Live NXT Battleground: Tampa Discussion Thread - Sunday May 25th - 8PM ET / 1AM UK

[ScareValue]

I used to dream of days like this.

awesome spot to finish.

new champion!

 

[Deadd2009]

I wonder if TNA told them to do that

 

[ScareValue]

Match was fun as Hell because the crowd made it feel huge. Awesome finish. Awesome commentary when it happened.

give me Trick vs Santana in NYC!

 

[R-Troop]

I wonder if TNA told them to do that

I would say TNA had complete input into who the champ was gonna be

 

[ScareValue]

I wonder if TNA told them to do that

I’ve had a theory that they were always going to do a heel transitional champion to get from Hendry to Santana (Hendry doesn’t need the belt…it’s not why he’s over…plus…he’s obviously going to be WWE bound whenever his deal is up.). I think TNAs plan was to use Kazarian with the call your shot trophy to backdoor into a win and then lose to Santana. This is a much better option. Trick is awesome. It was a big moment. And Trick vs Santana is a hot match that it looks like WWE is behind building on their TV too.

 

[R-Troop]

I’ve had a theory that they were always going to do a heel transitional champion to get from Hendry to Santana (Hendry doesn’t need the belt…it’s not why he’s over…plus…he’s obviously going to be WWE bound whenever his deal is up.). I think TNAs plan was to use Kazarian with the call your shot trophy to backdoor into a win and then lose to Santana. This is a much better option. Trick is awesome. It was a big moment. And Trick vs Santana is a hot match that it looks like WWE is behind building on their TV too.

the best part of this is that it should help me with my Bold Prediction contest of TNA getting 6000+ people at UBS Arena

 

[ScareValue]

TNA really couldn’t have asked for that to be presented better IMO. From AJ narrating the video package to the main event slot event slot to the hot crowd to the announcers selling the switch as a massive moment. Full marks for presentation.

 

[OMB]

yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss go trickkkkkkkk

 

[ScareValue]

This is what it’s all about to me. This is what I want to see in July.

 

[Y2Jayne]

Only watched Ruca vs Jordan before leaving for work but damn, these two tore it down again.

 

[Dale]

If only that Sol/Kelani match was on the Evolution card, would have been a hell of a way to introduce the wider audience to them, ridiculous match.

Dunno what it is exactly but Jordynne isn't really hitting for me at the minute like I thought she would, the in ring work is obviously there but something feels like it's missing, maybe a heel turn for her is needed.

Hank & Tank are just so weird, pretty much everything about them is so cartoony but I can't help myself from liking them

Figured Trick was gonna win the title but still felt like a shocking moment when it happened, definitely felt like a huge moment.

 

[OMB]

If only that Sol/Kelani match was on the Evolution card, would have been a hell of a way to introduce the wider audience to them, ridiculous match.

Dunno what it is exactly but Jordynne isn't really hitting for me at the minute like I thought she would, the in ring work is obviously there but something feels like it's missing, maybe a heel turn for her is needed.

Hank & Tank are just so weird, pretty much everything about them is so cartoony but I can't help myself from liking them

Figured Trick was gonna win the title but still felt like a shocking moment when it happened, definitely felt like a huge moment.

Well with Grace it's because she really hasn't has that signature win yet. They definitely have poised Steph & Giulia (when she was there) over her it seems. To me Grace rn feels like Sami Zayn type contender role where she should probably be champ and still can get there but rn is hitting the ceiling. I'm not sure too you want to turn her atm feels like nxt women's division is heel heavy

 

[Sky]

The fact that Santana got a promo tells me right on the spot that they've got big plans for him in TNA Towers

How I'd run it:
Against All Odds, contractual rematch. Trick (c) vs. Hendry. Trick wins after Elijah turns heel and smashes a guitar over Hendry's head. (bree woo bree woo)
On the next Impact Santana wins a #1 contender match and the feud is Hendry/Elijah.
Slammiversary, Santana vs. Trick (which Santana wins) and Hendry vs. Elijah in a Symphony of Destruction match. Guitar shots everywhere!
Santana gets a few B-PPV defences while we build to the main event of BfG - Mike Santana vs. Mustafa Ali, this time for the title

 

[Chris]

The fact that Santana got a promo tells me right on the spot that they've got big plans for him in TNA Towers How I'd run it: Against All Odds, contractual rematch. Trick (c) vs. Hendry. Trick wins after Elijah turns heel and smashes a guitar over Hendry's head. (bree woo bree woo) On the next Impact Santana wins a #1 contender match and the feud is Hendry/Elijah. Slammiversary, Santana vs. Trick (which Santana wins) and Hendry vs. Elijah in a Symphony of Destruction match. Guitar shots everywhere! Santana gets a few B-PPV defences while we build to the main event of BfG - Mike Santana vs. Mustafa Ali, this time for the title

this is pretty perfect and exactly what I was also wanting but you made it even better by adding the symphony of destruction match

 

[ScareValue]

As soon as Trick popped up to lay out Hendry on the last TNA PPV I literally screamed to put the belt on him. Not only because he’s awesome and it would be an exciting moment…but because I knew they didn’t have a better way to get to Santana ready to go in house. Moose is doing his X division thing…hopefully, finally, dropping it to Leon Slater at Slammiversary. Nemeth is a tag champion. Those were the only heels protected enough on the roster to believably bridge from Hendry to Santana. And, even though both Moose and Nemeth have had awesome main event matches in TNA…they aren’t nearly as exciting a match to me as Trick vs Santana is. That’s the star making moment to solidify the new face of the company for TNA. And…given NXT gave him an intro last night and he’s working on Tuesday…WWE is even helping promote him on the way up.

This is where the partnership works best. WWE is helping put the spotlight on Santana. TNA’s title main evented a PLE and created a big moment for the audience. Everybody wins. And…like I said…TNA didn’t have a great option to make the transition work right now. WWE gave them a great one.