‘WWE NXT’ Review (April 19th 2022)
As we’ve given Raw a chance this week it only seems fair that I also check out this week’s episode of WWE NXT 2.0, a show that hasn’t captured my attention as much as its previous incarnation did. Let’s see what this episode has to offer!
Match #1: Tiffany Stratton def. Sarray
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Unlike the last time the two heated rivals met in the ring, Sarray was able to complete her transformation into The Warrior of the Sun, but it little to change the final outcome. Tiffany Stratton withstood a double stomp off the ropes and a Sunray Dropkick in quick succession before catching Sarray with a headbutt before setting her up for a spinning splash in the corner and the pinfall.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Grayson Waller def. Sanga
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Irate after being fired as Grayson Waller’s personal bodyguard, Sanga chased his former employer into the ring, tossing “The Arrogant Aussie” back-and-forth across the ring. Sanga battered Waller until he rolled out of the ring to avoid a chokeslam. The towering Sanga went for another chokeslam outside the ring, but Waller countered and sent Sanga flying into the ring post. Stunned, Sanga rolled back into the ring and right into a rolling stunner to suffer the loss at the hands of Waller.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Legado del Fantasma def. Drake & Gibson
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Not looking to wait around, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde jump started the match with a dive through the ropes to take out Gibson & Drake before they had a chance to step into the ring. Action did not slow down from there as Legado del Fantasma flew around the ring to delight the NXT Universe in attendance with a flurry of jaw-dropping acrobatics. Drake & Gibson used their underhanded tricks to survive a monstrous huricanrana off the top rope by Del Toro, but Legado del Fantasma were ready as Wilde took out both competitors with a pair of splashes off the ropes. With Gibson incapacitated outside the ring, Del Toro & Wilde isolated Drake with a tandem scissor kick and slam to score the pinfall.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Carmelo Hayes def. Santos Escobar
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Santos Escobar looked to keep the momentum rolling for Legado del Fantasma and show Carmelo Hayes who is really worthy to challenge for the North American Title during a heated back-and-forth in the opening minutes. Escobar took control following a dropkick and a splash, but a quick distraction by Trick Williams opened the door for Hayes to counter with a clothesline off the ropes and a swinging neckbreaker. Hayes rolled until a swift pop-up knee from Escobar stopped him in his tracks. The two Superstars traded nearfalls and right hands in the center of the ring before Escobar flattened Hayes outside the ring with a dive through the ropes. As the leader of Legado del Fantasma rolled Hayes into the ring, two men in suits appeared out of nowhere and took out Escobar’s legs with a crowbar, rolling him into the ring and right into a leg drop off the top rope by Hayes who rolled Escobar up for the 1-2-3.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Natalya def. Tatum Paxley
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Newcomer Tatum Paxley bit off more than she could chew by challenging Natalya. Paxley showed no fear going right after the five-time Guinness Book World Record holder, withstanding an early onslaught from Natalya before earning a nearfall following a standing splash in the center of the ring. Paxley’s momentum was short lived as the SmackDown Superstar turned the tables by tossing her face first into the turnbuckle before locking in the Sharpshooter and forcing Paxley to tap out.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Xyon Quinn def. Wes Lee
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Looking to find a semblance of peace in the one place he feels at home, Wes Lee took it right to Xyon Quinn, taking him off his feet with a quick series of acrobatic aerial maneuvers. Quinn found his footing and battled back, dropping Lee onto the ring apron and again in the center of the ring before eating a superkick by Lee. As Lee looked to keep he momentum rolling, Quinn caught him in mid air with a huge right hand, picking Lee back up onto his feet before flying in for a devastating forearm to keep Lee down for the pinfall victory.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Roxanne Perez def. Jacy Jayne
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After being goaded into making her debut a week early by Toxic Attraction, Roxanne Perez looked to make a name for herself against Jacy Jayne. As one half of the NXT Tag Team Champions, Jayne did not hold back, dropping the rookie with a superkick. While Jayne gloated over Perez, Wendy Choo appeared on the TitanTron to reveal she had done some “remodeling” to Toxic Attraction’s locker room. As Jayne stood shocked and angry at the destruction, Perez snuck in to deliver a sunset flip powerbomb and earn the victory in her NXT 2.0 debut.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #8: Pretty Deadly def. Dexter Lumis & Duke Hudson
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
One week after becoming the new NXT Tag Team Champions, Pretty Deadly put their titles on the line against the newly formed duo of Dexter Lumis & Duke Hudson. Forced into the match by their significant others, Lumis & Hudson struggled initially to get on the same page as veteran partners Kit Wilson & Elton Prince took advantage with flurry of tandem moves. Lumis & Hudson fired up after the Tag Team Champions took a second to pose with Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta at ringside, dropping Wilson & Prince with a pair of slams and a double suplex. Lumis looked to squash Prince in the corner, but Wilson pulled him out of the way at the last second as Pretty Deadly isolated The Tortured Artist. Lumis eventually slipped away to tag in Hudson who cleared house with a belly-to-belly suplex and a clothesline in the corner before earning a shocking nearfall following a snap powerslam. Still shook, Hudson went to knock Wilson off the apron, turning around into a superkick from Prince for the pinfall as Pretty Deadly retained the NXT Tag Team Titles in their first defense.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Well this was a very up and down episode of NXT. Like a rollercoaster of wrestling – a climb at the start, a peak in the middle, then a big dip and a climb to end on a high. As someone who doesn’t watch NXT each and every week this episode felt more like the Bron Breaker show, with his story more of a focus than the actual in-ring action IMHO. In terms of wrestling, the match between Carmelo Hayes and Santos Escobar felt head and shoulders above everything else on this card; whilst Natalya’s appearance actually showed how far the women of NXT (at least on this show) have to go to be main eventers on the two big WWE shows. The main event was a decent tag team match too – though I never pegged Dexter Lumis as someone who would EVER team up with anyone ever! Overall an average show but with just enough good stuff to keep me watching throughout the episode.
