Tag: killian dain

Daily Update: NXT notes, Randy Couture, AJ Styles

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

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WON NEWSLETTER: September 7, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Future of Brock Lesnar, Rock battles COVID-19, more

A look at the different directions Brock Lesnar could go is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. We look at the money he can generate for a fight with Jon Jones, the reality about his trying to fight today, why he’s a free agent right now, what Tony Khan said about Lesnar, and why, unless Dana White isn’t telling the truth, it’s unlikely he will fight.  Plus we’ve got comments by both White and Scott Coker on fights they would want to make if he does want to fight.

Also in this issue: 

Positive COVID tests of Dwayne Johnson, A.J. Styles, Kevin Nash, Glover Teixeira and others that came out this week.

Payback, including the genesis of the Roman Reigns heel turn, the Rey Mysterio injury, the booking of the show, plus poll results and star ratigns.

New Japan at Jingu Stadium, including Tetsuya Naito growing up going to the stadium, all three-time IWGP champions, most IC tilte runs in Japan, business notes, plans for the tour going on this weeeknd, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

The departure of Mauro Ranallo from WWE, looking and his five years in the company, his background prior to the company, what old and new projects he’s expected to work on, and why he left.

The NXT title Iron Man match, next Takeover shows, Rey Mysterio television cartoon show, Paul Levesque stock sales, Levesque talks UK brnad, more on different allegations against WWE talent, returns of peope who have sit time out, change to Payback, Charlotte Flair news, Renee Young talks leaving WWE, Styles talks Heyman, lots of TV ratings updates internationally, new member of WWE Board of Directors, WWE market value and the most watched shows of the past week on WWE Network.

This past week’s UFC show.

Bio of Tom Anderson, who wrestled as The Claw and one half of the Masked Interns tag team. We look at two of the most tasteless angles in wrestiling that he was involved in, how one failed miserably and how the other was a huge business success.  This includes the death of Alberto Torres, the heyday of the The Interns, the history of the masked doctors tag team and where it all came from, and classic stories involving Paul “Bear” Bryant, Ken Ramey, Lonnie Mayne, Beauregarde and what top promoter wouldn’t use the Interns and Ramey and why.

The life and career of Ric Drason, from bodybuilding to wrestling, including what two AEW stars he started, the glory days of Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica and the characters involved, his art work that sold millions of T-shirts, how one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time got his name from him, and why he had chacnes to be a star and the reason he never was.

A major change in how television ratings are done and how this is expectede to impact sports the most.

A comparison of the last week of AEW with competition and the show this past week where the only television competition was a replay show. We look at how this impacted every audience, what the audience numbers are likely to be for a regular unopposed Wednesday for AEW or NXT, and go in depth as to both sides of why WWE and USA would or would not want to move NXT. We also look at the huge change in the AEW audience from 8/12 to 9/2.  We also have how the audience ebbed and flowed during the Iron Man match.

Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • On his Twitch stream, AJ Styles said WWE wants him and other performers to continue streaming, saying “From the contacts that I’ve had, the information I got is WWE does want us to interact with our fans, and that means streaming. They want this to happen. They want you to have a YouTube channel. There are things they want you to do and be able to do, and what we knew was a little vague at first.”
  • Bonnie Hammer, who previously served as chair of NBCUniversal Content Studios, has now taken the role as vice chairman of the company.
  • This week’s The Bump featured previous interviews from Sasha Banks, Big E, Lacey Evans, and more.
  • Vic Joseph will join Corey Graves this week on WWE After the Bell.
  • In a clip posted after last night’s NXT, Robert Stone announced that Mercedez Martinez was no longer a part of the Robert Stone Brand. Martinez was later presented with a restraining order from Stone.
  • In another clip posted online, Drake Maverick told Killian Dain that he had spoken to William Regal and next week they’d be teaming to take on the Undisputed Era. Dain wasn’t happy and punched Maverick before walking away.
  • Josiah Williams is back with NXT after being furloughed in April.
  • Triple H wrote on Twitter following last night’s Rhea Ripley vs. Martinez steel cage match main event: “#RESPECT to both of these women. An incredible main event to end a huge episode of #WWENXT. Congratulations to everyone for #NXTSuperTuesday II.”
  • Gary Cassidy of SportsKeeda reported that the WWE Live UK tour has been rescheduled to April/May 2021.
  • In an interview that will be uploaded tomorrow, Chris Van Vliet speaks to former presidential candidate Andrew Yang about WWE’s treatment of independent contractors, growing up as a wrestling fan, Yang’s thoughts on AEW, his favorite match of all time, and more.
  • Here is a trailer for the upcoming film Dune, which features Dave Bautista.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube channel today include Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks & Bayley from the September 9, 2019 edition of Raw, The Miz vs. Roman Reigns for the Intercontinental title from the October 2, 2017 edition of Raw, and Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental title from WWE Night of Champions 2019.
  • Vince McMahon was on a list of 25 billionaires that dropped off the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans. He fell short of the $2.1 billion needed to make the list, with his net worth being $1.8 billion. Shad Khan made the list at #66 with a net worth of $7.8 billion.
  • Xavier Woods has been nominated for an esports content creator of the year award.
  • Woods and WWE have opened a Up Up Down Down store.

Other Wrestling

MMA

  • Randy Couture underwent surgery as a result of a ATV accident on Monday. The surgery put two plates on Couture’s shoulder. Mindy Robinson, Couture’s girlfriend, had minor injuries. 
  • Dustin Poirier told ESPN that he would be ‘in’ to face Tony Ferguson at UFC 254 if the price is right.
  • Dana White says the next season of The Ultimate Fighter will start taping following upcoming shows in Fight Island.
  • Tyron Woodley promises that “I will let my hands go” in his upcoming fight against Colby Covington on September 19.
  • Jorge Masvidal recently crossed paths with Gennady “GGG” Golovkin.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Dusty Rhodes wins NWA TV title

CONTACT INFORMATION

WWE announces Killian Dain vs. Roderick Strong for Tuesday’s NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Killian Dain is set to face off with a member of the Undisputed Era on NXT this week.

WWE announced today that Dain vs. Roderick Strong will take place on this Tuesday’s episode of NXT. This is the fourth match to be announced for the show. It will also feature Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole for the vacant NXT Championship, Rhea Ripley vs. Mercedes Martinez in a steel cage match, and Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory.

On an episode of NXT last month, Undisputed Era interrupted a match between Dain and Drake Maverick and attacked them both before Cole cut a promo on Pat McAfee. Kyle O’Reilly then defeated Maverick on NXT two weeks ago. Strong and Bobby Fish tried to attack Maverick after the match, but Dain came out to the ring to make the save. Maverick thanked Dain for saving him, but Dain then laid out Maverick with a clothesline.

Amid the NHL playoffs, NXT aired on Tuesday last week and is again airing on Tuesday this week. The NXT title match between Balor and Cole will open this Tuesday’s episode. Ripley and Martinez’s steel cage match will main event the show.

NXT notes: Priest vs. Dain no longer set, Kushida returning to action

Posted on by Joseph Currier

– One of the matches that was announced for tonight’s NXT will no longer be taking place.

During this morning’s episode of WWE’s The Bump, it was revealed that Damian Priest won’t be facing Killian Dain on NXT tonight. It was claimed that Priest is still recovering from a rib injury that he suffered at NXT TakeOver: WarGames and isn’t cleared to wrestle tonight.

Priest vs. Dain was originally announced for the episode after both were involved in a triple threat match at TakeOver. Pete Dunne defeated Priest and Dain and went on to challenge for Adam Cole’s NXT Championship at Survivor Series.

Priest also wrestled at Survivor Series. He was on Team NXT for their men’s elimination tag match against Team Raw and Team SmackDown.

– WWE has announced that Kushida will return to action on tonight’s NXT. His opponent hasn’t been revealed.

This will be the first time Kushida has wrestled since facing WALTER on NXT in October. Kushida has been out of action with a hairline fracture of his wrist, with him having suffered the injury prior to his match against WALTER.

Rhea Ripley vs. Dakota Kai is also set for tonight’s NXT.

Damian Priest to face Killian Dain on NXT next week

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two of the triple threat match participants from TakeOver: WarGames are set to face off again on next week’s NXT.

Damian Priest vs. Killian Dain has been announced for NXT next Wednesday (December 4). It’s the first match to be confirmed for the episode.

Pete Dunne defeated Priest and Dain in their triple threat match at Saturday’s TakeOver event. Dunne was on Dain’s back and had him in a sleeper hold near the finish, with Dain breaking that up by dropping both of them onto Priest with a senton. Dunne then pinned Priest to get the win.

As a stipulation of winning the triple threat, Dunne advanced to Survivor Series and unsuccessfully challenged for Adam Cole’s NXT Championship.

Priest and Dain’s interactions in the TakeOver match were recapped on tonight’s episode of NXT. To build up Priest vs. Dain for next week, WWE claimed that Priest had injured his ribs at TakeOver.

Adam Cole to defend NXT title at WWE Survivor Series

Posted on by Joseph Currier

UPDATE —

After originally announcing that Pete Dunne vs. Damian Priest vs. Killian Dain would be on this week’s NXT, WWE has noted that the match will instead take place at TakeOver: WarGames on Saturday night. The winner will challenge for Adam Cole’s NXT Championship at Survivor Series.

**********

The NXT Championship will be on the line at Survivor Series.

WWE announced today that Pete Dunne, Damian Priest, and Killian Dain will face off in a triple threat match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on Saturday. The winner will advance to challenge Adam Cole for the NXT Championship at Survivor Series the next night.

Dunne, Priest, and Dain have been involved in a program on NXT. Dunne and Dain were supposed to have a match against each other last week, but Priest attacked Dain as he was making his entrance. A brawl broke out, with Priest standing tall after hitting a dive on Dunne and Dain.

WWE Champion Brock Lesnar and Universal Champion The Fiend also have title defenses at Survivor Series. Lesnar will defend his title against Rey Mysterio in a no holds barred match, while Daniel Bryan will challenge for The Fiend’s title.

Cole will be in the men’s WarGames match at TakeOver. It will be The Undisputed Era (Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish) vs. Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee, Dominik Dijakovic, and a partner.

Cole will face Dijakovic in a ladder match on this Wednesday’s NXT to decide which team gets the WarGames advantage.

WWE has also hyped that there will be an “open door” for Raw and SmackDown on Wednesday’s NXT. That will include The Revival facing NXT Tag Team Champions O’Reilly & Fish in a non-title match.

WWE NXT live results: Matt Riddle vs. Killian Dain street fight

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Preview by Joseph Currier

NXT will follow up on last week’s beginning of a new era as tonight’s live episode is again split across the USA Network and WWE Network.

A street fight between Matt Riddle and Killian Dain will headline the USA Network hour. The winner of the match will become the number one contender to Adam Cole’s NXT Championship.

Riddle and Dain also faced off in a street fight last week, but the match ended without a finish due to a wild brawl breaking out.

Dominick Dijakovic and Keith Lee’s rivalry will continue tonight. This will be their third match against each other in NXT. The first ended in a double countout, then Dijakovic won their second matchup.

After getting into a confrontation with WALTER and his Imperium stablemates last week, Kushida will find two partners to face Imperium in a six-man tag tonight. Dakota Kai will also return to the ring for the first time since suffering a torn ACL in December.

Starting next week, NXT will begin airing on USA Network for the full two hours.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show opened with a music video recapping last week’s episode. The video package included footage of Roderick Strong winning the NXT North American Championship. Cut to a shot of the live crowd at Full Sail, and Undisputed Era strolled onto an eagle’s nest above the crowd. They posed before the announce team welcomed viewers to the show. Mauro, Beth and Nigel are all on the call again.

The episode kicks off with an anticapted return match.

Keith Lee defeated Dominick Dijakovic

Lee pinned Dijakovic after delivering a jackhammer. This was a hoss match. It started like the proverbial unstoppable force meeting the immovable object.

They each tried to take the other off their feet as they wrestled through a series of exchanges. Lee showed his agility with a leapfrog into a crossbody that finally took Dijakovic off his feet. Lee followed with a shoudler tackle pounce that sent Dijakovic over the top rope out to the floor.

The fight spilled onto the apron where Dijakovic chokeslammed Lee on the side of the ring. Lee was looking strong before a commerical break, and he was still going strong after the show returned from break. Dijakovic fought back to no avail, and then Lee wiped him out with a corkscrew pescado to the outside.

Back in the ring, Dijakovic caught Lee in a guillotine. Lee escaped and a slugfest soon developed. Lee then executed a moonsault off the middle rope for a near fall. That led into a parade of highspots. Dijakovic with an avalanche Candaian Destroyer off the top rope got a close two count.

Dijakovic followed the Destroyer with a moonsault press. Lee kicked out of a pinning attempt by deadlifting Dijakovic into a fireman’s carry. Lee from there delivered a jackhammer for the pinfall.

For next week head up against AEW, they are promising “limited commercials” on NXT.

The capatain of Team Kick returned in the next segment. Bryan and Vinny are going to be so excited!

Dakota Kai defeated Taynara Conti

Kai pinned Conti upon hitting her GTK finisher in a short match.

Kai at the outset dropped Conti with a kick and immediately climbed the turnbuckles. Conti tripped Kai up and hit Kai with kicks of her own.

Just as Conti was really starting to get som heat on her, Kai suddenly made a comeback. Kai charged into a corner with a running kick, and then she delivered her new finisher for the pinfall. Kai used the GTK — Go to Kick. It is basically a kick version of the GTS.

Matt Riddle defeated Killian Dane in a number one contender’s street fight

Riddle submitted Dain with a Fujiwara armbar. Riddle in winning became the number one contender to the NXT Championship. He faces Adam Cole next week for the title. Cole would confront Riddle after the match, and he paid for it.

This feud has felt like watching the same brawl over and over again without a finish. I was beginning to feel like Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day. This was finally different in many ways than their other encounters, as they did an actual finish. It was a good brawl as well. There was a stunt at one point too.

They actually started in the ring this time. Dain tried to maul Riddle, and he fought of Dain with grappling counters. Riddle had Dain reeling when he ran around the ring and leapt off the ring steps for a flying forearm smash. During a commercial break, they brawled around ringside.

Riddle ran wild after a ripcord knee strike. He got a near fall, and later did a victory roll. Dain soon cut him off.

Riddle fought back with an Alabama Slam and a Floating Bro. They traded near falls before the fight spilled outside again. It felt like Groundhog Day again.

Dain flew trough the ropes with a tope suicida. Dain hit Riddle with chairshots. They fought around the building, and both of them crashed through a wood structure doing a stunt. They brawled through a commercial break, and fought their way back to the ring.

Chairs and kendo sticks also found their way into the ring. Dain sandwiched Riddle with a chair, and then he followed with several Vader bombs. Riddle still kicked out. Dain used the weapons, but Riddle suprised him with a chairshot to the back.

Riddle gave Dain a powerbomb, and he followed with a Van Daminator knee strike. Riddle used some weapons.

Riddle was hitting Dain with ground and pound, but Dain was able to get to his feet. So Riddle wacked him hard with a chairshot out of nowhere. They were slugging it out when Riddle caught Dain in a Fujiwara armbar, and Dain tapped out.

NXT Champion Adam Cole marched to the ring and confronted Riddle. Cole got in Riddle’s face and insulted him. Riddle answered back by trapping him in a Fujiwara armbar. Cole’s Undisputed Era stablemates ran down to run off Riddle.

Riddle still had the champion’s number ahead of their upcoming title match next week.

The second hour on the WWE Network opened with Cole and his stablemates still in the ring looking disheveled. 

Rhea Ripley defeated Kayden Carter

Ripley pinned Carter after a Riptide. Ripley looked very strong in winning, and Carter also got a moment to shine.

Carter was formerly known as Lacey Lane. She charged towards Ripley as the bell sounded. She would pay for that as Ripley started to pummel her. Ripley executed a delayed vertical suplex, and then she continued mauling Carter.

Carter made a comeback with a schoolgirl and an arsenal of lucha moves. Ripley cut her off to deliver a pumphandle Riptide for the pinfall.

Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defeated Chase Parker & Matt Martel

Lorcan scored the pinfall after a tandem implant DDT. Parker and Martel was calling themselves “Everrise”, so they got that going for them.

They used an illegal dirty tactic for the heat spot. Lorcan & Burch were using tandem offense. The referee was distracted trying to get one of them out of the ring when Martel heeled with an attack behind the ref’s back.

Burch eventually cleaned house after a hot tag. He flew into a missile dropkick. Lorcan & Burch let out primal roar, which apparently is meant to signal their finisher. They used a double team implant DDT to get the pinfall.

Chelsea Green & Deonna Purrazzo were shown in the crowd.

Cameron Grimes defeated Raul Mendoza

Grimes pinned Mendoza after leaping into a double stomp.

Grimes went for a quick finish as he attempted his double stomp at the outset. Mendoza dodged the stomp, and he took the early part of the match. Grimes soon cut him off and went to work. Grimes since debuting in NXT has really liked the armbar. He used it a lot here too.

Mendoza got a hope spot with a crucifix. Grimes went back to the arm. Mendoza made a comeback and rocked Grimes with a step-up enzuigiri. Mendoza followed with a second one, and then a missile dropkick. Grimes was climbing the turnbuckles when Mendoza caught him with an avalanche Frankensteiner. 

After kick out from an O’Connor Roll, Grimes leapt into a double stomp that scored him the pinfall.

Kushida, Tyler Breeze & Fandango vs. Marcel Barthel, Fabian Aichner & Alexander Wolfe

Kushida pinned Barthel when he rolled him up with a bridging cradle.

Kushida started the match with Aichner, and Kushida was on a roll when a blind tag by the heels set up some heat. Imperium briefly worked over Kushida until Breeze tagged in the match.

Imperium used teamwork to dastardly gain an advantage. They got heat on Breeze as they worked him over.

When Breeze was close to tagging out, Imperium pulled his partners off the apron just as Breeze leaped over trying to tag. Eventually, Fandango got to run wild after a hot tag. He cleaned house on the heels. He did a Falcon Arrown, a tornado DDT and a tope con giro.

Kushida springboarded into a missile dropkick, and then he applied a cross-armbreaker that was broken up. The fight continued for a moment before they soon went home.

Barthel countered a handspring back elbow by Kushida, but Kushida used a counter of his own to score the pinfall. Kushida rolled up Barthel with an O’Connor Roll and bridging cradle for the win.

Kushida was celebrating on the stage when Walter jumped him for a sneak attack. Walter left him laying, and Imperium posed over the fallen Kushida as the show closed.

Final Thoughts —

The show on both USA and WWE Network was all wrestling. There was little in the way of angles or gaga. The show had a frantic pace. Maybe they think that’s what the youngsters want to watch. Maybe the young people do, but maybe this NXT show is also like putting a ton of stuff in a ten pound sack. The action itself was usually good to great, but can the show sustain this pacing? If they can, more power to them. Just maybe give the audience a chance to breath from time to time. Otherwise, keep up the great work. The real fight begins next week head up against AEW.

Number one contender’s match set for NXT on USA next week

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After their match on NXT’s live premiere ended without a finish, Matt Riddle and Killian Dain are set to face off again next week.

WWE has announced Riddle will face Dain in another street fight next Wednesday (September 25). It will also be a number one contender’s match, with the winner getting a future shot at Adam Cole’s NXT Championship.

The Riddle vs. Dain rematch was announced by William Regal after this week’s NXT went off the air. It will be part of the USA Network portion of next week’s broadcast.

Like this week, the first hour of next Wednesday’s NXT will air live on USA Network and the second hour will be live on WWE Network. It will then move to airing live on USA for the full two hours starting on October 2.

Riddle and Dain’s street fight headlined the second hour of this week’s show. It turned into a wild brawl with much of the roster getting involved.

Dominik Dijakovic vs. Keith Lee has also been announced for the USA Network hour of next week’s NXT, and Dakota Kai will return to action at some point on the show.

Riddle vs. Dain street fight set for first live NXT episode

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A street fight is set for the first live episode of NXT.

WWE announced today that Matt Riddle will face Killian Dain in a street fight on NXT next week (Wednesday, September 18). The announcement didn’t specify whether Riddle vs. Dain will be on the USA Network or WWE Network portion of the broadcast.

For the September 18 and September 25 NXT episodes, the first hour will air live on USA Network at 8 p.m. Eastern time and the second hour will be live on WWE Network at 9 p.m. Eastern. The final two episodes of the USA series Suits is airing its final episodes at 9 p.m. Eastern on those dates.

NXT will then move to airing live on USA Network for the full two hours starting on October 2. That’s the same night as AEW debuts on TNT.

Dain defeated Riddle on the August 21 episode of NXT. Riddle’s ribs were taped up and the story was that Riddle wasn’t 100 percent after brawling with Dain at TakeOver: Toronto. With Riddle on his back, Dain jumped off the side of the stage and put Riddle through two tables at TakeOver.

After losing to Dain on NXT TV, Riddle went after him and they brawled to the outside of the arena. Dain hit a senton onto a ladder that was on top of Riddle.

Velveteen Dream defending his North American Championship against Roderick Strong has been announced for the September 18 episode of NXT, along with Mia Yim vs. Bianca Belair vs. Io Shirai to determine a number one contender to Shayna Baszler’s NXT Women’s Championship. Dream vs. Strong will be part of the USA Network portion of the show.

NXT St. Petersburg, FL, live results: Killian Dain vs. Kassius Ohno

Posted on by JJ Williams

Friday night’s estimated attendance: 200 people.

– Albert Hardie Jr. defeated Cezar Bononi

– Adrian Jaoude defeated Cal Bloom

– Rinku Singh defeated Mansoor Al-Shehail

– Aliyah & Vanessa Borne defeated Xia Li & Karen Q

– Humberto Carrillo defeated Trevor Lee

– Brennan Williams & Brendan Vink defeated Eric Bugenhagen & Denzel Dejournette

– Mia Yim defeated Bianca Belair

– Killian Dain defeated Kassius Ohno

NXT Tampa live results: Dain returns, Stokely Hathaway gets new name

Posted on by JJ Williams

With much of the roster on the road for this weekend’s house show tour, NXT also held a live event in Tampa, Florida on Thursday night. The estimated attendance for the show was 250 people.

– Eric Bugenhagen defeated Nick Comoroto

– Jessie Elaban defeated MJ Jenkins

– Brendan Vink & Brennan Williams defeated Team 3.0 (Scott Parker & Shane Matthews)

– The former Stokely Hathaway/Court Moore is now going by the name Malcolm Bivens. He did an in-ring interview and introduced his client Jermaine Haley.

– Killian Dain defeated Jermaine Haley

Dain made his return to NXT and defeated Haley here. Kassius Ohno then attacked Dain and challenged him to a match at NXT’s house show in St. Petersburg, Florida this Friday.

– Mansoor Al-Shehail defeated Cezar Bononi

– Humberto Garza defeated Boa

– Mia Yim defeated Reina Gonzalez

– Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner defeated Humberto Carrillo & Albert Hardie Jr.

Killian Dain set to rejoin NXT roster

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Killian Dain is leaving the main roster following the split up of the Sanity stable.

Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Dain will be moving to NXT following the events of the Superstar Shake-up. This comes as his former stablemates have been moved to different brands. Eric Young has made the move to Raw, though has yet to appear on television Alexander Wolfe, meanwhile, has been moved to NXT UK.

Nikki Cross, who is married to Dain, has also been confirmed as part of the Raw brand after being called up earlier this year. She too has yet to appear on television since the Shake-up two weeks ago.

Dain, who in the UK independent scene was known as Big Damo, signed with WWE in 2016 and soon alligned himself with the stable. They were called up during last year’s Superstar Shake-up, but after a short feud with the New Day were largely relegated to house show events, rarely appearing on television.

NXT’s next tapings are set for tomorrow at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.

Nikki Cross & Killian Dain get married

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nikki Cross and Killian Dain are the latest WWE couple to get married.

WWE.com announced the news after Twitter posts from both Cross and Dain. Dain tweeted a photo of their wedding bands and wrote: “Only took us 10 and a half years but when it’s right, its right. I love you @NikkiCrossWWE”

Cross posted a photo of her and Dain from 2008 alongside the wedding bands picture.

Cross and Dain were both members of SAnitY in NXT. Dain, Eric Young, and Alexander Wolfe were called up to the main roster without Cross as part of last year’s Superstar Shakeup, but they appeared with her when she faced Becky Lynch on an episode of SmackDown last November.

On this Monday’s Raw, Cross made an appearance and teamed with Bayley & Natalya in a six-woman tag match where they defeated The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan). Cross is part of the latest group of NXT call-ups, but WWE noted that the wrestlers from that group have yet to be assigned to brands despite appearing on TV.

Killian Dain wrestles at ICW show, Noam Dar set for Fear & Loathing

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A member of the WWE main roster wrestled at Sunday’s Insane Championship Wrestling show in Glasgow, Scotland.

Killian Dain appeared at ICW’s Fight Club event on Sunday night and defeated Mikey Whiplash. Heading into the show, ICW had announced that Whiplash would be facing a wrestler from WWE.

As Big Damo, Dain was a World Champion for ICW prior to joining WWE. Dain also took part in SmackDown’s house show in Glasgow earlier on Sunday, which was the final stop on this month’s WWE European tour.

ICW announced on Sunday that WWE’s Noam Dar will be in action at Fear & Loathing XI at the SSE Hydro on December 2. He’ll team with Wolfgang & BT Gunn in a six-man tag match against British Strong Style (Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate & Trent Seven).

Dar also returned to ICW at Shug’s Hoose Party 4 night one in 2017, teaming with Sha Samuels to defeat Bram & Joe Coffey.

WWE NXT results: Aleister Black vs. Killian Dain

Posted on by Arya Witner

The Big News: Aleister Black will challenge NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas at TakeOver: New Orleans after defeating Killian Dain.

The Medium News: The Authors of Pain beat TM61 to advance in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

The Little Beaver-sized News: Pete Dunne teased a face turn by standing up to The Undisputed Era.

**********

The Authors of Pain defeated TM61 in a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match

These two teams squared off in the finals of the 2016 Dusty Classic, which was won by The Authors of Pain. Shane Thorne actually went into the match with his knee already injured, but still dove off a lighting rig onto Akam and Rezar. Nigel McGuinness pointed out that the color of TM61’s gear was a tribute to Jun Akiyama (Nick Miller’s blue) and Kenta Kobashi (Thorne’s orange).

Thorne flew again early, as he dove over the top rope with a tope, but their advantage didn’t last long as Miller got cut off. Thorne got the hot tag and eventually got the crowd behind him as he hit a Falcon Arrow on Rezar. Miller got a near fall with a moonsault, but that was as close as they were getting.

Thorne was powerbombed over the top rope and onto the ring apron, which is the hardest part of the ring. Miller was given an exploder suplex into the corner and pinned after The Last Chapter.

They will face the winners of next week’s match between The Street Profits and Heavy Machinery.

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Earlier today, William Regal was asked who he thought would win the Dusty Classic, but he wouldn’t pick a favorite and left. Pete Dunne showed up and said Roderick Strong took him to the limit, but the United Kingdom Championship is staying in the UK.

Strong walked up and said he couldn’t wait to do it again. Undisputed Era then came in, and Adam Cole mocked Strong for losing a lot. Dunne began what appears to be a babyface turn and told Cole he hasn’t won anything since he’s been here. Before fisticuffs could be exchanged, Mr. Regal returned and broke it up.

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SAnitY were hanging out backstage. Eric Young said chaos rules in this universe. Alexander Wolfe said their chaos would continue in this year’s Dusty Classic because “United we burn.”

Killian Dain stared menacingly into the camera and told Aleister Black that tonight chaos would win.

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Bianca Belair defeated Dru Renee

Renee got no offense and was pinned with a falling powerbomb. At least she didn’t get whipped by Belair’s hair.

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Lacey Evans cut a promo about her match next week with Dakota Kai. She said she’s here to show that she is the classiest woman in NXT and Kai has no class. Evans is planning on testing Kai’s injured arm.

Speaking of Kai’s injured arm, Shayna Baszler stormed into the interview area, which caused Evans to leave. Baszler said she has been waiting for several weeks for Ember Moon to reply to her challenge. Baszler stated that when a fighter is challenged, they reply and this proves what kind of woman Moon is.

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Heavy Machinery were grunting and lifting weights. They said they’re going to win the Dusty Classic.

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Tommaso Ciampa walked out to the arena with no music and dragging his crutch. The fans let him know that they were not happy and felt his skills were not up to par before chanting for Johnny Gargano. Ciampa eventually made it to the ring for his first promo since May. Well, he tried several times to cut his first promo since May, but every time he held the microphone to his mouth the fans would boo him even louder.

A small number of fans chanted derogatory statements about Gargano, but they were drowned out. Ciampa became the most popular wrestler in the company briefly when he threw down the mic without saying anything. As Ciampa slowly walked around the ringside area, the fans sang the “Hey Hey Goodbye” song and chanted “Delete” at him. Ciampa got huge heat by ripping a Gargano sign out of a fan’s hands, ripping it up and attacking it with his crutch before leaving.

Again, Ciampa took a sign and attacked it with his crutch to successfully get heat.

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Next week:

  • WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne defends against Adam Cole
  • SAnitY vs. Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss (who got back together after breaking up three weeks ago) in a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match
  • The Street Profits vs. Heavy Machinery in another Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match

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Aleister Black defeated Killian Dain

This was an unofficial number one contender’s match between two people who oh-so-desperately want to challenge Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship. Black is allegedly still undefeated despite being pinned by Johnny Gargano in a fatal four-way match in December.

Dain exploded at the bell with a running dropkick and a series of corner splashes. Black finally moved out of the way of a charging Dain before chopping him down with kicks and a moonsault outside the ring to get the brief advantage. Dain took over and used his giant body to damage Black.

Dain made the mistake of letting Black get to his feet, so Black beat him down some more. Black used an Asai moonsault for a near fall. Black came off the top rope, but got clotheslined out of his boots.

Dain punched Black in the ribs time and time again, so Black kicked him in the hand. Dain used a Wasteland and a Vader Bomb, but Black kicked out. Dain went for the Ulster Plantation, but Black rolled through and took Dain’s head off with the Black Mass for the win!

An excellent main event capped off a really good episode of NXT, which actually only went 46 minutes this week, as opposed to 52-58. After the show, WWE confirmed that Black will be challenging Almas at TakeOver: New Orleans on April 7th.

Until next time, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!

WWE NXT results: The Undisputed Era vs. SAnitY

Posted on by Arya Witner

The Big News: Thanks almost entirely to Killian Dain, SAnitY defeated The Undisputed Era in a tornado tag team main event.

The Medium News: Johnny Gargano offered to put his NXT career on the line to once again challenge Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship.

The Little Beaver-sized News: Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss may be breaking up. If you look up “little news” in the dictionary, this would be listed.

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Nigel McGuinness was back from his flu. Just want to point out that Percy Watson announced a five-star match and McGuinness has not.

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The Undisputed Era came out for the opener, in which they would defend the NXT Tag Team Championship. However, as all three members were preening to the camera, SAnitY (their opponents) assaulted them from behind. Security ran out to break everything up as Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly snuck away as Killian Dain laid out multiple security guards.

Mr. William Regal came out next and announced that all six men would take part in a tornado tag match in the main event. So for the second time in a month, SAnitY will not be getting their title match.

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Heavy Machinery defeated Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss

SAnitY and Undisputed Era went to the back, so instead we got the next chapter in the ongoing rivalry between Heavy Machinery and Sabbatelli & Moss.

Moss got the heat on Tucker Knight by grabbing his tights from behind and using a lariat to the back of the head. Sabbatelli was greeted with “Tino sucks” chants, which surprised pretty much everyone since the heel duo is used to no reaction.

For some reason, Sabbatelli and Moss tagged each other exceptionally hard. Sabbatelli tried to use a roll-up with his feet on the ropes (which won them their last match), but the referee caught it and he got pinned by Knight after The Compactor.

After the match, Moss walked out on Sabbatelli. Someone should show these guys video tapes of Blake & Murphy and track what happened to that team in the ensuing two years after their break up. Meanwhile, their manager at the time, Alexa Bliss, has won four Women’s Championships on the main roster.

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Out came Johnny Gargano for the first time since his bout at TakeOver: Philadelphia where he came up short in his quest to conquer Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship.

Gargano said he went into Philly more confident than ever. He saw himself winning and coming back here as champion. Unfortunately it didn’t happen, which sucks, but getting this overwhelming positive reaction from the fans and the respect it shows means more. It gave him the inspiration to pick himself back up and continue being Johnny Gargano.

He’ll never forget TakeOver, but will also never forget Tommaso Ciampa hitting him in the back with a crutch. He is coming for Ciampa and was in the middle of challenging him to come out when we were joined by Almas.

Zelina Vega asked him who cares if Gargano won everyone’s respect. There should be a parade with confetti for the champion. Gargano proved nothing — except that he is a loser. Almas has beaten him again and again and again. He is not Johnny Gargano, he is Johnny Loser. The fans began chanting for Candice LeRae,  so Gargano mentioned his second favorite part of TakeOver was his wife beating the hell out of her.

Vega got up in Gargano’s face, so LeRae ran out and shoved her down. Almas bailed and the husband-wife duo was left standing tall.

Vega got on the stage and said they’ve beaten him three times. Gargano wants another title shot, and Vega said that if Gargano loses he must leave NXT. Gargano agreed to the challenge.

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Shayna Baszler said she is the most feared woman in NXT. There will not be a rematch with Ember Moon because Moon is scared. Baszler dared the press to go tell Moon she said that.

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Tyler Bate wasn’t happy that he didn’t beat Roderick Strong last week, but he said he’ll be watching when Strong challenges Pete Dunne next Wednesday. He also said he was happy to win Match of the Year last year and can’t wait to have more Match of the Years with everyone in NXT.

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Bianca Belair defeated Jessica Hill

Hill was trained by Dory Funk Jr and went one-on-one with The EST of NXT this week. Belair hit a Burning Hammer and a fallaway powerbomb, called the Alley-Oop, for the win in 30 seconds.

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A video package for Kairi Sane aired. She’s back to being the Pirate Princess, so I guess her enthusiasm for yachts has lessened in the last two weeks.

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Next week:

  • Aleister Black in action
  • Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women’s Championship
  • Pete Dunne vs. Roderick Strong for the WWE United Kingdom Championship

Mauro Ranallo encouraged us to set our DVR for the UK title match. I’m not sure if he understands that the WWE Network isn’t on normal television.

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SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe & Killian Dain) defeated The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly) in a tornado tag team match

I’m not sure the order any of this was taped, but the fans were a lot more enthusiastic for these six guys at the start of the show than they were early on in this match. The match began with a wild six-way brawl, and the fans finally woke up five minutes in when Young pulled out the plunder.

As Dain mopped up the ringside area with Fish, Cole and O’Reilly separated Young and Wolfe from the pack and fought them through the backstage area. Fish did hit a beautiful moonsault to Dain. Unfortunately for Fish, his advantage didn’t last long and he began running away to get away from Dain. At this point, the other four returned from the backstage area, so Dain heaved Fish off the stage and onto everyone else.

As the match continued, Undisputed Era had no problem throwing around Wolfe and Young, but spent more time than not in flight when Dain got his hands on them. Cole discovered the best offense against Dain was to move out of the way, which was proven right when Dain went crashing through a table that Cole, seconds earlier, was propped against.

Back in the ring, Wolfe held his own for a second, but got superkicked and laid out with Total Elimination. Young was in with his kendo stick, but he got superkicked and laid out with a brainbuster on Cole’s knee. Dain got back in the ring and single-handedly destroyed all of Undisputed Era, pinning Fish with the Ulster Plantation.

So, that does it for this week. Will SAnitY ever get their title match? Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!