November 18, 2015
Episode 307
Taped October 22, 2015
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary:Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Intro Video
“Roar of the Crowd” by CFO$
Match 1
Carmella vs Nia Jax
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Jax uses her power to take control of Carmella. Jax puts on a bear hug, but Carmella applies a choke to make her release the hold. Carmella comes back with some quick moves, but a flying head scissors is reversed by Jax into a slam. She then finishes Carmella with a leg drop.
Nia Jax wins via pinfall after a standing leg drop (2:48)
** Okay match. Some of the exchanges were a little slow or awkward, but not horribly so. Still, it was a little bit of a squash.**
Backstage
Alexa Bliss is blissed off. She wants the NXT Women’s Title. Shawn Bennett tells her that Blake and Murphy will be banned from ringside for her title match tonight. Bliss is fine with that.
Match 2
The Ascension vs Jason Jordan & Chad Gable
(Danilo Anfibio ref)
The crowd starts a “this is awesome” chant before the match starts… Then there’s an immediate standoff for no good reason.
Konner and Gable then start the match. Gable and Jordan quickly isolate Konnor and give him a nice double northern lights suplex. Konnor then uses his power to drive Gable into his corner. The Ascension does some double team attacks and are very proud of themselves.
Gable is isolated for a good part of the match until he makes the hot tag to Jordan. Jordan comes in and gives a belly to belly overhead suplex to Konnor for a near fall. Viktor hits a knee for a near fall. Gable then tags in and he and Jordan hit a double team pop-up belly to back suplex for the win.
Gable pins Viktor with a Grand Amplitude (6:23)
** Nice match. Gable and Jordan have a lot of potential, and I don’t think the similarities to the World’s Greatest Tag Team aren’t intentional. **
Video
Video package of Alexa Bliss informing Bayley that she wants the Women’s Title.
Backstage
Tom Phillips asks Bayley about Alexa Bliss. Bayley says respect isn’t given, it’s earned.
Match 3
Emma vs Mary Kate
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Emma takes some early shots from Kate, but she comes back with an overly aggressive style. She stands on Kate’s hair and chokes her on the ropes. Emma keeps control of the match and finishes with an Emma Lock.
Emma wins via submission with the Emma Lock (3:09)
** Squash. I like the attitude of Emma and am looking forward to seeing her get another chance at the big time. **
Video
In a taped promo from WWE.com, Baron Corbin doesn’t like Apollo Crews, and he challenges him for Takeover London.
Match 4
Dash & Dawson (NXT Tag Champs) vs Corey Hollis & John Skyler
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Dash & Dawson isolate Hollis and control the match. They focus on Hollis’ leg and completely dominate him. Eventually Hollis gets an enziguri and tags in Skyler, who is promptly caught in a double team by Dash & Dawson.
Dawson pins Skyler after a Shatter Machine (5:04)
** A complete squash. Hollis and Skyler got almost no offense. All Skyler did was take the finisher and lose. I liked the isolation by Dash & Dawson though.**
Backstage
Tom Phillips asks Asuka about her masks. Dana Brooke wants to prove naysayers wrong by challenging Asuka to a rematch.
Video
Taped earlier in the day, Samoa Joe is amused by the fact that Regal is scared that Balor might retaliate against Joe.
Match 5
Alexa Bliss vs Bayley (Women’s Champ)
NXT Women’s Title Match
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
They exchange strikes and stomps early in the match, neither taking a sustained advantage. Bayley starts to take control with near falls after a double knee drop and a bulldog. Bliss rolls out of the ring and takes advantage after Bayley follows her out.
-commercial-
Bliss is in control after the break. She focuses on Bayley’s arm with holds and strikes. Bayley starts to come back but Bliss slaps her and lands a backflip double knee drop for a 2 count. Bliss goes to the top but Bayley catches her and hits a power slam for a 2 count. Bliss with a sunset flip out of the corner for a 2 count, and Bliss wonders why Bayley won’t stay down.
Bayley comes back with a slap of her own and hits a Bayley-to-Belly for the win.
Bayley wins via pinfall after a Bayley-to-Belly suplex (9:31)
** Good match. Nice moves, nice build. Good title defense. **
Ring
Eva Marie comes to the ring after Bayley’s win. The crowd lets her have it with a chorus of boos that Eva Marie has trouble dealing with. She informs Bayley that she will defend her title against Eva Marie next week.
** Not just the crowd, but Eva Marie also has trouble with words. It’s “versus,” not “verse.” And it’s the “Women’s” title, not the “Woman’s” title. Is there anything she can do? **
Show Impressions
I could do with fewer matches if that would allow them to be longer and less squashy. Also, I’m not looking forward to Eva Marie challenging for the title.
Match of the Night
Alexa Bliss vs Bayley
Most of the rest of the matches were basically squashes, but this was still a solid match regardless.