NXT, Lucha Underground, and Indy Wrestling Minute - Your Weekly Source for Independent Wrestling News

NXT, 4/22

Finn Balor opens NXT this week. It’s just a matter of time before he’s on the main roster. He doesn’t even need an NXT Title run like most call ups get, he’s already that good.

Balor takes on Tye Dillinger who the crowd is almost completely indifferent toward. He’s also wearing some sort of weird long scarf.

Start off trading arm locks and head locks. Balor hits a big drop kick and tries to take control but Dillinger hits some chops. Balor hits a few of his own and a few forearms and a Pele kick. Crowd being really disrespectful to Dillinger, chanting “Still a jobber” at him.

Balor hits a Slingblade followed by a shotgun dropkick into the corner, finishing Dillinger off with the Coup de Grace double stomp to win.

After the match, Tyler Breeze shows up on the screen and mocks Balor. Says everyone loves Finn Balor but you know who doesn’t? Me. Breeze says Balor is just the flavor of the month and it’s time he meets someone who has been dominating NXT.

Devin Taylor talking to Dana Brooke backstage and Dana being a jerk to Devin. She says last week wasn’t a debut, it was a rebirth of the NXT Women’s Division. She says it’s being molded by the most beautiful and the strongest, meaning herself, and that NXT is Dana’s playground and playtime is over. But if…NXT is her playground, why would she want play time to be over?

Devin talks to Kevin Owens but he’s basically ignoring her (Are you cold? I feel a draft). Owens says he gives Alex Riley credit. A few weeks ago he gave Owens a good fight, but Owens still won. And tonight is going to be the exact same thing because he’s better than Riley.

Up now, a triple threat for Women’s title number one contender. Bayley vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte.

Charlotte and Bayley teaming up on Becky to start. Not working together but both targeting Becky on their own and breaking up each other’s covers but still, not attacking each other until Bayley sends Becky outside.

Bayley and Charlotte fight for a while until Becky makes her way back in and sends Charlotte out. Becky controls the match against Bayley, keeping her grounded and working her knee before locking in a submission in the center of the ring. But it isn’t long before Charlotte runs in and breaks it up with the Natural Selection on Becky and Bayley breaks up the pin.

Charlotte puts Bayley on the top rope but Becky pulls her down to a chant of “Better than Divas.” Becky heads up top with Bayley, setting up for a superplex but can’t get her over. Charlotte comes in and pulls Becky out in a power bomb but holds her there as Bayley comes off the top hitting Becky with a back elbow, followed by a power bomb from Charlotte! Bayley suplexes Charlotte and then Belly to Bayley on Becky but Charlotte breaks up the pin.

Charlotte locks in the Figure Four on Bayley but she pulls herself to the rope. Charlotte pulls Bayley back in and locks in the move again, bridging up with it in what she calls the Figure 8 (because it’s twice as good as her dad’s). But Becky Lynch pulls herself to Bayley and covers her and gets the pin because Charlotte was bridging up and didn’t notice the cover.

CJ Parker takes on Hideo Itami. I guess there still may be some more Parker appearances after he was released from his contract.

Parker spending a surprising amount of time in control. Itami trying to lock up and hit kicks but Parker retreating to the ropes and the ref breaking them up and Parker surprises Itami.

Itami reverses a suplex and hits a combo of punches and kicks, sending Parker into the corner and Itami lands a big corner dropkick. Parker staggers out and Itami puts him down with a single leg running dropkick.

Sasha Banks sarcastically congratulates Becky Lynch on becoming number one contender in the locker room. Becky says silver isn’t her color and the belt is gonna look better around her waist as Sasha makes fun of her accent. Sasha says she made Becky Lynch but Becky says she made herself and says she doesn’t know how to put this, but she’s kind of a big deal. But Sasha says she’s the NXT Women’s Champion – that’s a big deal.

Rhyno returns to the NXT Zone. He takes on some dude I don’t recognize. The crowd chanting “Rhyno’s gonna kill you.” Rhyno runs him over with a clothes line and Rhyno tosses him with a belly to belly then slams him with a Gore for the win.

Blake and Murphy approach Carmella, serenading her with their terrible voices. Enzo and Cass come in and Blake and The Murph take off. Cass and Enzo are annoyed Carmella is wearing the jewelry they gave her and say it’s garbage, fugazi, middle of the mall stuff.

Main event time – Alex “Rage” Riley takes on NXT Champ Kevin Owens.

Riley hits a few moves to start, including a dropkick that sends Owens outside. Owens stays on the outside and lures Riley out then slams him onto the entrance ramp back first. Owens start controlling the  match from there on out, gets a 2 count from a standing senton.

But Riley won’t stay down. He keeps trying to mount a comeback but Owens a step ahead. After a cannonball in the corner, Owens hits a pop up powerbomb for the win.

After the match, Owens acts like he’s going to leave but continues to attack Riley and throws him out of the ring. Again, he grabs his title and acts like he’s going to leave but drops it and grabs Riley and sets up to power bomb him onto the apron but Sami Zayn shows up and attacks Owens and they fight around the ring.

Refs show up to separate them but they can’t keep them apart. Wrestlers head out from the back and finally end the brawl. Zayn gets in the ring and tope con hilo onto Owens and the mass of refs and wrestlers from the top rope to the floor. Owens scurries away and gets to the stage as Zayn stares him down from the ring.

NXT tour dates

For the first time, the NXT brand is going on tour. They’ve done a show in Columbus before and the show WrestleMania weekend but outside of random live events in Florida, NXT usually only runs tapings at Full Sail University. But now, they are taking the show on the road and I wouldn’t be surprised to see many more tours in the future.

Unsurprisingly, they are starting in Philly, since it’s been proven (by me) that Philadelphia is the best wrestling town in the world. The tickets only just went on sale this morning (I got mine) but only a few hours later, a second Philly show was added for May 15, also at The Tower.

That’s going to be a crazy week for wrestling, especially in Philly. Monday is Raw, Tuesday and Wednesday are Ring of Honor/New Japan joint shows at The Arena, Thursday and Friday are NXT shows at The Tower and Sunday is the Payback PPV.

May 14 – Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

May 15 – Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

May 16 – Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, NY

June 11 – Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

June 12 – Agora Theater, Cleveland OH

June 13 – LC Pavilion, Columbus OH

Ticket info can be found here:

http://www.wwe.com/events/all/wwenxt/all/all/all/3000/mi

Lucha Underground 4/22

The show opens with the Black Lotus writing a journal entry. She’s been with El Dragon Azteca for 8 weeks training but doesn’t know when he’ll let her fight. She knows she’s ready. He says her anger is her greatest weakness but she says it’s her greatest strength. He takes her to a big warehouse and has her fight four dudes at once in a cinematic fight. He then fights her himself and tells her “An opponent will not wait for you to catch your breath.” As she’s fighting she says she hates him and he easily reverses and tells her she isn’t ready.

Sexy Star opens the show and she takes on Pentagon Jr.

Melissa Santos is still pretty pissed about Pentagon attacking her. Looks like her ankle is injured too. Also saw Daviari in the crowd behind Pentagon as he entered. (Vamp says something on commentary to add weight to the RRR conspiracy theory. Vamp says that the way Pentagon refers to his master means someone like a priest or something and he’s mentioned before he’s been in vampire cults…so is Vamp his master?)

Dueling “Cero miedo” and “Sexy Star” chants. Star with the advantage early, stomping on Pentagon and chopping him after a big dropkick. But Pentagon takes control after hitting a few big kicks.

But Star refusing to relent, avoiding a corner dropkick and drop toe hold Pentagon into the corner and stomps on him a lot.

Star dives off the top into Pentagon but he catches her in a double underhook and sits out dropping her to the mat. He gets a 2 count and sets up to break her arm but she rolls out of it and rolls out of the ring.

Star goes for a hurricanrana but gets caught with a lung blower and then another and then another. But instead of going for the pin, Pentagon sets up to break her arm and she get away again. Pentagon taunts her as she gets up and whips her off the ropes, she satellite around and gets Pentagon’s back and drops him down with a lung blower and gets the win!

Johnny Mundo doing some crazy exercise in the Temple (lying under a bench bar on the ground, pulling himself up with one arm and pressing a dumbbell in the other arm). Alberto El Patron comes in and says “Hey Johnny, getting ready for your Trios title match? Oh wait that’s right, you lost last week!” Alberto says he’s shocked because Johnny is a hell of an athlete and admits that Mundo is one of the main reasons he came to Lucha Underground. And surprised Mundo couldn’t beat Prince Puma, but says that’s the story of his life – always so close to the brass ring but it’s always out of his grasp. Mundo asks if they have a problem and that he isn’t someone he can just slap around but Alberto tells him he needs to chill out.

The Trios Championship match happens now (is an elimination match too). King Cuerno’s team comes out first (Cage and Texano). Son of Havoc, Ivelisse and Angelico out next. And Big Ryck’s team, Killshot and The Mack are last.

One man from each team in the ring at a time – Killshot, Cage and Angelico start and Striker says they must tag out to a member of their team. Angelico and Killshot team up on Cage but Cage overwhelms them with his crazy strength and tags in Texano.

Texano and Cuerno tag in and out, keeping Killshot and Angelico on the mat and away from their teams.

Havoc and Mack get tagged in and take out Texano and Cuerno. Mack big dive onto Texano and Havoc goes to dive on Cuerno but he ducks. Havoc stops himself and flips back into the ring and Cage discus lariat him out of his boots but Ivelisse leaps onto Cuerno and takes him out.

Cage and Big Ryck slugging it out and Cage picks up Ryck and slams him! I doubt anyone has done that to Ryck in LU yet. Cage then ascends the turnbuckle and moonsault to the floor on Angelico, Havoc, Killshot and Mack. Cage throws Angelico back in.

Ivelisse on the floors seems to have hurt her knee or her ankle and still on the mat. (I think she did legitimately break her ankle on this episode)

Angelico evades Texano a few times and hits some kicks. He takes Texano to the outside and leaps off the apron with a knee into Texano’s face and sends Texano into Daviari, who looks pretty pissed and takes off his jacket and attacks Texano, throws him into the ringpost, hammers a few forearms and bitch slaps Texano! He clears out a few rows of people behind him and throws Texano into the chairs. He rips his shirt off and then leaves.

Back in the ring, Angelico leaps off the apron onto Ryck but gets leveled with a clothesline. Texano rolls into the ring but he’s still woozy from the Daviari attack. Killshot comes off the top rope with a double stomp onto Texano and eliminates the team of Texano, Cage and Cuerno.

Killshot and Ryck double team Angelico in the ring, who’s been getting worked over the whole match. Mack gets tagged in and hits some chops and a line. Ivelisse still clutching her leg and Havoc is nowhere to be seen. Killshot hits some kicks but only gets a 2.

Angelico avoiding all three guys trying to make his way to his corner but Killshot cuts him off. Angelico out of the ring and Havoc in going against Killshot. Killshot tries for a reverse rana off the top but Havoc holds on. Ivelisse up on that corner and dives onto Mack and Ryck but they catch her. Havoc hits the ropes and dives into her, knocking them all down.

Angelico back up now and hits a running crucifix power bomb into the corner on Killshot and pins him! Angelico, Ivelisse and Son of Havoc are the first LU Trios champions!

Dario Cueto comes out of his office and looks like he can’t believe what he just heard. Can’t believe the most dysfunctional Trios team in the world pulled it off and won the Trios titles. But then says actually, they haven’t won yet. He says there’s one more team in the tournament, personally selected by Cueto. And to spice it up, this match will be No DQ.

He introduces his team – The Crew!

The Crew rushes the winners on the floor and immediately starts beating them crap out of all them. Cisco beating down Angelico and Bael and Castro work over Havoc. They roll Ivelisse back in and Bael holds her arms back as Castro aims up a shot with the kendo stick but Havoc runs in a saves her. He tries to get something going but the much fresher Crew easily take control. Bael and Cisco hit two corner basement dropkicks and drag him out of the ring. Bael drags Angelico up the stairs, Cisco works over Havoc outside and Castro beating on Ivelisse in the ring even though she can barely stand.

Bael dumps Angelico over railing onto the top of Cueto’s office. Castro choking Ivelisse with the cane in the ring and Cisco working over Havoc in the crowd. Cisco suplexes Havoc over the railing but Havoc rolls out, throws Cisco into the railing and then hits a moonsault off the railing, using a fan’s head to steady himself. But Bael runs from the other side to jump Havoc.

Bael gets into the ring to continue the assault on Ivelisse with Castro but before they get to her Angelico leaps off the roof of the office onto both Bael and Castro!

Ivelisse pulls herself to the kendo stick and picks it up and starts hammering the Crew with it. She lays them out and Havoc hits a Shooting Star on Bael and Angelico hits a double stomp on Castro and they get the pin! And cement their championship win!

Lucha Libre World Cup

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucha_Libre_World_Cup

Last week, word began going around the internet that AAA is hosting a huge tournament of trios teams from all over the world.

AAA's "Dream Team" of Albert El Patron, Rey Mysterio, and Myzteziz was just announced as the latest team to join the world cup.

Also, TNA confirmed that Matt Hardy will be the first member of Team TNA to join the cup.

Dream Team: Alberto el Patron, Rey Misterio Jr., Myzteziz

Team Mexico 1 (AAA): Winner of Fenix/Electroshock/Fantasma, Winner of La Parka/Texano Jr./Cibernetico, Winner of Psycho Clown/Zorro/Averno

Team Mexico 2 (“Outsiders”): Blue Demon Jr., Dr. Wagner Jr., TBA

Team ROH: TBA

Team TNA: Matt Hardy, TBA

Team Pro Wrestling NOAH: Taiji Ishimori, Yoshihiro Takayama, Atsushi Kotoge

Team All Japan Pro Wrestling: Kenzo Suzuki, Tiger Mask III, Masamune

Rest of the World: TBA

The Ticketmaster info allegedly lists Johnny Mundo as participating, so perhaps he’s on the Rest of the World. The event will be taking place on May 24 at the 20,000-seat Palace of Sports in Mexico City.

Beyond Wrestling results

Beyond: ‘Scorned’

April 26

Providence, RI

-AR Fox defeated Speedball Bailey

-John Silver vs. Orange Cassidy went to a No Contest after Ryan Galeone interfered

-Alex Reynolds defeated Ryan Galeone

-Fluffy defeated Dave Cole, Gran Akuma, and Buxx Belmar to win the ISW Other Title

-Matt Tremont defeated Steve Corino

-Kimber Lee defeated Pinkie Sanchez

-Da Hoodz defeated The Colony

-Donovan Dijak defeated Jack Connor

-MOOSE & Black Baron defeated Worst Case Scenario

-JT Dunn defeated David Starr

Beyond: ‘When Satan Rules His World’

April 26

Providence, RI

-Team PAZUZU defeated The Nation of Intoxication

-Tracy Williams defeated Conor Claxton

-M1nute Men defeated The Symbiote

-The Crusade for Changed defeated The Garden State Gods

-Brian Fury defeated Heidi Lovelace

-Chris Dickinson defeated Nick Gage in an Anything Goes Match

-War Machine defeated Team Tremendous

-The Hooligans defeated Tabernak de Team

-Eddie Kingston defeated Stockade

-The Young Bucks defeated Ninjas With Attitude

AIW results

AIW "Make Em Say Uhh”
April 24
Cleveland, Ohio
- Tyson Dux and Tracy Williams defeated The Beaver Boys
- Louis Lyndon defeated Brian Meyers (Curt Hawkins), Tommy Mercer (Crimson), and Eric Ryan
- Ethan Carter III defeated Johnny Gargano after D.J. Zema Ion interfered
- To Infinity and Beyond (Cheech & Colin Delaney) defeated The Young Bucks to retain the AIW Tag Titles
- Alex Daniels defeated Chris Sabin, Joshua Singh, Jerry, Tyler Thomas, and Alessandro Del Bruno.

- Davey Vega defeated Flip Kendrick to retain the AIW Intense Title.
- Veda Scott won the AIW Women's Title in a four-way match against Mickie James, Athena, and Candice LaRae. Veda won after Josh Alexander interfered with a spinning tombstone piledriver on Athena. Veda came up for the pin.  
- Raymond Rowe defeated Josh Prohibition with help from Matt Cross.
- Josh Alexander, B.J. Whitmer and Eddie Kingston defeated Dick Justice, Rickey Shane Page and Ethan Page in a six-man tag match