‘WWE NXT’ Review (Apr 16th 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: Noam Dar def. Dijak
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The numbers game of the Meta-Four proved dividends for Noam Dar as Supernova 11 conquered the much larger Dijak thanks to Lash Legend, Jakara Jackson, and Oro Mensah. Dijak laid into the Scottish Superstar, crushing him with brutal chops, strong strikes, and back-breaking tosses across the ring. Dar was even on the receiving end of a ring-shaking sit-out chokeslam. Dar managed to rally and hit a Fisherman Buster on the larger Dijak, parlaying that move into an armbar that incapacitated his arm. After trading incredible shots, Dijak became distracted by Mensah who jumped on the apron, allowing Dar to hit Nova Roller to pick up the huge win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Lola Vice def. Sol Ruca
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Sol Ruca and Lola Vice squared off in a matchup between two of NXT’s fastest rising Superstars, but Ruca’s past came back to haunt her in the form of Blair Davenport. Vice and Ruca were going toe-to-toe exchanging supreme strikes and innovative offense when suddenly Davenport made her presence felt. With the referee’s back turned, the British Superstar pounced on the ropes, causing Ruca to slip off of them right into a match-ending knockout kick from Vice.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Ridge Holland def. Joaquin Wilde
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
No one is sure what has gotten into Ridge Holland, but the former Brawling Brute has started stacking victories, this time defeating Joaquin Wilde in impressive fashion. After an initial wave of dominance from Holland, Wilde went for broke with a dive to the outside, but Holland’s counter of it spelled doom for the LWO Superstar. Holland dragged the lifeless Wilde into the ring and nailed him with a DDT to pick up the win, all while Shawn Spears smiled from the top of the entrace ramp.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Ilja Dragunov def. Je’Von Evans
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The entire NXT locker room wanted a piece of NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov, but Je’Von Evans stunned everyone by flying into the ring and meeting The Mad Dragon eye-to-eye in the ring. The Young OG showed up and showed out, bringing the fight right to the champion despite being the youngest Superstar in all of NXT. Despite the remarkable fight from the rookie, Dragunov proved why he’s the Superstar to beat in NXT as he weathered the storm, hit Torpedo Moscow, and won the match. To show his mutual respect, Dragunov shook Evans’ hand and acknowledged that Evans is a star in the making.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #5: Tatum Paxley def. Thea Hail
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Tatum Paxley is one step closer to the NXT Women’s Championship after defeating a very tough opponent in Thea Hail thanks to an assist from Jacy Jayne. Paxley was even more demented than usual, using unorthodox submission attempts to stretch the Chase U Superstar. With Hail in control, Jazmyn Nyx and Jacy Jayne appeared and took Hail out, allowing Paxley to roll her up and score the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: AOP def. Edris Enofé & Malik Blade
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
AOP’s return to NXT went exactly how The Final Testament planned as the former NXT Tag Team Champions destroyed Edris Enofé & Malik Blade. The belief of their partner Brinley Reece wasn’t enough as Enofé and Blade felt the wrath of Akam and Rezar. Despite a rally from Blade and Enofé, the brute force of AOP proved to be too much as one Super Collider mercifully ended the match.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Ivar def. Josh Briggs
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In a good old fashioned slugfest, Ivar conquered Josh Briggs in a matchup of titans. Briggs was clearly not at 100% as he was dealing with a rib injury, made worse by the massive weight of the Viking Raider. One roundhouse kick on the outside knocked Briggs clean out as Ivar followed it up with a Doomsault that not only won the match, but sent a message to Oba Femi in the promise.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #8: Steel Cage Match – Trick Williams def. Carmelo Hayes
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Trick Williams followed up his Stand & Deliver victory over Carmelo Hayes by once again defeating his former friend, this time in a wicked Steel Cage Match. After a quick early flurry from Williams, Hayes’ security team handed their employer a club which he proceeded to beat Williams relentlessly with. Williams was in dire straits and seemed to be disoriented by the steel cage, but he finally managed to gain his bearings by fighting off Hayes’ security team one by one. Hayes used the chaos to his advantage and attempted to use a steel chair, but he was caught with a Trick Shot which gave Williams the show-stopping victory.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
NXT continues its winning streak and has, as it did the week before Stand and Deliver, delivered some great matches once again. It’s a bit weird having ANOTHER pre-special show episode but it is what it is… NXT seem to be pushing out these special shows on an almost monthly basis, however if it gives us more great wrestling then I’m, honestly, all for it. This week’s show had some TREMENDOUS in-ring spots – like Dijak throwing Noam Dar out the ring, literally; the steel cage match that ended the Williams/Hays feud and especially Je’Von Evans’ stunning performance against the badass Ilja Dragunov. Talk about career making! Superb stuff
