Despite the tournament finals originally being scheduled for the Royal Rumble (and then briefly being advertised for next week), WWE crowned a new United States Champion on SmackDown tonight.
Bobby Roode defeated Jinder Mahal in the main event to win the title. The three tournament matches that were on SmackDown took up the vast majority of the episode. Mahal advanced over Xavier Woods and Roode defeated Mojo Rawley to make it to the finals.
After he was attacked by The Singh Brothers following his first match, Roode challenged Mahal to face him tonight instead of next week. Mahal declined the offer, but Daniel Bryan came out to make the match official for later in the show.
The Singh Brothers were barred from ringside for the finals. The story of the match was that Roode was selling his ribs and Mahal was the healthier of the two, but Roode countered the Khallas into a Glorious DDT for the win. Bryan and Shane McMahon presented Roode with the US title to close the show.
There was only one non-tournament match on SmackDown this week, with The Riott Squad defeating Charlotte Flair, Naomi & Becky Lynch in a six-woman tag.
Date: January 16, 2018 Location: Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, TX
The Big Takeaway —
Not only did both US title semifinal matches take place, but the finals did as well. Bobby Roode challenged Jinder Mahal to the match after they each won tonight, and Daniel Bryan made it official. Roode won the title clean in the main event. (Shane McMahon was there as well and there were no issues with the two this week.)
Also, Jey Uso appeared despite his arrest on Sunday.
If you missed it, this was the worst Smackdown show in quite a while.
Show Recap —
The New Day came out to start the show. Tom Phillips announced that the finals of the US Title tournament would happen next week. I was amazed to see a WWE show might actually start with a wrestling match, but New Day made sure to cut a promo first.
They had a podium set up in the ring draped in the American flag and pancakes sitting on top. They mocked Jinder Mahal and reminded the crowd how much he hates them. Woods said he would become United States champion. This was one of the weakest New Day segments in a while.
US Title Tournament Semi-Finals Match: Jinder Mahal (w/Singh Brothers) defeated Xavier Woods (w/Big E & Kofi Kingston) (18:01)
This match actually went through two commercial breaks. Mahal had the heat from the very beginning. The Singhs got a little too close to the action at one point, so Big E whipped pancakes at them like frisbees.
The crowd chanted “we want pancakes” as Mahal and Woods botched a spot by the ropes. Mahal went to give Woods a back body drop to the outside but he just sorta fell on the top rope instead.
After the second break, Woods headbutted Mahal off the ropes and hit a missile dropkick, then followed with clotheslines and a forearm. Woods then hit an enziguri and shining wizard for two. The Singhs got on the apron so Big E and Kingston chased them up the ramp.
Woods hit a back suplex but Mahal dodged his springboard elbow drop attempt. Mahal then slid Woods into the bottom rope like Enzo Amore to knock him out and followed with the Khallas for the win. This sucked.
Baron Corbin cut a promo backstage where he held the camera himself, kind of like the old Shield promos. He said the Royal Rumble would have no distractions or Smackdown politics and anyone who got in his way would be eliminated. Corbin said it was his time to main event WrestleMania. This was fine.
They announced Goldberg would be inducted into the Hall of Fame by showing us how many news outlets wrote articles about it.
Renee Young interviewed AJ Styles. Styles said his match at the Rumble was a 3-on-1 handicap match because he counted Kevin Owens as two people. He said the “yep” movement made them sound like muppets and gave them the nickname “Kami” (Cammie). Styles said the idea of those two being champion made him sick, but he would overcome another obstacle and reminded us this was his house.
They aired a video of the Smackdown woman cutting quick promos about the Rumble match in selfie videos. And here’s what they said: Carmella said the Rumble would be fabulous, Natalya said it would take cat-like reflexes to win, Tamina said she would make everyone believe they could fly by throwing them over the ropes, Lana said she would crush the competition, Naomi said everyone would feel the glow, Ruby Riott said nobody could stop her, Sarah Logan said she doesn’t run from anything, Liv Morgan said she would live (liv) forever, and Becky Lynch said she would be the last woman standing. This was no good.
US Title Tournament Semi-Finals Match: Bobby Roode defeated Mojo Rawley (13:15)
Like the earlier match, the heel took the heat almost right away. After 10 minutes, Roode made a comeback after Rawley ran shoulder-first into the post. Rawley cut him off briefly, but Roode nailed a spinebuster and Glorious DDT for the win. A nothing match.
The Singhs attacked Roode after the match and scampered off. Samir might’ve twisted his ankle leaving the ring because Sunil had to help him up the ramp. Mahal told Roode he would win the title next week. Roode grabbed a mic and said they should do the match tonight. The crowd chanted for Roode.
Mahal said no, because they would do it when he decides (even though the match has already been announced, which he just acknowledged a moment ago). Daniel Bryan showed up and announced that the match would happen tonight and the crowd chanted Yes. (Should be noted that Roode is selling a rib injury.)
Like Corbin and the women did earlier tonight, Randy Orton cut a selfie promo about the Rumble. Orton said he likes being surrounded by chaos which makes the Rumble his match and he would win it for the third time.
6-Woman Tag Match: Riott Squad defeated Women’s champion Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch & Naomi (8:09)
The babyfaces had control before a break, but not after. The Riott Squad worked over Lynch until she made a hot tag to Naomi, who ran wild on Morgan. Charlotte speared Logan to get her out of the ring, but the referee was distracted by something which allowed Riott to hit a Naomi with a kick on the apron, and Morgan followed with a jawbreaker for the win.
Dasha Fuentes interviewed The Usos. Both of them. They wondered how Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin even became a team. They said it must’ve been Tag Team Tinder because Gable has been on the rebound since Jason Jordan left.
Jimmy and Jey claimed Gable and Benjamin couldn’t even tell them apart, when Gable and Benjamin suddenly attacked them from behind. Gable said they knew exactly who the Usos were–former tag team champions. After Gable and Benjamin left, officials ran in to check on the Usos, who got to their feet on their own. After they stood up, they just stood there seething.
They should’ve had the Usos stay down after the beating. There’s no reason why they couldn’t have just chased after Gable and Benjamin other than they exited the frame already.
They aired a long video package for the WWE title match at the Rumble.
Shinsuke Nakamura cut a selfie promo of his own. “Thirty men. One destiny. One winner. Me. Let’s Rumble.”
Shane McMahon came out. Phillips said the Singh brothers were banned from ringside for the US title match, but Shane and Bryan would be out there.
They aired a clip from the Fashion Files where Aiden English (with Rusev) challenged Breezango to a match next week on Rusev Day. Tyler Breeze appeared to be doing his Renee Young impression. Fandango accepted the match on behalf of the Ascension, who were minding their own business in the locker room reading Gluten Free magazine.
Bobby Roode defeated Jinder Mahal to become United States Champion (15:44)
Both guys are wearing blue trunks and knee pads, with black boots and wrist tape (and neither guy wears elbow pads). Roode is really selling his ribs. Mahal worked him over by driving him into the side of the ring and dropping him rib-first on the barricade. Then they went to commercial 3 minutes into this important title match.
After the break, Mahal worked over Roode’s ribs for an hour. Roode eventually hit a blockbuster but Mahal slipped out of a Glorious DDT and they took each other out with clotheslines. Mahal countered another DDT attempt and went for the Khallas, but Roode countered that into the Glorious DDT for the win.
McMahon and Bryan stood and applauded as Roode celebrated. After a replay, they presented him with the title and he posed to end the show.
Final Thoughts —
This was a really bad show. There were two Jinder Mahal matches totalling 33 minutes and 45 seconds. None of the main event acts were featured on the show, outside of one lame promo from AJ Styles and quick backstage promos from Orton and Nakamura (who, to be fair, was busy with the Mixed Match Challenge). The women were presented as one-note characters with nothing interesting to say.
The only positive, I guess, is that Roode won the title. I don’t like Mahal, but even if you’re okay with him as a mid-card champion, it’s too early to give him another title reign after we just endured one. One negative to that reign was it cut off Nakamura’s momentum, and they ran the risk of doing that with Roode (whatever momentum he does have).
Three more title matches have been announced for SmackDown’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view.
After their previous rematch was interrupted by The Riott Squad, Natalya will be challenging for Charlotte Flair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship at the show. Charlotte won the title from Natalya on an episode of SmackDown last month, which featured Ric Flair making his first appearance on WWE television since his health scare and celebrating with Charlotte.
To further set up their rematch, Natalya bailed on Charlotte & Naomi when they were facing Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan last Tuesday.
The United States Championship will be on the line in a triple threat match at Clash of Champions as Baron Corbin defends against Bobby Roode and Dolph Ziggler. There was an angle on Tuesday where Roode (who has been feuding with Ziggler for much of his main roster run) challenged Corbin to a title match after they had brawled the week before, but Corbin wouldn’t accept.
There will be three teams in the tag title match at the PPV as well, with The Usos taking on New Day and Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable.
Clash of Champions is WWE’s last PPV of the year and will take place at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on December 17th. AJ Styles defending his WWE Championship against Jinder Mahal is also scheduled for the show.
SmackDown will continue to add to its Survivor Series men’s division team as tonight’s episode takes place in Norfolk, Virginia.
Randy Orton was confirmed for the team after he defeated Sami Zayn last Tuesday, and at least two more members will be added tonight as two qualifying matches are set. Bobby Roode will face Dolph Ziggler in a two-out-of-three falls match and Shinsuke Nakamura will take on Kevin Owens.
Plus, there will likely be more fallout from SmackDown’s invasion of Raw last week and Daniel Bryan being attacked by Kane last night.
AJ Styles vs. Samir Singh will also take place tonight after Styles made quick work of Sunil Singh in their matchup, WWE’s website is teasing that Sin Cara will once again face Baron Corbin, and a Stranger Things-inspired edition of Breezango’s Fashion Files will air.
With the episode falling on Halloween, it seems likely that will be incorporated into the show in some form after a Trick or Street Fight went down on Raw last night. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET.
**********
Shane McMahon came down to the ring to address the Survivor Series match up against Raw. He said that Raw has always looked at SmackDown as the inferior brand. Despite the odds SmackDown put together a good roster, made Daniel Bryan GM and went live. They attacked the Raw roster to show them that SmackDown isn’t inferior. The crowd chanted “Under Siege”.
Shane addresses Kane attacking Bryan last night. He pointed out that neither Kurt Angle nor his sister Stephanie McMahon seemed to care. Shane announced that he is going to be the team captain for the SmackDown team at the Survivor Series. He joins Randy Orton who qualified last week.
Bobby Roode defeated Dolph Ziggler in a 2 out of 3 falls match to qualify for the SmackDown Survivor Series team
Roode had the advantage as they brawled around ringside. He sent Ziggler into the ring and as Roode entered Ziggler caught him with a super kick to win the first fall. During the commercial break, Roode gave Ziggler a slingshot into the post and pinned him with a sunset flip to win the second fall.
Roode attempted the Glorious DDT but Ziggler countered into a Zig Zag for a very close near fall. They traded pin attempts until Roode hit the Glorious DDT for the win. Booby Roode joins the SmackDown team at the Survivor Series.
After the match, Renee interviewed Roode and he promised to help his team defeat Raw at the Survivor Series.
Backstage, The New Day were celebrating Halloween. Xavier dressed up as Jimmy Hart, Big E. dressed up as Akeem and Kofi dressed up as Brother Love. They ran into Rusev and Aiden English. Rusev thinks Halloween’s dumb and destroyed Big E.’s candy. Big E. and Rusev agree to compete later.
In the back, team captain Becky Lynch met with Naomi, Carmella, Charlotte and Tamina to discuss their Survivor Series match. James Ellsworth was dressed up as a dog and Lynch sprayed him with a bottle. Natalya approached the group and said she should be the captain. She told Charlotte not to choke at the Survivor Series.
Baron Corbin defeated Sin Cara by DQ
Corbin dominated the action and kept trying to pull off Sin Cara’s mask. Cara snapped and kept beating down Corbin until he was disqualified. Cara threw a chair at Corbin and he ran off through the crowd.
In the back, Renee interviewed The Usos about their Survivor Series match against Raw Tag Team champions The Shield. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin interrupted and informed the Usos that they have a title shot next week. Gable did a little rap and Benjamin reacted huge to it.
WWE Champion Jinder Mahal came down to the ring with The Singh Brothers. Mahal promised to beat, victimize and conquer Brock Lesnar at the Survivor Series. He started doing the promo in Punjabi when AJ Styles interrupted.
Styles dominated the match and won easily with the Styles Clash. Mahal jumped Styles after the match and beat him down. He sent Styles into the ring post and hit the Khallas twice.
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens met in the back. Zayn was irate that Shane is the team captain. They believe that Shane and his friends get all the opportunities. Owens promises to qualify for the team and will lead SmackDown to victory. Soon they’ll have all the power and rename the show the “Sami & Kevin Show”.
Another creepy video of The Bludgeon Brothers aired.
Rusev (w/ Aiden English) defeated Big E. (w/ Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston)
Rusev took over after throwing Big E. into the ring post. Big E. made a comeback and took down Rusev. English started singing and attacked Woods. Big E took out English with the Big Ending but Rusev nailed Big E with a kick for the win.
Backstage, Renee interviewed Sin Cara about the importance of his mask. He said what Corbin did was very disrespectful. He went through hell to get the mask and will go through hell to keep the mask.
Shane McMahon met with Aiden English and Rusev in the back. Rusev wants to be on the SmackDown Survivor Series team. Rusev will have a qualifying match next week against AJ Styles.
The Fashion Files (Strangerer Things)
This was Stranger Things Parody, which included The Ascension and Tye Dillinger. The lights went out and Christmas lights highlighted a picture of The Bludgeon Brothers. They were all attacked in the dark. Next week will be a Saw parody.
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens to qualify for the SmackDown Survivor Series team
Owens used a super kick to gain the upper hand in the match. Nakamura made a comeback and used an enziguri. Sami Zayn came down to ringside and distracted Nakamura, which allowed Owens to score a near fall.
Owens told Zayn to clear out the announce table. Randy Orton’s music played and he came out through the crowd. He gave Zayn a back suplex on the table. Owens was distracted and Nakamura used the Kinshasa to win the match. Shinsuke Nakamura joins the SmackDown team at the Survivor Series.
Next Week: AJ Styles faces off against Rusev in the final SmackDown Survivor Series qualifying match. Plus, SmackDown Tag Team champions The Usos defend against Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable.
NXT came to the Mattamy Athletic Centre (the former Maple Leaf Gardens) last night for the final stop on Bobby Roode’s farewell tour as he fully completes his move up to SmackDown. Here’s a rundown of the event:
– Tye Dillinger defeated Kona Reeves
The fans had fun to start the show with “10” chants for Dillinger throughout this one. Reeves only got a “who are you?” chant. Dillinger won with the Tye Breaker.
– Ember Moon & Aliyah defeated Mandy Rose & Vanessa Borne
Aliyah got the pin in her hometown after Moon splashed both opponents off the top rope.
– Johnny Gargano defeated Killian Dain
This was a solid match and the crowd loved Gargano, who won with a superkick. Dain got some “shave your back” chants.
– Aleister Black defeated Hideo Itami
They had the best match of the night. It was hard-hitting, and the finish was the same as it was in St. Catharines with Itami being hit with Black Mass after having a kendo stick taken from him.
– Bobby Roode defeated Velveteen Dream
Roode won with the Glorious DDT and got by far the biggest reaction of the night. His mom, dad, wife, and kids were at the show. It was entertaining to watch his youngest son react to the match and cheer for his dad.
Velveteen Dream was imitating Bret Hart moves and had the announcer say he was the “best there is, best there was, and best there ever will be.” That led to Roode later putting him in the Sharpshooter to a huge reaction. Roode was soaking the moment in after the match.
– NXT Tag Team Champions SAnitY (Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe) defeated Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss to retain their titles
Young got another good pop. There was a long brawl in the stands before this actually started in the ring, then the finish was a combination neckbreaker from Young off the second rope while Wolfe gave Sabbatelli a belly-to-back suplex at the same time.
– Nikki Cross defeated Lacey Evans
Evans got some boos for waving the United States flag during this. Cross picked up the victory after hitting the swinging fisherman buster.
– NXT Champion Drew McIntyre defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas to retain his title
This was a really good match from both. McIntyre hit the Claymore Kick to retain.
McIntyre thanked the crowd after, then said he wanted to thank someone else for his leadership and contributions. He called out Roode, who thanked everyone and his family. He put over NXT and told everyone to support it because it’s the future.
The locker room came out and gave Roode an ovation to cap off his NXT farewell tour.
Aliyah hit a northern lights suplex on Borne for the win
– Aleister Black defeated Hideo Itami
This was a hard-hitting match, though it had a slow start. Itami tried to take a kendo stick in, the ref took it away, and Itami walked right into Black Mass for the pin.
– Tye Dillinger defeated Velveteen Dream
Velveteen Dream cut a pre-match promo about Canada not having great sports. Dillinger got a great reaction in his hometown, with “10” chants going throughout the match and the rest of the show.
During the match, Dream was imitating muscle poses. He also imitated Bret Hart’s moves and open arms pose, leading to Dillinger winning with the sharpshooter. Dillinger gave a speech thanking the crowd after and said he will remember this night.
– NXT Tag Team Champions SAnitY (Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe) defeated Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss to retain their titles
SAnitY did an early attack before the match started. They later won with a diving neck breaker/belly-to-back suplex combination on Sabbatelli.
– Ember Moon defeated Nikki Cross
Moon won with The Eclipse.
– NXT Champion Drew McIntyre defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas and Bobby Roode to retain his title
Roode came out last and got a big reaction (which was almost as big as Dillinger’s). He got thrown out of the ring twice and took a hard landing.
McIntyre hit the Claymore on Almas to retain. After the match, he thanked everyone for coming out. He said he was on his phone up until coming out for his entrance because he was concerned about what’s going on with Florida with Hurricane Irma.
Roode thanked the crowd as well. He joked about holding the NXT title for 200+ days, saying “no pressure” to McIntyre.
The Big News: Roderick Strong finally pinned Bobby Roode in the main event, but it was overshadowed by Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly laying out Drew McIntyre in the show’s closing scene.
The Medium News: Strong challenged McIntyre to a future title match earlier in the night, which McIntyre accepted.
The Little Beaver-sized News: The undefeated, undisputed NXT Women’s Champion, Asuka will be on the show next week. I wonder what she’s going to say?
**********
Before beginning, I want to send my best wishes to everyone in Houston and the surrounding areas who are affected by Hurricane Harvey.
**********
The show began with SAnitY laying unconscious outside the building. Mr. Regal looked quite angry as he stared the night sky down.
**********
We kicked things off inside the arena with the 11th and new NXT Champion Drew McIntyre returning to the ring for the first time since winning the title. The fans were respectful, but it wasn’t as over-the-top giddy as you’ve had in prior title changes.
McIntyre said that all the bumps, bruises, and sacrifices were worth it for this moment. He said that he understands he has a huge target on his back, then turned his attention to Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly.
He put them on notice that this is Drew McIntyre’s world now, and if they want a shot at the champ all they need to do is walk down to the ring, look him in the eye, and ask for a fight.
This brought out Roderick Strong. Strong came out to congratulate McIntyre, but also said he doesn’t care about Cole, he only cares about himself, his family, and the championship. Strong vowed to defeat Bobby Roode tonight, and after that Strong is stepping up and challenging McIntyre as a man.
McIntyre said he wanted to be challenged like a man and now he hopes Strong is ready to get knocked out like one.
**********
We got a replay of last week’s Bobby Roode interview where he said he has unfinished business in NXT. He vowed that after he beats Strong he will get his NXT Championship back and take it with him to SmackDown.
**********
Next week, we will be joined by the undefeated, undisputed NXT Women’s Champion, Asuka, where she will update us on her status.
**********
Peyton Royce defeated Ruby Riot
It wasn’t mentioned, but at some point in the last few months Royce let the dye out of her hair and is now back to being what I assume is her natural hair color, which is black. So now she looks more like her BFF Billie Kay.
This feud is part of the ongoing rivalry between the Iconic Duo and pretty much anyone who they feel is not glamorous. Royce and Kay mocked Riot about a month ago, then Riot defeated Kay in a match, which was followed by Royce saying Riot will never be iconic.
Royce took over by snapping Riot off the top rope. She threw Riot out of the ring, which got the crowd to buzz a little bit as Kay interfered on behalf of her friend. Riot made her comeback, which didn’t get the same reaction as it normally does and actually got less of a reaction than Kay’s interference.
Riot was on the middle rope, then Royce hit a spin kick to the head and a rolling Death Valley Driver, but Riot kicked out. Riot hit a powerbomb for a near fall — and the Iconic Duo have had enough.
Kay tried to drag Royce away and take a countout, but Riot hit a suicide dive onto both of them. Behind the referee’s back, Kay dragged Riot outside the ring and nearly booted Riot’s head off. That allowed Royce to pick up the win back in the ring with a fisherman’s suplex.
**********
Mr. Regal was backstage and said this thing where people are being laid out won’t keep happening. Kassius Ohno came in and wanted a no disqualification match with Hideo Itami next week. Mr. Regal agreed to it. Ohno was wearing a shirt of Mitsuharu Misawa giving Stan Hansen an elbow strike.
**********
Heavy Machinery defeated Edwin Negron & Damien Aweel
Heavy Machinery haven’t been seen since losing their NXT Tag Team title match to The Authors of Pain a few months ago, but here they were back at the beginning and facing the jobber tag team of the week.
Neither Aweel nor Negron had any success by themselves and somehow fared even worse when they tried a double team. Heavy Machinery picked up the win with The Compactor.
**********
We got a recap of Lars Sullivan destroying No Way Jose last week. This led to Mr. Regal informing Sullivan that actions have consequences. Since he beat up three different tag team partners, next week he will have a three-on-one handicap match. Sullivan shook his head and left.
**********
In addition to the aforementioned Ohno vs. Itami no DQ match, Andrade “Cien” Almas will get his rematch with Cezar Bononi next week.
**********
Roderick Strong defeated Bobby Roode
In what might be his final match on the yellow brand, Roode took a brisk one minute and 42 seconds to get to the ring. At the bell, Roode told Strong off and said that he is a failure and this will always be Bobby Roode’s NXT. Roode waved his arms around and was about to scream “Glorious” — but he got shoved down and it was on!
This match was a little rough at the start, but once they settled down they had their typical good match. Roode kept looking for ways to get reprieves, but no matter what he did Strong would somehow turn it into a backbreaker.
This led to them squaring off on the ring apron, which is the hardest part of the ring, and Roode shoving his foe into the ring post and then the steps. Strong still refused to stay down, so Roode laid him out with a spinebuster on the black mats.
Roode used his own backbreaker in the ring, which allowed him to do his Glorious pose. Strong started his comeback with a pop-up gut check. Strong used a butterfly suplex into a powerbomb and, when Roode kicked out, Strong turned it into a Boston Crab. Roode got out of that and cut him off again with a TKO into an Ace Crusher.
They ended up fighting up the ropes as Strong used a top rope superplex for a two count. Roode finally hit his Glorious DDT, but Strong rolled close enough to the ropes to get his foot on them before the pinfall. That played off their title match when Strong had the title won with a Sick Kick, but Roode barely got his foot on the ropes.
Roode screamed at Strong, so Strong hit three consecutive jumping knees to the jaw. Finally, Strong blew Roode a kiss goodbye and picked up the win with a suplex into a backbreaker.
Roderick Strong has finally defeated Bobby Roode. Drew McIntyre came out to stand on the ramp and accept Strong’s challenge when he was attacked by Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly!
Cole laid out McIntyre with a DDT on the ramp and punched several security guards in the face. Mr. Regal finally showed up and they went running into the night with Regal staring them down.
Not sure if this will ever be brought up, or if it will be like when Samoa Joe ran away from the building into a waiting car to drive him away, but during the attack Strong didn’t even try to make the save.
So that does it from Full Sail. Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Leading into the 76th episode of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, I was planning on talking to Jack Encarnacao (Sherdog, The Lapsed Fan, Boston Herald) primarily about Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight and a little bit of Brock Lesnar.
Then, Tuesday night happened and all hell broke loose. Lucky for you, that means an even bigger show.
– For the first 20 minutes, Jack and I talked about the recently wrapped SummerSlam four-day weekend and some of the key talking points coming out of it including the SmackDown debut of Bobby Roode.
– I asked Jack whether we can only truly appreciate the greatness of Lesnar after he’s gone and the key to his staying power and success in 2017.
– We then finished up with discussion on the big fight of the year: McGregor vs. Mayweather. This isn’t a technical deep dive by any means, but we both have different views on the fight and we unpacked the best case/worst case scenarios for both the UFC and McGregor.
SmackDown moved on from SummerSlam as WWE completed its four-day stay at the Barclays Center last night.
A debut and a return were the most noteworthy things on the show, with Bobby Roode arriving on the SmackDown roster after losing his NXT Championship and Shelton Benjamin coming back to team with Chad Gable. Roode took on Aiden English in his first main roster match.
Issues between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon also continued as Owens got another shot at the US title, Shinsuke Nakamura took on The Singh Brothers, and Carmella warned Natalya that she’s on borrowed time as Women’s Champion.
When Bobby Roode lost his NXT Championship last Saturday, the only question was how soon it would take for him to arrive on the main roster.
It turns out that we didn’t have to wait very long. Roode made his debut on SmackDown tonight by defeating Aiden English, with Roode hitting his Glorious DDT to finish the match.
Roode cut a promo after and thanked Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon for breaking the bank to sign the hottest free agent available. He said that SmackDown was great, but now it will be “absolutely glorious” with his addition.
Drew McIntyre won the NXT title from Roode in the main event of TakeOver: Brooklyn III last Saturday before being attacked by Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Bobby Fish.
The next round of NXT television tapings will take place on Thursday night. Roderick Strong is owed a match against Roode, which could take place there. The tapings should also give some indication on if any other call-ups are imminent.
SummerSlam weekend officially kicks off at the Barclays Center tonight as NXT returns to Brooklyn for its annual summer TakeOver special. As always, all of NXT’s titles will be on the line, along with two more matches to complete the card.
In the NXT Championship match, Bobby Roode will defend against Drew McIntyre. It’s the biggest spot for McIntyre since he returned to WWE earlier this year. Asuka will also put her now-500+ day long NXT Women’s Championship reign on the line as she again faces off with Ember Moon.
To round out the card, SAnitY will challenge The Authors of Pain for their tag titles. Aleister Black will take on Hideo Itami, and Johnny Gargano gets his first singles match on a TakeOver special as he squares off with Andrade “Cien” Almas.
NXT alumni will be part of the pre-show, with WWE branding this TakeOver as a homecoming for the brand. Our live coverage of the main card starts at 8 p.m. ET
**********
The show began with Code Orange playing the NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn theme with NXT clips interspersed throughout.
**********
Andrade “Cien” Almas pinned Johnny Gargano
The finish saw Zelina Vega distract Gargano with a Tommaso Ciampa t-shirt, which allowed Almas to hit the Hammerlock DDT for the win.
These two work pretty well together and it made for an excellent opener. Almas got the heat by locking Gargano in his armbar in the ropes and worked the shoulder. Gargano came back with a series of clotheslines and his Spear from between the ropes. Almas did his spot where he lounges in the ropes, but Gargano hit a superkick, dropping Almas to the outside. Almas caught him on a second Spear and hit a Tornado Scorpion Death Drop, but Gargano kicked out of that.
Gargano blocked a superplex, but Almas flipped over on a sunset flip power bomb and hiptossed Gargano into the corner. After a series of reversals Gargano got on the Gargano Escape, but Almas rolled through and hit a deadlift power bomb into the turnbuckles. Almas took off from the opposite corner and hit his running double knees for the nearest of near falls.
Gargano hit two superkicks, a Lawn Dart into the corner and went for a running kick to finish things when the finish happened.
**********
Kurt Angle, Daniel Bryan, No Way Jose, Roderick Strong and The Iconic Duo were all hanging out in a skybox. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay were all over Bryan, who was laughing at the situation.
**********
Corey Graves joined the announce table for the next match.
**********
Alexander Wolfe & Eric Young of SAnitY defeated The Authors of Pain for the NXT Tag Team Championship
SAnitY ended the AOP’s undefeated streak and won the Tag Team Titles with a double team neckbreaker on Rezar.
This was another excellent match, but in a completely different way than the opener. Akam and Rezar stormed the ring for a 4-way brawl with Wolfe and Killian Dain before the match even began. They brawled to the outside and Eric Young pulled out a table, but it didn’t come into play until later as the brawl broke down into a tag team match.
SAnitY teased that it would be Wolfe and Killian Dain, as they were the two brawling with AOP early. However, Eric Young jumped onto the apron and since Killian Dain was never officially in the match, he tagged in to replace Dain as the official member in the match. AOP used an impressive move where Akam backdropped Young onto Rezar’s shoulder, who dropped EY with a Dominator.
Even though there were no official babyfaces, Young fought from underneath, which the crowd was into, but they didn’t seem to care as much for Wolfe’s hot tag. All four men looked good regardless. AOP has improved exponentially since debuting and Wolfe has never had much of a chance to show what he can do, but he was really good as well.
Young got tagged back in, which the crowd popped for. Akam went for an assisted power bomb/superplex to Young, but Nikki Cross held EY’s legs, so Rezar took a power bomb. That would have been the finish, but Akam just broke up the pinfall at the last second. Paul Ellering and Nikki Cross confronted each other, but Cross dove over the top rope onto Akam. However Akam caught her and was about to slam her down, but Killian Dain speared both of them through the table from earlier. Rezar was left with Wolfe and Young and that was it.
After the match Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly ran in through the crowd and assaulted everyone. They weren’t called reDRagon, but Mauro referenced their successes in ROH and New Japan. After laying out the other 4 men, they dropped Young with Chasing The Dragon (called by name). Fish and O’Reilly dropped the tag team titles on Young and left through the crowd.
**********
Neville was moodily sitting in the crowd by himself. Shinsuke Nakamura and Kalisto were sitting elsewhere.
**********
Jim Ross came out as the surprise guest commentator for the next match. Good to see he hasn’t retired since Cesaro & Sheamus had that confrontation with Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins at the WWE 2K event yesterday.
PLUS Code Orange came back to play Aleister Black to the ring for the next match.
**********
Aleister Black pinned Hideo Itami
The finish saw Black block the Go To Sleep and hit the Black Mass while Itami screamed for everyone to show him respect. A good match, but not quite as good as the first two bouts.
You know what you were in for when the match began with both men kicking each other in the face multiple times. Itami hit the first big move of the match as he dropped Black on the top rope and used a jumping knee to the head. He may have caught him in the nose, since Black sprung a leak and is wearing the crimson mustache.
Itami face washed a down Black and mocked him by sitting cross legged on the mat. Black started his comeback and hit the Quebrada, but actually kicked Itami on the top of the head. Itami took him back down with a diving clothesline and a Fisherman Suplex. Itami hit a Falcon Arrow from the middle rope, but Black kicked out and stared down Itami.
Near the finish we get a flurry of strikes from both men. Kicks, punches, chops, slaps, knees, everything you can do to hit another man was thrown in one 60 second burst.
**********
Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Bayley were shown at ringside before the next match.
**********
Asuka submitted Ember Moon to retain the NXT Women’s Championship
Asuka will live to see Day 506 as NXT Women’s Champion as she submitted Ember Moon to the Asuka Lock. (Mauro kept calling it 504 days, but today is Day 505)
This match got off to a quick start with Ember attacking at the bell. Asuka rolled to the outside, but Ember used a flip dive off the middle rope onto Asuka. The champ took over by sending Ember first into the ring steps and then suplexed her onto the ramp. Back in the ring Asuka focused her offense on Ember’s shoulder that was injured several months ago, locking in a Fujiwara Armbar. Ember got out of it and hit a step-up enziguri for a 2 count.
Asuka went for the Asuka Lock, but Ember reversed it into one of her own, but Asuka reversed that and locked it on good, but Ember was able to flip over and almost pin her there. Ember kicked out of a Running Hip Attack and blocked a second before hitting a tornado suplex. Asuka booted Ember right in the face, but Ember slammed her to the mat. Ember trapped her in the tree of woe and hit the double foot stomp.
Ember finally hit The Eclipse…but Asuka kicked out. The crowd exploded for both the move and the kick out. Ember looked on the verge of tears. She went for a second one, but Asuka cheated by holding the ref in front of her. Then Asuka rolled through on a flying crossbody and had a handful of trunks, but the referee caught her. Ember got another super close near fall with a superkick, but she got caught on the kickout.
**********
Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe were both sitting ringside.
**********
Triple H will be on Facebook Live with Cathy Kelly after the show ends.
**********
Drew McIntyre pinned Bobby Roode to win the NXT Championship
The NYPD Pipe and Drum Band did a brief performance accompanying McIntyre on his entrance. In Bobby Roode’s continuing quest to have the longest entrance in pro wrestling his walk to the ring tonight clocked in at an even four minutes.
McIntyre won the title with his second Klaymore kick. Roode had the match won with his second Glorious DDT, but insisted on going for a third and that was his downfall. That was then followed by the debut of Adam Cole, teaming with Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly to lay out the new champion. An excellent main event, followed by a great post-match angle to cap off a great show.
The two men were evenly matched early, but Roode almost hit the Glorious DDT two minutes into the match and mockingly told Drew how close he was. McIntyre came back and used his suplex throw. Outside the ring Roode went for a dive off the apron, but he got caught and eventually Drew gave him a tilt a whirl slam on the ring apron (which is the hardest part of the ring).
Roode finally took over with a neckbreaker on the middle rope as McIntyre tried to get back in the ring. Roode used a Buff Blockbuster on the mats outside the ring and a neckbreaker inside the ring. At some point Roode got a pretty noticeable bruise outside his left leg.
Roode went for a running crossbody, but he got caught and Drew dropped him with a Celtic Cross for a 2 count. Drew went for a top rope superplex, but Roode tripped him and due to his height, Drew’s head smacked off the mat with a thud. While Roode played to the crowd, Drew sat up and heaved him across the ring.
McIntyre set up for the Klaymore, but Roode feigned being unconscious. McIntyre picked him up and almost hit Future Shock, but Roode hit a Back Stabber. Drew finally hit the Future Shock, which was his old finisher, but Roode got out at 2. Roode then hit a Running Liger Bomb for a 2 count. McIntyre hit the Klaymore, but Roode got his foot on the ropes on the pinfall attempt.
Roode rolled outside and Drew tried to go after him, but the referee manhandled him to prevent him from doing so. Drew then ignored him and did a running tope over the top and partly to Roode (but mostly to the mats). Roode avoided a second Klaymore and hit a Spinebuster and a Glorious DDT, but somehow, someway, McIntyre kicked out.
The title lineage now reads Seth Rollins, Big E, Bo Dallas, Neville, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode and Drew McIntyre. The King is dead, long live the new King!
After the credits rolled, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly appeared on the ring apron to play distraction as Adam Cole ran in through the crowd and attacked the new champion! The three former ROH stars put the boots to Drew McIntyre and ended the show standing tall.
The Big News: Bobby Roode stood tall over both Drew McIntyre and Roderick Strong as his interference led to a no contest in the main event.
The Medium News: Ember Moon cut a fiery promo stating that she will be the new NXT Women’s Champion on Saturday.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Lars Sullivan threw his Tag Team Partner of the Week in the trash.
**********
We started the show with Mr. William Regal mid-ring for the semi-annual NXT contract signing. If there is one thing you can commend Mr. Regal for it’s that NXT always has the proper match paperwork filled out and signed.
Anyway, this particular contract signing was for the upcoming Women’s title match as Ember Moon will, once again, challenge the undefeated, undisputed, reigning, defending NXT Women’s Champion Asuka.
Moon told Asuka she has had an incredible journey here on NXT and has been the most dominant champion in WWE. Moon said her undefeated streak has even surpassed Goldberg, which led to the crowd chanting “Asuka” in the same manner.
Moon finally brought up that Asuka cheated to beat her at TakeOver: Orlando. She also blamed Asuka for her shoulder injury taking her out of Chicago. Moon got irate and said she refuses to be a victim, and due to Asuka’s shortcuts she has gotten better. She vowed to end Asuka’s undefeated streak and become the NXT Women’s Champion.
Asuka smiled at Moon before stating something in Japanese before both ladies walked off.
Random trivia: As of Saturday Asuka will be at 504 days as NXT Women’s Champion, which passes Rockin’ Robin’s 502 days as WWF Women’s Champion in 1988-1990 and makes her the longest reigning champion of any WWE title since Hulk Hogan’s 1984-1988 WWF title reign.
**********
Regal was confronted by Lars Sullivan earlier today. He said he knows he has been bad in the past, but he promises to be good if Regal gives him one more tag team match. Regal reminded him that his partner could lose, but Sullivan promised to be a good boy this time. Mr. Regal acquiesced.
**********
The Street Profits defeated Lars Sullivan & Chris Silvio
Sullivan found the smallest, geekiest looking partner he could find. Shockingly, this strategy didn’t work out for him.
Sullivan wanted to start the match, but Silvio ran across the ring at the bell and got punched in the face by Angelo Dawkins. Montez Ford marked out for it so bad that he ran into the crowd and celebrated before returning to the ring. The Profits did not allow Silvio to tag out and they pinned him after the Sky High/frog splash combination.
After the match, Sullivan lived up to his promise of not destroying his partner in the ring by literally carrying him outside the arena and throwing him into the trash bin.
**********
Ruby Riot defeated Billie Kay
This was set up last week when Kay and Peyton Royce were going to do a makeup tutorial, but they were distracted by Riot randomly walking by and thus never finished their tutorial.
Kay and Royce were fooling around at the start of the match, so Riot had enough of their shenanigans and used a series of roll-ups for one counts. Kay finally took over with a kick to the head. She used Eat Defeat at one point, but it only got a two count, which she could not believe.
Riot made her comeback, which led to Royce trying to interfere. Unfortunately for The Iconic Duo, Riot kicked Royce off the apron and kicked Kay in the head for the pin.
Royce then declared that Riot got lucky, but she will never be Iconic. Riot didn’t seem to care and walked off.
**********
This Saturday at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III:
Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Hideo Itami vs. Aleister Black
NXT Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Ember Moon
NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain defending against SAnitY
NXT Champion Bobby Roode defending against Drew McIntyre
The rundown of the card led into a really nice video package talking about what brings us to the AOP vs. SAnitY match.
**********
Drew McIntyre vs. Roderick Strong ended in a no contest
In case the stipulations confuse you, if Strong can defeat McIntyre then at some point in the future Strong will get a match against Bobby Roode. Win, lose, or draw, McIntyre is still the number one contender and will face Roode this Saturday at TakeOver for the championship.
Strong came out at the bell quick until McIntyre kicked him right in the stomach and then used a dead-lift release suplex on his smaller foe. They ended up fighting outside the ring, Strong took a running start at McIntyre, but McIntyre hoisted him into the air and sent him into the ring post.
Strong didn’t even sell that for very long, as he dropped McIntyre with a backbreaker on the ring apron, which is the hardest part of the ring. Strong actually got most of the offense, with McIntyre having to fight back from underneath.
McIntyre started his comeback, which featured both men booting each other in the face. McIntyre went for the Claymore, but Strong kneed him in the face and dropped him with another backbreaker.
Strong put McIntyre in the tree of woe and was probably going for a double foot stomp, but Roode ran in from out of nowhere. Roode shoved Strong off the top rope and began attacking McIntyre as the referee called for the bell.
Roode slammed Strong outside the ring and then dropped McIntyre with the Glorious DDT. The show ended with Roode standing over his main rivals, holding his belt high.
That does it for this week. This Saturday check out our live play-by-play of NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn and then come on back next Wednesday for all the fallout. Until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
This had the best crowd reactions of anything. Gargano did a great job selling and is such a great worker. He’s also in ridiculous condition. I expect this will be similar to their TakeOver match and it should be something. Gargano won with the Gargano Escape.
– Ruby Riot & Sarah Logan defeated Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose
One of the best bouts on the show. Logan’s selling is great in little ways you don’t notice on television. Deville has improved tremendously and understands how to work for her character a lot more.
Mandy Rose has potential to be a superstar. Her look may get you thinking she’s just a model they are throwing out there but she’s a great athlete.
– Lars Sullivan defeated Oney Lorcan
Lorcan is the perfect opponent for Sullivan as he’s so intense and brings it even with the gigantic size difference. Sullivan would have been a super attraction in the 70s and 80s as a heel with a manager doing programs with guys like Bruno, Dusty, Watts, Fritz, etc.
Sullivan has an incredible physical presence and reminds me of a much larger version of the Mongolian Stomper. The potential is there for him to be a major superstar. Sullivan won with a slam sort of like Takeshi Rikio’s old finisher.
– Aleister Black defeated Hideo Itami
This was weird. Black has the superstar ring entrance and aura — really to a degree with maybe the top ten guys in WWE as a whole. But because he’s done this badass fighter who finishes people in seconds on TV like a Goldberg, the people are not interested in him selling. It’s not that he’s not good at it, but it’s not what the people want to see from him, but to do a long match you have to do it.
Itami did such a good job to overcome that as the match went on and he’s got good heel tricks. The crowd reacted to Itami like they saw him as a major star and didn’t want to boo him either, so he had to overcome that. Black won with the Black Mass. This is probably getting ready for their TakeOver bout.
Sabbatelli has the look and is clearly a top level athlete, like you see something is there. Moss looks like a muscular heavyweight Perro Aguayo Jr. Ohno sold much of the way to set up McIntyre’s comeback.
McIntyre should be top three or four on either major brand right now. He clicks every box: great worker, connects, fiery comeback, great facial expressions, strong promo skills, and great size and look. His hot tag was exactly what it should be. He pinned Moss with the Claymore Kick.
– William Regal came out to a huge ovation, and said the last five years have been the most satisfying of his career in wrestling, talking about watching the brand grow from drawing 50 to 75 people to shows like this.
– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Ember Moon
Asuka won with a crossbody off the top and a roll through. She wasn’t a heel at all, even though she is in the TV build for this. The crowd was a little tired. Not nearly as good as you’d think. Believe it or not, the other women’s match on the show was significantly better.
– Alexander Wolfe & Eric Young defeated NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain by DQ
Unlike in other cities and in the TV build, SAnitY played complete faces. I guess they did the switch based on crowd reactions earlier this week where AOP had been the faces. Wolfe sold and Young made the hot tag.
There was a notable major botch on a Young neckbreaker, but Young kept going and honestly, it only hurt the bout for a second. Young had Akam pinned and Rezar pulled the ref out of the ring for the DQ.
People didn’t like the finish so they did a post-match brawl with Wolfe and Young doing dives and brawling to the back. Nikki Cross was with SAnitY. No Killian Dain. No Paul Ellering.
– NXT Champion Bobby Roode defeated Roderick Strong to retain his title
They did the same finish as they always do with Roode using a low blow and two DDTs. It was an excellent main event. It’s hard because Roode is the most popular guy on the roster but he works as the heel which is tough on a babyface. He carries himself like a superstar.
Strong’s wrestling is excellent but it took a while to get the crowd behind him. Roode did much more than I’ve seen of him and this was as good or better than his TakeOver title matches. The crowd was very into the match itself, and the idea it was a real championship style match, in the last 10 minutes.
After the match, McIntyre came out, cleaned house, and cut a promo that he was taking the title in eight days.
The Big News: Roderick Strong will wrestle Drew McIntyre next week and, if he wins, he gets a match with Bobby Roode after TakeOver.
The Medium News: Eric Young returned to assist SAnitY in once again laying out The Authors of Pain.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas was made official for TakeOver.
**********
As the show began, Nikki Cross was in the ring screeching for The Authors of Pain to come out. Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain came in through the crowd as Akam and Rezar stormed down the aisle. Suddenly, as Akam got in the ring, Eric Young returned and attacked Rezar in the aisle.
Young zip-tied Rezar to the guardrail and all three male members of SAnitY laid out Akam in the ring. Rezar finally dragged the guardrail into the ring, but he was no match for Wolfe, Dain, and Young.
Wolfe and Young gave Akam a double-team neckbreaker, and for one of the first times ever, someone stood tall over The Authors of Pain. SAnitY posed with the NXT Tag Team titles before walking away.
**********
You know what we haven’t had in a few months? A contract signing! That will be rectified next week as Asuka and Ember Moon put their signatures on the dotted line to make their match at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III official.
**********
Earlier today, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce were planning on giving us an iconic makeup tutorial when Ruby Riot randomly showed up in the hallway, ruining the shot. After making fun of Riot, they were in a bad mood and didn’t do their tutorial.
**********
The Street Profits defeated Chris & JC Metro
This was the long awaited debut of The Street Profits. Angelo Dawkins had spent several years as a TV jobber and this is his first actual push, as he teams with Montez Ford. Dawkins still does that weird, unexplained thing where he wears two headbands.
The Metros were trained by The Dudleys and dress like greasers, but they didn’t even act like greasers and were just dressing the part.
Dawkins lost a headband as him and Ford did a series of moves to Chris Metro, but the dastardly jobbers got the brief advantage with a punch to the stomach. Dawkins ran over Chris with a spear and gave JC a Sky-High, followed by Ford hitting a frog splash for the pin.
**********
Aleister Black was leaving the arena last week when he was attacked by Hideo Itami. Itami failed and Black seemed to not even be trying to fight as four people dragged Itami away kicking and screaming.
This led to an announcement for Black vs. Itami in 10 days at TakeOver.
**********
The dapper NXT general manager, Mr. William Regal, was mid-ring after commercial to introduce the combatants in the main event at TakeOver. I did not have my stopwatch out this time, but Roode only took about two minutes to get to the ring with his own personal security. The security was there to stop a raving lunatic like Roderick Strong from running out.
Roode told McIntyre that he (Roode) is entitled. He doesn’t need a second chance like McIntyre. He came in a year ago and has done everything he said he was going to do, from changing NXT to becoming the face of the brand. Whether McIntyre likes it or not, this is Roode’s NXT, stating “this is not we, this is me.”
McIntyre said Roode is a prototype and has had an amazing year, but there is one big problem and that is that he is an ass. McIntyre is starting to pity Roode because he believes the crap coming out of his own mouth. McIntyre vowed to Claymore Roode back down to reality, and in Brooklyn Roode will be staring across the ring at the new NXT Champion.
Strong stormed out onto the stage to announce that he is not done with Roode. Strong said this is not about the NXT title, but about Roode disrespecting Strong’s fiancee, family and Strong as a man. Strong said he wants to fight Roode and asks if he is a man.
Mr. Regal tried multiple times to stop Strong from mouthing off, but Roode snapped and screamed that he’ll give Strong everything he wants. He’ll give him a match with Roode, he’ll give him a title shot — if Strong beats McIntyre next week. Regal put Roode in his place, but McIntyre said he wants the match.
Regal still hesitated, but finally succumbed to the pressure and booked the match for next week.
So, next week it is Drew McIntyre vs. Roderick Strong. If Strong wins then he gets Roode in a match after TakeOver. Also, regardless of whether he wins or loses, McIntyre will still challenge Roode at TakeOver.
**********
Kayla Braxton interviewed Johnny Gargano. Gargano said he was a little nervous wrestling last week, but he thought back to the Brooklyn crowd last year and how the reaction DIY got from the crowd helped lead to all their successes. Gargano announced that he wants a match at TakeOver: Brooklyn.
**********
Danny Burch defeated Oney Lorcan
This was a rematch of a hard-hitting bout a few weeks ago where Lorcan defeated Burch. They began with some very intense grappling. The wrestling portion of our evening ended as Burch tripped Lorcan on a leap frog, which I guess for them is fighting words.
They exchanged some hard European uppercuts and Lorcan drove Burch into the turnbuckles harder than you’ve ever seen anyone take that move. Burch got tired of being hit, so he booted Lorcan in the mush and hit a missile dropkick.
Burch hit a hooking lariat, which is allegedly his finish. I don’t believe he’s ever won a match on NXT TV, but he has a finish. Lorcan kicked out of that and the Tower of London. Burch hit a knee to the face and several hard chops, but Lorcan tripped him up and went for a half-crab.
Lorcan kicked at Burch to try to turn him over, but Burch repeatedly booted him in the face over and over again. Lorcan put on the full Boston crab, but Burch rolled through and picked up the shocking win.
If this is not Burch’s first TV win, he’s definitely won less than five. Burch went for the handshake, but Lorcan slapped it away and began walking away. Lorcan then stopped himself, returned to center ring, and shook Burch’s hand. Burch held the ropes open for Lorcan as he left.
It was 8:49 and I was getting ready to sign off and thank you all for reading when they suddenly informed us that Lorcan vs. Burch was not the main event.
**********
Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated No Way Jose
This was the second week in a row that we got a main event that wasn’t announced during the show. Jose took longer than Bobby Roode to get to the ring as he went into the crowd to fiesta before the match. Why is it okay for him to party immediately before his match, but it’s not okay for Almas to party after his match?
Zelina Vega is Thea Trinidad’s new name and she is there to force Almas to take the match seriously. When Almas did his thing where he just lays in the ropes, Jose kicked him off and then Almas got yelled at for doing that.
I guess that worked because the match didn’t last much longer. Almas hit the running double knees in the corner and picked up the win with the hammerlock DDT. Vega did allow him to preen to the camera after winning, which was nice of her. Vega went to the announcer’s table and yelled at them that Almas now deserves the spotlight for winning.
Vega said Almas is going to accept Gargano’s open challenge for TakeOver. Next week is the go-home show for TakeOver, and until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Gargano got a huge response and people seemed to be impressed by Dain’s size. They had a very good, physical big man vs. little man match that the crowd was into the entire time, with Gargano getting the win after a surprise crucifix pin.
– Ruby Riot & Liv Morgan defeated Sonya Deville & Bianca Belair
The crowd really liked Riot and Morgan got a decent pop, though neither of the heels got much of a reaction when they came out. They had a decent match, with the crowd reacting big to Belair’s hair whip spot. They chanted for Riot for most of it and she got the pin after hitting her up-kick.
– Hideo Itami defeated Kassius Ohno
Both got a really good response from the crowd at the start, though Ohno’s reaction quieted down for a bit after the initial pop. The crowd was cheering for Itami more than Ohno throughout much of the match. Ohno pointed at Itami and asked the crowd if he was their guy at one point and the crowd cheered in confirmation.
Ohno had won most of the crowd over by the end of the match. It was really good, with Itami winning with the GTS after Ohno hit an exposed turnbuckle with his elbow. Ohno got up and the crowd gave him an ovation after.
Almas didn’t get much of a reaction, but the other three got good pops, especially McIntyre. The crowd was split on Velveteen Dream, probably because of his Prince gimmick and the show being in Minnesota. There was a brief “you’re not Prince” chant directed at him at one point.
They had a typical house show tag match. Everyone looked good and McIntyre hit the Claymore Kick on Velveteen Dream to get the pin.
– Ember Moon defeated Mandy Rose
The crowd loved Moon and got really into this match. It was pretty good and Rose looked way better than she ever has on TV. Moon hit The Eclipse to get the victory.
– SAnitY (Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe) defeated Heavy Machinery
Most of the match was bear hugs, and that isn’t an exaggeration. The first five to 10 minutes were entirely bear hug spots from Heavy Machinery, with them applying another one whenever SAnitY would get out of one. The crowd really liked Heavy Machinery here.
It turned into a typical tag match after the bear hugs. Killian Dain ran in to distract the ref, which allowed Wolfe to pull Otis Dozovic off the turnbuckle for a roll-up pin. The audience applauded Heavy Machinery after.
– NXT Champion Bobby Roode defeated Roderick Strong to retain his title
Strong got a mediocre reception when he first came out, but Roode may have been the most over wrestler of the night. They had a lot of time and got the crowd invested in the match, which ended up being great.
Strong got a better reaction once the match started. There was a ref bump at one point and Strong hit his finisher, but Roode was able to kick out by the time the second ref got there. Roode then won with two Glorious DDTs after a low blow.
McIntyre came back out after the match to a big pop and cut a promo on Roode, who cowered away from him and ran backstage. The promo was very similar to the one he cut on NXT TV last week.
