‘WWE NXT’ Review (May 7th 2024)
Welcome to this week’s review of NXT, right here on Nerdly. Spring Breakin’ is over so let’s see what went down in this week’s “standard” episode…
Match #1: Wes Lee def. Josh Briggs
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The King of the West Side is back in NXT as Wes Lee made his triumphant return to action against the big and bad Josh Briggs. Lee didn’t miss a beat in his return using his athleticism and his speed to disorient the much bigger Briggs, but he still took a couple of major hits from his bruising opponent. Briggs focused his attention on Lee’s back while Ivar made his way to commentary, but Lee dug deep and refused to give in. The former dominant North American Champion finally regained control before hitting a corkscrew moonsault and earning the win in his return.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Shayna Baszler def. Karmen Petrovic
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Former two-time NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler made a devastating statement in her return to NXT where she destroyed newcomer Karmen Petrovic. Baszler’s MMA background clashed with Petrovic’s karate skills as The Queen of Spades used her supreme mat skills to neutralize any strikes that came her way. Petrovic showed immense amounts of heart but her attempt to hit a top rope maneuver went poorly as Baszler countered it and locked in a Kirifuda Clutch and won by submission.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont def. No Quarter Catch Crew
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
A backstage spat led to Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont and No Quarter Catch Crew agreeing to a match, but The Family made their presence felt by inserting Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo as the special guest referee. Stacks wasn’t in the mood to call it down the middle as he consistently favored Igwe and Dupont to the point where he slugged Myles Borne and delivered a fast count to give Igwe and Dupont their first wins in NXT.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Michin def. Arianna Grace
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Michin was not in the mood to play around in her return to NXT as she immediately brought the fight to Arianna Grace. The Beauty Queen of NXT became as fierce as she is proper as she attempted to showcase her skills in the ring, but the official caught her attempt to bend the rulebook. Michin capitalized on Grace’s subsequent tantrum as the SmackDown Superstar nailed a jaw buster to pick up the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Fallon Henley def. Kelani Jordan
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The new attitude of Fallon Henley is already paying dividends as she beat down her former friend, Kelani Jordan. Henley was out to prove a point after brutally attacking Thea Hail last week, and she did just that by showing off a new aggressive style, highlighted by assaulting Jordan’s neck. Jordan continued to battle against Henley, but she got launched into the exposed turnbuckle which allowed Henley to hit a Shining Wizard for the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Lexis King def. Duke Hudson
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Duke Hudson was looking to teach Lexis King a message, but it ended up backfiring on all of Chase U. Hudson pummeled the brash King, but Chase U’s newest ally Ridge Holland tried to attack King with a chair, only for the official to step in. In the chaos, King hit Coronation to win the match, much to the dismay of Andre Chase, Thea Hail, Riley Osborne, and Holland.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: NXT Women’s Championship – Roxanne Perez def. Chelsea Green
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Roxanne Perez is still NXT Women’s Champion, but not without a fight from SmackDown’s Chelsea Green. The Prodigy was unhinged against Green, shrieking as she struck her opponent numerous times with open palm strikes. Green rallied after hitting her own version of a Rough Ryder and a missile dropkick, but it wasn’t long before Perez showed her championship mettle. After a back and forth with both Superstars nearly scoring the pinfall, Perez hit Pop Rox that delivered her yet another successful title defense.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Urgh, what a comedown for NXT. Look, I get it. Call-ups have decimated the roster but when you’ve got someone like Lexis King who is STILL putting on average matches for a SECOND wrestling promotion, then you should know you’ve got a problem. The women’s matches this week were weak-sauce compared to what we saw in the Queen of the Ring tournament; yet even the men couldn’t raise the bar this week either. An all-round massive fail for NXT.
