Welcome to another edition of our FCW Watch, where we take a look at matches taking place in the WWE’s top developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. Today, we have a match from the January 31st show: AJ Lee vs. Naomi Night. Watch the match below:
Before either of those Divas can make their entrances, the Queen of FCW Mia Mancini makes her way to the ring, wearing a pretty unconvincing wig a beautiful 100% real head of hair. She is here, as always, to survey the competition for her crown. Naomi Night is up next, making her singles debut (you may remember her being signed in August of last year). AJ Lee is out next, and the match begins.
The two Divas face off in the middle of the ring, and Naomi uses her hair as a unique alternative to the “talk to the hand” move, whipping it in AJ’s face. AJ takes her down in response, pounding on her before being pulled off by the referee. AJ remains dominant through most of the beginning of the match, using her acrobatic moves to get in a few pin attempts on Naomi. One in particular I liked was the arm drag counter into the rolling pin. For a newcomer to the ring, Naomi can take the moves–which require a lot of capability on her part–pretty well.
AJ attempts a hurricanrana from the corner, but Naomi tosses her to the apron, knocking her head against the exposed ring post. Following that, her offense mainly consists of a few kicks and a sit-down maneuver onto AJ’s back. She goes for an unsuccessful pin attempt and then locks AJ into a submission, a knee in her back and her arms stretched backwards. AJ fights free and goes to attack Naomi off the ropes, but Naomi slides under her and between her legs, showing some impressive athleticism–think her background as an Orlando Magic dancer has something to do with it?
She then leaps and hits a gigantic bicycle kick, laying out AJ. She seems to have a lot of the same tall, leggy athletic tendencies as Alicia Fox, even down to the difficulty folding up for a quick pin. After stalling a bit she goes for the pin, but only gets 2. She whips AJ into the corner and performs a superfluous, hands-free cartwheel (a la John Morrison) before going for a flying clothesline. AJ dodges it, though, and Naomi hits the turnbuckle head first. AJ rolls her up for a pin, but gets a 1-count.
Naomi, still rattled, manages to cut off AJ’s offense with a clothesline. AJ battles back, though, and manages to roll up Naomi again off the ropes, getting 2. he then goes on a streak of offense, hitting a dropkick and several spin kicks before hitting a Shining Wizard to Naomi’s face. She goes for the pin but surprisingly, Naomi kicks out at 2. Naomi reverses an irish whip into the turnbuckle but gets two boots to the midsection when she goes for the attack. AJ grabs her by the head, climbs the turnbuckle, and slams her back down with the Sliced Bread, getting the 3-count and the win.
That was quite an impressive match, especially for featuring such a green Diva (and in her FIRST singles match!). AJ Lee was as exciting as always, but Naomi proved to be very capable in the ring, able to take all of AJ’s fancy moves and deliver quite a few of her own. That athletic background certainly helps, and I’m sure with time she could be quite a good wrestler–there’s just so much potential there. Like I said, her ring style reminds me a bit of Alicia Fox, and I think if the WWE were to give her a shot, she could be a big star, as she’s already showing a lot of personality in her ring entrance an in whipping AJ Lee with her hair at the start of the match. Speaking of AJ, she seems like a ready-made star for the WWE, an easy babyface for the crowd to get behind with her eye-popping moves and fast-paced style. Both of these girls demonstrated a lot of potential for the big time in this match. I just hope the high-ups were watching.
Food for thought: Do you think AJ Lee will be brought up to the main WWE roster sometime this year?
28 Comments
at 3:46 pm
For someone who’s wrestling for a few months, Naomi Night showed some talent and with good training she’ll be a great competitor very soon. Is surprising how someone so “fresh” in this business is doing a better job than some Divas and Knockouts who have way more training. Its was a good surprise.
I hope AJ Lee gets called up soon, however I have a feeling that at first she’ll have a Serena like role, which means: manage some dude. For a weird reason, she looks to me like a Carlito or Primo valet-type, but I hope she’ll make a mark one day. Maybe they should put her on Raw. Raw needs some sparkle, because since Melina (the only one with BOTH charisma and skills) injured, their womens division seems more sloppy and boring.
at 3:46 pm
I was so impressed with these divas. AJ lee is simply amazing and unique for a diva coz she’s using alot of not so diva moves like the shining wizard and the slice bread. NAomi is green but she doesnt look like a rookie. I like her ghetto gimmick and I hope they train her as a brawler like jazz coz she got a nice body built. Her dancing skills made her look awesome. I think dancers can do alot of things coz they were also trained and those training is not a joke. I must know that coz im a dancer too. lol. Im just sayin. =D
at 3:49 pm
ahlanthony: you’re so right. Im not a dancer, but once I had a dance class at school and It was way more exhausting than the normal sports class. (In Portugal we call it Physical Education, but I don’t know if its the same in the UK and US)
at 4:19 pm
Ana_Nattie_rules Im from the philippines. Yeah we have dance classes in our P.E. too but they were just teaching some basics. I learned dancing in our school’s official dance troupe. =D
at 4:30 pm
Got to say im liking Naomi :) However i feel she should get some proper wrestling boots rather than trainers, if you ask me but she seems to be developing very well, im liking Naomi, alot (y)
As for AJ Lee, its now only waiting a little while for her to be put onto one of the main show raw, sd, ecw! I personally love the pocket rocket and i have a feeling that she will do well in the wwe.
at 4:31 pm
I liked this match tbh, I was plesantly suprised by Niomi Knight in her first ever singles match. =) She should character in her entrance, and in the ring with her hair flip into AJ’s face, thats a ‘OH HELL TO THE NAH’ moment. xD And I know this wasn’t wrestling but I REALLY liked that standing cartwheel somersault thing, better than Eve’s if I’m being quite honest. =X However the only flaud in Niomi was that she was a little slow in the match, but that was barely noticable. If Niomi continues to train well like this, then she could be just like Alicia Fox, maybe better even. … A tag team stable with Alicia & Niomi would look nice when both are in the main brand IMO. =D
AJ is just simply phenominal … Styles reference, LOL! xD But seriously now AJ Lee was great as she always is in the ring, showing moves that most divas on the main roster don’t normally do and showing a little spark in and out of the ring. From her CUTE AS HELL bottom rope entrance to her SLiced Bread finisher, SOMETIMES STANDING ONE, all we can say about AJ and her greatness is … SHE’S OUR LITTLE POCKET ROCKET!! xP
AJ should debut on RAW by the end of this year in my opinion, she would be easily loved on RAW with her cuteness and athletic move set. =)
at 5:09 pm
Miss Naomi Night is serving us all sorts of athleticism, I’m telling y’all I knew that dancing background would really do something for her progression in training. But she’s really going to have to give me something other then those 90′s nasty girl Janet braids, yes Mam. Side note in that do commend her for giving me shades of that sassy attitude for the life of me. All in all ditch that hair and you have bright future ahead of you miss Night, excited to see her in the future. Both girls served my soul giving us a really good showing. Better then what we’ve seen on some of the brand shows, which is a damn shame lol.
at 5:16 pm
This match was a perfect example of why AJ is my favrite Diva in training,even more than Serena!I’m lovin Ms.Naomi,but I am NOT feeling her make up at all! =x
Naomi really impressed me in her debut singles match,and I’m amased at the things she’s ;earned how to do in such a short amount of time,like her jumping enzuigiri.I love her attitude,and she’s obviously got a lot of charisma,as seen throughout the match.I’m a mark for people who use their charisma throughout their matches and to get the fans riled up,so obviously Naomi is great.
AJ is absolutely amazing.I think the secret to having good matches is to use some of your signature moves throughout,but using mat based moves to tell the story.It keeps the viewer engaged and makes it more interesting to watch.I think AJ is great at doing this.I also love AJ’s look.She’s so tiny and cute,I think it makes the fans love her all the more.
And P.S.I don’t think Serena was wearing a wig.These matches are pre-taped from about a month or so ago. =x
at 5:23 pm
I love AJ Lee! She’s simply amazing and I hope we see her on the main roster soon. She’s better than a lot of the girls already on the road!
Naomi Night was super impressive as well. For her first ever singles match I was quite drawn to her. She has great presence and if she sticks with this, she could have a bright future.
at 5:30 pm
Naomi was pretty impressive she pulls looking really mean and heelish very well.
at 5:42 pm
TrishMelinaFan – Ah, then I just got caught insulting her real hair. :X Oops.
at 5:57 pm
Erin-lol,that’s what I was thinking. =o
at 6:28 pm
TrishMelinaFan: Are you sure? I would swear I saw a part of her scalp when they filmed her back.
at 6:33 pm
Ana_Nattie_Rules-Well,I think this could be one of the pre-taped shows before she was shaved,and her hair here looks how it has in the past in FCW,so I’m pretty sure.
But,you never know! =p
at 6:46 pm
Love Naomi’s character, that hair whip made me giggle ha,
and considdering this is her first singles match She was really entertaining :-)
at 7:01 pm
I am 99.9% sure this was taped way before Serena had her bald head, so the wig you speak off its Really HER hair. If I remember correctly this was taped on January 15/16ish and she got her hair cut by punk on the 19th and aired on the 22nd. Another give away is that she is referred to as Mia and not Serena.
Eve also taped a match at the same time as well and it should air on the February 7th edition of FCW. So technically that was her HAIR and not a wig lol.
Keep in mind FCW is like TNA they tape stuff before hand.
On to the Match itself.
It was a nice little match and Naomi shows promise in the ring, nothing too fancy but sure good for someone still a beginner. She is showing some character which is always a good thing to have when it comes to wrestling. Would love to see more from her in the future.
As for AJ Lee, she did awesome. I like that girl, she definitely shows she has what it takes. Her height might be an issue for her but she got hired so I think they are passed that. Again I would love to see what they do with her, looks like she has taken over Savannah’s spot on FCW.
at 7:17 pm
That wasn’t a bad match at all! I actually thoroughly enjoyed it really. Although it’s stereotypical. I like Naomi Knights weave swingin’, neck twistin’, finger snapin’, “Ghetto-esque” character. Her exaggerated attitude makes her pretty entertaining to watch. And for being so green, she’s really picked up rather quickly, especially in her awareness of the ring and her opponent. Which is something I think most Divas and Divas in training struggle with sometimes. Anyways, A.J. is good too, although she still seems a bit green to me as well. (However this is a training camp after all) She just has a few minor kinks to work on. But overall good showing for Naomi’s first singles match and a good match overall. =)
at 7:23 pm
Yup, Serena’s hair was all hers lol, although it did look a little darker Erin, I’ll give you that!
The match was pretty good too; I’m pleasantly suprised. Naomi Night was pretty good and i loved her attitude and athletic moves, a great combination of them both was when she executed the jumping enziguri and then was like “You’ve got nothing on me!” afterwards lol. AJ was her usual self, who picked up the pace of the match after the slow spot at the start.
Suprisingly nice segment, really enjoyed it. :)
at 7:32 pm
OMG THERES MY BEAUTIFUL HOT AJ LEE. once she hits the main roster, she’ll tie Gail kim and Jillian as my favs Man I LOVE THIS GIRL I WANNA MARRY HER SHE’S SO HOT
Naomi is FEIRCE and she proved she has so much potential, maybe she can team up with Alicia fox and be like a gangsta team( not trying to be racist)
at 7:41 pm
this match was taped WAY BEFORE serena got her head shaved and I can confirm that
at 7:50 pm
Thumbs up for Naomi who looked very impressive. AJ seemed off that night so I gotta give her thumbs down for her performance.
at 10:34 pm
Naomi did some impressive bits in here i liked that flip she did before doing the turnbuckle clothesline, shes doing very well for someone so new
i love AJ cant wait for her to join the main roster, i hope she ends up on SD
at 10:43 pm
I love Naomi. for her just having about 5 or 6 months of training she is pretty good. I loved the braid slap at the beginning and just her whole attitude. I’m loving her theme music as well. I can see her being paired with Cryme Tyme if they are still together when she’s called up. Honestly I don’t know why AJ Lee is on the main roster already. She’s has the skill and exciting moveset to get the crowd going and she just so great to watch. With Maria ready to leave again for a few weeks now would be the time to put her on Smackdown. Mickie can’t be the only face on that show.
at 12:06 am
WOAH that was decent.
I already know how good AJ Lee is, she needs to get called up to the main roster this year.
But the revelation is Naomi Knight. DAMN for someone who’s literally been in training since late summer (when she was signed)/early autumn that was a good showing for a rookie. Her dancing background should give her a nice athletic edge. Courtney Taylor and Rosa Mendes certainly didn’t reach this stage within months of their training. Loved the way she tossed her hair into her opponent’s face.
Both these two are definite keepers!!
at 12:36 am
i hope we see aksana liviana and sarona snuka in the ring too. Aksana, Im tellin you she aint that good yet but liviana got some mad skills! I dunno bout sarona snuka they said she’s good. ALso Penny cash is now back in wrestling from her injury! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxC3iAi5-oY