This was a decent episode of NXT. The highlight of the evening was the main event between Jinder Mahal and Bron Breakker. Mahal put up a good fight but in the end, Breakker retained. Another highlight was the match between Ilja Dragunov and Trick Williams. The worst part of the show was the match between Gallus and Enofe & Blade. The purpose of the match was to bring in Pretty Deadly after the match. Plus the match itself wasn't that great.
While most matches were good, none of them were great. The show structure was good but most segments were good but not great. The crowd noise was lacking at times, hurting the atmosphere. Storytelling was hurt by some of the segments not being super compelling. Production was good but no theme.
Tonight on NXT: Indi Hartwell takes on Jacy Jayne. How will Jayne do as she continues her singles career? Ilja Dragunov and Trick Williams open the show off hot. Will Williams prove himself as more than Carmelo Hayes’ sidekick? And Bron Breakker defends the NXT championship against Jinder Mahal. Will the former WWE Champion be the one to dethrone Breakker finally?
GOOD Trick Williams vs Ilja Dragunov:
Williams dropped the Russian with a cheapshot from behind before the bell rang. He then made the mistake of mocking his opponent, allowing Dragunov back into the match. Midway through the match, JD McDonagh came to watch the march ringside. Later, Dragunov dropped Trick Williams with a thunderous clothesline. In the end, Ilja Dragunov won with Torpedo Moscow.
Results: Ilja Dragunov by Pinfall via Torpedo Moscow
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Jinder Mahal promised that tonight will be the latest shocking title win in his career.
Josh Briggs told Fallon Henley to apologize for falsely accusing her tag team partner of being unfaithful.
Meiko Satomura leads a vigorous workout for a class that includes Roxanne Perez. By the end, only Perez is left standing.
GOOD Tyler Bate:
Bate opened by thanking the fans for supporting him in his time in the US. Then, Bate said he was going on a journey and was interrupted by Schism. The Schism tried to entice Bate into joining them, but Chase U came to Bate’s rescue.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 stars
GOOD Chase U vs the Dyad:
Dyad controlled this match early, leaving Andre Chae in desperate need of a tag. After dropping both members of the Dyad, Duke Hudson was struck by a suicide dive. Chase got distracted when Ava Raine looked to threaten Thea Hail. This opened the door for the Dyad to win on a double codebreaker. After the match, Hudson told Thea Hail she needed to grow up.
Results: the Dyad by Pinfall via Codebreaker
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Von Wagner agreed to a match with Tony D’Angelo, despite the protests of Mr. Stone.
Drew Gulak said he abandoned Hank Walker because he lacks the mean edge needed to be successful. Charlie Dempsey does not lack that.
Sol Ruca said her determination is what will help her defeat Zoey Stark.
ABOVE AVERAGE Jacy Jayne vs Indi Hartwell:
Jayne had the early momentum using sentons and then submission hold. She trash-talked the fans throughout the match. The match came to an end when Gigi Dolin attacked Jacy Jayne.
Results: Jacy Jayne by Disqualification
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Zoey Stark said that she deserves the title match, mot Meiko Satomura.
ABOVE AVERAGE Gallus vs Malik Blade and Edris Enofe:
Gallus was in total control for most of the match until two men came to ringside with a cake. This allowed Blade and Enofe to get in some offense but it wasn’t enough. Gallus won quickly but Pretty Deadly attacked them after the match.
Results: Gallus by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
Stevie Turner talked about Lyra Valkyria in a brief segment.
GOOD Tony D’Angelo vs Von Wagner:
Wagner dropped D’Angelo with a big boot but he got distracted because Mr. Stone took a passive seat next to the ring. D’Angelo turned the match around and had his opponent reeling with a spinebuster. He won the match on a Side Slam. Post-match, D’Angelo challenged Dijak to a jailhouse street fight at Roadblock.
Results: Tony D’Angelo by Pinfall via Side Slam
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Nikkita Lyons said she would be out for a year and didn’t see who attacked her. Tiffany Stratton interrupted to say she’s more important and that Lyons should disappear.
Tyler Bate complemented Trick Williams for their match.
ABOVE AVERAGE Alba Fyre vs Ivy Nile:
The two traded blows back and forth. However, once Nile had a submission move locked in, Isla Dawn caused a distraction. Nile accidentally knocked Paxley off the apron in the aftermatch. In the finish, Alba Fire hit her finisher.
Results: Alba Fyre by Pinfall via Giry Bomb
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Fallon Henley apologized to Kiana James.
Wes Lee announced he will hold another open challenge for the NXT North American Championship.
GOOD Bron Breakker vs Jinder Mahal for the NXT Championship:
The former WWE Champion was in control of the match early on. At one point, Indus Sheer stood on the apron until they were attacked by the Creed Brothers. Later, Breakker landed several German Suplexes and followed up with a spinebuster. Jinder Mahal taunted Breakker, a decision he would regret as Breakker hit him with a Frankensteiner. In the end, Bron Breakker defeated the challenger with a spear. After the match, we saw Grayson in the production truck. Waller invited HBK, Shawn Michaels, to appear on the Grayson Waller Effect.
Results: Bron Breakker by Pinfall via Spear
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Overall…
This was a decent episode of NXT. The highlight of the evening was the main event between Jinder Mahal and Bron Breakker. Mahal put up a good fight but in the end, Breakker retained. Another highlight was the match between Ilja Dragunov and Trick Williams. The worst part of the show was the match between Gallus and Enofe & Blade. The purpose of the match was to bring in Pretty Deadly after the match. Plus the match itself wasn’t that great.
While most matches were good, none of them were great. The show structure was good but most segments were good but not great. The crowd noise was lacking at times, hurting the atmosphere. Storytelling was hurt by some of the segments not being super compelling. Production was good but no theme.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 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
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