The NXT Review – November 9th, 2016

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! Due to some technical difficulties last week it was impossible to get a Review to you on time, so apologies for that. But lets not cry, swear, and break-things over Internet failings, instead dive into this weeks humdinger of a show.

With only four teams remaining in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament, I have some nagging questions that as-of-yet remain unanswered. Like besides that nifty looking Trophy, does whichever team reign supreme get a shot of the NXT Tag Team Titles? And if so, when will said match happen? TakeOver Toronto?

See, nagging questions aplenty.

And it’s not even as-if a president has been set for how this Tournament ultimately ends. I mean, considering last years winning team of Finn Balor & Samoa Joe pretty much broke-up after Joe contracted a nasty case of Heel-itus. So even if they were granted said title-shot, I don’t think Grumpy-Joe would have been interested. But surely there is some greater prize than just the Cowboy Boot Trophy … no?

Team DIY were on top-form as usual. But even with rare spots in the match were they took command over the dominate team of the Authors of Pain, Paul Ellerings’ monster Heels came out on the winning end. Because – you know – booking dictates that the undefeated Heel-Team must steamroll the competition no-matter how predicable it makes the overall outcome of the Tournament.

The only glimmer of hope which I’m desperately holding onto is TM61 beating AOP in the finals at Toronto (one question answered). I mean it, there better be a CWC-esque swerve coming some where down-the-line because if these two chumps win this whole damn thing … I riot!

Or construct an enthusiastically damning Review. Either way, pissed!

Ember Moon may serve as an unconventional counter-point to the aforementioned Authors of Pain. For starters she is lone female and twice as exciting between the ropes. But more-over her win-loss record so far in NXT may be as predictable as AOP be but at least her matches are far more entertaining.

Whereas I’d happily see the back of Rezar & Akam, Moon is destined for bigger things. Tonight – unfortunately for Rachel Evers – her opponent is merely a speed bump on the road to greatness and possible serious consequences for her health. I mean, who else right now is the top candidate to bring Asuka’s reign of tyranny to an end? I’m certain Mickie James will turn out to be tough competition for the NXT Women’s Champion at TakeOver Toronto. But even if James’ appearance isn’t a one-and-done deal, I don’t see the veteran breaking Asuka’s undefeated streak anytime soon.

Ember Moon on the other hand … we will see.

When was the last time a contract signing ever went to plan? And when I say “to plan“, what I mean is the way that ‘normal’ folks like you and I would end a civil contract signing. With a hearty handshake, an invitation for drinks or – if you’re so inclined – a Bayley approved hug?

Nope, when it comes to WWE, contract signings often mean stare-downs, fisticuffs and splinters.

That is unless your Grumpy-Joe whose own self-preservation meant that a ramp-lengh distance between himself and NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura meant that no violence was enacted, not between those two at least. But it did mean that Joe was able to shame NXT GM William Regal in an endless tirade of passive-aggressive actions between the two.

If Joe’s loss at TakeOver Toronto isn’t due to outside interference from Regal I’d be shocked. Not that I question the GM’s integrity (he is British after all) but I do question how long someone can be bullied before they snap and bring out the ol’ Brass Knuckles.

C’mon Regal, no-one would blame you.

#TheNXTReview

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

The NXT Review – October 19th, 2016 – Can’t We All Just Be Nese?

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! Last Week the NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura sure got his revenge on Grumpy Samoa Joe by the shows end. But given Joe’s complexity of bearing a grudge, I can’t see this working out for the King of Strong Style at TakeOver Toronto and the long-run in general when you also consider the big-mans lust for dishing out pain.

But does he care, does he heck.

Nope, instead the Champion swaggers out to tell Grumpy-Joe that he “is not done” with the one man wrecking machine only to get interrupted by Patrick Clark.

Okay, so this whole ‘Patrick Clark Experience‘ thing needs to be address. I’ve seen many people comment on this new gimmick for the former Tough Enough contestant and by in large the general consensus is one of confusion. So lets break it down and let’s be real for a moment. WWE can dress up this new ‘act’ as nothing more than an allusion to departed recording artist Prince all they want … but they ain’t fooling nobody.

This Patrick Clark Experience is nothing more than an antiquated Gay stereotype. And giving WWE’s insensitive history when it comes to bashing and exploiting the Gay community. This kind of ‘act’ really doesn’t belong on the grand stage that WWE has at its disposal.

I of course – like many wrestling fans – get that this is just entertainment. But it was quite fortunate that Clark happen to interrupt Nakamura, a man who I have reference to in the past as being some-what ‘Flamboyant’ himself. And who – unlike Clark’s act – doesn’t rely on dressing up androgynously to gain a response from the audience.

For a company that at the end of this month finally has two women fighting inside Hell in the Cell. Lets leave stereotypes at the door and let Patrick Clark’s talent speak for itself rather than a gimmick that not only doesn’t best represent himself but has negative connotations attached to it.

Moving on to something good and another first round match in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Although Rich Swan has forced my hand in even mentioning No Way Jose by teaming up with the goofball, I have to say that these two worked well together. Of course this was a chance for the competitors of the Cruiserweight Classic to shine but No Way Jose managed to keep up with the likes of Swan, Drew Gulak and Tony Nese. Making for highly competitive first round match.

As predicted this was a fast paced match-up but with Gulak & Nese in the mix, it was also a hard-hitting affair too. Although the Heels failed to pick up the win, they put on a great showing with a Revival-esque Heel-upside. Just with ‘Fists & Flips‘ included of course.

Although they failed to advance further, lets hope we see them Tag Team again very soon.

For a pair I had hoped we would see again in the future, It seems that the short-lived Glorious 10 was nothing more than a flash in the pan idea. But that’s okay, I’ll take the consolation prize of seeing The Perfect 10 Tye Dillinger get a revenge match against The Glorious Bobby Roode at TakeOver Toronto.

My new favourite match on the card.

Have to say also, seriously digging Roode’s new sparkly robe. Better not let Ol’ Sparkle Pants Austin Aires see the new threads though, dude will get jealous.

With Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight taking on Aries in another first round match of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The audacious Heel didn’t have time to get jelly over Roodes attire but he did have time find a world-class Tag Team partner in the form of new signee Roderick Strong.

The new pair overcame the mammoth team of Knight & Dozovic and will face TM61 in the next round.

Along with Eric Young’s return last week came the surprising re-branding of Nikki Glenncross, as she was revealed to be a part of Young’s Sanity posse. Now this wouldn’t be the first time we saw Nikki in action but I have to say this was a much-needed addition to her in-ring persona.

Unfortunately for Danielle Kamela this new attitude also comes part-and-parcelled with a seriously aggressive offensive that saw the still green wrestler fall quickly to a vicious beat down.

Move over The Authors of Pain. There’s a new Stable in town.

#TheNXTReview

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

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 – September 3rd, 2016 – Blood Moon On The Rise

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! With a relatively quiet week on the Main Roster, it was left to NXT to kick things into high gear.

Although he debuted in a losing effort, CWC favourite Tony Neese teamed-up with fellow WWE Network show brethren Ariya Daivari and put on a heck of show. With the Tag Team Divisions favourites TM61 (ugh … that name) in the other corner, I was hard pressed to believe that Neese and Daivari stood a chance. But as with the formers performance on CWC, I was suckered in as Neese dominated for much of the match before falling to a harsh clothesline from Shane Thorne.

At this point I’m sold on Nick Miller & Shane Thorne, so these kinda matches are superfluous in getting what I believe are the next big Babyface Tag Team to come outta NXT over with the crowd. With Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano seemingly done with developmental (?), its important to push TM61 further towards an eventual program with The Revival rather than a pointless feud with The Authors of Pain that we can all see coming.

Speaking of feuds, is it just me hoping that they push Ember Moon into a storyline with the NXT Women’s Champion Asuka soon as possible? I mean, I know its gonna happen while both of these incredible athletes are on the same show but c’mon … give me an early Christmas present all ready.

Coming off her big win at TakeOver Brooklyn II, Moon was paired with a debuting Leah Von. Unlike her first match with WWE, this time around we got see a lot more of the strength that Moon has in her arsenal. From a frickin’ sweet Butterfly Suplex to a brutal spinning Heel-Kick; Moon showed that she is a lot more than just a high-flying Werewolf.

A quick kudos on Ember’s ‘Werewolf/War-Goddess’ gimmick. Rarely do things in WWE just exist without being turned into something. Besides Tom Phillips mentioning Ember’s “Prophecy of Fire” on Twitter, subtly with regards to this aspect of her character really will come in to play when it comes to her longevity with the company.

Now of course I don’t expect that WWE plan on ‘Wolfing-out’ Ember anytime soon (Fingers so crossed on that one) but go ahead and keep mentioning those crazy-freaky-contacts and “Blood Moons” all you want. Showmanship after all is what makes Pro-Wrestling fun. Just keep it subtle and let Ember Moon do her thing.

Because what she does is great. #NXTWarGoddess

After his debut last week Steve Cutler looked to make a name for himself in the nights Main Event against none-other than the King of Strong Style himself, Shinsuke Nakamura.

Cocky Cutler may have played the big man early in the evening but the young up-start soon realised his mistake after Shinsuke went at him hard and fast. Showing why he had what it takes to force former NXT Champion Samoa Joe out of action and get the win tonight.

Unfortunately for Nakamura, Joe was healthy enough to sit at ringside for a majority of the match staking his claim on the title and hopefully a rematch in the not too distant future.

Now that I would like to see.

But until then we will have to enjoy the gift that keeps on giving which is Grumpy-Joe.

Cheer up mate! It might never happen … oh wait

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

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New Era Train Derailed? Finn Bàlor Relinquished WWE Universal Title On RAW

 

By Daniel Finney

Nature  Boy  Buddy  Rogers,  first WWF World Champion, Pat Patterson   first  WWF  Intercontinental Champion, and now Finn Bàlor.The Demon King ushered in the New Era becoming first WWE Universal Champion. The event was the 29th annual SummerSlam at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, NY, this past Sunday.  His opponent fellow WWE Superstar, former 2 times WWE World Champion Seth Rollins.

The bar had been set high for Bàlor, when signing to NXT. Living up to that standard, Bàlor became the longest reigning champion there. After losing the NXT Title to Samoa Joe, everyone including Finn Bàlor wondered what was next. His next and final opponent at NXT was none other than Shinsuke Nakamura. After a valiant but losing effort, Bàlor was then drafted 5th overall at the WWE Draft this past July. Being called up to the big show, the brass ring was Bàlor’s for the grasping.

That next week on Raw, Bàlor was trusted into two fatal four way matches to determine a number one contender to face Seth Rollins at SummerSlam.

Bàlor, victorious over Roman Reigns was now headed to SummerSlam to face Rollins for the new WWE Univeral Championship. Fast forwarding this past Sunday, Rollins superiorly confident in his abilities and accomplishments thought Bàlor was just another wrestler. Underestimating Bàlor’s alter ego The Demon King, a deep, dark place Finn goes to take his skill to that next level.

In a grueling back and forth match it was difficult for people to determine who would be victorious. Sequence after sequence of maneuvers it truly came down to a battle of attrition. In the middle of the match, both competitors were outside the ring. In a desperate attempt to finish Bàlor, Rollins relied on one of his signature moves power bombs Bàlor into the barricade. Unbeknownst to the WWE Universe, Bàlor separated his shoulder. With a warrior’s mentality, Bàlor lived up to this warrior’s  code putting it back in place. Enduring on in the match, Bàlor turned perseverance into triumph. After a series of front dropkicks, Bàlor, ascended to the top rope and landing his finisher Coup de Grâce.

Bàlor accomplished the impossible, defeating Stephane McMahons chosen one Seth Rollins. Overcoming all adversity, and silencing the nay- sayers. Finn Bàlor was leading the helm of the WWE. Beginning with an appearance on Good Morning America accompanied with also newly crowned 2x WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte.

The sky was the limit for Bàlor, but unfortunately fate had other plans. Turns out that that shoulder was damaged more than everyone expected. What was thought to be a separated shoulder, MRI showed it to be a torn labrum of the shoulder. With the severity of the injury, Bàlor is required to have surgery to repair the injury. This results in Balor being out of action until early 2017. Devastated, Finn was forced to relinquish the title on this past Monday episode of Raw.  With grace in the middle of the ring Bàlor thanked GM Mick Foley, Commissioner Stephanie McMahon, the WWE Universe, and even Seth Rollins for pushing him to reach his full potential that night.

Handing over the title to Foley then making his exit to the back. In the middle of his walk, Rollin’s theme music comes on. Out comes the cocky self-proclaimed winner of SummerSlam.  Rollins walked into the ring hugging Stephany expecting to be handed the belt. The WWE had other plans, thrusting Rollins into a series of matches ending in a fatal four way next week episode of Raw. The finalist along with Rollins, are Kevin Owens, Big Cass, and Roman Reigns all members of the New Era as well. It’s up in the air will come out victorious, whispers are that Reigns will be “The Guy”. That victory could reopen the feud with Reigns and Rollins for Clash of Champions, Raw’s first PPV.

Or go in a different direction, and Kevin Owens seizing the victory. His feud with Sami Zayn has become legendary in a short time, and the WWE Universe seems enjoy their grudge. There’s the open possibility of a jealousy angle with WWE veteran Chris Jericho, and Owens.  The potentials seem to be high only time will tell. It begins next week on Raw. A new champion will eventually  be crowned.

Is the New Era train derailed, or can the WWE find an alternate route leading them back on track on a destination course to the future with Bàlor conducting the way. For now all we can do is wish him a full speedy recovery.

 

‘Daniel Bryan’ Thinks ‘Finn Balor’ Should Have Made his RAW Debut “a year and a half ago”

In a sit-down interview with Michael Cole, Former WWE World Champion and current SmackDown!Live GM Daniel Bryan, layeth some home truths with regards to oft-forgotten but beloved brand, NXT.

In response to the former NXT, and mega-over, superstar Finn Balor’s recent sidelining injury. Bryan, no stranger to harsh bumps himself, had some interesting commentary on indie-darlings honing their craft down in NXT:

“Finn Balor should have been up here a year and a half ago. Right? And I understand that NXT is a very important part of our programming. A Very important part of the Network. But he was a superstar when we signed him and some people have to adjust to the WWE style [-] but that takes no more than six months.”

Although the respected Wrestler makes it clear that NXT is important to the WWE Business model and building new up-and-coming stars. Bryan goes on to comment that “Samoa Joe should already be here, Shinsuke Nakamura should already be here; those are guys in their primes and they’re down in NXT right now and they should be here on SmackDown Live or RAW.”

It’s hard to argue with Daniel’s points when it comes to known indie wrestlers biding their time in NXT while still facing the possibility of career ending injuries every-time they step into a WWE ring. Before Balor even made it onto Monday Night RAW, the first Universal Champion had already recovered from a serious Knee injury that kept him out of action for just under two months. It does however seem as if the GM underestimates how integral the small brand is when it comes to introducing smaller Pro-wrestling stars to the larger WWE universe .

Stars like Balor, Joe and Nakamura may have already made their name in other corners of Pro-Wrestling. But for better-or-for-worst WWE is the pinnacle of Sports Entertainment, which means sometimes for fans it is the first port of call for their wrestling fix. Not everyone is scouring the internet to watch AJ Styles Vs Shinsuke Nakamura’s Wrestle Kingdom 10 match or even still watching TNA. So how over would an off-camera name changed Prince Devitt be with a largely ignorant crowd or little kids that are only at live events because their parents took them.

It’s not to say that someone as talented as Finn wouldn’t have made a splash debuting on RAW straight away, he probably would have. But his stint in NXT shouldn’t be overlooked or seen as a waste of time when Triple H’s baby is without question honing stars to take the reigns from the current faces of the WWE.

At the moment former TNA star Bobby Roode is honing his ‘Glorious‘ Gimmick in front of the Full Sail audience. Whose to say if Roode will use it when he makes it onto the Main Stage but where is the harm in testing it out with an NXT crowd first?

The interview (which you can watch above), concludes with Cole drumming up heat for E!’s Total Bellas which stars Daniel Bryan alongside his wife Brie Bella, Nikki Bella and SmackDown! star John Cena. A prospect that causes Bryan to visible cringe, highlighting perhaps how the wrestler really feels about the Total Divas‘ spin-off show:

“It was a really tough part of my life and for people who are entertained by that, you can see it. I don’t necessarily want to relive it but yeah, it’ll go there.”

For all your SmackDown! Live News & Reviews, Follow @mitchrated and all of the #SkatronixxxWrestling team only on Skatronixxx.com