SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
NXT TV REPORT
JANUARY 3, 2018
TAPED IN ORLANDO, FLA. AT FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY
AIRED ON WWE NETWORK
REPORT BY JUSTIN JAMES, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
We start with Shinsuke Nakamura facing Bobby Roode, with Nakamura trying to regain the NXT Championship.
Drew McIntyre making his way into NXT.
#DIY vs. The Authors of Pain at Takeover: San Antonio.
Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Roode from Takeover: Brooklyn when McIntyre won the NXT Championship.
The introduction of Undisputed Era.
The debut of the Street Profits, Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli, Heavy Machinery, TM61.
TM61 are billed for two weeks from now, it is not exactly clear if it will be an in-ring return, or just a talking segment.
Aleister Black – Velveteen Dream package. The lengthy match replay even spans a commercial break. Someone at NXT clearly feels that this match was something special, and I agree.
The build to McIntyre facing Almas for the NXT Championship, with Zelina Vega doing most of the work. Followed by the match.
(1) Former NXT Champion DREW MCINTYRE vs. ADAM COLE (w/Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish) – NXT Championship Match – Shawn Michaels as Guest Referee
Basic offense sense Cole ringside to talk to O’Reilly and Fish. McIntyre catches a kick, then takes a jawbreaker. Cole distracts Michaels to let O’Reilly and Fish harras McIntyre. Michaels gives them a warning about interfering in the match. They keep jawing at him, and he kicks them out of the ringside area. They throw a fit. Cole accidentally touches Michaels and he talks to Cole too. McIntyre and Michaels end up getting in it a bit. Cole takes advantage with a chop block. McIntyre puts himself into the ringpost. [c]
Cole escapes the Future Shock DDT, McIntyre ducks an enziguri and hits a sit out powerbomb for a nearfall. Cole spits in McIntyre’s face, McIntyre headbutts him in return. McIntyre looks for a second rope Celtic Cross, hits it, but Cole rolls away, then gets a foot to the ropes on the cover. Shining Wizard from Cole gets a nearfall. Cole gets in Michaels’ face. Really funny how much Cole looks like he went to the salon, showed them a picture of HBK and said, “do that”. Cole “warms up the band” to call for a superkick, McIntyre blocks it, Future Shock DDT, nearfall. Cole looks for a superkick, but it catches Michaels instead. McIntyre lands the Claymore, covers, the crowd counts to about 15, Michaels recovers, counts, then Fish and O’Reilly re-enter the ring and yank Michaels out of the ring and beat up McIntyre. They want Chasing the Dragon, Michaels low bridges Fish, McIntyre throws O’Reilly off. Michaels is back on his feet but staggered. He points to Cole in the corner. Michaels calls for Sweet Chin Music and knocks O’Reilly out. Michaels ducks a kick from Cole, McIntyre catches him with a giant swing of sorts and transitions to the Future Shock DDT, Claymore for the win.
WINNER: Drew McIntyre at 15:02. If you didn’t know that this match would involve Michaels landing a Sweet Chin music to someone in Uindisputed Era, you have never watched a WWE show before.
Cut to Almas defeating McIntyre the next night at Takeover: War Games.
Interview with Zelina Vega talking about his upcoming defense at Takeover: Philadelphia. Vega mocks the idea that Gargano is the challenger. Shots of Gargano coming backstage after the Fatal Four Way, all smiles until he bumps into Vega and Almas. She says they are talking him seriously, but Almas will win. Flashbacks to Gargano’s brief, but memorable feud with a #DIY T-Shirt.
Asuka’s NXT career is reviewed.
Other female wrestlers are introduced: Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, Lacey Evans, Kairi Sane, Bianca Bel Air, Vanessa Bourne, Shayna Baszler, Nikki Cross.
Back to last week, when Kairi Sane challenged Ember Moon, and Shayna Baszler ambushed her while Ember Moon looked on from the ring. Baszler is booked to make her in ring debut next week.
Recap of the War Games match.
The #DIY vs. AOP match from Takeover: Chicago, where Tommaso Ciampa turned on Johnny Gargano.
Look back at the Black vs. Dain vs. Gargano vs. Sullivan Fatal Four Way match that made Gargano the #1 Contender for the upcoming Takeover: Philadelphia.
Interview with Gargano, reminiscing on losing the Tag Team Championship and Ciampa turning on him.
The NXT award categories for 2017 are:
* Takeover of the year
* Match of the year
* Tag team of the year
* Breakout star of the year
* Male competitor of the year
* Female competitor of the year
* Future star of NXT
* Rivalry of the year
* Overall competitor of the year
Ember Moon package. She goes deep into her history of becomming a wrestler. Clips from Booker T. She quotes a rejection letter from WWE where she didn’t have the right look. This is just a fantastic package. This is what they needed to do with Moon a year ago. She is so much more relatable, has a great story, and feel seems like a really hard working person.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S REPORT: 12/27 NXT TV Report: Ember Moon vs. Sonya Deville, Lars vs. Dane vs. Aleister vs. Gargano for no. 1 contendership
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