The John Report: WWE NXT (Spring Breakin’) 05/03/22 Review

This week’s WWE NXT was the “Spring Breakin’” special featuring two major title matches and several other grudge matches.

I am going to write a condensed review this week because I tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday night (my first time testing positive). I have some symptoms, but it’s not that bad. I also don’t feel 100% and like I want to write 5,000 words. I just don’t feel well enough to sit upright in a chair to write for over two hours. Instead, I’ll just go over the matches with some quick thoughts after I watched it while laying down. I’m not going to mention every little backstage segment. Hopefully I’ll be back to normal later this week and into next week.

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.

Cameron Grimes defeated Carmelo Hayes & Solo Sikoa to retain the NXT North American Title

Good choice for the opener since they are all great athletes that wrestle an exciting style. Some of Solo’s singles matches aren’t that exciting, but when you mix him with Grimes and Hayes it’s certainly fine. Lots of nearfalls in this match. Grimes got the win with a top rope Cave in on former champion Melo, so that should put an end to Melo’s quest to win the title back. Since Grimes won the title one month ago, it makes sense for him to retain to continue his reign. I’d rate it around ***1/2 out of five.

They had some tanning bed hijinks with Mandy Rose going for a tan, but Wendy Rose showed up to mess with the tanning machine. After it was over, Mandy was all red like a strawberry so Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin told her they’d go to the beach without her.

During a backstage segment, Roderick Strong was aggressively telling The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile that he was the leader of the group. No more Malcolm Bivens in NXT. Strong has requested his release as well, but he’s still there.

Indi Hartwell was sad looking at her ring since Dexter Lumis was released. Duke Hudson tried to kiss her, Indi didn’t want that and they went separate ways.

Nathan Frazer defeated Grayson Waller

It was a way to put over the new guy with Frazer getting the win over the cocky Australian Waller. Frazer won with a Phoenix Splash off the top rope that looked impressive. They had a part of the match where Waller got involved with Chase U guys, so it came back to cost Waller for the finish after 13 minutes. It was around *** out of five.

They had the Tony D’Angelo-Santos Escobar sit-down segment. I admit I lost interest and hit fast forward. It seemed like they agreed to a truce and that was it.

Cora Jade & Nikkita Lyons defeated Natalya & Lash Legend

I was a bit surprised that they went over 13 minutes. Obviously, Natalya is experienced and used to longer matches, but the other three haven’t really had that experience. To their credit, it was an entertaining match. Legend looked sloppy and a bit in singles. This time, she did better and having Natalya there helped her. Anyway, Jade got the pin for her team when she pinned Legend with a top rope move. I assume we get Natalya vs. Jade in singles soon with Jade getting the win. Maybe even Natalya putting over Lyons at some point too. Lyons remains super popular. I rated this at **3/4 out of five.

There were more pranks from Wendy Choo with Roxanne Perez as they made things tough for Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin at the beach. They stole some items. What a feud.

The Creed Brothers defeated The Viking Raiders

I liked this match a lot. It was hard hitting with a lot of action. Working with an experienced team like the Viking Raiders is exactly what The Creed Brothers need to get better. Things got chaotic near the end of the match with nearfalls and guys hitting big moves all over the place. The finish saw Erik sitting up against the ropes, so Roderick Strong showed up to help The Creed Brothers with a running knee to the head. Julius hit a running clothesline on Erik to get the win after 13 minutes. Lots of action and another case of the main roster talent losing to the NXT regulars. Call it ***1/4 out of five.

After the match, The Creed Brothers saw the replay showing that Strong interfered. The Creed Brothers didn’t like it, but Strong told them that a win is a win.

Santos Escobar beat up the AJ Galante guy that hangs out with Tony D’Angelo and they threw him in the Legado car. That means their peaceful meeting earlier wasn’t that peaceful after all.

Bron Breakker defeated Joe Gacy to retain the NXT Championship

Bron Breakker was wearing the purple/black singlet that his father Rick Steiner wore on the first Raw episode in 1993. I think we all knew this result was coming. It’s not like they are going to take the title off Bron again and put it on Gacy. I give Gacy credit for working hard and hitting some moves that made it look like maybe he had a chance, but it was tough to get into it. This certainly wasn’t at the same level as Bron’s matches with better and more experienced wrestlers like Dolph Ziggler and Tommaso Ciampa. I liked the finish with Gacy going for the handspring clothesline, but Bron avoided it and Bron hit a Spear for the win. Bron usually wins with the press powerslam, but it was a Spear this time. I rate this one at **1/2 out of five. It went about 11 minutes. It was mostly just an average match.

After the match, Bron was celebrating in the ring with the NXT Title. There were two druids standing behind him as the show went off the air. I guess that could mean that Gacy will still be feuding with Bron, but I think it’s time to move on.

Three Stars of the Show

1. Cameron Grimes
2. Carmelo Hayes/Solo Sikoa
3. The Creed Brothers

The Scoreboard

This week: 7.25 out of 10

Last week: 4.5

Final Thoughts

It was a wrestling-heavy show this week. There were five matches where all of them between 11 and 15 minutes. You don’t see that regularly in NXT, so I thought it was a better-than-average episode thanks to the quality matches.

Even though it was a show full of matches that got plenty of time, I wouldn’t rate any one match as anything that special although I think Grimes-Melo-Solo had the best match. The Breakker-Gacy main event was just average. I liked The Creed Brothers win over Viking Raiders and a nice debut for Nathan Frazer too. The women’s tag was fine with Jade & Lyons getting a big win.

I hope we get some new feuds after this show, but obviously some of them are going to continue.

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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter @johnreport