Many fans can agree that NXT Takeover Toronto was the perfect start to the Survivor Series weekend. From start to finish, the show delivered the way only NXT can. It put to rest the idea that maybe the developmental brand has passed its glory days.
Let’s talk about that hot opening match between Tye Dillinger and Bobby Roode. The two had a great showing in their match-up and Dillinger shined in what is one of his finer performances for NXT. Both men are seasoned veterans, and that was displayed during their bout.
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Roode is such a great heel, while Dillinger has transitioned well in his babyface role. The crowd response to Dillinger was amazing. Fans are on board with The Perfect Ten.
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With the huge positive crowd response, Dillinger will perhaps get a chance to show what he is made of, for NXT. He has grown into his gimmick, and it works. Will Dillinger finally make his way to the higher ranks? Only time will tell, but with the hot start on Saturday night, the promise is high.
Dillinger is, perhaps, one of the bright performers in NXT that is destined to explode onto the scene. But the thirty-five-year-old veteran has years of experience under his belt. That leads to sharing some tidbits to discover about The Perfect Ten.
#1 The NXT Superstar that trained him
Dillinger started training in 2001, where he went to the WrestlePlex school in his home province of Ontario. There he trained under the tutelage of Eric Young, who is one of the current members of the faction SAnitY.
In an interview, Young spoke high volumes of Dillinger. He also states that it was the first school that Dillinger went to, and says that he’s proud of training The Perfect Ten.
Both men have come far since then, and Dillinger has crossed paths with SAnitY, during the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament. However, he didn’t interact with Young, but that’s not to say that couldn’t possibly happen sometime in the future.
#2 He’s experienced Sweet Chin Music
Dillinger has been one of the many who has fallen victim to Shawn Michaels’ devastating superkick. However, it didn’t take place in the ring. Back in 2006, Dillinger was known as “Stan”, a backstage agent at Cyber Sunday. Michaels went on a rampage when Triple H told him what Bischoff had said in regards to them and controversy.
“Stan” would be the first of three casualties during Michaels’ backstage rampage.
Dillinger confirmed this on Twitter several years later, when a fan happened to notice him on the show. It was one of his first appearances for WWE at that time, which led to more opportunities for Dillinger.
#3 Second time around
Of course, after Cyber Sunday, Dillinger would go on to sign with the company and take part in their developmental brand. At the time it was known as OVW, where he feuded with the likes of Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes as Shawn Spears.
He would then transition to FCW when OVW split from WWE.
During that time, Dillinger wrestled under the revived ECW brand. He was part of General Manger Teddy Long’s “New Superstar Initiative”. He was known as Gavin Spears and went between both brands until he was released from his contract in 2009. Dillinger re-signed with the company four years later in 2013.
#4 Popular tag partners
One interesting tidbit here is the past tag team partners Dillinger has had. During his OVW run, Dillinger tagged with Rhodes, before the two went on to have a feud of their own. The biggest surprise here is that in FCW, Dillinger tagged with none other than Dolph Ziggler, who wrestled there before going onto the main roster.
The team would capture the FCW Tag Team Championships but held those for about a month before dropping them. Dillinger was also in a tag team with Jason Jordan shortly after making his debut for NXT. The two teamed together in 2014 in a series of matches throughout the year.
#5 Coming up with “10”
In an interview with the Miami Herald, Dillinger says that he often gets asked how he came up with the Perfect Ten gimmick. According to him, it was created out of frustration, after trying to find the right persona for himself. Dillinger says that he’s always believed in himself and that he performs at the highest level.
After a conversation with friends, it fell into place.
And now, it seems that fans have caught on to one of NXT’s secret weapons. Dillinger has been receiving much praise for his performances as of late. And if this weekend’s Takeover Toronto event was anything to go by, then Dillinger is absolutely on the right path.
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