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

[Crippler]

The last episode of the year and the first of 2016 are both best of's. They don't even have the 1 off matches on them anymore, NXT fell off.

NXT World Champion: Finn Bálor
NXT World Tag Team Champions: Dash & Dawson
NXT Woman's Champion: Bayley

NXT Episode 179
January 13th, 2016
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

Tom Phillips & Cory Gaves are on commentary to star off the year

GM William Regal is back, he says NXT is the fastest growing "promotion" in the history of the industry and thanks the fans for that, he says 2015 they only scratched the surface. He then books a #1 Contender women's battle royal tonight, with the winner getting a shot at Bayley. He then introduces SAMI FUCKIN' ZAYN!

Sami comes out to a great little pop, he soaks in the Ole chants for a good minute before saying he's glad some of them remember him. And says a lot's changed since 2015, so he's here to introduce himself. He's Sami Zayn and he's the lead singer of a band and the band came out to play tonight, "OLE" chants happen again and Sami says that's the #1 single, but he's also one of the men responsible for building NXT and making it what it is today. He talks about selling out London and says there's no place like home and Full Sail University is his home. As much as he loves them cheering him and making him feel warm and fuzzy, he came here to proclaim something. He came back to NXT to become the first two time ever NXT Champion. Suddenly, Samoa Joe's music hits and out comes Joe in his classy yellow and black boxer shorts. Joe says it's good to have him back. He can appreciate his ambition, wanting what used to be his, but he doesn't know why he thinks he deserves it. The last time he had a title shot, he had to come out and save his LIFE! And in London at Takeover, the champ barely survived and If he wants to keep that shoulder tucked in that socket, he should put his microphone down and walk away. Baron Corbin comes out now, Corbin says usually Joe spits nonsense, but he agrees tonight, Zayn's place is in the back of the line, and he WON at Takeover, while Joe didn't. He had his shot and he failed. While Sami was at home, he got passed up by someone more determined and more durable, and he's the uncrowned NXT Champion. Joe says he's not sure what the damage was when he choked him out in Brooklyn, but because of that alone, he doesn't belong in his conversation. As for Zayn, he should know his place when he's in HIS ring. Joe goes to leave and Sami says his place is right here. Joe hops down, and Corbin attacks Sami from behind, he tries the End of Days but Sami avoids it and hits the Helluva Kick sending Corbin to the floor. Joe tries to sneak back in, but Sami sees it coming so Joe leaves again.

Backstage: Rich is with Bayley, he asks how she managed to win at TakeOver and she says she just survived and Nia took a lot out of her, and she didn't know if she had it in her. All she knew is that she had to stay champion. Rich brings up the battle royal and Bayley says she loves battle royals, and she wishes she could be in it. But she's not, so she'll wish them good luck and maybe even give the winner a hug. She then hugs Rich.

2015 NXT Year-End Awards voted on by WWE losers NOT MY LIST, THE RIGHT LIST!

NXT 2015 YEAR END AWARD RESULTS~!

TAG TEAM - ENZO AND CASS
FEMALE COMPETITOR - BAYLEY
OVERALL COMPETITOR - FINN BALOR
EVENT - TAKEOVER BROOKLYN
MOTY - BAYLEY VS. SASHA FROM BROOKLYN

Danny Burch vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Real good physical indy style match, this is the most offense Danny has gotten in his NXT run so far and he really shows out. Good bully dick offense, Ciampa fights back and hits all his spots before locking in a bridging Fujiwara armbar and Danny taps. **1/4

Backstage: Enzo and Cass are standing by, Cass says they don't forget. Enzo says they went to London for a fight. They pay credit where credit is due, but Real Gs never lose. They either win or they learn. They got no backbone. Chicken tenders. Those titles only cover up the fact that they're S.A.W.F.T. Cass says they have unfinished business and the next time they see them, business will be finished. How you doing?

Billie Kay says tonight she's gonna bring the division to its knees tonight when she wins the Battle Royal and becomes #1 Contender.

Deonna Purrazzo says she's known as one of the first women Asuka knocked out, but tonight, that's all gonna change when she wins and people remember her as the #1 Contender.

Emma says it's no surprise that she has to prove herself AGAIN, but tonight, she'll do what she always does, and make this all about her.

Backstage: GM Regal books a Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin match for the #1 Contender match in two weeks.

Dash & Dawson vs. The Ascension
Again the Ascension gets this crazy pop, shit really is perplexing. This gets a good amount of time, my kids treat this like Arn/Tully vs. Read Warriors so they bump like well to start, but then it turns into an exhibition of them cutting off the ring and isolating Viktor. Connor has a shitty "cha" hot tag, just god awful strikes and pandering, thankfully Dash sneaks in a tag and the champs hit Shatter Machine for the win. **

Backstage: Nia, Eva, Regal are all in the training room, Regal asks if Nia can go tonight and the ref says she needs a few days after being choked out LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! It's been almost a month. EVA THEN CELEBRATES BEHIND NIA'S BACK Eva says she'll be back so soon, and she's got this for them tonight.

Carmella says tonight is the biggest opportunity of her career, and 2016 is about to become a whole lot more FABULOUS!

Peyton Royce says she hasn't been given much of an opportunity in NXT, tonight and it's time for her to make a splash and make NXT her home.

Alexa Bliss says she deserves another shot at the NXT Women's Championship.

Corey Hollis vs. Elias Samson
Graves isn't completely shitting on Elias yet Also this isn't the best, Elias isn't 2018 good yet but at least this is short and to the point. Drift Away for the win. Elias grabs a mic and says what this place needs is what he is.

Recap of the NXT World Title match from London.

Backstage: Some guy named Alex is with Finn, he brings up the 3-way #1 Contenders match. Finn says the London match was physically and mentally draining, and Joe is a monster. But he is the champion and he never rests, he faces all comers and now it's time to wait to see who wins. But it doesn't matter who wins cause the title is staying with him.

Cameron says people have wondered where she's been, but she's here tonight, and she's here to be the next #1 Contenders. Girl bye.

Aliyah says she's making her debut tonight, and what better way to do so by becoming #1 Contender.

Liv Morgan says she's doing it tonight for herself, for her family, for Jersey, and for the gram. BRRRRAP!!!

Asuka says she's going to be the champion, and just smiles.

I don't feel like listing all the names so here.​

#1 Contenders Woman's Battle Royal
AWESOME Piece of storytelling, Asuka interrupts as Eva is making her entrance, so Eva gives her the EVIL EYES! Eva then slowly makes her way down the ramp, so Asuka speeds up her walk and barges by. AWESOME! Then as soon as the bell rings all the girls stand behind Eva, and Eva begins yelling at Asuka as she stands in front of her....................SO ASUKA KICKS HER HEAD OFF AND EVA ROLLS UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE! Graves sneaks in it's over the top only, Emma then cheap shots Asuka and now everyone begins fighting. This isn't good, as 97% of the broads are green and not seasoned yet, or just are trash. Camron eliminates Aliyah and Deonna first, Liv almost drops Camron on her neck twice with a powerbomb, she then tries to do it over the top but Bliss throws them both out. Mella gets knocked to the floor under the ropes. Emma and Bliss have the best interaction of the match so far, as they both try to throw one another over. Emma backhands her out. BILLIE AND PEYTON THEN TEAM UP on Emma and Asuka for a bit. Asuka fights back and kicks Emma out, the Aussies then try to sneak toss Asuka out but she fights them off and they turn on one another cause broads b DUMB! That allows Asuka to recover and kick them both out........ASUKA CELEBRATES BUT EVA SNEAKS BACK IN AND GETS HER REVENGE BY THROWING ASUKA OUT AND HANDING HER, HER FIRST L. BUT MELLA ALSO SNEAKS BACK IN AND TOSSES EVA OUT TO WIN. That final minute <3.

Asuka/Eva feud gonna be lit.

Bayley runs out and hugs her "Friend" to end the show. Asuka just looks on from the stage with an evil grin.

 

[Chris]

Ascensions pops are perplexing, it's just nostalgia which is a mental illness

 

[Crippler]

NXT World Champion: Finn Bálor
NXT World Tag Team Champions: Dash & Dawson
NXT Woman's Champion: Bayley

NXT Episode 180
January 20th, 2016
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

Sami Zayn vs. Adam Rose
Solid Sami match, he's still working off the ring rust. Sadly he has to do it against this sack of shit. Sami give shim the Sami special like it's 2014 so he goes above to make Rose look competent still. Rose targets the throat for a bit, so we get the standard chinlock spot for a while before Sami makes his comeback, AND LOL ROSE ISN'T EVEN GOOD ENOUGH TO LOSE TO THE HELLUVA KICK, instead Sami busts out the Flatliner into the Koji Clutch to win. *3/4

Backstage: Rich is with Johnny Gargano, he asks about the little losing streak he and Ciampa have been going through and asks if he's ready for his match against Samoa Joe. Gargano says he knows all about Samoa Joe and all he's accomplished. Joe is one of the most decorated wrestlers of his generation and he knows Joe is upset he didn't walk out of London with the title, so he's taking it out on everyone else. He's a schoolyard bully and he won't be intimidated. The way you handle a bully is to walk up to him and punch him in his mouth. Johnny Gargano is all heart and Johnny Wrestling will not back down.

Tonight: Bayley/Mella vs. Bliss/Emma & Crews/Tye II

Royal Rumble commercial airs. DAT DEBUT!!!!!

MY 2015 TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR are standing out the building, Gable says last week, the voting wrapped up for Tag Team of the Year, and they weren't even nominated. Jordan says Blake and Murphy were, and they beat them in London in 2015. Just sayin'. Gable says he understands there were other teams involved, and they can do it again. They can do it next week. Jordan says that'll be another former NXT championship team. Jordan asks where they are going, and Chad says they're going up. Up to the top. Gable calls them the Alpha's of NXT and Jordan says they both tore up America in the amateur ranks............THEY AGREE ON THE NAME AMERICAN ALPHA! But I prefer WGTT or Team Angle 2.0.

Tye Dillinger vs. Apollo Crews
Weird match, Tye controls 90% of it and Crews does his vanilla babyface stuff. Tye breaks out a tope suicida and then the Tye Breaker, but Crews kicks out, and then makes the comeback before hitting the running blue thunder powerbomb for the win. *3/4

Crews grabs a mic. He says he doesn't like matches to end on a disqualification, and he wants to finish what was started a few months ago and see how it ends. He knows he hasn't earned a title match and he's not asking for one, but he wants a match with Finn Balor.

Backstage: Alex is with BBM, Blake, and Murphy laugh at Alpha's name. Bliss takes over and says she's really not happy about how they humiliated her in London. she didn't have a match, but they did, and they BLEW IT. They're so much better than what they showed in London. Even if they didn't win, it still took half the tag team roster to beat them. Blake says it's because they're the best, and Alexa says she'll go lead by example tonight, and will have fun slapping Baley around.

Baron Corbin vs. Rich Swann
Swann has some weird generic rock song, it's so bad. But his performance is great, he dies a bunch on bumps as the crowd sings "ALL NIGHT LONG" Corbin gets too cocky and drags the match out longer than needed, which allows Swann to get back into it. He picks his spots with kicks and using his speed, they also have this awesome near fall off a sick spin kick but Corbin kicks out. Corbin then hits the deep6 out of nowhere and covers for the win. Oh so tonight it about establishing the main event guys secondary moves, that means Joe is about to win with the Island Driver or Enzuigiri?

Backstage: Rich is with Mella and Bayley, she asks about their future match. Mella says she feels Fabulous and when it's time she will put friendship aside when it's time/ Bayley goes to talk. BUT DASH AND DAWSON COME OVER! Applauding and Dawson says that was beautiful. She did the impossible because like her G's, she'll never win when it counts. He hopes they can stay friends because Carms is like her boys, all fluff and no stuff. Bayley hugs her to calm her down.

Emma & Alexa Bliss (w/Dana Brook) vs. Carmella & Bayley
Emma shoves Mella out of the ring to start and the heels attack Bayley before the bell, they immediately go into the heel iso period and target her now hurt ribs. It gets a good amount of time and is really good. It's one of the few times the break didn't hurt it, heels keep knocking Mella off the apron so it forces Bayley to have her own hot tag. Dana gets on the apron for the distraction allowing Bliss to cut off the hot tag and the heels take over again. They eventually get to the Mella hot tag and I can see why they made Bayley wrestle 98% of this it's bad, she then locks in her Modified figure-four headscissors on Bliss for the win. *3/4

Backstage: Alex is with Finn, he asks for his thoughts on Crews' challenge and Finn says he spoke to Mr. Regal and he agreed to the match. Finn says there will be no doubt who the better man will be once the match is over.

Johnny Gargano vs. Samoa Joe
UGH Both guys wearing black and yellow smh. Joe gets on his awesome toying bully shit early, in attempts to piss Gargano off and it semi-works I guess. They do the leg sweep on the apron spot, but you can clearly see Gargano jumped before the leg connected cause he ain't AJ. That allows Joe to continue his domination, he kicks the shit out of Johnny and stuff he even busts out the running kick through the ropes but to the chest. Joe just like Corbin toys too long allowing Gargano to get back in with his indy quick strikes. HE THEN GOES FOR THE THROUGH THE ROPES DDT, BUT JOE KNEES HIM IN MID-AIR and chokes him out for the win. Awesome Joe squash. **1/4

 

[Crippler]

NXT World Champion: Finn Bálor
NXT World Tag Team Champions: Dash & Dawson
NXT Woman's Champion: Bayley

NXT Episode 181
January 27th, 2016
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

Tonight: Sami/Joe/Corbin - #1 Contenders Match

American Alpha vs. Blake & Murphy (w/Alexa Bliss)
AA bust out their awesome amateur wrestling to start, Gable puts on a fucking show and it's brilliant. BUT BUDDY FAKES BLOWING OUT HIS KNEE! Gable falls for it, and Buddy signals for Blake to come it but Gable sees it coming and knocks him out allowing Buddy to chopblock his knee. B&M are not my kids so their work isn't the best, but it's good for them. Jordan's hot tag rules as he suplexs both guys around with no remorse. Running shoulderblock is followed by Grand Amplitude for the win. **3/4

AA has now beaten 3 former NXT tag team champions.

Backstage: Rich is with Emma and Dana, he announces that Emma will face Carmella next week. Dana cuts him off by calling him Adam and says he's not important, but what's important is that last week was ALL about Bayley. Carmella did nothing and will do nothing to Emma. Emma says Carmella lacks the skills to beat Bayley, let alone her. She lost to Blue Pants, remember that? Dana says that's a knee slapper. Emma says she didn't tap out last week either, and Emma says her luck runs out next week.

TWITTER HYPE of Sami's Rumble entrance.

Asuka video package airs.

Nia Jax (w/Eva Marie) vs. Liv Morgan
SQUASH!

Backstage: Mella says she heard what Emma and Dana had to say and next week, she will prove that last week was no fluke. Cass says he also heard what Dash and Dawson had to say and he calls them FAT Enzo says the only cred they have are having the titles and if they keep running their mouths they will take the titles.

Baron Corbin video package airs, followed by a Maina 32? and a VV video package airs.

Bull Dempsey vs. Alex Riley
Bull has not gained or lost weight since London, so good for him. AND GOD FUCKING DAMMIT! HE'S BACK! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Riley is still on his roid diet, and now he's working more heel it's awful he's awful, Bull is awful I can't wait until they both get fired. A-Ry wins with a shitty running knee. GET THE FUCK OUT!

Backstage: Elias is playing his guitar in a dark room.

Backstage: A-Ry asks if we're surprised to see him, he says for the past 4 months he's sent emails and letter letting the higher-ups know updates and when he will be ready to return and wanna know how many responses he got back.....................0...........NONE! He says as he sat at home and watched NXT all he was was guys like Sami and Crews' video packages, when knew Sami's return date and knew what Crews ate for breakfast while he got nothing.

John Skyler vs. Elias Samson
Decent Elias squash, he still hasn't found it yet, the Drift away ends it.

Backstage: The Hype Bros argue about stuff, who cares.

SAMOA JOE VIDEO PACKAGE!

Next Week: Finn/Crews

Triple Threat #1 Contenders Match for the NXT World Championship: Baron Corbin vs. Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn
Standard WWE 3-way, lots of 1on1's Joe/Sami is fine but it's like neither really puts much effort in and is clearly saving it for a later date. Corbin/Sami is fine too, Sami bumps around for both and stuff, it's really slow and never kicks into another gear. Sami pretty much wrestles the entire 12 minutes. He eventually makes a comeback on Corbin and locks in the sharpshooter, Joe then sneaks in and locks Corbin in a crossface and Corbin taps. *1/2

After the match; Sami and Joe celebrate the win, as the ref talks it over with both guys. GM Regal comes out and had a word with the ref on the floor. Regal then says he has to go back and watch the tape.

WHO DA WINNER?!?!?!?!

 

[Crippler]

NXT World Champion: Finn Bálor
NXT World Tag Team Champions: Dash & Dawson
NXT Woman's Champion: Bayley

NXT Episode 182
February 3rd, 2016
Full Sail University: Orlando, Florida

The Vaudevillains vs. The Hype Bros
VV are in this tweener faze, where they try to act more heelish and aggressive, but have yet to actually turn heel outside some shitty vignettes. MoJo is still pretty awful, and Ryder tries his best to get noticed. VV isolate him, lots of clubbing blows and holds to pass the time, they don't really pick a body part just wear Ryder down until the HYPE hot tag. Ryder has to tag in cause MoJo KO's himself but gets beat with the Whirling Dervish. *1/2

Earlier Today; Tom sat down with Carmella, she says it felt incredible not only throwing Eva over the top but becoming #1 Contender too. Tom says people have seen her with Enzo and Cass, but now she's on her own. Carmella says her father was a wrestler for the WWF in the 90's, and it's in her blood. Her boys got her an opportunity, but she did this one on her own. Tom talks about the Bayley friendship which you can see on Breaking Ground, he then asks has this changed anything between them. Mella says Bayley was her first friend in NXT besides her boys, and nothing will change that. They're mature enough to put that aside and at the end of the day, Baymella is real and will live on. Tom says she's fighting Emma tonight, and Carmella says Emma is really good, so when she beats her, she'll prove to her and Little Miss Piggy why she deserves to be the #1 Contender and the next champion.

Backstage: Alex is with Dash and Dawson, he asks them about Enzo and Cass' comments. Dash laughs him off and says all they do is complain and bitch, they already beat them and it goes like this they can talk and demand all they want, they will never beat them. Dawson dubs themselves the REVIVAL! for the first time and says after beating every tag team in NXT they are on the path to becoming the best NXT tag team of all time, and they welcome a rematch. Same fate as London, them on top, and they'll ask them how they're doing. CLINK ME!

Carmella vs. Emma (w/Dana Brooke)
Decent carry job by Emma, she controls the majority of this with by doing stuff before the Mella comeback, they cut right to the finish of Mella blocking an Angles Wings type move into a backslide for the win. *1/2

Backstage: Sami says it's out of his hands, and he hopes Regal makes the right decision. Sami says he watched the footage and both he and Joe make a claim.

Backstage: Cameraman tries to talk to Joe, but Joe scares him off.

American Alpha HYPE!

Enzo and Cass come out for their match, they do their little intro and do the "Dime" line again.

Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs. Jack Hurley & Ricky Starks
AWESOME Cass squashing, god damn what happen to him?

Backstage: GM Regal says after reviewing the tape, that there will be a rematch. Corbin busts in and says he better be in the rematch. Regal says what was 100% certain is that he lost, and he'll be in no rematch. Corbin says this is a joke, and he leaves. Regal says the only decision he can fairly make and says Samoa Joe and Sami Zayn will have a match to determine the #1 contendership.

Santana Garrett vs. Asuka
Real awesome Asuka showcase and Garrett has a good showing too, they go back and forth trading holds and kicks until Asuka catches her in a flying armbar, but she switches it to the Asuka Lock for the win. *3/4

Backstage: Rich or Alex is with Finn, Finn says Regal made the right decision by booking that match and is looking forward to watching it. But, as for tonight, he will beat Crews like he would have done in their first match and prove that he is the best.

Next Week: Bayley/Mella for the NXT Woman's Championship.

Apollo Crews vs. Finn Balor
This gets over 10 minutes, it fairly decent. They have a solid mat wrestling exchange to start, good scouting on Finn's part where he saw it worked for Tye and it's a way to stop Crews from using his power moves and athletic spots. He works the side-headlock spot alla Punk/Joe, Steamboat/Flair. Crews manages to fight out and hit a big dropkick as we go to break, once we return its now Crews working the headlock, but Finn fights out and now goes after the arm. Which now fills like filler, at least the head stuff makes sense as it worked but he didn't even target the arm or hurt the arm before locking in this shitty looking arm hold, Finn has these solid brief moments where he picks up the pace just to go back to the arm. So, I feel the match is about to hit its stride but then Finn stops all the potential of it and it kills the match for me. Crews' comeback is pretty whatever, these two don't have chemistry at all. And the babyface vs. babyface story doesn't work here. They're not even trying to outdo the other or do the cool, start off respectful then things begin to get more violent it's just two bland guys doing stuff. But, with that being said the final two minutes is fun as they throwing everything at one another. Finn manages to hit that final bit strike and ends it with the Bloody Sunday after CDG. **

After the match; Finn offers the handshake, and Crews accepts cause he's lame and doesn't ever want a title shot.

 

[Crippler]

NXT World Champion: Finn Bálor
NXT World Tag Team Champions: Dash & Dawson
NXT Woman's Champion: Bayley

NXT Episode 183
February 10th, 2016
CFE Arena: Orlando, Florida

This is NXT's debut in the CFE building, it's a lot smaller than Full Sail but it looks a lot better, trips goes an amazing job blacking out the back making it look intimate and just have a large tron screen. It's him doing the Indies with Vince's money.

Baron Corbin vs. Johnny Gargano
Good shit, Corbin doesn't know Gargano at all so he assumes he's like every other indy geek he has beaten over the past 2 years. So, Gargano sticks and moves and is a lot quicker than Corbin expected which throws him off. Corbin eventually takes over with a big right hand and gets into his Corbin heat. Johnny bumps for everything, and it rules before he makes a comeback but gets caught in the deep6. But Corbin taunts too long, which allows Gargano to recover and drill a superkick for two. Corbin quickly bails to the floor and tries to run but Johnny fights him on the floor, he suckers him back in and hits the end of days out of nowhere for the win. **1/2

Backstage: Rich is with Sami Zayn and asks for his thoughts on the upcoming match against Joe, Sami says he understands it and says this is just another obstacle. He says it wasn't easy winning the NXT title the first, time and why would it be when he tries to do it again. Next week, it's the first time he's ever fought Samoa Joe, and he knows it'll be a fight, but nothing's going to stand in the way of him becoming the first ever two-time NXT Champion.

Evil VV vignette airs.

Corey Hollis & John Skyler vs. The Hype Bros
Showcase for the Bros.

Backstage: Alex is with both Bayley and Carmella, Bayley says the only thing harder than earning this title has been keeping it. Against women like Sasha Banks, Eva Marie, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, it's been hard. She's proud of Carmella, but she's not letting this one go. Carmella says Bayley has had so many huge title matches, but this is his first. She might never get an opportunity like this again. Alex asks about their friendship. Carmella says she's all about loyalty, but when the bell rings, the championship is on the line. Bayley says may the best woman win.

Alexa Bliss (w/Blake & Murphy) vs. Cameron
Weird match, Cameron plays this vet heel and leads the match so the crowd shits on her for it and it forces Bliss to play the face by defaults. RACISTS! It goes for 5 and there is a ton of waiting around and dead air time. Sparkle Splash/Twisted Bliss ends it. *

Backstage: Enzo and Cass are standing by, Cass says they're not done with Dash and Dawson. They're the 2015 NXT Tag Team of the Year. And in 2016, back to back. BACK TO BACK! Alpha comes over and Gable raps the part of back to back like the cover of Lethal Weapon, or like Jordan in '87 Jordan says it doesn't matter that they don't know the words. Nobody goes back to back, because this is 2016, an Olympic year. Enzo asks if it means it's their year, and Gable says he gets it. He's deep like that. Real layered. Jordan says they're teaming next week against Blake, Murphy, Dash, and Dawson. Enzo says that's good stuff, ends meet ends. Nobody will do the phrase with him and Cass says his own name instead of Gable.

Elias Samson vs. Jesse Sorensen
Graves shits on Elias for wearing his Johnny deep starter kit and not ever playing a song, he then says he went to Pittsburgh and talked to the real drifters and they've never seen him play, but they've seen a guy matching his description at the jukebox playing Nickleback music. IT'S HAPPENING! Short one, Drift away ends it.

Backstage: Crews says he doesn't have any regrets in asking for the match against Finn in his losing effort, he got the resolution to the match that started a few months ago. He went toe to toe with the champ and gave it everything, but he now knows what it takes to be the best. And action equally louder than words and the next time you see him in the ring, it will be a new Apollo Crews.

Super cool moment during the introductions, Mella has to stop herself from crying as this is her first big match so she's trying to soak in the moment. And for Bayley, yeah she's a super fangirl still but now she is NXT now, so these things don't affect her, but she's so happy for her friend. Mella also looks super great, she's starting to hit her prime in terms of hotness.

NXT Woman's Championship: Carmella vs. Bayley
The face of NXT does it again, she takes what she's given and makes the total best out of the situation. Granted this has been given a month to build and I'm guessing it's been practiced and put together at length at the PC the entire build too. Bayley comes out with her experience and just being an overall better wrestler to start, so she controls a ton but Mella being her best friend knows some of her stuff so she has a couple of counters making Bayley having to switch up. Mella tries her little comeback/hot tag sequence that worked for the past two weeks, but it doesn't work against the champ who how has it scouted and is able to counter her taking control back. Mella has this awesome Crossbody Suicida, something she's really never done so it puts over her desperation it takes to win the title. She hits it again and rolls Bayley back in for back-to-back covers for two counts. She tries the Modified figure-four headscissors hold but Bayley counters into a rollup, they do a Lynn/RVD'esq trading sequence, and Bayley manages to outlast her with a deep jackknife pin for the win. **3/4

After the match; BayMella hug and Mella leaves but Nia and Eva attack her on the floor, Bayley tries to make the save but suffers the 2-1 beatdown in the ring. BUT ASUKA COMES OUT! Eva and Nia back down and leave. Bayley gets up with the title belt and Asuka smiles at her and rubs her fingers on the title to end the show.

Backstage: Joe says he never considered Sami as an ungrateful person, but by judging by your actions as of late, I can see that it's now obvious. I SAVED YOUR LIFE! Now I must take it away. Next week when you look into my eyes you will know the inevitable. I will be the next NXT champion.

 

[Chris]

John Skyler was one of the jobbers that followed my old Twitter account I'm pretty sure

 

[Crippler]

NXT World Champion: Finn Bálor
NXT World Tag Team Champions: Dash & Dawson
NXT Woman's Champion: Bayley

NXT Episode 184
February 17th, 2016
CFE Arena: Orlando, Florida

Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady & American Alpha vs. Blake, Murphy, Dash & Dawson (w/Alexa Bliss)
Dawson and Gable have this awesome exchange on the mat, it mostly Dawson trying to not to get embarrassed and is like a fish out of water trying to escape, that leads to all 8 men brawling with the faces coming out on top. The heels isolate Gable but most of it gets cut due to the break We do get a brief moment of all 4 getting in and having some shine on Gable before the awesome Jordan hot tag, he and Cass destroys everyone and it fuckin rules match breaking down, AA hits Dawson with the Grand Amplitude, but Dash saves. Enzo tags himself in, and Cass throws him off with the Rocket Launcher onto Dawson for the win. **1/4

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Asuka
DP gets way more offense than she really should have, and she's not as good as Garrett so it comes off bad. Asuka is Asuka and kills her with strikes and hits the KILLSHOT Backfist and spin kick for the win.

Clips air of the Bayley/Mella match followed by the post-match shenanigans.

Backstage: Eva says last week her and Nia made a statement, Nia says it was perfectly justified because if she was cleared she would be #1 Contender everyone knows it. Eva says as, for Asuka, she needs to stay out of their business.

Next Week: Bayley/Mella vs. Eva/Nia

Tye Dillinger vs. Alex Riley
FUCK OUTTA HERE!

Backstage: Corbin busts into Regal's little office and demands to be put in the Joe/Sami match tonight. Regal refuses and Corbin says he believes in an eye for an eye when it comes to stealing and leaves.

Next Week: Alpha vs. Blake&Murphy

#1 Contenders Match for the NXT World Championship: Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn
Good feeling out process, mat wrestling to start the feel one another out but once Sami feels Joe getting the better he uses Joe's momentum to send him to the floor and fake him out with a dive allowing the Network the plug the Edge and Christian show RIP! Back from break, Joe straight up kills Sami with STJoe in the corner to take over. This isn't one of Joe's turn back the clock matches he mostly uses his striking to wear down Sami, SAMI has these awesome mini-comebacks and just when it feels like he's gonna fight his way back in Joe kills him with a powerbomb or a nasty strike to take over again. Blue thunder bomb out of nowhere gives Sami a two, but Joe comes right back with the yakuza kick, followed by back senton for two. They follow up with some good near falls before moving into the finish with Joe countering the Helluva kick into the choke, he then smartly backs himself into the corner to get a solid 4 seconds of choking before he can break. That softens Sami up for him to get him up in the muscle buster position, but Sami slides out and hits the helluva kick and falls on top ala Shawn/Hunter 2004 fuckery and Drake covers for the win. Replays show that both shoulders were down, and also on different angles show both guys shoulders were also resting on the other's body part during the count. **3/4

After the match; GM Regal comes out and asks Drake who the winner is, he says both mens shoulders were down so the match is a draw. Regal demands a winner and Drake refuses and calls it a draw and leaves.

WHO DA WINNER?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Chris]

Why didn't Regal just restart the match if he wanted a winner so bad smh I guess even GOAT GMs make mistakes

 

[Crippler]

Why didn't Regal just restart the match if he wanted a winner so bad smh I guess even GOAT GMs make mistakes

Cause Drake walked out on him post-match, and all the other refs in the back must have left for the next tapings in 10 minutes

 

[Chris]

Cause Drake walked out on him post-match, and all the other refs in the back must have left for the next tapings in 10 minutes

a REAL MAN would have reffed it himself

 

[Crippler]

a REAL MAN would have reffed it himself

​

That is true.

 

[Deezy]

Anyone named Drake...ruining shit.

 

[Crippler]

NXT World Champion: Finn Bálor
NXT World Tag Team Champions: Dash & Dawson
NXT Woman's Champion: Bayley

NXT Episode 185
February 24th, 2016
CFE Arena: Orlando, Florida

American Alpha vs. Blake & Murphy (w/Alexa Bliss)
Good stuff, Blake holds his own with Gable on the mat more than anyone else so far, Alpha then clear the ring as we go to break. When we return Jordan gets in and does his stuff too, he's not on Gable's level but still awesome stuff. Gable tags in but misses the blind tag and Murphy absolutely drills him with a lariat giving them control. They do their usual control stuff, but it comes off so much better because Gable bumps and sells better than everyone else in the tag division outside Enzo maybe. Jordan's hot tag is dope, as usual, suplexes, dropkicks and running shoulder blocks is FOLLOWED BY THE STRAPS COMING DOWN! Alpha then hit Grand Amplitude for the win. **1/2

In GM Regal's office, Regal says in two weeks it will be Sami/Joe in a 2-3 Falls match. He then announces a huge new talent signing to be revealed next week.

Elias video package airs.

Apollo Crews vs. Christopher Gerard
Gerard is Oney Lorcan AKA Biff Busick. This is one of those pointless Crews showcases, Lorcan totally outshines him and is super vicious in his holds and strikes. Crew's comeback is super meh and hits the running thunder bomb for the win. *3/4

Backstage: Rich is with BayMella, Bayley says it should be a tough match and knows they are ready. Bayley says she pushed her two weeks ago, and one day, she'll make a great champion. Carmella says she'll be back for that title sooner rather than later, but tonight is about payback. Rich brings up Asuka and asks Bayley about it. She says she's glad she was there to help them out, and as far as her intentions go, she saw her eyes. She wants this title.

During the week, CCTV footage shows Dash and Dawson jumping Enzo outside the PC before Cass makes the save.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Bull Dempsey
Bull has a tough time taking off his shirt and gets the ref to help him out Ciampa does what he can, this goes a few minutes Bull now just a straight comedy wrestler now and it's better than his fake tough guy stuff. He knocks Bull out early with a knee but he's too fat to roll over, so he finds a way of locking in an armbar for the win.

Backstage: A camera guy asks Joe for Regal's booking, he says he's not surprised about last week because since he's gotten here he's had to jump through ridiculous hoops to get what rightfully belongs to him. Why's NXT hot? Because of him. He made this hot. Now they're playing a game of denial. It's a shame for Sami Zayn because 2 outta 3 falls means he'll suffer twice as much to realize what he should already know. That Samoa Joe is the next NXT Champion.

Backstage: Rich is with Sami, he asks if he's ready for the 2-3 Falls match. Sami says he's ready. He spent a lot of time on the sidelines and he's had nothing but time to be ready. That's not the issue, and he knows about this kind of a match, he'll do what he has to do, and his ultimate goal is to become the first ever two-time NXT Champion.
​

Nia Jax & Eva Marie vs. Carmella & Bayley​

This gets close to 10 minutes which yeah is a lot for all of them not named Bayley. This is pretty whatever, Team BFF's 3.0 isolate Mella for a long time to set up the Bayley hot tag, she drops Eva with the Bayley to belly but Nia pulls her off the cover and headbutts her. Mella tags herself in and locks in her finisher but Nia kicks her in the head to break the hold. She knocks Bayley off the apron and drags Eva to her corner to tag herself in, she hits 3 legdrops and Eva steals the pin. *​

​

Backstage: Rich is with GM Regal and Paper Champion Finn, Regal says Finn's reign as champion is currently approaching the all-time record and says there is a debate in the back on who was the best champion of all time. Finn is puzzled and Regal books Finn/Neville NEXT WEEK.​

 

[Crippler]

NXT World Champion: Finn Bálor
NXT World Tag Team Champions: Dash & Dawson
NXT Woman's Champion: Bayley

NXT Episode 186
March 2nd, 2016
CFE Arena: Orlando, Florida

Hugo Knox & Tucker Knight vs. The Vaudevillians
Hugo us this small but super jacked up guy, he's pretty much in the best shape of anyone on the rose not named Apollo. He just has shitty tatts and purple/white poke-a-dot trunks which looks super weird, and we all know who Tucker is by now. Basic squash to try to get over VV's "NEW" mean streak/heel turn without telling us it's a heel turn. Whirling Dervish ends it.

Backstage: Alex is with Emma and Dana, Emma says tonight, she'll make an example out of her opponent, and Alex is about to be emasculated, and Dana pats his head.

Finn Balor video package airs.

Earlier today, Enzo and Cass are in the parking lot of the Performance Center. Cass says this is where Dash and Dawson tried to take them out last week, but all they did was show that deep down, they are gutless. Next time, there'll be nowhere to run, and they'll be standing over them as THE NXT Tag Team Champions.

Earlier today, Dash has his arm in a sling and calls Enzo and Cass cowards for attacking them like that Dawson says they're catchphrase kings, but they won these the old-fashioned way. They're giving them one more chance at the hardware, but if they want to hold these so bad, maybe they'll let them spit-shine 'em.

Dash and Dawson are now called the REVIVAL! IT'S HAPPENING THE WATER JUST BROKE!

Emma (w/Dana Brooke) vs. Santana Garrett
Another really good Santana showing, Emma has gotten so much better now and is way better as the cocky heel than the silly dance move face. She toys with Santana for a good 2 minutes before Garrett makes a comeback, but it gets cut off midway and Emma ends up locking in Emma Lock for the win. It's a shame trips never signed her, cause the division would need someone with some talent later in the year. *3/4

Backstage: Nia and Eva are in GM Regal's office, Regal says he saw what they both had to say last week and they both make a compelling case. He calls them both big stars and it's time he treats them as so, Eva says that's all they've ever really wanted. Regal says he's arranged for their next match together to be against Bayley and Asuka! Regal says he has to go meet NXT's latest acquisition.

GM William Regal is in the ring, he says he is extremely excited to introduce NXT's newest signee.........................................AUSTIN ARIES! Aries comes out, but during his entrance, Baron Corbin attacks him from behind. He beats the shit out of him on the floor, before ripping off Aries shirt and hitting the End of days on the floor. He holds up the shit and yells "An eye 4 an eye" and throws it in Regal's face. AWESOME!

Steve Cutler vs. Elias Samson
Another really bad Elias squash, god damn he use to suck.

Backstage: The Hype Bros are standing by, MoJo says he's glad they lost to the VV, cause maybe they were taking guys lightly, playing around and it's time to refocus. Ryder says VV are bitter and angry, we're here to be the best and they will not get sidetracked again.

Neville video package airs.

​

Neville vs. Finn Balor
This gets 15 minutes, but I'm sure it's close to 20 before cuts and breaks. They do the now standard NXT/Indy big match chain wrestling to start, they again battle over the side-headlock hold which I guess must be Finn's thing now as he did it in the Joe match, and the Crews once from 2 weeks ago and nowhere. Neville takes over and gets into his little bag of being the power heel, he completely slows the pace down and works the low-level heel stuff it feels total house showy and boring. Finn takes over with a desperation pele kicks and runs through his stuff. The moves are fine, but this lacks heat, selling and story like it doesn't feel like the current "guy" against the former "guy" just two guys wrestling for 15 minutes, totally disappointing and nowhere near as good as their TakeOver match. The match ends when Finn hits CDG and follows up hitting 1916 for the win. **1/4

After the match, the crowd for some reason gives both guys a standing ovation and they hug, UGH!

Backstage: Rich is with both Joe and Sami, Joe says it should be easy but he's standing next to one of the most ungrateful people he's ever known. A man that doesn't realize if he didn't come to NXT he would not be standing here today. Sami says Joe's entire run here has been predicated off the hard work of others, he didn't make this place for Joe just to come in and cakewalk to the title. Joe says it's funny, HE'S responsible for Sami still having a career and next week he'll take it away.