Just got back home from NXT in Cleveland.
I turned my girl into a fan over the last few months, and she got me tickets way back when it was my birthday. (Yeah I'm wifin)
As I'm a bit before pulling into the parking lot, I notice Bull Dempsey walking down the street. I lowered my window, yelled "BULL!", and threw a wave. I tweeted about it and he favorited before the show started, which was pretty cool.
https://mobile.twitter.com/MH360/status/609478589818511360
Creepy Greg led the festivities, excited being an Ohio native. Afterwards, William Regal led a ten bell salute to The American Dream. Almost every match featured a call out to Dusty, and people would notice the homage and chant his name. Definitely a night I won't forget.
First match saw Enzo & Cass take on the Vaudevillains. Callouts galore, fun spots, and good sportsmanship between two admittedly face teams. Everybody popped as expected for the future tag champs, and it was nice to see English and Gotch get some well deserved pops.
Up next was Bull, who had a lukewarm reception, taking on Jason Jordan...whose even worse reception immediately made him the heel. Despite the running "he's gassed" gag, and an impressive suplex by Jordan, Bull debuted his new finisher (think top rope Banzai Drop) and had the crowd a hell of a lot more behind him by the win.
Baron Corbin beat Rhyno, and for some reason I was lucky enough to be next to the only Baron Corbin fan ever. We still got to see a gore and chant ECW, but goddamn that match got the worst heat. Dude couldn't even work the crowd beyond a goofy "come at me" pose.
Bayley came out to a huge pop. Emma was next, and she still gets cheers and fun "ev-il Emma" chants. She introduced Dana Brooke and mentioned how they talked about being glad to get out of Cleveland. While I'd expected Charlotte to come out, it was instead Carmella, who was notably missing from ringside during Enzo and Cass's matchup. She seems a hell of a lot more comfortable as a face, and won with her sub.
There was an intermission, grabbed a couple of Burning Rivers and got a better view. The rest of the matches were championship bouts.
Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley challenged Blake & Murphy for the NXT Tag Team Championship. Alexa Bliss was ringside, representing most of the charisma for her squad. Zack was polished and had the crowd, Mojo is in better shape and slowly improving (even "got a kiss" from Bliss), and BM are smooth as all get all in the ring. Brainbuster to frog splash, and more mugging by Alexa.
Sasha Banks defended her NXT Women's Championship in a battle with Charlotte. This came as a surprise, as Becky Lynch seemed to be the obvious opponent, but there was no chance for disappointment. The ladies put on a fantastic match, albeit sloppy at times, but Charlotte went all out. The Boss won with a Bank Statement. Ric Flair's daughter gave terrific tribute to Dusty. I'll never forget that for the rest of my life.
Speaking of...NXT Championship title match. Fatal four way. First out, Prince Pretty. Nobody holds back showing Tyler love. Next out is Samoa Joe. MIDI music be damned, the place got incredibly loud. He wasn't advertised. Third out - Finn Balor, who had almost everyone following with his entrance. Last up, the champ, Neckbeard Jesus, better known as Kevin Owens. Match starts out with KO directing Tyler on clearing house together. Works well until Tyler is tasked with lifting Samoa Joe. KO helps, but eventually turns on Breeze after lulls occur from the strategy working too well. Everyone gets to show out, but Owens looks and moves like a matador in keeping his enemies at bay. He tires out after many successful defenses, and everyone hits their finisher, but he laughs last with the POP on Breeze for the win. Samoa Joe and Finn Balor exchange a Kliq tap and that's the show, folks.
I then spent 6 hours driving our happy asses back home.