NXT Championship – Steel Cage Match: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Finn Balor
NXT Women’s Championship: Asuka (c) vs. Nia Jax
NXT Tag Team championship: American Alpha (c’s) vs. The Revival
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Austin Aries
Tye Dillinger vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Source: WrestlingINC
Triple H’s media call to promote WWE NXT Takeover: The End:
Triple H joined the call and thanked everyone for joining and noted that there will probably be some questions about the Cruiserweight Classic. Triple H ran down the card for Wednesday’s Takeover event. Triple H said that Nakamura will be a key player in the company. He added that he’s excited for the debut of Andrade Almas and that he will be “big player.”
Triple H said “The End” title for the event has a lot of meanings, which we’ll see tomorrow. He said that you can expect it to be the end of the Finn Balor – Samoe Joe series.
NXT will be taping TV on Thursday, and he will be heading to the UK with the NXT crew for the UK tour after the tapings.
The Cruiserweight Classic starts up at the end of the month. Triple H thinks it will be the premier cruiserweight tournament, and he thinks it will be an unbelievable ten weeks. He says that it will be something unlike you’ve seen from WWE or NXT.
He thinks the NXT roster will look a lot different after the brand split, but he doesn’t know for sure. He thinks that one of the strengths of NXT is that their talent rises to the occasion whenever talent leaves for the main roster.
He doesn’t think the talent is any more aggressive than they were before, and they’re always looking for the best talent around the world. He’s always been aggressive in acquiring great talent.
About the brand split, Triple H noted that they’ve always had two tours and he’s not sure how much everything will change.
He was asked about how much they focus on the UK. Triple H said there is a ton of talent in the UK, but they don’t focus on any one area for talent, they look everywhere.
On Bobby Roode and Eric Young, Triple H is working on contracts for both men and said to stay tuned. He said they’re both talented, and he looks forward to working with both of them.
When asked about NXT touring in Canada, he said that they’re looking at everywhere. He said that NXT will be doing 180-190 events this year alone, and with RAW and SmackDown, you’re at around 500 events a year. With all the events, there’s a lot of factors that go into where they tour.
When asked for an update on Hideo Itami, Triple H said that he can’t go too much into his medical information, but everyone heals differently, and Itami had some issues with mobility and scar tissue, and wants him to take his time and return at 100%. Nothing has changed regarding his thoughts on Hideo as a performer, and he looks forward to him returning.
Triple H was asked about doing a women’s tournament, similar to the Cruiserweight Classic. Triple H said he had been throwing out ideas about it, and said that he would like to do it if the timing is right. He said it’s on the table, but there are a lot of things on the table. He said that it’s just an idea that spread quickly on the internet, and when they know what they’ll want to do, they’ll put out a statement or contact talents.
He said that the process for the Cruiserweight series has been very exciting, and he’s enjoyed working with outside promotions to secure talent for the series.
Triple H thanked everyone for calling in. He mentioned the passing of Muhammad Ali, and called him a personal hero of his. He said that Ali’s personality and charisma, which admittedly was influenced by pro wrestling, was amazing and and he was able to pass it on to others. Triple H said Ali was integral to what they do, and even though Ali wasn’t a part of WWE on a day-to-day basis, that his impact isn’t forgotten in the sports entertainment world.
Source: WrestlingINC
Former NXT Women’s Champion Bayley was recently interviewed by Nashville Scene. You can see some highlights below, and the full interview at this link.
Her character:
“It’s cool because that is what I wanted to do. I wanted kids to feel like I felt when I attended wrestling shows. I wanted them to be involved and be excited and look forward to not just John Cena. It’s the big kid in me. I am just acting like myself when I was 10 years old. It’s so cute how passionate kids can be. And there is also a responsibility to the parents, who thank me for being a role model. I have to make sure I keep my head on.”
Her future:
“Well, I am excited to come to Nashville. It’s one of my favorite towns and the crowd was so amazing last time. And I want to join the WWE (main roster). I really wanna have a match with Natty. She’s been there and she’s been a women’s champion. And Nikki Bella after she comes back.”
The following is scheduled for tonight’s 6/1 WWE NXT:
Face-to-face interview between NXT Champion Samoa Joe and Finn Balor
Austin Aries vs. Eilas Samson
Contract signing for Asuka vs. Nia Jax
Tye Dillinger vs. Murphy
Source: WrestlingINC
The WWE NXT “Takeover: Brooklyn” event will still be happening, according to WWE officials. The event was suddenly pulled from Ticketmaster this week and was not listed on WWE’s website but still remained on the Barclays Center website.
Ticketmaster will be re-adding the event soon with new logos and details, according to F4Wonline.com. There was a lot of speculation after the event was pulled, mainly due to the June 8th event being billed as “Takeover: The End” and WWE brand extension rumors. F4Wonline.com adds that there were many NXT talents concerned when the event was pulled on Monday.
Takeover is scheduled for August 20th during SummerSlam weekend in Brooklyn.
Source: WrestlingINC
There’s been a lot of speculation on if WWE NXT “Takeover: The End” refers to the end of the Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe feud or the end of the Takeover specials, or the brand as we know it.
Reader Dan Corey sent word that the NXT “Takeover: Brooklyn” event is no longer listed on Ticketmaster for the 2016 SummerSlam weekend in late August. Ticketmaster still has the pay-per-view listed and the post-SummerSlam RAW, both at the Barclays Center, but the NXT event is no longer available.
Triple H announced “The End” after the name “Revenge” was previously used at the NXT TV tapings. His announcement came just the same week as the WWE brand split news. We’ll keep you updated on the Takeover event.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
It appears that Hideo Itami is scheduled to finally return to WWE NXT in the next few weeks. He had shoulder surgery 13 months ago but his recovery has gone much slower than expected as his first surgery did not go so well.
Scheduled for tonight’s NXT on WWE Network:
Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Carmella to determine top contender to WWE NXT Women’s championship
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. the debuting TM-61
No Way Jose in action
Also appearing are Austin Aries, William Regal and Shinsuke Nakamura
The following was taped for tonight’s NXT on the WWE Network:
Austin Aries and a partner of his choosing vs. Blake and Murphy
Carmella vs. Peyton Royce
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. Danny Birch and Rob Ryzin
Nia Jax vs. Bayley
WWE and William Regal announced on Facebook earlier today that the NXT Championship match at NXT TakeOver Champion Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor will take place inside a Steel Cage. This will be the first ever Steel Cage Match in NXT history.
Balor and Joe will continue their feud at NXT TakeOver on June 8. The two have had a series of matches that stretches all the way back to NXT TakeOver: London in 2015. You can see the announcement below.
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