The John Report: WWE NXT 07/16/24 Review
This week on WWE NXT saw the Rascalz reunite to face Gallus while Oba Femi defended his NXT North American Title against Duke Hudson.
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.
The Rascalz and Gallus were both shown walking backstage to deliver quick promos ahead of their match to open the show.
It was Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary as usual.
The Rascalz – Wes Lee, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel vs. Gallus – Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang
It has been about four years since the Rascalz were together in TNA. Lee and Wentz signed with WWE. Wentz was known as Nash Carter in WWE until April 2022 when he was released. I’ll go play-by-play here.
Trey kicked Mark in the arm leading to a headscissors. Wentz and Trey did some combo offense leading to a dropkick. Wolfgang overpowered Wentz with an uppercut along with a suplex into a pin attempt. Joe tagged in, but Wentz took him down with a hurricanrana. Lee hit a springboard senton on Joe. Lee did an impressive headscissors on Joe followed by a hurricanrana for two. Wolfgang was back in with a lefty clothesline and a body slam. Wolfgang sent Lee onto the top rope. The Gallus boys made quick tags as they overpowered Lee. All six guys went into the ring as the match broke down from there including Lee hitting a Meteora double knees on Mark. Vic said that somebody like Joe Hendry was watching, so Joe Hendry’s music hit and Joe made his entrance. Vic said his name and he appeared. Well played. Anyway, the crowd sang Joe’s song as usual.
(Commercial)
Joe Hendry was on commentary. Vic was excited to see him while Booker doesn’t like him. The Gallus boys were in control of Lee, who managed to break free and Wentz tagged in. Wentz nailed some superkicks, plus a kick to the head and Wentz hit a missile dropkick. Wentz hit a German Suplex on Joe. Trey was in the ring to toss Wentz onto two opponents and Try did a quick slam for a two count because he was legal. Trey dropkicked Wolfgang out of the ring. Lee and Wentz each made tags so they did a triple dropkick. Trey hit a DDT on Mark on the floor. Wentz and Lee each hit double stomps to clear the ring. Wes shoved Wentz during a flip attempt, which is a move we saw them do as MSK in the past. Lee hit a somersault dive over the top onto Gallus. The fans were chanting “NXTNA” for that. Lee and Wentz held Mark on their shoulders as Lee went up top for a double foot stomp while Wentz/Trey did a slam into the mat. Lee pinned Mark for the win. It went about 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Rascalz
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a great tag team match that was fun and exciting to watch. There was some illegal offense in there, but they also did a nice job of making tags leading to double or triple team moves instead of guys randomly running into the ring to do spots. The Rascalz looked like they hadn’t missed a beat while Gallus is always going to do a good job as a credible tag team. I’m not sure how much more we’ll see The Rascalz in NXT, but I certainly enjoyed this reunion.
The Rascalz celebrated the win while Joe Hendry applauded at ringside. Booker T was wondering what Joe Hendry was doing out there.
A video aired showing highlights of last week’s NXT when Joe Hendry and Trick Williams won a tag team match over Shawn Spears and Ethan Page. The video was narrated by Hendry.
Chase U’s Andre Chase & Riley Osborne were interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Chase and Riley said that Duke Hudson will bring the NXT North American Title to Chase U.
Roxanne Perez, the NXT Women’s Champion, was shown walking backstage for some promo time up next.
(Commercial)
Ava the NXT GM was in her office while NXT Champion Ethan Page spoke about NXT Being an unsafe workplace environment. Oro Mensah walked in yelling at Page. Oro wanted Page to defend the title against him. Page said that’s never going to happen. Ava told Oro he’s not in the title picture. Oro said that the longer he runs, the worse it’s going to get for Page. Ava told Page to defend his title tonight. Page said he’ll defend it against Dante Chen and Ava approved.
The NXT Great American Bash two week special will be on July 30th and August 6th. For those of you in the US, it will be on Syfy rather than USA Network due to the Summer Olympics.
Let’s Hear from Roxanne Perez
Roxanne Perez made her entrance as the NXT Women’s Champion and Booker was excited for her as usual. Perez wondered when people would start treating her like the champion that she is. Perez bragged about retaining her title against Lola Vice, yet she claims she’s not respected enough. Perez complained about Lola getting a standing ovation. Perez said at 22 years old, she’s so damn good and hasn’t even hit her prime yet. Perez wondered how good she’ll be in five years. Perez said that 13 years ago tomorrow, Charlotte Flair had her first NXT match. On Twitter/X, Charlotte said it was 11 years. Perez mentioned Charlotte being a 14-time Women’s Champion. Perez said she’ll shatter all of Charlotte’s records along with Bayley, Asuka, Rhea, and so on. Perez mentioned people claiming when Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer come to NXT, Roxanne is in trouble. Perez said when they step in the ring with her, nobody compares to The Prodigy. Perez laughed at Thea Hail being her next opponent.
Thea Hail interrupted the promo and joined Perez in the ring. Hail said nobody owes Perez anything. Hail thought that they really weren’t that different. Hail told Perez to doubt her because she’s broken doubters noses, she has fractured arms, and beaten doubters she was never supposed to beat. Hail said she’ll become one of the youngest NXT Women’s Champions.
Perez said she knows as long as she’s holding this title, it won’t be Hail’s time or anybody else’s time. Perez told Hail she was not ready. Perez said that this title is for big girls, not children. Perez called her a little girl. They exchanged punches. Perez got a takedown with a Crossface, but Hail got out of that and they fought over submissions a bit. Hail applied a Kimura Lock on Perez’s left arm. Ridge Holland from Chase U showed up to break it up along with referees while Perez retreated.
Analysis: It was the usual cocky heel promo from the champion Perez, who says a lot of the same stuff every time she does a promo. I get that a champion needs to be repetitive. It just feels like most of her heel promos are the same. Hail is a likable challenger who the fans can get behind, so they should have a good match at the Great American Bash show. However, I think it will be Giulia who beats Perez for the title whenever Giulia arrives and gets a title shot. It should be soon.
Kelani Jordan, the NXT Women’s North American Champion, was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid in the locker room. Jordan said that the women’s division is getting stronger while mentioning Giulia and Vaquer. Wendy Choo walked up to Jordan and stared at her. Choo didn’t say anything and left. Jordan: “That was weird.”
Je’Von Evans made his entrance to a big pop. Evans had his ribs taped since Brooks Jensen attacked him last week.
(Commercial)
Lola Vice was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Lola spoke about how she fought through the pain and Roxanne couldn’t tap her out. Vice said that it took Roxanne hitting her with the Pop Rox five times to beat her. The trio of Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx showed up to trash talk Vice. They kept calling Vice a rookie even though I think she’s past that stage. Anyway, Jayne told Vice to go and fight, so Vice said she was a fighter and she was looking at her opponent. That should lead to a match.
Brooks Jensen walked out to for his match and Josh Briggs told him he vouched for him, so Brooks is Briggs’ responsibility.
Je’Von Evans vs. Brooks Jensen (w/Josh Briggs)
Evans got some offense going with a dropkick that sent Jensen out of the ring. They battled on the floor where Jensen sent Evans into the barricade. Evans did an incredible springboard moonsault off the bottom rope onto Jensen on the floor. Back in the ring, Evans hit a spinning kick to the head for two. They left the ring again leading to Jensen slamming Evans onto the commentary table and Jensen jumped onto Evans with a leg drop on the table. Nice move.
(Commercial)
Jensen was in control after the break, but Evans came back with a top rope hurricanrana. Evans got a springboard clothesline-type move. Jensen came back with a move looking like a Styles Clash where he slammed Evans onto the mat. Shawn Spears walked down to the ring while Jensen told Briggs not to worry about it. Evans capitalized with a dive over the top onto Jensen. Back in the ring, Evans jumped to the top turnbuckle and jumped off with a Cutter. That was impressive for the pinfall win. It went about nine minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Je’Von Evans
Analysis: *** A good match with Evans doing a nice job of selling for most of the match until he was able to make the comeback and put away Jensen. Evans continues to amaze me with his athleticism. Jensen is at a low point in his career as he tries to build himself back up, so it made sense for Evans to win.
After the match, Jensen did a cheap attack on Evans leading to stomps on the mat. Briggs went into the ring and made Jensen. Briggs told Jensen it was his job on the line as they went to the back.
Tony D’Angelo and The Family were playing cards backstage when Charlie Dempsey showed up to talk to him. Dempsey said he’s in a bit of a situation, so he’d like some advice. Dempsey claimed that a witness may have seen what happened last week (when they got rid of Damon Kemp) and it may have been her. Tony told Dempsey to take care of it. We saw that it was Wren Sinclair who witnessed it last week.
Dante Chen was backstage where he was asked by Sarah Schreiber about his match tonight. Chen talked about how he trains hard for moments like this. Chen said he has learned that you have to maximize your moment.
Ethan Page, the NXT Champion, was shown walking backstage for his match up next.
(Commercial)
Trick Williams was talking to somebody on the phone about how he had to win back the NXT Title. We saw that he was talking to former NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov on Facetime. Ilja asked Trick what he wanted. Trick said that Page won’t give him a rematch. Ilja didn’t know how to help him because he’s on Raw now. Ilja told Trick to take care. Trick walked up to Pete Dunne, so Pete told him to figure it out and left.
NXT Championship: Ethan Page vs. Dante Chen
Chen got a rollup pin for two to show that he came close to winning. Page got another two count after a superkick. Page sent Chen out of the ring followed by a shoulder tackle on the floor. Page hit a powerslam for a two count. Chen was back on offense with a sunset flip for two. Chen hit two-handed chop to the chest for a two count. Page avoided an attack off the top and hit a boot to the face. Page hit Ego’s Edge for the pinfall win after four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Ethan Page
Analysis: **1/2 A decisive win by the champion Page. Chen got a lot of nearfalls and the fans love him, but this was all about giving Page a win to further establish him as the NXT Champion. Page needed just two moves to win the match.
After the match, Oro Mensah attacked Page with punches, but Page was ready and hit Oro with a DDT. Page slowly left the ring, so Oro went after Page with punches. Oro sent Page into the turnbuckle and Oro hit a running spin kick against the turnbuckle. Oro covered Page and counted to three to show he could beat Page.
Analysis: They can probably do Page against Mensah at one of the Great American Bash shows. Oro isn’t going to win, but it makes sense as a match.
A video aired about Duke Hudson’s journey in NXT leading up to tonight’s NXT North American Title match between Hudson and the champion Oba Femi.
(Commercial)
The next two NXT PLEs will be No Mercy on Sunday, September 1st in Denver and Halloween Havoc on Sunday, September 27th in Hershey, PA.
The Gallus trio was shown walking backstage complaining about their loss to Rascalz. Joe Coffey said if he hears the name of Joe Hendry one more time…and Joe Hendry appeared. Wolfgang told Hendry to go back to Scotland. Hendry said that he is sticking around because he likes it here in NXT. Joe Coffey said that nobody actually likes him. Joe Coffey said when they think about Scotland they think about Gallus and Drew McIntyre, not a flash in the pan like Hendry. Hendry said they would feel better if they believed in the answer to all of life’s problems…Joe Hendry.
Analysis: It’s good that Hendry will be sticking around for a while because he likes it in NXT. Hendry is very entertaining.
Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame
Paxley was making crazy faces as usual as she hit a cross body block against the turnbuckle. Dame used her power leading to a body slam. Dame sent Paxley into the turnbuckle a few times and stretched Paxley’s back against the ring post. Wendy Choo went down to ringside to watch the match. Paxley made the comeback by hitting a diving attack to the knee, then a kick and an elbow drop for two. Dame kicked Paxley for a two count. Dame charged, Paxley moved and Dame hit the ring post with her left shoulder. Paxley hooked the limbs leading to a spinning slam called the Psycho Trap for the pinfall win after four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tatum Paxley
Analysis: ** It was decent for a shorter match. Paxley got a quality win that she needed while Dame is still early in her career. Dame certainly has potential as a taller, athletic woman. It’s all about developing as a character and getting more experience.
After the match, Paxley had a doll head and Choo presented the rest of the doll to her, so Paxley put the doll head on the doll.
Duke Hudson walked up to the rest of Chase U saying that he was trying to get ready. Duke thanked Ridge Holland for getting him this match. Duke said that Oba Femi is a man who can be beaten. Chase got the group to shout “Chase U” together to end it.
Lola Vice entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
The team of Cedric Alexander and Ashante Thee Adonis was shown walking backstage. Adonis was distracted by the hot ladies in NXT. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson talked to Adonis, who wanted to talk to Jackson. Oro Mensah told Adonis to get out of there. Adonis said he thinks Jackson wanted to get to know him. The Meta-Four group left while Cedric said Adonis may get in trouble and Adonis said he loves trouble.
Analysis: I hope Cedric and Adonis do well in NXT. They are very talented in the ring just as long as they get a chance.
Jacy Jayne (w/Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Lola Vice
Vice worked over Jayne with some kicks, but Jayne came back with a rollup leading to her own kick. Vice got a bunch of kicks to the body along with a kick to the back. Vice hit the running hip attack against the turnbuckle. Vice pinned Jayne for a two count. Jayne hit a jawbreaker and pump kick. Vic was back up, ducked a move from Jayne and Vice hit a spinning back fist to the face for the pinfall win after three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Lola Vice
Analysis: *3/4 An easy win for Lola Vice to get some momentum back after losing the NXT Women’s Title match last week. Jayne really isn’t being used that well considering she was featured a lot a couple of years ago.
After the match, Fallon Henley attacked Vice from behind. Vice tried to fight back, but Jayne joined Henley and Nyx in the attack. Sol Ruca and Karmen Petrovic made the save. There were a bunch of superkicks to clear the ring. The “rookies” in the ring celebrated while the heels were on the floor.
Analysis: This sets up an obvious six-woman tag tea match.
Kelani Jordan walked up to Tatum Paxley with her doll. Jordan said that Wendy Choo was playing with some doll earlier and Tatum said it’s her doll. Jordan turned down a doll playing invite. After Jordan left, Paxley picked up another doll that was similar in skin tone to Jordan, which suggests Paxley is going after Jordan and her title.
Analysis: That win for Paxley makes more sense now. They are likely building her up for a NXT Women’s North American Title match against Jordan. That’s a match Jordan should win.
The OTM group entered for a six-person tag team match.
(Commercial)
Ethan Page the NXT Champion was shown backstage bragging about defending his title while that maniac Mensah tried to ruin it. Page said that Mensah didn’t pin him and said that it didn’t count. Page said that he’s still the NXT Champion while adding that none of this bothers him.
OTM – Bronco Nima, Lucien Price & Jaida Parker vs. The OC – Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson & Michin
Parker and Michin started it off with Parker hitting the butt splash on Michin against the ropes. Price faced off with Luke, who hit a boot to the face, but Price came back with an impressive uranage slam. OTM remained in control a Nima hit a running back splash on Luke. There were quick tags from the OTM guys as they worked over Luke. Nima was occupied with the opponents on the apron, so Luke hit a spinning slam on Nima. Michin tagged in with strikes on Parker along with a kick to the head. Parker came back with a German Suplex. Karl tagged in against Nima leading to Karl hitting an uppercut. Karl hit a neckbreaker off the middle turnbuckle. Luke was back in with a double team neckbreaker for two because Price made the save. Karl hit Price with a spinebuster and Michin hit Eat Defeat on Nima. Michin hit a suicide dive on Parker on the floor. Karl got the tag and The OC hit Magic Killer for the pinfall win after six minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The OC – Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson & Michin
Analysis: **1/2 It was an average tag team match. After Anderson got the hot tag, The OC dominated and finished off OTM rather easily. I thought that OTM would win since they’re the younger, newer team, but I guess it was time for The OC to get another victory. I wouldn’t call it a hot rivalry.
The No Quarter Catch Crew was backstage when Wren Sinclair walked up to them saying she wanted to join the group. Charlie Dempsey didn’t like that idea. Wren said she wanted to be in the group because she saw what they did last week. Wren said that she’ll wrestle her way into the group.
Analysis: We have to pretend as an audience that Wren Sinclair was the only one who saw No Quarter Catch Crew get rid of Damon Kemp even though it was shown on this same worldwide television show last week. That’s pro wrestling sometimes. We have to play dumb as an audience. It’s just part of the show.
Duke Hudson was with Chase U backstage while Oba Femi was shown walking backstage. That main event match was up next.
Chase U joined Duke Hudson for his entrance.
(Commercial)
There was a video showing Eddy Thorpe doing his work as a DJ while a crowd was enjoying it. Lexis King got in Thorpe’s face and they got into a fight until security broke it up. That was on Monday night apparently.
Analysis: A feud over the type of music that grown adult men like. Riveting.
Next week on NXT:
* Eddy Thorpe vs. Lexis King
* Oro Mensah vs. Ashante Adonis
Oba Femi made his entrance as the NXT North American Champion. Ring announcer Mike Rome did a great job as the ring announcer as usual although they don’t announce the weight or where wrestlers are from in NXT for some reason.
NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi vs. Duke Hudson (w/Andre Chase, Ridge Holland, Riley Osborne & Thea Hail)
I’ll go play-by-play for this championship match. Duke is 6’5” and 270 pounds while Femi is 6’6” and 310 pounds. They are big dudes.
Duke charged a few times, but couldn’t move Femi and that led to Femi hitting an elbow to the chest. Femi connected with an uppercut along with a shoulder block to knock Duke down. Duke took his bandana and tank top off. Duke did a running hurricanrana along with a shoulder tackle and a DDT. Duke clotheslined Femi over the top to the floor.
(Commercial)
Femi was in control with a forearm to the lower back and a kick to the ribs. Femi sent Duke into the turnbuckle. Femi hit a sidewalk slam for two. Femi grabbed a chinlock. After Duke broke free, Femi hit two backbreakers in a row for a two count. Femi sent Duke face first into the top turnbuckle. Femi tried a lift, but Duke landed on top for two. Femi hit a running backhand. Duke came back with a big boot to the head. Duke connected with a clothesline. Duke did his punch combo leading to the elbow smash. Duke did a slingshot dive over the top onto Femi on the floor. Back in the ring, Duke jumped over the top leading to a German Suplex for two. Duke set up Femi on the top turnbuckle leading to the headscissors by Duke, which is a Trish Stratus move. Duke tried a Powerbomb, but Femi powered out of it. Duke got a crucifix pin for a two count. Femi came back with a sitout Chokeslam for two. Femi set up Duke on the top turnbuckle as the fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. They did that spot so that Duke could counter Femi with a sunset flip Powerbomb for two. Duke was shocked by that. They left the ring where Femi slammed Duke back-first onto the commentary table. Back in the ring, Femi hit his Powerbomb called Fall From Grace for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Oba Femi
Analysis: ***1/4 The champion Femi retains in a competitive matchup between two athletic big guys. Femi continues to impress because he’s having great matches with smaller guys like Wes Lee and he’s able to do it with a bigger guy like Duke as well. Duke is one of those guys who can really do it all in the ring, but he doesn’t get much of a push as a singles guy, so it was nice to see him in a match like this. I like how Femi had to pull out big moves like the slam on the commentary to set up Duke for the Fall From Grace. Losing to Femi isn’t going to hurt Hudson since Femi is so good.
Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen were shown arguing outside of the WWE PC. There were other people arguing outside. Jensen said he lost because of Briggs. Jensen wanted a match with Briggs, who said he didn’t want to face him since he beat Jensen last time. Jensen said “No Disqualification” and Jensen left in a car. End show.
Analysis: I think Brooks Jensen could use the win in a match like that, but I’m not sure if he’ll get it.
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Three Stars of the Show
- The Rascalz
- Oba Femi
- Je’Von Evans
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.75 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2024 Average: 7.11
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
I liked this episode quite a bit. There was some great in-ring action with the Rascalz beating Gallus and Oba Femi beating Duke Hudson as the best match. Je’Von Evans also had a good showing with Brooks Jensen. Other matches were mostly kept short while giving decisive wins to the right people.
It’s a lot of fun watching guys like Je’Von Evans and Oba Femi on shows like this where they are winning big matches while continuing to get improve. We are watching them grow before our eyes, which is why I love watching NXT. These guys are so early in their careers, yet they are performing at a high level already.
As usual with NXT, there are so many people on the show and a lot of stories going on. I like that Joe Hendry appeared again while also saying he’ll be back again.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport