NXT
Date: April 1, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

It’s another title show as Shawn Spears is defending the North American Title against Ricky Saints. Other than that, we need to find out some of the matches for Stand & Deliver as we are just over two weeks away from the biggest show of the year. There is a good chance that we find out some of those matches this week so let’s get to it.

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

Here is Stephanie Vaquer to get things going for a chat with Ava. After Ava praises her for her recent efforts, she announces that Vaquer has agreed to vacate the Women’s North American Title. Therefore, the new champion will be crowned in a six woman ladder match at Stand & Deliver (ERG), with qualifying matches beginning tonight.

Hold on though as Vaquer says she will give up the title if she gets to pick the challenger for the Women’s Title. Cue Jordynne Grace, who says she wants us to have the title match the fans are demanding. Cue Jaida Parker, who says she dropped Grace last week, but Grace brings up Parker losing to Vaquer last week. The brawl is on, with Grace LAUNCHING one of them over the top. Parker backs off a bit and a match seems likely. As usual, Parker feels like a star and that is going to take her places.

Trick Williams wants to face Oba Femi at Stand & Deliver.

Femi arrives and is ready to deal with Williams tonight.

The women’s locker room bickers over the ladder match.

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

Zaria actually loses a test of strength to start but gets her over with a sunset flip. They chop it out, with Legend’s getting quite the response. Legend knocks her down again but Zaria grabs a victory roll for two. Back up and a pump kick sends Zaria outside, where a lot of bickering ensues as we take a break.

We come back with Legend getting frustrated as Zaria makes the comeback, including a kick to the face in the corner. Zaria’s middle rope crossbody is pulled out of the air but she reverses a powerbomb into a hurricanrana. A German suplex drops Legend again but she’s right back with a chokeslam for two. Zaria is back up with a spear and the F5 finishes at 11:45.

Rating: C. Maybe I’m missing something with Zaria but there isn’t much to her that is keeping me interested at the moment. She’s a powerhouse but that’s not really making her stand out. At the same time, Legend has come a VERY long way and looked like a star here. I could have gone for her winning, which is something I never would have bet on just a year or so ago.

Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura want to get to Stand & Deliver but Wes Lee, Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont interrupt. Arguing ensues and Inamura challenges Lee. Game seems to be on.

Kelani Jordan seems interested in getting into the ladder match but Roxanne Perez comes in to say she wants to win the title so she’ll have every women’s title in NXT. Ava puts them in a qualifying match tonight.

The D’Angelo Family has gone looking for information on Dark State. They have found out the members: Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars. We get mini bios on them, most of which involve college athletics and intelligence. Tony D’Angelo sees potential in them, but has to calm Stacks down. The last plan Stacks put together didn’t go so well, but Stacks says he trusts D’Angelo. Tension seems to be high. This was a creative way to introduce the members rather than just having commentary say what’s going on.

Hank And Tank have new gear, courtesy of Pretty Deadly, but they’re not sure it’s the right look.

The members of the Culling want Shawn Spears to succeed tonight.

No Quarter Catch Crew vs. Hank And Tank

Hank And Tank are in their regular gear rather than the Pretty Deadly attire. Evolve’s Swipe Right is sitting in the front row as we hear about some bad weather in the area. Borne can’t get very far with Tank to start so Heights comes in to grind away on a headlock. It’s back to Borne, who gets taken down for a Pretty Deadly style double team.

Heights comes back in but Borne makes a quick blind tag and clotheslines Hank to the floor. Back in and the chinlock doesn’t last long and Hank gets over for the tag to Tank to pick up the pace. A spinebuster gets two on Heights with Borne making the save. Everything breaks down and Borne has to break up a Pretty Deadly Spilled Milk. A TKO/DDT combination finishes Tank at 5:38.

Rating: C+. Hank And Tank continue to do very little for me so it was nice to see them lose here. That being said, it did seem like they were trying to find something with the Pretty Deadly impressions so maybe some changes are coming. I could go for more of the Crew, with Heights continuing to look good in there. Borne is as well, which is a nice little bonus.

Here is Trick Williams to say that he is still the man around here. No matter what Oba Femi has said, there is nothing stopping Williams from getting back to the top of the mountain. Cue Je’Von Evans to interrupt, but Williams says the adults are talking. Evans asks Williams when he knew it was his time (which is what Williams asked John Cena, launching his singles run), which must sound familiar.

Evans wants the #1 spot but he doesn’t have to step out of anyone’s shadow to do it. Williams says Evens has no idea what it’s like to be the champion. Evans: “You ain’t Trick Williams. You’re Carmelo Hayes.” That gets Williams’ attention, with Evans saying this is the exact same stuff that Hayes told Williams last year. Evans brings up dropping Oba Femi, which brings Femi out to tell Evans to say it to his face. Evans talks about getting so close to winning at Deadline and threatens to jump Femi again.

Williams isn’t interested but Femi tells him to shut up. Femi says the now belongs to him and Williams tells Evans to get out. Femi says Williams is talking too much so here is Ava to announce….the triple threat title match for Stand & Deliver (erg). Williams decks Evans but gets knocked to the floor, only for the lights to go out and Dark State to appear. Femi tells them to bring it so here they come to beat him down. Evans and Williams are laid out too.

Andre Chase is banged up and has a cracked rib, which has no timetable for recovery. He doesn’t have a ride home, but Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon show up with a wheelchair to help him out. Chase thinks they might not be so bad after all but they back up when they see Jaida Parker and Jordynne Grace fighting.

Fraxiom kind of mocks Hank And Tank over their Pretty Deadly stuff, but Axiom wishes he and Frazer were such close friends. Swipe Right (Ricky Smokes/Brad Baylor) come in to ask for a match against Fraxiom. Frazer accepts but Axiom isn’t impressed. Swipe Right are more interested in Roxanne Perez walking by, calling her a smoke show.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Roxanne Perez vs. Kelani Jordan

They lock up to start with Jordan taking her down into a headscissors. That’s broken up and Jordan flips to her feet as we take an early break. Back with Perez slamming her head first into the mat and flipping over her for an exchange of glaring. Jordan drapes her over the middle rope for a handstand spinning Fameasser (that was impressive) for two. Perez gets in a rake to the eyes though and Jordan is sent shoulder first into the post.

A big stomp onto the arm has Jordan in more trouble and Perez stays on the arm. Jordan gets two off a rollup but the kickout sends her arm into the buckle. Perez hits a northern lights suplex onto the arm for two and we take another break. Back again with Jordan getting in a kick but missing One Of A Kind. Perez’s cartwheel knee to the head (ouch) gets two but Jordan plants her with a DDT. One Of A Kind connects to put Perez away at 14:41.

Rating: B. Good stuff here with Jordan having to work hard to overcome the odds in the end. That’s the kind of win she has been needing lately and it’s a good sign for her future. I’m not sure if she’s going to win the title but at least she got a nice win on the way there. Perez very well may be on her way out of NXT, as she seems ready to be called up to the main roster.

Stevie Turner apologizes to Ava for Swipe Right but Robert Stone brings up the matches announced for Stand & Deliver. Ava is more worried about Dark State so she puts three of them in a six man against Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams.

Ricky Saints isn’t worried about what Shawn Spears has been saying about his past. Tonight is about the future, when he wins the North American Title.

Zaria wants Sol Ruca out there with her at Stand & Deliver. Kelani Jordan comes in to say she’s winning the ladder match but Zaria isn’t impressed. Ruca says she’ll win….and Zaria doesn’t like that either.

Dark State is down for next week’s match but says no one is safe.

North American Title: Ricky Saints vs. Shawn Spears

Spears, with the Culling, is defending and goes straight to the floor to start. Saints is right there with a dive to take him down and hammers away to start fast. Back in and Saints hits a nice dropkick before unloading with right hands in the corner. Saints hits something like a dancing Old School off the barricade, including kissing his fingers and putting them on the forehead of a VERY happy fan.

We take a break and come back with Spears sending him hard into the corner. Saints catches him on top though and slugs away, setting up a top rope Jackhammer of all things, leaving both of them down. Back up and Saints strikes away, setting up a heck of a spinebuster for two.

It’s back to the floor for a tornado DDT off the apron to plant Spears again. Izzi Dame slips Spears the belt though and a shot to the face gets two. Spears loads up the C4 but Saints reverses into one of his own. Saints takes out the Culling and hits a spear into the Roshambo is good for the title at 10:17.

Rating: B-. This might not have been a great match but it was an absolute star making performance from Saints, who not only won the match and the title but showed all kinds of fire on the way. That’s what is going to make him into a bigger deal and it worked very well here. Saints is instantly a player and this will make people notice him. Great stuff for Saints here and I was impressed.

Post match Saints celebrates with the title but Ethan Page runs in to take him out.

Overall Rating: B. Good show this week as they set up stuff for Stand & Deliver (as annoying as some of it may be) and had a big moment in the end. This was the show that NXT has been needing and they made it work here, with a lot of stuff taking place in the span of two hours. You can tell that things are picking up for the biggest time of the year, which is exactly what needed to happen.

Results
Zaria b. Lash Legend – F5
No Quarter Catch Crew b. Hank And Tank – DDT/TKO combination to Tank
Kelani Jordan b. Roxanne Perez – One Of A Kind
Ricky Saints b. Shawn Spears – Roshambo

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NXT
Date: March 25, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We’re getting very close to Stand & Deliver and that means it’s time to start putting the show together. There is a good chance that we’ll see some more of the matches set up this week, though first both women’s titles are on the line as Stephanie Vaquer is defending twice. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at Stephanie Vaquer’s attempts to defend both of her titles in one night, which isn’t something you often see attempted, let alone done.

Women’s Title: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jaida Parker

Vaquer is defending and gets slammed down as Booker talks about his two TV Title defenses at Superbrawl VIII (not quite). Parker shrugs off a wristlock and slams her down before they trade rollups for two each. A hurricanrana sends Parker into the corner but she drops Vaquer as we take a break.

Back with Parker hitting a Backstabber for two but Vaquer knocks her into the ropes. The 619 sets up the figure four necklock faceplants. The STB is broken up though and Parker plants her with a Falcon Arrow for two. Parker’s hip attack connects in the corner but here is Jordynne Grace for a distraction. That’s enough for Vaquer to roll her up and retain at 9:24.

Rating: C+. Parker isn’t the most experienced star just yet but she has a certain swagger to her that you either have or you don’t. That’s one of those things that can take you a long way and now it seems that she is going to be doing something with Grace. Good enough opener here, even though Vaquer seemed to be saving some of herself for later, which is fine.

Post match Parker and Grace have to be held apart. Cue Fatal Influence to jump Parker and leave her laying.

Trick Williams still doesn’t want to hear from Je’Von Evans, saying there’s a difference between having potential and having a title. Evans is ready to prove him wrong.

Meta Four want to know why they’re not getting a TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles and get in an argument with Tatum Paxley/Gigi Dolin, who do have such a shot this week.

Earlier today, there was a sitdown interview with Ricky Saints, who thinks people are having trouble dealing with his self confidence. For awhile he had to live in his car and the only thing he had was his self confidence, which helped get him here. Then Shawn Spears interrupted, saying that Saints’ confidence is driving people crazy. Spears has friends, but Saints says that’s how he won the North American Title. Spears suggests that Saints can always go somewhere else if it doesn’t work out, but then brings up all of the burned bridges. Saints: “I guess I better win then.”

Ethan Page runs his mouth and gets into it with Andre Chase, who talks about teaching the younger people about how to deal with people like Page. Insults ensue as Chase sounded like his old self.

The Motor City Machine Guns give Hank And Talk a quick pep talk.

Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont vs. Hank And Tank

Wes Lee is here with the villains. We’re joined in progress with everything breaking down and Hank And Tank hammering away in the corners. A camel clutch/running dropkick combination gets two on DuPont before a suicide dive hits Igwe on the floor. Back in and Igwe stomps on Hank’s arm and DuPont plants him down for two. The full nelson is broken up and it’s back to Tank to clean house. Tank plants Igwe for two but Lee offers a distraction meaning it’s the Heartstopper to finish Hank at 6:25.

Rating: C+. Igwe and DuPont are getting some more exposure as of late and that’s the kind of thing that can give them some better hope in the future. I’m not sure I can imagine them doing much of note anytime soon, but it’s better than nothing. Hank And Tank still don’t have much going on, but that has been the case for a good while now.

Stephanie Vaquer insists that she can face Fallon Henley tonight, despite Ava being worried.

Fraxiom has another of their mini arguments about Axiom not inviting Nathan Frazer to Spain. Oba Femi arrives and Axiom leaves.

Heritage Cup: Je’Von Evans vs. Lexis King

Evans is challenging and grabs a headlock to start. That’s reversed into a headscissors before a belly to back suplex drops Evans. Back up and a high crossbody gives Evans two and a suicide dive sends King into the announcers’ table. We take a break and come back with King hitting a fisherman’s driver for two, with the kickout leaving King frustrated.

Evans knocks him down and hits a frog splash (with some height) for two of his own but King goes after the bad jaw. A running shot sends King outside though and Evans nails a heck of a dive. Cue Oba Femi to take Evans down though and King retains the cup via countout at 10:43.

Rating: C. The ending keeps the Cup with King, even through some shenanigans, and that’s the best thing for him at the moment. This wasn’t so much King cheating as much as King capitalizing on someone going into business for themselves. Evans vs. Femi could be a fun David vs. Goliath match, but Trick Williams seems to be the next challenger for the title.

Post match Dark State is teased but Femi goes after Evans again. Trick Williams comes in for the save but has to be held back from Femi.

Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley vs. Meta Four

Dolin and Jackson lock up to start as Zaria and Sol Ruca are here to watch. Dolin sends her into the corner for a running shot from Paxley. A reverse surfboard has Jackson in trouble it’s off to Legend to take over. Paxley gets slammed for two but it’s a quick tag back to Dolin, who hits a high crossbody on both villains. Granted it was near their legs but close enough. Everything breaks down and the Cemetery Drive finishes Jackson at 3:58.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here and it took away what they could do. There was no reason to have Dolin and Paxley lose just before their title shot on Thursday so at least they have some momentum. Zaria and Ruca didn’t do anything here but there is a good chance that they’ll wind up facing Meta Four at some point in the future.

Tony D’Angelo wants information on the Dark State. The Family goes to find it when Stacks is asked to stay. D’Angelo brings up saving Stacks when he was a kid, which Stacks will never forget. D’Angelo: “I can always trust you, right?” Stacks: “You can always trust me T, always.” I’m sure.

The Motor City Machine Guns tells Hank And Tank to stay with it. Trust your partners and don’t compare yourselves to the Guns, because they’ve been a team for a long time.

Ethan Page vs. Andre Chase

Ricky Saints comes out to join commentary, which Page doesn’t like. Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors are here with Chase, who doesn’t want them doing the Chase U pose. Chase tries some early rollups to start and grabs a headlock. That’s reversed into a belly to back suplex but Chase sends him to the floor and adds a superkick from the apron.

We take a break and come back with Chase grabbing a swinging neckbreaker into the Russian legsweep. The Spelling Stomps are blocked but Chase knocks him down for two more. Page is back with an Iconoclasm into a Codebreaker for two of his own but Chase neckbreakers him on the apron. A tornado DDT gives Chase two, only for Chase to crotch him on top. The super powerslam gives Page two, followed by the Twisted Grin to pin Chase at 9:58.

Rating: B-. I was getting into this one as Chase continues to be a likable guy no matter what he is doing. I could go for his story taking a bigger step forward, but you can see the old version of him still alive inside there. Page vs. Saints is likely going to be a big showdown at Stand & Deliver, which is a good way to get Saints on the biggest show of the year.

Post match Saints looks up at Page but Shawn Spears and the Culling jump him.

Dark State says when they strike, no one is safe.

We get a clip of the debut of Stephanie’s Places.

Trick Williams calls Je’Von Evans a distraction, just like Eddy Thorpe. He wants Oba Femi next week and calls Dark State none of his business.

Women’s North American Title: Fallon Henley vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Henley, with the rest of Fatal Influence, is challenging and drives Vaquer into the corner to start. Vaquer fights up and hits a running dropkick for an early two. A superkick sends Henley into the ropes but she’s back up with a knockdown as we take a break. Back with Henley hitting a running forearm and kicking Vaquer between the shoulders.

Vaquer catches her on top with a superplex and Eat Defeat staggers Henley again. The running knees connect in the corner but Henley rolls through a rollup attempt. Henley throws her outside for a cheap shot from Jazmyn Nyx but Vaquer sends Henley into Nyx for the knockdown. The SVB retains the title at 10:03.

Rating: C+. I was a bit surprised that Vaquer didn’t lose one of her titles here but doing the whole two title defenses in one night is a nice feather in her non-existent cap. Henley gets her rematch and is cleared out so now we can move on to another challenger. It wasn’t a particularly good match, but you can see how far Henley has come in the last few months.

Post match Fatal Influence beats Vaquer down but Jordynne Grace makes the save. Grace teases challenging Vaquer but here is Jaida Parker to jump Grace, only to be cleared out again.

A bunch of women plead their case for a future shot at Vaquer and Ava doesn’t get to make an announcement.

Vaquer and Grace have one more staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show that wasn’t so much about the wrestling but rather moving the pieces around on the way to Stand & Deliver. The show might not have anything announced yet, but you can probably guess some of the matches that are coming on the show. That is a big deal and this was the kind of show that you need on the way there. I’m looking forward to seeing those matches coming together, as there is just enough time left to still add a few surprises.

Results
Stephanie Vaquer b. Jaida Parker – Rollup
Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont b. Hank And Tank – Heartstopper to Hank
Lexis King b. Je’Von Evans via countout
Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley b. Meta Four – Cemetery Drive to Jackson
Ethan Page b. Andre Chase – Twisted Grin
Stephanie Vaquer b. Fallon Henley – SVB

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: February 18, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We’re done with Vengeance Day and that means it is time to start getting ready for Stand & Deliver in about two months. The big story from Vengeance Day seems to be Jordynne Grace coming after the two Women’s Titles, which could lead to some big showdowns. Other than that, Oba Femi will need a new challenger so let’s get to it.

Here is Vengeance Day if you need a recap.

Long Vengeance Day recap, including four Performance Center wrestlers attacking Oba Femi and Fraxiom.

Here is Oba Femi and he wants the four guys to come get him now. Instead, here is TNA X-Division Champion (and fellow monster) Moose for a big man staredown. Moose says this has to happen and Femi seems ready for the whole thing. They stare each other down and hold up their titles. Works for me.

Earlier today, Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors invited Ava and Eddy Thorpe to their after party. That’s a no from both, with Thorpe saying they should be at Chase U. That sets up a match for later tonight.

Jaida Parker vs. Karmen Petrovic vs. Kelani Jordan

Ashante Thee Adonis is here with Petrovic. Jordan and Parker slug it out until Jordan sends the other two outside for a dive. Back in and Parker chokes Jordan on the ropes before a snap suplex gets two. We take a break and come back with Parker hitting a reverse suplex on Jordan but Petrovic jumps Parker in the ropes.

Jordan hits a standing legdrop for two on Parker (no Booker, that isn’t innovative, as Big Show did it before) but Parker runs Petrovic over. Jordan breaks up the cover with a frog splash and everyone is down. They slug it out from their knees until Parker hits a Hipnotic on Jordan. Adonis pulls Petrovic to the floor and Parker hits the Tear Drop on Jordan…but Petrovic grabs a rollup to pin Jordan at 11:32.

Rating: C+. They were doing well here with everyone getting in something, as Parker continues to feel like a future star. There is something of an “it” factor to her which is carrying her a long way and makes me wonder where she’s going. Other than that, Petrovic kind of steals a win, though the stuff with Adonis is still not doing much for me at all.

Post match Fatal Influence runs in to beat Petrovic down as we take a break. Back with Fatal Influence beating down Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer but Jordynne Grace runs in for the save. Grace clears the ring and issues the challenge for the six woman tag later tonight.

Stacks tells the rest of the D’Angelo Family that he has to deal with Shawn Spears on his own tonight.

Sol Ruca/Zaria vs. Meta Four

Ruca and Legend miss kicks to the face to start and it’s off to Jackson for a quick dropkick. Ruca takes Jackson down just as well though and moonsaults into a Meteora for two. Legend and Zaria take turns exchanging gorilla presses until Jackson missile dropkicks Ruca to the floor.

We take a break and come back with Ruca fighting her way out of trouble, allowing the tag to Zaria for the house cleaning. Zaria suplexes Jackson for two and Ruca comes back in for a superkick. A running hurricanrana and armdrag drop Jackson and we get the big Zaria vs. Legend showdown. Zaria muscles her up but can’t keep a fireman’s carry. Jackson comes back in and gets speared into an F5. The Sol Snatcher finishes for Ruca at 11:39.

Rating: B-. This was better than I was expecting as Zaria and Ruca work well enough together. I can go with Zaria being put into a team if Vaquer and Giulia are already doing something in the singles ranks. It lets Zaria do something else and that’s better than nothing. I’m not wild on the Meta Four getting pinned, but I can’t imagine they’re long for NXT anyway.

Wes Lee and company are talking about how things are wild around here but the still unnamed Ricky Starks pops in to say he’ll answer your questions out in the arena.

Here are Ava and Ricky Starks for the contract signing. Starks is glad to be here and he’s ready to take this place by storm and win everything there is to win. The revolution is ready to begin and he’s ready to sign but Ethan page interrupts. Page says Starks is following his playbook and is probably guaranteed a title match in his contract.

Starks doesn’t buy this and is ready to take the show to a new level but Page isn’t convinced. Starks thinks Je’Von Evans will be coming back to get his revenge on Page…and here is Evans to jump Page and brawl with him to the back. Now it’s Wes Lee interrupting the signing so Starks offers to face him next week. Lee tries to cut off the signing but gets clotheslined to the floor. We see the contract and his name is officially Ricky Saints. Eh I’ve heard worse.

The No Quarter Catch Crew interrupts Fraxiom…and call out the Hardys (the TNA Tag Team Champions) for next week in Cincinnati.

Ricky Saints has gone to the back…and a bunch of people (Hank And Tank, Josh Briggs, Yoshiki Inamura and perhaps others) have been attacked. Saints: “D***, this place is crazy.”

Shawn Spears vs. Stacks

Spears’ associates and the D’Angelo Family are here too. Starks starts the fight on the floor and hits a running boot to the face inside. Spears sends him to the apron though and grabs a hanging DDT. A regular DDT plants Stacks again and Spears hammers away on the mat. Stacks comes back with a slingshot Codebreaker for a breather as the goons almost get into it on the floor. A spinebuster gets Stacks out of trouble but Spears brainbusters him onto the knee. The C4 gives Spears the pin at 5:08.

Rating: C+. They were speeding through this and it seems like we are gearing up for a big Spears vs. Tony D’Angelo title match down the line. That should make for a nice showdown, though I’m still not overly interested in whatever Spears talks about most of the time. At least this is getting into more of a normal feud, which should go better for him.

Lexis King introduces himself to Moose and doesn’t like what he has been doing so far. Moose says if King wants an X-Division Title shot next week, he’s on.

Andre Chase is almost fired up over what Eddy Thorpe said but comes back to reality.

Andre Chase vs. Eddy Thorpe

Thorpe stomps away in the corner to start but Chase snaps off a hurricanrana. Chase takes him out on the floor as well but gets dropped back inside. Cue Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon in Chase U shirts to cheer Chase on from the student section, which is enough for Chase to fight back up. A big boot and Russian legsweep look to set up the spelling stomps but Chase can’t do it. Thorpe hits a German suplex into the impaler DDT for the pin at 4:26.

Rating: C. This was the next step in the story of Chase, as you can see that the magic is still in there but something is going to have to pull it out. That very well may be the return of Thea Hail down the line but I’m not sure how that is going to go. It’s a long term story, but for now it would have been a stretch for Chase to beat someone who took out Trick Williams over the weekend.

Post match Trick Williams pops up on screen to say this isn’t over with Thorpe.

Ethan Page interrupts Ava and Ricky Saints to complain about Je’Von Evans. Wes Lee and Evans come in so Ava makes it a tag match next week.

The Hardys are down to face the No Quarter Catch Crew next week and invite Fraxiom to watch.

Stephanie Vaquer/Giulia/Jordynne Grace vs. Fatal Influence

Vaquer rolls Henley up to start before it’s Nyx coming in to face Giulia. Nyx’s right hands don’t work as Giulia takes her down, allowing Grace to come in for a German suplex. Everything breaks down and it’s a six way brawl with the villains being sent outside. Grace hits a big dive but Jayne pulls Vaquer down by the hair back inside. Henley grabs a quick distraction and Jayne drops Vaquer as we take a break.

Back with Vaquer fighting out of a chinlock, setting up a rollup for two. The tag attempt is broken up and Henley kicks Vaquer in the face. Jayne gets in another shot and mocks Grace before the tag, only for Vaquer to get over for the tag a few seconds later. Everything breaks down and Grace MuscleBusters Nyx for two with Jayne making the save. Jayne is back with a running knee for two on Grace and Henley adds a Blockbuster. Giulia plants Jayne and grabs a belly to back suplex, followed by a dive from Vaquer. The Grace Driver finishes Nyx at 13:03.

Rating: B-. This was about giving Grace her first win as part of the NXT roster and it worked out well. Grace got to run through some people here and Fatal Influence are just good enough to feel like a challenge for her. Odds are Grace will be put into a bigger story sooner than later, but for now, she’s off to a nice start.

The winners post and Grace looks at the titles.

There is a brawl in the parking lot and Ava’s office has been trashed. Mr. Stone is down and the words “NO ONE IS SAFE” have been painted on the wall. Ava isn’t sure what happened to end the show. She’s not overly bright is she?

Overall Rating: B. This show did a nice job of making me want to see what is going to happen next week, while also giving us a nice cliffhanger to end the show. I was worried about the lack of impact from the four guys but they got involved well enough at the end. The action was good enough, but more than that, I’m interested in where things are going. That’s a sign that they are doing something right, so we’ll call this a rather nice success.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan – Rollup to Jordan
Sol Ruca/Zaria b. Meta Four – Sol Snatcher to Jackson
Shawn Spears b. Stacks – C4
Eddy Thorpe b. Andre Chase – Impaler DDT
Stephanie Vaquer/Jordynne Grace/Giulia b. Fatal Influence – Grace Driver to Nyx

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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AND

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NXT
Date: February 11, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

It’s the go home show for Vengeance Day and the card is mostly set. This week is going to be about building up the rest of the show, which could use some work at this point. Bayley is here again this week to face Cora Jade so odds are we’ll be seeing Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade as well. Let’s get to it.

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

Bayley vs. Cora Jade

Jade misses the kendo stick shot to start and Bayley hammers away early on. They go outside with Bayley beating her up against the barricade, followed by a ram into the announcers’ table (Booker: “LET’S KEEP IT LEGAL!”) for two. A basement elbow to the back gives Bayley two more but the Rose Plant is blocked. Jade is sent outside for a big dive but she ties Bayley up in the ropes for some knees as we take a break.

Back with Bayley hitting the Twisting Stunner over the ropes and the Bayley To Belly gets two. Some knees in the corner set up another suplex for another two but Bayley can’t quite get a sunset bomb into the corner. Instead Jade rolls her up for two in a nice save as that would have been ugly otherwise. Bayley knocks her into the corner…and here is Roxanne Perez as Hugger Bayley for a distraction. With Bayley going after Perez, Jade gets in Jaded on the floor, followed by Jaded inside for the pin at 10:41.

Rating: B-. That’s probably the biggest win of Jade’s career and that is quite the move, especially when she is chasing the TNA Knockouts Title. I’m not sure I can see her winning the title, but this is the kind of win that could give her some strong momentum in that direction. Bayley does add some star power around here though, and the Hugger deal was rather good.

As Jade celebrates, we go back stage where Ava whispers something to Giulia, who nods. Cue Ava, who adds Jade to the Women’s Title match at Vengeance Day. Bayley lays out the surprised Perez.

Nikkita Lyons mocks Sol Ruca and Zaria so a match is set for later.

Here is Oba Femi for a chat. Femi is ready to face both members of A-Town Down Under at Vengeance Day, even if it’s really a handicap match. They can make the mistake of trying to get together to take him out…and here is A-Town Down Under to interrupt. The two of them aren’t impressed with Femi, with Theory talking about how Waller doesn’t get the respect he deserves around here.

Waller says Theory can ride shotgun when he becomes NXT Champion, which lets Femi say it sounds like both of them want to be champion. Waller is tired of hearing about Theory being US Champion and beating John Cena but Theory points out Waller never doing anything on his own. They agree to go after Femi and manage to put him down, only to argue over who gets to hold the title. They aren’t really hiding that this is going to be Femi retaining the title, but it’s still not the most interesting story.

Video on Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe, with Thorpe wanting a strap mach at Vengeance day.

Je’Von Evans is medically cleared to return, but if he gets hurt again, he could be out of action for months. Don’t tease me like that.

Evans signs a liability waiver for his match with Ethan Page at Vengeance Day.

Hank And Tank vs. Josh Briggs/Yoshiki Inamura vs. No Quarter Catch Crew

Inamura cleans house to start until Heights clotheslines Hank. Everything breaks down early on and Briggs hits some running dropkicks to send the Crew outside. Tank comes in and backdrops Borne to the floor as this is all over the place. Hank And Tank crush Borne on the floor but Heights Samoan drops Hank for two as Fraxiom is watching from the balcony.

We take a break and come back with Heights breaking up Hank’s tag to Tank. Instead, Hank hands it off to Inamura, who cleans house with Briggs. Hank and Heights slug it out but Briggs kicks both of them down. A powerbomb gets two on Hank, with Tank making the save. That leaves Hank to hit a big dive onto the pile outside and the fans are impressed. Back in and Hank knocks Briggs off the top but Inamura breaks it up. A top rope splash gives Inamura the pin on Hank at 12:10.

Rating: B. They didn’t really bother with the tagging stuff here and it wound up being totally wild throughout. That’s not a formula that works all the time but they were having a very fun match here, which is better than watching most of these guys try to go technical. If nothing else, points for having Inamura and Briggs actually win something after talking for weeks on end.

Post match Fraxiom thinks Briggs and Inamura deserve a title shot, so they’ll see them at Vengeance Day.

Stacks apologizes to Tony D’Angelo, who says everything is cool, which everything seems to be.

Heritage Cup: JDC vs. Lexis King

King is defending, JDC is better known as Fandango (now in TNA) and the Cup is now one fall title matches. Feeling out process to start with King grabbing a front facelock, only to be taken down into an armbar. A sunset flip out of the corner gives JDC two and he sends King outside for a big dive.

We take a break and come back with JDC missing a middle rope dropkick. King grabs a Canadian Mapleleaf (with commentary getting in the Lance Storm reference) but JDC makes the ropes for the easy break. A Falcon Arrow gives JDC two and King bails to the floor, where a big flip dive takes him down again. Back in and Down And Dirty (guillotine legdrop) gives JDC two but he gets caught on top. A hanging Coronation retains the title at 9:40.

Rating: C+. On one hand, I do get the idea of getting rid of the Heritage Cup rules as they didn’t mean much around here, but at the same time, now it’s just another title. We already have the North American Title and I really don’t think there is much of a need to have two midcard titles around here. Maybe it doesn’t last much longer, but I’m not sure how much sense this whole thing makes.

Roxanne Perez rants to Ava about Cora Jade being added to the title match. Bayley doesn’t want to hear the complaining, but does say this is the best that Perez has ever looked. Jade comes in and doesn’t like what Perez said, but says she’ll win on Saturday.

Fatal Influence is ready for Fallon Henley to defend the Women’s North American Title at Vengeance Day. Kelani Jordan and Jaida Parker both come in to say they want title shots but Ashante Thee Adonis comes in to say Karmen Petrovic should be getting the shot. Bickering ensues.

Zaria vs. Nikkita Lyons

Zaria starts fast with some clotheslines but Lyons snaps off a hurricanrana. A double knockdown gives us a breather and Lyons is back up for a camel clutch. That’s broken up with straight power but Lyons misses a Vader Bomb. The spear into an F5 finishes Lyons at 2:47. Well that was abrupt.

Video on Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans.

Trick Williams is in for the strap match with Eddy Thorpe.

Vengeance Day rundown….and here is former AEW star Ricky Starks in the crowd. He isn’t given a name, but he does acknowledge the RICKY STARKS chants by saying “you obviously know who I am.” Starks says you need an absolute star around here and he is here to turn this place upside down. So there’s your big moment, and dang that’s a fast turnaround after Starks left NXT. I’m not sure what he’s going to do around here, but egads please just let him be called Ricky Starks and not Lance Wigglesworth.

Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer wish each other luck at Vengeance Day, with Vaquer hinting that she’s coming for Giulia’s title.

Andre Chase says meets Uriah Connors but can’t party on a school night. Kale Dixon says he thought Chase U was dead, and Chase says it is, but old habits die hard.

North American Title: Ridge Holland vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo, with the Family, is defending in a cage with pin/submission only. Holland slugs away to start but D’Angelo fires back with the uppercuts to the ribs. A clothesline puts Holland into the corner but he rakes the eyes for a breather. Back up and D’Angelo sends him into the cage and we take a break.

We come back with D’Angelo fighting out of a chinlock before a clothesline puts him back down for two. Holland misses a top rope splash and D’Angelo starts sending him into the cage a few times. D’Angelo grabs a belly to belly but charges into a boot to the face for a breather. They slug it out from their knees until D’Angelo powerbombs him into the cage for two. Izzi Dame tells Stacks to help so he throws in a crowbar, which Holland takes away and drops D’Angelo. Another shot gives Holland two but D’Angelo goes to the eyes. A crowbar shot and spinebuster retain the title at 10:59.

Rating: B-. The cage didn’t really add much here, but I’ll take it over another street fight or weapons based match. D’Angelo is definitely turning into something, and even though his gimmick would be death on the main roster, he’s doing far better than I would have expected around here. Holland losing again is a bit much, but he certainly wasn’t crushed. Just have him win something already if you’re going to though?

Post match Holland and the Family (minus Tony) brawl to the back. Cue Shawn Spears and company, with Dame decking Tony to put him down. The big beatdown is on and the Family is held off with a chair as Tony is destroyed.

We get a long video on Vengeance Day, complete with a look at the four mystery people, complete with a skull mask. Interesting, as I was thinking it was Spears and company after that ending.

Overall Rating: B-. They are trying hard with Vengeance Day but I really can’t get into it. Having Jade added to the Women’s Title match makes it a bit more intriguing, but she feels like she is there for the sake of giving Giulia someone to pin. Other than that, the NXT Title match isn’t doing much for me and the Tag Team Title match was thrown onto the card out of nowhere. This show was a nice try at a go home show, but the show they’re going home to isn’t doing it for me and that’s a big problem.

Results
Cora Jade b. Bayley – Jaded
Josh Briggs/Yoshiki Inamura b. Hank And Tank and No Quarter Catch Crew – Top rope splash to Hank
Lexis King b. JDC – Hanging Coronation
Zaria b. Nikkita Lyons – F5
Tony D’Angelo b. Ridge Holland – Spinebuster

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NXT
Date: January 21, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We’re less than a month away from Vengeance Day and that means it is time to start getting ready for the show. So far we don’t have a card set for the show but we should be able to start adding some things this week. On top of that, we have three title matches so let’s get to it.

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

Corey Graves is back. That’s good to see, as he’s far too talented to blow up his career.

North American Title: Tony D’Angelo vs. Ridge Holland

D’Angelo, with his Family, is defending and after the Big Match Intros….we talk about Booker T.’s time as a TNA Legends Champion. Graves: “I believe in Joe Hendry.” Even after this partnership has been going on for months, this still feels weird. D’Angelo runs him over early to start but Shawn Spears comes out for a distraction as we take an early break.

Back with D’Angelo fighting out of an armbar and taking over, with a fisherman’s suplex getting two. The spinebuster is broken up so D’Angelo goes with a spear for a knockdown instead. Cue Nico Vance and Brooks Jensen to go after the Family, but Izzi Dame comes in to kick Holland in the head. The spinebuster retains the title at 7:26.

Rating: B-. That was a heck of a spinebuster at the end, but what was more impressive was they had a good match with so little time. You can only get so much out of a seven and a half minute match with a break in the middle. For now though, the important thing is D’Angelo continues to look like a big deal and it would not surprise me to see him being NXT Champion by the end of the year.

Wes Lee, with Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont, aren’t happy with Dion Lennox. Trick Williams comes in and Lee mocks him, earning an immediate right hand in a funny bit.

Here is Bayley for a chat. She’s here to talk about her issues with Roxanne Perez, who could be great but slapped her in the face. Perez thinks Bayley is like Natalya or CM Punk, but that might be a compliment? Last night, Perez interfered on Raw and that makes Bayley think Perez just isn’t ready. This women’s division has a lot going on and with a champion like Giulia at the top…and here is Giulia to say she certainly respects Bayley.

Giulia hopes to hold the title with as much honor as Bayley did. Bayley is appreciative as Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade interrupt to insult her. The fans boo them out of the building and suggest that Bayley wants the Women’s Title, because this era has exceeded the Four Horsewomen era. The brawl is on and the villains are quickly cleared out. Odds are this sets up a tag match, though I’m not sure I can imagine Perez or Jade as a serious threat to Giulia.

Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan argue but Karmen Petrovic interrupts and gets in a fight with Parker over Ashante Thee Adonis.

Bayley and Giulia are still brawling with Jade and Perez.

Wes Lee vs. Dion Lennox

Lee is ticked off after being slapped by Trick Williams (Joseph: “Williams slapped Lee so hard he thought his name was Desmond.”) and jumps Lennox to start, knocking him to the floor. Back in and Lennox runs him over, setting up a spinebuster for two as they’re going fast so far. That doesn’t last long though as the Cardiac Kick gives Lee the pin at 2:24. They’re trying with Lee, but I just can’t picture him as a top star.

Post match Lee calls out Trick Williams for next week so here is Williams to chase him off and accept.

We recap Lexis King winning the Heritage Cup for good last week.

Stephanie Vaquer wants the Women’s North American Title and doesn’t care who has it.

Heritage Cup: Lexis King vs. Charlie Dempsey

King is defending and Round One begins with a technical off going nowhere. King snaps off a dropkick into an armbar to work on the arm. They trade rollups for two each and it’s a standoff, with King trying another rollup. That’s reversed into a choke and then a crossface chickenwing but the round ends before a tap.

We take a break with King having gotten a pin in the second round to go up 1-0. Round Three begins with King working on the arm until a quick shot lets Dempsey take over. Dempsey gets two off a rollup and cranks on the arm some more before a bridging butterfly suplex ties it up at 2:28 of the round and 9:31 overall.

Round Four begins with King pulling out some brass knuckles but throwing them down with a shake of his head. Dempsey goes after the arm but gets suplexed out for his efforts. King hits a high crossbody for two, only to get suplexed for the same. Another tease of the knuckles doesn’t go anywhere so King knocks him outside for a big flip dive. Back in and the referee almost gets crushed in the corner, allowing King to get in a low blow. The Coronation retains the Cup at 2:50 of the round and 12:56.

Rating: C+. They’re definitely telling a story with King and his efforts to be good but getting pulled back into the dark side. That being said, this story feels like it is going to continue, even though it isn’t the most thrilling. Both of them need to move on to something else, though that low blow is likely going to result in another match.

Naomi and Bianca Belair are ready for Meta Four next week.

Andre Chase tells Hank And Tank to break up now because all teams split. As Kelani Jordan walks in the background, Chase goes to another room and sees people watching a Chase U video. Kale Dixon says Chase was great but Chase says Chase U is dead and leaves. Dixon: “But it doesn’t have to be.” It could be a long road from here, but dang the idea of Chase restarting the school and winning the NXT Title could be an all time NXT moment.

Karmen Petrovic vs. Jaida Parker

Ashante Thee Adonis is here with Petrovic, who takes him down by the arm to start. Parker catches her in an electric chair drop out of the corner and then hits the Tear Drop in the corner. A quick rollup gives Petrovic two and a Sling Blade gets the same. Parker gordbusters her down and loads up the Hipnotique, only to have Kelani Jordan come in for the distraction. Petrovic grabs a rollup for the pin at 5:09.

Rating: C. I’m still not sure what the appeal of Petrovic and Adonis is supposed to be but the story is probably the least interesting thing in NXT at the moment. I can go for more of Petrovic as she has something about her, but Parker losing isn’t the best thing to see. Not much of a match either, and it’s part of a less than interesting story.

Sol Ruca and Zaria give Meta Four something of a pep talk before next week’s Women’s Tag Team Title match. As usual, this sounded so scripted that it was painful.

Brooks Jensen/Nico Vance vs. D’Angelo Family

It’s a big brawl to start and a Stacks is hiptossed over the top onto Jensen and Vance. We settle down to Jensen suplexing Crusifino for two. Everything breaks down and the Family fights up, only for Crusifino to be sent outside. Back in and a spinwheel kick into a lariat from Vance finishes Stacks at 4:25.

Rating: C+. They kept this moving and it was nice to see a new team getting a chance. That being said, it’s also quite the big step for them to beat the D’Angelo family so soundly. It wasn’t a great match, but it did a good job of saying that Jensen and Vance, with Shawn Spears controlling them, could be a threat.

Fraxiom is happy with their win last week and they’re ready to go to Impact to defend against the Rascalz. Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura interrupt to say they want a title shot. OTM runs in and the brawl is on.

Dion Lennox is annoyed and throws a bunch of stuff.

The D’Angelo Family isn’t happy with Tony D’Angelo not being out there but he blames Izzi Dame for not shutting up. D’Angelo says Stacks has been the underboss for two years. He can do something on his own. Fair point.

Ethan Page is happy with hurting people and likes the sounds of people screaming in pain, including Je’Von Evans.

Je’Von Evans wants to fight Ethan Page but Ava says no due to his injury. Cedric Alexander comes in and is ready to face Page next week. Evans and Alexander leave but here is A-Town Down Under, who are supposed to be here next week. They want to offer the NXT Champion a spot on the Grayson Waller Effect next week. Maybe with some extra security. As for tonight, they’ll be watching the main event.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Diamond Dallas Page is here.

NXT Title: Eddy Thorpe vs. Oba Femi

Femi is defending and powers him into the corner to start, only to miss a charge. Thorpe’s quick kick staggers Femi for two but he glares up at Thorpe for quite the look. One heck of a backdrop sends Thorpe flying but he gets in a dropkick off the apron. A-Town Down Under is watching from the balcony as we take a break.

Back with Femi powering him away again and hitting a heck of a spinebuster for two. A chokeslam is countered into a triangle choke and Thorpe even adds a hurricanrana for a near fall of his own. Thorpe stuns Femi with a Stunner and drops a top rope elbow for two more. Back up and Thorpe hammers away, including a slingshot German suplex for two. Femi powers up and hits a chokeslam for two of his own, only to miss a charge into the post. Thorpe tries to slug away but gets tossed with ease. The Fall From Grace retains the title at 10:18.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure I get this one, as it was mostly the monster Femi selling for Thorpe, who has cheated his way into everything he has. Femi won in the end, but he’s not the kind of champion who should be fighting from underneath for so long. It’s a good enough match, but I’m really not sure I get the thinking behind what they were doing. Also, you might want to not promote “the winner gets to be on the Grayson Waller Effect” over “the winner is the NXT Champion.”

Post match Trick Williams comes out for a Trick Shot to Thorpe before staring Femi down to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show had a big card with three title matches and Bayley as a guest star, but it didn’t feel like a great show. They kept hyping up next week’s show in Atlanta and how big everything on that show was going to be and that didn’t keep me interested in what they were doing this week. It’s far from a bad show, but for what was included, it should have been better.

Results
Tony D’Angelo b. Ridge Holland – Spinebuster
Wes Lee b. Dion Lennox – Cardiac Kick
Lexis King b. Charlie Dempsey 2-0
Brooks Jensen/Nico Vance b. D’Angelo family – Lariat to Stacks
Oba Femi b. Eddy Thorpe – Fall From Grace

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NXT
Date: November 26, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re still on the way to Deadline and that means we have more Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches this week. In addition though, Ridge Holland beat Andre Chase last week to both break up the school (in some way) and become #1 contender to the NXT Title. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Holland beating Chase in a heartbreaking loss.

Chase U’s music plays but it’s Ridge Holland to crush some more souls instead. Holland gets right to the point by saying “I told you so” and says he’s coming for the NXT Title at Deadline. Short and to the point here, which might be best for Holland on the mic.

Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Axiom vs. Ethan Page

Nathan Frazier is here with Axiom. They start fast with some grappling but an early Golden Ratio attempt sends Page outside as we take an early break. Back with Axiom sending him into the announcers’ table and back inside, where Page kicks him in the mask. Axiom goes for an armbar but Page powerbombs his way to freedom to leave them both down.

Page grabs a waistlock before whipping said waist into the corner for a crash. A twisting backbreaker gets two but Axiom catches him on top with a super Spanish Fly for the same. Axiom goes up again but gets caught with a backbreaker onto the buckle as we take another break.

Back again with Axiom hitting a flipping DDT for two and trying a front facelock. That earns him a suplex into the corner and another backbreaker for another two. A super Ego’s Edge is countered into a super hurricanrana and Page is staggered. The Golden Ratio is loaded up again but Page hits a heck of a clothesline for the pin at 16:36.

Rating: B. This was a rather good match with Axiom getting the time to show what he can do. At the same time, Page was getting a chance of his own, as he isn’t so often known for what he can do in the ring. It worked well here though and they had me invested in what they were doing. Very nice opener here with Page staying around the title scene.

Post match Page brags about his win but Frazier says Page hasn’t won anything yet. Page says he just beat the guy that makes the team work but Frazier isn’t so sure about that. With Axiom being annoyed, Wes Lee and Je’Von Evans come out to say they’ll win. Cue a bunch of tag teams for the brawl with Axiom/Frazier.

Lola Vice and Stephanie Vaquer bicker about who will win the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge but Wren Sinclair interrupts. Vice isn’t pleased and promises a beating.

Nikkita Lyons and Ashante Thee Adonis are in the back to talk about Adonis talking her. Karmen Petrovic comes in to ell at Adonis, with Lyons not being impressed.

Wren Sinclair vs. Lola Vice

Charlie Dempsey is here with Sinclair. Vice takes her down without much trouble to start but can’t get a cross armbreaker. Three Amigos give Vice two but Sinclair takes her own by the arm. Vice fights up and kicks away before they head outside. A stomp on the steps is broken up but Sinclair sends her into the steps. Back in and Vice knocks her silly with the spinning backfist for the pin at 4:26.

Rating: C. This was more of a technical match until the big knockout ending, with Vince knocking Sinclair silly. Vice continues to move up the ladder but at some point she’s going to need to win something that matters. Sinclair is doing well in this niche of the midcard villain and that is a valuable spot to fill.

Post match Vice calls out Jaida Parker for NXT Underground.

Tony D’Angelo assures Riz that his knee is ok.

Brooks Jensen and Shawn Spears are ready to get the North American Title.

Fatal Influence calls Tatum Paxley a freak but she says their past will haunt them.

North American Title: Tony D’Angelo vs. Shawn Spears

D’Angelo is defending and Riz and Brooks Jensen are here too. Spears shoulders him down to start but gets hit in the face, only for D’Angelo to bang up his knee again. Another shot to the knee has D’Angelo down and we take a break. Back with D’Angelo pulling him into the post and hitting a superplex for a breather.

We cut to the parking lot where all of the tag teams are brawling again before coming back to Spears hitting a knee to the face. The Figure Four has D’Angelo in more trouble until a rope is grabbed. Booker declares the match over but D’Angelo gets in a quick spear for two. The spinebuster is loaded up but the knee gives out again, only for a second attempt to finish Spears at 8:33.

Rating: B-. I wouldn’t have believed it was possible but they are doing a nice job of turning D’Angelo into a star the fans want to get behind. He made a nice come from behind comeback here and won despite the knee injury, which is good guy wrestling 101. This was a good bit better than I was expecting and that’s always nice to see.

Post match Spears and Jensen jump D’Angelo with Niko, the driver from a few weeks ago, joining in. They all look at Riz.

The tag teams are still brawling in the parking lot and wreck a car.

A despondent Andre Chase leaves Chase U for the last time….but someone calls to him.

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Kelani Jordan vs. Giulia

They fight over arm control to start until Jordan takes her down for an early splash. An exchange of near falls goes to a standoff until Giulia pulls her down into something like the Rings of Saturn. A headbutt and headscissors have Jordan in trouble and Giulia snaps the arm over the top rope. Back up and they hit each other in the face for a standoff as we take a break.

We come back with Jordan hitting a jumping kick to the face, setting up a big dive to the floor. Back in and Giulia misses a missile dropkick but counters One Of A Kind into a Hell’s Gate. That’s reversed with a powerbomb as Roxanne Perez is watching in the back. A hammerlock piledriver drops Jordan but she rolls into a cradle for two. That’s fine with Giulia, who knees her in the head and finishes with a northern lights bomb at 12:30.

Rating: B. Jordan is showing more and more potential and putting her in the ring with stars the caliber of Giulia is only going to help her grow. The NXT women’s division continues to be its best feature and if Jordan can develop from a good athlete into a good wrestler, she has all kinds of potential.

Ava makes a multi-person match between all of the Iron Survivor Qualifier losers for the last spot. As for Axiom and Nathan Frazier, they will defend their titles at Deadline against the winner of next week’s tag team battle royal. Axiom says they might have to wrestle twice, but Frazier points out that Axiom has to qualify first. As the endless bickering continues, Eddy Thorpe goes to yell at Ava, even grabbing her arm. Ava yells at him but some of the people arguing knock a door into her to send her down.

Post break, Shawn Michaels shoves Thorpe against a wall (!) and throws him out.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. Williams says that Ava is being checked on by medics (it wasn’t that big of a bump) before moving on to Ridge Holland ending Chase U. There have been all kinds of people who have given it their all for NXT, even people like Carmelo Hayes. That’s why he can’t let Ridge Holland become NXT Champion, because everything those people have fought for would go up in smoke.

Cue Holland, who says controversy follows him everywhere….and Eric Bischoff of all people pops up on the screen. He wants a closer look at NXT and is going to do something to make Williams and Holland want to destroy each other. That’s one of the most random cameos I’ve seen in a long time.

Charlie Dempsey tells Wren Sinclair that she’s in a last chance qualifying match next week too. She’s nervous.

X-Pac will be here next week too.

Women’s North American Title: Fallon Henley vs. Tatum Paxley

Henley, with the rest of Fatal Influence, is challenging. The fans are behind Paxley to start, even as Henley works on the arm. Paxley flips up and backflips away before going after the arm as well. A butterfly suplex rocks Henley and Paxley kicks her out to the floor, where a Fatal Influence distraction lets Henley get in a shot.

We take a break and come back with Henley punching her down for two and grabbing a chinlock. Paxley fights up and they both try crossbodies for a double knockdown. An exchange of strikes goes to Paxley and something like an Angle Slam gets two. Jacy Jayne offers a distraction so Henley can grab a pumphandle suplex for two. Paxley is right back with a knockdown into a 450 for two but the Psycho Trap is blocked. Henley hits the Fameasser to retain at 10:56.

Rating: B-. This was another good match to wrap up the show, with Henley continuing her ascension in the ring. She’s gotten that much better in recent months and it’s no surprise that she is getting a bit of a run with some gold. At the same time, it still feels like we’re waiting on the big challenger to show up and that could certainly cause Henley some problems. Paxley wasn’t that top opponent, but the fans were behind her here and that’s good to see.

Post match the beatdown is on but Gigi Dolin returns and helps clear the ring to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Now this was more like it, with good action throughout and some big moments to make me want to see what is coming. The qualifying matches for Deadline did their job as you had wrestlers fighting to get into a bigger match, with stuff like the Chase tease and Dolin’s return, plus the still bizarre Bischoff cameo carrying the rest. Rather strong show this week and one of the best from NXT in a bit.

Results
Ethan Page b. Axiom – Clothesline
Lola Vice b. Wren Sinclair – Spinning backfist
Tony D’Angelo b. Shawn Spears – Spinebuster
Giulia b. Kelani Jordan – Northern lights bomb
Fallon Henley b. Tatum Paxley – Fameasser

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: November 19, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We have some major stakes tonight as Chase U’s future is on the line when Andre Chase faces Ridge Holland. The #1 contendership to the NXT Title is on the line too but that doesn’t seem to be as important. Other than that, we have more Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches. Let’s get to it.

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

Axiom and Nathan Frazier still can’t get along over Frazier wanting single success and Axiom wanting to focus on the tag teams.

Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Nathan Frazier vs. Eddy Thorpe

Axiom is here with Frazier, who is wrestled down to the mat but Frazier is up with a leg lariat. Various tag teams pop up to watch as Thorpe kicks away in the corner but misses a charge into the buckle. A reverse Hennig necksnap gives Frazier two and they collide for a double knockdown as we take a break. Back with even more teams coming out to distract Frazier, allowing Thorpe to belly to back superplex him down for two. The teams get in a big brawl on the floor so Frazier dives onto them, followed by a swinging suplex to Thorpe. The Phoenix splash gives Frazier the pin at 10:34.

Rating: C+. This was more about the tag stuff, which still isn’t really going anywhere other than a bunch of wild brawling. Frazier getting a spot is fine way to go as he can fly around the ring and do his stuff, which is rather good. The match itself wasn’t the point here and that’s ok, as Thorpe wasn’t likely getting the Challenge spot anyway.

Andre Chase talks to Chase U and goes over some of their accomplishments and how it’s time to put it all on the line to stop Ridge Holland.

Giulia talks about bringing her Beautiful Madness to NXT and promises to win the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge.

Robert Stone and Stevie Turner are with Kelani Jordan, who wants Giulia in a qualifying match next week.

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Jaida Parker vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Parker shoulders her own a few times to start so Vaquer goes after the arm. Some cranking has Parker in trouble until she sends Vaquer into the corner for the sitdown splash as we take a break. Back with Parker hitting a reverse suplex for two and cranking on both arms. Vaquer fights up and hits a running Meteora in the corner, followed by the figure four necklock faceplants onto the mat. Parker is back up with a Falcon Arrow for two but cue Lola Vice to break up the Hipnotic. Vaquer hits a superkick into the package backbreaker for the pin at 10:54.

Rating: C+. This was another match where the result wasn’t quite in question, as Vaquer wasn’t going to lose a singles match so soon into her NXT run. That being said, I’m not wild on having Parker lose again, even with the distraction. Parker is starting to turn into something around here and I could go for having her move up a bit, though she shouldn’t have beaten Vaquer. Put someone else in the spot instead.

Dion Lennox and Brinley Reece fire each other up.

Roxanne Perez is on vacation until after Deadline but Sol Ruca pops up to say she’s coming for the title.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Brooks Jensen

Non-title with Riz and Shawn Spears here as well. D’Angelo forearms him own to start and hammers away in the corner but Jensen gets in a hot shot for a breather. The chinlock goes on with Jensen switching it into a rear naked choke but D’Angelo is back up. D’Angelo bangs up his knee on the ropes and Jensen’s Codebreaker gets two. Back up and the spinebuster finishes Jensen in a hurry at 4:24.

Rating: C. This felt like a way to set up Shawn Spears as the next challenger to D’Angelo, as he can get Jensen to soften D’Angelo up for the title match. D’Angelo as a smashing machine is a little weird but he’s doing well enough. He needs a more interesting challenger than Jensen and Spears though, as I’m not sure how well the latter would go in a big time title match.

Post match Jensen takes out the bad knee again.

Ashante Thee Adonis and Karmen Petrovic are ready for their mixed tag. Flirting is included.

Lexis King is trying to be the best version of himself that he can be and people are starting to take notice. Yoshiki Inamura says he understands and King leaves. Josh Briggs comes in to ask what that was about and Inamura says he doesn’t know because this is a crazy place. We pan over to the tag teams still brawling. Inamura: “My kind of crazy!”

Ashante Thee Adonis/Karmen Petrovic vs. Dion Lennox/Brinley Reece

They come to the ring in Washington State/Oregon State gear for a college football tie-in. The women are set to start but a pair of tags…mean the women are going to start. Or not as more tags mean it’s the men. Or maybe the women. Reece finally rolls Petrovic up for two before Petrovic goes after the arm. Adonis tags himself in and gets hiptossed by Lennox but comes back with some dropkicks. Lennox is sent throat first into the top rope to slow him down again but manages to get over for the tag anyway. Reece cleans house until Adonis offers a flirty distraction, allowing Petrovic to kick her in the face for the pin at 3:54.

Rating: C. This story has been going on for a few months now and I’m still not sure I get the appeal. Petrovic falling for Adonis, who doesn’t seem to have any kind of similar feelings, isn’t making her look bright but it’s giving her something to do. Lennox and Reece still aren’t doing much but they’re good for opponents in a spot like this.

Ridge Holland is ready to end Chase U.

Video on the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Wren Sinclair vs. Zaria

Charlie Dempsey is here with Sinclair. Zaria stalks her to start and blocks a rollup without much effort. Some suplexes have Sinclair down and her dropkick attempt goes badly. Sinclair gets two off a rollup but Zaria knocks her to the floor without much effort. Dempsey offers a distraction so Sinclair can get in a dive, followed by a rollup for two back inside. Zaria has had it with this and hits a spear into the F5 for the pin at 4:04.

Rating: C+. Sinclair got in some offense here but Zaria is all about enacting beast mode and running through anyone in front of her. That’s a good role for her as there is always a place for that kind of a powerhouse. The match was a fine way to get another top name into the challenge, as putting these new names into some kind of a competition is the right way to go.

Tony D’Angelo is banged up but ready to fight Shawn Spears on one leg. Ava agrees and then tells Eddy Thorpe that the tag tams getting involved in his match isn’t enough of a reason to reverse the decision. Thorpe doesn’t like the double standard with D’Angelo and leaves.

Fatal Influence still doesn’t like all of the newcomers but want to fight. Fallon Henley is ready for an open challenge for next week…and here is Meta Four to interrupt. They’re ready to accept but a bunch of other women come in for a brawl. Tatum Paxley jumps Henley and lays her out to hold up the title.

Shawn Spears is pleased with Brooks Jensen.

Karmen Petrovic is happy with Ashante Thee Adonis…but Nikkita Lyons comes in to say she’s still waiting on that text back from Adonis. Petrovic isn’t pleased but Adonis says he never texted Lyons.

Ethan Page is ready to win the Iron Survivor Challenge and he’ll qualify next week.

Nathan Frazier isn’t impressed with Page but Axiom is ready to stop him from winning. Frazier isn’t pleased with Axiom being in but if Frazier can do it, why not him too?

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Andre Chase acknowledges being hard on a bunch of his students….but he wouldn’t apologize for a thing. It’s time to become NXT Champion.

Ridge Holland vs. Andre Chase

For the #1 contendership (Trick Williams is on commentary) and Chase U is basically done if Chase loses. Chase sends him into the corner to start but gets run over with a hard shot. Holland goes outside and pulls up the floor mats but takes too long, allowing Chase to hit a flip dive off the apron. We take a break and come back with Holland muscling him up into a spinning DDT for two.

A low blow takes Chase down again but here is Duke Hudson to pull the referee out and brawl with Holland. That’s broken up so Holland goes after Thea Hail, with Riley Osborne making the save this time. Holland gorilla presses Osborne onto the exposed concrete but Chase is back up for the brawl. Chase’s Russian legsweep into the spelling stomps gets two before a powerbomb out of the corner connects for the same. Holland rolls through a high crossbody though and the lifting DDT finishes Chase at 11:57.

Rating: B. Dang they actually did it. Chase U isn’t likely going away but it’s going to be completely changed in some way, whatever that means. Holland getting to be the one to slay the school is certainly a big step, though I wasn’t quite expecting it to come in a clean win. Holland is ready for a title shot now, and based on this, I’d be surprised if he didn’t win the thing.

Chase and the school are devastated to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was all about the main event and it worked well, with most of the rest being about setting up the Iron Survivor Challenges. That makes for a focused show with a theme to it, but stuff liked the mixed tag and the D’Angelo vs. Spears/Jensen parts weren’t so good. Deadline is coming together, but dang tonight’s main event was a punch to the gut.

Results
Nathan Frazier b. Eddy Thorpe – Phoenix splash
Stephanie Vaquer b. Jaida Parker – Package backbreaker
Tony D’Angelo b. Brooks Jensen – Spinebuster
Karmen Petrovic/Ashante Thee Adonis b. Dion Lennox/Brinley Reece – Kick to Reece
Zaria b. Wren Sinclair – F5
Ridge Holland b. Andre Chase – Lifting DDT

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NXT
Date: November 12, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re back at home this week after last week’s field trip to Philadelphia and the ECW Arena, meaning it’s time to start getting ready for Deadline. That means we’ll be seeing some Iron Survival qualifying matches this week, which should have some potential. Other than that, Zaria seems to be coming for the Women’s Title 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’s show with the slightly rowdy crowd.

Meta Four vs. Giulia/Stephanie Vaquer

Legend and Giulia start things off with Legend kicking her in the face and handing it off to Jackson for a basement dropkick. They trade rollups for two each until Giulia takes her into the corner so Vaquer can come in for a double elbow. A running legdrop gives Vaquer two so it’s back to Legend for a hard right hand. Everything breaks down and Meta Four clears the ring as we take an early break.

Back with Jackson holding Vaquer in a crossarm choke, which is quickly escaped for the tag to Giulia. A snap suplex gets two on Jackson and a double belly to back suplex gets two. Giulia dropkicks Legend on the floor and a missile dropkick into a package backbreaker into stereo knees to the face finish Jackson at 10:54.

Rating: C+. Giulia and Vaquer continue to be the dream team and there is no reason for them to be losing anytime soon. They didn’t quite run through Meta Four here but they shrugged off the offense and won in pretty dominant fashion. Good opener here, with Giulia and Vaquer already feeling like a big deal.

Post match Vaquer and Giulia are ready for the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Video on the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Cora Jade vs. Sol Ruca

Jade stalls to start and they take turns sitting on the turnbuckles for some taunting. Ruca takes her down and surfs on Jade’s back but Jade gets in a quick knockdown. A stomp to the back has Ruca in trouble and Jade chokes away in the corner. Back up and they trade forearms until Ruca hits a springboard crossbody. Another springboard is broken up but Jade misses a charge into the corner, allowing the Sol Snatcher to give Ruca the pin at 3:32.

Rating: C. The Sol Snatcher is always worth a look and that’s about all they had time for here. You’re not going to be able to get much out of a match that barely breaks three and a half minutes, but at least Ruca won to give her a shot in the bigger match. It’s good to have Jade back, but she’s just not at that higher level and it’s showing more often in the ring.

Je’Von Evans and Cedric Alexander are ready to qualify for the men’s version.

Karmen Petrovic seems to hit on Dion Lennon when Brinley Reece interrupts. She wants to know what is going on but Ashante Thee Adonis comes in and can’t believe this is going on. Lennox: “Since when have we been friends?” A mixed tag seems likely.

Ava holds a meeting with the tag team division. They all bicker, with Ava telling the teams to show her.

Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Wes Lee vs. Cedric Alexander

Alexander shoves him down a few times to start before slapping on a headlock. Lee flips out into an armbar before sweeping out the leg and adding a flipping backsplash. Alexander sends him outside for a dive but leaves it rather short as we take a break. Back with the Cardiac Kick being countered with a dropkick and adding a basement version for a bonus.

Something like an STO onto the apron sets up a springboard Downward Spiral to give Alexander two. Lee is right back with the Cardiac Kick for two but Lee pulls the turnbuckle pad off to break up the Lumbar Check. Alexander settles for a Michinoku Driver for two, only to miss a charge into the exposed buckle. The Meteora finishes for Lee at 11:51.

Rating: B. As has been proven before, there is certainly something to the idea of just taking talented stars and giving them a chance to do something in the ring. These two got about twelve minutes and had a solid match as a result, which is about all you can want in this. Lee is definitely the hotter star of the two at the moment, as Alexander is mainly there to make people look good, which was the case again here.

Tony D’Angelo is eating at the restaurant when Shawn Spears and Brooks Jensen come in. Spears wants the North American Title…so he’s asking for a title shot for Jensen. They leave and get into a car, which is driven by what appears to be Niko Vance, someone who has been on LVL Up for a few months.

Kelani Jordan wants her North American Title back but Fatal Influence comes in to say it’s not happening.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. He gets right to the point by saying he wants Ridge Holland out here right now. Instead here is Andre Chase, who says he has no issues with Williams but wants Holland too. Williams respects Chase and seems to be ready to offer him an NXT Title shot but Holland interrupts.

Holland is done with Chase and is ready to move on to Williams and the NXT Title. That doesn’t work for Chase, who wants one more match and is willing to put all of Chase U on the line. Holland doesn’t care so Williams suggests a #1 contenders match next week for the Deadline title shot. Holland agrees, but if Chase loses, Chase U is completely done. That’s quite a risk for someone like Chase who can never win the big one, but Chase is in. Williams decks Holland and Chase gets in some stomps to wrap it up. Holland moving forward makes sense…but don’t end Chase U.

Jaida Parker is ready to win the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge.

Josh Briggs, with Pro Wrestling Noah star Yoshiki Inamura, is in the back with Ava when Eddy Thorpe interrupts. Thorpe wants a chance, which is why Ava has put him in an Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match. Works for Thorpe.

Adriana Rizzo vs. Nikkita Lyons

Lyons strikes away to start and blocks an early sunset flip attempt. Riz gets in a shot and goes up, only to dive into a full nelson. Lyons throws her down for two and hits some hip attacks to the head, setting up a seated full nelson. That’s broken up and Riz hits a springboard spinning crossbody for a breather, only for Lyons to shrug of a middle rope Thesz press. A superkick into the Vader Bomb finishes for Lyons at 4:33.

Rating: C. I just don’t get it with Lyons. I’m trying to see the big star power in her and it’s just not clicking for some reason. It does help to have her wrestle as more of a monster as she has a physical style that is rather unique in the division. Other than that though, I just don’t get it and while it makes sense for her to beat someone like Riz, hopefully it doesn’t go much higher up than that. Which it likely will.

Post match, Riz decks her with a crowbar. Well that escalated.

The rest of Chase U asks Andre Chase what he’s thinking but this is the kind of risk that has to be taken. The team doesn’t buy it.

Men’s Iron Survival Challenge Qualifying Match: Je’Von Evans vs. Lexis King

They trade rollups to start and then flip over each other with neither getting very far. A springboard hurricanrana takes King down and Evans hits a big dive to the floor. Back in and King seems to hit him low off a leapfrog but King doesn’t want it that way. Instead we take a break and come back with Evans snapping off a suplex for two. A springboard high crossbody gets the same and the frog splash gives Evans two more. King is back with a Backstabber into a fisherman’s buster for two, only for Evans to hit a superkick. The top rope spinning splash finishes King at 9:37.

Rating: C+. I get more of what WWE sees in Evans but it’s still only getting him so far. It feels like someone where I’ve seen almost everything he can do and that’s not a great sign so soon into his career. Granted that also means he has time to develop, but it’s not showing so far. Granted, this was a good big better than last week against Wes Lee. As for King you can see the story they’re telling, but it could take a few different directions.

Respect is shown post match.

Nathan Frazier tells Axiom that he has an Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match and Axiom is not pleased. OTM and the D’Angelo Family come in to argue.

Lexis King is frustrated by another loss so some people try to calm him down. This turns into an argument between Gallus and Hank Walker/Tank Ledger.

Women’s North American Title: Kelani Jordan vs. Fallon Henley

Henley, with the rest of Fatal Influence, is defending. They fight over a lockup to start until Henley’s chop seems to make Jordan…sad? An armdrag off the ropes puts Henley down and an anklescissors out of the corner does it again. They go outside with Jordan’s moonsault off of the announcers’ table mostly missing as we take a break.

Back with a double armdrag takedown leaving them both on the mat for a breather. They trade forearms as more tag teams are brawling backstage. Jordan gets in a knockdown into a rolling…shooting star press for two. With that completely illogical move out of the way, Henley pulls her out of the corner for two of her own but Jordan catches her on top. A super Spanish Fly (which Vic calls a Phoenix splash for some reason) gives Jordan two and One Of A Kind connects, but Jacy Jayne puts the foot on the rope. Jazmyn Nyx gets in a cheap shot of her own and a Fameasser retains the title at 9:26.

Rating: B-. Henley has improved rather nicely in recent months and that was on display here with one of her better singles matches to date. At the same time, the Fameasser is a better finisher than another running strike as that has been done to death in modern wrestling. It’s also nice to see her get a win, albeit with some cheating, to make her feel like something of a more legitimate champion. One of the newcomers will be coming after her soon enough though and that’s where the trouble will begin. For now, though, nice stuff here, as Jordan can move on to something else.

Post match the tag teams get in another fight in the arena to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. There is always something to be said about a show that focuses on wrestling like this one did. Having a bunch of qualifying matches over this and the next few weeks is a good way to go and it worked here. There is a point to having these matches and it makes the show that much more interesting. It wasn’t a must see show, but it was a show that set things up for later and gave us some quality action throughout. I’ll take that every week.

Results
Giulia/Stephanie Vaquer b. Meta Four – Double knees to Jackson
Sol Ruca b. Cora Jade – Sol Snatcher
Wes Lee b. Cedric Alexander – Meteora
Sol Ruca b. Adriana Rizzo – Vader Bomb
Je’Von Evans b. Lexis King – Top rope spinning splash

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Halloween Havoc 2024
Date: October 27, 2024
Location: Giant Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T

It’s another big time show on the road as we have one of the most obvious WCW shows being brought back to the big time. That means a bunch of Spin The Wheel, Make The Deal matches, which could make for an interesting card. The main event is another Trick Williams defending the NXT Title against Ethan Page, which isn’t so interesting. Let’s get to it.

Gigi Dolin hosts the opening video, which is focusing on people being different tonight for one night of the year. The matches involved get attention too.

The set looks GREAT with a bunch of Halloween themed pieces, ala the old WCW sets (no big pumpkin though). Even ring announcer Mike Rome is dressed as Beetlejuice.

North American Title: Oba Femi vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo is defending in a Tables, Ladders and Scares match, meaning street fight with pinfalls or submissions. D’Angelo breaks up the Big Match Intros and they go straight to the brawl, with D’Angelo taking him outside for a spear through the barricade. The weapons are busted out, with a ladder being bridged between the ring and the apron, allowing Femi to chair D’Angelo in the back.

A chokeslam onto a chair gives Femi two and he puts a chair over D’Angelo in the corner. D’Angelo kicks his way out and they go out to the floor, where Femi sends him into the apron. There’s a slam onto the ladder back inside and it’s already table time. Femi blasts him through said table for two and then wraps a crowbar around D’Angelo’s face. A powerbomb is loaded up but D’Angelo reverses into a backdrop, followed by the spinebuster for two.

Back up and Femi throws him again, with D’Angelo coming up holding his leg. Femi busts out a zip tie to tie D’Angelo to the corner, but he has to stop and beat up the D’Angelo Family. Riz gets stalked to the apron, where she grabs the crowbar, which Femi snatches away without much trouble. D’Angelo rips off the tie and spears Femi through the bridged ladder but Femi is right back up with the pop up powerbomb for two. Riz is back in with the crowbar and the Family hits a Shatter Machine with a chair. The spinebuster through the table gives D’Angelo the pin at 15:33.

Rating: B. They beat the fire out of each other here and it made for a good opener, with D’Angelo retaining via some interference in the end. I get that Femi was threatening Riz, but having a bunch of people come in to help D’Angelo beat a monster doesn’t make me want to cheer him. The good/bad stuff has been all over the place in this feud, though in theory this is it for them.

Lexis King still needs a corner man for his Heritage Cup match but no one trusts him. William Regal comes in to say he knew King’s father and hopes the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Regal will be the corner man. Oh dear.

Fatal Influence has decided that Kelani Jordan will defend the Women’s North American Title in a gauntlet match.

Cora Jade/Roxanne Perez vs. Giulia/Stephanie Vaquer

Vaquer cranks on Jade’s arms to start and hands it off to Giulia for a top rope ax handle to one of those arms. Perez comes in and gets caught in a headlock before she and Vaquer trade rollups for two each. Giulia sets up Vaquer’s 619, followed by a double elbow to Jade as this is one sided early on. Perez’s crossface attempt doesn’t work as Giulia pulls her into an STF, with Vaquer adding the same thing on Jade.

Giulia’s missile dropkick puts Perez down for two more but Jade grabs the leg to take over. A running elbow to the back gets two on Giulia and Jade grabs the chinlock. Back up and Giulia and Perez both knock the other down, allowing the tag back to Vaquer. A high crossbody puts Perez down again but Jade comes in, only to get headbutted into the corner. Vaquer dragon screws Perez’s leg as everything breaks down again.

The rapid fire headbutts have the villains in trouble but they’re back with stereo superkicks. Perez hits the dive to take them both out on the floor, with Jade adding a Darby Allin Coffin Drop to drop them both on the floor. Back in and Perez snaps off a super hurricanrana, with Jade adding a Swanton for two. Giulia is back in with a spinning piledriver to plant Vaquer, followed by a running knee to Jade. Perez superplexes Perez and Vaquer adds a huge corkscrew moonsault for the pin at 14:37.

Rating: B. This was more of a showcase for Giulia and Vaquer, which isn’t a bad idea at all. They’re the new stars in the women’s division and are likely o take the title from Perez rather soon. At some point you can only keep the title off of them or so long and we might be reaching that point. Jade was trying to hang in there with three more talented stars and did well enough, but this was about everyone else.

Post match Zaria pops up in a box to stare at everyone else.

Cedric Alexander talks to Je’Von Evans, who isn’t sure if he should have slapped Nathan Frazier. Alexander tells him to keep his cool….but they did get a Tag Team Title shot out of it so maybe snap on occasion. Works for Evans, who wants the titles.

Busted Open Radio’s Dave LaGreca and Bubba Ray Dudley are here and recap/preview the show.

We recap Ridge Holland vs. Andre Chase. Holland joined Chase U and won the Tag Team Titles, only to turn on them when they lost. He put Chase in an ambulance, so now it’s an ambulance match. Makes sense.

Andre Chase vs. Ridge Holland

Ambulance match, meaning you put your opponent in an ambulance and shut the door to win. Chase starts fast with a clothesline out to the floor, setting up a running flip dive off the apron. Holland drives him over the barricade though and Chase is knocked silly. They go up to the ambulance, with Holland pulling out the stretcher (lazy ambulance people not clearing things out) but Chase is back with a blast from a fire extinguisher.

The stretcher is taken to ringside, with Chase being bounced off of it before they go back inside. Holland snaps off an overhead belly to belly, followed by some chair shots. They both grab kendo sticks, with Chase getting the better of things and hitting the spelling stomps. The fight heads back to the floor, with Chase countering the Redeemer and hitting a DDT onto the announcers’ table.

Holland fights back up and puts him onto the stretcher but can’t put him into the ambulance. It’s time for a pumpkin (the ans REALLY like that) but Chase hits him with the backboard. The pumpkin hits Holland and a flip dive off the ambulance puts him down again. That’s still not enough to close the ambulance though as Holland fights out and hits the Redeemer on the stage for the win at 14:28.

Rating: B-. That’s probably the right result but dang it’s rough to see Chase lose again. I’m not sure what is next for him but this definitely feels like the end of the feud. Holland is likely moving on to something bigger while Chase is off to do whatever he has planned. It was a good fight and a nice return for Chase, though Holland winning opens more doors.

Nathan Frazier was training this week when Axiom interrupted. Axiom wasn’t happy with Frazier going all mad on NXT and they argue. Again. With Axiom saying Frazier is condescending.

Ava is fired up for various things coming up on NXT. This includes Lola Vice vs. Jaida Parker, with ECW legend Dawn Marie as guest referee. Sure. And we’ll make it a hardcore match. Sure again.

Women’s North American Title: Fatal Influence vs. Kelani Jordan

Jordan is defending in a gauntlet match, with Jazmyn Nyx up first. Jordan works on a wristlock to start and sends her to the floor for a moonsault. Back in and Nyx kicks her down and grabs a fisherman’s suplex for two. Another one is blocked though and Jordan puts her down, setting up a 450 for the pin at 3:32.

Jacy Jayne is in next with a running hurricanrana, only to be sent out to the floor. Jayne misses a charge to the floor though and Jordan hammers away. Back in and One Of A Kind is broken up, allowing Jayne to hit a Cannonball in the Tree of Woe. Jayne’s running knee gets two but Jordan elbows her way out of trouble. A rollup gives Jayne two more and she drops Jordan with a neckbreaker. Back up and Jordan grabs a quick neckbreaker for the pin at 7:58 total.

Jayne drops Jordan in between falls though and here is Fallon Henley as the final opponent to get a quick two. A spinning suplex out of the corner gives Henley two but Jordan is back with a standing legdrop for two of her own. Jordan kicks away but gets caught with a swinging faceplant for two more. Cue Nyx for a distraction though, allowing Henley to get her knees up to block a 450. The running knee gives Henley the title at 14:14 total.

Rating: C. This was only so good and the win fits Fatal Influence pretty well: they barely win but get to brag about getting some gold. That had to happen at some point, as Henley and company can only brag so much while piling up the losses. Jordan is well protected with the loss, but the match itself just wasn’t very good.

Post match Fatal Influence talks about that being a statement made but here is Zaria to lay them all out. Well that was effective.

Tony D’Angelo is happy with his win. Riz knows who attacked her and is coming for revenge on Tuesday.

Bubba Ray Dudley and Dave LaGreca talk about the show when Ridge Holland interrupts. Ray doesn’t like it and a match seems likely. In Philadelphia.

Booker T. is on the stage and showing the various places the main event could end. Tatum Paxley pops out of a box and says she wants Wendy Choo on Tuesday. Ava makes the match, but Paxley spins the wheel to make it a casket match.

We recap Ethan Page vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Title. They’ve traded the title, so now it’s time to go all violent to wrap it up.

NXT Title: Trick Williams vs. Ethan Page

Williams is defending in a Devil’s Playground match, meaning anything goes and falls count anywhere. Page jumps him to start but they both grab chairs, with Williams’ knocking Page’s out of his hands. Williams puts a pumpkin over Page’s head and nails a spinning kick for two before it’s time to go back to the floor. They fight into the crowd with both of them hitting each other with various things before going back to ringside.

Page flips him off the top for two back inside but a quick Trick Shot gives Williams two…as Page was in the ropes, despite it being falls count anywhere. Commentary has to point out that it was a bad call as Page fights back. The announcers’ table is cleared off as Williams is bleeding from the mouth.

Ego’s Edge off the steps and through the announcers’ table gets two on the floor and they’re both down. Medics come out to check on Williams, but he waves them off, leaving Page to plant him hard onto the steps back inside. Williams avoids a big crushing with the steps but gets kicked low to cut him off again. Another low blow cuts Page off though and the Trick Shot retains the title at 15:54.

Rating: B. The match was good and violent, but there was only so much more that could be wrung out from this feud. Williams beat him definitively before so this was only going to be so good. Now that being said, they worked hard here and beat each other up and it was better than I was expecting. Not a classic, but a good enough main event.

Post match Ridge Holland runs in to jump Williams, with Bubba Ray Dudley making the save. Yes it’s an ECW moment, because the show is going to Philadelphia next month and therefore we must do something with ECW, because a promotion that closed 23 and a half years ago must be remembered forever.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a pretty strong show, with the worst match being the decent gauntlet match. While there might not be anything worth going out of your way to see, you have about three hours of entertaining wrestling with some big moments. Quite a bit of Ridge Holland, but if you’re cool with him, it’s worth a look if you have the time.

Results
Tony D’Angelo b. Oba Femi – Spinebuster through a table
Giulia/Stephanie Vaquer b. Cora Jade/Roxanne Perez – Corkscrew moonsault to Perez
Ridge Holland b. Andre Chase – Holland shut Chase in an ambulance
Fatal Influence b. Kelani Jordan – Running knee
Trick Williams b. Ethan Page – Trick Shot

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: October 22, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the last show before Halloween Havoc and the card…well it somewhat exists. There have been a few matches set, including those with Spin The Wheel Make The Deal attached, but very little is standing out. The main event will see Ethan Page getting another shot at Trick Williams and the NXT Title, with the two of them going face to face this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Damage CTRL vs. Meta Four

Jackson backs Sane up against the ropes to start but Sane is back up with a running dropkick. It’s off to Sky for some stereo basement dropkicks but a missed charge lets Jackson send her into the corner. The much bigger Legend comes in to choke Sane, with Legend holding both Sane and Sky up at the same time to bounce them on the ropes. A sleeper slows Legend down though and Sane sends her outside, setting up Sky’s Asai moonsault as we take a break.

Back with Sane coming back in for a running Blockbuster to Jackson with Legend being knocked to the floor. A top rope forearm gets two on Jackson and an assisted elbow drop gets the same. Jackson gets over to Legend though and a pump kick knocks Sane silly. Cue Piper Niven to pull Jackson outside for the DQ at 11:16.

Rating: C+. The match was just good enough, but the interesting thing here is that WWE seems to actually be pushing the women’s tag division. You can only get so far with the same two or three teams fighting each other over and over so mixing it up a bit is great to see. What matters the most is building up some actual teams for a division with some depth. It will take time but the start is there, which I’ll take more than what they’ve been doing lately.

Post match Chelsea Green is here to help assist Niven with the beatdown.

Cole Custer, a NASCAR driver, arrives and is greeted by Hank Walker and Tank Ledger. OTM interrupts and a match seems likely.

Ashante Thee Adonis hits on Karmen Petrovic again but Brinley Reece and Sol Ruca pop in to say she’s not interested. Petrovic doesn’t approve.

Tatum Paxley vs. Jaida Parker

OTM is here with Parker. Paxley starts fast with a rollup for two but Parker sits her on the middle rope for the sitdown splash. Parker sends her flying and cranks on both arms as Lola Vice is watching backstage. Back up and a facebuster gets Paxley out of trouble and something like a modified Angle Slam gets two. Parker flips out of a rollup though and hits a pair of running hip attacks for the pin at 4:17.

Rating: C. Short match here but Parker’s rise continues. She is probably in for a showdown with Lola Vice sooner rather than later and that could be a big step up the ladder. Parker is someone who feels like she could be a player at a higher level in the future and another win like this one is just one more move in the right direction. They kept this quick and to the point, with Parker doing well enough.

Post match Lola Vice has to be held back from Parker. Cue Wendy Choo to kidnap Paxley.

Lexis King asks the No Quarter Catch Crew how he can get some better respect around here. Maybe winning the Heritage Cup can make it happen, so the match is made. Just find a corner man.

Axiom and Nathan Frazier congratulate Je’Von Evans, with Cedric Alexander, on coming close and say he’ll get there someday. Evans slaps Frazier in the face and they have to be held apart. Wes Lee pops in to say he knew someone would get under Evans’ skin eventually.

Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia talk about their friendship on the way to WWE and now they are here to dominate.

Riz has been attacked, with the D’Angelo Family wanting revenge.

Luca Crusifino vs. Oba Femi

Crusifino hits a dropkick and goes after the knee to start but a shoulderbreaker cuts him off. Some knees to the back set up a quickly broken chinlock so Femi knocks him down again. The chokeslam is countered into a Codebreaker but Femi sends him flying. The toss powerbomb finishes for Femi at 3:04.

Rating: C. That’s all it needed to be as Femi gets to smash one of the Family before his rematch with Tony D’Angelo. It’s as logical of a result as you can have and the title match is already looking like it could go either way. He looks like one heck of a monster, though the stipulation gives him enough of an out to lose without being downgraded. That’s smart booking, or he just gets the title back.

Post match Femi lays out the Family, with Tony D’Angelo running down for the save but getting zip tied to the post. With D’Angelo stuck, Femi slams Crusifino onto a ladder.

The woman in red, named Zaria, will be at Halloween Havoc.

Andre Chase talks about how Chase U is about giving people a chance, just like they gave to Ridge Holland. Then Holland turned on them because there are some people who can’t be saved. At Halloween Havoc, they’re having an ambulance match. Makes sense.

Here are Ethan Page and Trick Williams for a face to face chat. Williams is willing to wait for Halloween Havoc to fight, but he thinks Page is desperate. Page talks about how he’s been at this for seventeen years and didn’t have the resources Williams had at his disposal. Williams says he gets it, which is all the proof Page needs to know Williams doesn’t get it. Has Williams ever tasted his own blood and sweat?

Williams is ready to make Page tastes his blood again on Sunday, which Page sees as fake confidence. The match is the Devil’s Playground, which benefits page, because Williams isn’t ready to go through that. Page is ready to take this further than anyone else Williams has faced, but Williams says Page has never pinned him. Page is desperate, but Williams is looking forward to it. This was as good as it could have gotten, but this story still isn’t interesting.

Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade are ready for Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer. Fatal Influence comes in to say they’re ready, with Kelani Jordan coming in to say she’s not so sure. The wheel will be spun tonight.

Sol Ruca vs. Karmen Petrovic

Ruca takes her down to start but Petrovic is back up with some strikes. That’s fine with Ruca, who drops her again and gets in some surfing on the back. A superkick gives Petrovic two but Ruca hits a Codebreaker as we see Ashante Thee Adonis in the crowd with some woman. Petrovic catches her on top with an Iconoclasm but Adonis and said woman distracts Petrovic. The Sol Snatcher gives Ruca the pin at 4:04.

Rating: C. Another short match in a series of them tonight as the Adonis story actually goes somewhere for a change. Having Petrovic fall for him a bit without realizing what he really is could be a nice path to follow, though I’m not sure where it could lead. Any excuse to see the Sol Snatcher is a plus though and that was certainly true here.

Nikkita Lyons gives Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont a pep talk. Oba Femi comes in to give Ruca her jacket, saying she dropped it. Oh dear.

OTM vs. Hank Walker/Tank Ledger

Jaida Parker and Cole Custer are here too and the fight starts on the floor with Walker and Ledger taking over. Meet In The Middle gets two on Nima but it’s off to Price to plant Ledger. That’s broken up and the rolling tag brings in Walker to clean house in short order. A swinging Boss Man Slam gets two on Price as Lola Vice comes out to deck Parker. Custer’s distraction sets up the Collision Course to finish Price a 3:09.

Rating: C. There’s your guest star match of the night and Custer added as much as most guest stars over the years. OTM is still around but hasn’t done anything in a good while, with this match not helping things. At least Vice and Parker got to do something, which should move us closer to their big showdown.

Post match, dancing ensues.

Axiom and Nathan Frazier argue but get a Tag Team Title match with Je’Von Evans and Cedric Alexander. The champs leave but Lexis King comes in to say he needs a corner man for the Heritage Cup shot. Ava seems to have an idea.

Ridge Holland is ready to hurt Andre Chase.

Here’s what’s coming on various shows.

Tony D’Angelo is ready to hurt Oba Femi.

Giulia/Stephanie Vaquer vs. Fatal Influence

Giulia knocks Henley into the corner to start and takes her down without much effort. Vaquer comes in to drive Henley’s face into the mat but it’s off to Jayne to take over in the corner. Back up and a dropkick gets Vaquer out of trouble and it’s off to Giulia as everything breaks down. Jazmyn Nyx gets in a cheap shot on the floor and the villains take over as we take a break.

Back with Giulia hitting a basement dropkick to get out of trouble and the big tag bringing in Vaquer to clean house. Everything breaks down and Jayne has to make a save, leaving Giulia and Henley to slug it out. Jayne hits a spinebuster with Vaquer making a save of her own so Nyx gets involved. Cue Kelani Jordan fr the save so Giulia can knee Jayne into a package backbreaker for the pin at 12:13.

Rating: C+. Fatal Influence was little more than cannon fodder for the new monster dream team here and that’s perfectly fine. Giulia and Vaquer are designed to be some great team and I could go for the two of them on some path of destruction for the time being. Perez and Jade are bigger challengers, but I wouldn’t be getting my hopes up about them for Sunday.

Post match, Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade show up for the staredown. Fatal Influence spins the wheel for their match with Jordan and it’s…Spinner’s Choice. Never mind though as Zaria shows up for the debut to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. NXT is getting more and more divided, as the men’s stuff is becoming downright uninteresting while the women’s division is rather entertaining. The latter is keeping the show afloat and thankfully NXT seems to understand what they have there. At the same time, Halloween Havoc is looking more like the big finale to the summer feuds, which were only so good in the first place. Not much of a show here, with the limited positives coming from the women’s side of things.

Results
Meta Four b. Damage CTRL via DQ when Piper Niven interfered
Jaida Parker b. Tatum Paxley – Hip attack
Oba Femi b. Luca Crusifino – Toss powerbomb
Sol Ruca b. Karmen Petrovic – Sol Snatcher
Hank Walker/Tank Ledger b. OTM – Collision Course to Price
Giulia/Stephanie Vaquer b. Fatal Influence – Package backbreaker to Jayne

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.