The John Report: WWE NXT 05/07/24 Review
This is WWE NXT featuring Roxanne Perez defending the NXT Women’s Title against Chelsea Green.
It’s the first NXT show since the WWE Draft took place, which led to several top NXT stars going to the main roster. That also will mean it’s time for other NXT wrestlers to step up. I think that will mean some growing pains for a while too, but long term I think they should be fine. As usual with NXT, I will do a summary style for most of the show and then play-by-play for one or two matches.
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.
A video package aired about former NXT North American Champion Wes Lee showing that he was a fighting champion who was beloved by the fans. They also showed Wes announcing his injury in December last year and he spoke about having surgery on his back. Wes said he has returned to NXT, so now it’s time to get back to work.
Wes Lee was shown walking backstage while other NXT wrestlers encouraged him. Wes said he missed this and it feels good to be home as he made his entrance for this first match in about six months.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T. It’s also the final NXT for ring announcer Alicia Taylor. There was a video featuring NXT boss Shawn Michaels confirming that Alicia is going to Smackdown, which means Mike Rome will be NXT’s ring announcer again.
Josh Briggs vs. Wes Lee
There were some pin attempts by both guys to start the match. Lee did a jawbreaker followed by a dropkick out of the ring. Lee did a running headscissors to send Briggs out of the ring. Lee used his legs to send Briggs into the barricade. Back in the ring, Briggs caught a charging Lee and hit a backbreaker while Ivar showed up to watch the action. Briggs did a splash on Lee’s back.
(Commercial)
Briggs was in control with a bearhug while Ivar was on commentary. Lee fought back with some kicks along with a double foot stomp on the back. Briggs hit an impressive sidewalk slam for two. Lee got some offense going with some kicks including a flipping kick to the head. Lee jumped onto Briggs with a suicide dive and then Lee dropkicked Briggs into Ivar. Back in the ring, Lee hit a twisting splash off the top onto Briggs for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Wes Lee
Analysis: *** A good match to put over Lee in his return from injury. That was the right result to show that Wes is doing well and still able to win big matches like that. Wes is one of the best in-ring performers in NXT. Briggs is solid as a big guy too. They worked well together.
After the match, Briggs and Ivar were fighting at ringside so Lee jumped off the top with a somersault dive onto both guys. The NXT North American Champion Oba Femi was watching from the platform.
There were clips of Roxanne Perez and Chelsea Green arriving earlier in the day since that’s the main event of the show.
They showed a video package of Lola Vice beating Natalya in an NXT Underground match last week. It was controversial because Shayna Baszler attacked Natalya’s friend Karmen Petrovic, Natalya tried to help Karmen and that led to Lola getting the win.
Shayna Baszler made her entrance joined by Lola Vice.
(Commercial)
They showed Axiom & Nathan Frazer talking to other tag teams earlier today. No Quarter Catch Crew walked up to the newcomer tag team of Tyreik & Tyson so they exchanged words. As the other teams left, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson spoke to the champions Axiom & Frazer, who refused a “too sweet” hand gesture. Gallows said that’s why those “brothers” are going to lose those titles.
Karmen Petrovic (w/Natalya) vs. Shayna Baszler (w/Lola Vice)
The action spilled out to the floor quickly as Baszler hit a knee strike to the left arm while the arm was against the steel bar under the ring. Baszler worked over Petrovic’s left arm and Petrovic managed a rollup, but Baszler came back with a clothesline. Baszler stayed in control with a stomp on the left arm. Petrovic hit a spin kick to the back for a two count. Petrovic jumped off the top, Baszler avoided it and Baszler applied the Kirifuda Clutch submission and Petrovic tapped out to give Shayna the win. It went about five minutes.
Winner by submission: Shayna Baszler
Analysis: **1/4 A decisive win for the veteran Baszler. It was all about Baszler picking apart Petrovic’s left arm for a few minutes and then grabbing the Kirifuda Clutch to win. I doubt anybody watching thought that Petrovic had a shot here. The duo of Natalya & Petrovic each lost matches in the last two weeks so their alliance (if you want to call it that) isn’t working out that well.
They showed the women’s locker room where Kelani Jordan talked about Fallon Henley’s evil actions last week. That led to Henley walking in saying that Fallon comes first because she doesn’t need friends to become the first Women’s North American Champion. Jordan wondered what happened to her, so they argued and the other women in the room broke it up.
Analysis: NXT loves women’s locker room argument scenes to set up matches.
(Commercial)
A video aired about the NXT Women’s Combine where 12 women will qualify for the six matches to try to get into the 6-woman Ladder Match to crown the NXT Women’s North American Champion. They showed the women doing some of the events in the combine while noting that Kelani Jordan & Thea Hail did well. There will be more of the combine later.
Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe vs. No Quarter Catch Crew – Charlie Dempsey & Myles Borne (w/Damon Kemp)
The referee was Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo because the original referee was “unavailable” pushing the idea that Tony D’s Family did something since they have an issue with the NQCC group due to NQCC not paying a bill. Dupont did a nice double axhandle, but then he missed a corner attack while Borne capitalized with a dropkick. Stacks prevented a double team move by moving Borne out of the ring. Igwe tagged in with an impressive leaping clothesline and a powerslam. When Dempsey did a German Suplex, Stacks did a very slow count and Igwe had time to kick out. Stacks punched Dempsey, so Igwe rolled up Dempsey leading to Stacks doing a fast count for the pinfall win. It went about four minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe
Analysis: *3/4 This was all about advancing the story between Tony D’s Family and the NQCC guys. Stacks wasn’t a fair referee to mess with NQCC and Tyson & Tyriek benefitted from it to get their first big win. It was a below-average match.
The trio of Arianna Grace, Chelsea Green & Gigi Dolin were in the locker room. Grace loved Green being there. Green said that Grace was almost as perfect as her. Grace said that Green must win for all of us. Grace left to deal with her Michin problem. After the girls left, Dolin said she couldn’t take this anymore and she said she was done. I assume she means done from listening to Grace as a mentor.
Michin entered or singles action.
(Commercial)
Roxanne Perez, the NXT Women’s Champion, did an interview with Kelly Kincaid. Perez was cocky about how she was going to beat Chelsea Green tonight just like she beat Lyra and Tatum a few weeks ago. Roxanne was cocky as usual.
Michin vs. Arianna Grace
It started with Michin getting some offense with a dropkick and a running kick. Grace came back with a suplex along with an elbow drop. After Grace did an armbar, Michin powered out of it leading to a slam. Michin went for a sunset flip, Grace sat on top and grabbed the ropes, but the referee saw it and Michin got a pin for two. Michin hit a German Suplex and Eat Defeat for the pinfall win after three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Michin
Analysis: *3/4 An easy win for Michin over Grace, who is there to be an over-the-top heel character. They are trying to build up Michin on the NXT brand so a win like this helps her get some momentum.
The NXT Champion Trick Williams was shown walking backstage. Noam Dar with Meta-Four was also walking backstage for a talk show segment up next.
(Commercial)
They showed Ridge Holland and Thea Hail backstage. Hail said that nobody thinks she makes a lot of sense because of how young she is. Ridge said he had a daughter and he hopes she grows up to be like Hail. Chase U showed up to support Hail. Lexis King walked up calling Hail a loser and mocked Ridge. Duke Hudson got in King’s face so King said he made a mistake getting in King’s face. King left. Chase U said they always had eachother’s backs.
Supernova Sessions hosted by Meta-Four with NXT Champion Trick Williams as the guest
Noam Dar was with his Meta-Four group including Lash Legend, Oro Mensah & Jakara Jackson. They introduced NXT Champion Trick Williams while the fans chanted “WHOOP THAT TRICK” for the champion. Trick blew a kiss to Lash.
Trick sat in a chair while Meta-Four was on a couch. Dar said that NXT made a special video for Trick Williams.
A video aired about Trick Williams becoming the NXT Champion and he spoke about Shawn Michaels believing in him. They showed Trick at WWE Headquarters as well.
Trick said he’s not here for the games. He wants to see what’s in the envelope that Lash Legend has. Dar told Lash to reveal the envelope. Lash opened the envelope to show that when Trick Williams beat Noam Dar in the past, Dar’s left foot was under the bottom rope. Dar said that everything that Trick has accomplished has been built on a lie since he shouldn’t have beaten Dar. Dar said that he was going to expose Trick. Oro said that Trick’s leg was under the rope.
Trick threatened to smack Oro to the motherland. Trick said that if Dar wants a title match, all he has to do is ask. Trick said he’s not here to play games. Trick said she’s acting as if they are on the Maury show and Trick said he’s not the Daddy. Trick wondered if she should tell them or Trick should tell them. Lash called him “Babe” so the fans reacted to that. Lash said that this isn’t the time. Trick said that this was the time because it was about the two of them. Trick wanted her to tell the people that she called him “Trick Willy Wonka.” Lash wanted to leave, Trick held her back and Dar hit a back elbow to Trick’s head to knock him down. Dar held up the NXT Title over fallen Trick. The fans booed that.
Analysis: It was a good segment to create an issue between Trick Williams and Noam Dar to set up Dar as a title contender. We know Trick isn’t going to lose in his first title defense, so at least Dar is a veteran with some credibility who can put on a good match before Trick gets the win. As for the Trick-Lash stuff, they are dating and have been for a while, so that’s why the fans are reacting to all the teasing about that. I think this story will lead to Lash leaving the Meta-Four group and she’ll show support to Trick. I assume what they were trying to say is that they are dating, but they didn’t actually say it in the promo. Lash hasn’t broken out as a heel, but if she turns face to side with Trick then I think she could do well as a face.
They showed the NXT Women’s Combine again with some more drills including the vertical jump, broad jump, and the rotational punch that measures the power of your punch. They said Jaida Parker dominated in those drills. More combine to come.
Kelani Jordan entered for singles action.
A commercial aired for the NXT Battleground PLE on Sunday, June 9th.
(Commercial)
There was a snoring sound while a black screen was shown. I assume this is for Wendy Choo coming back since she had the sleeping gimmick and she is back healthy after a long layoff.
They showed Natalya & Karmen Petrovic walking backstage. Petrovic said she was sorry about letting her down and Natalya said it’s okay because she’s learned after 17 years that it’s about finding your edge. Natalya said it’s about being the aggressor. A guy complimented Natalya on her match last week and Natalya said thanks. Another guy told Karmen she was a smoke show and Karmen kicked the guy in the head. Natalya said they can build off that and it’s a start.
Analysis: That’s some female bonding. It sounds like Natalya is going to stick around for a while to continue to work with Petrovic.
Fallon Henley vs. Kelani Jordan
Jordan tried to talk to her friend Henley, but Henley decked Jordan with a punch instead. Jordan came back with a dropkick sending Henley into the turnbuckle. Henley threw Jordan into the turnbuckle to show some aggressiveness. Jordan did some strikes along with a flipping leg drop for two. Henley did a heelish move by snapping Jordan’s neck across the top rope. Henley followed up with an uppercut punch.
(Commercial)
Henley was in control with a clothesline. Henley applied a submission almost like a Cobra Clutch, but Jordan got out of it. Jordan hit a jumping spin kick. Henley kicked Jordan in the ropes when Jordan went for a move off the ropes. Henley pulled the top turnbuckle pad off. When Jordan charged, Henley launched Jordan into the exposed steel turnbuckle so that Jordan’s arm hit the steel. Henley hit a Shining Wizard knee for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Fallon Henley
Analysis: **3/4 A crafty heel win for Henley since she exposed the steel turnbuckle and used it to her advantage. The announcers claimed that Henley did it as an accident, but we know that as a heel she did it because she knew she couldn’t beat Jordan legit so Henley had to cheat to win.
Charlie Dempsey and NQCC were backstage for a promo. Charlie said that they’ll give Tony D’Angelo a shot at the NXT Heritage Cup. Charlie said that the catch clause is in play so Tony won’t know his opponent until next week. Charlie wondered how it felt for Tony to have none of the power.
The NXT Women’s Combine was shown featuring an overhead medicine ball throwing. They also did an Iso Mid Thig Pull that records maximum strength output. The last of nine events was a conditioning gauntlet to test endurance and stamina. They said Raw’s Ivy Nile led the way.
Lexis King entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
The NXT GM Ava was interviewed backstage saying that only 12 women will advance and she has those names here. They showed a graphic with the scores of the top 12 women. Check that out below.
Analysis: I assume the numbers are legit, but I don’t know for sure. It doesn’t surprise me that Sol Ruca is first because of how talented of an athlete she is. Jaida Parker also being near the top was expected since she has a nice combo of speed and power.
Duke Hudson (w/Andre Chase, Riley Osborne & Thea Hail) vs. Lexis King
The big guy Duke was in control with a clothesline, body slam and sidewalk slam. Duke did a two-handed chop to the chest. King got some offense briefly until Duke got a sunset flip rollup for two. King came back with a chop block to the back of the left leg and a forearm to the back. King argued with Hail at ringside, Holland showed up with a steel chair that he brought into the ring, so the referee moved the chair out of the ring. King used that distraction to superkick Duke and King hit the Coronation on Duke for the pinfall win after four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Lexis King
Analysis: ** A cheap win by King because Duke was distracted by the chair in the ring and King capitalized to win. It was a lame finish because it made the babyfaces look like idiots while King was smart enough to take advantage of the situation to win.
After the match, Chase U was upset with Ridge for what he did while King celebrated his win.
Noam Dar and Super Nova Sessions were shown walking outside although Lash Legend wasn’t there. Noam wouldn’t say where she was. Je’Von Evans walked up to Dar and friends. Dar threatened Evans.
Chelsea Green was shown walking backstage where she saw her old friend Mr. Stone standing back there. The NXT Champion Roxanne Perez was also shown walking backstage for that match up next.
(Commercial)
Jazmyn Nyx was in a video trashing Thea Hail saying she showed exactly who she is. A replay was shown of Hail shattering Jacy Jayne’s nose. They showed photos of Jacy recovering from her surgery. Nyx said that Jacy didn’t deserve this and Nyx would make Hail pay for a heinous crime.
Chase U was backstage when Ridge Holland walked up to them saying he was sorry. Ridge said when he sees Thea, he sees his little girl. Duke said that they knew it was Lexis and told Ridge don’t worry about it. Duke told Ridge to get them dinner tonight. Riley Osborne said that Ridge did cost Duke the match and Ridge said he apologized, but Riley said that a leopard doesn’t change its spots. Ridge said he’ll prove himself to them.
A tweet from Shawn Michaels was shown about inviting Drake & Kendrick Lamar to NXT to settle their beef. Lamar had a line about “sweet chin music” in a song so that’s why Michaels mentioned it.
Next week on NXT:
* NXT Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Sol Ruca vs. Izzi Dame
* NXT Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Ivy Nile vs. Lash Legend
* NXT Heritage Cup: 1 Member of No Quarter Catch Crew vs. Tony D’Angelo
* Je’Von Evans vs. Noam Dar
* Edris Enofe & Malik Blade vs. OTM
It was main event time featuring “Hot Mess” Chelsea Green in a rare babyface role because the fans don’t like the champion, so there were chants for Smackdown’s Green. The NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez was up next looking confident as the heel champion that she is.
NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez vs. Chelsea Green
Perez did an armbar leading to Green countering with a trip. Green did a rollup for a two count. Perez slapped Green in the face. Green tripped up Perez and returned the slap with a Green slap of her own.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Perez hitting a running uppercut for two. They exchanged forearm strikes. Green kicked Perez down followed by Green hitting the Rough Ryder that husband Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder) uses. The fans chanted “Chelsea” for Green. Green hit a couple of clotheslines and some forearms to the face. Green hit a modified flatliner for two. Perez nailed a forearm followed by a dropkick. Green did a necksnap against the middle rope along with a stomp to the back. Green went up top, Perez stopped that with an enziguri kick and Perez did a Frankensteiner aka top rope hurricanrana for two. Green sent Perez face first into the turnbuckle and a suplex across the ring. Green went up top and connected with a missile dropkick for two. Perez came back with a kick to the gut. Green avoided a Pop Rox attempt and they exchanged pin attempts. Perez did a sunset flip Powebromb that was kind of like a Pop Rox for the pinfall win after nine minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Roxanne Perez
Analysis: *** A good match that wasn’t given enough time to really be a great match. I liked the pacing because they went fast from the moment the bell rang and it didn’t really slow down. I would like to see Green in a longer match because I think she would do fine in that kind of setting, but she’s never really given those opportunities on the main roster. Perez is doing a nice job as the heel NXT Women’s Champion who recently won the title, so there’s no reason for Perez to lose the title yet.
There was a parking lot scene featuring Tony D’Angelo’s Family beating up the No Quarter Catch Crew and putting Damon Kemp in the trunk. Tony D spoke into the camera saying it shows who is in control now. They drove away. Charlie Dempsey walked out with the NXT Heritage Cup in his hands. The show ended there.
Analysis: That was a way to further the story by having Tony D and the crew doing their usual kidnapping. I guess the camera guy could tell Dempsey what happened to his buddy Kemp.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Wes Lee
- Roxanne Perez
- Trick Williams/Noam Dar
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The Scoreboard
This week: 6.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2024 Average: 7.04
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
A weaker episode of NXT as the brand moves ahead after losing several big names in the recent WWE Draft. It’s not easy to replace that talent. There were a lot of short matches on this show, but I was glad to see Wes Lee back looking healthy again and the Roxanne Perez-Chelsea Green was entertaining for the time given.
The Trick Williams story with Noam Dar was booked well as a talk show segment. They are likely going to have Lash Legend reveal she’s dating Trick and when she turns on Dar’s Meta-Four group it will be a big moment. Trick is early in a long title reign, so it’s not like he’ll be losing to Dar.
I liked the NXT Women’s Combine stuff featuring the women on the roster competing in different athletic competitions. They are doing a nice job building to the match to crown the first NXT Women’s North American Champion. I think the brand overall was very strong going into Stand & Deliver a month ago, but they’ve taken a bit of a step back now. I hope it picks up again.
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John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport