The LWO VS OTM: NXT Tag Team Championship Number 1 Contender’s Qualifying Match
NXT kicked off this week with a Tag Team match as The LWO and OTM collided in a match where the winning team would qualify for the Triple Threat Number 1 Contender’s Match which takes place in a few weeks time. Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde have always been a lot of fun to watch and this was no exception. I love high-flying wrestling and these guys are so damn good at it. Bronco Nima and Lucien Price also looked slightly better here which is a good sign, but in the end, a superb assisted Springboard 450 was enough for Wilde to pin Nima to win the match for his team.
Grade: C+
Roxanne Perez Promo, Lexis King VS Mr. Stone, Oba Femi VS Brooks Jensen: NXT North American Championship
Oba Femi and Brooks Jensen nearly got into it in the NXT Parking Lot before Andre Chase told Thea Hail that he’ll always have her back even if things have been pretty weird recently. Kelani Jordan then walked in to confirm that she will be the one to team up with Thea to take on Kiana James and Izzi Dame. Roxanne Perez was then out in the ring as she was ready to explain why she attacked Lyra Valkyria last week. The reason was simple, Lyra kept ignoring her! Roxanne then brought up every NXT Women’s Champion since Roadblock 2023 and how nobody cared about her which is why she’s sent Valkyria out of the arena in an Ambulance like she was a year ago. Perez then demanded that the NXT Women’s Championship gets gifted to her before Ava came out to say that won’t be happening. Before the NXT General Manager could say anymore though, Tatum Paxley showed up and then the segment just ended with referees stopping Tatum from doing anything. The ending here was very odd, but I liked what Roxanne Perez was saying because she had a very valid point.
Grade: C+
The Family were seemingly having a nice time at their restaurant before Ilja Dragunov walked in to praise Tony D’Angelo for beating Carmelo Hayes last week. This then resulted in the rest of The Family “kidnapping” Dragunov into a car boot before they just drove off. What?! Anyway, we then got a match between Lexis King and Mr. Stone which was totally fine. It was never going to be a wrestling masterpiece shall we say, but I also would’ve liked it to have been a little bit more comedic and entertaining. In the end, Lexis got the victory with the Coronation before Von Wagner came down to help Mr. Stone to the back. Once again, this felt like it ended a little bit prematurely.
Grade: C
Dijak warned Oba Femi that he’s coming for him in a backstage interview before we saw Ridge Holland on his phone to his wife and child. Oba Femi then marched his way down to the ring as it was time for him to put his NXT North American Championship on the line against Brooks Jensen. I will say that I’m glad Brooks is still being used on TV as I was little bit worried he was going to disappear after he split from Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley. Speaking of Josh Briggs, Briggs made his way down to ringside to cheer his buddy on, but this only fired up Oba more who just honestly wrecked Jensen. Towards the end, Femi was just sending a message to both Briggs and Dijak before he finally got the win with a second Powerbomb. Femi-Briggs-Dijak could be a great match at NXT Stand and Deliver if it happens.
Grade: C+
Arianna Grace VS Gigi Dolin, Kiana James and Izzi Dame VS Thea Hail and ?, Ridge Holland VS Shawn Spears
The Family were back as Tony D’Angelo threatened to throw Ilja Dragunov off of a bridge. This was not the way I expected this story to go, but I’m not against it, especially as we know what Dragunov’s like. Arianna Grace then waltzed her way down to the ring as it was time for her to go one-on-one with Gigi Dolin. This was the type of match that should remind people that NXT is still very much a developmental brand, however great the overall show is. The positive with Arianna is she’s a very entertaining character who carries herself so well, but I am still a little bit worried about Gigi. Towards the end of the match, Grace delivered a low blow behind the referee's back before Dolin did the same, this time in front of the referee meaning Arianna scored the DQ victory. This was definitely different, and I actually can’t wait for next week’s segment between these two!
Grade: C+
Sol Ruca and Karmen Petrovic were talking backstage before Lola Vice walked in to talk trash. Brinley Reece then cartwheeled her way into the shot to wish Sol good luck for her match next week. This show is weird in the best possible way! Kiana James and Izzi Dame then made their way down to the ring as they were supposed to have a Tag Team match against Thea Hail and Kelani Jordan. However, Jordan was shown to be laid out backstage which resulted in Fallon Henley stepping in to aid Hail. This match didn’t go too long and the momentum of the match changed when Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx made their way down to the ringside. Towards the end of the match, Jacy “accidentally” put Thea in harm's way which ultimately allowed Kiana James to get the win with the Deal Breaker. After the match, Thea Hail cut an emotional promo saying she no longer wants to be Jacy and that the old Thea Hail “is back”. I’ve never known something to escalate so quickly, but crazy, energetic Thea is all good with me!
Grade: C+
Riley Osbourne seemed delighted that Thea Hail was back to her old self whilst watching backstage before the No Quarter Catch Crew walked in to talk trash. Axiom and Nathan Frazer then arrived to give Riley some backup before Frazer had a brilliant line in regards to the first-ever NXT Heritage Cup Champion saying “Yeah, whatever happened to that guy”. For context, the inaugural NXT Heritage Cup Champion was A-Kid! Anyway, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson then made it clear that they’re coming for the NXT Tag Team Championships at NXT Stand and Deliver before Hank and Tank were hyping themselves up to the amusement of Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker. What I loved about this is not only are Baron and Bron great together, but Hank and Tank have their own merch! It was then time for the final match of the night as Ridge Holland took on Shawn Spears. After an okay contest, Ridge Holland snapped after Shawn Spears mentioned his family. Holland then went on a tyrant, including putting Spears through the announce table, but ultimately, his anger would get the better of him and it allowed Spear to steal the win with a C4 onto the steel chair. I’m honestly still very confused about all of this!
Grade: C+
Trick Williams Ends the Show
After over a month away, Trick Williams was back on NXT and he made it crystal clear, he was hurt by Carmelo Hayes’ actions. Trick said he refused to believe any of the rumours due to Melo being his brother, but the time has now come to settle this once and for all which is why Williams challenged Hayes to a match at NXT Stand and Deliver. Before he could say anything else, Meta-Four of all people came out to taunt Trick before Williams just beat up Noam Dar and Oro Mensah. And then, out of absolutely nowhere, Trick Willy blocked Lash Legend’s attempted attack before the two just started kissing! I’m literally not joking! I’ll be honest, I have absolutely no idea what this was or what Meta-Four have got to do with this Trick-Melo Blood Feud. However, I’ve been laughing about this all day and that’s all I want when I watch Pro Wrestling, especially NXT!
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