Some NXT live event notes from Florida:
- Mojo Rawley won a singles match. Zack Ryder was not on hand. I think Mojo works better in a team, but he'll need to work singles matches at times on the main roster, too, so this was good.
- Tough Enough's Josh Woods teamed with Noah Kekoa in a win over Blake and Murphy. B&M losing to a team that's not been on TV is surprising.
- Rich Swann teamed with Tucker Knight in a loss to The Revival. That could be an interesting team given the size/power difference.
- Chris Girard wrestled Sawyer Fulton to a no-contest when Girard was busted upon hard-way trying to leap over the top rope. Hopefully he's OK. He was impressive in his first NXT TV match.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Some WWE main roster live event notes:
- Damien Sandow teamed with Darren Young in a loss to Heath Slater and Bo Dallas. So, Sandow/Young might be a more regular thing for the time being. I suspect it will be mainly limited to Network shows/live events, though.
- Enzo Amore/Colin Cassidy (with Carmella) beat The Ascension. I'd love to see them come up right after Mania to feud with New Day. Just think of the promos!
-- After Enzo and Cass won that match, they were attacked by the Wyatts (sans Bray). Big Show came out to even the odds, then Big Show/Enzo/Cass beat Harper/Rowan/Strowman. Good for the NXT names so far.
- Baron Corbin beat Zack Ryder. No real shock there. I wouldn't be surprised to see Corbin come up as a big antagonist right after WM32, working with someone like Ambrose.
- Goldust accompanied R-Truth at ringside to counter Adam Rose in Curtis Axel's corner. Truth beat Axel.
- Sheamus beat Mark Henry, so both of them are well enough to compete.
- Summer Rae teamed with Sasha Banks to beat Naomina. It looks like Summer might wrestle more regularly.
Kurt Angle talked about his final TNA matches and more:
- I think Angle is overly confident about his health. I really wonder if he'd pass a WWE physical.
- Angle got his bell rung a number of times while wrestling. It's scary he kept coming back.
- Angle already has a match booked for March. Who's he trying to fool? He'll take bumps as long as people will let him.
- Angle is definitely still an amazing, amazing wrestler.
- It's a shame he's focused on "five-star matches." That mentality is hurting the business and athletes themselves at times.
- There are a LOT of people who didn't/don't know who AJ is. Certainly people who discuss promotions other than WWE on social media knew him, but that's hardly the majority of people watching Raw or Smackdown.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Parts of the show are definitely really good. Matt Hardy vs. EC3 is one of the best things in wrestling right now. Both sides play their role really well. There's also some great action featuring Kurt Angle (for now), Lashley, Bobby Roode, Eric Young, Drew Galloway, and James Storm. Trevor Lee is a nice change of pace in the X-Division. So, yes, most of the show is worth checking out. There are still some weak spots (the Knockouts division and the rest of the undercard), but overall I'm enjoying the show.
2. I wouldn't be shocked at all! It could be a trainwreck with "bells and whistles," but sometimes that's pretty fun. If we get the crazy Shane from the past, it'll be worth watching. I'd rather see that than Taker vs. Big Show, Kane, or the Wyatts.
3. I'd say they're decent. Cena's got an insane drive to recover. He's going to do whatever he can to make it to that show.
4. They have their own big show the night before. Wrestlemania is for the main roster names. I wouldn't mind an NXT match on a "B" PPV that doesn't have a Takeover special so close to it, but all the big NXT names are already working that weekend. WWE should put their energies into promoting both shows as separate events.
5. I agree. Bryan can/should headline his own class. They're running out of top names who can do that.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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