NXT LVL Up – April 14, 2023: Those Are Stars

NXT LVL Up
Date: April 14, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton, Mr. Stone

Last week’s show saw Schism main event and this week almost has to be better than that. It was nice to have some bigger names come down, but there is only so much you can get out of having those people around here. Maybe we get to see some fresh stars for a change, as they might have a future in the main NXT. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Hank Walker vs. Kale Dixon

Walker tries to power him into the corner but Dixon flips him in instead, much to Walker’s surprise. One heck of a chop has Dixon screaming though and Walker starts in on the arm. Dixon gets in a cheap shot to take over though and an old school swinging neckbreaker gets two. Walker isn’t having that and slugs away, setting up a Thesz press and right hands (like that would ever get over). A jumping back elbow finishes Dixon at 4:58.

Rating: C. Walker is the definition of someone who isn’t that great in the ring but the fans get behind him, meaning it makes sense to leave him around. He isn’t exactly polished but there is a charisma to him and that is something that can serve him well. I can’t imagine him getting very far, but this is already a step that a lot of stars don’t have.

Elektra Lopez and Lola Vice are ready for Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. Vice says they aren’t ready for Latina Heat.

Xyon Quinn vs. Tavion Heights

Quinn doesn’t look impressed but Heights powers him into the corner to change his attitude. They trade rollups for two each before Quinn takes him into the corner for the stomping. A double stomp to the ribs sets up a backbreaker for one and Quinn is already getting frustrated. Heights fights out of a double arm crank but gets forearmed straight into the ropes. Back up and Heights grabs a fireman’s carry slam for two but Quinn ax handles him down. The running punch finishes Heights at 5:14.

Rating: C. Quinn is the opposite of Hank Walker, as he was treated like someone who should be the big star but it never came together in any way. He has the looks and some of the charisma, but there is only so much that he can do for whatever reason. Unless something clicks in a big way, I don’t see his status changing, though he is good enough for a spot like this one.

Kayden Carter/Katana Chance vs. Lola Vice/Elektra Lopez

Vice isn’t impressed with Carter to start and takes her down, meaning it’s off to Lopez vs. Chance. Lopez isn’t having any of this Chance picking up the pace thing and knocks her out of the air. Vice kicks Chance in the corner and it’s back to Lopez for a torture rack of all things. Chance flips out of a double belly to back suplex though and Carter comes in to clean house. The running boot to the face in the ropes gets two on Vice and it’s a slingshot legdrop/moonsault combination for the same. Everything breaks down and Chance Codebreakers Lopez. The 450/neckbreaker combination finishes Lopez at 6:35.

Rating: C+. This picked up a bit more and was the best match of the night, partially because Carter and Chance have some more experience together. It made for a better match and I’ll take that over the same kind of singles match that we get around here so often. Not a great match, but it was big enough for a main event on this show.

Overall Rating: C. They took the star power away here and went with the same people that we see around here most of the time. Carter and Chance were your big names and that isn’t quite enough to make up for focusing on Quinn and Walker in the first two matches. Just not a very interesting show, as it just came and went again.

Results
Hank Walker b. Kale Dixon – Jumping elbow
Xyon Quinn b. Tavion Heights – Running punch
Kayden Carter/Katana Chance b. Lola Vice/Elektra Lopez – 450/neckbreaker combination to Lopez

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – March 17, 2023: The Mixing

NXT LVL Up
Date: March 17, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Blake Howard

Last week’s show was a good example of how much better this show is when the bigger names are around. While you won’t be getting any major star power, it can help to have some decent sized NXT names on the show. Hopefully that is the case this week, as it can be a rough sit otherwise. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Dani Palmer

Valkyria grabs a front facelock to start but Palmer fights up for a standoff. They go to the pinfall reversal sequence for two each until Palmer’s backslide has Valkyria frustrated. Palmer rolls her down into a basement dropkick for two and Valkyria is a bit stunned. Back up and Valkyria strikes away to take over until a forearm to the face gives Palmer two more. The chinlock goes on until Valkyria drives her into the corner, setting up a spinning kick to the head for the pin at 3:56.

Rating: C+. All things considered, this was an entertaining match with Palmer continuing to show some potential. She still has a long way to go but there are some tools there and that is a good start. Then you have Valkyria, who WWE seems ready to move into the next level of the division, which could have some benefits. They had a much better match than I was expecting here though so well done.

Eddy Thorpe is happy to be 2-0 and he’s ready to be 3-0. He is ready to life up the Native American people tonight.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Xyon Quinn

Quinn powers him around to start and grinds away on a headlock. Thorpe tries to pick up the pace but gets muscled into a fireman’s carry. That’s broken up and Thorpe hits a middle rope crossbody for an early breather. Quinn knocks him into the ropes for some choking though and some right hands stagger Thorpe again. A backbreaker and splash to the back give Quinn two and we’re off to the chinlock. With that not working, Quinn pulls on both arms and puts a boot on the back of Thorpe’s head. Thorpe powers up and grabs a Saito suplex for two of his own. Quinn misses his running punch, gets German suplexed, and the suplex neckbreaker finishes Quinn at 5:38.

Rating: C. You can tell that WWE sees something in Thorpe and is protecting him well enough around here. Let him get out there and get his feet wet in WWE before he moves on to something more important on the regular NXT. WWE needs some fresh blood and if Thorpe can offer that, good for him.

Oro Mensah vs. Charlie Dempsey

Drew Gulak is here with Dempsey, who grabs the cravate to start things off. Mensah fights out and uses a headlock takeover to get to the mat. Back up and Mensah kicks him out of the corner, only to get his arm wrenched for his efforts. A back suplex plants Mensah and Dempsey is right back on the arm. Mensah fights up and his springboard missile dropkick connects for two. Dempsey isn’t having this though and grabs the leg, only to switch into a cross armbreaker, followed by an ankle lock and then that nasty neck and leg crank (that needs a name) to make Mensah tap at 6:36.

Rating: C. There is something fun about watching Dempsey rip people apart and he does it very well, especially against someone like Mensah. This was a fine showcase for him and he destroyed Mensah here. Mensah got in a few shots here and there, but there was only so much he could do when Dempsey was picking him apart limb by limb.

Overall Rating: C+. This show had more of a variety than most episodes of the series so this could have been a lot worse. Thorpe continues to feel like someone who could become a star and it is good to see him taking people down. Valkyria also comes off as having potential and Dempsey as the wrestler who hurts people worked well too. Solid show from LVL Up, mainly due to the featured stars.

Results
Lyra Valkyria b. Dani Palmer – Spinning kick to the head
Eddy Thorpe b. Xyon Quinn – Suplex neckbreaker
Charlie Dempsey b. Oro Mensah – Neck and leg crank

 

 

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NXT – February 28, 2023: The Show Before The Show Before The Show

NXT
Date: February 28, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We are about a month away from Stand & Deliver and the card is starting to take shape. While nothing has happened yet and Roadblock is next week, you can probably figure out a lot of what is coming. One thing that is not entirely clear is what will be going on with Shawn Michaels and Grayson Waller, but maybe we can find out some more tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a huge brawl of people trying to get to the ring to answer Wes Lee’s open challenge for a North American Title shot. Dabba-Kato almost makes it in but Apollo Crews jumps him. Nathan Frazer returns and gets inside for the title shot.

North American Title: Nathan Frazer vs. Wes Lee

Lee is defending. Frazer headlocks him down to start and holds him there for a good bit. That’s broken up and Lee nips to his feet for a standoff. Lee takes Frazer down but they’re right back up with lee being sent outside. Frazer’s big dive is cut off by a kick to the head and we take a break.

Back with Frazer missing the Phoenix splash but a double crossbody leaves them both down. Frazer hits an AJ Styles moonsault into a (lifting) DDT for two and superplexes him into a spinning neckbreaker for two more. Lee is sent outside but Frazer’s big dive only hits the announcers’ table. Lee busts out a big flip dive to drop Frazer again and the Cardiac Kick retains the title at 13:33.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of fast paced, all energy opener that makes great sense as a choice to start the show. Lee gets another win on his long list as champion and there is a good chance the list could keep going for a good while to come. Frazer returning was a surprise too so this worked in multiple ways.

Respect is shown post match.

JD McDonagh talks about having a torn retina repaired. He loves inflicting pain and is ready to damage Ilja Dragunov.

Josh Briggs tries to perk Brooks Jensen up over his problems with Kiana James. Briggs says all men are stupid with women and he’s proud of Jensen for getting so far. Things seem to be a bit better.

Video on Tyler Bate.

Hank Walker and Axiom get into it over Walker hitting him to try to get to the North American Title match. Shoving ensues and a match seems likely for later.

Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen vs. Indus Sher

Jinder Mahal is here with Indus Sher. Sangs powers Jensen around to start but Jensen manages a spinning faceplant. Briggs comes in for a front facelock but Jensen isn’t there for the tag. Instead Jensen comes in and gets knocked down by Sanga as the beating is on. Veer holds Jensen up for a kick to the ribs and we hit the cobra clutch. Jensen finally avoids an elbow and it’s Briggs coming in to clean house. Another double team doesn’t work as Jensen’s head isn’t in it, meaning it’s a chokeslam and Million Dollar Arm to finish Jensen at 3:27.

Rating: C. This was more about Briggs and Jensen’s issues than Indus Sher winning. Jensen and Briggs having issues with Fallon Henley and Kiana James is causing problems for the team and that isn’t good for their future. It still feels like there is a big reveal coming in that story and it wouldn’t surprise me to see it happen in the next few weeks.

Post match Mahal issues a challenge to the Creed Brothers for a six man tag next week.

Wendy Choo was attacked in the parking lot during the break and seems to have an injured elbow.

Here is Gigi Dolin for a chat. She says this is the last time that you’ll hear the Toxic Attraction theme song. Dolin is going to go fast because she isn’t Jacy Jayne, who loves to hear her own voice. She can live with the physical pain from Jayne jumping her because it told Dolin about herself. Dolin knows how to survive because her own mother used her as her own personal punching bag for years. Jayne calls herself the last woman standing but Dolin keeps getting back up. They’re fighting next week at Roadblock and Dolin is bringing everything she has. Dolin was trying here, but Jayne feels like a much bigger star.

We go to Chase U, where Duke Hudson tries to apologize to Thea Hail. She seems to accept it, but here is Andre Chase to talk about factions in WWE history. Schism hacks the classroom’s feed and talks about how fake Chase U is at everything. Chase is ready to fight next week. If it involves getting rid of cults in wrestling, I’m all for it.

Meiko Satomura vs. Zoey Stark

Roxanne Perez is on commentary as they grapple around to start. Stark slips out of a front facelock but Satomura grabs a headlock and grinds away. Back up and Stark sends her into the corner so Satomura needs a breather on the floor. That’s fine with Satomura, who kicks Stark down as we take a break.

Back with Satomura being sent into the corner again but being fine enough to kick a springboarding Stark out of the air. Stark comes up favoring her knee so Satomura kicks her down again and drops a top rope splash for two. Satomura’s cartwheel kick to the back misses though and Stark’s slingshot splash gets two. More kicks give Stark two but she misses a 450. The Death Valley Driver drops Stark and Scorpio Rising gives Satomura the pin at 11:16.

Rating: C+. This was a hard hitting match that was all about giving Satomura momentum going into next week’s title shot against Perez. Satomura is going to be able to have a good match with anyone and Stark can carry her own as well. This did what it needed to do but they were working hard enough to make it a bit better.

Post match Perez gets in for the respectful staredown.

We look back at Grayson Waller hijacking the production truck and calling out Shawn Michaels to end last week’s show.

Shawn Michaels has accepted the invitation for the Grayson Waller Effect next week at Roadblock.

There is no word on how injured Wendy Choo may be but Tiffany Stratton isn’t interested. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance think there Stratton is up to something, but she asks where they were when Nikkita Lyons was attacked. Hair flipping ensues.

We get the Montez Ford/Bianca Belair Titanic trailer.

The Creed Brothers need a partner against Indus Sher. They run into Damon Kemp and even though they don’t like him, he’s what they need next week. Kemp smirks a lot and turns them down. Bron Breakker comes up though and says he’s in. Julius asks if Breakker could have been here a minute earlier to avoid having to humiliate himself with Kemp but he’ll take the champ next week.

Sol Ruca vs. Elektra Lopez

Valentina Feroz is here with Lopez. Ruca has to flip out of a wristlock to start but gets sent to the apron. Lopez knocks her off the top and out to the floor in a heap. Back in and Ruca fights out of the neck crank before firing off the running shoulders. A butterfly suplex drops Lopez but she avoids a flipping clothesline in the corner. Lopez goes for her brass knuckles in the turnbuckle but Feroz has taken them away. The Sol Snatcher finishes Lopez at 4:56.

Rating: C. I’m not sure how much interest there is in this Feroz/Lopez stuff, but as usual this was more about making Ruca look good. The Sol Snatcher is going to get a reaction every time and Ruca is making it look a lot more natural. Ruca has all hf the tools to go somewhere and this was another step in the right direction.

Post match Lopez yells at Feroz, who lays her out with the brass knuckles.

Gallus is shooting pool and Mark Coffey is a bit worried about Pretty Deadly. A guy accidentally runs into Wolfgang and violence ensues.

Pretty Deadly is ready to talk to Gallus next week, despite a tweet from Drew McIntyre talking about how much trouble they’re in.

Katana Chance vs. Tiffany Stratton

Kayden Carter is at ringside. Chance hits a dropkick to start but gets sent to the apron, where she grabs a slingshot headscissors. Stratton takes her down and sets up a double arm crank to slow the pace a bit. Back up and Chance grabs a headscissors but cue Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn. The distraction lets Stratton pull Chance out of the air and plant her down. The moonsault (to Chance’s shins) is enough for the pin at 3:36.

Rating: C. Chance and Carter’s downhill spiral continues as Stratton still seems like the next big villain in the women’s division. That means giving her wins like this, though she might want to work on that moonsault. Stratton would be perfect as the villain who brags about being the champion, and the push towards the title is likely to happen sooner than later.

Post match Stratton says she wants the Women’s Title. So, sooner.

Brooks Jensen apologizes to Josh Briggs about what happened but Briggs tells him to get his girl back. Briggs will talk to Kiana James though.

Axiom vs. Hank Walker

Axiom goes straight for a choke to start but gets driven into the corner. A shot to the face annoys Walker, who knocks Axiom down hard. Walker spins him into a faceplant but Axiom is back with a running kick in the corner. Axiom’s high crossbody and some strikes just seem to fire Walker up but he blasts Axiom with a clothesline. A kick to the face staggers Walker though and the Golden Ratio gives Axiom the pin at 3:38.

Rating: C-. Axiom seems to be getting the feel of what he is doing more and more every week. He is turning into a heck of a high flier who can hang with anyone and that Golden Ratio is getting better and better. Walker is someone who has some tools but needs experience to put some things together. That might happen down the line, but it isn’t there yet.

Grayson Waller responds to Shawn Michaels. He knows to never say never, so don’t make him put Shawn in a place Shawn said he would never be in again.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Tyler Bate

Trick Williams is here with Hayes, who grabs a wristlock to start. Bate slips out of that but gets sent outside, where he comes back in quickly. They trade rollups for two each before Bate blocks what looks to be a Codebreaker. Some European uppercuts against the ropes stagger Hayes again and there’s a spinning headscissors to stagger him again. Bate dropkicks him to the floor and hits the big dive as we take a break.

Back with Bate having to deck Williams before airplane spinning Hayes for two. The rebound lariat gives Bate two more but Hayes plants him down hard. Bate is fine enough to catch Hayes on top with a superplex but Williams offers a distraction. Spiral tap misses for Bate and Williams grabs the Codebreaker into Nothing But Net for the pin at 11:20.

Rating: B-. These two are both reliable hands in the ring so it isn’t surprising that they would do well in the main event here. That being said, this didn’t quite hit a high level and it was more about Hayes getting another win to bolster his resume before Stand & Deliver. Hayes is ready to challenge for the title now, and beating Bate just got him a step closer.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was about building up Roadblock and that went well enough, even if it is a bit weird to have a big show three weeks before the biggest show of the year. What matters is Roadblock is being set up and then we can get ready for the real show. Another efficient show here though and that’s where NXT tends to shine.

Results
Wes Lee b. Nathan Frazer – Cardiac Kick
Indus Sher b. Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen – Million Dollar Arm to Jensen
Meiko Satomura b. Zoey Stark – Scorpio Rising
Sol Ruca b. Elektra Lopez – Sol Snatcher
Tiffany Stratton b. Katana Chance – Moonsault
Axiom b. Hank Walker – Golden Ratio
Carmelo Hayes b. Tyler Bate – Nothing But Net

 

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NXT LVL Up – February 17, 2023: The Worst Thing For An NXT Star

NXT LVL Up
Date: February 17, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

Things have been picking up a bit around here in recent weeks as there has been a bit more in the way of star power. That is usually the best way to get the show going in the right direction, though as usual I have no reason to believe it is going to last. Maybe they can keep it up for another week though so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

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.

Valentina Feroz has something to prove against Ivy Nile tonight but she isn’t worried about Elektra Lopez.

Xyon Quinn vs. Oba Femi

Femi powers him into the corner to start but Quinn slips out and mocks away. That earns Quinn a heck of a shot to the face as the power is serving Femi well so far. Quinn manages to dropkick him into the corner and the comeback (I think?) is on. Forearms to the back set up the chinlock and then the nerve hold. Femit fights up but misses the charge into the post, setting up Quinn’s running forearm for the pin at 5:12.

Rating: C. This was another meaningless win for Quinn, who has fallen so far down the ladder that almost nothing he does is going to matter. Femi continues to look like someone who could be a star if he is given the chance and a good bit more experience. That power is going to carry him a long way and we are still at the beginning of what could be a nice career.

Valentina Feroz vs. Ivy Nile

Tatum Paxley is here with Nile, who wrestles Feroz down without much trouble to start. Feroz escapes a few times and starts cranking on the leg before grabbing a rollup for two. A double arm crank has Nile in more trouble but she rolls through a crossbody. Nile fall away slams her for two before a wheelbarrow suplex gets the same.

The chinlock goes on for a bit until Feroz is up with the judo throws. Nile sends her into the corner for a running hip attack and a running powerslam gets two. Feroz manages a facebuster but cue Elektra Lopez for a distraction. That’s enough for Nile to grab the Diamond Chain Lock for the win at 6:35.

Rating: C. Feroz with her judo is enough to keep her busy for a bit and odds are she is coming up on at least a decent sized match against Lopez. On the other hand, you have Nile, who still feels like she should be ready to move up to the next level. For now, at least she isn’t losing and is being treated like a star around here.

Overall Rating: C. Another nothing show here, though the Thorpe debut was a nice thing to see. Quinn is rapidly becoming one of the normal faces in the crowd around here and that is one of the worst things that you can do to an NXT star. Nile feels like someone who is above everything around here yet she is on here more often than not. This was a bit of a downgrade, but they kept the matches moving and the debut was enough to carry it far enough.

Results
Eddy Thorpe b. Dante Chen – Implant DDT
Xyon Quinn b. Oba Femi – Running forearm
Ivy Nile b. Valentina Feroz – Diamond Chain Lock

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – February 3, 2023: Her Best Ever

NXT LVL Up
Date: February 3, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Vic Joseph

We are back with this show again and odds are things are going to be about the same. That has been the case around here for a good while and it wouldn’t surprise me to see it take place again. Granted most of the time when I say that, something changes in a positive way so maybe that is the case this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Sol Ruca vs. Lash Legend

Legend has new red gear here instead of the traditional black, plus a haircut. Ruca powers her into the corner to start and grabs a headlock. A running shoulder drops Legend again and Ruca pulls her into an STF of all things. Legend makes the rope and big boots a leapfrogging Ruca for a big crash. Back in and Legend stands on her before a jumping splash gets two. The armbar goes on but a reverse chinlock is countered with an electric chair. Some running shoulders have Legend in trouble and a superkick sets up the Sol Snatcher to give Ruca the pin at 6:47.

Rating: C+. Given who was in there, this was actually a heck of a little match as they had Ruca doing all of her athletic stuff but Legend was holding her half up. The main thing here for Legend is that she felt a lot more focused and didn’t stop to talk a bunch of trash. At the same time, the change is look is a plus. Legend has not exactly been well received so far in NXT, so get her away from the look people associate with the poor results. I was very surprised here and Ruca continues to look like a star in the making.

Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen are ready for the main event, but Briggs seems more interested in Kiana James.

Javier Bernal vs. Oba Femi

Bernal’s headlock doesn’t work as Femi powers him up into a gorilla press. This leaves commentary to talk about Bernal’s Christmas album and Cameos, even as Bernal goes to the leg and drops Femi with a clothesline. Femi makes the comeback with the power, only to get raked in the eyes and rolled up with trunks to give Bernal the pin at 4:39.

Rating: C. I’m starting to get into the Bernal heel stuff and this was a good example. When is the last time you saw someone just rake the eyes because they’re a villain? It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book and it still works to this day. Bernal had to cheat to deal with the big guy and commentary played up his delusions of grandeur at the same time. Nice enough deal here, and Femi continues to likely have a future based on his look alone.

Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen vs. Bronco Nima/Xyon Quinn

Briggs and Nima start things off with the former being shoved hard into the corner. Nima runs him over but Briggs comes in off a blind tag. Quinn comes in as well and gets double shouldered down as the country boys take over. It’s back to Jensen, who gets sent into the corner so Quinn can grab a backbreaker. Nima’s running crotch attack to the back gets two and we hit the armbar. Jensen fights up and slides between the legs though, allowing the hot tag to Briggs. House is quickly cleaned and it’s an atomic drop into a big boot to finish Quinn at 5:39.

Rating: C. There was no drama to this one and there didn’t need to be, as Briggs and Jensen are an established team who shouldn’t have any trouble here. They didn’t break much of a sweat and didn’t even bother having Henley and James out there for this one. Nothing much to see, but the star power always helps.

Overall Rating: C+. The wrestling wasn’t exactly great but I had a good time with the show. You had Ruca and Legend having a surprisingly entertaining match, Bernal being goofy and Briggs/Jensen making it feel a bit more important. As usual there is no reason to think this will last, but it worked rather well for one week.

Results
Sol Ruca b. Lash Legend – Sol Snatcher
Javier Bernal b. Oba Femi – Rollup with trunks
Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen b. Bronco Nima/Xyon Quinn – Atomic drop/big boot combination to Quinn

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – January 6, 2023: It’s Working?

NXT LVL Up
Date: January 6, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shah, Byron Saxton

We’re back here for a new year and that could open up…well ok nothing is likely to change, as tends to be the case around here. Last week did see two of the new class actually win a match, albeit against a team actually less experienced than themselves. I’m not sure how much more I can expect here but let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Elektra Lopez/Amari Miller vs. Sol Ruca/Dani Palmer

Kind of a weird dynamic here. Miller and Palmer start things off with a fight over arm control. Palmer drags her to the corner for the tag to Ruca, who elbows her down. A standing moonsault gives Ruca two and a middle rope spinning crossbody gets the same. Lopez comes in to pull Ruca down by the hair and some knees get two. We hit the seated crossface chickenwing and it’s Miller coming back in for a hard clothesline. The armbar stays on Ruca’s arm by way of barring it, only to have Ruca flip over and bring Palmer back in to pick up the pace. Everything breaks down and the Electric Shock finishes Palmer at 5:05.

Rating: C. This was a weird way to go as the face/heel dynamics didn’t quite match up. It’s also a bit strange to see Ruca losing (albeit not getting pinned) after she has been pushed so hard around here lately. That being said, Palmer is the kind of person you can put in her to take the fall without losing anything.

Tank Ledger is ready for Xyon Quinn because like a tank, he’ll keep moving forward.

Tank Ledger vs. Xyon Quinn

Ledger grabs the arm to start before they go to the test of strength. Quinn has to fight out of Ledger’s one arm lift and there’s a forearm to knock Ledger into the corner. A running shot to the face takes Ledger down and we hit the double arm crank. That’s broken up and it’s a fall away slam to send Quinn flying. The fireman’s carry is escaped though and Quinn hits his running punch for the pin at 4:37.

Rating: C-. Not much to see here but they played on the idea of a rookie vs. a more experienced star. Granted Quinn is little more than a rookie himself but he is further along than Ledger. They seem to see a little something in Ledger so maybe this is the first, albeit minor, step towards something else.

Tavion Heights/Myles Borne vs. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe

Heights, a former Olympic wrestler, wrestles Blade down without much trouble. Blade fights up and hits a dropkick (earning some cheers) before it’s off to Enofe. Heights drives him into the corner though and Borne comes in for a dropkick of his own. The Crossface goes on for a bit before Heights powers Enofe back into the corner to keep him in trouble.

Enofe slips out of a suplex though and brings Blade back in to clean house. Everything breaks down and Heights/Borne grab a fireman’s carry lifted into an assisted Downward Spiral (that was sweet) to Blade as everything breaks down. It’s back to Blade though and the Climax finishes Heights at 5:05.

Rating: C+. Heights seems like someone who is getting the hang of this pretty quickly and Borne has come a long, long way in the last few months. They were starting to cook near the end and that Downward Spiral got a very nice reaction. I could go for more from these teams, but could we please give Blade and Enofe a win that matters at some point?

Overall Rating: C+. This was a show that went a good bit better than I was expecting, with a hot main event and some people seemingly moving up a few steps. It’s still not a great show and not even one that you need to watch, but for half an hour, there are certainly worse things to put out there.

Results
Elektra Lopez/Amari Miller b. Sol Ruca/Dani Palmer – Electric Shock to Palmer
Xyon Quinn b. Tank Ledger – Running punch
Edris Enofe/Malik Blade b. Tavion Heights/Myles Borne – Climax to Heights

NXT LVL Up, 2023, Elektra Lopez, Amari Miller, Sol Ruca, Dani Palmer, Tank Ledger, Xyon Quinn, Edris Enofe, Malik Blade, Myles Borne, Tavion Heights

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NXT LVL Up – December 16, 2022: Star Power!

NXT LVL Up
Date: December 16, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shaw, Byron Saxton

We are closing in on the end of the year and I can’t imagine that is going to make much of a difference around here. While LVL Up is starting to get a little better, there is only so much you can do with no stories and the lowest of low level TV talent. You do occasionally get a nice match in here though so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Schism vs. Lucien Price/Bronco Nima

Ava Raine is here with Schism. Reid can’t do much with the bigger Nima to start and gets his arm cranked. Somehow Reid manages to take the wrist crank into the corner for the tag to Fowler to try his luck. Fowler is powered into the corner for the tag to Price and a running knee to Fowler’s head rocks him hard. A Raine distraction lets Fowler take Price down by the leg though and it’s Reid coming in to keep Price in trouble. The straight power gives Price a breather though and it’s back to Nima. Everything breaks down though and Price gets posted, leaving Nima to get caught in a double Codebreaker for the pin at 5:44.

Rating: C. Price and Nima are a nice power team, but there is only so much you can expect them to be able to do this early in their careers. Then you have Schism, who is shockingly easier to take when they aren’t talking. That has been their case for a long time now, as the lack of Joe Gacy left this as the Grizzled Young Veterans winning a not quite squash.

Javier Bernal and Xyon Quinn are ready for their tag match tonight, even if Quinn seems disgusted by everything Bernal is about. Bernal: “Do you have a big body?” Quinn: “Of….of course I do. It’s twice as big as yours.”

Ivy Nile vs. Lash Legend

Tatum Paxley is here with Nile, who gets elbowed in the face to start. Legend misses a charge in the corner though and Nile fires off some kicks in the corner. A headlock takeover lets Nile grind away and a running hurricanrana gives Nile one. Back up and Legend kicks her in the face for two before heading outside to hit Nile on the apron. A splash to the back gives Legend two and she adds a hard clothesline for two. Legend misses a kick though and Nile kicks away at the leg, only to get caught in a swinging Rock Bottom backbreaker. Not that it matters as Nile is right back with the Diamond Chain Lock for the tap at 5:07.

Rating: C-. This was a matter of waiting for the inevitable finish as Nile wasn’t losing to Legend. The best thing about this match is that WWE seems to have given up on Legend for the time being. She might get there one day, but she is just not ready for television and needs a lot more work in the ring. While she has gotten better, she still isn’t good enough to be at this level yet and WWE seems to understand that.

Chase U vs. Xyon Quinn/Javier Bernal

Thea Hail is here for Chase U, who comes out first for some reason. Quinn powers Hudson away to start before winning a fight over a top wristlock. Hudson wins the rematch (possibly with a pull of the hair) before rolling Quinn down, much to Chase’s approval at the brains over brawn. Bernal comes in, sees Hudson waiting on him, and hands it back to Quinn. Hudson takes Quinn down for an elbow from Chase, followed by Chase’s hiptoss (with a big jump after).

The Russian legsweep sets up the Spelling Stomps but we pause for Quinn to glare at Hail on the floor. That’s enough to let Bernal get in a takedown so Quinn can hammer on Chase to take over. The double arm crank is broken up but Bernal runs him over again. Quinn has to tag himself in as Bernal is a bit cocky, only to have Bernal tag himself right back in. Chase enziguris his way out of trouble and a diving tag brings in Hudson. House is cleaned, including the big boot, and the Fratliner finishes Bernal at 7:04.

Rating: C+. The interesting thing about Chase is how well developed he is. You know what you’re getting with him and he comes across as someone who has put in the effort to make this work. The fans have completely accepted him and if you gave him the chance, he could become a bigger deal. This was a Chase U showcase and it worked well, as it might be the best act going in NXT.

Overall Rating: C+. This show worked because of the star power. It felt like there were bigger names involved up and down rather than a bunch of low level people filling in time. You already have people around here for NXT so why not put them on this show and make it more interesting? Nice stuff here, as Chase U steals another show.

Results
Schism b. Bronco Nima/Lucien Price – Double Codebreaker to Nima
Ivy Nile b. Lash Legend – Diamond Chain Lock
Chase U b. Xyon Quinn/Javier Bernal – Fratliner to Bernal

 

 

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NXT – December 6, 2022: Something About This Show

NXT
Date: December 6, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

It’s the go home show for Deadline and I’m not exactly expecting much tonight as a result. The card is mostly set, though we do need to determine the final entrants in each Iron Survivor Challenge. That means a pair of triple threat matches and they at least have some stakes going in. Let’s get to it.

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

Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Axiom vs. Von Wagner vs. Andre Chase

The rest of Chase U is here with Chase. A running boot rocks Wagner at the bell but he’s fine enough to headlock both of them at once. That’s broken up and a double shoulder puts Wagner on the floor. Axiom loads up a dive but gets rolled up for two by Chase. That’s enough for Wagner to get back up and send them both outside as we take a break. Back with Chase hitting a top rope superplex on Axiom near Wagner, who was either out of position to get knocked down or was trying to help with the crash.

Either way, Axiom heads to the floor and it’s a slugout between Chase and Wagner. A Russian legsweep drops Wagner to set up the spelling stomps, followed by a tiger driver to give Chase two on Axiom. Wagner comes back in but gets triangle choked by Axiom. That’s broken up and Wagner plants Chase for two. Chase DDTs both of them at once but Axiom shoves Chase to the floor and superkicks Wagner for the pin at 11:58.

Rating: C+. It was fast paced and that’s one of the best things that can be said about something like this. On top of that, at least Chase didn’t take the fall, even if it would be nice for him to actually win something for a change. The fans are into him and for some reason that seems to be enough for NXT for whatever reason. Also it was someone other than Wagner, which is a positive.

Julius Creed’s knee is cleared for him to compete but Ivy Nile asks the trainer to check his ribs. Those are banged up, and he won’t be able to compete because of them. Brutus Creed isn’t happy, but Nile says she’s protecting Julius.

Cora Jade is ready to do whatever it takes to become #1 contender.

Bron Breakker is about to go fishing when Apollo Crews shows up at the doc to join him. Crews compliments the boat and Breakker shows him how to cast. They praise each others’ athleticism, with Breakker admitting he copied the standing moonsault from him. Crews asks if this really calms you down, with Breakker talking about the pressure that comes from being champion.

Crews catches a fish, earning some praise from Breakker, before throwing it back. They agree that Deadline should be a good one and shake hands. Crews says today wasn’t Breakker’s day with fishing and Saturday won’t be his day at Deadline either. These vignettes have been different enough to make the feud interesting and that’s a nice change of pace.

Bryson Montana is in the ring for a match but Indus Sher takes him out. Cue Montana’s opponent.

Javier Bernal vs. Bryson Montana

Actually hang on as Bernal has a sudden hamstring injury so he’s out. Indus Sher says they won’t fight the Creed Brothers unless they’re 100%, so the challenge is turned down for now. Cue the Creed Brothers but Ivy Nile and some referees hold them back. No match.

Duke Hudson is trying to console Andre Chase when a very excited Thea Hail runs in to say she’s facing Isla Dawn tonight. Hudson doesn’t think it’s a good idea because Dawn is scary, but Chase says go do it. Chase isn’t happy when Hudson questions his decision.

Sol Ruca danced on Tik Tok at a live event but Brooks Jensen/Josh Briggs and Malik Blade/Edris Enofe got in an argument behind them. A tag match was set.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Xyon Quinn

Stacks is here with D’Angelo, who is getting quite the positive reaction here. Quinn drives him into the corner to start but D’Angelo slugs away at the ribs. A suplex drops Quinn again Quinn’s Samoan drop sends D’Angelo outside, only to run him over back inside. D’Angelo hits something close to John Cena’s ProtoBomb for the pin at 1:49.

Post match D’Angelo says he’s back and he wants Wes Lee and the North American Title. Cue Lee to say the Don is back and the champ is ready for him. Dijak took Lee out recently though so if D’Angelo wants the title, he’ll have to wait until Lee takes care of some business. That doesn’t work for D’Angelo, who says his business comes first. Dijak pops up on screen to say he’s going to decimate NXT and take the title. Then Stacks jumps Lee, who shoves Stacks down and bails from the numbers advantage.

Last week, Hank Walker talked to Charlie Dempsey and says he wishes he could have followed in his father’s footsteps. Walker wants respect and they can do this if they need to. Dempsey says he’ll show Walker that he doesn’t belong.

Scrypts looks at his debut match and talks about how he needs to change things up, starting with the chosen ones. He writes his name down while surrounded by crinkled papers.

Hank Walker vs. Charlie Dempsey

Dempsey slaps him in the face to start so Walker takes him into the corner. There’s a big hiptoss to send Dempsey flying and a slam makes it worse. Dempsey grabs a gutwrench suplex but here is Drew Gulak of all people for a distraction. The Kimura keeps Walker in trouble abut he fights out and hits a Thesz press. That’s fine with Dempsey, who dragon screw legwhips him down but a half crab attempt is broken up. Dempsey cranks on the knee instead and ties up the face at the same time to make Walker tap at 4:02.

Rating: C. This was quick and to the point, as there is no reason to believe that Walker, who is little more than a brawler, could hang with a technical monster like Dempsey. I’m glad to see Dempsey taking someone apart, and having him do that to Gulak in a technical off could be very entertaining. Or Gulak mentors him, which might not be the best idea as Gulak last won anything….when?

Zoey Stark talks about timing and knowing how none of the people in the Iron Survivor Challenge can touch her.

Grayson Waller is ready to win the Iron Survivor Challenge because everyone is scared of him going in.

And now, Pretty Deadly as Santa and an elf in a Christmas set in the ring, for the real meaning of Christmas. They both sit in the throne (yeah there’s a throne) and read the book, which talks about their bulging sacks overflowing. They’ll never lose the titles and never be bruised so they have a Merry Christmas hug….and here is New Day to interrupt.

Kofi Kingston talks about how Pretty Deadly has beaten everyone, so let’s have a title match at Deadline. The fight is on and New Day clears the ring without much effort, including having presents put on Pretty Deadly’s heads. That’s a big surprise and Pretty Deadly will benefit from the win.

Isla Dawn is ready to hurt Thea Hail.

Javier Bernal is going to leave and suddenly remembers he’s in pain when McKenzie Mitchell shows up. No, he is NOT scared of Indus Sher, who don’t want any of him. He accuses Mitchell of being biased and wants someone more fair. Cue Ikemen Jiro, who Bernal trusts. Jiro calls him a chicken and Bernal isn’t pleased.

Thea Hail vs. Isla Dawn

Chase U is here too. Dawn shoves her down to start and hits a running shot to the back. Hail fights up and slugs away, including a running shot in the corner. There’s a t-bone suplex to Dawn, who is right back with a sitout reverse DDT. A second one finishes Hail at 2:50.

Post match Alba Fyre pops up to go after Dawn but gets held back by referees. Fyre charges anyway and a referee gets misted by mistake.

Kiana James is ready to be smart and win the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Lyra Valkyria is here next week.

Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen vs. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe

Odyssey Jones is here with Blade and Enofe. Jensen gets knocked into the corner to start and Blade hits a heck of a dropkick for two. That’s broken up and it’s Jensen working on the arm as Kiana James’ assistant shows up with a letter for Jensen. Blade hits a big moonsault on the floor onto Briggs (and almost misses), leaving Enofe to hit an old Dean Ambrose standing top rope elbow for two on Jensen. Von Wagner shows up to brawl with Jones and it’s the high/low to give Briggs the pin at 3:25.

Rating: C. It might not be the best idea to have multiple people getting involved or interfering in a match that doesn’t even last three minutes. I like both teams but it would be nice to have Blade and Enofe win something for once. The tools are there, but eventually they just feel like losers and that is a hard stigma to overcome.

Respect is shown post match.

Roxanne Perez is ready to prove herself because she keeps getting screwed over. But how do you prepare for a match that has never taken place before? She looks in a mirror to talk herself up and seems to buy it.

Shawn Michaels runs down the concept of the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Iron Survivor Qualifying Match: Indi Hartwell vs. Wendy Choo vs. Fallon Henley

In the back, Brooks Jensen opens the envelope from the assists, which contains VIP tickets to Deadline from Kiana James. Hartwell starts fast but Choo headlock takeovers Henley. A double rollup gives Hartwell two as Toxic Attraction is watching. Back up and Henley flips both of them down at once, with Hartwell being sent outside. Hartwell kicks Henley down on the floor though and we take a break.

We come back with Choo in the Tree of Woe with Hartwell kicking away, only to get rolled up by Henley. With Choo free, Hartwell is sent outside and Henley is suplexed, with Hartwell having to make the save. The Tower of Doom leaves everyone down and Choo splashes Henley. Then Hartwell sends Choo outside, decks Henley, and steals the pin at 10:15.

Rating: C+. Hartwell was the focal point of the match and is the most established star so her going forward makes sense. I still like Henley a lot but she might be better suited as the manager/friend of the team rather than a featured star. You know what you’re getting with Choo, though to be fair she has toned down A LOT of the silliness and it’s a big improvement. Hartwell was the right call here though.

Toxic Attraction says of course they’ll be at Deadline but Indi Hartwell comes in to say Saturday is her night.

Deadline rundown.

Here is Grayson Waller for the Grayson Waller Effect, with the rest of the Iron Survivor entrants (JD McDonagh, Carmelo Hayes, Axiom and Joe Gacy) as his guests. Waller insults all of them but Hayes says he’s ready to show that he is the A Champion again. McDonagh asks about Hayes losing the North American Title twice, but Hayes says that doesn’t matter right now. McDonagh is sure he can go 25 minutes, which Waller would never understand.

Waller shrugs that off and asks Gacy about this group. Gacy says individuals are selfish and will step over each other to get what they want. Axiom talks about how you have to evolve to win and that is where he excels. Hayes: “NERD!” We get a question from a fan: which spot would you want to enter the match?

Axiom says first or second so he can maximize his falls, but that doesn’t appeal to anyone else. Gacy promises that he’ll win but Hayes says he won’t miss. Waller says you never know when someone is going to strike first, earning himself a headbutt from Gacy. The fight is on and everyone but Waller heads to the floor, leaving Waller (with camera) to flip dive onto everyone else. The big brawl ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This could have been worse, as they did make the Iron Survivor Challenge feel like a big deal. That is kind of hard to do when it’s nothing but a heavily gimmicked #1 contenders match, but they pulled it off here. There wasn’t much else of interest on the show and Deadline is looking like a pretty unimportant card, but they made the featured matches feel bigger and that’s the important thing.

Results
Axiom b. Von Wagner and Andre Chase – Golden Ratio to Wagner
Tony D’Angelo b. Xyon Quinn – Belly to back slam
Charlie Dempsey b. Hank Walker – Leg trap crossface
Isla Dawn b. Thea Hail – Sitout reverse DDT
Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen b. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe – High/low to Enofe
Indi Hartwell b. Fallon Henley and Wendy Choo – Running forearm to the back of Henley’s head

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – November 25, 2022: How The Medium Have Fallen

NXT LVL Up
Date: November 25, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shah, Byron Saxton

It’s Black Friday and that seems to be a rather appropriate term for a night with LVL Up. The show has had its recent bright spots and that is about all you can expect from a short burst of decent. I’m not sure what to expect this week and in this case, that might be a good thing. Let’s get to it.

Click on the link below for the full review.

Opening sequence.

Xyon Quinn vs. Tank Ledger

Ledger, in a hat, seems rather happy to be here. They fight over wrist control to start before switching off to a test of strength. With that not working, Ledger hiptosses him over but gets sent face first into the middle buckle. Quinn hits him with a hard clothesline, only to get driven hard into the corner. A fall away slam sends Quinn flying for a change but he’s right back with the Death Valley Driver. The running forearm finishes Ledger at 4:54.

Rating: C. Ledger got in some offense here but Quinn is the bigger name and needs the win a lot more. I still have no idea how someone who looks like Quinn hasn’t gotten a better chance in NXT but he has completely collapsed in recent months. There is almost no reason to believe that this is going to be the start of something new, but at least he didn’t lose to a rookie.

Amari Miller says she can get serious against Elektra Lopez tonight.

Amari Miller vs. Elektra Lopez

Lopez grabs a cravate to start and takes Miller down for an early one. Miller’s bubbles are all over the place as she comes back up with a headlock. What looked to be a sunset flip attempt is broken up by Lopez, who takes her to the mat and cranks on the arm. Miller fights up and this a hard knee in the corner, setting up a running the corner moonsault. The landing doesn’t go well for Miller though and it’s the Electric Shock (chokebomb) to give Lopez the pin at 4:27.

Rating: C-. This was a pretty dull match with Lopez feeling like a star but not having much in the ring to back it up. She definitely has a place around here but NXT needs to figure out what is it. On the other hand you have Miller, who feels like she could be quite the nice popular star if she is able to build herself up a bit more. Give her time, because the experience could do her a world of good.

Damon Kemp vs. Dante Chen

Kemp takes him down without much trouble to start and slaps Chen in the back of the head a few times. Back up and Kemp works on the arm, only to have Chen grab Kemp’s arm in turn. Chen sends him into the corner for some head slapping of his own. That’s too far for Kemp, who unloads on him in the corner before grabbing an overhead belly to belly. A running neckbreaker gets two on Chen and we hit the chinlock. Chen fights up and starts slugging away, setting up a running boot to the face. A springboard is countered into Kemp’s release German suplex though and a swinging Rock Bottom finishes Chen at 6:17.

Rating: C+. Match of the night here, if that means much around this place. I’m not sure why Kemp is toiling on this show after he just had his big feud with the Creed Brothers. I know he didn’t exactly blow the world away but he didn’t deserve to be demoted. Chen continues to be the definition of just there and I have no idea why he gets so much time. There are far worse workers and he isn’t horrible, but he also isn’t interesting and that’s a problem they need to address.

Overall Rating: C. This show continues to be all over the place most of the time and the problem is that when you have so many of the same regulars every so often, it gets into a funk quickly. The different things they throw in there can help, but there comes a point where it’s the minor league developmental show. How far is this stuff really supposed to go?

Results
Xyon Quinn b. Tank Ledger – Running forearm
Elektra Lopez b. Amari Miller – Electric Shock
Damon Kemp b. Dante Chen – Swinging Rock Bottom

 

 

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NXT LVL Up – November 11, 2022: Something Else

NXT LVL Up
Date: November 11, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shah, Byron Saxton

For once we’re actually coming off of a decent show, mainly because there were some slightly bigger stars. It also helps when the matches are laid out a bit better, as it seems like more effort is included. There is only so much time on this show so you have to take what you can get. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Ivy Nile/Tatum Paxley vs. Lash Legend/Jakara Jackson

Legend hammers on Nile to start but Nile kicks her in the head to break that up. Jackson comes in and gets suplexed down, allowing Paxley to come in for a standing twisting moonsault. Something like a reverse X Factor plants Jackson again but she takes Paxley over for the tag to Legend. The beating continues until Jackson works on a backbreaker before switching to the leg. That works so badly that Paxley slips over for the tag off to Nile so house can be cleaned. Nile sends the villains together so Paxley can dive on Legend. That leaves Nile to flip into the Diamond Chain Lock and finish Jackson at 4:46.

Rating: C. I still don’t’ get why Nile isn’t getting more of a chance on the main NXT show as she is far better than just about anyone on this show. Legend has settled into a point where she is just bad instead of being a disaster, while Jackson is just the latest person on the roster, which doesn’t exactly make her mean much so far.

Javier Bernal isn’t worried about Ikemen Jiro and promises to beat him up.

Ikemen Jiro vs. Javier Bernal

Bernal isn’t having any of this handshake stuff to start so he shoves Jiro down. That doesn’t go so well as Jiro armdrags him, only to get kicked backwards. Jiro is sent to the apron and a hard forearm knocks him down again. Back in and a slam into some elbows get two on Jiro, setting up the chinlock. Jiro fights up but gets taken down with a clothesline as this is one sided so far. A dragon screw legwhip gets Jiro out of trouble and he fires off the jacket punches. There’s the Tarantula to Jiro but the Ikemen Slash misses, allowing Bernal to roll him up (with trunks) for the pin at 5:11.

Rating: C. This was almost a squash until Jiro’s comeback didn’t work out so well. That isn’t a surprise either as Bernal has been featured on NXT a bit more lately, meaning he isn’t going to be losing to someone who has been around here for such a long time. Bernal is starting to figure out his heel stuff too and if that works out, good for him.

Edris Enofe/Malik Blade/Odyssey Jones vs. Xyon Quinn/Lucien Price/Bronco Nima

That’s a different kind of main event around here. Price shoves Odyssey on the apron to start so Enofe headlock takeovers Price down. The rather large Price shoves him into the corner and hands it off to Nima. A dropkick cuts Nima off and it’s Blade coming in, only to get sent into the corner. Quinn comes in but Blade rolls over to Jones for the showdown.

Everything breaks down and the good guys clean house until Quinn gets in a cheap shot on Jones. That doesn’t get him very far though and it’s Nima coming in to beat up Enofe instead. Quinn splashes Enofe for two but a dive through the legs allows the hot tag off to Jones for the house cleaning. Everything breaks down (again) and Blade’s splash off of Jones’ shoulders finishes Price at 6:40.

Rating: C+. This was a fun match with the good guys working well together and having some people to beat up, albeit after breaking a sweat. What matters most here is that it felt like something different on this show after doing the same things over and over. Just mix it up a bit and see how much more fun the show can be.

Overall Rating: C. I had enough fun with this show for it to be ok and that’s all you can ask for with something like this. The main event was enough of a change of pace to make things better and after the months of the same formula, that is really nice to have for once. I have no reason to believe it is going to last, but one night of ok is better than nothing.

Results
Ivy Nile/Tatum Paxley b. Lash Legend/Jakara Jackson – Diamond Chain Lock to Jackson
Javier Bernal b. Ikemen Jiro – Rollup with trunks
Odyssey Jones/Malik Blade/Edris Enofe b. Xyon Quinn/Lucien Price/Bronco Nima – Splash to Price

 

 

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