The NXT Review – November 16th, 2016 – ‘While The Cats Away’

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! With NXT TakeOver Toronto mere days away. It meant that as the Main Event Cats made their quest to the land of a thousand Maple trees (or we can just call it Canada). It was down to the talented mice of the Yellow Brand to entertain the masses and they did a decent job.

With Billie Kay at ringside, it was the Venus Flytrap of NXT Peyton Royce’s job to finish off Liv Morgan after their attack on the scrappy-underdog last month. It was a job that Royce unfortunately wasn’t able to finish as Kay had to save her lackey only to follow-up with yet another beat-down from the Mean Girl’s Alliance.

After Morgan inadvertently managed to get Aliyah the win last week, she tried to return the favour by trying to save her new cohort, only to fall victim to that pretty sweet head thrust into Billie Kay’s knee. A Tag Team move that better stick around if these Women stay together for much longer. A possible that seems bleak at best, especially now that Ember Moon has inserted herself smack-bang in the middle of this fracas.

Royce & Kay better find a third Tag Team Member and Fast! Because Ember Moon has her glare set on Emma & Dana Brooke Mark II.

Urgh, seriously?? I thought we got rid of Elias Samson. It’s probably my fault though, I jinxed the whole damn thing when I pondered the other day as to the whereabouts of ‘The Drifter‘. Because, you know, he drifts. So I guess he drifted his way back into NXT.

I don’t mean to hate because actually I don’t think my (and others) lack of interest in Samson is in any way down to him. But when WWE picks up right where they last left off with this guy – in yet another squash match – you really start to lose hope that there is anything else to this gimmick.

Tonight’s Main Event was pretty dope to be honest, so dope in fact that I was expecting we’d see this at Toronto.

That being said, It’s okay that we didn’t given that Andrade Cien Almas NXT debut was subsequently met with a non-push. So when we saw Cien turn Heel against a mega over Cedric Alexander, I finally felt like we had a feud worthy of both these guys talent going forward. But it also means you’ve got to build upon it.

With TakeOver’s schedule before WWE’s Big Four PPV’s (not forgetting Full Sail only TakeOver’s and Tours) there will be plenty of opportunities for this pair to show off, assuming Alexander is still in one piece after Cien’s nasty domination.

Lets hope so.

#TheNXTReview

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The NXT Review – October 26th, 2016 – “Think About This Mickie? … Okay!”

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! This week saw the end to the First Round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament. And While we got two great matches – One more-so than the other – it was slightly predictable in both instances which some-what took the fun out of the thing for me.

In the opening match we get Team DIY Vs newcomer (and the first ever signed Chinese superstar) Tian Bing & HoHo Lun, who I have to admit was one of my favourites in the Cruiserweight Classic. But for all that has been reported of Bing, from the numerous articles to WWE’s YouTube videos, I was left some-what Ho-Humed (Banzinga) when in comparison to the charismatic HoHo Lun.

Not to mention the talents of Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargarno, whose quick ascent to the top of the Tag Team division is not just down to Wrestling talent alone. Even if it was however … no contest.

Even with predictability accounted for, this wasn’t a boring match. Bing may well be as milk-toast as they come but surprisingly he has some weight behind, a fact that Ciampa found out to his detriment when Tian quickly took him off his feet with a swift kick to noggin.

Once the two big guys Tagged out things started to pick up with Gargano and Lun putting on a great show. Although I can safely say that I hold soft-spot for HoHo he still comes off as slightly green for me. Perhaps its unfair of me to assert that but his wrestling style and numerous gurning-faces seem amateuristic. Of course I will take that back if that is just his face, I mean ‘Face-gonna-Face’ and all that, but once he tightens up his move-set (and get his face in check) I’m sure he could become a cruiserweight contender to reckon with.

Sadly tonight wasn’t Lun or Bing’s night, as the obvious favourites to take the whole damn tournament make it through to the next round.

Poor Aliyah. Seriously, this girl can’t catch a break. Not only does she lose time-after-time but it also seems that her persona changes on a dime to suit whomever she is in a match with. So given that her opponent tonight Billie Kay is not only a Heel but seemingly on the upswing to a pretty significant push. It means that Aliyah herself has to play the Babyface – a role that I have commented before doesn’t suit her – but is also destined to lose.

She what? Oh she actually won … go Aliyah!

Okay, I’m not mad at this. If Liv Morgan interfering in the match means that Aliyah not only picks up a win but also gets inserted into this storyline. I can get on board with this feud evolving into Tag Team Warfare. Especially if it leads to Aliyah turning on Liv further down the line.

I can hope right?

Speaking of turns, Tye Dillinger is killing it as a Babyface.

Not that I’m shocked or anything, as a die-hard Perfect 10 supporter I’m more excited that Dillinger’s skill is being paid off with a well deserved push. What has surprised me however is the lack of tweaking to the gimmick that has been needed.

Perhaps more-so it speaks to the genius of the Perfect 10 moniker or that no matter what you present to the fans if you ‘over‘ with the crowd, your over no matter what you are, Heel or Face. But as an ‘over’ Superstar, Dillinger now occupies that rare ‘Tweener” status that opens the doors to the fairground of creativity. Especially when that Tweener Superstar is given mic time. Just look back to the days of Stone Cold Steve Austin or Heel-era CM Punk, arguable the biggest Tweener of the Reality Era.

If Tye Dillinger can take this feud with Bobby Roode and prove to the Big Wigs that he can take his character to the next level. Not only do I see a Main Event rise in his future but much over-due Championship Gold too.

We got the obligatory Auska destroy another women on her road to world domination. But the real story coming out of tonight was the announcement that Mickie James will face the NXT Women’s Champion at TakeOver in Toronto.

Of course rumours had Trish Stratus poised to take this spot but for James to get this spotlight seems perfect to me. For Auska to be undefeated for up-to-a-year now it seems only fitting that the only women to hold the WWE’s Women, Divas and TNA Knockout Title in Wrestling history, should get a shot at the prestigious NXT Women’s Belt.

Not only that but if male veterans of Pro-Wrestling can come and dominate on NXT, why can’t a female Vet do the same?

I am of course getting ahead of myself here, one match at TakeOver doesn’t mean we are getting full-time Mickie James but unlike Trish Stratus who has returned for numerous WrestleMania’s since her retirement. The prospect of seeing one of the stable members of the Ruthless Aggression era return to a WWE ring is tantalising.

Just leave the inappropriate crotch grabs at home, okay Mickie?

It was great to see the Winner of the CWC TJ Perkins team-up with Kota Ibushi, the Guy that myself (and I’m sure everyone out there) assumed was going to win that Damn tournament.

Who knows, maybe a Tag Team Tournament will be more in his wheel house.

Either way Perkins & Ibushi easily out-shown Mustafa Ali & Lince Dorado, a pair (like most in this Tournament) that seemed haphazardly thrown together. Perhaps the same could be said for the winners of this match but at least Perkins and Ibushi have some kind of history together. Much like last years winners Finn Balor & Samoa Joe.

Foreshadowing perhaps?

#TheNXTReview

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The NXT Review – September 21st, 2016 – Kill Joe Kill!

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! How creepy was Grumpy-Joe’s disappointment that NXT Champ Shinsuke Nakamura’s injuries, sustained at his hands, won’t require surgery? It’s almost as if keeping him bench for 6-12 weeks was a consolation prize. Then again an assassin doesn’t aim to maim after all. Maybe he should-be taking a page out of the Kevin Owen playbook.

Kill–Joe–Kill.

Talking of Kill. This animosity building between Joe and William Regal is fascinatingly murky with regards to where their growing feud will end up. Firstly Joe has known for sometime – or at least made it known – that Regal dislikes him. And for his part Mr. Regal displays an inability to hide is displeasure of having to deal with Grumpy-Joe.

And can you blame him? What a headache this guy has been. Firstly turning on his Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic partner, Finn Balor. Only to now destroy the newly crowned NXT Champion. Clearly this guy does not play well with others.

But with Regals in-ring days seemingly over, this uneasy partnership between GM and Superstar looks to go down this rocky-road for some time. So lets enjoy the ride folks.

Okay, I’m so ready for this Austin Aires – Hideo Itami showdown. Not to step-over Oney Lorcan’s defeat here because he put on a hell of show. But when Itami came out – ring ready I should add – cutting Aries ranty-rant short. Holy Shit, I thought all my Christmas’ came early.

But Aries being Aires, it wasn’t to be. The perpetual Troll of NXT proceeded to lure Itami into the ring only to turn tail and scamper towards the back.

I can wait, that’s okay, sometimes the juice is worth the squeeze. And I have the feeling that this match will be a TakeOver show stealer. Should it get that far. #ItamiHuntingSeason

Seriously, throw Aliyah a bone already. Not to take anything away from Billie Kay who is on a roll in NXT, of course minus her big loss to Ember Moon at TakeOver Brooklyn II. But when someone like Liv Morgan is getting pushed over Aliyah … you really start to question.

My Fan-Girling aside, I can see why Kay is being positioned as next in line to Asuka’s throne. With the various gimmick-fails and losses behind her, the Australian native really has come far in-between the ropes. And those long-legs are deadly as hell.

I assume once we get Morgan’s inevitable loss to the NXT Women’s Champ (Next Week), Billie will take her shot at the Championship.

Which is great, if you have a Death wish.

With the CWC not only bringing back the long belated Cruiserweight Division, it also gave superior athletes like Cedric Alexander a chance at the big leagues. A chance that many will agree is long overdue in-of-itself.

Clearly Alexander’s time on NXT is limited with his Monday Night RAW debut already in the books. But if this is a one-and-done thing, then at least we got this.

This really was a great match but it only further showed that a so-called ‘Cruiserweight‘ style has been thriving on NXT for some time now. Sure we get Heavyweights like Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens and Bray Wyatt pass through the doors. But some of the Main Eventers like Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville and Seth Rollins have already demonstrated the High-Flying, Grapple Savvy and Fast Paced wrestling that has been wowing fans on CWC of late. Has already made them legit Championship material down on NXT.

Not to say that NXT invented that kind of wrestling because … D’uh. But with RAW going hard on the Cruiserweight division, I just hope that Superstars like Cedric Alexander, Rich Swan and TJ Perkins won’t get stuck in Mid-Card Mediocrity throughout their time with the WWE. Especially when most viewers are tuning in to see this style of Pro-Wrestling more-over the Big Guys that Vince McMahon still holds dear.

At least down in NXT, these small guys get to Main Event and put on a heck of Match. While its still slow progress up-top.

#ThisIsNXT

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The NXT Review – August 31, 2016 – Grumpy Joe Is Grumpy

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! NXT’s homecoming saw the dawning of a new era. As the New NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura started his Strong Style reign, his TakeOver Brooklyn opponent Samoa Joe was on the receiving end of a rather wooden backstage segment. That further added fuel to growing SmackDown Live debut fire, after Joe left without uttering a word. Leaving GM William Regal looking displeased.

Mmmmh, moody! But more on that later.

You wait nigh on a month for a Tye Dillinger Match, only for two to come along back-to-back. I ain’t complaining because The Perfect 10 was on … well … Perfect form. Coupled with the fact that my favourite NXT Superstar got to perform at TakeOver last week. But I refuse, let me repeat that, refuse to get my hopes up for any iota of a storyline to come for Tye anytime soon. His opponent Buddy Murphy got more character development through Corey Graves explaining that he was looking to one-up his former Tag Team partner Wesley Blake, over any legit development for the under-utilised Heel Bad-Ass.

So you can predict future Gold for Dillinger all you want Graves. But action speaks louder than words NXT … make it so!

Did everyone see that Monday Night RAW promo for the incoming Cruiserweight Division? Alongside the widely reported CWC stars to receive WWE contracts, was NXT own’s Tommaso Ciampa. It stands to reason that WWE would be quick to capitalise on Ciampa and Johnny Gargano’s meteoric rise to prominence, especially with their outstanding Cruiserweight Classic match. But does that mean their days at Full Sail are numbered?

With Gargano seemingly written out of storylines and Ciampa receiving a beatdown at the hands of The Revival. Could this be leading to a ultimate ‘Goodbye‘ Match at a future TakeOver against their nemesis?

I just don’t know … too many uncertainties. Too many Questions, so little answers. Ah Wrestling.

What is certain, when a Superstar enters the ring sporting attire that can be better described as bondage. You’ve got a Heel-Turn on your hands ladies and gentlemen.

Liv Morgan got the win here but lets be clear, she shouldn’t have. I understand the babyface formula of ‘coming from behind‘ to win the match but Aliyah just looked far too impressive for me to believe the end result. For starters her new bad-girl attitude (and bondage attire) saw her dominate the match with superior wrestling skills. But when you sinch-in that submission move, damn. Don’t know what its called but I’m all about it.

And while Liv Morgan has had more TV time, her character is just a Jersey rip off Carmella’s shtick. When she got hyped up and spun around I swear deJaVu kicked in.

Match takeaway? More Aliyah please.

Capping off the evening was the NXT Champ himself, Shinsuke Nakamura.

The Champ wasn’t in action tonight but rather putting his stamp on a new era for NXT, which was probably a good thing given the rather sombre mood Joe was in tonight. Not that man with the wired jaw would get his rematch straight away but how long is that clause in effect?

Damn it! More questions.

But with Alberto Del Rio sitting out the rest of his contract with WWE on the bench. Many have speculated that Samoa Joe has been fast track to take his place has second top-tier-Heel behind Bray Wyatt on SmackDown Live. As per-norm with Pro-Wrestle, speculation comes hand-in-hand with dirt sheets rumours but with Nakamura being positioned to take the reigns from the former champ I wouldn’t be surprised to see Joe make his Main Stage debut anytime now. Especially if a rematch takes place before the next TakeOver event.

Until then, Regal will have to put up with the silent grump stalking the halls of Full Sail.

#GrumpyJoeIsGrumpy

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The NXT Review – August 3rd 2016 – Why You Gotta Be So Roode?

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! Tonight was about setting up the next Phase in NXT. A Post-Draft Phase if you will; in which top talent (and Mojo Rawley) were snapped up by the Main Rosters leaving a void waiting to be filled by the next-big-thing and returning Heroes of course.

Oh hello Hideo Itami!

Seriously though, this guy could use a break. No sooner had he debut on NXT and made it into that Andre The Giant Battle Royal at WrestleMania. That the jealous Kevin Owens took him out of commission for an extended leave of absence due to shoulder injuries. Or did he? I mean, yeah he did (Tom Phillips said as much), but for storyline sake we’re suppose to be in doubt so I’ll go along with it. But it also means I’m meant to believe that they’re is still a guy out there hanging around the Performance Centre randomly attacking Talent.

WWE should really be on that.

I would have liked Itami to get a bigger match for his return but considering that NXT has entered into this hand-shake, wherein CWC competitors can come-and-go willy nilly, I’m okay with Hideo beating the living snot out of Sean Maluta.

Don’t get me wrong, Maluta is fine, I’m just so underwhelmed by his in-ring style. He shows great physicality and promise but shows reliance on his opponent to take the lead. It could be nerves, it probably is, but if I don’t see Maluta again on NXT. I’d be okay with that.

How did I forget that Asuka is unbeaten in NXT?

Not surprising given how she has torn through the Women’s division but it seems that factoid is gateway explanation to a Heel turn for the brutal femme fatale.

Heel-Asuka is something I have waited for so long now, so to have Bayley be her opponent in this simmering feud is like the Cherry on-top of an awesome Pie. And for that Pie (stay with me on the bake-goods metaphor will you) to be about ‘who is the best‘, speaks to Asuka’s dangerous character and Bayley’s need to prove that she is more than a one-time-Champ. It means we get a feud that doesn’t need long-winded promos but rather a storyline that is told in-between the ropes. Like all the best feuds.

Asuka’s match against Aliyah was about the Champ showing Bayley what she is going to do to her at TakeOver Brooklyn. And boy did she Heel it up good. Starting with placing a solitary chair on the ramp for Bayley to watch the match from, to stopping a match winning pin, only to then put Aliyah in a Asuka-lock. You can tell from her gleeful expression that this is the character that Asuka has been dying to play.

Sure Asuka has always been the aggressor when it comes to her matches. But for me, this “Asuka’s gonna kill you” mentality that we the fans carry, has always been at odds with her debuting Face persona. For a women who truly is deadly, now that I can identify her as a genuine Heel, only serves to heighten the danger that she brings to her matches.

So while I am excited for TakeOver Brooklyn, I’m also fearful for Bayley’s life.

Like legit scared. Because Asuka Gonna Kill You.

Speaking of legit, Bobby Roode’s entrance music is … well, Glorious!

I’m still yet figuring out what it reminds me of, besides the obvious Queen allusions. But It does give me that Kurt Angle vibe, like the moment it hits you just know you’ve got a jerk on you hands. A Glorious-Jerk even.

I would have loved to see Roode’s debut be a match but this was special. A gauntlet has been thrown down by Roode because he is going to bring NXT into the mainstream, he is gonna make it Legit. Someone needs to tell his smart-ass that The Boss did that already but, we’ll let him believe he can do it.

OMG, brain wave. Please can we have a Roode-For-President campaign in the same vein as Lex Luger. I know it was lame, but Luger never had the possibility for a Bo Dallas campaign manager. After all, he “Bo-Lieves” and all that.

This could be big guys!

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