WWE NXT 1/23/2024
Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/01/wwe-nxt-1162024.html
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinals - Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin vs Axiom and Nathan Frazer
Bron's team is hit as it starts. Bron takes forearms from both then Baron takes shots from behind. Ax walks the ropes with Bron's had then headscissors and armdrags both down. Ax and NF then tope their opponents outside. NF sends Bron into the steps then Ax jumps off the steps and lands on Baron. Baron is dropkicked into the rails.
Ax top rope dropkicks Baron then double axe handles his arm. NF springboard elbow drops Baron. NF armlocks Baron then hits punches in the corner on him. Baron face kicks him. NF spinning enzugiri's Bron. Ax gets off the apron with a dive and is powerbombed onto the commentary table. NF top rope crossbodies Bron and Bron powerslams him down. Ax and NF are pounded on.
We go to PiP break and return. Bron slams Ax then Ax takes a backdrop from Baron. Bron release backdrops Ax into a cutter. NF is tagged in and flying forearms Bron. Bron spears the post when NF leapfrogs him. Baron is pulled over the top then NF top rope froggy crossbodies his opponents outside. NF superkicks Bron then frogsplashes him. Ax frogsplashes Bron right after for 2.
Ax armbars Bron while NF sleepers Baron. Bron deadlift powerbombs Ax onto NF. Baron hits a deep six on NF then catches, death valley drivers and brainbusters Ax for 2. Ax is popped up into a Bron powerslam for 2. Bron flying lariats Ax and Ax enzugiri's Bron on the ropes. Ax top rope spanish flies Bron then NF hits a phoenix splash on Bron for 2 as Baron breaks it up.
Baron hits end of days on Ax then NF superkicks Baron. Bron hits a superkick on NF and gets the win.
I thought it would have been a little better if Bron and Baron had control and threw around the smaller guys, but it was a great match otherwise. The smaller guys used their speed and flew around to capitalize on the big guys and the bigger guys used their power to throw them around. We had a couple of great spots here with the Bron backdrop into the cutter and Ax getting tossed into a powerslam. This was everything you would want out of this.
Ilja Dragunov and Josh Briggs talk in the back. Briggs said he meant to interrupt him and said Ilja is the measuring stick of NXT. He said he wants to see how he measures up and Ilja said he needs to question himself and ask if that's what he wants. Briggs questions him making Trick pull double duty at Judgment Day. Trick Williams comes in. He said Briggs needs to prove himself another time. Briggs says Trick can't tell him what to do. Briggs said Trick will hop back into Melo's pocket after Vengeance Day, so he wants to talk to the man who will be champ after Vegeance Day. Trick says if Briggs wants his opportunity, he's his opportunity. Trick said he's making sure Ilja is good to go for Vengeance Day. Ilja says he will be good to go, but the question is will Trick?
Wren Sinclair is in the back. Wren is nervous and hyping herself up. Fallon Henley walks in and Wren re-introduces herself. she said she is nervous and said NXT was a pipe dream for her a few weeks ago. She said she's trying to make friends and not make to omany enemies. Fallon tells her to slow down and says it's not easy to be the new girl. Fallon says to keep being herself and said everything will fall into place. Wren then high fives herself.
Ava Raine comes out to Shawn Michaels' office as does William Regal. Ava thanks Regal and they agree it was a very productive meeting. Regal congratulates her and said she's the youngest general manager in WWE. Regal says he needs her to look after the brand for him. He said he's been here since day one and it means the world to him. He said it's a hard and thankless job but he knows she can do it. He said if she ever needs anything, his phone is on. This is not a good look here as this happened the same day The Rock essentially became one of the bosses of WWE.
Lash Legend vs Wren Sinclair
Lash pushes her into the corner and then blocks her from getting out. Lash blocks her armdrag attempts. Wren climbs her back with a sleeper then Wren's neck is sent into the top rope. Lash bangs Wren's head off the mat. Lash pounds Wren over the 2nd rope then hits corner spears.
Lash torture racks her and squats with her. Wren tries to sunset flip her but Lash grabs and throws her. Lash spears the post when Wren moves. Wren step up enzugiri's Lash. Jakara Jackson tries to save Lash from being pulled over then Lash is pushed into Jakara. Lash picks her up like chokeslam and powerbombs her down (The Slam Dunk) to win it.
It was short but a decent match with Wren playing the underdog vs the bigger Lash.
Meta-Four surround her after. Fallon Henley comes to make the save. Lash gets beat up as Oro and Noam refuse to help for whatever reason in a stupid moment. Fallon and Wren seem to be allies now.
We go to some Italian restaurant and we see Jaida Parker telling Adrianna Rizzo that she makes the rules while Rizzo is down and out. The rest of OTM is looking for Tony and threatening the manager there.
We see Elektra Lopez arriving and looking for Lola Vice. She knocks over something on a table and tells the security guy that she's looking for her.
Dijak vs Joe Gacy
Gacy nails Dijak as he enters then Dijak is sent into the post. Gacy is sent into the steps and Dijak pounds on him. Gacy is thrown over the rail. Dijak grabs a chair and Gacy jumps off the rail onto him. Gacy chairs Dijak then Dijak spinning face kicks him through the riser, breaking it. Gacy recovers and crawls on the ground. Gacy waves at him then Dijak chokeslams him on the commentary table, going through it with him.
Gacy gets back up again and sleepers him as staff tries to pull him off.
This was unusual and different.
Arianna Grace talks in the back. She is practicing speeches and Elektra Lopez walks in. Lopez asks where she is and Grace says she's here. She then says she meant Lola.
Lexis King talks in the back. He says the min event is coming on later and says he is the face of Tuesday nights. He says Trey Barhill better be grateful for the spot he is giving him.
We see Von Wagner and Mr. Stone at the UCF Knights stadium. Von says this is his old stomping grounds. Stone said they will work on speed, stamina and agility here. They then says Stone's kids are the coaches here. Von works out and runs the stadium steps. Von then throws a football at Stone's head on accident. We then see Von tackling a tackling dummy with Dar's face on it. Von really creams it and Stone says he is ready for The Heritage Cup. Von then yells, "NOAM". This was a fun little segment.
Lexis King vs Trey Bearhill
No entrance for Trey. King chops him and shoves him then Trey pushes him back. Trey hiptosses him in from the apron then corner splashes him. Trey slams King then misses an elbow drop.
King stomps him then hits kicks to the body. Trey hits chops then rakes his back. King superkicks Trey to the body and legs then kitchen sinks him in the back of the head. King hits his coronation neckbreaker and wins it.
It was a short one but Trey looked really good here. He's a big dude with a lot of fire along with having a gimmick people understand. He's going places and one to keep an eye on.
Trick and Melo talk in the back. Melo asks why he's fighting Ilja's battle. Trick says he's not. Trick says he wants to make sure he's 100% for their match. Melo said Ilja attacked him and Ilja's been playing games. Melo said Ilja knew Trick would have to wrestle twice. Melo tells him to handle his issue with Josh tonight and says Ilja sees Trick as a threat. Trick says Melo knows the game and he does too. He says htey both gave a busy week and Trick said he has to do this by himself.
Supernova Sessions with Lola Vice
Dar says Jakara and Lash aren't here. Dar says Fallon loves horses too much and said Von and Stone share crayons in class together. Dar says Von will never touch his Heritage Cup.
Dar says Lopez's reaction when Lola eliminated her was great. Lola said when they hooked up, there was an expiration date on their friendship. Lola said she tried to use her to make her career relevant. Lola said she was tired of the dead weight so she dumped her over the top and out of her life like the baggage she is.
Lola said she has no regrets then Elektra Lopez comes out. Lopez said she's questioning who Lola is. She said Lola's pretending to be all sweet and innocent and how she sacrificed more than anyone else to be here. Lopez said she sacrificed and worked hard every day to get here. She said that got her the attention of Santos Escobar. She said Lola got here by shaking her butt on instagram. She said one minute, she's auditioning for Lifetime movies, then the next, she's shadow boxing in her bikini. She said she's a phony and said next week it's her one on one.
Lola asks if she knows what she's getting into. Lopez said she doesn't want to wait until next week and wants to burn Vice City to the ground right now. She then tackles her into a couch and the refs have to break it up.
This was probably the best thing Lopez has ever been involved with and was a good segment.
The D'Angelo Family talk about OTM. Tony said tearing his restaurant up is a big mistake. Stacks said they better have eyes in the back of their head. He says things are about to get real interesting for them.
We go to Chase U. The place is being repossessed and all of their stuff is being taken. Riley says he's sorry and Chase says he failed us. Duke says it's all materialistic stuff then the repo men take his MVP trophy. Chase says everything he worked so hard to build is gone. Chase yells at them to not take the podium away. Chase says he guesses that's it and said next week, they officially say their goodbyes. Chase says "class dismissed" and turns off the lights.
Dragon Lee vs Scrypts
Lee wristlocks him. Scrypts rolls and headflips out. Lee headlock takeovers him then shoulders him over. Scrypts flips out of lariats and is dropkicked. Lee tope con hilos him then does combinacion cabron in the corner. Lee corner dropkicks him. Lee handstand flips off the apron then is enzugiri'd as he gets on the buckles. Scrypts tope con hilos him with a roll at the end.
Scrypts froggy crossbodies him then hits kicks. Scrypts dropkicks him in the back of the neck. Lee hits some flying double chops then tornado ddt's him. Nima gets on the apron and Lee/Scrypts trade face kicks. Lee pumping knees him then takes a standing spanish fly.
The D'Angelo Family then comes out and fights with OTM. Rizzo topes Jaida and everyone brawls to the back. Lee hits destino and wins it.
They did some really great flying here. Scrypts just makes it look so easy. We knew the shenanigans at the end was likely coming and it made sense at least. They did need more time here but they didn't overdo it because it was shorter.
Oba Femi gets on the mic after. He says he will see him at Vengeance Day.
Enofe and Blade are in the back. Enofe is mad he spent all kinds of time to make gear and lost. Brinley Reece then comes in all peppy. Brin says we only lose if we don't learn and says there's a lesson in every opportunity. Brin said she's excited for the next opportunity coming her way. Enofe says him and Blade can't catch a break and don't need reflecting or anything else, just lucky. Brin says no and says they will right down 5 things they like and didn't like about the match then reflect next week. Brin then chops Enofe and cartwheels away. Brin's doing a good job with her gimmick so far. She really seems to get what they are going for with this.
Lyra Valkyria is playing with an ipad in the back. Tatum Paxley comes up to her and says teaming with her was the highlight of her career. Tatum apologizes for losing the battle royale. Lyra said they need to talk and says she's a special kind of girl. Lyra says last week was a one time thing and it won't work. She said she needs to focus on Roxanne Perez. She said she can't respond to her hundreds of emails and messages. Tatum says if anyone gets her, it's her. She said she gets Lyra's focus is on Roxanne Perez and says they are glad they are on the same page. Tatum then says they are absolutely on the same page.
KP hits a leg kick and Blair hits a knee and forearm. KP slides, trips her and rolls her up. KP hits more kicks then Blair 2nd rope double stomps her. Blair backbreakers her. KP rolls her up then hits more kicks and forearms. KP spinning lariats her then running high kicks her in the corner.
KP misses a screw kick then hits a neat spin kick off the ropes. Blair shotgun dropkicks her into the ropes and hits a kamigoye to win it.
It was fine and it was short. KP's starting to piece it together a little more and definitely has a lot of potential if they can figure it out.
Ridge Holland is interviewed. He said Joe told him he had no friends and no one to save him. Ridge said he wasn't going to ask for help and prove Joe right. He said Gallus put another obstacle in his way on his journey to redemption. He then says he's going to take on Gallus by himself.
Trick Williams vs Josh Briggs
Ilja is on commentary here. Briggs running back elbows him and slams him. Briggs hits an elbow drop then back elbows in the corner. Trick hits some punches then a nice dropkick. Trick slams Briggs then Briggs running face kicks him. Briggs chokeslams him for 2. Trick is down outside and Ilja yells at him to do something.
We go to PiP break and return. Briggs chinlocks him then Briggs hits a side slam. Trick hits forearms and punches. Trick flying lariats him then jumping side kicks him. Trick flapjacks him then Briggs side slams and splashes him off a corkscrew kick attempt.
Briggs shoulders him in the back and both go out. Briggs goes to face kick Trick but nails Ilja on accident. Ilja takes a nice bump for it then Trick spinning face kicks Briggs. Trick goes up top, Ilja gets on the apron then Melo pulls Ilja down. Trick rolls Briggs up off a chokeslam and wins it. Josh then lariats him right after.
The ending here was interesting with Josh seemingly turning heel and Ilja getting involved. They had an okay match together. Trick hit some nice punches and is coming further and further along here. Briggs was fine as usual. I loved Ilja's bump off the face kick outside.
Ilja has to be held back by the refs outside while he's fuming mad and Trick pushes Melo away.
Jacy and Thea talk in the back. Thea's upset about Chase U and says it's all gone. Jacy said it's not over and she's still working on it. Lexis King comes in and says he has a shoulder to cry on. He said just tell the King what to do to cheer her up. Riley Osborne comes in and tells him to leave. He said the girls want nothing to do with him. King says that's a way to go from hero to zero. Thea then says Riley's their hero and acts goofy as usual. Riley asks if they can have a second alone later. Thea flips out and Jacy tells her to keep it cool.
We get another workout video from The No Quarter Catch Crew. They say what they do goes underappreciated from the masses and says our breaking point is their starting point. They say no pity, no mercy, no remorse, no quarter.
Melo and Tirck argue in the back. Melo says Ilja was coming for him. Trick said he wasn't and he's straight up. Melo said he's messing with Trick the same way he messed with Corbin. He said Trick's the hottest thing out there and Ilja knows it. He tells him to wake up.
NXT General Manager Ava (no Raine written here) brings out Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria for the contract signing for the women's title.
Perez said they know they both respect each other and says it's a Stand and Deliver main event 9 weeks early. Lyra said she made her debut here the day Perez won the women's title. Perez said she had a great first year. She said she was where Lyra was a year ago. Perez said she had to pick herself back up and chase down a title she never lost while everyone focused on Lyra. She said Lyra will travel down the road she walked when she wins.
Lyra said she had a great run but she has replaced her at the top of this division. Lyra said she knows she is bringing the edgy Roxanne and she needs that. She said the last 12 months will mean nothing for Perez. Perez said she's been where she is and just sees it as another PLE. Perez says she will lose and then the real questions will start to begin on whether she is overrated or whether it was too fast. Perez said some days the people will be with her and some days they will boo her. She says if she can handle the people booing her.
She asks if she can rebuild herself like she did when she beats her. They get up. Lyra says she has always been meantally and physically tougher than her. Lyra says she may have always been following behind her but Perez will stay behind her at Vengeance Day. Ava breaks it up and said they will sign the contract, saving the fighting for Vengeance Day. They sign the contract then stare down.
Tatum Paxley then comes out from under the table and spinebusters Perez through it. Lyra pushes Tatum over, yelling at her and Tatum knows she screwed up.
I didn't really like this segment. I think it's harder to do face vs face women's segments than face vs face male segments. Neither girl came across as super likeable here (though Perez was much more unlikable) and it probably would have been better if they used some of the lines about Lyra being behind her and Perez asking if she could handle the pressure weeks ago. Tatum getting involved was interesting and I'm sure she'll be involved in the title match somehow.
Overall thoughts: I didn't love the final segment but it was a good show otherwise. The opening tag match was great. Trey Bearhill and Elektra Lopez had good nights here and nothing was really bad.
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