The John Report: WWE NXT 11/09/21 Review

It’s time for another edition of NXT 2.0 with a few matches already announced. One of the bigger matches is a six-woman tag that will see Toxic Attraction’s Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne vs. Io Shirai, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter.

Other matches include The Creed Brothers vs. Kushida & Ikemen Jiro (team name is Jacket Time), Sarray vs. Kay Lee Ray and Boa vs. Joe Gacy.

This episode is taking place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

The lovely Toxic Attraction trio of Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne made their entrance to start the show. The announcers were Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett and Beth Phoenix as usual.

Mandy had her NXT Women’s Championship while Dolin and Jayne had the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles. Their opponents were next with Io Shirai up first followed by Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter, who are a regular tag team. Zoey Stark tore her ACL/Meniscus and she’ll be out of action for a long time – probably 10 months. It was a dive to the floor spot a few weeks ago, but the storyline is that Dolin and Jayne caused it with a locker room attack.

Toxic Attraction – Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne vs. Io Shirai, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter

Rose started with Carter with Rose getting an elbow to the head to take control. Dolin tagged in with a forearm on Carter followed by a kick to the back. Dolin with a headscissors into the ropes, Jayne with a knee and a neckbreaker. Jayne with a kick to the head, Carter broke free and Shirai tagged in with a body slam followed by double knees. Shirai with a leg whip takedown, Kacy and Carter did some quick moves leading to Kacy hitting a senton splash on Jayne for two. Rose back in, Kacy with a headscissors out of the ring and then a twisting splash over the top onto Rose on the floor. Carter jumped off the top to take out Dolin and Jayne on the floor. Rose was back in the ring to stop Shirai with a spinebuster. That drew boos since Mandy’s the heel, but I certainly liked it and it looked great.

(Commercial)

The heel side was in control with Rose grounding Kacy with a chinlock. Rose hit a spinning slam followed by a leg scissors around the waist. Kacy broke free, Shirai tagged in against Dolin and Shirai hit a few shoulder tackles. Shirai with a body slam. Dolin hit a neckbreaker on Shirai, then Rose was back in Shirai hit her with shoulder tackles and a flatliner. Shirai with a double knee attack against the turnbuckle. Shirai went up top and hit the Over the Moon moonsault for a two count because Mandy’s partners saved her. Carter and Kacy threw Dolin and Jayne out of the ring. Dolin was back in, Shirai avoided an elbow and Carter tagged in with two clotheslines followed by a dropkick. Carter whipped Dolin into Jayne, a forearm and a running kick into a splash at the same time. Carter with a superkick on Dolin as the fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Carter with a neckbreaker. Carter to the turnbuckle, she was distracted by action on the floor and Dolin did an armdrag to pull Carter off the ropes. While this happened, Shirai jumped onto Rose and Jayne/Kacy got involved. Dolin hooked the arms of Carter and then slammed her back first into the match like a crucifix slam into a pin for the win. It went about 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Toxic Attraction – Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne

Analysis: ***1/4 This was pretty good with the championship team looking strong in picking up a victory. I thought that maybe Shirai would pin Dolin or Jayne in order to build up Shirai as a contender going after Rose’s title, but instead, it was all about putting over Toxic Attraction, which is certainly fine with me. I like the way the finish was booked with the action on the floor causing the distraction and then Dolin was able to capitalize to win. Toxic Attraction continues to look impressive in everything that they do.

Pete Dunne was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell with Pete saying if Tony D’Angelo wants to talk to him face to face, he can try to find him. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams showed up, they talked trash to Dunne with Trick speaking first and then Hayes. Dunne threatened to break Carmelo’s fingers. It sounded like they agreed to a match.

They were back in the arena with Toxic Attraction still standing there with their titles. Kay Lee Ray made her entrance because she’s in action up next.

(Commercial)

The MSK duo of Wes Lee and Nash Carter were shown walking outside saying they had to see somebody. Lee and Carter agreed to go fly to find whatever they are looking for. A weird segment just like last week. I guess NXT is trying to build up their quirky personalities more.

Sarray vs. Kay Lee Ray

Ray was in control with a clothesline. Sarray with an arm drag and then a double foot stomp. Ray came back with repeated punches to knock Sarray down followed by a head whip into the mat. Sarray hit a corner splash, Ray avoided a splash and hit a kick to the gut. Ray hit a DDT off the middle rope for a two count. Sarray ran the ropes leading to a rollup for two. Sarray pulled back on the left knee in a submission hold, but Ray got to the bottom rope to break it. Sarray hit a Fisherman’s Suplex for a two count. Ray shoved Sarray back leading to a superkick and Sarray hit a spin kick into the ropes. Sarray went for her dropkick against the ropes, but Ray moved and kicked Sarray out of the ring. Ray slammed Sarray with the KLR Bomb into the announce table. Back in the ring, Ray hit another KLR Bomb for the pinfall win after five minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Kay Lee Ray

Analysis: **1/2 A hard-hitting match between two talented women with Kay Lee Ray getting some momentum thanks to the win. I like how KLR had to hit her finish twice to put Sarray away because it made Sarray look like a tough opponent. I worry a bit for Sarray because I don’t think they’ll push her that much in this version of NXT, but I think KLR should do well.

Joe Gacy was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell. Gacy said we all go through changes and he sees what Boa is going through, so his heart goes out to him. Gacy said it feels like Boa has to hide himself. Gacy mentioned the mysterious big man Harland as well.

(Commercial)

There was a plug for the WrestleMania tickets on sale this Friday.

Bron Breakker was shown working on the WWE UK tour with the likes of Tommaso Ciampa and Sami Zayn. Breakker talked about how great of an experience it was for him on his first tour. Breakker said he’s coming home and going for the NXT Title.

Joe Gacy vs. Boa

Boa had some black and white face paint. Gacy applied a chinlock, then a back body drop to the apron and Boa came back with a sunset flip for two. Boa with a dropkick. Gacy sent Boa throat first into the middle rope followed by a backbreaker. Gacy with a suplex for two. Boa blocked a forearm, then he kicked Gacy in the ribs and running knees to the ribs. Boa with a double underhook suplex. Boa got a boot up to stop a running Gacy. While Boa was against the turnbuckle, the lights were flickering and Boa held up the right hand. Boa choked Gacy while against the ropes, Boa wouldn’t let go and the referee counted to five, so it was a disqualification. Boa let go after the DQ finish. It went about five minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Joe Gacy

Analysis: *1/2 Strange. I don’t know how to react to what happened with Boa there. Boa got the power of the claw for some reason, then he wouldn’t let go while the referee was counting and that led to Gacy getting the win by disqualification. Lame finish. I’m not sure if they’ll ever push Boa that much.

Post match, Gacy looked into the camera where he called out Harland and said, “we did it.”

They showed a video of Diamond Mine training with Malcolm Bivens talking about how The Creed Brothers will beat Kushida and Jiro because it’s Diamond Mine forever.

(Commercial)

Solo Sikoa was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell with Grayson Waller interrupting before Solo could say anything. Waller mentioned something about LA Knight talking behind somebody’s back, so then LA Knight saying he only says things to people’s faces and Solo said that they should settle this in the ring. Solo left while Waller and Knight argued.

Jacket Time (Kushida & Ikemen Jiro) vs. The Creed Brothers (Brutus & Julius Creed)

Jacket Time is a unique team name that fits since Jiro wrestles in a jacket while Kushida has Back to the Future theme while also wrestling as part of a team called the “Timesplitters” in the past. Julius with a lifting takedown on Jiro. Brutus with a spinebuster on Jiro. Jiro with shoulder tackles that barely moved Brutus and then Kushida tagged in with a forearm to the left arm. Kushida pulled on the left arm and then Brutus with a takeover. Julius with a powerslam followed by a suplex across the ring. Kushida bounced off the ropes with a double back elbow. Jiro with punches on both Creed boys and Jacket Time knocked the Creed Brothers off the apron. You could hear the referee say “stay there” to Kushida/Jiro so they could pause since it was time for a break.

(Commercial)

Kushida hit a running cross body block on Julius followed by a running kick and Kushida knocked Brutus out of the ring. Jiro back in with a double team dropkick. Jiro went up top and hit a Senton Bomb off the top for a two count because Brutus saved Julius. The referee was distracted, Jiro got the jacket taken off, Roderick Strong pulled the rope so Jiro bumped to the floor. When Jiro went back in, Julius hit a gutwrench Powerbomb for the pinfall win on Jiro. It went about eight minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Creed Brothers (Brutus & Julius Creed)

Analysis: ** Just an average match here. Kushida is a great worker and had some cool moments, but this was all about putting over the Creed Brothers, who got an assist from Strong at the end. Julius has an intimidating look and he continues to impress every time I see him.

The fight continued post match with Odyssey Jones going into the ring to help Kushida and Jiro. The faces cleared the ring easily, so Diamond Mine retreated to the back. That should set up a six-man tag team match.

The Toxic Attraction trio was shown in the parking lot. The three women talked about how great they are. Mandy told Kay Lee Ray that if she thinks she is next in line then she should take a number. Raquel Gonzalez arrived on a motorcycle, she told Mandy she’ll deal with her later and Raquel told Mandy to keep her title warm for her.

Raquel Gonzalez drove the motorcycle into the building and she was up next. Gonzalez called out Dakota Kai.

Dakota Kai arrived and she was laughing. Kai said it felt so good to hit Raquel with that shovel. Kai was attacked from behind by Cora Jade while referees showed up to break it up. Kai retreated to the back. Gonzalez told Jade that she gets it that Cora wants a piece of Kai, but Raquel said she gets to get her hands on Kai first.

Analysis: They are doing a slow burn to set up the eventual Raquel/Dakota showdown. That’s fine. No rush.

Andre Chase University was shown with Andre teaching his class about mental toughness. Some of the students spoke up, Chase called a student a dumbass and kicked him out of there.

(Commercial)

They showed The Undertaker on hand at the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday to hype up WrestleMania ticket sales in Dallas.

The Grizzled Young Veterans arrived somewhere wearing suits. They did “uber training” leading to them using a guy’s phone to order food because they distracted the guy. They were shown eating the food and Zack Gibson told James Drake if you can do that then you can distract a referee during the match. This was strange.

Cameron Grimes vs. Ru Feng

Feng got some offense with a spin kick to the chest. Duke Hudson walked out there to check out Grimes. Grimes ran the ropes with a jumping knee, a jumping forearm and a running kick to the face by the turnbuckle. Grimes jumped off the top with a cross body block. Grimes hit the Cave In double foot stomp for the pinfall win at two minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Cameron Grimes

Analysis: *1/2 A quick match to put over Grimes.

Duke Hudson did a promo about how Cameron Grimes was in Duke’s poker room and somehow Grimes won. Duke asked if it was dumb luck or did he dupe him? Grimes said he won, they all saw it and Grimes talked about how much fun it was. Hudson called him a “stupid little hick.” Hudson said never again will he lose to somebody looking like a troll under a bridge. Grimes said he holds it down in the ring, the poker table or even Wall Street because Grimes holds it down. Grimes talked about how he played Hudson last week. Duke said he will not let this go. Hudson said next week in this ring it’s Duke and Grimes in a Poker Showdown. Grimes said he’s on.

(Commercial)

Solo Sikoa vs. LA Knight vs. Grayson Waler

Solo with punches on both guys. Waller and Knight stomped Solo down. Solo ran the ropes leading to a double clothesline. Waller jumped over Solo, then Knight pulled Waller to the floor and Solo brought Knight back into the ring. Waller held the ropes, so Knight bumped over the top to the floor. Waller with a neckbreaker off the ropes. Knight and Waller worked together with a double suplex. Knight with an elbow drop and Solo did one of his own. Knight and Waller each did running attacks on Solo. Waller and Knight argued about who got to use a ladder, so then they both went up and Solo countered with a double Powerbomb. Solo with a Samoan Drip/kick combination. Solo with the running hip attack on Waller, but then Drake avoided it. Drake with a neckbreaker. Waller is back in with a Diamond Cutter. Solo tossed Waller out of the ring. Solo went up top and hit an Uso Splash for the win. It went five minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Solo Sikoa

Analysis: ** It was fine for a shorter match. They want to keep building up Sikoa so that’s what happened here. Basic, simple booking here. I called it the Uso Splash at the finish, but the announcers did not. He certainly looked like his brothers doing that move.

Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta were interviewed backstage. They talked about how close they were to win those titles. Tony D’Angelo walked up to them doing his mafia gimmick. Tony gave Indi a fish since he’s facing Dexter Lumis next week. It’s a Sopranos/mafia reference about how somebody would “sleep with the fishes” when they got that. That was it.

Elektra Lopez was shown looking into the camera saying she hopes Xyon Quinn is watching.

(Commercial)

They showed Tommaso Ciampa defending the NXT Title at WWE live events in the UK.

Elektra Lopez vs. Erica Yan

Lopez was dominant with a clothesline followed by kicks to the ribs. Lopez with a hard slap while they were by the ropes. Lopez with a vertical suplex and then a sitout Powerbomb for the pinfall win. It went under two minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Elektra Lopez

Analysis: 1/2* Another easy, dominant win on this show. I like Elektra’s look, but she isn’t polished in the ring yet. She’ll keep getting better hopefully.

Elektra Lopez called out Xyon Quinn, so he joined them in the ring. Elektra asked Quinn if he wanted to join Legado Del Fantasma. Quinn said that Elektra is amazing, but he just can’t get down with Legado. Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza shoved Quinn, so Quinn hit a double clothesline and then Quinn cleared the ring. Back in the ring, Quinn got a hold of Lopez and they had a bit of a staredown that teased a possible kiss, but then Quinn let her go. Quinn left up the ramp to the back.

A video aired letting us know that NXT Takeover WarGames is coming on Sunday, December 5.

Analysis: I don’t mind the WarGames matches because they have been good in the past. I just don’t think there’s a hot feud in NXT right now. Also, I miss William Regal announcing it.

Pete Dunne entered for the main event.

(Commercial)

Kyle O’Reilly was interviewed saying he felt like he and Von Wagner had something special as a team. NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium showed up to confront Kyle, then Wagner arrived and the champions left.

Next week on NXT:

* Poker Showdown between Duke Hudson and Cameron Grimes

* Dexter Lumis vs. Tony D’Angelo

Carmelo Hayes entered as the NXT North American Champion with Trick Williams by his side. This is not for the title.

Pete Dunne vs. Carmelo Hayes

Dunne went after Hayes with punches and kicks. Dunne with a clothesline on a running Melo. Dunne stomped on the fingers. Hayes hit an impressive springboard cross body block followed by punches. Melo kicked the arm, Dunne kicked the arm and Melo sold it a lot better. Melo went to the apron, but Dunne got a hold of the arm. They battled on the floor with Melo sending Dunne into the apron. Dunne blocked a suplex and suplexed Dunne onto the ring apron. Trick Williams was freaked out because Dexter Lumis showed up on commentary even though Lumis doesn’t talk.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Dunne pulling back on the left arm. Dunne with some kicks to the body. Dunne with a running back body. When Dunne wanted to do more, Melo countered with a double knee attack for the pin attempt. Hayes went for a move, Dunne got out of it and then Hayes hit a clothesline. Hayes got a hold of Dunne and gave him a Chokeslam-like move for two. Hayes missed a corner attack, Dunne with a kick to the head and a forearm. Dunne hit a sitout Powerbomb for two count. Hayes with a jumping kick, but then Hayes jumped off the ropes right into a forearm. Hayes with a lifting front suplex into a slam for two. Hayes and Dunne started exchanging punches while on their knees with the fans chanting “NXT” for them. Hayes with a headscissors takedown leading to the submission move, but Dunne powered his way out of it. Dunne hit a German Suplex, he stomped on the hands of Williams and Hayes. Dunne went for a move, but Hayes sent him into the ropes. Dexter Lumis left commentary to punch Williams. There was somebody under the ring that grabbed Hayes’ leg while the referee was on the other side of the ring. No idea who it is. Dunne went back into the ring and hit the Bitter End for the pinfall win. It went 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Pete Dunne

Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good match as expected by two of NXT’s best. Hayes still has to improve on some things, but he does some spectacular things and makes it look easy too. Dunne winning is good to see for him and should earn a title shot in the future. Hayes continues to look awesome in every match while Dunne is one of the best in NXT.

After the match, the mysterious hand was revealed as Johnny Gargano, who gave a thumbs up to Lumis, who did a thumbs up back to Johnny.

Dunne and Gargano were both talking about wanting that North American Title while Hayes wants to hold onto it. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: The guess here is that they do Carmelo Hayes vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Pete Dunne at the next Takeover in December.

Three Stars of the Show

1. Pete Dunne
2. Toxic Attraction
3. Carmelo Hayes

The Scoreboard

This week: 5.75 out of 10

Last week: 5.5

2021 Average: 7.19

Final Thoughts

It felt like an average NXT this week with a lot of matches, but at least the first and last matches were the best on the show. They are building some good stories while other things feel rushed.

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Check out the WWE NXT review archive here. Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter @johnreport