‘WWE NXT’ Review (Jan 24th 2023)
Welcome to this week’s review of NXT, right here on Nerdly. This week’s episode apparently focuses more on the women of NXT, so let’s get into the review and see what happened…
Match #1: Tiffany Stratton def. Indi Hartwell
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The determined Indi Hartwell tried to teach the pompous Tiffany Stratton a lesson after the latter returned to NXT just a few weeks ago. Stratton showed little ring rust, keeping Hartwell off balance with her chain wrestling. When Hartwell tried to mount a comeback, Stratton feigned a leg injury only to knock her opponent down with a forearm to the face. Stratton then finished Hartwell off with a picture-perfect moonsault.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: JD McDonagh def. Andre Chase
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After interrupting Thea Hail’s award ceremony, JD McDonagh felt the wrath of Andre Chase who took on the Irish Superstar on behalf of his entire University. McDonagh strategically attacked the shoulder of Chase, limiting him in how he could move throughout the ring. The ruthless McDonagh withstood every rally from Chase, including kicking out of a Canadian Destroyer. Moments later, Duke Hudson stormed off from ringside, leaving both Chase & Hail stunned, allowing McDonagh to take advantage by hitting Chase with his snatching suplex to pick up the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Fallon Henley & Kiana James def. Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Former enemies turned allies Fallon Henley & Kiana James went through growing pains in their first match ever teaming with each other. Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley were more than capable of exploiting those weaknesses, but James took matters into her own hands and used nefarious tactics without Henley even realizing it, allowing her to hit a Shining Wizard on Nile to get the win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: The Creed Brothers def. Drew Gulak & Hank Walker
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After a high-intensity training session all together, The Creed Brothers took on the visibly frustrated Drew Gulak and his protege Hank Walker. Gulak’s teachings clearly helped Walker as he managed to take the action right to Julius Creed, including some powerful slams and technically sound holds. As the match progressed, Charlie Dempsey appeared and distracted Gulak, leaving Walker to go at it all alone. In the chaos, Brutus hit a Brutus Ball from the top rope and picked up the victory for Diamond Mine.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Elektra Lopez def. Wendy Choo
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The matchup between Wendy Choo and Elektra Lopez was a contrast in personalities as the mild mannered Choo took on the increasingly aggressive Lopez. Choo brought the fight to Lopez, nailing her with a series of moves punctuated by a splash from the top rope. Out of nowhere, Lopez applied her signature brass knuckles and slugged an unsuspecting Choo with them, putting her down and getting the win.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #6: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance def. Alba Fyre & Sol Ruca
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Just as it seemed that Alba Fyre would challenge for the NXT Women’s Titles on her own, Sol Ruca marched down to the ring and made herself Fyre’s partner. The mismatched pair of Fyre & Ruca meshed well, leaving Kayden Carter & Katana Chance to react on the fly. The champions showed their mettle by isolating Ruca, using their tandem offense and a remarkable 450 splash by Chance to retain their titles.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This was another solid episode of NXT, with a nice focus on the women’s division and a decent build in the final promo segment – yes, this show ended on a promo NOT a main event match – that built towards the next NXT premium event, Vengeance Day. Though, given that we’ve just had New Year’s Evil, these “branded” NXT shows are coming a little too quick for my liking.
