#Since the gimmick is a wild card I thought it matched this vibe

[myrathefarmer]

It’s time for a WILDCARD 🃏💚💛❤️

My WildLife designs for ZombieCleo 🎲 +Individuals!

[danwhobrowses]

NXT Takeover: Stand and Deliver Day 1 - Review

It is Wrestlemania Week, and every company wants their shot

but alas, I can only do so much, so we’re gonna be sticking with Mania and Stand & Deliver for now. I do also have some other WWE post-mania stuff planned which I’ll also do for AEW Double or Nothing in May

but in spite of Dynamite still doing a decent ‘not gonna try to top it’ show, the night belongs to NXT so let’s get into it

Spoilers for Stand & Deliver Day 1, you have been warned

Pre Show I had to add this in because Sam Roberts really laid in thick the bravado, NXT is great but chill man. Seeing Io and Raquel enter the building was a good touch though. The Samoa Joe interviews were good too but damn I miss this man in the ring, it kinda threw me how well-spoken WALTER is, he’s kinda giving me the same vibe as Daniel Bruhl’s Zemo currently is in Falcon & The Winter Soldier, also interviewing Io proves that if the company’s hot on you promo game isn’t necessary to be a great champion, also Io has put Rey over more than the main roster has in the last 3 years. The shoehorned Prince Harry comment was not needed that’s not gonna get a pop but mercifully we moved on to other interviews, LA Knight still does a great promo and hearing that Mickie James will be on commentary for the pre-show match was interesting.

Zoey Stark def. Toni Storm (Pinfall via Inside Cradle) Zoey Stark has been making quite some noise since her NXT Debut, similar to Utami Hayashishita’s start in Stardom and Leyla Hirsch in AEW it was mainly revolving around Zoey getting over even in defeat to big names. She started fairly even with Toni Storm with some solid chain wrestling, Toni was able to keep Stark grounded with submissions, which worked well for Zoey to feed off the babyface comeback, landing a big superplex. A flurry of an exploder and running knee hit two but then Toni came back with an electric chair facebuster, Toni tried Storm Zero but failed, so went for the Germans, tried the Storm Zero again but Stark counters it into a cradle for 3. It was a decent pre-show match, Stark gets a rub from winning but I get the feeling the rub should be bigger, Toni Storm is still good but her stock has dropped since her heel turn designed merely to lose to Io, the match finished a bit abruptly too.

Main Card Nita Strauss then guitars the anthem, ‘Merica and stuff on a PPV themed around Pirate and Highwayman motifs, as well as an Adam Ant song. The Skull is awesome though.

Pete Dunne def. KUSHIDA (Pinfall via Bitter End) Technical masterclass would of course be an understatement for this match. A minute in it was quickfire joint manipulation and reversals. Dunne took the early advantage after catching KUSHIDA and landing an X-Plex onto the apron, the injured arm didn’t slow KUSHIDA too much who did the handspring elbow and the Muta pele kick on the ramp. Dunne tried for the Kimura and the Bitter End but KUSHIDA escaped twice over, the latter catching a Back to the Future (small package driver). Dunne resumed control though in handling the arm, it might just be me but the audio was cutting out at this point. Cross Armbreakers traded and escaped as the arm began to slowly come into play, but KUSHIDA started handling Dunne’s arm too, a Top Turnbuckle Hoverboard Lock Spanish Fly also led to an armbreaker escaped by the ropes, another Hoverboard lock almost led to a pin. Dunne manipulates the digits of the other hand, which hurts KUSHIDA’s punch attempt, stomps on both hands twice over and then a Bitter End finishes the night.

That did not feel like 10 minutes, it was a great and well-paced match, wish it went longer. I anticipated that Dunne would win but one has to worry for KUSHIDA, even on his best WWE run he’s not able to win a feud, he didn’t leave NJPW for that.

Bronson Reed wins the Eliminator Gauntlet (Pinfall via Tsunami Splash on Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott) At first I thought Leon Ruff had botched his entrance until Swerve showed up, looking far different to the Killshot of Lucha Underground. Before the bell rang Ruff got hit into the barricade a lot and then an ad!? Dude, come on, the bell rings and they’re outside the ring again... Of course, it’s hard to start a pace for a Gauntlet, Ruff hit a lovely twisting Cutter as commentary ignored how his NA Title win was mainly a segue in the Gargano/Priest feud, a super frankensteiner was the big move before the next man came in: Bronson Reed. Ruff’s dive is caught and thrown back in the ring, Swerve planted with a combo suplex/crossbody before Ruff foolishly tried to attack Reed again, getting sat on a few times before Reed german’d Ruff and Swerve at the same time. Grimes came in next, delaying his entrance to distract Reed and land a moonsault, he bribes Swerve for a partnership which works for a decent while, Ruff got a big ouch suplex on the turnbuckle pads after some very slippery escapes. The arrival of Dexter Lumis involved super creepy eyes inside the Skull model but we missed most of Swerve finishing off Ruff. Lumis cleaned house until Reed recovered from the ramp DDT, Lumis even lifting Reed on the second time of asking before another big ouch ring-out with Grimes. LA Knight was last, his diss promos not as good as his earlier promo as Reed cut him off short and cleaned up house himself. Knight does get a good spur including a quickfire superplex but pauses when Lumis shows up, Grimes’ cheap shot misses and the Silence is locked in, but Knight rolls him for 3. Bit deflating that really, Lumis was the only one with story against Gargano and he kinda got chump pinned because he didn’t wanna release his finisher. Knight fell quickly after though, Grimes and Reed teaming up to end him, Lumis then locking the Silence onto him - probably setting up a feud there.

The final three ended all chance of alliances, Reed comically flattening both men when after a delayed fall from a superkick. Grimes and Swerve both try a handful of tights to pin each other, but Swerve’s one pays off. Swerve also powerslams Reed onto the apron and then hits a 450 for 2, two House Calls don’t drop Reed, a third gets 2, but a slap wakes Reed up. Powerbomb, Beach Break (idk the technical name) and Tsunami Splash for 3.

Liked the match, Reed is a worthy winner but I just wish they dealt with Lumis and Grimes better, Gargano came out the ramp to stare down his opponent and we moved on to the next.

NXT UK Championship: WALTER (c) def. Tomasso Ciampa (Pinfall via Knife Edged Chop) Reminder that the UK title is WWE’s best looking active belt because good god it’s glorious.Ciampa stayed on the turnbuckle to stare down WALTER, completely unafraid of the mountain he faces. They lock up but WALTER uses his muscle, looking for those monster chops, one on the turnbuckle preludes a messy drop for Ciampa, Walter’s hand is injured though by the chop of the announce table gimmick breaking, Ciampa works on it but the champion’s big boot earns a reprieve, his submission attempts are futile with the injured hand though so he applies his power and weight to keep on top. A flurry of lariats finally chops WALTER down for an Air Raid Crash, but it’s only for a 2. WALTER northern lights reversal’s a Fairytale Ending for 2 but could not escape the second, still a 2 count though. WALTER’s submission attempts neutralized by the fingers again as Ciampa continues to lay into WALTER’s hands and head, an Avalanche Air Raid Crash then hits for 2 as well, Ciampa at a loss for what he can do, opting to throw his own blistering chops, WALTER gets nasty with a neck twist and two powerbombs but it’s 2 again, Sleeper Exploder and one massive chop gets the 3.

I had heard great things from this match, and it was very well done narratively and physically, but a chop as the finish? Dunno, Ciampa had already taken chops, 2 powerbombs in succession and yet what ends it is a chop from an injured hand? Feel like it could’ve ended more emphatically.

No Thatcher present either, instead we get a Franky Monet (Taya Valkyrie) promo and a Reed/Gargano backstage argument.

NXT Tag Championship: MSK def. Grizzled Young Veterans & Legando del Fantasma (Pinfall by Wes Lee on Zack Gibson via combo Spinebuster/Spinning Blockbuster) Another ad break during LDF’s entrance was disrespectful, the mask was awesome though. Gibson likely not in the best of moods with Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champion’s League first leg but he still flies the colors. LDF control the match at the start with tag offence, Gibson going for MSK off the bat until LDF get in the way. Drake and Carter get some time in the ring but Lee remains on the apron awaiting the hot tag, after a dive LDF comes back to do a dual dive themselves, double Coast to Coast on Carter is broken by Gibson who gets dumped out by the duo and another commercial break (wtf come on!). LDF were getting some great combo moves and rotating in quick tags as Carter continues to be the feeder, Drake almost catches Wilde with a roll up though and Lee gets another hot tag, first clear the ring, then out the ring to Gibson, then to LDF, somersault Pele Kick, combo move for 2. Gibson and Drake almost catch Carter with a Doomsday Device on the outside but Lee nails Drake with a knee, GYV neutralize Lee by hurting the hand as well, Carter holding Lee’s hand to prevent a tap as LDF come back in. They clear the ring, hit the combo move but it’s 2! GYV and MSK take out LDF leaving the two left to fight, a double cutter by Carter takes Drake out of the ring, leading to MSK finishing Gibson with a twisted blockbuster/spinebuster combo. Very much earned for the new champions, exciting match, LDF got a lot of shine too I hope they win the titles later down the line.

NXT Women’s Championship: Raquel Gonzalez def. Io Shirai (c) (pinfall via One-Arm Powerbomb TITLE CHANGE) If Raquel Gonzalez doesn’t win rookie of the year for 2021 it’ll be a travesty, her current run has been built amazingly. Before we started though we see Steph in the crowd with Sarray (Sendai Girls and SEADLINNG’s Sareee). The tunnel cam of the two competitors and the names on the LEDs sold the huge Main Event feel of this match. Side note though, while NXT does tout the most stacked Women’s Division out of the major wrestling companies they shouldn’t peacock themselves, most of their talent are ready made acquisitions with a few like Ripley, Belair and Gonzalez who gritted to the top, just because your division is stacked doesn’t mean that there aren’t cracks, and let’s not forget that ROH barely has a women’s division and NJPW doesn’t have a division at all, if we’re comparing the actual competition Stardom still gives WWE a run for their money having made their stars in Natsupoi, Guilia, Utami, Konami, AZM, Tam Nakano and others.

The match kicks off with a flurry, picking up where they left off last NXT of Gonzalez just boomeranging Io with her size and strength and Io flying back with vigor and athleticism. The champion takes control with a dive out the ring but Dakota rakes her eyes, leading to Dakota being kicked out of ringside immediately. Io hits the apron moonsault but Gonzalez lawn darts her into the ring post, a lovely Dominator-esque move with extra flip brings the advantage fully in the hands of the challenger. Io uses her flexibility to frustrate Raquel and hits a picture perfect hurricanrana, misses the 619 but arm drags into another 619, Yoshi Tonic for 2, tries for the Moonsault but Raquel sets up the One Arm Powerbomb, Io wriggles it into a crossface which is ended by a rope break, Moonsault on the ramp and then a running meteora leads to Io doing the ‘jump off the NXT arena prop), after slowly rolling Raquel into the ring it’s the Moonsault, but it only gets 2! Raquel flattens Io with the One Arm Powerbomb outside of the ring, rolls Io in with some trash talk, Shotei is responded with a Lariat, One Arm Powerbomb and that’s 3!

That was a solid main event, recurring problem though: it was too short! That match went under 15 minutes and while it was jam packed with high spots and power moves we could’ve had more time with Raquel’s crowning moment. I feel like Io could’ve resisted more offence seeing as her Skull crossbody and Moonsault should even out Raquel’s two One Arm Powerbombs. Also they overdid the smoke on her celebration we could barely see her. That being said, this was definitely a worthy usurper to Shirai, Gonzalez at the top of the division will be an interesting new landscape after a year of Shirai as champion. She’s had a good run, I do wish it didn’t involve the Charlotte skulfuckery at the start but she has done well to keep on top of the division during the COVID era and she’s done a good job in making sure the next champion is over.

Conclusion Good wrestling is all you need, and NXT Stand and Deliver stood and delivered strongly on Night 1, there is of course room to top it but that may be the intention. Do wish that some matches went longer but I’m not mad at all with who won, so once more a job well done as NXT end their Wednesday Night Campaign on a high.

[placetobenation]

In a normal year, Extreme Rules would be the set-up PPV for another major show of the year, SummerSlam. But, as we know, this is no ordinary year. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of booking plans on hold since there are no crowds to entertain live and feed off of at the arenas. Plus, you have major superstars like Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns who have missed most of the virus show. Add to that the fact that Charlotte Flair is taking time off for surgery and personal time and you’ve got a watered-down summer here in the wrestling world.

Still, having said that, the Horror Show at Extreme Rules is a bit intriguing to me. The championship matches are stacked and I’m not so sure what to make of the stipulation (cinematic?) matches between Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt along with Seth Rollins vs. Rey Mysterio. Are we really going to see a match wrestled in a swamp? Are we really going to get an eye ripped out of the socket? I hope they wow me, but I’m not banking on it.

We’ll get to the predictions at the end of the column, but for now, here’s how the card looks:

The Horror Show at Extreme Rules PPV – Updated Card

WWE Championship Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler (stipulation to be announced)

RAW Women’s Championship Match: Asuka vs. Sasha Banks

Universal Championship Wyatt Swamp Match: Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley vs. Nikki Cross

Eye for an Eye Match: Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins

United States Championship Match: Apollo Crews vs. MVP

Tables Match – SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The New Day vs. Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura

RAW

RESULTS

Tag Team Elimination Match: Angel Garza & Andrade defeated The Viking Raiders (Angel Garza last man)

Bianca Belair & Ruby Riott defeated The IIconics

Aleister Black defeated Buddy Murphy (DQ)

Kevin Owens defeated Seth Rollins

Randy Orton defeated R-Truth (24/7 Championship not on the line)

Bobby Lashley defeated Ricochet

Women’s Tag Team Title Match: Sasha Banks & Bayley defeated Asuka & Kairi Sane

.@HEELZiggler got DECKED by @DMcIntyreWWE on the #VIPLounge! THIS SUNDAY…the #WWEChampionship is on the line at The Horror Show at #ExtremeRules!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/LEbEw0sRJD

— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2020

What’s the stip?

Drew vs. Dolph – What will the stipulation be? I guess we’ll find out Sunday night! All we know right now is that Ziggler is teasing something that’s NEVER been done before in the WWE. Watch out McIntyre!

Good vibes:

We kid, we kid.@AngelGarzaWwe just WON this thing for himself and @AndradeCienWWE … and @Zelina_VegaWWE LOVES IT! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/bqqSQAGiOo

— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2020

Zelina’s Zen – Yes, at least for the past two weeks, Zelina Vega has her men, Andrade and Angel Garza on the same page and ready for a shot at the Tag Team Championship. They are far better looking strong and a force on Monday nights than the whiney boys they have been previously. Here’s hoping a feud and future gold is coming to Miss Vega and her team.

Kevin Owens – Yes, I’m a big KO Fan. Always have ever since the days of seeing him wrestling in person as Kevin Steen in Ring of Honor. A forceful Owens is a good thing for RAW and for the WWE Universe. He’s got stroke in and out of the ring!

"Are YOU willing to sacrifice your friendships so @RandyOrton can be the #LegendKiller?" – @WWETheBigShow to @RicFlairNatrBoy #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/xoBEX4tMTx

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 14, 2020

Legend Killer vibes – OMG! Can you just feel the tension of Randy Orton one day taking out Ric Flair! It’s coming folks and it will be magical in its power! And speaking of Flair, that was an amazing conversation between the Nature Boy and The Big Show. You could feel the realness to it!

Welcome back:

W: @RubyRiottWWE & @BiancaBelairWWE L: @BillieKayWWE & @PeytonRoyceWWE #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/tUFdRKdfAJ

— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2020

Bianca Belair – It’s nice to see BB back on Monday nights. Sure, we all thought it would be Liv Morgan coming to the aid of Ruby Riott against the IIconics, but it was a nice surprise to see the EST of NXT on RAW once again.

She's back. Watch out.#WWERaw @QoSBaszler pic.twitter.com/sfyVKRMTdb

— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2020

Shayna Baszler – Damn, I so wanted Baszler to pin R-Truth for the 24/7 Championship! But, barring that, the badass is back baby! Here’s hoping they let her loose his time and try not to tame her. Let her run free and be true to her dominant self.

The best:

INCOMINGGGGGGGGGG#WWERaw #TagTeamTitles @itsBayleyWWE @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/G7mzggI9c4

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 14, 2020

The main event – It just keeps getting better and better with Sasha Banks, Bayley and the Kabuki Warriors battling each week. The champs get the win heading into Extreme Rules and keep the dream alive of all the gold going around the waist of the BFF’s. Plus, on RAW Talk after the show, we get a hint that maybe Asuka will take on Kairi Sane down the road.

NXT

RESULTS

Damien Priest defeated Cameron Grimes

Indi Hartwell defeated Shotzi Blackheart

NXT Championship & North American Championship Match: Keith Lee defeated Dominik Dijakovic

Timothy Hatcher defeated Denzel Dejournette

NXT Women’s Championship Match: Io Shirai defeated Tegan Nox

Bask in the Glory

For he is LIMITLESS…@RealKeithLee is STILL your NXT Champion AND NXT North American Champion! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/T623wlAyXc

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 16, 2020

Lee’s 1st defense – Nothing but respect for Keith Lee in granting his very first defense of the NXT Championship & North American Championship to his friend and former rival Dominik Dijakovic. The two didn’t disappoint and continues their physical battles from a few months ago on center stage Wednesday night. Plus, it’s a nice appetizer to Lee’s upcoming feud with Karrion Kross.

Who’s next:

Has @RealKeithLee's time run out?

#WWENXT @Lady_Scarlett13 @WWEKarrionKross pic.twitter.com/SJmsCzqmgM

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 16, 2020

Kross vs. Lee – Which brings us to this – Scarlett Bourdeaux made sure Lee didn’t forget that Tick. Tock. Remembers everything including the hourglass Lee smashed before coming champion. This could be one of the biggest feuds of the year if they let it be. Let it breathe and develop NXT! First up, Kross takes on Dijakovic this Wednesday night.

Meh:

Timothy Thatcher – I like the gimmick, but just not sure anyone knows where it’s going. It needs a direction and a foe to focus on.

50/50:

AND STILL. @shirai_io #WWENXT #NXTWomensTitle pic.twitter.com/XtGD8m1dPx

— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2020

Io vs. Tegan – Don’t get me wrong, Shirai vs. Nox was pretty good. Maybe it’s the lack of crowd or emotion. Maybe it’s coming after Lee’s title defense. But it just lacked a certain something watching it live. It just didn’t feel as big as it should’ve been. Let’s see how Dakota Kai plays into the picture now with her attack on Shirai to end the show.

WAIT A MINUTE!!!!?!?!

#WWENXT @DakotaKai_WWE @shirai_io pic.twitter.com/hHJSxcx4xE

— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2020

I’m a fan:

Fantastic Fantasma – I am an unabashed fan of Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde. These three could dominate and would love to see a lucha libre spectacular with Andrade & Angel Garza someday. I need them to take the next step and really own the heel mentality to take out Drake Maverick, Breezango and the entire Cruiserweight division. They need to channel their inner Horsemen mentality for it. I think they have it in them!

Missing:

Come back Ciampa – How can creative not have anything for Tommaso Ciampa? The guy is gold and there should be room for him at any time in NXT. The fact that he’s not around makes the show that much less of a show to watch.

SMACKDOWN

RESULTS

Cesaro defeated Big E – Cesaro picks the stipulation for the Tag Team Title Match at Extreme Rules

Women’s Tag Team Championship Non-Title Match: Sasha Banks & Bayley defeated Asuka & Nikki Cross

Universal Championship Non-Title Match: Braun Strowman defeated John Morrison

Lacey Evans defeated Naomi

Intercontinental Championship Match: AJ Styles defeated Matt Riddle to retain title

Money:

.@NikkiCrossWWE is crushed.#SmackDown #WomensChampion @itsBayleyWWE pins her #ExtremeRules' opponent just days before their championship collision! @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/Ym1Ct9sJ3V

— WWE (@WWE) July 18, 2020

The ladies – It’s like printing money each and every show. Sasha Banks, Bayley, Asuka and whomever you want to put in the ring with them. Highlight material each and every time. Having Nikki Cross get pinned again by Bayley, leaving Nikki to doubt herself could lead to an unhinging Sunday night for Miss Cross.

Misplaced:

Bow down to your King @BaronCorbinWWE, @SuperKingofBros! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Xj6VJyBqbM

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) July 18, 2020

Styles vs. Riddle – Granted, the IC Title Match, mostly dominated by Matt Riddle, was a very good one and I wouldn’t mind seeing them go at it again for the tiebreaker, the match itself was a bit misplaced. As the main event on the go-home show to Sunday night’s PPV, it had nothing, zero, nada to do with the making me want to see Extreme Rules. The number one thing the go-home show has to get done is to make me want to watch the PPV in two days. Sure, with King Corbin attacking Riddle after the match, it furthers that feud and the match may give us another Styles vs. Riddle battle down the road, nothing in the final 30 minutes of SmackDown gave me a reason to watch Sunday night. And that, my friends is an EPIC failure. Win the battle, but lose the war with that booking my friends. Maybe they’ll add a match before the PPV but that’s neither here nor there as it’s a missed opportunity on broadcast TV to hype the night.

Saw it coming a mile away

The SmackDown Tag Team Titles will be on the line at #ExtremeRules in a TABLES MATCH! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/a1T1ARUzb0

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) July 18, 2020

Tables Match – The obligatory tables match at Extreme Rules honors this year go to The New Day and Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura. It was a foregone conclusion.

I like it:

The open to the show – Instead of a 10-minute in-ring promo that we normally get each week, we got a pre-produced preview to the night’s events with all of the superstars chiming in. A nice touch, with some groovy backbeat tunes and a solid way to start the night. Brings a sporty feel to it too. Hope they keep using it every once in a while.

Filling time:

"Once you enter, you can never truly leave. Part of you will live here forever." – @WWEBrayWyatt #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/QElQi5uDcy

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) July 18, 2020

Braun vs. Morrison – Did it make you want to watch the Swamp Match any more this Sunday? And for that, it failed to deliver. Predictable match and outcome.  At least Bray Wyatt’s pre-produced promo from the Swamp had some meat to it.

Parting shots:

Predictions for the Horror Show at Extreme Rules

WWE Championship Match: Drew McIntyre defeats Dolph ZIggler to retain title

Swamp Match: Universal Champion Bray Wyatt defeats Bray Wyatt to retain title

RAW Women’s Championship Match: Sasha Banks defeats Asuka to win the title

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Bayley defeats Nikki Cross to retain title

Tables Match: SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day defeat Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura to retain title

United States Championship Match: Apollo Crews defeats MVP

Eye for an Eye Match: Seth Rollins defeats Rey Mysterio

Upcoming this week:

RAW: Unsanctioned Match: Randy Orton vs. The Big Show

NXT: Karrion Kross vs. Dominik Dijakovic Dexter Lumis vs. Killian Dain

SMACKDOWN: Bar Fight: Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus

Thanks for letting us share our thoughts! Shoot me an email at jcrowe567@gmail.com. We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions! You can also check out my blog, The Crowe’s Nest as we delve into more pro wrestling, sports entertainment and the World of Sports. My apologies ahead of time – I AM a Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins fan! If you’re not down with that, I’ve got TWO WORDS for you… NEW ENGLAND