This was an ok episode of NXT, nothing great but nothing terrible. The highlight of the show was the main event match for the tag titles. The match was pretty good but the ending could have been better and wasn't much of a story there. The lowlight of the night was the match between Thea Hale and Kiana James. The match was decent but not great and there wasn't a ton there from a story perspective. Going forward, there are a few title matches to look forward with Von Wagner challenging Bron Breakker and Alba Fyre not giving up her pursuit of the NXT Women’s championship.
On tonight’s episode of NXT: Mandy Rose celebrates one year as NXT Women’s Champion. Bron Breakker makes an appearance. What is next for the champ? R-Truth comes to NXT in a match against Grayson Waller. The Schism sits down for an interview with Vic Joseph. What is the fallout of Ava Raine joining the group? Odyssey Jones returns to NXT. Who will he face in his first match back? And Thea Hale takes on Kiana James. Will the Chase U student pick up the win or will James take Hale to school?
ABOVE AVERAGE Bron Breakker, Pretty Deadly, and Wes Lee:
To start, Pretty Deadly goes after Breakker for giving the same promo after each title defense. Then, Wes Lee and Bron Breakker challenged Pretty Deadly for the NXT Tag Team Championships. R-Truth then came to the ring to prepare for his match.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 stars
Unrateable R-Truth vs Grayson Waller:
Waller hit R-Truth with “you can’t see me”, mocking Truth’s childhood hero, John Cena. R-Truth later went for a flip over the top rope but did not get all the way over. The ref had to end the match because of R-Truth’s injury.
Results: match called off due to an injury to R-Truth
Ava Raine told Vic Joseph that she joined the Schism because they supported her while she was injured. The Schism also said they wouldn’t let Cameron Grimes get away with how he disrespected them.
Odyssey Jones vs Javier Bernal is made official by Shawn Michaels.
Indi Hartwell demanded a title match from Zoey Stark and Nikkita Lyons.
ABOVE AVERAGE Thea Hale vs Kiana James:
Duke Hudson accompanied Hale to the ring, and carried the Chase U flag. In the match, Hudson interfered by moving Thea Hale’s leg onto the rope. In the end, James won the match on a 401 (k). After the match, Charlie Dempsey attacked Andre Chase but Duke Hudson rescued him.
Results: Kiana James by Pinfall via 401 (k)
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
Fallon Henley gets served by a lawyer.
Mark Stone told Bron Breakker that Von Wagner will happily take the NXT Championship from him.
ABOVE AVERAGE Odyssey Jones vs Javier Bernal:
Jones landed three straight sentons to start the match. Later, Bernal heavily targeted the leg of Jones. It wasn’t enough as Odyssey Jones slammed Bernal to pick up the win.
Results: Odyssey Jones by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GOOD Toxic Attraction celebrating one year of Mandy Rose winning the NXT’s Women’s Championship:
Rose opened by talking about how the fans only saw her as eye candy before she came to NXT and remade herself. Since she became champion, Rose said she has defeated every challenger that has faced her for the NXT Women’s Title. Alba Fyre then promised to take out each member of Toxic Attraction before she takes out Rose.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 stars
Von Wagner confronted Apollo Crews in a backstage interview.
GOOD Zoey Stark (w/Nikkita Lyons) vs Indi Hartwell:
Stark had the advantage early on but Hartwell countered with a body slam. Later, Indi Hartwell was nearly pinned after a Stark Special. Stark then tried to put Hartwell through the announcer’s table but Lyons talked her out of it. This gave Indi Hartwell the respite she needed and Hartwell picked up the win.
Results: Indi Hartwell by Pinfall via Big Boot
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 stars
What appears to be the return of the wrestler formerly known as T-Bar is teased.
Veer Mahan tells Sanga that being nice is perceived as a weakness in NXT.
Zoey Stark and Nikkita Lyons are taunted by Kayden Carter
ABOVE AVERAGE Cora Jade vs Valentina Feroz: (Make Subheading)
Feroz was in control early on after Jade trash-talked her. Later, Jade nearly got the pinfall after an elbow to the back of Feroz. In the end, Cora Jade won on a DDT. After the match, Cora Jade tried to continue the attack on Valentina Feroz but was rescued by Wendy Choo.
Results: Cora Jade by Pinfall via DDT
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
Elektra Lopez told Tony D’Angelo she is even more dangerous not that she’s by herself.
GOOD Wes Lee and Bron Breakker vs Pretty Deadly:
Elton Prince angered Breakker and was hit with a hard shoulder tackle. Later, Breaker and Lee had Pretty Deadly reeling after a spinebuster. Lee was all set for a corner move when he was pushed off by Carmelo Hayes. Pretty Deadly used this interference to retain. After the match, Wes Lee chased after Hayes, and Von Wagner attacked Bron Breakker.
Results: Pretty Deadly by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Overall…
This was an ok episode of NXT, nothing great but nothing terrible. The highlight of the show was the main event match for the tag titles. The match was pretty good but the ending could have been better and wasn’t much of a story there. The lowlight of the night was the match between Thea Hale and Kiana James. The match was decent but not great and there wasn’t a ton there from a story perspective. Going forward, there are a few title matches to look forward with Von Wagner challenging Bron Breakker and Alba Fyre not giving up her pursuit of the NXT Women’s championship.
Matches: 0.25/1 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. 2.5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
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