The NXT Review – 30th March 2016 “The Go-Home Show”

Whats up Wrestling Peeps! Were here, we did it! The Go-Home show of NXT before TakeOver Dallas and to be honest … it went out with a whimper. But hey, with TakeOver now in sight we didn’t need this to steal the show. Save it for Dallas boys and girls.

American Alpha kick-the-action off and right now, from where I sit, it’s all been said and done at this point about these guys. I’m sold, there over and its time for a title change. Will it happen? I dunno because although I’ve fantasy booked these guys to go up against Enzo & Cass. I think that Team SAWFT may have already covertly jumped to Main Roster already. And if that’s the case – the night after WrestleMania may not only get SAWFT-Up – but NXT will have the perfect underdog pair in American Alpha to go up against The Revival on the weekly programming. And in the long-run, that’s the best story going forward. Or Best-For-Business as the head honcho of NXT would say.

But still … American Alpha FTW at Dallas!

Baron Corbin’s Back! So yeah, I’m quickly becoming a fan. In an effort not to bore the regular readers but I strongly believe that this guy has a lot more to show when he makes that jump to the big leagues. Whether it shows arrogance – and Proving Ground defiantly shows this guys propensity for that – but this guy clearly believes he is a Big Fish in a very small pond.

So dependent on how you see that as ambition or arrogance will skew your attitude towards the Lone Wolf, I’m just glad to see his progression in skill set inside the square-circle.

I can’t say this for every match on the TakeOver card but I’m super-excited for Shinsuke Nakamura & Sami Zayn. Not for any particularly reason and almost in-spite of how NXT have handled the approach and build up to the match, but I super-dig that they have held off actually showing Nakamura in the flesh. It’s actually a perfect example of the WWE using Press and the internet – where millions of Fan-boys, like me, exist – to their advantage. After all it was no small secret that the King of Strong Style had signed with the company and was to debut on the yellow brand, so to hold-off until one of its biggest Streaming events for the Network, makes this a can’t miss match for a sight of the newest signee alone.

To make a blatant comparison, its Sting debuting in the WWE … maybe even bigger.

Another guy who has continued to impress me after a rather lacklustre debut is Apollo Crews, It’s a shame however that the same can’t be said for Alex Riley. Maybe its just because I enjoyed Riley on the commentary team, maybe its just because I’m not a fan of the long-haired brooding-Heel look. Perhaps both but I just can’t get it up for this guy.

For a superstar who has experience on the Main Roster, nothing about him or his wrestling set entertains. And isn’t that what that ‘E stands for. M’eh just a thought to consider.

But lets look past that squash match and into the future because after Crews was done wiping the floor with Riley, we got the soft dulcet tones of Elias Sampson, signalling a building tension between the two.

Did I space out, am I tripping? When was these two a thing? I’m defiantly forgetting something but any who, I’m not against this. But will we see this at TakeOver? Hopefully not unless it’s the start of a storyline with these two because Sampson defiantly needs some elevating and perhaps Crews could be the man to do it.

No Women’s match tonight but we did get a kick-ass promo that reinforced how awesome Bayley Vs Asuka will be. So the question is, who will be NXT Women’s Champion walking out of Dallas? Who knows for certain. Asuka has been on a roll but Bayley’s story as Champ isn’t over just yet. My bet is that this is just the beginning of a series of matches between these two. Why? Because they are too awesome in their own right to have just one TakeOver match.

So you better believe Bayley will still be Champ at the end of the night.

Talking of Champ material, Samoa Joe has been through it of late. Facing Sami Zayn numerous times to just get a chance at Finn Balor and that NXT Title. You’ve gotta think that this pisses off Joe to no end. Lets just say I wouldn’t want to be Balor this Friday.

Will he win though? Probably not but this is a match that I think is very much alive. In essence … it could go either way. As I keep predicting, I certainly see a Heel-Turn in Balor’s future. Could this set him off, a lost to Joe on the Grandest NXT Stand of ’em all?

I certainly hope so. Heel Balor FTW!!!

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Ben Affleck’s Solo Batman Movie Is “An Option”

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice was released this month to a mixed response from fans and critics alike. Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Batman however has been almost universally noted as a highlight in Zack Snyder’s problematic DC Universe builder, brining a rejuvenated interest to the prospect of a Batfleck solo movie in the future.

In light of this, Patrick Whitesell of William Morris Endeavor was quick to revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that Affleck is “contracted to do at least Justice League One and Two, so at least three times wearing the cape;” noting that BVS being the first of three contractual DC appearances.

Whitesell further elaborated on rumours of a solo outing for Batfleck commenting that “there’s a script that he’s written that is a really cool [Batman] idea, so that’s out there as an option.“

Ben Affleck will also make a cameo appearance in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad later this Summer, as a bunch of his Rogue Gallery alumni – including The Joker (Jared Leto), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Deadshot (Will Smith) – raise hell as part of the US Governments Black-Ops team.

Justice League Part One is currently scheduled to hit the big screen in November 17, 2017 with Part Two to follow shortly after in June 14, 2019.

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Final Fantasy XV Animated Film Revealed

Fans were treated to the first reveal of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XV feature length film at the companies seminal game series uncovering last night.

The animated film titled Final Fantasy XV: Kingsglaive, will feature the talents of Game of Thrones stars Lena Heady as Princess Luna and Sean Bean as King Regis, with Breaking Bad mainstay Aaron Paul lending his voice to soldier Nyx.

Alongside the fan event, Square Enix released the following synopsis of the upcoming film:

“The magical kingdom of Lucis is home to the hallowed Crystal, but the menacing empire of Niflheim will stop at nothing to make it theirs. War has raged between the two for as long as most can remember.

King Regis of Lucis commands an elite force of soldiers dubbed the Kingsglaive. Wielding their king’s magic, Nyx Ulric and his fellow glaives stand before the crown city of Insomnia, fighting to stay the inexorable advance of Niflheim’s imperial army.

Before the overwhelming military might of the empire, King Regis can only salvage his kingdom by accepting an ultimatum—he must cede all lands outside the crown city, and see his son, Prince Noctis, wed to Lady Lunafreya, the former princess of Tenebrae now captive of Niflheim.

As the war of wills rages, the machinations of Niflheim transform Insomnia into an awe-inspiring battleground, pulling Nyx into a struggle for the very survival of the kingdom.”

Kingsglaive won’t be released in theatres but will be available to download and stream worldwide via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment sometime this year.

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Gambit Movie Delayed

Channing Tatum’s X-Men Spin-off Gambit has been pushed back with production delayed until late 2016.

Sources out of The Hollywood Reporter cite rewrites as the reason for the push-back which is unsurprising given how many directors have jumped on board during the pre-production phase, looking to put their stamp on the popular X-Men characters first solo outing.

Edge of Tomorrow Director Doug Liman will still helm the X-Men movie after taking over the reins from Rise of the Planet of the Apes Director Rupert Wyatt late last year. Lima however will first direct The Wall, a physiological thriller produced by Amazon studios, while re-writes are taking place.

Gambit is currently without a release date after 20th Century Fox removed the film from its upcoming list of movies. The films original release was for sometime in 2017 but 20th Century won’t be without a superhero film on its slate as Hugh Jackman’s final X-Men film Wolverine 3 will still hit cinemas on March 3 next year.

For all your Kinetic-Cajun-Hero-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

The NXT Review – 23rd March 2016

Whats up Wrestling Peeps! Welcome back to your favourite developmental brand and FINALLY (bold, italic, underline!) some personality injected in the sullen-drifter that is Elias Sampson.

Okay so I’m just gonna jump straight into it this week because damn just when I was about to give up on this guy, NXT makes a believer out of me. I’m sure my loyal followers have noticed that over the past few weeks I’ve tended to skip over any-and-all Sampson matches. Not trying to be a D-bag because the guy has skill but I’ve just been bored with his character.

Sure you can argue that creative (it seems) have been playing the long game, which if all goes well – given the Heel heat from the audience – we could have a legit compelling bad-guy on the yellow brand. I’m still not going all in on this guy but that beat down of Johnny Gargano at the matches end … shades of Bray Wyatt. And that excites me.

Sidenote, Gargano breaking Sampson’s winning streak. Capitalise on this please NXT because his wrestling ability coupled with Sami Zayn like fan-love he garners. Future WWE superstar. Just sayin’

Oh Hello Rich Swan, long time no see my friend. Why is this guy not on my WWE Network each and every week? Because dance moves aside this was great match – undoubtably a showcase for the NXT Champ – Swan was still able to hang with Finn Balor.  Even, dare I say it , outshining the Champ at times. Say What?

These two need to feud-it-up. And if my prediction that Balor will turn Heel sooner rather-than-later, I could see Swan making a worthy babyface in the equation. Perhaps its too soon to be so hyperbolic on Swan but hey, I’m a passionate guy when it comes to good wrestling.

Talking of which, Round Two in the Saga of Emma and Asuka was tonights Main Event. And can these two ladies just like, fight forever? Their chemistry is magic. In a feud that arguably reminiscent of Lita and Trish, I’m afraid that its a matter of lighting in a bottle with this pairing. Much like the Hall of Famers never getting a WrestleMania pay-off to their career-elevating-rivalry. I feel that this Saga is doomed to play out only on NXT.

Speaking of doomed. Emma was just that when it came to Asuka. In her last match before TakeOver Dallas, there is no-way Asuka – the #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship – was going to lose. But Emma, with the help of Dana Brooke, wasn’t going to make it easy for the Empress of Tomorrow.

In a match just as hard hitting as their first encounter at TakeOver London, it was defiantly faster. Trading one reversal after another, both women showed they can tell a comprehensive story between the ropes elevating a feud that signals that the Heel Duo may yet prove to be a thorn in Asuka’s side in the future.

While Asuka goes into Dallas looking strong, I’m sure Bayley has some Hugs in reserved if The Empress even thinks about putting her mitts on the title.

More over WrestleMania, TakeOver Dallas is about to live up to its namesake.

For all your NXT-Reviews-And-Wrestling-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

‘Divergent: Ascendent’ Has Its Budget Cut

Last week, Part 1 in The Divergent Series finale Allegiant, hit theatres to a wavering fan-fare leading to the lowest opening weekend for the young adult franchise so far.

Sources out of The Hollywood Reporter are circulating the news that in reaction to Allegiant’s disappointing return, Lionsgate are slashing the budget for its predecessor Ascendent – the final film in the franchise – due out next year. The source revealed that “the budget for the next one will be reduced,” but “they haven’t said by how much,” indicating that a significant cut will be in effect given Allegiant’s $110 Million budget.

The first film in the series Divergent earned a $29.1 Million on its opening weekend, with its sequel Insurgent giving the series an all time high with $52.3. The dwindling numbers showing the franchise inability to retain a new audience outside of its core fan base.

Although the weekend opening is a disappointment for the studio, It is believed that Lionsgate still plan on releasing Ascendent alongside Universals eagerly anticipated The Mummy reboot and Paramounts sequel World War Z 2.  Going head-to-head with both Summer Blockbusters on June 9, 2017.

For all your Disappointing-Young-Adult-Genre-News, stick with @mitch_rated at Skatronixxx

‘Zack Snyder’ Looks To Expand The ‘300’ Franchise

Although Director and Producer Zack Snyder has moved on to pastures-new as lead visionary and Universe builder for Warner Bros. DC franchise. He hasn’t lost the passion for his previous action-romp 300, which Snyder is hoping to expand across history.

In an interview with Collider, Snyder revealed that discussions have taken place about different incarnations of 300, bringing its unique visual style and framing out of Ancient Greece and into other conflicts in time. “I think I mentioned that we talked about the Revolutionary War version, and we talked about the Alamo,” revealed the Batman V Superman director. “There’s a battle in China, a “Lost Legion” kind of concept, any of those kinds of things are on the table.”

Released in 2007, 300 was the first of two films based on legendary comic book writer and artist Frank Miller works, with 2014’s Rise of an Empire based on Miller’s as-of-yet unreleased story Xerxes.

Should Snyder get the go ahead, it would give the creator the opportunity to bring his George Washington passion project to the big-screen – an idea that Snyder has previously expressed an interest in producing – commenting that the painted visual display of 300 would suit the era.

Snyder’s current big-screen venture Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theatres March 25, 2016.

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Star War’s ‘Daisy Ridley’ In Talks For ‘Tomb Raider’ Reboot

With a hugely successful Inter-Galatic franchise under her belt, Star Wars The Force Awaken’s Daisy Ridley could get her own Blockbuster to helm if talks with the Big-Wigs over at Warner Bros. goes well.

Speaking on the red carpet for the 2016 Empire Awards. The Jedi-in-training confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that there “have been conversations” about her helming the rebooted adaptation of Crystal Dynamics acclaimed Tomb Raider video game series, with the British actress currently just “waiting for someone to say ‘I want you, let’s do it’.”

Earlier this month, Norwegian Director Roar Uthaug revealed that he would be taking on the rebooted action-adventure series that previously starred Angelina Jolie as the British archeologist Lara Croft. In an interview with IGN, Uthaug confirmed that his film would tread familiar ground as 2013’s Tomb Raider game, concentrating on Lara’s origin with the director looking “to make people relate to Lara as a character.”

Although the film is still in the pre-production stage, it seems that Ridley certainly has the endorsement of her Star Wars co-star Joh Boyega – who after playing the video game – told THR that he texted the star, telling her that “‘this is you!’ and ‘you need to get on that because you could be Lara Croft.’ She should be.”

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The NXT Review – 16th March 2016

Whats up Wrestling Peeps! After last weeks two-man domination of NXT, it was back to your regular scheduled programming and one helluva Tag Team Match. And thats saying something after that NXT Tag Team match at Roadblock just Saturday past.

But lets not skip-to-the-best-bit because we actually got some Big build up for TakeOver Dallas, with the co-mish William Regal awarding Sami Zayn a headlining match against the newly-signed Shinsuke Nakamura. Like the crowd can attest, truly a “Holy Sh#t!” moment, but it does raise the question as the build-up we will be getting to this face-off.

Now Hey, I don’t need Nakamura to debut before TakeOver arrives. Surely NXT holding off on the New Japan Wrestling star’s debut until the big night in Dallas will ensure butts in seats and fans fapping all-over the WWE Network (imagine the mess!) But in saying that I wouldn’t mind it either, especially given that word-on-the-street (via Dirt Sheets galore) that NXT is meanly a pit stop for the King-of-strong-style before hitting the bright lights of Monday Night RAW. It would be nice to see him get some decent NXT matches under his belt before he gets lost in the Main-Event-shuffle.

I mean, Its not as if WWE has an abundance of Wasted Talent already right?

Okay I’ve sunken my Hater-Aide early this week, so lets move onto the positives and Deonna Purrazzo actually getting a win … Oh wait! She lost again. Seriously? I’m really trying to be positive here guys. Well … I guess she looked good while losing. After all, Emma does have a knack of getting a good match out of the of greenest of wrestlers, so theres that I guess.

Better luck next time Deonna.

But singles completion aside, it really was the Tag Teams that dominated the night with Bayely & Asuka teaming up against the impressive team of Nia Jax & Eva Marie. Great match that set little up other than the fact that Asuka is out for the gold, a match that was quickly established by the co-mish for TakeOver Dallas. Almost like it was planned or something.
But lets not overlook that inadvertent leg drop on Eva by  Nia, her own Tag partner no less. Thing of beauty and painful as hell. Gif it internet … keepsake for life.

Main Event time and American Alpha brought it well and truly. The Vaudevillians however weren’t going to make it easy for them. After their return, the throwback duo seem to have reverted to their namesakes. With a ruthless style and killjoy agenda, they looked to put a stop to the wave of enthusiasm that has built for American Alpha since NXT’s tour of the UK.

The Vaudevillians tyranny was in vain however. After some high spots like Jordan’s Spear to the corner and that roll-through-German-Suplex from Gable, the brightest Tag Team in the division at the moment won the match and a chance at the titles.

So normally I would say that the chase is often better than the win but these guys are better served by holding the NXT Tag Team titles. Unlike Enzo & Cass’ plucky underdog story, American Alpha are just too good at the moment to not hold the titles and be left on the back-burner come Dallas.

Picture it. American Alpha as the Tag Champs Vs Team SAWFT at TakeOver Dallas.

I think I just Wrestle-Gasmed … make is so NXT!

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‘Disney’ Shortlists Actors For Their Young ‘Han Solo’ Movie

Disney has narrowed down the search for their Young Han Solo after a number of Actors screen tested for the role last weekend in London.

Amongst the combatants vying for the part are a few homegrown talents including Skins star Jack O’Connell, Transformers 4 hero Jack Reynor and Kingsman leading man Taron Egerton. Who interestingly lost out to The Force Awakens‘ John Boyega for the Rising Star Award at the BAFTAS last month.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that a handful of American hopefuls have also been included in the list with Blake Jenner (Glee) and Hail, Cesar! actor Alden Ehrenreich – who is currently winning critics over in the Coen Brothers directed comedy – are amongst the favourites.

Skatronixxx reported last week that the Young Han Solo won’t be alone in his adventures, as faithful Wookie companion Chewbacca will return for the Origin story.

So the lucky leading man better get use to acting alongside a Temperamental-Space-Bear when filming starts January next year.

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