The John Report: WWE NXT 08/20/24 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured Joe Hendry, Wes Lee & Pete Dunne facing off for a shot at the NXT Title, plus a big women’s 6-way gauntlet match.
Next week’s show was taped right after this one, so there are spoilers about what happens next week.
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.
They showed some arrivals of female superstars from earlier in the day. That included Izzi Dame attacking Karmen Petrovic in the parking lot.
There was a video package about Chase U’s Andre Chase & Ridge Holland winning the NXT Tag Team Titles last week.
It was Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary as usual.
Chase U Championship Celebration
The show started with Chase U celebrating the NXT Tag Team Title win. It was Andre Chase with Ridge Holland as the champions joined by Duke Hudson, Riley Osborne & Thea Hail. Andre said it was a new time for Chase U as the Tag Team Champions. Hail said she was so proud. Duke said that Ridge’s intensity is a bit much sometimes, but it’s what Chase U needed. Riley said that Duke wasn’t sure at first, but he’s a believer now. Andre thanked Ridge on behalf of the entire Chase U student body.
Nathan Frazer & Axiom interrupted to congratulate the new champions. Axiom said that Chase U was better that day, but they believe they are the best tag team in NXT. Frazer figured this would be the perfect time…and Ridge interrupted. Ridge didn’t appreciate them interrupting Chase U.
Ridge spoke about how Chase U believed in him. Ridge said that Hail rebuilt his confidence. Ridge said that Duke & Riley made him prove that his heart is pure. Ridge said he busted his ass for six years to become a champion and last week, he did it. Ridge said that last week was all about bringing gold to Chase U and “mission accomplished.”
Axiom said they still want their Tag Team Title rematch. Riley and Duke said if you can beat them then maybe Axiom & Frazer get their title rematch at No Mercy. Duke said they were ready now, a referee went into the ring and it was time to start the match.
Analysis: That was a nice speech from Ridge Holland talking about Chase U helping him turn his career around. I like how Axiom & Frazer have to win a match to get a title match instead of just giving them a title match.
Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs. Chase U – Duke Hudson & Riley Osborne (w/Andre Chase, Ridge Holland & Thea Hail)
Axiom dropkicked Riley out of the ring. Frazer dropkicked Duke out of the ring. Axiom and Frazer failed on their dive attempts. Riley hit an impressive somersault dive over the top onto Axiom.
(Commercial)
Riley hit a running kick, but Axiom came back with a Spanish Fly for two. When Duke made the tag, he jumped over the top and hit a German Suplex on Axiom. Frazer was back in, but Duke hit him with the Trish Stratus-like headscissors out of the corner along with the Bossman Slam for two. A charging Frazer was caught by Duke, so Riley jumped off the top with a flipping neckbreaker for two because Axiom broke up the pin. That was really cool for a two count. Frazer caught Riley on the middle ropes with a spinning neckbreaker for two. That was very athletic. Frazer hit a superplex leading to a brainbuster-superkick combo on Riley. Frazer dove onto Duke on the floor while Axiom pinned Riley for the win. This went about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Nathan Frazer & Axiom
Analysis: ***1/4 A very good match as usual any time Frazer & Axiom are in a match. As I always say, that’s a team that doesn’t have bad matches. They are always going to put on an impressive performance in a match like that. Duke & Riley do a nice job of working as a babyface team. I liked that match as the opener for this week’s show.
Ava the NXT GM spoke with Robert Stone & Stevie Turner about how Karmen Petrovic is out of the gauntlet match because of Izzi Dame attacking her earlier. Dame went up to Ava telling her that Dame should replace Karmen in the match. Ava said no because she didn’t want to reward bad behavior, so Brinley Reece will be in the match.
Wendy Choo is in action up next.
(Commercial)
The women’s locker room was shown featuring a few of them (Kendal Grey, Brinley Reece & Wren Sinclair) talking about winning the gauntlet match.
Lola Vice vs. Wendy Choo
Choo was aggressive to start the match. Vice was able to take control after knees to the body along with a kick to the back. Vice hit a powerslam that didn’t have a lot of lift on it, but it was effective enough. They went to a break.
(Commercial)
Choo was in full control with a headbutt (that didn’t even touch Vice) and a suplex for two. After Vice got a cradle for two, Choo kicked Vice to knock her down. Choo connected with a neckbreaker for a two count. Choo set up Vice upside down against the turnbuckle leading to Choo hitting a dropkick for two. Vice came back with some spinning kicks (one of the kicks missed completely) and a kick to the back. Vice hit a running hip attack for two. Choo went for a sleeper/choke type of move and Vice dropped to the mat to break it like a jawbreaker. Kelani Jordan went into the ring, Vice hit a backhand on Jordan because Choo moved. Choo hit Vice in the back with the loaded pillow since the referee was looking at Jordan. Choo covered for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Wendy Choo
Analysis: *** This went longer than I thought. Choo is a good technician in the ring even though she is portraying a unique character. Vice has been pushed more than Choo in the past, so it’s good for Choo to get a win. I didn’t really like Jordan going into the ring like that, but I get why it was done to set up the dreaded pillow attack to win the match. We found out moments later that it was a loaded pillow.
Kelani Jordan told Wendy Choo you think you can take the championship, but now you’ll have a chance to earn it at No Mercy. Choo nodded her head to accept. Jordan went into the ring, knocked Choo down and took the NXT Women’s North American Title that was inside the pillow.
Analysis: I think Jordan will keep the title against Choo, but I do like it as a match.
Wes Lee was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid, who asked about Lee’s match later. Lee was confident he would get the NXT Title match at No Mercy.
Joe Hendry was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber at the same time and it was shown on a split screen. Lee said he’ll see him later. Joe said that tonight is the biggest match of his life. Joe said this ten-year odyssey is about making believers out of everybody else. Joe said he’ll make a believer out of himself when he becomes the number one contender.
The six-woman Gauntlet Match was next.
(Commercial)
A video aired featuring Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne talking about how they are trained wrestlers who fought so hard to be in NXT while these collegiate athletes are in NXT. Jazmyn Nyx said that she came in with these athletes, but quickly realized Jayne & Henley are the leaders of the women’s division in NXT. Jayne & Henley talked about how they had known eachother for years before they got to WWE. The trio revealed their name was Fatal Influence.
Analysis: I saw the “Fatal Influence” name was trademarked recently and it led to people guessing what it was for. I didn’t know it would be for this group, but I think that’s a solid name for a group of talented women.
NXT Women’s Title Contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator Match: Sol Ruca vs. Wren Sinclair vs. Jaida Parker vs. Kendal Grey vs. Adrianna Rizzo vs. Brinley Reece
The six women in the match have never received a shot at the NXT Women’s Title. There was a clock that would count down and every three minutes, a new wrestler joined the match. I’ll go play-by-play here.
It was Sol Ruca and Wren Sinclair starting the match. I thought Sol would win this gauntlet match, but being in the first match could make it difficult. They exchanged some holds to start. Sol tripped up Wren going for a submission as NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez was shown watching from the backstage area. Wren used both knees to drive into Sol’s back for a surfboard submission style move. They each ran the ropes leading to a double hair pull spot.
The third woman in the match was Adrianna Rizzo, who hit a cross body block off the top onto both women. Rizzo suplexed both women across the ring. Sol came back with a superkick on Rizzo. Sol fell back while Wren was on her back. Rizzo did a fireman’s carry takedown and a flipping splash. Sol caught Rizzo with an inside cradle for two. Rizzo hit a neckbreaker on Sol, but Sol came back with a Codebreaker. Sol lifted up Rizzo and hit a Powerbomb on her for the pinfall to eliminate Rizzo.
Adrianna Rizzo has been eliminated.
Analysis: I thought Rizzo did a good job in the few minutes she was there. You can tell she’s athletic and moves around the ring well. They need to give her more chances in the ring.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Brinley Reece already in there as the fourth competitor in the match. Reece hit a double overhead suplex on Sol and Wren. Reece did a cartwheel into a clothesline. Reece hit a neckbreaker off the shoulders on both women.
It’s Kendal Grey in as the 5th wrestler in the match. Grey was aggressive with a hurricanrana and two overhead belly to belly suplexes. Grey gave Reece a high angle belly-to-back suplex on Reece to pin her, so Reece is out.
Brinley Reece has been eliminated.
Grey used her legs to hold down Wren for a two count. Grey did a headlock takeover/headscissors on two opponents at once. Grey hit a springboard cross body block on Sol. Grey with a crucifix pin on Wren and a dropkick on Wren to put her out of the ring. Sol slammed Grey off the shoulders. Sol trapped Grey in a surfboard submission on Grey, who fought out of it and Wren tried a bulldog but it was mistimed and it got a two count for Wren. Sol hit an X-Factor on Wren. Sol tossed Grey over the top onto Wren on the floor. Sol hit a moonsault off the top onto Wren and Grey on the floor.
The sixth and final woman in the match was Jaida Parker, who entered while the other three women were on the floor. Parker tossed Sol over the barricade. Grey used her legs to try to hook Parker into a pin, but Parker kicked out. Parker caught Grey and slammed her into the turnbuckle. Parker hit the splash on the ribs. Parker did a gordbuster on Grey for the pinfall.
Kendal Grey has been eliminated.
Wren tried to roll up Parker for the pin, so Sol jumped off the turnbuckle leading to the Soul Snatcher for the pinfall win.
Wren Sinclair has been eliminated.
It was Jaida Parker and Sol Ruca as the final two women in the match. Parker slammed Sol off the top rope almost like a Falcon Arrow for two. Sol got an inside cradle for two. Parker went for a power move, but Sol managed to land on top so they messed up whatever they were going for. Sol hit a German Suplex. Sol went for a springboard splash, but Parker avoided it. Parker hit the Drive By running hip attack for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jaida Parker
Analysis: **3/4 The match was okay, but there were issues. I like the Gauntlet Eliminator format because it allows for some interesting spots. There were some issues in terms of moves being missed and timing being off. I don’t know what Sol and Jaida were going for when they messed that up, but they probably improvised that finish. They basically came up with Sol jumping off the top with nothing so that Parker could hit her finish. Some of these girls are so early in their careers and they want to do this high-risk stuff that isn’t easy to do. They need to remember it’s okay to stick with the basics and avoid trying to do the crazy spots because when you miss them, it doesn’t look good. I thought Sol might win, but I certainly don’t mind Jaida picking up the victory.
That win by Jaida Parker means she’ll challenge Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship at No Mercy on Sunday, September 1st.
Analysis: It’s rare to see a heel vs. heel match for the NXT Women’s Championship, but I don’t mind it since Jaida is a fresh opponent for Perez. I don’t think Parker will beat Perez. I think the debuting Giulia is going to be the one to beat Perez whenever Giulia makes her debut in the coming weeks or months.
Jaida Parker was joined by OTM in the ring and she was interviewed in the ring. Jaida said that she is a difference-maker in this division. Parker said that Roxanne Perez is a great champion, but when it comes to that title, Parker has got next. Roxanne Perez, the NXT Women’s Champion, was shown reacting with a shrug of the shoulders.
Ethan Page, the NXT Champion, was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid backstage. Page didn’t like the idea of Joe Hendry getting a chance to challenge for Page’s title when Joe wasn’t even on the NXT roster. Pete Dunne interrupted and said that every NXT Champion’s been afraid of him. Dunne said that he was NXT UK Champion for 685 days so if he gets a title, it stays there. Page said that Dunne has to make it to No Mercy. Dunne said when he makes it to No Mercy, he’s going to break his fingers and break his ego.
The tag team of Hank & Tank entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. The OC – Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
The vets Luke & Karl were mean to the younger guys Hank & Tank, so that set up this match. Tank hit a running splash on Karl. Hank got a tag leading to Tank lifting him onto Karl for a splash onto the chest. Hank & Tank hit a combo splash for two. Karl elbowed Hank out of the ring. Big LG booted Hank on the floor. Hank hit a back body drop to break free, so Tank tagged in with a lot of energy. Gallows stopped that with a boot to the face. Hank shoved Gallows into the ring post. Tank hit a cross body block on Karl. Hank hit the powerslam on Karl while Tank did a Spear at the same time. The announcers called it an upset. This went about five minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
Analysis: **1/2 It’s a big win for Hank & Tank because of what The OC has been historically, but it’s not like Luke & Karl are being pushed that much. I can see NXT wanting to build up Hank & Tank as a future championship team because they are two energetic guys that the fans like and they are believable as a team since they are two power guys.
After the match, Hank & Tank celebrated with Vic Joseph on commentary and even messed up his hair a bit. The security guys celebrated with Hank & Tank too.
Shawn Spears was backstage when Edris Enofe & Malik Blade went up to him. They said that Spears poisoned Brooks Jensen’s mind. Spears said that they are two guys who are lost in NXT and they just approached him, not the other way around. Enofe said that they were protecting a friend. Spears mentioned their failed friendship with Brinley Reece, so Enofe got mad about that and Spears got into a fight with them. A camera got knocked down and then Spears was beaten up. Spears was down selling his right arm when Brooks Jensen showed up along with referees. Spears was smiling about it.
Analysis: The team of Enofe & Blade have had nothing to do for a long time, so giving them a storyline with Spears involved could be a good thing. I wouldn’t mind seeing Enofe & Blade go heel with Spears & Jensen so that they become a group. It might not happen that way since NXT has a lot of groups already.
(Commercial)
They showed NXT GM Ava attending a Slipknot concert recently.
Let’s Hear from Charlie Dempsey
Charlie Dempsey was in the ring with the No Quarter Catch Crew’s Myles Borne & Wren Sinclair. Dempsey bragged about winning the NXT Heritage Cup last week. Wren Sinclair interrupted him, then apologized and Dempsey said that Tony D’Angelo’s reign of terror is finally over. Wren said that he’ll defend the Heritage Cup against anybody at any time.
Oba Femi showed up for the interruption as the NXT North American Champion. Femi said when it comes to prestige, the most prestigious title on this brand is his North American Championship. Femi called himself the most dominant champion this brand has ever seen. Femi said he won’t hesitate to add the Heritage Cup Champion to the list of superstars he has defended the title again.
Tony D’Angelo and The Family interrupted. Tony got into the ring with his group. Tony said that he has eyes on something other than the Heritage Cup. Tony said that he doesn’t forget and his family doesn’t forget. The Family’s three people fought with the NQCC’s three people. Femi kicked Tony and went for a Powerbomb, but Tony D slipped out of it and Tony hit a spinebuster. Femi sold the spinebuster like it was a very devastating move.
Analysis: That was a simple way to set up a rivalry between Oba Femi and Tony D’Angelo. We have seen teases of it in recent weeks since Oba has cut off Tony during promos and Tony did it to Oba as well.
Ashantee The Adonis talked to some ladies about his match with Dion Lennox. That led to the ladies talking to Lennox because they thought he was fine. Lennox said he’s nervous, but excited. Je’Von Evans was sitting on an equipment crate. Wren Sinclair put the Cup beside Evans and told him to watch it. Gallus walked up to Evans so they told him that this Cup represents real wrestling. They offered Evans to have a pint with them. Evans said he’s just 20 years old, so he can’t be doing that drinking stuff. Gallus felt offended. Cedric Alexander walked up to them telling them to ease up. Gallus called Cedric “the daddy” of Je’Von while Evans said that it was “Uncle Ceddy.” Evans said he didn’t need anybody to fight his battles because he’s got himself. Gallus left saying they’ll see about that.
Analysis: A lot of different angles furthered in a one shot camera scene. That’s NXT finding ways to advance a bunch of stories quickly. They do a good job of that.
(Commercial)
Dion Lennox vs. Ashante Thee Adonis
Adonis was aggressive early, but Dion used his power with a body slam and an overhead suplex across the ring. Adonis kicked Dion down on the floor followed by Adonis jumping off the top with a spinning cross body block onto Dion on the floor. Dion hit a big spinebuster for a two count. When Dion went for a suplex, Adonis did a thumb to an eye to take over. Adonis sent Dion into the top rope. Adonis hit a superkick for the pinfall win after four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Ashante Thee Adonis
Analysis: **1/4 It’s a win for Adonis, who hasn’t won a singles match on any WWE show in a very long time. That gives him a bit of credibility to try to help him move up the card a bit. Dion is a very talented with a bright future. He’s very early in his career, but he’s a guy to keep an eye on in the future.
Lexis King was backstage checking on his king’s throne backstage. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson chatted about their issues with Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley. King interrupted saying that what matters is Meta Two takes care of them. King said Noam Dar is on the shelf while Oro Mensah lost the biggest match of his career. Oro walked up to Lash and Jakara saying he hadn’t been himself. Jakara said that they needed to keep it together.
The announcers went over the lineup for NXT No Mercy is on Sunday, September 1st so far.
* NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez vs. Jaida Parker
* NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi vs. Tony D’Angelo
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Chase U’s Andre Chase & Ridge Holland vs. Nathan Frazer & Axiom
Wes Lee made his entrance for the main event.
(Commercial)
Next week on NXT:
* No Quarter Catch Crew – Charlie Dempsey, Myles Borne & Wren Sinclair vs. The D’Angelo Family – Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, Luca Crusifino & Adrianna Rizzo
* Karmen Petrovic vs. Izzi Dame
* Fatal Influence – Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley vs. Las Legend & Jakara Jackson
The commentary team was joined by the NXT Champion Ethan Page. Booker loves Page and his theme song, so Page had nice things to say to Booker as well.
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Pete Dunne vs. Joe Hendry vs. Wes Lee
The winner gets a NXT Championship match against Ethan Page at No Mercy on September 1st. There are no countouts and no disqualifications in WWE triple threat matches. I’ll go play-by-play for this match.
Hendry was cheered heavily by the fans while the fans sang his song and waved their arms as well. No surprise since Lee and Dunne are heels. Hendry was attacked by both guys to start. Hendry sent Dunne over the top to the floor. Hendry caught Lee and then he tossed Lee off his shoulders to the mat. Hendry gave Dunne a delayed vertical suplex. Lee connected with a snapmare on Hendry followed by a dropkick to the back. Dunne knocked both guys down. Dunne stomped on Hendry against the turnbuckle. Dunne chopped Lee and nailed Lee with a forearm to the head. Hendry did a catapult to Lee so he hit Dunne in the groin with his head. A unique low blow. Lee and Dunne battled on the floor where they each missed moves. Hendry went jumping over the top rope like it was a high jump bar and landed on both guys on the floor. The fans loved it.
(Commercial)
Dunne was in control of Hendry with some kicks to the head. Hendry came back with two clotheslines on Dunne. Hendry hit a double clothesline on both opponents. Hendry hit a fallaway slam on both opponents back to back. Hendry picked up both guys at the same time followed by a double fallaway slam where he tossed both guys at the same time. Hendry got the crowd to clap in support for him. The three guys exchanged strikes leading to Dunne kicking Lee when Hendry moved. Lee came back with a springboard moonsault on both guys, so all three guys were down. Dunne got a hold of both guys leading to Dunne snapping the fingers of both guys. Dunne gave Lee an Explex onto Hendry so Dunne covered Joe for a two count. Lee sent Hendry out of the ring and hit a suicide dive on Joe on the floor. Lee hit an impressive Tornado DDT on Dunne for two. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for the match. Hendry suplexed Dunne off the top while Lee tripped up Hendry at the same time. Lee jumped off the top with a Frog Splash on Hendry for two. Dunne blocked Lee from doing a handstand off the ropes. Dunne snapped Lee’s fingers, so Lee sold that. Hendry hit the Standing Ovation on Dunne for two, but Ethan Page pulled the referee out of the ring to stop the pin. No disqualifications in a triple threat as I pointed out earlier. Hendry tripped up Lee on the apron. Hendry gave Lee the Standing Ovation slam on the commentary table. The table didn’t break, but it was still a big bump. Back in the ring, Hendry hit the Standing Ovation again, but Ethan Page stopped the new referee from going down to the ring to count the pin. Dunne hit Bitter End, but then Trick Williams went into the ring and hit a Trick Shot knee on Dunne. The original referee was sent into the ring by Trick, Hendry covered Dunne with his left arm and original referee Adrian Butler counted the pin to give Hendry the win! Page turned around to realize what happened, but he was too late to stop the pin. It went about 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Joe Hendry
Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a great triple threat match that was full of action. I’m happy Joe Hendry won because he’s done a great job during his run on NXT and I think he was the right choice to win this match. Since Lee and Dunne are both heels, Hendry stood out as the right choice. I thought maybe they should have had another babyface in the match, but the match quality was very good most of the way. I liked the bit with the referees since it appeared as though Page screwed Hendry out of the win, but then Hendry found a way to win thanks to Trick Williams costing Dunne the match and using the original referee to count the pin. I’m happy for Hendry. I believe!
It’s official for NXT No Mercy on September 1: Ethan Page defends the NXT Championship against Joe Hendry.
Analysis: I honestly think there could be a title change in that match just to make history with a TNA wrestler holding the NXT Title. Why not do it? I think it’s a great idea. With that said, I like Page a lot as the champion as well and I can see Trick Williams winning the title back at some point too. They have a few options for sure.
After the match, Zachary Wentz ran down from the crowd and attacked Wes Lee with punches at ringside. Wentz went into the ring to beat up Lee some more. The fight was broken up by officials and security, but Wentz kept going after Lee. The show ended there.
Analysis: That will set up Lee vs. Wentz at No Mercy, which makes sense for that show and it should be an awesome match. They made the match official at the tapings that followed this show.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Joe Hendry
- Axiom & Nathan Frazer
- Jaida Parker
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.75 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2024 Average: 7.19
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
I thought it was a very good episode of NXT from top to bottom. The opening tag team match was a lot of fun with Axiom & Nathan Frazer getting a big win to earn a title match. I liked seeing Jaida Parker getting a breakout win in that Women’s Gauntlet Match featuring six ladies. When writing about the match, I mentioned that they messed up a couple of spots because they were trying for some big moves and it’s a reminder that this is still a developmental show for a lot of these people. Sometimes sticking with the basics is okay.
The main was really entertaining and well booked with Joe Hendry picking up the big win over Pete Dunne & Wes Lee. I liked the story of Ethan Page trying to screw Hendry out of the win, but then Trick Williams showed up to cost Dunne the math while Hendry capitalized to win. That’s how you cleverly book a finish.
They made several matches official for the NXT No Mercy PLE on September 1st, which will see at least four of NXT’s titles defended on the show. NXT continues to have smart booking to set up matches weekly while also building to the PLE shows like No Mercy. Good job by the creative as usual.
Here’s the lineup for the NXT No Mercy PLE on Sunday, September 1st.
* NXT Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Joe Hendry
* NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Jaida Parker
* NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Chase U’s Andre Chase & Ridge Holland (c) vs. Nathan Frazer & Axiom
There’s more to come, but that’s it for official matches for now.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport