NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Katana Chance and Kayden Carter VS Nikkita Lyons and Zoey Stark
After a recap video showcasing what went down at NXT Halloween Havoc, we went straight into are Women’s Tag Team title match. It was a solid match, Chance and Carter are a great team and both Lyons and Stark bring stuff to the table. At one point, Katana Chance tagged in her partner, but the referee didn’t see it. Stark then rolled up Chance and got the win meaning we had new tag team champions. I assumed that that was where we were going to end it but then, a referee ran down and changed the decision. The match was restarted and you can tell that Lyons and Stark’s focus had dropped. However, Lyons hit her signature and finisher and I thought they were going to win anyway but Chance broke it up. After Zoey Stark was taken out, Chance and Carter hit their tag team finisher (neckbreaker-450 Splash) onto Lyons to retain their gold. A very well booked match in my opinion that gives a reason for Lyons and Stark to have a rematch down the line.
Grade: B+
R-Truth shows up on NXT, Shotzi VS Lash Legend
A video promo aired were Ilja Dragunov talked about his anger for not becoming NXT Champion last weekend. He then called JD McDonagh “a cancer” and vowed to end him once and for all in tonight’s main event. We then saw a video where a mask was burnt. I am pretty certain this is for the return of Dominik Dijakovic, particularly when he mentioned the word “Retribution”. Back in the arena, Wes Lee celebrated being the brand new North American Champion. He talked about the struggles he has faced not only this year, but in his whole life. He was then interrupted by Grayson Waller who claimed that Halloween is a fake holiday. This guy's great. He then said that being rolled into a box isn’t a loss and climbing up a ladder isn’t a win. Just as it looked like the Arrogant Aussie was going to challenge Lee to a match, R-Truth’s music hit and the audience sang his song. Truth was dressed up thinking it was Halloween Havoc before the two reminded him that it happened the other day. The best part of this was when Truth told Waller that he liked his English accent. Truth is one of those guys that can make comedy work. Waller then attempted to attack Truth before he was laid out by the two good guys. They both then started shouting “What’s Up” to close the segment. This was decent and R-Truth will take on Grayson Waller in a match next week.
Grade: B-
Edris Enofe and Malik Blade were in the locker room getting ready for their tag team title match which was taking place later on in the night. After this, Apollo Crews cut a promo where he said he is done with Grayson Waller and is very interested to hear what Bron Breakker has to say next week. Crews VS Breakker wouldn’t be a bad feud that’s for certain. Shotzi then took on Lash Legend in a singles match. It was pretty short and Shotzi won in a dominant display. It’s quite clear that WWE doesn’t really see anything in Lash Legend.
Grade: D
Tag Team special, Pretty Deadly VS Edris Enofe and Malik Blade: NXT Tag Team Championships
The Creed Brothers came out and Julius talked about how he can barely move his hands. After what went down on Saturday night, I’m not surprised. Brutus Creed then called out Damon Kemp for what was meant to be a 5-minute match between the two, but Kemp came on the screen and told everyone that he isn’t medically cleared right now. After this, Veer Mahaan and Sanga attacked the Creed’s and laid them out. The best part of this is that it was clear to see that Sanga had doubts about this. After their actions, Ivy Nile came out and asked Sanga why. I really like this. Pretty Deadly then talked about how great they are because of course they did and then Toxic Attraction had a face time call where they announced that next week’s show is a celebration of the 1-year reign of Mandy Rose. I might be reading too much into this but for whatever reason, it feels like there’s a bit of tension between the women in this group. That’s how I feel anyway.
Grade: B+ for Inder Sher (Veer and Sanga)
After this, it was time to see if Pretty Deadly could retain their tag team titles against Edris Enofe and Malik Blade. This match was really good. Pretty Deadly are one of the best tag teams in the world right now and Enofe and Blade looked great. The biggest issue I’ve had with those two is they don’t come across as serious contenders and Booker T said the same thing on commentary, but in this match, they went all out. Malik Blade did a ridiculous dive over the ring post onto Pretty Deadly, something you’d see from a certain Street Profit on Monday’s/Friday’s. The crowd were also really getting behind the challengers which made this match even better. A roll-up from Blade nearly saw new tag team champions and I’ll be honest, I genuinely thought they were going to win. That didn’t happen though as in the end, Pretty Deadly hit Spilt Milk to retain their titles. A great job from all four men.
Grade: B+
The Schism reveal their newest member, Indi Hartwell VS Sol Ruca
It was now the turn of JD McDonagh to have a video promo. He talked about how he didn’t want to get out of bed on Sunday morning after failing to capture the NXT Championship before he realised that at least Dragunov didn’t win. He then called himself the necessary evil. Cool name. Zoey Stark was then furious backstage at the fact she was holding gold and then it was taken away from her. Her and Lyons then vowed that when they get their rematch, they will win the tag team titles. The Schism all came out wearing these yellow masks. Gacy, Reid and Fowler all talked about the goodness that comes from being in this group before the person in the red hoodie revealed themselves as Ava Raine. For people (like me) who don’t know who she is from her name, she is the Rock’s oldest daughter. I hope she’s talented in the ring because if she is, her accomplishments will be endless.
Grade: B-
Sol Ruca then cut a promo talking about how she was looking forward to facing Indi Hartwell before Hartwell talked about how crowd support will only get you so far. We then got a pretty call voice message from someone named SCRIPTS. He promised to end everyone. I’m intrigued to see where this goes. Indi Hartwell then came out with a bunch of scream masks on her gear. Could this be an Easter egg to her “The Way” debut. This match was really short and Hartwell squashed her. She won the match with a brand-new finishing manoeuvre. It’s a shame because her old one was really good, but I haven’t seen her hit that since she slipped whilst attempting it. After the match, Elektra Lopez returned and laid out Hartwell and Ruca. She then told the camera that she is back and ready to destroy the competition. It’s nice to see Elektra back on tv, but it just doesn’t feel right. She was a perfect fit in Legado so it will be interesting to see if she can get her career back on track.
Grade: C-
Chase U, Roxanne Perez, the return of Odyssey Jones
Duke Hudson walked into class and told Mr. Chase that Bodhi Hayward wouldn’t make it to class. He then sat next to Thea Hail before he lent her his pen. Chase then had a right go at him for not writing stuff down before Hudson stole a pen off a fellow classmate whilst no one was looking. These are genuinely really well done. Roxanne Perez then had a video promo where she said that she didn’t even recognise herself on Saturday. She then told the world that even though she has lost her best friend, her self-confidence has never been higher. Edris and Malik then left the building feeling pretty down after failing to capture the NXT tag team titles. A car then pulled up with a bunch of women inside it and who was driving, none other than Odyssey Jones. I like Odyssey, I think he’s really good. However, his return should have been saved for a big moment, not just him picking up Enofe and Blade to go to a party.
Ilja Dragunov VS JD McDonagh
In the main event of this week's NXT, Ilja Dragunov took on his old rival, JD McDonagh. Dragunov had his ribs tapped up after the battle he endured at Halloween Havoc and McDonagh targeted that area. At one point, the medical team had to check on Dragunov to see if he was able to compete before the former NXT UK Champion would continue. After a fun back and forth battle, McDonagh locked in a submission on the Czar. Dragunov’s body went red before he passed out. McDonagh then refused to let go of the hold and blood started to come out of Dragunov’s mouth. Ilja was then stretchered out of the building whilst JD smiled to close the show. This was great. It showcased that JD McDonagh really is a sadistic psychopath whilst also putting over the fact that Dragunov doesn’t quit. When I first saw that JD McDonagh was returning to NXT, I wasn’t excited at all. Now, he’s one of my favourite acts in all of WWE so fair play to him.
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