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Welcome to my live live, ongoing blog for WWE NXT Takeover: Respect from Full Sail University in Florida!
PRE-SHOW NOTES:
They are selling Takeover and Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic event shirts as well as shirts dedicated to the memory of Dusty Rhodes at the event. Thanks to AAndrew Twiss.
KICKOFF SHOW:
The pre-show panel are Renee Young, Lita, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves.
They talked up the Iron Man match between Bayley and Sasha Banks, with Lita talking about her rivalry with Trish Stratus as a comparison. They spoke to Bayley, who said he was nervous but knew she could win.
Outside, Greg Hamilton and Eden pushed the show in front of a pretty raucous crowd. They aired a video feature on the Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic. The panel talked memories of Dusty.
Inside the building, Byron Saxton was with Dusty Rhodes' family and they unveiled the Dusty Rhodes Tag Cup trophy. I popped HUGE for the two Cowboy boots, a play on the old Bunkhouse Stampede cowboy boots. It was a nice moment.
Apollo Crews was interviewed when Dana Brooke and Emma showed up. Brooke said she was sick of all the attention the new talents are getting. Crews said he was familiar with Asuka's ring work and Brooke was in for a long night. Brooke wasn't happy.
Tom Phillips attempted to interview Sasha Banks but she blew him off after promising to crush Bayley. She's so great at her role and I really hope we get to see that side of her spotlighted on the main roster.
Overall, a really good Kickoff show.
WWE NXT Takeover: Respect
Samoa Joe & Finn Balor vs. Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson
Joe and Balor had a lot of momentum early before Wilder and Dawson cut the ring off on Balor, old school style, after Dawson nailed a chop block to the back of Balor's knee. They kept working over Balor and it was great, because you rarely get to see that tag team psychology anymore. Joe finally got the tag in and cleaned house. You can see Joe has lost some weight and is moving around a bit better. Joe went for the muscle buster. Balor wanted in but Joe wasn't so happy about it. Balor tagged in and hit the flying double stomp but it obviously hurt his already injured leg. Planting the seeds for later. Good opener with a nice spotlight on tag team wrestling.
Rhyno & Baron Corbin vs. Jason Jordan & Chad Gable
Jordan showed some nice finesse in the ring early with Rhyno. Gable was over with the crowd as they are into his deal with the "Eeady, Willing and Gable." They were singing his name the way fans used to sing Kurt Angle's song while his WWF theme music played. Rhyno and Corbin worked over Gable for a long time until Rhyno missed a divcing headbutt off the top. That was pretty damn impressive. Jordan got the tag and cleaned house, looking really good and even pulling down the straps, Angle style. They had some really nice near falls. Gable whipped out Doug Williams' old rolling German suplex finisher. Corbin finally scored with the Fall of Man. The last few minutes of this was great, easily the best Jordan, Gable and Corbin have looked to date.
So it's Rhyno & Corbin vs. Joe & Balor. Interesting pick for the finals. Lot of brutes in there!
Asuka vs. Dana Brooke with Emma
Asuka showed some charisma and was super over, mocking Brooke's mannerisms and really kicking ass with some nice takedowns and strikes. Brooke looked the best I've ever seen her in the ring, playing the brash heel role very well. She took far more punishment then I'd have expected going in. Emma ate a spinning backfist while she was on the apron as well. They seemed to get lost for a second coming out a knee bar transitioning into a German suplex but beyond that, I thought they did fine. The crowd chanted "Asuka City." Brooke finally tapped to a Chicken Wing Tazmission. Not only was this a good debut for Asuka but Brooke stepped up. Enjoyable.
Brooke went after Asuka after but was laid out. Better luck next time! Asuka then got in Emma's face and Emma backed down.
Backstage, Finn Balor was getting checked by a trainer as Samoa Joe looked not too happy.
Nia Jax promo. She's debuting next week. We will get to see what she has to offer soon enough.
Tyler Breeze vs. Apollo Crews
Crews showed off his power early, easily manhandling Breeze. He looked good early. Breeze made a comeback, tossing Crews into the digital board on the apron headfirst. Breeze nailed a lung blower for a two count. Breeze worked over Crews' back, locking in a Sharpshooter. Lots of really good back and forth athletic wrestling. Crews finally scored the pin. The show has been so fun so far. It's the breath of fresh air Raw needs.
They showed Hideo Itami and Funaki at ringside. Itami should be back in the ring in a few months.
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