And the new NXT Champion, Samoa Joe!

[GD]

That's right baby! He won the strap at a house show in Lowell, Mass.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YMFYvgJwii4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[ron the dial]

awesome

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Fucking love it.

[Simple Fan]

Should have happened at NXT Takeover. Would have been even more bad than it was. Finn getting called up now?

[GD]

Would like to know if he is still undefeated in his Demon incarnation

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Samoa Joe just beat Finn Balor for the NXT title at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NXTLowell?src=hash">#NXTLowell</a>! <a href="https://t.co/635Spgcnqu">pic.twitter.com/635Spgcnqu</a></p>&mdash; Josh Nason (@JoshNason) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshNason/status/723332969704861696">April 22, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Good for Joe.

Some potential bad news since Finn got hurt during the match although could just be really good at selling like with a couple of false scares recently in the WWE.

[weather vane]

Hmmm. Makes the Styles/Reigns thing more interesting.

[Innovator]

Joe back

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

BALOR CLUB....

HAS ARRIVED!

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Samoa Joe just beat Finn Balor for the NXT title at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NXTLowell?src=hash">#NXTLowell</a>! <a href="https://t.co/635Spgcnqu">pic.twitter.com/635Spgcnqu</a></p>&mdash; Josh Nason (@JoshNason) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshNason/status/723332969704861696">April 22, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Good for Joe.

Some potential bad news since Finn got hurt during the match although could just be really good at selling like with a couple of false scares recently in the WWE.

Demon remains undefeated.

[Jordan]

I love house show changes. Good move from NXT, only adding value to their live tours. Joe is one fire right now like the ROH days, so this was the right call. And Finn needs to get in the mix with AJ and The Club.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Good for Joe. I'm not entirely on board with the change. I personally would have kept Balor champion until their show in Japan, where I would have had Nakamura win it roughly one year after Balor did. My best guess is that this leads to a Balor call-up. It wouldn't surprise me to see a heel Balor on the main roster with Gallows & Anderson costing Styles the match because he didn't want to accept their help.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If Dean Ambrose beats Jericho at Payback, he'd be the next logical choice for a Roman Reigns opponent. Extreme Rules could shape up to be Reigns vs. Ambrose and Styles & The Usos vs. The Balor Club.

[Jordan]

Joe vs Nakamaura in Japan will be dope.

Also, this thread says "spoilers" this isn't a spoiler.

[Heisenberg]

Joe v.s. Roode would be awesome as well.

I hope to see Dalton Castle and Adam Cole in NXT soon. I'm not rushing it, they are pretty stacked as it is now with talent, but it'd be nice to see them come up. Jay Lethal when he's done dominating ROH as well.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Man, I'm not sure if he could pass a physical, but Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle as a one-off NXT Title match at a Takeover would be fucking epic. Even make it Angle's last match and give him a send-off and ready him for video game appearances and a Hall of Fame induction.

[Jordan]

I'd be down with that as the main event of the Wrestlemania Takeover, or even placed on the card at Wrestlemania.

Jay Lethal totally needs to be in WWE. Right to the main card.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm still hoping for John Cena vs. Samoa Joe at SummerSlam this year. Man, think about how epic that could be. I know people will want the Joe "undefeated path of destruction" thing, but I'd be tempted to just bring him up and treat him like a big deal already.

Cena can be talking in the ring about how he's back and he wants a challenge and Joe can show up. The commentators can simply say "Joe is here!" and Cena could sell some form of trepidation in his face. The match is signed and in the coming weeks Cena actually says that he got the credo "Hustle, Loyalty & Respect" from Joe when they were training together at the start of their careers. This match becomes an important one for Cena, because if he loses then it means that maybe Joe was meant to be here all along, and his entire run was based simply on Joe not getting a look.

At SummerSlam those two friends would tear it the fuck up. The Brooklyn crowd will be rabid for Joe. And you actually do something ballsy and put him the fuck over. I'd be tempted to have Cena tap -- out of respect for Joe, of course. The next night on RAW Cena cuts an emotional promo about how he needs to prove that he's still got it. Joe made him face himself at SummerSlam, and if he's ever going to be the John Cena he needs to be, he needs one thing -- the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Cena can then take some time off to "train." Maybe he'll have a movie to film, or some Total Bellas shit, or season two of American Grit if it gets that far, and then he returns around Rumble time and wins it, eliminating Samoa Joe last, and goes on to face Brock Lesnar, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

They re-show the history of those two men -- yes, even bringing up their SmackDown program -- and Cena does the "I need to beat you, Brock" speech. As extra motivation, Cena says that if he can't win at WrestleMania 33, then he will retire. Hell, he'll already be in Florida. Heyman tells Cena that the stipulation doesn't matter, because Brock was planning on ending John Cena for good at WrestleMania anyway.

Elsewhere on the card you have Samoa Joe vs. Randy Orton. Two completely different prototypical killers. I think the dynamic between those two men would be quite interesting. At one point, Joe gets Orton in the Coquina Clutch, but Orton drops him out of it with an RKO, but Joe kicks out. At another, Joe hits his own RK-Joe for a near fall. Orton sets up a punt, but Joe blocks it and hits him with a striking combination, and then puts Orton in the Clutch for another big fight tap-out.

Cena wins the WWE Title in the main event, and Brock is pissed and acts like he is done (whether or not he is). Also on the Mania card, Roman Reigns beats Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose in a Triple Threat with the Money in the Bank briefcase -- won by Dean Ambrose in June -- on the line. At the Payback PPV, Joe and Cena fight again, with Joe having submission wins over Cena and Orton in his pocket. Cena manages to Attitude Adjust a Clutch and pins Joe to retain. Then Roman Reigns hits the ring, winks at a disapproving Joe, Spears Cena and wins the WWE Title for a fourth time as a heel.

Reigns now has beef with Cena, Joe, Ambrose and Rollins moving forward. Brock also looms over if he is still under contract. Styles and Balor can hopefully have a blood-feud which culminates at WrestleMania with AJ Styles getting the big win and moving into the main event title picture too. Events permitting, Cesaro will lose the IC Title to Sami Zayn and invest his stocks in that scene too. It'll hopefully be time for Owens too. And there's always Orton. A 10 or 11 man scene if you count Balor in there, as I think he'll be over enough to slip in and out of main event title matches.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd be down with that as the main event of the Wrestlemania Takeover, or even placed on the card at Wrestlemania.

Jay Lethal totally needs to be in WWE. Right to the main card.

I would actually like to see him take issue with The New Day. His super-serious persona would clash well with their goofiness. He could even try to "recruit" them to his ways. Big E vs. Jay Lethal for the US Title at a PPV would be a gem.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The WWE needs to put out a "Hustle, Loyalty, Joe" t-shirt.

[Mr. Nerfect]

And a Joenation one.

[Mr. Nerfect]

And a "You Can't See Skill" one.

[Emperor Smeat]

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

[Simple Fan]

I would actually like to see him take issue with The New Day. His super-serious persona would clash well with their goofiness. He could even try to "recruit" them to his ways. Big E vs. Jay Lethal for the US Title at a PPV would be a gem.

I like it, maybe have a Consequences Creed reference or reunion if Xavier decided to flip.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Xavier Woods could probably make a lot of money in the wrestling business as a heel manager.

[Mr. Nerfect]

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

Joe as a champion seems right.

[Nicky Fives]

Hmmm. Makes the Styles/Reigns thing more interesting.

yup....I'm also curious how long it'll be before be get our first "TNA confrontation" in NXT as it seems more likely now with Joe as champ and the likes of Aries and possibly Roode moving up the ranks with Corbin, Crews and likely Balor off to the main show....

[GD]

Joe vs Nakamaura in Japan will be dope.

Also, this thread says "spoilers" this isn't a spoiler.

I didn't want to ruin it for other folks.

[Heisenberg]

it was already shown on the net in video form so it's all good. I'm glad the live crowd got a title change of that magnitude.

[#1-norm-fan]

Good idea changing the title on a house show. Protects Balor still by keeping it low key and since Joe is the heel, it isn't like it's a big emotional "moment" being missed out on. All the while making house shows seem bigger. Win all around.

Also, yes. Joe vs Cena needs to happen and it needs to happen on a big stage after a long build.

[Innovator]

The real ticket is Joe vs. Lesnar

[#1-norm-fan]

That, too. Though they need to do that match before they start the inevitable 50/50 booking of Joe where he jobs every other week or so on Raw though.

[Icame4Hookers]

Thanks for the fucking spoiler, you cock sucking jack ass.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

lololololololol

[Simple Fan]

Now how long does Joe hold the title and who takes it off him? Corbin would be a good challenger had he not been called up, Crews to. Could see Roode coming in with a big push. Joe vs Nakumara will be epic though.

[Lock Jaw]

Kind of want Joe to have a "lengthy run".... haven't had a long heel NXT title run since Bo Dallas.

[Simple Fan]

I could get with that. Have it start with people from his past challenging him, Aries and Roode. Then a program with Nakumara but after that I'm not sure who's left that is on his level. Might be time to get some of those unassigned talents they have under contract to NXT.

[Lock Jaw]

And while I say I want Joe to have a "lengthy run", I also want him to be on the main roster "sooner" rather than "later"....

[Simple Fan]

Could use him like they did Owens and have Joe on both. I think Smackdown would benefit from having something similar with what they did with ECW and have a NXT match on there each week. Could be different talent every week. I know they have them do dark matches every once in a while.

[VSG]

This was pretty good. Now there's the whole "Who are Gallows and Anderson really aligned with?" question over Payback.

[Corndad]

With the lack of talent, mostly due to injuries, WWE need a new star and Balor definitely can be that guy. Losing at a house show was quite brilliant. Keeps Demon Balor undefeated, makes it seem even house shows are must sees for NXT, and Balor's momentum doesn't take that much of a hit losing it there.

[#1-norm-fan]

Was saying in the NXT Takeover: Dallas thread how NXT is COMPLETELY lacking heels. Like... there are none. After, Joe. Corbin was it. And now he's gone. Who's the top heel other than Joe now? The Drifter? lol

So yeah. This opens things up much more as far as the title scene goes. Though I'd still rather see Nakamura be a heel.

[Jordan]

Bobby Roode can be a heel, Austin Aries should be as well.

[Juan]

Yeah now that Corbin is on the main roster, Aries should def go heel

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Hard to be a heel in NXT when everybody in the crowd wants all them to get over and into WWE. The Drifted got booed heavily at the TakeOver pre-show match.

[#1-norm-fan]

People love Joe and want him to get over. He's still a heel. And a really fucking good one. Just because smark crowds cheer who they like regardless doesn't effect whether someone can be booked as a heel or not.

[Jordan]

Hard to be a heel in NXT when everybody in the crowd wants all them to get over and into WWE. The Drifted got booed heavily at the TakeOver pre-show match.

Aries will get booed if he wants to. I saw him go over an hour with Tyler Black (Seth Rollins) in ROH at the Manhattan Center about 5 years ago. Dude drew mega heat playing the Flair escape the action and cool off around ringside gimmick. He will make you boo.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Was saying in the NXT Takeover: Dallas thread how NXT is COMPLETELY lacking heels. Like... there are none. After, Joe. Corbin was it. And now he's gone. Who's the top heel other than Joe now? The Drifter? lol

So yeah. This opens things up much more as far as the title scene goes. Though I'd still rather see Nakamura be a heel.

The Drifter has been tagging with Joe against Finn and Nakamira at house shows...

After the match in Kingston, people are saying this is Finn saying goodbye to NXT too.
https://youtu.be/zq8bUdhilWM

[#1-norm-fan]

Finn Balor vs Bray Wyatt with some good booking around it could be epic.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to F4W, NXT is currently considering a cage match as the big feud ender for Finn vs Joe. May or may not be done at the next Takeover special.


Finn Balor vs Bray Wyatt with some good booking around it could be epic.

Could probably rehash the soul stealing power bit from the Taker-Bray feud and make it work a lot better than what the WWE did for that feud. Taker abruptly getting his powers back killed whatever interest that feud had built up.

[Ruien]

According to F4W, NXT is currently considering a cage match as the big feud ender for Finn vs Joe. May or may not be done at the next Takeover special.




Could probably rehash the soul stealing power bit from the Taker-Bray feud and make it work a lot better than what the WWE did for that feud. Taker abruptly getting his powers back killed whatever interest that feud had built up.

You mean whatever interest Bray had built up. That was a one man show but damn good one man show.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Bobby Roode can be a heel, Austin Aries should be as well.

This, this and this. Austin Aries' post Takeover promo basically gave him those shades of grey, and I think he's got the mic skills and arrogance to be an effective heel. He could be Joe's first challenger, lose, then have the lost affect him leading to his turn.

Roode coming in as a heel makes sense. Fuck, I really want to see a Dirty Heels vs. American Alpha Tag Title match now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Finn Balor vs Bray Wyatt with some good booking around it could be epic.

I've got a feeling we may see The Wyatt Family vs. The Balor Club at WrestleMania next year.

And by Wyatt Family I mean Bray, Harper & Rowan -- the way it should be.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Really think there is more in Balor as a heel on the main roster than as a face right now.

[drave]

Still think he will debut as heel being behind "the club". Only problem with that though, would be that they will cheer Balor regardless, even more if he is destroying Reigns.

He needs to come out as The Demon and just destroy fucking everyone in the match, refs and commentators included.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think he'll end up with the group, but I'm thinking he betrays AJ later. The Club looks like they are with Reigns, Balor comes up in a huff to team with Styles, boom, he turns heel as well, and Styles and Balor have a feud heading into SummerSlam.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If Cesaro wins the IC Title, I imagine that Balor wins it off him as a heel. Or that he ends up as US Champion if Kalisto retains against Ryback.

[Mr. Nerfect]

At some point in 2016, I think we'll get Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows each holding a championship.

[Arrogance]

Joe as a champion seems right.

I was just thinking that. He just looks like he should have that thing.

Joe is gonna kill ya...until he dies to Nakamura.