NXTweet 18.11.15

Another week, another episode of NXT that blends squashes and lengthier competitive matches. Both the Jordan and Gable versus The Ascension tag match and the women's title main event are top stuff. Plus we got the reveal that Bayley is basically being afforded the 80s Hulk Hogan booking pattern. It's hard not to enjoy that.

Intro

Tweet 1: N. X. Tweet.

Tweet 2: I like the shot of Sheamus in his jaunty cap in the signature. Never mentioned that before.

Carmella v Nia Jax

Tweet 3: Big fan of Carmella's moonwalk basically being her walking backwards.

Tweet 4: "Hottest chick in the ring!" - Carmella, who was the only chick in the ring
Tweet 5: Carmella versus Awesome Jax.

Jax unwittingly teasing a Styles Clash there.

Tweet 6: Kind of surprised Triple H hasn't re-signed Kong for NXT. This feels like where she'd thrive in WWE.
Tweet 7: Devastating hip attack from Nia Jax there.
Tweet 8: This is not a good match.
Tweet 9: Jax should be given Michael Elgin's move set.

Alexa Bliss promo, featuring 'Fashionplate' Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy

Tweet 10: Alexa Bliss wearing that Goa'uld mind control device again. What? No, YOU'RE a pervert.

Tweet 11: I liked Blake's subtle transformation into Chris Hero in that scene.
Tweet 12: Let him go singles and give him a hip hop loving elbow thrower gimmick.

The Ascension v Jason Jordan and Chad Gable

Tweet 13: Absolutely insane pop for The Ascension here. Disappointed Stardust can't cross over to the NXT timestream.

Tweet 14: Fancy new gear on the NCAA lads here. Got their initials on them and everything.
Tweet 15: I'm hyped for this match. Always nice to see Konnor and Viktor treated like a big deal.
Tweet 16: That northern lights suplex. That toe point.
Tweet 17: I wouldn't be against The Ascension winning after a spotlight with a big star on it distracts Jordan and Gable.

Solid tag finisher this.

Tweet 18: Konnor and Viktor should get Road Warriors style interlocking haircuts.
Tweet 19: That was a strong match. Jordan and Gable deserve to be built up for a title win at WrestleMania weekend.

Tom Philips interviews Bayley

Tweet 20: Bayley not even looking at Tom Philips as she speaks here. Good. That's the level of respect he warrants.

Tweet 21: Good call having Bayley say the other three Horsewomen left and she stayed because she's the champ.
Tweet 22: Makes it clear it's her choice. Rather than that she's been left behind or that she's not good enough.

Emma v Mary Kate

Tweet 23: This old lad perving on Evil Emma from the front row though.

Tweet 24: PREMIER ATHLETE BRAND SIGHTING.
Tweet 25: "Mary Kate's" being a little tryhard here.
Tweet 26: Mary Kate though. Srsly?

Emma's feud with the Premier Athlete Brand starts here.

Tweet 27: I like Emma's uncoordinated heel shtick.

Baron Corbin promo

Tweet 28: Loving this reminder that Barry Corbin is the most hated man in NXT and it's largely because he's booked as himself.

Tweet 29: Corbin promo. Comically bad.
Tweet 30: "... courtesy of 'The Lone Wolf'" - Barry Corbin, who needs more mic time so that he can drop that hot sign-off more often

Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder v Corey Hollis and John Skyler

Tweet 31: These job lads though...

Tweet 32: Really wish Dash 'n' Dawson had a better team name.
Tweet 33:  Little reference to the new champs changing the landscape of the tag division there. I like that.
Tweet 34: Good way of keeping the division fresh. I like booking that changes everything up when a title change happens.
Tweet 35: Gives everyone on the show something new to play off. Which is obviously good.

Another very good tag finisher here.

Tweet 36: Gimmick idea: have Dawson refer to his non-existent sculpted abs in promos.
Tweet 37: That was decent. Big fan of Dash 'B' Dawson just being brawl-lovin' lads.

Tom Philips interviews Asuka, Dana Brooke shows up

Tweet 38: Asuka in this mask. Tears.

Tweet 39: "NXT TV."
Tweet 40: "It's time for you to go" - Dana Brooke
Tweet 41: #feelings
Tweet 42: Oh look. Dana and Emma have a plan. Who would have guessed.

Samoa Joe cuts 90s Taz style promo from the car park

Tweet 43: Samoa Joe there with his top button done up. What happened to you, Joe?

Tweet 44: Hyping a contract signing FFS.

NXT women's championship: Bayley (c) v Alexa Bliss

Tweet 45: Speaking of #feelings... Alexa Bliss.

Tweet 46: I like women who turn heel in NXT getting remixed entrance themes.
Tweet 47: Imagine a Dark Bayley theme. It'd be the sound of gunfire and children screaming.
Tweet 48: Third week in a row we're getting the dropped lights for ring intros. Strong stuff.
Tweet 49: These people really like Bayley, eh?
Tweet 50: This match is slick so far.
Tweet 51: Bayley doing the corner knee. She should start doing the crotch chop and deliberate stride before she hits it.

Getting a big Jericho vibe form this picture. That's never a good sign.

Tweet 52: Alexa is definitely not ratchet. These people need to pipe down.
Tweet 53: Bayley solidifying her spot as the female John Cena by loudly and obviously calling spots there.
Tweet 54: Alexa's botch moonsault having become a move though...
Tweet 55: Imagine if Bayley just randomly adopted the look and mannerisms of Davey Boy Smith, SummerSlam '92 roid monster edition.
Tweet 56: That match was shorter than I expected. There are five minutes left. Still really strong though. Bayley and Bliss are both great.
Tweet 57: Eva Marie here, once again shamelessly straying from her all red theme.
Tweet 58: Let's take a moment to appreciate that Bayley is being booked like Hogan. Beat someone, be faced with a bigger challenge, beat them.

You can actually see the pity in Bayley's eyes.

Tweet 59: "Okay, now be quiet, you little dorks" - Heat magnet Eva Marie
Tweet 60: If Eva told me to be quiet I would be. #justsaying
Tweet 61: Eva is a better promo than Barry Corbin. She just had to contend with a nuclear crowd.
Tweet 62: Strong NXT episode that. Nice work.

NXTweet 23.09.15

As episodes of NXT go this was a strange one. It was very heavy of backstage promos and catch-up videos. They've become more common in NXT since it was stretched from forty-five minutes-ish to an hour each week but this is the most we've had in a while. The show was also light on matches. There were only three on offer: Eva Marie v Carmella, Breeze v Dempsey, and a tag title rematch from Takeover: Brooklyn. Of those only the Vaudevillains and BAMF produced anything worthwhile. The other two bouts were both underwhelming, although they did at least serve a purpose in continuing Eva's push, keeping 'Prince Pretty' strong, and giving Dempsey and Carmella some air time.

Future NXT women's champion? My money's on yes.

The main thing this episode is likely to be remembered for is the debut of Kana and her name change to Asuka. Her contract signing ceremony was interrupted by Dana Brooke and Emma. After taking a pop at the new girl they instructed her to leave. Breaking from WWE babyface tradition Asuka did, pausing briefly at the top of the entrance ramp to glance back at NXT's resident mean girls.

This was odd booking for a company that generally doesn't have its good guys back down from a fight under any circumstances. Presumably it will lead to Asuka "finding herself" and possibly a tag partner for a match against Brooke and-or Emma at Takeover: Respect where she'll get her first WW win before she's built up as a challenger for Bayley or Eva Marie in a few months time. At least I hope that's what they go with because this sort of booking, while fine in isolation, will do Asuka no favours if it's the long term plan.

Intro

Tweet 1: Early morning NXT watch go!

Tweet 2: Immediate shill for Takeover. Excellent work, Rich.

Eva Marie v Carmella

Tweet 3: 'Red Queen' Eva Marie? Does that mean she's a communist?

Tweet 4: Does Eva having red queen written on blue gear have a hidden meaning?
Tweet 5: Carmella. *puts ear plugs in*
Tweet 6: Carmella being a female Enzo is not cool.
Tweet 7: Running knee Nakamura would be proud of from Eva there...

Such power in that right knee.

Tweet 8: Eva has said "How you doin'?" more times than Carmella. Create your own shtick and use it, luv. It'll pay off.
Tweet 9: WWE teasing a story where a referee has a crush on Eva Marie in 2015. My word.
Tweet 10: Big Match Eva wins again!
Tweet 11: HAHA! SHE WON BY COUNT OUT, MAGGLE!

Bull Dempsey v Tyler Breeze

Tweet 12: Dempsey v Breeze. If Adam Rose doesn't appear I'll riot.

Tweet 13: Bull Dempsey, the love child of Bam Bam Bigelow and The Taz.
Tweet 14: Lol at some girl screaming during Breeze's entrance.
Tweet 15:  Shades of Kamala from big, bad Bull there. #whataworker

Breeze doing some big bumps to make an undeserving Bull look good.

Tweet 16: This match is a chore. I blame Bull.
Tweet 17: I preferred Bull when he was an ineffective bad ass who couldn't live up to being Taz: The Next Generation.

Recap of NXT's Texas tour

Tweet 18: Texas tour recap, Maggle.

Tweet 19: I remember Finn Bálor. He's that lad who used to wrestle on NXT's weekly show.
Tweet 20: For some reason I'm surprised that Dana Brooke is getting house show title matches. I assumed Trips would save that for a Takeover.

Kana becomes Asuka, signs a WWE developmental contract, and gets scared off by Dana Brooke and Emma

Tweet 21: Regal introduces Kana. Konor from The Ascension comes out. It's awkward.

Tweet 22: Like a Graeme Harper episode of Doctor Who, Asuka is full of pace and energy.
Tweet 23: Emma and Dana Brooke. #feelings

Putting this here for #ratings.

Tweet 24: Tag match at Takeover? Alundra Blayze as Asuka's tag partner.
Tweet 25: So Asuka actually left? Weird.

Tyler Breeze walks along a corridor, Apollo Crews blocks his path

Tweet 26: Apollo Crews openly bullying Tyler Breeze there. Someone needs to smarten that kid up to Being A Star.

Hype Bros promo

Tweet 27: Mojo Rawley cosplaying as Ash Ketchum here for whatever reason.

Tweet 28: Dash and Dawson are my picks to win this tournament. Feels like Tripper's way of building up a team.

NXT tag team championship: The Vaudevillains (c) v BAMF

Tweet 29: I wish Jim Ross was still around so he could call a BAMF entrance. "Look at this pair of yahoos! These two young punks!"

Tweet 30: RIP JR's WWE commentary career.
Tweet 31: Saddest part of Ross's WWE career is that it didn't just end. It died slowly over years, via SmackDown, part time work and Todd Grisham.
Tweet 32: Saddened to see Alexa Bliss leave ringside.

Aiden English casually suplexing two men there.

Tweet 33: Nice to see Blake and Murphy still can't remember who's who and have retained the names on gear gimmick.
Tweet 34: 'Bigtime' Buddy Murphy still looks like a short, young 'Mean' Mark Callous.
Tweet 35: Kicks. Innovative offence apparently.
Tweet 36: "That's it, we're gonna have new tag champs!" - Corey Graves, letting us know the Vaudevillains would retain
Tweet 37: Good match that. I'd have to rewatch both but it was possibly better than their Brooklyn one.

Big Cass and Enzo and Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor promos

Tweet 38: Why end on a match when you could end on promo?

Tweet 39: Enzo and Cass reckon they're beating Joseph Samoa and Finn(lay) Bálor. I don't like their chances tbh.
Tweet 40: Dusty Rhodes was Finn Bálor's mentor. Apparently.
Tweet 41: There's nothing subtle about the Joe v Finn tease.
Tweet 42: Good show. Good hustle.

NXTweet 09.09.15

One NXT this week: Australian women, more Dusty Tag Classic action, and NXT being recorded at WWE TV tapings! What a time to be alive, as they say.

Intro

Tweet 1: Just put on the Network to find an Orton v Cena match. The people in charge of schedules really know how to grab people.

Tweet 2: I'm switching over to NXT... now.
Tweet 3: NXT could totes do its own opening tag thing. It would go against the point though, failing to celebrate the history of WWE.

Peyton Royce v Carmella

Tweet 4: You're not a princess, Carmella. Nor are you fabulous.

Tweet 5: Can't wait until Peyton Royce and Emma form a pro-Australia stable.
Tweet 6: Fist bump of Honor.
Tweet 7: The usually solid Rich Brennan just calling a fisherman suplex a suplex there.

A fisherman suplex.

Tweet 8: Imagine if someone won off a cross body in 2015.
Tweet 9: Carmella won by tap out. In WWE that qualifies her as a submission specialist.

Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor backstage

Tweet 10: Joe handing Bálor the title belt was utterly cringe and I can't say why.

Tweet 11: I did like Joe pronouncing Bálor as "bailer" though.

Recap of Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic house show matches

Tweet 12: Other than a Dawkins and Fulton appearance it doesn't look like we missed much with these round one house show matches.

Tweet 13: Wouldn't have minded seeing Wilder and Dawson wrestling though. Those lads are #enjoyable

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Tyler Breeze and Bull Dempsey v Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano

Tweet 14: *Looks at Tyler*

Tweet 15: Where's Bull's robe?
Tweet 16: Bull Dempsey is the kind of guy who'd be booked as a monster if he was in EVOLVE. Just bear that I'm mind.
Tweet 17: Really liking Gargano and Ciampa running through some generic tag team posing.
Tweet 18: That slap though.
Tweet 19: Honestly, seemed a dick move from Ciampa. Breeze sold it so well though.
Tweet 20: Why is Bull being booked as the more competent member of his team?
Tweet 21: I wish Ciampa was wrestling as Tommy Penmanship.

This is where Bull Fit gets you.

Tweet 22: Half-arsed tag work to get the pin aside that match was pretty good. Could've done with more 'Prince Pretty' though.
Tweet 23: Lol at this vicious post-match kicking from Breeze to Bull. Bit of a comedown for Breeze if Bull's his next Takeover opponent though.

The Lucha Dragons talk about the DRTTC backstage

Tweet 24: Sin Cara having a little chat in Spanish here. Got to keep the luchador gimmick strong, brother.

Tweet 25: I don't speak Spanish but I'm assuming he botched something. Because he's Sin Cara.
Tweet 26: Backstage "Lucha!" fist pumping. #cringe

Dana Brooke talks to Devin Taylor

Tweet 27: Excellent mid-promo pauses from Dana Brooke here.

Tweet 28: 'The Total Diva' needs to learn how to talk to the total correct camera.

Dana Brooke v Billie Kay

Tweet 29: Billie Kay, Peyton Royce and Emma form a new trio and join in the main roster feud. #bookit

Tweet 30: Their motivation is that they're angry at being left out of The Greatest Women's Feud of All Time. Like the Sontarans with the Time War.
Tweet 31: Y'know, like in The Sontaran Stratagem and The Poison Sky.

RIP Dana's silver and pink motif.

Tweet 32: Really liking Dana Brooke's work here. She has the potential to be a solid trash-talker.
Tweet 33: Dana spamming a handstand into an elbow drop like some sort of n00b fighting game player.
Tweet 34: Or, if you prefer, character.
Tweet 35: When is Dana's finisher going to be acknowledged as the Alex Shane tribute it CLEARLY is?

Apollo Crews talks to Devin Taylor

Tweet 36: Apollo Crews there, saying he can't put into words how great it is to be in NXT then putting it into words anyway.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: The Lucha Dragons v Finn Bálor and Samoa Joe

Tweet 37: Jimmy Uso and Tom Phillips on commentary for the main event. Lower your expectations.

The latest addition to the Finn Bálor package: a jacket. Exciting times.

Tweet 38: Finn Bálor's jacket is verging on Chris Jericho territory. Not somewhere you should want to be these days. Because Jericho's a mess.
Tweet 39: Providence, Rhode Island does not seem like NXT country. Hopefully the lads can win them over.
Tweet 40: "This is awesome!" chant for a wrist lock. That's why I hate that chant.
Tweet 41: Kalisto running into the ring like a weaselish little heel there.
Tweet 42: Maybe he thought it was Lucha rules and Cara had left the ring. That'd be a good gimmick for the Dragons: they wrestle under lucha rules.
Tweet 43: Looking forward to Joe tagging in and beasting Kalisto.

Fingers crossed they start calling themselves
The New Mega Powers.

Tweet 44: Bálor gets worked over by the Dragons. Joe gives both of them a kicking. I hope Joe handling them better leads to Joe's title shot.
Tweet 45: Because the Lucha Dragons should definitely be booked as the gateway to the NXT championship.
Tweet 46: Celebrating with a too sweet because teasing some sort of New Kliq is a thing that's happening.
Tweet 47: Good show. Good hustle.

NXTweet 26.08.15

In addition to broadcasting the Takeover: Brooklyn special live on the WWE Network the NXT crew also recorded a selection of matches for an extended TV episode over SummerSlam weekend. Of the four matches on offer the four-way women's match was, predictably the best of the bunch. It not only featured some of the most over wrestlers on the roster but some of the most motivated and talented too. Becky and Charlotte presumably understand they won't get to wrestle the sorts of matches they've become accustomed to for much longer and made the most of it here.

Of the other three matches the eight man tag was the standout, mostly because it was so busy that there was plenty for the guys to pack in. It didn't hurt that super-over (not actually) hometown boys Enzo and Big Cass were involved either. Eva Marie v Carmella got time to be good and wound up as inoffensive, which all things considered is probably quite the accomplishment. Meanwhile Bull Dempsey versus Elias Samson was a peculiarity more than anything else, featuring the newly slimmed down Bull Dempsey looking exactly as big as he was before he was handed his humiliating overweight lad gimmick and Elias Samson debuting a character out of the blue. Okay, it wasn't much of a character but it was something that could get him somewhere at some point.

Intro

Tweet 1: Going to watch the NXT hour-and-a-half regular episode spesh.

Tweet 2: Considering the extended time I'm going to try and pace myself. Not sure how that will work out.

Enzo Amore, Big Cass, and the Hype Bros v Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable

Tweet 3: That Enzo pop was something else though.

Tweet 4: Not crazy about Zack Ryder and I actively dislike Mojo but it is nice to see that they've got themselves actual team gear.

Enzo's sock game.

Tweet 5: Enjoying Dawson and Wilder essentially being the New Brainbusters here.
Tweet 6: Incredible to think that Ryder is the veteran of this match.
Tweet 7: 'The New and Improved Real Double J' Jason Jordan wrestling in those ankle-height amateur sneakers exposes the business.
Tweet 8: Heart that one arm monkey flip from top lad Chad Gable.
Tweet 9: Why isn't the crowd booing Mojo please?
Tweet 10: That was a fun match. Gable and Enzo made it work.

William Regal talks about the Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic

Tweet 11: #Regalpop

Tweet 12: Regal rocking up to remind us about the Dusty Tag Classic. 'Don't Call Me Adrian' Neville rudely interrupting to ask for a spot.
Tweet 13: Then they did a little handshake. #CodeofHonor
Tweet 14: Wish there had been a time in the mid-00's when Regal was free to hit up ROH. That could have been excellent.

Emma hype video

Tweet 15: Recap of Emma embracing the dark side of the force here.

Tweet 16: Her new look and new music are both great. Just saying.

Devin Taylor talks to Charlotte and Becky Lynch

Tweet 17: Good lord this Charlotte and Becky promo is bad. They're delivering poor lines poorly. Just let them be themselves, lads.

Tweet 18: Love that Dean Cain's career has become such a mess that he's starring alongside Big Show in WWE Studios straight-to-DVD films.

Becky Lynch hype video

Tweet 19: "What makes Becky Lynch special is personality" - Becky Lynch

Tweet 20: If you're a submission specialist in WWE it basically means your finisher is a submission hold.

Eva Marie v Carmella

Tweet 21: Eva Marie's been pilfering Ric Flair's wardrobe again.

Tweet 22: Looking forward to Eva swerving us with a twenty minute classic here.
Tweet 23: No idea how people don't find Carmella's character massively irritating. If she was on a Made in Chelsea type show she'd be a heel.

Textbook lockup. Eva Marie is a future all-time great.

Tweet 24: That the whole MIC shtick is her gimmick should make her a heel here.
Tweet 25: Good moonwalking skillz though.
Tweet 26: Eva shrilly working the crowd while being out of breath. Brilliant.
Tweet 27: Leonardo Marie winning with the Sliced Bread No. 2 there. Some of the people in the crowd seemed to want to pop for that.

Tyler Breeze announces that he has a challenge for William Regal

Tweet 28: Breeze calling out Liger for having to still wear a mask. Except in pictures with Kevin Nash, obvs.

Devin Taylor talks to Emma and Dana Brooke

Tweet 29: Emma talking about being dominant. Oh my.

Tweet 30: Why isn't the four-way just a tag match? Wouldn't that make a lot more sense?

William Regal talks about the Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic... again

Tweet 31: Regal again. Still talking up this Dusty Classic.

Tweet 32: Barry Corbin in the tournament. My word. All the big names.
Tweet 33: Calling it now: Tyler Breeze will wrestle either William Regal or Doug Williams at the Takeover in London.

Bull Dempsey v Elias Samson

Tweet 34: What is this gimmick on Elias Samson?

Tweet 35: This has "lower card ECW guy" written all over it.
Tweet 36: Hilarious that the Brooklyn crowd didn't pop for Bull Dempsey until the ring announcer reminded them he's actually from Brooklyn.
Tweet 37: Bull Fit could be the new DDP Yoga.

Bull taking a breather because he's still a big lad.

Tweet 38: Nice that WWE are making the most of the extra half hour on this episode. Everyone wanted to see Elias Samson versus Bull Dempsey.
Tweet 39: Bull Hulking up there. That doesn't mean he's being racist.
Tweet 40: Polite applause for hometown winner Bull Dempsey.

Devin Taylor talks to the BAMF

Tweet 41: "You're here to ask them how they feel?" - Alexa Bliss to Devin Taylor, after Devin had just asked that

Tweet 42: Blue Pants v Alexa Bliss has potential. Needs Blake, Murphy and the 'villains at ringside for max shenanigans.
Tweet 43: Strip out the ads and the majority of the hype videos and this could have been a regular length NXT episode.

Emma v Dana Brooke v Becky Lynch v Charlotte

Tweet 44: Dana Brooke's entrance needs more flips.

Tweet 45: Surprised by the rowdy reaction for Becky Lynch. Not because she's not over or anything but because it didn't happen at SummerSlam.
Tweet 46: Imagine how different Charlotte's act would be if she patterned herself after her husband instead of her dad.

Worth mentioning the indy lighting WWE went for. It was good.

Tweet 47: "You wanna be a Barbie?!" - A seemingly outraged Dana Brooke to Charlotte
Tweet 48: Has Charlotte expressed an interest in being "a Barbie"? Doesn't seem like her vibe tbh, Dana.
Tweet 49: The heels are teasing a fall out? WHO COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING?!
Tweet 50: Emma v Dana happens... not now.
Tweet 51: Loling at the amount of posing in Dana's act.
Tweet 52: Becky Lynch v Eva Marie won't be happening any time soon. Because women in WWE aren't allowed to share hair colours.
Tweet 53: Unless they share a surname, like the Bellas. Then it's fine because of genetics.
Tweet 54: That ending looked a bit botched. Don't think it was though.
Tweet 55: Right decision having Emma win. She's the one staying in NXT and should make a good challenger for Bayley. Plus she's better than Dana.

"This is Emma" said Drake Younger.

Tweet 56: Is Dana's name a rib on Dana White?
Tweet 57: Charlotte and Becky tapping out the heels after the bell. I get keeping the audience a happy and everything but they look like sore losers.
Tweet 58: Very good show that, considering the pre-show nature of it. Good hustle, everyone.

Eva Marie for Champ

With the promotion of Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch to the main roster it's almost inevitable that the quality of the NXT women's division is going to take dip. Along with Bayley, Banks and Charlotte have been the core of the division since 2013 and Lynch has played a significant role over the last year. The main roster's gain is definitely developmental's loss. 

The best two workers left in the division once Banks and co leave for good (and that will surely happen within the next month or two) will be Bayley and Emma. No matter how good they are or how good they work together they won't be able to maintain the high level of quality alone. A large part of the reason for the division's success over the last year or two has been the variety of match-ups on offer. That's something two wrestlers can't provide. It doesn't help that they've been feuding since Emma's return to the show in January.

Dana's good but she's not the one (yet).

Emma and Bayley are, of course, not alone in the division but the rest of the crew have less experience and are less established as competent wrestlers. Dana Brooke has been quickly established as a heel, but the success of that is at least in part due to the regular Full Sail audience being all too willing to see her as undeserving and unprepared for the spot she's in. Cassie seems competent but has no discernible character beyond plucky babyface, and that simply won't cut it considering the calibre of the women she's replacing. The same goes for Jessie.

Alexa Bliss has been constantly improving and has seemed very capable in a number of matches, including a particularly good title challenge against Banks in February. But her management-slash-valet duties with the BAMF (a fittingly poor name for such a generic team) seem to be taking precedence right now. Carmella is similarly tied up being the second for Enzo and Cass, although she doesn't yet have any good matches to her name and it seems unlikely she's made the drastic improvement necessary to be an asset to the women's division since she last wrestled a singles match on TV.

There's a pleasant number of women signed to contracts who have yet to debut. Among them are Jasmin and Savelina 'Lina' Fanene. Without having seen them wrestle it's impossible to know how good they are, although the fact that they've not appeared on TV yet should indicate they're not near the level of Banks and Charlotte.

I think the best way to handle this new look women's division is to embrace the fact that the new roster is less revered (which is not to say they are less capable). And nobody on the NXT roster has that "less revered" tag more than Eva Marie. Personally I don't think she's looked bad during her recent run: she's avoided any major mistakes and has demonstrated a confidence she didn't have in her 2013 or '14 matches. But short of something miraculous occurring she will forever be known as the woman who was signed primarily to appear on Total Divas. Her status as a Total Divas cast member with little wrestling ability (no matter how inaccurate that perception of her may be) makes her ideal to play an "unworthy" champion.

Eva defeating the popular Sasha Banks for the championship would get her heat at any time. Doing it so soon into her first proper run as a full-time regular wrestler would increase that. As would her being the figurehead to follow on from the Charlotte-Banks era. Whether she's any good or not she won't be on the level of the women who have left yet and as such could be presented as an unworthy successor. Which would set her up nicely to play the arrogant lead heel.

This idea would rely on there being babyface challengers around who are clearly good enough to maintain the high standard set for women's champions in NXT. Bayley is the obvious person to point to there. She is very clearly the person best suited to beating Banks for the gold. If she failed, at Takeover: Brooklyn for example, only for Eva Marie to succeed in a fluke, at the following set of TV tapings perhaps, then she could continue to chase the title for a while longer. That's a role she's well-suited to.

The future of the NXT women's division?

Carmella isn't up to a Takeover title match yet but she could work challenging on a regular TV episode. Jessie and Cassie are still new enough to be steamrolled as a sacrifice to the almighty heel champ. The same would be true of Jasmin. It would be an exercise in time-killing, Eva very clearly ducking her one and only true test: Bayley.

This idea could work with Dana Brooke too. She's seen as undeserving, like Eva, and may actually have more heat on her right now, what with Eva seemingly having won over a portion of the NXT crowd with her botch-free match on the July 22 show. But Dana has less experience than Eva and is still learning to handle herself during her matches (part of the reason she's been paired up with Emma is so that Emma can help her through her matches). She also lacks the Total Divas tag, which I think could really turn the crowd on Eva Marie again if pushed right.

Sadly, I don't think this is something that's likely to happen. From what we've seen it seems as though WWE is keen to establish Eva as a babyface. She's been shown to be humble, earning herself a TV match by impressing William Regal, capable in the ring, and possessing a drive to become the best. The last may sound like a heelish trait but it's really not. Banks and Charlotte both exhibited it and they got over strongly enough that both hear cheers on the main roster.

NXTweet 01.07.15

One of the most packed NXT episodes I can remember. Guys at the Bull Dempsey and Jason Jordan end of the scale get time. Baron Corbin continues getting slowly built up into something (though we're yet to find out exactly what). And the main event features Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens. This is, as has been said before, how do you a one hour wrestling show.

Intro

Tweet 1: I am watching NXT.

Tweet 2: Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor v Rhyno and Kevin Owens is epic apparently. Hard to argue that, to be fair.

The Vaudevillains v Maybe-Not-The-Mechanics-Anymore

Tweet 3: #Vaudevillainspop

Tweet 4: Have they got new music AGAIN?
Tweet 5: They have. Why can't they just have their original music? You know, the good music!
Tweet 6: Have Dash and Dawson dropped their sur- and first names respectively? If so, why? Vince whim?
Tweet 7: They seem to have dropped the Mechanics names too. Damn shame.

I'll miss the Mechanics name. It was lol.

Tweet 8: The commentators are chatting about Dawson looking like a young Arn Anderson. Rubbish. 'Double A' was never young.
Tweet 9: Remember when Aiden English was a massive heel because he dared to share his singing voice with the world?
Tweet 10: That was a nothing match. Nice to see The Vaudevillains though.

Devin Taylor talks to Becky Lynch

Tweet 11: Becky Lynch broke her hip. Tried to no-sell it but she couldn't pull it off.

Tweet 12: Ric Flair no-sold a plane crash. #justsaying
Tweet 13: Becky's motivated by this injury. Reckons she'll beat Sasha for the belt. I shall remain unconvinced for now.

Tucker Knight v Baron Corbin

Tweet 14: 'Wolf Shaman' Barry Corbin coming out wearing a vest with ALL HAIL written on it. No sign of his usual wolf motif. Maybe he retired it.

Even without his wolf powers Corbin pulled out a win.

Tweet 15: Fans chant "Corbin sucks!" Corbin wins. Fans clap politely.
Tweet 16: I liked the big lad physique on Tucker Knight.

William Regal announces a number one contenders tag match

Tweet 17: #Regalpop

Tweet 18: Gotch is chatting all over this show. Remember when he was a mute strongman?

Finn Bálor video

Tweet 19: This is Finn Bálor: Part the Third.

Tweet 20: Shot of Mojo Rawley sprawled on a couch looking decidedly unhyped there.
Tweet 21: Mojo again, this time in the ring. Lad's all over this doc.
Tweet 22: Triple H saying every entrance is a movie. I bet he believes that too. Ponce.
Tweet 23: I'm still expecting this to end with Owens smashing up one of Bálor's Lego creations.
Tweet 24: Imagine if Anderson and Fale ran in on Bálor v Owens and helped Bálor win.
Tweet 25: Really strong documentary that. Hope it goes up on the Network as a standalone thing at some point, if it hasn't already.
Tweet 26: Cut to an add conforming it's on the Network tonight, natch.

Eva Marie does a practice wrestle

Tweet 27: Earlier today... Eva Marie did some basic ring work and William Regal watched. This deserves air time.

Tweet 28: I reckon Eva Marie's going to blow everyone away when she's back. Not like that...

Emma v Carmella

Tweet 29: Love that heel theme for Emma.

Tweet 30: If they really want to get Dana Brooke over they'll have her gorilla press Big Cass during this match.
Tweet 31: Corey Graves needs to start referencing the pay window.

"Bah gawd, lookit that torque!"

Tweet 32: Enzo and Cass dashed out of Regal's office earlier because they said Carmella had a match. So where are they?
Tweet 33: Reverse X Factor. Absolutely devastating. But it wasn't enough. Poor Carmella.

Bull Dempsey slobs about backstage

Tweet 34: Bull Dempsey is being booked to cut promos on snack machines. They're sending you a message, Bull mate.

Tweet 35: If this were the 90s we'd be getting a newsagent or something for Bull to feud with.

Devin Taylor speaks to Jason Jordan

Tweet 36: Hey, remember last week when Jason Jordan lost?

Tweet 37: "I know you're not a loser!" - Chad Gable to Jason Jordan, who'd just lost a match

Tyler Breeze v Tye Dillinger

Tweet 38: #Breezeswoon

Tweet 39: The audience are into this perfect 10 thing of Dillinger's. Pretty good as it's not really been on TV.

Tyler Breeze doing a spot of facesitting there.

Tweet 40: Not the greatest gimmick though tbh. Didn't help him win, did it?
Tweet 41: The crowd are into it but the perfect 10 stuff won't be enough to net Tye a push.

Emma, Dana Brooke and Sasha Banks agree to a tag match

Tweet 42: Oh noes!! Emma and Dana want Sasha's title!!

Tweet 43: Throwaway skit to set up a tag match but everyone there was bringing their A game.

Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor v Rhyno and Kevin Owens

Tweet 44: The crowd would lose their minds if Cyrus came out with Rhyno. #justsaying

Tweet 45: I want Joe to change his name to So Cal Joe and adopt the look and mannerisms of So Cal Val.
Tweet 46: I'm assuming this is from the end of the tapings because this crowd has died.
Tweet 47: Not even Rhyno doing squats mid-suplex got a reaction. Sickening lack of interest.

Crisp.

Tweet 48: I'm hoping that was some kind of reference to Bálor's squat-heavy dojo background.
Tweet 49: Rhyno looks like a man who loves his squats. #demlegs
Tweet 50: "Whadda senton!" - Rich Brennan on a perfectly average senton
Tweet 51: Busting out the finishers always gets a crowd going.
Tweet 52: Rhyno missed the Gore on Bálor and hit his own partner. Such a WWE spot. Love it here though.
Tweet 53: Nice replay of the bungled roll around before the pin. Stay classy, editing guys.
Tweet 54: Good show everyone. Good hustle.

NXTweet 17.06.15

For the first time ever: Kevin Owens v Samoa Joe. Plus a touching Dusty Rhodes tribute and some non-WWE-owned footage of Fergal 'Prince' Devitt from various periods of his career. Also, a good Blake and Murphy match! This show truly had it all.

Intro

Tweet 1: It's NXT time.

Tweet 2: That Dusty tribute is strong.

Blake, Murphy and Alexa Bliss v Enzo Amore, Big Cass and Carmella

Tweet 3: I wonder if JR thinks Enzo's sneakers expose the business.

Tweet 4: Carmella's mic skills definitely expose the business.
Tweet 5: Excellent crash zooms from the cameraman on this Blake 'n' Murphy entrance. He's obviously a big fan.
Tweet 6:  Assuming it is a he, of course.
Tweet 7: I really like this current trend in wrestling of guys getting heat with stupid haircuts.

Intimidating glare from Enzo as he dances there.

Tweet 8: Enzo and Cass continue their transformation into the New Age Outlaws with Enzo using Road Dogg's jab sequence.
Tweet 9: I was always a fan of that jab sequence. Not sure why when I stop and think about it.
Tweet 10: "Nice to see you awake over there, Saxton" - Corey Graves, calling out the third wheel of the commentary desk
Tweet 11: I think it needs pointing out that that match was really quite enjoyable. Cass is great when he can just batter guys.
Tweet 12: And, to be fair, Blake and Murphy did some big bumping for him.

Devin Taylor talks to Samoa Joe

Tweet 13: Devin Taylor just welcomed Joe to NXT. He's been around for a month now. #justsaying

Tweet 14: Really liking Joe saying he's always prided himself on being in hot companies when he's exclusively been in TNA for about eight years.
Tweet 15: Joe cut a pretty good promo, said he'd beat down Owens, then just stopped and stared at the floor. Weird dude.

Finn Bálor video

Tweet 16: Let's take a look at Finn Bálor, shall we?

Tweet 17: Lots of emphasis on his demon paint here. Guessing there'll be a voiceover mentioning he made it big in Japan.
Tweet 18: Ah no. They've swerved us with some talking head stuff.
Tweet 19: Love this footage of an Irish train station. Truly the essence of sports entertainment.
Tweet 20: Surprised to see that RPW match with Ricochet. That was only a year or two back. Also, I was there for it. #justsaying
Tweet 21: Becky Lynch showing #emotion here. I like her now. It's the new look and her having found a character that works.
Tweet 22: Deliberately confusing editing here. They've used footage of Devitt leaving for WWE as they're talking about him leaving for (New) Japan.
Tweet 23: Grado sighting.
Tweet 24: Looking forward to Grado getting signed to flesh out the show once the big names leave for the main roster. He's a future champ, for sure.

KC Cassidy v Charlotte

Tweet 25: Where is the Queen City?

Tweet 26: Why is Charlotte not announced as being from Flair Country?
Tweet 27: Charlotte doing her dad's taunts always cringes me. She's not off her head enough to do them justice.
Tweet 28: Seeming very much like the purpose of this match is for Charlotte to spam Flair taunts. Maybe she's been told to work them in more.

Charlotte's figure eight. Even though it doesn't form an eight.

Tweet 29: She actually got to win with her figure four. Bet 'Naitch' is sickened by that.

Devin Taylor talks to Dana Brooke

Tweet 30: Dana Brooke's putting herself over as a fitness competitor. Does the Arnold Classic count? Is that considered a legit thing?

Tweet 31: Really enjoyed Brooke doing that whole promo to the wrong camera.
Tweet 32: Devin wrestles on house shows. Is this head patting from Dana going to lead to her losing it and making her TV in-ring debut?

Kevin Owens v Samoa Joe

Tweet 33: Samoa Joe, towel enthusiast.

Tweet 34: I'm interested to see just how indy Joe and Owens are allowed to make this match.

The champ? He's here.

Tweet 35: Joe's going to have heat with Khali for using that chop to the head.
Tweet 36: He just used the Broski boot too...
Tweet 37: Imagine if Joe had stayed in TNA and he was still involved in that embarrassing BDC debacle.
Tweet 38: Another imagine now. Imagine if Punk had stayed with ROH or TNA until around now and was just coming into NXT.
Tweet 39: It'd be weird, right?
Tweet 40: Owens going for the apron bomb on Joe. Good luck, mate...
Tweet 41: They went to a DQ finish? What a shock (not a shock).

A sure sign that this feud is now #personal.

Tweet 42: Say what you want about Samoa Joe, the man knows how to work a pull-apart brawl.
Tweet 43: Lol at Owens venomously elbowing some innocent young boys in the face.
Tweet 44: Great show, everyone. Great hustle.