The John Report: WWE NXT 11/19/24 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured Ridge Holland facing Andre Chase and more Iron Survivor Challenge matches.
I am writing this three days after the show aired because I was on vacation. 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 was Vic Joseph and Booker T as usual. There were a lot of Chase U supporters in the building.
The NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom were talking backstage while Axiom questioned Frazer about being in the Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match. Frazer said he knows tag teams are breathing down their neck, but he’s not worried. As he said that, Gallus appeared behind them and Frazer/Axiom stared back at them.
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Nathan Frazer (w/Axiom) vs Eddy Thorpe
The tag teams of OTM, Stacks & Luca Crusifino and Hank & Tank were in the arena to watch the match to keep an eye on Frazer & Axiom.
Frazer ran the ropes quickly and hit a running kick on Thorpe to take control. The team of Tyson DuPont and Tyriek Igwe was also at ringside. Thorpe got some offense going with a cross body block and a knee to the ribs. Frazer sent a charging Thorpe into the middle turnbuckle. The Gallus boys appeared at ringside as well. Frazer and Thorpe did a double cross body block as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Thorpe in control while NXT tag teams surrounded the ring. Frazer got some offense going with a moonsault into reverse DDT and a running Shooting Star Press for two. Thorpe hit a German Suplex off the top that Frazer sold as a moonsault bump and Thorpe hit a brainbuster for two. The tag teams were fighting on the floor, so Frazer hit a springboard dive onto a pile of guys on the floor. Back in the ring, Frazer hit a neckbreaker and a top rope Phoenix Splash (landing on Eddy’s head) for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Nathan Frazer
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good match. Frazer is so great in the ring while Thorpe can certainly keep up with him. There was a lot of chaos at ringside that took away from the match, but I get why it was done to further the tag team division story. It would be nice to see Thorpe get more of a shot as a singles guy although I have no problem with Frazer getting the win because he is one of my favorites in NXT.
The win by Nathan Frazer puts him in the Iron Survivor Challenge Match at Deadline with Je’Von Evans, Wes Lee and two others to be determined.
After the match, the tag teams continued to fight around ringside as referees and security tried to break it up. The fans chanted “let them fight” as the scene faded out.
Andre Chase Addresses Chase University
Andre Chase spoke to his “students” at Chase University talking about the growth of Thea Hail and how Duke Hudson was an MVP. Chase spoke about Riley Osborne as a breakout star. Chase mentioned Hail becoming a challenger for the NXT Women’s Title. Chase U also won Tag Team Gold twice. Chase said that the lessons they learned are part of them now. Chase said that he is going to right Ridge’s wrongs. Chase said tonight he’ll become the number one contender.
Analysis: A speech by Chase to set up the main event.
Jaida Parker entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
A video aired featuring Giulia talking about how she is enjoying life in America and learning a new culture. Giulia talked about being a fighter growing up and fans in Japan described her as beautiful madness. She said that sums her up about what she brings to WWE as a superstar. Giulia spoke about becoming the Iron Survivor Challenge winner.
Kelani Jordan was talking to Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner. Jordan said she wants to face Giulia in a qualifying match.
Analysis: I pick Giulia. Sorry, Jordan.
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Jaida Parker vs. Stephanie Vaquer
Parker used her power to take control with a shoulder tackle. Vaquer came back with multiple pin attempts for two counts. When Vaquer went for a cross body block, Parker caught her and hit a backbreaker. Parker connected with her tear drop butt splash against the turnbuckle.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Parker hitting the double knee backstabber to the back for two. Parker hit a reverse suplex. Vaquer got some offense going with a boot to the face and a double knee attack against the turnbuckle. Parker hit an impressive Falcon Arrow for two. Parker ran the ropes, but Lola Vice showed up with a brick, so Parker was distracted by that. Vaquer hit a superkick followed by the double underhook backbreaker for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Stephanie Vaquer
Analysis: ***1/4 This was a fun match and I’m glad they got over 10 minutes because I expected it to be shorter than that. It was obvious that Vaquer was going to win as a newcomer who has been pushed since she arrived. I like Parker a lot, so it sucks to see her lose, but she still has a bright future. Vice distracting Parker cost Parker the match, so it gives Parker an out for why she lost.
The win means that Stephanie Vaquer is in the Iron Survivor Challenge along with Sol Ruca and three other wrestlers.
Dion Lennox and Brinley Reece were shown getting ready for their mixed tag team match.
The NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo made his entrance. Tony was accompanied by Adrianna Rizzo for his match after a break.
(Commercial)
Roxanne Perez, the NXT Women’s Champion, was shown on the beach saying she was on vacation. Perez wished good luck to the ladies busting their asses as they try to compete against her. Sol Ruca was running in the background with a surfboard and said she’d see her soon after winning the Iron Survivor Challenge. Perez was not impressed.
Tony D’Angelo (w/Adrianno Rizzo) vs. Brooks Jensen (w/Shawn Spears)
Tony D’s NXT North American Title was not on the line. I think Brooks Jensen has the most generic wrestler theme song in all of WWE. That happens sometimes when you have hundreds of wrestlers under contract.
The champion Tony D hit a body slam and was in control in the first few minutes. Jensen managed to slow Tony down with a sleeper. Jensen sent Tony throat-first across the top rope. After Jensen applied another sleeper, Tony managed to break free. Tony hit two belly-to-belly side slams. Jensen countered a spinebuster with a double knee attack, but when Jensen tried for more, Tony planted him with a huge spinebuster for the pinfall win after about five minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo
Analysis: **1/4 A solid match for the time given at around five minutes. The spinebuster isn’t a finisher for a lot of wrestlers, but Tony D does it in a way that’s so impressive so I think it’s fine for him to win with that. Brooks got a few minutes of offense before he lost the match.
After the match, Shawn Spears went into the ring and shook hands with Tony D, which led to Jensen hitting a chop block to the back of the left knee. Spears had a sinister smile on his face.
Analysis: That means the rivalry is going to continue. There was no Stacks & Crusifino to help Tony D due to the tag teams brawling earlier in the show.
The team of Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Karmen Petrovic were getting ready. Adonis said that he knows Karmen is best friends with Brinley Reece, but they have to focus on the match. Karmen said that they had to lock in and get their hands raised.
Dion Lennox and Brinley Reece entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Lexis King was speaking to the camera saying as of late he’s turned a new leaf. King said he’s trying to be the best version of himself that he can be. King said slow and steady wins the race. The camera panned over to show Yoskhiki Inamura who said he understood and did a thumbs up. Josh Briggs wondered what that was about and Inamura said he doesn’t know because NXT is a crazy place. The camera panned over to show more NXT tag teams fighting backstage. Inamura said “my kind of crazy” to Briggs, who was smiling.
Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Karmen Petrovic vs. Dion Lennox & Brinley Reece
Karmen and Adonis have been flirting of late, so now we see them as a team. Reece nailed Karmen with a clothesline so Adonis tagged in with a dropkick. They did a spot where Dion ran the ropes, nearly ran into Karmen, he stopped himself and Adonis sent Dion throat first into the top rope. Dion ran the ropes leading to a double clothesline. Reece tagged in against Karmen leading to a clothesline and a rollup for two. Breece was not interested in kicking Adonis, so she slapped him. Karmen delivered a roundhouse kick to Reece’s head for the pinfall win. It lasted about four minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Karmen Petrovic
Analysis: *1/2 A weaker match. Mixed tags aren’t easy to do sometimes, but it was done to advance the story of Karmen & Adonis as a couple that like eachother without admitting it yet. I think Lennox has a lot of potential physically, so it’s just a matter of getting him in some interesting storylines.
Ridge Holland was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Ridge said that relationships will be destroyed when he beats Andre Chase. Ridge said that Chase made the wrong choice because he’s going to Deadline and Chase U dies.
Zaria was shown walking backstage for her match up next.
(Commercial)
A video aired about past Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge matches with Roxanne Perez and Blair Davenport as past winners.
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Wren Sinclair (w/Charlie Dempsey) vs. Zaria
Wren used her quickness to get a rollup for two. Zaria took control with a clothesline, suplex, and a delayed vertical suplex. Nice sequence. Wren got another rollup, but Zaria got out of it. Zaria clotheslined Wren out of the ring. Zaria was distracted by Dempsey on the floor, so Wren hit Zaria with a suicide dive. Wren dropkicked Zaria into the turnbuckle and had momentum until Zaria nailed a clothesline. Wren countered a move with a rollup where she sat on top for two. Zaria managed to come back with an impressive Spear. Zaria hit her slam off the shoulders like the F5 for the pinfall win after about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Zaria
Analysis: **1/4 A dominant win by the powerhouse Zaria, which was an obvious result for this match. There were a few moments where Wren got nearfalls so it wasn’t like it was a squash match. I like Wren as a wrestler and a character, but it’s going to be hard to break out against some of the newer women brought into NXT in the last couple of months.
That win by Zaria means the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge looks like this right now: Sol Ruca vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Zaria vs. two more wrestlers. I assume Giulia gets one of those two spots.
The Fatal Influence trio was shown walking backstage for some promo time up next.
(Commercial)
Tony D’Angelo was in the trainer’s room getting checked on by a doctor. NXT GM Ava showed up and Tony said he wants this match with his title on the line. Ava said if he’s cleared then he can have it. Eddy Thorpe complained about tag teams ruining his match. Ava said there’s nothing she can do while Thorpe said she is rewarding Spears with a title match, but nothing she can do for him. Thorpe left.
Analysis: It looks like a heel turn building for Thorpe, who has been a babyface for his NXT run so far. Let’s see how he does as a heel.
Let’s Hear from Fatal Influence
The Fatal Influence trio of NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jasmyn Nyx were in the ring for a promo. Jayne talked about how they are at the top of the division. Henley said they should be talking about what she did last week. Nyx said that Henley beat Kelani Jordan. Henley said now she can be standing there looking pretty or she can do an open challenge for next week. Henley said that “they” need time to find an opponent for her.
Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson interrupted the promo. Lash said that the Meta Girls wanted a piece of that.
Nikkita Lyons also arrived telling Lash to get to the back of the line. Lyons said she’ll see Fallon next week. Adrianna Rizzo attacked Lyons at ringside. Several more women from the back appeared at ringside and they got into a brawl.
While Henley was alone in the ring, Tatum Paxley snuck up behind her and Paxley hit a spinning slam. Paxley held up the NXT Women’s North American Title while the fans cheered that.
Analysis: There was a lot of chaotic brawling on this show. It sets up a lot of different women as possible contenders for Henley’s title.
Shawn Spears was backstage with Brooks Jensen. Spears told Brooks that was exactly what he wanted. Their buddy Nico walked in saying he just got word that Spears got his title match for next week.
Karmen Petrovic and Ashante “Thee” Adonis were talking backstage. Karmen said they did a pretty good job together. They nearly kissed and Nikkita Lyons showed up telling Adonis she was waiting on that text back. Karmen said “of course” frustratingly (since the idea is that Adonis is a “player” with the ladies) and left while Adonis said he didn’t text her.
Analysis: Riveting soap opera storytelling. Maybe I’m being sarcastic by calling it “riveting” there.
(Commercial)
A video aired about Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge history. The past winners are Grayson Waller and Trick Williams.
Ethan Page spoke about how winning the Iron Survivor Challenge leads to an NXT Title match. Page said you know he doesn’t waste opportunities and you know he picks his spots. Page said that the wrestler with the most falls will be him and all he has to do is qualify next week.
Axiom and Nathan Frazer were backstage in the locker room talking about Ethan Page. Axiom said Page won’t be in the Iron Survivor Challenge because he’s facing Axiom. Frazer wasn’t sure at first and then he was happy for Axiom. Frazer said what happens if you do qualify? Axiom said then they’ll have to face eachother at Deadline.
Next week on NXT:
* Tony D’Angelo defends the NXT North American Title vs. Shawn Spears
* Fallon Henley defends the NXT Women’s North American Title vs. Tatum Paxley
* Women’s Iron Survivor Qualifying Match: Kelani Jordan vs. Giulia
* Men’s Iron Survivor Qualifying Match: Ethan Page vs. Axiom
Analysis: I think the winners will be Tony, Fallon, Giulia, and Page.
Andre Chase spoke to his “class” saying he’s been hard on some of them and said he wanted to apologize…for absolutely nothing. Chase said he’d give Ridge Holland an ass-whooping and go on to become the NXT Champion. The class was fired up for him.
The NXT Champion Trick Williams made his entrance to watch the main event as the fans chanted “Whoop That Trick” for him.
(Commercial)
Ridge Holland was up first for the main event with the fans booing him. Trick Williams was on commentary. Andre Chase got a huge pop with a lot of fans wearing “Chase U” shirts. Ring announcer Mike Rome did the in-ring introductions.
Andre Chase vs. Ridge Holland
The winner will challenge Trick Williams for the NXT Title at NXT Deadline. If Andre Chase loses, Chase U must separate from Thea Hail, Duke Hudson & Riley Osborne.
Chase was aggressive with punches along with a kick to the gut. Ridge came back with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, a corner splash and another overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Ridge hit another overhead belly-to-belly suplex across the ring. There was a fourth overhead belly-to-belly suplex from Ridge for just a one count. Ridge pulled off the protective mat on the floor to expose the concrete floor. Ridge tried a Powerbomb, but Chase blocked it. Chase kicked Ridge and Chase hit a somersault dive off the apron onto Ridge on the floor. That led to a break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Ridge going for a headbutt off the top, but Chase moved out of the way. Trick said he respected Chase U for building everything from the ground up and had a connection with the people. Chase hit a swinging neckbreaker. Chase tried a lifting move, but Ridge blocked it and Ridge hit a running knee. Ride powered up Chase and turned it into a DDT for two. Ridge grabbed a steel chair, the referee took it from him and Ridge kicked Chase in the groin, which wasn’t seen by the referee. The referee counted the pin, but Duke Hudson and Thea Hail showed up, so Duke pulled the referee out of the ring. That should be a DQ ending, but it kept on going. Duke fought with Ridge by the ringside area and Ridge tackled Duke through the wooden platform area. Riley Osborne jumped over the top with a somersault dive onto Ridge on the floor. Hail bumped too. Back in the ring, Ridge pressed Riley over his head and Ridge tossed Riley over the top onto the exposed concrete floor. Ridge bragged about taking out all of Chase U.
Chase and Ridge exchanged punches as the referee was back in the ring. Chase did the Russian legsweep followed by the CHASE U stomp combo with the fans chanting along. Chase hit the Side Effect slam for a two count. Chase got a hold of Ridge and hit a running Powerbomb for a two count. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for the match. Chase jumped off the top with a cross body block, but Ridge caught him and Ridge hit the Redeemer (lifting DDT) for the one…two…and three. It lasted 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Ridge Holland
Analysis: ***1/2 I liked that match a lot. It was better than the Ambulance Match they had at Halloween Havoc. The spot with Duke pulling out the referee should lead to a disqualification because putting your hands on a referee like that should be a DQ. I get why it wasn’t because Duke did it after Ridge hit a low blow. It also led to Ridge taking out Duke and Riley while Thea even took a bump too. Chase made the comeback, nearly got the win and then it just kind of ended there because of Ridge catching Chase to end the match.
The win by Ridge Holland means he will challenge Trick Williams for the NXT Title at Deadline on December 7th.
Analysis: That should be a win for Trick. I don’t see him losing the title to Ridge.
Ridge Holland celebrated the win while the fans were devastated about the Chase U loss. They showed Chase looking sad in the ring along with Duke, Riley, and Thea out on the floor. Poor Thea had to lie on the floor for five minutes after barely being touched. Chase was speechless as he looked at his fallen friends. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: That’s all for Chase U after more than three years of Chase U skits and matches. On one hand, I’ll miss Chase U because it was a fun group and there were entertaining moments involving them. On the other hand, it’s been three years, so at some point you need to move on from a midcard stable. I hope it’s a good thing for all of the talent involved. I think Hail has a lot of potential as a breakout women’s wrestler while all three guys can contribute a lot as well.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Ridge Holland & Andre Chase
- Nathan Frazer
- Stephanie Vaquer
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7
2024 Average: 7.18
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was a good show that was a nice mix of in-ring action and story development. I think the Iron Survivor Challenge matches have been predictable, but I don’t mind it because at least people are winning matches to be a part of it. Nathan Frazer and Stephanie Vaquer were very impressive in their matches.
The main event between Ridge Holland and Andre Chase felt like a big deal even though it was a match with an obvious result because Holland winning was the right call. We will have to see what’s next for Andre Chase and the former Chase U “students” now that Chase U is dead.
There was a lot of brawling throughout the show. It’s something Shawn Michaels loves as the booker and it’s a way to get more people on the show as well. They need to do more with the men’s tag team division rather than just have them brawl everywhere.
The NXT Deadline PLE is on December 7th with this lineup so far.
* NXT Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Ridge Holland
* Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match: Wes Lee vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Nathan Frazer vs. two more wrestlers.
* Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match: Sol Ruca vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Zaria vs. two more wrestlers.
You can watch NXT Deadline on Saturday, Dec. 7, streaming live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport