WWE:NXT Discussion Thread

[Mr. Nerfect]

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

Lawdy...

Actually, that gets me thinking -- where does Austin Aries fit into all this?

[XL]

12 of the 16 teams for the Dusty Rhodes Classic have now been announced.

NXT Tag Champions The Revival
Tye Dillinger & Bobby Roode
Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
The Authors of Pain
No Way Jose & Rich Swann
Hideo Itami & Kota Ibushi
HoHo Lun & Bin Wang
Niko Bogojevic & Tucker Knight
TM-61
The Bollywood Boyz
Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss
Andrade "Cien" Almas & Cedric Alexander

[Mr. Nerfect]

Jose & Swann, Bogojevic & Knight, Bollywood Boyz and Sabbatelli & Moss will hopefully be out in the first round. HoHo Lun and Bin Wang are probably going to suck, but I imagine they will get through. I'm curious to see how they book The Authors in this thing. A countout?

[Simple Fan]

4 spots open. Well I'm hoping the Addiction dropped the World ROH Tag Team Championships of the World so they could be in the Dusty Rhodes Classic but its wishful thinking. I imagine Aries will team with someone that Ibushi beat in the CWC. Wanted to see him and Roode but I'll give Roode and Dillenger a chance, could be a good team.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Good theory, but that'd mean it'd have to be Sean Maluta or Brian Kendrick. Something seems off about them. Maybe he gets a completely different partner?

[Simple Fan]

Maybe Roderick Strong could come in as Aries surprise partner. Aries could one up him by getting one of his old friends to tag with him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was thinking that, but it might seem like it'd be a quick jump for Strong to being an active character. But I suppose he is as ready as he's ever going to be, right?

[Simple Fan]

He's been ready ever since he left ROH in my opinion. I don't think the guy needs a name change either. They could be saving him to refill NXT after the next wave of call ups.

[Innovator]

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

[Innovator]

DIY v. Team Aries Finals?

[Mr. Nerfect]

First Round:

* TM61 beat Sabbatelli & Moss with Will-O-Wisp (I had to do some PokeResearch on that one).

* Aries & Strong beat Bogojevic & Knight, because fuck typing "Bogojevic" again.

* Itami & Ibushi beat Dorado & Ali when the Japanese shoot eye-lasers right through Dorado and make Ali explode.

* Sanity defeat Roode & Dillinger because Roode is too glorious to put his arms down and accept a tag from Dillinger.

* Authors of Pain defeat Bollywood Boyz when Harv and Gurv dance into each other, knocking themselves out.

* No Way Jose & Rich Swann prove too hot to handle when they melt part of the ring, and Gulak, being the ground-based technician he is, can't lift his feet and falls into the molten good.

* The Revival throw Almas & Alexander their belts, which prove to be too heavy, crashing Almas & Alexander through the ring and they are counted out.

* Gargano & Ciampa defeat Wang & Lun and they all hug for eight minutes and talk about how wonderful China is and how that was Bin Wang's first televised match and he will be a huge star. In China, a special announcement is played that Bin Wang & HoHo Lun have won the entire tournament because all the other teams have withdrawn out of fear.

Second First Round:

* TM61 get phone calls from Australia, which urges them to show everybody at ringside how they chose their name. Aries & Strong then throw Fosters cans out of the ring, which distracts the Australians long enough for them to get counted out.

* Sanity purposefully get themselves disqualified against Itami & Ibushi. "What is going on?!?" asks Graves & Phillips. It is because they cannot stand Christmas decorations being in the shops this early, and blames Japan for their advanced consumer culture.

* No Way Jose & Rich Swann try their "boogie down meltdown" technique again, but one of the Authors blocks the volcanic sink-hole, which leaves the other one to beat up Jose & Swann to win the match.

* DIY beat The Revival when they duck the belt throw by Revival, which hit strategically placed trampolines, bouncing the belts back into the faces of Dash & Dawson, knocking each out.

The First Second Second Round:

* Itami & Ibushi throw Fosters cans at Aries & Strong, reminding them that they wasted their beer earlier. Aries & Strong drink them down, but then being such small guys, get drunk and are easily beaten up with kicks and Chinese burns.

* The Authors of pain get a free pass to the Final First Round when DIY slip on strategically placed banana peels by The Revival, accompanied by their new pet chimp/manager, Cornetto.

The Second Second Round/Final First Round:

* The Authors of Pain win the entire tournament when Ibushi has still not signed his full-time contract, thus necessitating he be replaced by a cardboard cut-out of himself, which in turn is more over than The Authors of Pain.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nah, it'll probably be Aries/Strong vs. DIY in the finals. Either that or Aries/Strong and Ibushi/Itami go to a time limit draw, The Authors beat DIY after The Revival interferes, and at Takeover we get The Revival vs. DIY and Aries/Strong vs. Itami/Ibushi vs. The Authors of Pain. Or maybe it's just Aries/Strong vs. DIY and Itami/Ibushi team up with TM61 or something to face The Revival and Sanity in some sort of Survivor Series tribute.

[XL]

Interesting that they've announced the brackets including teams that haven't even debuted yet.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Can we have the show results in spoiler tags please? Don't need to know how it goes before we get to it.

[XL]

Seconded.

[Emperor Smeat]

Bracket for the 2nd Dusty Tag Classic:

http://i.imgur.com/T0OCkZO.jpg

[Emperor Smeat]

Is Patrick Clark's new character/gimmick supposed to be some sort of mashup between Prince and Hunter Hearst Helmsley?

[Simple Fan]

Is Patrick Clark's new character/gimmick supposed to be some sort of mashup between Prince and Hunter Hearst Helmsley?

Reminded me of Orlando Jordan. Why does he get to keep his name and all the other talent they signed from TE have already got new names. Could use a new name really, he's lile Ricky Bobby with two first names.

[Simple Fan]

Also Dan Matha looks like Dory from Finding Nemo in the face. So much for his big debut though. I'd like to see him have a match though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Predicting big things for Dan Matha. He might be my Percy Watson though.

[XL]

Predicting a gimmick where he's half reptilian. Have you seen the guys skin?

[Simple Fan]

Predicting a gimmick where he's half reptilian. Have you seen the guys skin?

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-zE10fI9dw-hAp1MM5cJswUTEbU0dfTjFV-vBAGhV5O4cchX-

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned Hideo Itami hurt his neck at a recent NXT live event and we’re told the injury will keep him from wrestling for months.

The injury occurred while taking a powerslam gone wrong during a tag match on October 1st where he teamed with Shinsuke Nakamura to take on Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli.

No word on his exact injury, but we’re told it’s related to his neck.

Itami recently returned from a shoulder injury that kept him out of action for over a year. He and Kota Ibushi were also just announced as a team in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic — which he more than likely won’t be able to participate in now.

Godammit. And fucking Noid still leaving those spoilers up.

[Emperor Smeat]

Feel really bad for Itami. Finally returns after a bunch of complications from his shoulder injury and could even get back his move set since Punk and Bryan are gone/retired only to shortly get put back on the shelf with a new injury.

[Frank Drebin]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-zE10fI9dw-hAp1MM5cJswUTEbU0dfTjFV-vBAGhV5O4cchX-

REPTAR!!!

[Simple Fan]

Reptar Matha does sound better than plain ole Dan.

[DaveWadding]

Watching Dan Matha get massacred by Soma Joe was a highlight of my day.

[Blonde Moment]

So piggy is back

[Emperor Smeat]

Spoilers for the next set of tv tapings:

October 19th Episode:
* The show opens with a look back at last week's Samoa Joe - Shinsuke Nakamura brawl

* Rich Swann and No Way Jose defeated Tony Nese and Drew Gulak in a first round Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic match. Great match. Swann took out Nese with a crazy dive to the floor and Jose hits his finisher on Gulak for the pin. After the match, Swann & Jose cut a promo saying The Authors of Pain shouldn't look past them, and lead the crowd in dueling "Can you handle this/No Way Jose" chants

* "The Glorious" Bobby Roode defeated Sean Maluta. Okay match, Roode is over huge. After the match, Roode cuts a promo saying he and Tye Dillinger have a match at "Takeover: Toronto." Roode runs down Tye and claims he begged Roode to be his partner. Dillinger runs down to attack, and they brawl. Tye clotheslines Roode out of the ring and sends him packing to huge 10 chants from the audience

* Backstage promo with Liv Morgan recapping her loss to Billie Kay with Peyton's distraction. Liv gets jumped and laid out by Billie and Peyton and they drag her to the stage and lay her out. Billie and Peyton say they are putting the women on notice and the division belongs to them

* Austin Aries and Roderick Strong defeated Tucker Knight and Otis Bogojevic in a first round Dusty Classic match. Surprisingly good for the contrast in styles and weights. Roderick got a huge pop for his debut. Team Aries picks up the win when Aries hits his spinning forearm allowing Strong to hit Death by Roderick and the Sick Kick for the win

* Nikki Cross squashes Danielle Kamella with SAnitY at ringside. Nikki jumps Danielle after the match until Eric Young pulls her away. Nikki slaps EY and goes after Danielle again. They announce the referee has reversed his decision and names Danielle the winner due to excessive violence

* NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura is out for a promo. He tells Samoa Joe if he wants his title at Takeover he will be him with no mercy. Patrick Clark interrupts to huge, huge heat. Patrick suggests him vs. Nakamura, the Patrick Clark Experience. Nakamura kills him. Samoa Joe runs out, but stops when Nakamura turns around, and retreats. Nakamura hits a Kinshasa on Patrick while the refs are helping him up


October 26th Episode:
* Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano defeated Tian Bing and HoHo Lun in a first round Dusty Classic match. Bin Wang is now Tian Bing. Decent match. Bing has potential but is still learning

* Aliyah defeated Billie Kay (w/Peyton Royce) with a roll up when Liv Morgan attacked Peyton, distracting Billie. Billie and Peyton attack Liv until Aliyah runs back in, but the heels still leave them laying

* RAW Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins and Kota Ibushi defeated Lince Dorado and Mustafa Ali in the final first round Dusty Classic match. Fantastic match, Ali taps to the kneebar. TJP and Kota dab together post-match. TJP was announced as the Cruiserweight Champion but didn't come out with his belt

* Tye Dillinger defeated Noah Potjes in a quick match with the TyeBreaker. After the match, Mike Rome interviews Tye on the ramp, but Bobby Roode jumps him and hits the Glorious Drop to Tye on the stage


November 2nd Episode:
* Ember Moon defeated Rachael Evers in a quick match with the O-Face

* Before DIY vs. The Revival starts, Scott Dawson comes out on crutches and says he's suffered a severe knee injury and that if he were a normal jamoke like DIY, he'd be crippled, but since he's who he is, he'll be fine. He wants to compete, but at the advice of his doctors, they're pulling out of the Dusty Classic. Dash says they're saving DIY from embarrassment and giving them a gift to the next round

* The Authors of Pain come out before Gargano & Ciampa can leave and attack them, but DIY clears the ring and Authors retreat

* "The Drifter" Elias Samson makes his return to thunderous heat. He sings a song on stage before his music hits and he makes his way to

* Samson defeated Nathan Cruz in a squash. Huge heat for The Drifter


November 9th Episode:
* Liv Morgan defeated Peyton Royce (w/Billie Kay) via DQ when Billie jumped Liv when Peyton was about to tap out to a front facelock. Aliyah runs down for the save, but she gets overpowered. Ember Moon's music hits and she makes the save. Ember and Liv hit stereo dropkicks to send Peyton and Billie running. The three faces celebrate in the ring

* We get a recap of Andrade "Cien" Almas' heel turn on Cedric Alexander. Andrade is back to the suspenders/fedora, but has pyro on the ramp now

[Mercenary]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLheh_zBK9o/

[Nicky Fives]

That spoiler is very interesting.... might have to do that for awhile with Asuka as champion, as none of the women on the roster seem to be ready yet, and I'm sure they don't want to blow Asuka/Ember too soon.....

[Mr. Nerfect]

Godammit. And fucking Noid still leaving those spoilers up.

Those weren't spoilers.

[Simple Fan]

Those weren't spoilers.

To be fair you made them look and sound like spoilers. Might want to give a Noid booking warning next time.

[Emperor Smeat]

Got around to watching this week's NXT episode and :n: for a bunch of hobos beating Glorious 10 in the Dusty tournament.

[Evil Vito]

I like Sanity.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Shoudda been Dirty Heels in the Tournament but I like the choice Aries made anyways.

[Evil Vito]

Aries and Strong is a good pairing. They go way back.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4203/2279/1600/ariesstrong.jpg

[Innovator]

Generation Next. All we need is Jack Evans and Alex Shelley

[thecc]

I would kill for jack and roddy teaming on nxt. Those old roh tags are still the shit

[Mr. Nerfect]

To be fair you made them look and sound like spoilers. Might want to give a Noid booking warning next time.

I'll take the compliment, but I think that says something about the sad state of affairs in WWE if you really believe those finishes...

[Mr. Nerfect]

Still want Sanity as a main roster faction. I worry that they will lose their edge by the time they think they are ready. Give them a shot and see if they click. If not, you can repackage them all later. I don't think the desired result you want out of these guys is going to come with carefully watering the flowers.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm also still pro a Roode/Aries/Strong/Storm faction. Roode's entrance alone makes him feel like a star, and he carries himself just as well as Triple H did as a heel. I think he'd be better in the Kevin Owens spot than Kevin Owens to be honest. I'm not a big fan of Owens, but I think he'd be more refreshing and enjoyable in the scorned babyface spot.

It would make sense for Roode to surround himself with allies to make himself invincible. Aries and Storm immediately come to mind, and Strong has the Aries link. Strong and Aries could bump around and make the babyfaces going after Roode look good, while Storm has the character work down (and Aries to an extent) and while they won't likely use the bottle, he can slip Roode foreign objects to help him win.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Given that I urgently want Nakamura on the main roster, but I think Joe can wait until Cena is done with Styles at WrestleMania, it would make sense to me if Joe wins the NXT Title back in the near future. I think Nakamura will remain champion, but I think if you have Joe win the title back at, say, Takeover Toronto, you can have their final match at Takeover San Antonio and then Nakamura can focus on something for WrestleMania.

Joe vs. Roode, in the confines of NXT, works better than Nakamura vs. Roode, on the simple basis that the crowd is not going to boo Roode down there. His entrance theme is too epic. You can run him as a pure heel main roster, I think, but he seems next in line for the main event down there, and if you space that out until around WrestleMania time, Roode being the hero we need is a story that makes sense.

[Mr. Nerfect]

For those who give a shit, my ideal "realistic" plan is for Nakamura to kick the shit out of Triple H at WrestleMania. You can run Zayn vs. Nakamura II another time. Nakamura beating Triple H makes him a big deal out the gate, and you know you have to give Triple H a big name opponent at Mania. The King of Kings vs. The King of Strong Style works.

Styles beats Cena to retain the World Title at WrestleMania. It's a clean finish, and hopefully one by submission. An official "This guy really is the man" moment. There could even be something resembling a handshake after the match.

Cena cuts a promo on SmackDown the next week about how he threw everything he had at Styles, and he didn't give up at WrestleMania because he is a coward, but because he respects the wrestler AJ Styles has proven himself to be. Cue Joe coming out -- Cena looking somewhat awe-struck (he knows Joe -- he knows this moment was coming) and Joe mauls Cena.

Cena vs. Joe and Styles vs. Nakamura for the World Title. Joe wins their first match by pinfall, but he still hasn't made Cena tap-out. Their second match sees him get the Clutch in, but Cena passes out instead of tapping. In their third match, Joe wins, but it's not by submission, because nuts to that, he'll win his own way. Styles vs. Nakamura is interrupted by Dean Ambrose with a Money in the Bank briefcase he has won the month previous. This would put us at the July exclusive for these two. Ambrose wins the belt from the man that beat him for it and turns heel in the process, regaining his throne as the "Kingpin" on SmackDown as a heel for the first time. Triple Threat between Styles, Ambrose and Nakamura at SummerSlam.

[The CyNick]

Why does Nakamura want to kill the guy who brought him to NXT and is positioned as a babyface to NXT talent? On top of that HHH already has a program brewing with Rollins. They had that booked for Mania last year, so if HHH is to work Mania, it's likely with Rollins. And even if they do Rollins v HHH prior to Mania (say Rumble), then you would want to put Hunter over someone at Mania to build him back up.

I would say it's more logical for Samoa Joe to lose to Nak one more time and then transition to one of the main rosters. I like the idea of a Roode stable, which would be a logical way to beat Nak next Mania weekend and then debut Nak on RAW or SD after that.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Can you handle this?

No way... Jose.

I kinda hope they stick around as a tag team a little longer.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I like the idea of a No Way Jose/Rich Swann tag team. Swann is talented in the ring, but could use something to temper him, and Jose is going to get better teaming with Swann.

[Dark One]

Can we all talk about how great Psycho Nikki Cross and Sanity is?

[ron the dial]

it's pretty fucking great

[Triple A]

"Patrick Clark" seems interesting

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5vItnjtsyG0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Emperor Smeat]

One of the new tag teams in the Dusty Classic has one guy (Otis Dozovic) who looks like a mix between a long lost Wyatt Family member and Bull Dempsey. The other guy (Tucker Knight) could probably pass off as Rusev's bro.

[Innovator]

I was digging Tucker Knight

[Mr. Nerfect]

Curious to see Nikki Cross.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Curious to see Nikki Cross.

Latest episode has her in ring debut.

[mike adamle]

He doesn't wanna watch that, he just wants to comment on how shitty it is.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Latest episode has her in ring debut.

Awesome. I'll check it out. :y:

[Mr. Nerfect]

He doesn't wanna watch that, he just wants to comment on how shitty it is.

No, I don't want to watch television shows where the big news is that a jobber beat the World Champion. That's a completely different thing.

[mike adamle]

That would be SmackDown!, not NXT...

[Nicky Fives]

it's pretty fucking great

Could have gotten over better if Nikki didn't have a match with her own gear when she attempted to reveal her identity....

[Mr. Nerfect]

That would be SmackDown!, not NXT...

Yeah, exactly. :wtf:

[mike adamle]

This is the NXT thread....

[Mr. Nerfect]

So why bring up the SmackDown thread? :wtf:

[mike adamle]

Because you said you didn't want to watch a jobber challenge for the world title. That happened on SmackDown!. This is the NXT thread. I know it's hard, but try to follow along.

[Mr. Nerfect]

He doesn't wanna watch that, he just wants to comment on how shitty it is.

:roll:

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Goddamn, Mickie James was looking great in her video message.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to the Observer, Nakamura is staying on NXT for a long time since WWE wants him to become the new Finn Balor for the brand in terms of mega star appeal.

Right now there are no plans for bringing Nakamura to the main roster. At least for now, he’s pegged to be the flagship star of the NXT brand.

[Frank Drebin]

I get it. However, if true, this is an example of wwe not striking while the iron is hot. I'm not saying he needs to be called up right now, but why not for the road to WM? Are you really going to put NXT, a brand meant for developing talent, ahead of the needs of the main roster?

I'm sure another Goldberg/Lesnar match at WM will be better for the long term of the company than Nakamura vs. Anyone.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Mickie James had something. I'm glad to see her back. :y:

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not so glad about the Nakamura news. The guy is golden and should be used to promote the WWE as much as possible. I can understand branding NXT as your niche wrestling product and using a guy with Nakamura's nerd rep to try and sell that, but the NXT brand sells itself with that vibe right now anyway.

I'd actually put Joe over Nakamura in Toronto (Nakamura's neck can play up) and get ready for a Nakamura call-up to the main roster in time to make a grand entrance at WrestleMania.

[Nicky Fives]

Not so glad about the Nakamura news. The guy is golden and should be used to promote the WWE as much as possible. I can understand branding NXT as your niche wrestling product and using a guy with Nakamura's nerd rep to try and sell that, but the NXT brand sells itself with that vibe right now anyway.

I'd actually put Joe over Nakamura in Toronto (Nakamura's neck can play up) and get ready for a Nakamura call-up to the main roster in time to make a grand entrance at WrestleMania.

Nakamura's fan base is majority of the smart fans. Little kids who cheer Cena/Reigns aren't gonna know who he is, not will they care about someone they cannot understand when he speaks. Keep him in NXT for another year and have him as the face of the brand. Seems more valuable to NXT than if he were on the main roster....

[Mr. Nerfect]

That's why you explain who he is and let his natural charisma get him over after he kicks someone who matters in the head.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic spoilers:

The semi-finals are TM61 vs. Sanity and The Authors of Pain vs. DIY.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I'd rather keep Nakamura on NXT until Vince retires. Lest he be put with some dumbass gimmick.

[Evil Vito]

Feel like TM61 are proof that not even Full Sail goes totally apeshit over EVERY relatively well known indy wrestler that comes in. They've been given no real gimmick other than "hey these guys are good wrestlers and worked in the indies, here you go!"

Nothing bad about their matches at all, but they just feel boringly competent with nothing else to go off of.

[Evil Vito]

Maybe they'll eventually do an angle where they're fucking Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. In fact, they should probably do that in real life if possible.

[Emperor Smeat]

Feel like TM61 are proof that not even Full Sail goes totally apeshit over EVERY relatively well known indy wrestler that comes in. They've been given no real gimmick other than "hey these guys are good wrestlers and worked in the indies, here you go!"

Nothing bad about their matches at all, but they just feel boringly competent with nothing else to go off of.

They did the same with Andrade "Cien" Almas although didn't help how badly NXT botched his debut. Had the double whammy of dumb looking entrance gear and going against Tye Dillinger who the crowd cared for a lot more.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Maybe they'll eventually do an angle where they're fucking Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. In fact, they should probably do that in real life if possible.

Sorry, looks like Jericho is going to hold them down.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cv9KzbGVYAQp6If.jpg

[KIRA]

That's why you explain who he is and let his natural charisma get him over after he kicks someone who matters in the head.

aka My entire vision for Asuka (and put them both on SD)

[Mr. Nerfect]

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are amazing. If there was a set of Women's Tag Titles, they should hold them forever.

[Mr. Nerfect]

aka My entire vision for Asuka (and put them both on SD)

I want to see Asuka do double duty WrestleMania weekend. She defends the NXT Women's Championship at Takeover Mania against Ember Moon, where she takes her first loss; but also heading into the show, she is brought in by the heel alliance of Emma, Dana Brooke, Natalya & Nia Jax to be their secret weapon for a tag match against the Four Horsewomen at Mania 33. Dana Brooke stays at ringside as the troubleshooter. So it's Emmalina, Nia Jax, Natalya & Asuka vs. Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley & Becky Lynch.

Mickie James wins the SmackDown Women's Title from Nikki Bella elsewhere on the show -- fueled partially off Nikki rubbing in that she's got the belt and the boyfriend. Mickie then drops the title to Becky Lynch in the first-ever Women's Ladder Match on the WWE's main stage, and Becky then loses it to Asuka, trains for her rematch, wins some sort of Women's Rumble at the Royal Rumble '18 and challenges Asuka for the belt at WrestleMania XXXIV. BECKY BALBOA, BABY!!!

[KIRA]

I want to see Asuka do double duty WrestleMania weekend. She defends the NXT Women's Championship at Takeover Mania against Ember Moon, where she takes her first loss; but also heading into the show, she is brought in by the heel alliance of Emma, Dana Brooke, Natalya & Nia Jax to be their secret weapon for a tag match against the Four Horsewomen at Mania 33. Dana Brooke stays at ringside as the troubleshooter. So it's Emmalina, Nia Jax, Natalya & Asuka vs. Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley & Becky Lynch.

Mickie James wins the SmackDown Women's Title from Nikki Bella elsewhere on the show -- fueled partially off Nikki rubbing in that she's got the belt and the boyfriend. Mickie then drops the title to Becky Lynch in the first-ever Women's Ladder Match on the WWE's main stage, and Becky then loses it to Asuka, trains for her rematch, wins some sort of Women's Rumble at the Royal Rumble '18 and challenges Asuka for the belt at WrestleMania XXXIV. BECKY BALBOA, BABY!!!

I like all of it except for Asuka I dunno if I'd make her a clear cut heel (Granted NXT and main roster are different) But her character on NXT doesn't seem to really have an alligence she's just competitive and frightning. I kinda like her to keep that. No woman's head goes unkicked

[XL]

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are amazing. If there was a set of Women's Tag Titles, they should hold them forever.

I was thinking the other day about how they'd be a pretty great bolster to the SDL Women's roster. Could build to a tag match against The Bellas...y'know, if Brie wasn't pregnant.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Brie is not just preggo. She's retired.

[XL]

Not too much of a stretch to think that with her sister, and husband back on the road she could be tempted into a programme.

[mike adamle]

They should do a program where Rollins curb stomps a pregnant Brie in the gut to lure Bryan out of retirement

[Mr. Nerfect]

I like all of it except for Asuka I dunno if I'd make her a clear cut heel (Granted NXT and main roster are different) But her character on NXT doesn't seem to really have an alligence she's just competitive and frightning. I kinda like her to keep that. No woman's head goes unkicked

Oh, that's sorta what I had in mind. She's brought in, but stands outside the other girls. They sort of hide behind and shit. She's just there because she won't turn down the opportunity to fight at WrestleMania, but she has no part of the heel shenanigans.

After the Horsewomen win the match, the heels can get pissy after the match and launch a bit of a beat-down on the "face" girls (I wouldn't double-down on face Charlotte -- she'd mainly be the lesser evil joining up with them for a bit), but Asuka can break it up because she's got honor and shit.

[Evil Vito]

Aries out until 2017 with a fractured orbital bone.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Damn, I was surprised at how much offense Rich Swann and No Way Jose got in against the Authors of Pain. Especially Swann. Didn't get them off their feet, but his shots were sold.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The tournament has been somewhat of a letdown this year. Too many injuries substitutions and strange tournament bracket arrangement. DIY and Revival should have been the finals.

Also, I think they could have waited a little longer for this. They just did a huge tournament. Comparing the two is unfair but they brought it on themselves doing it so soon after the CWC.

[Evil Vito]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Vi6ab2uHYU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Anybody Thrilla]

Ember Moon v. Asuka is gonna be the shit when it finally does happen.

[Emperor Smeat]

The two tables was a nice twist on the typical WWE style for contract segments.

Made Joe look like a bigger douchebag and Nakamura's hatred of Joe grow even more.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Yeah, I thought Joe did well in that segment. Still not really sure what Nakamura has against security guards, though.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

To protect Joe?

[Anybody Thrilla]

He didn't even motion towards Joe. He just started beating up security. Kinda heelish, I thought.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Yeah, I thought Joe did well in that segment. Still not really sure what Nakamura has against security guards, though.

He Kinshash'ed one of them in a brawl when he returned to NXT. He just doesn't like how they are keeping him away from Joe.

Also making Joe look like a pussy.

[Mr. Nerfect]

He's probably just selling how pissed off and dangerous he is. A heel turn for Nakamura would not make any sense at this point in time.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Joe isn't looking like a pussy. He's looking like a heel.

Also, I wasn't suggesting that Nakamura was turning heel. He just came off heelish in those segments. To me.

[Anybody Thrilla]

It makes sense from Joe's perspective, really. Nakamura being an enigma that no one has been able to figure out...and Joe realizing that he's a hot head. He's playing it well to throw him off his game.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Joe isn't looking like a pussy. He's looking like a heel.

Also, I wasn't suggesting that Nakamura was turning heel. He just came off heelish in those segments. To me.

I wasn't suggesting that you were, I was just providing an explanation for why Nakamura would do that. He's just pissed, I imagine. And Joe is a wonderful heel getting under Nakamura's skin. They might be selling that by showing Nakamura getting upset.

[Nicky Fives]

I'm thinking Nakamura's temper may get him DQ'd at Takeover to continue the feud....Not sure there are any credible contenders for either should they win.... other than maybe Roode for Nakamura....Should Joe win, I think they'd have to do a battle royal/tournament to crown a #1 contender....

[Lock Jaw]

Just caught up on like two months of NXT in time for tomorrow...... not that I will be able to watch Takeover anyways, since I will be at work.

I skipped a lot of matches, like the squash matches and whatnot..... but watched a lot...

- I love Sanity..... they seem good.....
- I am still very indifferent to TM61..... still seem very "generic", but at least they are wearing tights with colours now instead of just black. Adds some semblance of trying not to be generic. Just seems like there is "no reason to like them" other than we are told "they are good".
- Not a fan of Roderick Strong, hopefully he can turn me around..... I don't have much experience seeing him. Saw him in TNA ages ago in a team with Austin Aries and thought both were so generic at the time......... Have seen more of Aries since then and he has turned me around, but have not seen Strong since then, but so far he seems generic......
- I like the Authors of Pain, seem like good "monsters" and have a lot of power behind them. I think Ellering needs to talk more and really put them over as much as Heyman does for Lesnar. Tokka and Rahzar could have a bright future as a team.
- Overall, the whole tournament doesn't feel "as big" as last year.... A lot of the teams were "makeshift" (and some even debuting) and a lot of injuries (uncontrollable), and Revival forfeiting is dumb....

- Impressed with Aliyah kinda, want to see more of her..... Liv Morgan improving, but still don't get into her character..... Think these two both need "more character" if they are to be part of the future of the division.....
- Billie Kay and Peyton Royce seem good..... Billie Kay seems a bit awkward, and I loved her first theme (the classical opera or whatever) more than her current one......

- I like Cien Almas as a heel.... seemed to play the role good in that match this past week.... also made him ten times more interesting.....

[DaveWadding]

NOOPH IS POOPH

[Lock Jaw]

So, Joe vs. Nakamura rematch in two weeks in Japan..... did they take the belt off Nakamura just so they could put it back on him in Japan?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Jose and Swann tag team still rolling it looks like. Yay!

http://68.media.tumblr.com/17eea1e4075c21748d2116cae5976bb2/tumblr_oh4gn797co1u1ljrzo1_500.gif

[Mr. Nerfect]

No Way Jose has star potential. It's a good way to help him get his feet wet.

[The CyNick]

So, Joe vs. Nakamura rematch in two weeks in Japan..... did they take the belt off Nakamura just so they could put it back on him in Japan?

Its an important market for them

[Lock Jaw]

I :heart: Nikki Cross for some reason..... I hope she is actually decent in the ring.....

[RP]

Samoa Fat

[Lock Jaw]

Tye Skinny

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Why is Eric Young dressing like Tatanka?

[Emperor Smeat]

Authors of Pain ended up being a bit wreckless during a tag match from yesterday's tapings. Did their double powerbomb spot but instead of having the second guy land in the middle of the first guy, second guy landed right on the head of the first guy causing him to convulse a bit.

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/1130/619857/match-stopped-at-wwe-nxt-tapings-after-enhancement-talent-takes/

[Mr. Nerfect]

Catching up on some post-Takeover NXT. Nikki Cross is adorably scrappy. Eric Young's gimmick is perfect for him. He's like an anarchist that believes in survival at any cost. If they presented him right, he could lose as many times as they wanted and he could bounce back more dangerous each time.

No Way Jose is a star waiting to happen. Some of the star-like qualities of a Samoa Joe or Nakamura might be lost on the main roster if Vince and Kevin Dunn hack them to shit, but Jose is a star within the WWE paradigm. He doesn't do anything specifically "non-WWE" to get over. He's cheesy and goofy, but he's found a way to make the silliness strong. He'll do really well.

Kona Reeves has a striking look too. Big dude. Not as chiseled as, say, The Rock, but he had a good natural presence.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Daria Berenato has a long way to go, but she has a great look and can throw punches. Her showmanship could use a little polish, but that just comes with experience. Billie Kay is gorgeous, but Peyton Royce impresses me more in the ring these days. Kay looked...off. I dunno what it was. Royce is gorgeous, but in this annoyingly human way. It's the same with both of them really. Glad they're signed.

Aliyah looked good. Ember Moon is what Naomi wishes she was in the ring, but her personality is just...there. Asuka seems to be in a good grove and Nicole Matthews had a great showing for what it was, I thought. She looks a bit "normal" for what they look for in a Diva, but I'm sure they'll put her through the production machine and come out with a gimmick that essentuates her positives.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Just a thought I had. I've always figured that Tye Dillinger will get an NXT Championship run at some point. He seems to have too good a rep and is too good at helping guys out in the ring and get over. Since his act has gained traction, I've just always figured that he'd get the big build-up to a feel good moment, even if he doesn't hold the belt for long and never becomes a true main eventer in the WWE.

I wonder if that reign might be coming sooner than we thought?

[Emperor Smeat]

Probably not since they started the farewell teases with Dillinger. Considering he's been rumored to be getting called up ever since the Draft, wouldn't be surprised if he was one of the mystery entrants for next year's Rumble or shortly left the brand after the next Takeover event.

He pretty much replaced Tyler Breeze's role on NXT in regards to building other stars and becoming a big crowd favorite on the way.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That's why I think he might be staying down. He's the guy that works well with the newer guys and can help them all get some shine. There's a lot of stories that could be told with him that haven't been.

I expect to see Dillinger in the Royal Rumble. As opposed to being #10, I think they'll have some guy they want to get lots of heat get that number, only for Dillinger to come in #11 and have a bit of a moment before getting tossed out. Joe and Nakamura are much more valuable to the main roster at this point.

[RP]

GLORIOUS!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh yeah, and that guy.

[XL]

Dillinger is a really odd case. I hadn't realised he was with WWE in 2006 (or that he was Stan, the employee that HBK SCM'd at Cyber Sunday that year), spending time in OVW, FCW, and a short run on WWECW before being released in 2009.

They must have seen something in him to bring him back for the NXT launch in 2013, but three years later (and finally with a marketable gimmick) he's still there.

I think he's got a decent run on the main roster somewhere in the midcard but there's probably a lot to be said about that comparison to Breeze - a guy that failed to make a mark on Raw/SmackDown.

[Evil Vito]

The thing is, if Dillinger ends up never being a huge star on the main roster it really doesn't matter. Every roster needs midcarders to help flesh things out. I can see him being a solid hand to plug in for a while.

Part of WWE's problem is they never release guys anymore so you wind up with the same guys floating in purgatory for ages. Take Jack Swagger who you can't even call a midcarder at this point as he's seldom used. Yet he's still there and a former World Heavyweight Champion. I never want to see somebody lose their job but I feel like it would be best for him to leave, go to Japan for a bit, and then return later on to possibly be an asset later.

[XL]

There's no issue being a perennial midcard threat...they're just a thing WWE don't do very well. Presuming TD can maintain the overness of his gimmick he could be a "good hand" for many years.

As for Swagger, he should go to NXT.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If the WWE had a Japanese territory, I'd want to see Jack Swagger there decked out in pro-American gear. Dude could be a super-evil American gaijin. And yes, he should be one of those guys that gets used in NXT, and he could be a guy they move the NXT Title onto when they want to move a guy like Nakamura or Joe to the main roster, where they could be fresh and attract some eyeballs. A Swagger vs. Cesaro feud could be really cool in NXT. Well, Cesaro has something to do now, but you get my point.

They could move Corey Graves up to the main roster and had Tyson Kidd been the color commentator for NXT at this point in time and gush over what a great friend Cesaro is letting him get injured. The Cesaro/Swagger with Kidd on commentary era for NXT.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

NXT Japan spoiler as I don't know if they'll show it

Nakamura won the belt back

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cyv_wm-UcAAqBzA.jpg

[Volare]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3NtH60-0G0w?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Odd. Is winning a title in Japan bigger than retaining? Also staying undefeated.

[Lock Jaw]

I meant to stay away from spoilers, because I hear they did tape it for the show, but I went to WWE.com absentmindedly....... oh well. I bet they tell us the result of the match on the show before showing the match anyways.

I would say winning the title in Japan is a bigger deal than retaining/remaining undefeated. @STD

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Nakamura is going to defend the title in Australia INSIDE A STEEL CAGE

[Emperor Smeat]

Probably the only way to prevent two of Australia's most dangerous things, dastardly kangaroos and prison hardened spiders, from interfering in the match. :shifty:

[RP]

So Nakamura beat Joe for the title. Cool

[Mr. Nerfect]

I guess they are trying to create a Rock/Triple H dynamic with the NXT Title, but I'd rather have just seen Nakamura retain and continue being the man.

[Evil Vito]

I feel like they were just trying to throw people off the scent of Joe debuting in the Rumble.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Eh, that's a bit silly. Why book around that sort of shit? Plus, now Joe doesn't have the belt, so people are going to speculate anyway. Joe will always be debuting sometime this week in people's brains.

[Innovator]

Joe still needs his huge entrance with an entire tuba section

[Nicky Fives]

Seems like a huge Japanese star winning the belt in Japan would be better than a huge Japanese star retaining in Japan.... Even if there are no plans for either to debut, or plans for both to debut, it makes sense to me. Have the super-over hometown guy win the belt in a big match....

[Juan]

Seems like a huge Japanese star winning the belt in Japan would be better than a huge Japanese star retaining in Japan.... Even if there are no plans for either to debut, or plans for both to debut, it makes sense to me. Have the super-over hometown guy win the belt in a big match....

This is most likely, but speculation always runs wild when someone in NXT loses a title

[Mr. Nerfect]

I honestly think it would have been better to just keep the belt on Nakamura. He could have defended it at Takeover with the Bret Hart/Roddy Pipper spot or something, and then have Joe vow to take it from him in Osaka. Nakamura retains there more decisively.

[Nicky Fives]

I hate when someone has to drop the title on the way out. Always too predictable. It would be so much better if Nakamura or Joe shows up at Rumble with belt, raises it during his entrance, then simply drops it and takes off to enter the rumble.

Then Regal can cut a promo to open the next NXT show and create a tournament/battle royal/clusterfuck multi-man match to determine the new champion

[Evil Vito]

I hate when someone has to drop the title on the way out. Always too predictable.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vBiGXrDCKw4/maxresdefault.jpg

[RP]

I like this little tart ring announcer for NXT

[RP]

Was DIY suppose to talk on the mics there? lol

[Emperor Smeat]

Sanity ended up falling victim to Papa Shango's Curse:

As noted earlier, a storyline began on this week's WWE NXT where it appeared Big Damo is joining Sanity with Sawyer Fulton leaving the group. Sawyer was not there but Damo helped Alexander Wolfe and Eric Young win their match, and Young tossed Sawyer's jacket out of the ring.

Fulton hasn't been around lately because of an unknown injury, related to the shoulder or biceps, that will keep him out of action for several months, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

It appears Fulton last wrestled at the November 17th NXT live event in Boston as he teamed with Wolfe and Young to lose to TM-61 and No Way Jose. Fulton did appear at ringside for the November 22nd NXT tapings in Ottawa but he did not wrestle.
Used spoiler tags in case anyone hasn't seen this week's episode yet.

[Innovator]

NXT Melbourne spoiler



Nakamura was about to leave the cage, turned around and KINSHASA'D Joe 3 times to win.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I hate when someone has to drop the title on the way out. Always too predictable. It would be so much better if Nakamura or Joe shows up at Rumble with belt, raises it during his entrance, then simply drops it and takes off to enter the rumble.

Then Regal can cut a promo to open the next NXT show and create a tournament/battle royal/clusterfuck multi-man match to determine the new champion

I wouldn't mind it if they had kept Nakamura undefeated before calling him up. I don't mind Joe dropping the belt to Nakamura, Owens dropping it to Balor, Zayn dropping it to Owens, Neville dropping it to Zayn, etc. It's good business to keep your lineages intact, but Paige forfeiting the Women's Championship and that belt was fine. You just need to be selective about when you do it. I still think that Cesaro was the best choice to beat Nakamura for it. He's done some upper mid-card stuff on the main roster, he's guaranteed to be over with the NXT crowd, it helps Nakamura and it sets up future stuff with Cesaro when they decide to reintroduce him with a new presentation.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm really looking forward to the debut of Tommy End. He's got a great look. He's about the same size as Daniel Bryan, from the sounds of it, but he looks vicious.

[A.J.K]

Hey Noid, do you think Ember Moon will be the next NXT women's Champion or should that go to Billie Kay?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I prefer Peyton Royce, but I do think that Ember Moon will be the one to beat Asuka at WrestleMania weekend.

[XL]

I'd probably bring Royce and Kay up to the main roster before they get chance to win the belt, and align them with Emmalina or Eva Marie, SDL has the least depth so probably the latter.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think those girls are SmackDown ready, definitely.

[Mr. Nerfect]

What do you guys think the Takeover Mania card is going to look like? It seems that a lot of the "Mania" programs are being blown off at the San Antonio card. Are they just going to pedal through them and leave some doubt as to who the better people are in order for rematches at the Mania show?

The one I'm fairly confident in is Asuka vs. Ember Moon. That's been the Women's Title match coming down the pipeline for a long time now. Nakamura seems a likely candidate for the NXT Title match too. His opponent if fairly unclear to me though. Is it too simple to predict him vs. Bobby Roode? That seems logical, I suppose. A SAnitY six-man against some babyfaces like No Way Jose, Tye Dillinger and maybe Roderick Strong seems likely. Maybe they use Rich Swann in one of those spots and have Tye Dillinger face Elias Samson or something -- just because the heat for that would be tremendous.

The big program I am hoping for is Samoa Joe vs. Kassius Ohno. When Joe is eventually told he isn't getting any more title shots, I can see him taking it out on William Regal. Kassius Ohno then comes back to avenge Regal. Remember that the last time we saw Ohno, he had just finished a rivalry with William Regal that made him more humble and grounded. It would make sense for Ohno to offer himself up as the man to try and stop the rampage Joe is on. The battle between these two more hefty competitors would certainly be intringuing from an in-ring standpoint. This would be a nice farewell for Joe before he heads up to the main roster, and would set up Ohno as "The Heart and Soul of NXT" and put him in line for a future NXT Title shot.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Latest round of spoilers:

Dark Match: Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford defeated Adrian Jaoude & Cezar Bononi.

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––



January 11th Episode:

* We see video from earlier today with Billie Kay and Peyton Royce attacking NXT Women’s Champion Asuka as she arrived to Full Sail.

* Billie Kay and Peyton Royce defeated Sarah Bridges (Crazy Mary Dobson) & Macey Estrella. Sarah gets a big pop during a babyface comeback but Peyton distracts the ref after breaking up a pin, resulting in Billie raking the eyes and driving Sarah into Peyton’s knee for the win. After the match, Billie and Peyton call out Asuka. Asuka runs out but gets double teamed. Nikki Cross runs out for the save to a big pop and clears the ring. Asuka charges at the Aussies but Nikki nails her with a dropkick off the top rope and stands over her. Asuka flips out and fights of the refs after Nikki leaves.

* Elias Samson defeated Johnathan Cruz. Cruz gets a series of quick roll ups for 1 counts but then The Drifter just kills him. Quick squash.

* Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated Oney Lorcan in a good match. Oney got a lot of offense in. Oney hit his neck breaker finisher off the ring steps early in the match. Andrade feigns an injury and while the ref is holding Oney back, blindsides him and hits his finisher for the win. After the match, Dasha Fuentes asks Andrade what 2017 holds for him and he cuts an angry promo in Spanish

* NXT Tag Team Champions Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa retain over The Revival. Fantastic match, went about 15 minutes. DIY gets the win by hitting the knee/kick combo on both Dash and Dawson for the pin. After the match, The Authors of Pain attack from behind and lay out DIY.

January 18th Episode:

* Nikki Cross defeated enhancement talent Kennadi Brink in a quick squash. Sanity was at ringside.

* Roderick Strong defeated Steve Cutler. Strong debuted a new theme song and won with the Sick Kick. After the match, Dasha Fuentes asks Roddy about Andrade “Cien” Almas saying he’s coming for him last week. Roddy cuts her off and says he doesn’t care about what Andrade said, he’s here for one thing – the NXT Title.

* Tye Dillinger comes out for a promo. Dillinger says he isn’t sure if he still belongs here. Sanity interrupts. Eric Young says Tye needs the right friends and offers him Sawyer Fulton’s jacket. Tye refuses but EY tries to speak reason to him. EY tells Tye he’s not asking. Tye drops the jacket and throws the “10 hands” in his face and starts a brawl. Tye fends off Sanity until Big Damo comes out of the crowd and lays out Tye. Eric offers Damo the jacket and he accepts. Sanity poses over Tye before leaving.

* Ember Moon defeated Liv Morgan. Fun match, they slapped hands in respect to start. Ember throws Liv outside the ring and hits a big kick before rolling her back in to hit the Eclipse for the win. They shake hands after the match.

January 25th Episode:

* NXT General Manager William Regal is out for contract signing. He introduces Bobby Roode and NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. Roode says he’s followed Nakamura’s career in Japan, and that he’s been offered the chance to “fly to the orient and and face you” over the years, but he never felt Nakamura was worth his time. Roode discusses Dallas and says he remembers the most from that night is that Nakamura has a catchy theme song and he catches himself humming it at home. Roode says Shinsuke calls himself the King of Strong Style, but says he has no style and insults his appearance & moves.

Nakamura says he knew his and Bobby-san’s paths would cross and says Roode looks like a Shiba Inu. Roode insults Japan and says Nakamura is in the ring with the biggest star on god’s green earth. He runs down the cost of his outfit and calls Nakamura a joke. Roode says he is going to silence the fans and take the NXT Title. Roode signs the contract, and says that when he wins it will be glo – Nakamura puts his hand in his face and says he looks great and is one of the best, but he’s not taking his title. Nakamura signs and says in San Antonio, he’s going to kick his head off, and it will be glorious. Nakamura mocks Roode’s pose as they face off to end the segment.

* Aliyah defeated Mandy Rose. This was a sloppy match, won by Aliyah with a unique submission move.

* No Way Jose defeated Kona Reeves. Fun little match that saw Jose win with the pop-up punch. After the match, Dasha Fuentes tries to interview Jose but Elias Samson interrupts with a song. Jose cuts him off and says he sucks and has a new song for him, “Just Drift Away” to the beat of Jose’s theme. The Drifter charges the ring but Jose decks him and sends him running.

* Eric Young defeated Chris Atkins. Young won with the wheelbarrow spike. After the match, EY starts screaming “choices,” and says that at “Takeover: San Antonio,” Dillinger made his choice, and it’s the wrong one. Big Damo then kills Atkins with a running senton.

* TM-61 defeated The Revival. Quick match, Nick Miller gets the roll up for the pin. As soon as the bell rings, The Revival just kills TM61, hitting Nick with the Shatter Machine & Thorne with the knee attack that “injured” Big Cass a while back. Referees run off The Revival while they talk about being the best tag team ever, as doctors check on Thorne. Thorne is carried out by the doctors, and his knee was wrapped, so this may be a way to cover an injury in storyline.

* NXT General Manager William Regal is out with Dasha Fuentes in the ring. He announces Asuka vs. Peyton Royce vs. Billie Kay vs. Nikki Cross is the Women’s Title match for Takeover, and against his better judgment, he wants to hear from all four ladies, who have assured him this won’t break down. Sasha introduces Peyton and Billie. Peyton tells Dasha they’ve got it from here. They run down Nikki and Asuka and say one of them will leave as champion. Dasha introduces Nikki. Nikki gets in the ring and acts all crazy. Dasha introduces Asuka, who charges the ring with no music. Asuka passes Nikki and runs The Aussies out of the ring. Nikki and Asuka go nose to nose but Regal tries to separate them. The Aussies attack from behind but get taken out. Before Asuka and Nikki can square off, security charges the ring. Nikki and Asuka take them all out with kicks and punches, then Asuka lays Nikki out with a spin kick. Security pulls Asuka from the ring but Nikki dives off the top rope and takes them out. Regal looks on upset as the Aussies are horrified.

* NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and Tajiri defeated Bobby Roode and Samoa Joe. Really fun match, Nakamura hit the Kinshasa on Joe for the win. After the match, Nakamura celebrates until Kassius Ohno’s music hits. Ohno makes his return and comes out in a suit. He starts to take his jacket of, but instead makes an elbow and elbows the NXT Title on Nakamura’s shoulder, then leaves.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The biggest news being:

Kassius Ohno is back, and it kind of looks like he might be Nakamura's WrestleMania weekend opponent if he makes it through Roode (and frankly, I think he will).

It seems like seeds have been sown for matches between Andrade Almas and Roderick Strong, No Way Jose and Elias Samson and The Revival and TM61 -- provided the Shane Thorne injury isn't legit. Once TM61 are done and Roode has failed to win the NXT Title, I wonder if it is the main roster for them?

[Evil Vito]

Pic of returning wrestler from NXT house show:

https://i.imgur.com/YDNujxK.jpg

jesus. There's no doubt the man can go in the ring but I'm legit stunned WWE aren't requiring him to wear a singlet or something.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Good grief he's a fucking fat

[Blonde Moment]

Training/enhancement?
Might make more as a jobber in nxt than in indies....

[XL]

Bull Dempsey?

[KIRA]

Pic of returning wrestler from NXT house show:

https://i.imgur.com/YDNujxK.jpg

jesus. There's no doubt the man can go in the ring but I'm legit stunned WWE aren't requiring him to wear a singlet or something.

....Y'know I'm cool with his love handles, for some people its just harder to get rid of he's still awesome. Besides they were willing enough to let Albert run around shirtless for years and recently Big Damo's hairy back and shoulders.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I love that Hero just embraces it now. I like that more than a dude who comes off as a kid too afraid to take of his shirt to jump in the pool. The dude doesn't blow up and the look makes him unique. I wouldn't say he's as "threatening" as Samoa Joe, but he's just a dude who doesn't give a shit and will fuck you up.

I don't think the plan is to use him as either a jobber or a main roster guy. I think he'll get an NXT Title run and be "Mr. NXT" for a while. He might be one of the first guys signed where it was made explicit "this is what we want you to do." He's been credited in the past as being one of the most helpful guys to work with younger wrestlers. You need guys like that.

That being said, I wouldn't be opposed to him getting a shot on the main roster. A tag team run with Cesaro is always going to be welcome.

[XL]

The aesthetic of Hero next to Cesaro is something I can't quite come to terms with right now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ha, I do understand what you mean.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Tommy End has received his new NXT name. He'll be going by "Alistair Black" or some spelling variant. I'm not sure how I feel about Alistair as a wrestler's first name.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Big Damo has been renamed Killian Dain

[Evil Vito]

I thought WWE was past the point of giving indy wrestlers stupid names.

[Innovator]

I'm sure ready to bounce my grandkids on my leg telling them about how the name Damo isn't as ridiculous as Killian Dain

[Mr. Nerfect]

I thought WWE was past the point of giving indy wrestlers stupid names.

Damo needed a change. He needed to drop the "Big" anyway. You've got Big Show, Big E and Big Cass. There are too many "Big's" as it is.

[Evil Vito]

Could've made for a Fatal Four Way match on some Raw PPV for the right to the Big name.

[Evil Vito]

Big E just simply being "E" would be oddly amazing.

[Simple Fan]

Alistair and Killian really? Poor guys.

[KIRA]

Tommy End has received his new NXT name. He'll be going by "Alistair Black" or some spelling variant. I'm not sure how I feel about Alistair as a wrestler's first name.

Alister Black,the fact that that is exactly the pseudonym I once scribbld into my notebook in 8th grade should tell us all something about the WWE naming system.

[DaveWadding]

Good episode of NXT so far.

[XL]

Why is this 6-man not on the Takeover card?

[Lock Jaw]

It might be an 8 person one now.

Thought this was a strong episode. Enjoyed Oney Lorcan and Cien match, as well as Asuka committing murder in the ring.....

[XL]

Yes. Having watched the rest of the episode, suspected it'd end in a melee.

Looks like a pretty decent card...

NXT Championship: Bobby Roode (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

NXT Women's Championship: Asuka (c) vs. Ember Moon

NXT Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match: AOP (c) vs. DIY vs. Revival

Singles Match: Andre "Cien" Almas vs. Alistair Black

8-Person Inter-gender Tag Team Match: Sanity vs. Tye Dillinger, No Way Jose, Roderick Strong, Ruby Riot

[XL]

I think I'd sooner see Roode get called up over Nakamura.

I can see someone on Raw/SDL talking about how Mania was a great night, a fantastic spectacle, etc when "GLORIOUS" hits. Roode comes out to the ring, agrees that it was great, it was fantastic, but it wasn't quite...GLORIOUS. But now it is.

Just trying to think of a face he could debut that against. Might have to be Bryan.

[Big Vic]

Peyton Royce :drool:

[Evil Vito]

Gotta say, I'm gradually losing more and more interest in NXT.

It's not from a lack of having talented workers. There are good matches aplenty. I guess I'm just missing NXT how it was originally with all of these mostly unknown guys from the Performance Center doing insane gimmicks and making names for themselves.

Now it's just signing whatever big TNA/indy people they can get and immediately pushing them to the top of the card.

[Lock Jaw]

Yeah, it's been going down for a bit now..... Takeovers are still generally great, but the weekly show doesn't have the same feel anymore. As far as weekly shows go, 205 Live probably better right now.

[Evil Vito]

I'd agree with that. I've always enjoyed Takeovers but don't get much out of the weekly TV.

[Lock Jaw]

I'd agree with your comment about tna/Indy people as well....

Would have been nice to see a "homegrown" guy like Tye Dillinger, who floundered around on the show for a long time before latching onto a gimmick that got him over, win the NXT Title.....

[Simple Fan]

Yeah I really think Corbin should have stuck around longer and had a NXT title run. I guess they like having a known name as NXT Champion. The main event scene has just been who ever the latest big signing coming in is and there hasn't been any progression up the card. The tag division has been good but now might take a hit with The Revival on the main roster but they have some good teams left. Women's division has kind of suffered from the same thing as the main event but with this women's tournament coming NXT could could get a lot of new talent.

[Jordan]

What kind of card are we gonna get for Chicago? Looks like Itami and Roode... final chance for Itami to shine it seems.

[Simple Fan]

What kind of card are we gonna get for Chicago? Looks like Itami and Roode... final chance for Itami to shine it seems.

Adam Cole Bay Bay

[XL]

I get what you guys are saying but aside from Big E Langston and Bo Dallas all previous champs have been Indy guys; Rollins, Neville, Zayn, and so on.

I think Tye should have stuck around to win the belt too, which would have allowed a move for Roode and Nak.

[Simple Fan]

Not a big fan of Tye but he would have made for an ok transitional champion. I'm not opposed to the indy and TNA guys coming in as I've been a fan of most of them.

[Volare]

<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WHmqMiaHwqI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[DaveWadding]

NOOPH IS POOPH

[drave]

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WHmqMiaHwqI" allowfullscreen="" width="854" frameborder="0" height="480"></iframe>

This has been added to my daily morning workout routine before work. Really good song.

[Jordan]

I don't see the current stars of NXT selling out the All-State Arena for this Takeover. Maybe if they had Nakamaura, maybe but I certainly don't think Itami and Roode in the main is going to "put the butts in the seats". Odd, the spoilers don't really hint at many programs going on.

[Nicky Fives]

NXT will sell-out any arena in big markets. The history of independents in the town alone is more than enough to sell a card on one night.

[Bad News Gertner]

Heavy Machinery are the greatest thing I've ever seen.