The John Report: WWE NXT 04/02/24 Review (Plus Stand & Deliver Preview)
This is WWE NXT featuring a Trick Williams/Carmelo Hayes showdown and a preview of Stand & Deliver as well.
I arrived in Philadelphia for WrestleMania week on Tuesday afternoon and it was a tiring travel day so after I went for dinner, I watched NXT in the hotel room. I didn’t write a review as I watched, so here I am on Wednesday afternoon in rainy Philly (can’t explore much at this point) writing a quick review without going into much detail. I might skip some of the backstage stuff too. I didn’t do a NXT review last week, so I wanted to do it this week. I’m also going to add in my predictions for Stand & Deliver on Saturday afternoon.
This episode took place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. My WWE NXT Review archive is here. Let’s get to it.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T as usual.
NXT Tag Team Titles #1 Contender’s Match: Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs. The OC (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. LWO – Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro
This was a fast-paced and exciting match with a lot of action. Some of the spots were a bit crazy, but guys like Frazer, Axiom, Wilde & Cruz are all great flyers. Even Anderson did a nice somersault dive onto the pile of guys on the floor. The OC hit Magic Killer but weren’t able to get the win due to others getting involved. The finish saw Axiom take Wilde out with a clothesline and then Wilde had to stumble out to the floor, which looked like something messed up. Frazer jumped off the top with 450 Splash on Cruz for the pinfall win.
Winners by pinfall: Nathan Frazer & Axiom
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a fun match with the exciting team of Frazer & Axiom picking up the win. I thought maybe The OC would win, so I’m glad it was Frazer & Axiom instead.
The win means that Frazer & Axiom get to challenge Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin for the NXT Tag Team Titles at Stand & Deliver.
Ilja Dragunov, the NXT Champion, was taken away by a goon associated with Tony D’Angelo.
Jacy Jayne vs. Fallon Henley
There were a lot of women at ringside supporting them. Kiana James distracted Henley, so The Hail dove onto James at ringside. There was more fighting on the floor, so Henely beat up Kiana James and Izzi Dame. When Henley went back in, Jayne hit a running knee smash to win. They only got about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jacy Jayne
Analysis: ** This felt like an angle more than a match due to all the chaos at ringside. Henely lost because she was saving her friends on the floor and Jayne capitalized to win.
After the match, NXT GM Ava announced a six-woman tag at Stand & Deliver: Jacy Jayne, Kiana James & Izzi Dame vs. Fallon Henley, Thea Hail & Kelani Jordan.
Analysis: NXT does a good job of using women on the roster who aren’t even in the title picture. The main roster does a decent job of that, but not as good as NXT does it.
A video aired about Josh Briggs to build him up for the NXT North American Title match at Stand & Deliver. It’s a big match for Briggs.
Von Wagner vs. Lexis King
This was a back and forth match with Von coming close to winning a few times, but he couldn’t get it done. Wagner gave King a Chokeslam on the apron. Wagner went for a Powerbomb through the table but King countered with a DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, King hit the Coronation for the pinfall win after six minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Lexis King
Analysis: **1/4 It was okay. I didn’t think Wagner would close like that, but it’s a quality win for King. It seems like the Wagner face turn really hasn’t worked that well.
Ava the GM talked to Carmelo Hayes about telling the referee to be lenient for his match with Trick Williams at Stand & Deliver.
Lola Vice vs. Karmen Petrovic (w/Natalya)
Vice won easily with a Sharpshooter while staring down Natalya when she applied the move. Petrovic tapped out. It lasted about four minutes.
Winner by submission: Lola Vice
After the match, Lola’s staredown with Natalya was pushed heavily.
Analysis: *3/4 It was fine for a shorter match to put over Vice. They are obviously pushing for a Vice/Natalya match, which will be good for Vice because it will allow her to continue to improve.
They showed Ilja Dragunov being taken to a room where he sat down with Tony D’Angelo and The Family.
Supernova Sessions: Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria
This was hosted by Noam Dar who had his Meta Four group with him consisting of Oro Mensah, Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson. It was the usual trash-talking between PPV opponents with NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria saying she’ll beat Perez and Perez wants to win her title back after losing it a year ago. Lyra said that she’s a winner while Perez just bitches about things, so Lyra will give Perez some things to bitch about. It led to a brawl, they exchanged some strikes and Lyra put Roxy through a coffee table in the ring.
Analysis: I think Roxanne is going to win the title and have a heel title reign, so having Lyra get the advantage here makes a lot of sense.
A video aired about Dijak going into the NXT Title match at Stand & Deliver. Dijak said that he was the superior big man in NXT and he was going to prove it.
Oba Femi vs. Joe Gacy
Shawn Spears attacked Gacy from behind before the match. Femi was dominant throughout the match while Gacy got some offense and was competitive throughout the match. There was concern about Gacy possibly dealing with a concussion, so the referee put up the X to stop the match.
Match Result: No Contest
Analysis: *1/2 It was probably going to be a Femi win, but the concern about Gacy being hurt put an end to it.
Tatum Paxley asked Lyra Valkyria what that was all about since that’s not who Lyra is. Lyra said maybe that’s who she is and she’ll do anything to keep the title.
Wren Sinclair vs. Arianna Grace
It was a decent matchup. Both women got nearfalls. The finish was a cheap one because Grace did a rollup by the ropes and it was obvious she was going to use the ropes, which she did, which the referee never saw. That led to Grace getting the win.
Winner by pinfall: Arianna Grace
Rating: **1/4 A rare pinfall win for Grace, who really doesn’t pick up a bunch of wins, so it gives her something to brag about as a silly heel.
The dinner meeting between NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov and Tony D’Angelo was shown. Tony D claimed that this dinner represented the end of Ilja’s title reign. Ilja said he respected Tony as the Don of NXT, but nobody would take Ilja’s title. Tony threatened to take out Ilja’s finger, but he said he’d wait until Stand & Deliver. Tony told him to enjoy his last supper and left.
Analysis: That feels like a title change, but it’s not a sure thing. Tony isn’t fully a heel, but I’d like him more if he was.
Sol Ruca vs. Blair Davenport
They got a decent amount of time with a picture-in-picture break, so that’s a good sign for Ruca being able to work longer matches. They had kept her under wraps and worked shorter matches before this. Anyway, it seemed like one of those matches where Blair would get the big win, but instead, Ruca was able to avoid a charging knee attack and Ruca rolled up Blair for the win. It went about nine minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Sol Ruca
Analysis: *** It was a solid match. I thought that Sol sold well throughout the match before finding a way to get the big win. Since Sol won with a rollup instead of using her finisher, it was done as a way to protect Blair since she didn’t lose to Ruca’s finisher. I think they’ll do this match again.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams Face to Face
The main event segment featured Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams talking face-to-face in the ring. There was security around both guys with Melo having his own security while Trick had NXT security with him. They spoke about how they were the headliners for the NXT Stand & Deliver PLE on Saturday. Trick said they should both be happy main eventing, but it wasn’t supposed to be this way. Melo told Trick he would always take a backseat to Melo.
Trick said he was going to take a backseat to Melo any more. Melo bragged about being hot for three years while Trick has only been hot for about three months. Melo said he would show Trick why he’s been the man all along. Trick told Melo he’ll show him who the man is at Stand & Deliver. They got into a bit of a brawl with security trying to break it up and that’s how NXT ended.
Analysis: This was a very basic, yet also effective confrontation ending with a brawl just as you would expect in that sort of situation. I think we could all see this coming six months ago when Trick was mystery attacked and it was later revealed Melo to set this match up. I think Trick should win and he likely will win. It has been built up very well as a personal feud between two former best friends.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Trick Williams/Carmelo Hayes
- Nathan Frazer & Axiom
- Sol Ruca/Blair Davenport
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7
2024 Average: 6.90
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was mostly a good show with a strong build to the big matches at Stand & Deliver. All of them got some significant TV time, so that’s great to see. I thought the match quality was fine although I don’t know if I would call it a strong show for in-ring action. As the final show before Stand & Deliver, it was all about building to that, and in that sense, it was an entertaining show.
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NXT Stand & Deliver Preview for Saturday, April 6th in Philadelphia
Joe Gacy vs. Shawn Spears
I’m going with Spears here. I think they want to give him some momentum since coming back to WWE and he needs to win matches like this. Winner: Shawn Spears.
Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Thea Hail, Kelani Jordan and Fallon Henley vs. Jacy Jayne, Kiana James and Izzi Dame
The babyface trio of Hail, Jordan & Henley makes a lot of sense since Hail has been having issues with Jayne, so I think having Hail win over Dame or something like that to set up a Hail/Jayne singles match. Winners: Thea Hail, Kelani Jordan and Fallon Henley
NXT Tag Team Championships: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin vs. Axiom & Nathan Frazer
I don’t see the champions losing this match. I think Bron & Baron could lose the titles soon, but not to these guys. I’m happy for Axiom & Frazer getting the spotlight and being in a big match like this. Winners: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin
NXT North American Champion Oba Femi vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs (Triple Threat Match)
Femi is a dominant champion, but I would love to see Dijak holding a title. I think they might have Dijak win by having him pin Briggs. I don’t think Femi needs a super long title reign, so Dijak leaving with the title would be cool to see. Winner: Dijak becomes NXT North American Champion
NXT Women’s Championship: Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez
Perez getting the win is my prediction. Perez has done a fine job as a heel and she deserves a solid reign with the title. I have liked Lyra’s title, but it’s been about six months and it’s time for a title change. Winner: Roxanne Perez becomes NXT Women’s Champion
NXT Championship: Ilja Dragunov vs. Tony D’Angelo
I’m a bit torn on this one. I think that maybe NXT wants to pull the trigger on a Tony D win, but I think Trick Williams should be the one to beat Dragunov so I’m going with Ilja keeping the title. A big match for Tony D especially. Winner: Ilja Dragunov
Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes
Trick getting the win here is the obvious result. Melo is on his way to the main roster soon since there’s not much more for him to do in NXT, so I think having Trick win makes sense since it would elevate him a lot. Winner: Trick Williams
I don’t know when I’ll review Stand & Deliver. It might be a few days after the show.
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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport