NXT
Date: July 11, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s a big night as Judgment Day is here again. This time around that should mean some issues for Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams, as there are still issues to deal with from before Money In The Bank. Other than that, we have the fate of Tony D’Angelo as NXT’s idea of how the courts work continues to be out there. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is Judgment Day to get things going. The fans chant for Mami but Finn Balor says DADDY’S HOME. It’s time to do some Judgment Day things, starting with Damian Priest, who doesn’t like Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes. Dominik Mysterio gets booed down, but here are Hayes and Williams to interrupt. Hayes praises Balor but says the two of them run this place. Priest says that’s because Judgment Day isn’t here every week. Williams and Priest get into the argument and a tag match is made for later.

Tony D’Angelo, who needs to get to chow time in jail, says he wants to trust Stacks but he keeps hearing bad things. He’s just not sure anymore.

Gigi Dolin talks about how she puts herself out there, while Kiana James tries to hide her past. We see some shots of a younger James seemingly being quite the different kind of person.

James insists that isn’t her anymore.

Chase U vs. Charlie Dempsey/Drew Gulak

The fight is on before the bell until we settle down to Dempsey hitting Hudson in the face. As Lucien Price and Bronco Nima pop up on the platform to watch, Hudson gets in a running hurricanrana on Gulak, with commentary not believing it. Hudson gets caught on top but manages something like a super Michinoku Driver. Chase comes in and is quickly slammed down, allowing Dempsey to grab the chinlock.

That doesn’t last either, as it’s back to Hudson to clean house. Everything breaks down and Chase U clears the ring as we take a break. Back with Hudson fighting out of trouble and bringing in Chase to clean house. Suplexes abound and there’s the Spelling Stomp to Dempsey. A high crossbody gets two and it’s time to exchange German suplexes. Thea Hail has had it with this and grabs a Kimura on Gulak, leaving the Fratliner to finish Dempsey at 11:22.

Rating: C+. This was all about getting Chase back in the ring and the fans still seem to absolutely love him. That is exactly what NXT had to be hoping for, but now it’s all about actually doing something with him. Chase U was the hottest thing in NXT for a good while but they never really did anything. Change that this time and we could be in for something rather interesting.

Bron Breakker is ready to beat Ilja Dragunov and become #1 contender.

Von Wagner talks about how he was an outcast as a kid and eventually accepted being a monster. He started doing that here, but for the first time, the fans were cheering him. Wagner has Mr. Stone to thank for that, which leaves Stone looking happy.

Kelani Jordan vs. Cora Jade

Dana Brooke is here with Jordan. The gymnastics frustrated Jade to start but she gets in a few stomps to take over. A running dropkick hits Jordan as she is tied up in the ropes, setting up the chinlock. That’s broken up and Jordan gets two off a rollup and the forearms abound. Jordan’s springboard is broken up though and Jade hits the DDT for the pin at 3:58.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time to do anything here but Jade continues to look strong. That’s all you can ask for from a match this short when Jade is facing someone brand new. There’s a good chance we get Jade vs. Brooke next and then hopefully Jade gets to move on to something a little more difficult.

Post match Jade goes after Jordan again but Dana Brooke makes the save.

Ilja Dragunov is ready to be #1 contender.

We look at Eddy Thorpe winning the NXT Underground match last week.

Gable Steveson isn’t sure what to do now because he loves being here but also wants another Olympic medal.

Dijak is not impressed with Thorpe winning one NXT Underground match.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Bron Breakker

For the NXT Title shot at the Great American Bash. Breakker powers him straight into the corner to start but Dragunov wins a slugout. The 61Line is countered with a heck of a suplex though and Dragunov is right back in trouble. Dragunov chops away but Breakker just unloads on him with forearms and right hands as we take a break.

Back with Dragunov winning another slugout but getting caught with a German suplex. Breakker cuts him off with some raised boots though and the top rope bulldog (which barely makes contact) knocks Dragunov silly. Dragunov is back up with a Death Valley Driver into the corner, setting up a Coast To Coast.

The Torpedo connects for two, and Dragunov is stunned by the kickout. Breakker is right back with a heck of a spear for two before loading up the gorilla press. That’s reversed into a DDT for two but Breakker hits a clothesline. Another spear is cut off by a knee to Breakker’s head and now the Torpedo to the back of the head can finish for Dragunov at 14:22.

Rating: B. This was straight out of the old NXT playbook, as you have the new top challenger facing the previous top challenger to give the new one some credibility. In this case it helps that Dragunov and Breakker worked very well together and had a pretty great fight. Dragunov can sell like no other and Breakker’s power stuff looked awesome against him. Very good match here and it could have been on some kind of special instead of regular TV.

Wes Lee talks about being ready for Mustafa Ali when Dominik Mysterio, with Rhea Ripley, comes in to accept the open challenge. There wasn’t one open, but they can do it next week.

A driving Baron Corbin talks about not knowing who he is anymore because he has changed so many times. He comes to a circle of torches and asks who he is.

Ivy Nile vs. Tiffany Stratton

Non-title. Stratton shoulders her down to start and then does it again. Back up and Nile grabs the arm before getting in a hard shot to the face. Stratton is fine enough to knock her to the apron, setting up a running hip attack to the floor. Back in and the chinlock is broken up without much trouble, allowing Nile to kick her in the head. The Diamond Chain Lock is broken up and it’s a Regal Roll into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the pin at 4:38.

Rating: C. Much like the previous women’s match, there wasn’t much time to do anything here, but at least Nile got in a bit more offense. I’m not sure what she is going to be able to do with the Creeds gone, but her in-ring abilities should be enough to carry her pretty far. Stratton is looking for her next challenger, so keeping her warm is a good idea.

Post match Stratton grabs the mic but is told she tapped out so many times that she gives up.

Chase U gives Thea Hail a pep talk and believe she can be Women’s Champion.

Noam Dar is still depressed.

Blair Davenport mocks Roxanne Perez for taking a beating last week and promises to do it even worse next time Perez comes at her.

Stacks vs. Joe Coffey

Galls is here with Coffey. If Stacks wins, the charges against Tony D’Angelo are dropped and he and Stacks get a Tag Team Title shot. Otherwise, it goes to trial. Feeling out process to start until Coffey grabs a headlock takeover to grind away. Back up and All The Best For The Bells gets two on Stacks, with Coffey looking stunned at the kickout. Stacks insists that he isn’t a snitch and we take a break.

Back with D’Angelo calling in to be happy with Stacks as Coffey cranking on the arm. A clothesline cuts Stacks down again and here are Lucien Price and Bronco Nima to glare at Gallus. Price and Nima leave as Stacks fights up and hits him in the face. Stacks runs him over so Wolfgang yells at the referee, allowing Stacks to grab what looks like a pipe. With the referee turning around, Stacks hands the pipe to Wolfgang, getting Gallus ejected. The running knee to the back of the head finishes D’Angelo at 10:45.

Rating: C+. This whole story has been way over the top and more than a bit nuts at times, but Stacks has gotten a lot out of the whole thing. He has gone from little more than a generic heel to an actual character who can back it up in the ring. That’s more than I would have bet on and the D’Angelo Family winning the titles would make a lot of sense.

Schism comes up to Ivy Nile, who accuses Joe Gay at being the masked man last week. They invite Nile to join the team but she doesn’t say anything.

Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz talk about Noam Dar when Humberto and Angel come in to hit on them. With that not being well received, Dragon Lee and Nathan Frazer come in to get rid of the pesky guys.

Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams vs. Judgment Day

Finn Balor/Damian Priest for the team here, with the latter punching Williams in the face to start. Priest cranks on the arm before handing it off to Balor for some choking on the ropes. The chinlock goes on for a bit before Balor drives him into the corner for some chops. Williams manages to get over to the corner for the tag to Hayes though and the ring is quickly cleared.

We take a break and come back with Hayes being sent into the wrong corner, allowing Priest to hit a running corner elbow. The double arm crank is broken up rather quickly and the rolling tag brings Williams back in. A running neckbreaker gives Williams two but Priest gets in a clothesline for the double knockdown. Hayes and Balor come in to pick the pace back up with Hayes hitting a superkick for two. The Sling Blade drops Hayes again but the Coup de Grace misses.

A springboard clothesline gives Hayes two more but it’s Priest coming in with a kick to the head. Williams makes the save as everything breaks down. Priest hits a Razor’s Edge onto the announcers’ table but Hayes grabs a Codebreaker. Cue Dominik Mysterio for a distraction but Hayes faceplants Priest anyway. The briefcase is thrown in but here is Ilja Dragunov to take it away. Hayes is sent into the briefcase though and it’s South of Heaven into the Coup de Grace to pin Hayes at 12:15.

Rating: B-. There was a lot of protection for Hayes, but I’m still not sure why you need to have the champion lose here when you have Williams in the same match. At least it does set up more of the Great American Bash main event, which should be great, but I’m assuming this is it for Judgment Day, at least most of them, in NXT. This id feel like a big time main event though and that is what matters more than almost anything else.

Hayes and Dragunov yell at each other to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Pretty nice show this week with some of the matches feeling rather big for a regular TV show. The women’s matches weren’t exactly treated as important though and that is still a little weird to see. Other than that though, there wasn’t much that brought this down and it did a nice job of setting things up for the Great American Bash later this month.

Results
Chase U b. Charlie Dempsey/Drew Gulak – Fratliner to Dempsey
Cora Jade b. Kelani Jordan – DDT
Ilja Dragunov b. Bron Breakker – Torpedo
Tiffany Stratton b. Ivy Nile – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Stacks b. Joe Coffey – Running knee to the head
Judgment Day b. Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams – Coup de Grace to Hayes

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NXT LVL Up
Date: July 7, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Blake Howard

It’s another short form show this week as the Fourth Of July schedule made things a little weird. In a way, these shows are a bit better as they don’t overstay their welcome or feel repetitive in the slightest. Last week’s version worked rather well and it would be nice to have that be the case again here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Fallon Henley vs. Tatum Paxley

Henley grabs a headlock to start as commentary talks about how far apart these two have gone since debuting together. A legdrag out of the corner gives Henley two but Paxley sends her neck first into the ropes. Paxley hits a jumping elbow (which is called “innovative” by commentary) and some trash talk gets one. The abdominal stretch goes on, followed by a waistlock to keep Henley down. Henley gets tired of getting beaten up and comes back with some forearms, followed by a Shining Wizard for the pin at 5:55.

Rating: C. It really is kind of astounding to see Henley fall this far. She was never a top star or anything close to one, but you would think that she would have been able to do something better than being relegated to LVL Up. Henley hasn’t been involved in anything important in months, but it isn’t like Paxley has been doing much better. They’re both talented, though neither is doing anything whatsoever at the moment.

Kale Dixon is ready for Scrypts buts seems a bit confused as he talks about telling a great story.

Kale Dixon vs. Scrypts

They trade headlocks to start until Scrypts snaps off a dropkick. Dixon’s headscissors is countered into a headlock, followed by a slingshot crossbody for a fast two. Dixon powers him off though and stomps away before hitting a knee to the face for two. We hit the chinlock but Scrypts pops back up and strikes away. The Molly Go Round finishes Dixon at 5:52.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t working as neither exactly seemed to know how to keep things flowing. Instead it was a bunch of kicking and stomping until Dixon took over. Scrypts’ comeback took all of a few seconds and it wasn’t exactly interesting. Dixon has a solid attitude but nothing to back it up while Scrypts is an incredible athlete but not interesting. That doesn’t make for a good combination and that was obvious here.

Overall Rating: C-. I wasn’t feeling this one and the only saving grace was the fact that it was so short. Henley was the biggest star on the show and she hasn’t done anything in months. Nothing to see here, as this was one of the lamer editions of the show in a rather long time.

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NXT
Date: July 4, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with Gold Rush and taped for the sake of the holiday. With just over three weeks to go before Great American Bash, it’s time to get the card set up, but there is also the chance for some more guest stars to spice things up a bit. That has worked well enough so far so maybe they’ll do it again. Let’s get to it.

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

Blair Davenport vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez jumps her during the entrance, with ringside still full of smoke. The bell rings and Perez knocks her straight back to the floor. That lasts all of five seconds before Davenport takes her back inside for a faceplant. Davenport gets in a running knee against the ropes for two before heading outside as we take a break.

Back with Perez winning a slugout but Pop Rox into the corner is blocked. Instead Perez gets two off a crossbody but Davenport sends her outside again. This time it’s a running knee to send Perez into the steps but that’s only enough for a nine count. Back in and the Falcon Arrow gets two, followed by a knee to the head to finish Perez at 11:58.

Rating: C+. Davenport has to be established as a monster to be taken down and that is what they are doing here. Perez has been a force in the division and she will be able to come back later on. Davenport might be next in line after whoever takes the title from Tiffany Stratton, but we could be a long way off from that. Until then, just hurting people will have to do.

Ivy Nile is worried about the loser leaves town match tonight with the Creeds and Schism when Tiffany Stratton comes in to make fun of her. A match seems to be made.

Baron Corbin is tired of not having a reputation and burns a bunch of his stuff, including gear from past gimmicks, saying it’s “no more gimmicks, no more nonsense and no more bulls***.” He might as well stick around here and try to figure something else out, because the main roster isn’t happening at the moment.

Mustafa Ali vs. Tyler Bate

They trade rollups for two each to start and then keep at it with a series of near falls that has the referee going a bit nuts trying to keep up. An exchange of takedowns sets up a crossface from Ali. Bate breaks out of that without much trouble and sends him outside for a clothesline as we take a break.

Back with Bate striking away until Ali hits a tornado DDT. A backdrop puts Ali on the floor so Bate can hit a big no hands dive. Back in and the rebound clothesline gives Bate two more. Bate goes up top but misses the Spiral Tap. Ali goes up as well but Bate catches him on top and climbs next to him. Some headbutts and a crotching on the ropes put Bate down though, allowing Ali to hit the 450 for the pin at 13:31.

Rating: B. These two had a chance to tear the house down and they came pretty close, with one big spot after another here. It was a very fun match where they were allowed to just go nuts for awhile. That’s the kind of match that is always going to work and in Ali’s case, it’s the kind of match that he should have been having for a long time now. These NXT excursions can do a lot of good for people, if nothing else just for the sake of reminding fans/WWE of what they can do.

Post match Ali says he wants a North American Title match at the Great American Bash.

Joe Gacy and Ava are ready to get rid of the Creed Brothers.

Kelani Jordan vs. Tatum Paxley

Dana Brooke is here with Jordan, who flips around to start. A backbreaker cuts Jordan off though and a backsplash gives Paxley two. Paxley loads up a suplex but gets reversed into a Stundog Millionaire for the pin at 2:43.

Post match Cora Jade comes out to mock Dana and Jordan, but turns down the latter’s challenge.

Chase U is glad to have Andre Chase back, with Chase thanking Duke Hudson for being great in his absence. Thea Hail is dubbed the uncrowned Women’s Champion and blames Charlie Dempsey and Drew Gulak for costing her the title. A student asks if they’ll be guest lecturing anymore but Hudson covers the yelling at him. Violence is promised.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Damon Kemp

This is NXT Underground, meaning no ropes and you only win by submission or TKO. Gable Steveson is here with Thorpe, who is easily taken down and pounded with forearms. Kemp rolls him around even more until they fall out to the floor, with Kemp hammering on him even more. Thorpe gets in some choking on the barricade before they head back inside, where Kemp chokes even more.

Thorpe sends him outside but walks into a heck of a fight hand. A knee to the face drops Kemp but he suplexes Thorpe to the floor for a scary sounding crash. Steveson uses the power of the gold medal to inspire Thorpe, who avoids a charge into the post. Kemp’s arm seems to be hurt and Thorpe grabs a triangle choke with some elbows to the head for the stoppage at 7:28.

Rating: B. I’m not sure what to make of something like this as it was more of a wrestling/UFC hybrid than a traditional match. Kemp gets another win and continues his rise up the ranks, but that Steveson involvement is likely what really matters here. Steveson got more physical here than he has in a long time and there is a chance that he is going to do that more often in the future. Or maybe this is his annual “hey I’m still here” moment and we don’t see him again until next year.

Post match Kale Dixon goes after Steveson’s gold medal and gets suplexed. Some more people go after Steveson and get suplexed as well until the rather large….never mind as he gets suplexed too.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams invite Judgment Day to NXT to settle business.

Stacks and Joe Coffey go to see Tony D’Angelo in jail and Tony isn’t happy. However, they have a deal: next week it’s Stacks vs. Coffey and at stake are…..the charges against Tony. That doesn’t work for Tony, who breaks the phone in frustration.

Jacy Jayne vs. Lyra Valkyria

Jayne yells a lot and sends her into the corner, only to miss a charge. Valkyria gets two off a rollup but is sent face first into the apron as we take a break. Back with Jayne holding a Boston crab but getting reversed. Jayne misses a charge and has to avoid a top rope ax kick. Instead Jayne hits a backsplash for two but misses the spinning kick to the face. Valkyria kicks her in the face for the pin at 8:52.

Rating: C. This was more to the point as Valkyria continues to look strong. She got the endorsement from Rhea Ripley last week so this should be more than enough to move her up the ladder. A big time title rematch against Tiffany Stratton isn’t out of the question and she moved past Jayne pretty quickly here. Not a great match, but a good performance from Valkyria.

Post match Jayne beats her up again and destroys the feathers.

Noam Dar is nearly in tears over losing the Heritage Cup so the Meta Four have to console him.

Kiana James goes into her office….which has been trashed and spray painted by Gigi Dolin. James swears revenge.

Back in the arena, Von Wagner, in street clothes, beats up Javier Bernal by sending him through a table. I like that better than them having a match, just for making it seem more real.

Creed Brothers vs. Dyad

Loser leaves NXT and the Dyad jumps them from behind. Back up Brutus hits the Brutus Bomb to clear things out as we take a break. We take a break and come back with Fowler hold Brutus in an armbar. After a good deal of cranking, Brutus fights up and manages to get over to Julius or the tag. Suplexes abound and Julius sends them to the floor for a big dive, followed by an assisted spinebuster fr two on Fowler.

Back up and Fowler rolls Julius up for two until Reid grabs a crucifix bomb for the same. A chop block cuts Julius off though and we take a break. Back with Fowler working on the same leg but Julius gets over for the tag to Brutus. A springboard 450 gets two on Fowler so Brutus grabs the ankle lock. That’s broken up as well and Fowler hits a middle rope Codebreaker for two.

Julius tells his brother to fight for him because he loves him, which is enough or Brutus to fight back. The Doomsday Device is broken up and it’s a Doomsday suicide dive to take Brutus out. Somehow it’s back to Julius to clean house as the pace picks up. A double suplex sends the Dyad flying and a top rope moonsault takes them both down again. Ava comes in and gets dropped by Ivy Nile….but a masked man runs in to hit Julius. The double Codebreaker finishes Julius at 17:42.

Rating: B. This was another rather good match on a show full of them. The best thing here was a twist ending, as it would seem that the Creeds are ready to go up to the main roster, where they should be. They’ve had their long NXT Tag Team Title reign so send them up and let Julius become the breakout star that he could be. I’d be shocked if the masked man wasn’t revealed to be Gacy, but at least they waited for the right time to do the screwy ending. As usual, the Dyad has never been Schism’s problem so it was nice to see them getting this kind of time.

Finn Balor will be here next week to deal with Carmelo Hayes.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is Bron Breakker to talk about how he was in the most watched NXT match in two years last week when he challenged Seth Rollins. No one thought he had a chance against Rolling until he hit a spear. He’s had just over seventy matches and all of them have happened right in front of these people.

Breakker is 25 years old and can hang with the best in the business. He has a lot more titles to win and wants to know who is next. Cue Ilja Dragunov to say he’s next (and Breakker looks a bit worried). Dragunov says there is one person between himself and the NXT Title, so he’s here to eliminate Breakker. The fight is on, with wrestlers and referees barely being able to hold them apart to end the show.

This feels like the old school second match from the top for a Takeover, as you have the former champion against the up and comer who needs the win to move into title contention. It’s a strategy that has worked before and it should here, as these two can beat the daylights out of each other, likely at the Great American Bash.

Overall Rating: B+. When the worst match on the show is a completely watchable Jayne vs. Valkyria match, you’re having a pretty good night. This show featured three rather quality matches, plus some stuff either officially or all but officially being set up for Great American Bash. I had a really good time with this show and it was one of the better NXT’s I’ve seen in a long time. With some guest stars and matches set for next week, it’s nice to be excited for what NXT is doing again, so very good job this week.

Results
Blair Davenport b. Roxanne Perez – Running knee
Mustafa Ali b. Tyler Bate – 450
Eddy Thorpe b. Damon Kemp via referee stoppage
Lyra Valkyria b. Jacy Jayne – Kick to the head
Dyad b. Creed Brothers – Double Codebreaker to Julius

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NXT LVL Up
Date: June 30, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Blake Howard

For once, this show might actually be a bit different for a change, as next week’s regular NXT will be taped in advance due to the 4th of July. As a result, NXT might switch things up somewhat, for the sake of not having to tape too many matches before the show. That could be a nice way to go so let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan

Jordan takes her down with an armbar to start before a sunset flip gets two. An armdrag out of the corner into a rollup gets two more but Davenport hits her in the face to take over. The cravate has Jordan in more trouble but she fights up with some shots to the face. A springboard spinning crossbody gets two on Davenport but a backbreaker into the Falcon Arrow finishes Jordan at 5:25.

Rating: C. Jordan got a chance to shine here and that is nice to see as she is still brand new. Let her do her thing for a bit, assuming she already knows what that thing is. That being said, Davenport seems to be a candidate for next big bad in NXT and if that is the case, she is not about to be losing to a newcomer like Jordan, especially on LVL Up.

Myles Borne wants a challenge in Joe Coffey.

Joe Coffey vs. Myles Borne

Coffey grabs a cravate to start but Borne is right back up with a dropkick. An armbar puts Borne down and Coffey cranks on the arm a bit more. Coffey’s headlock doesn’t last long as Borne is back up with a dropkick. Borne gets his own armbar and Coffey is sent to the apron, where a Stunner can connect to stagger Borne again. A powerslam gets Borne out of trouble but Coffey knocks him into the corner, setting up All The Best For The Bells and the pin on Borne at 5:40.

Rating: C+. Coffey as the name of the week around here is a weird way to go as he has had enough success to not belong on this show. That make it all the more interesting and Borne even got in some offense here. Decent enough match, even if it was there for the sake of having Coffey around.

Overall Rating: C+. As nice as the thirty minute version of the show may be, the twenty minute version actually suits it even better. It’s more or less the Main Event of NXT and I got a little something out of it, just by having some not quite squash matches. This was a nice change of pace and we’ll probably get the same next week, so well done for a bit.

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NXT LVL Up
Date: June 23, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

Things took a bit of a turn back to the norm last week as we didn’t have much in the way of star power or anything interesting. In other words, it was nothing more than the usual LVL Up with almost nothing worth seeing. Hopefully they can make it better here again as LVL Up can be a snappy enough show when it gets the chance. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Stacks vs. Kale Dixon

Dixon goes with a headlock and some right hands to start but Stacks runs him over without much trouble. What looks to be Shattered Dreams is broken up so Stacks goes with an atomic drop instead. Back up and Dixon sends him throat first into the middle rope, followed by a running knee for two. A gutwrench faceplant gets two and the abdominal stretch keeps Stacks in trouble. That’s broken up and Stacks kicks away before ducking an enziguri. Cement Shoes finishes Dixon at 5:51.

Rating: C. Stacks isn’t doing anything revolutionary in NXT but it’s cool to see someone on this show who has a story going on at the moment. The reveal of whodunit should be good and Stacks is going to be in the middle of the whole thing. Dixon isn’t supposed to be beating someone of Stacks’ caliber yet so the winning streak coming to an end (at one) is acceptable.

Tavion Heights is ready for Luca Crusifino and wants to bring the same energy he brought to the Olympics.

Tavion Heights vs. Luca Crusifino

Heights takes him down by the arm to start and he armdrags Luca to cut him off. Luca fights up and runs Heights over a few times before getting one off a slam. The reverse chinlock doesn’t last long so Luca grabs a suplex for two instead. Luca rips at his face until Heights fights up to dropkick his way out of trouble. An overhead belly to belly sends Luca flying and Heights loads up the Doctor Bomb, only to have Luca grab the rope for the rollup pin at 5:57.

Rating: C. Luca is a weird case where he is getting better in the ring, but the gimmick stuff that makes him stand out is going by the wayside. It is something that could be done in a few different ways but instead we are just seeing him go out there and doing basic stuff, which is only so interesting in the first place. Heights is another name on a long list of people who feel like potential stars but need something to make them stand out.

Ivy Nile vs. Jacy Jayne

Nile takes her to the mat for an armbar to start before snapping off a hurricanrana. Jayne is right back and gets in a charge in the corner, followed by a neckbreaker for two. We hit the chinlock for a bit but Nile fights up and hits the running kick in the corner. The Diamond Chain Lock is blocked so they trade superkicks, followed by Jayne hitting a discus lariat for the pin at 5:15.

Rating: C+. Slightly better here and again having the bigger names on the show helps a lot. Jayne and Nile are fairly regular features on the main NXT show and it’s nice to have them around here. The star power, at least in Jayne, helps a lot as you feel like you’re watching someone who matters. Do something like that around here and the show feels that much more important.

Overall Rating: C. Not much to see here and the main only helps things to a certain extent. As usual, the show is about half an hour long and the wrestling is decent enough, but a feud that goes over a few weeks might be nice. I’m not sure how much you get out of having one off matches like this, but that’s what you’re getting and there is nothing that is going to be done about it anytime soon.

Results
Stacks b. Kale Dixon – Cement Shoes
Luca Crusifino b. Tavion Heights – Rollup while grabbing a rope
Jacy Jayne b. Ivy Nile – Discus lariat

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NXT
Date: June 27, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the second half of the Gold Rush tournament and that means we have a title match main event. Baron Corbin will finally get his shot against Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Title, plus the Tag Team and Women’s Titles are on the line. That is a heck of a card so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of last week.

Women’s Title: Thea Hail vs. Tiffany Stratton

Hail, with Duke Hudson, is challenging. Some rollups give Hail two but the Kimura sends Stratton straight to the rope. Cue Charlie Dempsey and Drew Gulak as Stratton gets in a shot to take over, setting up a double stomp for two. Stratton starts working on the arm and we take a break.

Back with Hail firing away in the corner and grabbing a t-bone suplex. The spelling stomps set up an armbar but Hudson is arguing with Dempsey. Hail gets the Kimura again and Stratton taps but the referee is yelling at Gulak. Hail makes the eternal mistake of letting the hold go and getting the referee, allowing Stratton to get the rollup pin at 8:28.

Rating: C. Hail continues to be such an entertaining ball of energy out there and it is hard to take your eyes off of her. At the same time, Stratton feels like an absolute star and someone who is going to keep the title for a long time to come. Hail’s title win might happen someday, but it’s Stratton’s time and NXT seems to know it.

Post match Dempsey and Gulak beat down Hudson but Andre Chase returns for the save. The people seem to still like him.

Video on Ilja Dragunov, who loves fighting.

Gallus still hasn’t heard from Joe Coffey.

Last week, Dana Brooke was getting her knee looked at when Kelani Jordan came in. Jordan praised her and there seems to be some respect.

Tag Team Titles: Edris Enofe/Malik Blade vs. Gallus

Gallus is defending. Blade rolls away from Joe to start and slips out of a double teaming in the corner. Enofe comes in to start working on Wolfgang’s arm before it’s right back to Blade to headlock Mark. A dropkick gets two as we see Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo watching from the platform.

We take a break and come back with Blade in trouble as Wolfgang cranks on the neck. Coffey shoulders him down and grabs a front facelock, only to go after Enofe. The distraction lets Blade duck underneath and bring in Enofe to clean house. Enofe tries to use Coffey as a launchpad but slips, only to come back with a spinebuster for two instead. A frog splash gets two on Coffey with Wolfgang making the save. Cue Stacks to go after Coffey but he knocks Enofe into the steps by mistake (though he doesn’t seem too upset by it). The flapjack/dropkick finishes Enofe to retain at 13:13.

Rating: C+. I still think Enofe and Blade could and should be champions someday and moving the belts here wouldn’t have been the worst idea. Gallus isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire as champions and it would be nice to see some fresh blood around the belts. At least there seems to be something going on with the Stacks deal, but Gallus still aren’t all that interesting.

The Meta Four don’t want to talk about losing the Heritage Cup but Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend want the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

It’s time for a Schism family meeting. Joe Gacy tells them to speak freely, with Dyad talking about how their lives were supposed to be made better. The problem is that Gacy’s life is the only one getting better. Gacy accuses Fowler of not letting Reid have a voice, with Fowler saying Gacy bosses them around.

That doesn’t work for Gacy, who says they were never fully dedicated but they’re in a better form now. Cue the Diamond Mine to say they’re sick of this and declare Schism a cancer that wants to take over NXT. Gacy wants the Creeds vs. the Dyad next week, loser leaves NXT. The Creeds are in, though Julius looks a bit nervous. Schism’s schism continues and it couldn’t happen to a more annoying group.

Lucien Price and Bronco Nima talk about growing up together and using football to let out their aggression. Now they’re back on the same time and they’re here to dominate.

Axiom/Scrypts and Hank Walker/Tank Ledger are impressed by Price and Nima. Nathan Frazer walks up and gets some congratulations from Axiom on winning the Heritage Cup. Axiom says he’s drawn to the cup.

Trick Williams gives Carmelo Hayes a pep talk….and Rhea Ripley shows up (BIG pop for that). She warns them to stay out of Judgment Day business and leaves.

Heritage Cup: Dragon Lee vs. Nathan Frazer

Lee is challenging. Round One begins with neither being able to get anywhere on the mat. Neither can get anywhere off a wristlock so we have a standoff. Cue Axiom to watch as Frazer works away on a headlock. Scrypts is here too as they trade rollups for near falls each. They fight over a lockup and get nowhere as the round ends.

Round Two begins with Frazer snapping off a flying mare and hitting a running dropkick. Lee tries a hurricanrana out of the corner but gets pulled into a sunset flip to give Frazer the first fall at 1:10 of the round and 5:05 overall. Round Three begins with Lee cartwheeling his way out of a hurricanrana. Lee knocks him outside and hits the big flip dive as we take a break.

Back with Round Three over, the score still 1-0 Frazer, and about a minute of Round Four done. Frazer hits a dive to the floor but Lee hits a quick powerbomb for the pin at 1:45 of the round and 10:33 overall. Round Five starts with Lee tying him in the Tree of Woe for the top rope double stomp. They both go up top and come crashing down, with Lee hitting another powerbomb or two. They’re both down for a bit before slugging it out from their knees. A fight over a rollup goes to Frazer, who gets the pin at 2:59 of the round and 13:02 overall to retain.

Rating: B-. These rounds matches can be tricky as while they’re entertaining, they make me want to see these wrestlers have a regular match without the gimmicky setup. Lee and Frazer could have a heck of a match out there no matter what, so why chop it up with the round stuff? Either way, good match and the best on the show so far.

Raw Underground is back next week.

We see Gable Steveson training Eddy Thorpe for his Raw Underground match with Damon Kemp. Steveson will be in Thorpe’s corner.

Mustafa Ali comes in to see Wes Lee and apologizes for getting a little too involved as referee last week. Tyler Bate comes in to question how things went last week. Ali wants a title shot and Bate offers to referee. Bate and Ali bicker as Lee walks off.

Mr. Stone can’t find Von Wagner. Then he finds Von Wagner, who is upset over the photo of him as a baby and everything his family had to go through. Wagner says he can’t do this right now and leaves.

Gigi Dolin vs. Kiana James

They fight over a lockup until Dolin starts in on the armbar. Dolin dropkicks her up against the ropes and gets two off a rollup before they crash out to the floor. We take a break and come back with James going outside again, but this time she manages to send Dolin into the steps. We hit the chinlock back inside but Dolin fights up again. With nothing else working, James goes for her loaded bag, only to get caught with a crucifix bomb to give Dolin the pin at 9:09.

Rating: C. Dolin is in a weird place as NXT seems interested in pushing her but it doesn’t ever really seem to go anywhere. She feels unique enough that she can do something interesting but it hasn’t exactly gone to that next level. James isn’t much higher up at the moment, though she seems to have found more of a niche than Dolin.

Post match James hits her with the bag and pours cans of paint onto Dolin.

We go to the prison, where Joe Coffey visits Tony D’Angelo. Tony looks confused but Joe says things have changed since Tony was locked up. Tony promises that Stacks will handle things, but Joe says Stacks already has things handled. Stacks has ambition, with Joe saying Stacks sold Tony out. Joe plays some audio from his phone, with Stacks talking about how he’s the new Don and wanting Gallus to lay low for a week.

We look at Blair Davenport jumping Roxanne Perez during a fan Q&A show.

Jacy Jayne isn’t happy with Lyra Valkyria, who pops up to hit her in the face. Rhea Ripley pops up to say Jayne deserved that and Valkyria is a bada**.

The Dyad freaks out over next week’s Loser Leaves NXT match but Ava calms them down.

NXT Title: Baron Corbin vs. Carmelo Hayes

Hayes, with Trick Williams, is defending. They start fast with Hayes sending him outside and nailing a dive as we take an early break. Back with the fight heading outside again and Hayes being sent over the barricade. A big boot knocks Hayes silly but he gets out of a chinlock. The springboard clothesline takes Corbin down but he grabs a backbreaker for a breather.

Corbin rips the shirt off and drops Hayes with an elbow before taking him up top. Hayes knocks him off for a frog splash and the Fade Away his Corbin as well. The springboard DDT gets two more and a cradle gets two. Corbin is right back with an AA into the chokebreaker for two of his own and frustration sets in.

They fight out to the floor with Corbin sending him face first into the announcers’ table. Some elbows to the head drive said head into the table for two back inside. Deep Six is broken up but the second attempt plants Hayes for two more. Hayes manages to send him to the apron for a slingshot DDT. Back in and Nothing But Net finishes Corbin to retain the title at 16:28.

Rating: B-. The length hurt this one a good bit as it stopped being interesting early on, got a bit better near the end and then just kept going. Cut out about five minutes of this and it’s a lot better, though they did have me wondering if they were actually going to change the title here. Hayes is starting to feel like a champion and if he can avoid unnecessary losses like this week on Raw, he’ll be good for the time being.

We get a preview of next week’s show, including Mustafa Ali one on one with Tyler Bate.

Bron Breakker leaves Shawn Michaels’ office, shouting about how he has beaten everyone and Shawn can’t control him. Breakker says you’ll see what he means next week.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t exactly a classic or even must see show, as a lot of it felt like a bunch of stuff you might see on a month of normal shows stacked up onto one. The action was good enough and things were set up for next week, but it was missing that spark that really made it feel special. For now though, good enough show, even if it wasn’t as solid of a showing as last week.

Results
Tiffany Stratton b. Thea Hail – Rollup
Gallus b. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe – Flapjack/dropkick combination to Enofe
Nathan Frazer b. Dragon Lee 2-1
Gigi Dolin b. Kiana James – Crucifix bomb
Carmelo Hayes b. Baron Corbin – Nothing But Net

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NXT LVL Up
Date: June 16, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

Things have started to pick up around here a little bit and that is nice to see after so many months of pretty much nothing. The star power has been better and should that continue, the show could be a lot more entertaining to watch week in and week out. Granted I’ve said that before and nothing has lasted so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Elektra Lopez/Lola Vice vs. Dani Palmer/Kelani Jordan

Lopez throws Jordan around to start but Jordan is fine enough to take Vice down with a drop toehold. Palmer comes in to work on a wristlock before getting taken into the wrong corner. Stereo hip attacks to the head knock Palmer silly for two and Vice kicks her into the corner. Palmer fights out of Lopez’s neck crank and brings in Jordan as everything breaks down. Lopez grabs Jordan with the sitout chokebomb for the pin at 4:23.

Rating: C. I’ve mostly given up on Lopez becoming a breakout star but Vice and Palmer both have that charisma that can offer something going forward. There’s a spark to them that makes you want to see them in the ring and I could go for seeing what NXT does for them. Jordan is another rather athletic star, but she is still brand new and it could be awhile before we see what she can really do.

Javier Bernal is ready to show a new side of himself tonight against Stacks. He talks about having a chip on his shoulder and goes over the various types of chip it might be (including tortilla size).

Boa vs. Bryson Montana

Montana grabs a cravate to start and they go to the mat rather quickly. The exchange of strikes goes to Boa, who scores with a running dropkick but can’t get a sunset flip. Montana is right back with a powerslam and the chinlock goes on. Boa fights up and fires off knees to the ribs, followed by a big kick to the head for the pin at 4:08.

Rating: C. I know I say this every time, but it’s still just Boa. He’s a guy who paints his face and kicks a lot, which is only going to take him so far. Montana is a big power guy and looks good when he is out there, but he needs a lot more experience. For now, he’s stuck with losing to Boa, who is eternally stuck going nowhere.

Javier Bernal vs. Stacks

They fight over a lockup to start until Bernal grabs a wristlock. Stacks reverses into one of his own and pulls him into a hammerlock on the mat. Back up and Stacks crotches him on top before dropping the legs between the legs. Bernal is fine enough to catch him on top and drop a running leg for two. Commentary talks about how Bernal wants to follow in the paths of Oz and PN News, as stars who had big performances at the Great American Bash. Bernal runs him over again and we hit the Liontamer of all things, but Stacks flips him away for the break. A running knee to the back of the head finishes Bernal at 6:45.

Rating: C+. This is the best thing on the show and even then it’s just pretty good. Stacks is in the middle of a pretty big story and while I still believe that he’s going to wind up being the one to have turned Tony D’Angelo in, he’s doing well on the way there. Bernal is such a funny goof that it’s easy to have him around, even if he isn’t going to get anywhere anytime soon.

Overall Rating: C. It was back to the run of the mill version of this show this week and that is rather disappointing. I guess Bernal and Stacks are the big names on the show and even they are little more than lower midcarders on NXT. I’m not sure why they changed course so fast, but hopefully they change it again and make the show the more interesting offering that it can be.

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NXT
Date: June 20, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

It’s the first week of Gold Rush, a two week pair of shows focusing on titles. This week is so big that NXT is bringing in a bonus title in the form of Seth Rollins defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker. Other than that, the North American Title is on the line with a special guest referee. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video talks about the importance of titles, with some of tonight’s participants promising to leave as champion.

North American Title: Wes Lee vs. Tyler Bate

Bate is challenging and Mustafa Ali is guest referee. Feeling out process to start with Lee flipping around until Bate grabs a headlock. Lee tries a rollup out of said headlock for a rather fast two, leaving Lee and Bate looking at Ali. Back up and Lee gets rolled up for a MUCH slower one, which has Bate looking a bit worried. They go outside and fight over a lockup as Ali doesn’t bother with a count.

We take a break and come back with a double clothesline leaving both of them down. A slugout goes to Lee, who can’t even get one off a backslide. Instead he dropkicks Bate in the back but Bate scores with the middle rope elbow. The Cardiac Kick misses for Lee and Bate’s rebound lariat gets two.

Lee takes him up top for an attempted superplex but Lee gets punched out to the floor for the big crash instead. That’s almost enough for a countout but Ali goes outside to wake him up. Not to be unfair, Lee wakes up bate as well, but the distraction lets Lee hit the Cardiac Kick to retain at 13:03.

Rating: B-. Ali’s ordeal in the end is probably going to cause problems later, but for now it was a good match between two people who can make anything work. What started off as just an ok run from Lee has turned into the best North American Title reign ever and it’s going to be a big deal when he loses the thing. Ali might be the one to take it off of him, but for now he was just a mildly screwy referee.

Post match respect is shown but Bate doesn’t seem pleased.

Gigi Dolin looks at a bunch of murals as she talks about what art means to her. She has been betrayed by a bunch of people and art lets her do what she wants.

Kiana James isn’t interested in what happens with Dolin because James has ambition.

Here is Duke Hudson for a pep rally in honor of Chase U’s star student Thea Hail. The student section and Drew Gulak/Charlie Dempsey are here as Hail talks about how she didn’t have a ton of accomplishments. She graduated high school last year (Dempsey: “What have we gotten ourselves into?”) and thanks Andre Chase for pushing her.

After thanking Hudson and her coaches, Hail promises pain to Tiffany Stratton next week so here is Tiffany to interrupt. Hail needs to understand that she got lucky next week but she would have to be very dumb to believe she has a chance next week. Hudson said Hail is winning the title next week because she leaves it in the ring every week. Tiffany gets in the ring and promises she won’t tap next week, only to tap to a quick Kimura. Crazy Hail is so much fun and she was again here too.

Joe Gacy thinks he might be the problem with Schism and yeah, that might be the case. Ava says they’re still one tree with four roots.

The Diamond Mine doesn’t like Schism and is ready to get rid of them.

Lyra Valkyria comes up to Jacy Jayne and asks what the problem is. Jayne says last week was just locker room chatter but Valkyria doesn’t buy it. With Valkyria gone, Jayne thinks she should have just kicked her in the face.

Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen vs. Hank Walker/Tank Ledger vs. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade

Fallon Henley is here with Briggs and Jensen and this is for a title shot next week. Briggs kicks Ledger in the face to start but gets dropkicked by Enofe. A double slam plants Enofe and another one puts Ledger down as we see Gallus watching in the back. Briggs is pulled to the apron and dropped onto the apron before all six come in for the huge brawl. Enofe and blade manage a pair of flip dives to the floor but Ledger and Walker hit stereo Vader Bombs to take the other four down outside. Back in and Walker hits a full nelson slam for two on Enofe and we take a break.

We come back with Briggs and Jensen cleaning house again but Enofe cuts them off. Ledger snaps off a fall away slam until Jensen is back in with a superkick. A Hart Attack hits Ledger but Blade dives in for the save. Enofe adds a frog splash for the pin on Ledger and the title shot at 9:14.

Rating: C+. I’m been a Blade/Enofe fan for a good while now so it is nice to see them finally getting something of a chance. While I don’t think they win the titles, there is at least a chance they pull off the upset and that is more than I would have bet on previously. If nothing else, NXT desperately needs some new teams in the title hunt so why not these guys? The match was your usual triple threat insanity with everyone going everywhere, though Briggs and Jensen looked dominant for long strethes.

Gallus isn’t impressed but Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza come in with some threats.

Damon Kemp picks his stipulation against Eddy Thorpe: RAW UNDERGROUND.

Roxanne Perez jumps Blair Davenport, who doesn’t seem upset.

New Heritage Cup Champion Nathan Frazer comes in to see his mentor Seth Rollins, who congratulates him on the win. Rollins tells him to have fun with that thing and Frazer leaves, when Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams come in. Violence is teased but everything is cool. They respect each other, champion to champion.

Cora Jade vs. Dana Brooke

Feeling out process to start with Brooke knocking her down and hitting a handstand splash for an early two. Back up and some shots to the ribs have Brooke in trouble, allowing Jade to shout at the people a lot. An anklescissors and a running kick (seemed like a dropkick that didn’t go so well) send Jade outside but she catches Brooke with a knee. A DDT plants Jade back inside and it’s time to work on Brooke’s knee.

Brooke sends her into the corner and tries the handspring but her knee gives out. Brooke shouting “MY KNEE” is quite the hint as trainers come in to check on her. We take a break and come back with Brooke fighting off of a stretcher and forearming away. A chop block cuts her off back inside but she’s fine enough to hit some clotheslines. Brooke gets an elbow up in the corner but she misses a Vader Bomb. A half crab goes on though Brooke won’t tap, leaving the referee to stop it at 10:42.

Rating: C. Well that was….a lot. There is something to be said about Brooke fighting through the pain and not giving up, but it was a story that started and ended in about eight minutes, which lessens a lot of the impact. Jade looked like a good villain, but this felt like a story that was a bit more than Cora Jade vs. Dana Brooke needed.

Von Wagner and Mr. Stone sat in an empty arena earlier today, with Wagner saying this is where it all started. Stone asks about the picture, which Wagner says is about his skull being born locked into place and he had to have surgery when he was 15 months old. They pulled his face down and fixed his skull and gave him a life. The scarring on his head was bad and the kids used to call him a monster, but all he could do was take it. That’s enough for today and Wagner thanks Stone for what he did. Rather intense moment here, though the reveal that a photo looking like Wagner had surgery revealing just that wasn’t quite shocking.

Eddy Thorpe looks into Raw Underground….and here is Gable Steveson to say he’ll help train Thorpe if need be. Gable says he knows Damon Kemp better than anyone (not mentioned here, but that would be his brother).

Here are Carmelo Hayes and Baron Corbin for a face to face debate. The two argue over potential and what they both could do, with Hayes making fun of Happy Corbin. That doesn’t bother Corbin, because being Happy got him a $1.8 million house. Hayes lists off what he was accomplishing at 27, which was around the same age when Corbin was getting cut from the NFL.

He respects the black and gold originals for building the house, but Hayes has ripped the roof off the house and made it bigger. Corbin threatens violence but says he’ll just take the title and have his hot wife pour a drink that Hayes can’t afford. They kept this short but there were some big shots thrown in there.

Nathan Frazer and Dragon Lee wish Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz luck in their tag match. With them gone, Frazer tells Lee that he’s trying to thank the people who helped him get here, so Lee can have the first shot at the Heritage Cup. Works for Lee.

Stacks jumps Joe Coffey in the parking lot and kidnaps him in the trunk of his car.

Yulisa Leon/Valentina Feroz vs. Jakara Jackson/Lash Legend

The rest of the Meta Four are here too. It’s a brawl to start and Leon seems to hurt her knee. Jackson takes Leon down for two and grabs the chinlock as Lola Vice and Elektra Lopez come out to watch. They leave just as fast as Jackson switches to a seated abdominal stretch. Noam Dar offers a distraction but earns Oro Mensah a flip dive instead. The distraction lets Legend kick Leon in the face for the pin at 3:21.

Rating: C-. The Meta Four are the new group around here and as a result, they need to win something to matter. That isn’t the easiest thing to do after they lost their big prize last week but this was better than nothing. Jackson and Legend could be a nice team, and when you tie that in with Dar’s incredibly annoying nature, there might be something here.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker

Rollins is banged up and defending, as the fans give him a WELCOME HOME chant. An early Pedigree attempt is blocked so Rollins sends him outside for a running kick from the apron as we take a break. Back with Rollins fighting out of a bearhug on the bad ribs but some overhead tosses put him right back down.

Rollins misses a charge and gets German suplexed to bang up the ribs again. Breakker’s spear hits post though and a running knee sends him outside. The three straight suicide dives take Breakker down again and it’s time to set up the announcers’ table. The frog splash through said table has Breakker in trouble and we take another break.

Back again with Rollins reversing a German suplex into a rollup for two. The low superkick sets up a missed frog splash and Breakker plants him down with a Frankensteiner. The gorilla press powerslam gets two but Rollins is back up with a Pedigree for two of his own. Back up and Breakker spears him in half for two, leaving them both down again. Rollins manages a superkick into the stomp into another stomp to retain the title at 17:07.

Rating: B. They saved the best for last here with Breakker being a nice foil for Rollins, even in a match with almost no chance of a title change. Breakker was in over his head here but still made Rollins work, at least partially due to the rib injuries holding Rollins back. What mattered was having such a big name here and Rollins made it work as a result. The power vs. speed/high flying formula was at work here and Breakker came off strong in defeat.

Rollins poses post match but Finn Balor runs in to jump him from behind. Several shots to the ribs connect but Balor fights off security. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams run in for the save to end the show. That was a nice surprise and could set up something in the future.

Overall Rating: B-. There was a weak part between the Hayes/Corbin segment and the main event but the rest of the show was quite good. What mattered here was making multiple things, including the titles, feel important. I’m really digging this strategy of having the main roster stars come down, as they make the show seem that much more important. Another fine week here, with the last twenty minutes really pulling things higher.

Results
Wes Lee b. Tyler Bate – Cardiac Kick
Edris Enofe/Malik Blade b. Hank Walker/Tank Ledger and Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen – Frog splash to Ledger
Cora Jade b. Dana Brooke via referee stoppage
Jakara Jackson/Lash Legend b. Yulisa Leon/Valentina Feroz – Pump kick to Leon
Seth Rollins b. Bron Breakker – Stomp

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: June 13, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We might be in for something of a main roster invasion this week, as last week’s show ended with Bron Breakker challenging World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins for a title shot. Other than that, Baron Corbin and Mustafa Ali are still lurking around and that should make for a big show. Let’s get to it.

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

Schism vs. Tyler Bate/Wes Lee/Mustafa Ali

It’s a brawl before the bell to start until we settle down to Ali being taken into the corner. That doesn’t last long and it’s Lee coming in to get caught in a double hot shot from the Dyad. Gacy adds the release Rock Bottom and it’s Fowler coming back in for three straight near falls. Lee tries to punch back against Gacy, who drops him with an uppercut.

Reid breaks up a sunset flip but Lee gets over and brings Bate in to clean house. The airplane spin is broken up but Schism is sent to the floor, setting up the triple dives as we take a break. Back with Bate fighting out of trouble and everything breaking down. Ali misses the 450 and gets sent HARD into the corner.

Lee comes back in and dropkicks Fowler in the back, setting up a big running flip dive to take out the other two. The Cardiac Kick misses Fowler and the referee gets bumped. Lee gets shoved into Bate to knock him off the apron, leaving Lee to get caught in a toss sitout powerbomb (that looked good) for….two, as another referee comes in to say Bate made a tag (while the original referee was down). Ali hits a tornado DDT to the floor on Reid, leaving Bate to Tyler Driver 97 Gacy for the pin at 14:18.

Rating: B-. These guys were working here and the action got rather good at times. But now tags the referee just doesn’t see can count? That’s quite the departure from pretty much forever in WWE history, but it was certainly was a unique ending. Gacy’s troubles continue as well and it is hard to imagine the team not having issues going forward.

Thea Hail is ready to show Charlie Dempsey and Drew Gulak what he can do. With them gone, Duke Hudson calls Andre Chase and leaves a voicemail saying things are getting out of hand.

Here is Bron Breakker to talk about how he took out Ilja Dragunov and now he wants Seth Rollins. Cue Dragunov, who has to be held back by security, but Rollins pops up on screen. Rollins is somewhat impressed by Breakker, and thinks it would be nice to go back where it all started. The challenge is accepted (the fans approve) and next week he’ll be here to defend against Breakker.

Video on Dana Brooke.

Brooke is ready to be here and work hard but Cora Jade comes into slap her and violence is teased.

Tyler Bate, Wes Lee and Mustafa Ali are happy with their win and it’s time for the North American Title match. Ali will even be guest referee! As for tonight, Bate thinks they should go vegan. Lee is in and Ali looks like he wants to end him.

Cora Jade vs. Thea Hail

Duke Hudson is here too as they fight over wrist control to start. Hail’s headlock doesn’t last long so she messes up a flip in the corner. An armdrag into an armbar works a bit better, at least until Hail elbows her way out of trouble. Here is Dana Brooke to cheer for Hail as Jade grabs a chinlock. Hail fights up and hits a springboard backsplash before they head to the floor. Jade hits Brooke and grabs the kendo stick, which is enough of a distraction for Brooke to send her into the steps. Back in and Hail grabs a Kimura for the tap at 4:18.

Rating: C. I could go for more of this insane/aggressive Hail, as it oddly suits her over the top insanity. On top of that, she has a title match coming up so giving her a win is a good idea. Brooke vs. Jade is hardly some marquee match, but it does give both of them something to do for the time being.

We go over the Heritage Cup rules. The match will be six three minute rounds, first to win two falls wins. You can win a fall by pinfall, submission or countout, but a knockout or DQ ends the match instantly. In the event of a tie, the champion retains the title.

Heritage Cup: Noam Dar vs. Nathan Frazer

Dar is….injured, so Oro Mensah will be defending in his place.

Heritage Cup: Oro Mensah vs. Nathan Frazer

Mensah is defending on Dar’s behalf. Round One begins with a fight over arm control. Mensah gets the better of an armbar but Frazer reverses into a rollup for the pin at 1:49 of the first fall. Round Two begins with Mensah being more aggressive and chopping Frazer against the ropes. A knockdown gives Mensah two but Frazer pulls himself up from the mat and nails an enziguri. Mensah is back up with a kick to the head of his own so Jakara Jackson gets up on the apron. Lash Legend offers a distraction and the running spinwheel kick in the corner finishes Frazer to tie it up at 1:55 of the round and 4:14 total.

We take a break and come back with about 40 seconds to go in Round Three. They trade rollups for two each until Frazer superkicks a springboard moonsault out of the air. There’s a very delayed near fall as the round ends. Round Four begins with Mensah planting Frazer for two and being shocked at the kickout. Frazer superkicks him in the chest for two but he gets flipped off the top. Jackson and Legend try to cheat again, but cue Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz to cut them off. Frazer avoids the spinwheel kick in the corner and finishes with a phoenix splash at 2:32 of the round and 11:44 overall to win the Cup.

Rating: C. I wasn’t feeling this as you had Frazer beating a replacement champion in a match with all kinds of interference. There was so much here going on and it wasn’t exactly working. You can all but guarantee a rematch with Noam Dar down the line, but for now, Frazer gets his big moment and actually wins something for a change.

Video on Lyra Valkyria.

Some women are catty to each other about Valkyria and an alliance between Lola Vice and Elektra Lopez is formed.

Mr. Stone asks Von Wagner about the therapist when Dijak comes in to look annoyed at them. With Dijak gone, Wagner says he still hasn’t talked to the therapist about the picture, sending Stone into a rant about trust. Wagner says he has always trusted Stone, which comes off as a surprise.

Axiom/Scrypts vs. Dabba-Kato

Kato knocks them out of the air to start and drops Axiom mask first onto the mat. Axiom manages to come back with an enziguri and Scrypts slugs away. Kato is knocked to the floor for a series of dives to take him down, followed by a top rope moonsault to drop him again back inside. The Golden Ratio gives Axiom the pin at 3:13.

Rating: C-. I’m not sure what the point of this feud has been but it isn’t exactly working. Kato isn’t exactly great, but why is he getting this much time if he is going to lose so often? I still think there is something to Axiom, though at the end of the day, it isn’t going to matter if he is stuck in feuds like this.

Post match Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza of all people come in to beat down Scrypts and Axiom. Garza gets a heck of a reaction.

Stacks looks at a web of people in NXT who might have led to Tony D’Angelo getting arrested. He’ll figure this out.

Duke Hudson is proud of Thea Hail, who is a little sore from her match. She’s ready to become the youngest Women’s Champion in NXT history. Next week, it’s a pep rally to get her ready. Tiffany Stratton comes in to mock everything about Hail, as is her custom. With Stratton gone, Charlie Dempsey and Drew Gulak come in to tell Hail to get back in the gym. She’s ready and threatens to hurt Dempsey.

Edris Enofe vs. Malik Blade

Tank Ledger, Hank Walker, Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen all come out to watch as it’s an exchange of rollups to start. Blade hits a dropkick but can’t get a powerbomb to the floor. Instead Enofe hits a running clothesline but misses a big dive (with a nasty landing). Blade hits his own huge dive, only to get caught in a superplex back inside. That’s fine with Blade, as they pop up from their legs and interlock their legs so Blade can get a small package for the pin at 2:48. These guys are scary athletic and I’ve always wanted to see more from them.

Post match all three teams get in, but Booker T. announces that next week it’s a triple threat match with the winners getting a Tag Team Title shot the week after. The fight is on and Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza pop up on the platform to say there is a lot of competition around here.

Damon Kemp yells about the referee not seeing his foot on the ropes last week. Eddy Thorpe comes in and doesn’t like being told it was a cheap victory. They can run it back again and Kemp can pick the stipulations.

Blair Davenport shows us where she has attacked various women in the parking lot, complete with a map. Tatum Paxley is on her side and now it’s time to take out Roxanne Perez.

Roxanne Perez vs. Tatum Paxley

Perez starts fast by snapping off an anklescissors but Paxley sends her throat first into the bottom rope. A hanging butterfly suplex gives Paxley two and a faceplant gets the same. Paxley’s Boston crab is reversed into a small package for two and Perez hammers away. A Russian legsweep is blocked but Pop Rox (with Perez landing on her head on the way down) finishes Paxley at 3:23.

Rating: C. They kept this short and to the point, as we seem to be getting ready for a Perez vs. Davenport showdown. Perez beating Paxley is a first step on the way there, as it isn’t like Paxley is anything more than a Davenport lackey. This was just another step forward with the feud and the big match can come later.

Post match Perez (who thankfully seems fine) says she isn’t afraid of Blair Davenport.

Gigi Dolin rants about being eliminated from the battle royal when Fallon Henley comes in to rant as well. They’re both sick of Kiana James and are ready to deal with her.

Video on Lucien Price and Bronco Nima, a pair of childhood friends who are ready to be a dominant team. They’ve been on LVL Up for months so this had to happen.

Baron Corbin vs. Ilja Dragunov

For the NXT Title shot in two weeks and Dragunov is coming in with bad ribs. Dragunov sends him into the buckle a few times to start but Dragunov chops away to drop Corbin for a change. Back up and Corbin hits a hard right hand to take over, only to get pulled into some rolling German suplexes. The Constantine Special sends Corbin outside and we take a break.

Back with Corbin dumping him to the floor and working away on the bad ribs. A backbreaker gives Corbin two back inside and Dragunov gets sent hard into the corner. Corbin Death Valley Drivers him for two but Dragunov starts slugging away. Deep Six cuts Dragunov off for two more but he’s right back with a running knee in the corner. The top rope backsplash crushes Corbin and a DDT plants him again. Cue Bron Breakker for a distraction though and End of Days gives Corbin the pin at 13:32.

Rating: B. This is a situation where you might have been able to guess the ending from the start but it was the right way to go. Corbin and Hayes have a history together and it would be strange to see Dragunov jump the line to get a title shot that fast. What matters here is setting up two big matches at once and that is what NXT pulled off right here. As for the match itself, it was a pretty brutal fight, with Dragunov making you believe that he is in agony with every shot he takes to those ribs. Dragunov feels special, but for now it is time for Corbin to get his title shot.

Breakker and Dragunov fight off to the back and Carmelo Hayes comes in to take out Corbin to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The big stuff worked but there was a stretch in the middle of this show that really illustrated how uninteresting a lot of the midcard is around here. It’s just people doing things that aren’t overly important and it doesn’t feel like something I needed to see. I do like the bringing main roster stars in, with Garza and Carrillo being great choices. There are good things about NXT, and if they can boost up the weaker parts, they have a heck of a show.

Results
Tyler Bate/Wes Lee/Mustafa Ali b. Schism – Tyler Driver 97 to Gacy
Thea Hail b. Cora Jade – Kimura
Nathan Frazer b. Oro Mensah – 2-1
Axiom/Scrypts b. Dabba-Kato – Golden Ratio
Malik Blade b. Edris Enofe – Small package
Roxanne Perez b. Tatum Paxley – Pop Rox
Baron Corbin b. Ilja Dragunov – End of Days

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT LVL Up
Date: June 9, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Blake Howard

Things were a bit different last week as we had some different faces around for a change. That can make all the difference in the world with a show like this, which is built around getting people some ring time before they’re called up to the main NXT show (in theory at least). Hopefully they keep that up here so let’s get to it.

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

In Memory of the Iron Sheik.

Opening sequence.

Nathan Frazier vs. Tavion Heights

Heights wrestles/powers him to the mat to start but Frazier reverses into a sunset flip for two. Back up and Frazier starts flipping away, only to dive into an overhead belly to belly suplex (and a sweet one at that). Heights grabs the chinlock but Frazier reverses, only to get kicked throat first into the rope. A Dominator gives Heights two more but Frazier kicks him in the head. Frazier flips out of a German suplex, nails a superkick and finishes with the Phoenix splash at 4:40.

Rating: C+. Frazier being around instantly made the show feel more important and the fact that it was a rather nice power vs. speed match helped. This felt like Heights was told to go do all of his impressive stuff and the power/amateur mixture worked. Heights is another star who feels like he could be a big deal going forward, but he has to actually win something for that to take place.

Luca Crusifino is ready for Myles Borne, who lacks his intelligence.

Luca Crusifino vs. Myles Borne

Borne works on a wristlock to start before switching over to an armbar. Luca can’t shake him off but can send Borne throat first into the rope to escape. Some knees to the back set up a chokeslam as the fans argue over whether Luca is their lawyer or not. Borne finally suplexes his way out of trouble but can’t get a powerslam. Instead Borne tries la majistral but Luca stacks him up for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: C. Crusifino winning matches is almost strange to see but it’s nice to have someone fresh actually getting some wins. The evil lawyer isn’t likely to be the biggest gimmick, but I’ll take it over having absolutely nothing else to do. Now just let him get better and find something for him to do and he should be fine.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Dante Chen

Drew Gulak is here with Dempsey. They fight over arm control to start, with Chen flipping him over for an annoyed stare from Dempsey. Another battle over the arm goes to Dempsey, who suplexes him down a few times for some near falls. Back up and Chen elbows him in the face, setting up the armdrag into the armbar.

Chen whips him into the corner a few times but Dempsey gets it back to the mat. The cravate holds Chen in trouble for a bit until he wins a forearm exchange. A big boot drops Dempsey again but he bails to the floor before the double chop. Chen misses a springboard though and gets pulled into a reverse STF (Dempsey has the legs tied up but is laying on his back to pull on the chin.) for the tap at 7:50.

Rating: B-. This was one of the better matches I’ve seen on this show in a good while, as Dempsey was working well with the torture and Chen kept up the energy. Chen is a mainstay around here and isn’t interesting enough for the main NXT show, but he can do well when given the chance. Dempsey could be a force in NXT if he ever gets to move up a bit, but I can settle for him tormenting innocent victims for the time being.

Overall Rating: C+. They went in the opposite direction this week with more star power and that was a nice change of pace. LVL Up is not usually the place for people like Frazier and Dempsey but it was cool to have them around here for a change instead of the same people over and over. I get why NXT wouldn’t want that to be the case every week, but for a one off, this was a fun night.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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