NXT Takeover: Chicago Recap #NXTTakeover

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

NXT Takeover: Chicago was live in the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois, at the Allstate Arena. Home of some of the greatest sports franchises in history. Also home of some of the best damn pizza ever created, sorry New York, I'd take a Chicago deep dish pizza at Giordano's in downtown Chicago any day of the week.

WWE brings us day one of their two day pay per view event, with Smackdown Live taking place Sunday night. All the major NXT titles were on the line tonight and a lot more.

** NXT Takeover: Chicago Card **

- NXT World Champion Bobby Roode defended his title against Hideo Itami.
- NXT World Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain defended their titles against #DIY in a Ladder Match.
- NXT Women's Champion Asuka defended her title against Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot in a Triple Threat Match.
- WWE United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate defended his title against Pete Dunne.
- Roderick Strong battled SAnitY leader Eric Young.

** Tommaso Ciampa Update **
Tommaso Ciampa suffered an ankle injury during an NXT house show on Thursday night. Many have been speculating on whether or not Ciampa would be able to compete with Johnny Gargano against The Authors of Pain in their Ladder Match tonight. Early Saturday afternoon, Ciampa was shown getting his ankle heavily taped up so it appears Ciampa will be good to go for NXT Takeover: Chicago.

** NXT Takeover: Chicago **

- Eric Young vs. Roderick Strong: Young consistently uses Dain and Wolfe to get in cheap shots and distractions on Strong and the referee throughout the match. The match closes out with both men trading shots until Young drops Strong. Young goes to the top rope, Strong cuts Young off, goes for a superplex, but takes a Young head butt sending Strong to the mat. Young hits the flying elbow drop on Strong and gets a near fall. Young attempts to hit Youngblood, but Strong counters with a near fall rollup. Strong lands two kicks on Young, kicks Dain off the apron and then tosses Young into Wolfe, who also jumped on the apron. Young rakes Strong in the eyes and goes to the top rope. Strong cuts Young off and both men battle on the ropes back and forth. Strong hits a jumping knee on Young that sends Young flying off the top rope and on top of Dain and Wolfe outside. Young gets back inside the ring and ends up taking the backbreaker from Strong. Strong covers and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall.

- "WWE United Kingdom Championship Match": Tyler Bate (c) vs. Pete Dunne: The match closes out with Bate airplane spinning Dunne and getting a near fall. Dunne hits a forearm and a sit down power bomb for a near fall. Both men are up and trade shots back and forth until Bate drops Dunne. Dunne hits an enziguri, but gets taken out and nearly pinned by Bate. More back and forth action until Bate attempts Tyler Driver 97. Dunne counters it and attempts the Bitter End. Bate counters that and lays Dunne out with a DDT. Fans erupt with "Holy S***" and "Fight Forever" chants. Dunne rolls outside where Bate flies off the top rope and takes Dunne out with a moonsault. Back in the ring, Bate hits a corkscrew 450 on Dunne and gets a near fall. Fans erupt with "UK" chants as Bate runs the ropes. Dunne dodges a charging Bate and Bate gets laid out on the floor. Dunne pulls Bate back into the ring, hits the Bitter End and scores the pinfall to win the title.
Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall, to win the WWE United Kingdom Championship.

- "NXT Women's Championship, Triple Threat Match": Asuka (c) vs. Nikki Cross vs. Ruby Riot: The match closes out with Asuka hitting a german suplex on Ruby for a near fall. Nikki counters a german suplex from Asuka, plants Asuka and gets a near fall. Asuka and Ruby trade offense and pinfall attempts until Asuka traps Ruby in the Asuka Lock submission. Nikki hits a splash to break the submission and then sends Ruby outside. Nikki has Asuka on the apron and unloads strikes on her. Nikki drags Asuka into the corner and then hits a hanging neck breaker for a near fall, as Ruby breaks it up. Nikki and Ruby charge each other and connect on each other with cross body block attempts. Asuka is back in, but gets tossed right back out to the floor. Ruby hits a Pele Kick on Nikki and gets a near fall, after Asuka breaks up the pinfall, hitting a running knee. Both Ruby and Nikki are knocked out as Asuka falls on top of both ladies and scores the pinfall to retain her title.
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall, to retain the NXT Women's Championship.

- We get a highlight video of "The Velveteen Dream" Patrick Clark making his NXT debut this Wednesday night.  

- "NXT World Championship Match": Bobby Roode (c) vs. Hideo Itami: The match closes out with both men brawling on the floor. Roode gets sent into the steel steps shoulder first and Itami misses a drop kick hitting the steel steps. Both men barely make it back into the ring before the countout and the match continues. Roode and Itami trade shots until Itami takes control and sends Roode into the corner. Itami hits the hesitation drop kick, goes for Go To Sleep, but his leg gives out from crashing into the steel steps. Roode hits the Glorious DDT, but gets a near fall. Itami catches Roode and nails Go To Sleep, but Roode falls outside to the floor. Itami rolls Roode back into the ring and covers, but Roode kicks out at two and a half. Roode counters another Go To Sleep with a rollup, but Itami counters with his own rollup and gets a near fall. Itami counters the Glorious DDT and unloads on Roode. Itami pulls down the knee pad and goes for Go To Sleep on Roode. Roode counters and hits the Glorious DDT. Roode pulls Itami back up, hits another Glorious DDT and scores the pinfall to retain his title.
Winner: Bobby Roode, by pinfall, to retain the NXT World Championship.

- "NXT World Tag Team Championship, Ladder Match": Authors of Pain (c) vs. #DIY: The match closes out with the AOP climbing for the titles. Ciampa runs up the ladder and cuts off Rezar. Ciampa sends Rezar flying off the ladder and right through another ladder lying down below. Akam climbs for the titles, but Gargano follows. Akam shoves Gargano to the side and then kicks Gargano as he hangs on. #DIY unload kicks on Akam and then wrap a Ladder around Akam's head. #DIY hit Akam with Meet In The Middle and Ciampa clutches his injured leg. #DIY set up a ladder and begin to climb to the titles.

#DIY are about to unhook the titles when suddenly AOP kick out the ladder from under them. #DIY are hanging on for dear life, grasping onto the hook that the titles are hooked to. AOP grab #DIY from off the hook and hit a double power bomb and then the Super Collider. AOP climb the ladder and grab the titles for the victory. 
Winners: Authors of Pain, by title retrieval, to retain the NXT World Tag Team Championship.

- #DIY Disbands: After the match, the fans give Ciampa and Gargano a standing ovation. Ciampa and Gargano share a bro hug and head up to the NXT stage as fans continue to applaud their effort. Ciampa bro hugs Gargano again when suddenly........Ciampa turns on Gargano and launches him head first into the LED board on the stage. Ciampa mounts Gargano and unloads punches as the fans reign the boos. Ciampa measures Gargano and knees Gargano's head off. Ciampa pulls down his knee pad and knees Gargano's head off again. The fans chant "F*** You Ciampa" as Ciampa tosses Gargano onto the announcers table. Ciampa scoops up Gargano and falls backwards off the stage, putting himself and Gargano through tables below. Ciampa climbs back on top of the announcers table and takes in the "A**hole" chants to end the show.

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 5/11/17: NXT Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

We're back this week with another exciting NXT Recap! Just who would walk out tonight the new #1 Contender to Bobby Roode's NXT World Championship at NXT Takeover: Chicago? Would it be Hideo Itami or Roderick Strong? By the end of the night the NXT Takeover: Chicago card would be close to if not fully finalized and ready to invade the windy city.

** This Weeks Card **
- Aleister Black battled Cezar Bononi.
- #DIY battled Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss.
- Hideo Itami battled Roderick Strong in a #1 Contenders Match for a shot at the NXT World Champion Bobby Roode.

** Promos By: #DIY

*** NXT ***

- Aleister Black vs. Cezar Bononi: The match closes out with Bononi giving Black a little bit more of an offense than what Black has been used to. Black finally unloads a series of strikes and delivers Black Mass to score the pinfall.
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall.

- William Regal announces that Asuka will have to defend her NXT Women's Championship at NXT Takeover: Chicago in a Fatal Four Way Match against Ruby Riot, Nikki Cross and Ember Moon as punishment for ruining the #1 Contenders Battle Royal last week.

- Ember Moon, however, has a shoulder sprain, which you can read about in this weekend's Weekend 3 Count on Sunday. Ember promises she'll be gunning for Asuka when she returns.

- Video highlights are shown of Pete Dunne winning a #1 Contenders Match. It'll be WWE United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate battling Pete Dunne at NXT Takeover: Chicago.

- Ruby Riot gets a video highlight reel this week on her career and personal life.

- Backstage, Nikki Cross is attempted to be interviewed, but demands her opponents and the NXT Women's Championship. Nikki terrorizes the sound guy and messes with the microphones.

- Backstage, Drew McIntyre gets interrupted by Wesley Blake who tells McIntyre he needs to leave before he embarrasses himself like he did in his first WWE run a few years back.

- #DIY Promo: Gargano and Ciampa hype The Authors of Pain as being the biggest and baddest, but #DIY never got their rightful one on one rematch for the NXT World Tag Team Championship. Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss interrupt and state that the line needs to start behind them now that they have arrived. Ciampa says there is a line and they just crossed it. #DIY attack and we get an impromptu match.

- #DIY vs. Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli: The match closes out with Moss and Sabbatelli putting up a good fight against #DIY. Gargano hits a spear on Moss and Sabbatelli gets tossed. #DIY hit their double team finisher and score the pinfall. After the match, William Regal announces that at NXT Takeover: Chicago it'll be The Authors of Pain defending their NXT World Tag Team Championship against #DIY in a Ladder Match. Paul Ellering promises that the AOP will end #DIY's careers.
Winners: #DIY, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Kassius Ohno talks about coming up short against Bobby Roode and the NXT World Championship last month. Andrade "Cien" Almas interrupts and says that he has an opportunity for Ohno.

- Video highlights of WWE United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate.

- "#1 Contenders Match": Roderick Strong vs. Hideo Itami: The match closes out with both men trading shots. Itami hits a Falcon Arrow off the top rope on Strong for a near fall. Strong hits a leaping knee strike and gets a near fall. Itami hits his own leaping knee strike then attempts the Go To Sleep. Strong counters out, but catches a running drop kick into the corner. Itami goes for Go To Sleep again, but Strong counters again with forearms on Itami. Itami catches Strong and finally hits Go To Sleep and scores the pinfall to become the new #1 Contender.
Winner: Hideo Itami, by pinfall, to become the new #1 Contender.

NXT Takeover: Orlando #NXTTakeOverOrlando #NXTOrlando

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Twas the night before Wrestlemania 33 and what a GLORIOUS night it was! NXT Takeover: Orlando was live at the Amway Center, in Orlando, Florida! NXT World Champion "The Glorious One" Bobby Roode defended his title against former 2 time NXT World Champion, the King of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura. NXT Women's Champion Asuka, who one year ago tonight won the title, defended against Ember Moon. NXT World Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain defended their titles against The Revival and #DIY in a Triple Threat Elimination Match. Aleister Black made his NXT debut as he battled Andrade "Cien" Almas in a one on one match. Eric Young, Alexader Wolfe, Killian Dain and Nikki Cross aka SAnitY battled "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong, No Way Jose and Ruby Riot in an Eight Person Tag Team Match.

** NXT Takeover: Orlando **

- Triple H is in the ring under a spotlight to kick off the show. Triple H says that tonight is our night, we make history, we show the world why we're NXT and tonight we are home!

- It was announced on the Takeover: Orlando Pre-Show that No Way Jose was viciously attacked earlier in the day by Eric Young at the Wrestlemania Axxess event and has not been cleared to wrestle tonight. William Regal gives Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong and Ruby Riot the chance to find a new partner for their Eight Person Tag Team Match tonight.

- "Eight Person Tag Team Match": SAnitY vs. Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong, Ruby Riot and ????: Kassius Ohno is chosen as the mystery partner at the very last minute. The match closes out with Dillinger making the hot tag and unloads on everyone. Dillinger with a big DDT on Wolfe, hits a crossbody on Wolfe off the top rope and then suicide dives outside, taking out Eric Young. Dain attacks Dillinger, Strong makes the save, but Strong gets attacked by Wolfe. Ohno takes out Wolfe on the floor, but Ohno gets dropped by Dain on the floor. Ruby tries a suicide dive, but gets stopped by Nikki, so Ruby unloads on Nikki instead and both fall outside.

Dillinger corner mounts Young, unloads ten punches, drops Young and then super kicks Dain for a near fall. Ohno hits an elbow on Wolfe, but gets attacked by Young. Strong gets involved and plants a kick on Young, knocking Young out. Nikki jumps onto Strong's back as Ruby jumps on Dain's back. Nikki goes after Ruby, but gets tossed outside. Nikki hits a dropkick on Ruby, as Ruby followed Nikki outside. Dain stops Dillinger from hitting the Tye Breaker on Wolfe, drills Dillinger into the mat and scores the pinfall.
Winners: SAnitY, by pinfall.

- Aleister Black vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas: The match closes out with Almas in control of Black, taking him to the corner and unloading. Almas goes for a charge, but Black moves, Almas hits the turnbuckle and Black gets a near fall. Almas and Black trade shots back and forth and then they plant kicks on each other at the same time, dropping both men to the mat. Both men are up, trade offense until Almas plants a kick right to the back of Black's neck. Almas tosses Black into the corner, charges and hits double knees on Black. Black counters a DDT, but Almas counters back with a snapping german suplex for a near fall. Black is up, connects with jumping knees on Almas and then drills Almas with a boot. Almas and Black trade more offense until Black puts Almas down face first to the mat. Black hits a spinning kick to the face of Almas and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall.

- "NXT World Tag Team Championship, Triple Threat Elimination Match": Authors of Pain (c) vs. The Revival vs. #DIY:

** First Elimination: The Revival hit the ring and double team Rezar. Gargano and Ciampa hit the ring next and join in on the 4 on 2 beat down on the AOP. The Revival and #DIY start trading blows back and forth now. Gargano and Wilder stop swinging on each other and both suicide dive onto Akam and Rezar outside. Wilder goes to the top rope and super plexes Gargano all the way out to the floor and on top of everyone, taking all six men out. Dawson tosses Ciampa into the ring, but Rezar comes in and decks Dawson. Akam and Rezar grab Ciampa and hit The Last Chapter for the pinfall, eliminating #DIY, and getting a bullshit chant from the crowd started.

** Final Elimination: AOP double team Wilder and go for a double team move. Dawson makes the save and The Revival hit german suplexes for a near fall. AOP go for The Last Chapter on Dawson, but Wilder makes the save and gets another near fall. AOP grab Dawson and Wilder and drill both men with power bombs. Dawson can barely stand, but somehow fights back and gets another near fall on Rezar. AOP hit the Super Collider on Wilder and Dawson, score the pinfall and retain the tag team titles.
Winners: The Authors of Pain, by pinfall, to retain the NXT World Tag Team Championship.

- "NXT Women's Championship Match": Asuka (c) vs. Ember Moon: The match closes out with Ember connecting with a drop kick on Asuka, follows that with a knee and then a fall away slam. Ember continues to unload on Asuka, until Asuka catches Ember with a german suplex for a near fall. Ember and Asuka trade shots back and forth until Ember drops Asuka with a forearm. Ember suplexes Asuka and gets a near fall. Ember sets up Asuka for the Eclipse Stunner, but Asuka meets Ember on the ropes and cuts off the finisher. Ember fights off Asuka and sends her flying off the ropes to the mat. Ember resets for the Eclipse Stunner, but Asuka shoves the referee into the ropes causing Ember to lose her balance and fall off the ropes. Asuka nails Ember with the Asuka Kick and scores the pinfall. Asuka remains undefeated and her title reign is over a year now.
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall, to retain the NXT Women's Championship.

- Drew Galloway, formally Drew McIntyre of the WWE is spotted sitting in the crowd.

- "NXT World Championship Match": Bobby Roode (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: The match closes out with Roode and Nakamura trading offensive moves with each other. Nakamura drops Roode and goes for the Kinshasa, but Roode escapes to the floor. Roode comes back into the ring and catches Nakamura with the Glorious DDT for a near fall. Roode growing irritated, goes to the floor, grabs the ring bell and brings it into the ring. The referee steps in, warns Roode about having the bell and then takes it away from Roode. Nakamura drops Roode while he's distracted by the referee and then hits an exploder suplex on Roode. Roode counters the Kinshasa by planting Nakamura with a spinebuster and gets another near fall. Roode and Nakamura trade shots and more offense until Nakamura blasts Roode in the face with a knee for a near fall. Nakamura takes Roode into the corner where Roode suddenly drills Nakamura with the Glorious DDT right out of the corner to score the pinfall and retain the title.
Winner: Bobby Roode, by pinfall, to retain the NXT World Championship.

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon 3/23/17: NXT Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, brings you this week's NXT recap.

This week's NXT saw Oney Lorcan battle Andrade "Cien" Almas in one on one action. NXT Women's Champion Asuka battled Priscilla Zuniga in a one on one non title match. The main event of the show saw SAnitY battle Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong and No Way Jose in a Six Man Tag Team Match.

** NXT **

- Oney Lorcan vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas: The match closes out with Almas countering a suplex and striking Lorcan. Lorcan plants a headbutt, but Almas hits a springboard Pele Kick. Lorcan lands more strikes, but Almas delivers a lariat. Lorcan ends up in the corner where Almas hits the running double knees on him. Almas plants Lorcan with the Hammerlock DDT and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Andrade "Cien" Almas, by pinfall.

- Backstage, #DIY state that they've been around the world, competed in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, defeated The Revival for the NXT World Tag Team Championship and now are dealing with The Authors of Pain, a team that has no love for the business. #DIY thank their fans and promise to have their moment at Takeover: Orlando.

- Asuka vs. Priscilla Zuniga: Before the match, Asuka sends a warning to Ember Moon and kicks Priscilla's head off. The match closes out with Asuka delivering a hip attack on Priscilla and then plants another kick to the head. Asuka covers, but pulls Priscilla up at two and a half, breaking the pinfall. Asuka finally locks Priscilla in the Asuka Lock submission and gets the tap out victory. After the match, Asuka sends another warning to Ember Moon in Japanese.
Winner: Asuka, by submission.

- Backstage, The Revival state that they've studied the greats and have brought the best of the past to the present. The Revival state that no one has fought as hard as they have to get where they are now.

- Backstage, Tye Dillinger, No Way Jose and Roderick Strong hype their match tonight against SAnitY and state that they have the numbers game evened out now.

- Interview With Kassius Ohno: An interview with Kassius Ohno took place last week after his NXT World Championship Match loss to Bobby Roode. Elias Samson interrupts singing Ohno a song about him failing and not belonging in NXT. Ohno challenges Samson to a "Loser Leaves NXT Match". Samson accepts the challenge.

- "Six Man Tag Team Match": SAnitY vs. Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong and No Way Jose: The match closes out with Nikki Cross getting involved and grabbing Jose's leg, allowing Wolfe to land a big boot. Jose gets worked over by SAnitY until finally tagging Strong, who unloads on everyone. Strong hits backbreakers on everyone and gets a near fall on Young after Dain breaks the pinfall. All six men brawl, forcing the referee to throw the match out.

After the match, Dillinger mud hole stomps Young in the corner until Nikki jumps on Dillinger's back. NXT newcomer Ruby Riot debuts by hitting the ring and laying out Nikki. Dillinger sends Young to the floor, Wolfe gets tossed out and all three men drop Dain. Strong, Jose, Dillinger and Ruby stand tall to end the show.
Winners: No Contest.

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon 2/9/17: NXT Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, brings you this week's NXT recap.

This week's NXT saw Dain and Wolfe of SAnitY battle The Bollywood Boyz in tag team action. Liv Morgan battled Billie Kay in women's division action. The Revival battled Heavy Machinery in tag team action. The new NXT World Champion Bobby Roode had his Glorious Celebration. The main event saw Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong and No Way Jose battle SAnitY in six man tag team action.

** NXT **

- SAnitY (Dain and Wolfe) vs. The Bollywood Boyz: The match closes out with The Boyz attempting a double super kick, but Dain plows both men over with a clothesline. Dain slams both Boyz on top of each other and then hits the Michinoku Driver to score the pinfall. After the match, Nikki Cross screams for Asuka. Eric Young tells Tye Dillinger that he again  isn't asking Dillinger to join SAnitY, he's demanding him to join.
Winners: SAnitY, by pinfall.

- Liv Morgan vs. Billie Kay: The match closes out with Billie suplexing Liv for a near fall. Peyton Royce tries to help Billie, but gets sent flying after Liv shoved Billie into her. Liv rolls up Billie and bridges it to score the pinfall.
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Tye Dillinger talks about Takeover and the Royal Rumble. SAnitY suddenly attack Dillinger from behind and beat down Dillinger all the way out to the ring. Roderick Strong and No Way Jose hit the ring and make the save for Dillinger.

- Backstage, William Regal announces that Tyler Bate will defend his WWE United Kingdom Championship next week against Trent Seven. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay interrupt and demand a match with Liv Morgan. Regal announces a tag match for next week against Liv Morgan and a partner of her choice.

- It's announced that Shinsuke Nakamura won't need surgery, but a return time is still unknown.

- The Revival vs. Heavy Machinery: The match closes out with Dozovic hitting a side slam on Dawson and tags in Knight, who cleans house. Wilder pulls Dozovic off the apron and attacks him outside. Knight tries to make the save, but gets planted with the Dawson DDT, allowing The Revival to score the pinfall. After the match, The Revival call out the NXT World Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain and challenge them to a match at Takeover: Orlando. AOP hit the ring, but The Revival retreat. The AOP celebrate and get caught off guard by The Revival who return and attack AOP from behind. The Revival again retreat before the AOP can regroup.
Winners: The Revival, by pinfall.

- Bobby Roode's Glorious Celebration: Roode says he's not the type to say that he told you so....but....wait yes he is, he told you so. Roode hypes everyone that Shinsuke Nakamura has beaten in NXT, but he's never beaten Bobby Roode. Roode jokes that Nakamura gave everything he had and still couldn't get the job done. Roode says his win was the greatest moment in NXT, NXT now have a real champion, this is his NXT and NXT is now....GLORIOUS!

- "Six Man Tag Team Match": Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong, No Way Jose vs. SAnitY (Eric Young, Dain and Wolfe): The match closes out with Dillinger slamming Wolfe and tagging in Strong. Strong unloads and takes out all of SAnitY. Strong drop kicks EY and a six man brawl breaks out. Nikki Cross interferes and head scissors Dillinger over the top rope. Dain plows over Strong and EY scores the pinfall.
Winners: SAnitY, by pinfall.

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon 1/19/17: NXT Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, brings you this week's NXT recap.

This week's NXT saw Nikki Cross battle Kennedy Lewis in one on one Women's Division action. Roderick Strong battled Steve Cutler in one on one action. Tye Dillinger decides on where he should go next with his career. TM61 battled The Revival in tag team division action. Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode met face to face in their contract signing for the NXT World Championship at Takeover: San Antonio.

*** NXT ***

- Nikki Cross vs. Kennedy Lewis: The match closes out with Nikki making very quick work of Kennedy, scoring the pinfall with a spinning neck breaker.
Winner: Nikki Cross, by pinfall.

- Backstage, No Way Jose says he'll be the same fun loving guy in 2017 like he was in 2016. Kona Reeves interrupts and blames Jose for not helping him when he got jumped by SAnitY. Reeves and Jose decide to settle things in the ring soon.

- Backstage, The Revival state that 2017 will be another great year for them and they should be getting tag team title shots. TM61 interrupt and tell The Revival they had their chances and need to earn them again like everyone else.

- Roderick Strong vs. Steve Cutler: The match closes out with Cutler hitting a running stomp on Strong for a near fall. Strong escapes a rear naked choke and unloads a series of forearms on Cutler. Strong hits a running knee on Cutler and then scores the pinfall after a Sick Kick.
Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Ember Moon says she wants her shot at the NXT Women's Championship after NXT Takeover: San Antonio. Liv Morgan interrupts and says she wants a shot too. Liv suggests a match against Ember with the winner going after the title. Ember accepts the challenge.

- Tye Dillinger Promo: Dillinger asks himself what is next and the fans chant "Royal Rumble, Number 10". Dillinger questions his talents and gives thanks to those around him. SAnitY suddenly interrupts and heads out to the NXT ramp. Eric Young says Dillinger doesn't have it anymore, but could have it all again if he joins them. Wolfe gives Dillinger a SAnitY jacket, but Dillinger throws it away. Young gets in the ring and tries to talk some sense into Dillinger's career choice and then says he's not asking Dillinger to join...he's demanding him to join. Dillinger accepts the jacket, but then throws it down, throws up a ten signal and blasts Young in the mouth. Dillinger goes for the Perfect Ten on Young, but Big Damo suddenly hits the ring and spears Dillinger. SAnitY leave Dillinger laid out and Damo accepts the jacket and joins the faction.

- TM61 vs. The Revival: The match closes out with The Revival hitting Shatter Machine on Thorne. Miller hits the ring and cleans house on The Revival. Wilder catches Miller and plants him with a spine buster. The Revival go for Shatter Machine on Miller, but Thorne knocks down Wilder. Miller small packages Dawson and scores the pinfall. After the match, The Revival attack and beat down Thorne and Miller. The Revival destroy Thorne's knee and leave him in pain as NXT medical check on him.
Winners: TM61, by pinfall.

- NXT World Championship Contract Signing: NXT GM William Regal, NXT World Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode all meet in the ring. Roode says this match will be a huge money match for NXT. Roode says that Nakamura is the king of strong style, but he really has no style and then insults Nakamura's haircut and clothes. Nakamura calls Roode a Japanese dog and makes fun of Roode's suits. Roode calls Japan the land of zero talent and Roode claims to be the "It Factor of Sports Entertainment". Roode says that when he wins the NXT World Championship it'll be..... Nakamura cuts off Roode and says he looks good but he will never win the NXT World Championship. Nakamura promises to kick off Roode's head at Takeover: San Antonio and THAT will be GLORIOUS. The contract is signed and Roode and Nakamura go face to face to end the show.

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon 12.15.16: NXT Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, brings you this week's NXT recap.

This week's NXT saw Shinsuke Nakamura defend the NXT World Championship against Samoa Joe inside a Steel Cage. A series of matches began to determine a new #1 Contender to the NXT World Championship, which included Eric Young vs. Tye Dillinger, Andrade "Cien" Almas vs. No Way Jose, Roderick Strong vs. Elias Samson and Bobby Roode vs. Oney Lorcan.

** NXT **

- "NXT World Championship, Steel Cage Match": Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Samoa Joe: The match closes out with Nakamura and Joe fighting on the top rope, up against the cage wall. Nakamura counters a Muscle Buster and power bombs Joe off the top rope. Nakamura then leaps off the top rope, nails Joe with a Super Kinshasa and goes for the cage door to escape. Just as Nakamura is about to escape to win, he slams the door shut, charges Joe and nails another Kinshasa. Joe is still barely in it so Nakamura nails a third Kinshasa on Joe, covers, scores the pinfall and retains the title.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall, to retain the NXT World Championship.

- "#1 Contenders Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match": Tye Dillinger vs. Eric Young: The match closes out with Young landing punches in the corner, but Dillinger hits a clothesline. Dillinger hits perfect 10 punches and stomps and goes for the Tye Breaker. Nikki Cross hits the ring and attacks Dillinger getting Young DQ'ed. After the match, Big Damo hits the ring and lays out Dillinger.
Winner: Tye Dillinger, by DQ, to advance to the #1 Contenders Fatal Four Way Match.

- "#1 Contenders Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match": Andrade “Cien” Almas vs No Way Jose: The match closes out with Almas unloading kicks, a snap mare and then a drop kick on Jose. Jose escapes a rear naked choke submission and hits a arm drag neckbreaker on Almas. Jose hits a pop up punch on Almas and goes for the TKO. Almas counters, hits a Cobra DDT and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Andrade "Cien" Almas, by pinfall, to advance to the #1 Contenders Fatal Four Way Match.

- "#1 Contenders Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match": Roderick Strong vs. Elias Samson: The match closes out with Samson getting Strong in a tree of woe and chokes Strong. Samson hits a charging knee to Strong's head and then applies a side headlock. Strong hits a dropkick and multiple elbows on Samson. Strong hits the C4 and then a superkick to score the pinfall.
Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall, to advance to the #1 Contenders Fatal Four Way Match.

- "#1 Contenders Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match": Bobby Roode vs. Oney Lorcan: The match closes out with Lorcan unloading European uppercuts on Roode and then a running Blockbuster. Lorcan goes to the top rope and attempts a Super Blockbuster, but Roode dodges it. Roode nails the Roode Spinebuster and then the Roode Bomb on Lorcan to score the pinfall.
Winner: Bobby Roode, by pinfall, to advance to the #1 Contenders Fatal Four Way Match.

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon 10.20.16: NXT Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, is here with your NXT Recap Edition.

This week's NXT took place at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. The Second Annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament Classic continued this week with more first round matches. Bobby Roode battled Sean Maluta and gets challenged by Tye Dillinger. Austin Aries revealed his mystery partner in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament Classic. Nikki Cross of Sanity battled Danielle Kamella. NXT World Champion Shinsuke Nakamura had a challenge for Samoa Joe.

*** NXT ***

- "Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament Match": Rich Swann and No Way Jose vs. Tony Nese and Drew Gulak: The match closes out with Jose hitting a series of clotheslines on Nese. Gulak is in and unloads punches on Jose. Gulak runs the ropes, but gets dropped by a Jose pop up punch. Swann sends Nese to the floor then hits a suicide senton onto Nese. Jose hits the Jose Bomb on Gulak and scores the pinfall. After the match, Swann and Jose tell the Authors Of Pain to not underestimate them.
Winners: Rich Swann and No Way Jose, by pinfall, to advance to the Final Eight.

- Backstage, Tye Dillinger demands a match against Bobby Roode at Takeover: Toronto.

- Backstage, Austin Aries refuses to give us a clue on who his mystery partner is.

- Bobby Roode vs. Sean Maluta: The match closes out with Maluta on offense, but Roode takes back over the control of the match. Maluta unloads some punches, but gets planted with a Roode spine buster. Roode hits a DDT and scores the pinfall. After the match, Roode mocks Tye Dillinger and says he's the one that begged to be Roode's partner. Dillinger hits the ring and brawls with Roode. Dillinger sends Roode to the floor and Roode retreats.
Winner: Bobby Roode, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Liv Morgan gets jumped by Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. Billie and Peyton drag Liv out to the NXT stage and brag about what they just did. Billie and Peyton put NXT Women's Champion Asuka and the Women's Division on notice.

- "Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament Match": Austin Aries and ???? vs. Tucker Knight and Otis Dogojevic: Aries reveals his partner as former ROH World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong. The match closes out with Strong hitting a running knee on Knight. Strong lifts Knight onto his shoulders and Aries hits a roaring elbow. Strong hits a gut buster on Knight and then connects with a running side kick on Knight to score the pinfall.
Winners: Austin Aries and Roderick Strong, by pinfall, to advance to the Final Eight.

- Nikki Cross vs. Danielle Kamella: Nikki destroys Danielle in a quick squash match and gets the pinfall. After the match, Nikki continues to attack and beat down Danielle. The referee reverses the decision to a DQ on Nikki.
Winner: Danielle Kamella, by DQ.

- Shinsuke Nakamura Promo: Nakamura says that if Samoa Joe wants him than they should battle at Takeover: Toronto. Patrick Clark arrives and interrupts Nakamura. Clark says no one wants to see Nakamura vs. Joe again, they want to see Nakamura vs. Clark. Nakamura plants a kick right to the gut of Clark and referees check on him. Samoa Joe suddenly appears and rushes to the ring. Joe stops halfway and retreats back. Nakamura sends a message to Joe by destroying Clark with a Kinshasa to end the show.