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.