Last night on NXT, William Regal confirmed the participants for the women’s championship match at Takeover: Orlando, and who will be the challenger for the NXT championship.
Asuka has been NXT women’s championship for over 14 months, and has successfully defended the title on NXT television or PPV on 6 occasions. She’s never been defeated in NXT, though she did once enter a battle royal that she didn’t win.
Ember Moon has never been defeated in a singles match in NXT. She lost a triple threat match (wasn’t pinned) and was on the losing end of a tag match before, but Moon has never been pinned or submitted on NXT television. It will be the two most protected women wrestlers on the roster that will meet for the title at Takeover.
Last night on NXT, William Regal also announced that the winner of next week’s title match between Kassius Ohno and Bobby Roode at Takeover: Orlando will defend the title against Nakamura at Takeover: Orlando. Ohno and Roode have been building up a short feud which has spanned the last couple of weeks.
The interesting part of NXT title matches is that it is generally the loser who gets called up to the main roster. If Nakamura is to lose at Takeover, it perhaps opens the door for him to debut on Raw or Smackdown after WrestleMania.
NXT
aired: March 1st 2017
taped: February 1st 2017
Full Sail University
Sean Maluta vs. Patrick Clark
NXT advertised “the Patrick Clark Experience” for tonight’s show, and I guess this was it. Clark appears to be doing a new take on an old gimmick. He wears a sparkly headband and occasionally stops wrestling to spread his arms wide in a way not unlike when Bobby Roode says that he’s glorious.
Clark wins clean with a fame-asser on Maluta (who is a member of the Anoa’i family) Winner: Clark
NXT Women’s Championship Asuka (c) vs. Peyton Royce
Royce won the right to challenge for the belt last week when she won a 3-way match with Ember Moon and Liv Morgan. Asuka picked up her 5th televised title defence in her 11 months as champion. Royce tapped out to the Asuka lock. After the match Royce and Billie Kay tried to double team Asuka but Ember Moon came out for the save. Asuka and Moon then stared each other down, making it clear that Moon will be the next to challenge for the title. Winner: Asuka via submission
NXT Tag Team Championship Match the Authors of Pain (c) vs. DIY (Gargano and Ciampa)
It looked as though DIY were going to win back the titles, as they had both members of the Authors of Pain in double crossfades, but the Revival hit the ring causing the disqualification. Wilder and Dawson didn’t just take out DIY however, but also the Authors of Pain. Crowd cheered the Revival. This should be setting up a 3-way tag team match down the line. Winners: DIY via DQ
NXT has a big episode this week, with both the tag team championships and NXT women’s championships on the line. The matches for tonight were taped on February 1st 2017 from Full Sail University.
NXT Women’s Championship Match Asuka (c) vs. Peyton Royce
Royce earned the right to face Asuka by defeating Liv Morgan and Ember Moon in a 3-way match last week. Receiving a title match on NXT is a big achievement for the 24-year old Royce, who had mainly been used to put over other superstars until she began pairing up with Billie Kay in recent months.
As for Asuka she has defended the title successfully 4 times since defeating Bayley at NXT Takeover: Dallas over WrestleMania weekend last year
NXT Tag Team Championship Match Authors of Pain (c) vs. DIY
The Authors of Pain defeated DIY for the titles over Royal Rumble weekend in San Antonio, but Gargano and Ciampa have a chance to win them back on tonight’s show. If this feud is going to continue, DIY will need a win here.
The following is a preview for tonight’s episode of NXT on the WWE Network:
Pete Dunne vs. Mark Andrews
The UK division gets more time on NXT programming.
NXT Champion Bobby Roode vs. No Way Jose (non-title)
Roode is not going to want to drop a non-title match as he builds towards an eventual rematch with Nakamura.
No Way Jose has been hovering around mid-card status for his entire NXT tenure, but a win over Roode could change that however.
NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match Peyton Royce vs. Ember Moon vs. Liv Morgan
Royce was the only of the 3 in this match to have also been in the fatal 4-way title match at Takeover: San Antonio. She has the momentum going into this match seeing as her and partner Billie Kay defeated Moon and Morgan in a tag match last week.
Tyler Bate will put his WWE United States Kingdom on the line next week on NXT. The inaugural champion will defend against Trent Seven, his first title defence since winning the UK tournament.
Having the UK title defended on NXT represents an interesting prospect for the show. Since the brand-split, viewership of NXT on the Network has decreased, what with the departure of stars such as Finn Balor. Now with Samoa Joe having left the brand as well, another hole needs to be filled. International titles being defended on the show may help NXT’s viewership.
WWE Global Territory System
Many are speculating that WWE’s signing of several UK and Asia based talents represents the beginning of a global territory system that will take place under WWE’s umbrella.
The signed UK talents are expected to be featured on a WWE Network show of their own later this year. As for WWE’s Asia territory, the company is currently scouting talents for an WWE Asia Championship tournament. It is believed this tournament will be similar to the UK version.
Hideo Itami is finally medically cleared to compete will be returning to NXT in the very near future. Itami’s NXT run has been plagued with injuries and he’s been out since October, when he went down with an injury that prevented him from teaming with Kota Ibushi in the Dusty Rhodes Memorial tag team tournament.
The 35-year old Itami debuted in NXT after having had a very successful run in Pro Wrestling NOAH. Then known as Kenta Kobayashi, Itami spent the better part of 14 years with the organization. Throughout this period, Itami would also make sporadic appearances with ROH, but his main focus was in Japan.
He won the company’s heavyweight championship in 2013, and then held it for almost a year. Itami would eventually drop the belt in January of 2014. He began training in WWE developmental around that time. He would wrestle his final match for NOAH that May.
Since landing in NXT however, Itami has suffered two injuries that have kept him on the sidelines for extended periods of time.
His suffered an injured shoulder in May of 2015 that required surgery. The injury was only supposed to keep him out 6 months, but due to complications from the surgery he ended up being inactive for over a year. He returned in June of 2016, but would be injured again in October. Now, according to Meltzer, he is cleared to compete again and could make his return any day.
– Rich Swann is now longest reigning WWE Cruiserweight Champion at 47 days. This is for the current incarnation of the championship.
– Jim Ross noted on Twitter that he’s speaking with RAW General Manager Mick Foley tonight for a future episode of his Ross Report podcast.
– Triple H announced on Monday that voting is now open for the NXT Year-End Awards. The seven categories include:
Takeover of the Year
Tag Team of the Year
Breakout Star of the Year
Female of the Year
Male of the Year
Overall Competitor ff the Year
Match of the Year
It was an incredible year for the NXT brand and roster, so expect to see tight voting margins for a lot of these categories. Head over to WWE.com for more information on how you can vote.
After returning to the NXT at Thursday night’s TV tapings from Full Sail University, Kassius Ohno worked Friday’s live event from Largo, FL. He defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas. Here’s a
NXT GM William Regal announced at tonight’s Full Sail tapings that Asuka will defend the Women’s Championship against Billie Kay, Peyton Royce and Nikki Cross in a Fatal 4 Way at the TakeOver: San Antonio event during Royal Rumble Weekend.
Here is the updated TakeOver line-up:
– Shinsuke Nakamura defends the NXT Championship against Bobby Roode
– Asuka defends the NXT Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross, Billie Kay & Peyton Royce in a Fatal 4 Way
– NXT Tag Team Champions DIY defend against The Authors of Pain
– Announced for next week’s SmackDown from Jacksonville, FL is WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose.
– There will be a two-hour NXT special airing tonight on the WWE Network with matches from the recent house show in Osaka, Japan. The following matches are advertised to air:
* Andrade Almas vs. Oney Lorcan
* Nia Jax vs. NXT Women’s Champion Asuka
* Liv Morgan & Aliyah vs. Billie Kay
* Tajiri & Tozawa vs. NXT Tag Team Champions DIY
* Shinsuke Nakamura vs. NXT Champion Samoa Joe
– Speaking of Tajiri, he will make his regular WWE return on next week’s edition of 205 Live. Below is a promo for his return:
Next Wednesday’s NXT on the WWE Network will be a two-hour special with the matches from this month’s NXT house show in Osaka, Japan. WWE announced the following details today:
If you weren’t able to make it to Osaka, Japan, earlier this month for NXT’s debut in the Land of the Rising Sun, there’s no need to fret! Tune into WWE Network this Wednesday at 8/7 C for a special two-hour edition of NXT featuring incredible matches from the Edion Arena, including Shinsuke Nakamura’s incredible NXT Championship victory over Samoa Joe.
The night of action will feature:
-Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Samoa Joe (NXT Championship Match)
-Asuka vs. Nia Jax (NXT Women’s Championship Match)
-#DIY vs. Tajiri & Akira Tozawa (NXT Tag Team Championship Match)
-Liv Morgan & Aliyah vs. Billie Kay & Peyton Royce
-Oney Lorcan vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Don’t miss your chance to see NXT’s Japan debut for the first time ever on WWE Network, this Wednesday at 8/7 C. Plus, on January 4, WWE Network subscribers will get the opportunity to watch NXT’s action-packed event from Melbourne, Australia, featuring Nakamura and Joe in a Steel Cage Match for the NXT Championship, and much more!
– Former Ring Of Honor World Champion Michael Elgin announced on Thursday that he’ll no longer be working for the promotion. He will continue working for New Japan Pro Wrestling (including their joint shows with ROH overseas), but will be working elsewhere in the United States. Elgin signed a 2-year deal with NJPW earlier this year. His new promotion Glory Pro launches in early 2017.
– After returning to the ring at NXT live events last weekend, WWE’s Cathy Kelley has a new video questioning if the Ravishing Russian could be preparing for an extended run in NXT.
With the continued success of WWE NXT, there have been preliminary talks about taking the brand’s WWE Network show live on a weekly basis. The news comes courtesy of Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. The move would involve several logistical hurdles, most notably the added cost of talent coordination and shooting another live weekly show. There is also some skepticism regarding how much of an impact the move would have on Network subscribers. WWE currently tapes 3-4 weeks of NXT television from Full Sail University every month or so and there are risks associated with altering this formula.
There’s no doubt that 2016 was a banner year for NXT. In addition to the group holding live events in new markets domestically and internationally, the quarterly Takeover specials have become one of the highlights of WWE’s “big 4” weekends. Tickets go on sale this Friday for the first #NXTRoadTrip of 2017 and the next NXT Takeover event is scheduled for Royal Rumble weekend.
It looks like Mickie James impressed the right people in her match with Asuka at NXT TakeOver: Toronto. Our friend Ryan Satin at Pro Wrestling Sheet is reporting that according to “multiple sources with direct knowledge,” James has been staying in touch with WWE the last couple weeks and was told that there’s a deal waiting for her to sign if she wants to return.
Probably the biggest potential hiccup would be that James has not been wrestling anything close to full time in the last few years since she gave birth to her son. With her husband, Nick “Magnus” Aldis, also being a working pro wrestler, hat would seemingly make a main roster deal less likely unless they’ve agreed to make a change if there was a prospect of WWE signing either one of them.
Cody Rhodes was recently a guest on the Wrestling With Wreget podcast where he discussed his experiences in the wrestling business since leaving WWE. Rhodes talked about the reputation that indie wrestling has as being a “lesser” product, but says that his experience on the indie scene has been fulfilling.
“I have yet to have a lesser experience,” Rhodes said of working with independent wrestling promotions. “I know [bad experiences] might happen, but all the shows I’ve been a part of so far, including tonight, have had a not-indie feel about them. They have a local feel about them. […] So for me I have yet to have an ‘indie experience’, they’ve all been pretty wonderful. Crowds of 800 to 1,000 end up sounding like 18,000. I haven’t, none of them have felt indie yet.”
Rhodes credits NXT with exposing the WWE audience to talent from the independent wrestling scene. Cody says that NXT did a “great service to the business” by spotlighting indie superstars. Rhodes credits NXT with helping spark new interest in indie wrestling and sending people “in the thousands” to independent shows.
You can listen to the full interview here, where Rhodes also speaks on his brief time in TNA, saying it was a positive experience.
The Authors of Pain defeated two enhancement talents by referee stoppage at Wednesday night’s NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University after a brutal powerbomb spot.
Fans in attendance called it a scary and tense moment as the one wrestler was helped away by officials. The match was taped for the December 21st episode of NXT television, we’ll see if it airs.
As noted, Japanese wrestling star Kota Ibushi, who recently worked the second annual Dusty Rhodes Tag-Team Classic and first-ever WWE Cruiserweight Classic (CWC) tournaments in addition to other matches in NXT, was offered — and turned down — multiple offers from WWE.
“Zero chance,” Ibushi said when asked by Tokyo Sports back in October about the possibility of becoming a full-time member of the WWE roster. “But these one-shot deals are an absolute plus for all concerned.”
Ibushi then pointed out that he would like to be the guy to set the precedent for “one-shot deals” being given to wrestlers who for one reason or another don’t want to sign full-time exclusive deals with WWE, noting it would “open the doors” to a lot of Japanese talent coming over.
“If I can be the precedent for this kind of deal, it opens the doors for a lot of Japanese talent in WWE,” said Ibushi.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE initially offered Ibushi a five-year deal, which he turned down, before trying two more times to sign him up.
The pair of deals that followed the first rejection were for three years and two years, in that order, and were reportedly for “significant money.”
NXT star Bobby Roode recently appeared as a guest on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast for an in-depth interview. During the discussion, “The Glorious One” spoke about his current relationship with his former Beer Money tag-team partner in TNA, James Storm.
According to Roode, the two were never particularly close and haven’t even spoken since he parted ways with TNA.
“Honestly, James and I haven’t talked since I left [TNA], so we’ve always, even when we were a tag team together, we’ve always kind of done our own thing. I think that made us special at the time. We were two different guys. We never really hung out a ton, but we were able to go out there and create magic together. So, honestly, I don’t know. Everybody, in this business, you kind of have to look out for yourself and I just wasn’t happy anymore and I had a chance to leave. My contract was up. I didn’t know if I was going to come back one day. I didn’t know where I was going to end up. I didn’t know if I wanted to wrestle again. So I mean, James has been successful in the past and I’m sure he will continue to be successful in his career.”
Regarding his move to NXT, Roode pointed to the success of both Finn Balor and Samoa Joe as proof that he could do the same. As “The Glorious One” pointed out, all he wanted was the opportunity to prove himself.
“Yes, Samoa Joe, obviously. I know him on a personal level and worked with Joe for many years, so when Joe came over, I spoke to Joe days before he came to NXT. He didn’t really know what was going to happen either. Like me, he just wanted an opportunity and kind of like a fresh start to be rejuvenated and he got that. And, obviously, Joe’s super talented and a unique competitor, so he gave NXT something different, the NXT fans something different, and he had fan following already, which is a huge plus to start with. So I’ve seen Joe. I’ve seen him go in there and the success that he had immediately. A guy like Finn Bálor too, who I had a chance to get to know in Japan when I went over there for some short tours with New Japan, so I knew how talented he was. When he got to NXT, when he got to WWE, they used his talents. He became a superstar, so I knew that if I wanted to be the superstar that I knew that I think I could be that I had to go there. And I think, obviously, I would have to get an opportunity to prove myself, and they’ve given me that opportunity. I hope to continue to impress.”
Check out the complete Bobby Roode interview with Sam Roberts by clicking here.
This is notable in the sense that some of the NXT talent, like new tag team champions Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa, had already gone home after Saturday’s NXT TakeOver: Toronto special. This could mean anything or nothing, but the most likely explanation is that she stayed with the crew to tape a match and/or angle at the NXT taping being held in conjunction with the live SmackDown tonight (Tuesday). NXT is a bit short on shows until the next tapings back in Florida at Full Sail Live, which necessitated adding a taping as part of tonight’s SmackDown taping.
NXT Takeover: Toronto aired live on November 19th from the Air Canada Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
– Bobby Roode def. Tye Dillinger: Roode has a choir on the stage for his entrance. After some competitive back-and-forth action in the opening moments, Tye takes control of the match on the outside and hits a big back body drop on Roode onto the floor at ringside. Back in the ring, Tye hits a series of chops to the chest then mounts Roode in the corner for 10 punches. Roode comes back with some chops of his own and an elbow to the back of Tye’s head off the second rope. Roode hits a neckbreaker for a two count, then hits some knee drops on Dillinger. Dillinger comes back with a flying clothesline, then stomps a mud hole in Roode in the corner. Tye goes for a knee to the head, but Roode rolls outside. Tye chases him down, chops him on the chest, then throws Roode back in the ring. Back in the ring, Roode immediately hits a spinebuster for a two count. Roode takes Tye up to the top rope and hits a superplex for another two count. After a series of quick rollups, Tye hits a superkick for a two count on Roode. They exchange a series of punches and elbows in the middle of the ring until Tye drops him and locks Roode in the Sharpshooter. Roode reaches the ropes to get out, then throws Tye into the ring post and hits a DDT for the win.
– The Authors of Pain def. TM-61: Paul Ellering will be hanging above the ring in a shark cage. Back and forth action between the two teams early on, until the action goes outside. Thorne climbs a structure that’s supporting the cage, and somersaults off onto the heels at ringside. Back in the ring, Miller tags in and cleans house. He hits a suplex on each of the Authors of Pain, then a flying forearm on each one. The two members of TM-61 hit hurricanranas in tandem, sending each Author of Pain into each other head-first. Both members of TM-61 hit suicide dives onto Akam outside, then Ellering drops a chain into the ring for Rezar to use. Back in the ring, Miller blocks the chain shot, the Authors hit the Last Chapter for the win. After the match, Triple H, William Regal and Dustin Rhodes come out to present the Authors with the Dusty Rhodes Tag Tournament trophy.
– Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa def. The Revival: The NXT Tag Team Titles are on the line in this 2-out-of-3 falls match. The Revival is in control until Gargano gets the tag to Ciampa and they hit dropkicks in tandem on both Revival members. The Revival comes back with a double team leg drop on Ciampa for a two count. Gargano gets the tag and clears house with running chops, and a running bulldog/clothesline combo that drops both members of the Revival. Gargano springboards in from the apron for a spear, but Dash and Dawson catch him and counter into the Shatter Machine for the three count, and The Revival is up one fall. The Revival control the next few minutes of the match, until Gargano hits a flying kick into a tornado DDT on both Revival members. Ciampa gets the tag, but the referee didn’t see it and holds him back. The Revival hits the Heart Attack on Gargano for a two count. Gargano escapes a superplex attempt then gets the hot tag to Ciampa. Ciampa takes control of the match and hits a knee to the face of Dawson for a two count. Ciampa hits a cross body block on Dawson off the top for another two count, then hits a double superkick with Gargano on Dawson for the three count. The two teams are now tied at one fall each — the next pinfall wins. After some back and forth action, Gargano kicks Dawson in the head then hits a springboard tornado DDT for a near-fall. The Revival members team up to hit a European uppercut into a German suplex on Gargano for a two count. Dawson throws Ciampa into the ring post and Ciampa falls to the floor. Dash throws a tag title belt to Dawson, then behind the ref’s back Dawson uses the belt to block a kick from Gargano. Gargano is selling his leg, and Dawson puts him in the Figure Four. Gargano reaches the ropes to break the hold, then Dawson tags in Wilder. Wilder accidentally superkicks his own partner when Gargano ducks, and DIY hits a double team Codebreaker on Dawson. Dash breaks up the pin, which leads to a series of more near-fall pins until Gargano gets Dash in the Crippler Crossface. Ciampa gets Dawson in the armbar at the same time, and both members of the Revival tap out.
– Samoa Joe def. Shinsuke Nakamura The NXT Championship is on the line in this one. Joe and Nakamura trade kicks in the opening moments. Nakamura gets the upper hand and hits a knee drop on Joe before taking things to the outside. Nakamura hits a big boot on Joe that sends him over the barricade into the crowd. Back in the ring, Joe hit a running elbow in the corner followed up by an enziguri. Nakamura comes back with a series of knees, but Joe catches him in the corner and drops him with the Rock Bottom. Joe follows up with a kick to the chest and an elbow drop for a two count. Joe locks Nakamura in a half Boston Crab before throwing the Champion outside and following up with a suicide dive. Joe kicks Nakamura down on the floor at ringside before rolling him back in the ring. Nakamura comes back with a flying kick and a knees of knees. The Champion drops Joe with more kicks, then hits a flying elbow in the corner and a running knee for a two count. Joe comes back with a kick and a running senton, then gets Nakamura in an STF and a Crossface Crippler. Nakamura gets out, but Joe drops him again with a spinning powerslam. Nakamura climbs to the top rope, but Joe drops him with an enziguri. Nakamura answers with a kick of his own, then a knee to the face of the challenger. Nakamura goes back to the middle rope and hits a flying knee to the face. Joe goes for a German suplex, but Nakamura gets out and hits a German suplex of his own. Nakamura misses a running knee in the corner, and Joe starts working on the Champion’s left knee. Joe goes for the Muscle Buster but Nakamura gets out and hits a running knee to the face for a two count. Nakamura goes for another running knee, but Joe dodges it and gets the Champion in a sleeper hold. Nakamura gets out, but Joe hits a German suplex, a Full Nelson suplex, and a straight jacket suplex for a two count. Nakamura hits a running knee to the back of Joe’s head and Joe rolls to the outside. Nakamura goes for another running knee at ringside, but Joe blocks it with a kick to the groin that the referee didn’t see. Joe slams Nakamura onto the ring steps then rolls him back in the ring. Joe hits the Muscle Buster for the win to take back the NXT Championship.
As noted earlier, it appears that James Ellsworth has signed a WWE contract, as he announced on Facebook that he is not taking any additional indie bookings after he works a Big Time Wrestling show this Friday night. It has not yet been reported one way or the other if The headbangers and/or The Spirit Squad (Ken “Kenny” Doane and Mike “Mikey” Mondo) have been signed as of yet.
As for Dawson and partner Dash Wilder, their role depends on whether or not WWE actually sees them as “developmental talent,” so to speak. The Revival is a signature act on NXT these days, and if you look at the other top level NXT stars, barely any of them are “developmental” signees, strictly speaking. The cards lately are dominated by names like Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, Eric Young, Bobby Roode, DIY, Asuka, and others who were brought in to boost the brand and/or teach younger wrestlers, not get developed for the main roster.
WWE NXT makes its New York City debut tonight at The Theatre in Madison Square Garden. The historic show will headlined by NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and DIY vs. Samoa Joe & The Revival. Other top stars advertised for the event include NXT Women’s champion Asuka, Bobby Roode, Cedric Alexander, Ember Moon, Eric Young, No Way Jose, Nikki Cross, Roderick Strong and Tye Dillinger.
If you’re in the NYC area, tickets are still available at VividSeats.com and StubHub.com. The show starts at 7:30pm.
Triple H held a conference call on Friday to promote NXT’s Takeover: Toronto event, and shed some light on Shawn Michaels’ role at the WWE Performance Center. Kevin Nash recently claimed on a podcast that Michaels is now in charge of the Performance Center, but Triple H says his role there is yet to be determined.
HHH noted that Matt Bloom has been doing a “great job” as the head of the Performance Center. He said if there’s one role he could pick for Shawn to do, it would be to help polish the talent that’s already one step away from being a star.
Triple H also noted that they would be open to doing more live TV for NXT, but has no plans for that right now. The Game also promoted the NXT All Access fan event on 11/14, and the upcoming 205 Live show on the WWE Network.
NXT Takeover: Toronto takes place on Saturday, November 19th, and airs live on the WWE Network.
While not a surprise in light of the news that WWE is preparing for a women’s tournament a la the Cruiserweight Classic, it looks like the promotion is hiring more Japanese talent to boost the talent level of the division. According to Dave Meltzer in the newest Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscribers only), Io Shirai and Kairi Hojo from the Stardom promotion in Japan are coming to WWE. However, Meltzer’s report is unclear as to if they will be in the tournament and then return full-time after (a la Akira Tozawa in the cruiserweight classic) or if they won’t be in the tournament at all.
Stardom is apparently asking them to stay, as along with Mayu Iwatani, they’re two of the top three stars in the promotion. There’s still a lot of time to go if they have’t actually signed, but the idea is that they will come to the United States after Shirai’s 10th anniversary show (March 20th) and Hojo’s “homecoming” show in April. While Stardom is the biggest women’s promotion in Japan, in 2016, that unfortunately doesn’t say much, and losing two of their three top stars would be a huge blow.
Analysis: WWE does have a need for more veteran female workers, both on the main roster and on NXT, so this is a very good move. As good as the current crop of rising female stars in the company is, Asuka, Natalya, and Becky Lynch aren’t enough to help the less experienced wrestlers learn on the road.
The finals of the NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will see The Authors of Pain take on TM-61.
NXT taped more matches at Sunday’s house show in Hollywood as The Authors defeated Gargano & Ciampa while TM-61 defeated Sanity to advance to the finals, which will take place on 11/19 at TakeOver: Toronto.
First Round Matches:
TM-61 defeated Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss
Austin Aries and Roderick Strong & Otis Bogojevic and Tucker Knight
TJ Perkins & Kota Ibushi defeated Lince Dorado & Mustafa Ali
Sanity defeated Tye Dillinger & Bobby Roode
The Authors of Pain defeated The Bollywood Boyz
No Way Jose & Rich Swann defeated Tony Nese & Drew Gulak
The Revival defeated Cedric Alexander & Andrade “Cien” Almas
Ciampa & Gargano defeated Tian Bin & HoHo Lun
Second Round Matches
TM-61 defeated Aries and Strong
Sanity defeated TJ Perkins and Kota Ibushi
The Authors of Pain defeated No Way Jose and Rich Swann
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano over The Revival by forfeit due to injury to Scott Dawson
