The NXT Thread

[mth]

Darkstate got a name and some talking time which is good. Name's not the greatest but whatever. Curiousr that they came out at the close of the show but didn't actually do anything/attack anyone. Makes you wonder if maybe someone in the ring is part of the group. Trick? They've yet to attack him. Also, this Underground Match was pretty damn disappointing.

Stephanie killed it in her promo. "They can't speak English well enough" be damned. So many international stars have proven that's needing to speak English well or hell, damn-near at all, is a load of bullshit. Steph, Gulia, Penta, Iyo, Asuka, Shinsuke, etc. Getting a double dose of Steph next week is cool though I'm thinking that means she's losing the NA title back to Fallon since it's going on second. But maybe not.

Saints' backstage double entendre line was dumb. But his entrance seems to have improved and the match was decent.

Jensen's new gear made him look really out of place in The Culling.

[NeseToTheFace]

Only saw the main event and didn't think that was a good match for Trick. To me it highlighted how little a moveset that he has and can do with ease. A lot of scoop slams and running knees. Entrance gets the crowd hyped, but he just looks weak in the ring. And even weaker without ropes in the Underground. I thought the other guy looked solid and carried the match. I'm absolutely drawing a blank on his name which makes me feel like this was a bad match to put in the main event. I think if they opened with this it would've been better but felt like a wet fart to end the night.

[Badger]

Eddy Thorpe…but then again his character is pretty forgettable. He’s okay but nothing really stands out.

So the stable is called DarkState now…ehhh sounds like something edgy one would come up with in school playing one of the old Smackdown/WWF Attitude games. Hell my friend had a website called Darknation when we were in school.

[Donald Pleasence]

Please tell me it was an ebony porn site.

[Nash Diesel]

Not feeling Eddy Thorpe just yet.

I still think those cats should've gone by "Sons of Shield" because anyone with a memory is going to automatically think of 2 factions: Shield or Retribution. They're already rocking the looks they should try to get Seth Rollins to come down and be the mastermind.

[Murphy]

Has there ever been a decent 'Underground' match? Not really sure what type of fan they cater to, to be honest. It's different, I suppose, that's all I've got.

Stephanie has been awesome since she came in. No issue if Fallon takes the NA title back next week though.

[Donald Pleasence]

I watched an episode of NXT from 2014 the other day, it was Finn Balor's first WWE match, where he teamed with Hideo Itami vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd.

It also featured Sasha Banks (with Becky Lynch as a manager?) vs. a sparkly Alexa Bliss.

Good to see Sasha Banks has not learned how to cut a good promo in the 10 years since.

[Donald Pleasence]

I watched an episode of NXT from 2014 the other day, it was Finn Balor's second WWE match, where he teamed with Hideo Itami vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd.

It also featured Sasha Banks (with Becky Lynch as a manager?) vs. a sparkly Alexa Bliss.

Good to see Sasha Banks has not learned how to cut a good promo in the 10 years since.

[mth]

Enjoyed the Stephanie Show and the stuff with Trick/Evans/Oba/Darkstate is interesting. Trick is 100% their leader. Happy to see Tyson and Tyriek get another win, this time on the bigger show. Get them dudes after the tag titles soon, plz.

[mth]

I retract my previous statement re: Trick/Darkstate. Saw some speculation Stacks might actually be their leader which could be interesting. Or maybe they are just who they are. Good promo stuff with the NXT Title

Not thrilled with Steph relinquishing the NA Title. But at least she addressed the backlash to it right away with decent reasoning. ALready stoked for the ladder match. Lash/Zaria had some clunks but was pretty dope otherwise. Kelani beating Roxy is a big win but as I've said, sorry but she's just not doing a damn thing for me. Grace yeeting that security guard out of the ring was awesome.

Starks winning the NA Title was a nice surprise and I am so here for him against Page.

[NeseToTheFace]

The masks for the Darkstate guys are pretty silly. They keep slipping off, moving them back covering part of their face, repeat. Not discrediting your initial thought about Trick being the leader, but at first it reminded me of when CM Punk was off limits with The Shield. Good to see them cover that up this week. Where does it go? Like the Bianca/Naomi/Jade thing I'm not terribly intrigued. Yet. There's potential but I think they need to be put in some matches, like next week or after Trick could call them out and Ava turns it into a tag match playa.

[Nash Diesel]

I watched an episode of NXT from 2014 the other day, it was Finn Balor's second WWE match, where he teamed with Hideo Itami vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd.

It also featured Sasha Banks (with Becky Lynch as a manager?) vs. a sparkly Alexa Bliss.

Good to see Sasha Banks has not learned how to cut a good promo in the 10 years since.

I used to go on Hulu and go back to the early years of NXT and I remember seeing RVD v. Neville....It also makes you feel old as fuck when you guys like Chad Gable with the long hair as a jabroni.

[Donald Pleasence]

I used to go on Hulu and go back to the early years of NXT and I remember seeing RVD v. Neville....It also makes you feel old as fuck when you guys like Chad Gable with the long hair as a jabroni.

Haha I remember that Chad Gable, when he would hold up the towel and saying something like Willing and Gable?

[3puppies]

Haha I remember that Chad Gable, when he would hold up the towel and saying something like Willing and Gable?

I can't remember - was that before or after he was Shorty Gable?

[Nash Diesel]

I can't remember - was that before or after he was Shorty Gable?

This was way back even before he teamed up with Jason Jordan as American Alpha in NXT. He started doing the Cena towel right before they were paired up. If you ever get a chance, check out American Alpha in NXT. They had an ok run on the main roster before they were split and they did the stupid Jordan=Kurt Angle's son angle.

I'm going to rant and say that was one of the worst "swerve" bookings in WWE history. Right up there with Jericho unifying the WCW/WWF titles. The obvious would've been Chad Gable=Angle's son but Vince is a weird dude and hangs out with weird dudes. So while it was a swerve, it also wasn't exactly a shocker when you sat back and thought about it lol.

[mth]

Only watched a couple matches on Stand & Delvier due to there being too much goddamn wrestling on in one weekend and not caring as much about the men's side of NXT.

NA Ladder match was very good. Sol did a few amazing things and love that she won. Much deserved.

Women's Title match was also very good.

If I had to guess: Roxanne, Trick, and Fraxiom are getting called up.

[NeseToTheFace]

I can't see him the same when you can arrange Ricky Saints' name to Ricky Stains

[Badger]

Only watched a couple matches on Stand & Delvier due to there being too much goddamn wrestling on in one weekend and not caring as much about the men's side of NXT.

NA Ladder match was very good. Sol did a few amazing things and love that she won. Much deserved.

Women's Title match was also very good.

If I had to guess: Roxanne, Trick, and Fraxiom are getting called up.

Rewatch Hank/Tank vs Fraxiom @mth Story was telegraphed but it was fucking awesome! Crowd were slow getting into it then chanting “HONK HONK!” by the end!

[Badger]

The missed splash onto the table was a brutal but great spot!

[Badger]

Personally favourite match of the show. Story played out perfectly for those guys xx

[Badger]

Also security guard completing his journey and living the dream! Xx

[Fanny Batter]

I'd be calling up a few of the women. Most of them are pretty good and have more potential than the Shayna's and Michin's. Get the colourful three up, Roxanne, Giulia, Lola, Lash and Jakara. With the midcard titles they need more depth, and the talent and star quality is there. I think the big thing with it now being a developmental brand is that the call ups will now get time to find their feet rather than be expected to fill a key role straight out of the gate. They have such riches at the minute that you can test a few male call ups too and it it doesn't work you can be fluid and drop them back down.

I think Fraxiom debut and beat New Day tonight. They love a Raw-after-Mania surprise title change.

[Badger]

I'd be calling up a few of the women. Most of them are pretty good and have more potential than the Shayna's and Michin's. Get the colourful three up, Roxanne, Giulia, Lola, Lash and Jakara. With the midcard titles they need more depth, and the talent and star quality is there. I think the big thing with it now being a developmental brand is that the call ups will now get time to find their feet rather than be expected to fill a key role straight out of the gate. They have such riches at the minute that you can test a few male call ups too and it it doesn't work you can be fluid and drop them back down.

I think Fraxiom debut and beat New Day tonight. They love a Raw-after-Mania surprise title change.

As much as I think New Day need stronger booking, I don’t hate this instant impact. ��

[mth]

The missed splash onto the table was a brutal but great spot!

Just watched the Youtube highlights and saw that. Holy shit, that was nutso.

[Badger]

Just watched the Youtube highlights and saw that. Holy shit, that was nutso.

It was fucking awesome. MOTN! ��

[mth]

Nice to see Joe Hendry again. Good little segment with him.

Not a Noam Dar fan but his return was at least a nice surprise and shook things up by winning the Cup. King vs Saints next week is cool.

Do not want Chase fucking U back. *sigh*

Osirus Griffin is HAWT. Impressive dive by Borne. I feel like he's got untapped personality. Really should change the Orton, Jr. look, too.

I assume this was Roxanne's swan soing. Good match though she took the Devil's Kiss all wrong. Very down for more Giulia/Steph/Jordynne.

[Nash Diesel]

Nice to see Joe Hendry again. Good little segment with him.

Not a Noam Dar fan but his return was at least a nice surprise and shook things up by winning the Cup. King vs Saints next week is cool.

Do not want Chase fucking U back. *sigh*

Osirus Griffin is HAWT. Impressive dive by Borne. I feel like he's got untapped personality. Really should change the Orton, Jr. look, too.

I assume this was Roxanne's swan soing. Good match though she took the Devil's Kiss all wrong. Very down for more Giulia/Steph/Jordynne.

I fucking hate Noam Dar and the fact he won the cup...IDK if that really shook anything up as he was the guy holding it forever. They just basically went back to what they've done with him for the last 3-4 years. He must be hanging out with Shawn on the bearskin rug.

[mth]

I fucking hate Noam Dar and the fact he won the cup...IDK if that really shook anything up as he was the guy holding it forever. They just basically went back to what they've done with him for the last 3-4 years. He must be hanging out with Shawn on the bearskin rug.

I just meant in the sense of the winner takes all thing they just set up with Saints being shaken up. Definitely not in the bigger picture.

[Badger]

I fucking hate Noam Dar and the fact he won the cup...IDK if that really shook anything up as he was the guy holding it forever. They just basically went back to what they've done with him for the last 3-4 years. He must be hanging out with Shawn on the bearskin rug.

Aye to be honest and hate saying this as a fellow Scot but Noam was already a buffoon when he and that thing with Alicia Fox.

[Nash Diesel]

I have to applaud HBK and his team for essentially turning NXT into pretty much a co-ed roster where the females are the bigger draws. Or maybe I'm wrong and overthinking it. Maybe it's a 50/50 split but I don't feel like the women's wrestling aspect is treated the same as Raw/SD. When you hear someone say "I'm more interested in what Chelsea Green is doing on SD than anything with Cena, Punk, etc" it sounds very "I know I'm in the minority here". With NXT, I think recently it's just not even something you really think about. You just go into it knowing regardless if they're male/female, it's going to be good--but with NXT it almost feels like the reverse. You'll hear someone say something obvious like the women's title division is stacked yada yada and then if someone says "Yeah but I mainly just tune in to what Tony D is up to" it sounds normal lol.

[NeseToTheFace]

Tank Ledger reminds me a good bit of Rhyno, mostly in the face and expressions.

[Badger]

Elia…excuse me Elijah returned lol.

I hope we get Owens on X…”That’s not Elijah it’s ELIAS!”

[Nash Diesel]

What a weird battle royal but I was definitely shocked to see Myles Bourne get the W. I thought they would just go with one of the main people like Young OG or Shawn Spears but nope, something totally different and I loved the backstage segment with NQCC and Oba. Charlie Dempsey needs a bigger role in NXT/WWE.

Great main event with Giulia v. Grace.

[mth]

I've started getting into Myles lately so I got fully on board with the shock win and popped big.

Main event slapped hard.

[Nash Diesel]

I'm just glad this dude has made it ok for us to laugh with him. He's hilarious on social media but that segment was top notch with the crew and Oba.