January 1, 2014
Ring
Byron Saxton starts the show by announcing that Tyler Breeze has entered the building. Lana then makes her way to the stage and introduces Alexander Rusev. He heads to the ring for…
Match 1
Singles Match
Alexander Rusev vs. Kofi Kingston
Rusev takes an early advantage by powering Kofi into the corner with some kicks. He follows up with knees to the ribs and a big samoan drop for a 2 count. Kofi fights his way to his feet but is flattened by a big avalanche from Rusev. 2 count. Rusev misses a big splash and Kofi mounts a comeback with chops and kicks. Boom Drop! Kofi now calls for Trouble in Paradise but Rusev backs into a corner. Kofi then hits ahigh cross body for a 2 count! Kofi goes up to the top rope but Lana distracts him. Rusev slams Kofi and applies a camel clutch for the win.
Result
Alexander Rusev wins via submission with a camel clutch
Match Thoughts
Good match but short. Rusev looks to be another young, powerful wrestler coming up kind of like Langston.
Backstage
Devin Taylor has Sylvester Lefort in the interview area and asks him about auditioning new clients. Bull Dempsy shows up but Lefort says he’s too fat. Mason Ryan then wanders up. Lefort shows him a dollar bill, which Ryan promptly shoves into Lefort’s mouth. He calls him an idiot and leaves. So why did he wander up in the first place?
-Commercial-
Match 2
Singles Match to determine the #1 Contender for the NXT Women’s Title
Natalya vs. Emma
THey tie up and quickly go to the mat. Side head lock by Natalya into a leg scissors by Emma. Back to their feet and Natalya applies a wrist lock which is reversed. A little back and forth then Emma gets a rollup for a 2 count. Natalya drives Emma back and gives her some knees in the corner. Emma escapes and gets another 2 followed by the Dilemma. Back in the ring, Natalya evades the Emma Sandwich and hits a discus clothesline for a 2 count.
Natalya now applies an ab stretch and pulls the leg. She then ties up Emma’s legs and turns her upside down for a submission attempt. Emma doesn’t give up but gets a body slam for her efforts. Natalya misses a leg drop, goes for a sharpshooter, but gets rolled up by Emma. 2 count. Emma transitions into the Emma Lock for the win!
Result
Emma wins via submission with the Emma Lock and is the new #1 Contender for the NXT Women’s Title
Match Thoughts
Good match. I love watching these ladies wrestle. Good chains and transitions. Emma and Natalya both have a great way of not losing body contact when moving from move to move. Natalya showed some serious power and technique, but Emma kept up very well.
-Commercial-
Ring
Renee Young is in the ring and announces that the first ever NXT Sing-Off will now take place. Aiden English is the first to come out while William Regal tells a story about a dwarf named Peter. Oh man, the puns. So Aiden gets to the ring and Renee introduces Colin Cassady. Phillips puts over the singing background of the two men in the ring and we are underway.
Aiden is first and sings a few bars in Italian. Cassady is next and he seems nervous. He then hams it up with “Oh Aiden Boy.” Oh boy. The crowd seems to like it and Renee appreciates his effort. The crowd chooses Colin as the winner but Aiden wants another chance, so we get round 2.
Aiden now just insults the crowd through song. That’s no way to win. Cassady gets the crowd to clap along to his version of “You Suck” sung to the tune of “My Girl”. Aiden disapproves and attacks Colin. And with that, the segment is over. Let’s move on.
Backstage
Tyler Breeze is admiring himself as we head to a…
-Commercial-
Ring
Back at ringside Tyler Breeze’s music is playing which leads to our next match. Oh, and Regal tells up Tyler’s outfit is made of Brazilian Polecat. And that Renee gives Regal the collywobbles.
Match 3
Singles Match
Tyler Breeze vs. Mason Ryan
Breeze gets Ryan to his knees with some punches and kicks as Sylvester Lefort appears at ringside. Ryan hangs up Breeze on the tope rope then runs to outside to clothesline Lefort. Back in the ring he is promptly met with The Beauty Shot spinning wheel kick for the 3 count.
Result
Tyler Breeze wins via pinfall after hitting The Beauty Shot
Match Thoughts
Not much of a match. It only consisted of a few moves. All it really did was reaffirm the Ryan/Lefort bit from earler in the show.
-Commercial-
Ring
Leo Kruger is already on his way to the ring as we get set for the main event of the night.
Match 4
Two out of Three Falls Singles Match
Leo Kruger vs. Sami Zayn
Kruger starts strong knocking Zayn down and throwing him out of the ring. Quick 2 count back in the ring then Leo throws Zayn out again. Kruger keeps punishing Zayn before getting back in the ring as the ref counts to eight. He hits a big European uppercut the sends Zayn out of the ring again. Body slam by Kruger onto Zayn on the floor. Back in for a 2 count. Kruger is having his way with Zayn. He goes for a clothesline in the corner but Zayn sidesteps and hits an exploder suplex on Kruger into the turnbuckles! He follow up with a running boot in the corner and takes the first fall of the match!
Fall 1: Zayn pins Kruger after hitting a boot in the corner
Zayn catches his breath as we break for a…
-Commercial-
Kruger and Zayn are both on the ropes as we come back. Kruger ends up pushing Zayn off the top to the floor. Zayn is hurt but manages to get back into the ring at nine. Kruger hits a nice DDT but only gets a 2 count! Kruger takes back over and punishes a loopy Zayn. Zayn picks up the pace with a series of moves punctuated with a spin-out powerbomb! 2 count!
Zayn is startin gto feel it now. He heads to the apron for a springboard, but Kruger smashes him with a forearm. With Zayn’s feet on the top rope, Kruger pulls him in with a spinning suplex! 2 count! Kruger seems frustrated and goes for a key lock. Zayn gets to the ropes and heads for the top. Again, Kruger stops him and sets up a superplex. Zayn struggles out and pushes him off. Zayn misses a high cross body from the top and Kruger applies the GC3! Zayn is in it for quite a while but breaks the hold by reaching the ropes!
Zayn tries to mount a comeback but Kruger hits a spinebuster. Kruger goes for the Slice clothesline but Zayn catches him with a reverse STO! Without letting go Zayn traps Kruger’s head with his legs and forces him to tap out!
Fall 2: Zayn wins via submission
Result
Sami Zayn wins with two straight falls
Match Thoughts
Really good match. Kruger dominated it for the most part but Zayn’s bursts of energy and impressive moves were exciting!
Impressions
Good show with two really good matches. The singing segment and the Ryan match were kind of blah, but the rest was good stuff.
Match of the Night
Leo Kruger vs. Sami Zayn (2 out of 3 falls)
No contest tonight. I don’t think it was as good as Zayn’s 2 out of 3 with Cesaro last year, but it was still a great match. The women’s match could’ve won on any other night, but Zayn and Kruger worked really well together and put on a great match.