NXT Takeover Brooklyn IV Review

NXT Takeover Brooklyn IV took place on Saturday 18th August. As usual, the card looks awesome so let's take a look.

The first match is for the NXT Tag Team Championship as Moustache Mountain challenged The Undisputed Era. The match starts in a brawl before the referee manages to restore order. The match goes back and forth before Roderick Strong kills Tyler Bate with a brutal clothesline. There was a great bit later on when Kyle O'Reilly puts Bate in a heel hook and Trent Seven gets tempted to throw in the towel but doesn't. In the end, despite the best efforts of Bate and Seven, Strong and O'Reilly hit Total Elimination on Seven to get the win. Afterwards, The War Raiders attack Strong and O'Reilly. This was a really good match and probably the best one out of the three that they had. I don't really like what happened afterwards tho. It looks like they're making The War Raiders faces so it seemed weird them attacking Strong and O'Reilly.
Winners: The Undisputed Era (1 for 1)

The next match is Velveteen Dream taking on EC3. Dream gets the advantage after hitting a twisting DDT onto the ramp. Dream then focuses on the neck. EC3 manages to make a comeback, hitting moves such as a sit down powerbomb. However, Dream hits a rolling death valley dirver onto the apron, followed by the Purple Rainmaker to get the win. I enjoyed the match, although it was hard to top the tag team match.
Winner:Velveteen Dream (2 for 2)

We now get our 2nd Championship match as Ricochet challenges Adam Cole (Bay Bay!) for the NXT North American Championship. Cole manages to cope with Ricochet's fast paced offence before sending him to the floor. Ricochet gets back into it, although Cole comes very close after hitting a superkick followed by a fireman's carry neckbreaker. In the end, Ricochet hit an awesome leaping hurracarrana, sending Cole from the apron to the floor. He then follows that with a 630 splash to get the win. This match was awesome and so much fun to watch.
Winner: Ricochet (3 for 3)

The penultimate match is for the NXT Women's Championship as Kairi Sane challenges Shayna Baszler. Sane takes it to Baszler before Baszler dropkicks her knee then stomps her calf to death to get the advantage. Baszler focuses on the knees, bending them in ways that a contortionist would be proud of. She then starts to get cocky before Sane hits 2 rolling neckbreakers. Sane goes on to hit 2 Insane Elbows but Baszler kicks out. They then both try to do submission moves before Sane goes for another Insane Elbow. Baszler manages to block it and apply the Kirifuda Clutch. Howver, Sane reverses it into a roll up to suddenly get the win and become the new NXT Women's Champion. This match was another awesome one to watch. I thought the psychology of the match was well done and I loved the ending, which is similar to how the Piper/Bret match finished at Wrestlemania VIII. I was surprised that Sane won but it probably means that Baszler is being prepped to go up to the main roster so I'm looking forward to thier rematch in the near future.
Winner: Kairi Sane (3 for 4)

The main event is Johnny Gargano challenging Tommaso "Fuckface" Ciampa in a Last Man Standing Match for the NXT Championship. Highlights of the match include:

• Gargano not waiting for Kaylee Braxton to finishing announcing before attacking
• Gargano throwing Ciampa over the announce table then Ciampa sending Gargano through the Spanish announce table.
• Ciampa applying a sleeper.
• Ciampa hitting 3 powerbombs into a double knee then sitting on a chair while the referee counted
• Ciampa hitting an implant buster onto the steel steps
• Gargano accidentally hitting a member of the ring crew with a superkick
• Ciampa sending Gargano crashing through the timekeeper's area then burying with anything he can find, including the knocked out member of the ring crew
• Gargano sending Ciampa through a table he had set up earlier

The end comes when Gargano handcuffs Ciampa to part of the stage then proceeds to kick him repeatedly in the head. When Garagno hits a running knee, he goes flying off the stage into the crates nearby. Both guys are down but Ciampa just about slides off the stage onto his feet before the ten count to get the win.

Like the other matches on this show, it was awesome to watch and I liked the way it ended. Gargano, in his attempts to beat up Ciampa, has been letting his anger get the best of him. This is another example as he hurt himself in the process of hitting Ciampa and it ended up costing him the match. Whilst I've enjoyed these matches, I feel that we need a little step back away from it and have Ciampa have another feud. Hopefully, Gargano's injury will do that.

Winner: Tommaso Ciampa (4 for 5)

I have not seen every Takeover but I think that this was the best one I've ever seen. Four of the matches were amazing and Dream vs EC3 was not as good but it was better than most of the matches that I see on the main roster. Hopefully Summerslam will be just as good (it probably won't but I can dream, right?)

WWE Summerslam 2018 Preview

The 2nd biggest event of the year, Summerslam, will be taking place this evening at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. There are 13 matches on the card so it will be a long night. Let's take a look.

Rusev and Lana vs Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega
I think that Aiden English will find some way to fuck over Rusev and Lana, giving Almas and Vega the win.
Predicted Winners: Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega

The Revival vs The B-Team
RAW Tag Team Championship
Finally, The Revival get a Championship opportunity and I feel that they have to win to give the RAW Tag Team division a boost.
Predicted Winners: The Revival

Drew Gulak vs Cedric Alexander
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Gulak has been one of the best things on 205 Live right now and I believe that its' time for him to be Champion
Predicted Winner: Drew Gulak

Finn Balor vs Constable Baron Corbin
I don't quite know yet but I'm not bothered about this match. Balor won the last one so I think that Corbin will win this one.
Predicted Winner: Constable Baron Corbin

Jeff Hardy vs Shinsuke Nakamura
United States Championship
Hopefully, their match will last longer than their last one on Pay-Per-View. I think that Nakamura will win.
Predicted Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

The New Day vs The Bludgeon Brothers
Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The New Day have to win this, right?
Predicted Winners: The New Day

Kevin Owens vs Braun Strowman
Strowman's MITB Contract is on the Line
This is an interesting one as it can go in a lot of different ways. I think that Owens will find some sneaky way to win.
Predicted Winner: Kevin Owens

Ronda Rousey vs Alexa Bliss
RAW Women's Championship
I love Alexa Bliss but Ronda is going to fuck her up. Rousey to win easily.
Predicted Winner: Ronda Rousey

Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair vs Carmella
Smackdown Women's Championship
A tough one to call here. I think that Carmella will find some way to win and retain.
Predicted Winner: Carmella

Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler
Intercontinental Championship
Rollins has been great to watch this year. Despite that, I feel that Ziggler, with Drew McIntyre's help, will retain.
Predicted Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles
WWE Championship
This has a small chance to be the match of the night. A tough one to call but I'm going for Joe to win.
Predicted Winner: Samoa Joe

Daniel Bryan vs Hollywood Miz
The match that everyone is looking forward to see. Part of me wishes it was for a Championship but it doesn't need it. I really want Bryan to win. However, I think that they will extend the feud over the autumn meaning that Miz will win.
Predicted Winner: Hollywood Miz

Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar
Universal Championship
Hey look, Brock has decided to grace us with his presence as he faces Roman Reigns for (check notes) the 6th time in over 3 years. Yay? Anyway, Reigns has to win this. Otherwise, there's no point. Keep in mind tho, that this is a rare opportunity for the MITB Briefcase holder to cash in.
Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns

It will be a few days before I get to see the show. Until then, I hope you enjoy watching it.

NXT Takeover: Brooklyn IV Preview

The 4th annual NXT Takeover: Brooklyn will be taking place this evening at the Barclays Center. The card looks pretty awesome as usual so let's take a look.

Velveteen Dream vs EC3
The only match that doesn't involve a Championship has been the one that has the most fun to see build. Having said that, it has been weird seeing EC3 as technically the face as his gimmick doesn't say that. This is a tough one as I can see both guys winning. I feel that Dream has to win a match at Takeover and I think it will happen here.
Predicted Winner: Velveteen Dream

Mustache Mountain vs The Undisputed Era
NXT Tag Team Championship
Based on their last two matches, this should be fun to watch. Whilst I like Tyler Bate and Trent Seven, I feel that The Undisputed Era will retain.
Predicted Winners: The Undisputed Era

Ricochet vs Adam Cole (Bay Bay!)
NXT North American Championship
A strong contender for match of the night and I think that Ricochet will win here.
Predicted Winner: Ricochet

Kairi Sane vs Shayna Baszler
NXT Women's Championship
Another tough one to call but I don't think it's Sane's time yet. Therefore, Baszler to win.
Predicted Winner: Shayna Baszler

Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso "Fuckface" Ciampa
Last Man Standing Match for the NXT Championship
Whilst I love to see Gargano as Champion, I don't think it's that time yet. I'm going for Ciampa to win.
Predicted Winner: Tommaso Ciampa

I will get to see Takeover during the week. I hope everyone enjoys the show.

WWE Extreme Rules 2018 Review

Extreme Rules 2018 took place on Sunday 15th July at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Money in the Bank was pretty good so will Extreme Rules continue in that vein? Let's take a look.

There were two matches on the Kick Off Show and the first was Sin Cara 2.0 taking on Andrade "Cien" Almas. Almas deals with Cara's offence by throwing him into the crowd barrier. Almas keeps Cara down with moves such as an arm lock. Cara makes a comeback and hits a frog splash. However, Zelina Vega distracts the referee, which gives Almas the chance to hit a dropkick, which is followed by the knees in the corner and the Hammerlock DDT to get the win. The match was pretty good.
Winner: Andrade "Cien" Almas (1 for 1)

The other match on the Kick Off Show is a Tables Match between The New Day and Sanity. The match descends into chaos, leaving Eric Young and Alexander Wolff beating down on Big E. Everyone else recovers and the match goes back and forth, including both teams coming very close to winning. In the end, Young, with the help of Wolff, sends Kofi through a table with a top rope elbow drop to get the win. This match was fun to watch.
Winners: Sanity (2 for 2)

The first match of the show is for the RAW Tag Team Championship as The B Team challenge The Deleter of Worlds. A cheap shot by Bo Dallas on Matt Hardy gives his team the advantage. Hardy hits a side effect on Curtis Axel , and it enables him to tag in Bray Wyatt. Hardy tags back in but that turns out to be a bad idea as Dallas hits him with a hangman's neckbreaker to get the win. I was surprised that The B Team won but it was a good yet short match.
Winners: The B Team (2 for 3)

Next is Finn Balor taking on Constable Baron Corbin. Corbin is dominant early on, hitting brutal clotheslines and keeping him down with chinlocks. Balor gets out of a powerbomb and hits a dropkick. Corbin goes for The End of Days but Balor manages to stop it and put Corbin in a small package to get the win. This was a pretty decent match.
Winner: Finn Balor (2 for 4)

We now get Asuka challenging Carmella for the Smackdown Women's Championship with James Ellsworth suspended above the ring in a shark tank. Someone didn't think to search Ellsworth as he keeps interfering in the match. Then he manages to escape but gets caught and ends up hanging upside down. Asuka decides to forget about Carmella and start kicking Ellsworth. Carmella then slams Asuka's head against the cage then hits her shitty finishing move to get the win. This match was a fucking abomination and definitely the worst match of the year so far.
Winner: Carmella (3 for 5)

Our third Championship match is Shinsuke Nakamura challenging Jeff Hardy. When the referee gives his belt to the timekeeper, Nakamura gives Hardy a low blow. Hardy insists that he is ok but when the bell rings, Nakamura hits a Kinshasa to get the win. Afterwards, Randy Orton makes his return and attacks Hardy, turning heel. Ok, what the fuck was that? I understand if Hardy was injured, but he wrestled on the following Smackdown, so what was the point? As for Orton returning, I don't really care.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (4 for 6)

We now get a steel cage match between Kevin Owens and Braun Strowman. Owens tries to escape at every opportunity but Strowman keeps stopping him. Owens gets his best chance when he handcuffs Strowman to the turnbuckle. Unfortunately, it's next to the door so Owens starts to climb the cage. Strowman breaks the handcuffs and climbs after him. Strowman then proceeds to throw Owens off the top of the cage through the announce table. This technically means that Owens wins. Afterwards, Owens is taken away on a stretcher. I quite enjoyed the match but I found it hard to support Strowman in this feud. He's been treating Owens like shit and when Owens goes to Kurt Angle about it, he gets put into a steel cage match. I was also surprised at the ending, as it took place in the same city where Mick Foley got seriously injured when Undertaker threw him off the top of the cell.
Winner: Kevin Owens (4 for 7)

Next is Team Hell No challenging The Bludgeon Brothers  for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship. Earlier in the night, Harper and Rowan attacked Bryan and Kane backstage. Kane didn't recover in time so Bryan had to take on The Bludgeon Brothers himself. Bryan uses his quickness to Harper and Rowan at bay but it doesn't last long. Harper and Rowan accidentally take each other out and Kane comes out with a leg cast and gets tagged in. Unfortuantely, Harper and Rowan manage to hit a powerbomb/diving clothesline combo on Bryan to get the win. The match wasn't bad but it was hampered by Kane's real life injury. A lot of people were looking forward to seeing the return of Team Hell No but, depending on Glen Jacobs' bod for Mayor of Knox County, there's a chance that we will never get to see it.
Winners: The Bludgeon Brothers (4 for 8)

We now get Roman Reigns taking on Bobby Lashley. Yay...? Anyway, Reigns acts a little more aggressively during the match and is quite dominant in the early going. Lashley stops getting hit
by some steel steps and hits a clothesline to start a comeback. Both guys have a chance to win it but in the end, Reigns goes for a spear but Lashley hits a spear of his own to get the win. The match was actually pretty decent with a couple of nice spots. I just found it hard to get into am match where I have very little interest in the guys involved.
Winner: Bobby Lashley (5 for 9)

Next is Nia Jax, with Natalya, challenging Alexa Bliss, with Mickie James, in an Extreme Rules match for the RAW Women's Championship. An added factor is Ronda Rousey. She had been banned from RAW but she got a ticket to watch the show because...loophole? Mickie gives Alexa a fuck ton of weapons but Nia just grabs them and chucks them into the ring. After Nia press slams Alexa ontop a trash can, Alexa uses a trash can lid to get the advantage. When Mickie and Alexa start attacking Natalya, Ronda gets involved. After Mickie takes out Ronda with a kendo stick, Alexa goes on to hit Nia with a DDT on to a steel chair to get the win. Ignoring the fact that, due to the stipulations, Ronda could have got involved at any time, it was a fun match.
Winner: Alexa Bliss (6 for 10)

The penultimate match is for the WWE Championship as Rusev challenges AJ Styles on Rusev Day. Rusev uses power moves before focusing on the lower back. However, Styles injures Rusev's left leg, slowing him down. The match goes back and forth with both guys going for submission moves. Rusev tries to put on the Accolade but is unable to due his leg. Aiden English exposes a turnbuckle but Rusev accidentally runs into it and Styles hits a springboard 450 followed by a Phenomenal Forearm to get the win. This was a really good match and hopefully, Rusev gets another Championship opportunity in the near future.
Winner: AJ Styles (7 for 11)

The main event is a 30-minute Iron Man match for the Intercontinental Championship as Seth Rollins challenges Dolph Ziggler. Rollins takes the lead after 4 minutes with a buckle bomb followed by a inside cradle. Rollins hits a Curb Stomp to make it 2-0. Drew McIntyre then interferes and beats the fuck out of Rollins, resulting in the referee ejecting him. Even though McIntyre's actions gave Rollins a 3-0 lead, it was negated when Ziggler pins a fucked up Rollins to make 3-1. he then hits a super kick followed soon after by a Zig Zag to tie the macth at 3-3. A minute before the half way point, Ziggler hits a forearm and pins Rollins, using his feet on the ropes for leverage. This gives Ziggler the lead. With 3 minutes to go, Rollins bounces Ziggler's head off the ring post and pins him to tit the match at 4-4. Despite Rollins' best efforts, the match ends at 4-4. Normally, this means Ziggler retains the title. However, Kur Angle comes out and takes the match into overtime. When the bell rings, Rollins gets distracted by a returning McIntyre and Ziggler hits a Zig Zag to get the win. This was a generally good match but I hated the ending. I don't see the point of taking a match into overtime and then it ends 10 seconds later. Also, some of Rollins' logic was questionable, esecially when he stopped Ziggler from leaving. If he left him, Ziggler would have been counted out and Rollins would have won.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler (8 for 12)

I thought that Extreme Rules was an average event. There were some good matches but there were some that were really shit. Hopefully, at Summerslam, we will get more of the good and less of the bad.