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Tag: NXT

  • NXT Venice, FL, live results: Finn Balor teams up with the Hype Bros

    Submitted by Louis Izzo

    – Josh Woods def. Alexander Wolfe

    OK opener. Wolfe didn’t do much besides a basic assortment of strikes of chinlocks, but it looked good. Woods got a decent pop for being from Florida.

    – King Constantine def. Blake (w/Murphy)

    Comedy squash with comedy provided mostly from B&M. Blake had Murphy with him, no Alexa Bliss. Constantine dominated, no-selling most of the way, and finished with a chokeslam into a back breaker.

    – Patrick Clark & Kenneth Crawford vs. Dhinsa and Selmani

    Sorry for not having names, but the female ring announcer butchered them all and I don’t recognize any of them from TV. Hopefully another report will help identify them.

    – Alex Riley defeated Elias Sampson with a roll up

    Sampson ran down the local crowd to draw heat, but the fans that reacted were still 50/50 on him. Not much to this, with lots of resting. Faces for the night are batting 4 for 4.

    – Carmella defeated Emma in an OK match

    Carmella’s ring entrance and mic skills are great, but her offense is terrible, especially the punches. Emma worked the crowd a lot by doing lots of hair pulls.

    – Apollo Crews pinned Riddick Moss

    Another average match. Moss spent most of the match bickering with the crowd and doing this goofy power walk. Crews won with his signature power bomb.

    – Asuka defeated Billy Kay

    Physical match. Nothing great, but Asuka’s strikes looked good, and BK had some decent, if unspectacular, offense.

    – NXT Champion Finn Balor and the Hype Bros def. The Vaudevillains and Tye Dillinger

    First few minutes was Mojo running around crazy, and then each face took turns beating down the heels. Zack Ryder played the face-in-peril before making the hot tag to Balor, and after a hot sequence with Riley and Mojo hitting their signature spots, he finished Tye with the 1916. Really good match to end the show. 

    – WWE.com promoted Samoa Joe, Baron Corbin, Bayley, Enzo and Cass, and all of them were nowhere to be seen tonight. The only advertised names that appeared were Balor, Crews, and Carmella.

  • WWE inks popular Japanese tag team

    Officially announcing what has been known for more about a year, WWE announced Friday that TMDK (The Mighty Don’t Kneel), a popular tag team from Japan, has signed with the company.

    The team is made up of Michael Nicholls (Mikey Nicholls) and Shane Veryzer (Shane Haste), the top foreign tag team in Pro Wrestling NOAH until the arrival of the Killer Elite Squad (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) from New Japan as part of the Suzuki-gun invasion in early 2015.

    The two had reached an agreement last year to leave NOAH for WWE in 2015, but in working out their contract with NOAH, Haste suffered a knee injury that required surgery which put everything on hold. Nicholls & Haste returned to NOAH earlier this month for their farewell tour earlier this month.

    The team was named Best Tag Team in Japan in 2013, a very difficult honor for a foreign team to win. They twice held the GHC tag team championship, and had a super hot series of matches for the titles with Masato Tanaka & Takashi Sugiura, the Dangan Yankees.

    Both originally came from Perth, Western Australia and wrestled for years on the Australian independent scene before starting as regulars in Japan after passing a tryout in 2011.

  • NXT Largo, FL, live results: Enzo/Cass & Apollo Crews vs. The Revival & Baron Corbin

    I’m on site at NXT Largo tonight, expecting a sell out of approximately 300.

    – Alex Reyes welcomed us to the show and introduced us to NXT’s newest ring announcer Andrea DiMarco (aka Andrea Ocampo) who was the on-air reporter for the NHL’s Florida Panthers.

    – Carmella and Liv Morgan beat Emma and Billie Kay

    Very impressive showing by Carmella tonight, countering holds, escaping moves, and taking the hot tag. After Morgan was being worked over by the heels, there was a miscommunication where Emma was knocked off the apron which allowed Carmella to hit a superkick, bronco buster, and her submission leg scissor for the win over Billie Kay.

    – Riddick Moss beat Alex Riley

    Hard-hitting match with Riley hitting a spinebuster and a big top rope elbow drop for nearfalls. Riddick got his feet on the ropes for a roll-through dirty pin.

    – American Alpha beat Sawyer Fulton and Alexander Wolfe

    This was a showcase match for Alpha. The heels worked over Gable leading to the big hot tag for Jordan: suplex, spear, straps down, assisted German for the win.

    – Dylan Miley beat Patrick Clark

    Almost all Miley here. He worked the arm, slams, and hit a big diving headbutt off the top for the win.

    – The Hype Bros beat The Vaudevillains

    There were a lot of silly antics by the Vauds to try and get under Mojo’s skin. Zack wanted nothing to do with any of their nonsense. Vauds worked over Ryder to get to Mojo’s hot tag. Ran wild with shoulderblocks, but he Vauds almost cut him off. Ryder hit the Hype Ryder for the win.

    – NXT Women’s Champion Bayley beat Aliyah

    Good match here, Aliyah worked over Bayley’s arm, kept her grounded most of the match. Bayley fired up after being hit in to the turnbuckles pads then ran wild, big suplex, back elbow, and finally a Belly to Bayley for the win.

    – In ring promo with Dhinsa and Selmani, they vow to destroy all other tag teams.

    – No Way Jose FKA Levis Valenzuela beat Manny Andrade

    New music and officially billed as “No Way Jose” tonight, good action between the two, Andrade is excellent and did some flashy moves such as a moonsault then a standing moonsault for a near fall and some crisp arm drags early in the match. The finish saw NWJ hit the big punch for the win.

    – Enzo, Big Cass & Apollo Crews beat NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival & Baron Corbin

    Crowd was all over Baron and The Revival tonight, the heels worked over Enzo and Apollo mostly during this match, good action all around and always seemed like the brink of chaos. The finish saw Big Cass take the hot tag, run wild and bring Zo back in for the rocketlauncher finish.

  • NXT Wauchula, FL, live results: Sami Zayn vs. Manny Andrade; 3 title matches

    Submitted by Erik Wilkinson

    Rich Swann defeated “The Drifter” Elias Samson with a rollup

    Before the match, Samson sang a heelish song about “Wachulula,” to ring announcer Dasha Fuentes, only to be interrupted by Swann’s music.  Average opener, with Samson milking the crowd for cheap heat by insulting the young children in the crowd and Swann playing a strong babyface with his comebacks.

    Nia Jax defeated Carmella with her legdrop finisher

    Carmella got a great reaction from the kids in attendance, but needed the 20 or so hardcore NXT fans in the crowd to help with her catchphrases. The attendance was under 200 for a venue set up with 230 seats, so chants were difficult to sustain all night.  Carmella’s in-ring presence has gotten stronger with time, but Nia Jax appears to have peaked after the Takeover match with Bayley in London.

    Tye Dillinger defeated Riddick Moss with his single-knee facebreaker finisher

    Dillinger is a talented live performer, engaging an audience that was not as familiar with him as the bigger stars on the card.  The “10” chant works as a hook in telling a story, and Moss was a good foil as they built to the finish.  If there was an award for “Biggest Overachiever” tonight, Dillinger would earn my vote.

    – Aliyah came out for a promo. Unlike the other mid-card promos that recent Tough Enough contestants and new signees have been making, this ran under 30 seconds in length. She sounded like she was suffering from a head cold.  After she mentioned the Bayley/Asuka NXT women’s title match at TakeOver: Dallas, Aliyah said that she would be lined up for a title shot.

    – NXT Women’s Champion Bayley defeated Emma with the Bayley-to-Belly

    As my favorite performer in NXT, I continue to marvel at the phenomenon that Bayley has become at live events.  Her merchandise sells strongly, the number of fans who bring signs for her (especially young kids) are plentiful, and the connection she makes with an audience is special.  Well-worked match by both women, building to a dramatic closing sequence.  

    – Sami Zayn defeated Manny Andrade with the Helluva Kick

    Excellent mat work and counter wrestling from these two, as none of the performers were taking any unnecessary risks.  Both teased dives to the outside, but stuck to the basics.  Andrade is adapting well to the WWE style, after seeing him a number of times since his arrival.  After the match, Zayn put his opponent front and center with a handshake, retreating backstage for Andrade to get a warm reception from the crowd.

    – American Alpha (Jordan/Gable) defeated The Revival (Dash/Dawson) by DQ in an NXT Tag Team Championship match

    These two teams have crafted a solid story for their match at Takeover: Dallas, and I presume we saw the basic beats of that match, minus a few highspots to protect the participants.  Well-worked match, leading to the champions being disqualified for pulling the referee out of the ring after Gable/Jordan hit their finisher.  

    – NXT Champion Finn Balor defeated Samoa Joe & Baron Corbin in a triple threat match with a double foot stomp onto both men, pinning Corbin

    Big reactions for Joe & Balor as they entered, followed by a by-the-numbers Triple Threat match.  Baron Corbin is getting more comfortable in the main event slot, playing off of the crowd without losing his place in the match. Creative finish, as Balor gave the foot stomp to Corbin while Joe had him in the Kokina Clutch.

    Following the main event, Finn Balor paid tribute to Sami Zayn, disclosing that this was his last appearance in front of an NXT crowd in Florida.  Zayn returned to the ring to a rousing ovation and gave a very sincere speech about how much NXT has meant to him, his feelings about performing at Wrestlemania, and how lucky the crowd was to see so many future stars on one night.  A classy sendoff to a world-class wrestler.

  • NXT Cocoa, FL, live results: Enzo & Cass vs. Vaudevillains; ZZ & Sara Lee promo

    I’m live in Cocoa Beach, FL, tonight, where they are expecting approximately 250 people.

    Asuka and Liv Morgan beat Mandy Rose and Daria

    Liv wowed the crowd early with some fun spinning headscissor spots and rolling pin attempts. The heels then took control and put a beating on Liv in their corner until she escaped for the Asuka hot tag. Bayley’s future challenger ran wild with kicks to Daria before applying the Asuka Lock for the win.

    Dan Matha beat Alexander Wolfe

    I believe this is Matha’s first Florida show, yet he did work the Arnold Classic. He looked good and is a big, fit guy. Wolfe got the upper hand and Matha had to fight back before hitting a side slam of sorts. Nice debut.

    Patrick Clark and Kenneth Crawford beat Dhinsa and Selmani

    The big men were menacing, taunting the crowd, saying they couldn’t be beat. Yet, the more popular and athletic upstarts stole the win with a slick roll up. Very impressive stuff from Clark and Crawford lately.

    Levis Valenzuela beat Steve Cutler

    Levis and the fiesta were very over with the crowd tonight. Cutler tried to keep Levis down with armbars and headlock, but Levis ran wild with chops and his big wind up punch for the win.

    – In ring interview with ZZ and Sara Lee. ZZ tried to say one of his charming lines, but Sara said she was sick of it and put him and this town down before storming out.

    Austin Aries beat Wesley Blake

    Good match here, big reaction for Aries as he was somewhat of a surprise. Big dropkick and a spinning back elbow off the ropes for the win.

    Mojo Rawley beat Sawyer Fulton

    The usual Mojo antics: dancing, taunting and getting the crowd to say “He Ain’t Hype” to Fulton. Fulton used his power to wear Mojo down before the comeback. Mojo ran wild and hit his big wind up punch for the win.

    Apollo Crews beat Chris Girard

    Early respect as a handshake before the lock-up. Girard kept this match grounded with a lot of mat work, later hitting a couple uppercuts to keep the advantage. Big stinger splash, dropkick, kipup, and the spinning slam for the win.

    Enzo & Big Cass beat The Vaudevillains

    Good early work between Enzo and Aiden before Cass got in the match to showcase his power. Some impressive single arm lifts of Alden English all the way up to Cass’ shoulder got the crowd really in to it. Heels worked over Enzo until the series of false finishes. Big Cass ran wild yet again and tagged in Zo for the rocket launcher splash and win.

  • NXT Tampa, FL, live results: Austin Aries, Enzo & Cass & Tough Enough Josh debuts!

    I am live in Tampa tonight where they’re expecting approximately 450 people.

    – Asuka and Liv Morgan beat Mandy Rose and Daria

    Daria and Liv took turns working over Liv with a lot of basic mat work, headlocks and armbars, all leading to the hot tag for Asuka. Asuka ran wild, knocking Mandy off the apron, transitioning an arm bar into the Asuka Lock for the win.

    – Dylan Miley beat Bronson Mathews

    The former Tough Enough Josh made his in-ring debut. Big diving headbutt from Miley for the win. Short strong guy match here.

    – Levis Valenzuela beat Elias Samson

    Pre-match, Samson barely got his song out due to vicious heat from the crowd: “You Need Lessons” “Your Song Sucks” “Drift Away” chants. He attempted to mock the town but Levis made his entrance. Match was a lot of headlocks and control by The Drifter. Levis made a comeback and hit some big axe handles and hit his windup punch finish for a big win.

    – Patrick Clark and Kenneth Crawford beat Blake and Murphy

    BAMF was without Alexa Bliss. They took control early, cutting off the ring and working over Kenneth. Patrick took the hot tag and did some amazing drop kicks and midsection kicks. Blake & Murphy tried to cheat and run distraction yet Patrick got a flash pin roll up on Blake for the surprise win.

    – Austin Aries beat Steve Cutler

    Aries began with a promo. He says he’s prepared for Baron Corbin in Dallas and is proud to be here in Tampa. Cutler interrupts him and says he’s been here for two years.Showcase match for Aries who hit a dive to the outside, his spinning elbow, and the win.

    – Mojo Rawley beat Chris Girard

    Girard hit variations of his uppercut throughout this match, Mojo would try to taunt him yet get caught up fighting rather than goofing around. Girard worked a chinlock and Mojo fought out of it, got hyped up and ran wild before scoring the win with his shoulder blocks, and front slam.

    – Apollo Crews beat Angelo Dawkins

    The usual Dawkins jawjacking, taunting Apollo, and talking about the Curse Of Greatness. Apollo was able to get Angelo’s headband at one point which upset Dawkins greatly. Apollo for the win and celebrated with the fans.

    – Enzo and Cass beat The Vaudevillains

    Pre-match promo with Enzo and Cass saying it is good to be back in Tampa and they aren’t happy with the results of Roadblock. They challenged anyone who wanted a match and out came the Vauds. Good match here with Enzo and Cass each getting the shine early on. The heels used distractions and cheating to take the advantage behind the ref’s back to work over Enzo.

    After a long beating by the heels on Enzo, he was able to get the hot tag to Cass who ran wild with big slams and clotheslines. He hit a Stinger Splash and big boot for a near fall. Enzo kicked out of a big powerbomb late. Cass cleared house and Enzo got the splash and pin for the win.

  • NXT Coral Gables, FL, live results: Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe; Sami Zayn, more

    Photo: @TripleH

    Notes from Ernie Quincosa from University of Miami’s BankUnited Center

    – Sami Zayn beat Baron Corbin

    They kicked this house show off with a match that could have been near the top of the card. Crowd was pretty hot for Sami and heckled Baron throughout. Typical Sami Zayn match, Baron got quite a bit of offense in, more than Sami, and looked much much more experienced than he has recently, he came across to me as a main event of NXT caliber heel for the first time. Sami won with a Heluva Kick to the corner and a pin.

    – Carmella and Aliyah beat Emma and Billie Kay

    Match was flat. People tried to get behind Carmella and booed Emma, but this was the quietest they were all night. Everything looked very soft and not very stiff, but all the women in the match did look like great athletes. Emma and Billie Kaye worked over Aliyah and Carmella got the hot tag and submits Billie Kaye with her neck choke finisher.

    – Rich Swann beat Riddick Moss

    Crowd liked Rich Swann but kept heckling through the match.  Very back and forth match, and Swann won with a 450 splash. Riddick Moss seems to be improving, and Rich Swann seems like a solid baby face.

    – NXT Tag Champions The Revival vs. American Alpha ends in a draw

    This felt like a dry run of a pay-per-view match. Match started slow with Chad Gable getting a lot of shine. Revival tries to cheat, start cutting the ring in half with Gable. Jordan gets a very hot tag and goes to town with the spot where he pulls his singlet straps down, pulls them up, and pulls them back down. Crowd loses it. Match ends with pinning trade-off between Dawson and Gable, ending in a double pin. Referee calls the match a draw, Jordan asks The Revival to go five more minutes and they refuse and try to jump American Alpha. Jordan and Gable get a come back and hit Grand Amplitude, then soak in the applause from the crowd.

    – NXT Women’s Champion Bayley beat Nia Jax

    Big contrast between this match and the earlier women’s match. Every time Nia hit Bayley, the crowd gasped. Nia dominated Bayley for most of the match, until Bayley had a comeback and hit the Bayley-to-Belly suplex and pinned Nia. 

    – Manny Andrade beat Tye Dillinger

    Surprisingly, it seemed like a good amount of the crowd knew of La Sombra, and there were multiple Sombra chants during the match. Manny seemed VERY popular with the crowd, which garnered multiple chants in Spanish. A lot of the crowd was Latino, but it’s also important to remember Miami has a lot of Cubans and Central Americans, and not so many Mexicans specifically. This match got the first (and possibly only) “This is Awesome” chant of the night. Dillinger and Andrade went back and forth, lots of chops and reversals in this match. Much more high-flying than I’ve seen in an NXT match before. Andrade won with a very impressive moonsault from the corner to standing into a standing moonsault.

    – NXT Champion Finn Balor beat Samoa Joe

    This was more or less the same match these two have had before. The pacing was a little different, however. Samoa Joe seemed like a monster throughout the match, dominating Finn early with a very physical style. Finn won with a brainbuster, however he was not able to lift Joe all the way up and so it ended up being more of a face slam. Samoa Joe was very popular with the crowd, who sang happy birthday to him during the match without prompting. After the match, Finn led the crowd into singing happy birthday to Joe again, and then sang “Danny Boy” for the crowd, it being St. Patrick’s Day. 

  • WWE NXT results: American Alpha vs. Vaudevillians, Shinsuke Nakamura debuts

    The BIG News: Sami Zayn will face the debuting Shinsuke Nakamura at Takeover: Dallas

    The Medium News: Bayley will defend her championship against Asuka at the afore-mentioned Takeover: Dallas show

    The Little News: American Alpha became the new #1 Contender’s to the NXT Tag Team Title and will theoretically face The Revival at Takeover: Dallas

    Sami Zayn is out to kick off the show. I wonder when they taped this segment since theoretically it was taped minutes after the last show ended, but Sami looked refreshed.

    Zayn put Joe over, but said his focus is still the same and his goal is to still become a 2x NXT Champion. One thing does bother Zayn and that’s that he does not have a match at Takeover: Dallas.

    This brought out Mr. William Regal, who agreed that Sami deserves something special at Takeover and he deserves to face one of the best in the world. Mr. Regal announced Sami Zayn vs Shinsuke Nakamura for Takeover. Now I can officially say how much I am marking out.

    They had a video with Nakamura saying he will see Zayn at Takeover. The fans chanted “Holy sh*t” as the announcers put over Nakamura huge.

    The Hype Bros defeated Angelo Dawkins & Kevin Crawford

    They announced American Alpha vs Vaudevillians for later. They did that last week and instead the opening match went 45 minutes. I will go out on a limb and say this match will not go that long.

    Dawkins and Crawford looked good working with Ryder. Mojo still hasn’t improved to do more than just the basic Mojo spots. Mojo did break out a discus punch to the face and the Bros won with a Hype Ryder in decidedly less than 45 minutes.

    -Dana Brooke and Emma were walking backstage when Deonna Purrazzo suddenly appeared. Emma told her the beating she’s going to get tonight is worst than the one Asuka gave her. Deonna said she would win and the heels laughed at her.

    Emma submitted Deonna Purrazzo

    Could they please change Deonna Purrazzo’s name? This match was not very good and downright clumsy at times. I know it’s important to get new girls on tv, but I feel bad if Purrazzo is the best of the next group of girls.

    The entire match seemed to telegraph a flash pin for Purrazzo. Emma hit several big moves and wouldn’t go for falls and act so cocky. Plus the announcers were blatantly pointing this out. It was all set up for Purrazzo to pin Emma, but before that happened Emma submitted her with the Emma Lock.

    Tommaso Ciampa defeated Jesse Sorensen

    Ciampa stampeded to the ring and got there before the ring announcer even introduced him. Ciampa ran across the ring and hit move after move on Sorensen. Ciampa hit a running knee in the corner and a discus clothesline for a 2 count.

    They went to the mandatory rest hold before Sorensen made his comeback. Sorensen went for the 10 punches of doom, but Ciampa tripped him up and kneed him in the head. On the mat Ciampa hit several knees to the head before submitting Jesse with a rolling armbar.

    Bayley & Asuka defeated Eva Marie & Nia Jax

    Izzy, the little girl who dresses like Bayley, was now moved to dead center in the front row, as opposed to by the ramp. I only noted that because Bayley didn’t go over near her and the announcers didn’t even bring it up. Nia started the match, Eva tagged in and quickly got caught in the ring with Asuka. I never felt so bad for Eva as Asuka beat the heck out of her.

    Nia blind tagged herself in and they got the heat on the champ when Nia laid her out with a Samoan Drop. Eva did that wacky stretch where you pull your opponents arms behind her back with your knee pressed into the back, but Eva forgot the second part.

    Eva slapped Asuka on the apron and then Nia accidentally legdropped Eva. This was not Eva’s night. Eva got a kick to the back of the head by Asuka before being pinned with a Belly to Bayley Suplex.

    – After the match Mr. Regal walked out, congratulating both Bayley and Asuka on winning before booking them against each other for Takeover.

    – We had a split screen interview where the announcers interviewed Austin Aries. Aries said he is happy to be here, but it’s too bad his debut got ruined by Baron Corbin. Aries said he told Mr. Regal, who apologized, that he should feel sorry for Baron. Aries said Baron will soon find out why Aries is the greatest man who ever lived.

    In a NXT tag team #1 Contender’s Match, American Alpha defeated The Vaudevillians

    Main event time! One of these two teams will become the #1 Contender’s to the NXT Tag Team Championship while the other team will move to the back of the line. Corey Graves alerted us to Dan Gable recently giving props to Chad Gable.

    Gable and Gotch worked really well together and made me wish I could see a match just between the two of them. Coming back from commercial the heels had cut off Gable and were wearing him down. The crowd wasn’t dead for this match, but they weren’t as psyched as they have been for Gable in the past.

    Jordan hot tagged in and suplexed everyone on their heads. Gable tagged himself in and had English pinned with Chaos Theory, but Gable broke it up. Jordan gave Gable a belly to belly overhead suplex on the floor and American Alpha won with Grand Amplitude.

    That does it for this week! Takeover is now 16 days away and the card is fricking amazing. Until next week when Asuka faces Emma, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers.

  • NXT Ft. Pierce, FL, live results: Finn Balor & Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin & Tye Dillinger

    Live from Ft. Pierce tonight in front of a sold out house.

    – Rich Swann and Tucker Knight beat Dhinsa and Selmani

    The big men put a beating on Swann early to build up the Knight hot tag. Knight ran wild with shoulderblocks and big clotheslines and then tagged in Swann for a 450 splash and the win.

    – Steve Cutler beat Alex Riley

    Heavy hitting match up with Riley laying Cutler down using a big spinebuster and even hit a top rope flying elbow. Cutler took control, used a side Russian leg sweep then applied a submission hold for the upset win.

    – Patrick Clark and Kenneth Crawford beat Sawyer Fulton and Alexander Wolfe

    The larger heels worked over the more athletic faces yet they were able to get some hope spots and showcase their abilities. Crawford stole the pin with a roll up to a good reaction.

    – Manny Andrade beat Angelo Dawkins

    Another very good match from Manny. He hit all his flashy spots and won over the crowd before the running knees for the win.

    – NXT Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Asuka vs. Billie Kay vs. Peyton Royce went to a no-contest

    The heels worked separation on the faces early, keeping it two on one and keeping Bayley away from Asuka. Once Bayley scored a flash pin on Billie, Asuka snatched Peyton up in her Asuka Lock submission leaving us with the 1 on 1 we all want to see. Asuka and Bayley went a good five minutes of great action. Asuka was laying in kicks to Bayley who fired up, hit her flying uppercut, and was trying to set up the Belly To Bayley yet the heels ran back in to cause the no contest. Asuka and Bayley fought them off and had a staredown, handshake, embrace moment.

    – Mojo Rawley beat Josh Woods

    Woods used his MMA style to work Mojo’s arm in this one, yet before the match could get going, the lights in the venue went off and stayed off for over a minute. Woods just held an armbar taunting Mojo during this time until they got back on. Once they came back on, Mojo ran wild and hit the big punch for the win.

    – In ring interview with Chris Atkins from Australia.

    – Nia Jax beat Liv Morgan

    Liv had some good hope spots to show her athletic ability, an amazing handspring rotation rana, some dropkicks and good fire. Nia hit the Samoan drop and a leg drop for the win.

    – NXT Champion Finn Balor and Apollo Crews beat Tye Dillinger and Baron Corbin

    Very good action as expected. Dillinger worked over both faces and Baron seemed disgusted waiting for tags. Fun stuff. The big hot tag to Balor and him running wild with slingblades and dropkicks. Balor laid out Dillinger and hit the coup de grace for the win.  

  • NXT Jacksonville, FL, live results: Finn Balor teams up with American Alpha

    Submitted by Ross Blair, live from the Maxwell Snyder Armory Thursday

    – Mojo Rawley def. Alex Riley

    Crowd favorite Rawley got the fans “hyped” in a decent opener against Riley. Both men had equal offense, and Mojo got the pin after he spun around and clocked Riley with a big right hand.

    – Liv Morgan defeated Daria the Jersey Devil

    Daria had MMA attire and the slugfest match came off more like an MMA match than a pro wrestling contest. It worked here. This was Morgan’s third consecutive appearance at this venue and, judging from the ovation she got, I’m probably not alone in saying she’s my favorite newbie in the NXT women’s division. Morgan pinned Daria after a standing moonsault…a deviation from her last two appearances, which ended with moonsaults of the top rope.

    – Tucker Knight pinned Angelo Dawkins

    Knight won with a Thesz press. Knight has new attire, a singlet, which greatly improves his look as it hides his gut.

    – Enzo Amore & Colin Cassidy (with Carmella) defeated Blake & Murphy (without Alexa Bliss)

    Enzo got double teamed for the majority of the match, followed by a hot tag to Big Cass and a pinfall victory after the popular duo’s rocket launcher finisher.

    – Levis Valenzuela Jr. pinned Riddick Moss after a wind-up knockout punch

    Moss was greeted with chants of “You’re OK” and “Welcome Back” as he made his entrance. The final image of the previous Jacksonville show was Moss receiving medical attention after the 6-man main event he was in ended prematurely when he had his bell rung after a suplex-gone-wrong. Moss did some mic work to turn around the sympathy he got from the fans & regain his role as a heel: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy, but all your support has been the only thing…that has completely annoyed me! I don’t need any of you!”

    – Six-foot-seven former collegiate football player Dan Matha debuted in an interview segment. He touted to announcer Tom Phillips that he is an “A+ player” and an apparent heel: “If you’re not a girl or a dumbbell, I don’t have time for you!”

    – Nia Jax def. Aliyah

    Jax got a big pop as she entered the ring to face the ridiculously smaller Aliyah in actually a very entertaining David & Goliath matchup. The crowd moaned in unison after Jax menacingly said “say hi to Aliyah”, followed by grabbing her by the hair & spinning her halfway across the ring. Aliyah did a good job appearing nervous during her brief moments of offense. Jax playfully said “bye bye” before finishing her with a Samoan drop.

    – NXT Champion Finn Balor & American Alpha (Jason Jordan/Chad Gable) def. NXT Tag Champions The Revival (Dash & Dawson) & Baron Corbin

    Balor got a huge pop in his long awaited return to Jacksonville. Excellent match. Gable got triple teamed for much of the contest. The finish came when Gable & Jordan had both Dawson & Wilder in ankle locks as Balor came off the top rope with his foot stomp to pin Corbin.

    Notes:

    – A return date to Jacksonville of April 23rd was announced.​

    – Manny “La Sombra” Andrade (joined by Mandy Rose & Steve Cutler) made his meet & greet debut. He is apparently conquering the English language as he fit right in during the NXT pre-show ritual of autographs and pictures with fans. Unfortunately, he was not on the actual card.