Squared Circle Magic with Rico : Surviving War Games - A Survivor Series & NXT Takeover Recap

I have a questions to ask everyone. When is a NXT Takeover not great? Ok.... I'll wait... Times up... The answer is never! The event started with a semi squash between Lars Sullivan and Kassius Ohno. Lars looked like a beast, even though Ohno got some moves off, but you could tell he didn't stand a chance. Ohno was so awesome when he was in NXT before, I don't know what happened to him, but I sure hope there's brighter days. 

Next up was a match featuring Aleister Black and the Velveteen Dream. Honestly, I didn't know what to think of this match before it started. Dream played so many mind games the past few weeks, and the fact that Black would never acknowledge him made it hard to gauge what would happen. Though let me say, I was not disappointed and neither was the crowd. These two put on an excellent show and had me standing up cheering in my living room (until my fiance kindly asked me to quiet down). It was still hard to keep quiet when the entire arena was chanting "say his name, say his name", and then there was the awesome spot where they stole each others taunts. Aleister Black did pull off the win, but before he left the ring he gave Dream and the NXT crowd exactly what they wanted by grabbing the microphone and saying the Velveteen Dream's name.

The Women's Fatal 4 way between Nikki Cross, Kairi Sane, Peyton Royce, Amber Moon  lived up to it's hype with all the women putting on an amazing effort. I didn't watch the Mae Young Classic so I didn't really know how insane Sane's elbow really was. Too bad it wasn't enough as Amber Moon hit her finisher on two opponents at once to pick up the victory and winning the vacant women's championship.

The NXT title match was next, and the ending was something I didn't expect. Cien Almas pushed Drew McIntyre to the limit, but still needed help from Zelina Vega to pick up the win, and become the New NXT champion.

Finally folks, for the first time in 20 years, we got War Games! A match that I grow up watching and a series that one of my good friends Shawn could probably tell you ever winner, the exact date and time it happened, etc, but I digress. Sanity vs Undisputed Era vs the Authors of Pain with Roderick Strong. 2 rings 3 teams of 3 what more could you want. Oh wait, a steal cage!! The action was heavy and intense and only got better when the final team Sanity introduced tables and chairs to the steel cage. All the competitors fought hard  and there were a few insane moments; however, my favorite War Games moment was when Roderick Strong suplexed Adam Cole from the top of the cage into every other combatant in the match. The ended was pretty sweet as well, it looked like Eric Young of Sanity tried to block a kick from Adam Cole with a chair, but took one to the face. The Undisputed Era picked up the victory, but in the end I feel like I won because War Games was so good. Wait, did I mention the 300lb guy doing the VanTerminator??
Now for the Second annual Raw vs Smackdown Survivor Series.
After Smackdown invaded Raw a month ago there was no telling what was next or when would Raw get a little payback. A couple of weeks went by before they invaded the Blue brand. Both brands brought together a lot of great talent to compete against one another. But am the only one that's sad that Jinder Mahal didn't get his chance to face the Beast, Brock Lesnar. 

 The PPV started with The New Day vs The Shield. This match was fun and it showed the strength of both teams. Highlight was Kofi Kingston jumping over Xavier Woods while on Big E's shoulders to splash Dean Ambrose. The Shield ended strong however, when they triple power bombed Kofi to end the match.

Raw 1-0

The women's Survivor Series match was next and it was decent match. Hands down Asuka stole the show as she came from behind to beat 2 other women to become Raw's woman's sole survivor.

Raw 2-0

The Miz vs Baron Corbin was the 3rd match and it was better than I thought. The Miztourage was in full force trying to distract the US champ so the Miz could pull off the win, but in the end they weren't enough as Baron Corbin nailed the Miz with the End of Days for the victory. The funniest thing was Baron saying that "his hand was up so that's why the Miz's mouth is shut" Classic!

Raw 2-1

The Uso's defeated the Bar in a very competitive match with a ton of near falls and tough tag team action. The match was fast paced and ended with a SuperKick party and a top rope Uso splash.

Tied 2-2

The Women's match between Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss has been a match I have been hoping for quite a while. The Queen vs the Goddess. Both woman gave it their all in a back and forth match. Charlotte proved to be too much though and made Bliss tap out to the figure 8.

Smackdown 3-2

Next up was in my opinion the match of the night... AJ Styles vs Brock Lesnar. The crowd was electric and both wrestlers were ready for a battle (never mind that it should have been Jinder). Brock came out firing and for a little while it looked like it was going to be another one-sided beating at the hands of Brock. He gave AJ the business the whole first half of the match and besides maybe a few strikes I don't remember AJ doing much. Then the tables turned when it looked like Brock injured his knee. AJ was finally on the offensive and using his speed and offensive arsenal to it's fullest. For a brief moment I thought AJ was going to pull off the victory, but after Brock got up from AJ's Phenomenal Forearm, I knew it was all but over. AJ went for the Elbow one more time, but Brock caught him in the air and landed the F5 for the 1-2-3. This match was awesome!!

Tied 3-3

Last but certainly not least, was the Men's Survivor Series match, and let me say this much, it did not live up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong, it had it's moments. Finn Balor vs Nakamura and Nakamura vs Triple H, but beside that it seemed like people were confused. When Braun Strowman is on your team and you don't dump him in a garbage truck...your team wins. The finish left Shane McMahon to go 1 on 3 vs Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, and Triple H. Kurt was going to beat Shane, but Triple H turned on Angle to get him eliminated and then HHH hit his finisher on Shane for the Raw victory. Honestly, the best part about the match was when Strowman turned on The Game after the match. I wonder if they'll turn him full face now??

Anyway, I enjoyed both WWE events this weekend. Could the last match have been better? Yes... But I can say the same thing about the last episode of How I Met your Mother. 

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