Mitchell’s WWE NXT Report! (8/23/17)
TakeOver is over but NXT still rocks Brooklyn!

All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- No Way Jose VS Lars Sullivan; no contest.
- Sarah Logan VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay; Peyton wins.
- Mustache Mountain VS Pete Dunne & Wolfgang; Dunne & Wolfgang win.
PLAY BY PLAY
TakeOver Brooklyn 3 rocked the Barclays Center from start to finish!
Undefeated monsters fell to the chaos, an undefeated Empress stayed upon her throne, and an undefeated Scotsman took NXT back from the GLORIOUS One, but above all, a new force made itself known to the Universe, “BAYBAY”. This “seismic shift in the NXT Landscape” continues tonight!
No Way Jose VS Lars Sullivan!

The Fighting Fiesta brings the party and the conga line to Brooklyn! Only for it to get steam rolled by the Mile High Monster, Lars Sullivan!

Lars throws Jose into barriers, then drags him up for crossface punches! The fans boo and jeer this powerhouse party pooper, even as he lifts and drops Jose onto the apron! Lars roars and puts Jose into the ring, then squashes Jose in a corner. The fans rally for “Jose~! Jose Jose Jose~! Jose~! Jose~!” but Lars doesn’t care, Mile High Slam!

This hasn’t even become a real match, and Lars has wrecked Jose. Lars is done damaging his target, he storms off to the back. Who else will face the wrath of this one man wrecking crew?
Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.
Johnny Wrestling was back to top form, but unfortunately, El Idolo’s associate, Zelina Vega, had his kryptonite in the form of a DIY T-Shirt. What does he think of being thrown off by that reminder? He won’t make any excuses. He lost, not because of a memory, but because he lost focus. He vows to do better, he knows the fans still believe in him. He promises everyone that one loss is far from the end. Can Gargano get back to wins as he moves forward in NXT?
Backstage interview with Asuka.
Though tested like never before, the Empress of Tomorrow stayed undefeated against the Prophecy of Flame. The NXT Women’s Champion extends her historically dominant reign and win streak, she admitted that Ember is strong, but reminded us Asuka is better. Did she think Ember came close to the win? No, and the name plate proves it. What’s next for her in NXT? She’s not sure, but she knows she’ll stay champion. That may not be so true now, as it was discovered Asuka suffered a collarbone injury and will be out anywhere from six to eight weeks. Will she be allowed to stay champion? And whether she does or not, will she be ready for whoever comes to challenge her?
Backstage interview with Wolfgang and WWE UK Champion, Pete Dunne.
They team together to take on Trent Seven and former champion, Tyler Bate, what will this match mean for the UK Division? When Dunne won the title at TakeOver: Chicago, that wasn’t just a turning point, that was when the WWE UK Brand truly started. Whenever and wherever Dunne steps in the ring, the brand gets stronger and stronger. Wolfgang speaks up and asks about that title. Wolfgang wants his 1v1 chance. When they win, Wolfy gets what he deserves. Dunne tells him not to get ahead of himself, one thing at a time. Will this team be able to get along long enough to defeat Mustache Mountain?
Sarah Logan VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay!

Wild, crazy, and #CountryTough, Sarah Logan has a big opportunity to rise up in the NXT Women’s Division rankings going up against the Venus Flytrap of the Iconic Duo in the Barclays Center. Peyton and Sarah circle, fans support Sarah pretty strongly. They tie up, Sarah powers out of a headlock to put on her own, Peyton wrenches out but Sarah scoops her up with one arm. Peyton slips down and gets that headlock back, Sara powers out, Peyton runs her over with a shoulder. Peyton and Billie give to playful hands, Peyton gets running but gets tripped up by Sarah, Sarah fireman carry takeover into armbar. Peyton endures the wrench, gets to her feet and grinds a forearm in Sarah’s face to break the hold. Peyton puts Sarah back in a headlock, Sarah powers out, Peyton holds rope and counters Sarah’s whip, spinning heel kick!

Peyton has her fans applauding that great move, Peyton then puts Sarah in a corner to swing hands and stomp away on. Peyton drags Sarah up for a long legged choke. Peyton hammers Sarah at the ropes, Billie trash talks, Peyton puts Sarah between ropes for a stiff kick and a deep motorcycle stretch.

Peyton lets go at 4 in the 5 count and then embraces the praise from her fans. She keeps on Sarah, toying with her even. Peyton whips but is reversed, Sarah ducks the kick for a big single leg back suplex! The fans applaud and rally for both as they slowly stir. Sarah chops Peyton, throws a haymaker, repeat. Sarah howls then rallies with shoulders and a front dropkick. TWO, Peyton gets to Billie for help. Billie tries to hold on so that Sarah can’t suplex Peyton again, so Sarah lets go and momentum throws Billie right off. As for Peyton, Okada roll, TWO and Peyton rolls Sarah up, TWO. Peyton knees Sarah in the head, Fisherman Suplex with the bridge!

Peyton wins! The Iconic Duo celebrates together, how far will these two BFF’s go?

SAnitY fought and fooled the Authors of Pain at TakeOver.
Their entrance made Paul Ellering and his pair of behemoths think the Beast of Belfast was one of the participants to swap in the mastermind, Eric Young. The champions were unbalanced by this, but it was the unbalanced Nikki Cross sacrificing herself so that Killian Dain could run Akam over that helped the whole team become the new NXT Tag Team Champions. Of course, the newcomers of reDRagon, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish, laid waste to them soon after. What does this mean for NXT in the future?
TakeOver gave new meaning to the term “Future Shock”.
The undefeated Scottish Stud took the GLORIOUS One to his limits and overcame his won to become the new NXT Champion, only to be beat down by reDRagon and “Adam Cole BAYBAY!!” McIntyre may have left Brooklyn all beat up, but next week he will be back to respond.
Backstage interview with Bobby Roode.
No longer the champion, Roode wanted anything other than talking to reporters about it. Roode adamantly told his assistant to gather his things and bring the car around, but he was still in the arena long enough to see Roderick Strong blow him a kiss good-bye. And it was rather fitting, as Roode would quickly say good-bye to NXT and hello to SmackDown Live! The Blue Brand became GLORIOUS as Roode defeated Aiden English, what’s next for him? Roode doesn’t leave behind unfinished business, so he is going to settle things with the audacious Strong. Roode will embarrass Strong, get his rematch with McIntyre, and only then will he truly move on from NXT to truly make SmackDown GLORIOUS.
Backstage interview with Aleister Black.
The Embodiment of the End and Innovator of the GTS proved they are the two most lethal strikers in NXT and perhaps all of the WWE. In the end, Aleister made Itami #FadetoBlack, the Dutch Destroyer stayed undefeated. But when asked about this match, he was ice cold silent. Black continues to rack up wins, when will he get his turn at the NXT Championship?
Mustache Mountain VS Pete Dunne & Wolfgang!

Tyler Bate & Trent Seven take on The British Bruiserweight and the Last King of Scotland to show off the superstar power of the WWE UK Division. The fans love everyone in this match, so they just chant “UK! *clap clap* UK! *clap clap*” We start with Bate and Dunne, the two who have fought over the UK title before. They tie up, Dunne gets waistlock control and floats to a facelock, holding it while rolling with Bate. Bate slips and switches, returning the facelock, but then Dunne gator rolls to get back, cover, Bate kicks out to get a waistlock. Switch from Dunne but back to Bate, back to Dunne, these two are very evenly matched. Dunne gets a unique cover, TWO, double handspring kip-ups. The fans applaud that incredible exchange as we go to break.
When we return, Dunne gets a dropkick from Bate, tag to Trent Seven. Seven lifts Dunne in a fireman’s carry, Wasteland slam, Bate tags back in and hops up top, he uses Seven as a step-stool for a senton on Dunne.

TWO, Bate stays on Dunne with an arm wrench. Tag to Seven, Dunne gets to ropes for safety. Seven backs off, Dunne catches him with a stiff right forearm, TWO. Dunne sits Seven up to tweak the nose, tag to Wolfgang. Wolfy grabs Seven but Seven fights away to give some sharp chops. Wolfy asks for a break from chops, so Seven gives a DDT instead! Seven tweases the mustache, but Dunne distracts long enough for Wolfy to tackle and slam Seven!

TWO, Wolfy drags Seven over and tags Dunne. Cravat handed off to an arm wrench and wristlock, Dunne tortures Seven’s arm to then stomp the hammerlock! Seven rolls to the apron for safety, Dunne stays back to watch him writhe. Seven comes back in and Dunne is right on him, hammerlock grounds Seven and Dunne goes after the other arm, wrenching that hand’s fingers all the way back! Roll to a cover, TWO, Dunne kicks Seven while he’s down, Tag to Wolfy, kick right to that arm. Wolfy waistlock slams Seven, then gives another, Wolfy drags Seven up for a fireman’s carry. Seven fights out, waistlock but standing switch, switch again and Seven gives Wolfy a release dragon suplex!

Both Seven and Wolfgang are down, the fans rally for both as they crawl for their partners. Tags to Dunne and Bate! Bate catches Dunne and throws him! Kip-up from the young Bate, deadlift waistlock for the German Suplex but Dunne lands on his feet! Dunne whips Bate but Bate rebounds and hits a lariat! The fans are fired up as Bate grabs Dunne, aeroplane spin! Around and around until he slows down, Bate dumps Dunne down and covers, Wolfy breaks the pin. Seven gets in and swings Wolfy out, Wolfy ducks the Seven Star but Seven gives him a back hand. Wolfy rolls out, Dunne rocks Seven with another stiff right forearm! Seven rolls out, Bate and Dunne are alone again. They stand up, Bate puts Bop up, here comes BANG!

Bate hit Dunne so hard his own hand hurts. Dunne comes back, gives Bate that stiff right forearm, Bate rebounds for the rolling kick! Dunne staggers back, Wolfgang tags in, Bate unaware as he hits Tyler Driver ‘97!

Wolfgang hits the Howling Senton!

Wolfgang and Dunne win! The Last King of Scotland came through for himself and the British Bruiserweight, will this be the next 1v1 match-up for that UK Championship?

My Thoughts:
Normally a post-TakeOver NXT is rather uneventful and/or boring but I think this year’s Brooklyn NXT found something that works. All the recapping and prerecorded backstage interview pieces were still here, but the matches were really good for what was in reality TakeOver’s dark match preshow. First, the match that wasn’t even a match, I am liking that Lars Sullivan is now going to join the singles division. He attacked No Way Jose before there was ever a bell so he doesn’t get to win, but for a big man like him to dominate a big man like Jose, this gives Lars some major points as a monster since all he was doing before was dominating smaller people. Lars-Jose can make for a great feud on NXT and can be something that helps one of them move up in the card. I was expecting Peyton Royce to have a match with Ruby Riot to finish up that concept of “You’ll never be Iconic!” but perhaps Peyton beating Sarah gives Ruby someone to team up with so they can both settle up with the Iconic Duo in a rare NXT Women’s Division Tag Team match. Sarah (for those who don’t know, is Crazy Mary Dobson) has plenty of promise in NXT’s Women’s Division and she was also part of the Mae Young Classic that finally airs next week, I expect her to stick around and show up more.
That main event is what WWE should’ve been doing for the UK Division this whole time: have them be part of NXT while we wait for the actual UK Division program. I appreciated the backstage segment that sets up the story for Wolfgang and Dunne in the future, and it established that the title would not divide this rag-tag team but rather unite them. A great match as well, thanks to the tight familiarity between the British Strong Style trio of Dunne, Seven and Bate, and with Wolfgang from all the UK promotions. WWE is kindly letting those other promotions host their UK Title, but fans would still really appreciate a regularly scheduled Network program for the UK Division sooner rather than later so we can see great stuff like this and what we saw at the UK Tournament.
My Score: 7.7/10
