Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT 05/31/22 Review

By John Canton • Published 1st June 2022

This week’s WWE NXT featured Cameron Grimes facing Nathan Frazer in the main event, plus an NXT Women’s Championship Summit.

It’s the last NXT episode before the Premium Live Event called In Your House that takes place this Saturday in Orlando. I’ll have a preview and review of that show later in the week. As mentioned last week, for the TV show I’m doing it summary style for the matches and promos except for the main event.

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 Diamond Mine walking backstage with Roderick Strong and Damon Kemp getting ready for a match. Strong told The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile they had the night off, so stay back here as Strong/Kemp face Pretty Deadly. The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett as usual.

Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp vs. Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince)

This was not for the NXT Tag Team Titles held by Pretty Deadly. If you still don’t know the Pretty Deadly guys, Prince has the blonde hair and Wilson has the dark hair. Strong was in there for the first few minutes for his team. When Kemp tagged in, Prince got a takedown and taunted Kemp a bit. Strong slapped Kemp in the face, so Kemp hit an impressive two suplexes and a shoulder tackle. Strong was back in leading to the heels taking control. Prince hit a suplex on Strong, who managed to bring Kemp back in with a German Suplex and a twisting suplex. Kemp hit an impressive Spear on Wilson from the apron into the ring. Kemp and Strong each delivered backbreakers leading to a break. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The heels were in control as they isolated Kemp until Strong got the tag with a lot of impressive strikes on both members of Pretty Deadly. It turned into a chop fest with Strong also sending Wilson into Prince. When Wilson tagged in, Strong hit a belly to back suplex and then they did a double clothesline. Kemp was taken out after Prince sent Kemp into the steel steps. The Creed Brothers showed up to prevent some cheating by Pretty Deadly with Brutus going after Prince, who had the referee distracted and then Wilson went for a belt shot on Strong, but Julius was there to shove Strong out of the way and Julius was hit with the belt. Strong got a two count after that. Strong was looking at the Creeds on the floor, then he turned around and Pretty Deadly hit the Spilt Milk double team move (neckbreaker into a spinebuster) for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Pretty Deadly

Analysis: ***1/4 This was a fun tag team match. Strong was awesome working as a babyface suplexing and hitting backbreakers like a madman. They had Kemp show off a lot of his offense full of suplexes as well, which makes sense since he’s a former collegiate wrestler (and brother of Gable Steveson). The finish was interesting with Julius Creed trying to help Strong and it worked, but Pretty Deadly still managed to pick up the win. I liked the creativity of the spot.

There was a locker room segment involving NXT North American Champion Cameron Grimes and Solo Sikoa. Solo wanted Grimes to beat Melo at In Your House and then Solo has the next title shot. Hudson bragged about beating Bron Breakker last week. After Grimes left telling Duke he had nice hair (a nod to their rivalry), Solo reminded Hudson that he only beat Bron by DQ after getting Joe Gacy’s help. Duke insulted Solo saying he’s not on Duke’s level and it led to Solo challenging Duke to a match later in the show.

(Commercial)

There was a video featuring Grayson Waller talking to some random people “earlier today” standing around talking about how Tiffany Stratton got a big win over Fallon Henley last week. Josh Briggs walked up to Grayson, challenged him to a match and that’s coming later.

A video aired about WWE’s involvement with the Special Olympics and the 2022 USA Games taking place this year in Orlando from June 5-12. They showed some athletes in the audience.

Tony D’Angelo and Santos Escobar Meet Face to Face

There was a video from “earlier today” showing Tony D’Angelo and associates meeting up with Santos Escobar along with his Legado del Fantasma allies on a yacht. Tony said that they both knew this would turn into a turf war. Tony said he doesn’t trust or respect Santos. Santos fired back talking shit to him and Tony said that they should settle this. Santos and his team pointed out that Santos won when they had a match. Tony spoke about how Santos only beat him because he was hit by brass knuckles. Tony challenged Santos and his guys to a six-man tag team match: Stacks, Two Dimes & Tony D against Legado del Fantasma. Tony said if they win, Legado’s guys come into Tony’s family under Tony’s direction and if Santos wins then Tony’s team goes into Legado under Santos direction. Both guys were confident that they were going to win. They agreed to the match.

It’s official for In Your House this Saturday: Tony D’Angelo, Stacks & Two Dimes vs. Legado del Fantasma.

Analysis: It should be an interesting match. There’s been a lot of build to the match, so they might as well do it at In Your House as a six-man tag.

Cora Jade made her entrance for a match against Elektra Lopez.

(Commercial)

Elektra Lopez vs. Cora Jade

Jade was in control early on with a running dropkick, but then Lopez used her size advantage to catch Jade and slam her to the mat. Lopez used her power to take control with punches along with some hair pulling and a body slam. After Jade missed a corner attack, Lopez hit a forearm to the knee. Lopez had a weak-looking submission pulling on the knee. It just didn’t look good. Jade started a comeback with a headscissors and a running enziguri kick. Jade got a two count after a double foot stomp to the back. Lopez hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two because Jade grabbed the ropes to kick out. Jade hit a rising knee on Lopez. Jade jumped off the top with a Senton Bomb landing back first into Lopez for the pinfall win after five minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Cora Jade

Analysis: *3/4 A solid win for Jade. She does a really nice job of selling, which I have mentioned a lot in the past, and that’s a good thing because the fans buy into her matches before she makes the comeback. Lopez is a stronger women who still looks green in there in terms of some of the offense that she does. Jade winning was the right call.

Wes Lee was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell, who mentioned Lee has a match against Xyon Quinn. Sanga showed up to stay that he knows Lee is not a giant, but he has a giant heart and wished Lee the best of luck for tonight.

Wes Lee made his entrance for his match.

(Commercial)

There was a video of Roxanne Perez talking about how her family was so supportive of her and pushing her to follow her dream of becoming a WWE superstar. Roxanne will be in the NXT Women’s Breakout Finals next week. Roxanne grew up wanting to be like Paige, Nikki Bella, Michelle McCool and she trained at Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling School in Houston. Roxanne talked about how the one person who knew how she felt about following her dream was because of Cora Jade, who is her big sister and she has her ready for next week. She spoke about how Tiffany Stratton is bigger than her, but she’s ready for it. Roxanne said she’ll fight until that contract is in her hands.

Analysis: Good job of telling us more of Roxanne’s journey to NXT. She’s a determined young woman with a very bright future.

Xyon Quinn vs. Wes Lee

Lee was aggressive early, but Quinn got a hold of him and slammed Lee across the top rope. Quinn slowed the pace down as he kicked Lee in the ribs a lot. Quinn gave Lee a hard body slam. Lee did a rising knee to the face to get some offense going, but then Quinn launched Lee like a lawn dart into the middle turnbuckle. Quinn charged, but Lee got a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! for the pinfall win after four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Wes Lee

Analysis: *1/2 It was one of those matches where Quinn was on offense for all of it, Lee sold everything really well and it looked like Quinn had the win when he launched Lee into the turnbuckle. However, Lee managed to get the rollup win to show that he had a lot of heart and found a way to win.

Diamond Mine was shown in the locker room with Roderick Strong yelling at the Creed Brothers because he told them to stay in the back. Ivy Nile explained that Julius saw Pretty Deadly about to use the title and Julius saved Strong with Julius saying that’s what he did. Strong told the Creed Brothers that it cost him the match. Strong told the Creed Brothers that if they don’t beat Pretty Deadly for the NXT Tag Team Titles then they’re out of Diamond Mine.

Analysis: I think Pretty Deadly might win, so they might put an end to the Diamond Mine group.

The Women’s Championship Summit was up next.

(Commercial)

There was a promo from Joe Gacy saying it was fitting that Saturday’s event is called In Your House because that’s where Bron would watch his father Rick and uncle Scott Steiner fight on TV. Gacy said that Bron would also fight with his two brothers. Gacy said that Bron was a force on the football and then he knew his aggression needed to be in the squared circle. Gacy said Bron is now a two-time NXT Champion. Joe asked how he learned this intimate information? He learned it from spending time with Bron’s father. Gacy told Bron to lash out and told him that it’s more important to get even than to win a match. Gacy told Bron that one way or another, that NXT Championship is coming home with Gacy. It ended with Gacy doing an evil laugh.

Bron Breakker was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell. Bron said he’s lost this championship once and he isn’t going to lose it again to Gacy at In Your House. There was some maniacal laughter in the room and lights flickering. Bron was going to smash a TV, but he calmed himself down. Bron said that he’s going to rip Gacy apart this Saturday.

Analysis: The reason why Gacy said he wants Bron to get even instead of winning the match is because if Bron is disqualified, he loses the title. I hope there’s not a title change, but I think it’s a possibility. The last time they did this match it was obvious Bron was going to win. This time I’m not so sure.

NXT Women’s Championship Summit

Wade Barrett was seated in the ring to host the Women’s Championship Summit. On the right were the NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose along with the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne. They are Toxic Attraction. ON the right were Wendy Choo, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance.

Chance said that they aren’t going to start this because they have been talking for eight months. Chance said that this Saturday, they knock Toxic Attraction off the top of the mountain. Dolin said she loves their delusional confidence. Dolin ripped on past women that weren’t talented enough to hang with them. Choo wanted them to sign the contracts. Jacy Jayne ripped on them for not being on a Premium Live Event and controlling the women’s division. Carter said that it’s easy to be on top when you barely defend the titles. Carter said that Chance is her best friend, her rock and her everything. Carter said that they are the only tag team that ever beat Toxic Attraction and there’s no way Toxic will beat them. Jayne ripped on Carter for representing the lollipop guild.

Mandy Rose spoke up saying they’re the best because the titles say so. Rose said that the person under the most pressure is her. Wendy yelled “sign the contract” and the fans started to chant it as well. Rose said she’ll do whatever it takes so that this child is not your next Women’s Champion. Rose ripped on Choo dressed in a cow suit and said it’s disgusting. Rose said that when she became champion at Halloween Havoc, but it’s been over 200 days. Rose: “Put some respect on my name.” Mandy signed the contract for the match against Wendy Choo at In Your House. Choo blew a spitball at Rose, so Rose kicked Choo.

The fight was on with Chance and Carter hitting dives onto the two Toxic ladies on the floor. Chance helped Choo by giving Rose the double knees to the face and Carter hit Rose with a superkick. The three babyface women set up the table in the ring, then Carter and Chance put Rose on the table. Choo went up top in her cow outfit and Chook hit the top rope elbow smash to put Rose through the table. The fans chanted “holy shit” for them. Choo, Chance and Carter held up the three titles over a fallen Rose while Choo’s music played to end it. It sounded like they added some fake crowd noise because they wanted to silence the “holy shit” chants.

Analysis: I thought it was very effective and well done. Everybody played their parts well with the faces being sick of the heels with some good lines about how the champions have barely defended the titles among other things. The champions were cocky throughout with Rose correctly talking about how she’s held the title for over 200 days. The end of it was booked well with the faces cleaning house and standing tall after Choo put Rose through a table. I didn’t love the Choo gimmick early on, but it’s evolved to the point where you can tell she’s a good performer and the fans like her. I think some title changes are certainly possible. I’ll save the prediction for the preview.

(Commercial)

Kiana James walked up to Ivy Nile with some trash talk mocking Diamond Mine. Nile shoved James against a locker room and it seemed like a challenge for a match.

Solo Sikoa vs. Duke Hudson

Solo had the crowd behind him as he hit a running clothesline. Hudson bailed to the floor when Solo went for a charging attack in the corner. Hudson hit an impressive German Suplex by jumping over the ropes leading into the suplex across the ring. Hudson was in control for a bit including multiple overhead belly to belly suplexes. Solo made the comeback with a back body drop, a Samoan Drop, corner splash and superkick. Solo hit the running hip attack in the corner. Solo went up top and jumped off with the Uso Splash for the pinfall win after five minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Solo Sikoa

Analysis: **1/2 A solid win for Sikoa, who is pushed more than Hudson is, so it’s the right call to have Solo win. Hudson looked better on offense with more suplexes showing off his power. Solo continues to impress by selling moves well and then having believable offense when it’s time to make the comeback. The fans really like Solo too.

Tiffany Stratton did a promo using her annoying voice as usual. Tiffany said she took Nikkita’s spot in the Breakout Tournament, but nobody cares about Nikkita’s injury and now Tiffany is in the finals of the tournament. Stratton bragged about how great she is. Stratton ripped on Roxanne saying she’s tired of everybody loving her.

Next week on NXT: Tiffany Stratton vs. Roxanne Perez in the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament Finals.

Grayson Waller made his entrance for his match. Waller was booed as usual.

(Commercial)

They showed 18-year-old Thea Hail graduated from high school last week. They had a fake press conference where she was going to tell us where she would attend university…and she picked Andre Chase University. Of course. They have teachable moments, after all.

Josh Briggs vs. Grayson Waller

Briggs is normally part of a tag team with Brooks Jensen, but Brooks is out with a broken wrist (cue masturbation jokes), so Briggs was in solo action. Briggs was on fire early with punches including the slide out of the ring and punch while Waller was on the ropes. That’s a Big Boss Man spot, so I guess he’s been watching some tape. Waller got some offense with rising knees to the face and Briggs hit a front suplex. Waller hit a jumping side kick for two. Briggs hit a belly to back suplex. Sophia Cromwell walked out there with Mr. Stone as Briggs kicked Waller across the ring. Briggs hit a running shoulder tackle on Waller. Von Wagner was on the apron, Briggs kicked him down and Waller jumped back into the ring with a Stunner for the pinfall win after four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Grayson Waller

Analysis: ** It was an even matchup until a cheap ending. Waller took advantage of the distraction by Wagner to jump back into the ring and hit his Stunner finisher. Briggs is solid in singles, but he’s better as a tag team guy at this point.

Post match, Wagner attacked Briggs and rammed his right arm into the ring post. Wagner wanted to do more with a chair, but Brooks Jensen made the save for his buddy. The heel Wagner retreated.

Nathan Frazer was shown warming up for the main event.

(Commercial)

Ivy Nile vs. Kiana James

James has only had a few televised matches at this point. Nile used her mat wrestling skills for an armbar. James hit a shoulder tackle. Nile was aggressive with some kicks to the body followed by a running kick in the corner. James with a shoulder tackle and clothesline while saying it was brains over brawn always. James got a rollup to counter a submission move. Nile came back with a hard forearm. Nile hit something like an Exploder Suplex for the pinfall win after four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ivy Nile

Analysis: *1/2 Easy win for Nile. It wasn’t that interesting at all. James didn’t do much in the match even when she was on offense.

Pretty Deadly walked out as the NXT Tag Team Champions to tell Nile that they will be the reason that the Creed Brothers will get kicked out of Diamond Mine. The Creed Brothers showed up in the ring. Pretty Deadly didn’t want to fight, but the Creeds got their hands on them and cleared Pretty Deadly from the ring. The Creed Brothers held up the Tag Team Titles to end it.

Analysis: It was just a quick way to add a bit more story to the NXT Tag Team Title match at In Your House. It was fine.

A video aired for newcomer Giovanni Vinci coming to NXT soon.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams were on commentary for the next match since Hayes faces Grimes at In Your House. Nice Jayson Tatum jersey for Hayes representing the Boston Celtics, who are in the NBA Finals. I’m picking the Golden State Warriors to win, for what it’s worth.

Cameron Grimes made his entrance. He is the NXT North American Champion that will defend that title against Hayes at In Your House on Saturday.

(Commercial)

They mentioned some of the lineup for the NXT In Your House lineup for Saturday’s show on WWE Network/Peacock:

* NXT Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Joe Gacy – Breakker loses the title if he is disqualified.

* NXT Women’s Championship: Mandy Rose (c) vs. Wendy Choo

* Tony D’Angelo, Stacks & Two Dimes vs. Legado del Fantasma

The full card is at the bottom of this post. I’ll have a preview on Thursday or Friday (probably Thursday) and a review on Saturday night.

Cameron Grimes vs. Nathan Frazer

This is not for Cameron’s NXT North American Championship. I’ll go play by play since it’s the main event.

When Grimes did an armdrag, Frazer landed on his feet. They did some mat wrestling with reversals leading to a staredown between the two men. Grimes with a shoulder tackle, Grimes ran the ropes and Frazer hit a dropkick that sent Grimes out of the ring. Grimes was back in with a running forearm, a shoulder tackle and Frazer came back with a headscissors leading to Grimes going to the floor. Frazer went for a dive, Grimes avoided it and Grimes delivered a kick while on the apron. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Frazer got a hold of Grimes and sent Grimes face first into the turnbuckle. Frazer jumped onto Grimes off the ropes leading to a reverse DDT. That’s a spot that AJ Styles likes to do. Not a bad guy to take a move from and Frazer put his own twist on it. Frazer hit a running forearm, then a running back elbow followed by Grimes hitting a front suplex. Grimes with two punches, then he charged in and Frazer hit a superkick to put Grimes down. Hayes talked about how he was the brightest star in the galaxy that was going to become the North American Champion again. Frazer with a running Shooting Star Press, Grimes got the knees up and Frazer came back with a forward roll into a pin. Grimes hit a uranage slam for a two count. They got back up to exchange forearms to the head. Grimes delivered a kick to the body, then a forearm and Frazer hit a jumping kick to the head. Frazer ran off the ropes right into a clothesline from Grimes. When Grimes lifted up Frazer it led to Frazer doing a hurricanrana into a pin! That was awesome. Grimes to the floor, so Frazer jumped on him on the floor. Back in the ring, Frazer went up top and Grimes met him there with a German Suplex off the top where Frazer did a moonsault bump onto his chest. Grimes followed up with the Cave In stomp to the chest with Frazer selling that very well. Grimes covered for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Cameron Grimes

Analysis: ***1/2 Great match that was easily the best match on the show this week. They showed off their athleticism, they had a very even matchup where they make tough moves look easy and the fans were into it the whole way. They did an excellent job of showing that Frazer was skilled enough to compete. Grimes has always been known for being a flier, but also a skilled technician as well. They showed a lot in that match and I’d love to see a rematch one day with five more minutes because they could really put on a classic if they got more time. I liked the finish with Frazer making the mistake by going up top, Grimes was ready for it and hit two big moves to get the win. This was a lot of fun.

After the match, Williams went after Grimes, but Grimes was ready for it and sent Williams out of the ring. When Hayes went for an attack, Grimes was ready for him too and Williams pulled Hayes out of the ring for safety. Grimes and Hayes had a staredown to end it.

Analysis: That’s a title match that could go either way. I like how Grimes was ready for the cheap attack.

Three Stars of the Show

Cameron Grimes
Solo Sikoa
Nathan Frazer

The Scoreboard

This week: 6.75 out of 10

Last week: 5.5

Final Thoughts

It was a solid show this week. They did do a nice job of building to the six matches coming up at In Your House on Saturday (I’ll have a preview up in a day or two). The women’s promo segment was done well in terms of making the babyface challengers look competitive against the champions from Toxic Attraction. There wasn’t much on the Breakker-Gacy feud, which is a bit of a surprise. I liked the focus on the Tag Team Titles.

In terms of in-ring action, I really liked the main event with Cameron Grimes beating Nathan Frazer in a competitive match between two outstanding athletes. They put on a show for just over ten minutes. I’d love to see a rematch with more time given to them. The opening tag with Pretty Deadly and Diamond Mine was good as well with a creative finish. Most of the other matches were simple and short. One guy that continues to impress is Solo Sikoa. He’s really gaining a lot of steam with the fans behind him.

There are still some rough patches on the show and you can tell how green some of the wrestlers are, but I appreciate the effort of everybody involved. Bring on In Your House this Saturday.

NXT In Your House takes place on Saturday, June 4th. Here’s the updated lineup so far: