Isenberg Reacts: WWE NXT “Takeover By The United Kingdom”

February 16, 2017

The Tag Team Division

The NXT tag team division was on full notice tonight, as The Authors of Pain picked up a very quick win to open the night. Later on, #DIY came out and talked about some of their moments in NXT. They also say that they want their rematch against The Authors of Pain, which Ellering accepts for two weeks from tonight. The Revival come out and attack Gargano and Ciampa, but The Authors of Pain run to the ring and clear it of both teams.

I really enjoyed the continuity of tag teams right now. I have been on record multiple times talking about a main roster call-up for The Revival, but it does not seem timely right now. Instead, I would be very interested to see all three teams battle in Orlando, with a few weeks of all three teams facing off in singles contests. One of the things NXT does not do much of is that; giving tag teams a chance to work one-on-one matches against their rivals. That is an easy way to build and continue to keep interest in all three teams at one time. The Revival took a Takeover off, but they can’t do that again if the next step would not be going to RAW or Smackdown.

NXT might only have three healthy tag teams, but all three are completely different. These three teams should excite you, keep you interested in what is next and really begin to establish the division as “the best” in NXT. That is a strong statement to withhold.

WZ 7

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce defeated Liv Morgan and Ember Moon

Results Via WZ Live Coverage:

Kay grabs a side headlock. Moon forces Kay into the ropes, but Kay sends Moon crashing to the floor with a shoulder block. Kay attempts to arm drag Moon, but Moon front flips out of it. Moon takes Kay over with a hurricanranna. Two count for Moon. Moon tries to pick up Kay, but Kay trips her into the corner. Moon boots Kay in the chest. Moon goes up top for a moonsault, but Royce distracts Moon long enough for Kay to get the advantage. Moon surprises Kay with a belly to belly. Moon tags in Morgan as Kay tags in Royce. Morgan hits a clothesline, then a bulldog. Kay boots Moon off the apron. Royce and Kay hit an elevated running knee to Morgan for the victory.

Liv Morgan is the weakest link here, as seen by her taking the loss for her team. She is improving and getting her timing in the ring down more recent. With Kay and Royce, winning is everything to them. Some talents can lose and bounce right back to importance, but they are still trying to prove to the fans that they belong in the main event of the women’s division. Even though all three women have had independent wrestling experience, every fan seems to attach their interests and wrestling respect to Ember Moon.

Here is how I would rank the potential challengers to Asuka’s NXT Women’s Championship. I still feel the gap from 1 to 2 is very wide. They are slowing closing the gap, however.

Nikki Cross
Ember Moon
Peyton Royce
Billie Kay
Liv Morgan

WZ 6

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.

Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.

Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.

His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.