NXT

Mauro Ranallo Back with WWE

Mauro Ranallo announced on Instagram that he is back with WWE working under the NXT brand. He wrote the following remarks about his new gig with the company:

THE NXT CHAPTER BEGINS!

WWE and I mutually agreed to end my responsibilities on SmackDown having nothing to do with rumors about disputes. As I remained under contract with WWE, we discussed a variety of options. Despite originally agreeing to part ways, there was always a desire to continue working together. We have come to terms on a new agreement that benefits both WWE and me, and I am thrilled to announce I will now be part of the NXT broadcasting team.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVp4v6IgOoc/

WWE Announces NXT Championship Title Match

WWE announced that NXT Champion Bobby Roode will defend his title against Roderick Strong at the July 5th NXT episode. Here is the announcement:

Bobby Roode to defend NXT Championship against Roderick Strong on July 5 episode of NXT
NXT Champion Bobby Roode will defend his title in a huge head-to-head showdown against Roderick Strong on the July 5 episode of NXT.

The Glorious One’s rivalry with Strong has intensified rapidly, with tensions reaching their boiling point on June 21 when a photo shoot erupted into a brawl between Roode and Strong.

This came after the titleholder and Strong had a war of words two weeks prior on NXT. Strong bared his soul to the NXT Universe, opening up about his journey into fatherhood and his desire to become NXT Champion, only to be met with ridicule and disrespect from Roode, who verbally tore down Strong’s title aspirations.

Following their backstage photoshoot throw down, the heated foes will now settle their differences inside the squared circle with NXT’s most prized possession on the line. Don’t miss this epic NXT Title contest on Wednesday, July 5, at 8/7 C, on the award-winning WWE Network.

The Velveteen Dream Rips Off Finisher Name from NJPW Wrestler

The Velveteen Dream revealed on Twitter that his finishing move is called the Purple Rainmaker. This didn’t go over very well with fans from New Japan Pro Wrestling that accused him of ripping off Kazuchika Okada’s Rainmaker.

The NXT Superstar then took a shot at New Japan Pro Wrestling, writing, “They Have Wrestling in Japan!?”

WWE Reveals Four Names for the Mae Young Classic

WWE announced the first four names for the July 13th and July 14th Mae Young Classic tournament. They wrote the following on their website:

Toni Storm is the first and reigning PROGRESS Women’s Champion in the United Kingdom. Already an eight-year veteran, Storm has carved out a reputation worldwide: Born in New Zealand, raised in Australia and based in the U.K., she wrestled in 13 countries before age 20, capturing championships along the way.

Lacey Evans, of Parris Island, S.C., is a familiar face to WWE Network subscribers. A newcomer inside the yellow ropes of NXT, Evans joined the WWE Performance Center in April 2016. Prior to pursuing sports-entertainment, she served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years, including time spent as military police and a member of the Special Reactions Team, which is the Marine equivalent of a SWAT Team.

Sarah Logan is an NXT competitor and recruit at the Performance Center. She began her in-ring career on the U.S. independent scene in 2011, and quickly gained notoriety for her rough-and-tumble fights. She refined her skills in Japan under former WWE Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku before signing with WWE in October 2016. Logan, who has also won Olympic powerlifting competitions, made her NXT TV debut earlier this year.

Princesa Sugehit, from Monterrey, brings 20 years’ experience to the Classic. Since turning professional in 1996, Sugehit has earned countless accolades while competing in her home country’s top organizations, CMLL and AAA. Not only that, but she has claimed the masks of numerous rivals over the year, which is considered the ultimate sign of triumph in lucha libre. She is also the current Mexican National Women’s Champion.

We revealed seventeen names the other day for the event, which you can read here.

NXT Women’s Title Stipulation Match Announced

WWE announced that Asuka will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross in a Last Woman Standing Match on the June 28th episode of NXT. Here is the announcement:

Asuka to defend NXT Women’s Title against Nikki Cross in Last Woman Standing Match

NXT Women’s Champion Asuka will put her coveted title on the line against the crazed Nikki Cross on the June 28 episode of NXT. The title showdown will be a Last Woman Standing Match, further adding to the uncertainty and chaos surrounding the huge championship contest.

The extreme stipulation was a logical next step in Asuka and Cross’s rivalry after the two brawled throughout Full Sail University on the June 14 episode of NXT. Along with Ruby Riot, they competed in a Triple Threat Elimination Match for the NXT Women’s Title. After Riot had been eliminated, Asuka and Cross fought outside the arena, only to return and eventually crash through a table, leaving them laid out in a heap of carnage.

Asuka’s record-breaking NXT Women’s Title reign has overcome many obstacles, but she has yet to face a challenger as crazy as Cross in a bout that caters to chaos like a Last Woman Standing Match. Will we see the end of The Empress of Tomorrow’s historic title reign?

Find out on Wednesday, June 28, at 8/7C on the award-winning WWE Network.

X-Pac 1, 2, 360 Recap w/ Road Dogg – Writing for Smackdown Live, Women’s MITB Details, Picking on The Rock, More!

X-Pac opens today’s show congratulating Samoa Joe on his big win at last Sunday’s Extreme Rules PPV. He says that he’s known Joe for a while, and he knew it was only a matter of time before Joe made his way to WWE. Even when Joe was doubting his own ability to get there, X-Pac knew his talent and abilities would eventually land him in WWE.

He thought it was strange that WWE implemented a submission stipulation in the cruiserweight match between Austin Aries and Neville. He says that submission matches often limit the talents’ ability to provide exciting false finishes and in the case of the cruiserweights, it hindered some of the high flying abilities of those two men. Nonetheless, he thought Aries and Neville pulled it off and had a good match.

X-Pac comments on WWE’s recent signing of Thea Trinidad. Trinidad recently played the role of A.J. Lee in the upcoming Paige biopic, and X-Pac thought she was marvellous in that role. He says he wasn’t surprised by this signing at all, and he thinks she’ll start in NXT before making her jump to the main roster.

Lilian Garcia Makes Surprise Appearance At NXT Event

Former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia made a special appearance at Wednesday’s NXT event in England as she sang “God Save The Queen” to help kick off the show.

The event took place at the First Direct Arena in Leeds and began with a moment of silence for victims of the Manchester bombing and attack at the London Bridge.

Garcia then surprised the crowd with an appearance and sang the British national anthem.

NXT’s event at the Manchester Arena that was scheduled for Tuesday was canceled due to the bombing and WWE instead sent Superstars to visit with victims/help raise money. Those with tickets to the initial event were given free admission tonight to the show in Leeds.

Watch the video of Garcia’s performance below.

Triple H Announces NXT Takeover: Brooklyn Event

Triple H announced on Twitter that NXT “Takeover: Brooklyn III” will take place Saturday, August 19th at the Barclays Center during SummerSlam weekend.

NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn returns to Barclays Center on Aug. 19

For the third year in a row, Brooklyn, N.Y., will host NXT’s hottest event of the summer.

TakeOver: Brooklyn III comes to the Barclays Center Saturday, Aug. 19, one night before WWE SummerSlam emanates from the same building.

WWE COO Triple H made the announcement on Twitter:

Tickets for the WWE Network special event go on sale this Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. ET, exclusively at NXTtickets.com.

NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn has played home to such historic showdowns as Finn Bálor vs. Kevin Owens, Bayley vs. Sasha Banks and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Samoa Joe in previous years. There’s no telling what huge matches will go down this August, but this much is certain: Takeover: Brooklyn III will have the entire WWE Universe buzzing!

Don’t miss out on witnessing the action live in person — secure your ticket this Friday.

WWE Interested In Another Top ROH Wrestler

Aside from WWE being interested in signing Adam Cole to an NXT developmental deal, there is another wrestler that they are also interested in.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dalton Castle is on their radar and the company may attempt to pursuit him. It’s being said that his deal with Ring of Honor is up this month and WWE has shown “great interest” in him. The feeling is that he could be a major Superstar in NXT if the two agree to a deal.

If WWE does decide to reach out to him, he will not be debuting for the company right away if a deal is signed. WWE has a new policy where talents must wait at least 90-days until after their ROH contract runs out to appear on their television. This was done because of past legal issues between WWE and Ring of Honor.