‘WWE NXT’ Review (Jan 2nd 2024)
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 episode…
Match #1: NXT Women’s Championship – Lyra Valkyria def. Blair Davenport
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The NXT Women’s Championship remains with Lyra Valkyria as the Irish Superstar outlasted 2023 Iron Survivor Blair Davenport to retain her title. Davenport was in prime position to win the championship after an Avalanche Falcon Arrow, but the champion wisely rolled out of the ring and managed to slam the challenger’s knee into the announce table. With Davenport’s knee compromised, Valkyria capitalized and hit a twisting slam to walk out of New Year’s Evil still NXT Women’s Champion.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde & Carlito def. No Quarter Catch Crew
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With NXT North American Champion Dragon Lee unavailable, The LWO enlisted their teammate Carlito to battle and ultimately defeat No Quarter Catch Crew. Despite a remarkable splash Joaquin Wilde, Drew Gulak and his teammates grounded the athletic LWO using their supreme mat skills. However, once Carlito tagged into the match, the momentum changed in a big way as they ended up pinning Damon Kemp after a Backstabber and 450 Splash.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: Arianna Grace def. Roxanne Perez
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Former NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez’s frustrations boiled over in a bad way as her victory over Ariana Grace was vacated after her postmatch beatdown of The Beauty Queen. Grace was her usual disrespectful self, but it backfired allowing Perez to hit a Pop Rox. However, after the match, Perez lost it and attacked her opponent, forcing the referee to reverse the decision.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Fallon Henley def. Tiffany Stratton
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Tiffany Stratton’s nightmare has come true as her loss to Fallon Henley means she will now become a Ranch Hand for a day. The action started fast and furious as Henley immediately ambushed The Blonde Bombshell, but Stratton weathered the storm and took control. A frustrated picked up a steel chair and intended to use it, but Henley caught her with a vicious Shining Wizard, giving her the victory.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament Final – Oba Femi def. Riley Osborne
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The hulking Oba Femi conquered the NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament and finished it off in style as he defeated the high-flying Riley Osborne in the Finals. Osborne was his usual impressive self, but his magnificent moonsault was countered and that spelled doom for the Chase U Superstar. Femi promptly brutalized Osborne and planted him with a ring-shaking Powerbomb to become the Breakout Tournament winner.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Trick Williams def. Grayson Waller
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov not cleared for action, Grayson Waller stepped in to try and become the No. 1 Contender, but Trick Williams proved that he is still the Superstar destined to face The Mad Dragon for NXT’s greatest prize. With the NXT Universe firmly behind him, Williams displayed some innovative offense, but couldn’t put the Arrogant Aussie away. Waller at one moment was in a position to win, but a returning Kevin Owens put a stop to that.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
A strong episode of NXT to kick off 2024, with some cracking matches from both the men and women of NXT – plus we got the appearance of a couple of main roster stars to add some pizzazz. If you haven’t seen the remarkable action from the 6-man tag match on social media you need to see this episode ASAP.
