Hype Muscle #7: NXT TakeOver Weekend (and SummerSlam)
[2,766 words]
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II
(Or as I've seen it referred to, “Back II Brooklyn”, which has the naming quality of a straight to DVD Leprechaun sequel)
It's SummerSlam weekend and, more importantly than that, it's time for NXT TakeOver's return to the Barclay Center! Last year's event was spectacular, mostly now known for having the greatest women's match in WWE history and one of the best matches of 2015 as Bayley finally unseated Sasha Banks in an emotional bout to become the NXT Women's Champion.
Now, Bayley has a different challenge as she attempts to regain her title from Asuka, who just might be the most dangerous woman in the world. Samoa Joe, who now reigns as champion, must defend his title against the verifiable international superstar, Shinsuke Nakamura.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Ember Moon Debuts
She will likely have a partner named before next week's show and it will likely be someone like Billie Kay (after the fact note: It's Billie Kay) or Aliyah but, and this is meant as no sleight to the opponent, this match is all about Ember Moon. Ember is the former Athena, one of the best women's wrestlers in the world back when she was on the independent scene. As anyone who listens to even a marginal percent of my wrestling rambles could tell you, I've been eagerly awaiting her arrival ever since news broke that she signed. I had been expecting to see her in Dallas but now, finally, I get to see her live in New York. If all goes well, I see it as an easy prediction that she becomes one of the lynchpins of this current wave of NXT women, along with Asuka (notice I didn't say Bayley). Also, color me wrong, but I do believe this is the first time a female talent was set to make her in-ring debut at a TakeOver. Asuka at least appeared on NXT before facing Dana Brooke.
MUSCLE PREDICTIONS: Ember Moon, the one with the vignettes and and the encroaching debut, should probably win.
MUSCLE HYPE: Lip biting, fist shaking anticipation. Like the initial hype for Final Fantasy VII, that feverish hope for a new generation, only this time, there is no reset button.
No Way Jose vs. Austin Aries
No Way Jose is that guy that is popular in some circles despite the fact that he hasn't shown any real in-ring talent. Sure, he can dance and all, but Adam Rose was popular, too. But that is too harsh, I realize. In his NXT debut, Jose gets his first real, actual match against a great talent in Austin “Please stay off social media” Aries. The feud starter to this was actually pretty well booked and well performed, as Aries beat up Jose while he was trying to get Austin to dance (and ARIES is the bad guy?). I don't expect much, but this is time for Jose to show something more than dancing and having wild hair.
MUSCLE PREDICTIONS: Austin Aries, but in a dastardly manner
MUSCLE HYPE: Incredibly low. Wish they would do something more with Aries. Think: my personal trials with Final Fantasy VIII, which everyone seems to love but which was the catalyst in getting me to stop playing FF games all the way up to this day. I mean, I guess this match isn't quite as dire.
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. The Revival ©
NXT Tag Team Championship
Ooooooo.
The Revival, naturally have been appropriately praised as one of the best tags going today. After not only winning back their tag titles but cleanly beating American Alpha, The Revival have been a dominant tag force.
Right around a year ago, Gargano and Ciampa showed up on loose contracts; outsiders who appeared in NXT with some regularity, even being involved in the Dusty tag tournament. Since then, they've greatly improved their presence, including an incredible match in the first rounds of the Cruiserweight Classic. In NXT, they've been on a tear through the tag division, with impressive synchronicity, bringing out the best of their offense in one another. Now, with heightened exposure from their CWC match and official contracts, they look to claim their first bit of NXT gold.
By all accounts, the house show matches between these two have been amazing, and I expect that and more in Brooklyn. My dislike of early '10's Ciampa is thankfully dead and gone, and with that you find that all four men in this match are incredible talents. People throw around the term “show stealers” all the time, but this is perhaps one of the best potential examples of it in recent memory. The Brooklyn crowd is going to go nuclear, and me and a few of my friends will be at ground zero.
MUSCLE PREDICTIONS: Imagine if GarCiampa win? But, I think logically The Revival win, with a comeback story later for CiamGano.
MUSCLE HYPE: The mouth-agape kind of hype, the wide eyed, slack bodied kind. Like the marketing blitz and initial rush when Final Fantasy VII came out. Only, I guess, this match is more like a sleeper hit.
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Bobby Roode
Almas has stumbled from the starting gate, mostly due to no fault of his own. He won against the fan favorite Tye Dillenger, and it seems resentment of that win has carried over. That, and they've done nothing with Almas for a story and for a character. Roode makes his big in-ring debut here, which screams that his winning will be inevitable. Other than a great Aries title match in 2012 or so, I've not seen Roode at all since his cheap knockoff “Million Dollar Man” gimmick back in TNA before even Beer Money was formed, and I despised him then. By all accounts he's gotten quite good, and his recent promo and incredible song has put me firmly in the “wait and see” camp with him. There's little to this feud except establishing characters, but I'm hoping Roode and impresses and that Almas can finally show what he's capable of.
MUSCLE PREDICTIONS: Bobby Roooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo--
MUSCLE HYPE: Curious. Final Fantasy IX: a game I've never played but by all accounts is good and seems quite good looking, much like Almas. MMM girl.
Bayley vs. Asuka ©
NXT Women's Championship
I've been preaching it all year. I've been howling from rooftops, feral and bold. I've been a one-man crusade speaking for the righteousness of my god. Since it happened, I've been singing exultant the praises of the criminally unloved Bayley/Asuka title match from TakeOver Dallas.
This is a clear case of my being the only sane man in the world of the mad. I insisted, correctly, that Bayley/Asuka I was not only one of the best women's matches this year, but one of the best wrestling matches period, and were it not for the better storyline and build for Bayley/Banks I from Brooklyn last year, I would say that Bayley/Asuka was technically superior. Hell, the first match still ranks as one of my top ten this year, and I would say it was one of the best women's matches of 2016 were it not for Io/Satomura from July.
I speak many opinions but I scream mostly facts. Fact is, Bayley/Asuka I was outstanding, and were it not for Zayn/Nakamura it would have been the best match on the card. Yes, even over Alpha/Revival. Do not doubt me in this. I have slayed for less.
Such is the state of this world, that has allowed the Brexit to occur, that has fostered individuals who somehow think that Baron Corbin and Eva Marie are in anyway worth watching, that has led Trump to get as far in the election as he has, that foolishness reigns supreme. This sick world has also bred deviants who were apathetic at that stellar encounter. The. Only. Sane. Man.
Whatever. They have a rematch and they'll have to prove the entire world wrong again when they have another outstanding match. Oh well.
This one has more of a story going in; Bayley has, again, run through a minor redemption arc, as she lost the title, lost to and got injured by Nia Jax. She recovered and defeated Nia Jax. Asuka, meanwhile, led Nia to her best match yet and has soundly routed all comers. As I mentioned in my NXT write up, it's an intriguing dynamic to see the calm Asuka take on the aggressive Bayley. These two excelled in Dallas, and clearly someone agreed with me as they are set to excel again in Brooklyn.
Everything about the story sets up a cathartic Bayley win. Except, that's the last thing I want to have happen. I feel that Bayley needs to lose to open her up with a run on the main roster, perhaps on Smackdown as the premiere face of their division. Asuka, meanwhile, should solidify her reign and for her to go on to face Ember Moon. I believe there's seedlings of this idea, as Moon/Asuka have been tearing it up on the house show circuits of late.
I could be wrong, but I correctly predicted this thing from Dallas on to Brooklyn so far. I can see Bayley winning – again, this whole story is set up for her to do so – but Bayley is done in NXT. She should be on the main roster to try and get as much well deserved cash as she can get before WWE finds some way to screw her up.
MUSCLE PREDICTIONS: Asuka
MUSCLE HYPE: Much high, insatiable. Like Final Fantasy II, their last match was a masterpiece though over shadowed and seemingly ignored. This time they get a re-release, and I believe people will finally understand how god damn right I was the first time.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Samoa Joe ©
NXT Championship
This is the big one.
Samoa Joe has had his most impressive run since his early TNA days; ever since dropping the meh Corbin feud from last year, he has been imposing and dangerous, delivering great matches and brutal moments. He comes into this the confident beast emperor, ready to destroy all challengers, regardless of their supposed fame and status.
Nakamura has become perhaps the most captivating wrestler in all of the WWE since the orgasmic Zayn match in Dallas. He's mostly been wiping the earth clean of jobber mooks, with occasional gems like his match with Aries (which took awhile to pick up) and his recent match against the departing Finn Balor. Nakamura is one of the best big match wrestlers in the world, and his serene, eccentric demeanor hides a vicious competitor who's not here just on being weird alone.
This has been another old school feud set up, which NXT does well, where Nakamura was simply next as he defeated the NXT icon Balor. Joe wanted no part of the title match, though not because of cowardice but because he believes being champion means dictating your own fate. There's an extra layer of a non-physical feud with Regal here, as Joe wants to destroy Nakamura to: keep his title, prove his superiority, and to spite Regal. This match is going to be physical, it's going to be knee joints in faces and red chests, and it's going to be great.
MUSCLE PREDICTIONS: The undefeated Nakamura
MUSCLE HYPE: Off the charts. Fever pitched, Vibrating. Deep muscle tissue tremors. Final Fantasy VI. Yes, that good.
SummerSlam
In a case of the “don't feel like it” persuasion, I am giving a truncated FLEX for SummerSlam, which actually does not look all that bad, despite my low interest in a huge chunk of matches. Perhaps the biggest deterrent for me, however, is that as of this writing there are NO matches for the likes of Zayn, Cesaro, and Wyatt. Zayn is particularly confounding. Hopefully they get something by next week, though the fact that Zayn has not long since been included on the card speaks ill of the company. To no one's surprise.
Apollow Crews vs. The Miz ©
Low hype. The Miz will always be a far better talker than a wrestler. Crews, for the first time since joining the WWE, has actually looked good the past few weeks on Smackdown, though I don't know if he's confident enough yet to get something out of Miz. Miz to retain.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens
Mid-low hype. I love the guys, but Amore and Cass are not the best wrestlers around. This match will be worth it, however, for the incredible interactions of Jericho and Owens, who will doubtless carry the match across their Canadian expanses. Jericho and Owens to win.
Guns and Gallows vs. The New Day ©
There's some chicanery here, what with Big E being storyline injured. Guns and Gallows have firmly midcarded their way into my apathetic heart. I predict New Day will win with some DQ kerfuffle.
Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks ©
High, high hype. These two had probably the best RAW match of the year a few weeks ago, and will likely top themselves on this larger stage. This match had been planned for months and big things are no doubt expected of it. Banks to retain.
Roman Reigns vs. Rusev ©
Low, low hype. Incredibly low. Neither man is all that joyous for me to watch. Rusev is an in-ring bore, and Reigns just does not have the talent to lead anyone to a decent match. Plus, I automatically reject the redemption story of the WWE trying to rehabilitate Reigns; that is, if the rumors are true. This may surprise me, but I don't expect it to. Reigns to win the US title.
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
Low-high hype. Their last match was a mite disappointing, but still excellent. I think both are going to bring their top shelf game for this one. Expect Cena to firmly get his win back.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose ©
Much hyped. Ziggler is generally despised by internet fans, who's opinion quickly nose dives when you see how much they like the idiotic Eva Marie angle. This angle has been well constructed, and I think we will see something special out of both as they try to prove the detractors wrong. Ambrose to retain.
Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins
Most hyped. These two are premiere talents with similar styles, and will likely mesh well together in the ring. This is going to rock the Barclay Center, and is my prediction for match of the night. Furthermore, I'll throw in a surprise and say Balor wins and becomes the first WWE Universal Championship. It'll be like a birthday present for HHH.
Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
Low hype. Yes, quite low. There's not been a single moment of this feud that has intrigued me, even the much overblown RKO spot on RAW. Orton is over hyped as a good wrestler, and Brock has been lamentable since “Suplex City” became a thing. If either can diverge from their standard settings this could be something, but it's not the dream match they are making it out to be. I expect to be surprised, but I am still going in uninterested in this battle of the PED users. Orton to shock everyone, sure.
In addition, there are two more matches that have popped up since I started writing this. Cesao and Sheamus are having their first of seven series with an irrelevant match with an equally void outcome. It should actually be good, as the two have had matches before that basically involved them drinking protein shakes while watching New Japan matches and then giving it a try on PPV. This match contains no Sami Zayn.
There's also a three-on-three...well, three-on-two women's match, as the Smackdown female excess of Carmella, Becky Lynch, and Naomi take on Natalya and Alexa Bliss. Eva Marie was supposed to be on team she-sinister, but in a forehead slapping real life mind boggle she got suspended for a wellness policy. It seems that they are keeping it a handicap match for now. Nikki Bella (ugh) is cleared to come back, and there is the Bayley factor, but neither make much contextual sense as they would be presumed faces showing up on heel teams.
But then, that makes more sense than having your second biggest show featuring PED users, Carmella, Naomi, Bliss, at one point Eva Marie, and no fucking Sami Zayn.
(Addendum: Sami Zayn is now teaming with Neville against the Dudleys on the pre-show. So, yay.)
Muscle Museum
