‘WWE NXT’ Review (Apr 30th 2024)
Welcome to this week’s review of NXT, right here on Nerdly. We’ve got week two of the Spring Breakin’ special(s), so let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this episode…
Match #1: NXT North American Championship – Oba Femi def. Ivar
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Oba Femi threw down in a matchup between two of the biggest and baddest Superstars when he tangled with Ivar, but in the end it was the champion that walked out still North American Champion. The Viking Raider looked dominant early on, using his unique athleticism for his 360lb frame to stagger the champion and even crashing him through the barricade at ringside and hitting a moonsault to the outside. Femi proved his championship mettle by withstanding a Doomsault by sticking his right foot on the rope, forcing the break. Ivar went for another Doomsault but this time it got countered before the champion hit a ring-shattering pop up powerbomb to retain his title.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Thea Hail def. Jacy Jayne
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Thea Hail scored what may be the biggest win of her career by defeating her former friend Jacy Jayne, but she unfortunately experienced a bout of déjà vu after the match ended. Jayne used her experience to overwhelm her younger opponent, including countering Hail’s signature backwards dive into a neckbreaker. Jayne’s partner Jazmyn Nyx attempted to hit Hail with a Pele Kick, but it missed and hit Fallon Henley instead, allowing Hail to lock in a Kimura Lock and submit Jayne. However, after the match, Henley snapped and punched Hail with a stiff right hand much to the delight of Jayne and Nyx.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: The O.C def. Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe showed out in their NXT debut, but they couldn’t topple the established veterans of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The O.C. withstood the initial burst from the rookies and after one incredible Spinebuster from Anderson, the two hit a devastating Magic Killer to spoil the debut of Dupont and Igwe.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Ridge Holland def. Shawn Spears
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Shawn Spears was on a mission to awaken the monster inside of Ridge Holland, and he may have gotten more than he asked for when the two met at Spring Breakin’. Spears did everything he could to enrage Holland, including raking at his eyes and tossing him into the steel steps. Holland proceeded to get a look in his eyes as he reached a new level before hitting Spears with a tremendous DDT to earn the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: NXT Tag Team Championship – Axiom & Nathan Frazer def. AOP
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The NXT Tag Team Titles remain with Axiom and Nathan Frazer but not before an all-out war with Akam and Rezar of The Final Testament. Before the bell could even ring, the champions flew down to the ring and brought the fight to the challengers, but it wasn’t long before AOP took control thanks to their massive power advantage. With Karrion Kross, Scarlett, and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering at ringside, Akam and Rezar nearly won the titles on multiple occasions, but Axiom and Frazer withstood every major shot that they took. After The Final Testament attempted to interfere, the NXT official ejected them from ringside and during the chaos, New Catch Republic appeared and helped the champions retain their titles.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #6: NXT Underground Match – Lola Vice def. Natalya
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Brutality came to NXT once again as Natalya and Lola Vice made history in the first-ever Women’s NXT Underground Match. Vice’s history as a MMA competitor clashed with Natalya’s legendary training as a member of the Hart family, and it was the veteran that poured it on early with the aggressiveness. The precision strikes of Vice mixed with several tosses, including one on the announce table, gave the newcomer even more confidence than what she walked in with. Natalya locked in a Sharpshooter but Vice’s partner, Shayna Baszler, locked in a Kirifuda Clutch on Natalya’s partner Karmen Petrovic, forcing Natalya to break the hold and save her friend. Vice took advantage of that move as she proceeded to knock Natalya out and win the match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Whereas last week’s PLE delivered, this week’s very much coasted along, with only the last two matches on the show ever trying to give us something great. The appearance of Wes Lee was great but that wasn’t a match was it? It set up something good for the future but presently this show was a let down when compared to last week’s show, unfortunately.
