WWE NXT 1/16/2024

WWE NXT 1/16/2024

Last week's show is here:  https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/01/wwe-nxt-192024.html

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round - Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams vs Edris Enofe and Malik Blade

Blade and Enofe are wearing Dusty Rhodes polka dots. Melo and Blade trade armdrags. They try to dropkick each other at the same time then Melo takes a double back elbow. Trick slams Enofe  and dropkicks him. Trick flying lariats Blade when Enofe moves. Trick then mcgillicutters Enofe.

Blade flying forearms Melo. Enofe dropkicks Melo then Enofe hits armdrags on Trick. Trick avoids an armdrag Enofe takes a double back elbow then Trick helps Melo springboard into a splash on Enofe. Trick takes a 619 and a slingshot swanton. Trick does a flying arm takedown of some sort on Blade then Enofe slingblade bulldogs Trick. Melo takes a double flpajack then Blade and Enofe do tope con hilos outside.

We go to break and return. Enofe is in a side headlock then Melo takes a slingshot backbreaker. Enofe pounds on Melo. Trick gets in and double flapjacks his opponents himself. Trick rock bottoms Enofe for 2. Blade does a flipping ddt on Melo. Trick jumping neckbreakers him then Enofe backdrops Trick. Blade top rope elbow drops Trick for 2. Melo spginboard crossbodies Enofe then is spinebustered by Blade. Blade top rope splashes Melo for 2.

Melo codebreakers Blade then Trick flying knees Blade for the win.

The two teams worked well together and it was a high flying and fast paced match. I thought it was a little much for the opener though and I thought they didn't sell enough. I have no idea why they are not doing anything with Blade and Enofe even though it's clear they can go.

Fallon Henley is interviewed. She said she never had an NXT title match before and said she has to go through 19 women to get one tonight. She said she is putting on her work boots and making it to the final four tonight. She says she has three words when it comes to the final four - "yee haw b!tch".

We get a package on the Oba Femi and Dragon Lee situation from last week.

We see Lola Vice and Elketra Lopez talking about Lyra Valkyria from earlier. Elektra says she will win the battle royale tonight and then it will be a triple threat the PPV fro the women's title. Tatum Paxley then appears from behind a door curtain and says she will be winning tonight so Lyra doesn't have to defend the title. She said no one goes near her champion.

Oba Femi comes out to talk. He said he knows people are surprised to see him champ. He said the prophecy was long foretold. He said he was told he would be the biggest, strongest and fastest when he was born. He aid he's been tested as a prince and athlete and said he won a lot of titles in the NCAA. He said the goal is still the same here. He said he will crush to dust every man that stands in his way because he is backed by destiny.

Dragon Lee comes out. Lee said he's not mad about last week. He said Oba took his moment and got him. He spoke in half-Spanish and half-English and said he wants to give to people what Wes Lee gave him. He said he wants a new edition of the open challenge and would love to be his first opponent tonight. Oba said no. He says the open challenges are now closed. Lee says he wants his rematch. Oba said he doesn't get to decide anymore and said he may consider it.

Eddy Thorpe talks to Hank, Tank and Tyson Dupon in the back. They put him over and then Trey Bearhill walks in. Trey thanks him for representing their culture and they talk about their indian tribes. Trey says screw that guy about Lesix. Dijak comes in and said it's so cute that Dijak found friends. Dijak said they must be proud of their culture and says his culture taught them everything. He said he's putting one of them on the shelf tonight and said it could be Trey.

Melo and Trick talk in the back. They say they are on their way to the semi-finals and then Ilja Dragunov walks in. Ilja says he's sorry about the title match and said medical won't let him fight. He said he is cleared now and said he let him down as champ. He said Trick deserves his title match and said his title match will be at Vengeance Day. Melo is confused and mad, saying that's when they are supposed to be in the Dusty Cup finals. 

Tatum Paxley and Lyra Valkyria vs Elektra Lopez and Lola Vice

Lyra is dressed up like Tatum and doing her poses. Lopez cravates Lyra then Lyra side headlocks her. Lyra rolls her up then Lopez slides out. Lyra dropkicks Lopez through the ropes then Tatum dropkicks Lola through the ropes. Tatum cartwheels out of a wrist throw then is sent face first into the top buckle. Lola axe kicks Tatum on the ropes.

Lola kicks Tatum then Lopez hits corner spears on Tatum. Lopez kicks Tatum while holding her arm then Tatum hits a made in japan style move on her. Lyra hits lariats on Lopez then step up enzugiri's her. Tatum northern lights suplexes Lopez. Tatum top rope crossbodies Lopez.

Lola spin kicks Lyra then Tatum pushes Lyra and takes a kick for her. Tatum then falls over and pins Lopez on accident.

This was just about establishing the new Lyra/Tatum team here and it was effective at it. It was short match otherwise with nothing too memorable in it.

We go to the girls locker room. I think Stevie Turner talks about being the #1 contender to the championship. Arianna Grace says to believe it is to achieve it and is why she will become the winner tonight. She said she did beat Roxanne Perez last week. Izzi Dame questions this and Grace stops her. Grace says she will do this for all the girls tonight who dare to dream. She keeps talking and all the girls have left. She then realizes nobody else is there.

Ridge Holland vs Joe Coffey

Ridge has new and unusual music. They shoulder each other and trade forearms. Joe headbutts him an takes a belly to belly suplex. Ridge back body drops him then overhead throws him. Wolf tries to interfere and Joe dropkicks Ridge. Joe backbreakers Ridge then takes a vader bomb elbow.

Ride hiptosses Joe then headbutts him. Ridge then hits a nice lariat and a slam. Ridge then picks up the win.

It was a short one. Ridge looked good throwing around Joe and they had a stiff match.

Ridge gets jumped after by Gallus. Gallus look for someone to come and save Ridge but nobody does. Joe spinning lariats Ridge and Ridge is left laying.

We go to NXT anonymous. Jacy and Thea are talking with Chase U students. Jacy says the work has just begin. Jacy then calls one of them named Jasmine and said she did good. Jacy asks if she wants to hang out, get drinks and get her number.

Kelani Jordan said she broke out in 2023 and is breaking through in 2024. She said if she has to hear patience one more time, she will lose her mind. She said patience isn't unlocking th doors she wants go to through. We then see Brinley Reece doing a handstand. She says the difference between try and triumph is a little bit of umph. She says her energy is giving her energy. Kelani says it's every woman for herself and Brin says if it's not her, she hopes its Kelani. Brin then cartwheels away.

Baron Corbin is interviewed. He says he's the leade rof the team and was directing traffic. Bron Breakker then comes in and said he was told the interview starts at 9:30PM. Baron said he gave Bron a pep talk and picked up the scraps, leading them to victory. Bron takes credit for the win as well and said he saved  Baron. Bron says the Wolf-Dogs are on the hunt and will beat Axiom and Nathan Frazer next week. Baron asks what he just said and doesn't like The Wolf-Dogs name. Bron says it's good, right? Baron says no. Bron said he was in the shower and thought of the name and Baron asks if he thought of him in the shower. Baron says he is vetoing The Wolf-Dogs and any thoughts of them in the shower. Bron says he's an a-hole and tries to get Kelly to say he's an a-hole. Kelly says both are a-holes. They agree with that. Baron says they aren't The Wolf-Dogs and they try to come up with a new name. Bron says they should be The Wild Boars. Baron says he should be ashamed of himself.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 1st Round - LWO vs Chase U (Riley Osborne and Duke Hudson)

Riley does a side flip during his entrance. Cruz backslides Riley then Riley uses the ropes and flips out of a backslide. Riley headlock takeovers him then Cruz headlock takeovers him. Cruz armdrags him and Riley takes a double back elbow. Cruz flips Wilde into the ropes and Wilde splashes onto Riley.

Wilde dropkicks Riley then Duke jumping side slams Wilde. Wilde jawbreakers him then Duke hits a double suplex. Duke double lariats the LWO over the top. The crowd starts booing Chase U in a weird moment then Riley fosbury flops outside. 

We go to break and return. Riley takes a GTH then Riley hits whisper in the wind on both LWO members in the corner. Duke gets the hot tag in and face kicks Wilde. Duke hits punches on Cruz then elbows him. Duke pops-up Wilde then Cruz enzugiri's Duke. Cruz poisonrana's Duke then Duke uranages him. Duke black hole slams Cruz then takes a top rope dropkick from Wilde.

Wilde tope con hilos over the top onto Riley then ropes into a tornado ddt on Duke on the floor. The LWO hit a moonsault and a phoenix splash on Duke to win it.

It could have went longer but was a decent tag match. We had a couple of cool spots here and Duke's hot tag was good. I did not like to hear Chase U being booed. That's just the NXT crowd trying to get themselves over.

Chase U is disappointed after and Chase says Jacy is their only hope.

Tony D, Stacks and Rizz talk in the back. Rizz says she's nervous for tonight. They says The Rizz always takes care of biz. They talk about her beating up people  and she said those people deserved it. They then said she knocked out 3 Carlucci sisters. Tony said all of the women deserve it tonight so Rizz should give it to him. She saids the bodies will be flying and it will be like the bridge. Tony then says it's not literally like that, but he gets it.

Joe Gacy is with the commentators and is dressed in a suit and tie with an old school WWF logo like Vince. He said he's looking forward to the main event tonight.

Von Wagner and Mr. Stone talk in the back. Von says he doesn't do new year's resolutions. Oro Mensah then Noam Dar talk. Von asks what that trophy is. Dar says it's a Heritage Cup. Von says he has a cup too and throws his cup in there. Von says he should give him a shot and Dar says there's rules and regulations. Dar then explains the rules and Von says that's math and wrestling and says it's tough stuff. Dar tells him it's best 2/3 falls and says he has to be beaten twice. Von then takes it as he has to get a 6 count on Dar. Dar says Von has melted his brain and wasted his time. Von then tells Stone he gets it. Von says how about him getting gold in 2024? Stone says that's a goal.

Trey Bearhill vs Dijak

Trey has a drum and a drumstick with a "we will rock you" type of theme.

Trey catches Dijak's boot. Trey drops down, leafrogs and back body drops him. Trey runs him over with a shoulder. Trey hits corner punches then Dijak superkicks him. Dijak hits some shots in the corner then throws him on a suplex. Dijak boots him then hits back elbows and a club. Trey suplexes him into the buckles. Trey corner slashes him then takesa running forearm. Dijak lariats him over the top.

They go outside and Trey's head is banged off the apron. Trey is then thrown hard into the rails. Dijak tells Gacy to shut his mouth on commentary then Gacy headbutts him. Trey then recovers, yells in Dijak's face and bangs his head off the apron. Trey double chops him and hits a crossbody for 2. Dijak spinning boots him and wins it.

It was a short but decent match. Trey lost a bunch of weight and really moved around well for his size. He looks like someone to keep an eye on and was a decent face here.

Gacy jumps Dijak after. They fight on the outside then fight to the back.

Lexin King then nails Trey from behind with a knee. King straightjacket twisting neckbreakers him and said Trey cost him the biggest match of his career. He slaps him and tells him to stay out of his business.

JBL goes up to Josh Briggs in the back. Josh asks for advice. JBL says what he's looking for isn't in his last match. JBL Asks if he knew why he picked him for the qualifier and said he wants him to discover who he is. He asks who is Josh Briggs. JBL said he showed the world who he is by shaving the beard and putting the beer away. He said he wants him to show WWE who he is.

We go to the No Quarter Catch Crew. Drew said the last few weeks have been unacceptable. He said we go back to toughness and conditioning. He said there's no pity shown and no mercy given. He said there's no limits but the weakness of the mind. They said they have a catch clause and decide who competes in each match. They then pose together.

Trick apologizes to Melo in the back. Melo said he understands. Trick said let's win The Dusty Cup and hten said he will face Ilja in the main. Melo said let's just focus and put the issues behind us. Trick says he wants Melo to become triple crown champ then wants to become Triple Crown Trick. Trick said he wants to be the first to hold the NXT title and the tag titles at the same time. 

They talk about Cora Jade getting injured on Friday and being out of action for almost a year. They say Wren Sinclair did it, who is the former Madi Wrenkowski.

Women's #1 Contender's Battle Royale

This is the televised wrestling debut for Adrianna Rizzo and Wren Sinclair. Thea and Blair got their own entrances. Rizzo and Jaida Parker roll out and Jaida throws her into the steps. Gigi eliminates Jakara Jackson. Lash pushes Rizzo and Jaid on the apron together and they fight there. Lash runs into Rizzo and eliminates her. Izzi eliminates Jaida. Kelani dives on Izzi and Lash and is caught. They throw her out and Kelani holds onto the ropes. Kelani is banged off the apron onto Jaida then ends up on the table. Kelani is not eliminated as her feet didn't touch the floor.

We go to break and return. During the break. Kelani walked the rail then jumped onto the steps to save herself. Fallon Henley eliminated Stevie Turner. Brin gets thrown over the top by Elektra. Lola then throws Elektra over the top. Elektra gets mad at her. Lola dances at Elektra then Tatum throws Lola over the top. Elektra and Lola then fight and the refs come to break it up.

Karmen Petrovic evades Blair. Blair grabs her and is STO'd by Gigi. Gigi hits Blair on the apron then Blair pulls Gigi over the top to the floor. Thea and Blair fight on the apron. Karmen back kicks Blair off the apron. Blair then pulls Karmen out under the ropes and kamigoye's her. Karen is out but put back in the ring. Lash grabs Tatum in the powerbomb position. Tatum gets out then is pump kicked to the floor by Lash.

Grace tries to eliminate Lash and Izzi but is just pushed off. She then finds the knocked out Karmen, smiles and throws her over the top. Grace celebrates then Thea throws her over the top. Grace hten cries on the floor.

We go to PiP break on the floor. Thea flying back elbows Kelani then Thea tornado ddt's her. Thea flipping neckbrekers Roxanne then rolling sentons Wren. Thea then springboard backsplashes Wren and Roxanne. Thea exploders Kiana, rolling sentons her and tries to springboard but is caught and thrown out by Izzi.

Fallon puts Kiana on the apron. Kiana hangs from the top and Izzi saves Kiana. Izzi and Kiana trade shots then double lariat each other down. Izzi takes a double lariat from Fallon and Roxanne to get eliminated. Roxanne hangs from the top then Wren eliminates Lash as she goes for her. Kiana bangs Wren's face off the buckles and hits corner spears. Wren is pushed off the 2nd rope and takes a wild bump to the floor where her foot gets caught.

The final four are...

#1 Contenders Match - Kelani Jordan vs Roxanne Perez vs Fallon Henley vs Kiana James

All 4 girls fight. Fallon chops Perez down. Kiana step up enzugiri's Kiana. Perez topes Fallon then Kelani asai moonsaults Izzi and Kiana outside. Kelani rolls up  up Perez then counters her la mgistral. Perez goes for a pin and Fallon breaks it up. Fallon kicks Perez from behind then 2nd rope blockbusters Kelani for 2.

Fallon takes corner spear as does Perez. Kiana spinebusters Fallon. Perez spin kicks Kian then Kelani hits a nice hshotgun dropkick on Perez. Kiana hits a 401k on Kelani. Perez goes up and over then is sent into the buckles by Kiana.

Perez step up enzugiri's Kiana up top. Perez top rope hurricanrana's her then Kelani hits a top rope frogsplash for 2. Perez superkicks Fallon off the apron and Kelani dropkicks Perez. Kelani misses a split-legged moonsault when Izzi helps Kiana. Perez hits pop rocks on Kelani and wins it.

The battle royale wasn't bad at all. They focused on one matchup at a time in it which gave them more room to tell some stories and limited the amount of wasted time. With there being 4 girls allowed to advance, it wasn't obvious who was going to be left so that also made it more interesting. They did a nice job in setting up some feuds from it. NXT is really loaded with female talent right now and it's seriously going to lead to the best generation of women's wrestling ever produced soon.

The four way very fast paced and Kelani and Kiana both did good jobs here. I wouldn't have picked Perez to win, but WWE really likes her and it wasn't surprising.

Lyra comes out after and claps for Perez. Lyra holds up her title and Perez motions that it will be around her waist.

Overall thoughts: It was a good night of NXT. The women's battle royale and four way worked out well. Trey Bearhill had a good showing, Ridge/Coffey was short but stiff and the two Dusty Cup matches weren't bad. I don't know if I'd recommend it but I liked it.