NXTweet 16.09.15

When three of NXT's Four Horsewomen got promoted to the main WWE roster in July it seemed as though the developmental league's women's division had taken a big hit. Three of its main performers gone in one fell swoop. Pleasingly that hasn't been the case. All three have made appearances on NXT since their promotions, with Banks remaining a regular and continuing to wrestle for the brand.

The main event segment of this show went to a Banks and Bayley promo, the purpose of which was for the pair to agree to a rematch at the next Takeover event. And not just any rematch, it's to be an Iron (Wo)man match headlining the show. It's a slot that 'The Boss' and Bayley, not to mention the division they represent, fully deserve. They have a long-running feud, they're wrestling for a championship that means something to them and fans, and they outperformed everyone else at the last Takeover in August.

All of which is great but slightly surprising. The booking of the post-match at Takeover: Brooklyn seemed as though it was a goodbye from Charlotte, Becky and Sasha to the NXT audience, and a see-you-on-the-main-roster-soon to 'The Hugster'. The announcement of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic on the same night made it seem as though tag teams would become a bigger focus for NXT. Like competitive women's wrestling it's something that's not on offer with WWE's main roster product and it seemed like the obvious thing to fill the void left by the departing trio, rather than expecting Bayley to carry the remnants of a division.

While the Dusty Classic has seen a greater focus on the NXT doubles ranks it's actually come at the expense of time dedicated to the men's main event scene (handily disguising the fact that it's a little thin there once you're past Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor). Dana Brooke and Eva Marie have continued to receive strong booking with Nia Jax's debut also being tightly hyped up. This week's episode showed us that Asuka (formerly Kana) will debut next week. While it's a little surprising that her introduction is not being held off until after Nia Jax has arrived it demonstrates that the NXT writing team (which I'm convinced can't just consist of Triple H and Jimmy Jacobs) are keen not to let the women's division they've worked hard to establish suffer with the departures.

Intro

Tweet 1: NXT is rated TV PG. Because it includes violence. NXT is rated TV PG. Because it includes violence.

Tweet 2: If only WWE could get rid of the pesky violent overtones to their wrestling shows they could get the U rating they dream of.

Tyler Breeze, Adam Rose and Bull Dempsey segment

Tweet 3: Such a fan of the Breeze entrance. Such a non-fan of Byron Saxton's return to NXT commentary.

Tweet 4: Adam Rose, sans party people.
Tweet 5: This new party pooper gimmick is my kinda thing. Mid-card in its purest form.
Tweet 6: Not going to get into Bull Fit until Simon Dean returns to manage him.
Tweet 7: Imagine if they'd given Adam Rose a multiple personality gimmick, featuring the much anticipated return of Leo Kruger.

Best facial expression in this picture? The referee.

Tweet 8: "Tubby". Crying.
Tweet 9: What even is this opening segment?
Tweet 10: Hyped for that Rose-Breeze-Bull three-way at the next Takeover. That'll definitely get Breeze prepped for his match with Doug Williams.
Tweet 11: Doug Williams: LEGEND.
Tweet 12: Interesting to Adrian Neville in that UK tour ad.

Tye Dillinger v Danny Burch

Tweet 13: We are witnessing the height of Tye Dillinger's career with this 'Perfect 10' thing. #justsaying

Tweet 14: Dillinger facing one half of the Stixx and Stone tag team, Martin Stone. He's back under the Danny Burch name because why not?

Sticking with the good facial expressions theme...

Tweet 15: I want Dillinger to start cutting pun laden promos. Tendency. Tenacity. Tenable. Tenure. Tenant... Get on this, writers.

Rhyno and Baron Corbin discuss Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa

Tweet 16: Rhyno and Barry respect each other. That makes them a solid tag team, apparently.

Tweet 17: To clarify neither Rhyno nor Barry Corbin are worried by Johnny Gargano or Tommaso Ciampa.

Asuka vignette

Tweet 18: So Kana signs, becomes Asuka, and debuts before Nia Jax? What's the rush? Debut Jax then bring in Asuka. Excite us, Trips.

Solomon Crowe v Apollo Crews

Tweet 19: So tired by Solomon Crowe. I hope he loses and goes nuts after the match.

Tweet 20: Then he can turn up in a few weeks in the suit he should have been wearing all along.
Tweet 21: Kicking away a handshake. Mate, that's SO bad guy behaviour.

Luger could do that too.

Tweet 22: 'The Total Package' Apollo Luger.
Tweet 23: I want the Uhaa Combination renamed the Luger Combination as a nod to Apollo's mentor Lex Luger.

Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa discuss Rhyno and Baron Corbin

Tweet 24: "You get one life and you get one chance" - Johnny Gargano

Dana Brooke and Emma announce they're tired of being overlooked

Tweet 25: Big fan of Dana Brooke doing the Bellas' grizzled vet gimmick.

Sasha Banks arrives at Full Sail

Tweet 26: Shot of Sasha Banks getting out of a car there. Apparently Russo's taken over the booking.

Tweet 27: Actually, had Russo booked that we wouldn't have found out who was in the car until after a break. He's convinced car contents is a hook.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano v Rhyno and Baron Corbin

Tweet 28: The four spotlights aren't lined up properly. I bet Barry's well annoyed at that.

Tweet 29: Tasty bit of matching gear on Ciampa and Gargano. They're winning. #sarcasm
Tweet 30: Ciampa knows WWE aren't keen on signing overly stiff guys, right?
Tweet 31: "Tommaso Ciampa is my favourite wrestler" - Nobody
Tweet 32: Please note that Barry Corbin is wearing some basic tights from No Mercy on the N64.
Tweet 33: Barry was signed because he's good at life. Credit to Corey Graves for that belter.
Tweet 34: I want a feud based around use of the tag rope.

Naff tights on Corbin here. Shameful.

Tweet 35: Barry pins Gargano, putting himself into contention for the Open the Freedom Gate and EVOLVE championships.
Tweet 36: I hope Jody Kristofferson is one of the EVOLVE lads to get brought in for job duty. That lad is money.

The Vaudevillains discuss their rematch with BAMF next week, then BAMF show up

Tweet 37: #Vaudevillainspop

Tweet 38: Heel Alexa Bliss. Good. Lord.

Bayley v Sarah Dobson

Tweet 39: That Bayley entrance got me.

Tweet 40: The Izzy heel turn is going to get nuclear heat when it comes...
Tweet 41: Didn't even hear Sarah Dobson announced. That's got to make her crazy.
Tweet 42: Imagine not enjoying Bayley.
Tweet 43: Banks versus Bayley was really good but match of the year is a bit strong.
Tweet 44: Not sure I'd stretch to "best women's match in WWE history" either tbh.

A pair of great characters here.

Tweet 45: Liking Banks and Bayley making this about being the best and winning.
Tweet 46: "I am the best female wrestler in this company" - Sasha Banks, who was doing so well
Tweet 47: #Regalpop
Tweet 48: Eff this crowd for booing Regal's music.
Tweet 49: That segment was flawless.

NXTweet 02.09.15

The most interesting thing about this week's NXT was not the beginning of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic or the returns from The Ascension and Adrian Neville that it facilitated. It was a backstage segment in which William Regal was shown talking to Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa before being interrupted by Tyler Breeze. Seemingly minor at first glance this scene could actually have been a hint at the new direction for WWE's feeder system-slash-satellite indy fed.

Gargano and Ciampa broke the rule that's been established regarding performer's using non-rademarked names. Yeah, Samoa Joe stayed Samoa Joe after his debut but he's a far bigger deal than either 'Johnny Wrestling' or 'The Sicilian Psychopath'. For two guys who are nothing more than very talented indy wrestlers to retain their own names on WWE screens hints at a new approach from the company, one that doesn't see guys immediately rebranded but instead makes use of what meagre (in comparison to WWE's established talents) name value performers may have.

For outsiders to be brought in to play a part in the DRTTC is a significant step too. It's another indication that WWE is loosening up. The pair are unlikely to win the tournament but the fact that they're facing the odd couple team of Tyler Breeze and Bull Dempsey makes it pretty clear they'll be getting at least one win. This scene would be rendered pointless were they to lose their opening match. William Regal acknowledging that the pair are veterans of the independent circuit (as opposed to men who have competed "around the world") is a bold and interesting new way of debuting guys.

It's also worth noting that the responses for the matches involving The Ascension and Neville is proof that if guys are just allowed to wrestle and be themselves more they can connect with crowds better. That in turn allows them to become more over, which makes everyone more money (the aim of the wrestling game, obvs). Nev's made headway on the main roster but Konnor and Viktor have floundered badly. Had they been afforded the opportunities to act more as they did here when they debuted on RAW at the start of the year they'd have better spots than lackeys for Stardust.

Intro

Tweet 1: Watching NXT now. Be aware.

Tweet 2: Tonight: the Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic, if you will.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: The Ascension v Rhyno and Baron Corbin

Tweet 3: Graves talking about the return of The Ascension being a great way to start the show. I'm just thinking about how they're Cody's henchmen.

Throw in Stardust and you've got an excellent King of Trios team in The Ascension.

Tweet 4: Ascension v Barry Corbin and Rhyno. Hoss extravaganza. Although that's being pretty generous to Barry.
Tweet 5: Assuming The Ascension lose to give Barry a win over meaningful names (in NXT).
Tweet 6: Rich Brennan saying Viktor's bounced back. #accidentalPartridge
Tweet 7: Not at all surprised by that result because I called it. I am surprised Rhyno got the pin on Konnor though.
Tweet 8: Barry over Viktor was the way to go.

Solomon Crowe and Adrian Neville talk to Devin Taylor

Tweet 9: 'I'll always owe Dusty an eternal gratitude' - 'The Man That Grammar Forgot' Adrian Neville

Tweet 10: Solomon Crowe seems a bit too eager. Calling a much-needed heel turn for Solly.

Blue Pants v Alexa Bliss

Tweet 11: I miss Alexa Bliss's glamour fairy music. Bliss as a heel makes up for it though.

Tweet 12: When did Alexa join the Hart Foundation?

Knees-first moonsault here. Ouch.

Tweet 13: Alexa stealing Bret Hart's colours? 4/10
Tweet 14: Alexa has mastered turning botched moves into regular parts of her repertoire.

William Regal, Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa and Tyler Breeze backstage

Tweet 15: O rly?

Tweet 16: Looks like Ciampa's fresh off the set of that Kray brothers film.
Tweet 17: Breeze and Bull Dempsey versus Gargano and Ciampa. They should've paired him with Miz.
Tweet 18: 'Look into the camera and say Breeze' - Tyler Breeze

Emma reminds everyone that she's pretty good

Tweet 19: Emma rightfully pointing out that she and Paige really got the NXT women's division underway. Great stuff.

Tweet 20: That was needed considering she's an anchor for the division now.

Apollo Crews v Martin Stone

Tweet 21: Oh look, it's former RPW tag champion Martin Stone taking on Apollo Crews. I don't like Stone's chances...

Too easy, bruv.

Tweet 22: These ratty jeans on Stone though. Dear lord.
Tweet 23: I remember being at Stone's first RPW show post-release. He cut a promo about being under-utilised and that. Look at him now.
Tweet 24: My point? Did the I was under-utilised act for a cheap pop. Not knocking him. Just observin'.
Tweet 25: Apollo won btw.

Chad Gable and Jason Jordan talk to Devin Taylor

Tweet 26: I'm a big fan of Chad Gable. He could go far in WWE. Don't want this amazing tag team rushed though.

Finn Bálor talks to Devin Taylor before Samoa Joe wanders up

Tweet 27: Oh yeah, Finn Bálor's the champion and sometimes appears on this show.

Tweet 28: He's hyping house show defences and a sports entertainment renaissance. My word...
Tweet 29: So Joe versus Finn then, yeah? I'm down.

Eva Marie v Billie Kay

Tweet 30: Billie Kay got the 'already in the ring' treatment. She's defs winning!

Tweet 31: Astounded to hear an Eva Marie chant.
Tweet 32: Lol at Eva not even bothering to sell a kick to the face and instead lying down looking blank waiting to get back on the attack.

Well done, Eva. That was textbook.

Tweet 33: Eva Marie has somehow become the NXT women's division's answer to Big Match John.
Tweet 34: Just realised we've been spared Bad News Byron. I approve.
Tweet 35: Well... that was a match that happened.
Tweet 36: Joe and Bálor v Lucha Dragons has the potential to be very, very good. That's a hot take right there.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Adrian Neville and Solomon Crowe v Chad Gable and Jason Jordan

Tweet 37: Big Nev's main roster entrance is what's got him these cheers. That and the absence of a first name.

Tweet 38: Tremendous fluidity between Neville, Gable and Jordan. This is liquid wrestling! #deliberatePartridge
Tweet 39: Jordan's taken his straps down. Shit's about to get real.
Tweet 40: Rich Brennan is a very good play-by-play guy. Easy to overlook. He mixes the usual WWE style with actually calling matches.

A finish worthy of Haas and Benjamin.

Tweet 41: So Crowe tagged in and got pinned. Graves mentioned him being a glory hog. He wasn't: Nev was out of it. Makes sense as a concept though.
Tweet 42: Good show, everyone. Good hustle.

NXTweet 12.08.15

Is NXT as good as it was six months or a year ago? I don't think so. If Twitter and wrestling news (by which I mean gossip and rumour) sites are anything anything to go by a fair number of people are with me. The trouble is that the show has lost a lot of its key players over the last few months. Sami Zayn and Hideo Itami went out to injuries. Adrian Neville got promoted. Kevin Owens is still around for the time being but he and Finn Bálor seem to be having their developmental appearances rationed, presumably to make us appreciate seeing them that bit more.

This isn't a problem. The point of NXT is to provide a platform for less experienced wrestlers to get better, and veterans with less experience of wrestling in a TV environment get comfortable in that environment. The likes of Baron Corbin, Enzo and Cass, the Vaudevillains, and Alexa Bliss are the ones who should be benefitting from NXT.

Owens, Zayn, Itami and the rest are there to draw us in as viewers. Their absence is disappointing but understandable. And it's not like the show is entirely bereft of indy darlings. Bálor and Owens are still there. The former Uhaa Nation will debut at Takeover. Tyler Breeze is pretty much an honorary former indy standout at this point thanks to his stellar work over the last year. NXT may not be as good as it has been but it's still a must-watch show that focuses on using pro wrestling as a storytelling means. Which, personally, is what I want form a wrestling show as much as great matches.

Intro

Tweet 1: You want tweets about NXT? YOU GOT IT!

Tweet 2: That was a Frank Costanza reference done badly.
Tweet 3: Last week Billy Regal was asked about giving the title match at Takeover a ladder stip. He made the stip seem special and dangerous.
Tweet 4: Contrast that with Main Roster WWE doing ladder themed PPVs because they're too lazy to give us interesting booking.
Tweet 5: Big fan of Regal being like "Nah, not making it a ladder match" then making it a ladder match.

Tye Dillinger v Solomon Crowe

Tweet 6: Remember when Solomon Crowe was a hacker? Now he's a man the commentators tell us "thrives on chaos". My word.

Tweet 7: Tye Dillinger is a solid 7 at best.
Tweet 8: Solomon Crowe is now the guy who faces the newly gimmicked lads. He needs to disappear for a bit and come back repackaged.
Tweet 9: I've said it before, I'll say it again: he should have stuck with the shirt and tie look.
Tweet 10: Your tattoo of a big cat is not a perfect 10, Tye.
Tweet 11: Exposed knee alert. This is about to get real...

Not 10.

Tweet 12: Tye Dillinger looking genuinely amazed that he won clean there.
Tweet 13: I bet Dillinger didn't even make that sign himself. What a phoney!

Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley talk about Mojo being hyped backstage

Tweet 14: "I been blowin' you up all night!" - Mojo Rawley to Zack Ryder

Barry Corbin v Axel Tischer

Tweet 15: What's up with all this screen time for Barry Corbin lately?

Tweet 16: Barry Corbin wins via star tattoos and wolf magic.
Tweet 17: "I am the real deal!" - Barry Corbin, who isn't
Tweet 18: I do like him putting over his finisher though. Too many wrestlers just chat about being generally great.
Tweet 19: Samoa Joe versus Barry Corbin. Do we have to?
Tweet 20: Joe's taken his towel off. He means business.

Barry's got another big lad fight coming his way and he's probably losing it.

Tweet 21: Legitimately amazed at the booking of this confrontation. Corbin being booked to smack Joe around for a bit is so un-WWE.
Tweet 22: Normally the heel would run off. Corbin wasn't made to look cowardly before getting Joe'd.

Bull Dempsey workout video

Tweet 23: I'm going to miss the hoss version of Bull Dempsey.

Finn Bálor v Marcus Louis

Tweet 24: I'm still such a fan of Marcus Louis' unhinged gimmick. Basically the NXT version of Kane.

Tweet 25: I hope Marcus is still in NXT in ten years, being thought of exactly like Kane is on the main roster.
Tweet 26: The please retire mentality.

Baby Kane with his egg head.

Tweet 27:  Marcus Louis' head is very egg-like. How about doing something with that?
Tweet 28: Do a story where he believes himself to be a mutated ostrich egg. The twist comes when it's revealed HE ACTUALLY IS.
Tweet 29: Intrigued that Finn continues to use the Kliq hand sign so prominently. That could be some foreshadowing for something years away.
Tweet 30: Almost certainly isn't though.
Tweet 31: Kevin Owens attacks Finn Bálor. They have a ruck at ringside then Finn gets power bombed in the ring.

Title change coming? Naaaaaah...

Tweet 32: Imagine if this set up a storyline back injury for Finn and they did a title change.
Tweet 33: I wouldn't be against a title change tbh. Can't really see it happening though. Finn seems like the future focus of NXT.

The Vaudevillains get slapped by Alexa Bliss

Tweet 34: Don't worry, lads, the Vaudevillains have A Plan.

Tweet 35: Is the woman the Vaudevillains are bringing in Rock's most recently signed cousin? I'm voting yes.

Apollo Crews hype video

Tweet 36: Apollo Crews v TBD. Should be an excellent match.

Number one contenders match: Bayley v Becky Lynch

Tweet 37: Pumped for Sasha Banks on commentary.

Tweet 38: Byron Saxton staring around like a textbook #creep here.

Look at that selling though. So pro.

Tweet 39: I like this look Becky Lynch has had since the last Takeover but what is she meant to be? Actually what?
Tweet 40: Saying steampunk is all well and good but that's not an answer. She's not a steampunk.
Tweet 41: Is she just meant to be really into steam or something?
Tweet 42: Fan of steam, Becky Lynch.
Tweet 43: Strong chat between Graves and Banks. Proof that Graves is the man holding that commentary team together I reckon.
Tweet 44: Jay Z is part-owner of the Barclay Center? I don't know why but I find that really funny.
Tweet 45: Becky with some absolutely devastating running leg drops there, brother.
Tweet 46: I wonder what Hogan's up to right now. "Something unsavoury" seems a safe bet.
Tweet 47: Really hope Hogan crops up on 5's Celebrity Big Brother in a week or two. 4 wouldn't have touched him after this racism thing. 5 might.
Tweet 48: Liking the story of this match. Becky's going after Bayley's arm because she knows her finisher is killer she will get her a win.
Tweet 49: Bayley's just trying to survive.
Tweet 50: Desperation rollup as Becky tries to lock in the armbar gets Bayley the win. Good, logical end to the story. Thumbs up.

'The Boss' versus 'The Hugger', coming soon.

Tweet 51: Another number one contender for the women's championship, another episode ending with Sasha standing on a table.
Tweet 52: Good episode, everyone.

NXTweet 08.07.15

Missed the Beast in the East Network special? Don't worry, the best match got repeated on NXT, heavily edited but with its entrances and post-match happenings intact. Just what we all needed.

Intro

Tweet 1: Gonna watch some NXT.

Tweet 2: I was hoping for one of those old style forty-five minute shows. It's not to be.
Tweet 3: Kind of weird that they started by recapping the Beast in the East show but didn't mention the one match there that was relevant to NXT.
Tweet 4: Hyped for this Enzo and Cass versus Vaudevillains match tbh. They're all such great lads.

Dana Brooke and Emma v Sasha Banks and Charlotte

Tweet 5: Dana Brooke's going to wrestle in Converse. This'll definitely win people over on her. EVERYONE loves Converse.

Tweet 6: Look out, Dana's got a microphone...
Tweet 7: Love Sasha being booked to not back down from two heels.

BFF reunion.

Tweet 8: Charlotte wearing a T-shirt like her dad in the 90's ffs.
Tweet 9: Dana getting in a kick there. It was effective because of her Converse.
Tweet 10: The anti-Sasha contingent at Full Sail is absolutely sickening.
Tweet 11: Sasha Banks shoot trying to kill Dana Brooke with knees there.
Tweet 12: I liked the handful of BFFs stuff Sasha and Charlotte did there. Makes sense to do little throwbacks like that in situations like this.
Tweet 13: Banks will beat Charlotte next week. You don't need to read spoilers to know that.

Bayley chats to a camera backstage at a house show

Tweet 14: Bayley wants a title shot. And she's not afraid to compare herself to Steve Austin and Triple H to get it!

Kevin Owens v Finn Bálor, a Beast in the East repeat

Tweet 15: I've been meaning to take another look at Owens v Bálor so this works out nicely.

Tweet 16: I remember not minding Cole's commentary when I watched live. I've a feeling I may rethink that here.

Streamers, yo. They're big in Japan.

Tweet 17: I'm already missing Brennan and Graves. Imagine deciding to send one member of the NXT commentary team to Japan and picking Byron Saxton.
Tweet 18: "You think this is smart?" - Kevin Owens on streamers
Tweet 19: Didn't realise how harshly that baseball slide caught Big Kev. That looked nasty.
Tweet 20: They've edited in adverts. Presumably this is Vince trolling us, yes?
Tweet 21: Oh, and it's a way to cut the run time down too. Because why repeat this and give us the full experience, eh?
Tweet 22: We got the entrances, that's what matters.
Tweet 23: Imagine believing Owens would retain with a senton.
Tweet 24: Bálor just won off his first Coup de Gras. That tells me this was even more heavily edited than I expected.
Tweet 25: "I can't believe it. I can't believe Finn actually did it" - Byron Saxton, who's paid to make these guys sound amazing

Byron Saxton can't believe he saw this happen.

Tweet 26: They're going recap heavy. What with this and the full entrances we're getting some awful editing choices here.
Tweet 27: Hideo Itami doing a clap there.
Tweet 28: Remember that time Owens refused a handshake? Great stuff. Whadda heel.

Jason Jordan agrees to team with Chad Gable

Tweet 29: This "Ready, willing and Gable" thing will get OVER given time.

Tweet 30: Soooooo... is Chad Gable meant to have the air of a sex pest to him?

Solomon Crowe's talks about being a little monster backstage

Tweet 31: I hope Solly Crowe's being turned heel. He's flailing badly as a face. There's nothing to him.

Marcus Louis v Solomon Crowe

Tweet 32: I'm dangerously into Marcus Louis' bald madman gimmick.

Tweet 33: Solomon Crowe, who cut a promo just minutes ago saying he'd return soon, is wrestling now.
Tweet 34: This is a weird match pairing.

Loving this Marcus Luis run as a mental lad.

Tweet 35: Bit of wobble on Crowe's thighs there. Vince will be insisting on some toning.
Tweet 36: That's assuming Vince watches NXT, which I bet he doesn't.
Tweet 37: I could watch Marcus Louis roar gibberish all day.
Tweet 38: The Stretch Muffler has been renamed the Crowe Bar. Because Vince and Trips love puns.

The Vaudevillains cut a promo backstage

Tweet 39: Not a fan of Gotch speaking but I did like the black and white. Could've done with the old silent movie approach being dusted off.

Recap of Finn Bálor celebrating his title win

Tweet 40: Finn looking like a giddy mark meeting Cena there...

Tweet 41: What was the point of Cena appearing? To legitimise Finn? No thanks.

Number one contendership match: Enzo Amore and Big Cass v The Vaudevillains

Tweet 42: I like both of these teams. Think I'm going to back the Vaudevillains though.

Tweet 43: They're the better team and I'm over Enzo and Cass v the Dubsteppers.

Enzo, roaring like a proud little lion.

Tweet 44: When did we last see Blake and Murphy? Feels like an age ago?
Tweet 45: Just caught a glimpse of Cass flicking his hair about. He's learnt well from the greatest big man ever, 'Big Sexy' Kevin Nash.
Tweet 46: Big Kev could move like a cruiserweight. He just didn't want to.
Tweet 47: Byron just referred to "Air Enzo." Perfectly sums up why he's a poor addition to this commentary team.
Tweet 48: Good show everyone. Byron aside there was nothing but strong hustle.

NXTweet 03.06.15

A balanced episode, featuring something from each of the three main divisions and managing to hold interest even without NXT champion Kevin Owens.

Elimination Chamber recap and intro

Tweet 1: Watching that NXT show.

Tweet 2: Michael Cole and John Cena are not the ideal start to NXT.
Tweet 3: Watching Cena take bumps in slow motion does him no favours at all. Pretty telling that him taking power bombs elbow first has been edited.
Tweet 4: #veteranadvice
Tweet 5: Dana Brooke has a spot in the intro now. That'll please the purists.
Tweet 6:

Tyler Breeze v Adam Rose

Tweet 7: Big fan of Breeze's furry cape.

Tweet 8: Liking Rose coming out without the entourage and looking utterly dishevelled. Budget cuts and malaise caught up to him.
Tweet 9: Also digging Rose basically having reverted to Leo Kruger, the audience acknowledging it, and Rose kind of going with it.
Tweet 10: If the Breeze character ever loses steam they could repackage him as a modern day Robin Hood. He has a bit of that look to him.

The Bring Back Leo Kruger campaign starts here.

Tweet 11: This ref is getting his sweat on. He's possibly the sweatiest ref I've ever seen.
Tweet 12: If Adam Rose ever gets released he could get a solid team together with Dalton Castle.
Tweet 13: Rare example of me not enjoying a Breeze match there. Too slow. Nice moments but not enough. It did keep the Beauty Shot strong though.

Devin Taylor chats to Solomon Crowe

Tweet 14: Devin Taylor calling Solomon Crowe by his surname. Is he the latest lad to lose a first name?

Tweet 15: Solly reckons he'll be back in the ring with the NXT champ. Good call that. Makes the title mean more.
Tweet 16: Preps someone to replace the current batch of main eventers. Which is needed because they're all injuring themselves or getting call-ups.
Tweet 17: Or both.

Greg Hamilton speaks to Eva Marie

Tweet 18: Eva Marie's popular with the crowd isn't she?

Tweet 19: "I love YOU guys!" - Eva Marie to an audience booing her out of the building and chanting that she can't wrestle
Tweet 20: Putting over the women's division. I wonder where this is going...
Tweet 21: Pros and cons to Eva in NXT. Pros: she's got so much heat and helps flesh out the division. Cons: she's bland and can't wrestle.

William Regal announces a Network special for July 4

Tweet 22: Regal's talking up a Network spesh in Japan. Big fan of his pronunciation of Bálor.

Tweet 23: Bálor and Owens should comfortably steal that show.

Carmella v Alexa Bliss

Tweet 24: Enjoying this crowd not knowing how to react to Carmella. They still don't like her BUT SHE STAYED LOYAL TO ENZO AND CASS.

Tweet 25: Carmella not turning was possibly the biggest swerve of the last half decade.
Tweet 26: Alexa as a mean girl heel though. Big into this.

Alexa as a heel is one of the best things ever.

Tweet 27: Disappointed in Enzo and Cass wearing their own baby blue merch. I thought those guys were better than that.
Tweet 28: Just noticed the lack of signs in the crowd. Are they not allowed at NXT? Is Full Sail anti-sign?
Tweet 29: Let's take a moment to remember that this time last year Carmella was a hairdresser. The progress she's made verges on inspirational.

Devin Taylor chats to Rhyno

Tweet 30: Rhyno's not a talker.

Tweet 31: "His theatrics and his mind games aren't going to phase a psychotic man beast like myself" - Rhyno on Finn Bálor
Tweet 32: That was a lol line. Still wish they'd bring in fifty-year-old Don 'Cyrus' Callis to manage him though.

Sami Zayn medical update

Tweet 33: Sami Zayn here, doing his best to force a Cena heel turn by revealing that it was him that caused the shoulder injury.

The Vaudevillains v Marcus Louis and Jason Jordan

Tweet 34: #Vaudevillainspop

Tweet 35: So sad we're not getting their old music.

More over than The Impact Players' pose I reckon.

Tweet 36: Jason Jordan and Marcus Louis are a team here. This will not last.
Tweet 37: Remember when Marcus Louis went all Hunchback of Notre Dame and stalked Tyler Breeze?
Tweet 38: Really enjoying Marcus Louis basically being reintroduced as NXT's answer to Kane.
Tweet 39: Commentary team talking up the tag division. Nah, mate. It's been all about two teams for months now. Needs getting back on track.
Tweet 40: I miss Sylvester LeFort.
Tweet 41: Dying at Marcus Louis' hilarious squealing noises.
Tweet 42: Louis takes the pin. Classic Kane booking.

Sasha Banks video

Tweet 43: Video package reminding us that Sasha Banks exists and is great. Not that we needed it.

Tweet 44: Such a fan of Sasha Banks. Great character. Great wrestler. The future of WWE's main roster women's division.

Rhyno v Finn Bálor

Tweet 45: Anyone else think it's weird that the Network special is being held in Japan on Independence Day?

Tweet 46: Finn Bálor revealing he'll be engaging #demonmode in Tokyo. Not surprised by this but it's nice to know.
Tweet 47: "Hi, my name's Rhyno and I like to wear only one kneepad" - Rhyno
Tweet 48: Brief "E-C-dub!" chant there. Hope the audience does a "New Japan!" chant too, to keep things even.
Tweet 49: "Woooooooooo!" - 'The Nature Rhyno' Terry Gerin
Tweet 50: When did announcers stop putting over the thickness of Rhyno's thighs?
Tweet 51: Loving this hoss versus plucky, experienced junior dynamic.

'The Real Rock 'n' Rolla' versus 'The Manbeast'. Great stuff.

Tweet 52: "Like tree trunks" - Rich Brennan hyping Rhyno's legs and thus earning his keep
Tweet 53: How joyless do you have to be to participate in a "We hate Rhyno!" chant?
Tweet 54: Bálor avoided the Gore and won off a roll-up. Noting this because nobody has kicked out of the Gore since Rhyno's return.
Tweet 55: I thought Bálor might get to because he's Bálor. Apparently not.
Tweet 56: Rhyno's clearly being protected to a degree so he can be that upper mid-card guy lads go through on their way up.
Tweet 57: Then Rhyno killed Bálor by Goring him on the stage. RIP Finn.

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.