The John Report: WWE NXT 06/04/24 Review

This week on WWE NXT saw Tony D’Angelo defend the Heritage Cup against Damon Kemp, TNA’s Jordynne Grace in action, and Ethan Page making contract demands.

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.

In a video from earlier today, Ava the GM was outside with security along with Mr. Stone. Ethan Page drove up to the building asking if Ava was ready to iron out this deal. They went into the building.

There was a video recapping Sexyy Red on NXT last week along with Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans beating Gallus in the main event. After the match, Ethan Page debuted in NXT and beat up NXT Champion Trick Williams. They also recapped Jordynne TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace appearing to challenge NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez for Perez’s title at Battleground.

It was Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary as usual.

Jordynne Grace vs. Stevie Turner

This is Grace’s first NXT match. Perez was on commentary. Grace used her power to knock down Turner a few times along with a spinning slam. Turner got some offense with a neckbreaker. Grace came back with body slams. Grace hit a front slam and a splash off the ropes. Grace hit the Juggernaut Driver for the pinfall win after about three minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jordynne Grace

Analysis: **1/4 An easy win for Grace to put her over in a big way going into the Battleground match against Perez. Turner got a bit of offense, but she didn’t have a shot here.

After the match, Roxanne Perez and Jordynne Grace went face to face. Perez did a shove, Grace shoved her down and Grace tried a slam, but Perez slipped out of it. Perez retreated.

Trick Wiliams was shown walking in the parking lot when Lash Legend talked to him. Lash wasn’t happy about Ethan Page taking out Noam Dar and Oro Mensah. Lash said whatever it is going on between them, it’s over. Lash said she had to focus on winning the NXT Women’s North American Title. Trick said he understood and told her to handle her business while he’ll take care of the Ethan Page situation.

There’s an eight-woman championship summit up next.

(Commercial)

Shawn Spears was shown talking to some talented young wrestlers. Spears told them there was so much to learn in so little time. Josh Briggs interrupted to trash Spears. That led to Spears saying that Briggs was not the lost soul that Spears was talking about last week. Spears said this is how you act when you can’t answer: “Who is Josh Briggs?” Spears said that Josh is showing the world his insecurities and his misguidance.

NXT North American Women’s Championship Summit

The six women were seated on stools in the ring while Booker T hosted this championship summit. It was Lash Legend, Fallon Henley, Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker, Kelani Jordan & Michin. Booker said that he sees the future of this business and the question is who will be the first champion?

Michin said that she knew she had to be a part of this to be the first champion. Michin talked about how she had her face broken in NXT in a ladder match and she loved it. Michin said that she gets to be the HBIC in NXT and Jaida Parker interrupted. Parker threatened to turn Michin’s ass black and blue. Henley said that this was her kind of match. Henley said she didn’t care about any of them. Kelani Jordan spoke up saying they are all more than qualified to win, but nobody wants it like her. Jordan said that the fans deserve a champion like her.

Sol Ruca said every single woman here thinks they’ll be the one at the top of that ladder with the championship title. Sol said that five souls would be snatched. Lash Legend said it’s been a rough couple of weeks for her, but Sunday is about her as the woman who will be the NXT North American Champion. Parker said she didn’t know that Lash could think about anything other than Big Trick Willy.

The six women got off their stools and it led to a brawl while Booker left the ring. The trio of Ruca, Michin, and Jordan cleared the ring of the heels.

Mr. Stone appeared by the entrance area and said that Ava gave him permission to let them know that there would be a six-woman tag team match tonight.

Analysis: That is the kind of segment they usually do before Money in the Bank matches where everybody talks about how they are going to win. There were some generic words in those promos, especially from the faces, but I thought Jaida Parker had a great line by mentioning Trick Williams to Lash Legend, which drew a big reaction. I think Lash is going to be my pick in the Women’s NA Ladder Match. I think it’s her time to get a title.

Charlie Dempsey was talking to himself in the mirror asking: “Are you talking to me?” Myles Born and Damon Kemp walked up to them. Dempsey spoke into the mirror telling Kemp to win back the Heritage Cup Title. Dempsey made Kemp say “capiche” to show that he understood.

Thea Hail was backstage with Chase U. Duke Hudson and Riley Osborne didn’t want to go out there (due to issues with Ridge Holland) while Ridge Holland joined Chase & Hail out at ringside.

(Commercial)

Jazmyn Nyx vs. Thea Hail (w/Andre Chase & Ridge Holland)

Nyx hasn’t had that many matches on TV. She certainly fills out her outfit well. Just saying. Hail was in control with a kick followed by a standing moonsault for two. Hail was aggressive with multiple armdrags and she tried something off the turnbuckle, but Nyx blocked it with a kick. Nyx hit a few more kicks after that. Hudson and Osborne showed up at ringside, so Hail wondered why they were there. Hail applied a Kimura Lock. Nyx broke it by backing Hail into the referee. When Hail let go, Nyx hit a Pele Kick for the pinfall win after about four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jazmyn Nyx

Analysis: *3/4 It was a passable match with Hail looking sharp throughout while Nyx is obviously early in her career. You can just tell she’s a bit hesitant doing some spots. With that said, I liked the finish with Nyx hitting the Pele Kick to win. Hail was on offense most of the way, but Nyx found a way to win.

Up next is some exclusive footage of a fight between tag teams.

(Commercial)

There was a backstage scene with Ethan Page talking to Ava outside of her office. Page said he liked the offer, but there was one more thing he needed to make it happen. Page left, so Mr. Stone walked up making a suggestion about the women’s tag team match later in the show. Stone looked at the contract with Ava as the scene ended.

A video aired showing footage of The OC’s Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson beating up NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom by the NXT merchandise truck before the show. After about a minute, the fight was broken up with The OC getting taken away by security.

Analysis: It adds more heat to that story. I think Gallows & Anderson might win at Battleground.

The entrance of Josh Briggs was supposed to happen, but Shawn Spears was shown backstage standing over an injured Briggs. Spears said he tried to tell him.

Je’Von Evans went up to Spears and they took their fight in the ring. Evans punched Spears a few times. When Spears rolled out of the ring, Evans hit him with a suicide dive that sent them crashing into the commentary table. Spears tackled Evans into the steel steps. They went onto the commentary table where Evans fought off a Spears move and Evans gave Spears a back body drop on the commentary table. Back in the ring, Evans did a springboard Cutter and Evans clotheslined Spears out of the ring. The fans loved it.

Analysis: That was a good segment as Evans stood up for Briggs and took care of Spears. I thought it was really well done. Evans is quickly becoming one of my favorites in NXT as a 20-year-old kid with an extremely bright future.

Tony D’Angelo and The Family were interviewed backstage. Tony said that the NQCC will see what happens when Tony D and The Family are in control.

(Commercial)

A graphic claimed that Sexyy Red’s NXT takeover drew 21 million social media views within 24 hours. Red will be hosting NXT Battleground on Sunday.

NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Tony D’Angelo (w/Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, Luca Crusifino & Adrianna Rizzo) vs. Damon Kemp (w/Charlie Dempsey & Myles Borne)

Round 1: Tony D worked over Kemp with punches to the body along with an overhead suplex. Kemp came back with his own belly-to-back suplex. Kemp slugged it out a bit with Tony, but then Tony hit a Fisherman’s Suplex while hooking the legs and Tony covered Kemp for the pinfall.

Bron Breakker leads 1-0

(Commercial)

Round two happened during the picture-in-picture break. Neither guy got a fall there, so it was onto round three.

Round 3: Tony was in control sending Kemp into the turnbuckle a few times. Kemp got some offense going with a clothesline, stomp and a splash for two. Kemp hit a German Suplex for two. Kemp remained in control with more suplexes. As the round got near its conclusion, Tony hit some punches along with two overhead suplexes. Kemp knocked Tony off the ropes and Kemp went for a rolling senton, but the clock expired and Kemp wasn’t able to pin Tony before the time expired.

Round 4: Kemp charged at Tony and Tony hit him with a spinebuster for the pinfall win after about ten minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo

Analysis: **3/4 An easy and decisive win for Tony D to get him a meaningful victory. Kemp isn’t pushed that much, so Tony picking up the win was expected in a match like that. Kemp is technically sound. They just don’t use him that much.

Ava the NXT GM was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid backstage. Ava said that there are things she needs to do before Ethan Page gets his demands met on a new contract. Trick Williams the NXT Champion said that he’ll be there to see Ethan Page sign the new contract and make sure it’s done.

Jordynne Grace was walking backstage when her friend Michin talked to her. Sol Ruca walked up to Grace telling her that she is so jacked. Jaida Parker walked up to them saying that the ass kissing was pathetic. Michin and Parker left. Arianna Grace walked in saying that she has the same last name as Jordynne, but they aren’t related. Tatum Paxley walked in saying she loved talking about championships. Grace said her crown was more important than Grace’s title. Paxley said that the title is important to her too.

Analysis: A unique way to get a bunch of people on the show to interact with Jordynne Grace.

(Commercial)

A video package aired about the Shayna Baszler-Lola Vice NXT Underground match at the Battleground PLE on Sunday. They showed highlights of both women in action along with some comments from both of them. The video also had comments from some UFC/MMA fighters as well.

Analysis: I think Lola Vice should win the NXT Underground match since Shayna Baszler is a main roster wrestler. It’s better to put over the NXT wrestler.

Izzi Dame vs. Natalya (w/Karmen Petrovic)

Natalya was joined by Karmen Petrovic, who had a crutch on the left side and a left foot injury. Vic noted that Karmen suffered the injury at an NXT live event. Natalya tripped up Dame leading to the running dropkick that Natalya loves to do. They battled on the floor with Dame sending Natalya into the steel steps. When Dame went for a Powerbomb, Natalya countered with an impressive hurricanrana and a discus clothesline. After Dame got a bit of offense, Natalya hit a Powerbomb. Dame went for a sunset flip pin, they exchanged pin attempts and then Natalya sat on top of Dame while hooking the arms for the pinfall win. It went about four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Natalya

Analysis: ** A decent match for the time given. Natalya hit a bunch of her signature moves, Dame did a lot of the basics and it was one of those finishes that was close where Natalya countered a pin attempt by Dame to get the win. It certainly wasn’t a decisive victory, but still a crafty win for the veteran wrestler Natalya.

Nathan Frazer & Axiom were interviewed outside the arena. They were determined to show how tough they were by showing up and continuing to fight at Battleground. Axiom said that they’ll see Gallows & Anderson at Battleground.

Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont entered for tag team action.

(Commercial)

The show returned with a replay of what happened during the break. The three Gallus boys beat up Igwe and Dupont.

Let’s Hear from Gallus

The Gallus trio of Wolfgang, Joe Coffey and Mark Coffey were in the ring for a promo. They complained about Sexyy Red being allowed at ringside last week and Wolfgang wasn’t allowed. Joe said that it would have been another victory for the Gallus crew. Mark said that they aren’t respected and they are there to be professional wrestlers. Joe said they are three fully grown men and on Sunday they have a bit of business to take care of. Joe talked about the triple threat match he’s in for the NXT North American Title match. Joe said that means it’s anything goes so they’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Joe leaves with the title.

Oba Femi walked out with the NXT North American Title. Femi issued a warning to Wolfgang and Mark trying to help Joe while saying that the outcome remains the same.

Wes Lee was in the crowd walking down the steps. Wes said he was ready to do what he had to do. The Gallus boys attacked Femi and Lee joined in the fight, but Gallus got the advantage since it was three of them against two guys. Femi was down in the ring. Mark and Wolfgang hit a double team knee strike/slam on Lee.

Analysis: It gave Joe Coffey the advantage going into the North American Title triple threat match at Battleground. I’m probably going with Femi retaining his title in that match, but doing a triple threat is a way to have Femi lose without being pinned.

The six-woman tag team match was up next.

(Commercial)

A video was shown of Wendy Choo briefly and said she is coming next week.

Lexis King was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber backstage. King bragged about taking out Dante Chen last week when he laid him out on the floor. Chen interrupted the interview and brawled with King in the backstage area. It was broken up by some NXT coaches. King said they’ll finish this once and for all.

Analysis: That will probably lead to another King/Chen match next week. We found out later it will be a Singapore Cane Match.

Lash Legend, Kelani Jordan & Fallon Henley vs. Michin, Jaida Parker & Sol Ruca

All six women are in the NXT Women’s North American Title Ladder Match at Battleground. It’s a mix of heels and faces on these teams. I’ll go play by play here.

Jordan and Ruca did an exchange of cartwheels to show off their athleticism. Parker tagged in against Lash and couldn’t knock Lash down with a shoulder tackle, so Lash did a hair pull takedown. Michin was tagged in against Lash and Michin hit a headscissors. Michin hit a running boot on Lash. Henley did a cheap shot knee to Michin, so Lash capitalized with a forearm. Henley tagged in with an uppercut punch on Michin against the ropes.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Jordan tagging in with a back elbow on Parker. Jordan gave Parker a move looking like an Olympic Slam. Jordan jumped off the ropes, Parker caught her and hit a backbreaker. Parker jumped on Jordan’s ribs while against the ropes. Parker hit a reverse suplex on Jordan for two. Michin was back in with a running shoulder attack. Parker tagged herself in rather than let Ruca tag in. The duo of Jacy Jayne (with a facemask) and Jazmyn Nyx arrived at ringside to watch the match. Jordan hit a neckbreaker to stop a Parker move. Ruca got the tag against Henley, who hit a running facebuster to send Ruca into the mat. Ruca and Henley did a double clothesline spot to knock eachother down. Michin knocked Parker into the ring, so then Parker fought with Michin even though they were teammates. The other team fought eachother with Henley hitting Jordan, then Jordan sent Henley out of the ring and Lash hit a big boot on Jordan. Sol Ruca capitalized with a Sol Snatcher finisher off the ropes for the pinfall win. It went about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Sol Ruca

Analysis: *** I thought it was a fun match. The six women worked well together and then it was chaos in the last match as they fought with eachother, which does make sense based on their match at Battleground. It wasn’t a surprise that there were issues with Parker and Michin on one side along with Henley doing a cheap attack on Jordan while Henley accidentally hit Lash as well. Ruca capitalized on the chaos to get the win. That Soul Snatcher finisher is awesome.

After the match, Sol Ruca celebrated by touching the new NXT Women’s North American Title.

Ava was shown walking backstage with Ethan Page’s contract in hand when Stevie Turner asked for a match next week. Ava didn’t answer.

Ethan Page was shown walking backstage for his segment in the main event spot.

(Commercial)

There was a video package about Eddy Thorpe that saw him talking about representing his heritage. Thorpe said he has healed and he’s ready to return to NXT soon.

There was a rundown of NXT Battleground matches for this Sunday.

* NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Jordynne Grace

* NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. The OC – Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson

* NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Joe Coffey vs. Wes Lee

* Ladder Match for the Inaugural NXT Women’s North American Championship: Sol Ruca vs. Lash Legend vs. Jaida Parker vs. Fallon Henley vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Michin

* NXT Underground Match: Shayna Baszler vs. Lola Vice

Ethan Page Contract Signing?

Ava the NXT GM was in the ring with a table in the ring along with two chairs and the black carpet. Ava said that “All Ego” Ethan Page wanted to do this publicly, so she introduced Page, who has no theme music since he’s not under contract yet (in the story). Page got into the ring with Ava and they both sat in chairs. Ava told Page this is not how she likes to handle business while telling Page to do this.

Page was getting booed by the fans and the fans chanted “We Want Trick” at him. Page said if he signs this contract, he’s going to get a lot of perks that nobody else in the locker room is going to get and he didn’t think they will like it very much. Page said that he’s earned those perks. Page claimed he had the biggest upside in professional wrestling. Ava said that she is not signing anyone with these demands. Page told Ava she would agree to it because she needed him in NXT. Page said that NXT lost eight stars in the WWE Draft and they need somebody like Ethan Page to help NXT grow going into their new home (The CW). Page said he could have stayed home for two years and collect money, but he didn’t want to do that. Page told Ava she knows that he is that talented and he’s a megastar as the fans chanted “Whoop That Trick” during this. Page said he has earned and deserves the ego that he has. Page said that he was spitting facts.

Trick Williams, the NXT Champion, walked out to the ring with a purpose. The fans were chanting “Whoop That Trick” loudly as usual. Trick got into the ring with Page and Ava.

Page told Trick he’s seen how these things go. Page cleared the table. Page said that neither one of them is going through a table because he is there to handle business.

Trick told Ava to give Page what he wants so that Trick and everybody in the building can get what they want which is Trick whooping his ass. Trick told Page to listen to him because this is his house. Trick said he has friends in the back with him the whole time and the fans have been with him too. Trick said that Page thinks he can just come to NXT, jump the line and attack Trick the NXT Champion, so he must be crazy. Trick told Page he was going to take him out.

Page told Trick to chill out. Page said that the last time they were in the ring, Page took him out and held up the NXT Title so Trick should be pissed off. Page said that they have a lot in common more than people think. Page credited Trick for breaking free from Carmelo Hayes and now Trick is the NXT Champion. Page said that Trick has a giant target on his back and Page craves that spotlight. Pave said that it wasn’t personal – it was an opportunity for himself. Page said he was ready to sign the contract and Page said Ava has to sign the contract.

Page said if Ava signs the contract then she is giving Page his first match in NXT this Sunday at Battleground for Trick’s NXT Title. Trick said he’s going to end Trick’s title reign.

Trick told Ava she has known him for a long time and they built this place together. Trick said that Page isn’t ending nothing. Trick led the fans in chanting “Whoop That Trick” at Page. Ava signed the contract. Trick held up the NXT Title while having a staredown with Page. Vic summarized it by saying that Page will get an NXT Title match in his first NXT match, which is unprecedented. Trick and Page had a staredown with some trash talk. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: It’s definitely a unique situation with Ethan Page getting an NXT Title match in his first NXT match. It’s also not normal to only announce an NXT Title match in the final minutes of the last NXT episode before the Battleground PLE. I thought Page was terrific in the segment by being an egotistical heel, which is a gimmick he does very well. Trick giving Page what he wanted just because Trick wants to get his hands on Page could backfire on Trick in theory, but I doubt they have Trick lose the title to Page. If they do, I would be surprised.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Ethan Page
2. Jordynne Grace
3. Six women in the Ladder Match at Battleground

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The Scoreboard

This week: 7 out of 10

Last week: 7.5

2024 Average: 7.05

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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT

I liked the show overall. I think they promoted Battleground well and the show-ending segment with Ethan Page was really well done.

The matches this week were a bit below average, but I was still entertained by most of the show. I think when there’s a PLE on Sunday like there is this week, it’s certainly okay if the match quality is a bit down because of the major focus being put on building the matches at Battleground.

The next WWE NXT PLE is Battleground on June 9th with this lineup.

* NXT Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Ethan Page

* NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Joe Coffey vs. Wes Lee

* NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Jordynne Grace

* NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. The OC – Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson

* Ladder Match for the Inaugural NXT Women’s North American Championship: Sol Ruca vs. Lash Legend vs. Jaida Parker vs. Fallon Henley vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Michin

* NXT Underground Match: Shayna Baszler vs. Lola Vice

* Sexyy Red will be the host.

You can watch NXT Battleground at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 9th, streaming live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Peacock in the U.S. and WWE Network everywhere else.

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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X @johnreport