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 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 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 24th 2016 – Barclays, Bayley & Tears

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! After TakeOver Brooklyn 2, those that were left off the card got their chance to shine tonight. But then again, these matches were pre-taped before the event so in reality its nice to see that Fan-Faves such as Tye Dillinger and TM61 still got to perform in front of a packed-out Barclay’s Centre.

Speaking of Perfect 10, Dillinger has been conspicuous by his absence, especially for this NXT fan. Last seen, the Perfect 10 was on a bit of a losing streak. Particularly disheartening when I believe Dillinger is some-what underused given the immense talent at his command.

Just like The New Day at the beginning of their crazy Unicorn Ride. Tye Dillinger is a Perfect (10) Heel with whom the crowd just love to cheer for. This isn’t unusual for WWE fans but it is maddening that NXT has yet to capitalise on this. For crying out loud! Put this guy up against your biggest and best babyface and sit back and watch as the magic happens.

At present, I’ve given up on the hope that we will see the era of a Perfect 10 NXT Title run (whoa, mouthful). But with a win against Wesley Blake now under his belt, are we witnessing the upswing for Tye Dillinger?

*Fingers Cross*

With only two matches on the card tonight, Paul Ellering’s Authors of Pain got the chance to takedown Nick Miller & Shane Thorne in Tag Team action for the Main Event.

And it was okay. Rather than the beat down that we have become accustomed too when it comes to Ellerings’ Lads showing in the ring. TM61 got some impressive offensive in before ultimately falling victim to the killjoys of NXT.

This was also the longest match that both Rezer and Akam have had since debuting on the yellow brand. Oh yes! They also have names now, so yeah … progress. Very slow progress.

With this episode functioning as more of a Look-back to TakeOver Brooklyn 2, I feel like I should mention our dearly departed Bayley.

After losing to Auska. The Huggster did what every plucky underdog does; tighten her side pony-tail and immediately make her Monday Night RAW debut to rapturous applause. Although I’m sad to see her go, let’s be honest. Its way past due.

Although I (like many) lamented her exclusion when the other members of the Four Horse-Women of NXT made their Main Stage debut last year. It has served Bayley to remain on NXT.

Without Becky Lynch, Charlotte and Sasha Banks by her side. Bayley took the mantle as Veteran of the NXT Women’s Division and showed that the foundations that have been laid for women’s wrestling are strong, viable and ready to be built upon, not only in NXT but WWE as a whole.

What Bayley leaves behind in NXT is far greater that what she takes away from the product. A feat that many wrestlers only dream of achieving.

Although the Huggable one will be missed. I’m excited to see what comes next for the future Hall of Famer.

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

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 – June 15th 2016

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! NXT seemed to suffer with a hangover after last weeks epic TakeOver. Not to say it was bad, after all we got that Fantasy booking at the close of the show, but leading up to that moment. The usual Brass-Ring-Grabbing stars of the Yellow Brand, weren’t at their best.

I’ve got to be fair though because the show didn’t get off to the best of starts either with Paul Ellering’s new Tag Superstars (or so the Big Wigs seem to hope) The Authors of Pain, stinking up the place.

I’m all in for new talent. With the rumoured mass Exodus coming to the NXT with the New Era Brand Extension, we need them more than ever. But playing the ‘wait and see game‘ that Ellering purposes with his crytic rebuttal when asked what he and his low-Rent Shield imposters are doing in NXT. Isn’t the way to go.

Here’s the thing. I’ve stayed away from searching out who exactly these guys are. Probably because they’re rather muted arrival has not prompted me to do so but I want to play into WWE’s game. Because – hey if anything – I’m a team player. But I’m interested to see if the company can get these bland and generic characters over and make me care about a team that so far, I’m being told I should be excited for because Ellering is at the helm. Rather than proving it with talent alone.

So as of right now, I reserve opinion until WWE proves I should care about these new Heels on the scene.

Badda-Bing, the Hottest chic in the ring got the win … at the expense of anything exciting going on inside of it mind you.

For a match involving the Princess of Staten Island, the energy was lacking in places, but that wasn’t down to Carmella but rather her opponent.

This marks the second showing on TV for Tessa Blanchard and while she shows promise and physicality that is imposing to boot. It doesn’t translate to her matches inside the ring.

While I can’t say that her skills are awkward they don’t necessarily – or haven’t yet – gelled with her two on-screen opponents. But from those who have seen Blanchard on House Shows, all signs point to something special when given the time to show-case what she has in her arsenal.

I still believe that Carmella has yet to find her best opponent to enter a long-term feud that few women on the small brand get a chance to initiate. At one stage I thought that the nuclear heat that Eva Marie generates would benefit a super-over Carmella. But with a lack of air-time for Eva at this stage, I see Alexa Bliss as the next best opportunity for these women to go at it in the future.

Think I just wrestle-gasmed at the thought.

Speaking of Bliss. It was she who a reunited Blake & Murphy blamed for their past misgivings in recent weeks. Now, as a Bliss fan, this hurts me deeply. But if it means that these two’s ‘Man-splaining‘ means they stay together, however briefly, I’m down with that.

Although I still hate the name, TM61’s Nick Miller & Shane Thorne put on a great show. And to actually have Blake accidentally take out Murphy with a brutal clothesline just highlighted that, for whatever reason, these two former Tag Champions just can’t get on the same page.

So with TM61’s first win on NXT at the expense of Blake & Murphy’s continued losing streak. It does leave me wondering if this reunion is short-lived, finding myself once again in limbo as to the fate of one of the best Heel teams left on NXT.

I can’t deny Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas’ talent but this is a rematch I just didn’t need to see, unless it meant payback for The Perfect 10 Tye Dillinger of course.But to make matters worst for this die-hard Dillinger fan, I don’t think the Perfect 10 got in a meaningful bit of offensive in the entirety of the match. Yet it was perfectly acceptable to have Cien repeat nearly every move from the previous match-up. Which was only a week ago!

Okay, so at this point, I’m over with Dillinger languishing in the mid-card. He may get to square off against great competitors such as recent additions like Shinsuke Nakamura, but a push for this guy well and truly overdue.

It was left to Finn Balor to close the show with an impassioned speech asking “what is next for Finn Balor” after his war with NXT Champion Samoa Joe came to a disastrous end at last week’s TakeOver.

Although Full Sail reflected the hopes of many with “Balor Club” chants – a thought that the Irish Demon acknowledged with a “too sweet” comeback – it seems that the “Thank You Finn” chants may be a tad premature. As our NXT love-in was interrupted by the King of Strong Style himself, Shinsuke Nakamura.

Before Nakamura could speak, it became apparent that Balor would not be leaving the Yellow Brand without facing his New Japan buddy and at the same time, blowing the minds of fan-boys everywhere.

At this point, it seems all but certain that, like Sami Zayn before him, Nakemura will be Balor’s Goodbye Match Opponent. Notable symmetry given that Nakamura deems Balor “Iconic” in NXT, a position that the Japanese wrestler looks to take as his own. Even though it could be argued that Nakamura is already an Icon inside – and outside – the WWE. This is a match that needed to happen.

Although the match is set, where and when are the next questions that need to be answered. With NXT hitting Brooklyn for a sequel TakeOver. Can this match-up wait until then?

Can I wait till then? Can You?

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

The NXT TakeOver: The End … Review

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! TakeOver: The End is here and with it comes a whole host of new question, new opportunities and new talent to our little brand.

But those are wonderings for another time – lets stay focused shall we – because the talent on display was Main Roster worthy, and really put some of the top stars to shame. But that is NXT. When it comes to TakeOvers  they just seem to give a little extra each and every time. And lets face it, that’s what makes a PPV or Network Exclusive different from weekly programming Because otherwise, why bother?

So lets dive right into it with “Flash! Ahhh Ahhh“! Dude, I doubt The Ming The Merciless attire was what The Perfect 10 Tye Dillinger was going for, but my main complaint is how budget the overall get up looked. Sorry 10, love you and all that but damn that glowing 10 box on the back … I’ve got to stop.

Moving on.

After appealing to GM William Regal for a Match at TakeOver, Dillinger got his wish in the form of a debuting Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas. Now of course with a debut you think “well he is gonna win” … and you would be right.

For a match that was spectacular I was let down by allowing Almas to go over the uber over Dillinger. Again, maybe its my fan-boy status when it comes to the mega popular Heel, but I’m going to stop using that as an excuse for the higher-ups failings. Lets get The Perfect 10 into the big leagues. For a guy whose Gimmick could be considered hokey – like an Elias Samson – he has proven that with skill and the ability to entertain. He is more than just superficial wrapping, he is the complete package.

That sounded vaguely naughty.

I’m going to get this going #GiveDillingerAChance.

Feels like American Alpha have been Champions for ages, given how comfortable they feel atop the Tag Division. So the fact that tonight was their first title defence felt special, which translated into a fast-paced and entertaining match. Would you expect no-less from Jason Jordan & Chad Gable though?

Side note moment. Two matches in and three superstars have utilised the rip-away pants for entrance attire. No hater here but Cesaro take note. Royalties to be collected son.

What a match. Too many high spots to mention here but worthy mugging for the crowd from Jordan & Gable. These guys were pumped – as were the crowd for that matter – so perhaps it was fitting for The Revival to get the win. Especially considering the beat down American Alpha received at the end of the match.

Speaking of Ming, Hello Paul Ellering.

On to the match that I tipped to steal the show. And Boy did it deliver.

Some of the better matches are simply to find out ‘who is better’ and my heart went out for Austin Aires, who I tend to agree with, has been overlooked since stepping into NXT. He has won matches, don’t get me wrong, but ultimately has plateaued. So a win over Shinsuke Nakamura meant more for his stock within the company than The King of Strong Style.

Surprisingly this match was slower than expected, which perhaps worked more for the aggression that Aires brought to the match-up. It was as if Ol’ Sparkle pants had taken a page out of Nakamura’s book, punishing the flamboyant star with knees, forearms and kicks galore. And that barricade buster though. ouch!

For all the control that Aires had at the first half of the match, he couldn’t maintain as the match-up went deep and Nakamura pulled out all the stops. Ultimately however it was Aires eagerness that cost him the win leading to yet another win for Nakamura.

As many of my loyal readers will know, for me, the NXT Women’s Championship match is more than winning the title. Its a chance to find an opponent that can convincingly match-up against the Champ Asuka, a feat that so-far only Emma – in my opinion – has been able to do.

Nia Jax’s methodical pace was in step with Asuka, which like the match before it, made for a hard-hitting affair that allowed both women to showcase their strengths. Unlike Asuka’s last TakeOver match this one felt more concise but that was mostly down to the champ playing the underdog role with Nia dominating as she is want to do.

Of course Asuka was destined to retain but Nia did not make it easy for her, which leads me to believe that her involvement at the top of the ranks won’t come to end just yet.

Triple Threat with Bayley perhaps? We will see.

Main Event time and how fitting for The Demon Finn Balor to actually climb into the cage like some Spider-Demon hybrid. And I totally digged the allusion to the Venom make-up of Balor’s indie past reminding us just how far he has come since joining NXT.

For Samoa Joe, this is the only way for his war with The Demon to end. He has known for some time now that he is better than Balor but this was his time to prove it. By breaking down the challenger and taking his time to exit the cage, he showed dominance over the former-Champ in the early going. But Joe’s arrogance to not end the match via escaping allowed Balor to get a few high spots in, with a particular high spot from the top of the cage that Samoa Joe was able to turn into a Muscle-Buster from the corner.

This was perhaps one to the shortest matches between these two but this wasn’t about showcasing each others skills, this was about ending a feud that has taken these men to limit, with neither men backing down.

The biggest takeaway from tonight is the future of Finn Balor. With the arrival of The Club on the main roster, many have been predicting The Demon’s call-up. With a loss such as this, it would seem sudden for the top brass to move Finn over to the main stage with that on his resume. Not that continuation means much of anything over there but we fans would know that Balor has unfinished business on the yellow brand.

Best case scenario – and my best guess – we see Finn Balor getting drafted in the Brand split in July.

All I know for sure, Balor’s days in NXT are numbered.

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

The NXT Review – June 2nd 2016 – “You Talk Too Much”

Whats up Wrestling Peeps! With just one week away from TakeOver:The End, the hype-machine was in full gear as we march towards NXT’s Network exclusive PPV. Which meant that The Revival got some mic-time which besides the usual “we’re gonna beat you” rhetoric, actually reminded me that these pair are pretty decent talkers.

With their program against the Tag Champs American Alpha already set-in-stone – I just want the damn match already – all I heard was ‘blah blah blah’ when it came to The Revival putting down their competitors. That being said, Dawson telling an interfering Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano to “go back to the Bingo Halls“, was pretty dope indeed. Even if it earn the ‘Top Guys’ a beat down and a main event match for their troubles.

What a specimen The Perfect 10 Tye Dillinger is. For a guy that laps up every inch of screen time he gets, he doesn’t get nearly enough of it in my eyes.

His match against a newly single and first name revived Buddy Murphy was surprisingly good. My shock isn’t a knock on either of these guys proven talents in-between the ropes, but rather my inexperience in seeing Murphy work a singles match for a long time.

His first singles effort was all for not however because without Blake & Alexa Bliss by his side, he fell to the Perfect 10. But then again, Murphy wasn’t winning with his friends in the corner anyway, so a new low for Murphy perhaps?

I just hope this the long game in bringing Blake & Murphy back to prominence atop the Tag Division. If Blake is to lose his next singles match, perhaps it will signal a renewed belief that together they are stronger rather than apart.

Like a DNA Digivolve or something. OMG, new gimmick!

Again a superior superstar matching up against Elias Samson has forced my hand in speaking about The Drifter. Urgh, I’m so over this boring gimmick. No I take that back, it’s not the gimmick, it’s the holding pattern that Samson is forced to take in-being labeled with this drifter moniker.

The gimmick itself has legs. For every match Samson appears in he could display something he has learned  from being on the road. An attitude, a unique move or even a character flaw, like a fear of fire or something. Akin to The Hound from Game of Thrones … he does look like him, slightly.

Just show us something besides that Damn Guitar already.

I would be remiss not to mention Austin Aires during my ranty-rant. Aires finally has a fire lit under his butt going into his match against Shinsuke Nakamura. A match that could potentially steal the show, a show that includes a Steel Cage Championship match no-less.

Oh, I like Dash Wilder’s new Red Jacket, is this a thing now? Can’t complain, its nice to be able to distinguish between the two.

Okay first, ouch! That knee from Ciampa to the side of Dawson’s head … just ouch! This was a great match, and I speak as a de-tractor of The Revival. Not that they aren’t great in the ring, because yeah obviously. But tonight is the first time they have proven they are more than just flying-fists. Perhaps it was the shocker of being great on the mic as mentioned earlier. I dunno, yet I see why WWE is pushing the Old school pair.

That didn’t stop them from losing however. And in a display of great sportsmanship, the pair proceed to beat-down Gargano & Ciampa before a save from American Alpha.

With so much heat between these two tag teams, next week’s TakeOver will be a war.

Contract signings are fun no? I mean, we all know that scarcely a table ever survives the ceremony and no-one ever brings up the fact that it’s perfectly okay for these things to, you know, occur off-screen in a non-violent situation.

I’m just saying, a case for negligence could be called into question against Mr. William Regal. But then again, would you dare stop either of these women from killing each other?

Without question, Nia Jax Vs Asuka has been a match I’ve been eager to see. Besides the obvious penance for violence both possess, it’s actually their contrasting wrestling styles that I’m excited to view.

After Asuka’s last TakeOver match against Bayley, I was part of the vocal minority that found the match awkward. For me, the pair’s in-ring style didn’t gel, with many spots feeling incoherent and sloppy. Rather than blaming Asuka I defend the fact it’s because she is one of the more unique Women performers in NXT today. So finding a partner that can match up to her skill-set is going to be hard.

Before her move onto the Main Roster, Emma fit that bill. The many matches she had with the Empress of Tomorrow were some of the best that Emma has had since day one in WWE. Catapulting not only herself into the fans conscience but helping in getting a newly signed Asuka over. Can Nia Jax step up to the plate?

If not, NXT will have to find someone who can match-up against Asuka or her days as NXT Women’s Champion may be short-lived.

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