This was an ok episode of NXT 2.0. The matches were ok across the board but most of them lacked a ton of story depth. The main event was the exception, however, as Bate and McDonagh put on a great match with JD McDonagh coming out on top. Another highlight occurred shortly after as Ilja Dragunov arrived on NXT as he looks to challenge for the title. The Sanga-Wagner match was fine but didn't have a lot of stakes and was not as entertaining as it could have been. This episode loses points for having a lot of decent but not great matches.
On this week’s episode of NXT 2.0: Cora Jade takes on Wendy Choo. Nathan Frazer and Axiom have the second match in their best of three series. Will Axiom win the series or will Frazer force a third match? Sanga battles Von Wagner. Who will emerge with the victory in this battle of giants? Toxic Attraction faces off against Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley. Will Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne come out on top? And in the main event, Tyler Bate takes on JD McDonagh to determine the next contender for the NXT Championship.
Solo Sikoa is stripped of the North American Championship because he isn’t in NXT. Shawn Michaels announces a ladder match to crown a new champ.
GOOD Axiom vs Nathan Frazer:
Axiom had Frazer in a submission hold but Frazer countered with a pin attempt. Later, Axiom countered a suicide dive with a strike to Nathan Frazer as he neared the rope. Frazer finished off Axiom to tie up the series one win to one.
Results: Nathan Frazer by Pinfall via Move
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Alba Fyre said in a video package that she will be the one to dethrone Mandy Rose as champion.
ABOVE AVERAGE Toxic Attraction vs Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley:
Toxic Attraction controlled this one early on, as Gigi Dolin taunted Tatum Paxley. This opened the door for Paxley and Ivy Nile to get back in the match. Dolin and Jayne combined for a tandem move to finish off Nile and Paxley.
Results: Toxic Attraction by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE the Dyad vs Malik Blade and Edris Enofe:
Joe Jacy promised Cameron Grimes that he and everyone else who refused to join the Schism would feel their wrath. In the match, Blade landed a cross-body before his partner went over the top rope to take down their opponents. Later, Blade and Enofe nearly picked up the victory after a combo move on Rip Fowler. In the end, the Dyad was able to pick up a victory after a Ticket to Ride.
Results: the Dyad by Pinfall via Ticket to Ride
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Wendy Choo vs Cora Jade:
Cora Jade made use of the rope early on, as she pressed Choo into it several times early on. Later on, Wendy Choo had some momentum with a couple of German suplexes, but was unable to turn it into a victory. To finish, Cora Jade landed a DDT for the victory. Postmatch, Wendy Choo was attacked by Lash Legend.
Results: Cora Jade by Pinfall via DDT
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Bron Breakker gives his thoughts on the number one contenders match between Tyler Bate and JD McDonagh.
ABOVE AVERAGE Andre Chase and Bodhi Hayward vs Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams:
To start, Chase interrupts Hayes’ promo for a teachable moment. In the ensuing match, Bodhi took out Trick Williams with a hard shoulder tackle. Later, Carmelo Hayes looked to be on a roll with a couple of pump kicks. However, Andre Chase reversed the following offense with a rollup pin for the win.
Results: Chase U by Pinfall via Rollup
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Briggs and Jensen confronted Gallus backstage.
ABOVE AVERAGE Sanga vs Von Wagner (w/Mr. Stone):
Sanga had control of this one early on, clotheslining Wagner. However, Mr. Stone attempted to interfere but nearly got choke slammed by Sanga. To finish, an Olympic Slam by Von Wagner finished off Sanga.
Results: Von Wagner by Pinfall via Olympic Slam
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
Wes Lee vs Tony D’Angelo is announced for next week as a qualifying match for the NXT North American Championship.
GOOD Grayson Waller vs Oro Mensah:
Mensah countered some early offense with a couple of arm drags. As Waller geared up for his finisher, Apollo Crews, with a bleeding eye, distracted him. Back in the ring, Mensah finished off with a spinning heel kick.
Results: Name by Win Method via Spinning Heel Kick
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
GREAT Tyler Bate vs JD McDonagh:
The two exchanged a series of creative pins early in the match. Later on, McDonagh had the Big Strong boy locked in a Boston crab but Bate forced a rope break. At one point in the match, Tyler Bate nearly got a three count after a standing Shooting Star. The match was decided after JD McDonagh got the advantage in a scrum on the ring corner. McDonagh launched Bate from the corner and finished him off with the Devil Inside. After the match, Ilja Dragunov joined JD McDonagh and Bron Breakker in the ring.
Results: JD McDonagh by Pinfall via Devil Inside
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Overall…
This was an ok episode of NXT 2.0. The matches were ok across the board but most of them lacked a ton of story depth. The main event was the exception, however, as Bate and McDonagh put on a great match with JD McDonagh coming out on top. Another highlight occurred shortly after as Ilja Dragunov arrived on NXT as he looks to challenge for the title. The Sanga-Wagner match was fine but didn’t have a lot of stakes and was not as entertaining as it could have been. This episode loses points for having a lot of decent but not great matches.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 2.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
