The SmarK Rant for WWE NXT–12.04.13

The SmarK Rant for WWE NXT – 12.04.13

I’m branching to writing for whatculture.com now as well, and my first piece is up at http://whatculture.com/wwe/wwe-top-10-title-unifications-modern-wrestling.php , looking at the history of title unifications. Also, I vent some of my frustrations with HHH, who has been annoying me as of late. To say the least. Check it out!

Taped from Orlando, FL

Your hosts are Byron Saxton, Renee Young & Alex Riley.

Antonio Cesaro has words for William Regal backstage, and Leo Kruger has a proposition for him: He wants to join the Real Americans. Cesaro agrees, in exchange for something with Sami Zayn.

NXT Women’s title: Paige v. Natalya

They trade wristlocks to start and fight to a stalemate on the mat. Nattie gets a rollup for two and tries for the Sharpshooter, but Paige quickly makes the ropes. And with that, we take a break. Back with Paige heeling on her with a beatdown in the corner and into the abdominal stretch. Nattie reverses and they collide for the double KO, but Nattie makes the comeback first. Suplex and discus lariat gets two. Sharpshooter, but Paige powers to the ropes and then leverages Natalya into the corner to break. The Paige-Turner neckbreaker finishes and she retains the belt. **

Meanwhile, Alexander Rusev’s interview time is interrupted by Tyler Breeze, who is worried about fatties in general. Must be the start of the Breeze turn.

Meanwhile, Sylvester Lefort and Scott Dawson interrupt Mojo Rawley’s promo time, which will probably prove to be a mistake.

Aiden English v. Some Guy

New gear for Aiden! Even my wife is getting into English’s act. “Is he singing a ballad about WWE?” “Yes, he’s awesome.” Director’s Cut finishes at 1:20 while I explain the gag to her, and she immediately gets it. “Is he gonna be on the main show soon? I’d watch him!” See, even my wrestling-hating wife is entertained by this!

Antonio Cesaro is out to apologize to Byron, because he’s a man of honor and five languages. However, Saxton won’t do the “We the People” pledge with proper respect, and Cesaro acts as any reasonable Swiss denizen would and slaps the shit out of him. Cesaro is trying to honor his beliefs and country! Be a man, Byron!

Meanwhile, Kruger lays out Sami Zayn to pay off his end of the bargain with Cesaro.

Tyson Kidd v. Leo Kruger

Kidd has new long tights and long hair, and a somewhat more defined physique. Total Divas doesn’t seem to be doing him any favors, so hopefully this will. Kudos to him for trying something new. Kidd attacks fast and stomps Kruger down in the corner for two, but takes a beating himself to get the heat. We take a break and return with Kruger in control on the knee, and he puts him in a Sharpshooter! No Hart family member has ever submitted to that hold! This brings out Sami to cheer Kidd on, and Kruger breaks, giving us the distraction rollup finish at 8:14. Oh come on, let’s not have this BS start permeating NXT now, too. But I guess you have to learn how to do that finish before you get to the big show. Not much to this one. *1/2

NXT Title: Bo Dallas v. Adrian Neville

We’re spoiled by an abundance of Bo these past two weeks. Neville takes him down for two while Renee gets all offended by Bo calling everyone “kids”. Neville flips around the ring and into a bodypress for two. High kick gets two and Bo takes a break. He gives himself a pep-talk in a great character touch, and back in for a cheapshot to take control. Corner clothesline and Bo-Dog gets two. Beatdown gets two. The flying knee misses, perhaps because he stopped to yell “Don’t stop bo-lieving!” first. That’s the CLASSIC error. Neville comes back with dropkicks and a low dropkick gets two. Neville tosses him and follows with a dive, which gets two. Bo bails and Neville follows with another dive and both guys are out on the floor. Neville beats the count at 9 and gets the cheap win at 7:42. Who booked THAT finish? **1/2

The Pulse

I know they got rid of Dusty, but this was a noticeable step down in booking from recent months, feeling more like (ew), RAW or Smackdown. Hopefully the mojo is regained next week.