NXT's Different Breed: Baron Corbin

   Last Thursday, at Full Sail University, I had the privilege  to witness the reemergence of Baron Corbin during the NXT Takeover PPV.  I have always been a huge fan of Corbin, but this was something amazing to behold. His PPV debut was pure dominance, in a squash match with CJ Parker, that was one of the shortest matches I have seen in years.
   He repeated this same exact feat against Parker again. Friday night at Full Sail during the NXT television taping. This match may been shorter than one the night before! He also had a squash,  match against a fairly unknown to the TV fans, Troy McClain, later in the taping. He has a complete new entrance and I love it! Love all of it, his in ring ability and presence, look and entrance. He has been referred to as NXT's different breed and it is quite apparent why.
  I have been a fan of his from day one.  He is a former NFL player and took the step into WWE developmental a few years ago. Often football players do not evolve well into a true wrestler, but this is definitely not the case with Corbin. Consistently each week, as I would attend the house shows and tapings, I would watch him get better and better. His in ring technique become more solid and move set becoming larger. The one thing he naturally had out of the gate was a ring presence few could match  the NXT roster.
   I knew he was destined for success in the WWE. I have sang praise of him as much as possible when I am featured on TSC News. Finally at Takeover, the world got to witness what I have been saying was coming for a long time. The world finally got see what the different breed of NXT has to offer and that is  complete total domination.

Baron Corbin with the win over CJ Parker, NXT Takeover
 9/11/14

The NXT Universe Catches the Infected Crowe

   Solomon Crowe made his debut at the NXT televison tapings at Full Sail University against Buddy Murphy, last Thursday. Crowe has been doing the house shows for about 9 months now, but had yet to be seen at Full Sail. I have eagerly been awaiting this day.
   Crowe was well known on the indy wrestling scene, as Sami Callihan. Being I am from Baltimore, I was well acquainted with his work on the New York indy wrestling scene, and a huge fan. Northern indy wrestling is much different than that of the south, a much grittier element to it. It is intriguing to see how these guys fit into the NXT roster.
   Crowe started at NXT with this crazy hair wearing a singlet, with a computer hacker gimmick. His purpose to infect the NXT universe with a virus. I love the hacker gimmick, the lights go out, an old school dial tone comes across the speaker, then a computerized voice announces his ring entrance. Suddenly the lights come up and Crowe is in the ring.  They have since changed his ring gear to a much more stylish black and silver pants with matching shirt, and his hair slicked back into a ponytail. The new look makes him look tough as nails, the look matches the attitude. They have went back and forth with the hacker gimmick.

Solomon Crowe, Full Sail University
June 2014

   Thursday he did not enter with the hacker gimmick, so as where that stands,  I do not know. This gimmick is much different than any on the roster so I hope it is the direction they are heading with him.  This was the first I had seen him in action in a few weeks and he looked as if he slimmed down . His in ring performance was amazing and he was on top of his game. On his weeks off he has definitely been putting his work in training.
  The next television taping in July 17th. I am hoping that Crowe will finally get on tv at this taping. He's been busting his ass on the indy's for years and at NXT for months. I can't wait for the Crowe to infect the NXT universe so they can witness the carnage I have been watching for years.

Solomon Crowe vs. CJ Parker,April 2014
courtesy of www.cjparker.info 

CJ Parker is the Truth

    CJ Parker has taken a turn within the last few months from  a dread headed, fun loving, dancing. far out hippie to an avid supporter and voice to environmental concerns. He has always been my favorite on the NXT roster from the moment I saw emerge,  through his many personas, but this one takes it to a whole new level. He speaks to people and his message is the truth.

  Within the last few weeks, Parker has been entering the crowd carrying signs with messages concerning environmental issues. During the PPV NXT Takeover at Full Sail University, he came out with his "There is No Planet B" and "My Sign is Ecofriendly"  signs. During the NXT television tapings some of his messages included "Eat Local, Think Global", "Every day is Earth Day", "Kill-o-watt, Burn a Candle." At the recent house shows, he has been seen with his "Let's Get Green" sign. His social media has turned  to all environmental messages and concerns. 

  He's very serious and passionate about his message and way of life. You can see it on his face, he is no longer coming out grinning and dancing. He is coming with a serious legitimate message for everyone to hear, and will deliver it by any means. He will be returning to the ring very soon from an injury and the carnage he is going on his drop on his opponents is going to be unreal.
   I believe NXT may have hit jackpot with this turn of Parker. It's a way for him to be taken seriously, a legitimate threat to the roster, along with message that needs to be heard. It's a far cry from his persona a few months ago. He's always been my favorite, but now with the message and attitude CJ Parker is the Truth. He's kicking ass and saving the planet.

Images courtesy of www.cjparker.info

                                             

The Rise of Adam Rose

Leo Kruger, Full Sail, June 2013

   Leo Kruger is now nothing more than an afterthought. The metamorphosis into Adam Rose has yet to be seen on NXT television, but I have been lucky enough to catch it at the last few NXT house shows. Adam Rose is as far from Leo Kruger as one could be.
  Rose is known as "The Exotic Express", and is very charasmatic and  interactive with the crowd, and . His theme music is extremely catchy. He gives a "Choo Choo" before his finishing clothesline. I adore the new gimmick. I like Kruger, but he was lacking something. He was lacking Adam Rose.
  Kruger was beast in the ring. His gimmick as almost along that of Luke Harper, who always out shined Kruger. Even after Harper was moved up the main roster alongside the other members of the Wyatt Family, Kruger didn't take off.  The Kruger gimmick  was stale, the evolution was nonexistent.  At first sight I was shocked and didn't really know what to think,but every week my fondness grows  immensely. The crowd is also starting to warm up.

Adam Rose, Ft. Pierce, January 2014

   NXT is somewhat struggling on fresh gimmicks, most have went to main roster, some need a makeover, some just plain need released. This is new life into the NXT roster. I am anxious to see where the gimmick will. There are many new tag teams being formed in NXT so it's time for a new standout single competitor. Adam Rose can definitely be this person.
  When I was in Crystal River a few weeks ago, Rose stated "Those that don't like Adam Rose are sour and bitter, I shall call them lemons. Those that like Adam Rose are happy and sweet, I shall call them rosebuds." Guess what? I just changed my middle name to Rosebud.

Xavier Woods: The Next Step?

   As of late, Xavier Woods has been creating much buzz with his petition to Triple H to reinstate Big Show's position within the WWE. The GM of WWE NXT, JBL, stated he would deal with Woods, once he figured out who he is. Lets just take a look at Woods and see.

   Woods enjoyed some success in TNA, as Consequences Creed,  most specifically as Tag Team Champion, along side of Black Machismo. in a team called "Lethal Consequences." One of my favorite teams in wrestling history, pure entertainment, in the ring and promos. If you want a good chuckle check this Lethal Consequences' interview out.
   After his stint with TNA, WWE noticed his talent, and was picked up and placed on the NXT roster. He is by far one of the most entertaining and electrifying talents on the roster. He can work singles and tag matches. He is versatile and fan favorite. As of late he had been sidelined due to a minor injury but is reemerging in a major main roster story line.

  Big Show was fired by Stephanie McMahon, and then he proceeded to knock out Triple H later on the edition of Monday Night Raw.  This had lead up to a match between Big Show and Triple H at the upcoming PPV, Hell in Cell. Woods led a petition that was taken down by the Authority, but continued it on Twitter.
  With Woods playing and integral part in such a huge story line leads me, and many to believe, that upon his return from injury he may be going main roster. I hate to see him go from NXT, as one I love to go watch a few times a month, but he is very deserving of the move and can add so much energy to the main roster, Time will tell what the next step will be for Woods, but I know what I would like it to be.

JBL, Just What NXT Needs

  At the last taping of NXT, at Full Sail University, it was revealed that there would be a new General Manager, John Bradshaw Layfield, otherwise known as JBL. Personally I could have not been happier. It adds a whole new dimension to NXT. He's a great competitor with24 single and tag team belts to his name. He's an awesome color commentator, very witty and comes up with some the best lines I have ever heard
   With Dusty Rhodes being involved in the storyline with his sons, Cody Rhodes and Golddust, facing the Shield at the Battleground PayPerView, he had been asked to step down. This storyline puts the Rhodes family's complete future of WWE involvement in jeopardy. With a loss there is no future with the company, that is the stipulation of the match.
   Dusty is one of my all time favorites,my childhood favorite but I think JBL is perfect for this position. He's much younger and can be hands on. He can play a more active role in the ring. I am hoping he gets into a ring with the roster, just as commentator William Regal does. It's a rare treat when it happens.
   He's a smart business man with so much to offer in that aspect. His character of a brash, hot tempered business man is mirrored from his real life accomplishments as a stock investor. He even wrote a book, "Have More Money Now" on investments and the stock market.
   He is possibly the greatest color commentator in WWE history. He's very quick witted, opinionated, with a delivery that is always on time. He has a YouTube show, along with Michael Cole, called the JBL and Cole Show. Recently they did a show that showcased the new performance center that opened in Orlando, where NXT trains. I am looking forward to his moments on the mic at NXT. Him and Regal together are golden.

   Change is inevitable. As much I hated to see Dusty stepping down, there are very few people who could fill that spot, but JBL is surely one of them. This is something I, along with many other fans, didn't see coming I am eagerly awaiting to see what in is the future of JBL and NXT.

No More Bo ??!!

   Bo Dallas has been the NXT Champion now since May after defeating Big E Langston for the belt. Big E made his way to the main roster and it was time to pass the gold on. Many fans and critics have been quite vocal in the fact that Dallas isn't deserving of the belt.

Myself and Bo Dallas, June 2013, FWE Arena

   At the NXT television tapings at Full Sail fans boo Dallas profusely when he comes out. The chant "No More Bo", along with "Boring" and stand up and turn their backs to the ring. He was once a  baby-faced fan favorite but since winning the belt the tide has shifted.
   He comes from wrestling bloodline and family. He's a third generation wrestler, his grandfather being BlackJack Mulligan, his father being the I.R.S. Man, Mike Rotunda. His uncle is one of my childhood favorites, Barry Windham. His brother is the WWE Superstar, Bray Wyatt. Dallas' ring skills are solid, but some feel he has the belt simply because of his bloodline.
   Dallas is young at the age of only 24. He's been wrestling in the WWE developmental territory since 2008. He is technically already main roster if you look at WWE.com. He had a DUI in 2011, which in most stars cases put them on the back burner. Alex Riley, Jack Swagger, and Jimmy Uso were all the fast track to being stars and champions, but DUIs put an end to that. Yes they are all on the roster still but for the most part are now being used as jobbers. Dallas' career progress wasn't hindered one bit by his.
   I guess time will tell if he is going to live up to the huge expectations of the WWE. Maybe we as fans will come to see what the company sees in him. Personally I like him, I think he's nice guy with a lot of talent but is still young in the game. He is a natural in the ring.  It's been two months since he won the belt so I give it about another month or two and we will see a new NXT champ. The big question now is who will that be? I have feeling it's gonna be Sami Zayn who finally gives us "No More Bo".

 Sami Zayne, Orlando Armory, June 2013