The John Report: WWE NXT 12/17/24 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured Trick Williams against Eddy Thorpe for the NXT Title while Nathan Frazer & Axiom put the Tag Team Titles on the line.
There are three more NXT episodes this year. This one is the last away from their home base in Orlando. I’m unsure if I’ll review Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve episodes. It’s a maybe. They are building to the New Year’s Evil special in Los Angeles on January 7th.
As a reminder, 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 the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport, friend me on Facebook, or chat with me on the Bluesky App as well. Let’s get to it.
There was some pre-show walking shown including Trick Williams, Eddy Thorpe, a sad Ethan Page, and an excitable Je’Von Evans.
A video package aired about some WWE history in Lowell, Massachusetts for past WWE moments in the early days of Raw in the 1990s including The Rock’s first Intercontinental Title win as Rocky Maivia, Triple H beating Shawn Michaels in a joke match to win the European Title and Shawn Michaels doing the infamous “I lost my smile” speech in February 1997 when he vacated the WWE Title. They also previewed this week’s show.
It was Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary as usual. The building had about 2,000 fans there according to Wrestletix, so it’s pretty good for an NXT crowd. They turned the lights off on most of the crowd, which I don’t love, but it gives more of a spotlight on the guys in the ring.
Axiom (w/Nathan Frazer) vs. Oba Femi
Axiom is one-half of the NXT Tag Team Champions with Nathan Frazer. They have a title match later in the show. Femi won the Iron Survivor Challenge so he gets a shot at the NXT Title.
There’s a big size difference here since Femi is over 150 pounds bigger than Axiom according to Vic. Axiom hit some chops and avoided Femi as best he could. When Axiom went for a springboard move, Femi slapped him hard in the back to knock Axiom out of the ring.
(Commercial)
Femi continued to attack with a hard chop to the chest. Axiom got some offense with a missile dropkick, but Femi hit a clothesline leading to Axiom doing a flip bump. Axiom managed to get some offense after some dropkicks and other kicks to the head. Axiom hit a jumping kick to the head. Axiom hit a missile dropkick off the top. When Axiom tried more, Femi caught him and Femi tossed Axiom. Femi hit the Fall From Grace (popup Powerbomb) for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Oba Femi
Analysis: ***1/4 This was a fun power guy/speed guy kind of match with Femi using his power for most of it, but when Axiom was on offense, Femi bumped well for him. I’m not surprised by the result with Femi coming up with the big win since he always looks strong.
Eddy Thorpe was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber, who mentioned Thorpe staged an attack to set up an NXT Title match. Eddy said if anybody else did it then they’d call him a mastermind, but they called Eddy a cheater. Ava the NXT GM interrupted saying the contract was signed, so there was nothing she could do. Thorpe said to call him anything you want, but you will call him NXT Champion.
The team of Zaria and Sol Ruca entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
There was a backstage scene from “over the weekend” when Dion Lennox told Karmen Petrovic that Ashante “Thee” Adonis was trying to help her and she should apologize. Karmen agreed and hugged Lennox. Ashante “Thee” Adonis walked in so he was jealous of Lennox and Adonis said he was going to text Nikkita Lyons now. Adonis walked away frustrated while Petrovic left too and Dion said he’ll go back to reading books.
Analysis: This is high school level drama. Riveting television.
Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
It was Sol in control early on Jackson with a surfing taunt on the back. Lash tagged in leading to an elbow drop to Sol’s back. Sol hit an impressive double knee attack and did not tag out, so Lash slammed her. Zaria and Lash each tried to show off their power. Sol tagged in with a hurricanrana. Sol jumped off Jackson’s back while Zaria was holding Jackson, so it was Sol jumping onto Lash on the floor. Zaria press slammed Jackson over the top onto Lash on the floor. Impressive power display by Zaria.
(Commercial)
The Meta Girls were in control with Lash working over Sol and then Jackson took over. Sol managed to get a two count on Jackson and Sol kicked Jackson in the back, so Zaria tagged in. Zaria was impressive with a German Suplex on Jackson followed by a Spear for two because Lash broke it up. Zaria powered up Lash for a suplex followed by Sol hitting a springboard splash for two because Jackson broke up the pin. Zaria nearly ran into Sol, then Lash hit a pump kick on Sol and Lash sent Zaria out of the ring to the floor. Jackson hit a suicide dive on Zaria on the floor. Lash hit the spinning slam off her back on Sol for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
Analysis: *** It was okay for the most part. There were some parts that didn’t look smooth, but they got through it. The story was about how Lash & Jackson worked well as a team while Zaria & Sol were having issues. I don’t like Zaria losing although it was Sol taking the pin to protect Zaria in the match.
They showed the team of Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont arguing after their loss against Hank & Tank last week. Wes Lee was in the background. Tyson said there’s a way to do things without being disrespectful or being a sore loser. Lee said that Tyriek was right because this business is cutthroat and friends are overrated, so Lee told them to keep that same energy.
Analysis: Perhaps this could lead to a stable being formed. I wouldn’t mind seeing that since it would give Lee some backup while giving Tyson & Tyriek more of a spotlight.
Jaida Parker made her entrance for singles action and she was joined by her OTM buddies.
(Commercial)
Jaida Parker (w/Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) vs. Wren Sinclair (w/Myles Borne & Tavion Heights)
It was Parker on offense early with a teardrop splash and a Falcon Arrow slam. Wren got some offense going with some chops along with a clothesline and a running neckbreaker. Wren hit a double underhook suplex to send Parker out of the ring. The OTM guys fought with No Quarter Catch Crew guys at ringside and they went fighting to the back. Parker hit a back elbow to the jaw followed by the running Hip Check for the pinfall win after about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jaida Parker
Analysis: *1/2 An easy win for Parker to give her some momentum after losing to Lola Vice at Deadline. I’m a big fan of Parker getting wins. I like Wren too, but I think Parker is somebody who should be the next Women’s North American Champion. Parker is a star on the rise.
The trio of Shotzi, Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin were backstage bonding about how they worked together last week. Shotzi said that people judge people who look like them. Paxley was happy she didn’t have to play by herself anymore. Gigi said she knows everything there is to know about Jacy Jayne and she’s stronger when she has somebody by her side like she has now. They laughed while playing with dolls.
The NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley was backstage with her Fatal Influence buddies Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx. The duo of Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn showed up for trash talk saying that they see turmoil when they see Fatal Influence. The Fatal Influence girls didn’t like that, so they left.
Analysis: It should lead to a six-woman tag team match between those teams with Shotzi, Paxley & Dolin as faces against Fatal Influence.
The NXT Tag Team Title match was up next so we saw the champions Axiom & Nathan Frazer getting ready for it.
(Commercial)
A video package aired about the history of the NXT Women’s division. I miss Mandy Rose. Just saying. Anyway, they summed up the past 12 years by talking about how much the NXT Women’s has provided us with so many memorable moments. At New Year’s Evil, Roxanne Perez will defend the NXT Women’s Title against Giulia and we will witness history.
NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs. Gallus – Wolfgang & Mark Coffey (w/Joe Coffey)
Axiom had his left arm /shoulder taped up while Frazer was wearing a facemask. Axiom was also selling as if he was fatigued and hurt due to his match earlier in the night. I’ll go play-by-play here.
Frazer started for the team while Axiom was hurting on the apron. Mark held Frazer down while Wolfgang dropped a knee drop on Frazer’s face. Frazer managed to deliver some kicks to get out of the heel corner. Axiom tagged in and did a headscissors to send Mark out of the ring. Frazer hit a suicide dive on Mark. Axiom hit a suicide dive on Joe after Wolfgang moved out of the way. Frazer hit another suicide dive on Mark on the floor. Axiom collapsed after running the ropes, so Wolfgang slammed Axiom to the mat. Mark slammed Frazer back-first onto the ring apron. They went to break there.
(Commercial)
The Gallus boys were in control with a monkey flip into a back body drop combo move leading to Wolfgang getting a two count. Axiom managed to break free, so Frazer tagged in with some speed leading to a forearm on Mark. Frazer hit a reverse DDT on Mark, Frazer sent Wolfgang out of the ring and Frazer followed up with a standing SSP for two. Frazer hit a Slingblade on Mark followed by a Frog Splash off the top for two because Wolfgang broke up the pin. Mark punched Frazer in the jaw, Wolfgang tagged in and Gallus hit a kick/powerslam combo for two. Wolfgang jumped off the top and hit an impressive Swanton Bomb on Frazer for two because Axiom broke up the pin with a dropkick. Axiom hit a Golden Ratio kick on Mark to stop a double team move. Frazer rolled up Wolfgang for two. Axiom hit a Golden Ratio kick to Frazer while Frazer was on Wolfgang’s back going for a move. Axiom hit a Canadian Destroyer on Mark. Wolfgang hit Axiom with a knee to knock him out of the ring. Frazer hit a Poison Rana on Wolfgang so all four guys were down. Frazer hit a spinning kick, but Wolfgang stopped another move leading to a clothesline. Wolfgang went up top, Axiom tagged himself in, Frazer kicked Wolfgang and Axiom went up top and hit a Spanish Fly on Wolfgang. Frazer got the tag while Axiom hit a dive onto the Coffey boys on the floor. Frazer went up top and hit a Phoenix Splash for the pinfall win after about 15 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Nathan Frazer & Axiom
Analysis: ***3/4 That was an awesome match. Frazer & Axiom continue to be the most entertaining team in all of WWE. It’s so easy to get into their matches because they are so good at selling and making us think that this is going to be the match where they lose, but they find ways to win. I liked the spot where Axiom accidentally kicked Frazer and it made us think that maybe they would lose, but Gallus wasn’t able to get the win. I’m happy about the champions retaining. I’m a huge fan of Frazer & Axiom.
Je’Von Evans was backstage talking to Hank & Tank about how well they were doing. Evans said Hank & Tank would be Tag Team Champions in 2025. Evans recapped the great year he had with big wins and big moments like wrestling against Randy Orton. Ethan Page was seated in the background and then he walked between Evans & Hank, so Page kept on walking.
(Commercial)
There was a video that aired showing Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey working out together. Dempsey said that King kept up with him so he’ll give King a Heritage Cup match next week. They shook hands.
Let’s Hear from Ethan Page
Ethan Page walked out looking very sad saying he was sorry to everybody enjoying the show, but he had to say this. Page said that the fans had the right to boo him. Page got into the ring and Page said it’s the same energy he’s been getting at home. Page said that he promised his daughter that he would win the big one and he did it here in NXT when he became champion. Page bragged about how he did it in record time for doing it faster than Kevin Owens, Finn Balor & Sami Zayn. Page said he went through 18 years of hell to keep his promise to his daughter. Page said he did it for her, his son and his wife. Page looked into the camera telling his wife that without her, there was no Ethan Page. Page said he got to live his dream because of his wife and that’s the part that rips him apart. Page said when he loses, his family loses and the people who support him lose. Page talked about his daughter being sad for not seeing a title and his son cries. Page said he sees disappointment in his wife’s eyes. Page said he didn’t know if he loved this anymore while adding that he had lost his smile. Page said you can mock him for being an emotional guy.
Je’Von Evans interrupted saying that he wanted to apologize for what he said back there. Evans said since you’ve been here, all we’ve heard about are his accomplishments. Evans told Page all we hear is his ego, but that’s not really him. Evans said he saw the real Page not just in the match, but what he did after the match. Evans said that at Heatwave, he saw Page tell his family that he loved them after winning the NXT Title. Evans said not everybody can do that. Evans said it was a proud dad and proud husband smile. Evans said that it was a smile from a guy busting his ass for 18 years to get where he deserved to be. Evans said that Page deserved to be here and the fans knew that. Evans said Page should drop the All Ego stuff and we want to see the real Ethan. Evans said that we’re all proud of him and he means that from the bottom of his heart.
Page thanked Evans and said he was right because everything he said made everything clear to him. Page said he shouldn’t worry about losing his smile because he should worry about taking Je’Von’s smile. Page punched Evans in the jaw with the microphone for a cheap shot. Page grabbed a chair from under the ring and trapped Evans’ head between a chair. Page stomped on the chair, Evans sold it like he had a serious injury to his mouth and Evans was spitting up blood. The crowd booed as referees checked on Evans.
Analysis: That was a classic dirtbag heel angle by Page. The “lose my smile” bit was what Shawn Michaels said in the same building in February 1997 when he forfeited the WWE Title and the fans knew it, so it got a reaction. Page did an excellent job of coming across as a good guy who is a proud dad, but then when Evans tried to cheer him up, Page reverted back to his heel ways because that’s the kind of guy he is. I thought it was great. Evans sold the attack very well also, so they can build up to this match and it will feel like a big deal when it happens.
(Commercial)
There was a replay of Ethan Page’s cheap attack on Je’Von Evans before the break.
Trick Williams, the NXT Champion, was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber with Trick saying he wishes Je’Von Evans a speedy recovery. Trick said that Eddy Thorpe lied his way to a NXT Title shot and Trick is cool with that. Trick said that he’s going to prove he’s a fighting champion. Oba Femi approached Trick and said whoever wins tonight faces Femi for the NXT Title at New Year’s Evil. Oba told Trick he hoped that it was him. Trick said he’s looking forward to it.
A video package aired about the Chilean superstar Stephanie Vaquer speaking in Spanish while the words were translated on the screen. Vaquer talked about how hard she worked to get here and next week she’ll take Cora Jade to meet hell.
Next week on NXT on Christmas Eve:
* Stephanie Vaquer vs. Cora Jade
* Christmas Chaos Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match To Become #1 Contenders For NXT Tag Team Titles – OTM vs. Hank & Tank vs. The D’Angelo Family vs. No Quarter Catch Crew
* Santa Claus is coming to town
Analysis: They taped that episode of NXT after this week’s show. We have the spoilers here if you are interested in seeing what happens. I don’t know if I will watch that episode or review it, but if I do it might be a couple of days after because Christmas Eve and Christmas are busy for me.
Eddy Thorpe made his entrance for the main event.
(Commercial)
The NXT Champion Trick Williams got a big ovation as usual with the fans singing “Whoop That Trick” while Booker T added his adlibs as usual. Vic said that this place was shaking because of how loud it was. Ring announcer Mike Rome did the championship introductions.
NXT Championship: Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe
Trick was in control early on with two shoulder tackles, so Thorpe bailed to the floor leading to boos from the crowd. Trick went after Thorpe on the floor with two hard chops to the chest. Back in the ring, Thorpe did a leapfrog along with a cross body block. Thorpe hit a knee to the ribs. Trick came back with a popup uppercut followed by a jumping side kick. Trick hit a dropkick. Trick went for a side kick, Thorpe moved and Trick was crotched on the top rope. Thorpe hit a running kick to knock Trick from the apron to the floor.
(Commercial)
Thorpe did a snapmare followed by a kick to the back. Thorpe hit a brainbuster for a two count. They did a spot where Trick ran the ropes, Thorpe avoided him and they did a collision spot to knock both guys down. Trick got some momentum going with a flapjack into the mat followed by Trick hitting a Book End for a two count. Vic called it a Rock Bottom, but Trick didn’t go down to the mat like Rock did when he did that move. Thrope came back with a German Suplex followed by a running elbow drop. Trick hit a kick and Thorpe hit a jumping kick. Trick with another kick, but Thorpe hit a modified backbreaker like what Randy Orton has done in the past. Trick had Thorpe on his shoulders and Trick did a fireman’s carry slam almost like the Attitude Adjustment that John Cena uses. Thorpe picked up Trick and hit an Impaler DDT, but as the move was being done, Trick’s legs knocked the referee Adrian Butler down, so there was no count while Thorpe did a cover. A second referee Derek Sanders went into the ring as Trick got a rollup for two. Thorpe hit two running kicks to the head. Trick hit the Trick Shot knee near the ropes. Trick fell backwards onto Thorpe so both of Trick’s shoulders were down while he laid on top of Thorpe. Both referees were there to count the one…two…and three. It went 11 minutes.
Winner: ???
Analysis: *** A good match with a controversial finish. I like Trick as champion, but some of his matches are just okay and Thorpe was fine in his role too. It’s the second controversial main event title match in the last week since we saw a questionable ending at Saturday Night’s Main Event as well. They will probably continue the story by saying Thorpe will get another shot at the NXT Title at the New Year’s Evil show, so it will be Trick vs. Femi vs. Thorpe as a way to do something different. They can have Trick beat Thorpe there and then do Trick vs. Femi in singles at a PLE show.
After the match, one referee counted Trick’s shoulders down while the other referee said Eddy Thorpe’s shoulders were down. They replayed the finish. NXT GM talked to the referees about it and they tried to explain what they saw. The show went off the air with Vic asking who is the NXT Champion? That was it for this week’s show.
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Following the show, they posted a video on WWE social media about the aftermath of the match. Ava informed ring announcer Mike Rome that Trick Williams was still the champion because it was a draw. They also did an angle where Shawn Michaels tried to calm Eddy Thorpe down, but Thorpe shoved Michaels to get out of his face. Trick sent Thorpe into the ring where Trick hit a spin kick to knock Thorpe out of the ring. The referees made Thorpe go to the back while Trick celebrated.
Analysis: It’s not that common to see Shawn Michaels get physically involved in an angle, so having Thorpe push him should lead to Thorpe getting more heat. This has been a good angle in terms of elevating Thorpe as a heel without even booking him in a lot of matches. It’s been smart booking.
EXCLUSIVE: After @avawwe_ declares @_trickwilliams the champion, @EddyThorpe_WWE gets in Ava's face and shoves @ShawnMichaels in disbelief. #WWENXTpic.twitter.com/WYg8Up7Bzu
— WWE (@WWE) December 18, 2024
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Three Stars of the Show
- Nathan Frazer & Axiom
- Ethan Page & Je’Von Evans
- Trick Williams & Eddy Thorpe
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2024 Average: 7.19
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was a solid episode of NXT overall. I liked the Tag Team Title match the best as Frazer & Axiom continue to put on great matches while finding ways to keep the titles.
The angle with Trick & Eddy to end their match was a creative ending that you don’t see that often. The double pin is rare and it should lead to an interesting follow-up in the weeks ahead.
As far as angles go, Ethan Page was great in his role as a guy who looked sad about how his career was going, but then he did a very cheap attack against Je’Von Evans to kick off a rivalry between them. Plus, I thought Evans did a great job of selling the attack.
Their next two shows are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve so that’s a tough break because the audiences will be small on those nights. However, the January 7th New Year’s Evil lineup looks good so far.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport