Though next week’s episode of Raw probably won’t have the same level of intrigue going into it as last night’s did, WWE has already announced three matches for the show.
Sasha Banks will face Bayley in a match to determine who will challenge for Alexa Bliss’ Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. That was set up last night in a storyline with Banks and Bayley both pleading their cases to Kurt Angle after wins over Bliss in recent weeks.
A two-on-three handicap match between Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose and The Miz, Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas and Finn Balor vs. Elias Samson in a no disqualification match were the other matches announced for next week. Balor tweeted a picture of a nasty cut that he received from Samson’s guitar shot on Raw.
The show should also feature Angle addressing who will challenge for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam after Braun Strowman interrupted Monday’s number one contender’s match between Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe.
The Big News: Did you watch NXT TakeOver: Orlando? If you did, skip this show. If you didn’t, go watch it and then skip this show.
The Medium News: Seriously, just watch TakeOver.
The Little Beaver-sized News: I don’t care that El Vagabundo was The Drifter, just watch TakeOver and skip this show.
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To help get you ready for the entire episode, we started with a several minute video package recapping the entirety of NXT TakeOver: Orlando.
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Peyton Royce (w/ Billie Kay) defeated Aliyah
Peyton Royce kicked off the in-ring action, going one-on-one with Aliyah, who hasn’t been seen on TV in several months. She had the advantage early. Royce asked Billie Kay for help, so Kay tried pulling Royce to ringside for a breather, but Aliyah stomped on their fingers. Royce gave her one evil look and took over from there.
Aliyah made a brief comeback, but got cut off and pinned with a Perfect Plex.
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We got an extended look at the Asuka vs. Ember Moon match from TakeOver and then Asuka laughed at the idea that anyone is left to face her.
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Up next was the extended look at Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas. Almas may have lost, but he did go clubbing in Orlando and posted photos of it on Instagram afterwards, which is part of his new gimmick.
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Heavy Machinery defeated The Bollywood Boyz
Heavy Machinery already have new theme music, taking out the “truck backing up” beeping. Harv and Gurv Sihra’s combined weight is literally less than Otis Dozovic. This was like a “best of” for Heavy Machinery, which is amazing since they have only had two TV matches. They gave Harv the tossing bear hug. Gurv tried to sneak attack Dozovic, but he got caught and squashed between his much larger foes.
Dozovic and Tucker Knight changed their finish. Dozovic picked Harv up for a body slam, but Knight slammed into Dozovic from behind, which caused Dozovic to drop him with a powerslam. Poor Harv.
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Oney Lorcan was stretching backstage and didn’t seem worried that he was wrestling a mystery opponent tonight. He very woodenly said he was here to compete and to win.
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Next we got the lengthy video package for The Authors of Pain vs. DIY vs. The Revival. If you want to read my thoughts on the questionable booking for this match, check out my live NXT TakeOver: Orlando play-by-play from last Saturday.
This led to a Paul Ellering promo. He said this was vindication and a confirmation for the AOP. The entire WWE is trying to slow down their ascension and stop their destiny, because they will be a dynasty.
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What do you do when you have to fill a 50-minute TV show and have like 15 minutes of footage? You fill it up with an extremely long video package looking at the Bobby Roode vs. Shinsuke Nakamura match.
This whole thing culminated in a really nicely done farewell video to Nakamura, documenting the entire year he was in NXT. It also showed him bowing to the crowd after TakeOver and basically saying goodbye.
Roode then cut a post-show promo saying he did exactly what he told everyone he would do. He asked if we were ready for the continuation of Bobby Roode’s NXT.
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Cameras caught up with Drew McIntyre after TakeOver. He noted that he has won championships all over the world and been a game changer and a brand builder. He is now in NXT to win the NXT title.
It was announced he will be on NXT next week.
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Oney Lorcan defeated El Vagabundo
It was then time for the main event. Oney Lorcan wrestled the newest NXT superstar — El Vagabundo. Vagabundo wore gear remarkably similar to former NXT superstar Elias Samson. However, it is supposedly not The Drifter. You see, El Vagabundo wears a mask. Plus, remember last week? Kassius Ohno broke Samson’s guitar and this guitar is in one piece!
He even cut a promo saying he was El Vagabundo! The fans were more into Vagabundo than they ever were the last guy who came to the ring carrying an acoustic guitar. Well, they liked him until he sang that the fans needed to shut up.
Lorcan claimed that Vagabundo was The Drifter. Vagabundo was so upset that he attacked Lorcan before the bell.
The fans did the Ole chant for the debuting luchador as he used more of a ground based offense to take down Lorcan. Lorcan made his comeback and pulled off Vagabundo’s mask…and oh my god it’s The Drifter! I did not see that coming!
Since this is not Mexico, removing his mask was not an automatic disqualification. Lorcan, with a running blockbuster, pinned Vagabundo. After the match a female cop came down to apprehend Samson and remove him. He tried to ignore her, so she grabbed his hair, put him in a wrist lock, and led him away.
That brought the show to an end. Thank you all for reading, and until next week remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
The Big News: Elias Samson must drift away after dropping a loser leaves NXT match to Kassius Ohno.
The Medium News: Dash Wilder won a triple threat match against Akam and Johnny Gargano.
The Little Beaver-sized News: We had three straight talking segments where three people in three different matches talked about fate.
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Dash Wilder defeated Akam and Johnny Gargano in a triple threat match
This week’s episode kicked off with a preview of the triple threat elimination match this Saturday for the NXT Tag Team Championship. All three men had their partners (and Paul Ellering for Akam) at ringside and, for the most part, they stood by and watched the match.
Wilder and Gargano teamed up on Akam early and sent the big man flying to the outside. Wilder then encouraged Gargano to do his big suicide dive, but Wilder could not be trusted. He booted Gargano and dropped him, ending all attempts at working together. After a few minutes, The Revival decided that it was better to rest and both men went to the back.
Even though a blind man could see what was going to happen, Akam and Gargano worked really well together and they did it just long enough to put a little doubt in your head about Wilder coming back.
However, the anticipated finish happened. Akam caught Gargano on a slingshot DDT and dropped him with a snake eyes and a powerbomb, but before Akam could make the cover, Scott Dawson ran in through the crowd and held Akam’s leg. While this was happening, Wilder ran down the aisle, flew into the ring, and pinned Gargano for the win.
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The last video package for Aleister Black aired.
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Heavy Machinery defeated Jonathan Ortagun & Mike Marshall
This was the re-debut of Otis Dozovic and Tucker Knight. I mentioned that they would be a better version of The Authors of Pain when they last wrestled during the Dusty Classic. I stand by that claim. Knight picked up Ortagun for a bear hug and then threw him in the air and he was caught in another bear hug by Dozovic.
These men are heavy and they don’t mind using their weight, including running their stomachs into the head of Ortagun. Their finisher saw Dozovic pick Ortagun up in a body slam position and Knight ran into them. Dozovic then slammed Knight onto Ortagun for the pin.
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We got a backstage contract signing between Asuka and Ember Moon, because what does NXT love more than contract signings?
Moon said Asuka changed and let success get to her head. She said Asuka’s fate was to be the greatest champion in NXT history and Moon’s fate was to beat her.
Asuka said that Moon wasn’t ready, with Moon replying that she’s been ready for a long time. Asuka laughed and walked away.
William Regal wished Moon the best of luck.
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Next we got a video package for Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura. First we saw Roode obsessively watching back his match with Nakamura at TakeOver: San Antonio. He said he took NXT from an underground promotion to a worldwide phenomenon.
The video showed everything Roode has done as champion, which included him celebrating as champion both at home and at the NXT arena.
Nakamura said that Roode does not run NXT, the fans do. Fate has led both men here and Nakamura said he will win the title this Saturday night.
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Paul Ellering cut a promo on behalf of The Authors of Pain. He said DIY believe in fairy tale endings and welcomed them to their Yellow Brick Road to Hell. He said The Revival were dreamers if they think they can beat AOP. We got our third straight promo with a mention of “fate” as Ellering said it was their fate to win.
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This Saturday night at NXT TakeOver: Orlando:
Bobby Roode vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the NXT Championship
Asuka’s 364 day long Women’s title reign is on the line against Ember Moon
The Authors of Pain vs. DIY vs. The Revival in a triple threat elimination match for the tag titles
Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
SAnitY vs. Tye Dillinger, No Way Jose, Roderick Strong & Ruby Riot (Heidi Lovelace) in an eight-person tag
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Kassius Ohno defeated Elias Samson in a loser leaves NXT match
This was a good match, though it was nothing more than good. There have been way too many great matches the last six weeks on NXT to consider this anything more. Both men traded roll-ups early, teasing that the match would be over in 60 seconds. No one believed it, nor should they have.
The fans at UCF, who haven’t cared for much, didn’t care much for this either. They did chant “drift away” briefly, but went back to not caring.
Samson locked on the crossface and they rolled all over the ring before Ohno got the ropes. The fans did wake up for a cyclone boot by Ohno, which was impressive. Samson swept Ohno’s feet and put his feet on the ropes, but the ref caught him before three.
Samson hit his neckbreaker for another two count, but Ohno hit the rolling elbow out of nowhere for the win. The Drifter is gone!
Samson didn’t want to leave, so more referees came out to tell him to go. Security finally dragged him up the ramp. He begged for his guitar back, so Ohno broke it as Samson got dragged away. This wasn’t nearly as awesome as when Bo Dallas did the same thing a few years ago.
That does it for this week. Thank you all for reading this. Until Saturday, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Tonight’s show was in front of a packed crowd of 400 people.
– Roderick Strong defeated Cezar Bononi
The crowd loved Strong. He hit a Sick Kick to win it.
– Patrick Clark defeated Dan Matha
Matha was actually the face here. He hit a huge Rock Bottom backbreaker, but Clark was able to survive and hit a famouser to win.
– Hideo Itami defeated Oney Lorcan
This was one of the better matches on the Florida loop this year, with hard-hitting chops and strikes. Itami looked great and Lorcan is always the most intense wrestler on the card. Itami won with the GTS.
– Daria Berenato defeated Aliyah
Berenato won with an enzuigiri after they had countered each other with a few near falls.
– Tye Dillinger assisted Kayla Braxton in naming who won the WrestleMania raffle that’s been going on this month down here. After they named the winner, we heard those guitar strings and The Straggler (The Drifter under a mask) taunted Dillinger and the crowd. Riddick Moss then joined The Straggler (or Straggs as he called him) and wanted to take on Dillinger as well. Dillinger then asked if anyone in the back wanted to team with him and that led to the next match.
This was the most exciting match in Florida so far this year. Nakamura tried to remove Straggler’s mask, but there was a second mask underneath, so Nakamura put the mask on himself and proceeded to do some excellent lucha with arm drags, rolls, and he even teased a dive. Moss snatched the mask off Nakamura and Nakamura was devastated. Solid action followed and a Kinshasa won it for the good guys.
– Montez Ford (w/ Angelo Dawkins) defeated Brennan Williams
Williams used nice looking power moves. Dawkins caused a distraction, which allowed Ford to steal a quick pin.
– Ember Moon defeated Kimber Lee
Moon won the match with a sit-out driver of some type.
– No Way Jose, Kassius Ohno & Ruby Riot defeated SAnitY (Killian Dain, Alexander Wolfe & Nikki Cross)
This had action all over the place. Riot hit a dive to the outside. Ohno and Dain had a slugfest. Jose took the hot tag and hit his wind-up punch on Wolfe to win and send the crowd home happy.
NXT was in Jacksonville, Florida last night in front of approximately 300 people.
– Ember Moon and Aliyah tied in a women’s battle royal
The other entrants were Nikki Cross, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Daria Berenato, Sarah Bridges, Mandy Rose, Heidi Lovelace, Liv Morgan, Macey Estrella, and the debuting Victoria Gonzalez — a 6-foot-1 former Texas independent wrestler who auditioned for the most recent Tough Enough.
The finish was to set up another match later in the show as Cross, who was eliminated, returned to toss both Aliyah and Ember Moon over at the same time.
– Aleister Black defeated Wesley Blake
Flying knee by Black to win a good match. Black is now wearing combat shorts, which is a new look for him.
– Steve Cutler defeated Cezar Bononi
Cutler hit a second rope stomp to get the win.
– Oney Lorcan defeated Kona Reeves
This was another good match. Lorcan won with the running blockbuster.
The crowd is loving Ford and Dawkins lately on the Florida loop. This was an entertaining and athletic match.
– Roderick Strong defeated Patrick Clark
Sick Kick by Strong for the win.
– Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss cut a promo in the ring where the crowd booed them down after being insulted. They got a lot of heat.
– Ember Moon defeated Aliyah
Moon hit her top rope stunner for the victory. Aliyah has been improving quite a bit lately.
– NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura & Heavy Machinery defeated Elias Samson & The Revival
This had all of the entertainment and work you’d expect from these men in a main event. Heavy Machinery played along with Nakamura’s lead. Revival used all their tactics and The Drifter was despised, of course.
Nakamura hit a Kinshasa on Samson for the official win while Machinery also had Revival pinned at the same time. The winners celebrated to send the crowd home happy with a YeaOh.
I’m in Lakeland, FL, for NXT tonight with an expected 250 people in attendance.
– Tino Sabbatelli defeated Patrick Clark
Great reaction for Sabbatelli working as the face tonight. Early speed rope running, a leapfrog, and a crossbody by Sabbatelli. Clark cut him off and wore him down with headlocks before Sabbatelli hit a forearm in the corner followed by a slam for the win.
– Aliyah defeated Bianca Blair
This was Blair’s first NXT match. It got plenty of time and she showed her athletic ability. Aliyah was able to do an overhead with a bridge for the pinning combination.
Crowd was into the big men for this match, speed and power moves won them over early. The heels worked over Knight in the corner before a Bogojevic hot tag where he ran wild, even doing the worm to a big pop. The finish was Bogojevic tossing Crawford to Knight for an assisted scoop slam.
– Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated Oney Lorcan
There was an early feeling out process and handshake for sportsmanship before Almas stomped Lorcan and went full heel during the match. Legsweep DDT by Almas for the win. He then tried to attack Lorcan after the match but was fought off after a good brawl.
– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka & Ember Moon defeated Billie Kay & Peyton Royce
Very good match as the Australian women had a lot of tag team maneuvers and used the five count expertly to keep the advantage over Moon until the hot tag. Asuka ran wild with flying hip attacks and finally nailed a series of kicks to Kay for the win.
– In-ring promo by Macey Estrella, who is a mother and a former marine.
– Cedric Alexander defeated Beautiful Blonde Blake
Impressive rope running and one-upsmanship early on. Alexander laid in some violent chops, then did the Japanese style repeated chops in the corner. Alexander hit the lumbar check for the win. The crowd gave him a great ovation after the match so he bowed to them in each direction.
– Tye Dillinger & TM61 defeated Sanity (Sawyer Fulton & Alexander Wolfe) w/ Nikki Cross & Elias Samson
The Drifter opened his return with a new song about how much he hated us. One kid even heckled him, so he pointed out “especially her.”
During the match, Nikki Cross would get up on the apron as if she wanted to get involved until Dillinger did a wind-up 10 taunt in her direction which scared her and sent her falling backwards in to the arms of Fulton and Wolfe.
Cross later tried to spray Dillinger with something yet he ducked and it went all over The Drifter, allowing Dillinger to hit the over the knee neckbreaker for the win.
From the Venice Community Center in front of approximately 250 fans
– Bayley beat Mandy Rose
Bayley was wearing a knee brace to sell the angle after losing to Nia Jax on TV this week. She hit the Belly To Bayley for the win.
– Tucker Knight beat Tino Sabbatelli
The slimmed down Knight won with a big punch and what seemed like a Thesz Press.
– Mojo Rawley beat Chris Girard
Rawley got the win after a combination and clothesline while Girard was in the corner.
– Angelo Dawkins beat Dylan Miley
Dawkins got the win out of nowhere.
– NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha beat Sawyer Fulton and Alexander Wolfe
The heels got a lot of heat on Gable before Jordan got the hot tag and they score the win with the assisted suplex.
– No Way Jose beat Hugo Knox
Knox returned as a heel since the last time he’s worked. Jose hit his signature spots and won with the ripcord cobra clutch slam.
– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka and Carmella beat Nia Jax and Peyton Royce
Asuka Lock on Royce for the win.
– Shinsuke Nakamura beat Elias “The Drifter” Samson
Loud heat for Samson’s pre-match promo and attempted song. Huge reaction for Nakamura. Some comedy spots with Shinsuke air guitaring then passing the air guitar to referee Drake Wuertz who then jammed out and even slid on his knees to the center of the ring like the rock star he is. Shinsuke was the victim of many Drifter headlocks before laying in some vicious kicks before his finishing series and Kinshasa for the win.
