WWE Beast in the East review

Beast in the East is the first WWE show in sixteen-and-a-half years to be named after a specific performer. The last one was 1998's Rock themed Rock Bottom, a tag-heavy  show tied into Rock's then-recent swerve heel turn and alignment with Vince McMahon's Corporation. Beast in the East was named, obviously, after 'The Beast Incarnate' Brock Lesnar. It's also a mild alteration to Bam Bam Bigelow's 'Beast from the East' moniker (although the East there referred to the US east coast as opposed to Japan), something which WWE owns the rights to after their purchase of WCW and ECW trademarks and tape libraries well over a decade ago.

There we are. A paragraph of trivia to start! 

Despite being the only performer featured on the poster and giving the event its name Brock Lesnar didn't actually have a high profile match on this card. He wrestled slap bang in the middle of the card and his opponent was Kofi Kingston. While Kofi's a reliable hand he's not the sort of name we've become accustomed to seeing Lesnar face and the match served mostly to highlight that the card was the oddity we'd all been expecting. Basically it made clear that it was more a broadcast house show as opposed to something legitimately special.

Although the show was named after Lesnar it was made clear by the show-opening hype video that the night's real top match was Finn Bálor challenging Kevin Owens for the NXT championship. It was featured far more heavily. The identity of Lesnar's opponent wasn't even mentioned.

The opener was Chris Jericho versus Adrian Neville. It was interesting (to me at least) that Michael Cole talked about Jericho's time in FMW during the 90's but took a while to mention Neville's years in Dragon Gate. Perhaps it's because Dragon Gate's a current promotion and WWE doesn't generally do well acknowledging those. Still, at least they bothered.

The match was nothing special. Neville was left to take the majority of the big bumps and do the running about. Jericho concentrated more on pandering to the fans, running though his key spots, and teasing that he'd dive out of the ring. For a guy who wants to position himself as one of the greatest workers ever his efforts here were poor. They sped things up in the last few minutes but we got a disappointing result: 'Y2J' put his knees up as Neville hit him with the Red Arrow and immediately applied the Walls of Jericho for the tap out victory.

A ten second shot of Brock Lesnar walking into the building followed that (flouting the Company Dress Code by wearing jeans and a non-merch T-shirt). It was more enjoyable that Jericho's ego-fuelled shenanigans.

Match two saw Nikki Bella defend the Divas championship against Paige and Tamina. It should be noted that Tamina enters to some borderline racist jungle drums music. Nikki and Paige have worked against one another more than enough over the last six months to have a pretty good baseline for their matches at this point. Tamina managed to avoid dragging things down and we got a fun three-way. Nikki retained with a forearm to Tamina after a failed Superfly Splash (Paige was outside the ring after taking a super kick from Tamina as she had Nikki locked in the PTO). Yes, Nikki retained with a forearm. Because apparently main roster women's matches don't warrant proper finishes.

After a  video in which Lesnar told us he respects no one and likes hurting people Kofi Kingston clapped his way down to the ring. Like a lamb to the slaughter. What followed was an enjoyable one-sided trouncing. Kofi got some offence in but Lesnar no-sold all of it before grabbing hold of the New Day member, giving him some suplexes, and finishing him off with an F5.

After the match Lesnar gave Kofi a German suplex and another F5. Just because. Big E and Xavier Woods ran out to make the save, which naturally didn't end well for them. They each took an F5. The audience seemed particularly impressed with 'The Pain' hoisting up Big E.

In a peculiar move the NXT championship match followed that. When Lesnar v Kingston went on third I'd assumed Bálor v Owens had been granted the main event slot. Which would have made a great deal of sense considering the popularity of the NXT brand and Bálor's history in Japan. The match had a big fight feel to it and WWE tried to ramp it up by having flowers presented to the competitors. Bálor took his with good grace while Owens hilariously threw his into the crowd and shouted about hating the country. The fans did a better job of making things seem important by festooning the pair in streamers.

As the pair got things off to a wild start with an immediate shotgun drop kick and cross body to the outside from Bálor, Michael Cole did a rare bit of good work as he explained that Bálor had worked his first New Japan show at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan arena (where this show was being held) and referenced a tweet in which he'd mentioned "the return of a Prince." I continued to be astonished at his good work when he referenced Bálor's many accolades, as Prince Devitt, in New Japan.

Meanwhile Bálor and Owens had a spirited exchange in and out of the ring, Bálor controlling the pace until Owens slapped on a headlock. Bálor battled out but it was Owens who was in control after that. He threw Bálor into ring steps outside the ring and landed on him with a senton when he rolled back into the ring at the nine count. The challenger was worn down with another trip out of the ring and then trapped in another headlock.

Bálor battled out and regained momentum with a drop kick to Owens' face and a forearm from the second rope. 'Mr Wresting' fired off some punches and then ran through the set up to Cena's Five Knuckle Shuffle, and the move itself. An AA attempt failed when Bálor slipped off Owens shoulder, knocked him to the mat and double stomped him. Owens tried the AA again. Bálor escaped again and walloped the champ with a Pele kick.

Owens rolled out of the ring to try and regain his composure but was met with a tope then thrown back into the ring to take an inverted Bloody Sunday. Bálor went for the top rope double stomp again but Owens moved and through him into a corner for a cannonball. A package bomb earned the champion a two count and a "This is awesome!" chant. That prompted Owens to tell the crowd to shut up, a nice character moment in the midst of a great match.

Bálor pulled himself back to his feet and dropped KO with a slingblade. The challenger immediately dashed to the top rope but Owens recovered and grabbed his feet. Owens forced Bálor down onto the ring apron but got staggered with a Pele kick. Bálor went for the double stomp again. This time he hit it. But Owens kicked out.

The pair made their way to the top turnbuckle again, Bálor attempting a superplex on the champ. Owens fought him off and tried for his fisherman buster but Bálor escaped. When he returned to the corner he was scooped up for a more devastating move: an AA from the top rope. That was followed with an Owens Swanton bomb. Bálor got his knees up and gave Owens Bloody Sunday. Owens kicked out. Bálor rushed him. Owens dropped him with a super kick.

The two again their way back to their feet. Owens screamed at Bálor that he couldn't win. Bálor fired up, blasting the champion with a lariat before shotgun drop kicking him into a corner. That left Owens prone, finally, for the Coup de Grace, which Bálor hit to finally win himself the NXT championship. They easily took match of the night honours with a spirited, even performance that started strong and built to a great crescendo.

After the match Hidoe Itami was shown looking a bit moody at ringside. It's not impossible this was foreshadowing for a heel turn spurred by Bálor "stealing" his moment. Tatsumi Fujinami came out to raise the new champions hand, something which really highlighted that this was a glorified house show. Owens then refused a handshake from the man the beat him. Which is exactly what you'd expect from Owens' character.

The main event couldn't match the heady heights of the NXT championship match, not least because it featured Kane and John Cena. Bad News King Wade Barrett I and Dolph Ziggler, their respective partners, are good but they weren't enough to help outshine Bálor and Owens. They worked a basic tag main event, the sort you'll be familiar with if you've ever been to a WWE house show or watched an episode of SmackDown. It was awkward in places and had a painfully obvious outcome: Ziggler, having been isolated for around ten minutes, made a tag to Cena, who wandered in, AAed Barrett, and pinned him. As climaxes go it was poor and summed up the match as a whole.

Beast in the East was an oddity of a show. It was clearly not intended to be as big a deal as Elimination Chamber, the last Network exclusive offering, had been. While it was nice to see Lesnar squash someone it wasn't exactly a must-see match. The only thing of substance on the show was Bálor versus Owens, and that wasn't enough to make the show as a whole worthwhile. If WWE wants to use these specials as a way to attract and keep subscribers they'll need to do better than this.

***

Results summary:

Chris Jericho defeated Adrian Neville
Nikki Bella defeated Paige and Tamina to retain the Divas championship
Brock Lesnar defeated Kofi Kingston
Finn Bálor defeated Kevin Owens to win the NXT championship
John Cena and Dolph Ziggler defeated Kane and Bad News Barrett

NXTweet 24.06.15

Finn Bálor versus Rhyno with Kevin Owens on commentary? That's how you main event a wrestling show! And as far as undercards go? The debut of the Hype Bros is bad, but in a good way.

Hideo Itami promo, featuring Kevin Owens,  Finn Bálor and Rhyno

Tweet 1: Right then, you mugs. Let's watch NXT.

Tweet 2: Oh look, it's Hideo Itami and his broken arm.
Tweet 3: Disappointed he's not wearing one of those light-selling-duty casts Triple H wore that time Lesnar broke his arm.
Tweet 4: This Greg Hamilton lad is such a black hole of meaning.
Tweet 5: "NXT is very popular in Japan" - Hideo Itami, doing his duty
Tweet 6: Owens walks out. People cheer. His music cuts. Some lads boo. Great stuff.
Tweet 7: Enjoying Itami trying not to laugh at Owens' promo.
Tweet 8: It will eventually be revealed that Itami was taken out by Rikishi, who (obviously) did it for The Rock.

They fought.

Tweet 9: Hey, don't forget that Bálor and Owens are feuding too! That's what this booking is about y'know.
Tweet 10: Digging Rhyno's pink and black singlet.
Tweet 11: Rare instance of the NXT main event being booked after the show's started.

Enzo Amore and Big Cass v Sylvester LeFort and Jason Jordan

Tweet 12: Take it as read that I'm rolling my eyes at Carmella's "Bye, Felicia" T-shirt.

Tweet 13: SLY LEFORT IS BACK!!
Tweet 14: LeFort and Jordan will lose. Which is fine. It frees LeFort up to work as an inept manager again.

Revival of the hottest feud of 2014...

Tweet 15: LeFort's outfit is the perfect level of ridiculous. Good on 'im.
Tweet 16: 'The New Double J' might want to invest in a better fitting singlet.
Tweet 17: Isn't the obvious thing for Jason Jordan to do to just become a singles wrestler? If you've not got a tag partner don't be a tag team, mate.

Devin Taylor talks to Samoa Joe

Tweet 18: Samoa Joe promo. Samoa Joemo. He's getting WELL shouty.

Tweet 19: Joe wants to fight. That's the message there. Good on yer, Joe lad.

Dana Brooke v Cassie

Tweet 20: Dana Brooke's ridiculously convoluted pose sequence, now with added gloves.

Tweet 21: Cassie, the latest female wrestler to hit WWE with no surname.
Tweet 22: Dana getting New Day clap heat here. You know you're doing a good job with you hear that.
Tweet 23: I wish Dana's finish was being called the One Night Stand. It would make Alex Shane so proud.

If not One Night Stand then maybe Ode to 'The Showstealer'?

Tweet 24: Charlotte promos need more jackets being taken off and elbow dropped. Maybe some shoes being thrown.
Tweet 25: Lol at the next special being called Beast from the East.

Finn Bálor video

Tweet 26: Finn Bálor there. Big fan of LEGO and banter.

Tweet 27: I hope we get a vignette where Owens breaks into Bálor's house and smashes all his LEGO builds. That would get so much heat.
Tweet 28: "... and Matt Bloom is at the back of the bus" - Fergal Devitt absolutely DESTROYING kayfabe
Tweet 29: This video is basically Triple H confirming that he's a New Japan mark.
Tweet 30: Massive fan of seeing TAKA Michinoku, the man who doesn't age.
Tweet 31: I'm genuinely surprised they're showing Bullet Club merch here.
Tweet 32: Good video, that. Interested in what they have lined up for part three.

Bull Dempsey is shown slobbing about in various places

Tweet 33: Has Bull Dempsey had a heart attack? Is that the gimmick now?

Tweet 34: Such a fan of this out of shape slob gimmick though. They're sending you a message, Bull mate.

Hype Bros v Angelo Dawkins and Sawyer Fulton

Tweet 35: Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder. The Hype Bros. This is a thing is it? This is happening?

These lads stay hyped.

Tweet 36: Facing my favourite NXT tag team, Fulton and Dawkins. Fan of these lads on so many levels.
Tweet 37: If Mojo was serious about getting over he'd still be wearing the neon green trunks. They were money.
Tweet 38: I miss Fulton's ear guard thing.
Tweet 39: Big fan of WGTT 2.0 using that WGTT double team. Sickened that nobody on commentary referenced it.
Tweet 40: The Hype Bros win with an elevated cock to the mouth. That's wrestling, that is!

William Regal and Eva Marie talk about Eva Marie having a bit of a wrestle at some point

Tweet 41: #Regalpop

Tweet 42: #EvaMariepop
Tweet 43: Actually I don't think Eva Marie's as bad as all that. She'll surprise us when she gets her match. That's by #boldprediction
Tweet 44: Imagine Jerry Lawler in Regal's on-screen role. It'd be ridiculous. For that matter he'd be ridiculous in his backstage role.
Tweet 45: Basically, Lawler is the exact opposite of Regal.

Rhyno v Finn Bálor

Tweet 46: Looking forward to Owens and Rhyno reuniting as SCUM, Jimmy Jacobs backstage with a big smile on his face.

Tweet 47: I like Owens and Saxton's interactions basically being a throwback to The Rock and Kevin Kelly.
Tweet 48: I want more Ruthless Aggression references in Rhyno matches.
Tweet 49: Owens trips to the commentary desk have seen him get increasingly more aggressive. I like that. It's more character development for him.
Tweet 50: Not that he's being short changed on the ol' character development.
Tweet 51: "Bálor's almost a hero in Japan!" - Rich Brennan, really doing a great job of putting Bálor over

Double stomp FTW.

Tweet 52: Wouldn't it be great if they brought Sandman into few to replace some of the exiting stars? He could revive his feud with Rhyno.
Tweet 53: SCUM versus Joe and Bálor? I'm down with that as a future tag main event.
Tweet 54: Good show, everyone. Good hustle. Especially you, Cassie.

French Connection

We haven't seen Sylvester LeFort for a while have we? Not since the September 25 episode of NXT in fact. On that show he was beaten up by his one time pal Marcus Louis and left a lifeless puddle in the ring, finally putting an end to the Legionnires pairing. And it's a shame we've not seen him since because Sylvester LeFort is great.

I probably need to clarify that. LeFort is not a great wrestler. He's, at best, competent and has never dazzled in the ring. He doesn't seem like someone who has the potential to dazzle either. But he does have a good look and an even better gimmick.

This look is money.

The thick beard, the greased back hair, and the hairy chest all help to make LeFort look like a sleazy Eurotrash-esque scumbag (which is surely the point). That's a good thing. Wrestling needs more sleazy Eurotrash-esque scumbags. It's a heel trope woefully underrepresented in the current business. There's so much potential in it and LeFort fits the part so well that I think WWE are foolish to not have him as a regular on TV.

I don't necessarily want to see him wrestle though. Personally I enjoyed LeFort when he was working as a vaguely ineffective heel manager. I liked him having his stable of Legionnaires, all of whom were a bit generic and not particularly impressive. I liked the fact that the only guy he brought into the stable who showed any promise, a lad called Alexander Rusev (maybe you've heard of him?), was fairly swiftly nabbed by a more efficient manager in Lana.

It was a simple, fun little role that felt real. Not every sports manager is going to be world class and it absolutely made sense that a guy who wasn't able to keep hold of any above average clients was operating in the developmental league. It played to LeFort's strengths (looking like an idiot in ridiculous shiny jackets and talking with a foreign accent to remind everyone he's a heel) and disguised his weaknesses (specifically that he's not a very good wrestler, as already established).

Bring LeFort back to NXT as a manager. There's mileage left in his storyline incompetence. He could reunite with his old Legionnaires client Scott Dawson. He could bring in a new team altogether. He could introduce a singles act to help him get reverence on Marcus Louis (not that anyone's begging for that rivalry t be reprised). With Hideo Itami, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens gone or about to go from NXT Triple H is going to need to become more inventive with the stories he tells and the stars he features if NXT is to remain the hot brand it currently is. I don't think Sly could be a major part of that but he could certainly contribute. 

Fight, Owens, Fight

Takeover: Unstoppable was a great show. Anyone who's read my review (cheap plug, yeah: read it here) of the show will already know I feel that way. But a strength of the show I didn't touch on in the review was the way it built up Kevin Owens. The show ended with him backing away from the newly debuted Samoa Joe while brandishing his NXT championship belt and screaming about how it was his show.

The thing is, he's not wrong. Owens debuted at December's Takeover: R Evolution and in the five months since NXT has been transformed, with Owens being one of the most heavily featured names on the show. It's not surprising that a high profile newcomer like Owens is being featured in a significant role but it's surprising at how quickly it's happened and just how significant his role is. His rapid ascent, winning the NXT title two months (to the day) after debuting and interacting with top names immediately, is very much not something pulled from the usual WWE playbook.

NXT would not fall apart or become unwatchable without Owens. Just like it wouldn't without Finn Bálor and won't without Sami Zayn and Hideo Itami. Just like it's surviving fine without Adrian Neville. But his departure would be noticeable because he's such a major focus of the show and storylines. Just as a champion should be.

You need look no further than the number of programmes Owens has set up coming out of Unstoppable for evidence of how key Owens is to NXT and WWE's plans for the future. By my count he has five programmes ready to launch into. That's a number Seth Rollins, who supposedly holds wrestling's (and WWE's) greatest prize, doesn't come close to.

This man is not a Cena victim.

Owens versus Cena will happen for the first time at Sunday's Elimination Chamber Network special. This is obviously a big deal for Owens. With or without the world title and pay-per-view main events Cena is the face of the company. Getting to wrestle him in what is essentially a pay-per-view environment is a vote of confidence in Owens' abilities and a sign that WWE wants him to be viewed as a standout performer. Whether he wins or loses the match Owens will come out of it looking stronger¹.

Takeover: Unstoppable established Finn Bálor as the new number one contender to Owens' championship and Samoa Joe's appearance at the end of the show left no doubt that he'd be up for a crack at Owens and the belt too. So that's two guys Owens has gunning for him in NXT. Plus there are his unresolved issues with Sami Zayn, who will presumably continue chasing Zayn upon his return from his current injury layoff, and the heavy implication that Owens was the one who attacked Hideo Itami before Unstoppable (see their interactions on Twitter in the days before the show). It's not a stretch to imagine Owens attacking Itami because he was worried about having to defend his title against him.

And in addition to the number of potential rivalries Owens has he's possibly the most interesting character in all of WWE right now (only Sami Zayn, Sasha Banks and possibly Triple H are competition in that regard). He's an unpleasant, opportunistic thug who's happy to attack people from behind but he also has a relatable motive for his get-to-the-top-no-matter-the-cist approach: earning more money to provide as good a life for his family as possible. The nuances in his performances, such as the hypocrisy of him being so vicious while talking of being a role model and the twinge of remorse before he battered his one time pal Zayn with a steel chair, only serve to make his character that bit more interesting. If this is indicative of the future, not just for Owens but for NXT and WWE as a whole, then we have plenty to look forward to.

***

¹ Usually there'd be the issue of Cena doing something questionable to upstage a foe lower down the pecking order² but I don't think that's a concern here. For one thing WWE seems intent of having Owens look like a big deal, as mentioned above. For another Owens has been around long enough to know how to counteract someone attempting to show him up.

² See his repeated pulling down of Rusev's trunks to reveal a plump gut during their series for the most recent example of Cena's ability to subtly undermine people.

NXTweet 13.05.15

The fina bits of hype for Takeover: Unstoppable. It's another packed card, even when you consider two of the key performers (Zayn and Itami) have injuries that will either hamper their performances or stop them wrestling entirely. This show was good. Even with Carmella wrestling.

Intro

Tweet 1: It's NXT time.

Tweet 2: Lengthy recap of Zayn versus Cena off the RAW where Sami kicked out of an AA with a popped freakin' shoulder.
Tweet 3: Tonight: a face-to-face chat! #money

Solomon Crowe v Baron Corbin

Tweet 4: Liking Solly Crowe's new hairdo.

Tweet 5: 'Wolf Shaman' Barry Corbin exhibiting #malice according to Byron Saxton.
Tweet 6: Remember the other week when they showed a video of Barry Corbin talking about being special and being heelish? This is where it was going.

Still wish Crowe was wrestling in a shirt and tie tbh.

Tweet 7: That was a nice End of Days to be fair.
Tweet 8: I like the phone dial tatt on Barry's arm. Just noticed it. Very Dial H.
Tweet 9: "Are we gonna do this or not?" - Rhyno on making sweet, sweet love to Barry Corbin
Tweet 10: Rhyno there, Goring trainees dressed as security staff. Great stuff.
Tweet 11: All he needs is Cyrus back as his manager and I'd be on board with Rhyno getting a title reign.

Finn Bálor is interviewed

Tweet 12: Earlier this week Finn Bálor wore a tie and chatted about wanting to be the NXT champ.

Tweet 13: Bálor basically said he wants to the champion. Did its job. He talked about things like they matter.

Tyler Breeze is interviewed

Tweet 14: Earlier this week Tyler Breeze looked mmmmmm... gorgeous.

Tweet 15: Love Breeze's gimmick of being more interested in becoming number one contender then champion.
Tweet 16: If Breeze becomes champion will he get a spinner belt?

KC Cassidy v Sasha Banks

Tweet 17: No NXT name for this week's enhancement talent. #sadface

'The Boss' versus Nobody.

Tweet 18: The crowd have gone with Black Shorts. It's not as catchy a name as Blue Pants.
Tweet 19: Sasha doing Becky's hair flip taunt way better than Becky there. Yeah, Becky can't even pull off a hair flip.

Devin Taylor interviews Bayley and Charlotte

Tweet 20: Charlotte and Dana Brooke feuding over a Tapout sponsorship. Emma and Bayley feuding over head bands. It was all going so well...

Tweet 21: Charlotte still can't wooooooo.
Tweet 22: "Tempers are beginning to flair" - Corey Graves with a cheeky comment

Not Uhaa Nation vignette

Tweet 23: Name TBD reuniting with Solomon Crowe there. That was something.

Carmella v Alexa Bliss

Tweet 24: Everything about Carmella is ridiculous.

Tweet 25: I like Bliss having her name written in purple on the back of her purple vest.
Tweet 26: Not really a fan of Carmella's ring work but that arm hook submission looks pretty good.
Tweet 27: Blake and Murphy distracting Carmella and giving Bliss the chance to win.

Why not change Blake's name to Bloke?

Tweet 28: I'm kinda hoping the setup for the Carmella turn is a swerve and Bliss is the one who becomes their manager.
Tweet 29: Is Carmella's gimmick that she's a modern day Sunny?
Tweet 30: Carmella shamelessly thieving Enzo's shtick there. Absolutely sickening.

Hideo Itami is interviewed

Tweet 31: Earlier this week Hideo Itami sat down with his lovely hair.

Tweet 32: Itami putting it out there that he wants a title match with 'Mr Disrespect' Big Kev Owens.
Tweet 33: Itami's promo was electric.

Devin Taylor interviews Dana Brooke and Emma

Tweet 34: "And Charlotte thinks I'm jelly of her?" - Dana Brooke

Tweet 35: Two women's matches on one special? Will the world not implode?

Adam Rose and Tyler Breeze v Hideo Itami and Finn Bálor

Tweet 36: No Rosebuds and Rose has a beard. So this is basically Leo Kruger wearing a red robe and Terry Funk's tights.

Tweet 37: IT'S TYLER!! *swoons*
Tweet 38:

Tweet 39: If Itami can't wrestle in the triple threat match (which he can't) Adam Rose should totes replace him.
Tweet 40: Just kidding, obvs.
Tweet 41: Bálor likes crouching in the corner by the fans before getting in the ring because it reminds him of the Butlin's circuit.
Tweet 42: No idea if Bálor ever participated in the fabled Butlin's circuit but I like the idea of him doing so.
Tweet 43: They should have done a show-long story where Breeze tried to recruit a partner.
Tweet 44: Imagine the fun to be had with him in skits with Corbin and Rhyno. He could have asked Blake or Murphy to get involved.
Tweet 45: They could even have had Mojo Rawley back for a cameo. I'd have marked.
Tweet 46: Obviously that's a very un-NXT idea and I wouldn't want it to happen. It's too Russo.
Tweet 47: Rich Brennan just called a snap suplex. I shouldn't be but I'm impressed.
Tweet 48: Don't really cover enough Rose matches to mention it often but I really like his spinebuster.
Tweet 49: Rose has applied the dreaded Sleeper. This is OVER.

Stray thought: I like Bálor's elbow pads.

Tweet 50: It's great how Bálor and Styles have lifted moves from each other and that most people in positions of authority in WWE won't even realise.
Tweet 51: Bálor will be busting out the Bálor Clash soon.
Tweet 52: Breeze wins with a small package more often that 2005-06 era Danielson.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in-ring promo

Tweet 53: Another recap of Zayn v Cena. Big match for Zayn, yeah, but I really don't need it covered more than once per show.

Tweet 54: Top Dog versus Big Dog. Kennel From Hell. So much money to be made.
Tweet 55: Sami's out for his main event promo wearing his all business flat cap.
Tweet 56: And his own merch. Standard.
Tweet 57: Hilarious bit of ADR slipped in to get the shoulder injury mentioned. Got to keep up the kayfabe that this isn't taped a month in advance.
Tweet 58: Zayn going full heel, revealing that Owens' son prefers Zayn's merch. What a villainous move. I'm all for Owens breaking Zayn's arm now.

Owens versus Zayn. The new Sandman versus Raven.

Tweet 59: Owens will win. Zayn will be demoted to the main roster because he can't hang in the big league of NXT.
Tweet 60: That... was a great show. Good work, everyone. Good hustle.

NXTweet 06.05.15

A talkier episode than normal, perhaps WWE subtly trying to make people who rave about NXT more accepting of the standard RAW. They kept the emphasis on wrestling by having Hideo Itami versus Tyler Breeze in the main event. Which, y'know, is pretty good stuff.

Intro

Tweet 1: I am about to watch NXT. Join me.

Tweet 2: They should rerecord the theme music so it's "rage of the crowd" instead of "roar".

Emma v Charlotte

Tweet 3: Boos for Emma. Her run with Santino hasn't been forgotten.

Tweet 4: Emma's troll game is strong.
Tweet 5: Lady Flair still can't woooooo properly.
Tweet 6: Speaking of 'Naitch', Emma's channeling his early 00's work by wrestling in a T-shirt.
Tweet 7: Solid selling from Charlotte here. Don't get to see that much. I like aggressive Emma too. Good match.

Lance Storm wishes he was this good.

Tweet 8: Dat half crab.
Tweet 9: Emma's half crab > Lance Storm's half crab
Tweet 10: I liked that match. Could have done with Emma winning but I guess Charlotte's the one going all main roster soon so her win makes sense.
Tweet 11: Bayley flipping out there. Should've bitten some fingers.

Becky Lynch vignette

Tweet 12: Oh good. Another Becky Lynch vignette.

Tweet 13: They're doing good work with these Becky vignettes but I don't think I'm ever going to be sold on her.
Tweet 14: Her character has been so awful so far that I don't think I'll ever be able to get past it.
Tweet 15: Also, the whole NBexT thing doesn't scan. #scansion

Michael Cole interviews Kevin Owens

Tweet 16: Michael Cole calling out Owens for lying there. He's a big man.

Tweet 17: "Just tell me the truth, Kevin" - Michael 'Legit Journalist' Cole
Tweet 18: Owens demanding respect at every turn is such a great heel character trait. Amazing work.
Tweet 19:  Owens was never going to beat down Cole because Cole is a main event level announcer (allegedly). Alex Riley isn't, obvs.

Rhyno v Bull Dempsey

Tweet 20: Bull Dempsey. This gives me the chance to mention that he blocked me on Twitter. No idea why. Maybe he's thin-skinned, despite appearances.

Tweet 21: Enjoying the one knee pad look Rhyno's rocking here.

Gore.

Tweet 22: Look how far you've fallen, Bull. From being positioned as a roadblock to losing to Rhyno in less than a minute.
Tweet 23: The dream match: Rhino Richards v 'Electric Wolf Shaman' Barry Corbin.

Sasha Banks backstage promo

Tweet 24: This Sasha Banks promo is so much better than that Becky stuff earlier.

William Regal signs The Artist Formerly Known As Uhaa Nation

Tweet 25: *Plays Uhaa's indy entrance music*

Tweet 26: Coming soon: name TBD.
Tweet 27: That was a good video. Can't help but think Uhaa would've been a good guy to give the Lucha Underground vignette treatment to though.

The Mechanics v Big Cass and Enzo Amore

Tweet 28: Big fan of The Mechanics generic mid-carders gimmick. They should be at every taping.

Tweet 29: The Blake and Murphy Experience attacking Cass and Enzo because they're jealous of Cass's height and Enzo's shoes. What a dastardly pair.

Michael Cole interviews Sami Zayn

Tweet 30: "Kevin's a liar" - Sami Zayn, spitting some strong words

Tweet 31: Zayn's babyface character is just as layered and nuanced as Owens' heel one.
Tweet 32: If Zayn can't wrestle at Takeover I think they should credit it to a backstage assault by Owens.
Tweet 33: That Zayn v Cena match was great, for the record. Exactly the sort of thing WWE are doing right with Cena right now.

Contract signing for Sasha Banks v Becky Lynch

Tweet 34: #Regalpop

Tweet 35: I like how Lynch versus Banks is being handled. They clearly want us to root for Lynch but they're not ramming her down our throats.
Tweet 36: Why is the match only official after the contract's signed? Hasn't Lynch already qualified as the number one contender?
Tweet 37: "I was a flight attendant, for heaven's sake!" - Becky Lynch with a line that sounds like it's from a bad stand-up routine
Tweet 38: Love Sasha having a stamp so much. I think she's my favourite wrestler in WWE right now.
Tweet 39: Yeah, even more than Roman 'Big Dog' Reigns.

Feel that sexual tension.

Tweet 40: Regal holding Lynch at bay with a falconer pose there.

Alex Riley backstage promo

Tweet 41: "If you've followed my career..." - Alex Riley, revealing that he thinks he's had a career

Tweet 42: There being a picture of Alex Riley on the wall of this room has to be a deliberate thing.
Tweet 43: "You're not going to be seeing Alex Riley for a while" - Alex Riley
Tweet 44: Looking forward to Alex Riley's return as a deranged lunatic bitter at the favs for turning on him. He's basically a modern day Rock.

Devin Taylor interviews Dana Brooke

Tweet 45: Dana Brooke's been on a roll since her debut. A whole two wins. Quite the roll...

Hideo Itami v Tyler Breeze

Tweet 46: It's Tyler!! *swoons*

Tweet 47: This episode of NXT had been really strong so far. Itami v Breeze is a good way to finish. Especially if Itami is on form.
Tweet 48: By "on form" I mean "wrestling like KENTA".

I like Itami's shin guards. Just saying.

Tweet 49: They should do a skit where Breeze nicks Bálor's demon mode headband and uses it as one of his boot tassel wraps.
Tweet 50: "This isn't Japan" - Byron Saxton on the USA
Tweet 51: Why does nobody ever refer to Breeze stomping a mud-hole?
Tweet 52: Imagine if Breeze v Itami ended with Itami passing out in a sleeper. I'd mark tbh.
Tweet 53: Production crew doing a replay of a top rope clothesline for some reason. I didn't think it was all that.
Tweet 54: Hideo goes over with his single leg drop kick via lamping Bálor through a guardrail. Because dissension amongst babyfaces.

Good bandy-legged work from Finn.

Tweet 55: Breeze getting booked to lay out both Bálor and Itami. Great stuff. Reminding us that he's the sixth member of The NXT Five.
Tweet 56: Really enjoyed that episode. Great work, everyone. Good hustle.

The Shield Versus The NXT Five

A few weeks ago I suggested that Finn Bálor be called up to the main roster to team with Adrian Neville against Cesaro and Tyson Kidd at Money in the Bank. I went on to suggest that Nev and Bálor could capture the tag team titles at SummerSlam, giving them a memorable debut at what is traditionally one of WWE's more important events. I stopped short of spelling it out but the implication (or intended implication) was that the two could lose the titles a few months later and then go their separate ways.

This scenario has stuck with me and made me think of a larger scale, longer term booking plan that could create roles for more guys currently working in NXT and help to reinvigorate a variety of championships and the WWE product as a whole. One stone, lots of birds. These are all things WWE needs so being in a position to accomplish all or some of them at once would be ideal.

I'll start by addressing The Shield. At some point they'll reunite. That's just how wrestling works. There are lots of things the group could do together and they would sell merchandise. That's all that's needed to make it a certainty for the future. Based on nothing at all I suspect WWE will bring the group back together at or around WrestleMania 32 next year (the eventful post-'Mania RAW is probably a good prediction to make). By that point it will have been getting on for two years since The Shield was last a unified trio. That's more than enough time for WWE to deem a reunion acceptable.

These lads will be back together eventually.

Truth be told The Shield reuniting at 'Mania 32 wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. It wouldn't be too early to make sense, there's enough time for Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns to be shunted into alignment. It could even work if 'Mania features a Reigns versus Rollins versus Ambrose three-way match, as it may do (because WWE apparently wants to set an attendance record in Dallas, which will require a loaded card). It wouldn't be easy and it would require a swerve to be thrown in, but it wouldn't be impossible to pull off.

Despite their attendance record-smashing aspirations and the timing being decent I think WWE should hold off on putting 'The Hounds of Justice' back together for another year. They could use 'Mania 32 to solidify the three guys as bona fide main event stars. Rollins and Reigns are on their way to that right now while Ambrose is flagging. That's not an issue. There are eleven months before WM32, plenty of time to raise the standing of 'The Lunatic Fringe'. Renewing his rivalry with Rollins would be a good start.

Adrian Neville could also be in a prominent spot by then. As could Finn Bálor, if he gets promoted in the next few months (and it looks like he will). Both lads would likely get a match at WrestleMania, probably some sort of multi-man deal for the IC title if recent years are anything to go by. There's enough time to call up another one of the group dubbed 'The NXT Five' by the geniuses in the company's marketing department. Sami Zayn is the frontrunner for that, with Hideo Itami still acclimatising to WWE and Kevin Owens looking like a long-term fixture in NXT thanks to his current grasp on the league's singles championship.

Were Zayn called up ahead of 'Mania WWE would be in a strong position for 2016, with Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns (plus Cena, Orton and whoever else) working as main event guys and Bálor, Neville and Zayn being key contributors to a meaningful mid-card. They could call up Itami and Owens across the course of the year, getting all members of 'The NXT Five' onto the main roster. They wouldn't all need to be linked with one another nor would the whole 'Five' thing need to be referenced. It would simply be enough to have them around on the roster, being used properly. Not that guys getting handled properly is a particularly safe assumption these days but we can all remain hopeful that extra care will be taken with these particular high profile talents.

By the time WrestleMania 33 was reached WWE would be ready for a fresh angle that would do all the enlivening I mentioned above. And that's where they should reunite The Shield. By holding it off for nearly three years the reunion would mean more and both Reigns and Rollins should both be former multi-time champions, giving the group even more credibility than they had when they split last June. Ambrose may even have had a world title reign or two by then, although I think that's a little optimistic. An IC championship win isn't beyond the realms of possibility though, and there's a slim chance that belt may mean something by 2017.

The perfect opponents for The Shield would be the next golden boys from NXT: Adrian Neville, Finn Bálor, Sami Zayn, Hideo Itami and Kevin Owens. They could be brought together on the RAW after 'Mania in response to a Shield get together on the big show or they could come together across a few weeks to face down the threat the Shield poses to the top of the card. What would be nice about The Five's dynamic would be that conflicts could be created within the group. Zayn and Owens, for example, could be presented as guys who have a history of friendship but no longer like or trust one another but are united by a common cause of opposing The Shield.

Using these two factions would provide WWE with a way to move away from the played out approach of defining heels and babyfaces. It would be enough to pit the two factions against one another and let viewers choose sides on a match by match basis. Rollins, for example, would work well as a heel against guys like Zayn and Bálor but could fight as a valiant underdog babyface against a big lad like Owens.

This would be the greatest faction ever.

There would be plenty of these matches to run through too. By my count (and I'd like to mention at this point that maths isn't really a strength of mine) there are fifteen singles matches, thirty tag matches, and ten six man tag matches to be had using these two groupings. That's a lot of fresh content. The singles matches could be saved for pay-per-views and the wealth of tag and six man combos could be rolled out as audience-grabbing TV main events. Involving the WWE, Intercontinental and tag matches in these matches, in which quality is practically guaranteed to be high, would enhance the status of those belts and make them mean more, which in turn would give a rub to any guys holding them later on.

A Five versus Shield programme could easily last a year if planned out in advance and paced correctly. It could also be used to seed storylines for later. I've already mentioned Zayn and Owens as two guys within The Five who could be presented as not getting on. The faction could implode and they could splinter off into their own thing. The same could be done with any two members of The Shield. Rollins could start the factions rivalry as champion and lose the belt, with Reigns stepping in to reveal that The Shied had agreed amongst themselves that once a member lost a belt another member would get a crack at it. He could win the WWE title. Rollins could be angry. Resentment could build. They could splinter off into their own feud. There are dozens of things that could be done, matching the dozens of matches WWE would be able to book.

The most important thing to note with this approach is that it would be putting talented wrestlers at the centre of the TV product. This is what modern audiences want right now. It's how Lucha Underground has achieved success, why New Japan's popularity continues to grow despite their lack of concessions to a western market, and it's why Ring of Honor is still in business. People want good wrestling, and that doesn't mean WWE could still use the celebrity-heavy approach they've always favoured or that Cena and Orton have to disappear. It just means that in-ring action merits a bit more focus than it's currently getting. This feud could be world class. I'd love it to happen.

NXTweet 29.04.15

A packed episode that advanced a load of stuff: tweaks to the Barry Corbin character, building Lynch up for her title challenge, further teasing Carmella hooking up with Bland Blake and Mundane Murphy, and the Zayn v Owens feud. Oh... and more rage from Alex Riley.

Recap of Owens v Riley II: The Ragening

Tweet 1: I'm about to watch NXT.

Tweet 2: Starting off with a solid recap of Owens versus RAGE.
Tweet 3: Alex Riley should change his ring name to The Rage.

Kevin Owens promo, featuring Sami Zayn and William Regal

Tweet 4: I hope this Owens promo sees him no-sell Sami Zayn and talk about Alex Riley instead.
Tweet 5: Put over Riley as the greatest threat to your title, mate.
Tweet 6: NXT general manager, bouncing Billy Regal.

These men are, quite literally, prize fighters.

Tweet 7: Regal using his Force powers to stop Zayn getting into the ring there. Impressive stuff.
Tweet 8: Enjoying the hypocrisy of the Owens character asking what Zayn's done to earn a title match. Nice work.
Tweet 9: Equally nice work on this Zayn promo winding Owens up.

Greg Hamilton tries to plug NXT tour dates and gets interrupted by various wrestlers

Tweet 10: This bland backstage lad is Greg Hamilton. How did he get a job? Looks like he belongs on a shopping channel.

Tweet 11: Everything about Carmella's character is ridiculous. She'll fit in nicely with Blake and Murphy.
Tweet 12: I hope jumping over sofas becomes Blake and Murphy's new thing. Put one of the ramp for them to leap over during their entrance.

William Regal and Sami Zayn about serious business, Alex Riley comes in, has a rage, and gets booked against Sami Zayn

Tweet 13: Lol at this booking of Alex Riley. This should be his new character. A deluded guy who thinks he's in the main event and isn't.

Tweet 14: Zayn v Riley. Why are these Riley matches happening?

Enzo Amore and Big Cass v Blake and Murphy

Tweet 15: Carmella's dressed like she works in a launderette.

Tweet 16: Carmella trying to gyrate in time to a "How you doin'?" chant. No, luv. Stop.
Tweet 17: Still amazed The Blake and Murphy Express have this 90's kids TV show theme for their entrance.
Tweet 18: So if Enzo and Cass are the number one contenders and they're facing the champions why isn't this match for the championships?
Tweet 19: Looking forward to finding out how Carmella's going to cost Enzo and Cass the match this week.
Tweet 20: Cass, don't use the high knee. It's not a good look on you.

Not exactly the greatest finisher ever.

Tweet 21: Had that match been for the champs there would be no champs now. Enzo and Cass should complain to someone about Regal's match-making.

Becky Lynch vignette

Tweet 22: "How important is it to my career to win the NXT women's champion?" - Becky Lynch, apparently competing for ownership of other humans

Tweet 23: Thirty seconds or so of talking from Lynch there. I still have no idea what her character's meant to be.
Tweet 24: All I got is that she wants to be the best and the championship is her focus. True for most wrestlers, Becky.
Tweet 25: That motive would be fine on the main roster because nobody has a motive there so anything is refreshing. More's needed in NXT though.

Bayley tells Devin Taylor that she can't find her headbands

Tweet 26: Uh-oh, Bayley can't find her headbands!

Tweet 27: Oh man, Emma had them! WHAT A PRANKSTER!
Tweet 28: I'd love it if Emma having the headbands was the beginning of the kleptomaniac gimmick she should have been given last year.

Baron Corbin vignette

Tweet 29: Barry Corbin there, standing in rain and looking moody and talking about not following the rules. #badboy

Tweet 30: Distinctly heelish. But how can a man blessed with The Power of the Wolves go bad?!

Dana Brooke v Bayley

Tweet 31: I like Dana Brooke more than most people seem to. Her entrance is way too busy though. So many flips and flexes...

Tweet 32: Bayley will lose because she doesn't have a headband to draw power from.

Such power!

Tweet 33: Dana Brooke, wearing the pink and black of Bret Hart with the heart motif of Shawn Michaels. #boldcombo
Tweet 34: It will eventually be revealed that Emma stole all this stuff from the merch stands.
Tweet 35: Dana and Emma high five. Bah Gawd, it was a setup all along!!

William Regal announces Finn Bálor v Tyler Breeze v Hideo Itami for Takeover

Tweet 36: Regal's worked office is Jason Albert's shoot office.

Tweet 37: Itami v Bálor v Breeze will be great and all but why is it happening? Ah, number one contendership. That wasn't initially clear.

Hideo Itami v Adam Rose

Tweet 38: I like how Adam Rose has regrown Leo Kruger's goatee.

Tweet 39: Why is Hideo Itami not being allowed to just hammer guys on Rose's level in quick matches?
Tweet 40: Alright, that was quick. But into could have been quicker. And there wasn't much hammering.
Tweet 41: I enjoyed that elderly woman in the audience looking really shocked at that result.

Becky Lynch v Sarah Dobson

Tweet 42: Becky Lynch? Do we have to?

Tweet 43: I like the implication that Byron knows a lot about this unsigned lass because he hangs around in the back letching on people.

Good submission application but I still dislike Lynch.

Tweet 44: Becky wins what was more or less a squash with an arm bar. I fail to be impressed by her.

Rhyno chats to a camera backstage

Tweet 45: Rhyno pulling a move from the Mick Foley play book and sitting around in the building's generator room.

Alex Riley v Sami Zayn

Tweet 46: Alex Riley has a new entrance video. It doesn't acknowledge his rage and it seems to be based on a cowboy motif. I don't like it.

Tweet 47: "Let's all rage together" - Kevin Owens on commentary
Tweet 48: Current topic of conversation at the commentary desk: rage.

Well done, Sami. That was textbook.

Tweet 49: Riley using the TKO there, perhaps the most WCW mid-card move ever.
Tweet 50: Looking forward to that Owens v Zayn v Riley match at the Takeover after next.
Tweet 51: "Thank you, Kevin!" - The audience, after Owens apron bombed Alex Riley
Tweet 52: I liked that episode. Good work, everyone.