Category: NXT

  • NXT: Shotzi Blackheart Makes Her WWE TV Debut

    NXT: Shotzi Blackheart Makes Her WWE TV Debut

    Shotzi Blackheart made her official WWE NXT TV debut on December 25’s taped Christmas episode of the show.

    Blackheart has previously made an appearance on the yellow brand but it was on a non-televised live event show which took place on December 5 where she lost to Chelsea Green in a singles match.

    The former SHINE Nova Champion had a match against Bianca Belair, in which she lost.

    Blackheart was officially signed to the company back in November, before which she was offered a contract by NXT General Manager William Regal during EVOLVE 137 back in October.

    In 2015, Shotzi Blackheart appeared as a contestant on the latest season of WWE Tough Enough, where she used her real name, Ashley Urbanski. She was unable to make it to the final 14 due to a medical issue. She also had a WWE tryout back in 2016.

    The 26-year-old California native has worked with Hoodslam, All Pro Wrestling, and with women’s wrestling promotions like SHIMMER, Shine Wrestling, and RISE Wrestling.

    Blackheart made her debut in IMPACT Wrestling after working with a number of UK wrestling promotions. She also competed in IMPACT’s All Glory event back in October.

  • Rhea Ripley Defends Shayna Baszler Against Fan Criticism

    Rhea Ripley Defends Shayna Baszler Against Fan Criticism

    Shayna Baszler, who is known for having a very dominant persona as a heel on the NXT women’s roster, often receives fan criticism, with many citing that her gimmick has gotten boring and repetitive.

    Baszler doesn’t just have a fierce persona, she is also a brute in the ring. She is a two-time in NXT Women’s Champion and has held the title for 416 days, second only to Asuka’s as the longest-reigning champion. Last week on WWE NXT, Rhea Ripley was able to defeat Baszler and win the title for herself.

    Ripley talked about her huge win against Baszler in a recent interview with Newsweek and touched on the criticism that the Queen of Spades receives from fans. “I read a lot of things on Twitter, and I see a lot of things about Shayna and about me. I absolutely hate it when they rag on her and say she’s boring.”

    4 Takeaways From WWE NXT (12/25)

    Rhea defended Baszler, saying that her character is not supposed to be exciting and that her job is to make the fans hate her, not like her.

    “She’s a heel, she’s not supposed to be exciting. She’s not supposed to make you like her. She’s not supposed to do any of that stuff. She’s doing her job right. And I hate when people disrespect that fact. So to go out there and put on a match like that with Shayna and prove to everyone how wrong [they are about] not only me but her as well, it’s a feeling that can’t be matched. I just love proving people wrong.”

    Rhea must know how hard it must be playing a heel character as she herself was one when she performed in NXT UK. She was also the first women’s champion of the brand. Hopefully, critical fans see this and understand that Baszler has a role to play and a job to do.

  • What To Expect From NXT’s New Year Episode

    What To Expect From NXT’s New Year Episode

    WWE has announced that next Wednesday’s special episode of WWE NXT on New Year’s Day will have three hosts: Cathy Kelley, Sam Roberts and Pat McAfee. They will be the hosts for the NXT Year-End Awards. The Awards will be taking place on next week’s broadcast of the weekly wrestling show. There will be no live wrestling show for this episode of New Year’s Day.

    The show will reveal winners of the NXT Year-End Awards. Fans were asked to cast their votes on the official website and Twitter for the nominees if the awards. Just like last year, this year also has a total of nine categories. The categories and winners of the 2018 NXT Year-End Awards are as follows:

    • Male Competitor for the Year: Tommaso Ciampa
    • Female Competitor of the Year: Kairi Sane
    • Overall Competitor of the Year: Kairi Sane
    • Tag Team of the Year: The Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong)
    • Rivalry of the Year: Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa
    • Breakout Star of the Year: Ricochet
    • TakeOver of the Year: NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
    • Future Star of NXT: Io Shirai
    • Match of the Year: Andrade (c) vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia

    Apart from the awards, WWE will also air replays of the biggest NXT TakeOver matches from this year, which includes the first-ever women’s WarGames match.

    The episode will also see the announcement of the names of the NXT 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic participant tag teams.

    The special New Year’s episode will air from 9 pm to 10 pm Eastern Time, January 1, 2020, on the USA Network.

    Below is the announcement that WWE made on its Twitter account:

    NXT will resume its live episode format from January 8, 2020.

    Also Read: 4 Takeaways From WWE NXT (12/25)

  • Fandango Out With Injury

    Fandango Out With Injury

    After spending from the summer of 2018 to the summer of 2019 on the shelf with a torn left labrum, Fandango looks like he’s going back on the injured list. The 38-year-old member of Breezeango posted a photo of his arm in a sling recently.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6VOh1nAFyG/

    Fandango uses the hashtag #TommyJohn in the post, possibly alluding to the type of surgery he might be having on his arm. If that is the case, Fandango could be looking at another long stint on the inactive list.

    Recovery time from Tommy John varies amongst athletes. While pitchers in baseball can take 12-15 months to recover from the surgery, other athletes are often back in as little as 6 months.

    Fandango Injured

    Tyler Breeze and Fandango defeated The Singh Brothers on NXT from December 11th, 2019. Fandango hasn’t wrestled since. Breezeango returned to NXT upon Fandango’s return from injury this summer.

    Breezeango’s 2019 NXT record:

    • August 10th, 2019 – Breezeango defeated The Forgotten Sons
    • August 15th, 2019 – Breezeango defeated 3.0
    • September 25th, 2019 – Breezeango & KUSHIDA defeated Imperium
    • October 9th, 2019 – the Forgotten Sons defeated Breezeango
    • December 11th, 2019 – Breezeango defeated the Sing Brothers.
  • WWE Hall of Famer Calls Rhea Ripley “The Next Rock or John Cena”

    WWE Hall of Famer Calls Rhea Ripley “The Next Rock or John Cena”

    WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry recently made some interesting comments on the Busted Open Radio show. The part time co-host of the Sirius XM broadcast was discussing NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley with permanent host Dave LaGreca.

    Henry started by describing how impressive it was that Ripley has achieved this much at her age, with the Superstar being only 23 years old. “At twenty three years old I was I was still [power] lifting. I hadn’t even got into wrestling yet. Yet she’s [Rhea] already been in it, been there, done that…at twenty three years old. What will she do in the next fifteen twenty years? I’m gonna tell you, she’s going to transcend wrestling.”

    Henry then elaborated on the “transcend” comment, saying “she’ll be the next Rock. She will be the next John Cena, she will be able to be the next Batista. She should be able to go outside of wrestling and make a living because she’ll be a big mainstream star.”

    Rhea Ripley

    Rhea Ripley defeated Shayna Baszler this past Wednesday to become the new NXT Women’s Champion. This ended Baszler’s long and dominating reign on top of the NXT Women’s division. Head of NXT Triple H took to Twitter following Wednesday’s broadcast and had huge praise for the new champion. “An incredible main event and a new champion. One of the most dominant reigns over the @WWENXT Women’s division comes to end and another begins. @RheaRipley_WWE will be the one to lead #WWENXT into the new year… Congratulations. #AndNew.”

  • Rhea Ripley Talks Shayna Baszler, Triple H, & Winning Championships

    Rhea Ripley Talks Shayna Baszler, Triple H, & Winning Championships

    Rhea Ripley became the 9th wrestler to win the NXT Women’s Championship when she did so this week from Full Sail University. Ripley ended the 2nd reign of Shayna Baszler in the main event of Wednesday’s show. She spoke to SI.com about the experience.

    “It’s slowly sinking in,” said Ripley. “I’m feeling all sorts of feelings right now. I’m happy, I’m sore, I’m excited. I’m everything, plus a bit of tiredness.”

    Ripley admitted she had some nerves about the big match.

    “It was live TV and all eyes were on me, so I just needed wrap all my nerves up and turn them into confidence. It was an amazing night. It felt like forever leading up to it, and then it was like, snapping my fingers and it was done.”

    She also took the time to speak about her opponent.

    “Shayna is definitely a badass, she’s credible, and she deserved to hold the title for so long,” said Ripley. “It’s hard to describe, it’s more of a natural feeling, but stepping into the ring with her taught me a lot about myself and what we do in the ring.”

    Rhea Ripley On Triple H

    Ripley has frequently mentioned that Triple H was a favorite of hers when she was first getting into wrestling. She also talked about her relationship with him during the interview with SI.com.

    “Triple H is someone I’ve looked up to since I was a little girl” said Ripley. “He was the reason I started watching wrestling, and I loved our photo together this time.”

    “I got one when I won the NXT U.K. Women’s Championship, and I was legit so excited. I had this massive cheesy grin and I hated myself for it. I was like, ‘I can’t believe you made yourself like a goober in your one chance with the Triple H photo.’ So I’m glad that I got a second chance.”

    The full interview with Rhea Ripley can be read here.

  • Finn Balor vs Adam Cole To Open NXT Commercial-Free This Week

    Finn Balor vs Adam Cole To Open NXT Commercial-Free This Week

    Wednesday’s episode of NXT is gearing up to be one of the biggest since the show moved to the USA Network. Two big title matches will take place on the show including Finn Balor challenging Adam Cole for the NXT Championship.

    WWE recently announced that the Balor vs Cole title contest will open up NXT this week and the match will air commercial-free.

    Cathey Kelley recently broke the news on social media:

    Rhea Ripley will also challenge Shayna Baszler Wednesday night on NXT.

    Finn Balor vs Adam Cole – NXT Championship

    Finn Balor has spent more time as NXT Champion than anyone else in history. He’s also had the longest single-reign in the lineage of the title.

    Balor’s 292-day title reign between July 4th, 2015 until losing the title to Samoa Joe on a house show in Lowell, MA on April 21st, 2016 is the longest in the history of the title.

    As of this writing, Adam Cole’s title reign is currently at 198 days.

    NXT Championship Statistics

    1. Finn Balor (1x) 292 days as champion.
    2. Adrian Neville (1x) 287 days as champion.
    3. Bo Dallas (1x) 280 days as champion.
    4. Tommaso Ciampa (1x) 238 days as champion.
    5. Bobby Roode (1x) 203 days as champion.
    6. Adam Cole (1x) 198+ days as champion.
  • Dakota Kai Injury Update, Fandango And Travis Banks Announced Injured

    Dakota Kai Injury Update, Fandango And Travis Banks Announced Injured

    WWE has posted the latest NXT injury report on their official YouTube, and it gives an update on Dakota Kai’s status, as well as announces two names who have suffered injuries.

    Dakota Kai was sent through a pair of tables with an elevated suplex by Mia Yim following their match on NXT. Kai had to receive eight staples to close the laceration she received, and the doctors recommended her to rest. Dakota declined the doctor’s advice to rest and posted an update on Twitter to reveal that she would be working all the upcoming NXT live events:

    Breezango took on The Singh Brothers in tag team competition, and during the match Fandango performed an assisted elbow drop outside of the ring. The report noted that he suffered what may be a dislocated elbow, and he was sent to the emergency room for imaging. There is no update on Fandango’s condition as of this writing.

    NXT UK star Travis Banks went against Jaxson Ryker in a singles match. Even though Banks came out of the match victorious, he suffered an eyebrow laceration. He is listed as “day-to-day”, depending on his symptoms.

    You can read the results of this weeks NXT episode by clicking this link.

  • WWE NXT Results & Live Coverage (12/11)

    WWE NXT Results & Live Coverage (12/11)

    The December 11th, 2019 edition of WWE’s NXT aired live on the USA Network from Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.

    – This week’s broadcast opens up with a video package hosted by NXT Champion Adam Cole. Cole says none of the three men in tonight’s Triple Threat #1 contenders match tonight are worthy of a shot at his Title.

    – Mauro Ranallo welcomes us to the arena, and it looks like we are kicking off the show tonight with the Cruiserweight Title match.

    Lio Rush (c) vs. Angel Garza: Rush charges Garza off the opening bell and pummels on him in the corner. The fight spills out to ringside and Garza turns it around. Back in the ring, Garza drops Rush for the first pin attempt of the match. Rush tries to mount a comeback, but Garza drops him again with a superkick. They trade strikes now until Rush connects with several knee strikes. Rush misses a shot, and Garza drops Rush neck-first across the top rope and Rush falls out to ringside. Back in the ring, Garza tries to keep Rush grounded, but Rush is able to fight up with a series of strikes. Garza takes him back down with a spinning powerslam for a two count. Rush comes back with a hurricanrana and a soccer kick to the head. Garza blocks a hurricanrana attempt, but Rush is still able to dump Garza out to ringside. Rush hits a springboard moonsault on Garza at ringside, then takes him back in the ring. Rush misses a shot and Garza hits the springboard stunner for a two count. Rush and Garza fight up the turnbuckle now. Garza ends up hitting a Spanish Fly off the top rope for another two count. Garza and Rush trade big strikes now and both men go down. Rush dumps Garza out to ringside, but then Rush misses a shot on the floor. Back in the ring, Garza hits the Wing Clipper for a two count. Garza can’t believe it, and he immediately puts Rush into a reverse Full Nelson for the win via submission.

    Winner & new Cruiserweight Champion: Angel Garza

    – Garza celebrates with his new NXT Cruiserweight Title.

    – We go to a video package looking at Shayna Baszler driving her classic Mustang and cutting a promo on Rhea Ripley.

    – Cameron Grimes is shown backstage jumping up and down.

    – We see footage from during the commercial break of Angela Garza bringing his girlfriend into the ring to propose to her, and she says yes.

    Cameron Grimes vs. Raul Mendoza: Mendoza starts off strong and dumps Grimes outside, then hits a Tornado DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, Grimes turns it around with a running cross body. Kushida comes out to ringside and distracts Grimes. Mendoza hits a Frankensteiner on Grimes for the three count.

    Winner: Raul Mendoza

    – Mendoza heads up the ramp to celebrate on the stage. Kushida steals Grimes’ hat from ringside and heads to the back.

    – Mia Yim is backstage for a brief interview where she talks about how much pain she wants to inflict on Dakota Kai tonight.

    – We go to a video package looking at NXT UK’s Travis Banks.

    Jaxson Ryker vs. Travis Banks: Cutler and Blake are at ringside. The opening bell sounds and Ryker starts off throwing strikes, then Banks blocks one and fires back with some of his own. They brawl out to ringside, and Ryker drops Banks on the floor. Back in the ring, Ryker continues the offense. Ryker hits a springboard suplex and keeps Banks grounded. Banks finally mounts some offense, but Ryker stuns him with a knee to the face. It looks like Banks is bleeding from a cut near his eye. Banks fights back and connects with a kick, then hits the Slice From Heaven for the three count.

    Winner: Travis Banks

    – Banks heads up the ramps as Cutler and Blake hit the ring to check on Ryker.

    – Still to come: Mia Yim vs. Dakota Kai

    Mia Yim vs. Dakota Kai: Kai is still carrying Tegan Nox’s knee brace. Yim hits a dropkick off the opening bell, and both women trade strikes now. Yim starts working over Kai’s knee. They trade kicks and fight out to the ringside floor. Yim throws Kai into the ring steps then hits a cannonball splash on her. Back in the ring, Kai fights back with a big boot for a two count. they trade strikes back and forth now until Yim catches Kai with an overhead suplex for a two count. Kai reverses a Code Blue, but Yim goes for it again and she connects on the second Code Blue attempt. Yim pins for a two count. Kai fights back and hits a sit out powerbomb for a two count of her own. Kai misses a big boot and Yim fires back with a German suplex for another two count. They fight out to again again, then on the way back in the ring Kai grabs the knee brace. The ref stops her. Yim charges but she runs into a kick from Kai. Kai exposes one of the turnbuckles. Yim tries to fight up, but Kai sends her into the exposed turnbuckle, then rolls her up for the three count.

    Winner: Dakota Kai

    – After the match, Yim attacks Kai and they fight over to a production area. They fight up on top of a platform, and Kai suplexes Kai off the platform through a table on the floor below. The crowd goes crazy as Yim slowly recovers and heads to the back. Kai is still down.

    – Mauro sends us to a video package looking at Keith Lee before the commercial break.

    Breezango vs. The Singh Brothers: The Singh BRothers take some cheap shots early on in this one. The fight spills out to ringside and Breezango turns it around with some double team moves. Back in the ring, Fandango hits the flying leg drop from the top rope on Samir for the three count after a short but competitive match.

    Winners: Breezango

    – The announcers promote the “Takeover: Brooklyn 2015” special airing on the USA Network tonight.

    – We come back from the commercial break with a video package looking at next week’s NXT Women’s Title match.

    Kayden Carter vs. Bianca Belair: They talk trash over the opening bell and Bianca throws her shirt at Carter then tackles her. Belair unloads with strikes in the opening moments. She misses a shot and Carter fires back with a kick. They brawl back and forth now until Belair takes her down with a backbreaker and a gutbuster. Belair hits another backbreaker now and keeps Carter grounded. Carter finally fights back with a jawbreaker. Carter misses her follow-up shot, and Belair answers with a spear in the corner. Belair lifts up Carter and spikes her on the mat for a two count. Belair controls the next several moments, but she wastes some time and Carter blocks a moonsault attempt. Carter fires up and dumps Belair outside. Carter hits a kick from the apron then takes her back in the ring. Carter misses a shot and Belair answers with a spear. Belair picks Carter up in the Torture Rack, then hits the KOD for the three count.

    Winner: Bianca Belair

    – Belair poses for the crowd as we go to replays.

    – The announcers talk up tonight’s main event as NXT Champion Adam Cole comes out to ringside for a closer look at the upcoming #1 Contender match.

    Tommaso Ciampa vs. Keith Lee vs. Finn Balor: The winner of this one gets a shot at Cole’s NXT Title. Balor strikes on Lee first after the opening bell, then Ciampa attacks Balor. Lee is back on his feet and Balor rolls outside for a breather. Lee rolls outside and Balor is now standing between Lee and Ciampa. Balor tries to get in the ring but Ciampa kicks him out, then Lee grabs him and slams him into the apron. Lee throws Balor back in the ring, then he slingshots himself in to drop both Balor and Ciampa. Lee dominates the next several moments of this one. Ciampa finally knocks Lee to the outside, and now Ciampa and Balor go at it. Ciampa hits a running knee on Balor, then Lee comes back in and Ciampa gives Lee a running knee strike too. Ciampa keeps the pressure on both Balor and Lee, and he hits a double draping DDT on both opponents. Ciampa gives Balor an Air Raid on top of Lee on the mat, then dumps him out to ringside. Ciampa focuses on Lee now and lays into him with strikes. Lee fights back and looks for a splash, but Ciampa gets his knees up to block it. Balor is back in the ring and hits a double stomp on Lee. Balor charges again, but this time Lee intercepts him with the Pounce. Lee drops Ciampa again and controls the pace of the match once again. Lee hits running splashes on both opponents, then launches Balor into Ciampa. Ciampa starts fighting back, then Balor comes over and they hit a double team suplex on Lee.

    Ciampa beats on Balor now, and Ciampa looks for the Air Riad off the top, but Lee runs over and puts them both on his shoulders for a big slam. Fans go crazy chanting “NXT” now as Lee gets up. Lee looks for a moonsault on Ciampa but misses. Lee blocks a Fairytale Ending attempt, and he hits a Jackhammer on Ciampa. Balor comes over and rolls up Lee for a two count. Lee blocks the Slingblade, but Balor is able to reverse a powerbomb attempt into a Coupe De Grace. Balor dumps Ciampa and Lee outside and hits a dive. Back in the ring, Balor misses a Coup De Grace attempt on Ciampa. Lee runs in and Pounces Balor. Ciampa escapes a powerbomb, then he takes out Lee’s knee. Ciampa hits the Air Raid on Lee for a two count. Lee fights back and hits a moonsault on Ciampa for a two count of his own. Lee hits a powerbomb on Ciampa, but then Balor runs in and hits the Coupe De Grace on Lee out of nowhere for the three count.

    Winner & new #1 contender: Finn Balor

    – Balor celebrates in the ring as we go to replays. Mauro confrims Balor vs. Cole for the NXT Title next week. Cole watches from the stage, and the other Undisputed Era members join him. NXT goes off the air with the Era staring down Balor from the ramp.

  • Dakota Kai Talks About Her Heel Turn, NXT vs. AEW

    Dakota Kai Talks About Her Heel Turn, NXT vs. AEW

    Last month at NXT Takeover: War Games, Dakota Kai turned on her team and assaulted Tegan Nox in the process. According to recent comments she made to Sports Illustrated, Kai reveals was nervous about the turn but saw her return from injury as an opportunity.

    “In order to stand out, I took my own opportunity,” she said. “A lot of people here may wait for the opportunity, but when I came back from injury, I knew I had to do something in order to stand out.”

    “We’re so proud of all the women here. There is a lot of new talent coming in, and they have big goals, too, especially once they get onto NXT, which is now a part of the main roster. Basically I just created my own opportunity and I think it’s worked.”

    Dakota Kai continued to say she was nervous but recognized the opportunity in front of her.

    “I was nervous, but there was almost a clarity behind it. In the back of my mind, I knew this was my moment to finally make an impact and finally show everyone what they hadn’t seen before. My mind was very clear going into it.”

    Dakota Kai on NXT vs. AEW

    Dakota was also asked about the ratings “war” between NXT and AEW. She said she doesn’t pay too close attention to the ratings.

    “Whatever the ratings are, we really don’t pay much attention to it,” she said. “The chips will fall wherever and whatever happens, happens. The strength we have is focusing on our own stuff. They focus on their own stuff, we focus on our own stuff.”

    Like many others have said, she emphasized that competition is good for wrestling.

    “At the end of the day, we just want to elevate wrestling for everyone. So it’s good for everyone to have that competition. It only elevates everyone, and we’re going to keep bringing the best professional wrestling we have to offer.”

    Head over to Sports Illustrated to check out their full interview with NXT’s Dakota Kai.

  • KUSHIDA Attacked By Cameron Grimes At WWE PC (Video)

    KUSHIDA Attacked By Cameron Grimes At WWE PC (Video)

    WWE NXT posted a video of NXT Superstar Cameron Grimes attacking KUSHIDA at the WWE Performance Center recently. KUSHIDA just returned from a wrist injury on NXT last week.

    Video of the attack was posted to the WWE NXT Twitter account:

    https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/1204582465182023680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

    Grimes rammed KUSHIDA’s head into a series of lockers and can be heard yelling “You don’t embarrass Cameron Grimes” in the video.

    KUSHIDA vs Cameron Grimes

    On last week’s edition of NXT on USA, KUSHIDA defeated Grimes in his first match back after suffering a wrist injury this fall. KUSHIDA’s last match was a loss to WALTER on the October 9th, 2019 edition of NXT.

    As for Grimes, he has a 7-2 record on WWE NXT programming since losing to Jordan Myles in the finals of the Breakout tournament this summer. Grimes’ only losses since then have been to Matt Riddle and KUSHIDA.

    As for KUSHIDA, he’s only lost 2 matches for WWE NXT as well since debuting for the brand earlier this year. KUSHIDA dropped a cruiserweight title match to Drew Gulak on an EVOLVE show this summer and then also lost to WALTER on the NXT show from October 9th, 2019.

  • Sean Waltman Discusses NXT Talent Not Wanting To Join RAW Or SmackDown Rosters

    Sean Waltman Discusses NXT Talent Not Wanting To Join RAW Or SmackDown Rosters

    On a recent episode of his podcast, X-Pac 12360, WWE Hall of Famer Sean “X-Pac” Waltman addressed why he thinks some NXT Superstars are reticent in joining the RAW or SmackDown rosters. 

    “There are people that have just started, that don’t have any experience. People that have been around forever. There’s older people, younger people, there are a few people that are pushing 40 on the NXT roster,” Waltman stated. “So there’s going to be different mentalities. And there are some people that have military backgrounds, that have a different mentality because of that. So it depends on who you talk too.”

    He noted how there are certain Superstars that are doing really well on the black-and-gold brand. Despite their success, however, Waltman added how there are still some who are motivated in joining WWE’s main roster.

    Waltman also spoke about how money isn’t necessarily the primary motivating factor for most younger talent. He confessed that his generation has difficulty understanding this mentality. 

    “[…] we all like money, and it’s a big driving force but money doesn’t spend very well if you’re not fn happy. And the younger generations are realizing that there are more important things. And people my age are scratching our heads going ‘wtf’, we don’t know how to deal with that, because you can’t hold things over somebody’s head.”

    Waltman’s take on this situation comes off the back of Tommaso Ciampa’s recent comments. The former NXT Champion allegedly told WWE management that he would rather retire than join either RAW or SmackDown

    H/T to Wrestlezone for the quotes.

  • Rhea Ripley On Changing Her Appearance, Being Herself

    Rhea Ripley On Changing Her Appearance, Being Herself

    Back when she first made her WWE debut during the first Mae Young Classic, NXT Superstar Rhea Ripley sported a very different look compared to her current aesthetic.

    Speaking with Yahoo!, Ripley explained how she wasn’t confident during her time competing in the Mae Young Classic Tournament, noting that she “wasn’t being myself.”

    “I went out there and was trying to please everyone, be what they thought I should be,” she explained. “I was trying to make everyone happy, but it wasn’t making me happy at all. At the second Mae Young Classic, I changed everything, I was completely different. I was myself, the person that I know I am and brought the house down.”

    Looking to her recent success in WWE’s black-and-gold brand, Ripley reflected on her successful victory at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. Her team would defeat Team Baszler, despite the odds being heavily against them.

    “WarGames was a match that I’ve dreamt of my entire life,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to have a match where I get to use weapons and I never got that back home. That was my first time being able to use all of that stuff in a match — legally. We put on a match that no one expected from us and helped prove why NXT is the main roster.”

    Ripley is currently scheduled to face off against the current NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler on the December 18th episode of NXT on USA Network.

  • WWE NXT Results & Live Coverage (12/4)

    WWE NXT Results & Live Coverage (12/4)

    The December 4, 2019 edition of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.

    – Tonight’s broadcast opens with a video package highlighting last week’s show.

    – Mauro Ranallo welcomes us to the show from Full Sail University. He starts previewing tonight’s show, but is interrupted by Killian Dain’s entrance.

    – Dain comes out to the ring and gets on the mic. Dain calls out Damien Priest, saying he’s not man enough to fight him. Dain says he won’t leave the ring until someone comes out to fight him. Pete Dunne comes out to answer the challenge.

    Pete Dunne vs. Killian Dain: Dunne hits the ring and immediately bring the fight to Dain. Dain rolls outside for a breather, then rolls back in to go back at it with Dunne. Dunne counters a shot and connects with a kick. Dunne starts working on Dain’s fingers now. They brawl out to ringside where Dunne continues with strikes. Back in the ring, Dain fights back and drops Dunne, then follows up with a senton. Dain tries to keep Dunne grounded now, and chokes him against the ropes. Dunne tries to mount offense, but Dain levels him with a running crossbody. Dain misses a kick and Dunne starts firing back. Dunne hits a German suplex for a two count. Dunne misses a shot and Dain sends him out to ringside, then Dain follows up with a big suicide dive. Back in the ring, they fight up the turnbuckle and Dunne hits a superplex. The crow is behind Dunne now as he continues the offense on Dain. Dain gets sent outside again and Dunne hits a moonsault on the floor. Dain fires back on the floor with a slam into the apron, then a senton splash. Back in ther ing, Dain hits a cannonball into Dunne on the ring steps. Back in the ring, Dain nails Dunne in the corner, then he looks for a Vader Bomb, but Dunne blocks it with his knees. Dunne looks for a triangle choke, but Dain turns it into a powerbomb for a two count. They fight up to the top turnbuckle, and Dunne applies a sleeper. Dain falls back and lands on top of Dunne on the mat, and Dain stays laying on top of him for the three count.

    Winner: Killian Dain

    – Dakota Kai is backstage for an interview. She talks about her plans to take out Rhea Ripley tonight, just like she did to that “hood rat” Mia Yim.

    – Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong make their way out to the ring next. Bobby Fish is out with an injury. Cole gets on the mic and talks about the Undisputed Era having a November to remember. He talks about taking over RAW and SmackDown, then beating them at Survivor Series. Cole says NXT repaid them by injuring Fish last week, Keith Lee attacking them, and Finn Balor turning on them. Cole says they need answers, and they aren’t leaving until they get them. Keith Lee’s music hits and he comes out and gets on the mic. O’Reilly starts cutting a promo on Lee. Lee says he’s a game changer, and says the GIF of him hitting the Pounce on Cole went viral. Lee says he can’t decide which Title to take from the Undisputed Era first. Cole starts threatening Lee, and Lee drops him with a right hand. The Era attacks Lee, but Lee fights them off. Tommaso Ciampa comes out to help and he drops Cole from behind. He sends Cole back into the ring, and Lee looks for a powerbomb, but O’Reilly and Cole pull Strong out to safety. Lee and Ciampa stand tall in the ring while the Era retreats. Ciampa picks up the NXT Title that Cole dropped and the crowd pops.

    – Xia Li is shown backstage cutting a promo on Shayna Baszler. She tells Shayna to prepare to face a warrior.

    Shayna Baszler vs. Xia Li: Alicia Taylor does the ring introductions, and both competitors come out to the ring alone. Li and Baszler trade lots of strikes and counters early on fairly evenly. Baszler eventually tackles Li down and pummels on her, then Li turns it around. Back on their feet, Li hits a tornado kick to drop Shayna. Baszler fights back and starst working over Li’s arm. Baszler continues trying to injure Li’s arm and fans boo. Li looks for a kick, but Baszler catches it and turns it into a single-leg Boston Crab. Li fights out and starts firing up with strikes. They fight up the turnbuckle and Li hits a sunset flip powerbomb for a two count. Li misses a kick attempt, and Baszler locks in the Kirifuda Clutch for the win.

    Winner: Shayna Baszler

    – Still to come: Rhea Ripley vs. Dakota Kai

    – Back from the break, we see video from earlier today of Kassius Ohno outside the arena. He cuts a promo about the upcoming Worlds Collide special during Royal Rumble weekend. Ohno says he’s here tonight in case any superstars want a preview of what he’s going to do at Worlds Collide.

    The Forgotten Sons vs. Leon Ruff & Adrian Alanis: Jaxson Ryker is at ringside. The opening bell sounds and Ruff immediately charges, but Blake stops him and beats him down. Cutler tags in for the big double team. Alanis tries to get involved, but The Sons double team him too. The Sons make quick work of Ruff and Alanis in a short squash match.

    Winners: The Forgotten Sons

    – After the match, Ryker grabs Ruff and chokeslams him over the top rope and onto the edge of the ring apron. Ruff falls down to the floor as the Sons stand tall in the ring.

    – Rhea Ripley is shown backstage warming up.

    Dakota Kai vs. Rhea Ripley: Kai carries Tegan Nox’s knee brace out to the ring with her Ripley cuts a promo from the stage before the match, then Mia Yim runs out and hits the ring and brawls with Kai. Yim boots Kai in the face and knocks her out to ringside. Ripley throws her back in the ring. Kai and Yim continue to go at it, then they brawl out to ringside where Yim keeps the upper hand. They brawl to the backstage area, and Ripley stays at ringside. Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir come out to the ring, and Rhea gets in ther ing to wait for them. All three Horsewomen hit the ring and start going at it with Ripley. Ripley briefly fights them off and fends off several Clutch attempts. Baszler finally locks in the Kirifuda Clutch, and Ripley passes out. Referees get in the ring to break it up. On her way out of the ring, Baszler gets on the mic and taunts Ripley. She says Ripley can have her Title shot on the December 18th episode, and the Horsewomen make their exit.

    Winner: No contest

    – Tommaso Ciampa and Keith Lee are backstage for an interview. They need a partner to face The Undisputed Era in a six-man tag tonight, and it looks like that partner will be Dominik Dijakovic. Dominik walks on screen, and they all walk off together.

    – We go to a video package of Finn Balor cutting a promo on NXT Champion Adam Cole and the rest of the Undisputed Era.

    – Back from the break, we see a video pacakge looking at Isaiah “Swerve” Scott.

    Kassius Ohno vs. Matt Riddle: The opening bell sounds and they lock up to start. They grapple back and forth and size each other up in the opening moments. Ohno starts working over Riddle’s arms and takes him down. The crowd chants for Riddle as he starts to fight back, but Ohno keeps the pressure on him with some knee strikes. Riddle finally fights back and hits a German suplex. Riddle unloads with strikes now and Ohno rolls outside for a breather. Riddle hits a kick from the apron, then takes Ohno back in the ring. Riddle continues the offense on Ohno until Ohno fights back with a submission attempt and slows the pace now. Ohno tries to keep Riddle grounded, but Riddle finally gets out and drops Ohno, then hits a senton on him. Riddle misses a couple shots, but then he connects with a knee to Ohno’s face. Riddle hits the Bro 2 Sleep and a powerbomb, then the Final Flash knee. Riddle goes up top and hits the Floating Bro for a two count. Ohno reverses a suplex attempt and hits a suplex of his own. Ohno looks for the Gotch Lift, but Riddle fights out. Riddle hits a ripcord knee to the face, then the Bro-Derek for the three count.

    Winner: Matt Riddle

    – Still to come: Kushida returns to the ring.

    – Back from the commercial break, it’s announced that after tonight’s show, online voting will begin for the NXT Year End Awards.

    – We go to a replay of what happened between Rhea Ripley and The Horsewomen earlier tonight, as Mauro hypes up their match on December 18th.

    Kushida vs. Raul Mendoza: As Mendoza is making his way down the ring, Cameron Grimes comes out of nowhere and ambushes Raul. HE hits the double stomp on Raul on the ramp. Grimes’ music starts playing, and it looks like he is going to face Kushida instead.

    Winner: No contest

    Cameron Grimes vs. Kushida: Mauro tells us on commentary that William Regal has made this match official. The opening bell sounds and Grimes starts off strong, but Kushida comes back with a kick that sends Grimes out to the floor. Kushida hits a big suicide plancha on Grimes on the floor, then brings him back in the ring. Kushida continues his momentum with a series of strikes. Grimes fights off some submission attempts, but Kushida is able to lock in the octopus submission and he takes Grimes to the mat. Grimes gets the bottom rope to break the hold. Kushida hits a kick and looks for a tornado DDT, but Grimes blocks it. Grimes fights back and hits a German suplex for a two count. Grimes hits some strikes now and tries to work over Kushida’s arm. Kushida ducks some shots and fights back. Grimes looks for another German suplex, but Kushida reverses it into a roll-up for the thre count.

    Winner: Kushida

    – After the match, Kushida rolls outside to celebrate, and Grimes looks shocked at the finish.

    – Back from the break, two matches are announced for next week: Dakota Kai will take on Mia Yim in a singles match; and Angel Garza will challenge Lio Rush for Lio’s Cruiserweight Title.

    Adam Cole, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee & Dominik Dijakoic: The opening bell sounds, and Lee and Strong go at it to start off. Lee controls the opening moments, then Ciampa tags in to continue the beat down on Strong. Dijakovic tags in now for the double team. Strong finally fights his way back to the Undisputed Era corner and tags in O’Reilly. O’Reilly starts firing back at Dijakovic with strikes, until Dijakovic fights back and hits a backbreaker then a second rope splash for a two count on O’Reilly. O’Reilly fires back with a kick, then Strong tags in for the double team. Dijakovic is able to fight off both men, and he dumps O’Reilly outside, knocking down Cole in the process.

    Back in the ring, Strong starts getting in some offense on Dijakovic. Dominik fights back, but O’Reilly tags in and stops him from tagging out. Cole comes in too and all three Era members try to hold Dominik back from tagging out. O’Reilly ends up knocking Lee off the apron, then Dijakovic breaks free and tags in Ciampa. Ciampa unloads on all three Era members now and clears the ring. Ciampa hits Cole with a draping DDT, then hits Project Ciampa on O’Reilly for a two count.

    Strong tags bck in and goes at it with Ciampa now, and he stuns Ciampa with a knee strike. Strong and O’Reilly hit the High Low on Ciampa, but Dijakovic breaks up the pin. Strong and O’Reilly double team Dijakovic now. Ciampa gets back in the mic and boots Strong in the face. Strong and Ciampa are both down now.

    Lee and Cole get the tags at the same time, and Lee cleans house. Lee looks for a dive on the Era at ringside, but the Era members dodge it. Lee starts brawling with them on the floor, then Dijakovic hits a dive on the Era at ringside. O’Reilly goes to the top turnbuckle, but Dijakovic stops him. Finn Balor suddenly hits the ring and gives Cole a dropkick, sending him into the referee for a ref bump.

    Fans chant “Holy Shit” at Balor’s involvement. Balor looks for the 1916 on Ciampa in the ring, but Lee breaks it up. Balor fights back, but Lee drops him with a powerbomb. Cole then superkicks Lee as Balor retreats. Cole looks for a running knee, but Lee catches him with a Jackhammer in the middle of the ring. Lee pins for the three count.

    Winners: Keith Lee, Tommaso Ciampa & Dominik Dijakovic

    – After the match, we go to replays as Balor recovers at ringside and looks on as the winners celebrate. William Regal appears at ringside and announcers another big match for December 18. Adam Cole will defend his Title against the winner of a triple threat match next week between Balor, Ciampa and Lee. Balor, Ciampa and Lee all exchange looks as NXT goes off the air.

  • Rhea Ripley Talks Having Triple H As Her Mentor

    Rhea Ripley Talks Having Triple H As Her Mentor

    Rhea Ripley’s War Games team overcame a 4-on-2 disadvantage to come out victorious. She’ll face the woman who turned her back on the team, Dakota Kai, tonight in single’s action. The 23-year-old Australian recently took part in an interview with the Sporting News and spoke about a variety of topics including what it’s like to have Triple H as a mentor.

    “He’s the guy that got me into wrestling. Watching him was the reason why I wanted to start wrestling let alone watch it. So, to hear him, even my name come out of his mouth is pretty cool,” Ripley said of Triple H during the interview.

    Ripley was then asked what it is like to have Triple H around her consistently and being her mentor.

    “It’s super, super cool and he’s so smart,” Ripley replied. “He knows so much about the business. I do try to soak up as much as I can and listen to as much as I can, even when he’s not talking to me. It’s such an amazing feeling knowing that he’s there and he has all of our backs. He’s there to help all of us succeed in what we want to do and what we’re doing at the moment. He’s one of our biggest cheerleaders and it’s amazing.”

    Rhea Ripley On Recent Positive Feedback

    Ripley was also asked about all the positive feedback she has been receiving as of late.

    “It makes me feel really special,” Ripley said of the positive feedback. “It’s really, really cool. It’s lovely to see people getting behind me and supporting me in what I love to do. I’m just glad that I can make people proud and make people want to watch this product because wrestling is such a big part of my life and a lot of people’s lives and it gets a lot of crap from people.”

    She continued, “I’m out here to prove to people that wrestling is great. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. That’s fair, but you don’t have to talk crap about it because wrestling legit saves so many people’s lives and I’m out here to prove to everyone why it’s amazing again. And I’m glad that people are getting behind it.”

    Rhea Ripley goes into detail on a diverse range of topics during the interview. Her full discussion with the Sporting News can be found here.  

  • Lacey Evans Comments On If She Was Called Up To WWE’s Main Roster Too Early

    Lacey Evans Comments On If She Was Called Up To WWE’s Main Roster Too Early

    WWE SmackDown Superstar Lacey Evans has responded to the idea that she was called up too early from NXT to WWE’s main roster. Speaking on 101WKQX in Chicago, Evans disputed the claim, stating that “people get what they deserve.”

    “Too early? Sweetheart, no such thing. People get what they deserve. I’m a hard worker and they saw that I could bring many things, including class, to the main roster,” Evans explained. “To RAW, to SmackDown, any brand that I’m put in, and that’s exactly what I did. A lot of people may be mad because they’re not in my position, making the money that I’m making, but that has nothing to do with me.”

    WrestleMania Ready

    Evans received a championship opportunity against current RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch earlier this year. Although unsuccessful at the time, Evans believes she’s ready to establish herself in the championship scene at WrestleMania, not caring whether it’s for the RAW or SmackDown Women’s Championship.

    “Give me one of the champions. I don’t care which one. I’m on SmackDown now, so whoever that may be at the time, whether it’s Bayley, Sasha Banks, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “Let me get my hands on her and let there be no rules. A lot of women and a lot of people are used to referees rules to stop them from inflicting as much pain as possible, and it’s one of the things that I love to do. I am sick and tired of getting pulled off of these nasty things. So, if I could choose anything that I wanted, it would be a champion. Give me either one of them, I don’t care which and don’t pull me off of them when I get on.”

    Evans recently made history alongside Natalya. The two performed in the first-ever women’s wrestling match in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during WWE’s last visit there for their pay-per-view, Crown Jewel.

    H/T to Wrestlezone for the transcription.

  • Booker T Discusses The Corey Graves/Mauro Ranallo Situation

    Booker T Discusses The Corey Graves/Mauro Ranallo Situation

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on the recent situation following Corey Graves comments aimed at Mauro Ranallo during NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

    Speaking on his show, Reality of Wrestling, Booker T explained how people can’t just share unfiltered opinions and expect them to be immediately forgiven or forgotten.

    “You can’t be just saying anything in 2019 and expect for it to be swept under the rug,” he said. “I really don’t know what happened. I know Corey Graves put out an apology to Mauro. I don’t know what really sparked it or what is really going on behind the scenes.”

    Booker T then paid respect to Ranallo. He noted how hard he works to do the best he can as an NXT commentator and WWE employee. He shared how he always hatted getting ribbed in the past, often calling people out for fights if he found out he was responsible.

    “Big ups to everything you do because I know how hard you work. The angle thing, back in the day, I hated getting ribbed. If they ribbed me, no one would tell me whoever did it. I would always say, ‘You can rib me if you want, but if I find out who did it, you’re gonna be in a fight. Just letting you know.’ Don’t play with me like that, because I’m not to be played with. Shoutout to Mauro, get yourself together, get back on the horse. Get your ass back to work, bro.”

    In case you missed it, Graves made some disparaging comments about Ranallo’s vocal contribution to TakeOver. He suggested that Ranallo was talking all over his teammates Beth Phoenix and Nigel McGuiness. Ranallo would delete his Twitter following Graves’ remarks.

    H/T to Wrestlezone for the transcription.

  • WWE NXT Results & Live Coverage (11/27)

    WWE NXT Results & Live Coverage (11/27)

    The November 27th, 2019 edition of WWE’s NXT on USA Network took place at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.

    – This week’s broadcast opens up with a video package looking at some of the highlights from Takeover: Wargames four nights ago.

    – The show kicks off with the entire NXT roster coming out to the ring to celebrate their victory over RAW and SmackDown at Survivor Series. The Undisputed Era comes out to interrupt the celebration, and Adam Cole asks what’s wrong with all of them. He says The Undisputed Era is the only reason NXT was successful at Survivor Series. Cole says none of you “are NXT,” but The Undisputed Era is. Cole says while they are all celebrating, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly are preparing to defend their Tag Titles tonight. Cole starts talking about the prophecy of the Undisputed Era, but then Ciampa interrupts from the ring. Ciampa says everyone sees what’s going on except for Cole. Ciampa says this is the end of the Undisputed Era, and Ciampa is now focused on getting “Goldy” back from Cole. Ciampa says there’s nothing standing in his way now. Finn Balor comes out to interrupt. Balor says he’s standing in Ciampa’s way. Ciampa tells Balor that he’s a prince who just met his king, and he wants a match with Balor. Lee gets on the mic now and says he’s confident Ciampa would beat Balor, but now it’s time for Kyle and Bobby to get in the ring for their Tag Team Title match.

    – Tom Phillips is on commentary tonight, filling in for Mauro Ranallo.

    Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong (c) vs. Keith Lee & Dominik Dijakovic: Lee starts off strong and throws both Fish and O’Reilly out to ringside. Fish appears to be selling a knee injury, and he is pulled from the match. Roderick Strong will be filling in. Back in the ring, Lee and Dijakovic control the pace for the next several minutes. Dijakovic picks up Lee and slams him down on top of O’Reilly for the double team. Strong and O’Reilly are finally able to get the upper hand on Dijakovic after a double team, and Strong starts working over Dijakovic’s knee. Kyle tags in now and continues the offense on Dominik. Kyle goes over and slaps Lee on the apron, and Dominik takes the opportunity to fight back. Lee gets the hot tag and cleans house. Strong and O’Reilly try to double team Lee, but Lee grabs them and gives them both a double suplex. Both Era members roll out to ringside for a breather. On Lee’s way out of the ring, Strong takes out Lee’s knee. O’Reilly hits a running kick on Lee, then takes him back in the ring. Strong is the legal man and he looks for a diving headbutt off the top, but he misses. O’Reilly comes flying off the top, but Lee headbutts him. Dominik gets the tag and starts working over Strong in the corner. Dijakovic drops Strong with a lariat. Strong starts fighting back with a shot to Dijakovic’s knee, then O’Reilly tags in. O’Reilly looks for a triangle choke on Dijakovic. Dijakovic lifts up O’Reilly to turn it into a powerbomb. Strong tries to break it up, but Dijakovic grabs Strong by the neck. Dijakovic simultaneously delivers a sit-out powerbomb to O’Reilly and a chokeslam to Strong. Dijakovic beats on Strong and O’Reilly in the corner, then he picks up Strong on his shoulders. O’Reilly has tagged himself in, and he takes Dijakovic down to the mat then hits some kicks. O’Reilly and Strong roll outside to regroup, but Lee runs out and clotheslines Strong. Lee and Strong manage to take down Lee on the floor, but then Dijakovic goes flying over the top rope with a dive on the Era members. Back in the ring, Dijakovic hits a double chokeslam on Strong and O’Reilly. Dijakovic is slow to pin due to selling a knee injury. Adam Cole starts running down the ramp, but Lee charges and hits a Pounce on Cole that sends him crashing into some plants sitting in the crowd. Dijakovic is looking at Cole, and the distraction leads to O’Reilly and Strong double teaming Dijakovic for the three count.

    Winners & still NXT Tag Team Champions: The Undisputed Era

    – We go to replays as Strong, O’Reilly and Cole make their exits with the Tag Title belts.

    – Candice LeRae is backstage for an interview. She says she’s sick of hearing about Dakota Kai, and Kai’s going to get what she has coming to her.

    – Lio Rush and Akira Tozawa are shown in their locker rooms warming up for their Cruiserweight Title match tonight.

    Shane Throne vs. Mansoor: They lock up off the opening bell and they trade holds and takedowns in the opening moments. They trade chops to the chest now and Mansoor gets the upper hand. Mansoor rolls him up for two, then hits a standing moonsault for another two count. Mansoor dropkicks Thorne out of the ring. Mansoor looks for a suicide dive, but Thorne catches him and suplexes Mansoor on the ringside floor. Back in the ring, Thorne follows up with strikes and a shoulder lock. Mansoor fights back, but Thorne drops him with another suplex for a two count. Mansoor fires back with some kicks and Thorne falls back out to ringside. Mansoor connects with a dive at ringside now, then takes him back in the ring for a Blockbuster. Mansoor pins for the three count.

    Winner: Mansoor

    – Up next: Candice Lerae vs. Dakota Kai

    Candice LeRae vs. Dakota Kai: Candice starts off fired up and laying into Kai. Kai turns it around and starts beating down Candice now. Kai hits a big boot to the face on the apron, then slams Candice’s face into the apron. Kai hits another big boot on the apron, then takes Candice back in the ring. Candice starts fighting back and targeting Kai’s knee, but Kai puts her down with a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. They fight out to the apron, and Candice hits a German Suplex on Kai where it looks like they slip off the apron and just clip the corner of the apron. Back in the ring, Candice hits a Tornado DDT off the middle rope for a two count. Kai fights back with a headbutt and a big boot. Kai misses a shot and Candice connects with a knee strike to the head. Both women are down now, then they fight up the turnbuckle. Candice looks for a sunset flip powerbomb, and she hits it despite Kai trying to use the knee brace she hung on the turnbuckle as a weapon. Candice looks for a moonsault, but Kai rolls out of the way. Kai comes back with a slam for a two count. Kai looks for a powerbomb, but Candice reverses it and puts Kai in the Gargano Escape. Kai breaks free and rolls out to ringside. Candice looks for a dive, but Kai nails her in the head with a knee brace. The ref calls for the DQ.

    Winner via DQ: Candice LeRae

    – Kair beats down LeRae at ringside after the match. Kai grabs a steel chair and talks Candice, but then Rhea Ripley runs out for the save. Rhea kicks the chair away and chases off Kai.

    – Tommaso Ciampa is backstage for an interview about his match with Finn Balor tonight. Ciampa says whether he calls himself the Demon or the Prince, he knows exactly who Finn Balor is. Ciampa says it was himself and not Balor who made Goldy into the most prestigious Title in sports entertainment. He says tonight he’s going to get Balor out of his way.

    – Back from the commercial break, we go to a video package looking at Cameron Grimes.

    Lio Rush (c) vs. Akira Tozawa Rush’s Cruiserweight Title is on the line in this one. Rush scores lots of big offense in the opening moments of this one, and sends Tozawa out to ringside. Back in the ring, Tozawa starts to mount some offense and they end up colliding with a double bicycle kick in the middle of the ring. They fight out to the apron where Tozawa connects with a kick, then he gives rush a German suplex from the apron down to the ringside floor. This prompts a “Holy Sh–” chant from the fans. Back in the ring, Lio fights back and connects with a series of kicks on the challenger. Lio springboards off the ropes, but Tozawa catches him with a German suplex. Tozawa hits another suplex and turns it into a pin for a two count. Tozawa goes up top and looks for the senton bomb, but the Champion gets his knees up to block it. Rush goes up top and hits the Final Hour. Rush goes back up top and hits the Final Hour again fo the three count.

    Winner & still Cruiserweight Champion: Lio Rush

    – We go backstage for an interview with Finn Balor. Balor says he’s already taken out Gargano and Riddle, and now it’s time for Ciampa to meet the Prince.

    Xia Li vs. Vanessa Borne: Borne starts off strong and beats down Li in the opening moments. Li finally fights back and she drops Borne with a powerbomb. Shayna Baszler and the Horsewomen come down the stage to interrupt. Li sees them coming, but still hits a kick on Borne. Li pins for the three count after a short match.

    Winner: Xia Li

    – Shayna, Shafir and Duke hit the ring. Li tries to fight them off, and they brawl back and forth. Li connects with a spinning heel kick on Baszler. Li takes out Duke, then Baszler takes out Li with a clothesline. They beat down Li, then Shayna gets on the mic. Shayna takes issue with everyone trying to take credit for what happened at Survivor Series, because no one had a weekend like her. Rhea Ripley comes out to interrupt. Shayna and the Horsewomen retreat, but Rhea says she has something to say to Shayna’s face. Shayna comes back up on the apron, and Rhea walks over to the ropes so they are face to face. Rhea says she beat Shayna and will do it again, but now she wants it to be for the NXT Women’s Championship. Shayna says the reality is that when they face off, Rhea will be tapping or napping like the rest of them. Rhea says they should do it right now then. Shayna walks off and heads to the back.

    – Still to come: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Finn Balor

    – The broadcast team sends us to a video package looking at Killian Dane vs. Damien Priest vs. Pete Dunne from Takeover: WarGames, including footage of Priest being treated for injured ribs after the match. Priest and Dain are booked for a singles match next week.

    Tommaso Ciampa vs. Finn Balor: The opening bell sounds, and Ciampa and Balor trade strikes and takedowns to start off. Balor applies a side headlock, but Ciampa backs him into the turnbuckle for some punishment. Ciampa sends Balor off the ropes for an elbow to the face, then he follows up with a vertical suplex for a two count. Ciampa misses on a sunset flip, and Balor fires back with a dropkick. Balor sends Ciampa out to ringside, then dropkicks him through the ropes to the back of the head. Balor and Ciampa go back and forth on the floor now, until Ciampa slingshots Balor face-first into the ring post. Back in the ring, Ciampa and Balor trade strikes again. Balor misses a shot and gets dropped on the corner, then Ciampa knees him in the face out to the floor. Back in the ring, another running knee strike from Ciampa for a two count. Ciampa connects with some loud chops to the chest on Balor now. Ciampa puts the boots to Balor in the corner, then Ciampa removes his own knee pads. Ciampa charges, but Balor hops up and intercepts him with a Sling Blade. Balor dumps Ciampa outside, then rolls out with him. Balor runs around the ring and dropkicks Ciampa into the fan barricade. Balor looks for a DDT on the ramp, but Ciampa reverses it into a suplex, and both men are down now. Back in the ring, Ciampa knees Balor in the face, then hits the powerbomb backbreaker for a two count. Balor tackles Ciampa and stomps on him, then hits a running dropkick. Balor climbs up top, but Ciampa meets him there. Ciampa gives Balor the Air Raid Crash from the top for another two count. Ciampa yells that this is for Johnny, then he walks over to Balor. Adam Cole runs out and hops on the apron, and the distraction leads to Balor rolling up Ciampa for a two count. Cole left his Title belt on the apron, and Balor grabs it to try to use it as a weapon. Balor ends up giving Ciampa an inverted DDT on the Title belt for a two count. The ref throws the belt out of the ring, and on the opposite side of the ring Cole hits a cheap shot on Ciampa. Balor follows up with the 1916 for the three count.

    Winner: Finn Balor

    – We go to replays as Balor gets to his feet and smiles at Cole. Cole gets in the ring and stands next to Balor, looking down at Ciampa. Balor surprises Cole with a kick to the face, and Cole is down. Balor leaves with Ciampa and Cole both laying in the ring. Balor heads to the back and NXT goes off the air.

  • Johnny Gargano Credits Alex Shelley With Helping Him Become The Wrestler He Is Today

    Johnny Gargano Credits Alex Shelley With Helping Him Become The Wrestler He Is Today

    NXT Superstar Johnny Gargano has shared a post on social media highlighting the influence he has taken from Alex Shelley. The message stated how, over the course of 13 years, Shelley has been instrumental in helping Gargano become the wrestler he is today. For him, Shelley’s fingerprints aren’t only present in his in-ring style, but his entire generations.

    Gargano uploaded a photo with the post that showcased how long the two have known each other. The top is a blurry photo from years past, while the bottom photo sees the two wrestlers posing together in front of a WWE Performance Center banner.

    “2006 to 2019 I can safely say that I wouldn’t be the wrestler I am today if it wasn’t for this guy.. Alex Shelley’s fingerprints are all over the style of my generation.. He’s inspired a large number guys you watch on TV every week. Great to see him at the @WWEPC last month!”

    As noted in Gargano’s tweet, Shelley recently did a guest coaching stint at the WWE PC last month. When it comes to in-ring competition, Shelley wrestled for Ring of Honor earlier in the year. He competed against Matt Taven in a ROH World Championship match at ROH’s Summer Supercard event.

  • Adam Cole Reflects On Survivor Series Win, Promises The Era Of Adam Cole Is Just Getting Started

    Adam Cole Reflects On Survivor Series Win, Promises The Era Of Adam Cole Is Just Getting Started

    NXT Champion Adam Cole has reflected on his past month in WWE. Cole has not only recently been featured on RAW and SmackDown, he also competed on both Saturday and Sunday for TakeOver: WarGames and Survivor Series, respectively.

    Cole wrote the following on Twitter, “This past month, I have proved over and over again that my @WWENXT championship is going nowhere. It’s where it belongs…and the #ERA of #AdamColeBayBay is just getting started.”

    The Undisputed Era lost the WarGames match at TakeOver after Tommaso Ciampa sent Cole crashing from the top of the cage through multiple tables, courtesy of an Air Raid Crash. Despite this considerable bump, Cole would subsequently defend his NXT Championship the next night against “The Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne. Despite stiff competition, he successfully retained.

    “I Am Undisputed”

    Following his victory over Dunne, Cole was interviewed backstage. He stressed that not only is the NXT Championship the most prestigious title in the industry, but he is the best pro wrestler on the planet.

    “Yeah, it’s not new to me being questioned. My entire career, people have said ‘No, no, Adam Cole can’t be a World Champion,’ ‘Adam Cole won’t be a World Champion,’ and I knew deep down that I was gonna prove everybody wrong and spit their face while doing it.”

    He continued, “This past month, not 24 hours, but month I have show the world that I am the best pro wrestler on the planet. Nobody is better than me. No championship is more prestigious. I proved that at Survivor Series, and I will continue over and over and over again to prove it. Hurt or not, banged up or not, nobody can stop me ‘cause I am the freaking man. I am the freaking show, and most notably, I am undisputed.”

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  • Triple H Praises Shayna Baszler For Her Survivor Series Victory

    Triple H Praises Shayna Baszler For Her Survivor Series Victory

    Triple H has spoken highly of NXT Champion Adam Cole’s stellar week leading into this past Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view. He referred to the Undisputed Era leader as “NXT’s Iron Man.” Now he has praised for NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler for her major main event victory.

    “The Game” wrote the following on Twitter, responding to WWE’s own message highlighting Survivor Series’ final scores:

    “.@QoSBaszler: The Queen of Spades, the #WWENXT Women’s Champion and the Standard Bearer of the @WWENXT Women’s division. The exclamation point of this #SurvivorSeries in her victory over two of the VERY best in this business. #NXT 4#Smackdown 2#WWERaw 1”

    Prior to her Sunday night main event opportunity, “The Queen of Spades” wrestled in a hellacious WarGames at NXT TakeOver. Despite her team’s best efforts, Team Ripley would walk away successfully from the cage.

    At Survivor Series, Baszler defeated both WWE RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. They competed in a non-title Triple Threat matchup. This win helped NXT comfortably take the point advantage over RAW and SmackDown. The black-and-gold brand ended their night with 4 victories.

    With NXT coming out on top, WWE has firmly established them as their third brand, further distancing themselves from the developmental system they once were.

  • Triple H Discusses Other Countries Hosting NXT TakeOver Events

    Triple H Discusses Other Countries Hosting NXT TakeOver Events

    Following this past Saturday’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames event, Triple H took part in a media conference call. One subject “The Game” spoke about was the possibility of WWE’s black-and-gold brand hosting TakeOver events worldwide.

    “I think that’s a little bit of a work in progress,” Triple H confessed. “It’s a big world, a lot of really cool places to go work. As much as I can look at the UK and say, going back to Blackpool, I think they’d do spectacularly in London. I also think we can go to Glasgow. We went to Cardiff, it was amazing. There’s so many places, and that’s just picking the places we already go to on a regular basis, I think when we get outside of those, start going to different countries and regions, oh my gosh.”

    He continued, “And then you start talking about NXT here, like this NXT U.S. brand, any one of those places could kill it. You could go to Japan, you could go to Australia, it’s a big world. I’d love to look at all of it, I’d love to bring them to all of it. Trying to figure how to make that happen with live TV and everything else, that’s the trick.”

    In recent years, WWE has branched out its NXT brand, starting with NXT UK. NXT UK has since hosted their own TakeOver events, but these were roster and brand-specific events. There have been discussions in the past regarding further brand extensions in different countries.

    H/T to Wrestlezone for the transcription.

  • Seth Rollins On Tommaso Ciampa: “Our Paths Will Cross Again”

    Seth Rollins On Tommaso Ciampa: “Our Paths Will Cross Again”

    Seth Rollins believes that it’s only a matter of time before he and NXT’s Tommaso Ciampa cross paths again. Speaking with 101WKQX Chicago before this past Sunday’s Survivor Series, Rollins talked about NXT being WWE’s third brand and how it has earned its spot alongside RAW and SmackDown.

    “They’ve got a ton of really talented guys and girls down there and they’ve been making waves and earned their spot,” Rollins said. “They got the television show on USA Network on Wednesday nights basically on their own, building it from the grassroots from where we were seven years ago at this point—but they’re doing well. It’s certainly added an element of chaos and there’s a lot more bodies to go around, so it feels like every show is unpredictable. You never know when something’s going to happen. Is it overkill? Maybe, but it’s been a fun couple of weeks at the very least.”

    High-Calibre Match

    Last week’s episode of the black-and-gold brand ended with Rollins and Ciampa brawling in the ring. Reflecting on his NXT homecoming, Rollins confessed he has a lot of respect for the former NXT Champion, sharing how he has been admired him for a long time. 

    “Ciampa’s a guy that I’ve admired for a long time from afar. He and I never really crossed paths in the ring, so that was really the first interaction that I can recall and sort of the first interaction where we’re both at different levels.”

    Rollins then shared that he assumes their paths will cross again in the future. For him, he’d prefer a one-on-one matchup so they can give the WWE Universe a matchup to be remembered.

    “I can only assume at some point down the line our paths will cross again,” Rollins stated. “Hopefully in a one-on-one contest and we can give fans who are clamoring for a match of that caliber the one that they deserve.”

    H/T to Wrestlezone for the transcription.

  • Rhea Ripley On Women’s Survivor Series Match: “We Are The Main Roster”

    Rhea Ripley On Women’s Survivor Series Match: “We Are The Main Roster”

    The women’s NXT team emerged victorious from their 5-on-5-on-5 elimination match during last night’s Survivor Series pay-per-view. The team, comprised of captain Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, Candice LeRae and Toni Storm defeated Superstars from both RAW and SmackDown to secure another victory for NXT.

    Speaking backstage following their win, team captain Ripley stressed how people don’t consider NXT on the same level as Superstars on the ‘main roster.’ She noted how NXT is the main roster compared to WWE’s red and blue brands.

    “It feels absolutely amazing. To go out there and do what we just did…people have been underestimating NXT as a whole for so long now. Saying that we are not ‘the main roster.’ Well, we just proved to every single human out there today that we are the main roster.”

    She continued, “Yes, we might not get along from time to time. Yes, we’ve been to war with each other multiple times. But I think we can put that aside for today and give RAW and SmackDown exactly what they deserve.”

    NXT would end up coming away last night with the most victories. The final score had NXT with 4 victories. SmackDown followed with 2. RAW only secured 1 win.

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  • Lio Rush Reflects On His Survivor Series Victory

    Lio Rush Reflects On His Survivor Series Victory

    During the Survivor Series Kickoff show, Lio Rush managed to successfully defend his Cruiserweight Championship. “The Man of the Hour” defeated both Kalisto and Akira Tozawa in order to keep his purple title.

    Afterwards, Rush caught up with WWE for an exclusive backstage interview. It was highlighted how the triple threat championship match was sprung on him at the last moment but, despite this, Rush was confident he would leave as champ.

    “I’m feeling good. I’m feeling as better as ever. I went out there in a horrible mood. Horrible mood. Away from my family, away from my kids. On the road for a week plus: RAW, SmackDown, NXT, 205 Live, you name it, The Man of the Hour’s there.”

    He continued, “On top of that, Angel Garza is running his mouth, talking crap, and this got sprung on me last minute. But you know what? I got the first win for NXT tonight. You put the Man of the Hour—The Champ of the Hour—at the front of the line, every time, and I deliver. And that’s exactly what I did tonight.”

    Rush attacked Garza following Garza’s victory over Isiah “Swerve” Scott during Saturday’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames preshow. The two recently fought for the Cruiserweight Championship on an episode of NXT, with Rush coming away the winner. This recent attack, however, suggests that their feud is far from over.

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