The John Report: WWE NXT 06/18/24 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured a battle royal for an NXT Title shot, Kelani Jordan’s first title defense against Michin, and more.
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.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T as usual.
They were starting the show with the battle royal. They showed the entrance of Je’Von Evans, who had his ribs taped up. After that, it was TNA’s Joe Hendry wit the fans popping for him and signing along with his catchy theme song. Joe said there are 24 men in this match and one sensation referring to himself. Joe said he’s going to win, become NXT Champion and bring it back to TNA. Joe said that the entire WWE Universe will be chanting “We Believe” in Joe Hendry. Ethan Page was next to enter the battle royal.
Analysis: I’m happy for Joe Hendry being a part of this. Joe is a talented guy who is a very entertaining performer. I don’t know what his TNA contract status is, but I think whenever his contract is set to expire, he would be a good fit as a full-timer in NXT some day.
#1 Contender Battle Royal To Earn NXT Title Match
The winner gets a shot at NXT Champion Trick Williams at the Heatwave PLE on July 7th. There are 25 wrestlers in this match. I’ll go play by play for it.
When Page got into the ring, Oro Mensah attacked him and Page left the ring fighting with Oro. Page did not go over the top. Joe Hendry got dumped out by multiple people. Frankie Kazarian from TNA was in the ring and he tossed Hendry out. Tony D’Angelo tossed Edris Enofe to eliminate him. Shawn Spears eliminated Eddy Thorpe after Eddy missed a jumping kick. Ridge Holland hit Joe Coffey with a German Suplex. There was a lot of standing around and punching. Damon Kemp helped Charlie Dempsey eliminate Malik Blade and then Dempsey went over the top to the floor as well. Kazarian dumped out Kemp and Myles Borne at the same time. Apollo Crews battled Berto, but Angel was there to kick Crews to eliminate Crews from the match.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Dante Chen avoiding an elimination. Holland knocked Chen off the apron. There were also eliminations of Joe Coffey and Luca Crusifino during the break. Tank Ledger tried to eliminate a couple of guys, but Lexis King made the save. King kicked Berto in the gut and tossed Berto from the match. Angel punched King and eliminated him. Tank tossed Angel out right after that. Bate did the airplane spin spot on Tank including a slam into the mat. Bate dumped Tank over the top to eliminate him. Tony D was cleaning house with a suplex and spinebuster. Tony sent Nathan Frazer to the apron, but Frazer held on. Frazer hit a running kick to eliminate Tony D. Frazer and Dragon Lee battled on the apron leading to Lee hitting Frazer with a knee for the elimination.
There were six men left: Holland, Spears, Bate, Lee, Kazarian and Evans. Bate and Lee sent Holland out to the apron leading to Bate punching Holland to eliminate him. Bate bounced off the ropes with a clothesline on Spears. Bate to the apron, but Spears shoved Bate down to eliminate him.
The final four were Shawn Spears, Frankie Kazarian, Je’Von Evans and Dragon Lee. Spears and Kazarian looked like they were working together, but then Spears turned on him. Kazarian hit a leg drop to the back of Spears. Evans sent Kazarian into the turnbuckle and Kazarian went over the top to the floor. Evans battled Lee while Spears was on the floor, but not eliminated. Lee gave Evans a German Suplex, then Evans did a German Suplex and Lee came back with a Powerbomb on Evans. Lee jumped over the top to the apron and Spears shoved Lee off the apron to the floor. Evans hit a jawbreaker on Spears. Evans went to the ropes and Spears flipped him over, but Evans held on. Evans with a clothesline leading to Spears hanging onto the ropes to avoid elimination. Spears jumped into the ring where Evans hit a superkick. Evans tossed Spears over the top to the floor.
Winner: Je’Von Evans
Analysis: ***1/4 A fun battle royal with a lot of creative eliminations throughout the match. When it was down to Evans and Spears I thought it would be Spears winning since Heatwave is in Toronto and Spears is from the area, but they went with the babyface Evans as the winner instead. That’s a babyface matchup with Trick Williams facing his buddy Evans. I was hoping Joe Hendry would have a better showing in the match. Instead, he was tossed out early. At least TNA’s Frankie Kazarian did well in the match. Evans continues to impress every time he’s out there and he’s just 20 years old, so it’s impressive to see how talented he is already. Obviously, NXT management is high on him and they should be.
UPDATE: There was a video that WWE posted to social media featuring Joe Hendry talking to NXT boss backstage. Hendry complained about everybody ganging up on him in the match. Hendry said he can show up on any time on any show and all you have to do is say his name. Shawn said: “I believe.” That little interaction makes me think we’ll be seeing more of Joe Hendry in NXT soon.
😳😳😳@joehendry was NOT happy with his early elimination and had some words for @ShawnMichaels…#WWENXTpic.twitter.com/lSBqeIUi02
— WWE (@WWE) June 19, 2024
The NXT Women’s locker room was shown with Fallon Henley walking in saying she deserves a championship match. Other women spoke up claiming they deserved a title match. They all argued as Sol Ruca left.
Lola Vice was shown warming up backstage while Roxanne Perez walked in with the NXT Women’s Title. Vice said she’s going to knock out every woman that comes her way. Vice told Perez she’s not coming after her yet, but they are going to be teammates in this tag team match tonight. Perez said they should go handle business.
(Commercial)
Ridge Holland was backstage with Andre Chase, Duke Hudson & Thea Hail. Riley Osborne was not there because he was in England, but sent a message saying he was happy about what he saw. Ridge put on a Chase U t-shirt. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson walked up to talk some trash, so that set up a tag team match for later.
Meta-Four – Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson vs. Roxanne Perez & Lola Vice vs. Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx
It’s a triple threat where three women were legal at the same time. Jayne had a mask on her face to protect her nose injury. She had a clear mask given to her by Cody Rhodes last week and she put it on the ring post.
There were a lot of pin attempts early by Perez, Jayne and Jackson. Lash overpowered Perez and Jayne at the same time. Nyx hit a running kick on Lash. Vice kicked Lash a few times, but Lash came back with a body slam. Jayne dove onto Lash on the floor while Lash was holding Nyx. Jackson threw Jayne into the steel steps. Perez hit a suicide dive onto Jackson on the floor.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Perez doing a DDT/legsweep combo. Vice was back in with her running hip attack. Jayne made a tag and hit a forearm for two. Lash was on fire with a forearm, jumping kick and punch. Lash hit a double suplex on Jayne and Vice at the same time. Jackson and Lash hit a double team Cutter on Jayne for two because Nyx broke up the pin. Vice was back up with a spinning back fist on Jackson. Perez tagged in to hit Pop Rox for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Roxanne Perez & Lola Vice
Analysis: *** A good match to put over Perez and Vice with a decisive win to keep Perez strong while building up Vice as a contender. They worked well together to win the match although Vice didn’t like Perez tagging herself at the end. I thought Lash was impressive in the match along with Jayne, who hopefully gets a singles push soon.
Post match, Perez & Vice celebrated together until Perez hit Vice with a spinning back fist to the body. Perez stomped on Vice and left.
Analysis: I think they are clearly going with Perez-Vice for the NXT Women’s Title. The next step is to make Vice more of a babyface, so having Perez do a cheap attack is going to help get them there.
The NXT GM Ava congratulated Je’Von Evans for the win in the battle royal. Ethan Page walked into the room complaining about Oro Mensah attacking him. Ava said she ejected Oro from the building. Page said if it wasn’t for him, he’d still be in the battle royal. Page said he was never eliminated. Page called Evans a punk ass 20-year-old kid. Evans challenged Page to a match and Ava booked it for the main event.
Michin was shown walking backstage. Kelani Jordan was also shown walking backstage with her title and Sol Ruca encouraged Jordan telling her that she’s got this.
(Commercial)
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Kelani Jordan vs. Michin
This is Jordan’s first title defense with Michin having the big experience advantage. They did a handshake since they are babyfaces. Michin’s buddies Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson went down to ringside to watch the match. Michin blocked an arm drag attempt and Michin avoided a charging Jordan, who bumped to the floor. Michin tried a dive, Jordan avoided it and Jordan hit a twisting dive over the top onto Michin on the floor.
(Commercial)
They did a double cross body block collision spot to knock both women down. Jordan hit an impressive back elbow smash followed by a corner splash. Jordan hit a sitout DDT for two. Michin hit a bridging German Suplex for two. They did a spot where Jordan was on Michin’s shoulders and hit a Poison Rana for a two count. Jordan went for the moonsault off the top, but Michin avoided it and Michin cradled Jordan leading to a slam into the mat. OTM showed up at ringside to argue with Gallows & Anderson, so Jaida Parker used the distraction from her friends and shoved Michin off the top. The referee never saw the shove. Jordan capitalized with a split-legged moonsault off the top for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kelani Jordan
Analysis: *** I liked that match although the win was cheap due to Jaida Parker costing Michin the match. A competitive match between two babyfaces to give Jordan a meaningful win in her first title defense. I didn’t expect a title change, but it’s important to give Jordan some quality wins to establish her as a credible champion.
Ethan Page was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Page complained about what had been going on. Page said he’s going to take care of Je’Von Evans first, then he’s going to take the NXT Title from Trick Wiliams and he’ll be ready for Oro Mensah the next time Oro tries to attack him.
A video aired about Izzi Dame playing volleyball talking about her success as a volleyball player in college and as a pro. Dame said she’ll dominate in the ring like she did in volleyball.
Analysis: Volleyball was always a fun sport to play with friends. Basketball was my main sport and then soccer/football, but I always enjoyed volleyball. Just saying.
Oba Femi, the NXT North American Champion, was shown walking backstage for a promo up next.
(Commercial)
Nathan Frazer was in the locker room and Axiom walked in wondering why Nathan was in the battle royal. Frazer wondered why Axiom didn’t want to be in it. Axiom mentioned Frazer had his eyes on the NXT Heritage Cup. Luca Crusifino walked in with a contract for an NXT Heritage Cup match against Tony D’Angelo and Frazer signed it. Axiom wasn’t happy about Frazer having his eyes on something else since they are NXT Tag Team Champions.
They showed images of Jordynne Grace beating NXT’s Tatum Paxley at the TNA Against All Odds PLE last weekend.
Let’s Hear from Oba Femi…and Wes Lee
The NXT North American Champion Oba Femi entered the ring for a promo. Femi said he is still the ruler of NXT. Femi said no matter how many people step up to him at Battleground, the results remain the same. Femi talked about beating Joe Coffey and Wes Lee saying they are nothing like him. Femi wondered who can ever take this title from him.
Wes Lee walked out to the ring saying he can take the title from Femi. Lee reminded Femi that he wasn’t pinned. Femi said that the obsession that Lee has with this title that was once his is beginning to irritate him. They had Brooks Jensen getting tackled by security in the background during this promo. Lee said Femi knew how badly he wanted to test himself against Femi in a singles match. Lee declined being in the battle royal because his focus is on getting back the North American Championship. Femi said he was tired of this, so he’s done. Femi tried to leave, but Lee told him not to turn his back on him.
Lee said that Femi is making headlines every week while guys like Big E are saying that Femi is their favorite superstar. Lee said that Femi knows what Lee is to that title unless Femi does something about it. Lee said Femi will face a different kind of Cardiac Kid when he faces Lee one one-on-one. Femi said that Lee has a lot of faith in himself and the fans think that Lee can win back this title. Femi said what concerns him is changing those records. Femi said he’ll give Lee his one-on-one match. Femi said that this would be Lee’s first and final time for a singles match for the title. Lee agreed to it.
Analysis: There was no date announced for the Femi/Lee match, but I assume it’s at Heatwave in a few weeks.
Hank & Tank were speaking backstage where Hank told Tank that he was cleared for in-ring action. Tank suggested they face off against New Catch Republic soon.
Fallon Henley entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
Charlie Dempsey and the No Quarter Catch Crew were backstage with Tavion Heights. Dempsey was mad at Myles Borne for not telling Tavion why he was there. Dempsey said that Tavion is a former Olympian, Pan-Am Champion and he is everything that the NQCC needs. Tavion said alright. Charlie said he was playing hardball, Tavion said “what?” and Charlie told Damon Kemp he has to face Tavion next week. Charlie shook hands with Tavion.
There was a clip from NXT Anonymous with Gallus talking backstage and complaining about Wes Lee. They were attacked by Tyson & Tyriek to put an end to that.
Carlee Bright (w/Kendal Grey) vs. Fallon Henley
Bright did a headscissors takedown along with a cross body block. Henley took control after some kicks leading to Henley applying an armbar. Bright did a sunset flip leading to a nearfall. Wendy Choo was in the aisle and she applied a Sleeper on Grey on the floor. Bright hit a dropkick on Henley. Bright missed a cross body block attempt and Henley hit a fallaway slam. Henley hit a Shining Wizard knee for the pinfall win after four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Fallon Henley
Analysis: *1/2 An easy win by Henley over a rookie like Bright. It was set up by an argument backstage so there wasn’t much to it other than to give Henley the victory.
Eddy Thorpe was shown in the parking lot. Thorpe said he’s back and he had a good showing tonight. Thorpe spoke about how he’s going to use that momentum to go after a title soon.
Chase U entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Je’Von Evans was being checked on in the trainer’s room when the NXT Champion Trick Williams showed up to talk to him. Trick laughed about Evans being in two title matches. Trick warned Evans about Page being a bad boy and told him to put an end to it. Trick said don’t worry about it. Trick said that Page feels like an outsider that doesn’t belong in NXT. Evans said he’s going to pick up that title and then he’s against Trick later tonight.
Chase U – Andre Chase & Duke Hudson (w/Ridge Holland & Thea Hail) vs. The OC – Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (w/Michin)
Chase was in control of Karl with a hiptoss. Duke tagged in for a double axhandle on Karl. Chase was isolated as Gallows hit a punch and a belly-to-back suplex. Gallows hit Chase with multiple elbow drops. The OC boys made quick tags as they continued to work over Chase a bit. Chase fought back with a boot to Karl and Duke tagged in. Duke ran over Karl with a shoulder block. Duke even did a headscissors off the ropes for two. Chase dove onto Luke on the floor. Back in the ring, Duke rolled up Karl while Ridge held onto Duke for leverage. They never replayed it and showed it from the far angle rather than the proper angle. It went about five minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Chase U – Andre Chase & Duke Hudson
Analysis: **1/4 It was okay for the time it was given. Chase U hasn’t been winning that often, so it’s a nice win for them. The tag team division isn’t that deep right now. I’m okay with The OC doing the job here because I doubt they will be in NXT for that much longer. Also, the idea was that Ridge cheated to help Duke win even though we never saw the replay from that angle.
When Chase U was celebrating, Duke looked at Ridge with a puzzled look while Chase didn’t know about the cheating. The OC was complaining to the referee about it.
Ava was in her office as the NXT GM talking to Kelani Jordan, the NXT Women’s North American Champion. Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner were also in the room. Jordan said somebody deserves a title shot who never complains or feels like they aren’t owned anything. Arianna Grace walked in saying thank you and she accepted. Jordan said she was thinking about Sol Ruca. Grace complained about Ruca while claiming she was better. Stone told her to prove it. Ava said it will be Arianna against Sol next week. Turner never said anything while standing there.
The NXT Champion Trick Williams made his entrance to a big pop and “Whoop That Trick” chants. Trick was there to do commentary for the main event.
(Commercial)
Chase U was backstage with Thea Hail excited about the win. Andre Chase wondered what The OC was complaining about. Duke Hudson said he didn’t do nothing or see nothing. Ridge Holland said he saw Duke winning clean as a whistle. Andre and Thea left. Ridge just showed Duke his Chase U shirt to show that he’s part of the team.
Fallon Henley was ranting in the locker room while Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx walked into the room. Jayne and Henley complained about Kelani Jordan wanting to give Sol Ruca a title shot. Jayne said she’s sick of how things are done around here and Henley said so is she.
Analysis: Perhaps this is teasing Jayne, Henley and Nyx as a stable of heels.
Next week on NXT:
* Sol Ruca vs. Arianna Grace
* Tag Team Turmoil where the winners challenge NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom at Heatwave.
* NXT Heritage Cup: Tony D’Angelo vs. Nathan Frazer
* Damon Kemp vs. Tavion Heights
Trick Williams the NXT Champion was on commentary for the main event. Booker was mad that Trick told Vic Joseph that he would be on commentary and Booker called Vic a snitch. Trick told “Uncle Book” it was all good.
Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans
I’ll go play-by-play for this. Evans had his ribs taped up, so Page kicked him in the ribs. Page did shoulder tackles to the ribs along with a punch to the ribs. Page lifted up Evans with a slam. Page sent Evans hard into the turnbuckle. Page gave Evans a body slam. Evans charged, but Page countered by sending Evans ribs-first onto the top rope. Page did a lift, Evans countered with a hurricanrana and Evans hit a double stomp to the ribs. Evans superkicked Page out of the ring.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Page in control with a clothesline. Page suplexed Evans into the top rope followed by a powerslam for a two count. Page applied a submission on the lower back, but Evans got to the ropes to force a break. Evans worked over Page with punches to the body and a punch to the face. Evans hit an elbow smash. Evans hit a spinning kick to the head. Evans did a springboard clothesline for two. Evans went for a springboard Cutter, but Page avoided it. Evans came back with a spinning kick and a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Page hit a clothesline while Evans did a flip bump. Evans countered a move leading to a DDT for two. Evans went up top, Page tripped him up and Page hit Ego’s Edge for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Ethan Page
Analysis: ***1/4 This was a good match to put over Page, who wants another shot at the NXT Title. Evans did a nice job of selling throughout the match while Page was very aggressive as the heel who worked over Je’Von’s ribs. The story was that Evans was working hurt, Page kept going after it, Page countered a move that Evans wanted to do off the top and Page capitalized to win. It was booked exactly how it should have been booked.
After the match, Ethan Page confronted Trick Wiliams at ringside. Meanwhile, Shawn Spears went into the ring and punched Je’Von Evans repeatedly. Trick went into the ring to help Evans, so Page attacked Trick from behind. Page and Spears stomped on Trick repeatedly. Meanwhile, Evans was back up and he jumped off the top with a double Cutter on Page and Spears. They replayed the move by Evans. The four guys were lying down in the ring while the NXT Title was in the middle of the ring. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: I know that Je’Von Evans won the battle royal to earn an NXT Title shot, but Page beating Evans means that Evans has a right to a title shot too. They may throw Shawn Spears into the mix as well and make it a 4-Way match. The reason Spears and Page make a lot of sense to be in the title picture at Heatwave is because they are both from cities near Toronto (where Heatwave is taking place) since Spears is from Niagara Falls and Page is from Hamilton. It could be a case of NXT wanting to put them in a big match in their home province. Anyway, I doubt Trick loses the title if they do a 3-way or 4-way, but I guess it’s a possibility. We should find out more about the NXT Title situation on next week’s show.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- Je’Von Evans
- Ethan Page
- Kelani Jordan, Roxanne Perez & Lola Vice
====
The Scoreboard
This week: 7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7
2024 Average: 7.06
====
Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
I liked this episode quite a bit. It was a step up compared to the previous month of shows. The in-ring action was better from top to bottom and they are advancing storylines well.
The NXT Title situation appears to be leading to four-way match with Trick Williams having to deal with battle royal winner Je’Von Evans, plus Ethan Page (who beat Evans) and Shawn Spears is in the mix. Meanwhile, Roxanne Perez will likely have to defend the NXT Women’s Title against Lola Vice soon. The Oba Femi-Wes Lee continued as well.
It was cool to see the TNA guys like Frankie Kazarian and Joe Hendry in the battle royal. Hendry wasn’t in it for long, but his backstage chat with Shawn Michaels certainly teased the idea that Joe will appear again soon.
===
Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport