Henry's World

Here it is folks, the first ever Universe Mode Talent Exchange. In this post, I detail all the moves made by each GM. There are some shockers, and one brand made a lot of trades, so let's get going. Raw Trades : Stone Cold Steve Austin to Smackdown for Dean Ambrose Kane to Smackdown for Batista Sting to NXT for Finn Balor Ricky Steamboat to Smackdown for Kurt Angle The Usos to NXT for Enzo and Big Cass Lita to Smackdown for Nikki Bella Sheamus to Smackdown for Alberto Del Rio Bobby Roode to NXT for Hideo Itami Ryback to Smackdown for Rusev Naomi to Smackdown for Ivelisse Thoughts : Paul Heyman opened with a shocker, sending former world champion Steve Austin to Smackdown. Even more intriguingly, he acquired former US champion Dean Ambrose, uniting three member of a former faction on the same brand(wink). He got the biggest threat to his client Brock Lesnar's title, Kane off the brand in favor of Batista. He broke up the Balor Club on NXT to acquire former...

I'll start this post off by saying that there will no other Universe Mode content this week. Shows will return next week, but this week is off. With that out of the way, I'm proud to announce my new Universe Mode announcement, called the Universe Mode Talent Exchange. With Summerslam being a season finale of sorts for me, and the Draft being in April post-Wrestlemania, I felt this was the best place to put this in. Here's how it works: Rules The Talent Exchange is one night of the year where all three GMs can make unlimited trades. Paul Heyman, William Regal and Teddy Long have the opportunity to acquire and get rid of any talent they want to, to customize their roster how they see fit. The Exchange takes place on Monday, immediately following Summerslam, and the GMs will then get the rest of the week to finalize their rosters before normal shows begin again. Here are the rules of trading: - Trades are unlimited, as long as the other GM agrees to the move. - The GM...

On the biggest day in Henry's Universe Mode history, scores will be settled and championships decided. What will happen when the unbeatable champion faces the unstoppable King of Swing? Can a brother step up when it matters most and finally conquer the Deadman? Two fighting champions are forced to defend in the ultimate challenge, each facing two incredible challengers. An unbroken spirit, undaunted by her frightening injury, steps up to regain the belt she never lost. After months of avoiding his challenger, a cowardly champion faces the Cenation and a barbaric steel cage. All this and more, at the biggest party of the summer. Universe Mode Summerslam August 28th, 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA CM Punk(c) vs John Cena- Steel Cage Match for the Intercontinental Title We opened Summerslam big, as the Intercontinental Title was on the line. This match shaped up to be a real battle, but what we got was a farce of a match. Punk claimed that he would out-wrestle Cena, ...

With Summerslam just 2 days away, tonight is the final stop before the party of the summer. The newest member of the Smackdown women's division debuts as Mickie James makes her first appearance. In the main event, Canadians go to battle as Tyson Kidd faces Christian. Universe Mode Smackdown August 26th, 2016 Location: Montreal, CA Mickie James vs Natalya Mickie's first match on Smackdown was not going to be easy, as she took on the Women's World Champion, Natalya. Mickie gave the champ all she could handle, nearly scoring the major upset with a big roundhouse kick, called the Kiss Goodnight. Natalya rallied though, and when Mickie missed on a diving senton, the Canadian Destroyer capitalized, locking in the Pin-Up Strong submission hold and forcing the newcomer to tap out. Winner: Natalya Tyson Kidd vs Christian Both members of the tag title match on Sunday were in action, with their partners watching on at ringside. Captain Charisma wasted no ti...

On this special Thursday edition of Raw, the Wyatt Family do battle with the World Heavyweight Champion in a handicap match. In the main event, former friends collide as Triple H faces Shawn Michaels, with nothing but pride on the line. Universe Mode Thursday Night Raw August 25th, 2016 Location: Baltimore, MD The Wyatt Family vs Stone Cold Steve Austin- Three on One Handicap Match Before this match could begin, the Board of Directors made a blockbuster announcement. As virtue of Wyatt's win over Austin a few weeks ago, Bray Wyatt has been added to the World Heavyweight Title match at Summerslam. It will now be a triple threat, as Austin defends his belt against Brock Lesnar and Bray Wyatt. This handicap match was another attempt by GM Paul Heyman to weaken Austin before his client Lesnar got a shot at the title, but it took on added importance with the Board's announcement. Austin did his best, but the Wyatt Family dominated from bell to bell. Austin cou...

Tonight, NXT is the showcase. NXT is the place where dreams are made of, where life-long passions are realized, where champions are crowned and legends are cemented. Just over two months ago, NXT arrived to the dance. Tonight, NXT takes........over. Following the shocking suspension of AJ Styles, how will change the unstoppable NXT Champion Sami Zayn in the main event? Can the Balor Club, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, take out American Alpha and claim the gold. What will happen in a dream match when Hideo Itami faces Shinsuke Nakamura? Can Paige's historic run as NXT Women's Champion continue? NXT is the hottest show on the planet, and is set for another amazing night. Universe Mode NXT Takeover: Unstoppable August 24th, 2016 Location: San Antonio, TX Paige(c) vs Bayley- NXT Women's Title Match We opened the show strong, with the NXT Women's Title on the line. Bayley entered the NXT Arena ready to end the historic run of champion Paige, ...

With the brand split coming into play right before Battleground, Summerslam was the first true pay-per-view of this new split, and it was on WWE to provide a quality showcase of both brands. Instead, they over-hyped and under-delivered, leaving fans baffled and in some cases, furious by the time the show went off the air. Enzo and Cass continue to be one of WWE's hottest acts, and they had a decent opener with Jeri-KO. I don't mind Owens and Jericho going over here, as it cements them as a top heel act. After Sasha Banks shocked the world, winning the Women's Title post-Battleground, many expected her to rise to the top of the women's division. That was not the case here, as she held the belt for a mere 27 days, dropping to Charlotte. Both women nearly killed themselves in the process, but ultimately delivered an enjoyable, intense contest. The IC Title got the bathroom-break treatment....there's nothing like creating a new star by having him job in five minutes. ...

Out with the old and in with the new, it's NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II.... Electric Boogaloo! NXT has really become something special, cementing itself as one of the top shows in all of the wrestling world with NXT Takeover: Brooklyn last year. While this show could never top that one, simply on an emotional level, the wrestling was top notch, and the two and a half hours just flew by. Austin Aries has been lacking a little something since his debut at Dallas, and his opening match with No Way Jose was surprisingly quite good. I really feel Aries may have finally found his footing, which can only be a good thing for NXT moving forward. I was a little disappointed in Ember Moon's debut. For someone I've heard such great things about, she fell a little flat. That diving stunner will never not be cool, though. To wrap up the undercard, Bobby Roode demonstrates his insane talent for incredible entrances and terrible matches. I have a feeling he just didn't mesh well with...

Tonight on Smackdown, we look to crown tag team number one contenders. Dolph Ziggler faces Kevin Owens for the right to challenge Dean Ambrose for the US Title at Summerslam, and Cesaro collides with Kurt Angle in the main event! Universe Mode Smackdown August 19th, 2016 Location: Washington, D.C. Jeff Hardy vs Titus O'Neil vs Cody Rhodes vs Big E vs Aiden English vs Edge This was an intriguing concept cooked up by Teddy Long, with one member from six different tag teams, competing to earn a tag title match at Summerslam. Competitors were chosen at random, with Jeff Hardy representing The Hardy Boyz, Titus representing the Prime Time Players, Cody representing the Rhodes Scholars, Big E representing the New Day, Aiden English representing The Vaudevillains and Edge representing Edge and Christian. Titus was the first out, eliminated by Big E and Aiden English quickly followed, as Cody Rhodes picked up his first elimination. Jeff Hardy and Edge formed an intere...

In a shocking turn of events, #1 contender to the NXT Title, AJ Styles, has been suspended for 30 days after assaulting NXT Champion Sami Zayn in their sit-down interview yesterday. NXT General Manager William Regal announced the suspension earlier today, saying that "AJ's behavior was unacceptable. We maintain a high level of discipline here on NXT, and unfortunately I was forced into action". When asked about the status of the NXT Title Match at Takeover: Unstoppable, Regal said, "I have discovered a new contender for the NXT Title. Sami Zayn will defend his belt next Wednesday, and I believe I made the right decision". More news on this situation as we receive it.

The following interview took place immediately following tonight's episode of NXT. The interviewer is Renee Young, talking with NXT Champion Sami Zayn and his challenger at NXT Takeover: Unstoppable, AJ Styles. YOUNG: Thank you gentlemen for agreeing to conduct this interview. I'll start with you, AJ. You're on an absolute tear lately, defeating Samoa Joe twice, and cementing yourself as number one contender, defeating Finn Balor earlier tonight. How are you feeling heading into your title match? STYLES: Pleasure to be here, Renee. I'm in the best shape of my life, and it's showing in the ring. I've really enjoyed my time here on NXT, and I look forward to my opportunity to become the new NXT Champion. YOUNG: Let's move on to you, Sami. For months you've been embroiled in a feud with Finn Balor and the Balor Club. How glad are you that that chapter of your career is over? ZAYN: Very happy, Renee. Those guys were an absolute pain to deal with. AJ...

First off, apologies for no NXT and Smackdown last week, and no Raw this week. I'm getting a little tired of WWE 2k16, and with 2k17 looking great, I'm not finding much motivation to keep posting. Here's the schedule for the next two weeks: this week, there will be NXT and Smackdown, three matches each, and reviews of NXT Takeover and WWE Summerslam. Next week, there will be Raw and Smackdown, two matches each, and NXT Takeover: Unstoppable, as while as my own Summerslam. Finally, the Light Heavyweight Title has been retired, as it wasn't being booked. Let's get into NXT. Universe Mode NXT August 17th, 2016 Location: Montreal, CA Zack Sabre Jr vs James Storm Our opening contest saw the debuting Zack Sabre Jr take on the Cowboy, James Storm. Storm lasted a little while against the wizardry of Sabre, but a combination of suplexes, ended with a Dragon Suplexx, earned Zack a debut victory. Winner: Zack Sabre Jr Blake and Murphy vs Johnny Gargan...

Last week, Paul Heyman was revealed as Raw General Manager, and the flagship show will never be the same. Today, there are some big matches planned, as Heyman has promised an epic night of action. Lita faces a "worthy challenger" for number one contendership to the Women's Title, John Cena fights for the right to challenge for the IC Title, a sit-down interview with Triple H and Shawn Michaels, and the return of the Deadman. On top of all that, Stone Cold Steve Austin must face the returning Bray Wyatt in a No Holds Barred match in the main event, so let's get to it. Universe Mode Monday Night Raw August 8th, 2016 Location: Chicago, IL John Cena vs Andre the Giant Intercontinental Champion CM Punk declared that if John Cena is to get another title shot, he has to face Punk's hand-picked opponent, Andre the Giant. Cena was desperate for a win, and went right at the big man. Despite all of his ferocious power, Cena couldn't lift Andre for th...

Tonight on Smackdown, the blue brand hosts one it's biggest shows of the year. After The Great American Bash was cancelled, all title matches have been moved to this show. That means four titles are on the line, so let's get to it. Universe Mode Smackdown August 5th, 2016 Location: Seattle, WA The New Day(c) w/Xavier Woods vs Tyson Kidd and Cesaro- WWE Tag Team Title Match The tag champs played on their man advantage, dominating the challengers. However, Xavier got a little too involved, causing him to be kicked from ringside. The action was much more even, with each team trading some nice offense. Kofi connected with a Trouble in Paradise, but wasn't able to put Tyson Kidd away. In an impressive show of strength that proved to be the turning point, Cesaro hit the Giant Swing on Big E. Kidd then tagged in and put Big E away with a Code Blue, as we crowned new tag team champions. Cesaro will now get the opportunity to become a dual champion when he chall...

Apologies for this post being late. There were some complications, but luckily it's up now. Another announcement: NXT will be holding it's next pay-per-view and first Takeover show, NXT Takeover: Unstoppable on August 24th, taking the place of that episode of NXT. Universe Mode NXT August 3rd, 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Heath Slater vs Shinsuke Nakamura Shinsuke Nakamura made his return on the last episode of NXT, and opened the show facing Heath Slater. Slater did his best to keep pace, but the King of Strong Style was not to be denied. One Kinshasa later and the One Man Band hit the showers. After the match, Nakamura went to leave the ring, when he was stopped by Hideo Itami. Itami said that for years, he'd wanted to face Nakamura to prove who the better man is between the two. He wasn't going to pass up this chance, and issued a challenge for Takeover: Unstoppable. Nakamura accepted as the NXT fans went wild for what should be an incredible ...

Only slightly worse than The Final Deletion, it's (the return of) Universe Mode! Universe Mode Monday Night Raw August 1st, 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Roman Reigns w/Seth Rollins vs Kevin Nash w/Scott Hall The Outsiders won number one contendership a while back, and continued to attempt to make an impact. Remembering what happened when he tried to go it alone, Seth Rollins accompanied his partner to the ring for this match with Kevin Nash. Both powerhouses exchanged blows, neither giving ground. Nash took control of the match, using underhanded tactics to keep the advantage. One Jacknife Powerbomb later and that was that, a decisive victory over one half of the World Tag Team champions. Winner: Kevin Nash Layla vs Lita Two women looking to get back on the winning track faced off as Layla took on Lita. Layla, crafty as she is, got some offense in early, but that would be that for her. Lita dominated and finished her off with a Twist of Fate and a Litas...