February 10, 2016
Episode 320
(taped January 22, 2016)
City: Orlando, FL
Venue: CFE Arena
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
Video package of best friends Bayley and Carmella as competitors for the title.
Intro Video
“Roar of the Crowd” by CFO$
Match 1
Baron Corbin vs Johnny Gargano
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Baron Corbin wins via pinfall after End of Days
Time: 5:57
Match Thoughts
Good match and a good start to the show. Gargano took the fight to Corbin early. He looked really goo din the match. Corbin’s size eventually turned the tide, but this match really seemed like a statement by Gargano more than one by Corbin.
Backstage
Alex Reyes asks Sami Zayn about being made to wrestle Joe for the number one contendership. He’s disappointed, but he understands Regal’s decision.
Video
A promo video for the Vaudevillains where they get angry and sinister.
Match 2
Hype Bros vs Corey Hollis & John Skyler
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Zack Ryder pins John Skyler after a Hype Ryder
Time: 3:30
Match Thoughts
An okay match. It was definitely a squash. Hollis and Skyler has a nice segment where they made a bunch of quick tags, but other than that it was all the Hype Bros. I’m kind of with Graves though, I don’t really get Mojo Rawley.
Backstage
Alex Reyes talks with Bayley and Carmella about their match later on tonight. Both women are very nice to each other.
Match 3
Alexa Bliss w/ Blake, Murphy vs Cameron
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: Alexa Bliss wins via pinfall with a Sparkle Splash
Time: 4:15
Match Thoughts
Not a very good match. Most of Cameron’s moves looked awkward. She did not look very good at all. The crowd let her know it too.
Backstage
Enzo and Cass reminds Dash & Dawson that they’re not done with them. American Alpha interrupts them and says stuff about 2016 being an Olympic year. They seem confused as usual.
Match 4
Elias Samson vs Jesse Sorensen
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Elias Samson wins via pinfall after a swinging neck breaker
Time: 2:37
Match Thoughts
Squash. Pretty much the same as any other Elias Samson match, which is to say not very entertaining.
Backstage
Alex Reyes asks Apollo Crews about wrestling Balor. Crews has no regrets. He now knows what he needs to do in order to be great. There will be a new Apollo Crews next time he enters the ring.
Match 5
NXT Women’s Title Match
Carmella vs Bayley (Women’s Champ)
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Bayley wins via pinfall by countering a sunset flip to retain the title
Time: 8:07 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Despite a commercial break, it still had a good build to it. Before the match I never thought Carmella even had a chance, but the way they wrestled there was a second where I thought she might win, and that didn’t upset me. This was a great way to do a friend versus friend match and have it feel important and realistic. It wasn’t Bayley’s biggest title defense, but I think it’s a memorable one because of how they pulled it off.
Carmella looked good and had some nice moments. She played the part of the first-time contender well. She had some moments, but she looked a little unsure of herself the way a new contender would. She did a very good job. And the final sequence that led to the finish was very nice. Lots of crisp counters.
Ring Area
After the match Eva Marie and Nia Jax attack Carmella. Bayley goes to help her friend but gets knocked down. Nia Jax drops some legs on Carmella in the ring. With Bayley down, Asuka goes to the ring. She stares down Jax and Eva Marie. They back away and leave. Asuka then turns her attention to Bayley. She brushes off Bayley’s title belt and walks away smiling.
Backstage
Samoa Joe says Sami Zayn is ungrateful. Joe saved his career and life, and now he has to take that away.
Show Impressions
This was another okay show. The first and last matches were definitely good and worth watching, but the rest were forgettable. I enjoyed the segment where Asuka helped Bayley and Carmella. Asuka’s time as champ is coming, and they seem to be building towards it well. I kind of wish that had closed the show rather than a backstage promo by Joe. Joe’s promo was fine, but it could have been earlier which would have allowed Bayley and Asuka to have the last word on the show.
Match of the Night
Bayley vs Carmella
Easily the match of the night. This was a very good match for all of the reasons I stated above.