NXTweet 30.09.15

Next week is a Takeover special and this episode was just shunting bits and pieces into place. I'll leave the lengthy chat for the Takeover review.

Kyle Edwards recaps the Dusty Tag Classic so far

Tweet 1: Going to squeeze in some NXT. May pause though. Don't like doing it but whatevs.

Tweet 2: Hot start with Kyle Edwards and his Tenth Doctor cosplay.
Tweet 3: Flashbacks to Michael Cole on Livewire.
Tweet 4: Pleased to see my boys Gability and 'The New Double J' getting a win.
Tweet 5: And Dash and Dawson, the Not-Mechanics, are still my picks to win.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Enzo Amore and Big Cass v Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor

Tweet 6: What's up with Carmella's dancing? Pubic lice?

Tweet 7: Actch promo from The Realest Lads. #treat
Tweet 8: Billy Gunn would be in the Hall of Fame right now if he'd spelt out his two words.
Tweet 9: Finn Bálor thinking his leather jacket is all that and a bag of snazz. Nah mate. Joe's towel is where it's at.
Tweet 10: I did like WWE's shameless pilfering of the Bullet Club font though.
Tweet 11: Corey, Joe's good but he doesn't move like a lightweight.

Unbeatable combo? Sure... for now!

Tweet 12: Imagine Big Cass getting pinned off an STO. Takes more than that to put down Kevin Nash's spiritual son.
Tweet 13: Who'd have thought Enzo and Cass would lose that?!

Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa discuss their NXT careers then get interrupted by Tyler Breeze

Tweet 14: 'Sweet' Johnny G and 'Wreck-It' Tommy Champ.

Tweet 15: These lads being on NXT is still pretty surreal. Getting promos. Sharing the screen with Tyler Breeze. When did WWE adopt this approach pls?
Tweet 16: Apollo Crews v Johnny Gargano. Winner gets an EVOLVE championship match.
Tweet 17: Waiting for Ethan Page to run in.

Museum piece, apparently.

Tweet 18: "That drop kick belongs in a museum because it's a work of art" - Byron Saxton, confusing museums and galleries
Tweet 19: Hope Johnny Gargano starts calling this abdominal stretch the Johnny Abdominal because why not?
Tweet 20: Looking forward to Sami Zayn coming back and Triple Paul booking an ROH v WWN thing.
Tweet 21: The guy with the contract won? I'm shocked (I'm not).

William Regal, Emma and Dana Brooke backstage

Tweet 22: #Regalpop

Tweet 23: Emma and Dana acting like naughty school kids here. Lol stuff.
Tweet 24: "Looks like a high-heena" - Dana Brooke
Tweet 25: Regal showing two women a video of another woman grunting and making slapping sounds. Sexual harassment in the workplace!

Dana Brooke and Emma v Billie Kay and Peyton Royce

Tweet 26: Dana Brooke. Now with added gloves.

Tweet 27: Heel Emma with her Heel Music and her Heel Gloves that don't cover her palms. She should've never been broken in the business!
Tweet 28: Third match in a row with obvious winners. The first two were good enough for that not to be an issue. Can this be too?!
Tweet 29: "Emma isn't my friend, she's my strategic ally."

Raw power.

Tweet 30: Peyton and Billie wearing matching gear, desperately trying to entice a women's tag division. I reckon NXT could handle it.
Tweet 31: "C'moooooooon!" - 'White Meat' Peyton Royce
Tweet 32: 'White Meat' got got by Dana's Alex Shane tribute.

Jason Jordan and Chad Gable talk to Devin Taylor then get interrupted by Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder

Tweet 33: JJ embracing his status as Jeff Jarrett's heir.

Tweet 34: Jamoke. Strong words, mate.

Tommaso Ciampa v Tyler Breeze

Tweet 35: Ciampa v Breeze. O rly?

Tweet 36: Assuming Breeze will win but it's the least obvious thing on this show so far.
Tweet 37: Ciampa being like "Breeze is stiff" though. FFS.
Tweet 38: Did I do a Tommy Penmanship gag last week? Think I did.

Snug.

Tweet 39: Ciampa reveling in his stiff ring work here. Whaddaguy.
Tweet 40: Good match this. Ciampa getting built up is pretty cool.
Tweet 41: Barry and Big Terry have this tourney sewn up. Don't believe me? Ask 'em.
Tweet 42: Ending on a vid so I'm going to say that this show had some good hustle now. The video in question will obviously be great.

NXTweet 23.09.15

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

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

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

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

Intro

Tweet 1: Early morning NXT watch go!

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

Eva Marie v Carmella

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

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

Such power in that right knee.

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

Bull Dempsey v Tyler Breeze

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

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

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

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

Recap of NXT's Texas tour

Tweet 18: Texas tour recap, Maggle.

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

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

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

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

Putting this here for #ratings.

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

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

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

Hype Bros promo

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

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

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

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

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

Aiden English casually suplexing two men there.

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

Big Cass and Enzo and Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor promos

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

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

NXTweet 26.08.15

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

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

Intro

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

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

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

Tweet 3: That Enzo pop was something else though.

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

Enzo's sock game.

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

William Regal talks about the Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic

Tweet 11: #Regalpop

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

Emma hype video

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

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

Devin Taylor talks to Charlotte and Becky Lynch

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

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

Becky Lynch hype video

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

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

Eva Marie v Carmella

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

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

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

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

Tyler Breeze announces that he has a challenge for William Regal

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

Devin Taylor talks to Emma and Dana Brooke

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

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

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

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

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

Bull Dempsey v Elias Samson

Tweet 34: What is this gimmick on Elias Samson?

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

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

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

Devin Taylor talks to the BAMF

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

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

Emma v Dana Brooke v Becky Lynch v Charlotte

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

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

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

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

"This is Emma" said Drake Younger.

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

NXTweet 05.08.15

This show was headlined by the first WWE singles match between Samoa Joe and 'The Man Beast' Rhyno. It was a fun big lad encounter but the real highlight of the programme was Charlotte versus Bayley. Not only was it a better match, and slightly longer, match but the story behind it was better. Rhyno and Joe were facing off because of some fairly convoluted stuff involving Finn Bálor and Kevin Owens that happened a few weeks ago.

Bayley and Charlotte were facing off because Bayley had never beaten Charlotte in a (televised, which is where it counts as far as WWE's concerned) bout and felt that she needed to achieve that feat before mounting another challenge against women's champion Sasha Banks. The usually slick commentary team did a terrible job of explaining this but that didn't discount the importance of the meeting or the two years of history to it (the pair first met in a televised match in June of 2013).

Charlotte v Bayley

Tweet 1: Oh hai, everyone. I'm going to watch NXT right now and do some tweets about it and that.

Tweet 2: Charlotte's Titantron video is just her name in capital letters with different coloured backgrounds. Bit rubbish, innit?
Tweet 3: She's been on NXT for a couple of years now. They should have enough footage to cobble something better together.
Tweet 4: Give it to one of those tech studios as a project or whatever.
Tweet 5: Video thing is probably true of most NXT wrestlers. Bad with Charlotte because she's all #mainroster these days.

Good enemies, better friends.

Tweet 6: Charlotte v Bayley. Code of Honor: activated.
Tweet 7: Has a wrestler ever worn Wellington boots as their gimmick? Looked like Bayley was for a second there.
Tweet 8: Big fan of the cartoon characters on the sides of Bayley's tights.
Tweet 9: Commentary team doing a rubbish job of talking up the history of Bayley v Charlotte.
Tweet 10: The point of this match is that Bayley needs to win to feel validated and ready to challenge for the women's championship again.
Tweet 11: Lovely bit of spot calling from Charley there.
Tweet 12: Charlotte gets a spear. Roars instead of going for an immediate pin. Probably would've won if she'd been quicker tbh.
Tweet 13: That backslide exchange into the Bayley-to-belly was nice.
Tweet 14: Charlotte no-selling finishers and German suplexes like an absolute beast.

After two years Bayley has finally pinned Charlotte (on TV).

Tweet 15: Good match that.
Tweet 16: Waiting for Rhyno to come out and Gore Bayley, setting up his next feud.

Michael Cole interviews Kevin Owens

Tweet 17: Sit down interview with MAGGLE COLE. Yes!

Tweet 18: Clever use of pre-tapes over the last few months on NXT. Gets them up to an hour without tiring out the crowd.
Tweet 19: Owens wants the NXT title as a trophy for what he did to Zayn and for cash. Hashtag heel motives right there from Big Kev.
Tweet 20: Montreal Screwjob Klaxon.
Tweet 21: And with that comment Owens sets up a storyline screw job in a few years.
Tweet 22: Ladder matches. Very different to bladder matches.
Tweet 23:

Video about Bull Dempsey working out

Tweet 24: Bull Dempsey internal monologue. Absolutely beautiful.

Tweet 25: Really looking forward to Simon Dean rocking up to offer moral support.

Baron Corbin v Steve Cutler

Tweet 26: Ambassador, with these Barry Corbin squashes you are spoiling us.

Tweet 27: Steve Cutler has a bit of a Mike Mondo thing going on.
Tweet 28: Cutler's Mondo mode was no match for Barry's Wolf Magicks.

Tyler Breeze v Aaron Solo

Tweet 29: OMG it's Tyler! *swoons*

Tweet 30: Immediate mud hole stomping from Breeze. Why do the commentators never impersonate JR when he does that?
Tweet 31: Actually, scratch that. Wrestling doesn't have a good track record of Jim Ross impersonations.
Tweet 32: Breeze brushing up on his squashing skills. Maybe he'll get a match against Barry Corbin. Squasher versus squasher.

Tyler is so fetch.

Tweet 33: Official announcement of Jushin Liger as Breeze's opponent followed by a predictably strong video package explaining why he's a big deal.
Tweet 34: This is the sort of thing WWE does so well when they bother.

Uhaa Nation becomes Apollo Crews

Tweet 35: Remember when they ran vignettes about Uhaa Nation signing then he disappeared for a bit.

Tweet 36: Uhaa moonsaulting a camera there for some reason.

Byron Saxton interviews Finn Bálor

Tweet 37: Saddened that Finn Bálor has been lumbered with Byron Saxton for this interview. Because Byron's rubbish.

Tweet 38: Next time have Corey Graves do this.
Tweet 39: Byron just refusing to react to anything Bálor says here ffs.
Tweet 40: Big Kev wants a ladder match but THE CONTRACT HAS ALREADY BEEN SIGNED.

Hype Bros v Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder

Tweet 41: Zack Ryder trying to control Mojo's hype levels. Never going to happen, Zack. Nobody can de-hype Mojo.

Tweet 42: High waist band on Mojo there. Got a real Zangief feel to him.

Look how hyped Mojo is here. So much hype. How does he retain it?

Tweet 43: Give it a few years and Mojo's hyped act will be established enough that WWE can run a substance addiction angle with him.
Tweet 44: "He's hyped because of the stuff he snorts" would be the gist of the story. The harrowing downfall of Mojo Rawley.
Tweet 45: Have Dawson and Wilder announce their new team name as the Shatter Bros as a knock on the Hype Bros. Year-long feud off that.

William Regal tells The Vaudevillains they have another tag team title match at Takeover

Tweet 46: Regal and The Vaudevillains are sharing a screen. Feels like there's a lot of potential here.

Tweet 47: Are Gotch and English going to recruit a bearded lady? Is that where this is going?

Another Bull Dempsey video

Tweet 48: Bull Dempsey doing a work out here. Cool handshakes with the hot chick. Nod of approval from the built cool lad.

Tweet 49: Finish off on Bull being made to flip a Really Big Tyre because of peer pressure. What sort of message does that send?

Samoa Joe v Rhyno

Tweet 50: Samoa Joe v Rhyno for the vacant NXT hoss championship.

Tweet 51: Meaty slaps on these shoulder tackles.
Tweet 52: Imagine wishing Joe had stayed in TNA to be in the BDC.

Big lad kingdom.

Tweet 53: Rhyno's shin has been busted open hard way. Joe will be labelled unsafe by Vinnie Mac for that.
Tweet 54: "RHYNO DRIVER!" - Rhyno
Tweet 55: What is a Rhyno driver please?
Tweet 56: A match chock-full of hossy goodness that.
Tweet 57: Good show, everyone. Good hustle.

NXTweet 22.07.15

NXT champion Finn Bálor finally makes an appearance on the show with the title belt. He cut a promo, signed a contract and brawled with former champion Kevin Owens. Good stuff, somehow.

Intro

Tweet 1: Watching NXT. Dedicating this to the memory of Hulk Hogan's career.

Tweet 2: "Finn Bálor returned home" - The NXT voiceover guy on Irishman Finn Bálor wrestling in Japan

Finn Bálor promo

Tweet 3: Love Bálor being hyped as a new champ even though he won the belt like a fortnight ago.

Tweet 4: Guy in the audience dressed as Hogan. #awkward

"Let me tell you something, brother!"

Tweet 5: Looking forward to the Full Sail crowd turning on Finn for daring to win the belt anywhere but there.
Tweet 6: A contract signing! YES!
Tweet 7: The gist of that promo was "I'm gonna beat Big Kev again." I reckon he probs will tbf.

Eva Marie talks to Devin Taylor

Tweet 8: Why is Eva Marie wearing one of Ric Flair's robes?

Tweet 9: Eva engaging Humble Babyface Mode here.
Tweet 10: I wouldn't say I'm looking forward to seeing her wrestle here but I am intrigued to see if she's improved.
Tweet 11: I've been predicting for weeks that she'll be way better than she was. It would be nice if she was. But y'know...

Cassie v Eva Marie

Tweet 12: Eva's stolen Nakamura's arm swings. That or she's forgotten how to do an ungimmicked walk.

Tweet 13: Eva Marie. #feelings

Good form.

Tweet 14: Eva doing a suplex and the crowd feeling they need to politely applaud.
Tweet 15: Minus points for mentioning Lance Storm, Byron.
Tweet 16: I hope Eva winning with Sliced Bread leads to Brian Kendrick returning as her on-screen manager-slash-eunuch.

William Regal and Tyler Breeze chat in Regal's office

Tweet 17: Teasing something big for Breeze at Takeover. This is where the need to announce special appearances ahead of time spoils things.

Baron Corbin v Jesus de Leon

Tweet 18: Barry Corbin wearing a T-shirt with a wolf on it to remind us all of his status as a Wolf Shaman.

Tweet 19: Arrive. End of Days. Snigger a bit. Leave.

Corbin wins via Wolf Power.

Tweet 20: They're going to force people to cheer Barry by having him go back to his mad-quick squashes aren't they?

Samoa Joe v Mike Rawlis

Tweet 21: This new music for Samoa Joe...

Tweet 22: Mike Rawlis has a touch of the Lucky Cannons about him.
Tweet 23: Random plug for Joe v Rhyno in two weeks. I like that. I wish RAW matches were advertised in advance.
Tweet 24: Hard when a crazy old man demands last minute rewrites though.

Emma and Dana Brooke talk to Devin Taylor

Tweet 25: Darth Emma talking about breaking people's spirits there. Keep it light...

Tweet 26: Looking forward to Devin Taylor slapping on a kimura when Dana pats her on the head one day. It's going to be such a Big Moment.

Emma v Bayley

Tweet 27: How about promoting Dana, Emma and Alexa Bliss to the main roster to join the Queen of Trios feud?

Tweet 28: Bayley and Emma work well together. It's like they're spurred on y the success of their peers. They want to prove they're as good.

The Force is strong in Bayley.

Tweet 29: Emma has only one person to blame for her career faltering: Santino.
Tweet 30: Bayley says she wants the championship and needs to beat the best to do it. Asks for a match with Charlotte. Charlotte's not the champ...
Tweet 31: Bayley v Sasha Banks at Takeover: Brooklyn then? I'd be down with that. Guessing Bayley would win. I'd be down with that too.
Tweet 32: Wanted Banks to have the title for ages but doesn't look like it's happening.

Charlotte talks backstage and gets interrupted by Dana Brooke

Tweet 33: Charlotte welling up at getting the chance to wrestle on proper WWE TV. Sad she doesn't mask it and elbow drop a jacket tbh.

Tweet 34: Who has more buff points: Dana Brooke or Charlotte?
Tweet 35: Charlotte needs to do more elbow drops in her promos, basically.

Sawyer Fulton and Angelo Dawkins v The Vaudevillains

Tweet 36: #Vaudevillainspop

Tweet 37: Immediately missing Sawyer Fulton's headguard thing.

I never wanted to see Fulton's ears. The magic is gone.

Tweet 38: Measurements will definitely get Angelo Dawkins over.

Blake, Murphy and Alexa Bliss talk backstage

Tweet 39: Blake's hair. Good lord.

Tweet 40: Blake 'n' Murphy, very much the T&A to Alexa's Trish.

William Regal hosts a contract signing between Kevin Owens and Finn Bálor

Tweet 41: Mad heat for the Barclays Center. Sign it and push it as the top heel.

Tweet 42: Finn Bálor wearing trainers for a contract signing exposes the business.
Tweet 43: Love Owens' playing up his accomplishments here. It's such an obvious basic thing to do but nobody in WWE ever gets to do it.

Alex Riley run-in at Takeover? Maybe. Nothing to do with this picture though.

Tweet 44: A wrestling contract signing ending in a brawl? WHAT?!
Tweet 45: Enjoyable show, everyone. Enjoyable hustle.

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 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.