This week’s NXT was a good show. It is very tough to follow up on an event like Roadblock, but the brand was able to do that in a respectable way. Although there were definitely some aspects they could’ve improved on. The match quality was good, Chelsea Green’s Women’s US Title defence was able to give a spotlight on how great Sol Ruca is as a wrestler. Ricky Saints’ one on one debut in NXT was a solid match, some fans probably would’ve preferred a different opponent but Ridge Holland did his role to a good standard. While Briggs and Inamura showed why we could be looking at the next NXT Tag Team Champions, with a fantastic quick match against Hank and Tank. Then of course we got our main event, which turned out to be a solid NXT Underground match. Storytelling is usually a high point of NXT programming each week, although this time the developmental brand struggled in that aspect. Yes we got some interesting stories starting and continuing, but there weren't any real big angles to write home about except from the end of the show with the big brawl between Oba Femi, Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans. The PC crowd were as creative as ever with their chants, elevating the show once again with the tremendous atmosphere they created. Overall the show followed up from one of the best episodes of weekly wrestling TV that we’ve seen this year, with an interesting but at times bland episode this week.
NXT looks to follow up on the fantastic WWE Roadblock show last week. Chelsea Green defends her Women’s United States Championship against Sol Ruca. Ricky Saints has his first one on one match in NXT against Ridge Holland. Trick Williams and Eddy Thorpe face each other in an NXT Underground Match. Let’s get into the review!
GREAT Chelsea Green vs Sol Ruca – WWE Women’s United States Championship
After watching this match, it’s clear to me that Sol Ruca has all the tools to become a main eventer in WWE. She may have lost to Chelsea Green on NXT, but she didn’t look out of place in that title match one bit. Sol’s in-ring psychology is insanely good for how long she’s been wrestling, she was able to genuinely make you believe that she hurt her knee to the point where she started doing moves with one leg. That knee injury ended up costing her the match in the end, as Chelsea swiped her legs as Ruca attempted the Sol Snatcher, before picking up the win with the Unprettier.
Result: Chelsea Green by Pinfall via Unprettier
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.75 Stars
MUST WATCH Stephanie Vaquer Segment
Our new NXT Women’s Champion, and still Women’s NA Champion, Stephanie Vaquer made her way to the ring to talk about her win last week. Stephanie gave us a brilliant and very real promo, which felt like it really came from the heart. This was interrupted by Jordynne Grace, who insisted that she was gonna be next in line for Vaquer’s championships. That was before Jaida Parker took Jordynne out and jumped ahead in line by challenging Stephanie for the NXT Women’s Championship. This segment did a great job in allowing Vaquer the time to talk to the fans about her win, while also setting up two exciting challengers for her as well.
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 4.50 Stars
GREAT Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura vs Hank and Tank
This match was a fantastic sprint, which showed the strengths of everyone involved extremely well. Hank and Tank continue to be incredibly fun in the ring and outside of the ring, while Yoshiki Inamura continued to prove what a beast he is and that WWE should see if they can bring him into the brand permanently.
Result: Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura by Pinfall via Top Rope Splash
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
GOOD The Culling vs The D’Angelo Family
This match showed to me just how cool The D’Angelo Family is. Luca Crucifino, Stacks and Rizzo all had their individual moments to show how good they are, and all of them used those moments to the fullest. I think the faction has a big future in WWE, The Culling ended up winning after The Family was distracted by an attack on Tony D’Angelo.
Result: The Culling by Pinfall
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.25 Stars
SQUASH Jacy Jane vs Karmen Petrovic
Jacy Jane and Karmen Petrovic had a quick match. Ashante cost Karmen the match after trying to hand her a chair to use, but she rejected the help. Jacy then used the Rolling Encore to pick up the victory.
Result: Jacy Jane by Pinfall via Rolling Encore
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: Too short to rate
GREAT Ricky Saints vs Ridge Holland
This was a solid debut one on one match for Ricky Saints, Ride Holland is very hit or miss in the ring at times but he did his job well here. The fans were of course fully behind Ricky in this match, he has really built a connection with fans here in NXT in record time. Excited to see what is next for Saints.
Result: Ricky Saints by Pinfall
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
GREAT Trick Williams vs Eddy Thorpe – NXT Underground Match
NXT Underground matches can be hit or miss at times. Someone that wrestlers can learn from in how to do an Underground match well is Lola Vice, she has some brilliant NXT Underground matches on resume. Trick and Eddy did well this week, something these types of matches don’t lack in is atmosphere and they played towards that very well. There were some cool spots, which added to the brutality of the match. But now Trick has gotten past Eddy, his focus is on Oba Femi’s NXT Championship.
Result: Trick Williams by Knockout
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.75 Stars
Overall…
This week’s NXT was a good show. It is very tough to follow up on an event like Roadblock, but the brand was able to do that in a respectable way. Although there were definitely some aspects they could’ve improved on. The match quality was good, Chelsea Green’s Women’s US Title defence was able to give a spotlight on how great Sol Ruca is as a wrestler. Ricky Saints’ one on one debut in NXT was a solid match, some fans probably would’ve preferred a different opponent but Ridge Holland did his role to a good standard. While Briggs and Inamura showed why we could be looking at the next NXT Tag Team Champions, with a fantastic quick match against Hank and Tank. Then of course we got our main event, which turned out to be a solid NXT Underground match. Storytelling is usually a high point of NXT programming each week, although this time the developmental brand struggled in that aspect. Yes we got some interesting stories starting and continuing, but there weren’t any real big angles to write home about except from the end of the show with the big brawl between Oba Femi, Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans. The PC crowd were as creative as ever with their chants, elevating the show once again with the tremendous atmosphere they created. Overall the show followed up from one of the best episodes of weekly wrestling TV that we’ve seen this year, with an interesting but at times bland episode this week.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere/Crowd/Commentary: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
