The John Report: WWE NXT 12/06/22 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured two big triple threat matches and it was the final episode before NXT Deadline.
The NXT Deadline Premium Live Event takes place this December 10th, so it’s all about building to that show. I am doing my usual NXT review with summary style most of the show and 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.
The commentary team of Vic Joseph and Booker T were at ringside to welcome us to the show.
Andre Chase vs. Axiom vs. Von Wagner
The winner gets to be the fifth man in the Iron Survivor Challenge match at Deadline.
Wagner used his size advantage to knock down both opponents with a running shoulder tackle. Chase and Axiom worked together with a double shoulder tackle to knock Wagner down along with a double suplex on the bigger man Wagner. Axiom did a headscissors/armdrag takedown on both guys. Axiom did a standing moonsault on Chase for two. Wagner got back into it with his power as he tossed Axiom over the top onto Chase on the floor.
(Commercial)
They did a spot where Chase hit a superplex on Axiom and the landing hit Wagner although I think Wagner could have been in a better spot to take that move. Chase did his C-H-A-S-E U stomp on Wagner with the fans chanting along with it. Axiom used his speed to hit a dive on Wagner and a jumping kick on Chase. Good nearfall by Chase after a sitout Powerbomb. The crowd wanted Chase to win. Wagner broke up a submission attempt by Axiom on Chase. Wagner fought out a Axiom move with a slam onto Axiom. Wagner hit a double underhook suplex slam for a two count on Chase. When Chase got back up, he did a reverse DDT/DDT combo on both guys. Chase hit a cross body block off the top and bumped to the floor so Axiom hit a running kick known as the Golden Ration on Wagner for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Axiom
Analysis: *** It was entertaining with all three guys coming close to winning a few times. I didn’t really like the cross body block spot at the finish because Chase hit the move and then he rolled out of the ring after that. It’s rare for somebody to do that after doing a cross body block, so it looked unnatural to me. Axiom winning is a fine choice since he’s exciting to watch and easy to like. It’s cool to hear how much the crowd loves Chase and wanted him to win.
The win means that Axiom will join JD McDonagh, Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller and Joe Gacy in the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge match.
A video aired about Cora Jade talking about how she’s proven she’ll do anything to win.
Julius Creed was getting looked at by the trainer with the doctor saying that Creed’s knee was fine. Ivy Nile asked the trainer to check on Julius’ ribs. The trainer told Julius he wasn’t cleared due to the rib injury, so he wanted to do more testing. Brutus Creed asked what Nile was doing and she said protecting her brother.
Bron Breakker was up next on a fishing trip.
(Commercial)
Bron Breakker and Apollo Crews Go Fishing
They showed Bron Breakker going on a fishing trip with Apollo Crews showing up to join him. Bron took Crews out to his favorite spot, so Bron gave him some tips on how to do it. They took some shots at eachother as they spoke about it. Bron talked abut how he did a standing moonsault after seeing Crews doing it. Crews said he has to learn to counter his own moves. Bron talked about how peaceful it is when you’re fishing. Crews talked about some of the guys that Bron has beaten. Crews joked that Bron should hand him the title and give Bron a break. Crews caught a pretty big fish, Crews kissed it and put it back in the water. Bron said that Deadline will be a banger, Crews said it would be and they talked some more. Bron said that his gameplan is power, intensity and speed with Crews saying he’ll challenge that. Bron shook hands with Crews as Bron said he can’t believe he couldn’t catch any finish.
It’s Bron Breakker defending the NXT Title against Apollo Crews this Saturday on Peacock/WWE Network.
Analysis: It was more friendly banter from Breakker and Crews just like they did last week in the restaurant. It’s a babyface respect style of match at Deadline rather than a rivalry with a great story. It’s fine, but I think the build could have been better.
Bryson Montana was in the ring looking ready for a match. Sanga and Veer Mahaan went into the ring with Sanga splashing Montana in the turnbuckle. Sanga gave Montana a Chokeslam. Javier Bernal entered for a match, but then he faked an injury and went to the back.
Sanga and Veer talked about how they wanted to face The Creed Brothers at 100%, but clearly, The Creed Brothers are not 100% right now. The Creed Brothers showed up and were held back by officials since Julius is not cleared to compete.
Analysis: The feud has been going on for a few weeks. It seemed like the match would be happening at Deadline, but now it is not happening.
Thea Hail was in the locker room with Chase U saying she had a match with Isla Dawn. Duke Hudson didn’t think she should do it, but Andre Chase said she’ll be fine. Duke questioned it, so Chase yelled at Duke and left.
A video aired about Tony D’Angelo, who is back in action this week.
(Commercial)
A video aired with Sol Ruca dancing on Tik Tok. They showed Edris Enofe and Malik Blade arguing with Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen in the background, so they have a match later.
Tony D’Angelo (w/Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo) vs. Xyon Quinn
Tony is back in action after ten weeks out of action due to a knee injury. Quinn got some offense with a Samoan Drop. Tony D got back into with a punch followed by a spinebuster. Tony D with a lifting slam where he used the left arm for a slam into the mat. It went about two minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo
Analysis: * Easy win to put over Tony D in his return from injury.
Tony D’Angelo talked about how he made some new connections during his physical therapy. Tony talked about how NXT North American Champion Wes Lee injured his left knee, so Wes Lee showed up.
Wes Lee walked out with the NXT North American Title. Lee said that everybody knows that Tony D has his eye on the NXT North American Title. Stacks tried to talk, so Lee told him to switch to decaf. Lee said that he has unfinished business with Dijak, but Tony said that he didn’t care about Lee’s business.
Dijak interrupted the promo from the backstage area. Dijak said that Tony D is a scumbag from the streets. Dijak told Lee to keep his name out of his mouth because he has a special way to deal with repeat offenders. Dijak said they can’t stop him from decimating NXT. Stacks said there was nowhere to run, Lee shoved Stacks down and Lee backed out of the ring.
Analysis: Wes Lee has two rivals to deal with as the NXT North American Champion. Dijak taking the title soon makes a lot of sense, but I like Tony D a lot too. Some champions in NXT get really long reigns. I think in Lee’s case it might be a shorter title reign instead of holding it for several months.
Hank Walker was shown talking to Charlie Dempsey in the locker room last week. Walker said he wanted opportunity and respect that everybody else gets around here. They agreed to a match with Dempsey telling Walker that he’ll show him he doesn’t belong.
Hank Walker entered for his match.
(Commercial)
A video aired from Scrypts (former Reggie) talked about how NXT is his new home. Scrypts said he was going to target the chosen ones. There was more, but I don’t find it that interesting.
Hank Walker vs. Charlie Dempsey
Dempsey is William Regal’s son as Booker referenced him having a pedigree. Walker drove Dempsey into the turnbuckle a few times and did a big hiptoss. Dempsey applied an armbar on the left arm, but Walker used his power to get out of it with a body slam. Dempsey did a gutwrench suplex. They showed Drew Gulak standing in the aisle looking at Dempsey in the ring. Walker got some momentum going with corner splashes and a powerslam. Dempsey got a leg whip takedown leading to Dempsey doing a single leg crab and locking his head around the head of Walker. Dempsey applied the move fiercely while Walker tapped out to give Dempsey the win. It went about four minutes.
Winner by submission: Charlie Dempsey
Analysis: ** It was fine for a shorter match. Walker did a lot of power spots, which is smart for him early in his career. Dempsey has a lot of technical wrestling skill that he showed here. Dempsey doesn’t have a big personality and his look is very basic, but he has a lot of talent.
Drew Gulak was shown looking on, he didn’t have much of a reaction and he left.
Analysis: It looks like the start of Gulak doing some angle with Dempsey perhaps as a mentor or partnership since Gulak is known for being a good technical wrestler. Since Gulak
A video aired about Zoey Stark talking about her chances in the Iron Survivor Challenge match at NXT Deadline.
The NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly were shown walking backstage for their Christmas segment up next.
(Commercial)
Grayson Waller was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell. Waller talked about how he’s the odds-on favorite to be the winner of the Iron Survivor Challenge match and he has his talk show segment later in the show.
Pretty Deadly’s A Real Christmas Story
Pretty Deadly, the NXT Tag Team Champions, were in the ring with Christmas directions along with a tree and other Christmas things. Kit Wilson sat on the chair while Elton Prince sat on his lap and they read a story with PD saying they wrote this themselves. Kit had a line about “their bulging sacks overflowed…with gifts” from their legions of fans. Anyway, it kept on going including Prince yelling about how people say soccer instead of football. They bragged about how they have beaten everybody and they will never, ever lose. Prince said that 2023 will be Pretty Deadly’s year just like 2022. They hugged to end it.
It’s a New Day, yes it is! What a pop for The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods showing up unannounced with the fans giving them a huge ovation. Woods wondered who they would defend the NXT Tag Team Titles at Deadline and Kofi said that PD believed that they beat everybody, but Woods said that PD never beat New Day. Kofi wanted Pretty Deadly to put the NXT Tag Team Titles on the line this Saturday, then PD tried an attack, but Kofi and Woods were in full control. Woods tossed Prince into a Christmas tree and threw a present at Wilson. PD was sent to the apron, two presents were put on their heads and Kofi/Woods hit superkicks to knock them off the apron. Booker T was not happy about it while Vic loved it. Woods and Kofi held up the NXT Tag Team Titles with the fans cheering it.
Analysis: That was a cool surprise. Giving New Day an NXT Tag Team Title match just like that is similar to what they did a few months ago when Ricochet challenged Carmelo Hayes for the NXT North American Title. It’s a big boost for NXT to have The New Day wrestling on Deadline, so I’m all for it. Since we saw Dolph Ziggler beat Bron Breakker for the NXT Title, it’s not a lot that Pretty Deadly is going to win although I think that’s what will happen. I’m interested to see what happens and I think it’s a great idea to have New Day there. The match was made official later in the show.
A video aired about Isla Dawn talking about her first match in NXT and said she hopes Alba Fyre is watching.
(Commercial)
Javier Bernal was walking backstage with Mckenzie Mitchell showing up for an interview. Javy was doing his usual stick bragging about how great he is. Ikemen Jiro was shown walking backstage and Jiro called Javy “Big Body Chicken” and Javy wasn’t happy about it.
Isla Dawn vs. Thea Hail (w/Andre Chase & Duke Hudson)
Dawn got a knockdown with a forearm followed by a double knee attack. Hail made a comeback after a submission hold including an overhead suplex and a senton splash off the ropes. Dawn hit a reverse DDT with a driving elbow strike two times in a row for the pinfall win after three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Isla Dawn
Analysis: * An easy win to put over Dawn in her first match since joining NXT after being NXT UK. Dawn is feuding with Alba Fyre, so obviously she was going to win easily here.
Alba Fyre arrived to fight Dawn and that fight was quickly broken up by referees. Dawn spit her poison mist at Fyre, but she ducked and it hit a referee in the face. Dawn left with a smile.
Analysis: It was a way to further that story with Fyre trying to get revenge against Dawn for costing Fyre the NXT Women’s Title a few weeks ago.
A video aired about Kiana James talking with her secretary about how she was going to win the Iron Survivor Challenge match at NXT Deadline. James said it’s all about strategy, which gives her an advantage.
Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
A video aired about Lyra Valkyria coming to NXT next week.
Edris Enofe & Malik Blade (w/Odyssey Jones) vs. Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen
Enofe and Blade were really aggressive with some quick double team moves on Jensen followed by Blade hitting a dropkick. Kiana James’ assistant Giovanna put some envelope in Jensen’s jacket for Fallon Henley. They did some big spots with Blade hitting a dive on Briggs on the floor and Enofe hit a running knee on Jensen. Enofe got an elbow drop off the top onto Jensen. Von Wagner showed up at ringside to fight with Jones. Jensen hit Enofe with a spinning heel kick, Briggs tagged in, knocked Blade off the apron and Jensen/Briggs hit a legsweep/clothesline combo for the pinfall win after about four minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen
Analysis: ** A fast-paced match where both teams were very aggressive. There wasn’t much of a story other than a brief video shown earlier in the day. There was also a lot of chaos outside the ring as well. I like both teams for different reasons. Briggs & Jensen work really well together with a mix of power/speed while Enofe/Blade are great athletes. Both teams will keep getting better.
Post match, Briggs & Jensen touched fists with Enofe & Blade to show some sportsmanship between the teams.
A video aired about Roxanne Perez talking about how she wants another NXT Women’s Title shot after getting screwed over the last time. Perez talked about how she didn’t know what to expect in the Iron Survivor Challenge match. Perez said she wants this so bad and had to go out there to win it. The camera panned back to show Perez was talking into a mirror with her saying she had to believe in herself.
Indi Hartwell made her entrance for the Iron Survivor Challenge Wildcard triple threat.
(Commercial)
A video aired promoting NXT Headline with Shawn Michaels talking about the Iron Survivor Challenge matches with an explanation of the rules.
Fallon Henley was backstage with Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen, who had an envelope with Kiana James welcoming him to deadline with a VIP invitation. Henley was mad about it and left for her match.
Analysis: Jensen works for NXT. Why does he need an invitation to the show? I shouldn’t ask logical questions.
Indi Hartwell vs. Wendy Choo vs. Fallon Henley
Iron Survivor Challenge Wildcard match where the winner is the fifth woman in the Iron Survivor Challenge match at Deadline.
I’ll go play by play here since it’s the last match on the show, but not the main event. Hartwell started with multiple body slams. Choo and Henley hit a double dropkick on Hartwell. They showed Toxic Attraction walking backstage with Booker hoping for an invitation to the Toxic Lounge. Hartwell with a clothesline, Choo blocked a bulldog attempt and Henley hit a running dropkick on Hartwell. Choo and Henley exchanged forearms, Choo knocked Hartwell off the apron and Choo hit a dropkick. Choo hit a running kick on Henley followed by a missed elbow drop. Henley hit a running kick. Henley kicked Hartwell to knock her into the ropes. Henley did a headlock/headscissors combo on both opponents. Hartwell was on the floor and she kicked Henley in the head to knock her down.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Hartwell sending Henley into Choo, who was upside down. Henley with some punches along with another jumping kick. Henley hit a running head slam on Hartwell for a two count with Choo breaking up the pin. They all took turns delivering strikes, Hartwell got an uppercut on Henley and Choo tripped up Hartwell. Choo hit an impressive over the head belly-to-belly suplex on Henley. Hartwell caught Choo with a spinebuster, but Henley was able to break up that pin. Hartwell teased a superplex on Henley, who blocked it and Choo showed up for a German Suplex-superplex spot out of the corner. That was really good as Choo got a two count on Henley. Hartwell tried to get some momentum going, but Henley got a rollup on her for two. Henley sent Hartwell out of the ring and Choo hit a brainbuster for two. Choo jumped off the top with a splash on Henley. Hartwell sent Choo out of the ring and Hartwell hit Henley in the back with a forearm for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Indi Hartwell
Analysis: ***1/4 This was pretty good with all three women getting several chances to win the match. Choo hit the big splash off the top, Hartwell sent Choo out of the ring and Hartwell hit her finishing forearm for the pinfall win. I thought it was a bit better than the men’s match just in terms of structure and a more exciting finish.
The win meant that Indi Hartwell is the fifth woman in the Iron Survivor Challenge match at NXT Deadline joining Zoey Stark, Cora Jade, Roxanne Perez and Kiana James.
They showed the five men in the Iron Survivor Challenge match all walking from different areas backstage for the main event promo.
(Commercial)
The Toxic Attraction trio of NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose, Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin were in the Toxic Lounge talking about title contenders. Rose said that they’re going to NXT Deadline saying there are five women fighting to compete against her. Indi Hartwell said that Saturday is her day and she’s going to be the one to take the title from Rose. Hartwell said when the clock runs out on that match, the clock ticks down on the end of Rose’s title reign. Rose didn’t say a word.
Analysis: It might be Indi as the winner of that match. I’m not sure of my pick, but I’ll have an NXT Deadline preview up on TJRWrestling on Friday.
There was a rundown of the NXT Deadline card for this Saturday. It has five matches.
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) (c) vs. The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston)
* Women’s Iron Survivor Series Challenge Match: Zoey Stark vs. Cora Jade vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James vs. Indi Hartwell
* NXT Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Apollo Crews
* Alba Fyre vs. Isla Dawn
* Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. JD McDonagh vs. Grayson Waller vs. Joe Gacy vs. Axiom
Grayson Waller Effect With Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Competitors
Grayson Waller hosted his talk show in the ring with JD McDonagh, Carmelo Hayes, Joe Gacy & Axiom were in the ring. Waller was clearly the tallest of the five guys. Waller made fun of a fan in the crowd while saying they will be linked together since they’re in a first time ever match. Waller introduced the five guys: Axiom, Joe Gacy, JD McDonagh and Carmelo Hayes. Waller insulted all of them.
Waller talked about how he was a reality show superstar in Australia. Hayes said he was the first entrant in this match because they are talking about him as the man that don’t miss, the one of one and he is the A Champion. McDonagh interrupted Hayes saying he lost the NXT North American Title twice. Hayes said that this is his match. Hayes said he’s going to have the same juice in minute one that he has in minute 25. McDonagh said that Melo has been protected since he walked in this door and McDonagh said that this Sunday he’ll be in a Lion’s Den. McDonagh told Hayes he won’t have the energy after 25 minutes and JD said he knows he has the gas tank to beat those guys. Waller said he didn’t need 25 minutes, then Hayes ripped on him not knowing how to last 25 minutes (nice one) and Waller ripped on Hayes for dressing like Waller. Gacy said that it’s inevitable saying that he will act accordingly at Deadline. Axiom said that the Iron Survivor Challenge is a challenge, it forces them to innovate and Axiom’s ability to adapt is his greatest strength. Hayes called Axiom a nerd.
There was a discussion about what place they want to be in the match. Axiom told McDonagh he remembered when McDonagh injured his knee. McDonagh told Axiom to worry about what hospital JD might put Axiom in. Gacy said he wants to be in the fourth spot because it will give him the advantage against the first three guys. Gacy said he’ll win and Schism will grow stronger. Hayes ripped on all of them saying they don’t want this like he wants this. Waller claimed he’s the favorite in this. JD headbutted Waller and then the other four guys got into a fight. Axiom hit a suicide dive onto Hayes on the floor while Gacy and JD went over the top to the floor. Waller hit an impressive somersault dive over the top onto the four guys. The five guys got into a brawl with referees there to break it up. End show.
Analysis: A wild ending to show that things are pretty even between these five guys going into Deadline. My pick is going to be Carmelo Hayes, but it’s not a lock and it could go to Waller for sure. I thought the segment was fine because they all got a chance to talk while making their points well. I’m interested in the Iron Survivor Challenge match on Saturday. Bring it on.
Three Stars of the Show
- The New Day
- Axiom
- Indi Hartwell
The Scoreboard
This week: 7 out of 10
Last week: 6.75
Final Thoughts
It was an entertaining show that was a nice mix of in-ring action and promos. Since Deadline is this Saturday, it was important to build to that event, which they did a lot. I thought they could have done more with Bron Breakker and Apollo Crews because last week it was a chat during a restaurant while this week it was a chat while fishing. I just think they could have done a bit more to build that match with a segment in the ring or at the arena at least.
The build to the Men’s and Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge matches have been good for the most part. Axiom joining the men’s match was a good call while Indi Hartwell being added to the women’s match is a smart move because she’s gaining momentum recently.
I liked the surprise of The New Day appearing to set up the NXT Tag Team Title match at Deadline. I didn’t see it coming, so it was a fun moment to see them show up to challenge Pretty Deadly. That should be a great match. I like seeing main roster stars appearing on NXT sometimes because it’s a way to freshen things up and create some new matches.
The NXT Deadline Premium Live Event is on Saturday, December 10th with this lineup so far:
* NXT Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Apollo Crews
* Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. JD McDonagh vs. Grayson Waller vs. Joe Gacy vs. Axiom
* Women’s Iron Survivor Series Challenge Match: Zoey Stark vs. Cora Jade vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James vs. Indi Hartwell
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) (c) vs. The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston)
* Alba Fyre vs. Isla Dawn
You can watch NXT Deadline on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 8 ET/5 PT streaming exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and WWE Network everywhere else.
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John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter @johnreport