– The show was held in The Stampede Coral instead of The Saddledome. Much louder crowd than previous visits.
The Dudleys/Titus O’Neil def Fandango/Adam Rose/Heath Slater
Fun opener. Dudleys won with a 3D
Goldust def. Darren Young
Young attacked Goldust before the bell. Once the bell rang, Goldust pinned Young rather quickly. Match didn’t last longer then 2 minutes if that.
Natalya/Paige def. Tamina/Naomi
Natalya got a good hometown pop. Match was really good. Natalya won with the Sharpshooter. After the match, Tamina and Naomi attacked the faces from behind, but Sasha Banks came out to make the save.
Kane/Big Show/Jericho def The Wyatt Family
Good match. Jericho always gets a good reception here. Jericho won with the Codebreaker, but I’m not sure if it was Rowan or Harper he pinned.
> Intermission
R-Truth def Stardust
Good comedy match. Lots of “Cody” chants.
Dolph Ziggler def Tyler Breeze
Great match. By far, match of the night. Lots of near falls. The crowd was very split lots of Let’s Go Ziggler/ Let’s Go Tyler chants. Ziggler won with the Zigzag by far better then any of the tv matches these two have had.
Dean Ambrose def Bray Wyatt
Not a bad match. Crowd was down a bit from the hot Ziggler/Breeze match. Ambrose reversed the sister Abigail for the win.
Overall, this was a really fun show that worked well in the smaller venue for the house show.
– Hugo Knox beat Tucker Knight with the split leg moonsault after an evenly fought match. Early on, they allowed the fans to decide who the favorite would be, and tonight, it was Hugo. Tucker wore Hugo down before a hot comeback and the flashy moonsault for the win.
– Adrian Reese and Mandy beat Aliyah and Daria. Reese controlled most of the match, and picked up the win in a pretty quick match.
– Riddick Moss beat Patrick from Tough Enough, making his NXT debut. Quick match. The crowd was behind Patrick for his comeback before Moss put him away.
– Elias Samson beat Chris Girard. Intense action by the former Biff Busick, grunting and laying in his holds. Elias took control and heckled the crowd. Samson picks up the win with his neckbreaker. Before the matc, Tom Phillips interviewed Samson who sings a song about how awful Lakeland is.
– Apollo Crews beat Tino Sabbateli with the standing moonsault. This is the match of the night thus far. Tino was impressive and was able to keep up with Apollo’s athletic ability. They traded reversals early on with Tino following up by taunting the crowd. By far, this is Tino’s best match which says a lot about Crews.
– Manny Andrade beat Steve Cutler with the running knees. Manny is winning over the locals with great moves and action.
– Tom Phillips interviewed Dallas Harper, the 6’9″ signee who was brought in last October. He was wearing classy attire with suspenders and a bowtie. He put down the fans and the town, saying he would not be shucking and jiving.
– Peyton Royce beat Liv Morgan. Royce took most of this match other than a few Morgan hope spots. These two worked well together.
– The Hype Bros beat The Vaudevillains in our main event with the Hype Ryder. This featured a lot of Mojo comedy including kicking a field goal out of Aiden English. Vaudevillains broke up one Hype Ryder attempt and almost stole the victory before the Hype Bros hit it and scored the win.
Submitted by Adam Kirby from the sold-out Minglewood Hall in Memphis, TN
Asuka over Emma
Solid back and forth with everyone over with the crowd which has been the case for every match. Crowd is electric for NXT’s first time in Memphis.
American Alpha over Blake and Murphy
Another very solid and competitive match. Already this show feels different from last Fall’s show in Nashville. This feels more like an ROH house show than a WWE house show, which the Nashville show in October felt like.
Alexa Bliss over Billie Kay
Not much here. Alexa worked over Billie Kay’s arm only to beat her with the sparkle splash. Alexa has definitely grown as an in-ring worker and had pretty fun crowd interactions. Alexa had most of the offense here and this was felt like a definite cool down match.
Samoa Joe over Sami Zayn
This continues the theme of the night of very competitive back and forth matches. Samoa Joe wins with the Coquina Clutch. Afterwards, extends a hand to Zayn only to flip him off instead. Very fun but short. Ready to see their next two matches on TV.
– Intermission. Dasha Fuentes is very good in her role tonight as announcer/time keeper. I’m impressed. Maybe it’s just because I was right behind her, but she was as into it as the wrestlers and ref. Great job.
NXT Tag Team Champions Dash and Dawson over Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa
Maybe the worst match of the show. Fell apart at the end with nobody knowing who was legal. Very much a whatever match. Great crowd interaction though.
NXT Women’s Champion Bayley over Nia Jax
Bayley hit the Bayley to Belly after a throw into an exposed turnbuckle. Good match, never quite reached the heights of their Takeover London match, but played off of that match with Bayley repeatedly going for the guillotine. Crowd was very into it.
NXT Champion Finn Balor over Baron Corbin
Decent and competitive match with Corbin controlling most of it. This guy was constantly getting boos and jeers about how much he sucks or can’t wrestle or is going bald. Constant interaction with all the shit talkers in the crowd. Match went outside with Balor hitting the dropkick into the barricade and then rolling Corbin into the ring for the Coup de Grace. Balor finished the show with a rendition of “Walking in Memphis” about going to the top rope and driving his feet into Baron’s throat.
Very fun show with a lot of good and interesting work up and down the card from everyone involved. Definitely catch the Nashville and Indiana shows this weekend if you can.
From the Royal Oak Music Theater in Royal Oak, MI | Submitted anonymously
Enzo and Big Cass vs the Vaudevillians
Enzo did a rap before the match. Vaudevillians have a new heel theme. Lots of comedy spots. Crowd LOVES Enzo. Vaudevillians were pretty over and got cheered until they got the heat on Enzo, Cass got the hot tag, and they won with the rocket launcher move. Fun tag match, crowd was into it.
Carmella vs Alexa Bliss
Carmella did her speech before the match. Crowd loved her. Alexa got heat for being from Ohio. Alexa did a really good job of getting the heat and Carmella did a quick comeback and won with her submission. Surprisingly good match that the crowd was pretty into, Alexa had good heat and Carmella got her chants.
Elias Sampson vs Johnny Gargano
Elias got a lot of heat early on for some reason. He played a song for Detroit before the match to solid boos and Johnny interrupted him. Johnny was over despite being from Cleveland, even got a “Johnny Wrestling” chant. Back and forth match. Crowd was into the heat spots. Crowd blew up for a dive from Johnny to the outside where there was almost no floor space. There was some near falls and Elias won with his neckbreaker. Crowd booed like hell. Great match. Crowd gave a standing ovation to Johnny after the match.
Tye Dillinger vs Sami Zayn
Crowd was into Tye’s entrance. Sami was SUPER over. The story at the beginning of the match was that Sami’s reaction made Tye jealous. The worked heel only to the extent that he wasn’t cheered. Back and forth match where the crowd was into everything Sami did. Some comedy spots with the 10 sign. Tye got the heat, Sami did a comeback and Tye got injured and carried off to the back and they rang the bell. Sami lead a 10 chant and did a speech thanking the fans. Sampson interrupted and beat up Sami and Sami fought him off with a Helluva kick.
Intermission
Women’s Champion Bayley vs Nia Jax
Crowd loved everything Bayley did. The match was similar to their Takeover match. Bayley won with the Belly to Bayley. A fan threw her a Bayley Club shirt and she put it on and celebrated with the crowd afterwards.
American Alpha vs. NXT Tag Team Champions Dash and Dawson
Gable and Jordan got a huge reaction. Dash and Dawson were also there. Crowd loved Jordan and Gable. Match was back and forth at the beginning and then Dash and Dawson got the heat on Jordan. Gable got the heat and American Alpha did some double team stuff and then Dawson started getting the heat on Gable. Jordan exploded with the hot tag. American Alpha hit their finisher and dash pulled the ref out of the ring and got DQ’ed. Chorus of boos. American Alpha got a standing ovation after the match.
Baron Corbin vs Apollo Crews vs Samoa Joe vs Finn Balor
All guys got a great reception and Corbin got plenty of boos. Joe and Corbin disposed of Crews and Balor and then Balor turned on Joe. Balor and Crews disposed of Corbin and Joe and shook hands and went back and forth. Now came in and went one and one with Crews. Then Corbin and Crews. Then Corbin and Balor. Then Joe and Balor. Then Joe and Crews. Corbin and Joe double teamed Balor. Corbin turned on Joe again and then put the beat down on Balor. Joe disposed of Balor and put the beat down on Balor and them Balor got a comeback in on everyone and did the stomp to Crews’ back. Match broke down into a four way brawl. Joe had the clutch on Baron, Crews hit the standing moonsault on him and went for a pin, Balor jumped off the top and hit Crews with the Coup de Grace and pinned Corbin for the win and celebrated after the match. Great back and forth match. Crowd was into it the whole time.
Great show with no real lowlights. Most over was probably Balor or Sami.
Opened with national anthem (took photo as it ended). Arena doesn’t seat a lot (lowers are 21 rows deep, no club/uppers). Of seats available, floor is sold out, bowl is about 75%.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze
Ziggler got a nice pop while Tyler Breeze had lots of pictures being taken during his entrance, he had his live cell phone tron). Crowd HEAVILY behind Ziggler. Ziggler mocked Breeze’s pose in the corner to a big cheer. Ziggler won on a super kick. Nothing you wouldn’t expect from these guys. Solid, fun match, but nothing overly special.
Curtis Axel vs. Braun Strowman
Axel got no real crowd reaction, though a couple of people cheered) while Strowman got CHEERS, believe it or not…entered to a weird non-theme, just some rumbling sounds that sounded like the noise when the Star Destroyer is slowly passing overhead in Star Wars… NO tron image… “fireflies” came out from stands. Strowman tried to draw heat, and was cheered. Finally got some boos when he went into the slow, submission offense. Strowman won with his shoulder-carry side drop slam… and was cheered again. Axel never knocked Strowman off his feet. Not a single semi-interesting spot or moment in the match. Strowman is SO dull.
Ambrose cut a promo on Owens on the tron next previewing their IC Title match tonight.
U.S. Champion Alberto del Rio vs. Chris Jericho: non-title
Crowd member (a kid) allowed to introduce next match. Jericho (introduced to MASSIVE pop) vs Del Rio (boo’d widely, though a pocket of cheers in one section). Non-title match. Del Rio tore up the sign of the fan in the backwards red hat who’s always at these shows and thee the pieces back at him. No idea what the sign said. USA chant, even though Jericho’s Canadian. Jericho wiped his armpits and under his crotch with ADR’s shirt when he laid it on the turnbuckle, then threw it to the crowd (ew?). During the match, Del Rio grabbed the fan’s hat and flung it to the back row of the floor seats. Del Rio had the arm breaker over the ropes til the 5 count which was a nice spot.
Jericho rolled out of the arm breaker and into the Walls (crab-style). Del Rio reached the ropes for the break. Jericho hit the Codebreaker for the win after avoiding the top-rope stomp while tied up in the second rope. The 10 kids around me were REALLY into this match. It was as entertained as I’ve ever been by an ADR match, though I typically find him really boring. Jericho signed autographs and had fun pumping up the crowd after the match… seemed to be enjoying himself.
WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. The Usos
New Day introduced to mixed response, but most people responded…Big E and Kofi twerked over the smoke blasts while Xavier danced between them…Big E did snow angels in the ring…I love these guys) vs Usos (got a nice, all-positive reaction). Xavier borrowed (and then returned) a sign saying RIP with the trombone and held it up with the other members around him. Kofi and Xavier in the match. Teams traded dancing/taunting funny spots early. Spot of the match: with one Uso standing on the second ripe and holding the top rope up, the other five through his legs to the outside. Big E distracted the ref from an Uso pin, distraction allowed Xavier to get the pin on a roll up to retain.
Really good match, though Big E stole it for me, taunting the announcers (he ate some paper he took from one of them) and fans and dancing around. Big E attacked Usos as soon as the bell ended the match and cleared the ring to dance around as a team. Usos attacked New Day and hit the big splash on Big E after a minute and posed with the belts before leaving them in the ring. Big E sold his left leg on his way up the ramp, but that may have just been him being Big E goofy.
WWE I-C Champion Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens
Owens was booed and walked up to barricade and stared down a kid for a moment to taunt him, while Ambrose got big cheers at least on par with Ziggler, only more sustained through the entrance, though not QUITE what Jericho got. KO attacked Ambrose before he entered the ring as he stood on the apron and posed with the belt. Ref started the match as soon as Ambrose was standing up in the ring. Ambrose hit the dive through the ropes after KO started with all of the offense. KO hit the cannonball for a two count. A
mbrose suplexed KO off the top (Ambrose was standing on the second rope) then went for Dirty Deeds but was blocked. Ambrose connected on his rebound clothesline for two and the top rope elbow to a standing KO for a near-fall. Ambrose countered Popup Powerbomb with a hurricanrana, then kicked out of the PuPB when KO hit it the second try. After distracting the ref by undoing the turnbuckle, KO grabbed a chair but was caught by the ref. Ambrose tried a roll-up but KO kicked out. Ambrose’s rebound clothesline was ducked, but he twisted it into Dirty Deeds for the pin. Really good match, as you’d expect.
> Intermission
Becky Lynch vs. Tamina (w/Alicia Fox as special ref
Tamina was with Naomi… Titantron showed Sasha Banks’ name first and I got excited… no real response for Tamina while Lynch got a nice positive response. A “Becky” chant prematch and a few during. Becky got no offense for the first 75% of the match but won on a roll-up. Alicia played no role. Tamina and Naomi attacked Alicia and mostly Becky post match and Natty made the surprise save to a nice pop. Natty applied the sharpshooter to Tamina for a minute before Tamina and Naomi escaped.
Bray Wyatt vs. Kane
Wyatt was with Braun… cheered during entrance with plenty of fireflies), while Kane got a MASSIVE pop, like Jericho. Big “Kane! Kane!” cheer prematch. Wyatt did a small DX-like crotch chop as a taunt to the crowd at one point, which was odd. More of the HHH crotch flick than the full-fledged chop. Anyway… Bray was boo’d throughout the match. Braun and Kane had a stare down at one point. Fun spot where each did their special sit-up (Bray’s crab, Kane’s sit) at the same time… didn’t let it breathe, though, and it was over too quick to enjoy, unlike the Brock/Taker one at SS. Strowman interference allowed Bray to hit Sister Abigail for the pin. People boo’d a LOT. I didn’t realize people anywhere still loved Kane like this (and not just in the “you’ve done a lot for us, so I like and respect you” way).
Nice “thank you fans” video shown on tron. Well edited as always.
WWE Champion Roman Reigns vs. Rusev (w/Lana)
Lana cut a promo to major boos while Reigns got biggest pop of the night, though may have been only slightly more than Kane’s. Reigns entered through the crowd. CONSTANT pro-Roman chants. The people love Roman Reigns. A Lana distraction allows Rusev to lock in the Accolade. Reigns gets out of it and hits a spear for the pin fall victory. Entertaining match.
– 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.
