This American Ninja Warrior chick Kacy is certainly athletic at least ( she had her first match tonight after 3 months of training) .

Yay! I think she's cute (got a bit of Madison about her) so will be keeping an eye on her.

Nixon Newell finally made her debut after her ACL injury too. I've never seen her wrestle - what do you think to her dex?

Apr 20, 2018 6:19:35 GMT @admin said:

Yay! I think she's cute (got a bit of Madison about her) so will be keeping an eye on her.

Nixon Newell finally made her debut after her ACL injury too. I've never seen her wrestle - what do you think to her dex ?

A bit on the green side, but she's athletic and has a ton of potential. Right now she's still at least solid.   

Good little segment with Dakota and Shayna tonight. Great acting by Dakota emoting some real fear of Shayna.

I think we're set up nicely for the future - Shayna defending against Kairi at the next Takeover, and then Dakota taking the title after that.

Apr 26, 2018 5:58:40 GMT @admin said:

Good little segment with Dakota and Shayna tonight. Great acting by Dakota emoting some real fear of Shayna.

I think we're set up nicely for the future - Shayna defending against Kairi at the next Takeover, and then Dakota taking the title after that.

The Kairi fanboys on twitter and other forums would not like that HR  :nono:
They expect her to win every match and get pissy with even tag match losses on house shows where she isn't even pinned. 

On a related note, I honestly think Kairi hasn't been super impressive. She obviously has a long way to go with her English, and her wrestling outside of her elbow is not really memorable. She also seems to not get the concept of looking at the hard cam which I why you get award moments like her doing the NXT chant in the wrong direction from everyone else.

I guess Nikki Cross is being repackaged. If that is the case it's a shame. I love that character she really makes it work. Of course, she can show up later on but it feels like that's not in the cards.

What the hell was wrong with Nikki's character anyway? But I guess it doesn't surprise me. Vince wants "crazy bitches," not psychos.

There has been no indication at all that her gimmick is being changed - she was doing the exact same thing at NXT house shows this weekend.

Nikki Cross really puts her all into the gimmick - that's great. But it's one dimensional and makes for some really boring matches. I don't recall her having a good singles match. Her most exciting moments have been when she attacks a male wrestler.

Apr 30, 2018 9:05:23 GMT Emperor said:

Nikki Cross really puts her all into the gimmick - that's great. But it's one dimensional and makes for some really boring matches. I don't recall her having a good singles match. Her most exciting moments have been when she attacks a male wrestler.

Now granted it's a gimmick, but you didn't even like her LWS match with Asuka?

I don't remember that match at all.

Apr 30, 2018 11:27:20 GMT Emperor said:

I don't remember that match at all.

I dunno if it's because it happened on NXT TV rather than a Takeover as that could easily be skippable since not everyone checks them week to week, but I remember it getting pretty good reviews at the time. I only saw it once as I don't tend to revisit matches, but I loved it when I saw it. Easily her best match I've ever seen, although even going by her indy work I was never drawn in by what happened with her matches but more so her personality and character. She always felt larger than life...

Another thing. I bet Nikki will be forced to change her name, since there's already another Nikki on the roster.

Damn Bianca is strong ( I know Candice is tiny but still)

Bianca certainly has some highlights in her. She's still very raw but the potential is definitely there for someone who is really quite unique in the ring as a blend of power plus athleticism. I'd like to see her get some sort of a storyline this year to see what she can do from a character perspective.

Tonight was a good episode from the women's perspective with Candice's impressive pre-match interview (crying is obviously very difficult and she did it very convincingly), set up for next week's Dakota/Vanessa match (I love the idea that Dakota is always doing press interviews), Lacey being a decent hell, and two matches. The only negative was just how bad Shazza looked jobbing to Kairi - that was a diabolical performance! 😬 

May 3, 2018 2:28:49 GMT @admin said:

Bianca certainly has some highlights in her. She's still very raw but the potential is definitely there for someone who is really quite unique in the ring as a blend of power plus athleticism. I'd like to see her get some sort of a storyline this year to see what she can do from a character perspective.

Tonight was a good episode from the women's perspective with Candice's impressive pre-match interview (crying is obviously very difficult and she did it very convincingly), set up for next week's Dakota/Vanessa match (I love the idea that Dakota is always doing press interviews), Lacey being a decent hell, and two matches. The only negative was just how bad Shazza looked jobbing to Kairi - that was a diabolical performance! 😬 

Yeah Shazza looked pretty bad, her selling and her strikes looked really bad.


I'm also pleased with the number of women's segments on today's show. I just wish we got a lengthier match with the more experienced girls going against each other, in a singles match.  That's a problem with the Heel side currently all of the main indy girls are faces, while the heels are mostly green ( even Shayna has like 2 years of experience. 

 

I agree. The only really bad thing about the episode for the women was the squash match between Kairi and Shazza. It just looked very disjointed. But the post-match with Lacey and Kairi was good as Lacey did pretty good on the mic and I loved her attire!

Candice also did amazing in her interview. The Dakota/Vanessa segment was also pretty good. Vanessa actually has the chops to play a sassy bitch. And the Candice/Bianca match was also fun to watch. Bianca is a total monster and all I really need from her is a completely different finisher. The Alley Oop just isn't enough. Can't we get her the Dominator? Or a version of the Glam Slam where she falls down to her knees instead of sitting out? I just need something with more oomph from a finisher for her.

There's something kinda weird about Lacey that I can't quite put my finger on...

Since she used the torture rack anyways gimme a TKO. Alley Oop just feels like it could go wrong.

More good development in the Dakota/Shayna storyline tonight - this is what a "bully" storyline should be in a wrestling world that isn't entirely inhabited by stereotypical mean girl characters.

Taping results for the future:

SPOILER: Click to show

5/16

* Johnny Gargano's music hits but Tomasso Ciampa comes out. Ciampa says Johnny won in New Orleans but he won the war. Candice LeRae comes out and asks who is Tomasso anymore. Candice says she's tired of shedding tears over Ciampa's cruelty, and that while Johnny's future is in doubt, Ciampa will always know Johnny is better than him. Ciampa says he's more of a man than Johnny has ever been, and he knows Candice was always more of a man that Johnny. Candice slaps Ciampa, and Ciampa smiles, and does his wave as he leaves the ring

* Lacey Evans defeated Brandi Lauren. Lauren is the former Ava Storie from Impact Wrestling. This was a quick squash. Lacey hits a moonsault, stands Lauren up, and hits a punch for the win. After the match, Kairi Sane attacks Lacey on the ramp, runs her back to the ring, and goes up for the elbow, but Lacey rolls out and runs away

5/23

* Lacey Evans defeated Kairi Sane. Kairi aggressively goes after Lacey at the start. They trade some stiff chops. Lacey takes control. Kairi ducks a kick and hits a blockbuster. Kairi hits the baseball slide elbow and rolls Lacey back into the ring. Kairi goes for a forearm smash off the top rope, but Lacey punches her out of the air and gets the pin

* Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano come out for a promo. Johnny is in a neckbrace and is solemn on his way to the ring, stop to talk to some kids at ringside. Gargano says his body hurts everyday after what Ciampa did. He says he sat down with Candice and it's time to start thinking about "our" future and if it's worth it. Crowd chants YES. Johnny asks again if it's worth it after the toll it's taken on his friends and family. Johnny says it's definitely worth it and rips off the neckbrace and calls out Ciampa to finish this, to the dismay of Candice. Ciampa comes out and Candice sprints away, returning with referees to keep them apart. Candice convinces Johnny to leave, but Ciampa talks trash and Johnny runs back and jumps on the apron, only to be knocked off and into Candice who slams into the ramp. Ciampa looks dismayed and bails through the crowd as Johnny helps Candice. Nigel McGuiness leaves the commentary table to check on them and help Candice to the back

* Vanessa Borne defeated Steffanie Newell. Vanessa worked over Newell's left arm for most of the match. Newell fights back with forearms and hits a crossbody for 2. Borne throws Newell's bad arm into the ropes and hits a running swinging neck breaker for the pin.

* Cathy Kelley is backstage with Dakota Kai. Dakota has a title match with Shayna "next week" and says that she's let her get into her head. Dakota calls her a bully, then Shayna interrupts, telling her the only way this ends is with Dakota unconscious. Dakota says we'll see.

5/30

* Lacey Evans cut a promo where she accepts a rematch with Kairi Sane. Lacey's punch finisher is called "Women's Right"

6/6

* Kairi Sane defeated Lacey Evans. Kairi aggressive again at the start. Kairi hits a headscissors off the ropes. Lacey ends up taking control and wearing Kairi down. Lacey does a push-up on Kairi while covering her for a 2. Kairi dodges a moonsault and hits 3 spears and the Sliding D, then a diving forearm for a nearfall. Kairi catches Lacey in an armbar after the kickout, but lets go as Lacey transitions to a pin. Kairi hits the Insane Elbow for the win

* Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai to retain the NXT Women's Title. Dakota is clearly intimidated as Shayna backs her into the corner. Referee admonishes Shayna and Dakota spins her around, but freezes. Shayna stomps On Dakota's leg and begins targeting her legs with kicks and holds. Shayna is just destroying her. Shayna gets an ankle lock, and Dakota makes it to the ropes. Shayna reapplies it, but Dakota fights back. Dakota hits her corner running kick and a facewash running boot. Dakota goes for a stomp, but Shayna flips her into her choke hold and gets the win. After the match, Shayna puts the choke back on, but Nikki Cross runs down for the save. Shayna looks confused and grabs her belt and leaves, but Nikki runs after her and steals the belt. Nikki challenges her to come get the belt, the grabs it and challenges Shayna to a match with Dakota as the ref. Nikki hands Dakota the title and as Shayna goes to get it, hits her swinging neckbreaker on Shayna. Dakota counts 3, gives Nikki the title and Nikki celebrates in the crowd as if she's the new champ. Referee Drake keeps trying to tell her it wasn't official. Nikki celebrates on the announce table with the belt and leaves it there. Shayna goes and retrieves it after Nikki leaves.

Much better finisher for Bianca.

I like that someone saw the last match and thought the exact same thing we did.

Cool to see Kacy make her TV debut so quickly after her first live event - she must be well regarded for that to have happened.

@admin , can I join you on the Kacey-fan train? Just remains to be seen if she can master the other parts of wrestling, as she has the flippy stuff down already.

Also, I think Candice is someone who will continue to get better in NXT than she was on the indies just by being able to wrestle women consistently, instead of being a primarily intergender wrestler.  

Why is Dakota Kai getting floods of reporters asking her questions every week? The only noteworthy thing she's done is cower in fear of Shayna Baeszler. They need to get Bianca Belair or Lacey Evans.

May 19, 2018 2:34:15 GMT dex said:

@admin , can I join you on the Kacey-fan train?    

All aboard! We're going straight to the top:

May 19, 2018 10:40:03 GMT Emperor said:

Why is Dakota Kai getting floods of reporters asking her questions every week? The only noteworthy thing she's done is cower in fear of Shayna Baeszler. They need to get Bianca Belair or Lacey Evans.

International media wants to get the scoop for #teamkick globally! We couldn't care less what that right wing trailer trash Lacey has to say!

A pretty fun match between Kairi and Lacey. I Liked the destino Kairi busted out.

Excited for that video package on Bianca next week. NXT usually does a great job with those.


Fun match between Kairi and Lacey, but damn it, do I hate Lacey's finisher. Nobody should be winning with a simple punch/forearm.


I've really enjoyed the Dakota/Shayna feud, and while I know Dakota is getting put to sleep next week, I'm super excited to see Dakota kick Shayna in the face a few times before she does.

May 24, 2018 3:03:31 GMT The Dazz said:

Fun match between Kairi and Lacey, but damn it, do I hate Lacey's finisher. Nobody should be winning with a simple punch/forearm.

Agreed - but I do have to give credit to whoever came up with "The Woman's Right" - that's one of the most puntastic finisher names in a long time.

I know I post this all the time but Mauro is the best commentator. The way he put Lacey's victory over as a surprisingly big deal was fantastic - a result like that on Raw is met with the most lukewarm reaction which just conveys the idea that nothing really matters. 

Once again, for the third year in a row, Io Shira seems to be headed to WWE.

May 28, 2018 7:00:35 GMT surrender said:

Once again, for the third year in a row, Io Shira seems to be headed to WWE.

To be fair this time it looks a little more official with a Japnese paper confirming it. Last two times it was just Meltzer . Meltzer said it's happening too and I doubt he confirm it unless he was pretty sure it was a go given what happened last time. Apparently they have offers to other Stardom wrestlers. Maybe Hana Kimura? She las the look but is kind of green.