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

The Draft is done and now it is time to wrap up Spring Breakkin. Last week’s card was absolutely stacked while this week’s show isn’t quite as big. The main even seems to be Natalya vs. Lola Vice in NXT Underground. Other than that, we might find out what is next for new NXT Champion Trick Williams. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Trick Williams winning the NXT Title last week.

Here is Williams for his big celebration as champion. He likes the sound of hearing his name as champion but he wants to thank Ilja Dragunov. Raw is getting a good one, but this is officially the Whoop That Era. Cue Lash Legend to praise Williams, who thinks something is going on.

The last time they were in the same ring, she hit him in the face, but now he has some gold and now she wants him to be her Reese’s Cup: take the gold off and get to the chocolate inside. Legend is more into Kit Kats but she has an envelope, which means the end of his title reign. We don’t see what is in said envelope and Legend leaves. These two are funny together.

Gigi Dolin and Arianna Grace are at a fancy dinner so Dolin can learn dining etiquette. This turns into a preview for the show.

North American Title: Oba Femi vs. Ivar

Ivar is challenging. They slug it out to start with Ivar getting the better of things by clotheslining him to the floor for a dive off the apron. Back in and the spinning powerslam gives Ivar one but Femi is back with an Irish Curse. They’re already back on the floor, where Femi is sent into the steps, setting up a big crash against the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Ivar knocking him off the top again and hitting a big flip dive to the floor. Back in and Femi runs him over with a hard forearm for two but Ivar knocks him back down for the same. It’s too early for the Doomsault though and Femi pulls Ivar into a torture rack drop for two. Ivar is back up with another knockdown and now the Doomsault connects but Femi makes the ropes. Another Doomsault is loaded up but Femi cuts it off with an electric chair drop. The pop up powerbomb retains the title at 11:04.

Rating: B. I do appreciate a match that is exactly as advertised. This was always going to be two big, strong guys beating the fire out of each other and that’s exactly what it was. Ivar wasn’t likely to win the title here but he makes a nice addition to Femi’s resume. Good stuff here, with Femi’s star continuing to rise at an amazing rate.

Post match Wes Lee returns after several months away and the fans approve.

Thea Hail talks Fallon Henley into coming with her to ringside.

Thea Hail vs. Jacy Jayne

The rest of Chase U, Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx are all here too. They slap each other in the face to start and go to the floor with Jayne taking over. We take an early break and come back with Hail springboarding into a neckbreaker for two. Jayne misses a Cannonball though and they’re both down. Hail is back up with a Michinoku Driver for two but Jayne kicks her outside. Henley shoves Hail out of the way from a kick from Nyx, allowing Hail to Kimura Jayne for the tap at 7:59.

Rating: C. This was the grudge match win that Hail needed to, at least in theory, wrap up the feud. There isn’t much left for them to do or say to each other, though Henley taking the bullet for Hail is interesting. Not a great match, but it did what it needed to do and wrapped up the feud with Hail getting the win.

Post match Henley decks Hail to turn on her and leaves on her own.

Tyson DuPont and Tyriek Igwe are coming to NXT tonight. They’re strong and smart.

Natalya and Karmen Petrovic are warming up.

OC vs. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont

Igwe powers Anderson into the corner to start, setting up the hard shoulders to the ribs. The bigger DuPont hits a splash for two but Anderson drives Igwe into the corner for the tag to Gallows. Some forearms to the chest set up the chinlock, with Igwe having to power up into a fireman’s carry. DuPont comes back in with a side slam to Anderson and everything breaks down. Anderson grabs a spinebuster and the Magic Killer finishes Igwe at 4:17.

Rating: C+. They had me thinking we might see a big upset here as the OC was getting beaten up for a good chunk of the match. At the same time, I do get the idea of not wanting to put a rocket on a team just yet, as they certainly started well enough. Hopefully they get a win next time though, as you don’t want them being branded as losers right out of the gate.

We look at NXT stars being Drafted. A bunch of the coaches talk about what it means to them too, which is a rather nice touch.

Here is Ava for a big announcement. We are indeed going to have a Women’s North American Champion, as crowned in….a ladder match at Battleground, with twelve wrestlers competing in qualifying matches. Oh joy. Cue Jaida Parker, Sol Ruca, Arianna Grace, Michin and a bunch of other women to say they should be champion. A huge brawl breaks out.

The Street Profits wish Axiom and Nathan Frazer luck against the AOP tonight. Never slow down.

Lola Vice and Shayna Baszler train for NXT Underground.

Shawn Spears vs. Ridge Holland

Spears sticks and moves to start before bailing to the floor for an early break. Back with Spears getting two off a neckbreaker and putting on a reverse chinlock. A front facelock is broken up with pure power and Holland drives some shoulders to the ribs in the corner. The mysterious QR code pops up on the screen as Holland hits a Death Valley Driver into the corner. A lifting DDT (Paige’s old Rampaige) finishes Spears at 7:35.

Rating: C. This wasn’t great but it gave Holland a win after a rather weird period. Odds are that isn’t over, but you can’t have him lose a bunch and then try to do something with him. Spears is interesting in an agent of chaos way and there is a good chance we’ll see him do more of the same going forward.

Roxanne Perez yells at Ava about not getting Drafted, even though champions were protected.

Josh Briggs mocks Ivar for losing to Oba Femi. Wes Lee comes in to say he’s coming for the title, but Briggs seems to be standing in his way.

The Final Testament is ominous. At least Paul Ellering gets to talk for a bit here.

The D’Angelo Family wants the Heritage Cup and it’s going to be a group effort.

Tag Team Titles: AOP vs. Axiom/Nathan Frazer

The AOP, with the Final Testament, are challenging. The fight is on before the bell with the champs superkicking AOP outside. Some dives connect as well and we ring the bell, with Akam throwing Frazer down. Frazer gets caught in the wrong corner and AOP fires off the hard knees to the ribs. Rezar’s neck crank doesn’t last long and it’s back to Akam for a hard German suplex.

We take a break and come back with Rezar missing a running boot but Akam comes in and gets Frazer into the corner. Frazer DDTs his way to freedom but Rezar sends Frazer into a knee to the face for two. The Last Chapter is broken up and Akam is taken up top, only to have Scarlett grab Axiom’s foot. Massive ejections ensue but here is the New Catch Republic for a distraction, allowing Frazer to superkick Akam into a rollup for the pin to retain at 9:34.

Rating: B-. Another match with a simple formula which worked out rather well. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel with teams like these two and they did rather well. The Republic interfering ties things into what they have been doing on the main roster so everything makes sense without making the champs look weak.

Ridge Holland of all people checks on Thea Hail, who is crushed by Fallon Henley’s betrayal.

Meta Four will reveal Lash Legend’s envelope next week.

Fallon Henley tells Kelani Jordan that she’s going to start putting herself first.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade are worried about breaking a mirror last week but Brinley Reece has the solution: black cats!

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Natalya vs. Lola Vice

NXT Underground, meaning the ropes are gone and the ring is surrounded by wrestlers, with knockout/TKO/submission to win and Karmen Petrovic and Shayna Baszler are the respective seconds. Vice strikes away to start and they fight out to the floor before going with the grappling back inside. Natalya grabs a kneebar but Vice kicks her way out. A hip attack sends Natalya outside and we take a break.

Back with the fight heading to the floor again with Natalya sending her into the apron. A snap suplex on the floor has Vice in trouble but she trips Natalya on the announcers’ table. Back in and Vice grabs a triangle choke with some elbows to the head but Natalya slips out anyway. Natalya can’t power out of a guillotine so she drops it to the floor for the break in a smart move.

The Hartbreaker around the post has Vice in more trouble but Petrovic has to jump an invading Baszler. Back in and Baszler breaks up a Sharpshooter attempt, only to have the second attempt go on. Baszler Kirifuda Clutches Petrovic so Natalya breaks the hold like a moron, allowing Vice to get up and hit a spinning backfist for the knockout at 11:53.

Rating: B-. This is something that is only going to work with the right people and these two did rather well with it. Vice gets a pretty big time win to boost herself up and now we get to see where she can go from here. Natalya is at her best when she is helping make someone look better and that is exactly what she did here.

Ava announces that Roxanne Perez is defending the Women’s Title against Chelsea Green. Perez is livid but Green thinks she’ll like it here.

Overall Rating: B. For a show that didn’t seem like much on paper, this went rather well, with a bunch of stuff happening and some surprise cameos for a special touch. What matters here is they made me want to see where these stories are coming, which is a very important part of any show. Surprisingly awesome show here as NXT is already back up after the Draft gutted a lot of its bigger names.

Results
Obi Femi b. Ivar – Pop up powerbomb
Thea Hail b. Jacy Jayne – Kimura
OC b. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont – Magic Killer to Igwe
Ridge Holland b. Shawn Spears – Lifting DDT
Axiom/Nathan Frazer b. AOP – Rollup to Akam
Lola Vice b. Natalya – Spinning backfist

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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

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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.

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

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

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

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

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

Je’Von Evans vs. Scrypts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Respect is shown to end the show.

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

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NXT LVL Up
Date: February 23, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

With the WWE on its way to Australia for Elimination Chamber, this is the second half of a double taping, meaning we are in for two matches instead of the usual three. As tends to be the case around here, that should be rather helpful as it lets the matches breathe a bit more and not wear out their welcome. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Karmen Petrovic vs. Brinley Reece

Feeling out process to start with Reece taking her down without much trouble. They trade snapmares until Petrovic kicks her in the face. Petrovic’s headlock is countered with a belly to back suplex but she reverses another into a crossbody. Reece’s Honor Roll sets up a double arm crank, followed by an abdominal stretch for a bonus. That’s broken up and Petrovic hits a spinning kick to the back before they trade cradles with Petrovic finally getting the pin at 4:39.

Rating: C+. They kept things rather basic here but the pinfall reversal sequence at the end was rather good. Neither of them is ready to do a long or complicated match but I can go for someone doing well with the limited resources they had. Not a bad match at all here, with both of them showing some charisma.

Respect is shown post match.

Earlier today, Hank Walker/Tank Ledger and Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont played dominoes and set up a best of three series, with Walker and Ledger having already won the first match.

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

DuPont runs Walker over to start an it’s quickly off to Ledger to work on the arm. Igwe comes in to drop Ledger with a release gutwrench suplex as house is quickly cleaned. Ledger is back with a running shoulder in the ring and Walker grabs a hard slam. It’s back to Ledger to work on Igwe’s arm before Walker is back for a chinlock. Igwe fights up and brings in DuPont to clean house until Ledger crossbodies him down. DuPont spinebusters Walker and the chokeslam/belly to back suplex combination gives Igwe the pin at 5:50.

Rating: C+. I’m not much of a fan of either team but they had a hard hitting, fast paced match here, which is the way things need to go. Igwe and DuPont need to get some wins as well and I could go for them winning the series, as it isn’t like Ledger and Walker have anything going on. Not too bad here, and having the series included helps a bit.

Overall Rating: C+. As usual, the show being that much shorter helps a lot as the matches can often be a bit better. Neither of the matches really stood out but I’ll take a pair of quick and decent matches in a show that doesn’t even run twenty minutes. Solid enough stuff here, though we’re back to normal next week and that doesn’t exactly have my interest piqued.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Brinley Reece – Rollup
Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont b. Hank Walker/Tank Ledger – Chokeslam/belly to back suplex combination to Ledger

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

Gigi Dolin vs. Stevie Turner

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

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

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

Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe vs. Gallus

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

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

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

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

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

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NXT LVL Up
Date: October 6, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

We’re back to the point where there isn’t much to say about this show. There is no reason to believe that much of anything of importance is going to take place around here. It’s all the more frustrating when you see WWE trying something around here and then just dropping it as fast as they can. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Kelani Jordan/Valentina Feroz vs. Izzi Dame/Tatum Paxley

Paxley and Feroz lock up to start and neither gets the better of things, meaning it’s an early double tag. Jordan gets knocked down against the ropes so it’s Dame coming in to stomp away. A double elbow sets up Paxley’s splash for two, followed by Paxley grabbing a bodyscissors. Jordan finally kicks her way to freedom though and it’s back to Feroz for some rapid fire armdrags. Everything breaks down and Paxley grabs a Psycho Driver for the pin on Feroz at 4:33.

Rating: C-. What are you supposed to get from a match like this? It’s four women paired off with nothing to set up the match and no reason for them to be fighting. At the same time, they only had about four and a half minutes to get anything going, which doesn’t work so well for people without much experience. Matches like these make me wonder what the point of this show is supposed to be, because this didn’t do much.

Dante Chen is ready to face Drew Gulak. Tonight it’s Singapore style, though Chen doesn’t know what that means.

Javier Bernal/Luca Crusifino vs. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont

DuPont faceplants Luca to start so it’s off to Bernal, who gets slammed down. Bernal’s headlock doesn’t do much so it’s Igwe coming in to splash Luca in the corner. Luca manages a hiptoss neckbreaker for a breather and Bernal comes in for a headscissors. That doesn’t last long and DuPont hits a backdrop. It’s back to clean house, including a superkick to Bernal. Luca makes the save and gets tossed, allowing Luca to grab a rollup for the pin at 4:44.

Rating: C. You know, it is ok to let these young guys score a quick win over two “bigger” names who aren’t a regular team and are hardly top level stars in the first place. The match was mostly a squash for Igwe and DuPont but then they lost to a fluke rollup to protect Bernal and Luca? That’s quite the odd choice.

Drew Gulak vs. Dante Chen

Myles Borne, Damon Kemp and Charlie Dempsey are here with Gulak. Chen grabs a headlock to start and snaps off an armdrag into an armbar. Back up and Chen hits a backdrop for two before dropkicking him out to the floor. Gulak comes back in and stomps away on the ropes before grabbing a neck crank. That’s broken up and Chen chops him out to the floor, setting up a big dive. Gulak’s cronies offer a distraction though and Gulak picks Chen up and hits a kind of powerslam piledriver for the pin at 5:43.

Rating: C+. It was better than the other matches but that doesn’t really clear a high bar. Chen continues to be little more than a person who happens to be on the show over and over again without really doing anything important. Gulak is still someone who could be used in a slightly bigger way and he only got to show so much of his skills here.

Overall Rating: C. Oh this was LVL Up alright, as there was almost nothing going on and a bunch of the normal lineup having matches that didn’t change anything and won’t lead anywhere. In other words, there is no reason to watch this show again, and there is nothing to suggest that it is going to get better.

Results
Izzi Dame/Tatum Paxley b. Kelani Jordan/Valentina Feroz – Psycho Driver to Feroz
Javier Bernal/Luca Crusifino b. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont – Rollup to Igwe
Drew Gulak b. Dante Chen – Powerslam piledriver

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NXT LVL Up
Date: August 25, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

Last week’s show was a bit of an upgrade as there were two matches featuring names from the regular NXT roster. If that keeps up, the show can be that much better, as there are all kinds of stars who could pop up around here. Or maybe there won’t be anyone included whatsoever. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

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

Walker runs Igwe over to start and cranks on the arm before driving in corner shoulders. Ledger is pulled in with a slingshot splash or two so it’s off to DuPont, who is double shouldered down. Igwe comes back in for a belly to back suplex and some right hands as Walker is in trouble for a change. A clothesline out of the corner puts DuPont back down and there’s the tag off to Ledger to pick up the pace. Everything breaks down and a running powerslam with a crossbody to the back at the same time finishes Igwe at 5:05.

Rating: C. Not a bad power match here but I’m still not that into Walker and Ledger. They feel like some weird cross between Heavy Machinery and Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen and it’s not really working. They’re not bad but they come off as quite the token power team and that’s not great. Igwe and DuPont are the latest team who looks great but have little to make them stand out, which has to change at some point.

Kiyah Saint is ready to debut against Kiana James. She’s educated and calculate.

Kiyah Saint vs. Kiana James

James snapmares her down to start so Saint nips up. Saint grabs a headlock this time and manages to take her down. That’s broken up so James takes it into the corner, where Saint rolls her up for two. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Saint comes back with some running forearms. A fisherman’s suplex gets two but James is back with the 401k. The Dealbreaker finishes Saint off at 5:19.

Rating: C+. For someone’s debut match, Saint looked a lot better than most of the rookies you get around here. She has quite the athletic background and when you mix that in with quite the bit of energy, it makes for a nice debut. James is fine in the role she’s been filling, but that isn’t going to get her much further.

Scrypts vs. Dante Chen

Scrypts has Bronco Nima and Lucien Price with him. Scrypts gets in a shot to the ribs to start but Chen pulls him down into an armbar. Back up and Scrypts gets knocked to the floor, where he manages an arm snap across the top rope. An elbow to the face gives Scrypts two and we hit the chinlock with a knee in Chen’s back. Chen fights up and strikes away but can’t hit the double chop. Instead he kicks Scrypts in the head but Nima offers a distraction. That’s enough for Scrypts to hit a handspring cutter for the pin at 6:39.

Rating: C. I know I’ve said it before but my goodness Scrypts is still rather lame. Even giving him a pair of monster lackeys isn’t going to hide that and I’m not sure what else could. Chen isn’t that much better, but at least he never makes it out of LVL Up. This was a rather uninspiring pick for a main event here and it showed pretty badly.

Overall Rating: C. It says a lot that the thing that stood out the most here was a rookie best known for her triple jumping career in college. They went straight back to the “oh who cares” version here with some lower level names than last time. As usual the short run time saves the show but that’s about all it has to offer.

Results
Hank Walker/Tank Ledger b. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont – Powerslam/crossbody combination to Igwe
Kiana James b. Kiyah Saint – Dealbreaker
Scrypts b. Dante Chen – Handspring cutter

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NXT LVL Up
Date: August 4, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

Welcome to the completely random draw of a show as there is no way of knowing what you are going to see on this show and that makes for some unique options. Unfortunately those options are rarely used and we get a lot of the same people doing the same things over and over. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Edris Enofe/Malik Blade vs. Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe

I believe this is the debut for DuPont and Igwe. Blade gets powered around by DuPont but a double elbow lets Enofe get two. Igwe comes in and gets armdragged down a few times, meaning it’s time to start in on his arm. That’s broken up and Enofe gets dropped face first onto the buckle so the villains can take over. DuPont’s armbar keeps Enofe down and Igwe runs him over for two. Enofe pops up and gets over to Blade for the tag to clean house. Igwe gets slammed down, setting up Enofe’s top rope elbow for the pin at 5:18.

Rating: C. Much like just about ever debut on LVL Up, there is only so much you can get out of a short match. DuPont and Igwe both look good and have quite the power game, but there was one thing I rather liked here: a pop up graphic told us about their athletic backgrounds and gave us a bit of a resume for both of them. That’s so easy to do and gives them at least something to build off going forward. Let us know something about these people and it might help them a bit.

Trey Bearhill, a rather big man, is from a culture that passes down its stories. His story begins tonight.

Trey Bearhill vs. Myles Borne

Bearhill is a Native American and has the facepaint to prove it (at least in wrestling circles). Borne tries to pick up the pace to start but loses a battle over a top wristlock. A running shoulder from Borne just earns him a yell but Borne is able to knock him outside. Back in and a dropkick gives Borne one so Bearhill hits a rather large hiptoss for two. Bearhill grabs a bearhug and then grabs it again to prove his point. With that broken up, Borne hits a double leg takedown of all things but Bearhill hits him in the face for two. Borne is right back with a dropkick for the pin at 5:36.

Rating: C. As has been the case since wrestling began, power vs. speed is a formula that is going to work every single time. That was the case here again, as Borne was trying to move around while Bearhill used his power to cut him off. Bearhill has some good size but could use a lot more seasoning and a gimmick that won’t limit him as much. Honoring your heritage is fine and he’s not quite as simple as Chief Jay Strongbow, but I’m not sure how well this is going to go for him.

Gigi Dolin vs. Tatum Paxley

They grapple a bit to start and trade some near falls until Dolin grabs a headlock. A running hurricanrana drops Paxley and a running dropkick against the ropes gets two. Paxley pulls her down by the hair and hits a splash for two, followed by a dropkick for the same. The chinlock doesn’t last long so Paxley drops her again and puts the chinlock on again. Back up and Dolin strikes away, setting up an STO for two. The abdominal stretch rollup finishes Paxley at 5:55.

Rating: C+. Definitely the best match of the night and as usual, it’s nice to see some wrestlers who feel a bit more important than the rest of the lineup. Dolin and Paxley aren’t top stars, but they’re bigger than anyone else on this show and it makes that much of a difference. They had a nice back and forth match too, which I wouldn’t have bet on coming in.

Overall Rating: C. This was a different way to go for LVL Up and it’s kind of a nice change of pace. They introduced three new stars here and the main event was different enough to make it work. As usual, the show isn’t worth seeing, but I can go with this format every so often to bring in a few new names and throw out some established people too.

Results
Edris Enofe/Malik Blade b. Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe – Top rope elbow to Igwe
Myles Borne b. Trey Bearhill – Dropkick
Gigi Dolin b. Tatum Paxley – Abdominal stretch rollup

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