‘WWE NXT’ Review (Sept 5th 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 episode…
Match #1: NXT Women’s Championship – Tiffany Stratton def. Kiana James
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Tiffany Stratton vanquished Kiana James, but found her next challenge in the process. Both Superstars were willing to do whatever it took to win, but the NXT official was in perfect position to catch both competitors before they could steal a victory. That, however, wouldn’t last the entire match as once Stratton attempted to use James’ handbag as a weapon, she used the distraction to rake the challenger’s eyes, hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, and retain her title.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Ilja Dragunov def. Oro Mensah
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Mad Dragon dealt with The Meta-Four and now he’ll turn his attention back to the NXT Title hunt. Oro Mensah, however, didn’t get the memo that he was the underdog as he took the fight right to Ilja Dragunov, even catching him with a devastating kick to the face. Dragunov however would prove that he’s one of NXT’s best as he weathered the storm and then ended the bout with Torpedo Moscow.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: NXT Global Heritage Invitational – Nathan Frazer def. Duke Hudson
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Jersey’s Nathan Frazer picked up his first win in the NXT Global Heritage Invitational by defeating the powerful Aussie, Duke Hudson. Frazer needed the win badly and the desperation showed as he moved around the ring with a purpose, bringing the fight right to the larger Hudson. In the waning moments of the match, Hudson went for a Razor’s Edge but Frazer countered, hit a Phoenix Splash, and picked up a much-needed two points.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #4: Tyler Bate def. Dabba-Kato
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Big Strong Boi conquered the massive Dabba-Kato in pure underdog fashion. The gargantuan Dabba-Kato mauled Tyler Bate early on, but the Big Strong Boi rallied with his signature offense, even though it seemingly had no effect. Somehow, Bate muscled Dabba-Kato up and delivered an Airplane Spin, followed up by a twisting splash off the top rope to secure a remarkable victory.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #5: Mustafa Ali def. Dragon Lee
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
NXT North American Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio served as the special guest referee and he proved to be the difference as he seemingly helped Mustafa Ali win the matchup. The contest was equal throughout, and both Superstars clearly had respect for each other even though Mysterio did not. After an incredible powerbomb from Lee, Mysterio delivered a slow count which enraged Lee. Suddenly, Ali rolled him up and Mysterio gave a fast count, giving the match to Ali.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #6: NXT Global Heritage Invitational – Butch vs. Axiom (Draw)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The NXT Global Heritage Invitational saw its first draw of the tournament as England’s Butch and Spain’s Axiom battled to a 12-minute draw. Butch looked like his usual Brawling Brute self, mangling Axiom and attempting to ground the Spanish high-flier through joint manipulation. Axiom, however, refused to stay down and nearly put the match away with a Golden Ratio, but Butch’s hand was under the bottom rope and it forced a breakup. Butch managed to hit a Bitter End, but Axiom kicked out just as the 12-minute timer hit 0:00.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #7: Thea Hail def. Gigi Dolin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The new-look Thea Hail picked up a major victory over the enigmatic Gigi Dolin in singles action, much to the delight of her new friend, Jacy Jayne. Hail was impressive, showcasing her new bad girl attitude, speeding around the ring, striking Dolin, and letting out a few guttural yells. After getting out of the Kimura Lock, Dolin was blindsided by Blair Davenport and found herself right back in the submission which forced the fiery Dolin to tap out.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #8: Bron Breakker def. Von Wagner
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The abominable Bron Breakker and the hulking Von Wagner destroyed each other in a No Disqualification Match, but in the end only Breakker could walk out of the building. Weapons were strung across the ring as both Superstars mauled each other using kendo sticks, steel chairs, and even the announce table. Breakker became a man possessed as he locked in the Steiner Recliner, but Wagner’s unbelievable strength allowed him to overpower his opponent and lock him into a submission of his own. Wagner managed to toss Breakker through a piece of the NXT ringside area and even put him through a table, but a low blow from the former NXT Champion set him up for a gut-busting spear that ended the match. After the match, Breakker continued his assault on Wagner and brutalized him as the cameras faded to black.
My Score: 3 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Becky Lynch challenged Tiffany Stratton to an NXT Women’s Title Match.
Final Verdict: 3/5
This was an odd episode of NXT, with a few decent matches but two mid-show that bordered on squash matches and a main event that was good but only because it went totally over the top in terms of outrageousness. The highlight of the show was the Heritage Invitational match between Butch and Axiom and that ended in a draw! You may notice that the best-rated matches correlated to the roster’s better members – Ilya Dragunov, Mustapha Ali, Dragon Lee, Butch et al. Yet again NXT is doing that same thing, building stars that carry the show who, when they’re called up, will leave a hole in the roster… Will the WWE every learn?
