There will be no ratings for either the weekend UFC programming or for Raw available today due to Martin Luther King’s birthday.
Ratings for the weekend, which includes the Dominick Cruz vs. TJ Dillashaw bantamweight title change, will be available tomorrow. Preliminary numbers based on the overnight ratings have indicated Sunday’s show will be one of the most watched UFC events ever on FS 1, likely second most to the show last January headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver.
Raw’s number will also be interesting as it was for the go-home show for the Royal Rumble, built around a Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns confrontation from early in the show. Traditionally Raw numbers bounce back significantly in January when football season ends. Monday will be the first show since the last football game of the season airs on a Monday, although the show two weeks ago didn’t have football competition and the bouce-back was less than anticipated.
Last Monday’s average viewership of 3.23 million viewers was the lowest for RAW in the month of January since the Monday Night Wars era. Viewers were down 14.48% from a year ago this week (January 12, 2015), which also went up against the NCAA college football national title title game. That particular edition of RAW averaged 3.89 million viewers, which, in itself, was down 11.67% from the same week in 2014.
The rating for the 2016 show was a 2.36, down 12.92% from the same week in 2015, and also the lowest January rating since before the Monday Night Wars.
The 2015 rating was a 2.71, down 12.86% from the previous year. It’s important to note that 2015 was the first year that of the current format of the NCAA college football playoffs, meaning that the championship game was later than it had been in previous years and had never gone up against RAW prior to that.
The average for the month of January is now 3.451 million viewers, well down from January 2015’s 4.035 million.
If this trend continues, it would be the 14th straight month that RAW viewership has dropped year-over-year with most of those months seeing a decline of more than 10%. Similarily, the combined rating so far in January is 2.43, down 17.8% from last year’s 2.95 rating in January.
While pro and/or college football has a clear effect on RAW’s ratings, that doesn’t tell the full story.
Every year, without exception, RAW’s viewership numbers drop generally about 5-10% as soon as the NFL season starts. After the season ends, the numbers generally return to slightly above the level they were prior to the football season, partially due to the “Road To Wrestlemania” season of January-March. This year, the decline was much worse than usual and the numbers were nearing record lows to begin with. The numbers will almost certainly rise now with the end of football on Monday nights, but it would take a drastic turnaround to get even close to 2015 totals. After Mania, when the viewerships traditionally drops again, it’s very likely that RAW will return to doing non-holiday record lows every week.
What about this week?
With nothing major promoted for last week’s show (Brock Lesnar appearing on the show wasn’t announced until later in the week), there is no reason to expect any increase to the Monday, January 18th rating other than the typical non-football bump. One year ago today, RAW did an average of 4.09 million viewers. The last 10 weeks, RAW has been averaging about 11% less than the previous year’s number, so the estimated numbers are 3.65 million viewers and a 2.65 rating.
Anything higher than could be a sign that WWE is slowly turning things around and something’s clicking. If the number is lower than that, the slide is getting worse. If they score anything around 3.5 to 3.8 million viewers, that’s a good sign things may be stabilizing.
There was an old baseball saying with the Boston Red Sox in the 1940s when they had two decent pitchers in Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain. It went “Spah, Sain and pray for rain.” That’s the depth-challenged WWE right now. It’s Lesnar-Reigns and pray for Kane. The end of the go-home show for the Royal Rumble had Lesnar laying prone after being left for dead by the Wyatt Family, who have been stuck in the midcard since Thanksgiving. Reigns will be the #1 entrant in the Royal Rumble, which was determined in a segment that will live on through Botchamania. Vince McMahon, he of the bulging biceps at 70, failed to open two plastic balls on live television. Basically, the segment wanted you to believe the Authority rigged the drawing to make sure Reigns would draw the first spot. In other words, this was the WWE version of the 1985 NBA Draft lottery.
Show Recap:
Roman Reigns came out first to say he was going to be the first man ever to defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the Royal Rumble, but he was only concerned with Brock Lesnar tonight. He wanted Lesnar to come out. Chris Jericho walked down and said Lesnar was already booked for the Highlight Reel tonight and asked Reigns to join him. Reigns agreed. Then the League of Nations came out, with Alberto Del Rio back with the U.S. Championship around his waist. Sheamus objected to everyone assuming the Royal Rumble will just come down to Reigns vs. Lesnar. Sheamus said the WWE Championship would come home to him. Sheamus wanted to be on the Highlight Reel, but Jericho shot him down. Del Rio objected to Jerichio’s smarky remarks and bragged about how he won the Royal Rumble, unlike Jericho. Jericho declined both of their invitations. Rusev then launched into a diatribe about how hard is was to grow up in Bulgaria. Jericho quizzed Reigns about how he won the Royal Rumble last year, and Reigns recalled he threw out Rusev to win. Jericho got off a line about how Lana can attest how Rusev always comes up short in the big moments. Reigns wanted to face Rusev, and Jericho announced he would be special referee.
Roman Reigns defeated Rusev (13:53)
Match built to a spot where Sheamus pulled Reigns out of the ring and threw him into the ringpost. Even though he was distracted by King Barrett, Jericho sensed what happened and forced Sheamus away from ringside. Then Barrett protested and Jericho ordered him to the back. Jericho turned cartwheels, danced and appeared to blow himself up in the process. Del Rio protested and he also was ejected. Rusev tried to hit Jericho from behind but Reigns intercepted that with a Superman’s punch and the pin.
In the back, Stephanie McMahon (wearing the highest heels possible so she can appear almost as tall as Jericho) confronted Jericho about making himslef special referee. She said because Reigns is now part of the Highlight Reel, she would have to renegotiate with Paul Heyman and give Lesnar more money. She said if Jericho ever did anything without her approval, she would make sure Jericho would never be the same again.
Natalya defeated Brie Bella via submission (1:28)
Natalya won with the sharpshooter. Natalya was accompanied by Paige. Wasn’t it Paige who jumped Natalya in December, causing her to miss months of action? Paige just walked out like they were best friends. Announcers just talked how this match was a preview for the season debut of Total Divas.
Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan defeated The Dudley Boyz and Ryback (6:32)
Braun Strowman distracted Ryabck, which allowed Bray Wyatt to clothesline him from behind on the floor. Bubba Ray Dudley called for the 3-D, and it was sad. Crowd was so dead it couldn’t get a pop. Luke Harper pinned Bubba Ray with a clothesline. Everybody involved in this feels like they’re going nowhere. JBL and Michael Cole mentioned the death of Iron Mike Sharpe during the match.
There will be a drawing later tonight to determine the number one slot in the Royal Rumble. I thought when the Big Show entered himself in the Rumble he made himself number one, but apparently that was a screwup on his point.
The Big Show defeated Heath Slater (:55)
Show pinned Heath Slater with the Knockout punch. They took an overhead shot of the arena as Slater got in the ring, and you could see people headed to the bathrooms or concession stands. Afterwards, fellow Social Outcasts members Curtis Axel and Adam Rose got knocked out. Bo Dallas ran in the ring and ducked a punch, then started to take a victory lap around the ring thinking he got away. As he finished his lap, Show decked him as well. Byron Saxton said Big Show was “A favorite to win the Rumble.” Services for Mr. Saxton’s credibility will be held Friday at 9 AM.
Stephanie met with the League of Nations backstage. She wanted to know why they let Jericho scare them into leaving ringside back when this show had momentum…I mean during the first match. Sheamus said they weren’t scared of Jericho. She told them to prove it.
Stephanie and Vince McMahon came out to draw the numbers for the number one position in the Royal Rumble. Since it was a lottery, a representative from the Philadelphia 76ers showed up. Stephanie mentioned how her father won the Royal Rumble was the 1999 Royal Rumble champion. Vince pulled out the first plastic ball…and couldn’t open it. So he threw it back and picked up another one out of the tub, revealing the name of Reigns. So Vince wanted to make sure the drawing was legit and drew another ball. He couldn’t open that one. Keep in mind, moments earlier Stephanie had talked about what a great physical specimen her father was. Stephanie dropped in a “McMahon’s Millions” reference, at this point. So Vince pulled out a ball, which again had “Reigns” in there. They drew a third number, basically to tell the audience that the Authority had rigged the drawing to make sure Reigns would get #1, and again Reigns’ name was in there. Vince mentioned that Reigns would be the number one man on Sunday, but not after the Royal Rumble.
Becky Lynch defeated Tamina via submission (4:06)
Becky Lynch won with the Disarm-her off the top rope. Afterwards, Lynch wanted to hear from Charlotte’s mouth that they would meet on Sunday at the Royal Rumble. Charlotte said she had already beaten Lynch twice and there wouldn’t be a third match. Lynch said she only won because of Flair and said Flair never backed down from a challenge in his career. She tought Charlotte would be the same way, but perhaps the apple fell too far from the tree. Flair took the mic, called Charlotte the best of all time and said this Sunday, the third time would be the charm when Charlotte beats Lynch again. She accepted. Charlotte didn’t look happy about that.
Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio defeated Dean Ambrose and Kalisto (13:14)
Final minutes were good. Kevin Owens was on commentary, trying to make himself babyface by constantly telling Saxton to shut up. Kalisto hit Salida del Sol on Sheamus, but Del Rio hit a Superkick for the save. Dean Ambrose brawled with Del Rio at ringside, but was distracted by Owens. Del Rio hit Ambrose with an enzuigiri. In the ring, Kalisto tried another Salida del Sol on Sheamus, who threw Kalisto off and hit the Brogue Kick. In the comeback, Kalisto attempted a Tornado DDT on Sheamus that got fouled up, and it appeared Sheamus landed on his face. It’s a Last Man Standing match with Ambrose vs. Owens for the I-C title on Sunday, which could steal the show.
They showed pictures of the weekend tour from India, the company’s first tour there since 2002. Isn’t it amazing they never toured there when the Great Khali was on the roster?
The New Day had a funeral service for Franchesca the trombone, which was destroyed by Jericho last week. Big E. presided over the service and started to quote Jay Z’s “99 Problems” when Xaiver Woods stopped him. Kofi Kingston said they would buy him a new trombone. Woods said he never got a chance to say goodbye. Woods said Franchesca would want Big E. to fight Big E. and they started clapping and chanting “Fran-Ches-Ca.” JBL was clapping, as well.
They had a By the Numbers segment about the Royal Rumbles. In the 28 lifetime Royal Rumbles, 811 competitors have been eliminated, a record 42 by Kane. 46 WWE Hall of Famers have entered the Royal Rumble, but only 8 have won it, including Steve Austin 3 times. Rey Mysterio’s 82:12 is the longest single stint ever in the Rumble.
Big E. defeated Jey Uso (9:32)
Big E. won with the Big Ending after Woods provided another distraction. Jimmy Uso dove on Kingston at ringside. Kingston pushed Woods out of the way, and Woods distracted Jey as he went for a splash. Cole said Uso tweaked his knee on the landing. Pretty good match where Uso hit a tope. Big E. bumped all over the place, including missing a big splash on the apron and falling to the floor after missing a charge. Woods
R-Truth, Titus O’Neal, and Mark Henry talked about one of them winning the Royal Rumble this Sunday. Neville joined in the handshake and they all yelled “Keep the Dream Alive.”
The League of Nations talked backstage. The announcers teased they would get involved in the Highlight Reel.
Titus O’Neal, Mark Henry, Neville and R-Truth defeated the Ascension, Tyler Breeze and Stardust (6:11)
Finishing sequence was supposed to be O’Neal tossing Tyler Breeze over his head to an awaiting Henry, who would deliver the World’s Strongest Slam. Apparently, Henry lost Breeze in the lights because he dropped him. Then Breeze had to take the bump again, and it ended with Neville hitting the Red Arrow. Match really dragged until Neville and Breeze got in. The second they got in, they fell into their old rhythm like they were Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. It’s incredible how far Breeze’s stock has fallen since he defeated Dolph Ziggler at Survivor Series. Yes, that was only 7 weeks ago.
Jericho was out for the Highlight Reel when Heyman interrupted him. Jericho accused Heyman of failing his client, Lesnar, when he failed to get him out of the Royal Rumble last week. Jericho asked Heyman if he tried to get Lesnar out of the Rumble because he didn’t feel he could win. Heyman, in a very long-winded way, denied that and said Lesnar would turn the Rumble into his own Suplex City. Jericho asked what would happen if it came down to only Jericho and Lesnar at the end of the Rumble on Sunday, and what would happen if Jericho threw Lesnar out to become a 7-time World Champion. Really wasn’t much of a reaction to that line because it’s been so long since Jericho has been a champion and a regular.
This finally brought out Lesnar to a very tepid reaction. Reigns walked out after Lesnar got to ringside. Lesnar took a lap around the ring to buildup a showdown with Reigns. Once Lesnar got in the ring, Reigns immediately speared him. The League of Nations ran down to jump Reigns. Jericho vanished at this point. Lesnar gave Rusev a German Suplex. Del Rio and Sheamus ran after Lesnar. Boy did Del Rio and Lesnar have a confrontation that looked awkward. It appeared like Del Rio wanted to get a little offense in, and Lesnar wasn’t willing. Lesnar ultimately gave Del Rio another German Suplex and Sheamus the F-5. At that point, Reigns got up and hit another spear on Lesnar, which got a few boos.
Then the Wyatts came down to ringside, with Harper giving Reigns a clothesline. Wyatt gave Reigns Sister Abigail. At that point, Lesnar got up, and Harper gave him a big boot. Erick Rowan followed with a spin kick, Strowman hit Lesnar with a clothesline. Wyatt finished off Lesnar with another Sister Abigail. And that was it. No Lesnar comeback. No Reigns comeback.
SUMMARY:
The entire show was built around the main event. Certainly it was strange to see the Wyatt Family, who have been on the backburner ever since the Undertaker/Kane feud at the Survivor Series, finish off the go-home show to the Royal Rumble standing over the company’s top babyface. But beggers can’t be choosy at this point. Not when the WWE needs top heels. Since they’re unwilling to take chances on people like Breeze, they turn back to the Wyatts, though it seems like that well has run dry. It remains to be seen if the company can make Owens a money-drawing heel, or if they position him that way. It was another dead crowd tonight and a lackluster show overall.
WWE has announced that Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman’s role for Raw tomorrow night in Columbus, OH will be as guests on The Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho.
That is the only thing announced for Raw other than the show will be the go-home show for the Rumble.
They are also expected to do an angle to set up a Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch Divas title rematch for the Rumble. Becky challenged Charlotte to a title match on Smackdown this week and Charlotte said she would answer the challenge on Raw.
When Raw ended last week the announcers were openly speculating that Lesnar’s post-match destruction following the main event was an indication that he had decided to be in the Royal Rumble. Jericho in his first interview back also stated that his plan was to win the Royal Rumble and go on to WrestleMania to win the WWE World Heavyweight title.
Submitted by Tim Taylor. Thanks also to Brittany Sanders.
– About 90% full in a venue that holds 5000 or so.
– WWE Champion Roman Reigns was announced as not being there and refunds were offered for 20 minutes. Of course, Kevin Owens came out to cut a promo, which brought out Dean Ambrose, who brawled with Owens in hopes no one asked for refunds.
– Strowman, Rowan, and Harper over Tommy Dreamer and the Dudley Boyz in a tables match. Rowan and Harper put Dreamer through the table for the win.
– Neville over the Miz. Miz didn’t cut a promo but had JoJo read his promo heeling on the Cleveland sports teams. Miz’s dad was in attendance.
– Becky Lynch over Tamina w/Naomi. The BAD girls worked over Lynch after the match but Natayla made the save, putting Tamina in the sharpshooter. Good pop for Lynch, but crowd wasn’t as into the match.
– R-Truth over Stardust. Crowd loved Truth.
– US Champion Alberto Del Rio over Kalisto to retain. Del Rio got a standing ovation from the production crew with the exception of agent Fit Finlay. This had to be a rib as Del Rio nearly cracked up seeing that. Guys worked hard and it was a good match.
– Social Outcasts over The Ascension and Los Matadores. Crowd didn’t know who to cheer at first, the Outcasts were the faces, and fans never got too into the match until the end. Los Matadores didn’t seem overly interested in being there. In the pre-match promo, Axel referred to them as the Social Outlaws.
– Sheamus over Jack Swagger. Sheamus with a pre-match promo. Solid match.
– WWE IC Champion Dean Ambrose beat Kevin Owens to retain. Started off with the heat and a good majority of the match was Ambrose being beat down and making small comebacks. Ambrose kicked out of the pop up power bomb and won soon after with Dirty Deeds. Ambrose was clearly the biggest star of the show in the eyes of the crowd getting the biggest pop and having the biggest chunk of merchandise sold.
– The night starts off with an announcement from JoJo about Roman Reigns not being here.
– Kevin Owens interrupts and challenges Ambrose to an IC title match later tonight. Ambrose attacks him from behind and accepts the challenge as Owens retreats to the back.
– Dudleys & Tommy Dreamer vs. The Wyatt Family (Harper, Rowan and Strowman) in a tables match
The Wyatts win with a double choke slam on Dreamer through a table.
– Neville def. The Miz
Neville wins with the Red Arrow.
– The Social Outcasts defeat The Ascenion & Los Matadors
Outcasts come out and cut a funny promo that ends with Heath Slater leading the crowd in a song of Country Roads. Really great stuff here.
– R-Truth defeated Stardust
Incredible work by Stardust who got some major boos from the crowd with his heel work. Match saw very few bumps taken by both men yet it was very well received by the audience and was really entertaining.
– US Champion Alberto Del Rio defeated Kalisto
ADR held the ropes during the pin. Crowd was pretty dead during this ainly because the previous 2 matches were so awesome.
– Becky Lynch def. Tamina (w/Naomi)
Becky wins then gets attacked by both girls after. Nattie makes the save and then celebrates with Becky.
– Sheamus def. Jack Swagger
Swagger came out to defend the honor of the West Virginia crowd in light of Sheamus’ comments against them.
– WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose def. Kevin Owens to retain
Owens stared down several small children in attendance. He also told a young teenage female that her sign looked like it was made by a blind 5 yr old. In a move that was a class act, Kevin gave a quick and discreet fist bump to a young handicapped child who was being held up by what appeared to be his mother on his way back up the ramp. Ambrose made sure to high five all those at ringside who wanted one. He made several trips around the ring and up and down the ramp. He had also gotten a haircut since he was last seen on television.
All in all, it was a really fun show and everyone who performed put forth a lot of effort. Only complaint would be the way security acted. Multiple times during the show they would motion for fans to sit down in their seats. They also wouldn’t let fans who weren’t setting ringside or along the guardrail to come up and try and get a high five before or after a match. This upset a lot of parents and children and was pretty sad to see.
Standing room only crowd. Super lively crowd, lots of chants all night.
– NXT Tag Champions Dawson and Wilder beat Ezno and Cass when Enzo got pinned via roll up. Good match, Dawson and Wilder are great heels. Enzo was super over. Cass is ok as a “house of fire” babyface but he missed a few spots.
– Carmella submitted Alexa Bliss with her leg choke thing. Bliss is great, crowd loved to hate her. Match was fine.
– Elias Sampson and his guitar beat Bull Dempsey. Sampson sang a song about how much Chicago sucks. Decent match: two standard mid card guys doing mid card things.
– NXT Divas Champion Bayley (so so over) beat Nia Jax with the Belly to Bayley. Pretty similar to the London match, but no chokehold.
> Intermission. They were selling autographed 11x14s and tons of shirts.
– Sami Zayn def. Tommaso Ciampa in an incredible match that felt like a typical ROH match. Highlights include Zayn’s Blue Thunder Bomb and Tommaso hitting a power bomb into a backstabber. Zayn won with the corner kick. After, he and Tommaso hugged and Zayn gave him the ring.
– Eva Marie over Peyton Royce. I know it is the gimmick and she’s kinda over (not as over as Zayn, Finn nor Bayley) but Eva just can’t wrestle. She’s not even passable. Poor Royce was dragging her around. Eva’s timing was off all match and it showed. Crowd stopped caring halfway through.
– NXT Champion Finn Balor over Apollo Crews and Baron Corbin. Before the match, Balor did the Bullet Club guns to Crews and Corbin. Loud Bullet Club and Too Sweet chants, which Finn encouraged. Finn even did the “gun gesture to a prone opponent” like Kenny Omega did to AJ Styles the night after WK 10. Standard triple threat where one guy sold on the outside while the other two went at it. Finish was pretty good – Corbin hit his spinning slam on Crews, made the cover only for Finn to hit the double foot stomp for the win. After, Finn celebrated with Bayley (who had a Balor Club shirt and was Too Sweeting everyone at ringside) and they brought some kids in the ring to take pictures.
– Enzo and Big Cass over NXT Tag Team Champion Dash and Dawson via DQ. Ref was pulled out of the ring after Air Enzo on a pin attempt. Solid match, great starter.
– Tomasso Ciampa def. Bull Dempsey by submission. Split crowd, Bull was hilarious.
– Elias Sampson def. Tye Dillinger by pin. Dillinger was over, Sampson was booed.
– NXT Women’s Champion Bayley def. Alexa Bliss. Bayley hits the Bayley to Belly for the pin and win.
– Apollo Crews def Baron Corbin. Standing moonsault to standing shooting star press into the pinfall. This was the best spot and match of the night in my opinion.
– Nia Jaxx and Eva Marie def. Carmella and Peyton Royce. Leg drop from Jaxx onto Royce for the pin. Eve Marie didn’t do a bad job at all.
– NXT Champion Finn Balor def. Sami Zayn to retain. Balor pinned him after hitting the Coup De Grace. Multiple Bullet club references. Crowd was split. Awesome match.
Enormous pop for both of them afteward despite the match being a little sloppy.
WWE Tag Team Champions New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) def. the Usos and Prime Time Players in a three-way to retain
Most entertaining bout of the night and cloud cheered and laughed alot. Usos did a suicide dive as well. Kofi interfered to help for the win. They all get beat down by the faces after the match. “New Day sucks” chants throughout, but the crowd loved their antics.
Love Preet def. Jason Jordan
Jason cut a heel promo about India not having talented wrestlers during the morning tryouts, but was defeated by the Indian wrestler eventually who got the crowd roaring with “Jai Hind” chants.
WWE Divas Champion Charlotte def. Summer Rae to retain
People loved Summer and crowd was completely supporting her, chanting her name since she was babyface. She used her old aggressive NXT moveset including diving cross bodies. Woos for Charlotte, though she got boo’ed for using a dirty moveset. She won with the figure 8. Physical match. Lots of “We Want Sasha” chants.
Dolph Ziggler def. Tyler Breeze
Tyler’s selfie video was not live and he didn’t get that much a reaction, but “you look stupid”: chants. Crowd erupted for Ziggler. Physical and long match with Ziggler dominating and making fun of Breeze’s narcissism throughout. Crowd loved it. “This is awesome” chants.
Rusev def. Ryback
Huge pops for both the wrestlers. Very physical match. Crowd not to Happy that Ryback lost but he got them cheering once more when he thanked them by saying, “Namaste“.
D. Raftar def Chad Gable
Gable was seeking redemption for Jordan but got squashed. Raftar was slightly stiff but was very over with the Indian crowd. Few local Haryanwi, Punjabi and Hindi sentences to end the segment.
WWE Champion Roman Reigns def Big Show to retain
Show teased the crowd by initially not getting in the ring. He ended up dominating the match. He also yelled at a kid to shut up at ringside. Reigns had the underdog comeback and tried to knock him down with superman punches and finally a spear for the win. He thanks the roaring crowd and says this was the best crowd he has ever faced.
*****
Biggest pops:
– Almost everyone: Roman Reigns, Dolph, Ryback, Big Show, both the divas, Kane, Bray wyatt and Usos. Even the others got good enough pops and people were just having a good time. Electrifying atmosphere to say the least.
Apparently the matches on the second day of the our were more physically intense, and people were surprisingly very impressed with the intensity, especially in the Divas match.
NXT Tag Champions Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder vs. Enzo and Cass
Enzo and Cass are just the perfect act to kick off a show. Crowd loved them, and did Enzo’s introduction right along with him. Match itself was a solid opener, with Enzo being the babyface in peril for most of the match as he worked to make the hot tag to Cass. In the end though, Dash rolled up Enzo and used the ropes for leverage to get the win. But after the match, Enzo and Cass fought them off to make the crowd happy.
Bull Dempsey vs. Elias Sampson
Elias Sampson won. Nothing much of note in the match itself, but Bull wore a cheese head hat to the ring, which led to a spot after the match where Sampson acted like he was going to put the cheese head on to get a pop but then he just stopped, spat in it, and threw it out of the ring and left. Then Bull retrieved it and looked at it for a while and so, since it’s cheese, the crowd chanted for him to eat it. So he bit it and the crowd cheered.
Tomasso Ciampa vs. Tye Dillinger
Good match, but the crowd wasn’t that into the match itself. They were more into doing the 10 chant. Tye Dillinger won, meaning yes, three matches in and a face had yet to win a match at this point. But that was about to change.
NXT Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss
Please indulge me while I state the obvious: Bayley should be on the main roster, as she is a megastar. She was the first person to get a loud pop when her music hit since Enzo and Cass in the opener. The crowd did the usual Bayley chants and songs. She responded to the “Bayley’s gonna hug you” chant by hugging the ref, and the crowd then chanted “one more time” so she did. And here’s how over Bayley is — after all the usual singing and chanting died down and the match was really getting started, one (1) guy shouted “BAYLEY YOU SUCK!” and the entire crowd boo’ed that guy out of the building. He got what he wanted.
Good but basic match, with Bayley doing all her usual spots, which is what the crowd wanted to see, especially the Belly-to-Bayley Suplex, which is what won the match. At one point where, if I remember the pretense right, Alexa was almost counted out, but when she got back in the ring, the crowd started chanting 10 again. So Bayley just did Dillinger’s Perfect 10 shuffle with the cartwheel and everything.
> Intermission
Baron Corbin vs. Apollo Crews
Crews was really over during his entrance, but he seemed to be a little less over during the body of the match, until he made his comeback at least, and won. Corbin was boo’ed at first but then people in my section started getting into him. There was a portion of the match where Corbin threw Crews out of the ring, and Crews lied outside for a while before getting back into the ring, only to be thrown right back out. Then after spending a lot of time outside the ring again, Crews got back in and threw Corbin out. Seemed like a good spot on paper (perhaps) but crowd seemed kinda bored during this long-ish period of non-action.
However, immediately after that, Crews hit a big assai moonsault which was the first real high spot of the show, and from then on the match was really good. Crews is great at making comebacks. Corbin went for the End of Days at one point, but Crews did a back-flip over his arm, took him down, and hit a standing moonsault, followed by a standing shooting star press to get the win. Probably the best pure match up to that point.
Eva Marie and Nia Jax vs. Carmella and Peyton Royce
Eva was hated as usual. In fact, every time she tagged in, the entire crowd immediately gave thunderous boos. She probably had the most heat on the show. Eva and Jax won when Jax pinned Peyton. I know it’s a house show and all, but on a show where a bunch of heels won, it was weird that the new #1 contender to the Women’s Title didn’t get the win.
NXT Champion Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn
In this face vs. face match, Finn played the role of the subtle heel. Although the crowd in my section at least seemed to be more behind Finn anyway. He did a LOT of Bullet Club pistol gestures for what it’s worth. At the beginning of the match, there was a dueling chant, but eventually the crowd just started chanting “Both these guys”. Another chant-related thing happened when just a few seconds after they locked up for the first time, a small portion of the crowd started the “this is awesome” chant. I thought there was no way that would catch on yet, since it had just started. But it did pick up a little bit of steam as the chants got somewhat louder. But then thankfully someone chanted the obvious: “It just started”, and that became a dueling chant. It should be noted that later on in the match, the “this is awesome” chant occurred again, as well as “this is wrestling” but it was more warranted that time.
Anyway, the match itself was probably the match of the night. Although I got the sense that by their standards it was probably really basic. No false finishes except for one where Sami hit the Blue Thunder Bomb for a 2 count. They told the story of Sami taking a beating but still getting back up. Finn knocked him down once, started to go to the top rope, but then he would notice Sami getting to his feet so he’d get back in the ring and knock him down again. That happened a few times until Sami fired back with a flurry of punches of his own and made a comeback. They ended up brawling outside the ring and Sami went for the Torpedo DDT, but Finn hit him with a pelee kick and Sami ended up knocked out draped over the bottom turnbuckle. So then Finn went up to the apron, casually pushed Sami’s limp body back into the ring, went up top and hit the Coupe De Grace for the win. After the match, they shook hands and Sami raised Finn’s arm.
Notes:
Bayley and Apollo Crews and maybe a few others that I didn’t notice spent a lot of time after their matches taking pictures with fans in the front row as well. NXT is a very enjoyable experience live. If you’ve never been to one of their shows, you’ve probably heard people say that before, but it’s completely true. I had a blast. Crowd was hotter than most Green Bay crowds I’ve been in. The show itself, while very good, was a bit strange in that a lot of heels went over which seems to go against what they usually do at house shows.
