Approximately 200 in attendance here in Cocoa Beach Saturday night.
– No Way Jose beat Mojo Rawley
Fun opener. Mojo was the more aggressive of the two faces working over Jose, throwing him in o the corner and doing the Stinger Splash. Mojo even hit a pounce, knocking Jose out of the ring. But Jose fired up, hit the baseball punch, and the half-nelson slam for the win.
– Patrick Clark beat Dan Matha
Impressive showing by Patrick, hitting an excellent drop kick and playing the fiery babyface. Matha is a large, yet athletic heel, with a lot of upside. Patrick won with a crossbody off the top.
– Carmella beat Aliyah
Great reaction for Carmella as the crowd finished her promo for her and went wild for her signature spots. Aliyah has improved a lot recently and works as a heel very well, using holds like an Indian deathlock and cutting off Carmella aggressively when she had the chance. Carmella hit her finishing sequence of a big kick, bronco buster, and leg headlock for the win.
– Tino Sabbatelli beat Chris Girard
Very good match. Tino played the arrogant heel and Chris Girard as the aggressive fighter. Tino’s power was just too much for Girard in the end as he won it.
– Mikey Nicholls and Shane Veryzer beat The Authors of Pain (Dhinsa and Selmani)
The Authors Of Pain worked as methodical monster heels, but the speed and athleticism of Mikey and Shane were just too much to handle. Crowd was very into this match and lit up for the hot tag, Nicholls ran wild with some impressive kicks and was part of a double team move to finish off the match. Another great showing by the former TMDK in front of an unfamiliar crowd.
– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka and Adrien Reese beat Nia Jax and Mandy Rose
Star reaction for Asuka and the match was build around her as you might expect. Nia would destroy Adrien then allow Mandy to pick the scraps. Asuka finally got the hot tag and ran wild, hitting a vicious knee on Mandy that would make Hideo Itami proud. Asuka won with her head kick then celebrated with the fans ringside.
– Elias Samson beat Noah
The crowd was all over Samson as he insulted them in song form before Noah made his way to the ring. The Hawaiian born Noah wants to make friends but the Drifter has none of it and proceeds to work him over and apply headlocks. Drifter wins it with his neckbreaker.
– Finn Balor, Tye Dillinger & Manny Andrade beat NXT Champion Samoa Joe & The Revival
Excellent main event with everything you’d expect. You got a superstar pop for Balor, who was on fire all through the match. Amazing finishing sequence where Andrade did a plancha to the outside on Joe to leave Finn free to hit the double foot stomp off the top on both Revival members and then pin the legal man for the win.
Former UFC, Bellator, and Strikeforce heavyweight Lavar “Big” Johnson was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday stemming from an August arrest on domestic battery charges.
Based on an incident on August 11, Johnson was charged with corporal injury on a spouse/co-habitant, assault likely to produce great bodily harm, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime, and dissuading a witness by force.
He was charged with punching, kneeing, and slamming his girlfriend’s head on the ground and the wall. Johnson told the judge he was ashamed and embarrassed about the ending of the seven-year relationship, and had friends speak and write for him to try and get the sentenced reduced.
Judge Glenda Allen-Hill wasn’t moved by the testimony, pointing to the severity of the beating and also that it wasn’t a first time occurrence as Johnson was sentenced to 14 days in jail and three years probation and forced to undergo alcohol counseling after a 2007 incident with a different girlfriend. He was also jailed for 30 days for criminal threats and disobeying a domestic relations order.
Hill noted that he could have stopped and not inflicted so much damage on his victim, but he did not stop.
Johnson (18-10) was noted for having a great physical similarity (and same last name) to Dwayne Johnson as he’s 6-foot-4, 255 pounds bald, muscular, and with similar tattoos. He was known as a “kill or be killed” heavyweight as in his 28 pro fights, only one went the distance, a UFC fight with Brendan Schaub where Schaub took him down and held him down for three rounds.
Over the last six years, Johnson had 11 pro fights (4-11), nine of which ended in the first round. He came to the UFC in 2012 when UFC brought all the Strikeforce heavyweights into the promotion and went 2-2 in four fights, cut after the loss to Schaub.
He was signed by Bellator and had lost three of his last four fights with his last fight on September 5, 2014.
One of our biggest DKP shows this year and we’re joined by two great guests for it! In the spirit of the GREATEST WRESTLER EVER project coming to a close, Alan first sits down with his pal Jamesie (who we introduced you to in a fleeting appearance last week) to go in depth on our ballots, and the results in the PWO countdown. Yoshihiro Takayama, Bryan Danielson and El Generico – just some of the many names that Alan & Jamesie discussed when not going on tangents about THE WRESTLING CHANNEL!!! Then we get a little different perspective as Alan is joined by the offensively young Case Lowe who has the best story ever of how he became a wrestling fan. Case threw himself into the deep end with this project, watching a ton of stuff and discovering a bunch of new wrestlers to him like Tatsumi Fujinami and Stan Hansen who ended up being very high on his ballot. Case is a huge Dragon Gate fan so he and Alan break down their DG placings as well. An absolutely packed show with a ton of great discussion! CHECK IT!!!
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Dick the Bruiser – The Crusher beat Wilbur Snyder – Doug Gilbert & Rene Goulet beat Hans Schmidt & Tiny Mills 2 out of 3 falls – Mitsu Arakawa beat Jack Pesek
1966
St. Paul, Minnesota: – Cage Match: Crusher beat Chris Tolos 2 out of 3 falls (Special Referee: The Alaskan) – Larry Hennig beat Verne Gagne dq – Steve Druk beat The Alaskan – Reggie Parks beat Bob Morgan – Chris Markoff beat Johnny Kace – Mark Starr beat Guy Taylor
1968
Moline, Illinois: – Larry Hennig & Harley Race & Mad Dog Vachon beat Verne Gagne & Doug Gilbert & Bill Watts – Dutch Savage beat Dr X COR – Big K beat Rene Goulet – Mad Dog Vachon drew Doug Gilbert (sub Mighty Igor Vodik)
1970
Kansas City, Kansas: – The Stomper & Bob Geigel defeated Baron Von Raschke & Harley Race
1976
Denver, Colorado: – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Larry Hennig dq – Verne Gagne & Greg Gagne beat Bobby Duncum & Bobby Heenan – Mad Dog Vachon beat Jim Brunzell – Blackjack Lanza drew Russ Francis
1977
Baltimore, Maryland: – Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino to win the WWWF World Heavyweight Title
1980
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Greg Gagne – Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura went to a no contest with AWA Tag Team Champions Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon – Bobby Heenan beat Lord Alfred Hayes – Jerry Blackwell beat Johnny War Eagle – Gino Brito beat Mad Dog Lefebvre
1983
Greensboro, North Carolina: – Greg Valentine defeated Roddy Piper for the NWA U.S. Heavyweight Title
1998
Augusta, Georgia: – Chris Benoit defeated Booker T for the WCW Television Title
2000
WWE Backlash: Washington, DC: – WWF World Tag Team Champions Edge & Christian defeated Road Dogg & X-Pac – WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko defeated Scotty Too Hotty – Big Bossman & Bull Buchanan defeated The Acolytes – WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly defeated Tazz, Hardcore Holly, Perry Saturn, Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy in a six-way match – The Big Show (dressed as Hulk Hogan and calling himself the “Showster”) defeated Kurt Angle – Test & Albert defeated The Dudleys (Bubba & D-Von) – WWF European Champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Esse Rios – WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Benoit defeated Chris Jericho via DQ – The Rock defeated Triple H to win the WWF World Heavyweight Title (Shane McMahon special referee)
2006
WWE Backlash: – Goldust defeated Rob Conway – Carlito defeated Chris Masters – Umaga (with Armando Alejandro Estrada) defeated Ric Flair – Trish Stratus defeated Mickie James by disqualification in a match for the WWE Women’s Championship – Rob Van Dam defeated Shelton Benjamin to win the WWF Intercontinental Title – Big Show vs. Kane ended in a no contest – The McMahons (Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon) defeated Shawn Michaels and God in a No Holds Barred tag team match – John Cena defeated Triple H and Edge (with Lita) in Triple threat match to retain the WWE Championship
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with tons to talk about including the man in the hedgehog outfit that tried to blow up the building which houses ROH, men in the UK paying huge money to have women beat them up in intergender matches, NXT taping notes, calls, texts, emails and more. A fabulous show as always so check it out~!
St. Louis, Missouri: – World Heavyweight Champion Joe Stecher beat John Pesek in 2 out of 3 falls to retain the title (newspapers reported a gate of $28,000 and 8,000 fans. Reportedly, promoter Tom Packs guaranteed $30,000 for the title match)
1965
Kansas City, Kansas: – Doug Gilbert defeated Bob Brown – Sonny Myers defeated The Red Raider – Bob Geigel defeated Don Soto – Johnny Valentine defeated Steve Bolus – Pat O’Connor defeated Art Neilson – The Missouri Mauler defeated Ron Reed via DQ in three falls
1966
Denver, Colorado: – Ernie Ladd & Wahoo McDaniel beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race on a 3rd fall dq – The Crusher defeated Chris Tolos – Dick The Bruiser defeated Dory Funk – Verne Gagne beat Bill Melby
1971
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Strong Kobayashi – Gene Kiniski beat Blackjack Lanza – Wilbur Snyder beat Big K – Bobby Jones beat Pete Mymko – Bobby Heenan beat Tony Condello
Kansas City, Kansas: – NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr. and Danny Little Bear were both counted out in the third fall – The Stomper beat Baron Von Heisinger – Harley Race beat The Viking – Buddy Austin and Bob Orton beat Tony Russo and Bobby Whitlock – Rufus R. Jones defeated Benny Ramirez
1975
Omaha, Nebraska: – AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Superstar Billy Graham & Dusty Rhodes in a 2 out of 3 falls match (special referee was Khosrow Vaziri (Iron Sheik)) – Greg Gagne beat Paul Perschmann (Playboy Buddy Rose) – Ivan Putski no contest Baron Von Raschke – Billy Robinson drew Horst Hoffman – Jim Brunzell beat Boris Breznikoff
1976
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – Verne Gagne no contest AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel – Loser Leaves Town: Larry Hennig & Jos Leduc beat Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant – Jim Brunzell beat Bobby Duncum – Greg Gagne beat Mad Dog Vachon dq – Russ Francis drew Baron Von Raschke – Chris Taylor beat Kim Duk
1984
Chicago, Illinois: – Cage match: The Crusher & Baron Von Raschke & Dick The Bruiser beat Jesse Ventura & Mr. Saito & Jerry Blackwell – Nick Bockwinkel beat AWA Champion Jumbo Tsuruta dq – Road Warriors beat Curt Hennig & Ronnie Garvin – Harley Race no contest Jim Brunzell – Blackjack Mulligan beat Ken Patera – Billy Robinson beat Larry Zbyszko – Fabulous Ones beat Steve Regal & Kevin Kelly
1995
Pyongyang, North Korea: – Hiro Saito defeated Yuji Nagata – Black Cat defeated El Samurai – Wild Pegasus (Chris Benoit) defeated 2 Cold Scorpio – Scott Norton & Masahiro Chono defeated Akira Nogami & Takayuki Iizuka – Road Warrior Hawk defeated Tadao Yasuda – Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Hiroshi Hase & Kensuke Sasaki – Akira Hokuto defeated Bull Nakano – Antonio Inoki defeated Ric Flair
1996
Battle Formation: Tokyo, Japan: – Yuji Nagata & Tokimitsu Ishizawa defeated Shinjiro Ohtani & Koji Kanemoto – Riki Choshu, Takashi Iizuka, Osamu Nishimura & Satoshi Kojima defeated Shiro Koshinaka, Kuniaki Kobayashi, Tatsutoshi Goto & Akira Nogami – Great Sasuke defeated Jushin Liger to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title – Randy Savage defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan – Masahiro Chono defeated Lex Luger – The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) & Power Warrior (Kensuke Sasaki) defeated Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner & Scott Norton – The Great Muta defeated Jinsei Shinzaki (Hakushi) – Genichiro Tenryu defeated Tatsumi Fujinami – Shinya Hashimoto defeated Nobuhiko Takada to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title
1998
Brian Pillman Memorial event: Norwood, Ohio: – Nick Dinsmore defeated Trailer Park Trash – Reno Riggins & Steve Dunn defeated Brian Taylor & The Bounty Hunter – Flash Flanagan defeated Bull Pain – Chip Fairway & Shark Boy defeated Sean Casey & Terik The Great – Al Snow defeated Chris Candido – Chris Benoit defeated Chris Jericho
1999 WCW Monday Nitro: Albany, Georgia: – WCW World Tag Team Champions, Lex Luger and Sting defeated Harlem Heat (Stevie Ray and Booker T) to retain the title – The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) defeated Fire and Ice (Scott Norton and Ice Train) – Lord Steven Regal pinned The Belfast Bruiser in a parking lot brawl – The Giant (with Jimmy Hart) pinned WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair (with Miss Elizabeth and Woman) to win the title
2000 Los Angeles, California: – Sabu defeated The Messiah for the vacant XPW Heavyweight Title
2001 WWF Backlash: Chicago, Illinois: – Jerry Lynn won the WWF Light Heavyweight Title from Crash Holly – Triple H and Steve Austin won the WWF World Tag Team Title from Kane and the Undertaker – Lita defeated Molly Holly – X-Factor (X-Pac, Justin Credible and Albert) defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley, D-Von Dudley and Spike Dudley) – Rhyno defeated Raven to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship – William Regal defeated Chris Jericho in a Duchess of Queensbury Rules match – Chris Benoit defeated Kurt Angle 4-3 in Sudden Death Overtime 30-minute Ultimate Submission match – Shane McMahon defeated Big Show in a Last Man Standing match – Matt Hardy defeated Christian and Eddie Guerrero in a Triple threat match to retain the WWF European Championship
2007 WWF Backlash: Atlanta, Georgia: – Carlito defeated Johnny Nitro – The Hardys (Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy) defeated Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch to retain the World Tag Team Championship – Melina defeated Mickie James to retain the WWE Women’s Championship – Chris Benoit defeated Montel Vontavious Porter to retain the WWE United States Championship – Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon and Umaga defeated ECW Champion Bobby Lashley (Vince McMahon became new ECW Champion) – Undertaker vs Batista ended in a draw in a Last Man Standing match for the World Heavyweight Championship – John Cena defeated Edge, Randy Orton, and Shawn Michaels in a fatal four-way match to retain the WWE Championship
2012 WWE Extreme Rules: Chicago, Illinois: – Santino Marella defeated The Miz to retain the WWE United States Championship – Randy Orton defeated Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere match – Brodus Clay (with Hornswoggle, Naomi and Cameron) defeated Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger) – Cody Rhodes defeated Big Show in a tables match to win the Intercontinental Title – Sheamus defeated Daniel Bryan in a 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship – Ryback defeated Aaron Relic and Jay Hatton in a Handicap match – CM Punk defeated Chris Jericho in a Chicago Street Fight to retain the WWE Championship – Layla defeated Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella) to win the WWE Divas Championship – Brock Lesnar defeated John Cena in an Extreme Rules match
Lots of interesting topics today including Ric Flair’s party lifestyle, whose side are Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson really on, certain things Les refused to do in the ring during his wrestling days and more! Some great questions in the mailbag this week, so after a rambling start on the NFL Draft, getting to ballgames really late, having your Instagram hacked on the biggest day of your life, Rip Rogers and a little more wackiness to start, we’ll answer your questions! First, we’ll tackle guys who “live their gimmick” so much that it seems they can’t turn it off (17:44), the greenest wrestler ever called up to WWE from HWA when Les was in charge of that developmental territory (29:08), instances where Les refused to do a certain spot in a match because it didn’t work for him and why (including a situation that saw Les as a HEEL MANAGER) (34:34), could a tag team (past or present) be a main event act in 2016 WWE (43:40), nearfall sequences near the end of matches being too formulaic (59:16) and is it ever too late to get into bodybuilding (70:17)? Oh, thoughts on which side Gallows and Anderson are on are at the 77:53 mark. Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
I was live at Full Sail University in Winter Park FL, alongside the usual sellout crowd of 450 in attendance for NXT TV.
Dark Match –
Manny Andrade beat Angelo Dawkins
Dawkins made his way to the ring first, stirring it up and jawjacking with no one in particular. Huge star reaction for Andrade, wearing his vato style fedora and pants with suspenders over his normal gear. Fast paced match for the most part, Manny teased one dive, then reset himself as a teaser, then on the center so he could face hard camera he did the Tranquilo lounging on the middle ropes to taunt Dawkins. The finish saw the running double knees while Angelo was set in the corner for Manny to pick up the win.
5/4/16 —
Dasha Fuentes welcomes us to the show and then we have a Samoa Joe in ring promo. He says his title win was inevitable and he did exactly what he said he would. Before Joe could continue, he was interrupted by the debuting Eric Young, wearing street clothes. He says that Joe knows him and what he’s about, and points to the title on Joe’s shoulder adding I collect those. Joe then leaves but says Young doesn’t belong in his ring and the next time he sees him in it, he will beat his ass.
Nia Jax beat Tessa Blanchard
What you’d expect as they are building Jax up for Asuka. She won after hitting a huge leg drop center of the ring for the win directed at the hard camera.
Austin Aries beat Tye Dillinger
Good reactions for both men, and this is the best match Aries has had thus far in NXT as well. Dillinger seemed a little taken aback by how strong of a reaction he had as there were dueling chants for both while they had a very good match. Dillinger hit the Goto style knee to the back that AJ Styles has been using lately for a convincing near fall. Tye then lowered the knee pad to attempt his usual finisher but Aries caught him with the rolling back elbow for the win.
Fuentes informs us that Mr. Regal has made Eric Young vs. Samoa Joe as tonight’s main event.
The Revival beat The Hype Bros
The Revival did an excellent job of controlling the ring and were able to get the win while not cheating, but still causing a distraction to their advantage. These two clearly study their classic tag team wrestling. Shatter machine for the strong win to get them back on track.
No Way Jose beat Noah
Big reaction for No Way Jose in Full Sail as you’d expect; he’s a fun personality with a lot of charm. The chants included “No Way, No Way, No Way Joseee” to the tune of the Sami Zayn “Ole’” chants and his song’s style “No Way Jose” chants as well. Salsa dance style offense and solid work before the big baseball pitch wind up punch and then a full nelson slam for the win. Post match, No Way Jose was able to convince referee Drake Wuertz to dance with him to a huge cheer. Some fancy footwork by Drake.
NXT Champion Samoa Joe beat Eric Young
They got over ten minutes here in our main event, hard hitting action with these as you’d expect. Joe was able to outlast Young in their battle, hit the muscle buster and instead of going for the pin Joe locks in the clutch for the choke out victory. Joe then wouldn’t release the hold for a very long time until officials were able to get the two separated.
5/11/16 —
In ring promo segment with Finn Balor who got great reaction, “Thank You, Finn” chants. He says he’s going to address the elephant in the room, Samoa Joe. He reminds us all that he beat Joe twice before and both matches could have gone either way. Then, we got The Drifter walking out singing a song about Finn, no words were comprehendable due to the loudest booing since Eva Marie challenging Bayley a few months back. Absolutely drowned out by booing here.
Finn never even moved as Samson made his way in to the ring and once Samson was directly behind himm, Balor hit a Pele kick to a huge cheer. Finn then picks up the guitar and looks at the hard camera before throwing it towards the entrance way where Elias was after rolling out of the ring. Samson made the catch, saving his precious acoustic guitar. Very fun segment here as Finn was in no mood for The Drifter’s nonsense.
NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha beat Corey Hollis and John Skyler
Great reaction including “You Deserve It” chants for the tag champs. There was excellent wrestling early by Chad Gable before the heels were able to use distractions and take advantage. They worked Gable over for a bit before the Jason Jordan hot tag, after running wild and bringing the straps down, The Revival made their way to the ramp to get a closer look at the champs, there would be no distraction though. Jordan even raised the straps back up so he could lower them again, hit a spear in the corner, tag in Gable for the Grand Amplitude assisted suplex for the win. The champs and former champs stared at each other before making their way to the back.
Shinsuke Nakamura beat Alex Riley
Huge ovation for Shinsuke Nakamura who got an absolute superstar pop as you’d expect. Riley tried to trade big shots with Nakamura and that didn’t end well, big running knee to midsection by Shinsuke while Riley was set over the top rope. Kinshasa for the win and a mighty YeaOh in the center of the ring as celebration.
Alexa Bliss beat Rachael Ellering
Good showing by SWA’s own Rachael Ellering here, Alexa Bliss worked her match and won it with the splash off the top rope.
Finn Balor beat Elias Samson
The best match I’ve seen from The Drifter, a lot of fun seeing him mix it up with the top stars lately as the crowd absolutely hates him. Finn had his shoulder taped still yet was working an extra vicious style, a lot of action in between Samson headlocks, big dropkick through the ropes by Finn, strong kicks and finally hits the 1916 DDT for the win as he sits on Elias Samson and stares in to the hard camera wanting this to be Samoa Joe.
Post match Finn continues his promo from earlier as he wants his rematch with Samoa Joe, as Joe comes out Mr. Regal runs to get between them, and standing on the ring apron with Finn still in the ring. Finn runs and dives over Mr. Regal on to Samoa Joe, then holds the NXT Championship in his hands before setting it on Joe who is laid out on the ground. William Regal then makes it official that at NXT Takeover June 8th we will in fact have NXT Champion Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor for the title.
5/18/16 —
NXT Women’s Champion Asuka beat Adrien Reese
Dueling chants as both are fan favorites to the Florida NXT fans, Asuka has some who have turned on her after dethroning Bayley so there was a light mixed reaction. Not too much but noticable. Excellent work by these two, Reese is an incredible athlete and Asuka thrives on facing great talents. Reese went for a move off the top rope but Asuka caught her arm and transitioned it in to the Asuka Lock for the win.
Dasha Fuentes told us that Blake and Murphy would be facing Austin Aries and a partner of his choosing next, I’d expect this to be built up with backstage promos.
Austin Aries and Shinsuke Nakamura beat Blake and Murphy w/ Alexa Bliss
As expected, another huge superstar reaction for Nakamura. When he wrestles, everything seems like a blur because the crowd is so in to him. Aries did a lot of work with Blake and Murphy before Shinsuke got the tag and set up for the Kinshasa. Aries however had his hand out for the tag which Shinsuke did not give before hitting the move and scoring the pin. The referee raised Aries and Nakamura’s hands the victor yet Aries was still subtly talking to Nakamura as if he wanted that tag. Also after this match Alexa Bliss walked away angrily leaving her team, then Blake looked back at Murphy and left him as well. We may have seen the last of BAMF.
Carmella beat Peyton Royce
Carmella introduced herself as only she can and now she allows the crowd to finish her promo for her by raising the mic as everyone else says “Hottest Chick In The Ring” how you doin? Nice touch as she’s quite over. This is Peyton’s first singles match under her new Poison Ivy type persona, holding a flower, maneuvering herself through the ropes, very fluid motions. At one point Peyton hit two vertical suplexes and a third with a bridge for a near fall, Carmella then fired up for her comeback which is now a superkick, bronco buster, face first drop and her leglock submission for the win.
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano beat Danny Birch and Rob Rizin
Showcase match for Ciampa and Gargano, yet some very fun strong exchanges by Danny Birch who goes by Martin Stone on the indie scene these days, laying in strikes with the always ferocious Tommaso Ciampa. Finish was Gargano and Ciampa hitting double superkicks on Rizin who was on his knees in the center of the ring.
Nia Jax beat Bayley
This match went about fifteen minutes, Nia was destroying Bayley at every turn. We had enough hope spots to keep us believing that Bayley could get this win like she did in London yet that was not the case. Jax would stomp on the arm of Bayley, then Bayley would try to lock in the submission that beat Nia once before, Nia would then slam her down again, Bayley mustered up the strength to make it to the top yet it was Nia’s evening.
Towards the end of the match, Nia stomped on Bayley’s leg and after making it to her feet and fighting back some, Bayley then in the corner buckled her leg and collapsed for a moment before Jax was able to set her in the center of the ring, drop a big leg on the back of Bayley’s head, roll her over and score the convincing win. Post match the referee and two men in black shirts checked on Bayley, after a while they helped her to the back with her keeping all weight off her leg.
NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha beat The Revival
This was a non title match yet Revival needed this one if they had any hope of getting the titles back. Excellent work as you’d expect, yet the crowd was clearly drained by Bayley losing and being helped to the back just prior to this match. Great wrestling by four of the best tag team workers we have seen in NXT, with a new finish for the team Alpha locked in stereo Ankle Locks for the double tap out submission on both men. This was a definitive victory by American Alpha who now await their next challengers.
This concludes three weeks of TV NXT will be back at Full Sail University on May 19th to get us to the June 8th NXT Takeover live special.
When former TNA Champions Eric Young and Bobby Roode left TNA in March, the assumption they would head to the land of WWE/NXT seemed pretty obvious. But as we know in today’s wrestling culture, anything is possible when it comes to what goes into that decision making process.
Roode made an on-screen debut during NXT TakeOver during Wrestlemania weekend and Thursday night at the latest set of NXT tapings, Young made his promotional debut by interrupting and confronting NXT Champion Samoa Joe during an interview segment. The two then had a non-title match as part of the first show they taped. If you want the result, click here.
The 36-year-old Young has been a pro since 1998 and is best known for his decade-plus run in TNA that saw him win every male title the company offered and even the Knockouts tag team titles at one point.
Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm returns today with tons to discuss including his appearance on the Edge and Christian Show on the WWE Network this week, Shelley Martinez vs. Rebel thoughts, psychology in pro-wrestling matches, Raw thoughts and why they are losing audience and so much more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
