NXT
Date: August 6, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the second week of the Great American Bash and we have a title match in the main event as Ethan Page will be defending the NXT Title against Oro Mensah. Other than that, the Tag Team Titles are on the line as the Rascalz are coming after Nathan Frazier and Axiom. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week, focusing on Hank Walker and Tank Ledger, your hosts for both weeks.

Trick Williams vs. Pete Dunne

Williams chops away to start but has to suplex his way out of a Kimura. Dunne gets in a shot of his own before they strike it out, with Dunne’s chest being rather red. A neckbreaker gives Williams two and we take an early break. Back with Dunne cranking on the arm but Williams fights up with a clothesline to start the comeback.

A Rock Bottom gives Williams two but Dunne drops him again and goes up. That’s cut of with a super flapjack of all things for a nasty crash. A spinning kick to the face gives Williams two and they’re both down again. Back up and Dunne powerbombs him down and stomps away…which for some reason fires Williams up. The Trick Shot misses though and Dunne grabs the Bitter End for the pin at 13:00.

Rating: B-. That’s a surprising result as Williams has been seen as the top star in NXT for the last several months but then he loses clean here. Dunne hasn’t exactly been presented as a huge deal on the main roster yet here he is beating Williams. The match itself was pretty good, but I’m more interested in why Williams lost here, as it came out of nowhere.

Earlier today, Eddy Thorpe and Lexis King got in an argument over the music at the barbecue. Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner then got in a wing eating contest. Presumably more on this later.

Nathan Frazier and Ethan Page argued in the trainer’s room, with Frazier realizing Axiom isn’t here yet.

Women’s North American Title: Tatum Paxley vs. Kelani Jordan

Paxley is challenging and can’t get very far with a headlock to start. They trade waistlocks until Jordan takes her down by the arm. The fans are split as Jordan snaps off some more armdrags and sends Paxley outside. There’s the big slingshot dive but Jordan finds another doll of herself underneath the ring.

Paxley gets in a cheap shot off the distraction and we take a break. Back with Paxley working on the leg and grabbing a hair faceplant…as Wendy Choo comes out to watch. The Psycho Trap misses but so does the split legged moonsault, allowing Paxley to hit a 450 for two. They both go up with Jordan grabbing a super Spanish Fly. A frog splash retains the title at 10:00.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t exactly tearing the house down but it’s another win to add to the list for Jordan. That’s the best thing for her at the moment as she still needs to make herself feel more like a star worthy of being the champion. Granted that might com crashing down when she faces Wendy Choo but for now it’s becoming a good start.

Post match Choo hands Paxley the doll and then jumps her as Jordan looks on.

Wren Sinclair things the No Quarter Catch Crew has whacked Tavion Heights, who is really in Japan. She still wants on the team, but the D’Angelo Family comes in. Tony D’Angelo says that if Sinclair wins tonight, Charlie Dempsey can have another shot at the Heritage Cup. Wren manages a bonus: she’s on the team if she wins. Oba Femi storms past them and we pan over to Axiom, who arrives as Nathan Frazier is trying to get him on the phone. Axiom has been here but was giving Frazier some space.

Trick Williams jumps Pete Dunne, making him a sore loser.

NXT Title: Ethan Page vs. Oro Mensah

Mensah, with Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson, is challenging. Mensah chops away in the corner to start and snaps off an anklescissors to put Page down. Some chops in the corner send Page outside and we take an early break. Back again with Mensah fighting out of a bearhug but moonsaulting into a dropkick in a rather nice bit of timing. Page knocks him to the apron and tells the announcers to move but can’t quite hit a superplex.

Instead Mensah sends him to the floor for the suicide dive into the table, followed by a spinning kick for two back inside. They go outside and fight up the ramp, with Page hitting an Ego’s Edge through a picnic table. That’s not a DQ due to reasons that aren’t clear so Page hits a DDT for two. Mensah grabs some rollups for a DDT of his own, setting up the running spinwheel kick in the corner for two more. Page is back up with the Ego’s Edge for the pin at 13:09.

Rating: B-. They were doing everything they could here and it was far from a bad match, but Mensah’s mother wouldn’t have given him a serious chance of winning the title here. In a similar vein to Kelani Jordan, this was more about giving Page another win and that’s not a bad thing. This didn’t come off like a main event and they didn’t treat it as such, which was the right way to go.

The Rascalz are ready to get the Tag Team Titles back.

Back at the barbecue, women argue over a title shot and a man hits on them, earning a trip through a table.

Joe Hendry vs. Joe Coffey

The rest of Gallus is here with Coffey, who jumps the other two before the bell. Coffey headbutts Hendry into the corner to start but gets kneed in the face. Hendry grabs a suplex and fires off some chops, followed by a clothesline to the floor as we take a break. Back with Hendry playing Eddie Guerrero by throwing a chair and faking an attack to get rid of the rest of Gallus. Hendry hits a backdrop and fall away slam as the fans sing about their beliefs. The Standing Ovation (high angle spinebuster) finishes Coffey at 8:11.

Rating: C+. This felt like a way to give Hendry a win around here, as he continues to more or less move into NXT and become the hottest thing in the promotion despite not working here. If WWE can get that kind of a result while sending midcarders over to TNA, good for them, as it’s working out well. Nice stuff here, and odds are Hendry isn’t done with NXT just yet.

Post match Hendry says he has enjoyed his time here and he might just stay for a lot longer. He’ll be here next week and you won’t even need to say his name because he will appear.

We’re off to Chase U, which has a new classroom. That’s not all either, as he has gotten Chase U a Tag Team Title shot next week. Duke Hudson perks up…but is told that it’s Holland and Andre Chase getting the shot. Hudson is disappointed while everyone else gets fired up.

Back at the barbecue, Shawn Spears wants to mentor Brooks Jensen, who seems to agree. Elsewhere, a rather messy Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner make a multi-woman match for…I think a shot at Roxanne Perez? The OC come in and get in a brawl with Hank Walker and Tank Ledger.

Wren Sinclair vs. Kendal Grey

The No Quarter Catch Crew and Carlee Bright are here too. Grey takes her down into an armbar to start but Sinclair reverses into a headscissors. Back up and Grey snaps off anther armdrag into an armbar, only to get reversed into an arm and leg stretch. Grey fights up and hits a suplex to send Sinclair out to the floor. Back in and something like an Angle Slam gives Grey two and they trade rollups for two each. Sinclair hits her in the face and grabs a bulldog driver for the clean pin at 4:17, earning herself a spot in the No Quarter Catch Crew and Charlie Dempsey a Heritage Cup shot.

Rating: C+. That’s not a long match for having so much riding on it but it certainly moved things forward in a hurry. Sinclair has gone from nothing to an interesting prospect by being in the right place at the right time and then winning a match so we’ll have to see where she goes. Other than that, Grey continues to be good enough without winning, though that is going to need to change sooner or later.

Je’Von Evans talks about wrestling at a young age and meeting Matt Bloom (Albert/Lord Tensai) when he was a kid. Now Bloom is his coach. He’s not sure where he’s going to be in ten years because he just turned twenty.

Oba Femi is defending his title next week but doesn’t know who is getting the title shot. The D’Angelo Family comes in with Tony D’Angelo saying he’ll retain the Heritage Cup next week.

Tag Team Titles: MSK vs. Axiom/Nathan Frazier

Axiom and Frazier are defending. Axiom works on Lee’s arm to start and it’s off to Frazier for an armbar of his own. Lee manages to send him into the corner for an extended Bronco Buster but Frazer pulls himself up for a jumping enziguri to put Lee down. Frazer’s big running flip dive connects and Axiom adds a springboard moonsault as we take a break.

Back with Wentz superkicking a Lionsaulting Frazier out of the air, allowing the double tag to Axiom and Lee. Everything breaks down and the Spanish Fly into the Phoenix splash gets two on Wentz with Lee making the save. The champs have some miscommunication and Wentz’s springboard cutter gets two. Lee goes up and gets superplex into Chasing The Dragon for two more. The Golden Ratio retains the titles at 10:31.

Rating: B. The tension continues for the champs and has to be ready for a payoff of some kind in the near future. For now though, I’ll settle for a fast paced title match between two teams who can more than work that style. The Rascalz reunion has been rather nice as an exciting trio can be a lot of fun, which is certainly true in their case.

Post match respect is shown and the champions leave. Then Lee superkicks Miguel and kicks Wentz low. Lee rants about how they left him alone and throws them to the floor, with Miguel being sent through the barricade and Wentz being sent into the steps. The fans boo Lee out of the building to end the show. I can go for that, as Lee was kind of out of things to do and his partners work for another company.

Overall Rating: B-. That’s it for the Great American Bash and after two weeks, I’ve seen worse specials. The good thing, as usual in NXT, is that they set up things for the ensuing weeks so we do have a place to go as after this show. This week was a show that didn’t have a ton of major matches but the best it could with what it had. A hot angle at the end helped too and the show wound up being another nice watch.

Results
Pete Dunne b. Trick Williams – Bitter End
Kelani Jordan b. Tatum Paxley – Frog splash
Ethan Page b. Oro Mensah – Ego’s Edge
Joe Hendry b. Joe Coffey – Standing Ovation
Wren Sinclair b. Kendal Grey – Bulldog driver
Nathan Frazier/Axiom b. MSK – Golden Ratio to Lee

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

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NXT LVL Up
Date: July 19, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

We’re continuing this show and since I’m so far behind here, it isn’t like there is much to say about it. Granted this is LVL Up so there is nothing going on from week to week in the first place. That is what you have to expect around here and unfortunately that is all there is to say about this show. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Jakara Jackson vs. Kendal Grey

Lash Legend and Carlee Bright are here too. Grey starts fast with an armdrag into an armbar but Jackson powers her into the corner without much effort. That earns her a middle rope crossbody into another armbar but Jackson is back up with a side slam. Jackson grabs a cravate to keep her down and grinds away before nailing a Regal Cutter. Grey fights up and makes the clothesline comeback, only to get hit in the ribs and caught with the Sugar Rush to give Jackson the pin at 4:49.

Rating: C. You don’t see Jackson getting much of her own shine and it was nice to have her be something other than Lash Legend’s friend. The match wasn’t much, but Grey got in a bit of offense before her latest loss. That is going to have to turn around at some point soon, but she’s still ok enough for now.

Dion Lennox talks to Uriah Connors about their loss last week. Yelling ensued but Tank Ledger and Hank Walker cut them off. That’s some actual continuity from week to week and I’ll certainly take that.

Adriana Rizzo vs. Lainey Reid

Reid is “the modern southern belle” and takes her down by the arm. The reversal is reversed as well and we get a standoff. Back up and Riz trips her down before taking Reid into the corner. That earns Riz a kick to the head for two before Reid chokes away in the corner. A neckbreaker sets up a quickly broken crossarm choke on Riz, who fights up with some left hands. Riz drops her again and hits a running flipping seated senton for the pin at 4:38.

Rating: C. Reid got to showcase herself a bit here and it was fine for one of her earlier appearances. Riz has kind of disappeared from the ring in recent months so it’s nice to have her back. Neither was exactly looking like a star but I can go for some fresh blood out there most of the time.

Kendal Grey is annoyed by her loss and she’s sick of losing so often. Carlee Bright tells her to bring back her killer instinct and offers to train with her. This was short and to the point but gave us more insight into Grey than we’ve gotten since she’s been here. See how easy it can be?

Eddy Thorpe vs. Shiloh Hill

Hold on though as Lexis King joins us as this show is actually advancing some things. Hill grabs a front facelock to start as King talks about Thorpe’s love of “evil” EDM. A running shoulder drops Thorpe, who is right back with a crossbody. Hill clotheslines him down again and gets two off a side slam. We hit the seated abdominal stretch for a bit but Thorpe fights up rather easily. The jumping elbow into the implant DDT finishes King off at 5:03.

Rating: C. It was nice to see Hill getting some more shine as there is something to him that could work out. At the same time, this was much more about King and Thorpe continuing their issue. Yes it’s a minor story, but I’ll absolutely take a minor feud getting time over another random match that leads nowhere.

King and Thorpe glare at each other to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. YES! This show has been around for about two and a half years and they are FINALLY doing something with it. They had some actual storylines and continuity from week to week. I have no idea what took them so long to start doing this as it’s the kind of show that anyone could write in about fifteen minutes. Let someone see what they can do here and if you happen to get something out of it, cool. I was very pleasantly surprised here and hopefully it continues this way because it is far better than the alternative.

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NXT
Date: July 30, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the first night of the Great American Bash and oddly enough the card isn’t exactly stacked. There are some title matches, but only one of them feels like a big time showdown. Other than that, we have a contract signing for next week’s NXT Title match and the Women’s Tag Team Champions are here for a guest spot. Oh and Joe Hendry is giving a concert. Let’s get to it.

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

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger break into the Performance Center to host the show. This involves hacking a security system, dodging lasers and crawling through a dark room.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Meta Four vs. Isla Dawn/Alba Fyre

Meta Four is challenging. It’s a brawl before the bell to start fast and Jackson is sent into the wrong corner. Fyre sends her into the buckle for two and a double suplex connects as well. Legend is back up to clean house and we take an early break. Back with Jackson hitting an enziguri, allowing the diving tag off to Legend.

A chokeslam gets two on Dawn but Fyre gets in a cheap shot from the apron to cut her off. That doesn’t last long though as it’s a wheelbarrow faceplant/cutter combination for to on Dawn with Fyre making the save. Back up and the Evil Touch to Jackson retains the titles at 7:52.

Rating: C+. The problem here is Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair are getting a title match on Smackdown, which was talked about extensively throughout this match. If I already know they’re getting the shot, it make it kind of difficult to buy a title change here. That being said, Legend’s pretty incredible transformation continues, as she is turning into a more impressive star every time she is out there.

Post match here is Ethan Page to mock Oro Mensah and promise he won’t win the NXT Title next week. Mensah pins him again.

Cedric Alexander is teaching some young wrestlers when Shawn Spears interrupts to talk about Brooks Jensen. Cue Jensen to argue but Spears holds him out.

Tavion Heights is ready for Tony D’Angelo.

Tony D’Angelo is ready for Tavion Heights.

Pete Dunne talks about Sheamus walking away from the Brawling Brutes so now he’s going to create havoc. He’ll start next week with Trick Williams.

Heritage Cup: Tavion Heights vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo is defending and their respective associates are here too. Round One begins with some grappling with Heights, the former Olympic wrestler taking over with a fireman’s carry. D’Angelo is back up with a headlock before switching to a leglock as the round ends. Here is Wren Sinclair to watch and we take a break. Back with D’Angelo hitting a superplex but time expires.

Round Three begins with D’Angelo hitting Forget About It for the pin at 28 seconds of the round and 8:13 overall. Round Four begins with Sinclair yelling at Heights, which is enough for Heights to grab the belly to belly and tie it up at 23 seconds of the round and 9:04 overall. Round Five begins with Heights getting two off a gutwrench suplex. Heights misses a charge into the ropes though and D’Angelo hits back to back spinebusters to retain at 1:39 of the round and 11:09 overall.

Rating: C+. You kind of know what you’re getting with these things and that was the case again here. Heights was a fine choice for a one off challenger but D’Angelo is going to be on to bigger and better opponents. They didn’t spend too long on this and what we got was good enough for a title defense.

Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx don’t like the new generation so the tag match is set for tonight.

Brooks Jensen vs. Cedric Alexander

Joined in progress Jensen charging into a boot in the corner and being knocked outside. Alexander hits a big dive but Jensen kicks him in the face to take over. A running shoulder in the Tree Of Woe gives Jensen two and we hit the chinlock. Back up and Alexander snaps off a suplex into a Michinoku river for two. Jensen knocks him off the top and a guillotine legdrop gets two. They head outside with Jensen dropping him onto the announcers’ table. The dive misses though and Alexander grabs the Lumbar Check to win at 4:47 shown.

Rating: C. As has been the case, the problem with Jensen boils down to him only being so interesting in the first place. It’s one thing if he starts winning matches like he did against Josh Briggs, but seeing him lose more often than not is taking away what little status he has. The match wasn’t anything noteworthy either, which isn’t helping Jensen’s case in the slightest.

Je’Von Evans talks about growing up watching wrestling and knowing he needed to do this.

Joe Hendry flirts with some women before his concert but then has to leave. Ashante Thee Adonis comes in to take care of the women.

The Rascalz re confused by being on a Tuesday but want the Tag Team Titles back.

Here is Joe Hendry for his concert, with the fans singing his theme song. Hendry’s song is about how he makes things better, how Booker T is a big fan, and how Gallus has bad facial hair. Hendry is ready for an encore but here is Gallus to interrupt. They didn’t like the song and Hendry is quickly beaten down. It continues to amuse me that Hendry is more or less a full on character around here despite still being a part of TNA (which was barely mentioned here, if at all).

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger annoy Roxanne Perez.

Ava is overseeing the contract signing between Ethan Page and Oro Mensah for next week. They bicker and both sign, with Mensah promising to win the title. Very short and to the point here.

Kendal Grey vs. Jaida Parker

OTM is here with Parker. Grey takes her down by the arm to start and is back up with a middle rope crossbody for two. Parker sends her into the corner though and drops her ribs first across the top rope. The seated abdominal stretch doesn’t last long as Grey fights up…and here are Miles Borne and Wren Sinclair. Grey takes Borne down and grabs an Angle Slam for two on Parker. Back up and another distraction lets Parker get in a gordbuster into a running hip attack for the pin at 4:02.

Rating: C+. Grey was trying here and they’re giving her something with the Borne stuff, but she still needs something more than “here’s another pretty rookie with an athletic background.” There are a lot of them on the roster and Grey isn’t standing out just yet. Parker on the other hand still feels like a star in the making and I could go for seeing her get a chance to show what she can do.

Chase U fires up Thea Hail.

Axiom is talking to the LWO about Speed when Ava comes in with a contract for a title match with the Rascalz. Axiom signs but Nathan Frazier isn’t happy with not being asked about it. Oh well.

Jacy Jayne/Jazmyn Nyx/Fallon Henley vs. Sol Ruca/Karmen Petrovic/Lola Vice

Henley takes Ruca down to start and surfs on her back, only for Ruca to come back with an X Factor and surfing of her own. Petrovic comes in to knock Nyx down, setting up a running basement Blockbuster. Vice comes in and gets rolled up to give Jayne two, only to come back with a spinebuster for two.

It’s back To Petrovic for a double shoulder and the villains are knocked to the floor. The series of dives take them down again and we take a break. Back with Vice getting the tag to clean house and Ruca hitting a springboard flipping double clothesline. Henley is left alone with Ruca, who hits a fireman’s carry into a powerbomb for two.

Jayne is back in with a cutter out of the corner and Nyx’s PerfectPlex gets two to leave everyone down. Nyx kicks away at Ruca but it’s back to Petrovic for the clothesline comeback. A Pele kick gets Nyx out of trouble though and Henley comes in with something like a belly to back suplex flipped into a cutter for the pin on Petrovic at 12:55.

Rating: B. Where the heck did that come from? This felt like it was going to be just another six person tag and they gave it everything they had and put on a pretty rocking match. This was FAR better than I would have expected with hard work from everyone and some great action. Good stuff here and the feud is likely going to continue for a bit.

Kelani Jordan doesn’t want to play with Tatum Paxley and her dolls. And she doesn’t know why Wendy Choo is behind them.

Joe Hendry is sick of Gallus’ jealousy so he’s going to take out Joe Coffey next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Title: Roxanne Perez vs. Thea Hail

Hail, with Chase U, is challenging and goes for some early rollups to start. The threat of the Kimura sends Perez to the ropes before she has to flip out of an anklescissors. Perez bails to the floor and Hail hits a middle rope moonsault as we take a break. Back with Hail hitting a DDT to leave both of them down.

The World’s Smallest Slam sets up a missed backsplash so Perez grabs the crossface. Hail bails out to the floor but Perez argues with Chase U, allowing Hail to get in a dive. A Michinoku Driver gives Hail two but Perez goes after the arm. Pop Rox is countered into a backslide for two and the Kimura goes on, with Perez reversing into the crossface. That’s powered into a Samoan drop and the springboard backsplash gets two for an awesome sequence.

Perez goes for the eye but gets sent shoulder first into the post. The Kimura goes on again, with Perez getting to the ropes and out to the floor. Hail gets rammed into the steps and the crossface goes on again, only to be reversed back into the Kimura. That’s reversed into the crossface again so Hail goes for the ropes, leaving Perez to switch to Pop Rox to retain at 11:21.

Rating: B+. When an awesome sequence takes up almost half of the match, it stops being a sequence and turns into a good portion of what you’re seeing. This was the best thing on the show as they were showing some great chemistry together and had me wondering if Hail was going to get the miracle upset. Perez was more than carrying her side here too and it made for a great main event. Giulia and/or Stephanie Vaquer are probably waiting on Perez, but this made her feel more ready for either of them.

Overall Rating: B. This started slowly and felt like it was an only slightly bigger than normal show before the last two matches blew away all of my expectations. Those matches carried the show and the concert was a funny enough moment as well. I’m not sure this needed to be a two week special, but I wasn’t overly excited about this one and they really surprised me with how good it wound up being. Solid show this week, with the women carrying things.

Results
Isla Dawn/Alba Fyre b. Meta Four – Evil Touch to Jackson
Tony D’Angelo b. Tavion Heights 2-1
Cedric Alexander b. Brooke Jensen – Lumbar Check
Jaida Parker b. Kendal Grey – Running hip attack
Fallon Henley/Jazmyn Nyx/Jacy Jayne b. Sol Ruca/Karmen Petrovic/Lola Vice – Flipping cutter to Petrovic
Roxanne Perez b. Thea Hail – Pop Rox

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

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NXT LVL Up
Date: July 12, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

It’s another one of these shows and I’ve again given up trying to figure out what to expect on here. Odds are we’ll be seeing a bunch of the same stuff from most of the same people, but there is still the chance of getting a new face in there somewhere. That at least opens up some doors, though I’m not sure I’ll get my hopes up. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Malik Blade vs. Cutler James

Brinley Reece and Edris Enofe are here with Blade, whose early drop toehold attempt is blocked. A monkey flip is blocked as well and James hits a rather nice backdrop. Back up and Blade’s rollup is countered into a faceplant as he can’t get anything going here. An elbow in the corner sets up a clothesline to put James down though and a middle rope Blockbuster does it again. A frog splash finishes James off at 3:45.

Rating: C-. This was actually a bit disappointing as they were setting up something with James cutting him off over and over but then it just went nowhere as Blade won. I was thinking they might be trying something new here but never mind instead. It’s still weird to see Blade on his own, though it’s not like the team is going anywhere.

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger use football talk to prep for their tag match.

Layla Diggs vs. Tatum Paxley

This is Diggs’ singles debut and she takes Paxley down into an early armbar. Paxley can’t nip up her way to freedom as Diggs keeps taking her back down into the armbar. Back up and a Code Red out of the corner gets two but Paxley starts in on the leg to take over. A running crossbody in the corner gives Paxley two and she grabs something like a Stump Puller, albeit with all four limbs tied up (it’s a weird one). Diggs fights up but her knee is hurt…so badly that she cartwheels into a moonsault for two. Possibly offended by the lack of selling, Paxley is back up with the Psycho Trap for the pin at 4:48.

Rating: C. Diggs showed some promise but there are all kinds of women around here with some kind of gymnastics background who are in great shape. That is only going to get her so far and you’re only going to get so much out of that in a four minute match. Paxley is starting to get some more ring time too and if she gets elevated a bit as a result, cool.

Dion Lennox and Uriah Connors are ready for the main event, even against better competition. You usually only get one of the main event’s participants commenting so this is a nice change of pace.

Uriah Connors/Dion Lennox vs. Hank Walker/Tank Ledger

Walker and Lennox start things off with the former hitting a running shoulder and grabbing a quickly broken chinlock. Back up and Lennox shoulders him down, setting up a backsplash from Connors. Ledger comes in to run Connors over for two and a double running body block crushes him again.

Lennox knocks Walker outside to take over, setting up a belly to back suplex for two back inside. Connors stomps away before Walker hits Lennox, which just annoys him. Walker fights out of the corner though and hands it back to Ledger to pick up the pace. A spinebuster gives Lennox two but Walker and Ledger are right back with the Collision Course for the pin on Lennox at 7:27.

Rating: C+. Lennox and Connors got more in here than I would have expected and that was nice to see. This could have been little more than a squash but they put in some more effort to make it better. Walker and Ledger are treated as a much bigger deal than most acts around here so having them in the main event made the show feel better.

Overall Rating: C. This was as all over the place as LVL Up is going to be as you had a lame opener, a mediocre middle match and a good enough main event. You can only break a show like this down so much as it isn’t like there is anything worth seeing most of the time. I could go for more development of personalities and talking segments though, with the second interview being nice to see.

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: July 23, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We are a week away from the first half of the Great American Bash and we don’t have much on the card thus far. The good thing is that the show has two nights so we can get something set up and still have a week to get it ready for night two. Hopefully this week works as well though so let’s get to it.

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

Here is Trick Williams, coming from the parking lot and passing by Cedric Alexander and Ashante Thee Adonis to talk about how he wants his NXT Title back. Cue Alexander to say Williams is being blinded by his passion, so here is Adonis to say he is here to pick up the ball Williams dropped. Williams says Adonis couldn’t pick up the ball even if he had a whole group. Williams: “HIT ROW!” Alexander tries to calm things down but Williams doesn’t want to hear it. A match is set but Adonis isn’t impressed, earning himself a quick beating.

Ethan Page doesn’t like Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont suggesting he almost lost last week. They aren’t worth his time.

Josh Briggs vs. Brooks Jensen

No DQ and Jensen jumps him in the back to start this fast. They fight into the arena with Briggs knocking him over the top. Briggs sends him through the announcers’ table and we take an early break. Back with a bunch of weapons in the ring and Jensen catapulting him face first into the top of the announcers’ table draped over the ropes.

A piledriver onto the steps is blocked and Briggs suplexes him onto the same steps. They slug it out for a double knockdown until Briggs knocks a chair away from him. Cue Shawn Spears for a distraction so Jensen can unload with a chair (on Briggs’ back, which has some NASTY welts). A DDT onto the chair finishes Briggs at 10:10.

Rating: B-. This was what Jensen has been needing, as you can only be so interesting, even as a wild recluse, if you keep losing. Beating his former partner has a personal touch to it and maybe this can give him a good step forward. If nothing else, those welts on Briggs’ back made Jensen look all the more violent as those things looked terrible.

The Rascalz interrupt Nathan Frazier and Axiom, with the former saying they never lost the Tag Team Titles. A match seems to be made, but we’ll make it a six man instead. Axiom mentions being in the next Speed tournament and Frazier isn’t happy. Or maybe he’s kidding.

Sol Ruca/Karmen Petrovic/Lola Vice and the women of Meta Four have one of those arguments in the back that is only designed to set up a match later to set up a match later.

Lexis King vs. Eddy Thorpe

Thorpe strikes away to start and fires off chops in various corners. A backbreaker into a running kick to the chest has King in more trouble but he’s back up with a superkick. The Coronation is countered into an implant DDT to give Thorpe the pin at 2:30.

Post match King jumps him, including a stomping of Thorpe’s hand on the steps. So this isn’t done.

Trick Williams says he’ll fight anyone to get his title back. Pete Dunne asks if that is so.

Oro Mensah vs. Ashante Thee Adonis

The rest of Meta Four is here too. Mensah starts fast and hammers away in the corner but gets draped over the top rope. Mensah’s comeback is cut off by an elbow to the face for two but Mensah strikes away. An ax kick connects, only for Adonis to grab a spinebuster for two more. Back up and the running spinwheel kick finishes for Mensah at 4:34.

Rating: C. Not much time here but this felt like a way to get Mensah ready for what might be a title shot against Ethan Page. Adonis isn’t much of a main roster star but it’s better than beating up another low level NXT name. Mensah is probably not going much higher on the car than this, but he’ll work in a quick spot.

Post match Mensah says he wants Ethan Page.

Wren Sinclair threatens to tell what she saw if the No Quarter Catch Crew doesn’t help her win tonight. The D’Angelo Family approves.

Carlee Bright vs. Wren Sinclair

The No Quarter Catch Crew, the D’Angelo Family and Kendal Grey are all here too. They trade headlocks to start until Sinclair takes her down. A bow and arrow is broken up and Sinclair hits a running shoulder, only to get dropkicked for two. Myles Borne’s interference doesn’t work so Sinclair tries a rollup, with Charlie Dempsey helping out for the pin on Bright at 3:29.

Rating: C. Another short one here but again it was all about the Catch Crew trying to make Sinclair happy. This would work so much better if there was some kind of mystery to it, but there is no reason that we shouldn’t know what she saw. Otherwise, it’s just making the Crew look like they’re wrapped around her finger, which seems to be the point.

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger have Halloween Havoc ideas.

Je’Von Evans will be Axiom and Nathan Frazier’s partner tonight.

Chase U is regrouping and Ridge Holland even has new shirts for them.

We get a sitdown interview with Thea Hail, who is ready to get the NXT Women’s Title. She praises Ridge Holland for helping her get here and wants to win the title for all of Chase U and her fans.

Trick Williams vs. Cedric Alexander

Williams powers him into the corner to start but gets taken into an armbar for his efforts. Back up and Williams slams his way out of trouble before elbowing Alexander in the face. A nice dropkick staggers Alexander again but he knocks Williams to the apron for a clothesline.

We take a break and come back with an exchange of kicks to the face leaving them both down. They strike it out again until a flapjack puts Alexander down. The Michinoku Driver gives Alexander two but he can’t get a cross armbreaker. Instead Williams escapes and hits the Trick Shot for the pin at 10:43.

Rating: B-. The more matches that Williams can have like this, the better he is going to get. Wrestling for ten minutes with an established name like Alexander, who can work well with anyone, is going to be a good thing for him. Williams still isn’t the most polished worker, but if he can keep improving, his natural charisma will be enough to carry him the rest of the way.

Post match, respect is shown but Pete Dunne runs in to jump Williams.

Ethan Page talks to the under bosses and is told to go deal with Oro Mensah.

Wendy Choo stalks Kelani Jordan and Ashante Thee Adonis comes in to ask some of the women for medical help. Then he smiles.

Meta Four vs. Sol Ruca/Karmen Petrovic

Petrovic kicks Jackson into the corner to start and hands it off to Ruca, who gets taken down with a reverse X Factor. Legend comes in and gets caught with a quick hurricanrana for two. Ruca’s slingshot X Factor gets two but Legend kicks her down to take over. Everything breaks down and stereo superkicks get two on Legend. Jackson gets kicked to the floor but Legend punches Petrovic in the face. An over the back faceplant finishes Petrovic at 4:39.

Rating: C+. It’s kind of amazing to see how far Legend has come in the last few months. She went from one of the worst things in NXT to someone who knows how to use her size and athleticism to make it work. This was another nice match and Meta Four looked good enough in there, even over a bigger star like Ruca.

Post match Meta Four issues a challenge for the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Trick Williams asks Shawn Michaels for an NXT Title shot. Shawn will work on it. Roxanne Perez comes in to yell about not getting an interview like Thea Hail, with Shawn trying to calm her down.

Video on Joe Hendry’s rise to prominence and the work he has put in. Next week, he’ll be having a concert. Can WWE just buy his contract out from TNA already?

Gallus wants Hendry next week and then freaks out when they find fliers for his concert.

Ethan Page says Oro Mensah pinning him last week doesn’t count and a referee agrees, which is what he wanted to here.

Here is Page, with the referee, in the ring to say that while this does NOT bother him, he wants the referee to reiterate that it doesn’t matter. Then Oro Mensah comes in and rolls him up for another pin.

The D’Angelo Family mocks the No Quarter Catch Crew, but in honor of the Olympics, Olympian Tavion Heights can have a Heritage Cup shot next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Je’Von Evans/Axiom/Nathan Frazier vs. Rascalz

Axiom and Miguel start things off by going to the mat until Axiom snaps off a dropkick. Frazier is in for a fast shot of his own, only to have Miguel kick him in the face. The Rascalz come in for a triple team on Frazier but it’s off to Evans for a dropkick. Evans and Lee slug it out and everything breaks down and the Rascalz hit some dives as we take a break.

Back with Frazier hitting a running shooting star press for two on Wentz, allowing Axiom to grab a chinlock. A triple superkick gets two on Wentz and Evans puts on the cross arm choke. Wentz fights out and knees Frazier out of the air, allowing the tag to Lee to pick up the pace.

The alternating kicks put Axiom down and a triple dropkick gets two on Frazier. Evans is back in with his top rope cutter to Miguel and the super Spanish Fly into the frog splash gets two, with the rest of the Rascalz making the save. A backbreaker/double stomp combination hits Axiom and Hot Fire Flame (an assisted standing moonsault) gives Wentz the pin at 15:24.

Rating: B+. This was six guys being told to go out there and go nuts with flips and athleticism and it worked as expected. The Rascalz work so well together and the other three can more than mesh with that style. I had a blast with this and they knew exactly what they were trying to do.

Respect is shown post match.

Ethan Page comes up to Ava and wants to get rid of Oro Mensah. He’ll even make it a title match. Ava says the contract signing can be next week and the title match can be the week after. Works for Page.

Overall Rating: B-. The main event is by far the best part and they set up some stuff for the Bash, but the show isn’t feeling that special. Granted it’s only a TV thing, but they’ve hyped it up as big and I don’t know that the card is backing that up. Maybe they’ll surprise me, but the main event and a few other things were enough to carry this week.

Results
Brooks Jensen b. Josh Briggs – DDT onto a chair
Eddy Thorpe b. Lexis King – Implant DDT
Oro Mensah b. Ashante Thee Adonis – Running spinwheel kick
Wren Sinclair b. Carlee Bright – Rollup with assist from Charlie Dempsey
Trick Williams b. Cedric Alexander – Trick Shot
Meta Four b. Sol Ruca/Karmen Petrovic – Over the back faceplant to Petrovic
Rascalz b. Je’Von Evans/Axiom/Nathan Frazier – Hot Fire Flame to Axiom

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NXT
Date: July 2, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the last show before Heatwave and that means it is time to firm up everything that is already on the card. The biggest story continues to be the four way NXT Title match and this week’s show will feature the contract signing, because you can’t have a big match without one. Other than that, Jaida Parker and Michin are having a street fight. Let’s get to it.

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

Jaida Parker vs. Michin

Street fight so Michin brings out the trashcan full of weapons and starts the fight on the floor. Parker is sent into the steps so Michin grabs a chain but only hits steps. Michin knocks her down again though and sends Parker, and a bunch of other stuff inside, with Parker blasting her with a trashcan lid. A Samoan drop puts Michin down for two but she’s right back with a German suplex.

Michin whips off her belt and whips away but Parker sits her on the ropes and sits on the stomach for two. They go outside with Michin getting in a chair to the ribs and posting Parker to put her down again. Michin loads up some chairs on the floor and puts Parker in the middle but the ensuing dive only hits chair for a NASTY landing. Parker’s running hip attack only hits (and breaks) barricade though and we take a break.

Back with Michin piling up chairs and pouring a bunch of bolts onto them. A package piledriver is countered into a backdrop to send Michin onto them instead but she’s right back up with some kendo stick shots. Parker has a trashcan put over her head for a cannonball in the corner and a near fall. Michin grabs a steel pipe but Parker blasts her with a fire extinguisher and hits a hip attack through a wooden wall. Back in and a running hip attack finishes Michin at 12:32.

Rating: B. I wasn’t expecting much from this one and they wound up beating the fire out of each other with some rather intense brawling. Parker gets a nice win as well and looked like more of a star than she ever has before. This was a very nice surprise and I was pulled into it by the end. Nice job.

Arianna Grace annoys Karmen Petrovic in the back and complains about Sol Ruca snatching her soul last week. Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx come in to mock Petrovic but bail from her issuing a challenge.

Je’Von Evans is excited for his first premium live event and is ready to come back over the border as the new NXT Champion.

Video on Kelani Jordan and her gymnastics background.

Hank Walker/Tank Ledger vs. New Catch Republic

Bate and Walker start things off with Bate taking over off a headscissors. Dunn comes in but gets run over by Ledger, setting up the double standing body blocks. It’s back to Bate for a suplex on Ledger and Walker comes in again as we take a break. Back with Walker coming back in to beat up Dunne, including a running boot to the face.

Bate gets dropped onto Dunne, setting up a powerbomb/top rope clothesline for two. Bate is back up to send both of them outside but they cut off a flip dive through the ropes. Walker and Ledger hit running body blocks to knock both of them off the apron, followed by a toss into a belly to back suplex for two on Dunne. Bate comes back in and drops Ledger, setting up a Spiral Tap for the pin at 11:30.

Rating: B-. I get what they’re going for with the team, but I have never gotten the appeal of Walker and Ledger. It feels like a team that has been done better multiple times and that they were given this style because nothing else was going to work for them. It doesn’t help that they’re only so good in the first place, but they did at least have a good showing here against a better team.

Respect is shown post match.

Video on Shawn Spears, who is back to win the NXT Title in his hometown.

Earlier today, Oro Mensah met with Stevie Turner and Mr. Stone, who tell him what he has to do tonight (face Myles Borne) and bicker a lot. Mensah is also barred from Heatwave after his attacks on Ethan Page, which doesn’t seem to bug him.

Brinley Reece vs. Izzi Dame

Dame slams her to start and hits a swinging Side Effect to take over early on. Reece fights back up with a flipping clothesline and they head outside, where Tatum Paxley crawls through the broken wall from the street fight. The distraction lets Reece grab a rollup for two, followed by a rollup for two. Dame is back with a Falcon Arrow for the pin at 2:47. Not much to this one.

Chase U talks about the history of NXT in Toronto but Duke Hudson and Ridge Holland keep talking in the back. Hudson talks about how Holland gave them an assist, even if he didn’t want one. We see the photos from last week, showing Holland cheating, which doesn’t sit well with anyone. Holland talks about how he wanted to be part of the family and helped in any way he could, but Andre Chase asks Holland to stay here while everyone else goes to Heatwave. Please let them win the titles already. They could use the boost.

Here is Lola Vice to call out Roxanne Perez, who comes out with extra security. They have an awkward exchange about how Vice is an MMA fighter and Perez would have gotten wrecked in NXT Underground, but this isn’t Bellator. Vice gets emotional and talks about how we all know Perez’s story but Vice has never told her own story. She talks about being in training for the Olympics….and she can’t speak because of the tears.

By the time she was 20 she was fighting in Madison Square Garden and now she’s going to win the title on Sunday and call her mom to thank her. Perez isn’t sure how to respond to that but says the reality is that everyone in the locker room wants to make that phone call. Those calls don’t happen when Perez is involved though and Vice will find out why she’s called the Prodigy.

Perez isn’t giving up her title to anyone but Vice says she’s taking it from her. Vice has knocked her out again and she’ll show how great she is again on Sunday. Vice promises to become the first ever Cuban American Women’s Champion…and then beats up one of the security guards. This was an incredibly emotional promo from Vice, but it didn’t make for the best segment as Perez didn’t have much of a follow up. This would have been MUCH better as a pre-taped vignette from Vice, but she definitely got some fans behind her here.

Ethan Page is ready to win the NXT Title.

The No Quarter Catch Crew is giving Myles Borne a pep talk before his match tonight when Damon Kemp comes in with some brass knuckles. Charlie Dempsey isn’t pleased in a funny bit.

Earlier this week, Lexis King interrupted Eddy Thorpe’s DJing and says it should be more about old school rock. Thorpe says not so fast and a match seems to be set.

Myles Borne vs. Oro Mensah

The rest of the No Quarter Catch Crew and Meta Four are here too. They go to the mat to start with Mensah getting the better of things to frustrate Borne. Mensah grabs a headlock takeover and talks some trash on the mat but Borne fights up. Borne sends him throat first onto the top rope and grabs a neckbreaker for two.

We take a break and come back with Mensah knocking him down and hitting a moonsault. A t-bone suplex into a rolling Liger kick drops Borne but he’s right back with a heck of a dropkick. Kemp offers Borne the brass knuckles but the distraction lets Mensah hit the running spinwheel kick (more a spinning knee to the arm) for the pin at 8:25.

Rating: C+. So I guess Mensah is getting a push now. I’ve heard worse ideas, as Meta Four is a popular act, even with Noam Dar on the shelf. The team could use someone else if they’re going to be dealing with the Crew, but at least they’re off to a good start with a nice first win for Mensah.

Wes Lee is ready to win the North American Title back but Oba Femi doesn’t see it the same way.

Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe and Gallus get in a fight in the back.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade aren’t happy with Brinley Reece’s loss so she’s ready to leave. If they want to come with her, they can.

The OC wants revenge on OTM.

Wendy Choo vs. Carlee Bright

Kendal Gray is here too. Bright kicks away to start but Choo cuts her off and hits a rolling Downward Spiral. Choo ties her in the Tree of Woe for a running dropkick but Bright makes the clothesline comeback. Choo gets her knees up to cut Bright off though and the cobra clutch makes Bright tap at 4:05.

Rating: C. Bright (and Gray) is in a weird place as they’re still so new that they don’t have the experience or skill to carry a match. At the same time, she don’t have much in the way of backgrounds or character work beyond “I was an athlete in college”. Maybe that development can come later, but for now, there isn’t much to go on.

Trick Williams is ready for Heatwave.

Commentary throws us to Shawn Michaels talking about the Brooks Jensen situation, including a variety of the clips and incidents that have taken place. Jensen has been asked to step away from NXT to clear his head but he is also invited to show up here next week to speak with Ava. It’s a big story, but they’re going to need a home run to get around the fact that it’s Brooks Jensen.

Karmen Petrovic vs. Jazmyn Nyx

Jacy Jayne is here with Nyx. They fight over wrist control to start with Petrovic knocking her down, setting p a running basement Blockbuster for two. Jayne’s distraction doesn’t really work but Nyx gets in a kick to the ribs to take over. A Shining Wizard gives Nyx two and she grabs a figure four necklock. Petrovic gets a rollup for….two, though it seemed that Nyx was pinned. Anyway, Petrovic fires off some elbows but Jayne offers another distraction, allowing Nyx to kick Petrovic in the face for the pin a 3:47.

Rating: C. Jayne and Nyx are fine enough as a pair but they feel pretty low level around here. Giving them some wins can help and their association with Fallon Henley gives them a boost, but that’s about all they have at the moment. They need something to make them stand out and I’m not sure what that could be.

Axiom and Nathan Frazer argue over team vs. singles goals.

Karmen Petrovic comes in to see Ava, who makes a tag match with Arianna Grace/Petrovic vs. Jacy Jayne/Jazmyn Nyx. Petrovic has a headache.

Video on Sol Ruca and her athletic background.

Heatwave rundown.

It’s time for the contract signing for the NXT Title, with champion Trick Williams, Ethan Page, Shawn Spears and Je’Von Evans. Williams says the other three are going to bring it in Toronto but the fans are going to be chanting WHOOP THAT TRICK. Page loves the swagger but he saw this at Battleground and knows he can beat him at Heatwave.

Williams promises to win, with Spears saying he loves the emotion. That emotion is going to bring Spears the title, just like it got him a win last week. Evans mocks Spears, who calls him out for being young. Evans signs, with Spears talking about how Evans is at his first major event. Spears signs and hands the contract down before Evans promises to win the title.

Spears shrugs that off and hands Williams the contract, but Page takes it away and signs anyway. Williams says it’s everyone for themselves and praises Evans, but promises that no one can take the title from him. The argument, and the fight, is on, with Page and Spears being put through tables to end the show. They’re in a weird place with this story as it’s only so interesting in the first place, but this was a nice effort to make the title felt like the important thing, along with Williams being in danger.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t the strongest go home show, though it did have some high points. The street fight and big closing segment were good, but some of the matches felt like they were throwing anything they could out there to fill in time before they could head to Toronto. Not a bad show, but I’m not overly excited for Heatwave and this didn’t do much to change that feeling.

Results
Jaida Parker b. Michin – Running hip attack
New Catch Republic b. Hank Walker/Tank Ledger – Spiral Tap to ledger
Izzi Dame b. Brinley Reece – Falcon Arrow
Oro Mensah b. Myles Borne – Running spinwheel kick in the corner
Wendy Choo b. Carlee Bright – Cobra clutch
Jazmyn Nyx b. Karmen Petrovic – Kick to the head

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

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NXT LVL Up
Date: June 7, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

It’s time for the most unique WWE show of the week (other than Speed, but one match is barely a show) and I’m not sure what that is going to mean. There have been some bigger names around as of late and that should help a bit. That being said, you don’t really watch around here for continuity so maybe we can have a good match or two. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Tank Ledger vs. Tavion Heights

Hank Walker is here with Ledger. They fight over a lockup to start with Heights grabbing a headlock on the mat. Ledger fights up and is quickly put back down with a headlock takeover. Back up again and Ledger fires off some flying shoulders but charges into a backdrop, meaning it’s time for a breather on the floor. Heights sends him into the corner a few times and grabs a Russian legsweep for two, only to get sent into the corner. Ledger knees him in the ribs, setting up an atomic drop and spinning middle rope shoulder. A Bubba Bomb finishes Heights at 4:49.

Rating: C+. Not a bad power match here, though I could go for Heights winning a few more matches every so often. He has a good look and the skills to back it up in the ring, but so far he’s little more than a jobber to the stars. Or as big of a star as Ledger is going to be as part of a low level tag team.

Wren Sinclair is still looking for her first win and is ready to face Adrianna Rizzo.

Adrianna Rizzo vs. Wren Sinclair

The D’Angelo Family is here with Rizzo, who works on a hammerlock to start. A dropkick sends Sinclair into the ropes but she’s back with an abdominal stretch. That’s broken up and they trade rollup attempts for two each until Rizzo hits a running flipping seated senton for the pin at 3:22.

Rating: C. Rizzo hasn’t really gotten to showcase herself and it was made even worse by her not being around for a good while. I’m not sure how far she’ll go in NXT but she had a nice enough match here. On the other hand you have Sinclair, who isn’t exactly doing well when it comes to winning, but she isn’t bad at all out there.

Post match Rizzo helps her up to her feet and respect is shown.

Chase U vs. Javier Bernal/Drake Morreaux

Osborne and Bernal start things off with the former hitting a leg lariat. Morreaux comes in and runs Osborne over with a shoulder to it’s off to Hudson as well. A Rock Bottom out of the corner plants Bernal and Hudson drops Osborne onto him for two. It’s back to Morreaux for a big boot so Bernal can get two and Morreaux’s belly to back suplex gets the same. A flying mare gets Osborne out of trouble, allowing the tag off to Hudson. That means a big boot to put Bernal on the floor for a bit flip dive from Osborne (breaking Bernal’s foot in the process) and a reverse DDT finishes Morreaux at 6:46.

Rating: C+. I can always go for some more Chase U, even if it is the lower end of the team like this. Hudson can do rather well when he gets the chance, though unfortunately that is not often the case. Speaking of unfortunately, we have Bernal’s foot, which might not let him get back in the ring for a long time. Hopefully he gets better soon, but that really did not look good.

Overall Rating: C. The wrestling was just ok for the most part and that isn’t enough to make me that interested in such a show. The biggest deal here is Bernal’s foot injury and you don’t want to see anyone having to deal with that sort of thing. Other than that, it felt like a pretty bottom of the barrel show, which isn’t a great sign around here.

Results
Tank Ledger b. Tavion Heights – Bubba Bomb
Adrianna Rizzo b. Wren Sinclair – Running flipping seated senton
Chase U b. Javier Bernal/Drake Morreaux – Reverse DDT to Bernal

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

Jazmyn Nyx vs. Lainey Reid

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

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

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

Tank Ledger vs. Kale Dixon

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

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

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

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

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

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NXT LVL Up
Date: April 19, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

It’s time to finally get caught up on this show as I’ve been a few weeks behind. Things have not been their sharpest around here lately as it has certainly felt like the way the show has been going for a very long time. Hopefully that changes this week, as a dull LVL Up is among the least interesting things in all of wrestling. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Kale Dixon vs. Riley Osborne

Dixon shrugs off an early wristlock and sends Osborne outside, meaning we get a bit of respect on the way back in. Osborne hits a quick dropkick out to the floor and this time he lets Dixon come back in. Dixon isn’t having that and decks Osborne, who knocks him right back down. Some kicks to the chest keep Osborne down and Dixon chops him in the back. The chinlock goes on but Osborne fights up and hits a jumping elbow. A knee to the face sets up a shooting star press to give Osborne the pin at 6:17.

Rating: C. Osborne gets a win here, though there is only so much that he is going to get from beating Dixon. While Dixon has a good look and enough ability, he is running with the anchor that is his first name. WWE can’t expect him to go far with that kind of a name, yet here we are anyway, with Dixon continuing to be stuck in limbo, at least partially due to being named after a vegetable.

Karmen Petrovic is ready for Wren Sinclair.

Karmen Petrovic vs. Wren Sinclair

Petrovic grabs a headlock to start and grinds away but Sinclair kicks away for a standoff. Another headlock goes on to keep Petrovic in control and she grabs a running basement Blockbuster for two. Sinclair pulls her down into a chinlock and even gets the knees into Petrovic’s back to make it worse. Petrovic fights out and makes the clothesline comeback, setting up a spinning kick to the back of the head for the pin at 4:59.

Rating: C. I don’t know if they’re building up Sinclair’s first win as a big deal or something else, but it’s almost weird to see her lose so often despite being good enough to do something. On the other hand you have Petrovic, who has a cool gimmick but is going to need something more besides being able to kick people.

Respect is shown post match.

Drake Morreaux/Javier Bernal vs. Hank Walker/Tank Ledger

Ledger powers Bernal into the corner to start and it’s quickly off to Morreaux, who runs Ledger down. Bernal comes back in and is promptly slammed by Walker, setting up Ledger’s slingshot splash for two. With Morreaux down, a double slam puts Bernal onto him for a rather nasty crash. Morreaux takes Walker down though and Bernal gets to stomp away.

The chinlock doesn’t last long and it’s Ledger coming back in to clean house. Everything breaks down and Morreaux knocks Walker outside, allowing Bernal’s top rope splash to connect for two. Back up and Walker and Ledger knock Morreaux to the floor, setting up a running powerslam/forearm to the back of the head combination to finish Bernal at 6:29.

Rating: C+. Match of the night here though that’s not saying much. At least Morreaux, who has some promise, didn’t take the loss here, as Bernal is the definition of expendable. Ledger and Walker are becoming LVL Up guys and that isn’t the best thing, as they’re only so interesting in the first place.

Overall Rating: C. Pretty nothing show this week and unfortunately you just have to be used to that around here. The main event was the best match if that means much, as this was just another thirty minutes that came and went without much happening. Completely average edition here, and that means nothing about what is to come around here.

Results
Riley Osborne b. Kale Dixon – Shooting star press
Karmen Petrovic b. Wren Sinclair – Spinning kick to the back of the head
Hank Walker/Tank Ledger b. Drake Morreaux/Javier Bernal – Running powerslam/forearm combination to Bernal

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NXT LVL Up
Date: March 29, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Blake Howard

I’m a bit behind on this thing and I’m not sure how much I missed it. In this case, the good thing is that there isn’t exactly much in the way of continuity around here. What matters the most is the action and star power, as both of them can come together to turn into something pretty decent. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Jakara Jackson/Lash Legend vs. Carlee Bright/Kendal Grey

Legend throws Bright down with no trouble to start and it’s off to Jackson, who gets caught by the arm. Grey and Bright start some quick tags to stay on the arm but it’s back to Legend for the pump kick. An elbow to the back gives Legend two and we hit the bearhug to stay on said back. Grey fights out but gets caught in a quick backbreaker to cut her off again. That doesn’t last long and it’s back to Bright to pick up the pace. Everything breaks down until Jackson hits an Edge-O-Matic. Bright is sent outside and the Alley Oop finishes for Jackson at 6:35.

Rating: C. They’re turning Jackson and Legend into something of a thing, which is rather impressive as Legend has come a LONG way since her rather terrible earlier days. The team is getting somewhere and I could go for them being given a bigger chance. That might be coming, and hopefully they keep growing as a team.

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger are ready to finish their best of three series with Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont. Cue Igwe and DuPont, who want to raise the stakes. Now on the line: a meatloaf recipe vs. shoes. Yeah.

Je’Von Evans vs. Scrypts

The rest of OTM is here with Scrypts. They take turns ducking the other to start until Evans gets two off a sunset flip. Back up and Scrypts elbows him in the face but Evans snaps off a headscissors. Scrypts takes him down again and hammers away, setting up the running spinwheel kick in the corner. The chinlock goes on but Evans is back up with a springboard kick to the face. OTM offers a distraction though and Evans misses his spinning top rope splash. Not that it matters as Evans is right back with a small package for the pin at 4:57.

Rating: C+. They know what they’ve got with Evans, who is young and able to move rather quickly out there. That makes for some exciting moments as you get some fun high flying stuff. Scrypts can hang in that style as well, making for a nice acrobatic display. I have no idea how far Evans can go right now, but he’s off to a fun start.

Hank Walker/Tank Ledger vs. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont

Final match in a Best Of Three series. Walker powers Igwe into the corner to start but runs into an elbow. DuPont comes in to help with some strikes but it’s quickly off to Ledger. That means a fall away slam can put Igwe down and a toss slam drops him again. The chinlock doesn’t last long so Walker and Ledger hit stereo running standing splashes on Igwe.

Another chinlock is broken up in a hurry and Igwe gets over to DuPont to pick up the pace. DuPont’s discus punch gets two on Walker as everything breaks down. Ledger is sent outside and the chokeslam/belly to back suplex combination connects, only for Ledger to make the save. Igwe and Walker collide and Walker falls on him for the fluke pin at 6:23.

Rating: C+. As has been the case around here before, it is amazing to see how much even some small stakes around here changes things. Granted I’m not overly interested in the shoes, though the idea of someone winning a meatloaf recipe had potential. It helped a good bit here, as I had no reason to care about either of these teams but it mattered just a bit, which is nice to see.

Respect is shown to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. I guess we can call this a show with some continuity and I’ll take that for a one off week. LVL Up is still not exactly must see stuff but you can tell when they are trying vs. the weeks when they aren’t. This was one of the better shows, which says a lot given the names involved. Perfectly fine show, though that means nothing for the show’s future.

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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