Picking Up The Scraps - 5/21/2023

 

    This Saturday night featured arguably the two highest quality fights that we will see in 2023. The two bouts in consideration, Devin Haney vs Vasil Lomachenko and Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron, delivered not only between the ropes, but they delivered with drama on the scorecards as well, leaving the boxing community in a state of shock and awe. 

    The first bout to take place Saturday was the undisputed lightweight women's champion Katie Taylor moving up in weight to challenge the undisputed light welterweight champion, Chantelle Cameron. The bout was Taylor's first ever in her home country of Ireland, and was set to serve as not only a homecoming for Taylor, but a buildup to the rematch of her Fight of the Year against Amanda Serrano.

     Instead, Cameron played spoiler, earning the upper hand against Taylor through most of the fight, beating Katie to the punch and scoring with straight right hands. Katie returned fire with combinations, but was unable to score any meaningful damage before Cameron was able to exit. The scorecards were announced as 95-95, and 96-94 (x2) for Cameron, bringing a stunned silence over the crowd in Ireland. Though the cards were close, it would have been easy to see Cameron earning a wider margin here. 

    The loss is a tough one for Taylor, the first of her career. It is common to see a fighter begin to decline with age, and with Katie just over six weeks away from her 37th birthday, this will likely be the common diagnosis from the boxing community. But we can't dismiss the fact that Taylor was moving up in weight in this bout to challenge an undisputed champion, and as we saw with Canelo Alvarez against Dimitry Bivol, sometimes size does matter. Where Taylor goes from here, it is very possible that she still revisits the rematch with Serrano, as Taylor technically still has all of her championships, but there's no doubt a little of the luster from that bout will have worn off following Katie's first defeat. As for Cameron, she has now defeated the champion above her in Jessica McCaskill, and the champion below her in Katie Taylor. There's always the possibility of a rematch with McCaskill, as well as a defense against the surging Kali Reis. As it stands, this is the biggest win of Cameron's career thus far.

    The second undisputed championship bout of the evening was far more contentious, as Vasil Lomachenko challenged Devin Haney in an attempt to regain all those beautiful lightweight belts. Many elements of the encounter were on fans' minds leading up to the bout, including Devin Haney's weight cut, Haney's accusations that Lomachenko is a dirty fighter, Loma's tendency to start slow and come on late, and lastly the push by Haney during Friday's weigh ins. One way or another, all of these factors came in to play during the bout, so let's take a look at exactly what went down. 

    To start, Lomachenko came out fast, engaging right away and not taking much time to "download" his opponent's movement. While Loma attacked, Haney did a good job of landing counter rights to the body, and likely took the first round. The next two rounds were more of the same high paced action, with Loma putting combinations together and landing with straight left hands while Haney probed with his jab and continued to land the right hook to the body. These two rounds felt like Loma rounds. 

    From here, Loma seemed to noticeably slow down, and wasn't as aggressive he was in the opening rounds. At the same time, Haney wasn't landing as much to the body as he had been. At the midway point, it became apparent that adjustments would need to be made in order for either fighter to gain any ground. After eight rounds, I had the score even, four rounds to four. This is where it gets tricky. 

    The final four rounds played out as follows. Round 9 was a close round that arguably goes to Haney because Loma seemed to be saving himself for the last stretch. Round 10 was a clear Lomachenko round, as he rocked Haney with a combination and had him on skates. Round 11 also seemed a clear Lomachenko round, as he was putting combinations together and landing with ease while Haney wasn't sending anything back. The final round was another close round, as Haney finally turned it on and attacked, but Loma still landed more clean shots. So we have two clear rounds for Lomachenko, and two close rounds which could arguably go either way. 

    My final scorecard read 115-113 for Lomachenko, as I gave Loma rounds 10, 11 and 12 to close out the fight, and the 9th round to Haney.  The judges on hand saw the fight differently, seeing the bout for Devin Haney with scores of 116-112 and 115-113 (x2).  Through eight rounds, all three judges had the bout scored 77-75 for Haney, though their scores varied on four of the eight rounds. Judges Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland then split the final four rounds, giving 10 and 11 to Lomachenko, and rounds 9 and 12 to Haney. The third judge, Dave Morretti gave Haney three of the final four rounds, inexplicably giving the tenth round to Devin despite the champion not only being outstruck by Lomachenko, but being put on wobbly legs, the only time throughout the entire fight that either man was noticeably hurt. In the grand scheme of things, had Morretti given the tenth to Lomachenko instead, Haney still would have won 115-113 on his cards. But it's the fact that Morretti would score the tenth round for Haney that brings his overall judgement into question. What kinds of things is he looking at or looking for during a fight? Judging is a constant area of criticism for the world of boxing, and it is damn well time that we start having judges and referees participate in post fight press conferences to explain the reasoning behind their decisions. 

    To say this fight was a robbery would be a stretch. Had it ended in a draw, or some variation of a majority/split decision, it would have been understandable. But when a unanimous decision is called, with one scorecard giving Haney eight rounds to four, it is hard not to shake your head at the result. From here, the sky's the limit for the 24 year old Haney. It's no secret that 135lbs is a tough weight cut for the undisputed champ, but Haney insists he still has one or two more fights left before he moves up to 140, and he made that clear by calling out Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson in his post fight interview. Whether Haney actually follows through with those bouts is another question, as many pundits see Haney being unable to outbox Shakur, and unable to handle the power of Tank Davis. 

    The more likely route is that following two successful defenses of his undisputed crown, Haney vacates all them beautiful belts and moves up to the 140lb division where a bevy of fresh names await, including Josh Taylor, Teofimo Lopez, Regis Prograis, and longtime rival Ryan Garcia. Any one of those fights would produce big numbers, while also serving as easier opposition for Haney. 

    On the opposite side of things, this is a devastating loss for Lomachenko. It is believed Lomachenko's team will appeal the decision, but it is unlikely we will see anything overturned. As mentioned, even with Morretti's egregious scoring of the 10th round for Haney being overturned, the fight would still have gone to Haney. Having now come up short against Haney and Teofimo Lopez, Lomachenko feels like he's falling into a gatekeeper role for the division. If Haney does vacate his belts, we could see Loma challenging again for the title against someone like a Shakur Stevenson or William Zepeda, but it's hard to see Lomachenko faring well against these young hungry killers. 

    Elsewhere, in the world of MMA, UFC Fight Night 223 emanated from the UFC Apex Saturday afternoon with a card that seemed designed to help fighters re-establish themselves in their division rather than setting anyone up for any title shots in the near future. On the prelims, Natalia Silva picked up a first round finish, and now on a 9 fight winning streak, has made her presence known in the women's flyweight division. Chase Hooper picked up a win, bringing his record to 3-3 over his last 6, alternating wins and losses. And lastly, Karolina Kowalkiewicz picked up a big win, and is now on a three fight winning streak following an 0-5 skid from Sept 2018 to Aug 2021. 

    On the main card, Diego Ferreira picked up a much needed win over Michael Johnson after dropping his three previous fights. Johnson, a UFC legend at this point and veteran of nearly 30 fights, has now suffered defeat in six of his last eight bouts, and the end of the road may have come for the 36 year-old.     Joaquin Buckley and foe Andre Fialho each entered their bout Saturday on the back of consecutive defeats, and it was Buckley who was able to get back on the winning track with a second round knockout via head kick. With his UFC record now at 6-4, Buckley might not be winning a championship any time soon, but his fights are guaranteed entertainment, and that alone will ensure his spot on the UFC roster is safe. Fialho on the other hand, now 2-4 over his last 6 including 3 straight losses, may have few chances remaining to prove himself.                     

    Emily Ducote and Loopy Godinez squared off, each woman having dropped a decision in 2022 to the card's main eventer Angela Hill. Godinez picked up an impressive win here, building off her win just six weeks ago over Cynthia Calvillo at UFC 287. The win is Godinez's fourth in her last five fights, and puts Loopy in a strong position in the strawweight division, just on the brink of the top 15. Ducote, a veteran of Bellator, Invicta, and the UFC, now sits at 12-8 through her twenty fight career, and may be unable to make it past the hump to the next level of competition.                     

    The co-main found middleweights Anthony Hernandez coming in riding a three fight winning streak while opponent Edmen Shahbazyan was looking to right the ship after dropping three of his last four. Unfortunately for Shahbazyan, he was unable to stop the rolling Hernandez, who was able to neutralize his opponent, shut him down in the second round, and put him away in the third via TKO. "Fluffy" Hernandez is now riding a four fight winning streak since a 2020 loss to Kevin Holland, and while that rematch would be fun, it seems Holland is staying put at 170lbs. There are plenty of fighters for Hernandez to face in the 10-15 range of the UFC's middleweight division, including the "Action Man" Chris Curtis, and a potential rematch against former LFA foe Brendan Allen.                                        

    The main event featured a battle between women's strawweights MacKenzie Dern and Angela Hill. Dern arrived in the UFC in 2018 as one of the brightest women's prospects since Ronda Rousey. Unfortunately, Dern suffered a setback in her third bout, dropping a decision to Amanda Lemos. From there, each time it seemed Dern was about to rise to the top of the division, she would fall short, first to Marina Rodriguez and then Yan Xionan. Hill, on the other hand, has had to scratch, claw, and earn everything she's gotten in the UFC. Since her debut in 2017, Hill has fought 19 times in the UFC, splitting wins and losses en route to a 9-10 record inside the Octagon, but proving to be a tough out for virtually everyone. Hill entered this bout on the strength of back to back wins over Ducote and Godinez in 2022. Once the cage doors closed though, it was all Dern. The jiu-jitsu ace had her way with Hill en route to several 10-8 rounds and a widely lopsided decision. Sometimes, no matter how much fight or will you have, you just can't overcome superior technique. Though the loss now puts Hill's UFC record at a subpar 9-11, it is hard to see the UFC parting ways with the veteran, and considering she has registered at least three fights a year since 2019, don't be surprised to see her fighting again soon. As for Dern, the road forward remains somewhat unclear. She has proven with fights like this that her grappling is some of the best in the world. The problem comes when she isn't able to get the fight where she wants it, and is unable to adapt to a different gameplan. Each of the women who have defeated Dern (Rodriguez, Lemos, Xionan) sit above Dern in the rankings, so it is entirely possibly we see Mackenzie try to avenge one of those losses in a rematch. But there is little reason to think those fights will play out differently than the first time around, and until Dern is able to reach that next level, it's hard to see her finding success against any of the women in the top 5 of the strawweight rankings.

    So that's it for this week folks. A lot of action from top to bottom, a lot of high stakes on the line, and plenty of questions to ask moving forward. Are legendary fighters like Vasiliy Lomachenko and Katie Taylor past their prime? Are Chantelle Cameron and Devin Haney now the female and male pound for pound best fighters in the world? What's next for each of them, and at what weight will their next bouts take place?  Will judges and/or referees ever be forced to give answers or reasoning to their decisions and scorecards? Hopefully we get some answers to these questions in the coming weeks. Until then, thanks for stopping by and picking up the scraps. 

    Next week be sure to tune in Saturday, May 27 for a bevy of fights from across the pond. First, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, "Irish" Michael Conlan challenges Luis Alberto Lopez for Lopez's IBF Featherweight title live on ESPN+.  Later, from Manchester, England, Leigh Wood challenges Mauricio Lara for Lara's WBA Featherweight title live on DAZN. Don't forget it was Wood who KO'd Michael Conlan last March in a Fight of the Year candidate and KO of the Year winner. With victories on Saturday, it is possible we see a Conlan vs Wood rematch later this year. The DAZN undercard also features appearances by Jack Catterall, Campbell Hatton, and middleweights Kieran Conway and Linus Udofia. Lastly, from Bournemouth, England, undefeated British Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie defends his WBO strap against Chris Billiam-Smith, with an undercard featuring a slew of British fighters including Mikael Lawal, Sam Eggington, and Michael McKinson. 

    On the MMA side of things, the UFC takes its first week off since April 1, a stretch spanning seven straight Saturdays of events. They will return June 3, with a UFC on ESPN fight card headlined by Kai Kara France vs Amir Albazi from the UFC Apex Center. Elsewhere, the PFL is on break until June 8, when they resume their season with a three week slate of fights. And lastly, Bellator returns June 16 from Chicago with Bellator 297, headlined by Vadim Nemkov defending his LHW title against Yoel Romero. With virtually no MMA to consume next weekend, it looks like it will be a boxing heavy weekend. 

Wednesday Afternoon Rundown - March 21, 2018

Welcome to the Wednesday Afternoon Rundown, where we break down all the biggest stories from this week's Monday Night Raw and Tuesday's Smackdown Live. By the end, we'll determine which brand reigned supreme and delivered a superior product for their faithful audience.

The wrestling universe received a shot of adrenaline this week with the announcement that Daniel Bryan has officially been cleared to return to the WWE ring. Already embroiled in a feud with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, a match featuring Bryan at the Show of Shows will have fans salivating. With mere weeks until Wrestlemania, superstars on both rosters will be looking to ensure their place on the biggest card of the year. Without further ado, let’s break down the highs and lows, the ups and downs, and everything in between from this week’s episodes of Raw and Smackdown.

RAW

THE HIGHS

The Beast Emerges

                Although he was suspended by Mr. McMahon last week, Roman Reigns made his way to the ring Monday night, “trespassing” in the process, to interrupt GM Kurt Angle and demand that Brock Lesnar come out to face him. Security soon attempted to escort Reigns out of the ring, handcuffing him in the process. With Reigns incapacitated, the Beast finally struck. Lesnar sprinted to the ring, unleashing strikes and suplexes on the helpless Reigns. Each time it seemed Lesnar was finished, he would go back for more, until Reigns was ultimately left lying limp strapped to a stretcher. While this may not have been the most devastating beatdown we’ve seen Lesnar unleash, his appearance alone was enough to make the segment work. Fans have grown tired of Lesnar showing up sporadically, so it’s nice to see the Beast in action. Expect Reigns to look for retaliation next week, further stoking the flames for the Wrestlemania headliner.

“Do Something” Deadman

                After finally challenging the Undertaker last week, John Cena stepped into the ring Monday to inform the WWE universe that he has still heard nothing from the Deadman. Not a “yes”, not a “no”, just nothing. Cena worked the crowd into a frenzy, pleading that the Undertaker “do SOMEthing!” Cena would go on to call Taker an egomaniac, and a coward, claiming the Deadman has gone from a “mythical God” to merely “a man”. Even after all the provoking, there was no sign of the Undertaker. Instead, the Devil’s Favorite Demon made his way to the ring, ultimately planting Cena with a chokeslam. The inclusion of Kane is an interesting one, as it seems WWE is merely using the Big Red Machine to fill the void until Taker finally appears. Cena has done an incredible job of promoting the match on his own, a task that Taker’s past five Mania foes have been faced with. Except Cena to make quick work of Kane next week before finally come face to face with Undertaker on the penultimate Raw before Wrestlemania.

THE LOWS

The Royale Revival

                After coming up short in the Raw tag team battle royale, Titus Worldwide and the Revival squared off in hopes of regaining some traction in the tag team division. Dash and Dawson utilized crisp team wrestling to dispatch their opponents in quick fashion. Following the bout, the Revival announced their entrance into the Andre the Giant Battle Royal, stating that they would become the first tag team to win the trophy. The idea of a tag team winning the Battle Royal is definitely intriguing, similar to the prospect of Braun Strowman single-handedly winning the tag team titles. But considering how good the Revival are, and how good their NXT matches were, it’s a shame they won’t be mixing it up with a top team like the Bar, the New Day, or the Uso’s on the Grandest Stage of Them All.

A Tragic Miztake

                With a triple threat match for the IC Championship looming, The Miz and his trusty Miztourage took to the ring against Finn Balor and the Club, with the Architect Seth Rollins sitting in on commentary. A late clash of heads between Miz and Curtis Axel led to Balor rolling up Miz for the win. A melee broke out, with Rollins and Balor standing tall over a fallen Miz. While the match was fine, Miz + Balor + Rollins have been featured together so often lately that there isn’t much more that can be done to intensify this feud. The clash of heads between Miz and Axel, paired with the Miz’s opening promo, could potentially be planting the seeds for dissension within the Miztourage; something to keep an eye on over the next couple of weeks.

THE IN-BETWEEN

Ignorance is Bliss

                Alexa Bliss wasted no time in reminding the WWE Universe what she said about Nia Jax, and reiterated that she meant every word of it. Bliss then turned her attention to the ring, and ending Asuka’s winning streak. Surprisingly, Bliss dominated much of the match, keeping her undefeated foe grounded for extended periods of time. Asuka rallied late, catching the champion in an ankle lock. Alexa eventually broke free, Mickie James pulling her to safety. Alexa had herself counted out, but before she was able to retreat backstage, Nia Jax came charging down the ramp. Bliss’s ankle injury quickly vanished as she sprinted away from Jax. Mickie James would attempt to help, only to be tossed aside by Jax, who continued to chase Bliss into the backstage area. While the segment ultimately led to Kurt Angle making a Women’s Championship match at Wrestlemania between Bliss and Jax, the match itself was a head scratcher. Asuka, who’s supposed to be the most dominant woman on the roster, was treated like nothing more than a pawn here. Seeing her manhandled by Bliss so easily doesn’t do Asuka any good in regards to building towards her mania match. 

A Monster Raises The Bar

                Braun Strowman took on Cesaro in a mini preview of his upcoming Wrestlemania bout against the Bar. While Cesaro put up a good fight, and Sheamus did everything he could to distract Strowman, it still wasn’t enough to stop the Monster Among Men. Strowman planted Cesaro with a powerslam to pick up the win. The match plants the idea that the Bar will need to exhaust all resources to defeat Strowman. Unfortunately, WWE seems to have a dilemma on their hands; a mystery partner joining Strowman to take on the Bar at Wrestlemania is very intriguing, but Strowman going it alone and challenging for the tag titles by himself may be the more intriguing storyline here. Look for Strowman to square off with Sheamus next week, with a potential tag partner still undecided.

The Slow Burn Turn

                Sasha Banks and Bayley took the ring, questioning their friendship which has been deteriorating since Elimination Chamber. The two women teamed up to take on Absolution, but it was clear they were unable to get on the same page. After controlling most of the match, Sonya Deville picked up the win for her team after a kick to Bayley. Wins like this are huge for Deville and Rose, who continue to grow as performers. The dissension between Banks and Bayley has been growing for quite some time now, with fans eagerly awaiting the kinds of legendary matches the duo had back in NXT. With Bayley’s refusal to forgive Banks, it appears the Hugger may be the one who finally turns heel, although she will have to do it quick with Wrestlemania just around the corner. Due to the already stacked card, it’s entirely possible that we see Banks and Bayley inserted into the Women’s Battle Royal, rather than a singles bout.

The Ultimate Deletion

                The seemingly never ending feud between Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy came to a head at the Hardy Compound in North Carolina in the form of Ultimate Deletion. Anyone who had seen the Final Deletion matches from TNA had an idea what this segment would be like, but after the disastrous match last year between Wyatt and Randy Orton, it was hard to know what to expect. The video segment featured Hardy introducing his family and his compound before Bray Wyatt arrived at the front gates. The match started in an outdoor ring, before moving into a field, an old warehouse and ultimately ending in the Lake of Reincarnation. Everything from chairs to fireworks to lawnmowers was incorporated into the match, with Hardy inevitably picking up the win before tossing Wyatt into the lake. It’s hard to call this segment a success or a failure. There were several aspects that worked very well, and several moments that were laughably bad. While these type of matches aren’t for everyone, it’s always refreshing to see a new spin on the typical wrestling match. It’s hard to tell whether this feud is now over, considering we’re so close to Wrestlemania. Will Hardy and Wyatt be left off the card? Will this feud continue? Time will tell.

SMACKDOWN

THE HIGHS

Return of the Goat

                Whether you consider Daniel Bryan one of the greatest of all time, or whether you just think he looks like a goat, there’s no denying the shockwaves that were sent through the WWE universe with the announcement of his return to in-ring action. Bryan kicked off this week’s Smackdown with an emotional promo, recounting the past few years since his “retirement”, and the support he had received from everyone around him, specifically Brie. There have been very few wrestlers over the past twenty years who have had the crowd on their side as much as Bryan does. His run to the Undisputed Championships at Wrestlemania XXX was nothing short of amazing. Now, five years later, Bryan will make his in-ring return at the same Superdome in New Orleans where he won that gold.

                With all the excitement surrounding his return, it was a no-brainer that Daniel Bryan bookend the show. Following a vicious assault on Shane McMahon by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, Bryan confronted the two superstars in the ring, ultimately firing them for their heinous actions. Owens and Zayn didn’t take kindly to the news, and began unloading on Bryan. Then it happened. That boy D-Bryan fought back! A series of YES kicks and corner dropkicks had Zayn and Owens reeling, and had the WWE Universe erupting in cheers. Unfortunately for Bryan, he fell victim to the numbers game, as Owens and Zayn were able to quell Bryan’s uprising. A Helluva Kick and Apron Powerbomb left Bryan lying limp outside the ring. It was hard not to chew your nails off every time Bryan went flying through the air, but at the same time, it was incredible to see DBry bouncing around the ring. Expect Bryan and McMahon to return to television over the next two weeks, seeking revenge against Zayn and Owens.

Happy Rusev Da…Nakamura Day!

                 Shinsuke Nakamura took on Rusev yet again, with AJ Styles sitting ringside. With how “over” Rusev currently is, it’s a shame to see him constantly taking losses against Nakamura. While the match was good, there was little doubt who would win, as Nakamura once again came away the victor. Following the match, Rusev and Aiden English teamed up on Nakamura, with AJ Styles appearing to be in no rush to come to the aid of his “friend”. Nakamura was fortunately able to save face and clear the ring. A match that was initially built around mutual respect, Nakamura vs Styles may now have some animosity introduced.

THE LOWS

The Lone Wolf Feeling Awfully Lonely

                Baron Corbin squared off with Tye Dillinger this week. Dillinger is hardly ever featured on tv, and Corbin hasn’t been in a meaningful feud in weeks. With each man seemingly headed for the Andre Battle Royal at Wrestlemania, it was hard to find any reason to invest in this match. Corbin picked up the win with End of Days, and that’s all there is to say about that.

Another Secondary Triple Threat

                Jinder Mahal rejoiced at his addition to the United States Championship match between Bobby Roode and Randy Orton, making the bout a triple threat match. Roode and Orton soon joined, with all three men bickering amongst themselves. Nothing else was accomplished other than a Singh brother taking a beating from Roode and Orton. It’s a surprise it took this long for Mahal to be added to this match, as he’s been involved with this feud for weeks. What’s more surprising is how incredibly flat this feud feels. WWE would have been wise to throw guys like Corbin, Dillinger and even Dolph Ziggler into the mix, and make this a multi man ladder match. Unfortunately, it seems that we will get a triple threat match which has given us very little reason to care who wins.

Building to a Royale Riott?

                After Ruby Riott fell short in her title match against Charlotte at Fastlane, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan would look to get a measure of revenge on the top babyfaces of the blue brand, Becky Lynch and Naomi. The Riott Squad got off to a good start, working over Becky Lynch. A late distraction allowed Lynch to latch on the Disarmher, forcing Logan to tap out. And with that, the Riott Squad has now lost any and all momentum they had built over the past several weeks. While Absolution continues to win matches on Raw, the same can’t be said for the Riott Squad, who are now floundering in a crowded women’s division which is poised to add Asuka to its ranks. The best bet for the Riott Squad at this point will be to work together in hopes of winning the Women’s Battle Royale at Wrestlemania.

THE IN-BETWEEN

The Queen of Smackdown vs The Queen of Harts

                While this may be a match we have seen multiple times, dating back to NXT, Charlotte and Natalya never fail to put on a good match. Both women are near the top of the company as far as technical ability, so it’s no shock that they work extremely well together. Deep in the match, a superplex by Natalya left both women lying in the ring. In a flash, Carmella’s music hit and the Princess of Staten Island was in the ring, Money in the Bank briefcase in hand. Before the ref was able to ring the bell, Charlotte caught Carmella with a big boot, knocking her out of the ring. Natalya pounced on her unsuspecting opponent, rolling up Charlotte for the surprise win. Although Carmella has been teasing her cash-in a lot lately, it’s hard to picture her as a believable champion, especially with the likes of Charlotte, Asuka and Becky Lynch at the top of the division. Don’t be surprised if Carmella takes her briefcase and attempts to cash-in on the Raw Women’s Champion at Wrestlemania.

Brothers Who Bludgeon Together…

                Following the vicious attack by the Bludgeon Brothers on both the New Day and the Uso’s at Fastlane, the Uso’s vowed to send the Bludgeon’s to the Uso Penitentiary. Jimmy Uso squared off against Luke Harper. Uce found himself reeling early, unable to deal with the power of Harper. Interference from Jey Uso proved effective, but ultimately was not enough, as Harper was able to dispatch Jimmy and pick up another big win for the Bludgeon Brothers. The destructive duo has been on an absolute role as of late, trampling everything in their path. Expect the triple threat tag team match to play out very similarly to the Revival vs DIY vs Authors of Pain in NXT, with the two smaller tag teams working together to try and topple their overpowering foes.

THE RUNDOWN

                With only a couple of weeks until Wrestlemania, it’s clear that WWE is shifting their focus towards the marquee feuds scheduled for the Show of Shows. The appearance of Lesnar on Raw was a welcome sight, while the absences of the Undertaker and Ronda Rousey will keep fans wanting more. While the red brand delivered several solid segments, many of the feuds seemed to gain little momentum, seemingly spinning their wheels. The Intercontinental Championship feud is dangerously close to growing stale.

                The return of Daniel Bryan to the ring has given Smackdown a much needed boost. With Nakamura vs Styles and Charlotte vs Asuka already on the docket, a match featuring Bryan will add another marquee bout to the Showcase of the Immortals, while the tag title match could very well steal the show. Everything seems to be clicking at the right time for Smackdown, outside of the United States title picture.

                While each brand delivered solid programming this week, Smackdown wins on the strength of Daniel Bryan’s return. No moment drew a bigger reaction than Bryan fighting back against Owens and Zayn, and it will truly be a special moment when Bryan’s music hits at Wrestlemania. Thanks for reading, and tune in next week for another edition of the Wednesday Afternoon Rundown, as we get one step closer on the road to WreSullMania!

Wednesday Afternoon Rundown (WAR - Mar. 7, 2018)

Welcome to the Wednesday Afternoon Rundown, where we break down all the biggest stories from this week's Monday Night Raw and Tuesday's Smackdown Live. By the end, we'll determine which brand reigned supreme and delivered a superior product for their faithful audience.

With just over four weeks until their annual Show of Shows, WWE has switched into full gear on the road to Wrestlemania, setting into motion many of their high profile feuds. For Raw, this means weekly appearances by newcomer Ronda Rousey, the inclusion of Seth Rollins and Finn Balor into the Intercontinental Championship picture, and building an aura of invincibility around the undefeated Asuka. For Smackdown, the road to Mania is somewhat cluttered, the looming Fastlane PPV serving as somewhat of a detour for the blue brand, slowing down potential feuds which could otherwise be rapidly picking up steam. Without further ado, let’s break down the highs and lows, the ups and downs, and everything in between from this week’s episodes of Raw and Smackdown.

RAW

THE HIGHS

Ronda's Mania Match Becomes Official

                 This week’s episode kicked off with a bang, as Ronda Rousey officially declared who her opponent would be for Wrestlemania: none other than Stephanie McMahon. Kurt Angle reminding the audience that Stephanie also has a “Superstar’s Contract” was a nice touch, as we’ve all seen Steph wrestle plenty of times. The inclusion of Triple H and Angle, creating a mixed tag bout, ensures that the match won’t be a dud, as each competitor is still more than capable of telling a captivating story in the ring even at this late stage of their careers. This should also piggyback nicely onto what has thus far been a successful Mixed Match Challenge.

A Symphony of Destruction

                The featured gimmick match of the evening came in the form of a Symphony of Destruction match between Braun Strowman and Elias. These types of matches are often times very hit or miss, depending on the performance of the superstars involved. As usual, Strowman delivered. After yet another impressive feat of strength – lifting the rear of Elias’ car off the ground to prevent him from driving away – the Monster Among Men laid waste to everyone’s least favorite Drifter. Strowman finished Elias by first smashing a cello, and then an entire piano on top of his battered foe. With Elias soundly dispatched, and such little time until the Showcase of the Immortals, it will be interesting to see what direction Strowman goes in order to ensure his place on the Mania card.

It Takes Three To Tango

                There’s little debate that The Miz has become the top heel on Raw, if not all of WWE, and he showed exactly why again on Raw. A “Mizzies” segment which had no business being funny, was very much so. Miz is without doubt one of the best mic workers in the company, and it’s hard to not be impressed by what he has done with the Intercontinental Championship over the past year. The introduction of Seth Rollins and Finn Balor into the Intercontinental Title scene shows the level of performer that Miz deserves to work with at Wrestlemania, and there’s a very good chance this triple threat match could steal the show.

THE LOWS

Working Out The Kinks

                While the opening segment was a “High” in terms of star power and the match it confirmed for Mania, it was in many ways a Low as well. It come as no surprise that Rousey’s acting chops aren’t up to par, but Stephanie and Angle aren’t doing her any favors with equally painful performances. We can assume that by the time the match ultimately comes around, Ronda will be ready to perform in the ring, with Angle and Triple H leading a majority of the match. But until then, with Rousey scheduled to appear every week on Raw, something needs to be adjusted to make these segments less awkward and less painful for everyone involved.

Knocking Her Down To Build Her Up?

                With her undefeated streak still intact, Asuka has risen to the top of the division as the woman to beat on Raw. After failing to end Asuka's streak at Elimination Chamber, Nia Jax came up short once again on Raw in a match that seemingly diminished the stock of both women involved. Jax threw everything she had and then some at her undersized foe, but was unable to put Asuka away, ultimately tapping to a late submission. The fact that Jax limped away with an injured arm following the bout left her looking more like a bully who just got their comeuppance rather than a sympathetic warrior. As for Asuka, someone who is being presented as unbeatable, she sure took a beating for most of this match, before finally latching on the late triangle choke which forced Jax to tap. The undefeated Empress did not look strong whatsoever; resilient, sure, but not strong. Look for a rebound performance from Asuka to regain some of that aura of invincibility which has been fading of late.

A Bizarre Interaction

                Just days away from his World Championship match at Fastlane, John Cena appeared on Raw to plug the Smackdown pay-per-view, declaring he would win his record 17^th world title on Sunday. What followed was nothing short of bizarre, as Goldust would interject, stating his own desire to face Cena on the Grandest Stage of Them All. The segment seemed to come out of nowhere, and before we knew it, a match between the two was made (allegedly by Kurt Angle). As quickly as it had begun, Cena finished it with an AA, and that was that. The promo for Fastlane made sense, everything that followed left the audience scratching their heads. 

THE IN BETWEEN

Has The Bar Been Raised Too High?

                The Revival fell short against The Bar this week in a bid to earn a shot at the Tag Titles in New Orleans. With the win, The Bar continue their run of dominance over the Raw tag team division. Teams like Titus Worldwide, The Club, and now the Revival have been unable to stack up. While The Bar’s reign has been impressive, it will be tough to get excited for a Wrestlemania program without a formidable opponent to square off against them.

You Have Been Compoundly Invited...

                The seemingly never ending feud between Woken Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt may have finally taken a turn in the right direction this week, as Hardy invited Bray to a match at the Hardy Compound. While this feud has been spinning its wheels for months, this match may be the payoff fans have been waiting for. At the same time, it could be a massive dud. The introduction of the Hardy Compound, as well as the impending arrival of Brother Nero, make this feud one to keep an eye on.

The Big Dog and The Bitch

                The evening was capped off by a confrontation between Roman Reigns and the advocate for Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman. Last week, Reigns raised the interest level on this bout tremendously with a scathing promo calling Brock Lesnar “a bitch” for no-showing his appearance on Raw. The follow-up this week was average. Heyman did what he does best, reinforcing the prestige of the World Championship, even in the absence of his client. Roman again called Lesnar the “B word”, and that's as far as it went. With Lesnar expected to appear on next week's Raw, look for the feud to raise in intensity. For now, the audience's appetite for destruction by the Beast will remain unsatiated.  

SMACKDOWN

THE HIGHS

Sunday Will Be "Nakamura Day"

                The highs were few and far between this week for the blue brand. With Fastlane just days away, the PPV seems to be a hindrance slowing down the high profile feuds on tap for Wrestlemania. A backstage segment featuring Rusev and Aiden English in which the Bulgarian Brute challenged Shinsuke Nakamura to a match at Fastlane was undoubtedly one of the night’s high points. All three men were criminally absent from the rest of the night’s proceedings, so it was good to see them here and to know that the insanely over Rusev won’t be left off the Fastlane card. Nakamura also did an impression of Aiden English, singing that "Sunday will be Nakamura Dayy”, and it was phenomenal.

A Sneak Peek At Fastlane

                The night’s main event, a matchup between Dolph Ziggler and AJ Styles which was subsequently turned into a Fatal 5 Way, accomplished exactly what it had to. Involving all of the competitors scheduled for Fastlane’s World Championship Six Pack Challenge, sans John Cena, the audience received a taste of what’s to come Sunday, while the match helped to plant the seeds of dissension between longtime friends-turned-rivals-turned-friends, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. With the impending Wrestlemania matchup between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura all but guaranteed, it’s refreshing to know there will be other storylines to pay attention to during Sunday’s championship bout.

THE LOWS

Mediocre US Title Feud Needs Shot of Adrenaline

                 The pacing throughout the night was clearly an issue, as the show got off to somewhat of a clunky start and failed to shift into a higher gear from that point on. A confrontation between Charlotte and the Riott Squad was interrupted by Flair’s MMC partner and US Champion, Bobby Roode. The segment then transitioned directly into a match between Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal, with no definitive conclusion to the opening segment. The match was mediocre at best, with all the usual elements of a Mahal outing: long holds and interference from the Singh Bros. It seems that all three men involved are capable of better, but for some reason this feud hasn’t caught on. Look for WWE to build towards a US Title Ladder match at Wrestlemania, inserting names like Ziggler, Corbin and Rusev into the picture to liven things up.

What Do You "Bex"pect?

                With Charlotte preoccupied with the Riott Squad, the rest of the Smackdown Women’s division has hit a stand still. This was never more apparent than Tuesday night when Becky Lynch took on Carmella. A lack of storylines has led the women of the blue brand to become stagnant, many just treading water at this point. Lynch is without question one of the best female workers in the WWE, and Carmella still holds the Money in the Bank briefcase, though it is rarely teased or featured. The match, which saw Lynch win via her Disarmer finisher, achieved little for either woman involved, and it’s hard to see these women finding anything of relevance on the Wrestlemania card other than a rumored Women’s Battle Royal. 

THE IN-BETWEEN

Usurping the Queen

                Ruby Riott confronted the resident Queen of Smackdown, Charlotte, ahead of their impending clash for the Women’s Championship this Sunday. Stating that she had formed the Riott Squad with the intention of bringing Flair down, Ruby rehashed the same insults we’ve heard a million times from Charlotte’s past opponents, that Ms. Flair has riden off the coattails of her family name and has had everything handed to her. Flair responded as she always does, stating that she’s been forced to work twice as hard to get to where she is because of her name. Riott doesn't quite feel like she’s in the same league as the champ yet, and while the presence of Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan may be enough to cause Charlotte some worry, it’s hard to see the Queen leaving Fastlane without her title. The interesting story to follow Sunday will be whether Asuka decides to use her Royal Rumble victory to challenge Charlotte for the Smackdown title at Mania, rather than challenging Alexa Bliss for the Raw championship as many expect.

THE RUNDOWN

With Wrestlemania on the horizon, it’s clear that both brands are ready to put their foot on the gas. While several of Raw’s segments may not have hit their mark, the feuds we can expect to see at the Showcase of the Immortals are becoming clearer each and every week. Currently, the following matches are confirmed for Wrestlemania for Raw:

                Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar for Universal Championship

                The Miz vs Seth Rollins vs Finn Balor for Intercontinental Championship

                Triple H & Stephanie McMahon vs Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey

With three marquee matchups already confirmed, Raw needs only to bolster these feuds while finding matchups for The Bar, Braun Strowman, and Alexa Bliss.

Unfortunately for Smackdown, this week’s episode was never able to get off the ground. With everyone’s attention on Wrestlemania, the blue brand will look to get the Fastlane PPV over and done with so they can move on to their premier storylines. It’s hard to see any titles changing hands this Sunday, so expect definitive finishes to most of the matches, with the champions moving on to face bigger and better things in New Orleans.

                Raw takes the cake as the top brand this week, beating out Smackdown due to the fact that the storylines on Raw have better direction on the road to Mania. As stated above, the Fastlane PPV seems like nothing more than a formality at this point, and the blue brand will be far better off once the event is in the rearview. Thanks for reading, and tune in next week for another edition of the Wednesday Afternoon Rundown as we get one step closer on the road to WreSullMania!

NXT Takeover Brooklyn III - A Retrospect

                An air of uncertainty hung over the Barclay’s Center as WWE’s Summerslam weekend approached. The build had been mediocre at best, and while there were several marquee matches to look forward to, fans anticipated a long and potentially tiresome four nights of wrestling. As usual, it was up to NXT to kick off the festivities with a bang, and as always, they did exactly that. Saturday night the men and women of NXT set the Barclay’s Center ablaze, putting forth not only one of the best cards of the year, but one of the best Takeover’s we have ever seen.

               

                 A full calendar year removed from their last venture to Brooklyn, the landscape of NXT had changed significantly. Superstars like Bayley, Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura had moved on to the main roster, now fighting for more prestigious championships. Names like Bobby Roode and Ember Moon, who debuted at NXT Brooklyn II, were now firmly entrenched in the main event scene. A tag team division once fueled by the craftiness and teamwork of the Revival and DIY, was now dominated by the behemoths known as the Authors of Pain. The only familiarity was Asuka, although it seemed her undefeated streak was finally destined to come to an end.

Here is a breakdown of each of the night’s matches, their outcomes, and what it all means.

Johnny Gargano vs Andrade “Cien” Almas

                Gargano entered this match as one of the most over wrestlers in the company, and that includes the main roster. The two wrestlers exchanged holds early in the match, with Almas taking the early advantage. Gargano, as he tends to do, stormed back into the match, riling up the Brooklyn crowd in the process. Almas narrowly escaped a submission late in the match, opening the door for his manager Selina Vega to distract Gargano by throwing an old DIY shirt into the ring. Almas seized the moment, laying out Gargano with a new DDT finisher for the win.

                The booking for this match couldn’t have been better. A high octane offering was the perfect bout to kick off the show and get the crowd invested. While it was surprising to see Gargano lose, he is so over with the NXT audience that it shouldn’t really matter. The win will do huge things for Almas who has finally hit a stride and could develop into a top heel. Look for Gargano to become to new Sami Zayn of NXT, the underdog with the never say die attitude on his road to redemption. For Gargano, that redemption will come in the form of Tommaso Ciampa, who unfortunately is sidelined with a knee injury until March.

Authors of Pain (C ) vs Sanity

NXT Tag Team Championship

                Originally scheduled to be Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe of Sanity, the challengers instead elected to send leader Eric Young into the match instead of Dain. The replacement came as somewhat of a surprise, as Dain comes off as the team’s strongest member. Surprisingly, it was Alexander Wolfe who stepped up the most, deliver big flurries of offense and suplexes. Following back to back suicide dives from Young and Wolfe, Nikki Cross joined the fray, squaring off with Paul Ellering, before leaping from the top turnbuckle out of the ring, only to be caught in mid-air by Akam. What followed was the spot of the match, as a charging Killian Dain speared the pair through a table at ringside. With Akam disposed, Wolfe and Young executed a tandem back suplex-neckbreaker on Rezar for the pinfall to become new NXT Tag Team Champions. Following the bout, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly stormed the ring, laying waste to all members of Sanity and AoP.

                Multiple things were achieved in a matter of minutes here. After having dominated the likes of the Revival and DIY, the Authors had nothing left to prove, and passed the torch to Sanity, who picked up an impressive, clean win. Expect to see the Authors making waves on the main roster sooner rather than later. With the titles now in their grasp, Sanity has become the dominant heel stable in NXT. The post match run-in by Fish and O’Reilly sets up the new champions with immediate opposition, assuming the Authors are going to the main roster. Very entertaining match with several storyline aspects.

Aleister Black vs Hideo Itami

Special Guest Commentator: Good Ol’ Jim Ross

                Black entered to a live performance of his theme. In a match which many expected to steal the weekend, both competitors delivered strong performances. Stiff strikes and good back and forth action led to a compelling bout, but the match was hurt by the fact that the finish was never in question. Everyone knew Black was going to win this match, and it’s unfortunate that Itami’s stock has fallen so much due to the injuries he’s suffered. Black picked up the win with Black Mass.

                There are two important takeaways here: the match itself, and the entrance. While the match was no five star classic, it was very solid. Black is a top notch performer, and with a couple new moves and tweaks, he will slide nicely into the main event picture. The fact that Black was given the entrance he had, there is no doubt he is a big priority in management’s eyes. An inside source noted that you don’t receive a big entrance unless you’re a big deal, so expect big things from Black in the future. As for Itami, another high profile loss is sure to lead to frustration, which will hopefully lead to a more unhinged version of Itami. Unless he does something drastic to increase his stock, we may not see too much more of Hideo Itami in NXT.

Asuka (C ) vs Ember Moon

NXT Women’s Championship

                Almost 18 months had passed since Asuka won the NXT Women’s Championship from Bayley at NXT Takeover Dallas, and not once over that span did it ever seem like the Empress of Tomorrow would lose. Even Ember Moon, an undefeated contender, fell short at Takeover Orlando on Wrestlemania weekend. But with one attempt under her belt, it seemed that Ember Moon’s time had come to dethrone Asuka. The two women went to war in their rematch, Asuka utilizing locks and submissions while Ember unleashed a plethora of high power offense. Moon would eventually hit her Eclipse finisher, securing herself the women’s championship, only for Asuka to kick out at 2. Following a few more near falls, Moon would fall victim to the Asuka lock, submitting to the champion.

                Asuka and Ember put on one of the best women’s matches we’ve seen in NXT since Bayley and Sasha graced the ring in Brooklyn. These women are head and shoulders above their  fellow competitors, and it showed in their efforts. The interesting story is where to go from here. Asuka has established such a level of dominance that she can’t lose now. There just isn’t anyone out there that could believably defeat her. If she were to move up to the main roster, the only option would be for her to forfeit the title, similar to what Paige did. But considering the language barrier, and how crowded the women’s divisions currently are on the main roster, Asuka may very well be better served staying in NXT. Having come up short twice, we will have to wait and see whether Moon continues to pursue Asuka’s gold, or whether a move to the main roster is imminent.

Bobby Roode (C ) vs Drew McIntyre

NXT Championship

                Upon winning the NXT championship, Bobby Roode promised to bring NXT to the next level, and he did just that. From his glorious entrance to his scathing promos, Bobby Roode’s NXT was a sight to behold, and a fun one at that. Following a brief stint in WWE several years ago, McIntyre built his brand on the Indy’s as Drew Galloway, before returning to the WWE in search of gold. McIntyre utilized a heavy offense in attempts to overwhelm his smaller foe. A series of locks and reversals allowed Roode to keep the upper hand. McIntyre dropped Roode with a Claymore late, only for Roode to hang his foot on the bottom rope. Shortly after, Roode would plant McIntyre with a Glorious DDT, only for the challenger to kick out. Roode went for a double Glorious DDT, only to be reversed midway. McIntyre connected with a big headbutt and a second Claymore to secure the victory and the NXT Championship. Following the match, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly again stormed the ring, distracting McIntyre long enough for Adam Cole to enter and sneak attack the new champion. Cole held the title up as the new stable stood dominant over the fallen McIntyre.

                A very solid match was capped off by another piece of great booking. In similar fashion to the tag title match, this match served to move several storylines ahead. Uncle Bobby's run as NXT champion was a lot of fun, and it will be great seeing him bring his “Glorious” persona to the main roster. At the same time, the win here did a lot to put McIntyre over. Many fans may still remember McIntyre from his 3MB days on the main roster; a big win over Roode here will have fans quickly forgetting those days. Lastly, the run in from Cole, along with Fish and O’Reilly, injects an immediate challenger into the main event scene, and a top tier stable to keep an eye.

All in all, a phenomenal night of wrestling. Not only did each match deliver in terms of entertainment, but each match did wonders as far as moving storylines forward. One of the trickiest aspects of NXT is replenishing talent while efficiently moving top level talent to the main roster. Takeover Brooklyn III executed this flawlessly, having established champions pass the torch to rising contenders while introducing the next batch of superstars to keep an eye on. From top to bottom, there’s not much more you can ask for from a professional wrestling show. Well done NXT, well done. 

NXT Takeover: San Antonio Preview & Predictions

NXT Takeover: San Antonio

January 28, 2017

Preview and Predictions

                NXT takes over San Antonio this Saturday for its first of four scheduled Takeover events for the 2017 calendar year. With one of the most highly anticipated Royal Rumble matches in recent memory scheduled for Sunday night, the pressure will be on the superstars of NXT to set the stage with a memorable show. This is no new task however, as three of NXT’s four Takeover specials in 2016 took place on the same weekend as a main roster pay per view. Did I mention that those three PPVs were Wrestlemania 32, Summerslam, and Survivor Series? And to top it off, Takeover arguably outperformed each of the main roster shows. With three title matches en tow, NXT Takeover looks poised to go toe to toe with Sunday’s Rumble match. Let’s take a closer look at each of the five bouts that make up the San Antonio card.

                Roderick Strong vs Andrande “Cien” Almas

                                The night kicks off with a strong bout between two highly underrated performers on the NXT roster. The definition of an “indy darling”, Strong toiled away in Ring of Honor for over a decade, winning each of their top titles. Almas, who started wrestling at the age of 13, spent eight years wowing audiences in Mexico as La Sombra. While each man has yet to connect with the audience, their ability in the ring is undeniable.

                Almas high flying ability paired with Strong’s technical proficiency ensure that we will be in for a great match. One of the best aspects of NXT is they tend to give their performers ample match time, so we can expect these two to craft a story in the ring.

                While many diehard fans know who Strong is, he remains relatively unknown to the NXT audience. For that reason, expect Strong to pick up the win here to get himself over. Don’t be surprised if it comes by a roll-up, leaving Almas angered and hellbent on getting revenge against Strong down the road. This could develop into a solid midcard feud, something NXT has consistently failed to establish outside of their main event scene.

                                Winner: Roderick Strong, likely by rollup.

                Tye Dillinger vs Eric Young

                                This is a very interesting match depending on what WWE has in line for Dillinger on Sunday night. Everyone is dying to see Dillinger be the tenth entrant into the Rumble, and it would no doubt get a huge pop from the crowd. If the plan is for Dillinger to finally go up to the main roster, then it makes sense for Young to go over here. Young is still in need of a signature win to not only put him over, but his stable as well. A win over an establish babyface like Dillinger would do just that.

                On the other hand, if Dillinger is not yet destined for the main roster, it’s tough to see him losing here. After Shinsuke Nakamura, Dillinger is the next top face in NXT, and needs to be groomed as such. While No Way Jose is over with audiences, he isn’t ready for a run at the title just yet. Dillinger needs to remain near the top of the division, a potential feud with Bobby Roode for the title being far too enticing to pass up.

                Look for Dillinger to put on a gutsy performance, but succumb to interference from Young’s Sanity teammates. A DQ seems the best finish here, allowing Dillinger to pick up the win while Young and Sanity continue to look strong and destructive. It would be great to see Dillinger make an appearance at the Rumble but remain in NXT long enough to have a feud with Uncle Bobby for the title.

                                Winner: Tye Dillinger due to DQ when Sanity interfere and injure him.

                #DIY vs Authors of Pain – NXT Tag Team Championship

               The first of three title fights presents NXT’s top babyfaces against the company’s biggest monsters. Gargano and Ciampa have developed an organic relationship with fans that will not soon be broken. Their bouts with Revival rank as some of the best of the year. Across the ring, Authors of Pain have been presented as nothing short of destroyers since they first appeared on NXT, steamrolling American Alpha. The David vs Goliath storyline is immediately present in this matchup.

While AoP have been presented as monsters, their matches with TM61 proved that the duo can be brought down with the proper offensive attack. Following their matches with the Revival in which Gargano and Ciampa pulled out all their tricks, there’s no doubt they have the crafty offensive arsenal to give the Authors of Pain fits.

Although the Authors are more than formidable opponents, it’s not quite their time to rule the division. DIY are far too over right now, and it would be a travesty to take the belts from them. Expect the Authors to come out strong early, dishing out a lot of damage to Johnny Wrestling in particular. It’s doubtful this match will last as long as some of the twenty minute classics the division has featured in the past, so we can expect roughly 8-10 minutes of DIY trying to survive before finally seizing their opportunity and picking up the win to hang on to their titles.

                Winner: DIY by late match comeback.

                Asuka vs Peyton Royce vs Billie Kay vs Nikki Cross – NXT Women’s Championship

                                After winning the NXT Women’s title at NXT Dallas last April, Asuka’s reign as champion has just eclipsed 300 days, and she is just a week away from passing Paige as the longest reigning women’s champion in NXT history. To this point, she has been untouchable, each of her foes seemingly more hopeless than the last. The Fatal Four Way stipulation raises an interesting scenario, as Asuka can now lose the championship without being pinned herself.

                If ever there was a time to take the belt off of Asuka, it would be now. While it would be a shame to end her current title run, it would be a breath of fresh air for the division. There is no doubt Asuka is ready to go up to the main roster, but unfortunately there’s no room there for her right now. With Charlotte, Sasha, Bayley and Nia on Raw, and Becky, Nikki, Alexa and Mickie on Smackdown, the divisions are crowded enough. By having someone else eat the pinfall or submission, NXT can keep Asuka safe while simultaneously boosting the stock tremendously of one of the other three women.

                Royce and Kay have been the top heels around town ever since Sasha, Nia and Alexa went to the main roster. While they have filled the role well, they seem to work better as a pair, with Royce appearing to be the slightly better performer. While it’s very possible either of them could take the title, the more likely scenario sees the two women being divided by their own desire to become women’s champion. Look for Royce to turn on Kay, throwing her friend to the wolves in some manner, ultimately leading to a split between the two and a feud.

                Though Nikki Cross is new to the scene, she has instantly come across as a formidable foe to Asuka. The unhinged psychopath could be the one to not only unseat Asuka from her throne, but also be the first to bring gold to Sanity, establishing them as the company’s top stable. Look for Cross to take advantage of Royce and Kay’s dissension to become the new NXT Women’s Champion. Asuka will win the title back, becoming the first ever two time Women’s champion, before losing the belt cleanly in Orlando to Ember Moon and making her way up to Smackdown to dominate for the summer.

                                Winner: Nikki Cross pins Billie Kaye to become the new NXT Women’s Champion.

                Shinsuke Nakamura vs Bobby Roode – NXT Heavyweight Championship

                                For the first time since October of 2015, the main event of Takeover does not feature Samoa Joe. Joe’s absence from the card has led many to believe he is a lock to enter the Royal Rumble, and is rumored to be in line for a “monster push”. Having overcome Joe in Osaka, Japan, current NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura now moves on to his newest foe, the Glorious Bobby Roode. Having already vanquished the likes of Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, and Joe, Roode appears to be the last viable foe for Nakamura before he moves up.

                Following a twelve year run with TNA in which he won eleven championships, Bobby Roode stormed into NXT Brooklyn with the presence of a superstar. Even as a heel, the Glorious One had NXT fans on his side from the moment his music hit the speakers. Believe me, I was there. Since his arrival in August, Roode has toppled midcard opposition like “Cien” Almas and Tye Dillinger. On December 21, Roode locked up his title shot by winning a fatal four way, with Almas and Dillinger being two of his three opponents.

                While Nakamura is clearly ready for the main roster, he remains in a similar situation to Asuka. With the company building towards one of its most stacked Wrestlemanias of all time, it’s hard to imagine where Nakamura could fit on that card. His presence atop the Takeover: Orlando card seems much more warranted.

                These two are absolute showmen, so expect an entertaining brawl with plenty of back and forth and plenty of banter between the two. It’s hard to see Nakamura losing here, as another championship loss this soon would surely hurt his stock a bit. At the same time, Roode seems to be too over with audiences to lose clean here as well. It’s a shot in the dark, but we could see Sanity interfere in the main event, taking out both competitors with Eric Young establishing himself in the main event picture. This allows Roode to request another match, while also posing a potential triple threat match in Orlando where Nakamura can pass off the title to either of the opposing heels.

                                Winner: Match ends in DQ when Eric Young/Sanity interfere. Sanity establishes themselves as top heels in NXT with beatdowns of Dillinger, Nakamura, Roode, and Cross’s women’s championship.