The John Report: WWE NXT 11/12/24 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured Fallon Henley facing Kelani Jordan, Lexis King in action against Je’Von Evans, and more.
It’s back to Tuesday nights for NXT after last week’s Wednesday night episode from Philadelphia. They are back in Orlando this week.
When I do WWE NXT reviews I do summary style for most of the show and then play-by-play for one or two matches.
They are at WWE Performance Center in Orlando for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
The commentary team of Vic Joseph and Booker T were on camera welcoming us to the show. A video package aired showing highlights from last week’s show in Philly.
Giulia & Stephanie Vaquer vs. Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
Lash used her size advantage to nail Giulia with a pump kick. After Jackson got a tag, she hit a dropkick for a two count. The screen went black for a few moments perhaps because of a wardrobe malfunction. There was an impressive missile dropkick from Jackson. Vaquer tagged in for some double team offense. Vaquer hit a leg drop along with her repeated knee smash. They did a spot where Lash caught both opponents and rammed them into the rapes. Jackson jumped off Lash’s shoulders over the top onto both opponents. Cool spot before the break.
(Commercial)
Vaquer broke free from Jackson to bring in Giulia. There was an impressive sunset flip bomb by Giulia on Lash, who wasn’t legal, so Guilia suplexed Jackson for two. Vaquer and Giulia hit a double team suplex on Jackson that led to a count broken up by Lash. From the apron, Giulia dropkicked Lash into the steel steps. Giulia tagged in with a missile dropkick on Jackson. Vaquer hit Jackson with her backbreaker followed by Giulia & Vaquer hitting double knees on Jackson. The screen went black for a moment and Giulia covered Jackson for the win. It went about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Giulia & Stephanie Vaquer
Analysis: **3/4 It was a solid tag team match with an obvious result since Giulia & Vaquer remain strong in NXT, especially as a duo. The Lash & Jackson team has been on the main roster for several matches now, so they probably won’t be NXT talent for much longer. The screen going black a few times due to wardrobe malfunctions is awkward, but I understand why The CW and WWE are alert for stuff like that. The double knee finish was okay.
After the match, Stephanie Vaquer & Giulia were interviewed in the ring about the Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches. Giulia said she knew this day would come. Vaquer told Giulia she’d see her at Deadline. They shook hands.
There was a video about the rules of the Iron Survivor Challenge matches at the Deadline PLE. Whoever wins the Iron Survivor Challenge gets a shot at the NXT Title and the Women’s NXT Title.
Sol Ruca made her entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
There are NXT superstars on Trivial Pursuit this Thursday on the CW. It’s Trick Williams, Lola Vice, Wes Lee & Roxanne Perez.
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Cora Jade & Sol Ruca
Sol was in control early with a superkick. Vic correctly pointed out that both women have come back from major knee injuries. Jade came back after knocking Sol down and doing a double foot stomp to the back. Jade hit a running back elbow while Sol was against the ropes. Sol went for a move off the top, but Jade tripped her up there. Jade went for a running knee, Sol avoided it and Sol hit the Sol Snatcher off the ropes for the pinfall win after about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Sol Ruca
Analysis: **1/2 That was shorter than I thought. I figured they’d have a more competitive match and I thought Jade might win, but instead, it was all about putting over Ruca. They are good performers with bright futures. Sol is a terrific athlete while Jade is one of the better characters in the women’s division.
Sol Ruca is the first of five women to qualify for the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge,
Wes Lee and Cedric Alexander were backstage talking about their matches coming up. They are both focused on winning.
Karmen Petrovic was talking to Dion Lennox backstage. Brinley Reece walked up to wonder what they were talking about. Ashante Thee Adonis spoke to Lennox claiming they were best friends, which Dion didn’t agree with. Lennox said that since Karmen and Ashante both complained about costing eachother matches then maybe they should team up. Brinley suggested that she teams with Dion against them, so Brinley mentioned they could do it next week.
Analysis: I wouldn’t call this top-quality acting, but they did set up a tag team match for next. Karmen is playing the hard-to-get hot girl who has a crush on the guy (Ashante), yet she’s unable to admit it publicly.
Wes Lee made his entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
There was a video featuring NXT GM Ava talking to NXT tag teams. Josh Briggs was there, but he walked out. Ava pointed out the teams in the room. There was Gallus, OTM, Hank & Tank, The Family, Tyson & Tyriek and No Quarter Catch Crew. There was some trash talking between the teams. Ava told them they needed to do more than talk because they needed to show her.
Analysis: They didn’t specifically announce anything to set up tag team contenders, but that’s likely coming soon.
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Cedric Alexander vs. Wes Lee
Lee used his speed to trip up Cedric and a senton splash onto the back. Cedric had Lee caught between the ropes, so Cedric delivered kicks along with Cedric doing a somersault dive over the top onto Lee. Cedric’s leap didn’t go well and I think he barely touched Lee, so Cedric was grabbing his right leg after it hit the ground.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Cedric hitting a dropkick to counter a Cardiac Kick attempt by Lee. Cedric continued on offense with a uranage slam on the ring apron. Cedric hit a springboard flatliner in the ring for a two count. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for the fast-paced action. Lee hit Cedric with a superkick to the jaw followed by a Cardiac Kick for just two. That was a finishing move for Lee in the past and it won Lee a lot of matches. The referee talked to Lee likely giving him a time cue. Lee went for a twisting splash, Cedric moved and Cedric hit a clothesline. Lee pulled a turnbuckle pad off, Cedric caught Lee and hit a Michinoku Driver for two after the referee was a bit slow to count due to putting the turnbuckle pad off. Cedric charged, Lee with a kick to the knee and Cedric went face-first into the exposed steel turnbuckle. Lee hit a running double knee Meteora for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Wes Lee
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a great match between two very athletic guys. They matched up well, but it was the right call to have Lee win as one of the better heels on the brand. Cedric is there to win some matches occasionally although as a veteran on the brand, he’s also there to help the young talent get better too. I think Lee could certainly win the Iron Survivor Challenge match as well. They can use it to put him into the main event picture.
That win means that Wes Lee is the first of five men to qualify for the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge.
Tony D’Angelo, the NXT North American Champion, was eating at a restaurant. Shawn Spears walked in with Brooks Jensen, so Spears sat down at the table to exchange words. Tony said it took him three years to win a title like this. Spears said he didn’t want the title and said he wanted Brooks to win the title. Spears said that he’s starving while claiming the only thing in NXT that will satisfy his appetite is that title. Spears said thanks for your time and left. Spears and Brooks were shown in a car where Spears talked to some guy named Nico, who drove them off.
Analysis: There were some recent interactions between Tony D and Spears/Brooks, so now we’ll see the feud develop further.
The NXT Champion Trick Williams was shown walking backstage for some promo time up next.
(Commercial)
Kelani Jordan was interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. Jordan said she’s going to get her title back tonight. Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx interrupted to say that Jordan isn’t getting her title back.
Let’s Hear from Trick Williams
Trick Williams made his entrance as the NXT Champion at the top of hour two. Trick said with Deadline around the corner, he had the Iron Survivor Challenge match and things looked good for him. Trick said that last week Bubba Ray and him put Ethan Page through a table, but he’s here to talk about Ridge Holland pinning him in a tag team match last week. Trick called out Ridge.
Andre Chase of Chase University walked out from the crowd. Chase said that he’s not done with Ridge Holland by a long shot. Chase got into the ring with Trick. Trick said that Chase has managed to bounce back and land on his feet. Trick said that we need to recognize Andre for all the good work he’s done here in NXT. Trick said that Chase has done everything in NXT, but not everything when he thinks about it and Trick showed his NXT Title. Trick said for one day, one moment only he should forget what Ridge Holland has done to him…here comes Ridge.
Ridge Holland made his entrance and was booed by the crowd. Ridge didn’t like the idea of Chase getting a title shot. Ridge said that Trick was ducking him while Ridge put Andre in an ambulance two weeks ago. Ridge said that he’s moved on from Chase. Ridge told Trick he made the ECW Arena deadly silent when he pinned Trick’s ass. Chase spoke up saying he wants one more match with Ridge. Ridge said no. Chase said he’ll put the university on the line, so if Ridge wins then Chase U belongs to Ridge. That led to Ridge saying he didn’t care about Chase U. Ridge said he only cares about the NXT Title.
Trick intervened to say they set it up for next week: Ridge Holland vs. Andre Chase and the winner gets a shot at Trick for the NXT Title at Deadline. Trick said that he’s pulling for Chase after everything Chase has been through while pointing out that NXT loves Chase. Ridge said that if he beats Chase then Chase’s relationship with Riley Osborne, Duke Hudson and Thea Hail is done. Ridge said Chase U will be done while he’ll walk straight into Deadline for a shot at the NXT Championship while Chase will have nothing. Ridge told Chase it’s quite a gamble.
Chase told Ridge that he was on. Chase said next week he’s going to give Ridge an Andre Chase University-sized ass whipping. Ridge punched Chase, so Trick gave Ridge a Rock Bottom. Chase and Trick did the Chase U stomp on Ridge, which led to Ridge leaving the ring. Chase and Trick celebrated in the ring.
Analysis: It’s a big match for next week. I think Ridge is going to win so that he faces Trick at Deadline because Ridge pinned Trick last week. It’s also a way to shut down the Chase U story after three years, so hopefully there’s some sort of plan in place for those wrestlers. The fans are strongly behind Chase and Trick supporting Chase helps him too, but I would be very surprised if Ridge didn’t win that match next week.
Jaida Parker was featured in a video package saying that she was going to qualify for the Iron Survivor Challenge and beat Sol Ruca along with the other three women in the match. Parker mentioned her win over Lola Vice last week when she used a brick to set up the win. Parker said she’s going to finish it and leave Deadline as the Iron Survivor.
Analysis: I think Jaida Parker has a good shot to win. She’s a star on the rise.
Nikkita Lyons made her entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
There was a backstage scene with NXT GM Ava talking to Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura from NOAH. They were interrupted by Eddy Thorpe, who wanted to talk to Ava. Josh and Inamura left. Ava informed Thorpe she was putting him in an Iron Survivor Challenge match, so Thorpe liked that.
Adrianna Rizzo vs. Nikkita Lyons
This story was about how Lyons did a cheap attack on Rizzo a few weeks ago, so Rizzo wanted revenge. Lyons used her power to apply a Full Nelson submission and that turned into a slam by Lyons. They were on the apron where Lyons hit Rizzo with some hip checks to the head. Rizzo finally got some offense with two forearm smashes and a springboard cross body block. Rizzo jumped off the turnbuckle, Lyons caught her and Lyons kicked Rizzo to knock her down. Lyons jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a Vader Bomb-style splash for the pinfall win after about four minutes. Lyons yelled at Rizzo: “It’s over!”
Winner: Nikkita Lyons
Analysis: *1/2 A dominant win by Lyons. It was a bit sloppy at times, but they got through it and Lyons got the easy win. Rizzo has potential and I like the fire she has as a babyface. However, they just aren’t pushing her much.
After the match, Rizzo hit Lyons in the back with a crowbar. Rizzo: “Now it’s over, sweetheart.” That’s some payback.
Analysis: I don’t know if it’s really over between them, but it is some justified payback for Rizzo.
Andre Chase was walking backstage when Duke Hudson, Riley Osborne & Thea Hail approached him. Chase said that Chase U is about taking risks. Chase said they’ve been through it all together and he won’t let anybody or anything break them up. Chase said that they will be riding the highest of highs and left. Duke said that it could be the lowest of lows. Riley said that he is gambling their future again. They were frustrated.
Je’Von Evans made his entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
A video aired about new women’s wrestler Zaria talking about how she was going to win the Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline. Zaria said it’s her kind of fun.
Analysis: I think Zaria will be in the Iron Survivor Challenge match and she certainly could win it.
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Je’Von Evans vs. Lexis King
I’ll go full play-by-play here. King and Evans each got pin attempts early on. Evans grounded King with an armbar, so King hit an up kick to the jaw. Evans bounced off the ropes leading to a rollup for two. King rolled up Evans for two followed by each man going getting two counts after that. Evans did a hurricanrana followed by a dropkick to send King out of the ring. Evans hit a suicide dive onto King on the floor. Back in the ring, Evans tried a leapfrog and King headbutted Evans in the groin by accident. Vic had a good line about how King had the Loose Cannon on one shoulder and Flyin’ Brian on the other as a reference to King’s late father Brian Pillman. Evans was down selling the accidental low blow while the referee checked on him.
Analysis: That was one of those low blow spots on purpose where it pushes the story about King refusing to go fully heel.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Evans connecting with a clothesline along with a back elbow. Evans hit a Stunner-like move followed by a suplex. Evans did a springboard cross body block off the top for two. Evans went up top, jumped off with a moonsault, King avoided it and King hit a superkick for two. Evans hit a forearm, King punched him back and Evans hit a twisting kick to the head. Evans went up top and hit an impressive Frog Splash for two. King was back up with a Backstabber double knees to the back followed by King hitting a sitout Michinoku Driver for a two count. The fans were chanting “NXT” for the good action. King charged, Evans kicked him and King was down. Evans jumped off the top with a twisting splash for the pinfall win after about ten minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Je’Von Evans
Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining match. Evans is one of my favorites in NXT while King certainly good job of keeping up with him. King is going through this storyline where he refuses to cheat to win matches, but I think at some point he’s going to accept the cheating ways.
That win by Je’Von Evans means he joins Wes Lee in the Iron Survivor Challenge match along with three other matches.
After the match, Je’Von Evans shook hands with Lexis King, who hugged Evans. King raised Evans’ hand as the winner of the match.
The NXT Tag Team Champions Axiom & Nathan Frazer were watching the show backstage while Frazer said he got himself an Iron Survivor Challenge match. Axiom didn’t like Frazer doing that. Frazer said Axiom’s been in the match before, so he thought he would ask him for tips. Frazer left. OTM walked in to talk to Axiom about his partner going for singles gold and The D’Angelo Family guys showed up to argue with OTM. Referees showed up to break it up.
Next week on NXT has this lineup announced so far:
* Men’s & Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Matches Continue
* NXT Championship #1 Contender Match: Andre Chase vs. Ridge Holland. If Chase loses then Chase U must disband.
* Tony D’Angelo vs. Brooks Jensen
* Karmen Petrovic & Ashante “Thee” Adonis vs. Brinley Reece & Dion Lennox
There were backstage shots of Fallon Henley (with friends) and Kelani Jordan walking backstage for their main event match up next.
(Commercial)
They showed Ashante “Thee” Adonis talking to Dion Lennox in the locker room with Adonis wondering if Dion told Karmen about other girls. Dion said no, so Adonis said that’s why they are boys.
Lexis King walked into the locker room where Hank & Tank sat with him along with Dante Chen. Chen told King what he did was admirable because he chose honor over glory. Hank told King to keep his head up. Gallus walked up to mock Hank & Tank as a team that Gallus didn’t have to worry about. Hank & Tank argued with Gallus about it.
It was main event time with former champion Kelani Jordan up first. She was up against the NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley of Fatal Influence joined by Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx. They looked great as usual. Ring announcer Mike Rome did a nice job with the championship introductions as usual.
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley (w/Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Kelani Jordan
I’ll go play-by-play for this. They did some quick moves including arm drags and trips leading to pin attempts. Jordan hit a back elbow followed by an arm drag. Jordan dropkicked Henley out of the ring. Jordan went for a move on the floor, but Henley avoided it. Henley sent Jordan into the hood of the commentary table. Jordan punched Henley on the floor. Jordan hit a moonsault off the table onto Henley on the floor in a move that barely hit Henley, but Henley sold it anyway.
(Commercial)
The match returned as both women did a hair pull takedown at the same time. They showed some tag teams fighting in the backstage area. Jordan got some offense going with a couple of forearms followed by a cartwheel into a back elbow. Jordan did a standing Shooting Star Press for two. Jordan went to the turnbuckle for a move, but Henley blocked that. Henley hit an impressive blockbuster off the turnbuckle and then Henley did a hair pull takedown for a two count. Jordan sent Henley into the turnbuckle, Henley shoved Jordan down, Henley went up top and Jordan went to the top rope leading to Jordan hitting a Spanish Fly slam off the top for two. Vic called it a Phoenix Splash for some reason. Jordan went up top again, she went for a 450 Splash, but landed on her feet and Henley used her legs to roll up Jordan for two. Jordan came back with her Angle Slam-like move that she does. Jordan hit her One of a Kind moonsault for two because Jayne put Henley’s foot on the bottom rope. The referee didn’t see Jayne do that, but he saw the foot on the ropes. Jordan kicked Jayne down and kicked Nyx out of the ring. Jordan went for a pin attempt, Henley kicked out so Jordan went to the ropes and Jayne did a cheap shot forearm on Jordan. Henley hit a Fameasser for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Fallon Henley
Analysis: *** It was a good effort by both women and fine for the time given. It would be nice if they got more time, but that’s all that was left on the show. Henley getting the win was the right call since she recently won the title from Jordan, so I didn’t expect Jordan to get it back here. The numbers game was a big factor since Jayne got involved to help Henley win, which is usually what happens with that Fatal Influence group. I like Henley using the Fameasser as her finisher. It’s better than what she has used in the past.
The OTM team was at ringside saying they were easy to find. The D’Angelo Family’s Stacks & Luca Crusifino showed up at ringside to fight with OTM. Other NXT tag teams showed up at ringside and they got into a massive fight. It was the Gallus boys along with Hank & Tank as well. Referees went out to ringside to try to stop the fighting.
Analysis: A chaotic ending to the show that pushes the idea that NXT tag teams are all motivated after what Ava said to them earlier. I like seeing that.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Wes Lee
- Je’Von Evans
- Fallon Henley/Kelani Jordan
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2024 Average: 7.17
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
I thought it was a solid show overall, but last week was better thanks to the Philly atmosphere and feeling a bit different. There were multiple matches on this show around the three-star level with none of them standing out that much although I thought Wes Lee and Je’Von Evans stood out in their matches.
There was plenty of the women’s division as usual in NXT, which is cool to see because of how many talented women they have. I liked the Henley-Jordan main event even though the result was obvious. It puts Henley over as a tough champion to beat since she has Jayne & Nyx at ringside to help, which Jayne did in this match.
They set up some matches for next week and the build for Deadline has been okay so far.
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John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport