The John Report: WWE NXT 08/02/22 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured a four-team match to crown new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions while The Creed Brothers defended their NXT Tag Team Titles against The D’Angelo Family and Solo Sikoa battled Von Wagner in a Falls Count Anywhere Match in the main event.
As usual, I will go summary style for the matches instead of a play-by-play review. I’ll do play-by-play 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.
It was straight to the action with the match for the vacant NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles. The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett as usual. There were limited commercial breaks this week.
For the Vacant NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance vs. Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon vs. Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley vs. Toxic Attraction – Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne
The rules are that two women are legal while the other six watch from the apron. It’s also elimination rules, so when a team is pinned or submitted, they are out.
Nile and Paxley worked over Dolin with a double shoulder tackle. There were a lot of quick tags in the match with Feroz hitting a headscissors on Carter. Good spot by Carter slipping out of a move by Leon and hitting a superkick. Chance hit a dive off the apron onto Nile & Paxley on the floor. Leon press slammed Feroz over the top onto four women on the floor. Leon followed up with a somersault dive over the top to the floor! That was impressive. Leon & Feroz did a double team suplex/cross body block spot on Paxley. Nile tagged in, Paxley launched Feroz into the air and Nile did a punch to the ribs for the pinfall. A bit of a weak pinfall there, but it got the job done.
Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon were eliminated.
Dolin rolled up Nile right after that for a two count. Chance battled Paxley a bit with Paxley showing off her power with a suplex after picking up Chance off the ground. Nile jumped off Paxley’s back with a punch and Nile hit a running kick for two. Chance hit double knees on Paxley and then Carter hit a slam off the shoulders. Jayne tagged in to pin Paxley, so Jayne stole the pin.
Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley were eliminated.
The final two teams were Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne vs. Kayden Carter & Katana Chance. Jayne got a rollup on Carter for a two count and Dolin tagged in with a running STO for two of her own. After Chance tagged in, Dolin hit her with a belly to back suplex. Dolin and Jayne did a high-low kick double team move, but Carter prevented a pin attempt. All four women were down on the mat with the fans chanting “NXT” and “this is awesome” for them. Chance got a boot to the face, then she dove onto Dolin on the floor and Jayne got a rollup on Carter for two. When Carter kicked out, Chance hit a kick to the face. Chance got the tag, went up top, Carter hit the neckbreaker while Chance hit the 450 Splash for the one…two…and three! Carter & Chance are the champions finally! The fans popped big for it. The match went about 12 minutes.
Toxic Attraction – Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne were eliminated.
Winners by pinfall AND NEW NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance
Analysis: *** The match was okay. The final two teams had some drama in the few minutes they got, so that made the match better towards the finish. Some of the match was a bit boring in the early going and I didn’t like some of the moves that led to eliminations, but as I said it picked up as the fans rallied behind Carter/Chance on their way to a win. I didn’t think Dolin/Jayne needed the titles again, so having Carter/Chance win was the right choice. They earned it.
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance celebrated their win with the fans.
Analysis: It’s a good thing to see Carter & Chance finally winning those titles after being a popular babyface tag team for nearly three years. They work hard, they have chemistry together and both women have kept improving. I’m genuinely happy for them.
The team of Brooks & Jensen were with Fallon Henley and Mckenzie Mitchell interviewed them. They talked about their successful NXT UK Tag Team Title defense against Pretty Deadly. They were interrupted by Joe Gacy and friends. That led to a match being set up for later.
The NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams were in the ring for a promo. Trick said they were there to celebrate Melo’s birthday. Carmelo Hayes turned 28 on Tuesday, so Happy Birthday to him. Hayes said that it’s time for an open challenge. Giovanni Vinci made his slow entrance looking into the camera, but then Nathan Frazer ran by him and he got into the ring instead of Vinci.
NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes vs. Nathan Frazer
Two great athletes here. Vinci joined commentary. Frazer got a jackknife cover for a two count. Frazer continued the offense by pulling Frazer’s legs so that his groin hit the ring post. Frazer blocked a couple of Melo’s moves, but then Hayes managed to hit the springboard leg drop. They did this cool spot with Frazer going for a springboard moonsault, Hayes avoided it and hit a springboard clothesline instead. Frazer hit a big move sending Hayes face first into the middle turnbuckle. Frazer was on a flurry of offense leading to two superkicks for a two count. Frazer hit a suicide dive while Hayes landed on the commentary table and knocked some water on Vinci. That led to Trick distracting the referee, so Hayes went up top and Hays hit the top rope leg drop to the back of the head for the pinfall win after six minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Carmelo Hayes
Analysis: ***1/4 That was a good match for only six minutes. These guys are great. Lots of springboard offense in the match that showed off how athletic they are. I liked the story with Vinci interfering to cost Frazer the win because then that sets up a fresh rivalry for them while the heel Melo capitalized on the interference for the win.
Post match, Vince smiled over a fallen Frazer.
JD McDonagh and NXT Champion Bron Breakker were shown walking backstage for their segment after a break.
(Commercial)
NXT Heatwave Championship Summit
Wade Barrett was seated in between NXT Champion Bron Breakker and JD McDonagh seated at the end of a table. There were security guys. JD talked about how at NXT Heatwave, he’s never been in the ring with anybody like Bron and he sees the passion in his eyes. JD said that everything in him tells him to stomp the fire out of Bron. JD told Bron he sees him as a road map and at Heatwave the only sounds sweeter than Bron’s screams of agony is the sound of JD announced as the new NXT Champion.
Bron admitted that JD is special because he studied his NXT UK career. Bron said that JD might be the smartest superstar that Bron has ever been in the ring with. Bron said that everybody has a plan until he breaks them in half. Bron told JD when this title is on the line, Bron is an animal and told JD he’ll be in a lot of pain. JD said that Bron likes to endure pain, but JD welcomes it.
Barrett handed JD the contract telling him to sign first. JD said that Bron had apprehension on his face, so JD wanted Bron to sign first. Bron said he doesn’t fear anything with a heartbeat, so Bron signed the contract. JD said that this summit isn’t going to end in violence, but it will end in blood. JD used the pen to cut his finger and JD signed “JD” in blood on the contract. JD wanted a handshake with his bloody hand, so Bron just held up his title instead as they had a staredown.
Analysis: It was fine for a promo segment. JD continues to be a heel that tries to play mind games with Bron, who is physically dominant, but he has to try to avoid the mind games to keep his title. I doubt Bron loses the title to JD in two weeks.
The Creed Brothers were training while Apollo Crews walked up to them with Crews saying he’s a big fan of them. Crews told the Creeds to watch their back out there. Julius said they are going to retain those titles and Crews told them to keep their eyes open. Crews left, Damon Kemp walked in and said Roddy was late, but he thinks he’ll be there for the match. The Creeds said they wanted to gameplan with him. Julius said it will be okay.
The Toxic Attraction group of Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne were freaking out about their loss. Mandy Rose, the NXT Women’s Champion, tried to calm her friends down. McKenzie Mitchell tried to interview, but the girls yelled at her. Mandy’s music hit and she left.
Mandy Rose made her entrance in some lovely black attire while wearing the NXT Women’s Title. Mandy defends that title against Zoey Stark at NXT Heatwave in two weeks. They went to a picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
Mandy Rose vs. Sarray
Rose was in control using punches and then she stopped a Sarray attack on the floor. Sarray charged, Rose caught her and hit a sitout slam sending Sarray to the mat face first. Sarray hit a dropkick to get some momentum going. It looked a bit awkward as Rose had to stand there waiting for Sarray to do some strikes. Sarray got a nearfall after a Fisherman’s Suplex. Rose caught Sarray for a spinebuster and then Rose’s jumping knee led to the pinfall win.
Winner by pinfall: Mandy Rose
Analysis: *3/4 It looked like they had some chemistry issues in this match. There were some moments where it looked obvious that Rose was talking to Sarray and I don’t know if they executed some moves as well as they wanted. The ending felt flat as if they were just told to bring it home instead of a planned finish.
Post match, Mandy Rose spoke into the camera saying she hopes Zoey Stark is watching because this is what awaits her. Rose brought a chair into the ring along with her title. Rose used the chair to hit Sarray in the legs four times. Rose wanted to do more, but Stark made the save with two clotheslines and a superkick. Rose left the ring at that point to get away.
Analysis: Rose got some more heat for the cheap attack while Stark did the noble babyface thing by making the save. Basic booking there.
A video was shown of Tiffany Stratton doing a gymnastics routine while bragging about how she’s a superior athlete.
(Commercials)
Axiom was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell. Axiom said he was very excited to be there. Duke Hudson walked up to Axiom saying that he didn’t belong there. Hudson said that Axiom is undersized and undeserving. Axiom said he’s not afraid of him, Hudson slapped him and that led to a fight. They went fighting down a hallway with Hudson sending Axiom back first into a wall. They went fighting out into the arena and Hudson tackled Axiom into the side of the ring. They were in their wrestling gear, so they went into the ring with Hudson hitting a spinning slam. Hudson told the fans that’s why you don’t believe in your heroes because they’ll always let you down. Axiom told Duke he can make it and he can prove it right here, right now. A referee showed up start the match.
Axiom vs. Duke Hudson
Hudson set up Axiom on the top rope leading to a kick off the turnbuckle that sent Axiom crashing to the floor. Axiom with a springboard dropkick to the knee. Axiom charged, Hudson caught him and hit a uranage slam. Axiom countered a Razor’s Edge into turnbuckle. Axiom spun around Hudson’s buddy and sat on top for the pinfall win after just over two minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Axiom
Analysis: *1/4 That’s some more positive momentum for Axiom, who continues to pick up victories. Hudson really doesn’t get pushed much, so losing this match was expected when I saw it was being made. They clearly want to push Axiom as a comic book hero come to life.
Wes Lee was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell with Wes talking about how he thought he was like Muhammad Ali. Wes was wearing an Ali shirt. Wes said he’s thinking next week, Trick can bring his boxing skills and Wes will bring his wrestling skills. Lee told Trick it’s his move.
NXT Tag Team Championships: The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) (w/Damon Kemp) vs. Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (w/Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro & Elektra Lopez)
The Creed brothers dominated Stacks for a few minutes to start the match. Tony D gave Julius a spinning slam onto the mat. They went to a picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
The heel challengers were still in control of Julius, who managed to break free of Stacks and Brutus tagged in. Brutus with a running shoulder tackle launched Stacks across the ring. Tony and Stacks made some quick tags as they worked over the left arm of Brutus for a few minutes. Tony suplexed Brutus so that he landed on the left arm. Brutus broke free after getting a foot up to stop an attacking Stacks. Julius tagged in with multiple suplexes along with a dropkick. They did a spot where Julius and Tony each did a jumping kick to the face, so they were knocked down. Brutus went after Stacks, who tripped up Brutus on the apron and Brutus was hitting Stacks with forearms. Lopez handed Tony a crowbar to use while the referee wasn’t looking, but Santos Escobar showed up to grab the crowbar. Escobar punched Tony in the face leading to Julius hitting a slam and a stiff lariat for the pinfall win. It went 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed)
Analysis: ***1/4 A good match with the champions finding a way to retain again thanks to an unexpected assist from Santos Escobar, who does not like working for Tony D. I continue to be very impressed by The Creeds with their powerful offense that includes a lot of suplexes. They are an easy team to like and support. The bigger story was Escobar screwing Tony out of the win, so that should continue their issues.
There was a video package featuring Roxanne Perez where she talked about how Cora was her friend that pushed eachother to get better. Perez mentioned when they won the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships. Roxanne said that what Cora did really hurt her and she didn’t think Cora would do that to her. Perez said her denial turned to anger when Jade threw her title in the trash. Perez wanted to settle this once and for all at Heatwave in two weeks.
Analysis: Roxanne is easy to like and the match will feel like a big deal when it happens.
Cora Jade was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell. Jade said “absolutely not” to have a match. Jade said that Perez wants a match to elevate her career, but Jade said no to have a match. Mandy Rose interrupted telling Jade she saw what she did to Zoey Stark, so she wanted to see her do that again. Jade said that was a one side deal, so hard pass. Rose said if Jade takes out Stark then Jade can get the title shot because she was the runner up in the battle royal. Jade called her a “little girl” and said she would think about it.
(Commercial)
A video aired promoting the Solo Sikoa-Von Wagner match coming up later.
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance were interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell. They talked about how they never gave up and kept moving forward. Chance said that the fans never gave up on them, so the titles are where they belong and that’s where they will stay.
Joe Gacy (w/Jagger Reid & Rip Fowler) vs. Brooks Jensen (w/Josh Briggs & Fallon Henley)
Jensen was wrestling in jean shorts and was on offense early on, but Gacy slowed it down with a DDT. Gacy hit a corner clothesline along with a running forearm. Gacy also hit a uranage slam as he continued on offense. Jagger & Rip were staring at Henley on the floor, so Briggs confronted them. Pretty Deadly ran into the ring, Jensen threw them out and when Jensen turned around, Gacy hit a clothesline for the pinfall win. It went about three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Joe Gacy
Analysis: *3/4 It was decent for a shorter match. It was also the second straight match that ended with a clothesline. I don’t think the appearance from Pretty Deadly was needed, but they did it to distract Jensen so that Gacy could get the win.
Post match, Gacy spoke into the camera telling Cameron Grimes that the only way to change his life is the help of others. Gacy said that he can fill the emptiness in Cameron’s soul. They showed Cameron Grimes watching a TV backstage, somebody said that Gacy was talking about him and Grimes just walked away.
Tony D’Angelo and Stacks were in the locker room with Tony complaining about Santos Escobar. They showed Santos calling Tony with Santos saying they were almost win. Santos said that they can’t work together. Tony wanted one final match just one on one between them, Santos said he’s got it and that was it.
Alba Fyre made her entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
Alba Fyre vs. Lash Legend
This has been building for a few weeks. Lash used her power advantage to hit a backbreaker. Fyre hit a DDT off the ropes. Lash wanted a superplex, but Fyre knocked her down with a headbutt. Lash grabbed Fyre’s bat, Fyre avoided it and Fyre hit double superkicks. Fyre hit the Gory Bomb that was the KLR Bomb with her previous name. Fyre jumped off the top with a Swanton Bomb for the pinfall win. It was around three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Alba Fyre
Analysis: ** A decent match that was probably the end of the feud with the babyface Fyre getting the win. Lash has had some bad matches in the last few months, but this was certainly fine. Fyre is one of the better women’s wrestlers on the NXT roster.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams were shown leaving the building. There were some random good-looking women there asking if they knew how to jumpstart a car, so the guys helped them.
(Commercial)
Nikkita Lyons did a promo talking about Kiana James ripping on Lyons last week. Lyons told James this is who she is and she’s not changing for anybody. Lyons told James she can face her in the ring next week.
Next week on NXT:
* Cora Jade vs. Zoey Stark
* Trick Williams vs. Wes Lee in a Rounds Match with six three-minute rounds.
* Nikkita Lyons vs. Kiana James.
* The Final Accord: Tony D’Angelo & Santos Escobar.
It was main event time with Von Wagner entering with Mr. Stone. Solo Sikoa was up next with the fans cheering him.
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Von Wagner (w/Mr. Stone)
This match has been building for several weeks. Solo with an elbow smash knocking Wagner out of the ring. Solo hit a shoulder tackle followed by a senton splash. Vic said that the referee Adrian Butler has to fly around like a hornet, which was a reference to Butler’s name when he was a wrestler. They went back into the ring with Solo splashing Von in the corner followed by a body slam and headbutt. Wagner was on the floor, Solo went after him and Wagner drove Solo into the ring apron. Wagner whipped Solo into the steel steps. Wagner put the bottom half of the steel steps into the ring. Wagner brought three chairs into the ring as well. Wagner with a chair jab to the ribs followed by three chair shots to the back. Wagner gave Solo a belly to back suplex onto a steel chair. Wagner with more chair shots to the back. Wagner with a body slam onto Solo onto two steel chairs that were open in the ring. Solo was on the floor, so Wagner hit him with a clothesline. They were by the commentary table so Solo hit a Samoan Drop onto the table. It wasn’t enough to break the table. They went brawling into the backstage area, then Solo sent Wagner through a door that exited the building. Solo saw Hayes helping the girls with the convertible, so Solo shoved Hayes into the convertible. Wagner sent Solo into some shed that was backstage and then Wagner tossed Solo into a dumpster. Stone was shouting that it was done, but Solo popped out of the dumpster. Solo punched Wagner a few times followed by Solo sending Wagner into a steel garage door. Solo with some knees to the body. Cameron Grimes was leaving the building, but then Solo and Wagner knocked him down on their way back into the building. Wagner gave Solo a belly to back suplex through a table, which led to a two count. Stone told Wagner to get a weapon to finish him. Solo sprayed some fire extinguisher onto Wagner and they went back into the ring. Solo with a superkick followed by a Samoan Drop. Solo got his hands on a steel chair leading to some hard chair shots to the back. Solo gave Wagner a uranage slam onto the steel steps for two. It led to “NXT” chants from the crowd. Solo went up top, Mr. Stone grabbed his legs while Solo was on the top and Solo headbutted Stone down. Wagner managed to get back up to knock Solo down to crotch Solo across the top turnbuckle. They were on the floor with Solo shoving Wagner into the ring post. Solo hit two superkicks in a row. Wagner was laying on the commentary table, so Solo climbed up to the top rope. Solo jumped off the top with a headbutt to the chest to break the table. Solo covered with two hands on the chest for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Solo Sikoa
Analysis: ***1/2 This was an entertaining brawl that was a good way to end a rivalry. It was probably Wagner’s best match in NXT so far likely because he got to use some weapons and show off his power a lot. When he’s in a regular match, sometimes it’s not as interesting. This one was a more exciting match. Solo remains one of those guys in NXT that impresses me the most. Wagner has a good look, but he’s inconsistent in the ring. I think this match could be the start of a turnaround for Wagner because it was really well done by both guys.
Solo Sikoa celebrated the win to end the show.
Analysis: I assume they go back to Solo facing Hayes since Solo shoved him into the back of that car. Solo might be the one to beat Hayes for the NXT North American Title this time.
Three Stars of the Show
- Solo Sikoa
- Kayden Carter & Katana Chance
- The Creed Brothers/Von Wagner
The Scoreboard
This week: 7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7
Final Thoughts
This was a good show. They are cutting out some of the silliness and focusing on the in-ring action a lot more. The match between Sikoa/Wagner in the main event was really good. It was probably Wagner’s best singles match while Solo continues to impress in every match. Making it a Falls Count Anywhere match made it feel like a bigger deal as well.
I’m happy for Kayden Carter & Katana Chance finally winning the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles after a few years of teaming together. The match was fine, but it was more about the moment for a babyface team like them winning the titles. They’ve worked hard to improve and it shows.
There was some talking like the Bron Breakker/JD McDonagh promo segment, but mostly it was about the matches this week and building to the Heatwave special in two weeks. I think NXT is getting better from where it was a few months ago.
===
Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter @johnreport