WWE NXT 1/2/2024
Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2023/12/wwe-nxt-12262023.html
NXT Women's Title - Lyra Valkyria (c) vs Blair Davenport
Lyra hits kicks and a step up enzugiri. Lyra goes up top and misses a crossbody. Lyra fisherman suplexes her for 2. Blair forearms her over then Lyra release germans her. Blair step up enzugiri's her on the buckles then hits a 2nd rope falcon arrow.
Lyra is thrown into the rails outside then Blair kamigoye's the table side when Lyra moves. Lyra's head is sent into the buckles then Blair misses a top rope double stomp. Blair holds her knee then Lyra spinning heel kicks her. Lyra cradle shocks Blair and wins it.
It was a brief but decent match. The top rope falcon arrow and double stomp spots were both pretty brutal. These two matched up well and I was more interested in this than I expected. There was no downtime here for this one.
Kelly Kincaid says WWE Medical will not clear Ilja Dragunov. She says the NXT Title match will not take place and wants to hear from Trick Williams.
No Quarter Catch Crew (Drew Gulak, Myles Born and Damon Kemp) vs LWO (Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde and Carlito)
They mention Charlie Dempsey is in All Japan. Cruz tries to go up and over Gulak in the corner but is stopped and side headlocks him. Cruz headscissors him and springboard crossbodies him. Wilde is hiptossed into the ropes into a splash. Wilde holds onto Gulak's hand, leapfrogs Kemp then walk up the ropes armdrags and dropkicks his opponents in one swoop.
Borne nails Wilde from behind then all 6 men fight. The heels are sent out then Wilde is launched into a dive on all 3 of them from far away. Wilde top rope dropkicks Gulak for 2. Borne knees Wilde on the ropes then Gulak lariats Wilde.
Wilde is beat up on. Gulak slams him then Wilde takes a german into a dropkick + german. Kemp ankle locks Wilde then Carlito gets in. Carlito hits shots on the heels then double lariats Borne and Kemp. Carlito spinebusters Kemp for 2. Wilde takes a stun gun and lariat from Borne. Cruz top rope dropkicks Borne. Kemp slams Cruz then uranage backbreakers Carlito. Wilde skytwister presses Gulak and Borne on the outside off the top.
Carlito backcrackers Kemp then Cruz hits a phoenix splash off the top to win.
It was a good trios match. They kept it fast paced and we had some cool moments here. Wilde's 2 dives on the outside were nuts. This couldn't have been done much better.
Trick and Melo are interviewed. Trick said they been in the gym and have been grinding. Trick is disappointed there's no title match tonight but says he wants Ilja once he's ready to go. Melo said tonight is a gauranteed loss for Trick. Grayson Waller comes in. He said this is a blessing as he wasn't going to beat Trick. Trick said he's the Iron Survivor and Waller said he's the original Iron Survivor. He said Trick was a valet then. Waller said Melo is a valet now. Melo volunteers Trick for a match with Waller tonight then puts up Trick's #1 Contendership tonight for the match. Trick is upset and surprised by this.
We go to Chase U with Riley Osborne. He said he came here to follow the paths of other European stars and mentions Regal, Finlay and Drew. He said he has to win the contract tonight and has a real shot at becoming champ in 2024. He says Oba is a beast and has the advantage in every way. Riley says he's the underdog and needs to win tonight.
Roxanne Perez vs Arianna Grace
Grace wristlocks her and shoulder throws her. Grace offers a hand up then piefaces RP off of it. She tells her to kiss the hand. RP slaps her and bangs her head off the buckles. RP crossbodies her then bridges her for 2. Grace boots her in the gut then catapults her neck into the 2nd rope.
RP's head is banged off the buckles then Grace suplexes her. RP rolls her up for 2 then has her head banged off the mat. RP hits a flurry of shots then basmeent dropkicks her. RP running euros her then hits corner punches. Grace rakes her eyes then bangs RP's head off the buckle. RP hits pop rocks and wins it.
It wasn't anything too special. Grace had two minor sloppy moments here but you could really only see one of them. Grace got most of the offense in here and is still a basic wrestler right now.
Grace tells her she has issues after and needs her help. Perez then starts pounding on her and puts her in a crossface.
The ref reverses the decision after as Perez wouldn't stop beating up Grace. Grace is given the win. Perez then tries to go after her.
Ava Raine leaves Shawn Michaels' office. She said it was a tough decision to make with Ilja and said when he's cleared, he can fight Trick or Waller. Ava is then asked what her role is. She said as the brand goes, Shawn needs more help. She said next week is the start of the Men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, which implies there will be a women's version too.
Tiffany Stratton does a promo. She said it felt good to put Fallon in her place. She said she doesn't even belong in the same world as her. She said if she was her, she'd want to be her too. She said she's sick of her and said she will never be here. She said she will put her to work at New Year's Evil. She said Fallon will become her servant, just like it's supposed to be.
Nikkita Lyons goes up to Blair Davenport in the back. She said she could have just taken her out like she did to her. Blair said she doesn't have the guts or the killer instinct. Nikkita said she is giving her the respect she didn't give to her. She said she would take her out in the ring. Blair said her only chance of taking her out is from behind. They argue and it gets broken up.
Loser becomes the other's servant/ranch hand - Tiffany Stratton vs Fallon Henley
Fallon runs at her then throws a towel at her. Fallon bangs Tiff's head off the buckles then shoulders her over. Tiff's head is banged off the apron then she takes shots outside. Fallon trips her then hits a kick to the side of the face from behind.
Fallon slides out then her head is banged off the post. Tiff alabama slams her into the apron (though releases her so she can move back into it). We go to PiP break and return. Tiff hip attacks her on the 2nd rope then they lariat each other at the same time. Tiff knees her in the gut then takes a spin kick. Fallon lariats her over and facebusters her.
Fallon hits boots in the corner then throws her into the rails outside. Fallon top rope crossbodies her then crucifix bombs her. Tiff spinebusters her for 2, does a finlay roll then nearly botches a prettiest moonsault ever. Fallon moved on that by the way. Fallon then body hurricanrana's her over the top to the floor.
Tiff grabs a chair and Fallon kicks her while she has it. The ref and Tiff fight for the chair. Fallon then shining wizards her and wins it.
It was shorter than it should have been but it was fast paced and they had an okay match with it. I thought it could have been a lot longer and should have been a main event style match. I don't like Tiffany losing this one. Tiff's been losing too much lately and has basically been depushed. Fallon has gotten a lot better than she used to be. I think her being Tiff's servant would have gotten her more sympathy and could have been a good way to get her over more. There's also only so much you can do with Tiff being put in this situation since she's a heel and Fallon would come off as the heel if she goes on torturing Tiff too long. If you reverse that and Fallon was the one being tortured, it would get her more cheers.
Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin talk in the back. Baron says the Dusty Classic starts next week and says they might be a good team. Bron laughs at this and said he must be desperate to ask him to be his partner. Baron said no one else is looking to be his partner because he's a smug, arrogant, a-hole. Bron says it takes one to know one and asks why he wants to be his partner then. Baron says it's because they are both a-holes. Baron said they would destroy everyone in this tournament then could win the tag titles. Bron says they could destroy everybody. He said he could see him leading the team with "baldy" behind him. He says it would be great. Baron said he wouldn't be behind anyone. Bron agrees and says it would be fun. Baron offers a fist bump and Bron teases it then walks away, then he does it. Obviously, it's a make shift team, but they explained it well here and I bought it.
We then see an Oba Femi video. We hear people chanting his name and we see some tribal colors. He said his name is for rulers with undeniable power. Oba says he's from Nigeria and said his culture is where strength is expected. He said he will take his final step towards his contract and said Riley will crumble at his feet. He said he will be the giant of NXT.
Gigi, and two other girls talk in the locker room. Cora Jade walks in. She asks what is wrong here and says Gigi's in her locker. Gigi said she's sorry. She said when Cora can't respect other people's lockers, she can't expect her to respect hers. Cora said this is typical Gigi and Gigi says it's typical Cora. Gigi said we know where this is going. Cora said it's not a place where she wants to go. The other girls then break it up.
Ridge Holland is interviewed. He said he's no stranger to accidents and mishaps in the ring. He said he was going to be in Wargames 2020 but broke his ankle. He said he didn't know how to tell his wife that his life in the States is not working and he'd need to go back. They talk about the Brawling Brutes and said Ricochet broke his nose in 2022 when he was with them. He is asked who the Ridge Holland is that he wants NXT to know.
He said he respects Ilja Dragunov. He said he's not a monster, but a dad and a friend. He said he doesn't try to hurt people and says he knows what that feels like. He says he wants to show everyone who he really is and will go through everyone to prove himself.
Riley Osborne talks to Thea in the back. Jacy pushes Thea towards her. Thea says she will be out there and will root for him. Riley high fives her and she goes crazy for it. She said she will never wash her hand again and says it was so good.
NXT Men's Breakout Tournament Final - Oba Femi vs Riley Osborne
Riley enzugiri's him then clips him. Riley does a running boot to the face then Oba pushes him over the top rope. Riley pulls him over the top rope. Thea and Jacy go into the Chase U section. Oba chops Riley hard on the apron.
We go to PiP break and return. Oba bearhugs Riley then hits a uranage backbreaker. Riley jawbreakers him and is lariated in the back of the neck. Oba spears the post when Riley moves. Riley is caught in a sunset flip attempt then spinning headscissors Oba down. Riley leg lariats Oba then hits a standing corkscrew moonsault for 2.
Riley high kicks him from the apron then hits a leg lariat. Riley goes for a top rope ssp and Oba gets his knees up. Oba hits snake eyes and throws him on a blue thunder bomb. Oba pop-up powerbombs him and wins it.
It was a decent match but not great. Oba did the right things just he needed to throw Riley around more and Riley needed to do more of his flying. Riley has a storyline set up so I'm not too worried about losing and I can see the argument for Oba needing to win this more. Oba needs to be in a storyline though to follow up on this and they need to do more vignette's like they did tonight to get his character going.
Out The Mud talk on video. Nima says Tony D'Angelo will ahve nothing but a nickname when they are done with them. Price says they will beat them down and says Tony and Stacks aren't family like them. Nima says Tony's crew isn't hungry like they are. Nima says they have gold in their mouths, necks and ears but are missing gold on their waste. Price says their is nothing they can do about their power and speed. Scrypts said they beat the streets and system and made it through. He said they will be NXT tag champs next week.
Izzi Dame and Kiana James are interviewed. Izzi said everyone saw her slam the door on Perez at the PLE and said when social media asked who she is, that's how she knows she made the right decision. Kiana said she's a triple threat and will stomp on anyone she needs to in order to get ahead. Izzi said she stomped on people inside and outside the volleyball court. Kiana said she sees dollar signs on Izzi. She said you either make friends or money in this business, but she's here to change this. She said she has her friend and needs money. She said everyone will know who Izzi Dame is in 2024. This was good.
Trick and Melo talk in the locker room. Trick asks how Melo could put his title on the line against Waller. Melo said he has this in the bag. Melo said he would be by his side and Trick said he wants to do this by himself. Trick says he has to run this play alone and says he will take care of business. Melo shakes his head.
Thea and Jacy talk in the back. Thea talks about wanting to touch Riley or buying him a gift card. Duke and Chase walk in. Chase says Duke's head needs to be in the game as they will compete in the Dusty Cup. Jacy said she's taking over now and said Chase's only worry should be his debt. Jacy said it should be Duke and Riley in the Dusty Cup. Chase tries to say something and Jacy shooshes him. Jacy talks him down then said she will get them the money and says Thea will help her. Jacy said she will bring Chase U back to prominence.
Tatum Paxley scares Lyra Valkyria in the back. She says as long as Lyra is champ, all is right in the world. She says bye and then runs.
Axiom and Nathan Frazer talk in the back about an unknown team. Ax asks if NF is in the Dusty Cup and they agree to team together. Ax says they will make a lot of noise and NF says the tag teams around here have failed miserably. Edris Enofe and Malik Blade then walk in behind them. They say they are looking forward to shutting up Axiom and Frazer. They say them being friends won't make them a good tag team and says they hope they are the ones to prove it to them. NF is then mad people keep walking up behind him while he talks trash. We also see Brooks Jensen hang out alone in the back during this then leave.
The D'Angelo Family leave the building. Tony says Chase isn't close to being off the hook. Tony is mad they have to fight Out The Mud next week. The girl says they can handle OTM next week. Tony then introduces us to Adrianna Rizzo. Stacks says The Riz always takes care of biz. Tony says she will punch you in the face if you are a wise@ss. They open the trunk and Joe Gacy is in there. He said he needed a quiet place to think. Tony asks about the guy who was in there that he kidnapped and Gacy said he took him to the bridge already and didn't go further into it.
#1 Contendership is on the line - Trick Williams vs Grayson Waller
GW punches him to start then hits shots in the corner. GW stomps him then suplexes him. Trick sunset flips him then hits a dropkick. Trick slams him twice then hits another dropkick. Trick slams him again then hits a mcgillicutter. GW slides out. Trick hits punches and they fight outside. GW is sent over the table and then Trick poses on the table.
GW spinning forearms him in the ring then boots Trick out. GW then slides out and lariats him. We go to PiP break and return. Trick suplexes him. Trick hits a punch flurry in the corner. GW goes up and over in the corner then footpresses him down. Trick is sent into the post then GW crabs him between the buckles.
GW half crabs him then Trick hits punches and a flying lariat. Trick flapjacks him. GW goes out and rolls back in to a pop-up punch. They fight up top and Trick 2nd rope rock bottoms him then Trick's neck is pulled over the top rope. GW rolls in to the ring to hit a flatliner.
GW walks the 2nd rope and misses an elbow. Trick jumping neckbreakers him. Melo comes out and gets on the apron. Trick argues with him. GW goes outside then Kevin Owens appears and clocks him. Trick then hits a flying knee and wins it.
Owens getting involved was random. Him and Waller haven't interacted for about a month. Waller did a little too much rolling in and out here though Trick did a good job. I'm not real sure what Melo came down for since Trick was in control when he came.
Overall thoughts: It was a decent night of action. The opener was okay and the trios match was good. The Osborne/Oba match was okay as well. I didn't love the logic in the main with Melo coming down or Owens getting involved. I didn't like Tiffany losing here as she has been losing too much and Fallon would have been more sympathetic if she lost. Corbin and Bron might work out as a team but Bron's a little above that. We got an explanation on what Ava Raine actually does while Von Wagner and Kelani Jordan have been MIA.
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