– WWE is scheduled to release a new Ultimate Warrior DVD and Blu-ray on April 14, 2015. The project is called “Ultimate Warrior: Always Believe” and is expected to feature a new documentary.
– In the following video, NXT Diva Bayley talks with NXT announcer Rich Brennan about her recovery from a knee injury and drawing inspiration from Triple H. She also sends a message to “Team BAE’s” Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch.
The future of the WWE went to school last night, and I’m here to grade their performance. Matches will be graded based on usual factors such as workrate, in-ring psychology, crowd involvement, and overall impact on the storyline. Important promos will also be graded based on entertainment value, believability, and originality.
While this is supposed to act as a weekly report and recap for NXT, more importantly, it’s a place for you, the SEScoops readers, to discuss this week’s episode, dole out your own grades, and discuss the future of the product. Without further ado, here is this week’s NXT Report Card.
Adrian Neville/Kevin Owens Opening Promo
This was a pretty good way to start the show and the crowd really seemed to be into it. Neville did his best to make amends with the fans and put over Sami Zayn, saying things like, “We went to war” and “The better man won.”
Neville isn’t the strongest promo man in the game, but he did his best, even if he can be a bit redundant at times. Owens, on the other hand, cut an intense and articulate promo that seemed to have the crowd on the edge of their seats. Overall, it was a good way to start the show and set up the main event between Neville and Owens.
Grade: B+
Bayley vs. Becky Lynch
This one started off a bit sluggish, with most of the early action consisting of Bayley throwing punches and not utilizing many wrestling moves. The action picked up toward the end, however, with the ending sequence being particularly impressive. The counter into Lynch’s finisher was fresh and it worked well with the in-ring psychology due to Bayley’s injured knee.
– NXT Divas Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch are now referring to themselves as “Team B.A.E,” which stands for “Best at Everything.”
– On Monday night, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan will be participating in a “Midnight Madness” event for the WWE 2K15 next-gen release at Gameshop on East 14th Street in New York City.
– As noted, Hulk Hogan is scheduled to work on the new WWE Scooby-Doo film sequel, which is confirmed for the spring of 2016. Fellow WWE Hall Of Famer “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes is also rumored to participate.
While there is still one more set of television tapings before the next NXT live special, which is expected to take place on December 11th on the WWE Network, based on what has been taped thus far, the following matches are rumored for the fourth live NXT special:
NXT Championship:
– Adrian Neville vs. Sami Zayn
NXT Women’s Championship:
– Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks or Becky Lynch, or a multi-Diva match with Bayley included
NXT Tag-Team Championships:
– The Vaudevillians vs. The Lucha Dragons
– The official WWE website is currently running a poll asking fans who they feel will be the next WWE Divas Champion. The options are Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Tamina Snuka, Summer Rae, Rosa Mendes, Eva Marie, Naomi, Emma, Charlotte and Cameron. With over 10,000 votes cast, Naomi is leading the pack with over 30 percent of the vote. Trailing Naomi are Charlotte, Eva Marie, Summer Rae, Emma and Tamina Snuka, respectively. You can vote on the poll at WWE.com.
– As noted earlier today, The Rock’s ex-wife and manager, Dany Garcia, won at the IFBB Championships this past weekend. The Rock congratulated her on Twitter, tweeting the following on Sunday:
– WWE NXT Diva Becky Lynch debuted a new theme song and new ring gear at the NXT live event this past weekend. Lynch has been appearing more often on NXT shows as of late.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Hulk Hogan tweeted the following about tonight’s RAW:
Pumped up for WWE RAW TONIGHT, I have a whole new respect for Cena after watching him work in Japan,can't wait to watch him tonightBrotherHH
– Ryan Katz, Becky Lynch, Simon Gotch and Braun Stowman from NXT were scheduled to be at RAW tonight to be part of Adam Rose’s “Rosebuds” entourage.
– WWE Hall Of Famer “Nature Boy” Ric Flair is scheduled to attend the SmackDown television taping on Tuesday night in Atlanta, Georgia. As noted, WWE has been in talks with Flair about bringing him back as a regular TV character.
– Former WCW wrestler turned NXT trainer Norman Smiley was one of the people in Adam Rose’s “Rosebuds” group on WWE television this past week. Also in the group were NXT talents Braun Stowman and Simon Gotch, as well as Becky Lynch and NXT producer Ryan Katz.
– The following is a trailer for Batista’s new DVD: