Rollins was defending his title against Kane in the main event, and was doing a powerbomb spot out of the corner (which started as a sunset flip) when his right leg gave out and he clutched at the knee. A table had been set up in the ring and Rollins looked to be getting ready to powerbomb Kane through it.
He did get up and continue the match, including doing the power bomb through the table, but had to be helped out of the ring. The severity of the injury is unknown as of this writing. Obviously, if Rollins continues to work the tour, it wouldn’t appear to be a serious injury.
A split WWE crew is working twenty different house shows over the next eleven days. Rollins is scheduled to defend the WWE title against Roman Reigns at the Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 22nd at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA.
The Big News: Samoa Joe turned heel at the end of an excellent NXT Title match between Finn Balor and Apollo Crews. Baron Corbin got more heat than he has ever gotten in his life when he ran in to make the DQ.
More Big News: Seth Rollins may have been injured during a WWE Live Event tonight. I am sure people who know much more about this stuff than I do will keep you up to date.
The Medium-sized News: Despite losing a #1 Contender’s Match 2 weeks ago, Dash & Dawson were announced as being #1 Contender’s and will face The Vaudevillians next week.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Both Cameron and Eva Marie returned and wrestled on this show.
Asuka submitted Cameron
Asuka is here to kick off NXT, going one on one with Cameron, of all people. Cameron has fallen off the face of the Earth and has now resurfaced here on NXT. During her hiatus Cameron dyed her hair the exact same purple of her hair.
Cameron nearly wanted to run away 30 seconds into the match when Asuka snapped off a Hurricarana and turned it right into an Armbar. Cameron did battle back and broke out her Split Legdrop, but unlike that time she did it on Raw, Asuka was on her back, so Cameron didn’t look stupid in demanding a count from the ref. Asuka threw her body at the face of Cameron before finishing off the former Funkadactyl with the Asuka Lock.
– Carmella tried cutting a promo giving us the status of Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady when Dash & Dawson walked in and bragged about taking them out. They are sorry they didn’t take them out sooner and next week they get a shot at The Vaudevillians for the NXT Tag Team Titles. I should point out that it was just 2 weeks ago when Dash & Dawson lost a #1 Contender’s Match. Anyhoo, Dash & Dawson left a wheelchair for The Vaudevillians, saying they will need it after next week.
– Earlier today, Jason Jordan & Chad Gable said they aren’t where they need to be. Gable made Jordan feel better by pointing out they are still on the way up. Gable referred to them as the World’s Greatest Tag Team, but Jordan cut them off. Jordan said they should challenge the best tag team in NXT history. Gable pointed out they couldn’t wrestle themselves, so Jordan instead issued a challenge to The Ascension. Chad challenged them to come back if they are Ready, Willing and Gable.
Bull Dempsey has crappy new entrance music and if you remember how bad his music used to be, this is really saying something. Angelo Dawkins came out to theme music for the first time ever. His and Fulton’s Titantron is less creative than David Flair’s famous one was. This was literally just their names over and over and over again. There wasn’t even a disappointed Ric Flair in there.
Dawkins kept Bull in a chinlock forever until Bull decided it was time to Hulk Up. Bull used a series of punches and won with the sitting splash off the top rope, which used to be Doink’s Whoopee Cushion. I remember when he showed that move to the kids on Tough Enough and I remember saying Bull had never used that move in his life. After the match, Sawyer Fulton was upset, so he left the ringside area. Yes, I am sure they will be so much better apart than they have been together.
-The Vaudevillians were quite offended that Dash & Dawson left them a wheelchair. They plan on beating their toughest challenge to date and use this to become one of the greatest teams in NXT history.
– Apollo Crews was sitting in his locker room with a bunch of children’s drawings hanging up next to him. He got up, stared at Finn Balor’s championship (which was conveniently near where he was sitting) and left.
– Bayley has tag team partners for the 6-person tag team match against Blake, Murphy & Alexa. Remember when I knew it would be The Vaudevillians? It was so much worse. It was the Hype Bros and next week they will be having a tag match.
Eva Marie pinned Marley
On the same show, we have both Eva Marie and Cameron. They did not name Eva’s opponent, so I did some research and my good friend Steve Juon stated that her name was Marley. I will avoid making jokes about her name. This match was a lot better when Marley was on offense, mind you it looked like she kicked Eva right in the face. But don’t worry because Eva then kicked her in the face and while Marley was on her knees, Eva gave her an STO for the win.
– Emma stated that she is not scared of Asuka, instead saying she doesn’t respect Asuka smiling at her. Both Emma and Dana stated that they have nothing but respect for Asuka, but were offended by Asuka patting Dana on her head. Emma said she will give Asuka a proper welcome.
Apollo Crews defeated NXT Champion Finn Balor by DQ
Main event time! They did the big main event intros, but this time they turned off all the lights in the arena except a blue spotlight in the middle of the ring where champion and challenger stood. This is Balor’s first tv defense since NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, but in the meantime he won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with Samoa Joe. Meanwhile Apollo Crews has been undefeated since debuting that night in Brooklyn.
Crews began the match by taking it right to Finn. Crews hit every big move in the first 2 minutes, but then ran right into Finn’s foot, which slowed him down. Crews tried to comeback with a sunset flip, but Balor kicked him with both feet in the face. Crews then replied by kicked Balor right in the head and ascending to the middle rope, which caused Finn to jump into the air and kick Crews in the head, sending him toppling to the arena floor.
These two men are not shy about hitting each other as Finn gave Apollo a chop that Apollo is still feeling, 2 weeks after the show was taped. Apollo hit the Gorilla Press Slam, but Finn got his knees up on the standing moonsault. Finn hit the running dropkick to the corner, but Apollo moved from the Coup De Grace. Apollo kicked Finn in the face, which turned Finn around and Balor hit the Pele Kick!
The two men laid there for a good 30 seconds when Baron fricking Corbin ran in to attack Apollo for the DQ. That caused a crap ton of heat from the audience. The fans went silent as Baron’s attack continued on both men until Samoa Joe ran in for the save. Of course Joe did not run in for the save. Instead Baron ran away and Joe took Finn’s head off!
The fans exploded as Joe pounded away on the NXT Champion with stomps and punches. Joe tore at his hair and then placed Finn on the turnbuckles. Joe grabbed Finn’s face, yelling “I did this to you!” before dropping him with the Muscle Buster. Joe grabbed the NXT Championship and dropped it on Finn’s body before leaving.
Apollo Crews should give Tyler Breeze a phone call. Breeze became #1 contender in May 2014 and got his title shot a few months later. That match ended in a DQ when Tyson Kidd ran in to attack Adrian Neville. Let it be known, that well over a year later Tyler still never got a one-on-one rematch for the championship.
But with that out of the way, that does it for another week of NXT. This show you can skip half of it, but as long as you watch the main event then you will be quite happy. Until we meet again, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
WWE announced today that Smackdown debuts on the USA Network on January 7th — Thursday. There was no mention of the show being live, no mention of Tuesdays, only that the show will debut on Thursday and air on Thursday every week.
Speaking of WWE Smackdown here are the spoilers. For subscribers, we’ll have a new Figure Four Daily with Lance Storm up this afternoon, plus a new Wrestling Observer Radio tonight which will include Matt Farmer joining Dave and Bryan in the first hour to talk more Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame candidates.
We’re looking for reports on these weekend show at Dave Meltzer
The lead story is how the Alberto Del Rio deal went down, with full details, including financials that even blew away those in WWE and those who used to negotiate these deals. We look at how in demand he was, including by organizations you wouldn’t even know, an angle he shot for MMA that was kept secret and will never probably see the light of day on television, and how this affects AAA, where he is their world champion.
We look at the ramifications of this on WWE, AAA, how the deal was put together, how he positioned it to AAA, how AAA has taken a huge talent hit, when the deal was really put together, how Del Rio was scheduled to main event AAA’s next major show against what top U.S. star in a hair match, and his dates advertised in Mexico. We look at other promotions that wanted him, Konnan talking about how the Myzteziz and Del Rio situation affects AAA, the Zeb Colter deal, how Lucha Underground and Del Rio fell apart as well as his huge money MMA offer just recently.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Based on feedback, demand for WrestleMania tickets appears to be substantial already.
From former WWWF Champion Superstar Billy Graham on his Facebook page: “Hello Facebook fans around the world. I am thrilled to report to all of you that Triple H, via a telephone conversation, has offered to give me an official WWE Legends contract. I of course said yes, and thank you very much! I have received that contract, and signed and mailed it back to the WWE. So I am officially back in the WWE family, proving that miracles still happen !! I did go to the Smackdown show held here in Phoenix on October 27th, as some had reported on the internet. I met with WWE Talent Relations executive Mark Carrano to go over various opportunities for me in the future. Mark Carrano is a real class act and gentleman and was very encouraging on the future release of my WWE merchandise sometime after the first of the year, along with attending WrestleMaina 32 in Dallas as part of the meet and greet fan access festivities. So, I want to thank Triple H and Mark Carrano for making this exciting event happen for me. I am officially back home in the family of the WWE where I belong !!!!”
WWE’s latest European tour kicks off today with 20 shows (split crews) over the next 11 days.
For those wondering what Daniel Bryan has been up to lately, he was the frontman for a WWE press conference announcing the company’s return to India on January 15th and 16th, 2016. John Cena, Sheamus, Cesaro, Dean Ambrose, Ryback and the Big Show were all listed as performing.
And whatever John Cena is doing during his time off, it’s not resting up his body. A photo just got posted on the Hard Knocks South gym Twitter of him squatting 611 pounds, a personal record, down below parallel.
Tatanka announced on Twitter that he had signed a WWE Legend’s deal.
Without giving away spoilers, yes, Alberto del Rio’s first big feud appears to be with Jack Swagger.
Jon Jones noted that he’s in a strength-building phase and is up to 226 pounds right now. He is not fat, so that just means he’ll have a little harder weight cut to get down to 205. He said there is a method to the madness and he understands many factors go into becoming the best martial artist you can be.
Jones also landed his first sponsor, GAT, since the whole hit-and-run-and-flee legal issue went down.
Dan Henderson, who fights in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC, returned to his hotel room in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the other night only to find a drunken man had stumbled into his hotel room (apparently they didn’t shut the door all the way and so it didn’t lock) and was passed out on his couch. The good news is, the guy was just sleeping, so it was much less messy than when the drunk girl stumbled into Urijah Faber’s house a month or so ago. And yes, like with Faber, there’s video.
Fight Night 78 in Mexico has a new main event as Neil Magny stepped in to face Kelvin Gastelum. Magny had a 7 fight win streak snapped in August by Demian Maia and rebounded to beat Erick Silva later that month in Saskatoon. This will be his fifth fight in 2015 and his 11th fight in the last 24 months.
Friday’s Bellator show started a couple of days early apparently as Bellator fighter and current Lightweight champion Will Brooks, was beaten up in a hotel by fellow Bellator fighters, Patricky and Patricio Freire, also known as the “Pitbull” brothers.
Lucha Underground began preliminary shooting for the next season yesterday. Actual wrestling taping starts in a couple of weeks.
The New York Observer has an editorial on the ruling allowing Hulk Hogan to hire a forensic examiner to search Gawker’s computers, phones, tablets, cloud storage, etc. for proof that they leaked his racist comments to The National Enquirer. This is a really important story, so it’s worth reading their take, though the editors get some of the basic facts wrong, surprisingly.
Roderick Strong appears to be headed to Veracruz, Mexico on Saturday to work a show replacing Alberto Del Rio in the main event. It’s looking more and more likely that Del Rio will ever return to Mexico to drop the AAA Mega title.
From Evolve: So Cal Val has removed herself from this Friday’s event in Ybor City. However, she will still be in the corner of The Premier Athlete Brand this Saturday in Orlando.
Two more matches have been signed for EVOLVE this Friday. Lio Rush, who was added to this weekend after his performance in the last WWN Seminar/Tryout, will now wrestle the debuting Fred Yehi. EVOLVE officials consider Yehi one of the top prospects in the South. A technical match up will have Tracy Williams vs. Martin Stone.
Today’s new update for NWAClassics.com subscribers is Stagger Lee (Junkyard Dog) vs. Mr. Wrestling II. Other recent additions include Al Perez vs. Hacksaw Higgins, The Fantastics vs. Dutch Mantell & Tom Prichard, Junkyard Dog vs. Masao Ito, Black Gordman & Gran Goliath vs. Jose Lothario & Buddy Moreno, Kamala vs. Jim Duggan, Ted DiBiase vs. Jim Duggan in a Texas Street Fight, and Butch Reed vs. The Junkyard Dog for the North American Championship.
There is a preview for the next two House of Hardcore events up here.
ICW, one of the biggest independent groups in Europe, announced an 8-date 2016 tour in the spring. They’re making their debuts in the Wales, Northern Ireland and The Republic Of Ireland (Dublin) markets. Thanks to Allan.
Packed edition of Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive today! Joey Eastman joins us to talk pro-wrestling, collectible action figures and more, plus all the news from around the world! A fun show as always so check it out~!
In a press release today highlighting its January premieres, USA Network announced the move of WWE Smackdown from the SyFy network. What was notable from this release is that despite rumours of a possible move to Tuesday nights, airing live, the premiere was announced for January 7th, a Thursday, meaning it’s likely that this means the show will stay in the same Thursday time slot it’s been in for the last year.
This move is expected to increase audience viewership of the WWE’s #2 show, as the USA Network has a much higher average viewership than SyFy. Despite both networks being in virtually the same number of homes, USA averages about 1.6 million viewers in Prime Time (week ending Nov 1) vs about 770,000 for SyFy. Smackdown has consistently been the highest rated show on SyFy, averaging around 2.1 million viewers for the 2 hour show.
Smackdown has had many different TV homes over the years. The show debuted at the height of pro wrestling’s popularity in the US in August 1999 on the fledgling UPN network. In 2002, when the WWE did it’s brand split, Smackdown became it’s own “brand” and often had a higher viewership total than RAW, due to being on an over the air network.
In 2005, UPN moved the show to Friday nights. The show ratings predictably went down but it was still doing far better than what the network had previously been airing on Friday nights, usually old movies. In September 2006, Smackdown moved to the CW. Technically this was still considered a “network” but had far less penetration than UPN and the viewership numbers declined again.
During this time, the brand split gradually faded and the show was becoming more of a “B” show. In addition, WWE had revived the ECW brand, and the SyFy network had picked up that show. In 2008, Smackdown moved to another new network, MyNetworkTV. The premiere episode did 3.2 million viewers for a supershow featuring wrestlers from all 3 brands. While numbers were down for Smackdown it was still the highest rated show in MyNetworkTV history.
There was yet another move for Smackdown in 2010 as SyFy picked up the show after it was not renewed for the fall season by MyNetworkTV. While it was still the highest rated show on the network, the network was hemorrhaging money and the show was too expensive to retain. In 2011, the brand extension officially ended and wrestlers from RAW and Smackdown were able to appear on both shows (even though they’d already been doing that for years).
In 2015, SyFy announced that it was moving Smackdown back to it’s original Thursday night timeslot. This was expected to increase the viewership of the show as Thursday is traditionally a much more popular night for television viewing. This did not materialize as numbers continued to slide at a similar rate as on Monday Night RAW to get to the current 2.1 million level.
The move to USA network is expected to be accompanied by a renewed focus from WWE on the show to make it more relevant and a subsequent increase in TV viewers is the hoped for result.
It is the MIGHTY Tuesday Bryan & Vinny & Craig Show and we’ve got tons to talk about! It’s Retro Tuesday and that means Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week, including, yes, the angle where Steve Austin broke into Brian Pillman’s house and Brian Pillman pulled a gun on him. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Tons of guests on Observer Live coming up this week including Tony Nese, Joey Eastman, Dave Meltzer to talk the newest Observer (new Thursday opening feature), and likely Dr. Lucha on Friday. Details on how to listen via TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, etc. are always available on the front page at showtime, Monday through Friday at noon Pacific/3 PM ET.
Also, for subscribers only, check out Filthy Tom Lawlor’s show on Monday for information on how you can enter Tom’s Twitter tournament to win a copy of WWE 2K16. Another contest to win 2K16 has been ongoing for subscribers on the Bryan & Vinny & Craig Show and we’ll talk more about that tonight.
The lead story is how the Alberto Del Rio deal went down, with full details, including financials that even blew away those in WWE and those who used to negotiate these deals. We look at how in demand he was, including by organizations you wouldn’t even know, an angle he shot for MMA that was kept secret and will never probably see the light of day on television, and how this affects AAA, where he is their world champion.
We look at the ramifications of this on WWE, AAA, how the deal was put together, how he positioned it to AAA, how AAA has taken a huge talent hit, when the deal was really put together, how Del Rio was scheduled to main event AAA’s next major show against what top U.S. star in a hair match, and his dates advertised in Mexico. We look at other promotions that wanted him, Konnan talking about how the Myzteziz and Del Rio situation affects AAA, the Zeb Colter deal, how Lucha Underground and Del Rio fell apart as well as his huge money MMA offer just recently.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
In a note from last night’s Observer Radio, while the Sting appearance at Survivor Series last year was not shown at all during the video package in a way that made it look like it had been erased from history, it was mentioned on commentary.
Also, regarding Nikki Bella not working the four-way and not being advertised for Survivor Series at this point, she appears to be taking some time off to treat some nagging injuries including to her neck and hip.
Raw dark matches from Denver last night saw Bo Dallas actually win a match over Zack Ryder, which was said to be pretty good, and Neville beat Heath Slater. The Roman Reigns streak continues as he got the best reaction of anyone on the show all night according to live reports.
Usos will be the guests on the weekly ESPN Sportscenter segment this week. Jey just returned from his shoulder surgery.
Dave Ba(u)tista will be on Jimmy Kimmel live tonight.
Paige and Madusa have been shooting their own angle on Twitter.
Bloody Elbow’s Paul Gift broke the story that Edmond Tarverdyan, the head coach of Ronda Rousey, Travis Browne, and Jake Ellenberger, has filed for personal Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It appears that he’s claiming no income, for the last few years, no ownership in the Glendale Fighting Club, and so on, and the trustee may not be buying that. His wife did not file bankruptcy. While it does vary, 10% of the show and win money is standard for coaching fees.
As Dave noted earlier, Matt Brown is out of his 11/21 main event against Kelvin Gastelum. No word yet on if there will be a replacement or if the fight will be scrapped.
Tim Kennedy on the MMA Hour talked about his new storyline, which is that he is going to return to UFC with the goal of smashing all former drug users. He also talked about the new History Channel series that he’s working on, Hunting Hitler, which kicks off next week. He traveled to South America to investigate the long-standing conspiracy theory that Adolph Hitler did not kill himself in a bunker but rather escaped to South America where he lived out his days. Kennedy said he never believed the story but teased that he might have changed his mind based on this investigation, but you have to tune into the new eight-part series to find out.
Chris Weidman is on the cover of the new issue of Men’s Health Magazine.
Cosmo Alexandre, last seen defeating “John” Wayne Parr under Muay Thai rules for Lion Fight, has signed with World Series of Fighting. He’s 6-1 in MMA, having mostly fought in Bellator, except for his last fight, which was in Legacy FC.
On the newest Between the Sheets podcast, Kris Zellner and David Bixenspan are joined by Kurt Brown to discuss October 27-November 2, 1993 including the legendary Arn Anderson vs. Sid Vicious hotel room brawl and the huge aftermath that followed, the death of Oro who was on the verge of becoming the next big star in Lucha Libre, and the storm brewing involving the grand jury investigation into the WWF.
New trailer for “The Masked Saint” with Roddy Piper.
There is a Kickstarter up here for a Muscle Temple pro-wrestling comic book. The top perk, for $550, is the opportunity to fly yourself to a wrestling show and get superkicked by the Young Bucks. Not making this up. It has already been claimed. But there is more to see so check it out.
Chaos For Canines, with all profits being presented to Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary, will be Nov 22, at the Long Branch Legion 3850 Lakeshore Blvd Etobicoke, Ontario doors open at 1:30pm Bell time is 2:00pm there is a silent auction and tons of raffle items, don’t miss this event. Names on the show include Canada’s Amazing Race the 2nd place winners Nick and Matt The Flatliners, Kobe Durst, KC Spinelli, The Dirty Vets, EZE, The Goat Brigade, Joey Valentyne, Jim Nye, Danny Orlando, Aiden Rayne, Rob Rage and the night train Justin San. Tickets: Adults $15 in advance and $20 at the door, children under 12 $10 in advance and $15 at the door
The United Wrestling Coalition returns to Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, New Jersey on Saturday night, November 21, 2015 with a full card of action-packed matches! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. bell time. Tickets are just $10.
NWA Smoky Mountain’s Black Friday Brawl takes place Friday, November 27, from Evolution Sports Gym in Elizabethton, TN.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with a packed show! Ken Hesser joins us to discuss Ronda Rousey’s coach filing for bankruptcy, Tony Nese talks EVOLVE this weekend and training with Mikey Whipwreck, plus tons of news and comment! A fun show as always so check it out~!
We open with Devin Taylor getting terminated and the episode closes with questions about Dana Brooke’s NXT future if she can’t keep improving. In-between, it’s another enthralling but unfocused edition of Breaking Ground, with the best part of the episode focusing on a three-day try-out for prospective NXT trainees.
Show Recap:
This week’s episode had three general focuses: the women’s division, a three-day try-out at the Performance Center, and Tough Enough finalist ZZ beginning his training.
The cliffhanger from last week – which NXT talent would be fired – is dealt with immediately, with Devin Taylor getting the heave-ho from Canyon Ceman, who complemented her for how she added to the “culture of the building” before having her escorted out by security. Sara Amato refers to the competitiveness and depth of the NXT women’s group as a “shark tank.” After singling out Bayley as someone who’s excellent and works really hard, the rest of the episode is spent focusing on Dana Brooke. It’s obvious she’s really focused, as she walks us through her daily routine and it’s a lot of working out and training.
She also goes to the salon with her friend to get her eyebrows and eyelashes done, as she notes talent may be contacted by Triple H at any moment for a photo shoot or another opportunity. Sarah Stock teaches the girls a specific kind of front-bump, using Nia Jax as a base – basically Jax spins them around and they do a front-bump. Dana’s tentative, and Sara Amato mentions that she’s talented but she’s worried she’s plateaued, and if she stalls out in her development she might not have much of a future.
The arguable center-piece of the episode is a three-day try-out at the Performance Center, which largely gives us a show-long glimpse at how head coach Matt Bloom and William Regal run things. The first day is mostly testing cardio with stuff like Hindu squats, drop-downs and stuff like that, trying to blow people up. The second day is a lot of basic bumps and more cardio testing, and the third day is doing forward rolls and backward rolls in the ring and landing in a fighting ready position. The rolling session led to an amazing William Regal tirade. He began criticizing some individuals for hopping to their feet rather than landing and stepping into a fighting stance. Then, after correcting a handful of individuals, he announces to the entire gym his expectations.
After watching several more individuals screw it up, he stops the entire session and goes on a tirade, singling out the person in the ring for screwing it up. Of course, this person does it again and does it correctly, and both Bloom and Regal praise him for being “coachable.” Finally, Regal leads the promo try-outs, noting that “If you have the personality of a cabbage, you won’t be here.”
Highlights include a heavy-set man doing “the worm” and a female delivering a heart-felt promo about her troubled up-bringing which earns praise from Regal for her vulnerability. After the try-outs are over, Canyon Ceman leads a meeting where he and the coaches decide which applicants will be offered contracts – pending background checks and Triple H’s approval.
Former alligator wrestler and Tough Enough male finalist ZZ arrives at the Performance Center, along with his parents – who want to make sure he’s training somewhere safe. They meet with Bloom, who’s told by ZZ that he’s been “training outside” and hasn’t been to the gym much. Tough Enough winner Josh doesn’t think ZZ has a good enough work ethic to make it, and ZZ himself admits that his cardio’s not that great. In drills, ZZ struggles. He also struggles in the gym, getting blown up, and Mojo Rawley gives him a nice pep talk about getting blown up in the gym and in the ring is how he’s going to get better.
Robbie Brookside has a chat with ZZ, saying he wants to see some commitment from him and if he sees that, he’ll do whatever it takes to help him improve. He emphasizes to ZZ that it’s a lifestyle, not a job. Later on, Brookside leads the rookie orientation. Bayley, Tyler Breeze and Sami Zayn give introductions to the Performance Center to the rookies (and Asuka, who’s there for some reasons). Zayn admits that he was scared about giving up his independent character, but learned to adapt and encourages everyone to be flexible. ZZ notes that he wants to remain a kid, and then gets scolded by Brookside for screwing around, ending with Brookside saying “Get out of my ring.” ZZ skulks out of the ring.
Final Thoughts:
I’m not a big fan of how the program skips around from story to story without following up on much. Granted, many of these stories could be compelling if told in full, but the editing of the show is too scattershot to really have much impact or to establish much of a pace to the narrative. Case in point: unless they were going to really focus on Bayley, I’m not sure what the point was of spending time with her in this episode. Similarly, they spent so little time on Brooke that the “cliffhanger” they left on doesn’t have much of an impact. That said, they really spent a lot of time burying poor ZZ and his lack of focus, maturity and fitness.
The first WWE WrestleMania pre-sale started Tuesday with a number of codes out there. You can use ‘COWBOYS’ through Ticketmaster. There will be other codes out for the next few days, but this is the earliest opportunity to get the best tickets ranging in price for $148 – $2360.
In the Dallas area, there will be a party this Thursday at AT&T Stadium with Steve Austin and a number of other former WWE wrestlers, some current wrestlers and many NXT wrestlers. For everyone who attends that party, they will also get a code to use for purchase tickets.
Not ready to buy today? The presale code for Wednesday starting at 10 AM EST is HHHVIP. Tickets for the massive April 3 event at AT&T Stadium go on-sale to the public this Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern time.
This is WWE’s first Wrestlemania in Texas since 2009’s Mania 25 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. An announced 72,744 saw WWE Champion Triple H vs. Randy Orton, WWE World Champion Edge vs. John Cena vs. Big Show, and the Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels.
