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

We’re back with the first half of another special show this week with Spring Breakin Part One. That means the main event this week will see the NXT Title on the line as Ilja Dragunov defends against Trick Williams. It’s also the last NXT before the Draft so we might be saying goodbye to some people. Let’s get to it.

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

The three General Managers are in the back (Nick Aldis on a screen) to talk about potentially stealing wrestlers.

Women’s Title: Roxanne Perez vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Tatum Paxley

Perez is defending and Valkyria goes right after Paxley to start. Valkyria gets sent outside by Perez, who looks scared by Paxley. Everyone winds up on the floor with Valkyria taking over, including a northern lights suplex for two on Paxley with Perez making the save. With Valkyria out on the floor again, Paxley knocks Perez down for two and we take a break.

Back with Valkyria powerbombing both of them out of the corner to leave everyone down. They chop it out from their knees until Valkyria grabs a fisherman’s buster for two on Paxley. Perez crossfaces Valkyria’s (and her bad arm) but Paxley grabs the same thing on Perez for the save. Paxley sends Perez outside and grabs something like a Paige Turner on Valkyria. The 450 connects (the fans REALLY approve)…but Perez runs in and rolls Paxley up for the pin to retain at 12:00.

Rating: B-. They were rolling by the end of this and the fans were entirely behind them. That made for a very fun ending sequence and there was a moment where I thought Paxley might win. Perez feels like she escaped a really bad scare here and that’s what you need in a match like this. Heck of a start and better than I was expecting.

Various stars and fans make main event predictions.

Thea Hail is ready to take out Jacy Jayne next week but Jaida Parker is sick of Fallon Henley. Arguing and a match setup seem to ensue.

Tyson DuPont and Tyriek Igwe, a powerhouse team from NXT LVL Up, are debuting next week.

The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile are back to see the main event but they’re not sure who is winning either.

D’Angelo Family vs. No Quarter Catch Crew

The brawl is on before the bell with Dempsey grabbing a triangle choke on D’Angelo. That’s broken up with a powerbomb so it’s Kemp coming in. D’Angelo powers him into the corner for the tag to Stacks as the fast start continues. Everything breaks down and almost everyone winds up on the floor, allowing Kemp to hit a flip dive onto the pile as we take a break.

Back with Dempsey grabbing a chinlock on Stacks, who is right back up for a crossbody. A German suplex/dropkick combination gets two on Dempsey but he’s right back with a fisherman’s suplex (Vic: “A plex that wasn’t perfect.”) for two. Dempsey grabs the half crab but Stacks fights up and enziguris his way to freedom. D’Angelo comes ins and gets to slug away on Kemp, followed by a spinebuster for two on Dempsey. Kemp is up with an Angle Slam into a neckbreaker for two as everything breaks down. D’Angelo plants Dempsey with a spinebuster for the pin at 11:04.

Rating: B-. This was pretty high energy from the beginning and that made for a good match. D’Angelo getting the pin likely sets him up for a Heritage Cup shot, with the Crew’s rules giving them all kinds of different options. It’s a smart way to go and D’Angelo can get something going after his loss at Stand & Deliver.

Barron Corbin was doing a photo shoot earlier when Lexis King came in with a farewell package for him. Corbin isn’t going anywhere, but King thinks he’ll attach himself onto someone younger and better looking. King: “I accept.” A match seems likely for later.

Jaida Parker vs. Fallon Henley

The rest of OTM is here with Parker and we’re joined in progress with Parker sending her into the corner. Parker sits on her back and drives a knee into the ribs for two. The waistlock goes on but Henley fights up with a running faceplant for two of her own. Parker sends her throat first into the ropes though and hits a hip check for the pin at 4:28 shown.

Rating: C. Parker’s rise continues as she feels like someone who could be a big deal if she is given the chance. At the same time, Henley’s rise seems to have come to an end as she is losing here after doing the same thing at Stand & Deliver. It would be nice to see her doing something else but that might not be the case for a good while.

Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx aren’t happy with Thea Hail for the lack of gratefulness. Jayne will end Hail next week.

Lola Vice is ready to end Natalya.

JD McDonagh picks Ilja Dragunov. New Catch Republic comes in and go with a split pick.

Here is Ava for the contract signing between Natalya (with Karmen Petrovic) and Lola Vice (with no one). Natalya signs and Vice promises to break her next week. Natalya promises to tap her out next week but Vice has a surprise training partner: Shayna Baszler. After some threats, the brawl is on and broken up in a hurry.

Shawn Spears pushes Ridge Holland towards violence but Holland resists.

The Final Testament promise violence and the Tag Team Titles.

Nathan Frazer and Axiom are ready. The other teams don’t like them either, with the Good Brothers coming in to say they don’t like teams coming in to try and take the titles. Edris Enofe breaks a mirror.

Sol Ruca vs. Blair Davenport

It’s a Beach Brawl, meaning we have themed weapons available. Ruca ties her up with an inner tube so Davenport bails out to the floor. Davenport sends her into a picnic bench and a hard posting puts Ruca down again. Ruca blocks a chair shot and hits an X Factor into a ball pit as we take a break.

Back with Ruca hammering away with a boogie board and hitting a standing moonsault for two. An exchange of superkicks lets Ruca hit a spinning powerbomb for two more. Davenport’s German suplex gets the same and they go outside again. This time Ruca’s cartwheel DDT is shoved over the barricade, allowing her to drive Davenport through a picnic table. Back in and Ruca hits the Sol Snatcher (in the middle of the ropes instead of the corner, with Booker losing his mind) for the pin at 10:28.

Rating: C+. They went a bit too far with the silly stuff here as it didn’t come off like Ruca wanting to get revenge on Davenport. You can only get so far when a ball pit is involved and they hit that limit rather hard. At the same time, the new version of the Sol Snatcher is outstanding and that is going to boost up any match where Ruca gets to hit it.

Trick Williams is on the phone with his mom, who seems to be going through some medical issues. Johnny Gargano comes in to give him a pep talk.

Meta Four took a road trip to a recent NXT live event.

Baron Corbin vs. Lexis King

Corbin goes with the power to start and runs him over with a shoulder. King comes back with a dropkick as Vic is just done with Booker’s hyper commentary. King slowly hammers away but Corbin fights up with a clothesline. A suplex cutter gives Corbin two so King grabs a rollup with feet on the ropes for the same. The referee almost gets bumped and the distraction lets King get in a low blow, setting up the Coronation for the pin at 5:26.

Rating: C. That should be it for Corbin in NXT and that’s fine. He’s done rather well around here and the important thing is WWE has figured out how to use him. King on the other hand…I’m just not sure I get it. He does his thing and is starting to get the character but there is something that isn’t connecting. If that doesn’t change, I’m not sure I can see him getting much better anytime soon.

A bunch of main roster stars come in to watch the main event.

Video on Trick Williams vs. Ilja Dragunov.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Ilja Dragunov is ready and runs into Damian Priest, who wishes him luck. Priest also hits on the interviewer.

Trick Williams is going to fight no matter what.

NXT Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams

Williams is challenging and will leave NXT if he loses. We get the Big Match Intros before Dragunov wrestles him to the mat with a waistlock. Back up and they trade kicks to the face until Dragunov grabs a running DDT. The Constantine Special gets two, followed by a powerbomb. Williams kicks him in the head from the mat and the slugout is on, with Dragunov getting the better of things as we take a break.

Back with Dragunov hitting a Coast To Coast for two but Williams plants him with a powerbomb. Williams hits an H Bomb and Torpedo Moscow for two of his own to mix it up a bit. Dragunov kicks him in the head and hits a Death Valley Driver into the corner before loading up the announcers’ table. Williams fights back and Rock Bottoms him through the table. Dragunov drops him again back inside though and the middle rope H Bomb….gets two. A German suplex hits Williams but he pops up with a running knee to the back of the head. The Trick Shot gives Williams the pin and the title at 11:50.

Rating: B. This wasn’t a match where the result was in any serious doubt and in this case there is nothing wrong with that. Williams is not the most polished wrestler, but he is someone the fans are going to respond to. You cannot fake that kind of a connection with the crowd and NXT is cashing in on it, as they should have.

Post match respect is shown and Williams gets to celebrate with the crowd to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The opener and six man were both good and the main event delivered with the big moment. They were shooting for a big show this week and throwing in all of the guest stars made it feel even more important. That isn’t something you get very often, though I’m not sure what next week is going to look like. Unless they have a bunch of new names coming in, the card isn’t looking nearly as strong. I’ll take a rather good first week though and that is what we got here.

Results
Roxanne Perez b. Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley – Rollup to Paxley
D’Angelo Family b. No Quarter Catch Crew – Spinebuster to Dempsey
Jaida Parker b. Fallon Henley – Hip check
Sol Ruca b. Blair Davenport – Sol Snatcher
Lexis King b. Baron Corbin – Coronation
Trick Williams b. Ilja Dragunov – 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.

NXT LVL Up
Date: April 5, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

It’s Wrestlemania Weekend and we might get to see some people who might be at Wrestlemania L or so. It would be nice to have them do something a little different for this show but odds are that isn’t what we’ll be getting to see. If nothing else, just some slightly bigger names could help a lot so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Dante Chen vs. Drake Morreaux

The rather large Morreaux takes him down without much effort so Chen goes to the arm. A hiptoss is blocked and Morreaux drops him with a clothesline, setting up a splash to the back. Chen goes for the arm again but walks into a backbreaker for two. We hit the waistlock before Morreaux misses another splash. Back up and Chen strikes away, including a pump kick into the double chop to finish Morreaux at 5:43.

Rating: C. One day someone is going to have to explain the Chen thing to me. He’s nothing of note in the ring but even commentary was pointing out how he is the guy who gets to face all of the up and comers around here. That’s one thing, but then he beats those up and comers, which makes things all the worse. It’s hardly some career killer for Morreaux, though it doesn’t do much to make me want to watch the show.

OTM threatened Je’Von Evans at the Performance Center but Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe made the save.

Brinley Reece vs. Tatum Paxley

Reece grabs the armbar to start but Paxley stops to talk to her. That earns Paxley an armdrag into another armbar, followed by a running shoulder in the corner. Back up and Reece misses a dropkick, allowing Paxley to go after the ribs. A reverse chinlock has Reece in more trouble but she fights up with the elbows. Not that it matters as Paxley pulls her into the Psycho Trap for the pin at 4:22.

Rating: C. Reece is something similar to the original Bayley crossed with Thea Hail but she doesn’t actually win anything. Having that kind of energy is nice to see but it isn’t going to matter if she doesn’t have some success. On the other hand you have Paxley, who is at least getting higher up in the women’s division due to her weird association with Lyra Valkyria.

OTM vs. Je’Von Evans/Tyrike Igwe/Tyson DuPont

Evans slugs away at Scrypts to start, meaning the flipping escapes ensue. Price and DuPont come in to trade shoulders with the latter getting the better of things. A splash gives DuPont two and it’s off to Nima, with Igwe working on the arm. Igwe gets taken into the wrong corner so the villains can take over. Scrypts is tossed at him for two and the chinlock goes on, only to have Igwe power out without much trouble. It’s back to Evans to pick the pace up with the dives but Price and Nima catch DuPont in the assisted Alabama Slam for the pin at 6:20.

Rating: C+. Commentary said this was only the second six man tag in the history of LVL Up and I have no idea how or why that is possible. On a show built around the idea of getting people as much ring time as possible, why wouldn’t you want to put more people out there? Just an odd bit of trivia but the match itself was decent, with Evans getting to pop the crowd again.

Overall Rating: C. I’m not sure if a six man tag counts as anything special for Wrestlemania Weekend but I’m not sure how many people in WWE know this show exists in the first place. Just having a quick angle at the Performance Center helps and at least it was something from a previous week. Nothing of note here, but that’s LVL Up for two.

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

We’re done with Stand & Deliver and it was certainly an eventful show. Trick Williams defeated Carmelo Hayes to win the main event and show that he’s ready to be one of the top stars around here. Roxanne Perez got the Women’s Title back by defeating Lyra Valkyria and Oba Femi continues to show that he is a dominant force in the making. Tonight we start getting ready for whatever is next so let’s get to it.

Here is Stand & Deliver if you need a recap.

We open with a long Stand & Deliver recap.

Here is Roxanne Perez to get things going. Perez can’t believe anyone is surprised because what happened on Saturday was justice being served. She saw Lyra Valkyria’s arm being banged up and took advantage of it. Valkyria said she was honorable but Perez found it stupid. No one can take the title from her because the next time she loses the title is when she gives it up to go to Raw or Smackdown.

Cue Valkyria, with her arm in a sling, saying she wants her rematch tonight. Perez rolls her eyes but Tatum Paxley pops up to say she’s ready. Then Paxley sends Valkyria into the steps and walks off. Perez says we won’t be seeing a title match tonight but here is Natalya (who told Perez she was going to see her tonight) to say she’ll face Perez tonight. That’s a no, but here is Ava to say yes. Natalya getting a title shot just because? I thought this was a new era.

Nathan Frazer and Axiom are getting their last Tag Team Title shot tonight. If they don’t win here, they’re done as a team.

Andre Chase gives Kelani Jordan and Fallon Henley honorary degrees for their win at Stand & Deliver. Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx come in with Jayne revealing why Chase U was in debt in the first place: Chase had put a big bet on Thea Hail to win the Women’s Title at the Great American Bash (where Chase threw in the towel to save Hail) but cared more about her than the school. If Hail hadn’t been such a loser, the school wouldn’t have been in trouble. Chase says it’s true and Hail storms off.

Fallon Henley/Kelani Jordan vs. Kiana James/Izzi Dame

The villains jump them to start but Jordan grabs a headscissors out of the corner to drop James. Dame comes in and gets sleepered for her quick efforts. Everything breaks down and the villains are sent outside, with Jordan hitting a big slingshot dive. Back in and Dame takes over on Jordan, with James getting in some shots of her own.

Dame’s running elbow gets two and a flapjack gets the same. An abdominal stretch doesn’t last long and Jordan rolls over for the tag off to Henley. The pace picks way up and the spinning superplex puts James down. Henley has to save Jordan from a cheap shot but walks into the 401K to give James the pin at 6:59.

Rating: C+. Henley and Jordan work together fairly well and have gotten to showcase themselves over the last few shows. In this case, it makes sense to have the villains get a win to even things up a bit after losing on Saturday. The match was fairly high energy and it worked well enough here for not having much time in the ring.

Je’Von Evans is ready to go. This is the same video we saw at Stand & Deliver.

OTM is ready to deal with Evans.

The No Quarter Catch Crew (no Drew Gulak in sight) talk about Bloodsport (an independent event over Wrestlemania Weekend where some WWE stars got to compete) but the D’Angelo Family comes in. Insults are exchanged and a match is made.

Je’Von Evans vs. Scrypts

Evans is a 19 year old who has done rather well on NXT LVL Up and the rest of OTM is here with Scrypts. They flip around to start with Evans getting two off a rollup but missing some right hands. Scrypts trips him off the middle rope though and a standing shooting star press gets two. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Evans is back up with a springboard kick to the face. A Cody Cutter gives Evans two so Scrypts bails outside, where Evans hits a big dive. Back in and Evans kicks him down, setting up a springboard spinning splash for the pin at 4:32.

Rating: C+. Evans isn’t someone who is doing something new but he looked good doing what he was doing out there. NXT needs to bring in some fresh names at some point and that is what they are doing here. Yeah it’s just a win over Scrypts but it’s a place to start and that is more than some people get.

We look at Ridge Holland, on the broadcasting team, attacking Joe Gacy on the Stand & Deliver Kickoff Show.

Holland says he lost it but Gacy pops in to mock Holland for his career falling apart. The LWO comes in to say they don’t buy the apology tour. Holland walks by Joaquin Wilde and slams a door on his arm.

Women’s Title: Natalya vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez is defending and gets taken to the mat to start. They head outside with Natalya hitting a clothesline as we take an early break. Back with Natalya fighting out of an abdominal stretch and grabbing a surfboard. The fight heads outside again, this time with Natalya being sent into the steps.

A bodyscissors keeps Natalya in trouble but she’s right back out with a German suplex for two. The Sharpshooter is broken up and they trade rollups for two each. The crossface doesn’t work for Perez either and Natalya blocks Pop Rox, setting up the Sharpshooter. Perez makes it over to the rope and cue Lola Vice for a cheap shot, allowing Pop Rox to retain the title at 11:28.

Rating: C+. The ending likely sets up something for Natalya and Vice in the future, which should be fine enough. The more important thing here though is Perez getting a win to start off her new title reign. Perez is starting to to feel the heel stuff and if she can turn that into a more long term thing, she’ll be a star for a very long time.

The Wolfdogs still can’t agree if they’re a good team but they know it’s working.

Lola Vice says she’s tired of waiting for her chance so she made it herself. Natalya jumps her from behind and it’s broken up.

No Quarter Catch Crew vs. D’Angelo Family

Kemp takes Crusifino down without much trouble to start and hands it off to Borne. That means Stacks can come in to fire off some knees in the corner as everything breaks down. Charlie Dempsey pulls Borne out of the way of a charge though and Kemp comes back in with a suplex to take over. Stacks rolls away though and it’s back to Crusifino, who sends the Crew into each other. Dempsey is brought back inside for a distraction, meaning it’s a Shatter Machine to finish Kemp at 4:02.

Rating: C. This was a bit of a wild match which didn’t have much time to go anywhere. What matters is the Family getting a win back after Tony D’Angelo lost his big title shot at Stand & Deliver. I doubt this is going to lead anywhere bit for them but it’s better than losing again, with the interference making it a bit more impressive.

Here is Oba Femi to say that while Dijak and Josh Briggs are tough, his dominance was inevitable. Cue Ivar of all people who said he loved seeing those three monsters beating each other up for that title, which is exactly the type of fight that he is looking form. He wanted in the fight because he knows he can chop Femi down and take the title. Femi seems game and the fight is on with Ivar knocking him down and holding up the title.

Meta Four brags about their hosting prowess but Dijak interrupts to complain about their recent skit. This is their one warning.

Jaida Parker vs. Brinley Reece

The rest of OTM and Edris Enofe/Malik Blade are here too. Parker powers her into the corner to start and knocks Reece down as we take an early break. Back with Reece not being able to fight out of an armbar. Parker lets her go and hits a middle rope Blockbuster for two. The chinlock with a knee in the back keeps Reece in trouble but she comes back up with some shoulders. A running clothesline gets two on Parker, followed by a spinebuster for the same. Back up and Parker hits a running hip to the face out of nowhere for the fast pin at 7:53.

Rating: C. Parker continues to feel like someone who could be a star if given the chance and getting a win here should help her move forward. She has a long way to go but every step helps. At the same time you have Reece, who is doing well with being all positive, but she needs to actually beat someone.

Arianna Grace tells Sol Ruca that she’s almost ready to unveil Gigi Dolin but Lola vice comes in to rant. Ruca doesn’t think much of it and sneering ensues.

Tag Team Titles: Axiom/Nathan Frazer vs. Wolfdogs

The Wolfdogs are defending. Breakker works on Axiom’s arm to start but Axiom scores with a quick dropkick. Back up and Breakker hits a heck of a running shoulder so it’s off to Corbin for a choke throw to Frazer. Frazer fights up and the champs are cleared out, with Axiom hitting a big moonsault out to the floor.

We take a break and come back with Corbin hitting a powerslam for two on Axiom. Some kicks get Axiom out of trouble and it’s back to Frazer, who reverses Breakker’s gorilla press into a DDT for two. The springboard 450 gets two more but Breakker isn’t having this. The gorilla pres powerslam gets two on Axiom, who gets back over for the tag to Frazer. Everything breaks down and the Steiner Bulldog gets two on Frazer, with Axiom having to make the save.

Frazer’s dive to the floor is cut off and he gets sent hard into the steps, leaving Axiom to Golden Ratio Breakker. That doesn’t keep him down for very long but Breakker’s spear almost hits Corbin. Axiom kicks them together though, meaning it’s a Golden Ratio to Corbin, setting up the 450 to give Frazer the pin and the titles at 11:34.

Rating: B-. It wasn’t quite as good as the match at Stand & Deliver but it still felt like a big deal, especially with the title change. I’m not usually big on the idea of doing a rematch so soon after the pay per view but maybe this was a way to give Breakker a win on the big stage while avoiding the likelihood that he got a big post-Wrestlemania Raw appearance. What matters is Breakker is freed from the Wolfdogs and can go on to become an even bigger star on Smackdown, as he should be.

Post match the new champs celebrate….and the Final Testament is here to jump them.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is Trick Williams after his win over Carmelo Hayes at Stand & Deliver. Williams is happy for his win but there is no Hayes here this week. He might not agree with Hayes, but Hayes is Him. That’s why he had to show Hayes who Williams really is, but now we need to know what is next for him. That would be winning the NXT Title by defeating Ilja Dragunov.

Cue Dragunov to praise Williams for his success and charisma. He’s exactly what NXT needs, but Williams says we need these two for the title one more time. That’s going to be a no, because Williams has already had his shot. Williams can go with that and asks who he has to beat next. Dragunov is willing to give him his title shot in two weeks, but if Williams loses, he leaves NXT.

Williams is in so Dragunov goes to leave, but here is Carmelo Hayes to jump Williams from behind, knocking him into Dragunov. Hayes stomps away and says it’s a cage match with Williams next week. He holds up the title to end the show. Williams almost has to win the title given those stipulations, but dang they are moving through that rather quickly.

Overall Rating: B-. It was a fast moving show and it went well, with a quick recap from Saturday and things being set up for the next few weeks. The title change felt like a big deal and there are enough things coming to keep things interesting. The wrestling worked well too and it made for a better show than I would have expected. It’s nice to have what feels like a regular show rather than another big recap with a little bit happening, though I’m not surprised as NXT made it work.

Results
Kiana James/Izzi Dame b. Fallon Henley/Kelani Jordan – 401K to Henley
Je’Von Evans b. Scrypts – Springboard spinning splash
Roxanne Perez b. Natalya – Pop Rox
D’Angelo Family b. No Quarter Catch Crew – Shatter Machine to Kemp
Jaida Parker b. Brinley Reece – Running hip attack
Axiom/Nathan Frazer b. Wolfdogs – 450 to Corbin

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.

Stand & Deliver 2024
Date: April 6, 2024
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Wade Barrett

It’s the biggest NXT show of the year and the main event is one of the things that NXT does best: a grudge match between two former best friends as Trick Williams faces Carmelo Hayes. That alone should be enough to make this work but we also have Tony D’Angelo challenging Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Title. Let’s get to it.

I was in the arena for this show, sitting in the upper deck and looking straight at the Titantron.

Kickoff Show: Joe Gacy vs. Shawn Spears

Hold on though as Ridge Holland (who was making his debut as part of the broadcast team) hits Gacy in the back with a chair during his entrance. Gacy is willing to fight anyway and sends a charging Spears outside as the bell rings. Spears is back in and tosses Gacy off the top to take over and a backbreaker gets two.

Back up and they trade running chops until Spears pulls him into a Boston crab. The rope gets Gacy out of trouble and he’s right back with a belly to back suplex. Gacy strikes away and grabs a German suplex, setting up a Lionsault for two. A dive is cut off though and Spears drops him onto the apron. Spears’ top rope hanging DDT gets two more but the C4 is countered. Gacy’s swinging Rock Bottom gets two and a backsplash on the apron hits Spears again. The Upside Down and the C4 are both broken up before Gacy hits the Upside Down for the pin at 9:05.

Rating: C. This was a good use of a Kickoff Show match as it didn’t overstay its welcome, it gave both of them something to do and it set up Gacy and Holland for the future. That’s not a bad way to go, as Spears is already finding his spot as someone there to help others look decent. Gacy continues to get more tolerable, and again that seems to have a lot to do with him not talking.

Here is Meta Four, your hosts for the afternoon, to get things going, which involves them dressing up as various people on the show/in NXT (the Chase U stuff was funny) and talking about the card.

Tag Team Titles: Wolfdogs vs. Axiom/Nathan Frazer

Axiom and Frazer are challenging and start fast with the dives to the floor. We get the opening bell so Frazier DDT’s Corbin for two. Corbin’s kick to the head lets Axiom come in with a kick of his own for a two of his own. Corbin runs Axiom down to take over though and it’s Breakker coming in to blast Axiom as well. Axiom fights up and grabs the Spanish Fly, which is enough to bring Frazier back in.

House is quickly cleaned, including a running shooting star press for two on Corbin. Back up and Corbin runs Frazier over, setting up a heck of a powerbomb. Axiom is right back up with the Golden Ratio for two on Breakker so Axiom heads to the top. That’s fine with Breakker, who snaps off a super Frankensteiner to send Axiom into something close to a powerbomb from Corbin.

Frazier makes the save though and everyone is down. Breakker heads up top but gets caught with Axiom’s super Spanish Fly. Frazier’s 450 gets two but Corbin is back up to take him out. Breakker takes Frazier up top for a belly to back superplex, with Frazier being flipped onto his face and possibly pulled into a cutter (either way it looked good).

In something that seems likely to be a bad idea, Corbin goes up top but scores with a top rope splash for two more. Breakker heads outside but misses a spear into the steps to knock him silly. That leaves Corbin to get double teamed, setting up a Phoenix splash for two, with Breakker diving in for a last second save. That’s enough for Breakker, who spears Frazier in half to retain at 11:26.

Rating: B. Yeah this worked rather well as it was a power vs. speed match with the rather fast challengers doing everything they could to hang in there against the monsters. They even got close with some of those near falls but dang there is something to Breakker going all force of nature. Awesome opener here and I was getting way into those near falls.

Meta Four, in Dallas Cowboys gear (I like these people), try to interview Oba Femi but don’t get very far.

North American Title: Oba Femi vs. Josh Briggs vs. Dijak

Femi is defending and this is a three way hoss fight. The challengers start with some double teaming, which is quickly broken up with straight power. Some running shoulders put Femi on the floor but he catches a diving Dijak and rams Briggs down. Dijak is back up and superkicks Femi into a chair, with Briggs throwing Dijak into him for another hue crash. Back in and a double chokeslam gets a double two on Femi, who slams them both down at once with some scary power.

Briggs goes to the apron where he belly to backs Femi down before kicking a diving Dijak out of the air. We hit the parade of hard shots to the face with Femi being knocked outside, leaving Dijak to kick Briggs down for two. High Justice gives Dijak one and a Canadian Destroyer of all things gets a near fall. Dijak loads up a fireman’s carry and goes up…but Femi electric chairs them BOTH AT ONCE and drops them back, with Briggs rolling out to the floor. Well that was insane.

Feast Your Eyes gets two on Femi and Dijak avoids Briggs’ save. Another Feast Your Eyes gets two as Briggs pulls the referee out. The fans are NOT pleased so Dijak takes Briggs down again. Feast Your Eyes hits Briggs on the floor and Dijak throws him back inside for another one but Femi grabs Dijak by the throat. A powerbomb onto Briggs is enough for Femi to retain at 14:59.

Rating: B+. Oh yeah this was awesome as they beat the living daylights out of each other with Femi showing off his other planet levels of power. Briggs was working very hard in there too and got to show off a lot. I was impressed watching this live and it was even better watching it back. Heck of a fight here, with all three looking like monsters.

Meta Four asks Thea Hail why she believed Kiana James was her friend. Hail has to be held back.

Jacy Jayne/Kiana James/Izzi Dame vs. Thea Hail/Fallon Henley/Kelani Jordan

Jazmyn Nyx is with the villains and Chase U is here with the other team. James and company jump them before the bell and it’s Dame beating on Henley in the corner to start. That doesn’t last long as Hail comes in with a high crossbody, followed by a springboard dive to the floor…which only hits Riley Osborne. That’s enough for Hail to get sent into the wrong corner so the beating can be on again.

Hail manages to roll over for the tag off to Jordan, who picks the pace right back up. Jayne gets in a shot of her own though and it’s Dame coming back in to send Jordan face first into the mat. James’ shots to the ribs keep Jordan in trouble as Vic Joseph is getting annoyed with Booker T. on commentary. It’s back to Dame, who pulls Jordan out of the air, only to have her slip out and bring Henley in to clean house.

A spinning suplex gets two on James with Dame making the save. James catches Henley on top with a super Spanish Fly for two of her own and it’s back to Jayne. Hail comes in and goes after Jayne but gets tossed outside, with Duke Hudson catching her. Nyx gets in a cheap shot but Hail is back in for the staredown with Jayne. The brawl is on until Jayne manages a pump kick. Hail Thesz presses her down but James gets in a cheap shot. Dame comes back in and is quickly Kimuraed for the tap at 11:41.

Rating: C+. They kept things moving here and it was a fast paced match, as it needed to be. It was mainly a way to get multiple women on the card, which worked out fairly well. The Hail vs. Jayne showdown can come later, though Hail needed this kind of a win to boost her back up to a higher level.

Ava announces the introduction of the NXT Women’s North American Champion.

We recap the Women’s Title match, with a now evil Roxanne Perez challenging Lyra Valkyria. Perez says she hasn’t had success by being good and now she wants back the title that she never lost. Valkyria is fighting for the forces of good. And the title of course.

Former Stardom World Champion Giulia is here, with William Regal. That’s a big one.

Women’s Title: Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez is challenging. They go right at it to start with Perez going after Valkyria’s bad arm. An early Nightwing attempt is broken up but Valkyria cartwheels out of a headscissors. Perez is sent outside for a dropkick through the ropes but comes right back with a shot to the arm to take over. The arm is cranked again, setting up a hammerlock northern lights suplex for two. Perez goes simple by just pulling at the arm but she misses a middle rope drop onto the arm.

Valkyria manages a middle rope crossbody but Perez rolls through, setting up a collision to leave both of them down. Back up and Valkyria kicks away, with her own northern lights suplexes getting two. A release fisherman’s suplex gets two and they go up top for a slap off. Valkyria grabs a Liger Bomb for two but her dive is cut off with a forearm to the face. Perez’s sliding tornado DDT sets up Pop Rox for two and it’s time to look stunned.

The bad arm is sent into the post twice in a row…so here is Tatum Paxley to check on Valkyria. Perez takes her out without any trouble and Valkyria’s arm is posted again. Back in and Valkyria manages a spinning kick to the head for two but misses a top rope splash. Perez can’t get Pop Rox so they trade rollups for two until Valkyria grabs a German suplex. That’s enough for Perez, who grabs a poisonrana into Pop Rox into a crossface to get the title back at 16:20.

Rating: B. This was another slugout with Valkyria trying to fight from underneath but the newly vicious Perez stayed on the arm throughout and finally won after Valkyria just couldn’t survive. It told a good story and gives Perez the win she needed. Valkyria is going to be perfectly fine as she has become a much bigger star thanks to this title reign. Good stuff here as the show is rolling.

We recap Ilja Dragunov defending the NXT Title against Tony D’Angelo. This is billed as a battle for power, with D’Angelo wanting the title to become the most powerful person in NXT, but Dragunov isn’t letting that happen.

NXT Title: Tony D’Angelo vs. Ilja Dragunov

Dragunov is defending and the D’Angelo Family is here too. Dragunov tries to slug away to start but his bad hand slows him down, leaving him to go with a waistlock instead. Since the grip isn’t at full strength, D’Angelo punches him down to take over. Back up and Dragunov tries the Constantine Special but the hand gives out and he falls to the mat. They head outside, where Dragunov’s chop hits post to put him in even more trouble.

The hand is good enough for Dragunov to hit a Death Valley Driver against the barricade and they head back inside. Dragunov rolls some German suplexes and a powerbomb out of the corner drops D’Angelo again. The H Bomb misses though and Stacks hands D’Angelo brass knuckles….which he throws away. Dragunov stomps away in the corner and gets two off a DDT. With D’Angelo down in the corner, Dragunov hammers away with forearms and shouts that D’Angelo is not in control.

Back up and Dragunov kisses him on the cheeks but gets headbutted down, followed by a belly to belly. One heck of a clothesline puts Dragunov down for two and they go up top. An overhead belly to belly superplex sends Dragunov flying before rolling outside. They both load up the announcers’ table before Dragunov wins a slugout. The H Bomb connects on the floor and another sends D’Angelo through the table. Back in and the top rope backsplash gives Dragunov two but D’Angelo goes back to the hand. Dragunov is right back with Torpedo Moscow and the super H Bomb retains at 17:06.

Rating: B-. This was good but it never hit a level where I believed D’Angelo was going to win the title. At the end of the day, D’Angelo just did not feel like a major threat to beat Dragunov, which is what happens when you have a longer term champion. Dragunov feels almost unbeatable despite selling like few others and that was the case again here. I’m not sure who takes the title from him, but D’Angelo could only be so convincing of a threat in a still good match.

Lyra Valkyria DOES NOT want to talk to Tatum Paxley.

Je’Von Evans is coming on Tuesday.

Here is Meta Four to announce a new NXT attendance record: 16,545.

We recap Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams. They used to be friends but Hayes, the first to become a star, accused Williams of trying to become his own thing. Hayes then turned on Williams and attacked him, so now Williams is out for revenge and to prove he can do this himself.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams

This has some slightly relaxed rules. Hayes takes him down to start and doesn’t seem overly impressed with Williams. That earns Hayes some shots to the face and they head outside, with Hayes being sent into the steps. They fight into the crowd with Hayes staggering away until he sends Williams into a wall. Hayes knocks a hat off a member of Williams’ family, earning him a shot to send him back to ringside.

There is something interesting about Williams opting to just hit Hayes in the face over and over. Williams hits a splash in the corner but Hayes knocks him off the top for a crash back to the floor. We seem to have a ribs injury so Hayes stomps away in the corner while managing to chew gum at the same time.

Williams gets in a shot of his own and they slug it out from their knees. The jumping neckbreaker and spinning boot to the face give Williams two and they head back outside. Hayes manages a springboard dive onto…what used to be the Spanish announcers’ table. Back in and Williams charges into a Codebreaker for two but the referee gets bumped.

Hayes grabs a chair but Williams takes it away for five shots. The referee grabs the chair and Hayes is IMMEDIATELY up (that was bad) with a low blow for two. Another referee bump (Barrett: “This is the unluckiest referee ever.”) sets up Nothing But Net for two from a second referee. The new referee takes the chair away from Hayes and the Trick Knee finishes for Williams at 14:48.

Rating: B. This was good but I was a bit disappointed at how short it was. They never had some big emotional moment and instead just started with the chair stuff to go to the finish. This was a match that needed to get violent and personal and instead it was a pretty standard brawl. Hayes is smooth enough to make anything work and he did well here, but less than fifteen minutes for what was supposed to be the biggest NXT match ever feels like a letdown.

Williams celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. For a show that didn’t seem all that great in person, it was a completely different watch on the broadcast. There was nothing close to bad here with a string of rather awesome matches up and down the show. I had a great time with it and while there wasn’t that one match that got it over the top (though the triple threat came close), it was still an awesome show with NXT really finding itself again now that Shawn Michaels is getting into a groove.

Results
Joe Gacy b. Shawn Spears – Upside Down
Wolfdogs b. Axiom/Nathan Frazier – Spear to Frazier
Oba Femi b. Josh Briggs and Dijak – Femi pinned Briggs after powerbombing Dijak onto him
Thea Hail/Kelani Jordan/Fallon Henley b. Jacy Jayne/Izzi Dame/Kiana James – Kimura to Dame
Roxanne Perez b. Lyra Valkyria – Crossface
Ilja Dragunov b. Tony D’Angelo – Super H Bomb
Trick Williams b. Carmelo Hayes – Trick Knee

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

We are just over two weeks away from Stand & Deliver and most of the card is already set. There is always the chance that we could be seeing something new on the show but for now we are waiting to see what happens in Philadelphia. This week will see the return to the ring for Trick Williams so let’s get to it.

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

Roxanne Perez vs. Tatum Paxley

They start fast with Perez choking on the ropes early on. A Downward Spiral plants Paxley and a Russian legsweep gives Perez two. Perez cranks back on the arm for two more but Paxley is back up with a dropkick. Some kind of flipping slam puts Perez down but she sends Paxley shoulder first into the corner. The crossface finishes for Perez at 4:03.

Rating: C. They were moving out there and this was the newly villainish Perez (complete with blue in her hair), which worked well. She’s been needing an edge of this kind for awhile now and it’s helping already. Paxley is the closest thing Lyra Valkyria has to a friend so Perez taking Paxley apart works well to set up their title match.

Post match Perez tells Ava to come out here and give her the title she never lost. Instead here is Lyra Valkyria, with her arm in a sling, to brawl with Perez. That earns her a crossface on the bad arm so Perez can hold up the title.

The Meta Four ask Lash Legend about the kiss from Trick Williams. The Alpha Academy of all people come in to ask the same, with Legend walking away.

Ava comes in to see Lyra Valkyria in the training room, with Valkyria demanding the title match against Roxanne Perez at Stand & Deliver. The match is on.

Oba Femi is scheduled to come out here for an announcement but Josh Briggs says come out here and try putting him through the ring. Cue Femi to say his results speak volumes but Briggs says he is just a little bit tougher. The fight seems imminent, only to have Dijak interrupt. Dijak says he’s got next but Briggs says cool it Shaft. Dijak: “Like Samuel L. Jackson Shaft? I don’t know if you can see this or not, but I’m white.” Femi isn’t impressed and it’s a three way brawl into a standoff.

Shawn Spears is watching and talks about the downfall of a man and his ego. Spears gets up to leave and Joe Gacy is watching him.

We look back at Trick Williams challenging Carmelo Hayes for Stand & Deliver. The match has been officially made.

Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Axiom/Nathan Frazer vs. No Quarter Catch Crew

It’s Charlie Dempsey/Miles Borne for the Crew with Axiom and Dempsey fighting over arm control to start. Frazer comes in to grab a headlock but everything breaks down in a hurry. The Crew is sent outside for a pair of dives, only for Dempsey to wheelbarrow suplex Axiom back inside.

We take a break and come back with Axiom’s middle rope crossbody being countered into a tabletop suplex for two. Axiom wins a slap off though and brings in Frazer to clean house. A running shooting star press gives Frazer two but Borne is back up with a spinning powerslam. Everyone gets knocked down until Axiom takes Borne up top for a super Spanish Fly. Frazer adds the Phoenix splash for the pin at 9:49.

Rating: B-. It shouldn’t be a shock that this worked well as you had two talented teams out there with some time to get things going. Axiom and Frazer work well together and the Crew more than hung in there the whole time. Good match here with the right team going forward, and perhaps even further than that.

We look back at Lexis King beating Mr. Stone and Von Wagner having to make the save.

Stone yelled at Wagner for carrying him out like a baby. A split seems possible.

The Wolfdogs argue over who paid for dinner last night. The Alpha Academy come in to wonder why they aren’t in on the Tag Team Title shots so they get a match with the champs next week. If the Academy wins, they’re in the Tag Team Title match at Stand & Deliver.

Sol Ruca vs. Brinley Reece

Reece has Malik Blade and Edris Enofe with her. They trade takedowns to start until Reece is back with a headlock. An X Factor gives Reece two but Ruca is back up with a superkick. That earns her a flipping clothesline but Ruca Iconoclasms her off the top. Ruca sends her into the post and it’s the Sol Snatcher for the pin at 3:20.

Rating: C. As tends to be the case with Ruca, the big finish was the highlight here and it worked rather well here. Ruca is someone who could be moved up the ladder rather quickly and this was a good way to bring her back (since LVL Up doesn’t really count). That Sol Snatcher will take her a long way and she has the charisma to back it up.

Post match Blair Davenport runs in to knee Ruca in the face.

Wren Sinclair and Gigi Dolin aren’t happy with Dolin’s loss last week. Cue Arianna Grace to say it’s time to bring out the real lady in Dolin. To begin with, she gets a sash dubbing her Ms. NXT In Training.

Ridge Holland says he is going to do what everyone wants him to do.

Here is the D’Angelo Family for a chat. Tony D’Angelo talks about the power of the D’Angelo Family and introduces the new counsel: Luca Crusifino. We get a quick pledge of loyalty before Tony promises to break Ilja Dragunov at Stand & Deliver. Dragunov pops up on screen to say he’s ready but D’Angelo cuts him off, saying next week it’s Dragunov vs. Stacks. D’Angelo makes some threats to wrap it up.

The Women’s Title match is set for Stand & Deliver.

Thea Hail asks Riley Osborne if they can still be friends. That’s fine, though Osborne has to get to the ring for his match.

Lola Vice is ready to fight Karmen Petrovic.

Heritage Cup: Riley Osborne vs. Drew Gulak

Gulak is defending on behalf of the No Quarter Catch Crew and the rest of the team, plus Chase U, are here. Round one begins with a technical off until Osborne gets in an armbar. That’s broken up and they fight over arm control, with Osborne striking away in the corner. Osborne knees him out of the corner and hits a shooting star press for the first fall at 2:37.

Round two begins with with Gulak bailing to the floor and getting taken down with a big dive. Back in and Osborne kicks her in the face for two before they trade rollups for two each. They run the ropes until Gulak grabs a sunset flip for the pin to tie it up at 1:26 of the round and 4:40 overall.

Gulak decks him after the bell and we take a break. Back with Gulak choking away until Osborne escapes for an enziguri. As Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx are here to mock Chase U, Gulak is fine enough to grab the Gulock but the round ends. Round four begins with another Gulock attempt being reversed and they trade rollups for two each. Osborne small packages him for two and hits a heck of a chop. They go to the corner with Osborne loading up a superplex, only to have Thea Hail chase Jayne inside. The distraction lets Nyx trip Osborne, allowing Gulak to get the pin to retain at 2:14 of the round and 10:52 overall.

Rating: B-. They were keeping up the pace here and it was nice to see someone other than Noam Dar in there for a change. Osborne is someone who doesn’t do anything new but what he does looks nice. The Catch Clause keeps things fresh as well, and it’s nice to have that much variety after so long of the same stuff around this title for the better part of ever.

Brooks Jensen storms out of the arena when Fallon Henley comes up to ask how he is. Jensen says he’s tired of things going wrong and leaves. Kelani Jordan comes in to rant about Kiana James and Izzi Dame and a tag match seems likely.

Thea Hail storms into Ava’s office and gets a match with Jazmyn Nyx. Duke Hudson is there too and is told he’s in a match next week. If he wins, he might be in the North American Title picture at Stand & Deliver. Works for him.

Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: OC vs. Tank Ledger/Hank Walker

We’re joined in progress with the OC being cleared out of the ring and taken down on the floor. We settle down to Anderson being sent into the corner and crushed with stereo standing splashes. Ledger kicks Anderson a few times but it’s Gallows coming in to knock Walker off the top. Back in and Walker gets big booted, allowing Anderson to send him into the corner. The chinlock goes on until Ledger fights out and hits an enziguri, allowing the tag back to Ledger. A toss belly to back suplex gets two on Anderson but Gallows makes a save. The spinebuster into the Magic Killer finishes Ledger at 7:53.

Rating: C. Ledger and Walker were trying but there was only so much they could do against an experienced team like the OC. The OC might not be what they were at their peak but they’re still bigger than most of the teams in NXT. It’s a good idea to have them in the triple threat match next week, but that might be it for them in NXT.

Trick Williams is ready for Noam Dar tonight and tells Carmelo Hayes to stay out of it.

Kiana James and Izzi Dame approve of Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx’s recent efforts. With Jayne and Nyx gone, Fallon Henley and Kelani Jordan run in for the brawl.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Trick Williams vs. Noam Dar

The rest of the Meta Four is here with Dar. Williams slams him down a few times to start but has to roll out of an ankle lock. A guillotine works a bit better for Dar but it’s broken up and Williams hammers away. Dar kicks him down again for a breather and we go split screen, with a security guard telling Carmelo Hayes “it’s time”. Williams is back up and knocks Dar outside as we take a break.

Back with Williams putting him on top for a slugout until Dar grabs a triangle choke. That’s broken up as Williams powerbombs his way to freedom, followed by a jumping clothesline. Dar is able to grab the ankle lock again, complete with the grapevine, but Williams makes the rope. Williams grabs a quick Rock Bottom into a flapjack but Lash Legend gets on the apron. Her slap attempt lets Dar grab a German suplex for two but the Trickshot gives Williams the pin at 11:12.

Rating: B-. This is the kind of win that Williams needs, as he’s getting ready for the biggest match of his career. He beat someone who had been a champion for a very long time and that is the kind of win that gives him some credibility. Williams has that aura that can take him a long way, but he needs to do something like this to make him more well rounded. It’s working so far, but he doesn’t have much time before Wrestlemania.

Post match Williams calls out Carmelo Hayes so here is…someone dressed like Hayes, with the real version disguised as a member of his own security. Hayes jumps Williams and takes him out to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show had a better mixture of wrestling and story advancement, which is what you need on the way to the biggest show of the year. NXT knows how to do weekly television and thankfully they are keeping it going on the way to Stand & Deliver. Rather good show here, with Hayes vs. Williams getting bigger and bigger each week.

Results
Roxanne Perez b. Tatum Paxley – Crossface
Axiom/Nathan Frazer b. No Quarter Catch Crew – Phoenix splash to Borne
Sol Ruca b. Brinley Reece – Sol Snatcher
Drew Gulak b. Riley Osborne 2-1
OC b. Hank Walker/Tank Ledger – Magic Killer to Ledger
Trick Williams b. Noam Dar – 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.

NXT
Date: March 5, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We are about a month away from Stand & Deliver and this is a special edition of the show with Roadblock. The main event will determine the new #1 contender for the NXT Title and we are probably going to get some more of the Stand & Deliver card set up. That should make for a big night so let’s get to it.

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

The opening video, featuring Lexis King, looks at how this is the last big stop on the Road to Stand & Deliver (doesn’t have the same ring to it).

Dijak vs. Joe Gacy

Asylum match, meaning in a cage with weapons and pinfall/submission only. Gacy’s fire extinguisher and Dijak’s chair both miss as Joseph talks about the Casey Jones cricket bat hanging from the cage (Tell me they didn’t pay money for that. And yes I know it’s not a Jose Canseco bat but I’ll take what I can get.). Dijak sends him into the cage and kicks away before going towards a box labeled DO NOT OPEN.

Gacy gets in a shot of his own and closes said box completely but Dijak opens it up…with a boxing glove springing out to hit him low. Gacy’s Death Valley Driver gets two and we take a break. Back with Dijak hitting a moonsault off the top of the cage for two and the fans are impressed. Gacy, mostly in a straitjacket, suplexes Dijak down and loads up a table with a smiley face painted on.

That takes too long but Gacy knocks him off the ropes and through said table. A Swanton gets two and Gacy gets out of the straitjacket. With nothing else working, Dijak runs him over and wraps some duct tape around Gacy’s eyes. The blinded Gacy is fine enough to hit a swinging Rock Bottom but Dijak kendo sticks him down. Feast Your Eyes gives Dijak the pin at 12:46.

Rating: B-. These guys beat the heck out of each other and the fans are starting to get behind Gacy’s schtick. As long as he isn’t allowed to talk or assemble followers, we could be in for something with his wacky antics and that’s not a bad thing. Other than that, this was a hard hitting fight and they didn’t go too nuts with weapons, with the boxing glove being good for a laugh.

The rest of the Family hypes up Tony D’Angelo when Luca Crusifino comes in. D’Angelo wants him to be the consigliere (lawyer/advisor) and Crusifino is in.

Fallon Henley talks to Riley Osborne about his date with Thea Hail. Osborne was worried that things didn’t go well but Henley says Hail got some bad advice. Blair Davenport comes in to mock Henley and a match seems likely.

Tatum Paxley comes up to Lyra Valkyria to say they’ll be more than friends after tonight. They’ll be champions! Paxley says she’ll do anything to win the titles tonight and is ready to take out someone’s soul. Valkyria: “For me or for the titles?” Paxley: “Does it matter?”

Tag Team Titles: Chase U vs. Bron Breakker/Baron Corbin

Breakker and Corbin are defending and the rest of Chase U is here with, uh, Chase U. Chase and Corbin start things off with Corbin hitting a quick right hand. Hudson is knocked to the floor as well and a spinning faceplant puts Chase down again. Breakker comes in and runs Chase over with Hudson making the save and sending the champions outside. Chase hits a flip dive off the apron to take them both down and we take a break.

Back with Chase being drive into the corner, setting up Breakker’s belly to back cutter for two. Chase is right back up to get over to Hudson for the house cleaning tag. Hudson hits a swinging Boss Man Slam for two on Corbin and it’s back to Chase with the Fratliner getting two. Corbin hiptosses a charging Chase into the corner and Breakker dives off the apron to clothesline Hudson over the announcers’ table. That leaves Chase to hit a high crossbody for two on Corbin but it’s Breakker coming back in with the spear to retain at 11:16.

Rating: C+. Chase U was trying here but it was hard to fathom that they were going to get the titles off these monsters. Breakker is an absolute beast in there no matter what he is doing and Corbin’s career has been completely revitalized by this team. Giving the champs a win over former titleholders is a good thing and there isn’t much shame in losing here.

Post match Thea Hail consoles Chase U and then freaks out and runs away.

Carmelo Hayes is not impressed with Tony D’Angelo and is ready to get his NXT Title back at Stand & Deliver. He is him.

Shawn Spears vs. Uriah Connors

Spears takes him into the corner to start and whispers something in Connors’ ear. Connors slugs away but is caught in the C4 (Death Valley Driver) for the pin at 1:16. Spears looked good here, albeit in a small dose.

Post match Spears talks about how it is hypocrisy to be forced to be what you are instead of what you truly want to be. That must hit home to Ridge Holland, who is lying when he says he fights for his family. The difference is Spears isn’t ashamed of what he is, but here is Holland to hit him in the face. Spears slides him a chair but referees won’t let Holland swing it.

Josh Briggs tries to talk Brooks Jensen out of facing Oba Femi next week but Jensen is ready. Jensen leaves and Dijak comes in, saying Briggs called Jensen his brother but lied right to his face. Briggs must know Jensen is a dead man walking against Femi.

Ilja Dragunov is ready for either Tony D’Angelo and Carmelo Hayes. Stacks and Luca Crusifino comes in to say D’Angelo will be seeing Dragunov at Stand & Deliver.

Women’s Tag Tam Titles: Lyra Valkyria/Tatum Paxley vs. Kabuki Warriors

The Warriors are defending and we get the Big Match Intros. Asuka and Valkyria start things off and neither can get very far. Sane comes in and hammers on Paxley, who crawls over towards her. They slug it out until Sane snaps off a headscissors, only to have Asuka get in a cheap shot from the apron. Asuka’s bulldog into Sane’s kick to the chest gets two as we cut to the back, where Thea Hail and Kiana James/Izzi Dame have to be held apart.

Back to the ring and Paxley sends Sane into the corner to stomp away as Booker says we’ll hear about the Hail brawl on the internet. Joseph mocks internet reporting as the champs are sent to the floor and we take a break. Back with everything breaking down and Valkyria DDTing Asuka. A fisherman’s buster gets two on Sane and everything breaks down, with an enziguri putting Asuka down. Paxley comes in backbreaker/top rope legdrop combination but Sane makes the save. Sane clears out Valkyria and it’s the Insane elbow/reverse DDT combination to finish Paxley at 13:15.

Rating: B-. There wasn’t exactly much drama here as an odd NXT pairing isn’t likely to take the titles so close to Wrestlemania when the Warriors already have new challengers waiting for them on Raw. That being said, it was a fast paced match and good stuff with Valkyria vs. Asuka feeling a lot more competitive than I expected. I’d call this a nice surprise and that’s always fun to see.

Post match Roxanne Perez runs in and attacks Valkyria, including snapping her arm over the turnbuckle.

Post break Valkyria is taken away in an ambulance with Shawn Michaels even making a cameo as she is loaded in.

Fallon Henley vs. Blair Davenport

Henley starts fast and sends her to the apron, where Davenport snaps her arm over the top. Back in and Davenport works on an armbar but Henley is back up with a running faceplant. They go outside where Henley is sent into the steps, setting up a running knee, which only hits steps instead of Henley. Cue Sol Ruca to take out Davenport from behind though, allowing Henley to hit the Shining Wizard for the pin at 3:30.

Rating: C. This was about the return for Ruca and that is not a bad thing as she and Davenport have a history together. Other than that, it is still nice to see Henley getting a win, though she needs to be around a bit more if she is going to get any momentum going. For now though, it’s a nice step, especially with a win over a more established star.

Jacy Jayne, with Jazmyn Nyx, yells at Chase U for the loss when Thea Hail comes in to talk about the brawl. A tag match is teased for next week, but Jayne is busy.

Gigi Dolin is in Ava’s office when Arianna Grace comes in. She still won’t fight Dolin but eventually agrees, only if she can bring out Dolin’s inner beauty once she wins. Deal.

Shawn Spears is counting on a match with Ridge Holland next week. He’ll teach Holland to embrace his rage.

Here is the No Quarter Catch Crew for a chat. Drew Gulak brags about Charlie Dempsey’s Heritage Cup win last week, with Dempsey saying this is what wrestling is all about. Damon Kemp says the Catch Clause means anyone can defend the cup. They’re also in the Tag Team Tournament, which is apparently a thing….and here is William Regal to interrupt. Fans: “THAT’S YOUR FATHER!” Regal puts over the Heritage Cup and says it represents all of the British and European wrestlers who came before him. Dempsey: “I’ll defend this cup better than you ever could.” Regal says he’ll be watching.

Noam Dar is catatonic and Meta Four….easily wakes him up, with Dar saying it’s off to bigger and better things.

Mr. Stone is not happy with what Lexis King is saying about his kids and wants Von Wagner to step aside so Stone can fight for his family. Wagner agrees.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Carmelo Hayes

For the Stand & Deliver title shot. Hayes (with masked personal security) wastes no time by kicking him in the head but D’Angelo rolls forward into a backdrop. A gutwrench suplex sends Hayes flying and a single underhook suplex does it again. Hayes gets knocked off the apron but the security catches him and we take an early break.

Back with Hayes working on the arm as we keep looking at that security. D’Angelo fights up and they slug it out, with D’Angelo grabbing a belly to belly into a spinebuster. Hayes is back with his suplex into a cutter for two and we’re back to the Fujiwara armbar. That’s broken up so Hayes grabs the First 48 for two and goes up…but Trick Williams’ music plays. Hayes is distracted enough that D’Angelo can grab Forget About It to go to Stand & Deliver at 13:30.

Rating: C+. The break hurt this a lot but the bigger deal here was having D’Angelo jump into the title picture. I like the idea of a fresh challenger and while I’m not sure I can imagine him winning the title, it’s certainly a differend way to go. The Williams teases should set up what very well could be the Stand & Deliver main event, but for now I’ll settle for what should be the show’s double main event.

Post match D’Angelo says he has something for us and here is Trick Williams to beat the fire out of Hayes to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The ending was the best part of the show and featured a nice return that should set up some big matches for themost important event of the year. Other than that, we got some stuff set up for next week and some more likely Stand & Deliver matches were likely set up. This was the usual efficent show and if they had some better action here, it would have been that much stronger.

Results
Dijak b. Joe Gacy – Feast Your Eyes
Baron Corbin/Bron Breakker b. Chase U – Spear to Chase
Shawn Spears b. Uriah Connors – C4
Kabuki Warriors b. Tatum Paxley/Lyra Valkyria – Insane Elbow/reverse DDT combination to Paxley
Fallon Henley b. Blair Davenport – Shining Wizard
Tony D’Angelo b. Carmelo Hayes – Forget About It

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: February 27, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

The road to Stand & deliver continues as we have just over a month away from the biggest show of the year. We are also on the way to Roadblock and NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov wants Carmelo Hayes on the way there. At the same time, Trick Williams is probably on his way back so let’s get to it.

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

Here is NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov to call out Carmelo Hayes. Cue Hayes, complete with security, to say he isn’t getting in the ring with Dragunov without a contract for a title match. Dragunov can have until the end of the night.

Gigi Dolin asks Ava to talk about her future but runs into Jaida Parker, who wants her own version. Ava makes a match between them for later tonight.

Kelani Jordan vs. Kiana James

Izzi Dame is here with James. Jordan wastes no time in taking her out to the floor to start but Dame offers a distraction. That’s fine with Jordan, who moonsaults onto both of them at once. We take a break and come back with both of them hitting crossbodies to leave them both down. Jordan makes the clothesline comeback and hits an elbow to the face for two. A Downward Spiral gives Jordan two but Dame gets in a cheap shot. The Dealbreaker finishes for 8:12.

Rating: C. James and Jordan continue to do nothing for me as a team and that was certainly the case again here. They’re just generic heels who don’t have much else going on and win random matches. Jordan is someone who feels like she could become something down the line and she is already off to a nice start.

Roxanne Perez is mad at not getting the Women’s Title shot last week. Jakara Jackson comes in to mock her and the brawl is on.

OC vs. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade

Blade gets knocked into the corner to start but comes back with a dropkick to Anderson. Enofe comes in with a headscissors as Booker goes on such a rambling rant that Joseph says he has no idea what Booker is going to say next. Gallows comes in to choke Blade down in the corner and we hit the chinlock. It’s back to Anderson for a chinlock of his own but Blade fights up and hands it back to Enofe to pick up the pace. Blade dives into a spinebuster though and it’s the Magic Killer for the win at 5:24.

Rating: C. I don’t think the OC winning their first match back in NXT over the resident jobbing tam is a surprise and thankfully they didn’t take long in doing so. The OC continues to be a strange team as they have a great resume but they are almost never featured on the main roster. Maybe they can do something here, because it isn’t like they have much further to fall.

Post match Chase U and Axiom/Nathan Frazier pop up to argue over who gets to beat up the OC first. Cue the LWO to dropkick the OC down as Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker look on.

Oba Femi wants competition and runs into Ilja Dragunov. After a quick staredown, Dragunov says he needs to talk to Ava.

Jakara Jackson vs. Roxanne Perez

Lash Legend is here with Jackson and offers an early distraction to cut Perez off. Perez isn’t having that and knocks Jackson down, setting up a springboard moonsault for two. Pop Rox is broken up too so Jackson ties up the legs and pulls on the arm at the same time. That’s broken up and Perez slugs away, setting up the crossface for the tap at 4:11.

Rating: C. They still didn’t have much time to do anything here but it gets Perez back on track after some frustrations last week. Perez is still leaning more in the heel direction but beating a fellow heel in Jackson doesn’t quite continue her on that path. The crossface is a better finisher for her though, as Pop Rox doesn’t feel overly devastating.

Thea Hail is disappointed over her date with Riley Osborne not going well but Jacy Jayne tells her to ignore Fallon Henley. Cue Kiana James and Izzi Dame to congratulate them on the calendar, leaving Hail alone.

Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker run into the OC and bicker a bit, with a Tag Team Title match seeming likely.

Luca Crusifino vs. Dijak

Luca strikes away to start and they go outside, with Luca knocking him over the announcers’ table. Back in and Dijak slugs away but a chop wakes Luca up. Dijak hits a superkick but Luca strikes him down again and hits some clotheslines. The cyclone boot sets up Feast Your Eyes to finish Luca at 3:28.

Rating: C+. I’ve seen Luca since he showed up on LVL Up and I’ve never seen him show that kind of aggression. Luca’s biggest issue has long since been that he doesn’t really do anything to make him stand out and now he has this kind of a showing. Rather surprising match here and I liked it more than I would have expected.

Post match Joe Gacy, in a torn straitjacket, comes in to brawl with Dijak.

Tony D’Angelo tells Stacks to get him, but not right now.

Noam Dar is warming up for his title defense in the main event but he doesn’t care about the Catch Clause.

Here is Lyra Valkyria for a chat. She wishes Shotzi a speedy recovery and promises Shotzi a title match when she gets back. Valkyria praises Lash Legend for stepping up but now she wants Tatum Paxley out here for a special gift. Paxley says she has proven her loyalty to Valkyria, who says that they’re getting a Women’s Tag Team Title shot against the Kabuki Warriors last week.

Cue Ridge Holland of all people to say he has something to say so they can leave if they’re done. Holland talks about how he isn’t a violent man most of the time…..but here is the man with the weird fear vignettes to beat him down. It’s Shawn Spears (called that, rather than Tye Dillinger) to beat Holland down. Points for an actual surprise there as I don’t think he was on many guess lists.

Brooks Jensen challenges Oba Femi and gets an acceptance.

Carmelo Hayes isn’t coming to the ring without a contract for a title match.

Lexis King vs. Von Wagner

Mr. Stone is here with Wagner. King’s chops don’t have much effect to start so Wagner strikes away for a change. Wagner’s big boot misses though and King strikes away at the leg, including wrapping it around the post. Back in and Wagner hits a big boot anyway and they go outside again, where Stone gets crushed. They get back inside where King is right back to the leg. A running knee to the back of the head gives King two but Stone offers a distraction. Wagner grabs a rollup for the pin at 4:11.

Rating: C+. The ending wasn’t the best as Stone offering a distraction doesn’t exactly make him look like a hero. Wagner is in the middle of a weird cycle as he’s kind of all over the place without getting anywhere. King on the other hand feels like he is mainly an agent of chaos, though he didn’t really show that off here, as he was just kind of a person facing Wagner.

Post match King takes out Stone before leaving.

Video on the Kabuki Warriors.

Jaida Parker mocks Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley but Arianna Grace wants peace. Valkyria points out that fighting is kind of what they do.

Joe Gacy jumps Dijak and a cameraman is taken out.

Gigi Dolin vs. Jaida Parker

They go to the mat to start with Dolin grabbing a rollup for a fast two. Parker is back up to stomp her down in the corner, including a running sit onto the ribs for two of her own. A running Blockbuster gives Parker two and we hit the neck rank. Dolin fights up but here is Arianna Grace for a distraction. That’s enough for Parker to hit a running forearm for the pin at 4:40.

Rating: C. They’re keeping up the trend of mediocre matches here but Parker continues to look like a star. She has a great look and that forearm looked solid, so giving her a win is a nice step forward. At the same time, Dolin’s fall continues as she is little more than a jobber to the stars these days.

Someone has written SEE YOU SOON on a beach and the Roadblock logo appears. Sol Ruca I’d assume?

Heritage Cup: Noam Dar vs. ???

Dar is defending against….Charlie Dempsey, with Jakara Jackson and the rest of the No Quarter Catch Crew here too. Round one begins with a feeling out process and neither being able to get very far. An exchange of arm control doesn’t work either but Dempsey grabs a backslide and flips forward for the pin at 1:48. Damon Kemp gets in a cheap shot to Dar as the round ends. Round two begins and we take an early break. Back with Dempsey hitting a suplex to end the round without much happening.

Round Three begins with neither being able to get very far with a hold, including Dar escaping an ankle lock. Dar wins a battle over the armbars before hitting a discus elbow as the round ends. Round four begins with Dar hitting a series of running shots to the face. The discus elbow sets up the Nova Roller for the tie at 22 seconds of the round and 9:50 overall.

Round five begins with Dar hitting a middle rope elbow to the back of the head for an early two. The seconds get into it on the floor though and Dar misses a corner dropkick, allowing Dempsey to grab a dragon suplex for the upset pin and the cup at 52 seconds of the round and 11:10 overall.

Rating: B-. I believe the term “it’s about time” is appropriate here, as Dar has held the Cup for so long that he had to lose the thing sooner or later. Dempsey getting the win is a nice surprise as well as he hasn’t done much so far in NXT. The Crew is kind of perfect to get the Cup as it is more or less their thing personified, and now Dar can move on to anything else for the time being.

Shawn Spears is back to mess things up.

Here is what’s coming next week.

Here is Carmelo Hayes, flanked by security, to sign the contract with Ilja Dragunov. Hayes apologizes for the security but he can’t have Dragunov getting hurt, which has Dragunov smirking. Cue Tony D’Angelo to say he’s tired of hearing Hayes wants a title shot. He respects Dragunov and is ready to earn a title match.

Dragunov is intrigued and D’Angelo proposes a #1 contenders match against Hayes next week, with Ava agreeing. Hayes gets up and the fight is on, with D’Angelo accidentally knocking Dragunov down. D’Angelo is put through the table to end the show. Again points for a surprise here, and that’s before Trick Williams is involved too.

Overall Rating: C+. This was about a few major moments, with the title change, Spears returning and D’Angelo being thrown into the title picture. I’m curious to see where some of those things go and that is a good sign. At the same time, the wrestling was not the best here as there was no match that stood out, though there is a good chance those come next week.

Results
Kiana James b. Kelani Jordan – Dealbreaker
OC b. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade – Magic Killer to Blade
Roxanne Perez b. Jakara Jackson – Crossface
Dijak b. Luca Crusifino – Feast Your Eyes
Von Wagner b. Lexis King – Rollup
Jaida Parker b. Gigi Dolin – Running forearm
Charlie Dempsey b. Noam Dar 2-1

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: February 13, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Byron Saxton

Things have gotten more interesting in the main event scene, as not only has Carmelo Hayes attacked Trick Williams and turned into a full on villain, but he has also set his sights on the NXT Title. We should be hearing more about that this week, plus all of the other things going on around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Meta Four is not quite taking Von Wagner/Mr. Stone seriously in tonight’s tag match but here are Stone and Wagner to jump them. Stone’s kids send Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend the wrong way as the guys fight into the arena. And we’re ready to go.

Von Wagner/Mr. Stone vs. Meta Four

Stone knocks Mensah down to start but has to go after Dar, allowing Mensah to get in a kick to the face. Dar’s belly to back suplex gets two and Mensah’s bot to the face gets the same. Stone manages to clear the ring though and it’s Wagner coming in to clean house. A double chokeslam sets up Stone’s splash off of Wagner’s shoulders but Mensah makes the save. Wagner comes back in but Lash Legend (who found the right path) offers a distraction, allowing Mensah to get in a cheap shot so Dar can get the cheating pin at 5:32.

Rating: C. Oh joy as Dar wins again because we haven’t seen that for the better part of ever. Unless they’re building up to a surprise Stone title win, I’m not sure why you have Wagner take the fall here. It was a bit nice to have this be something other than the Heritage Cup rules, but I could go for a long break from Dar.

We look at Carmelo Hayes’ explanation about attacking Trick Williams and then attacking Ilja Dragunov last week.

Chase U gets is stuff back, including Duke Hudson’s MVP trophy. Thea Hail has a date with Riley Osborne and Jacy Jayne doesn’t seem thrilled. Riz from the D’Angelo Family comes in and Jayne pays her off (with a bonus), but mentions Chase U for a possible Tag Team Title shot.

Ridge Holland vs. Gallus

This is a gauntlet match and Wolfgang starts for Gallus. Holland stomps away to start but a distraction lets Wolfgang rip away at Holland’s face. Wolfgang fires off right hands in the corner before they get in a fight over a suplex. Holland’s suplex puts Wolfgang down and we take a break.

Back with Holland having pinned Wolfgang during the break so Mark Coffey is in to take out Holland’s knee. Mark cranks away at the leg but Holland is fine enough to pull him out of the air and hit a swinging Rock Bottom. An overhead belly to belly and spinebuster both plant Mark, setting up Northern Grit. Joe Coffey pulls Holland out at two and that’s a DQ at 10:40…which seems to end the match, even though it should have just ended Mark’s fall.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what they were going for at the end there, but at least Holland got a nice moment and didn’t get pinned. Holland could go in a few different directions but hopefully he isn’t put into another team. He’ll need some friends if he’s going to fight Gallus, though hopefully it’s just a temporary association.

Post match Gallus brings in some chairs but Holland fights back and unloads on Joe. Holland suddenly realizes what he’s doing and backs off.

Lexis King mocks Mr. Stone and Von Wagner, saying Stone’s kids can look up to him. Wagner has to hold Stone back.

The No Quarter Catch Crew checks out the Heritage Cup when Noam Dar comes in to take it back. The Crew wants a shot.

Lola Vice vs. Tatum Paxley

Vice takes her to the mat to start but an early choke is broken up. Paxley starts fast with a rollup for two but Vice is back with a kick to the ribs. The chinlock doesn’t last long for Vice as Paxley rolls her up for two more. Paxley hits an enziguri as Lyra Valkyria is out to watch. Vice kicks her into the ropes for two as Paxley gets a foot on the ropes. That’s fine with Vice, who grabs a headscissors choke for the tap at 3:57.

Rating: C+. Vice is starting to get it together with the MMA style stuff and that is a good way for her to go. At the same time, we could be seeing Vice getting a singles shot against Valkyria after the cash in didn’t go. You also have the Paxley/Valkyria stuff, which could be going in a few directions. Vice seems to be the longer term story though and that should make for a nice future.

Luca Crusifino (the wrestling lawyer) gives Tony D’Angelo a pep talk. Then D’Angelo gives the rest of his family a pep talk.

Lyra Valkyria checks on Tatum Paxley when Shotzi, who got into it with Valkyria over the weekend, comes in to ask for a title shot. It’s on for next week and with Shotzi gone, Paxley pops up and is suddenly fine.

Riz vs. Jaida Parker

Parker swats away a dropkick to start but Riz hammers away in the corner. A missed charge sends Riz shoulder first into the post though and Parker sits on her in the corner. Riz fights up and fires off some uppercuts to the ribs, only to get planted with a spinebuster. Riz says bring it so Parker hits a forearm to the face for the pin at 4:03.

Rating: C. Riz isn’t exactly a polished star yet but she is already figuring things out with what she is doing. Putting her into the team is a good way to start and now we can see what happens to the team in the future. At the same time, you have Parker, who is looking more and more like a monster every times he’s out there. Give her some more experience and a win or two and she could be on her way.

Dijak isn’t happy with Joe Gacy costing him last week and looks into a bag of goodies.

Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin seem to be ready for their Tag Team Title shot but have to bicker a bit anyway. Corbin will say the team name if they win.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Joe Gacy

The fans say Hayes sold out as Gacy snaps off a backdrop and backbreaker. Hayes pulls him down by the leg but gets flipped away but Hayes is back up with the springboard clothesline. Gacy chops Hayes down and grabs the chinlock, followed by another backbreaker for another two. The frustrated Hayes fights back and hammers away but stops to check under the ring.

Gacy cuts him off with a dive and we take a break. Back with Gacy seemingly enjoying being in a half crab until he fights up and grabs a suplex. The swinging Rock Bottom gives Gacy two and a Samoan Driver is good for the same. Hayes’ suplex cutter gets two but Gacy fights back again. The Upside Down is broken up though and Nothing But Net finishes for Hayes at 12:46.

Rating: B-. Who would have thought that the solution to making the most annoying talker that much easier to watch was to not let him speak? Gacy is far from some kind of a star but he’s far easier to tolerate when he isn’t doing his cult deal. Hayes gets a win to show that he still has it as a villain and I’m sure he’s up for something big in the short term.

Post match Dijak comes in to put Gacy in a straitjacket. Gacy smiles anyway.

Some women are giving Brinley Reece a pep talk but the women of Meta Four come in. Lash Legend and Kelani Jordan get into an argument over respect.

Roxanne Perez rants to the women’s locker room about Lola Vice and Shotzi. Wren Sinclair tries to calm things down and gets hit in the face.

We get another vignette about being evil but no name is given.

Here is Oba Femi for a chat. He talks about how dominant he is and how he’s ready for anyone. Send anybody, as long as you don’t want them back. Cue Lexis King to say that he’s impressed. Femi is the ruler, but Lexis is the king, so they can do this next week. King strikes away but Femi blocks the Coronation and sends him running.

Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen get in a fight but Ava says do it in the ring.

Kiana James vs. Brinley Reece

Izzi Dame is here with James. Reece snaps off an armdrag to start but gets shouldered out to the floor. Back in and James snaps off a swinging neckbreaker for two. The quickly broken chinlock sets up Reece’s cutter for two but James hits the 401K. James Bankrupts her for the pin at 3:12.

Rating: C-. Not much to this one as Reece is little more than a wacky backstage character and another athletic newcomer. James and Dame aren’t exactly coming off as the next big thing as James gets a somewhat random win over someone beneath her. They didn’t waste a lot of time on it though so it’s hard to get overly annoyed.

Roxanne Perez isn’t happy with Wren Sinclair but Ava says Sinclair has already asked for a match next week.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade are worried about what happened to Brinley Reece, who cartwheels in and is rather excited to train harder. The guys aren’t sure what to do.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Tag Team Titles: D’Angelo Family vs. Bron Breakker/Baron Corbin

Breakker and Corbin are challenging with Breakker powering D’Angelo into the corner to start. They trade shoulders until Stacks comes in, only to get pulled into the wrong corner. Corbin cuts off a springboard with a right hand but it’s right back to D’Angelo for a double suplex. Breakker comes back in to fight back but D’Angelo cuts him off with a sitout powerbomb as we take a break.

Back with Corbin hitting Deep Six for two on Stacks, who manages a middle rope elbow to the jaw. D’Angelo comes back in and spinebusters Breakker out of the air before throwing Stacks onto both villains. A powerbomb/neckbreaker combination gets two on Breakker but it’s back to Corbin for a suplex cutter. Stacks manages a sunset flip and rolls over for the tag to D’Angelo, who is Boss Man Slammed for two. Everything breaks down and they fight to the floor, where Breakker is sent through the announcers’ table. Back in and the End of Days hits Stacks, leaving Breakker to spear him down for the pin and the titles at 12:28.

Rating: B-. I was a bit surprised by the title change as Breakker doesn’t seem long for NXT, but there can always be something of a gap. At the same time, it’s hard to imagine this is a long term reign, but giving Breakker one more accolade on the way out is only going to make him feel stronger. I’m not sure who is coming for the titles next but Corbin and Breakker holding them beyond Stand & Deliver is hard to fathom.

Overall Rating: C+. Not the strongest wrestling show in the world but the title change is what matters here and now we should be on the way to some bigger stuff in the coming weeks. NXT seems to know that we are on the way towards Stand & Deliver, which should provide some major showdowns. There is still time to set that up and this was a show that seemed to help set the stage in multiple stories. We’ll get some more steps next week and as tends to be the case with NXT, they set some of that up in advance.

Results
Meta Four b. Von Wagner/Mr. Stone – Rollup to Wagner
Ridge Holland b. Gallus via DQ when Joe Coffey interfered
Lola Vice b. Tatum Paxley – Headscissors choke
Carmelo Hayes b. Joe Gacy – Nothing But Net
Kiana James b. Brinley Reece – Bankrupt
Baron Corbin/Bron Breakker b. D‘Angelo Family – Spear to Stacks

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.

Vengeance Day 2024
Date: February 4, 2024
Location: F&M Bank Arena, Clarkesville, Tennessee
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett

It’s time for another NXT pay per view and this time the focus is on Trick Williams, who will be in action twice. First, Williams will be teaming with Carmelo Hayes in the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic before he challenges Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Title in the show’s main event. That’s in addition to everything else so let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at Valentine’s Day, but apparently prefers Vengeance. We get the usual preview for the show’s matches.

Wade Barrett is back on commentary for one night only.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: Trick Williams/Carmelo Hayes vs. Bron Breakker/Baron Corbin

Breakker and Corbin come to the ring on motorcycles for a nice touch. Hayes and Breakker lock up to start with the latter powering him away. Williams comes in (the fans approve) and everything breaks down, with Hayes and Williams clearing the ring. Back in and Hayes strikes away at Corbin, who misses a charge into the post. The Fade Away connects but Corbin hits a heck of a clothesline. It’s back to Breakker, who seems to slip up a bit coming off the ropes but is fine enough to catch Hayes in a toss powerslam.

The chinlock doesn’t last long and Hayes gets most of a cutter, allowing the double tags to Corbin and Williams. The latter gets to clean house and hands it back to Hayes for a Lionsault. A Codebreaker hits Breakker for two as Williams dives onto Corbin. Back in and Breakker suplexes both of them at once and then nips up (because that’s something he can do) before handing it back to Corbin.

This includes Breakker launching Corbin over the top onto both of them, leaving Hayes to have to make a save back inside. Deep Six plants Williams for two and Breakker hits a big flipping dive to the floor. Back in and Williams crotches Corbin on top and Hayes drops Breakker off the top. Nothing but Net is broken up and Breakker spears Hayes for the pin at 14:31.

Rating: C+. There were some less than smooths pots in this but they got to the ending that mattered. Hayes takes the pin and doesn’t get what he wants, which should make for some issues between them on the way to the main event. Other than that, even though Breakker seems main roster bound, he’s also seemingly getting one more run here, which should make for a good sendoff.

We recap Roxanne Perez challenging for the Women’s Title. She never lost it in the first place but then a series of title changes have left Lyra Valkyria as champion. Tonight, Perez says she’s not the same old girl and now she’s coming to get her title back. Valkyria doesn’t think it’s that simple.

Dijak vs. Joe Gacy

No DQ as Dijak wants to beat on Gacy as much as possible. Dijak pulls out a nightstick but Gacy evens it up with a metal rod. Gacy knocks him to the floor and hits a dive, meaning it’s time for a bunch of weapons. This includes a chair, which Dijak is say in for a cannonball from Gacy. The table is loaded up and Gacy covers it with toy cars and blocks, only to get kicked in the face for his efforts.

Back in and Dijak puts a trashcan onto Gacy and kicks him down, only to have Gacy ram himself into Dijak (still with can) for a double knockdown. Dijak goes up but it’s a heck of a shove to send him off the ropes and through the table (with toys) at ringside. Back in and a chokeslam gives Dijak two but Gacy German superplexes him off the top for a crash.

It’s time to get creative so Gacy wraps duct tape around Dijak’s eyes, only to get caught with Fast Your Eyes anyway. Since the tape is still around Dijak’s eyes, he can’t see to cover Gacy in a clever moment. The referee removes said tape but Gacy is back with a DDT. A top rope splash onto Dijak onto a chair gets two but the Upside Down is cut off with a nightstick to the ribs. Dijak hits Feast Your Eyes for the pin at 11:58.

Rating: B-. It wasn’t anything great but I liked them having some different spots in there. It’s also the kind of match that they set up well in advance, with Dijak wanting to hut Gacy and Gacy being fine with it. Good fight here, even if the toys fell off the table more than once before impact.

The Women Of Chase U calendar is selling well and they’re on sale on WWEShop tomorrow.

We recap OTM vs. the D’Angelo Family, which is actually a six person tag rather than a Tag Team Title match. Basically OTM attacked them so it’s time for a big group fight.

OTM vs. D’Angelo Family

Scrypts is here with OTM. The Family jumps them to start and it’s a big brawl at the bell. Nima stomps D’Angelo to officially get things going but everything breaks down, with the Family firing off right hands to the ribs. Stacks hits a Cannonball to Nima and Riz hits the same to Parker. Back up and Parker knocks Stacks and Riz off the apron as things breaks down again. Stereo forearms in the corner rock Stacks and a right hand knocks him over the top.

Parker and Riz get into a fight on the floor and a pop up powerbomb gives Nima two on Stacks. Back up and Stacks manages to get in a shot of his own, allowing the tag off to D’Angelo. House is cleaned, but Parker slaps the heck out of him to break up a suplex. Riz jumps Parker and they brawl to the floor, with D’Angelo cutting off an interfering Scrypts. A spinebuster hits Price back inside and the fisherman’s suplex gives D’Angelo the pin at 10:12.

Rating: C+. As has been the case with more than one match tonight, this felt like a match that belonged on the regular TV show and in this case, that’s ok. I’d rather have something different than a Tag Team Title match without much heat so they made the right decision. Breakker and Corbin are waiting on the Family anyway so they have something bigger coming up, meaning getting this out of the way makes a lot of sense.

Kiana James and Izzi Dame break down possible obstacles on their way to the Women’s Title. First up: Kelani Jordan.

A banged up Carmelo Hayes tells Trick Williams to go win the NXT Title. Williams can go with that.

Lyra Valkyria needs to beat Roxanne Perez.

Women’s Title: Roxanne Perez vs. Lyra Valkyria

Perez is challenging. Feeling out process to start with Valkyria grabbing a headlock and then an armbar to put Perez down. Perez reverses into a headlock takeover as they’re going move for move early on. Valkyria sends her outside but Perez cuts her off with a hard forearm and sends her into the corner for some forearms. That’s broken up and Valkyria knocks her to the apron, only to get caught with Pop Rox…and here is Lola Vice. After kicking an interfering Tatum Paxley down, the match is officially a triple threat.

Women’s Title: Roxanne Perez vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Lola Vice

Valkyria is defending and Vice grabs a sleeper on Perez. That’s broken up and Vice kicks Perez in the head for two. A triangle choke goes on but Valkyria comes off the top with a splash for the save and two of her own. Vice sends them both into the corner for running hip attacks but Perez avoids another one.

Vice and Valkyria are sent outside for some dives, followed by a high crossbody to Valkyria. That’s fine with the champ, who rolls through into vanquish for two, with Vice making the save and getting her own near fall to leave them all down. Vice kicks Valkyria down for two but can’t get the cross armbreaker. Pop Rox hits Valkyria, only to have Paxley breaks it up. Night Wish to Vice retains the title at 13:35 (counting the original match).

Rating: B. This was a really weird mash up of two matches, with the first match being a rather nice technical off, followed by Vice turning the second half into a frenzy. The thing with Vice is that she isn’t polished in the ring yet but she’s a ball of energy and charisma, which makes things more interesting. Good stuff here, and now there’s no more random title match looming over our heads.

Riley Osborne asks Thea Hail to be his Valentine and that’s a yes, with Jacy Jayne not being overly impressed by Hail’s acceptance.

We get a weird vignette talking about how a man had three faces: the one the world sees, the one his family sees and the real one that no one sees but shows the evil he possesses.

North American Title: Oba Femi vs. Dragon Lee

Lee is challenging after losing the title to Femi via a surprise cash in. Femi doesn’t like the idea of hanging over the title so Lee starts fast and knocks him outside for a dive. Back in and Femi pulls a high crossbody out of the air, only to get kicked into the corner. Femi powers out again and plants him down as commentary talks about how impressive Femi is despite inexperience. Lee fights up again but Femi shoves him outside without much trouble.

A backbreaker has Lee in more trouble until he kicks his way to freedom. The tornado DDT into a running knee gives Lee two, followed by a running powerbomb for two. They had outside with Lee being sent onto the announcers’ table, followed by a toss into an open chair. Back in and Lee reverses a powerbomb into a hurricanrana for two, only to get blasted by a clothesline. The pop up powerbomb retains the title at 10:56.

Rating: B-. This took some time to get going but it was working by the end with the power vs. speed motif on full display. Lee is likely going up to the main roster full time while Femi feels like someone who is going to smash NXT for the time being. Femi is the kind of monster you do not get to see very often and he is on a roll despite having a very short career so far. He knows just how to be what he’s supposed to be and that is a great way to start.

Lexis King interrupts the Chase U calendar sales to hit on Thea Hail. Riley Osborne comes in for the brawl.

Ava brags about NXT’s success and promises more big shows coming.

Malik Blade and Edris Enofe give Brinley Reece their five good things about their recent loss, but have nothing for negatives. Axiom and Nathan Frazer come in to mock how ridiculous this is but Reece has an idea.

Roxanne Perez jumps Lola Vice in the back and the fight has to be broken up.

We recap Trick Williams vs. Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Title. Williams won the Iron Survivor Challenge and got his shot, though there is still the question of who attacked him a few months ago.

NXT Title: Trick Williams vs. Ilja Dragunov

Williams, with Carmelo Hayes, is challenging and starts fast with a dropkick. Dragunov, bleeding from the nose, is back up with a Constantine Special and they’re both staggered for a bit. Back up and Dragunov knocks him into the corner for some kicks to the face as Williams is bleeding from the mouth (as he was in the opener). Dragunov grabs a waistlock for a bit until they fight outside, where a German suplex drops Williams again.

Hayes helps Williams get back up before sending him back inside….where Dragunov missile dropkicks him down. A heck of a clothesline gives Dragunov two but Williams is back up with a Codebreaker for a double knockdown. Williams fires off some kicks to take over for a change but has to block another Constantine Special. The jumping clothesline hits Dragunov and they fight to the apron, where Williams hits something like a Rock Bottom to the floor (though Dragunov half landed on his feet, likely out of the need for survival).

Dragunov manages to send him into the steps and gets yelled at by Hayes, who misses a swing. Dragunov sends Hayes into Williams’ knee and Hayes knows he screwed up. Back in and Williams’ jumping neckbreaker connects and he hits his own H Bomb for two. Dragunov knocks him down again and hits a middle rope H Bomb for two and the fans are rather pleased.

Torpedo Moscow misses though and Williams’ spinning boot to the face connects for two. Hayes gets up on the apron and Williams accidentally knocks the referee into him, meaning the Trick Knee connects for….two from another referee. Another H Bomb knocks Williams silly, but a top rope version hits raised knee. Williams takes the hair tie out and goes to the corner, but the Trick Knee hits Torpedo Moscow and Dragunov retains at 17:58.

Rating: B+. That ending is a bold choice as the air went out of the building when Williams lost. That being said, the money match would seem to be in Hayes vs. Williams and it wouldn’t shock me if that winds up being the title match at Stand & Deliver. For now though, Dragunov hangs on for another few weeks, but other than Hayes, I’m not sure who is next for him.

Hayes consoles Williams…..and then turns on him with a shot to the knee to end the show. Hayes grabs a chair and unloads on the knee before sitting in said chair and posing to end the show. To say the fans were mad at Hayes would be the understatement of the day. The fact that his jacket looked a lot like the one Shawn Michaels wore during the Barbershop incident is just a coincidence I’m sure.

Overall Rating: B. The Hayes turn was needed as there wasn’t much else going on here. Other than the Dusty Cup finals and Vice getting rid of her contract, it was a pretty tame event with good matches but not much in the way of events. That being said, the ending had huge heat and likely gives us a Stand & Deliver main event so they certainly nailed the big stuff. Good show, but nothing really worth going out of your way to see, save for possibly the main event.

Results
Baron Corbin/Bron Breakker b. Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams – Spear to Hayes
Dijak b. Joe Gacy – Feast Your Eyes
D’Angelo Family b. OTM – Fisherman’s suplex to Price
Lyra Valkyria b. Lola Vice and Roxanne Perez – Night Wish to Vice
Oba Femi b. Dragon Lee – Pop up powerbomb
Ilja Dragunov b. Trick Williams – Torpedo Moscow

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

It’s the go home show for Vengeance Day and that means a lot of talking for the matches that are already set. One of them has a bit of a twist though, with #1 contender Trick Williams also set to team with Carmelo Hayes in the semifinals of the Dusty Classic. That could make for a busy Sunday so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinals: Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams vs. LWO

Hayes armdrags Wilde down to start and snaps off a dropkick. Williams comes in for a dropkick of his own so it’s off to del Toro for a double back elbow. A comeback is cut off with some shots to the knee but Williams gets over to Hayes anyway. The LWO sends them right back to the floor though and stereo dives connect as we take a break.

Back with Hayes fighting out of a chinlock and hitting his half of a double clothesline. Williams comes back in for a double release Rock Bottom and it’s back to Hayes, who gets caught in the Tree of Woe. The LWO take him down again with stereo missile dropkicks and everyone is down. Hayes and del Toro kick it out until del Toro misses a phoenix splash. Williams comes back in and hits the jumping knee for the pin on Wilde at 12:33.

Rating: B-. So there’s your setup for the main event at Vengeance Day, as there’s a very good chance that Williams can’t win because of something that happens in the tournament final. As in the tournament final that he was in because of Hayes, meaning Hayes costs him the title. Or maybe he wins everything and Hayes is jealous. Either way, it makes things more interesting and we should be in for something good.

Post match Oba Femi runs in to jump the LWO and takes out Dragon Lee for trying to make a save.

Ava tells Ridge Holland that he can’t fight Gallus himself. Lexis King comes in with a gift basket for Ava, who didn’t realize they have a meeting. Ava makes King vs. Holland for tonight. Works for Holland.

Tatum Paxley talks to a picture of Lyra Valkyria, saying she’ll always be there for her. Valkyria comes to say she got all of Paxley’s messages but doesn’t get why Paxley attacked Roxanne Perez last week. Paxley says she’ll always be there for Valkyria.

Tatum Paxley vs. Roxanne Perez

Lyra Valkyria is on commentary and we’re joined in progress with Paxley firing off an assortment of kicks. A hanging butterfly suplex gives Paxley two and she sends Perez outside, with Valkyria not being sure why Paxley is doing any of this. Back in and Pop Rox finishes Paxley at 2:20 shown.

Arianna Grace is with Wren Sinclair and says she is a role model around here. Fallon Henley comes in to say she doesn’t buy this and wants a match with Grace later.

Elektra Lopez vs. Lola Vice

Lopez spars her down and the fight is on to start with the two of them heading outside. Back in and Vice fires off some kicks to send her into the corner. More kicks to the back give Vice two but Lopez powerbombs her out of the corner. An annoyed Lopez strikes away and hits a swinging Rock Bottom for two. A spinebuster is broken up though and Vice kicks her in the head for the pin at 3:32.

Rating: C+. This was quick and to the point with Vice getting a pretty strong win by knocking Lopez silly with that kick. Lopez is on her way to Smackdown and Vice is probably going to get into the title match sooner than later so they needed to cover both of these things. Not a great match, but it was intense while it lasted.

Joe Gacy comes to see Dijak and sits down without permission. Gacy says Dijak can’t get rid of him and plays a recording suggesting that he has been here before. Dijak wrecks him again.

Ridge Holland vs. Lexis King

Holland elbows him in the face to start and we take a very early break. Back with King going after the knee but getting hit in the face for his efforts. King cheap shots him in the corner though and chokes away before we hit the chinlock. A running clothesline to the back of the head gives King two but Holland fights up again. The Coronation is blocked and Holland hits him in the back of the head for two but cue Gallus for a distraction. That’s enough for a hanging Coronation to finish Holland at 9:38.

Rating: C. King is still not great in the ring but at least he’s getting the character stuff down. You also need to give him some wins like this to build him up and it’s not like Holland is going to lose much in defeat. Holland already has to deal with Gallus while King gets to move on to something of his own so this was a nice way forward for both of them.

Post match Gallus comes in to beat down Holland.

Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes are still unsure about Ilja Dragunov but Hayes gives him a pep talk. Hayes promises to show that he’s had Williams’ back since the beginning.

Here is Chase University, minus their sweaters (and Jacy Jayne/Thea Hail), for their final goodbyes. Chases knows he’s a hothead and he has no one to blame but himself, but he thanks everyone for letting him live his dream. Duke Hudson talks about what he has learned from the school and wants everyone to remember how it was. This means a tribute video, which may have been made by threatening students, and yes it is set to Tell Me A Lie.

Chase thanks everyone, but here are Jacy Jayne and Thea Hail to interrupt. Jayne says if you want something done right, ask a woman. Chase: “We’re out here saying our final goodbyes.” Jayne: “Are you?” She talks about how she came into this place a bit toxic but she needed friends. Maybe she could actually change, and maybe she could help fix the problem. She looked inside her comfort zone and the school is NOT closing.

We see the Ladies Of Chase U Calendar…..which will have Chase U out of debt and moving into the future. Chase jumps up and down in happiness and Jayne hugs him. There is something hilarious about how simple of a solution that is and hopefully they get back to doing what worked with Chase U.

The D’Angelo Family is ready for OTM at Vengeance Day.

Brooks Jensen comes up to Fallon Henley to talk about old times but she leaves to go have her match, leaving Jensen a bit disappointed.

Chase U celebrates a lot but Lexis King interrupts. A match between King and Riley Osborne is teased but Joe Gacy and Dijak brawl in to break it up.

Fallon Henley vs. Arianna Grace

Wren Sinclair is here with Henley. Grace offers her a hand to start and gets caught in a wristlock for her efforts. Some armdrags put Grace down again and a big right hand rocks her again as we take a break. Back with Henley fighting out of a chinlock and getting two off a rollup. Henley sends her outside and gets in a shot of her own, only to have Jakara Jackson come in to distract the referee. Cue Lash Legend to kick Henley in the face to give Grace the pin at 8:41.

Rating: C. Henley is definitely moving up the ladder a bit around here and it seems that she has a feud coming up with Meta Four. I could go for her winning something else but at least she has something going on here. Grace on the other hand continues to be more annoying than anything else but at least she didn’t get a dominant win.

OTM is ready for the D’Angelo Family at Vengeance Day.

Dijak and Joe Gacy are fighting way above a dumpster, with Dijak knocking him down into it for a nasty thud.

Baron Corbin praises Bron Breakker for his Royal Rumble performance and seems to be warming up to the Wolf Dogs name.

Heritage Cup: Von Wagner vs. Noam Dar

Dar, with Meta Four, is defending and Mr. Stone is here with Wagner. Round One begins with Dar’s kicks being shrugged off and Wagner snaps off a nice armdrag. Wagner powers him into the corner and slowly walks around as Stone plays cheerleader. The tape comes off of Wagner’s hand and he hammers away until the round ends.

Round Two begins with Wagner going after Oro Mensah, allowing Dar to hit the Nova Roller for the pin at 22 seconds of the round and 3:57 overall. We take a break and come back with Wagner hitting a rather delayed vertical suplex. Mensah offers a distraction but here are Fallon Henley and Wren Sinclair to brawl with Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson. The women leave as Dar’s kneebar can’t get the tap before Round Three ends.

Round Four begins with Wagner punching him in the face for two but Dar is back with some elbows. Wagner fights out again but the Death Valley Driver is broken up. Instead Wagner scores with a jumping knee to the face but misses a charge into the post. That’s enough for Dar to roll him up and retain at 1:53 of the round and 10:10 overall.

Rating: C. The seemingly never ending reign continues for Dar and the matches are getting less interesting. Wagner didn’t seem like one of the strongest challengers but Dar has held the title for the better part of ever. Either find something else for him to do or get rid of the title altogether, because this stopped working a long time ago.

Post match Dar mocks Stone’s kids in the front row so Wagner puts Mensah through the announcers’ table.

Ava yells at Dijak for putting Joe Gacy in a dumpster and wants a No DQ match with Gacy….who pops out of the dumpster to say he’s in. The match is on.

Vengeance Day rundown.

Here is Trick Williams for a face to face showdown with NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov. Cue the champ, who says he’s ready to whoop that Trick, but Williams thinks Dragunov has been playing him the entire time. Williams thinks Dragunov faked his injuries to avoid the match but Dragunov says there’s no way because he’s ready to hurt himself to retain the title.

Dragunov says Williams might want to be more worried about Carmelo Hayes but Williams says he’ll win twice on Sunday. Williams wants Hayes left out of this so Dragunov threatens him with destruction. They shake hands and have a staredown but cue Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker to jump them. Carmelo Hayes runs in for the save so Dragunov and Williams can stare each other down again to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There wasn’t a must see match on the show, but they did a good enough job of making me want to see Vengeance Day. The action worked well and they set up some more things for the pay per view and it was a fairly solid go home show. The ending segment was probably the best part of the show as they’ve done a nice job of setting up a story that could go in a few different directions. Solid show here, even if there was only so much more that could be done with the title match.

Results
Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams b. LWO – Jumping knee to Wilde
Roxanne Perez b. Tatum Paxley – Pop Rox
Lola Vice b. Elektra Lopez – Spinning kick to the head
Lexis King b. Ridge Holland – Hanging Coronation
Arianna Grace b. Fallon Henley – Big boot from Lash Legend
Noam Dar b. Von Wagner 2-0

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.