Fight for the Future: Kevin Owens VS Finn Balor

At the beginning of 2015 I would've expressed some trepidation over NXT's course. A run of remarkably bland RAW episodes combined with an utter absence of acknowledgment of NXT's operation during that program had me believing that politics was going to get in the way of the exciting fledgling brand continuing to flourish. I had even at one point made note of NXT's place on the In Ring section of the WWE Network listings being shunted toward the end, almost out of sight. Fortunately, a reversal has taken place, NXT has been getting plenty of opportunities to shine with the party line touted around town being it is no longer a developmental program, but a full fledged brand unto itself. While the rapidly heating up show still squarely falls under the WWE flagship, it has made giant strides by way of developing its own unique identity, taking the show on the road for highly sought after tour dates, and in its most recent step forward, integrating its characters and storylines within the action on the WWE main roster. Not only does this mark a realization that WWE proper should be finding ways to put over its new, hip show, but has shown that with the right storytelling, the connection between the two rosters can generate buzz that affects the WWE's main product positively as well. Those that have been following this unfolding scene can easily connect the dots and form the burly outline of one Kevin Owens.

Owens has been like bottled lightning since debuting in NXT last year, bringing a quiet storm presentation to his few but impressionable confrontations. It helped that a ready made rivalry between him and Sami Zayn, hearkening back to their days in the indies and in Ring Of Honor, was lying in wait of his arrival. He does not only present himself as a compelling and unique heel during promos and interviews, he has an amazing move set. During his match with John Cena at the Elimination Chamber special, he pulled off acrobatic maneuvers that seem impossible for a man of his size and build, not to mention an offensive that looks devastating to anyone on the receiving end.

I wonder if original intentions were to just have Owens come out on Raw during Cena's US Championship open challenge, blindside him, and build some buzz around the then upcoming NXT special while teasing a confrontation between the champions down the line. No matter, the decision to move Owens into the picture on Raw was an excellent one. He presents a fresh and credible threat to others on the main WWE roster, and those savvy fans who have grown tired of WWE's repetitiveness but are tuned into NXT's competition-centric presentation will be more likely to check WWE's main programs to see Owens in action. Owens' increased presence on WWE proper can also do great things for NXT in return, and arguably already has. With the NXT title still in Owens' possession as he defeats top level stars like John Cena, the belt looks that much more valuable and will cause eyeballs to turn toward NXT, and possibly the WWE Network, for those not already subscribing, to see what happens to the championship. Anyone associated with Owens also stands to benefit from the increased exposure, and those names are numerous. Sami Zayn, whose feud with Owens is stll unresolved, would appear to have the potential to move up to the main roster any time to continue unfinished business with the now main roster-cized Owens. Finn Balor, current number one contender to the NXT championship can also get to be more well known, and that much closer to appearing on the WWE's bigger stage. Hideo Itami was last seen expressing his desire to fight Kevin Owens for the NXT championship, before he was sidelined by an injury, and was shown on screen as the victim of a storyline attack, with a suggestion of Owens' possible involvement. Then there is Samoa Joe, who also seems to have immediately gained from NXT's increased prominence, as well as stare-down confrontation with the current NXT champ that went down with an atmosphere slicing tension. His initial contract with pro wrestling's dominant company quickly received an upgrade to main roster status.

Right on the horizon is an intriguing viewing opportunity scheduled for July 4th on the WWE Network that I feel is the perfect moment for the company to shake things up on NXT. Finn Balor is scheduled to make good on his number one contender status and face Owens in a title match at a house show in Tokyo, Japan's Sumo Hall, and it will be broadcast via the Network. From this vantage point, it makes complete and utter sense for them to not only put on a fantastic match, but for the NXT championship to change hands and go from Kevin Owens to Finn Balor, with the man with the demon within picking up the win.

I'm sure whatever this pair does in the ring will make for excellent viewing, but the title change would work for so many reasons. First, Owens is becoming a bigger and bigger part of the main roster activity, and the more he achieves over there the less he needs the NXT title to bolster his image. In fact, midway through slogging through this post, he has just issued a challenge for Cena's US Title after the two have exchanged victories. Second, Finn Balor has amazing potential to be the focal point of NXT, with little more that can be done to help him reach the next plateau other than winning a championship. From there, his eventual elevation to WWE proper seems inevitable. This kind of newsworthy occurrence might seem better saved for a more high profile event and one that is not competing with a major holiday like Independence Day. However, it is the perfect sort of buzz generator to get more eyes and as a result sign-ups for WWE's much touted online streaming subscription service. With the time difference, an evening event in Tokyo would be taking place around 7:30 AM Eastern Standard Time, presuming the whole show will be broadcast, with the main event probably occurring a bit after that; that's not interfering as much with fireworks and other people's holiday plans, and once the diehard fans start tweeting about it, news will spread over a must-see match even more-so if it had some drastic consequences.

What's most poignant about the circumstance is how its location dovetails with Balor's history. It is well known to Japanese wrestling fans that before becoming Finn Balor, Prince Devitt made his bones as a dominant Super Junior Heavyweight and went on to become a core member of the widely known heel faction, The Bullet Club. If facts around Balor's wrestling career in Japan were mentoned, regardless of whether the company NJPW were acknowledged or not, it could make for a very plausible stage on which Balor was victorious. I think it's a near sure thing that fans in attendance of the show will all be rallying behind him, something akin to giving him a home field advantage. And, I am pleased to say that during the time this was being drafted, a video package did in fact bring up Balor's extensive career in Japan.

For a video presentation epitomizing brief, effective marketing of a star on the rise in this era, seek out an ad for the July 4 special - it has been shown on the Network during recent NXT episodes, showing Balor transforming into something otherworldly against a stark white background. A quick, cutting edge looking  thrill ride for the eyes.

With Kevin Owens changing the WWE landscape, and Balor not far behind in his own rise to prominence, I would keep a close on this rare opportunity to see an overseas event broadcast online only, between two wrestlers who, between them, hold some of the greatest potential influence in the industry.

twitter: MondoCurryMark

NXT Toki エネクスチ時3: Toki Toki: April 22 and April 29

Some complications have clogged up the works at Mondo Headquarters. Therefore this past week’s NXT report is delayed, but I am determined to serve it up. Last week’s report also fell by the wayside so we’ll start this edition of NXT Toki with highlights of the show the week before.

NXT 4.22  Highlights

Finn Balor ran through Ty Dillinger in a straight up squash match, establishing a routine series of moves that spell out success for the former NJPW Bullet Club breakout star. Things started with him floating over Ty as he attempted a charge in the corner and chopping him across the chest. We also see Finn hit the Sling Blade (a move in the arsenal of NJPW’s Hiroshi Tanahashi), a massive Drop Kick that blasts the oponents off his feet and into the corner, and the coup de grace (double foot stomp off the top ropes) finisher for the win.

As Balor made his way up the ramp, Tyler Breeze appeared on the monitor to cut a more sulky less arrogant promo on how he is sick of the attention Balor has been getting and plans to return the attention to himself. It’s an effective visual that sets up an interesting program between the quickly made Balor and the long time NXT competitor looking to break out in Breeze.

Bailey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte had a fantastic triple threat match for the number one contender spot to the women’s title. The match started out with the women hitting each other hard. It soon shifted to a battle of submission holds, with Charlotte and Becky both working over Bailey’s legs. 

Lynch tried to get Bailey into a Superplex but Charlotte walked her away from the ropes on her shoulders, setting up for Bailey to hit an elbow off the top as Charlotte dropped Becky with a Power Bomb. This was a huge spot that looked like the Road Warriors’ Doomsday Device at first, but was really something even more devastating. Charlotte later trapped Bailey in an amazing improvisation on the Figure Four called the Figure 8, which finds her applying her father’s classic submission and propping herself way up on extended arms to exert more pressure. Becky, still devastated from the double team move and a Belly to Bailey Suplex crawled over and put an arm over Bailey for the win. 

Hideo Itami defeated CJ Parker in another fairly one sided fight. Most notably, Hideo added a new move to his repertoire: a lightning quick leg sweep that starts with the CJ’s leg being grabbed to set up for a Dragon Screw Leg Whip, but is then switched to Hideo’s other hand as he lowers himself, spins, and sweeps out his leg. I’m fairly certain this is an old move from Itami’s Kenta days as I got a flash of an arcade game I played in a Tokyo Game Center around 1999 featuring All Japan and NOAH Wrestlers. I can recall with near certainty a character with yellow tights pulling off this same sharp looking move.

Kevin Owens once again defeated Alex Reilly. This time, when Owens went to hurt Reilly after the match, Zayn made a sudden appearance and dived onto Owens from the top turnbuckle to break up the attack. It was a moment that got the fans psyched for this red hot feud to once again resume.

And Now for this past Wednesday’s edition of NXT:

The show begins with footage of Owens defeating Alex Reilly and being attacked by Sami Zayn before he could inflict post-match damage injury on his opponent.

Owens comes to the ring, calmly belittles the crowd as they launch into a lengthy ‘ole’ chant in support of Zayn, and challenges the former NXT champion to come to the ring. Regal appears instead and confronts Owens in the ring, followed by the arrival of Zayn himself.

Regal makes a match between the two for the title at Arrival on May 20. But Owens answers with some wonderfully weasel-ish heel techniques, saying he wanted a match but never offered for it to be for the title. He questioned what Zayn had done to deserve it, and even asked how wrestlers can earn title shots just by attacking people by surprise, which is exactly what Owens had done himself in his debut.

Zayn gets in Owens’ head, first suggesting that for 12 years Owens has been living in Zayn’s shadows, and then coming right out and saying it directly.  Owens is goaded into agreeing to the match and the two are set for this much anticipated rematch from the last NXT special.

Carmella is sidled up to by the tag tea champions Blake and Wesley who ask her how she’s doing?  She shoes them away, leading to an Alexa Bliss with shades of an attitude adjustment questioning her manners. Carmella smacks her, and Bliss and the tag tea champs appear as though they may be on the same page. And wow, the WWE Performance Center has a lovely spacious and modern kitchen lounge area, where this vignette took place.

An unhinged Alex Reilly barges into Regal’s office as Zayn signs the contract for his rematch. Reilly demands another shot at Owens to which Zayn suggests Reilly back down for the time being. Reilly, feeling condescended to by Zayne’s suggestion to ‘hang in there’ tells the former NXT Champ to stay out of it, and quickly a match between these two is made.

Enzo Amore and Collin Cassady VS Blake and Murphy

Cass and Amore with Carmella come to the ring. Amore has stepped up his look with a leopard print gangsta kerchief pulled up over his face. ‘Team dubstep’ come to the ring next. Cass and Amore’s promo leads the crowd to chant ‘sweet boys’ at Blake and Murphy.

Enzo starts in the ring against Blake and after a lock up, Enzo is quickly slammed down into the tag team champs’ corner. Enzo tries to hit a big splash on Blake and Murphy but they side step. Blake turns his attention to Carmella, allowing Cass to hit a big boot off the distraction. Amore and Cass hit their finisher, with Cass passing Amore overhead and down onto Blake for the pin. This nontitle match win will likely lead to a title match between the two teams at Takeover.

Becky Lynch has a promo in the back about how much winning the NXT Women’s championship would mean to her.

Bailey is in the backstage area with Devon and is frazzled by a need to find her accessories, which apparently Emma has and prepare for her match.

A video promo is shown of Baron Corbin, yet another wrestler who seems to be getting the attitude adjustment treatment; seems NXT is quick to try something new when members of the roster lose momentum. He has a Sons of Anarchy-esque type font in the background and talks of rules not applying to him.

It’s a battle of terrible sound-alike entrance themes as an Owl City sound alike (Bailey) takes on an Evanescene sound alike (Dana Brooke). As much as I don’t like the themes, both do seem appropriate in matching the energy these wrestlers carry themselves to the ring with.

Bailey puts Brooke in an arm bar but Brooke reverses and slams Bailey down by her hair. Brooke hits an impressive looking slam out of a fireman’s carry on Bailey. Bailey hit a big leaping charge into Brooke in the corner and somersaults backwards out of it. As Bailey is poised on the top rope, her music suddenly hits and out comes Emma with her missing gear. Bailey continues her assault but can’t shake the distraction by Emma. Brooke capitalizes and wins with the Avalanche.

Regal announces a triple threat number 1 contenders match for Takeover between Hideo Itami, Finn Balor,and Tyler Breeze, which is bound to be excellent and very competitive.

Hideo Itami VS Adam Rose

The two lock up. Rose escapes and rolls around and around and around the ring. Itami answers the spectacle with a hard chop. Hideo hits this amazing looking reverse leg sweep after catching his opponent’s leg in what looks like a Dragon Screw Leg Whip set up, also featured in his match on last week’s show. It’s followed by a pose that is strikingly similar to Okada’s Rainmaker stance. The Shot Gun Kick follows soon after for Itami to pick up the quick victory.

Bailey is searching backstage for Emma, telling someone behind a camera that she is getting her stuff back.

Becky Lynch VS Sarah Dawson

The two lock up in a test of strength. Becky gets the advantage and a leg lock, which is reversed into a roll up by Dawson. Becky answers with a drop kick. Lynch locks in an arm bar, which she switches up, putting Dawson’s arm between her legs and wrenching it way back to pick up the submission. It is another display of versatility on the part of Lynch, who has shown off numerous ways to make opponents tap out during her stint in NXT thus far. If things take their course and she has a 1 on 1 match with current NXT Women’s champ Sasha Banks, it is also destined for greatness.

Rhyno is in what looks like a basement by the building’s circuit breaker, for some reason, and says he heard what Baron Corbin is about. Rhyno tells him that he enjoys inflicting pain and these two are also apparently set to collide.

Alex Reilly VS Sami Zayn

The two lock up and Zayn is backed into a corner. The grappling continues with Reilly landing an arm drag and keeping the pressure on Zayn’s arm. Owens has joined the commentary team and in his cool demeanor, runs down both Zayn and Reilly. Reily hits a fireman’s carry into a cutter maneuver and attempts a pin.

Zayn reversed the momentum with a tope onto Reilly on the outside, when he is bashed from behind by Owens. Owens feigns walking away and then he runs back toward Reilly and power bombs him on the ring apron. Owens walks backward up the ramp leaving Zayn hurt as the show goes off the air.

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A LOT is being packed into 1 show these days, with this episode being the most busy of to date, but not at all in a bad way. Matches are few in number but give a good taste of action. There is a good dose of 1 sided matches showcasing the abilities of some talent while slightly more competitive matches are held to build up toward the feuds that will be given a more substantial length to play out on the special. Meanwhile, there are numerous quick moving promos and segments for the short attention span set. The feud between Owens and Zayn has escalated with Zayn referencing the pair’s past and Owens doing a fantastic job playing a calculating villain with signs of insecurities threatening to unravel his demeanor.

Twitter: @mondocurrymark

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