WWE NXT ArRIVAL Review

The Future Has Arrived!!

WWE NXT ArRIVAL

Winter Park, Florida 2/27/14

Before we get into the matches, Triple H is in the ring. He basically just cuts a promo hyping up the show and talks about what NXT represents. The Future Has Arrived!

They did show a really nice video package for Zayn vs. Cesaro (either on the pre-show or the actual event itself) and it looked very good. It did a very nice job explaining the feud between the two.

1.) Sami Zayn vs. Cesaro: ****3/4

This was AWESOME!!! There's really nothing I can add. Just awesome stuff between these two guys. Nonstop action from bell to bell. William Regal added so much to this on commentary and it made it that much better. Honestly, if you haven't seen this match, I don't know what you're waiting for. Cesaro is finally able to pick up the win in a match that was one of the most exciting of the year and is without a doubt a top contender for Match Of The Year.

After the match, Cesaro comes back in the ring and shares and embrace with Sami Zayn. Awesome! Sportsmanship!! Honor Lives!! 

2.) Mojo Rawley vs. CJ Parker: **

Don't know much about Mojo's character, but he was a former NFL Player. This was an ok match. Obviously it was almost impossible to follow the previous match, but this was fine for what it was. Mojo Rawley gets the win. 

3.) NXT Tag Team Titles - The Ascension vs. Too Cool: **1/4

The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor) had mystery opponents going into this, and the call was answered by Too Cool (Scotty 2 Hotty & Grand Master Sexay). I recall that while watching this live, I commented on Twitter that a bald Scotty 2 Hotty reminded me of someone. I believe it was Christopher Daniels, but I'm not sure. Anyway, the match itself was decent. Too Cool got some of their stuff in, but this was more of a showcase for The Ascension, as they got the win and retained their titles.

Before the next match, Stephanie McMahon comes out, and basically does the same thing Triple H did earlier, except she put more focus on the Divas.

4.) NXT Diva’s Title – Paige vs. Emma: ***1/2

I absolutely LOVE Paige, and Emma has quickly grown on me, so I was looking forward to this. They did not disappoint in the slightest. This was a great match. Probably one of the better Divas Matches you'll anywhere in WWE all year. Just really good stuff between these two. Paige picks up the submission victory with the Scorpion Crosslock, which is an awesome submission move.

5.) Xavier Woods vs. Tyler Breeze: N/A

You might know Xavier Woods from the time he spent in TNA as Consequences Creed, while Tyler Breeze has an interesting character to say the least. The match ends in a No Contest when Alexander Rusev comes out with Lana right as the match begins and destroys both guys. This just served the purpose of getting Rusev over.

6.) NXT Title – Ladder Match – Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville: ***3/4

Dallas comes into this match as the longest reigning NXT Champion in history. Adrian Neville, for those who don't know, was formerly known as Pac, and made his name as a top star in Dragon Gate & Dragon Gate USA. This was a very good main event. I've heard some people say that this was a very safe Ladder Match, and I would agree with that. They have some good Ladder Spots, but they didn't do anything crazy of try to kill each other. Good solid action throughout. Towards the end of the match, Neville was able to hit his finisher, Red Arrow, onto Dallas who was laid out on a Ladder!! Neville then ascends the Ladder and wins the NXT Title. He celebrates as the show goes off the air.

Overall: 8.0/10

This was not only the first ever NXT Live Special, but it was also the first live show on the WWE Network, which had launched a few days prior. On the whole, I'd say this event was definitely a success. It was exactly what it needed to be and accomplished a good deal. You had a Match of the Year Contender, a great women's match, and an entertaining main event that saw a new NXT Champion crowned. We also got to see more of the NXT Roster showcased in the mid-card, and while those matches didn't really stand out. They introduced a number of guys to people who might be viewing NXT for the first time. This show is one worth seeing for sure.