Chase University Start the Show, Chase U VS Axiom and Nathan Frazer
NXT kicked off this week with Chase University in the ring as Ridge Holland thanked the University for having his back. Axiom and Nathan Frazer then arrived to congratulate the new Champs whilst also asking for a rematch. Duke Hudson and Riley Osbourne weren’t impressed by this, but they did say that if FRAXIOM could beat them tonight, they could get a shot at the Champions. This actually led into the first match of the night, and it was another fun one involving Axiom and Frazer. They are just the best at what they do, and they really should be challenging for Gold on the Main Roster now. Duke and Riley also worked well as a pair so that’s something to keep an eye on for the future, but in the end, it was Axiom who scored the win following a crazy Superkick/Brain-Buster combo and this has set up a rematch for NXT No Mercy!
Grade: B
Lola Vice VS Wendy Choo, NXT Women’s Championship Number 1 Contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator Match
Karmen Petrovic was ruled out of the Gauntlet Eliminator due to an early attack by Izzi Dame, but Ava refused to give Dame Karmen’s spot, and she instead gave it to Brinley Reece. Brinley Reece then celebrated this with Kendal Grey in the Women’s locker room as Wren Sinclair said she was bringing more Gold back to the WreNQCC! It was then time for the first singles match of the night as Lola Vice looked to teach Wendy Choo a lesson. This match actually got quite a decent amount of time which was nice to see, and whilst it wasn’t all smooth sailing, I thought both women did enough to capitalise on their opportunity. We already know that both women can go in the ring, but I will say that I’m not sure about Lola being a Babyface. Anyway, after Kelani Jordan stupidly decided to get in the ring for some reason, Vice accidentally laid her out and this allowed Choo to nail Lola with her pillow to get the win! After the match, Lani got back in the ring and took out Wendy before she revealed that her NXT Women’s North American Championship was inside the pillow all along!
Grade: C+
Wes Lee and Joe Hendry both went back and forth in their respective interviews before Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, and Jazmyn Nyx revealed themselves as “The Fatal Influence”! Wren Sinclair and Sol Ruca then arrived as it was time to get the NXT Women’s Championship Number 1 Contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator Match started! Unlike more Gauntlet Matches, every 3 minutes an extra competitor entered, with Adrianna Rizzo coming out third. However, Rizzo didn’t last long after being dropped by Sol before Brinley Reece came down at 4. Kendal Grey was out next as she eliminated Reece before Jaida Parker arrived at 6 and almost immediately despatched of Grey. Sol Ruca then hit a ridiculous Sol Snatcher to eliminate Sinclair meaning it was down to Ruca and Parker. It was obvious that these were the only two who could actually win this thing, and after a little back-and-forth, it was Jaida Parker who hit Hipnotic to score the victory and book her ticket to NXT No Mercy. Out of all the competitors involved, I’m glad Miss Parker got the W!
Grade: C+
Hank and Tank VS Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, Oba Femi Interrupts Charlie Dempsey, Ashante “Thee” Adonis VS Dion Lennox
Ethan Page talked about his disdain towards “outsiders” before Pete Dunne came up to the NXT Champion and laughed at him! Hank and Tank were then out next as they had a match scheduled against The O.C.! This was a decent little match, it was nothing memorable by any means, but Hank and Tank bring an energy that makes them enjoyable to watch. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are definitely lost though, and I just don’t get what they’re doing. Anyway, in the end, it was Hank and Tank who picked up the surprise victory and celebrated with Vic Joseph in a nice moment.
Grade: C+
Edris Enofe and Malik Blade questioned Shawn Spears’ friendship with Brooks Jensen before Enofe and Blade just beat Spears up after he rightly brought up their “friendship” with Brinley Reece. No Quarter Catch Crew were then in the ring to talk about their next plans, but Wren Sinclair kept talking over Charlie Dempsey and said that “Charles” will be happy to face anyone. That is when Oba Femi came out (which was pretty funny) before he was interrupted by Tony D’Angelo. This segment ultimately ended with The D’Angelo Family brawling with the NQCC whilst Tony D laid out Oba with a spinebuster. I don’t think I say this enough, but Charlie Dempsey’s facial expressions are some of the best in the business!
Grade: C+
Ashante “Thee” Adonis wasn’t happy with all the women going over to talk to Dion Lennox before Wren Sinclair gave Je’Von Evans the NXT Heritage Cup. Gallus then walked past and told Evans that his style of wrestling “isn’t true” before Cedric Alexander came over to defend The Young O.G.! Ashante “Thee” Adonis then found himself in the ring as he went one-on-one with Dion Lennox. We’ve seen Lennox in the past, but he looked better and more sharp here. The one move he hit was particually good, and I’d like to see more of him going forward. However, this was about getting Adonis a win which is exactly what happened after a Sweet Chin Music-esc Superkick!
Grade: C+
NXT Championship Number 1 Contender’s Match: Joe Hendry VS Wes Lee VS Pete Dunne
After Lexis King gave some advice to “Meta-Two”, Ethan Page joined commentary for the Main Event as Joe Hendry, Wes Lee, and Pete Dunne clashed for the right to take on the NXT Champion at NXT No Mercy! This was a good Main Event, Joe Hendry put on his performance in an NXT ring to date whilst Pete Dunne brought his technical mastery to proceedings. Wes Lee is simply Wes Lee, he’s super entertaining to watch whether you’re meant to cheer or boo him, but what I really want to talk about is the ending. See, Hendry had the match won only for Ethan Page to pull the referee out of the ring, and then “The Egomaniac” blocked a second referee from getting in the ring on the ramp. This then allowed Dunne to drop Joe with a Bitter End, but Trick Williams arrived and floored The Bruiserweight with a Trick Shot before Joe Hendry covered Pete Dunne as the other referee got back into the ring to count to 3! Some may say this was overbooked, but I had a great time with it. Oh, and Zachary Wentz showed up and brawled with Wes Lee to close the show!
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