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

[Macca316]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I enjoyed the match and it’s the most I’ve ever enjoyed O’reilly. I’ve disliked him for years. Roddy and Fish I love. Cole is a Shawn Michaels bobble head and O’reilly is a knob.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> That's fair enough, and sorry if i came across like a d*** wasn't my intention, obviously view points are subjective.</p>

[Jaysin]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Macca316" data-cite="Macca316" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>That's fair enough, and sorry if i came across like a d*** wasn't my intention, obviously view points are subjective.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> No worries. O'Reilly is one of the few workers I just genuinely don't understand why people like. Usually even if I don't like someone, I could see why, just not him.</p><p> </p><p> Nothing against anyone who likes him, I just don't. <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[milamber]

<p><strong>Undisputed Era © vs Lorcan & Burch</strong> - Great tag match. Lorcan was the MVP. **** 1/2</p><p>

<strong>Dream vs Ricochet</strong> - Awesome match. Perfect combination of storytelling and crowd-pleasing spots. Dream's Prince Puma / Hulk Hogan mashup gear was fantastic. Shame he had to lose again. **** 3/4</p><p>

<strong>Cross vs Baszler ©</strong> - Fun match thanks to Nikki. ***</p><p>

<strong>Sullivan vs Black ©</strong> - Good match aside from the Black Mass botch. Lars stepped up. *** 3/4</p><p>

<strong>Gargano vs Ciampa</strong> - Awesome match and a masterclass in storytelling. Extremely hardcore by WWE standards which shows how much faith they have in these guys. Ciampa vs Black needs to main event Takeover: Brooklyn. *****</p>

[Uncrewed]

So I was there live at NXT Takeover: Chicago, so here are my notes:

 

PRE-SHOW (Two matches taped for NXT on Wednesday, Highlight at your own risk!:

 

War Raiders vs The Mighty: War Raiders were super over, Mighty got some good heat. Good match, War Raiders won.: ***

 

Dakota Kai vs Bianca Belair: Belair was really over, Dakota not so much, save for me. Meh match, Belair wins with her inverted Burning Hammer thing: **

 

MAIN SHOW:

 

Undisputed Era vs Oney & Burch: Great match, TUE were the most over people of the night. The crowd was on fire by the end of it. Great ending too.: ****1/2

 

Ricochet vs Velveteen Dream: Crowd loved both men. Ricochet is a sight to behold live. Great match between two great wrestlers: ****

 

Shayna Bazler © vs Nikki Cross- NXT Women's Championship: Cross was really over, Bazler got some good heat. You may have noticed a weird pop near the beginning of the match for no reason. Well, that's because they turned on the overhead video screen for people to see the match on there (It was off at the beginning for some reason). Decent match, good ending.: ***

 

Aleister Black © vs Lars Sullivan- NXT World Championship: Black was over as all hell, while Sullivan got some great heat. I think some people were even singing Black's theme. Either way, good match, save for that botch near the end.: ***3/4

 

Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa- Chicago Street Fight: Holy hell, what an amazing match. It started off kind of slow, but near the middle, it got amazing. Ciampa dragging Gargano up the ramp and throwing him into the screen was great. Gargano sending Ciampa through the table then was extraordinary. Gargano going mental near the end of the match was also a sight to behold. Ciampa's surprise DDT really caught the crowd offhand too. A lot of "F*** You Ciampa" chants, but also a surprising amount of "Psycho Killer" chants. Either way, amazing match, can't wait until Brooklyn.: *****

 

Overall: ****

[milamber]

<p><strong>MITB</strong></p><p> </p><p>

- Bryan carried Cass to the best singles match of his career but Cass is still better at cutting promos than wrestling</p><p>

- Can't blame Lashley for wanting WWE money but at least Impact booked him well. Should have bought him back as a heel and had him challenge Lesnar.</p><p>

- I usually fast-forward Elias matches but he looked good against Rollins.</p><p>

- Reigns/Jinder was a stupid pairing that deserved a terrible reaction</p><p>

- Nice to see Ellsworth even though it was spoiled. But he just stood on the apron and didn't get physical so it made Asuka look like a dumbass.</p><p>

- Nakamura/Styles was their best yet. I wanted Nakamura to win but hopefully we get Styles vs Joe at SummerSlam.</p><p>

- Ronda vs Jax was great. Ronda's selling was impressive and she busted out some unexpected offense. Bliss cashing in was a shock so soon but it was perfectly done. I thought Natalya would screw over Ronda. I guess that's on the backburner until Ronda beats Bliss for the title at SummerSlam.</p><p>

- Both MITB matches were good. Owens had the bump of the night. I picked Bliss and Miz to win. Bliss was a safe choice so Braun winning was cool even if he didn't really need it.</p>

[dvdWarrior]

<p>For me, Ciampa vs. Gargano was hands down the match of the weekend. Loved that match, LOVED that match!</p><p> </p><p>

As for Money In The Bank... Alexa Bliss was the highlight for me. She's one of my favorites in the women's division, quite possibly my top favorite since AJ Lee, (I'd have to ponder that issue a bit). I very much enjoyed seeing her cash in and win the championship. </p><p> </p><p>

I was also hoping Elias would come away with the IC championship. He's becoming one of my favorites each and every week, I love hearing him tear into a crowd week after week, always gives me a chuckle.</p><p> </p><p>

For some reason, I found myself rooting against Braun Strowman in the men''s ladder match. Don't get me wrong, I like him... guess I was just hoping for someone else here. I know I was hoping Samoa Joe would win, but I had doubts that it would happen. I was also very supportive of The Miz, one of my favorites.</p><p> </p><p>

What happened to Wyatt/Hardy vs. B Team? Could have sworn that was supposed to be on the show.</p>

[shawn michaels]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="dvdWarrior" data-cite="dvdWarrior" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>For me, Ciampa vs. Gargano was hands down the match of the weekend. Loved that match, LOVED that match!<p> </p><p> As for Money In The Bank... Alexa Bliss was the highlight for me. She's one of my favorites in the women's division, quite possibly my top favorite since AJ Lee, (I'd have to ponder that issue a bit). I very much enjoyed seeing her cash in and win the championship. </p><p> </p><p> I was also hoping Elias would come away with the IC championship. He's becoming one of my favorites each and every week, I love hearing him tear into a crowd week after week, always gives me a chuckle.</p><p> </p><p> For some reason, I found myself rooting against Braun Strowman in the men''s ladder match. Don't get me wrong, I like him... guess I was just hoping for someone else here. I know I was hoping Samoa Joe would win, but I had doubts that it would happen. I was also very supportive of The Miz, one of my favorites.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>What happened to Wyatt/Hardy vs. B Team? </strong> Could have sworn that was supposed to be on the show.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Cut due to time constraints. The PPV went too long. 45 mins past the planned airing time. It was a good PPV, probably the best that WWE has put on this year, considering the lackluster competition, but I'm disappointed that Braun won the MITB. He doesn't need it and I think it would have been perfect for The Miz.</p>

[Jaysin]

The AJ Styles character is an idiot for not wearing a cup.

[milamber]

<p>Bliss spoiled MITB LOL.</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="ZVKL58.gif" data-src="https://j.gifs.com/ZVKL58.gif" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Blackman]

<p>That's what I meant pages ago: no frills, just blatantly interrupt a title match by smashing case into face. That's all you need. Bliss cashing in was a nice surprise, but it's hard to see what direction they go from here. Ronda vs Nia is kind of done now unfortunately. Could've been a nice match given how the submission angle on Nia worked in the past in NXT (they did the exacy guillotine spot). Rousey vs Bliss seems... interesting.</p><p> </p><p>

The rest of the card was ok though I obviously skipped the Reigns match and also the Elias match for fear of falling asleep at the end of the card.</p><p> </p><p>

We were just laughing at how great it would be to have the first women's MitB winner to return to win it again, and there he was (but in a different, and imo stupid, role). How do you legitimize Asuka being so perplexed at the Ellsworth "cosplay"? He was just standing there... An in-character Asuka should've just ignored him as he's no threat. <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>

And that's why I don't like these gimmick matches lately: they make no sense, even in the WWE universe. Why didn't Nakamura hit AJ in the balls more often and sooner?</p>

[milamber]

<p>Ronda is being booked like a star. If only Vince and the creative team paid that much attention to the booking of all the roster and not just a select few then Raw and Smackdown would be the best wrestling shows in the world.</p><p> </p><p>

Bo cosplaying as Bray was one of the funniest segments all year.</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="voMEr5.gif" data-src="https://j.gifs.com/voMEr5.gif" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[milamber]

Big Cass fired. Too much heat backstage.

[Questlove]

And nothing of value was lost

[Blake Trask]

<p>The Rhonda/Bliss segment was great.</p><p> </p><p>

There was this slight weirdness with Kurt when she was hitting him with the briefcase though, he just didn't seem to be selling it very much.</p>

[milamber]

<img alt="tumblr_inline_nrebokh1Mu1r4neiz_500.gif" data-src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/fde2b3856d52f5935dc64c3137a38dbf/tumblr_inline_nrebokh1Mu1r4neiz_500.gif" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[James Casey]

<p>I was at the second night of the UK Championship Tournament last night. Great night, very loud crowd, lots of duelling chants - a particualrly striking one in the main event...</p><p> </p><p>

The two nights will be shown on the Network next week, but title match results in white text below:</p><p> </p><p>

<span style="color:#FFFFFF;">Pete Dunne def. Zack Gibson to retain the WWE UK title in a massively popular outcome</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

Shayna Baszler def. Toni Storm to retain the NXT Women's title by countout (Baszler applied the Kirifuda Clutch, Storm made the ropes to force the break and bailed to the outside, Baszler reapplied it to make her pass out on the floor)</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

Adam Cole def. Wolfgang to retain the NXT North American title</span></p><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">

And, in the opening match, Mustache Mountain (Tyler Bate + Trent Severn) def. Undisputed Era for the NXT tag titles! This got a huge reaction and was a really well done match. MM had a huge celebration afterwards that probably added 10 minutes to the show time (it didn't seem like other matches were rushed afterwards - good job it wasn't being shown live, I guess) and they came into the crowd to pose with fans etc. A great moment to see live!</span></p><p> </p><p>

It was a fantastic show, and I had a great spot on the floor. My first live WWE show in over two years (Takeover London) and the news that we're getting NXTUK in the next few months is encouraging - hopefully there'll even be shows in my hometown sometime, as we have a fairly strong local scene and a good venue.</p>

[Hashasheen]

You reckon they'll give NXTUK their own Takeovers or just merge them with the USA ones?

[James Casey]

<p>I suspect that there'll be one or two a year, once the brand becomes established. However, that'll likely take a while: It was 20 months from NXT's launch as such until Arrival, and while I doubt it'll be that long for UKNXT, I wouldn't expect there to be anything for the first several months at least, and possibly longer.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

There's information about the tapings <a href="https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2018/6/18/17476524/triple-h-announces-tapings-new-titles-nxt-uk-no-broadcast-details" rel="external nofollow">here</a>, and it doesn't seem there's plans in there for any live events. That could change (this week's shows were only announced about 6 weeks ago), but even though the UK scene is pretty good right now, I don't think it has enough of a casual audience to bring in big crowds straight away.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Six weeks to the first tapings... Well, maybe I'll have to give them a look!</p>

[BHK1978]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Bo cosplaying as Bray was one of the funniest segments all year.<p> </p><p> <img alt="voMEr5.gif" data-src="https://j.gifs.com/voMEr5.gif" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Normally I find segments like that to be very corny, but you are right the B Team did a great job in that segment. Bo did a spot on impersonation of his brother and Curtis Axel (I still cringe at that name, just call him Joe Hennig) was very good as Matt Hardy. Top notch stuff there.</p>

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="BHK1978" data-cite="BHK1978" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Normally I find segments like that to be very corny, but you are right the B Team did a great job in that segment. Bo did a spot on impersonation of his brother and Curtis Axel (I still cringe at that name, just call him Joe Hennig) was very good as Matt Hardy. Top notch stuff there.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Axel looked more like Raven than Matt LOL.</p>

[milamber]

<p>The UK Show should start off much better quality-wise than 205 Live did.</p><p> </p><p>

- Most of the UK guys have wrestled each other before</p><p>

- The Women's division will add variety that 205 Live lacks</p><p>

- They will have a tag title to fight over</p><p>

- Taping in advance and eventuallly building to a big show every 3-4 months like NXT they have the chance to build good long term stories</p><p>

- It will be filmed in front of a UK crowd instead of a post-Smackdown crowd</p><p>

- They won't be forced to wrestle the WWE style like 205 Live was in the beginning</p><p>

- They can talent-share with NXT</p>

[milamber]

<p>All of the 1st Round UK Tournament matches in a single video. All worth watching but Gulak vs Gallagher was my favorite.</p><p> </p><p>

EDITED BY MOD: Copyrighted material</p>

[milamber]

<p>Day One of the UK Tournament was strong. All of the tournament matches were solid to good. The final was great. Shame the women's match was short (it was supposed to be a fatal fourway before Jinny got injured). British Strong Style vs Undisputed Era was my MOTN. Royal Albert Hall is a cool wrestling venue.</p><p> </p><p> Day Two should be even better:</p><p> </p><p> Black & Ricochet vs Dream & EC3</p><p> Cole vs Wolfgang (NXT North American Title)</p><p> Moustache Mountain vs Undisputed Era (NXT Tag Ttitles)</p><p> </p><div class="ipsSpoiler" data-ipsspoiler=""><div class="ipsSpoiler_header"><span></span></div><div class="ipsSpoiler_contents"><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">Toni</span></p></div></div><p> vs Shayna (NXT Womens Title)</p><p> </p><div class="ipsSpoiler" data-ipsspoiler=""><div class="ipsSpoiler_header"><span></span></div><div class="ipsSpoiler_contents"><p><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">Gibson</span></p></div></div><p> vs Dunne (UK Title)</p>

[Derek B]

Day 2 should be great, that's a great looking card already and some of those matches should deliver big time. And I hope I'm not the only one thinking that the British Strong Style trio vs The Shield would be one of the greatest matches ever... and even greater if it were held in the UK.

[milamber]

<p><strong>Moustache Mountain vs Undisputed Era ©</strong> - Great match</p><p>

<strong>Kelly vs Morgan</strong> - Solid match but their chemistry was lacking</p><p>

<strong>Andrews vs Banks vs Webster vs Dar</strong> - Good match. Dar looks ripped.</p><p>

<strong>Wolfgang vs Cole ©</strong> - Solid match</p><p>

<strong>Dream & EC3 vs Ricochet & Black</strong> - Good match</p><p>

<strong>Storm vs Baszler ©</strong> - Great match. Shayna keeps improving.</p><p>

<strong>Gibson vs Dunne ©</strong> - Match of the Tournament</p>