This week’s NXT continued on the Road to Stand and Deliver with a great show this week. Match quality was up and down this week, a slow start in the Zaria and Lash Legend match meant I couldn’t give it a higher rating despite the contest picking up in the second half. But Roxanne Perez and Kelani Jordan had a brilliant match which showed how far Kelani has come since making her NXT debut, not only has she gotten better in her promo ability but she’s showing herself to become more innovative in the ring as well. Then the main event saw the crowning of a brand new North American Champion in Ricky Saints. Ricky is someone that has been underutilised for far too long, so I’m really happy to see NXT not waste any time with pushing him into the title scene and it was a great moment watching him win his first championship in WWE. The storytelling for the main event scene was spot on this week, we started the show with the shocking news that Stephanie Vaquer has to relinquish her Women’s NA Championship, but in the process of doing that she gets to pick her opponent for Stand and Deliver. This then prompted Jordynne Grace and Jaida Parker to continue their feud to see who will seemingly go on to face Stephanie at NXT’s biggest show of the year. The PC crowd was on fire as per usual, with some creative chants that really elevated the main event of the show. While the commentary team of Vic Joseph, Booker T and Corey Graves are starting to gel together now. Great building towards Stand and Deliver, as we await to see what happens next.
NXT continues the build towards Stand and Deliver this week. We will see what happens next in the NXT Championship scene. As well as what is in store for Stephanie Vaquer next as double champion. While Ricky Saints challenges for his first ever championship in WWE against Shawn Spears. Let’s get into the review!
MUST WATCH Stephanie Vaquer Relinquishes NXT Women’s NA Title
We started off NXT with a bit of a shock, as Stephanie Vaquer was forced to relinquish her NXT Women’s North American Championship. This was a decision that the PC crowd was not fond of, and it isn’t one that I particularly like either. But the way they went around it, at least made plausible sense. Stephanie is one of the brand’s biggest stars, so anything that risks her being out with a long-term injury isn’t something Ava should be risking. There will be a new NA Champion crowned at Stand and Deliver in a ladder match. Jordynne Grace and Jaida Parker suddenly showed interest in what Vaquer was saying, after she was told she could choose her Stand and Deliver opponent. But they yet again ended up fighting.
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 4.50 Stars
GOOD Zaria vs Lash Legend
The first qualifying match for Stand and Deliver’s NXT Women’s North American Championship match, Zaria took on someone to match her power in Lash Legend. The match started off a bit bumpy, with some clear communication issues. But as it went on, it became a solid battle of the giants contest. Both women were consistently showing off their strength and power, while Zaria had to adapt and add some innovative offense to her game to eventually overcome Lash. I think adding Zaria into the match was a good decision, I’m a big fan of hers and I feel like she should be getting a bigger spotlight on NXT. Although her tag team with Sol Ruca has been a joy to watch a lot of the time.
Result: Zaria by Pinfall via F5
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.00 Stars
AVERAGE No Quarter Catch Crew vs Hank and Tank
This match was slightly better than last week’s, but there were still some messy parts in this. Moves did not come off smoothly some of the time, and the selling wasn’t too great either. This story of Hank and Tank trying to find themselves as a tag team is great though and should definitely be continued.
Result: No Quarter Catch Crew by Pinfall
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 2.50 Stars
AMAZING NXT Championship Segment
This segment did a fantastic job of establishing why both Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans deserve a title shot. Trick and Je’Von had a great promo exchange, which really advanced Williams’ character as Evans rightfully called out that Trick has become the person he was fighting against just a year ago in Carmelo Hayes. After Ava made the triple threat match official for Stand and Deliver, Darkstate made their appearance. The rumours of Trick being the leader can finally be put to rest seemingly, as the group attacked him.
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 4.25 Stars
GREAT Kelani Jordan vs Roxanne Perez
Roxanne Perez seems to be going on a putting over talent tour. First Jordynne Grace finally got her win over the Prodigy, and now Kelani Jordan pulls off a major upset to book her spot in the Women’s North American Championship ladder match. This was a very nicely executed match, the main story was Rox working on the left arm of Jordan after the nasty turnbuckle spot we saw early on in the match. It will be interesting to see where Rox goes after this, surely she doesn’t miss Wrestlemania weekend.
Result: Kelani Jordan by Pinfall via Split-Legged Moonsault
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.75 Stars
AMAZING Shawn Spears vs Ricky Saints – NXT North American Championship
The Revolution is Televised, and Ricky Saints has officially arrived in NXT. This match was a perfect example of why you don’t need to do over the top stuff in the ring to get fans invested, these two told a great story, built to their big moves extremely well and topped it off with the most satisfying ending possible. Shawn Spears doesn’t get enough credit honestly, he’s an extremely reliable wrestler and is someone that the prospects in NXT should be genuinely listening to for advice. But this is now the era of Ricky Saints, and it seems like his first challenger will be yet another familiar face in Ethan Page. As Ethan closed the show by ruining Ricky’s moment to a chorus of “Tony fumbled” chants from the PC crowd.
Result: Ricky Saints by Pinfall
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 4.25 Stars
Overall…
This week’s NXT continued on the Road to Stand and Deliver with a great show this week. Match quality was up and down this week, a slow start in the Zaria and Lash Legend match meant I couldn’t give it a higher rating despite the contest picking up in the second half. But Roxanne Perez and Kelani Jordan had a brilliant match which showed how far Kelani has come since making her NXT debut, not only has she gotten better in her promo ability but she’s showing herself to become more innovative in the ring as well. Then the main event saw the crowning of a brand new North American Champion in Ricky Saints. Ricky is someone that has been underutilised for far too long, so I’m really happy to see NXT not waste any time with pushing him into the title scene and it was a great moment watching him win his first championship in WWE. The storytelling for the main event scene was spot on this week, we started the show with the shocking news that Stephanie Vaquer has to relinquish her Women’s NA Championship, but in the process of doing that she gets to pick her opponent for Stand and Deliver. This then prompted Jordynne Grace and Jaida Parker to continue their feud to see who will seemingly go on to face Stephanie at NXT’s biggest show of the year. The PC crowd was on fire as per usual, with some creative chants that really elevated the main event of the show. While the commentary team of Vic Joseph, Booker T and Corey Graves are starting to gel together now. Great building towards Stand and Deliver, as we await to see what happens next.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere/Crowd/Commentary: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
