SEScoops

Category: NXT

  • Spoilers: NXT TV Tapings Results (Airing 6/28-7/12)

    Spoilers: NXT TV Tapings Results (Airing 6/28-7/12)

    Thanks to Will Henderson (@willh94) for texting us the following WWE NXT TV spoilers from Friday night’s tapings at Full Sail University:

    * Mike Rome introduces the NXT announce team — Percy Watson & Nigel McGuiness. Triple H’s music hits to a huge pop. Triple H says he got on a flight to be here with us because there’s no place he’d rather be than home. We are NXT, and now there’s someone else that’s going to say We Are NXT and call it home. He introduces the one-and-only, “Bipolar Rock-n-Roller” Mauro Ranallo. Mauro out to a huge pop

    * Bianca BelAir (Blair) defeated Aliyah to qualify for The Mae Young Classic. This was said to be an okay match. Bianca picks up the win with a modified White Noise across her knee. This was filmed but did not appear to be for the June 28th episode

    June 28th Episode:

    * The Velveteen Dream defeated Ho Ho Lun. Dream has gotten over with the Full Sail crowd big. This was a quick squash that Dream wins with the diving elbow. He seductively poses over Ho Ho post match, much to Ho Ho’s dismay

    * Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan ends in a no contest. Oney nails Hideo with a running uppercut at the bell and busts Hideo open, possibly breaking his nose. The referee and trainers back Oney off to check on Hideo and the ref throws the match out. Hideo leaves and throws his bloody towel down on the ramp angrily. There was a bunch of blood in the corner, and the refs are changing the ring mat

    * Vanessa Borne defeated Jayme Hachey in a Mae Young Classic qualifying match. Vanessa is the former Danielle Kamella, while Hachey is Jayme Jameson. Quick match, Borne gets the win with a tilt-o-whirl slam

    * A video package airs of Tommaso Ciampa turning on Johnny Gargano. Johnny comes out to the DIY tron and music to a big pop. Johnny says he’s missed this and the reaction is irreplaceable. He says we all saw what happened in Chicago, and we never saw it coming just like him. He never thought the guy he’d take a bullet for would pull the trigger on him. He’s asked why and he’ll never understand, but he’s not here to dwell on the past, he’s here to look to the future. He’s standing right here and needs to get back to what he loves to do, being here competing. He needs to be at Takeover: Brooklyn. He needs to be Johnny Gargano, more importantly, he needs to be Johnny Wrestling again

    * Hideo Itami is back out with no entrance. Oney Lorcan comes out with his entrance, and Hideo attacks at the bell and just goes after him. Oney fires up with a comeback, and nails a series of running uppercuts and his neckbreaker for a 2 count. Hideo and Oney go back and forth. Oney slips out of a GTS and appears to blow his knee out. He pleads with the ref not to stop the match and Hideo picks him up for a GTS and scores the pin

    * Hideo cuts a promo post match, and asks Kassius Ohno to please come out. Kassius comes out. As he and Hideo square off, Nikki Cross appears and distracts them as Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe attack. Wolfe can’t lift up Ohno for a powerbomb and has to have Dain help him. Wolfe gets on the mic and says we have to end all the fake and forces friendships, and the only way to do it is with– Dain interrupts and says “chaos.” Wolfe speaks of Eric Young’s master plan, but first, it’s time for Nikki to reign. Oney is not actually hurt as he walked out under his own power

    * No Way Jose defeated Cezar Bononi. Quick match, Jose wins with the pop-up punch. After the match, Andrade “Cien” Almas in a suit attacks Cezar at the direction of Thea Trinidad. He invites Jose back down to the ring, but bails out when he runs down. Andrade and Thea leave thru the crowd

    July 5th Episode:

    * Ember Moon defeated Ruby Riot. Really good match. Crowd is split. Series of near falls to start ending with the standoff and a handshake. Cool spot where Ember had Ruby in a modified torture rack over her legs, but Ruby flipped off her legs into a pin attempt. Ruby with a seated senton off the top rope for a near fall. Ruby hits a forearm on Ember as she’s up top for the Eclipse, then hits a top rope frankensteiner for another near fall. Ember nails a dropkick, then her cartwheel flip into a forearm, and the Eclipse to pick up the win. As Ember goes up the ramp, she mouths “I’m ready for Asuka” to the camera

    * SAnitY (Wolfe/Dain) defeated Hideo Itami & Kassius Ohno. Kassius and Hideo kill Wolfe with kicks early. Hideo gets a long beat down from SAnitY with Kassius shouting encouragement. Wolfe distracts Ohno, leading to him not being there when Hideo goes for the tag. Hideo gets on a roll, but refuses to tag Kassius in. Dain breaks up a pin with a senton, and Ohno nails Dain, then yells at Hideo. Wolfe knocks Ohno off the apron. Hideo has Wolfe backed up and doesn’t see Dain get the tag, and gets nailed with a running cross body for the pin. Post-match, Ohno is discouraged and he has words with Hideo as both leave the ring (may have been for the July 12th episode)

    * Oney Lorcan defeated Danny Burch. Brutal match. Oney hits his neckbreaker and an uppercut for a near fall and busts open Burch. The two go nose-to-nose and then exchange brutal uppercuts and slaps and Burch hits a powerbomb for a near fall. Oney hits his neckbreaker for the win. Crowd goes nuts. They shake hands after the match and Danny asks for one more match. Oney agrees

    * Bobby Roode defeated Roderick Strong to retain the NXT Title. Strong’s wife MMA fighter Marina Shafir was at ringside (two seats down from me). Roode does his Glorious pose early but Roddy nails him with a kick. Flurry of offense from Roddy early. Roode turns the tide and takes over. Roddy nails his through the ropes dropkick and attacks Roode outside. Roddy stands on the steel steps, but Roode pushes them and makes Strong’s leg fall in between the post and steps. Roode kicks the steps with Strong’s leg trapped. Roode and Shafir square off. Bobby goes after Strong in the ring. Strong fights back but Roode attacks the leg and continues to work him over. Roddy finally fights back and hits the Angle Slam. Roddy hits a backbreaker for a near fall. Roode again hits the leg to ruin the comeback and works him over more. Roddy gets a roll up for 2, then Roode hits the spinebuster for a near fall. Roddy hits a gutbuster for 2. Roddy hits a backbreaker on the top turbuckle, but Roode rolls out. Roode ducks a jumping knee and Roddy almost hits the ref, and turns around into a Glorious DDT, but Roddy kicks out. Roddy fights back, and hits his finisher for a 3 count. Roddy jumps outside to celebrate with his wife, but Drake realizes Roode’s foot was under the rope and waves off the finish. He goes out to explain to Roddy the match is still going on. Roddy gets on the apron but Roode kicks him off the apron, and hits a Glorious DDT outside the ring. Roode rolls Roddy in, jaw jacks with Shafir, and hits the Glorious DDT for the win. Roddy gets a standing O after the match and hugs Shafir and shares a moment with her and his mom before leaving

    July 12th Episode:

    * Aleister Black defeated Bobby Fish. Fish was introduced as making his NXT debut and got a nice pop. Good match. Bobby worked Aleister over with a lot of holds. Aleister hits a knee, but Bobby gives him a suplex into the corner. Bobby tries to trash talk but gets killed with kicks. Aleister lays him out, then uses his foot to lift Fish up and nails the Black Mass for the win. After the match, Aleister nods to Bobby in respect and Fish gets a nice reception from the crowd

    * The Authors of Pain defeated Heavy Machinery to retain the NXT Tag Team Titles. This was a big man fight. Heavy Machinery is over huge. Tucker gets the hot tag to Otis, who runs wild and overhead suplexes one of the AoP. They set up for their finishing move, when Tucker gets cut off with a big boot, and the Authors hit the Last Chapter on Otis for the win. As they celebrated, SAnitY’s music hits, and they walk out, sans Eric Young. Pages from Paul Ellering’s book fall from the ceiling on to SAnitY as they stare down the Authors

    * Killian Dain vs Drew McIntrye for #1 contendership is announced for later tonight

    * Jeet Rama defeated Jonny Vandal in a squash match

    * Drew McIntyre defeated Killian Dain to become #1 contender for the NXT Title. Killian gets busted open from the nose early on. Good back and forth match. McIntyre hits an awesome powerbomb on Killian for a near fall. Dain hits a running senton and a mid-rope splash for 2. Drew hits the Future Shock DDT but Dain kicks out at 1. McIntyre nails the running boot, but Dain leans up, so Drew nails it again while Dain is on his knees for the pin

    * Asuka defeated Nikki Cross in a Last Woman Standing Match to retain the NXT Women’s Title. Nikki catches Asuka in the ring apron and lays into her with forearms. Nikki gets a bunch of chairs out and tries to suplex Asuka on them, but instead sends her into the stairs. Asuka tosses Nikki into the stairs and pulls out a trash can. Asuka puts the trash can over Nikki and hits her with kicks and a dropkick off the top rope. Asuka gets more chairs, but Nikki cuts her off. Asuka tosses Nikki into the pile of chairs off the top rope, but Nikki back drops Asuka into them too. Drake clears the ring of the chairs to boos from the crowd. Nikki hits her swinging fisherman’s neckbreaker several times, but Asuka gets up at 9. Nikki runs at her with the title belt, but Asuka nails her with a kick to the head. Asuka holds the belt and they exchange shots. Asuka nails a spinning backfist and hits 4 German suplexes in a row. Nikki stands up at 6, and Asuka nails a spinning head kick. Nikki up at 8, and they battle on the ropes. Asuka attempts to suplex Nikki out of the ring onto the pile of chairs Nikki pulled out earlier, but Nikki slides out and powerbombs her onto them. Asuka up at 9. Asuka knocks Nikki off the ramp and jumps off with her butt-butt attack from the ramp. They brawl to the announce table area. Nikki grabs a plastic table and a ladder. Nikki lays Asuka across the table and climbs the ladder, but Asuka climbs too. Asuka suplexes Nikki off the ladder and through the announce table. Asuka barely gets up at 9 to pick up the win. This match will air next week, June 28th

    (Note: some of the matches were taped out of order tonight and some may have been dark matches. It’s possible they also taped the July 19th episode. We will keep you updated)

  • Cesaro Congratulates Cody Rhodes, NXT Ref Gets Standing Ovation, John Cena Workout Video

    Cesaro Congratulates Cody Rhodes, NXT Ref Gets Standing Ovation, John Cena Workout Video

    Kennadi Brink receives standing ovation from NXT crowd

    Female referee Kennadi Brink received a standing ovation as she came down to the ring to start last night’s NXT tapings. They were Brink’s first tapings for WWE.

    https://twitter.com/JJWilliamsWON/status/878499181719166976

    Cesaro congratulates Cody Rhodes

    Cody Rhodes defeated Christopher Daniels last night at ROH’s Best in the World PPV to become the ROH World Champion. Rhodes is set to face IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada in July and Cody has been hinting at the idea of being a double World Champion. Cesaro posted the following photo on Instagram congratulating Rhodes on becoming ROH Champion:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BVuf2DmjBhF/

    New “Hard Nocks South Life” episode

    John Cena uploaded the newest episode of his workout series “Hard Nocks South Life” to The Bella Twins YouTube channel. You can check out the latest episode in the video below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gkpCqmSe-Q

  • Backstage News On Mauro Ranallo’s Return To WWE, Video Of His NXT Debut Last Night

    Backstage News On Mauro Ranallo’s Return To WWE, Video Of His NXT Debut Last Night

    Mauro Ranallo made his WWE return last night and joined Nigel McGuinness and Percy Watson on the NXT announce team. On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that WWE had been trying to get Ranallo back since around April 20th this year. Mauro’s last appearance on SmackDown was on March 14th. Ranallo left SmackDown because he was dealing with depression and rumored backstage issues with JBL.

    Meltzer stated that Ranallo is now on NXT and that “he’s on a show that most of the people that run WWE production don’t go to. So that is kind of the key right there. So he is in a different world, working the Orlando shows and the TakeOvers and not the high pressure shows, so to speak. It is a lot of tapings during the middle of the week”.

    Ranallo’s new deal to announce for NXT is a new multi-year contract. Mauro made his NXT debut last night and was introduced as the “Bipolar Rock n Roller!” by Triple H. You can check that out in the video below.

  • Former ROH and NJPW Tag Champion Spotted at NXT Tapings

    Former ROH and NJPW Tag Champion Spotted at NXT Tapings

    NXT has a set of tapings at Full Sail University tonight. The shows will be the first to feature Mauro Ranallo at the broadcast booth.

    According to a report from Wrestling Inc, former ROH and NJPW tag-team champion, Bobby Fish, has been spotted at the show. The report states that Fish was spotted entering Full Sail alongside NXT producer, Ryan Katz.

    reDRagon’s Bobby Fish

    37-year old Bobby Fish began his career 15 years ago. His first big break came in Ring of Honor in 2004. He had a 7-year run in Japan with Pro Wrestling NOAH.

    Upon his return to Ring of Honor in 2013, he formed the tag-team reDRagon, along with Kyle O’Reilly. The team has won jr. heavyweight tag team gold twice in NJPW, and are 3x ROH tag team champions.

    He is rumoured to have turned down a long-term offer with ROH earlier this year.

  • Bobby Roode Interview: NXT, His Dream Opponent & ‘Glorious’ Theme Song

    Bobby Roode Interview: NXT, His Dream Opponent & ‘Glorious’ Theme Song

    During the recent UK Download Festival, Jamie Welton and Peter Kimber of the Card Subject to Change podcast had a chance to speak with NXT Champion Bobby Roode. As it turns out, this marked the one year anniversary of Roode’s NXT debut at last year’s Download Fest.

    Topics discussed include returning to the site of his first NXT match, advice for anyone looking to get into the business, his all-time dream opponent and more. Here are some highlights of what Roode said about:

    His “Glorious” Theme Song:

    “It was kind of a unique situation. I was waiting for a work visa so that I could debut on TV with NXT. I already had a song picked out for my debut and then I was talking with Triple H about my character and kind of what I perceived it to be and what I wanted to do here. He had the “Glorious” song in the archives and he had me listen to it…I listened to it on headphones and I thought to myself it’s really different. Obviously, it’s very different from anything else that anyone has here or really in all of the business. I thought it could either be really good or it could suck. Fortunately for me, it turned into a glorious thing.”

    The Transition from Impact Wrestling to NXT:

    “It was easy actually for me. A little nerve racking at first because you hear a lot of negative things, and you hear some positive things. And until you get to experience it for yourself I didn’t try to come in with any sort of expectation. I had a conversation with Triple H. I’m not in my 20s anymore and I’ve been doing this for almost twenty years so I wanted to come in, I wanted to be here, I wanted to get an opportunity, and he was willing to give me that opportunity and it’s been great for myself and I feel great for the brand. I think just with the experience that I’ve gained I was kind of prepared to come in, work hard and do what I’ve done to get me to this point.”

    His All-Time Dream Opponent:

    “One of the main reasons that I got into the business was I’m a huge fan of Curt Hennig, Mr. Perfect. I have like 12 hours of Curt Hennig footage that I watch all the time. So if there’s probably one guy that I would have loved to have just met it would have been Curt Hennig. And if you’re talking about potential matches that I would love to have, that’d probably be John Cena at Wrestlemania.”

    You can listen to the full interview here:

  • Mauro Ranallo Joining NXT’s Broadcasting Team

    Mauro Ranallo Joining NXT’s Broadcasting Team

    He’s back! Mauro Ranallo announced on Thursday that after he and WWE mutually decided to part ways, both sides had a continued interest in working together and have agreed to terms on a new deal. Ranallo is done calling SmackDown but is joining NXT’s broadcasting team. He made sure to mention this had “nothing to do with rumors about disputes.”

    During his hiatus from WWE, Ranallo signed on to be one of the new voices of Bellator MMA, along with former UFC commentator Mike Goldberg. Ranallo will also be ringside calling the action for the big Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor boxing fight on August 26th from Las Vegas.

    Here’s the full announcement:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BVp4v6IgOoc/?taken-by=mauroranallo

  • NXT Championship Match Officially Announced, Enzo Amore Continues To Taunt Conor McGregor

    NXT Championship Match Officially Announced, Enzo Amore Continues To Taunt Conor McGregor

    NXT Championship match officially announced

    NXT Champion Bobby Roode will defend his title against Roderick Strong on the July 5th episode of NXT. WWE.com posted the following:

    NXT Champion Bobby Roode will defend his title in a huge head-to-head showdown against Roderick Strong on the July 5 episode of NXT.

    The Glorious One’s rivalry with Strong has intensified rapidly, with tensions reaching their boiling point on June 21 when a photo shoot erupted into a brawl between Roode and Strong.

    This came after the titleholder and Strong had a war of words two weeks prior on NXT. Strong bared his soul to the NXT Universe, opening up about his journey into fatherhood and his desire to become NXT Champion, only to be met with ridicule and disrespect from Roode, who verbally tore down Strong’s title aspirations.

    Following their backstage photoshoot throw down, the heated foes will now settle their differences inside the squared circle with NXT’s most prized possession on the line. Don’t miss this epic NXT Title contest on Wednesday, July 5, at 8/7 C, on the award-winning WWE Network.

    WWE released a video earlier today of Roode and Strong getting into a fight before tonight’s episode of NXT.

    Enzo Amore continues to taunt Conor McGregor

    Monday on RAW, Big Cass was revealed to be the one that was attacking Enzo Amore backstage. Cass accused Enzo of using his mouth to write checks that his ass cannot cash. That message apparently didn’t get through to Enzo as he continues to take shots at Conor McGregor on social media. Here is the original tweet that Enzo sent out to McGregor on June 16th:

    Earlier today, Enzo sent out the following tweet and once again called out McGregor:

  • 3 Confirmed Matches For Tonight’s NXT

    3 Confirmed Matches For Tonight’s NXT

    NXT tonight will be main event’ed by two of the brand’s up and coming stars, Aleister Black and Kassius Ohno. Tonight’s episode was taped at Full Sail University, and the promotion has announced 3 matches which will air on tonight’s broadcast.

    Ember Moon will also return to action tonight, as she takes on 1/2 of the Iconic Duo, Peyton Royce. Sonya Deville, who Royce and Billie Kay have used as muscle before, also returns to action against an opponent TBA.

    Confirmed Matches for Tonight’s NXT

    • Aleister Black vs. Kassius Ohno
    • Ember Moon vs. Peyton Royce
    • Sonya Deville vs. TBA
  • WWE Announces Stipulation For NXT Women’s Championship Match

    WWE Announces Stipulation For NXT Women’s Championship Match

    WWE announced the following earlier today:

    Asuka to defend NXT Women’s Title against Nikki Cross in Last Woman Standing Match

    NXT Women’s Champion Asuka will put her coveted title on the line against the crazed Nikki Cross on the June 28 episode of NXT. The title showdown will be a Last Woman Standing Match, further adding to the uncertainty and chaos surrounding the huge championship contest.

    The extreme stipulation was a logical next step in Asuka and Cross’s rivalry after the two brawled throughout Full Sail University on the June 14 episode of NXT. Along with Ruby Riot, they competed in a Triple Threat Elimination Match for the NXT Women’s Title. After Riot had been eliminated, Asuka and Cross fought outside the arena, only to return and eventually crash through a table, leaving them laid out in a heap of carnage.

    Asuka’s record-breaking NXT Women’s Title reign has overcome many obstacles, but she has yet to face a challenger as crazy as Cross in a bout that caters to chaos like a Last Woman Standing Match. Will we see the end of The Empress of Tomorrow’s historic title reign?

    Find out on Wednesday, June 28, at 8/7C on the award-winning WWE Network.

  • Scheduled NXT Matches for Tonight: Asuka Defends Her Championship

    Scheduled NXT Matches for Tonight: Asuka Defends Her Championship

    This week NXT is from Full Sail University, as we countdown to Takeover: Brooklyn III. The event will be held the night before SummerSlam, on August 19th, inside the Barclay’s Centre.

    Tonight as many as 6 matches will take place, including an NXT Women’s championship title defence.

    Matches for NXT Tonight:

    Unless NXT airs some matches out of order (which has happened before) these should be the matches which air tonight:

    • Kassius Ohno vs. Aleister Black
    • Ember Moon vs. Peyton Royce w/Billie Kay
    • the Velveteen Dream vs. Raul Mendoza
    • Drew McIntyre vs. Rob “Terra” Ryzin
    • the Authors of Pain vs. Local Talent
    • NXT Women’s Championship Match
      Triple Threat, Elimination Rules
      Asuka (c) vs. Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross (Sanity) 
  • Hideo Itami Pays Tribute to Japanese Legend

    Hideo Itami Pays Tribute to Japanese Legend

    Yesterday marked 8 years since the passing of Japanese wrestling legend Mitsuharu Misawa. Misawa was a hugely influential performer and left an indelible mark on the wrestling business. Greats such as William Regal, Daniel Bryan, CM Punk and Chris Hero have called him one of the greatest ever in the industry.

    On June 13th 2009, Misawa teamed with Go Shiozaki against GHC Tag Team Champions Akitoshi Saito and Bison Smith in a title match at Hiroshima Green Arena. This match was to be Misawa’s last for the company that he founded: Pro Wrestling NOAH.

    After taking a belly to back Suplex from Saito, Misawa lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital, he passed away that evening.

    Hideo Itami/KENTA took to Twitter to pay tribute to the legend and man whose company gave Hideo his greatest success thus far. He posted the following tweet with the words Never Forget. We Miss You.

  • Mark Andrews Injured During NXT Event At Download Festival (Updated w/ Video & Statement From WWE)

    Mark Andrews Injured During NXT Event At Download Festival (Updated w/ Video & Statement From WWE)

    NXT Superstar Mark Andrews was injured and stretchered out of the arena during the UK Download Festival. Andrews was a part of the eight-man tag team main-event and was reportedly injured following a Clothesline with one of the members of The Authors of Pain.

    https://twitter.com/callumleslie92/status/873994786302283777

    We will post updates when they become available.

    Update: British independent wrestler Eddie Dennis stated on Twitter that he has heard from Mark Andrews and that he will be alright.

    Update: Footage from the Download Festival of the Mark Andrews injury has been posted. As seen in the video, Andrews was injured after hitting the mat from a Clothesline. From the video, it appears that Andrews may have just been unlucky and landed wrong on his neck.

    https://twitter.com/briantheguppie/status/874035396589625344

    Update: WWE has released the following statement on their site about the injury:

    Mark Andrews suffered a neck injury on Sunday during WWE NXT’s time at Download Festival 2017 in Donington Park in Derby, England.

    Andrews was quickly evaluated by WWE medical personnel. A statement passed along to WWE.com read, “A CT scan of Andrews came back negative, with just bruising evident. Mark would like to thank all his fans for their concern.”

    H/T to RmeeU in the comments.

  • VIDEO: Mark Andrews Attacked by Pete Dunne During his Band’s Download Festival Set

    VIDEO: Mark Andrews Attacked by Pete Dunne During his Band’s Download Festival Set

    WWE UK Pete Dunne and Mark Andrews are set to collide for the WWE UK Championship tonight at NXT’s Download Festival show.

    Andrew’s band JUNIOR performed at the annual Metal, Hardcore and Punk festival this afternoon and during their set Pete Dunne appeared and attacked Andrews. Andrews fought back and hit a dive off the stage on to the WWE UK Champion, he then took to the microphone and proclaimed that he will win the title tonight in the NXT tent.

    Check out the clip below to see the stage dive:

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  • Hideo Itami Comments on Rumours He’s Going Back to Japan

    Hideo Itami Comments on Rumours He’s Going Back to Japan

    Earlier this month, rumours began to circulate that NXT star, Hideo Itami, was going back to Japan. Itami addressed the rumours in a segment that aired on NXT.

    Hideo Itami

    36 year old, Kenta Kobashi, changed his ring name to Hideo Itami when he debuted in NXT in 2014. He has battled injury problems in the 2.5 years he’s been with the company.

    Itami made a name for himself in Japan for Pro Wrestling Noah from 2000 to 2013. He wrestled a tryout at the Performance Centre in January of 2014, and was signed shortly afterwards. He would debut at NXT Takeover: Fatal 4-Way in September of that year.

  • NXT Highlights: No Way Jose vs. Killian Dain, Itami & Ohno Rivalry continues…

    NXT Highlights: No Way Jose vs. Killian Dain, Itami & Ohno Rivalry continues…

    NXT
    June 7th 2017
    Full Sail University

    1. Heavy Machinery vs. Lars Sullivan & Victor Andrews

    • No highlights were posted for this match.
    • Sullivan was taking it to Heavy Machinery when Andrews begged to be tagged in.
    • Andrews was promptly destroyed by both members of Heavy Machinery.
    • They finished Andrews off with the Compactor.

    Winners: Heavy Machinery

    • After the match Sullivan lost it and attacked Andrews.
    • He slammed him a few times and locked him a modified Torture Rack like move.

    Roderick Strong Promo

    • Strong talked about how he opened up to the fans about his story and how much he appreciated their support.
    • Strong then said he wants the NXT championship.
    • This brought out Bobby Roode, who ran down Strong and his family.

    3. Peyton Royce vs. Sarah Logan

    • No highlights posted for this match either.
    • Billy Kay was on the outside giving her partner instructions.
    • Royce got some boos from the crowd for doing the 3 Amigos suplexes, only she modified it by changing the 3rd suplex into a death valley driver.
    • Logan did get some offence, including a near fall after a running knee.
    • Royce finished her off with a fishermen’s suplex shortly after for the win however.

    Winner: Peyton Royce

    4. Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan

    • Itami, who snapped at Kassius Ohno backstage at Takeover, continued to show heel-ish tendencies in this match.
    • After Lorcan got a surprising amount of offence, Itami cut him off and gave him the GTS.
    • Itami didn’t pin him however, he picked him up and gave him another one.
    • He looked like he was going for a 3rd when Kassius Ohno ran down and prevented him.
    • The two argued and shoved each other before Itami left the ring.
    • Commentary said the ref threw the match out.

    No Contest

    5. Killian Dain (Sanity) vs. No Way Jose

    • The other members of Sanity left ringside at the start of this match.
    • Dain got the bulk of the offence and finished Jose off with Ulster Plantation.
    • It was his 1st singles match on NXT television. It looks like Dain is in line for a push.

    Winner: Killian Dain

  • Non-Spoiler NXT Preview and Confirmed Matches

    Non-Spoiler NXT Preview and Confirmed Matches

    NXT is a taped show from Full Sail University tonight. Two big matches, including the main event, have already been confirmed. Two other matches are believed to air tonight as well.

    Matches For NXT Tonight

    • No Way Jose vs. Killian Dain (Sanity)
      • No Way Jose made his return to NXT last week, helping Roderick Strong fend off Sanity. 
    • Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan
      • Itami was shown getting into a heated confrontation with Kassius Ohno backstage at Takeover. The two were later shown shaking hands in the Performance Centre parking lot. Will Itami’s frustration with his NXT run continue?

    Rumored Matches for Tonight:

    • Heavy Machinery vs. Lars Sullivan & Local Talent
    • Peyton Royce vs. Sarah Logan
  • WWE NXT Superstars Visit Home Of Manchester Attack Victim

    WWE NXT Superstars Visit Home Of Manchester Attack Victim

    NXT Superstars Bobby Roode, Nikki Cross and Mark Andrews visited the home of an eight-year-old girl that was injured in the terrorist bombing in Manchester on May 22nd. Lily Harrison attended the Ariana Grande concert with her parents and was injured during the bombing. Lily was discharged from the hospital, but her mother is still there being treated for her injuries.

    The NXT Superstars surprised Lily at her home this morning and presented her with a bunch of WWE gifts for her and her family. The gifts included an NXT Title and a signed Progress’ 2017 Super Strong Style 16 tournament bracket.

    https://twitter.com/jimsmallman/status/872084841986224128

    Lily also spoke to WWE Superstar Sasha Banks via FaceTime.

    Sky News has posted a video of the visit and you can check that out by clicking here.

  • WWE Announces NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III

    WWE Announces NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III

    WWE has officially announced that NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III will take place on August 19th at the Barclays Center during SummerSlam weekend. Tickets will go on sale this Friday. Here is WWE’s official announcement:

    NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn returns to Barclays Center on Aug. 19

    For the third year in a row, Brooklyn, N.Y., will host NXT’s hottest event of the summer.

    TakeOver: Brooklyn III comes to the Barclays Center Saturday, Aug. 19, one night before WWE SummerSlam emanates from the same building.

    WWE COO Triple H made the announcement on Twitter:

    Tickets for the WWE Network special event go on sale this Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. ET, exclusively at www.NXTtickets.com.

    NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn has played home to such historic showdowns as Finn Bálor vs. Kevin Owens, Bayley vs. Sasha Banks and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Samoa Joe in previous years. There’s no telling what huge matches will go down this August, but this much is certain: Takeover: Brooklyn III will have the entire WWE Universe buzzing!

    Don’t miss out on witnessing the action live in person — secure your ticket this Friday.

  • NXT Highlights: Tommaso Ciampa Explains His Actions From Takeover

    NXT Highlights: Tommaso Ciampa Explains His Actions From Takeover

    NXT this week was the brand’s first show taped after NXT: Chicago. Not surprisingly, Tommaso Ciampa came out at the start to explain his actions from the latest Takeover event.

    NXT
    airdate: May 31st 2017
    Full Sail University

    Tommaso Ciampa Segment

    • Ciampa was in street-clothes and explained that he felt his knee go out in the middle of his match at Takeover. He knew that after that match he was going to be on the injured list for awhile.
    • He remembered how after he injured his ankle at a house show the week before Takeover, the fans started to discuss which dream partner they wanted for Gargano. This did not sit well with Ciampa.
    • He knew that Gargano would team up with someone else while he rehabbed his injured knee, and Ciampa did not want to be a footnote in another team’s history. So, he decided if he was going away for a “long time”, then Gargano was going away for a “long, long time”.

    1. Pete Dunne vs. Danny Burch (non-title match)

    • WWE didn’t post highlights of this match.
    • Somewhat surprisingly, Burch was on offence for the bulk of this bout. A lot of punches, uppercuts, an exploder suplex and a draping DDT made up his offence for the most part.
    • Dunne kicked out after a draping DDT, then somewhat out of nowhere, he landed a german suplex into the corner, followed by the Bitter End, and and got the win.
    • Burch was definitely made to look at, or just below, Dunne’s level.

    Winner: Pete Dunne

    • It appeared as though we were going to be shown an interview with the Velveteen Dream, but the former Patrick Clark declared the ambience on the set was not quite right and walked away.
    • A highlights package for the Authors of Pain was shown instead.

    2. Cezar Bononi vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas

    • Commentary continued to play up how Almas likes to go out and party all the time.
    • Bononi is a rare Brazilian pro-wrestler, who made his NXT debut in a losing effort to Aleister Black not long ago.
    • Almas was on offence for pretty much the entire match, until Bononi pulled off the surprise win with a small package.
    • The win is Bononi’s first on WWE television.

    Winner: Cezar Bononi

    • After the match, Almas walked to the back and appeared to be laughing the whole thing off.
    • A short video of Billy Kay and Peyton Royce at the Performance Centre was shown. They were making fun of Ember Moon for being injured, then Moon walked into the room and appeared to sign papers indicating she is now cleared to return.
    • It was announced that in 2 weeks Asuka will again defend her title against both Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross. This time under elimination rules.
    • Highlights of Hideo Itami and Kassius Ohno getting into a heated verbal confrontation in the back at Takeover was shown. A further video taken from the Performance Centre parking lot was shown, here we saw the two men talking and shaking hands. Well, I guess they patched things up and we will never hear about it again.

    3. Kassius Ohno & Roderick Strong vs. Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe (Sanity)

    • Early in the match, Sanity was able to take offence on Kassius Ohno and prevented Strong from tagging in.
    • Killian Dain would get involved several times on the outside, as commentary played up how Sanity has a numbers advantage.
    • When Strong got his hot-tag, he took everyone out until Young blind-tagged himself in and hit a neck-breaker. Young covered Strong, but he kicked out at 2.
    • Ohno then took out Wolfe with a discus elbow, but Killian Dain got up on the apron and looked to interfere.
    • No Way Jose returned (he’d been gone since Takeover: Orlando) and took out Dain, ending Sanity’s numbers advantage.
    • This allowed Roderick Strong to hit the End of Heartache and pick up the win for his team.

    Winners: Kassius Ohno & Roderick Strong

  • Tommaso Ciampa Undergoing Knee Surgery This Week, Estimated Recovery Time

    Tommaso Ciampa Undergoing Knee Surgery This Week, Estimated Recovery Time

    NXT star Tommaso Ciampa is currently in Birmingham, Alabama to undergo ACL surgery later this week. We won’t know the full extent of his injury until after the knee surgery, but the typical recovery time for this procedure is six to nine months.

    Ciampa was injured at an NXT live event just days before Takeover: Chicago during a tag team match against Sanity, as seen below.

    https://twitter.com/briantheguppie/status/865415082850697218

    After Ciampa’s stunning attack on Johnny Gargano at the conclusion of NXT Takeover: Chicago last weekend, many fans were hoping for the former DIY tag team partners to settle their differences at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn during SummerSlam weekend in August. An in-ring return less than three months from now seems overly ambitious.

  • William Regal Reveals Which Talent He Is Most Proud Of Signing To NXT

    William Regal Reveals Which Talent He Is Most Proud Of Signing To NXT

    Metro.co.uk recently spoke with NXT General Manager William Regal and published Part 1 of their interview. As part of his role as NXT GM, Regal is one of WWE’s top talent scouts. He’s responsible for the signing of many Superstars currently in NXT and on the main roster.

    Regal was asked if there is anybody not currently signed to NXT that he’d like to bring on board. He said there are actually a lot of people he’s keeping an eye on, but did not want to name them and put pressure on those talents. He added that WWE can only sign a finite number of people per year and there are times when a particular wrestler has big potential but could benefit from more time on the independent scene.

    When asked which current or past NXT performer he’s most proud of signing, Regal named Sasha Banks. “I don’t really like singling anyone out, but Sasha Banks,” he said. “I’ve known her since she was 18, and the previous people that were doing what I’m doing now wouldn’t even give her the time of day.

    “When I was asked by Triple H to be part of that team, of which there is nobody still here who was in the team at the time, I kept asking to bring her in, to which people replied ‘oh no, there is nothing in her, she’s useless.’ Sasha was the first person I went to bat for, and her development is a great thing to see.”

    Regal added that he’s also very proud of signing Bayley and Becky Lynch. Regal said he actually had the idea for Bayley’s character, since a few acts in WWE are geared towards younger males but none were going after the young female demographic. Bayley’s character is an extension of her actual personality, so she was a great fit for that role.

    Part 2 of Metro’s interview with William Regal will be published later this week.

  • Gunner Indicates He’s Headed To NXT

    35 year-old Chad Lail, better known to Impact fans as Gunner, is indicating he might be NXT bound in the near future. Late Thursday night, he tweeted:

    https://twitter.com/GUNNER_ChadLail/status/867945815242932226

    Gunner’s Pro-Wrestling Career

    Gunner started his pro-wrestling career in 2001, after returning home from the Iraq war. While serving, he reached the rank of Lance Corporal. He was a machine-gunner while in Iraq, which led to the name he uses in his wrestling career.

    His early career involved competing for various NWA affiliated promotions. He even won the NWA National Championship at one point, only vacating it when he signed with TNA in 2010.

    For 5 years, Gunner was apart of TNA storylines, including as a member of Hulk Hogan’s “Immortal” faction. He left the company in June of 2015, and began looking for work as an actor and bodybuilder. Now it appears, he’s gotten the call to be a part of NXT.

  • NXT Highlights and Results: More Matches From Chicago

    NXT Highlights and Results: More Matches From Chicago

    NXT
    airdate: May 24th 2017
    Chicago, Ill

    1. Aleister Black vs. Curt Hawkins

    Hawkins got in some initial offence after faking a test-of-strength challenge, but otherwise this was all Black. The guy is fun to watch. He won here with a roundhouse head-kick. During the match he also did a really nice springboard moonsault onto a standing Hawkins.

    Winner: Aleister Black

    2. “the Velveteen Dream” Patrick Clark vs. Robert Anthony

    The Velveteen Dream, Patrick Clark is certainly in good shape. This was a squash match to feature him, after weeks of his vignettes shown on NXT. They do appear to be dropping Patrick Clark from his name, and are just going with him as the Velveteen Dream.

    He hit a beautiful big elbow drop from the top rope for the win.

    Winner: the Velveteen Dream

    3. Drew McIntyre vs. Wesley Blake

    This wasn’t a squash match, meaning they might be looking at Wesley Blake as a mid to top heel in NXT’s men’s singles division.

    Blake threw Drew into the post shoulder first and locked in a crossface. Drew powered out of it however, and ended up landing a reverse Alabama slam. Blake countered a double-arm DDT into an arm-breaker to go back on offence. He went to the top rope but Drew caught him and threw him off. Blake countered the running boot, but then took a big headbutt. After that, Drew finally hit a single-leg Yakuza kick and got the pin.

    Winner: Drew McIntyre

  • Asuka Surpasses Goldberg’s Undefeated Streak, Reactions From Both

    Asuka Surpasses Goldberg’s Undefeated Streak, Reactions From Both

    NXT Women’s Champion Asuka recently won her 177th match in NXT, surpassing Bill Goldberg’s fabled 176-0 streak from the glory days of WCW. Both Asuka and Goldberg commented on her accomplishment:

    Goldberg’s Streak vs. Asuka’s Streak

    Goldberg’s streak, according to WCW storylines, ended at 176-0. In reality, that streak was only 158 wins and he actually lost a non-televised match to Chad Fortune at a WCW Saturday Night taping early in his career. In Goldberg’s autobiography, he stated that management were testing to see how he would react to losing a match, and when he didn’t complain, they continued pushing his undefeated streak.

    Asuka has never been pinned or submitted in NXT, but she has been in matches where she didn’t win. In 2016, she didn’t win 3 straight fatal 4-way matches, which were all won by Bayley. She was also in a battle royal she didn’t win.

  • NXT Show in Manchester Potentially Cancelled due to Terror Attack

    NXT Show in Manchester Potentially Cancelled due to Terror Attack

    According to TMZ Sports the upcoming NXT show in Manchester, England may be cancelled.

    WWE are currently consulting with officials in Manchester as to whether the event will go ahead as planned due to the terror attacks that took place last night. The attacks took place during an Ariana Grande concert where 22 people lost their lives.

    WWE made the following announcement regarding the event: “WWE offers its heartfelt condolences to those affected by this tragedy. We are working with local authorities on the appropriate course of action as it relates to our event scheduled for Tuesday, June 6 at the Manchester Arena.”

    The NXT roster will be touring the UK in early June with stops in Brighton, Leeds and potentially Manchester.