‘WWE NXT’ Review (Jan 3rd 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of NXT, right here on Nerdly. This is the first NXT for 2023 so let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Carmelo Hayes def. Apollo Crews
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Carmelo Hayes has been on a mission to prove that he’s still the cream of the crop in NXT, and a win over Apollo Crews further solidified his place in the pecking order. Both Superstars showed off their supreme skills with highly athletic aerial moves combined with grueling mat technician skills. Hayes was able to slow Crews down with a strategically placed leg kick on the apron, but Crews overcame it and put together an incredible string of combination offense, including a massive superplex. The two men traded big blows, but Hayes finally got Crews down on the mat long enough to hit his signature Nothing But Net leg drop that delivered him the big victory.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Axiom def. Trick Williams
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Axiom wasted no time in getting payback against Trick Williams for what he did to him last week, as the masked Superstar jumped both Williams and Carmelo Hayes after Hayes’ win over Apollo Crews. Williams was more than formidable, taking the action right to Axiom and grounding him, preventing him from using his high-flying offense. One well placed shot to the jaw took Williams out long enough for Axiom to nail him with the Golden Ratio and pick up the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Dijak def. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Dijak delivered another example of his hard justice, this time against Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo just a week after abducting and interrogating the Superstar. The Don’s right-hand man could get nothing going as Dijak manhandled him with Tony D’Angelo helplessly watching at ringside. Dijak gave one last look to D’Angelo before hitting Feast Your Eyes which mercifully ended the match.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Extreme Resolution Match – Alba Fyre def. Isla Dawn
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Alba Fyre has dealt with the menacing Isla Dawn for weeks, and she was finally able to get her payback on the woman that cost her a chance at the NXT Women’s Championship. Before their Extreme Resolution Match even started, Fyre and Dawn fought their way throughout the arena with Fyre even tossing down onto a pile of chairs and debris. Once they made their way to the ring, a chaotic battle ensued with weapons and ruthlessness on full display. As Fyre looked to finally end the match, Isla Dawn gave her a twisted smile, seemingly welcoming her fate just before Fyre hit her with a Gory Bomb through a table.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Oro Mensah def. Javier Bernal
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Both Oro Mensah and Javier Bernal looked to kick off the new year on a positive note, but it was Mensah that came out on top when the dust settled. Javier Bernal wasted no time in going after Oro Mensah, attacking him before he could even hit the ring. Bernal would continue the aggressiveness, knocking Mensah around the ring until Mensah fired back with some offense of his own. Mensah wowed the crowd and ultimately defeated Bernal with a huge spinning heel kick, giving him momentum to start the new year.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: Drew Gulak def. Andre Chase
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
A pair of wrestling teachers squared off as Drew Gulak and Andre Chase locked up inside the ring, but the veteran Gulak proved to be too skilled and too polished in the end. Chase has felt disrespected by Gulak for weeks and it was elevated when Gulak implied that Chase was a bad teacher. The two proceeded to have a grappling showcase, but Chase’s skills frustrated Gulak to the point where he openly struck him. A visibly frustrated Gulak secured the victory with his patented Gulock, much to the confusion of his new protege, Hank Walker.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #7: Kofi Kingston def. Joe Gacy
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
One half of the NXT Tag Team Champions, Kofi Kingston, came away with a big victory over Schism’s Joe Gacy, but not before Gacy gave him an incredible test. Gacy used his strength advantage to gain some early momentum, but Kingston was too savvy in the ring and used his athletic arsenal of moves to knock Gacy off-balance. Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid distracted Kingston momentarily, but Xavier Woods’ presence allowed Kingston to dive over the ropes and take them both out. Gacy tried to take advantage of the situation, but Kingston countered his slam into an arm drag before hitting a dynamic Trouble In Paradise to take out Gacy.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Well this was a lot better than this week’s Raw, that’s for sure! Interesting that this one opened strong, had a strong middle-of-the-show match and a strong closer – everything else kind of floated in between, both literally and figuratively. The only real downside to this week’s episode was closing with a segment of the Grayson Waller Effect rather than an actual match – I’m never a fan of going down the “promo” route rather than a closing main event. But that’s on me…
