NXTweet 09.12.15

One week until Takeover: London. This was all about final bits of build for the key matches. And reminding North American Network subscribers that it's not the end of the world that they can't watch a show live in the evening for once.

Intro

Tweet 1: It's NXTime.

Tweet 2: These emotionally manipulative ads for JEWELLERY on the Network though.
Tweet 3: "Bull Dempsey deserves to be in the opening credits," said nobody ever.

Corey Hollis and John Skyler v Enzo Amore and Big Cass

Tweet 4: Little Enzo and Colin Nash have engaged Serious Mode.

Tweet 5: Corey Hollis and John Skyler are rocking the ECW jobbers look. Good for them.
Tweet 6: Cass been hitting the spray tan, hasn't he? Probs part of his knee rehab.
Tweet 7: Liking Carmella's hair this week FTR.

Fresh knee pads on Li'l 'zo.

Tweet 8: Cena-esque drop kick from Enzo there.
Tweet 9: Story of this match is Cass and Enzo have beaten this jobber team far easier than the tag champs did. Commentary have missed that.
Tweet 10: Food on tables promo here from Enzo. Great stuff.
Tweet 11: Such a fan of Cass waiting awkwardly to hit his catchphrase once Enzo decides he's done.
Tweet 12: "We WILL walk out the NXT tag team champions" - Big Cass, who's probably wrong

Dana Brooke and Emma talk to Tom Philips

Tweet 13: Dana Brooke in a white top? #twothumbsup

Tweet 14: NXT > Japan, says Emma.
Tweet 15: I could believe Emma is a heavy smoker.
Tweet 16: "Scrunch down" - Dana Brooke, with another line I'd be a fan of hearing IRL

Deonna Purrazzo v Asuka

Tweet 17: The Asuka versus Dana and Emma feud isn't the best thing ever but I do like their issue being independent of the women's title.

Tweet 18: I don't like Deonna's chances for this match...
Tweet 19: Not least because she's wearing massive knee pads.

Ask her!

Tweet 20: Going to make the bold prediction that Asuka will debut new ring gear at Takeover: London.
Tweet 21: Oh no! Dana and Emma are standing on the ramp and Asuka is distrac- oh, wait, everything's fine. She just KOed that job girl.

Hype Bros promo

Tweet 22: Imagine Mojo thinking 90s references will get him over with Vince McMahon.

Tweet 23: Things would be very different for them if Russo was still around.

BAMF promo

Tweet 24: 'Fashionplate' Wesley Blake.

Tweet 25: That's a singles run waiting to happen. Give it time...
Tweet 26: Anyone done any fanfic about Alexa's Goa'uld hand thing yet? Asking for a friend.

Hype Bros v BAMF

Tweet 27: Mojo and Ryder are a good fit as partners but you still have to feel for Ryder. Got himself over and this is his reward.

Tweet 28: Liking the Dennis the Menace colour scheme on BAMF.

FFS.

Tweet 29: The physiques on Mojo and Blake though.
Tweet 30: Really enjoying the heel shenanigans of BAMF. Shocking display as Alexa gets lifted up by Blake to kick Ryder in the head.

At least Zack's safe from her rough moonsault.

Tweet 31: Mojo Rawley is a sweaty lad.
Tweet 32: Hoping Blake and Murphy win this. Feel like the Hype Bros will though.
Tweet 33: They won immediately after I pressed send FFS. I get it. Heel tag champs need fave challengers. Still, BAMF deserve better.

Samoa Joe and Baron Corbin promo

Tweet 34: Joe and Barry having a chat here.

Tweet 35: "I don't like where you come from and I don't like what you represent" - Barry Corbin on Apollo Crews
Tweet 36: Barry's gimmick of calling indy guys rookies: tremendous.

Peyton Royce v Bayley

Tweet 37: Peyton Royce getting a featured intro here. Has she won a TV match yet?

Tweet 38: I retract that question as it no longer matters when she's doing Billy Gunn's draped-in-the-ropes pose. Hilarious.
Tweet 39: Billy did it better though. More erotic, for starters...
Tweet 40: Going by boot colours Bayley is the heel and Peyton is the face.
Tweet 41: Bayley doing the Jericho style bulldog always makes me sad.

Peyton loses. Again.

Tweet 42: This Nia Jax and Eva Marie pairing being a lasting thing is a great decision. This heat is manager heat.
Tweet 43: Standing at ringside to get booed. That's how to book Eva Marie.

Apollo Crews and Finn Bálor chat backstage

Tweet 44: Casual chat between Apollo and Finn in front of a camera here.

Tweet 45: #unfinishedbusiness
Tweet 46: I want Finn Bálor to be booked as an increasingly paranoid champion, like Austin in 2001. Doing backstage skits where he sings and that.

Baron Corbin and Samoa Joe v Finn Bálor and Apollo Crews

Tweet 47: Barry and Joe tagging out against their rivals and it being framed as tremendous use of mind games is hilarious.

Tweet 48: Crews v Joe will be a good thing for NXT when it rolls around.
Tweet 49: Barry, you're not even taping your wrists, mate. What have you become?
Tweet 50: If this match ends with Joe choking out Finn then Finn retains next Wednesday.
Tweet 51: Could see Apollo or Barry taking the pin though TBH.
Tweet 52: Barry Corbin should get a new gimmick where he makes reference to being a werewolf every so often.
Tweet 53: Bálor falls to the Coquina clutch. So he'll retain the title. Because that's how WWE works. And NXT, despite what it gets right, is WWE.

The hossiest hoss.

Tweet 54: Joe posing with another man's belt to close the show. #heel
Tweet 55: Good show. Good hustle. Strong stuff.

Believe the Hype

So. The Hype Bros. Although they're clearly bit part players in the grand scheme of NXT I think this is an inspired pairing. Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley. A reality show-modelled "broski" and a guy who bangs on about hype. That feels right. That works.

It's nice on several levels. We're seeing 'Long Island Iced Z' finally getting something to do, years after he managed to get himself over and WWE frittered his popularity away to enhance Kane for a feud with Cena (got to keep Kane strong!). Technically, yes, it's a demotion but it's not like Ryder was doing anything on the main roster. It's years since he was involved in any form of noteworthy storyline and months since he lost to Cena in the US open challenge, his last meaningful match.

Dick to the mouth finish there. Strong.

It's nice for Mojo. Because he may actually get over this way. His kids' TV-like ever-hyped demeanour grated on the Full Sail fairly early into his initial singles run last year. Pairing him with the genuinely popular (and relatively likeable) Ryder, smartly positioning him as a guy Ryder's chosen to take under his wing, gets Mojo screen time but keeps him in a role where his hyperactivity can be a strength: Ryder can get worked over and Mojo can rally the crowd.

That they've been made a tag team is good for the doubles scene as a whole. For a while there there were only two teams in NXT: Enzo Amore and Big Cass's New Age Tribute Act and Blake and Murphy's Dubstep Cowboys. The Vaudevillains were excused were excused from TV duties for an extended period and every other team either got main rostered or were split. The Hype Bros give NXT a much needed fresh duo.

The obvious thing to expect is a heel turn from Mojo. I don't think that will be the initial plan though. King of NXT Triple H seems to want Mojo to work out as a face, hence why he was pulled once he started getting booed and has been retooled for his redebut. I suspect a heel turn on Ryder may be a backup plan but we won't see it unless the Hype Bros fail to work out. Which I don't think they will. NXT is the WWE show where they know how to present stories and characters for a modern audience. If they really want Mojo cheered they're going to find out how to make it happen.

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.

NXTweet 10.06.15

The debut of Samoa Joe, Becky Lynch's first TV appearance since her hard-fought loss at Unstoppable, and, most importantly, the return of Mojo Rawley!

Intro

Tweet 1: Alright. NXT.

Tweet 2: Samoa Joe's an angry lad, isn't he?

Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley v Elias Sampson and Mike Rawlis

Tweet 3: Zack Ryder. Oh no no.

Tweet 4: Pairing Ryder with Mojo is a good move though. Get some of that 2011 Ryder buzz rubbed off onto him.
Tweet 5: Mojo has the stink of a 1993 WCW mid-carder to him.
Tweet 6: Liking Ryder's trunks to be fair. Nice colour combo. I like colours.
Tweet 7: Big fan of Graves referencing MySpace. Drop a Bebo reference, I dare you.

Just a couple of hyped lads.

Tweet 8: Big win there for Mojo and Ryder over two jobber lads. BIg win. BIG win. Big WIN. #bigwin

Finn Bálor video

Tweet 9: Finn Bálor has a dark side. As evidenced by that video where his eyes went dark because of computer graphics stuff.

Dana Brooke video

Tweet 10: Dana Brooke reading there.

Tweet 11: This video is doing Dana a lot of favours. I think she's great already, to be fair.
Tweet 12: "I'm the total package!" - Dana Brooke linking herself to super-worker Lex Luger

Emma v Blue Pants

Tweet 13: Insane reaction for Blue Pants.

Tweet 14: Loling so hard at Emma's ultra-heelish attack from behind.
Tweet 15: Does Emma even do anything on the main roster anymore?

Emma's mean, yo.

Tweet 16: Obvs she's better off creatively in NXT but she had that time on the main roster and the division there is pretty light. Why not use her?
Tweet 17: Emma v Nikki and Emma v Naomi could be great. And she and Paige deserve some matches on the main roster.

Enzo Amore, Big Cass and Carmella promo

Tweet 18: Why is Carmella talking for Enzo?

Tweet 19: Ahhhhhh, here we go. Straight in with a Hunger Games reference. Strong.
Tweet 20: "I got plenty of time I got no time for this" - Enzo Amore

Bull Dempsey v Tyler Breeze

Tweet 21: Bull Dempsey match coming up. Remember when he blocked me on Twitter for reasons unknown?

Tweet 22: This is going to be my thing for Bull matches for the foreseeable future: mentioning he blocked me. Not like they're worth discussing.
Tweet 23: He is in there with Breeze though... *swoons*
Tweet 24: Maybe Bull blocked me for comparing him to Taz?
Tweet 25: Straight into a rest hold. Classic Bull.
Tweet 26: Bull's going for a top rope headbutt. I really want Byron or someone to reference Benoit, triggering an awkward silence.

They're sending you a pretty clear message, Bull mate.

Tweet 27: Loling hard at Bull being given a gimmick where he doesn't bother with cardio. Subtle move from creative that.

Jessie McKay v Becky Lynch

Tweet 28: Right now on NXT: remember that time less than a month ago when Becky Lynch lost a match? Harrowing stuff.

Tweet 29: Becky has retained her steampunk entrance. Smart move.
Tweet 30: Give her some big lad dressed as a robot butler as a manager. People will go mad for that.
Tweet 31: Oh hai Jessie McKay.
Tweet 32: Jessie is starting the journey Becky's been on: searching for a gimmick or strong performance to make fans care about her.
Tweet 33: Jessie's long knee pads will not be the key to her success.

This look on Becky has helped win me over on her.

Tweet 34: That match was a nice demonstration that Lynch isn't at a point where she can carry people to great matches.
Tweet 35: NXT is developmental though, so carrying people isn't necessarily the point.

William Regal makes an announcement then tells Bull Dempsey to get in shape

Tweet 36: #Regalpop

Tweet 37: Ahhhhhh Bull's new gimmick is less about lack of cardio abilities and more about general slobbishness. I'm a fan of this.
Tweet 38: "Listen, flower..." - William Regal channeling Eric Morecambe

Jason Jordan updates us on his tag team status

Tweet 39: Jason Jordan has a NEW tag partner. They'll lose. Maybe he'll get a third partner and they'll lose too.

Tweet 40: Jordan and Gable will then tag together and win. Jordan will be well impressed and they'll go on to live happily ever after.

Baron Corbin v Angelo Dawkins

Tweet 41: 'Wolf Shaman' Barry Corbin here. Looking forward to him using his wolf magic to beat this week's jobber.

Tweet 42: Angelo Dawkins is better than losing to Barry I reckon.
Tweet 43: Big fan of Corbin continuing to wrestle short matches just not as short as they were a while ago, and this change making him a heel.
Tweet 44: I think we can all agree it's going to be great when Owens drops the title to Balor and goes to RAW, leaving Bálor to feud with Corbin.
Tweet 45: Dawkins would have won if Sawyer Fulton had bothered to go to the ring and give him some moral support.

Scott Dawson v Samoa Joe

Tweet 46: Loling that Samoa Joe's first official WWE match is against Scott Dawson.

Tweet 47: Joe getting hyped as "one of the most dangerous men walking the planet" there.
Tweet 48: I like Owens saying he's not intimidated by Joe. Realistically why would he be? As he's pointed out he beat Cena in their first meeting.
Tweet 49: Kinda depressed Joe didn't get to beat CJ Parker in his debut match. I miss CJP.

Kthnxbye, Scott.

Tweet 50: Imagine if Ryback appeared and attacked Joe for using his finish.
Tweet 51: "First of all, Joe, I don't really run anywhere" - Kevin Owens
Tweet 52: Dying at these veteran and rookie comments from Owens. And the hypocrisy of him saying Joe has to earn a title match.
Tweet 53: Big, bad Billy Regal's putting in an appearance here. Casually dropping Joe v Owens for next week's show.
Tweet 54: Good show, everyone. I liked your hustle.

NXTweet 27.05.15

Kevin Owens solidifies his spot as one of WWE's prime bad guys, has words with William Regal, then trounces Solly Crowe. Emma, Bayley and Becky Lynch all get attention, possibly preparing them for title shots. Alexa Bliss gives us a shockingly good new character. Corey Graves continues to be WWE's best commentator. Jason Jordan and Chad Gable do... something. All this plus...

MOJO RAWLEY IS BACK ON NXT!!

Intro

Tweet 1: I'm going to tweet about NXT for as long as my internet holds up.

Tweet 2: Loving the slow motion recap of Takeover. Particularly Rhyno v Barry Corbin. Saddened there was no slowmo of Finn's entrance though.
Tweet 3: Banks being put over as "the elite." Great stuff.
Tweet 4: Then the only Samoan in WWE history not somehow related to Rikishi turned up. The end.

Kevin Owens promo, featuring William Regal and Solomon Crowe

Tweet 5: Kevin Owens trolling a Zayn entrance while wearing a Cena shirt. Lolishness.

Tweet 6: This is one of the few times I'm happy to see a RAW recap interrupting another show. Makes sense here.
Tweet 7: "I am a good man" - Kevin Owens
Tweet 8: Remember all those times Mick Foley said a heel has to believe he's the good guy and feel completely justified in his actions? That.

Owens is great and the championship means
something but that belt's still ugly.

Tweet 9: That Owens promo was better than anything I can remember from RAW this year.
Tweet 10: #Regalpop
Tweet 11: Awful music playing? It has to raspy-voiced piratical baked potato 'Solid' Solly Crowe.
Tweet 12: Loving the blank look on Byron's face.

Zack Ryder tells Renee Young that he's mates with Mojo Rawley and that he likes NXT

Tweet 13: Reading between the lines it's safe to say that Itami said he's going to murder whoever attacked him when he comes back. What a #man

Tweet 14: No, not Zack Ryder...
Tweet 15: MOJO IS BACK. #STAYHYPED
Tweet 16: Bring Zack Ryder in fresh from late 2011 to give the rub to Mojo. Smart booking.

Bayley v Emma

Tweet 17: Emma has completed her turn to the dark side with the implementation of new beach bum style entrance music.

Tweet 18: Emma looks shorter as a heel.
Tweet 19: "Beautiful suplex by Bayley!" - Rich Brennan on a rough suplex

The Emma Lock.

Tweet 20: Liking the blending of two singles feuds with this Bayley and Charlotte v Dana and Emma stuff. Subtly done.

Baron Corbin and Rhyno backstage

Tweet 21: How did Barry Corbin feel about beating Rhyno? He felt it proved he was the only unstoppable force in NXT.

Tweet 22: Then Rhyno rocked up and suggested a rematch. Winner becomes the most unstoppable force in the world.

Becky Lynch vignette

Tweet 23: This Becky video again. They won me over on her at Takeover. I don't need to see this again.

Tweet 24: Although in fairness this is the first time I've noticed Nikita (or Katie Lee Burchill) in that picture with Becky and Natalya.
Tweet 25: I hope Fifth Element steampunk lass is Lynch's permanent gimmick from now on.

Blake and Murphy v Elias Sampson and Mike Rawlis

Tweet 26: Heel Alexa Bliss. My word.

Tweet 27: So this is a Blake and Murphy match against two newcomers? *Looks at watch, waits for Enzo and Cass run-in*
Tweet 28: Devastating elevated punch from Blake there.
Tweet 29: Rumour is that the next Takeover will be headlined by Blake and Murphy v Enzo and Cass in a no-ropes barbed wire match.

Absolutely devastating sparkle splash.

Tweet 30: I hope Bliss still calls that the sparkle splash even though she's a heel now.
Tweet 31: Corey explaining that Alexa joined B&M because she likes sparkly things. No words. Solid gold commentary that.

Devin Tayor interviews Alexa Bliss while Blake and Murphy stand around like idiots

Tweet 32: Love this gimmick of all female wrestlers in NXT taking digs at Devin Taylor whenever they get the chance.

Finn Bálor v Tye Dillinger

Tweet 33: 'The Tyke' Tye Dillinger.

Tweet 34: How do you showcase your number one contender? Put him against a talented young gun like the Dillinger.

This is Tye Dillinger's ti- Oh, never mind.

Tweet 35: Dillinger has been around forever. If the next repackage job doesn't work we'll probably be seeing him in EVOLVE.
Tweet 36: Still gutted Team Jordillinger is no longer a thing.
Tweet 37: Note to Rich Brennan: don't describe one of your lead babyfaces as crafty. Craftiness carries distinctly heelish connotations.

Greg Hamilton interviews Jason Jordan then Chad Gable rocks up

Tweet 38: Earlier today Greg Hamilton caught up with 'The Real Double J' Jason Jordan.

Tweet 39: I hope Chad Gable starts using the phrase "Gable's able!" in his promos.
Tweet 40: Teasing us with a mystery tag partner for Jason Jordan? I can get with that. Especially if Jordan turns on whoever it is in favour of Gable.

Solomon Crowe v Kevin Owens

Tweet 41: I wish Crowe was still king of the hackers.

Tweet 42: Imagine the heat if Crowe was interfering in matches, channelling Paul E Dangerously and smashing iPads over people's heads.
Tweet 43: That's main event material.

What is Solomon Crowe's character?

Tweet 44: Remember when Owens would call his own matches using a microphone? Hoping he revives that on SmackDown or something at some point.
Tweet 45: Owens v Truth with Owens on commentary would be great fun. Maybe get Truth on too. Bickering commentary between opponents. Book it.
Tweet 46: The show should have cut to black when Owens pinned Crowe, revealing that Crowe's consciousness powers the internet.
Tweet 47: SAMOA JOE SO * CAL
Tweet 48: That star is a thing for some reason.
Tweet 49: Joe's here. We're meant to remember earlier when Owens said he'd KO Joe when he next saw him.
Tweet 50: Didn't happen. Owens ran off. He did make a comment about how Joe should have stayed in "oblivion" though. #TNAwful
Tweet 51: Great show, everyone. Good hustle.

Monster Mash

I don’t really write about NXT that much. I do the NXTweet recaps every week but they don’t really discuss the (for want of a less irritating term) brand in a great degree of detail. And I feel that I should because NXT is my favourite wrestling show and, on balance, probably my favourite roster in wrestling right now. There’s a great blend of talented wrestlers and entertaining gimmicks.

Specifically I want to talk about the booking of Bull Dempsey and Baron Corbin. They only interacted for the first time on the November 20 NXT episode but it’s clear where the story’s going to go.

Corbin is undefeated since his introduction to NXT as a featured performer. All of his matches have lasted a matter of seconds. The crowd, realising this, have begun counting along during his matches to see how long the unlucky jobbers pitted against him can last. It’s a good bit of fun and works pretty well with Corbin’s self-assuredness.

Bull Dempsey does not have such an impressive record. Like Corbin he took a defeat on TV before becoming a regular. Unlike Corbin he’s also been on the losing side of matches since then, coming up short against The Vaudevillains alongside Mojo Rawley (although it was Rawley who took the pin). While he has won the majority of his matches he’s not done so in so dominant a fashion.

In Bull’s favour is the fact that the audience took to him early on. In his programme against the bland Mojo it was the powerful, monstrous Dempsey that the audience backed. They clearly liked him. It’s that fact that makes the decision to have him be the man to give Corbin his first real rivalry so good. Dempsey was clearly intended as a heel but the crowd took to him and turned him face. Rather than trying to force them to boo him because that was the plan the writing team have instead given them a reason to boo him.

Note that they have the same hair.

They’ve done this by demonstrating that Bull is not as good as Baron Corbin on that November 20 episode. Corbin beat his opponent within a twenty-two count¹ from the audience and smirked confidently (but somehow not in an especially heelish way) as Bull Dempsey marched passed on his way to the ring. Bull made quick work of his opponent. But not quick enough: the audience gave up counting shortly after the twenty-two mark and booed Dempsey for not being as dominant as Corbin. It was a good, simple story that set up a reason for the two to have a dispute and gave the audience a reason to care about it.

It also contrasted their characters. Corbin is all business and wants to win quickly and move on. Dempsey wants to win just as much, but he also wants to hurt people. There’s a maliciousness to Dempsey that isn’t present in Corbin.

It’s been said many times that you can’t push two monsters in the same promotion at the same time². I think you can for a short time. In this case it’s simply a case of giving Corbin and Dempsey short, impressive wins of the sort we’ve seen from them up until now and then pitting them against one another. Obviously only one will win and become the one true resident monster. That’s the point. And in this case it will clearly be Baron Corbin.

***

¹ Not twenty-two seconds. The audience does not count in seconds. They’re too quick. Just saying, yeah?

² Are WWE achieving this with Kane, Mark Henry and Big Show? Of course not: all three have lost more often than they’ve won throughout their careers. They’re not monsters and it’s impossible to see them as such.

NXTweet 23.10.14

This was a very enjoyable episode of NXT, everyone’s favourite one hour weekly wrestling show. Not watched in a while? It’s probably a decent jump on point.

The Ascension v Tye Dillinger and Jason Jordan

Tweet 1: Right then, you bunch'a marks! Let's T some NX!

Tweet 2: "Next generation of WWE stars..." - A commentator as we were shown a shot of The Ascension
Tweet 3: Two weeks ago: Funaki stretcher job. #prayforFunaki
Tweet 4: The crowd should be chanting "Where's your hair gone?" at Jason Jordan.
Tweet 5: Jason Jordan should totally go singles and start calling himself 'The New Double J'.
Tweet 6: Slik Vik and Special K: The Ascension.

Imagine Joey Styles calling this. "FALL OF MAAAAAAN!!"

Tweet 7: Decidedly erotic cover from Viktor there. Tye was probably too intimidated to try a kick out.
Tweet 8: Fuanki's lad getting beaten down there. Remember when he debuted and sent The Ascension packing single-handed? Debut's over.
Tweet 9: "Just go home" - Konnor to Hideo Itami

CJ Parker v Tyler Breeze

Tweet 10: Rich Brennan, Tensai McBurgerson, and Alex Riley. What a dream team!

Tweet 11: No sign from CJ Parker this week? Poor form, bro.
Tweet 12: Ah no, he had it stashed at ringside so he wasn't weighed down on his entrance. Good lad.
Tweet 13: CJ is clearly hated and they insist on presenting Tyler as a heel so who are we meant to cheer here?
Tweet 14: Give CJP his own YouTube and-or Network show called Everybody Hates CJ Parker.
Tweet 15: Mojo Rawley has walked out to ringside. The quality of this show has dipped.
Tweet 16: Mojo staring lustfully at Breeze there.

Tyler's boots and CJ's hair are easily confused.

Devin Taylor interviews Titus O’Neil

Tweet 17: Loving this interviewer openly laughing at Titus O'Neil.

Tweet 18: Titus basically said he's going to win the NXT title and rename the promotion NXTITUS. He is not a money promo.

Baron Corbin vignette

Tweet 19: Sin City movies + American Wolves gear = Baron Corbin

The Vaudevillains v Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy

Tweet 20: #Vaudevillainspop

Tweet 21: The Vaudevillains are wearing T-shirts to the ring, have new music and are doing an Impact Players-esque pose.
Tweet 22: Tensai is putting this over as a game-changing new attitude.
Tweet 23: Murphy and Blake should use the ring name The Meaty Lads.

Cesaro would roll up an uppercut here...

Tweet 24: Why are they talking about the NXT Universe? Does NXT not exist within the WWE Universe? Maybe my alternate universe theory was right.
Tweet 25: I think they should refer to NXT as a galaxy. #justsaying
Tweet 26: Blake does a kip up and acts like it's the most impressive thing ever. It's not, mate. You're generic.

Bayley v Sasha Banks

Tweet 27: Bayley's great. Tell a friend.

Tweet 28: Sasha Banks is also great, even though her character doesn't really make much sense without the BFFs.
Tweet 29: Lots of hip action on Sasha during that entrance...
Tweet 30: Alex Riley is talking about putting Ws in the win column again. Why is on he on the commentary team? He's so bad!

That may be a Scyther on Bayley's trunks.

Tweet 31: The colour scheme of Sasha's outfit makes me think of Ultimo Dragon.
Tweet 32: The Banks Statement is great every time I see it.
Tweet 33: Swerve turn from Becky Lynch! Swerve! Swerve! Sweeeeeerve!! #swerve
Tweet 34: Lynch's post-match taunting needs work. Right now it's a weak head waggle and brushing imaginary dirt from her shoulders. No.

Enzo Amore, Big Cass and Carmella backstage

Tweet 35: Enzo and leopard print. That's all I got from that segment.

Tweet 36: Here's another thought: maybe Enzo and Cass will split after Enzo gets jealous of Cass and Carmella’s friendship.
Tweet 37: Because pecks on cheeks should lead to heel turns more often.

NXT championship: Adrian Neville (c) v Titus O’Neil

Tweet 38: What's with Byron Saxton saying "championship" in such a weird way?

Tweet 39: Newcastle? Boooooooooooo!!
Tweet 40: Has Titus been sent to NXT to get some good matches out of him for a Best of Titus O'Neil DVD?
Tweet 41: I'd buy a Titus DVD from WWE. I'd also buy a YouShoot interview with him if he ever got released.
Tweet 42: Not least because I, like everybody else, would mark out seeing Titus and Sean Oliver in the same room.
Tweet 43: Looking forward to the day Sean Oliver is considered enough of a name to appear as a talking head on WWE documentaries.
Tweet 44: BEAR HUG FROM TITUS!! IT'S OVER!!
Tweet 45: "Would he represent NXT the way it deserves to be represented? I don't know. It's a good question" - Alex Riley to Alex Riley
Tweet 46: Titus runs into Nev's boots and goes down. Neville then hits the Red Arrow and pins him. It could be argued that Titus beat himself.

Titus taking the Red Arrow like a pro.

Tweet 47: Why are WWE protecting Titus to any extent? Because he's been presented as a monster on NXT? That's not enough.
Tweet 48: Zayn and Nev agreeing to a future championship match there.
Tweet 49: Zayn says Nev should appreciate having the belt while he can. Nev says Zayn can't "win the big one."
Tweet 50: A guy in the audience says Zayn got served. END SCENE

NXTweet 09.10.14

Around the halfway point of this episode I realised I was watching a below average NXT episode. There’s a tweet about it here. It has to happen sometimes. I can live with it. It remains WWE’s best weekly show by a significant margin. And that’s with Titus O’Neil in the main event!

Tyler Breeze v Mojo Rawley

Tweet 1: Let's Tweet some NX.

Tweet 2: Why has Breeze been dropped to the opening half of the show over the last month? Bad move, WWE.
Tweet 3: No, no, it's Mojo.
Tweet 4: Mojo looks like a Power Planet dude.


Tyler Breeze is not hyped for this treatment.

Tweet 5: How many times is Mojo going to get jobbed out before he gets put in a tag team with CJ Parker?
Tweet 6: They could be called The Guys The Audience Hates.

Enzo Amore, Big Cass, Carmella and William Regal at the Performance Centre

Tweet 7: Highlight of that Enzo and Cass video was two dudes chilling in a ring watching the filming.

Recap of the problems (or, if you prefer, the ongoing crisis) between Hideo Itami and The Ascension

Tweet 8: "Let's look now at the ongoing crisis between Hideo Itami and The Ascension." Ongoing crisis? Lolwut?

Tweet 9: Funaki's pep talk though...

Viktor v Hideo Itami

Tweet 10: They must be building up to Itami v Konor O'Konorson.

Tweet 11: "This man is the biggest star in Japan today" - Tensai McTensai on Hideo Itami
Tweet 12: Itami is not the biggest star in Japan. For one thing he's not even in Japan. Get your act together, Tensai.
Tweet 13: Why are the commentary team drawing attention to how quiet the crowd is? It's not a good thing.
Tweet 14: The audience just want to see Itami kick Viktor for a few minutes then pin him. Viktor offence is not required. But it's happening.

More of this next time, yeah?

Tweet 15: Konor roughing up Funaki? Is that the best they've got for the introductory storyline of KENTA?
Tweet 16: I mean, I'm all for Funaki being on TV but it's not helping Itami at all.
Tweet 17: Itami would look like a beast if he quickly beat Viktor one week and Konor the next, and fended the pair off every time they attacked him.
Tweet 18: "Look at Funaki, his tie's all over the place!" - Rich Brennan

The Vaudevillains v Enzo Amore and Big Cass

Tweet 19: #Vaudevillainspop

Tweet 20: This new music is more awful than it was last week.
Tweet 21: Big Cass referencing Hey, Arnold! there. Highlight of the show so far.
Tweet 22: I enjoyed that match but it didn't really last long enough. They could have been great with ten minutes.

That's a wrap, folks.

Becky Lynch v Sasha Banks

Tweet 23: Surprisingly enthusiastic response for Becky Lynch there.

Tweet 24: I've come to terms with this episode being below average. It has to happen sometimes.
Tweet 25: Lynch needs to go all Chris Daniels and get some flared tights.
Tweet 26: Is there a reason for all these kick outs at one?

Becky's tights are not good.

Tweet 27: That backstabber into a crossface is still beautiful.
Tweet 28: Sasha's good. She should be on in matches more often.

Titus O’Neil v Sami Zayn

Tweet 29: If Titus was coming into NXT as a new face he'd make a great monster. His history, and the Bunny feud, means it can't work now.

Tweet 30: I think Titus has a picture of himself on his trunks.
Tweet 31: Jason Albert saying he was in a match against Titus once. I bet that was a classic.
Tweet 32: "Are you okay?!" - Some woman in the crowd to Sami Zayn after he'd been chucked out of the ring
Tweet 33: Rich Brennan calling a bear hug a bear hold there.
Tweet 34: Titus is wearing a friendship bangle.

Kung Fu Titus.

Tweet 35: I wouldn't be surprised if this were Titus's longest match this year.
Tweet 36: Well there we are. Titus O'Neil defeated Sami Zayn. That'll send the crowd home happy.
Tweet 37: Why did nobody mention that Titus won with Clash of the Titus? It's a great name.
Tweet 38: Neville saved Zayn from a Titus top rope attack. I bet he was planning a 450.