Another strong, enjoyable show tonight. I am really loving NXT. As others have mentioned, the commentary is good, especially William Regal, who actually has smart things to say about ring psychology and competition, unlike some other color commentators we know. The wrestling wasn't quite as epic as on ArRival (the lack of Cesaro was a factor) but it was still fun to see some new faces. This was my first real NXT to watch and I can see this becoming part of my weekly routine.
• Adam Rose debuted with one of the craziest entrances I've seen. He comes to the ring in a throng of partiers who catch him stage-diving from the ring. "That was awesome!" chant from the crowd. • Ric Flair's daughter, Charlotte, is a beast. The finisher she used to drop Emma on her pretty head looked strong. She took a page from the Naitch playbook and acted hurt before Pearl Harboring Emma. Charlotte also got in Paige's face backstage. Paige is the most interesting Diva since A.J. In fact, all of NXT's Divas our outshining the main roster, which seems more concerned with being on TMZ than ringwork. • Sami Zayn is going to be big. Excellent work and presence. Rene Young asked him tonight what Cesaro whispered in his ear last week. He said it was personal and he'd keep it to himself, but he "heard what he needed to hear." Could we see Zayn and Cesaro team up after the Real Americans split? What a tag team that would be. • Corey Graves is another strong talent, playing up the dark, emo guy who takes himself too seriously. Great look and psychology. • Adrian Neville's finisher is astonishing. I don't know what it's called, but it's quite a twist/flip splash. Must be seen. Bo Dallas plans to use his rematch clause against Neville "soon." Bo is fun as the delusional, skeezy moron who thinks everyone loves him. • No Ascension this week. Next week's main event appears to Xavier Woods vs. Rusev.
WWE is doing a great job making a minor league feel major.
Kalisto (Samuray Del Sol on the indies) and the soon-debuting Solomon Crowe (Sami Callahan) had cameos at Adam Rose's party. Crowe's debut match was taped in this set of tapings, and I thought it was scheduled for this episode, but I guess they shuffled things a bit.
I'm getting the impression that two or three of the four shows I saw taped haven't been aired, and don't know if they'll air later or never air. (Kim and I DID watch one of them a week before Arrival via Hulu so we could invest most of our time watching me watch the show in person. We get our laughs.)
Originally posted by CRZI'm getting the impression that two or three of the four shows I saw taped haven't been aired, and don't know if they'll air later or never air. (Kim and I DID watch one of them a week before Arrival via Hulu so we could invest most of our time watching me watch the show in person. We get our laughs.)
I read somewhere they were skipping some episodes due to the title change coming out of Arrival. Don't recall exactly when your tapings were or who were there but that might have something to do with it.
I may have watched the Adam Rose backstage party, dance party intro, match and dance party exit a bit too often, including one more time this morning. I never thought I'd like the transition from Leo Kruger Big Game Hunter to Russell Brand the Wrustler so much. I really hope he doesn't get stuck in Fandango territory when and if he makes it to the main shows.
Is it just me or does Ric Flair resemble Nicholson's Joker when he has a full smile on? Also I like seeing proud dad Flair with his daughter Charlotte.
Corey Graves is cool. More Graves on my Network.
(edited by CruelAngel777 on 7.3.14 1250) I believe in The Shield....
Adam Rose was pretty fun, but he needs a real finisher. The rest of the show was pretty good, but I was disappointed in the Graves/Zayne match. It seemed like they never really clicked, like their timing was off or something. I think the two of them could do much better than what we just saw.
Adam Rose's entrance was hilarious - same with the party scene in the back.
I liked Graves vs. Tatsu, then Graves vs. Zayn.
The commentary on NXT is so much better than on Raw and Smackdown, but I have one issue: When they showed the Adam Rose match, there was a different commentary team, with Tensai taking over Regal's post. Next match, it's Regal again. I know it's because they're taped at different times, but it's confusing. A very minor gripe.
Originally posted by OliverAdam Rose's entrance was hilarious - same with the party scene in the back.
I liked Graves vs. Tatsu, then Graves vs. Zayn.
The commentary on NXT is so much better than on Raw and Smackdown, but I have one issue: When they showed the Adam Rose match, there was a different commentary team, with Tensai taking over Regal's post. Next match, it's Regal again. I know it's because they're taped at different times, but it's confusing. A very minor gripe.
They tend to have an "Eh, whatever" attitude toward continuity stuff like that. There have been episodes where Byron Saxton is in the ring as ring announcer and on commentary at the same time.
Originally posted by OliverAdam Rose's entrance was hilarious - same with the party scene in the back.
I liked Leo Kruger, but Adam Rose is awesome. He really looks like a different guy but the only true physical difference is the longer hair.
I have to give it to NXT, they always try to give their guys a real gimmick. See what sticks, tweak it etc etc. Emma, Enzo Amore, Rusev, Tyler Breeze, CJ Parker, "the artiste" Aiden English, Bailey are all over the top gimmicks (compared to Zayne, Neville. And Bo is borderline both) and now Adam Rose. It often works, the crowd gets into things and the wrestlers get to tweak and learn (see also: Bray Wyatt)
Originally posted by OliverAdam Rose's entrance was hilarious - same with the party scene in the back.
I liked Leo Kruger, but Adam Rose is awesome. He really looks like a different guy but the only true physical difference is the longer hair.
I have to give it to NXT, they always try to give their guys a real gimmick. See what sticks, tweak it etc etc. Emma, Enzo Amore, Rusev, Tyler Breeze, CJ Parker, "the artiste" Aiden English, Bailey are all over the top gimmicks (compared to Zayne, Neville. And Bo is borderline both) and now Adam Rose. It often works, the crowd gets into things and the wrestlers get to tweak and learn (see also: Bray Wyatt)
I think it has to do with the crowd. I adore the Full Sail crowd: they're hilarious and give the matches extra energy. Hearing them chant "WE THE PEOPLE" during a Cesaro match, or calling out "ONE MORE TIME" to a post-match finisher (even if it's a heel doing the duty) makes for a fantastic experience.
well looks like RAW went up a notch against tough competition in the February Sweeps. Hopefully the March episodes rise more. The Rock & Foley returns next week should boost a little. FULL WWE RATINGS REPORT by Dave Scherer @ 9:35: