NXT
Date: August 20, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We are rapidly closing in on No Mercy and the show is going to need a main event. That is what we get to find out this week, with a triple threat match to crown a new #1 contender for the NXT Title, as Joe Hendry, Wes Lee and Pete Dunne face off for a shot at Ethan Page. Let’s get to it.

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

Izzi Dame jumped Karmen Petrovic in the parking lot and injured her hand in the process.

We look back at Chase U regaining the Tag Team Titles last week.

Here is Chase U for their championship celebration. Duke Hudson thanks Ridge Holland and admits he was wrong, with Andre Chase joining in the thank you. Cue Axiom and Nathan Frazier to say they’re the best team in NXT, which the fans don’t seem to like. Frazier talks about running themselves into the ground, which let Chase U get the perfect time for a title shot.

Now they want a title shot of their own but Holland cuts them off. Holland talks about how he was looking for a way to find himself. That’s what he found in Chase U and he worked that hard to become a champion. Hudson suggests himself and Riley Osborne vs. Axiom/Frazier, and if Axiom and Frazier win, they might get a title shot at No Mercy. The workout pants are ripped off and we’re ready to go. That was a little heelish from Chase U and I’m not feeling that in the slightest.

Chase U vs. Axiom/Nathan Frazier

Osborne dropkicks Axiom to start but everything breaks down in a hurry, with Hudson putting both of them down on the floor. Osborne hits a big running lip dive and we take an early break. Back with Hudson sending Axiom flying with a German suplex and hitting a swinging Boss Man Slam for two on Frazier.

A wheelbarrow faceplant/flipping faceplant combination gets two with Frazier making the save. Frazier avoids a shooting star from Osborne and hits a springboard reverse Spanish Fly (that was cool). The Phoenix splash misses but Axiom is right there with the Golden Ratio/brainbuster combination to finish Osborne at 9:18.

Rating: C+. Pretty run of the mill idea here and that’s all it needed to be. They needed to set up a title match at No Mercy and that should get them there, though I’m a bit surprised that Axiom and Frazier’s longstanding issues seem to be just fine. For now though, there is still the chance of Chase U falling apart, which should add some drama to the title match.

Ava says Karmen Petrovic is injured and out of the gauntlet match. Izzi Dame comes in and says this is Ava’s chance to fix the mistake, but Ava isn’t going to reward bad behavior. Brinley Reece is in instead. Of note: Kelani Jordan could be seen behind them looking for something.

Brinley Reece is in the gauntlet match but Wren Sinclair comes in to say she’s winning.

Wendy Choo vs. Lola Vice

Choo jumps her to start and slowly hammers away. That’s broken up with some shots to the face and Vice sends her outside, with some dancing taking us to a break. Back with Choo choking away and shrugging off Vice’s rollup. A neckbreaker gives Choo two and we hit the neck crank, with Vice not taking long to fight back.

The rapid fire kicks set up the running hip attack in the corner for two but Choo grabs a sleeper. That’s broken up with a backpack Stunner and they’re both down. Cue Kelani Jordan…who gets inside for some reason and accidentally gets hit with Vice’s spinning backfist. The distraction lets Choo get in a pillow shot for the pin at 11:02.

Rating: C. I’m going to assume the pillow is loaded, but my goodness I cannot bring myself to care about the Choo stuff. It feels like such a try hard with making her weird or whatever and the whole sleep deal was bad enough before her injury. It wouldn’t surprise me to see her beat Jordan for the title anyway, even if Jordan feels like she could be something if given the chance (and a lot more time).

Post match Jordan challenges Choo for No Mercy and then hits her with the pillow. Said pillow contains….the Women’s North American Title, which Choo apparently stole.

Wes Lee doesn’t like Joe Hendry coming in here and trying to seal the NXT spotlight. We go split screen with Hendry not liking Lee talking down about TNA. The Rascalz were back here to help boost Lee up, but Lee says he’ll see Hendry tonight. Hendry says tonight is the biggest match of his life, because a #1 contenders match for the NXT Title is apparently bigger than headlining a TNA PPV for the TNA World Title.

Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne rant about the lack of respect for the veterans. They only have one person who listens to them, and that’s Jazmyn Nyx. They came up together in this business and they are the Fatal Influence. That’s not a bad name and it’s better than…whatever word salad they use for the new women’s group on Raw.

Gauntlet Eliminator

Six women, three minute intervals, elimination rules for the Women’s Title shot at No Mercy. Wren Sinclair is in at #1 and Sol Ruca is in at #2 and they exchange arm control to start. Ruca is back up with a full nelson but Sinclair pulls her down into a half crab. Sinclair makes it even craftier with the surfboard but Ruca is up again for a collision. Both of them are down and Adrianna Rizzo is in at #3 with a double high crossbody.

Sinclair is back up with a choke but Ruca drives her into the corner for the break. Rizzo hits something like an AA into a basement Molly Go Round, with Sinclair breaking up the cover (for some reason). Back up and Ruca plants Rizzo for the elimination at 4:58 and we take a break. Back with Brinley Reece in at #4 and hitting (kind of) a flipping double clothesline. Kendal Grey comes in at #5 and starts cleaning house, including knocking Reece silly for the elimination at 10:02.

Grey gets caught in Ruca’s electric chair for a faceplant, allowing Ruca to grab the completely logical surfboard. Sinclair is back in but gets caught in an X Factor, allowing Ruca to throw Grey onto Sinclair outside. The moonsault takes both of them down but it’s Jaida Parker in at #6 to complete the field. House is cleaned again and Parker hits her seated senton in the corner to Grey, setting up the gordbuster for the pin at 13:35.

Sinclair rolls Parker up for two, only to have Ruca grab the Sol Snatcher for the elimination at 13:58. It’s Ruca vs. Parker for the title shot with Ruca grabbing some rollups for two each. Parker’s powerbomb falls down but Ruca’s cradle doesn’t count as she’s in the ropes. A cross arm German suplex gets two on Parker but she avoids the springboard splash, setting up the running hip attack to end Ruca at 15:41.

Rating: B-. That ending sequence did NOT look good as Parker seemed to have the wind knocked out of her. Other than that, there was enough good action to make it work, but the important thing is putting someone new in the title picture. Parker has felt like a breakout star for a long time now and she might have a shot at the title here. At the same time, Ruca continues to feel like the next big thing, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her as the next challenger after No Mercy.

Post match Parker, with OTM around her, says she has next for the Women’s Title.

Ethan Page is ready for the main event, when Pete Dunne comes in to talk about how long he holds titles. Dunne is going to break Page’s fingers and ego at No Mercy.

Hank Walker/Tank Ledger vs. OC

Anderson drives Ledger into the corner to start and slowly hammers away. Walker comes in for a shot shot of his own and the double standing splash gets two on Anderson. Gallows is up with a big boot to Walker and the beating ensues on the floor. The chinlock goes on back inside but Walker fights up, allowing the tag off to Ledger…who gets booted down by Gallows. The Magic Killer is broken up and Ledger is back up with a springboard spinning clothesline. The powerslam/running shoulder combination finishes Anderson at 4:24.

Rating: C+. I’m not a fan of either of these teams but points for at least going with someone new. Walker and Ledger have been presented as a bit more important in recent weeks and giving them a win over an established team is a good move. I’m not sure if it leads anywhere (and I hope it doesn’t) but at least they’re inching in a direction.

Post match Walker (a former security guard) celebrates with security while Gallows and Anderson yell.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade say they see through Shawn Spears manipulating Brooks Jensen. Spears says they’re both lost souls but makes them mad with a reference to Brinley Reece. The brawl is on and the camera goes down, with Spears seemingly getting hit with something made of metal. Jensen runs in for the save.

Here is the No Quarter Catch Crew to celebrate getting the Heritage Cup back. Charlie Dempsey talks about how the Heritage Cup is what the team needs to live and now order has been restored. Wren Sinclair cuts him off and doesn’t know who “Lou Robinson or Billy Thesz” are, but if Dempsey likes them, they must be good. Sinclair: “Charles will defend the title against anyone, anytime.”

Cue Oba Femi (Sinclair: “I AM SO SORRY!” She’s the funniest Sinclair since Earl.) to say he’d love to face Dempsey, but cue the D’Angelo Family to interrupt. Tony D’Angelo says he has his eyes on something else, meaning he stares at Femi. A snap of the fingers has the Family beating up the Crew, and D’Angelo spinebusters Femi to stand tall. I’ve heard worse ideas.

Ashante Thee Adonis loses the women’s attention to Dion Lennox.

Wren Sinclair leaves the Heritage Cup with Je’Von Evans but Gallus comes up to say Evans knows nothing about technical wrestling. Violence is teased but Cedric Alexander comes in to even things up a bit.

Dion Lennox vs. Ashante Thee Adonis

Lennox hits a dropkick to start and tosses him into the air for a big crash. Back up and Adonis sends him outside for a dive before ripping at Lennox’s ears. Lennox fights up and grabs a spinebuster for two but Adonis pulls him off the top and onto the ropes. The Long Kiss Goodnight (Sweet Chin Music) finishes Lennox at 3:41.

Rating: C. This would be in the “and moving on” section as neither of them has done anything of note around here and then they had a completely average match. Lennox is pretty much known only for his glasses while Adonis is known for standing around with the women backstage. I’m not sure how much this enhanced Adonis but it was pretty much just there.

Lexis King is getting his throne polished when the women of Meta Four come in to complain about Fatal Influence. King pops in to say that while Fatal Influence is a cool name, the Meta Two…and that doesn’t sit well with them. With King gone, Oro Mensah comes in and everything is ok.

No Mercy rundown.

Joe Hendry vs. Pete Dunne vs. Wes Lee

For a shot at Ethan Page (on commentary) at No Mercy. Lee and Dunne jump the posing Hendry to start but Lee gets knocked out to the floor. Dunne stomps on Hendry in the corner as Lee comes back in, only to be catapulted head first into a low blow on Dunne. Back up and Lee kicks Hendry in the face, only to miss a dive. Dunne misses a moonsault to the floor onto Lee and they brawl until Hendry dives onto both of them.

The grin at the camera takes us to a break and we come back with Hendry cleaning house. A double fall away slam sends the villains flying but Lee drops both of them with a springboard moonsault. Back up and Dunne cranks on both of their fingers at once but Lee is back up with some kicks to Dunne’s head. A middle rope moonsault into a tornado DDT gives Lee two and frustration is setting in. Hendry gets dropped so Lee can hit a frog splash for two more.

Dunne snaps Lee’s fingers again but walks into the Standing Ovation, only to have Page pull the referee. Lee gets planted onto the announcers’ table but Page cuts off another referee. Dunne hits the Bitter End but Trick Williams runs in with the Trick Shot (in a GREAT bit of camera work as you didn’t see him coming) to drop Dunne cold. Hendry gets the pin and the title shot at 12:19 as Page can’t make the save in time.

Rating: B-. I really liked that ending as they filmed it perfectly and went with the surprise that actually worked. Other than that, Hendry getting the title shot is certainly a choice and I’m curious to see if they pull that trigger. He’s certainly the most interesting of the three options, though if he winds up winning the NXT Title before the TNA World Title, I don’t think I could laugh much harder.

Post match Zachary Wentz runs in to brawl with Lee to end the show with the crowd being VERY appreciative.

Overall Rating: B-. The last two minutes or so were rather good and the rest of the show was solid enough. This was a show built around the idea of setting up No Mercy and most of that was taken care of in one big night. The wrestling was passable, but they packed a lot into one show and I can go with that as a way to get things rolling towards the pay per view. That’s what NXT does and they made it work again here.

Results
Axiom/Nathan Frazier b. Chase U – Golden Ratio/brainbuster combination to Osborne
Wendy Choo b. Lola Vice – Pillow shot
Jaida Parker won the Gauntlet Eliminator last eliminating Sol Ruca
Hank Walker/Tank Ledger b. OC – Powerslam/running shoulder combination to Anderson
Ashante Thee Adonis b. Dion Lennox – Long Kiss Goodnight
Joe Hendry b. Pete Dunne and Wes Lee – Trick Shot to Dunne

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

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NXT
Date: 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
Date: July 16, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

The big story coming out of last week was the return of Joe Hendry, who showed up in the main event and teamed with Trick Williams to beat Shawn Spears and Ethan Page. That could be something that continues this week, though Hendry isn’t someone who appears on every show. Other than that, we need to start getting ready for the Great American Bash so let’s get to it.

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

The Rascalz are ready for Gallus.

Gallus is ready for the Rascalz.

Rascalz vs. Gallus

The fans are rather happy to see the Rascalz. Mark shoves Miguel down to start as Booker makes sure Vic doesn’t say Joe Hendry’s name. Wentz comes in but gets forearmed straight into the corner as the villains take over. That’s broken up so Lee comes in for a headlock, only to get his head taken off with a clothesline. Booker says he hasn’t seen a trio like Gallus since the Freebirds, making me wonder how Booker has a job talking about wrestling. Someone says Hendry’s name and he appears, joining commentary as we take a break.

Back with Lee avoiding a charge in the corner and bringing Wentz in with a missile dropkick. Everything breaks down and Miguel’s Lightning Spiral (similar to a Paige Turner) hits Mark with Wolfgang making the save. A triple dropkick puts Wolfgang on the floor and the dives connect (Hendry approves) and it’s a top rope double stomp to pin Mark at 12:05.

Rating: B-. As usual, the Rascalz are a lot of things, with exciting being at the top of the list. They wrestle a fast paced style and fly around the ring so quickly that it is hard to not get interested in what they’re doing. That makes for some very entertaining matches and I had a good time here.

Hendry says Gallus might have won if they had believed a bit more.

We get a Hendry narrated video on last week’s tag team main event, with Hendry pinning Shawn Spears for the win.

Chase U has a big night as Duke Hudson is ready to win the North American Title.

Roxanne Perez is walking to the back and Thea Hail has to be held back from jumping her.

NXT Champion Ethan Page comes in to see Ava and says this is an unsafe work environment. Oro Mensah storms in and wants a title shot. Ava says no because Mensah keeps attacking him. Ava gives Mensah a match tonight while Page will face…..Dante Chen (his choice)!

Here is Roxanne Perez for a chat. She’s tired of the lack of respect while everyone is looking at greatness when they see her. Perez is on pace to shatter all of the records but everyone is talking about how Giulia or Stephanie Vaquer is going to run her over. That’s just wrong, but her next opponent is Thea Hail, who is a joke. Cue Hail to say she has beaten all kinds of people she was never supposed to beat so let her rewrite the history books. Perez laughs her off and brings up Andre Chase throwing in the towel before calling Hail a little girl. The fight is on and the Kimura makes Perez tap, with referees breaking it up.

Kelani Jordan is ready for her next challenges when Wendy Choo comes in for some staring. Jordan: “That was weird right?”

We take a quick look at the Brooks Jensen incidents.

Lola Vice gave it her all but she’s ready for next time. Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx come in to mock her, saying Vice should go back to MMA. A match with Henley is made.

Brooks Jensen vs. Je’Von Evans

Josh Briggs is here as Jensen’s chaperon. Evans starts fast and knocks him out to the floor, where Jensen drops Evans onto the barricade. A quick moonsault drops Jensen though and spinning kick to the face gives Evans two back inside. They go back outside where Jensen drops him onto the announcers’ table (Jensen: “That boy’s bouncy!”) and we take a break.

Back with Jensen kneeing him down to stay on the bad ribs. The reverse chinlock goes on but Evans is back up with a super hurricanrana. A springboard high crossbody gives Evans two but Jensen Neutralizes him for the same. Cue Shawn Spears, only for Jensen to go outside and call Briggs off. Evans uses the distraction to hit a big dive, setting up the top rope cutter for the pin at 9:00.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure I quit get what they’re doing with Jensen as he had all kinds of hype but then gets beaten here. It’s a weird way to go but it does feel like there is more to it than what we’ve gotten so far. He still has a long way to go to get around the fact that he’s Brooks Jensen though, and I’m not sure if he can pull that off.

Post match Jensen jumps Evans but Briggs pulls him off.

The D’Angelo Family is playing cards when Charlie Dempsey comes in to mention putting someone (presumably Damon Kemp) in the trunk last week. Dempsey asks what happens if someone saw them, with Tony D’Angelo suggesting that Dempsey kill them too. It’s a woman though, which makes it more complicated.

Dante Chen is ready for his title shot.

Trick Williams is on the phone with Ilja Dragunov and talks about needing the title back. Dragunov tells him to go do it. Williams runs into Pete Dunne and asks for some advice, with Dunne saying figure it out.

NXT Title: Dante Chen vs. Ethan Page

Page is defending and shoulders Chen down to start. Chen grabs a quick rollup for two and a low superkick gets the same. Page sends him outside for a shoulder from the apron, setting up a powerslam for two back inside. Chen is sent to the apron but comes back in with a sunset flip for two. The double chop gets the same but a springboard something misses for Chen. Page kicks him down and hits the Ego’s Edge to retain at 4:16.

Rating: C+. They didn’t waste time on this and they shouldn’t have. Chen isn’t the biggest name and there is no reason to let him make the new champion look bad. Page isn’t likely going to be champion long term but giving him a relatively easy win like this is a good thing. Let him get built up a bit, especially over someone who isn’t a major threat.

Post match Oro Mensah comes in to take Page down and counts his own three count.

Video on Duke Hudson vs. Oba Femi.

Gallus is annoyed at Joe Hendry, who appears to say he’s sticking around here. Maybe NXT would think of Gallus when they hear about Scotland if they believed a bit more.

Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley

Paxley starts fast but her hurricanrana is cut off. A kick to the face gives Paxley two but Dame whips her into the corner a few times. Dame’s backbreaker gets two and we hit an over the shoulder backbreaker. Cue Wendy Choo for a distraction, allowing Paxley to get in a knee to the ribs. Dame’s charge hits post and the Psycho Trap gives Paxley the pin at 4:05.

Rating: C. The important thing here is the fact that this was a match (if not a feud) that has nothing to do with a title but got some TV time. It’s nice to have something other than everything being about a title and shows you just how far ahead the NXT women’s division is by comparison. It’s great to see for a change, even if the match was just ok.

Post match Choo hands Paxley a doll.

Chase U fires up Duke Hudson.

Cedric Alexander and Ashante Thee Adonis talk to Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend but Oro Mensah isn’t having this.

Jacy Jayne vs. Lola Vice

Jazmyn Nyx is here with Jayne, who runs Vice over and dances a bit. A low superkick lets Jayne go after the bad hand bu Vice is back up with the rapid fire kicks. Jayne kicks her in the face, only to get caught with the spinning backfist for the fast pin at 2:46.

Post match Fallon Henley jumps Vice until Sol Ruca and Karmen Petrovic run in for the save.

Kelani Jordan runs into Tatum Paxley, who has the doll. Jordan isn’t interested in playing, but Paxley pulls out what looks like a Jordan doll.

Ethan Page goes to leave but insists that nothing is bothering him, including Oro Mensah.

OTM vs. OC

Mixed six person tag. It’s a brawl to start with Michin hammering away on Parker in the corner but getting sent into the post. Parker gets two off a spinebuster but it’s off to Gallows to kick Price in the face. Price hits a running corner clothesline so Nima comes in to choke on the ropes. The neck crank goes on but Gallows is back up with a fireman’s carry flapjack. Michin comes back in to suplex Parker, who snaps off a German suplex. Anderson’s middle rope neckbreaker gets two on Price and the Magic Killer finishes Nima at 6:00.

Rating: C+. This feud has been going on for a few weeks now and I’m still not sure why I’m supposed to be interested. The OC is a team that has some star power but they are only so interesting. OTM feels like they have potential but that is only going to get them so far if they keep losing. Wrap this feud up already.

Wren Sinclair wants to be part of the No Quarter Catch Crew in exchange for her silence. That isn’t happening, and she almost gets into a fight with Miles Borne. She promises to get in somehow.

Lexis King interrupted Eddy Thorpe’s DJing and got in a fight.

North American Title: Oba Femi vs. Duke Hudson

Hudson, with Chase U, is challenging. Femi powers out of a headlock to start and grabs one of his own. A hard shoulder drops Hudson, who takes the shirt off to get serious. Hudson hits a DDT into a running clothesline to the floor and we take a break. Back with Femi knocking him into the corner and getting two off a side slam.

Hudson fights up again and slugs away, including the Chase U elbow to the face. A German suplex gives Hudson two and a crucifix out of a fireman’s carry gets the same. Femi is right back with a chokeslam for two and he puts Hudson up top, only to have him grab a sunset bomb. Femi knocks him outside and over the announcers’ table, setting up the Fall From Grace to retain the title at 11:33.

Rating: B. This is exactly what it should have been, with Chase U’s big guy slugging away at the really big champion. It made you wonder if Hudson could pull off the miracle and while the result was never really in doubt, they were certainly trying. Chase U knows how to get the crowd behind them and they made that happen again here. Good main event here, with Femi getting to look like the unstoppable monster again.

Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen are leaving with Briggs yelling about how Jensen is lost. Jensen wants a No DQ match next week and leaves to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show pulled off an impressive trick by having an entertaining and engaging two hours without burning through a major story. The main event was for the midcard title, the Tag Team Champions were nowhere to be seen, the Women’s Champion set up her match and the NXT Champion won a relatively easy match. To turn that into a good show is a very positive sign and they didn’t touch anything important. Nice job here and another good show.

Results
Rascalz b. Gallus – Top rope double stomp to Mark
Je’Von Evans b. Brooks Jensen – Top rope cutter
Ethan Page b. Dante Chen – Ego’s Edge
Tatum Paxley b. Izzi Dame – Psycho Trap
Lola Vice b. Jacy Jayne – Spinning backfist
OC b. OTM – Magic Killer to Nima
Oba Femi b. Duke Hudson – Fall From Grace

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

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NXT
Date: July 9, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re back stateside after Heatwave and the big story is that we have a new NXT Champion as Ethan Page accidentally won the title after being knocked out by Trick Williams. That sounds primed for a one on one rematch but stranger things have happened. For now though, we are about a month out from the Great American Bash so let’s get to it.

Here is Heatwave if you need a recap.

Long Heatwave recap.

Here is Ethan Page to brag about his title win at Heatwave. It took a lot of talent, preparation and skill, but also a big EGO. The entire locker room hates him so he has extra security out here just in case. Cue Oro Mensah to try to jump Page but security cuts him off. Page, talking over the WHOOP THAT TRICK chants, talks about how he’s going to fight off these outsiders because HE IS NXT.

It is no longer the Whoop That Era, but cue Trick Williams to interrupt and ask for a rematch. That isn’t going to happen, but here is Shawn Sears to say Page owes him a thank you. He can’t let Williams have a rematch either because Williams is going to the back of the line. Cue Je’Von Evans to interrupt and the fight is on with Williams and Evans clearing the ring. Everything made sense here and Page running from challengers is the right way to go for him. His promo was good too as he would brag exactly this way.

We recap Arianna Grace and Karmen Petrovic cheating to win on the Heatwave Kickoff Show, setting up a match between them tonight.

Lexis King is ready to take the Heritage Cup from Tony D’Angelo.

Tony D’Angelo isn’t ready to let King take the Heritage Cup.

Karmen Petrovic vs. Arianna Grace

Grace shoulders her down to start and declares her better. Petrovic kicks away as Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx come out to watch. A middle rope elbow to the back of the head gives Grace two and we hit the chinlock. Back up and Petrovic sweeps the leg, setting up a spinning kick to the back for the pin at 2:38.

Post match Fallon Henley runs in to beat down Petrovic and tells Jayne and Nyx that she is sick of these rookies.

We get the sitdown interview between Brooks Jensen and Ava. Jensen apologizes for his actions and says he cracked under the pressure. Ava says she and Shawn Michaels were ready to release him but some people vouched for him. Jensen is sticking around, but he needs to remember that the is a WWE Superstar full time. He seems to get it.

Heritage Cup: Lexis King vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo is defending and the rest of the D’Angelo Family is here too, plus Eddy Thorpe is DJing, because this match needs a DJ. Round One begins with D’Angelo grabbing a headlock and then running him over with a shoulder. An armbar has King down for a bit, only to have him come up with some forearms in the corner. Another armbar is broken up so D’Angelo chops him in the corner. A Boston crab has King in more trouble and the round ends.

Round Two begins with Thorpe annoying King, allowing D’Angelo to grab Forget About It for the pin at 15 seconds of the round and 3:48 overall. We take a break and come back with D’Angelo suplexing King but walking into the Coronation to tie it up at 2:53 of the round and 8:07 overall. Round Four begins with King jumping him in the corner and stopping away but D’Angelo hits a hard clothesline. A belly to belly suplex puts King down again, only to have him come back with a middle rope DDT. Another Coronation is blocked and a spinebuster finishes King to retain the Cup at 2:22 of the round and 10:59.

Rating: C+. This was more about King vs. Thorpe, which is at least a feud for both of them, but it was a nice way to give D’Angelo a nice defense at the same time. That’s the kind of smart booking that you do not get to see very often and it’s nice to have that kind of efficiency. Nothing much to the match, but it was just a one off title defense without much of a story in the first place.

Brooks Jensen jumps Je’Von Evans, with Josh Briggs breaking it up, saying he stuck his neck out for Jensen and this is how Jensen thanks him.

Ridge Holland tries to make amends with Chase U and has gotten them some title matches. Duke Hudson gets a North American Title match against Oba Femi next week! Hudson: “…thanks Ridge.”

Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont vs. Gallus

It’s a brawl before the bell with Igwe getting caught in the wrong corner before Mark Coffey can even get his jacket off. Igwe fights out and makes the tag off to DuPont to pick up the pace. Everything breaks down and Joe Coffey low bridges Igwe to the floor. That leaves DuPont to walk into the flapjack/big boot combination for the pin at 3:13.

Rating: C+. It was fun while it lasted but this was your normal Gallus numbers game win. It’s something they’ve done for years now and you’re only going to be able to get so much out of seeing it happen again. Igwe and DuPont have something to them but they need WAY more experience and something to make them stand out before it’s going to matter.

Trick Williams is ready to fight on his own if Je’Von Evans is hurt, but maybe he should try to find a partner.

Here is a serious Wes Lee to address his future. Lee believed he could beat Oba Femi at Heatwave and get his North American title back. Getting his title back is what got him through rehab but that’s not what happened. He isn’t sure where to go from here, because this isn’t like his normal losses.

We get the tease of him leaving and the required PLEASE DON’T GO chant….but here are TNA’s Rascalz (Zachary Wentz (Lee’s former partner in MSK) and Trey Miguel). He can’t believe they’re here and is proud of what they have become. Wentz and Miguel: “We know.” It’s time to get MSK back together and we get the big three way hug.

Thea Hail vs. Izzi Dame

Chase U is here with Hail. They start fast with Dame kicking her down and getting two off a backbreaker. An STF has Hail in more trouble as Tatum Paxley, in Chase U red, comes out of the crowd. Hail goes after her but posts herself as a result. Hail makes the comeback and the Kimura makes Dame tap at 3:33.

Rating: C. Hail, and Chase U for that matter, getting a win is nice to see and this should set Hail up for the Women’s Title match that Ridge Holland promised her. Tatum Paxley being all insane and driving Dame nuts works well enough, as it’s a good sign to see a feud going on that doesn’t have anything to do with a title. The division needs more of that and this works well enough.

Post match Oba Femi pops up to say he’ll destroy Duke Hudson, who says don’t underestimate him.

The Rascalz are happy to be back together but run into Gallus, who aren’t sure what to call the team. Apparently just Wentz and Lee are MSK but the three of them are the Rascalz. Makes enough sense. Gallus almost summons Joe Hendry but thinks better of it.

OTM is ready for the OC.

Ava yells at Brooks Jensen, who gets Je’Von Evans next week, assuming Evans is ok. With Jensen gone, Briggs says he wants Shawn Spears next week.

OTM vs. OC

Jaida Parker is here with OTM. Nima manages a rather impressive delayed vertical suplex on Gallows to start and it’s off to Price for a double elbow to Anderson. A release Rock Bottom plants Anderson but he jawbreaks his way to freedom. It’s back to Gallows for a jumping elbow as Michin comes out of the crowd to go after Parker. The distraction lets OTM hit the release Alabama Slam to pin Anderson for the big upset at 4:54.

Rating: C+. This is the kind of win that might let OTM go somewhere, which is exactly what they need. At some point it doesn’t matter to have this much potential without getting some wins and thankfully the team is getting somewhere. On top of that, the OC losing, and hopefully falling even further down the card, is a good sign.

Fallon Henley wants the Women’s North American Title and would have had a better showing against Sol Ruca. That doesn’t work for Ruca, who says you can either work or complain.

The No Quarter Catch Crew imply they’ve knocked Damon Kemp off. Wren Sinclair pops in but says she didn’t see anything.

Sol Ruca vs. Fallon Henley

Ruca grabs a front facelock to start but has to do her hand walk. That’s broken up with a kick to the ribs and Henley pulls her down by the arm. Back up and Ruca sends her into the corner for two but gets kicked in the arm for another near fall. The armbar is countered into a rollup for two but Henley breaks up a springboard. Ruca kicks away and hits the Sol Snatcher, only for Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx run in for the DQ at 5:01.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here but I do like having Henley protected from the pin. While she was more or less dead to rights, she didn’t actually get pinned, which is at least a bit better. The match itself was a bit messy, with more than a few points where they didn’t seem to be clicking. The Sol Snatcher made up for some of it though, as that looked awesome.

Post match Ruca gets beaten down again.

Tatum Paxley talks to a doll and says she’s going to play with Izzi Dame. Then she breaks the doll.

Cedric Alexander is in Ava’s office and is officially in NXT. Mr. Stone comes in and welcomes Ashante Thee Adonis to NXT as well.

Ethan Page/Shawn Spears vs. Trick Williams/???

Williams has a partner and it’s….Joe Hendry, who the fans seem to like. Williams slugs away at Page to start as the fans say THEY BELIEVE. A running splash in the corner and a big right hand rock Page and it’s off to Hendry for an even louder WE BELIEVE chant. Hendry suplexes Page and clotheslines him to the floor, allowing Williams to hit a big dive.

We take a break and come back with Page kicking Hendry in the bead and grabbing a DDT. Spears comes in to hammer away as well, allowing the villains to take turns chopping away in the corner. Page grabs the front facelock but Hendry suplexes his way to freedom. It’s back to Williams to clean house, only to get Rock Bottomed by Page.

Spears grabs a neckbreaker and a double suplex gives Page a quick two. The C4 is countered though and Williams grabs a jumping neckbreaker to put Spears down. Cue Oro Mensah to chase Page into the crowd, leaving Williams to bring Hendry back in to clean house. Hendry hits his own DDT into he all away slam, setting up the Trick Shot. The Standing Ovation (high angle spinebuster) finishes Spears at 10:13.

Rating: B-. Hendry feels like the biggest star in the world right now and it wouldn’t shock me to see him doing something bigger around here rather soon. The fans respond to him and that is one of the hardest things in the world to make work. Page running off from Mensah is a smart move, as he’s already got a long list of people gunning for the title.

Overall Rating: B-. This show didn’t have any major moment, but there was nothing overly bad and it helped establish where we are following Heatwave. At the same time, Hendry showing up at the end was a big boost to everything, as he is as big of a star as there is around here at the moment. I’m curious to see where some of these things go and there are already matches set for next week, as NXT continues to be a pretty well oiled machine.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Arianna Grace – Spinning kick to the back
Tony D’Angelo b. Lexis King 2-1
Gallus b. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont – Big boot/flapjack combination to Igwe
Thea Hail b. Izzi Dame – Kimura
OTM b. OC – Assisted Alabama Slam to Anderson
Sol Ruca b. Fallon Henley via DQ when Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx interfered
Joe Hendry/Trick Williams b. Ethan Page/Shawn Spears – Standing Ovation to Spears

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 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:

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

AND

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

NXT
Date: June 25, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We are rapidly closing in on Heatwave and after last week, we have an official #1 contender to the NXT Title. At the same time, we seem to have two other people who want that spot as well. A four way title shot isn’t out of the question, which seems to also be the case for another Joe Hendry appearance. Let’s get to it.

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

Ava tells referees and security to be on their toes tonight.

Tag Team Gauntlet Match

For the Tag Team Title shot at Heatwave with Edris Enofe/Malik Blade in at #1 and New Catch Republic in at #2. Dunne works on Enofe’s arm to start but Blade comes in off a blind tag for a double dropkick. A Blockbuster/spinebuster combination gets two on Dunne but Bate comes in for a rebound lariat/German suplex combination. Bate dives onto Blade and then comes back in for a double powerbomb and the elimination at 2:43.

Angel and Berto are in at #3 and the slugout is on until Angel low bridges Bate to the floor to take over. A Gory Bomb/flipping cutter combination gets two on Bate but Dunne comes back in to make the save. Bate is taken up top but cue Apollo Crews for the distraction, allowing him to fight his way to freedom. The Tyler Driver 97 finishes Berto at 6:13 total and it’s the OC in at #4.

The OC get dropped in a hurry and we take a break. Back with Bate airplane spinning Anderson, who is back up to save Gallows. The Magic Killer is broken up and Dunne small packages Gallows for the pin at 11:45 total. Chase U is in at #5 (the final team) as OTM comes out to laugh at the OC, who chase them to the back. Chase stomps on Dunne to start but Dunne sends him to the apron for the ten forearms to the chest.

That’s broken up and the tag brings in Hudson to clean house. Hudson and Bate fight over a suplex with the latter getting the better of things, only for Chase to kick Dunne in the head. Bate rolls Chase up for two but Hudson makes the save. Hudson’s fingers are snapped by Dunne so Bate dives onto….Ridge Holland, who shoves Chase out of the way. That leaves Chase to hit the high crossbody for the pin and the win at 17:00.

Rating: B-. As usual, this was pretty much of regular tag matches tied together with some falls that were far quicker than normal. The Republic going through the match until the end, with Holland costing the team the win, is a good story throughout but it feels like something we see in so many gauntlet matches. Either way, solid match here and I can go for more Chase U.

Roxanne Perez doesn’t like Karmen Petrovic watching her beat up Lola Vice and mocks her for only watching the stars.

We get a tribute graphic for Sika.

Dante Chen offers to be Nathan Frazer’s corner man tonight but Axiom comes in to say he’ll do it instead. Works for Chen.

Here is Ethan Page for a chat. He’s not happy with Je’Von Evans being the #1 contender because he won a battle royal where Page was never eliminated. Page requests and receives Ava out here and wants her to change the Heatwave main event. Ava thinks he has a point but here is Shawn Spears for another interruption.

Spears pinned Evans two weeks ago, but Page doesn’t see why that matters (fair). Spears promises to pin Trick Williams tonight, so cue Williams to interrupt. Williams doesn’t care who he faces at Heatwave so the fight is on, with Evans coming in to help Williams clear the ring. They aren’t even bothering to try hiding where this is going and that is fine.

The No Quarter Catch Crew yell at Ridge Holland but an off-screen woman (presumably Thea Hail) calls him over. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger come in to issue a challenge for next week. Sure why not.

Stevie Turner seems to flirt with Mr. Stone and suggests that she be the second in command. Neither of them are going anywhere, with Stone saying she couldn’t beat him on her best day.

Wes Lee vs. Joe Coffey

The rest of Gallus is here with Coffey. Lee runs him over to start but Coffey runs him over with a shot to the face. Back up and Lee kicks him in the face, setting up a quick DDT. Lee stomps him on the back but walks into a powerslam for two. All The Best For The Bells is loaded up but Lee hits a quick Cardiac Kick for the pin at 3:15.

Rating: C+. This didn’t have much time to get anywhere but the idea was that Lee can hit that kick from anywhere and score a win, especially over a bigger opponent. Oba Femi is likely going to break every piece of Lee in half but at least they’re doing a nice job of setting things up. Nice storytelling here, though it only had so much time.

Post match Oba Femi pops up on the platform and says he’ll see Lee at Heatwave.

Tony D’Angelo’s plan for Nathan Frazer? Punch him in the mouth and keep the Heritage Cup in the Family.

Duke Hudson is with Ridge Holland when he gets an envelope of pictures delivered. Holland says Hudson won and snatches them away as the rest of Chase U comes in to celebrate their win.

Heritage Cup: Tony D’Angelo vs. Nathan Frazer

Frazer is challenging. Round one begins with Frazer grabbing a headlock takeover and rolling D’Angelo up for the pin and the first fall at 42 seconds. Round two begins D’Angelo hitting a backdrop and hammering away with some heavy shots to the ribs. Frazer gets knocked out of the air and a spinebuster ties it up at 1:11 of the round and 2:23 overall.

Round three begins with D’Angelo firing some shoulders into the ribs in the corner. Frazer manages to send him outside but a dive is cut off, with Frazer being sent into the steps as we take a break. Back with about two minutes left in the fourth round and Frazer knocking D’Angelo to the floor for a dive. Frazer hits another one and a low superkick gets two back inside. Frazer’s springboard is pulled out of the air though and D’Angelo hits another spinebuster for two.

D’Angelo misses a charge into the post and gets missile dropkicked as the round ends. Round five begins with D’Angelo knocking him into the corner but charging into a superkick for two. Frazer goes up but dives into another spinebuster for two more. They head outside again and D’Angelo is sent arm first into the steps. Back in and a Coast To Coast gets two on D’Angelo as the fans deem this awesome.

Frazer knocks him off the ropes and hits the Phoenix splash as the round ends. Round six (the last round) begins with Frazer getting some rollups for two each. Frazer goes up but gets caught in a heck of a release belly to belly superplex. I believe the fifth spinebuster retains the Cup at 1:12 of the round and 14:42 overall.

Rating: B-. The repetitive spinebusters aside, this was a good back and forth match with D’Angelo using the power to deal with Frazer’s high flying. That’s often the best way to go and it worked well enough here, with Frazer coming close but not being able to pull it off. The seconds didn’t do anything here, meaning the Axiom/Frazer issues can likely continue going forward.

Je’Von Evans is willing to have Trick Williams’ back in the main event but Williams is cool on his own. Works for Evans.

Roxanne Perez vs. Karmen Petrovic

Non-title but hold on as here is Lola Vice to join commentary. Perez grabs a hammerlock to start and then kicks her down into the corner. Vice promises that her fists don’t lie as Perez hits a running shot in the corner for two. Petrovic fights up and hits some forearms, only to have the big spinning kick blocked. Pop Rox finishes for Perez at 3:43.

Rating: C. This was pretty much a squash for Perez as she gets to show that she is still on a high level before her match with Vice at Heatwave. That’s a good way to go as Perez has not looked like the strongest force in recent weeks. Petrovic still feels like she has potential, but that is only going to carry her so far.

Post match Vice drops Perez and takes the title with her.

Noam Dar calls in to Meta Four and tells them that he suffered a torn tendon in his leg when Ethan Page attacked him. He’ll be out for awhile, which sends Oro Mensah into a rather emotional story about how his father almost died in a wreck. His father was severely burned though and as a result, he and his brother were put in foster care. He never felt like he fit in but now he feels like he fits in with Meta Four. That’s why he will do anything to get revenge on Page.

The OC has attacked OTM, leaving Michin and Jaida Parker to yell at each other.

Ava grants Carlee Bright a match with Wendy Choo when Lola Vice comes in. Vice leaves the title on the desk and says tell Roxanne Perez she wants a title shot at Heatwave.

Damon Kemp vs. Tavion Heights

If Heights wins, he’s in the No Quarter Catch Crew (at ringside). Heights takes him down a few times without much trouble and a shoulder breaker sends Kemp outside. We pause for Kemp to pop his shoulder back into place and he drops some elbows back inside. An Angle Slam gets two on Heights but he escapes a second one and hits a spinning belly to belly for the pin at 2:54.

Kelani Jordan is ready to find out her next challenger and wants to be a drama free champion. With that covered, Jaida Parker comes in to challenge Michin to a street fight next week.

Brinley Reece gives Edris Enofe and Malik Blade a pep talk but Izzi Dame comes in to mock them. Dame bails before a challenge can be made.

Axiom wants to do tape study for Heatwave but Nathan Frazer has to get ready for his Speed match first. Axiom is not pleased.

Arianna Grace vs. Sol Ruca

For a Women’s North American Title shot at Heatwave. Ruca pulls her into a headscissors on the mat to start and then shifts into a headlock. Back up an an X Factor plants Grace, allowing Ruca to strike a surfer pose. Grace gets in a quick shot to send her outside and snaps off a suplex for two back inside. A running knee lift drops Ruca again and we hit the seated abdominal stretch. That’s broken up and Ruca starts the comeback, only to get rolled up for two. The Sol Snatcher finishes Grace rather quickly at 4:14.

Rating: C. This wasn’t much of a match but after Kelani Jordan won the title in a ladder match, having a #1 contender crowned by being handed a title shot wouldn’t have been a great way to go. Ruca beating Grace isn’t much but it’s better than nothing and does at least set up the title match. It’s not exactly interesting, but that’s going to be the case for the first good while of the title’s history.

Roxanne Perez storms into Ava’s office and thinks Ava is behind the whole thing. The title match against Lola Vice is set for Heatwave.

Kelani Jordan and Sol Ruca are cool for their match at Heatwave. Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx pop up to complain about not getting their shots.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Shawn Spears vs. Trick Williams

Non-title and Ethan Page is on commentary. They go to the floor to start but head straight back inside, with Spears hitting a Thesz press of all things. Williams fights up and grabs a choke before they both hit kicks to the chest. Cue Oro Mensah to brawl with Page and we take a break.

Back with Williams having to use the ropes to get out of a crossface and Hulking Up in a cool visual. A Rock Bottom is countered though and Spears hits a superkick for two. Williams hits a kick to the face but gets caught in a Backstabber, only to come back with a Rock Bottom for two. Cue someone (it’s Brooks Jensen in a hoodie) to try and interfere so Williams sends Spears outside. A dive drops Spears but Jensen, being pulled away by security, rips the top of the announcers’ table off and hits Williams in the face. That’s enough to set up a C4 into the corner to finish Williams at 8:18.

Rating: C+. This was about getting Spears further into the title picture while also bringing Jensen’s deal to the next level. As you could see earlier, there isn’t much of a doubt about where the Heatwave title match is going and this was a step that they needed to take to get there. I’m still not sure what is going on with Jensen (who wasn’t named or identified) or if he is going to be able to live up to the hype, but they’re certainly trying.

Ava, Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner aren’t sure what to do with the title situation so Ava makes a four way for the title, with Williams defending against Spears, Page and Je’Von Evans.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show that wasn’t about the wrestling but rather adding all kinds of things to the Heatwave card. Five matches were added to the show, which says a lot when we came in with nothing officially set. That’s a lot to set up in a hurry, but some of the matches were all but made coming into this week. That’s the kind of a show you need on occasion and they made it work very well here.

Results
Chase U won a tag team gauntlet match last eliminating the New Catch Republic
Wes Lee b. Joe Coffey – Cardiac Kick
Tony D’Angelo b. Nathan Frazer 2-1
Roxanne Perez b. Karmen Petrovic – Pop Rox
Tavion Heights b. Damon Kemp – Spinning belly to belly
Sol Ruca b. Arianna Grace – Sol Snatcher
Shawn Spears b. Trick Williams – C4 into the corner

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: June 18, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s time for another night all about the guest as we have a battle royal to crown the next #1 contender to Trick Williams and the NXT Title. The catch is that there will be wrestlers from other locker rooms, which likely means people from either the main roster or elsewhere. That opens up some possibilities so let’s get to it.

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

Battle Royal

Shawn Spears, Je’Von Evans, Tank Ledger, Angel, Berto, Joe Coffey, Tyler Bate, Frankie Kazarian, Ridge Holland, Dragon Lee, Lexis King, Tony D’Angelo, Damon Kemp, Myles Borne, Apollo Crews, Eddy Thorpe, Edris Enofe, Malik Blade, Charlie Dempsey, Tavion Heights, Joe Hendry, Ethan Page, Nathan Frazer, Oro Mensah, Dante Chen

For the next shot at Trick Williams and the NXT Title. I think that’s everyone and we have two TNA entrants, with Frankie Kazarian and my goodness Joe Hendry, who gets a heck of a reaction. He gives his usual speech about being 252 pounds of pure motivation and just let him sign with NXT already as they would be crazy to not take him the second they could.

The bell rings and we get a Page vs. Hendry showdown but Mensah (I think he’s in at least) tackles Page and they fall through the ropes for a brawl to the back. Everyone else brawls and Hendry is out in about twenty seconds. The fans are not happy and Enofe is tossed soon after him. Thorpe misses a big boot and gets tossed out by Spears. Kemp gets rid of Blade but eliminates Dempsey at the same time, seemingly by mistake. Kazarian takes advantage of the arguing and tosses Kemp and Borne at the same time.

Crews is out and we take a break. Back with Heights and Chen fighting on the apron until Holland gets rid of both of them. King saves Berto and Angel before tossing the former on his own. Angel throws out King but gets tossed as well, leaving Bate to hit a heck of an airplane spin to Ledger. That’s enough to get rid of Ledger, followed by Frazer kicking D’Angelo out. Frazer and Lee fight on the apron with Lee kneeing him out. Bate and Lee knock Holland out as we’re down to Evans, Kazarian, Bate, Spears and Lee (Page went through the ropes but hasn’t been seen since and I’m still not sure if Mensah was ever in).

Spears knocks Bate out and tries to toss Kazarian, who manages to get back in. Evans throws Kazarian out instead and we’re down to Evans vs. Lee, with Spears on the floor but not out. They trade snap German suplexes but Spears breaks up a springboard to get rid of Lee. Evans slips out of a C4 attempt and clotheslines Spears to the apron but Spears is back in. A kick to the face lets Evans get rid of Spears for the win at 16:32.

Rating: B-. This went a bit long and I’m somewhat confused about Hendry being out so early, but the important thing is getting a fresh star into the main event scene. NXT is clearly very high on Evans and that could make for some interesting twists going forward. I can’t imagine him winning the title, but just getting a shot so soon on this big of a stage is impressive.

Fallon Henley doesn’t think much of Carlee Bright, who calls her out for losing at Battleground. Henley yells at most of the locker room.

Roxanne Perez accuses Lola Vice of coming for her title but Vice says she isn’t…yet. They’re in a tag match tonight.

Chase U consoles Ridge Holland over his loss and give him his official shirt. The OC come in to mock Holland and a tag match is made, with Thea Hail having to be held back.

Meta Four vs. Jacy Jayne/Jazmyn Nyx vs. Lola Vice/Roxanne Perez

Perez, Jackson and Jayne start things off and they trade rollups for two each. Legend comes in and picks up Perez and Jayne for some stereo throttling. Nyx comes in to kick Legend and everything breaks down, with Perez diving onto Jackson as we take a break. Back with Perez cleaning house with a DDT/Russian legsweep combination. Vice comes in and kicks away at Jackson, setting up the running hip attacks. Legend isn’t having that and suplexes Vice and Jayne at the same time. Back up and Vice backfists Jackson, only to have Perez tag herself in and grab Pop Rox for the pin at 9:58.

Rating: C+. This was a bit of a different way to go and Vice has been pretty clear as the next big challenger for a long time now. We certainly seem to be on the way there and that ending should get them along the right path. Other than that, Legend continues to feel like a star, and if she can get more polished, she could be ready to break through to the next level rather quickly.

Post match Perez drops Vice.

Ava congratulates Je’Von Evans on his win but Ethan Page comes in to complain about never being eliminated. A match is made for later tonight.

Sol Ruca gives Kelani Jordan a pep talk.

Women’s North American Title: Kelani Jordan vs. Michin

Michin is challenging and they show respect to start. Jordan grabs a rollup to start as the OC comes out to watch. Michin misses a charge and falls out to the floor, allowing Jordan to hit a dive as we take a break. Back with Michin Pouncing Jordan down for two and grabbing the bearhug. Jordan gets in a crossbody and they’re both down for a breather.

Michin’s German suplex gets two but Jordan gets in another shot. Michin catches her on top but gets caught with a poisonrana for two. The split legged moonsault misses and Michin hits Sittin Pretty for two…as OTM comes out for a distraction. Cue Jaida Parker to shove Michin off the top and Jordan hits the split legged moonsault for the pin at 9:58.

Rating: C. This match showed exactly why winning a title, especially an inaugural title, in a ladder match is a bad move. I spent the whole match trying to care about the title or the wrestlers involved and I never got there because Jordan doesn’t feel like she really won anything. Yeah she won the ladder match, but she didn’t pin anyone to win the title. Why should I be invested in her when she hasn’t shown that she is the best when it comes to what the title is about?

Ethan Page says he’s still in the battle royal and he wants the NXT Title, but he’s also going to take out Oro Mensah.

Video on Izzi Dame, who is a former professional volleyball player and better than you.

Axiom isn’t happy with Nathan Frazer being in the battle royal because he thinks Frazer wants gold for himself. Luca Crusifino comes in with a contract for a Heritage Cup shot….and Frazer snatches it from him and instantly signs. Luca: “That’s not a bad signature.” Axiom: “Unbelievable.”

We look at Tatum Paxley showing up at TNA Against All Odds and losing to Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace.

Here is Oba Femi to brag about retaining the North American Title. He beat up Joe Coffey and Wes Lee at Battleground because there is no one like him. Cue Lee to interrupt, saying Femi never pinned him. Lee wants his title back (as the fans are distracted by what might be a fight in the stands) and tells a leaving Femi to not turn his back on him. Femi gives him the title shot, but it’s his first and last chance.

Hank Walker tells Tank Ledger that he is back from his shoulder injury. Next up: the New Catch Republic.

Tavion Heights is in the back with the No Quarter Catch Crew, with Charlie Dempsey offering him a spot. If Heights wins next week, he’s on the team.

Gallus is mad about Wes Lee getting another title shot when Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont jump them.

Fallon Henley vs. Carlee Bright

Kendal Grey is here with Bright. Henley grabs a headlock to start as commentary argues about Curt Hennig. Bright fights up and snaps off a headscissors but Henley powers her into the corner. Henley puts on an armbar but Bright is back up with a sleeper. That’s broken up as Wendy Choo comes to ringside and chokes Grey out. Bright hits a dropkick but gets faceplanted down, setting up the Shining Wizard to give Henley the pin at 4:18.

Rating: C. Henley’s heel turn has been ok and she looks like a star, but there is very little about her that makes her stand out in the ring. She’s more or less just an evil cowgirl at this point and that isn’t much to go on. Maybe she can adjust that a bit as there is something to her, but it’s not clicking so far.

Eddy Thorpe had a good run in the battle royal but wants to keep going. Maybe for a title.

Trick Williams congratulates Je’Von Evans and tells him to end Ethan Page tonight.

Chase U vs. OC

Thea Hail, Ridge Holland and Michin are here too. Chase hiptosses Anderson down to start and there’s a hiptoss to do it again. Hudson comes in to stay on the arm and an elbow drop gives Chase two. It’s off to Gallows for a boot to the face and some rather hard slams. We hit the chinlock but Chase fights up and rolls over for the tag off to Hudson. House is quickly cleaned, including a super hurricanrana to Anderson. Everything breaks down and Hudson rolls Anderson up, with an assist from Holland, for the pin at 5:06.

Rating: C. I will absolutely take the OC losing again as I do not get why I’m supposed to be interested in anything they do. Chase U needs a few wins to get back on their feet and even if it takes some cheating, this was a step in the right direction. Other than that, not much of a match, but I like the result.

Kelani Jordan is interrupted by Arianna Grace, who accepts an offer for a North American Title shot. There wasn’t an actual offer, as Jordan was thinking Sol Ruca. Ava makes Grace vs. Ruca for next week.

Andre Chase accuses Duke Hudson of cheating but he and Ridge Holland don’t know anything.

Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx and Jacy Jayne aren’t happy with how things are going around here.

Here’s what’s coming on next week’s show.

Je’Von Evans vs. Ethan Page

Trick Williams is on commentary. Evans, with his ribs taped up, slugs away in the corner but Page goes after the ribs in a logical move. Some shoulders to the ribs and a reverse fisherman’s suplex give Page two before he stays on the ribs. Evans is dropped ribs first onto the top rope but manages a superkick to the floor as we take a break.

Back with Page cranking on the ribs again and grabbing a powerslam for two. The half grab goes on, with Evans bailing over to the rope. Evans fights up and bounces off the ropes for a kick to the face, setting up a clothesline for two. Page sidesteps the springboard cutter but gets caught with a spinning DDT. Back up and Page drops him hard onto the corner, setting up the Ego’s Edge for the pin at 10:28.

Rating: C+. They stuck to the point here, but it continued to show that Page is only so good in the first place. There is only so much that he does to stand out in the slightest in the ring and until that changes, I’m not sure how much higher he is going to go. Evans losing after having a much longer match earlier is a good way to start, but this felt like a way to set up a multi-man title match at Heatwave.

Page comes out to stare at Williams as Shawn Spears runs in to beat on Evans. Williams comes in but gets beaten down as well, with Evans making the save to leave everyone down to end the show (with the title in the middle of the ring to really hammer the idea home).

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t their strongest show but it felt like they were trying something with a few new stories. A four way title match at Heatwave could be a better way to go and Perez vs. Vice seems all but guaranteed. It’s hard to imagine we’ve seen the last of Joe Hendry either, which could be interesting for another one off. Not the best show here, but points for trying to do something new in a few areas.

Results
Je’Von Evans won a battle royal last eliminating Shawn Spears
Lola Vice/Roxanne Perez b. Meta Four and Jacy Jayne/Jazmyn Nyx – Pop Rox to Jackson
Kelani Jordan b. Michin – Split legged moonsault
Fallon Henley b. Carlee Bright – Shining Wizard
Chase U b. OC – Assisted rollup to Anderson
Ethan Page b. Je’Von Evans – Ego’s Edge

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

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

Smackdown
Date: June 14, 2024
Location: OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
Commentators: Corey Graves, Wade Barrett

We’re in Scotland for the first time and we are less than a day away from Clash At The Castle. As usual, the show is mostly set but there is always the chance that something else could be added. The big story on the blue side is AJ Styles vs. Cody Rhodes in an I Quit match and odds are we’ll be hearing more about it this week. And of course the Bloodline, so let’s get to it.

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

Naomi vs. Chelsea Green

Bayley is here with Naomi and Piper Niven is here with Green. Before the match, Green brags about how the two of them will be Women’s Champion tomorrow but the fans would rather ask if Bayley will be their girl. Naomi loads up a running shot to the face but stops for a slap instead, which granted is the same thing but a bit less impactful. A running dropkick in the corner works a bit better but Green gets in a shot of her own and we take a break.

Back with Naomi fighting out of a chinlock but getting her knee dropkicked out for her efforts. Naomi fights up again and hits a springboard spinning kick to the head, followed by a high crossbody for two. Back up and Green pulls her off the top, setting up a missile dropkick for two of her own. Green tries a rollup with feet on the ropes so Bayley shoves them off, which isn’t cool with Niven. Not that it matters as Naomi uses the distraction to grab a rollup for the pin at 9:26.

Rating: C+. You don’t get to see Green with this kind of offense very often and it was cool for a change. She’s better in the ring than she is given credit for but when you can play a character that well, it can often be overlooked. Naomi gets a win to boost her up a bit and we could be in for something else from her after Clash is over.

We look at Apollo Crews being attacked last week.

Baron Corbin is in Nick Aldis’ office and is thankful for a chance, but Legado del Fantasma comes in. Corbin leaves and Aldis isn’t happy with Legado for attacking Crews last week. The team is being fined, but Santos Escobar will just beat up Crews tonight anyway.

Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair are ready for their two challengers at Clash.

It’s time for the Grayson Waller Effect (following the latest QR codes), with Austin Theory right next to him of course. Theory wants to know where the plants are but apparently Scotland is too depressing for them. We get right to the guests this week, with DIY joining the show. They waste no time in clearing out a bunch of the set (including the one chair for the two guests) and DIY accuses Theory of being Waller’s secretary.

Waller insists that they’re friends and he would take a bullet for him, but we see a clip of Waller pulling Theory in the way of a dive. DIY wants a title shot, but that’s not going to happen right now. Instead Gargano talks to Theory, saying he’s know Theory for a long time and he can’t stand what he’s seeing. Gargano blames Waller and the fight is on, with DIY clearing the ring.

We look at the Bloodline wrecking the Street Profits and Kevin Owens last week.

The Profits tell Owens that they have his back tonight.

Bayley and Naomi run into Blair Davenport in the back but nothing comes of it. Bayley thanks Naomi for being there when Chelsea Green comes in. The distraction lets Piper Niven come in to wreck both of them.

Santos Escobar vs. Apollo Crews

The rest of Legado del Fantasma is here with Escobar. Crews starts fast with a belly to belly but gets sent to the apron, where Legado offers a distraction. Escobar dropkicks him to the floor but here is Baron Corbin to chase off Legado (minus Elektra Lopez). Crews grabs a gorilla press into a standing moonsault for two as we take a break.

Back with Escobar hitting a slingshot hilo for two of his own and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for the same. Crews makes a comeback with a clothesline into a nip up, only to get kneed out of the air. A quick Death Valley Driver gives Crews two but cue Legado for a distraction. Corbin goes to deal with them, allowing Lopez to offer a distraction. Escobar gets the rollup pin at 9:01.

Rating: C+. Every time I see Crews out there, it astounds me more and more that he isn’t a bigger star. His lack of charisma isn’t helping him, but my goodness that kind of look and athleticism should have some kind of a role. For now though, Escobar gets a win to keep himself around, though Legado needs something else to do. Like feuding with….Corbin?

Long recap of Cody Rhodes vs. AJ Styles.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. A few weeks ago, he thought AJ Styles was actually going to retire. No one wants to be THAT guy, as in the one who sticks around too long and is trying to have one more match. Unfortunately, that is exactly what Styles is starting to look like. We pause for some singing fans before Rhodes won’t say the words I Quit. Cue Styles, with the OC, to say Rhodes gets worked up pretty easily.

Rhodes says Styles can get a lot closer, while leaving Horace and Jasper (there’s a reference I didn’t expect tonight) behind. The fans sing about Rhodes again and we get a graphic showing the sound level in one of those cool little things you would never get in the old days. Styles talks about how hard it was to get to WWE, while Rhodes quit when things got hard around here. Just like he quit New Japan and Ring Of Honor! Then he started a company (the fans gasp) and quit that too!

Rhodes talks about making some big decisions in his career, including walking away from a bunch of companies (there’s one he won’t say). He gambled on himself and this title shows you that he won. Styles quit when he pretended to be Mark Henry for a night to get a title shot. Rhodes will make him quit, with Styles saying it was so easy to make Rhodes say it. Styles: “I can’t quit being phenomenal.” He’s ready to do whatever it takes to beat Rhodes. This was an intense exchange and it’s the kind of match where the result being fairly clear shouldn’t hurt things.

The Bloodline jumps the Street Profits but are cleared out before Kevin Owens can get there.

Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark are ready to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Nia Jax vs. Michin

Tiffany Stratton is on commentary. Michin strikes away before the bell and does it again after the bell, with Eat Defeat sending Jax outside. Stratton offers a distraction but gets beaten up, allowing Jax to run Michin over. The Annihilator finishes for Jax at 1:23. Anything involving more Stratton, even Jax, is a good thing.

Kevin Owens says the Street Profits won’t be able to be there tonight.

Logan Paul was at the Classic Tetris World Championships and lost to a bunch of 14 year olds.

Paul returns home…and finds LA Knight chilling in his pool. Paul tells him to get out, with Knight getting up, picking up his clothes, and saying he’ll see Paul next week in Chicago. As expected, Paul wonders how Knight got through the security.

Carmelo Hayes isn’t sure what he just watched but knows that Knight’s line was lame. He’s ready to be Mr. Money In The Bank and he’ll qualify next week.

Nick Aldis bars the Tonga’s from ringside for the main event. Paul Heyman tells Solo Sikoa that if he loses, he loses his leadership. Sikoa says that if he loses, he’s coming after Heyman. Panicking ensues.

Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn get quite the reception and promise to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Clash At The Castle rundown.

Solo Sikoa vs. Kevin Owens

Paul Heyman is here with Sikoa. It’s a big brawl to start with Owens knocking him to the floor and taking out the Prime stand. Owens hits a running clothesline and the frog splash off the apron as we take a break. Back with Sikoa bailing to the floor to avoid the Cannonball. Sikoa takes over with a shot to the face and the running hip attack in the corner.

Owens grabs a quick DDT though and some rapid fire stomping has Sikoa in trouble. Sikoa catches him on top but makes the mistake of trying a superplex, allowing Owens to fight out and hit a tornado DDT. An exchange of superkicks goes to Owens, who hits a Cannonball into a Swanton for two. They fight to the apron, where Sikoa hits a backdrop and we take a break.

Back again with Owens knocking Sikoa off the top and hitting the frog splash for two. Some Spinning Solos give Sikoa two each but Owens grabs a quick Stunner. Heyman puts the foot on the rope for the save and Owens is immediately out there to attempt to kill him. That’s broken up with a Samoan Spike, followed by another to finish Owens at 16:40.

Rating: B. You know what you’re going to get in a match like this and it worked out rather well. Owens is at his best when he is fighting from underneath and has to get in his shots where he can. We got exactly that here, with Heyman out there fearing for his life, which he does as well as anyone. Good stuff here, with Sikoa getting a nice win to show he can still do it.

Post match the Tongas run in for the beatdown but Randy Orton returns for the save. A bunch of RKO’s end the show. Yeah that works.

Overall Rating: B-. WWE has figured out how they want to do things and how to put whatever people and stories they have going on into the formula. There was very little here that felt new or different but it was still a rather solid two hours. Clash is the big show of course, but this was a good way to get things primed up without wasting two hours.

Results
Naomi b. Chelsea Green – Rollup
Santos Escobar b. Apollo Crews – Rollup
Nia Jax b. Michin – Annihilator
Solo Sikoa b. Kevin Owens – Samoan Spike

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NXT
Date: June 11, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

Battleground has come and gone and the biggest story is Kelani Jordan winning the inaugural Women’s North American Title. It wasn’t the most eventful show but now we have less than a month before Heatwave. That means we’re going to need to set things up rather quickly and odds are it starts tonight. Let’s get to it.

Here is Battleground if you need a recap.

We open with a long Battleground recap.

Here is Kelani Jordan to say she is so proud of winning her first title. There is no legacy to this title so it is up to her to establish one. Cue Jaida Parker to interrupt, seemingly wanting to be the first challenger, after she beats Michin that is. Cue Michin to jump her from behind and we’re ready to go.

Michin vs. Jaida Parker

They’re immediately brawling to start, with Parker being knocked into the corner. Parker fights out of a choke and avoids a Cannonball in the corner, setting up a hip attack. We take a break and come back with Parker working on the arm and getting two off a running shoulder. Michin fights up and hits a running dropkick in the corner, setting up a running DDT. Parker’s hip attack sends Michin outside and cue the OC to check on her. That doesn’t work for Parker, who grabs a chair. The OC isn’t letting that happen, which is enough for Michin to grab the rollup pin at 9:50.

Rating: C. I’m a bit surprised that Parker took a loss, as she had seemed to be coming up the ladder in recent weeks. It’s a loss to a main roster star, but Michin is far from the most successful name on Smackdown. On top of that, the OC is still around and that is just downright unpleasant on a variety of levels.

We look at Gallus attacking Wes Lee at Battleground.

The New Catch Republic aren’t going to let Gallus get away with that.

Chase U (with the classroom back) argues with Ridge Holland. Thea Hail: “WILL EVERYBODY SHUT THE F*** UP???” She reminds everyone of their flaws and says Chase U is about giving chances. No one is going to argue with that.

Gallus vs. New Catch Republic/Wes Lee

Bate headscissors Mark down to start and it’s off to Dunne to work on the arm. Dunne snaps the fingers and it’s back to Bate for the airplane spin. The good guys stand tall and we take a break. Back with Wolfgang hitting a backsplash for two on Bate with Dunne making the save.

Bate fights up and hits his rebound lariat to Mark but Joe breaks up the tag attempt. Then Bate rolls over and makes the tag anyway, with Lee coming in to clean house. Everything breaks down and we hit dives so fast that the camera misses some of them. Lee’s running Meteora gets two on Mark but Joe is back up with All The Best For The Bells and the pin at 9:47.

Rating: B-. That’s the kind of win Gallus has been needing. They can go in and do all of the beatdowns and such that they want, but the team hasn’t had a good win on their own in a while now. Beating a main roster team and a successful star like Lee makes the team look that much better and hopefully they can go somewhere else as a result.

Jaida Parker tells OTM that she’s running Michin out of NXT.

Brinley Reece isn’t worried about Wendy Choo, but Edris Enofe and Malik Blade aren’t so sure.

We look at Sol Ruca training for Battleground, as well as getting her gear made.

Wendy Choo vs. Brinley Reece

It’s the evil version of Choo, complete with dark pajamas, a lot of makeup and the pillow. Choo charges at her to start and runs Reece over, though Reece gets in a knee to the face. Choo is right back with a hammerlock lariat and a cobra clutch makes Reece tap at 1:46. It’s better than…whatever Choo was before the injury. I think.

We look at Oro Mensah attacking Ethan Page in recent weeks. As a result, Mensah has been banned from the building.

Roxanne Perez is here for the state of the women’s division address but won’t tell Mr. Stone what she has to say.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat and yeah the fans seem to like him. Rhodes talks about his upcoming title defense against AJ Styles and says that while Styles is a lot of things, after Saturday, he’ll also be a quitter. Cue NXT Champion Trick Williams to say he was on the way to the ring but had to defer to Cody. They’re both champions and they both had similar paths to get where they are today.

Now that they have their championships, everything feels different now that people are coming after them. So how do you deal with being the hunted? Cody implies that Williams could come after his title, but he has some business here. Tonight, he has been given the authority to announce that Williams’ next challenger will be determined next week in a 25 man battle royal…..and some of the entrants might be coming from different locker rooms. Williams is ready but has one question: is Cody coming to the 4th of July cookout? Sure he is, so posing can ensue.

We look at Je’Von Evans brawling with Shawn Spears last week.

Dante Chen is ready to end Lexis King.

Wendy Choo scares some of the other women.

Dante Chen vs. Lexis King

Singapore Cane match, meaning they weapons are legal. Chen jumps him during his entrance and the fight is on fast, with Chen striking away. King fights up though and cracks him over the back with a stick. King chokes with the stick in the corner and then again in the middle, with the fans staying behind Chen.

It seems to work as Chen fights up and chokes as well but King unloads on him with stick shots. Back up and Chen sends him into a stick in the corner and goes nuts with a series of shots. They go outside and King gets in some shots with his own cane, which apparently is more impactful. The Coronation, with the cane, finishes Chen at 6:27.

Rating: C. This match did absolutely nothing to get around the biggest problem with Chen: he has nothing to make him stand out. Other than being from Singapore, I could not tell you anything about Chen whatsoever. He’s perfectly fine at what he does, but I need something, or anything for that matter, that makes me care about him in the slightest.

Cody Rhodes runs into Jazmyn Nyx and the injured Jacy Jayne in the back. As luck would have it, Cody has a present for Jayne: a clear mask to protect her broken nose. Looks rather dashing.

Eddy Thorpe is ready to fight again after a long time healing.

Michin leaves Ava’s office and tells the OC that she’s the first challenger for Kelani Jordan’s Women’s North American Title.

Someone grabs Vic Joseph and while we see a glimpse of the side of his face (it might have been Brooks Jensen) no name is said. Ok then.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Tavion Heights

Heights takes him down with a front facelock to start and Thorpe gets over to the rope. Back up and Thorpe grabs a belly to back suplex for one as Heights is up fast. Heights’ standing belly to belly suplex (it was almost a backdrop) sets up a fireman’s carry faceplant as Thorpe is in trouble. Something like a Coronation sets up a dragon sleeper but Thorpe fights out and hits an elbow to the face. An implant DDT finishes for Thorpe at 4:17.

Rating: C+. Thorpe had to start his comeback somewhere and it makes sense that he had a bit of rust to shake off first. Heights isn’t the biggest name around but he’s someone who can give Thorpe enough of a sweat. I could go for more of both of them so they were off to a nice start in the comeback here.

No Quarter Catch Crew is impressed with Tavion Heights, so Charlie Dempsey tells Myles Borne to go get him as the team might need a new member. Damon Kemp isn’t sure, so Dempsey says he didn’t like Kemp losing two straight to Tony D’Angelo (Borne’s WOW face is great).

Stevie Turner interrupts Ava and Mr. Stone, saying that Roxanne Perez is going to demand an apology from Ava tonight. Ava doesn’t seem impressed.

Shawn Spears vs. Je’Von Evans

Evans chops away to start and snaps off a running hurricanrana. Spears gets in a shot of his own though and chokes on the ropes. Back up and Evans hits a dropkick to the floor, followed by another one through the ropes as we take a break. We come back with Spears working on a half crab until Evans crawls over to the rope. Evans fights up and hits a kick to the head into a spinning belly to back slam to start the comeback.

Spears catches him with a kick of his own though and a top rope hanging DDT gets two. The C4 is countered and Evans hits a top rope Cody Cutter, with Spears rolling out to the floor. Evans’ spinning springboard crashes into the corner of the announcers table and he’s in big trouble. Back in and the C4 finishes for Spears at 9:48.

Rating: B-. They had a hard hitting match and Evans looked good in defeat, but I’m surprised at said defeat. Spears might be moving up the ladder a bit, but at the same time, Evans feels like someone who might be on the way to the next level. That makes a loss here look a bit weird, though I can’t imagine this is anything more than a bump in the road for someone who is receiving the reactions Evans is getting.

The D’Angelo Family interrupts the New Catch Republic and Axiom/Nathan Frazer. The Family isn’t impressed, but Frazer seems interested in getting the Heritage Cup back. Axiom reminds him that they’re still the Tag Team Champions, but Frazer looks like he wants more gold.

Shawn Spears, Ethan Page and Lexis King want to win the battle royal next week. Cody Rhodes comes in to say they’re in a good place.

Here is Roxanne Perez to brag about retaining the Women’s Title, just like she promised she would do. She wants Ava to come out here and apologize but here is to say that isn’t likely to happen. Cue Jazmyn Nyx and Jacy Jayne to say not so fast because Jayne has been a star for a lot longer. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson come in to talk about what they have been doing lately. Now it’s Lola Vice to brag about her win at Battleground and the brawl is on. Perez and Vice clear the ring to end the show. That wasn’t the most eventful segment but Vice getting into the title picture seems like the most obvious choice.

Overall Rating: C+. This was in that weird place of being the show before the important show, which is nice to see coming off Battleground. They let some of the dust settle and covered a few things here, but the real stories and developments are coming next week or shortly thereafter. That’s a good way to go, as there is still more than enough time to get ready for Heatwave. You didn’t need to see a lot of this show, but it was a nice breather on the way to the important parts.

Results
Michin b. Jaida Parker – Rollup
Gallus b. Wes Lee/New Catch Republic – All The Best For The Bells to Lee
Wendy Choo b. Brinley Reece – Cobra clutch
Lexis King b. Dante Chen – Coronation with a cane
Eddy Thorpe b. Tavion Heights – Implant DDT
Shawn Spears b. Je’Von Evans – C4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tag Team Titles: OC vs. Axiom/Nathan Frazer

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

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

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

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

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

Lola Vice vs. Shayna Baszler

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

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

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

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

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

Heatwave is coming to Toronto on July 7.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gallus jumps Wes Lee.

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

NXT Title: Trick Williams vs. Ethan Page

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AND

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