WWE NXT REPORT (11/21/2013) by Nicholas Sebastian
From Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, our three man commentary team for this edition of NXT has William Regal, Byron Saxton and Alex Riley in the broadcast booth.
MATCH 1 - HUNICO & CAMACHO VS JONATHAN ORDIGAN & CHRIS ROCKWELL
Hunico & Camacho dressed in what look more like street clothes make their way down the ramp towards the ring. Already waiting for them are Jonathan Ordigan and Chris Rockwell, competing for what seems to be their first time on NXT.
Camacho starts the match with Chris Rockwell as the bell sounds. Camacho teases Rockwell to come at him, but the distraction costs Rockwell as he takes a big boot to the sternum which sends him to his knees. Camacho then picks Rockwell up onto his shoulders and easily carries him to his corner to make the tag to his partner Hunico. As Hunico climbs to the top rope, Camacho comes down with a thunderous Samoan drop to Rockwell, followed by a well-executed and perfectly timed swanton bomb onto their opponent. Hunico hooks Chris Rockwell's leg and gets an easy three count in a squash match for the victory.
WINNERS: HUNICO & CAMACHO
AFTER THE MATCH: NXT interviewer Devon Taylor gets a word with Hunico and Camacho on the ramp. They cut a promo in partly in Spanish, naming the NXT Tag Team Champions, The Ascension.
COMMERCIAL
Bo Dallas, the reigning NXT champion, comes to the ring wearing street clothes and sporting his champtionship belt, all smiles and wearing a party hat. Bo tells us he's been touring the world, all to a chorus of boos from the NXT audience. Suddenly JBL's music hits, and the interim general manager of NXT, John Bradshaw Layfield, makes his way to the ring. Layfield is replacing Dusty Rhodes who is on leave of absence given the past situations involving his sons on WWE Raw.
Bo Dallas is incredulous and very happy to see JBL. Layfield tells Bo Dallas that he is very proud that Bo has been such a wonderful international ambassador. As soon as that's said, Sami Zayn comes to the ring to a hugely positive reaction from the crowd. JBL tells Sami Zayn he's suspended and that he shouldn't be interrupting them. Zayn pleads that he wants to be reinstated so that he can take the NXT title from Bo Dallas.
JBL then reinstates Sami Zayn, much to the chagrin of Bo Dallas. Sami Zayn tells him that even if he has to start from the bottom, he will take the NXT title from Bo Dallas. JBL announces a beat-the-clock challenge to name a new number one contender for the NXT championship.
COMMERCIAL
MATCH 2 - COLIN CASSADY VS ALEXANDER RUSEV
BEAT-THE-CLOCK CHALLENGE MATCH
Colin Cassady makes his way alone towards the ring, not flanked by his usual sidekick Enzo Amore. We're told that Enzo was recently injured at an NXT live event. Cassady is able to climb over the top rope to get into the ring, in the style of other giants.
Alexander Rusev's social ambassador Lana introduces the "Bulgarian Brute" as the comes to the ring to the sounds of the Bulgarian national anthem.
As the bell sounds, Rusev gets into a fighting stance with his arms and hands almost above his head. Collar and elbow tie up between the two men and Rusev easily forces the taller Cassady into the corner. Knee to Cassady's midsection followed by a couple of punches to the head and a stiff kick to the sternum. Another kick, headbutt by Rusev and a quick cover, only getting one on Cassady.
Cassady draws Rusev into the corner and then kicks and punches his way out of it with a small flurry of offense. He attempts to throw the Bulgarian into the ropes only to have it reversed by Rusev. Cassady runs into a double-arm smash to his torso coming off the ropes and is sent down to the mat in a heap. Another cover by Rusev and another kick out by Cassady after one and a half. Head butt by Rusev and a quick cover, but Cassady kicks out at two, although with a lot more concerted effort on his part.
Rusev grabs Cassady by his long hair and plants a huge fist to his head. Cassady goes down onto his back and Rusev comes down with three successive headbutts onto Cassady's chest. Hook of the leg and another cover by Rusev, but he only gets a two count again. With Colin Cassady laying in the center of the ring. Rusev climbs the turnbuckle to the second rope to attempt a combination headbutt & forearm smash. Cassady rolls out of the way and Rusev catches nothing but the ring mat.
Rusev seethes on his hands and knees as an exhausted Colin Cassady uses the ropes to get back to his feet. A look of determination grips him as he starts his offense against the burly Bulgarian. Huge punch to the head and a quick cover on nets Cassady a one count, as Rusev is able to kick out with quite a bit of authority. Clothesline to Rusev and another quick cover by Cassady, with almost the same results as before. Cassady punches Rusev's midsection, followed by an attempt to bodyslam the massive man, only to fail and be met with a huge forearm to the back. Cassady is in pain and gets thrown to the ropes by Rusev, but in desperation is able to get a high knee the side of the Bulgarian's head and manage a two count.
Cassady gets up, hits an elbow drop and tries another pin attempt. He's rewarded with a two-count for his efforts. Both men making lots of pin attempts in order to get the fastest time and win this beat the clock challenge. Rusev in the corner, draws Cassidy in but moves out of the way, having Cassady hit his head on the top turnbuckle. Rusev throws a stunned Cassady into the opposite corner and Cassady eats the metal pole behind the turnbuckle, all the while staying in the ring, almost crumpled in the corner.
Rusev runs into the corner and throws all his weight into his opponent's midsection, and as Cassady staggers out and lies prone in the center of the ring, Rusev gets behind him and locks in his finisher, The Accolade, his version of a Steiner Recliner or Camel Clutch. Cassady hangs on for dear life, thrashes about, and makes it to the ropes to break the hold due to his six-foot-seven frame.
Rusev, noticeably angry at the turn of events, comes down with all his weight, smashing his rear end into Cassady's back. A cover on Colin Cassady gets Rusev a two count. Cassady gets thrown into the corner and eats a couple of shoulder blocks from Rusev. Rusev picks up Cassady, carries him sideways across the ring and knees him while holding him and supporting all of his weight. Cassady is being tossed around the ring almost like a rag doll as Rusev goes for another cover. Lots of stamina on the part of Cassady as he kicks out again.
Rusev, sensing the end, gives Cassady two huge forearms to his back and taunts him by grabbing his long hair. On his knees and almost in a helpless position, Cassady tries swinging his arms back in order to catch the Bulgarian with a shot and possibly make it to his feet. Huge headbutt by Rusev sends Cassady sprawling, followed by his second attempt at the Accolade. This time it's well applied and completely cinched in. Colin Cassady has no choice but to tap out despite a valiant attempt to get a win over the big brutish Bulgarian.
WINNER: ALEXANDER RUSEV
BEAT-THE-CLOCK TIME: 5:33
AFTER THE MATCH: Colin Cassady is still lying on the ring mat after the hellish beating he took at the hands of Alexander Rusev. Lana, Rusev's social ambassador, comes into the ring and raises her protege's hand.
Devon Taylor interviews Adrian Neville and asks about the epic match he had with Corey Graves on NXT next week. Adrian Neville says it's unfortunate that Graves, his ex-tag-team partner, suffered a concussion last week, but that he has to stay focused on the beat the clock challenge. He speaks of his upcoming match with the resident artiste of NXT, Aiden English.
COMMERCIAL
Devon Taylor interviews Bayley and asks her about the double cross her former friend, Ric Flair's daughter Charlotte, did to her last week. Bayley is at a loss for words, and like always seems naive and unsure of herself, but says if she runs into Charlotte, she'll let her fists to the talking.
MATCH 3 - TYLER BREEZE VS KASSIUS OHNO
BEAT-THE-CLOCK CHALLENGE - TIME TO BEAT: ALEXANDER RUSEV WITH 5:33
Tyler Breeze, male model, saunters to the ring with his usual entrance, cell phone in hand, lying on the ring apron and taking pictures of himself, so-called "selfies". Kassius Ohno makes his way to the ring and we're told the time to be is 5:33 set by Alexander Rusev in the previous match.
Tyler Breeze hangs onto his cell phone for an extra second as his opponent comes toward his corner, only to distract him and strike him with a punch to the jaw. Quick cover by Breeze and a one count. Another couple of punches to the head and a second quick cover. Another one count and Breeze tries the same strategy with a forearm smash to the back of the head, a quick punch and a cover for a one count. Lots of quick covers in the hopes of beating the clock.
A flurry of kicks to Ohno who has made his way to a corner in a sitting position. Breeze pulls on the left leg, getting Ohno in the center of the ring and attempting yet another quick pin attempt for a one count. Breeze rams Ohno's head into the top turnbuckle and attempts a suplex on the larger man. Ohno reverses it into a small package but Breeze is able to get out of the inside cradle. Ohno grabs the midsection of Breeze and attempts a roll up but Breeze gets his shoulders up easily enough. Ohno goes back to back with Breeze and hooks both the arms. Ohno tries to backslide Breeze but only gets his shoulders down for a nearfall.
Huge chop by Ohno to Breeze's chest that's heard throughout the arena. Lots of reaction from the NXT crowd. Breeze is in pain as Ohno attempts to throw him off the ropes. Breeze reverses the whip attempt but Ohno is able to nimbly roll over the ropes and put himself onto the ring apron facing the ring. He puts his leg through the middle ropes from outside the ring to try and kick Tyler Breeze, only to have it blocked. Breeze then gives Ohno a standing enziguri kick to the side of the head that sends Ohno to the arena floor.
Tyler Breeze goes outside the ring and tries to get Ohno back into the ring. Pin attempt by Breeze nets just a two count. Ohno is still on his hands and knees as Breeze gets him first in a front face lock, then delivers a slow but solid suplex to the much larger man. Forearm smashes to Ohno's back, kick to the head and another near fall for Tyler Breeze. Looking at just a minute and a half left in the match, Tyler Breeze goes for broke and attempts his finisher, a roundhouse kick to the head known as the Beauty Shot. Kassius Ohno had it well scouted as he ducks under Breeze's legs and goes for the pin as Breeze writhes in pain from missing his finisher.
Two count only as the seconds tick away for the beat the clock challenge. Ohno gets up and tries a quasi-sunset flip cover. Still just a two count for him. Breeze goes for a kick to Ohno's gut but is caught. Ohno throws down Breeze's leg and the momentum sends Breeze face first into the mat. Ohno goes for a neckbreaker but doesn't follow through. Tyler Breeze gets behind Ohno and rolls him up, just getting a two count. Ohno rolls through with momentum and only gets two as well.
Tyler Breeze goes towards his opponent. Ohno grabs both his legs and tries to pin Tyler Breeze, but they roll through onto each other until Ohno has Tyler Breeze in a pinning predicament. As Tyler Breeze struggles to free his shoulders from under Ohno's legs and up off the mat, Ohno hangs on and gets the 1-2-3 with 45 seconds left to spare in the beat the clock challenge.
COMMERCIAL
MATCH 3 - AIDEN ENGLISH VS ADRIAN NEVILLE
BEAT-THE-CLOCK CHALLENGE MATCH
TIME TO BEAT: KASSIUS OHNO WITH 4:48
Aiden English, the artiste, is already in the ring as Adrian Neville, former two-time NXT tag team champion, makes his way to the squared circle. The artiste tries to taunt Neville but seeing this tactic isn't working, gets into a collar and elbow tie up. English puts Neville into the corner, and as he breaks when the referee requests it, Neville grabs his opponent's midsection and attempts a roll-up for the quick pin attempt. Easy kick out by English, and both men get to their feet. English tries to kick Neville in the gut but his foot is grabbed and he's met with a chop to the chest.
Neville goes into the corner after English, but is thrown into that same corner and is given a punch to the chest and a snapmare take down for good measure. English in control now as he only gets a one count for his pin attempt on Neville. Elbow by English to the back of the neck and another one count. Forearm smash by English, and he goes for a bodyslam but the quickness of Neville gets the better of him and smaller agile man floats over and lands on his feet. Neville is thrown into the ropes, but baseball slides under Aiden English's legs. Neville knocks English's left leg out from under him and gets a one count for his cover. English tries to knock Neville's leg out from under him, but Neville is able to masterfully backflip out of the way of his arm and give English a dropkick to the chest for good measure.
Two count for Neville, and it seems Aiden English is reeling at the high-octane offense of his smaller and quicker opponent. Aiden English makes his way to the corner. Neville follows him in there and is given a good swift kick to the leg that slows down the high-flyer. Snap suplex by English and a cover but only gets a one count. A series of elbows to the head to Neville, and another nearfall for a count of two.
More offense by Aiden English, kicks to the midsection, a huge bodyslam and a standing legdrop. Two count again as Aiden English goes on the offense once more. Frustration is starting to set in on the part of Aiden English. Kicks to the back and another two count for English. Aiden English keeps sticking to the strategy of grounding the high flyer Adrian Neville, but can't seem to get more than a two count on the man over whom he has considerable size and weight advantage.
Aiden English goes to the corner after Neville to deliver more punishment, but is met with a series of punches to the gut that send him staggering. Big chops by Neville are met with a boot to the stomach and a headlock into a takedown by English. A number of quick rabbit punches to the head by Aiden English followed by yet another two count. The artiste is clearly frazzled and screams at Neville who's spent the better part of this match either on the mat or on the receiving end of offense by Aiden English.
English picks up Neville by the hair but walks into a side suplex. Both men are grounded as Neville grabs Aiden English and smashes his chin onto his shoulder. Neville gives three kicks to the left leg of his opponent followed by couple of quick forearms off the ropes, a kick to the midsection and a low kick to the head off the ropes as Aiden English struggles on his hands and knees.
Just a two count for Neville with a minute left to go in the beat the clock challenge. Body slam to Aiden English as Neville climbs to the top rope. Adrian Neville was hoping to hit his top rope finisher the Red Arrow but Aiden English wisely rolled all the way to the opposite corner. Neville climbs down to go after English but is met with an elbow to the head. Neckbreaker by English to Neville but still only a two count.
Forearm smash by Aiden English. He picks up Neville and seats him onto the top rope turnbuckle. Engish attempts a superplex from the second rope but is countered by Neville and thrown down onto his back. Adrian Neville stands up on the top turnbuckle and hits his Red Arrow finisher, an acrobatic twisting top rope splash, on Aiden English and gets the 1-2-3 with three seconds remaining.
WINNER: ADRIAN NEVILLE
TIME TO BEAT: 4:45 HELD BY ADRIAN NEVILLE
COMMERCIAL
The NXT Tag Team Champions, The Ascension cut a promo in blue light accepting Hunico and Camacho's challenge.
MATCH 4: LEO KRUGER VS SAMI ZAYN
BEAT-THE-CLOCK CHALLENGE MATCH
TIME TO BEAT: ADRIAN NEVILLE WITH 4:45
Leo Kruger, the South African big game hunter, makes his way very slowly and methodically to the ring. Sami Zayn comes into the ring jumping over the top rope as Kruger looks on quite seriously, sitting on the bottom turnbuckle in the corner.
Before the match even starts, NXT champion Bo Dallas makes his way to the stage and sets up a chair so that he can watch the match himself.
The bell rings and Kruger starts with a knee to the gut and a forearm smash to the back of Sami Zayn which sends the Canadian to the mat. Kruger throws Zayn into the ropes but misses a clothesline. Zayn counters with a cross body coming the other way off the ropes. Pinfall attempt by Zayn gets him a one count as Bo Dallas looks on from the top of the ramp.
Forearm smash by Kruger, throws Zayn into the ropes but Zayne counters a hip toss attempt by Kruger and then backslides him into a pin attempt. Kruger easily gets his shoulders off the mat hits Zayn in the midsection. Bodyslam attempt by Kruger is countered by Zayn and he is subsequently rolled up for a two count. Zayn gets on the receiving end of a vicious chop to the throat by Kruger, in a way to slow down the quick offense of Sami Zayn. Bodyslam by Kruger, and a cover on Zayn results in a near fall. Leo Kruger hits Sami Zayn with a snap suplex and tries for another pin, only to be met with a kickout by Zayn. Side suplex by Kruger, pinfall attempt and another kickout by Zayn.
Leo Kruger smashes Sami Zayn's head into the top turnbuckle, punch to the head, kick to the gut and then Zayn is thrown into the opposite corner. Kruger runs in but Zayn counters with an elbow to Kruger's chin. Zayn sits on the top turnbuckle and kicks Kruger in the chin as he rushes him. From a sitting position with his feet on the second rope, Sami Zayn jumps up to the top corner and connects with a sensational high cross body on Kruger.
The cover only gets Zayn a two count. Both men get up and Kruger gives a stiff uppercut to Zayn that sends him staggering. Two count on Zayn with Kruger's forearm to the face but not much force behind the kick out as Zayn stays down on the mat. Knee to the head and elbow the midsection by Kruger, followed by another pinfall attempt. Hook of the leg and a two count as the match settles into the more methodical pace that Leo Kruger prefers.
Punch to Zayn's forehead and another chance at a pin, multiple times in a row that Zayn keeps kicking out. Sami Zayn fights out of a side reverse chinlock by Kruger with punches to his opponent's gut, and then gets thrown into the ropes. Zayn clotheslines Kruger twice in a row coming off the ropes. Zayn tries to throw Kruger across the ring and off the ropes. Reversal by Kruger and Zayn comes off the ropes but as Kruger attempts a huge slam, Zayn delivers a standing downwards dropkick to Kruger's chest & chin that sends him down to the mat.
Cover by Zayn and once again just a two count. Under a minute and a half to go as Sami Zayn attempts his running kick finisher on Kruger who is in the corner. Kruger moves out of harm's way and rolls up Sami Zayn for two and a half. Zayn floats over a side suplez attempt by Kruger, is thrown off the ropes and into a vicious spinebuster by Kruger. Roll-up attempt by Kruger and a two count. Kruger goes to the corner and waits and calls out for for Zayn to get up, possibly looking to deliver his devastating clothesline finisher, The Slice. His opponent, however, isn't moving much in wake of all the punishment he's taken in this match.
Pin attempt by Kruger but Sami Zayn still has the intestinal fortitude to kick out. Kruger makes his way to the corner and spies his opportunity when Zayn finally makes it to his feet. Kruger hits Zayn with The Slice, his huge clothesline finisher, and goes for the cover. Three pin attempts in succession by Kruger during the final seconds only frustrate him as Zayn kicks out every time. With only seconds left in the match, Zayn manages to grab Kruger's arm and leg and roll him into a crucifix-pin, getting the three count much to the shock of Bo Dallas.
WINNER: SAMI ZAYN
The clock is at 0:00 and JBL comes out saying this is not the era of controversies, and references the infamous "Dusty Finishes" of a previous time. Layfield announces that because Adrian Neville & Sami Zayn both have the same time in the beat-the-clock challenge, they will face each other next week on NXT with the winner being the number one contender. This person will face Bo Dallas the following week for the NXT Championship. Sami Zayn gets his hand raised in victory to close out the show.
END
