The Official WWE / NXT Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

[The Final Countdown]

WWE aren't taking over AAA, Lucha Underground, New Japan or any of the British promotions any time soon if ever and there are plenty of indie promotions in the US that aren't even on WWE's radar except for scouting. No need to panic.

Lucha Underground will probably go out of business on their own soon enough; I'm not sure how that could be anything but a money loser. Hopefully I'm wrong though, and maybe the show now being on Netflix will help them out. New Japan is on solid footing for now, but I'm looking more five years or so down the road there.

 

I wouldn't be so sure about the British promotions though. It's an open secret that WWE wants to establish their own territory over there, and that makes all those other groups competition. They're playing nice with them now, but they did the same thing with the territories, airing their matches on USA and getting their stars over to a wider audience. The other promoters thought Vince was doing them a favor, but he was really just preparing to steal the very same talent and use them to drive everyone else out so he could have the entire market to himself. The present situation seems like an interesting case of deja vu to me.

 

The matches may be entertaining, but it's all so stale that I can't even sit through it without being bored.

Sounds like Monday Night Raw to me.

 

Seriously though, I agree that ROH is nowhere near as entertaining to me now as it was ten years ago. Yet they've evidently been turning healthy profits these days, while their old DVD-based format was a financial failure.

[Mootinie]

The way I see it, WWE is trying to create a revolving door system for themselves in which there are little to no hoops to jump through when it comes to acquiring talent full time. Legal issues have stopped them from negotiating with ROH talent in the past and that's likely why KOR and Donovan Dijak haven't made the move yet.

 

Dave Meltzer has said the recent talks were for WWE to license ROH archive footage and that makes more sense than Ryan Satin's report that WWE are trying to buy ROH outright.

[codey_v2]

Sounds like Monday Night Raw to me.

 

Seriously though, I agree that ROH is nowhere near as entertaining to me now as it was ten years ago. Yet they've evidently been turning healthy profits these days, while their old DVD-based format was a financial failure.

 

I won't argue with you there. I typically catch highlights and watch the PPVs only. The only WWE shows I watch every week are NXT and 205 live. 205 live because I'm waiting for NXT to come on, and NXT because it's only an hour and I'm likely to see someone I didn't last week.

[jack ryder]

SO what is Southpaw Regional?

[sabataged]

SO what is Southpaw Regional?

 

WWE did some spoof's of old school southern regional wrestling from the 80's. Its on Youtube and its fabulous

[sabataged]

Here we go...Wrestlemania Predictions...GO!

 

 

* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs Brock Lesnar

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs Randy Orton

* RAW Women’s Championship: Bayley © vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs Naomi vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs Kevin Owens

* Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose © vs Baron Corbin

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs Sheamus and Cesaro

* Roman Reigns vs Undertaker

* Mixed Tag Team Match: John Cena and Nikki Bella vs The Miz and Maryse

* Non-Sanctioned Match: Seth Rollins vs Triple H

* AJ Styles vs Shane McMahon

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs Austin Aries

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

[sabataged]

* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs Brock Lesnar

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs Randy Orton

* RAW Women’s Championship: Bayley © vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs Naomi vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs Kevin Owens

* Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose © vs Baron Corbin

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs Sheamus and Cesaro

* Roman Reigns vs Undertaker

* Mixed Tag Team Match: John Cena and Nikki Bella vs The Miz and Maryse

* Non-Sanctioned Match: Seth Rollins vs Triple H

* AJ Styles vs Shane McMahon

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs Austin Aries

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - Braun Strowman

[dvdWarrior]

<p>* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Brock Lesnar</span></strong></p><p>

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Randy Orton</span></strong></p><p>

* RAW Women’s Championship: Bayley © vs Sasha Banks vs <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Charlotte Flair</span></strong><strong> </strong>vs Nia Jaxx </p><p>

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Naomi</span></strong> vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya </p><p>

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Kevin Owens</span></strong><strong> </strong></p><p>

* Intercontinental Championship: <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Dean Ambrose</span></strong> © vs Baron Corbin </p><p>

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Sheamus and Cesaro</span></strong></p><p>

* <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Roman Reigns</span></strong> vs Undertaker </p><p>

* Mixed Tag Team Match: <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">John Cena and Nikki Bella</span></strong> vs The Miz and Maryse </p><p>

* Non-Sanctioned Match: <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Seth Rollins</span></strong> vs Triple H </p><p>

* <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">AJ Styles</span></strong> vs Shane McMahon </p><p>

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Austin Aries</span></strong><strong> </strong></p><p>

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Braun Strowman</span></strong></p>

[K-Nection]

<p>* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs <strong>Brock Lesnar</strong></p><p>

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs <strong>Randy Orton</strong></p><p>

* RAW Women’s Championship: <strong>Bayley ©</strong> vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx</p><p>

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs Naomi vs Carmella vs <strong>Becky Lynch</strong> vs Mickie James vs Natalya</p><p>

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs <strong>Kevin Owens</strong></p><p>

* Intercontinental Championship: <strong>Dean Ambrose ©</strong> vs Baron Corbin</p><p>

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs <strong>Enzo Amore and Big Cass</strong> vs Sheamus and Cesaro</p><p>

* <strong>Roman Reigns</strong> vs Undertaker</p><p>

* Mixed Tag Team Match: John Cena and Nikki Bella vs <strong>The Miz and Maryse</strong></p><p>

* Non-Sanctioned Match: <strong>Seth Rollins</strong> vs Triple H</p><p>

* <strong>AJ Styles</strong> vs Shane McMahon</p><p>

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs <strong>Austin Aries</strong></p><p>

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal <strong>Have no clue lol</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Disclaimer....I haven't watched the main shows since a month after the brand split. This is me shooting from the hip</p>

[Psycho Sam]

<p>* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs <strong>Brock Lesnar</strong></p><p>

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs <strong>Randy Orton</strong></p><p>

* RAW Women’s Championship: <strong>Bayley ©</strong> vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx </p><p>

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs <strong>Naomi</strong> vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya </p><p>

* United States Championship: <strong>Chris Jericho ©</strong> vs Kevin Owens </p><p>

* Intercontinental Championship: <strong>Dean Ambrose ©</strong> vs Baron Corbin </p><p>

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs <strong>Enzo Amore and Big Cass</strong> vs Sheamus and Cesaro</p><p>

* <strong>Roman Reigns</strong> vs Undertaker </p><p>

* Mixed Tag Team Match: <strong>John Cena and Nikki Bella</strong> vs The Miz and Maryse </p><p>

* Non-Sanctioned Match: <strong>Seth Rollins</strong> vs Triple H </p><p>

* AJ Styles <strong>vs</strong> Shane McMahon </p><p>

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship:<strong> Neville ©</strong> vs Austin Aries </p><p>

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: <strong>Braun Strowman</strong></p>

[Warhawk8492]

<p>* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs <strong>Brock Lesnar</strong></p><p>

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs <strong>Randy Orton</strong></p><p>

* RAW Women’s Championship: <strong>Bayley ©</strong> vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx</p><p>

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs <strong>Naomi</strong> vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya</p><p>

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs <strong>Kevin Owens</strong></p><p>

* Intercontinental Championship: <strong>Dean Ambrose ©</strong> vs Baron Corbin</p><p>

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs <strong>Enzo Amore and Big Cass</strong> vs Sheamus and Cesaro</p><p>

* Roman Reigns vs <strong>Undertaker</strong></p><p>

* Mixed Tag Team Match: <strong>John Cena and Nikki Bella</strong> vs The Miz and Maryse</p><p>

* Non-Sanctioned Match: <strong>Seth Rollins</strong> vs Triple H</p><p>

* <strong>AJ Styles</strong> vs Shane McMahon</p><p>

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs <strong>Austin Aries</strong></p><p>

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Braun Strowman</p>

[Blackman]

<p>* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs <strong>Brock Lesnar</strong></p><p>

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs <strong>Randy Orton</strong></p><p>

* RAW Women’s Championship: <strong>Bayley ©</strong> vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx</p><p>

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs <strong>Naomi</strong> vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya</p><p>

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs <strong>Kevin Owens</strong></p><p>

* Intercontinental Championship: <strong>Dean Ambrose ©</strong> vs Baron Corbin</p><p>

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs <strong>Enzo Amore and Big Cass</strong> vs Sheamus and Cesaro</p><p>

* Roman Reigns vs <strong>Undertaker</strong></p><p>

* Mixed Tag Team Match: <strong>John Cena and Nikki Bella</strong> vs The Miz and Maryse</p><p>

* Non-Sanctioned Match: <strong>Seth Rollins</strong> vs Triple H</p><p>

* <strong>AJ Styles</strong> vs Shane McMahon</p><p>

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs <strong>Austin Aries</strong></p><p>

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Braun Strowman</p><p> </p><p>

Blatant copy-paste from Warhawk. Many of these are obvious. Doubtful on Undertaker, but I just hope that's insanity speaking. I would laugh hysterically if it happens. They might also stall Enzo&Cass' win to another PPV. As it stands, there will already be enough babyface pops.</p>

[milamber]

<p>* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs <strong>Brock Lesnar</strong></p><p>

* WWE Championship: <strong>Bray Wyatt ©</strong> vs Randy Orton</p><p>

* RAW Women’s Championship: <strong>Bayley</strong> © vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx</p><p>

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs <strong>Naomi</strong> vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya</p><p>

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs <strong>Kevin Owens</strong></p><p>

* Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose © vs <strong>Baron Corbin</strong></p><p>

* RAW Tag Team Championship: <strong>Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson©</strong> vs Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs Sheamus and Cesaro</p><p>

* Roman Reigns vs Undertaker</p><p>

* Mixed Tag Team Match: John Cena and Nikki Bella vs <strong>The Miz and Maryse</strong></p><p>

* Non-Sanctioned Match: <strong>Seth Rollins</strong> vs Triple H</p><p>

* <strong>AJ Styles </strong>vs Shane McMahon</p><p>

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs<strong> Austin Aries</strong></p><p>

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: <strong>Braun Strowman</strong></p>

[codey_v2]

<p>* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs <strong>Brock Lesnar</strong></p><p>

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs <strong>Randy Orton</strong></p><p>

* RAW Women’s Championship: <strong>Bayley ©</strong> vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx</p><p>

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs <strong>Naomi</strong> vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya</p><p>

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs <strong>Kevin Owens</strong></p><p>

* Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose © vs <strong>Baron Corbin</strong></p><p>

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs <strong>Enzo Amore and Big Cass</strong> vs Sheamus and Cesaro</p><p>

* Roman Reigns vs <strong>Undertaker</strong></p><p>

* Mixed Tag Team Match: <strong>John Cena and Nikki Bella</strong> vs The Miz and Maryse</p><p>

* Non-Sanctioned Match: <strong>Seth Rollins</strong> vs Triple H</p><p>

* <strong>AJ Styles</strong> vs Shane McMahon</p><p>

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs <strong>Austin Aries</strong></p><p>

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: <strong>Braun Strowman</strong></p><p> </p><p>

At first I was thinking it was too predictable, but as I went down the list I saw a bunch that I just wasn't too sure about.</p>

[Russelrules44]

<p>* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs <strong>Brock Lesnar</strong></p><p><strong>

</strong>* WWE Championship: <strong>Bray Wyatt ©</strong> vs Randy Orton</p><p>

* RAW Women’s Championship: Bayley © vs <strong>Sasha Banks </strong>vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx</p><p>

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs <strong>Naomi</strong> vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya</p><p>

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs <strong>Kevin Owens</strong></p><p><strong>

</strong>* Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose © vs <strong>Baron Corbin</strong></p><p><strong>

</strong>* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs <strong>Enzo Amore and Big Cass </strong>vs Sheamus and Cesaro</p><p>

* <strong>Roman Reigns</strong> vs Undertaker</p><p>

* Mixed Tag Team Match: <strong>John Cena and Nikki Bella</strong> vs The Miz and Maryse</p><p>

* Non-Sanctioned Match: <strong>Seth Rollins </strong>vs Triple H</p><p>

* <strong>AJ Styles</strong> vs Shane McMahon</p><p>

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs <strong>Austin Aries</strong></p><p><strong>

</strong>* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Braun Strowman. Because everyone else says so.</p>

[Rickymex]

<p>* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs<strong> Brock Lesnar</strong></p><p>

* WWE Championship: <strong>Bray Wyatt ©</strong> vs Randy Orton</p><p>

* RAW Women’s Championship: Bayley © vs <strong>Sasha Banks</strong> vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx</p><p>

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs <strong>Naomi </strong>vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya</p><p>

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs <strong>Kevin Owens</strong></p><p>

* Intercontinental Championship: <strong>Dean Ambrose © </strong>vs Baron Corbin</p><p>

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs <strong>Enzo Amore and Big Cass </strong>vs Sheamus and Cesaro</p><p>

* Roman Reigns vs<strong> Undertaker</strong></p><p>

* Mixed Tag Team Match: <strong>John Cena and Nikki Bella</strong> vs The Miz and Maryse</p><p>

* Non-Sanctioned Match: <strong>Seth Rollins</strong> vs Triple H</p><p>

* <strong>AJ Styles</strong> vs Shane McMahon</p><p>

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: <strong>Neville © </strong>vs Austin Aries</p><p>

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: <strong>Braun Strowman</strong></p>

[Derek B]

* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs Brock Lesnar

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs Randy Orton

* RAW Women’s Championship: Bayley © vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs Naomi vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs Kevin Owens

* Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose © vs Baron Corbin

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs Sheamus and Cesaro

* Roman Reigns vs Undertaker

* Mixed Tag Team Match: John Cena and Nikki Bella vs The Miz and Maryse

* Non-Sanctioned Match: Seth Rollins vs Triple H

* AJ Styles vs Shane McMahon

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs Austin Aries

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Sami Zayn

 

I'm deliberately not putting too much thought into this... mostly this is me going with my heart and assuming the WWE will listen to that

[Blackman]

<p>At first I also thought it was predictable, but I'm less sure now. Look at Wyatt vs Orton: to keep Wyatt's gimmick alive, he basically has to win. The gimmick is still popular so they can't just drop him to Orton, who is already monumentally over. Neville vs Aries is another thing. Maybe I'm not paying much attention, but Neville should keep his title a little longer maybe?</p><p> </p><p>

I really don't see Miz & Maryse winning this. Hopefully it'll be over quick and we don't get Cena proposing to Nikki to make it more corny. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[shawn michaels]

At first I also thought it was predictable, but I'm less sure now. Look at Wyatt vs Orton: to keep Wyatt's gimmick alive, he basically has to win. The gimmick is still popular so they can't just drop him to Orton, who is already monumentally over. Neville vs Aries is another thing. Maybe I'm not paying much attention, but Neville should keep his title a little longer maybe?

 

I really don't see Miz & Maryse winning this. Hopefully it'll be over quick and we don't get Cena proposing to Nikki to make it more corny.

 

They never really cared about Wyatt's gimmick being established, why start now? And I think they're gonna push Randy hard now, due to Cena being with one foot out of the door eventually. I wouldn't be surprised if they hotshot the title to Aries, as they have done a lot lately, with some of their lower and mid tier titles. And i doubt the Miz wins. Even so, in a plethora of matches, there is only 1 or 2 that cause serious doubts. Out of the blue, the only match that is really uncertain right now is the Raw women's one. Sure, there are a couple more that constitute doubt and can be a surprise, but not serious doubt, at least right now.

 

I'm in for the ride because Goldberg Vs. Lesnar has the star power to draw, even if we all know it's gonna suck and there are a couple more matches that interest me...and it's Wrestlemania.

[Questlove]

* WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg © vs Brock Lesnar

* WWE Championship: Bray Wyatt © vs Randy Orton

* RAW Women’s Championship: Bayley © vs Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jaxx

* Smackdown Women’s Championship : Alexa Bliss © vs Naomi vs Carmella vs Becky Lynch vs Mickie James vs Natalya

* United States Championship: Chris Jericho © vs Kevin Owens

* Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose © vs Baron Corbin

* RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson © vs Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs Sheamus and Cesaro

* Roman Reigns vs Undertaker

* Mixed Tag Team Match: John Cena and Nikki Bella vs The Miz and Maryse

* Non-Sanctioned Match: Seth Rollins vs Triple H

* AJ Styles vs Shane McMahon

* WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Neville © vs Austin Aries

* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Braun Strowman

 

Have a sneaky feeling Jericho will beat Owens regardless of what the last segment they had on Raw would suggest, but I'll go with the logical choice anyway

 

Also, fantasy prediction: since the ARMBAR has 32 confirmed entrants, The Usos will get pulled for an impromptu match with the Hardys

[Hive]

Absurdly dull WrestleMania card. Only interesting match is the cruiserweight match. AJ Styles deserves a better opponent and Reigns going over a crippled Undertaker will not be something anyone except for Vince McMahon will enjoy watching.

[milamber]

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">NXT Takeover Review (in white text below):</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Mixed Tag</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> - Typically fun NXT tag match where everyone got over. I'm pleasantly surprised Sanity won. With so many stars involved in this feud there's a lot more they can do yet.</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Almas vs Black</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> - Solid match. I expected a little more but it's early days for Black.</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Revival vs DIY vs Authors of Pain</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> - MOTY Contender. That was the 3 best-booked tag teams in WWE putting on a clinic. I was marking out along with the crowd. Judging by the result, DIY and Revival should be called up in the next draft.</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Ember Moon vs Asuka</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> - Good match. I was 50/50 going in on who should win but now I really want Ember to take the title after Asuka's turn so job well done getting me invested in the feud.</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Nakamura vs Roode</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> - Great match. After a slow start I was thoroughly engaged.</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong>Verdict:</strong></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Better in reality than it looked on paper. The 3 title matches delivered, IMO.</span></p>

[Blackman]

The HoF show was a nice watch. I always get emotional during these.

[Mootinie]

<p>Few TakeOver thoughts:</p><p> </p><p>

- Why take No Way Jose out the opening match if that's all you're going to do with Ohno? His only memorable spot was the elbow at the start. Otherwise his presence made no difference. The jury is still out, losing to Roode and being just a guy in a eight-person tag isn't going to do him any favours.</p><p> </p><p>

- This being Ruby Riot's in ring debut was senseless. Her offence isn't remotely established yet but her tangles with Nikki Storm seemed placed so as to try and blow the roof off the building. That was over-ambitious on their part and it couldn't have fallen flatter.</p><p> </p><p>

- Strong performances from Roddy and Tye, both deserve better than losing to a Sanity act that's come right out of the TNA 2013 playbook. Commenators shill 'the numbers game' because that's definitely cutting edge wrestling booking in 2017. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/rolleyes.png.4b097f4fbbe99ce5bcd5efbc1b773ed6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

- Tommy End looked decent but probably should have faced a proper enhancement talent, not a spectacular luchadore that went out there and out-performed him. Andrade Almas is, for my money, the best singles wrestler in NXT. </p><p> </p><p>

- I have nothing to say about the tag match apart from that it was fantastic. I have no idea how a NXT Tag Team Title match hasn't headlined a TakeOver yet. Maybe it's because there isn't a tag team revolution in sports right now? It does seem like this division's best days may well be behind it and we'll go back to matches of similar quality to the old Lucha Dragons vs. Ascension matches now.</p><p> </p><p>

- Asuka vs. Ember Moon started fantastic, then started to lack in quality more and more as it went on. Ember still seems hardly the finished article, it doesn't seem like her key moves are over yet and her character motivations are still vague and tropey. The character development of Asuka is something else though, it's been a long-term story and I'm glad to see all the little nuances are adding up now.</p><p> </p><p>

- I'm not watching Roode vs. Nakamura because I don't care. I haven't cared about the NXT title since Kevin Owens dropped it and the by the numbers build to this did nothing for me. I can do far more productive things with thirty minutes than to watch this rubbish (ie. new Rick and Morty, watch the New Japan Cup, continue watching Attack on Titan, play a few games of FIFA). I'm sure it was probably an OK wrestling match.</p>

[jwt13]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hive" data-cite="Hive" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Absurdly dull WrestleMania card. Only interesting match is the cruiserweight match. AJ Styles deserves a better opponent and Reigns going over a crippled Undertaker will not be something anyone except for Vince McMahon will enjoy watching.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I disagree, Roman will pull a good match out of Taker. I know Taker is hurt but Roman always lives up to big match hype and has become one of the go to guys for a MOTN on any PPV card.</p><p> </p><p> AJ Vs Styles is in WWE's mind one of the biggest matches and shows how much they believe in AJ.</p><p> </p><p> Bray Vs Randy should be good this time around, as should Miz/Maryse vs Cena/Bella the build up has been great.</p><p> </p><p> The build for the show in general hasn't been great but I think we will be surprised.</p>