‘WWE NXT’ Review (Oct 10th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of NXT, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this “special” episode…
Match #1: Asuka def. Roxanne Perez
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
One of the most iconic NXT Superstars of all-time, Asuka, returned to the brand to defeat Roxanne Perez in a hotly contested one-on-one match. Perez proved that she belonged by pushing The Empress of Tomorrow to her limit, but Asuka used a devastating spinning kick to pick up the win. After the match, Kiana James arrived and attacked Perez, only for Shotzi to come to her aid and stave off the attack.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Pub Rules Match – The Brawling Brutes with Tyler Bate def. Gallus
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Big Strong Boi teamed with Butch and Ridge Holland to take out Gallus in a crazy and chaotic Pub Rules Match. Bowling balls, kegs, darts, and everything in between were used in this matchup as Butch, Holland, and Tyler Bate used creativity and perfect teamwork to earn the win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: NXT Championship – Ilja Dragunov def. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The NXT Championship remains with The Mad Dragon as he systematically dissected “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio with LA Knight serving as the special guest referee. In typical Judgment Day fashion, Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh and Ripley all tried to interfere, but Knight and Trick Williams wouldn’t allow it as they neutralized the numbers game, allowing Dragunov to hit a Torpedo Moscow and retain his title.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament – Lola Vice def. Dani Palmer
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The red-hot Lola Vice impressed and advanced in the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament by defeating the uber-athletic Dani Palmer. Palmer’s speed and agility kept Vice off balance, but the Cuban Superstar used her MMA background and expert strikes to ground the high flier once and for all.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Carmelo Hayes (w/John Cena) def. Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With John Cena in his corner, Carmelo Hayes defeated Bron Breakker in the main event of one of the biggest NXT’s ever. Breakker was cold and calculated while being under the tutelage of Paul Heyman, but The Wise Man’s Enforcer ended up being his downfall as Solo Sikoa’s appearance distracted the referee, allowing Hayes to hit Nothing But Net for the win. After the match, a furious Breakker continued his assault on Hayes, only for none other than The Undertaker to arrive and deliver a thunderous chokeslam to Breakker.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 4/5
I’m not going to lie, this was a GREAT episode of NXT. One of the best in recent weeks (maybe even months) but I feel sorry for the NXT roster. Why? Well Triple H and Shawn Michaels shipped in main roster stars old and new and THAT is what made the show, sadly. Don’t get me wrong, I loved seeing Asuka opening the show and the Undertaker’s appearance at the end of the episode was badass. Literally. We all know why this episode is the way it is, I’m just worried that given the reception this week’s show got (and probably the bump in ratings too) that people might be tempted to turn this into the “gimmick” brand of the WWE.
