Hello one more time Shooters and marks alike!
Considering the last two posts, it only makes sense to do this one now:
This is the Smark Shooting WrestleMania 32 Preview!
WrestleMania is for Wrestling as the World Series is to baseball, The Super Bowl is to Football, and the season finale is to pretty much any episodic television series. Since the mid 80s, WrestleMania has been the staple and apex for any wrestler in the Wrestling business and the most important night to 99% of Wrestling fans. In WWE the top 4 PPVs (similar to the Grand Slam in Tennis and Golf) are where you need to make the biggest impact, and WrestleMania is the Masters or the Wimbledon of Professional Wrestling. (In other words, the best show of the year is supposed to be this one.) While there have been other events that oppose the importance, like TNA's Bound for Glory, Chikara's King of Trios, PWG's Battle of Los Angeles, and New Japan's Wrestle Kingdom, all are based off of WrestleMania in terms of the theatrics and the importance.
People who succeed at WrestleMania and make their mark are forever remembered. It made Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant national and world Icons at Wrestlemania 3, Gave multiple performers their first World Heavyweight Championships, like Macho Man Randy Savage, The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and John Cena. Unforgettable performances such as Steamboat/Savage for the IC title at WM3, Brother vs. Brother at WMs 10 (Bret and Owen Hart) and 14 (Undertaker/Kane 1), The vast ladder/Tables Ladders and Chairs matches (WM 10 w/Michaels and Razor Ramon, WM16-17 w/ The Hardys, Dudleys, and Edge and Christian, not to mention the first 6 Money in the Bank Ladder Matches), and star-making highlights such as Austin's performance at WM 13 vs Bret Hart and 14 vs. Michaels, The Austin/Rock Trilogy, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero standing together as World Champions at 20, Hogan vs. The Rock at 18, Ric Flair's final WWE match at 24, Undertaker vs. Michaels at 25/26, Daniel Bryan's Miracle at 30, and Seth Rollins's Grand Theft last year at 31.
For years, Wrestlemania 3 held the attendance record with 93,000+ in attendance. That could change this year, with AT&T Stadium expecting over 100,000 in attendance.
Compared to past build-ups and match cards, this particular at first glance is abysmal considering the direction WWE WANTED to go in versus how the fans are currently cheering. While expected to be one of the best shows of the year, it is admittedly in danger of being out-shined in terms of quality by it's own sibling, NxT Takeover Dallas. However, with all the content and potential for break-out performances despite the booking and buildup, the night should be one of expected grandeur and intrigue.
On Sunday, April 3 there are 11 matches scheduled for Wrestlemania. Out of these matches, 3 of them will be in the WrestleMania Pre-Show that will air on both the WWE Network and USA Network from 5-7. The remaining 8 matches, alongside possible in-ring and backstage segments, the Hall of Fame segment, and *shudders* a potential performance from Flo-Rida (I can't even with this stupid choice for a featured artist at Mania) will be from 7-11 (not withstanding any extra time they go over).
WrestleMania Pre-Show
Hour 1
United States Championship Match: Kalisto (c) vs. Ryback
Hour 2
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von)
Team Total Divas (Brie Bella, Paige, Alicia Fox, Natalya, and Eva Marie (YUCK!)) vs. Team B.A.D. and Blonde (Lana, Naomi, Tamina Snuka, Emma, and Summer Rae)
The 20-Man Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Heath Slater vs. Curtis Axel vs. Adam Rose vs. Bo Dallas vs. The Big Show vs. Kane vs. Goldust vs. R-Truth vs. Mark Henry vs. Jack Swagger vs. Darren Young vs. Fandango vs. Konnor vs. Viktor vs. Tyler Breeze vs. Damien Sandow vs. ? vs. ? vs. ? vs. ?
WrestleMania Main Card
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
"The Cerebral Assassin" Triple H (c) vs. Roman Reigns
Hell in a Cell Match (If Shane wins, he takes control over Raw and Undertaker can never wrestle at WrestleMania again. If Shane loses, Vince McMahon and the Authority keep control of Raw)
Shane McMahon vs. The Undertaker
No Holds Barred Street Fight
"The Lunatic Fringe" Dean Ambrose vs. "The Beast Incarnate" Brock Lesnar
Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Sami Zayn vs. The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Sin Cara vs. Stardust vs. Zack Ryder
Divas Championship Triple Threat Match
Charlotte (c) w/Ric Flair vs. "The Boss" Sasha Banks vs. "The Lass Kicker" Becky Lynch
Grudge Match
AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho
Stables Grudge match that for some damn reason isn't for the WWE World Tag Team Championships
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods) vs. The League of Nations (Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Rusev, and King Barrett)
For the record, feel free to skip matches if you don't want to read through everything. The matches won't necessarily be in order, but the reviews will be more positive and the matches will have more importance the further down you read from here:
Match 1: The Usos vs. The Dudley Boyz
I won't spend too much time on this match. On the night Daniel Bryan retired, the Usos (Samoan Twins and the sons of WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi) and the Dudleyz (ECW cult Tag Team known for putting their opponents through tables) had teamed up in an 8-man tag against the New Day and Mark Henry. After the match, Bubba Ray and D-Von turned on the Usos and put them through tables. You would think that from then to now there would be more buildup and more personal intrigue right? Nah, to be quite honest, creative and the writers just didn't put much build. Both teams are less popular than when either returned, and both just weren't up to snuff when they had their separate opportunites at the Tag Team Championships. The only hope for this match is that they add a Tables match stipulation. Otherwise, this will be a run of the mill opening tag team contest. The Dudleyz to their credit have been not only bullying the Usos, but also getting under their cousin's skin (Roman Reigns). The Usos have put the Ascension (Konnor and Viktor..two apocalyptic characters) through tables in response.
Prediction: No one gives a damn about this match, and honestly the fact that this isn't a Tables match isn't helping. If the Lord is merciful, they'll give the match to the Usos, have them get comeuppance and end the feud.
Match 2:United States Championship Match
Kalisto (c) vs. Ryback
If you were to ask any of the other various WWE fans on why this match is happening, they probably would give you a confused and frustrated look. I'm with them on the frustration, but this story is actually pretty easy to tell.
Back in November, WWE Champion Seth Rollins had to vacate his championship and a Championship tournament. Among the first round match-ups was Ryback and Kalisto...and Kalisto had won in what was at the time a huge upset. Ever since then, Kalisto has grown in performance, culminating in multiple US Championship victories against Alberto Del Rio. Kalisto even beat Del Rio one more time last month at WWE Fastlane, in a 2 out of 3 falls match. In the meantime, Ryback has slowly megamorphed from an airbrushed singlet-wearing muscle head....to a Goldberg tights wearing meathead. He clinched a win in a 6 man tag against the Wyatts (THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED!). He then turned on the Big Show and Kane the next night, and (ironically) started preaching Vince McMahon's philosophy on WWE Superstars: Big Superstars are always better. In lieu, you have the classic David vs. Goliath, if Goliath was actually pretty athletic. There is little heat, but at least there's some logic behind this.
Prediction: Kalisto retains because Ryback will just attack him after the match.....just like when Ryback lost to Mark Henry at WM 29.
Match 3: Team Total Divas(Brie Bella, Paige, Natalya, Alicia Fox, and Eva Marie (YUCK!) vs. Team Beautiful and Dangerous and Blonde (B.A.D. and Blonde)(Lana, Naomi, Emma, Tamina Snuka, and Summer Rae)
After Brie Bella lost to Charlotte at WWE Fastlane last month, she started feuding with Lana. At least with this match so far, Lana get's a chance to get into the ring. During the buildup, we've seen Lana recruit the remnants of Team B.A.D. (Naomi and Tamina, the two ladies left by Sasha Banks), as well as former rival Summer Rae(the former lover of Lana's fiancee Rusev), and the NxT refreshed Emma(cute bubbly Aussie who went badass). In response, Brie(1/2 of the Bella Twins, and the wife of Daniel Bryan) went and recruited her fellow Total Divas reality show members Paige (British Gothic hottie), Alicia Fox (Paige's best friend and psychopath), and Natalya (The only active member of the Famed Hart Family that is now relegated to making everyone else look good and whining to her injured husband Tyson Kidd on TD). Eva Marie (YUCK!) would join them to even the odds.
(My personal aside: Eva Marie is probably the best at getting people to hate her, because everything seems to just be handed to her due to her looks. Now while she's improved enough to earn a spot on the roster (nxt or main roster), she's still nowhere near the credibility of her fellow Divas. Rant done)
Prediction: Lana's team wins after Eva Marie (YUCK!) turns on team Total Divas. Also for the record 70% of this match has been a cast member of Total Divas.
MAIN CARD TIME!
Possible side segments: At least 1 to 2 legends segments, a segment with The Rock, Stone Cold, and John Cena blabbing about WrestleMania and disregarding the other talent's time because apparently they can't be bothered to help the main roster (ok....Cena and Austin might), an Authority Segment with HHH and the McMahons (Vince, Shane, and Stephanie), and a Hall of Fame acknowledgment. Oh and a stupid Flo Rida performance. Rant done.
Match 4:Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
This match started two years ago @ WrestleMania 30 with Cesaro Body Slamming Andre the Giant over the top rope (which was exciting). Last year The Big Show eliminated Damien Miz/Sandow to win (borefest....but hey he finally won a Battle Royal so that works out).
This year, instead of the 30 man format, they're decreasing the amount of participants to 20.
Confirmed so far are the Social Outcasts (Heath Slater -Rock wannabe, Curtis Axel-Mr. Perfect's son and never eliminated from the 2015 Royal Rumble, Adam Rose-weirdo who used to throw party, and Bo Dallas-inspirational speaker who beat Flo Rida in a rap battle), The Big Show(Defending Champion and Giant dude), Kane (Devil's favorite Demon and 1/2 of both The Brothers of Destruction and Team Hell No), Tyler Breeze (Model with Fuzzy Selfie Stick), Goldust (former homosexual crazy person that is in twilight of career), R-Truth(Funny but delusional crazy dude that is missing Little Jimmy), Darren Young (forgotten member of the Prime Time Players), Mark Henry (World's Strongest Man), The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor....apocalyptic dudes), Jack Swagger (Patriotic Alpha dude), Fandango (lord of the Dance....and FANDANGOING!), and Damien Sandow (Savior of the masses that should be doing better than his is right now. That would leave 4 spots. Originally it would have been easy to fill the spots, because a major group of wrestlers currently doesn't have a WrestleMania match, The Wyatt Family. However, Luke Harper was injured, so after Bray Wyatt (Leader of the Wyatts), Braun Strowman (Giant Powerhouse Black Sheep), and Erick Rowan (White sheep that tend to stay semi-irrelevant), there's still 1 spot left. My guess for that spot is going to be 1 of the following:
A)A returning Titus O'Neill from Suspension,
B)John Cena (Because he could),
C) Seth Rollins because that would be awesome
D) Randy Orton, because you can never have enough RKOs,
E)Hornswoggle because comedic and redundant relief,
F)El Torito because See E plus Lucha libre
G)Carlito, accompanied by the returning Colon cousins from their delusional trip as Matadores
H)Alex Riley, because he's not doing anything on the Main or NxT roster
I)Someone from NxT Takeover who had an amazing performance (Austin Aries, Baron Corbin, Apollo Crews, Elias Sampson, Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Jason Jordan, Chad Gable, Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder)
J) A Legend/Hall of Famer/Commentator (Booker T, Tatanka, Mick Foley, JBL, Jerry Lawler)
K)Cesaro because it would be the right thing to do
L)Someone from NxT who doesn't have a match at Takeover (one of the Vaudevillians, Mojo Rawley)
M)Someone from NxT's partner Evolve (Matt Riddle, Tim Thatcher, Zack Sabre Jr, Ricochet, etc.)
N)One of the other free agents (Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Eric Young, Bobby Roode)
O) Someone whom I haven't listed or is still considered on the injured list (LIKE HIDEO ITAMI!)
The card has been hurt by so many injuries to a lot of guys, including Cena, Orton, Kidd, Neville, Harper, Cesaro, and Rollins among others, so I really hope for my prediction to be correct.
Prediction: It's either going to be Bray, Kane, Braun, Or whomever the 20th member is. Hopefully it's someone worth cheering for.
Match 5: The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods) vs. The League of Nations (Sheamus, Rusev, Alberto Del Rio, and King Barrett)
The biggest disappointment of this match is the fact that the WWE WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS aren't defending their title at WrestleMania. It's a crying shame considering that the New Day has been consistently the most entertaining part of the product since about July. I'm hoping that the championships are defended in this handicapped match. The feud has been pretty forced and it would honestly be very surprising to see the Lads (the League) steal a victory here. Oh and in terms of gimmicks, The New Day is a trio of unicorn loving, booty shaking, group of smart-asses that have honestly become organically beloved. The League is a forced stable of an Irish Brogue, a Bulgarian Brute, a Mexican Aristocrat, and a King who should have been spewing Bad News for awhile that has failed to connect since their formation as jobbers to Roman Reigns.
Prediction: BIG ENDING TO THE LADS, and the New Day celebrating on horses with Unicorn Horns on them as Xavier Woods plays We Are the Champions by Queen on his trusty Trombone, Francesca 2.
As a quick break, this blog preview for WrestleMania is Brought to you by BOOTY-Os, the Official Cereal of WrestleMania.
BOOTY Os! THEY MAKE SURE YOU AIN'T BOOTY!
Match 6:Grudge match between AJ Styles and Chris Jericho
To be quite frank, this rivalry has run its course. The premise and promos behind it have been "Phenomenal" by both Styles and Jericho, and the matches the two men have had are the same as the promos. Styles has really done well since debuting at the Royal Rumble after such a storied career in TNA and New Japan. Jericho is the wily veteran jealous of the thunder Styles has had since arriving. Both have had similar paths to the WWE, Jericho reaching there years before Styles made a name for himself in ROH and TNA. That being said, this is the 4th match. NO MORE PLEASE.
Prediction: Styles hits an Avalanche Styles Clash on Jericho for the victory!
Match 7: 7-man Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Sami Zayn vs. Zack Ryder vs. The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Stardust vs. Sin Cara
Let me preface this first part of the analysis: The WWE ruined a tremendous opportunity. Two of the members of this match have a long and storied rivalry that dates back 10 plus years...and Kalisto vs. Ryback is the singles match with the title on the line? That's a load of Crap. Now, back to a calmer preview.
Kevin Owens put himself in a bad position (well actually this is a great opportunity but the odds are against him). The arrogant champion originally tried to get out of a marquee matchup with rival Sami Zayn by naming Ryder, Stardust, and Cara as potential opponents. Then Stephanie McMahon put this match together.
Sin Cara-Tag Team partner of Kalisto, basically the Marty Janetty of The Lucha Dragons
Stardust-delusional 5th dimensioner who could win if he transforms into his human alter ego, Cody Rhodes
Dolph Ziggler-overlooked 80s rocker looking showoff who's better off teaming with someone.
Miz- Former WM Main Eventer that has impressed in 2016, but is better off teaming with someone arrogant.
Zack Ryder-The luckiest man alive, considering that if Neville was healthy Ryder would be in the ATGMBR or Armbar. (don't ask why Armbar)
Sami Zayn-Red headed Arab who loves Ska and has a long lost twin who takes care of orphans in Mexico (EL GENERICO NUMERO UNO!)Also the Best Friend/Greatest Rival of the Champion
Kevin Owens-Intercontinental Champion and twitter overlord of the blocking mechanism.
The match will be full of high spots, opportunities of a lifetime and hopefully at least 1 brawl atop of a ladder between Owens and Zayn.
Prediction:My heart is with Sami Zayn. Zack Ryder is my second heart pick. My mind says Kevin Owens retains.
Yeah, Kevin Owens retains.
Match 8: Hell in a Cell Match.
Shane McMahon vs. The Undertaker
At the beginning of February, Shane McMahon return to a huge ovation and wanted to take control of Raw. Vince, the owner and his dad, said yes as long as he could beat The Undertaker, who is 22-1 at WrestleMania. (For a long time he was undefeated until Brock Lesnar conquered the streak)
If Shane (who is a lunatic and thrill seeker) wins, he controls Raw and Taker never competes at Mania again. If Taker Wins, Vince and the Authority take the share that Shane still owns.
I could say more, but this is pretty much the basis of this.
Prediction: Honestly this will be the toughest match to predict, due to the many directions and potential interferences that could happen.
I think Shane will somehow pull this one out due to some crazy alliance with his dad....or because Undertaker wants to get out of this. If Shane wins, Taker's reinstated. Sounds easy enough, but anything could happen here.
Match 9: Divas Championship
Charlotte (c) vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
Ever since debuting on the main roster in July, these three women have been at the forefront of a new dawning for the (as of what I just read) WOMEN's (AND NOT DIVA'S) Division. While still beautiful, these three dames have been outwrestling the guys on both the NxT and Main Roster cards. This match is the biggest test for the flag bearers of the Divas Revolution. Never mind about how Charlotte backstabbed Becky, her dad Ric Flair annoyingly interfereing, Becky looking for revenge, Sasha never being pinned, and all of that storyline. This is the biggest proving ground for both the women in the match and WWE as a company. If this match delivers in quality similar to any of the main events or at least the Ladder match or the Styles/Jericho match, I would definitely say the DIVAS Revolution to lead into the Women's Division is a definite success.
As for my prediction for the match, My heart belongs to Becky ( And Bayley and Asuka from NxT but details!) but my mind says Sasha.
Sasha isn't a face or a heel so there's a greater array of matchups that can happen if she becomes champion. Charlotte did her job very well as the champion but if there was a better time to lose the title, it would be now. Becky's not getting pinned, she'll probably be the one kicking Ric Flair in the gonads. And I will love every second of it.
Semi-Main in my opinion:No Holds Barred Street Fight
Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar
Both men are coming off of losses at Fastlane to Roman Reigns, and (ironically) still have a boatload of momentum. Lesnar, even without the title, is on a whole other level from the rest of the roster due to his conquer of the Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania and introducing the world to Suplex City to Roman Reigns and John Cena at Wrestlemania 31 and Summerslam 2014 respectively. Dean Ambrose has been the closest equivalent to the ultimate underdog and honestly has been the top good guy if you go by audience opinion. Dean has been getting weapons from Hardcore legends such as Mick Foley and Terry Funk, and also has his past to rely on. (Look up Jon Moxley CZW if you need reference.)
Prediction: My mind says Lesnar wins, but I'll pick Ambrose for 1 sole reason. If there was ever a time for a Signature breakout victory, It's Against The Beast, even if Paul Heyman is in Lesnar's corner.
Main Event: WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H (c) vs. Roman Reigns
Prediction:Roman Reigns wins.
Oh, you want an actual preview? Ok.
Reigns has been battling the Authority since turning on them as part of the Shield in 2014. Seth Rollins backstabbed him and took his title shot, The Authority has put obstacle after obstacle in front of him and he's conquered them all. He even won the tournament for the WWE Championship( then lost it in 5:15 to Sheamus via the Money in the Bank Briefcase on behalf of the Authority). Then he conquered Sheamus to finally win the title back....only for Vince McMahon to force him to put the title up for grabs at the Royal Rumble...which he loses to the leader of the Authority, Triple H. So he had to fight a match between himself, Brock Lesnar, and his best friend Dean Ambrose, to earn a shot against Triple H for the title on the biggest stage of them all.
So why did I say this after my prediction? Because this is the match that is going to make or break all the work WWE has tried to do to make Roman Reigns a megastar.
If Reigns was just allowed to be himself, a cool silent Samoan Badass, instead of be built as the Hulk Hogan/John Cena 2.0, people would like him. But, because of dirt sheets reporting the various reasons that he was being pushed, especially to the chagrin of fans who like their independent cult heroes who had to fight 10 +years just to be signed while he could rely on his famous family and a decent collegiate and semi-pro football career. And for all the writers and officials who are getting tired of Reigns not getting the response the WWE wants, it's on them for writing him as the same character-bland crap as John Cena rather than letting him organically gain support from the part of the fanbase that the product is supposedly aimed at.
(that got really negative and rantlike.....sorry)
Bottom line is, according to the WWE, Roman Reigns is the conquering hero that is going to dethrone the Authority at WrestleMania once and for all.
The real question is....will the live crowd buy it? Because fat marks like myself are going to boo....and still pay at the end of the day.
But that's the life of a Wrestling Fan. You boo and cheer for who you want and the company pushes the ones who make stockholders happy.
And that would be my thoughts and my (I guess not so )unbiased preview.
When in doubt, Watch Pro Wrestling....but don't judge the product on a decision that will 99% blow up in the WWE's face.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
The Indy's answer to Wrestlemania.
Hello again Shooters,
This post isn't as much of a preview as the other posts will be, but it is a quick rundown of what will be happening in Dallas that ISN'T WWE related.
So first thing's first, like every mainstream thing in sports, and entertainment, there are alternatives ready to go. In wrestling's case, that would be WrestleCon. The majority of retired guys, along with many of the American and Foreign stars that don't work for WWE are part of this mish mash extravaganza that celebrates Pro Wrestling at it's core. Like how there's a convention for Star Trek, Star Wars, Comics, and My Little Pony, Wrestlecon is the Convention for Wrestling dorks like me and you who attempt to take the time to read stuff like this.
So Among the various events happening at Wrestlecon include:
4/1/16(The same day as NxT Takeover Dallas)
Ring of Honor has Night 1 of their Supercard of Honor, highlighted by:
The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) facing The Motor City Machine Guns(Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) (DREAM MATCH)
ROH World Championship
Champion Jay Lethal vs. Washington D.C. Native Lio Rush
Evolve Wrestling 58 highlighted by
Heroes eventually Die (Chris Hero and Tommy F-cking End) vs. Catch Point (Drew Gulak and Hot Sauce Tracy Williams)
Evolve Tag Team Championships
Johnny Gargano and Drew Galloway (c)vs. The Premier Athlete Brand (Caleb Konley and Anthony Nese) (If The PAB lose, they can never team again in Evolve)
Best in the World Challenge Series
Zack Sabre Jr. (The Best Techincal Wrestler in the World) vs. The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay
Evolve Championship
Timothy Thatcher (c) vs. Matt Riddle (if Riddle wins, he could potentially earn a NxT Contract)
Ricochet (Prince Puma from Lucha Underground) vs. TJ Perkins (Suicide and Puma from TNA)
Sami Callihan (Solomon Crowe) vs All Ego Ethan Page
Combat Zone Wrestling, Highlighted by:
Masada vs. Matt Tremont in a No Rope Barbed Wire match
The Nation of Intoxication (Devon Moore, Lucky 13, and Danny Havoc) vs. the Amazing Gulaks (Drew and Rory) and CHUCK TAYLOR!
Then on 4/2/16 (Which is the night of the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony...Hooray for Stan Hansen!)
Ring of Honor has Day 2 of Supercard of Honor Highlighted by:
2 out of 3 falls match for the No. 1 contendership to the ROH World Television Championship:
Bobby Fish vs. Mr. ROH Roderick Strong
and
NO HOLDS BARRED GRUDGE MATCH
Adam Cole (BAY BAY!) vs. The Violent Artist Kyle O'Reilly
Evolve 59 Highlighted by:
Evolve Tag Team Championship (if Galloway and Gargano retain)
The Whole Shebang Johnny Gargano and The Chosen One Drew Galloway(c) vs. Catch Point (The Legal Eagle Drew Gulak and Hot Sauce Tracy Williams)
The USA vs. Europe Series
Match 1:TJ Perkins (USA) vs. The Anti Hero Tommy F-cking End (Europe:Netherlands)
Match 2:(BITW SERIES) Zack Sabre Jr (Europe:United Kingdom) vs. Matt Riddle (USA)
Match 3: (Non-Title) Timothy Thatcher (USA) vs. The Villain Party Marty Scurll (Europe:United Kingdom)
Final Match: The Future of Flight Ricochet (USA) vs. The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay
Shimmer, highlighted by:
A 12 women single elimination tournament to crown the Heart of SHIMMER Championship.
Competing include Cheerleader Melissa (Raisha Saeed)
Chikara Grand Champion Kimber Lee
Candace LeRae
Veda Scott
Jessicka Havok
Leva Bates (Ol' Blue Pants)
Heidi Lovelace
Crazy Mary Dobson
and more.
The WWN Supershow (which is Evolve, Full Impact Pro, and Shine promotions having a huge show)
Ethan Page vs. Anthony Nese (anything goes)
Caleb Konley vs. Maxwell Chicago vs. Gary Jay vs. Jason Cade (FIP World Heavyweight Championship)
Taylor Made vs. Ivelisse (SHINE Championship)
BITW Challenge Series
Zack Sabre Jr. Vs. Chris Hero
Timothy Thatcher vs. Sami Callihan (If Thatcher beats Riddle the night before, this is an Evolve Championship match)
And a Special 6 man tag between Evolve/Dragon Gate originals versus Euro Trash (well...technically)
Team Evolve (The Shooting Star Kota Ibushi, The Whole Shebang Johnny Gargano, and TJ Perkins) vs. EuroTrash (The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay, The Villian Party Marty Scurll and The Anti Hero Tommy F-cking End)
And Finally The final show....The WrestleCon Supershow at the end of Wrestlecon( and before Wrestlemania) Highlighted by:
Trios match
Tigre Uno, Jack Evans, and Bestia 666 vs. AeroStar, Drago, and Fireball
10 man Tag Captains Choice
Team Sleazy Captained by Sleazy Joey Ryan vs. Team King of the Mountain Captained by The King of the Mountain, Double J Jeff Jarrett
(Probably including Cero Miedo Pentagon Jr, The Future of Flight Ricochet, The Callahan Death Machine Sami Callahan, Colt Boom Boom Cabana, The Knockout Artist Chris Hero, Luke Hawx, The Kentucky Gentleman Chuck Taylor, Fenix, and potentially Speedball Mike Bailey, AND maybe Rey Mysterio.
A Special Progress Wrestling Championship (I think...don't take this one literally yet) match:
The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay vs. The Villian Party Marty Scurll
Matt Hardy V1 vs. Mr. Personality Lance Storm
And a 5 Way Monster's Ball match
The Monster Abyss vs. The Carolina Caveman Trevor Lee vs. I'm going to die AR Fox vs. Andrew (CHiva5? ) Everett vs. The Charismatic Enigma Jeff Hardy
*****Quick Update
For those who won't be in the Dallas area and are closer to the Philadelphia area, CHIKARA has a double header going on, with their Tag World Grand Prix single elimination tournament going on. Also, the Young Lions Cup held by Thunderfrog will be up for grabs against Arctic Rescue Ant.
This post isn't as much of a preview as the other posts will be, but it is a quick rundown of what will be happening in Dallas that ISN'T WWE related.
So first thing's first, like every mainstream thing in sports, and entertainment, there are alternatives ready to go. In wrestling's case, that would be WrestleCon. The majority of retired guys, along with many of the American and Foreign stars that don't work for WWE are part of this mish mash extravaganza that celebrates Pro Wrestling at it's core. Like how there's a convention for Star Trek, Star Wars, Comics, and My Little Pony, Wrestlecon is the Convention for Wrestling dorks like me and you who attempt to take the time to read stuff like this.
So Among the various events happening at Wrestlecon include:
4/1/16(The same day as NxT Takeover Dallas)
Ring of Honor has Night 1 of their Supercard of Honor, highlighted by:
The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) facing The Motor City Machine Guns(Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) (DREAM MATCH)
ROH World Championship
Champion Jay Lethal vs. Washington D.C. Native Lio Rush
Evolve Wrestling 58 highlighted by
Heroes eventually Die (Chris Hero and Tommy F-cking End) vs. Catch Point (Drew Gulak and Hot Sauce Tracy Williams)
Evolve Tag Team Championships
Johnny Gargano and Drew Galloway (c)vs. The Premier Athlete Brand (Caleb Konley and Anthony Nese) (If The PAB lose, they can never team again in Evolve)
Best in the World Challenge Series
Zack Sabre Jr. (The Best Techincal Wrestler in the World) vs. The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay
Evolve Championship
Timothy Thatcher (c) vs. Matt Riddle (if Riddle wins, he could potentially earn a NxT Contract)
Ricochet (Prince Puma from Lucha Underground) vs. TJ Perkins (Suicide and Puma from TNA)
Sami Callihan (Solomon Crowe) vs All Ego Ethan Page
Combat Zone Wrestling, Highlighted by:
Masada vs. Matt Tremont in a No Rope Barbed Wire match
The Nation of Intoxication (Devon Moore, Lucky 13, and Danny Havoc) vs. the Amazing Gulaks (Drew and Rory) and CHUCK TAYLOR!
Then on 4/2/16 (Which is the night of the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony...Hooray for Stan Hansen!)
Ring of Honor has Day 2 of Supercard of Honor Highlighted by:
2 out of 3 falls match for the No. 1 contendership to the ROH World Television Championship:
Bobby Fish vs. Mr. ROH Roderick Strong
and
NO HOLDS BARRED GRUDGE MATCH
Adam Cole (BAY BAY!) vs. The Violent Artist Kyle O'Reilly
Evolve 59 Highlighted by:
Evolve Tag Team Championship (if Galloway and Gargano retain)
The Whole Shebang Johnny Gargano and The Chosen One Drew Galloway(c) vs. Catch Point (The Legal Eagle Drew Gulak and Hot Sauce Tracy Williams)
The USA vs. Europe Series
Match 1:TJ Perkins (USA) vs. The Anti Hero Tommy F-cking End (Europe:Netherlands)
Match 2:(BITW SERIES) Zack Sabre Jr (Europe:United Kingdom) vs. Matt Riddle (USA)
Match 3: (Non-Title) Timothy Thatcher (USA) vs. The Villain Party Marty Scurll (Europe:United Kingdom)
Final Match: The Future of Flight Ricochet (USA) vs. The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay
Shimmer, highlighted by:
A 12 women single elimination tournament to crown the Heart of SHIMMER Championship.
Competing include Cheerleader Melissa (Raisha Saeed)
Chikara Grand Champion Kimber Lee
Candace LeRae
Veda Scott
Jessicka Havok
Leva Bates (Ol' Blue Pants)
Heidi Lovelace
Crazy Mary Dobson
and more.
The WWN Supershow (which is Evolve, Full Impact Pro, and Shine promotions having a huge show)
Ethan Page vs. Anthony Nese (anything goes)
Caleb Konley vs. Maxwell Chicago vs. Gary Jay vs. Jason Cade (FIP World Heavyweight Championship)
Taylor Made vs. Ivelisse (SHINE Championship)
BITW Challenge Series
Zack Sabre Jr. Vs. Chris Hero
Timothy Thatcher vs. Sami Callihan (If Thatcher beats Riddle the night before, this is an Evolve Championship match)
And a Special 6 man tag between Evolve/Dragon Gate originals versus Euro Trash (well...technically)
Team Evolve (The Shooting Star Kota Ibushi, The Whole Shebang Johnny Gargano, and TJ Perkins) vs. EuroTrash (The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay, The Villian Party Marty Scurll and The Anti Hero Tommy F-cking End)
And Finally The final show....The WrestleCon Supershow at the end of Wrestlecon( and before Wrestlemania) Highlighted by:
Trios match
Tigre Uno, Jack Evans, and Bestia 666 vs. AeroStar, Drago, and Fireball
10 man Tag Captains Choice
Team Sleazy Captained by Sleazy Joey Ryan vs. Team King of the Mountain Captained by The King of the Mountain, Double J Jeff Jarrett
(Probably including Cero Miedo Pentagon Jr, The Future of Flight Ricochet, The Callahan Death Machine Sami Callahan, Colt Boom Boom Cabana, The Knockout Artist Chris Hero, Luke Hawx, The Kentucky Gentleman Chuck Taylor, Fenix, and potentially Speedball Mike Bailey, AND maybe Rey Mysterio.
A Special Progress Wrestling Championship (I think...don't take this one literally yet) match:
The Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay vs. The Villian Party Marty Scurll
Matt Hardy V1 vs. Mr. Personality Lance Storm
And a 5 Way Monster's Ball match
The Monster Abyss vs. The Carolina Caveman Trevor Lee vs. I'm going to die AR Fox vs. Andrew (CHiva5? ) Everett vs. The Charismatic Enigma Jeff Hardy
*****Quick Update
For those who won't be in the Dallas area and are closer to the Philadelphia area, CHIKARA has a double header going on, with their Tag World Grand Prix single elimination tournament going on. Also, the Young Lions Cup held by Thunderfrog will be up for grabs against Arctic Rescue Ant.
NXT Takeover DALLAS!
Hello to all the Smarks and the Shooters out there, it's the GREATEST TIME OF THE YEAR BECAUSE IT'S THE CLIMAX OF THE WRESTLING SEASON! (April-April)
The most (smartly) anticipated event is finally here (yeah, I'll get to the OTHER event and the OTHER OTHER event will be mentioned in both in some form).
This entry is to preview WWE's Developmental Brand's biggest event to date, NxT Takeover Dallas.
As a quick background, WWE is the top Wrestling Promotion in the world, but since they have a lot of talent, they have a Main Roster, and a developmental roster. NxT is the "developmental" promotion, akin to an independent promotion's roster. Over the past 2 to 3 years, WWE Champion and COO Triple H has been revamping the system to become its own traveling brand, complete with its own events. Last year, they had a house show a few nights before Wrestlemania 31 in San Jose that brought in 5,000 strong. A normal indy is lucky to get 1,000, or even 500.
This year, while I don't entirely predict them to hit 10,000 in attendance, this will most likely be the biggest attendance the promotion will have (well....NXT Brooklyn last August might still be bigger).
There will be 6 matches that will be fought in a two hour stand and in this writer's opinion, the stories behind this event are brilliantly told going into this event and should be one cracker jack of a show.
NxT Championship: Finn Balor (c) vs. Samoa Joe
Nxt Women's Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Asuka
NxT Tag Team Championship: The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) (c) vs. American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable)
Sami Zayn vs "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura
"The Greatest Man that Ever Lived" Austin Aries vs. "The Lone Wolf" Baron Corbin
"The Drifter" Elias Sampson vs. Apollo Crews
Without further ado, here's what you need to know:
Match 1: "The Drifter" Elias Sampson vs. Apollo Crews
Apollo Crews is one of the best athletes in NxT. The dude can military press someone about his size....then do a backflip back handspring right afterwards. His offense would be the epitome of the word "Flashy."Everything just seems to come "Too Easy" to him. That being said, he's been in a bit of a slump going into Takeover Dallas, with big losses at the hands of Baron Corbin at the last Takeover event, NxT London, and against NxT Champion Finn Balor in a January episode of NxT on the award winning WWE Network (WHICH you can get for $9.99). He'll be going against a relative "newcomer" (by that I mean, the creative team at NxT found a good gimmick and role for his opponent) in "The Drifter" Elias Sampson.
Sampson had been on a tear since debuting at the NxT Takeover London TV episode on the Network, going nearly perfect until this past Tuesday's episode of NxT on the Network. He's what the nickname would describe; a man of few words that carries a guitar around and sings weird songs about where he's going and what he is and all that mumbo jumbo that unclear non-pop songs tend to have going. Everything he does in the ring, while not entirely fancy, is swift. Yeah, that's a good word, Swift.
When Sampson lost to Evolve Superstar Johnny Gargano, he went nuts and started to beat down Gargano until Crews came in to shoo him away. This prompted Nxt General Manager William Regal to make this match. As new as Sampson is, I can't really expect a second loss from Crews.
Prediction: Crews wins with the Toss up Powerbomb.
Match 2. "The Lone Wolf" Baron Corbin vs. "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived: A-Double" Austin Aries
This match is one I personally can't wait for because I've followed Austin Aries for years in TNA (and a little bit of his Ring of Honor work). The nickname isn't just me brown-nosing A-Double: that has been his moniker since his early days as ROH World Champion in the mid 2000s. Small in stature, but extremely impactful, Aries has made more than just a name for himself with moves such as the Heat Seaking Missle (A fast Suicide dive between the middle and Bottom Ropes) and the Last Chanc-arie (which is a modified Muta Lock). The poster child for everything his opponent detests.
For those who haven't read past previews and reviews, Baron Corbin is a former NFL lineman for the Arizona Cardinals who started in wrestling shortly after his football career came to an end. Probably one of, if not the tallest dude in NxT, Corbin has really come into his own since his fantastic match vs. Samoa Joe at NxT Brooklyn. Corbin has been targeting and singling out wrestlers who made their names on the independent scene, believing that he is wrestling's gift and that he never needed the indies to make an impact since he was already a star in the past (eh...). Corbin came up short versus Joe, but was able to make a good impact at the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic @ NxT Takeover Respect, then doubling his stock with an important win over Apollo Crews @ NxT Takeover London.
Aries made his debut last month....and Corbin attacked him on the way to the ring. Corbin was furious after tapping out in a 3 way match for the Number 1 contendership for the NxT Championship...so he took his frustrations out on one of NxT's newest signees....Aries. While doing so, he also threw a shirt in the face of GM Regal. Hence why this match is happening.
Corbin could potentially have his Greatest match in NxT, whether it's a win or loss. Aries needs a strong showing to not only prove why they signed him but why he's still the Greatest Man that Ever Lived.
My heart is rooting for Aries, but I think Corbin should go over (just not in a clean way). Corbin is one of the younger guys being groomed for a NxT Title Shot, and there's no real reason to splatter that hope.
Prediction: Corbin with the End of Days
Match 3: NxT Tag Team Championship
The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder ) (c) vs. American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable)
The most technical match of the night, the NxT Tag Team Championships have been the forgotten step child of the NxT Roster, due to the difficulty of creating legitimate teams. That being said, this should be THE best NxT Tag Team Championship match since its inception considering the quality and chemistry of the two teams.
The Revival, Dash and Dawson, have been absolutely on a TEAR since their performance in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Immediately after making the semi-finals in October (to lose to the eventual winners, Samoa Joe and Finn Balor), they decimated the then-Champions The Vaudevillians by dissecting Aiden English's leg. From then on, they've been the team to Hate with their rough, no-nonsense style. The essence of tag team wrestling at it's core, Dash and Dawson are two mechanics of the ring, akin to The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard). As their catchphrase indicates of their style: NO Flips, Just Fists. In the months since gaining the Championships, they've had two fantastic tag team championship matches against NxT's most popular team The Realest Guys in the Room (Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady), successfully retaining the championships at both NxT Takeover London AND their WWE Main Roster Debut's at WWE Roadblock a weekend or so ago. The Shatter Machine has not been kicked out of. That should be noted well. With all of this being said, they weren't actually the star team to come out of the Dusty Rhodes Classic.
That would be American Alpha. Jason Jordan had split off from Tye Dillinger and had been looking for a tag team partner. He eventually started teaming up with Chad Gable. Both men are accomplished collegiate wrestlers, with Jordan being a former NCAA Champion at Indiana, and Gable being a 2012 Olympic Greco Roman wrestler. Jordan and Gable bring a pure amateur wrestling style full of creative throws and takedowns with the bravado and chicanery of British escapology made public by the great Johnny Saint. Before teaming, Jordan was a dude that had a great look....but was boring as watching paint dry. Gable has brought out a personality and excitement from Jordan, while being an amazing wrestler in his own right. Grand Amplitude is the epitome of their offense, with Jordan hoisting the opponent in the air for Gable to catch into a German Suplex.
This is my dark horse for a potential match of the night candidate. For as much as I like long Title reigns, I truly believe this is the right time for the Titles to switch hands, and honestly it could be the first of three. If Grand Amplitude doesn't do it, I guarantee Gable hitting the dreaded Chaos Theory Suplex should end it.
Prediction: American Alpha by some sort of crazy suplex variation.
Match 4: NxT Women's Championship
Bayley(c) vs. Asuka
Personal Note: <33333333333333 BOTH.
Ever since Triple H took over NxT, the biggest benefactor has definitely been the Women's division. From Paige and Charlotte and Sasha Banks to the current champion Bayley, the quality of Women's wrestling has been extensively elevated to the type of quality not seen since the All Japan Women of the 90s. Every wrestler in some fashion that has had a big match for NxT (even Emma) has been able to make an everlasting impact on the main roster. The women who spearheaded this are considered the Four Horsewomen (Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, and Bayley). It originally came to two separate climaxes in the summer and fall, when Bayley finally clinched the NxT Women's Championship from Sasha Banks in an Instant Classic, and then defended the title brilliantly in an equally impressive rematch that was contested in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Since then, Bayley has defended her championship against the rest of the roster, and honestly getting every female's best match from them all. Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie (YUCK!GROSS! DISGUSTING!), Nia Jax, and even Bayley's best friend Carmella can all currently say their best match in NxT has been against Bayley, and that's not only due to their respective abilities, but Bayley's never-ending ability to bring the best out of her opponents in these matches. Bayley as a character? She's John Cena done correctly. A lifelong fan with a child-like wonder in her eye, The Huggable One is the most over female on the roster due to her likability and the underdog approach that is very realistic. She's overcome every challenge, but not without various struggles from interfering henchmen (against Bliss), to corruption from the main office (Eva marie), to a David vs. Goliath struggle (Nia Jax), and so on/so forth. However, her biggest test awaits her in......
Asuka.
The beauty from Japan made her debut at NxT Takeover Respect by absolutely demolishing Dana Brooke in the most wonderful of ways. In a way she's as dangerous as Ronda Rousey: can make you submit with so many different versions of the armbar, ankle lock, or her signature Chicken Wing Crossface aptly named: the Asuka Lock....OR she can knock you out with a spinning punch, a spinning roundhouse kick, a sliding D, or (lol) a hip attack. The Women's division's Silent Assassin, she made her intentions clear after saving Bayley and Carmella from an attack by Eva Marie (GROSS) and Nia Jax.
GM Regal made the call after they were victorious in a tag team match together, and honestly this is 1 of 3 possible match of the night candidates that wouldn't be a surprise.
I can't root against either one of these two because I enjoy their in-ring work immensely. However, the true mark of a great babyface is still being able to balance the big wins with a loss here and there. We could be seeing the start of an amazing rivalry if played out correctly and I think the best way to start it is Bayley losing. While Asuka has been built well, they are both considered babyfaces (good guys). Asuka taking on the rest of the roster would create a few new matches here and there, plus it could potentially free Bayley up to move to the main roster and start feuding with the main roster women. Or it could be the start of an intense rivalry.
Prediction: Asuka wins....when Bayley passes out of the Asuka Lock. But there will be a small show of respect after the match.
Semi-Main Event: DREAM MATCH
Sami Zayn vs. "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura
I was watching the buildup with my friends....and admittedly I reservedly fangirled like crazy. Yes, Reservedly is not an actual English word....but that's what I'm using.
If there is anybody that would be considered the heart and soul of NxT, it's an arab ginger that skanks out to the ring and is the happiest dude in the world....Sami Zayn. From his debut and win over Cesaro in 2013, to his NxT Championship victory against Adrian Neville from NxT R Evolution, Zayn has long been the biggest good guy in NxT. Moves like the Torpedo DDT, the Exploder into the corner and the Helluva kick have been the calling cards for Zayn in his NxT career. Originally he was 1 of 2 guys to make Baron Corbin submit in the No. 1 contendership triple threat and technically also got a pin on Samoa Joe in the first of 2 matches for the right to face the Champion, but eventually he succumbed to Samoa Joe's Coquina Clutch in the final fall of a 2 out of 3 falls match. He was going into Dallas without a match when GM Regal made the BIGGEST announcement possible. His opponent?
Longtime New Japan megastar "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura. Since 2002, Nakamura has been one of the best Japanese wrestlers....no screw that, one of the BEST WRESTLERS in the world point blank. He mixes a MMA style with the classic Japanese Strong Style, but with one major difference compared to his fellow nihon contemporaries: one hell of a persona. To describe Nakamura would be like this: Freddie Mercury meets Michael Jackson meets MMA badass meets KENTA and Shinya Hashimoto. One of the most celebrated wrestlers in the Orient, he has had classic matches with the likes of AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Brock Lesnar, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kazuchika Okada. In fact, he owns 2 of the last 3 5 Star rated matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling (his longtime home promotion), those being against Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 9 and against Tanahashi at the G1 Climax Final. Nakamura's biggest claim to fame would be the prestige and honor he brought to the International World Grand Prix Intercontinental Championship. He elevated the IWGP IC Title to the same heights as the biggest title in that company, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. The leader of the CHAOS stable since inception, Nakamura has done everything in Japan and is ready for new heights. One person you can thank for that is one of his closest friends: Best in the World, American Dragon, and leader of the Yes Movement, Daniel Bryan.
The biggest intrigue of this match is the ripple effect it can cause. Unlike the other members of the NxT Roster competing at Takeover Dallas, Sami Zayn ALSO has his 1st WrestleMania match two nights later. And in my opinion, the result and quality of this match will be the biggest determinant on Zayn's potential first Main Roster title run. In layman's terms, I think if Zayn loses this match against Nakamura but they hit it out of the park....there is a great chance of Zayn is leaving WrestleMania as the WWE Intercontinental Champion.
My prediction is that this is honestly going to be the Match of the Night. Nakamura wins an instant classic with the most devastating finisher in Japan: The Boma Ye Knee Strike and Zayn will most likely win the IC title....or at least be the final person thrown off the ladder.
MAIN EVENT: NXT CHAMPIONSHIP
"The Demon" Finn Balor vs. "The Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe
This match has been brilliantly built for both sides and is honestly the most unpredictable match going into Dallas.
Both Finn and Joe are indy legends in their own respects. Samoa Joe has been a pillar for Ring of Honor, TNA, and PWG amongst other places, with a perchant for making suckers submit with the Coquina Clutch (Rear Naked Choke) or breaking necks with the Muscle Buster. Finn, as Prince/Fergal Devitt was a gaijin megastar for New Japan Pro Wrestling as both a Junior Heavyweight phenomenon and the original leader of the Bullet Club, the most popular foreign stable in Japan. He also had tremendous matches in Revolution Pro Wrestling in England and Insane Championship Wrestling in Scotland.
Joe is the epitome of "Don't judge a book by its cover" combining devastating strikes and combos with mind boggling agility for a 300 pound dude. Balor is the quiet assassin and leader of the self-named "Balor Club" with an alter ego simply known as "The Demon" (full on sick looking body paint. It's amazing to look at and intimidating).
Back in October, the two juggernaults of NxT teamed up for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic that culminated in October's NxT Takeover Respect. They were victorious, beating Baron Corbin and ECW Legend Rhyno in the finals with a Muscle Buster from Joe and a Double Foot Stomp from Balor. Joe had asked for a title shot from Balor, to which Balor had accepted but GM Regal denied.
This lead to Joe attacking Finn after a title match between Balor and Apollo Crews ended with Baron Corbin interfering. Joe and Finn had a tremendous battle at NxT Takeover London, with Balor escaping....and I mean ESCAPING with the NxT Championship. Since then Joe has become even more devastating than before, harkening back to his anti-code days in TNA as the X-Division monster. Joe would be 1 of 2 winners in a 3 way match between him, Corbin, and Sami Zayn, submitting Corbin w/Zayn using a Sharpshooter/Crippler Crossface combo. Joe and Zayn then had a match to determine who would face Balor....that ended in a double pinfall. Both Joe's and Zayn's shoulders were pinned, so GM Regal would pit the competitors in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Joe would win the first fall with the Muscle Buster, then Sami Zayn would submit Joe with a Koji Clutch. Joe would eventually clinch the final fall with the Coquina Clutch as Zayn would eventually pass out. Finn in response to the impressive performances, would defeat Apollo Crews and NxT newcomer (and Baltimore native) Rich Swann, using his original finisher in Japan, the 1916...(High Angled Brainbuster DDT....better known as the Bloody Sunday).
In a similar fashion to Zayn and Nakamura, this match not only affects the fate of the NxT Championship, but also both competitors' potential debut dates on the main roster. (The difference between the Main Roster and the NxT Roster is the chance to headline WrestleMania and win the major championships of WWE (World Heavyweight, Tag Team, Intercontinental, and United States...and the Divas Championship for the women [though it should be changed back to the Women's Championship]). With rumors that Finn's Japanese Stablemates Luke "Doc" Gallows and "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson getting ready to debut soon, there is a possibility that Finn will join both of them on the main roster....with a potential team up with 2nd Bullet Club leader AJ Styles. Joe has also earned more than enough notoriety in NxT to position himself for a call up. From what it seems, the winner of the match will be NxT Champion and the spearhead of the promotion for the upcoming months up until at least SummerSlam of this year (so....August), whereas the loser of the match is more than likely to be called up between the night after WrestleMania(Monday) or the aforementioned SummerSlam.
Prediction: Samoa Joe finally claims the NxT Championship he's been chasing after since his debut back in June. Finn, Anderson, and Gallows debut Monday Night as the heavies behind whichever power authority wins out at WrestleMania.
So, that's the NxT Preview and my Predictions. I would say the send off.....but I have at least 1 more entry to catch you guys up for! So, be ready for the next preview ASAP.
The most (smartly) anticipated event is finally here (yeah, I'll get to the OTHER event and the OTHER OTHER event will be mentioned in both in some form).
This entry is to preview WWE's Developmental Brand's biggest event to date, NxT Takeover Dallas.
As a quick background, WWE is the top Wrestling Promotion in the world, but since they have a lot of talent, they have a Main Roster, and a developmental roster. NxT is the "developmental" promotion, akin to an independent promotion's roster. Over the past 2 to 3 years, WWE Champion and COO Triple H has been revamping the system to become its own traveling brand, complete with its own events. Last year, they had a house show a few nights before Wrestlemania 31 in San Jose that brought in 5,000 strong. A normal indy is lucky to get 1,000, or even 500.
This year, while I don't entirely predict them to hit 10,000 in attendance, this will most likely be the biggest attendance the promotion will have (well....NXT Brooklyn last August might still be bigger).
There will be 6 matches that will be fought in a two hour stand and in this writer's opinion, the stories behind this event are brilliantly told going into this event and should be one cracker jack of a show.
NxT Championship: Finn Balor (c) vs. Samoa Joe
Nxt Women's Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Asuka
NxT Tag Team Championship: The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) (c) vs. American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable)
Sami Zayn vs "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura
"The Greatest Man that Ever Lived" Austin Aries vs. "The Lone Wolf" Baron Corbin
"The Drifter" Elias Sampson vs. Apollo Crews
Without further ado, here's what you need to know:
Match 1: "The Drifter" Elias Sampson vs. Apollo Crews
Apollo Crews is one of the best athletes in NxT. The dude can military press someone about his size....then do a backflip back handspring right afterwards. His offense would be the epitome of the word "Flashy."Everything just seems to come "Too Easy" to him. That being said, he's been in a bit of a slump going into Takeover Dallas, with big losses at the hands of Baron Corbin at the last Takeover event, NxT London, and against NxT Champion Finn Balor in a January episode of NxT on the award winning WWE Network (WHICH you can get for $9.99). He'll be going against a relative "newcomer" (by that I mean, the creative team at NxT found a good gimmick and role for his opponent) in "The Drifter" Elias Sampson.
Sampson had been on a tear since debuting at the NxT Takeover London TV episode on the Network, going nearly perfect until this past Tuesday's episode of NxT on the Network. He's what the nickname would describe; a man of few words that carries a guitar around and sings weird songs about where he's going and what he is and all that mumbo jumbo that unclear non-pop songs tend to have going. Everything he does in the ring, while not entirely fancy, is swift. Yeah, that's a good word, Swift.
When Sampson lost to Evolve Superstar Johnny Gargano, he went nuts and started to beat down Gargano until Crews came in to shoo him away. This prompted Nxt General Manager William Regal to make this match. As new as Sampson is, I can't really expect a second loss from Crews.
Prediction: Crews wins with the Toss up Powerbomb.
Match 2. "The Lone Wolf" Baron Corbin vs. "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived: A-Double" Austin Aries
This match is one I personally can't wait for because I've followed Austin Aries for years in TNA (and a little bit of his Ring of Honor work). The nickname isn't just me brown-nosing A-Double: that has been his moniker since his early days as ROH World Champion in the mid 2000s. Small in stature, but extremely impactful, Aries has made more than just a name for himself with moves such as the Heat Seaking Missle (A fast Suicide dive between the middle and Bottom Ropes) and the Last Chanc-arie (which is a modified Muta Lock). The poster child for everything his opponent detests.
For those who haven't read past previews and reviews, Baron Corbin is a former NFL lineman for the Arizona Cardinals who started in wrestling shortly after his football career came to an end. Probably one of, if not the tallest dude in NxT, Corbin has really come into his own since his fantastic match vs. Samoa Joe at NxT Brooklyn. Corbin has been targeting and singling out wrestlers who made their names on the independent scene, believing that he is wrestling's gift and that he never needed the indies to make an impact since he was already a star in the past (eh...). Corbin came up short versus Joe, but was able to make a good impact at the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic @ NxT Takeover Respect, then doubling his stock with an important win over Apollo Crews @ NxT Takeover London.
Aries made his debut last month....and Corbin attacked him on the way to the ring. Corbin was furious after tapping out in a 3 way match for the Number 1 contendership for the NxT Championship...so he took his frustrations out on one of NxT's newest signees....Aries. While doing so, he also threw a shirt in the face of GM Regal. Hence why this match is happening.
Corbin could potentially have his Greatest match in NxT, whether it's a win or loss. Aries needs a strong showing to not only prove why they signed him but why he's still the Greatest Man that Ever Lived.
My heart is rooting for Aries, but I think Corbin should go over (just not in a clean way). Corbin is one of the younger guys being groomed for a NxT Title Shot, and there's no real reason to splatter that hope.
Prediction: Corbin with the End of Days
Match 3: NxT Tag Team Championship
The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder ) (c) vs. American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable)
The most technical match of the night, the NxT Tag Team Championships have been the forgotten step child of the NxT Roster, due to the difficulty of creating legitimate teams. That being said, this should be THE best NxT Tag Team Championship match since its inception considering the quality and chemistry of the two teams.
The Revival, Dash and Dawson, have been absolutely on a TEAR since their performance in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Immediately after making the semi-finals in October (to lose to the eventual winners, Samoa Joe and Finn Balor), they decimated the then-Champions The Vaudevillians by dissecting Aiden English's leg. From then on, they've been the team to Hate with their rough, no-nonsense style. The essence of tag team wrestling at it's core, Dash and Dawson are two mechanics of the ring, akin to The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard). As their catchphrase indicates of their style: NO Flips, Just Fists. In the months since gaining the Championships, they've had two fantastic tag team championship matches against NxT's most popular team The Realest Guys in the Room (Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady), successfully retaining the championships at both NxT Takeover London AND their WWE Main Roster Debut's at WWE Roadblock a weekend or so ago. The Shatter Machine has not been kicked out of. That should be noted well. With all of this being said, they weren't actually the star team to come out of the Dusty Rhodes Classic.
That would be American Alpha. Jason Jordan had split off from Tye Dillinger and had been looking for a tag team partner. He eventually started teaming up with Chad Gable. Both men are accomplished collegiate wrestlers, with Jordan being a former NCAA Champion at Indiana, and Gable being a 2012 Olympic Greco Roman wrestler. Jordan and Gable bring a pure amateur wrestling style full of creative throws and takedowns with the bravado and chicanery of British escapology made public by the great Johnny Saint. Before teaming, Jordan was a dude that had a great look....but was boring as watching paint dry. Gable has brought out a personality and excitement from Jordan, while being an amazing wrestler in his own right. Grand Amplitude is the epitome of their offense, with Jordan hoisting the opponent in the air for Gable to catch into a German Suplex.
This is my dark horse for a potential match of the night candidate. For as much as I like long Title reigns, I truly believe this is the right time for the Titles to switch hands, and honestly it could be the first of three. If Grand Amplitude doesn't do it, I guarantee Gable hitting the dreaded Chaos Theory Suplex should end it.
Prediction: American Alpha by some sort of crazy suplex variation.
Match 4: NxT Women's Championship
Bayley(c) vs. Asuka
Personal Note: <33333333333333 BOTH.
Ever since Triple H took over NxT, the biggest benefactor has definitely been the Women's division. From Paige and Charlotte and Sasha Banks to the current champion Bayley, the quality of Women's wrestling has been extensively elevated to the type of quality not seen since the All Japan Women of the 90s. Every wrestler in some fashion that has had a big match for NxT (even Emma) has been able to make an everlasting impact on the main roster. The women who spearheaded this are considered the Four Horsewomen (Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, and Bayley). It originally came to two separate climaxes in the summer and fall, when Bayley finally clinched the NxT Women's Championship from Sasha Banks in an Instant Classic, and then defended the title brilliantly in an equally impressive rematch that was contested in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Since then, Bayley has defended her championship against the rest of the roster, and honestly getting every female's best match from them all. Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie (YUCK!GROSS! DISGUSTING!), Nia Jax, and even Bayley's best friend Carmella can all currently say their best match in NxT has been against Bayley, and that's not only due to their respective abilities, but Bayley's never-ending ability to bring the best out of her opponents in these matches. Bayley as a character? She's John Cena done correctly. A lifelong fan with a child-like wonder in her eye, The Huggable One is the most over female on the roster due to her likability and the underdog approach that is very realistic. She's overcome every challenge, but not without various struggles from interfering henchmen (against Bliss), to corruption from the main office (Eva marie), to a David vs. Goliath struggle (Nia Jax), and so on/so forth. However, her biggest test awaits her in......
Asuka.
The beauty from Japan made her debut at NxT Takeover Respect by absolutely demolishing Dana Brooke in the most wonderful of ways. In a way she's as dangerous as Ronda Rousey: can make you submit with so many different versions of the armbar, ankle lock, or her signature Chicken Wing Crossface aptly named: the Asuka Lock....OR she can knock you out with a spinning punch, a spinning roundhouse kick, a sliding D, or (lol) a hip attack. The Women's division's Silent Assassin, she made her intentions clear after saving Bayley and Carmella from an attack by Eva Marie (GROSS) and Nia Jax.
GM Regal made the call after they were victorious in a tag team match together, and honestly this is 1 of 3 possible match of the night candidates that wouldn't be a surprise.
I can't root against either one of these two because I enjoy their in-ring work immensely. However, the true mark of a great babyface is still being able to balance the big wins with a loss here and there. We could be seeing the start of an amazing rivalry if played out correctly and I think the best way to start it is Bayley losing. While Asuka has been built well, they are both considered babyfaces (good guys). Asuka taking on the rest of the roster would create a few new matches here and there, plus it could potentially free Bayley up to move to the main roster and start feuding with the main roster women. Or it could be the start of an intense rivalry.
Prediction: Asuka wins....when Bayley passes out of the Asuka Lock. But there will be a small show of respect after the match.
Semi-Main Event: DREAM MATCH
Sami Zayn vs. "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura
I was watching the buildup with my friends....and admittedly I reservedly fangirled like crazy. Yes, Reservedly is not an actual English word....but that's what I'm using.
If there is anybody that would be considered the heart and soul of NxT, it's an arab ginger that skanks out to the ring and is the happiest dude in the world....Sami Zayn. From his debut and win over Cesaro in 2013, to his NxT Championship victory against Adrian Neville from NxT R Evolution, Zayn has long been the biggest good guy in NxT. Moves like the Torpedo DDT, the Exploder into the corner and the Helluva kick have been the calling cards for Zayn in his NxT career. Originally he was 1 of 2 guys to make Baron Corbin submit in the No. 1 contendership triple threat and technically also got a pin on Samoa Joe in the first of 2 matches for the right to face the Champion, but eventually he succumbed to Samoa Joe's Coquina Clutch in the final fall of a 2 out of 3 falls match. He was going into Dallas without a match when GM Regal made the BIGGEST announcement possible. His opponent?
Longtime New Japan megastar "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura. Since 2002, Nakamura has been one of the best Japanese wrestlers....no screw that, one of the BEST WRESTLERS in the world point blank. He mixes a MMA style with the classic Japanese Strong Style, but with one major difference compared to his fellow nihon contemporaries: one hell of a persona. To describe Nakamura would be like this: Freddie Mercury meets Michael Jackson meets MMA badass meets KENTA and Shinya Hashimoto. One of the most celebrated wrestlers in the Orient, he has had classic matches with the likes of AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Brock Lesnar, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kazuchika Okada. In fact, he owns 2 of the last 3 5 Star rated matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling (his longtime home promotion), those being against Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 9 and against Tanahashi at the G1 Climax Final. Nakamura's biggest claim to fame would be the prestige and honor he brought to the International World Grand Prix Intercontinental Championship. He elevated the IWGP IC Title to the same heights as the biggest title in that company, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. The leader of the CHAOS stable since inception, Nakamura has done everything in Japan and is ready for new heights. One person you can thank for that is one of his closest friends: Best in the World, American Dragon, and leader of the Yes Movement, Daniel Bryan.
The biggest intrigue of this match is the ripple effect it can cause. Unlike the other members of the NxT Roster competing at Takeover Dallas, Sami Zayn ALSO has his 1st WrestleMania match two nights later. And in my opinion, the result and quality of this match will be the biggest determinant on Zayn's potential first Main Roster title run. In layman's terms, I think if Zayn loses this match against Nakamura but they hit it out of the park....there is a great chance of Zayn is leaving WrestleMania as the WWE Intercontinental Champion.
My prediction is that this is honestly going to be the Match of the Night. Nakamura wins an instant classic with the most devastating finisher in Japan: The Boma Ye Knee Strike and Zayn will most likely win the IC title....or at least be the final person thrown off the ladder.
MAIN EVENT: NXT CHAMPIONSHIP
"The Demon" Finn Balor vs. "The Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe
This match has been brilliantly built for both sides and is honestly the most unpredictable match going into Dallas.
Both Finn and Joe are indy legends in their own respects. Samoa Joe has been a pillar for Ring of Honor, TNA, and PWG amongst other places, with a perchant for making suckers submit with the Coquina Clutch (Rear Naked Choke) or breaking necks with the Muscle Buster. Finn, as Prince/Fergal Devitt was a gaijin megastar for New Japan Pro Wrestling as both a Junior Heavyweight phenomenon and the original leader of the Bullet Club, the most popular foreign stable in Japan. He also had tremendous matches in Revolution Pro Wrestling in England and Insane Championship Wrestling in Scotland.
Joe is the epitome of "Don't judge a book by its cover" combining devastating strikes and combos with mind boggling agility for a 300 pound dude. Balor is the quiet assassin and leader of the self-named "Balor Club" with an alter ego simply known as "The Demon" (full on sick looking body paint. It's amazing to look at and intimidating).
Back in October, the two juggernaults of NxT teamed up for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic that culminated in October's NxT Takeover Respect. They were victorious, beating Baron Corbin and ECW Legend Rhyno in the finals with a Muscle Buster from Joe and a Double Foot Stomp from Balor. Joe had asked for a title shot from Balor, to which Balor had accepted but GM Regal denied.
This lead to Joe attacking Finn after a title match between Balor and Apollo Crews ended with Baron Corbin interfering. Joe and Finn had a tremendous battle at NxT Takeover London, with Balor escaping....and I mean ESCAPING with the NxT Championship. Since then Joe has become even more devastating than before, harkening back to his anti-code days in TNA as the X-Division monster. Joe would be 1 of 2 winners in a 3 way match between him, Corbin, and Sami Zayn, submitting Corbin w/Zayn using a Sharpshooter/Crippler Crossface combo. Joe and Zayn then had a match to determine who would face Balor....that ended in a double pinfall. Both Joe's and Zayn's shoulders were pinned, so GM Regal would pit the competitors in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Joe would win the first fall with the Muscle Buster, then Sami Zayn would submit Joe with a Koji Clutch. Joe would eventually clinch the final fall with the Coquina Clutch as Zayn would eventually pass out. Finn in response to the impressive performances, would defeat Apollo Crews and NxT newcomer (and Baltimore native) Rich Swann, using his original finisher in Japan, the 1916...(High Angled Brainbuster DDT....better known as the Bloody Sunday).
In a similar fashion to Zayn and Nakamura, this match not only affects the fate of the NxT Championship, but also both competitors' potential debut dates on the main roster. (The difference between the Main Roster and the NxT Roster is the chance to headline WrestleMania and win the major championships of WWE (World Heavyweight, Tag Team, Intercontinental, and United States...and the Divas Championship for the women [though it should be changed back to the Women's Championship]). With rumors that Finn's Japanese Stablemates Luke "Doc" Gallows and "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson getting ready to debut soon, there is a possibility that Finn will join both of them on the main roster....with a potential team up with 2nd Bullet Club leader AJ Styles. Joe has also earned more than enough notoriety in NxT to position himself for a call up. From what it seems, the winner of the match will be NxT Champion and the spearhead of the promotion for the upcoming months up until at least SummerSlam of this year (so....August), whereas the loser of the match is more than likely to be called up between the night after WrestleMania(Monday) or the aforementioned SummerSlam.
Prediction: Samoa Joe finally claims the NxT Championship he's been chasing after since his debut back in June. Finn, Anderson, and Gallows debut Monday Night as the heavies behind whichever power authority wins out at WrestleMania.
So, that's the NxT Preview and my Predictions. I would say the send off.....but I have at least 1 more entry to catch you guys up for! So, be ready for the next preview ASAP.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
WWE Roadblock
So Shooters....we now have an idea of where Wrestlemania is going to.
With WWE Roadblock behind us, we are now clear to Mania week. But what happened in Toronto?
Results:
Tag Team Championships:
New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) def. The League of Nations (King Barrett and Sheamus) to retain.
A good tag match that had little to no hype behind it, my only real gripe was Barrett taking the pinfall. One botched spot didn't ruin the fun, and the fact that the New Day FINALLY has the box (though not the cereal) of Booty O's makes me quite happy.
7 out of 10
Chris Jericho def. Jack Swagger
The match was meant to make Jericho look strong going into Wrestlemania, and honestly....his promo did more for me in his credibility in comparison to his match with Swagger. (On a side note, I thought Swags would have more to do since December. His match with Del Rio was worth giving him more opportunities). To be a Canadian that can make a home country crowd boo you enough to support the American opposition is to be a true heel. Well done by Jericho (as if he doesn't impress on the mic as a bad guy).
6 out of 10 for the match, 9 out of 10 for the promo before the match
NxT Tag Team Championship Match
The Revival(Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) def. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady to retain
The first of what would be fantastic title matches that more than impressed. Amore and Cassady were absolutely over and had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands. Dash and Dawson were as efficient as ever and equally as boring (which is what they're trying to do). The crowd was into this match the entire way and the ending was both fitting for The Revival as they enter Takeover Dallas, as well as Enzo and Cass as it seems they could be on their way to the main roster.
7.5 out of 10
Divas Championship
Charlotte w/Old man that needs to get out of here....also known as Ric Flair def. Natalya
The promo before was very good, especially considering Natalya is usually pretty vanilla in these segments. The match (while not their classic for the NxT Women's Championship at the 1st NxT Takeover) was brilliant. They really had a good knitty, gritty match that was very psychology-heavy on both the holds and the drama. There wasn't any over-reaction from either champion or challenger and was just really solid all the way through. Only argument is having Nattie break the hold because Ric Flair was being Ric Flair (for the record, considering that heels are supposed to get under your skin...yes he's doing a good job. That being said, if he doesn't get hit in the grapefruits at Wrestlemania by either Becky or Sasha and Charlotte retains, I'm going to rage like crazy).
7.25 out of 10
Brock Lesnar def Luke Harper.
Originally this was supposed to be Lesnar vs. Bray Wyatt. Then Wyatt made it a 2 on 1 handicap match.....and didn't even get into the ring. Harper got suplexed 8 or 10 times (once again...it wasn't 14 and I'm still salty) but he also got in three super kicks, two discus clotheslines, and a suicide dive.
Lesnar wins....Wyatt didn't come in.....and Harper had this look on his face as if the seeds of future dissension were going to happen....(and then he got injured two weeks after this event was over...oh Neville (while not on the card) got injured the monday after Roadblock).
5.5 out of 10
Sami Zayn def. Stardust
This was to make Zayn look good. And to an extent it did. It was also slow, and sadly underwhelming. Mostly due to iffy chemistry.
6 out of 10
Main Event: WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H def. Dean Ambrose to retain
Hands down, best match of the night, and probably the best match of 2016 to date in WWE. Hell, Ambrose's best match overall in his career. The drama, the psychology, and the false/true finishes, all did wonders to both Triple H as he prepares to job to Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose as he prepares to job to Brock Lesnar. (Depressing ways to look at it but WWE should prove me wrong).
Brilliantly executed, and it pissed me off like a heel winning is supposed to
9.5 out of 10.
I'm going to have a few more up in the upcoming days, most notably an NxT Takeover Dallas Preview and of course YOUR Wrestlemania 32 preview as well. And New Japan/Roh that I should have published awhile ago.
When in Doubt....WATCH PRO WRESTLING
With WWE Roadblock behind us, we are now clear to Mania week. But what happened in Toronto?
Results:
Tag Team Championships:
New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) def. The League of Nations (King Barrett and Sheamus) to retain.
A good tag match that had little to no hype behind it, my only real gripe was Barrett taking the pinfall. One botched spot didn't ruin the fun, and the fact that the New Day FINALLY has the box (though not the cereal) of Booty O's makes me quite happy.
7 out of 10
Chris Jericho def. Jack Swagger
The match was meant to make Jericho look strong going into Wrestlemania, and honestly....his promo did more for me in his credibility in comparison to his match with Swagger. (On a side note, I thought Swags would have more to do since December. His match with Del Rio was worth giving him more opportunities). To be a Canadian that can make a home country crowd boo you enough to support the American opposition is to be a true heel. Well done by Jericho (as if he doesn't impress on the mic as a bad guy).
6 out of 10 for the match, 9 out of 10 for the promo before the match
NxT Tag Team Championship Match
The Revival(Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) def. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady to retain
The first of what would be fantastic title matches that more than impressed. Amore and Cassady were absolutely over and had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands. Dash and Dawson were as efficient as ever and equally as boring (which is what they're trying to do). The crowd was into this match the entire way and the ending was both fitting for The Revival as they enter Takeover Dallas, as well as Enzo and Cass as it seems they could be on their way to the main roster.
7.5 out of 10
Divas Championship
Charlotte w/Old man that needs to get out of here....also known as Ric Flair def. Natalya
The promo before was very good, especially considering Natalya is usually pretty vanilla in these segments. The match (while not their classic for the NxT Women's Championship at the 1st NxT Takeover) was brilliant. They really had a good knitty, gritty match that was very psychology-heavy on both the holds and the drama. There wasn't any over-reaction from either champion or challenger and was just really solid all the way through. Only argument is having Nattie break the hold because Ric Flair was being Ric Flair (for the record, considering that heels are supposed to get under your skin...yes he's doing a good job. That being said, if he doesn't get hit in the grapefruits at Wrestlemania by either Becky or Sasha and Charlotte retains, I'm going to rage like crazy).
7.25 out of 10
Brock Lesnar def Luke Harper.
Originally this was supposed to be Lesnar vs. Bray Wyatt. Then Wyatt made it a 2 on 1 handicap match.....and didn't even get into the ring. Harper got suplexed 8 or 10 times (once again...it wasn't 14 and I'm still salty) but he also got in three super kicks, two discus clotheslines, and a suicide dive.
Lesnar wins....Wyatt didn't come in.....and Harper had this look on his face as if the seeds of future dissension were going to happen....(and then he got injured two weeks after this event was over...oh Neville (while not on the card) got injured the monday after Roadblock).
5.5 out of 10
Sami Zayn def. Stardust
This was to make Zayn look good. And to an extent it did. It was also slow, and sadly underwhelming. Mostly due to iffy chemistry.
6 out of 10
Main Event: WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H def. Dean Ambrose to retain
Hands down, best match of the night, and probably the best match of 2016 to date in WWE. Hell, Ambrose's best match overall in his career. The drama, the psychology, and the false/true finishes, all did wonders to both Triple H as he prepares to job to Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose as he prepares to job to Brock Lesnar. (Depressing ways to look at it but WWE should prove me wrong).
Brilliantly executed, and it pissed me off like a heel winning is supposed to
9.5 out of 10.
I'm going to have a few more up in the upcoming days, most notably an NxT Takeover Dallas Preview and of course YOUR Wrestlemania 32 preview as well. And New Japan/Roh that I should have published awhile ago.
When in Doubt....WATCH PRO WRESTLING
Saturday, March 12, 2016
WWE Fastlane Review AND WWE Roadblock Preview!
Hello Shooters and Marks alike, since I haven't put this up yet and there's an event tomorrow, here's a cliff notes version of the latest WWE Events. Review And Preview GO!
Quick Results:
1)Kalisto Def. Alberto Del Rio 2-1 (US TITLE)
This match showcased Del Rio really well and proved that Mauro Ranallo should be on the Wrestlemania card as a play by play announcer for more than just a pre show match. Kalisto surprisingly was the weakest part of the match, but mostly because both of his points could be considered cheap. (Victim of a chair shot for a DQ and a roll up). Could have been more decisive but a great match overall. 7.5 out of 10
2)B.A.E def. B.A.D.
Hot opener that showcased Sasha Banks really well. Naomi was also really good in this match. Tamina.....is the fodder in this match and Becky was solid. It got the crowd up off their seats and served its purpose. 7 out of 10
3)Kevin Owens def. Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental)
The logic behind the buildup for the match made sense in a convoluted way, but it was hurt by the predictability and the repetitiveness of seeing this match a few times before. That being said, you could argue that this was match of the night in terms of crisp, clean flow. 6.75 out of 10
4)Big Show, Kane, and Ryback def. Luke Harper, Braun Strowman, and Erick Rowan.
The wrong team won in my opinion. The result seemed like it was purely for shock value....and I still don't get why it happened, especially since the Wyatts won the next night on Raw when Ryback...(I guess?) turned on Big Show and Kane. For all the arguments of predictability...THIS was the one match that SHOULD have been a predictable outcome. And it wasn't. Plus, why did Harper take the pinfall? Why not Rowan at least?
2 out of 10
5)Charlotte def. Brie Bella
Not either one of their best performances, but it was more than serviceable with the stakes and the circumstances. Only real problem I had with the match was the ending. The ring positioning for both Brie's Yes Lock and Charlotte's Figure 8 left something to be desired.
5 out of 10
6) AJ Styles def. Chris Jericho
Definitely Match of the Night even with some of the sloppier moments. Some of the chemistry is well shown, and then there are moments that still feel awkward. The Clash shouldn't have been kicked out of, especially considering how well protected it was during the past year on the indies, but the ending drama of the Calf Killer on Jericho was extremely well done.
8 out of 10
7)Curtis Axel def. R-Truth
I get needing a pallet cleanser...but THIS match was one the PPV and the US title match was a PRESHOW event? WHAT THE CRAP!?!?!?!?!?!?!
1 out of 10. (More for the reasoning of the match. 4 out of 10 for the match itself)
Main Event)Roman Reigns def. Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose
There was a way to have Reigns win and be cheered. Pinning Dean Ambrose after hitting a spear even though he was hit by a chair a few good times wasn't the way. It built Lesnar well and gave Dean a chance.
7 out of 10 for the match, 3 out of 10 for how the ending happened and the booking.
Overall: 5 out of 10
Best match: Styles/Jericho
Worst Match: Axel/Truth
Biggest Moment:Reigns's final Spear
WTF moments: The Main event's booking of the finish.
Now that Fastlane's out of the way, here's the preview for WWE Roadblock!
1)Natalya vs. Charlotte (Divas Title)
Charlotte's winning. Even on Canadian Soil, Charlotte's winning.
2)The Revival vs. The Realest guys in the room (NxT Tag Team Championships)
This is definitely going to be the most competitive match. The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) have been decimating opponents since becoming champions and have a sweet finisher in the Shatter Machine. Enzo and Cass (while looking like two guido idiots) are the most popular team in NxT. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised with this match being the 1 title change on the entire card....just so there's more intrigue for the NxT Takeover Dallas show on the Friday before Wrestlemania. That being said, I think the Revival will take this one as much as I think Big Cass is awesome.
3)There's supposed to be a Sami Zayn match since this is in Canada (and with Owens in New Jersey facing AJ Styles on another card)...so if I had to take a guess...his opponent is either going to be The Miz.....or one of the Social Outcasts (probably Axel or Rose). Zayn wins because Ska Music is cool and ILikeSamiZayn.
4)Brock Lesnar vs. Bray Wyatt
Personally this should have been the Wrestlemania match for both men. The Royal Rumble booking really reflects that and since Dean's penciled in for Brock...sadly I think this will be an 8 suplex and F5 match for Lesnar...followed by another 5 on the other Wyatt Family members (since they NEVER get close to 14 XP)
5)New Day vs. The League of Nations (WWE Tag Team Championships)
NEW DAY ROCKS. BECAUSE NEW DAY SOCKS.
Here's another place where a swerve Could happen....but probably shouldn't. The only reason Sheamus and Barrett win the titles, is for New Day to fully turn face in the next three weeks, and then regain the gold at Wrestlemania. Otherwise, NEW DAY ROCKS AND WINS.
Main Event)Triple H vs. Dean Ambrose
If Roman Reigns shows up during the match....or even after the match, it's clear who wins. I love Dean Ambrose as a wrestler and a competitor but Trips is taking the match regardless of the direction Wrestlemania goes (even if it's the most boring and predictable finish possible).
WHEN IN DOUBT WATCH PRO WRESTLING and enjoy WWE Roadblock more than me please!
Quick Results:
1)Kalisto Def. Alberto Del Rio 2-1 (US TITLE)
This match showcased Del Rio really well and proved that Mauro Ranallo should be on the Wrestlemania card as a play by play announcer for more than just a pre show match. Kalisto surprisingly was the weakest part of the match, but mostly because both of his points could be considered cheap. (Victim of a chair shot for a DQ and a roll up). Could have been more decisive but a great match overall. 7.5 out of 10
2)B.A.E def. B.A.D.
Hot opener that showcased Sasha Banks really well. Naomi was also really good in this match. Tamina.....is the fodder in this match and Becky was solid. It got the crowd up off their seats and served its purpose. 7 out of 10
3)Kevin Owens def. Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental)
The logic behind the buildup for the match made sense in a convoluted way, but it was hurt by the predictability and the repetitiveness of seeing this match a few times before. That being said, you could argue that this was match of the night in terms of crisp, clean flow. 6.75 out of 10
4)Big Show, Kane, and Ryback def. Luke Harper, Braun Strowman, and Erick Rowan.
The wrong team won in my opinion. The result seemed like it was purely for shock value....and I still don't get why it happened, especially since the Wyatts won the next night on Raw when Ryback...(I guess?) turned on Big Show and Kane. For all the arguments of predictability...THIS was the one match that SHOULD have been a predictable outcome. And it wasn't. Plus, why did Harper take the pinfall? Why not Rowan at least?
2 out of 10
5)Charlotte def. Brie Bella
Not either one of their best performances, but it was more than serviceable with the stakes and the circumstances. Only real problem I had with the match was the ending. The ring positioning for both Brie's Yes Lock and Charlotte's Figure 8 left something to be desired.
5 out of 10
6) AJ Styles def. Chris Jericho
Definitely Match of the Night even with some of the sloppier moments. Some of the chemistry is well shown, and then there are moments that still feel awkward. The Clash shouldn't have been kicked out of, especially considering how well protected it was during the past year on the indies, but the ending drama of the Calf Killer on Jericho was extremely well done.
8 out of 10
7)Curtis Axel def. R-Truth
I get needing a pallet cleanser...but THIS match was one the PPV and the US title match was a PRESHOW event? WHAT THE CRAP!?!?!?!?!?!?!
1 out of 10. (More for the reasoning of the match. 4 out of 10 for the match itself)
Main Event)Roman Reigns def. Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose
There was a way to have Reigns win and be cheered. Pinning Dean Ambrose after hitting a spear even though he was hit by a chair a few good times wasn't the way. It built Lesnar well and gave Dean a chance.
7 out of 10 for the match, 3 out of 10 for how the ending happened and the booking.
Overall: 5 out of 10
Best match: Styles/Jericho
Worst Match: Axel/Truth
Biggest Moment:Reigns's final Spear
WTF moments: The Main event's booking of the finish.
Now that Fastlane's out of the way, here's the preview for WWE Roadblock!
1)Natalya vs. Charlotte (Divas Title)
Charlotte's winning. Even on Canadian Soil, Charlotte's winning.
2)The Revival vs. The Realest guys in the room (NxT Tag Team Championships)
This is definitely going to be the most competitive match. The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) have been decimating opponents since becoming champions and have a sweet finisher in the Shatter Machine. Enzo and Cass (while looking like two guido idiots) are the most popular team in NxT. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised with this match being the 1 title change on the entire card....just so there's more intrigue for the NxT Takeover Dallas show on the Friday before Wrestlemania. That being said, I think the Revival will take this one as much as I think Big Cass is awesome.
3)There's supposed to be a Sami Zayn match since this is in Canada (and with Owens in New Jersey facing AJ Styles on another card)...so if I had to take a guess...his opponent is either going to be The Miz.....or one of the Social Outcasts (probably Axel or Rose). Zayn wins because Ska Music is cool and ILikeSamiZayn.
4)Brock Lesnar vs. Bray Wyatt
Personally this should have been the Wrestlemania match for both men. The Royal Rumble booking really reflects that and since Dean's penciled in for Brock...sadly I think this will be an 8 suplex and F5 match for Lesnar...followed by another 5 on the other Wyatt Family members (since they NEVER get close to 14 XP)
5)New Day vs. The League of Nations (WWE Tag Team Championships)
NEW DAY ROCKS. BECAUSE NEW DAY SOCKS.
Here's another place where a swerve Could happen....but probably shouldn't. The only reason Sheamus and Barrett win the titles, is for New Day to fully turn face in the next three weeks, and then regain the gold at Wrestlemania. Otherwise, NEW DAY ROCKS AND WINS.
Main Event)Triple H vs. Dean Ambrose
If Roman Reigns shows up during the match....or even after the match, it's clear who wins. I love Dean Ambrose as a wrestler and a competitor but Trips is taking the match regardless of the direction Wrestlemania goes (even if it's the most boring and predictable finish possible).
WHEN IN DOUBT WATCH PRO WRESTLING and enjoy WWE Roadblock more than me please!
Sunday, March 6, 2016
The wrestling/Indy Roundup!
Good morrow Smark Shooters, welcome back to the blog.
As by the title's name, this is essentially a summary of the other companies I've been trying to cover.
I would love to be able to have more detailed situations with the various companies other than the current big 2-WWE and New Japan Pro Wrestling, but busy times happen and you write what you can.
Some of this could be spoiler alerts and other parts are going to be just straight opinions on the companies covered. Thanks!
CHIKARA-So, I could start with any other company, but I would like to start off with CHIKARA. Coming off of their 15th and going into their 16th season, Chikara Pro has probably been the most consistent when it comes to their storylines. So....here's a cliff notes version of what I've thought from Season 15's finale event (TOP BANANA) to the latest: (EVIL WAYS)
1)I wish they had thought of a better degrading name for Kevin Condron's alter ego, Snowflake.
2)Silver Ant's journey throughout the Challenge of the Immortals(Chikara's season long team event, which resulted in Money in the Bank opportunities for the winning team) was one of the best written. Resistance of his team's obsession with Nazmaldoon (I know for a fact I spelled that one wrong).
3)KOBALD is ALIVE! :D
4) The Colony has been Chikara's greatest feel good story.
5)The ultimate underdogs beating the big bully NEVER gets old, especially when written correctly! ICE CREAMS RULE!
6)Chikara can lay claim to this first: first company to have a female as their Champion of the entire company. Princess Kimberlee is more than deserving.
7)Soldier Ant used to baffle me in terms of his usefulness. And then the last 3 seasons happened and ALL of my opinions on how good he is changed. One of the the top guys in CHikara for sure.
8)The owner of the company really likes his characters and his WWF 90s gimmicks: their current Campeones de Parejas are a throwback to Koko B Ware and Owen Hart.
9)I really dislike the encore match idea. The main event is the MAIN EVENT for a reason. Some shows, you have to have a bad ending. It makes the good endings better.
10)The creative way Chikara is able to bring back its characters in both convoluted and sensible ways is amazing. THUNDER FROG!!!!!!!!!!
11)Could someone who knows Chikara better than me explain the Chuck Taylor situation? Because Scoot Tatum and Rick Beanbag aren't going to cut it. Plus, Stokely Hathaway is Stokely Hathaway. NOT CHUCK TAYLOR.
12)The biggest heel in the company better end up being Mr. Touchdown. He's won everything else in Chikara that isn't a tournament, why not have him return as the bully that steps all over the Princess?
And that's Chikara
2)EVOLVE
It's tough to judge evolve for me personally, mostly because of the lack of access I have to them outside of their YouTube channel. Pure Wrestling comes to mind, with the emphasis on wins and losses being very prominent. For the MMA fan that on the inside wants to believe wrestling isn't entirely scripted, this is the promotion. They just recently crowned their Tag Team Champions, Drew Galloway and Johnny Gargano, they have one hell of a champion in Timothy Thatcher, and with their partnership with WWE becoming public before January, expect alot of EVOLVE guys to start rearing their heads in NxT, like Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa have. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of this dude Matt Riddle. An MMA guy coming into pro wrestling with a wonderful douchy entitlement to his character. I like it.
3)Lucha Underground
I was really lost during the first season before picking it back up at the Season finale, Ultima Lucha. However, since catching both Matt Striker's YouTube summary of LU and keeping up with Season 2, Lucha Underground is TV's best kept wrestling secret. For non-Verizon guys (Which is sad for me), you can catch Lucha Underground on El Rey Network, and it is totally worth whatever you have to pay to upgrade. The Wrestling is top notch, the storylines are amazing, and the atmosphere is phenomenal to watch on tv. I can only imagine how great it would be to watch live.
As for the current storylines, The champion, Mil Muertes and his manager Catrina currently run the arena and the company after the original owner, Dario Cueto, disappeared. Amongst the enemies include The Gift of the God Champion, Fenix, The team of Ivellise, Son of Havoc, and Angelico, Prince Puma (the first champion and the man Murexes defeated at Ultima Lucha for the title), and PENTAGON JR. Pentagon and Puma had one hell of a match a few weeks ago, and Fenix has had amazing matches against King Cuerno, the hunter associated with Muertes.
There are so many stories to tell that fitting them in would be impossible without a separate article. I will cover Lucha Underground's Second Ultima Lucha when it aires.
Oh, and the whole thing is produced by Robert Rodriguez.
4)TNA
Wrestling's biggest embarrassment of a televised company is starting to really come back in 2016. Adding former ROH standout Mike Bennett, as well as turning top heel Ethan Carter III into the top face has really energized the company as a whole. While the X Division (Even with Trevor Lee as the champion) has been really stale as of late, the rest of the roster has been fantastic to watch. Eric Young and Bram, The return of Beer Money (Storm and Roode), The Wolves, The Knockouts (and I mean ALL of them....well except for maybe Rebel. She hasn't grown on me that well.), I could go on.
Matt Hardy has been sensational as the new Champion, complete with heel turn and wife around.
I expect big things from TNA once they start having more live events back in the states.
They're on POP TV if you're looking for the renaissance. They're not what they were back in 2005 or 2009 (before Hogan and Bischoff), but they're slowing bringing their quality back. Oh...and screw Destination America.)
5)ROH, NEW Japan, WWE, RPW, AAA, NoAH, CMLL, Dragon Gate
I'm grouping Ring of Honor with this section, because I have a few things to cover separate from this post for ROH. WWE is still top dog, followed by NJPW. I'd say Ring of Honor is the top indy, in terms of a consistent federation with a solid roster. I'll have the results and opinions of the 14th anniversary once I finish with Niigata and Honor Rises. Revolution Pro is a great promotion in England with Zack Sabre Jr as its champion, AAA is the feeder system for Lucha Underground. NoAH is the rival/partner of New Japan, with Marufuji as it's top guy, CMLL is the oldest wrestling promotion in at least Mexico, if not the World, and Dragon gate is Japan's true answer to Ring of Honor, the crazy flip dudes and speedsters of the Rising Sun, who've produced Ricochet (Prince Puma), Pac (Neville) and Uhaa Nation (Apollo Crews). Obviously I'm going to do the WWE stuff separate, and the New Japan events are being finished after this post. Oh and NxT is going to have their piece around Wrestlemania time.
WWE is on USA Network, and their streaming service, the WWE Network.
RPW, AAA, NoAH, CMLL, and Dragon Gate, just find on the internet.
NxT is on the Network
New Japan is on their streaming service, New Japan World, and on AXS TV
and finally
ROH can be found wherever Sinclair Broadcasting does their thing. Here, it's on ABC at like 1 or 2 am in the morning (totally worth staying up for if you're on the east coast.)
Finally....
6)PWG
The best indy promotion in the world. Why? It's basically an all star card every event.
All Star Weekend 11-
Night 1:Chuck Taylor/MAndrews had a great match, Marty Scurll/Ricochet even better, the returns of Michael Elgin, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, and Sami Callahan. Omega and Bailey had a hell of a match.
Night 2:Chuck Taylor defeating Kikutaro (funniest Japanese Wrestler ever...well RG's pretty funny), Timothy Thatcher is a beast, Kenny omega and Will Osprey had a sensational match, and the PWG locker room FINALLY bested Mount Rushmore 2.0....with the return of Kyle O' Reilly and Excalibur finally fighting back after being abused behind the commentary booth shaped like a table.
LEMMY-Thatcher and Drew Gulak had a WRESTLING clinic. Closest thing to a straight real, non scripted match I've seen in ages. Drew Galloway finally wins....and he beat Jack Evans.
Zack Sabre Jr. and Akira Tozawa had a great match too. PWG Champ Roddy Strong had a marathon with Chris Hero and finished the Job.
BOWIE-Chuck Taylor beat Dalton Castle (two of my favorites), Evans beat Callahan, Sabre beat Lee, and Strong beat Galloway.
Most recent All Star Weekend....so ASW 12
Night 1-(note these results were from PW Ponderings) Taylor beat Lee (well damn, Chuck taylor's on a roll), O'Reilly and Scurll had apparently one of the greatest matches in PWG ever, Sabre and Cole never disappoint, and The Young Bucks Tore the house down with Ricochet/Matt Sydal in a PWG Tag Team Championship match.
NIght 2-Taylor beat Scurll (GIVE TAYLOR A CHANCE! YAY), Evil Uno comes back around, Sydal/Ricochet beat Death By Elbow (Chris Hero and a debuting J.T. Dunn), Trent Upset Cole, the Young Bucks beat ReDRAGON (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly).....AND NEW CHAMPION! SABER BEAT STRONG! YES!!!!!!!
So that's the roundup on the other promotions I intend on covering on a more consistent basis once my schedule gets back into gear.
WHEN IN DOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBT, Pro Wrestling.
As by the title's name, this is essentially a summary of the other companies I've been trying to cover.
I would love to be able to have more detailed situations with the various companies other than the current big 2-WWE and New Japan Pro Wrestling, but busy times happen and you write what you can.
Some of this could be spoiler alerts and other parts are going to be just straight opinions on the companies covered. Thanks!
CHIKARA-So, I could start with any other company, but I would like to start off with CHIKARA. Coming off of their 15th and going into their 16th season, Chikara Pro has probably been the most consistent when it comes to their storylines. So....here's a cliff notes version of what I've thought from Season 15's finale event (TOP BANANA) to the latest: (EVIL WAYS)
1)I wish they had thought of a better degrading name for Kevin Condron's alter ego, Snowflake.
2)Silver Ant's journey throughout the Challenge of the Immortals(Chikara's season long team event, which resulted in Money in the Bank opportunities for the winning team) was one of the best written. Resistance of his team's obsession with Nazmaldoon (I know for a fact I spelled that one wrong).
3)KOBALD is ALIVE! :D
4) The Colony has been Chikara's greatest feel good story.
5)The ultimate underdogs beating the big bully NEVER gets old, especially when written correctly! ICE CREAMS RULE!
6)Chikara can lay claim to this first: first company to have a female as their Champion of the entire company. Princess Kimberlee is more than deserving.
7)Soldier Ant used to baffle me in terms of his usefulness. And then the last 3 seasons happened and ALL of my opinions on how good he is changed. One of the the top guys in CHikara for sure.
8)The owner of the company really likes his characters and his WWF 90s gimmicks: their current Campeones de Parejas are a throwback to Koko B Ware and Owen Hart.
9)I really dislike the encore match idea. The main event is the MAIN EVENT for a reason. Some shows, you have to have a bad ending. It makes the good endings better.
10)The creative way Chikara is able to bring back its characters in both convoluted and sensible ways is amazing. THUNDER FROG!!!!!!!!!!
11)Could someone who knows Chikara better than me explain the Chuck Taylor situation? Because Scoot Tatum and Rick Beanbag aren't going to cut it. Plus, Stokely Hathaway is Stokely Hathaway. NOT CHUCK TAYLOR.
12)The biggest heel in the company better end up being Mr. Touchdown. He's won everything else in Chikara that isn't a tournament, why not have him return as the bully that steps all over the Princess?
And that's Chikara
2)EVOLVE
It's tough to judge evolve for me personally, mostly because of the lack of access I have to them outside of their YouTube channel. Pure Wrestling comes to mind, with the emphasis on wins and losses being very prominent. For the MMA fan that on the inside wants to believe wrestling isn't entirely scripted, this is the promotion. They just recently crowned their Tag Team Champions, Drew Galloway and Johnny Gargano, they have one hell of a champion in Timothy Thatcher, and with their partnership with WWE becoming public before January, expect alot of EVOLVE guys to start rearing their heads in NxT, like Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa have. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of this dude Matt Riddle. An MMA guy coming into pro wrestling with a wonderful douchy entitlement to his character. I like it.
3)Lucha Underground
I was really lost during the first season before picking it back up at the Season finale, Ultima Lucha. However, since catching both Matt Striker's YouTube summary of LU and keeping up with Season 2, Lucha Underground is TV's best kept wrestling secret. For non-Verizon guys (Which is sad for me), you can catch Lucha Underground on El Rey Network, and it is totally worth whatever you have to pay to upgrade. The Wrestling is top notch, the storylines are amazing, and the atmosphere is phenomenal to watch on tv. I can only imagine how great it would be to watch live.
As for the current storylines, The champion, Mil Muertes and his manager Catrina currently run the arena and the company after the original owner, Dario Cueto, disappeared. Amongst the enemies include The Gift of the God Champion, Fenix, The team of Ivellise, Son of Havoc, and Angelico, Prince Puma (the first champion and the man Murexes defeated at Ultima Lucha for the title), and PENTAGON JR. Pentagon and Puma had one hell of a match a few weeks ago, and Fenix has had amazing matches against King Cuerno, the hunter associated with Muertes.
There are so many stories to tell that fitting them in would be impossible without a separate article. I will cover Lucha Underground's Second Ultima Lucha when it aires.
Oh, and the whole thing is produced by Robert Rodriguez.
4)TNA
Wrestling's biggest embarrassment of a televised company is starting to really come back in 2016. Adding former ROH standout Mike Bennett, as well as turning top heel Ethan Carter III into the top face has really energized the company as a whole. While the X Division (Even with Trevor Lee as the champion) has been really stale as of late, the rest of the roster has been fantastic to watch. Eric Young and Bram, The return of Beer Money (Storm and Roode), The Wolves, The Knockouts (and I mean ALL of them....well except for maybe Rebel. She hasn't grown on me that well.), I could go on.
Matt Hardy has been sensational as the new Champion, complete with heel turn and wife around.
I expect big things from TNA once they start having more live events back in the states.
They're on POP TV if you're looking for the renaissance. They're not what they were back in 2005 or 2009 (before Hogan and Bischoff), but they're slowing bringing their quality back. Oh...and screw Destination America.)
5)ROH, NEW Japan, WWE, RPW, AAA, NoAH, CMLL, Dragon Gate
I'm grouping Ring of Honor with this section, because I have a few things to cover separate from this post for ROH. WWE is still top dog, followed by NJPW. I'd say Ring of Honor is the top indy, in terms of a consistent federation with a solid roster. I'll have the results and opinions of the 14th anniversary once I finish with Niigata and Honor Rises. Revolution Pro is a great promotion in England with Zack Sabre Jr as its champion, AAA is the feeder system for Lucha Underground. NoAH is the rival/partner of New Japan, with Marufuji as it's top guy, CMLL is the oldest wrestling promotion in at least Mexico, if not the World, and Dragon gate is Japan's true answer to Ring of Honor, the crazy flip dudes and speedsters of the Rising Sun, who've produced Ricochet (Prince Puma), Pac (Neville) and Uhaa Nation (Apollo Crews). Obviously I'm going to do the WWE stuff separate, and the New Japan events are being finished after this post. Oh and NxT is going to have their piece around Wrestlemania time.
WWE is on USA Network, and their streaming service, the WWE Network.
RPW, AAA, NoAH, CMLL, and Dragon Gate, just find on the internet.
NxT is on the Network
New Japan is on their streaming service, New Japan World, and on AXS TV
and finally
ROH can be found wherever Sinclair Broadcasting does their thing. Here, it's on ABC at like 1 or 2 am in the morning (totally worth staying up for if you're on the east coast.)
Finally....
6)PWG
The best indy promotion in the world. Why? It's basically an all star card every event.
All Star Weekend 11-
Night 1:Chuck Taylor/MAndrews had a great match, Marty Scurll/Ricochet even better, the returns of Michael Elgin, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, and Sami Callahan. Omega and Bailey had a hell of a match.
Night 2:Chuck Taylor defeating Kikutaro (funniest Japanese Wrestler ever...well RG's pretty funny), Timothy Thatcher is a beast, Kenny omega and Will Osprey had a sensational match, and the PWG locker room FINALLY bested Mount Rushmore 2.0....with the return of Kyle O' Reilly and Excalibur finally fighting back after being abused behind the commentary booth shaped like a table.
LEMMY-Thatcher and Drew Gulak had a WRESTLING clinic. Closest thing to a straight real, non scripted match I've seen in ages. Drew Galloway finally wins....and he beat Jack Evans.
Zack Sabre Jr. and Akira Tozawa had a great match too. PWG Champ Roddy Strong had a marathon with Chris Hero and finished the Job.
BOWIE-Chuck Taylor beat Dalton Castle (two of my favorites), Evans beat Callahan, Sabre beat Lee, and Strong beat Galloway.
Most recent All Star Weekend....so ASW 12
Night 1-(note these results were from PW Ponderings) Taylor beat Lee (well damn, Chuck taylor's on a roll), O'Reilly and Scurll had apparently one of the greatest matches in PWG ever, Sabre and Cole never disappoint, and The Young Bucks Tore the house down with Ricochet/Matt Sydal in a PWG Tag Team Championship match.
NIght 2-Taylor beat Scurll (GIVE TAYLOR A CHANCE! YAY), Evil Uno comes back around, Sydal/Ricochet beat Death By Elbow (Chris Hero and a debuting J.T. Dunn), Trent Upset Cole, the Young Bucks beat ReDRAGON (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly).....AND NEW CHAMPION! SABER BEAT STRONG! YES!!!!!!!
So that's the roundup on the other promotions I intend on covering on a more consistent basis once my schedule gets back into gear.
WHEN IN DOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBT, Pro Wrestling.
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