SummerSlam tickets for 8/21 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas officially go on sale to the public on 6/18, but with no matches or talent announced, it looks like the idea of making it the company’s big-time travel show of the year is going to work.
Actual ticket sales started on 6/14 and at press time there were just over 3,000 seats remaining. The question, and WWE hasn’t answered, The building right now is set up for 41,600 total people which means for an event of this level, about 35,000 paid. However, many sections that would hit that total were not put on sale yet. They did come close enough to presale expectations since they put more seats on sale after day one than were on sale on day one. It appears that more than 30,000 tickets are out at this point between those sold and business comps, so tickets moved very well. WrestleMania did most of its selling in the presale and each night ended up in the 20,000 range. It is interesting that so many piggy backed off WrestleMania as was tradition, but right now nobody seems to be piggy backing off this even though it looks to end up with a lot more traveling fans.
William Regal closed tonight’s NXT TakeOver: In Your House by saying that it was time for a change.
At the end of the show, McKenzie Mitchell walked up to Regal and asked him what he thought about the events of tonight’s show. Regal said he had been General Manager for seven years, and he had never seen such bedlam. He closed the show by saying that “I think it’s time for a change.”
The last few weeks have seen a number of brawls, most of which have aired first on WWE’s social media accounts. Kyle O’Reilly and Johnny Gargano brawled before the start of tonight’s show, while a brawl between Pete Dunne and Karrion Kross took place prior to the main event. Shotzi Blackheart was also held back while attempting to attack Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai.
Regal has been General Manager of NXT since July of 2014. Other General Managers of NXT in the past have included John Bradshaw Layfield and Dusty Rhodes.
Updated coverage on SummerSlam and early word on Survivor Series is the lead story on this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at the location, the time of the show and why they are limited in time, the new stadium, talk about top matches plus more on Dwayne Johnson and WrestleMania, Survivor Series and a plan for an August Takeover.
Also in this issue:
Dominion, the Shingo Takagi title win, with match-by-match coverage, star ratings, poll results, business notes and booking direction.
Plans for a WWE draft, a WWE TV show on verge of being canceled, Bret Hart documentary, Stephanie McMahon talks WWE business, WWE ticket sales, Miz talks injury, UK & Canada viewing numbers, WWE looks a changes in how it does house hows, WWE autograph new rules, most watched WWE videos of the past week and WWE market value.
The next two WWE major events with lineups, notes about the Takeover crowd, matches announced and not yet announced for Hell in a Cell and more.
Full coverage of this past Saturday’s UFC show.
Cyber Fight show combining NOAH, DDT, Ganbare Pro and Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling. We look at Keiji Muto’s title loss, why he got the title in the first place, why Marufuji wasn’t the guy who should have won, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.
The death of controversial wrestler Angel o Demonio.
More into detail on the ratings than any other source, how many different viewers the shows had which is very different from the television number, breakdown of who watches the shows, how they watch, DVR numbers and how long the average fan watches.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight taking In Your House Takeover, Stardom PPV and the rest of the latest news. You can also send questions to the show tonight to [email protected]
Antonio Inoki, 78, had emergency surgery due to an intestinal issue a few weeks ago. He has been hospitalized for much of this year with various health problems and his lower back is in a lot of pain and deteriorating leaving him mostly wheelchair bound.
NXT Takeover tonight at 8 p.m. on Peacock from Orlando, FL:
Xia Li vs. Mercedes Martinez. The biggest test of Li’s career to date. Li is currently a -950 favorite to win
Cameron Grimes vs. LA Knight in a ladder match to revive the old Million Dollar belt. The build has been comedy oriented. Grimes is outstanding and this will be a new environment for him. He started training with the ladder experts like the Hardys as a teenager. Knight’s been given a big chance here. Grimes is a very slight betting favorite at -125.
Bronson Reed & MSK defend both the North American title and NXT tag titles against Santos Escobar & Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza. I’m not a fan of singles and tag titles being defended in matches that aren’t singles or four-man tag matches. But it looks to be a good action match. Reed & MSK are -850 favorites.
Raquel Gonzalez vs. Ember Moon for the women’s title. Another big test for Gonzalez who is a huge favorite to retain at -1000.
Karrion Kross defends the NXT title against Adam Cole, Pete Dunne, Kyle O’Reilly and Johnny Gargano. By all rights given the talent involved and that they are likely to be going 30:00 or more, this should be a classic match. The last updated odds had Kross as the favorite at -250, while Cole is +550, O’Reilly is +750, Gargano is +1000 and Dunne is +1100.
We’re doing polls this weekend on both UFC 263 and NXT Takeover In Your House so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle along with a best and worst match from each show to [email protected].
How is this for a story on Brandon Moreno:
He debuted on the Ultimate Fighter and was the last man picked
He was cut by UFC after some losses
His weight class was scheduled to be dropped except Henry Cejudo saved it
He became the first Mexican-born UFC champion last night.
Moreno’s title win was one of the best feel good moments in UFC history.
Dana White last night said that he thinks Colby Covington and not Leon Edwards should get the next welterweight title shot at Kamaru Usman.
Nate Diaz said he wants to fight again in the next few months. Diaz got an amazing pop and reaction throughout his fight. If he had pulled that win out in the closing seconds it would be talked about for fight of the year.
White said that he thought last night would be Demian Maia’s last UFC fight. It was the last fight of Maia’s contract and he’s 43 years old.
As far as Lauren Murphy vs. Joanne Calderwood’s fight for a potential women’s flyweight title shot, which Murphy won via split decision, Murphy won round two and Calderwood won round three. The first round was very close and could have gone either way so it was just a close fight. Media scores were 55 percent for Calderwood and 45 percent for Murphy.
Today’s is the 12th anniversary of the death of Mitshuaru Misawa from a severed spine from neck problems. Misawa was among the greatest wrestlers of all-time and as far as a major arena is concerned, Misawa at Budokan Hall would rank with Bruno Sammartino in Madison Square Garden as the biggest and most successful long-term draw in an arena of that size in history.
Lots of stuff made the top 20 Google search charts this past week. UFC was the biggest thing over the weekend with 2.65 million searches from last night’s Israel Adesanya vs. Marvin Vettori fight, a number that was about what you would have expected for a show like that. Besides Adesanya as part of the main event, the key names searched for included Nate Diaz, Brandon Moreno and Paul Craig. Craig’s submission was No. 4 earlier today at 50,000. For yesterday, the Tik Tok vs. YouTube fight show did 1.2 million for No. 2, Diaz was No. 4 with 500,000. Moreno was No. 10 at 100,000. Aaron Carter in a celebrity boxing match was No. 5 on Friday at 200,000. Claressa Shields making her MMA debut on Thursday was No. 11 at 100,000. The Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul show did 5 million. NXT Takeovers have charted before but most often they don’t. I would not expect tonight’s show to do so.
With the A&E bio season over, there is a Most Wanted Treasures episode going head-to-head with Takeover from 8-10 p.m. on A&E. The show features Stephanie McMahon enlisting Mark Henry and Paul Wight to search for Andre the Giant memorabilia. This was filmed before either Henry or Wight went to AEW.
WWE
Cara Noir defends his Progress title against Elijah in the main event for the show that takes place 6/19 and airs on Peacock.
AAW from Friday night in Merrionette Park, IL before 440 fans: Hakim Zane (Rohit Raju) & Ace Austin & Madman Fulton b Dante Leon & Travis Titan & Myron Reed, Davey Vega b Stor Grayson, Allysin Kay b Allie Katch, Josh Alexander d Mat Fitchett( (said to be really good), Joeasa & Deonn Rusman b Manders & Matthew Justice to win AAW title titles, Schaff b AJZ, Fred Yehi b Daniel Garcia, Kris Statlander b Hyan to keep AAW women’s title, Mance Warner b Jake Something to keep AAW title.
Legacy Fighting announced a 7/2 show in Shawnee, OK at the Grand event Center just outside of Oklahoma City. Jesse Murray (8-3) faces Joshua Silveira (5-0), the son of Marcus Conan Silveira and a former wrestler at Arizona State) for the light heavyweight title in the main event. The co-main event, for the interim flyweight title, has Charles Johnson (8-2) vs Yuma Horiuchi (8-3). Horiuchi is the first Japanese fighter to sign with the LFA. Like all LFA shows, this will air on UFC Fight Pass live.
EPW from last night in Western Australia: Dan Moore & Bobby Marshall & Jesse Lambert b Aaron Hawk & Jonathan Windsor & Chris Target, Julian Ward b James Hartness, Damian Slater b Michael Morleone in a submission match, Taylor King & Jack Edwardes b Del Cano & Zenith-DQ in a tag title match, Kaz Jordan b Bruno Nitro, Edith Night b Casey Jones in a street fight, Joel Hagan b Ryan Allen, Marcius Pitt b Gavin McGavin. Next show is 7/25 headlined by Mikey Nicholls vs. Kiel Steria for the EPW title.
Due to a lockdown, the Melbourne City Wrestling show this month has been moved to 7/10. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
A horse that goes by the name Dick the Bruiser won a race yesterday at Arlington Park in Chicago (thanks to Barry Werner)
Mid Missouri Wrestling Alliance from last night in St. Louis: Rick Ruby b Jimmy D, Johnny Blade b Garrett Shanks, CJ Shine b Frodo the Ghost, Moondog Rover b Damion Cortess, D’Mon G d Ryan Ash, Ricky Cruz & Keith Smith Jr. b Kahyman & Damian Blade-DQ, Moondog Rover & Ricky Cruz & Keith Smith Jr. b Kahyman & Damian Blade & Damion Cortess (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Mission Pro Wrestling from last night in Buda, TX: VertVixen b Rache Chanel, Alex Gracia b Shana Reed, Jazmin Allure b Gypsy Mac, JennaCide b Savanna Evans, Robyn Renegade & Charlotte Renegade b Killa Kate & Seishin, Holidead won three-way over Marti Belle and KiLynn King, Rosa Negra b Masha Slamovich to keep the title. This is Thunder Rosa’s all-women’s promotion and lots of the talent from here works AEW. (thanks to wrestlingwithdemons.com)
Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects that of the writer.
Have you ever wondered what a main roster pay-per-view would look like in NXT? Wonder no longer.
NXT is back on our TV sets and in our homes Sunday with TakeOver: In Your House with a lineup that looks, well, not great. It’s taking a considerable amount of willpower not to just shrug at this entire card and watch just about anything else. Where is the intrigue? Where are the captivating storylines that made NXT so great for so long?
Nothing here is required viewing and it’s barely DVR worthy. I have been on this NXT preview beat since 2016 (shoutout to me) and this is the first TakeOver card I can remember that feels skippable.
For me, the biggest issue is the overwhelming lack of anything interesting. The absence of that commanding presence at the top of the card is noticeable now more than ever. There is no Finn Balor. There is no Io Shirai (who mercifully returned this Tuesday). Heck, there’s not even a Bo Dallas. The two top champions are either kind of boring (Karrion Kross) or still figuring out how to be on top (Raquel Gonzalez). If it wasn’t for me writing about this, there’s nothing that really compels me to give up two hours of my Tuesday evenings.
When I say this is a main roster PPV, I mean it. Just look at what we have here:
A hastily thrown together multi-person scramble for a championship
A match for a made-up title
A match with spooky markings and smoke monsters
Throw in a “Can they coexist?!?!?” storyline and you have next week’s episode of Raw, minus Lilly.
The most glaring Raw-ness in all of this is, unfortunately, Kyle O’Reilly. What in the world is going on here? In his first appearance after his match with Adam Cole, KOR came out and dropped both Austin Powers and Dumb and Dumber references in one promo. It wasn’t funny, wasn’t clever or even tongue in cheek. It was just flat-out bad. You know how if Vince McMahon finds out someone is funny, he then makes them do the WWE’s version of funny? That’s exactly what happened here, but just replace ‘funny’ with ‘hipster.’ Watching the segment filled me with actual, physical, pain. Come back, actually Kool Kyle. We miss you and we need you.
Since this isn’t a standard TakeOver, I’m going to deviate from my standard format. For each match I’ll look at how we got here, does it matter (spoiler alert: nothing matters because life is just a slow march to the sea.) and where we go next.
LA Knight vs. Cameron Grimes in a ladder match for the Million Dollar Championship
How we got here
Grimes made a bunch of money off meme coins and Reddit stocks and is now a rich boy. Ted DiBiase kept one upping him and laughing, so they had a “confrontation”. I’m not exactly sure why Knight got involved, but he’s certainly here now. Both are now vying for Teddy’s affection and for the honor of becoming his large adult son.
Does it matter?
Despite Cameron Grimes doing the lord’s work, nope. Not even a little.
Where we’re going
Who the heck knows. Are they really going to bring back the Million Dollar belt? Gimmick belts mean less than nothing. Brian Cage has the FTW title in AEW and, truly, who cares. He loses all the time and looks like a chump carrying that thing around. I am very thankful this became a ladder match, because even the worst ladder matches are usually still fun. Even though Grimes is significantly better, Knight’s gimmick might have more legs at least in the short term. It’s LA’s night and wow, I’m so sorry.
Xia Li (with Boa and Mei Ying) vs. Mercedes Martinez
How we got here
Martinez did her cool entrance, won a match, and then had a spooky ‘X’ on her hand. Li got big mad about losing to Martinez in the Mae Young Classic years ago and then attacked Mercedes on the way to the ring. That’s it. That’s the build.
Does it matter?
Not really. This matters in the sense that it gives Xia Li a real opportunity against a real opponent on a TakeOver card. She’s been with the company since 2017 and hasn’t had even more than a sniff of forward momentum until this current iteration of her character. It matters less to Martinez, who is an indie wrestling legend with the aura that comes with that. She’ll be fine no matter what happens.
Where we’re going
I truly don’t know. Martinez has been in some high-profile matches during her time in NXT but doesn’t have a signature win yet. Li hasn’t even had a real chance until now. If they are really invested in the Mei Ying/Tian Sha storyline going somewhere, Li has to win. It’s a bit worrying that after the initial rollout and excellent intro video package, there hasn’t been much from this group on TV. I’ll say that changes with a Li victory Sunday.
NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed and NXT Tag Team Champions MSK vs. Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde) in a winner takes all match
How we got here
Reed put his belly on Santos Escobar to make sure MSK retained the tag titles over the rest of Legado del Fantasma. No one was really happy about that which led to this. The winner take all stipulation adds some much needed intrigue as if this was just a regular old six-man tag, it wouldn’t have nearly the appeal even if the outcome isn’t really in doubt.
Does it matter?
As much as a Reed match can matter, I guess. He seems like a legitimately great dude and appears to have a much more progressive view of the world compared to most of his colleagues, but his gimmick is really that he’s big. The whole size gimmick has a finite shelf life because there is almost always someone bigger and better that comes along. I wish they let him develop a personality that’s more than a big splash off the top rope. Being a big boy got him here, but it won’t get him any further.
Where we’re going
Escobar remains the complete package. He and Reed are as opposite as it gets. One has the aforementioned lack of character, while Escobar has it in spades. The slick looks, smooth words, and superb in-ring work are all there for him. This is him firmly moving on from the cruiserweight ranks and on to, literally, bigger things. If all the belts weren’t on the line, I would say Escobar and his boys would win, but MSK is too hot to drop the tag belts now.
Oh, and where are we really going? We are really going towards a Swerve Scott run with the North American title because Hit Row is one of the few really, really good things on NXT. It’s excellent and Scott’s a full-on star. His first title reign is happening sooner rather than later.
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez (w/ Dakota Kai) vs. Ember Moon (w/ Shotzi Blackheart)
How we got here
These two have been feuding with their tag team partners for a while now. Moon got very upset when Gonzalez beat down Blackheart after a match a few weeks ago, called the champion out, and she obliged. So, now it’s time to fight!
Does it matter?
Actually, it does! There’s plenty of history between these two. Moon and Blackheart won the tag titles from Gonzalez and Kai the very first night they had them. I, too, would be angry if that happened to me. Then again, if it were me, I would simply never wrestle because it seems like it hurts a lot.
Where we’re going
We are barely into the second month of Gonzalez’ reign as women’s champ. NXT typically stays away from the transitional championship reign and one does not dethrone Io by god Shirai only to lose the title a few months later. Apologies to Moon, the Moon family, and the actual moon, but Sunday is not her day. Gonzalez retains, but what’s next? Shirai is back and due for a rematch. Franky Monet will probably get heated up, and they clearly see big things in Zoey Stark. The NXT’s women’s division keeps on keeping on.
NXT Champion Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett) vs. Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Pete Dunne (w/ Oney Lorcan) vs. Johnny Gargano five-way title match
How we got here
*Takes deep breath* O’Reilly, Dunne and Gargano had a triple threat match to see who the no. 1 contender would be. Cole came out during the match and beat the bag out of everyone. Later that night, Cole and Kross had a face-off in the ring and a good one at that. Cole’s line about how if NXT wants to make him feel special, they just ring the bell was particularly excellent. Then, big King Regal came out, Kross demanded to fight everyone, and off we went.
Does it matter?
For all intents and purposes, sure. It’s for the NXT title, so I guess it does. This feels like they had no real idea of how to build the next major title program, so they just threw absolutely everything at the wall and hoped something stuck. Maybe something will, but this was disjointed from the start. Even the no. 1 contender’s triple threat didn’t have a cohesive build to it as Gargano was kind of just thrown into that. NXT title matches will always matter, but I’d be hard pressed to find one that matters less than this.
Where we’re going
Cole continues to bend NXT to his will; he is still the biggest male star on the brand and that includes the current champ. His gravity is just too strong. My affections for Dunne and O’Reilly are vast and endless, but let’s be clear: Cole is in a different league as a performer. I thought Cole would be done with NXT after the last TakeOver and I’m not coming off that prediction. With all the releases, there are some spots on the main roster that NXT can fill and I think Cole is one of them. Kross is really the better choice to fill that spot, but he just beat Finn Balor twice, so he’s probably sticking around. Kross retains, but Cole doesn’t take the pin.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including NXT TakeOver: In Your House, thoughts on all the matches and angles and where people go from here, RAW, Wednesday ratings, UFC notes, and so much more.
Following Sunday’s nostalgia-driven NXT TakeOver: In Your House event, Paul “Triple H” Levesque talked to the media for 40 minutes about a variety of topics including his recent title change, the future of both Velveteen Dream and Charlotte Flair, Damian Priest’s night, and the infamous hog pen match he had with Henry Godwinn.
The full audio can be heard below by clicking the big red button.
Injury-wise, everyone was fine coming out of the show. Johnny Gargano was banged up a bit, but should be fine.
He thought Damian Priest had a star-making performance tonight, saying that it felt like the first time he really performed and was all there in the moment. “He’s arrived.” Now, he said, it’s up to Priest and NXT to take advantage.
He was asked about his recent change in title and said it was more to reflect the building of NXT as a worldwide brand and that people made more out of the change than should have. With the change, he’s out of the weeds with the responsibility of many of the day-to-day tasks with talent and events he had to handle.
He talked about how training environments for the PC weren’t available to them until recently so they are starting to ramp things up again. Talent have been doing film sessions with coaches, acting classes online, etc, to stay busy, especially for those who would have been working on Florida house shows.
He was asked about whether the hog pen match with Henry Godwinn was penance for “the curtain call”. The dates didn’t line up, but he talked about how much he loved that match and working with Godwinn that entire run.
He was asked about Flair and Dream’s status with NXT. He didn’t give answers on either, but reiterated there is a lot of movement between brands, giving Finn Balor as an example.
He really loved the nostalgia moments of tonight’s show (Todd Pettingill, ICOPRO and ice cream sandwich ads, etc). He joked that he tried to get Michael Hayes to cut his hair and revive the Dok Hendrix character for the night.
The Bryan & Vinny & Granny Show is back with tons to talk about, available Monday at video.f4wonline.com as well.
Granny joins us for a Facebook comedy contest and then her Weekly Wrestling Report including her look at TakeOver. Then, myself and Vinny review In Your House in great detail including all the matches, angles and booking, both good and bad.
Thank you so much to everyone on Twitch who helped donate over $300 to two very good causes and for putting up with me as I attempted to get everything ready to go on somewhat of a delay.
Note: This show was recorded prior to NXT TakeOver.
Wrestling Observer Live with Mike Sempervive is back with a Sunday edition featuring tons to talk about including a preview of tonight’s NXT TakeOver: In Your House, plus news from around the world including New Japan and GCW on the comeback trail.
In the main event of TakeOver: In Your House tonight, Io Shirai defeated Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Charlotte had Ripley locked in the Figure Eight at the end of the match, but Shirai hit a moonsault from the top rope on Ripley and pinned Ripley to win the title.
Charlotte had been NXT Women’s Champion since winning the title from Ripley at WrestleMania 36.
This is the first title that Shirai has held in WWE.
Shirai previously challenged Charlotte for the title on an episode of NXT last month. Charlotte got disqualified in that match for using a kendo stick. Ripley then made her return to NXT television, starting the three-way feud that led to tonight’s title match.
Ripley hit an avalanche Riptide on Charlotte during the match tonight, but Shirai broke up the pin. Ripley put Shirai in the Prism Trap, but Charlotte then used a kendo stick.
This was the second time that a women’s match has main evented an NXT TakeOver event. The only other women’s match to headline a TakeOver was Bayley and Sasha Banks’ 30-minute iron man match at TakeOver: Respect in 2015.
For the first time in more than 20 years, In Your House makes its return tonight in the form of an NXT TakeOver special.
Three title matches are set for the show. The NXT Championship will be up for grabs as Adam Cole puts his title on the line against Velveteen Dream in a Backlot Brawl. If Dream loses, he can’t challenge for the NXT title again as long as Cole is champion.
The NXT Women’s Championship will be on the line in a triple threat match between Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, and Io Shirai. Charlotte has been champion since winning the title from Ripley at WrestleMania 36.
NXT North American Champion Keith Lee is also defending his title against Johnny Gargano. On NXT last week, Candice LeRae & Gargano defeated Mia Yim & Lee after Gargano stabbed Lee in the eye with his car keys.
Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett) will make his TakeOver debut against Tommaso Ciampa, Finn Balor is taking on Damian Priest, and Yim, Tegan Nox & Shotzi Blackheart will face LeRae, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in a six-woman tag match.
The event starts at 7 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be a 30-minute pre-show prior to that.
**********
NXT TakeOver: In Your House pre-show:
Former WWE announcer Todd Pettengil appeared the pre-show. He hosted many of the original In Your House pay-per-views in the mid-’90s.
Scott Stanford, Sam Roberts and Pat McAffee hyped up the show early on. McAffee was off-set, sitting at his own desk.
Before they started, Sam Roberts explained that right now is the “golden era” for NXT and then compared the current scene to the idea of social darwinism. Yikes. Not the best term to use on television around these days.
The announce team continued running down tonight’s card. They showed a short clip of Tomasso Ciampa walking outside the venue.
Pat McAffee talked about the Keith Lee vs. Johnny Gargano match later on. He Gargano a scumbag and made fun of his clothes and his recent heel-ish behavior of late.
A promo montage aired for Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream. They aired clips from the angle lead-up and included the segment where commissioner William Regal explained the stipulations to Cole over Skype. Dream vowed to capture the belt in tonight’s Backlot Brawl.
Sam Roberts said that Bret Hart vs. Hakushi from the first In Your House was his all-time favorite match of the series.
A promo montage aired for Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream. They aired clips from the angle lead-up and included the segment where commissioner William Regal explained the stipulations to Cole over Skype. Dream vowed to capture the belt in tonight’s Backlot Brawl.
Sam Roberts said that Bret Hart vs. Hakushi from the first In Your House was his all-time favorite match of the series.
A package of Johnny Gargano and Candace LeRae aired next, followed up with more clips from NXT TV forwarding the current angle between Gargano and Keith Lee, or Gargano/LeRae vs. Lee/Mia Yim.
Stanford explained how Lee was still angry over Gargano using his car keys on Lee’s eyes. Roberts explained that this would be the first time we’ve seen Garagno “like this,” as a heel, and that his recent mean-streak would help him beat Lee tonight. Announcers then went over the women’s trios match of LeRae’s team vs. Mia Yim’s team.
A package for Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest was next. “Attack the guy, get the push,” Balor explained. Roberts said that this might the “low-key most important match tonight.”
The final montage on the pre-show focused on Charlotte Flair vs. Io Shirai vs. Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women’s title tonight. In the voiceover narration, it was explained to the audience that this was a “battle for valor.”
NXT TakeOver: In Your House
Todd Pettengil reappeared. He did the voiceovers for tonight’s show and sounds exactly the same. I feel like I’m watching an episode of WWF Mania.
Code Orange performed next.
NXT TakeOver: In Your House
*****
Six-woman tag team match: Mia Yim, Shotzi Blackheart & Tegan Nox defeated Candace LeRae, Dakota Kai, & Raquel Gonzalez
The venue was designed to look like an In Your House event in the ‘90s. It worked in a setting like this.
There was a “this is awesome’ chant before the match by staff behind the plexiglas in the crowd. Forcing chants here isn’t necessary.
Yim and LeRae were the first in, though LeRae tagged out before the two even touched. Reina Gonzalez was in next.
Nox and Kai were really good together in this. Kai clearly relishes the heel role she’s in these days.
Shotzi Blackheart did a dive to the floor but Gonzalez caught and ragdoll’d her. Yim followed up with a dive, then LeRae did a springboard plancha. Nox did a somersault senton from the top onto all wrestlers.
Employees in the crowd chanted “N-X-T!” once this part of the match wrapped.
Kai, and later Gonzalez, worked over Blackheart back in the ring.
Blackheart finally tagged out to Yim after taking a beating for a few minutes. Yim pinned LeRae with a bridging dragon suplex for two. LeRae responded with a release German suplex and the two were out for a few moments.
After Gonzalez used a falling power bomb on Nox, LeRae and Yim ended up brawling on the floor and into the backstage area. This allowed Blackheart and Nox to take out Gonzalez; Nox then pinned Kai clean with the Shiniest Wizard running knee-strike.
Finn Balor defeated Damian Priest
Balor jumped Priest before the bell and landed a shotgun dropkick that sent Priest to the floor. The bell rang soon after, and Priest was able to shift the momentum early. Early on, he started throwing the steel steps around ringside, as though he had a plan for them. He sidewalk-slammed Balor onto the apron from one of those steps next. Balor going above and beyond for Priest in this match.
Priest taunted Balor while he used a half-nelson facelock on him. Balor countered out of it with a jawbreaker. He landed a perfect flying forearm next, then brought the match back out to the floor. Balor went nuts with stomps on Priest, who was prone against the crowd barricade.
Priest used a gigantic Broken Arrow (aka Falcon Arrow) on Balor. Balor rallied back with a standing double stomp and the two were both out.
Priest did a box jump onto the apron towards the end of this. He then grabbed Balor and did a Razor’s Edge onto the edge of the apron.
Balor made another comeback late and took Priest out with a Slingblade. Priest countered with a few high roundhouse kicks. Balor came back at Priest with another shotgun dropkick, but when he went for the Coup de Grace off the top, Priest grabbed him by the throat, climbed to the ropes, then did a huge flying sit-out chokeslam … for two.
The employees chanted a lot while both sold for a minute after the nearfall. The final spot saw Priest try using another Razor’s Edge on Balor, this time to the floor on the aforementioned steel steps, but Balor escaped and kicked him, which knocked Priest to the floor. I think the idea here was for Priest to land flat onto the steel step, but because it was in a horizontal position, Priest landed on the middle and lower part of his back. It made a loud thud when he hit the steel and it looked rough, more like something you’d see on MTV Jackass.
Balor took care of Priest back in the ring, and finally put him away with the Coup de Grace diving double-stomp for the win. Balor stared Priest down after the match.
NXT U.S. Championship match: Keith Lee (c) vs. Johnny Garganno
Before Gargano got to the ring, we saw him inside the In Your House set, designed like the interior of an actual house. There was a framed picture of Dok Hendrix hanging inside the place, which Gargano shot a thumbs-up gesture to before heading to the ring.
The backside of Keith Lee’s tights read “BLACK LIVES MATTER” in pink and black letters.
Keith Lee threw some high roundhouse kicks early on in the match but missed. Since Gargano couldn’t get an early advantage on Lee, he rolled to the floor. Lee went after him, which is where Gargano got a few sneaky licks in. When he tried kicking Lee’s head off but missed, he kicked the steel steps. Him and Lee then had a funny staredown, Gargano in the role of chickensh*t heel.
Gargano ran away and tried going back into the house, which was apparently locked. Lee krept up on him and we saw the scene from the “security cam” point of view, in black and white, as if we were also inside the house. Cool idea here.
Garganno did a great job making Lee feel invincible. He chipped away at Lee back in the ring by climbing on top of him in the corner and laying in punches, then tried wearing Lee down to the mat with a cobra clutch.
When Gargano went for a slingshot spear, Lee stepped to the side and dropped a knee on Gargano in response.
The two lots traded forearms next. Lee went for a pop-up power bomb, but Gargano held on and turned the hold into an armbar. Lee used a Rampage Bomb to break the hold. He took Gargano’s head off with a standing lariat for a close two.
Lee went for Bg Bang Catasrophe but Gargano countered it into a sunset flip pin. Lee landed what Tom Phillips called a “one-armed spinebuster” which is also known as a chokeslam.
Gargano finally spiked Lee headfirst on the floor with a flying tornado DDT, but he had trouble getting Lee back into the ring because he was too big, so Gargano rolled back into the ring and broke the count, which the ref scolded him for.
Gargano went back to the floor to get Lee back into the ring, but Lee was back up. He used a pounce that sent Gargano flying through the plexiglass near the audience area.
Candace LeRae came out to distract Lee, but Mia Yim followed her out. When those two started fighting, Gargano gouged Lee’s eyes again with keys. Two-count. Before Lee could get up, Gargano superkicked Lee in the head. Two-count.
After landing a Spirit Bomb, then a power bomb into Big Bang Catasrophe for the emphatic win.
Backlot Brawl for the NXT championship: Adam Cole (c) defeated Velveteen Dream
Adam Cole came to the match in a giant truck with a slick Undisputed Era design painted on the sides. He cut a short promo on top of the truck until Velveteen Dream rolled up in a yellow Lamborghini. He dressed like Negan from The Walking Dead and carried with him a baseball bat not unlike Negan’s “Lucille.” Dream also had a picture of Hulk Hogan airbrushed on his jacket.
This was a part wrestling, cinematch. HD cameras were in use. It looked kind of cool, honestly.
The black NXT ring was in the center of a circle of parked cars. Each of the car’s lights were turned on, lighting up the ring. There were also spotlights shining down from the “neighborhood” set they filmed on. It’s an interesting arrangement, much better seen than read about.
Cole went to smash Dream with his belt before the match, but Dream rolled him up for two.
Cole then shouted “I’m leaving!” and rolled out of the ring with his belt and into a car. Dream started hitting the car with his bat until Cole got out.
The two were brawling in the lot when an SUV rolled into the scene.
“Did anyone order an Uber?” A female voice came from inside the vehicle. Dream tried throwing Cole into the Uber, but they ended up on the ground soon. Uber was gone after this.
The two walked and brawled around the set until Cole escaped from the lot. Dream shouted “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” like he was in Cape Fear.
Cole doused Dream with a fire extinguisher when he jumped out from behind a door. He was hiding. Cole yelled at Dream and called him stupid.
Dream rallied back and landed a double ax-handle off the apron to the ground. We could see a lot of extra production staff around ringside trying to keep things lit.
Dream brought out a ladder planned on jumping off it until the rest of Undisputed Era showed up in a sedan. They honked their horn then went after Dream, who was still on the ladder. Then, Cole’s three teammates started tossing him folding chairs to use on Dream.
“Tortured Artist” Dexter Loomis then appeared from nowhere and took care UE, scaring them to the back after pounding on them for a bit.
Cole’s arm was scarred, bleeding and filled with glass by the end of this. When he went for the Panama Sunrise back in the ring, Dream countered it into the Dream Driver.
Next, Dream landed the Purple Rainmaker flying elbowdrop onto Cole, who was sitting on a chair. Two-count.
Cole landed a low blow on Dream while Dream trash-talked him, then used the Panama Sunrise onto a pile of steel chairs for the win. Cars honked their horns, then Cole celebrated on top of his Undisputed Era truck. “Nobody can beat me for this! Nobody!” It wasn’t perfect, but it felt fresh, if anything.
Todd Pettengil spoofed his old 1-900-WWE-SHOP segments from back in the day; it was actually an ad for WWE Shop online. DX then appeared and pretended like they didn’t know how to use a computer, joking around that they’re old. It was hokey but so were the original events. It was clever.
Ciampa landed elbows early on, but Kross no-sold them, then landed a hard standing front kick into Ciampa’s face in the corner. Kross then launched him from the corner with a uranage-stype suplex.
On the floor, Kross picked Ciampa up with two hands and slammed him back-first against the apron. Kross tossed Ciampa twice more with his overheard arm-clutch suplex, then washed Ciampa’s face with his knee in the corner. Mauro Ranallo made a UWFi in reference to Kross’ style.
Ciampa tried chopping his way out of harm’s way, and after a bit of effort, he was able to plant a running knee into Kross’ face, then tried pinning him after a draping DDT for two.
Kross returned Ciampa’s attack, first spinning him into the air with an inverted F-5, then forced Ciampa to pass out in the Kross Jacket, a modified neck crank submission. The referee called for the bell once Ciampa was out.
“Karrion Kross just routed Tomasso Ciampa!” Great call from Tom Phillips after the match.
This was probably the best match on of the night, or at least the most effective, and Kross truly came across like a monster. IMPACT really should have let him use more of his shoot-style offense, because in 2020, that’s the kind of stuff that will help guys get over inside the ring, not just the size.
Io Shirai defeated Charlotte Flair (c) and Rhea Ripley in a Triple Threat match to become NXT Women’s champion
Flair rolled to the floor and insisted that Shirai and Ripley start the match off. Ripley went after Flair on the floor, so Shirai went after Ripley. From here, the match was underway.
Flair took over early on, chopping both her opponents and talking trash at them until they both fought out. No alliance here, though, as Shirai and Ripley went right back after each other.
Ripley went for a somersault senton off the apron but missed when Flair side-stepped out of the way. Flair then smashed Ripley into the barricades ringside.
Shirai shot back with a frankensteiner off the apron to the floor on Flair.
Flair had a Boston crab on Shirai for a while. Ripley finally returned to the match and took out Flair. Shirai landed a 619 to Flair next; Ripley had been knocked to the floor again.
Flair took Ripley and Shirai out with a double spear for two separate two-counts. She then went for a double moonsault but took too long: Ripey moved and Shirai got her knees up while Flair was on her way down.
The three then exchanged high spots and submissions. Shirai landed a big springboard dropkick on Ripley, then landed the Bullet Train knees attack. As Shirai celebrated, Flair caught her with Natural Selection, then locked Shirai into the figure eight until Ripley dragged Flair to the floor.
Shirai then landed an absolutely perfect plancha onto Ripley.
Flair took Shirai and threw her into the event monitors on set. Ripley smashed a plant on Flair.
Shirai then did a goregeous-looking cross body block from the top of the In Your House doorway. She got great hangtime.
Shirai tried a top-rope Frankensteiner but Ripley blocked it; Flair then ran over and booted Ripley in the face. Ripley fought back and landed the Riptide to Flair from off the ropes. Shirai broke up the close two-count.
Ripley caught Shirai in the Prism Lock, but Flair broke it up when she brought a kendo stick into the ring and whacked both Ripley and Shirai with it. She then put Ripley into the Figure Eight leglock, but before Ripley could tap, Shirai landed a moonsault off the top onto Ripley and pinned her. Since Flair was still entangled inside the Figure Eight, she couldn’t break the pinfall attempt. Shirai “didn’t quite get all of it” with regard to that final moonsault, but it’s negligible, as much of this match was really good.
Final thoughts:
No show today will come close to perfect due to world’s condition right now; real fans aren’t even allowed to attend yet.
But if you’ve been jonesing for a solid night of modern wrestling, this was a pretty much a success.
It wasn’t the greatest night of pro wrestling ever, but it did the trick. And there weren’t any bad matches, which is still par for the course for TakeOver shows.
I imagine the most-talked about match might be the Backlot Brawl. As mentioned earlier, it wasn’t a perfect match, but it felt and looked fresh, which is what every company needs right now the plan is to continue running empty venues. The match itself wasn’t great, but was creative enough to keep me distracted from Dream’s wrestling.
The main event triple threat was really good, but of course would have been that much better with a crowd. Flair was outstanding in this. Shirai was perfect aside from the weird landing on the moonsault finish. Ripley felt like a natural in this, which is impressive since three-way matches never feel smooth. It was well put-together.
Overall, it was a solid supercard from the NXT crew, with Io Shirai’s title win as the only real surprise of the night.
We have a feature on systemic prejudice in the U.S. as the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Also in this issue:
The Dana White/Jon Jones story, explaning the economic realities, the economic fallacies and where things stand with both men’s arguments. We look at what does and doesn’t make sense economically, why Jones and Conor McGregor and all the top draws have lost value to UFC, plus exactly what both men have said about each other and where things stand.
The economics of what Jones has drawn in the past, and the numbers of recent UFC show.
The unwritten WWE rule about not criticizing other talent in a public forum outside of storyline-related reasons, why it was broken this past week, what was said, as well as looking at the ties beween the ownerships of the different wrestling companies with Donald Trump, statements released, and the key things no talent can say.
New WWE Network updates.
Upcoming guidelines for WWE shows, Paul Levesque talks COVID testing, notes on more WWE cuts, Vince McMahon sends out memo, original Gronkowski plans and why they changed and why now.
Upcoming Backlash and Takeover shows, an update on the XFL bankruptcy, how WWE is involved and more.
Update the Kairi Sane injury, Vince McMahon bio, Drake Maverick angle, people talked about for main roster, WWE hires new man t head the Middle East business, Kurt Angle talks why he’s not returning at this point to WWE, plus we look at the current market value of WWE and poll results, as well as WWE’s own track record.
Coverage of Saturday’s UFC show with the storylines and the business news, plus match-by-match coverage.
A large feature on the retirement of Stu Saks and the westling magazine era, the life and times and the glory years of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, the death of the magazine business, how VinceMcMahon tried to kill it early, and the different stages of the magazine era.
A feature on the wrestling career, and life of Danny Havoc from many of the people who knew him best in the industry.
In-depth looks at the 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.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight covering a number of subjects including NXT Takeover. We also have a show up on the site covering last night’s UFC show and the rest of the news already up on the site.
NXT Takeover In Your House is tonight on the WWE Network with this lineup:
Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream for the NXT title – This match was taped last week in a parking lot. Since it was taped for a long period of time, with retakes and such, there is no reason it shouldn’t be a great match. In theory, since Cole has passed one year as champion, it would seem like he would lose. Dream was really over but he’s been hurt since the pandemic but most of their stuff is planned out in advance at this level.
Charlotte Flair vs. Io Shirai vs.Rhea Ripley for the NXT women’s title. On paper this should be very good, if not great. Flair vs Ripley was one of the best matches over Mania week and Shirai is better in-ring than either of them, so it should enhance the match. Ripley should pin Flair. That’s not a prediction, but that’s what should happen.
Keith Lee vs. Johnny Gargano for the North American title. On paper a strong match although the small heel/giant babyface is harder to work. That’s why I figure heavy involvement by Candice LeRae, or later Mia Yim, depending on the six-person match earlier.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Karrion Kross – It’s Kross’ debut so he’d be the favorite here. As noted, because of how good Ciampa’s Takeover matches have been, the pressure is on Kross because with anything but a great match people will start blaming him. But this is the biggest match of Kross’ career.
Finn Balor vs. Damien Priest – Similar, in the sense Balor’s job here is to make Priest look like a superstar no matter what the end result is.
Candice LeRae & Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez vs. Tegan Nox & Mia Yim & Shotzi Blackheart – Given that Takeovers are usually five bouts, and this was kind of thrown in late, there is probably a storyline reason for the match.
Mikaela Mayer, who was scheduled for Tuesday’s Top Rank boxing show in Las Vegas, the first boxing show in months, tested positive for COVID-19. The show will proceed as scheduled with her being pulled from the event. She had not shown any symptoms. Mayer was in the semi against Helen Jacobs. She wrote:
I am heartbroken to report that I will no longer be fighting on Tuesday’s Top Rank card due to a positive result in my COVID-19 test yesterday. it came as a complete surprise. I am currently asymptomatic and am quarantining at an off-site location per recommended guidelines. The rest of my team tested negative and they are all in good health. I was really looking forward to bringing back boxing for all of you and I’m disappointed for myself, my team, my supporters and for my opponent, Helen Joseph, who worked just as hard to be here this week and put on a show for everyone.
After two hard back-to-back camps, not being able to step into the ring both times, you can imagine how disappointed I am. However, these protocols were put into place for a reason and it’s more important to care about the health and well being of my team and the people at this event. So I am complying with the rules set forth by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Top Rank to keep everyone safe.
UFC 250 did 1.5 million Google searches yesterday and it was No. 1 even on a heavy news day. Because UFC 250, also cracking the top 20 were Conor McGregor at No. 3 for his latest retirement, Sean O’Malley at No. 5 because he’s legitimately becoming a superstar, Cody Stamann at No. 8 because of the story of him fighting and winning a week after the death of his brother and Chase Hooper was No. 13. And Hooper lost but evidently he has a following.
Bruce Lee was No. 8 earlier today for the ESPN 30 for 30 on Lee that will be airing tonight and was pushed like crazy on the UFC show yesterday.
New Japan Pro Wrestling has a press conference at 11 p.m. Eastern tomorrow right after Raw. This will be to announce its return schedule. The belief is that they will be starting very soon, first with empty arena matches and then moving to half capacity matches.
WWE
The WWE will be taping tomorrow’s Raw tomorrow afternoon, followed by the 6/12 Smackdown show, along with Main Event and 205 Live. On Tuesday they’ll tape those same shows for 6/15 to 6/19. Wednesday will be the next two weeks of NXT being taped.
A better in Nevada put up $1 million on Amanda Nunes to beat Felicia Spencer. He risked it to win $166,666.70. This was the largest bet ever taken for an MMA fight by the William Hill Agency.
MISCELLANEOUS
Steph De Lander is donating her proceeds from WrestlerMerch this month to Black Rainbow, an Australian charity supporting gay Aboriginal people. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
EPW in Perth had its first day back of full contact training on 6/6.
Tuesday’s Impact show will have Michael Elgin vs. Ken Shamrock vs. Sami Callihan, Jordynne Grace vs. Taya Valkyrie for the Knockouts title, and Johnny Swinger & Chris Bey vs. Cousin Jake & Willie Mack. The show will also announce the future of the Impact title after Tessa Blanchard missed the tapings due to not being able to get out of Mexico.
Impact 60 after Impact will be a show airing X Division highlights.
Sadly, WWE is not giving away a house this weekend. Happily, NXT is back with their first proper TakeOver since February and, well, a lot has changed since that time.
Remember going places and doing things? Hopefully, Sunday can once again provide a meaningless escape, much like AEW did last weekend. Double or Nothing was the most fun I’ve had watching wrestling since that February TakeOver and the In Your House card is even better than that was.
Not many of these feuds have a ton of juice due largely to the environment around us. It’s harder to get invested in the show when there are so many other things worth getting invested in. Not every performer is around regularly and all of their absences are felt, some more strongly than others. The only person who has consistently and constantly been around has been ol’ Johnny Wrestling and that might not be a good thing.
Still, in a vacuum, there’s some quality content here. Karrion Kross’ first proper match in NXT, a triple threat for the women’s title that could be historically great, Johnny Gargano getting his chest caved in and both plenty to look forward to and want to see. Now like we always do at this time, let’s preview the card.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Karrion Kross (w/Scarlett)
Welcome to the end, Tommaso Ciampa.
This feels like the end, right? Ciampa himself has talked about having a short shelf life because of his neck. All of his ends (Gargano) have been tied up and he’s wrestling a guy whose signature move is a Doomsday neck drop and who might be the apocalypse in human form. What better way for Ciampa to go out then this? It would immediately establish Kross as more than the standard chaos agent, because he’s more than that. Or, at least it feels that way.
A good way to tell how invested someone is in something is to look at their time commitment. When you’re in a relationship that matters, you put in the time. If you’re invested in your job, you work more hours and you spend more time there because it matters. NXT isn’t giving Kross and Scarlett a massive performative entrance like they have if they aren’t all in and if they don’t see the money in them.
It was immediately clear that these two are different. Kross is taller than Keith Lee and Scarlett has the look to go with him. The only problem with investing so much into them is that they might not be long for NXT.
Kross has to win here, clean and fast with no Scarlett interference or 20 minute struggle. I would love for this to open the show and have Kross win as decisively as possible.
Mia Yim, Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox vs. Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai and Raquel González
In what I continue to take as a personal attack on me and my free time, yet another wrestling company added a match after I had already written 90% of my preview. AEW did it with the terrible Shawn Spears, so at least this one has good talent in it. Soem quick reactions to each person in this match:
Blackheart: Very cool and possibly immortal because of how her neck didn’t break last week. Also, she has a sweet tank.
Nox: She seems great and they are clearly high on her. She’s still attached to Dakota Kai. The Lady Kane gimmick is great and there was a predictably bad Reddit thread about how she shouldn’t do it because her chokeslam isn’t good enough. My eyes rolled out of my head just typing that.
Kai: Still attached to Tegan Nox and shockingly great as a heel considering how pure of a babyface she is.
LeRae: Legitimately incredible. I can’t believe how good she is as a bad girl. She is long overdue for a title run.
Gonzalez: Also seems good! She and Dakota really work even if her debut was a bit awkward.
Yim: She is in this match. I kid: She’s fine.
Everyone in this match is good and this match will be good but it was thrown together out of nowhere. I’m excited for the inevitable tower of doom spot and to see what feuds this will set up moving forward. Right now, it’s more important that LeRae, Gonzalez, and Kai look good and stay strong so they take this one.
Finn Bálor vs. Damian Priest
Seriously, what is the deal with this angle? Imagine going from a program with WALTER for the NXT UK title to…whatever this is? What has our Prince done to deserve this treatment? Why is he slumming with Priest? Talk about being outclassed in every single meaningful way. There is nothing Priest does better than Bálor in any meaningful way other than being taller.
Part of my frustration is that I just don’t get the point of Priest. There are other guys his size that move better, look better, talk better, wrestle better, and who are just, well, better. There is nothing remarkable and certainly nothing special here. I wonder how much of this is a combination of stubbornness to try and get something with Priest to work and Finn needing something to do while he waits for the world to return to whatever normal actually is.
This doesn’t warrant a lot of virtual space and it sure doesn’t deserve a lot of time on Sunday. I hope Finn double stomps Priest through the mat and off NXT TV for a bit.
NXT North American Champion Keith Lee vs. Johnny Gargano
If NXT is really operating more like a third brand as opposed to developmental, how can they avoid giving the fans fatigue that is so prevalent in WWE? People have been complaining about Gargano (and Ciampa to a slightly lesser extent) for some time now. What happens if they never leave? What happens if The Undisputed Era stays in NXT forever?
It’s easier to spread the talent out on Raw and Smackdown, but NXT only has so many spots available at any given time. Think about it: each TakeOver typically only has five matches. If 40% of those matches involve the same guys who have been wrestling at TakeOvers for years, how can NXT avoid becoming stale?
All I know is that if i CTRL+F ‘Johnny’ and ‘Ciampa’, they show up more than any other names combined. Even as I was writing this column, I found myself typing their names in matches that they aren’t part of. That’s how ingrained they are in the fabric of NXT. They’ve been great, but it’s time for a change.
Once again, Lee is too big for this. I know Gargano is supposed to be the foundation of NXT or whatever lame gimmick they’re running him out there with, but Lee is so much more. Him even still being in NXT is wild to me. Did Domanik Dijakovic really get the call up before him? Is that a thing that happened? Inexcusable is the word that immediately comes to mind. Sometimes, you just have to shrug and realize that WWE is just doing what they always do.
Imagine if Gargano actually wins here. Imagine if me-sized Johnny Gargano, wrestling as a heel no less, beats Keith Lee on Sunday. I don’t think there are enough coffin emojis in the world to describe my desire to instantly perish if that happens. Even if Lee is leaving NXT, there’s no way in the world he should lose. Our pal John is in for a rough time this weekend.
NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Io Shirai
This is easily the best match on the card which is fitting because Flair is the biggest star in the company.
She is a transcendent talent and proof that the developmental system (and genetic superiority) works. This is what it would be like if Randy Orton, you know, gave a sh*t. She is a galactic, world destroying force. Her gravitational pull sucks everything in and that’s a problem. As big of a star as she is, she might be too big for this. If Lee is too big for a feud with Gargano, Charlotte is too big for NXT as a whole.
Who, exactly, is this match supposed to be helping other than Charlotte? It has done no favors for the women’s division in NXT which has been nothing but fodder for our Queen. Mia Yim? Chewed up. Ruby Riott? Gone. Even Rhea Ripley, who has a ceiling approaching that of Charlotte’s, was no match. We already knew Charlotte was great; we don’t need constant reminders and sacrifices.
When I think of this match, I think of Charlotte and Shirai first with Ripley as almost an afterthought — a wild thing because she has everything. The look, the persona, the charisma, the in-ring skill, it’s all there. If this sounds like me recycling my old “Bianca Belair is the best thing going” take, that’s because it is and it doesn’t make it any less true. Using a corny cliche like “maybe the bloom is off the rose” does a disservice to her and her talent and is also flat wrong. It’s just that right now, she’s a star right next to two supernovas.
I’m begging for this to be Shirai’s time. Shie is a spectacular performer with chaotic charisma, an athletic marvel, an ace. They brought her to NXT specifically for this moment. A woman who is constantly in the discussion for best in the world is someone worth hitching your wagon to. She and Ripley are the present and future of NXT and the chemistry they have shown during their time in the ring together hints at what could be an incredible long term rivalry.
The genius of the sky pins Ripley, sends Charlotte back to Raw and SmackDown and sets NXT back on the course they were on pre-WrestleMania season.
NXT Champion Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream
The stipulation here is that if Dream loses, he can’t challenge Cole for the NXT title as long as he’s champion. It’s also the least excited I have been about a Velveteen Dream TakeOver match and the least excited I have been about an Adam Cole TakeOver match.
Dream is helped by the crowd more than any other NXT wrestler. He relies on crowd interaction and is such a character and charisma-based wrestler. Take those away and there’s a bunch of axe handles, elbows, and abs. Think about how hot Dream was a few months ago and compare it to now. Of course, the circumstances couldn’t be more different, but that just shows the impact a crowd can have on a performer and how they are perceived to those watching at home.
Cole has done all the heavy lifting with this build. He remains, and will remain, perfectly cast as the smarmy heel who can actually back it up. Sure, the rest of the Undisputed Era gets involved sometimes, but Cole has been a fighting champion and has actually won some of his matches. Compare that to the main roster where a heel rarely even has a finish to their matches, let alone wins them.
The closest thing I can compare this run to is when AJ Styles was a heel but was still winning matches via the dubious tactic of being better at wrestling than everyone else. What I’m saying is that Cole is real good sh*t.
The fractured nature of the builds combined with no crowds makes every NXT show feel the same. Everything just kind of runs together. Part of me wants to say Dream wins here, but he has no heat and no momentum. The stipulation does make you think, though. Cole possibly not having a contract past Augustreally makes you think.
If Dream loses, is he done on NXT? If so, how fast would he die on the main roster? Over/under is 2.5 weeks. I’m torn here, but let’s say that the purple reign finally comes to NXT and the show ends with Dream on top.
Mike DellaCamera finished a jar of peanut butter (chunky, obviously) while writing this. Yell at him on twitter.
Paul “HHH” Levesque spoke with the media Thursday afternoon, answering questions about NXT Takeover, Drake Maverick’s contract situation, and even COVID-19 testing which appeared to catch the WWE EVP slightly off guard with his answer.
The full audio can be heard for free by clicking below.
Levesque was asked if the company is doing COVID-19 testing and if not, why. Levesque never directly answered with a yes or no, instead saying that WWE’s medical experts work with the CDC and the local/federal government on the best approach for them to take to ensure wellness of their performers. He questioned the accuracy of the various types of testing and said that when accurate, widespread testing is made available, they will do so. He said their medical protocols are extensive and most importantly “they’ve worked.”
Levesque said that Maverick, who didn’t win the NXT Cruiserweight title Wednesday but was announced as signed to NXT afterward, really caught on through the course of the tourney and it was hard to ignore what was happening. Levesque said the tourney was booked out and then, he was part of the releases. He was given the option to continue and he took it. He put over what a great guy Maverick is and how much he loves, and wants to be in, WWE.
Levesque also said that Sunday’s Adam Cole/Velveteen Dream title match will done “out of the arena, off site” but stopped short of saying it would be cinematic. “There will be a ring and this will be what we do” but will be shot differently and in a different environment. The match has already been taped, but the rest of Sunday’s show will be live.
He loved the recent cage fight between Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher and wants to use it again to help settle grudge matches.
He said that they are paying attention to what’s happening in Florida with the Phase 2 expansion and the ability to bring in fans, but wants to only do so when it’s safe for everyone.
A sixth match has been added to the card for NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
It was announced on NXT tonight that Mia Yim, Tegan Nox & Shotzi Blackheart will face Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in a six-woman tag match at the TakeOver special. It’s taking place on Sunday (June 7).
The match was announced after those six wrestlers were involved in a brawl on tonight’s NXT. Yim vs. LeRae on tonight’s show ended in a double countout when they fought outside of the ring. They fought to the top of the stage, with LeRae reversing a powerbomb and giving Yim a hurricanrana into the video screen. Nox came out to stop LeRae from attacking Yim further, then Kai, Gonzalez, and Blackheart all got involved.
A mixed tag match between Yim & Keith Lee and LeRae & Johnny Gargano then took place on NXT tonight. LeRae rolled up Yim to get the win after Yim was distracted by Gargano stabbing Lee in the eye with his car keys.
Lee is defending his NXT North American Championship against Gargano at TakeOver: In Your House. Here’s the updated card for the show:
NXT Champion Adam Cole defending against Velveteen Dream in a Backlot Brawl (if Cole wins, Dream can’t challenge for the NXT Championship again as long as Cole is still champion)
NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defending against Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai in a triple threat match
NXT North American Champion Keith Lee defending against Johnny Gargano
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett)
Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest
Mia Yim, Tegan Nox & Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez
WWE has revealed the match type for Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
It was announced on NXT tonight that Cole and Dream’s NXT Championship match at TakeOver: In Your House will be a Backlot Brawl. The match also has a stipulation where, if Dream loses, he can’t challenge for the NXT Championship again as long as Cole is still champion.
When Cole vs. Dream was announced for TakeOver, NXT general manager William Regal said he was going to find a location for the match that would shine a spotlight on Cole and Dream’s talents in a setting that’s worthy of the NXT title.
A Prime Target special feature building up Cole vs. Dream aired on NXT tonight. It briefly showed the set-up for the match, which was filmed at night and featured cars surrounding three sides of a ring that was set up outside.
Roddy Piper and Goldust faced off in a Hollywood Backlot Brawl at WrestleMania XII in 1996.
TakeOver: In Your House is taking place on Sunday (June 7). Here’s the updated card for the show:
NXT Champion Adam Cole defending against Velveteen Dream in a Backlot Brawl (if Cole wins, Dream can’t challenge for the NXT Championship again as long as Cole is still champion)
NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defending against Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai in a triple threat match
NXT North American Champion Keith Lee defending against Johnny Gargano
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett)
Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest
Mia Yim, Tegan Nox & Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez
