Thursday 19 December 2013

NXT December 18th Review: The American Wolves aka the 200th


I took the week off last week as was very ill and couldn't handle that show, reading the results and hearing a review it sounded just dreadful. Anyways this is the 200
Show opens with Triple H coming out to address the crowd. He appreciates the chant for him but he asks the fans to chant for NXT, he says he's here to celebrate the 200th episode. He goes on to say that we've seen some amazing things and talent come through NXT in 200 episodes and runs a number of them down. He promises this will just get better and better, the shows will be something to remember as this is NXT and this is where the future begins. He thanks the fans for their support and say it's their show. He does his “Are you ready” thing and we go to the opening video. Complete babyface promo and no real substance to it, could have done it off air to be honest.
Sami Zayn & Tyson Kidd vs. Leo Kruger & Antonio Cesaro: Tom, Bryon and Tensai on commentary this week a random mix of guys. Mr. Kruger is actually getting a new gimmick I hear, hopefully it's something with an actual character. Leo & Kidd to start, boot by Leo into a headlock and a shoulder block. Float over, leap frog leads to an arm drag by Kidd and tag to Sami Leo also tags Cesaro. Fans chant “Match of the year” with these 2 just standing there, feeling out process leads to overhead hammer lock by Cesaro. Cesaro gets a boot to the gut and some shots, Sami reverses a whip with punches and the 2 fight in the corner trading blows. Sami goes for the 10 punches but gets pushed off getting a tag to Kidd who does a float over Oklahome roll. Kidd attempts a leap frog but Cesaro turns it into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker leading to break. We come back with Leo having control on Kidd, Kidd starts fighting back and gets another Oklahoma roll but runs into a great spinebuster for a 2. Tag to Cesaro who hits a body blow then a European uppercut and a deadlift Gutwrench suplex for a 2. Cesaro grabs a rear chinlock with Kidd trying to fight back but Leo is tagged. Another tag leads to a double back elbow for a 2, fans chant for Sami. Kidd escapes a rear chin lock but eats a clothesline and Cesaro boots Sami then tags Leo. Leo then grabs a rear chin lock, Kidd fights back again but a tag leads to Kidd kicking Cesaro who was attempting a back body drop, low bridging Leo to the outside and ducking a splash in the corner by Cesaro. Leo gets the tag grabs the leg but Kidd rolls through and gets the tag. A series of clotheslines and a leg lariat followed by his double jump cross body for a 2. Sami goes for the Mafia kick but eats a knee, Sami ducks the Slice and gets a Blue Thunder for a 2, Kidd then sends Cesaro to the outside hitting a Suicide Dive Heelio which allows Sami to hit the Mafia kick on Leo for the 3. A very good, heated opening match. No complaints from me. Winners: Sami Zayn & Tyson Kidd
We go backstage with Natayla looking at a screen and Emma coming in dancing, Nattie says she's watching Tyson's match and Emma almost poked her eye out. Emma with an attitude apologises to the big reality star. Nattie comes back saying she was watching a match, Emma says she was just having a little fun and some people have changed, they don't have time for NXT unless their getting a title shot. Nattie says Emma became No.1 contender from dancing. They go off about dancing and wrestling leading into them challenging each other for a match which they agree on. This is the 2nd time they've done something like this with Nattie claiming she's “changed” because of Total Divas and I think something like that works for the Bellas but not Nattie. We then see the main event is Bo Dallas defending the title against Adrian Neville in a Lumberjack match. Then a video for the good Santa vs. bad Santa, that is getting to much time. We then get a NXT moment being the first eipsode highlighting Daniel Bryan facing Chris Jericho in what was a fantastic match. We then get highlights from a meet & greet from earlier in the day.
Sasha Banks w/Summer Rae vs. Paige: When are they going to do Paige vs. Emma? Hasn't Emma been No.1 contender for 6 months now, it feels like forever. Paige grabs Banks who fights back with awful looking slaps, Banks get lifted onto the apron, Rae distracts Paige allowing Banks to slingshot Paige's head off the top rope. Banks with childish stomps in the corner, she then jumps on her back grabbing a chinlock leading to Paige going down. Paige fights back after a couple of minutes but runs into a big chop and Banks attempts a lucha climb up arm drag but Paige just yanks her down. Paige hits a series of short-arm clotheslines followed up by a running dropkick, Rae misses her cue to grab Paige's leg so she has to hover there for a second. Banks runs in to hit a kick but hits Rae by mistake letting Paige hit the Paige turner for the win. This was good but there's just something about Bank's offence that I just don't like. Again Paige vs. Emma, do it now! Winner: Paige
Backstage we see Enzo Amore in a wheel chair as he has a broken leg, him and Cass are talking now with their own t-shirt which says “SAWFT”. They here singing off on the side and there's Aiden English. They say Aiden is funny, he says one day he'll be singing on broadway while they are collecting tickets, Enzo says Cass is a better singer they then argue over “Moi” and they make a singing contest. Random comedy but was pretty good. I then groaned as I saw the Ascensions open challenge was next, I don't want them on my screen! Another NXT moment this one being the move to their current arena.
The Ascension (Conor O'Brian & Rick Victor) vs. The American Pitbulls (John Cahill & Eric Philbin): People say the Ascension have a great entrance, I disagree and it appears the producers agree as their already on the apron by the time we come back. For those who don't know the Pitbulls are actually the American Wolves in Davey Richards (Eric) and Eddie Edwards (John). Eric and Rick start with a tie up and Rick pushes him off but Eric ducks a clothesline. Eric gets a rear waistlock into a arm ringer but Rick comes back with a shoulder block, Eric ducks a clothesline and gets the tag, John comes in with a double axe handle to the arm. Conor gets tagged and hits a short arm shoulder block, blind tag leads to a double Japanese arm drag and a low bridge to Rick to the outside. Eric then runs into a flapjack, tag to Rick who hits a upeercut and in an ugly moment Rick goes for a back suplex and Eric tries to float over but he drops straight down pretty much on his head, that gets a 2 so he must be ok but that was nasty. They then repeat the spot with Eric landing on his feet, Rick grabs the leg though, Eric misses the Enzuigiri but hits a mule kick and gets the tag to John. Punches and back elbows followed by a running low knee that is broken up by Conor who is then low bridged out, Rick then follows and the Pitbulls hit twin suicide dives. 2 count on Rick then a tag to Eric who hits a diving headbutt for a 2, Eric misses a clothesline allowing Rick to hit the running knee, a tag and the Fall of Man for the win. I heard the Wolves were slaughtered in this match but they looked great in my view, probably the only time I've enjoyed an Ascension match and it wasn't because of them. Out come Hunico & Camacho (because that feud just HAS to continue doesn't it?) they do a stare down, John comes in and gets hit by the H-Bomb an the Fall of Man OK that made them look dumb. I don't think anyone cares for those 4 in the title program. Winners: The Ascension
We go backstage were Kofi Kingston is getting interviewed, he's asked how he feels about being in NXT for the first time. He says it's amazing and he's wanted to come here for so long, out comes Lana speaking something Lana then speaks in English and then a match between Kofi and Alexander Rusev is made for next week. Didn't care one bit about this. Next week is NXT Rewind but we also get Regal vs. Cesaro!
Bo Dallas (c) vs. Adrian Neville in a Lumberjack match for the NXT championship: They have Howard Finkel announcing this match, man that guy has a golden voice! Tie up to start and Neville drives Bo back, another tie up with Bo hitting a knee he tries to throw Neville out who hits a handspring back and a leg lariat, Bo tries to escape but gets thrown back in allowing Neville to get a bridging Oklahoma Roll for a 2. Bo hits a shot to the gut and a club to the back. Neville gets thrown out and Tyler Breeze tries to throw him back in, Neville blocks twice and then slaps him which I think is screaming out something for later. Neville ducks a clothesline and gets a arm drag into a arm bar. We go to break with another NXT moment this on being Seth Rollins winning the NXT title to become the first champion. We come back with Bo driving Neville into the corner, whip to the corner leads to Neville getting his boot up Bo drops to his knees and Neville hits several kicks to the chest. Neville misses a kick and is school boyed to the outside where he's thrown back in. Bo hits a series of knee drops for a 2 then grabs a kravate. Fans chant “Bo-ring” during the kravate, I like that. Bo hits a scoop slam but gets hit with a kick to the head when he tries to pick Neville up. Bo hits a kick to the leg and a kick to the head off the ground for a 2 count. Bo hits short-arm back elbows and a short-arm clothesline for a 2. Bo goes for the Bo-dog but he's pushed off and Neville hits a few leg kicks, ducks a clothesline and hits a couple of flying forearms and a sobat kick followed by a low dropkick for a 2. Bo hits a back elbow but runs into a jumping kick then a enzuigiri and standing shooting star for a 2. Neville scoop slams Bo and climbs to the top, Bo goes to escape but the lumberjack swarm him and Neville hits a top rope swanton to the outside, everyone except Tyler Breeze is down. Neville goes for the Red Arrow but Breeze pulls Bo out of the way letting him get the 3 and he retains. An Ok match but wasn't too impressed, I would have liked Bo to hit something after the miss instead of pinning him from a mistake but he's the lucky heel I guess. Winner & still champion: Bo Dallas
No real complaints from me on this show, a very hot opener and while everything else didn't blow me away it didn't suck which is saying a lot when you see the Ascension on the card. I guess we'll be moving forward with Breeze vs. Neville, the awful Ascension vs. Hunico/Camacho and we'll be getting Natayla vs. Emma. We're also getting Regal vs. Cesaro next week which should be great.

http://www.webvideoshare.com/videos/dailymotion.php?id=k6KlQDSbRxMJSJ5483V

Thursday 5 December 2013

NXT December 4th Review: The Tale of the Random Finish


Last week saw a fantastic match naming Adrian Neville as the no.1 contender and he'll challenge Bo Dallas for the title this week.
Natalya vs. Paige (c) for NXT Women's championship: So the match they teased last week is happening this week. For those who missed it the most random backstage segment set up this match. The 2 stare off before the match even starts but then shake hands. Tie up and headlock takedown by Nattie which Paige gets out off with a headscissors, this is repeated but the other way round. Nattie grabs a leg but Paige gets out with a hammerlock. Nattie comes back with a suplex then grabs an arm, Paige rolls through and hits a headbutt then roll up for a 2. Nattie gets a backslide and then her kick is caught but she rolls through and grabs a Indian Deathlock with her hands. Paige gets out with a headlock but Nattie returns the favour. Nattie hits a shoulder block then flips over and gets a school girl for a 2. Nattie attempts the sharpshooter but Paige crawls to the ropes and to the outside leading to break. We come back with Paige just throwing clubs at Nattie which gets her a 2 she then grabs a chinlock and yanks Nattie down when they get back up. Paige grabs an abdominal stretch. Nattie reverses into her own and even lifts up Paige's other leg. Paige comes back with a hip toss and hits stomps in the corner. Nattie gets hit with a boot on the apron and Paige gets her knee lifts but Nattie grabs one and hits a dragon screw then boots. The 2 hit each other with a cross body for a double down. Paige gets up at 7 but misses a leg drop allowing Nattie to hit a clothesline, slap and suplex followed by a michinoku driver for a 2. Nattie hits a discuss clothesline after missing a back body drop for a 2. Nattie gets the sharpshooter and drags her away from the rope but she rolls through sending Paige into the corner, a nice counter. Double down with both getting up at 8 but straight into the Paige turner for the win. A really good match here hurt a bit by a quiet crowd honestly but still good. The 2 hug after and celebrate. Winner and still champion: Paige
We get a .com exclusive from Antonio Cesaro about Regal. He says Regal shouldn't stick his nose in his business, Leo Kruger pops in to thank him for what he did to him. He asks to be a Real American. Cesaro says he'll talk to Zeb if Leo does him a favour, they then whisper to each about it and mentioning Sami Zayn meaning that it will be something against him. This makes a little sense except last time these 2 were together Cesaro was beating the hell out of Kruger.
Aiden English vs. ???: We come back to see Jobber A in the ring and before he's announced Aiden interrupts. He actually gets his full entrance this week. Tie up and Aiden keeps getting caught in a arm ringer. Headlock by Aiden who pulls the hair and then boots to the gut followed by a swinging neckbreaker and 3 falling clubs. Suplex by Aiden and the Director's Cut for the win in a quick squash. Bit of rehab for Aiden after the past couple of weeks. Winner: Aiden English
Before Aiden goes to the back Antonio Cesaro comes out, he lets Aiden leave. He apologises to Bryon Saxon saying he lost his cool and wants him on the stage to apologise in person. Bryon does come on stage and the 2 shake hands, Cesaro apologises again saying he lost his temper and does it in 5 languages. Saxon accepts it, Cesaro asks him to do the “we the people” with him which he reluctantly does and Cesaro asks if he's making fun of him leading to him pushing Saxon about and keeps looking for Regal to come out and then slaps Saxon down. Another .com exclusive with Sami Zayn, he says the better man won and it's hard to come so close but be so far leading to Leo attacking him from behind.
Tyson Kidd vs. Leo Kruger: Apparently back in February Leo tried to attack Kidd who was talking about his injury. Kidd hits a back elbow, leg kicks, spinning heel kick, spinning gut kick and low dropkick quickly. Leo kicks him off and nails some punches. Kidd blocks a body drop and hits a suplex, he grabs the leg but Leo gets to the ropes. Kidd hits a neckbreaker for a 2 followed by forearms and chops. Shoulder blocks in the corner leads to Leo hitting a knee lift then chokes with his boot. Leo grabs the leg and hits a stunner on it then a leg kick leading to break. We come back with Leo in control with a dragon screw, double leg and Leo gets the sharpshooter. Sami comes out and gets on the apron distracting Leo allowing Kidd to get a roll up for a 3. Bit of a flat finish here actually bit of a flat match between the 2. Winner: Tyson Kidd
It's announced that Sami will face Leo next week. Another .com exclusive this time with Sin Cara sorry Hunico and Camacho they say they have to take everything they want and they will take the title. They end speaking in Spanish and I still don't care one bit about this or the champs.
Adrian Neville vs. Bo Dallas (c) for NXT Championship: In ring introductions. At this point I'd like to say Alex Riley has been extra annoying tonight, he's trying to be like Regal and play of Renee but it's just not working. Tie up and Adrian grabs a arm ringer, Bo reverses but Adrian gets out after several flips and Bo goes on the apron. Back in and Bo hits a boot to the gut, Adrian floats over and does several flips to the other corner hits a slingshot crossbody and then a dropkick making Bo go to the outside again. Bo hits a forearm while the ref tries to get a clean break, another forearm for a 2 and the 2nd turnbuckle pad flies off somehow. Bo grabs a kravate and hits a knee lift when Neville finally fights back. Bo hits a clothesline in the corner and a bulldog for a 2. Scoop slam and a series of knee drops for a 2. Bo pulls down a knee pad and misses a 2nd rope knee drop. Series of leg kicks and jumping forearms followed by a spinning kick and low dropkick for a 2. Neville hits a twisting tope con heelo to the outside which gets him a 2 coming back in. Neville gets a scoop slam and climbs up to the top but Bo escapes to the outside allowing Neville to hit a crossbody of the top to the outside. Both men are outside and Neville gets in at 9 but Bo fails to do so leading to Neville winning. Kind of a weak finish honestly and the match stopped when it was actually picking up a bit. Winner: Adrian Neville
I'd say this was a better flowing show than last week's but pretty average in ring. A lot of finishes tonight just seemed odd and pretty much out of nowhere. I think they made 2 mistakes in terms of the booking of the show, 1 was putting both Natalya & Tyson Kidd on the same show as we got more sharpshooters then we should have and 2 was putting the title match this week as all we could think about was the Sami match for the week before.

http://crimaz.com/watch-wwe-nxt-1242013/