Battleground 2024
Date: June 9, 2024
Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.
Host: Sexyy Red

It’s time for another big special event and in this case it’s taking place at the UFC venue as the two sides continue to come together. The main event will see Trick Williams defending the NXT Title against newcomer Ethan Page, which should be a big fight. Other than that, there is a ladder match to crown the first Women’s North American Champion. Let’s get to it.

Sexyy Red welcomes us to the show and dances a bit.

The opening video talks about how awesome it is to be in Las Vegas but how bad things can go with a bad roll of the dice. The entire card gets a look here.

Women’s North American Title: Sol Ruca vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker vs. Michin vs. Lash Legend vs. Fallon Henley

Ladder match for the inaugural title. Legend and Jordan are left alone in the ring to start, with Legend picking her up for some knees to the ribs. The ladders are picked up on the floor, with Ruca and Jordan dropkicking one into Ruca. Jordan heads outside, leaving Ruca to hit moonsault knees onto Legend. Back in and Jordan gets crushes with a ladder in the corner, with Jordan being laid onto said ladder. Henley loads up the ladder but takes too long, allowing Michin to cut her off.

The ladder is set up, with Legend sending Michin into it before four women get in a big stacked up sleeper. With that broken up, Jordan goes for a climb but gets caught by Parker and Legend, who pull her down from opposite directions. Ruca and Parker kick Michin down but Henley is back up with a faceplant to send Ruca into the ladder. A bunch of people go up top until Ruca and Legend are up top.

Ruca’s sunset bomb attempt is blocked but Legend is pulled off by everyone else and tossed onto a bridged ladder. Michin goes up but gets pulled down, leaving Parker to go up, only to get pulled down for the Sol Snatcher. Henley gets the same and goes up, only to have Jordan run up at the same time. They knock each other down though and we get a breather. Jordan’s split legged moonsault connects onto Michin onto a ladder and she runs up to win the title at 12:28.

Rating: B-. This had the wild and dangerous spots that you were wanting to see, with something of a surprise result. Jordan winning is a nice choice as she is the definition of someone who could be a fresh face in the division. Now she has won something and can defend the title for at least a little while. The match itself was the usual insanity with some things not working as well as they planned, but it could have been a heck of a lot worse.

Yesterday, Oro Mensah jumped Ethan Page as he arrived in Las Vegas.

Tag Team Titles: OC vs. Axiom/Nathan Frazer

The OC is challenging. Anderson starts in on Axiom’s banged up arm so Axiom goes with a dropkick to get out of trouble. Frazer adds a running dropkick for two before grabbing a headlock takeover. It’s back to Axiom, who tries to go up but gets sent into the wrong corner so Gallows can stomp away.

Gallows fires off elbows to the bad shoulder and it’s back to Anderson for a headbutt. Axiom manages to get in a shot of his own though and the tag brings in Frazer to clean house. A springboard takes Anderson down and the running shooting star press gets two. Anderson avoids the phoenix splash though and hits a TKO of all things. The belly to back neckbreaker gives Gallows two and one heck of a sitout powerbomb does the same. Everything breaks down and Axiom comes back in to choke Gallows.

That’s broken up and it’s a running boot into a flapjack combination for two on Axiom. Frazer’s dive to the floor is countered into a chokeslam onto the apron, leaving Anderson to hit a super TKO for two on Axiom. Anderson tries it again but Frazer makes the save. That means Frazer can dive onto Anderson and Axiom gives Anderson a super Spanish Fly. The phoenix splash gives Frazer the retaining pin at 11:38.

Rating: B-. It was a pretty formula based match and the OC is still nowhere near what they used to be, but they had a good enough match here. Axiom and Frazer got to beat a team with a bit more credibility, as their build into a strong team continues. This wasn’t some classic match, but it did what it was supposed to do well enough.

We recap Lola Vice vs. Shayna Baszler in NXT Underground. They both have MMA backgrounds, but Vice is more about having fun while Baszler is more about competition. Tonight, they’re having a big fight.

Lola Vice vs. Shayna Baszler

NXT Underground, meaning no ropes and knockout/submissions only to win with wrestlers serving as unofficial lumberjacks. They slug it out to start until Baszler hammers her down. The fight goes outside, with Vice being sent into part of the set. Back in and Baszler suplexes her into an ankle lock. That’s reversed with a roll into the post s Vice grabs a rear naked choke.

Baszler breaks that up and they head outside, with Baszler loading up the announcers’ table. A legsweep and right hands have Vice in trouble but she avoids a running knee to the side of the table. The knee is wrapped around the post and Vice grabs a kneebar. Baszler starts getting out of that so Vice switches to a quickly broken ankle lock. Vice strikes her down again but another choke is broken up. Baszler fights to her feet and hits a kick to the head, setting up the Kirifuda Clutch.

Some twisting of the bad leg gets Vice out of trouble so Baszler knees her in the face. Baszler takes the knee pad down but charges into a spinning backfist to knock Baszler out to the floor. Back up and Baszler bets up security for some reason, only to have Vice kick her in the head again. Baszler grabs a triangle choke and kicks Vice out to the floor again. Vice manages to send her into the steps though and another spinning backfist knocks Baszler silly. The hammer fists finish Baszler at 11:17, who ties to jump the referee in her confusion.

Rating: C. It was definitely different and the violence was good, but this felt like something that should have gone about five minutes shorter. Vice winning is the right call and it’s one of the biggest wins of her career, but it got a bit boring about halfway through. At least they had Baszler put Vice over in a match that made sense. Just find a better way to do it.

Sexyy Red congratulates Kelani Jordan on her win and they dance.

Heatwave is coming to Toronto on July 7.

We recap the North American Title match with Oba Femi defending against Wes Lee and Joe Coffey. Femi is the unstoppable monster, Lee is the former champion and Coffey is the brawler who wants to beat people up and win the title.

North American Title: Oba Femi vs. Joe Coffey vs. Wes Lee

Femi is defending and the other two strike away at him to start, setting up a double dropkick to the floor. Lee knocks Coffey down and hits a dive on Femi, setting up a top rope twisting dive for two on Coffey. Back in and Femi suplexes them both at once before throwing Lee at Coffey for a nasty crash. They other two get together to stagger Femi, who goes up to the middle rope. Lee goes with him so Femi LAUNCHES HIM at Coffey in an awesome visual.

Back up and Coffey manages a sidewalk slam on Femi, setting up a Vader Bomb elbow for two. Lee is sent into the corner and Coffey manages a Death Valley Driver on Femi. Back up and Lee knocks Coffey onto Femi, with Lee having to make a last second save. With Femi outside, Coffey hits a dive, only to get planted onto the apron. Lee’s big running flip dive is pulled out of the air, with Femi powerbombing him onto Coffey for the big crash. Back in and Lee headscissors Femi into the corner, with Coffey having to make a save of his own.

Coffey hits a spinebuster for two on Lee but cue Gallus to beat up Femi on the floor. Lee gets hit with a top rope moonsault from Coffey, setting up the running headbutt into the corner for two. Femi gets back up and drops Gallus, only to get knocked down again with All The Best For The Bells. The standing Meteora puts Coffey down and there’s the Cardiac Kick for two, with Gallus pulling the referee out. Lee dives onto Gallus but Femi powerbombs Lee and Coffey to pin the latter at 12:05.

Rating: B. This was the Femi show as he was out there wrecking everyone in front of him like the monster that he has become. NXT knows what they have with him and this was a good way to make him look that much better. I’m not sure what is going to be able to stop Femi, but he was a wrecking ball here and it was another fun display of his monster size and power. Lee and Coffey were doing their thing, but this was about Femi and it worked.

We recap the Women’s Title match, as Roxanne Perez is defending against the monster TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace. It’s a cross promotional match, with Grace as a guest star who still feels like an unstoppable force.

NXT Women’s Title: Jordynne Grace vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez is defending and Grace’s TNA Knockouts Title isn’t on the line. Grace blocks a waistlock to start so Perez slaps her in the face. That just gets on Grace’s nerves and she suplexes Perez down, allowing a quick nipup. Grace goes up but gets pulled down by the arm, setting up the seated armbar.

A knee drop misses for Perez but she punches the leg out again. Perez’s high crossbody is countered into a World’s Strongest Slam, only to have Grace miss the Vader Bomb. They both go up, with Grace grabbing a super spinning torture rack bomb but it’s too early for the Juggernaut river. Instead Grace hits a clothesline and a spinebuster for two but the MuscleBuster is broken up.

Perez hits a running hurricanrana driver for two and it’s time to crank on the arm. The armbar over the ropes keeps Grace in trouble but this time she pulls Perez into the MuscleBuster for two more. They head to the apron, where Perez can’t hit Pop Rox to the floor. Instead she sends Grace face first into the apron, setting up a diving tornado DDT. Back in and a double springboard moonsault gets two, followed by a crossface.

That’s broken up as well before both of their finishers are blocked. Grace faceplants her down…and Tatum Paxley jumps the barricade. She grabs the Knockouts Title but here is Ash By Elegance (formerly known as Dana Brooke) to grab it as well. Grace takes Ash down and hits a Death Valley Driver on Perez. The Juggernaut Driver is countered into a cutter though and Pop Rox retains the title at 13:57.

Rating: B. These two were rolling before the ending, which seemed to be more of a way to set something up for the Knockouts Title. I wasn’t sure who was going to win here, with Perez fighting against the monster and having to score where she could. Grace has looked like a star every time she has been out there in WWE of any kind and it wouldn’t shock me to see that become a permanent situation as soon as possible.

Sexyy Red brags about the show and Lola Vice comes in to dance. Red and the interviewer join her.

Gallus jumps Wes Lee.

We recap Trick Williams defending the NXT Title against Ethan Page. Williams was likely to defend against Noam Dar but someone attacked Dar instead. That wound up being Page, who signed a deal with the caveat that he got a title match here. Worked for Williams.

NXT Title: Trick Williams vs. Ethan Page

Williams is defending. Page starts fast and hammers away but Williams is back up with a neckbreaker for two. Williams’ side kick misses though and he crashes out to the floor, where Page sends him into the steps. Back in and Page stomps away in the corner, setting up a double underhook backbreaker for two. Page grabs a bearhug to stay on the ribs before slowly stomping away.

Williams fights up and hits a spinning DDT to leave them both down. Back up and Williams kicks him in the face but misses the spinning variety. They go outside with Page being sent over the barricade before they head back inside. Williams’ spinning kick to the face gets two but Page knocks him out of the air. The running knee in the corner gives Page two and they slug it out from their knees.

They slug it out, with Williams hitting a Rock Bottom for two. The fight heads outside, where Williams loads up the announcers’ table, only to get powerslammed through the table instead. Back in and the Ego’s Edge (Razor’s Edge) gets two on Williams, leaving Page to yell at the referee. The distraction lets Williams hit the Trick Shot to retain at 12:14.

Rating: C+. And that’s the main event. It wasn’t exactly a hot feud coming in and it wound up going well, but there was almost no heat to the match at all. Page is just kind of a generic guy who hasn’t had the chance to turn into anything around here. Maybe this could have gone better if they had more time to build up the feud, but it only worked well enough.

Sexyy Red comes out to celebrate with Williams to end the show. Red said nothing and danced four times. End of her contributions to this whole thing.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling ranged from good to ok at worst, but there was very little that actually happened here. Kelani Jordan is the inaugural Women’s North American Champion, and the rest of the titles were retained. It was a show with good action but nothing that you need to see. The problem is that it feels like we’re pretty much right where we were when the build to this show began with only a few minor changes here and there. They need a big story around here and the closest thing right now is TNA having wrestlers show up. It’s going to need more than that and this show didn’t deliver it.

Results
Kelani Jordan won the Women’s North American Title ladder match
Axiom/Nathan Frazer b. OC – Phoenix splash to Anderson
Lola Vice b. Shayna Baszler – Hammer fist
Oba Femi b. Joe Coffey and Wes Lee – Powerbomb to Coffey
Roxanne Perez b. Jordynne Grace – Pop Rox
Trick Williams b. Ethan Page – Trick Shot

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NXT
Date: June 4, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the go home show for Battleground and that means it’s time to really hammer things home. In this case that actually means setting up the main event, which very well may be the newcomer Ethan Page challenging Trick Williams for the NXT Title. Other than that, we’ll probably see a bunch of people set for a ladder match in a big messy segment. Let’s get to it.

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

Ava, with Mr. Stone, welcome Ethan Page to the show in the hopes of getting everything solved.

Opening recap.

Jordynne Grace vs. Stevie Turner

Non-title and here is Roxanne Perez to join commentary. Turner slaps her in the face to start but Grace is back with a much bigger slap. A quick knockdown gives Turner a breather but Grace easily powers out of a reverse chinlock. The Vader Bomb into the Juggernaut Driver (pumphandle driver) finishes for Grace at 2:59. Short and to the point, with Grace getting to look like a killer.

Post match Grace and Perez have a standoff with Perez going for a cheap shot but bailing instead.

Trick Williams asks Lash Legend if she’s seen Ethan Page. She hasn’t, but she also has to cut off their relationship because she needs the Women’s North American Title. Williams understands and says do what you have to do.

Shawn Spears talks to some rookies (including Je’Von Evans) but Josh Briggs interrupts and accuses Spears of trying to manipulate them. Briggs teases violence, but Spears says he’s just showing his insecurities.

Booker T. is emceeing a showdown between the six women vying for the inaugural Women’s North American Title. Michin knows what it’s like to be in a ladder match around here. Jaida Parker says this is her time and makes threats, with Fallon Henley saying this is her match because she’ll be on her own. Kelani Jordan says no one will try like she will but Sol Ruca promises to snatch five souls. Lash Legend finds that funny but says Sunday is about being crowned champion. A Trick Williams insult is thrown out and Booker knows where this is going. The fight is on and here is Robert Stone to make a six woman tag.

The No Quarter Catch Crew talk into a mirror (Damon Kemp finds it weird) and have to talk like the D’Angelo Family.

Thea Hail vs. Jazmyn Nyx

Andre Chase and Ridge Holland are here, with the rest of Chase U standing back due to Holland. Hail starts in on the arm but gets thrown into the air in the corner for a kick to the ribs. Nyx starts in on Hail’s arm for a change and stomps away some more. The World’s Smallest Slam connects for Hail and she grabs the Kimura. Nyx manages to stay up and backs her into the corner, where Hail breaks it up to protect the referee. A quick Pele Kick gives Nyx the pin at 4:32.

Rating: C. Nyx getting a win on her own, even over a distracted Hail, is a bit deal for her future. She is someone who could be a star if given the chance and we might be seeing her get just that sooner than later. Hail’s issues with Chase U, or at least parts of it, could make for a bit of a complicated future and that is not a bad thing.

Ava and Mr. Stone don’t like Ethan Page’s contract offer.

Earlier today, the OC jumps Axiom and Nathan Frazier at the merchandise truck and the champs got beaten down.

Heritage Cup: Tony D’Angelo vs. Damon Kemp

Kemp is challenging and Round One begins with a failed takedown attempt. Instead Kemp grabs a suplex and stomps away as the intensity gets cranked up rather quickly. Not that it matters as D’Angelo grabs Forget About It for the first fall at 1:47. Round Two begins with a break and we come back with the beginning of Round Three.

Kemp stomps away in the corner and grabs a bridging German suplex for two. It works so well that Kemp does it over and over gain but D’Angelo wakes up. Some belly to belly suplexes put Kemp down but he grabs a DDT for two as the bell rings to save D’Angelo. Round Four begins with…D’Angelo hitting a spinebuster for the second fall to retain at 8 seconds of the round and 9:44 overall.

Rating: C+. This was a bit of a surprise with D’Angelo getting the rare sweep. We might be seeing the Crew getting back to basics by being themselves again, which could make for a better challenge. For now though, I can go for D’Angelo getting a dominant win, as it certainly made him look like a bigger star.

Ava says Ethan Page wants to sign his contract in the middle of the ring but there are some details that have to be solved. Trick Williams comes in to say give Page whatever he wants and he’ll even be out there to make sure Page signs. Then Sexyy Red calls so they have to wrap it up.

Michin introduces herself to Jordynne Grace and they like each other. Jaida Parker comes in for some trash talk, allowing Arianna Grace to come in and say she and Jordynne aren’t related. Tatum Paxley comes in to admire the Knockouts Title, but Jordynne says it’s more important than anything, including Arianna’s crown.

We get a long video on Shayna Baszler vs. Lola Vice in NXT Underground at Battleground. They both have combat backgrounds but Vice is more about being flashy while Baszler is more about being serious. UFC/MMA fighters weigh in as well.

Izzi Dame vs. Natalya

Karmen Petrovic is here with Natalya, who knocks Petrovic down to start and hits a basement dropkick. Dame gets the better of a fight on the floor but a powerbombs is countered back inside. Natalya can’t get the cross armbreaker as Dame powers her up for a ram into the corner. Back up and a powerbomb out of the corner gives Natalya two, followed by an exchange of rollups to give Natalya the win at 4:05.

Rating: C+. So I guess NXT didn’t see the segment where Natalya said she was going to change things this week on Raw, as this was the same Natalya match we’ve seen for years. The match was perfectly fine, but there was nothing here that is going to stand out in any way. In other words, it’s Natalya.

Nathan Frazer and Axiom are ready for the OC at Battleground.

Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont come out for a match but Gallus jumps them from behind during the break. They don’t like the lack of respect and no one wants them to be here as professional wrestlers. On Sunday, they’re ready to make Joe Coffey the North American Champion. Cue Oba Femi to say Gallus is dangerous but he’s ready to go. Wes Lee pops in to say he’s ready to beat anyone to get his title back.

Wendy Choo is back next week.

Lexis King brags about attacking Dante Chen, who jumps King to start a brawl. It’s broken up but King issues a challenge for one more fight.

Lash Legend/Kelani Jordan/Fallon Henley vs. Michin/Jaida Parker/Sol Ruca

Jordan and Ruca trade takedowns to start and flip over to the ropes for the tag off to Parker vs. Legend. Parker’s shoulder doesn’t get her very far so Michin comes in for a shoulder of her own. Legend takes Michin down and it’s Henley coming in for a sliding right hand. We take a break and come back with Jordan coming in to pick up the pace.

Parker pulls Jordan out of the air though and sits on Jordan in the corner. Michin hits a Pounds and grabs a surfboard on Jordan, followed by a quick dropkick. Parker comes in and gets Stundog Millionaired as Jazmyn Nyx and….someone come out to watch. Everything breaks down and the teammates start fighting each other. Ruca uses the distraction to hit the Sol Snatcher on Legend for the pin at 9:39.

Rating: C+. Points for mixing things up here, as this could have been any run of the mill six man and then it wouldn’t have been nearly as special. What we got instead was a nice showcase of everyone involved, even if the results mean nothing in a ladder match. Nice change of pace here and it was entertaining as a one off, with the Sol Snatcher looking great as always.

The woman next to Nyx appears to Jacy Jayne with a jacket pulled over her face.

Stevie Turner asks Ava for another match next week but doesn’t get an answer.

Eddy Thorpe is ready to fight for his heritage.

Battleground rundown.

Ava brings out Ethan Page for the contract signing. Page brags about how great of a signing he’ll be, but Ava isn’t meeting his demands. Page talks about how NXT needs the star power after the Draft. The fans chanting for Trick Williams gets on Page’s nerves so here is Williams to interrupt. The table is cleared out and Williams asks Ava to give Page whatever he wants.

Page talks about how he’s been in a lot of shadows over the years and Williams had the same problem. He credits Williams making a name for himself and now Page wants to do the same. Page signs, but Ava won’t do it. The deal says that if Page signs, he gets an NXT Title shot at Battleground, which means the end of the Whoop That era. Ava signs and the staredown ends the show. Not the stunning surprise here, but it had to be done.

Overall Rating: C+. I don’t know if I remember the last time a show had that high of a percentage of women’s wrestling. The good thing here is it set up a lot for Sunday, though there was little here that you would need to see. It was a show about getting ready for Battleground and that was nicely enough done. Not a great show here, but a show they needed to do and they make it work.

Results
Jordynne Grace b. Stevie Turner – Juggernaut Driver
Jazmyn Nyx b. Thea Hail – Pele Kick
Tony D’Angelo b. Damon Kemp 2-0
Natalya b. Izzi Dame – Rollup
Michin/Jaida Parker/Sol Ruca b. Lash Legend/Kelani Jordan/Fallon Henley – Sol Snatcher to Legend

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NXT LVL Up
Date: May 31, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Blake Howard

We’re still on the road to Battleground and in this case we’re back to the full length version of the show. In this case that only means about half an hour with three matches, though the level of quality may vary. That’s the story of LVL Up and has been for a long time now. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Uriah Connors vs. Cutler James

James throws him away to start and then grabs a headlock to keep Connors closer. A few slams set up a gorilla press drop to put Connors down but he avoids a charge into the post. Connors works on the arm with an it bar but Connors fights back up. The running shoulders in the corner have Connors down and a torture rack drop gives James two. Connors is back up with a rollup through the ropes (cool) into a suicide dive, followed by a top rope elbow for the pin at 5:35.

Rating: C+. I wasn’t expecting this to work, if nothing else just because I barely remember either of these two showing up around here. James is a big guy with some energy to him but he is going to need some more seasoning. At the same time Connors is going to probably get a chance due to his heritage, but a name change won’t hurt him.

Tyson DuPont and Tyriek Igwe are ready to keep things going against the No Quarter Catch Crew.

Kendal Grey vs. Stevie Turner

Turner grabs the hair to escape a waistlock to start but gets taken down into an armbar. Grey switches to a headlock and cranks away but Turner grabs a neckbreaker for two instead. The seated cobra clutch doesn’t last long as Grey fights up and hits some running forearms. A middle rope crossbody misses though and Turner hits a Stroke for the pin at 4:16.

Rating: C. This was the match to get Turner back in the ring before she likely gets wrecked by Jordynne Grace next week on regular NXT. Turner is still someone who feels like she should have gotten a lot further so far but it just never came together. Other than that, Grey is quite the athlete who is still getting her feet wet around here, so there is only so much she is going to be able to do.

Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont vs. No Quarter Catch Crew

Charlie Dempsey and Myles Borne for the Crew (Damon Kemp on the floor) with the latter starting against Igwe. The fight over a lockup doesn’t go well for Borne, who is sent into the corner for the tag to Dempsey. That’s fine with Igwe, who slams him down and hands it off to DuPont for the heavy shoulder. DuPont grabs a waistlock on Borne, followed by a kick to the head for two. Dempsey makes a blind tag though and Borne takes DuPont down so the villains can start taking turns on him.

Dempsey’s top rope stomp to the knee sets up a half crab, followed by Borne’s cranking on the leg. The alternating ankle cranking continues until Dempsey gets kicked away, allowing the diving tag back to Igwe. Everything breaks down and a shoulderbreaker into a splash gets two on Dempsey with Borne making the save. Kemp grabs Igwe’s foot though, allowing Dempsey to grab a bridging German suplex for the pin at 7:30.

Rating: C+. Igwe and DuPont seemed like they were starting to put something together on the main NXT but here they are, losing on the minor league minor league show. The Crew seems to be getting somewhere as well, but this is just a warmup for their likely next run at the Heritage Cup. This was a bigger match around here though, and I’ll take that over more rookies who haven’t done much of anything else.

Overall Rating: C+. The best thing I can say about this show is that it didn’t feel like the same things we’ve seen over and over. There is only so much that you can get out of this kind of a show but I’ll take Connors and Grey getting some needed reps. Switching back to the three match version didn’t make a ton of difference, but it isn’t like much around here changes anything most of the time.

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NXT LVL Up
Date: May 24, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Blake Howard

We are on the way towards Battleground but since there is a trip to Saudi Arabia on the way there, we’ll be in for a shortened edition of this show. That can make for a more enjoyable experience around here, though you never know what kind of stars you’ll be seeing from week to week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Jazmyn Nyx vs. Lainey Reid

Reid trips her down to start and then grabs a quick la majistral for an early two. Back up and Nyx grabs a headlock but Reid armdrags her way to freedom and grabs an armbar. Nyx fights up and sends her into the corner for a quick kick to the ribs. A running kick to the chest sets up a figure four necklock on Reid but she powers up into an electric chair (dang). Reid hits a clothesline into a neckbreaker into a nipup, followed by a belly to back faceplant for two. Nyx manages to block a butterfly suplex and hits a Pele Kick for the pin at 5:39.

Rating: C+. This was better than I was expecting with Reid getting to show off quite a bit of athleticism. She had some rather impressive power stuff in there, with the electric chair especially standing out. It’s just a first match and she was only in there for about five minutes, but she did well while it lasted in one of her first televised matches.

Talk Ledger and Hank Walker discuss the term “literally”. Then they make tank noises.

Tank Ledger vs. Kale Dixon

In a VERY impressive bit of continuity, we actually get a look at Bron Breakker wrecking Dixon on Raw and a “previously recorded” graphic covers his stretcher job. Major points for that one. Ledger powers him into the corner to start and grinds away on a headlock. Back up and a running shoulder into a slam has Dixon in more trouble.

Ledger blocks a ram into the corner but gets superkicked out of the air to put him in trouble for a change. Dixon chokes away in the corner and hits a knee in the head for two. The double arm crank goes on but Dixon stops to pose, allowing Ledger to come back with a heck of a clothesline. Ledger’s middle rope elbow and a Bubba Bomb finishes for Ledger at 6:55.

Rating: C. I still do not get the appeal of Ledger (and/or Hank Walker) but they are semi-regulars around here and get quite a bit of time on this show. Granted so does Dixon, but I’m not expecting to see him around after Breakker smashed him. I know this because they covered it on here, which is a lot more than I was expecting.

Overall Rating: C. Not much to this one with the opener being more of a surprise than high quality. As usual, there is only so much you can get out of this show and that is lowered even more with one of the matches being cut. Nothing to see here, as this felt like a show that they did because they had to.

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NXT
Date: May 28, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We are just under two weeks away from Battleground and the show is starting to come together. The main event would still likely seem to be Trick Williams defending the NXT Title against Noam Dar but last week saw a bit of a confusing result as Gallus got involved. Other than that, Sexyy Red is here so let’s get to it.

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

Ava introduces rapper Sexyy Red (Booker seems to be a big fan) and says Red will be hosting Battleground. Red unveils the Women’s North American Title (it’s just the men’s version with a white strap) but here is Tatum Paxley to take it away. Michin runs in and we’re ready to go.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Michin vs. Tatum Paxley

It’s a brawl to start with Michin knocking her into the corner but missing a boot. Paxley stomps away and chokes with a boot as Jaida Parker comes out to watch. Michin knocks her to the apron and hits a baseball slide as we take a break. Back with Parker on commentary and Michin headbutting away in the corner. Eat Defeat is countered into something like a powerslam for two and Paxley belly to backs her for the same. Another suplex is escaped though and Michin hits Eat Defeat for the win at 9:11.

Rating: C. I can’t quite imagine Michin winning the title but adding in a little main roster star power isn’t going to hurt things. I’m a bit surprised Paxley lost here, as she was at least involved in a story around Stand & Deliver. For now, Michin moving forward is the better move though. At the same time, Parker continues to come off like a star in the making as she has a certain poise to her.

Gallus isn’t happy but Meta Four come in to ask why they jumped Noam Dar. Apparently it wasn’t Dar, though Lash Legend insists it wasn’t Trick Williams either. Dang NXT LOVES this mystery attacker stuff.

We look at Shayna Baszler vs. Lola Vice in NXT Underground being set up for Battleground.

Arianna Grace begs Vice to not do this but Vice threatens her. Grace: “Oh s***.”

Riley Osborne vs. Ridge Holland

Chase U is here with Osborne, who slugs away to start. Holland knocks him down and grabs a chinlock. Osborne tries to fight up but gets dropped with a clothesline. A spear through the ropes sends Osborne crashing out to the floor and we take a break. Back with Osborne fighting out of a chinlock but getting dropped with a hard clothesline for two.

Osborne knocks him to the floor but a div is knocked out of the air. Holland takes too long getting the steps though, allowing Osborne to make an actual comeback. That’s broken up just as fast, with Holland kicking him off the ropes and hitting the lifting DDT (which might be called the Redeemer) for the pin at 11:18.

Rating: C+. Osborne was trying to make his comebacks here but Holland kept smothering him with the power and high impact offense. That made for a nice enough story, with Holland taking him out in the end. I’m still not sure what the big endgame is going to be or Holland, but at least they are keeping him somewhat warm on the way there.

Post match Holland offers a handshake but Osborne leaves.

The OC are ready to win the NXT Tag Team Titles and beatdowns will continue until they get their shot.

Oro Mensah has been attacked.

Edris Enofe/Malik Blade vs. OC

Brinley Reece is here with Enofe/Blade. Anderson jumps Blade to start but Enofe comes in off a blind tag to double team Anderson down. Hold on though as Enofe stops to say something Reece but gets knocked off the apron and into her as we take a break. Back with Gallows chinlocking, and then hammering away on, Blade as Enofe is all worried about Reece.

Anderson sends him hard into the corner and Gallows rips at the jaws. Blade slips out of a belly to back suplex though and makes the tag off to Enofe to pick up the pace. Enofe misses something off the top though and gets chokeslammed. The Magic Killer gives Anderson the pin at 9:06.

Rating: C. They’re big names, but my goodness it’s hard to get interested in whatever the OC is doing. You can probably pencil them in for a title shot at Battleground and that should be a nice win for Axiom and Nathan Frazer, but it doesn’t make for the most interesting stories on the way there. As much as I like them, Enofe and Blade do not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon and the Reece relationship might be in danger too.

Post match Axiom and Nathan Frazer run in and clear the OC out before giving them the title match at Battleground.

Video on Dante Chen, who has been around here for a long time but finally got his chance last week.

Chen thanks some wrestlers for thanking him but Lexis King comes in to say that will never happen again. The rematch is set for tonight.

Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans get along with Sexyy Red.

Here is Roxanne Perez to find out her challenger at Battleground. She has been proud of this title forever while no one else has. Perez began training at 13 years old and has wanted the title for nine years. It represents future greatness instead of present greatness, even though greatness is in front of you. She isn’t happy with Ava for making this happen but here is Ava to interrupt and introduce the new challenger: TNA Knockouts Champion (with belt) Jordynne Grace. Commentary (and the swearing fans) lose their minds and Grace talks about being ready to become a double champion at Battleground.

Eddy Thorpe has been reborn.

Riley Osborne complains to Chase U about Ridge Holland and Duke Hudson gets it. Everyone but Chase leaves and Holland comes in, asking to talk to Chase later.

Lola Vice vs. Arianna Grace

They fight over rollups to start until Vice trips her down and hits a kick to the back. Vice strikes away in the corner but gets suplexed down. Not that it matters as a spinning fist gives Vice the pin at 2:13.

Post match Vice promises to beat Shayna Baszler, who runs out but gets held back by security.

Video on Carlee Bright, a former college cheerleader who is bringing her skills to NXT.

A bunch of women compliment Bright but Izzi Dame comes in to mock her. Karmen Petrovic isn’t having that and a brawl breaks out.

The No Quarter Catch Crew wants the Heritage Cup back and Charlie Dempsey thinks they need to be like the D’Angelo Family. Damon Kemp is getting the title shot.

Oro Mensah is getting checked out by the medical staff but Lash Legend doesn’t believe it was Trick Williams.

Lexis King vs. Dante Chen

King strikes away to start and shouts a lot but gets small packaged for a fast two. A Jackhammer gives King two but Chen crucifixes him for the pin at 1:43.

Post match King lays Chen out and hits the Coronation on exposed concrete.

Josh Briggs looks back at his career history and says he wanted to win on his own but needed a team first. He hasn’t won just yet, but he’ll find out what he is going to be.

Shawn Spears sees a bunch of people who are misguided, with one person in particular. He’ll be their answer.

The D’Angelo Family is ready for the No Quarter Catch Crew, with Tony saying they’ll beat them at their own game next week.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Kelani Jordan vs. Wren Sinclair

Fallon Henley is on commentary. Sinclair takes her down to start and Jordan is a bit surprised. Back up and Jordan hits a dropkick before elbowing Sinclair out to the floor. They fight over a sunset flip back inside and then a backslide until Jordan grabs a suplex. The split legged moonsault gives Jordan the pin at 3:13.

Rating: C. This was more of a gymnastics routine than anything else and it worked, despite a few mishaps with the counters. Jordan’s minor push continues and she has the athleticism to turn into something. Sinclair continues to be something odd, as she is continuously presented on television but has yet to actually win anything important (or perhaps anything at all). This didn’t have time to go anywhere, but they got in a lot of nice looking stuff in the time they had.

Stevie Turner is in Ava’s office (along with Mr. Stone, who seems to be working there now) and complains about not getting a shot at anything. Jordynne Grace comes in and a match is made for next week.

Wes Lee isn’t worried about Gallus. Oba Femi comes in to say he’s keeping the North American Title at Battleground but Lee is ready to prove him wrong.

Gallus vs. Je’Von Evans/Trick Williams

Sexyy Red is here with Williams and Evans but there is no Wolfgang. Williams runs Mark over to start and gives him a slam before handing it off to Evans. Joe gets taken down and we pause to pose with Red. The delay lets Evans get knocked into the steps and we take an early break.

Back with Evans still in trouble and Mark slamming him for two. Evans flips out of a suplex and dives over to Williams for the hot tag. A headbutt and double slam cuts Williams off as everything breaks down. Mark kicks Evans in the face for two but Joe tries to grab the NXT Title. Red stops him so Evans can take him out, leaving Williams to hit the Trick Shot for the pin on Mark at 8:26.

Rating: C+. The time factor killed this one as about half of the match took place in the break. The big deal here though continues to be Evans, who has been put in a pretty prominent spot and done well with it. He didn’t feel like Williams’ little buddy or lackey but rather a young guy who was holding his own. Nice stuff here, though Williams beating Gallus leaves me wondering who is going to get the title shot. Unless Noam Dar pops back up, this is a bit weird.

Post match Lash Legend comes out to ask if Trick Williams was the one who attacked her friends. Before he can say anything, Ethan Page (Vic: “WASN’T HE IN A…..”) of AEW/TNA fame jumps Williams and says he took out Meta Four. Page holds up the title to end the show. I’d certainly call that a surprise and why not see what they can get out of Page if AEW wasn’t going to use him.

Overall Rating: B. Not the strongest wrestling, but it’s very rare that I’m actually surprised twice in any given show. This was the kind of show that felt like it breathed some life into some fairly dull situations and that is great to see. While Grace is likely gone after Battleground, it gives the show a feeling of “who else is going to show up”. See also Page, who probably wasn’t on many people’s radar. While you can’t do it every week, having a show with some big surprises every so often can be a great shot in the arm. I had a lot more fun with this show than I expected and that is a great thing.

Results
Michin b. Tatum Paxley – Eat Defeat
Ridge Holland b. Riley Osborne – Lifting DDT
OC b. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade – Magic Killer to Enofe
Lola Vice b. Arianna Grace – Spinning fist
Dante Chen b. Lexis King – Crucifix
Kelani Jordan b. Wren Sinclair – Split legged moonsault
Trick Williams/Je’Von Evans b. Gallus – Trick Shot to Mark

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NXT
Date: May 21, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We are getting closer to Battleground and the card is starting to take shape. You can probably guess some of the matches from here, but before we get to the show, we have the returning Gallus, who attacked a bunch of people last week. That is likely going to be a big story this week so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Fallon Henley vs. Thea Hail

Chase U and Ridge Holland are here with Hail, who starts cranking on the arm to start. Henley gets taken down for a standing moonsault, only to come back with an armbar of her own. That’s broken up and Hail sends her to the floor for the suicide dive, setting up some heavy shots to Henley’s face. Henley grabs a chair so Holland takes it away, earning himself and all of Chase U an ejection as we take a break.

We come back with Henley getting two off a running faceplant before a double headbutt puts them both down. Hail fights up with some Polish Hammers and a World’s Smallest Slam gets two. The Kimura almost goes on but they fall out to the floor, where Henley sends her into the barricade. Back in and Henley hits a quick Shining Wizard for the pin at 10:29.

Rating: C+. Henley getting another win is nice, though I’m not sure if she is bringing it to the next level, even with her new style. She’s far from bad, but there is something lacking that is keeping her from being a top star. At least she is winning, which is a step in the right direction for anyone.

Post match Henley leaves and Jazmyn Nyx runs in to beat Hail down again.

Earlier today, the D’Angelo Family arrives and runs into Axiom and Nathan Frazer. Tony D’Angelo mocks Axiom for never winning the cup (not like some guy named A-Kid) and the Family gets a Tag Team Title match tonight.

Ivar is injured and Joe Coffey has taken his place in the #1 contenders match for a shot at the North American Title.

Gallus is happy with what they did and Joe Coffey is ready to get the North American Title.

Tag Team Titles: Axiom/Nathan Frazer vs. D’Angelo Family

The Family (Stacks/Luca Crusifino) is challenging and the rest of the team is with them. Crusifino cranks on Axiom’s arm to start and it’s quickly off to Stacks to elbow Frazer in the face. Frazer is right back with a drop toehold so Axiom can hit a basement dropkick to take over. The Family knocks Frazer outside though and Stacks drops an elbow off the apron as we take a break.

Back with Frazer hitting a springboard moonsault into a reverse layout DDT to drop Crusifino. Axiom comes in and makes Crusifino DDT Stacks before firing off kicks to Stacks’ chest. A brainbuster gives Frazer two as everything breaks down. The Family plants Frazer with a double slam, setting up Stacks’ top rope superplex. Axiom superkicks Crusifino out of the air as the No Quarter Catch Crew comes out to go after the rest of the Family. The distraction lets Frazer grab a small package to pin Stacks and retain at 10:36.

Rating: B-. Good fast paced action here as the champs get another win, even with something of a distraction for the finish. Axiom and Frazer are a rather nice team who are getting somewhere together, as their chemistry has been growing in recent weeks. They should be in for a big title defense at Battleground and that should help them even more.

Post match the OC runs in to beat down Axiom and Frazer because the OC has to be a thing.

Lexis King offers his services to Mr. Stone, who isn’t impressed. Ava comes in and tells King he has a match tonight against…someone.

Riley Osborne tells Andre Chase that Ridge Holland is costing the team. Holland comes in to defend himself and Chase tells them to settle it in the ring.

Josh Briggs vs. Wes Lee vs. Joe Coffey

The winner gets a North American Title shot against Oba Femi, on commentary, at Battleground. The rest of Gallus is here too and Briggs starts fast by hiptossing Lee at Coffey. A tornado DDT gives Coffey two on Briggs but Lee sends Coffey outside for the big running flip dive. Briggs throws Lee into the ropes and knocks him out of the air as we take a break.

Back with Lee moonsaulting onto Briggs, who DDT’s Coffey as a result. Lee is sent outside but goes up, only to dive into a chokeslam into the corner. Briggs chokeslams Coffey as well for a double near fall but Coffey is back with a springboard spinning high crossbody for two of his own. Lee is back up with a suicide dive to Coffey as the rest of Gallus takes out Briggs. All The Best For The Bells hits Lee…who falls on Briggs at the same time as Coffey, meaning it’s a double pin at 10:48.

Rating: B-. The ending wasn’t exactly great as it sets up yet another triple threat, which has been done quite a bit recently. I could also go with Briggs not getting pinned so often as it’s killing the momentum he has built up, but Lee and Coffey getting the shot is a different way to go. Good match, though I could have gone with a singles match instead of another triple threat.

Natalya and Karmen Petrovic are ready for Shayna Baszler and Lola Vice.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade are so scared of their bad luck that they aren’t coming to the ring with Brinley Reece.

Ava makes the North American Title match at Battleground a triple threat match with Wes Lee and Joe Coffey both getting shots.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Brinley Reece vs. Jaida Parker

OTM is here with Parker. Reece drives her into the corner to start but dives into a knee to the ribs. Parker fires off some forearms in the corner as Booker sings her praises. Reece bridges back up to grab a backslide for two but Parker’s butterfly suplex gets the same. A bodyscissors keeps Reece in trouble but she powers up again. Cue Enofe and Blade to watch…as Parker hits the running hip attack for the pin at 4:53.

Rating: C. Parker is becoming more and more complete every week and I’m curious to see just how far she can go. There is something to her that makes her stand out and that is always worth a look. Reece might have something with the motivational deal, but at some point she needs to win some matches.

Jazmyn Nyx likes Fallon Henley’s new attitude and says it must be nice to get a win (Like the one she got two weeks ago?). Nyx likes it so much that she waited for after the match with Thea Hail to get revenge for Jacy Jayne’s broken nose. Henley isn’t sure what to think of that.

The snoring person isn’t revealed, but she’s wearing Wendy Choo’s pajamas.

Roxanne Perez is ready for anyone because she’s better than everyone.

Ava is on the phone with someone and says Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce are happy with Perez’s next challenger. She’ll find out who that is next week.

Lexis King vs. ???

Before the match, King talks about being on a hot streak and knowing that whomever comes through that curtain is falling to the King. Cue Robert Stone, who introduces….Dante Chen. Well of course he does. Chen sends him into the corner but King nails a quick dropkick for two. King chops and chokes in the corner but Chen comes back with a clothesline. The clothesline comeback is on and an atomic drop into a pump kick sends King outside. A half nelson slam gives Chen two but King knocks him down again. Stone’s distraction breaks up the Coronation, allowing Chen to grab a rollup for the pin at 4:58.

Rating: C. For the life of me I do not get the appeal of Chen. I’ve watched him on LVL Up for what feels like ever and for some reason WWE seems to see something in him. He’s not bad for the most part but man alive is he uninteresting. Seeing him as the reveal had me more confused than anything else, as there almost has to be someone more interesting than him for this spot.

Shayna Baszler wants Lola Vice to be serious tonight.

Here is Trick Williams to say he did not attack Noam Dar. Cue Meta Four to say they don’t believe him but Lash Legend stands up for Williams. Mensah: “Are you shaking this man’s dreads?” Cue Joe Coffey, with the rest of Gallus joining him to attack Williams. Je’Von Evans tries to make the save but gets beaten down as well. Well that should answer a fairly obvious question after last week but points for covering it.

Ava is happy with Robert Stone and Dante Chen.

Shayna Baszler/Lola Vice vs. Natalya/Karmen Petrovic

Natalya and Baszler start things off with an early Vice distraction letting Baszler get in a knee. Natalya kicks her away and brings Petrovic in to pick up the pace as everything breaks down. The villains are dropped with stereo discus lariats and we take a break. Back with Baszler dropping Petrovic for two and it’s off to Vice for some short form dancing.

Petrovic fights up and brings in Natalya (I get what they’re going for but saying “IT’S THE BOAT” will never sound good) to clean house. Vice gets in a knockdown though and dances a bit more before getting pulled into the Sharpshooter. That’s broken up and Hart Attack pins Vice at 12:14.

Rating: C+. I’m a bit surprised at Vice (or her team for that matter) losing as Vice has seemed to be one of the new projects around here and Baszler is in line for a main roster title shot. Natalya is still rather smooth in the ring and can work well with anyone, which has me wondering how long it will take her to get a trainer’s job after she retires. If it takes WWE more than three seconds to offer it to her, I’m not sure what they’re waiting on.

Post match Baszler goes to help Vice up but gets kicked in the head. Vice dances and gets caught in the Kirifuda Clutch. The fight is on but Ava comes out to make the match at Battleground, with Baszler making it NXT Underground. That explains the surprising finish.

Overall Rating: C+. NXT is at a nice place as they aren’t going to blow the doors off with anything new and they certainly have a style they like, but it makes for some rather nice weekly TV. It’s kind of refreshing to have such a steady, even keel show that doesn’t do many stupid things while setting up their bigger events down the line. That is what we got here and I’m looking forward to seeing where some of these things go. I’ll call that a win.

Results
Fallon Henley b. Thea Hail – Shining Wizard
Axiom/Nathan Frazer b. D’Angelo Family – Small package to Stacks
Wes Lee and Joe Coffey b. Josh Briggs – Double pin
Jaida Parker b. Brinley Reece – Hip attack
Dante Chen b. Lexis King – Small package
Natalya/Karmen Petrovic b. Shayna Baszler/Lola Vice – Hart Attack to Vice

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NXT LVL Up
Date: May 17, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Blake Howard

We’re back in Orlando and things have actually been getting a bit more interesting around here. There have been a few bigger names around here in recent weeks and that has helped quite a bit. However, this is a bit different than most weeks as it is part of a double taping, meaning a shorter show. Let’s get to it.

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

Tavion Heights vs. Jasper Troy

Troy is 6’8 and 340lbs so we have a new big man. Heights gets caught in an early front facelock before going to an armbar to slow Troy down. Back up and Troy just runs him over with a shoulder but charges into a shot to the face. A big side slam plants Heights again and we hit the chinlock. Heights fights up and hits an overhead belly to belly but Troy powerslams him right back down. Not that it matters as Heights is back up with the spinning belly to belly for the pin at 5:16.

Rating: C. This worked fairly well as a big debut for Troy, who wrestled a nice enough big man match. He wrestles a bit slowly, but that can work for someone his size. Heights is still someone who feels like a project around here and his belly to belly is becoming a nice enough finisher. Not a great match, but they both looked decent.

Brinley Reece and the debuting Layla Diggs are rather positive.

Brinley Reece/Layla Diggs vs. Carlee Bright/Kendal Grey

This is Diggs’, a former track star, in-ring debut. Grey and Diggs start things off with Diggs taking her down into a headscissors. Grey gets her over to the corner for the tag to Bright, who spins around a lot. Diggs drops down into the splits and pulls her into a front facelock, allowing the tag off to Reece. Bright tries to crawl to the corner so Reece grabs her by the legs and swings her into the corner for a basic yet clever counter. Everything breaks down and Reece hits a cartwheel DDT to pin Grey at 4:01.

Rating: C. This was short and much more about the getting the four relative newcomers into the ring. Reece is fairly far in front of the other three but is still pretty new herself. They were smart to keep things short and to the point here, as none of them are ready for a long match, but what we got was just ok enough.

Everyone poses together to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The show was only 18 minutes long and that makes it hard to get annoyed about some not so great matches. This show was about getting more newcomers into the ring for some ring time and it worked well enough. It’s just a quick show and it did what it was supposed to so we’ll call it right in the middle, as is often the case around here.

Results
Tavion Heights b. Jasper Troy – Spinning belly to belly suplex
Brinley Reece/Layla Diggs b. Carlee Bright/Kendal Grey – Cartwheel DDT to Grey

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NXT
Date: May 14, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re coming up on Battleground and last week seemed to set the stage for the show’s main event. Noam Dar seems to be coming for Trick Williams and the NXT Title, but Lash Legend is in the middle of the whole thing. Other than that, the Heritage Cup is on the line as Tony D’Angelo challenges Charlie Dempsey. Let’s get to it.

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

Noam Dar has been attacked, with the rest of Meta Four arguing about it. Dar looks…confused?

We look back at last week’s combine, which set up the qualifying matches for the Women’s North American Title match.

Kiana James gives Izzi Dame a pep talk.

Sol Ruca won the combine and is ready to win the title too.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Sol Ruca vs. Izzi Dame

Ruca walks to the ring on her hands. Dame grabs an armbar to start but Ruca suplexes her way out rather quickly. A middle rope flipping X Factor sends Dame outside and another dive hits her on the floor. Back in and Ruca tries a headscissors but gets thrown over the top for a face first landing into the steps.

Ruca gets dropped onto the announcers’ table and Dame grabs a backbreaker back inside. The reverse chinlock goes on but Ruca fights up with a springboard elbow to the face. Ruca’s standing moonsault gets two but Dame’s big boot gets the same. Dame sends her into the corner, where Ruca tries another headscissors, with this one being flipped into the Sol Snatcher for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: C. There are certain moves where you know it’s over as soon as they connect and the Sol Snatcher is the newest on the list. I’m still not sure I can believe she’s doing it every time and you do not see a move like that very often. It’s pretty clear that Ruca is destined to be a star so her winning here was hardly a big surprise.

Ava isn’t happy with the D’Angelo Family for switching referees last week but they claim a bad case of bronchitis. Tony can still have his title match, but he’s getting fined $20,000. That’s fine, as an envelope full of cash (more than $20,000) is handed over.

Brinley Reece fires up a nervous Edris Enofe (with his rabbit’s foot) and Malik Blade.

Shayna Baszler, with Lola Vice implies she’s coming for the Women’s Title but Natalya and Karmen Petrovic run in for the brawl.

OTM vs. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade

Jaida Parker and Brinley Reece are here too. Nima picks Enofe up to start as it’s off to Blade for a double drop toehold. Some rapid fire elbows stagger Nima but he’s up for the tag to Price. Everything breaks down and OTM get caught with stereo hurricanranas and dropkicks. Parker grabs Enofe’s foot though and the women get in a fight on the floor as we take a break.

Back with the women getting into it again and this time they go up the aisle, with referees getting rid of them. Enofe gets knocked down out of the corner for two, setting up a standing camel clutch (with Enofe’s legs wrapped around the standing Price’s ribs). That’s broken up but Enofe, who is losing his boot, can’t get over for the tag. The assisted Alabama Slam to Enofe is enough at 10:43.

Rating: C. It’s a bit weird to see a team whose story is bad luck but it’s not like Enofe and Blade have anything else going on at the moment. They still feel like a team who could go somewhere if they were treated as a basic, athletic team but instead they’re in a spot like this. OTM is already better without Scrypts, as he really didn’t add anything to the team.

Meta Four is still arguing about Noam Dar but Lash Legend doesn’t have time for this.

Ridge Holland praises Chase U to Axiom and Nathan Frazer. The OC come in to mock him but Holland is willing to find a partner for a match tonight.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Ivy Nile vs. Lash Legend

Jakara Jackson is here with Legend who wastes no time in knocking Nile out to the floor. Nile fights up and glares at Jackson, followed by a spinning kick to Legend’s head. Legend’s super chokeslam is countered into a super bulldog for two and the Diamond Chain Lock goes on. Jackson offers a distraction though and Legend hits the pump kick for the pin at 3:56.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what happened to Nile but she has fallen through the floor. There was a time where she seemed primed for at least a title run but it never came together. Now here she is, more or less just a jobber to a potential big star like Legend. There wasn’t much to the match, but Legend has come a VERY long way in the last few months.

Je’Von Evans doesn’t know who attacked Noam Dar but he’s ready to face Oro Mensah.

Carlee Brights wants to face Lola Vice tonight but Ava isn’t sure after Bright’s combine score. Then she gives Bright the match anyway.

Oro Mensah vs. Je’Von Evans

Jakara Jackson is here with Mensah, who strikes away to start and rakes Evans’ eyes over the top rope. Mensah sends him crashing out to the floor and we take a break. Back with Mensah hitting Big Show’s old Alley Oop for two but Evans fights up. Evans goes up top and kicks Mensah down, setting up a springboard clothesline. A springboard cutter sends Mensah outside and of course Evans is right there with the dive. Cue Lash Legend with a chair but Trick Williams pops up to glare at her. Evans fights out of a powerbomb and hits a superkick into the corkscrew splash for the pin at 10:10.

Rating: C+. It was good, though not quite up to the levels of excitement that Evans has shown in his previous outings. He’s athletic and the fans like him, but right now he still needs wins like this one to boost him up. That is a necessary thing, but it might not make for the most riveting action.

Post match Williams shows respect to Evans.

Charlie Dempsey is on his own tonight and promises violence and revenge against Tony D’Angelo.

Here is Wes Lee for a chat. Last time he was in this ring with this mic, things were going very badly for him. He wasn’t sure if he was ever going to be able to get back but dang did he miss this. Fans: “WE MISS YOU!” He is back six months earlier than scheduled because he missed this so much. Lee needs a minute to compose himself but Oba Femi interrupts. Femi respects him but Lee has taken the title as far as he can. While Lee has shown the spirit of a warrior, Femi is a real warrior. Lee says he wants a title shot, but Femi tells him to prove it.

Cue Ivar to interrupt, saying he knows what it’s like to have a career ending injury. He and Lee even had the same spinal surgeon! They both want a title shot, but here is Josh Briggs to interrupt and try to get in on this too. He came this close at Stand & Deliver with broken ribs, but now he’s all healed up. Femi likes the arguments, so Femi says make it a fatal four way. Instead, Femi says fight among yourselves and the winner gets the title shot. This was really basic simple stuff but it did its’ job.

Chase U comes up to see Ridge Holland, who can have Riley Osborne as his partner tonight. Holland is very grateful.

We hear an alarm clock go off but see nothing.

Lexis King hits on some women when Jazmyn Nyx comes in with a get well soon card for Jacy Jayne. King signs but gets the name wrong.

OC vs. Ridge Holland/Riley Osborne

The rest of Chase U is here with Holland and Osborne. Holland trades shoulders with Gallows to start, with a jumping version putting Gallows down. Osborne comes in and is quickly taken into the wrong corner. Some dropkicks get him out of trouble in a hurry though and a standing shooting star press gives Osborne two. Gallows isn’t having that and knocks Osborne into the corner again and we hit the chinlock.

Osborne fights up again but gets sent hard into the corner. A quick flip dive out of the corner finally gives Osborne a breather and the diving tag brings Holland in to clean house. Holland loads up an Alabama Slam but Osborne misses a springboard dropkick and hits Holland by mistake. That’s enough for Anderson to roll Holland up for the pin at 5:10.

Rating: C. The OC might be stars but they’re not exactly the most thrilling addition to the show. They’re the same team they’ve been for years now, meaning they’re here to collect a check and follow the formula they’ve had for far too long. The ending was what mattered here, as it is going to be an issue for Holland and his path to redemption.

Video on Carlee Bright.

Carlee Bright vs. Lola Vice

Vice has Shayna Baszler in her corner. Bright tries some early rollups to start but Vice kicks her off the ropes. More kicks and strikes set up a dance, allowing Bright to grab a rollup for two. A front flip kick to the face in the corner gets two more but Vice kicks her out of the air. The spinning backfist finishes Bright at 3:10.

Rating: C+. Bright has been around on NXT LVL up in recent weeks and it’s nice to see her do some things that she hadn’t done around there. Right now though, she’s just another newcomer in great shape and that isn’t going to be enough to carry her to the next level. It was a nice match, but little more than a decent first step.

Post match Natalya and Karmen Petrovic come out for the brawl, with the villains bailing in a hurry. The tag match is made for next week.

Riley Osborne apologizes to Ridge Holland in the back but Holland says it’s cool. Holland hopes Chase U trusts him and that seems to be the case, albeit a bit tentatively.

We look back at Noam Dar being attacked. NXT loves itself some mystery attacker stories.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Heritage Cup: Tony D’Angelo vs. Charlie Dempsey

D’Angelo, with the Family, is challenging. Round One begins with D’Angelo taking over and grabbing an early rollup for two. Dempsey isn’t sure what to do to start and D’Angelo takes him down again to make it worse. A cravate finally slows D’Angelo down for a bit, only to have him reverse into a cradle for the first fall at 2:46.

We take a break and come back with just under a minute to go in Round Two. They trade forearms until Dempsey suplexes him into a cross armbreaker but D’Angelo survives until the round ends. Round Three begins with D’Angelo’s arm in trouble so Dempsey goes right for the cross armbreaker. With that broken up, Dempsey grabs a Fujiwara armbar. That’s reversed into a rollup but D’Angelo misses a charge into the post, allowing Dempsey to German suplex him and tie it up at 2:10 of the round and 9:14 overall.

Round Four begins with D’Angelo going right after the arm, including some stomps into a short armscissors. D’Angelo can’t quite roll out so Dempsey pulls him into a triangle choke. A powerbomb gets D’Angelo out and a belly to belly puts Dempsey down. D’Angelo grabs a spinebuster but can’t cover as the round ends. Round Five begins with D’Angelo grabbing a German suplex as the rest of the No Quarter Catch Crew, looking a bit banged up, arrives. They’re dispatched just as fast and Forget About It gives D’Angelo the pin and the cup at 1:08 of the round and 14:08 overall.

Rating: B-. I was a bit surprised by the ending as they seemed to be setting up the No Quarter Catch Crew interference to retain the Cup. D’Angelo needed to win something on his own and it’s nice to see him finally do it. He has the talent and has managed to get this rather stupid gimmick over, which is more than I would have expected. Solid stuff here, with the Crew’s run already looking to be in trouble.

We cut to the back where Wes Lee, Josh Briggs and Ivar have been attacked. The camera pans up to Gallus, as the trio is back (I wonder if they attacked Noam Dar) to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t the strongest show from a wrestling standpoint but the main event was good and it had a nice surprise at the end. You can see at least some of the Battleground card coming together and there is almost a month to go before the show to fill in the gaps. Not their best show here, but it covered a bit of ground, including the first few qualifying matches.

Results
Sol Ruca b. Izzi Dame – Sol Snatcher
OTM b. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade – Assisted Alabama Slam to Enofe
Lash Legend b. Ivy Nile – Pump kick
Je’Von Evans b. Oro Mensah – Corkscrew splash
OC b. Ridge Holland/Riley Osborne – Rollup to Holland
Lola Vice b. Carlee Bright – Spinning backfist
Tony D’Angelo b. Charlie Dempsey 2-1

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: May 10, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Vic Joseph

We’re back in Orlando and things have been at least a bit more interesting around here as of late. I’m not sure if that is going to continue but it has at least been nice to have something going on for a change. Hopefully there is at least a little something to keep the interest up this time. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Wendy Choo vs. Wren Sinclair

This is Choo’s first match in almost a year. They fight over a lockup to start with Choo sending her down and striking a pose on the mat. Sinclair pulls her into an armbar, which is broken up rather quickly. Choo hits a dropkick but her knee (which put her on the shelf for so long) is slowing her down, allowing Sinclair to grab a suplex. Something like a running seated X Factor gives Sinclair two and we hit the cross arm choke. Choo fights out and makes the clothesline comeback, setting up a middle rope crossbody. The Snooze Button finishes for Choo at 4:47.

Rating: C. Choo is not exactly everyone’s taste, though she wasn’t doing her sleepy/weird stuff here for the most part. I’m still not sure I get what she is supposed to be, but it’s good to have her back after such a long time off. Sinclair continues to lose every match and I’m not sure how much beating her is going to matter if that continues much longer.

Post match, respect is shown.

The rather tall Cutler James is seen as a friendly guy and is ready to make his debut against Josh Briggs. This was quite recited.

Josh Briggs vs. Cutler James

Briggs wastes no time in powering him into the corner, setting up a splash for an early two. Back up and James wrestles him to the mat, earning a rather hard shoulder knockdown. Briggs shouts that this isn’t a reality show and then drops James for two more. The chinlock goes on to keep James down but he fights up for the comeback. Said comeback lasts all of four seconds before Briggs nails the lariat for the pin at 4:26.

Rating: C. This was the traditional “getting your feet wet” match for James and that is only going to get him so far. Briggs being in there with someone his size can often make for some interesting visuals but that was about the limit of the appeal here. James showed off some of his amateur background before getting beaten, which didn’t make for the most exciting match. His size and amateur abilities will give him a solid foot in the door though.

D’Angelo Family vs. Dante Chen/Dion Lennox

Riz is here with the Family. Lennox armdrags Crusifino into an armbar to start and it’s right off to Chen for an armbar of his own. Crusifino fights up and hands it off to Stacks, with Chen being low bridged out to the floor. The chinlock keeps Lennox down for a bit, only to have Chen come back in with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Chen stays on the back and kicks Stacks in the chest for two. Lennox’s northern lights suplex and spinebuster get two each and he grabs an abdominal stretch. Stacks slips away though and brings Crusifino in to clean house. This includes tossing Lennox into a Codebreaker to finish at 5:46.

Rating: C+. It still takes a bit of mental stretching to remember that the mafia guys are the heroes, especially since Lennox is a rather likable guy. Chen is the same thing he has always been, meaning there was no way he was taking the loss here. The energy was up here and having the Family involved helped, even if I have to remember I’m supposed to like them.

Overall Rating: C. I know how much of a broken record I sound like with this stuff but the bigger names being around helps quite a bit. This show had Choo’s return and Briggs/the Family for some star power. That’s a lot for around here, which helped make up for the fact that the matches were only decent at best. Nothing really to see here, but as usual, you can’t get that annoyed at a show that isn’t even breaking thirty minutes.

Results
Wendy Choo b. Wren Sinclair – Snooze Button
Josh Briggs b. Cutler James – Lariat
D’Angelo Family b. Dante Chen/Dion Lennox – Toss Codebreaker to Lennox

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: May 7, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re back to normal after a few weeks of Spring Breakin and that should make for some interesting changes. Wes Lee is back after a long absence and wants his North American Title back. I’m not sure I can imagine him being around NXT that much longer but he should be fun while it lasts. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long video on Wes Lee, who had a great North American Title reign but then he had to leave due to a back injury. Now he’s back and wants the title again.

Lee walks through a crowd in the back and is a bit teared up by the video.

Wes Lee vs. Josh Briggs

Briggs gets smart to start and tries a kick to the recently repaired back. Lee kicks him out to the floor instead but misses the slingshot dive. The big boot is blocked on the floor so Briggs settles for a ram into the apron instead. Back in and Lee snaps off a hurricanrana and Briggs is on the floor again, where another headscissors connects. Cue Ivar as the Cardiac Kick is countered into a backbreaker.

We take a break and come back with Ivar on commentary as Lee fights out of a bearhug. A hiptoss backbreaker puts Lee down again and a Boss Man Slam gives Briggs two. They head outside again, this time with Lee dropkicking him into Ivar. Back in and Lee hits the Spiral Tap for the pin at 10:07.

Rating: C+. Pretty by the book speed vs. power match here and that’s all it should have been. Lee gets to show that he still has it while setting up the likely David vs. Goliath showdown with Oba Femi. Briggs has come a long way in recent weeks and he is a good choice for this kind of a spot, as Lee gets to look good.

Post match Ivar and Briggs get in a fight so Lee dives onto both of them.

We look back at Lola Vice beating Natalya in NXT Underground.

Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont would love a Tag Team Title shot one day but the No Quarter Catch Crew comes up to say wait your turn. A match seems likely for later. They all leave so here is the OC to offer a Too Sweet to Axiom/Nathan Frazer. The champs leave instead, with the OC not being happy.

Shayna Baszler vs. Karmen Petrovic

Lola Vice and Natalya are here too. Baszler starts fast and takes her to the floor where she moves the ring skirt and ties Petrovic’s arm in the ring. A hard kick to the arm wrecks said arm and Baszler grabs the armbar back inside. The big stomp to the arm has Petrovic in even more trouble but she fights back up and goes to the top. The dive is punched out of the air though and the Kirifuda Clutch makes Petrovic tap at 4:12.

Rating: C. This was short and to the point, which is what it should have been. Baszler might not be as big of a star as she was before, but she is still miles ahead of Petrovic. It wasn’t much of a competitive match and thankfully they got to the point, with Baszler choking her out in short order. If nothing else, disappointed Natalya is a good thing to see.

We look back at Fallon Henley turning heel last week.

Kelani Jordan doesn’t get why Henley did that but here is Henley to say it’s Fallon Coming First from now on.

NXT held a combine over the weekend, with the top twelve qualifying for qualifying matches for the ladder match for the Women’s North American Title. They had to do a bunch of exercises and drills, with Thea Hail and Kelani Jordan doing well in the speed portion. More on this later.

No Quarter Catch Crew vs. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont

It’s Charlie Dempsey and Myles Borne for the Crew here but the referee is…unavailable, according to Luca Crusifino. Instead, Stacks will be the referee and he doesn’t like Borne beating up Igwe in the corner to start. DuPont comes in for two off a splash but the Crew needs to yell at Stacks. The distraction lets DuPont get a sunset flip for two but Borne grabs an octopus hold. Everything breaks down and Dempsey grabs a German suplex for a very, very slow near fall. Back up and DuPont gets in a right hand for the very fast pin at 3:52.

Rating: C+. This served two things at once, with the new team getting a win and keeping up Tony D’Angelo’s efforts to get a Heritage Cup shot at the Crew. I can go for a screwy referee every so often and it was a pretty nice match. Igwe and DuPont have a long way to go but they’re off to a nice start.

Chelsea Green and Arianna Grace think NXT’s women’s division needs to be saved but Gigi Dolin can’t take them anymore.

Roxanne Perez isn’t worried about Ava or Chelsea Green, because it’s all about her. No one likes Green on Raw so Perez can beat her up tonight.

Michin vs. Arianna Grace

Grace takes her into the corner to start and drops an elbow for two as Michin is in early trouble. Michin fights back but gets rolled up for a fast two, with Grace getting caught holding the ropes. That lets Michin grab Eat Defeat for the pin at 3:23.

Rating: C. That’s a surprise as Grace has been moving up the ladder a bit in recent weeks. I would have expected Gigi Dolin to interfere here and cost Grace the match but I guess they’re having that for later. Michin is a name from the main roster, though I’m not sure if I’ve ever gotten her big appeal.

Thea Hail and Ridge Holland talk about her problems. Chase U comes in to congratulate her but here is Lexis King to mock Holland. Duke Hudson stands up to King, who isn’t impressed.

It’s time for Supernova Sessions with Trick Williams as the guest, hopefully to find out what is in Lash Legend’s envelope. We see a video of Williams’ time since winning the NXT Title, but he wants to know what’s in the envelope. The envelope has a photo, showing Williams pinning Noam Dar, whose foot was under the rope. Williams isn’t impressed and says if Dar wants a title match, all he has to do is ask. Dar is game, but Williams asks if Legend wants to tell them, or if he should.

Legend: “Babe….I MEAN TRICK! I MEAN TRICK!” She goes to leave but Williams stops her, with Legend saying it’s not the time or the place. Dar gives Williams a spinning elbow to the face and picks up the title. Good for them for just going with the Williams/Legend deal, as they have great chemistry together.

Back to the combine, with a look at their power/speed. Michin and Jaida Parker to well.

We get a video that sounds like someone snoring. Dang it not Wendy Choo.

Karmen Petrovic feels like she is letting Natalya down. A guy comes in to say Petrovic is still a smoke show and gets kicked in the head. Well that worked.

Fallon Henley vs. Kelani Jordan

Henley doesn’t look impressed by the crowd and gets sent into the corner to start. A handspring elbow rocks Henley, who blocks a bulldog and stomps away. Jordan knocks her down and hits a flipping legdrop for two before grinding away with a headlock. Henley is back up to send her throat first into the ropes and we take a break.

Back with Henley in control until Jordan grabs a sleeper suplex. Jordan kicks her down and hits MVP’s old Play Of The Day to stagger Henley. They fight into the corner where a turnbuckle pad is ripped off. Jordan is sent into said buckle, allowing Henley to hit the Shining Wizard for the pin at 10:59.

Rating: C-. I like Henley a lot and I’m curious to see what she’s going to do, but this really didn’t work. They were looking rather sloppy in the second half of the match and it needed to be shorter than it was. Maybe it was just nerves or something, but Henley is going to have to do a lot better to make the heel run work.

The No Quarter Catch Crew is ready to face Tony D’Angelo for the Heritage Cup next week.

Lash Legend and Wren Sinclair did well in strength at the Combine. Then Ivy Nile won the conditioning contest.

Ava announces the 12 qualifiers from the Combine:

1. Sol Ruca
2. Thea Hail
3. Jaida Parker
4. Brinley Reece
5. Michin
6. Fallon Henley
7. Lash Legend
8. Ivy Nile
9. Izzi Dame
10. Kelani Jordan
11. Tatum Paxley
12. Wren Sinclair

Qualifying matches start next week. The combine was cool but is there anyone on the list who would be out of the ordinary?

Lexis King vs. Duke Hudson

Chase U is here too. Hudson goes with the power to start but King trips him down and stomps away as commentary talks about quite a few other things. Some choking on the ropes wakes Hudson up a bit and he gets two off a sunset flip out of the corner. King goes after the leg and runs him over but stops to yell at Hail. Cue Ridge Holland to chase King back inside with a chair, which the referee takes away. That lets King hit a superkick into the Coronation for the pin at 4:10.

Rating: C. King continues to be about the same thing as he was when he started: average at best match, decent talking and being a general thorn in people’s side. He did get a win here to boost him up a bit, but he still isn’t overly interesting. As usual, Chase U loses and I can’t even be surprised by that anymore.

Meta Four, minus Lash Legend, is leaving and doesn’t want to talk about her. Je’von Evans comes in and wants to check on Trick Williams but is called a shiny new toy.

Jazmyn Nyx is mad at Thea Hail for hurting Jacy Jayne’s nose and swears revenge.

Thea Hail is mad at Lexis King and Ridge Holland comes in to apologize. Chase U isn’t sure if they can go with that, but Holland is willing to earn their trust. Chase and Hail believe him.

Shawn Michaels has invited Kendrick Lamar and Drake to come to NXT and settle their differences. How about Benny and Allen instead?

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Title: Roxanne Perez vs. Chelsea Green

Perez is defending. Green starts fast with a rollup for two and Perez is a bit shaken. Perez gets in a shot of her own to take over and we go to an early break. Back with Perez getting two off a Russian legsweep but Green kicks her into the ropes. A Rough Ryder (Vic: “WOO WOO WOO!”) puts Perez down but she’s right back with a super hurricanrana for two. Green gets in a suplex and missile dropkick for two but has to block Pop Rox. They trade rollups for two each before Pop Rox retains the title at 8:51.

Rating: C+. They had a good match and both were working hard, but this could not have felt more like a thrown together title match/main event. Green is little more than a comedic nuisance most of the time on the main roster and I’m not sure why I was supposed to buy her as a threat to win here. Perez does get to beat another main roster star, but it only means so much given who it was.

The D’Angelo Family beats up Damon Kemp and kidnaps him. They leave and Charlie Dempsey shows up, wondering where Kemp is.

Overall Rating: C-. This started off with a good match and ended with a nice enough main event, but the rest of the wrestling was pretty worthless. I’m glad they went with the strong Williams/Legend pairing, but other than that, this felt like a big punt of an episode. Points for trying something different with the Combine, though it didn’t feel exactly necessary as it is only setting up qualifying matches. Pretty had miss here, with one of the worst NXT’s I can remember in a long time.

Results
Wes Lee b. Josh Briggs – Spiral Tap
Shayna Baszler b. Karmen Petrovic – Kirifuda Clutch
Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont b. No Quarter Catch Crew – Right hand with a fast count to Dempsey
Michin b. Arianna Grace – Eat Defeat
Fallon Henley b. Kelani Jordan – Shining Wizard
Lexis King b. Duke Hudson – Coronation
Roxanne Perez b. Chelsea Green – Pop Rox

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

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.