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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NJPW Repoto: The Road to Dontaku, April 17, 2015

The Road to DONTAKU was a great show that continued to develop rivalries between the wrestlers on the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster, while building excitement toward the next big shows. Along with Dontaku on May 3^rd, Wrestling hinokuni (Fire Country) will take place on April 29, also available to watch live on the NJPW World live stream. It will feature matches that help to build toward Dontaku, along with a main event that is a destination long built to in itself: Togi Makabe challenging for the Openweight Never title held by CHAOS’ Tomohiro Ishii.

The matches on this show were presented in a logical order, with the rookies getting a chance to show their progress in the opening matches, followed by action involving the smaller Junior heavyweights. This was followed by the players in the main event picture taking each other on after the intermission. It was no lo-fi production either, with full commentary, backstage interviews, and varied camera work in effect.

Here’s how the show went down.

Tiger Mask VS Sho Tanaka

During the Match: Sho hit serious chops and slaps to the chest of the veteran Tiger Mask, who was against the ropes. Tiger Mask would catch Sho mid-run with a rough kick to the gut. Sho would fire back with a Gut Wrench Suplex. 

Tanaka locked in a Boston Crab but Tiger Mask got out of it. Tiger Mask hit a sidekick to Tanaka's head for a near fall. Tiger Mask ended the match by hooking in the Double Underhook Suplex Bomb for the pinfall victory.

After the Match: Tiger Mask thumps his chest and gives a show approval for the rookie who has been working his way onto the card.

Macara Dorada and Ryohei Komatsu VS Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero and Beretta)

Before the Match: Dorada’s robe is sparkling, showing off some eye catching gold tones. Komatsu comes in and shoves Berretta. The entrance music for Dorada is pretty memorable.

During the Match: Dorada is thrown towards the corner and executes a very fluid walk across the second rope into a dropkick from the second rope to Romero's head. Beretta works in some Young Bucks-like hijinks, rolling back-and-forth along the ropes to tease a bit move, Then he slingshots over the ropes into a Leg Drop spot but but merely lands on his feet and stomps Komatsu’s head.

Komatsu hits his flying forearem off the ropes on Beretta. He locks in a Double Leg Boston Crab. Romero breaks it up, but only after three effortful kicks to Komatsu’s chest. Romero catches himself in between the top and middle rope to gloat, but Dorado Drop Kicks him to the floor. Dorada misses with a Tope. RPG hit the Strong Zero double team finisher on Komatsu for the 3 count and win. 

Yuji Nagata and Ryusuke Taguchi vs Manabu Nakanishi and Captain New Japan

During the match: Nagata and Nakanishi start off. After an even exchange, Taguchi and the Captain get in the ring to face each other. Taguchi mocks champion Kenny Omega’s video game referencing Time Stopper. Captain New Japan then successfully applies the Time Stopper on Taguchi and Nagata but Nagata breaks the spell with a kick. Captain New Japan landed punches to Taguchi's ass, threatening to weaken his ‘funky weapon’ attacks. Nakanishi hits Taguchi with his own ‘Funky Weapon.’ The words ‘hip replacement’ immediately comes to mind seeing the older wrestler thrust like this.

Nakanishi gets Nagata into the Torture Rack. Taguchi goes to break it up with his rear thrust but Nakanishi counters it with an Atomic Drop. Taguchi thrusts his ‘Funky Weapon’ on Captain New Japan followed by Nagata hitting his Backdrop Hold (a bridging Bely-to-Belly Suplex) for the 3 count. 

Tencozy (Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyuki Tenzan) and KUSHIDA VS Kenny Omega, Cody Hall, and Yujiro Takahashi (no Mao)

Before the Match: As the Bullet Club comes out, Yujiro is not accompanied by Mao, perhaps suggesting representation by Paul Heyman; she only works the big shows.

During the Match: KUSHIDA starts against Omega. The Junior Heavyweight Champion offers the handshake to the partner of his opponent at Dontaku. KUSHIDA agrees but Omega pulls his hand away mockingly. At one point, Cody threw KUSHIDA way up in the air to land disturbingly on the back of his head. Omega attempted a brain buster on KUSHIDA, hoisting him into a vertical position, not once but twice before KUSHIDA escaped. Tenzan tries to take down Cody with the Mongolian Chops but can't bring the towering Bullet Club rookie down. He runs at Hall and is greeted by big boot to the head. Kojima escapes the Hall’s attempt at the Razor’s Edge. Then KUSHIDA lands a dropkick from the top rope on Hall. A Ten-Koji Cutter is used on Yujiro. Kojima hits one of his massive lariats on Cody hall to pick up the 123.

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Yuji Nagata is a guest on commentary. He’s wearing a new t-shirt featuring the white letters NGT and TNG against a lblue background. Nice clear and bold propaganda. There are interviews with both Makabe and Ishii who calmly discusses their upcoming Never title match at Wrestling Fire Country. It leads one to wonder how long that calm will last, with the two on opposing sides of a big 5 on 5 tag team match in the main evwent of the night.

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Tetsuya Naito and Tomoaki Honma VS Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows

Before the Match: Anderson comes out with a conventional look, thinking well-groomed may be the way to Maria’s heart, while Gallows rocks a blackened skull face mask and a metal military style helmet with a bullet club sticker on the side. Along with the army greens, his look eschews mechanized Nazi zombie chic.

During the Match: Gallows rains punches down on Honma and uppercuts him in the corner, while on the outside Anderson takes it to Naito all the way up in the stands. Naito hits Gallows with a reverse DDT from a crouching position, and attempts the Corner Leg Sweep & Slingshot Dropkick in the corner but Gallows catches him in a choke and pushes him to the opposite corner.

Anderson mocks Naito’s ‘Stardust Genius eye’ motion and hits repeated uppercuts to him against the ropes. Naito recovers from this with a big Tornado DDT. Anderson hits a bicycle kick on Honma, and he and Gallows attempt the Magic Killer but Honma kicks out.  Fans are crying for the Kokeshi (Head Butt). He sets up for the falling Kokeshi off the top turnbuckle but Anderson pops up and catches it, turning it into the Gun Stun in an amazing looking spot. The Bullet Club’s Heavyweight Tag Team champs hit the Magic Killer finisher on Honma for the win.

After the match: Anderson professes more love for Maria, which gallows protests. Gallows even brandishes his fist exclaminig that he will kill Maria. 

Kazuchika Okada and Gedo VS 'Bad Luck' Fale and Toma Tonga

During the match: Fans are cheering for Okada right from the get-go. 

Gedo gets the better of Tonga with punches until Fale grabs him in a chokehold from the ring apron, allowing Tonga to get the upper hand. Falet lifts Gedo way up in the air with a choke in both hands, throws him down and goes for a halfhearted pin by just standing on him with 1 foot. He continues demeaning Gedo by sitting down on his back, thus completely immobilizing Okada's advocate and CHAOS associate.

Later, Okada nips up after hitting Falet with the DDT, and then lifts the big Samoan up for a Body Slam. He attempts a move from the top turnbuckle but it's interrupted by Tonga. Falet attempts a choke slam on both Okada and Gedo but they fight out of it and sidestep Tonga who knocks his Bullet Club associate off the ropes. Okada hits the Rainmaker on Tonga for his team's victory.

Hiroki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Katsuyori Shibata, Kota  Ibushi VS Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, Kazushi Sakuraba, YOSHI-HASI

Before the Match: Entrances our exchange with members of both teams taking turns entering the ring to their individual entrance themes. When Kazushi Sakuraba came out, we are shown a big fan in similar looking ring gear and a mask holding up what looked to be a homemade title. Unlike WWE officials, nobody forced him to change out of his costume due to having too much fun. There is a lengthy stare down between Ishii and Makabe as Goto’s entrance music hits. He comes to the ring before the final participant Shinsuke Nakamura heads to the ring holding his Intercontinental Championship belt.

During the match: This is a fast-paced and, aptly enough, chaotic match. Difficult to recall in order so I will just mention some of the highlights.

- Things started with Nakamura mocking Goto, giving him the binocular eyes, what I like to call ‘I can’t see you.’ As he walks toward his corner, Goto attacks him from behind. His offense is evaded by Shinsuke who plays it cool and jokey. An irritated Goto gets him into his team’s corner and hits a downpour of forearms till Ibushi tags himself in, urging his partner to calm down.

- Yano avoids Tanahashi, and decided to tag in…the referee, ‘red shoes’! who teases mixing it up with Tanahashi before tagging Yano back in. 

- Nakamura and Goto once again tease an insanely dangerous looking Suplex spot with each vying for control outside the ring by the fans. This could play out with big pay off when they face each other in the main event of Dontaku.

- Ishii and Makabe exchanged forearms and headbutts. At one point Ishii hit a huge brain buster off the top turnbuckle onto the challenger to his title. 

- Shibata pulled Sakuraba’s shirt up over his head, making him indeed resemble tomodachi (The Friend) of 20^th Century Boys as opposed to sadakiyo, who his varied masked entrances usually call to mind. After Shibata landed several kicks, Sakuraba got the upper hand and, without bothering to fix his shirt, locked in the Kimura Armbar. Goto broke up the hold but had to land several kicks before Sakuraba even considered letting go of the hold.  

- Shinsuke was ready to take out Goto with a bomaye but Tanahashi jumped in  and interrupted with a Sling Blade.

- Goto had YOSHI-HASHI alone in the ring, and you can pretty much call the youngest CHAOS member the sacrificial lamb being marched up to the slaughter at this point. But, Goto tagged in an eager Kota Ibushi. Ibushi and YOSHI-HASHI went back and forth. At one point, a pin attempt by the fledgling CHAOS member was interrupted by an explosion of bodies flying around the ring. After the melee cleared, Ibushi was able to hit his Phoenix Splash on YOSHI-HASHI for his team to take the win.  

After the Match: Goto fired verbal shots at Nakamura once again, whose binoculars turned into a monocle as he held his intercontinental title belt over his shoulder with his other hand. He then backed up the ramp, still playing at not taking Goto seriously as a threat. Makabe took the mic next and made his intentions to take the Never title from Ishii clear as the reigning champ walked back up the ramp.

Rarely would one consider a 5 on 5 match at a main event level, but these wrestlers worked amazingly well together to put on a great show mixing comedy, athletic displays and HEAT between enemies. The match did exactly what it set out to do: give a preview of the conflicts that will take place at Wrestling Fire and Dontaku, which have been brewing in various forms for some time. Things will not exceed a certain level of intensity but the excitement will come pretty close and create plenty of anticipation for the upcoming big shows.

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In the back, the members of the winning team each entered the interview area to cut promos on their rivals from team CHAOS. It was orderly, as if each were waiting in line to get their school picture taken.

Nagata and the commentary team reflect on the evening as, one of my favorite elements of the New Japan World broadcasts, the fan interaction with the camera unfolds. Surely informed by some savvy world subscribers who realize their chance to insert themselves into digitally captured history, fans have been doing a number of their own charmingly polite shows behind the broadcasters. One adorably happy go lucky pro wrestling fan couple pulled off every signature gesture, from Shinsuke’s guns blazing to the Rainmaker pose to Yano’s shrug, finally ending in Nagata’s salute as he did likewise in the forground.

Stay tuned for a combined preshow of Wrestling Fire Country (hinokuni) and Dontaku, as well as reports following both shows.

Twitter: @mondocurryMARK

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NXT Toki エネクスチ時 2: April 15, 2015

This edition of NXT was a time for the show to regain momentum. After the looming spectacle of Wrestlemania, right before which Kevin Owens successfully kept Finn Balor at bay, and a show celebrating the NXT’s presence at Mania and Hideo Itami achieving a spot on the card, this week’s show would move some programs forward while introducing some newer and potentially major players to the field.

Solomon Crowe VS CJ Parker

Before the match: Showing no illusion of the show being live, the recent WWE deserter CJ Parker came to the ring holding up one of his environmentally friendly, fan unfriendly signs. Solomon Crowe came out to face him, still working the hacker identity as he slammed his palms on a n LEDNXT display along the side of the ring until it turned to static.

During The match: started out quickly with Parker raining fists down on Crowe in the corner until Crow reversed things and hit several forearms. Crowe dived through the ropes to hit Parker head on and knock him down on the ramp. After a bit, the match slowed down dramatically to an uneven pace. Parker is bleeding from the mouth, and some unintentional damage may have been done early on. CJ hit a Senton on Crowe. Another attempt would be blocked when Crowe put his boots up. Parker hit a powerful clothesline and an impressive scissors kick in Crowe. Crowe would recover, though, and hit a head butt from the top turnbuckle directly onto Parker’s leg before pulling CJ’s leg back over his head and overextending it for a submission finisher called the Stretch Muffler. Crowe gets the tap out victory.

After the match: Crowe promises that the show is just beginning. Despite a bit of an awkward spot, this was a good match showing off some unique offense in Crowe’s back pocket and the ability to work a fast paced match.

Baron Corbin VS Steve Cutler

Before The Match: Corbin comes out to his music, with the lesser known Steve Cutler waiting in the rain. The announcer notes Cutler's background as a Marine.

During the Match: There is a countdown taking place amidst the crowd, but to a much lesser extent than previously. After a few punches, Corbin hits End Of Days finisher for the win.



After a bit of an absence. Corbin’s return did not come with anything new or different in tow. The reaction to him in the crowd has fizzled drastically. Something new is going to be needed to get his mojo back on. A heel turn may even hold some interesting potential for the quiet, brooding young talent.

Sami Zayn is interviewed in the back about his upcoming match with Rhyno after the former ECW champion challenged the former NXT champion. He talks about how Rhyno wants to cut the line and put himself directly into the NXT title picture. He says that there is a lot of this going out lately, a subtle reference to Kevin Owens winning the belt from him. He says he will not let Rhyno or anyone else do the same thing. This is a logical succinct promo showing that Zayn can speak in a calm register and still be compelling on mic.




Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady VS Sawyer Fulton and Angelo Dawkins

Before the Match: The team of ‘Big Cass’ and Enzo, accompanied by Carmela, came out to the ramp to a chorus of ‘How ya doin?’ chants in the crowd, and talked about how Blake and Murphy have something they want, the NXT tag team championship, and they plan on taking it.
In the ring, Amore tried out a number of catchphrases, saying that he has ‘spectacular vernacular’ and is ‘the Michael Jordan of  jargon.’

Dawkins and Fulton came out to the ring, and no that is not Rick Steiner. It is Angelo Dawkins rocking collegiate wrestling headgear the likes of which we haven’t
seen since the days of Rick Steiner, the Steiner that was not recently accused of threatening to murder Hulk Hogan. Wait, didn’t Marcus Louis rock the protective headgear for a minute after losing his hair in his feud with Amore and Cassady? How’s he doin’?

During The Match: Cass launches Enzo into Fulton. Fulton and Dawkins double-team Amore, lifting him up and planting him face first onto the mat.

On the outside, the tag team champs Blake and Murphy came to ringside and gave Carmela a pair of very small rose bouquets. She takes them, reluctantly at first, but becomes ever more taken with the gesture.
Cass hit a splash into the corner onto Dawkins followed by a bodyslam. Cass then lifted Amore off the turnbuckle and drops him into an assisted splash onto Dawkins for the win.



After The Match: They exchange words with Carmela about the flowers from the tag champions, none too thrilled about their advances.

Alex Riley is in the locker room and says that he will get revenge on Owens. His eyes are noticeably large, and appear to be bulging thanks to some kind of color enhancer. It gives an effective enough look of intensity in this short promo setting up for a rematch on next week’s show.

Blue Plants VS Dana Brooke

Before The Match: Blue pants comes down to the ring in her X-Men cosplay gear. No, Cassady has not come back out, but Pants’ ring entrance still comprises of ‘Big Cass’ calling her out and humming the Price is Right theme song jokingly.
Dana Brooke comes out for the first time in front of the NXT crowd with some loud Evanescence-like music for her entrance theme. She does a cartwheel and flexes her body ostentatiously, showing off her physique. 



During The Match: Blue pants goes for a sunset flip in the corner but Brooke throws her down. Brooke slingshots Blue Pants into the bottom rope, right on her neck. The
crowd is firmly behind Blue Pants. Brooke does a handstand and locks her legs around Pants in a choke. After a few kicks from Blue Pants, Brooke finishes the match with a Landslide, a move out of Shinsuke Nakamura's repertoire in which the opponent is hoisted up in a Death Valley Driver or FU position and then twisted into a Michinoku Driver.  

After The Match: Brooke poses some more to celebrate her in ring debut and victory. She is poised to be a dominant heel, able to bully her opponents with her impressive stature. With all of the fan support behind Sasha Banks, the current NXT Women’s Champion could conceivably turn babyface and have a very interesting program with the physically impressive newcomer.



Two matches are announced for next week: a triple threat match between Charlotte and Becky Lynch and Bailey for top contender position to the Women’s Title, and Alex Riley Vs Kevin Steen in a rematch from a few weeks ago.


Sami Sayn VS Rhyno

Before The Match: Zayn is out first for the main event, and the former champ’s first match back since his loss to Kevin Owens. Zayn seems to have adapted an Owens-like mannerism, sitting back in the corner nonchalantly while awaiting his oponent.


During The Match: The crowd chants for both Rhyno and Sami Zayn. After a slow start with a lot of lock ups, Zayn hits an amazing sequence with a springboard backwards over Rhyno’s head into a reversal of a powerbomb into a huricanrana that sends Rhyno to the floor. This frustrates the former ECW champion, who slams his fists against the ropes on the outside.
Rhyno hits a big spinebuster for a near fall.

He then hits Zayn with two close range spears in the corner.

Sammy escapes a Fireman's Carry, ducks a clothesline and gets Rhyno up for the Blue Thunder Bomb.

Zayn knocks Rhyno off the turnbuckle onto the floor with a big forearm and then hit a huge Senton to Rhyno on the floor.



Back in the ring Rhyno hits a belly to belly suplex but misses with the Gore, giving Sami the opportunity to hit the Helluva Kick and pick up the pin fall victory.



This was a very good match with sound in-ring storytelling. Zayn had a psychological game going, showing a more aggressive side and ayt one point slapping the bigger competitor, Rhyno right across the face. Rhyno kept up as the veteran whose size and experience would suggest an assured victory, but found himself exasperated by an inability to keep the smaller opponent down.

This was a very solid show for NXT in ‘build up’ mode. It could stand to have more action, but NXT is about shifting dynamics, having a few very strong moments on some shows before things culminate in a fantastic special. There are a LOT of babyfaces right now, in Zayn, Balor, and Hideo Itami and it is interesting how they have been kept apart. Some work definitely needs to be done to provide effective foils for the heroes. Meanwhile, the women’s division remains strong, and appears to have gained an asset in Dana Brooke.

Comments? Questions? Criticisms? Corrections? Leave them in the box below.

Twitter: @MondocurryMark