These teams are always entertaining. Moss and Sabbatelli riled up the crowd, taunting and putting a beating on the crowd favorites. Dawkins and Ford ran wild and hit a double team DDT on Moss to win it.
– Patrick Clark defeated Adrian Jaoude
Jaoude almost had it won with an ankle lock, but Clark was still able to hit a famouser to get the pinfall victory.
– Oney Lorcan defeated Kona Reeves
This was a physical match. Lorcan won with a running blockbuster.
– Ember Moon, Macey Estrella & Aliyah defeated Mandy Rose, Billie Kay & Peyton Royce
Female independent wrestler Kennadi Brink was the referee for this match. The crowd loved the action. The heels worked over Estrella and used distractions to keep the advantage, then the finish saw Moon take a hot tag and hit a big slam on Rose for the win.
– Dory Funk Jr. did an in-ring interview but was interrupted by Wesley Blake and Steve Cutler. They talked up all of the people Funk has trained and then put down that Funk hasn’t helped them one bit. Hideo Itami made the save and put Blake down with the GTS before proclaiming he was back in NXT.
– Austin Aries defeated Tony Nese
The crowd loved Aries and chanted for him throughout. He won it with a rebound elbow off the ropes.
– Johnny Gargano (w/ Tommaso Ciampa) defeated Dash Wilder (w/ Scott Dawson)
The crowd was on fire here, with “You’re a Chicken” chants to Wilder the entire way. Someone even had a “Chicken” sign because this is an Ocala tradition to insult The Revival as such. There were loud “Johnny Wrestling” chants when Wilder had the advantage. Gargano was able to make Wilder submit to a crossface.
– Tye Dillinger, No Way Jose & Liv Morgan defeated SAnitY (Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain & Nikki Cross)
This was a great match. Everyone looked like stars here. It was well paced and built to a parade of finishers, as Morgan hit the STO on Cross, Jose hit the wind-up punch on Dain, and Dillinger connected with the Tye Breaker on Wolfe to win the match and send everyone home happy.
The finish came when Murphy hit a big running suplex. Sabbatelli and Moss roughed up Murphy after the match until Hideo Itami made the save and put Moss down with a GTS. He then hit Murphy with one as well.
– Tian Bing defeated Kona Reeves
Bing won with a big kick.
– Aleister Black defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas
This was a great match. It was evenly matched until the end when Black hit a hard kick and scored the pin.
– NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain vs. SAnitY vs. Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins vs. Heavy Machinery ended in a no contest
The champs and SAnitY were the last two teams in this elimination match after Ford & Dawkins and Heavy Machinery had been defeated. They brawled and a locker room worth of security tried to break it up.
– There was an in-ring interview with Jeet Rama. Vic Joseph spoke with him about being a new dad and a world-class Indian wrestler. The Highway Man appeared and played us a song very similar to an Elias Samson song. He got in a scuffle with Rama until Rama sent him packing.
– Ruby Riot defeated Mandy Rose
Riot hit an up-kick to win what was a good match.
– Shinsuke Nakamura & Kassius Ohno defeated NXT Champion Bobby Roode & Patrick Clark
This was an entertaining match, with all types of action along with Clark’s comedy. Nakamura hit a Kinshasa on Clark for the win and then celebrated with a Shinsuke stuffed bear from a crowd member to send everyone home happy.
Due to a neck injury he suffered at an NXT live event earlier this month, Hideo Itami is officially out of the 2016 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Itami announced the news in a video on Thursday afternoon. He was scheduled to team with Kota Ibushi in the tournament before being forced out of action. No indication was given as to whether Ibushi would be given a replacement partner for the tournament.
NXT is scheduled to tape more episodes of television tonight featuring Dusty Classic tournament matches.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wednesday night that Itami was almost surely out of the Dusty Classic after suffering a serious neck injury when teaming with Shinsuke Nakamura against Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss on October 1st. Itami got spiked on a powerslam by Moss, but made the tag to Nakamura to finish the match.
Itami noted in the video announcement that he wasn’t sure if he would be able to return in time for NXT TakeOver: Toronto next month, but vowed to be back in time for NXT’s first show in his home country of Japan in December.
This is the second time that Itami has been forced out of the ring due to injury since joining WWE. He returned in June after being out for over a year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
It appears that Hideo Itami may once again be on the shelf with an injury.
According to Dave Meltzer, Itami suffered a significant neck injury at an NXT live event on October 1st. There’s no diagnosis other than that he’s officially not medically cleared to perform and there’s no timetable for his return.
Our NXT reporter JJ Williams was at the show where Itami suffered the injury. Itami teamed with Shinsuke Nakamura against Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss in the show’s main event. Towards the finish, Moss went for a powerslam but ended up spiking Itami on the mat. Itami made a tag to Nakamura, who finished the match.
Meltzer reports that Itami is almost surely out of his scheduled appearance in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. It was announced earlier this month that he would team with Kota Ibushi in the tournament. NXT tapes its next set of episodes featuring Dusty Classic tournament matches on Thursday night.
If Itami does face a lengthy absence, it will be the second time since joining WWE in 2014 that an injury has forced him out of action. He returned to the ring in June after being out for over a year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Pro Wrestling Sheet first reported that the injury could keep Itami out for an extended period of time.
I’m here in Largo, FL, for NXT Live in front of an expected crowd of 300.
– Oney Lorcan defeated Patrick Clark
Running blockbuster followed by a running uppercut for the win. Clark did a lot of taunting and arm work, but Lorcan fought through the pain to deliver his signature uppercuts.
– The Authors of Pain defeated Kenneth Crawford & Angelo Dawkins
Double team leg sweep/lariat for the win. The Authors are just too much for the smaller opponents. Crawford and Dawkins got a few hope spots but it was mostly total domination.
– Nikki Cross defeated Liv Morgan
Snap fisherman’s suplex for the pin. Good action here, they worked well together. Cross is the aggressive maniacal heel and Morgan is the fired up babyface.
Double team overhead side slam for the win. After the match, Cross went to the middle rope and was about to add insult to injury but Liv Morgan ran out to take care of her and allowed Bogojevic and Knight to send Sanity packing.
– Tye Dillinger defeated Buddy Murphy
A lot of comedy in this one, Murphy would sell how much the 10 taunts bothered him. Dillinger won it with the Tye Breaker.
– Ember Moon defeated Aliyah
Top rope diving stunner by Moon for the win.
– In-ring promo by Elias Samson about his broken leg. Crowd was all over him.
Nakamura and Itami did all their signature spots and added comedy. Nakamura did good vibrations in the corner during a tag to Itami, so he ended up shaking himself as well. The heels took advantage and worked over Nakamura to lead to an Itami hot tag. Itami ran wild, clearing house to allow Nakamura to gather himself and tag back in for the Kinshasa and the win.
There was a scary moment towards the finish when Moss went for a powerslam on Itami and it seemingly spiked Itami on the mat, crowd went silent until Nakamura tried to reach and tag himself in to finish the match off. Itami avoided the doctors and nodded when asked if he was okay after the match. He celebrated the big win and seemed okay.
Editor’s note: Additional details were added by Dave Meltzer
The Cruiserweight Classic finale won’t be the last we’ve seen of Kota Ibushi in WWE.
WWE announced on Thursday afternoon that Hideo Itami would be teaming with Ibushi in the second annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Ibushi has always been up for working dates in WWE but at least up to this point had not wanted to sign a full-time deal as he had things he still wanted to do in Japan. NXT has shown in the past they are willing to use people for attention even if they aren’t signed full-time, so this is not necessarily an indication Ibushi has been signed, although WWE has been wanting him for some time.
In addition to Itami and Ibushi, NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, Andrade “Cien” Almas and Cedric Alexander, Bobby Roode and Tye Dillinger, and Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss were officially announced for the tournament. The full field will consist of 16 teams, and WWE.com will reveal participants each day until it begins on NXT TV.
It was announced at NXT’s latest TV tapings earlier this month that the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic would return for a second consecutive year. The announcement aired on television last night, with William Regal introducing the tournament.
The tournament will conclude at NXT TakeOver: Toronto on November 19th.
Finn Balor and Samoa Joe defeated Rhyno and Baron Corbin in the finals of last year’s inaugural Dusty Classic before beginning their lengthy rivalry over the NXT Championship.
The Big News: If there was ever an episode that proved it’s a new era of NXT — it was this one.
The Medium News: Shinsuke Nakamura returned to Full Sail University for the first time since winning the NXT title, with the crowd giving him an ovation worthy of a champion.
The Little Beaver Sized News: Steve Cutler is getting a push.
*********
Earlier today, a doctor informed both Samoa Joe and William Regal that Joe is not cleared to compete due to injuries he suffered at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II. Joe stormed out of the office without saying a word.
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Tye Dillinger defeated Buddy Murphy
This was set up last week when Dillinger defeated Buddy Murphy’s former tag team partner, Wesley Blake. Murphy kept the annoying dubstep music even though he lost his girl and his tag partner.
The crowd chanted “one” at Murphy, before downgrading him and chanting “You’re a zero.” This match was much better than the Blake match, for one it was shorter, and for another, the crowd actually cared about more than just chanting.
Tye Dillinger won his second match in a row with the Tye Breaker.
*********
They showed video footage of Johnny Gargano tapping out at both TakeOver: Brooklyn and last week at the Cruiserweight Classic. This led to a backstage interview with Tommaso Ciampa. Ciampa started talking when The Revival walked up, which led to a fight between Ciampa and the tag champs.
The fight spilled into the arena with The Revival throwing Ciampa over the announcer’s table and then beating him down to the ring. Ciampa tried to defend himself, but he couldn’t get much of anything since Dash Wilder was holding his arms behind his back while Scott Dawson beat on him.
Revival kicked Ciampa out of the ring, like garbage, before grabbing the microphone.
Dawson said everyone is a tough guy until they face reality, and The Revival is that reality. Gargano and Ciampa faced the top guys in NXT and it was a reality check.
Ciampa dragged himself back into the ring and creepily smiled at the champs before he got laid out with the Shatter Machine.
*********
Steve Cutler defeated Kenneth Crawford
I make a reference to Mike Adamle every time Cutler wrestlers, but from now on it’s all about his Lash LeRoux sideburns. Kenneth Crawford is not to be confused with former WWE developmental/Ascension member Kenneth Cameron, who went on to become Bram in TNA.
Do you remember when the WWF would start house shows with a match between two jobbers? Well, this is as close as we’ve gotten since, as neither man has ever won a match on NXT TV despite doing several jobs.
Crawford kept slipping every time he would be in a situation where he had to land on his feet. He definitely needs more experience, even though he had the most exciting move, with a running shooting star press.
Cutler won with a fisherman suplex-driver.
*********
Hideo Itami was backstage and said at TakeOver, it was a huge moment to kick Austin Aries in the head. He mocked Aries claiming to be injured, saying Aries is a baby and not a real man. If Aries is not a real man then he needs to stay out of Itami’s ring or he’ll make Aries go to sleep… again.
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Sanity is coming!
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No Way Jose defeated Angelo Dawkins
Someone in the front row was so excited for Jose’s entrance that he was caught on camera yawning. This was not Dawkins’ night to get one in the win column, as it was all about getting Jose a win coming out of Brooklyn.
No Way Jose won with his windup punch and Cobra Clutch Slam. And after the match, he literally ran into the crowd and danced with the people in the cheap seats.
*********
Andrade “Cien” Almas was attempting to do a promo when Aries walked up eating a banana. Aries said Itami busted his eardrum, and Almas got angry and yelled at him in Spanish. This eventually led to a challenge for next week. Aries backed away, saying he couldn’t hear Almas.
*********
Liv Morgan defeated Aliyah
Now that they have gutted the women’s division, it’s time for someone new to step up. Will one of these ladies be the next great women’s wrestler?
The most curious thing in this match was when 300 residents of the state of Florida began chanting for New Jersey. It was a match of two halves. For half of this match, it was fun, fine, and had absolutely nothing wrong with it. But it started to fall apart in the second half.
Aliyah slapped on a kimura and then combined that with a headscissors. It turns out her kimura is not nearly as good as Brock Lesnar’s, because Morgan got out of it with no problem whatsoever. Morgan won with a spin kick that didn’t quite connect.
*********
No Way Jose was happy about his win over Dawkins when Bobby Roode walked by, straightened his suit, and walked away.
*********
It was time for the main event segment! The brand new, reigning NXT Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura is in the house! The fans sang his theme song, which is hard to do when your song has no lyrics.
Sometimes I think these chants are more pre-determined than the matches. They seamlessly transitioned from chanting “Nakamura” to “You deserve it.”
Nakamura said when he was in Japan he wanted a new challenge, and the only place to challenge the best is here in NXT. He came here and faced the best, from Sami Zayn to Finn Balor to Samoa Joe. His neck hurts, his knee hurts, and his fingers are shaking, but despite that, he became NXT Champion.
He has held championships before, but this one means the most. He has great respect for Samoa Joe, but the Joe era is over. It’s now the era of strong style.
The show ended with Nakamura playing to the crowd, and no new challengers were teased.
What happens when Asuka returns next week? Until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Results and image courtesy of @katieloud, who estimates 350 in attendance
– Richard Swann defeated Steve Cutler
Both guys were super over, Steve Cutler got a ton of heat. He’s become a good heel. He did a lot of yelling at the fans while beating Rich Swann down. Swann picked up the win with a roll into a standing moonsault.
– Daria Berenato defeated Billie Kay via DQ
The match was pretty even until Mandy Rose came out and beat down Daria Berenato. Rose and Billie Kay went to double team Berenato, but Asuka made the surprise save in the pop of the night.
Asuka cut a quick promo and challenged Rose and Kay to a match against her and Berenato for the next time they’re in Jacksonville.
– Alexander Wolfe & Sawyer Fulton defeated Adrian Jaoude & Cezar Bononi
The match was fun, it ended with Alexander Wolfe and Sawyer Fulton using a double team finisher and Wolfe getting the pin.
– Oney Lorcan defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas
Andrade Almas played heel. He teased grabbing a chair a few times, but Oney Lorcan won on a roll-up. Referee Drake Wuertz stopped Almas from attacking him after the match.
– Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa defeated NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival in a non-title match
This was a really fun match, it ended with Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa doing side-by-side armbars on the tag champions. Gargano got Dash Wilder to tap out.
– Bobby Roode defeated Riddick Moss
Bobby Roode had one of the biggest reactions of the night. Riddick Moss played a good heel, and Roode was fantastic. Roode won with a rotating DDT/facebuster.
– New signee Macey Estrella came out for an interview and cut a promo about how she was there to join an amazing women’s division. She mentioned her past as a marine, saying she never gave up.
– Ember Moon defeated Nikki Glencross
Ember Moon picked up the win with the top rope stunner.
– Hideo Itami defeated Austin Aries
Great match, it ended with Hideo Itami getting the GTS on Austin Aries for the win.
The Big News: Samoa Joe continued to talk sense, telling Shinsuke Nakamura that he will beat respect into him at TakeOver.
The Medium News: Literally the second biggest piece of news on the show was still pictures of Bobby Roode’s early days in TNA (with no mention of TNA or the logo itself).
The Little Beaver Sized News: Nobody on this show was suspended 30 days for violating the WWE wellness policy.
*******
Hideo Itami defeated Mustafa Ali
The final show before TakeOver kicks off with the King of Kick, Hideo Itami, going one-on-one with Cruiserweight Classic competitor Mustafa Ali. Itami is just going through CWC participants, as his return match was against Sean Maluta.
The story of Itami’s matches since his return has been just to reintroduce him to the WWE Universe since he’s been gone for so long. Itami did a baseball slide, and when Ali landed outside the ring, he slammed his hand on the mat. Itami made his comeback after Ali slapped him. And Itami won with the running knee strike.
*******
Up next was a Bobby Roode video package. Ironically, they showed several TNA still pictures, specifically of him in Team Canada. It’s funny to see Scott D’Amore flying the Canadian flag on a hockey stick on WWE programming.
*******
We got an “exclusive preview” of Asuka vs. Bayley. This was a very good video package, showing the downswing of Bayley post-Dallas and how cocky Asuka has become in the same time.
*******
We got a music video to build up Bobby Roode vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas, The Revival vs. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa, and Austin Aries vs No Way Jose. It seemed they were more content to build up how special New York City is.
This episode is shaping up to be almost as useless as the one the week after Dallas where they showed highlights of all the TakeOver matches, then the dark match from Dallas.
*******
William Regal was talking to the camera about how great NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II will be when Billie Kay walked in and demanded a match. Mr. Regal put her in a match with Ember Moon at TakeOver. She seemed to approve of this.
Carmella submitted Mandy Rose with the legscissors in what wasn’t a very good match. Nikki Glencross is the former Nikki Storm, while Rose and Daria Berenato were on Tough Enough. I feel the need to point out Sara Lee, the winner, is not on NXT television yet.
Berenato came to the ring dressed like an MMA fighter, complete with gloves, but as soon as she tagged in she pulled them off and threw them outside the ring. They actually went to commercial with Berenato and Glencross threatening to lock up, then came back with Morgan holding Berenato in a chinlock.
Corey Graves did the over-the-top screaming about Rose that he usually reserves for Eva Marie.
Berenato and Morgan sat in a chinlock for a very long time. Watching Carmella and the heel team really made me appreciate the skills of Morgan, who did a more than adequate job of being a punching bag.
*******
Regal was in a room and told Samoa Joe he did not want the main event interview segment to break down into a brawl.
*******
This Saturday at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II:
NXT Champion Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a championship match
NXT Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Bayley in a championship match
NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival vs. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa in a championship match
Bobby Roode vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Austin Aries vs. No Way Jose
Ember Moon vs. Billie Kay
*******
Another video package aired, this one for the debuting Ember Moon. The prophecy says she’s debuting Saturday night.
*******
We ended the show with an “exclusive” interview where Byron Saxton sat down with Joe and Nakamura.
Joe brought up Regal’s disrespect of him as champion. Joe was even the first person other than me to mention that when Bayley asked for a title shot, Regal went and asked Asuka if it was okay, even though he threatened to strip Joe of his belt.
Joe did most of the talking with Nakamura almost mocking everything Joe said. Finally, Joe flipped out and said he is going to beat respect into Nakamura as security pulled Joe away.
That does it for the show. It took them 45 minutes to do something that got me excited for Saturday, but they pulled it off in the last three minutes. So until Saturday, thank you for reading and remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers.
Who ran over Austin? Who raised the briefcase up in the main event of King of the Ring 1999? Why did the set fall on Mr McMahon during the Million Dollar Giveaway on Raw? It’s been awhile since we’ve had a good WWE mystery even if the Austin mystery turned out to be a bummer.
But at least that mystery got an ending. Others aren’t so lucky. While it was inferred that the Big Boss Man was the one who raised the briefcase during the Austin/McMahons match at King of the Ring, stopping Austin from gaining control of the company, the audience was never given a definitive answer. Was the set falling on Vince just an accident? Who knows?
While we’re at it, what ever happened to doppelganger Kane from 2006? Oh wait: he joined the Bullet Club, right?
As frustrating as an eternal loose end can be, I’d rather that than a completely unsatisfying reveal like car murderer Rikishi, or a leprechaun being outed as that confounded Anonymous Raw GM. It seems WWE mysteries can only end in two ways: badly or not at all.
Today, the biggest mystery in WWE is where Chris Jericho gets those absurdly expensive scarves. Luckily for us who love a good mystery in our pro wrestling, NXT has potentially the biggest WWE mystery in years: Who took out Hideo Itami?
Yes sir, we’ve got a real whodunnit on our hands.
To bring you up to date, in May 2015 at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, Itami, Finn Balor & Tyler Breeze were scheduled for a three-way to decide the new number one contender for the NXT Championship. However, Itami would never make it to the match. Footage which opened the show revealed that Itami had been attacked in the parking lot on his way into the building.
The attacker was not caught on camera, but Kevin Owens was seen suspiciously walking by an injured Itami after the fact.
The attack put Itami on the bench for over a year, only just recently returning to the house show circuit in June for tag team action with former Pro Wrestling NOAH tag team TM61. Hideo’s first TV match since the attack was on August 3 against Cruiserweight Classic competitor Sean Maluta. Despite having one normal and one tiny arm, Itami looked good in his return match, and ready to make up for lost time.
As an Itami supporter, it was great to see him back in the ring, but the most interesting part of the match was finding out whether Itami’s attack, and more specifically the mystery of who attacked him, was going to be acknowledged by the announcers, or swept under the rug like so many dropped WWE storylines.
To my relief, the attack was brought up, but I am a little concerned at how quick Corey Graves was to dismiss the allegations that Owens was the one who took Itami out. I believe his exact words were, “The fact is Hideo was out for a long time. Now, he’s back.”
I feel like there are two ways to interpret that comment by Graves. Either that was WWE’s way of squashing the mystery and turning the focus on Itami’s future. Or, and I’m pulling for this one, they’re going to milk this mystery for all it’s worth and go the slow reveal route. I guess we’ll have a better idea which direction they take when we next see Itami on NXT TV. But for now, it’s time to play Unsolved WWE Mysteries!
If Robert Stack just popped into your head, high five for being an old fart like me!
So just who did actually dunnit? I’m going to start by focusing the investigation on four suspects. Really, we’re talking fiction here, so the attacker can pretty much be whomever WWE wants it to be, logic be damned. But unlike WWE, I take mysteries seriously. Most seriously.
Suspect Number One: Kevin Owens
Big Kev is perhaps the most obvious suspect. He was there at the scene of the attack moments after it happened, and he was anything but sympathetic. He may have seen Hideo as his biggest threat to the championship, leading to the attack, but I don’t buy that as his motivation. Hideo was scheduled for a three-way for the number one contendership, so why only attack him?
Wasn’t Bálor or Breeze…well, Bálor an equally major threat to Owens? If you’re going to eliminate your challengers to the title, wouldn’t you eliminate all of them, not just one? Then again, Owens is a heel, and heels do like to sneak attack faces. So there is that, but Owens isn’t my favourite choice
Suspect Number Two: The Club
Oh yes, the Biz Cliz. Let’s not forget who benefitted the most from Itami’s injury. While Itami lay in agony in the Full Sail car park, Bálor went on to defeat Tyler Breeze and become the number one contender (Yes, in this scenario, Itami spent the entire show lying in agony in the car park). He then beat Owens for the NXT title in Japan, THE COUNTRY HIDEO COMES FROM! Coincidence? I THINK NOT!
Itami would have to watch from his hospital bed as Bálor’s success in NXT would continue, eventually becoming the face of the brand and one of WWE’s most popular stars (Yes, in this scenario, Itami was in hospital for over a year).
I always thought, and I know I’m not alone here, that a great way to introduce The Club to the WWE Universe was to reveal them as the ones who attacked Itami. Bálor, of course, could have been the mastermind behind the attack. As we know, this is not how The Club ended up being brought in, but it doesn’t eliminate Bálor and The Club as suspects. In fact, it’d still make for a pretty great revelation and heel turn for Bálor somewhere down the road.
The problem with Owens and Balor as suspects though is that they’ve both since been promoted to the main roster while Itami remains in NXT. While that doesn’t rule them out, if this mystery is to remain an NXT exclusive, then we need a current NXT roster suspect.
Suspect Number Three: Samoa Joe
Bálor isn’t the only one who found success in NXT during Itami’s absence. In fact, it was the same day Itami was attacked that Samoa Joe made his NXT debut. Coincidence? We’re detectives now. We’re not allowed to believe in coincidences. Jim Gordon, anyone?
Suspect Number Four: Becky Lynch
A bit of a wildcard suspect, but stay with me here. Remember that “Who is Finn Bálor?” series of videos that aired back when Finn was still number one contender for Owens’ NXT Championship? And do you remember how passionately and emotionally Lynch spoke about her good pal Fergal?
Well, some people will go to great lengths to “help out” their friends. And you know what they say: it’s always the one you least expect.
At the end of the day, judging by the aforementioned emphatic “let’s just move on” statement by Graves, there’s a good chance this mystery will become yet another WWE cold case (new WWE Network Series?). And that sucks. This is a pretty great opportunity for NXT and Hideo Itami. Letting this mystery play out could make for some really fun viewing, plus it’s different to the kinds of storylines we’re used to seeing in NXT.
It’s also a great opportunity for Itami to show some range as a WWE performer. Before his injury, it didn’t feel like everything was clicking for Itami in the WWE. He wasn’t completely flopping by any means. He’d had some good matches and, if I remember correctly, he was getting pretty good crowd reactions, but I never got the sense he was completely comfortable transitioning from KENTA to Hideo Itami.
A good old fashioned whodunnit may be just the thing Itami needs to give his character, well, a bit more character.
Let’s see what kind of range Itami can show as a performer. Worst case scenario, it turns into a joke and R-Truth shows up in Sherlock Holmes cosplay. Best case scenario, we the audience are exposed to some intriguing, character defining television. Worse worst case scenario: Hideo’s mystery attacker is never brought up again.
I’m here in Winter Haven, FL, for NXT Live action. Expecting a crowd of 300.
– Richard Swann defeated Noah Potjes
Potjes took most of the match and kept Swann grounded. Swann eventually hit a big superkick and a roll-through pin where he even ended up in a headstand. Crowd loved Swann, he was very over tonight
– Sara Lee defeated Liv Morgan
They kept this one simple. Sara used some holds to keep Liv controlled, Liv missed a spinning heel kick, and Sara was able to get the leg and lock in an STF-type submission for the win.
– Hugo Knox defeated Tino Sabbatelli
Mean guy match. They traded power stuff until Knox was able to get the pin.
– King Constantine defeated Alexander Wolfe
The 300-plus pound King Constantine returns to action here. Wolfe tried to keep him grounded, but wasn’t able to stop the powerful comeback and was finished with a torture rack into a face-down slam for the pin. This guy is huge.
– Aliyah defeated Mandy Rose
Mandy cut a pre-match promo about being a bikini model champion. She challenged anyone who wants to face her to come on out. Aliyah answered the challenge and they had an even match until Aliyah hit a fisherman’s suplex for the win.
– In-ring promo by Steve Cutler about how he’s sick of hearing about the draft, that he’s sick of this new generation worrying about everything but wrestling. The only thing that matters is what happens in this ring
– The Authors of Pain defeated Tucker Knight & Niko Bogojevic
The definition of a hoss fight as they just powered each other around until the Authors hit their hold-up lariat finish. Brutal and hard hitting.
– Hideo Itami defeated Beautiful Blonde Blake
Blake tried to wear down Hideo in a snug headlock, the crowd was heckling him the entire match. Itami fired up with a series of kicks and some good near falls, countering each other before Itami nails the running knee for the win.
NXT opened with Hideo Itami finally making his return after being out of action for over a year with a shoulder injury. Itami’s real life injury was turned into an angle, with him being assaulted by a mystery attacker in the parking lot prior to NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable last year.
Fingers were initially pointed at Kevin Owens, and there was speculation on this week’s show about whether Owens was really responsible for the attack.
Maluta made his NXT debut after losing to Kota Ibushi in the first round of the Cruiserweight Classic. Fellow CWC competitors Zack Sabre Jr., Drew Gulak, and Tony Nese were ringside to watch the match. But it was mostly a showcase for Itami, with him making quick work of Maluta.
Itami did a promo after the match about what is next for him in NXT.
Asuka shows her mean streak.
NXT Women’s Champion Asuka faced off against Aliyah with TakeOver challenger Bayley watching on from ringside. Asuka showed more of a mean streak than she has been showing lately, and Bayley had to step in after the match to make Asuka release a submission.
The victorious Asuka will now set her eyes on her title defense against Bayley in Brooklyn later this month.
Ember Moon is coming.
After last week’s somewhat vague vignette, another aired this week confirming that Ember Moon will soon be making her debut.
Moon will also be in action at TakeOver, making her first televised appearance. She was known as Athena prior to the name change and will look to help restock the NXT women’s division after the brand split depleted some of its roster depth.
The “It Factor” makes his debut.
Despite making cameo appearances at the last two TakeOver specials and wrestling on NXT live events, this was former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode’s official NXT debut.
He cut a promo in front of the crowd, but the initially adoring crowd quickly started to turn against Roode as he got increasingly arrogant and ran down NXT fans throughout the segment.
Cruiserweight Classic —
Rich Swann shines.
After making a couple appearances in losing efforts on NXT TV, Rich Swann got his first showcase on WWE programming in the first round of the CWC against Hong Kong’s Jason Lee. Swann showed his trademark charisma and ability to connect with the audience almost immediately.
Swann will be advancing to the next round of the tournament, where he will take on Lince Dorado.
Noam Dar starts the CWC on the right track.
Noam Dar, a 23 year old international star of Israeli-Scottish descent, made his first CWC appearance in a winning effort against Gurv Sihra of the Bollywood Boyz. Dar will look to stay on the winning track next round against HoHo Lun.
Dar did an interview after his win, talking about what the victory meant to him.
“Gentleman” Jack Gallagher wows the Full Sail crowd.
To the delight of Daniel Bryan and seemingly everyone in the audience, “Gentleman” Jack Gallagher was able to fend off a rigorous challenge from Italian Fabian Aichner to advance to the second round. Gallagher will face Akira Tozawa in what is sure to be one of the round’s most anticipated matches.
Gallagher’s unique style was on display and the crowd at Full Sail was fully into the British star.
Gallagher was interviewed after the win. He thanked the crowd for being so receptive and talked about his colorful ring gear.
Tag team partners collide, with only one advancing to the next round.
Though they may be tag team partners, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa showed no mercy for each other in what might be the CWC’s best match so far. Ciampa was relentless, dishing out violent offense against his partner.
But no matter what Ciampa came at him with, Gargano would not back down. Gargano was able to get the win and the two partners eventually embraced after the match was over. Gargano will face TJ Perkins in the second round.
The Big News: Hideo Itami returned after being away for 14 months due to injury.
The Medium News: Bobby Roode debuted to the delight and joy of everyone in the audience — and then he turned heel after five minutes, causing some of the fans to laugh.
The Little Beaver Sized News: The Revival beat TM61, but then got laid out by Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.
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Hideo Itami defeated Sean Maluta
The most pushed thing on the show was the opener. 14 months ago Hideo Itami was injured. He was scheduled to face Finn Balor and Tyler Breeze in a triple threat match at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, but was pulled from the match.
The storyline coming off of the injury was that someone attacked and injured him, with fingers pointed towards Kevin Owens. To the absolute shock of me, Tom Phillips actually brought that up and Corey Graves shot it down.
Zack Sabre Jr., Drew Gulak, and Tony Nese were sitting ringside to watch Maluta wrestle, all of whom are competitors in the Cruiserweight Classic.
This was all about Itami. At one point he pulled down his kneepad for a strike, but instead jumped over Maluta and kicked him in the face. Itami had an ugly scar on his shoulder that he had two different surgeries on. Anyway, this was a successful return and Itami won with the running knee.
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The Revival cut a promo backstage. They said there is no pressure on them, and it is scientifically proven that they are the greatest tag team in not only NXT history, but on the entire planet.
In walked TM61, who said they have traveled the world and faced the best. They challenged The Revival, who told them to get to the back of the line.
TM61 left, leading to Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa walking in. They claimed that they were the number one contenders, but The Revival doesn’t want to face them. They wondered if The Revival was scared. Dawson said they already promised a match to TM61, so they left the four of them to argue over who gets a title shot.
That somehow set up a title match.
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Mojo Rawley and Chris Atkins fought to a No Contest
“Fought” being a relative term.
This is Mojo Rawley’s first singles match on TV in what seems like a very long time. Rawley had the match won with the Pounce in 20 seconds, but the referee had to hold up his count because that was not the finish. Samoa Joe was two seconds late, but he did come down and destroy both men.
After the beating, Joe screamed to the camera that if William Regal isn’t going to consult him about title matches, he is going to destroy Mr. Regal’s television program. Rawley was shockingly allowed a brief comeback, but when he tried leaving, Joe attacked him on the ramp and choked him out.
Growling and spitting into the camera, Joe said this would happen to Nakamura.
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Bayley said it’s time to adapt and mentally prepare for this match against Asuka. She is ready to take her title back. Asuka walked up and mocked the idea that she is ready.
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NXT Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Aliyah
Bayley came out to do commentary for the next match. I miss the days of William Regal doing commentary about how Bayley is his niece’s favorite wrestler.
Before the match, Asuka took a chair, set it on the ramp, and ordered Bayley to go sit in it and watch the match. Bayley threw the chair away and the match was on from there. Aliyah was a very good punching bag with Asuka showing her no respect. Asuka used an abdominal stretch in the ropes, looking completely bored as she was hurting her foe.
Aliyah got a punch, but got kicked right in the face as she jumped off the middle rope. Asuka won with the Asuka Lock.
Bayley got in the ring to make Asuka let go of the hold after the bell, and we were told that these two ladies will have a contract signing next week.
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Last month Oney Lorcan (the former Biff Busick) debuted a new name and defeated the Perfect 10 before never being seen again. He apparently cut a promo after the match saying he needed to go back to his roots in order to compete with the best in NXT.
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Ember Moon is debuting on August 20th at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II.
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We finally got the debut of former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode. He has a cool theme song, shouting that he is glorious. Tom Phillips actually said he is called the It Factor, which was his TNA nickname.
Roode came out and said he had the privilege of sitting in the front row at TakeOver in Dallas, and he cannot explain the emotion he felt sitting with 10,000 screaming fans. He knew from that moment that NXT was the perfect place for him.
He said there was no other company, no other brand, that revolutionized the business like NXT. Not only are “we” NXT, but so are all the fans. But in order to reach that next level, that’s where he comes in. NXT needs Bobby Roode, all of the fans need Bobby Roode.
NXT has found their international superstar to reach the next level, and that superstar is Bobby Roode.
He vowed to be on billboards in Times Square and said he will make NXT a better place. He said he will soon look into the crowd and see leaders of Fortune 500 companies, not these stupid, stupid fans.
He wants to see nicely dressed people, not people wearing oversized t-shirts and ugly cargo shorts. He is a superstar because he wears custom made suits, nice socks, and a Rolex.
The fans actually laughed when he turned heel, while some others started wooing, since Roode was doing his best Ric Flair impersonation. He finished by saying NXT will be glorious.
The decision to bring in a beloved free agent and immediately turn him heel is a questionable one, but NXT has earned the benefit of the doubt in a way that some other promotions haven’t.
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NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival defeated TM61
Yes, that wacky backstage segment where The Revival turned down both teams led to this match.
Slowly but surely The Revival is getting over, as fans don’t sit in complete silence when they come out anymore. The Revival twice got the heat on Shane Thorne, including cutting him off during a commercial break.
The announcers debated over whether or not The Revival is the “winningest” team in NXT history. I should remind everyone that once upon a time, The Ascension were the only real team in NXT, so for almost a full year, they would destroy a jobber team every week.
Nick Miller got the hot tag and no one seemed to care. Unlike when Dash and Dawson faced Gargano and Ciampa, no one believed TM61 would win. Out of nowhere, Dawson won with a DDT.
After the match, Dash and Dawson took the mic to say that it doesn’t matter what part of the world you come from, they are the top guys in NXT.
Out came Gargano and Ciampa, who referred to the Revival as “Arn and Ole.” They then made bad jokes about all the teams The Revival beat, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. The biggest reaction to anything in the last 15 minutes was when they mentioned Pikachu, causing a Pokemon chant.
Long story short, Gargano and Ciampa brought up again that The Revival never beat them. We got a four-way brawl with the challengers dumping Dawson out of the ring and then getting a visual pinfall on Dash.
Phillips closed the show by mentioning that Gargano and Ciampa would face off in the first round of the CWC.
We are almost at TakeOver, and until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Submitted by Ernest De La Garza from the Central Pavilion Arena
– Mojo Rawley defeated Wesley Blake
Blake got a good reaction as he is from San Antonio, but that quickly died as the crowd became firmly behind Rawley. Rawley got the win with a sick looking running haymaker.
– Bayley & Carmella defeated Daria Berenato & Mandy Rose
Bayley and Carmella won after Bayley hit the Bayley-to-Belly. Good match, and I was surprised by how good the heels were.
– Austin Aries defeated Tommaso Ciampa
This was a great match. The crowd chanted for No Way Jose and they both stopped to look at us, then Ciampa started doing No Way Jose’s dance. Aries got the win with his feet on the ropes. He was great playing his usual heel role. The crowd started to chant for Ciampa when it was over, as that was a hell of a match.
– Finn Balor & Hideo Itami defeated NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival in a non-title match
Balor got the biggest pop of the night to this point, but the Revival got a good reaction too. Another really good match. Balor won with the Coup de Grace. A big welcome back chant for Hideo broke out, followed by the crowd thanking Balor as he does his final matches in NXT. Balor bowed to the audience.
– Johnny Gargano defeated Buddy Murphy
Gargano is really over and he won with the crossface in another good match.
– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Nia Jax to retain her title
Asuka won with a kick to Jax’s face. Jax is improving a lot.
– Shinsuke Nakamura & Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated NXT Champion Samoa Joe & Bobby Roode
Nakamura came out to the biggest pop of night, even surpassing Balor. He has great music and a great entrance. The match did not disappoint. Nakamura and Joe went at it with some stiff strikes. Nakamura hit the Kinshasa on Roode for the win.
Nakamura spoke some Spanish and thanked everyone for coming.
A great event, I’ve been coming to WWE events for over 30 years and this is in the top five. Everyone worked really hard.
