The John Report: WWE NXT 01/24/23 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured an NXT Women’s Championship Summit in the main event and plenty of action too.
A reminder that for NXT I go summary style for most of the show. I’ll go full play-by-play one match as usual. The NXT brand is on the road to Vengeance Day on February 4th meaning there are two episodes left until that show including tonight’s show.
This episode is taking place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. My WWE NXT Review archive is here. Let’s get to it.
They showed the video of Bron Breakker and Grayson Waller fighting at the WWE Performance Center. It was filmed by multiple people and spread online as a way to create some buzz for the NXT brand.
It was Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary as usual. Indi Hartwell made her entrance saying she would give Tiffany Stratton an ass whooping.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Indi Hartwell
Hartwell attacked Stratton on the apron before the bell and back in the ring, Indi hit a dropkick for two. Hartwell continued the attack by sending Stratton to the floor. Tiffany used the ropes for some assisted offense along with a running butt splash on Hartwell’s back. Stratton remained on offense for a few minutes. Hartwell got some offense going with a spinebuster along with a running boot while they were on the apron. Stratton faked a knee injury, the referee was dumb enough to believe it and a trainer ran out, so Stratton hit Hartwell with a forearm. Stratton with a rolling senton followed by a triple jump moonsault off the top rope (that was impressive!) for the pinfall win after six minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tiffany Stratton
Analysis: **1/2 It was a solid match with Stratton getting a crafty win by faking an injury and Hartwell was gullible enough to believe it. That made Hartwell look dumb. I think Stratton is a future champion in NXT, perhaps later this year. In the ring, Stratton has a lot of talent and should keep improving. She needs to stop the daddy’s girl gimmick with the whining all the time, but I understand why she does it to be annoying. That moonsault finish was terrific although it’s not a new thing if you’ve watched Christopher Daniel matches calling it the Best Moonsault Ever. It’s still cool to see it.
Jacy Jayne was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell with Jayne saying when Gigi Dolin hit her last week, it was an awakening for her. Jayne said that Gigi was anchoring her down for far too long. Jacy was asked what to expect during the NXT Championship Summit and Jacy said it will be something you’ve never seen before.
They showed Thea Hail getting ready for her award ceremony.
(Commercial)
A clip was shown earlier in the week with The Creed Brothers working out with Drew Gulak and his crew. Drew did some grappling with Julius Creed, who tripped him up and Drew shoved Julius while claiming it was cheap.
Chase U Award Ceremony
There was an award ceremony for Thea Hail of Chase U hosted by Andre Chase and Duke Hudson. Chase did his gimmick where he almost said a swear word, but he stopped and fans chanted “that’s not PG” at him. Chase presented Thea with a certificate for winning her first match. Thea thanked Chase while adding that she loves us all so much.
JD McDonagh interrupted it saying all of this is for one win and they’re doing participation awards now? JD ripped on the crowd for cheering for it. JD told Thea when you hang around with losers, every win means a lot, especially with Chase U’s win-loss record. Chase didn’t like JD dragging Chase U and said it means the world to them while mentioning himself, Hail and the students, but Chase did not mention Duke. JD wondered if Duke loved Chase U. JD told them to get the crap out of the ring because he’s dressed for a fight while Andre is dressed like a moron. Chase took off his robe and punched JD a few times leading to JD bumping out of the ring. They have a match up next.
Analysis: It was a goofy segment. That’s what Chase U is sometimes, but the fans like it.
(Commercial)
Andre Chase (w/Thea Hail & Duke Hudson) vs. JD McDonagh
Chase was in control with a belly-to-back suplex along with a Russian legsweep takedown leading to Andre doing his CHASE U stomp on JD. Chase hit a sitout slam for a two count. JD got some offense with a clothesline, but Chase countered into a pin attempt. JD with a headbutt and then Chase countered a move with a Destroyer for two. When Chase went up top, JD hit the ropes and Chase bumped to the mat. Hudson walked to the back leading to Chase hitting the Devil Inside suplex to win after about five minutes.
Winner by pinfall: JD McDonagh
Analysis: ** It was okay with Chase getting offense early before JD put him away since JD is pushed much more than Chase is. I don’t think they pushed the story enough about why Hudson walked away from the match, nor did they show a replay to push the story. It seems like they are going to have Hudson turn on Chase soon or maybe we’ll see Hudson show his loyalty to Chase U at some point.
Post match, Chase was asking Hail why Duke went to the back.
Kiana James was shown talking to her assistant Giovanna about something. Fallon Henley was there along with Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen as they spoke with James talking about their tag team match up next.
(Commercial)
Fallon Henley & Kiana James (w/Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen) vs. Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley
Henley and James couldn’t decide who would start for the team and Paxley hit a dropkick off the middle rope. James with a clothesline while Henley followed with a kick. Nile hit Henley with multiple shoulder tackles and a hiptoss leading to a submission, but James yelled at the referee to look at Paxley leading to a hair pull from James that the referee didn’t see. James tripped up Nile and Henley hit a running knee for the pinfall win after about four minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Fallon Henley & Kiana James
Analysis: *1/2 A quick match to push the story that the heel James was smart enough to cheat twice to help Henley get the win. It wasn’t the honorable thing to do, but it was effective.
The New Day were in the locker room with the NXT Tag Team Titles on their shoulders. They were singing Randy Orton’s old theme song. Edris Enofe & Malik Blade talked about how New Day has been great in NXT while asking for a title shot. Schism walked in to say they wanted a title shot too. New Day said next week there’s a Tag Team Invitational and the winners can get added to their Vengeance Day title match against Gallus & Pretty Deadly.
Analysis: This was likely taped last week because The New Day (with Big E) are in Australia on a promotional tour.
Bron Breakker was shown walking toward the building.
It’s Apollo Crews at the barber shop after a break.
(Commercial)
Apollo Crews was shown in the barbershop where Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams usually go. As Crews sat down, Melo and Trick showed up. Crews said that Melo needs to realize that he isn’t going to get rid of Crews. Apollo said it’s two men fighting for the same spot. Hayes said that he’s a younger, better version of what Apollo used to be. Melo said the brightest superstar is standing in Apollo’s way. They both mentioned they have beaten eachother. Crews said that at Vengeance Day they should have a 2 out of 3 Falls Match. Melo said that he accepts. Melo said you’ll be getting “Money Melo” and while Crews is the past, Melo is the present. Crews said that the thing about the past is that you can always see the present. Crews said he’ll see him in Charlotte.
The graphic was shown for the Vengeance Day 2 out of 3 Falls Match between Crews and Hayes. It’s official.
Analysis: That’s going to be an awesome match. They are two of the best in NXT that have had good matches before, so going 2/3 Falls for the next match is certainly fine with me. I think Hayes will win.
The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) vs. Drew Gulak & Hank Walker
Julius did a trip takedown on Drew just like he did backstage. The Creeds got knocked out of the ring within the first couple of minutes leading to a break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Walker and Gulak trying a double team move, but Brutus tackled Gulak out of the ring. Walker gave Julius a spinning powerslam. Walker did a wheelbarrow slam into an armbar, but Julius managed to get out of it. Brutus tagged in leading to a double clothesline collision spot with Walker. Charlie Dempsey was at ringside, so Gulak went to the floor and told Walker to handle the match even though Hank wanted to tag out. Julius hit Walker with a belly-to-belly suplex and Brutus tagged in with a Brutus Ball off the top onto Walker for the pinfall win. It went about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed)
Analysis: *** A pretty good tag team match with The Creed Bros picking up the win after Gulak proved to be a bad partner by paying attention to Dempsey on the floor instead of helping Walker in the match. I thought Walker looked impressive and it was his best match in NXT so far. They need to change his ring gear, but other than that he is doing well. The Creed Brothers getting a push again would be fine with me.
The Creed Brothers were in the ring with Ivy Nile with Julius saying he knows he can be a pain in the ass with a chip on his shoulder. Julius thanked Ivy for being a good friend to them. Brutus said that she could have walked away and he thanked her for sticking with them.
Indus Sher made their entrance including Jinder Mahal, Veer Mahaan and Sanga. Jinder said they are tired of earning respect, so they are taking it. Jinder said they want to find out who they really are. Jinder said next week it’s Indus Sher vs. The Creed Brothers and he wanted them to accept the challenge. Nile said “you’re on” so it’s finally coming.
Analysis: A long build to this tag team match. Some injuries prevented the match, Veer had a death in his family as well and now they are finally getting to it.
Gigi Dolin was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell. Gigi trashed Jacy saying she was a bad person with Gigi saying she is nothing like her. Gigi was holding a rose saying thorns can be dangerous if you’re looking at the petals. Gigi said she can’t wait to give Jacy a piece of her mind.
Analysis: It was pretty obvious where this was going if you’ve seen a pro wrestling show in your life, but we’ll get there later in the show.
Wendy Choo made her entrance for a match.
A commercial aired for Smackdown hyping Kevin Owens facing Solo Sikoa, Karrion Kross vs. Rey Mysterio and some tag team tournament matches as well.
(Commercial)
They showed Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo in a restaurant with a host saying they got a private room. Tony said that the streets are talking about Stacks as the underboss. Stacks said he wants to take on the biggest guy he can find. They did a toast about their success.
Elektra Lopez vs. Wendy Choo
A clip was shown of Lopez talking to Valentina Feroz earlier in the day with Lopez telling Feroz to watch the match from ringside. Lopez hit a gutwrench suplex across the ring as Feroz went to ringside to watch the match. Lopez threw a pillow at Choo, who ducked and it barely grazed Booker, who said “what the hell” in classic Booker style. Choo got some offense with a running kick, but Lopez hit a spinning slam. Choo made the babyface comeback including a cross body block off the turnbuckle for two. Lopez pulled some brass knuckles out of her trunks and punched Choo while Feroz was talking to the referee, so the referee never saw it. Lopez told Feroz that’s how it is done. It went four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Elektra Lopez
Analysis: *3/4 A heel cheating to win like we see many times. It advances the story of Lopez trying to teach Feroz that she needs to be more aggressive to be successful and Lopez proved that it works. I like Choo, but they don’t really push her much.
Fallon Henley was shown talking about Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen, who mentioned that Kiana is so happy. Brooks pitched an idea to Shawn Michaels and Shawn went for the idea of Fallon & Kiana getting an NXT Women’s Tag Team Title match at Vengeance Day. Briggs was happy, but Henley was mad that he didn’t ask her because it was a one time thing. Briggs told Henley it was the best thing that’s ever happened in her career, but she had to think about it.
Analysis: Fallon Henley is now mad about getting a title shot? That’s strange. I get that she doesn’t like Kiana James, but everybody should be happy about a title match.
Grayson Waller was shown arriving at the building.
(Commercial)
Elektra Lopez was shown talking to Valentina Feroz saying that it doesn’t matter how you win as long as you win. Feroz said she didn’t know if she could do that kind of thing. Lopez said dirty gets the job done while saying she’s going to keep winning.
Stevie Turner was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell from Stevie’s chat/video room. Stevie said next week will be her debut while Stevie answered her superchat questions instead of Mitchell’s questions.
Let’s Hear from Grayson Waller and Bron Breakker
Grayson Waller was in the ring doing a promo wearing a silly jacket. Waller said he showed the world he’s tougher than Bron and tougher than everybody in the building. Waller said there’s no steel plate under his jacket, it’s just his NXT Title that is a fake title. Bron Breakker was shown watching backstage and Bron left with the real NXT Title. Waller claimed that Bron is going to need to win this match or else he’ll be haunted by Waller’s face. Bron Breakker was shown walking backstage and pushing aside security guys that tried to stop him.
Bron made his way to the ring to tackle Waller in the ring. The men’s locker room emptied out with a lot of wrestlers and security guys in there to try to break it up. Waller left the ring, so they were fighting on the floor. Bron was pushing guys off him. Bron charged at Waller, who moved and Bron went crashing through the barricade on the floor. Bron sold it like he was knocked out while the fans chanted “holy shit” for it. Waller was smiling about it. Waller left his version of the NXT Title while Bron was getting checked on by the medical team.
Analysis: That was a good segment. It wasn’t very long or anything like that, but it was effective in showing that Waller continues to irritate Bron and the intensity has picked up in this rivalry. Bron getting knocked out going into the barricade was a big bump to end it. The reality is the barricade is likely something very light and only an inch or two thick, but it looked and sounded impressive. That’s the magic of pro wrestling. Make it look and sound scary, but keep it safe too.
(Commercial)
There was a video featuring the Gallus boys playing pool. They talked about how they are going to leave Vengeance Day as the NXT Tag Team Champions.
The NXT Tag Team Title match at Vengeance Day will be The New Day vs. Gallus vs. Pretty Deadly vs. a fourth team that qualifies next week.
There was a replay of the Breakker-Waller segment. Their match at Vengeance Day is a Steel Cage Match with Breakker’s NXT Title on the line.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance vs. Alba Fyre & Sol Ruca
The match rang to start the match and Sol Ruca made her entrance to become Fyre’s tag team partner. Sol beat Fyre last week after a distraction. I’ll go play-by-play since it was the last match on the show.
Fyre knocked down Carter with a clothesline, but Carter came back with an up kick to the face. Chance tagged in with a trip on Fyre, then Carter with a knockdown and Chance with a senton splash. Carter back in leading to Fyre getting a hair pull takedown. Carter with a jawbreaker, Sol tagged herself in and hit a shoulder tackle. Sol showed off some athleticism leading to a neckbreaker and Carter bumped to the floor. Fyre sent Chance into the steel steps.
(Commercial)
Chance knocked down Sol with an enziguri kick. Carter tagged in against Fyre with a running splash on both opponents. Carter with a kick on Sol and a splash onto Fyre at the same time. Carter with a running kick and Chance tagged in with a double foot stomp off the top for a two count. Carter was back in, she kicked Fyre and Chance hit a splash off Carter’s shoulders onto Fyre for a two count. Fyre came back with a kick to the gut, then a front suplex and Sol tagged in with a springboard splash on Carter for two. Chance tossed Fyre out of the ring and Chance gave Fyre a headscissors into the steel steps. Carter with two kicks to the face of Sol, Chance tagged in and hit a 450 Splash onto Sol while Carter did a neckbreaker. Chance pinned Sol for the pinfall win after about eight minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance
Analysis: **3/4 A good tag team match with the champions finding a way to win again. Fyre didn’t want Sol as a partner, but they did put up a fight until the superior team put them away. There was a lot of exciting tag team offense by Carter & Chance as usual from them.
Post match, Fyre walked right past Sol Ruca. Isla Dawn showed up in the aisle, she stared at Fyre and then they walked to the back together.
Fallon Henley and Kiana James were standing together on the platform. Henley said she thought about it and they will see them at Vengeance Day.
Analysis: The team of Henley/James tagged together one time and got a win to get a title shot. It could have been built better.
Dijak was shown in a darkened room with NXT North American Champion Wes Lee walking up to him for a conversation. Dijak told Lee to just hand him the title. Lee said he risked everything just to get to WWE, then he battled tooth & nail and his stupid decisions made him a champion. Lee said he’s going to keep the title while adding that he has to respect it. Lee said he’ll see him in Charlotte. After Lee left, Dijak said he doesn’t deal in sob stories, he deals in justice.
Analysis: There might be a title change there with Dijak winning the NXT North American Title. It seems like the right time.
Cora Jade was interviewed in the locker room by Mckenzie Mitchell with Jade saying that she’s not worried about Lyra Valkyria and found a feather in her locker room. Vic told Mckenzie (his wife) that there was something going on outside. Mitchell cut to the parking lot.
They showed the parking lot with Nikkita Lyons on the ground and she was selling a right knee injury. Indi Hartwell and Lyra Valkyria showed up to call for help.
Analysis: The NXT parking lot is a home for random attacks and has been for a very long time.
(Commercial)
Chase U was shown in the locker room with Duke Hudson telling Andre Chase that he walked out on him earlier, but he asked Shawn Michaels if they can be in the Tag Team match next week for a title shot. The New Day told Duke that they are in the match.
Next week on NXT:
* Triple Threat Match with the Winning Team Advancing to NXT Tag Team Title match at Vengeance Day: Schism vs. Edris Enofe/Malik Blade vs. Andre Chase/Duke Hudson.
* The Creed Brothers vs. Indus Sher
* Cora Jade vs. Lyra Valkyria
NXT Women’s Championship Summit
This was the main event segment with a table in the ring along with four leather chairs. Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin were already seated in chairs while Booker T introduced NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez to join the summit.
Jacy claimed she carried Gigi’s ass when they were a team. Jacy said that she dragged Gigi to success while claiming if it wasn’t for her, then Gigi would be a YouTube sensation living on the independent scene. Gigi said when the camera is on, Jacy acts like a star and in reality, she’s an insecure person. Gigi revealed that Jacy pukes before her matches. Jacy told Gigi that she was a pathological liar and Gigi wondered who will hold Jacy’s hair back while Gigi is holding the NXT Title.
Roxanne was asked what she thinks about it with Roxy saying she was enjoying the hell out of this. Perez said that both women have made her life a living hell and she is glad they are feeling the same that they make other women feel. Perez said that “karma is a toxic bitch.” Perez said she thought it would be a handicap match at Vengeance Day, but now it looks like it will be a real triple threat.
Gigi told Perez she’ll make history as the shortest reigning NXT Women’s Champion of all time. Gigi said she can beat Jacy to win and Jacy said she can beat her too, which isn’t hard to do. Jacy said there’s Jacy Jayne, then you two and everybody else. Gigi said that Toxic Attraction made Jacy relevant and called Jacy a third wheel.
Jacy and Gigi got out of their chairs, they went face to face arguing and then they smiled to reveal it was all a swerve. They went after Perez by sending her into the table with Jacy/Gigi beating up Perez with punches. Jacy and Gigi stomped on Perez. Jacy and Gigi picked up Perez for a double team spinebuster through the table. Jacy and Gigi held the NXT Women’s Title together over a fallen Perez. End show.
Analysis: The swerve by Jacy and Gigi was obvious just based on how over-the-top their backstage interviews were. If you’ve watched wrestling for a long time then you have seen segments like that before, so it’s not like a new thing. I give credit to Jacy and Gigi for their performances because they pulled it off well. Roxanne should retain her title at Vengeance Day. I don’t see why they would take the title off her one month after winning the title.
Three Stars of the Show
- Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin
- The Creed Brothers
- JD McDonagh
The Scoreboard
This week: 6.75 out of 10
Last week: 6.25
2023 Average: 6.69
Final Thoughts
I thought it was just a solid show. The matches were fine, but nothing really stood out and some were kept short. With that said, I liked the story building throughout the night including the Bron Breakker-Grayson Waller story being furthered as well as Apollo Crews-Carmelo Hayes having a 2/3 Falls Match at Vengeance Day.
The women’s division was featured heavily this week. I saw a stat that they featured 22 different women in matches and segments. They had a 20-woman battle royal two weeks ago too. It was also the third straight week where a women’s match/segment headlined NXT. I like the story with champion Roxanne Perez having to deal with Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin in a triple threat match at Vengeance Day, but I don’t see there being a title change. I think from a story perspective it has been built well even though it was obvious that the swerve was coming by Jacy & Gigi in the main event segment.
Looking ahead to Vengeance Day on February 4th, I think the six-match card is strong too.
The next WWE NXT PLE event is Vengeance Day on Saturday, February 4th with this lineup:
NXT Championship Steel Cage Match: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Grayson Waller
NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Jacy Jayne vs. Gigi Dolin
NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee (c) vs. Dijak
NXT Tag Team Championships: The New Day (c) vs. Pretty Deadly vs. Gallus
2 Out Of 3 Falls Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Apollo Crews
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance (c) vs. Fallon Henley & Kiana James
That might be the full card now with six matches.
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John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter @johnreport