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Post by Planktung on May 12, 2016 21:22:15 GMT -5
November 27th, 2013 - Following the signature WWE intro, footage from last week's encounter between NXT Women's Champion, Sasha Banks, and Bayley was shown. NXT General Manager Dusty Rhodes would calm the two competitors down by making one of the biggest announcements in NXT history. At TakeOver: Forever in Houston, Texas on December 14th, the Women's Championship match will be officiated by none other than the 'Texas Rattlesnake' himself, Stone Cold Steve Austin.
► PENTAGON W/ MAXINE DEF. ANGELO DAWKINS: Getting straight to action, NXT fans witnessed the in-ring debut of Pentagon, a former AAA star who was signed to WWE a few months back. Pentagon made his presence felt three weeks ago when he attacked PMA after an NXT Tag Team Championship match, breaking the arm of Drake Younger in what Maxine deemed as a 'sacrifice to their master.' Pentagon made short work of Angelo Dawkins in his official debut, putting him away with what Rob Naylor referred to as the Pentagon Driver, dropping Dawkins onto the back of his head from a half-nelson position. Afterwards, Maxine stepped into the and stared Pentagon in the eyes, pointing to Dawkins' motionless body before mouthing the word "mátalo," which translates to "kill him." Pentagon locked Dawkins' arm in place, prepared to make another sacrifice to his unknown master. Before Dawkins' arm could be broken, the lights in the Full Sail Arena shut while the LED board on the ring apron flickered. Seconds later, the lights returned to reveal Solomon Crowe standing the ring! Crowe, who had to watch Younger have his arm snapped three weeks ago, kicked Pentagon in the side of the head before going after him with repeated closed-fist strikes! The NXT fans went wild as Crowe continued his attack, Pentagon able to rise to his feet and fight back. About half a dozen officials hit the ring to separate the two men from beating each other to death, the crowd expressing their feelings through a "Let them fight!" chant.
Returning to NXT on ION Television, Solomon Crowe was shown being escorted out of Full Sail University, the same presumably happening to Pentagon after the brawl that transpired in the ring. NXT General Manager Dusty Rhodes approached Crowe, who quickly apologized for his actions. Dusty told Crowe that while he can't condone him making a scene with Pentagon, he understands why he did it. "That man broke your friend's arm and you want revenge. It can't happen tonight, but I'll tell you what, Solomon. On December 14th at NXT TakeOver, you got Pentagon one-on-one," said Dusty. Crowe nodded his head at Dusty as a 'thank you' gesture before continuing on his way out of the Full Sail Arena. ► RICOCHET & UHAA NATION DEF. THE VAUDEVILLAINS: Before they team up with the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada, at NXT TakeOver: Forever in just a little over three weeks, Ricochet and Uhaa Nation had to go up against the Vaudevillains here tonight. During the bout, Tyler Breeze, Michael Bennett, Chris Masters and Maria Kanellis made their way out to the stage, getting a closer look at two of their three opponents come December 14th. After Uhaa planted Aiden English with a spin-out Powerbomb, Ricochet followed up with a 630 Senton to pick up the win. Afterwards, Uhaa took a microphone from ringside, stopping the fiendish group before they could leave. "In three weeks, all sides will be even when we have Okada fighting alongside us. Until then, Ricochet and I have no problem dealing with whatever antics you four want to throw at us. In fact, we'll actually be the ones to issue a little challenge. Hey, Masters," Uhaa said, catching the attention of the 'Masterpiece.' "I know what you're thinking. All you need to do at TakeOver is put someone in that Master Lock and you three have the victory. Let's find out how confident you are. So... How about a Master Lock Challenge next week?" Masters laughed to himself before turning to Breeze and Bennett, the two of them laughing as well. "You're serious?" Masters asked before Uhaa got back on the microphone, confirming to Masters that his challenge was legitimate. Masters made a lock with his hands, flexing while telling Uhaa that he was on. Next week, Uhaa Nation takes the Master Lock Challenge!
Backstage in the locker room, Finn Balor was shown on his phone with somebody, Josh Barnett speculating that he could be making the final arrangements for his tag team partner. Later tonight, Balor will reveal to the world who he has chosen to fight alongside him at NXT TakeOver: Forever against the Addiction for the NXT Tag Team Championships!
At this time, an interview that Michael Cole conducted with the NXT Champion, Kevin Owens, earlier today on WWE.com aired. Cole started the interview by telling Owens that he hoped whatever issues they had stemming from Monday Night RAW a few weeks ago was water under the bridge by that point. "... No, not really. I still don't like you, Michael. The only reason I'm doing this interview is because I'm getting paid for it. So, just hurry up. Tomorrow's Thanksgiving and I want to get on my flight home as quickly as I can," said Owens, immediately making Cole feel uncomfortable. "Survivor Series was an eventful night for you to say the least. First, you took on Daniel Bryan, but came up short. Later on that evening, you were told that your title defense against Sami Zayn at NXT TakeOver: Forever will be a Texas Death match," Cole stated. "That's not a question, Michael. You just listed off two bullet points. Whatever, it's fine. I'll talk about Daniel Bryan first because what happened at Survivor Series was nothing more than a fluke. Yes, Michael. I see the way you're looking at me like I'm asinine. A former World Heavyweight Champion who has been a major star in back-to-back WrestleManias got a fluke win over me. That is absolutely what happened. As for Sami Zayn, TakeOver is going to be the worst day of his life. Not his career. His life. For those who don't know how a Texas Death match works, let me run down the rules to Sami Zayn's demise. No disqualifications. Anything goes. After I pin Sami, he has until the count of ten to get back to his feet, which he isn't going to be able to do." Cole's next question pertained to Owens' actions at the end of Monday Night RAW two days ago. "You not only attacked Daniel Bryan, but Tyson Kidd and the Intercontinental Champion, CM Punk, as well. Why?" he asked. "WWE fans are very impressionable, Michael. Because Daniel Bryan got lucky against me at Survivor Series, they're assuming that I'm not good enough to be a main event star. They think that Kevin Owens is a flash in the pan who can only amount to anything on NXT. All I did on RAW was show everyone why they're wrong about me. Bryan and Punk were my only two targets. Then, as I'm leaving the ring, I look up at the titantron and what do I see? Tyson Kidd trying to take away my moment from me. So, I took him out and made it clear what my goal on the main roster is - the Intercontinental Championship." Cole then mentioned that Owens must be thrilled with the announcement via Twitter about an hour ago. "What announcement?" Owens asked, Cole assuming that the NXT Champion was joking before realizing that he indeed was unaware. "Well, Kevin, it was confirmed that in three weeks at TLC, it's going to be a Fatal Four Way for the Intercontinental Championship. CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Tyson Kidd and you will compete in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match." At the end of Cole's sentence, water that Owens was drinking poured from his mouth, the NXT Champion shaking his head back-and-forth. "Who made that call? Booker T? Derrick Bateman? Do they not realize that just one day before TLC, I'm in a Texas Death match? Don't get me wrong. I'm confident about TakeOver. I'm going to beat Sami Zayn, but that's going to be a war, Michael. Then, just twenty-four hours later, I"m expected to compete in a TLC match?" Owens stumbled over his words, stopping himself from talking before taking back his concerns. "You know what? Fine. It doesn't matter. If that's how the WWE wants to treat me, I'll play along with their games to show them that this truly is the Kevin Owens Show. Sami Zayn, Daniel Bryan, Tyson Kidd and CM Punk. All four of those guys are going to have the worst weekend of their lives come mid-December. Not only will I walk out of Houston as the NXT Champion, but I'm adding the Intercontinental Championship to my list of accomplishments." ► NXT WOMEN'S CHAMPION SASHA BANKS DEF. BLUE PANTS IN A NON-TITLE MATCH: Not only will Sasha Banks have to contest with Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Forever for the NXT Women's Championship, but as revealed last week, Stone Cold Steve Austin will be the special guest referee to ensure that there is no controversy in the decision like there was at TakeOver: Revision back in August. Blue Pants had the crowd support on her side, but not the victory as Sasha forced her to submit to the Bank Statement. While Sasha was making her way up the entrance ramp, she was stopped by Devin Taylor, who asked the NXT Women's Champion if she has any comments on Dusty Rhodes naming Steve Austin the referee for her title defense against Bayley. "Who gives a damn if Austin is the referee? That literally changes nothing for TakeOver. I'm going to make Bayley tap out in Houston and crush her little fairy tale dream. Austin... WHAT? All you have to do... WHAT? Is make sure... WHAT? That you stay out of my way and make the three count," Sasha said, mocking Austin's crowd chant.
A promo was shown for this week's edition of SmackDown. After becoming the first-ever Manifest Destiny winner at Survivor Series, Dean Ambrose will be presented with the official trophy for his accomplishment. Plus, the Miz and Maryse host Miz TV with their guest - the United States Champion, Adrian Neville. SmackDown, this Friday night on SyFy. Returning to the broadcast, the entrance music of the Addiction hit as the NXT Tag Team Champions made their way out to the ring, or in Christopher Daniels' case, strutted his way out to the ring. Once inside the squared circle, Daniels took a microphone and told Finn Balor that the time had finally arrived for him to make a decision. "Just who have you chosen to take a major loss alongside you against Francois and I in Houston?" he asked before sipping his appletini. Seconds later, Balor's entrance music hit to a thunderous response from the Full Sail audience. Balor entered the ring, standing across from Daniels and Kazarian. "Two weeks ago, you two said that I needed to pick a tag team partner for NXT TakeOver. What you two probably don't know is that I found my partner just a few minutes after you issued the challenge because I knew right then and there who I wanted to take into battle with me. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce the woman who is going to humiliate you two at TakeOver." "... The woman?" Josh Barnett questioned before the entrance music of Becky Lynch hit. Everyone in the arena reacted with shock, yet joy as Becky made her way out to the stage, Balor smiling while Daniels and Kazarian were unable to gather any words. "Are you kidding me?! Finn Balor's tag team partner is Becky Lynch!" Rob Naylor uttered before going on about Balor and Becky's history, going all the way back to the start of Becky's career in Ireland. Becky stepped into the ring and stood side-by-side with Balor, the Full Sail crowd breaking out in "Holy crap!" chants. Daniels and Kazarian continued to stare at Becky before breaking out into laughter. "Wait, wait, you're serious?! A girl?!" Kazarian asked on the microphone, Daniels then asking Balor if that was really the best he could do. "You really expect to take these NXT Tag Team Championships from us with... her?!" Balor handed his microphone to Becky, who told Daniels that the only other people she's ever seen drink appletinis put their credit cards back into their purses after ordering one. "So listen here, jack-lasses. If you two are laughing this much right now, then you're going really laugh after Finn and I become the brand new NXT Tag Team Champions at TakeOver." Daniels and Kazarian glanced over at each other, mocking Becky's accent by asking each other what she said. In response, Balor and Becky delivered simultaneous Dropkicks to the Tag Team Champions! Daniels' appletini spilled onto the canvas as he rolled out of the ring, Kazarian staggering to his feet. Kazarian was then hit with a Pele Kick from Balor before Becky rolled him into a Disarmer! Before she could do any damage to Kazarian's arm, Daniels grabbed his tag team partner's foot and pulled him out from underneath the bottom rope. The audience went wild as Balor and Becky stood tall in the ring, the Addiction retreating while staring down their unlikely challengers for TakeOver: Forever.
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Post by Planktung on May 13, 2016 17:49:56 GMT -5
On the afternoon of Thanksgiving, the WWE Network's feed was suddenly interrupted by a breaking live development. In Orlando, Florida, a camera was following Sami Zayn through a neighborhood, the cameraman asking Zayn if what he was about to do was a good idea. "No. It's a terrible idea, but it's something that I need to do and I want everyone to be able to see it," he said as he stopped outside of a particular house. "This is it," Zayn stated before approaching the door, knocking on it twice. Kevin Owens' wife would answer the door, asking Zayn what he was doing there. "You need to leave. Now," she said while Zayn assured that he wasn't there to cause any trouble. "I know this is a bad time and I'm sorry, but I need to talk to Kevin face-to-face," Zayn said as Owens' voice could be heard from a distance. Owens finally saw Zayn standing outside of his his house, laughing to himself for a bit. "You've got to be joking," said the NXT Champion before walking through the door, meeting Zayn. Owens' wife tried to persuade him to just leave Zayn and go back into the house, but he insisted on confronting his former best friend. Owens' son walked to the doorway, greeting Zayn with the name 'Uncle Sami.' Zayn waved back at him before Owens told his son, "He's not your uncle." Owens' wife would take their son back into the living room, regretfully closing the door and allowing Owens and Zayn their personal time. "You better have a damn good reason for coming to my house on Thanksgiving. It's your day off, too. Shouldn't you be with your family right now instead of bothering mine?" Owens asked, Zayn telling him that traveling to Montreal with a bad back isn't exactly the easiest of tasks. "Oh, how is your back?" the NXT Champion asked sarcastically, already knowing the answer. "It hurts like hell," Zayn stated, to which Owens responded with, "I'm so glad to hear you say that." Zayn told Owens that he's nowhere near 100% and in all likelihood, he won't be in time for NXT TakeOver: Forever in just a few days shy of two weeks. "That doesn't matter, though. I'll fight like I am 100% because that's how much beating you in Houston means to me. You flew all the way from Europe to Orlando just so you could attack me after I became the number one contender. You Powerbombed me onto the apron to try and take me out to make sure that I couldn't make it to TakeOver. I could've given myself the luxury of not having to see your face until December 14th, but you pushed me to this point, Kevin. Everything that you get at TakeOver, you've brought upon yourself." Owens gave Zayn a sarcastic round of applause, asking if he rehearsed that whole speech on the way to his house. "First of all, I would've done the same thing to Tyler Breeze had he beaten you. You just happened to be the one to win. Second, look at how much of a coward you are, Sami. You brought a camera with you to my house on Thanksgiving of all days. If I beat you right here and right now, which I so badly want to, the entire world would see me beat an injured man. My family is only a few feet away. My neighbors are staring at us right now. There's no way for me to not be the bad guy in this situation. Instead, I have to wait until TakeOver, where I can use my hands to show you just how much I hate you. Just looking at you right now is making my blood boil. It's killing me to not punch you in your stupid face, so before I lose my temper, take that camera and get the hell out of here. Now." Owens walked away from Zayn and back into his house, the number one contender for the NXT Championship turning to the camera and giving the cue to shut it off.
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Post by tg11 on May 14, 2016 6:31:15 GMT -5
- Pentagon ever since bursting on to the scene here in NXT has managed to make quite the name for himself especially with Maxine at his side as he wins yet another match this time beating Dawkins and after he snapped Younger's arm he was going to do the same to Dawkins until the lights go out as they flicker and when they come back on Solomon Crowe is in the ring as he goes immediately after Pentagon...I was probably more surprised than anyone to see Crowe attack Pentagon but it seems Pentagon has made yet another enemy here in NXT
- The match ends up being official for NXT TakeOver: Forever that being Pentagon vs Solomon Crowe...now this match definitely will be a great match to watch that's for sure
- Ricochet and Uhaa Nation make quite the tag team and they essentially proved it here by beating a premier tag team here in NXT that being The Vaudevillains...you know if Ricochet and Uhaa Nation really wanted to they could set their sights on the NXT Tag Team Championships but they have a huge match at NXT TakeOver Forever when they team with Okada to take on the team of Masters, Bennett and Breeze which will be a huge match that's for sure and you can bet Okada is training for that match but the fact that Uhaa is going to take the Master Lock Challenge I really have to wonder if he just may in fact be walking into a trap here?
- Whoever Finn Balor's tag team partner is...it will probably be a real doozy probably someone from his NJPW days that much I'm sure
- Kevin Owens is getting put right through the ringer because not only does he have to defend his NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Forever against his former best friend now turned bitter enemy Sami Zayn in not just any regular match but a Texas Death Match and then 24 hours later the next night at TLC he will be competing in a Fatal 4-Way Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship when he faces the WWE Intercontinental Champion CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Tyson Kidd...I mean if that is not high pressure for Owens then I don't know what is
- Sasha Banks beating Blue Pants...I mean the match was back and forth I am not even going to argue with that or deny that but Sasha Banks winning here doesn't come as a surprise given the fact that she is going into NXT TakeOver: Forever possibly into the biggest title defense of her NXT career when she has to defend her NXT Women's Championship against Bayley but it is so much more than that because of the fact that Stone Cold Steve Austin WWE Hall of Famer The Texas Rattlesnake is going to be the Special Guest Referee in that match...Austin of course you know as well as I do he won't take crap from Sasha or Bayley for that matter and he will call this match right down the middle but Sasha mocking Austin like that she is almost asking for a Stunner
- And Finn Balor his tag team partner is revealed...none other than a woman no less Becky Lynch like I am surprised that Balor would have a diva as his tag team partner but even more surprised that his tag team partner is Becky Lynch but it makes sense given the Irish connection they are both Irish both came up together so it is not all that surprising but the fact that they are going to be the ones to take on the NXT Tag Team Champions The Addiction at NXT TakeOver: Forever now this match I guess you can say has peaked my interest
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Post by tg11 on May 14, 2016 6:34:02 GMT -5
- Zayn showing up at Owens' house while Owens' wife answers the door and Owens' son shows up but then afterwards Owens seeing Zayn at his house on Thanksgiving I am surprised that this didn't end in a full on brawl...it looked like it was and especially on Thanksgiving of all days too but then again I mean this is just how personal this rivalry has become and all over the NXT Championship too...former friends almost as close as brothers they grew up together more or less and now are at each other's throats I mean I can't wait to see this Texas Death Match for the NXT Championship
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Post by Planktung on May 15, 2016 12:35:39 GMT -5
MATCH OF THE YEAR - Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kurt Angle vs. Cody Rhodes (WrestleMania XXIX, 4/7/13) - AJ Lee vs. Paige (Extreme Rules, 5/19/13) - The Uprising vs. The Committee (SummerSlam, 8/18/13) - AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton vs. Derrick Bateman (Hell in a Cell, 10/27/13) - Adrian Neville vs. Tyson Kidd (Friday Night SmackDown, 11/15/13) - Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar (Survivor Series, 11/24/13)
RIVALRY OF THE YEAR - CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. The Rock - The Uprising vs. The Committee - Paige vs. Stephanie McMahon - Cody Rhodes vs. Bray Wyatt - Seth Rollins vs. Daniel Bryan - Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle
BREAKOUT STAR OF THE YEAR - Seth Rollins - Tyson Kidd - Adrian Neville - Derrick Bateman - AJ Styles - Sofia Cortez
TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR - Wrestling Royalty - The Alpha Wolves - Antonio Cesaro and Kassius Ohno - Randy Orton and Batista - The Real Americans - The New Day
MOST EXTREME MOMENT OF THE YEAR - Paige delivers a Paige Turner to AJ Lee onto thumbtacks - Roman Reigns Spears John Cena through the stage - Dean Ambrose drives a car into AJ Styles' house - Cody Rhodes sends Bray Wyatt through a flaming table - Bray Wyatt puts Paige through a glass panel - Shane McMahon leaps twenty-five feet onto Derrick Bateman... And misses
"THIS IS AWESOME" MOMENT OF THE YEAR - Daniel Bryan wins the Royal Rumble from the number one entry spot - Cody Rhodes wins the WWE Championship - The Uprising end The Committee - Paige and the fans occupy RAW - Shane McMahon returns - Dean Ambrose wins Manifest Destiny
MOST DESPICABLE ACT OF THE YEAR - Brock Lesnar attacks Kurt Angle during his retirement speech - Seth Rollins repeatedly Curb Stomps Shawn Michaels - Derrick Bateman. Just... Derrick Bateman - Wade Barrett betrays The Uprising - Kevin Owens injures Daniel Bryan - Bray Wyatt attacks Paige at Hell in a Cell
SUPERSTAR OF THE YEAR - John Cena - CM Punk - Cody Rhodes - Daniel Bryan - Brock Lesnar - AJ Styles - Derrick Bateman - Bray Wyatt - Seth Rollins - Dean Ambrose - Paige - AJ Lee
The 2013 WWE Slammy Awards are live, Monday December 16th on the USA Network!
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Post by tg11 on May 15, 2016 17:52:46 GMT -5
Slammy Award Predictions
Match of the Year- Winner: The Uprising vs The Committee (SummerSlam 2013)
Rivalry of the Year- Winner: Paige vs Stephanie McMahon
Breakout Star of the Year- Winner: Seth Rollins
Tag Team of the Year- Winner: The Alpha Wolves
Most Extreme Moment of the Year- Winner: Bray Wyatt puts Paige through a glass panel
This is Awesome Moment of the Year- Winner: Shane McMahon returns to WWE
Most Despicable Act of the Year- Winner: Brock Lesnar attacking Kurt Angle during his retirement speech
Superstar of the Year for 2013- Winner: AJ Styles
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Post by Planktung on May 20, 2016 21:49:52 GMT -5
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Post by Planktung on May 21, 2016 19:24:45 GMT -5
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Post by tg11 on May 23, 2016 12:07:04 GMT -5
- The now half-owner of WWE Derrick Bateman, Kaitlyn and Baron Corbin all shooting darts to determine just who will be in this Hardcore Gauntlet for the WWE Hardcore Championship with 10 superstars' photos and Bateman & co. shooting darts at the photos to determine not only who will be in the Gauntlet but to pretty much determine who faces who...I think that that's a great idea certainly something new certainly something different
- Starting off Smackdown with the "power couple" in WWE that being Miz and his wife Maryse who is now back in WWE I think probably the best thing to ever happen to The Miz was having his wife former WWE Divas Champion the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion in history Maryse back but even more so at her husband's side that could only work wonders for The Miz and them hosting MizTV to start off Smackdown...now that that equals ratings and their guest being none other than WWE United States Champion Adrian Neville I mean it makes sense because of the rivalry these 2 have but then MizTV leading up to Miz/Neville for the WWE United States Championship I have to wonder why Neville would put his title on the line especially right here? Neville should have at least waited until the next PPV that being TLC to defend it rather than doing it here on Smackdown but either way I can't wait to see this match
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Punk gains momentum heading into TLC by beating Antonio Cesaro...once again Punk proves that he is the "Best in the World" but also proving that he will do whatever it takes to walk out WWE Intercontinental Champion I mean he took on Cesaro and Cesaro did take Punk to the limit here but Punk finds that will to win and when he does he is almost impossible to stop...but also the fact that he has to defend his WWE Intercontinental Championship against not only Kevin Owens but Tyson Kidd and Daniel Bryan in the same match in not just any Fatal 4-Way Match but a Fatal 4-Way Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match I mean Punk he has experience in TLC but then again so does Bryan but Owens and Kidd they do not but whose favor does that work into?
- I mean keeping the participants in the Hardcore Gauntlet for the WWE Hardcore Championship a secret may in fact actually be a good thing but at the same time no one knows who is going up against who but that just adds to the unpredictability of it which I love which I give you kudos for
- Kofi Kingston beating Darren Young...I mean it is like The New Day you are really building them up to be a big deal which is what I love and the fact that they keep gaining momentum I mean ever since feuding with Cena they would have to I mean Kofi ever since his dismal performance in the Manifest Destiny tournament he has gotten on a role well ever since he and Woods well joined forces with Big E. who I still can't even believe joined them but ever since they have become a trio they have more or less become hard to stop
- Enzo Amore in the Hardcore Gauntlet I mean that is really great so great that who knows he could become a WWE Hardcore Champion...I mean stranger things have happened but then again any one of the other 9 participants could end up being champion so it begs the question of who the other 9 participants will be?
- Dean Ambrose the winner of the first ever Manifest Destiny tournament he will go on to the 2014 WWE Royal Rumble PPV in the main event for the WWE Championship and the fact that he beat Rollins to get that opportunity at Survivor Series he more or less has his redemption now but then again I just knew Rollins wasn't going to leave well enough alone and let it go as he attacks Ambrose from behind blindsiding him I mean where did Rollins come from? Ambrose tries to take the fight to Rollins but Rollins throws the trophy right in the back of Ambrose's head as Ambrose falls right out of the ring as Rollins basically then afterwards takes Ambrose out with a Curb Stomp on the outside I mean no doubt Ambrose has to have a concussion I mean after that dastardly attack I can't see how he can't have a concussion
- Adam Cole getting himself intentionally DQed against Rusev...I mean classic heel move I mean Cole knew he was getting dominated by Rusev and let's face it he was because Rusev was controlling this match hell he was on his way to victory but then Cole has to resort to the low blow which didn't even take Rusev off of his feet and then Cole hitting Rusev not once not twice but 3 times with Superkicks just to take Rusev off of his feet goes to show you just how much of a monster Rusev really is especially if it took that much for Cole to do just to finish Rusev off but after that you can bet that this rivalry will continue and if it does no doubt it carries over into TLC with these 2 probably having a match with each other there
- Sandow being the second guy to be announced for the Hardcore Gauntlet for the WWE Hardcore Championship...I am glad Sandow is back to his original gimmick of being The Savior of the Unwashed Masses being the self proclaimed Intellectual Savior I am glad because this gimmick works for Sandow and the fact that he is wearing his robe again talking the way he is again I am just so glad that the Sandow of old is back about damn time he is my darkhorse pick for the Hardcore Gauntlet for the WWE Hardcore Championship
- Natalya & Alexa Bliss beating The Bella Twins...it seems each and every time Natalya and Alexa Bliss become better as a team Alexa Bliss continues to show us that she can become better than her mentor Natalya and she certainly is proving it or has proved it I mean out of nowhere she turns heel on her mentor Natalya leaving her laying with a Sparkle Splash and then walking out on Natalya turning her back on her I think that is probably the best decision Alexa could have made because she was living in the shadow of her mentor and she realized that she didn't need her anymore but at the same time I can see this leading up to Natalya & Bliss having their own rivalry now and if that is the case it will more or less take place in a match but when? It could happen between now and TLC
- Well I can't wait to see who is in this Hardcore Gauntlet but more so I can't wait until RAW
- And in the main event Miz becomes the new WWE United States Champion all in part due to his wife Maryse causing the distraction and Neville taking his eye off the ball and Miz taking advantage of the opportunity...I mean Neville had the match won hell he was controlling this match but just goes to show you that behind every successful man there is a good woman and now Neville is no longer the WWE United States Champion but Neville does have a rematch clause but even more so he is already a 2-time WWE United States Champion so something has gotta give
- The 10 participants in the WWE Hardcore Championship Extreme Gauntlet are R-Truth, Ryback, Sandow, Enzo Amore, Bo Dallas, Antonio Cesaro, Wade Barrett, Alberto Del Rio, Rusev and Adam Cole I mean out of these 10 men the favorites have to be Del Rio and Barrett because of the fact that both men have been World Champions or are former World Champions whereas the other participants in the tournament are not but my darkhorse is Sandow
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Post by Planktung on Jun 17, 2016 2:18:31 GMT -5
December 2nd, 2013 - Following the Monday Night RAW intro, the pyrotechnics display was set off in the Chesapeake Energy Arena while cameras hovered over the sold out audience in Oklahoma City. Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves formally welcomed everyone to the first RAW of December, which will be headlined by the Extreme Gauntlet to crown a WWE Hardcore Champion. "As Derrick Bateman promised on SmackDown, just one minute before we went on the air, all ten participants were revealed and are as follows: Alberto Del Rio, Wade Barrett, Rusev, Antonio Cesaro, Adam Cole, Damien Sandow, Enzo Amore, R-Truth, Bo Rotundo and Ryback," Ranallo said, Graves commenting that with a line-up that diverse, there's no telling what'll happen in a match where literally anything goes. The commentary duo also promoted a huge Six Man Tag Team Match happening this evening. On one side, it'll be the NXT Champion Kevin Owens, Tyson Kidd and the WWE Champion, AJ Styles. On the other, Cody Rhodes teams with Daniel Bryan and the Intercontinental Champion, CM Punk. Plus, the fate of the Divas Championship will be revealed after AJ Lee drove over Sofia Cortez's most prized possession, destroying it in the process. All that and much more, tonight on RAW!
A mixed, but mostly positive, reaction emerged from the audience when Paul Heyman walked out onto the stage, introducing himself while marching down to the ring. "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman and I am the advocate for the rightful WWE Champion. The man who had Cody Rhodes defeated at Survivor Series before a certain 'Phenomenal One' stuck his nose where it didn't belong. 'The Conqueror!' 'The Beast Incarnate!' BROCK! LESNAR!" Heyman shouted as the crowd popped for the mention of Lesnar. "Unfortunately, my client is not here tonight, nor will he be making any appearances in a WWE ring going forward until justice is served and he is presented with what belongs to him: A one-on-one rematch for the WWE Championship. My one and only job as his advocate is to make that happen. Whether it's Cody Rhodes or AJ Styles, Brock Lesnar will decimate someone and take what he is entitled to." With Heyman's declaration that it his mission to make Lesnar the number one contender once again came the sound of "Casual Affair" and enormous boos from the crowd. Derrick Bateman made his way down to the ring, confronting Heyman about the situation with Lesnar and the WWE Title. "You keep talking about what belongs to Brock Lesnar and what Brock Lesnar is entitled to. Understand something, Paul. Brock Lesnar is owed absolutely nothing. He had his opportunity at the WWE Championship and he lost. As far as I'm concerned, your client stands in the back of the line now. You want to know who's getting the first title shot after TLC? You're looking at him. The guy who everyone treated like a joke is going to end 2013 as the WWE Champion. I own and this company and very soon, I'll own its top prize. No one will stop that. Not AJ Styles. Not Cody Rhodes, and damn sure not Brock Lesnar," said Bateman, officially naming himself the first challenger for the WWE Title after TLC. With a puzzled expression on his face, Heyman picked the microphone up to his face and asked Bateman one question."... So, let me get this straight. You want me to go tell Brock Lesnar that he's being pushed to the side in favor of Derrick Bateman?" Bateman responded to Heyman with, "You're damn right." Heyman backed out of the ring, repeatedly telling Bateman, "Okay. Okay," letting the half-owner of WWE know that Lesnar wouldn't take the news that will not be receiving a rematch for the WWE Championship too kindly.
► JOHN CENA DEF. BIG E W/ THE NEW DAY VIA DISQUALIFICATION: Two weeks after being betrayed by Big E, John Cena finally had his one-on-one match with the newest member of the New Day. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods watched from ringside, both acting as distractions for Cena. "Go Sharkeisha on him!" Woods shouted at one point before Big E rammed into Cena with a corner splash. After mounting a comeback, Cena positioned Big E flat on the canvas for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. When he ran the ropes, Kofi and Woods each grabbed one his ankles, pulling him out and causing the disqualification. Kofi and Woods beat Cena down before rolling him back into the ring, Big E finishing off the assault by delivering the Big Ending. The New Day headed up the entrance ramp with their music playing, the audience establishing a loud, "New! Day sucks!" chant. Barely able to move or catch his breath, Cena was handed a microphone while he sat against a corner. "Hey... New Day," Cena said while fatigued. The trio turned around while standing on the stage, listening to whatever it was Cena had to say. "... This isn't how this ends. In two weeks... at TLC... I want a match," he stated, Big E assuming that it was a rematch he was asking for. "No, E. Not you," he added, New Day becoming confused until Kofi made the assumption that it was him who Cena wanted to take on at TLC. "No, Kofi." With Woods being the only possible answer left, he stepped forward and played the trombone while moving his hips. Cena then informed Woods that it wasn't him, neither. "What I want at TLC... is all three of you jackasses at once," Cena said, all members of New Day immediately laughing at the fact that Cena had just challenged them to a Handicap Match. "Is John Cena out of his mind?! He wants a 3-on-1 Handicap Match against the New Day?!" Corey Graves asked, Mauro Ranallo saying that's what it appears to be for TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs in just thirteen days. ► SETH ROLLINS DEF. ZACK RYDER: In his first match since losing to Dean Ambrose in the Manifest Destiny finals at Survivor Series, Seth Rollins absolutely demolished Zack Ryder, showing everyone why he believed he deserved to be the one heading into the Royal Rumble with a WWE Championship opportunity. Rollins put Ryder away with the Curb Stomp before heading up the entrance ramp, the commentary duo noting that Rollins should always be looking over his shoulder for 'The Lunatic Fringe.' A graphic was shown that featured a still image of Sofia Cortez holding the remains of her Divas Championship after AJ Lee destroyed it with a vehicle at the end of RAW last week. Coming up next, Kaitlyn will address the future of the Divas division with its championship no longer intact.
A promo was shown for this week's edition of NXT. After being named Finn Balor's tag team partner for TakeOver: Forever, Becky Lynch steps into intergender action in the main event against one half of the NXT Tag Team Champions, Frankie Kazarian. WWE NXT, this Wednesday night on ION Television. Returning to the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the entrance music of Kaitlyn hit to a negative reaction from the Oklahoma City audience. Kaitlyn, who was given the authority by Derrick Bateman to make an announcement, made her way down to the ring holding two black bags. Once there, Kaitlyn placed the bags down and took a microphone, sarcastically thanking the crowd for a great welcome back reception. "It's no secret that 2013 has been the year of women's wrestling. Mostly thanks to me, but I suppose that a few other women can be given some credit. Such as the women who I'd like to come down to the ring at this time, AJ Lee and Sofia Cortez." Kaitlyn waited a few seconds before AJ's theme hit to an ovation from the fans in attendance. AJ skipped down to the ring, a smile lighting up her face after destroying the Divas Championship last week with a car. AJ stared down Kaitlyn, the two meeting for the first time in two months. Sofia's theme song would then hit, breaking up the confrontation. AJ glanced at the stage while playing with her hair and licking her lips when Sofia marched down to the ring. Two officials entered the ring at the same time that Sofia did, stepping in between the two women to prevent an altercation. "This little feud between the two of you has been going on for months now, dating all the way back to your debut, Sofia. You two have wrestled each all over the world since then, trading the Divas Championship. And then last week... This happened," Kaitlyn said as she grabbed one of the black bags, holding it upside down while the remaining pieces of the Divas Championship fell out. AJ began laughing at the sight of the broken silver and pink plate. enraging Sofia and causing her to leap towards her adversary. Sofia struck AJ twice in the face before the latter turned the tables, pushing Sofia away and ramming her into a corner. Kaitlyn hurried out of the ring while more officials arrived to separate the two women, eventually able to do so. Kaitlyn took her microphone and shouted at AJ and Sofia, demanding that they listen to her. "One more match between you two is going to happen, and it'll be in two weeks at TLC. And it's gonna be for," Kaitlyn said before reaching into the second black bag, pulling out a brand new championship with a white strap and plate designs similar to the WWE Championship. "This! The WWE Women's Championship!" she yelled out as the audience came unglued for the announcement. Kaitlyn held the championship up while AJ and Sofia stared at it for a bit before glaring back at each other, using their eyes to let the other know that they plan on leaving TLC with the brand new title. Kaitlyn began to leave up the ramp before turning around, stating that she almost forgot something. "This won't be just any match in two weeks. In fact, I can use just three words to describe what kind of match this will be... Tables! Ladders! And chairs!" The crowd became even louder at that point, Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves barely able to contain their excitement themselves. History will be made in two weeks in Houston, Texas. The Divas Championship is no more. A brand new WWE Women's Champion will be crowned in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match!
Returning to Monday Night RAW, a recap of the previous segment was shown that revealed a huge match-up for TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs in thirteen nights on Pay-Per-View. The WWE Women's Championship, not the Divas Championship, will be on the line when Sofia Cortez and AJ Lee battle in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves provided their thoughts on the match, citing this as nothing short of historical. "Look at what the women have been able to do in 2013. The first-ever Last Diva Standing Match. The first-ever women's Hell in a Cell Match. And now in two weeks, we're going to witness two women compete in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match for the first time in WWE history," Ranallo stated. Graves added that while Sofia will be recognized in the record books as the final Divas Champion, it's now all about the WWE Women's Championship. "Quiet on the set. Can we please have quiet on the set?" was the phrase that blared over the PA system, immediately bringing out boos from the masses. "AWESOME!" led into Hollywood Undead's "Been to Hell" to signal the arrival of the brand new United States Champion, The Miz. Accompanied by his wife, Maryse, The Miz made sure that the world got a glimpse of the championship that he practically stole from Adrian Neville a few nights ago on SmackDown. "Everyone who is saying that Miz stole the title has never won anything in their lives, Mauro. A champion wins by any means and that's why Miz is the United States Champion right now and not Neville," Corey Graves put it harshly. Up next, Miz goes one-on-one with the winner of Manifest Destiny, Dean Ambrose! ► UNITED STATES CHAMPION THE MIZ W/ MARYSE VS. DEAN AMBROSE ENDED IN A NO CONTEST: The attack from Seth Rollins to Dean Ambrose last Friday night on SmackDown created a target on the head of the Manifest Destiny for The Miz to take advantage of, staying in control for much of the match. The new United States Champion placed Ambrose in position for a DDT towards the conclusion, but was rammed into a corner. Unbeknownst to Ambrose, a referee was inadvertently caught in the struggle and sandwiched into the turnbuckles. Ambrose charged towards Miz, who fended him off with a forearm strike to the head. Ambrose rebounded off of the ropes with a Jawbreaker Lariat, dazed after the previous shot to his cranium. The entrance music of Seth Rollins would soon hit, which instantly brought new life into 'The Lunatic Fringe.' "Looking for me?" Rollins asked while marching down to ringside. Ambrose slid out of the ring and began trading blows with the man he defeated at Survivor Series to secure the Manifest Destiny victory. Ambrose and Rollins would brawl all the way to the backstage area, leaving the result of the ongoing contest in question. With the referee still down, Maryse took it upon herself to grab the United States Title and hand it to her husband, raising his arm while the Oklahoma City audience showered them with boos. One-by-one, every fan in attendance altered their reaction when Adrian Neville entered the ring from the stands. Neville leaped onto Miz's shoulders, taking him down with a Reverse Hurricanrana! Neville quickly ascended to the top rope, connecting with a picture perfect Red Arrow to 'The Awesome One!' The crowd continued to go wild as Maryse checked on her fallen husband, Neville claiming the United States Title while staring down the couple that robbed him of it last Friday. Backstage, Cathy Kelley was standing by with one of the participants in tonight's Extreme Gauntlet to crown a WWE Hardcore Champion, Damien Sandow. When Cathy attempted to ask her question, Sandow cut her off by placing his hand over the microphone, reaching into his robe to pull out a piece of paper. "This is the only question that you are allowed to ask," Sandow stated as Cathy uncomfortably read his writing. "How do you, oh great 'Intellectual Savior of the Unwashed Masses,' intend on revolutionizing hardcore wrestling here tonight?" Cathy asked. "Well, I'm glad you asked. Tonight, the Extreme Gauntlet occurs and nine men will take whatever instrument of malevolence they can find, attempting to seize the Hardcore Championship. The reason that I say nine and not ten is because I refuse to include myself in such a crass bracket. What I, Damien Sandow, will accomplish on this evening is a feat that many have deemed nonviable. I will become the brand new WWE Hardcore Champion without recovering a single weapon, effectively showing all of these imbeciles that one does not need to resort to insensible acts of violence in order to succeed. And once I do so, the uninformed will see the error of their ways, recognize me as their 'Intellectual Savior' and proudly watch as I rechristen the Hardcore Title as the Championship of the Enlightened... You're welcome!"
Returning to Monday Night RAW, chaos was still ensuing between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins in the backstage area as a handful of officials were attempting to separate them. Both superstars shoved the officials out of the way, getting their hands on one another quickly before being restrained yet again. At one point during the scuffle, Rollins was able to push Ambrose with both hands, causing 'The Lunatic Fringe' to hit the back of his head against the wall. Ambrose quickly got up to his feet and charged towards Rollins, only for his knees to give in and drop to the floor. The officials surrounding Ambrose quickly tended to him, direly needing to get him to a doctor. With Ambrose on his knees, Rollins delivered Avada Kedavra! Ambrose's body crumbled to the floor as the officials shouted at Rollins to leave the scene, the runner-up if Manifest Destiny finally complying after dealing the kind of punishment to Ambrose that he desired. ► WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS THE ALPHA WOLVES DEF. HEATH SLATER & FANDANGO: After learning last week that they will defend the WWE Tag Team Championships against Wrestling Royalty at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, The Alpha Wolves went up against the duo of Heath Slater and Fandango. Ted DiBiase and Joe Hennig watched from the ringside area as Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards captured the victory with a Superkick and Brainbuster combination. Wrestling Royalty stepped into the ring afterwards, extending their hands out to Richards and Edwards. The Alpha Wolves accepted the kind gesture, but also raised the WWE Tag Team Titles to remind the longest-reigning champions of all-time that they're as focused as ever for the biggest match of their careers at TLC in thirteen days. Backstage, WWE Champion AJ Styles was shown walking down a corridor, set to compete in Six Man tag Team action next. While walking, Styles turned his head to left, staring at something or someone off-screen with a disdained expression. The camera would pan out to reveal Derrick Bateman and Kaitlyn standing against a wall, the half-owner of World Wrestling Entertainment casually drinking coffee while eying the champion. "... Good luck," Bateman said to Styles before tapping the title's center plate with his palm three times. Bateman, who made it clear earlier that he intends on becoming WWE Champion at some point before the end of the month, walked down the hallway with his girlfriend, 'The Phenomenal One' needing to focus on what awaits him both next on RAW and at TLC in thirteen days. ► WWE CHAMPION AJ STYLES, NXT CHAMPION KEVIN OWENS & TYSON KIDD DEF. CODY RHODES, INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION CM PUNK, & DANIEL BRYAN: A monstrous Six Man Tag Team match to round out the second hour of RAW. The catastrophic nature in which last week's Tag Team main event ended continued on here as Cody Rhodes and CM Punk delivered simultaneous Suicide Dives onto AJ Styles and Tyson Kidd respectively. Back in the ring, Daniel Bryan led the fans in Oklahoma City in a massive "Yes!" chant while prepping for the Busaiku Knee. While in motion for it, Kevin Owens caught him with a Superkick! The NXT Champion brought Bryan to his feet, throwing hi into the ropes before hoisting him into the air with the Pop-Up Powerbomb! Owens got the cover on Bryan, getting the three to get his victory back from Survivor Series. Owens not only retrieved the NXT Championship from ringside, but the Intercontinental Championship as well. 'The Prize Fighter' stood on the announce table while raising both titles in the air, set on leaving TakeOver: Forever with one piece of hold and TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs with the other.
Back in the Chesapeake Arena, Alexa Bliss' first-ever solo theme song hit to a reaction of mostly boos from the Oklahoma City crowd. Alexa, who sported new attire comprised of red hair highlights and gear to match, walked down to the ring, her facial expressions perfectly showing the disgust that she felt for everyone in the arena. Alexa took a microphone and said that ever since SmackDown, she's been bombarded with tweets and comments asking why she turned on Natalya. "'Why would you turn on the woman who gave me an opportunity in WWE?' That's what none of you understand. Natalya never gave me anything. I came to the main roster ready to succeed, but what happened? They didn't feel that I was ready to be on my own. They thought that I needed to be saddled with a veteran like Natalya in order to learn the ropes. And look what happened. I beat Nikki and Brie Bella. I showed everyone that I didn't need Natalya to get anywhere. The only regret I have is that I didn't do what I did to Natalya sooner. She's irrelevant now. It's all about me. It's all about Alexa Bliss and the impact that I'm going to have on the women's division." Alexa's rant would be interrupted by the sound of Natalya's entrance music as she made her way out to the ring, confronting her former protege. "You have a lot of nerve, Alexa. Not only do you disrespect me like you did on SmackDown, but then you try to discredit everything I did for you. I didn't need to take you under my wing, but I did because I saw something in you. I saw the potential for you to be at the top of the division next to women like Paige and AJ. I stuck my neck out for you against The Bella Twins and in return, you stuck a knife in my back. I already had my ex-husband betray me and I'll be damned if I let you get away with it." Natalya removed her entrance jacket, ready to fight Alexa. "You want to do this? You want a match?" Alexa questioned while Natalya repeatedly nodded her head in approval. "Fine!" Alexa yelled out, garnering a pop from the crowd. However, Alexa would roll out of the ring before the altercation could become physical, simply saying, "But not tonight." Alexa headed up the entrance ramp, not looking back at either Natalya or the hostile crowd. A graphic was shown for the Extreme Gauntlet to crown a brand new WWE Hardcore Champion. Alberto Del Rio, Wade Barrett, Rusev, Adam Cole, Antonio Cesaro, Damien Sandow, Ryback, Bo Rotundo, R-Truth and Enzo Amore compete in an all-out war for the reactivated fan favorite title. History will be made, next live on RAW!
Prior to the start of tonight's main event, the commentary duo revealed to the viewers at home of a huge match up for TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs that was just confirmed by General Manager Booker T. If he is cleared to compete in thirteen nights, Dean Ambrose will compete in a rematch of the Manifest Destiny finals against the man who is bitterly jealous over the fact that he failed to defeat Ambrose at Survivor Series, Seth Rollins. ► EXTREME GAUNTLET MATCH FOR THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP: Returning to Monday Night RAW, the bell sounded as Justin Roberts announced that the following contest was the Extreme Gauntlet for the Hardcore Championship. He quickly ran down the rules, stating that two men will start off and every two minutes thereafter, another superstar will enter until all ten have participated. You can only be eliminated via pinfall or submission. The last man standing when all is said and done will be crowned the Hardcore Champion. Alberto Del Rio and Damien Sandow would be the first two to start things off, former God's Gifts members having a wresting contest as 'The Intellectual Savior of the Masses' announced earlier tonight that he planned on becoming Hardcore Champion without having to resort to weapons. Del Rio, however, was more than willing to get his hands dirty, taking out a trash can lid from underneath the ring and leveling Sandow in the head with it. By that point, the next superstar entered the fray, Ryback. 'The Big Guy' ran down to ringside, taking Del Rio out with a Meathook Clothesline. He would then hoist Del Rio up over his head in a Gorilla Press position, throwing him down onto the surface of the announce table. "Ryback rules!" he shouted before being rolled up by Sandow for a two count. Ryback got to his feet and rammed Sandow into the edge of the table before rolling him into the ring. Ryback grabbed a steel chair from the time keeper's area, heading into the ring before having the chair Dropkicked into his face by Sandow. Mauro Ranallo argued that Sandow had already gone back on his word about not using any weapons, but Corey Graves defended him. "Have you seen a single weapon in Sandow's hands yet, Mauro? No, you haven't." Sandow moved the chair to the side and worked over Ryback with strikes and kicks in a corner, continuing to make what is meant to an 'Extreme Gauntlet' a standard contest. Antonio Cesaro would be the next participant to enter, dodging a Clothesline from Sandow and taking him down with a springboard Uppercut! Cesaro would charge into Ryback with a series of Uppercuts before heading out to ringside, picking Del Rio's carcass up and bringing him back into the action. When Cesaro slid into the ring, Sandow repeatedly stomped on him. Their brawl spilled to the outside, where Cesaro was able to bring Sandow to the floor by his legs. 'The Swiss Superman' would then swing Sandow into the barricade, doing so a number of times before releasing him. Cesaro stepped onto the barricade, raised his arm and let out a shout, the Oklahoma City crowd uncharacteristically getting behind him. At that point, Ryback had taken the steel chair that was introduced earlier, assaulting Del Rio with it. 'The Big Guy' seated Del Rio in it before hitting a second Meathook, covering him for a two count. When Ryback got to his feet, the first thing he saw was Cesaro leaping towards him with a Crossbody. Cesaro got a near-fall off of the Crossbody when the next participant entered the match. Enzo Amore's entrance music hit to a great response as he and Colin Cassady stepped out onto the stage. Giving his usual pre-match speech, Enzo said that he knows he isn't expected to leave RAW tonight as the Hardcore Champion. "I got all the tools, boy. Call me Tim the Toolman if you want! I'll take everything but the kitchen sink, knock you over the head with it and then hit you with the kitchen sink! I got the gift of gab and the gift of jab and I ain't afraid to hit some hardcore haymakers. I'm tough, I'm resilient, I'm fast and I'm furious. Rest in peace, Paul Walker! The new kid on the block is gonna leave as the new Hardcore Champion. And why is that, Cass?" Enzo said before handing the microphone over to his partner. "Because there's only one word to describe them and I'm gonna spell! It! Out for you! S! A! W! F! T!" Cass shouted before the crowd finished the phrase for him. Enzo charged into the ring, immediately striking Ryback with a quick shots to the face. None of them fazed Ryback in the slightest, 'The Big Guy' simply shaking his head side-to-side. Enzo smirked at Ryback and put his hands up, as if he was trying to apologize. Enzo would then drop to his knees and connect with a low blow! Ryback was in excruciating pain while Enzo rolled him up, the official making the three count. Ryback is eliminated! Enzo popped up to his feet and celebrated getting the first elimination, shadow boxing in celebration while challenging anyone else in the match to 'get a piece of him.' Sandow was the first to do so, turning Enzo around and connecting with a hard right hand strike. Sandow picked Enzo up and threw him shoulder-first into a steel ring post before turning to the audience and shouting, "You're welcome!" While he did so, a trash can thrown by Del Rio went flying into the ring, catching Sandow in the side of the head. Del Rio stepped into the ring and went after the down-Sandow while Cesaro picked Enzo up off of the floor at ringside, throwing him into the time keeper's area. Cesaro returned to the ring, joining the battle between Sandow and Del Rio to create an all-God's Gifts brawl. At that moment, R-Truth's entrance music hit to signal his arrival. Truth ran into the ring, dodging a Clothesline form Sandow before taking him out with a kick. Truth would then throw Sandow over the top rope before turning around to see Cesaro charging at him. Truth pulled the top rope down, allowing Cesaro to fall out of the ring. Finally, Truth Clotheslined Del Rio out of the ring, standing tall while raising his arms in celebration. Truth then stepped onto the second rope, pointing his finger at the nosebleed seats before looking confused. "Where's the sign?!" Truth yelled out while looking around the arena. "You've gotta be kidding me. Truth thinks he won the Royal Rumble," Graves said with his head down in embarrassment for Truth. While Truth was standing on the second rope, Sandow would pull him down by his jeans. Truth crashed onto the canvas before Sandow picked him up for the Terminus and elimination. R-Truth is eliminated! Before Sandow could get to his feet, Enzo grabbed him by the his legs from underneath the ring and pulled him out. Enzo took a steel chair and struck him in the mid-section with it. Enzo would follow up by stepping onto the ring apron, running off with an elbow drop with the chair to Del Rio. Bo Rotundo then joined the match, immediately going after Enzo for eliminating Ryback. "You hurt my friend!" Bo shouted before throwing Enzo into the steel steps. Bo would follow up by rolling Enzo into the ring, delivering the Running Bo-Dog onto a trash can. Bo got the cover on Enzo, elimination him and getting revenge for his Ry-Bo tag team partner. Enzo Amore is eliminated! The audience booed heavily while Bo celebrated by taking a victory lap around the ring. While he was doing so, however, he was met with a Big Boot from Big Cass! Cass left Bo lying on the floor while he helped Enzo out of the ring, assisting his tag team partner up the entrance ramp. On the outside, Del Rio brought a table into the mix of things, setting it up between the ring and announce table. He attempted to lay Sandow flat on it, but 'The Intellectual Savior of the Masses' defended himself with repeated strikes to Del Rio. Rusev would join the match at that time, running into the ring and taking out Cesaro with a Spinning Heel Kick. At the same time, Del Rio and Sandow took each other with Clotheslines at ringside. Rusev was snuck up behind by Bo, who leveled him in the back with a trash can. Rusev dropped to one knee as Bo got a hold oh his head, looking for another Running Bo-Dog. After Bo bounced his feet off of the top turnbuckle, Rusev threw him out of the ring and sent him crashing through the table! The audience came unglued for Bo's unfrotunate fate as Del Rio crawled towards him, getting the three count. Bo Rotundo is eliminated! When Del Rio attempted to get to his feet, Sandow charged into him with a knee to his face. Sandow would then slide into the ring, striking Rusev in the back until 'The Bulgarian Brute' was face-down on the canvas. Sandow turned Rusev over onto his back, looking for the Elbow of Disdain. Rusev was able to move out of the way in time, Sandow's elbow crashing onto the canvas. Sandow would rise to his feet in a corner, only for Rusev to charge into him with a splash. Rusev then stomped one foot onto the lower back of Sandow before applying the Accolade, cinching in the hold well enough for Sandow to submit. Damien Sandow is eliminated! Shortly after Rusev released his hold on Sandow, Adam Cole's entrance music hit. The eyes of Rusev immediately locked onto the stage as Cole made his way down to the ring, the two rivals meeting in the center of the ring for battle. Cole immediately had a strike of is blocked, Rusev repeatedly connecting with huge shots to the side of his head. Rusev threw Cole towards the ropes, but the former NXT Champion slid out of the ring. Rusev went after him, only to be leveled with a monitor from the announce table. Cole took a steel chair and placed Rusev's hand on the surface of the announce table, slamming the chair onto it! Rusev clutched his hand as he fell to the floor, Cole standing over him with a smirk from ear-to-ear. "Adam Cole, bay-bay!" he shouted in Rusev's face before being struck with a Yakuza Kick from Cesaro! Cesaro threw Cole into the ring, placing him in position for the Cesaro Swing. Before he could being rotating Cole, Cesaro was hit in the back with a kendo stick from Damien Sandow! Sandow, who was eliminated moments ago, took his frustrations out on everybody remaining in the match. "So much for not using any weapons!" Mauro Ranallo shouted before Corey Graves once again defended the actions of Sandow. "How short is your attention span, Mauro?! Sandow said that he wouldn't use any weapons while in the match! He's not in the match anymore! He's just a man with a mission statement!" Sandow delivered shots with the kendo stick to Cole, Rusev and Del Rio before raising the stick in the air to the dismay of the Oklahoma City fans. After Sandow left to the backstage area, the final participant in the match made his entrance - Wade Barrett. The two-time WWE Champion laughed on his way down to the ring at the fact that all four of his adversaries were down and out after facing Sandow's wrath. After Barrett stepped in between the ropes, he turned his elbow pad inside out and was set on delivering the Bullhammer to Rusev. Barrett charged towards Rusev for the elbow strike, but 'The Bulgarian Brute' caught him by surprise with a Superkick! The dazed Barrett walked into the clutches of Cesaro, who planted him with the Neutralizer to get the elimination! Wade Barrett is eliminated! "As quickly as Wade Barrett entered this match, the arguable favorite to win the Hardcore Championship has been eliminated!" Mauro Ranallo shouted while the audience rejoiced for Barrett's elimination. Four superstars remained in the contest for the Hardcore Title. Cesaro, Del Rio, Rusev and Cole. The latter took two new trash cans out from underneath the ring, placing one in a corner while intending to use the other against his arch rival, Rusev. While Cole had the trash can above his head, Rusev caught him and threw him across the ring with a T-Bone Suplex. Cole got to his feet and immediately leaped out of the way when he saw Rusev charging towards him. Rusev splashed into the turnbuckles, Cole taking advantage of his opening by grabbing a steel chair and using it to pulverize Rusev. While 'The Bulgarian Brute' was on his knees, Cole took one of the trash cans and placed it over his head and upper-body. Cole delivered a Superkick to the can, both his boot and the galvanized steel smashing into Rusev's face. Cole removed the trash can and covered Rusev to pick up the elimination. Rusev is eliminated! Now with all of the momentum on his side, Cole grabbed Del Rio and brought him into the center of the ring, looking to connect with a Superkick to him in the same manner that he did Rusev with the other trash can. Before Cole could deliver it, Cesaro ran into him with a devastating Uppercut! Cole rolled out of the ring, where Cesaro followed him and attempted to deliver a Neutralizer. Cole countered it into a Back Body Drop, leaving Cesaro to writhe around in pain while he stepped onto the ring apron. When Cesaro got halfway to his feet, Cole leaped off the apron and planted him with the Panama Sunrise onto the floor! "The skull of Cesaro violent bouncing off the ground! What a sickening thud!" Mauro Ranallo exclaimed while Cole covered Cesaro to eliminate him. Antonio Cesaro is eliminated! Cole rose to his feet and looked at Del Rio in the ring, realizing that they were the final two competitors left. Looking to finish off 'The Mexican Aristocrat' emphatically, Cole looked underneath the ring and brought a table out. The former NXT Champion, who at that point looked to be on his way to adding the Hardcore Championship to his résumé, set the table up in the center of the ring before placing Del Rio against the turnbuckles. Cole climbed onto the top rope, bringing Del Rio with him for what appeared to be an attempt at the Panama Sunrise. Del Rio kept both of his hands gripped on the top rope, Cole trying to further weaken him with shots to his back. Del Rio, however, was able to retaliate with body shots of his own, slapping Cole repeatedly with both open palms to daze him. Del Rio was able to so, following up by turning Cole around. In what was the most incredible spot of the match, Del Rio hit Cole with an Inverted Suplex off the top rope and through the table! The audience erupted as Del Rio placed one arm over Cole's chest, the official making the final three count! ALBERTO DEL RIO WINS THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP!
"'The Mexican Aristocrat' has done it! Alberto Del Rio is the Hardcore Champion!" said Mauro Ranallo as the celebration began in Oklahoma City for Del Rio. The official handed him the Hardcore Title, Del Rio barely able to stand as he took his brand new title. Del Rio raised the championship in the air, coming out on top in an absolute war among some of the WWE's toughest superstars. "Think of the men that Del Rio outlasted. Wade Barrett. Antonio Cesaro. Rusev. Truly a remarkable performance here tonight for our brand new WWE Hardcore Champion, Alberto Del Rio," Corey Graves said, offering his input.
"Wait. Wait. Wait," were the words that could be heard from the voice of Derrick Bateman, who made his way out to the stage as Del Rio's music silenced. The audience heavily booed Bateman just as they did at the beginning of the show, the half-owner of WWE telling the new Hardcore Champion that there were two things he needed to give him. "First, I'd like to congratulate you on becoming the WWE Hardcore Champion. But... I also need to apologize to you," Bateman said, Del Rio and everyone else in the arena staring at him in confusion. "See, I forgot to let you and the rest of the participants know that there's one more person left to enter the Extreme Gauntlet. So, to make sure that everyone who is supposed to get a chance at that title does so, your night's not over, Alberto. You've got one more superstar to overcome," Bateman stated, pretending to be sincere towards Del Rio before smirking at him.
► BARON CORBIN W/ DERRICK BATEMAN DEF. ALBERTO DEL RIO TO WIN THE HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP: The fix was absolutely in as Baron Corbin, who made his debut on Monday Night RAW last week by aiding Derrick Bateman against Shane McMahon, made his entrance as the "true" final participant in the Extreme Gauntlet. Bateman accompanied Corbin down to the ring, smiling the entire time as he knew exactly what he was doing. The bell sounded when Del Rio attempted to defend his championship, striking Corbin multiple times in the face. None of his strikes had any effect on Corbin, who grabbed Del Rio by his arm and pulled him closer for the End of Days! Del Rio was planted onto the canvas, Corbin turning him over to get the cover and the three count. While Justin Roberts was making the post-match announcement, Bateman snatched his microphone from him to make the announcement himself. "The winner of this match and NEW WWE Hardcore Champion, Baron Corbin!" Bateman took the Hardcore Title and proudly handed it to Corbin, who raised it in the air while placing one foot on the fallen Del Rio. Bateman raised Corbin's free hand, the two men standing tall over Del Rio in the same way that they did last week against Shane McMahon. Del Rio went to hell and back and come out on top in the Extreme Gauntlet, but the Hardcore Title was ripped away from him immediately afterwards and now, the title rests on the shoulder of Bateman's right-hand man, Baron Corbin.
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Post by tg11 on Jun 21, 2016 9:31:16 GMT -5
- It has been such a long time since I have been here so I will just comment right now on RAW because this RAW right here actually was very good so I will just get into it right here right now
- Starting the show off with Paul Heyman is always a breath of fresh air...hell that is how every RAW should start off...the advocate for The Beast The Conqueror Brock Lesnar starting off RAW telling the WWE Universe that his client Brock Lesnar was robbed of the WWE Championship well Brock Lesnar was because let's face it he dominated Cody Rhodes right from the opening bell of that match at Survivor Series...Brock had the match won he had Cody Rhodes beat until AJ Styles came out and cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase cashed it in and interjected himself in the damn match practically stealing the title because let's face it AJ Styles is nothing more than a snake in the grass an opportunist who took advantage of a situation and the fact that Lesnar wasn't even pinned in the match and Rhodes was...Lesnar should be entitled to a rematch hell he is owed a rematch if you ask me
- Seeing Derrick Bateman part-owner of the WWE now interrupting Paul Heyman...I have to admit Bateman has guts he does because if Lesnar were out there in the ring then Bateman would think twice but the fact that Lesnar is not there and Bateman comes out tells a story now doesn't it? Bateman interjecting himself into the WWE Championship picture...well he can do that I mean he is part-owner of the company after all but the fact that he gets a title match before Lesnar...why would you want to make The Beast even more angry? But can Bateman do that? I mean Ambrose he has a guaranteed WWE Championship match at the 2015 Royal Rumble PPV so then how would that even work? Unless Bateman interjects himself into that match and it ends up being a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship at the 2015 Royal Rumble PPV next month or unless Bateman interjects himself into the title match at TLC and it ends up being a Triple Threat Match between Styles, Rhodes and Bateman?
- John Cena beating Big E. by DQ with the rest of The New Day getting involved to cause the DQ...I mean could we really expect anything less from The New Day here? I mean seriously Cena had the match won and probably would have won it but obviously The New Day wanted to send a message to Cena and they did by leaving him laying yet again...but after the beatdown Cena challenges not 1 not 2 but all 3 members of The New Day to a 3 on 1 Handicap Match at TLC...I mean is Cena crazy? I mean it should have been enough that he would challenge at least one of them but to challenge all 3 of them at the same time...Cena may just be signing his own death warrant here at TLC
- Rollins wanting to send a message to Dean Ambrose...I mean he sure as hell did that in spades by not only beating Ryder but let's face it this was a squash but at the same time it pretty much elevates Rollins well in the sense of momentum
- A Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the WWE Women's Championship for the brand new WWE Women's Championship belt between AJ and Sofia Cortez I mean why wouldn't Kaitlyn simply just interject herself into the match? I mean why not? She is the girlfriend of the part-owner of WWE isn't she not? Not to mention Kaitlyn she is a former WWE Divas Champion after all but also she has history with both Sofia and AJ but to see AJ and Sofia going at it in not just any regular match but a TLC match I mean if you want to have the Women's division on par with or on the same level with all of the rest of the superstars in the WWE then you certainly have done that now haven't you?
- The new WWE United States Champion The Miz facing Manifest Destiny winner Dean Ambrose and their match ending in a No Contest was bound to happen sooner or later especially because of Rollins showing up and right on cue he shows up and Ambrose takes the fight to him as they fight to the backstage area I mean sooner or later it has to come to a head but then just as Miz is celebrating post-match out of nowhere he is attacked by Neville with Neville leaving The Miz laying I can't really blame Neville considering everything that The Miz has done to him or has been doing to him...well it is obvious that Miz/Neville will happen at TLC just like Rollins/Ambrose will happen at TLC
- Sandow in his Intellectual Savior gimmick is back I love this...the fact that Sandow is back to his roots back to his Intellectual self back in his Intellectual glory this man is my pick for the Extreme Gauntlet for the WWE Hardcore Championship
- After that beatdown backstage that Ambrose received from Rollins with Rollins standing tall I wonder if Ambrose is definitely injured now? I mean Ambrose no doubt has to have a concussion if he didn't before he definitely does now I mean probably a severe concussion
- WWE Tag Team Champions The Alpha Wolves beating Heath Slater and Fandango...I mean no doubt message being sent here by The Wolves showing the WWE Tag Team division but more importantly their TLC opponents Wrestling Royalty that they are more focused more ready for this title defense because this match right here at TLC will pretty much determine just who is the best tag team in the WWE right now bar none because this match is essentially a dream match one that no one would have ever thought would happen well it is happening and DiBiase & Hennig looking on watching this match no doubt they were obviously scouting Edwards & Richards...classic case of veterans vs young guns here
- AJ Styles is a marked man especially being the WWE Champion he has challengers at all corners he has Bateman to worry about on top of Cody Rhodes who he has to face off against at TLC but then Lesnar when he comes back on top of Dean Ambrose who won Manifest Destiny...AJ goes from the hunter to the hunted so let's see just what kind of champion AJ Styles truly is
- WWE Champion AJ Styles teaming up with NXT Champion Kevin Owens and Tyson Kidd to take on the team of Cody Rhodes, WWE Intercontinental Champion CM Punk and Daniel Bryan in 6 man Tag Team action I am surprised AJ didn't leave his teammates high and dry to finish the match on their own knowing what kind of man he is knowing what kind of champion he is but he surprisingly stayed in the match but even more so seeing the 4 participants who will be in the Fatal 4 Way Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship Punk, Bryan, Owens and Kidd all in the same match we all knew that this would ensue in a melee and it did but Owens being the one to stand tall after all was said and done I mean could that be an omen of things to come for TLC? Could Owens walk out of TLC as WWE Intercontinental Champion and NXT Champion being a double champion?
- Alexa Bliss explaining why she turned on Natalya...I mean I understand why she did it but then again at the same time by doing that she may have just made an enemy for life in Natalya because if she thinks that Natalya is just going to let it go of course that is not going to happen...and Natalya just when she is about to get her hands on Alexa...Alexa bails I mean it is obvious that Alexa was playing mind games with Natalya and it clearly worked
- Rollins/Ambrose II at TLC...I mean will Ambrose be at 100 percent? Will Ambrose even be able to make it to TLC especially considering what happened to him earlier at the hands of Rollins?
- Del Rio does it...Del Rio is the new WWE Hardcore Champion he adds yet another title to his already impressive WWE career I mean at this point Del Rio is a Triple Crown winner he has won almost every conceivable title that there is in WWE he has literally done it all in this business and in such a short period of time too I mean he is well on his way to being a future first ballot WWE Hall of Famer but his WWE Hardcore Championship reign lasts all but a few seconds before Bateman sicks Baron Corbin on Del Rio and Corbin ends up becoming the new WWE Hardcore Champion...no doubt the fix was in right from the start that it didn't matter who won the Gauntlet that Corbin would somehow win the title and he has but it begs the question of if Del Rio will even get a rematch for the title?
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Post by Planktung on Jun 22, 2016 20:51:17 GMT -5
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Post by Planktung on Jul 8, 2016 3:48:05 GMT -5
Kicking off NXT on ION Television was the Master Lock Challenge that had been proposed the week prior by Uhaa Nation. With Tyler Breeze and Michael Bennett at Chris Masters' side, Ricochet accompanied Uhaa out to the ring for the challenge. After Uhaa sat in the chair, Masters began to apply the hold before Uhaa stood up, the three loathed superstars calling for him to be disqualified. Uhaa took a microphone and stated that while he did say last week that there would be a Master Lock Challenge, he never said that he would be the one taking it. At that moment, Uhaa and Ricochet both charged towards Breeze and Bennett, taking them out of the ring. Masters missed a Clothesline to the both of them, Uhaa following up with a chair shot to Masters' back. Uhaa set the chair up before Ricochet seated Masters in it, Uhaa applying the Master Lock! Uhaa kept the submission hold cinched in until Masters passed out, defeating him at his own challenge. Uhaa and Ricochet then leaped out of the ring with Suicide Dives to Breeze and Bennett, leaving their three adversaries for TakeOver: Forever down and out.
► HIDEO ITAMI W/ PAUL HEYMAN DEF. DANNY BURCH via the Burning Hammer. Hideo Itami picks up more momentum on his way to a dream match at NXT TakeOver: Forever against Jushin 'Thunder' Liger.
At this time, footage was shown from earlier today at the WWE Performance Center, where Dusty Rhodes met with TakeOver opponents, Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly. The two former tag team partners sat across from each other while Dusty explained the stipulation for their match that was put in place earlier in the day. Due to the success of Manifest Destiny, WWE decided to begin the selection process for next year's tournament already. Because Cole has vowed to be the winner in one year's time, he is being given the opportunity to prove that he deserves another chance to win Manifest Destiny. However, if he cannot get the job done, then he must spend the next nine months knowing that someone he despises in Kyle O'Reilly will have that opportunity instead. Dusty asked for both men to shake hands at the end of his speech, but neither complied. They simply turned their backs to each other and walked away.
Backstage, Becky Lynch was preparing for her match tonight against Frankie Kazarian when Devin Taylor approached her, asking for her thoughts on competing tonight in NXT's first intergender match. Becky explained that with Finn Balor out doing media for TakeOver, she fully expects The Addiction to bring out the shenanigans in tonight's match. However, she's not afraid of what she faces tonight, nor in ten days at TakeOver. At the end of the interview, a delivery man stepped into the scene with an Appletini, asking, "Where can I find a... Mr. Daniels?" The perplexed Becky asked if Christopher Daniels actually has his Appletinis delivered to him, which the delivery man confirmed. "Actually, I'm meeting Daniels later. I can take it to him myself," Becky offered, which the delivery man agreed to since he was in a hurry. Becky took the Appletini, sniffing it before quickly backing her head away and squinting her eyes. ► CHAD GABLE & JASON JORDAN DEF. BLAKE & MURPHY: via Flying Crossbody from Chad Gable to Murphy after Jason Jordan took Blake out with a shoulder tackle. Gable and Jordan celebrated their victory afterwards, though the latter was still hesitant to make the team official, despite the masses in the Full Sail audience getting thoroughly behind them.
A pre-recorded WWE.com interview that Michael Cole conducted with Sami Zayn aired, initially focusing on last week's WWE Network exclusive segment where Zayn visited Kevin Owens at his house on Thanksgiving. "I needed some way to have a conversation with Kevin that didn't end with our shirts over our heads and fists flying. He wasn't going to lay a hand on me with his family and several witnesses around. Was what I did wrong? It wasn't the best option, but how many do I really have at this point?" When Cole asked Zayn if he thinks that going to Owens' house has only further angered the NXT Champion, Zayn said that it's obvious it did. "Kevin's fuse is shorter than the NXT Title reign that I had that he ruined. I want Kevin to be as angry as possible come TakeOver because an angry Kevin Owens is the best Kevin Owens. I want his best because I'm going to give him my best on December 14th. He thinks that I'm not capable of pulling out all the stops because of what he did to me last month, but while Kevin is on the road with the main roster, I'm in the Performance Center every day getting better. While he's focused on CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Tyson Kidd, I have one single goal in mind and that's beating him at TakeOver for the NXT Championship. A Texas Deathmatch is exactly what he and I need to settle this once and for all. And when that bell rings and the match is over, I will finally have my moment as the NXT Champion and the man who ran Kevin Owens out of here." Following the airing of the interview, NXT Champion Kevin Owens made his presence felt in the Full Sail Arena, marching down to the ring with a microphone while the fans erupted for him. "Shut up! Shut up! Don't cheer me because I hate each and every one of you and I couldn't be happier that being on the road full-time with WWE means that I don't have to come here every week!" Owens went on to berate Sami Zayn, saying that by showing up to his house with a camera on Thanksgiving of all days, he proved to the entire world that he's nothing more than a coward. "And how come you're not here tonight, Sami? Because you knew that I was going to be here and was ready to take your head off? Oh, wait. It's because you were in Stanford with Michael Cole, talking about how you're going to beat me at TakeOver. You said you were going to do that at SummerSlam, but you didn't. You said you'd do it at the last TakeOver, yet I'm the one who walked out of this crappy building with the NXT Championship. And guess what? I'm doing it all over again in Houston. Third time isn't the charm, Sami. At least not for you. And just so that you and everyone else understand what I'm capable of, next week, I'm issuing a special challenge to anyone in the back that wants their fifteen minutes of fame on the Kevin Owens Show. Meet me in this ring because we're having ourselves a Texas Deathmatch!" The NXT Tag Team Champions, The Addiction, were seen walking in the backstage area, Frankie Kazarian getting ready to do battle with Becky Lynch. The duo stopped when Christopher Daniels noticed his Appletini resting on the floor, kneeling to pick it up. "The nerve of Appletini delivery boys these days," Daniels said before sipping the beverage and continuing on. "What's wrong?" Kazarian asked when he noticed his tag team partner react strangely to the Appletini. "It tastes a little different..." Daniels said, ultimately shrugging the taste off and proceeding to drink from it anyways. ► BECKY LYNCH DEF. NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPION FRANKIE KAZARIAN W/ CHRISTOPHER DANIELS VIA DISQUALIFICATION: after Christopher Daniels pulled Becky Lynch out of the ring during a pin attempt. Daniels attempted to strike Becky with the NXT Title, but she managed to dodge it. 'The Lass Kicker' picked up Daniels' Appletini that he placed on the steel steps. She threw the beverage into his face before running up the entrance ramp, evading The Addiction for at least tonight. The NXT fans chanted Becky's name while Kazarian asked for a towel from ringside to clean Daniels' eyes. "... Dude, that really doesn't smell good at all," Kazarian said to Daniels when he sniffed the Appletini that soaked the towel, all while Becky laughed to herself on the stage.
Kicking off SmackDown was the half-owner of WWE, Derrick Bateman, who stood in the ring while the audience showered him with boos per usual. Bateman put over the Extreme Gauntlet from this past Monday night, congratulating all of the participants for their efforts. "It was a grueling contest. Definitely not one for the fainthearted. And when it was all said and done, one true warrior was left standing as the brand new Hardcore Champion. A brave soul who risked it all for a shot at glory. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome one of the most resilient competitors to ever step foot in a WWE ring, Baron Corbin!" The crowd continued to boo for both Bateman's exaggerated introduction as well as the actual arrival of Corbin as the new Hardcore Champion. Once Corbin was in the ring, he thanked Bateman for the opportunity to not only stand by his side, but to also become the first true Hardcore Champion of the new era. "Guess this is the moment everyone's been waiting for. Why did I, a self-proclaimed 'Lone Wolf' align myself with Derrick Bateman? Because Bateman gets it. He understands what I've had to go through. We weren't indie-darlings who everyone raved about. We came in here with a chip on our shoulders that only got bigger when some weaklings got opportunities we didn't. Bateman was passed up for guys like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles. I was never the star of NXT because of Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, Adam Cole and the list goes on. True talent recognizes true talent and that's what is happening here. I'm your new Hardcore Champion and before we ring in 2014, Bateman will be WWE Champion!" The duo were then interrupted by Cody Rhodes, who made something clear to Bateman. "You're assuming that you're ending this year as the WWE Champion. If you go up against AJ Styles... Then yeah, you got a chance. But that's the thing. You're not facing AJ Styles for the title because I'm taking it back at TLC. I'm holding onto that thing for dear life and there isn't a snowball's chance in hell that I'm letting some undeserving jackass like you take it from me!" Before Bateman could respond to Rhodes, Alberto Del Rio made his entrance. The man who had the Hardcore Championship ripped away from him at the end of RAW stepped into the ring, not apologizing to Rhodes for the interruption. "You can talk about becoming WWE Champion all you want, Bateman, but until that day comes, if it ever even does, all you are is a pathetic manipulator. You and this filthy perro!" Del Rio said, referring to Corbin. The two traded words before Bateman came between them, asking Del Rio what he planned to do about the fact that he lost fair and square to Corbin on Monday? "Fair and square? How about I beat the living hell out of Corbin tonight and take back my Hardcore Title, fair and square?!" Del Rio suggested to the pleasure of the audience. Bateman would then grant Del Rio his rightful rematch for the Hardcore Championship... But not tonight. "You can have it in nine days at TLC. Okay, 'Bertie?'" Bateman said before patting Del Rio on the shoulder. Bateman and Corbin left the ring, though the half-owner of WWE made sure to tell Rhodes and Del Rio to stay in the ring. "You two used to be pretty tight, no? God's Gifts basically ran this show at the beginning of the year, and now, I do. Funny, isn't it? Anyways, I suggest you two get on the same page again because you're in tag team action right now against the other two superstars you called 'brothers' at one point, Antonio Cesaro and Damien Sandow."
► CODY RHODES & ALBERTO DEL RIO DEF. ANTONIO CESARO & DAMIEN SANDOW: via Cross Rhodes to Damien Sandow. Cody Rhodes and Alberto Del Rio managed to form a cohesive unit, while Sandow and Antonio Cesaro had trouble acting as a team. After Sandow inadvertently bumped into Cesaro, Rhodes rolled him up for a two count before 'The Intellectual Savior of the Masses' took control of the match. Cesaro would then roll into the ring and take Sandow out with a leaping Uppercut! 'The Swiss Superman' left the ring to plenty of cheers while Rhodes proceeded to get the victory for his team.
Backstage, Cody Rhodes and Alberto Del Rio were shown walking towards the locker room after a successful outing as a tag team. The two of them were approached by Derrick Bateman, who sarcastically applauded them for a job well done. "To say that I was pleasantly surprised by how well you two worked together would be an understatement. In fact, I was so impressed that I think I want to see it one more time tonight. So, that teamwork that I saw out there just now? Make sure to keep that going because if not, you're both going to find out exactly why... New! Day rocks! New! Day rocks! New! Day rocks!"
► UNITED STATES CHAMPION THE MIZ W/ MARYSE DEF. R-TRUTH: via the Skull Crushing Finale. Afterwards, a graphic was shown confirming that in nine days at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, The Miz will defend the United States Title against the former champion, Adrian Neville. ► INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION CM PUNK VS. TYSON KIDD ENDED IN A DOUBLE COUNT-OUT: after a Vertical Suplex into the audience prevented either competitor from making it back into the ring in time. CM Punk was the first to do so, holding onto his lower back while asking for the match to be restarted. While he did so, the Intercontinental Champion was ambushed from behind by one of his three challengers at TLC, Kevin Owens. The NXT Champion pounded away on Punk's back with repeated shots before delivering the Pop-Up Powerbomb. Tyson Kidd would then crawl into the ring, only to be immediately taken out with a Superkick. Kidd was met with a Pop-Up Powerbomb as well before Owens raised both the NXT and Intercontinental Championships, doing so for the second time this week. On commentary, Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves reminded the viewers at home of the situation between Manifest Destiny winner, Dean Ambrose, and the man who came up short against him at Survivor Series, Seth Rollins. "If Ambrose can be cleared in time, the two of them will have a one-on-one rematch at WWE TLC. However, we can confirm right now that this coming Monday on RAW, Ambrose will be hosting what he is referring to as 'The Ambrose Asylum' with Rollins as his guest," said Ranallo. Graves had only one question, which was likely the same one on everyone's minds: "What the hell is 'The Ambrose Asylum?'" ► WRESTLING ROYALTY DEF. RY-BO: via Dream Street to Bo Rotundo. The longest-reigning WWE Tag Team Champions in history pick up momentum heading into what they believe is their final shot at glory at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs. One more WWE Tag Team Title opportunity against The Alpha Wolves. ► NATALYA DEF. ALICIA FOX: via the Sharpshooter. Alexa Bliss joined Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves on commentary for the match, using the opportunity to berate Natalya. Afterwards, Natalya stared down Alexa while Ranallo mentioned that somewhere down the road, a match between the two will take place. "It's destiny at this point," he added, to which Alexa responded with, "It's destiny for me to slap all of those Hart entitlements out of her." Prior to the start of the main event, a video package was shown to recap the events from RAW between AJ Lee and Sofia Cortez. With the Divas Championship destroyed, the Head of the Women's Division, Kaitlyn, announced that the WWE Women's Championship is being re-activated and the first-ever women's Tables, Ladders and Chairs match will take place in nine days to crown the inaugural champion. This Monday on RAW, a 'Championship Ascension Ceremony' will be held. The Women's Title will officially be raised into the air to signal the start of a new chapter in the division. Not only will AJ and Sofia be present, but invitations have been sent out to all former WWE Women's and Divas Champions to be there for this historic event. ► THE NEW DAY W/ XAVIER WOODS DEF. CODY RHODES & ALBERTO DEL RIO: via the Big Ending to Alberto Del Rio. With the official distracted by Xavier Woods, Hardcore Champion, Baron Corbin, ran out to ringside and took Del Rio out with a Big Boot before rolling him back into the ring. Big E delivered the Big Ending from there and managed to pick up the win for New Day. The trio celebrated in the ring with gyrations and a blaring trombone while Corbin headed up the entrance ramp, Derrick Bateman meeting him there. At ringside, Cody Rhodes tended to Del Rio while staring down Bateman from a distance, a WWE Championship match between the two still very much possible within the next weeks. All Rhodes has to do to make that happen is reclaim the gold from AJ Styles in nine nights at TLC.
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Post by Planktung on Jul 12, 2016 17:15:37 GMT -5
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Post by Planktung on Jul 16, 2016 22:42:32 GMT -5
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Post by Planktung on Jul 16, 2016 23:11:09 GMT -5
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Post by Planktung on Jul 16, 2016 23:11:35 GMT -5
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Post by Planktung on Jul 23, 2016 6:02:03 GMT -5
After the signature WWE intro, thousands upon thousands of NXT fans were shown filing into the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas for the start of one of the biggest weekends of 2013 for professional wrestling. NXT hits the Lone Star State for its most historic event to date, Takeover: Forever. The official Kickoff Panel comprised of Renee Young, Lita and the WWE main roster commentators, Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves, welcomed everyone to TakeOver Kickoff. After introducing the panel, Renee asked Graves for his thoughts on seeing the arena that NXT had sold out after being there back in the days of FCW. "This is unbelievable. I was a part of the developmental system back when we were in Tampa and struggled to fill seats in a warehouse. Now, we sold out the Toyota Center and will pack the same number of fans as TLC tomorrow night. I couldn't be any more proud of how far NXT has come." Looking ahead to the night of action that will showcase exactly what NXT is capable of, the panel first focused on the Tag Team Title match that will pit The Addiction against an intergender duo, Finn Balor and Becky Lynch. "First off, someone here needs to make that the Appletini gets into Christopher Daniels' hands as soon as it gets here," Graves said before Ranallo stated that this is probably the match he's looking most forward to tonight. "I've followed Finn and Becky's journeys to the WWE. They've wanted this for so long, and in Becky's case, she almost gave it up. Now, she has the chance to make history as the first intergender pairing to win the NXT Tag Team Titles. The Addiction have made statement after statement since arriving on the scene earlier this year, but on this day, I think Finn Balor and Becky Lynch will have their number." Lita then said that she's going with Balor and Becky as well. "This is a historic weekend for women in our industry. AJ Lee and Sofia Cortez will compete in the first-ever women's Tables, Ladders and Chairs match tomorrow night. Sasha Banks and Bayley we'll get to later, but they're going to tear it down in a few hours, but Becky Lynch is stepping into a division that has been reserved for men and is ready to break down barriers. My girl, Becky Lynch, and one of my favorite NXT superstars, Finn Balor, are leaving here tonight as the new NXT Tag Team Champions."
Onto the next contest, the panel discussed a match that will set one of two superstars up for success in 2014. The first Manifest Destiny Qualifying match between former tag team partners, Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly. Ranallo said that much like Balor and Becky, he's familiar the roads that both superstars have taken to get this point. "Those roads were intertwined until about a year and a half ago when Adam Cole signed his WWE contract. Kyle O'Reilly is a competitor. He's not selfish, but he is determined and I know for a fact that he did feel a bit of jealousy when Cole got the call and not him. That only made him more hungry and motivated to get to this stage. Cole made it here first, but I think O'Reilly is going to make the 2014 Manifest Destiny tournament first." Graves said that this is the only match he's undecided on tonight. "Both of them have their strengths and their weaknesses. Kyle O'Reilly has two extremely dominant wins under his belt, but this isn't Full Sail University and he's not facing rookies. This is NXT TakeOver and he's facing a former NXT Champion in Adam Cole. As for Cole, he's been on the road with the main roster for a good while now. His body has been through more than O'Reilly, but at the same time, he may have found his key to victory this past Monday on RAW in the form of Lana. She will indeed be here tonight in Cole's corner and she could be the deciding factor."
Backstage, Tom Philips was standing by with Paul Heyman, asking for his thoughts on Hideo Itami's huge match tonight against a Cruiserweight icon, Jushin 'Thunder Liger. "These last few weeks have been very trying for me. Not only did my client, Brock Lesnar, get screwed out of the WWE Championship at Survivor Series, but then Derrick Bateman had the audacity to deny my 'Beast' a rightful rematch. But, nothing would lift my spirit quite like seeing my other client, Hideo Itami, be victorious here tonight. It was at the last NXT TakeOver event when Hideo officially joined my clientele, and tonight, he's going to show everyone here in Houston and all over the world on the WWE Network why NXT is his territory. Tonight, it's Jushin 'Thunder' Liger. Then, it's the winner of the Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn match because if I can't have the WWE Championship in my camp, then leading Hideo to the NXT Championship is my number one priority."
The in-ring debuts of four of the newest additions to the NXT women's roster "When we've got Sasha Banks, Bayley and Becky Lynch making history, tonight is absolutely the night for these four to get their names out there and make themselves stars," Rob Naylor said before the opening bell sounded. Billie Kay and Nicole Matthews locked up, one-half of Femme Fatales placing one-half of The Canadian Ninjas in a Headlock. Nicole attempted to pick Billie up, but her long legs were able to keep her feet planted. Nicole pushed Billie into the ropes, breaking herself free until Billie took her down with a Clothesline. Billie would then go for a Leg Drop, but Nicole moved out of the way and followed up with the first cover of the match for a one count. Billie got onto her knees, which turned out to be a mistake as Nicole kicked her square in the chest. A Daniel Bryan-inspired "Yes!" chant broke out for every one of Nicole's kicks, finishing Billie off with one to the side of the head before a tag was made to Peyton Royce. The other Australian superstar ran into and leveled Nicole with her forearm, getting her onto the canvas before pounding away with strikes. Nicole tried to extent her hand to Portia Perez for a tag, but Peyton grabbed her leg and pulled her into the center of the ring. From there, Peyton applied a Heel Hook that Nicole tried fight out of valiantly. Reaching Portia was too big of an obstacle, so Nicole had to settle for grabbing the bottom rope to break the hold. Peyton got to her feet and placed Nicole's head against the rope, pushing her foot into her clavicle. Peyton brought Nicole back up for a Vertical Suplex, but Nicole managed to land on her feet. She connected with a Dropkick to Peyton, followed by another one and then an Inverted DDT. Both women desperately needed to make tags, able to do so seconds later. Portia Perez dodged a strike from Billie Kay, leaping onto the second rope and then bouncing off with a Crossbody. Both women got to their feet, but Portia was the first to execute with a Spinning Heel Kick. She got the cover, but it was broken up by Peyton. Bad leg and all, Nicole slid back into the ring and a Dropkick to the back of Peyton. One-half of Femme Fatales was pushed towards a corner, where Portia was waiting for her. Portia got Peyton in her clutches, sending her face-first into the middle turnbuckle with an STO. When Portia rose to her, she charged towards Billie Kay, who fended her off with an elbow, doing the same to Nicole. Billie went for a Big Boot, but Nicole was successful in blocking it by grabbing her foot in time. Nicole then turned Billie towards Portia, who caught her with an Enziguri. Nicole wrapped her arms around the waist of the dazed Billie, allowing Portia to connect with a Superkick leading into a German Suplex! Portia quickly got the cover on Billie, successfully picking up the win.THE CANADIAN NINJAS DEFEAT FEMME FATALES! A warm response from Houston emerged for The Canadian Ninjas after a successful NXT debut. Nicole Matthews and Portia Perez hugged each other before having their arms raised by the official. The commentary duo of Rob Naylor and Josh Barnett gave rightful credit to Femme Fatales for a stellar showing, but ultimately, The Canadian Ninjas were just a little bit better here tonight at NXT TakeOver Kickoff.
Near the merchandise stand, Cathy Kelley was shown with a number of NXT fans who were amped up and ready to go for TakeOver: Forever. "What I'm going to do now is see exactly which side the fans are on for the Six Man Tag later tonight. Who here thinks that the trio of Tyler Breeze, Michael Bennett and Chris Masters are gonna get it done?" Cathy asked, resulting in unanimous boos from the crowd. "Okay, then what does everyone think of Uhaa Nation, Ricochet and the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada?" This time, every fan rejoiced and chanted Okada's name before Cathy turned back to the camera. "Clearly, Houston, Texas is ready for the NXT debut of 'The Rainmaker.'"
"You think it's gonna rain here tonight?" was Renee Young's first question to the Kickoff Panel when the focus was shifted back onto them. "Yeah, it's definitely gonna rain tonight. As in Tyler Breeze, Michael Bennett and Chris Masters are going to rain on everyone's parade when they send Okada back to New Japan and we never hear from him again," Corey Graves said harshly. Looking at another heavily-anticipated, Renee took everyone back Unison, which was when the 'Cero Miedo' vignettes began airing. "All of that told us that the man with zero fear was on his way to NXT, and now, he wants to 'sacrifice' Solomon Crowe here tonight." Lita said that Pentagon is an enigma that she wants to know more about because he and Maxine have brought a plethora of questions with them to NXT. "Mainly, who is there master? Are we going to find out tonight? One way or the other, I think Pentagon has Solomon Crowe right where he wants him. He's already won the mind games by taking out Drake Younger, and clearly, he's more than capable of doing the same to Crowe," Lita added. Mauro Ranallo gave his input, urging the NXT fanbase to not count Solomon Crowe out. "Pentagon is vicious, but so is Crowe. I've seen him compete in some of the most barbaric matches imaginable. For every bit of violence Pentagon brings to the table, I guarantee that Crowe can one-up him."Backstage in the Social Media Lounge, Devin Taylor was shown with the NXT General Manager, Dusty Rhodes, and a few questions for him from the NXT fans on Twitter. "Where does the success of NXT rank for you in terms of your accomplishments?" she asked, which 'The American Dream' humbly answered. "Not that high, I can tell you that because 'The Dream' had little to do with NXT's success. All the men and women y'all will see perform here tonight, they're the ones we have to thank for all of this." When Devin asked Dusty if there's a specific match he's looking forward to more than the rest tonight, the General Manager said he'd be lying if he said he wasn't as giddy as a schoolgirl for the main event. "Texas Deathmatch, daddy. That's right up my ally. It's been too long since I seen a good one, and I know for a fact that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are gonna give me a damn good one!" The last question pertained to the possibility of main roster call-ups happening soon. "Do you think tonight will be the last time we see some of the superstars in an NXT ring?" "Well, let me tell you. If it was up to me, everybody in that ring tonight would be on RAW this Monday and SmackDown on Friday. My NXT kids, as I call them, they all got something special in them and I know they'd find success elsewhere. I wanna see Owens and Sami against Cena and Cody. I wanna see Sasha and Bayley against Sofia and AJ. But it'll all come in time. This ain't a sprint, it's a marathon. Do I think some of these stars will be on the main roster soon? Yeah, but I also think some of them need to stay here and leave their marks. Everyone's gonna get their moment and no matter what happens, they'll always be NXT at heart. This is where they came from and they're gonna make sure everyone remembers that."
With the time winding down and every seat in the arena filled with passionate NXT fans, the Kickoff panel looked at the two headlining matches here tonight. For the NXT Women's Championship, Sasha Banks and Bayley have their long-awaited rematch with a WWE Hall of Famer for a guest referee, Stone Cold Steve Austin. "Two things are guaranteed in this match. We're going to witness a classic between Sasha and Bayley, and there will be a definitive winner this time because Steve Austin is going to make sure of that. As for who wins, I've had Bayley as my pick since this match was announced and I'm sticking with that," Lita said, Corey Graves taking the opposing stance. "Stone Cold Steve Austin is the referee, but they don't decide who wins and who losses. They only make the counts. He has no bearing on the fact that Houston belongs to 'The Boss' tonight. Sasha retained her title against Bayley once before and she's gonna do it again." Last but not least, the NXT Championship is on the line in a Texas Deathmatch. Two former best friends settle their rivalry once and for all. Mauro Ranallo stated that there is no better storybook ending to NXT in 2013 than for Sami Zayn to stand tall tonight as the NXT Champion. "He's main evented every NXT live special this year. He had the championship won before Owens took it away from him. Zayn is used to only coming close, but tonight, he finally puts away Kevin Owens and becomes NXT Champion." Graves said to Ranallo that he shouldn't live in a fantasy land where every story has happy endings. "Look at the facts. Kevin Owens is coming into this match 100%. Sami Zayn isn't. Owens won't have any ring rust here tonight. Sami Zayn will. Come on, Mauro. If you just used your brain, you'd realize that this truly is The Kevin Owens Show and he's our captain."
And just like that, the countdown to the top of the hour expired. NXT TakeOver: Forever is finally here, and it's next on WWE Network! NXT TAKEOVER: FOREVER IS LIVE! "NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT!" The chants became louder as the opening video package progressed, a black and white shot of an empty Full Sail Arena turning to color with shots of a packed house breathing life into what was once a near-irrelevant developmental system. Triple H, the mastermind behind NXT, could be heard through a voice over saying that the brand has become an entity like no one could've imagined. "We're selling out all events. Merchandise numbers are through the roof. The fans are having fun. The talent is having fun. I'm having fun. That's what all of this is about," he said, his voice layering over a montage of some of NXT's greatest moments to date. However, more will be made here tonight. "Right Back At It Again" by A Day to Remember sounded with a recap of the events leading to tonight's NXT Tag Team Championship match. The self-proclaimed 'Best Tag Team in the Bu-Si-Ness' have an unorthodox challenge when The Addiction defend the titles against Finn Balor and Becky Lynch. "Becky and I weren't just born to be in this company. We were born to take over it," Balor said. "This isn't your little fairy tale, Bayley. This is 'The Boss'' world that you're living in." Sasha Banks has the biggest match of her career when she defends the NXT Women's Championship against Bayley in a rematch from TakeOver: Revision, which was marred with controversy. However, one twist in this match will ensure that there is a clear, decisive winner. "If NXT is ready for Stone Cold Steve Austin to call this match right down the middle at TakeOver, give me a hell yeah!" One of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling history returns to Texas to officiate the most important match ever in the NXT women's division. Finally, the blood feud between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn comes to an end tonight in the only match that it possibly could, a Texas Deathmatch. Clips of Owens and Zayn brawling at the Full Sail Arena were shown as the song came to an end, the closing shot being of Owens standing over Zayn while holding the NXT Championship. "I think you and I are destined to do this... Forever."
"And now... WWE Network presents... NXT TakeOver: Forever." The biggest and loudest crowd in NXT to date roared with excitement in the Toyota Center for the first TakeOver event outside of the Orlando area. Rob Naylor and Josh Barnett welcomed everyone to NXT TakeOver: Forever, the commentators themselves looking around the arena in amazement. "Josh, let me just start off by saying that if I get emotional or just stop talking at different points tonight, it's because I just can't believe what this brand has become. I've been a part of all of this since we were running in a warehouse with no national presence whatsoever. We were lucky to get 50 people in a building, and right now, I'm doing commentary while surrounded by over 15,000!" Naylor said, genuinely choked up about what the NXT brand has been able to accomplish. Barnett said that while he's obviously not been around as long as Naylor, he doesn't appreciate this spectacle any less. "Tonight, the men and women of NXT are going to give you a show that you'll never forget because that's what they do best. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn in a Texas Deathmatch for the NXT Title. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley for the NXT Women's Title with Stone Cold as the guest referee. The Addiction vs. Finn Balor and Becky Lynch for the NXT Tag Team Titles. All of that and so, so much more on the night that I can say I've never been any more proud to be a part of this industry." Having said all they needed to, Naylor sent things over to JoJo for the introductions to the opening contest! When the first note of Hideo Itami's entrance music hit, the crowd in Houston went insane for his arrival, along with his advocate, Paul Heyman. Itami made his way out to the stage, sporting an all black Oni mask. "The irony of this being a dream match, and Hideo Itami is coming into it looking like a living, breathing nightmare," Josh Barnett said as Hideo stepped into the ring, removing the mask to give the hard camera a cold glare. Heyman grinned at the sold out audience, several fans in the front row literally bowing to him. Itami stood still near the ropes as he looked ahead at the stage that Jushin 'Thunder' Liger's titantron and lighting effects soon took over. A pop equal to Itami's emerged for the Cruiserweight legend from Japan, who was making his very first appearance under the WWE banner. Liger stepped out onto the stage, looking out at the sea of fans that were going ballistic for him. "Another international star, Kazuchika Okada, will be in that ring later tonight, but I think many of us have been expecting Okada to make his way to America sooner or later. Tell me at the beginning of this year that I'd be commentating a match in NXT featuring Jushin 'Thunder' Liger, I'd be calling you a liar and every synonym in existence," Rob Naylor exclaimed while Liger stepped into the ring, standing across from the highly-focused Itami. The bell sounded, leading to Itami kicking Liger in the side of his leg when the two walked towards each other. Itami got another one in before Liger caught his foot, taking him down to the canvas. Itami got to his feet and backed against a corner, Liger running towards him and delivering a Monkey Flip. Liger attempted to catch Itami with the Shotei, but Itami took enough steps back to stay out of harm's way. Itami rolled to the outside of the ring, Liger posing to the audience's enjoyment while Heyman quickly strategized with his client. "This was never gonna be an easy fight, but it's your fight," he said to Itami before the former Pro Wrestling Noah competitor returned to the ring. Liger slid in between Itami's legs, grabbing both of his arms and attempting to turn him over for a roll up. Itami kicked Liger away into the ropes and charged at him, only to be sent over onto the outside. Liger stepped out onto ring apron, leaping off with a Cannonball onto Itami! Liger rolled his adversary into the ring, covering him for a count of two. Liger brought Itami back up and placed him into a corner, connecting a Knife Edge Chop. He delivered two more before Itami caught him with a hard slap to the face, turning the tables and hitting him with a series of chops and strikes. Liger dropped into a seated position against the turnbuckles, Itami charging into him with a knee smash to the face! Itami covered Liger, but only managed to score a two count. Itami followed up by climbing onto the top rope, looking to drop down with a Double Foot Stomp. "A bit of a jab at his old tag team partner," Josh Barnett said before Itami leaped off, only for Liger to move out of the way. Itami rolled his ankle on the landing, which gave Liger the perfect opportunity to catch him with the Rolling Koppu Kick! Liger's leg caught Itami right on the back of his head, the international superstar covering Itami for what was about as close to a three count as anyone could score! Liger rose to his feet and felt the energy from the Houston audience, placing Itami in position for the Liger Bomb. Itami, however, was able to slide off of his shoulders, hoisting Liger up for the Burning Hammer. Another counter was seen when Liger lifted his legs and ended up with his feet back on the canvas, kicking Itami in the mid-section before spiking him with a Fisherman Buster! "Jushin Liger is about to put this one away!" Naylor exclaimed at the top of his lungs when Liger picked Itami up and dropped him with the Liger Bomb! Liger got the cover, but somehow, Itami was just barely able to get a shoulder up! The relief on Heyman's face told everyone that he himself believed that his client was done at that moment. Liger attempted a second Liger Bomb, but this time, Itami was able to fight out of it before even being seated onto his shoulders. Itami hit Liger with a huge Roundhouse Kick, getting a two count out of it. Liger would rise onto his knees, Itami connecting with another kick to the side of the head! After Liger managed to kick out yet again, the frustrated and fired-up Itami went on a rampage with slaps to the face of Liger, running against the ropes and driving his foot into the heart of Liger with a PK! Itami glanced over to Heyman, who made a very familiar gesture. He placed both palms against each other and made the motion to 'go to sleep.' Every fan in attendance stood to their feet when Itami placed Liger onto his shoulders, delivering the GTS! "The real 'Best in the World!'" Heyman shouted to the audience! Itami didn't even allow Liger's body to crumble to the mat. He kept Liger still after the GTS, picking him up one more time for the Burning Hammer that turned out to be the exclamation point on this dream match.HIDEO ITAMI DEFEATS JUSHIN 'THUNDER' LIGER! Over 15,000 NXT fans in the Toyota Center showed their appreciation for an incredible opening contest by giving both stars a standing ovation, Hideo Itami being the one to bask in the glory as Paul Heyman raised his hand in victory. "If there was ever any doubt about the potential of Hideo Itami, if anyone believed that he would fade away after splitting from Finn Balor, they were all just proven wrong!" Rob Naylor said while Itami stood on the second rope, asserting his dominance here tonight against a legend like Jushin 'Thunder' Liger and showing the entire world that only does he belong in NXT, but also the NXT Championship picture.
Placing the focus on some of the guests in attendance tonight, the former WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes, was shown among the sea of fans who were applauding the performances from both Hideo Itami and Jushin 'Thunder' Liger. In another section of the Toyota Center, IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, Kota Ibushi, was doing the same. The commentary duo mentioned that on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome, Ibushi will be defending his title against one of the NXT superstars in action here tonight, Tyler Breeze.
In the locker room area, Sami Zayn was shown arriving to a great reception from some of his fellow NXT superstars. Jason Jordan and Chad Gable notably shook his hand, wishing him luck tonight in his Texas Deathmatch against Kevin Owens for the NXT Title. Zayn took a seat against the wall, looking through his phone and seeing even more support coming in from fans all over social media. Houston responded very well for Solomon Crowe, one-half of PMA who was set to compete in his first NXT TakeOver match. Crowe stepped out onto the stage, not initially moving towards the ring. Instead, Crowe looked behind him and made a motion for someone to come out. Seconds later, Crowe's PMA tag team partner, Drake Younger, entered the arena with his arm in a sling after having it broken by Pentagon last month. PMA marched down to the ring together for the Crowe's one opportunity at revenge against the man who used his best friend as a 'sacrifice' to an unknown master. While Crowe stood in the ring, the lights in the arena shut while two torches could be seen burning intensively on the stage. The flame were able to highlight Maxine's arrival, who had one phrase for Crowe before he entered battle. "Our master comes with a message for you both: Death waits for no one." Following that, Pentagon's entrance music hit as 'The Man with Cero Miedo' stepped out onto the stage, Houston reacting positively for him as well. Once Pentagon stepped through the ropes, Crowe went right after him to begin the match. "We saw a great professional wrestling match moments ago with Hideo Itami and Jushin Liger, and now, we're gonna see a great fight!" Rob Naylor said while Crowe and Pentagon exchanged strikes. Pentagon hit Crowe with a knee to the mid-section before throwing him to the outside, stepping out onto the ring apron. Crowe immediately got to his feet and grabbed Pentagon's ankle, pulling him down spine-first onto the apron. From there, Crowe began unloading with punches to the head of Pentagon, all while Younger slammed his free hand onto the steel steps and cheered his friend on. Crowe pushed Pentagon onto the floor before he stepped back into the ring, only to exit with a Suicide Dive! Crowe rolled Pentagon back into the ring, choosing to inflict more damage instead of going for a cover. Crowe latched onto the ropes and landed on Pentagon with a Pendulum Splash, finally getting a pinfall for a two count. Crowe brought Pentagon back to his feet, who ended up being the first to retaliate with forearm shots. Pentagon headbutted Crowe, who backed against the ropes and left himself vulnerable for a huge chop. Pentagon planted Crowe with a DDT before running the ropes, dropping a knee onto the back of his neck. Pentagon waited for Crowe to get back to his feet, sizing him up before sweeping is left leg and causing him to fall back onto the neck that was already worked over. "Come on, Solomon! Stay in this, buddy!" shouted Younger from ringside, which led to Pentagon attempting to kick him through the opening in the ropes. Crowe was able to rise to his feet during that exchange, attempting to plant Pentagon with a Suplex. Pentagon, however, landed on his feet and hit Crowe with a Backstabber! Crowe rolled over onto his side, only to be picked up by Pentagon and dropped to the canvas with a Powerbomb. Pentagon grabbed Crowe's arm, keeping it still while looking out to the fans that knew what was going to come. Younger wouldn't stand to watch it happen, stepping onto the ring apron and yelling at Pentagon. Maxine would quickly approached Younger from behind, grabbing both of his legs and pulling him down to the floor where he landed directly onto his injured arm. Younger writhed around in pain to the delight of Maxine and Pentagon, but it only furthered the fire burning within Crowe. When Pentagon turned around, Crowe rammed him into the corner, striking him repeatedly in a scuffle that forced the referee to get involved. Crowe was pulled away from Pentagon before being caught in the jaw with a Bicycle Knee! Pentagon then looked towards Maxine, who told him, "You know what to do." And just like that, Pentagon would grab Crowe's arm and hold it straight up, only to bend it back and snap it! Crowe held his arm while screaming in agony, the official making the obvious call to stop the match.PENTAGON DEFEATS SOLOMON CROWE VIA REFEREE STOPPAGE! "Solomon Crowe's arm is broken! We just witnessed Pentagon snap another man's arm!" shouted Rob Naylor while the ringside doctor immediately tended to Crowe, who had not stopped yelling with a piercing scream since having his arm broken just seconds ago. Pentagon would not allow Crowe to receive any immediate attention, pulling him back into the center for the Pentagon Driver onto the back of his neck! Crowe's screaming stopped, but only because he was practically lifeless at that point. Medics were finally able to reach both Crowe and Younger, all while Pentagon and Maxine stood tall in the ring. "Another sacrifice made here tonight in the name of their master, who we still have no clue about," Josh Barnett stated while Pentagon looked directly into a camera, performing his signature hand gesture while letting out his battle cry. "Cero! Miedo!"Coming back to the Toyota Center after the first advert for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, a shot of the audience was shown while PMA were escorted out of the ring by the medical staff. "From the Cruiserweight Classic to Manifest Destiny, we now look at our next contest that will give one superstar a guaranteed spot in next year's..." Rob Naylor stated before the fans in attendance suddenly stood up and roared with excitement. Second later, the cameras turned to the sight that caused the NXT faithful to lose their minds. "No way," Josh Barnett stated when Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley were shown in the audience. "You want to talk about Cruiserweights? How about these men for some Cruiserweights?! We may be in Houston, but all of a sudden, it feels a lot like the Motor City!" Naylor shouted while Sabin and Shelley kept blank expressions on their faces. The Motor City Machine Guns are at NXT TakeOver! The first-ever Manifest Destiny tournament concluded three weeks ago when Dean Ambrose defeated a former NXT Champion in Seth Rollins, but the planning stages for 2014's tournament begins now. Adam Cole, who shares the aforementioned accolade with Rollins, made his way out to the stage to a mixed reaction that leaned towards the positive side. Cole had Lana with him, who turned her back on Rusev this past Monday to side with the rival of 'The Bulgarian Brute.' Lana exchanged her usual business attire for more casual, mostly-denim clothes. The back of her jacket even read, "Adam Cole, Baby!" which the former NXT superstar proudly showed off. "One of NXT's MVPs of 2013 returns to where he got his start in WWE for the chance to guarantee himself a spot in the tournament that came up short in, Manifest Destiny." Once Cole was settled in the ring, Kyle O'Reilly made his entrance for the biggest match of his career. "O'Reilly joined NXT just a few weeks ago and on his first night, Dusty Rhodes asked him who he wanted to face at NXT TakeOver. O'Reilly wasted no time to say that Adam Cole was on his sights, and now, O'Reilly has the chance to beat his former tag team partner and qualify for Manifest Destiny without even being on the main roster!" Cole and O'Reilly stood across the ring from each other, the two of them looking back at how far they've come. The last time they did battle was in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Ring of Honor. Now, the spotlight was on them with 15,000 people watching in the Toyota Center, and millions around the world on the WWE Network. The bell sounded as Cole and O'Reilly finally came face-to-face, the main roster star talking trash before shoving O'Reilly's face away. Cole went for a slap, but O'Reilly quickly grabbed his arm and rolled him into what was nearly the Cross Armbreaker. Cole was able to get to his feet, only for O'Reilly to latch onto him with the Guillotine Choke! O'Reilly, however, failed to lock his arms around Cole's neck quickly enough, giving Cole the opening to avoid the submission hold. Cole rolled out of the ring and stared in shock at his former tag team partner while breathing rapidly. O'Reilly motioned for Cole to get back into the ring, who slowly did so. O'Reilly raised one hand into the air and challenged Cole to a technical contest, the latter hesitant after coming close twice already to be locked in submission holds. Cole kicked O'Reilly in the kneecap, weakening him momentarily. O'Reilly hit Cole with a quick Knife Edge Chop, Cole retaliating by kicking O'Reilly's other knee. O'Reilly fell onto the canvas, Cole running the ropes and delivering a Dropkick to his back. Cole got the cover, but O'Reilly managed to kick out at two. Cole placed O'Reilly in a Rest Hold, turning his head to the right to see Lana admiring him. Cole's smile was wide and detestable until the fans began to rally behind O'Reilly, giving him the support he needed to rise to his feet. O'Reilly dropped Cole with a Saito Suplex, keeping his grip on Cole and hitting another one. O'Reilly completed the trifecta of Suplexes before covering Cole, who got a shoulder up in time. O'Reilly quickly grabbed the arm that was raised, looking for a Key Lock. Cole was able to slide out from underneath O'Reilly, escaping to the ring apron. O'Reilly left the ring as well, which was a dire mistake as Cole caught him with a Superkick! O'Reilly lifelessly fell over the top rope and back into the ring, Cole ascending to the top rope. He looked directly the applauding Lana, who led a portion of the audience in a cry of, "Adam Cole, baby!" Cole leaped off and was looking for the Panama Sunrise, but O'Reilly never left his feet and was able to drop down onto his own knees, crushing Cole's head and neck onto the mat! O'Reilly had Cole in a pinning predicament, but the former NXT Champion was just barely able to kick out before three! O'Reilly took a second to catch his breath in a corner before driving his boot into Cole's jaw with a Superkick, following that up with several more kicks to the side of his head. O'Reilly had one more Superkick in mind, but Cole dodged it. O'Reilly turned around and was met with yet another Superkick from Cole! O'Reilly, however, rebounded off of the ropes and attempted the Nigel Lariat. Cole had it scouted and was able to kick O'Reilly in the mid-section beforehand, hoisting him up for a Brainbuster onto his knee! An idea hatched in Cole's mind at that moment, one that would allow him to humiliate both of his current rivals. Cole stomped one foot onto the back of O'Reilly before applying The Accolade! "Imagine if Adam Cole could make Kyle O'Reilly tap out with Rusev's own hold while Lana is watching from ringside!" Josh Barnett said while the official checked on O'Reilly, who refused to give up. Cole changed the position of The Accolade and ended up on his back, which O'Reilly was able to role out of and hit Cole with a Double Foot Stomp onto his chest! O'Reilly covered Cole, who was yet again able to kick out! A rampant "This is awesome!" chant started up in the Toyota Center, two former tag team partners setting the bar on a historic weekend. After Cole was able to stagger to his feet, O'Reilly ruthlessly stuck him in the back of the head with his foot, trying to follow up with a Discus Eblow to complete Axe and Smash. Cole was able to avoid the elbow and dropped O'Reilly with a German Suplex! O'Reilly backed into a corner, giving Cole the opening to charge into him with a Running Dropkick. O'Reilly fell onto the canvas as Cole stepped onto the second rope, looking once again for the Panama Sunrise. And yet again, O'Reilly was able to counter it, this time into an Ankle Lock! The Houston audience went wild as Cole appeared to be on the verge of submitting and solidifying O'Reilly's spot in Manifest Destiny. Cole would raise his hand several times, resisting the urge and pain to stay alive in this match. Soon thereafter, Cole was able to roll O'Reilly into the turnbuckles, breaking him free from the hold. Cole's ankle had been severely damaged, adrenaline being the only thing that allowed him to catch O'Reilly in the back of his head with a Superkick! After a second German Suplex to O'Reilly, Cole returned the second rope one final time for the Panama Sunrise. That was the last attempt he needed since he was successful in spiking O'Reilly onto the top of his head, covering him for the three count.ADAM COLE DEFEATS KYLE O'REILLY! Some of the fans in Houston were elated while the rest were disappointed with the outcome, especially after a valiant effort from Kyle O'Reilly. Lana entered the ring and needed to assist Adam Cole to his feet, the former NXT Champion looking like he emerged from war, essentially what he did. Cole raised both arms in the air before hugging Lana, calling over the camera man that stood in a corner. Looking directly into the camera, Cole had a few words for everyone watching on the WWE Network. "You laughed at me... You treated me as a joke... Who's laughing now? Manifest Destiny 2014 is now Adamfest Destiny!" Cole would then turn to the hard camera, shouting at the top of his lungs with at least half of the Toyota Center, "Adam Cole, baby!" Cole exited the ring and limped up the entrance ramp, officially becoming the first superstar to qualify for Manifest Destiny. "No matter what happens between now and the fall, Adam Cole knows that he has a guaranteed shot at becoming the number one contender for the WWE Championship."A promo was shown for the next WWE Network exclusive, Concrete Jungle, live on December 29th from Madison Square Garden in New York City. One of the biggest negative reactions of the night came during the arrival of Tyler Breeze, Michael Bennett, Chris Masters and Maria Kanellis. Breeze utilized his selfie stick as usual, but so did his teammates. Bennett and Maria used one stick together to take pictures, while Masters was simply flexing his biceps and pecs for his phone's camera. Once in the ring, the four loathed superstars used Breeze's stick to take a group selfie, 'Prince Pretty' candidly telling his teammates that he would crop out the audience later. The shenanigans on their part came to an end with the arrival of Ricochet and Uhaa Nation, who received great receptions from Houston for their first-ever NXT TakeOver. The duo made their way down to ringside, waiting for the entrance of their tag team partner. "Okada!" chants could be heard spreading throughout the audience during the few seconds of silence, and then into the start of the IWGP Heavyweight Champion's music. Kazuchika Okada made hell freeze over by stepping out onto a WWE/NXT stage, looking out into the sea of fans before doing his signature 'Rainmaker' pose, money beginning to fall from the ceiling. Okada, Ricochet and Uhaa all stepped into the ring together, the three of them simultaneously for the fans that were elated to witness this historic moment. Okada started things off for the face team, which led to Breeze teasing that he would be the first one in for his unit. However, he backed out at the last second, making a tag to Bennett. Okada and Bennett locked up, Okada forcing him against the ropes. Okada complied with the official's five count, delivering a chop to Bennett's chest. Okada gave Bennett a knee to the mid-section before Irish Whipping him into the opposite corner, running into 'The Prodigy' with a Clothesline. Okada grabbed Bennett's arm and brought him back up to his feet, performing an Arm Drag into an Arm Lock. After releasing Bennett's arm, Okada ran the ropes and caught him with a quick Dropkick to the face of a seated Bennett. Okada made the tag to Ricochet, who literally springboarded into action with a Splash onto Bennett for a two count. Ricochet attempted to follow up with a standing Shooting Star Press, but Bennett moved out of harm's way and made a tag to Chris Masters. In came 'The Masterpiece' with a hammer fist to the face of Ricochet, Masters taking time to taunt Okada and Uhaa. Masters picked Ricochet up off of the canvas into a Gorilla Press position, Ricochet countering into a Hurricanrana that sent Masters to the outside. Ricochet looked out into the sea of fans, all knowing what was coming when he leaped onto the top rope and came down onto Masters with a Senton! Ricochet rolled Masters back into the ring, only getting a two count off the pin attempt. Ricochet would then tag in Uhaa Nation, who ran the ropes and hit Masters with a leaping Clothesline. Uhaa repeated this two more times before delivering a Northern Lights Suplex to Masters, showing off his strength by lifting Masters' dead weight off the mat for a second one! Uhaa kept the bridge on Masters, but couldn't get the victory there. Masters pushed Uhaa away when he attempted to go back on the offense, 'The Masterpiece' tagging in Breeze. 'Prince Pretty' kicked Uhaa in the left thigh, forcing him onto his knees. Breeze unleashed a series of kicks to the back and chest of Uhaa before running the ropes and delivering a quick elbow for a two count. Breeze then began taunting Uhaa, talking down to him before going for the Supermodel Kick. Uhaa, however, caught Breeze's leg and responded with an Enziguri! With Breeze dazed, Uhaa was able to make the tag to Okada! Finally, after their encounter at Night of Champions three months ago, Okada and Breeze would do battle in a ring! Okada took Breeze down with multiple shots before dodging a Clothesline, lifting Breeze up for a Suplex. Breeze, however, managed to land on his feet, striking Okada in the back of the neck with a forearm. Breeze stepped in front of Okada, going for another Supermodel Kick before having it countered into a Reverse Neckbreaker onto the knee of Okada. The IWGP Heavyweight Champion rose to his feet and performed the 'Rainmaker' pose, the hard camera zooming out as far as it could. Breeze's teammates attempted to thwart Okada's plans by attacking him, which led to Uhaa and Ricochet jumping in to even the score. After Bennett and Masters were Clotheslined to ringside, Uhaa and Ricochet climbed onto turnbuckles across from each other. When Bennett and Masters got to their feet, Uhaa and Ricochet leaped onto them with Shooting Star Presses! Back in the ring, Breeze was able to roll up Okada, only getting a two count despite having a grip on his attire. Both men stood up, only for Breeze to finally connect with the Supermodel Kick! Okada bounced off of the ropes, standing still and giving Breeze the chance to hit the Beauty Shot. While Breeze was in motion for his finisher, Okada grabbed onto him, wrapping his arms around his waist with a lock on one of his arms. Okada turned Breeze towards him, delivering a devastating Rainmaker! Okada covered Breeze, picking up the victory for his team!KAZUCHIKA OKADA, RICOCHET & UHAA NATION ARE VICTORIOUS! The audience came unglued as the announcement was made that Kazuchika Okada, Ricochet and Uhaa Nation would be leaving TakeOver with a victory. Okada was handed back his IWGP Heavyweight Title, raising it high before Ricochet and Uhaa joined him in the celebration. Okada seemed to prefer basking in the glory on his own, standing on the second rope in a corner while strapping his championship around his waist. Okada posed for the audience one more time before exiting the ring, accomplishing what he set out to do in NXT by pinning Tyler Breeze. Ricochet and Uhaa continued their celebration in the ring, Okada looking back at the 15,000 plus fans in the Toyota Center that helped make his NXT debut a night no one will ever forget.
A promo was shown for TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, live tomorrow night on WWE Network and Pay-Per-View.
Back in the Toyota Center, Kazuchika Okada's theme music could still be heard as Rob Naylor and Josh Barnett cooled down from not just the exciting Six Man Tag match, but the entire night of action. "The show is still going strong, and now, we enter championship territory with our final three matches," Barnett said while the graphic for the NXT Tag Team Championship match was put on display. Following that, the "Right Back At It Again" video package that aired on Wednesday was shown, covering all of the roads that have led to his unorthodox match-up. Either The Addiction continue their reign as the NXT Tag Team Champions, or Finn Balor and Becky Lynch make history by becoming the first intergender tag team to win gold in WWE. After the completion of the video package, the lights would shut in the Toyota Center as Finn Balor's theme music began playing. Not portraying the Demon on this night, Balor was shown on the stage when the music fully kicked in with Becky Lynch standing next to him, the two sporting matching leather jackets. When they finally turned around, it was revealed that they were also wearing Becky's steampunk goggles. Becky's mouth just about dropped to the floor when she finally saw the amount of people in the arena, something she had never experienced before. "Holy s***," was the phrase that could be deciphered from her lips, Balor responding with, "It's a lot different from home, right?" The duo would then lead the Houston audience in the arm-raising routine associated with a certain part of Balor's music. Balor and Becky finally stepped into the ring that they planned on leaving tonight as the NXT Tag Team Champions. Speaking the Tag Titles, the current champions' entrance music would soon hit to a mixed reaction from the fans. Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian stepped out onto the stage wearing western clothing that resembled Woody from Toy Story, only with the NXT Tag Team Championships as their belt buckles. The two of them walked towards opposite sides of the stage, eventually turning around and staging a Mexican standoff with their hands in the shape of guns. Instead of pretending to pull the triggers on each other, they turned towards Balor and Becky, doing so to them. The Addiction then broke into their usual antics, Daniels swiveling his hips and thrusting at some of the fans in the front row. The champions handed over their titles to the official before the pre-match introductions began. When the bell sounded, Balor and Daniels would be the two to start things off. Balor would go behind Daniels, pushing him into a corner before attempting a roll up. Daniels managed to hold onto the ropes, Balor charging at him and running into an elbow. Daniels stepped onto the second rope and leaped off, only for Balor to kick in the mid-section. Balor dropped one-half of the Tag Team Champions with a Snap Suplex, covering him for a one count. Daniels rose to his feet when Balor went for a kick, 'The Fallen Angel' stopping him. "Tag her in!" Daniels shouted Balor, who looked back at Becky with the crowd cheering. "Daniels' obviously still upset about the Appletini," Josh Barnett said before Balor complied and made the tag to Becky. 'The Lass Kicker' came in, trying to kick Daniels before her foot was caught. "You! Soiled! My! Apple! Tini!" Daniels screamed before Becky delivered an Enziguri! Becky rolled Daniels up for a two count, nearly shocking the world at that moment. Becky got to her feet and ran towards Daniels, only to be sent over his head with a Back Body Drop. Daniels placed Becky in The Addiction's corner, stomping on her once before tagging in Kazarian. He also drove his foot into Becky's collarbone prior to tagging Daniels back in. The Tag Team Champions continued the cycle of punishing Becky until the official put an end to their tactics, forcing Kazarian to stay in the match. Kazarian delivered a Vertical Suplex to Becky before getting a two count off of her. Kazarian placed Becky in a rest holder, making sure to face Balor and show him how dominant The Addiction were thus far in the battle against Becky. Balor and the fans clapped their hands together in support for Becky, willing her on to stand up and fight back against Kazarian with elbows to the mid-section. Becky broke free and tried to run against the ropes, but Kazarian grabbed her by the hair and pulled her down to the mat. The official scolded Kazarian for the hair-pulling, one-half of the defending champions not caring at all. Kazarian placed Becky on the top rope, looking for a Suplex from up high. 'The Lass Kicker' was resilient and struck Kazarian with enough right hand shots to get him off of the ropes. Becky leaped off and drove both of her knees into Kazarian's shoulders, covering him for a two count! Becky quickly ran towards Daniels, knocking him off of the apron with an elbow strike. Becky then ran up to Kazarian, executing a Tilt-a-Whirl Headscissors into the turnbuckles. Kazarian staggered back into the center of the ring, only to be planted with a Dragon Suplex! Fortunately for The Addiction, Kazarian was able to kick out just in time! Becky kept Kazarian face-down on the canvas, looking for the Disarmer until Daniels slid into the ring and kicked her in the face. Balor intervened and delivered the Sling Blade to Daniels, returning to the ring apron and asking Becky for the tag. She complied, bringing Balor into the match. Balor Dropkicked Daniels out of the ring before sending Kazarian over as well. Both Addiction members stirred to their feet when Balor glanced over to Becky, asking if she was good to go. "Hell yeah," she said to him while catching her breath. The two Irish natives then ran the ropes and simultaneously leaped out of the ring with Tope Con Hilos! Just about everyone in the Toyota Center rose to their feet and showed their appreciation for the action. Balor rolled Kazarian into the ring, ascending to the top rope for Coup De Grâce. Daniels, however, pushed him off before extending his hand out to Kazarian, who made the tag. Daniels brought Balor back up to his feet for the Angel's Wings, but Balor tossed him over and onto the mat. Balor ran towards Kazarian with a Dropkick before doing the same to Daniels. Kazarian tried to get involved any way he could, grabbing Balor's foot from underneath the bottom rope. Becky would make her way over to that side of the ring, jumping from the apron and taking Kazarian out with a Blockbuster! Balor grabbed Daniels by the head but was rolled into a small package for a two count. Both men were back on their feet and charged at each other. Daniels failed to connect with a Clothesline, allowing Balor to catch him with the Pele Kick! When Daniels turned around, Becky was right there waiting for him, lifting him off of the mat for a Brainbuster! "This is it!" Rob Naylor yelled out as Balor climbed onto the top rope yet again, successfully hitting Coup De Grâce! "You win this for us! Go! Go!" Balor said to Becky while tagging her in, 'The Lass Kicker' rushing to make the cover onto Daniels! "1! 2!" There was no three count to be made, however, as Kazarian pulled the referee out! Houston was ready for a celebration, but Balor and Becky were still at that moment not yet the NXT Tag Team Champions. Balor ran the ropes and went for a Suicide Dive onto Kazarian, but missed and hit the barricade with the top of his head. Unsure of what to do next, Becky picked Daniels up before Kazarian rolled back into the ring. Becky fended off both Addiction members for as long as she could before attempting to take them down with Clotheslines. Becky, however, ended up running into Superkicks! Kazarian brought Becky up, the duo hitting her with Celebrity Rehab! Kazarian made sure that Balor wouldn't get up while Daniels pinned Becky, good enough to get the win.THE ADDICTION ARE STILL THE NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! Silence or disdain. The only two things that came from the audience after the closing bell to this Tag Team Title match. Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian were handed back the NXT Tag Team Championships, raising them triumphantly after putting away Becky Lynch and Finn Balor. Some chants of "Bullshit!" formulated while The Addiction left the ring, Daniels responding by holding up his hand that had a glove covering every finger except for the middle one. Back in the ring, Becky was shown sitting against a corner with her hands on her head and tears in her eyes, placing all of the blame on herself for the loss. Balor rolled back into the ring, perhaps feeling the same guilt since he easily could've gotten the cover on Daniels himself after Coup De Grâce. The Addiction's music finally silenced, the sold out arena giving both superstars a standing ovation for their effort. Balor assisted Becky to her feet, raising her arm after giving it her all in her NXT TakeOver debut. Becky's music then played as the fans sang along with the intro. The two Irish natives walked up the entrance ramp together, defeated yet accomplished after giving the fans something to remember. Even without the gold to her name, a star was made tonight in Becky Lynch.Returning to the live feed, Rob Naylor and Josh Barnett praised the NXT Tag Team Championship, and also made sure to congratulate Finn Balor and Becky Lynch on a great performance. "Losses happen, but you can always taking something away from them. And in Becky Lynch's case, it was the respect and admiration of every NXT fan in the world," Barnett said. "One woman's legacy began here tonight, and up next, so, too, will another's. The rematch that everyone has been waiting for," Rob Naylor said to lead into a video package set to Linkin Park's "Somewhere I Belong." "She did it! Bayley is the NXT Women's Champion!" was the call heard from Byron Saxton four months ago at TakeOver: Revision. Bayley was crowned the new champion, but only for a few short minutes as the decision was overturned due to controversy. "The winner of this match... And STILL NXT Women's Champion, Sasha Banks!" Immediately afterwards, Bayley allowed her emotions to get the better of her, delivering a Bayley-to-Belly to the official who ruled against her winning the championship. As a result, NXT's beloved superstar was suspended. "When this began, I had nothing to say and I'd get lost in the nothingness inside of me." Bayley wouldn't say out of the picture for long, however, as the day that her suspension was up, she returned at WWE/NXT Unison for revenge against Sasha. It didn't take long for the rematch to be signed for NXT TakeOver: Forever, only this time, General Manager Dusty Rhodes wanted to make sure that there is a clear winner with no controversy. Thus, he went out and selected a special guest referee who will make sure of that, Stone Cold Steve Austin. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' officiates the biggest rematch in NXT history for the Women's Championship. The video concluded with footage of both women in action with comments from their last interview together layered over it. "I want to find something I've wanted all along, somewhere I belong."Cutting back to the Toyota Center, former NXT Women's Champion, Emma, was shown in the crowd, waiting anxiously with everyone else for the upcoming championship match. "Emma's been out of action for months now with an injury, but the rumors are that she's ready to go and is looking for a match against whoever leaves here tonight with the Women's Title," Josh Barnett stated. As soon as the sound of glass shattering was heard, the roof just about came off of the Toyota Center. One of the most iconic superstars in WWE history, Stone Cold Steve Austin, made his way down to the ring, ready to officiate a match that only someone of his nature could. "What many people don't know is that Steve Austin took this role here tonight because he wanted to. Not because of a paycheck involved. Not for any air time. He genuinely wanted to be a part of history here tonight and officiate the biggest rematch we've ever seen in NXT!" Rob Naylor said while Austin posed on all four corners in the ring. His music silenced at the same time that Bayley was shown walking towards the gorilla position backstage, the crowd roaring for her. "This is all she has left. One final chance at becoming the NXT Women's Champion," said Naylor before Bayley walked through the curtain with "Dream Catcher" by Set It Off sounding. Bayley stepped out onto the stage, perhaps realizing at that moment that the biggest match of her career had finally arrived. She was standing in an arena with over 15,000 cheering her on, and Stone Cold Steve Austin in the ring. "Because I've opened up my eyes to see I'm right where I planned to be... Today!" was the line from her song that preceded the inflatable tube men rising from the ground, these particular ones twice as large as the ones normally seen in Full Sail University. Once Bayley was in the ring, she stared at Steve Austin with a blank expression. "It's nice to meet you," Austin said to Bayley before shaking her hand. Naylor pointed out that Bayley, who is very easily star-struck, barely reacted to Steve Austin because of how focused she is and needs to be on this match. After Bayley's music faded out, Sasha Banks' started up to a mixed reaction. The defending champion stepped out onto the stage, and once she performed her signature pose, an inflatable 'Boss' sign formed behind her. Naylor mentioned the likelihood of said sign being a shot at Bayley's tube men while Sasha approached the ring. While standing on the apron, she removed her shades and glanced at Austin, making a three count gesture with her hand. She then unstrapped the NXT Women's Title and raised it while staring down Bayley. Austin claimed the title and held it in his arms while JoJo gave the introductions. Austin brought both women to the center of the ring, telling them that there would be a clear and decisive winner. "No BS on Stone Cold Steve Austin's watch," he said before calling for the bell. Sasha's first move was to grab Bayley by her arm, trying to place her into the Bank Statement early. Bayley pushed Sasha's arm away, grabbing her by the head and ramming her face into the top turnbuckle. Sasha backed against corner, Bayley capitalizing by ramming her elbow into the head of 'The Boss.' Bayley brought Sasha away from the corner, hitting her with two forearm strikes before whipping her into the ropes. Bayley bent over in preparation for a Back Body Drop, but Sasha countered it by kicking Bayley in the face. Sasha took Bayley down by both her legs, clubbing away with strikes while Austin gave her the order to get off of the canvas by the count of five. "I know the rules!" Sasha shouted at Austin, taking her eye off of Bayley for just a second. Bayley then grabbed Sasha's arm and brought her to the mat, trying to apply the Bank Statement herself! Sasha was able to roll Bayley into a pinning predicament, Austin making a two count. When both women stood up, Bayley wrapped her arms around Sasha, looking for the Bayley-to-Belly! 'The Boss', however, was able to free herself after headbutting Bayley three times. Sasha struck Bayley behind her right knee, forcing her onto the canvas before kicking her in the back. Sasha brought Bayley closer to a corner, setting her body up on the ropes before driving both knees into her stomach! Sasha covered Bayley, still unable to secure the victory. Growing more frustrated, Sasha placed Bayley's head against the bottom rope, scraping the sole of her boot against her face. Austin forced Sasha away from Bayley, saying that he wouldn't hesitate to disqualify her if she didn't keep the bout clean. Sasha returned to Bayley, who was holding onto the top rope to try to help herself up. Sasha grabbed Bayley both both her legs, pulling her away from the ropes. Bayley, however, was able to land on her feet, grabbing Sasha and planting her with the Bayley-to-Belly! Before Bayley could get a cover, Sasha rolled out from underneath the bottom rope. Instead of going right after the champion, Bayley bided her time and allowed Sasha to get off the ground. When 'The Boss' finally did so, Bayley ran the ropes and launched herself onto the NXT Women's Champion with a Somersault Plancha! The instant replay slowed down the spot, showing the impact of Sasha's head bouncing off of the floor. Bayley was the first back to her feet, rolling Sasha in and getting a two count off of a pin attempt. Bayley would then head to the top rope, Rob Naylor mentioning that she had been practicing an Elbow Drop at the Performance Center last week as a tribute to Randy Savage. However, she would not be allowed to execute it as Sasha jumped onto the top rope, taking Bayley down with a Frankensteiner! Bayley was flat on the canvas while Sasha climbed back onto the top rope, flying through the air with a Frog Splash! Sasha hooked both of Bayley's legs on the cover, but somehow, the challenge stayed alive! Sasha was just about ready to lose every last bit of her composure, holding her hair back and covering her ears to block out the joyful screams from the audience. 'The Boss' would slowly get up to her feet and move towards a corner, Bayley following her. Sasha began climbing to the top rope yet again, only this time, Bayley was there to stop her. Bayley placed Sasha in position for an Electric Chair, but Sasha slid off of Bayley's shoulders and delivered the Backstabber! Sasha transitioned into the Bank Statement, the fans pleading with her to not submit. Bayley began crawling towards the bottom rope, but Sasha would try to stop her by kicking her repeatedly in the head! Bayley was stuck in place for a good few seconds, using only the energy from the Toyota Center to keep her going. Sasha reeled Bayley's head back as far she could, doing everything in her power to retain her championship. Bayley was successful in reaching the bottom rope, Sasha angrily releasing the submission hold. 'The Boss' would slide out to ringside, Bayley sticking her head out from underneath the bottom rope while catching her breath. Sasha caught Bayley with a Superkick before climbing onto the apron. Sasha springboarded off, but Bayley was able to put her knees up in time to fend off the aerial assault from the defending champion. Bayley cradled Sasha into a pin, unable to get the victory there. Both women stood to their feet, Bayley once again going for the Bayley-to-Belly. Sasha dropped to her knees to prevent the maneuver, but Bayley responded by instead placing Sasha in position for a Powerbomb. Bayley threw Sasha onto the canvas and against the lower turnbuckles, proceeding to stomp on her repeatedly in a scene very familiar to Austin. Bayley backed away and charged towards Sasha, but the NXT Women's Champion was able to move out of the way and force Bayley to crash her own knee into a turnbuckle. Sasha went for another Backstabber, but Bayley held onto the ropes. After Sasha got back up, she went after Bayley with a Clothesline and missed. Sasha turned around, only to be kicked in the mid-section and hit with a Stunner! Sasha's body bounced off of the ropes, falling right into Bayley's arms for the Bayley-to-Belly! Bayley covered Sasha, Austin dropping to the mat and making the biggest three count to date in NXT.BAYLEY IS THE NEW NXT WOMEN'S CHAMPION! The biggest ovation in recent memory for NXT filled the atmosphere as Bayley's theme music sounded, the brand new Women's Champion standing on her knees with her hands covering her face. When Bayley opened her eyes, the first thing she was Stone Cold Steve Austin presenting her with the NXT Women's Title. Bayley retrieved the title and had her arm raised in victory, the new champion hugging Austin and thanking him. "This was all you. You did this and I'm damn proud of you," Austin said to Bayley. The new champion stood on the second rope, raising the title and celebrating with the fans that stuck with her every step of the way. "No controversy. No over-rulings. This is real now. Bayley is the NXT Women's Champion!" Rob Naylor said, both he and Josh Barnett standing and applauding both women for their performances. Sasha Banks had finally come to, sitting near the ropes while crying after losing the biggest match of her career. 'The Boss' attempted to leave the ring, but Bayley stopped her. Sasha pushed Bayley away, initially wanting no further part of her. The women stared at each other for a bit, looking around the arena at the sea of fans that were chanting, "Match of the Year!" Despite everything that had occurred in their rivalry, Bayley opened her arms and offered Sasha a hug. 'The Boss' slowly walked towards Bayley and fell into her arms, the two hugging and breaking down emotionally together. Austin would then step in between both competitors, raising their arms and even thanking them for allowing him to officiate their match. Austin left the ring first, followed by Sasha as the two allowed Bayley the moment of a lifetime. The NXT Women's Championship now rests on the shoulder of the crowd's beloved underdog, Bayley.While the celebration continued for Bayley in the Toyota Center, the backstage area was a much darker, quieter setting. Sami Zayn walked down a corridor, ready for the fight of his life. A Texas Deathmatch against his former best friend, Kevin Owens, for the NXT Championship in the main event of TakeOver: Forever. Cutting to a video package, Zayn's road to this night was recapped, starting off with his first-ever shot at the NXT Title. In a helacious battle against Kassius Ohno at NXT ArRival, Zayn came up short. 'The Underdog from the Underground' would not walk away easily, keeping his eyes on the prize and eventually earning another opportunity at the championship. This time, against Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver. Zayn was victorious in that match and held the NXT Championship proudly until Owens made his shocking debut by attacking him. At that point in the video, Less Than Jake's "All My Best Friends Are Metalheads" sounded. With Zayn laid out, Tyler Breeze would cash-in his Money in the Bank contract and steal the gold. "Did we take the time to really discover how little we know about each other?" Zayn and Owens met again at TakeOver: Revision in a Championship Scramble match. It was there when Owens became the NXT Champion, eventually becoming the first to make his way over to the main roster while holding the title. Zayn entered an eight man tournament to name a new number one contender, and overcame Michael Bennett, Hideo Itami and Breeze to win it all. Zayn's celebration was cut short when Owens attacked him in the Full Sail Arena, Powerbombing him onto the ring apron. The last time the two met face-to-face was on Thanksgiving Day when Zayn personally showed up to Owens' house in a confrontation that was broadcasted on the WWE Network. With the stipulation set as a Texas Deathmatch, the longstanding rivalry between Owens and Zayn will finally come to an end here tonight. The final encounter for the NXT Championship on the biggest stage yet for NXT. Carrying over their energy from the last match, the fans in Houston went ballistic for Sami Zayn during his entrance. "Let's go!" shouted Zayn and all 15,000 plus fans as the challenge made his way down to the ring for the biggest match and fight of his career. "Sami Zayn has main evented every NXT live special this year, but has never left one as the NXT Champion. That can all change tonight in the final match this brand will see in 2013," Rob Naylor said while Zayn entered the ring. The challenger kept his eyes locked on the stage before and during the arrival of the champion. A mostly-positive response emerged for Kevin Owens, who marched down to the ring in the arena that he was hoping to leave tomorrow night as a double champion. After Owens stepped through the ropes, Zayn immediately went after him and the two started trading blows! Because the pre-match introductions needed to be done, JoJo literally had to do them while Zayn and Owens were fighting. Owens through Zayn into the ropes, going for a Pop-Up Powerbomb before he was Dropkicked out of the ring. Zayn didn't allow Owens any breathing room as he leaped out with a Somersault Plancha, taking out the NXT Champion! The bell finally sounded at that point, Zayn picking Owens up and throwing him into the barricade. Zayn intended on doing so again, but Owens countered and threw him into the time keeper's area. There, Owens picked up a steel chair and slammed it with authority onto Zayn's back, doing so again before bouncing Zayn's head off of the Spanish announce table. Owens would proceed to take apart the table, the audience going wild for all the hard-hitting action in just the opening moments of the match. Owens picked Zayn up, grabbing him by the face and telling him exactly what was on his mind. "I hate you so f****** much!" Owens shouted in Zayn's face before Powerbombing him through the announce table! Owens covered Zayn, getting the three count off of him. Owens rose to his feet, Naylor reminding all of the viewers that now, Zayn has until the count of ten to get back to his feet, otherwise he would lose this match. Owens grabbed the NXT Title, getting ready to strike Zayn with it in the event that he managed to get back up. Zayn did so at the count of seven, Owens charging at him with the title. He leveled Zayn in the face with the championship before picking him back up for another Powerbomb, this time onto the ring apron. Zayn was able to fight back with right hand strikes, leading to Owens throwing him off of his shoulders onto the announce table that hadn't been destroyed. Owens began taking that table apart before taking Zayn onto the surface of it. The NXT Champion continued to berate his challenger, which proved to be a mistake when Zayn kicked Owens below the belt! Zayn would then grab Owens and throw him off the table and onto the floor with an Exploder Suplex! Zayn made the cover, but Owens was able to get a shoulder up at two. Zayn delivered multiple strikes to Owens' head before looking underneath the ring, bringing out a kendo stick. Zayn allowed Owens to at least get to his feet before violently striking him in the arm with the stick. Every time Owens tried to get away, Zayn would follow him and deliver a shot with the kendo stick. Owens was able to dodge one of the shots and push Zayn away, effectively forcing the stick out of his hand. Owens picked up the kendo stick and returned every shot that Zayn gave him, even spitting on his back before handing him the final one. Owens would then look underneath the ring, bringing out a table. The NXT Champion threw the table towards Zayn before sliding it into the ring. Owens set the table up and laid Zayn flat on its surface before climbing onto the top rope. Owens flew through the air with a Moonsault, but unfortunately for him, Zayn moved out of harm's way and the NXT Championship crashed through the table! Zayn slowly crawled towards the motionless body of Owens, draping his arm across his chest for a two count. Both men moved to opposite corners, Zayn prepping for a Helluva Kick. Owens, however, evaded the kick, causing Zayn to get caught up in a corner. Owens took advantage and delivered a Superkick to his challenger prior to delivering a Pop-Up Powerbomb. Owens covered Zayn and got his second pinfall of the match, the official beginning the ten count. Zayn was able to make it back up at eight, further frustrating the defending champion. Owens threw Zayn shoulder-first into the steel ring post before returning to ringside, looking under the ring again for anything he could find to finish the match. The audience reacted with a blend of excitement and horror when the NXT Champion pulled out a barbed wire board, sliding it into the ring. Owens picked Zayn up, the challenger retaliating with strikes. With every shot to Owens, 'The Prizefighter' looked as if he was going to fall back onto the barbed wire. Zayn ran the ropes and attempted to deliver one final blow, but Owens hoisted him into the air, turned around and planted Zayn's back onto the barbed wire! Owens pinned Zayn for a third time, leaving him on the barbed wire. "If Sami Zayn want to stay in this match, he literally needs to rip himself out of barbed wire!" Naylor yelled out while the audience did what they could to motivate Zayn. Owens rested against a corner, demanding that the official count faster. By the six count, Zayn started to pull himself out of the barbed wire, putting himself through hell in the name of the NXT Championship. The challenger was back up by nine, Josh Barnett pointing that Zayn has gotten to his feet at counts of seven, eight and nine so far. "One more pinfall for Owens and the pattern says Zayn is out," he added. Owens went for a third Pop-Up Powerbomb, but this time, Zayn countered it into a DDT. Zayn would then take the barbed wire board, placing it against a corner. When Zayn turned around, he saw Owens running towards him. The challenger was able to grab Owens and send him into the barbed wire with an Exploder Suplex! Zayn rose to his feet while Owens had to pull himself out of the barbed wire, doing so before being hit with the Helluva Kick! Zayn covered Owens, finally pinning him for the first time ever in NXT! Zayn got back to his feet while Owens was forced to meet the ten count, every fan in the Toyota Center hoping that he wouldn't. Owens grabbed onto the ropes and began to stir, but at the count of eight, he collapsed back onto the canvas and didn't get back up in time.SAMI ZAYN IS THE NEW NXT CHAMPION! Much like for Bayley's victory, the excitement in the Toyota Center could not be contained as Sami Zayn was declared the new NXT Champion. 'The Underdog from the Underground' was handed the title for the second time this year, except it wouldn't be ripped away from him tonight. Zayn stood on the second rope and raised the title as high as he could, showing the fans that their undying support for him paid off in a big way on the most historic NXT event yet. "At ArRival, he lost to Kassius Ohno. He beat Adam Cole at TakeOver, but thanks to Kevin Owens and Tyler Breeze, he didn't walk out as the champion. He came as close as anyone could at Revision, but Owens got the better of him there. Not tonight, though! Tonight, one full year of hard work paid off for Sami Zayn in the biggest way possible! NXT TakeOver: Forever will be remembered as the night that Sami Zayn went from NXT's underdog to the NXT Champion!" Rob Naylor said passionately while confetti fell from the ceiling to commence the celebration for the new NXT Champion, Sami Zayn. AFTER THE CAMERAS STOPPED ROLLING... While NXT TakeOver: Forever was no longer broadcasting on the WWE Network, the celebration was still very much alive for Sami Zayn after he defeated Kevin Owens to become the new NXT Champion. Chants of, "You deserve it!" broke out for Zayn, who was clearly emotional. It was during that when the new NXT Women's Champion, Bayley walked down to the ring, joining Zayn on a night where they both overcame their biggest rivals to achieve what seemed unattainable to them in the past. Bayley hugged Zayn, the two new champions standing tall in the ring with the sold out crowd in Houston cheering them on.
The celebration escalated to an entirely new level when Stone Cold Steve Austin's entrance music hit, the referee for the NXT Women's Title match making another appearance tonight. Once Austin was in the ring, he took a microphone and asked the crowd one simple question. "If y'all enjoyed NXT TakeOver, give me a hell yeah!" The audience responded as one would expect, pleasing Austin. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' said that he didn't want to take the spotlight from anyone, but he wanted to personally congratulate both Zayn and Bayley for getting the jobs done tonight. "Cream rises to the top and we saw that tonight with the both of you. This place is y'all's now and you've both earned that. It was an honor to be here to see this all take place," Austin said before shaking Zayn and Bayley's hands. Austin then addressed the other championship match on the card, stating that while most people didn't get the result they wanted, he needed to give credit where it was due. "Finn Balor... Becky Lynch... If y'all would, please give ol' Stone Cold just a minute of y'all's time." The intergender duo would comply and walk down to the ring, the fans in attendance feeling that the picture in the ring wasn't complete without Balor and Becky holding the Tag Team Titles. "It happens. You can't always win matches, but you know what? You can always win respect and that's what you both won tonight, especially you," Austin said, directing the last comment at Becky. "In just one night, you made yourself a star. You don't got the belt to prove it, but you got the heart for that. Just stay on the grind, dust yourselves off and I know that you both will be in this ring very soon as champions." Austin hugged Balor and Becky before leaving the ring to four of NXT's most popular superstars.
After Austin had exited, Zayn picked up the microphone he left in the ring, telling the audience that he wanted to take one moment to thank all of them. "Thank you for coming out tonight to be a part of history. Thank you for supporting myself, the superstars in this ring right now and everyone who made this night possible. It's because of you guys that we get to stand here and call this our jobs. Seriously, thank you so much," Zayn said, letting the audience applaud before he gave the microphone to Bayley. "You guys have been there for me at my lowest points where I didn't know if I was ever going to find success, let alone become NXT Women's Champion. And you were also there for my highest point, which was in this ring tonight when I beat Sasha Banks to finally get this," she said, glancing at her new title. "You guys helped make NXT the place to be, and in return, I promise to be the best Women's Champion that anyone could." Bayley turned the mic over to Balor, who stated that while losing to The Addiction earlier was a bitter pill to swallow, he's not going to let it keep him down. "Especially on a night like this, there's very much still a bright side to look at. I signed my NXT contract nearly a year ago, and I can safely say that it was the best decision of my life. If I didn't take that risk of leaving Japan to come here, I wouldn't be sharing this moment with all of you tonight. I know it probably sounds like a broken record, but thank you. I almost want to dare the main roster to top us tomorrow night at TLC, but I know that if I ask AJ Styles to put on the performance of a lifetime, he'll do it so I'm just going to keep my mouth shut," Balor said, laughing before asking Becky if she wanted to say anything. 'The Lass Kicker' said that she knows she hasn't been with NXT for nearly as long as anyone else in the ring, but for the first time, she actually feels like she belongs. "The way that you've all welcomed me to NXT, that's something that I'll always be grateful for. When Finn asked me to be his tag partner, one of my biggest concerns was how people would react to a girl competing for male championships. But," Becky said before choking up, Bayley rubbing her shoulder. "You guys made this the greatest night of my life and I'll never be able to put into words how you've all made me feel." Zayn took the microphone back to give his parting words to all of the fans. "We're gonna get out of here soon so that everyone can make it back home before it gets too late, but for the time being, I want to ask for one favor from everyone. Don't chant for me or anyone else in this ring. Give us one all-encompassing chant to show the entire roster and crew that this night was worth it. I want to hear only three letters right now: N! X! T!" Zayn put the microphone down before he, Bayley, Balor and Becky all raised each other's arms while the Houston audience participated in the biggest, loudest NXT chant in history.
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Post by Planktung on Jul 24, 2016 15:26:58 GMT -5
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Post by Planktung on Aug 13, 2016 16:28:07 GMT -5
Less than twenty-four hours after selling out the Toyota Center for NXT TakeOver: Forever, WWE fans were ready to do the same yet again for TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs. In the arena, the Kickoff Panel featuring Renee Young, Michael Cole and two of the innovators of the TLC match, Edge and Christian. Renee said that while everyone was still trying to cool off after NXT tore the roof off of the Toyota Center, the WWE superstars competing tonight were more than ready to top them. "And it's not going to be easy, I can tell you that. Just an incredible night that everyone involved with NXT should be proud of," Cole said regarding TakeOver. Renee started off the discussion with a match that has so much riding on the line as we head towards the Royal Rumble next month. Dean Ambrose puts the WWE Title shot that he earned by winning Manifest Destiny on the line against Seth Rollins. Edge stated that Rollins may be the luckiest person on the roster because he's getting a second at the Royal Rumble title match that he didn't capture at Survivor Series. "It wasn't necessary for Dean Ambrose to put that opportunity on the line, but he's 'The Lunatic Fringe' for a reason. I give the advantage to Rollins going into the match because of Ambrose's health, but I'm not counting Ambrose out for anything." Christian then gave his input, saying that he found out at Night of Champions just how good Rollins actually is. "He might be the best performer in the entire company, if I'm being honest. He lost at Survivor Series, sure, but Rollins has Ambrose exactly where he wants him now. As much of a fan of Ambrose as I am, I don't see him standing much of a chance."
Looking ahead at a match with nothing on the line but a score to settle, John Cena goes in alone against The New Day in a 3-on-1 Handicap match. Michael Cole stated that throughout his time in WWE, he's never seen anyone overcome insurmountable odds that way that Cena has. "I've seen Cena take on and defeat challengers like Umaga, D-X, Brock Lesnar and The Rock among others. Defying the odds is just what he does. I'm not saying that New Day can't defeat him because I think that they have the ability to, but I'm never counting out John Cena in any situation." Edge noted to Cole that he didn't mention him among some of Cena's biggest obstacles. "The match that this show is named after, John Cena went up against me in it when I was undefeated in TLC matches. It was in my hometown of Toronto, and Cena did it. He beat me when I thought that there was no possible way he could. Cena is practically superhuman, and even though there are three very strange New Day members and only one of Cena, I'm always going to put my money on the guy who's carried this company for almost a decade."
In the backstage area, Tom Phillips was shown standing by with one of the competitors in tonight's Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the Intercontinental Championship, Kevin Owens. Owens limped into the picture, tape wrapped around his elbow as a result of his Texas Deathmatch last night against Sami Zayn at NXT TakeOver: Forever. Phillips asked Owens how he feels that the war he went through last night for the NXT Title will affect him going into tonight? "... Are you stupid? Are you blind? All of the above? I'm walking like an old man right now. My elbow is taped like hell. I still have cuts on my back from barbed wire, but worst of all, I don't even have the NXT Championship because that happy-go-lucky asshat pulled off the biggest fluke in professional wrestling history. I don't care that I'm not at 100%. I'm pissed off and when I go out to that ring tonight, there will be three bodies for me to mangle and rip apart. Then, I'm gonna take down the Intercontinental Championship and prove to everyone who is doubting me after TakeOver that this truly is and will forever be the Kevin Owens Show!"
Back at the Kickoff Panel, Renee Young said that while Kevin Owens is confident heading into his Intercontinental Title match, the chances of him beating three fully-healthy superstars are pretty slim. Cole said that Owens' demeanor is usually what intimidates his opponents, but CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Tyson Kidd may not be too concerned about him after watching what he went through at TakeOver. "And this is where we can't provide as much insight as we'd like to," Edge said before elaborating. "Sometimes, I'd be banged up going into a TLC match, but Christian would be in a better state or vice-versa. If I couldn't give as much as I'd like to, at least I knew that my tag team partner could make up for it. Owens, Punk, Bryan and Tyson are all in this one for themselves. They have no tag team partner to rely on. If they want to leave here tonight as the Intercontinental Champion, it has to be because of their will to win. As for who I think is going to be victorious, I'll admit that I sometimes play favorites when it comes to Canadians. I can't see it being Owens in the shape that he's in, so I'm gonna say that Tyson Kidd becomes the new champion." Christian said that while a Kidd victory would, "Totally reek of awesomeness," he's picking CM Punk. "Two years ago at this same show, it was me, Punk and Alberto Del Rio in a TLC match for the WWE Title. I thought me winning was a guarantee, but Punk proved to me that night that when he says he's the 'Best in the World,' that's not just a moniker. He's at the top of his game in championship matches and I don't see tonight being any different." "You know what I think?" Renee asked the panel before saying that she has to believe that crowd support plays a big role in matches like TLC. "And as we saw on Monday and ever other day before, Daniel Bryan has a lot of crowd support. If the Daniel Bryan fans are out in full force tonight, which I can't imagine not being the case, that could put him at an advantage over everyone else." The first of two Kickoff matches pitted former God's Gifts stablemates against one another after their team imploded last week on SmackDown. Antonio Cesaro, who has notably been despised by audiences since his debut, received an uncharacteristic ovation from the Houston audience during his entrance. "If people are really going take a liking to Antonio Cesaro, he'll have no issue finding his footing without Kassius Ohno," Mauro Ranallo stated before Damien Sandow arrived to a much less flattering response from the fans than Cesaro. The bell sounded as the two competitors locked up, Sandow trying to take Cesaro down to the canvas. Cesaro showed off his superhuman strength by deadlifting Sandow off his knees, throwing him across the ring with a Gutwrench Suplex. Sandow stood up in a corner and saw Cesaro running towards him, 'The Savior of the Masses' immediately bolting out of the ring. Sandow demanded a timeout as he regrouped on the outside. Sandow stepped onto the ring apron, blocking a strike from Cesaro and catching him with one of his own. Sandow struck Cesaro behind the knee before running the ropes, kicking him in the face with authority. Sandow was looking to drop the Elbow of Disdain onto Cesaro, but 'The Swiss Superman' rolled out of harm's way. Cesaro went for a double foot stomp, Sandow able to evade it. Cesaro would then take Sandow out with a Back Body Drop, following up with a Dropkick. Sandow rolled to the outside again, bating Cesaro into the ropes where he grabbed his head and forced his neck onto the top rope. Sandow climbed onto the top rope, keeping a hold on Cesaro for what looked to be a DDT. Cesaro, however, fended off Sandow with numerous body shots before joining him on the second rope. Cesaro then lifted Sandow off of the ring apron with a Vertical Suplex into the ring! "Are you kidding me?!" Corey Graves asked in regards to Cesaro's strength before Sandow was able to kick out at two. Cesaro rose to his feet and called for his patented Swing, but Sandow managed to kick him away. Sandow rolled Cesaro up with his feet on the ropes, the official catching him in time. While Sandow and the official got into a shouting war, Cesaro rolled Sandow up, but not for a pinfall. Instead, Cesaro grabbed Sandow's legs once again, this time successfully initiating the Cesaro Swing! Sandow had to endure twenty rotations before finally being released, dizzily getting to his feet. Cesaro springboarded off the second rope and caught Sandow with an Uppercut before going for the Neutralizer. Cesaro planted Sandow onto his front-side, rolling him over for the cover and victory.ANTONIO CESARO DEFEATS DAMIEN SANDOW! Antonio Cesaro sprung to his feet while the Houston audience applauded the result of the match, 'The Swiss Superman' managing to overcome his once-stablemate. "On the first Kickoff Show of 2013, Cesaro and Sandow challenged for the WWE Tag Team Championships, and on the final Kickoff of the year, it is Cesaro who comes out on top in their long-awaited one-on-one contest!" Mauro Ranallo said while Cesaro stood on the announce table, actually embracing the positive response that the fans presented him with. Cesaro made his way up the entrance ramp, victorious in a crucial match to his run as a singles competitor.
Back at the Kickoff Panel, Renee Young mentioned that while Antonio Cesaro and Damien Sandow's days as a tag team are long gone, two of the WWE's current top teams will do battle tonight in what has the potential to be the best tag team contest all year. Edge and Christian both stated that in their minds, Wrestling Royalty is the greatest tag team of the current generation. "Having been in a team with my best friend, I can tell when two people are meant to be tag team partners, and Ted DiBiase and Joe Hennig were absolutely destined to leave their marks on WWE as a unit. That being said, The Alpha Wolves clearly have that same level of chemistry. This is a true Tag Team battle and might honestly be the match I'm most looking forward to," said 'Captain Charisma.' Michael Cole then said that having called Wrestling Royalty's matches for a year and a half, this is a situation that he didn't think he'd ever seen them in. "They're vulnerable right now. For the first time in a WWE Tag Team Title match, Ted and Joe are the underdogs. They're putting so much pressure on themselves to win here tonight, and truthfully, I think they're gonna do it. They'll become two-time WWE Tag Team Champions here tonight, but I'm not even going to predict how long that reign will last compared to their first because 377 days will probably never be surpassed or even duplicated." Before moving on, Edge noted the pressure that Michael Cole mentioned could be eating Wrestling Royalty alive. "The reason they keep saying this is their last opportunity at the titles is because it very well may be. They know how much talent there is on the WWE roster, ready to take their spots. Tag teams in NXT can come up at any point, and hell, guys on the independent scene could be here tomorrow and make impacts. Ted DiBiase and Joe Hennig are the biggest fish in a pond that always grows and never gets any smaller. Every time they fail, another team will take that spot from them and they're not ready to let go."
"Another championship match taking place tonight will see Baron Corbin defend his brand new Hardcore Championship against the man he stole it from two weeks ago, Alberto Del Rio," Renee segued into. Edge said that he should be rooting against Del Rio in this match considering their history. "However, it'll be a cold day in Hell before I root for anyone with 'Derrick Bateman approved' stamped on their forehead. It's like I finally understand why people hated me so much for years when I see someone like Bateman doing the things he's doing right now. Del Rio brags about ending my career, so you know what? I wouldn't mind him trying to end Corbin's here tonight," Edge put it harshly. Christian said that he and Del Rio have a storied history as well. "The guy broke my arm a couple years ago and I beat him for my first World Heavyweight Title. I know what Del Rio is capable of when you put a weapon into his hands and it's not pretty at all. Del Rio is as aggressive as they come and I have no doubt he's going to beat Baron Corbin for the Hardcore Title."
Backstage in the Social Media Lounge, JoJo was standing by with her guests, Maryse and the United States Champion, The Miz. The first question from Twitter was directed at Maryse, asking how she feels as the longest reigning Divas Champion of all-time to see the title be retired. "I never cared about the Divas Title when I didn't have it. I don't even care about the Women's Title now, especially after I was attacked by wild animals on RAW," she said. JoJo then asked Miz if he has any more projects in Hollywood coming up. "Well, everything is pretty tight-lipped right now. Production on Marine 4 begins soon and then there are some other things that I've been cast in because who doesn't want The Miz? I am the most sought after man in all of Hollywood right now. But, don't you worry, WWE fans. Even while shooting whatever I may be part of, I will still be here each and every week as your WWE United States Champion. I know that's why that question was asked in the first place." JoJo then started reading the final question, but stopped herself. "What?" Maryse asked when JoJo tried to skip over the question. Maryse took the iPad out of JoJo's hands, reading the last question aloud herself. "Miz, do you really think you deserve to be United States Champion? The only reason you even beat Adrian Neville was because of your... Dumb wife?!?" Miz removed his sunglasses, asking Maryse who submitted that question. "I don't know, it's just an egg for a picture!" she shouted, Miz then turning to the camera. "You listen to me, you faceless egg. No one, NO ONE insults me or my wife. You and everyone else out there know that the reason I'm the United States Champion right now is because I'm the best that this company has to offer! I am the most-must see WWE superstar of all-time! I earned this United States Title, just like I earned every one of my accolades before, including the main event of WrestleMania. If you think that I'm so 'undeserving,' then just watch what I do to Adrian Neville because after tonight, gravity and the entire population will have forgotten him." Much like Antonio Cesaro and Damien Sandow's encounter just now, another battle of former friends took place on the TLC Kickoff. Alexa Bliss, who is still very much new to WWE, seemed to have finally entered her comfort zone as she told off many of the fans who booed her during her entrance. Natalya would then make her entrance to a better response than Alexa, the two women finally meeting one-on-one. After the bell sounded, Natalya stood in the center of the ring, inviting Alexa to try to utilize what she taught her during their mentor and protege relationship. Alexa applied a Headlock, which Natalya was easily able to release herself from with a Suplex. Alexa got to her feet while holding her lower back, giving Natalya a 'resting Bliss face' as she would put. Natalya left herself vulnerable for another hold, but Alexa instead chose to simply slap her across the face. Natalya responded with several forearm strikes, backing Alexa into a corner. 'The Queen of Hearts' tried to perch Alexa onto the top turnbuckle, but was kicked away for her troubles. Alexa leaped off with a Crossbody, but Natalya was able to catch her in mid-air and plant WWE's newest female superstar with a Catatonic. Natalya got the cover, but Alexa managed to kick out in time. Natalya picked Alexa up off of the canvas, ramming her head into the top turnbuckle. Natalya brought Alexa back into the center of the ring for a German Suplex, but Alexa fought out of her clutches with elbow strikes. Alexa Dropkicked the back of Natalya, sending her against the turnbuckles. From there, Alexa latched both of her hands onto the top rope, jumping into the air and catching Natalya with a Superkick of sort. Alexa covered Natalya, who managed to kick out at two. Alexa picked Natlaya up, whipping her into the ropes. Natalya jumped over Alexa, rolling her into a pinning predicament for the near fall. Alexa rose to her feet, Dropkicking Natalya in the face before getting yet another two count. At that moment, Alexa decided that the most satisfying way to defeat Natalya would be with her family's legendary submission hold. Alexa grabbed Natalya's legs, locking them in place for the Sharpshooter. Not wanting to allow Alexa to spit on the Hart legacy, Natalya valiantly crawled towards the ropes and was able to force a rope break. Natalya was able to slide under the bottom rope, Alexa going after. Natalya would then roll back into the ring, outsmarting Alexa by luring her into a Sharpshooter attempt of her own. Alexa was able to kick Natalya away, but ate a Discus Lariat after she stood up. Natalya hoisted Alexa onto her shoulders with a Powerbomb on her mind. However, Alexa was able to counter it into a Code Red! Alexa chose not to go for a cover, instead heading up to the top rope for the Twisted Bliss. Alexa splashed onto her former mentor, covering Natalya one more time to seal the victory.ALEXA BLISS DEFEATS NATALYA! At the sound of the bell, Alexa Bliss stood to her feet with a deceitful stare towards the hard camera, the official raising her arm after she picked up the biggest victory of her career. "Not very many people saw this one coming. Alexa Bliss, who has not even been on the main roster for three months, just defeated a former Divas Champion," Mauro Ranallo said before Corey Graves stated that everyone should have seen it coming. "Alexa Bliss made it clear that she never needed Natalya to guide her through this industry and she proved that once and for all tonight. If you don't believe in Alexa Bliss now, you're going to be left behind because she is one hundred percent the future of the women's division."
Focusing back on the Kickoff panel for the remaining minutes, Renee Young stated that while Alexa Bliss could have a strong case for being the future of the women's division as Corey Graves put it, the division still needs a champion to carry it into that future. "It is the first-ever Tables, Ladders and Chairs match between two women when Sofia Cortez and AJ Lee make history here tonight." Christian said that in his mind, there is no one more fitting to close out the year as the Women's Champion than AJ Lee. "AJ's established herself in 2013 as one of the fearless competitors in recent memory. It scares me to think of what she may do to herself with tables, ladders and chairs around her, but she's proven that she can take some serious damage and still get back up. Sofia's going to need to be the best she's even been if she wants to beat AJ." Edge then said that he feels AJ's recklessness is what will be her downfall. "AJ reminds me of Jeff Hardy in a lot of ways. Absolute daredevils who will put their bodies on the line, but one mistake is all it takes for their opponents to capitalize. It's very easy to picture AJ jumping off of a ladder, only for Sofia to move and go on to retrieve the Women's Title. I think Sofia's going to be the new champion."
Lastly, the panel discussed the first title defense for the WWE Champion, AJ Styles, as he puts the title on the line against Cody Rhodes. Michael Cole said that if the Slammy Awards tomorrow night were up to him, without question the Superstar of the Year would be Rhodes. "When people think 2013, Cody's going to be the first superstar they think of. It would be a travesty for this year to end without him as the WWE Champion, but it may very well happen because one of the best in the world today is holding the gold. Yes, AJ Styles stole the WWE Title at Survivor Series, but it's not like he wouldn't have stood a chance in a Triple Threat match with Cody and Brock Lesnar. My heart says Cody, but mind says Styles," stated Cole. Christian said that he feels basically the same way about the match. "Cody Rhodes has been my favorite superstar to watch this year, but AJ Styles is really good in between those ropes. 'Phenomenal' is absolutely the perfect word to describe him. Having had some of my best matches against him, I think I'd be an idiot not to pick him to win." Edge said that the only thing he knew for sure about the WWE Championship match is that the fans will be the real winners. "AJ Styles vs. Cody Rhodes on Pay-Per-View for the WWE Championship. It really doesn't get any better than that."
Renee Young then proceeded to wrap up the Kickoff Show while cameras focused on the ring that was surrounded by the items that have titled the event. Hanging in the air was the Intercontinental Championship that would be contested in the opening match of the Pay-Per-View. CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Tyson Kidd and Daniel Bryan get things started on TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, next! WWE TLC: TABLES, LADDERS & CHAIRS 2013 IS LIVE! Following the signature WWE intro, a video package was shown that started off with a shot of a ladder, table and chair in the ring with a spotlight illuminating the three objects. Quick flashes of high spots from past TLC matches were shown, along with their respective commentary lines. After the clip of Edge's iconic Spear to Jeff Hardy at WrestleMania X-7 aired, the still shot of the three objects returned before "Move, Shake, Hide" by Marmozets kicked in. "I mean it when I say that I'm the 'Best in the World'..." "I'm the fastest rising superstar of 2013, fact! There is no one better than me, fact! I will stand tall as the new Intercontinental Champion, fact!..." "This time last year, most of you didn't know who I was. Now, everyone is well-aware of who runs the Kevin Owens Show..." "Will I leave TLC as the brand new Intercontinental Champion? Yes! Yes! Yes!" All four of the competitors in tonight's Intercontinental Championship match had their voice lines layered over highlights of their interactions over the past three weeks, leading to tonight's Fatal Four Way TLC match. The decimation of the Divas Championship was then shown, taking place three weeks ago when AJ Lee ran over Sofia Cortez's title with a car. Now, the WWE Women's Championship is on the line in the first-ever female Tables, Ladders and Chairs match between Sofia and AJ, and if Monday's Championship Ascension Ceremony was any indication, both women will never be the same after tonight. Lastly, AJ Styles' Money in the Bank cash-in at Survivor Series was shown, which resulted in his becoming of WWE Champion. The man who Styles pinned, Cody Rhodes, invokes his rematch tonight for a one-on-one championship match. The video package concluded with a shot of Styles raising the gold over the bodies of Rhodes and the man who has said numerous times that he plans on closing out 2013 with the title, Derrick Bateman.The pyrotechnics display in the Toyota Center was followed by shots of the sold out audience in Houston for the WWE's final traditional Pay-Per-View of 2013, TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs! At ringside, Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves welcomed everyone to the event that exists because of the chaos and mayhem that TLC matches have spawned for over a decade. "And tonight is no different. The Intercontinental Championship is on the line in a Fatal Four Way match, and then two absolute psychopaths put their bodies on the line for the WWE Women's Championship," Graves said before Ranallo mentioned that WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles. "Three huge main events lined up for you guys, and we're not going to waste any time because the first one begins right now!" While the camera focused on the Intercontinental Championship that was hanging above the ring, the entrance music of Kevin Owens hit to a mixed response from Houston, Texas. The former NXT Champion limped out onto the stage, his elbow taped up after the war that he had last night at TakeOver: Forever against Sami Zayn. "Kevin Owens vowed to leave TLC as a double champion, and already, we know that's not going to happen," Corey Graves stated while Owens walked to the ring as quickly as his battered body would allow him to. Once in the ring, Owens took a microphone to briefly let his thoughts out. "How many of you watched NXT TakeOver?" Owens asked, pretty much the entire audience responding positively. "Good. So you all know why I'm pissed off right now. Sami Zayn can have his little moment in the spotlight because at the end of the day, I'm the one who took NXT from a university to this building! I'm the one who is on the main roster making the big bucks, and I'm the one who is going to leave here tonight as the Intercontinental Champion! It's not clobberin' time. It's not time for you all to chant 'Yes! Yes! Yes!' like a bunch of damn sheep. It's not... Whatever Tyson Kidd would say if he could form sentences. It's time for the biggest, most destructive edition yet of the Kevin! Owens! Show!" Owens threw his microphone before turning to the stage that soon played Daniel Bryan's titantron. The audience broke out into a monstrous "Yes!" chant while Bryan made his way down to the ring, thrusting both of his index fingers into the air along with everyone in attendance. Bryan stood across from Owens, the two of them finally able to settle their rivalry in a match with so much more than just revenge at stake. Tyson Kidd would be the next to make his entrance, receiving a reaction that was not on the level of Bryan, but still more positive than Owens. Kidd waited in a corner, glancing back-and-forth at both Bryan and Owens. Lastly, the defending champion made his entrance to a reaction that matched Bryan's. "It's clobberin' time!" CM Punk shouted while he stood up on the stage, pulling back the hood on his jacket while marching down to the ring. "CM Punk may need to get luckier than Daft Punk if he wants to retain his Intercontinental Championship," Mauro Ranallo stated. Punk looked up at the title that he claimed at Hell in a Cell, aware that it may never be back in his possession. After Justin Roberts gave the pre-match introductions, the bell sounded and all four superstar were let loose! Bryan and Owens went after one another, while Punk and Kidd would continue where they left off at Survivor Series. Owens kicked Bryan in the mid-section and threw him out of the ring, taking one of the steel chairs and striking him in the back with it. Owens slid into the ring and delivered chair shots to Punk and Kidd as well, standing tall while letting out a shout to the Houston audience that had already seen him come up short in one title match twenty-four hours ago. Owens returned to ringside and grabbed one of the ladders, sliding it into the ring. 'The Prize Fighter' positioned the ladder underneath the Intercontinental Championship, climbing as quickly as he could before Bryan tried to stop him. Owens kicked Bryan away with his left leg, not accomplishing much since Bryan just decided to scale the other side of the ladder. Bryan and Owens traded blows on the ladder, Bryan able to take Owens out and send him onto the canvas. Bryan had his fingertips on the championship, but Owens pushed the ladder over and caused him to crash onto the top rope. Bryan rolled to the outside as Owens went after him, only to be caught with a Superkick from Kidd. The dazed Owens turned around and was hoisted onto the shoulders of Punk, who dropped him face-first onto the surface of the announce table. Kidd charged into Punk with a Sick Kick, quickly realizing that the he was the only competitor standing at that moment. Kidd rolled into the ring and set the ladder back up, climbing his way to glory. Before Kidd could grab the Intercontinental Title, Bryan made his way back into the ring and climbed the opposite side. Bryan and Kidd traded blows just a few inches below the championship, the Houston audience chanting "Yes!" every time Bryan got a strike in. Bryan hit Kidd with a series of punches before placing his hand on the Intercontinental Title's strap. Before Bryan could take the title down, Kidd risked his own well-being by leaping over Bryan and planting him with a Sunset Flip off the ladder! "Holy s***!" chants quickly made their way around the arena while Kidd and Bryan remained motionless on the canvas, Punk now sliding into the ring. Punk, however, had his foot grabbed by Owens, who pulled him back out to ringside. Owens threw Punk shoulder-first into the steel steps before taking one of the tables that was resting against the barricade. The former NXT Champion set the table up in the space between the ring and commentators, trying to place Punk in position for a Powerbomb. 'The Best In the World' managed to slide out of Owens' grip, catching him with a Roundhouse Kick. Owens fell back onto the table's surface, giving Punk the idea to throw caution to the wind. The defending champion ascended to the top rope, pointing both arms towards the sky before leaping off with an Elbow Drop to Owens through the table! While Punk was getting to his feet, Kidd did the same in the ring, climbing the ladder once again to try to retrieve the Intercontinental Championship. Punk pushed the ladder over, but Kidd's feet landed on the top rope. Kidd leaped forward, putting the ladder back in its original spot and catching Punk in the face with his foot. Bryan was able to pull Kidd off of the ladder, hitting him with several forearm strikes until the last Hart Dungeon graduate was on his knees. Bryan moved the ladder out of the way before kicking Kidd in the chest. Punk joined Bryan in the attack on Kidd, the two taking turns igniting his chest with their kickpads. Punk set the ladder up against the turnbuckles, he and Bryan working together to throw Kidd back-first into it. Immediately afterwards, Punk turned Bryan around, hoisted him onto his shoulders and delivered the Go To Sleep! "Never. Trust. CM Punk," Corey Graves put it simply while the Houston audience reacted in a mixed manner towards Punk. The Intercontinental Champion tried to set the ladder back up, but at that moment, Kevin Owens rejoined the chaos and took him down with a Clothesline. Owens placed the ladder flat on the canvas, throwing Punk into the ropes before delivering a Pop Up Powerbomb onto the steel contraption! Owens easily could have gone for the Intercontinental Title then and there, but he instead felt the need to inflict even more damage onto Punk. Owens exited to the ringside area, pulling a second ladder out from underneath the ring. Owens positioned one end of the ladder on the barricade while the other rested on the ring apron. Owens headed back into the ring, putting Punk on his shoulders for a Powerbomb onto the ladder. Punk was able to counter Owens' maneuver into a DDT, trying valiantly to set the original ladder back up and take down the title. However, Kidd took a steel chair to the back of Punk, doing what he could to remove the champion from the equation. Kidd went ahead and set the ladder back up, making his way to the top before being stopped by Owens. Kidd fended the former NXT Champion off by kicking him away, climbing to the second rung from the top. Kidd was inches away from becoming the Intercontinental Champion, but Owens lifted the ladder off of the canvas, pushing it forward and causing Kidd to fall onto the ladder at ringside! Kidd's body broke the ladder in half, officials immediately checking on him. Owens showed no concern for Kidd as he set the ladder back up underneath the Intercontinental Title, climbing towards the gold until Punk began climbing the other side. Punk met Owens at the top, the two slugging it out until 'The Best in the World' looked to be at a disadvantage. Punk let one hand go and looked as if he was going to take a fall just like Kidd, but he latched both hands back onto the ladder and delivered a Roundhouse Kick! Owens fell off the ladder and onto the canvas, leaving Punk all by himself at the top of the ladder. Punk grabbed the Intercontinental Title, pulling it down to secure the victory.CM PUNK IS STILL THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION! The fans in the Toyota Center rejoiced as CM Punk remained at the top of the ladder while the announcement was made that he was still the Intercontinental Champion. With the odds not in his favor, 'The Best in the World' still managed to come out on top in a helacious Tables, Ladders and Chairs match. Several replays from the bout were shown, none bigger than the plunge that Kevin Owens caused Tyson Kidd to take that literally snapped a ladder in half. Punk stepped back onto the canvas, taking to the second rope to raise the Intercontinental Title in celebration. "An incredible showing from all superstars involved, but on this night here in Texas in December, CM Punk stands above the rest as the Intercontinental Champion!" said Mauro Ranallo while Corey Graves added that everyone would be hoping for the best for Owens, Bryan and especially Kidd after this match.With the arena suddenly pitch black, the Houston audience buzzed after the eerie signature of The Wyatt Family hit. Soon, the lights would come back on and reveal all members of the feared trio in the ring surrounding CM Punk. All sported new attire, Luke Harper having black jeans while Erick Rowan had a black jumpsuit and a new lamb mask to match. The two of them attacked Punk and stomped away on him while Bray Wyatt, who had the hood from his jacket over his head, watched with a grin on his face. "We haven't seen Bray Wyatt since he brutalized Paige in a Casket match at Survivor Series!" Mauro Ranallo yelled out, Corey Graves noting that Paige herself also hasn't been seen since. Harper and Rowan grabbed Punk by his arms and held him up while Wyatt approached the Intercontinental Champion. Wyatt took hold of Punk and placed him in position for Sister Abigail, driving him into the canvas. Wyatt remained on his knees while staring down at Punk, laughing to himself with his two 'family' members by his side. The Wyatt Family have returned with their sights set on CM Punk, but the questions surrounding Paige's whereabouts are still left unanswered.
In the locker room area, Cody Rhodes was shown lacing his boots as the number one contender for the WWE Championship gets set to challenge AJ Styles later on tonight for the gold. Cathy Kelley soon walked into the room, asking 'The Prince of Pro Wrestling' for his thoughts on his match with Styles as well as the Slammy Awards tomorrow night, where he is on the ballot for Superstar of the Year. "You're asking about two different occasions. One I have control over and the other I don't. If fans want to vote for me as Superstar of the Year, then that's very humbling, but I can't dictate any of that stuff. What I can dictate, however, is whether or not I leave here tonight as the WWE Champion. Something I should still be because AJ Styles swarmed into my match with Brock Lesnar like a serpent and stole my title. Three weeks later, all the wrongs will be made right when I become a two-time WWE Champion. And then I can look forward to the Slammys and whatever may happen tomorrow night." While Cody Rhodes is prepared to reclaim his championship tonight, so too is 'The Man That Gravity Forgot' as Adrian Neville receives his rematch for the United States Title. Neville made his way out to a great response from the Houston audience, Mauro Ranallo stating that Neville will at least have the fans in his corner to combat Maryse. "The fans combating Maryse? You've really lost it, haven't you, Mauro? Maryse never had anything to do with The Miz's becoming of United States Champion! The Miz has the title for one reason and one reason only: He is awesome!" Corey Graves said. Neville waited patiently in the ring as his adversary made his way out to the stage alongside his wife, who, despite what Graves said, played a huge role in Neville and Miz's initial title match over two weeks ago on SmackDown. Miz and Maryse walked down to the ring, 'The Awesome One' raising the United States Title in Neville's face. Prior to the start of the match, one of the officials relayed a message to Justin Roberts. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have just been informed that per order of WWE Commissioner, Booker T, Maryse is banned from ringside!" The audience applauded the decision to the disdain of Miz and Maryse, both of whom were outraged. Maryse angrily walked away from the ring while the official called for the bell. Miz was in the face of the official, the two engaging in a war of words until Neville rolled him up! Miz managed to kick out at two, Neville running towards him. Neville dodged a Clothesline, springboarding off the second rope and launching himself into Miz with a Crossbody. Neville got another cover, but once again only a two count. Neville ran the ropes again, but this time, Miz prevented whatever he had in mind by kicking him in the kneecap. Miz planted Neville with a DDT, covering him for the near fall. Miz would then grabbed Neville by his head, striking him repeatedly while still complying with the official's count. Miz got a hold of Neville's legs, slingshotting him into a corner. Neville was able to land on the second rope, but Miz ran behind him and pushed him off. 'The Man That Gravity' forgot crashed hard onto the floor, Miz going out to ringside to get him. Miz picked Neville up and threw him into the barricade before rolling him back into the ring for another two count. Miz continued to work over the right leg of Neville, dropping repeated elbows onto it. Miz then hoisted Neville up into a vertical Suplex position, throwing him forward. Neville landed on his feet at Miz intended, putting even more pressure onto his bad leg in a move that Graves cited as "genius." Neville tried to use the ropes to get to his feet, but Miz got a hold of him. The defending champion was looking for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Neville was able to roll him over onto the mat. Neville caught Miz with a Spinning Heel Kick, his bad leg colliding with Miz's face. Neville got to his feet and limped towards a corner, whipping Miz into the opposite set of turnbuckles. Miz bounced chest-first out of the corner, Neville following up with a standing Moonsault. Miz kicked out at two, Neville moving his leg around to try to get the blood flowing. 'The Man That Gravity Forgot' began climbing to the top rope when Miz sprung to his feet, pulling Neville off. Miz set Neville up in a corner before charging into him with his patented Clothesline. 'The Awesome One' grabbed Neville's leg and applied a Single Leg Boston Crab, valiantly trying to force the challenger to submit. The side of Neville's face rested against the canvas, slamming his fist repeatedly while trying to fight the agony that the United States Champion brought upon him. Neville crawled to the bottom rope, unable to grab it since Miz pulled him into the center of the ring. Neville used that opening to trap Miz in a small package roll up, nearly getting the victory there. Miz got to his feet and swung his arm at Neville's head, but Neville dodged it and got a backslide in for another two count. With Miz on his knees for a second, Neville took advantage and delivered a Superkick! Neville crawled to the corner, slowly climbing onto the top rope with Red Arrow on his mind. Neville carefully stood to his feet, trying to put as little pressure on his leg as possible. However, Miz got to his feet and threw himself against the ropes, causing Neville to fall hard onto the mat. Miz grabbed Neville and delivered the Skull Crushing Finale, rolling him over to get the cover and the three count at last.THE MIZ IS STILL THE UNITED STATES CHAMPION! As evident by the reaction, the Houston audience was not at all pleased with the result as The Miz rose to his feet, the official handing him back the United States Champion. 'The Awesome One' placed one foot on Neville's chest while raising the title in the air, the referee and ringside doctor forcing him to leave as they needed to tend to Adrian Neville at that moment. "What's going to be the excuse from all of The Miz's detractors now? They all said that Miz couldn't get the job done without Maryse, and what just happened? Miz defeated Neville without his wife at ringside because he is and will forever be awesome!" Corey Graves said, singing the praises of the superstar who will be leaving TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs still the United States Champion.A promo was shown for Concrete Jungle, a WWE Network-exclusive event from Madison Square Garden. Concrete Jungle is live in two weeks, only on the WWE Network.Returning to TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, the fans in attendance could be heard applauding Adrian Neville for his effort against The Miz while being assisted to the backstage area. "From the United States Championship to the WWE Tag Team Championships, we are about to witness what has all of the makings of being the best tag team contest of 2013," Mauro Ranallo stated before the feed transitioned into a video package. On April 6th, 2012, Ted DiBiase and Joe Hennig captured the WWE Tag Team Championships and began what would turn out to be the longest reign in history. Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara, The Prime Time Players, The Miz and Roman Reigns, The Usos, God's Gifts, The Real Americans. Every team that stepped forward and challenged Wrestling Royalty became a statistic in their historical reign. Their final successful defense came at WrestleMania XXIX against Randy Orton and Batista, things going south for them in the aftermath. The night after WrestleMania, Hennig suffered an injury that put him on the shelf and forced the duo to relinquish the Tag Team Titles at 377 days into their reign. Since then, Wrestling Royalty have been unable to recapture the titles, taking a backseat in the division while watching Kassius Ohno and Antonio Cesaro, and later on The Alpha Wolves become champions. Tonight, DiBiase and Hennig receive what they are already calling their final opportunity at becoming two-time WWE Tag Team Champions. If they cannot defeat The Alpha Wolves, who knows what that means for the future of the greatest tag team of the modern era? When Wrestling Royalty's entrance music hit in the Toyota Center, a very unfamiliar atmosphere could be sensed by everyone watching. For perhaps the first time ever, Ted DiBiase and Joe Hennig's demeanor was that of anxiety and nervousness. "Wrestling Royalty won't admit this, but it couldn't be more obvious. With everything they've been saying over the last few weeks, the looks on their faces right now, the body language... This is it. If they don't win the Tag Team Titles right now, this is their final match as a tag team. There's nothing else for them to do if they can't be the champions. Savor this image of Ted DiBiase and Joe Hennig walking down to the ring together because we may never see it again," Corey Graves said, giving his take on what could become of Wrestling Royalty if they are to lose this bout. The longest-reigning WWE Tag Team Champions in history took their spots in the ring, awaiting the arrival of the team that could deliver the final blow to them. Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards marched down to the ring, Mauro Ranallo reading over some of their accolades. "Along with the WWE Tag Team Titles, they've held the NXT Tag Team Championships before. The Ring of Honor Tag Team Titles at one point. The only team in history to hold all three of those, but now, they face arguably the best team of this generation with the titles at stake." The Alpha Wolves handed over their titles to the official, who put them on display for the world to see. After the pre-match introductions, DiBiase and Edwards started things off. DiBiase immediately took Edwards down to the canvas, getting an early pinfall for a one count. Edwards kipped up and attempted a Roundhouse Kick, but DiBiase dodged it and rolled him up for the near fall. Edwards rolled onto his feet and caught DiBiase in a small package, not able to get the victory there. Both men stood up and took fighting stances, the audience applauding them for their showcase. Both superstars' next move was a collar-and-elbow tie up, DiBiase soon going behind Edwards and ramming him into a corner. Edwards, however, latched onto the top rope as DiBiase attempted another roll up. With DiBiase on his knees, Edwards went for a Superkick that he ended up missing. Edwards' momentum caused him to run against a corner, DiBiase charging into him with a Clothesline. DiBiase followed up by throwing Edwards onto the canvas before stepping onto the second rope to drop his fist onto the forehead of one of the champions. DiBiase brought Edwards into his corner and made the tag to Joe Hennig, who stomped away on Edwards. Graves made note of the aggressiveness being shown by Wrestling Royalty, something that they needed to bring to this contest if they wanted to become two-time Tag Team Champions. Hennig planted Edwards with a Neckbreaker in the center of the ring, covering him for the two count. Hennig repeatedly struck Edwards in the head before tagging DiBiase back in, Hennig holding Edwards in place for a Russian Leg Sweep while DiBiase charged into him with a Shoulder Block. After Edwards kicked out of yet another pin attempt, DiBiase placed one-half of The Alpha Wolves on the top turnbuckle. DiBiase climbed the ropes and had a Superplex on his mind, but Edwards was able to fend him off with a few body shots and push him off. Edwards leaped off with a Hurricanrana, sending DiBiase chest-first into a corner. Edwards made the tag to Davey Richards, who charged into DiBiase's back with double knees. DiBiase fell to the canvas as Richards tagged Edwards back in, the latter ascending to the top rope and coming down with an Elbow Drop. Edwards tagged Richards back in, allowing the fresher superstar of the team make the cover for the near fall. Richards sat DiBiase up, kicking him three times in the back before running the ropes for a PK. DiBiase evaded the lethal kick, hurrying to his corner to tag in Hennig. The son of Mr. Perfect ran into the ring and immediately missed a Clothesline, Richards kicking him in the mid-section before grabbing him in place for a German Suplex. Richards delivered three Suplexes in succession before getting Hennig up for a Brainbuster. Hennig prevented the maneuver by striking Richards in the head with his knee while in the vertical position, countering it into the Perfect Plex! "New champions right now!" Graves shouted while Hennig got the cover, Richards somehow managing to kick out! Edwards jumped into the ring prior to the kickout, leading to DiBiase running towards him with a boot to the chest. With Edwards out of the equation, Wrestling Royalty chose to gang up on Richards while taking a page from The Alpha Wolves' book. After Richards got to his feet, Hennig caught him with a Superkick, followed by one from DiBiase. Hennig hoisted Richards onto his shoulders in an Electric Chair position, DiBiase climbing onto the top rope. DiBiase flew through the air and executed a Doomsday Device! "The greatest tag team of this generation channeling perhaps the greatest tag team of any generation!" exclaimed Mauro Ranallo. Hennig got the cover onto Richards, but not the three count as Edwards sprang into action and saved the match for the champions. DiBiase attempted to take Edwards out of the match yet again, but this time, Edwards turned the tables and sent him shoulder-first into the ring post. Hennig attacked Edwards from behind before being rolled up by Richards. Hennig kicked out almost immediately, but after he did so, Edwards came running full-speed at him with a Dropkick into a corner. Hennig bounced out of the corner, Edwards lifting him vertically. A Superkick from Richards led into Edwards' Brainbuster, Richards getting the cover onto Hennig. However, Hennig was able to get a shoulder up just a millisecond before three! Everyone in the Toyota Center was on the edge of their seats as they were witnessing as close of a WWE Tag Team Title bout as there had ever been. Noticing that DiBiase was getting to his feet on the outside, Edwards ran through the ropes with a Suicide Dive, only to miss. DiBiase slid into the ring and nearly took Richards' head off with a Lariat before returning to his corner, soon being tagged in by Hennig. DiBiase stalked Richards while one-half of the defending champions staggered to his feet, looking to connect with Dream Street. Richards was able to break free from the clutches of DiBiase and crawl backwards underneath his legs. DiBiase turned around and was met with an Enziguri. Richards had a Back Suplex in mind, but DiBiase managed to land on his feet, apply the Million Dollar Dream and transition it into Dream Street! "One! Two!" No three count, however, as Richards was able to kick out! DiBiase's back rested against the canvas, one-half of Wrestling Royalty look up at the ceiling with his hands on his head, unsure of what his next move would have to be if he wanted to be victorious. Chants of, "This is awesome!" rang throughout the arena, the fans showing their appreciation for what has thus-far lived up to its promotional tag as the best tag team match of 2013. DiBiase finally got to his feet and intended on tagging in Hennig, but Richards latched onto his ankle and refused to let go. DiBiase stomped on Richard's back a few times to try to break free, but by that point, Edwards was back in the fray. Edwards hoisted DiBiase onto his shoulders, delivering a Death Valley Driver with the back of DiBiase's head crashing onto his knee. Hennig, who was fatigued on the ring apron, took Superkicks from both Alpha Wolves. When DiBiase was back up, he was met with the same fate before Edwards and Richards called for Hunting Season. Edwards placed DiBiase in position for a Powerbomb, Richards doing his part by leaping off of the top rope for the Backstabber! Richards got the cover on DiBiase, finally putting away the tag team that has defined the division for nearly two years.THE ALPHA WOLVES ARE STILL THE WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! After the closing bell, Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards rose to their feet, The Alpha Wolves hugging each other in front of a sold out audience that gave them the standing ovation they deserved after an incredible Tag Team Championship bout. Richards and Edwards took back the WWE Tag Team Titles, struggling to even raise them as a result of the hell they endured against Wrestling Royalty. Joe Hennig could be seen sitting with his against the ring apron, his hands covering his face while the realization set in that he and Ted DiBiase had just lost the biggest match of their careers. Hennig would stand up and roll into the ring at the same time that DiBiase finally had recovered. The two of them confronted Richards and Edwards, both teams standing off with a sea of fans continuing to applaud them. DiBiase and Hennig both turned to each other, making eye contact for the first time in the aftermath of the match. Both their faces gave off the same message: "It's over." They turned back to The Alpha Wolves, the champions extending their hands. Rather than accepting handshakes, DiBiase and Hennig brought Richards and Edward in for hugs. "This is your ring now. Take care of it," DiBiase could be heard saying to the champions before he and Hennig tried to leave. Richards and Edwards insisted on Wrestling Royalty having their moment instead of them, but the longest-reigning Tag Team Champions of all-time insisted that the current champions take their bows. Edwards and Richards would remain in the ring and celebrate their victory while DiBiase and Hennig walked to the back, perhaps metaphorically riding off into the sunset. Was this truly the last stand for Wrestling Royalty? Did the world just witness the swan song from the greatest tag team of the modern era?
A promo was shown for the 2013 Slammy Awards, which will be held tomorrow night live on Monday Night RAW.
Returning to the Toyota Center, Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves needed a bit of time to catch their breaths after one of the most enthralling WWE Tag Team Championship matches that anyone could remember. "As the advertisement just said, the Slammy Awards are tomorrow. Both The Alpha Wolves and Wrestling Royalty are up for Tag Team of the Year and after the match we just saw from them, it would be a travesty if neither took home that Slammy," said Corey Graves. Ranallo mentioned that another award that will be decided tomorrow is Superstar of the Year, and both competitors in this next match are on the ballot for it. "The WWE Championship is up for grabs. Can AJ Styles prove that he deserves professional wrestling's holy grail, or is Cody Rhodes on his way to becoming a two-time champion in Texas?" A video package began airing that highlighted Styles' WWE tenure up to this point. After a shocking debut at King of the Ring, Styles' first match took place at Payback, where he defeated Dean Ambrose to win the vacant Money in the Bank briefcase. After defeating Randy Orton at three consecutive Pay-Per-Views, 'The Phenomenal One' found the perfect opportunity to strike with his briefcase. Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar's match at Survivor Series would be interrupted by Styles, who cashed-in the Money in the Bank contract and walked out of Boston, Massachusetts as the WWE Champion. With Styles' victory came a question begged by Rhodes, as well as many fans and superstars. Would Styles have won a fair contest for the championship? Does he truly deserve to be WWE Champion? Rhodes' rematch clause allows Styles the chance to prove that he belongs at the top, but it also gives him the chance to fail and lose it all. Styles and Rhodes are not alone, however, as one particular superstar has also staked a claim at the WWE Title. That being the new half-owner of the company, Derrick Bateman. This past Monday on RAW, Bateman would lay Styles out with the One Percenter, standing tall over both of tonight's competitors. Four days later on SmackDown, the roles would be reversed when Styles delivered the Styles Clash to Bateman. 'The Phenomenal One' has everything to lose in his first title defense, but will he and Rhodes be fighting only each other, or will they also need to be on the lookout for Bateman? For the first time since July, Cody Rhodes entered a WWE Championship match first as the challenger. 'The Prince of Pro Wrestling' headed down to the ring, appearing just as focused as he's been for every obstacle before such as Brock Lesnar and Bray Wyatt. "This business may be in Cody's blood, but AJ Styles bleeds wrestling just as much as anyone else. We said that Cody needed the match of his career if he wanted to beat Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series, but I think it's the same story here tonight," inputted Corey Graves. Rhodes sat against a corner, looking ahead at the stage that the man who stole the WWE Championship from it soon entered through. Styles removed his hood and stared down Rhodes from a distance, unstrapping the WWE Title from his waist and keeping it above his head during his entrance. 'The Phenomenal One' soon entered the squared circle, handing over the WWE Championship while standing in the corner opposite of his challengers. After the introductions that saw both men receive very favorable reactions from Houston, the bell sounded to begin this highly-anticipated bout. "AJ Styles!" "Let's go, Cody!" Both superstars stopped for a second to observe the audience's dueling chants before putting their attentions back on each other. Styles kicked Rhodes in the side of the leg, the challenger unfazed before grabbing Styles' arm, the champion backing into a corner. The official gave Rhodes to count to back away, no choice but to comply. Styles went for a backhand strike, which Rhodes was able to dodge before catching Styles in the jaw right his right hand. Rhodes stepped onto the second rope, firing away with shots to Styles' forehead. Styles very quickly turned the tables by placing Rhodes in a Powerbomb position, trying to transition into the Styles Clash. Rhodes kicked Styles in the side of the neck with his left leg, freeing himself before making a target out of Styles' legs. Rhodes took Styles down to the canvas, trying to apply an Ankle Lock! Styles immediately kicked Rhodes away before backing against the ropes, Rhodes using his thumb and index finger to show the champion how close he came to victory. Styles and Rhodes locked up in the center of the ring, Styles connecting with a knee to the mid-section. He followed up by attempting to ram Rhodes' head into the top turnbuckle, but Rhodes prevented that by placing his foot on the second rope. Rhodes caught Styles with an elbow to the side of the head before going back on the attack. Styles, however, swept Rhodes behind the legs, the challenger falling back-first onto the mat. Styles covered Rhodes for a one count after that. Rhodes missed a Clothesline once he was back on his feet, Styles getting a backslide pin for a two count. Rhodes went from his knees to his feet in less than a second, grabbing Styles and practically deadlifting him off of the canvas into a vertical Suplex. Styles' attempts at fighting out of it resulted in both superstars falling out of the ring. Styles was the first to his feet, sliding in and out of the ring to restart the official's ten count. Styles picked Rhodes up and threw him face-first into the ring post before stepping over the barricade. 'The Prince of Pro Wrestling' staggered to his feet before Styles jumped onto the barricade and leaped off with the Phenomenal Forearm. Rhodes moved out of harm's way, Styles able to roll onto his feet. On the same barricade that Styles tried to utilize, Rhodes hit the Disaster Kick! Rhodes placed Styles back into the ring, covering him for the near fall. After Styles kicked out, Rhodes ascended to the top rope, looking back over his shoulder to make sure his adversary was still flat on the mat. Rhodes leaped through the air with a Moonsault, but Styles rolled out of the way. Rhodes managed to land on his feet, charging towards Styles, who held down the ropes. Rhodes fell to ringside, giving Styles the opening to take flight and springboard off of the top rope with a Shooting Star Press! Styles rose to his feet spread his arms out for his signature pose, the fans in attendance going wild for the man who is usually treated as a villain by the masses. "These fans in Houston simply appreciate talent, which AJ Styles has an endless supply of," said Graves. Styles slid into the ring, willing to take a count out victory to retain his title. Rhodes began showing signs of life at the five count, and by nine, he was back in the ring. Giving Rhodes no recovery time, Styles grabbed him for the Bloody Sunday. Rhodes' feet left the mat, but he was able to counter the maneuver into a small package roll up for a very close call. Both superstars got to their feet at relatively the same time, Styles able to strike first and go for a back Suplex. Rhodes landed on his feet, but Styles quickly delivered a Pele Kick! Rhodes staggered into the ropes, Styles running at him before being hoisted into position for the Alabama Slam. Styles fought his way out of Rhodes' grasp, rolling him into the Styles Clash! Styles didn't roll Rhodes over into the usual follow-up, but went for a rather traditional pin instead. That turned out to be a dire mistake as Rhodes was able to place his foot on the bottom rope! Ranallo pointed out that if Styles had hooked Rhodes' leg, he would've retained the WWE Championship. "An unlikely rookie mistake by one of the true ring generals of our sport!" he added. Styles headed to the ring apron, waiting patiently for Rhodes to get back up. The defending champion springboarded off the top rope with the Phenomenal Forearm, but Rhodes caught him in mid-air and delivered Cross Rhodes! 'The Prince of Pro Wrestling' got the cover, but even with both legs hooked, Styles got a shoulder up in time! The former champion was left stunned at the fact that Styles kicked out of the same maneuver that won him the gold in the first place. Rhodes would then pick Styles up into position for an Angle Slam, something that Styles was able to fight out of with several strikes. Rhodes backed into a corner, Styles attempting to deliver a running Forearm Smash. Rhodes moved out of harm's way, causing Styles to crash into the turnbuckles. Rhodes capitalized by going for the Angle Slam once again, this time successfully executing it into a corner. With Styles dazed, Rhodes went for one more Disaster Kick. After springboarding off of the second rope, Styles was able to catch Rhodes into position for the Styles Clash! 'The Phenomenal One' planted Rhodes' entire front side onto the canvas for the second time, rolling him over into a more secure pinning predicament to pick up the huge victory.AJ STYLES IS STILL THE WWE CHAMPION! At the sound of the closing bell, AJ Styles rose to his feet and took back his WWE Championship, wasting no time to take his spot on the second rope and hoist the gold up for the world to see. Majority of fans in the Toyota Center were cheering Styles on, elated to see 'The Phenomenal One' hold on to the WWE Title in an incredible match against Cody Rhodes. "Take nothing away from Cody because he fought like the champion we all know he can be, but right now, AJ Styles is the one who is going to carry this company into the new year," Corey Graves said as Styles continued his celebration, Rhodes making his way to the backstage area after a valiant effort. Styles soon exited the ring and began walking up the entrance ramp when "Casual Affair" hit, the boos that usually accompany the song igniting. Derrick Bateman and Kaitlyn both walked through the curtain, the half-owner of WWE sarcastically applauding Styles. Bateman and Styles came face-to-face, the WWE Champion taunting Bateman with the title. Bateman, who has guaranteed that he will end 2013 as the WWE Champion, patted the center plate of the title before continuing on his way to ringside. Kaitlyn took a seat near the announce table while Bateman joined Graves and Mauro Ranallo on commentary for the next contest.
"Boo this man!" were Derrick Bateman's first words over his commentary headset when Alberto Del Rio's entrance music blasted. 'The Mexican Aristocrat,' who wrongfully had the WWE Hardcore Championship taken away from him two weeks ago, walked down to the ring with authority for the rematch against one of the superstars who conspired against him. Once Del Rio was in the ring, he locked eyes with Bateman, who told Del Rio not to worry about him because he wasn't his opponent tonight. Seconds later, Baron Corbin stepped out onto the stage, several lights shining on him and the Hardcore Title that was strapped around his waist. Bateman and Kaitlyn stood up and applauded Corbin, which got under the skin of Del Rio. The challenger turned towards Bateman and shouted at him, taking his eye off the champion and giving Corbin the opening to attack him from behind. "That's what you get! Kick his ass, Corbin!" Bateman exclaimed while Corbin proceeded to do just that, stomping on Del Rio before kicking him out to the floor. Corbin brought Del Rio, but 'The Mexican Aristocrat' retaliated with a series of strikes before Dropkicking Corbin, sending his back into the ring post. Del Rio got back up, but instead of continuing to attack Corbin, he slowly made his way over to Bateman. "I own your contract! You can't touch me!" Bateman shouted at Del Rio, almost as if he was trying to provoke him. Corbin was able to get to Del Rio before anything else could happen, pushing him into the barricade. Corbin slammed Del Rio face-first onto the surface of the announce table before looking underneath the ring, bringing out a kendo stick. Corbin swung it at Del Rio, who was able to grab it before it could make contact with him. Del Rio kicked Corbin in the side of the leg before taking the kendo stick for himself. Del Rio proceeded to level Corbin with the stick repeatedly, Corbin retreating to the entrance side of the ring. Del Rio raised the stick to a chorus of cheers and, "'Sí!' chants before charging at Corbin. The Hardcore Champion, however, was able to catch Del Rio in his arms and deliver Deep Six onto the floor! Corbin got the cover, but Del Rio managed to get a shoulder up at two. Corbin looked underneath the ring, bringing out a rash can this time. The tables turned in Del Rio's favor when he was able to Superkick the trash can into Corbin's face, getting the pinfall for the two count. Del Rio slowly picked Corbin up off the floor, throwing him into the steel ring steps. Del Rio followed up by taking the bottom portion of the steps and sliding them into the ring. Del Rio took Corbin back into the squared circle, setting the steps up against a corner. When Del Rio turned around, he saw the near seven-footer running at him. Del Rio sidestepped Corbin, who stopped himself before his momentum could cause him to run into the steps. Del Rio connected with an Enziguri, Corbin dropping to his knees. Corbin's face was only inches away from the steps when Del Rio Superkicked him in the back of the head! Corbin's face bounced off of the steel, Del Rio covering him for what was still somehow not enough to get the victory. Preparing for his next move, Del Rio put the steps on the mat before picking Corbin up. 'The Mexican Aristocrat' had a German Suplex in mind, but Corbin prevented it with elbow strikes to the head. Corbin went for one more shot, which Del Rio was able to dodge. Del Rio ran the ropes and charged at Corbin, but was caught and hit with the End of Days onto the steps! Corbin rolled Del Rio's motionless body onto the mat, covering him for the three count.BARON CORBIN IS STILL THE HARDCORE CHAMPION! The Houston audience was not pleased at all with the outcome as boos rained down onto Baron Corbin as his arm was being raised. Derrick Bateman and Kaitlyn would leave their seats at ringside to enter the ring, the half-owner of WWE personally handing Corbin the Hardcore Championship. Corbin raised the title high while Del Rio was assisted up the entrance ramp, Bateman taking a microphone. "Let's hear it for Alberto Del Rio!" he stated, the fans not responding well since he wasn't sincere in any way. "For the past few weeks, we've been using the phrase 'New Era' to desrcibe the current movement in WWE. What you see in this ring is exactly that. Kaitlyn will become the most prominent figure in the history of the women's division. Baron Corbin is still your Hardcore Champion with no chance of slowing down any time soon, and as I've said time and time, I am going to end 2013 as the WWE Champion. The New Era is very much real, but before it can fully commence, there's someone that we need to inform about our new direction. All that being said, I'd like to bring Booker T out here right now." Bateman waited a few seconds before Booker's music hit, Houston welcoming the hometown hero with a great response. The WWE Commissioner apprehensively walked down to the ring, as he should have considering the people awaiting him. Kaitlyn gave Booker a microphone. "Everybody, give it up for Houston's very own Booker T!" Bateman said before the Commissioner asked what all of this was about. Bateman told him that with the 'New Era' ready to settle in, he had been thinking about a few changes that needed to be made in management. "I believe a certain... Committee used the term, 'Best for business.' That's exactly what I want, which makes me beg the question: Is Booker T leading the next generation of WWE superstars the right decision? Is it in the company's best interest to have someone in a position of authority who is out of touch and has no grasp on what sports entertainment is in the year 2013?" Before Bateman could continue, Booker stopped him and asked if all of this was necessary. "I have no problem talking about my future, but not in public, man. Not in front of my wife,," Booker stated, the camera being placed on Sharmell, who was sitting in the front row. Bateman glanced over at Sharmell, not realizing initially that she was there. "This... This is perfect. This couldn't be any better. Security, please help Mrs. Booker T over the barricade and into the ring," Bateman said, Booker pulling him to the side and asking what he was doing. "I love being able to do this kind of stuff," the half-owner said, barely audible since the microphone was against his chest. "You don't have to do this," Booker said to Sharmell while she was getting into the ring. "Shut up. Yes, she does," Kaitlyn told Booker. Bateman held the second rope down for Sharmell while she stepped into the ring, standing by Booker's side. "Now, Booker. I could go into detail about how this decision was fiscally influenced, or about how some of your peers don't have favorable reviews of you. But, really, all of that doesn't matter because at the end of the day, WWE operates on the basis of what I think and how I feel. And personally, I don't see any way that you fit into the New Era." Bateman was then stopped by Sharmell, who took Booker's microphone to quickly give her thoughts. "Please stop. Our kids are watching this right now. You can't do this. You don't have the authority," she said, which only set Bateman off even more. "I have the authority to do whatever the hell I want! If I wanted to, I could put your husband in an astronaut costume and make him say, 'Houston, we have a problem!' I could make him be Fandango's backup dancer! I control your husband's job, which means I control your whole family! Or... At least I used to because I don't care to make your husband do anything." Booker took Sharmell's hand and tried to leave the ring, but Corbin blocked their path. Bateman let out a villainous laugh before asking Booker to turn around. "Look me in the eyes for this moment because I only get one chance." After Booker faced Bateman, the words that he been built were finally spoken. "Booker T... You're! Fired!" After Bateman officially terminated Booker, Corbin turned the five-time WCW Champion around and delivered the End of Days! Sharmell tended to her husband, before getting back onto her feet, walking towards Bateman while shouting at him. "You bastard!" she yelled out before Kaitlyn charged into her with a Spear! The crowd booed relentlessly as Bateman stood in the center of the ring, telling everyone to enjoy the rest of the show. Bateman, Kaitlyn and Corbin all left the ring together while a few official arrived on the scene to aid Booker and Sharmell after both were humiliated. The five-time WCW Champion has been fired publicly in his hometown by the tyrannical and egocentric half-owner, Derrick Bateman.
A promo was shown for the Royal Rumble. The Road to WrestleMania XXX begins on January 24th, live on Pay-Per-View and the WWE Network.
Returning to the live feed for TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, the Kickoff Panel of Renee Young, Michael Cole, Edge and Christian were shown still in shock over the events that transpired in the ring, where Derrick Bateman fired Booker T before siccing Baron Corbin and Kaitlyn on Booker and his wife, Sharmell. "It's terrifying that this is the man we have to answer to. And not only is he in a position of power, but he's still an active superstar. He says that he's going to be WWE Champion before the year ends... And honestly, he might just do it," Cole stated. Trying to move on with the show, Renee reflected on the results thus far in the evening, including CM Punk retaining the Intercontinental Championship in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match. "But, it seems like the real story there is what happened after the match. The Wyatt Family returned and laid waste to Punk," said Renee. Edge believed that it makes sense for Bray Wyatt to target Punk at this point in his career. "He's out of the WWE Title picture. Who knows what happened to Paige? Bray is back and he wants to make sure that no one has forgotten how dominant he can be. I think setting his sights on the Intercontinental Championship is the logical next step." Regarding the United States Championship match, Christian said that what the world saw out of The Miz tonight was what they needed to. "Miz did what everyone thought he couldn't. He defeated Neville without MaryseMaryse. I don't expect Miz to keep his future title defenses at even playing fields, but we at least know now that he's good enough to get things done on his own." Both Edge and Christian talked about the WWE Tag Team Title match, praising it as one of the best tag team bouts of the last few years. "Tonight was the official passing of the torch. The division now belongs to Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards. The Alpha Wolves are tag team wrestling in the WWE. They're gonna go on to do incredible things, but where does Wrestling Royalty go from here? All signs point to this being the end, and if that's the case, then thank you, Wrestling Royalty. Thank you for everything," Edge spoke sincerely. Lastly, the WWE Championship match was also praised heavily, Cole stating that the front-runners for Superstar of the Year showed why they're in the spots they are. "We can say what we want about how AJ Styles became WWE Champion, but he showed up tonight, put on arguably his best match thus far in WWE and beat the future of the industry. We have to give credit where credit is due. AJ Styles is the real deal and the only hope we have to stop Derrick Bateman from entering 2014 as the champion."Sending things back over to Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves for the home-stretch of the show, a graphic was shown for the Manifest Destiny Finals rematch between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. "Rollins has one more opportunity to challenge for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble, but he has to go through the man who beat him at Survivor Series, Dean Ambrose." Cutting to a video package, their match at Survivor Series was highlighted. "Ambrose did it! Dean Ambrose is the first-ever Manifest Destiny winner!" The video transitioned into Ambrose's trophy presentation on SmackDown, which was interrupted by Rollins. The footage of the attack was accompanied by Marmozet's "Move, Shake, Hide." Ambrose had the trophy hurled at his head before Rollins smashed into pieces at ringside. Concerns over Ambrose's health arose from that scene and only escalated when Rollins Superkicked him during a backstage altercation on RAW days later. "Now I've got you where you need to be, alright. And the dark has left your eyes." Ambrose has been cleared to compete against Rollins tonight, but on the first edition of The Ambrose Asylum six days ago, 'The Lunatic Fringe' raised the stakes immensely when he agreed to put his Royal Rumble title opportunity on the line. Can Ambrose hold onto the Manifest Destiny prize, or is Rollins about to take advantage of a weakened Ambrose and carve his own destiny? At the sound of Seth Rollins' entrance music, the fans in the Toyota Center became split down in the middle in terms of crowd reaction for the runner-up in Manifest Destiny. Rollins displayed as much arrogance as he ever has during his walk to the ring, Corey Graves stating that Rollins has every right to be confident since he's up against a less-than-100% Dean Ambrose here tonight. "And even if Ambrose were at his best, so is Seth Rollins and no one beats that man when he's on top of his game." Rollins stood his ground in the ring, waiting for the superstar who knocked him off the top of the Manifest Destiny ladder at Survivor Series to claim victory in the tournament. When Ambrose's theme song hit, the roof practically came off as the masses rejoiced for 'The Lunatic Fringe.' Ambrose marched down to the ring with authority, leaving his jacket on the entrance ramp and running right into action! Rollins missed a shot on Ambrose, turning around and attempting to kick him. Ambrose caught Rollins' leg and delivered a Dragon Screw, Rollins rolling to ringside. Ambrose ran the ropes at full speed and launched himself out of the ring with a Suicide Dive, pushing Rollins over the announce table! Graves and Mauro Ranallo removed themselves from the picture while Ambrose struck Rollins repeatedly on the floor, rolling him into the ring at a count of seven. Ambrose was immediately looking for the Boma Ye, but Rollins was able to evade it. Ambrose slapped Rollins' boots away during a Dropkick attempt, bringing him back onto his feet for a Saito Suplex. Rollins rolled out of the ring once again, Ambrose going after him. Rollins turned the tables on Ambrose by tugging on his shirt and sending the top of his head into the barricade. Rollins quickly slid into the ring, willing to take a count out victory. Ambrose was slow to get to his feet, but eventually made it back into the ring in time. "And this is exactly where Rollins wanted Ambrose," Ranallo said, referring to Rollins' game plan to exploit Ambrose's head injuries heading into this match. Rollins dropped a knee onto the head of Ambrose, the official deciding to step in and keep Rollins away while checking on the condition of 'The Lunatic Fringe.' Rollins waited for about five seconds before returning to his attack, picking Ambrose up and throwing him into a corner. Rollins hit Ambrose with repeated right hand shots, backing away for a Splash. Ambrose moved out of harm's way, taking Rollins and hitting a Russian Leg Sweep. Ambrose got the cover, but Rollins immediately kicked out. Ambrose brought Rollins up for a Vertical Suplex, but Rollins countered it into the same position. Rollins kept Ambrose upside down for as long as he could, wanting as much blood to rush to his head as possible. Rollins finally planted Ambrose with a Brainbuster, getting the cover for a two count. Afterwards, Rollins headed to the top rope, descending with a Frog Splash that Ambrose was able to avert by lifting both of his knees up. Ambrose rose to his feet and delivered a Double Underhook DDT, unable to capitalize as quickly as he wanted to due to his head. Ambrose crawled to the corner and made his way up to the top rope, resting until Rollins was standing once again. Ambrose leaped off with an Elbow Drop in mind, but Rollins delivered a mid-air Dropkick to him! Rollins got back on his feet and nearly took Ambrose's head off with Avada Kedavra, covering him for what was somehow yet again a two count. The infuriated Rollins had only one thing on his mind at that point: the Curb Stomp. He sized Ambrose up for one, but his attempt was countered into a Flapjack. Ambrose ran towards Rollins, who fended him off with an elbow once he was back up. Ambrose rebounded off of the ropes and went for the Nigel Lariat, but Rollins ducked and Ambrose inadvertently caught the official. Rollins rolled Ambrose up, but only to get him onto his knees rather than place him in a pinning predicament. During Rollins' second Curb Stomp attempt, Ambrose caught him on his shoulders and delivered a Death Valley Driver, following up with the Boma Ye! Ambrose got the cover, but the official was still incapacitated. Ambrose started tugging on the official's shirt, doing what he could to revive him since he had Rollins beat already. Suddenly, the audience's startling reactions hinted that something was about to go horribly wrong. Ambrose was turned around by Triple H, who administered a Pedigree to 'The Lunatic Fringe!' "Where the hell did Triple H come from?! What he did he just do?!" Ranallo shouted on commentary, Graves answering his question. "The last time we saw Triple H on Pay-Per-View, Dean Ambrose and The Uprising put him out of commission! 'The Game' is doing what he does better than anyone else, and that's getting revenge!" Triple H stepped out to ringside, watching on as Rollins staggered to his feet. Rollins and Hunter both grinned at each other, a secret plan between the two orchestrating exactly how they intended. Ambrose came to and got to his hands and knees before having his head driven into the mat with a Curb Stomp! Rollins covered Ambrose with the hook of the leg, the official making the slow three count to crush the dreams of Ambrose.SETH ROLLINS DEFEATS DEAN AMBROSE! Had Seth Rollins captured this victory in an honorable fashion, the overwhelmingly negative reaction to the result would have been much different. Fans in the Toyota Center booed Rollins out of the building as he rose to his feet, celebrating the biggest win of his career up to that point. Triple H stepped through the ropes, shaking Rollins' hand before raising his arm. 'The Game' stared down at the motionless body of Dean Ambrose, uttering one simple sentence to him: "I always win." Rollins and Triple H exited the ring, the former Committee monarch patting the new number one contender on the shoulder. Just like that, an opportunity that Ambrose earned through Manifest Destiny had been taken away from him because of a grudge that Triple H still holds against him. Ambrose is out of the WWE Championship picture, and Rollins is now on his way to the Royal Rumble to compete for professional wrestling's most prestigious accolade. All thanks to Triple H.Elsewhere in Houston, cameras showed the duo of Enzo Amore and Big Cass taking on the roles of Santa Claus and an elf respectively, the two of them greeting children who were eager to meet Santa. Cass helped each kid off of Enzo's lap and sent them on their way. "What up, kid? What's on your mind? Tell Santa what you want for Christmas." Enzo asked, not even trying to sound like Santa. When the kid stated that he wanted an Xbox One, Enzo became heated for some reason. Enzo stayed silent for a few seconds before finally addressing the young boy's wish. "Hey, Cass. What would you gift our friend with here instead of an Xbox One?" Enzo asked. From there, Enzo and Cass had one of their patented exchanges. "Playstation 4. "How you doin'?" "GameCube." "How you doin'?" "Sega Genesis" "How you doin'?" "Atari." How... Atari?" Enzo asked Cass. "Yeah," Cass said, Enzo shrugging his shoulders. "How you doin'? You know what I think of Microsoft, kid? It's in the name. Happy holidays." Cass gently put the kid on the ground, patting him on the head before reminding him to be good year-round. "You'd give a kid in 2013 an Atari?" asked Enzo to his partner. Cass defended his statement by saying that the Atari is a classic. The two of them debated the matter for a few seconds until Bo Rotundo showed up and took a seat on Enzo's lap. "Hi, Santa!" Bo said with enthusiasm. "Get the hell off my lap!" Enzo shouted, pushing Bo off of him. Enzo removed his Santa beard, Bo finally realizing that it was him. "Oh, it's you, Enzo! And the elf must be Cass! I didn't notice you at first," said Bo. "... I'm seven feet tall," Cass told Bo, which caused Enzo to utter, "And you can't teach that." Cass questioned how Bo could have not seen him, the latter apologizing. "I'm just so excited! Christmas is in ten days!" Bo exclaimed. "Ain't you a little too old to be paying Santa Claus visits?" Enzo asked, Bo defending himself by saying that you can never be too old to get into the Christmas spirit. "Look, get outta here. You're scaring the kids, man. The hell were going to ask Santa for, anyways?" Bo told Enzo that he was going to ask for his dream of starting a non-profit organization that helps people find jobs. "That's nice, but we really don't care," Enzo said before Bo told him his desired name for this company. "It's called Bo Jobs." Enzo and Cass glanced at each other, wondering if they heard Bo correctly. "Did he just say..." Enzo asked, Cass responding with, "No, but it was too close." Bo managed to accomplish what no one else before him had: Leaving Enzo and Cass speechless. The duo walked away from the Christmas-themed setting, leaving Bo alone. "That boy is not normal," Enzo could be heard saying quietly off-camera. "Awwwww H-Town! Don't you dare be sour! Clap your hands and feel the power!" Big E's voice over led into the New Day's entrance music as the trio joyfully stepped out onto the stage. Big E and Kofi Kingston danced to the rhythm of Xavier Woods' trombone piece, Mauro Ranallo noting that New Day don't give off the sense that they're taking their upcoming challenge seriously. "There's three of them and one of John Cena. Don't even act like there's any chance these three don't win, Mauro," Corey Graves said hostilely. "New! Day rocks!" shouted the trio and a few fans as one, New Day as confident as ever in this huge bout against the man they made a target out of in Manifest Destiny. Wherever John Cena goes, the polarizing fan response follows him and tonight was no exception. "Three against one? I still like those odds. Let's end this year the right way," Cena said to the camera before running full-speed into the ring. Cena stood in a corner while New Day tried to decide who would start things off with a game of Rock, Paper, Sciccors. "Rock, paper, tricep meat!" Big E yelled out before entering the ring, Kofi and Woods confused yet content with the outcome. Cena and Big E took part in a collar and elbow tie up, both men even in strength. Big E caught Cena by surprise with a Belly-to-Belly Suplex, covering him for a one count. Woods played a note on his trombone, causing Cena to try to kick the instrument out of his hands. Big E took that opportunity to charge into Cena, sandwiching him with the turnbuckles. Big E stomped away on Cena before tagging in Kofi, who ran into the opposite corner to deliver a Dropkick. Kofi covered Cena, who was yet again able to kick out. Kofi brought Cena up to his feet, striking him in the face before making the tag to Woods. The New Day's trombone enthusiast stepped onto the second rope, leaping off with an elbow to the top of Cena's cranium. Woods tried his hand at a pin attempt, but Cena still managed to power out of it. Woods turned Cena over and Leg Dropped him across the back of his neck. Once Cena got back to his feet, Woods kicked him in the side of his head before tagging Big E in. Big E placed Cena in an abdominal stretch, slapping his side whiike woods played the New Day chant melody on his trombone. Big E followed up with a Pumphandle Slam to Cena before climbing onto the second rope. After swiveling his hips, Big E launched off with a Splash that Cena was able to evade. Cena rose to his feet and hit Big E with a shoulder tackle that sent him out of the ring. New Day attempted to get together and come up with a new game plan, but Cena interrupted their meeting by jumping off of the top rope onto them! Cena rolled Big E into the ring having his leg pulled by Woods, allowing Kofi to Clothesline him. Both men picked Cena up to his feet, only to have Cena counter a double team Vertical Suppex into a single one to them. Cena stood up and the first thing he saw was Big E running towards him. Cena quickly moved to the side, resulting in Big E crashing through the barricade and into the time keeper's area! Cena picked Big E up and managed to get him back into the ring, setting him up for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. After Cena dropped his fist onto the forehead of Big E, the Attitude Adjustment was the only thing on his mind. Before Cena could execute it, Woods attempted to level him with the trombone. Cena dodged the shot and hoisted Woods onto his shoulders, giving him the AA instead. While the official tried to order Woods back into New Day's corner, Kofi slid into the ring and delivered Trouble in Paradise! By that point, Big E had come to and was able to respond to Kofi's call to get Cena onto his shoulder. Together, the two of them planted Cena with the Midnight Hour, Big E covering him for the last pinfall of the evening.THE NEW DAY DEFEATS JOHN CENA! A sense of shock came over the Toyota Center as Big E slowly stood to his feet, Kofi Kingston jumping into his arms as the two New Day members hugged in celebration. They quickly went over to ringside, picking Xavier Woods up from the floor while John Cena was shown still laid out in the ring. Woods took his trombone and with whatever energy he had performed an out-of-tune and very slow "New! Day rocks!" melody. "The New Day said that they were going to humiliate John Cena right here tonight and that's exactly what they did. Give credit where credit is, Mauro. Underneath all of the positivity and excitement are three hungry WWE superstars who just showed why they're read to take the next step into stardom," Corey Graves said, singing the praises of the brash trio. Cena soon came to and sat against a corner in the ring, looking on as the trio danced after emerging triumphant against him. Despite how fans around the world may feel about them, it just might be time to acknowledge what they say every single time they're in an arena with cameras on them: "New! Day rocks!"
Shifting the focus back onto the commentary duo, Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves put over the action at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, thanking all of the fans for their support over the weekend. "From the start of NXT TakeOver: Forever all the way up until now, the action has never slowed down, and we're not done yet by a long shot," Graves stated. "At Extreme Rules, the women of WWE changed the game when they main evented a Pay-Per-View for the first time. Tonight, it happens again. It is the biggest match in the history of the women's division. At the end of this event, someone will have their arm raised high as the WWE Women's Champion," Ranallo said, leading into a video package featuring "Skyfall" by Our Last Night. Accompanying the opening chords of the song were shots of the brand new WWE Women's Championship hanging above the ring with a single spotlight shining on it. "This is the end. Hold your breath and count to ten." At Payback on July 14th, AJ Lee saw the Divas Championship slip out of her grasp thanks in part to a debuting Sofia Cortez, who aligned herself with Kaitlyn and The Committee. Ever since then, AJ and Sofia have been at each other's throats in a war over the Divas Title. On the October 28th edition of Monday Night RAW, Sofia defeated AJ in a No Disqualifications match to capture the title for the first and only time in her career. Four weeks later, the rematch between the two ended in controversy when both pinned the other's shoulders to the mat. By rule of a draw, Sofia retained the championship. "So overdue I owe them. Swept away and stolen." Not taking the draw lightly, AJ attacked Sofia and claimed possession of the Divas Title, later on destroying it with a vehicle. The next week, Head of the Women's Division, Kaitlyn, made a historical announcement. At TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, AJ and Sofia would compete in the very match that the event is titled after. Not only that, but it will crown a WWE Women's Champion. "Let the sky fall, when it crumbles. We will stand tall, face it all together." Six nights ago, the Championship Ascension Ceremony for the match ended in chaos when AJ and Sofia not only took out all of the past Women's and Divas Champions who were invited, but they also delivered a Conchairto to Kaitlyn. The two superstars ended up crashing through a table, neither gaining the upper-hand as the Women's Title oversaw the entire scene. AJ and Sofia's rivalry comes to an end in the biggest women's match in WWE history, and when all is said and done, one will forever etch their name in the record book as the WWE Women's Champion of the new era. After the completion of the video package, a plethora of tables, ladders and chairs were shown surrounding the ring, but the most important object in the match rested on a hook high above the ring. The WWE Women's Championship will end up around the waist of one of two competitors. The first up, AJ Lee, received a monstrous ovation from the fans in Houston. AJ made her way out to the stage, her eyes immediately locking onto the white strap and gold plates of the Women's Title. "She's a two-time Divas Champion and one of the reasons that we're calling this match the main event. Growing up, she idolized Lita and wanted to be just like her. Now, she has the chance to add the same accolade to her résumé that Lita helped make famous once upon a time, the WWE Women's Championship." AJ did not skip to the ring like she normal would. She simply walked down to the squared circle, climbing the turnbuckles while staring at the gold. AJ finally planted her feet on the canvas, sitting on the second rope with her eyes focused only on the stage. AJ's music silenced before Sofia Cortez' sounded. The final Divas Champion ever walked out into the arena, wearing the same colors as the title that she was gunning for. Gold and black gear with a white denim jacket. Similarly to AJ, Sofia took her time during her entrance, most likely to try to intimidate her adversary. "If you want to intimidate the woman who went through Last Diva Standing, you probably need to try harder than that," Corey Graves said. Sofia finally entered the ring, she and AJ coming face-to-face in the center. Justin Roberts gave the pre-match introduction, both competitors receiving positive reactions from the Houston audience that was ready to witness history. Both of them backed away from each other and were set to begin. Suddenly, the voice of Kaitlyn could be heard as she made her way out to the stage. "Don't ring that bell yet," she said while AJ and Sofia stared at her, wanting nothing more than to lay her out the same way they did on RAW last Monday. "It's been said a hundred times, but I'll say it again. This is the most important match in the history of the women's division. Someone is leaving as the Women's Champion of the new era, but after what happened to me on RAW, I think it's pretty clear that neither one of you deserves that moment. You hit me with chairs. You assaulted the women who paved the way for you. Then, you beat each other like wild animals and nearly put this match in jeopardy. As long as I'm the Head of the Women's Division, I will do everything I possible can to make sure that we have a champion we can all be proud of. So... This is a Triple Threat match now." A wide smirk lit up AJ's face while Sofia held the second rope down, daring Kaitlyn to get into the ring since both women assumed that she was referring to herself.
"Sorry, but I'm NOT the third participant..."It felt as if the hearts of everyone in the Toyota Center sunk when Alexa Bliss' entrance music hit. AJ Lee and Sofia Cortez' facial expression changed instantly from satisfaction to frustration. Alexa made her way out to the stage, turning to Kaitlyn who almost looked like she felt bad. "You really want this?" Kaitlyn asked, Alexa nodding her head in approval. "... Fine. Welcome to the f***ed up world we live in," were Kaitlyn's final words to Alexa before turning around and heading to the back. "She's... She's not even been here for three months. Alexa Bliss' first-ever championship match is happening on the biggest night that the division has ever seen. She's getting into the ring with two of the most dangerous women in WWE history," Mauro Ranallo said, listing off every reason why Alexa being thrown into this predicament was the wrong move by Kaitlyn. Alexa, who recently had been displaying as much arrogance in her demeanor as any woman ever in WWE, had a blank expression on her way to the ring. No one could figure out whether she was heavily focused or scared to death of what might happen to her. Once in the squared circle, Alexa stood against a corner and waited for her name to be added to the introductions. AJ and Sofia had not taken the looks of disgust off their faces since they first saw Alexa. This was their match. Their story. Their main event, but because of a vendetta from Kaitlyn, they needed to share a ring with someone with less than a fraction of their experience. When the bell sounded, none of the three women moved. Alexa looked like she was waiting for one of her two opponents to take the first shot, but AJ and Sofia decided to take it together. They charged towards Alexa and repeatedly struck with closed fist shots, the official unable to do anything since there weren't any disqualifications. Alexa rolled out of the ring and tried to leave the scene, but Sofia followed her and connected with a Roundhouse Kick! Alexa fell to the floor as AJ grabbed two steel chairs from ringside, handing one over to Sofia for a single moment of solidarity. When Alexa got to her feet, AJ and Sofia delivered a Conchairto to her! Alexa was laid out once again, perhaps for good this time. Both women picked up the piece of the barricade that Big E broke through in the previous match, burying Alexa underneath it. With the wild card in the match out of the picture, AJ and Sofia proceeded with the singles match they were destined to have. Sofia turned AJ around and hit her with a few forearm shots to the head, AJ retaliating with the same offense. Both women slaughtered each other until Sofia rammed AJ's lower-back into the ring apron, grabbing a chair and swinging it at her head. AJ was able to dodge the shot, Dropkicking the chair into the face of Sofia. AJ looked underneath the ring and pulled out a ladder, struggling to get it into the ring due to her small stature. After AJ did so, she headed into the ring herself to try to set the ladder up. Sofia stopped AJ with a chop to the chest, hitting another one before going for a Vertical Suplex onto the ladder. AJ tried to counter it into a Twist of Fate, but Sofia locker her arms and hit a Dragon Suplex onto the ladder! The back of AJ's head crashed against the ladder, Ranallo and Graves wincing at the impact. Sofia followed up by placing the ladder flat on top of AJ, heading up to the top rope. Sofia flew the air with a Leg Drop, AJ able to moved out of the way and cause Sofia's thigh to crash onto the ladder. Sofia held her leg in sheer agony, smashing her fist onto the mat while throwing out expletives. AJ got to her feet, holding the back of her head as a result of the Suplex. AJ was able to place the ladder against a corner before grabbing one of the chairs from ringside that was used to batter Alexa earlier. AJ picked Sofia up and positioned her against the ladder, taking the chair and attempting to smash it into her face. Sofia, however, was able to roll out of the way, the chair falling out of AJ's hands when it made contact with the ladder. Sofia kicked AJ in the mid-section before hoisting her onto her shoulders, throwing her into the ladder with a Razor's Edge! Sofia, who limped after sustaining serious damage to her left leg, took the chair and set it up in the center of the ring, trying to get her leg going for La Sicaria, the springboard Tornado DDT. Sofia was able to launch herself off of the second rope, but while going for the maneuver, AJ pushed away. Sofia's back broke the chair, the final Divas Champion ending up on her knees and giving AJ the ideal opening to deliver the Shining Wizard! AJ crawled towards the ropes, sliding out of the ring on the side the faced the entrance. She looked underneath the ring again and this time pulled out a table. She set it up across from the ring, but was attacked from behind by Sofia. Sofia, who held her back that was used to decimate a steel chair, decided to return the favor to AJ by delivering a Back Suplex onto the apron! Sofia would then roll AJ back into the ring before getting back in herself, only to exit on the side near the commentators. Sofia brought out a table of her own, setting up before extending both arms out underneath the bottom rope to pull AJ out. Sofia was able to plan AJ onto the floor with a DDT before placing her flat on the table's surface. Sofia rolled back into the ring and set the ladder up as quickly as her beaten body would allow her to. Sofia could have won the match by that point, but instead decided to create a moment that every Tables, Ladders and Chairs match going forward would need to live up to. She climbed up the ladder, stopping herself a few rungs short from the top while staring down at AJ. After raising his fist to the approval from the masses, Sofia launched herself off the ladder with a Frog Splash through the table! Both women were laid out while chants of, "Holy s***!" came pouring in from the audience. The replay of Sofia's Frog Splash was shown several times, every new angle highlighting the damage done to both women more clearly. While AJ lied on top of the shattered table remains, Sofia rolled into the ring and began placing the ladder in position underneath the Women's Championship, ready to take it down and make history. It was at that moment, however, when she remembered about the third superstar in the match. Alexa Bliss was back on her feet and drilled Sofia in the back with a steel chair. Sofia fell to the canvas as Alexa unloaded with five more chair shots, the thuds barely echoing due to the crowd's negative reactions. Alexa then placed the chair on the mat and rested Sofia's face against it. While holding onto the top rope with both, Alexa stomped Sofia's face into the chair several times! Finally concluding her vicious assault, Alexa rolled Sofia out of the ring and began climbing the ladder, looking to retrieve the title that she only just recently found out she'd be challenging for. By that point, AJ had made her way over to the side of the ring opposite to where Alexa was climbing the ladder. Using almost whatever she had left in the tank, AJ was able to springboard her feet off of the first rope, use that to do the same with the top rope and land on the ladder! Alexa rushed to take the Women's Title once AJ had joined her, but a few strikes and backhands to the face stopped her. AJ took Alexa's head and drove it into the top of the ladder repeatedly before pulling her head up. "Get out of my division!" AJ shouted in Alexa's face before placing her in position for the Twist of Fate, delivering it from the top of the ladder! Alexa was out cold. Sofia was out cold. The ring was solely AJ's at that point as she crawled to the ladder and began climbing it, the fans in attendance cheering her on with every bit of energy they had. AJ finally arrived back to the top of the ladder, both metaphorically and literally as she unhooked the Women's Championship to make history at TLC!AJ LEE IS THE NEW WWE WOMEN'S CHAMPION! "The winner of this match... And NEW WWE Women's Champion, AJ Lee!" The official announcement from Justin Roberts mixed in with the celebratory cheers from the Toyota Center while AJ held the brand new Women's Championship in her arms, raising it at the top of the ladder that she used to cement her legacy. Several highlights from the sudden-Triple Threat match were shown, ranging from the Dragon Suplex and Razor's Edge onto the ladder, to Sofia Cortez's Frog Splash through a table, to the moment where she was taken out by Alexa Bliss. The final blow to Alexa in the form of a high-risk Twist of Fate was shown more time before AJ's retrieval of the Women's Championship aired in slow motion. Back in the Toyota Center, AJ was shown limping around the ringside area, greeting the fans who didn't stop rooting for her at any point during the contest. "When we list off the all-time greats in the women's division, we instantly gravitate to the superstars such as Trish Stratus and Lita. Now, add AJ Lee to that list because 2013 has shown all of us that this young lady who grew up in New Jersey with a dream of becoming a professional wrestler never once listened to someone tell her she was not good enough. She forced their hands and is now standing tall at the end of TLC as the WWE Women's Champion!" Mauro Ranallo exclaimed passionately. AJ climbed back up to the top of the ladder, holding up the Women's Title one more time to bring TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs to a close.In one split second, the celebration for AJ Lee came to a halt after the signature of The Wyatt Family hit. The lights in the Toyota Center were shut, leading to the emergence of the fireflies from the audience. Bray Wyatt slowly made his way out to the stage with his lantern illuminating his cold, expressionless face. AJ remained at the top of the ladder, her puzzled and concerned expression only somewhat visible at that moment. Wyatt stared down AJ from a distance before blowing out the lantern. When the lights in the arena were back on, a mysterious figure with a black hoodie covering their head was shown in the ring. This mysterious entity grabbed the ladder with both hands and pushed it forward, causing AJ to fall through a table at ringside! AJ's body completely shattered the table as she fell to the floor, the unknown assailant standing in the center of the ring. A few seconds later, the hood was removed to reveal Paige as the entity. 'The Anti-Diva,' who had not been seen by anyone since Survivor Series, had black eyes with what appeared to be blood stains underneath them. The commentators and fans were left speechless at the sight of their once-beloved superstar who had just taken out the brand new Women's Champion. Paige exited the ring and walked right past AJ's body, soon meeting Wyatt on the stage. The two of them, who had just gone to war in a Casket match three weeks ago, stood side-by-side, looking on as officials and medics tended to AJ after the biggest night of her life became a living nightmare.
Paige has joined The Wyatt Family.
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