WWE NXT (10/23/12) Report By: Sean Garmer
Location: Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida
Hosts: Jim Ross, Tony Luftman, & William Regal
WWE: THEN, NOW, FOREVER
Backstage: NXT Commissioner and WWE Hall of Famer “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes is reading something while Heath Slater comes in and is excited to be on NXT. Slater says he wants Commish Rhodes to make Slater vs. Rollins tonight for the NXT Title. Then Vickie Guerrero comes in and says she is scouting the future and that means the “One Man Band.” Commish Rhodes says he will make a non-title match between Rollins and Slater for tonight, if Slater wins he gets a future titleshot. This leads into the…
NXT INTRO
The show opens The Funkasaurus Brodus Clay dancing his way to the ring with the Funkadactyls. His opponent is revealed to be Camacho. William Regal does let us know that Hunico is not here because he is in “a little bit of trouble.” (wellness maybe?) well here we go…
Match 1: Brodus Clay w/ Funkadactyls vs. Camacho
Both men lock-up and Brodus pushes Camacho down with AUTHORITY!!! Brodus Scoop Slams Camacho down a few times with such power that Camacho rolls to the ring apron. Brodus Hip-Tosses Camacho back into the ring. We go into the corner where Brodus attempts the “10 Punches of Doom” but Camacho slips out eventually and knocks Brodus off the turnbuckle and to the mat. Brodus gets up and Camacho with an impressive Dropkick for his size and continues with a beatdown on Brodus. After a 1 count pin, Camacho puts Brodus immediately into the Neck Trap of Doom. It does not take Brodus very long to get out of it and then he goes for a Splash into the corner, but Camacho moves out of the way and then he SCORES with a SAMOAN DROP on Brodus Clay. However, Brodus kicks out with some POWER and sends Camacho to the outside. Camacho gets up and gets distracted by Naomi and Cameron´s dancing long enough for Brodus to head to the outside and do a Shimmy Shake of his own and then roll Camacho back into the ring. Camacho heads up to the top rope, jumps, but he runs into a HEADBUTT from Brodus Clay.
Brodus picks up Camacho and T-Bone Suplex to the big man followed by the SPLAT Splash for the 1, 2, 3!!!
Winner: Brodus Clay (after Splat Splash)
Time & Rating: 3 minutes and 50 seconds, * (Camacho managed to make this match interesting. He got some offense in on Brodus and actually allowed Brodus to look more impressive because he is tossing around a guy his size. I am really surprised it took them so long to learn the use the ladies as a “distraction” for Brodus to get more important victories. A Brodus Clay match that was actually enjoyable, go figure.)
We see a little promo video showing Paige and at the end we find out she apparently will have a match tonight.
Back to ringside, Bryan Saxton is at a podium with Richie Steamboat. Saxton lets us know that apparently Steamboat is not cleared to wrestle here tonight. Steamboat says Ohno showed off how much of a “coward” he is by attacking from him behind. Steamboat says if it was up to him he would compete tonight but then Steamboat is interrupted by Kassius Ohno. Ohno is insulted by Steamboat saying his name incorrectly and then says that “Junior” Steamboat is not telling the whole story. Ohno says Richie is “finished.” Kassius says Richie needs to go take a retiring seat with Papa Steamboat instead. Ohno then has a gift for Steamboat, which is a “white towel” so that Steamboat can throw it in and allow Ohno to move on into the NXT Title picture. Ohno says he needs to be excused because he needs to end someone else´s career tonight. We go to commercial.
Back from break, Ohno´s opponent winds up being Trent Barreta and all that´s left now is to start this match…
Match 2: Kassius Ohno vs. Trent Barreta
Both men lock-up and exchange some takedown holds for a bit and then go into a criss-cross, which Barreta wins out with a 1 count roll-up pin and then gets an Arm Drag on Ohno as well. Barreta decides to hold in the armbar on Ohno, but Ohno is able to force himself to a vertical base and takes Barreta down. Ohno SLAMS Barreta´s head into the turnbuckle and beats him down for a bit in a separate corner and then, as Barreta staggers out of the corner Ohno yells out “Where´s Trent?” mocking his opponent.
Ohno whips Barreta into the ropes and then attempts a move, but Barreta NICELY counters into a Jumping Hurricanrana and then he clotheslines Ohno over the top rope and TO THE FLOOR!!! Barreta sees an opportunity as Ohno is standing on the outside to hit the ropes and NAIL Ohno with a FLYING SENTON to the OUTSIDE!!! Wonderfully done by Barreta here. However, when Barreta tries to roll Ohno back into the ring, Ohno pushes Barreta into the ring apron allowing him to gain an advantage. Ohno rolls Barreta back into the ring and then begins working on the neck of Barreta with various knee drops, into a cover that gets a 1 count and then Ohno locks in a Cravate on Barreta as well.
Barreta eventually is able to get out of the hold by using the ropes to his advantage. Barreta and Ohno counter each other, which even involves Barreta attempting a Tornado DDT, Ohno stopping it, then Barreta can´t get Ohno over for the Sunset Flip Pin, so Ohno gets out of it and scores with a Low Dropkick for a 2 count pin. Ohno immediately puts Barreta into a Cravate again and he holds it in even longer than the last one until Barreta uses a Snapmare to get out of the hold. Barreta has all the momentum now and he starts the comeback with a few blows and then a SURPRISING Enziguri to the HEAD of Ohno for a LONG 2 count cover.
Barreta gets up and LANDS a Springboard Back Elbow into the CORNER!!! However, this only pisses off Ohno and he starts STOMPING THE CRAP OUT of Barreta. Ohno gets up and looks around as if he might be ready to end this, but suddenly the crowd gets a little crazy and it´s Richie Steamboat coming down the ramp with the towel in his hand. Steamboat THROWS THE TOWEL at Ohno, Ohno is blinded and Barreta NAILS Ohno with His Running Knee for the 1, 2, 3!!!
Time & Rating: 6 minutes and 50 seconds, ** (Pretty good match here, even though Ohno controlled most of it, Barreta still got in lots of offense and the crowd was behind him the whole time. This is one of those where the crowd helped the match and Barreta is one of the up and coming stars of NXT for sure. The best part is that Steamboat finally got to make Ohno look bad for once in this feud. That is about damn time they gave him his chance.)
They show us a graphic for the main event of the show NXT Champion Seth Rollins vs. Heath Slater. We also find out that Layla and Alicia Fox will team up to face Paige and Audrey Marie. We go to commercial.
We see Tony Luftman for the first time, as he and Regal have a short little discussion. Then we see Layla and Alicia Fox make their way to the ring. Paige and Audrey Marie waste no time making their entrance, they hit the ring, and here we go with another Divas Tag Match.
Match 3: Divas Tag Team Match: Layla & Alicia Fox vs. Paige & Audrey Marie
Alicia Fox and Paige start off the match and they go into a lock-up that both ladies hold in for a while. Over Head Arm Drag by Paige on Alicia Fox followed by a Dropkick finally gets things going in this match. After a couple of whips into the ropes Alicia Fox is able to counter Paige into a Tilt-A-Whirl Back Breaker and over for a 2 count cover. Alicia Fox attempts to pick up Paige by the hair but Paige puts a leg up and then Reverse Monkey Flips Alicia to the mat allowing Paige to tag Audrey Marie into the match. Alicia Fox also makes it to Layla and we start again.
Layla and Audrey Marie are in the ring now with the crowd cheering for Layla while she dances a bit around the ring. Layla with Head Arm Takeover to start and then both ladies exchange Leg Sweeps and pins, both ladies get up and Layla grabs Audrey´s foot, but Audrey is able to drop down and Monkey Flip Layla. However, Audrey cannot really gain an advantage after that as Layla gets a quick roll-up for a two count and then knocks Audrey down with a NASTY Kick RIGHT to the FACE, which gets Layla a 1 count.
Layla once again keeps the beat down going on Audrey Marie, as she makes the tag to Alicia. Ms. Fox comes in and Clotheslines Audrey down and then she takes Audrey to the corner and three consecutive times Alicia pulls Audrey by the hair and RAMS her head into the top turnbuckle, with the last one followed by a NICE looking NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX for a 2 count. Alicia keeps the pressure up on Audrey Marie by immediately putting her into a Rear Chinlock for a little bit before dropping her down and going for another pin that only gets a 2 count. Alicia picks up Audrey again but this time Audrey in a roundabout way does an eventual counter into a Roll-Up for a 2 count and then when Alicia kicks out she sends Audrey right into the direction of Paige where she MAKES THE TAG!!! Alicia also tags in Layla right here too.
Both Paige and Layla run at each other and Layla CONNECTS with a Clothesline. Layla with a Kick and then a Low Dropkick followed by her Double Springboard Crossbody for a 2 count, Layla calls for a move and tries to lead Paige into the corner, but Paige moves out of the way and Layla kicks Alicia Fox down instead. Paige misses the Clothesline, but she tries it again and this time Layla winds up on the mat. Paige has Layla up for the Cradle DDT, but Audrey Marie gets overzealous when Layla starts trying to get out of the move and Audrey Marie tags herself into the match. The referee makes Paige aware of the tag so she just Scoop Slams Layla down and then starts arguing with Audrey. Audrey goes for the pin, but at the count of 2 Layla reverses it and Layla gets the 1, 2, 3!!!
Winner: Layla & Alicia Fox (Layla Pins Audrey Marie)
Time & Rating: 5 minutes, * and a ½ * (This was a decent tag match from all four ladies. Alicia Fox did her usual mean streak stuff, we didn´t really get to see much from Paige or Audrey Marie actually. It was mostly Layla and Alicia controlling the match here, which does not mean that´s bad. I liked the ending with Audrey getting ahead of herself and costing the team the win it could lead to a mini-feud between her and Paige. I think once we knew Layla was involved in this match it was obvious her team was not losing. Regardless, it was still a decent showing.)
Backstage: NXT Champion Seth Rollins is interviewed by Riley Pearce. Riley wants to know Rollins thoughts on his match with Slater later tonight, especially now that Vickie Guerrero will be in Slater´s corner too. Rollins says he was always taught to “respect his case.” However, in Vickie´s case she is just “older and louder” so I could use some ear plugs out there. Rollins says Slater is currently enjoying “15 minutes of fame.” Rollins says he is the future and Slater´s 15 minutes is up.
We get a short little promo video of Bronson being in action NEXT. We go to commercial.
As I mentioned, we are getting the debut Bronson right now. His video just shows him doing some stuff and then a pair of brass knucks on either side of him. His opponent tonight Lincoln Broderick (jobber) is already in the ring.
Match 4: Bronson vs. Lincoln Broderick (jobber)
James Bronson is an ex MMA Fighter and was first picked up WWE out of All Japan Pro Wrestling. So, I am excited to see what this guy can do. Bronson takes down Broderick and puts him in a Front Facelock and rolls around with Broderick until he is able to get to the ropes and force the referee to break things up. Bronson takes Broderick to the nearest corner and just with various STIFF Clotheslines, Kicks, and other tings just beats down Broderick. Broderick staggers out and Bronson with a NASTY Clothesline. We go to another corner and roughly the same stuff happens here, until Broderick tries to fight back and we get to the middle of the ring where Bronson COUNTERS Broderick with a VICIOUS STO and then he turns that into a Reverse Figure 4 Leglock for the TAP OUT!!!
Winner: Bronson (after Reverse Figure 4 Leglock)
Time & Rating: 50 seconds, NO RATING (just a straight up beatdown squash match for the new guy.)
After the Match: Bronson says that 1 by 1 he is going to take everyone down and that HE CANNOT BE STOPPED!!! Also, we see a very short Kassius Ohno getting pissed off backstage segment too.
United States Champion Antonio Cesaro comes out in a suit and a satchel. Cesaro gets on the microphone and says he is the champion of everyone here. Cesaro says with everything he does he takes the United States Championship to a level “no American ever reach.” Cesaro wants people to stand up for the national anthem. Of course, the fans show “no respect” for the anthem and refuse to stand up. So, Cesaro spends time trying to get them up and then Cesaro asks for the national anthem of Switzerland. Right the he is interrupted by Tyson Kidd. Kidd gives Cesaro a fashion tip that his “man purse” is a no no in America. Cesaro is quite angry at the mention of his “purse.” Kidd walks into the ring and challenges Cesaro to a United States Championship match. Cesaro I guess starts talking Swiss. Tyson says he gets that Cesaro can talk in “five different languages.” However, Kidd has something universal to any language, SLAP!!! Cesaro is pissed; Kidd ducks under a Clothesline and Dropkicks Cesaro out of the ring and to the FLOOR!!! Cesaro gets his US Championship, tears off his shirt, and the fans chant “USA USA.” Kidd wants Cesaro to come into the ring but Cesaro decides to walk up the ramp instead. We go to commercial.
Back from commercial, we get the RAW Rebound showing us what happened with AJ losing her GM position and Vickie Guerrero becoming the Managing Supervisor of RAW. They also discuss the AJ/John Cena storyline too.
After the RAW Rebound, Vickie Guerrero called “Heath Slater” better than Justin Beiber and Bruce Springsteen combined, as she introduces him. The “One Man Band” makes his entrance and then following him comes NXT Champion Seth Rollins, as the crowd goes nuts to see its champion.
Match 5: MAIN EVENT: Seth Rollins vs. Heath Slater w/ Vickie Guerrero
Both men lock-up, Side Headlock by Rollins is immediately turned into a criss-cross, which Slater wins out with a Shoulder Block. Slater celebrates like he just won the match and Rollins cannot believe what is going on right now. Slater and Rollins counter a few holds and Slater wins the exchange with a not so good looking Arm Drag. Slater celebrates again and then we go into a longer lock-up that is broken up in the corner. Slater whips Rollins into the diagonal corner but Rollins counters by flipping out of the corner, and then leapfrogging over a charging Slater only to hit the ropes again and CONNECT with a LOUD Knife Edge Chop to the chest of Slater. Rollins catches Slater´s foot, but Slater smartly is able to keep his balance and grab the ropes to force the referee to break the hold. Vickie yells at Slater that he needs to focus and he goes after Rollins, but Rollins knocks Slater down with a Back Heel Trip, a Shoulder Block, and then finishes off the exchange with an Arm Drag.
Rollins starts working on Slater´s arm by attacking it and wrenching it, Rollins pushes Slater away and then Dropkicks Slater all the way to the outside. Rollins tries the Suicide Dive, but Slater moves out of the way before Rollins jumps so he holds off. Slater walks over towards Vickie and gets scolded by her, distracting Slater to where he doesn´t see Rollins Baseball Slide. Slater sits down at the edge of the ramp, as we go to our final commercial.
We are back to the action after commercial, Rollins has Slater in a Single Leg Crab and Slater is trying his hardest to get to the ropes, but Rollins takes Slater back to the middle of the ring. Slater inches his way to the ropes and FINALLY MAKES IT!!! Rollins decides to deal more damage while the referee is counting down, he has Slater in a Wheelbarrow position and then slams Slater FACE FIRST against the mat, our first cover of the match results in only a 2 count for Seth Rollins here. Rollins seems rather upset that Slater didn´t stay down there. We go once again to a corner and Rollins gives Slater a NASTY Knife Edge Chop that sends Slater staggering out of the corner, and they go to the next corner and the same thing happens again. We go to another corner and this time Slater sends Rollins into the diagonal corner, Rollins tries to flip over Slater again, but this time Slater catches him in mid-air and DROPS him onto the ROPES!!! Rollins stays hanging on the ropes and Slater comes by and KICKS Rollins in the FACE!!! Slater goes for a cover but only gets a 2 count.
Slater delivers a few shots and foot chokes Rollins in a different corner and then Slater Scoop Slams Rollins down and then puts Rollins into a Rest hold here, hoping the crowd will get behind Rollins. Rollins is eventually able to get out of the hold thanks to some energy from the crowd. Rollins whips Slater into the ropes but Rollins reverses it and Slater NAILS Rollins with a Calf Kick. We have another cover here but just another 2 count for Heath Slater. Slater does a dancing Knee Drop that gets another 2 count and we get another rest hold from Slater. Rollins breaks the hold again and this time Slater is the one that whips Rollins into the ropes, Rollins ducks under a Clothesline twice, we see Slater hit the ropes too and DOUBLE CROSSBODY to each other, BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!!!
Vickie berates Slater once again, as both men try to get up before the count of 10 and they do, as this starts a slug fest between Rollins and Slater. “Boo and Yey” chants begin from the crowd after it seems this thing is going to take a while. Finally Rollins ducks under a punch, hits the ropes, and HITS Slater with a Calf Kick. Rollins with a Clothesline taking Slater down too, Rollins then whips Slater into the ropes and then goes after him to keep Slater there, Slater actually counters and flips Rollins out onto the ring apron. Slater lowers his head, Rollins misses a kick, but Rollins is able to actually turn the tide and Back Body Drop Slater to the outside and get back into the ring.
I think we know what is coming here Seth Rollins go back inside the ring only to MISSILE himself back outside with a SUICIDE DIVE!!! Rollins rolls Slater back inside the ring and then Springboards and WHACKS Slater with a Flying Knee. Rollins is over for the cover and Slater KICKS OUT after a LONG 2 count. Seth Rollins starts going up to the top rope and Vickie starts admonishing Seth Rollins, which distracts Rollins long enough to where he has to hop off the top turnbuckle. However, Rollins is quick to hit the ropes, but he runs into a kick from Slater and then Slater NAILS Rollins with a ONE ARM NECKBREAKER, but Slater only gets a VERY LONG 2 count, he almost had him there. Slater is incensed that he did not get the victory there. Slater argues with the ref and then he keeps beating down Rollins for a bit. Slater picks up Rollins and has him up for a Powerbomb, but Rollins slips out of the move and SCORES with an Enziguri Kick (man you could hear that one.) Rollins has Slater and Rollins CONNECTS with a STANDING SHINOBI into the cover we go, 1, 2, 3!!!
Winner: Seth Rollins (After Standing Shinobi)
Time & Rating: 12 minutes and 30 seconds (with commercial break in-between,) ** and a half * (This was a good match, it seems that all of Seth Rolllins matches seem to have a formula no matter who he faces. They start out slow with each guy feeling each other out. The heel has a dominating part, Rollins has a mini comeback, then the heel really dominates, and then Rollins makes his final comeback, with the last five minutes having a bunch of near falls too. I don´t mind the formula as it results in good matches, but they could change it up here and there. Slater is a little limited but I have seen him do more things in matches with others. I really liked how they gave Slater numerous chances to win but he just could not pull it off. I actually liked the Blackout a lot, but I understand WWE wants to give Rollins a finisher that no one else does right now, so that´s ok. The champion looks strong once again to close out the show, which is always a good thing.)
After the Match: Rollins celebrates his victory in the ring, we get a replay of the finish, and then we see Vickie Guerrero walk up the ramp pissed off that Slater was so “pathetic” he could not get the win. The camera pans to Seth Rollins back in the ring celebrating, as Jim Ross tell us that Tyson Kidd will indeed get a United States Championship opportunity against Antonio Cesaro and we will also see the debut of Roman Reigns as well.
FINAL RATING: 8.5
This was a much, much, much better show than last week. Brodus actually had a decent match with Camacho to start us off. We had more Ohno and Steamboat stuff, which is always a good thing. Ohno had a good match with Trent Barreta and Steamboat finally got the upperhand in the feud too. The Divas Tag Match could have been better, but it was decent for what it was. We got the debut of James Bronson who looks to be an interesting guy for NXT. I loved all the stuff with Slater, Vickie, and Rollins. They always treat the champion with class and that continued on this episode. They had a very good match to end the show, and even though I would have liked to see Slater get a titleshot. It probably makes more sense for Rollins to face an actual NXT guy.
Very enjoyable show to watch this week, even though it seemed longer than usual, there were a lot of things to like about it and I hope with the US Title match announced for next week it sets a platform for an even better show when this recap comes around in a week´s time.