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CHIVERTON'S NXT SCOUTING REPORT: Latest Rankings & Evaluation heading into the "Takeover" special

Sep 4, 2014 - 9:13:29 PM
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NXT Rankings & Evaluation
By George Chiverton, PWTorch NXT specialist


Latest Network Era Rankings

(1) Sami Zayn
(2) Charlotte (NXT Women’s champion)
(3) Adrian Neville (NXT champion)
(4) Tyler Breeze
(5) The Vaudevillians
(6) The Ascension (NXT tag champions)
(7) Enzo Amore
(8) Kalisto
(9) Alexa Bliss
(10) Sasha Banks
(11) Colin Cassady
(12) Bayley
(13) Bull Dempsey
(14) Becky Lynch
(15) CJ Parker (debut)
(16) The Legionnaires
(17) Mojo Rawley

-C.J. Parker debuts in the rankings after being given a chance to do something with a feud against Xavier Woods, Parker is still spinning his wheels, though. His offense needs to be harder hitting, he needs to give more polished performances, and his promos just aren’t that memorable. As a result he debuts a way down my rankings. Sorry dude.

9/4 NXT Evaluation

- A week out from "NXT Takeover," NXT kicked off with Alexa Bliss coming against NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte in a tune-up match before her upcoming title match. They kicked off with some charming chain wrestling before Bliss showed off some athleticism. Unfortunately it was missing a little shine with a few botched moves which just took away from her offense a touch. Charlotte, on the other hand, provided some great muscle to throw about the smaller lady before finishing her with her flipping cutter finisher. It was a simple enough match that gave Bliss just enough to not qualify as a squash.

After the match, Bayley came down to the ring and grabbed a microphone. She demanded to be taken seriously because ‘at Takeover she’s seriously taking Charlotte’s title.' Sigh. She then extended her hand, which eventually drew a slap from Charlotte. Bayley fired up and got off her belly-to belly-suplex finisher. A much-needed last minute build for Bayley who seemed to have no chance against Charlotte. This at least installs a little doubt (if not quite enough to realistically see a title change).

- Backstage, Breeze said he would win the NXT Title because he’s good looking and always gets the job done. He was up next against Tye Dillinger, who was talked up by the announcers and did a good job while in control early in the match. Eventually Breeze got his focus into the match an brought Dillinger to the mat with a facelock. Tye then got to his feet and muscled Breeze into the corner before boom a Beauty Shot from Breeze was good for the win.

- Tyson Kidd was then backstage to speak on his opponents next week, doing a nice little heel switcheroo with his promo.

He was then going to face Adam Rose, complete with party. The announcers discussed Kidd vs. Rose from the past including acknowledging lollygate a couple of weeks back. It was a standard match from these two with Rose messing about before a frustrated Kidd managed to get some offense in to take an upper hand. He kept his offense varied to stay heelish but entertaining.

After being put into a chinlock, Rose fought to his feet and hit a jawbreaker. Rose then backed up to the corner, threatening his slice lariat finisher, only to be caught with a dropkick to the knee as he charged at Kidd. This allowed Kidd to lock in the Sharpshooter for the win. A decent match but with such a predictable outcome the audience never truly invested.

- It was now Sami Zayn’s turn to be interviewed saying he’d love to beat the champion to win the fatal four-way in the most convincing fashion possible.

He then came out for his tune-up match. He was facing Marcus Louis, who was accompanied by Sylvester Lefort. This may mean a post-match beatdown is advisable for all parties. Anyways, Louis sat into a chinlock after early control and held it for an age. Zayn did his best to sell it before the inevitable comeback, which concluded with a full-shot DDT before locking in the Koji Clutch. Louis tapped and that concluded the segment. Not the best for The Legionnaires ahead of their Hair vs. Hair match, but Zayn looking strong was rightfully prioritized.

- It was NXT champ Adrian Neville’s turn to talk. He said he likes to take risks and the match will be tough but he was ready for it. He was set to face C.J. Parker.

Neville’s speed kept Parker embarrassed to start but then Parker hit a big kick, which drew a slightly stressful two count. Parker was then on offense for a tadge before he came up short on a splash. Within two minutes, Neville was on the top hitting the red arrow. Neville is so entertaining in the ring but there are still doubts over Parker. He’s just missing something.

- Main Event time and it’s the finals of the tag team tournament with the Vaudevillains taking on Sin Cara and Kalisto in a match that had a lot to deliver.

English and Kalisto started with a handshake before Kalisto managed to utilise some athleticism to get the better of English’s technical style. Kalisto continued to frustrate before tagging in Cara and hitting some innovative tag team offense. Aiden English managed to tag out to Gotch, who got a nice little cheer for his entrance. He got on top before again brining back in English. English tied Sin Cara to the tree of woe and went for a shoulder block, but Sin Cara sat up sending English into the ringpost, before then flying off into a cross-body. Some Lucha craziness followed with Simon Gotch struggling to keep up with Kalisto’s offense.

This eventually led to a kick from Kalisto before his Asai DDT,which has been dubbed ‘The Rising Sun.' Not sure how I feel about that. Anyway, Sin Cara hit the Swanton Bomb and that was that. This was very convincing for the Luchas, but a shame that the match wasn’t given enough time to give the Vaudevillians a little more in defeat.

The Ascension came out to survey their opponents with the staredown closing the show. They’re over as all doodly, so I’m interested in how they will perform at Takeover and just what that match will look like.

- All in all, not a great episode of NXT with dull Takeover build coming to a quite underwhelming conclusion. It had the same vibe as the last Smackdown before Mania in the sense that everything was already set and the tag tournament final wasn't given enough time to have a really good match. But, hey, we go on shrugging into Takedown, which should deliver some big matches. I’ll see you then champs.


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