Thursday, January 17, 2013

1/16/13 NXT

Show starts with a video package of the NXT Title match last week. Good for Langston to become the second NXT champion. I just hope he shows better mic skills in the future.

Adrian Neville vs. Sakamoto: Hey, remember Sakamoto, the guy that Tensai used to beat up? He's finally getting his shot in NXT. Neville is from England, so of course, Regal is all stoked. Announcers really hyping Neville. Neville impressive early with the agile moves. Neville has a similar look to when CM Punk first debuted. Neville with an impressive shooting star corkscrew splash from the top rope to get three. Nice way to make a first impression. *1/2

Just after seeing this match, I think Neville has a good upside. Haven't seen him talk yet, but a good debut.

Trent Barreta vs. Leo Kruger: This was probably one of Barreta's last matches (if not his last) before getting released. Kassius Ohno joins on commentary. Announcers keep saying Barreta is at 90%, but I don't care.Kruger controls most of the match. Barreta with great stuff on the comeback, but of course, he has to sell the other injuries so he's not as fast as he usually is. Half crab from Kruger, but Barreta to the ropes. Barreta with an enzuigiri and a senton dive to the outside. Ohno comes down and decks Barreta with the rolling elbow to the back of the head. Kruger hits his facebuster/cutter finisher (Kruger End) for three. **1/4

Regal helps Barreta to the back, and official #2 comes down to explain to official #1 what happened. So after all that, we get a reversed decision and Barreta gets a win by DQ. Gotta love how that logic works. "The backstage refs are blind unless they need to somehow randomly overturn a decision." Then again, if it always went like that, 95% of the matches with interference would get overturned.

We see a bunch of the vintage video packages from the RAW 20th Anniversary show. Woohoo, attitude era stuff is shown.

Big E Langston's gonna cut his first promo as NXT champion. Oh crap. Welcome to the Era of the Five! WTF. Camacho comes out. It was about that bounty money, but now Camacho wants the NXT Title. We got a match because a ref is conveniently in the ring.

Big E Langston vs. Camacho: Squash here. Langston hits his finisher about a minute in and gets three. Oh wait, that's right, we want FIVE! Langston hits his finisher again and counts to five. Sounds about right. Camacho starts getting up, so Langston delivers another one for another five count. N/A

Tyson Kidd & Justin Gabriel vs. Antonio Cesaro & Damien Sandow: Again, this match was taped before Kidd got sidelined with a serious knee injury. Wishing Tyson a speedy recovery. "He who seeks the admiration of idiots is himself an idiot." Nice quote from Sandow. Kidd shows his awesomeness early on against Sandow. Kidd with the hot tag here. Nice finish with the Gabriel springboard moonsault and Kidd springboard elbow drop for three on Sandow. Cesaro a bit too late for the save. Can the crowd wake up a little more, please? *3/4

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