BY TOM SENIOR
NXT, previously rebranded from Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), is known as the core WWE Development Branch based out in Orlando, Florida. Following the opening of the WWE Performance Centre, NXT moved all development events and operations to the intimate surroundings of Full Sail University. In June 2013, NXT was completely remodeled into a complete development roster combining a combination of newly signed wrestlers, development wrestlers and wrestlers who were currently inactive on WWE’s main roster.
Since introducing the NXT Championship, NXT Tag Titles and NXT Women’s Championships, NXT has seen several stars graduate by moving onto the full WWE Roster who have gone one to gain high success and accolades including Seth Rollins, Antonio Cesaro, Big E Langtson, Paige and Bo Dallas. NXT provided the first ever live in-ring broadcast on the much hyped WWE Network in February 2014. After gaining wide praise, WWE announced that they would air 3 more live PPV shows this year which brings us to NXT: Takeover.
Adam Rose Vs Camacho –
Match Rating **
So to kick off the show, we are greeted with Adam Rose and his party crew as they make their entrance to the ring. For those of you unaware, Adam Rose was previously known as Leo Kruger so this is my first time seeing what essentially is a party gimmick. Apparently this is the blow-off match between the two who have bit of a history. The match itself was pretty bland with Adam Rose providing the comedy to liven up the crowd. Camacho got a couple of impressive moves in but the crowd were really behind Adam Rose who could easily step-up to the WWE Roster as a lower-card comedy act.
NXT Tag Team Title Match: The Ascension Vs Kalisto & El Local
Match Rating **
So first things first, this match was completely left off the Sky Sports version so I have had to look online to find this match-up. As things stand, The Ascension have basically steamrolled the entire NXT Tag Team Division, having held the belts since September 2013. While the team they were facing were really there to show The Ascension as the dominant force, the teams never really seemed to click so it would have made sense to have let’s say The Uso’s come in to really help get them over. Konnor has incredible strength and it’s only a matter of time before they get called up.