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

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

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

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

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

Opening recap.

Jordynne Grace vs. Stevie Turner

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thea Hail vs. Jazmyn Nyx

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

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

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

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

Heritage Cup: Tony D’Angelo vs. Damon Kemp

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

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

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

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

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

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

Izzi Dame vs. Natalya

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

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

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

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

Wendy Choo is back next week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eddy Thorpe is ready to fight for his heritage.

Battleground rundown.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

Uriah Connors vs. Cutler James

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

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

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

Kendal Grey vs. Stevie Turner

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

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

Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont vs. No Quarter Catch Crew

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Riley Osborne vs. Ridge Holland

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

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

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

Post match Holland offers a handshake but Osborne leaves.

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

Oro Mensah has been attacked.

Edris Enofe/Malik Blade vs. OC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eddy Thorpe has been reborn.

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

Lola Vice vs. Arianna Grace

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lexis King vs. Dante Chen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gallus vs. Je’Von Evans/Trick Williams

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We’re done with Stand & Deliver and that means it is time to change pretty much nothing around here. Last week’s show saw something of a grudge match between Je’Von Evans and Scrypts, albeit with some partners. Somehow that was only the second ever six man tag in the history of LVL Up, so maybe we can get another treat here. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Tavion Heights vs. Uriah Connors

The bigger Heights lips him into the corner to start and wrestles to the mat without much effort. Some shots to the face stagger Heights and Connors sends him outside for a crash. Back in and Connors stomps away, setting up an arm crank. Connors grabs a choke over the ropes, only to have Heights power up into an electric chair for the break. Back up and the spinning belly to belly gives Heights the pin at 5:03.

Rating: C. NXT needs to bring up some new people and Heights might as well be one of them. He has separated himself from the pack around here a little big and that suplex is a good finisher. Connors got in some offense of his own but this was more about Heights, which should be the case at the moment.

Kendal Grey and Carlee Bright are ready to try their best against Blair Davenport and Stevie Turner.

Stevie Turner/Blair Davenport vs. Kendal Grey/Carlee Bright

Turner snapmares Bright down to start but Bright is right back up with a wristlock. Grey comes in to work on Davenport’s arm but she gets taken into the villains’ corner. Bright manages to flip over Davenport though and it’s Grey coming in for an assisted top rope splash. That doesn’t work for Davenport, who brings Grey into the corner for a Backstabber from Turner.

Davenport’s backbreaker gets two on Grey and some forearms to the back make it even worse. Grey quickly powers out of a half crab though and the tag brings Bright back in to clean house. Bright headscissors Davenport into a splash, only to have Davenport come right back with the Falcon Arrow for the pin at 6:14.

Rating: C. The biggest thing here was finding out that Turner was still employed. She has barely done anything in months and I’m not sure why. Her futuristic deal isn’t that bad and she can hang in the ring, but it has never come close to clicking for her. Maybe that changes, but for now she was just Davenport’s partner.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Dion Lennox

They fight over wrist control to start (as is so often the case) before an exchange of shoulders goes nowhere. Lennox’s dropkick lets him grab a headlock but Thorpe isn’t having that. Back up and Thorpe hammers away before putting on an abdominal stretch. With that broken up, Lennox hammers away and hits a clothesline but Thorpe punches him in the face. The impaler DDT finishes for Thorpe at 5:11.

Rating: C. Thorpe didn’t do much here until the end when he just grabbed his finisher for the win. That’ snot much of a match but it did make Lennox look good enough in defeat. At some point you have to try something new with someone and that’s more or less what happened here. Lennox is going to need more than “he wears glasses to the ring” to stand out though and we seem pretty far off from that.

Overall Rating: C. Not their best effort here, with the women’s tag probably standing out the most. This was a show where it didn’t feel like they were trying and it made the show that much less interesting as a result. Like I’ve said far too many times, you can just tell when the effort isn’t there from WWE (as opposed to the wrestlers, who were trying) and it showed again this week with a pretty lackluster show.

Results
Tavion Heights b. Uriah Connors – Belly to belly suplex
Stevie Turner/Blair Davenport b. Carlee Bright/Kendal Grey – Falcon Arrow to Bright
Eddy Thorpe b. Dion Lennox – Implant DDT

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NXT LVL Up
Date: February 9, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

This show was interesting and entertaining for a few weeks but that has been knocked out again. Instead we’re back to the same old LVL Up crew who aren’t going anywhere and are having the same matches we’ve seen them have for the better part of ever. NXT has the talent to make this work but instead they go with not doing that instead. Quite the shame. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Kelani Jordan vs. Stevie Turner

Jordan starts fast by taking her down for a basement crossbody but has to flip around to get out of a wristlock. Turner is back up and hits her from behind, setting up a neckbreaker for two. A running knee gives Turner two and we hit the chinlock with a knee in Jordan’s back. Jordan is back up and hits a Rob Van Dam step over spinwheel kick, setting up the split legged moonsault for the pin at 4:36.

Rating: C. Turner is one of the more interesting stories in NXT as she feels like she has all of the tools to be a star and then just never is. There have been multiple times where I forget she even exists, which is not a good sign for any kind of a star. Turner needs either a complete reset or a new start in another promotion because this isn’t working for her.

Javier Bernal is ready to give us a new viral moment.

Javier Bernal vs. Keanu Carver

The huge Carver shoves him down before Bernal hurts his shoulder by bouncing off of Carver. Bernal avoids a charge though and kicks Carver’s leg in the ropes to take over. A Downward Spiral gives Bernal two but Carver is up to run him over a few times. One heck of a Pounce sends Bernal flying…but he sweeps the legs for a rollup (with feet on the ropes) for the pin at 3:54.

Rating: C+. They kept this short as Carver is still a rather raw rookie, but when you look like that with that kind of power, there is only so much that you need to do. As usual, this was about Bernal though and he made it work by being such a weasely heel. It works to see him get beaten up and then cheat to win as it makes you want to see him get beaten up again. Nice match here and it worked well.

Tavion Heights vs. Myles Borne

Borne is a surprise opponent as it was only said to be a member of the No Quarter Catch Crew. They fight over a lockup to start until Heights takes him down without much trouble. A fireman’s carry drop puts Borne down again and it’s time for a breather on the floor. Back in and Borne grabs a suplex for two and we hit the chinlock. Heights fights up and hits a quick Sling Blade, only to have the Crew offer a distraction. Borne grabs a powerslam for the pin at 5:21.

Rating: C. While I like the idea of adding something with the mystery opponent, it only means so much when any of the four would have been about the same. The match itself was only so good with neither of them exactly doing anything of note. The Crew is a good enough idea for a team but when you only have basic matches, you’re only going to get so far.

Overall Rating: C. It was slightly better than last week, but at the same time it was more of the same kind of things we’ve been seeing on this show in recent weeks. The matches come and go and it isn’t like anything ever feels like it’s changing. That’s kind of the point around here but it also doesn’t make for a great show all of the time.

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NXT LVL Up
Date: November 10, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Vic Joseph

Last week saw the short form changes to the show seemingly get reversed as it was back to the usual three match format. That wasn’t overly interesting for months and it wasn’t again last week so hopefully things pick up this time. This show can be rather good and it would be nice to see it happen again. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Gigi Dolin vs. Stevie Turner

Oh yeah Turner is a thing and apparently she has been taunting Dolin online to set this up. Eh I’ll take it. Dolin grabs a headlock to start and hits a running dropkick to the back. Turner gets in a shot of her own and we hit the double arm crank. That’s broken up and Dolin strikes away, setting up a Bronco Buster. The Gigi Driver finishes at 4:47.

Rating: C. I guess Dolin counts as a bigger name around here, but I do like them doing even the tiniest something to set this up. Just hype the match up in the slightest bit or something as it shouldn’t be much to ask. For now though, it’s nice to have Turner back, as she’s something different, though she needs to be built up before having a chance in a match like this.

Tyson DuPont and Tyriek Igwe are ready to bring power against Gallus.

Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe vs. Gallus

Joe Coffey is here with Gallus and there’s a story here as well, as Gallus refused to train with DuPont/Igwe. Mark headlocks DuPont to start but gets thrown down with straight power. Wolfgang comes in so Igwe elbows him in the face. A double elbow puts Mark on the floor and a splash hits Mark. A blind tag hands it back to Mark though and he low bridges DuPont to the floor.

Back in and an assisted splash hits DuPont, setting up Wolfgang’s chinlock. DuPont backdrops his way to freedom though and it’s back to Igwe to clean house. A spinebuster gets two on Wolfgang and everything breaks down. DuPont is knocked outside and a quick Gallow Gate finishes Igwe at 6:13.

Rating: C+. This was a pretty nice power match but the important thing is it felt like NXT was trying to do something with the rookies. At some point these new stars need to get a few victories, even moral victories, under their belt. They shouldn’t have beaten Gallus, but at least they did well in defeat.

Overall Rating: C+. They went with the short format again here and it really does make that much of a difference. I could go for more like this in the future, as it gives the show a better feeling and we get to see a bit more of a showcase for everyone involved. Nice show here, and hopefully DuPont and Igwe get another chance in the near future.

Results
Gigi Dolin b. Stevie Turner – Gigi Driver
Gallus b. Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe – Gallow Gate to Igwe

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NXT LVL Up
Date: September 1, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

Believe it or not, we actually have something important on this show! This week will see a match in the Global Heritage Invitational, as Duke Hudson will face Akira Tozawa. It isn’t going to be the biggest match, but what matters is that it matters for a change, which hasn’t been the case in a very long time. Let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt.

Opening sequence.

Javier Bernal vs. Riley Osborne

Osborne is making his debut and works on the arm to start. Bernal reverses and does the same but Osborne runs up the corner for the armdrag escape. Another armbar has Bernal in trouble but he scores with a hiptoss into a sliding lariat. Bernal rolls through a high crossbody and drops a leg for two. A butterfly suplex gives Bernal two more and we hit the chinlock. With that broken up, Osborne comes back with a nice slingshot shoulder for his own near fall. Osborne dropkicks him to the floor for a running flip dive, followed by a shooting star press for the upset pin back inside at 6:16.

Rating: C+. Where the heck did that come from? Osborne is one of the few newcomers to actually win their debut and that is nice to see. Bernal might not be a big star but he is someone who has been around long enough to have a bit of a reputation. Osborne looked good in his debut and while he needs some polish, this is a heck of a way to start for his career and that is great to see.

Stevie Turner has been watching and now she’s ready to beat Valentina Feroz in her return.

Valentina Feroz vs. Stevie Turner

Yulisa Leon is here with Feroz. They go with the grappling to start and Turner cranks on a hammerlock. Feroz flips her way to freedom and works on a hammerlock of her own but gets sent face first into the turnbuckle. An armbar doesn’t last long so Turner scores with a neckbreaker for two instead. Feroz fights back and sends her into the corner for the running knees but another charge only hits buckle. Turner hits some running knees to the back (Feroz holding the ropes and leaning backwards helped) for the pin at 4:16.

Rating: C. That was certainly a Stevie Turner match as she seems like someone who should be interesting yet she just isn’t for whatever reason. The knees in the corner felt like an impromptu way to finish the match and that’s a nice thing to see, but Turner has never quite lived up to what should be a cool character. Granted there is only so much you can get out of a one off four minute match, but this was only so good.

Global Heritage Invitational Group B: Akira Tozawa vs. Duke Hudson

Andre Chase is here with Hudson. Tozawa tries a leg dive to start but gets pulled into a headlock instead. That’s broken up for a standoff, allowing Tozawa to get some rollups for two each. Tozawa even pats Hudson on the head and that is a step too far. A top rope hurricanrana into a dropkick sends Hudson outside, where a dive is cut off.

Back in and a good German suplex gets two on Tozawa and we hit the chinlock. Tozawa fights up and hits a running knee for two but the kicks to the chest just wake Hudson up. The big boot looks to set up a Razor’s Edge but Tozawa rolls through for two off a sunset flip. Tozawa’s top rope backsplash hits knees though and the Razor’s Edge finishes for Hudson at 6:56.

Rating: B-. I had fun here as Tozawa is someone who can work well with anyone but rarely gets the chance to show it. At the same time, Hudson is starting to figure out how to be a bigger guy and that made for a nice showdown. As usual, the star power helps here and even if Tozawa is a lower level Raw star, he still feels like something special around here.

Group B Standings
Joe Coffey – 1-0-0 (2 points, 2 matches remaining)
Duke Hudson – 1-0-0 (2 points, 2 matches remaining)
Nathan Frazer – 0-1-0 (0 points, 2 matches remaining)
Akira Tozawa – 0-1-0 (0 points, 2 matches remaining)

Overall Rating: B-. That’s the best LVL Up in awhile and a lot of that is due to the main event and the opener. What mattered here is it felt like they were doing something different and that stood out a lot. LVL Up feels like a show with nothing happening most of the time and it was nice to see them mix it up like they did here. Not a great show, but for thirty one minutes and the minor league’s minor league show, I had a good time.

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NXT
Date: February 21, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We are on our way to Roadblock and then Stand & Deliver, which means we should be in for some big stuff over the next few weeks. That includes this week, as Bron Breakker defends the NXT Title against Jinder Mahal. Ok so not everything can be the biggest deal in the world. Let’s get to it.

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

Trick Williams vs. Ilja Dragunov

Before the match, Williams says that if pain makes Dragunov feel alive, he’ll be on cloud nine tonight. Williams hits him in the face before the bell so Dragunov starts angry. That means an angry headlock on the mat, with Williams having to bail to the ropes. Back up and Dragunov hits a running knee in the corner for two, followed by another such knee to keep Williams down. Dragunov goes up but gets kicked in the leg, allowing Williams to knock him to the floor. Cue JD McDonagh to watch as we take a break.

Back with Dragunov fighting out of a cravate and hitting a 61Line for the double knockdown. With McDonagh on commentary, Dragunov knocks Williams down again and drops a middle rope knee. An enziguri staggers Dragunov, who is fine enough to hit a powerbomb for two more. The Torpedo finishes for Dragunov at 13:09.

Rating: C+. Dragunov is probably going to become a pretty big deal around here as he has the talent and bizarre charisma that makes fans care about him. At the same time, Williams continues to be one of the biggest unsung heroes of NXT. He’s smooth in the ring and knows how to talk. It’s a great combination and compliments Carmelo Hayes while also being his own thing. Williams deserves some more attention, as well as praise.

Jinder Mahal brings up Bron Breakker getting shaken up by the fans booing him. Tonight, he’ll win the NXT Title.

Fallon Henley tries to get in touch with Brooks Jensen after last week. Josh Briggs says Jensen needs time and Henley was wrong about the whole thing. She needs to go apologize to Kiana James, which she reluctantly agrees to do.

Earlier today, Meiko Satomura held a training session in the Performance Center, with Roxanne Perez joining in. Perez was the only one to make it to the end…..of the warmup, which seems to have her quite shaken.

Here is Tyler Bate for a chat. He wasn’t sure about coming to the United States but the love he had received from most of the fans tell him that he made the right decision. Bate has faced some very tough challengers, and now it is time to join a mystical journey. Cue Schism to interrupt, with Joe Gacy seeming to offer him a spot on the team. Bate is going to turn that down but Gacy threatens m him with gang violence. Cue Chase U to chase Schism off.

Chase U vs. Dyad

We’re joined in progress with Hudson coming in to drop an elbow on Reid. Chase gets driven into the wrong corner though as Booker has flashbacks about Boogeyman abducting his wife. A hard clothesline gets two on Chase and we hit the chinlock. Reid’s shoulder breaker gets two on Chase and we’re right back to the chinlock. Chase fights up and Hudson comes in to clean house. It’s back to Chase as everything breaks down, with Reid hitting a suicide dive on Hudson as we take a break.

Back with Chase getting the hot tag and cleaning house, including taking down Reid and Fowler at the same time. Chase dives onto Fowler on the floor and hits a high crossbody for two on Reid. The Russian legsweep sets up the Spelling Stomps but we stop for Chase to get between Thea Hail and Ava. The distraction lets Hudson get caught with the double Codebreaker for the pin at 12:33.

Rating: C+. Just let them win something already! NXT was handed a crazy over act with Chase U and they lose over and over and over. Save for a one off Tag Team Title shot in a four way this month, I can’t remember the last time they won anything of note. Now they go down again, and to freaking Schism of all people. Pretty decent match, but the frustration continues.

Post break Hudson blames Hail for the loss. Hudson: “Is this a university or a charity?” Great, as we’re getting to the split.

Earlier today, Mr. Stone tried to fire up Von Wagner when Tony D’Angelo and Stacks came in to yell about him costing them last week. The result is a match between Wagner and D’Angelo, much against Stone’s wishes.

Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey don’t think much of Hank Walker. Gulak wants someone willing to hurt people, like Dempsey.

Sol Ruca talks about loving to try new things, often involving surfing or a skateboard.

Jacy Jayne vs. Indi Hartwell

Hartwell misses a clothesline to start and gets caught with a neckbreaker for two. Some low kicks give Jayne two and we hit the chinlock. Hartwell fights up but gets sent shoulder first into the post. With Hartwell in trouble, cue Gigi Dolin to jump Jayne for the DQ at 5:08.

Rating: C. That was a bit sudden for a Dolin comeback but this is likely headed to a showdown at Roadblock, Stand & Deliver, or both. It wouldn’t surprise me to see these two have some kind of a big street fight or something like that, which should let them beat the fire out of each other. That might be a lot better than trying to have them do a regular, long form match. Then you have Hartwell and she….well she certainly exists.

Back to the Meiko Satomura/Roxanne Perez training session, with Perez trying but running out of energy. Satomura approves of the effort though, saying that the win comes from the heart, not muscles. Their title match is in two weeks.

Zoey Stark isn’t happy with Meiko Satomura being handed a title shot or everyone accusing her of attacking Nikkita Lyons.

Gallus vs. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe

Non-title. Blade and Coffey take turns powering each other up against the ropes to start. Wolfgang comes in for the running uppercut but cue some guys in costumes, with a cake. Blade and Enofe hit something like a suplex into a Backstabber for two on Coffey. Wolfgang is back up with the running forearm into a powerslam for the pin on Enofe at 3:49.

Rating: C-. I still like Blade and Enofe but it doesn’t seem that WWE thinks very highly of them, as they were little more than cannon fodder here. Gallus aren’t the most inspiring champions but they can do the power stuff. Pretty Deadly vs. Gallus worked well enough in the UK so maybe they can make it work again here.

Post match the guys in costumes present the cake, which makes the two year anniversary of Pretty Deadly beating Gallus for the NXT UK Tag Team Titles. Gallus cleans house but the real Pretty Deadly comes in from behind to beat up Gallus with chairs. That’s a more aggressive side from Pretty Deadly and I think I like it.

Dabba-Kato says that while Apollo Crews has been looking to the future, he has forgotten his past. He is here to hurt Crews.

Stevie Turner interrupts the announcers and uses a randomizer to pick who she should talk about. It’s Lyra Valkyria, who has those weird feathers. The stream ends just as Vic Joseph is ready to ask his own question.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Von Wagner

Stacks and Mr. Stone are here too. Wagner powers him around to start, followed by a big boot to drop D’Angelo again. A clothesline cuts off D’Angelo’s comeback but Wagner misses a charge into the corner. D’Angelo hits a belly to belly and spinebuster, followed by a belly to back slam for the pin at 3:49.

Rating: C. This Wagner story needs to wrap up already, as he continues to be one of the driest stars that is regularly presented anywhere on wrestling TV. Other than an oddly shaped head, there is nothing about him that makes him stand out in the slightest. Let it go already and get someone with a brighter future in there instead.

Post match D’Angelo says he’s sick of Dijak and wants a Jailhouse Street Fight at Roadblock.

Nikkita Lyons has undergone successful surgery but doesn’t know what happened when she was attacked. Tiffany Stratton pops in to say she’s tired of Lyons’ whining, but Lyons thinks that sounds suspicious. Stratton’s solution: leave for a year and get better.

Tatum Paxley and Ivy Nile agree they’re still a team, despite what Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre said. Paxley doesn’t seem so sure.

Carmelo Hayes praises Trick Williams for his efforts earlier when Tyler Bate interrupts. Bate talks about how there are going to be issues at times and Williams seems to improve. Hayes is glad that Bate’s journey has nothing to do with the NXT Title. Bate smiles a bit as Hayes and Williams leave.

Alba Fyre vs. Ivy Nile

Isla Dawn and Tatum Paxley are here too. Nile throws Fyre into the corner to start and hammers away for an early two. The comeback is on with Nile grabbing the Diamond Chain Lock, drawing Dawn to the apron. Paxley gets up as well, only to have Nile driven into her. The superkick and Alba Bomb finish Nile at 2:58.

Video on Bron Breakker.

Fallon Henley apologizes to Kiana James over the allegations of cheating. James didn’t tell her the truth because he wanted Henley to trust her. The apology is accepted, but James accuses Henley of being jealous of her relationship with Brooks Jensen. Either way, they’re good for now.

Wes Lee loved the open challenge so much last week that he’s going to do it again next week. It’s just who he is.

NXT Title: Bron Breakker vs. Jinder Mahal

Mahal, with Indus Sher, is challenging and takes Breakker down to start. Breakker is back up with a shoulder and spinebuster but it is too early for the Steiner Recliner. With Mahal on the floor, Breakker busts out the big running flip dive to take out the villains. Indus Sher teases getting involved so here are the Creed Brothers to get rid of them.

We take a break and come back with Breakker being sent outside. A whip into the steps has Breakker in more trouble but he’s fine enough to hit a spinebuster back inside. Mahal bails to the floor before the spear can launch, allowing Mahal to hit a superkick into a suplex for two. Breakker is back with a spear and release suplex for two of his own, The Khallas is countered and another spear retains the title at 10:47.

Rating: D+. Yeah I’m not a bit surprised that this didn’t work. Mahal has never been a ring general and Breakker hasn’t even been wrestling for two years now. There was no one to lead here and the interest in any Mahal match is going to be limited at best most of the time. Pretty bad main event event here and Breakker needs to move on to anything else.

Carmelo Hayes pops up on stage for the showdown…..but Grayson Waller takes over the feed and says he’s the new Main Event, Showstopper and Mr. Stand & Deliver. No one can stop him, including Shawn Michaels, so maybe Shawn can meet him on the Grayson Waller Effect in two weeks. Again: I don’t know what they’re doing with Shawn vs. Waller, but unless they have a heck of a surprise to fight for Shawn, it’s going to feel like a letdown if he doesn’t fight Waller himself. That’s certainly what they have been teasing.

Overall Rating: C+. The wrestling was up and down (with the main event being rather down) but what matters is they moved things forward towards both Roadblock and Stand & Deliver. This show has me wondering what they have planned for those events as NXT is doing a good job of setting things up for later. Pretty nice show this week, which saw more seeds being planted or getting to grow a bit on the way to the important stuff.

Results
Ilja Dragunov b. Trick Williams – Torpedo
Dyad b. Chase U – Double Codebreaker to Hudson
Jacy Jayne b. Indi Hartwell via DQ when Gigi Dolin interfered
Gallus b. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe – Running forearm/powerslam combination to Enofe
Tony D’Angelo b. Von Wagner – Belly to back slam
Alba Fyre b. Ivy Nile – Alba Bomb
Bron Breakker b. Jinder Mahal – Spear

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NXT
Date: January 31, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the go home show for Vengeance Day and that means it is time for the hard sell, which is one of the things NXT tends to do best. In addition to the build towards the show, we also have the long awaited Creed Brothers vs. Indus Sher match, which has been postponed at least once before. Let’s get to it.

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

Indus Sher vs. Creed Brothers

Jinder Mahal and Ivy Nile are here too. Julius and Veer slug it out to start with neither getting anywhere. Brutus comes in to slug away at Sanga in the corner but Sanga takes over with the power. It’s back to Julius, who gets dropped throat first onto the top rope to put him in trouble as well. A reverse Beverly Bomb crushes Julius again and we hit the chinlock.

Julius fights up and manages to get over to Brutus for the hot tag. Everything breaks down and Julius (eventually) muscles Veer up for a powerbomb. The sliding lariat is broken up by Mahal though, sending Nile after him. Julius accidentally knocks Nile off the apron, allowing Sanga to grab a chokeslam for the pin at 9:57.

Rating: C+. If they can get some better gear, the Creeds feel like they are ready to become stars. They work well together, they have already had some success and Julius feels like he could be a top guy one day. On the other hand you have Indus Sher, who are your latest monster foreigners team. Unfortunately that comes with a heavy dose of Mahal, so their ceiling is pretty low.

Tyler Bate and Axiom watch bate facing someone named A-Kid in NXT UK, with Bate saying A-Kid reminds him of Axiom. There’s nothing to that of course, but they’ll face each other tonight.

Zoey Stark vs. Indi Hartwell

This is over Hartwell accusing Stark of attacking Nikkita Lyons last week and Stark saying Hartwell didn’t do well in the Royal Rumble. Stark starts fast and hammers away, with a sliding lariat connecting for two. We’re off to an armbar but Hartwell fights up and slugs away to start the comeback. Some standing clotheslines set up the spinebuster for two on Stark, who is right back with a German suplex. Hartwell’s springboard is broken up and the flipping knee to the face gives Stark the pin at 6:14.

Rating: C-. Hartwell continues to exist and there just isn’t anything to her at the moment. She’s ok enough in the ring but I don’t remember the last time she showed any fire or anything resembling energy (save for Dexter Lumis’ cameo). On the other hand you have Stark, who feels like she should be a bigger deal but every promo she has brings her back down.

Schism is ready to win the Tag Team Titles at Vengeance Day, but first they have to qualify for the title match tonight.

Apollo Crews came to Charlotte early to feel the energy. He sees himself taking out Carmelo Hayes 2/3 falls and if Trick Williams gets involved, so be it.

Here is Wes Lee for a chat. He is ready to go back on the road in four days, where he has one of his biggest tests to date. That would be Dijak, who is going to give him a beating but then Lee will rise as North American Champion. Cue Dijak to say that Lee had the chance to hand the title over but wouldn’t do it. Lee promises to rise up and retain the title, but here are Mr. Stone and Von Wagner to interrupt. Stone thinks Wagner should be #1 contender and Dijak doesn’t approve. Lee wants them to fight now and that is just what happens.

Von Wagner vs. Dijak

The brawl is on fast and we take a break thirty seconds in. Back with Wes Lee on commentary and Dijak striking away. Dijak’s discus lariat is cut off with a boot to the face but Dijak flips out of a chokeslam. High Justice gets two on Wagner but he’s able to go up top. Dijak catches him, only to get caught in a swinging double underhook slam. Back up and Dijak grabs a crossface chickenwing of all things, followed by Feast Your Eyes for the pin at 8:38.

Rating: C. My goodness can we please stop with the “ring the bell, wrestle for thirty seconds, take a break” nonsense? Just have the match start after the break. Other than that, this was a good enough power match as Dijak gets some momentum going into his title shot. Granted I’m not sure how much value there is in beating Wagner, who is one of the most worthless people around here.

Dijak and Lee stare each other down.

Tony D’Angelo and Stacks are ready for something next week, with Stacks saying he took care of it. Now they’re off to take care of something else.

Nikkita Lyons has undergone surgery and is on the way to recovery.

We see a video on Nikkita Lyons being attacked in the parking lot, with about ten different women being seen in the parking lot at the same time. This was shot more like an investigation piece and that’s an interesting way to go.

Video on Grayson Waller vs. Bron Breakker for the NXT Title at Vengeance Day. Waller is inside Breakker’s head as Breakker continues to need to try to control his emotions. The build for this has worked but it feels like we’re just waiting to see what wacky idea Waller has to cheat Breakker out of the title.

Tyler Bate vs. Axiom

Bate takes him down by the arm to start but Axiom uses the referee to flip his way to freedom. Axiom sends Bate crashing out to the floor and we take a break. Back with Bate hitting his airplane spin but Axiom kicks him in the face for two. A superkick hits Bate, who is fine enough to cradle Axiom for two more. Bop and Bang sets up the rebound lariat but the Tyler Driver 97 is countered into a backdrop. Bate powers up anyway but a hurricanrana gives Axiom two. The third attempt at the Tyler Driver 97 finally connects to finish Axiom at 10:03.

Rating: C+. Best match on the show so far by a wide margin as you have two people who can go rather well in the ring. Bate continues to look good when he’s in the ring but it happens so infrequently that it’s hard to get behind him. Axiom is still a very good hand, but how far can you get with such a ridiculous gimmick?

Post match Bate leaves and Damon Kemp runs in to jump Axiom. Bate makes the save.

Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre seem to have joined forces.

Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes are ready to beat Apollo Crews at Vengeance Day.

We get a sitdown interview between Roxanne Perez and Toxic Attraction. Perez is happy that she did well in the Royal Rumble but Toxic Attraction is sure that they’re going to beat her at Vengeance Day. Toxic Attraction says it’s 2-1 on Saturday and Perez walks out. Jayne and Dolin say they’re on the same page. Perez storms into their room and the big fight is on, with agents having to break it up. This went way longer than it needed to and makes last week’s fake Toxic Attraction split feel like a waste of time.

Dani Palmer vs. Stevie Turner

Palmer flips out of a wristlock to start but Turner shrugs it off and hits a neckbreaker. The chinlock goes on but Palmer fights up and hammers away. Back up and Turner hits a pump kick into a swinging DDT. A Side Effect finishes Palmer at 2:55.

Kiana James is on the phone and says she’ll see someone later. Fallon Henley comes in to accuse her of messing with Brooks Jensen. They argue until Katana Chance and Kayden Carter come in to accuse them of not focusing on the title match. This has been your NO ONE TALKS LIKE THIS segment of the week.

Drew Gulak vs. Charlie Dempsey

Hank Walker is here with Gulak. Feeling out process to start and we take a break less than a minute in. Back with Dempsey cranking on both arms before switching to a Fujiwara armbar. Dempsey switches to a German suplex for two and cranks on the leg, only to have Gulak reverse into an armbar of his own. Dempsey switches into a crossface chickenwing but Gulak dives for the ropes, sending Dempsey into Walker by mistake. The distraction lets Gulak grab a rollup for the pin at 8:42.

Rating: C+. This is the kind of match that is always going to have a place on the card and they did it well. Sometimes you need to just have a wrestling match and the screwy finish gave Gulak an out. Both of these two can do the technical stuff very well and it was a nice change of pace from the usual stuff around here most of the time.

Von Wagner is livid but Mr. Stone says this isn’t working. Stone says he knows nothing about him other than he is big and strong. If Wagner wants to move up in the wrestling business, show who he is inside. Stone: “HELP ME HELP YOU!”

Vengeance Day rundown. The show does look good.

Edris Enofe/Malik Blade vs. Schism vs. Chase U

The winner goes to the Tag Team Title match at Vengeance Day. Blade and Chase start things off but Reid grabs Chase from the apron to take over. A spike shoulder breaker on the floor plants Chase and Fowler comes in for a belly to back slam. Chase fights up but Schism takes out Hudson, meaning there is no one for him to take.

A powerbomb into a Backstabber gets two on Chase but he gets over for the tag to Hudson to clean house. Blade tags himself in and gets to clean house with Enofe. The G9 gets two on Reid with a bunch of people making the save. Blade and Enofe hit the stereo flip dives but Chase tags himself in for a Tower of Doom. The spelling stomps hit Reid and the Fratliner sends Chase U to Vengeance Day at 10:35.

Rating: B-. Now that made sense! Chase U almost never wins any kind of a match of consequence so putting them over here makes them feel like a bigger deal. No they aren’t going to win the titles, but putting them in a four way match where they don’t have to be involved in the finish is a smart move. Let them feel important for once, as the crowd is already way into them.

Post match all of the teams in the Tag Team Title match pop up, with New Day being rather excited about Chase U winning.

A long Vengeance Day hype video wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C. This show had some quality to it but my goodness it felt long. It felt like Vengeance Day was ready to go last week and then they had to fill in another week of building towards it. There wasn’t enough to make two hours interesting here and it hurt a lot. At the same time, NXT still needs to work on its character development segments, as a lot of the talking is cringe worthy. Not a horrible show, but they really need Vengeance Day to be a hit.

Results
Indus Sher b. Creed Brothers – Chokeslam to Julius
Zoey Stark b. Indi Hartwell – Flipping knee to the face
Dijak b. Von Wagner – Feast Your Eyes
Tyler Bate b. Axiom – Tyler Driver 97
Stevie Turner b. Dani Palmer – Side Effect
Drew Gulak b. Charlie Dempsey – Rollup
Chase U b. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe and Schism – Fratliner to Reid

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.