‘WWE NXT’ Review (Oct 4th 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of NXT, which is continuing the road back to black and gold! With that in mind, let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Carmelo Hayes def. Oro Mensah
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Carmelo Hayes and Oro Mensah are set to battle for the NXT North American Title in a Ladder Match alongside three other competitors at Halloween Havoc, but the two Superstars took an early opportunity to begin stating their cases for championship gold. The two uber-athletic Superstars dropped jaws, as Mensah grabbed control with a flurry that ended with a backflip splash onto Hayes. An intervention by Trick Williams opened the door for Hayes to hit his patented diving leg drop off the top ropes and send a message to the haters who were ready to pile on his losing streak.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Von Wagner def. Andre Chase
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
A spot in the NXT North American Title Ladder Match at Halloween Havoc was on the line as Von Wagner and Andre Chase went to battle. The Chase U leader looked to shock the NXT Universe, as Thea Hail brought the action to the outside with an attack on Mr. Stone. The Most Dangerous Man served a teachable moment to Chase with an earth-shattering lariat and suplex combo that punched his ticket to Halloween Havoc. As Hayes continued to throw shade at the announce desk, Wes Lee came flying in to try and humble the former champion.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Wendy Choo def. Lash Legend
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Lash Legend was looking to flip the script and earn some respect on NXT, as she promised to deliver a beatdown to Wendy Choo. It was a clash of styles, as Legend gained an early advantage with her powerful approach inside the squared circle. All Wendy Choo would need was a small window of opportunity, and a splash off the top rope gave the whimsical Superstar the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Nikkita Lyons & Zoey Stark def. Toxic Attraction
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The NXT Parking Lot remained one of the most dangerous places on Earth, as an Alba Fyre ambush turned an originally scheduled Six-Woman Tag Team Match and created a No. 1 Contenders clash for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles. Zoey Stark & Nikkita Lyons were out to make a statement early on, as Lyons sent Jacy Jayne reeling with a series of strikes and Stark followed with a missile dropkick to take out Gigi Dolin. After a heated back-and-forth, Stark was shot out of a cannon with an explosive string of attacks on Toxic Attraction. The show-stopping battle hit a boiling point as Stark went with a high-risk aerial assault on Jayne, and Lyons took out Dolin with her signature pin.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Julius Creed def. Duke Hudson
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Julius Creed requested Brutus Creed remain backstage during his bout with Duke Hudson to prevent a disqualification, and the punishing Superstar showed his power in the process. Julius made quick work of his opponent, as he punctuated a barrage with a vicious slam and lariat attack. After the match, Brutus would come rushing in like a raging bull to unload on Hudson, but Damon Kemp came in with a message for The Creed Brothers. Kemp raised the stakes for his showdown with Julius at Halloween Havoc, as a Kemp victory would mean Brutus’ career would be over.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: Xyon Quinn def. Hank Walker
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Hank Walker is trying to win over the hearts of the NXT Universe, but Xyon Quinn has his own plans for the future of the brand. Quinn would earn the victory with a flying punch that grounded Walker, but his post-match assault was halted by the emergence of Quincy Elliott.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #7: NXT Tag Team Title Match – Pretty Deadly def. The Brawling Brutes
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Pretty Deadly talked themselves into a battle with The Brawling Brutes and came in hoping to cling to their NXT Tag Team Titles. Fresh off taking The Usos to the brink on SmackDown, Ridge Holland & Butch went to work on Elton Prince & Kit Wilson with some joint manipulation and bruising onslaught. Both teams traded near falls, but as Prince sensed the titles slipping away it looked as if he attempted to take out the official to retain on a disqualification. A surprise entrance from Imperium allowed Pretty Deadly to retain with a Spilt Milk finish, but the interruption ignited chaos as Malik Blade & Edris Enofe and Brooks Jensen & Josh Briggs let the champions know the target was still on their backs.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Well this was a comeback from last week’s lacklustre show. A couple of dodgy matches didn’t detract too much from what was a decent episode of NXT. Plus… We got “Butch” back on NXT in a tag team match that really delivered AND made Pretty Deadly look even better than usual! Definitely a building block for NXT’s future, they just need to keep this up and then make a few improvements to bring this show back to the black and gold standard.