NXT LVL Up – October 13, 2023: Best Match They’ve Had In Months

NXT LVL Up
Date: October 13, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

Things did not exactly stay interesting last week as it was one of the less engaging shows I can remember from around here in a long time. That is the kind of show I would hope to be a random one off but that is not exactly likely around here. Maybe they’ve got something this week so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Ivy Nile vs. Kiyah Saint

Commentary is VERY enthusiastic about Saint’s resume, even as Nile shoulders her down to start. Nile runs her over again for two and we hit the front facelock. A gutwrench suplex gives Nile two but Saint is back up with a sunset flip. Saint gets her down and cranks on both arms until Nile fights up. Some forearms cut Nile back down though and a running knee in the corner gets two. Nile is back with a German suplex out of the corner and a crucifix into the Diamond Chain Lock finishes Saint at 6:48.

Rating: C+. Saint got in WAY more than I would have expected here, which has me thinking that WWE is expecting more out of her in the future. Nile is one of the bigger names that regularly appears around here and it’s no surprise that she got another win. I would say my usual thing about hoping she gets to do more, but after saying it for months, the hope is kind of gone.

Axiom is impressed by Riley Osbourne but is going to have to make him wait a bit longer for his next win.

Axiom vs. Riley Osbourne

Axiom takes him down by the arm to start as the fans seem a bit split here. Osbourne takes him down with a test of strength for some near falls before they trade monkey flips. Back up and Axiom sends him outside, only to be sent into the corner back inside. Osbourne grabs a chinlock back inside but Axiom fights up in a hurry and scores with a dropkick.

Osbourne snaps off a running hurricanrana for two but Axiom wins a slugout. They crash out to the floor, where Osbourne hits a 619 from the apron. Axiom knocks him down so Osbourne has to dive back in, where Axiom is waiting with a frog splash for the pin (though Osbourne’s shoulder might have been up) at 8:21.

Rating: B-. That was one of the best matches I’ve seen around here in months as this was all about two people getting to showcase themselves with a little more time than usual. Axiom has shown that he can hang with anyone but Osbourne got a chance to shine here as well. Heck of a match between these two and I’m glad to see them get such a chance.

Respect is shown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This week’s show was a bit shorter than most shows and if that included two matches of higher quality than usual, I can certainly take it. The main event was a good match and the opener was good enough, making this one of the best shows they’ve had in a pretty long time. Odds are this was different because of the special edition of NXT this week, but I can go for a special LVL Up as well.

Results
Ivy Nile b. Kiyah Saint – Diamond Chain Lock
Axiom b. Riley Osbourne – Frog splash

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