The crew at WrestlingDVDNetwork.com continued their week of match reveals for the upcoming NXT’s Greatest Matches Vol. 1 DVD and Blu-Ray set today by announcing that these three will be included:
NXT Championship Finals: Seth Rollins vs. Jinder Mahal (NXT August 29, 2012)
Ladder Match for the NXT Championship: Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville (NXT ArRival February 27, 2014)
NXT Championship Match: Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens (NXT Takeover: Rival February 11, 2015)
We are a little over a quarter of the way through the year. With WrestleMania behind us, the WWE will now begin its summer programs and hope to build toward its second biggest pay-per-view of the year, SummerSlam.
With that said, I felt it would be interesting to look at the top five matches from the first quarter of 2014. I included full match videos and highlights where possible, but WWE licensing restrictions made it difficult at times. (I also apologize for the terrible music in a few of the videos.)
5. John Cena vs. Cesaro (February 17 Raw) – Say what you will about John Cena’s in-ring ability, but he has put on some great matches so far this year, with none better than this matchup with Cesaro. There were a number of amazing spots during the contest, with Cesaro’s counter of the AA certainly ranking near the top. It appears the WWE is going to push Cesaro hard, and this was the week where his push began after he defeated Randy Orton and pushed Cena to the limit.
4. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H (WrestleMania) – After weeks of begging for a match with Triple H, Daniel Bryan finally got his wish at WrestleMania. He took full advantage of it during the opening contest of the night. Both superstars really shined during the match and it was, in my opinion, the highlight of the show. It also ranks as quite possibly the best opening match in WrestleMania history, with only Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart at WrestleMania X giving it a run for its money.
– As far as WWE is concerned, they have not had any issues with live streaming on the WWE Network since the NXT Arrival show. While some have complained about issues, the company has not heard of any significant issues related to their streaming of the recent live editions of WWE Main Event.
– The following form letter is being sent out to Dish Network subscribers who have been asking about the availability of the WrestleMania XXX pay-per-view this year:
“Please note that WWE is not willing to adjust PPV costs to satellite/cable companies, which is unfair to their customers. DISH needs to re-focus efforts to support partners that better serve DISH customers and other satellite/cable companies, including DirecTV, have also expressed they may no longer provide WWE PPV events in the future.”
– Both The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar have been added to the officially scheduled lineup for the March 24th edition of WWE RAW, which emanates from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. That will be the second-to-last episode of RAW leading into the big WrestleMania XXX event on April 6th.
– The following is a photo of former TNA Knockout So Cal Val at the NXT Arrival live WWE Network special on Thursday night in Winter Park, Florida.
– WWEShop.com is giving away free shipping on NXT merchandise until midnight with the promo code NXT.
– Over 200 ticket holders were turned away from last night’s WWE NXT Arrival event at Full Sail University. The University actually oversold the event, since they usually get over a hundred no-shows and wanted a packed house.
– In a dark match that took place prior to NXT ArRival going on the air, Mason Ryan beat Sylvester Lefort with his cobra clutch slam.
– After the show went off the air, John Cena, who was sitting ringside, got in the ring and put Adrian Neville over. Cena told the crowd he’d keep it brief and a guy in the crowd yelled “Good!.” Cena said he knows it’s two hours past that guy’s curfew, but he spoke to the guy’s mom and smoothed it over.
Neville went to the top of the ramp and Triple H raised his hand. Triple H sent Neville back to the ring for another big pop. Neville climbed the top rope and did a corkscrew moonsault and landed on his feet. Overall, the crowd was very into the show.
WWE issued the following statement responding to fans who had issues streaming last night’s WWE NXT ArRival show:
“During tonight’s live NXT ArRIVAL special, we unfortunately experienced technical difficulties, which are to be expected when launching a new digital network. We will work aggressively to solve these glitches and deliver quality service. The complete event will be available on-demand overnight.”
The show is now available for streaming on the WWE Network.
The following are highlights of the Twitter Q&A that Triple H held earlier today to promote tonight’s NXT “Arrival” live WWE Network special:
On if he considers Arrival to be the WrestleMania of NXT: “Everyone here has been saying it feels just like a WrestleMania. So, I would say yes.”
On if he could face anyone from NXT, who it would be: “Good question. I would have to say Neville and Zayn. Both awesome. Future of #WWE.”
On whether or not we can expect any NXT stars to be moved up to the main roster after tonight: “It’s all about timing and making sure it’s the right moment to succeed.”
On if he would encourage his daughters to go into the wrestling business: “I would support anything they wanted to do. If it’s WWE, then absolutely!”
On if he helps train the NXT stars and who his favorites are: “Work with them as much as I can when I’m here. No favorites. Want them all the succeed.”
On why Adrian Neville isn’t on RAW yet: “When he has the most chance to succeed, he will be.”
On the most innovating and compelling aspect of the WWE Performance Center: “From a learning and safety stance, the crash pad ring will add years to careers!”
On if we can expect a Best Of NXT DVD: “Once we have enough to fill one. BTW it’s called @WWENetwork”
On if WWE only looks at talent who develop in NXT: “We look for talent any place, any time, any where!”
Check out more of Triple H’s Q&A on Twitter @TripleH.
– WWE Studios’ Christmas Bounty starring The Miz has been added to Netflix.
– WWE has announced that NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension will be in action tonight on the NXT ArRival live event airing on the WWE Network.
– Here is the full conference call with Triple H, discussing the developmental philosophy, NXT expanding, and the Arrival PPV that will kick off the WWE Network’s live in-ring programming.
[attention]SEScoops.com will have Live Coverage of NXT ARRIVAL tonight at 8pm (Eastern). The Chat Room will also be open starting at 7:30pm (Eastern)[/attention]Tonight exclusively on the WWE Network, WWE presents NXT ArRival, a 2-hour live event from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. This is the first live special on the WWE Network and the first live NXT show from Full Sail.
The NXT ArRival Kickoff Show begins at 7:30pm (Eastern) with an expert panel featuring Paul Heyman, Bret Hart and Kevin Nash.
At 8pm, ArRival begins with the following matches advertised:
NXT Champion Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville in a Ladder Match
Antonio Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn
NXT Women’s champion Paige vs. Emma
Update: NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension will be in action
There will also be special appearances by John Cena, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels and WWE Tag Team Champions the New Age Outlaws.
NXT ArRival will replay on the WWE Network at 11pm (Eastern).
– Sheamus vs. Christian has been announced for Friday’s SmackDown.
– WWE.com has published a feature looking at NXT star Sami Zayn’s quest to defeat Cesaro. The two will square off at next week’s NXT: Arrival live event on the WWE Network in a rematch of their 2013 Match of the Year candidate match.
– Here is the latest Black History Month video that aired on RAW highlighting the legendary career of Ron Simmons:
– ESPN cameras was at the WWE Performance Center over the past few days taping footage for an upcoming episode of E:60.
– Tickets for WWE’s upcoming Extreme Rules PPV at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey go on sale this Saturday. There will be an online pre-sale later this week and we’ll post the details when they are available.
– Next Thursday’s “NXT: Arrival” event on the WWE Network will feature a 30-minute pre-show. Renee Young will host a legends panel during the pre-show, which will likely feature Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart, who are advertised to appear.