Elimination Chamber 2015: RIP Rusev, in our hearts for 6-10 weeks

DIS-AP-POINTED

Despite the fact I should probably NOT CARE AT ALL ABOUT THIS ENTIRE EVENT BECAUSE OF RUSEV'S FUCKING INJURY, I still did, and looked forward to both chamber matches as well as Owens vs. Cena.

I won't say I was let down but my expectations weren't met at all in any capacity. Though, that's more of me having such expectations. The event was pretty average overall. And it seems like it was thrown together relatively quickly, and the Intercontinental Championship chamber was at a loss because of Rusev's very recent injury.

LUCHA DRAGONS vs. THE ASScension vs. TYSON KIDD & CESARO

vs. LOS MATADORES vs. PRIME TIME PLAYERS vs. THE NEW DAY (c)

Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

'bretty gud'

I've always wanted to see a tag team match in the elimination chamber, but I never thought they'd go all out and put six tag teams in. I always thought it would be four tag teams, with one guy from each team starting the match off and the other guy in each of the other pods. Instead of that, we get six tag teams crowding up the place.

For what it was, it was pretty good though. When I saw that The ASScension and Los Matadores were in the match my expectations went from good to average, so if the match was good with them in it I guess it exceeded my expectations.

There's no doubt the match could have been so much better if they didn't completely gimp Kalisto in the entire match. Keeping him grounded on the pod roof for like three minutes was probably the worst thing not to do with Konnor or Los Matadores in the whole match, even though I really do think Konnor was meant to take a Swanton from Kalisto mid-match but was too close to the corner for him to safely do it.

Unfortunately there weren't many spots in this match at all, but Titus did get his big goofy head in the chains which has been done umpteen times before, but because it was Titus' first time it was pretty awesome.

The right guys WON, at least. New Day are crazy over and I really hope their reign goes for a while longer.

PAIGE vs. NAOMI vs. NIKKI BELLA (c)

Triple Threat match for the WWE Divas Championship

'literally SKIPPED'

KEVIN OWENS vs. JOHN CENA

Champion vs. Champion match

'bretty gud'

Maybe it takes me a while to get used to the dramatic things that happen when Owens is involved - I mean it took me a pretty long time to actually like the guy and now I rate him among my top three favourite guys right now - but I really think this match was kinda silly.

A solid debut for Owens, but I don't think this was even a debut. What is he doing exactly? He's the NXT Champion and he wins against a former fifteen time World Champion, but past that, he's still technically not even on the main roster? It's confusing that they'd let Owens be victorious over Cena in such a match when guys like Neville or Zayn can't be. I like Owens, I like the other two as well, but I don't understand the logic behind letting a guy currently in the apparent/supposed developmental system beat the ten year face of the company in a big match, when a guy who WAS in the apparent/supposed developmental system can't beat him, and neither can a guy who HAS BEEN in the apparent/supposed developmental system for way too long can't either.

The ending was bittersweet, no doubt. I'm glad he won, but I don't understand it.

During the match though, I did mark heavy for Owens pulling out the big guns. That moonsault was fucking insane, probably the spot of the night regardless of the match. Even if he has done more crazy shit in the past, that was incredible for a WWE standard. I used to think Zayn jumping from the second to top rope for the crossbody was awesome, but that's tame AND lame in comparison. Owens wins by a mile yet again.

MITB rematch is blurgh though. Cena probably going to get his win back like he did Wyatt and Rusev.

... Fat guy curse?

NEVILLE vs. BO DALLAS

to continue the NXT push of talents

'passable'

It'd be silly to expect a good match out of Bo Dallas at any point of his career, let alone a great one, but this is probably one of his better matches on the main roster, despite the fact I remember almost nothing about it.

The pre-match promo from Bo seemed a bit unusually dark, I hope he doesn't change into a more 'serious' character because he definitely can't pull it off as well as he's pulling off the current character of 'comedy jobber', which by itself could have a good US or IC Championship run.

As for Neville, having matches like these are a waste of his time. In fact, I'd consider these short, pointless matches in which he'd obviously win to be a hindrance if anything. Over-exposing a guy who relies on moves like Neville's to get over with the fans is probably one of the silliest things they could do. Why waste his Red Arrow, which eventually will be boring to the masses, on a match with Bo?

KING BARRETT vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. R-TRUTH

vs. MARK HENRY vs. RYBACK vs. SHEAMUS

Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

'weak'

Yes I was and still am incredibly disappointed that Rusev was injured prior to this match and we had to go without seeing the BULGARIAN BRUTE ravage his way through people in the chamber and possibly even win. That's a given.

But I'm also disappointed the match was obviously in shambles because of the extremely recent injury. Mark Henry taking the place was better than some alternatives but ultimately everything in the match looked like it was lost due to one person's injury, excluding Sheamus' not-entering-the-match spot.

I don't understand how a match like that gets so slow and the wrestlers involved seem so confused because one person is out of the match. It can't be that hard to speed up the pace instead of lumbering around for a long time, can it?

The beginning was fine, clearly either because Barrett and Ziggler have good chemistry and Barrett's elimination was likely booked - and everything after that, with Henry coming out, was booked with Rusev in mind - but I really can't fathom how former World Champions in Sheamus, Ziggler and Henry, as well as longstanding wrestlers in Ryback and Truth can be so confused in the middle of a match.

DEAN AMBROSE vs. SETH ROLLINS (c)

for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

'passable'

WWE have overdone this feud already, which is very, very disappointing given the fact these guys could have had such a lengthy rivalry that didn't feel as if it ran dry within the first month or two.

And the screw-about finish was so obvious that it made the match so pointless to even watch. At least for once Rollins didn't get DQed because of his Authority pals jumping in and helping, and did it himself.

Honestly nothing to even say about the match, it went through the motions, nothing was special, nothing was great, it was a let-down yet again.

NXT May 27th: Jobber Central

JOBBERS IN EVERY MATCH

(AND THE INDIE JOBBER MAIN EVENTS. WOW!)

The opening video package of the outcome of Unstoppable was a bit of a disappointment. They didn't even try to mask how much they disregarded the tag team championship match. Even Balor/Breeze got more attention and focus in the package than the tag titles match - A CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH. I suppose yet again I'm the only person who thinks that's annoyingly stupid for NXT.


So the entire show was a regular televised talent against a jobber. Except Emma, who isn't even on the NXT roster, but the main roster. Despite this, the show was pretty good. Further proving that these talent that don't come from some well-known company before they enter the WWE can actually add to the show. Even if it is minimal.


The actual show began with an Owens segment. Reminiscent of Raw with the Authority constantly opening the show with Rollins nagging for minutes, but this was much shorter and infinitely better too. Owens really is a natural and I'm glad that the absolute best guy out of all of the overly pushed ex-indie guys is actually the one being pushed the most. At least there's logic in that. Anyway, to the point of the promo, Owens completely fooled and clowned everyone. The audience, Regal, Crowe, probably even the sound guys in the back, it was great. Regal, a guy well known for his great promos and ability to think fast was stopped in his tracks more than just one time by Owens, it made it look like Regal came out with nothing to say at all. And god I don't remember anything Crowe said but he looked like nothing next to Owens. Both in stature and... well, verbally too.


Moving past that completely unexpected intervening by Crowe, the main roster talent Emma comes down to job to Bayley, BUT ACTUALLY WINS. Well done on the booking actually letting an NXT talent lose to someone who had been on the main roster again, it's like they forgot about that.
Though there's barely anything to mention about the match, I liked Bayley going for her amateur takedown and instead of using that spinny thing for the pops, she started pummelling Emma's head in. It really showed that brutality that Bayley has apparently adopted since her feud with Emma began. Dana Brooke and Charlotte facing off is inevitable. It may even be a match at the next special.


Baron Corbin with an awkward promo staring at Renee, only made more awkward with Rhyno's homo-erotic breathing and subtle hype.


The tag match was another throwaway match against jobbers, but it wasn't bad at all. Rawlis and especially Samson look pretty good aesthetically and I could see them going far if they're good in the ring too. Rawlis might need to be better at promos because he's not as champion-looking as Samson is, but they both need better names, they're such shit names. Bad, bad names.
Speaking of bad names, the tag champs had a decent showing too. I really like the vertical suplex/brainbuster to frog splash combo, it's so simple and yet so pleasing. Blake does a great frog splash and though I clearly like Murphy a lot more in the duo, Blake is pretty good himself too.


"FINN BALOR IN ACTION... NEXT!"
Thanks for telling me it was against Dillinger so I could actually care, commentary.

Dillinger had the best showing of the night overall when you consider how little people would expect from him. That short, short match went so, so fast because Dillinger kept the pace high up until that rest-hold which was completely unnecessary for resting but great in timing to slow the pace down to get that heel momentum and the obligatory face comeback for Balor. The taunt in the middle of the match was so well-timed as well. Dillinger has what Sasha and Owens have as a heel - great timing with his taunts and the ability to really control a match at an almost perfect pace the entire time. A true ring general in NXT, I hope his "Perfect 10" gimmick gets over and he gets a real opportunity soon.

Oh and I guess Balor did okay too.


...Well I can't say I was hyped (completely unintentional until I re-read what I typed) for the main event. I really care about Crowe less than I care about literally anyone else not named Mojo Rawley (who by the way I am devastated seems to be returning), but I'm kinda glad I spent the time. It wasn't horrendous but there wasn't much special about it. Owens always jumping out of the ring and baiting his opponents is a double-edged sword to me. I see how smart Owens is doing it but everyone he's against looks dumb as fuck running after him trying to get him, KNOWING they're getting tricked for him to start with the upper hand.

BUT, the match had the spot of the night. Owens yelling at a wounded Crowe (heh) laying in the middle of the ring, only to get nipped in the head by a kick from Crowe's stubby ass leg, followed by Owens stomping the shit out of him was fantastic. Little things like that are great, and Owens not only accentuates these little things but makes them so much better and entertaining. He acts so aggressively over the slightest things but is so calm otherwise.

Owens really is the star of NXT, not just now, but since the beginning too. I really think he is the absolute best wrestler they have had on the show. Better than Zayn, who I'd have put at number one ahead of virtually everyone beforehand.

NXT Unstoppable: Procrastinating more than Regal

A GREAT 80% OF A SHOW... A SOLID NUMBER, I THINK.

I'll admit I've been somewhat disinterested in wrestling overall for the last two or so months - the subpar ending to an incredibly over-hyped TakeOver: Rival and the slow weeks that followed left me disappointed with NXT, and the main roster was pretty boring before Bryan's injury announcement and Rusev losing to Cena, even if Cesaro & Kidd were on fire.

But as a TRUE FAN I still watched TakeOver: Unstoppable for more reasons than just so I can type something up about it criticising every aspect of the show, because that's all I do apparently.

So let's kick it off!

...This isn't a segway to the kick-off.

FINN BALOR vs. TYLER BREEZE

to determine the number one contender to the NXT Championship

'decent'

I'll admit, I kinda liked Tyler Breeze's entrance with the female model catch, it was different, but I didn't understand why Breeze took photos with them, I mean, isn't he meant to be the most gorgeous one? Shouldn't they want to take pics with him? Anyway, his attire was good, it reminded me of his nickname "The prince of prettyville", because of the royal red and gold colours. Nice touch, probably intended, so good on Breeze.

But the best part of the entrances and the match itself would have to have been Finn Balor's entrance again. Fin(n)ally adding something new to the mix with apropos demon/bat wings and some spikes on his back, it reignited the proverbial flame of CARING about his entrance again. Thankfully too, because it would've lost all meaning if it was the exact same look every time he came out. I really wish he wrestled in the fake dreads though.

Anyway, the match itself was nothing special. A few good spots like the double-foot-stomp to the back of Breeze on the outside, which was probably my favourite and the best part of the match overall.

But, I'm still constantly reminded that Breeze has entirely dropped his gimmick in-ring so he can impress people with his wrestling ability. Is that the point? I don't remember heels trying to impress the fans with their technical wrestling ability - their successful wrestling ability came from pushing their character through the mannerisms and specific moves in their repertoire, something Breeze did when he began with his character, and slowly lost over the months, until he completely stopped bothering. I am fairly sure Breeze went from never getting struck in the face (and if he did, it'd stun and daze him) to getting angry when he got struck in the fact, ultimately to... not caring at all. Were there reasons? I don't recall.

Considering the situation in the main event of the night, I wondered what the original point of the match was. Will Balor's number one contendership be used off of the specials again, like it was last time?

And WHY couldn't Breeze win?! One last hurrah and loss before leaving for a little while to get his character back together, or something like that.

DANA BROOKE & EMMA vs. CHARLOTTE & BAYLEY

for basically no reason whatsoever

'passable'

There's honestly not much to say about this match, it was what was expected. Charlotte and Bayley working together very suddenly though showing dissension almost all the time is probably my biggest disappointment overall. Second would be them winning. Though I'm far from a fan of Dana Brooke being on TV (I don't mind her herself though), I still think if you're gonna put someone on TV then don't make them look like shit, which is kinda what happened in this case seeing as she only debuted a few weeks beforehand.

On a side-note, when is Charlotte going up to the main roster? I don't think it's time - NXT's female division needs her - but I thought it was inevitable after the loss of her championship.

BARON CORBIN vs. RHYNO

to prove Baron Corbin isn't that bad of a wrestler

'disappointing'

Most seem to know I am, or maybe was, a vocal supporter of Baron Corbin earlier in his career. I was one of the few who was hoping he would debut 'officially' when he was still a barely-known albeit very tall jobber doing nothing but losing tag matches with Sawyer Fulton and being a part of multi-man battle royales,

The main reason I was a fan of the guy is because a tall, powerful and intimidating guy was what NXT needed at the time, and in a way, still does, even though Owens is filling the "intimidating bad guy" role pretty well. Corbin debuted not long after I was really hoping he did and it was alright, although he was a face and he grew his hair out which I thought and still think looked a lot less intimidating. I was hoping for a heel Corbin with shorter hair like he had pre-'official' debut and keeping the vest as soon as I saw it, but that didn't happen at all, but the squashes were still interesting.

At the special where he took on Dempsey and had a very very subpar match (even if not compared to stellar wrestlers that main event these shows) things looked bleak, obviously. Knowing most people would shit on a guy once they find out they can't perform to their abnormally high standard, I knew that the reaction to Corbin would abruptly turn more negative than ever, and it did.

Personally I stayed positive.

Until this match with Rhyno where he showed little to no improvement at all in the last few months, still using the same extreme lack of a moveset and looking like an idiot getting smacked around by a veteran like Rhyno, looking almost as bad winning as he would have lost. Whether that's on booking, I don't know, but he didn't impress me and my standards for a developmental talent are very fair.

I'm hoping that Corbin can return and display some kind of character if not an improvement in his wrestling ability. Some people with less or equal skill are doing a lot better than he is, so now I can agree in part with Reigns comparisons pre-Fastlane in which he seems un-ready for lengthier matches.

ENZO & BIG CASS vs. BLAKE & MURPHY (c)

for the NXT Tag Team Championship, and to show how little that title matters with the 8:50 time

'bretty gud'

Yet another short tag team championship match on an NXT special, and likely still more people complaining that the tag team champions Blake & Murphy aren't doing anything interesting or are, themselves, uninteresting. It's a sad and vicious cycle in NXT if you can't tell. Bookers don't give you time, people still think it's the performers lacking.

Anyway, the match was entertaining and a very fitting (though unfortunate) mid-card act. Enzo & Cass doing great in their roles as well as Blake & Murphy. Enzo being completely dominated in ring by two much better wrestlers with a great synergy as a team is perfect at the moment, though it'll probably run dry eventually. The NEED for Enzo to rely on Cass is fantastic as well, and making Cass out to be an incredibly dangerous SEVEN FOOT TALL MONSTER is probably the best thing going outside of the main event of NXT right now. Cass is virtually unbeatable without getting cheated or let down by Enzo, which is exactly how it should be - and exactly how it should be when they're champions too, which I hope is inevitable.

Ultimately I'm a little bit disappointed with that apparent swerve at the end with Bliss joining forces with Blake & Murphy to officially change the name of the group to "BAMF", but, eh, can't control everything I suppose. A heel Bliss is better than a face Bliss, even if no Bliss is better than any Bliss, so it's the second best option.

I'd definitely like to see Enzo & Cass climb the ranks again to get another shot at the titles, but with Enzo actually breaking through and looking a bit more like a force in the ring. Not 'strong' but just not quite as weak, where he can at least land a combo of punches or something on the opponents. Still rely on Cass to win though, that's a winning combination.

BECKY LYNCH vs. SASHA BANKS (c)

for the NXT Women's Championship, and to essentially main event the show

'fantastic'

I don't know if it's even necessary to put my thoughts into words on this match, it was great. I don't like revising on these things because I feel I always forget things, but I could probably say it was the best divas match of NXT history without feeling like I lied.

Though, with the revising I just mentioned I don't like doing, it feels as if this match was a much better submission based match than the Natalya vs. Charlotte match which was also very well received. Instead of the submissions and limb-picking being somewhat overlooked in the match and going un-sold for a fair portion of it, the entire match between Banks and Becky was consistent in the pain selling. The match even trumped Banks vs. Charlotte in the intensity department from Sasha, who was ruthless as ever in this match.

On a/the only downside of the match, it could have went longer. The listed time is about fifteen and a half minutes, and when I think about it, another two to five minutes could have made the match a whole lot better. It feels like they only got about three quarters of the way into selling their injuries, and though the end of the match was fantastic, it could have drawn on a couple of minutes before that spot. We know the pair were working eachothers' arms for the majority of the match but we never got to see what we often see in matches like this, where the injury seller is on the brink of giving up not from a submission, but just from the pain that has been inflicted during the match, but still fighting back. Becky showed a slight bit of this but never went deep enough, which definitely could have been enhanced with some more minutes.

SAMI ZAYN vs. KEVIN OWENS (c)

for the NXT Championship

'that wasn't a match'

Yea, this wasn't even a match. It should have been a count-out multiple times in the match, it's as if they botched and the ring bell went off when it never was supposed to, or something like that, because that was horribly booked for a main event match in NXT, which is often booked pretty fucking well especially with referee involvement.

Nothing to even talk about with the supposed match, it was what it was, a showing for Zayn to look like he'd not give up despite injury which is probably too much for him to actually wrestle through. The last powerbomb did look legitimately damaging given his shoulder situation (apparently anyway) though, I'll give it that.

One of the best parts of the night was the interaction between Owens and Regal though. The few moments they had together in that scrimmage was fantastic. Overshadowed by the Samoa Joe 'debut', but ultimately an amazing little quarrel which leaves so many options for continuity.

Will Regal get rid of Owens and he gets a speedy main roster call-up? Will Regal wrestle again and get his ass whipped by Owens? Will he strip Owens of the title? There are a hell of a lot more options with this.

Though, with Samoa Joe coming out, I'm really liking how Owens is being portrayed as a sympathetic, kinda likeable, but despicable heel, and getting in trouble with so many people because of it. He's feuding with Zayn and Cena on the main roster, and the tension with Regal and now Joe can be added in as likely "feuds", with the hatred between him and Riley and other commentators because of what he has done to Riley, you could consider him even hated by the entire commentary team, bar maybe one or two of them "bad commentators" (I don't pay attention to who's who any more) and ultimately Owens even being disliked strongly by Balor as well.

In a sense I dislike how he's such a focal point of the show considering how long he has been contracted by WWE and every other reason but I can't deny how fucking well he has been booked and how gripping everything he is doing on NXT is. I don't care for Kevin STEEN but Kevin Owens as a WWE performer is probably the best thing going right now, NXT or main roster. A great performer, decent promo, and so very well booked.

Samoa Joe I don't care about though. :-)

Regarding: Rusev & Lana

THE BROAD, THE BRUTE & THE BAD BOOKING

January 26th was the date of 2014s ROYAL RUMBLE. Two big things happened in that match. __ ____ left the WWE for good, and Rusev unofficially debuted on the main roster by entering at 6. He then had his first match and 'official' debut on the 7th of April and went undefeated all the way until WrestleMania 31 - almost an entire year.

It seems that at WrestleMania 31, not only did Rusev have his first completely undeserved and badly booked loss, he had his entire gimmick change throughout the coming weeks from "indestructible foreigner" to "cuckolded foreigner".

Instead of being a dominant force despite his recent losses, Rusev was said to be "more than just a brute", or something along those lines, by Lana.


WHAT DO I THINK OF THIS?

Well to put it concisely I think it's fucking ridiculous.

I already had my qualms about Cena defeating Rusev for the championship because Rusev losing to someone else would have been so much better for virtually everyone involved, and Cena then beating him two more times to make the record 1-3 out of four matches was way too much bullshit overall, but to add to that, Rusev loses his masculinity by Lana walking about essentially whoring herself out?

When I say Rusev losing to someone else would have been better, Rusev losing to Ambrose to reignite his run and end his losing streak in PPVs; or losing to Reigns to make him look better either coming out of the loss at WrestleMania, or even at WrestleMania instead of being in the main event, would have been much better choices for booking. Rusev would've lost against someone who could've used the nudge, and the championship, and he would have also been able to continue a feud that would have been fresh and interesting, and not a rehash of a portion of their career like it is Cena's.

Considering that didn't happen and Rusev still managed to look decent up until his second loss against Cena, I patiently sat expecting a swerve of some kind, but when this dirt-sheet report of Vince McMahon supposedly wanting Lana to be pushed as some Baywatch-esque "face of the divas division", I got worried.

Now, if this is a SWERVE and Lana comes back to Rusev after tricking everyone and Rusev wins the Intercontinental Championship or something like that, it's okay, I guess I haven't much to complain about, because everything gets back to what would be considered 'normal' for both of them. Despite the fact this should have been done at Extreme Rules and not Payback - where Rusev would have had three questionable endings to all three matches against Cena, leaving an opportunity down the track for a more legitimate finish to a better booked feud and match, it would have been... okay.

But to completely move one of WWE's most well booked, protected, and youngest heels in the entire main roster from an indestructible force to a literal PG cuckold is insane. To kill off Rusev for the possibility of a valet, as in, someone who literally cannot get in the ring and wrestle because of injuries, to become the supposed "face of the divas division" is more fucked up than what's obviously at first glance.

The effect of this change past Rusev is incredible as well. The concept of a non-wrestler becoming the face of an entire division has the possibility of completely killing any likelihood of it ever being a popular in-ring piece of television time ever again. And this isn't the mid-to-late nineties, Lana can't strip down a la Sable. WWE is fixed in the PG stance and there's no way it's changing just because of one blonde bombshell, no matter how much of a bombshell she is. And hell, even if it did, we all know Lana's tits aren't FUCKING FAKE so they're not as eyecatching as they'd need to be to really sell.

Anyway, I digress. The effect on the division as a whole is an incredible negative. The decent work that AJ Lee did before leaving in an attempt to get management to care about the division would have gone to complete shit, and instead of having very mediocre 6-7 minute matches like they are having now, the main roster divas will be having even less time and even less care, because the biggest draw, or just, the person who gets the most TV time, is a non-wrestler!

On top of that, the obviously great work that the NXT divas have been putting on and making fans actually enjoy the division will have gone to waste, and make it even less of a reason for an NXT diva to want to ever go on the main roster, they'd never get an opportunity at a match half the length of what they get now.

As always, the idea of one thing affects an abundance of things in professional wrestling. The gimmick change for Rusev is just plain stupid and the possibility of Lana's change to become a big draw in a division is nonsensical and damaging to almost everyone involved.


However, despite all of this, I still think Rusev has a good opportunity to continue showcasing his talent on TV. All we need now is Lana to stop overshadowing him with her figure and the fans' collective horniness so people can see his true talent and ability in the ring.

regarding... regarding wrestling

It has been two months since I've posted anything, for a couple of reasons. Thanks to whoever views this blog for any reason, it's very appreciated. As for the future of this blog, I've changed the name to something I think is a lot better and more, err, professional, because you - the reader - know I'm a very professional individual.

I may try to make this more interactive, like see if anyone would like me to watch certain matches and give my thoughts on them if they're requested on my forum account visitor wall (I'm not magic so provide a link too!). And instead of just posting my thoughts on NXT as if it's all I watch, I'll be posting my thoughts on Raw, and maybe some other shows. So if you even care, keep your eyes on THIS BLOG!

"CINCINNATI OHIOOO"

NXT's first on-the-road show, high expectations, high adrenaline, hope for a better crowd etc. Were the expectations met? Was the adrenaline... kept at a high level? Was the crowd better? (that isn't hard to do).

All PRESSING QUESTIONS.

POINTING AND BREATHING A LOT

DOES IT MAKE ME GOOD AT P-PROMOS?

(no)

KICKING OFF THE FIRST SHOW IN OHIO (HOME STATE OF THE MIZ) is good old definitely-not-struggling-to-not-be-one-dimensional Tyler Breeze, who otherwise still manages to be popular and a very decent star at the very least, versus the Rey Mysterio clone attempt #3 or so in Kalisto, who because of these comparisons is always going to be underrated by some, yet still obviously needs work in the ring.

Not a horrible match but there was nothing amazing either. The first thing that came to mind was the interesting fact WWE started off a show at the Arnold Classic thingy with a particularly short luchadore and one of the skinniest guys on the current roster. I thought it was weird but eh it's hardly important in this day and age I suppose. Nothing to scoff at, just ironic in a sense. Also completely unimportant and irrelevant. I DIGRESS.

Can't really knock the match or really complain about anything either. Really the only disappointing thing in it was, apart from Breeze getting yet another win for god knows why, Kalisto only doing a regular 450 splash as opposed to something interesting - something we haven't seen yet on the NXT roster. Just a regular 450 splash which will always be lacking in an awe factor when used by a guy whose primary aspect is his athletic lucha-libre style, and when compared to Neville's red arrow. At least it didn't finish the match though, that's good. It means it's not a finisher. Maybe it's a signature. Actually, that might be worse, because it's a high impact, big deal. It should finish matches. FUCK.

Oh GOD I can't believe I sat through nearly ten minutes of wasted time on a show that already has awfully imbalanced allotted time for talents watching these pointless promos. I do not care about what they did there. Not many people do. Typical HHH has to push his fucking Hall of Fame entrance shite that again no one really cares about. Put it on Raw, use it to amplify your fucking character on the main show. Make MORE PEOPLE, and a fanbase that ACTUALLY COULD MAYBE CARE A LITTLE BIT see it, don't waste a sixth of a show that already has time problems please. And just throw the NXT videos with the fans and stuff up on the Network or YouTube or some shit. Jeez. At least try to respect kayfabe slightly when you have a show that only goes for an hour. It's not like you're lacking filler, so you have to fill it with ego-massaging crap like that.

In all honesty who the hell could even enjoy wasting eight minutes watching some video package that should have been on wwe.com? It's cool they do this stuff with the fans and they are exceptionally successful considering NXT (formerly) being a developmental brand, but it didn't need to be there at all.

[POINTING INTENSIFIES]

Seriously what a bad promo lol.

Anyway, after that travesty of wasted time involving HHH and shoot-shit, and then that silly pointy-promo by Finn Balor, it's decided that the NXT Tag Team Champions will finally get a spot on the show!

Completely unsure what's going on with their names at the moment. I still maintain that separately they're being billed by their full names (ie Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake) but when tagging together, their tag team name is actually just their last names (ie Blake and Murphy). It seems the most logical overall to be honest, and is how it has been since they started teaming together. Team Thick was never a thing. Never.

Enzo & Cass getting a regular spot on NXT is great. I'm glad that it didn't actually take that long to finally put in more guys on regular positions than the BIG FIVE to be completely honest. It seems that Bull hasn't been prioritised for a while now and over him the tag division has been. Or at least Enzo & Cass anyway. BAM still get little time though they're the champions which needs to change. The tag team championships have never been considered a big deal and are now more pointless than a middle-of-the-show singles match. Why? The tag teams in NXT right now are fantastic.

Anyway I digress again. The match was, eh, expected from developmental talents. Cass is looking better but still a bit confused when he takes charge in the ring, as if he's plodding, unsure of what move to do next. That's probably the main thing I'd hope Cass can work on before he gets a call up with Enzo.

Will we see Murphy vs. Enzo in the coming weeks? I sure hope so.

Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss proved two particularly interesting things about NXT.

1) The divas division could possibly go to complete shit if Charlotte, Bayley AND Sasha all leave in relatively quick succession. Becky Lynch is good, obviously, yet she hasn't been able to prove that. If she can't prove it against any of those three I just mentioned - or all of them in one match - what are the chances she can prove herself against newer divas like Alexa Bliss or Dana Brooke, among others? How are those two divas going to impress anyone a la the aforementioned trinity of star divas have?

and 2) NXT is definitely able to travel around. That crowd was probably full of people that went there to actually watch NXT and do whatever else as a secondary. Big wrestling fans as noted by the chants in certain matches and the lack of a real HOMETOWN pop for Bliss.

Match was rubbish though. Feel bad for Sasha probably having to put Bliss over in the near future again even though Bliss isn't particularly good in any aspect and severely needs off-TV development time before she gets in the ring again.

Hyped for the debut of another female though.

And what is there to say about this M-M-M-M-M-MAAIIN EVENT other than "disappointment"?

Owens had a great showing of course, and I'm not going to say that Riley coming back wasn't obviously just for Owens to get over more as some evil guy or whatever, but come on. Riley just gets destroyed like that? He had barely any offence yet again. Two matches in a row with a gimmick based on UNLEASHED ANGER. It makes virtually no sense, even if the babyface in WWE matches are supposed to get their ass whipped for the majority of the match.

Owens coming out to a big pop and these travelling fans chanting "Mr Wrestling", "Kill Owens Kill", among other things, is another horrible horrible thing. Will I or others ever find solace in a respectable non-self-absorbed crowd for NXT? Is it possible for NXT heels to get over as heels without having to devolve in-ring so their "movez" don't get pops from these crowds? Is it possible for these crowds to accept heels as heels based on what they do in kayfabe at least one in a while?

As for the questions I posed...

Were the expectations met? No.

Was the adrenaline... kept at a high level? What?

Was the crowd better? Barely.

tuning into NXT... on time.

To quote BBR, "Rare footage of Oxi watching NXT on time". And holy heck I'm glad I did. This episode was pretty good overall and certainly for once catered more to WHAT I WANT THAN WHAT YOU WANT.

CERTIFIED WINNING MATCHES

BONAFIDE CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS

Opening with Enzo & Cass against the Lucha Dragons was almost a great change of pace.

I'd say it was actually a great change of pace if the tag team division wasn't treated like it lacks worth for some ungodly reason. But nonetheless, I certainly like the idea of allowing Enzo & Cass to treat even face teams (or supposed face teams I guess) like the Lucha Dragons with a bit more EDGE, instead of being some goodie-two-shoes-cookie-cutter faces that only smack-talk the bad guys.

I'll be among the first to admit that though Enzo & Cass have almost unparalleled charisma as a tag team in today's age, their ring work isn't magnificent, but, I wouldn't say it's bad. It's more than acceptable, but not near a level where they can put on any MOTY contenders even with great opponents unfortunately. That being said, they are still in the remnants of what was once developmental for a reason.

Overall the match was plodding at points and it could have been a bit faster. Enzo's not a big guy so I don't see why he doesn't have a bit more spring in his step in his matches, even if he's booked as a guy who gets his ass whipped all the time. The smack talking and cockiness at the start set the mood well though, and Cass once again coming to the aid of Enzo more than once was easily the best part of the match. First pushing him out of the way and then coming back with fortitude only a 7 foot tall man can have from birth - and not be taught - to turn the tables single-handedly for the victory was perfect. Best big-guy big boot these days btw.

Story-wise, awesome match with an awesome finish. I'm glad they're making Cass a subtle powerhouse who almost always carries Enzo to a good match, but isn't too overbooked that it's annoying.

As Carmella walks out alone (for the first time?) I'm wondering if she could hold herself on the microphone without Enzo or Cass there to back her up. I won't say she's great but she can definitely hold her own. At least it seems like she lives the character. That's a good trait, especially for Carmella, because I don't think any other females bar maybe Charlotte actually seem to live their character in NXT. Total Divas doesn't mean SHIT.

A match between two VERY NEW divas that is actually watchable is something I never thought I'd say. Carmella is decent and Bliss has improved dramatically since I remember her being on TV back when she had a little mini-feud with Sasha. The match was far from fantastic, and was definitely not something I'll remember in the coming weeks, but considering their lack of experience, the match was definitely impressive. Certainly working proof that NXT as developmental was never a problem at all, and televising developmental talent is a good idea, as well as working proof of the great training by Sara Del Rey on the divas.

Bliss vs. Sasha down the road may be a good match but Bliss really needs to improve to take on one of the greatest modern womens' wrestlers in WWE history in a match that can impress like the divas matches at every other special.

Alex Riley's promo seemed to drift off into the distance - far from the point - but I think we got the gist. If Riley has such conviction to do a promo like that even after his career almost being entirely tarnished by John FUCKFACE Cena's politicking backstage, he definitely should be given another opportunity. So I'm glad he is.

Of course with most of Riley's in-ring attempts, the match wasn't fantastic but wasn't bad either. I don't understand the point of a guy coming out with RAGE and then being locked into rest-holds for a good portion of an already short match, but it did pick up I suppose. I can't really mention anything on Riley's side because it wasn't anything special. CJ Parker however did show some proof that he should be given a proper push as more than an enhancement talent on the (now ex-) developmental show, what with his heel work during his amazing entrance and the match.

Hopefully Riley can be a legitimate opponent for Owens and actually give him some trouble instead of getting whipped like Zayn did.

P.S. I like the idea they got Riley, a legitimately big guy, to take on Owens to inevitably lose. Owens will look a lot better in my eyes - and probably to a lot more people - when he physically dominates a guy like Riley too.

P.P.S. Let CJ Parker, a somewhat legitimately big guy, take on Owens too sometime down the road or something. HE DENTED HIS ARMOUR.

For some reason, CJ Parker vs. Alex Riley didn't close the show and we have another Itami vs. Breeze match which I can't be assed watching. Maybe someone should tell me if it was any good or not and I might get around to it. I don't really care though.

Main event of the night for me was Parker vs. Riley and Riley's EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN after realising FAT KASSIUS OHNO has a family and Alex Riley, a university jock from the original NXT, has no family, and is/was stuck in a cage.