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Notes In Observance – WWE NXT 5/11/16: The Day The Music Died
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 5/11/16)
The Day The Music Died
– This show had purpose from the first second, as the opening video hyped Finn Balor’s first appearance since he lost his NXT Championship to Champion Samoa Joe at a live event in Lowell, Massachusetts. Oh snap.
Notes In Observance – WWE NXT 5/4/16: Guaranteed Change
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 5/4/16)
Guaranteed Change
– Needless to say, this show’s natural exclamation point came on Eric Young’s NXT debut, as he crashed NXT Champion Samoa Joe’s Full Sail University homecoming promo. This was initially hyped as Joe’s first appearance live since beating Finn Balor for the belt at an NXT live event and that part didn’t disappoint. Joe had an extra swagger in his step and expressed that he was a man who stood by his word and now that he was Champ, it was now “The Era Of Joe” and anybody who disagreed would get beaten/choked out. Perfect cue for Young to walk out, unannounced upon underwhelming theme music. The crowd completely dug this for a mark-out moment. Even though his look and mannerisms felt like he crossed right over from TNA, his “World-Class Maniac” character was the best work of his career and thus, didn’t feel out of place here. We liked that Young directly established that both of them were already familiar with each other and his talk of “change,” pointing to Joe’s belt saying he “collects those.” For great heat, Joe immediately left the ring and said that EY didn’t belong in the same ring as him and next time, he’d kick his ass. We didn’t think it’d become the night’s main event, but for what it was, it was a great setup. By golly, it feels like we’re watching TNA circa 2015.
Notes In Observance – WWE NXT 5/6/15: Stamp Of Approval
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 5/6/15)
Stamp Of Approval
– Good to see Emma trolling the crowd this time around, donning Bayley’s t-shirt and headband. The match between her and Charlotte was good for what it was. A lot of attention was focused on Emma’s newer aggressive style – more rough and gritty. Of course, that was all kind of done away as Charlotte finished her off with a Natural Selection, albeit on one leg. Bayley coming out to turn a hug for Emma into a Bayley-To-Belly was a nice change of pace, though it came off a bit heelish, but the crowd was fully behind her, so it was good.
Notes In Observance – WWE NXT 4/22/15: Still Just A Rat In A Cage
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 4/22/15)
Still Just A Rat In A Cage
– The Finn Balor-Tye Dillinger match was pretty much a squash in favor of Balor. Nothing groundbreaking. Had us wondering what was next for Balor. That’s where Tyler Breeze came in. His promo actually had some purpose and was bold, even for him. This is a good match just waiting to happen. Next week?
Notes In Observance – WWE NXT 3/18/15: Ohio Is For Wrestlers
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 3/18/15)
Ohio Is For Wrestlers
– If we picked anything up from this episode, it’s that NXT is transitioning from “developmental territory” to “legitimate brand” and live touring helps to ease that. We’re used to the warmth and intimacy of Full Sail University for NXT shows, but taking it out of that setting and seeing it on the road provides a whole new experience for both talent and fans alike. If the reaction on this show revealed anything, it’s that Ohio couldn’t get enough of NXT. The opening video more or less highlighted this moment, as NXT came to the Arnold Sports Festival, and also hyped Alex Riley finally getting to face Kevin Owens and Ohio’s own Alexa Bliss taking on NXT Divas Champion Sasha Banks one-on-one.
– Already see Brock Lesnar guy in the crowd. Oh boy.
– The Kalisto-Tyler Breeze match first seemed like a throwaway in Breeze’s favor, but was given a lot of time, which changed the dynamic completely. Kalisto showed some great athleticism, flipping and flopping all over the place and making this an evenly matched affair. This also allowed the Ohio environment to set in, as the crowd was very much into things. Breeze was the right guy to go over. It still remains to be seen what his character will do next, as he seems to be in a holding pattern, but his in-ring skills sharpen with every week.
– The Owens-Riley feud hype video more or less did its job; showing how Owens’ got under Riley’s skin and antagonized him to his breaking point. Riley showed some fire last week, but had his work cut out for him here. Either way, the story here was a simple, yet good one.
– Bliss’ promo had her excited to be in her hometown and she set up her match well, calling out Banks.
– The Finn Balor-Riley backstage interaction was interesting, as Riley was set to destroy Owens, and Balor warned not to overlook Owens, which made sense on his part.
– The Colin Cassady-Wesley Blake match started with the much over mic work with Amore and Big Cass, bringing a rise out of the Ohio crowd. The match was okay while it lasted, nothing special, but the finish was well-done, both letting Carmella be involved in the finish and having Blake beat Cassady by pulling on the tights, letting the feud progress further.
– Dana Brooke comes off as a muscle-bound, blonde bombshell who is honored to be in NXT. What will she bring? Guess we’ll have to see.
– The Bliss-Banks match was decent, but didn’t have enough time to develop into anything worthwhile. A countout win was the best they can give Bliss? Sort of weak, but hopefully a second match would be better. Guess we’ll also find out next week.
– Owens’ promo showed off his confident, straight-forward attitude as a Champion, selfish family man. He’s eager to eliminate everyone. His mic skills have even somewhat improved as he’s settled more into this character, which doesn’t stray far from his “classic” indie persona.
– The Banks-Bliss-Regal backstage interaction was necessary in setting up next week’s Divas Title match, though pretty predictable. You get a sense that the two ladies don’t like each other, but yet, it still feels as if something is missing between them.
– The Riley-Owens match was a good main event match that had strong crowd reaction throughout, very pro-Owens with some funny chants like “Rest Owens Rest” while he put on a rest hold. Riley brought the intensity from the get-go, but going up against Owens so soon, falling victim to his powerbomb sort of squashed whatever he gained in his brief buildup. There’s still room to improve though, and the interaction between Balor and Owens was solid – Balor saves the day and gets physical when Owens refuses to quit and Owens has just enough in him to run away, easily making their match next week something to watch.
Quick Results
– Tyler Breeze def. Kalisto via pinfall
– Wesley Blake (w/Buddy Murphy) def. Colin Cassady (w/Enzo Amore, Carmella) via pinfall
– Alexa Bliss def. Sasha Banks via countout
– Kevin Owens def. Alex Riley via pinfall
Notes In Observance – WWE NXT 3/11/15: A-Ry Returns
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 3/11/15)
A-Ry Returns
– The tag team of Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady remain one of NXT’s most over acts currently and they should be making strides towards the tag titles. The Lucha Dragons are the perfect team that can make them look good, as their importance in the division has greatly lessened since they lost the tag titles. The number one contender’s match itself was short and sweet, as Cass pretty much helped Enzo out, but the finish was cool.
– The video hype video for Alex Riley was well-done, mainly showcasing footage from his short time on the main roster in 2010-2011 and some stills of his NXT stint in its original inception with the “Varsity Villain” jacket. It was also smart to show a Kevin Owens hype video and how it is “a new era” and show viewers just what Riley is looking to go up against.
– The Carmella-Alexa Bliss match was made to make Bliss victorious in her comeback match, as she clearly had eyes set on the NXT Divas Champion Sasha Banks. Carmella did look good in defeat, despite this. The quality in these NXT divas matches – even in a glorified squash – is much higher than what you see on the main roster and thus, both acts were helped here. There was a lot of this on the episode. The matches weren’t bad, but they were all about painting the bigger picture at hand and progressed feuds to set up matches we really want to see.
– Riley’s promo was quite effective, with his comparison to being in a cage for two years rang somewhat true. Riley has always had good mic skills; it’s what made him standout on NXT Season 2 and as Miz’s sidekick. This hyped his match very well. Could we call it Riley’s best promo work to date? Perhaps.
– Tyler Breeze’s “selfie” promo fit his overconfident gimmick and hyped the main event match well. A Hideo Itami hype video would’ve also been nice, but that’s nitpicking, we guess.
– The Riley-CJ Parker match was a great way to bring Riley back to the squared circle fold. For one, his theme music kicks ass, and even the word “Rage” displayed on the screen was a nice touch for where his character currently is. His mannerisms and facial expressions in the match showed true passion and that’s exactly what we needed to see. Owens’ confident, unimpressed post-match promo was simple yet quite strong. It makes you want to see the two go at it and they will, soon. Just not yet.
– The Hideo Itami-Breeze main event match was another example of their solid chemistry, except this seemed more geared in Breeze’s favor, though they were very evenly-matched. It definitely says a lot that this rivalry went from a seemingly throwaway tournament match to an intense feud. It must be a good thing being that this was their third match together in 2015. This was definitely great for both guys, as their matches almost elevate the two of them, making them bring their A-game to the ring. With Breeze the victor though, where do both guys go from here?
Quick Results
– Tag Team Championship Number One Contender’s Match – Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady def. The Lucha Dragons via pinfall
– Alexa Bliss def. Carmella via pinfall
– Alex Riley def. CJ Parker via pinfall
– Tyler Breeze def. Hideo Itami via pinfall