NXT

[Oliver]

Oh boy, I will come back to that post with Some Thoughts soon! Thanks mizfan!

[Oliver]

Not got round to those Riddle matches yet - will do soon.

Anyway, excuse the double post, but WarGames is just around the corner and on paper the card looks incredible:

Ciampa vs Dream
Black vs Gargano
The Undisputed Era vs Dunne, Ricochet, and War Raiders in WarGames
Riddle vs Ohno
Sane vs Baszler 2/3 falls

That last one is going to be obscene.

Also, it may just be me, but whenever I see Regal and Baszler in the same place together I want them to fight each other. I wish Regal could still go.

[comfortablynumb]

Meltzer is saying more NXT callups are coming soon. I have one question: Why?

Sanity is barely being used, Almas is a competitive jobber, Revival are jobbers, Nikki Cross made her debut and probably won't appear for weeks now (maybe she'll be the fifth member of women's SS team). Lars Sullivan is the only guy I can see being called up and not being treated as a joke.

[Oliver]

I mean, Black has pretty much done it all and presumably ties up his loose end at the weekend. That's my only guess, although I'd say there are others - Lars just for size/gimmick, EC3 for the total package - who are TV ready

WWE really needs to fat trim on the main roster(s), though.

[comfortablynumb]

Totally agree about roster trimming on the main two brands. I agree some NXT superstars are more than ready but if they aren’t going to do anything with them, leave them.

[LK3185]

I think with all the injuries they have to do something with some of the younger guys.. and the fact is, talent will be brought up every year. I also think that certain guys have limitations in Vince's eyes that hold them back... Even going as far as perception from the fanbase.. People saying "ah so and so won't work on the main roster" is bullshit but also true because of who's in charge.

Not surprised that Sanity are afterthoughts or that the Revival after a few injuries are looked at as nothing special. Almas can work but can't cut a promo in English so Zelina gets more love on the main roster.

Velvteen Dream and possibly Black... could and can work on the Main roster. Esp Dream seems like a guy Vince would love. Lars as well if Braun needs to take time off.

[Prime Time]

Roughly an hour away from TakeOver. Who is getting ready to watch live?

[Mr Chop]

Roughly an hour away from TakeOver. Who is getting ready to watch live?

Me! Loving the less is more thing going on with the matches. Nothing makes the card that doesn't have something substantial behind it.

[LifeLostInRewind]

Which ones the heel? Riddle? or Oh No?

[SirSam]

That was a really fun show.

I've seen most of the War Games matches and that one tonight has to be right up there with the best. I loved thfr moment after Ricochet's dive when both teams slowly advances to the middle and started brawling. Real cool moment.

While removing the roof gets rid of some of the claustrophobic vibes tht original had they certainly make use of the extra freedom.

I really liked the other two male matches although I do think that Gargano and Ciampa really tred a fine line with just how much they do in their matches. You can only throw the kitchen sink into so many matches before it loses its impact, they did put some great story moments in
both their matches but they rely very heavily on no selling and huge false falls. Still very fun to watch but just something I've noted from both of them.

[LifeLostInRewind]

What are the odds sane could make her call up debut tonight and be the last member of the womens smackdown team?

Or do they still have use for her in NXT?

[Pheqes]

What are the odds sane could make her call up debut tonight and be the last member of the womens smackdown team?

Or do they still have use for her in NXT?

I could see Nikki Cross moreso than Kairi. Nikki has been on NXT for quite a while now and I feel like she's ready. She could be that unstable element that throws Raw off, because I'm pretty sure Raw women's team is losing tonight.

[Oliver]

They are presumably at least going for a Sane/Shirai/Kai Vs Baszler/Duke/Shafir bout, which I'd wager is a Takeover match rather than a weekly show match. So that suggests we're at least having Sane on the show through to NXT: From The Ashes or whatever they're calling the Phoenix show.

I loved this Takeover. Only black mark is that main event going on for as long as it did. But otherwise, everything there was killer.

[Team Farrell]

I really liked the other two male matches although I do think that Gargano and Ciampa really tred a fine line with just how much they do in their matches. You can only throw the kitchen sink into so many matches before it loses its impact, they did put some great story moments in both their matches but they rely very heavily on no selling and huge false falls. Still very fun to watch but just something I've noted from both of them.

I think that a part of it goes to everybody in NXT trying to get themselves over. Takeover shows never really feel like there's any build to the climax of the main event, instead everyone on the card from the opening match is trying to put on a main event match. It makes for critically enjoyed cards, but I often find myself tired half way through and by the time the late matches come, I've seen so many apron bumps, floor bumps, dives and big spots that I'm shrugging at them.

Thank you to WWE for streamlining War Games a little bit. The only thing I need from them now is to drop the whole "the match hasn't even officially started" bit. Just let the match be what it is, and push that you can't win the match until everyone is in it. I understand the tradition and why they might want to push that, but some traditions aren't worth keeping, and that's one of them. If you were showing a non wrestling fan that show last night, it might generate a lot of disconnect when Mauro keeps saying that the match hasn't officially begun while five guys are punching each others' faces in.

Baszler continues to be the worst Champion in the company.

[Oliver]

Woah there, ain't nobody picking on Baszler without backing that stuff up here Coach, she's my favourite! What don't you like about her?