WWE NXT 2/27/2024

WWE NXT 2/27/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/wwe-nxt-2202024.html 

Ilja Dragunov comes out. He calls Carmelo Hayes a disgusting rodent of a man. He tells him to come out of his hiding place so they can talk about what happened.

Melo comes out. He said Ilja is the champ for now, but he's not the superstar that makes the brand go. Melo said he is though. He brings out security and says they are Melo security. He said they will do what he says. Melo says he's not stepping in the ring with him until an NXT title contract is handed to him. He said he has until the end of the night to get things in order. Ilja then beats up the security guards.

We see Ava Raine earlier in the back today. Gigi wants to talk to her about what's next for her. Ava then goes into her office and Jaida Parker is there. Jaida said they need to talk about her future. Gigi said her meeting was first and the line starts behind her. Jaida said she doesn't wait in any line. Ava said they are both next for each other and can leave her office one by one.

Kelani Jordan vs Kiana James

Kiana goes after her in the corner. Kelani wristlocks her and Kiana head flips out of it. Kelani bounces off the top with her butt and armdrags her. Kelani then headscissors her and said this wouldn't be the first James that is jealous of a Jordan. Kelani asai moonsaults outside, nailing Kiana and Izzi.

We go to PiP break and return. They crossbody each other at the same time. They trade forearms and Kiana cartwheels into a back elbow. Kelani spinning heel kicks her then is caught on a handspring. Kelani handsprings into the ropes and hits a flatliner off of it.

Kiana spinebusters her. Kelani is pulled down by Izzi on a spinebuster and takes a hard fall down. Kiana then codebreakers her face with one leg and wins it.

It was a quick one with a dirty finish. It's a shame too as they were working well together and it looked like it would be a good one.

We see clips from last week. Roxanne Perez is angry in the back because Lash Legend got the open challenge over her last week. She throws her stuff and tells the girl who wants to get it to leave it. Jakara Jackson comes in. She said Lash Legend stays ready and doesn't have to get ready. Roxanne says she was in the right place at the right time. Jakara says something back and they start to fight.

The OC vs Edris Enofe and Malik Blade

Blade's head is banged off the buckles and Karl punches and boots him. Blade dropkicks him. Karl is double tripped then double dropkicked. Luke gets a double dropkick too. Karl euros Enofe then Enofe flying hurricanrana's him. Karl takes a double shoulder then Enofe jumps over Blade's back to splash Karl. Blade then jumps off of Enofe's back onto Karl.

Blade is double teamed in the corner. Blade is laid over the top rope and booted by Luke. Luke headlocks Enofe then hits punches on him. Blade sunset flips him then Enofe is tagged in. Enofe dropkicks Luke off the apron then slingblade bulldogs Karl. Blade knees Karl off the bottom rope then does a jackhammer.

Luke throws Blade into the steps then Karl spinebusters Blade. Blade takes a magic killer and is pinned.

It was a shorter match and fine for what it with both teams getting enough offense in.

Chase U then interrupts. Chase says they will learn karma is a b!tch for interrupting them next week. Nathan Frazer and Axiom come out. Frazer said they are up next at them. Duke says not if they get to them first. The LWO then dropkick The OC and everyone goes after The OC. 

Ava Raine is on a phone in her office. Oba Femi comes in and said he wants to know the name of his next victim. She said she is trying to figure it out and there's a lot of people who would like a shot. Oba said they say that now but will regret it when they are in the ring with him. Ilja Dragunov then comes in and stares him down. Ilja tells Ava they need to talk.

Roxanne Perez vs Jakara Jackson

Lash Legend is out there with Jakara. Perez pounds on JJ then goes after her outside. Lash stops her then JJ 619's Perez under the bottom rope. JJ dropkicks Perez then chops her. Perez double springboards into an asai moonsault. Perez spin kicks her  and Lash helps JJ avoid pop rocks. The ref throws Lash out for it. JJ pulls down Perez backwards then pulls both of her arms back.

They slap each other then Perez pounds on her. Perez shotgun dropkicks her then russian legsweeps her, rolling her into a crossface. Perez  then wins via tapout.

I liked the slaps here and Perez busted out a new move in the double springboard moonsault. Jakara did fine for her first singles match in a while. 

Thea, Jacy and Jazmyn Nyx talk in the back. Thea said Riley told her the girl on the date wasn't the girl he thought she would be. Riley told her it was better they be friends. Thea said he wanted the old Thea Hail. Jacy said the old Thea was a loser. Thea said Fallon disagreed and Jacy called Fallon a moron. Jacy tells Thea she's better off now and also says Duke and Chase are losers. Jacy said Chase U wouldn't exist if it wasn't for her. Kiana James and Izzi Dame come in. Kiana told her great business on the calendars. Kiana tells Thea that Fallon Henley is the last person she should take advice from then Izzi/Kiana/Nyx/Jacy walk off together to talk about the calendars.

Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin talk in the back. Bron wants Baron to spray paint his jacket like him. They run into the OC. Baron said NXT helped his career. Karl said the magic killer last week sparked a flame in them that hadn't been there for a while. Karl tells Baron he knows it's not long before they become champs. Baron brings up AJ slapping Karl. Bron says when the bell rings, the dogs come out and they destroy everyone. Luke Gallows says he will see them if they can get past Chase U. 

Dijak vs Luca Crusifino

I think is Luca's NXT TV debut. Dijak hits knees and forearms then Luca hits punches. Luca lariats him over the top then baseball slides him over the commentary table. Luca euros Dijak as he comes off the ropes then cannonballs him.  Booker calls him "Lusafino". Dijak hits shots on Luca then hits chest slaps. They start slapping each other and Dijak superkicks him.

Dijak hits a stiff lariat then Luca hits lariats. Luca backdrops him then corner lariats him. Dijak spinning face kicks him then hits a GTH to win it.

It was different as Luca is usually a heel yet fought as a face here. It looked like nothing like his Level Up matches. Luca had a good showing here with some stiff shots and lots of fire before being put down. I still would have liked Luca to get some videos and hype so people would know who he is and I'd prefer he didn't lose on his debut.

Joe Gacy comes out in a straightjacket. Dijak gets distracted then Luca hits Dijak with Tony D'Angelo's crowbar. Dijak and Gacy fight to the back.

The D'Angelo Family are watching this in the back. Tony asks if Stacks saw that and said go get him. Tony said to go get him after he handles business tonight.

Lyra Valkyria is headed to the ring.

Noam Dar is is hanging out with Oro Mensah then the interviewer interrupts him drinking water. Dar said it gave him PTSD. She asks who Dar wants to face tonight. Dar says he is ready for anything and doesn't care who it is. He calls Borne "new guy" and says "Charlie and his chocolate factory" for Charlie Dempsey.

Lyra Valkyria is in the ring. She said she wishes Shotzi a speedy recovery and said she owes her a title shot. She said Lash Legend showed up for the title match. Lyra calls Tatum Paxley out and Tatum comes in through the stands. Tatum said Lyra was in danger of losing her title but didn't interfere as Lyra asked. She said she would do anything for Lyra and has proven she is a woman of her word. Lyra said she promised her a surprise and says they will team up next week in a Women's Tag Title match against The Kabuki Warriors. Tatum is hyped.

Ridge Holland comes out. He said he is sorry to interrupt but has osmething to get off his chest. He talks about what he did last week then writing is on the tron. Someone reads "truth will ultimately previal, but there is pain bringing it to light". Ridge then gets chaired and Shawn Spears returns. Yuck.

Oba Femi and Brooks Jensen talk outside. Brooks says he's his next challenger. Oba laughs and says he's a very confused man. Brooks said he will bust him up if he takes the challenge. Oba said he won't be able to walk again when he beats him. 

Kelly Kincaid is trying to get a word with Carmelo Hayes, who is surrounded by security. He said he wants Ilja out there and Ava with a contract he can put his name on. He says no contract, no Melo.

Von Wagner vs Lexis King

Von throws him back then chops him over. Von shoulders him over then back body drops him. Von delayed suplexes him and misses a jumping knee. King dropkicks him in the knee then hits kicks to it. King kneebreakers him then dragon screws him. King bangs Von's knee off the post then bangs it off the mat.

Von upkicks him then hits punches. Von face kicks him then lariats him over the top. King pushes Von into Mr. Stone outside then King clips Von. King kitchen sinks him from behind. Mr. Stone gets on the apron, distracting King then Von rolls him up to win it.

IT made sense with King working the knee. I don't really love Stone causing a distraction but at least there was some justification.

King attacks Von after then hits the coronation neckbreaker on Stone. 

We get a video package on The Kabuki Warriors

Lyra and Tatum talk in the back. Lyra said they have their work cut out for them. Tatum said Lyra would be a double champion if they win. Jaida Parker says they will get embarrassed by them. Arianna Grace said they are supposed to be role models and not everything should end in a fight. Grace doesn't get why they need to challenge for the tag titles when they are all champs in their heart and mind. Jaida said she'd rather be champ than wear that dumb crown and Grace gets mad. Lyra says it's normal for them to fight in NXT and Grace says it's only normal until they change it.

Dijak and Ava Raine argue in the back. Joe Gacy is filming this on a camera. He tells Dijak he's not done with him then attacks him. It then gets broken up.

Gigi Dolin vs Jaida Parker

Jaida slams her down then Gigi does a bad Tiger Mask takedown. Gigi front facelocks her and rolls her up. Jaida slaps her then Gigi armdrags her. Gigi dropkicks her against the bottom rope. Jaida stomps on her and puts her on the 2nd rope. Jaida then butt drops her down. 

Jaida cradles her then hits a headhunter for 2. Jaida does a grounded submission then Gigi hits forearms. Arianna Grace comes out and is sunset with the fighting. Gigi dropkicks her and hits a high kick. Gigi slaps her and Grace gets on the apron. Grace begs her to stop fighting then Gigi headbutts Grace. Jaida running forearms her and picks up the win.

Jaida looked better here than Gigi did to be honest. Gigi did not have real good execution here. I'm not sure where they are going with this new Grace angle.

Grace tells Gigi they need to come together.

We get video of a beach. It says "see you soon" in the sand and then we get an NXT Roadblock graphic.

NXT Heritage Cup - Noam Dar (c) vs Charlie Dempsey

CD was selected here by the No Quarter Catch Crew.

Round 1 - CD rolls out of a wristlock then Dar takes him down by the wrist. Dar hits kicks then pulls him over. Dar rolls him up and CD backslides him with a bridge. CD pins him. CD is up 1-0.

Round 2 - CR running euros him then gutwrenches him. CD armlocks him and pulls on his fingers. CD throws him over by the arm. CD is thrown into the corner then his the ropes kicked while he's on it. Dar hits kicks to the body and sliding kicks him. Dar elbows him in the head. Dar throws him over and CD suplexes him. They trade shots and the round ends. 

Round 3 - They trade forearms and Dar grounded chokes him. CD armbars him then Dar goes for the triangle. Dar goes for the leglock and ankle lock. Dar rolls him up for 2. CD butterfly suplexes him and flips back, going or an armbar. Dar does a german into an armbar. CD germans him on his head and takes a spinning back elbow.

Round 4 - CD is half knocked out. Dar running elbows him and release northern lights suplexes him. Dar hits a brazilian kick then flying kicks him. Dar pins him. This is now tied 1-1.

Round 5 - Dar 2nd rope forearms him in the back of the neck for 2. Myles Borne gets on the apron, Oro pulls him down. Dar spinning back elbows CD. Gulak saves CD from a flying kick then CD dragon suplexes Dar with a bridge. CD wins it 2-1!

It was an okay match. Nothing too special or crazy and the finish was dirty. I thought CD had to win here with this being his thing and I thought it would help out his group a little.

Shawn Spears is interviewed leaving the arena. He is asked why he chaired Ridge. He said Ridge has been lying to himself too long and the pain he is feeling is something true. He says the truth can bring you to your knees and that's why Spears is in NXT.

Spears is one of my least favorite wrestlers. I was excited when he left AEW but I'm really not happy about him being on NXT. He also seems to be doing the deranged character again which I had a really hard time buying.

Roxanne Perez leaves and doesn't want to be interviewed. 

Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes come out. Ava is in the ring and there's a table and chairs. Melo said this is more like it and says they are now speaking the same language. Melo said he brought security with him for his protection. Melo said he's been without his title too long and it will be a sweet reunion next week.

Ilja says Melo will discard anyone and anything for the NXT title. Melo mocks him saying he will take his soul. Melo said the only difference between them is that he is more colder about how he does things. Tony D'Angelo and his family come out.

Tony said if you are talking big business, he needs to be included in this. Melo threatens to kick him out if he says another word. Tony said you don't have to be him or the NXT champ to make things move around here. He says there's only one Don and Melo's guards leave. Ilja is impressed.

Tony said the title has been dominated by the Melo/Trick/Ilja saga. He said the only man who can flip this on its head is him. Tony tells Melo not to speak while he's talking and said he has had a year to talk about the title. Tony said Ilja is too dramatic for him but is intense. Tony said he wants to take the NXT title from him, not Melo. Tony said Melo is demanding a title match but he will earn a title match.

Ilja says Tony has his interest and he can respect someone who wants to earn their title match. Tony said it should be him vs Melo next week with a winner getting a title shot if Ava agrees. Ava said it's up to Ilja. Ilja said he'd love to see Melo earn something for the first time in his life and said Tony has his match. He says please, "Whoop that Melo".

Melo complains and calls Ilja a coward. Melo said Tony can't beat him. Melo said if we need someone to take out trash and to book keep, he's the guy for that. Melo says he's the Don when it comes to the NXT title. Melo pushes Tony. Tony back elbows Ilja seemingly on accident then Melo backdrops Tony through a table. Melo then signs the contract and gives Ilja the title. 

Melo and Ilja needed something else here and Tony was right when he said the Melo/Ilja/Trick saga basically took up the whole last year. Tony getting involved maybe freshens things up some.

Overall thoughts: Not the greatest episode of NXT ever. There's just not a lot of interesting stuff going on at the moment. I'm not saying it's wrong to bring in some vets (because they should be doing that), but those vets are usually people I don't care about. I've never been big fans of Gallows, Anderson and definitely not a big fan of Spears. I like Tony getting involved with the title picture as it will fresh things up and maybe finally give Tony his chance to be a top star. Dempsey winning the Heritage Cup is what it is. We know what we are getting with that. If there was some kind of title that was the opposite of the Heritage Cup, that's something that I think would help him more as his personality is his weakness. Roxanne Perez is still doing her slow burn heel turn and Jacy is as well. I wouldn't really recommend this one.