411’s WWE NXT Report 4.29.15

We open with a video package of how NXT ended last week. Kevin Owens defeated Alex Riley again before trying to take him out completely with the apron powerbomb, only for Sami Zayn to make the save.

Kevin Owens is here to kick things off. He actually gets a mixed reaction rather than just the straight cheers he normally receives. Owens talks about how he was ready to get rid of Alex Riley for good only for Sami to play hero. “Sami’s gonna kill you” chants. He calls Sami out and has his fists taped up for a fight. Instead of Zayn, he gets General Manager William Regal. Regal tells Owens that he will not use NXT to further his own agenda. Owens doesn’t care what he has to say since he didn’t call him out. A “Fight Regal Fight” chant breaks out. Sami shows up but is prevented from getting in the ring by Regal because he wants order dammit. Regal makes, what he calls, an easy decision and books Owens vs. Zayn for the next NXT TakeOver on May 20th.  Owens asks what Sami has done to earn a title shot since he left for a month after losing. He says there is no way he puts the belt on the line. Sami disses Owens saying that anything he’s done in his career has Sami’s name next to it. Even this NXT Title run. He claims that one could say Owens has been living in his shadow. Sami will give him the chance to get that out of his system, but he fights for a prize and Owens is not that prize. Brilliantly done as a callback to how Owens got the title shot back in February.

We get told that tonight, Hideo Itami faces Adam Rose and Dana Brooke will take on Bayley. Craigh or Greg Hamilton or whatever his name is goes to discuss the upcoming NXT on the road live events when Enzo Amore, Big Cass and Carmella appear and argue. Carmella sends them away before Blake and Murphy come up to her. They hit on her but she sends them off, so Alexa Bliss comes into the picture. She tells Carmella to carry herself with more class, leading to Carmella slapping her. Blake and Murphy check on her.

Backstage, Sami Zayn signs the contract for the match when Alex Riley barges in to demand another match with Kevin Owens. William Regal tells him that Owens keeps kicking his ass basically. Sami tries to chime in, so Riley gets in his face.

Non-Title Match: Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady w/ Carmella vs. NXT Tag Team Champions Blake and Murphy

Blake is sporting a strange looking ponytail. He and Murphy work over Enzo Amore in the corner, doing their best to keep the bigger Colin Cassady out of the ring. We get a “stupid ponytail” chant directed at Blake. After about two minutes, Enzo is able to hit a move and make the tag to Big Cass. AND HE’S SEVEN FOOT! He comes in hot, even busting out a Triple H high knee. He hits a corner splash and side slam but Blake breaks up the pin. Enzo flies but misses both of his opponents. Murphy blows Carmella a kiss, which costs him as he eats a big boot. Cass slams Enzo from the top onto him and the top contenders win.

Winners: Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady in 3:17

Decent little match here but I don’t see the point of it. Enzo and Cass were already the top contenders so what would either team have gained from this? **

A backstage promo airs to promote Becky Lynch. It looks like she is the next Diva to get her big shot. Charlotte’s was at the first TakeOver, Bayley’s at Fatal Four Way and Sasha’s was at R-Evolution.  She calls it N-Bex-T.

Devin Taylor interviews Bayley who is flustered because she can’t find any of her gear. She runs off and Emma comes up to Devin with all of her things.

A short promo airs for Baron Corbin as he says that he likes taking away the hopes and dreams of NXT Superstars. It seems like a heel promo, which is brilliant since he works better as a heel like I saw on the live events in Ohio.

Bayley vs. Dana Brooke

Bayley looks odd (still cute though) without her headband. It’s like when Triple H first cut his hair. Bayley works the arm of Dana, who comes back by slamming her down. A “We Want Blue Pants” chant breaks out as she gets in some shots on Bayley. Bayley leaps over her and hits a drop toe hold before spinning around on Dana’s back. She measures her up but misses a corner splash. Dana slams her by the hair. Speaking of hair, Dana has the grey hair look that’s a fad now. She hits the Wasteland basically on Bayley for two. She goes right into a leg submission, while also working the back. Good move. Bayley breaks out and we can clearly see Dana calling a spot. Bayley breaks that and gets in some big shots. She nails a shoulder thrust in the corner and a nice suplex before climbing to the second rope. Her theme suddenly plays as Emma comes out with teh wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube men. Bayley hits a back elbow but is distracted, which allows Dana to pick up the win.

Winner: Dana Brooke in 4:14

Much better than Dana’s debut. Part of it was working Bayley, but Dana seemed more comfortable this time around and Emma’s involvement made sure Bayley didn’t look weak. **1/4

As Dana Brooke leaves, Emma high fives her.

William Regal announces from his office that there will be a Triple Threat match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship at TakeOver. Finn Balor vs. Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze.

Adam Rose vs. Hideo Itami

Commentary tries to give this backstory by bringing up how both guys competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Adam Rose rolls around hte ring a bunch, so Hideo Itami just chops him. He hits a running knee and big kick. Rose is able to turn the tables and get in some kicks in the corner. He gets a near fall by tripping up Itami before dropping a fist on him for two again. Rose bounces off the ropes but eats a dropkick. Hideo reels off some clotheslines and sweeps the leg. Crowd wants the GTS as Hideo gets in a series of strikes. He hits a running corner dropkick before the Shotgun Kick finishes this off.

Winner: Hideo Itami in 2:49

Your basic extended squash match. Adam Rose got in a bit of offense and this was fun. Hideo Itami continues to look more and more comfortable with the WWE style. **

Backstage, Bayley is looking for Emma. One of the people she questions asks her about their issues. Bayley says they used to be friends but she is getting her stuff back.

Becky Lynch vs. Sara Dawson

Yea, this is going to be a squash. We get told that Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks is happening in three weeks at TakeOver. A test of strength starts this and Becky goes to work the leg. Dawson gets a rollup for two, so Becky dropkicks her. She hits her three leg drops for one. We actually get some split chants as Becky works her over. She goes for a body slam but Dawson counters with a roll up, so Becky goes to a sweet looking Fujiwara armbar that forces Sara to tap.

Winner; Becky Lynch in 2:13

This went different than I expected. Sara Dawson got in more than I thought she would. I like that Becky has multiple submission finishers, as it makes her more dangerous. *

Backstage, Rhyno says that he heard what makes Baron Corbin tick. He wants to teach Baron Corbin a lesson because he’s the past, present and future.

Alex Riley vs. Sami Zayn

Kevin Owens joins commentary for this. Alex Riley has new attire which looks pretty good. As Sami Zayn and Alex Riley feel each other out, Owens questions why commentary isn’t talking about him and wasting their time discussing Riley. Riley gets some quick near falls before going to the arm. He hits a body block in the corner before bringing out the John Morrison Moonlight Drive for two. Owens is great on commentary, saying that Zayn has lost a step and straight up disrespecting Riley while getting the rest of the team to agree with him. He plays the good father and good husband card but all people talk about is what he did to Sami. Riley hits a TKO for two again. Zayn sends Riley outside and follows with his front flip dive. Owens get up from commentary and levels Zayn.

Winner via disqualification: Sami Zayn in 4:40

Could have been better. Alex Riley got in too much of the offense for me to really enjoy this. **1/4

Kevin Owens finally gets to hit Alex Riley with the apron powerbomb, which makes me a happy man.