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 – October 14th, 2016

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! This weeks NXT gave us another first round match in the 2nd (annual?) Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. I would be hard pressed to come up with a better opener than the Team of Glorious 10 Bobby Roode & Tye Dillinger.

Bum-flexes aside (is that what you’d call them?), I would love to see Glorious 10 pop up again in the future. For a team that I’d never consider putting together, the stars really aligned for these pair, much in the same vein as “Best Friends” Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens.

It’s just a shame we didn’t get much of Tag match here.

Talk about burying the lead, how could I not mention the return of Eric Young with his Sanity Posse. Remember the riot footage from D Generation X’s Titantron? These guys look like they just came from a riot around the corner. Or maybe a less Back Woods Wyatt Family.

Either way a newly reinvented Alexander Wolfe & Sawyer Fulton singled out Dillinger in the corner leading to the Glorious One deciding he would survive to fight another day and exited the ringside area. There goes Glorious 10 but here’s hoping this is the start of a feud between the two.

Hey, lesser things have started WWE Wars before.

My Hater-Aide is out because I disagree with NXT’s decision to go hard on Liv Morgan. It may be just me but her matches are just plain sloppy and not on the level of her competitor tonight, Billie Kay. I’ll give her the ‘early days’ card because – who knows – she might win me over but to waste Kay’s time in this “Liv is Scrappy” feud is just ridiculous. Especially given that she helped debut Ember Moon at the last TakeOver event.

I’m enjoying this Mean Girls team-up alongside Peyton Royce but if Liv Morgan is their only target. I don’t see how she is much of threat that justifies them teaming up against her.

Now NXT Women’s Champion Asuka on the other hand …

The tale of Blake & Murphy is a sadistic one. One minute they’re the hottest NXT Tag Team Champions only for them to get split up and enter a weird feud – if you can even call it that – where they wrestle infrequently only to lose. That ultimately culminates in a thrown together blood match where there isn’t much at stake.

At the end of the day, they’re both losers. Which explains why essential they were chum in the water for Grumpy Samoa Joe.

Yes, once again Grumpy Joe is on hand to squash another batch of NXT Superstars – If I was in the Locker Room about now I’d be asking for a check on my health insurance stat – and call out Shinsuke Nakamura. Who this week kindly obliged returning to in-ring action with a decidedly cold demeanour.

The two warning Champs went at it as security struggled to keep them apart. With Nakamura going so far as to attack the officials (or Trainee wrestlers dressed up as officials) to get at Joe. The action would eventually spill back into the ring where Nakamura gave Joe a much deserved Kinshasa for his time spent in the emergency room.

It won’t be too long before Samoa Joe gets his rematch at TakeOver Toronto on November 19th but I got a sinking feeling that something is gonna go down before then.

Stay tuned Wrestling Peeps!

#TheNXTReview

For all your NXT News & Reviews, stick with @mitchrated and the #SkatronixxxWrestling team on Twitter and Skatronixxx.com

The NXT Review – October 6th, 2016 – Dusty ‘off Those Brass Knuckles

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! Firstly, apologies for my MIA status last week but I had schooling to attend too. Drinking in the knowledge and applying for classes. It was the best of time and the oh so annoying of times (seriously … admin … seriously) but I am back.

And what a week to return to with the Second annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

The Bollywood Boys are fun no? Just two dudes comfortable in Pink – with killer dances moves – kicking arse and smiling the entire time. I have to admit I wasn’t a fan of either two during the Cruiserweight Classic (going hard on the use of Classic within the WWE these days right), but hey go-figure given the name, that these two work far better as a Tag Duo than individual competitors.

Everything was going fine for the Bollywood Boys. Nice entrance, got the crowd up-on-their-feet. And then, in walks the Authors of Pain. sigh

The immediate drop in crowd enthusiasm for this match speaks volumes for how our expectations for a ‘Good Match’ when the Authors of Pain are involved is never that high. But by this point, I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one that is less than impressed with this pair.

And it’s not even that their bad, If they were at least I’d be justified. It’s just the continuous squash matches with them ending out on top that just has me rolling my eyes and resisting the urge to fast-forward to the predictable end.

At this point. I’m almost certain that they’re going to be in the final. Lets just hope whomever meets them there, will get a Helluva push after they beat Paul Ellerings’ lads.

#HopeTooHard

Speaking of Hope, last week Liv Morgan had no hope when she foolishly challenged the NXT Women’s Champion Asuka to a match. Of course the petite Morgan was destined to lose but the story coming-out of it was the budding friendship between Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. An Australian duo who seem to be the new Mean Girls on the block as they mercilessly taunted Liv in a WWE.Com exclusive segment backstage.

With Kay seemingly at the forefront of a push its interesting to note that with Royce by her side, could they be the new Emma & Dana Brooke? Well if Royce’s performance against newcomer Danielle Kamela is anything to go by. Heres hoping.

Tye Dillinger. Bobby Roode. Tye Dillinger and Bobby Roode. Dillinger & Roode! Why, what, when? So many questions. When did this happen?!

These two are my favourite to win the Dusty Rhodes Classic. Damn it, make it bloody so NXT. Could this be the foreshadowed push that Tye Dillinger has been waiting for. That I’ve been hoping – nope – praying to the Gods of WWE for.

G’ah so excited for next week.

#Glorious10

Not sure about debuting Superstar Dan Matha’s X-Files-esque entrance music. With the recent track success enjoyed by Shinsuke Nakamura and the Glorious Bobby Roode. Matha got screwed on entrance-music induction day.

Fo’reals tho, the mans a beast. Bland but beasty. But for a debut match who isn’t the tiniest bit bland. I’m sure if I stepped into the ring – well, I would die – but I’d be bland whilst doing it.

At least Matha didn’t die … I think. It sure wasn’t through the lack of trying on Grumpy Samoa Joes’ part

Is it just me, but the longer this animosity that Grumpy-Joe has with NXT GM William Regal goes on. The more I hope that we get a match between the two. I know it’s not going to happen. I know that not everyone can be an Authority figure type like Triple H (and Stephanie McMahon for that matter … remember SummerSlam?) who handles his business both in and outside the ring.

But the longer this continues I won’t be satisfied until Regal gets his Brass-Knuckled revenge inside an NXT ring.

After their stellar match from two weeks past. Andrade Cien Almas & Cedric Alexander pair up for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in the Main Event. But their path to greatness must first pass through the NXT Tag Team Champions themselves, The Revival.

Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder are not Tag Champs for nothing and unfortunately for the hot-new-freshness Alexander. Tonight really wasn’t his night. Seriously, losing in the first round only for your tag partner to turn Heel on your ass. Damn! Bad-Bad-Night.

On the upside, Cien finally became interesting with the up-up-side being that we get to see these two Super-humans face-off once again.

“Thank You” Cien. Cedric … ? You get better okay.

#SkatronixxxWrestling

For all your NXT News & Reviews, stick with @mitchrated and the entire #StatronixxxWrestling Team on Twitter & Skatronixxx.com

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

For all your NXT News & Reviews, stick with @mitchrated and the entire #StatronixxxWrestling Team on Twitter & Skatronixxx.com

The NXT Review – September 14th, 2016 – Grumpy-Joe Has landed!

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! What about that Cruiserweight Classic huh? Boy was I (and the rest of the Dirt Sheets) wrong about that. For what its worth, I’m glad. You know wrestling shouldn’t be obvious, I mean its great when the Babyface overcomes the odds and gets the win that everyone saw coming (a’la Daniel Bryan’s YES-Mania 30). But I’m a simple guy, mostly I just want it to make sense. And a TJ Perkins win is whats best for business.

What isn’t however is allowing for a disgruntled employee to beat up your World Champion.

I mean “C’mon Regal“. Read the tea leaves, get out that Big-ol’ White board of yours or perhaps watch your own product back because a Grumpy-Joe breakdown has been on the radar for a while now. And I think the storm has landed.

After a moving speech proclaiming that NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura was worthy enough to hold the title, I’ve got to be honest, I saw a glimmer of a Face turn for Joe … silly me. Perhaps I was just as naive as William Regal because shortly after the King of Strong Style excepted the former Champs rematch, Grumpy-Joe was unleashed and Nakamura was stretchered out of Full Sail.

Yikes!

Oh I set myself up for a segue there because Yikes is exactly how I describe Liv Morgan calling out the NXT Women’s Champ for a match (I assume) next week.

I’ve gotta say it. I don’t favour little Morgan’s odds here when you take into consideration that Asuka is not only a total badass but also undefeated in NXT. Yes her days are numbered when you factor in other Superstars undefeated streaks. I mean, if they can end Undertakers dominate run, anything can happen right?

We will see.

I know he has just come back for a lengthy injury but we don’t get enough of Hideo Itami. So any match with him in is something to savour.

I so feel for this guy given his journey with WWE. Not only does he enter NXT with a huge push which included a WrestleMania appearance but I am in no doubt if hadn’t been benched, that NXT Title would’ve been around his waist already. But that’s okay because if we had to wait for us to get an Itami Vs Austin Aires feud. Fates … you are forgiven.

Of course that isn’t what we got tonight but I’m enjoying the foreplay to their eventual match. Just don’t wait too long NXT, I don’t know if have the staying power.

So yeah, I’m just going to skip over The Authors of Pain yet another beat down of a randomly paired team of Superstars because we have the infinitely more entertaining Tye Dillinger.

Is this a push? Do I dare believe that The Perfect 10 may be on he cusp of greatness? To be fair when did Dillinger last get a backstage segment. And I know that House Shows doubt count as cannon, unless a pivotal Title Happens (yeah .. I’m still bitter ’bout that). But I’ve got to believe that pairing Tye with two of the biggest stars of Yellow Brand in the shape of Asuka and Nakamura means that the Big-Wigs are finally picking up what I (and countless NXT fans) have been laying down.

Last night, I performed along side some incredible talent. Let's do it again soon 🔟 @WWEAsuka @ShinsukeN #NXT @WWE pic.twitter.com/YqihvpaWI3

— Shawn Spears™️ (@ShawnSpears) September 9, 2016

The only thing lacking from this picture is Championship Gold around the waist of The Perfect 10.

Make it happen WWE.

Congratulations NXT! The only way I’m ever writing about No Way Jose is when paired against a Supertar worthy of a review and that defiantly  is The Glorious Bobby Roode.

Damn I’m so excited to have Roode in the WWE, and I say that with no previous TNA experience, so this is what I’m judging the guy on and he is just knocking it out of the park. Not that he brings anything new to the table, an arrogant-Heel, erm yeah … that’s new. But his conviction to the character is akin to other Superstars like Edge and Chris Jericho, whose Heel runs in WWE are the stuff of legend.

It’s no secret I’m a sucker for a Heel but I’m all in of Roode’s run in NXT.

Its gonna be Glorious!

Sorry, I had too.

For all your NXT News & Reviews, stick with @mitchrated and the entire #SkatronixxxWrestling team on Twitter and Skatronixxx.com

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

For all your NXT News & Reviews, stick with @mitchrated and the entire #SkatronixxxWrestling team on Twitter and Skatronixxx.com

The NXT Review – August 17, 2016 – Just Keep Smiling

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! First up I have to redact my hater-aid-waterfall of Mojo Rawley’s ‘Farewell‘ tour. Plenty of people get a kick outta him and his Hype–ness, I’m just not amongst them. That aside, my main complaint with the Main Event last week was that it was needless given that of the handful of NXT stars movin’-on-up, Rawley was by far the least deserving if my precious Alexa Bliss wasn’t to receive the same treatment.

Well what’d you know *Open Mouth, Insert Foot* soon as my complaint was out there and into the ether. We get a mucho-good 6-Women-Tag-Team match.

You know, there is a lesson to be learnt from all this. Never doubt NXT. Or maybe my whining echoed back through time and altered these pre-taped shows. I doubt it but, you know, Time Lordian powers. Just sayin’

Before we get to that, Hideo Itami faces off against another CWC competitor, Mustafa Ali.

It seems that Kota Ibushi’s NXT debut as opened the floodgates for Cruiserweight Classic alumni to appear on the brand. No bad thing in of itself but this match mirrored the meh appeal of Itami’s other match with Sean Maluta.

While this match told more of a story, Ali was nothing more than enhancement talent for Itami’s comeback. Which is what NXT should be doing with a guy like Hideo, push-push-push, but until we get someone to match his calibre (Shinsuke Nakamura anyone?), these matches become nothing more than pre-show level stuff.

Moving on.

It may have well been a 6-Women-Tag Team match but with Bliss and Carmella on opposing teams, this Main Event was about the veterans of NXT’s Women’s division paving the way for fresh blood on the roster.

Okay, confession time. As a watcher of Tough Enough and Total Divas, seeing Amanda ‘Mandy‘ Saccamonno finally debut on TV alongside Daria Berenato was an unexpected pleasure. While these two have worked numerous house-shows, giving them TV time now highlights WWE’s faith in presenting them as the future of NXT.

And it isn’t without justification.

Daria for her part worked her MMA background to perfection, highlighting her aggressive powerhouse style and submission moveset while Mandy Rose seemed more subdued in the ring, clearly  the more greener of the pair. That being said, I already feel protective over Mandy with the Eva Marie comparisons already echoing loudly from the future. Time Lord remember. But at this point its too early to tell. Sure she moves around the ring as if she is bored to be there but just because she is a former Fitness Model that John Laurinaitis would’ve lost his shit over. Doesn’t make her a lost cause … just yet!

Nikki Glenncross on the other hand showed why she is the self-proclaimed “best in the galaxy” and took it to the monster Berenato only to be in wrong end of a spear for her troubles. With all the glamour, swagger and sparkling attires the other five women brought to this match. It was refreshing to see a striped back Glenncross whose fighting Scottish spirit and superior wrestling skills spoke volumes in-between ropes. My only concern is that at this point she reminds me of a pre-Steampunk Becky Lynch. Without the right gimmick/defining style and prerequisite name change. Glenncross will easily be lost in the shuffle.

While all women took a fair share of the limelight (with Liv Morgan playing the sacrificial lamb), it was the departing Vets. that stole the show. While I’m Blissed-off that Alexa didn’t get a one-on-one match (but then again did she ever get enough singles competition on NXT?), its time to let my evil-pixie shine on SmackDown! Live. And with Daniel Bryan confirming another Women’s Title is on the way, maybe she’ll finally bag that elusive top spot.

We will see.

NXT Champion Samoa Joe closes the show in an interview with Byron Saxton and his TakeOver Brooklyn opponent Shinsuke Nakamura.

Poor Byron Saxton. Not only does he get mock mercilessly by JBL, and now his former NXT buddy Cory Graves over on RAW. But now he has to sit in-between these two forces of nature. One a brooding-narcissistic-champ, who can go off at any moment. The other a notorious Nose-Stealer and showboater who smiles widely when he thinks about the pain he afflicts to others inside the ring.

Surprisingly, not much besides raised voices and Saxton’s Roadrunner routine goes off here. I suppose Nakamura can placate his urges by merely fantasising about hurting Joe in the ring. But the Champ, he seems pre-occupied with levelling his vocal barbs at William Regal, a man that he insists doesn’t like him too much. And he has a point. How many times did Joe have to prove he deserved a shot against the then NXT Champ Finn Balor before he got his off-screen win?

I’ve lost count but this point but if Regal thinks Samoa Joe is going let that belt slip through his grasp easily, especially after the GM placed him in this match without his say so (how dare he). Nakamura has another thing coming.

Onwards to Brooklyn!

For all your NXT News & Reviews, stick with @mitchrated only on Skatronixxx

The NXT Review – June 22, 2016

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! After a heck of a showing at Money In The Bank where a Lunatic ascended to highest-highs that the WWE has to offer (you know, other than Hall of Famer, which at this point The Shield seem a shoe in, no?). A Roman Empire fell and an Architect Redesigned, Rebuild and indeed Reclaimed his World Heavyweight Title, however briefly. Its safe to say that the company is in a state of flux.

After last weeks Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura capper to the show, it seems that a similar Lunatic Fringe Phenomena is seeping into the fabric of the Yellow Brand. As the guys and gals of NXT appeared to throw caution to wind and go balls to the wall in order to stand out.

I smell a Brand Extension in air … and I’m loving it!

A man who seemingly should have no problem standing out is The Perfect 10 Tye Dillinger. But as followers of The 10 have come to know, our favourite Heel-Candy has been suffering from a bad case of the Ziggler effect. Symptoms include: stealing shows, getting guys over, exceptional mic skills and – as Derek Zoolander can attest too – being “really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking.” Resulting in a bad case of no push-alite-tus.

And nothing change tonight.

In a match that was slow and showed minimum offence from Oney Lorcan, we did get a ton of intensity from Dillinger, which as Corey Graves and Tom Phillips mentioned, is an aggressive side to the cocky Heel that we rarely see. With Lorcan going over in the match, the only glimmer of hope coming out of Graves & Phillips numerous references to this losing streak that Dillinger has found himself in. Is the possibility of greater things to come.

Could this mean a Babyface turn for the super-over wrestler? Or a peek at a larger redemption story perhaps? Who knows, at this point however, I prescribe a course of bed rest until this sickness is over.

Speaking of sickness. A dose of No Way Jose is enough to ruin anyones day. Lucky for me Austin Aires was there to take out the trash. After a stellar bit of Dad-Dancing of course.

I can hear the Chris Jericho “Stupid Idiot” even as I type.

This was a great swerve by Aries that had me laughing my arse off. Yes harsh, but this is the Aries I’ve been waiting to see. And If anyone can get Jose over for me, it might take the talents of Ol’Sparkle Pants to accomplish it.

Finally! After weeks of waiting we get Deonna Purrazzo back in the ring. Nah, I’m just funning Ya. Of course the star attraction in this match up was the Huggable one herself, Bayley.

After recovering from an injury at the hands of Nia Jax, the Hugster was on top form against Purrazzo who was destined to lose yet again. I would feel bad for the girl but I’ve been wanting to see Bayley have another shot at the NXT Women’s Title before her inevitable call-up that, at this point, seems months overdue. So a win here means that she is on her way to achieving that.

Back to the action though and Deonna was more than a match-up for the former Women’s Champ, with this perpetual loser showing great chemistry and ability to keep up with the pace that Bayley was setting. But as predicted, Purrazzo unwisely angered our Bayley who Hugged-Out and ended the dream of Deonna’s first win on NXT with a Bayley-to-Belly for the pin.

Isn’t it fun that Liv Morgan is so small? Nia Jax could quite literally launch her out of the arena and back to New Jersey with a mere flick of the wrist.

I have yet taken the pulse of the WWE Universe in relation to Jax (future Twitter Poll perhaps) but I enjoy her Beast Mode style so much, which is rare for me. As a Wrestling fan I’m more pre-deposed to fast pace showings but Nia’s ability to destroy a women in a few powerful moves is delicious.

That being said, I want her to get more time to show-off her skills because as yet, a Monster Heel who dominates is all she has shown us. But I reckon she can get fast and creative if given the time.

Lets put a pin in that for the future.

On to the main event and despite Nakamura and one half of my favourite – and currently on hiatus – Tag team. This match-up was so-so.

Nakamura was on fire as ever but Buddy Murphy fails to shine on his own. It’s no bad thing to be a Tag Team wrestler, look at The New Day or even Enzo & Cass. So lets drop this experiment already and give me Blake & Murphy back. Ideally with Alexa Bliss in tow but unlike her boys, she has greater things in store as a solo act. Thats for sure.

So after literally folding Murphy in half, The King of Strong Style picked up another win. Hang on, has he actually lost yet? I don’t think so … wow. An undefeated Nakamura matching up against a harden Champ such as Balor in three weeks time …

I can’t wait!

For all your NXT News & Reviews, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

The NXT Review – 13th April 2016

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! I’m back! Yes I survived my trek into Middle Earth, met some Orcs and got more than slightly tipsy on Elf Juice; but I’m back-here to break down this weeks NXT and yes perhaps discuss those call-ups that happened over the WrestleMania Festivities.

First up, I’m more than obsessed with Austin Aries sparkle-trunks. So glad it wasn’t just a TakeOver thing. Maybe we could extend it to sparkle-clothing in a budget version of Y2J’s light-bulb heavy jacket? “Yeah, Baby!”

For reals tho, Aries offered up an appropriate showing coming off his big win at TakeOver but Angelo Dawkins … yawn. I know this guy has been with NXT since its re-branding from FCW, so the kid has paid his dues but this gimmick, I’m not down with. ‘Curse of Greatness’, yeah right. Re-establish yourself first then come back with this. Otherwise go back to those Dork Glasses.

Unique Clothing For Everyone!!!!

Speaking of unique. The Vaudevillians were back in action. And receiving a more appreciative response from this NXT crowd than their lack lustre debut on SmackDown! last week. But lets not focus on the negative (Sorry Ascension) because we’ve got Johnny “Wrestling” Gargano in action with his boy Tommaso Ciampa and damn! What is it with NXT and creating great Tag Teams?

Of course this pair picked up the win – The Vaudevillians have one foot out-the-door after all  – but a win here was important. Not only does it show that when NXT hits the reset button (with Talent moving up an’ all), their are guys itching for that opportunity to shine. But also the yellow brand’s versatility with single performers linking-up on short notice.

Ciampa probably benefits more out of the two, considering that Gargano is so over at this point its ridiculous. But lets face it, the NXT Title scene is so bloated with big signee’s, the Tag Team division is probably the best fit for these guys. For the time being at least.

Another guy playing double-duty tonight was Baron Corbin. Fresh off a lose at TakeOver Dallas and the Lone Wolf was looking for blood. And yeah … he got his fill.

Lets be honest, this was nothing but a squash match against fresh prey that was Tucker Knight. And I have a sickening feeling that this will be the course of action until Corbin no longer has to set foot in an NXT ring.

Eat. Sleep. Squash. Repeat.

My mantra regarding Corbin is that he has more to prove outside of NXT than in it. With him being called-up and winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal (yeah, say that three times fast), we will see if he can achieve that on RAW and SmackDown!

Who knows. Maybe fans will warm to his loveable douche-bag persona. M’eh, or not

So those who read my TakeOver Dallas review know how bummed I was at Bayley losing her NXT Women’s Title. Yes it was too soon and Yes I stand by my totes amosh response to how it happened. But as with all things, time heals all wounds.

That being said!

I need closure to this Asuka size hole in my heart that the Empress of Tomorrow left when she torn that title away from an unconscious Bayley. And you give me a Liv Morgan match?

Now I’m not hating on Morgan, she is a plucky little competitor that had a great showing during the #1 Contenders Battle Royal match awhile back. But I can’t wait till the next TakeOver or Network exclusive PPV for Bayley to get a shot at the title again. I’m a Bayley-Holic and I need my fix of the Huggster in a match of substance.

Sorry Liv, your just no Asuka.

Isn’t it totally absurd that Shinsuke Nakamura would be paired with Tye Dillinger after that re-donk-kulous debut match against Sami Zayn at TakeOver?

On the face of it yes. The Perfect 10’s goofiness shouldn’t work against the hard-hitting King of Strong style. But Nakamura’s shtick, his gurning face and flamboyant movements, inherently stems from the weirdness that is common place in Japanese Manga and Anime that, at times, can be goofy too.

This match was far from goofy however.

Dillingers and Nakamura’s banter showed that NXT’s newest signee can put on an entertaining match even without the high-stakes that his debut match had. Without pride on the line, he was able to mock The Perfect 1o and get the win whilst still maintaining his blasé persona. As for Dillinger, this only further cemented him as the most over-looked commodity inside NXT.

#GiveDillingerAChance

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