Watching NXT from the start (2012 - ???)

[Crippler]

NXT Champion: Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Champions: Blake & Murphy
NXT Woman's Champion: Sasha Banks

NXT Episode 140
March 25th, 2015
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

NXT Woman's Championship: Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks
Bliss goes for her flashy rollups to start looking for that quick win, some of the transitions look super sloppy tho. Sasha is Sasha so she's super aggressive, she pulls out the awesome bitchy heel spot where she stands on Bliss's hands just to pose and taunt her. Bliss is really bad here, as anticipating things before it happens so it doesn't come off natural and some of her flashy roll-ups don't fully connect. The match picks up once Bliss starts using her strikes and Banks starts backpedaling. Bliss's code Red gets two, she then tries the twisted bliss but Sasha grabs her arm and slams her off the top before locking in the Bank Statement for the win. **1/4

Backstage: Owens says he and Finn have a lot in common, they're both world class wrestlers. They've fought tooth and nail to get here and got here around the same time. The difference is that Finn made an impact by painting himself up like some sort of demon, while he decimated Sami Zayn and took this title in two months. To each his own, whatever works. He's looking forward to a fight tonight. He hopes he brings his demon, so he can show it won't matter. Nobody is taking this away from him or his family. Trust him.

In the woman's locker room, Emma comes over and says she hates to say she told her so, but she did. Bayley is confused, and Emma says she's being too nice. Headbands and hugs and she lost to Becky Lynch. She needs to bring the aggression and find it. Friend to friend, the NXT crowd will try and fool her. They did it to her. But they won't get her where she needs to be. Bayley says they're two different people. They're friends kinda and came from the same place sort of, but the NXT universe helped her get to where she is and gave her the opportunity. EMMA SLAPS HER DOWN TO THE GROUND AND WALKS OFF! FUCK YEAH!

Backstage: My BUSTY QUEEN IS BACK! She asks Tyler what's next, he says everyone saw him beat HIDEOUS Itami, so he wants his title shot now. Hideo comes up and says he beat him too and next week, he wants a best of three falls match. He leaves and Breeze yells that he never said yes.

DANA BROOK IS CUMING!

NXT will have a live show at WMA access and a show in San Jose.

Backstage: Devin Taylor is with Finn, Finn says he does his talking in the ring and heard what Owens has to say. As far as what he's said, he doesn't need the demon to beat Kevin Owens.

Finn Balor video package airs.

Backstage: Mella, Enzo, and Cass are talking when Blake and Murphy come over and apologize. She says they brought her something with their championship bonus money. Enzo plays it off as fakes, but Mella likes it. 23 year old me so thought Mella was turning on these losers.

NXT Championship: Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens
This gets 20 minutes, slow but solid feeling out process to start. Owens uses a lot of the same tactics he's been using since he's gotten here where he stalls a bunch and gets in when he's ready, has a brief control but once he feels the tide turning again he will roll out for another breather. Finn targets the arm for a bit, but it doesn't really go anywhere but at least Owens sold it for a bit amount of time before he takes over and enough time has passed to where he doesn't really need to sell it anymore. It turns into an Owens match now, where he can lock in a chinlock for an extended amount of time so he can trash talk him. Normally I love it, but this one feels like it's just filler for something to do. This is also raped by commercials with 4 of them. This picks up tho after the 2nd commercial with Owens hitting power moves, but also punishing Finn's back. But of course, he goes back to the chinlock for "HEAT" Finn has a nice comeback and hits the double stomp to the back for two. What's the difference between the double stomp and the CDG? is it because one is to the mid-section and one it to the back or head? if so that makes no sense. Finn hits all his signature spots for two counts, and these losers chant "Better than raw" god damn idiots. Finn injures his knee when going for the running dropkick, and Kevin targets it. But at least Finn sells these cause he didn't sell his back at all. Cool spot, Owens stands on the knee, before hitting the backsplash senton on it. He locks in the half Boston crab but Finn makes it to the ropes, Finn hits a desperation jumping double stomp cause he's kinda an idiot. But that also allows him to get the momentum back, but Owens chops the knee out again, he follows up with the Cannonball. HE THEN TIES THE LEG UP ON THE ROPES AND HITS ANOTHER CANNONBALL TO IT Finn rolls out of the way of the 3rd, and hits the running dropkicks. He also hits CDG but the knee is hurt and he can't follow up for the pin. So when he gets back to his feet Owens hits the pop-up powerbomb for the win. This is fine but has a lot of flaws. **1/2

 

[Crippler]

NXT Champion: Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Champions: Blake & Murphy
NXT Woman's Champion: Sasha Banks

NXT Episode 141
April 1st, 2015
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

Sami Zayn is back, he makes his way down to the ring. He says it's good to be back. He was away and overseas and it was a great tour. He had a lot of time to think and he realised the timing was interesting. While he should have been thinking about how great it was to be there, and how good it feels to be wrestling in front of his people, but the only thing on his mind was Kevin Owens. And he realised that the Kevin Owens he was in the ring with at Takeover wasn't the one he was in the ring with a few years ago, or the one he knew for ten years. It' a different guy as a person, as a human being. He saw something new in his eyes, but now it's fine, because he's seen it now and he's had time to think and formulate a plan. Obviously, first of all, he wants to use his rematch to capture HIS NXT Championship, and he's going to kick his ass.

Rhyno vs. No name jobber
GORE! GORE! GORE!

Rhyno grabs a mic and says he came to NXT to make a statement. He came for the NXT Championship, he says it doesn't matter who, Sami, Finn or Owens they will get ripped in half with a GORE! GORE! GORE!

DANA BROOK IS CUMING!

After the Kevin/Finn match, Owens is sitting in the back and says he won and that all that matters and nobody is taking this away from me. NOBODY!

Bayley vs. Emma
Emma does her entrance but kinda half-asses it, like she's mocking herself. TThey have a solid little match with Emma keep trying to provoke Bayley, but she not fully committed to being a heel yet, so much of her offense is just piefaces, punches and hitting Bayley's head off the turnbuckles. Bayley reverses a rollup into a sunset flip pin for the win. *3/4

After the match; Bayley helps Emma up and they smile at one another, but once Bayley leaves Emma turns that smile upside down.

Backstage: Devin Taylor is with Becky Lynch, Becky asks if she saw Takeover, and says she was THIS close to winning the title and would have won if not for Bayley. Everyone else has gotten their singles opportunities, Bayley, Charlotte even Alexa Bliss, but why not Becky Lynch? She's proven what she can do time and time again. Sasha Banks isn't that bad, but she's certainly not this good.

Blake & Murphy vs. The Lucha Dragons
This gets a decent amount of time, Kalisto again show's his awesomeness with dives and fast-paced spots. Before he gets isolated, the champs have a nice spot to takeover, with Blake blind tagging in then as Murphy shoves Kalisto off a headlock, Blake pulls down the ropes and Kalisto takes a nasty spill to the floor. The champs heat is basically the both of them doing a headlock, so that's a thing. Cara has a Cara hot tag, so he runs through all three of his Lucha spots before the match breaks down. The champs hit their double team finisher for the win. *3/4

Backstage: Devin interviews Sami, but Ryno comes over. He says he didn't come to NXT to wait in line or earn any spot. He doesn't care about his vendetta, the line for the NXT title starts behind him.

Soloman hacks the show and adds a video package about himself.

Tye Dillinger vs. Jason Jordan
Kurt's kid has this awful new generic rock theme, it doesn't fit him at all. Jordan has a nice showing where he just shows off some aggression and mixes it with some sweet amateur throws. He also busts out his awesome running shoulderblocks in the corner. Tye has a good little comeback, but Jordan hits a nasty modified t-bone suplex for the win. *3/4

Breeze/Hideo video package airs.

2 Out Of 3 Falls Match: Tyler Breeze vs. Hideo Itami
I never felt like this feud was 2/3 falls level, they come out a little different here with Breeze going on the offensive early, but he plays right into Hideo game of striking, so he runs through all his stuff and hits the running one-legged kick to go up 1-0, Breeze plays possum during the 30 second rest and catches Hideo not looking with the Beauty shot to even it up. 1-1. The 3rd fall is fine, but they never kick it into that next gear or show desperation to end the match. It's basically the same match they've had in the past. Again the heel uses a headlock for heat, like come on guys, work something else for fuck sake. Hideo makes a comeback and they start trading near falls, until Breeze hits the Beauty shot out of nowhere for the win. **

 

[Crippler]

NXT Champion: Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Champions: Blake & Murphy
NXT Woman's Champion: Sasha Banks

NXT Episode 142
April 8th, 2015
San Jose, California

This is basically an NXT exhibition show from Mania weekend, so its a bunch of clips mixed in with a 4 man tournament with the winner getting a spot in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. I don't care about it at all as it has no impact on NXT at all so I skipped it.

Hideo Itami defeated Neville
Finn Balor defeated Tyler Breeze
Hideo Itami defeated Finn Balor in the FINALS!

 

[Crippler]

NXT Champion: Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Champions: Blake & Murphy
NXT Woman's Champion: Sasha Banks

NXT Episode 143
April 15th, 2015
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

CJ Parker vs. Soloman Crowe
Nice little fight to start, its the type of matches Crowe should be having not making shitty ass Bull look tough, CJ is like the best jobber in NXT history, as he's getting better, but still a jobber but a competitive one. CJ uses body stomps and targets the midsection for a bit, but Crowe makes a comeback and debuts the Stretch muffler hold for the win. **

Baron Corbin vs. Steve Cutler
SQUASH!

Backstage: Sami Zayn says he finds it funny even without the NXT title, there's a giant target on his back. Rhino wants to cut the line and go straight to the top, but that's going around a lot these days. Kevin Owens used him to get to the top, and he won't let Rhino do the same thing.

Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady (w/Carmella) vs. Angelo Dawkins & Sawyer Fulton
Showcase for Enzo and Cass, they run the same formula with Enzo being the weak link so he gets beaten up a bunch. During this Blake & Murphy come to ringside to apologize to Carmella for knocking her off the apron and give her flowers. Enzo and Cass hit the Rocket Launcher splash for the win.

Backstage: Alex Riley says did you really think that was it? Kevin, by rattling my cage all you did was put a bullseye on him for the rest of his career. He's gonna be in the ring next week, and he better see his ass there too. LOL

I forgot during this, A-Ry and Owens have this hilarious back and forth on twitter with Owens murking him http://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezon...twitter-war-of-2015-kevin-owens-vs-alex-riley

Blue Pants vs. Dana Brook
DANA IS FUCKING AWFUL! HOLY SHIT! I'm watching this in 2018 and she still hasn't gotten any better thank god they only use her as a busty useless manager for the BLACKS! and she no longer wrestles, this is terrible. Dana wins with a bad Death Valley Bomb.

Next Week: Becky vs. Bayley vs. Charlotte in a 3-way #1 Contenders match & Owens vs. Riley II

Sami Zayn vs. Rhyno
Rhyno is well past his prime, he was pretty washed in 2003 when he came back from the neck but had Benoit, Eddie and others to cover for him. Same in TNA, when he had Christian, Joe, Monty, AJ and hardcore matches to cover up his limited mobility. This is Sami giving him the Sami special, he gives Rhyno way too much offense cause of the power difference. So Rhyno does a bunch of wear down spots for the majority, Sami bumps and sells for all of this cause he's the best. This goes 13 minutes, which is way too long they don't ever kick it to another gear once Sami makes a comeback as he's unable to pick it up anymore. The match ends when Sami avoids the GORE and hits the Helluva kick for the win. **

 

[Jimmy King]

My favorite thing out of the Owens/Riley feud

 

[Deezy]

Was that the match where Dana Brook kicked the girl in her box?

 

[Crippler]

NXT Champion: Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Champions: Blake & Murphy
NXT Woman's Champion: Sasha Banks

NXT Episode 144
April 22nd, 2015
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

Finn Balor vs. Tye Dillinger
Decent Finn showcase, he does all his little indy offense before hitting the Coup de Grace for the win.

In the back, Tyler Breeze is on his phone. He says everyone loves Finn, but he doesn't all Finn is, is the flavor of the month and it's time he meets Prince Pretty.

Backstage: Devin is with Dana Brook, Davin lies and says she had quite the impressive debut but Dana cuts her off and debuts PATTING DEVIN ON THE HEAD! HOLY SHIT! I FORGOT SHE USE TO DO THAT Dana says that was no debut, it was the rebirth of the NXT women's division. It will be molded in the shape of the most beautiful, defiant, and definitely the strongest diva, Dana Brooke.

Backstage: Devin is with Kevin Owens. He says Alex Riley gave him a good fight, but he won. He makes her say that he won, and tonight will be the exact same thing and says that's why he has this title too. Because he's better than him. Alex Riley doesn't have the title. Never has, never will. He hopes he gets a clue tonight and goes back to his chair and table and leaves him alone.

Triple Threat #1 Contenders Match for the NXT Woman's Championship: Bayley vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte
This gets a good amount of time and it's laid out well, but it's not as good as the 4-way cause the best woman's wrestler on the roster isn't in this. This starts off kinda weird with Charlotte and Becky just wanting to fight, but Bayley keeps getting involved and hitting Becky just cause. They team up to take Becky out, leading to a solid Charlotte/Bayley interaction, Charlotte did not get her chops from her father at all, cause they suck and have no sound to them. Charlotte busts out her head scissors offense that she used when she debuted, Becky and Bayley also have a nice interaction, and Becky goes after Bayley's knee again. Which is a nice callback. Bayley's selling is rather good, as she limps around for the rest of the match, Becky applies this awesome looking Indian death lock hold, but Charlotte hits the Natural Selection but Bayley breaks up the pin. All 3 are in, and we get some nice spots and near falls that get broken up. Charlotte then locks in the figure eight on Bayley's injured knee, but BECKY CRAWLS ON TOP FOR THE WIN! FUCK YEAH! SHE DID THE CANDIDO SPOT FROM 2005 **1/2

CJ Parker vs. Hideo Itami
Solid showing by both, jobber aggressor CJ is really growing on me. His punches look super mean and stiff so that always puts a smile on my face. He doesn't really work anything cause he's a jobber so he just does shit to fill time, Hideo makes a comeback using kicks and ends it with the one-legged running kick which is now named the shotgun kick lol. **

Backstage: Sasha congratulates Becky on being #1 Contender, but says she doesn't really have a chance. Becky laughs and says silver isn't really Sasha's color and it looks disgusting on her. Sasha mocks the accent and says she made her. Becky says she made herself, and she's kind of a big deal. Sasha says being champion is a big deal and she needs to recognize real quick who the real Boss is around here.

Mr. 450 vs. Rhyno
GORE! GORE! GORE!

Backstage: Carmella is standing by when Blake and Murphy come over singing at her. Enzo and Cass also come over and cock block them. She's wearing the chains and shit they brought her, Cass and Enzo feel a type of way so they end up arguing. Mella is so turning

Alex Riley vs. Kevin Owens
At first, I was happy this feud wasn't over cause I enjoy Owen's owning this loser so much, but then this happens. They do the story with even though Riley hasn't had a match since the Ohio match, he's now prepared and has Owen's scouted so he gets the better in the early going. But clearly, Riley doesn't have him scouted as he falls for the stalling on the floor. Owens bounces the back of Riley's head off the steel and it allows him to take over. Owen does his typical wear down holds and shit, but prepared Riley doesn't sell or really allowing him to control for long periods of time. Kevin manages to outlast Riley and hit his finishing sequence of Cannonball followed by the Pop-up powerbomb for the win. **1/4

After the match; KEVIN TRIES TO BREAK RILEY WITH THE APRON POWERBOMB BUT SAMI MAKES THE SAVE! DAMMIT SAMI! They have their usual awesome pull-apart brawl, Sami breaks free and hits the flipping senton plancha whipping out Owens, refs, and trainees. Kevin manages to crawl away to end the show.

 

[Crippler]

Was that the match where Dana Brook kicked the girl in her box?

yes

 

[Crippler]

NXT Champion: Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Champions: Blake & Murphy
NXT Woman's Champion: Sasha Banks

NXT Episode 145
April 29th, 2015
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

Kevin Owens comes down to the ring, to open the show. He says the last time they saw him, he was about to take care of a problem he's had for quite a while, he was about to Powerbomb Alex Riley on the apron and get rid of him for good, but little ol' Sami Zayn had to play hero. He's ready for a fight right here, and they can do this right now. William Regal comes out instead and says he will not use NXT to further his own agenda, Kevin says with all due respect he didn't call HIM out, so he doesn't care what he has to say right now. Sami Zayn comes out but Regal stops him and says this will not turn into a circus like last week, he says seems like the easiest thing he's had to do for weeks, and he makes the match for Takeover on May 20th for the NXT championship. Kevin says he will fight him, but didn't say anything about putting the title on the line he says Sami did not earn a title match. He asks that all it took for Sami to get a title match was that sneak attack last week? he then says is that all it takes now Sami says it looks like Kev needs this match after the last 12 years. Anything Kev's EVER done has had HIS name next to it, and even now, they're talking about Kevin Owens VS. SAMI ZAYN or what he did to Sami Zayn. That drives him crazy, he knows it, because he's been living in his shadow. He'll wrestle him, BUT HE FIGHTS FOR A PRIZE AND THAT NXT CHAMPIONSHIP IS THE PRIZE! Kevin says he's got it, for the title, and says this is the biggest mistake of Sami's life. He has no idea what's coming.

GOD FUCKING DAMMIT! SAXTON IS BACK! UGH!

Backstage: Enzo and Cass and Carmella are arguing about her gifts from the champions. Carmella says she's a big girl and can handle herself. They leave, but Blake and Murphy walk over and ask if the sweet boys are okay and mock them. She says nobody insults her boys like that but her and yells to get out. They leave and Alexa Bliss then walks past. Alexa says for a so-called princess, maybe she should carry herself with a little more class. Carmella piefaces her and storms off, Blake and Murphy then check on Bliss.

Backstage: Sami signs the contract for his NXT world title match, Riley comes over and demands another match with Owens. But Regal denies it, Sami cuts in and tries to give him some advice but Riley shuts him down, so Sami challenges him to a match tonight. Regal approves it.

Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady (w/Carmella) vs. Blake & Murphy
Angle/set up match, champs isolate Enzo a for a bit, Cass has a good hot tag and cleans house before hitting Murphy with the big boot which sets up the Rocket launcher for the win.

Becky Lynch video package airs, giving us some insight from her past. Good stuff.

Backstage: Devin tries to talk to Bayley, but she says she can't find her t-shirt or headbands to give out and walks off. Emma then walks over, having stolen them, and says she should go give them to her.

Bayley vs. Dana Brooke
Bayley does a decent enough job carrying Dana for a few minutes, she doesn't take Dana serious which keeps giving Dana the opening, she does this hilarious handstand choke with her boot, which just looks like she's resting her body against Bayleys' BUT THEN SHE TARGETS BAYLEY'S KNEE CAUSE SHE STUDIES TAPE! But then she fucks it up but tripping over her feet when hitting the ropes and goes face first into the middle rope which allows Bayley to make a comeback. Emma comes out wearing Bayley's stuff, which distracts her allowing Dana to hit the Death Valley Bomb for the upset. **

After the match; Emma and Dana HIGH FIVE!!!!!!!

Backstage: GM Regal books Breeze vs. Itami vs. Balor in a #1 Contender's match at Takeover.

Hideo Itami vs. Adam Rose
GOD DAMMIT! WHY IS ROSE STILL HERE? FUCK OFF ALREADY! Basic Hideo showcase, shotgun kick wins it.

Backstage: Bayley is searching for Emma, the camera guy asks whats going on between them and Bayley says they used to be friends, but she took her shirt and headbands and she thought this ended last month, but she guesses not. They're not done, and she getting her stuff back.

Sarah Dobson vs. Becky Lynch
Lynch showcase, Disarmer forces Sarah to tap.

Backstage: Rhino says he heard what makes Baron Corbin tick, but he just likes making people feel pain. Baron's good at that, but he could afford to learn a thing too. He says Rhyno is not the past, but he's the PRESENT AND FUTURE!

Tomorrow night, Talk is Jericho podcast with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley.

Kevin Owens is on commentary for the main event.

Alex Riley vs. Sami Zayn
Better than expected, they go back and forth with neither guy really making a mistake or getting a ton of offense, but it's Sami so he allows Riley to hit the bigger moves. Owen gets tired trolling Saxton on commentary and leaves to attack both men for the DQ.

HE FINALLY HITS RILEY WITH THE APRON POWERBOMB AND LEAVES LAUGHING! FUCK YEAH! OWENS DA MVP OF THE YEAR SO FAR!

 

[Cwalker]

Here comes the beginning of the 8 months Blake and Murphy were relevant

 

[Crippler]

NXT Champion: Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Champions: Blake & Murphy
NXT Woman's Champion: Sasha Banks

NXT Episode 146
May 6th, 2015
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

Emma vs. Charlotte
Emma is still in Bayley's gear, she's also completely abandoned her entrance and is now faking the fans out acting like she's gonna give them a headband. Good 5 minute match, Charlotte has a nice stretch carrying her on the mat, she also uses her size advantage to counter a lot of what Emma wants to do, they have this weird miscommunication in the corner, and Charlotte ends up hurting the knee, but it sort of looks like it was planned as Emma now targets the knee. I don't think Emma was that good to think on the fly. Good knee work, I'm just glad someone isn't working the head, feels like every match or 9/10 is the same thing. Charlotte isn't much of a seller, but she does a decent enough job here during the work. But this was mostly about NEW Emma. She locks in a brutal half Boston with Emma sitting on her back during it, and a couple more pulls and Charlotte's boot would have touched her head. Charlotte comeback is fine, she hits the spear followed by the Natural Selection for the win. **1/2

After the match; Bayley runs out, she helps Emma up and they hug.....BUT THEN BAYLEY HITS THE HUGPLEX and takes her stuff back. Good for you, Bayley. For some reason, Charlotte pulls Bayley away.

A backstory on Becky Lynch airs.

During the week, Michael Cole sat down with Kevin Owens. He asks why he did what he did to Sami and asks if this is personal. Kevin says it is personal, it's personal when you go after his title because this means a better life and more money for his family, which is what it's always been about. It's very personal. Cole says he doesn't believe he can honestly sit here and tell him it's only about the title. Kevin says it's also about a bigger name for himself, but it all stems from the NXT Title, so yeah, it is what this is all about. Cole asks if Sami Zayn wasn't champion, and Owens says he doesn't know what to tell him. It's not about Sami, it's about HIM. He says Cole's never congratulated him and he can't even give him any respect that a champion is due. Cole says respect is a two-way street, so he congratulates him, but says he wants a respectful answer here and asks how he could do what he did to Sami Zayn. He's as close to him as a family member, he stood up at the altar as his best man at his wedding. Kevin calls him a silly little journalist and wants the headline about how he stabbed his best friend in the back because he's jealous. He's sorry he can't give him what he's looking for. The headline he can give him is "Kevin Owens is a good father and provides for his family, thanks to the NXT Title." Cole asks if he has anything else, so Owens plus his twitter.

Bull Dempsey vs. Rhyno
RHYNO SQUASH! LOL! FAT WHITE TAZ'S TIME IS ALMOST UP

Rhyno grabs a mic and says everybody says he's an unstoppable force. People say someone else here is too, so, at Takeover, he wants Baron Corbin.

During the week, Sasha Banks is at the PC looking at a wall of pictures. She claims Moolah was the greatest woman in WWE history until she came along. She showed the world why she's the baddest diva in NXT, and now former friend Becky wants to challenge her? She knows she traveled the world to make a name for herself, but SHE made her in NXT. And as quickly as she made her, she can make everybody forget about her. To rule this empire, she'll need the crown jewel, but it's staying with The Boss.

Backstage: GM William Regal signs a smiling happy go lucky black guy, and a video package airs on him.

FUCK YESSSSSS! MY KIDS ARE BACK! THEY NOW HAVE THE "SAY YEAH" THEME Enzo and Cass' music then hits, but they don't come out. In the back, Blake and Murphy are beating them up until Carmella yells to leave them alone, and they leave.

During the week, Michael Cole also sat down with Sami Zayn. Cole says Owens said this wasn't personal, and then asks if this is personal for him. Sami says the key difference is that Kevin is a liar, and he's not. Kevin made this personal from day one with what he did. Kevin got it to this point with sneak attacks and mind games. That's not really his style, but if that's what he has to do to fight fire with fire, it's what he'll do. Cole asks if he can step back and focus on the task at hand. Sami says it's personal because of the NXT Title. He worked very long and very hard to get it, so focusing won't be an issue. Cole asks if it's eating him up not knowing why Kevin did what he did. Sami says he wishes he could sit here and say it didn't bother him and he could be like Kevin and claim it's all business. It's not true, of course, it bothers him. He's asked Kevin in the ring, and he won't say it. It drives him nuts. The match is set and actually, he's talking to Kev right now, next week he's going to come to the ring and they match is set so they don't even have to fight, he just wants Kevin to come out and just tell him why he did it. Once and for all. Maybe he can be a role model for his kid since he's this family man now.

Video airs of Sami making his RAW debut, and hurting his should during his entrance

William Regal is in the ring, he brings out both Becky and Sasha to sign the contract for their takeover match. Becky says she's been working towards this in one way or another since she was 15. She started training in a tiny gym in Dublin and left home at 18 to go to Japan and America and Canada. At one stage, she didn't even believe this was possible. She was a stunt woman, an actor, a flight attendant, made a lot of mistakes, made a lot of sacrifices, but it was worth it for this moment to take the next step in becoming the NXT Women's Champion. She didn't come here to take part, she came here to take over. She signs, SASHA THROWS THE PEN AWAY AND PULLS OUT A "BOSS" STAMP BRUH! She stamps the contract and shows it off, before throwing it at Becky, which distracts her long enough for Sasha to sucker punch Becky in the head, Sasha bounces her head off the table on the table, and climbs on it, just to put her boot on Becky's head. AMAZING! She shoves her off and climbs off BUT BECKY TAKES HER DOWN INTO THE DISARMER AND SASHA TAPS OUT UNTIL PEOPLE PULL BECKY OFF!

In a pre-tape, Alex Riley is in his home he says he's preparing for his 2nd knee surgery in 2 years. He talks about returning to the ring because he thought that's what people wanted to see He says the risks are not getting him the rewards he wanted, but that doesn't bother him. What bothers him the most was when he was laid out he heard "THANK YOU OWENS" and that made me sick, he then went home and watched the show. And the last shot was of Sami. I guess that's what Regal wants, and that's what NXT wants. He wishes Sami luck and says for the first time in his life all these risks are not worth it. BRUH! NXT IS THE BEST! IT GOT ME EVEN CARING ABOUT THIS RILEY HEEL TURN WTF!?!?!?

Backstage: Devin Taylor is with Dana, She says she's been a roll since she was born. She saw the new Tapout commercial and it's pretty cool, but ugh Charlotte? Are you kidding her? Over, Her? The next time she sees her, she'll run circles around her and run her right out of NXT. She then pats Devin on the head before leaving.

Finn Balor comes out to watch the main event from ringside.

Tyler Breeze vs. Hideo Itami
I have no idea why they're running this again when they just had the blow-off match. But that's modern day WWE for you. This gets around 8 minutes, Breeze keeps stalling and they have a really long and pretty boring feeling out process. But I will say this, it's the most comfortable I've seen Hideo look so far. His kicks sound stiff, and he's also getting into his KENTA bag. Doing the cocky fake stomp, just to back-kick Tyler in the eye. Breeze takes over with a neckbreaker, he does the usual head work. Headlocks, stomps, chokes, and punches to fill time until Hideo makes a solid comeback. They fight on the floor, and Hideo goes to kick Breeze but he avoids and Hideo accidentally kicks Finn out of his chair. Back in, Breeze misses the Beautyshot and Hideo hits the shotgun kick for the win. **1/2

After the match; Tyler attacks Hideo from behind, but Finn makes the save. He then helps Hideo up but Breeze drills Finn with the Supermodel kick and drops Hideo with the Beautyshot to end this amazing episode.

 

[Deezy]

That Riley promo is factually what Charlotte should do this Tuesday.

 

[Crippler]

NXT Champion: Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Champions: Blake & Murphy
NXT Woman's Champion: Sasha Banks

NXT Episode 147
May 13th, 2015
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

Video package airs on Sami's RAW debut again Cena.

Soloman Crowe vs. Baron Corbin
LOL SOLOMAN IS DONE! The crowd now hates Corbin for some reason, he's getting boring chants and Corbin sucks. IDK if it's cause he squashed Crowe or he's in a program with Rhyno. Both are pretty hilarious reasons. End of dayz wins it.

After the match; Rhyno comes out and says Corbin is the OTHER unstoppable force (NO SHIT! YOU JUST CHALLENGED HIM TO A MATCH A WEEK AGO?) Rhyno asks if they're gonna do this or what. Corbin hits him and they ending up fighting until security pulls them apart.

Tonight: Finn/Hideo vs. Breeze/Rose

In a pre-tape, Saxton interviews Finn, he asks who he'd like to face for the title if he wins. Finn says he not fooled by Tyler and knows he's dangerous and make no mistake about it he will win and become #1 Contender. And as for who he wants to face for the title, he considers Sami one of the best in the world and Kevin Owens he has a history with, so it doesn't matter just know the Demon is coming.

In a pre-tape, Graves interviews, he also asks who he'd like to face for the title if he wins. Breeze says he's proven it doesn't matter what flavor of the month you put in front of him. He will win and become #1 Contender, he also says it doesn't matter who wins he's bringing the title to cuteville.

Sasha Banks vs. KC Cassidy
KC is Peyton Royce, this is decent, Sasha doesn't take her serious which allows KC to sneak in a couple of nearfalls. Sasha bails and rethinks her strategy be destroying her and locking in the Bank Statement for the win.

Backstage: Devin is with Charlotte and Bayley, they challenge Emma and Dana to a tag team match at TakeOver.

Another video package on the happy go lucky black guy airs. It comes off super heelish with him in a suit and talking about people a champion, but then he shakes hands with Hideo and Soloman and it all comes to an end.

Carmella vs. Alexa Bliss
This is fine, Mella still isn't any good and Bliss isn't at a level to where she can carry someone. Blake and Murphy come out, as Mella is doing her bodyscissors stuff, and I don't blame them. Bliss has a pretty awful comeback as she botches a bunch of her flashy rollups. Mella goes for her leg finisher but gets distracted allowing Bliss to hit twisted Bliss for the win. *1/2

After the match; Bliss leaves as the champs enter the ring. Blake says they've been trying to tell her that when you hang out with two pieces of trash, you're gonna smell like garbage. She says to mark her words, not only will her boys be at Takeover next week, they'll be walking out the next NXT Tag Team Champions.

In a pre-tape, Graves interviews Hideo he asks the same question, and FUCK YEAH! HIDEO GIVES A NONE COOKIE CUTTER ANSWER AND SAYS HE WANTS TO FIGHT KEVIN OWENS BECAUSE HE IS BAD PERSON. AND HE HS NO RESPECT FOR ANYBODY AND HE DON'T RESPECT HIM.

Backstage: Devin is with Emma and Dana Brooke. Emma says she'll give Bayley just what she wants. Dana says she's not jelly of anyone. She's doing Charlotte a favor by letting her know she'll be passed by. Emma says they accept.

Adam Rose & Tyler Breeze vs. Hideo Itami & Finn Balor
Super fun angle match that sadly doesn't go anywhere, neither Finn or Hideo really act like they want to be here more Finn than Hideo. He also doesn't show signs of wanting to tag out kinda like I can do this on my own, super heelish. It ends up costing him and team Rose Breeze isolate him. Hideo has a fun hot tag, he runs through all his spots, but FINN TAGS HIMSELF IN TO GET THE GLORY! He does his finishing sequence, but as he goes for CDG Hideo tags himself in. They exchange words allowing Breeze to roll Hideo up for the win. **1/4

After the match; Finn and Hideo exchange words and again Breeze attacks them from behind. Breeze hits Hideo with the supermodel kick and drops Finn with the Beautyshot. Rose starts touching Breeze so Breeze supermodel kicks him. YEAH!

RAW EXCLUSIVE! Sami is sitting in the locker room, he says he doesn't know if this will be made public or not. But you could tell what happen, he felt something tweak in his shoulder. Then 30 seconds into the match he felt his shoulder pop out. He calls it pretty surreal and says he's still trying to wrap his head around it. He says he would let this affect him or get in his head.

Sami Zayn comes down to the ring, but before he can talk Kevin comes out. THEY DO THIS HILARIOUS VOICE OVER WITH SAMI SAYING yeah, he hurt his shoulder wrestling John Cena, but he's ready for Takeover and this match IS happening. Right now, you can tell it's a voiceover as the camera is on Owens the whole time and it sounds like a studio voice it cuts back to Sami and he says Right now, all he wants to know is WHY? Everything about doing it for his family, he knows there's an element of truth to that, but he's not buying it. So he just wants him to tell him why. Kevin doesn't reply so Sami asks if it's just jealousy. Because he got here first? Does he think that? What is it? Kev still doesn't talk and Sami asks if it's worse than that and if it's even more personal. He asks if this is about his son. He always thought it was cute, but maybe it's a big deal that he'd rather wear a Sami Zayn shirt to school than a KO shirt. Is that it? Kev STILL says nothing and decides to just leave the ring and Sami says he still has nothing to say. Kevin gets up to the stage and says everything Sami said is completely irrelevant. Cause he knows the truth. After he took his title, he went home and told everyone it was because he needed to clear his head. But he knows it's because he was hurt. He knows he's still hurt. He's the one who hurt him. He knows exactly what the injury is, how he hurt him, and at Takeover, he's going to do it again. But this time, he's not coming back. He then walks out, never looking at Sami. This feud is incredible. So much better than I remembered.

 

[Deezy]

Full sail crowd turned on Corbin because he wasn't kissing their ass and posing for pictures like a mark.

 

[Crippler]

NXT Champion: Kevin Owens
NXT Tag Team Champions: Blake & Murphy
NXT Woman's Champion: Sasha Banks

NXT TakeOver: UNSTOPPABLE
May 20th, 2015
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

Commentary: Rich Brennen, Cory Graves & Byron Saxton

Sadly, it was announced that Hideo suffered a torn rotator cup. We all know Finn did it though.​

BRUH! Breeze gets a catwalk entrance, and models modeling the Spring 2015 collection of his fuzzy hoodie vests and fuzzy boots

Finn again comes out in the paint, it's still super cool.

#1 Contenders Match for the NXT Championship: Tyler Breeze vs. "The Demon" Finn Bálor
Granted I'm watching this in 2018, but this has to be the most predictable "big matches" in NXT history, and it kinda hurts it. Breeze isn't afraid of the demon, but he immediately goes to the side headlock to stop Finn from getting any momentum. They have a super dope feeling out process, where it's super fast paced full of counters and reversals with it being a big match neither wants to be the first to make a mistake, but they're not tentative at all. Breeze works the head, it kinda feels like he's coasting here and lost all his edge. He's now just another wrestler, that puts over the guy next in line. Granted he was never gonna be the guy, but it seems like everyone passed him by and the head people lost faith in him being a main eventer. Plus their's only so much you can do with his gimmick. Finn's comeback is fine, but it's JUST Finn. Like the only problem, I have with him being the Demon is he doesn't switch up stuff or even come out more aggressive. They fight up to the stage and Balor climbs the first level of the stage and hits a crossbody off of it. It's a little bit higher than the top turnbuckle to the floor, but people chant "PLEASE DON'T DIE" because the Florida fans are the dirt worse. Finn brings him back and hits the Coup de Grace for the win. **3/4

Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley is sitting in the front row.

Dana Brook & Emma vs. Charlotte & Bayley
Emma has new attire, she also helps Dana pose so I'm fully calling them the BFF's 3.0. So, this is a thing, it's okay but nothing groundbreaking. The faces control in the early going, but Dana distracts Bayley allowing Emma to puller leg off the ropes allowing the heels to take over. They work the neck, and thankfully Emma works the majority of this. Charlotte has a fine hot tag, he chops are still HBK level of terrible, the match breaks down and stuff happens. Charlotte locks in the figure eight but as Dana goes to break it up, Bayley slides under and under Dana's legs but she also breaks the hold doing so. She takes Dana out with the Bayley-to-belly, allowing Charlotte to finish Emma off with the Natural Selection for the win. **

The class of 2015 tryouts are sitting in the front row.

Rhyno vs. Baron Corbin
My guess is Rhyno is what tripsgod thought Bull would be, this gets 7 minutes and it's way too long. It starts off well with Rhyno using his experience and counters Corbin's power with his own. But once Corbin takes over, as he's not used to going longer than a minute, Corbin has a couple of nice dickish heel stuff and in a huge shocker, Rhyno is awesome in his bumping. He's really going above to make Corbin look violent, mean and, badder. They bump heads leading to a Rhyno comeback, but Corbin cuts off the Gore with a clothesline and follows up with the End of Dayz to win. **

Video airs of Kevin Owen's debut on RAW, two weeks after Sami.

Backstage: Kevin Owens says he showed up on RAW, not for Cena's little open challenge but he dropped him where he stood. He says while he was on RAW he showed everything that this title is the real prize by stepping on the US Title, so it was a big week. Tonight is the culmination of that, and if he or anyone thinks Sami Zayn is taking this away from he or his family, then he has a little "veteran advice" for Sami. He shouldn't show up tonight. If he does, he promises, it's the last time anyone will ever see Sami Zayn.

NXT Tag Team Championships: Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady (w/Carmella) vs. Blake & Murphy
Rather good stuff here, same formula of all Enzo and Cass matches. Enzo is the weak link so they have no problems beating him up, but Cass is 7 foot so they can't do the things they do to Enzo on him. Enzo's bumping is great, say what you want about him being terrible but the guy is a damn good bumper. Heels do basic heat work, they're worse is still a million times better than the Ascension's. Cass has a fun hot tag as he does his best offense which is running big boots, the match breaks down he tags Enzo's dead body to the corner for the Rocket Launcher, BUT ALEXA BLISS COMES OUT AND SLAMS CARMELLA ON THE FLOOR! Cass goes to check on his hoe, and that distraction allows Bliss to shove Enzo off the top. Murphy covers for the win. **

EVA MARIE IS IN THE FRONT ROW!

FUCK YEAH! The woman now gets the main event backstage walk.

NXT Woman's Championship: Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks
Becky now has the super bleached Orange hair, goggles, and punk rock jacket/attire so she's finally found herself. AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! start with them going super fast with counters, flashy pins and some solid mat wrestling that Becky gets the edge over Sasha on. Both girls are super on and they do this awesome spot, with Sasha blocking a boot on the apron and pulls her shoulder to the apron with the Divorce Court like Nigel use to do. Sasha's arm work is borderline amazing, as she shows that she's arguably the 2nd or 3rd best wrestler on this roster. But that's because she keeps using a lot of Nigel's arm holds that he use to do. Including standing on one arm, and bending the other back with the other foot. Beckys' selling is good, but it needed to be more consistent. And she totally forgets once she makes a comeback. There are some great transition spots with both ladies getting near falls, they end up fighting on the floor and Becky now goes after Sasha's arm but pulling it into the ringpost. Becky stuff is also really good as she mixes up going after the arm, with t-bone throws. Becky applies the disarmer, but Sasha gets to the ropes to break. She suckers Becky in to throw her to the floor, but as she goes for the suicide dive Becky catches her and rams the arm into the steps. Sadly this abruptly ends when Sasha runs up the ropes for a super double knees Divorce Court and locks in the Bank Statement to win. HOLY SHIT! HOW DID I FORGET HOW AWESOME THIS WAS? CURRENT MOTY. ***1/2

After the match; Becky breaks down as the fans give her a standing ovation.

NXT Championship: Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
Amazing Angle match. Owen's is wearing Cena US title shirt, cause he's just a giant dick. This gets 13 minutes because of Sami's injury, but it still rules, they have a wonderful brawl around the building, it's the most pissed Sami has been as he knows he's hurt so not only is he trying to win but he's just kicking Kev's ass. They also playoff with Owen's maybe overlooking Sami, with his RAW debut, and the Cena feud. Owen's puts on his best bumping display here, as he just gets his ass kicked for the first entire match. It's such a great cover-up and a way to protect Sami. Sami goes to end it with the Helluvva kick, but Owens rolls out he then tries it on the floor. BUT OWENS CATCHES HIM RUNNING IN AND POPUP POWERBOMBS HIM ON THE APRON! FUCK! Kevin keeps stomping on him as referees, and EMT's come out to stop him but he punches at him more. There's no bell, but the match is basically over. Good shit. ***

Owens brings Sami back in, he goes to powerbomb Sami but Regal tries to pull him off but Owens decks him. Kev brings a chair in, but some EVIL BOSS DRUMS MUSIC HITS FOLLOWED BY SOME TERRIBLE FUNKY MUSIC.................................................................................IT'S SAMOA FUCKING JOE! Joe comes down to the ring, with Owens in shock. They stare one another down, but Kevin gets out of there with his title.

"JOE'S GONNA KILL YOU"

Kev comes back out, but decides better and leaves again. OWEN'S DA MVP!