Saturday, 31 May 2014

THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT, THE FUTURE'S NXT....

DING DING
WWE have done a terrific job with NXT in the last 16 month. The improvements have been very refreshing. There are varying reasons behind this. First and foremost, we have to look at the impact the WWE Performance Centre has made, in the development side of the
company.
Triple H deserves a major pat on the back, for pushing hard to get this development centre opened. It has now been labelled, by some, "triple h's baby". Rumours are, that Mr Levesque has a camera feed of the centre in his office. Whether this is true or not, I don't know. But we all know Trips is a student of the game, And spent his whole career studying, listening, asking, training, and thinking wrestling every day. So he will expect nothing less from the new stars who arrive at Orlando, to try and carve out a career in WWE.
Using ex-pros such as Joey Mercury, Bill Demott and Billy Gunn, who are behind the
training and try outs can only be a positive factor for the centre.
In the last few years , WWE's new vision seems to include scouting the independent wrestling circuit to recruit new talent. Starting in the Performance Centre first, they will be put through the ringer, by the ex-pros and trainers who work there. Then receiving try outs and non tv matches, on the road with NXT
After their time in the Performance Centre and have completed their try outs, Some are successful by not changing too much of their character or wrestling style. Others get repackaged, and it either works in a positive way, or it can be a horrible failure, due to silly gimmicks or stories. WWE prefers to put their own company stamp on these guys, But certain wrestlers just don't fit the "WWE" way.
The current main roster includes several of my favourite superstars, Who came through the independent circuit before signing with WWE. Including Daniel Bryan, Dean Ambrose, Antonio Cesaro, CM Punk and Seth Rollins, to name a few. While they have had many successes, there is also a few wrestlers, who i liked, have been released after development. Due to them not suiting the "WWE" way, including Chris Hero and Davie Richards in recent times. But you can't win them all i suppose.
The NXT creative and booking team have been right on the money, with their tv product in the last couple of years. They are pushing the talent with strong gimmicks, and good story lines. And long may this continue. The WWE in a whole are currently reaping the benefits week in week out on Raw and Smackdown, with a number of stars who came through this process. This includes stars such as Bray Wyatt who is fast becoming one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster. Along with his fellow Wyatts members Luke Harper and Eric Rowan. All three members of The shield are currently on a great run. Also talented guys such as Cesaro, Sandow, Big E, Wade Barrett, to name a few, started in nxt and have made major progression through the company.   Its great to see. So credit where credit is due. Well done WWE.
I only hope the current crop of NXT stars get the same opportunity. Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, Corey Graves, Tyler Breeze, Sasha Banks, Charlotte, The Ascension, are a few of my picks who are undoubtedly very skilled and likable wrestlers. I hope the all get a good shot at a WWE career.
If you read this and do not watch NXT. Then i encourage you to start. Its refreshing viewing every week. DING DING






NXT TAKEOVER RESULTS AND REVIEW

DING DING
To start off I would like to congratulate the NXT booking team and production. This was one of the best shows I have watched in months. The fans at Full Sail were in great form right from the off. We had no fillers or advertisements. Just awesome action from start until end. NXT proved with this show, how much progression they have made in last 2 years. It was so easy to forget they are actually a development brand, during last night show. Great entertainment.

ADAM ROSE Vs CAMACHO - An enjoyable entrance from Rose, Starting outside and then including the usual performance. Once the match got going, it actually had some good back and forth action. Rose portrayed his usual unorthodox and camp style of "grappling". Rose finally hit The Party Foul to get the pin over the "Party Pooper" Camacho, and keeping the Rosebuds happy. Winner - Adam Rose

THE ASCENSION Vs KALISTO & EL LOCAL - I was expecting more of a fight from The Luchas. The Ascension were on top from the bell. Using there overpowering advantage to take control of the match. After showcasing there dominance, The Ascension applied their finisher to get the three count. Maybe some near falls were missing. But WWE obviously still want them to have that dominating theme to all their matches. Winners - The Ascension

SAMI ZAYN Vs TYLER BREEZE - Undoubtedly the match of the night. Both men reached deep, to enthral us with some magical wrestling. So many fantastic moves, With both stars desperate for the win. The crowd were so hot in appreciation of the entertainment they got from these guys. Zayn's springboard moonsault was definitely move of the night. After several kick outs from both of these talented men, Tyler Breeze finally hit The Beauty mark after Zayn missed with the Helluva kick. Breeze quickly covered to grab the victory, Awesome stuff. This match was worth the entrance fee alone in my opinion. Winner and new number one contender - Tyler Breeze.

RUSEV Vs MOJO RAWLEY - Rusev and the beautiful Lana made their usual pro Russian entrance. Which i don't really get!! (the cold war ended decades ago). Obviously, its meant to mirror the roles of Drago and his wife, in Rocky IV. Just a thought, but couldn't this still have worked without using the Russian theme?? Anyway, Mojo Rawley interrupted the pro Russian promo. Coming out waving Old Glory and hit the ring to "attack" Rusev. The big Bulgarian/Russian then proceeded to squash Rawley. Applying his submission version of the camel clutch. Then again on the ramp, after Lana ordered him to "CRRUUSH".

NATALYA VS CHARLOTTE NXT WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP - This was one of the best female matches I have saw in quite a while. With the added aspect of Ric Flair and Bret Hart in their respective corners, both ladies stood up and performed to a level not seen in WWE for numerous years. This match could have easily been all about the two legends and what they stood for. But instead, we had an excellent example of technical wrestling. Added to this was a very emotional theme, with both women desperate to capture the title. The full Sail fans showed their appreciation with a "this is awesome" chant. Which both of them fully deserved. This match was full of back and forth action, counter move after counter hold. Charlotte finally got the pin after a Bow Down To The Queen, planting Natalya's face to the mat. There was an emotional embrace and show of respect between all four stars at the end. Which was nice to see. My second best match of the night. Winner and new NXT Womens champion - Charlotte

ADRIAN NEVILLE VS TYSON KIDD NXT CHAMPIONSHIP - I'm gonna start off by mentioning that i really like Neville's ring entrance. Its pretty cool and good music too. As expected, these two men gave us a great all round wrestling match. Starting off quite technical, then with Kidd taking control. Neville had to dig deep in his defence and spirit to stay in the match. Then the champ found another gear and mounted a comeback. Both men were giving their all, then Neville performed a quite beautiful head scissors manoeuvre from the top turnbuckle. Then hit Kidd with his awesome Red Arrow finisher. Quickly covering him, The Brit managed to get the 3 count, and retain the NXT championship. We all knew this was going to be a good match. And it delivered. Winner and still NXT Champion - Adrian Neville.

Well that was a damn fine wrestling show. From the simple pre match VT promos, to the amazing in ring performances, This truly did enhance how excellent NXT programming is currently. With the Full Sail fans, as always, vocal in their support for the NXT brand. They almost certainly left the show feeling they had more than value for money. DING DING




Saturday, 24 May 2014


WHO DOES THE WWE TURN TO NEXT?

DING DING
With so many of us fed up with the stale John Cena gimmick, and with Randy Orton and Batista having to be repackaged in Evolution. I ask where do creative go now? Brock Lesnar seemingly is adamant on performing on a part-time basis only. Being a predominantly excellent performer, This frustrates even the most patient wwe fans. Who does this leave? And does it leave the door open for a star to step up? Can anyone dethrone JOHN CENA? Lets have a look then.....
 
DANIEL BRYAN is currently recovering from injury, and hopefully will return soon. He is undoubtedly one of the most talented wrestlers in the industry today. The YES man will always get a pop from the fans. But can he sustain the level of support and fan reaction he receives currently?? Only time will tell. The WWE universe will decide. RANDY ORTON has always been talented, But never did really fulfil his potential did he? Although he is a 12 time world champion, he hasn't developed into
the star we all thought after his break out moment from Evolution. He has been a solid performer for 10 years now. But with some negative chanting during his matches, have the WWE Universe had enough of The Viper?
BATISTA  had the worst timing in the world with his return to WWE
programming!! With the WWE Universe and IWC expecting or even DEMANDING that Bryan win the Royal Rumble, Big Dave was booked in to take the honours. Thus upsetting the fans like never before. The fan reaction after the rumble appeared to be more in frustration of the booking heading toward WrestleMania, than toward Batista himself. Planning to take a break this summer and with the forced heel turn to coincide with the booos, and being repackaged in Evolution, is there a place for him at main event level?? BROCK LESNAR aka The client Brock Lesnar, who defeated The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania!
Lesnar is an exceptional talent. But being on a part-time contract
hinders his booking for longer feuds. Its common knowledge that Brock hates being on the road 300 days a year. Also with him previously suffering from diverticulitis (bowel disease), Its understandable why he remains part time.
With Heyman at his side, we have a formidable duo! I am happy for him to be booked straight into main event stories when he returns. The wwe product is better with him in it, How long are we gonna have Brock on our screens? Only he knows the
answer to this?? KANE is in the twilight of his career. And is pursuing other ventures outside wrestling. But with the lack of opponent for Daniel Bryan post WrestleMania, corporate Kane had to don the red mask once again and return as the devil's favourite demon! I don't think he'll be main eventing a lot more ppvs. One more title run before he retires would be good for mr Jacobs though! He deserves that surely??
DOES THIS LEAVE THE DOOR OPENED FOR A NEW STAR TO BE BORN?? OR A LEGEND TO BE MADE??

CESARO is my first choice to mention. since joining the main roster in 2012, he has made big strides in a short time. Cesaro has an eloquent style, mixed with freakishly strong power. He got major
pops during his Real Americans run. So WWE universe foreseen him as thee breakout star. But has pairing him with heyman worked?? I'm not so sure. To me, they lack natural chemistry together. But pairing them together was a necessity, as the king of swing lacks the mic skills needed to connect with the fans. With Cesaro being 34 yrs old, this doesn't leave a long run at the top. So i think a major push needs to happen now. with or without heyman. ROMAN REIGNS has all the tools
needed to be one of the top stars of the company. He has a dominating presence and is graceful in his movement for a big guy! And we all know vince likes a big guy. Reigns does need serious work on his promo skills, and a look into the background of the character. Can he be a breakout star? Sure! Will WWE invest in him and progress his character? Yes. Will he be thee next guy? Only time will tell. SETH ROLLINS was seen as the third member, when The Shield started their
run on the main roster. I include him due to his never ending improvements in the ring, on the mic, and his presence as a character in whole! I see money in this guy, and could see him having a very long and successful singles career. Can it be at main event level?? definitely! My last pick is BRAY WYATT. The self proclaimed God has been the breakout star of 2014 so far. His rise in popularity increases week by week. With the modern day situation where heels aren't heels and faces aren't faces, this
places Wyatt in a very nice place. The leader of The Wyatt family has exceptional promo skills and a empowering presence, in and out of the ring. The on-going feud with John Cena has propelled him straight to the top. With already giving him tv time to build his character, WWE definitely have invested in him. Can he be the next star to rise to the very top?? Where  does he go next after Cena?? 
All in all, I am fairly excited about the future of the main event level in WWE. I just hope they invest the time and faith in these potential Legends! DING DING. 


TIMEKEEPER'S WRESTLER OF THE MONTH

BAD NEWS BARRETT

  DING DING













Wade wins my first ever monthly award, Due to his performance since WrestleMania. Where he wasn't even on the card. Since then he has risen through the ranks to win the IC championship. And has received good pops from the fans. His "Bad News" gimmick has propelled him bag into the mix, and with solid in ring performances, and a major improvement! I feel he deserves this award