Short's 6/28 WWE NXT review: Seth Rollins vs. Jiro, Richie Steamboat vs. Rick Victor, Leo Kruger vs. Aiden English, The Uso Brothers vs. The Ascension, Derrick Bateman vs. Johnny Curtis, Antonio Cesaro vs. Dante Dash

By Josh Short

WWE NXT
Taped in Winter Park, Fla. at Full Sail University

The opening montage aired. Jim Ross welcomed us to the show and introduced Byron Saxton as his co-commentator. Seth Rollins made his entrance to generic heavy rock music and a decent pop; he was swinging his arms, legs and head around as if he was fighting or in a mosh pit. His opponent, Jiro, was already in the ring and got a polite response when introduced...

Ross started off by talking about how Rollins was from Iowa, a "wrestling state." He described him as a "hot prospect." Byron Saxton checked in on commentary and mentioned that Rollins has a reputation and that he has to prove it to be true...

1. Seth Rollins defeated Jiro in 1:34. Both men locked up as Ross talked about how Jiro was from Japan, Rollins quickly took down Jiro with an armbar. Rollins was described as being "unorthodox" and "defiant" by Ross. Jiro struck Seth with slap across the chest which got a good reaction from the crowd and plenty of woo’s. Seth sold it before telling Jiro to come on and motioned for him to give him another, Jiro hit another slap on Seth’s chest, he went for a third but Seth ducked it and hit three slaps to the chest of his own. Seth attempted to lock up with Jiro only for Jiro to kick him in the gut. Jiro hit the ropes however Seth countered with a clothesline. He followed it up with another clothesline before running the ropes and hitting a dropkick then an enziguri.

Seth stood in a corner while Jiro sold the enziguri in the opposite corner. Seth stomped his feet, started headbanging before hitting a cross body. He pulled Jiro into the centre of the ring, hit a spinning back kick before running the ropes and stomping on the back of Jiro’s head with one foot. Jiro sprang back up before Rollins pushed him back to the ground to sell the impact and covered him for the clean pin. Ross noted that Seth’s finisher was called "The Blackout." Seth went to the turnbuckle and headbanged before motioning to the crowd. Saxton noted that Rollins had turned a lot of heads.

After the match Briley Pierce interviewed Seth on the stage. Seth introduced himself and said that he came to NXT to do what he does best: "Rip the roots from the ground, the clouds from the sky, turn the place upside down and change the world one heart at a time"...

Jinder Mahal made his entrance, got a nice reaction from the audience and had a stare down with Rollins. Once in the ring Ross noted that Jinder will face one NXT’s "highest regarded prospects" Jason Jordan...


Short’s Synopsis: A basic squash match to introduce Seth Rollins to the audience. Jiro didn’t have any real offence apart from that slap however he sold well for Rollins, especially during Seth’s finisher. Speaking of which, some people may not like Seth finisher, however I do (and it’s not just because I think Seth named it after one of my favorite bands). In all seriousness, the move is different and eye-catching and if Seth’s opponent sells it well, like Jiro did, it can look really impactful. Overall, a nice showing for Seth and an ok but different promo at the end.

Back from a break Jinder was cutting a promo in his native language, he got a decent amount of heat as he proclaimed he will "mould NXT in my vision" and that "you all will become subservient as you witness my reign of dominance." Jason Jordan’s music interrupted him...

Jason Jordan made his entrance to good pop. Ross checked back in on commentary and noted that we were supposed to see Jordan compete last week but Damien Sandow decided not to compete...

2. Jinder Mahal defeated Jason Jordan in2:52. Both men locked up as Ross described Jordan as a "blue chipper" and noted that he attended the University of Indiana. Mahal pushed Jordan to the ropes and began striking him with elbows and knees. The strikes continued as Saxton talked about Mahal’s desire to be the best regardless of whether people liked him or not. Jinder hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Ross described Mahal as "athletically arrogant" as Mahal placed Jordan on the middle rope before practically sitting on Jordan’s neck.

Mahal hit four knees to Jordan’s chest as Saxton talked about how determined Mahal was. Ross talked about how Jordan was a former collegiate wrestler. Mahal locked in a rest hold that focused on the arm and neck. Jordan managed to get up however Mahal slammed the back of his head to the ground which drew a good reaction from the crowd. Mahal hit another knee to Jordan’s head before hitting a nice double underhook suplex and covering Jordan for a two count.

Jinder went for another knee on the grounded Jordan however he managed to move out of the way. Jordan hit two big forearms before attempting a dropkick which was countered by Mahal. Mahal went back to the knees before hitting the ropes and landing a big one. Mahal motioned to the crowd before locking the Camel Clutch. Jordan tapped out within seconds. Mahal’s win got a good amount of heat.

After the match Mahal made the referee raise his hand again. Mahal then grabbed a mic and basically cut the same promo he did prior to the match to a good amount of heat...

Short’s Synopsis: Another squash match. Jinder was able to sustain a good amount of heat throughout his promos and match however there was nothing really exciting about them. Some of the knee strikes he used looked vicious however he used far too many of them, this made me get quite bored whenever I saw that he was going for them as I never thought that the match would end after yet another one of them. As for Jordan, there was nothing really you could say about him except for that he looks athletic however this is because this match was all Jinder.

A video introduced Leo Kruger. African music was played in the background. He described himself as the "alpha male lion" and talked about how he is seen as a god in his native South Africa. Byron Saxton hyped that Leo’s NXT in-ring debut would be next.

Dolph Ziggler looked back at the first edition of Raw for his 1000’th episode of Raw video. He mentioned that Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was one of his favourites.

Leo Kruger made his entrance to music that resembles traditional national anthems and the type of music that you might hear at football (soccer) games. His opponent, Aiden English, was introduced in the ring. Ross stated that unlike the Chicago Cubs Aiden English was looking for a huge victory as Saxton laughed and hyped Leo Kruger’s in-ring debut.

3. Leo Kruger defeated Aiden English in 1:23. Both men went to lock up however Kruger kicked English in the gut. He hit a club to the back before Irish whipping English towards the ropes. English hit a dropkick and went for another however Kruger countered it as Ross mentioned that Kruger knows some very wealthy people. Kruger then started throwing punches at the grounded English. Kruger Irish whipped English into the corner as Ross continued to talk about how despite Kruger’s privileged background he does have a mean streak.

Kruger hit a nice unique double stomp in the corner and held on as the referee counted to four. Kruger followed with a great snap suplex before posing for the crowd. Kruger ran the ropes and hit a double axe handle to the grounded English. He then set up his finisher: a sleeper with body scissors. As soon as Kruger locked it in English tapped out. Kruger kept the hold on for a few seconds before eventually releasing the hold and posing to the crowd...

Short’s Synopsis: Yet another squash. I know that they want to introduce as much talent as quickly as possible but three in a row is quite annoying. As for the match itself, Kruger looked very crisp in the ring and that snap suplex looked great. Aiden English was basically not introduced, you were told his name, that’s it. However the video that introduced Kruger was great, I was really interested in his character as it was quite different from the usual "alpha male" "king of the jungle" stuff we’re used to. I look forward to seeing where he goes, which is something new to me as I found him quite boring whenever I watched him on FCW.

A video introduced Richie Steamboat. It was even better than Kruger’s. Richie modestly talked about trying to fill his own boots rather than his father’s. He noted his different in-ring style and said that he wants the people to make their assumptions of him in the ring...

The Uso’s performed the Hakka as they made their entrance. William Regal and Chris Russo (don’t worry guys, no relation to Vince) replaced Byron Saxton on commentary. Summer Rae introduced the Uso’s as the "Oso’s." The Ascension made their elaborate entrance...

4. The Ascension (Kenneth Cameron & Conor O’Brian) defeated The Uso’s (Jimmy and Jey) in 3:41. The bell rand and Kenneth Cameron did a quick "morph" into his more aggressive persona, it looks like a better looking version of what Festus used to do. Regal noted The Ascensions aggression as Cameron went for repeated headbutts, each time holding his head in pain to sell the toughness of the Samoan skull. Bloody hell. The Uso in the ring did some body popping before hitting a headbutt of his own. The Uso’s tagged, Irish-whipped Cameron and hit a double elbow to his chest whilst he came back off the ropes followed by another whilst he sold on the ground.

The Uso went for the cover but Cameron kicked out immediately. Russo tried to make the point about the Uso’s having amazing chemistry due to being twins but Ross then talked about how he and Regal had chemistry despite being from different continents. As this was happening the Uso followed up with another headbutt, a scoop slam and a falling headbutt. He made the cover but Cameron kicked out immediately again. The Uso Irish-whipped Cameron however he came back with a kick as the commentators started talking about Regal’s infamous twins. Cameron struck the non-legal Uso and then turned about and Irish-whipped the legal Uso through the middle of the ropes and to the outside which got a good reaction and a gasp from the crowd.

Cameron aggressively tagged in O’Brian as they replayed Cameron Irish-whipping the Uso out of the ring. O’Brian hit repeated vicious strikes to the Uso before Irish-whipping the Uso into the corner and being tagged out by Cameron. The Ascension started some quick fire tags with each other as the stomped on the Uso in the corner. The commentators praised this. O’Brian went for a cover before locking in a rest hold, the Uso managed to get out and hit his spinning headbutt.

Both teams made the tag, the Uso cleaned house with a couple of clotheslines and a Samoan drop. He motioned for the crowd and hit the manoeuvre in which he runs and hits his opponent in the style of Umaga who is sat down in the corner. He made the cover but Conor O’Brian broke it up. After O’Brian and the non-legal Uso fought on the outside O’Brian made the blind tag as The Ascension hit the Down Cast (swinging jawbreaker/flapjack combo) for the 1-2-3. After the match The Ascension were booed quiet loudly. They slid out of the ring as The Uso’s looked on and the commentators questioned who could stop The Ascension now that they’ve beaten The Uso’s. The Ascension continued to "morph"...

Short’s Synopsis: A short albeit good match. Both teams got to show their signature moves and the contrast in styles worked well. We also got a lot more about The Ascension gimmick than last week. The morphing, the viciousness, the screaming and the enjoyment of pain added a lot more to their characters, don’t get me wrong this isn’t your standard vampire gimmick, this is something new and unique (if you haven’t seen the Underworld films). The only problem I have with the gimmick is that you can’t really cheer or boo them one way or another. The viciousness and sinister feel makes them appear to be heels so you want to boo them but they look quite cool so you want cheer them. It’s an awkward position but if they can make it work then they’ll bring something fresh and new to the main two shows.

After the break Richie Steamboat made his entrance to little reaction followed by a nice reaction once his name was mentioned. Rick Victor was introduced and got little to no heat...

5. Richie Steamboat defeated Rick Victor in 4:24. The match started with some chain wrestling. The Steamboat chants started immediately as Ross talked about his heritage and the fact that Ricky Steamboat is in attendance. Saxton checked back in on commentary and talked about the pressure that Richie was under as he hit two armdrags. Ricky Steamboat was shown at ringside. Richie focused on the arm and kept Victor grounded. Victor managed to get up, attempted a scoop slam but Richie managed to hold onto Victor’s arm and flip him before going back to the rest hold. Steamboat hit a couple of chops to Victor which drew loud woo! Chants from the crowd. Saxton made a good point about Victor capitalizing on the pressure that Steamboat is under and what a win over him would do for his career.

Steamboat a nice snapmare takeover followed by a sick looking clothesline to a seated Victor, he made the cover but Victor kicked out at one. Steamboat went back to the rest hold. Victor managed to get out of it again and hit numerous uppercuts. Victor whipped Richie into the opposite corner however Richie sprung out of it and hit a nice chop followed by another armdrag and going back to the rest hold. A short time later Richie hit a nice running cross body followed by repeated clotheslines. He hit several back elbows in the corner as the Steamboat chants started again. Steamboat followed up with the Sling Blade (Spinning Sleeper Slam) which Victor sold brilliantly for the clean win. Ricky Steamboat was shown cheering and Richie pointed towards him smiling. He then double high fived and hugged his dad...

Jim Ross hyped the main event of Johnny Curtis vs. Derrick Bateman as "one of the most competitive main events you’re ever gonna see here on NXT"...

A video hyped that Antonio Cesaro would be competing next.

The Raw Rebound focused on the Chris Jericho vs. John Cena match and Big Show’s attack afterwards.

Short’s Synopsis: An ok match. It wasn’t as even or as good as the previous match but it was still a decent effort. Like Seth, Jinder and Kruger, Richie Steamboat was being showcased here. Victor sold well and his uppercuts looked good. As for Steamboat I understand wanting to make a firm connection to his father as a way of gaining fan support but a last name will only get you so far, Richie used far too many rest holds in that match, it reminded me of when Tyson Kidd would use them instead them all the time, granted Kidd was a heel at the time and it may have been a way of garnering heat however Richie is a babyface and should be using more of his exciting moves and far less rest holds. On the upside, he is very sound in the ring and he got a good reaction once his match started...

Back from the break Antonio Cesaro made his entrance alongside Aksana. Dante Dash, his opponent, was introduced in the ring...

6. Antonio Cesaro defeated Dante Dash in 1:46. Dash is a big guy but Cesaro quickly picked him up from behind and took him down as Ross mentioned Cesaro’s rugby background. He hit a gutwrench suplex followed by a kick to the back which got a nice reaction from the crowd. Saxton described it as a "rugby style kick." I must admit, it did look like one. Cesaro locked in a chin lock as Ross spoke of how Cesaro can speak multiple languages, how intelligent he is and how he wrestled all over the world.

Dash tried to come back but Cesaro hit a sick looking European uppercut. He then charged at and tackled Dash into the corner in a rugby style before landing several shots and a big boot. Aksana was shown smiling and clapping. Cesaro followed up with an unorthodox looking spinebuster similar to how rugby players take each other down and his finisher: The Neutraliser (Cradle Belly to Back Inverted Mat Slam) for the clean pin. After the match Aksana and Cesaro kissed...

The main event of Johnny Curtis vs. Bateman was hyped. Ross declared it as a "must win" for both guys...

A Bray Wyatt video aired. It was similar to the one last week only this time it showed him helping people that weren’t really there. Wow...

Short’s Synopsis: Cesaro looked impressive. Granted that was mainly due to the fact that he was destroying a guy much bigger than he is. Cesaro’s uppercut looked great and as rugby league fan I liked how much of his rugby background he worked into the match. It may not be the best gimmick in the world but Cesaro makes me believe he could probably be a professional rugby player right now due to the amount of commitment he gives to that part of his character. Speaking of commitment, I completely believe in Husky Harris’ new gimmick. The fact that they showed people that weren’t really there supporting him and joining him shows how layered and multi-dimensional this gimmick can be. Wyatt plays it perfectly. I really hope WWE doesn’t screw this gimmick and Wyatt up because there is something very unique in comparison to the rest of what WWE showcases in Wyatt.

"Creepy Curty" Johnny Curtis made his entrance followed by Derrick Bateman. Neither got a great reaction. Considering this is the main event. Ouch...

7. Derrick Bateman defeated Johnny Curtis in 3:46. Curtis slapped the hell right out of Bateman before running outside the ring which resulted in a good amount of heat. Curtis ran back in the ring and tried to drop a knee on Bateman who managed to avoid it and hit a dropkick. Bateman hit a slap of his own on Curtis who was in the corner. Bateman went for the cover and got a two.

A "let’s get weird chant" for Johnny Curtis started but quickly faded out as Bateman missed a dropkick in the corner. Curtis took advantage by hitting a great looking Dragon Screw. He followed up with knees to Bateman’s legs as Ross hyped a divas match without mentioning who specifically and the debut of Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero). Curtis continued to focus on the legs, at one point locking in an Indian Deathlock. Curtis had a weird expression on his face. Bateman managed to get out of the hold with repeated chops.

Bateman made his comeback with multiple clotheslines whilst favouring his left knee. He hit a unique looking STO and started to hit the floor to get the crowd to react to him. A "Derrick Bateman" chant started. Curtis kicked Bateman in the leg, went for a Dragon Screw but Bateman countered and hit the DBD (Headlock Snapmare Driver/Modified DDT) for the clean win...

Ross hyped next week’s episode and closed the show...

Short’s Synopsis: A good effort from the former Florida Tag Team Champions. They managed to get the crowd into their match once they started and the final moments with Curtis attempting the Dragon Screw only to get caught with the DBD were entertaining. Curtis is great as his character. He plays it perfectly.

Overall, this was a decent edition of the new NXT, we were introduced to some new superstars. The main event was decent. The video packages and commentary helped me to really invest in the new characters, the tag team match was good and character development of The Ascension was great.