NXT – August 23, 2022: They’re Still Here

NXT
Date: August 23, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Vic Joseph

We’re done with Heatwave and now it is on to Worlds Collide. NXT UK’s top names (and some others) have invaded and we are less than two weeks away from a bunch of showdowns between NXT and NXT UK, which does have potential. Odds are we get a lot of build towards this week so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of Heatwave and Tyler Bate appearing at the end of the show.

Here is Bron Breakker to get things going. He talks about his win over JD McDonagh last week and gets to the point: Tyler Bate needs to get out here right now. Bate comes to the ring and congratulates Breakker on a hard fought win last week. With that out of the way, Bate says he’s the first and last United Kingdom Champion and with NXT Europe around the corner, he can think of nothing better than to unify these titles. Breakker is down and they hold up the titles, as tends to be the case.

Video on Gallus.

Fallon Henley had to be held back from Lash Legend in the back. Why would you want to be near her?

NXT UK Tag Team Titles: Brooks Jensen/Josh Briggs vs. Gallus

Wolfgang and Mark Coffey are challenging for Gallus, with Joe Coffey and Fallon Henley as the seconds. Briggs gets taken into the corner to start the beating fast but it’s quickly off ot Jensen to pick up the pace. Jensen gets pummeled by Mark though and his mouth is busted, even as Wolfgang snapmares him over for two. The champs are in trouble as we take a break.

Back with Mark taking Jensen down and grabbing a front facelock to keep him down. That’s broken up and the hot tag brings in Briggs to clean house. Cue Lash Legend to jump Henley, with Pretty Deadly joining in. The champs go after Pretty Deadly and get counted out at 8:45.

Rating: C. That’s a surprise as I would have expected Gallous to get the win here and move on towards the title match with the Creeds. For now though, it seems that they might be setting up some kind of multi team match, which might be the more interesting way to go. Briggs and Jensen are still in over their heads, but at least they didn’t get squashed here.

Post match Diamond Mine runs in to go after Gallus and everyone has to be separated.

It’s time for Chase U, with special guest instructor Charlie Dempsey. A volunteer gets taken down and stretched with ease, before doing the same to Bodie Hayward, complete with some nose ripping. Andre Chase has to call him off because Dempsey doesn’t seem to get the point. Dempsey calls the class soft and leaves. I could go for more Dempsey around here.

Here is Grayson Waller for the debut of his Grayson Waller Effect talk show. After hyping up his Instagram, we get to the guest, with APOLLO…..Crews. We get some seat adjustment from Crews before Waller asks what happened to Crews’ accent. Crews brings the accent back, but he’s still a Nigerian warrior with or without it. He won the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania XXXVII but Waller would rather talk about Crews’ abilities to see the future (or whatever it has been in recent weeks).

Waller asks about Crews seeing Diamond Mine laid out and thinks he had something to do with it, which has Crews on his feet. We have a question from Grayson from Australia: what is going to happen when Crews gets run out of NXT? Apollo from Orlando has a question for Waller: how does it feel to be a low budget Miz? Waller brings up Crews’ kids, so Crews promises to win a title around here soon and punches him out. Crews is right about the low rent Miz, but this was some of Crews’ best talking to date as he sounded confident and like a normal person.

Pretty Deadly and Gallus have to be separated again backstage.

Video on Tyler Bate.

Mr. Stone and Von Wagner are ready to hurt Tyler Bate.

Javier Bernal vs. Cameron Grimes

Last week, Bernal annoyed a security guard, who wasn’t pleased. Schism is watching from the platform and wishes Grimes luck. Bernal claims an early poke to the eye to jump Grimes, earning himself a kick to the gut. Some more shots from Bernal are shrugged off and Grimes almost drops him on his head with a faceplant. The Cave In, plus a glare at Schism, finishes for Grimes at 2:31.

Video on Blair Davenport.

Video on Alba Fyre.

Blair Davenport vs. Indi Hartwell

Hartwell grabs an early headlock takeover and grinds away before being sent to the apron. A dropkick knocks Hartwell to the floor but she blocks a posting. Back in and a neckbreaker sets up a cobra clutch on Hartwell, before Davenport jumps on her back for a sleeper. With that broken up, Hartwell spinebusters her for two but Davenport pulls her off the top and hits something like a Snowplow for the pin at 3:46.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t exactly good as they were rather sloppy in multiple parts, especially the ending. What matters here is that Davenport got a win, even if Hartwell isn’t in the best place around NXT. Davenport seemed ready to break through in NXT UK and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the title picture here soon.

Post match Davenport says that she was #1 contender to the NXT UK Women’s Title so she’ll take the NXT Women’s Title instead. Cue Mandy Rose, who wants some respect on her name. Cue Meiko Satomura to say she’s the real champion instead of Rose. The challenge seems to be on but Davenport wants in on this. Satomura: “TRIPLE THREAT MATCH!”

Tiffany Stratton wants the winner of the triple threat match after she takes out Wendy Choo tonight.

Tony D’Angelo tells Legado del Fantasma that things are starting over tonight, even though they don’t look happy.

JD McDonagh, hanging upside down, seems ready to bounce back.

Wes Lee is creeped out by McDonagh but for now he’d rather talk to Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. They’re ready to face anyone and Lee is pleased.

Indi Hartwell is still sitting on the apron and says this is what rock bottom feels like. The problem isn’t Blair Davenport but Indi herself. She took a long look at herself but now she is right here four months later in the same position after Stand & Deliver. All she is doing is saying words….but here is Dexter Lumis.

We get the big hug, followed by a slightly less bigger hug. Dexter crawls to the floor and carries her out like he did in the old days. Wade Barrett is nearly sick as Dexter carries her to the door of the arena. Dexter hands her a letter, then walks outside and is arrested. The letter says “Goodbye Indi (for now). I (picture of a heart) love you).” That was so out there and nutty that it made me forget that it was Index.

Cora Jade insists that she is still better than Roxanne Perez.

Dyad vs. Legado del Fantasma

Everyone else you would expect is at ringside and Cameron Grimes is watching from the platform. Legado sends them outside to start but doesn’t like Tony D’Angelo. Back in and the Dyad hits something like Poetry in Motion to take over on Del Toro. An enziguri allows the hot tag back to Wilde as everything breaks down. What looked to be the Dyad’s former Ticket To Ride is broken up, only to have the second attempt connect for the pin on Wilde at 4:57.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t exactly working and that is often the case with two of the least interesting gimmicks on the NXT roster. Legado being annoyed at D’Angelo has been done to death and Schism is dull in general. Hopefully they’re kept apart, as the match wasn’t very good on top of making me grown when I saw the teams.

Javier Bernal is upset by his loss until he runs into a woman. The security guard (also known as Hank Walker from NXT LVL Up) tells him to respect women. Walker is really bad so I’m not looking forward to this.

Legado del Fantasma goes to the parking lot where Santos Escobar is waiting for them in the car. Family stays together, so they get in and leave with him.

Von Wagner vs. Tyler Bate

Mr. Stone is here with Wagner. Bate gets powered down to start and there’s the gorilla press drop to leave him laying. The chinlock goes on for a bit before Bate fights up, only to have the Tyler Driver broken up. Wagner gets sent outside for a dive from Bate though and Bate hammers away back inside. A clothesline drops Bate again but he comes back with a clothesline of his own. The rebound lariat is blocked so Bate goes with Bop and Bang. A rolling capo kick sets up a t-bone suplex and the Spinal Tap finishes Wagner at 6:08.

Rating: C. I’m not sure I get why Wagner got in so much offense on the new #1 contender as you would think Bate would be pushed stronger. Bate did win though so it isn’t some great tragedy, even if he didn’t get to do his big move. Wagner continues to be just another big guy around here and thankfully he didn’t do anything more than take a loss here.

Diamond Mine is ready for Gallus next week but Roderick Strong isn’t included as the Creeds don’t trust him. Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen come in and a champions vs. champions match seems likely.

Wendy Choo vs. Tiffany Stratton

Lights Out meaning anything goes and Choo has to get out of bed. The lights are dimmed and the brawl is on, with Choo taking her outside for some rams into the corner. Back in and Choo hits a running shot in the corner before they go back outside for shots from….I can’t tell actually, and neither can commentary. Stratton gets in another shot to take over and we go to a break.

Back with Stratton missing a moonsault onto a chair onto Choo, who is back up with a suplex onto the chair. Choo puts on a reverse chinlock with a wrench over Stratton’s mouth but Stratton pulls hairspray from her purse to spray her way to freedom. A powerbomb onto a trashcan gives Stratton two and they both need a breather.

Back up and Choo hits her with a pillow, which is full of…..Legos. Stratton hits a fall away slam in the general vicinity of the Legos, followed by a toss to send her straight into the Legos for a better crash. Choo kicks some makeup powder into Stratton’s face though and a slam off the apron sends her through Choo’s bed. A top rope Vader Bomb gives Choo the pin at 13:02.

Rating: C+. I’m not wild on the result but they only did a few goofy things here and nothing that was too far out there. It was a bunch of different weapons and some of the spots were a bit more creative, so this could have been a heck of a lot worse. If nothing else, the feud seems to have been finally good so it’s nice to get done with this once and for all, even with Stratton losing.

Bron Breakker, Tyler Bate, Meiko Satomura, Mandy Rose and Blair Davenport all sign their contracts for Worlds Collide to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. I was only getting into this one a little bit as it was kind of an off week for the show. The NXT UK people being around doesn’t have the same impact when they’re just being moved over from a dead show but at least Worlds Collide is looking good. I’m not sure where they go after that show is set, but this could have been a better built towards the bit card. Not their best show and pretty firmly in the middle.

Results
Gallus b. Brooks Jensen/Josh Briggs via countout
Cameron Grimes b. Javier Bernal – Cave In
Blair Davenport b. Indi Hartwell – Snowplow
Dyad b. Legado del Fantasma – Ticket To Ride to Wilde
Wendy Choo b. Tiffany Stratton – Top rope Vader Bomb

 

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – August 19, 2022: A Hope Spot

NXT LVL Up
Date: August 19, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shah, Nigel McGuinness

The show continues its usual path of almost nothing sticking around from week to week but there is something interesting about having random matches with people popping up every so often. The problem is that a lot of the wrestlers on this show aren’t exactly grabbing me most of the time but maybe we can have some surprises. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Dante Chen vs. Javier Bernal

Well at least we’re getting rid of both of them at once. They shake hands to start before a wristdrag gives us an early standoff. Chen armdrags him down but Bernal hits him in the face rather than shake his hand again. Back up and Chen hits him in the face as well before getting taken down for some shots to the head. A sliding lariat gives Bernal two but Chen sends him into the corner. Chen is taken down again and Bernal rolls to the floor, where a “fan” starts taking a lot of pictures. Cue Hank Walker to pull the fan back, with the distraction letting Chen take over again inside. The double chop gives Chen the pin at 4:30.

Rating: C. Every time I give up on the idea of any angles or stories taking place on this show, they surprise me with something like Walker. Granted it would be nice to have it be ANYONE (ok maybe not anyone) other than Walker be involved but I’ll take it over the same stuff over and over. Bernal and Chen are regulars here and I can’t picture either of them going anywhere, but at least there is a little something going on.

Axiom is ready for his test against Xyon Quinn tonight, though he wishes there was a comic book test in high school. He has an equation to deal with Quinn. I had forgotten Axiom was a thing and this made me think I made the right decision.

Ivy Nile vs. Arianna Grace

Before the match, Grace talks about her unlimited potential. She dedicates the upcoming win to the fans as a thank you for their overwhelming support, but the fans don’t seem to buy it. Grace grabs some rollups to start and grinds away with a hammerlock. That’s enough to send Grace bailing to the ropes before trying a catapult into the corner.

Nile holds onto the ropes for the save and stomps down onto the sternum, only to have Grace get in a shot to the face to take over. The arm trap chinlock keeps Nile down, at least until she fights up and strikes away. A running dropkick in the corner gets two on Grace and the dragon sleeper makes her tap at 4:25.

Rating: C-. Grace still isn’t doing anything interesting so it was nice to see Nile shut her down without much trouble. Nile continues to feel like someone who should be the next big thing but she hasn’t even been around that much in recent weeks. Granted it might be the slow game, but I could go for seeing her shrug off everything Mandy Rose throws at her and choke the title reign out.

Axiom vs. Xyon Quinn

Feeling out process to start as commentary hypes up Axiom’s intelligence, which is usually a heel characteristic. Quinn gets knocked outside so Axiom hits a quick dive, only to get dropped by a heavy shot. Back in and Axiom grabs a small package for two but gets planted by a backbreaker for the same.

Axiom seems to load up a satellite DDT but is thrown down onto his mask instead. A hard clothesline gives Quinn two more and, after shrugging off Axiom’s guillotine choke, something like a rolling Death Valley Driver gets another near fall. Axiom comes back with the rapid fire strikes into a dropkick and the Golden Ratio (jumping basement superkick) finishes Quinn at 6:10.

Rating: C. Axiom seems like a great example of something that sounded good on paper but isn’t exactly working in reality. Having a superhero style character works, but a math based superhero character feels like something that you would see in a bad fourth grade class. A-Kid is a good star in his own right, but this isn’t exactly working, which is why he’s on LVL UP and not regular NXT. Quinn…my goodness that is an impressive miss, as his look alone seemed to be enough for a bodyguard spot on the main roster at worst.

Overall Rating: C. I’m not sure what it was but there was a bit more energy to this show. The action wasn’t exactly great, but having Axiom as some fresh blood, Grace talking before her match and what might be the start of a small angle in the opener made this feel like a better show than most. I have no reason to believe that it is going to continue, but at least they did a little something different for a change around here.

Results
Dante Chen b. Javier Bernal – Double chop
Ivy Nile b. Arianna Grace – Dragon sleeper
Axiom b. Xyon Quinn – Golden Ratio

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – July 29, 2022: Maybe They’ll Catch Up

NXT LVL Up
Date: July 29, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shah, Nigel McGuinness

We’re fresh into the non-Vince McMahon era and that gives me a bit of hope that we might be in for something different around here. Then again those changes might not take place for a good while as WWE has more than enough to take care of with, you know, the company being all over the place. Maybe we can get a little something this week though. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Javier Bernal vs. Myles Borne

They shake hands to start and it’s Borne taking him to the mat without much trouble. Borne does it again but grabs an armbar this time to mix it up a little. For some reason he lets it go so Bernal grabs a hammerlock, which is quickly tossed to the floor. Back in and Bernal goes with some shots to the face before grabbing a chinlock. Borne fights up and gets kicked in the face, setting up another chinlock. That’s broken up and Borne grabs a suplex, only to get rolled up with Bernal grabbing the rope for the pin at 4:05.

Rating: C-. I know Borne is an amateur and does the basic wrestling but he just isn’t that interesting. When you have the Creed Brothers around, there is only so much room for someone as dull as Borne. Maybe they’re just trying to get his feet wet here, but that isn’t exactly working in his (still limited) appearances. Bernal isn’t exactly much better, and having him turn heel isn’t going to matter much. Was he even a good guy in the first place?

Quincy Elliott and Ikemen Jiro are ready to steal the show.

Fallon Henley vs. Sol Ruca

Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs are here too. Ruca walks on her hands during the entrances but gets headlocked to start things off. A headlock takeover out of the corner but Ruca counters a snapmare into a wristlock. Ruca’s sunset flip eventually gets two and a shot to the face is good for the same. The armbar goes on to keep Henley down but she’s back up with a faceplant. A running kick to the face finishes Ruca at 5:16.

Rating: C. Ruca is very athletic but that doesn’t necessarily translate into having a good match. Then again she has enough stuff that catches your eye and that might be something they can build on. Henley isn’t exactly great so far, but she’s far more well rounded and it was just a step above a squash for her.

Quincy Elliott/Ikemen Jiro vs. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade

Elliott dances out of Enofe’s waistlock to start, because that’s what Elliott does. That has Enofe doing some pushups and trying to lift Elliott, earning him a throw down. Jiro comes in for some dancing and pushups of his own but Enofe drops him for a change. It’s off to Blade to work on an armbar, plus a dropkick to cut off a comeback. Enofe works on the arm as well but misses a charge in the corner, allowing the tag off to Elliott to clean house. Everything breaks down and Elliott gets dropped with a running knee, setting up a G9 for the pin at 5:58.

Rating: C. This is a good use for someone like Elliott, who is there to pop the crowd with his charisma and dancing. What matters is that after the fun stuff was over, they didn’t have Elliott and Jiro win. Blade and Enofe are a regular team and therefore shouldn’t lose here, which thankfully NXT understood. Not much of a main event, but the fans liked it so well done.

Overall Rating: C-. Just an okish show here and that’s not much of a surprise. It depends on how much star power the show has and that wasn’t the case this week. Henley might have been the biggest name on the show and that isn’t quite enough to make this interesting. At least it was short, which isn’t exactly the best compliment, but there isn’t much else to praise about this one.

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – July 15, 2022: They Kept Part Of It

NXT LVL Up
Date: July 15, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Sudu Shah, Matt Camp

For once I actually have some hope around here as there was something of an angle last week. Quincy Elliott cost Damaris Griffin and Bryson Montana a match last week and it might be time for some revenge. That could go a few ways, but there is also the chance that it is completely dropped. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Oh come on with the three man booth. The show is 29 minutes long. We need three people talking about things on here???

Quincy Elliott vs. Ikemen Jiro

Jiro cartwheels to start so Elliott shoves him away and they exchange hand signals. A charge is pulled out of the air so Jiro elbows his way to freedom, only to collapse on a dumb slam attempt. Elliott works on a waistlock and then chops Jiro in the head to cut him off. Dancing/posing ensues but Jiro is back with the jacket punches. A superkick into the Lionsault gives Jiro two but he still can’t slam Elliott. Some hip attacks in the corner look to set up a running hip attack, which is blocked by Jiro’s raised feet. Jiro rolls him up for the pin at 5:10.

Rating: C-. I get the idea with Elliott, but he still isn’t someone I need to see more than once or twice. At least he isn’t getting a major push and is mainly around for comic relief with the dancing. Jiro is rather smooth in the ring, though that jacket/goofiness is going to keep him around this level for the time being.

Chase U is back from London and Thea Hail is VERY excited. Oh and they’re in the main event again.

Kiana James vs. Sol Ruca

I believe this is Ruca’s debut and she is rather athletic, including walking on her hands in the ring and nipping up. James takes her down but another nip up lets Ruca start working on the arm. That’s too far for James, who hits a sitdown splash on the ribs before firing off the knees. Back up and Ruca slugs away, only to get caught with something like a reverse Sling Blade for the pin at 3:27.

Rating: C-. Ruca is the latest woman to be added to the roster and she doesn’t have much to set her apart so far. Granted you can only get so much out of that in the span of a match that doesn’t even reach three and a half minutes, but she is certainly athletic. Then again that applies to almost all of the division, so she is going to need something to make her stand out.

Chase U vs. Myles Borne/Javier Bernal

Borne takes Chase to the mat to start and gets in a fireman’s carry, meaning Chase needs to think about this some more. Back up and Chase gets in a fireman’s carry takeover of his own so it’s off to Hayward vs. Bernal. Hayward gets taken down this time so Borne comes back in to take over on him. The chinlock goes on but Hayward fights up and hits a powerslam, allowing the hot tag off to Chase. House is cleaned in a hurry, including the spelling stomps. Everything breaks down and Borne knocks Bernal outside by mistake, leaving Chase to hit the Fratliner for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: C. I’ve said it many times but Chase U is FAR more entertaining than it has any right to be. The good thing is that NXT seems to understand what it has with the concept, because they haven’t risen up to anything more than goofy fun. Chase U is a good example of a concept with a pretty firm ceiling and as long as they don’t go beyond that, they should keep being one of the best things going today.

Overall Rating: C. Well they didn’t continue the stories or anything from last week, but I do like the interview at the first match. NXT is supposed to develop wrestlers so let some people get in front of a camera and try their luck. They are going to have to see what they can do at some point so why not throw them out here and try their hand at something? Chase doesn’t need it himself, but the people who comprise the U sure do. That’s nice to see, though I wonder how it took so long to get this going.

 

 

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NXT Level Up – July 1, 2022: Fresh Faces

NXT LVL Up
Date: July 1, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Sudu Shah

It’s the second half of the year and odds are that is not going to make the slightest bit of difference around here. This show has gotten into another funk as of late and I wonder if that is due to the NXT house show circuit starting up again. Those shows are far more valuable than this one and WWE seems to realize that. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Stacks vs. Hank Walker

Tony D’Angelo is here with Stacks. This is Walker’s debut and he’s…a guy in jeans and a collared shirt (looks a bit like Seth Rogen). Ok then. Walker takes him down into an armbar and does it again for a bonus. Back up and a knee to the ribs cuts off Stacks as we talk about something unfortunate happening to some (unnamed) member of the D’Angelo Family. A shot to the face drops Walker and we hit the neck crank but he is right back with a backslide. Walker fights out of another neck crank and takes off his shirt, revealing a not so great physique. Stacks kicks him down and hits a running big boot to finish Walker at 4:21.

Rating: D+. Walker feels like someone who would fit in a lot better if Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen didn’t exist. They feel like people who are doing a polished version of the country boy gimmick while Walker feels like someone who was given something to do without being ready to go this far. Not impressive here, and Walker needs some work.

Amari Miller vs. Sloane Jacobs

Feeling out process to start with Jacobs taking her down for an early two. Miller does the same (to Jacobs, not herself) and we get a standoff. Jacobs works on the arm before hitting a quick crossbody for two as frustration is setting in less than three minutes into the match. The arm cranking goes on again until Miller sends her throat first into the bottom rope. Back in and Jacobs is right back with the arm cranking but Miller fights up and kicks away in the corner. The Kansas City Knockout finishes for Miller at 5:55.

Rating: C. Miller is coming along rather nicely around here. She isn’t ready for a big spot but she has become a regular on this show and is looking more and more confident in the ring every time. The bubbly personality helps too and she could be something one day. Not a great or even good match, but it did well under the circumstances.

Javier Bernal vs. Duke Hudson

Hudson powers him down to start and looks annoyed that he has to deal with Bernal. With Bernal ready, Hudson drops to his knees to negate some of the size difference. Bernal’s headlock doesn’t get him very far but some strikes do, including a step up enziguri. Hudson runs him over though and a slam gets two.

Back up and Bernal reverses a suplex into a small package for two, only to get dropped for a neck crank. Another slam is countered into a swinging Downward Spiral and Hudson is staggered for a change. A sliding lariat into a high crossbody gets two on Hudson but he crotches Bernal on top. The Razor’s Edge finishes for Hudson at 6:56.

Rating: C+. I was getting into this one by the end and that is the best thing that can be said about a match like this. There was no reason to believe that Bernal was going to pull off an upset but he got in enough offense to stagger Hudson a bit. Pretty nice showing from both of them here, as Hudson can make the matches work well enough to go with his charisma.

Hudson talks a lot of trash to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This was a better show, though I don’t have much of a reason to believe that it is going to be a game changer. What matters here is that they had some fresh faces in Hudson and Walker and that is what the show can use from time to time. Some stories would do wonders around here as well, but I have long since given up on that being a thing. For now, I’ll take what I can get around here.

Results
Stacks b. Hank Walker – Big boot
Amari Miller b. Sloane Jacobs – Kansas City Knockout
Duke Hudson b. Javier Bernal – Razor’s Edge

 

 

 

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NXT – June 14, 2022: The Pre-Bash Not So Much A Bash

NXT
Date: June 14, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett

We’re taped this week and rapidly on the way to the Great American Bash in three weeks. That means it is time to start getting the show ready and odds are some of those things are going to be done this week. One of the bigger matches this week will see the Creed Brothers defending the Tag Team Titles so let’s get to it.

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

Tag Team Titles: Edris Enofe/Malik Blade vs. Creed Brothers

The Creeds are defending. Brutus takes Blade into the corner to start and then shoulders him into it again, only to have Blade come back with a headlock on Julius. It’s off to Enofe for the 619 in the corner, followed by a weird slow motion sunset flip for two. Enofe ties up the arms and pulls on Julius’ neck but some power gets Julius out of trouble. Brutus gets slammed onto Enofe for two and we hit the front facelock.

A northern lights suplex is enough for the escape and it’s back to Blade to pick up the pace. Enofe comes right back in for a dropkick but gets backdropped to the floor. There’s a double backdrop to Blade though and we take a break. Back with Brutus getting kicked in the face, setting up Enofe’s top rope elbow for two. The tag brings Julius back in though and everything breaks down, allowing Blade to get suplexed into the basement lariat for the pin at 13:53.

Rating: B-. This is about as classic of a tag team story as you are going to get, with the power of the Creeds vs. the speed of Blade/Enofe. That’s a formula that is going to work almost every time and these guys had a perfectly watchable wrestling match with the teams looking good. Nice opener.

Respect is shown post match.

Indi Hartwell is sad about her love life but tells Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade to work hard. Cora calls her out for being an old grizzled veteran at 25, but what matters is that they’re ready for Toxic Attraction tonight.

Apollo Crews is sitting in a diner and writing about his WWE career in a journal. He has had great results in WWE, but he still hears the echoes of those three letters. Now he is going back to NXT….but we pause for him to fantasize about beating up a rude customer in a diner. Instead he goes over to said customer and asks if there is a problem, only to be told to get out of his face.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley

Wendy Choo is seen bouncing through Stratton’s entrance on a big ball. Stratton backs into the corner to start but Henley unloads on her with right hands. Henley gets caught in the ring skirt though and Stratton takes over on her, including a toss towards the ropes for a big crash down.

A slingshot Swanton gives Stratton two and we hit….a rather weird hold on Henley (picture the start of a Code Red, but Stratton bridges back to force a sitting Henley down to the mat). The comeback is on and Henley kicks her into the corner, only to get caught in a fall away slam. Cue Choo to throw confetti at Stratton, allowing Henley to grab a small package for the pin at 3:10.

Rating: C. Ah yes, the continuing saga of that girl on a ball with the confetti. Henley winning isn’t the biggest upset ever but I could go for Stratton not losing so often. Hopefully she doesn’t lose to Choo as well, no matter how much NXT seems to think that she is the funniest and least annoying person ever.

Cameron Grimes is depressed but Bron Breakker tells him it’ll be ok. Grimes leaves and here is Duke Hudson to needle Breakker. The match seems set for some point in the future.

Video on Lash Legend vs. Alba Fyre, featuring Legend giving her career bio, because LASH LEGEND IS A THING AND YOU WILL CARE ABOUT HER.

Wes Lee vs. Xyon Quinn

Lee tries an early rollup but Quinn picks him up for a drop onto the top rope. A running shoulder to the ribs into a backdrop has Lee down again as the dominance is on. Back up and Lee hits a backflip kick to the head, setting up the Spiral Tap for the pin at 2:48. Lee getting some wins is a good thing.

Joe Gacy is ready for the Dyad to win.

Video on Nathan Frazer, who is from Jersey (not New) and loved diving off of things on the beach. He was also really good soccer player and could have played in the EPL, but wound up following his dream of wrestling. To be continued.

Dyad vs. Javier Bernal/Dante Chen

Joe Cacy is here with the Dyad. We’ll say Dy takes Chen down to start before it’s off to Ad for a forearm to Chen. Dy, who is left handed, throws some shots to the head to put Chen down but Chen gets in a boot to the face. It’s back to Chen to start picking up the ace but a clothesline cuts him off. Everything breaks down and an elevated DDT (ala Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan) finishes Chen at 3:53.

Rating: C. The new team did well enough together but all that matters is the fact that we have to hear more and more from Gacy, who is one of the top heels on the show. Dyad was ok and I’m curious to see who is under the hoods, but listening to Gacy talking about acceptance and all that jazz every week isn’t quite appealing.

Post match Gacy says don’t judge these two for wanting to belong. Threats and evil smiling ensue.

Sanga is in the back with Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz when Xyon Quinn comes in. Words are exchanged, but Sanga standing up scares Quinn off.

Nikkita Lyons is coming back.

Here is Tony D’Angelo’s Family, complete with Legado del Fantasma. D’Angelo is pleased with Stacks and Two Dimes and gives them some cash. As for Legado, they need to understand the idea of the code of silence, which results in a rather forced handshake, much to the fans’ annoyance. D’Angelo has a family and the title of Don, but now he wants a title around his waist. Cue Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams to say they don’t buy this. The title match is made for next week.

Toxic Attraction is ready to destroy Roxanne Perez, Indi Hartwell and Cora Jade.

NXT Title: Bron Breakker vs. Duke Hudson

Breakker is defending but Hudson jumps him from behind before the bell. That’s fine with Breakker, who hits the running shoulders and a spear. The gorilla press powerslam retains the title at 43 seconds.

Post match here is Cameron Grimes to say she would like to finish his chat with Breakker. Grimes says Breakker has that title because of his last name, but no one knows who Grimes’ daddy was. That’s completely fine, but that’s the problem: Breakker’s dad was sitting in the front row watching him win a title while Grimes’ dad had to look down at him. Grimes is tired of the catchphrases so let’s launch the rocket and go to the moon at the Great American Bash. Breakker shakes his hand and we’re on.

Ivy Nile gives Tatum Paxley a bit of a pep talk. Roderick Strong and Damon Kemp come in and ask what is up with that, because Strong wants no excuses. The Creeds come in and Strong isn’t happy with them shaking hands after the title defense. Strong was right, but he gets to return to the ring next week. That doesn’t sit well with Strong, but he seems ready to go.

Sofia Cromwell doesn’t want Brooks Jensen ringside next week when Von Wagner gets his revenge.

Giovanni Vinci vs. Guru Raaj

Vinci’s entrance includes a bunch of pictures being take of Vinci (photographers not included) with Vini, Vidi, Vinci on the screen. Vinci takes him down with a headlock takeover before hitting a hard running shoulder. Raaj fights up with a dropkick and that just annoys Vinci. A springboard spinning crossbody drops Raaj and a hard clothesline does it again. Vinci picks him up for a sitout Last Ride and the pin at 2:49. Not a bad debut and the finish was devastating, so nice job for a start.

Grayson Waller interrupts Solo Sikoa, who is so annoyed that he wants a match next week. Cool with Waller.

Malik Blade and Edris Enofe aren’t happy with their loss but they’ll get another shot. Cameron Grimes pops in to say they shouldn’t be this complacent. What if they never get another win like that? They’re trying to leave before the show is over because they’re not hungry. Grimes doesn’t want Enofe to waste his talent, because Grimes doesn’t waste his own.

Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams vs. Stacks/Two Dimes

The rest of the Family is here too. Hayes knocks Dimes down to start and Williams gets in a dropkick of his own. Two Dimes comes in to take over on Hayes and the beating is on, including a hard clothesline. A knee to the ribs keeps Hayes in trouble but something close to the Demolition Decapitator misses. Williams comes in to clean house so Legado tries to interfere, only to take Two Dimes out by mistake. That’s enough for Hayes to go up top for the ax kick and the pin at 4:20.

Rating: C. The problems are already (Or is it still?) showing between the mega team and that’s about what they were shooting for the whole time. Odds are this isn’t going to last long and that is about the only way this could have gone. On top of that, it’s quite the relief to see a champion not lose, as that is far too common of a WWE trope.

Legado gives a great “oh well” look after the match.

Post break D’Angelo yells at Legado, saying to get better, starting next week.

Cora Jade/Indi Hartwell/Roxanne Perez vs. Toxic Attraction

Mandy starts with Jade but quickly hands it off to Jane to pieface her. Jade takes over without much trouble so it’s off to Rose vs. Hartwell, with the latter grabbing a wristlock. A side slam drops Rose and we need a Toxic Attraction huddle on the floor. Back in and Toxic Attraction is knocked outside as we take a break.

We come back with Perez ankle scissoring Jayne down and grabbing a rollup for two. A discus forearm cuts Perez down for two and it’s time for the strike off. Perez rolls her way to freedom and it’s off to Hartwell to take Rose into the corner. Jade gets to clean house for a bit until Jayne takes her down for a kick to the back.

The double clothesline puts Jade and Rose down though, meaning Jade needs to crawl over to Hartwell. The referee doesn’t see the tag though and it’s Dolin taking over on Jade. That doesn’t last either though as the hot tag brings in Hartwell to clean house. Everything breaks down and Jade hits a top rope backsplash on Dolin, allowing Perez to get the pin at 13:45.

Rating: C+. The ending got better and the result helps set up both title matched down the line. That’s a good thing for the future as you can picture one if not both titles changing hands, which is a good thing. The match itself was energetic and they even got in the referee missing the tag spot. Good enough main event here, though the interest might not be that high.

Overall Rating: C. This was a show that didn’t exactly have a lot of greatness on the show, but it set up some things for the future, likely at Great American Bash. It’s kind of a fast turn around from In Your House but at least this is going to be a TV show instead of another big special. This was a right in the middle show with some ok matches, though nothing that is worth taking the time to watch.

Results
Creed Brothers b. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade – Basement lariat to Blade
Fallon Henley b. Tiffany Stratton – Small package
Wes Lee b. Xyon Quinn – Spiral Tap
Dyad b. Javier Bernal/Dante Chen – Assisted elevated DDT to Chen
Bron Breakker b. Duke Hudson – Spear
Giovanni Vinci b. Guru Raaj – Sitout elevated powerbomb
Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams b. Stacks/Two Dimes – Top rope ax kick to Two Dimes
Cora Jade/Indi Hartwell/Roxanne Perez b. Toxic Attraction – Top rope backsplash to Dolin

 

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – June 3, 2022: Consider It An Ad

NXT LVL Up
Date: June 3, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Sudu Shah

The normal trend of this show is likely to continue this week as we have three more matches between people who aren’t usually going to make it to NXT proper. That can make for some acceptable background noise but rarely much more than that unfortunately. You get used to the concept though so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Fallon Henley vs. Brooklyn Barlow

They go to the mat to start and it’s a pair of standoffs before Henley grabs the armbar. An exchange of rollups get two each and Barlow wants her to bring it. Back up and they fight over a lockup until Barlow starts working on the arm instead. She cranks on the neck as well but Henley fights out with a faceplant. A running knee finishes for Henley 4:22.

Rating: C-. Henley continues to look like a star and I could see her being on the main roster someday. She has a gimmick and the charisma to make it work so with some more ring time, she could wind up going somewhere. Barlow has a good look but she is still in the very early stages so you can’t tell much about her just yet.

Tatum Paxley vs. Sloane Jacobs

They grapple around to start with neither being able to get the better of things. Paxley slams her down (while throwing in a squat) and it’s time to crank on the arms. Another slam is countered into a headlock takeover though and Jacobs hits a running boot for two. The chinlock keeps Paxley down but she is back up with a butterfly suplex. Jacobs gets caught in an electric chair, with Paxley spinning her around into a powerbomb and floating over for the pin at 5:52.

Rating: C. Paxley is another someone who could go somewhere with some more time but, much like Jacobs, it is way too early to know what they have with her. This and some house show matches are the kind of things that could do both of them a world of good. That ist he case with a lot of people on NXT so those live events coming up are great ideas.

Edris Enofe/Malik Blade vs. Dante Chen/Javier Bernal

This is about as LVL Up of a match as you can get. Blade works on Chen’s arm to start before a dropkick gets two. Enofe comes in for a basement 619 for two before we hit the headlock. It’s off to Bernal for a splash in the corner but Enofe powers him into the other corner. That means Blade can come in to miss a charge in the corner, allowing Chen to grab a chinlock.

Bernal adds an atomic drop for two and the chinlock goes on again. Blade finally rolls underneath a clothesline and brings Enofe back in to clean house. A top rope elbow gets two on Chen and Enofe can’t believe it. He’s so stunned that he hits a reverse Sling Blade setting up an assisted elevated Stunner to finish Bernal at 7:03.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t a great match but it was better than just about anything else we have seen around here in a long time. Enofe and Blade could hang as a young and plucky team on the main NXT roster and that is the kind of team they could use. Chen and Bernal were two heels (I think?) thrown together here as opponents and they did just fine, even in a short match.

Respect is shown post match.

Overall Rating: C. This show might not have been much on its own but it was a great illustration of why NXT needs live events. There was about seventeen minutes of wrestling on this show between eight wrestlers. How much can you really get out of that little amount of time? Give these people eight to ten minutes each for three shows a week and they can actually get somewhere. Like wrestling has worked for, like, ever.

 

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – May 20, 2022: Why Are They Here?

NXT LVL Up
Date: May 20, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shaw, Nigel McGuinness

We’re off a pretty hot ending on Smackdown and hopefully at least a little bit of that can carry over here. Other than that though, there is always the chance to run down Sasha Banks and Naomi again, because doing it on national TV wasn’t enough. And there might even be some wrestling thrown in. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Javier Bernal vs. Bryson Montana

Montana was the last man standing in Ivy Nile’s challenge a few weeks back. They fight over arm control to start with Montana flipping out and staring at Bernal a bit. A side slam plants Bernal but he fights out of an over the shoulder backbreaker. Some kicks to the leg put Montana down and a Codebreaker finishes Montana at 4:11.

Rating: C. This was all about Montana, which makes the loss a bit more annoying. Montana is certainly a physical beast and it is a bit questionable to have him lose here. At the end of the day, Bernal isn’t someone who has done anything of note in NXT but he can beat Montana in a short match. Maybe they see something in Bernal, but it hasn’t exactly been showcased so far.

Ivy Nile vs. Yulisa Leon

Valentina Feroz is here with Leon. Feeling out process to start with Nile winning a test of strength without much effort. Nile takes her down into a headscissors and drags Leon away from the ropes in a smart move. Leon slips out and fires off some forearms against the ropes, which seem to stagger Nile for a change. A neck crank is reversed into a neckbreaker though and Nile hits a running forearm in the corner. Leon comes back with a slam but Nile rolls through and grabs the dragon sleeper for the tap at 5:19.

Rating: C. They were trying something here with Leon but it is pretty clear that Nile is on her way to the top of the division so she isn’t losing here. Leon getting in a few shots to the face to rock Nile was a little surprising though they were only going to get her so far. Now just get to the point with Nile, who shouldn’t be on a show like this one.

Josh Briggs vs. Quincy Elliott

Brooks Jensen is here with Briggs. Elliott takes him into the corner for some hip gyrating but Briggs manages to get Elliott on the middle rope. The running right hand rocks Elliott but Briggs makes the mistake of high fiving Jensen and hurts his hand on the cast. Back in and Elliott runs over and a quickly broken neck crank goes on.

The splash to the back sets up a waistlock but Briggs is up again. One heck of an elbow to the face rocks Briggs, setting up an abdominal stretch. With that broken up, Briggs avoids a Banzai Drop and hits a big boot into a side slam. Back up and Briggs hits a lariat for the pin at 7:21.

Rating: C-. I still don’t get nearly as much out of Elliott as NXT seems to but maybe there is something to him that I’m not getting. He is big and can move, but the dancing and gyrating is only going to get him so far. I’m still not sure Briggs and Jensen haven’t gotten much further, though it isn’t surprising to see them sticking around as they’re good at what they do.

Overall Rating: C. Another week that just comes and goes, which shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. The wrestling is completely adequate without being something that is going to make me interested most weeks. We see a lot of these people on NXT every week and they aren’t that great in the first place. It is still hard to get that annoyed at a 29 minute show, but it’s also one of those shows that has no impact whatsoever.

 

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NXT LVL Up – May 6, 2022: Mostly Ladies Night

NXT LVL Up
Date: May 6, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Sudu Shah

We’re coming off a big NXT event on Tuesday and odds are that doesn’t mean much around here. What might mean something is the upcoming women’s Breakout Tournament, which very well could get some hype on this show. This is where some of the upcoming women have appeared before so maybe we get more of that this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Tatum Paxley/Ivy Nile vs. Erica Yan/Sarray

Roderick Strong is here with Nile and Paxley. Speaking of the Breakout Tournament and also speaking of people who have fallen through the floor, we have Paxley and Sarray. Nile takes Sarray into the corner to start and it’s an exchange of wristlocks with Paxley. Sarray slips out and hits a running dropkick so Yan can come in instead.

An exchange of rollups get two each and that’s good for a standoff so we’ll try Nile vs. Sarray again. A fisherman’s suplex gets two on Nile but she is back up with a clothesline. Some rolling suplexes set up a running kick in the corner and Sarray is in trouble. Paxley comes back in for the armbar but Sarray fights up, ducks a clothesline, and gets over to for the tag to Yan. That’s fine with Nile, who comes back in with the dragon sleeper for the tap at 5:20.

Rating: C. Nile still feels like a killer and Paxley is coming along nicely, though she still has some work to do to break out from the pack. The interesting thing here is Sarray, who has either been a huge disappointment or has lost every bit of support she has backstage. It’s just weird to see her falling this far but somehow this is still better than the transforming schoolgirl deal.

Sloane Jacobs vs. Thea Hail

They fight over arm control to start until Hail hits a dropkick for an early two. Jacobs sends her into the corner to start the stomping though as commentary points out that these two are 37 years old combined. A big boot drops Hail for two and we’re off to the neck crank. Hail takes her time fighting up and sends Jacobs into the corner, setting up a sunset flip for two. Jacobs shrugs it off and hits a Samoan drop for the pin at 5:05.

Rating: C-. Not the most interesting match as the neck crank took awhile but you can tell that these two are still works in progress. Given that the older one is nineteen years old, there is only so much you can expect from them. At some point you need to get them in the ring, but a televised show might not be the best idea.

Channing Lorezno/Troy Donovan vs. Javier Bernal/Dante Chen

Why yes, this is a LVL Up main event. Tony D’Angelo joins commentary and the voice is already grating. Bernal headlocks Lorenzo down to start as D’Angelo interrogates Shah about possibly being a federal agent. Chen comes in to headlock Lorenzo before switching up to another headlock. Bernal’s sliding lariat gets two but Lorenzo blocks a sunset flip and brings Donovan in. The stomping ensues and a suplex gets two on Bernal. The alternating beatdown is on but Bernal sends them into each other and gets over to Chen for the hot tag. Everything breaks down and it’s a big boot setting up stereo big boots to finish Chen at 6:02.

Rating: C. D’Angelo is a good example of a joke that is being pounded into your head so hard that there might as well be someone following him around yelling “GET IT????”. Lorenzo and Donovan (enjoy those names while you can) are two guys who are about as interchangeable as you can get and that doesn’t make for the most interesting matches. This was ok at best and I could go with D’Angelo N Pals being around a bit less, or at least not talking so much.

Overall Rating: C-. This was a good example of LVL Up: it was short, the wrestling wasn’t anything worth seeing, and they weren’t exactly putting the star power out there. I did like them showcasing some of the newer women more though, as they are going to need all of the ring time that they can get and the matches were hardly awful. It’s still hard to get annoyed at this show, but it’s also not easy to get interested most weeks.

 

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – April 8, 2022: So Much For That

NXT LVL Up
Date: April 8, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shah, Nigel McGuinness

We’re basking in that post Wrestlemania glow and while it might have dimmed out a bit by the time it gets to NXT LVL Up, it still feels a bit special. Last week seemed to tease a tag match and that could be a good thing for a future show. I’ll take a small story over no story so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Javier Bernal vs. Guru Raaj

Shah: “Raaj dreams of headlining premium live events.” A quote that has never been said about anyone in history. Bernal grabs a headlock to start before they go to a pinfall reversal sequence. Raaj starts working on the arms as the fans get behind Bernal. That’s broken up and Bernal kicks away, setting up the Codebreaker for the pin at 5:08.

Rating: C-. These are two more guys on the roster with nothing that makes them stand out and nothing all that interesting about them. I’m not sure what NXT is going to be able to do with them, but it isn’t like there has been much of an investment put into them so far. Right now, the best description of these two is where they’re from and they need more than that.

Ivy Nile vs. Thea Hail

This is Hail’s debut and she is dressed like a superhero, complete with a cape. The fans think Nile is going to kill her, starting with a lethal wristlock. Hail, with a gymnastics background, backflips out but gets caught in a fireman’s carry drop onto the top. A fall away slam sets up a running kick in the corner to give Nile two. Hail is sent into the corner for a flipping cutter (that could be a finisher) and a suplex gets two, only to have Hail make a quick comeback. You don’t do that to Nile though as she grabs the dragon sleeper for the tap at 4:09.

Rating: C. Nile is getting into Taz territory with just another victim and that is not a bad thing. NXT has done a great job in making her feel like a star and we are reaching the point where she could be dropped into the title picture without a second thought. That is how you develop talent and Nile certainly has it.

Andre Chase/Bodie Hayward vs. Channing Lauren/Troy Donovan

Chase works on Lauren’s arm to start but Lauren sends him into the corner, setting up the loser L on the forehead. When you’re taking your taunts from the Bellas, you might want to pack it in already. That’s too much for Chase, who takes him down for the CHASE U stomping. Hayward comes in with a sunset flip for two so it’s off to Donovan, who gets armdragged into an armbar. A cheap shot from the apron slows Chase down though and Donovan scores with a dropkick.

Chase fights out of an armbar and rolls his way over to Hayward for the hot tag to clean house. Everything breaks down and Hayward grabs a Gory Stretch, with Chase getting a running start and spinning across Lauren for a Downward Spiral (it’s kind of hard to describe) and the pin at 6:57. Nigel dubs the finisher the Fratliner so we’ll go with that.

Rating: C. This wasn’t quite a squash but it’s nice to see Chase U getting a win for a change. Chase has worked so hard and managed to get that stupid thing over so having them be successful is cool to see. Granted they aren’t going to go much higher, but it’s a unique gimmick and is working fairly well.

Overall Rating: D+. This was a downgrade after last week as they didn’t have anything that you needed to see. Nile continues to be a hidden gem in NXT and I like seeing her wreck whomever is in front of her. Other than that though, this was a pretty nothing, skippable show and unfortunately that has a tendency to be the norm around here.

Results
Javier Bernal b. Guru Raaj – Codebreaker
Ivy Nile b. Thea Hail – Dragon sleeper
Andre Chase/Bodhi Hayward b. Channing Lauren/Troy Donovan – Fratliner to Lauren

 

 

 

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