Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT Stand & Deliver 2022 Review

By John Canton • Published 2nd April 2022
wwe nxt stand deliver 2022 review

Welcome to the WWE NXT Stand & Deliver2022 Review taking place on the afternoon of WrestleMania Saturday in Dallas.

I miss using the Takeover names for these shows, but it is what it is with the NXT 2.0 event. This is the first Premium Live Event for NXT since WarGames last December. They have done some special TV events with bigger matches, but this is the first PLE on WWE Network/Peacock. It’s the biggest NXT show of the year since they are in the American Airlines Center, which is the home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. It’s a much bigger venue than the WWE Performance Center, so that should help the show being in front of a hot crowd. I’m sure the talent is going to enjoy it.

This show has seven matches on it with five titles on the line including the Kickoff Show match. Most of the matches have been built well.

There was a Kickoff Show match for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai beat Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne to win the titles for the second time.

WWE NXT Stand & Deliver
From American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
April 2, 2022

There was a video package featuring the superstars of NXT saying words like “stand” and “deliver” since that’s the name of the show. Several superstars talked about building legacies, reaching potential and things like that.

The Ladder Match is up first. The NXT commentary team of Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett welcomed us to the show.

Cameron Grimes made his entrance for the Ladder Match with ladders surrounding the ring. The NXT North American Champion was up last with Trick Williams joining him.

NXT North American Championship Ladder Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Grayson Waller vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Santos Escobar vs. Cameron Grimes

Hayes did some trash talk to start, the others went after him and Williams pulled Hayes out of the ring. Williams pulled Solo out of the ring and sent Solo into the barricade. Waller was sent out of the ring while Grimes hit a forearm on Escobar followed by a running dropkick. Hayes shoved Grimes off the top rope to the apron. Williams tried getting a ladder, but the Legado boys were at ringside to stop him. Solo decked Hayes with punches, Hayes with a kick and Escobar clotheslined Solo out of the ring. Escobar hit an impressive dropkick on Hayes. Grimes pulled Escobar out of the ring leading to Grimes and Solo working together against Hayes with kicks. Waller and Escobar were back in to clear the ring. There were ladders brought into the ring by Waller and Escobar, who followed up with a dropkick on the floor. Waller dropkicked a ladder into the two Legado guys. Waller with a jumping kick on Escobar. Sanga brought Waller a huge ladder. Solo fought with Sanga, who hit Solo strikes. Solo hit a suicide dive on Sanga and Escobar hit a suicide dive on Solo. Grimes hit a somersault dive over the top onto Escobar. Hayes hit a springboard moonsault onto a standing Grimes on the floor. Waller grabbed a ladder, btu Solo stopped him from climbing and Solo threw Waller into the ladder. Solo whipped Hayes into a ladder that was against Waller. Escobar charged with a ladder, Solo avoided it and then Solo hit a running hip attack onto three guys along with two ladders. Solo set up a big ladder, Grimes went up after him and Grimes pulled Solo down. Solo with a headbutt, Grimes avoided a kick and hit a kick to the head of Solo. Grimes climbed a ladder, but Hayes stopped him with a jumping kick. Grimes hit Hayes with a ladder leading to Escobar dropkicking a ladder that Grimes was holding. Escobar sent a ladder into the groin of Grimes followed by a dropkick into the ladder. Escobar tried to climb a ladder, but Waller was in the ring with a Cutter to take down Escobar. That was great. Hayes hit an impressive springboard clothesline off the middle ropes on Waller. Hayes went for a springboard attack on Solo, but Solo was ready with a superkick to the body. The fans were chanting “Uso” for Solo, who is a brother of The Usos. Escobar and Solo climbed on opposite sides of the ladder, then Escobar did a sunset flip into a Powerbomb on a ladder that was against the turnbuckle! Wow! That was brutal. It led to a “holy shit” chant. Escobar with double knees to Grimes, then a jumping knee and Grimes hit his running cross body block spot. Trick Williams set up a ladder, but Sanga stopped him and Sanga broke the ladder. Elektra Lopez distracted Sanga, so the two Legado guys beat up Sanga with a broken ladder. Lopez jumped off the top onto Waller on the floor. Sanga fought off Wilde and Mendoza at ringside. Solo was in the ring with Wilde and Mendoza with Solo delivering a slam to both of them. Solo climbed up a ladder that was bent, then Escobar went up the other side and Trick Williams shoved the ladder to knock Solo/Escobar down. Trick tried to climb the ladder, but he sold it like he was scared of heights. Grimes tipped the ladder over and Trick landed on Mendoza, Wilde & Sanga on the floor.

Grimes set up the big ladder in the ring, Grimes made the climb and Hayes puled him down to stop that. Hayes climbed the ladder, Waller was up on the other side and Grimes set up a ladder on the side. Escobar brought in a third leg and all five guys were on ladders. Grimes and Solo bumped into the ropes. Waller sent Hayes into the ladder to knock him down while Waller flipped Escobar off the ladder. Waller grabbed the title, but Escobar got his hands on Waller’s ankle to stop that. Escobar hit an impressive hurricanrana off a ladder onto Grimes on another ladder. Solo jumped off the top with an Uso Splash on Escobar. Solo climbed, he reached he title and Grimes was there to stop. Grimes avoided a charging Solo, who Grimes sent into the ring post. Grimes hit a Cave In double stomp to the chest of Solo, who landed on a ladder bridge. Grimes and Hayes each hit pump kicks to knock both guys down. Waller climbed a ladder on the floor, he tried to jump on Hayes, who was on a ladder bridge and Hayes moved, so Waller went crashing through the two ladders! Ouch. Rough landing by Waller getting a lot of height and crashing hard to the floor. Hayes climbed the ladder, he touched the title, but Escobar brought Hayes down. Escobar hit the Phantom Driver, but Grimes was there with a top rope Cave In on Escobar. Grimes climbed the ladder to win the North American Title to a big pop! That was it at 21:02.

Winner AND NEW NXT North American Champion: Cameron Grimes

Analysis: ****1/4 That was an awesome match. They did a nice mix of big spots, some near wins a few times and some moves off the ladders as well. I didn’t love all of the interaction from the people on the floor because there was ab it too much of that, but I get why they did it since a lot of the wrestlers had allies at ringside. The best spots of the match were the Powerbomb off a Ladder onto a ladder and the spot where Waller did the elbow drop through the ladder bridge. I thought they could have done a bit more with Hayes nearly winning to keep his title although he did have one moment where it looked like he might win. Grimes was the right choice based on the story of him not winning a title in NXT and dedicating the match to his late father. Hayes was a great champion, but Grimes should do well too.

Grimes celebrated with the title. It was a great moment. The fans liked it a lot.

They showed NXT Champion Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode arriving.

A video aired about showing the promos between Tommaso Ciampa and Tony D’Angelo, who thought he could beat Ciampa to become the new “Don” of NXT. As for Ciampa, they showed his promo about his NXT farewell match.

Tony D’Angelo made his entrance with AJ Galante, who I don’t really know, but he’s Italian like Tony D is.

A video aired showing the NXT history of Tommaso Ciampa from when he started in September 2015 to his current run. Good ovation for Ciampa, who is the heart of NXT. Ciampa did a Triple H tribute with the water spit entrance as you can see below.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Tony D’Angelo

Ciampa drove Tony’s head into the knee followed by a spinebuster. Tony worked over Ciampa with a shoulder tackle followed by some kicks. Ciampa came back with kicks of his own along with a running knee. Ciampa delivered two more running knees to the face and a whip into the steep steps. Ciampa with a running knee on the floor along with the self clap and pat on the back. Ciampa pulled up the mat at ringside, but when Ciampa was back in the ring, Tony tackled Ciampa. Tony with punches to the gut followed by a double underhook suplex. Tony was in control with a chinlock, Ciampa fought back with chops and a running clothesline. Ciampa with two more clotheslines, four more clotheslines against the turnbuckle and another jumping clothesline. Ciampa went for a running knee, Tony moved and Tony hit a Jackhammer slam for a two count. Tony went for a move, Ciampa fought out of it and Tony countered a Ciampa move for a rollup. Ciampa with a rollup using tights for two. Ciampa with chops, Tony was seated on the top rope and Ciampa went for a move, but Tony managed to shove Ciampa down. Tony jumped off the ropes right into a jumping knee. I don’t think it came close to hitting, but it was sold like a big move. Tony and Ciampa exchanged punches, Ciampa with an elbow to the face and Tony hit a back elbow to the face. Tony grabbed a crowbar by the steel steps, he tried to attack and Ciampa kicked him in the head. The referee got rid of the crowbar, Tony with a low blow and a cradle neckbreaker for two. Tony was mad that it wasn’t a three count. Tony was on the apron, Ciampa hit the Willow’s Bell DDT and Ciampa hit the Fairytale Ending for a two count. Ciampa applied a Crossface submission, Tony got out of it and they left the ring. They battled by the exposed floor that Ciampa exposed earlier in the match. Tony hit a DDT on the cement under the mat. They went back into the ring with Tony delivering a hard kick to the head for the pinfall win at 13:10.

Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo

Analysis: **3/4 The match was good but nothing special about it. Tony picking up the win was the right call since it is Ciampa’s farewell match. I thought the finish was a bit anticlimactic since it was just a kick to the head after the DDT on the floor. Ciampa nearly got the win with the Fairytale Ending, but it only got a two count. Losing clean was the right way for Ciampa to go out of NXT assuming this is the end of his NXT run.

After the match, Ciampa was on his knees in the ring and the fans chanted “Thank You Ciampa” for him. Ciampa kissed the ring mat. The scene faded to black for a moment, but then they showed it again as Ciampa left and thanked the fans.

When Ciampa reached the top of the ramp, Triple H’s music hit. Triple H hugged him, raised his hand and did the point for him. Ciampa was overcome with emotion while the fans were cheering loudly. They loved it. I did too.

Analysis: It could be argued that Ciampa was the greatest NXT superstar of the Triple H run era of NXT. Ciampa looks like he was genuinely surprised by that, so it was cool to see that. Ciampa is likely headed to Raw or Smackdown after this.

A commercial aired for the WWE Evil series on Peacock.

The replay was shown of Ciampa/Triple with Vic saying it was Peacock Plus. I’m on WWE Network in Canada and saw it.

The NXT Champion Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode were in the locker room getting ready for the main event.

They showed Andre Chase and members of Chase U in the crowd.

It was time for the NXT Tag Team Title match with The Creed Brothers up first joined by Malcolm Bivens and Ivy Nile. MSK were next as a team that are former NXT Tag Team Champions. Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner were up next as the NXT Tag Team Champions.

NXT Tag Team Championships: Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) vs. MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed)

It has triple threat rules with three guys in the ring while the other guys are on the apron waiting for tags. Lee with a running dropkick on Barthel, Carter tagged in and hit a bronco buster. Carter with jumping kicks on Brutus, Barthel with an uppercut on Carter and a whip into the ropes followed by a kick to the chest. Julius with forearm to Aichner, who came back with a shoulder tackle. Lee tagged in, but Aichner caught him with a backbreaker. Julius got the tag with a running shoulder tackle to the knee, a takedown on Lee and Brutus tagged in with a running shoulder tackle. Aichner rocked Lee with a kick while Brutus caught Barthel with a suplex in the ring. Julius with a suplex on Aichner on the floor. Julius with a German Suplex on Lee, who tagged in Carter and Brutus delivered forearm smashes to Carter. Julius slammed Barthel and Julius tagged in with a suplex across the ring. Carter with a running knee, then Lee tagged in and they hit some combo offense. Carter with a superkick followed by a double stomp for two as Brutus broke up the pin. Barthel with a jumping kick on Lee, a suplex and a forearm off the middle rope. Imperium hit a double team dropkick on Brutus at the same time. Aichner with a shoulder tackle on Lee and he knocked Julius off the apron. Aichner body slammed Carter into the ropes. Aichner with a clothesline on Lee but Carer made the save. Julius was legal again, Aichner caught him on the shoulders and hit a rolling senton. Carter with a headscissors that sent Aichner out of the ring followed by Carter hitting a headscissors on Barthel to send him out of the ring. Lee did a handspring into a leap over the top onto the heels on the floor. Back in the ring, Carter with a Senton Bomb and Lee with a twisting splash on Aichner for two. Julius went up top, he was tripped there and it led to a double superplex onto Aichner/Lee, who were fighting in the ring. There was an “NXT” team after that with all three teams down around the ring.

Brutus hit an impressive cannonball dive off the top onto three guys on the floor. That was a cool move by the big man. Julius tagged in to live Carter and Brutus hit a powerslam. Julius covered for two as Aichner puled Julius out of the ring. Barthel with an uppercut on Julius to send him into the steel steps. Imperium hit a double team forearm/Powerbomb on Brutus for a two count. Carter avoided a move from Aichner leading to a sunset bomb, Lee hit a hurricanrana on Barthel off the ropes and that went right into a Powerbomb by Nash Carter for the pinfall win at 11:23.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW NXT Tag Team Champions: MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter)

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good tag team title match. More time would have been nice, but they worked hard. I enjoyed most of it. Some big spots in the match with Brutus hitting that cannonball off the ropes, then the MSK guys had some cool double team moves including the finish. I thought a title change was possible, but I figured it would be the Creed Brothers getting the titles. The crowd reacted strongly to MSK while the Creeds barely got a reaction for some of their stuff. Imperium is a great team that’s always consistent. Anyway, they worked hard and it was a fun match to watch.

MSK celebrated with the titles. The fans were happy about it.

Analysis: That’s the third title match with the third title change.

A video aired about Kevin Owens hosting Steve Austin at WrestleMania 38 later on Saturday.

They showed a video about Nikkita Lyons, who is “a whole lotta woman who is ready to do a whole lotta whooping.” She’s doing well at that so far.

Cameron Grimes was interviewed with the NXT North American Title in his hands. Grimes told Mckenzie Mitchell that his later father always believed he could do this. Grimes said he’s more than a WWE superstar because he’s a champion in WWE.

Joe Gacy and Harland did a promo from where John F. Kennedy Jr. was shot in 1963. Gacy said we should celebrate triumph, not tragedy. Gacy said he’ll unite people. Good luck with that.

Highlights were shown of the Kickoff Show match with Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez beating Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne to become the Women’s Tag Team Champions again.

A video package aired about my favorite in NXT, the lovely Mandy Rose as the NXT Champion. It also focused on her challengers Cora Jade, Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray.

Cora Jade made her entrance with a skateboard. There were some other skateboarders with her as Cora ran around the ring slapping the hands of the fans. Kay Lee Ray was up next with a red baseball bat, which is actually legal in a four-way match. Io Shirai was up next to a pretty good ovation. Mandy Rose of the Toxic Attraction group made her entrance from a podium and walked down to the ring looking cocky. Mandy was carrying a brand new NXT Women’s Championship that had a white strap on it.

NXT Women’s Championship: Mandy Rose vs. Io Shirai vs. Kay Lee Ray vs. Cora Jade

Rose was sent out of the ring early leading to KLR and Shirai hitting some double team moves. Rose pulled Jade out of the ring, which led to KLR and Shirai hitting dives onto both women. Jade fought KLR on one side of the ring while Shirai kicked Rose. Shirai got a sunset flip on KLR for a two count. The former partners battled in the ring, Rose tripped up Shirai and pulled her out of the ring. Rose hit Ray with a forearm to knock her down. Jade hit a diving attack on Rose, but Mandy came back with a spinebuster and Ray was there to break it up. Rose whipped Ray onto Shirai on the floor. Rose drove her knee into Jade’s back while Jade was against the ropes. Rose hit a suplex on Jade after almost losing her balance. Rose with a running knee on Ray to knock her off the apron and then Jade sent Rose out of the ring. Jade hit a dive onto Rose on the floor. Ray jumped off the top onto Jade on the floor. That was a rough landing by the commentary table. Shirai went up top and hit a moonsault onto KLR on the floor. Shirai with a running back elbow on KLR, then the 619 kick and Shirai went up top and hit a missile dropkick for two with Rose breaking up the pin. Rose covered Ray for a two count. Ray caught Rose in a submission while Shirai applied a Texas Cloverleaf on Jade at the same time. Jade kicked Shirai, who landed on top of KLR to break up that submission. Ray with a front suplex on Shirai, Rose with a clothesline on Ray and Jade hit a headscissors on Rose. Jade with a dropkick on Rose followed by a kick to the head. Jade with a double foot stomp on Rose. Ray went after Jade on the apron, but that led to Jade hitting a Canadian Destroyer on the apron! That led to a “holy shit” chant. Shirai with a 619 kick on Jade followed by a missile dropkick off the top on Rose. Shirai with a running knee attack on Rose followed by a German Suplex for two. Rose and Shirai battled by the turnbuckle and Shirai hit a flipping slam off the top rope. Jade broke up the pin attempt with a senton splash on Shirai. Jade with a running knee on Rose followed by the Sliced Bread neckbreaker and a double underhook DDT for two with KLR breaking up the pin. Ray with a headbutt to Jade followed by the KLR Bomb. No pin by KLR as she went up top, but Shirai was there to shove Ray off the top. Shirai hit the moonsault off the top, she was unable to cover and Rose hit a running knee on Shirai. Rose pinned Shira to keep the title! Yes! Good result. It went 13:28.

Winner by pinfall: Mandy Rose

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match with lots of action. It could have gone to any of the four women at various points, but I think they made the right call keeping the title on Mandy. That Canadian Destroyer on the apron (Jade to Ray) was f’n scary, but they made it work and it drew a big reaction. They all hit some big moves towards the end with the KLR Bomb and Shirai’s moonsault, but Mandy capitalized with the running knee for the win. That was my prediction. Keep the title on Mandy.

Mandy Rose celebrated with the NXT Women’s Title while the other three women looked on.

There was a video that aired featuring the couples Indi Hartwell/Dexter Lumis and Persia Pirotta/Duke Hudson. They went shopping for attire that people in Texas like to wear.

There was a backstage interview scene where 89% of fans voted for InDex (Indi & Dexter) over DuSia (Duke & Persia). The couples argued about it although Lumis didn’t speak as usual.

Analysis: This stuff is boring. I get why they try to do it and WWE brags about getting viral moments, but it’s not that interesting really.

Gunther made his entrance for singles action. It is still weird not calling him Walter, but I am getting used to it. The fans cheered for LA Knight, who is in babyface mode in NXT after being a heel in the past.

Gunther vs. LA Knight

Gunther was in control early, Knight came back with some stomps while Gunther was against the turnbuckle. Gunther to the floor, Knight hit him with a clothesline while there and Gunther hit a Powerbomb on Knight on the apron. Back in the ring, Gunther with a forearm to the back followed by a body slam. Gunther worked over Knight with forearms to the back. Gunther missed a chop when Knight moved and Knight hit a jumping neckbreaker, but Gunther came back with a boot to the face. Gunther with a Boston Crab, then he let go and went for a chinlock. Gunther with a whip into the corner, then Knight with a whip into the corner and Knight hit a back body drop. Knight charged at Gunther, who delivered a hard chop. Knight countered a Gunther suplex attempt with Knight hitting a suplex of his own. Knight to the apron where he hit a shoulder tackle and stomped on Gunther with the fans chanting “Yeah” for the stomps. Knight with a running knee against the turnbuckle. Knight hit a powerslam, an elbow drop and clothesline. Knight set up Gunther on the top rope, he chopped Knight down and then Knight jumped to the top rope for a superplex for two. They exchanged strikes, Gunther with a hard chop, Gunther with a forearm to the back and Gunther applied a sleeper. Knight countered a sleeper by picking up Gunther and slamming him off the shoulders for a two count. Knight went up top, Gunther tripped him up there and Gunther delivered a stiff chop to the back and a clothesline off the top rope. Gunther jumped off the top with a Superfly Splash. Gunther wit ha Powerbomb for the pinfall win at 10:38.

Winner by pinfall: Gunther

Analysis: ***1/4 The match was good. It ended as a dominant win by Gunther although Knight did come close to winning a few times. I think it was the right call going around ten minutes rather than having a longer, more grueling match. Gunther is a dominant wrestler that should win matches the way he won this one. Knight is likely heading to Raw or Smackdown after WrestleMania, which is cool with me because he’s a talented overall performer.

A video aired promoting WrestleMania 38 with a commercial for the Becky Lynch-Bianca Belair match for the Raw Women’s Title.

There was a video package for the NXT Championship match showing how Dolph Ziggler won the NXT Title in a triple threat match between champion Bron Breakker and Tommaso Ciampa. Ziggler pinned Ciampa to win the title. Bron talked about wanting to be the face of NXT while Ziggler was confident he would win.

Bron Breakker was shown walking backstage wearing a white singlet that said “Breakker” on it. The NXT Champion Dolph Ziggler was shown walking backstage with Robert Roode. Bron found a chainsaw that he started in the backstage area. Bron walked out with the chainsaw and there were these three big block letters spelling “NXT” on the stage. Bron cut through the letter X and knocked it over. Okay? I guess Bron likes to break things. Dolph Ziggler was next as the NXT Champion with his Dirty Dawgs tag team partner Robert Roode by his side. Dolph and Bron stood in the ring for the championship introductions. After the introductions ended, Ziggler slapped Bron in the face.

NXT Championship: Dolph Ziggler (w/Robert Roode) vs. Bron Breakker

They did a spot early where I think Ziggler was going to jump over Bron, but Bron wasn’t low enough and they went crashing to the mat. Ziggler with a kick to the chest, Bron ran the ropes and hit a powerslam to counter a leapfrog attempt by Ziggler. Bron hit three consecutive belly to belly suplexes. Bron set up in the corner, Roode grabbed Bron’s leg, the referee saw it and the referee ejected Roode from ringside. That drew a big pop, which is common for that spot. Bron left the ring staring at Roode while Ziggler took off a turnbuckle pad against a middle turnbuckle. Bron hit a belly to back suplex. Bron wanted a move off the turnbuckle, but Ziggler slipped out and Bron bumped groin first across the top rope. Ziggler hit a neckbreaker off the turnbuckle for a two count. Ziggler grabbed a chinlock, Bron broke free, Ziggler with a kick to the shin and a neckbreaker for a two count. Ziggler applied a chinlock again, Bron fought back with punches and a back elbow. Bron to the turnbuckle, but Ziggler tripped him up again. Bron got some offense going with a tilt-a-whirl slam. Bron set up Ziggler on the top rope again leading to a Frankensteiner that uncle Scott Steiner made famous. That got a two count. Bron charged for a Spear, Ziggler got a knee up to block and Bron ran the ropes leading to a Spear for two. Bron grabbed Ziggler by the throat and Ziggler threw Bron out of the ring. Back in the ring, Ziggler hit a running knee for two. Ziggler went for a superkick, Bron blocked it and Bron hit a Spear again. Bron went for the press powerslam, Bron connected with it and Robert Roode was at ringside to pull Ziggler out of the ring. Bron ran the ropes leading to a somersault dive over the top to the floor. I don’t think I’ve seen Bron do that before. That was impressive. Bron sent Ziggler into the ring and he sent Roode into the steel steps. When Bron got back in the ring, Ziggler hit a Fameasser and Zig Zag for a two count. Great nearfall there. Ziggler went up top leading to a Flying Elbow Drop for a two count. Ziggler set up for the superkick, Bron was back up Bron delivered a clothesline followed by another Spear. Bron went for the Press Powerslam, Ziggler with a thumb to the eye, Ziggler sent Bron into the exposed turnbuckle so that Bron hit the steel and Ziggler hit a superkick for the one…two…and three! It went 16:13.

Winner by pinfall: Dolph Ziggler

Analysis: ***1/2 A shocking result to end a good match. I thought they were going to put the title back on Bron, which is why they did the title change a few weeks ago. Instead, Ziggler found a way to get the win thanks to the eye gouge, exposed steel and superkick combination. I was shocked that Bron didn’t kick out there. Bron came close to winning a few times, yet Ziggler found a way to kick out and even got an assist from Roode. Going into this match, I thought Bron winning was an absolute lock. I’m not sure why they kept the title on Ziggler, but I guess there’s a plan. I don’t know if it means Bron is going to Raw/Smackdown soon or what WWE is going to do in the future. I guess it’s good that they surprised the audience with the result of the match.

The duo of Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode celebrated the win. Bron was frustrated in the ring. The show signed off there.

This event had a runtime of 2:34:52 on WWE Network.

Five Stars of the Show

  1. Cameron Grimes
  2. Dolph Ziggler
  3. Carmelo Hayes
  4. Mandy Rose
  5. Tommaso Ciampa – Since it was his NXT farewell.

Final Thoughts

It gets a 7.75 out of 10.

It was a good show overall. There wasn’t a bad match on here with the Ladder Match standing out as the best match. Those five guys did an excellent job in putting on a very physical and exciting match ending on a happy note with Cameron Grimes winning the NXT North American Title. There were three title changes overall with five title matches taking place.

I am sitting here stunned that Bron Breakker didn’t beat Dolph Ziggler to win back the NXT Title. That was such a surprising result to me to see Ziggler holding onto the title. It could lead to rumors of Bron going to Raw or Smackdown soon although it’s very possible he sticks around in NXT because he needs to get more experience. I was less surprised by Mandy Rose keeping her title because I expected that. The four women worked hard in that match. Lots of good nearfalls there.

I wouldn’t say this was at the same level as the best Takeover shows in the past or anything like that. I’d say it’s better than a lot of PPVs we might get in wrestling, so kudos to the NXT talent working hard and doing well on a bigger stage in Dallas.

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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter @johnreport