NXT Review – 06.09.26

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NXT is ON THE AIR from the Performance Center in Orlando, FL, and is being broadcast on The CW and Netflix across the globe. The announcers for tonight’s show include Vic Joseph and Booker T on match calls and analysis, Mike Rome on ring introductions, and Sarah Schreiber on breaking news and pageant hosting duties while Blake Howard handles interviews. Let’s watch some wrestling!

Then, Now, Forever….TOGETHER

The Great American Bash is in three weeks! That card will start coming together tonight after winners are declared during the number one contenders matches. Arrivals include: Mason Rook and NARAKU who are in the Men’s contenders match, while Kelani Jordan and Kendal Grey, with her good friend WWE Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair, have arrived to fight it out for the title shot on the Women’s side. NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley strides confidently to work while her title match opponent for tonight, Zaria, has a sit-n-think.

FrAxiom vs Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno

Dar and Moreno have a stylized entrance now, so perhaps this is the way moving forward. Dar was pretty hesitant about taking this match last week so we’ll see how this goes. It’s Axiom and Dar to start and there’s some initial grappling before dar dumps Axiom down while running the ropes. They exchange roll-up attempts and Dar grabs a backslide for two. Axiom snaps off a dropkick and we reset. Moreno tags in and he is FIRED up. Frazer grabs a blind tag and Axiom seems displeased. We go a million miles an hour and Frazer ends up trapped along the ropes with Moreno menacing him. Dar tags in and Frazer waffles him with a chop but then misses a charge. Dar hits some side kicks and a left hand before covering and getting two. Frazer hits Dar with an enziguri to stop the flurry, and Axiom tags in. They hit some double team stuff that sends Dar to the floor, and Moreno charges in. Moreno gets dumped out on the opposite side from Dar, and Frazer and Axiom take too long for the next thing. Dar smashes a charging Axiom with a kick and Moreno destroys Frazer with a springboard dropkick. Axiom gets dumped out again and Moreno gets saved by Dar when Frazer charges. Moreno his a springboard cross-body on Axiom and Frazer, and Dar ascends for a moonsault. We go to commercials.

Frazer jumps into a Dar uppercut when the show returns and we see Sean Legacy and Dorian van Dux watching the match in an inset. Moreno and Axiom get tags and Moreno takes the immediate advantage with a kick and some right hands. Moreno waffles Axiom with a lariat and then dumps a charging Frazer with a German. Moreno hits a springboard dropkick and covers Axiom for two. Dar tags in and he hits a legdrop driver that transitions into an armbar on Axiom. Frazer hits Dar with a frog splash to break that up and Dar rolls to the floor. Moreno ends up on the floor and he and Dar end up on the wrong end of stereo tope suicidas. Frazer dumps Dar back in and tags in Axiom who mashes Dar with a top rope dropkick. Axiom’s cover is broken up by Moreno and Frazer tumbling on top of Axiom. Frazer dumps Moreno to the floor and hits him with a cross-body, while Axiom and Dar exchange covers for two. Axiom hits a knee strike on Dar and gets caught in an ankle lock when he charges. Frazer flies back in and gets caught in an ankle lock by Moreno. Frazer rolls out of his and Axiom kicks Dar away. Moreno tags in and he gets caught by an Axiom kaman giri. Frazer tags in and hits a superplex, but Moreno grabs an inside cradle for two. Frazer locks in a sleeper on Moreno. Axiom’s superkick is ducked by Moreno and it lands flush on Frazer’s jaw. Moreno hits a dropkick on Axiom as he tends to Frazer, and Dar tags in. Dar and Moreno hit a double reverse slam and Dar’s cover gets two. Moreno tags in and his springboard attempt is met by double superkicks from Axiom and Frazer. Frazer leaps onto the apron and gets dropped by a Dar right hand, and Axiom follows with another kaman giri. Axiom hits a Spanish Fly on Dar and then gets tagged in officially by Frazer, who has tossed Moreno back in. Axiom hits the Golden Ratio and Frazer destroys Moreno with the Phoenix Splash. That’s enough to get the victory.

I was not expecting to have that kind of opener but here we are. The crowd was INTO this by the end and I’ll be honest, I thought it was pretty darn good myself. Frazer and Axiom typically annoy me, with Frazer being the main culprit, but I think the goal here was to show that Moreno is quite good for 21 years old, and Dar has a lot left in the tank. Axiom and Frazer still went wildly too fast but at least the pace was matched and there was some actual psychology in the match for a change. No complaints here and I’d recommend seeking this one out, actually. 3.75*

Winners – FrAxiom (Frazer Phoenix Splash on Moreno)

Post-match sees a show of respect and some handshakes. Frazer tells Dar he just found a new tag team partner and Dar seems to agree.

Here’s Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair, and Sinclair once again emphasizes she’s not coming out with Grey tonight for her match. Sinclair wants to talk about a new Speed tournament and Grey points out that she’s not cleared yet. Sinclair leaves as NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice slides into scene. Vice wishes Grey good luck and says she didn’t mean to hit Grey last week, but Grey seems unconcerned and will deal with Vice after beating Jordan tonight. We go to commercials.

Here’s Sarah Schreiber at the venue for the Mr. NXT pageant. There are some wrestlers in the small crowd gathered including Harlem Lewis sitting with Thea Hail, Hank Walker and Tank Leisure clapping away, and our three guest judges, Evolve Men’s Champion Aaron Rourke, Kit Wilson, and comedian Matt Mathews. The first category is Attire, and Tristan Angels goes first. Shiloh Hill follows, and the Mathews seems to favor him, while Wilson loved Angels presentation. Rourke casts the deciding vote for….Angels. The QR code on the screen allows fans to vote but you can’t do it now because you’re reading this and it’s the next day!

NXT Men’s Championship Number One Contenders Match: NARAKU vs Mason Rook

Rook bullies NARAKU to a corner but he misses a chop when he tries it. NARAKU pushes Rook to a corner and slugs him before grabbing a side headlock. NARAKU tries to truck Rook to no avail, and then Rook proves how easy it is by trucking NARAKU. We see NXT Men’s Champion Tony D’Angelo watching on a monitor as Rook mashes NARAKU around. Rook hits a senton and gets a two count. Rook yanks NARAKU up but he slips off and starts mashing Rook with lariats. NARAKU slips a charge and hits a bodyslam before sending Rook to the floor with a kick.

Rook is pounding away at NARAKU who’s sitting on a top turnbuckle when the show returns. Rook pulls NARAKU over and hits an avalanche powerslam that gets two. They start slugging it out and NARAKU hits a lariat but runs right into a Rook Blue Thunder Bomb that gets two. NARAKU hoists Rook onto his shoulders for an overhead Falcon Arrow that gets two. NARAKU mashes Rook with a lariat and a package suplex that gets two. Rook lifts a boot and then hoists NARAKU, but NARAKU transitions to a sleeper. Rook pulls NARAKU over and mashes him with a running cannonball. Here’s Kam Hendrix on the apron from OUTTA NOWHERE to distract Rook. NARAKU rolls up Rook and gets two. Rook smashes Hendrix off the apron and turns right around into EVERYTHING IS EVIL, er, ENTERING THE ABYSS which ends things.

So that moves Rook towards Hendrix, and NARAKU gets his shot at GAB. I thought this was good even with NARAKU’s stated intention of having the worst match every night. Rook is a decent enough hoss, and is smoother than I would have expected. NARAKU is a pro and kept things fairly even until it was time to go home with the interference. I liked this one more than I expected to. 3.25*

Winner AND NEW Number One Contender for the NXT Men’s Championship – NARAKU (Entering the Abyss)

Here’s NXT Men’s North American Champion Myles Borne chatting with Tavion Heights and Heights thinks they should try for another tag match, but Borne mentions telling Heights that their reunion was a one-time thing because he has to focus on defending his NA title. Heights seems put out by that and mentions maybe wanting to take Borne’s title at the Bash. Here’s The Vanity Project entering with Jackson Drake mentioning that the North American title isn’t a charity case and shouldn’t just be tossed around between friends. Heights doesn’t like that remark and thinks that he and Drake should fight next week with the winner getting Borne at the Bash. Drake is up for that and Borne is on board, so the Project make an exit.

Here’s Kendal Grey getting a final “good luck” wish from Wren Sinclair as she makes her way out. We go to commercials.

THE NXT SPOTLIGHT PRESENTED BY PROGRESSIVE tells us that Tate Wilder is a bit of an adrenaline junky. Wilder puts over the NXT roster and says he’s the new daredevil. You’re still my SHERIFF OF JUSTICE, Tate.

NXT Women’s Championship Number One Contenders Match: Kelani Jordan vs Kendal Grey

Grey senses Jordan’s pre-bell attack and slips out of the way before mashing Jordan with some armdrags. Jordan tries to escape with headscissors and basically does, so we run the ropes to a standoff. Jordan takes a quick advantage and hits a cross-body for one. Jordan misses a dropkick and then eats one from Grey who gets a two count with hers. There’s some standing switches and Jordan mashes Grey with an elbow smash. Jordan slaps Grey in a corner but runs into a Grey back elbow. Grey gets stomped on by Jordan who then starts lifting knees into Grey’s midsection. Jordan rams Grey into a corner and mashes her with a right to the back. Grey hits an enziguri and a rana on Jordan before mashing her with an uppercut. Grey runs into the corner and Jordan lofts her up for a facebreaker. Jordan snaps Grey throat-first over the top rope and then sends her to the floor with a lariat. Jordan slides out and hits a rolling neckbreaker as we go to commercials.

Jordan pushes Grey to the floor when the show returns. Jordan gets yanked down and they crush each other with simultaneous lariats. We see NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice keeping an eye on this match in an inset. Jordan hits some kicks and then slugs Grey. Grey fires off an elbow and mashes Jordan with an overhead belly-to-belly. Grey drops the straps and yoinks Jordan over for some half-and-half suplexes. Grey charges and Jordan stops the Shades of Grey attempt. Jordan rolls up Grey and puts her feet on the ropes, but the ref catches her at two. Grey grabs an inside cradle for two, and then crushes Jordan with a superkick. Jordan transitions to an STF and Grey rolls her over for two. Grey hits a bridging German and gets two. Grey ascends and Jordan catches her with a superkick when Grey leaps. Jordan goes to the apron and hits a rope-assisted cutter. Jordan ascends for a frog splash that gets two. Jordan puts the boots to Grey but when she leap on to the second rope, Grey follows and quickly yanks Jordan into an armbar. Jordan rolls Grey over for two, and then starts dropping elbows on Grey. Jordan hits a knee breaker and a Dragon Screw before pulling Grey into an inverted cloverleaf. Grey rolls out of it and there’s some covers exchanged. Grey hits Shades of Grey outta nowhere and that ends things.

The finish came kind of abruptly but that’s why it’s called a finisher. I thought Jordan continued her string of solid outings here and Grey certainly looked the part as well. Jordan had a lot of offense here for a loss and I thought Grey handled fighting from underneath pretty well. I don’t have any major sticking points here other than the lack of selling, but that’s endemic to this product and many others currently so it is what it is. 3.5*

Winner AND NEW Number One Contender for the NXT Women’s Championship – Kendal Grey (Shades of Grey)

Sarah Schreiber tosses to the Talent portion of Mr. NXT and Shiloh Hill solves a Rubik’s cube to a loud pop. Hill then shows off some dexterity with another toy before Angels comes in to try to solve the Rubik’s cube. Rourke puts a stop to it because it’s taking too long, and Angels breaks the cube. Angels tries some juggling and Hill comes in on a unicycle while also juggling. Hill seems to sweep the judges decisions. Public Speaking will be the next part of the pageant and will take place in front of the NXT UNIVERSE. We go to commercials.

Blake Howard is with NXT Men’s Champion Tony D’Angelo and wants some thoughts on NARAKU. D’Angelo says he doesn’t get NARAKU’s vibe or energy, but he’ll have to bring every bit of EVIL at the Bash. NARAKU enters and hands D’Angelo a box before bowing deeply and leaving. Predictably, the box has the WAR kanji on it.

Jasper Troy vs Dion Lennox

Osiris Griffin is with Lennox, as Cutler James is still selling his injuries from last week’s attack by Saquon Shugars. Griffin antagonizes Troy before the bell rings and Lennox slugs Troy right away. Troy responds with a right and then sends Lennox to the floor. Troy goes out and tosses Lennox back in. Lennox misses an elbow drop and gets trucked down by Troy. Troy hits a body slam and covers Lennox for two. Lennox wants some advice from Griffin and Troy bullies him on the apron. Troy pulls Lennox into a goozle but Lennox slips off and goes on offense. Lennox locks in a guillotine and then starts smashing Troy in the head. Saquon Shugars appears on the video board to tell Lennox to watch his back, and Troy uses the distraction to sends Lennox to the floor. We go to commercials.

Lennox bullies Troy along the ropes as the show returns. They slug it out a bit and Lennox takes Troy down awkwardly before covering for two. Lennox works a rear chinlock but Troy breaks out of it. Troy yanks Lennox up and drives him into a corner. Lennox drops some elbows and still can’t break out of it. Troy yanks Lennox into a rolling powerslam and nips up. Troy smashes Lennox around and then splashes him in a corner before slamming him down. Troy misses a Vader bomb and walks into a Lennox powerslam that ends things.

I didn’t think this worked very well. Troy still needs to be walked through stuff and Lennox isn’t the best dance partner for that sort of thing. It was just one of those awkward contests where the green-ness of the one competitor kind of overshadowed the story part of things. Troy will get there, he just needs reps. Lennox is kind of awkward and I don’t know if he gets how to move through heat transitions all that well because his stuff is like “you’re on offense now and I’ll take your moves and then we’ll switch” but there’s no real thought behind any of it. 2*

Winner – Dion Lennox (rolling powerslam)

Post-match sees Shugars back on the video board. He appears to be in the parking lot with his bat, but it turns out it was a recording! Shugars sprints in behind Griffin and starts whaling him with the aluminum bat he’s carrying. Shugars sprints away as Lennox goes to check on the fallen Griffin.

Here’s footage of Shooter Nattie being attacked at practice by Jaida Parker. The finale of Mr. NXT will happen after commercials.

Sarah Schreiber is mid-ring with Tristan Angels and Shiloh Hill, and she introduces the judges to the live audience. Both competitors are asked why they should be Mr. NXT and Angels says he’s already been recognized as the handsomest man in England, and therefore the world, so he should be Mr. NXT even though he’s incredibly humble. Angels mentions his upbringing as a sheepherder which makes him ready to deal with the pigs in the audience. Angels already has Mr. NXT tattooed on his leg and mentions that if anyone doesn’t think he should be Mr. NXT they should take a long walk off a short pier.

Hill gets the mic and talks about all the things he’s done in NXT while he’s been trying to find himself. Hill says as long as you’re willing to roll with the punches you’ll be okay in NXT. It’s time for the judges final thoughts and Mathews seems very impressed with Hill and then insults Angels hair before giving his vote to Hill. Wilson says Hill’s whole raccoon thing is TOXIC, but also mentions that Angels is TOXIC as well. Wilson ends up voting for Angels due to his long hair and English accent. Rourke loves Hill’s weirdness but also thinks Angels looks the part of a pageant winner. Rourke can’t decide so he’ll leave it up to the fans. We get the final vote and it’s for Shiloh Hill! He is the new Mr. NXT. Angels does not take this result well and starts smashing Hill around with a walking stick. Angels gets a chair and absolutely destroys Hill with it. Angels takes the Mr. NXT sash and cries about it being his birthday and how the sash should be his. Angels stands over the fallen Hill.

NXT GM Robert Stone congratulates NARAKU on winning and wonders what he gave Tony D’Angelo. The box contained an invitation to sit down face to face prior to their match. Keanu Carver wanders in and insults NARAKU while Stone intervenes. Carver wants to know why these guys keep getting to cut the line and Stone promises to get an opponent for Carver for next week. Carver threatens to find someone to take out on his own if Stone doesn’t come through. We go to commercials.

Joseph runs down next week card as it’s currently constructed. Izzi Dame seems put out by Shawn Spears getting her a slot in the Women’s Speed tournament. Dame will be taking on Thea Hail in the Speed match and once he explains things to her, Dame seems okay with his logic. We’ll see if this holds up.

NXT Women’s North American Championship: Tatum Paxley (C) vs Zaria

Mike Rome does the in-ring intros and we’re off. Paxley is wearing fangs, for some reason, but I kind of dig it. Zaria tries for an immediate F5 but Paxley slips off and pulls Zaria into an inside cradle that gets two. Zaria mashes Paxley with a spear and covers her for two. Paxley bails to the floor and Zaria goes right out to run her into the barricade. Zaria runs Paxley into the ring post and then tosses her back in. Zaria covers and gets two. Zaria tosses Paxley halfway across the ring and then pulls her up for a second toss. Paxley kicks her way out of trouble but Zaria shakes that off and waffles Paxley with a release German. Paxley slips a charge and then hits a rope-assisted double stomp on Zaria’s back. Paxley hits a moonsault but Zaria looms up behind her as we go to commercials.

Zaria runs into a high boot from Paxley. Paxley snaps off a DDT and starts whaling on Zaria with rights. Zaria goes to the apron and Paxley charges and mashes Zaria with her rolling Pele kick. Paxley hits an enziguri and then another rolling Pele kick that gets two. Paxley wants the Cemetery Drive but Zaria breaks out of that and mashes Paxley with a headbutt. Paxley lands on her feet after an overhead toss and she double stomps Zaria’s back when she tries another spear. Paxley hits a rolling slam and ascends for a 450. That misses and Zaria hits another spear before covering Paxley for two. They start slugging it out and Paxley hits a facebreaker. Paxley hits a superkick and ascends but Zaria rises up quickly with a right hand. Zaria wants a German from the top but Paxley breaks out of it and leaves Zaria in the Tree of Woe. Paxley ascends in an opposite corner and goes coast to coast with a dropkick. Paxley covers and gets two. They counter each other’s finishers and Zaria no-sells another Paxley rolling Pele kick. Zaria misses a spear and goes to the floor, but Paxley misses her moonsault attempt. Zaria hits an F5 on the floor, and then pulls Paxley into the ring. Zaria hits a spear and another F5 finishes things. We have a new champion!

The crowd seemed kind of shocked by that finish but I think you have to try with Zaria at some point after that super long feud with Sol Ruca. This was one of Zaria’s better outings that didn’t involve Ruca and I commend her and Paxley for going out and doing something kind of different with things. This was just bomb after bomb after bomb and they both just went for it. I like to see that once in awhile as it changes things up. I was fine with this, but I’m dubious about Zaria as a heel champ. I’m not sure what is left for Tater to accomplish but I’m also not sure there’s a spot for her right now on the main, either. 3.5*

Winner AND NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion – Zaria (F5)

We look at highlights in the post-match and then Zaria ascends to hold her new belt aloft. The credits roll as Joseph puts over Zaria, and we’re out.

This was another darn good NXT in terms of in-ring stuff (other than Lennox-Troy, which…not great). The out of ring stuff was fine and I’m assuming we’ll get a few matches out of the aftermath of Mr. NXT. Overall I thought this was a solid outing for the group and started the build to the Bash in pretty decent fashion. Now, are you excited about NARAKU and Kendal Grey as challengers? I’m interested in seeing both matches but I don’t see title changes in either one. Obviously we’ll see what shakes out. Anyway, I can recommend this show for the second week in a row and I’ll take it.

Thanks for reading and commenting. Have an excellent Wednesday.