Away from the terrible working condition of the WWE Network app, its first live streaming event was a success for the simple fact that the wrestling action was rock solid.
Take away the slow streaming service (and huge problems during the last two matches. Our feed wouldn’t work on several different occasions) and lack of solid promo and show transitions, this show was one wrestling purists could savor.
While the show lacked the depth and energy of TNA, it wasn’t a league away in terms of overall quality. For those looking for another wrestling show to watch and sick of the drama in TNA, NXT is not a bad alternative.
Matches:
Sami Zayn [El Generico] vs. Antonio Cesaro: A match chock full of counters and high-flying maneuvers. Cesaro almost got the win after a Titl-a-Whirl Backbreaker and stayed in control after a vicious European Uppercut on the outside-inside-outside dive of Zayn. After more submission and strikes from Cesaro, the Real American added a nasty Titl-a-Whirl Backbreaker on the outside. Zayn fought back with a nice Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle and nearly won with a Blue Thunder Powerbomb, but Cesaro was vigilant. Zayn kept the pressure on with a Koji Clutch, but Cesaro countered into a Muffler Stretch, which Zayn nearly tapped out of. Cesaro soon went for the Swing, but Zayn countered into a Rollup for a near fall. Zayn wasn’t so lucky the second time- he got swung 10 times and then got pounded with another European Uppercut and a Face Stomp. Still fighting, Zayn hit the Hurricanrana and a Wicked Yakuza Kick in the corner to earn a near-fall of his own. After another pair of European Uppercuts, Zayn looked done for, but he continued to fight. Soon enough, the match turned into a brawl. The two then traded near-falls, with both competitors on the mat, jockeying for position and oxygen. After Zayn kicked out at one to another massive European Uppercut, shocking his opponent, but Cesaro followed it up with a beautiful spinning European Uppercut and the Neutralizer for the win.
CJ Parker vs. Mojo Rawley: The two traded strikes for a few minutes until Rawley went “Hype†and hit two Splashes in the corner and finished off Parker with a running Banzai.
NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension, Konnor and Viktor vs. Brian Christopher and Scotty Too Hotty: The match was much more back and forth than you might have thought. While the NXT Tag Champions were dominant, Too Cool fought back hard. To the fans surprise, Scotty Too Hotty nearly hit Viktor with the Worm, but after a clothesline and the Spinning Elbow/Leg Sweep Combo, the Ascension got the win.
Emma vs. NXT Women’s Champion Paige: Emma was solid early on, but Paige was a step ahead with counters and quick strikes. Emma made it a fight with the Tarantula in the corner and the Splash, but she couldn’t put Paige away. Later in the match Emma continued the onslaught as she nailed Paige with a beautiful Powerbomb, but once again, couldn’t get the victory. After a few slaps from Emma, Paige was all of a sudden woken. After her Page-Turner finisher, Paige followed it up with a nasty-looking Scorpion Crosslock for the submission victory.
Xavier Woods vs. Tyler Breeze: This match never got going as Alexander Rusev destroyed both competitors while Lana watched.
It was at this point when the WWE Network App began to freeze and stall. After several attempts to connect on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, the app would not continue the show until 45 minutes later.
Ladder Match: Adrian Neville vs. NXT Champion Bo Dallas: If you didn’t know who Adrian Neville was before this match, you sure do now. Dallas had a run last year on RAW and Smackdown and has come a long way as well. Powered by strikes, Dallas was dominant for the majority of the match. Using high-flying tacts whenever he could Neville was exciting and equally as resilient. After the match got wacky with the ladder playing a role, Neville nailed his 450 variation and then collected the title to become the new NXT Champion.
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