WWE:NXT Discussion Thread

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think the WWE should establish a second developmental territory that gets its own TV. Maybe set it up in Memphis and have Jerry Lawler head it up, if it's something he's interested in doing. Hire Dr. Tom Prichard and Tracy Smothers as coaches, and also send Brian Kendrick there, and maybe Sara Amato to head their female side of things. Guys can then move between NXT and this other location, keeping them fresh and trying different things in front of other crowds.

[Simple Fan]

Think that's kind of what they are doing with EVOLVE. I do feel NXT is a little crowded but agree that 1 hour is perfect for a wrestling show.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, that's true. Have the WWE been pumping money into EVOLVE?

[Emperor Smeat]

Next Takeover special might be the final one based on a recent tweet by Triple H.

Being speculated around the net the WWE either is dropping the live ppv route for the NXT brand or could be starting a brand new series name for the specials.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On June 8th LIVE on <a href="https://twitter.com/WWENetwork">@WWENetwork</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NXTTakeOver?src=hash">#NXTTakeOver</a>: The End...<br><br>Where do we go from here?</p>&mdash; Triple H (@TripleH) <a href="https://twitter.com/TripleH/status/735636638487957504">May 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[Disturbed316]

Sweet promo from Nakamura on Aries this week despite the broken English. Still better than half the main roster too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think "The End" just refers to the end of the Samoa Joe/Balor rivalry. Personally, I want Joe up in the draft. Probably Balor too, but I would keep the NXT Title on him long enough to switch it over to Hideo Itami. Have it be revealed Balor was the one who took him out.

Itami, Aries and Young can carry the brand for a while. I can see them splitting up Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa too, and that will be a good feud. They're introducing Andrade "Cien" Almas too. I have a feeling they'll probably pick up guys like TJ Perkins, Zack Sabre, Jr. and Kota Ibushi from the Cruiserweight Classic too. It won't be long before a whole bunch of new indy standouts are signed when ROH contracts come up at the end of the year anyway. Plus you've got Tino Sabbatelli and Hugo Knox ready to make on-air debuts too. The product will be fine if you lose Joe, Nakamura, Bayley, don't get Roode and eventually lose Balor and Asuka.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd consider swapping Tyler Breeze for Tye Dillinger too. Breeze would make a great opponenet for Almas, Ibushi and the like, while Dillinger could get a run on the main roster, maybe in a proper tag team with Johnny Curtis.

[Nicky Fives]

Dillinger is super over and can go in the ring, wouldn't be surprised if he becomes more of a "threat" following the draft....

[Simple Fan]

Mentioned it it the brand split thread but figured I'd go more in depth here in the NXT thread. I think NXT has enough talent and considering they are going to have 2 sets of tours I think they should have a NXT split.

Replace Main Event with Titans and make NXT Main Event. Have the other show just be NXT. NXT Main Event would be for the top experienced talent and all of NXTs current titles. NXT would go back to being developmental.

NXT Main Event
NXT Champion
NXT Women's Champion
NXT Tag Team Champions

Any top Indy talents signed that don't go straight to Raw or Smackdown go to NXT Main Event.

NXT

Have guys that have been training at the PC and need more experience on NXT. Would be more like NXT before they brought in Zayn, Owens, Joe, Aries, Nakamura and guys like that made it more about the in ring action than developing talent. Could maybe introduce a new title like the NXT Florida Championship or have something like the FCW 15 championship.

Could have both shows air on the same night with NXT airing first followed by NXT Main Event. Takeovers or what ever they become would be dual branded. Think it would be a great way to get the guys that need more developing more opportunities and they don't have to contend with established Indy stars on a regular basis.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm fine with NXT staying NXT. I think the branding and the focus it will need could detract from getting serious about SmackDown and re-building NXT after it is plundered in the draft.

[Emperor Smeat]

Current card for next week's Takeover: The End event which includes the newly announced Dillinger-Cien match.

NXT Champion Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor in a cage match
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Austin Aries -- possible that the next title challenger is the winner
NXT Tag Champions American Alpha (Jason Jordan & Chad Gable) vs. The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder)
NXT Women's Champion Asuka vs. Nia Jax
Andrade Almas vs. Tye Dillinger

[Disturbed316]

Should be a good show based on that.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Aries hasn't been at his best in NXT so I really hope he brings it to this Nakamura match. I'm sure he will though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

He's been overshadowed by Nakamura, that's all. When Nakamura goes up to the main roster, Aries will have his chance to shine. There's a part of me that sort of hopes Aries wins so that Nakamura can be called up and Aries can challenge Balor for the title. Because Joe loses without being pinned and also gets called up.

Dillinger vs. Cien is a good match. They've been working on house shows (in the main events too) and they've apparently got great chemistry. With NXT likely to get raided, that could be a big program moving forward for them.

I wonder if we may even see an NXT Women's Title switch and Asuka called up to the main roster, if they space out the ladies? I'm far less confident about her being called up than I am Joe and Nakamura though. It's arguable that Aries doesn't have much left to learn in NXT either, so maybe he loses and gets called up?

[Nicky Fives]

I loved how Joe won the title at a house show, keeps things very unpredictable.... Had Balor lost on TV just a few weeks prior to the draft, it would have felt far too obvious that he was losing.....

I'm not sure you should have Asuka drop the title if she is going to be promoted, they don;t really have anyone on the roster (other than Bayley, who'll probably be called up as well) that can be seen as a legit threat.... probably better to have her be stripped of it and have a tourni or battle royal to crown a new champ to keep her unbeaten and strong.....

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I loved how Joe won the title at a house show, keeps things very unpredictable.... Had Balor lost on TV just a few weeks prior to the draft, it would have felt far too obvious that he was losing.....

I'm not sure you should have Asuka drop the title if she is going to be promoted, they don;t really have anyone on the roster (other than Bayley, who'll probably be called up as well) that can be seen as a legit threat.... probably better to have her be stripped of it and have a tourni or battle royal to crown a new champ to keep her unbeaten and strong.....

Felt the way Asuka was built could be a division killer when she became champ. If she's being called up maybe a screwy finish gives Nia the strap on Wednesday. Losing on your way out is time tested tradition. Even Paige got pinned by Charlotte in a tag the day she was stripped of the NXT title.

[Nicky Fives]

Felt the way Asuka was built could be a division killer when she became champ. If she's being called up maybe a screwy finish gives Nia the strap on Wednesday. Losing on your way out is time tested tradition. Even Paige got pinned by Charlotte in a tag the day she was stripped of the NXT title.

Time-tested tradition when you leave a company, not a huge fan of it when you get promoted to the main roster.... almost a slap to the face of the fans who watch both..... "oh look it's Asuka, she a super huge badass and is going to take the title from Charlotte, but she lost her last match to someone who's been around for 6 months and whose best move is a Legdrop...."

[Emperor Smeat]

Add the Drifter to long list of WWE wrestlers injured recently:

NXT Superstar Elias Samson suffered a fractured left ankle while competing at an NXT Live Event in Nashville this past weekend, WWE.com has learned.

"The match had to be stopped due to the injury and Elias was helped to the back, unable to bear weight on the ankle," WWE ringside physician Dr. Chris Amann told WWE.com. "Elias will be put in a cast and crutches, but is expected to make a full recovery."

[VSG]

Sad for him. As much as I hated the gimmick, it was getting somewhere finally.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Elias Samson has something. I saw it prior to The Drifter gimmick. Like CJ Parker, a lot of people are used to seeing instant indy greatness in NXT and the actual developmental guys get a lot of flack. He was getting good heat.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm really interested to see what happens at The End. Some of the results seem like they should go a certain way, but with the draft a lot could be thrown into chaos. I suppose they could still have some guys do double-duty. I don't know, it will be interesting to see, regardless.

[Nicky Fives]

Elias Samson has something. I saw it prior to The Drifter gimmick. Like CJ Parker, a lot of people are used to seeing instant indy greatness in NXT and the actual developmental guys get a lot of flack. He was getting good heat.

Not so sure about that.... Seemed to me he was getting the "Baron Corbin Go Away Heat"

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, but he was getting heat. As people catch on that he's good, he'll get cheers. No one gets real heat in NXT except Eva Marie and maybe Kevin Owens did for a week.

[Innovator]

http://shop.wwe.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-main/default/dw784a2138/images/large/W11497.jpg

[Innovator]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ckcw97PUoAEhy8h.jpg

MOOSE is in Orlando

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE teasing Triple H will be doing a live interview about NXT (and maybe its future) after tonight's Network special ends.

https://www.facebook.com/wwe/photos/a.63953746442.86152.7175346442/10153810305931443/?type=3

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://shop.wwe.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-main/default/dw784a2138/images/large/W11497.jpg

Pre-ordered.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

WWE teasing Triple H will be doing a live interview about NXT (and maybe its future) after tonight's Network special ends.

https://www.facebook.com/wwe/photos/a.63953746442.86152.7175346442/10153810305931443/?type=3

And a Breaking Ground. Feel like some shits going down. Maybe Evolve will Nexus the place up?

[VSG]

Nothing about Evolve yet but.. NXT is now an established 3rd brand for WWE, and not just a development service. I am not sure what this ends up resulting in though.

[Lock Jaw]

Probably nothing. Just gonna keep on being the same as it currently is.

[VSG]

Yeah I feel like it was just a video to get people to check HHH's facebook page. Dunno.

[Emperor Smeat]

Spoilers for the next set of NXT shows:

June 15th Episode:
* Greg Hamilton is back doing ring announcing

* The show opens with a recap of "Takeover: The End" and a backstage promo from NXT Champion Samoa Joe. Joe says tonight is the beginning of his dominance and there's no question who the true champion is now

* The Authors of Pain with Paul Ellering destroyed 2 jobbers in a brutal squash match. Their finisher is a clothesline/reverse Skull Crushing Finale

* Carmella defeated Tessa Blanchard by submission

* TM61 (announced as TM Six One) defeated Blake and Murphy without Alexa Bliss. Shane Thorne ducks a clothesline from Blake, who hits Murphy instead. TM61 get the win with their double team finisher on Blake. Murphy berates Blake at ringside after the match

* Andrade "Cien" Almas defeated Tye Dillinger in a Takeover rematch. Good match, better and longer than their match at Takeover. Unfortunately for Andrade, Tye is insanely over at Full Sail and the crowd was very split with audible loud boos for some of Andrade's spots. Andrade did get a big pop at the end when he won

* Finn Balor comes out for a promo in street clothes and talks about the first time he saw NXT, and that NXT became a part of who he is. He asks what's next for Finn Balor? Fans start a huge Balor Club chant and he responds with "Too Sweet." Shinsuke Nakamura interrupts. He says Balor wants some, and he wants some. He watched Balor become the icon of NXT and Balor is still an icon. Nakamura wants a match and says to be champion, he has to beat Balor. Balor says he knows what's next, it's Shinsuke vs. Finn!


June 22nd Episode:
* Oney Lorcan (Christopher Girard, Biff Busick) defeated Tye Dillinger in a stiff, aggressive and solidly good match. Dillinger got distracted by the crowd chanting 10 during his corner punches, which led to Lorcan hitting a neckbreaker for the win

* No Way Jose defeated Josh Woods in a quick match. Austin Aries interrupted Jose's post-match celebration. Aries says in this industry, you're not defined by your wins, but your defeats. He says he was defeated while he was not 100% and that even though he had bruised ribs, a real guy doesn't make excuses. Aries says he and Jose talked after the match, and says he wondered what he could learn from Jose. Aries says he learned it's all about having fun here at NXT. They dance over to the announce table, where Aries kills Jose with a rolling elbow and then beats him down.

* A huge Aries chant breaks out and he runs back, kills Jose with a Last Chancery on the ramp until the crowd boos him

* Bayley defeated Deonna Purrazzo

* Nia Jax quickly squashed Liv Morgan with a brutal powerbomb

* Tye Dillinger comes out and complains that he is better than having lost 2 matches tonight. He says the show stops until he gets his. He calls Andrade "Cien" Almas out and a match instantly starts. Tye walks out after Andrade does the Tranquilo rest in the ropes spot, then comes back in only to get tossed back out. And leave. Not sure if this will air or if it was a re-shoot of some spots from their earlier match

* Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Murphy in a fun little match, just below the two I saw them have in Atlanta/Nashville this weekend


June 29th Episode:
* Alexa Bliss defeated Carmella with the Sparkle Splash in a good match

* Andrade "Cien" Almas defeated Noah Kekoa

* Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa defeated Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley in a good match. Ciampa and Gargano cut a promo after the match saying they should be next in line for a NXT Tag Team Title shot. American Alpha interrupt and say no offense, but they're next in line to get their rematch and that whenever Gargano and Ciampa get their shot, it'll be against them. Chad Gable and Jason Jordan promise to get their revenge on The Authors of Pain but first, they've got unfinished business with The Revival, who come out and say they dictate the terms of who gets a shot. NXT General Manager William Regal comes out and announces Alpha vs. Revival for a 2 of 3 Falls Match next week. The Authors of Pain attack Alpha after Regal's announcement. Gargano and Ciampa try to make the save but get destroyed. The Authors lay out Alpha with their finisher and then Ellering comes out on stage to call them to him

* NXT Champion Samoa Joe defeated Oney Lorcan (Biff Busick) in a solid main event. Joe kicked out of Oney's neckbreaker that Tye lost to. Joe won the match with a Musclebuster to end the tapings

Gif of the post-match celebrations between Aires and No Way Jose before the beatdown:
http://i.imgur.com/C83TyhU.gif

[Innovator]

FINN VS NAKAMURA

[DaveWadding]

ALPHA/REVIVAL. 2 OUT OF 3 FALLS

[Lock Jaw]

I didn't actually click any of the other spoilers because I like keeping NXT a "surprise", but I still wanted to make a spoiler post. Just to fit in. I give in to peer pressure pretty easily.

[Dark One]

I didn't actually click any of the other spoilers because I like keeping NXT a "surprise", but I still wanted to make a spoiler post. Just to fit in. I give in to peer pressure pretty easily.

You did it wrong. It goes like this:

http://i.imgur.com/Kbshx80.gif

[VSG]

That's a tremendous set of updates.. Can't wait.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm intrigued at this current direction.

[drave]

Can't fucking wait, been waiting for it for a long time now.



Also, The Authors of Pain or wtf ever have a weak ass finisher for being as massive as they are. Looks fucking weak and I can see the "timing" being off more than once and them looking real dumb for it. They seem like guys who would be great to adopt a Clothesline From Hell type clothesline, one of them really should.

Maybe even bring back the Doomsday Device.

[VSG]

Yeah I don't understand the need for a single finishing move with big guys. Do two identical or symbiotic big impact moves (one per person) on the same opponent and that's way more believable.

[Innovator]

No, more double team finishers

[Mr. Nerfect]

Just Double Chokeslam a bitch.

[Mr. Nerfect]

But first take out the other guy with the big boot/sidewalk slam combo they used.

[Lock Jaw]

Speaking of chokeslams, anyone find it weird how Alexa Bliss now does that "chokepush" move? She just seems way too tiny to be doing any variation of a chokeslam.... she does have the crazy eyes when she does it, though.... so I dunno.....

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Better than her no flip moonsault finisher.

[Frank Drebin]

SPARKLE SPLASH

[DaveWadding]

Everyone needs to stop badmouthing Alexa Bliss and focus on the positives:

http://i.imgur.com/OB9ie9L.gif

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was thinking last night that they really shouldn't have turned her heel. With Bayley moving up to the main roster, they could use a woman who could be "their" girl to the NXT audience. If Carmella had turned on Enzo & Cass then we would have likely gotten Enzo & Cass beating Blake & Murphy for the Tag Titles in Brooklyn (huge moment), and Bliss could have been built up as the babyface girl to challenge Asuka after Bayley. That's easier to say in hindsight though.

[Simple Fan]

Really think Alex's should be called up. I she still with Blake and Murphey? Don't really like that team, feel like they are a American Wolves knockoff.

[Heisenberg]

Alexis is away from them and she is primed to be snatched up for the brand split.

[Simple Fan]

Good, really think she'll do well on the main roster. Could put her with the Club or The Dudleys. Haven't seen a lot of her in ring work, how is she in the ring?

[Nicky Fives]

They definitely need to stick her with someone on the main roster to be their mouthpiece....

[Simple Fan]

Maybe stick her with Corbin. Him her could be a Edge/Lita like duo.

[Heisenberg]

tbh, her assets distract my ability to see if she progressed. There's never a terrible feeling when she's on screen.

[Lock Jaw]

Grossed out by giant veins on the side of Finn Balor's head....

[Lock Jaw]

TM61 should be pronounced "TM Sixty-One"..... "TM Six One" doesn't roll off the tongue as well....

They should also change Nick Miller's name, because all I think of is that dude from New Girl...

They also really need to change their gear/look because right now they just seem so generic.....

[Nicky Fives]

Maybe stick her with Corbin. Him her could be a Edge/Lita like duo.

That is an excellent idea. He needs the help on the mic and the reason for the main roster fans to hate him, other than because of the face he's feuding against and his douche-like attitude....

[Simple Fan]

Yeah I have not been to interested in him since his main roster debut. Putting some eye candy with him would at least keep me interested like Lana did for Rusev.

[Nicky Fives]

Lana did her best to Sable Rusev's career, but it seems like he's kicked out of it....

[Disturbed316]

Thought this weeks show was a bit meh, not a huge amount to enjoy other than the showdown between Balor and Nakamura. That last 10 minutes were amazing.

Not feeling the Authors of Pain (dumb name), they remind me of a fat D'Lo Brown and Jon Bernthal. Not really buying into Andrade 'Cien' Almas at the moment either, he taunts too much during his matches and doesn't actually draw me into his matches.

Great to see Carmella improving, although her voice is just terrible, far too shrill.

[Lock Jaw]

Not a fan of Cien's finisher.... It is a "less impressive" version of a move that Sasha Banks does as a normal move....

Except it is less "Double knees to the face/chest" and more "Crotch to the face/knees to the shoulders"....

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Wish they'd dump the three name shtick on him.. Andrade Cien Almas is too long. Cien Almas, or Cien Andrade sounds better.

[VSG]

TM61 should be pronounced "TM Sixty-One"..... "TM Six One" doesn't roll off the tongue as well....

They should also change Nick Miller's name, because all I think of is that dude from New Girl...

They also really need to change their gear/look because right now they just seem so generic.....

Nine Oh Six One Two :-\

[Asmo]

I prefer TM Six One to TM Sixty-One.

Also, did Sunny Dhinsa (the non-tattooed guy from Authors Of Pain) shout Hindi during the match? Dave, dekh to yaar.

Missed Bliss.

[drave]

Speaking of chokeslams, anyone find it weird how Alexa Bliss now does that "chokepush" move? She just seems way too tiny to be doing any variation of a chokeslam.... she does have the crazy eyes when she does it, though.... so I dunno.....

It kinda reminds me of how dumb the spear was for Edge's finisher.

[Emperor Smeat]

Spoilers for July's set of tapings:

7/6/16 Show:
Bayley defeats Alexa Bliss. Bayley cuts a promo post-match, but Nia Jax interrupts and both stare each other down.

Blake and Murphy vs The Hype Bros is interrupted by a returning Rhyno, who takes out all four men

The Revival retain the NXT Tag Team Titles against American Alpha in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Alpha got fall one, Revival got falls 2 and 3.


7/13/16 Show:
Samoa Joe opens the show with a promo only to be interrupted by Rhyno, who challenges Joe to a match. Joe says "only on his time" and leaves.

Austin Aries defeats Patrick Clark. Post-match, No Way Jose attacks Aries.

Andrade "Cien" Almas defeats Angelo Dawkins.

Asuka defeats Eva Marie. Before the match, Eva gave ring announcer Dasha Fuentes a card to read that mentioned all the awesome things about her.

Samoa Joe defeats Rhyno


7/20/16 Show:
American Alpha head to the ring but get ambushed by the Authors of Pain. Despite the doctors helping them, Gable and Jordan head to the ring to face the AoP. Regal makes the match official. Authors of Pain get the win in a destructive squash.

Bayley defeats Nia Jax

Shinsuke Nakamura defeats Finn Balor in an epic match.


Some detailed stuff from other reports about certain matches:

July 13th
NXT champion Samoa Joe entered for a promo segment. Joe said he’s out here for a few reasons. Firstly, to witness Shinsuke Nakamura versus Finn Balor. Also to assert that the implications of the match are unjust. Those implications being that the winner qualifies as a contender to his title. The reality is that Joe slayed the demon, and the premise that Finn gets another chance is disrespectful. Joe said another truth is that he is the EMPEROR of strong style, and he warned Shinsuke of what’s to come if he makes it past Finn. … Enter Rhyno. Rhyno threatened to run right through Joe, who dismissed Rhyno and bailed from the ring with a smirk.

Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas squashed Angelo Dawkins in 2:42. Almas was really sloppy in this one, and Dawkins is another Full Sail development favorite. It’s a shame that a combination of avoidable things are preventing Andrade from clicking with the audience right now.

July 20th
American Alpha made their entrance and were jumped by AOP on the stage. AOP entered the ring with Paul Ellering, who had a mic in hand. William Regal came out to help referees get Gable and Jordan to the back. It looked like Jordan legit hit a steel beam on the guardrail pretty hard as he fell off the stage. Ouch.

The Nakamura-Balor match was taped out of order and could mean other matches might get mixed around for the tv airings. Nakamura-Balor was taped for the July 13th set but NXT treated it as the final match for the the entire tapings.

[Disturbed316]

Wait, I thought Nakamura/Balor was at a Takeover?

[Volare]

Loved the heel turn @ 1:08 :)

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gn5rMSlkQ7w?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Wait, I thought Nakamura/Balor was at a Takeover?

Yeah wtf.

[VSG]

It would have been too long away.

[Disturbed316]

Maybe it means he might be going up?

[Disturbed316]

Good main event this week, pretty sick end for the win.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Balor, Bayley and American Alpha will be going up very soon. Bayley probably after Takeover. I imagine Samoa Joe will be going up too, but they might try and squeeze a few Joe vs. Nakamura matches out of the two.

[Emperor Smeat]

Samoa Joe's oppoent for the NXT title match at Takeover: Brooklyn was revealed during tonight's tapings.

https://45.media.tumblr.com/cdf4d017092a55e230adcece4c67d417/tumblr_o4zlh9Q7hd1uhlrelo8_500.gif

Also a new wrestler debuted at NXT:
One of professional wrestling’s biggest international stars made his Full Sail University debut at Wednesday night’s NXT television tapings.

Kota Ibushi, former IWGP junior heavyweight champion and current Cruiserweight Classic participant, faced Buddy Murphy on the taping. He won with a sit-out powerbomb.

[Emperor Smeat]

Spoilers for the next set of tv tapings:

July 27th show:
Shinsuke Nakamura defeats Wesley Blake. William Regal makes Nakamura vs Joe for the title at Takeover: Back to Brooklyn official

Billie Kay defeats Santana Garrett

TM61 defeats Rob Ryzen and Nailz (Literally his name)

No Way Jose defeats Steve Cutler. Challenges Austin Aries to a match.


August 3rd Show:
Kota Ibushi defeats Buddy Murphy (likely dark match)

Samoa Joe comes out and isn't happy that he has to face Nakamura at Takeover: Brooklyn. Regal tells him too bad as Nakamura comes out and both competitors have a stare down.

Hideo Itami defeats Sean Maluta in Itami's TV return

Asuka defeats Aaliyah

Bobby Roode makes his TV debut and bad mouths the crowd. Nobody comes out to battle him, just a basic heel promo.

The Revival defeat TM61. The Revival cut a post-match promo, but are interrupted by Gargano and Ciampa. They challenge the Revival to a tag title match. They lay out the Revival and pose with the titles.

Mojo Rawley vs Chris Atkins is interrupted by Samoa Joe who takes out both men.

A contract signing for Bayley vs Asuka II: at Takeover: Back to Brooklyn. Bayley says that she's ready and that the mystique of Asuka is gone.


August 10th:
The Authors of Pain squash Rob Ryzen and Nailz. TM61 try to make the save, but get destroyed until American Alpha makes the save.

Andrade "Cien" Almas defeats Angelo Dawkins, but is then interrupted by Bobby Roode. He makes a match between him and Almas official for Takeover.

Billie Kay defeats Liv Morgan


August 17th:
Gargano and Ciampa defeat Patrick Clark and Tucker Knight

Hideo Itami defeats Mustafa Ali

Liv Morgan, Nikki Glenncross (Nikki Storm) and Carmella defeat Daria, Mandy Rose and Alexa Bliss

Samoa Joe defeats Mojo Rawley. Both Joe and Nakamura brawl to end the tapings


Current card for NXT Takeover Brookyln based on recent stuff:
During the currently ongoing WWE NXT TV taping in Winter Park, Florida, the main event of the 8/20 WWE NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II was revealed - WWE NXT champion Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.

Two more matches were also made official for NXT Takeover: Brooklyn -

*Bobby Roode vs. Andrade Cien Almas

*Asuka vs. Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship

Not officially announced so far, based on the direction, it appears these may also be on the Takeover special:

*The Revival vs. Johnny Gargano and Thomasso Ciampa for the NXT Tag Team Championship

*Austin Aries vs. No Way Jose

[Disturbed316]

Felt that Balor/Nakamura was ruined by the shitty editing and ad breaks on last weeks episode. Should have saved it for a Takeover.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Felt that Balor/Nakamura was ruined by the shitty editing and ad breaks on last weeks episode. Should have saved it for a Takeover.

I get the feeling that Balor is going up in the draft.

[Simple Fan]

He'd better join The Club when he does. I'd hate to see him do all this hype for them to not be put them together. Could also see them splitting AJ and have Balor take over as The Clubs leader. Ideally I'd want all 4 together though.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Maybe all 4 together until the Club turns heel. Perhaps save the Demon for Wrestlemania next year.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm fine with all four together. Balor can get a solid mid-card run with a title.

[Frank Drebin]

Would prefer to see demon/face Balor first, turn heel and not have him do demon until way down the line when he finally turns face again and brings it back. I like the idea if depriving the fans of the demon and draw some heat from it, but if he starts as a heel and we still get the demon for WM I'm cool with that.

[Frank Drebin]

Also, worried that there might be a couple of sweet debuts on this draft, but the reaction won't be that great from the crowd since it seems doubtful it's a smart one. Supposedly, they love the first reactions from the crowds and the reaction to AJ'S debut at the rumble was a factor in them pushing him up in the card.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

As per the draft thread:

Six [draft picks] off NXT

Yeah, Balor is so going up. Bayley too I reckon, but 3 more? Can't see them losing Joe and Nakamura just yet... American Alpha?

Maybe Itami if he's ready to come back. Carmella as a long shot because she is still green-ish, but she is improving. Aries would be cool, but he's just starting a heel turn.

Can't really think of anyone else who is ready.

[Volare]

As per the draft thread:



Yeah, Balor is so going up. Bayley too I reckon, but 3 more? Can't see them losing Joe and Nakamura just yet... American Alpha?

Maybe Itami if he's ready to come back. Carmella as a long shot because she is still green-ish, but she is improving. Aries would be cool, but he's just starting a heel turn.

Can't really think of anyone else who is ready.


Dillinger?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Dillinger?

I wish if he would be used well, but he'll probably be Breeze'd.

[Innovator]

He better be the 10th pick, or everyone should be fired

[VSG]

Itami is ready and cleared long back, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's him.

[Simple Fan]

I'm not real big on Itami, think he needs more time in NXT especially with the influx of cruiserweights that are coming in. My six would be Balor, American Alpha(one pick), Alexa Bliss, Austin Aries, Carmella, and The Revival.

[Frank Drebin]

As a huge Revival mark, I would rather they stay. Unless they plan on making one brand one that caters more toward the IWC, they'll get nothing but crickets and get Ascension'd without the face paint.

I think Alexa needs to get the call for sure. She's done all she can and would be a great valet and/or competent women's wrestler to add to the roster.

[Innovator]

If you get to call anyone up from NXT, it makes no sense to not call up Joe or Nakamura

[Frank Drebin]

Agreed. 100p. I haven't even considered them though just because it seems like it would be "too soon" in the minds of wwe for whatever reason. Depending on how this all goes down, I don't want either of those guys getting lost in the shuffle. Want a mark out moment in front of a smarky crowd for both of those guys.

[Evil Vito]

I think the only logical way from a kayfabe standpoint that Nakamura wouldn't come up is if they truly make everyone eligible, including champions.

So you have the 3 champions: Samoa Joe, Asuka, and The Revival who all would be drafted because as champions it only makes sense that the GMs would want to add winners to their shows. Balor and Bayley have been two of the faces of NXT for ages so both are sensible call-ups. That then leaves American Alpha who would be viewed as a boost with both shows trying to shore up their tag divisions.

Yeah it may still be a stretch to have Nakamura be #7 on that list but at least I can understand it.

I also don't think it would cripple NXT because I'd just imagine the champs would work double duty like Owens last year. The Revival in particular I could see hanging onto the belts for ages.

[Evil Vito]

Actually going a bit further I wouldn't have been averse to every NXT superstar getting drafted. NXT is acknowledged as the developmental system. It doesn't mean they'd all come up imemdiately but you'd know which "home brand" each NXT wrestler is assigned to and you'd know where they'd go when they get called up.

[Frank Drebin]

Ugh, just don't want some of these names showing up in front of some crowd in Nowhere, MA and getting no reaction.

[Innovator]

Even some bullshit excuse like, "Oh it'd take a while to get a new work visa for RAW or Smackdown other than NXT, so Shinsuke has to stay here for awhile" would suffice

[Frank Drebin]

Still so far away from the Rumble......

[Innovator]

Considering how the revolution turned out, I worry for Bayley.

[Frank Drebin]

I'm not a huge Bayley mark, but I can see where she could be really valuable to wwe. More likely she gets used like Emma did, and Itl all be her fault because she didn't "connect with the crowd"

[Frank Drebin]

Also, wth is Izzy gonna do if her idol has to go on tour?

[Evil Vito]

Actually I guess the problem with designating every NXT wrestler to a home brand is that it would force WWE to figure out what show everybody should belong to long before WWE themselves have even figured it out. And it could be tricky.

If SmackDown gets hammered with injuries for instance and Nakamura is the next biggest name in NXT to be called up but is assigned to Raw already, they're stuck. Yes it's WWE so they could just switch it arbitrarily but then that makes the whole idea of assigning them in advance pointless in the first place.

[XL]

I really don't want Balor's debut to be "My next pick is..." He deserves so much more. Same for Bayley really. It'd make sense for her to debut as Sasha's partner at Battleground rather than drafted up.

[Frank Drebin]

Why does Sasha have to be a face? I'd rather it be Nia Jax unless you plan on having Sasha attack Bayley after and set up a sweet feud that would actually have a story for the women's division apart from the title picture.

[Evil Vito]

I really don't want Balor's debut to be "My next pick is..." He deserves so much more. Same for Bayley really. It'd make sense for her to debut as Sasha's partner at Battleground rather than drafted up.

Tbf with Bayley they're probably going to do both. I mean most expect Bayley to be the partner anyway but if she gets drafted and still isn't the partner I could actually see the crowd booing whoever it is.

[Simple Fan]

I think the best thing to do with NXT going forward would be to have the D
draft just be for NXT Superstars. After this initial draft next year's would only be NXT talent. Could do 5 picks apiece for a total of 10 call ups. Wouldn't need to call up anyone else throughout the year unless need be for injury. Main roster talents could become free agents and go to any show they please.

[Simple Fan]

Not big on Bayley either. She's ok in the ring but I just feel like the main roster will overwhelm her. She's not the best talker in my opinion either. She'll probably get picked but I think she really needs more time in NXT.

[XL]

Tbf with Bayley they're probably going to do both. I mean most expect Bayley to be the partner anyway but if she gets drafted and still isn't the partner I could actually see the crowd booing whoever it is.

I'd expect this too, I just don't like it.

I'd sooner not have people come up in "bulk" as it makes them less special. I figure they could have just drafted from the main roster then added NXT guys/returning older guys as they went.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/EthicalAptChuckwalla-size_restricted.gif
4 of the draft picks?

Probably not, but still fun.

[Evil Vito]

Seemed like a clear send-off for Balor, Bayley, and Alpha. Nakamura's just there because he happened to be working the main event that evening.

[Nicky Fives]

Authors Of Pain are suprisingly not terrible in the ring.....

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Considering how the revolution turned out, I worry for Bayley.

How all three had what could be considered the best match at WrestleMania? Cause that's how it turned out!

[Mr. Nerfect]

That was quite a few months ago now.

[Lock Jaw]

Catching up on the last 3 weeks worth of NXT....

Bayley/Alexa Bliss good match..... Alexa has become surprisingly capable. Thought she was going to lead the "next wave" of the NXT Women's Division, but I'm ok with her on the main show. She is ready.

American Alpha/Revival two out of three falls match was fantastic.

[Lock Jaw]

Balor/Nakamura match good as well..... not as good as the 2/3 falls tag match I feel.....

Hate the NXT crowd singing along with Nakamura's theme now..... like, shut up and just let me listen to it.......

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Oh sweet, Itami is back next week.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

No Way Jose is impressing me. Didn't like his gimmick, but this Austin Aries feud has brought out another side of him which is awesome.

[drave]

Balor/Nakamura match good as well..... not as good as the 2/3 falls tag match I feel.....

Hate the NXT crowd singing along with Nakamura's theme now..... like, shut up and just let me listen to it.......

Shut up and go to youtube if you want to listen to it. People are having fun you turd burglar.

No Way Jose is impressing me. Didn't like his gimmick, but this Austin Aries feud has brought out another side of him which is awesome.

He definitely came to life on this episode for sure. Looked great in his match and his standing up to Aries.

[Fignuts]

Who was that creepy promo with the trees for, before the TM61 match?

[Innovator]

Ember Moon/Athena I think

[Emperor Smeat]

Did NXT remix Emma's old theme for Santana Garrett's entrance theme?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Was the Ember Moon promo creepy enough to warrant her being the first female Wyatt Family member?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Bray, Ember, Harper & Rowan. :y:

They need real fucking workers in that women's division on SmackDown to accompany Becky and Nattie.

[VSG]

Just got done with the NXT Houston house show. Last NXT event for Finn Balor, Mojo Rawley, Nia Jax and Carmella. It was excellent, better than most PPVs. Hideo Itami came back and Bobby Roode had a match as well in the main event (Balor/Nakamura vs Roode/Joe). There was a great send-off for everyone, including thanking to Matt Bloom and a subtle jab at the challenging working conditions under Bill DeMott.

[VSG]

Oh, and Mandy Rose is unbelievably hot.

[VSG]

Did NXT remix Emma's old theme for Santana Garrett's entrance theme?

Yeah that's basically it. Funnily, the first time it was used was when she was Emma's opponent and Emma had just come out to her theme.

Speaking of themes, Bobby Roode's theme is.. Glorious.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Better than his TNA one?

[VSG]

I would have to listen to this properly and not muffled by a surprised crowd but I liked what I heard. Female chorus (I think anyway) and went well with his robed entrance.

[Frank Drebin]

Oh, and Mandy Rose is unbelievably hot.

She looks like a yellow Eva Marie who had a morning coffee.

[VSG]

There's definitely some Eva Marie action in the face, but you really have to see her in person.

[Evil Vito]

Was pretty obvious Mandy Rose was getting signed the second I saw her on Tough Enough. While WWE may be making a push towards proper women's wrestlers, they're always going to bring aboard hot fitness models on occasion. It's no real surprise that she immediately went onto Total Divas for that reason.

[Evil Vito]

Also Mandy's boyfriend looks exactly as I pictured him. Jacked dude who looks like he's 40 years old. Fair play to him for living the dream. Gives us all something to aspire to.

[VSG]

You know what is actually scary? She does a Tiger Driver. I legit was afraid for Bayley after that move.

[Frank Drebin]

She'll give a Billy Kay or a Payton Royce a stinger at some point and that'll be the end of that.

I mean, I haven't seen her yet so maybe she's not as green as I picture a Total Divas signee, but I'll assume so until I see otherwise with my own eyes.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not every woman needs to be a wrestler. Mandy Rose would be fine as a valet, manager or ring girl if she sucks at wrestling.

[Frank Drebin]

Well, they're using her as a wrestler so that's what she is until further notice.

[Frank Drebin]

She'll be great on Big Brother in a couple of years.

[Mr. Nerfect]

And she will be forever because the WWE still doesn't see the point in having diverse purposes for their women. They're either announcers or wrestlers.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That being said, they haven't worked out the value of many of their male performers either.

[VSG]

She actually wasn't bad. Pretty green but knows how to take a bump correctly and do basic moves. That's why the Tiger Driver was a surprise. Her tag team partner, Daria, is more believable in the ring with a boxer style gimmick.

[Frank Drebin]

Daria Morgendorfer?

[VSG]

Daria Berenato

[Frank Drebin]

Jane Lane

[Mr. Nerfect]

Racy Stacy

[Innovator]

THERE MY BOYS

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Itami back and Bobby Roooooo in the building.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T3smgycpyns" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Now this is a hot fire theme

[Innovator]

Well I'm listening to this when I go to work today

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Such a great promo from Roooooo too. Just started off as a face before turning on a dime. Love it.

[Evil Vito]

Glorious theme for a glorious man.

[VSG]

Finally! And yeah, it's even better now than when I heard it live and muffled.

[Lock Jaw]

Catching up on the past two weeks.....

WTF at them using a remixed Emma theme for Santana Garret's entrance..... Was super confused for a moment because I thought Emma was somehow back....

[Lock Jaw]

TM61 still so generic.....

Also still have no idea if it is "Nick Miller" or "Mick Niller"..... His boots say "MN", but I swear the commentators say Nick Miller......

[Lock Jaw]

Google tells me it is Nick Miller..... then why does he have "MN" on his boots..... should be other way around......

[#BROKEN Hasney]

What even is TM61

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Is it Cut or something?

[Innovator]

Google tells me it is Nick Miller..... then why does he have "MN" on his boots..... should be other way around......

His real name is Mikey Nicholls, so he's too lazy to get new gear

[Lock Jaw]

Ok.... so they did change his name, then? Why did they change it to the name of a character on the hit sitcom "New Girl"?

[Innovator]

Yeah when they were The Mighty Don't Kneel in NOAH, they were Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls. Still prefer TMDK name to TM61

[Emperor Smeat]

If Bobby Roode ever wrestles at Mania or NXT's Mania weekend special, he needs to have a live chorus sing his theme. Would make his entrance and theme even more glorious in the end.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

If Bobby Roode ever wrestles at Mania or NXT's Mania weekend special, he needs to have a live chorus sing his theme. Would make his entrance and theme even more glorious in the end.

https://s3media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/996/459/459996.jpg

[Tom Guycott]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T3smgycpyns" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Now this is a hot fire theme

Almost as good as Christian's "At Last" (v1)

Almost.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I haven't heard it yet, but I don't mind the idea of them remixing Emma's old theme for Santana Garrett. The vibe of the theme worked for a plucky babyface, but they fucked up Emma, so why not try again with Santana, who has a great look and is apparently a good worker with a great attitude. It also gives Emma someone to bust when she comes back to NXT to work off some ring rust.

Bobby Roode's theme is definitely glorious. I want him on both RAW and SmackDown shopping himself around as soon as possible. Give this man a Royal Rumble win now.

[Lock Jaw]

It wasn't a remix of Emma's old theme, though, it was a remix of her current theme.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, well then.

[VSG]

Changed the title to be more boring because why not.

Cien vs Roode was not what I was expecting for Takeover. Extremely excited for Amber Moon's debut after seeing all the great responses from recent live events.

[Tom Guycott]

Is it Cut or something?

Apparently it's Will-O-Wisp or somesuch.

I guess you can teach it to any Brother Nero you catch after gen 4.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Nakamura taunting and teasing Joe at the end of the show this week.

Also liked how security only went after Joe since they knew he'd be the toughest to contain to stop a possible brawl.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

That was Mojos best ever showing I think. Still not exactly a fan, but he has progressed.

[Innovator]

Reddit pointed it out that Regal has a pair of brass knuckles on a velvet pillow in his office

[Vastardikai]

:lol: at Nakamura taunting and teasing Joe at the end of the show this week.

Also liked how security only went after Joe since they knew he'd be the toughest to contain to stop a possible brawl.

Or they figured that if they got to close to Nakamura, he'd mess them up. :shifty:

[Simple Fan]

That was Mojos best ever showing I think. Still not exactly a fan, but he has progressed.

Haven't really seen a lot of him as he's usually in tag matches but I was impressed with him in the Somoa Joe match. I know a couple of people can't stand him but I thought he was alright.

[Simple Fan]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T3smgycpyns" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Now this is a hot fire theme

Reminds me of the Flash Gordon theme.

[Disturbed316]

Mojo vs Joe was a decent showing, may give Mojo a chance based on that outing. LOVED the confrontation at the end with Nakamura, great stuff.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Has Joe vs. Nakamura been built well? I'm predicting Nakamura to take the belt and Joe to end up on SmackDown. Asuka will retain the Women's Champion, eventually dropping it to Ember Moon; Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa actually have a good chance at winning the Tag Team Championship too, because American Alpha vs. The Revival on SmackDown makes sense.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I wasn't that excited about Bobby Roode in NXT, but that theme is just glorious. I imagine he's the first major contender for Nakamura. Hell, he's actually got a good shot at winning it too, because Nakamura doesn't need to be in NXT long. But I'd probably keep him there until you have something concrete for him to do on the main roster.

[Simple Fan]

If Bobby Roode doesn't go into the main event I'd like to see him and Aries team again. Think they would be a great team if they chose to do another Dusty Rhodes Classic.

[Droford]

Nice to see Patrick from TE on this past weeks ep..

[Mr. Nerfect]

If they do another Dusty Rhodes Classic, Roode & Aries are a good bet to win it. Either them or Nakamura and Itami.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Apparently, HBK has moved his family to Florida and has become a trainer. Should help the guys down there.

[Black Widow]

He is an excellent hire. He can keep an eye on twice the amount of wrestlers an average trainer could.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Dude can even sell punching himself.

https://66.media.tumblr.com/4fe9f569bab4ba001b9d9489938897d1/tumblr_nt9fblXw5H1sbzhteo1_400.gif

[#BROKEN Hasney]

"According to Pwinsider.com, Shawn Michaels has joined the coaching staff at the WWE Performance Center. Michaels is relocating to Orlando, and is taking over the “finishing class” previously run by Terry Taylor. Taylor recently had neck surgery and was unable to continue coaching the class as he recovered.

The site also reports that NXT coaches Sara Del Rey and Adam Pearce will be leaving their positions at the WWE Performance Center. They will be taking producer positions with the main roster. WWE will be looking to add to the Performance Center staff; they recently brought in Scotty Too Hotty and Stevie Richards for guest coaching spots. That is how Adam Pearce got his job with the company."

[VSG]

Well shit, I wonder who will work with the female wrestlers now.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Del Ray has been part time NXT and part time main roster for a while now. Sarah Stock has been running it, so hopefully shouldn't change too much.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Well, that's the WWE's gain.

[Evil Vito]

I now want to see vignettes of Michaels training all the NXT guys how to do finishers, comedically hitting the Superkick whenever anyone back chats him.

"Sawyer Fulton, I don't think your finish is working for you. Why don't you try the Sweet Chin Music? It's working for Dolph Ziggler."

"But Shawn, I don't think it suits my..."

*SWEET CHIN MUSIC*

http://rs465.pbsrc.com/albums/rr16/thejake/hbkpaperkick.gif~c200

[Nicky Fives]

Seems like a straight/clean HBK is one of the best people around to train people to become professional wrestlers.....

[Poit]

Reddit pointed it out that Regal has a pair of brass knuckles on a velvet pillow in his office

I was wondering how long that's been there.

http://i.imgur.com/6r507zC.png

[Mr. Nerfect]

Shawn Michaels should be the new Takeover commentator too.

[Nicky Fives]

I was wondering how long that's been there.

http://i.imgur.com/6r507zC.png

That's awesome, I never noticed it....

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Damn, love that Serpents song. NXT has the best music out of all the brands.

Hot Roode promo too.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

This whole takeover card run down and promo is great They need to do that on the main shows more.

[Heisenberg]

Bobby Roode hasn't even shown his new fans how hard he goes in the ring. I hope that Jap is ready Saturday

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Bobby Roode hasn't even shown his new fans how hard he goes in the ring. I hope that Jap is ready Saturday

He's facing a Mexican...

[Nicky Fives]

He's facing a Mexican...

I'm not expecting much as Almas' TV matches have been visibly edited due to botches....I'd rather have seen a Roode/Dillinger match to really show off Roode's skills

[Frank Drebin]

For those in the know: should I be excited for Ember Moon? I know nothing of her.

[Simple Fan]

Watch this.

xsrEMomJmn0

[Tom Guycott]

This Daria Barranado braud... I keep picturing the chick Coach Clint Eastwood calls a "scabby Kraut".

[Triple A]

Watch this.

sweet...

[Emperor Smeat]

Spioilers for the next set of tv tapings:
Dark Match:
* Daria defeated Billie Kay via submission with a triangle choke


August 31st:
* Tye Dillinger defeated Buddy Murphy with his neckbreaker.

* Tomasso Ciampa cut a promo about Johnny Gargano being injured backstage, but he was interrupted by The Revival. The Revival beat down Ciampa and took him to the ring and end the attack by hitting the Shatter machine.

* Steve Cutler defeated Kenneth Crawford with the fisherman driver

* No Way Jose defeated Angelo Dawkins in a glorified squash match


September 7th:
* Liv Morgan defeated Aliyah, however her finisher was botched

* New NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura came out for a promo. He said that he's still hurting from his NXT: Takeover match with Samoa Joe. He said that he respects Joe, but his era is over and now it's the Strong Style era.

* Asuka defeated Danielle Kamela in less than a minute.

* TM61 defeated Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari in a great match

* Ember Moon defeated Leah Vaughan

* Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Steve Cutler. Samoa Joe was on commentary


September 14:
* Austin Aries defeated Andrade "Cien" Almas via submission in a long match.

* Oney Lorcan defeated Tino Sabbatelli with the single leg Boston Crab.

* Samoa Joe cut a promo. He said he was a disgrace as NXT Champion and destroyed friendships. He wanted to apologize and called Nakamura out. He said while he meant everything he said before Takeover, he said that Nakamura is deserving. He said that he wants a rematch, and Nakamura agreed. Joe and Nakamura shook hands and Joe left. As Nakamura started doing his poses, Joe attacked him from behind. Joe chokeslammed Nakamura on the chairs. Officials checked on Nakamura, and he was taken out on a stretcher.


September 21st episode:
* Liv Morgan beat Rachael Ellering. After the match, she cut a promo and challenged Asuka for the NXT Women's Title.

* Hideo Itami defeated Drew Gulak with the GTS.

* The Authors of Pain defeated a pair of jobbers in a squash match

* Bobby Roode defeats No Way Jose. The crowd sang Roode's "Glorious" song and No Way Jose actually helped the crowd along in singing it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If I had to predict the next Takeover card:


* Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Samoa Joe for the NXT Title
* Asuka vs. Ember Moon for the Women's Title
* The Revival vs. DIY for the Tag Titles
* Austin Aries vs. Hideo Itami
* The Authors of Pain vs. TM61
* Bobby Roode vs. anyone (Steve Cutler, Buddy Murphy, No Way Jose, Andrade Almas, etc.)

[Blonde Moment]

You think there is a call up soon in Asuka's immediate future?

[Frank Drebin]

I want it, but I don't at the same time. Feels like they'll botch it really really bad. I don't think she can cut a promo to be at that level yet which sucks because she's prob my fav women's wrestler right now along with Sasha.

Will she actually get a call up? If I were wwe I'd target the Raw after WM. They just got an influx of women from nxt so if it were to be it would have happened already you've got to think.

[thecc]

Just got tickets for nxt Baltimore. I'm like a giddy child right now.

[Disturbed316]

Finally got round to seeing Joe vs Nakamura, not surprised at how stiff it was. Nakamura's entrance gave me goosebumps, so incredible.

NXT is touring Australia and New Zealand in December and they are actually going to be in my home town. Problem is, I'm overseas on that date :(

[Mr. Nerfect]

I want it, but I don't at the same time. Feels like they'll botch it really really bad. I don't think she can cut a promo to be at that level yet which sucks because she's prob my fav women's wrestler right now along with Sasha.

Will she actually get a call up? If I were wwe I'd target the Raw after WM. They just got an influx of women from nxt so if it were to be it would have happened already you've got to think.

I'm in line with you on this. I'd have her hold the Women's Title until Ember Moon is ready to take it off her, then let them have a series of matches. I imagine that they could face each other at the WrestleMania Takeover next year.

I'd have Nikki Bella hold the SDL Women's Championship until Becky takes it from her at WrestleMania. After that, there's an obvious rematch for Nikki Bella, who loses again. That'd probably happen at the April PPV SmackDown has exclusively. Then it's onto their May one, where I'd Becky face Lita in a "I get to face my idol" dream match for Becky, where she gets to keep the belt. Asuka then attacks both ladies after the match to make her debut as this vicious heel. She beats Lita in match #2 for Lita -- which puts us at SmackDown's Money in the Bank event. You probably run Asuka vs. Becky at SummerSlam, or do some sort of Triple Threat for the belt and include Lita. If Lita takes the fall, Becky can chase having never truly been beaten by Asuka, and you can start the build to Asuka vs. Becky (w/ Lita) at WrestleMania 34 in Philly.

[Fignuts]

Really hope they aren't turning Joe face, and this new humble attitude is just a swerve. Monster heel Joe is the best Joe.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I really think Joe should have shown up on SmackDown immediately after losing the NXT Title. Not everything needs a rematch.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Austin Aries should start a petition to have the GTS banned for his feud with Hideo Itami.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've been thinking about good opponents for a hypothetical Lance Storm match at NXT Takeover: Toronto. I actually wouldn't be opposed to seeing Angelo Dawkins try and earn a shot at competing against Storm. He's been in NXT forever, and he's started to earn a bit of a following for himself. The NXT faithful would get behind a push. But I guess there's also Oney Lorcan.

[Frank Drebin]

Patrick Clark as the heel in a one off vs Storm could work.

[Frank Drebin]

I really think Joe should have shown up on SmackDown immediately after losing the NXT Title. Not everything needs a rematch.

You're assuming there would be a plan in place for Joe at SD.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Patrick Clark as the heel in a one off vs Storm could work.

Only if he wears a Trump shirt.

I'd go with Dawkins over Clark because I think Dawkins is more seasoned at this point and will mesh up better with Storm.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You're assuming there would be a plan in place for Joe at SD.

Touche.

[Emperor Smeat]

Cien ditching the suspenders and hat for his entrance was a good idea assuming it wasn't just a one-off for this week.

His shirt still doesn't make sense considering his gimmick has nothing to do with money nor the "100 souls" part of his name.

[Anybody Thrilla]

They should just call him Cien __________. Whatever his last name is. Ditch the first name. He's not going to catch on as he is.

[Fignuts]

God tne nxt crowd booing Cien just made me hate them even more. Like, the guy can clearly go in the ring. He's a pleasure to watch, but he gets booed just because the crowd wants to jack off the internet darling.

He should just turn heel with the reasoning being "fuck you guys". Then the crowd will cheer for him because Full Sail DERP

[Fignuts]

And if aries was as good as evrybody says he is, he would have done something, anything, to get the crowd to turn on him, but he didn't.

[Anybody Thrilla]

He could easily transition into a heel, but his ring style is built for a face.

[Anybody Thrilla]

And if aries was as good as evrybody says he is, he would have done something, anything, to get the crowd to turn on him, but he didn't.

But the Aries character thinks that the crowd should love him anyway. Not that kind of heel.

[Anybody Thrilla]

There was also a pretty loud dueling chant of "AUSTIN ARIES" and "SUCKS!", so it wasn't as one-sided as you're making it sound here.

[Mr. Nerfect]

God tne nxt crowd booing Cien just made me hate them even more. Like, the guy can clearly go in the ring. He's a pleasure to watch, but he gets booed just because the crowd wants to jack off the internet darling.

He should just turn heel with the reasoning being "fuck you guys". Then the crowd will cheer for him because Full Sail DERP

I dunno. I have also enjoyed Almas in the ring, but his presentation has been dirt poor. I don't understand the cultural significance, if there is any, but his gigolo get-up is fucking annoying. He also reeks of smiling babyface.

Austin Aries used to be one of my favorite guys to watch in the ring. ROH had a lot of guys that kind of grated me, because they would stretch matches out for the sake of stretching them out. Aries was about the only guy who would keep me captivated an entire match. I think he's got a good gimmick too.

I'm looking forward to seeing Roderick Strong debut and how that affects Aries. I'm also looking forward to Hideo Itami vs. Austin Aries.

[Fignuts]

There was also a pretty loud dueling chant of "AUSTIN ARIES" and "SUCKS!", so it wasn't as one-sided as you're making it sound here.

There were smatterings (great word) of support for Almas, it was predominantly smark bullshit.

And I'm not buying the presentation excuse. Yes, it's bad, but the NXT crowd has been mostly appreciative of in-ring work. Crews was the same vacant smile, babyface and he didn't have to put up with this shit,. And Almas actually has a little more personality and character than crews, with his showmanship in the ring.

[Fignuts]

God, really says a lot about Crews' character when a guy who can't speak english has more of a personality than him.

[Simple Fan]

I understand why they did it because he has a likable face but I liked Almas as La Sombra. His mask was one of the better lucha mask I've seen. The suspenders and fedora just isn't a good look in my opinion.

[VSG]

He's been bringing me on his side quickly, and his superb theme helps too.

[Nicky Fives]

So are these 'Sanity' videos going to be for Eric Young? Seems like with the next Takeover being in Canada it would be the best time to have him make his "debut".... Hopefully they don't stick him with another Canadian in "The Perfect 10" and give him Blake or Murphy and let him keep the Piledriver.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Between Bobby Roode, Tye Dillinger and Eric Young, there are some Canadians that might be pretty over in Toronto.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If they throw in Tyson Dux, I'd be completely okay with a "Team Canada" versus a bunch of other guys Survivor Series Elimination Match with the Canadians winning.

[Nicky Fives]

If they throw in Tyson Dux, I'd be completely okay with a "Team Canada" versus a bunch of other guys Survivor Series Elimination Match with the Canadians winning.

You could even throw in Sami Zayn instead of Dux if he's not doing anything on the card.....

[Anybody Thrilla]

God, really says a lot about Crews' character when a guy who can't speak english has more of a personality than him.

I'm fairly certain Almas cut a promo in English right before the Aries match.

[VSG]

New tapings going on, and damn son some of those new results are.. invigorating.

[mike adamle]

Like what?

[Jordan]

Eric Young has a new weirdo stable called Insanity.

[VSG]

Spoilers, dude

[Jordan]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CscCU8wXEAA65Lz.jpg

[Emperor Smeat]

Spoilers for the next set of tapings:
September 21st Episode:
* Samoa Joe kicks us off with a promo stating that NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura has a ton of injuries from his attack. Joe says Nakamura will be out 6-12 weeks, but he's not patient. He wants Nakamura or to have the title vacated. NXT General Manager William Regal comes out and says Joe is right, but he hasn't heard from Nakamura, so he'll clean up Joe's mess in time. Joe goes face to face with Regal and says if he doesn't get what he wants, the entire roster will look like Nakamura

* Austin Aries defeated Oney Lorcan in a great match. Aries cuts a promo saying he'd call out Hideo Itami but Hideo is a coward and he knows he won't show up. Hideo comes out but Aries retreats

* Billie Kay defeated Aliyah

* Cedric Alexander defeated Andrade "Cien" Almas in a fantastic match. The crowd popped big for Cedric. Cedric wins when he catches Andrade going for the running knees and hits the Lumbar Check. Andrade teases a turn after the match, but hugs Cedric and raises his hand


September 28th Episode:
* William Regal comes out to announce the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The finals will be at Takeover: Toronto

* Tye Dillinger defeated Angelo Dawkins with the TyeBreaker. After the match, Bobby Roode interrupts and says the reason he came to NXT was to win the Dusty Classic, and he needs the perfect partner. Roode says them winning would be Perfectly Glorious. Tye shakes his hand and accepts

* The Ealy Brothers vs. NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival never happens as Samoa Joe comes out. He walks past the Revival and kills the Ealy Brothers. Revival walks away. Joe says the beatings will continue until Regal either gives him Shinsuke or gives him his NXT Title

* Ember Moon defeated Mandy Rose in a quick match

* The Authors of Pain defeated two local competitors. Paul Ellering finally speaks and says pain is coming and right now, that's all we need to know

* NXT Women's Champion Asuka taps out Liv Morgan in a quick squash with an armbar. Asuka is interviewed after the match and says no one is ready for her

* Hideo Itami defeated Lince Dorado in a good match. After the match, Austin Aries comes out of the crowd and attacks Itami, but flees when Itami turns the tables


October 5th Episode:
* The Authors of Pain defeated The Bollywood Boyz in a first round match of the Dusty Classic

* Rich Swann defeated Patrick Clark in a fun match. Patrick has new, very flamboyant gimmick and outfit -- puffy shirt, suit coat, glitter headband, whole nine yards. Swann wins with a cartwheel into a moonsault

* Peyton Royce defeated Danielle Kamella. Peyton has new gear and was accompanied to the ring by Billie Kay, but still does the flower entrance. This was an okay match, but nothing special. Peyton wins with a Perfectplex out of nowhere

* Dan Matha comes out for a match but Samoa Joe comes out and kills him. He cuts a promo -- "tick, tock, who will be the next to get his head rocked?" Refers to Matha as Regal's golden boy blue chipper. Repeats his ultimatum for Regal and tells him he has a week or he'll escalate things

* NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival defeated Cedric Alexander and Andrade "Cien" Almas in a first round Dusty Classic match. Great match. Revival pins Cedric with the Shatter Machine. Andrade attacks Cedric after the match and destroys him


October 12th Episode:
* SAnitY defeated Bobby Roode and Tye Dillinger in a first round Dusty Classic match. Roode walked out on Tye as soon as the beating began. SAnitY is Alexander Wolfe & Sawyer Fulton, accompanied by a masked man/woman. The female attacks Tye and reveals herself as Nikki Storm, and the masked leader is Eric Young

* Billie Kay defeated Liv Morgan after Peyton grabbed Liv's leg for the distraction

* TM-61 defeated Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss in a first round Dusty Classic match. Fun match

* Blake vs. Murphy gets underway and was fun for what it was, then Samoa Joe runs in and murders both guys. He calls for Regal saying time is up. NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura's music hits and he comes out in a neck brace. He takes of the brace and charges the ring. A wild brawl ensues that ends with Shinsuke hitting the Kinshasa on a security guy, getting jumped by Joe again, but then brawling back to the ring, where Nakamura hits Joe with a Kinshasa to end the show

[Mr. Nerfect]

A part of me wants Nakamura to be NXT Champion until he gets called up and has to forfeit the belt. I know that doing the honors is the traditional way to do business, but I feel that Nakamura is special. I don't want to see him vulnerable or beaten. The man is a myth that should just dance through everything.

To me, this is part of the psychic problem surrounding NXT. It's unavoidable, and I know people love the product, but it's that canon/non-canon moving guys from one to the other sort of thing. You also go with these guys and gals on this journey to finding out who they really are, but when they get to the main roster, you see this final product but no one has any clue how they got there.

A big part of why The Shield worked -- besides the wonderfully consistant booking, of course -- is because you had these guys grow into those personas before your eyes. Dean Ambrose was never in NXT; Seth Rollins was the babyface champion; Roman Reigns played a cocky heel. For them to kick down the door in their black turtlenecks was...different. We didn't know where we were going with these guys.

Does anyone else feel that these guys getting this gimmicks together in NXT and then just slotting into the main roster is kind of bringing them in cold? Maybe this is another one of my "Shut up and stop thinking about wrestling, Noid" moments, but I think this is a large part of why Emma flopped, Tyler Breeze flopped, The Ascension flopped, The Vaudevillains flopped, American Alpha is in the process of flopping (they will be okay though, because Vince will want them saved), etc.

A large part of me that enjoys the storytelling element of professional wrestling wants this Sanity angle to happen on the main roster. Maybe they do need some more polish here or there in certain regards, but being rough around the edges can help some guys' charm. If the angle doesn't work, you can always repackage them down in NXT later.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I still have weird fantasies about the guys in NXT that are ready to move up to the main roster moving up, and Regal bringing in Lance Storm, Finlay, Tajiri and Nick Dinsmore to as a team of veterans to stretch out some of the newer guys. I know it would never happen and most people are kind of snarky about old guys and enjoy NXT hoarding talent, but I'd rather see Roode, Joe, Nakamura and even Dillinger contributing to the main roster. I'd maybe keep Aries down in NXT for a program with Roderick Strong while Strong tries to find something in his presentation that could help him click on the main roster. Maybe bring in James Storm as another "special attraction" guy. But Joe, Roode and Nakamura are ready to start making money.

To my last post, though, I think the timing of some talent being called up is off. They are kept in NXT when they are hot and then they're cooling off when you've got them on the main roster. If getting someone over is like baking a cake, then you're bringing up all these cakes and none of them have been baked in front of the wider audience.
"Here's a Superstar we prepared earlier."

Can you re-tell the rise of Bayley? I think you can bring them in and try the things that have already worked. Obviously not word-for-word, but Bayley -- who did beat Charlotte and Becky en route to winning the title off Sasha -- could still conceivably find herself behind Charlotte and Sasha in their current incarnations and have a long chase to the belt. But there's something about being there for the first time.

Adam Rose is the glaring hole in my theory. He was a guy that called up, but I think that was way too fast. Plus the way he was presented was...weak. I think that's just generally a main roster problem. I guess it really comes down to intuition and when certain guys need to move on and when others need to be kept back.

But seriously -- what the fuck is a Samoa Joe or a Shinsuke Nakamura learning in NXT?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, to my point about never wanting to see Nakamura lose the title to anyone: There is one exception to that, and that's Cesaro.

I'd absolutely adore a frustrated Cesaro, angered that he can't get any respect from Vince McMahon on RAW, jumps to NXT to re-invent himself and prove that he can be a champion. I'm sure the promos won't be as good, but maybe you can get Paul Heyman to help agent Cesaro, and get him to do some "Extreme Superstar" like promos where he blasts the WWE for not being able to realize what a sterling wrestler they continue to marginalize.

Nakamura vs. Cesaro is my dream match at the moment, it happening in front of an NXT audience, as annoying as they can get sometimes, would be absolutely tremendous. Cesaro winning the NXT Title before Nakamura makes his way to the main roster in time for WrestleMania would be absolutely gorgeous.

Cesaro is not going to be given the chance he wants on the main roster -- and it's arguable that he doesn't have the charisma to carry a brand. But NXT -- which is the wrestling brand -- is one that he would be more than fit to run. It'd give him the chance to look good with a belt, have stellar matches, work on his promo content, his delivery, grow into those big paws he has on the personality front (it's all there, it just hasn't come together yet). Plus, he'd always be the guy that first pinned Nakamura. That could be pretty special.

[Nicky Fives]

That will only make sense if he is still making "WWE money" while down in NXT.... If he has to take a pay cut, he'd likely be able to make much more in the Indies.....

[Fignuts]

The nxt graduates that have prospered were all immediately put into an interesting feud and angle upon their arrival on the main roster. It gave people a reason to care about them, on more than an in-ring performance level.

All tne flops just had a few matches with no point, or at the most a barebones, cliched feud, and it's no wonder they didn't catch on.

You don't need to change the formula. You just need to have these people make an actual impact on the program when they debut.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It might be what the main roster is missing affecting my thought processes. I feel very strongly that they could use DIY, The Revival, Asuka, Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, Sanity, Tye Dillinger and Austin Aries on their main roster tearing things up.

I'm curious to see how the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic goes. Something seems right about a Revival vs. DIY final, but are The Authors in the tournament? I could see them attacking the winners to get something started. I can see separate brackets of Revival vs. DIY and The Authors vs. TM61 leading to a DIY vs. Authors final or something too. I'd be more tempted to keep The Authors out of the tournament and have DIY, The Revival, TM61 and, fuck it, The Dudleys in the semi-final stages.

[Evil Vito]

Feel like this is the third or fourth time they've repackaged Sawyer Fulton. Hope it works out for him this go around, although that necklace tattoo he has is stupid.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CtiPPEeWYAE5Z8G.jpg:large
http://67.media.tumblr.com/2b6d22a0a1032ae0e7b07266382542b6/tumblr_n7mwawp4rL1ssbvp5o1_400.gif

[Bad News Gertner]

Pretty interested in Dan Matha.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Me too. It's just a weird hunch, but I'm expecting him to click it all together pretty well and have a nice little career for himself.

[Mr. Nerfect]

"They put the Japanese guys together" cynicism aside, I am actually pretty stoked about the Itami/Ibushi team. If they click well together, I'd be okay with them winning the entire tournament. They can't keep bringing in Ibushi to lose tournaments, can they?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

"They put the Japanese guys together" cynicism aside, I am actually pretty stoked about the Itami/Ibushi team. If they click well together, I'd be okay with them winning the entire tournament. They can't keep bringing in Ibushi to lose tournaments, can they?

Have them not make it to the final due to miscommunication and have Ibushi V Itami at the next Takeover.

Lawdy...

[Bad News Gertner]

Me too. It's just a weird hunch, but I'm expecting him to click it all together pretty well and have a nice little career for himself.

He kinda has a "Nathan Jones" look to him which is awesome. Hopefully he can somewhat work.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Imagine if Nathan Jones could have worked. Wow.