This week’s NXT was an average show. The focus to my surprise was very much on actual matches this week, with there being not one talking segment in the ring. We started the show off with a solid title defence for Stephanie Vaquer against Jaida Parker, while the show finished with an equally solid match for Stephanie as she retained both her titles in one night against Fallon Henley. There were some matches in the middle of the show that struggled to keep the crowd invested, Tyson and Tyriek got a much needed win against Hank and Tank in a match that went way too long. Je’Von Evans and Lexis King’s match suffered from the two buying time until they got to the post-match angle. Some pretty decent albeit unremarkable storytelling, the focus of this week’s show was everyone in the women’s division begging for a chance to face Stephanie, which I really loved to see. Andre Chase’s character development continued this week as we saw him getting his confidence back. Although this week saw a very similar segment to last week for the men’s main event scene in NXT, with Oba, Je’Von and Trick all brawling while Darkstate retreated once again. There was some nice building towards Stand and Deliver on this show, but the match quality and storytelling needed to be more consistent in order for the show to get a higher rating.
We are back with another NXT review this week, and Stephanie Vaquer has her work cut out for her on WWE’s developmental brand. Stephanie not only defends her NXT Women’s Title against Jaida Parker, but also her NXT Women’s North American Championship against Fallon Henley in a Vengeance Day rematch. While Je’Von Evans looks to put an end to Lexis King’s NXT Heritage Cup reign. Let’s get into the review!
GREAT Stephanie Vaquer vs Jaida Parker – NXT Women’s Championship
This is a match that I was really looking forward to, especially after we saw what great chemistry Stephanie Vaquer and Jaida Parker had the last time they were in the ring together. This match reached the quality we saw in their last contest, but it didn’t really go beyond that. We saw some really innovative spots which were logical and came together smoothly, there were some mishaps but not enough to take you out of the match. Jordynne Grace distracting Jaida Parker when she had Stephanie on the ropes made sense and kept Jaida looking strong despite losing. It seems like Parker and Grace are on a collision course which will see them go face to face in the ring very soon. Fatal Influence showed themselves as smart heels after the match, as they attacked Stephanie to try and make Fallon’s task in the main event easier.
Result: Stephanie Vaquer by Pinfall via Roll-Up
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.75 Stars
BELOW AVERAGE Tyson and Tyriek vs Hank and Tank
This match kind of dragged on a bit, which wasn’t surprising as Hank and Tank thrive in a match that is more of a sprint. This one went just under 10 minutes and it was clear both teams were struggling past the five minute mark. Tyson and Tyriek get a much needed win though, they’ve not been booked in the strongest fashion since Wes Lee joined them, but this is a good way of starting to change that.
Result: Tyson and Tyriek by Pinfall
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 2.25 Stars
AVERAGE Lexis King vs Je’Von Evans – NXT Heritage Cup
This match was fine, although a bit repetitive at times. The main talking point was what happened after the match, as Oba Femi gave Je’Von Evans an apron powerbomb costing him the match against Lexis King. Then that’s when the new faction, Darkstate appeared but they left as soon as Trick Williams joined the Oba and Je’Von brawl.
Result: Lexis King by Count-Out
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 2.75 Stars
SQUASH Gigi Dolan and Tatum Paxley vs Meta Four
I really liked how NXT included the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship storyline that we’ve been seeing in TNA, on their own program. This is how the match between these two tag teams came about. The match was solid, and advanced the storyline nicely while including Sol Ruca and Zaria into the mix as well.
Result: Gigi Dolan and Tatum Paxley by Pinfall via Cemetery Drive
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: Too short to rate
GREAT Ethan Page vs Andre Chase
The story of Andre Chase’s journey back to the top is still ongoing, I’m actually a really big fan of this story and I’m interested to see what the payoff will be. Ethan Page won this match despite Chase making some big strides in getting back to his old self. Ricky Saints was on commentary for this one, I feel like the story of Ricky making too many enemies too soon in NXT is gonna come back to haunt him.
Result: Ethan Page by Pinfall via Twisted Grin
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
GREAT Stephanie Vaquer vs Fallon Henley – NXT North American Women’s Championship
The second title defence for Stephanie Vaquer during this show, further proving herself as the workhorse champion. This match with Fallon Henley unsurprisingly wasn’t as good as their match at Vengeance Day, due to the fact they only got 10 minutes and it was on weekly TV. But the match put a spotlight on Stephanie’s selling, which is something we haven’t often seen. Vaquer did a great job of selling the effects of Fatal Influence’s attack earlier on in the show.
Result: Stephanie Vaquer by Pinfall via SVB
Archie Carter WR Star Rating: 3.75 Stars
Overall…
This week’s NXT was an average show. The focus to my surprise was very much on actual matches this week, with there being not one talking segment in the ring. We started the show off with a solid title defence for Stephanie Vaquer against Jaida Parker, while the show finished with an equally solid match for Stephanie as she retained both her titles in one night against Fallon Henley. There were some matches in the middle of the show that struggled to keep the crowd invested, Tyson and Tyriek got a much needed win against Hank and Tank in a match that went way too long. Je’Von Evans and Lexis King’s match suffered from the two buying time until they got to the post-match angle. Some pretty decent albeit unremarkable storytelling, the focus of this week’s show was everyone in the women’s division begging for a chance to face Stephanie, which I really loved to see. Andre Chase’s character development continued this week as we saw him getting his confidence back. Although this week saw a very similar segment to last week for the men’s main event scene in NXT, with Oba, Je’Von and Trick all brawling while Darkstate retreated once again. There was some nice building towards Stand and Deliver on this show, but the match quality and storytelling needed to be more consistent in order for the show to get a higher rating.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere/Crowd/Commentary: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
