that non-Japanese competitors had won the award since 1998, when Vader and soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer Stan Hansen were honored. It is currently unknown whether Nicholls & Veryzer will continue as a team or pursue individual competition in NXT.
- WWE NXT Superstars Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady and Carmella are still expected to be called up to WWE's main roster soon but Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Apollo Crews is also rumored for a call-up soon.
Bobby Roode was backstage at WrestleMania 32 this past Sunday and was introducing himself to a lot of people. He also rode with talent back to the hotel after the show.
While Roode was shown on camera at NXT: Takeover last Friday, he actually had signed with WWE a week earlier. As you'd expect, he will start in NXT.
- Word is that Carmella will be staying in WWE NXT for now but a debut on the main roster with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady has not been ruled out.
Quote from: Fnord on April 06, 2016, 02:26:48 PM
Bobby Roode was backstage at WrestleMania 32 this past Sunday and was introducing himself to a lot of people. He also rode with talent back to the hotel after the show.
While Roode was shown on camera at NXT: Takeover last Friday, he actually had signed with WWE a week earlier. As you'd expect, he will start in NXT.
- As we first reported earlier this week, Bobby Roode signed with WWE a week before appearing on camera at NXT Takeover: Dallas last week. Roode told The Examiner that he hasn't signed yet, although he's close. A close source noted to me that Roode signed with WWE ten days before WrestleMania, although it is possible that he just came to terms on that date and has not officially signed a contract.
"I'm not officially signed yet," said Roode. "The Internet has blown up over it, and I mean I'm close, but I don't want to spoil anything or ruin anything. I want to wait until it's official. I don't want to jinx anything either."
Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young interrupted a promo by WWE NXT Champion Samoa Joe at tonight's Full Sail NXT TV tapings. It should air on next week's episode.
Just got that on wwe news ... nice , wonder where there going to go with him ... Have not seen his work in awhile.
Quote from: Black Death on April 28, 2016, 11:34:05 PM
Just got that on wwe news ... nice , wonder where there going to go with him ... Have not seen his work in awhile.
I'm pleasantly shocked they picked him up, I'm hoping it's on full time, not a Ciampa/Gargano contract. Also surprised he debuted before The Guy Who Left At The Same Time. Fun times ahead :D
because I think Eric sign that deal fast as he could. lol
- Dasha Fuentes did all ring announcing at Wednesday's WWE NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University. It appears Greg Hamilton is working with the main roster full-time now.
I just finish watching NXT Takeover Dallas and I have to say Zaynn vs Nakamura was one of the greatest matches I have ever seen. I don't use these words lightly. it been a long time one match left me drain and tired after watching. That how much I was invested into the match. I actually had to stop the show and rest before I could finish it.
Askua vs Baley match was just as good too... I also have a mass crush on Baley so that helps also lol
Damn I love NXT so much
Source: PWInsider
- Eric Young has not signed a WWE contract, according to PWInsider. Young made his WWE NXT debut on last night's show and lost to NXT Champion Samoa Joe.
- There's been talk of having some of the WWE Cruiserweight Series matches on NXT TV. The original plan was for the 32-man tournament to be a stand-alone event.
think that a smarter move , get some great matches on tv and up build the buzz
- Nikki Storm, Hugo Knox, Tino Sabbatelli, Riddick Moss, Austin Aries, Dash, Dawson, Manny Andrade, Nia Jax, Alexa bliss, Tye Dillinger and WWE NXT Champion Samoa Joe have been announced for the NXT UK live events in June. As noted, Bobby Roode was announced earlier by the WWE UK Twitter account but the post was quickly deleted.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Hideo Itami is scheduled to finally return to WWE NXT in the next few weeks. He had shoulder surgery 13 months ago but his recovery has gone much slower than expected as his first surgery did not go so well.
Show was great, wonder if AA is getting called up?
and the camera work in the cage match was fucking dreadful, but that finish was unreal.
Not the best takeover, but still very good.
Just started watching.
First match - WHY is La Sombra wearing the Godfathers hat? He looked like the bastard son of Los Boriquas.
Tag match - Decent again, right team won. AA would do much, much better on the main roster. Lets hope this leads to a call up. Having Paul Ellering with the new slabs of ugly is a great twist, lets hope they don't disappoint.
Arias/Nakamura next.
Any team with Paul Ellering is going to be badass next level heel. They obviously need training first as their timing was gimpy in the 2 minutes they were on screen.
I'm hoping American Alpha, Balor and Shinsuke are next to be called up with the brand extension.
I thought this was a really solid show and very telling about who is moving up to the main roster in July with the brand split.
I think with Alpha dropping the titles they'll be coming up soon. Probably going to have a month long feud with the new big guy team and then move up. Which is awesome for the main roster tag team division - which must be the most talent deep it's been in years.
I wasn't that impressed with the former La Sombra - Andrade Almas. He just seems like a regular guy, nothing majorly impressive with his look, his charisma or his in-ring work. He's good, don't get me wrong, but he's got a bit of work to do. I get why WWE would take the mask off him, but maybe on this occasion they could've kept it and it might've helped him settle more? Tye Dillenger is a great worker. He's in there to help these new guys look good and put them over, but at the same time he's got himself over and the ten gimmick is over like crazy with the NXT crowd. I was really impressed with him when I saw him live in Glasgow last year. Not sure he'll get to the main roster but he's doing really well with what he's been given. A decent opener, nothing more.
Tag Title match was my favourite match on the show. I thought it was as good as the last TakeOver match they had at WM weekend. Alpha are so damn talented and charismatic and The Revival are just great old school heels. They really do click as opponents and know exactly how to pace their matches. This match was a ton of fun and although the finish left the crowd a bit down, because they love Alpha, it was still an excellent match. Can't wait to see Alpha in the mix with the likes of The Club, The Usos, New Day and Enzo and Cass on the main roster!
Aries v Nakamura was great too. While Nakamura doesn't do half of what he would do in big NJPW matches (and he shouldn't on these shows, and on this spot on the card) he's still so great. He doesn't have to kill himself or his opponent to get over and has the superstar charisma down pat. Aries was excellent here too. He's such an under rated worker and if he was 6 inches taller, he'd be on the main roster for sure. He's a really strong promo guy too. This match had the crowd going nuts thanks to the charisma and character of both guys, along with really solid in-ring work. I hope Nakamura is brought up in the draft, he's more than ready for the big time.
I was actually more impressed with the Nia Jax v Asuka match than I was with Jax v Bayley. Asuka is a legit bad ass, so when she works with the other women in NXT, unless she's squashing them it doesn't really work as her selling for them isn't that great. When she's in there with a good worker, or a bigger woman like Jax, she can sell much more convincingly and that really helps the drama and heat of the match. Jax is still green as hell, but she's improved a lot and has the right look (and the right cousin) to be a star on the main roster in a year or so. Fun match, good story and Asuka looked strong in the finish. Hoping they go for a rematch with Bayley at the next TakeOver and then Bayley moves up to the main roster.
Joe and Balor was a really solid cage match. Although Cory's right about the camera work - they missed some moves and spots which was annoying as hell. That said, this was a really good PG cage match. Both guys worked their asses off, they made good use of the cage and it had that big fight feel to it. The only downside was the crowd seemed a bit quiet to me while the match was going on. The finish was bad ass and ended that feud nicely. I think Balor will be up in July, and Joe should be too but I can see him staying in NXT for a while longer to help that brand.
It's weird because NXT has been such a fun, hot, logically booked show for a while now, with a really talented roster, but with the draft coming up I could see them really getting raided for talent. In a way that's a good thing, because those people deserve to be on the main roster, but it's also bad for NXT as they'll lose some top talent. Still, the production line is working and they've got their pick of indy guys so it should work out ok. But I do expect some rebuilding of NXT after the draft in July.
A fun show as always, not totally blow away amazing, but an entertaining two hours, with good matches and logical booking. Can't really ask for more than that. A solid 7.5/10.
The crowds for NXT are always totally into the product and when they are, it makes the show infinitely better. In my wrestling group on Facebook I'm forever telling the guys there that the reason crowds are dead for main event segments on Raw is because they'll give away a match like Miz/Cesaro vs Zayn/Owens half way through the show or in the first hour. By the time they get to the end, the crowd are dead. It's the same on PPV's, they don't build up to the big segment.
That and the fact they're putting a better show into 2 hours, that should be the most telling thing of all.
If they stopped signing Nakamura's theme I woulda been happy with the crowd, but fuck they got annoying. I can deal with constant singing at UK shows, that's almost tradition, but its starting to get overkill with Nakamura now, and ripping off the Bayley chant.
I love his song ...I listen to it when I need some inspiration. it very moving , becoming one of my new favorites
I love that song too but the crowd do sometimes come across a little try hard in the way they act at the NXT shows. Reminds me of the IMPACT zone when they used to care.
Still, it is an awesome song and a bad ass entrance.
As HHH said on the new Breaking Ground documentary on the Network, "you know you're doing something right when they're holy sh***ing the entrance."
It annoyed me when they were shouting Who Are You at Paul Ellering... Made themselves look like utter smarky turds there
i figured they were chanting that at the tag team
Me too, I don't think they even noticed Ellering was there.
think it might be TMDK
TMDK debuted a few weeks ago as TM-61 against Gargano and Ciampa, this new team is called The Authors of Pain.
Quote from: Tezmission Black on June 10, 2016, 12:55:22 PM
TMDK debuted a few weeks ago as TM-61 against Gargano and Ciampa, this new team is called The Authors of Pain.
thank you black ... little behind on my NXT
one of the big dudes was an average MMA fighter, not sure of which one....but im still waiting for them to put Rich Swann and No Way Jose in a tag team.
Bobby Roode has made his NXT debut at Download Festival in the UK. Footage of entrance here - http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/717451-watch-former-tna-world-champion-debuts-at-wwe-nxt-live-event (http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/717451-watch-former-tna-world-champion-debuts-at-wwe-nxt-live-event)
In other news, BamBam is pissed he was too lazy to go to Download this year. FML.
Quote from: BamBamBunglow on June 11, 2016, 05:14:19 PM
Bobby Roode has made his NXT debut at Download Festival in the UK. Footage of entrance here - http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/717451-watch-former-tna-world-champion-debuts-at-wwe-nxt-live-event (http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/717451-watch-former-tna-world-champion-debuts-at-wwe-nxt-live-event)
In other news, BamBam is pissed he was too lazy to go to Download this year. FML.
Dude, BabyMetal are playing there!
Man can someone explain Roode to me? I never seen him in TNA and his highlights look solid, but to get a Nakamura like reaction....am I missing something from my fellow Canuck?
There was a period of about 2 years when Roode was the best heel on the planet.
:knight:
Quote from: Cory on June 11, 2016, 10:19:48 PM
Man can someone explain Roode to me? I never seen him in TNA and his highlights look solid, but to get a Nakamura like reaction....am I missing something from my fellow Canuck?
Roode has the stuff to be HHH in 03 minus the racist WM stuff. Great ring work, great mic skills. I still think he can be the best heel in the planet, just a matter of not being in TNA. Thus far, looks like he's getting the right treatment thus far.
The crowd was chanting at Ellering, they didn't start until he came out and people started looking at him. I can watch Alphamericans v Revival forever. They're both great teams that compliment both themselves and the other team very well. The same can not be said for Joe and Balor, I was done with them 3 minutes into the match.
Also, Duckman, care to explain to me how Nia is "green as hell" to you? people keep using that term for others and I cringe whenever someone uses that phrase. I don't think she's green. If she was, well damn I'm afraid of seeing her when she isn't. I think she's pretty good. I was happy they booked her so strong. And as far as La Sombra, he'll be fun to watch IF he has a character to him.
She's inexperienced, hence she's green. She looks hesitant and lost on occasions during her matches. Not her fault, she's only just learning her trade. She's been put into a position she's not ready for, but doing the best she can. The level of quality in nxt's women's matches have probably set the bar too high, but yeah, she's green. But like I said, she's got a look that stands out and with a year or so more experience she'll be a main roster star.
Nia looks like she's acting on a theatre stage rather than looking like a wrestler. She's getting better, but I find her very unconvincing at times.
Nia does nothing for me right now. She is actually quite boring IMO.
Well last night's Takeover was amazing. I often worry that the standard of these events has been set so high that the quality is going to fade, but that is not happening yet.
The tag title match was probably MOTN for me, but damn, it had some competition!
The main event itself was crazy, I was really being pulled in emotionally. From a booking point of view, I was leaning toward keeping the title on Joe for now, but from a fan point of view it's so hard not to root 100% for someone as charismatic as Nakamura and as the match progressed I was behind him more and more.
I just love when a match turns me into a fully believing mark.
Asuka vs Bayley was almost perfect, the champ radiating confidence, the challenger full of nerves and almost desperation. They both really played the parts in a fitting climax to what has been a great story.
And what a debuting entrance from Bobby Roode! Glorious is the perfect buzzword for him.
Aries/ Jose was a great opener. And whilst Ember Moon's debut did little more than say "I'm here" I am quite excited to see more from her.
All in all a great night of wrestling.
I think it was too damn much to ask them to match the first Takeover in Brooklyn. This was very, very good but that first one was s much more special and I think the wrestling was just much better. It was difficult for Aries and Roode as nobody really cared a great deal about their opponents.
Quote from: Drama Queen on August 21, 2016, 07:01:08 AM
Well last night's Takeover was amazing. I often worry that the standard of these events has been set so high that the quality is going to fade, but that is not happening yet.
The tag title match was probably MOTN for me, but damn, it had some competition!
The main event itself was crazy, I was really being pulled in emotionally. From a booking point of view, I was leaning toward keeping the title on Joe for now, but from a fan point of view it's so hard not to root 100% for someone as charismatic as Nakamura and as the match progressed I was behind him more and more.
I just love when a match turns me into a fully believing mark.
Asuka vs Bayley was almost perfect, the champ radiating confidence, the challenger full of nerves and almost desperation. They both really played the parts in a fitting climax to what has been a great story.
And what a debuting entrance from Bobby Roode! Glorious is the perfect buzzword for him.
Aries/ Jose was a great opener. And whilst Ember Moon's debut did little more than say "I'm here" I am quite excited to see more from her.
All in all a great night of wrestling.
I agree this was a great show ... Ember Moon finisher was off the chain. It made my jaw drop. I thought Billy Kay did a great job also.
GTS ...got to love it
No way Jose did a great job in the match. Cien was also great in his match , he and Roode had great Chemistry together. He did a back off the top rope and stuck the landing it was awesome. My friend was over to watch this with me and he loves the match , the only problem he had was he wish Roode had a more impactful finisher.
Tag Team Match was just awesome , I would like to see another one.
Baley vs Asuka was fantastic, I predicted how it was going to end , and I love it
Joe vs Nakumara... I love we got to see some great technical wrestling from them .
Roode Entrance was Glorious
Nakmaura Entrance was awesome ...
I really enjoy the show , great birthday
Quote from: Rob on August 21, 2016, 07:57:54 AM
I think it was too damn much to ask them to match the first Takeover in Brooklyn. This was very, very good but that first one was s much more special and I think the wrestling was just much better. It was difficult for Aries and Roode as nobody really cared a great deal about their opponents.
Uhhhh people love NWJ, Cien is flat as week old soda, but he got a pop or two. My biggest problem with him is he's hesitation when he goes to springboard and it takes me out of the match.
Last night was pretty close to last year, I prefer this year tho.
Also, NWJ has the face selling down, and despite the loss, came out looking better than he did coming in.
People were way more into Aries than they were Jose, chanting his name and cheering when he won.
Hideo Itami coming out was great, despite those God awful shoes.
I thought Cien did more than his part to carry Roode.
Finished the show today.
Great show.
Opening match between Aries and NWJ was decent. I know some people are high on NWJ, but I just don't see it. Itami coming at the end to set-up a feud with Aries has been excited though.
Ember Moon debut was pretty good. She has a unique skill set that I think is pretty fun to watch.
Roode entrance was pretty good. Love his entrance music. The match though was really bleh. I have never seen Roode wrestle before and I did not leave this match impressed at all. And his finisher lacked in oomph. Cien I did like however and thoyught he was the only thing that made that match worth watching. Easily worst match of the card though.
Tag Match was my favorite match of the night. I just absolutely love what The Revival does as a team. And Gargano and Ciampa showed their potential star power. I hope we get a rematch at the next takeover.
Bayley/Asuka was pretty darn good. Only thing that restrained me from getting to into it is that I knew what the result was going to be with Bayley on her way to WWE main shows. And I didn't like the super Bayley part, but thats just me being picky.
Main Event was a nice slow build to a fantastic finish. Match had me on the edge of my seat a few times. Nakamura entrance was pretty bad ass too. I think Joe is on his was to Smackdown though.
All in all... does not beat the first Brooklyn, but this was a pretty solid show from beginning to end.
Quote from: ¿PapaPancho? on August 21, 2016, 04:33:00 PM
I thought Cien did more than his part to carry Roode.
I agree right there.
I finally watched NXT from this past week. Why was Aries randomly holding a half eaten banana when he interrupted Andrade Almas' interview?! I literally LAUGHED OUT LOUD!
Quote from: Fnord on September 03, 2016, 01:16:38 PM
I finally watched NXT from this past week. Why was Aries randomly holding a half eaten banana when he interrupted Andrade Almas' interview?! I literally LAUGHED OUT LOUD!
yes he was
Aries is so great, has been for years.
Would love to see him be a part of the cruiserweight division on RAW when it kicks off. He's got great superstar presence and he can work with so many different styles of opponent. And he's so damn entertaining.
Get that man on the main roster!
NXT is making another trip trip to Cali Cali this October, and finally hitting Los Angeles as part of the tour!
http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/wwe-nxt-california-live-events-october-2016?sf35164882=1 (http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/wwe-nxt-california-live-events-october-2016?sf35164882=1)
QuoteThe tour begins on Wednesday, Oct. 26, in Fresno at Selland Arena, before heading to the Memorial Auditorium in the capitol city of Sacramento on Thursday, Oct. 27. NXT returns to San Jose for the first time since WrestleMania 31 Weekend on Friday, Oct. 28, at the San Jose State University Event Center. The tour continues on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Bakersfield Theater. NXT wraps up its invasion of the Golden State and goes Hollywood on Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Palladium on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles.
Don't miss your chance to see Superstars like NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, NXT Women's Champion Asuka, Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode and more!
Tickets for this huge tour will be available starting Friday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. PT. For complete information on these Live Events, visit nxttickets.com and find out how you can see the Superstars of NXT this October in California.
These tickets will probably be 100x harder to get than PWG's usually are, but I'm gonna try anyway. Wish me luck, lol.
Asuka vs Mickie James for the NXT Women's Title at Takeover : Toronto just announced ... I am so excited for this match. I am happy to see Mickie James return. Plus ,the Rematch of Joe vs Nakamura going to be a great show.
- There has been a lot of interest in signing former Ring of Honor star Lio Rush for the WWE NXT brand, according to PWInsider. Rush recently finished up with ROH and was backstage for the post-WrestleMania 33 RAW in Orlando last week. Rush previously held the Maryland Championship Wrestling Tag Team Titles with current NXT Superstar Patrick Clark.
Had the pleasure of seeing Rush against Paul London at a local event a few months ago, he's top class. I had no idea he was an ROH guy. I think he'd be a great fit for NXT.
Ember Moon will not be able to compete at WWE NXT "Takeover: Chicago" later this month. Ember says she will be better than ever when she comes back.
The NXT Women's Title match at Takeover will now see champion Asuka defend against Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot in a Triple Threat.