Sami Zayn makes his NXT television return next week in a match that was taped after Takeover: London. The former NXT Champion returned to action over the weekend against Finn Balor during the ongoing UK tour. He had been out of action for approximately 7 months after undoing shoulder surgery before the Summer.
Spoilers – NXT TV Results For Next Week
WWE taped an episode of NXT TV for next week prior to Wednesday’s NXT Takeover: London special. Here are the spoiler results:
– Chad Gable and Jason Jordan defeated The Vaudevillains, Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley, Blake and Murphy in the Fatal Fourway Tag Team Match
– Elias Sampson made his debut and defeated Bull Dempsey
– Sami Zayn returned to action against Tye Dillinger
https://twitter.com/DirteeJesus/status/677253876580524034
The Rock & Girlfriend Lauren Hashian Welcome Baby Girl
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s long-time girlfriend Lauren Hashian gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday. The couple has been dating for nine years and this is their first child together. The Rock also has a 14-year-old daughter named Simone with ex-wife Dany Garcia.
Hashian posted on Instagram:
NXT TakeOver: London Results (12/16/15)
NXT Takeover: London is in the books and once again, NXT delivered a very strong 2-hour live special, once again in front of over 10,000 fans. NXT Takeovers were among the best events of 2015 and they’re showing no sign of slowing down.
NXT TakeOver: London took place from the SSE Arena, Wembley in England on Wednesday afternoon and aired live on the WWE Network.
The @WWENXT chants rain down in the @ssearena as @TripleH opens #NXTTakeOver: London! pic.twitter.com/hSsKrzK6C0
— WWE (@WWE) December 16, 2015
– Asuka def. Emma via Submission (Asuka Lock) to pick up the win in the opening match, which ran nearly 15 minutes, despite a distraction attempt from Dana Brooke.
UK wrestling legend Johnny Saint is in the house for #NXTTakeover: London! @ssearena pic.twitter.com/9lnzEKx62g
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 16, 2015
– Dash & Dawson def. Enzo & Cass in another 15-minute match to retain the NXT World Tag-Team Championships. Dash & Dawson hit Enzo, who was caught on the top rope, with a super Shatter Machine for the 1-2-3.
AND STILL your @WWENXT Tag Team Champions, @ScottDawsonWWE & @DashWilderWWE! #NXTTakeover #ShatterMachine pic.twitter.com/v6NuDLXnCH
— WWE (@WWE) December 16, 2015
– Baron Corbin def. Apollo Crews in the first male singles match of the evening. This one went a bit over ten minutes and had a lot of good crowd heat and some very cool crowd-pleasing spots.
– A vignette played to hype the NXT TV return of next week. It was noted at the end of the video that Sami Zayn would be back in action at next week’s NXT show.
– Bayley def. Nia Jax in a grueling 13-minute match to retain the NXT Women’s Championship via submission.
The champion is WRENCHING that guillotine in! #NXTTakeover @ItsBayleyWWE pic.twitter.com/hU5vbCGcz4
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 16, 2015
– A vignette aired hyping Blake & Murphy vs. Jason Jordan & Chad Gable for next week’s NXT TV.
– Finn Balor def. Samoa Joe to retain the NXT World Championship in the main event of the NXT TakeOver: London special. The finish saw Balor pick up the win via pinfall after hitting him with the Coup de Grace for the 1-2-3.
What a way to go out from @ssearena in London! AND STILL @WWENXT Champion…@wwebalor! #NXTTakeover pic.twitter.com/15wucaTrXH
— WWE (@WWE) December 16, 2015
Finn Balor Talks About NXT’s Success, Developing His Character & More
NXT Champion Finn Balor recently appeared on The Kevin Gill Show and spoke about his transition from wrestling in Japan to NXT, the evolution of his demon character and more. Here are the highlights:
Transitioning from NJPW to NXT:
“Japan was an incredible chapter. I was kind of very reluctant to move on from Japan and very unsure of what I was getting into when I came to NXT. I can honestly say it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. Here maybe 14 months now and I’ve been having a blast.”
Developing his Demon character:
“For me it’s kind of like a trial and error. I’m very much of the belief that you can’t preplan art. You can’t set out in advance what you’re going to do… you have to feel it in the moment. With the entrance we’ve done a lot of rehearsals. I had a lot of input from Hunter and a lot of input from Road Dogg… It’s a huge effort to what goes on behind the scenes while I’m actually doing the entrance.”
NXT’s Success:
“Sometimes you just have to take a step back and admire the landscape. It is a very competitive place NXT right now. What I consider some of the best athletes in the world wrestle for NXT. You got Gable and Jordan who are a really strong tag team at the moment. They’ve shown tremendous growth… We’re all striving for the same goal and that’s striving to make NXT special.”
Rumor Killer On Sami Zayn’s Opponent At TakeOver: London Event, Zayn’s NXT TV Return
There have been rumors online regarding Sami Zayn possibly wrestling top international independent wrestler Zack Sabre Jr. during the NXT TakeOver: London event this afternoon at the SSE Arena in England.
Apparently the rumors originated from a Wikipedia entry that was edited earlier, and until further notice, should be taken as strictly an unfounded rumor.
We can report, however, that there have been rumblings within WWE about the possibility of Sabre Jr. coming to the company, just not at today’s NXT TakeOver: London special.
As noted last week via Triple H, Zayn is scheduled to work a match at the TakeOver event itself later today, although his match is scheduled to be taped for the next edition of NXT TV on the WWE Network.
Jim Ross Q&A: HHH Only Powerful Because Of Who His Wife Is?, TLC Thoughts, Daniel Bryan
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently updated his official Q&A section at JRsBarBQ.com fielding questions from fans on a wide variety of different pro wrestling related topics. Below are some of the highlights.
On if he thinks Triple H is where he is strictly because he married the bosses daughter:
I can’t change history but only learn from it. Plus I waste not one moment on matters that I cannot solve. You’re taking these matters much more passionate than am I. I have other interests to invest the needed passion on including my podcasts and my book. Thanks for the concern.
On the crazy spots, including Kalisto’s early in the TLC PPV using up all the cool spots, leaving nothing or the guys in the rest of the matches, particularly the main event:
TLC is a very tough show to book. After all that we saw in a great, first match, what’s truly left to provide the needed moment? Main Event had little to do differently but beat the hell out of each other. The night was a spot fest.
On his thoughts on the British Bulldog, Dynamite Kid and William Regal:
Dynamite was ahead of his time, Davy Boy could turn it on with the best of them when he was motivated to do so and William Regal has been underrated for years in my eyes and is my favorite British Wrestlers
On if he thinks it’s sad that actual wrestling is the least important part of being a pro wrestler these days:
Yep…talents picking up too many bad habits and short cuts. I still think that most people who still attempt to watch wrestling these days actually tune in to see bell to bell physicality and competition and not bad acting and lame humor.
On Jerry Lawler and Jim Carrey’s incident on set of “Man on the Moon” and possibility of an Andy Kaufman WWE HOF induction one day:
The Carrey-Lawler incident on the set was staged and not a great angle to say the least. It was Carrey attempting to act as if he thought Kaufman would although Jim was wrong. Seems as if the Andy Kaufman-Jerry Lawler ship has sailed expect for Jerry inducting Kaufman into the WWE HOF some day.
On Daniel Bryan’s possible return and a potential match against Jeff Hardy:
My biggest concern is for DB’s health and not him wrestling someone who isn’t even with the company at this time.
Recap Of Roman Reigns On ESPN SportsCenter (Videos)
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns appeared ESPN SportsCenter on Tuesday night and spoke with Jonathan Coachman about his big win. Coach asks how this year has been for him, both personally and professionally. Reigns says he could have never predicted what was in store for him over the past 12 months. Starting with fans rejecting his Royal Rumble win, it’s been a rollercoaster ride that finally had a happy ending. Reigns said it was fate to come back to Philadelphia (site of the 2015 Rumble) and be embraced by that same crowd.
Reigns says he was “kept away from the title” for too long and now the WWE Universe is going to see what he can do.
Looking ahead to WrestleMania 32, Reigns is hoping to stay healthy since the past year has shown him that injuries can come at any time. Now that he’s reached the top of the mountain, his goal for 2016 is staying there.
For this week’s Off The Top Rope segment, Coach’s Top Move of the week was Kalisto’s Salida del Sol off the top of the ladder at TLC. Top Match was The Wyatt Family vs. Team Extreme on RAW, the Top Return was Vince McMahon and the Top Moment was Roman Reigns winning the WWE World Heavyweight Title.
Renee Young Talks To Harrison Ford About Star Wars (Video), Dreamer/WWE, O’Neil’s Holiday Rules
– Featured above is the full episode of “Unfiltered with Renee Young” from the WWE Network featuring legendary actor Harrison Ford and rising director/producer JJ Abrams.
– Although he was backstage at the WWE SmackDown television taping on Tuesday night, ECW Original Tommy Dreamer was noted using during the show. As noted recently, it appears that Dreamer’s run as an active character in WWE storylines is over.
– Titus O’Neil is featured in a new article on the official website of The Today Show where he shares his five rules for giving back during the Holiday season. O’Neil’s five rules are as follows:
1. Pay it forward
2. Live it year ’round
3. Show your kids the world
4. Help however you can
5. Stay humble
JBL Tapes 4 New “Legends” Episode Today, Lana’s Holiday Photo Shoot, More
– The latest edition of WWE’s “5 Things” video, which is featured above, looks at 5 Hall Of Famers surprising last matches in WWE.
– JBL noted via social media that he will be filming four new episodes of his WWE Network original series, “Legends with JBL” at WWE Studios on Wednesday. The WWE announce team member tweeted the following about the tapings:
Working on a couple of great shows of #legendswithJBL to be taped tomorrow here in Stamford at @wwe HQ. Excited about the news shows!
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) December 16, 2015
– WWE Diva Lana posted the following preview photo of a recent Holiday-themed photo shoot done by WWE this past Monday.
Snapshot from #Christmas log cabin #photoshoot coming soon ??? pic.twitter.com/zxTClnFJQV
— CJ Perry (@TheCJPerry) December 16, 2015
HHH Arrives For NXT TakeOver: London, Flair On “Stone Cold Podcast” Preview, More
– WWE posted the above video preview of the next “Stone Cold Podcast” with special guest Ric Flair. The show premieres on the WWE Network on Monday, January 11th immediately following RAW.
– Triple H posted the following on Twitter
Just arrived @ssearena…only hours until @WWENXT #NXTTakeOver: London. #GameTime pic.twitter.com/QneAnvXe7l
— Triple H (@TripleH) December 16, 2015
– Speaking of tonight’s NXT TakeOver: London special, the official WWE Twitter page tweeted the following to promote the show, as well as the NXT TakeOver: London “Kickoff Show” hosted by Renee Young on the WWE Network immediately before the live special begins.
Don't miss @wwebalor vs. @SamoaJoe at #NXTTakeOver: London in just 12 HOURS LIVE at 3e/12p only on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/qQFJTapjeD
— WWE (@WWE) December 16, 2015
TNA Impact Wrestling Preview: Confirmed Matches, Josh Mathews/Pope Breakdown, More
https://youtu.be/WhZ_dkyq0VE
– Featured above is the latest video preview from TNA announcers Josh Mathews and The Pope regarding tonight’s Impact Wrestling episode.
The following matches are scheduled for tonight’s TNA Impact Wrestling:
* Tigre Uno, DJ Zema Ion, Mandrews & Manik vs. Jessie Godderz, Micah, Crimson & Eli Drake
– Bobby Roode vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Rockstar Spud vs. Eddie Edwards
– Finally, featured below is the latest “Diva Diaries” video from Highspots that features a preview of former TNA Knockout Madison Rayne discussing her early days in the business, struggling to make it to TNA and being a mother.
Video: Total Divas Season 5 Preview: Cena/Bella Marriage Talk, Bryan/Brie Issues?
https://youtu.be/Foatkj-slbs
The fifth season of WWE’s “Total Divas” reality show is set to premiere on the E! network on Tuesday, January 19th at 9pm EST.
According to the official Total Divas mini-site at EOnline.com, the top two storylines being used to promote the upcoming fifth season of the show include the latest chapter in the marriage saga between John Cena and Nikki Bella, as well as possible trouble in paradise between newlyweds Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella.
“We can talk about marriage,” John says to Nikki in a preview clip circulating for the show.
“You’re my No. 1,” Brie Bella says to her husband Daniel Bryan in the preview.
“Clearly not,” he says to her in response.
NXT Takeover: London Results Today Starting At 3PM EST
NXT Takeover: London is just hours away and we’ll have Live Coverage here at SEScoops.com starting at 3PM (Eastern). Here’s the final card for the show, which takes place from the SSE Arena in London, England:
- NXT Champion Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe
- NXT Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Nia Jax
- NXT Tag Team Champions Dash & Dawson vs. Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady
- Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin
- Emma vs. Asuka
Prior to Takeover: London, NXT will also be taping several matches for TV that will air on the WWE Network in the coming weeks:
- Sami Zayn in action
- The Vaudevillains vs. The Hype Bros. vs. Chad Gable and Jason Jordan vs. Blake and Murphy
- The debut of Elias Samson
Sheamus Says Certain Boxing & UFC Stars Couldn’t Handle WWE’s Schedule
Sheamus appeared on Baltimore’s 98 Rock radio station on Monday, prior to losing the WWE World Heavyweight championship to Roman Reigns on RAW.
After wrestling in a very physical match against Roman Reigns on Sunday night at TLC, Sheamus was back in action less than 24 hours later. The hosts were impressed with WWE superstars’ ability to work such a vigorous schedule. Sheamus said simply, “it’s just what we do” and took a jab at “certain boxers and certain UFC fighters” who only fight once every six months. When you’re at the top of the food chain like he is [was], you put your body on the line and then do it again the next day in a different city.
He also talked about his run as King Sheamus, noting that he went out and bought a lot of the costume himself when he saw what WWE initially wanted him to wear. He was going for a “Lord of the Rings meets Rocky Horror Picture Show” look and is proud of what he came up with.
King Sheamus (2010)
William Regal Sent Home From U.K. Tour Early Due To Neck Issues
William Regal was flown home early from the NXT U.K. Tour and will not be appearing at the final two events due to issues related to his recent neck surgery.
Regal wrote the following on social media on Tuesday:
I'm incredibly sorry but I have had to return to the US to take care of some final details of my recent neck surgery that couldn't….
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) December 15, 2015
be avoided any longer.Again,I'm sorry that I cannot continue with the current tour but I'll be back in 2016 to @WWENXT.
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) December 15, 2015
As a result, Regal missed the final two shows as part of the tour, as he didn’t work the event on Tuesday in Cardiff, Wales, and will be missing the live Takeover special on the WWE Network today at 3 p.m. Eastern from London’s SSE Wembley Arena.
Additionally, Regal was also scheduled for a talk show on Thursday in Nottingham, that has been canceled.
Kurt Angle Interview: TNA’s Move To Pop, Retirement, Not Getting A Final Run In WWE & More
TNA star Kurt Angle continues to do the media rounds to promote TNA’s upcoming European tour. Angle spoke with our friend Donald Wood of Ring Rust Radio this week about TNA’s move to Pop TV, his pick to win TNA’s World Title Series, why he and WWE couldn’t come to terms about a return and more. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
TNA’s Move to Pop TV:
“This is all new territory for us. Getting into another network, this will be our third in three years. Hopefully it works out and it builds something long term. It is a new network and we are excited for it. I want to be able to sit back and see how it goes.”
Who he thinks will win the World Title Series:
“I think it will be Bobby Lashley. As far as pro-wrestler and fighter goes, he is a beast. He has just a little bit better everything than anyone else. He really is a super athlete, so I always pick him to be the favorite.”
Retiring from TNA after January’s UK Tour:
“It was just the best time for me to step away. With me being able to be home a lot more this past year it helped me see what was more important to me, and that’s family. I thought it was a good move on both parts and we are both comfortable with each other.”
Why he and WWE could not come to terms about a return:
“Right now, I am not thinking that far into it. If I feel good after I take my time off, I might want to continue wrestling. That’s why I didn’t say I was retiring from wrestling for good. It was just the last matches I had under contract with TNA. It’s more of a TNA retirement thing rather than anything else. I’m enjoying everything about retirement right now.”
If he would consider wrestling for NXT:
“No. With all due respect, the talent on the NXT roster is phenomenal. They are doing something right down there as far as getting talent ready. I just don’t think it would be worth it for either side to have me go down there and work on NXT. Not saying I wouldn’t do it, but it is considered the WWE minor league. With that in mind, I think anybody would feel the same way about it.”
Angle said that although he would have loved to work with guys like Bret Hart and Daniel Bryan, he has no regrets in his career. He’s wrestled all around the world and now it’s time to focus on his health.
WWE’s Former Head Of Security Jim Dotson Passed Away
Jim Dotson, WWE’s head of security during the Attitude Era, passed away on December 10th at the age of 49. He worked for the company from 1995 to 2001 and left the company due to health issues.
Dotson was a muscle-bound guy who was ringside keeping order during the company’s most successful period in history. Due to his look, it seemed that him transitioning into an active wrestler would be a natural fit. He even got involved in a brief angle with Steve Blackman at one point, but it never went too far.
Dotson’s health declined in the final years of his life and he dealt with an incurable eye disease kept him from working. Since he did not have health insurance or life insurance, his family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover some of his after-life expenses.
Our condolences to his family and friends.
Spoilers – WWE SmackDown Tapings Results Airing 12/17
WWE SmackDown spoilers from Newark, New Jersey
– WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns opens the show with a promo. It was great to win the title on his daughter’s birthday. Sheamus interrupts and says he’s happy for Roman for being champion longer than 5:15. Sheamus says he’ll be champion again soon. Sheamus says there’s some sort of investigation being made in to Reigns, so he can’t be at the arena. Security guards attempt to remove Reigns, but he beat them up.
– US Champion Alberto Del Rio defeated Ryback in a non-title match. Ryback was on a roll until Sheamus, Rusev and King Barrett interfered. Del Rio made him tap out with the cross armbreaker. The League of Nations beat down Ryback afterwards, delivering their finishers.
– Backstage, Tyler Breeze spoke to Summer Rae about his match with Titus O’Neil up next. Goldust was creeping on Summer and she sprayed hairspray in his mouth.
– Titus O’Neil defeated Tyler Breeze with Clash of the Titus. Goldust came down during the match and sat with Summer in her VIP section. Goldust was taking selfies with Breeze’s selfie stick and distracted him with it, allowing Titus to get the win.
– Backstage Dean Ambrose cuts a promo reacting to Kevin Owens attacking him on RAW.
– Wyatt Family promo.
– The Lucha Dragons defeated The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) in a non-title match.
– Backstage Dolph Ziggler hyped his match against Kevin Owens later in the show.
– Becky Lynch defeated Brie Bella via submission after distraction from Charlotte.
– Dolph Ziggler defeated Kevin Owens by DQ in the main event when Owens threw him over the announce table. Owens dominated most of the match and went for a pop-up powerbomb at one point but Ziggler countered with Sweet Chin Music. Owens kicked out and then they went to the floor and the DQ happened. Ziggler came back but Owens threw him into the steel steps. Owens went to powerbomb Ziggler into the steps but Dean Ambrose came out and they brawled. Owens escaped and walked away. Ziggler was being helped to the back by referees when Owens superkicked him. Ambrose chased Owens to the stage and they had a staredown. Ambrose checked on Ziggler but Ziggler superkicked Ambrose. Owens laughed at them both as SmackDown goes off the air with both Ambrose and Ziggler down.
H/T to Lordsofpain
Big Increase For Post-TLC RAW Viewership (12/14)
Monday’s 12/14 post-TLC edition of WWE RAW drew 3.885 million viewers, a sharp 28% increase from last week (3.054 million).
The hourly breakdown shows that fans were very interested to see the fallout from TLC, most notably Roman Reigns’ beatdown of Triple H. The surprise return of Vince McMahon and Reigns capturing the WWE Championship in the main event kept viewers glued to their televisions until the show went off the air.
- Hour 1: 4.043 million
- Hour 2: 3.786 million
- Hour 2: 3.825 million
To put the numbers even more into context, this week’s least-watched hour drew 1 million viewers more than last week’s least-watched hour.
Despite the creative rut that has plagued RAW for the past several weeks, WWE showed that they can still put on a gripping 3-hour broadcast when they need to.
Hulk Hogan Barred From Searching Gawker’s Computers For Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bGkS3KnUWE
On Thursday (but not uploaded to the court website until yesterday), in the Second District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida, Gawker won the latest battle in their long-standing legal entanglement with Hulk Hogan. This time, the appellate court granted Gawker’s request to issue a stay blocking the Pinellas County trial judge’s order that a forensic examiner hired by Hogan could search their computer network. As reported here in October, Hogan’s side was granted the ability to hire a forensic computer examiner (on his own dime) to look for specific key words and phrases allowed by the judge, and Gawker quickly moved to block the ruling.
This all stems from the leak this past summer of Hogan’s racist comments on one of the sex videos shot without his consent in 2007. Hogan’s side was arguing that Gawker must have leaked the story to the National Enquirer, violating a court order about certain documents Gawker got in the discovery phase of the litigation. Gawker argues that they never even had the transcripts of those comments, including the most inflammatory ones.
You can read the latest order below:
Crowd Chants “You Deserve It” At Roman Reigns After Raw (VIDEO)
https://twitter.com/WWELyss/status/676628889150627840
What a turnaround.
For a few months, one of the lines you’d often hear about Roman Reigns was that fans didn’t dislike him per se, they just hated how he was being booked. He first built his momentum in The Shield, but it slowed down when he started cutting lengthy, John Cena-style promos. Crowds at pay-per-view events and TV tapings either booed him or went silent. Last week’s show-ending promo on Monday Night Raw was just the latest step in that direction with the infamous “tater tots” lines.
Starting at TLC on Sunday night, it all changed, and the above video is the result. While WWE did post a Reigns celebration video, it doesn’t include this part. Here, the fans in Philadelphia (the same city as the Royal Rumble in January where he got booed) not only go nuts as we saw on Raw, but break out the “You deserve it!” chant originally made famous by Daniel Bryan. Even in light of the reaction he got last night, that’s kind of a surprise.
WWE SmackDown To Become Hybrid Of Raw & NXT On USA Network?
To help promote his hiring as the new voice of WWE SmackDown, Mauro Ranallo did an interview with Jonathan Snowden of Bleacher Report that went up today. He goes into greater detail about his hiring than he did with Sports Illustrated, and in the process, appears to give away that, as suspected, there are more changes to come at SmackDown:
“I get the sense they want to make it kind of a hybrid between Raw, the flagship show with all the storylines and great performances from our Superstars in the ring, and what’s happening in NXT. That’s really been a phenomenon, and I’m a huge proponent of that style of storytelling.
I think if SmackDown can become a hybrid of the two, we’ll have a winning formula regardless of who’s on the microphone. But since it’s going to be me, I love that it’s playing to my strengths. I think they want to set us all up to succeed.”
The whole interview is well worth reading, so check it out. It’s also worth noting that NXT head writer Ryan Ward became SmackDown’s head writer last year.