B. Patrick
WWE NXT – 12/25/13
The 201st episode of NXT just happens to fall on Christmas Day in 2013 so we are greeted by Renee Young in an empty arena. Somehow I think this won’t live up to how quickly one’s mind can wander…
Renee talks about the opening of the WWE Performance Center which leads into a video of Florida’s state of the art facility.
Renee segues the Performance Center talk into all the Superstars of NXT that have started taking over the WWE in 2013.
Highlight packages air for:
The Wyatt Family
The Shield
Fandango
Xavier Woods
Damien Sandow
Antonio Cesaro
Big E Langston
Big E is seen in front of some lockers with his Intercontinental Championship. He thanks the NXT fans for making his 2013 such a big year and leading him to the championship.
A graphic is shown for William Regal-Antonio Cesaro before we cut to Cesaro. Antonio thanks Regal for helping him get his job but Regal had to know the day would come where they can only be one. I really want to see a Cesaro vs. Regal swordfight in a parking garage now.
Renee introduces a recap video of the finals of the NXT Tag Team tournament where The Wyatt Family battled British Ambition (Adrian Neville and Oliver Grey) to be the first ever NXT Tag Team Champions. Neville and Grey would win the belts before Grey’s injury lead to the belts being dropped to the Wyatts.
Renee recaps the introduction of the NXT Women’s Championship and there is a highlight video of the Paige vs. Emma tournament finals where Paige became the inaugural title holder (http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wwe/wwe-nxt-7242013/#.UruxG3bn_IU). This segment runs a little longer and features a sit-down of Paige crying to really get all the guys going.
Devin Taylor is behind the scenes with Paige. Paige adds more fuel to her current rivalry with Emma. She mentions Emma is still mainly a dancer but Emma has proven herself in the ring and was part of her proudest in-ring moment. She talks up Emma before stating how she is coming for all competition, even citing Divas Champion AJ Lee. Paige vows to make wrestling history before leaving.
Before Devin can say much more, NXT Champion Bo Dallas comes in and says Devin doesn’t need to introduce him before hyping up his own 2013. He talks about his Bo-lievers before asking production to run a video for him. The video highlights the build up to his title victory over Big E Langston from June 12, 2013: http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wwe/wwe-nxt-june-12-2013/#.Uruw6nbn_IU
We get brief clips of some of NXT’s top talent currently, mentioning we will look at the current crop of who may be the next to become a superstar in the WWE.
Bray Wyatt cuts a promo about his family’s success in NXT and what the WWE will continue to have coming to them in the future.
Renee introduces the Future Stars of the WWE hype package. We see mini-videos for:
Aiden English
Mojo Rawley
Bayley
Tyler Breeze
Alexander Rusev
Sasha Banks
Corey Graves
Sami Zayn
Renee talks about how NXT is so popular that current stars and legends always ask to be part of NXT now. Another video highlights guest appearances of:
Damien Sandow
Christian
The Bella Twins
Fandango
Santino
Paul Heyman
Mark Henry
Dolph Ziggler
John Cena
Big Show
JBL
Dusty Rhodes
Sheamus
Rob Van Dam
Ricardo Rodriguez
Randy Orton
Chris Jericho
AJ Lee
Ric Flair
Shawn Michaels
I’m pretty sure some of the clips either never aired or haven’t aired yet, such as Mark Henry attacking Sylvester Lefort, Big Show doing a fat guy in a little coat with JBL’s jacket and Cena having a sitdown with Damien Sandow that brings out Enzo Amore and Colin Cassidy.
Regal is cutting a promo about how he never achieved becoming champion but no one can deny he has been a second-to-none world class wrestler. Regal admits that on his best day, Cesaro is still ten times the man and wrestler that Regal will ever be. He insinuates that if this is the end, there is no better way to go out.
A bumper hypes up a replay of what has been selected as NXT’s Match of the Year.
Renee starts introducing the next segment before the signal cuts and we get vintage Shield in an undisclosed location. The Shield take credit for the stars of NXT’s future in WWE. They say Neville, Graves, Zayn, Dallas, The Ascension, they can all thank the Shield but they own the yard that is the WWE and will not give it up anytime soon.
Renee talks about Sami Zayn’s debut defeating Curt Hawkins and the rivalry that began that night with Zayn and Antonio Cesaro. This leads to a recap video of the popular 2 out of 3 Falls war between Zayn and Cesaro. The match was found on the 8/21 episode: http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wwe/wwe-nxt-8212013/#.UruwqHbn_IU
Devin Taylor speaks to Sami Zayn on the match that was NXT Match of the Year, as well as Sami’s thoughts on the future.
Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Tensai are in the arena for the Cesaro vs. Regal battle.
Cesaro makes his way first while Saxton speaks of being unbiased in this match.
Regal follows next to huge applause over his delightfully villainous theme music.
Antonio Cesaro vs. William Regal
The 30-year veteran William Regal takes an early advantage, finding wily veteran counters to all of Cesaro’s attempts at asserting his powerful offense.
A lot of grappling early on where Regal shows no signs of ring rust, receiving “YOU STILL GOT IT” chants as he begins to lock Cesaro into a submission while NXT goes to commercial.
Returning from break, Regal is in control but the two exchange submission holds. Antonio begins wearing down the veteran with his power but Regal is able to escape some powerful pin attempts.
As the two back off, the crowd chants “THIS IS WRESTLING” before both men reconvene in the center of the ring to tie up once more.
Regal brings Cesaro to his knees with a powerful hold, however Cesaro uses his strength to lift Regal over his head and slam him for a nearfall. As Mr. Regal wails away on Antonio in the corner, Tensai states the match going on will favor Cesaro. Regal starts doing his disrespectful kicking until Cesaro takes out the knee of the former Intercontinental champion. Regal screams in extreme pain and Antonio regroups outside before NXT takes another commercial to show the disturbing Baby New Year Big Show footage.
Back to the action, Cesaro is working over the knee of Regal in the center of the ring. Antonio lifts Regal off the mat and wraps the injured knee around his neck to apply pressure. An arrogant Cesaro goes over Regal, only to get rolled up.
Suddenly, a limping Regal is up and a throttled Cesaro is on the mat. Regal starts throwing some uppercuts to Cesaro before Antonio nails his huge signature blow. The Swiss Superman wails away on Regal with his own uppercuts before toying with the Brit. He goes for a Neutralizer but Regal takes advantage of the cockiness of the Real American once more.
Regal breaks free and limps toward Cesaro, now dealing with an injured arm. Regal continues to work over the arm before picking up his opponent for an uppercut and a signature suplex.
Regal starts setting up the Knee Trembler but his knee gives out. Cesaro tries to fight back but Regal takes him out once more. Regal lifts up Antonio but Cesaro uses him leg strength for a reversal, slamming Regal for a nearfall.
Regal twirls Antonio over and tries to lock in the Regal Stretch. Cesaro, still having arm issues, tries to break free and makes his way to the bottom rope.
The former RAW General Manager backs off, only to be met with a dropkick from the Swiss Superman.
Cesaro tries to pop his shoulder back in place before dropping a vicious knee to the skull of the fallen Regal. Cesaro watches on with sick satisfaction as the ref checks on Regal.
Antonio lifts Regal up and while showing weakness in his arm, he thinks about setting up the Neutralizer. He drops Regal and looks guilty. He watches Regal struggle with pity. Regal uses Antonio to raise himself to his feet, when suddenly Cesaro snaps and nails the Neutralizer for the victory.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
As expected, the two had a brutal encounter that would be enjoyed by most fans of in-ring action.
As the announcers try to sign off, the referees that are helping Regal to the back are stopped by Antonio Cesaro. Cesaro stares at Regal and extends his hand. The two shake hands as another NXT comes to a close.
NXT Win/Loss Totals (as of 5/15/2013)
Mojo Rawley 3-0
Tyson Kidd 2-0
AJ Lee 1-0
Santino Marella 1-0
Roman Reigns 1-0
Seth Rollins 1-0
Sheamus 1-0
Jack Swagger 1-0
Rob Van Dam 1-0
Dolph Ziggler 1-0
Paige 8-1
Erick Rowan 5-1
Charlotte 4-1
Big E Langston 4-1
Xavier Woods 4-1
Bray Wyatt 4-1
Conor O’Brian 11-3
Bo Dallas 9-3
Rick Victor 9-3
Luke Harper 7-2
Alexander Rusev 7-3
Antonio Cesaro 7-4
Mason Ryan 5-2
Garrett Dylan 2-1
Hunico 2-1
Emma 5-3
Adrian Neville 9-7
Sasha Banks 5-4
Tyler Breeze 5-4
Summer Rae 5-5
Camacho 2-2
Dean Ambrose 1-1
Sylvester Lefort 1-1
Sami Zayn 8-9
Leo Kruger 6-7
Aiden English 4-5
CJ Parker 3-5
Corey Graves 6-8
Enzo Amore 4-6
Colin Cassidy 4-6
Scott Dawson 4-8
Kassius Ohno 2-6
Alicia Fox 1-2
Bayley 1-6
Audrey Marie 0-1
Curtis Axel 0-1
Ty Dillenger 0-1
Fandango 0-1
Sawyer Fulton 0-1
Santana Garrett 0-1
Ron Hicks 0-1
Casey Maron 0-1
Troy McClaine 0-1
John Ornagan 0-1
Briley Pierce 0-1
Chris Rockwell 0-1
Sakamoto 0-1
Damien Sandow 0-1
Tamina Snuka 0-1
Tommy Taylor 0-1
Brandon Travern 0-1
Michael Zaki 0-1
Aksana 0-2
Jake Carter 0-2
Baron Corbin 0-2
Angelo Dawkins 0-2
El Local 0-2
Curt Hawkins 0-2
Natalya 0-2
William Regal 0-2
Yoshi Tatsu 0-2
Danny Burch 0-3
Mickey Keegan 0-3
Travis Tyler 0-3
