Hot women in lycra? I’m there *SORRY* hehe – Skatronixxx
Welcome wrestling-peeps to my first NXT blog of 2016 and what a first blog its gonna be. We have the #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s title decided, a Triple-Threat match scheduled for two weeks time to decide a #1 contender for the NXT title. And perhaps most exciting of all, the return of Tommaso Ciampa. Yeah … bet you didn’t see that coming.
So here we are, NXT is back for 2016 and things got off to a hot start with the return of William Regal after some-sort-of-surgery. I’ll be honest, not so read up on this as perhaps I should be but legit worried about ol’ Willy because homeboy was not looking as fresh as he should be. Gaunt and a tad bit pasty-faced, not trying to be a hater, but concerned that maybe the GM of NXT should take time off to recover. Look after yourself Regal, you living legend.
Regal does the usual pomp and ceremony of buoying the fans spree-decor. NXT had a great 2015 yadda-yadda and its all down to us fans. First of all NXT did indeed have a great 2015 and yes maybe Fandom got bigger in the year that was 2015. But damn, with great programming and TakeOvers given to us for the low-low price that is £9.99. You better believe i’m watching.
So “Thank You Regal” but THANK YOU NXT.
And perhaps a special thank you should go to the handling of women on the brand because lets face it, NXT is a separate brand now. In the hierarchy that is wrestling shows within the WWE, it goes RAW, NXT, SmackDown! and those other shows that nobody watches and sometimes get uploaded onto the Network, just £9.99 folks. I’d arguable put NXT at the top but you know, I’m writing this blog so go figure right.
Go women’s wrestling. Thats the attitude that NXT take with their female wrestlers, yes wrestlers. They don’t become Divas until they reach the Main roster and suddenly gain an inherently bad moniker that is commonly associated with Mariah Carey at the hight of her fame. These women-wrestlers are continuously handled with care and given main event booking that matters, as evident by the nights Battle Royale to find the #1 Contender to Bayley’s title. Woah, things got a tad ranty there.
With the main event booked we saw the return of jiggy-jiggy-dancey-dancey Sami Zayn with a dope Flat-cap and jacket. Side note, I want that jacket. With Zayn back in the ring he was down to business hyping the crowded and mentioning last months TakeOver London. Even if he did spit in the eye of this TakeOver attendee with his “no place like coming home” comment. Hey dude, we cheered the shit out of you man and you rag on me like this … J-K internet, J-K Zayn, still love your fuzzy face.
After announcing himself “responsible for building NXT” out stomps Samoa Joe looking ready to snap Zayn in two and perhaps even feed on his still beating heart. Sorry bro, got a sick imagination. But Joe looks scary in NXT, given all the time wasted on TNA, and sorry that was wasted time given how overlooked he was towards the end of his tenure with the number 2 wrestling show in America. Joe looks like he is having fun out there and it shows. The same can’t be said for pouty Baron Corbin. Seriously, if that guy was any stiffer on the mic, Hacksaw Jim Duggan could use him as his favourite piece of weaponry. J-K Corbin, don’t kill me … please.
That being said, Corbin in the title picture … I aint mad at it. I know the guy has a long way to go and I know it appears like he couldn’t give the F-ing F about the business. But the dude has the look, height and I believe he will gain the wrestling skills to make it in the business. If he starts giving the F that is.
After the shenanigans that goes down in the ring between these three, Regals announcement that all three men will fight it out in a Triple-Threat match in two weeks time was a no-brainer. Any combination from this three against reigning champ Finn Balor is a win in my eyes. But its Zayn right … no? We will see.
Anywho, onto the first match of the night and what a match it was. No seriously, that Ciampa fellow really impressed me. With Neville up on the main roster languishing in obscurity, its about time we got a fast-offence-type-dude (minus the gravity-defying high-spots of course) who is able to put himself over. And that reverse mat arm-bar for the win was impressive.
The Tag Champs Dash & Dawson are up next and as Corey Graves and Tom Phillips, who apparently went somewhere because he is welcomed back (did I miss something), keep telling us must be pissed because they lost out to Enzo & Cass in the NXT: End of Year Awards for Tag Team of the year. I dunno guys, they always look pissed to me.
The Ascension is back in NXT guys, yay. That really is sarcasm because whenever these guys come back home, its to put over another tag team. Big surprised what happened tonight then.
We cut backstage for a big upset because Nia Jax wont be cleared to compete in tonights Battle Royal. Apparently Bayley’s choke-out at TakeOver London has had lingering damage to her throat or what not. Big takeaway is that Jax is out of the title hunt (for now) and Eva Marie couldn’t be happier for her supposed ally.
On to Elias Sampson who mysterious mopes to the ring to face newcomer (I assume) Corey Hollis who doesn’t stand a chance. I mean NXT normally gives superstars a chance but Hollis got destroyed by a headlock and a series of punches and kicks before being quickly dispatched by a Neckbreaker. Sampson seems to be living the gimmick but forgetting that skills in the ring help you to survive. I see that NXT have got plans for this chap but I just want to see him wrap that Guitar around someone’s noggin already.
We finally reach the diamond in the rough which is the Women’s Battle Royale. Everyone that isn’t a name in NXT is already in the ring as Alexa Bliss, Emma, Carmella, Eva Marie and Auska make their entrance. Pause for thought, why Alexa Bliss hasn’t received a notable singles feud given the heat she garners from a small Full Sail crowed is beyond me.
The match is suitable long but I need to thank Corey Graves for reminding us that these wrestlers have to go over the top rope in a Battle Royale. A rule seemingly forgotten on the main roster, with Divas eliminating one another via any-which-way. Guess rules are made to be broken and forgotten apparently. Sorry, ranty again.
With many of the named wrestlers like Emma, Auska and Alexa dominating the match it was impressive that little Liv Morgan went for broke in her debut match by Powerbombing Cameron. Granted, she biffed it the first time but the scrappy newcomer picked up the former Funkadactyl and lifted her over the tope rope. Instant stand-out moment.
Eventually Auska single handily took out Peyton Royce and Billie Kay for the win, or so she thought. In fact Eva Marie had been lying in wait on the outside of the ring and eliminated Auska for the win, erm maybe not. For Carmella use to same tactic and flipped all-red-everything over the top rope becoming the #1 Contender to her best friend Bayley’s NXT title.
Carmella’s win unsurprisingly got a massive pop from the crowd. Not only has she worked hard to gain favour with the NXT fans, continuously improving in the ring. But I think even Cameron could have eliminated Eva Marie and received the same fan-fare. Girl-Bye.
Overall not mad at it. WWE is old-hat at using the synergy from other shows and using it in the ring. If using the real-life friendship between Bayley and Carmella shown to us on Breaking Ground gives somebody new a shot at the title, I’m all for it. Even if it is a stop off before Bayley and Nia Jax round 2.
Thats fine. I can wait.
For all your NXT Hot Takes and News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com
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