We are back after a brief hiatus.
I attended Takeover live. It was bloody awesome. My favorite match was Dream v Riddle followed by the Tag Title match. Moment of the night was Gargano’s victory. All the matches were great. People shouting Adam Cole Bay-Bay are berks.
I missed last week’s show as was travelling home and needed a slight break from wrestling but I’m back bringing you my report on NXT.
We have a new theme tune and open. That may have been in last week.
The big question on everyone’s lips coming into this week is…. What will the War Raiders be known as?????
First to the ring is the Velveteen Dream. As usual wearing a ridiculous outfit. Santa trousers. A sun hat and a robe that doesn’t appear to have a neck.
He’s facing Buddy Murphy. Awesome. They had an interaction backstage at WrestleMania Buddy Murphy was basically the Humberto Carrillo award winner of the whole of last year. He had, for me, a top 5, if not better year in the company.
Crowd is 50/50. Then some ruin it with a both these guys.
Velveteen Dream vs Buddy Murphy
An enjoyable headlock-based start followed by the reversals and a double kip up. Then another sequence, head scissors send Dream outside. Murphy goes for the dive but Dream slides back in and starts mocking Murphy. Murphy looks at him, I know where this is going and I’m going to bloody love it. Murphy grabs him and knees the stupid look right off his face. YES Buddy, Dream sells it incredibly bending in half into a cover for a nearfall.
Murphy smashes Dream off the post and this time hits a beautiful Tope Con Hiro. Throws him back in. Meteora. Another near fall. Murphy getting the crowd on their feet. He’s almost wrestling as a face here. Punt to the back. Go on Buddy. Dream does wrestle quiet heel anyway so it’s working well. Dream hits 2 big elbows then Murphy runs straight into a Superkick. Everyone is down. More reversals. This time Dream in control. Hitting double axe handles from everywhere. Tornado rope assisted neck snap from Murphy. That was nice.
Slugfest on the turnbuckle and they both fall off to the floor. Both just break the count. This is excellent. Avalanche front suppler from Murphy who jumps from the top into a sunset flip. Dream rolls through into the DVD and Murphy kicks out at 2.99. Fantastic stuff. Cheeky Nando’s from Murphy. Sit out Powerbomb on Dream 1-2-NOOOOOO.
Both on the apron, Murphy punts Dream in the face then hits a beautiful running jumping knee. OH MY WORD that was my jam. WOW. Loved that. Dream is dead weight and Murphy has to break the count himself to get him back in.
After he throws him in, he gets caught with a Fameasser coming in through the ropes. He bounces up into a Dream Valley Driver, then the Purple Rainmaker. And it’s over. Another great title defense from Dream. Murphy like Riddle before him looked outstanding here. They are both top wrestlers, but I wonder how much praise should be placed on the Dream. It can’t be a coincidence that everyone is looking great against him.
They air that awesome PC YouTube channel. I need to check out some of those videos
Street Profits video. They’re going to knock on Regal’s door. Hanson and Rowe come out wearing War Raiders shirts. They tell the Profits they know what they’ve been saying and they’ve taken care if it for them. They will see them in the ring next week. That should be decent. I wonder if those War Raiders shirts are now on offer. They tell the profits to be careful what they wish for. The Street Profits are very excited.
Rebel Heart hits and here comes the NEW NXT CHAMPION and Triple Crown Winner Johnny Gargano! F.R.G.isfront and center, the Everton shirt back in all its glory!
He’s basically leading the Johnny Champion chants.
Shock the System interrupts Johnny’s celebration and Adam Cole cuts the music before it gets to his posing. Yes Adam. You legend. Roddy isn’t with him. Cole is angry saying he beat Gargano at Takeover. Adam Cole calls himself the Uncrowned Champion and calls Johnny the fiercest of all insults…. a Punk. Johnny comes back asking how Adam’s boyband is. ‘Is everything not in-sync right now” Brilliant. Gargano runs down the match and says the scoreboard was 2-1 and that’s not just definitive. It’s UNDISPUTED! Johnny killing Cole here.
Johnny says the difference is if he’d have lost, he’d wouldn’t be thing and crying like a spoiled little BAY-BAY. Johnny 3-0 Adam tonight. Johnny invites Cole for a fight and Strong ambushes him from behind. Its 4 on 1. Not great strategy their Johnny. You were doing so well on the mic.
Kairi Sane’s last appearance on NXT TV is the main event against Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women’s title. Excellent.
Up next though is Dominick Dijakovic. Injury has put his feud with Keith Lee on hold so let’s see who he’ll be facing,
Kushida video package. He makes his NXT debut in two weeks.
Rundown on who has graduated to the main roster. Black, Ricochet, Lacey Evans, EC3 and The Viking Experience too Raw. Sullivan and Sane to Smackdown.
Dominick Dijakovic vs Aaron Frye
Out in the ring is Aaron Frye. Here comes Dijakovic. I do not feel confident for Aaron Frye.
Spinning kick out of the gate. 1-2-3. It’s over. Mauro calls him Dominant Dijakovic. Good one Mauro.
Dijakovic on the mic. Keith Lee chant. Dijakovic credits his family with being here and calls out the Velveteen Dream and the North American Championship.
Cathey Kelly with the Undisputed Era. William Regal interrupts and says next week it will be Roderick Strong vs Johnny Gargano. Adam Cole looks irritated by this. Probably because he is a berk.
Vanessa Bourne and Aliyah promo. Calling out Candace LeRae. I think they challenged her to a tag match next week.
Here comes Shayna with Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir.
Shayna Baszler vs Kairi Sane
Sane on top early. A spinning back fist, sliding clothesline in the corner and crossbody to the outside. Baszler wins a striking exchange then hits an absolute beauty of a knee to the face.
Knee of the week will be tough to choose this week. As I type Shayna with a running bicycle knee to Sane in the corner. KNEEEEEEES.
Shayna goes for the same knee again but Kairi avoids it and catcher her with the spear as Shayna bounces out. Dragon screw and a Blockbuster from Kairi. Who slides under Shayna and locks in the Anchor, Shayna makes the ropes, Kairi hits an elbow of the second rope. Goes to the top for the full InSane elbow but Shayna with a. Step up enziguri.
Shayna hung up in the corner, Double stomp off the top rope. Shayna rolls out, Kairi looks for a flying Kabuki elbow, but Shayna moves and Kairi elbows the barricade. Shayna back in working that injured arm. Sane somehow makes the ropes to avoid the arm submission. Great intensity and gameplay from Shayna,
Ref has called for a Doctor. Io comes out as well. Whilst she is speaking to Io and the Doc Shayna drags her back in. Shayna is about to break Kairi’s arm with that hour stomp thing she did on Dakota Kai when Io interferes and saves her friend causing the DQ. Jessamyn and Marina hold Io back and make her watch whilst Shayna breaks Kairi’s arm anyway. Bloody brilliant heel work from Shayna. What a prick!
Io tends to Kairi in the ring as Shayna stands triumphantly on top of the ramp.
Great performance from Shayna and a sendoff for Kairi setting up a feud between Io and Shayna. We also look to be heading towards a Dijakovic vs Dream programme, Gargano tries to infiltrate the era and the War Raiders take on the Street Profits.
Another really strong episode of NXT. Murphy vs Dream is must watch.
STARS OF THE WEEK
1. Buddy Murphy. - Great return to his roots from the Not so Best Kept Secret anymore. Really hope he gets a good crack at Smackdown
2. Velveteen Dream - Back to back bangers from Dream. His opponents look so good, credit to him.
3. Shayna Baszler - Dominant. Has that character nailed down. Fantastic work, ruining Karir’s send off.
HUMBERTO CARILLO AWARD
Velveteen Dream - I’ve always liked Dream and his character work and his matches are usually very good, but the last two have, for me, taken him to another level. The selling is incredible. The crumble off of that ripcord knee a particular highlight. Congrats to the Dream.
Really recommend checking this show out. Excited to see NXT build towards their next Takeover.
Until next time guys. Take Care.
JCH
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