NXT LVL Up – December 16, 2022: Star Power!

NXT LVL Up
Date: December 16, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shaw, Byron Saxton

We are closing in on the end of the year and I can’t imagine that is going to make much of a difference around here. While LVL Up is starting to get a little better, there is only so much you can do with no stories and the lowest of low level TV talent. You do occasionally get a nice match in here though so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Schism vs. Lucien Price/Bronco Nima

Ava Raine is here with Schism. Reid can’t do much with the bigger Nima to start and gets his arm cranked. Somehow Reid manages to take the wrist crank into the corner for the tag to Fowler to try his luck. Fowler is powered into the corner for the tag to Price and a running knee to Fowler’s head rocks him hard. A Raine distraction lets Fowler take Price down by the leg though and it’s Reid coming in to keep Price in trouble. The straight power gives Price a breather though and it’s back to Nima. Everything breaks down though and Price gets posted, leaving Nima to get caught in a double Codebreaker for the pin at 5:44.

Rating: C. Price and Nima are a nice power team, but there is only so much you can expect them to be able to do this early in their careers. Then you have Schism, who is shockingly easier to take when they aren’t talking. That has been their case for a long time now, as the lack of Joe Gacy left this as the Grizzled Young Veterans winning a not quite squash.

Javier Bernal and Xyon Quinn are ready for their tag match tonight, even if Quinn seems disgusted by everything Bernal is about. Bernal: “Do you have a big body?” Quinn: “Of….of course I do. It’s twice as big as yours.”

Ivy Nile vs. Lash Legend

Tatum Paxley is here with Nile, who gets elbowed in the face to start. Legend misses a charge in the corner though and Nile fires off some kicks in the corner. A headlock takeover lets Nile grind away and a running hurricanrana gives Nile one. Back up and Legend kicks her in the face for two before heading outside to hit Nile on the apron. A splash to the back gives Legend two and she adds a hard clothesline for two. Legend misses a kick though and Nile kicks away at the leg, only to get caught in a swinging Rock Bottom backbreaker. Not that it matters as Nile is right back with the Diamond Chain Lock for the tap at 5:07.

Rating: C-. This was a matter of waiting for the inevitable finish as Nile wasn’t losing to Legend. The best thing about this match is that WWE seems to have given up on Legend for the time being. She might get there one day, but she is just not ready for television and needs a lot more work in the ring. While she has gotten better, she still isn’t good enough to be at this level yet and WWE seems to understand that.

Chase U vs. Xyon Quinn/Javier Bernal

Thea Hail is here for Chase U, who comes out first for some reason. Quinn powers Hudson away to start before winning a fight over a top wristlock. Hudson wins the rematch (possibly with a pull of the hair) before rolling Quinn down, much to Chase’s approval at the brains over brawn. Bernal comes in, sees Hudson waiting on him, and hands it back to Quinn. Hudson takes Quinn down for an elbow from Chase, followed by Chase’s hiptoss (with a big jump after).

The Russian legsweep sets up the Spelling Stomps but we pause for Quinn to glare at Hail on the floor. That’s enough to let Bernal get in a takedown so Quinn can hammer on Chase to take over. The double arm crank is broken up but Bernal runs him over again. Quinn has to tag himself in as Bernal is a bit cocky, only to have Bernal tag himself right back in. Chase enziguris his way out of trouble and a diving tag brings in Hudson. House is cleaned, including the big boot, and the Fratliner finishes Bernal at 7:04.

Rating: C+. The interesting thing about Chase is how well developed he is. You know what you’re getting with him and he comes across as someone who has put in the effort to make this work. The fans have completely accepted him and if you gave him the chance, he could become a bigger deal. This was a Chase U showcase and it worked well, as it might be the best act going in NXT.

Overall Rating: C+. This show worked because of the star power. It felt like there were bigger names involved up and down rather than a bunch of low level people filling in time. You already have people around here for NXT so why not put them on this show and make it more interesting? Nice stuff here, as Chase U steals another show.

Results
Schism b. Bronco Nima/Lucien Price – Double Codebreaker to Nima
Ivy Nile b. Lash Legend – Diamond Chain Lock
Chase U b. Xyon Quinn/Javier Bernal – Fratliner to Bernal

 

 

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