George Chiverton

NXT Weekly Rankings & Evaluation
By George Chiverton, PWTorch NXT specialist

It’s finally time for the big "Arrival" edition of NXT. And, boy gee wiz, is this guy excited. Off the back of this week, I can promise some new rankings will be waiting for you just around the corner. For now, let’s get to the show.

- The show started in a blacked-out arena except for two light effects, which made it look as if Full Sail was about to be abducted. Triple H pulled the ‘Are you ready?’ routine with full gusto before declaring ‘This is NXT,’ which drew up the house lights on a raucous crowd and some awesome lighting. This felt big from the off. Triple H did a short intro before sending it to new credits. I preferred the old theme, but the production quality on the video is first-rate.

- Just a warning, don’t read this article unless you have seen Zayn vs. Cesaro, as it’s another MOTY contender and would be much better enjoyed through the medium of video than the written word.

- Sami Zayn was out first in amazing new tights featuring the flags of all the countries he’s visited. He looks in amazing shape, too, although as with many developing talents, his theme leaves a lot to be desired. Cesaro came out (The Real American’s music is awesome) for the most anticipated match of many months for me, personally. While they waited for the bell, the announcers talked up their last match.

Usually I’ll comment on highlights of the match, but picking them out here is impossible.

The two held an intense stare for a good 30 seconds - which had the crowd hot an heavy - before locking up. After a second, Cesaro shoved Sami to the ground to show his power. They tied up again as dueling chants broke out before Cesaro took Zayn to the mat and insultingly slapped him across the back of the head. A nice piece of chain wrestling was finished with a dropkick from Cesaro. They reset again and Sami blocked an attempt for a single leg takedown before landing on his feet out of a backdrop and attempting a running huracanrana. Cesaro held him, though, and transitioned into the Cesaro swing before Sami flipped out onto his feet. Amazing! Zayn hit an armdrag to send Cesaro to the outside and then, inevitably, a huge somersault plancha. Smooth and professional, professional wrestling.

Sami rolled Cesaro into the ring and went for a big splash off the top, but Cesaro jumped up and countered into a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for two. Cesaro then began tossing Zayn in and out of the ring, brawling while outside. This slowed down the match, but it was never dull, with Sami making the odd brief comeback to keep the crowd fully invested. Cesaro went after Zayn’s knee by wrapping it around the ringpost on the outside, but Zayn managed to counter, pulling in his to foot to send Cesaro bouncing off the post. Zayn set up for his trademark tornado DDT through the turnbuckle. As he came through, though, BOOM a European Uppercut that was OBSCENE. Full Sail broke into a ‘Holy S---’ chant. Generally it’s an ill-advised chant, but if ever there was a time, that’s an uppercut that deserved it. So awesome.

Cesaro was solidly in control in the ring working over Zayn’s once injured knee including a big double foot stomp. Zayn managed to get to his feet, but a dragon screw took him down once more. Regal did a good job of communicating the damage Cesaro was going for. Sami caught Cesaro off the ropes with a reverse calf kick, but a swift kick to Zayn’s knee took out his momentum. Cesaro went for three dragon screws, but on the last Zayn reversed and went for an enziguiri. Cesaro ducked out though and reversed into a single leg Boston Crab.

After all the work on his knee, the crowd willed Sami to the ropes thinking a submission could really be coming. Sami did great work here by knowing how close he was to the ropes at all times. Too often in wrestling you see competitors get too close before finally grabbing the rope when its abundantly clear they could have stretched out a lot earlier. Sami was at fingertips when he made the final stretch, making the whole thing more credible. Stellar match so far.

Byron Saxton made the point on commentary that the damage was done, but as Cesaro rushed at Sami he managed an uppercut, then a kick to the face before sending Cesaro right over the top. Zayn took advantage of the space and rolled onto the apron. He went for an Arabian Press moonsault off the top, but Cesaro caught him! No way! Cesaro slammed Zayn onto the entrance ramp. Zayn was at six when he got up but collapsed again selling his knee injury. He was almost counted out, but got in the ring just in time. Full Sail didn’t buy into this, though, as it was abundantly clear that the big match would not be decided by count-out. As Zayn got into the ring, he caught an onrushing Cesaro and hit an exploder suplex into the corner. Beautiful as it was, it was only good for two.

Zayn went for a backdrop, but Cesaro elbowed out and tried to hit the ropes. Zayn pulled him back, though, and hit a big Blue Thunderbomb for two. Zayn managed a full shot DDT before transitioning into a Koji Clutch. BUT! Cesaro reversed again into a Stretch Muffler sending Regal mad on commentary. Regal questioned why Zayn wasn’t tapping out to save his career all while Sami writhed in pain. Luckily, he made it to the bottom rope for a believable close call.

Cesaro went for the swing off yet another reversal, but Zayn rolled through for another close two. Cesaro then went for the swing once again and finally hit it, which sent Zayn struggling into the corner. Cesaro charged in with another ridiculous uppercut. Cesaro lay on Zayn for the pin, before Zayn reversed into a two count. Cesaro jumped up and hit a double footstomp on Sami’s head. Only two once again but the crowd went nuts.

Cesaro went for a suplex into the ring off the apron (as they did in the first match,) but Zayn managed to catch him with a kick leaving Cesaro perched for a top rope huracanrana. He tried to hit it, but no! Cesaro held and went for an avalanche Ricolabomb - a brief glimpse into his past as Claudio Castagnoli. Zayn reversed, though, and hit the huracanrana he’d originally gone for, sending Cesaro reeling into the opposite corner. Zayn met him with a ridiculous helluva kick for again only a two count. Everyone is losing their brains. Mine has gone walkabouts at this point, too.

They reset again before Cesaro popped up Zayn and hit yet another uppercut. Zayn kicked out at ONE! BLAAAAGGHHHH. Zayn, showing fight, slowly got up to his feet while Cesaro looked confused at the ref. Cesaro stayed focused though, roared at Zayn and hit a rolling uppercut which was absolutely mental. Like. Insane. Cesaro scooped up Zayn and hit the Neutralizer for the win. Wow. What a battle that was.

After the match, Cesaro celebrated while Zayn looked totally dejected in the ring after losing his big opportunity. Cesaro turned and walked back into the ring, stood over Zayn and pulled him up for an embrace. The two men shared a word, before Cesaro patted Zayn on the back and headed straight for the back. Sami was left in the ring, still looking upset, to take in some support from Full Sail who responded with an ‘Ole’ chant. He waved before limping to the back, head down.

That’s the Match of the Year so far for me and one you need to see. Does it dethrone the 2/3 Falls match? I’m erring on the side of yes, but there are assets to both. It was an absolute war and the build totally paid off. Cesaro did the heavy lifting, while Zayn sold, hit fast offense, and carried the emotion of the match expertly. If you have not yet, GO SEE THE MATCH. And if you have seen it, GO SEE IT AGAIN.

- Some confused but enthusiastic local government members were shown in attendance before C.J. Parker came out next. He was against Mojo Rawley, who came out hyped. Who would have thought? It’s a fairly big match-up between two wrestlers who have been built through jobbers over the past two months. There maybe should have been at least an announcement for this match, although the nature of the event and the packed show means this deserves a pass. After C.J. took control early, Mojo hit a couple of splashes in the corner before a big seated senton which was good for the win. That was a very abrupt ending, but putting over a popular face fast makes sense for Arrival. Still a win for C.J. around the corner wouldn’t go amiss.

- Emma was shown prepping backstage before a video package rolled on her. It managed to translate Emma’s weird personality very effectively and wouldn’t go amiss on Raw for sure.

- A video package was then shown on NXT tag champs The Ascension. It focused on their hard-hitting power and dominance instead of the undead, supernatural non-sense that they’ve been lumped with for the past year. More promising signs on their entrance, which had an awesome hard-hitting metal theme, before cutting to them looking badass on the stage. They made full use of the lighting installment, too, with lasers and lights adding to the intense atmosphere.

They held an open challenge, which was answered by no other than Too Cool! I’m not ashamed to say Scotty 2 Hotty was my favorite wrestler as a young’un so this should be fun. Of note, Scotty is now bald. Konnor started with Grand Master Sexay (GMS) with the big Ascension member quickly taking control. Of note, the Ascension were well over even against a popular team like Too Cool. As GMS was in a long, long chin lock from Konnor, the Full Sail crowd picked up a ‘We Want Lawler’ chant which, technically speaking, they already had.

Anyway, Sexay managed to get Scotty in the ring on the hot tag. He hit some big rights and signature offense including the bulldog into the worm position. Scotty looked out, popped his eyes, then went for it: W-O-R-M oo oo oo woo woo woo, and then he was tripped into the second rope. Konnor hit a STW, followed by the Fall of Man from both members of the Ascension for the win. It was a solid win for the Ascension continuing to look strong while Too Cool got in enough offense to keep everyone happy. However, there are still pacing issues to be addressed.

- There was a quick video package on Paige summing up the anti-Diva very well. She looks like a badass. She is a badass.

- The NXT Women’s Title match was next. Stephanie McMahon was out first looking erm. Yeah. Lets just say a lot of grown men had their cameras out and a hilarious ‘You still got it’ chant broke out. Stephanie smiled before saying, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, I never lost it.' A lovely way to get the crowd onside given her heel TV persona. She talked up NXT being the first live streamed show on the Network (a very wise decision in retrospect) and the women’s division in general before introducing the next generation of WWE Divas.

Emma was out first being goofy as usual. It really took away from the tone of the moment and of the title match, but William Regal did the dance, so who cares? Paige was out to new music (this seems to be a theme of the evening with characters getting a refresh) which although fine, doesn’t have the immediate impact of her last theme. Stephanie shook hands with both women before the match started.

Paige came right out the blocks and pushed Emma to get a fight atmosphere going. They grappled aggressively to the corner, where Paige hit a strong low kick and went for the Paige Turner, but Emma reversed into a backslide. After trading control, Paige hit some massive knee strikes on the apron. Emma managed to sweep her legs, though, which led to Emma taking control. She hit some signature offense before settling into a bow and arrow lock, which again both women sold well. Paige in particular was screaming. Paige managed to get to her feet, but Emma kicked her to the floor to hold the advantage. Notably, Emma’s persona got a lot more aggressive as the match went on, which did well to build the story of the match.

They went to the top teasing a superplex, by Paige but Emma hit a sunset flip, then walked out of the corner before smashing down Paige for a huge seated powerbomb. A ‘Better than Batista’ chant broke out but it was only a two. The two women came up to their knees with Emma telling Paige to stay down. A couple of strikes later, though, Paige hit her finisher, but it was only good for two. I will say that’s always been an issue of Paige’s with her finisher coming out of nowhere in a really negative way. Paige looked frustrated, then applied a submission finisher which Regal labeled a Scorpion Crosslock. Emma tapped out almost immediately.

After the match, Paige gave into a ‘Hug it out’ chant and congratulated Emma. I think she should have left it at a handshake to keep her badass-ness at 10, but the sportsmanship was the main issue here and they ticked all the boxes in that department.

That was a really good match and perhaps I’ve been a bit unkind to Emma. Paige showed real star quality both in taking and giving offense while Emma kept up her end of the deal well to make a really good Divas match. Why Eva Marie is allowed in the ring on telly is a mystery to me, although Paige is a great champion for NXT to hold onto for now.

- There was a video package on Adrian Neville, which was all fine although at one point he claimed to have never been in a ladder match before. I know why WWE want to disregard a talent’s past but it didn’t feel like the right decision here. He’s had some sensational ladder matches in the past as PAC and although it wasn't WWE, it seems disrespectful to write them off entirely. I’d rather the whole topic wasn’t brought up in general to avoid these sort of claims.

- The next match was Xavier Woods vs. Tyler Breeze. Woods is yet to make a real impact in WWE with his storyline being lost in the mid-card purgatory that won’t be seen until after Mania. This was another match that came with little to no hype, but soon enough Rusev’s music hit. He came in and destroyed both men with big kicks, splashes in the corner, and a Camel Clutch on Xavier, who sold like a champ. It was an effective two-minute squash for Rusev ahead of an imminent debut on the main roster.

- There was a video package on Bo Dallas next. Again, it was a very effective introduction to his smarmy persona with the highlight being him owning the ‘No more Bo’ chants saying he loves them. ‘People should want to know more about their champion.' Hilarious.

- After a quick final video package on the title match, there was darkness in the arena as cameras panned over the ladders. Suddenly, HBK’s music hit to a big pop. He came out, had a boogie, and took the mic to loud ‘HBK’ chants. He said he was enjoying retirement before a ‘H-B-Shizzle’ chant broke out, which led to Shawn saying we need that on a shirt. He plugged his DVD, as DX have in the past, before switching gears to talk up Bo and Adrian.

Neville was out first in front of ‘the biggest audience he’s ever wrestled in front of,’ according to Tom Phillips. Please refer to my rant about canceling out PAC from history above. Bo was out next to big heat. They had a staredown before the bell rang and the match was on.

Neville’s speed gave him an advantage early in the match before Bo took and held the advantage with a big clothesline. Bo tied up Neville’s foot in the rope and slowly went to get a ladder. Adrian untangled and baseball slid into the ladder that Bo was holding before coming over the top for a big splash. Ladder in the ring. Bo took control once again and went to get another ladder, but Adrian ducked and hit a back body drop onto the ramp.

The two men reset and began a tug of war with a ladder, which led to Bo driving Neville into the corner. That looked painful. Bo went for a slingshot onto a ladder that he set up in the corner, but Neville countered and transitioned into a tornado DDT. As they got to their feet, they ran at each other but clashed heads allowing for yet another reset. Bo got the advantage and whipped Adrian into the corner. After a couple of clotheslines, Bo went for a bulldog onto the ladder in the ring but was sent into the bottom turnbuckle. Once again Adrian went up where Bo met him, caught his arm and pulled Neville into the ladder. Both men fell, but landed on their feet and Bo sent Neville to the outside. Bo took a second to come around but slowly started to climb once again. Suddenly, Adrian came bouncing into frame off the top rope and landed above Bo on the ladder. WOW.

Bo tried a German Suplex off the ladder, but Neville held on before Bo dropped and got Adrian in a powerbomb position. He then smashed him into the corner, where he’d previously set up the ladder drawing worry from the commentators. Bo picked up a ladder and charged the corner looking to finish off Neville, but Adrian got his foot up, before slamming Dallas onto the ladder he just dropped. With Bo laid out on the ladder, Neville went up top. And despite me saying ‘no way?!’ Red Arrow! Adrian got a ladder, climbed and got the title to become the new NXT champion. The camera cut to John Cena applauding in the audience, which gave the evening that little extra prestige.

It’s a smart move having a big face victory to close proceedings for the first episode of NXT. Bo’s title run was excellent, now it’s time to see what Neville has to offer.

All in all it was a good match, but nothing on Cesaro-Zayn. It felt like a series of spots rather than a fluid match, with only one occasion feeling like the genuine finish of the match, which really left the rest as filler. Entertaining filler, but filler all the same. It’s tricky to sell close finishes in a ladder match with just two people. If one guy is down for even five seconds, it’s conceivable that a normal person could get to the top. However, for some reason gravity applies super heavily in that part of a wrestling ring. This match suffered badly from that fact. The finish was great, though, and Neville is a good choice going forward as champion.

Overall this was undoubtedly the best episode of NXT ever, old or new. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn will be in the running for MOTY and Cesaro getting the win gives a good storyline for Zayn to chase redemption (perhaps on the main roster) in the future. The women put on a great match while Bo and Neville put on a good, if not great, main event. The presentation and production quality has also been stepped up a gear and NXT feels like a really polished final product compared to the early days.

Anyway that’s enough from me sounding like a grizzled veteran. I’ll be seeing you soon WITH RANKINGS. Joys untold!

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