NXT Rankings & Evaluation
By George Chiverton, PWTorch NXT specialist

Latest Network Era Rankings

(1a) Sami Zayn
(1b) Charlotte (NXT Women’s champion)
(3) Adrian Neville (NXT champion)
(4) The Ascension
(5) Tyler Breeze
(6) Bayley
(7) Tyson Kidd
(8) Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady
(9) The Vaudevillians
(10) Lucha Dragons (NXT Tag champions)
(11) Sasha Banks
(12) Becky Lynch
(13) The Legionnaires
(14) Alexa Bliss
(15) Bull Dempsey
(16) C.J. Parker
(17) Mojo Rawley

11/20 NXT Episode Analysis

- Unsurprisingly a ‘Last Week on NXT’ video package kicked things off, recapping Sami Zayn’s road to getting screwed by Adrian Neville last week. Poor bloke. When Zayn is in the ring, it’s still real to me dammit.

- After the title sequence, Bayley made her way out to general excitement from Full Sail. It’s a really nice vibe she has going for her, which is much more relatable than the likes of Emma and even Paige. She would be facing Becky Lynch who was accompanied by BFF Sasha Banks.

The match started with Bayley being the early aggressor until Becky slammed her onto the apron. This was followed up with a suplex and her awkward leg drops. Bayley then took control, with some elbows into the corner. A suplex then won a two count for Bayley before a ‘crafty’ distraction by Banks allowed Lynch to roll up Bayley for the win. Not a great match where they packed in a lot of moves but none of any real consequence due to the eagerness to get to the next part of the match. Hence it turned into more of a series of set pieces if anything, but considering time constraints that was probably inevitable.

After some verbal harassment for Bayley from the BFFs, Charlotte confidently made her way to the ring to take control. The heels made for the hills (that’s a joke), while Charlotte was left to console Bayley.

- After a break we were in a locker room with Charlotte. Bayley came into frame to say thanks for her help. Charlotte said she wouldn’t be at NXT next week and hence Bayley should avoid contact with Banks altogether. Bayley said thanks before prying a hug out of Charlotte.

- The heel team of The Vaudevillians got a face pop that many in the back would be jealous of. The announcers discussed them being men, although not heels. Let’s see if Aiden can get some heat with a mic. He reminded us The Vaudevillians are gentleman, and patient, but they want their Tag Title match now. Oh no. I don’t even want to write it. So, the Lucha Dragon’s music came on and a pair of little people (I apologise if that’s not the correct term) in Lucha gear. Look, it’s as horrible as you think.

So, Aiden summoned a ref and a match started. On what basis would any ref allow this? DRAKE YOUNGER NO. So, Gotch and English bullied the individuals before scoring a pin. Awful.

- Sami Zayn is on later. Thank goodness.

- THEN MY NIPPLES BECAME QUITE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE ERECT. A promo for Kevin Steen’s debut on the December 11 special aired. Having listened to C.M. Punk on Colt Cabana’s podcast I now realise that I need a new favourite. Although I do love me some Sami Zayn, I’m pinning my hopes on Steen (okay, Kevin Owen) to be the next best thing to ever happen in WWE.

- Baron Corbin’s opponent got to 22 very-quickly-counted seconds before he was pinned by the mystery man. Before Baron had even got to the back up the ramp, Bull Dempsey’s music hit and here he came, briefly brushing shoulders with Corbin on the way. Ah, okay that’s something interesting for these two. Bull didn’t make the 22 second grade, which drew the audiences ire, but still won in convincing fashion against one Mr. Steve Cutler.

- Tyson Kidd was the next man out following his tag team loss to Finn Balor and Hideo Itami last week. He was to face C.J. Parker. C.J. was once again attempting to re-establish himself according to the commentating team.

The crowd was solidly being Tyson, although this would otherwise be a heel vs. heel match, which is big no-no. Tyson out-wrestled C.J. before a ‘Total Divas’ chant served as a distraction. C.J. caught Kidd with an impressive back kick to gain some control. He then whipped Kidd across the ring before sending him hard into the turnbuckle. Eventually, Tyson’s speed got him out of trouble with a mean dragon leg screw on the apron allowing him to hit his fisherman's neckbreaker before transitioning into the sharpshooter. So yeah, he won. C.J. just has so little going for him right now.

Kidd got a mic and challenged Finn to a singles match. Yeah, I could go for that.

- Backstage, Enzo and Cassady were shadow boxing in preparation for their match. They talked before making their way to the ring with Carmella. It’ll be interesting to see if she maintains her heelish antics this week. Enzo did his standard spiel on their entrance as did Big Cass to a very good reaction. They would be facing Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder. We haven’t seen these blokes in a while so this should be interesting. They do have the issue of blandness, though, with their main gimmick being ‘having a bit of a nasty streak.’

Well, they got squashed, so I guess the lack of a gimmick really isn’t that important. So, in all, this was basic enforcement for a misfiring Carmella and the firing on all cylinders Big Cass and Enzo. Oh wait, I take that back as The Ascension came out and cleaned everyones clocks including Dash Wilder in particular who took a Fall of Man. The audience called for ’ten more times’ before Viktor called out Hideo and Finn. Golly, they new boys are going to need a diary to keep up with all their beefs. Konnor promised The Ascension would rise again.

- Backstage, Sami Zayn said thanks to William Regal for letting him talk. Not sure why we needed this.

- Sami’s theme hit and a deflated Zayn came to the ring as Full Sail seemingly tried to cheer him up. How’s that for over? Sami pulled up some tape recapping last week and said he didn’t know how to be a champion. A ‘you got robbed’ chant broke out before Sami called out Adrian Neville, who eventually obliged. Neville was wearing a weird formal casual outfit. Actually on that Zayn didn’t exactly look sharp. Wardrobe, you’re all fired.

Before Neville could talk, Zayn said if he couldn’t beat Neville and win the big one, he doesn’t know what he’s doing here. He said if Neville’s friendship means anything he will give him another match and if he doesn’t win he will quit. Neville tried to tell him he is one of the best in the world and has nothing to prove. Zayn snapped and said Neville has no right to tell Zayn what he has to prove. This was his life and he was living it. This was such an impassioned response from Zayn. Regal’s music hit and he came out to make the main event of "NXT Takeover: Evolution" on December 11. Neville then refused to allow Zayn to put his career on the line as he didn’t want to put him out of wrestling. Sami said if he doesn’t win he’s done regardless, before storming out.

Wow, so we have Kevin Steen, Neville-Zayn in a match that’s been building for near a year now, Finn Balor and Hideo against The Ascension, a potentially fun match-up of Bull Dempsey vs. Baron Corbin, and Charlotte vs. Banks. There is also The Vaudevillians vs. the Lucha Dragons, but after tonight’s ‘antics’ I can’t say I will be able to watch The Vaudevillians without cringing to a degree. However, we must not punish Gotch and English for WWE’s awful sense of humour. I have no doubt that they both hated Larry the Cable guy as much as the rest of us.

As for NXT it was a very bitty episode up until the end, but let’s try and remember the positives? Yeah? I mean, its not like the Anonymous Raw General... sigh.

***

11/27 Episode Analysis

- As we edge ever closer to the December 11 special, things should really start heating up across the board for NXT. This show should be the biggest of the year for NXT, so two weeks out this show matters.

- Tyler Breeze was first out as lead announcer Rich Brennan tripped over his introduction to the show. Not a big fan of this bloke, especially thinking back to early NXT when we were serenaded by the likes of J.R. and William Regal. More recently even Tom Phillips has shown to be more than competent and you’ve got to think the wrestling world has better lead announcers to offer. Still, let’s give Rich a chance.

Marcus Louis, towel on head, ambled to the ring. He looked utterly demented and his likeness to Kane grows every week. I’d say Kane had done all right, so that’s not a bad thing. His opponent, Tyler, seems the right man to get him over with his image-driven character. He took a mic: ‘Am I really expected to take on the uggo of all uggos?’ Way to support my argument there, champ. He dropped a hilarious (although slightly edgy) Lord of the Rings line before de-towling Marcus. Marcus looked shocked and froze up. Breeze shouted in his face, calling him a freak before screaming, ‘No one will ever love you Marcus! No one will ever love you, Louis!’ Wow, that was brutal. Louis stood shocked and Tyler hit him with the Beauty Shot for the win.

Louis freaked after the match before making his way up the ramp screaming. It’s weird, but hey I’ll give this character a go. This also gives Breeze a spot at NXT R-Evolution, albeit one where he will likely be squashed.

On a slight tangent here, WWE recently posted an excellent sit-down interview with Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, Finn Balor, Hideo Itami, and some other guy (who excited me later in the night) which was absolutely fantastic. One of the topics they touched on (and it’s all worth reading trust me) was how despite being Irish, French Canadian, British, and Japanese they weren’t playing on their nationalities in a stereotypical way. I have often criticised WWE for how they handle race, with the case of Camacho being particularly troubling, but here we have a French wrestler with a gimmick that completely transcends that fact. I like it.

- Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady made their super entrance before introducing Carmella. Let’s see if they can get her over. Carmella got sassy on the mic while hyping herself up strutting to the ring. Is she being a heel on purpose? Enzo said he had a surprise for Carnella as the audience chanted for ‘Blue Pants.’ ‘Introducing, for the second time…’ POP GOES THE FULL SAIL. What a silly thing wrestling is. So yeah here came jobber extraordinaire blue pants. Her costume resembled that of a character from the old X-Men comics. The match was soon on and Carmella dropkicked her way to control before swiftly locking in her unique submission. Blue Pants tapped pretty swiftly, making this a total squash and getting even more heat on Carmella. Hmm. What’s the plan here?

- Finn Balor was backstage delivering a very scripted promo on Tyson Kidd ahead of the main event. Maybe he should become the silent type?

- The Lucha Dragons came flying into the ring as a graphic reminded us they would be facing The Vaudevillians at R-Evolution. For now they would have Tye Dillinger and Jason Jordan to deal with. Tye has been touted by a few wrestlers on Twitter as of late, so I’ll keep my eyes peeled here. Dillinger and Sin Cara tangled to start before some lovely tag work from the Dragons brought in Kalisto with a splash. Cara was soon back in, karate-chopping Dillinger’s shoulder off the top rope.

Dillinger managed to take the fight to his corner, which brought in Jordan, who overpowered Cara to take control. He mocked Kalisto, really heeling it up, before swinging for him. He then came back to Cara who managed to reverse some tangent offence to buy some time. Jordan, frustrated again tried to swing for Kalisto on the apron, but missed and got caught with a schoolboy. This allowed Kalisto to tag in and just go mental. I’m sorry. but I can’t even begin to tell you what happened, but it finished with Cara suicide-diving Dillinger and Kalisto hitting the Solista Del Sol on Jordan for the win. Decent little match this and Dillinger and Jordan both look ready to step up a bit. Jordan in particular found a little bit of something extra here to maximise his screen time which is always good to see.

- Women’s time with a reminder of last week’s extensive shenanigans. In short: Charlotte saved Bayley from the bullying of Becky Lynch. Jeez, these gals sure don’t like each other, huh? Shucks.

- Oh my daaaaays. EUUUUGGGH! A Kevin Owens (Steen) promo aired. I just. Big statement: He will be the best of the post Cena generation. And this promo summed all that up. Man I am all hyped up about this. Go watch it. Oh, he was the other bloke in the interview, by the way. His banter with Zayn is great.

- Bayley came to the ring, after being told last week she shouldn’t mess with the BFFs this week due to Charlotte’s absence. Bayley said she would stand up to the bullies. Let’s be clear about this: this storyline is for the kids and that’s fine. She labelled bullies cowards and everyone cheered and that’s good. Banks came with Lynch down to the ring and got in Bayley’s face. Bayley came out swinging but Lynch smashed her with a dropkick. After a quick beat down refs made the save, but the heels stayed put to taunt things up. I’m really not sure how this all fits together right now, but we have hot heels and hot faces and that’s enough for me.

- Tyson Kidd was backstage with Natalya. The interviewer very rudely asked Natalya about Kidd’s match. Natalya rambled and Kidd cut in saying just ask me. He then slagged off Justin Gabriel before saying that having worked with Bret Hart, there is a new Hitman on the horizon. He then refused a hug with Natalya so he could face-time the cats. That seems reasonable to me. But yeah, all good stuff.

- Then. Well. A load of ‘I don’t know’ happened. The Vaudevillians had a bit as a silent movie with the Mini Lucha Dragons. It was erm, okay. There was an amazing bit where Gotch fought a bear and the general silent movie thing was done really well. But, eugh. The mini luchas thing just feels so cheap and tasteless. The bit closed with their old entrance theme, which just has me missing the old days. Take the bear fighting bit, take the premise, give them their old theme back and turn them face. That’s where the money is with The Vaudevillains.

- They ran down the card for R-Evolution with the highlight being the main event of Zayn vs Neville. This is a match will may go down as one of those where were you moments in wrestling. I consider it a preview, in so many ways, of WrestleMania 36. HYPE TRAIN DOESN’T STOP ROLLING.

- Kidd made his entrance for the main event with Natalya on his arm. Finn then made his dramatic entrance as a graphic for The Ascension vs. Hideo Itami & Finn aired. The technical achievement of Finn’s entrance is not lost on me. That’s a lot of work to get that so awesome.

The two wrestlers started with Finn winning the first exchange. They locked up again as the technical battle continued. Finn again seemed to get the better, locking Kidd into a tricky wristlock. Kidd hit a headlock takeover to get out before a slight slip in communication messed up a reversal. Kidd cleaned up with a snapmare, before they reset and Finn dropkicked Kidd in a big way, sending the Canadian to the ramp. As Finn wound up to dive over the top Kidd cowered behind Natalya forcing Balor to slam on the brakes. NXT went to break with boos raining down.

Back from the break, Kidd tied up Balor in the tree of woe, before showing off to Natty with nasty offence. He hit a dropkick into Finn, before punting him in the spine for a two count. Kidd then settled into a chin lock before screaming at the ref to ‘Ask him! Ask him in Irish!’ which was amusing. A portion of the audience began chanting ‘Tyson’s house’ before a ‘Balor’s house’ chant fought back. On cue Balor reversed out of a suplex and BOOM chop and BOOM chop and irish whip into another BOOM chop. Vicious stuff. Balor then nailed a Pele kick before a brutal brainbuster. Unfortunately for everyone Kidd kicked out at two. That is a move that should be getting three at a PPV, and not being kicked out of in any circumstance for my money, especially this early in Finn’s career.

Finn set up in the corner, but got kicked at the last moment by Finn. Finn hit an enziguiri to recover though and almost nailed the double foot stomp before Kidd rolled out of the way. Kidd tried a sharpshooter but got kicked off. Balor came charging in only to be drop toe hold-ed into the bottom turnbuckle. Kidd then dropped the leg onto Balor who was hanging over onto the apron. This was only a two count again. Tyson went for his springboard elbow only to land on Balor’s knees. Balor then sat him up and punted him across the chest. He went to the top to seal the win and here came the Ascension. Uppercut to Balor and that’s a DQ folks. Great match while it lasted, although that’s what you’d expect right?

- Then, the show went a bit awkward as The Ascension, Hideo (who got involved shortly after) and Balor began lightly brawling in respective corners. Refs then came spilling down but no one really knew what they were doing, so seemingly everyone just ended up being in the ring falling over one another. Some random wrestlers from the back didn’t improve things as the announcers desperately tried to sell this as carnage to plug their match when really everyone was just looking confused. Hmm, not a great ending, but thankfully the hot main event made up for things falling a bit flat after.

- Overall some highlights, some less highlights, and then there was Kevin Steen/Owens. Just make it happen now and make me happy and it’s the best. So. Yeah. Good. Anyway lead in show to come. Let’s get things heated here people.

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