By Jon
COMMENTATORS: Byron Saxton & William Regal (& Jim Ross)
One week after making history, Seth Rollins sits down with Jim Ross to discuss becoming the first-ever NXT Champion. Also on the show a new Leo Kruger debuts, Brodus Clay is here because reasons, and The Usos look for revenge against The Ascension.
CHAMPIONS
- NXT CHAMPION: Seth Rollins
LINEUP
- Richie Steamboat vs. Kassius Ohno
- Audrey Marie vs. Paige
- Leo Kruger vs. Percy Watson
- Brodus Clay vs. Ryan Collins
- The Usos vs. The Ascension
*****
-LAST WEEK: Seth Rollins defeats Jinder Mahal to become the first-ever NXT Champion. Rollins says this is the change everyone has been waiting for and it’s time for the new guard to rise up.
Richie Steamboat vs. Kassius Ohno
Steamboat saved Jake Carter from a post-match attack on Ohno two weeks ago, leading to this match/feud.
Steamboat grabs a side headlock to start, Ohno whips him off but gets dropped by a shoulderblock. Steamboat with a side headlock takeover, Ohno counters with a headscissors, they reset and Ohno bails to the corner to force separation. Steamboat lays in some chops and a buckle shot. Ohno pokes the eye, Steamboat catches him with kicks and forearms until Ohno rakes the eyes once again and this time the ref calls for the bell. Oh okay.
Richie Steamboat defeated Kassius Ohno via DQ (2:41)
- I don’t think I’ve ever seen an eye rake cause a DQ before so hey that’s new. Not much to this one but I did like that Ohno got himself DQed because he was being overwhelmed and wanted to save face.
Ohno attacks the blinded Steamboat after the bell, kneeing him to the floor and dropping him across the barricade. Ohno rolls Steamboat back in and finishes him off with a Knockout Blow to the back of the head. Finally a pair of officials decide to do their jobs and force Ohno to leave the ring. Y’all busy at catering or something? The officials check on Steamboat, his father Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat running in to admonish the officials for letting this happen. Eyy glad I’m not the only one annoyed at them.
Audrey Marie vs. Paige
Marie grabs a side headlock, hanging on through whip attempts and bringing her to the mat. Back to a vertical base, Paige counters into an overhead hammerlock and uses the hair to bring Marie to the mat. Marie and Paige take turns bashing each other’s skulls into the mat and rolling around the ring. Marie grabs a bodyscissors and rolls Paige around the ring before rolling her up for a two-count. Marie charges, Paige drops her with a knockout forearm. “ANTI-DIVA” chant as Paige connects with a clothesline and finishes her off with the RamPaige for the 1…2…3.
Paige defeated Audrey Marie via pinfall (2:43)
- Good win for Paige. Seems like she’s being positioned as a heel but the crowd loves her already so I doubt that lasts long. Audrey Marie was good in the few seconds of offense she showed as well. I could have done without William Regal’s creeper commentary though. Of course neither one would go out with you man you’re like thirty years older than them.
–Briley Pierce tries to interview Ricky Steamboat but he needs to get to the trainer’s room…at least until he runs into Kassius Ohno. Ohno says Richie doesn’t have a lot of potential, Steamboat shoves Ohno and officials separate the two. Ohno asks if Steamboat wants his career ended twice.
-TONIGHT: Seth Rollins speaks, Brodus Clay is in the house, and The Usos finally face The Ascension for the first-time ever!
-EARLIER TONIGHT: Kassius Ohno attacks Richie Steamboat after their match. Richie has been taken to a local medical facility and we will get updates on his condition as soon as possible.
“Showtime” Percy Watson vs. Leo Kruger
Kruger makes his way out in new “hunter”-like ring gear, a tooth of some animal hanging around his neck and a crazed look in his eyes. KRAVEN IS HERE.
Kruger goes on the offensive immediately, drilling Watson with a snap suplex and a series of forearms. Saxton and Regal put over Kruger’s love of big gaming hunting, Regal saying he was asked to leave South Africa because of his love of poaching elephant tusks. Watson catches a charging Kruger with an elbow, Kruger connects with a scoop slam but misses an elbow. Watson connects with a series of jabs followed by a pair of dropkicks. Watson follows up with a leaping clothesline and a Showtime Splash for the 1…2…Kruger kicks out. Kruger reverses an Irish whip and connects with a stun gun followed by Kruger’s End for the 1…2…3.
Leo Kruger defeated Percy Watson via pinfall (2:55)
- Kruger has made good on his psycho interview from a previous episode, transforming into the big game hunter we all remember and love (or at least I do, whatever). Interesting that the gimmick was introduced with a match and not with a vignette but I’m sure that’s coming.
-RAW REBOUND: CM Punk decides to take a personal day instead of facing Sheamus in a Champion vs. Champion match. John Cena and Alberto Del Rio fight to the back in a Falls Count Anywhere match, Punk ambushes Cena and Del Rio gets the win. Punk drops Cena on the hood of his car to end the show (I assume), and it’s revealed that PAUL HEYMAN is driving said car. Cena/Punk scheduled for Night of Champions.
“The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay [w/ The Funkadactyls] vs. Ryan Collins
Jim Ross joins commentary for this one since Brodus is a main roster star. Easy work too because Clay makes short work of Collins.
Brodus Clay defeated Ryan Collins via pinfall (0:48)
- Anyway.
Kids are brought in to dance with Clay & The Funkadactyls. They look HORRIFIED.
-LAST WEEK: Usos call out The Ascension, Ascension ambush them from behind.
The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. The Ascension (Kenneth Cameron & Conor O’Brian)
Match quickly turns into a brawl, Usos clear the ring and stand tall. Cameron runs in, Usos toss him right back out. The match continues after the break.
Back live and The Usos are still in control, Jey belting Cameron with an uppercut. Jimmy tags in, double back elbow and elbowdrop for a one-count. O’Brian blind tags in and turns Jimmy inside out with a lariat. Ascension take turns stomping a mudhole in Jimmy, keeping him in their corner, O’Brian slows it down with a bodyscissors/chinlock combo. Cameron tags in and applies a bridging neck vice, transitioning into a bodyscissors of his own, plus an armbar. O’Brian tags in for multiple side headlock takeovers. Jimmy escapes with a headbutt and kick, O’Brian clobbers Jey to prevent the tag. Cameron connects with an elbow drop, moves into an overhead hammerlock after the lateral press only nets a two-count. O’Brian tags in, back to a side headlock. Jimmy escapes and catches a charging O’Brian with a boot in the corner.
Jey finally gets the tag, superkick to the midsection of Cameron followed by a spinning forearm. Cameron bails to the corner, HIP ATTACK. O’Brian runs in, Jey throws him out after a kick to the midsection. Cameron escapes a Samoan drop but eats a superkick, Jey heads to the top. O’Brian tries to interfere, Jimmy splashes him on the floor. Cameron crotches Jey on the top turnbuckle then hits a running jawbreaker for the 1…2…3!
The Ascension defeated The Usos via pinfall (8:24 shown)
- Solid tag team match, big win for Ascension, please let these two teams stop fighting soon I’m already over it.
-LAST WEEK: Seth Rollins wins the NXT Championship by defeating Jinder Mahal. Thanks for the reminder, I already forgot. This is the same video that opened the show.
IN-RING SEGMENT
Jim Ross introduces his guest, NXT Champion Seth Rollins. Rollins hands Ross the title and puts on an NXT shirt (now available at WWEShop!). Ross congratulates Rollins and asks how he persevered through a back injury to win last week. Rollins says there are always obstacles to the top and how he’s heard he’s a born loser for all of his life, using it as motivation. Ross asks Rollins if he’s prepared for what’s going to come his way now that he’s champion; Rollins says he’ll be a fighting champion and will defends against anyone who earns it. Ross leaves the ring, Rollins soaks in the adulation of the crowd as the show ends.
*****
FINAL THOUGHTS: An NXT full of squashes, a tag team match we’ve seen a few times already, and a lackluster first promo from the new NXT Champion. Not great, Bob. Kruger and Ricky Steamboat were cool though I guess.
