NXT Arrival
NXT Arrival | |||
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Brand(s) | NXT | ||
Date | February 27, 2014[1] | ||
City | Winter Park, Florida[1] | ||
Venue | Full Sail University[1] | ||
Attendance | 400+[1] | ||
WWE Network event chronology | |||
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NXT major events chronology | |||
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NXT Arrival (stylized as NXT ArRIVAL) was a
Six
Production
Background
In 2012, WWE restructured their NXT brand from being a reality-based competition television show to a developmental territory for their main roster. In 2014, the promotion scheduled its first live special for NXT titled Arrival. The event was scheduled to be held on February 27, 2014, at the brand's home arena of Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The event aired exclusively on the WWE Network, and was WWE's first live event to be broadcast on the WWE Network, which launched three days prior to the event.[2][3]
Storylines
The card comprised six matches that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the NXT brand, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television program, NXT.[4][5]
Three matches were promoted for the event.
The
Event
The event started with
Preliminary matches
In the first match, Cesaro defeated Sami Zayn. In the first half of the match, Zayn
In the show's third match,
The fourth match (which received a pre-match endorsement from
The next match saw
Main event
The main event match (which received a pre-match endorsement from Shawn Michaels) saw Adrian Neville challenging Bo Dallas in NXT's first-ever ladder match for the NXT Championship. In the first half of the match, Dallas attempted to climb a ladder while he pinned Neville under the ladder, but Neville used his legs to push the ladder over. Near the end of the match, Neville attempted his signature "Red Arrow", but Dallas pushed him off the ropes to the apron and the floor. Neville recovered and used the ropes to springboard over a climbing Dallas and leapfrog him on the ladder. In response, Dallas powerbombed Neville onto a ladder in the corner of the ring. Dallas then charged while holding a ladder, but Neville kicked the ladder into Dallas' face and slammed Dallas onto the ladder. Neville climbed to the top rope and dove off with his "Red Arrow" while Dallas was on the ladder. This incapacitated Dallas long enough for Neville to set up and climb the ladder to retrieve the NXT Championship hanging above the ring. The show ended with Neville celebrating with his new championship.[23][21][22]
Reception
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that about 200 ticket holders who had purchased tickets were not allowed in because Full Sail University had oversold the 400-seat theater. The newsletter also received a lot of feedback on people unable to watch the show. "Some had the Roku box problems that have plagued the network from the start", but most said their feed cut out at the Breeze-Woods match.[1] WWE later revealed that the initial number of WWE Network subscribers by April 1 was 495,000, which would be the maximum number of people who could have watched the show.[24]
NXT Arrival was well received by critics. Aaron Oster of the
Justin James of the Professional Wrestling Torch Newsletter praised the event, stating "I would gladly have paid PPV money for this" and "if Raw had this kind of quality, I would gladly sign up for a three-hour show." He also pointed out that there were no commercial breaks or dead time, making the event "mighty close in total content to a three-hour Raw". James wrote that the "announcing team was perfect tonight, no bickering, no fake feuds, no 'storytelling' for things outside the ring", especially "in the opening match, where it was clear that they were completely invested in the match". He also wrote that Cesaro-Zayn was "match of the year by a country mile", describing it as "better, more emotionally intense, and more exciting than anything WWE has put on since their previous encounter". "Some of the sequences in here had 5+ counters strung together" and there was "hard hitting action".[19]
James felt that the Ascension's title match was bland, but he liked that their characters had gone from cheesy to serious. James said that the women's match was fantastic and he "loved the small touches", while praising Paige's new look, saying that it "just exudes danger". For the main event, James said that "this didn't feel like a ladder match. Dallas simply did not take the risks needed to show that he really wanted to retain his title". However, he was not disappointed because he did not "expect too much from a Bo Dallas match". James felt that it was a problem to close the show with Dallas-Neville because "the show could only go down" from Cesaro-Zayn. Lastly, James had some technical issues viewing the live stream of the event, where the video paused during the Cesaro-Zayn match, and the feed cut out during Rusev's appearance, but returned before the main event match started.[19]
Sky Sports summed up the event that "WWE's stars of tomorrow showed they are ready for the limelight now by engaging in some brilliant bouts" and "some quite spectacular wrestling". The Dallas-Neville main event was described as "high-octane", while the Cesaro-Zayn match being a "near 23-minute epic" that "also lived up to the hype" and "earned the fans' seal of approval once more".[26]
The
Aftermath
In response to viewers who had technical issues watching the show, WWE released the following statement.[25]
During tonight's live NXT Arrival special, we unfortunately experienced technical difficulties, which are to be expected when launching a new digital network. We will work aggressively to solve these glitches and deliver quality service. The complete event will be available on-demand [on the WWE Network] overnight.
After NXT Arrival, new NXT Champion Adrian Neville continued to feud with former champion Bo Dallas,[27] who received a rematch for the title on the March 27 episode of NXT; Neville defeated Dallas to retain his title and end the feud.[28] Meanwhile, Sami Zayn moved on to feud with Corey Graves, who had criticized Zayn for not winning a match for some time.[27][28]
Less than two months later at WrestleMania XXX on April 6, Cesaro had a big moment at WrestleMania; in a scene reminiscent of Hulk Hogan's momentous body slam of André the Giant, with only Cesaro (who had also wrestled on the pre-show) and Big Show remaining in the battle royal held as a memorial to André, Cesaro body-slammed Big Show over the top rope to win the match.[29]
A day later on the post-WrestleMania Raw on April 7, Paige made an unannounced main roster debut and was immediately challenged to a title match by WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee; Paige won that match to capture the WWE Divas Championship and become a double champion. Also on the post-WrestleMania Raw, Alexander Rusev won his first singles match on the main roster, and introductory videos for Bo Dallas started airing.[30][31] On the April 24 episode of NXT, due to her elevation to the WWE main roster and win of the WWE Divas Championship, Paige was forced to relinquish her NXT Women's Championship.[32]
The second live special for NXT was called
Bo Dallas returned to the main roster on the May 23 episode of SmackDown.[36] The Ascension were promoted to the main roster on the December 29 episode of Raw.[37] Neville was promoted to the main roster on the post-WrestleMania Raw on March 30, 2015.[38] CJ Parker left WWE in April 2015.[39]
Results
No. | Results dark match |
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References
- ^ Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the originalon October 26, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
- ^ a b Caldwell, James (February 27, 2014). "WWE news: NXT "Arrival" live tonight on the Network - Cena & HBK, two title matches, big names on Pre-Show". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- philly.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- Discovery Communications. Archivedfrom the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ James, Justin (November 29, 2013). "James's WWE NXT results 11/27 - Week 74: Yoshi Tatsu resurfaces, Hero wrestles pre-release, Zayn/Generico vs. Neville/PAC flashback, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
- ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 12/4 - Week 75: Bo Dallas vs. Neville NXT Title match, Kidd in action, Paige vs. Natalya full-length Divas match, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 12/18 - Week 77: NXT Title match, Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards in a WWE ring, Kidd & Zayn, Divas champ in action, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT results 1/22 - Week 82: NXT Title developments heading into live Network episode, plus Miz, Cesaro, Natalya, Woods, Zayn/Generico, more; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 2/5 - Week 84: Triple H makes an announcement, Neville/Pac vs. Graves, Sin Cara, Kidd, Rusev, Emma, more; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT results 7/24: First NXT Women's champion crowned & Triple H makes appearance, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
- ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT results 7/31 & 8/7 - Ambrose defends U.S. Title, Dallas defends NXT Title, dance-off, Zayn, Cesaro, Wyatts say good-bye to NXT, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT results 1/1 - Week 79: Zayn/Generico in 2/3 Falls match, Kingston, Natalya, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ a b James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 2/12 - Week 85: Triple H hypes NXT Live show, Wyatts in main event, six-Divas tag, Cesaro-Zayn feud continues, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 5/15 & 5/22: El Generico debuts, O'Brian beats two NXT releases in same match, Bray Wyatt debuts mask, Natalya vs. Rae, more developments". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT report: Cesaro/Zayn again; William Regal gives advice against the Wyatt family; Women's tournament continues; NXT title match". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
- ^ Trionfo, Richard (August 22, 2013). "WWE NXT report: Zayn versus Cesaro two out of three falls; Divas title match; Dolph Ziggler in Action; a Tough Enough alumnus in action; The Ascension; CJ Parker and Tyler Breeze; and more". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
- ^ Namako, Jason (January 27, 2014). "WWE NXT results - 1/22/14 (Banner raising ceremony)". WrestleView. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h James, Justin (February 27, 2014). "James's WWE NXT "arRIVAL" report 2/27 - Week 87: Complete real-time coverage of WWE Network special, including all NXT Titles on the line, plus Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ PWInsider. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ )
- ^ a b c d Namako, Jason (February 28, 2014). "WWE NXT Arrival results - 2/27/14 (new NXT champion)". WrestleView. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ "NXT ArRIVAL results: Adrian Neville def. Bo Dallas to become the new NXT Champion". WWE. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James. "WWE Q1 results: Updated WWE Network Report Card - several new details on first Network biz results, future prospects, comments from McMahon, Barrios, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
- ^ a b Oster, Aaron (February 28, 2014). "NXT Arrival features great wrestling, technical issues". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
- ^ "NXT arRIVAL: Adrian Neville scoops gold in NXT's maiden live show". Sky Sports. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
- ^ a b James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 3/6: Post-Arrival "reset" includes Neville's first night as NXT champ, Zayn vs. Graves, re-packaged Rose, Flair, Cena, Yoshi, more; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ a b James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 3/27: Neville defends NXT Title vs. Dallas, Bret Hart cameo, Yoshi, Xavier, Charlotte, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James. "WrestleMania 30 PPV results (Hour 2): Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Cena vs. Bray, big moment for Cesaro in the Andre Battle Royal, Shield vs. Outlaws". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (April 7, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 4/7: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - WM30 fall-out, WWE World Title match, Bryan's first night as champ, Undertaker, Warrior, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James. "Raw news: Bryan's first night as champ, Taker update, Cesaro joins Heyman, Warrior returns, RVD returns, Paige debuts & wins Divas Title, other NXT intros, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ Howell, Nolan. "NXT: Tag champions collide with rivaling partners". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ^ a b "James's WWE NXT TakeOver report 5/29: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live special on WWE Network". Pro Wrestling Torch. May 29, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
- Canoe.ca. SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the originalon April 25, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (December 11, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE NXT Takeover results 12/11: Complete virtual-time coverage of Neville vs. Zayn for the NXT Title, Itami & Balor, Charlotte, Kevin Steen/Owens's debut, Corey Graves retires". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
- ^ Parks, Greg (May 23, 2014). "WWE SmackDown report 5/23". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Keller, Wade (December 29, 2014). "WWE Raw report 12/29: Lesnar and Heyman show up". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (March 30, 2015). "WWE Raw results 3/30". PWTorch.com. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ "CJ Parker released". WWE. April 3, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2015.