NXT 2.0 Review: 06/09

Tyler Bate kicks off the show

Tyler Bate kicked off the show to talk about the respect he has for both the WWE Universe and Bron Breakker. Gallus then interrupted him and said that Bate let an entire brand and the whole of Europe down when he lost to Bron Breakker. The Big strong boy rightly came back at them and reminded them that they didn’t keep up their end of the bargain either. Gallus then attacked Bate but Bron Breakker came to the aid of the last ever UK Champion to “even the odds” This nicely set up the main event of the evening.

Grade: B-

Pretty Deadly were backstage and were deciding which title looked nicer. I believe it was Kit Wilson who said, “it’s like choosing between Chris Hemsworth and Brad Pitt”. Lash Legend then came to celebrate with them before Pretty Deadly decided that they would frame the UK titles. Pretty Deadly are such a good comedic group but their characters do have a serious side, particularly at the moment with their anger towards people saying they don’t deserve to be champions. In a digital exclusive, Meiko Satomura was backstage, and Cora Jade challenged her to a match. Sadly, for Jade, Meiko had already accepted a match from Cora’s former best friend Roxanne Perez. That match would be happening later on tonight.

Toxic Attraction VS Nikki A.S.H and Doudrop

Toxic Attraction had their first match back since Gigi Dolin suffered an injury on SmackDown. The former 2-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions were taking on Nikki A.S.H. and Doudrop who seem to be everywhere at the moment. Toxic A are a good team, but they couldn’t overcome Doudrop’s power. The former Piper Niven looked really good in this match whilst Nikki A.S.H. pulled out some moves that she has done in her past iterations. Busted-up Doudrop got the win with her running cross body. Doudrop and Nikki got themselves a very important win and continue to build good tag team chemistry. Toxic Attraction losing also makes sense as in-ring wise they aren’t as good, hence the reason why they cost them the match on Sunday. This was solid stuff.

Grade: B-

JD McDonagh VS Wes Lee, Roxanne Perez VS Meiko Satomura

Apollo Crews is struggling with his eye, and it is stopping him doing his visions. This is a very peculiar character arc. After this, JD McDonagh took on Wes Lee. JD McDonagh is a solid in ring talent and Wes Lee is doing surprising well as a single’s competitor. There were no real standout moments in this match but that isn’t a bad thing, especially given the fact that there weren’t any mistakes. This match was designed to build McDonagh back up into one of the top contenders on the brand. JD grabbing onto Vic’s leg was great as it showed how sadistic he is. JD is definitely a better overall package then when he was on NXT in the black and gold era. This wouldn’t be the last time we saw him on the night either.

Grade: C

Tony D’Angelo and Stacks were seen drinking espresso before they spoke to Pretty Deadly. They once again brought up the fact that champs only won because of Damon Kemp. This is really good narrative and also, Stacks and D’Angelo could be challengers down the line which if they are, this was a nice and simple way to plant the seeds for the future. Meiko Satomura then came down to the ring to take on Roxanne Perez. Roxanne was clearly nervous which actually makes her character better in my opinion, it’s way more realistic. The craziest thing about this match is the fact that Satomura has been wrestling for longer than Roxanne Perez has been alive. This added a cool narrative, and this match was pretty good. Satomura is a excellent wrestler, some of the moves she hits are absolutely ridiculous. As for Perez, she is one of the best up and coming female wrestlers in the world. She didn’t look out of place against Satomura which is great and even though she ended up losing, she came out of this match a much bigger star than before. The one criticism of this entire match was following the match, Cora Jade hit Perez from behind with her black kendo stick. I don’t really understand why Jade would do this; she has nothing left to prove when it comes to Roxanne Perez. Also, Perez got up pretty quickly which wasn’t particularly good selling. Overall though, a good match that made both competitors look better.

Grade: B+

Damon Kemp explains his action, Ricochet VS Trick Williams

Bron Breakker and Tyler Bate were warming up together before Breakker said that Bate is NXT which is a nice compliment. After this, Damon Kemp had a filmed video where he talked about why he attacked the Diamond Mine. Kemp said that he was never allowed to be a singles star and was just told to wait into we need you. He also said that he destroyed Brutus Creed in college which is pretty cool when you think about. He also admitted to being the one who attacked Roderick Strong in the parking lot. Kemp has already done more good things as a bad guy then the entire time he was a face in the Diamond Mine. After this, Kiana James was handed a smiley face pin from the Dyad and aligned herself with Arianne Grace. James and Grace will face Lyons and Stark next week.

Grade: B- for Kemp

When I watched the Trick Williams VS Ricochet match, I realised just how good a singles star Trick Willy could be. He hit some really nice moves and could be one for the future. Carmelo Hayes was on commentary and him and Wade Barrett were brilliant. Melo kept coaching Williams whilst Wade Barrett said they would have to extend the arena to fit in all of Melo’s t-shirts, a reference to Sunday’s entrance. He even said that the arena should be called the Melo Arena which the A Champion and I both loved. In the end, Ricochet got the win after more brilliant commentary from Melo. It looks like Ricochet VS Hayes II is on the way and I wouldn’t mind that, especially if Hayes beats him clean with no interference.

Grade: B

Backstage Segments and Frazer VS Axiom

Tony D and Stacks were still drinking espresso, even though they looked much happier with this version of it. They then asked Cameron Grimes if he wanted to join but when the richest man in NXT said no, D’Angelo and Stacks put him through a table. The three are competing in a tag match next week where Grimes has a mystery partner, my bet is Odyssey Jones. A video then aired to show us that Sol Ruca would be coming to NXT 2.0 in the future. After this, Diamond Mine came back at Damon Kemp with Brutus even saying that Kemp is a dead man. After this, Pretty Deadly had had enough of people saying they didn’t deserve to be champions, so they challenged the former Champs to a title rematch next week where the WWE Universe gets to pick the stipulation. That should be exciting, and I would guess that PD would win with more Kemp interference to further both teams' storylines.

Nathan Frazer and Axiom then went one-on-one with each other in the first match of their best of three series. This was great. Both men are so agile and brilliant highflyers. At one point, Frazer went to hit one of his crazy dives, but his foot caught the rope meaning he fell prematurely and only just about hit Axiom. Frazer being a very likeable character looked at the camera and said, “got there in the end”. After the break, more great moves were hit, and the transitions were excellent. Frazer was targeting the leg but in the end. Axiom got the win with a cool looking kick. Axiom leads 1-0 in the series and if the matches are going to be this good, I’m gonna want them to extend it to a best of 9 or something.

Grade: A-

More backstage segments and Gallus VS Breakker and Bate

Javier Bernal continued to be a very unlikeable character and once again the security guard had a go at him. The face off in the ring next week. Quincy Elliott is making his debut next week which should be interesting. Then, Carmelo Hayes was talking about how he is going to be voted as the biggest star in NXT before McKenzie Mitchell told the A Champ that he will be defending his gold next week against the WWE Universe’s choice. Melo said that he should be able to choose before McKenzie said that he could go online and vote. Melo’s sell of this was brilliant. I think Carmelo Hayes VS Tyler Bate is the match that I want to see.

In the main event, Gallus took on the team of Bron Breakker and Tyler Bate. Bate and Breakker worked brilliantly together. I almost feel like they could go and win the tag titles they were so good. Also, Tyler Bate getting the pinfall was really nice as he deserved a victory. Another loss for Gallus isn’t great but I’m sure that they will be back in the winning column soon. After the match, JD McDonagh attacked Tyler Bate. I don’t know if that means we are going to get a Bate VS McDonagh feud or not or, if the Irish Ace is going to get another shot at Bron Breakker. Ever way, JD will be rekindling old rivals.

Grade: B+