NXT
Date: August 13, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with the Great American Bash and on the way to No Mercy, which is going to need a card. That is going to take some time to set up and there are only three shows left before it’s off to Denver, meaning the build will likely start today. If nothing else, Ethan Page is going to need a new challenger for the NXT Title so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s second half of the Great American Bash.

Wes Lee ignores a question about why he turned on the Rascalz. With Lee gone, Ethan Page pops in to say he’s here to address the NXT Universe.

Here is Page in the ring for a chat. He brags about his win last week and promises that no one is taking this title from him. Not Trick Williams, not Pete Dunne and not Wes Lee. Cue Joe Hendry to interrupt, saying he is here without anyone even saying his name. It is clear that Page is the talk of NXT….or at least he was for ninety seconds, until Hendry’s name showed up and stole the show.

Page doesn’t know why Hendry is here, but Hendry says he’s here to win the NXT Title. Page knows that everyone believes in Hendry, from NXT to TNA, but Page himself doesn’t believe in him. Hendry is on the 14th minute of his fifteen minutes of fame and Page is ready to prove that Hendry is a flash in the pan. Hendry talks about the legends who believe in him, from Kurt Angle to Booker T. to Shawn Michaels before going into his theme song. Page leaves and Lee jumps Hendry from behind.

Wren Sinclair annoys Charlie Dempsey before Dempsey’s Heritage Cup shot, saying she’s not staying out of anything now that she is officially on the team.

Ava, with her assistants, announces a gauntlet eliminator next week, with only women who have never challenged Roxanne Perez eligible. We get three of the six names being drawn for the match: Wren Sinclair, Adrianna Rizzo and Sol Ruca, with three more being named later.

Heritage Cup: Tony D’Angelo vs. Charlie Dempsey

D’Angelo is defending and they both have multiple associates here too. Round one begins with D’Angelo taking him down and hammering away before hitting a running shoulder. Dempsey goes after the arm but has to counter the spinebuster. D’Angelo drives him into the corner but gets pulled into something like a triangle choke. Dempsey switches into a kneebar as the round ends. Round two begins with some grappling on the mat and neither being able to get anywhere. Back up and D’Angelo hits Forget About It for the first fall at 56 seconds of the round and 4:22 overall.

We take a break and come back with round three ending but Dempsey gets in what might have been an after the bell knee. Sinclair yells at him and gets in a few slaps between rounds, which isn’t a great way to ingratiate yourself with your new team members. Round four begins with Dempsey hammering him down in the corner until D’Angelo clotheslines his way out of trouble. Forget About It is blocked and D’Angelo is sent into the corner, allowing Dempsey to grab a rollup for the pin at 1:53 of the round and 11:02 overall to tie it up.

Round five begins with D’Angelo hitting the spinebuster for two but Dempsey pulls him into a triangle choke. That’s broken up and D’Angelo puts him on top, where the seconds get into a brawl. Sinclair trips D’Angelo down and Dempsey grabs a bridging butterfly suplex for the pin and the Cup at 2:02 of the round and 13:30 overall.

Rating: B-. That’s a good way to go as Sinclair pays instant dividends for the team and Dempsey gets the Cup back, which makes a good bit more sense. There is a good chance that this feud continues and that isn’t a bad idea. If nothing else, points for bringing Sinclair into something more important after she has just been kind of there for such a long time.

Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan think they should help Tatum Paxley, who is going a bit nuts with her dolls. Paxley yells about Vice having everything handed to her, which isn’t well received.

Video on Eddy Thorpe vs. Lexis King in their battle over music.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Lexis King

King jumps him in the aisle to start and the fight is on fast. Thorpe fights back but gets sent shoulder first into the post to put him in early trouble. King starts in on Thorpe’s bad hand but Thorpe backdrops his way out of trouble. The implant DDT is broken up and King goes after the arm again, setting up the Coronation for the pin at 3:08.

Rating: C. This was certainly a match that happened and it was only so good. You can only get so far out of a match with so little time and while they’re going for the culture clash between the two, it has only been so interesting. I do like King getting a win, though it wouldn’t surprise me if this feud keeps going as well.

Trick Williams wants Pete Dunne.

Dunne talks about how he’s moving forward to the NXT Title.

Meta Four argue with Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley.

Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice

Kelani Jordan is on commentary. Vice takes her down to start and dance a bit but Paxley is back up with an enziguri. Cue Wendy Choo to choke Jordan, with Paxley using the distraction to jump Vice. A Swanton misses though and Vice hits a spinning backfist for the pin at 2:18. Short and to the point, which was Choo attacking Jordan.

The other three women in the gauntlet match are Jaida Parker, Kendal Grey and Karmen Petrovic. Brinley Reece wishes Petrovic good luck but Izzi Dame comes in to say she should have gotten the shot. Dame can’t stand Reece either.

Here is Wes Lee for a chat. Lee says last week’s turn started when Zachary Wentz let him down and broke up their team for the first time. People were asking about what was next for Lee, because he was just a tag guy. Then he worked hard and became the greatest North American Champion of all time.

The rest of the Rascalz became a team in TNA and turned into a success, all while Lee broke his back becoming a singles star. Lee is done caring about what Wentz is going to say or do because he is tired of being the adult for Wentz. The only reason his friends came back was for WWE and he knows he’ll have to face Wentz one day. Like maybe at No Mercy. Then Wentz can go back to TNA and Lee will wish him the best in his future endeavors. Cue Pete Dunne to interrupt, saying he wants the NXT Title…and here is Joe Hendry to interrupt. Hendry goes after Lee but it’s quickly broken up.

Axiom and Nathan Frazier are ready to focus on the Tag Team Titles again tonight.

Tony D’Angelo is upset about his loss…but Oba Femi walks in, saying he’s ready for battle.

Chase U is fired up for their Tag Team Title match and Duke Hudson says it doesn’t matter which part of the team wins the gold. Ridge Holland is ready to prove himself to the team.

North American Title: Oba Femi vs. Otis

Otis, with the rest of the Alpha Academy, is challenging. They fight over a lockup to start with Femi grabbing a headlock but not being able to take him over. A running shoulder puts Femi on the floor and we take a break. Back with Otis fighting out of a chinlock and grabbing a side slam for two.

Femi knocks him outside though and an uppercut sends him into the steps. Some elbows give Femi two more and he knocks Otis outside to cut off a comeback bid. Otis is back up with a running shoulder though and some elbows to the face rock Femi back inside. The Caterpillar gets two and a Vader Bomb gives Otis the same but Femi powerbombs him out of the corner to retain the title at 10:40.

Rating: C+. This got going near the end, even if there wasn’t much in the way of doubt over who was leaving with the title. The match was about giving Femi another win over an established name and the fans are always going to be behind Otis. The match itself was an ok enough power match, but the Caterpillar doesn’t exactly fit with the idea of two monsters slugging it out.

Brooks Jensen talks about the mistakes he has made but says there was one person always looking out for him….and it’s Shawn Spears.

Malik Blade and Edris Enofe aren’t sure about this and neither are Hank Walker and Tank Ledger. Walker and Leger are facing the OC next week.

We look at the NXT tryout over Summerslam weekend.

Izzi Dame vs. Brinley Reece

These two were both part of the 2022 Summerslam weekend tryout. Reece takes over on the arm to start and drops Dame with a hard shot for two. Dame is back with a backbreaker and drives her into the corner with a running shoulder to the ribs. A Sky High gives Dame two but Reece slips out of an over the shoulder backbreaker. Reece’s suplex gets two, only for Dame to kick her in the face. Something close to a swinging Side Effect finishes for Dame at 4:08.

Rating: C+. Again they didn’t have much time here but what mattered is getting some of the long list of women around here something to do. There are a ton of talented women in NXT but so many of them have just been kind of spinning their wheels. While I’m not sure this is going to be some breakout win for Dame, it’s better than being stuck on LVL Up or trading insults backstage.

Ava announces a triple threat between Wes Lee, Pete Dunne and Joe Hendry, with the winner getting an NXT Title shot at No Mercy. Roxanne Perez comes in to say she likes the idea of the gauntlet eliminator but no one is going to take the title from her.

Shawn Michaels announces (well, re-announces) that NXT will be on the road for October 1 and 8.

Ashante Thee Adonis continues his flirtations. With the women gone, he talks to Dion Lennox, who is more interested in reading.

Tag Team Titles: Chase U vs. Axiom/Nathan Frazier

Chase U (Andre Chase/Ridge Holland) is challenging. Chase knees Axiom down for an early two and it’s quickly off to Frazier, who runs the ropes and rolls Chase up for two of his own. Holland comes in and the champions clear the ring, setting up the dives as we take a break. Back with Chase and Frazier hitting a double clothesline for a double knockdown. The double tag brings in Holland to flip Axiom over into a DDT for two. Holland plants Axiom so Chase can get two with Frazier making the save.

Chase is put up top but Holland makes the save, only to be sent outside. Chasing The Dragon gets two on Chase but he’s back up with a big boot to Axiom. Holland powerbombs Frazier into Chase’s Backstabber for two as the fans are going nuts on these kickouts. Axiom comes back in and hits the super Spanish Fly on Holland but Chase shoves Frazier off the top and into the announcers’ table. Holland hits his lifting DDT on Axiom for the pin and the titles at 10:07.

Rating: B. You know what I loved about this match? It could have gone in a bunch of different ways. This could have been Axiom and Frazier splitting after weeks of teasing a breakup or it could have been Hudson turning on Chase U or it could have been the clean finish that we got, which could have gone either way. That is a very nice feeling to have and that’s on top of the match being a heck of a back and forth fight, with the fans being way into the near falls. Pretty awesome main event here and I was pulled into everything they were doing.

The celebration is on with the student section joining in as the confetti falls.

Overall Rating: B+. What more could you want from this show? They set up things for the next show which will set up a lot of No Mercy, advanced stories this week and gave us two title changes, with a special moment in the main event. The show might not be perfect, but it feels like they know what they want to do and then go out and do it. Nothing on here is revolutionary or anything close to it, but it’s consistently well booked with the action to back it up. I had a great time with this show and NXT’s roll continues as they are getting closer to the CW move.

Results
Charlie Dempsey b. Tony D’Angelo 2-1
Lexis King b. Eddy Thorpe – Coronation
Lola Vice b. Tatum Paxley – Spinning backfist
Oba Femi b. Otis – Sitout powerbomb
Izzi Dame b. Brinley Reece – Swinging Side Effect
Chase U b. Axiom/Nathan Frazier – Lifting DDT to Axiom

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

I’m still trying to get my head around the idea that this show is building up stories week to week. No they aren’t big and no they are nothing noteworthy, but after years of the same stuff, I’ll absolutely take what I can get. Last week’s show was decent enough so hopefully this week can improve on that. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Dante Chen vs. Keanu Carver

Carver has been gone for about six months due to an injury. Chen grabs a headlock to start and manages a takeover on the much larger Carver. Back up and they run the ropes until Carver hits a Pounce (which commentary had hyped up) to send Chen outside in a crash. Carver grabs a bearhug and gets two off a backbreaker as things slow down a good bit. A waistlock stays on the ribs before a Sky high gives Carver two. We keep going with the power as Carver grabs a torture rack, only for Chen to fight out and hit some running forearms. Some kicks to the face and the double chop finish Carver at 4:59.

Rating: C+. This was designed to make Carver look like a star and it worked fairly well before he fell to Chen and…..sweet goodness his finisher is a chop. It wasn’t the place for Carver to get a big win but at least he got to look dominant on the way there. Not a great match, but a rather good way to showcase the up and coming Carver.

Lainey Reid is ready for Wendy Choo, no matter how weird she is.

Lainey Reid vs. Wendy Choo

Choo takes her down by the hair to start but Reid gets two off a quick rollup. A missed charge sends Reid into the corner and it’s already time to choke on the ropes. Choo hits a clothesline for two and hammers away, setting up a running dropkick in the Tree of Woe. Choo’s neck crank is broken up and Reid strikes away, including a neckbreaker. A belly to back faceplant sets up a rollup for two on Choo but she’s right back with the Million Dollar Dream for the tap at 5:04.

Rating: C. This wasn’t exactly a great showcase for Reid, who does have something with the Modern Southern Belle deal, but hasn’t had the chance to showcase herself just yet. The match was more about Choo being weird and creepy, which is all she’s done since her return. Not much here, though Reid is somewhat intriguing.

Kale Dixon is glad to be back because it’s awful to be on the bench for so long.

Edris Enofe vs. Kale Dixon

Malik Blade is here with Enofe. They fight over arm control to start until Dixon hits him in the face and hits a chop to the back. That just fires Enofe up for a dropkick and dancing into a jumping elbow. Dixon is sent outside and gets in a cheap shot, setting up a belly to back suplex for two back inside.

Some snap suplexes get two more and we hit the chinlock with a knee in Enofe’s back. The half crab is broken up and Enofe grabs a monkey flip of all things for a breather. A spinebuster sets up a half crab on Dixon for a change but he’s right at the rope. Dixon pulls him out of the air for a lifting Downward Spiral but Enofe hits a wind up DDT. A top rope elbow finishes Dixon at 7:44.

Rating: C+. The extra time helped a bit here and Dixon is treated as a big deal, but it is still hard to get invested in him when his name is that terrible. It’s still weird to see Enofe (and Blade last week) in a singles match but it’s better than having him sit on the sidelines. The skill is there and if he can get a chance to showcase it, he might just get somewhere.

Overall Rating: C+. And just like that they take away some of the continuity and story building and give us a more more old school (work with me here) LVL Up. While I do like the extra promo time, there wasn’t much to get interested in here, though Carver did look like a monster. Rather standard show from around here though and that’s disappointing after the last few weeks.

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NXT
Date: August 6, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the second week of the Great American Bash and we have a title match in the main event as Ethan Page will be defending the NXT Title against Oro Mensah. Other than that, the Tag Team Titles are on the line as the Rascalz are coming after Nathan Frazier and Axiom. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week, focusing on Hank Walker and Tank Ledger, your hosts for both weeks.

Trick Williams vs. Pete Dunne

Williams chops away to start but has to suplex his way out of a Kimura. Dunne gets in a shot of his own before they strike it out, with Dunne’s chest being rather red. A neckbreaker gives Williams two and we take an early break. Back with Dunne cranking on the arm but Williams fights up with a clothesline to start the comeback.

A Rock Bottom gives Williams two but Dunne drops him again and goes up. That’s cut of with a super flapjack of all things for a nasty crash. A spinning kick to the face gives Williams two and they’re both down again. Back up and Dunne powerbombs him down and stomps away…which for some reason fires Williams up. The Trick Shot misses though and Dunne grabs the Bitter End for the pin at 13:00.

Rating: B-. That’s a surprising result as Williams has been seen as the top star in NXT for the last several months but then he loses clean here. Dunne hasn’t exactly been presented as a huge deal on the main roster yet here he is beating Williams. The match itself was pretty good, but I’m more interested in why Williams lost here, as it came out of nowhere.

Earlier today, Eddy Thorpe and Lexis King got in an argument over the music at the barbecue. Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner then got in a wing eating contest. Presumably more on this later.

Nathan Frazier and Ethan Page argued in the trainer’s room, with Frazier realizing Axiom isn’t here yet.

Women’s North American Title: Tatum Paxley vs. Kelani Jordan

Paxley is challenging and can’t get very far with a headlock to start. They trade waistlocks until Jordan takes her down by the arm. The fans are split as Jordan snaps off some more armdrags and sends Paxley outside. There’s the big slingshot dive but Jordan finds another doll of herself underneath the ring.

Paxley gets in a cheap shot off the distraction and we take a break. Back with Paxley working on the leg and grabbing a hair faceplant…as Wendy Choo comes out to watch. The Psycho Trap misses but so does the split legged moonsault, allowing Paxley to hit a 450 for two. They both go up with Jordan grabbing a super Spanish Fly. A frog splash retains the title at 10:00.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t exactly tearing the house down but it’s another win to add to the list for Jordan. That’s the best thing for her at the moment as she still needs to make herself feel more like a star worthy of being the champion. Granted that might com crashing down when she faces Wendy Choo but for now it’s becoming a good start.

Post match Choo hands Paxley the doll and then jumps her as Jordan looks on.

Wren Sinclair things the No Quarter Catch Crew has whacked Tavion Heights, who is really in Japan. She still wants on the team, but the D’Angelo Family comes in. Tony D’Angelo says that if Sinclair wins tonight, Charlie Dempsey can have another shot at the Heritage Cup. Wren manages a bonus: she’s on the team if she wins. Oba Femi storms past them and we pan over to Axiom, who arrives as Nathan Frazier is trying to get him on the phone. Axiom has been here but was giving Frazier some space.

Trick Williams jumps Pete Dunne, making him a sore loser.

NXT Title: Ethan Page vs. Oro Mensah

Mensah, with Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson, is challenging. Mensah chops away in the corner to start and snaps off an anklescissors to put Page down. Some chops in the corner send Page outside and we take an early break. Back again with Mensah fighting out of a bearhug but moonsaulting into a dropkick in a rather nice bit of timing. Page knocks him to the apron and tells the announcers to move but can’t quite hit a superplex.

Instead Mensah sends him to the floor for the suicide dive into the table, followed by a spinning kick for two back inside. They go outside and fight up the ramp, with Page hitting an Ego’s Edge through a picnic table. That’s not a DQ due to reasons that aren’t clear so Page hits a DDT for two. Mensah grabs some rollups for a DDT of his own, setting up the running spinwheel kick in the corner for two more. Page is back up with the Ego’s Edge for the pin at 13:09.

Rating: B-. They were doing everything they could here and it was far from a bad match, but Mensah’s mother wouldn’t have given him a serious chance of winning the title here. In a similar vein to Kelani Jordan, this was more about giving Page another win and that’s not a bad thing. This didn’t come off like a main event and they didn’t treat it as such, which was the right way to go.

The Rascalz are ready to get the Tag Team Titles back.

Back at the barbecue, women argue over a title shot and a man hits on them, earning a trip through a table.

Joe Hendry vs. Joe Coffey

The rest of Gallus is here with Coffey, who jumps the other two before the bell. Coffey headbutts Hendry into the corner to start but gets kneed in the face. Hendry grabs a suplex and fires off some chops, followed by a clothesline to the floor as we take a break. Back with Hendry playing Eddie Guerrero by throwing a chair and faking an attack to get rid of the rest of Gallus. Hendry hits a backdrop and fall away slam as the fans sing about their beliefs. The Standing Ovation (high angle spinebuster) finishes Coffey at 8:11.

Rating: C+. This felt like a way to give Hendry a win around here, as he continues to more or less move into NXT and become the hottest thing in the promotion despite not working here. If WWE can get that kind of a result while sending midcarders over to TNA, good for them, as it’s working out well. Nice stuff here, and odds are Hendry isn’t done with NXT just yet.

Post match Hendry says he has enjoyed his time here and he might just stay for a lot longer. He’ll be here next week and you won’t even need to say his name because he will appear.

We’re off to Chase U, which has a new classroom. That’s not all either, as he has gotten Chase U a Tag Team Title shot next week. Duke Hudson perks up…but is told that it’s Holland and Andre Chase getting the shot. Hudson is disappointed while everyone else gets fired up.

Back at the barbecue, Shawn Spears wants to mentor Brooks Jensen, who seems to agree. Elsewhere, a rather messy Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner make a multi-woman match for…I think a shot at Roxanne Perez? The OC come in and get in a brawl with Hank Walker and Tank Ledger.

Wren Sinclair vs. Kendal Grey

The No Quarter Catch Crew and Carlee Bright are here too. Grey takes her down into an armbar to start but Sinclair reverses into a headscissors. Back up and Grey snaps off anther armdrag into an armbar, only to get reversed into an arm and leg stretch. Grey fights up and hits a suplex to send Sinclair out to the floor. Back in and something like an Angle Slam gives Grey two and they trade rollups for two each. Sinclair hits her in the face and grabs a bulldog driver for the clean pin at 4:17, earning herself a spot in the No Quarter Catch Crew and Charlie Dempsey a Heritage Cup shot.

Rating: C+. That’s not a long match for having so much riding on it but it certainly moved things forward in a hurry. Sinclair has gone from nothing to an interesting prospect by being in the right place at the right time and then winning a match so we’ll have to see where she goes. Other than that, Grey continues to be good enough without winning, though that is going to need to change sooner or later.

Je’Von Evans talks about wrestling at a young age and meeting Matt Bloom (Albert/Lord Tensai) when he was a kid. Now Bloom is his coach. He’s not sure where he’s going to be in ten years because he just turned twenty.

Oba Femi is defending his title next week but doesn’t know who is getting the title shot. The D’Angelo Family comes in with Tony D’Angelo saying he’ll retain the Heritage Cup next week.

Tag Team Titles: MSK vs. Axiom/Nathan Frazier

Axiom and Frazier are defending. Axiom works on Lee’s arm to start and it’s off to Frazier for an armbar of his own. Lee manages to send him into the corner for an extended Bronco Buster but Frazer pulls himself up for a jumping enziguri to put Lee down. Frazer’s big running flip dive connects and Axiom adds a springboard moonsault as we take a break.

Back with Wentz superkicking a Lionsaulting Frazier out of the air, allowing the double tag to Axiom and Lee. Everything breaks down and the Spanish Fly into the Phoenix splash gets two on Wentz with Lee making the save. The champs have some miscommunication and Wentz’s springboard cutter gets two. Lee goes up and gets superplex into Chasing The Dragon for two more. The Golden Ratio retains the titles at 10:31.

Rating: B. The tension continues for the champs and has to be ready for a payoff of some kind in the near future. For now though, I’ll settle for a fast paced title match between two teams who can more than work that style. The Rascalz reunion has been rather nice as an exciting trio can be a lot of fun, which is certainly true in their case.

Post match respect is shown and the champions leave. Then Lee superkicks Miguel and kicks Wentz low. Lee rants about how they left him alone and throws them to the floor, with Miguel being sent through the barricade and Wentz being sent into the steps. The fans boo Lee out of the building to end the show. I can go for that, as Lee was kind of out of things to do and his partners work for another company.

Overall Rating: B-. That’s it for the Great American Bash and after two weeks, I’ve seen worse specials. The good thing, as usual in NXT, is that they set up things for the ensuing weeks so we do have a place to go as after this show. This week was a show that didn’t have a ton of major matches but the best it could with what it had. A hot angle at the end helped too and the show wound up being another nice watch.

Results
Pete Dunne b. Trick Williams – Bitter End
Kelani Jordan b. Tatum Paxley – Frog splash
Ethan Page b. Oro Mensah – Ego’s Edge
Joe Hendry b. Joe Coffey – Standing Ovation
Wren Sinclair b. Kendal Grey – Bulldog driver
Nathan Frazier/Axiom b. MSK – Golden Ratio to Lee

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

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

It’s the first night of the Great American Bash and oddly enough the card isn’t exactly stacked. There are some title matches, but only one of them feels like a big time showdown. Other than that, we have a contract signing for next week’s NXT Title match and the Women’s Tag Team Champions are here for a guest spot. Oh and Joe Hendry is giving a concert. Let’s get to it.

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

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger break into the Performance Center to host the show. This involves hacking a security system, dodging lasers and crawling through a dark room.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Meta Four vs. Isla Dawn/Alba Fyre

Meta Four is challenging. It’s a brawl before the bell to start fast and Jackson is sent into the wrong corner. Fyre sends her into the buckle for two and a double suplex connects as well. Legend is back up to clean house and we take an early break. Back with Jackson hitting an enziguri, allowing the diving tag off to Legend.

A chokeslam gets two on Dawn but Fyre gets in a cheap shot from the apron to cut her off. That doesn’t last long though as it’s a wheelbarrow faceplant/cutter combination for to on Dawn with Fyre making the save. Back up and the Evil Touch to Jackson retains the titles at 7:52.

Rating: C+. The problem here is Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair are getting a title match on Smackdown, which was talked about extensively throughout this match. If I already know they’re getting the shot, it make it kind of difficult to buy a title change here. That being said, Legend’s pretty incredible transformation continues, as she is turning into a more impressive star every time she is out there.

Post match here is Ethan Page to mock Oro Mensah and promise he won’t win the NXT Title next week. Mensah pins him again.

Cedric Alexander is teaching some young wrestlers when Shawn Spears interrupts to talk about Brooks Jensen. Cue Jensen to argue but Spears holds him out.

Tavion Heights is ready for Tony D’Angelo.

Tony D’Angelo is ready for Tavion Heights.

Pete Dunne talks about Sheamus walking away from the Brawling Brutes so now he’s going to create havoc. He’ll start next week with Trick Williams.

Heritage Cup: Tavion Heights vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo is defending and their respective associates are here too. Round One begins with some grappling with Heights, the former Olympic wrestler taking over with a fireman’s carry. D’Angelo is back up with a headlock before switching to a leglock as the round ends. Here is Wren Sinclair to watch and we take a break. Back with D’Angelo hitting a superplex but time expires.

Round Three begins with D’Angelo hitting Forget About It for the pin at 28 seconds of the round and 8:13 overall. Round Four begins with Sinclair yelling at Heights, which is enough for Heights to grab the belly to belly and tie it up at 23 seconds of the round and 9:04 overall. Round Five begins with Heights getting two off a gutwrench suplex. Heights misses a charge into the ropes though and D’Angelo hits back to back spinebusters to retain at 1:39 of the round and 11:09 overall.

Rating: C+. You kind of know what you’re getting with these things and that was the case again here. Heights was a fine choice for a one off challenger but D’Angelo is going to be on to bigger and better opponents. They didn’t spend too long on this and what we got was good enough for a title defense.

Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx don’t like the new generation so the tag match is set for tonight.

Brooks Jensen vs. Cedric Alexander

Joined in progress Jensen charging into a boot in the corner and being knocked outside. Alexander hits a big dive but Jensen kicks him in the face to take over. A running shoulder in the Tree Of Woe gives Jensen two and we hit the chinlock. Back up and Alexander snaps off a suplex into a Michinoku river for two. Jensen knocks him off the top and a guillotine legdrop gets two. They head outside with Jensen dropping him onto the announcers’ table. The dive misses though and Alexander grabs the Lumbar Check to win at 4:47 shown.

Rating: C. As has been the case, the problem with Jensen boils down to him only being so interesting in the first place. It’s one thing if he starts winning matches like he did against Josh Briggs, but seeing him lose more often than not is taking away what little status he has. The match wasn’t anything noteworthy either, which isn’t helping Jensen’s case in the slightest.

Je’Von Evans talks about growing up watching wrestling and knowing he needed to do this.

Joe Hendry flirts with some women before his concert but then has to leave. Ashante Thee Adonis comes in to take care of the women.

The Rascalz re confused by being on a Tuesday but want the Tag Team Titles back.

Here is Joe Hendry for his concert, with the fans singing his theme song. Hendry’s song is about how he makes things better, how Booker T is a big fan, and how Gallus has bad facial hair. Hendry is ready for an encore but here is Gallus to interrupt. They didn’t like the song and Hendry is quickly beaten down. It continues to amuse me that Hendry is more or less a full on character around here despite still being a part of TNA (which was barely mentioned here, if at all).

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger annoy Roxanne Perez.

Ava is overseeing the contract signing between Ethan Page and Oro Mensah for next week. They bicker and both sign, with Mensah promising to win the title. Very short and to the point here.

Kendal Grey vs. Jaida Parker

OTM is here with Parker. Grey takes her down by the arm to start and is back up with a middle rope crossbody for two. Parker sends her into the corner though and drops her ribs first across the top rope. The seated abdominal stretch doesn’t last long as Grey fights up…and here are Miles Borne and Wren Sinclair. Grey takes Borne down and grabs an Angle Slam for two on Parker. Back up and another distraction lets Parker get in a gordbuster into a running hip attack for the pin at 4:02.

Rating: C+. Grey was trying here and they’re giving her something with the Borne stuff, but she still needs something more than “here’s another pretty rookie with an athletic background.” There are a lot of them on the roster and Grey isn’t standing out just yet. Parker on the other hand still feels like a star in the making and I could go for seeing her get a chance to show what she can do.

Chase U fires up Thea Hail.

Axiom is talking to the LWO about Speed when Ava comes in with a contract for a title match with the Rascalz. Axiom signs but Nathan Frazier isn’t happy with not being asked about it. Oh well.

Jacy Jayne/Jazmyn Nyx/Fallon Henley vs. Sol Ruca/Karmen Petrovic/Lola Vice

Henley takes Ruca down to start and surfs on her back, only for Ruca to come back with an X Factor and surfing of her own. Petrovic comes in to knock Nyx down, setting up a running basement Blockbuster. Vice comes in and gets rolled up to give Jayne two, only to come back with a spinebuster for two.

It’s back To Petrovic for a double shoulder and the villains are knocked to the floor. The series of dives take them down again and we take a break. Back with Vice getting the tag to clean house and Ruca hitting a springboard flipping double clothesline. Henley is left alone with Ruca, who hits a fireman’s carry into a powerbomb for two.

Jayne is back in with a cutter out of the corner and Nyx’s PerfectPlex gets two to leave everyone down. Nyx kicks away at Ruca but it’s back to Petrovic for the clothesline comeback. A Pele kick gets Nyx out of trouble though and Henley comes in with something like a belly to back suplex flipped into a cutter for the pin on Petrovic at 12:55.

Rating: B. Where the heck did that come from? This felt like it was going to be just another six person tag and they gave it everything they had and put on a pretty rocking match. This was FAR better than I would have expected with hard work from everyone and some great action. Good stuff here and the feud is likely going to continue for a bit.

Kelani Jordan doesn’t want to play with Tatum Paxley and her dolls. And she doesn’t know why Wendy Choo is behind them.

Joe Hendry is sick of Gallus’ jealousy so he’s going to take out Joe Coffey next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Title: Roxanne Perez vs. Thea Hail

Hail, with Chase U, is challenging and goes for some early rollups to start. The threat of the Kimura sends Perez to the ropes before she has to flip out of an anklescissors. Perez bails to the floor and Hail hits a middle rope moonsault as we take a break. Back with Hail hitting a DDT to leave both of them down.

The World’s Smallest Slam sets up a missed backsplash so Perez grabs the crossface. Hail bails out to the floor but Perez argues with Chase U, allowing Hail to get in a dive. A Michinoku Driver gives Hail two but Perez goes after the arm. Pop Rox is countered into a backslide for two and the Kimura goes on, with Perez reversing into the crossface. That’s powered into a Samoan drop and the springboard backsplash gets two for an awesome sequence.

Perez goes for the eye but gets sent shoulder first into the post. The Kimura goes on again, with Perez getting to the ropes and out to the floor. Hail gets rammed into the steps and the crossface goes on again, only to be reversed back into the Kimura. That’s reversed into the crossface again so Hail goes for the ropes, leaving Perez to switch to Pop Rox to retain at 11:21.

Rating: B+. When an awesome sequence takes up almost half of the match, it stops being a sequence and turns into a good portion of what you’re seeing. This was the best thing on the show as they were showing some great chemistry together and had me wondering if Hail was going to get the miracle upset. Perez was more than carrying her side here too and it made for a great main event. Giulia and/or Stephanie Vaquer are probably waiting on Perez, but this made her feel more ready for either of them.

Overall Rating: B. This started slowly and felt like it was an only slightly bigger than normal show before the last two matches blew away all of my expectations. Those matches carried the show and the concert was a funny enough moment as well. I’m not sure this needed to be a two week special, but I wasn’t overly excited about this one and they really surprised me with how good it wound up being. Solid show this week, with the women carrying things.

Results
Isla Dawn/Alba Fyre b. Meta Four – Evil Touch to Jackson
Tony D’Angelo b. Tavion Heights 2-1
Cedric Alexander b. Brooke Jensen – Lumbar Check
Jaida Parker b. Kendal Grey – Running hip attack
Fallon Henley/Jazmyn Nyx/Jacy Jayne b. Sol Ruca/Karmen Petrovic/Lola Vice – Flipping cutter to Petrovic
Roxanne Perez b. Thea Hail – Pop Rox

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NXT
Date: July 2, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the last show before Heatwave and that means it is time to firm up everything that is already on the card. The biggest story continues to be the four way NXT Title match and this week’s show will feature the contract signing, because you can’t have a big match without one. Other than that, Jaida Parker and Michin are having a street fight. Let’s get to it.

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

Jaida Parker vs. Michin

Street fight so Michin brings out the trashcan full of weapons and starts the fight on the floor. Parker is sent into the steps so Michin grabs a chain but only hits steps. Michin knocks her down again though and sends Parker, and a bunch of other stuff inside, with Parker blasting her with a trashcan lid. A Samoan drop puts Michin down for two but she’s right back with a German suplex.

Michin whips off her belt and whips away but Parker sits her on the ropes and sits on the stomach for two. They go outside with Michin getting in a chair to the ribs and posting Parker to put her down again. Michin loads up some chairs on the floor and puts Parker in the middle but the ensuing dive only hits chair for a NASTY landing. Parker’s running hip attack only hits (and breaks) barricade though and we take a break.

Back with Michin piling up chairs and pouring a bunch of bolts onto them. A package piledriver is countered into a backdrop to send Michin onto them instead but she’s right back up with some kendo stick shots. Parker has a trashcan put over her head for a cannonball in the corner and a near fall. Michin grabs a steel pipe but Parker blasts her with a fire extinguisher and hits a hip attack through a wooden wall. Back in and a running hip attack finishes Michin at 12:32.

Rating: B. I wasn’t expecting much from this one and they wound up beating the fire out of each other with some rather intense brawling. Parker gets a nice win as well and looked like more of a star than she ever has before. This was a very nice surprise and I was pulled into it by the end. Nice job.

Arianna Grace annoys Karmen Petrovic in the back and complains about Sol Ruca snatching her soul last week. Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx come in to mock Petrovic but bail from her issuing a challenge.

Je’Von Evans is excited for his first premium live event and is ready to come back over the border as the new NXT Champion.

Video on Kelani Jordan and her gymnastics background.

Hank Walker/Tank Ledger vs. New Catch Republic

Bate and Walker start things off with Bate taking over off a headscissors. Dunn comes in but gets run over by Ledger, setting up the double standing body blocks. It’s back to Bate for a suplex on Ledger and Walker comes in again as we take a break. Back with Walker coming back in to beat up Dunne, including a running boot to the face.

Bate gets dropped onto Dunne, setting up a powerbomb/top rope clothesline for two. Bate is back up to send both of them outside but they cut off a flip dive through the ropes. Walker and Ledger hit running body blocks to knock both of them off the apron, followed by a toss into a belly to back suplex for two on Dunne. Bate comes back in and drops Ledger, setting up a Spiral Tap for the pin at 11:30.

Rating: B-. I get what they’re going for with the team, but I have never gotten the appeal of Walker and Ledger. It feels like a team that has been done better multiple times and that they were given this style because nothing else was going to work for them. It doesn’t help that they’re only so good in the first place, but they did at least have a good showing here against a better team.

Respect is shown post match.

Video on Shawn Spears, who is back to win the NXT Title in his hometown.

Earlier today, Oro Mensah met with Stevie Turner and Mr. Stone, who tell him what he has to do tonight (face Myles Borne) and bicker a lot. Mensah is also barred from Heatwave after his attacks on Ethan Page, which doesn’t seem to bug him.

Brinley Reece vs. Izzi Dame

Dame slams her to start and hits a swinging Side Effect to take over early on. Reece fights back up with a flipping clothesline and they head outside, where Tatum Paxley crawls through the broken wall from the street fight. The distraction lets Reece grab a rollup for two, followed by a rollup for two. Dame is back with a Falcon Arrow for the pin at 2:47. Not much to this one.

Chase U talks about the history of NXT in Toronto but Duke Hudson and Ridge Holland keep talking in the back. Hudson talks about how Holland gave them an assist, even if he didn’t want one. We see the photos from last week, showing Holland cheating, which doesn’t sit well with anyone. Holland talks about how he wanted to be part of the family and helped in any way he could, but Andre Chase asks Holland to stay here while everyone else goes to Heatwave. Please let them win the titles already. They could use the boost.

Here is Lola Vice to call out Roxanne Perez, who comes out with extra security. They have an awkward exchange about how Vice is an MMA fighter and Perez would have gotten wrecked in NXT Underground, but this isn’t Bellator. Vice gets emotional and talks about how we all know Perez’s story but Vice has never told her own story. She talks about being in training for the Olympics….and she can’t speak because of the tears.

By the time she was 20 she was fighting in Madison Square Garden and now she’s going to win the title on Sunday and call her mom to thank her. Perez isn’t sure how to respond to that but says the reality is that everyone in the locker room wants to make that phone call. Those calls don’t happen when Perez is involved though and Vice will find out why she’s called the Prodigy.

Perez isn’t giving up her title to anyone but Vice says she’s taking it from her. Vice has knocked her out again and she’ll show how great she is again on Sunday. Vice promises to become the first ever Cuban American Women’s Champion…and then beats up one of the security guards. This was an incredibly emotional promo from Vice, but it didn’t make for the best segment as Perez didn’t have much of a follow up. This would have been MUCH better as a pre-taped vignette from Vice, but she definitely got some fans behind her here.

Ethan Page is ready to win the NXT Title.

The No Quarter Catch Crew is giving Myles Borne a pep talk before his match tonight when Damon Kemp comes in with some brass knuckles. Charlie Dempsey isn’t pleased in a funny bit.

Earlier this week, Lexis King interrupted Eddy Thorpe’s DJing and says it should be more about old school rock. Thorpe says not so fast and a match seems to be set.

Myles Borne vs. Oro Mensah

The rest of the No Quarter Catch Crew and Meta Four are here too. They go to the mat to start with Mensah getting the better of things to frustrate Borne. Mensah grabs a headlock takeover and talks some trash on the mat but Borne fights up. Borne sends him throat first onto the top rope and grabs a neckbreaker for two.

We take a break and come back with Mensah knocking him down and hitting a moonsault. A t-bone suplex into a rolling Liger kick drops Borne but he’s right back with a heck of a dropkick. Kemp offers Borne the brass knuckles but the distraction lets Mensah hit the running spinwheel kick (more a spinning knee to the arm) for the pin at 8:25.

Rating: C+. So I guess Mensah is getting a push now. I’ve heard worse ideas, as Meta Four is a popular act, even with Noam Dar on the shelf. The team could use someone else if they’re going to be dealing with the Crew, but at least they’re off to a good start with a nice first win for Mensah.

Wes Lee is ready to win the North American Title back but Oba Femi doesn’t see it the same way.

Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe and Gallus get in a fight in the back.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade aren’t happy with Brinley Reece’s loss so she’s ready to leave. If they want to come with her, they can.

The OC wants revenge on OTM.

Wendy Choo vs. Carlee Bright

Kendal Gray is here too. Bright kicks away to start but Choo cuts her off and hits a rolling Downward Spiral. Choo ties her in the Tree of Woe for a running dropkick but Bright makes the clothesline comeback. Choo gets her knees up to cut Bright off though and the cobra clutch makes Bright tap at 4:05.

Rating: C. Bright (and Gray) is in a weird place as they’re still so new that they don’t have the experience or skill to carry a match. At the same time, she don’t have much in the way of backgrounds or character work beyond “I was an athlete in college”. Maybe that development can come later, but for now, there isn’t much to go on.

Trick Williams is ready for Heatwave.

Commentary throws us to Shawn Michaels talking about the Brooks Jensen situation, including a variety of the clips and incidents that have taken place. Jensen has been asked to step away from NXT to clear his head but he is also invited to show up here next week to speak with Ava. It’s a big story, but they’re going to need a home run to get around the fact that it’s Brooks Jensen.

Karmen Petrovic vs. Jazmyn Nyx

Jacy Jayne is here with Nyx. They fight over wrist control to start with Petrovic knocking her down, setting p a running basement Blockbuster for two. Jayne’s distraction doesn’t really work but Nyx gets in a kick to the ribs to take over. A Shining Wizard gives Nyx two and she grabs a figure four necklock. Petrovic gets a rollup for….two, though it seemed that Nyx was pinned. Anyway, Petrovic fires off some elbows but Jayne offers another distraction, allowing Nyx to kick Petrovic in the face for the pin a 3:47.

Rating: C. Jayne and Nyx are fine enough as a pair but they feel pretty low level around here. Giving them some wins can help and their association with Fallon Henley gives them a boost, but that’s about all they have at the moment. They need something to make them stand out and I’m not sure what that could be.

Axiom and Nathan Frazer argue over team vs. singles goals.

Karmen Petrovic comes in to see Ava, who makes a tag match with Arianna Grace/Petrovic vs. Jacy Jayne/Jazmyn Nyx. Petrovic has a headache.

Video on Sol Ruca and her athletic background.

Heatwave rundown.

It’s time for the contract signing for the NXT Title, with champion Trick Williams, Ethan Page, Shawn Spears and Je’Von Evans. Williams says the other three are going to bring it in Toronto but the fans are going to be chanting WHOOP THAT TRICK. Page loves the swagger but he saw this at Battleground and knows he can beat him at Heatwave.

Williams promises to win, with Spears saying he loves the emotion. That emotion is going to bring Spears the title, just like it got him a win last week. Evans mocks Spears, who calls him out for being young. Evans signs, with Spears talking about how Evans is at his first major event. Spears signs and hands the contract down before Evans promises to win the title.

Spears shrugs that off and hands Williams the contract, but Page takes it away and signs anyway. Williams says it’s everyone for themselves and praises Evans, but promises that no one can take the title from him. The argument, and the fight, is on, with Page and Spears being put through tables to end the show. They’re in a weird place with this story as it’s only so interesting in the first place, but this was a nice effort to make the title felt like the important thing, along with Williams being in danger.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t the strongest go home show, though it did have some high points. The street fight and big closing segment were good, but some of the matches felt like they were throwing anything they could out there to fill in time before they could head to Toronto. Not a bad show, but I’m not overly excited for Heatwave and this didn’t do much to change that feeling.

Results
Jaida Parker b. Michin – Running hip attack
New Catch Republic b. Hank Walker/Tank Ledger – Spiral Tap to ledger
Izzi Dame b. Brinley Reece – Falcon Arrow
Oro Mensah b. Myles Borne – Running spinwheel kick in the corner
Wendy Choo b. Carlee Bright – Cobra clutch
Jazmyn Nyx b. Karmen Petrovic – Kick to the head

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

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

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

Here is Battleground if you need a recap.

We open with a long Battleground recap.

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

Michin vs. Jaida Parker

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

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

We look at Gallus attacking Wes Lee at Battleground.

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

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

Gallus vs. New Catch Republic/Wes Lee

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wendy Choo vs. Brinley Reece

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dante Chen is ready to end Lexis King.

Wendy Choo scares some of the other women.

Dante Chen vs. Lexis King

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eddy Thorpe vs. Tavion Heights

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

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

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

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

Shawn Spears vs. Je’Von Evans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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AND

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

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

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

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

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

Opening recap.

Jordynne Grace vs. Stevie Turner

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thea Hail vs. Jazmyn Nyx

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

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

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

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

Heritage Cup: Tony D’Angelo vs. Damon Kemp

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

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

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

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

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

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

Izzi Dame vs. Natalya

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

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

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

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

Wendy Choo is back next week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eddy Thorpe is ready to fight for his heritage.

Battleground rundown.

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

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

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

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

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NXT LVL Up
Date: May 10, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Vic Joseph

We’re back in Orlando and things have been at least a bit more interesting around here as of late. I’m not sure if that is going to continue but it has at least been nice to have something going on for a change. Hopefully there is at least a little something to keep the interest up this time. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Wendy Choo vs. Wren Sinclair

This is Choo’s first match in almost a year. They fight over a lockup to start with Choo sending her down and striking a pose on the mat. Sinclair pulls her into an armbar, which is broken up rather quickly. Choo hits a dropkick but her knee (which put her on the shelf for so long) is slowing her down, allowing Sinclair to grab a suplex. Something like a running seated X Factor gives Sinclair two and we hit the cross arm choke. Choo fights out and makes the clothesline comeback, setting up a middle rope crossbody. The Snooze Button finishes for Choo at 4:47.

Rating: C. Choo is not exactly everyone’s taste, though she wasn’t doing her sleepy/weird stuff here for the most part. I’m still not sure I get what she is supposed to be, but it’s good to have her back after such a long time off. Sinclair continues to lose every match and I’m not sure how much beating her is going to matter if that continues much longer.

Post match, respect is shown.

The rather tall Cutler James is seen as a friendly guy and is ready to make his debut against Josh Briggs. This was quite recited.

Josh Briggs vs. Cutler James

Briggs wastes no time in powering him into the corner, setting up a splash for an early two. Back up and James wrestles him to the mat, earning a rather hard shoulder knockdown. Briggs shouts that this isn’t a reality show and then drops James for two more. The chinlock goes on to keep James down but he fights up for the comeback. Said comeback lasts all of four seconds before Briggs nails the lariat for the pin at 4:26.

Rating: C. This was the traditional “getting your feet wet” match for James and that is only going to get him so far. Briggs being in there with someone his size can often make for some interesting visuals but that was about the limit of the appeal here. James showed off some of his amateur background before getting beaten, which didn’t make for the most exciting match. His size and amateur abilities will give him a solid foot in the door though.

D’Angelo Family vs. Dante Chen/Dion Lennox

Riz is here with the Family. Lennox armdrags Crusifino into an armbar to start and it’s right off to Chen for an armbar of his own. Crusifino fights up and hands it off to Stacks, with Chen being low bridged out to the floor. The chinlock keeps Lennox down for a bit, only to have Chen come back in with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Chen stays on the back and kicks Stacks in the chest for two. Lennox’s northern lights suplex and spinebuster get two each and he grabs an abdominal stretch. Stacks slips away though and brings Crusifino in to clean house. This includes tossing Lennox into a Codebreaker to finish at 5:46.

Rating: C+. It still takes a bit of mental stretching to remember that the mafia guys are the heroes, especially since Lennox is a rather likable guy. Chen is the same thing he has always been, meaning there was no way he was taking the loss here. The energy was up here and having the Family involved helped, even if I have to remember I’m supposed to like them.

Overall Rating: C. I know how much of a broken record I sound like with this stuff but the bigger names being around helps quite a bit. This show had Choo’s return and Briggs/the Family for some star power. That’s a lot for around here, which helped make up for the fact that the matches were only decent at best. Nothing really to see here, but as usual, you can’t get that annoyed at a show that isn’t even breaking thirty minutes.

Results
Wendy Choo b. Wren Sinclair – Snooze Button
Josh Briggs b. Cutler James – Lariat
D’Angelo Family b. Dante Chen/Dion Lennox – Toss Codebreaker to Lennox

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NXT LVL Up
Date: November 24, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Host: Blake Howard

It’s nice to see some changes around here as the show had been so dull for such a long time. The show isn’t that much better now, but at least it does feel a bit tighter and more entertaining in some ways. Granted I have no reason to believe that will last, but I’ll take what I can get. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

This week is especially different, as it’s a Best Of 2023 show.

Eddy Thorpe talks about his debut on LVL Up on February 17. He had been around for a few weeks and wanted to make an impact against someone he respected.

Dante Chen vs. Eddy Thorpe

The debuting Thorpe is better known as Karl Fredericks in New Japan. Chen’s headscissors doesn’t get him very far and we have an early standoff. A cradle gives Chen two and he takes Thorpe down into an armbar. Back up and Thorpe hits a quick spinning crossbody and grabs a seated abdominal stretch, followed by the standing version for a bonus. Chen fights out and hits a running kick to the face, only to get caught with a running boot to the face. An implant DDT gives Thorpe the pin at 4:29.

Rating: C-. Not much to see here but the important thing is that Thorpe won. Far too often, NXT will debut a new star on this show and then have them lose to the “star”. Chen is still the resident jobber around here and it makes all the sense in the world to have Thorpe, who might become something in NXT, beat him in his debut. At least they have something logical with this one so they got off on the right foot.

We look at Lola Vice winning the Women’s Breakout Tournament over Kelani Jordan.

Vice talks about being ready for Ivy Nile on April 28 and how she doesn’t need any of us.

Ivy Nile vs. Lola Vice

They fight over a rather aggressive lockup to start until Nile rides her to the mat. Vice is right back with a kick to the ribs, followed by a running hip attack in the corner. A double arm crank is broken up though and Nile kicks her down again. Nile grabs a gutwrench suplex and the Diamond Chain Lock knocks Vice out cold for the win at 4:18.

Rating: C+. Vice has all of the tools in the world to be something, including the charisma that makes her feel like a star. Throw in the MMA background and all of the potential is right there. On the other hand you have Nile, who still feels like she could be something in the division as soon as she is given the chance.

Kelani Jordan was excited for her debut match on May 12 against Wendy Choo….which she found out about when she was at her niece’s funeral. Well dang that makes things sad.

Wendy Choo vs. Kelani Jordan

They fight over a lockup to start with Jordan’s early wristlock not getting him very far. A headlock takeover has a bit more success but Choo reverses into a headscissors. Choo grabs a quick takedown for two, followed by doing it again for the same, which leaves Choo looking a bit surprised. A kick to the face and a running elbow drop gets two but Jordan fights up and elbows her down as well. Jordan’s springboard spinning crossbody connects for another near fall but Choo is back with the Snooze Button (full nelson slam) for the pin at 5:17.

Rating: C. Jordan didn’t do anything overly flashy here but she looked solid enough with the basics. You can see the athleticism and athletic background, which will be more than enough of a foundation to go somewhere. Choo still feels like she is finding her feet after returning, which is what a show like this can help her do.

Tavion Heights talks about throwing everything he had against Axiom on July 14.

Tavion Heights vs. Axiom

Heights wrestles him down but Axiom is fine enough to take over on the mat. A headscissors doesn’t last long on Heights and they’re back up for a standoff. Axiom grabs it again and holds Heights down a bit before kicking him in the head for two. Back up and Heights blasts him with a clothesline before a gutwrench suplex gets two.

The chinlock doesn’t last long as Axiom is back up and hits a dropkick for a breather. Heights can’t hit a German suplex so Axiom sends him outside for a big dive. Back in and Heights gets two off a doctor bomb but Axiom knees him in the head. The Golden Ratio finishes Heights at 7:05.

Rating: B-. This was a heck of a match, especially for around here, as Heights was looking like a power monster and Axiom was as smooth as ever. I was getting into this one and wondering who was going to win here. You don’t get to see something like that very often and it worked really well. Good main event.

Overall Rating: C+. I’m not sure how much sense it makes to have a Best Of show for the night after Thanksgiving, but it’s not like this show has any real rules to follow. At the same time, it’s nice to show that some of these wrestlers have indeed moved up the charts a bit, which is the point around here. It’s not a great show or even a good one, but it was a nice change of pace for a one off.

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NXT LVL Up
Date: May 19, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

We’re getting closer to Battleground and that could be quite the shakeup for NXT. That is something LVL Up could use, as the show tends to be in a rather similar mold a lot of the time. It might be helpful for the wrestlers around here, but that doesn’t make things all that entertaining. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Kale Dixon

Feeling out process to start with Thorpe’s headlock not working all that well. Back up and Dixon runs him over with a shoulder, followed by some forearms to the spine. The neck crank and chinlock go on until Thorpe is up with a dragon screw legwhip. A Saito suplex out of the corner gets two on Dixon and the jumping elbow finishes him off at 4:52.

Rating: C. Thorpe continues to beat up lower level competition and Dixon continues to be Dixon. In other words, it was exactly what you would have expected from these two on this stage. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Thorpe getting a push on the main NXT show, but it might take some more seasoning to get him ready.

Kelani Jordan and Wendy Choo are ready to team together against Elektra Lopez and Lola Vice. Apparently karma is a bi….scuit.

Kelani Jordan/Wendy Choo vs. Elektra Lopez/Lola Vice

Lopez powers Jordan around without much effort to start and it’s Vice coming in for a double shoulder. Back up and Jordan takes Vice over to Choo for an assisted moonsault. A tornado DDT hits Vice but she brings Lopez in off a blind tag to take over. Jordan gets knocked hard into the corner and a gutbuster sets up a body vice to stay on the ribs. A quick kick away allows the tag off to Choo as everything breaks down. The Snooze Button gives Choo the pin on Vice at 5:36.

Rating: C. I can see why WWE wants to push Jordan, who has the impressive athleticism and appeal to become something down the line. She needs experience though and getting her feet wet on this show is a good start. Jordan has a long way to go, but at least she is getting started with a solid base.

Dante Chen vs. Luca Crusifino

They fight over a lockup to start as we get a LET’S GO LAWYER chant. Chen goes for the hammerlock to take over before some armdrags into the armbar have Luca in more trouble. Back up and Luca grabs a neckbreaker for two, followed by the double arm crank. With that broken up, Chen hammers away in the corner but the threat of the double chop sends Luca outside. Luca loads up the briefcase but when it’s taken away, a thumb to the eye lets him roll up Chen for the pin at 5:15.

Rating: C. I’m sorry what now? A young up and comer beat Chen? I’m not sure how to handle this but it’s nice to see for a change. As usual, Chen is fine enough in the ring and certainly not bad, but he has such a history of running people over and I do not get the point having him beat so many people without actually going anywhere. That being said, Luca is a bit of a weird case and I could go for having him around a bit more in the future.

Overall Rating: C-. It says a lot when your star power is comprised of Thorpe, Choo and Chen, which isn’t exactly top level talent in NXT. The wrestling was completely watchable and the show is less than thirty minutes from beginning to end so it isn’t like you feel you’re wasting your time. In other words, this was the weaker end of LVL Up and that’s not exactly thrilling stuff.

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