Tag: Shinsuke Nakamura

  • Video: AJ Styles Talks Cashing-In MITB, Lana on Her SDL Women’s Title Shot, Corbin on Attacking Nakamura

    Video: AJ Styles Talks Cashing-In MITB, Lana on Her SDL Women’s Title Shot, Corbin on Attacking Nakamura

    – In the video below, SmackDown Live star AJ Styles joined Talking Smack following last night’s (Tues. June 6, 2017) episode of SmackDown Live to discuss the upcoming Money In The Bank (MITB) Ladder match and when he’d cash-in if he were to win.

    Styles said it would all depend on how he feels after the match and if he’s in good physical condition. “The Phenomenal One” stated “Winners find a way to win,” and if he gets the briefcase, he’s focused on cashing in at the right time:

    – As we’ve previously reported, Lana made her SmackDown Live debut last night and also joined Talking Smack. Lana discussed receiving a shot at the SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Naomi at the MITB pay-per-view (PPV), seeing as the rest of the women’s division will be involved in the first ever female MITB Ladder Match.

    Lana claimed that SmackDown Live is “The Land Of Opportunity” and also said she has had doubters her entire life telling her she’d never amount to anything. After crossing the ocean and making it out of her ‘pathetic’ little village in Russia, look at where she is now. “The Ravishing Russian” says she will prove all her doubters wrong against Naomi and vows to make history. Check it out:

    – Following his attack on Shinsuke Nakamura, who defeated WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens in the main event of last night’s SmackDown Live, Baron Corbin took to Twitter to rub it in the WWE Universe’s face:

  • AJ Styles Reveals The One Man He’d Really Like to Get Into The WWE Ring With

    AJ Styles Reveals The One Man He’d Really Like to Get Into The WWE Ring With

    Former WWE Champion AJ Styles is currently on a mission to once again be “The Champ That Runs The Camp”, as he is set to be a part of the WWE’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match later this month at the MITB pay-per-view (PPV) from St. Louis, Missouri. Recently, “The Phenomenal One” joined Rock 100.5’s Bailey And Southside in Atlanta, Georgia to talk about his WWE career, and you can check out some of the highlights below:

    Who he’s looking forward to facing the most in WWE:

    “Well, I can tell you there [are] a lot of people that want to see Nakamura, Shinsuke Nakamura, and myself in the ring. We’ve done it before for a different company, but never in the WWE.” Styles added, “I think something like that is going to happen. It has to.”

    Shinsuke Nakamura’s awkward style:

    “He’s a different cat. There’s no doubt about it. He’s a big Michael Jackson fan and you can see that. His performance, everything he does, he’s Michael Jackson, but he’s a heck of an athlete. He’s an MMA guy, he knows his stuff and he will kick your head off. That’s legit. He fought in mixed martial arts, so the guy knows what he’s doing, so he’s kind of a bad dude despite the fact that his stuff is Michael Jackson and that doesn’t come off as very intimidating, but it isn’t a laughing matter when he puts that boot up against your face.”

    H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

  • WATCH: AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura from Wrestle Kingdom 10 for Free

    WATCH: AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura from Wrestle Kingdom 10 for Free

    New Japan Pro Wrestling has released the classic bout between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura from 2016’s Wrestle Kingdom 10 show for free on YouTube/NJPW World.

    This was the first ever singles encounter between AJ and Shinsuke, and it would end up being their only match together for New Japan. Both men reportedly handed in their notice to New Japan prior to this event, AJ appeared for WWE at the Royal Rumble later that month and Shinsuke debuted in NXT against Sami Zayn over Wrestlemania weekend. Their recent tag team match on Smackdown is the first time that both men have been seen together on a broadcast since January 4th 2016.

    The IWGP Intercontinental Championship was on the line in this match and it was generally regarded as the best match on the card. Many heralded this contest as the Match of the Year in 2016 so if you have not yet had the chance to view it or you have never seen Shinsuke Nakamura outside of his WWE run then now is your chance:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGc84UXduqE

  • Dolph Ziggler Releases Promo on Twitter Hyping Match with Nakamura

    Dolph Ziggler Releases Promo on Twitter Hyping Match with Nakamura

    Dolph Ziggler has released a promo via Twitter hyping his bout against Shinsuke Nakamura at Sunday’s Backlash event on the WWE Network.

    In the short video Dolph talks about the WWE Universe liking ‘shiny new toys’ and how he built a following and gained the respect of the fans organically. Ziggler also talks about the perception that he is a ‘gatekeeper’ for the NXT stars and how him beating Nakamura means the ‘entire business’ will win.

    It is certainly worth checking out the 2 minute video below, Dolph speaks straight in to the camera and it is the most passionate and ‘real’ he has felt in a very long time.

    https://twitter.com/HEELZiggler/status/865959323033141249

  • Dolph Ziggler Talks Shinsuke Nakamura, The Rock Lands GQ Cover, Finn Balor In Dublin (Video)

    Dolph Ziggler Talks Shinsuke Nakamura, The Rock Lands GQ Cover, Finn Balor In Dublin (Video)

    -Dolph Ziggler was interviewed on Talking Smack about his match against Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE Backlash. Ziggler said that Nakamura has never had a match on SmackDown. Ziggler claimed that he will figure out Nakamura at Backlash.

    -The Rock will be on the cover of GQ’s annual Comedy issue. The Rock’s new film “Baywatch” is set to release later this month on May 25th.

    -WWE has released a new video of Finn Balor showing how loud the WWE Universe can get in Dublin, Ireland. Balor recorded the video on his cellphone.

  • Nakamura & Dolph Ziggler Segment Set For Smackdown Tonight

    Nakamura & Dolph Ziggler Segment Set For Smackdown Tonight

    Shinsuke Nakamura’s first program since landing on the main roster appears to be against Dolph Ziggler.

    WWE announced yesterday on Twitter that Ziggler plans on confronting Nakamura tonight on Smackdown. The show will air from London, England.

    Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura Feud

    Considering the push the company seems to be giving to Nakamura, this storyline appears to be geared towards making him look strong. Ziggler has continued to get lost in the shuffle as of late, even after his most recent heel turn.

    At WWE live events recently, Nakamura has been defeating Ziggler in singles matches, as well as in dark matches after TV tapings. This is nothing new for Ziggler, who loses more than he wins. Before Ziggler was dropping matches to Nakamura at house shows, he was doing the same for Mojo Rawley. Since Rob Gronkowski is no longer around however, Rawley doesn’t seem to be winning matches anymore.

    In March, Ziggler did manage to get some wins over Apollo Crews on house shows, but in general his heel turn has not done much to change his win/loss record.

  • Nakamura, Styles & Orton Wrestle After SmackDown, Kevin Owens Personalizes Title (Video)

    Nakamura, Styles & Orton Wrestle After SmackDown, Kevin Owens Personalizes Title (Video)

    After SmackDown went off the air, AJ Styles, Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Dolph Ziggler, Jinder Mahal & Erick Rowan. Below are some photos and videos of what went down after SmackDown:

    https://twitter.com/TsarinaVonBlack/status/859619178394902528

    https://twitter.com/TheNextBlGThing/status/859613805935960064

    Kevin Owens defeated Chris Jericho in the main event on SmackDown to recapture the United States Championship. After the match, Kevin Owens brutally attacked Jericho and placed his head between a chair. Owens then slammed the chair into the ring post. WWE has uploaded a new video of Kevin Owens ripping Jericho’s name plate of the United States Championship.

  • Nakamura Teasing Feud With AJ Styles, Charlotte Makes History, Aliya’s Phantom Bump

    Nakamura Teasing Feud With AJ Styles, Charlotte Makes History, Aliya’s Phantom Bump

    – WWE.com noted that Charlotte Flair made history on Tuesday’s SmackDown Live in her match with Naomi. Charlotte is the first female Superstar in history to battle one-on-one in Raw, SmackDown and pay-per-view main events.

    – The following video of Aliyah taking a ‘phantom’ bump at an NXT live event has been going around social media.

    – Shinsuke Nakamura posted this photo on Instagram with the caption, “See you later buddy.” Yes, that’s AJ Styles in the background. Now that Nakamura is a member of the SmackDown roster, an eventual ‘dream match’ with the Phenomenal One is a very real possibility.

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

  • Lineups Announced For WWE’s Upcoming European Tour

    Lineups Announced For WWE’s Upcoming European Tour

    WWE has announced the matches for three of the dates on their upcoming European tour that kicks off on May 3rd in Italy. As reported previously the Hardy Boys will be part of the tour as the ban on Jeff Hardy entering the United Kingdom has now been lifted. Other notable inclusions to the tour include Shinsuke Nakamura and newly signed NXT star Aleister Black.

    The currently scheduled matches are as follows:

    May 3rd in Rome at Palalottomatica

    • Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
    • Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt
    • Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe
    • The Miz vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose
    • Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. RAW Tag Team Champions The Hardys
    • Alexa Bliss vs. Emma vs. Mickie James vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax vs. RAW Women’s Champion Bayley
    • Appearances by Austin Aries, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville, Goldust, R-Truth and more

    May 6th at Plaza Toros Valencia in Valencia:

    • AJ Styles vs. WWE Champion Randy Orton
    • Sami Zayn vs. WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens
    • American Alpha vs. The Shining Stars vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos
    • Carmella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Charlotte Flair vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi
    • Appearances by Shinsuke Nakamura, Luke Harper, Dolph Ziggler, Tyler Breeze, Fandango and more

    May 13th at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands:

    • Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
    • Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt
    • Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe
    • The Miz vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose
    • Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. RAW Tag Team Champions The Hardys
    • Alexa Bliss vs. Emma vs. Mickie James vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax vs. RAW Women’s Champion Bayley
    • Aleister Black vs. Austin Aries vs. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville
    • Appearances by Goldust, R-Truth and more
  • NXT Results and Highlights: Nakamura Farewell, New Superstars Featured

    NXT Results and Highlights: Nakamura Farewell, New Superstars Featured

    NXT
    April 12th 2017
    Full Sail University

    1. Aleister Black vs. Corey Hollis
    This match was so short that WWE didn’t bother to post highlights. Black stood stoically near the roopes and waited for his opponent to charge. When he did, Black hit him with a roundhouse head kick and pinned him. Then he sat cross-legged in the ring.
    Winner: Aleister Black

    ** Tye Dillinger came out and cut a promo about how even though he is now on the main roster, he has unfinished business with Eric Young. It was announced that Dillinger and Young will face each other in a steel cage match next week on NXT.

    2. Team DIY vs Local Talents – Dylan Miley and Michael Blais
    This was interesting. DIY pick up the win, but Dylan Miley really made the most of his ring time here. Miley used several impressive power moves including a British Bulldog style vertical suplex and looked to be dominating Ciampa and Gargano. It was only when he tagged in Blais that DIY was able to get the advantage and hit a double shining wizard for the pin.
    After the match Miley attacked his partner, solidifying himself as someone for fans to take notice of.
    Winner: Team DIY

    Later in the night Dylan Miley caught up with his tag team partner in the back to apologize. It was just an overreaction, I’m sure we won’t see anything like that from Miley again.

    3. Ruby Riot vs. Kimberly Frankele
    As the match began, Nikki Cross from Sanity came out through the crowd and stared down Ruby. Finish of the match came when Riot hit a scissor kick and pinned Frankele. Cross and Riot continued to stare each other down after the match.
    WInner: Ruby Riot

    4. Drew Mcintyre vs. Oney Lorcan
    Mcintyre picked his game up after being released from WWE and forced the company to give him another opportunity. Now he’s back with a gimmick more serious than he had with 3MB.
    Lorcan looked to get busted open on his forehead during this match. Mcintyre picked up the win after a reverse alabama slam and shining wizard. All four matches on NXT this week finished with head kicks. After the match Drew cut a promo saying he is targeting the NXT championship. 
    Winner: Drew Mcyntire

    Shinsuke Nakamura Farewell Address
    Nakamura debuted at NXT Takeover Dallas, a little over one year ago. He spent one WWE season in NXT, from WrestleMania to WrestleMania. On Smackdown he looks to be entering a program with Dolph Ziggler, which is a big opportunity for both.

  • AJ Lee Endorses Bayley (Video), Fans Show Love For Nakamura, Bayley’s WM33 Mishap

    AJ Lee Endorses Bayley (Video), Fans Show Love For Nakamura, Bayley’s WM33 Mishap

    AJ Lee Believes Bayley Is Continuing Her Legacy

    A user on reddit has posted a video of AJ Lee promoting her new book, Crazy Is My Superpower at Book Revue in Huntington, New York. Lee stated that she hasn’t really kept up with WWE recently. Lee also said that Bayley is like her little sister and feels that she is continuing her legacy.

    Orlando Fans Sing Nakamura’s Theme

    Shinsuke Nakamura made his main roster debut Tuesday night on Smackdown. After the show, fans filed out of the arena and started to sing Nakamura’s theme music.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCuAOVYSmgs&feature=youtu.be

    Minor Mishap During Bayley’s Wrestlemania 33 Entrance

    Raw Women’s Champion Bayley tripped over one of the inflatable tubes in her entrance during Wrestlemania 33. Bayley responded to a fan about the incident on Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/TheLifeOfRyanC/status/849609252083773443

  • Nakamura Farewell At NXT Tapings (Video), Airing Next Week

    Nakamura Farewell At NXT Tapings (Video), Airing Next Week

    Former NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura made his main roster debut this week on SmackDown Live (Video). At Wednesday’s NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University, a special “farewell tribute” for Nakamura took place with appearances from Finn Balor and Triple H.

    Nakamura opened the segment by coming out to the ring for a promo. He said one year ago he came to NXT and he already had experience but he wanted to challenge himself against the best in the world. The two-time NXT Champion said NXT is its own brand that creates something new and different.

    Nakamura said he quickly found that the NXT Universe is crazy. He added that the NXT fans created the singing and the chants, and that NXT is their style. Nakamura ended his promo by saying he will always be NXT because… “We Are NXT!”

    The entire NXT roster then came out to the stage. Nakamura walked to the top of the stage and was then joined by Finn Balor and Triple H. Nakamura ran around the arena filming with his phone before bowing to everyone and leaving.

    The segment is scheduled to air on next week’s 4/12 edition of NXT TV on the WWE Network.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BSh00RBgSMp/

  • Shinsuke Nakamura Debuts On SmackDown Live

    Shinsuke Nakamura Debuts On SmackDown Live

    2-time NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura made his main roster debut on Tuesday night’s SmackDown Live from Orlando, Florida.

    While The Miz and Maryse were cutting a promote on John Cena and Nikki Bella (dressed as them), they were interrupted by a violinist playing Nakamura’s theme. Nakamura came out to a huge ovation. He entered the ring and did his usual entrance and received a deafening “Nakamura” chant.

    Nakamura competed at Saturday night’s NXT Takeover: Orlando event where he came up short against NXT Champion Bobby Roode in the main event.

    After SmackDown and 205 Live went off the air, Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Dolph Ziggler in the dark match main event of the evening.

    https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/849458615740231680

    Here are some reactions to Shinsuke Nakamura’s main roster debut:

    https://twitter.com/lancestorm/status/849426682448683008

    If this is the setup for Nakamura to feud with The Miz, no complaints from us.

  • The Latest On NXT Superstars Coming To The Main Roster

    The Latest On NXT Superstars Coming To The Main Roster

    Coming out of TakeOver: Orlando on Saturday night, WWE officials have plans to call several NXT Superstars to the main roster soon.

    Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Andrade “Cien” Almas, Shinsuke Nakamura and Tye Dillinger are set for call-ups to either RAW or SmackDown soon. Meltzer also speculated on The Revival coming up from NXT.

    On a related note, it appears Elias Samson’s call up has been delayed or possibly nixed. Samson was believed to be headed to the main roster after recently losing a Loser Leaves NXT match to Kassius Ohno but Meltzer indicated that the call up may not be happening as soon as originally expected.

  • Daniel Bryan On Potential Match Against The Miz, Shinsuke Nakamura Discusses Wrestlemania 33

    Daniel Bryan On Potential Match Against The Miz, Shinsuke Nakamura Discusses Wrestlemania 33

    Daniel Bryan recently did an interview with James Delow of Gorilla Position and discussed a possible match with The Miz at Wrestlemania 34. Daniel Bryan claimed that he is not sure he would want to wrestle someone like The Miz if he was to return to a WWE ring. Bryan stated that he would prefer to wrestle against AJ Styles or Shinsuke Nakamura. The likelihood of Daniel Bryan wrestling again in the WWE remains very low. Our friends over at WrestlingInc shared a clip of Daniel Bryan discussing a potential match with The Miz.

    The WWE uploaded a video of Shinsuke Nakamura at Radio Row in Orlando earlier this morning. Nakamura stated that the match he is most looking forward to at Wrestlemania 33 is Shane McMahon versus AJ Styles. Nakamura is wrestling NXT Champion Bobby Roode at NXT Takeover: Orlando tomorrow night.

  • Shinsuke Nakamura Added To NXT’s UK Tour In June

    Shinsuke Nakamura Added To NXT’s UK Tour In June

    Shinsuke Nakamura’s future on the NXT brand has been the subject of much discussion lately. Nakamura is rumored to be joining the main roster soon and his omission from the promotional poster hyping NXT’s upcoming tour of the UK led some to believe that he’ll be getting called up after NXT Takeover: Orlando.

    On Monday, the @WWEUK Twitter account posted this video of Nakamura announcing that will in fact part of the upcoming NXT UK tour.

    We’ll find out soon if this means Nakamura’s WWE television debut is pushed back to June (or later), but NXT fans in the UK will have another chance to see the former NXT Champion in action.

    Tickets for the NXT UK shows are now available at Live Nation.

    NXT UK Tour Schedule:

    • 6/5: Aberdeen’s GE Oil & Gas Arena
    • 6/6: Manchester Arena
    • 6/7: Leeds First Direct Arena
    • 6/8: Brighton Centre
  • Nakamura Talks About Joining The Main Roster, John Cena Wants More Southpaw

    Nakamura Talks About Joining The Main Roster, John Cena Wants More Southpaw

    Shinsuke Nakamura was recently interviewed by Sportskeeda and commented on which main roster brand he’d like to join.

    “Either brand is okay,” he said, “Raw has Joe, Finn. So much NXT talent that it’s comfortable for me. SmackDown has AJ Styles, Randy Orton, John Cena. I want to wrestle all of them. So either!”

    Whether he winds up wrestling on Monday or Tuesday nights, Nakamra thinks he’s proven that he deserves a spot in WWE. “”I’ve done a good job this year, but I still want to go to the next WrestleMania. Before WrestleMania, there’s Takeover, and I need to prove myself again. Then, I want to go up as soon as possible.”

    When asked about his dream WrestleMania opponent, he named AJ Styles.  You can check out he entire interview at Sportskeeda.com.

    – John Cena (a/k/a Lance Catamaran) thanked fans on Twitter for the tremendous response to Southpaw Regional Wrestling, the 4-part comedy series about a fictional 1980’s wrestling territory.  Cena instructed fans to tweet at the creator of the show for more episodes. In case you missed it:

    Meanwhile, Jim Cornette was asked if he had checked out Southpaw Regional Wrestling. Cornette is a staunch supporter of classic professional wrestling, a bygone era parodied in Southpaw. He replied:

  • Shinsuke Nakamura Really Wants To Work WrestleMania

    Shinsuke Nakamura Really Wants To Work WrestleMania

    Shinsuke Nakamura continues to campaign for a match at WrestleMania 33. During a recent interview with the Orlando Sentinel to promote NXT Takeover: Orlando, Nakamura expressed his desire to compete on pro wrestling’s grandest stage.

    “I hope. I hope. I want to go to the next [level]. If I can wrestle at WrestleMania, that’s going to be awesome. I… really… want… WrestleMania.”

    When asked if competing at WrestleMania was one of the reasons he came to WWE, Nakamura said:

    “Yeah. Yeah. I want to wrestle at the biggest wrestling show on the Earth.”

    Shinsuke Nakamura will challenge NXT Champion Bobby Roode at Takeover and will be getting called up to the main roster very soon. It’s rumored that he’ll be joining the RAW brand, which sets up potential matches with the likes of Brock Lesnar, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman.

  • Latest On Which Brand Nakamura Is Joining, WWE Producer Defends Alexa Bliss, WM32 Attendance

    Latest On Which Brand Nakamura Is Joining, WWE Producer Defends Alexa Bliss, WM32 Attendance

    – With WrestleMania weekend and NXT Takeover: Orlando fast approaching, the Wrestling Observer reported this week that Shinsuke Nakamura is getting called up to the main roster “very shortly” and will most likely be joining the RAW brand. Nakamura is scheduled to face Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship at Takeover, so Roode’s title reign is most likely safe for the foreseeable. Earlier this week WWE announced that NXT is returning to the UK in June and Nakamura was conspicuously absent from the tour’s promotional artwork.

    – During last month’s WWE investor conference call, WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon acknowledged that the reported  attendance for WrestleMania 32 (101,763) was not all paid fans, but the total number of people in the building. While that number is still overinflated, Brandon Howard of Fightful.com reached out to the Arlington police department and uncovered that there were actually 80,709 fans who went through the turnstiles at AT&T Stadium that day.

    – WWE producer Brian “Road Dogg” James has addressed the rumor going around that WWE officials are not entirely happy with Alexa Bliss’ ring work as of late. James shot down the notion and stated that Bliss is adored by everyone in WWE.

  • Top Matches Confirmed For NXT TakeOver: Orlando

    Top Matches Confirmed For NXT TakeOver: Orlando

    The top 3 championship matches are now official for NXT TakeOver: Orlando next month. The current card looks like this:

    – Bobby Roode defends the NXT Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura

    – Asuka defends the NXT Women’s Championship against Ember Moon

    – The Authors of Pain defend the NXT Tag Team Championships in a Triple Threat against DIY and The Revival

    TakeOver takes place on 4/1 from the Amway Center in Orlando during WrestleMania 33 weekend.

  • William Regal Announces 2 NXT Title Matches for Takeover: Orlando

    William Regal Announces 2 NXT Title Matches for Takeover: Orlando

    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.

    Ember Moon vs. Asuka

    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.

    Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ohno/Roode

    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 Highlights and Results

    NXT Highlights and Results

    NXT
    University of Central Florida
    Air date: March 9th 2017
    Taped: February 22nd 2017

    1. Tye Dellinger vs. Eric Young
    This match ended up a no-contest as the other members of Sanity appeared on the entrance ramp before the match could start and presented a beaten up Roderick Strong. Dillinger went to help Strong, then No Way Jose came out and the two of them tried to take on Sanity. Jose and Tye were outnumbered though and Sanity left everyone laying.
    Result: No Contest

    2. Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. HoHo Lun
    Standard squash match for the much more serious Almas.
    Winner: Almas

    3. Ember Moon vs. Billie Kay
    Kay’s tag partner, Peyton Royce, lost a recent title match to Asuka, but this was a chance for her to get into the title picture. Moon won with a diving stunner from the top rope. Billie Kay needed to be helped to the back. Later in the show Regal would announce that Ember Moon would face Asuka for the NXT women’s championship at Takeover: Orlando
    Winner: Ember Moon

    4. the Revival vs. the Ealy Brothers
    It looked like we were going to get a new tag team in the division, but before the match could start the Authors of Pain came out and beat up the Ealys during their entrance. Revival just kind of left.
    Result: No contest

    5. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. TJ Perkins
    Perkins got a surprising amount of offence in this match. He worked the leg quite a bit as Nakamura is just coming back from a storyline leg injury. Perkins had him locked in many submissions but Nakamura always managed to get to the ropes or counter. Eventually Nakamura hit him with the Kinshasa for the pin. After the match Regal announced that at Takeover Nakamura would face the winner of the Kasius Ohno vs. Bobby Roode title match scheduled for next week.
    Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

     

  • SPOILERS: March NXT TV Tapings From University Of Central Florida

    SPOILERS: March NXT TV Tapings From University Of Central Florida

    NXT taped TV episodes for March last night from the University of Central Florida. Below are full spoilers that are set to air in March for the lead-in to TakeOver: Orlando during Wrestlemania 33 weekend.

    – Elias Samson came out to sing a song but Kassius Ohno interrupted him. They traded promos and Ohno challenged him to a Loser Leaves NXT match. Samson accepted for later.

    – Tye Dillinger vs. Eric Young never happened as the rest of SAnitY came dragging Roderick Strong out to ringside. Dillinger went to check on him as No Way Jose joined them. Officials carried Strong to the back and Jose hit the ring with Tye. SAnitY beat them down and left the ring.

    – Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated Hoho Lun with the DDT.

    – Kassius Ohno defeated Elias Samson in a Loser Leaves NXT match. Ohno destroyed Samson’s guitar after the match as the crowd sang goodbye.

    – Ember Moon defeated Billie Kay with the Eclipse. Billie may have injured herself on Ember’s finisher. Trainers came to check on her but she left on her own.

    – The Ealy Twins vs. The Revival never happens as NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors Of Pain attack the twins. They go after The Revival next but they get away. They go back to the twins and hit one of them with the Last Chapter.

    – Heavy Machinery defeated two local enhancement wrestlers in a squash.

    – Nikki Cross defeated Macey Estrella. Tye and Jose attack SAnitY after the match but get beat up.

    – Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated Oney Lorcan.

    – Asuka defeated Priscilla Zuniga. Asuka cut promos before and after the match to send a message to Ember Moon.

    – The Ealy Twins call out The Authors of Pain but get squashed in a quick match. After, DIY interrupts and want a fair rematch this time. The Revival interrupts next but NXT GM William Regal comes out and makes The AOP vs. The Revival vs. DIY for the championships at TakeOver.

    – Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong and No Way Jose vs. SAnitY ends in a No Contest after a big brawl breaks out. Nikki Cross attacks Dillinger until Heidi Lovelace makes the save, now using the name Ruby Riot. The babyfaces clear the ring and celebrate.

    – Dash Wilder defeated Akam and Johnny Gargano in a Triple Threat.

    – Bobby Roode defeated Kassius Ohno to retain the NXT Championship.

    – Shinsuke Nakamura defeated TJ Perkins.

    There was a dark segment after the match where Bobby Roode and Andrade Almas double-teamed Nakamura until Finn Balor made the save. Balor and Nakamura cleared the ring, hitting a Slingblade and a Kinshasa on Roode. Balor cut a promo about how he was coming back for what’s his. He said he’s not cleared to return yet but he will be back soon. He wished Nakamura a happy birthday before ending the show.

  • AJ Styles Responds To Nakamura, More On The Rock Calling CM Punk After RAW

    AJ Styles Responds To Nakamura, More On The Rock Calling CM Punk After RAW

    – One of the big stories of the day NXT star Shinsuke Nakamura stating that he’s interested in facing AJ Styles at WrestleMania 33. The former WWE Champion caught wind of Nakamura’s comments and had this to say in response:

    AJ Styles will participate in tonight’s #1 Contender’s Battle Royal on SmackDown Live.

    – By now you’ve probably seen the video of The Rock calling CM Punk from the middle of the ring last night after RAW. The Rock calling Punk in front of the live crowd was completely unscripted, according to PWInsider. Fans were chanting CM Punk’s name throughout the evening and The Rock made the impromptu call.

    According to sources who were backstage at the Staples Center, WWE management was none too pleased about The Rock acknowledging CM Punk in such a brash way. At one point somebody at ringside was instructed to get The Rock to end the segment. The Rock saw he was getting some pushback for the phone call and even told the crowd, “They better not turn off my mic!”

  • Shinsuke Nakamura Wants AJ Styles at WrestleMania 33

    Shinsuke Nakamura Wants AJ Styles at WrestleMania 33

    Shinsuke Nakamura gave a recent interview to the Japanese media and expressed an interest in working with AJ Styles at WrestleMania 33.  Chris Charlton, author of “Lion’s Pride, translated part of the interview recently on social media.

    The full interview (in Japanese) can be read here. 

    When Will Nakamura Make His Main Roster Debut?

    Nakamura and AJ Styles last wrestled each other on January 4th 2016, at WrestleKingdom 10. Neither would be with NJPW very much longer afterwards. Their careers went on very different paths once arriving in WWE however. AJ went straight to the main roster, debuting at the 2016 Royal Rumble. From there Styles became a major player immediately, while Nakamura was sent to NXT.

    After having well-received matches with Sami Zayn, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe, Nakamura is still in NXT a year after signing with the company. He will need to finish up his feud with Bobby Roode before being called-up at the very least as well. At this point it seems likely that we will not see Nakamura on Raw or Smackdown until at least after WrestleMania.