The WWE Draft has not ushered in a newly hardened brand split, as Monday Night Raw’s Humberto, Angel, Dana Brooke, and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins look to integrate themselves into NXT this month. Free agents Mustafa Ali and Baron Corbin have gotten their shine stolen – although the latter’s gym shorts attire isn’t doing favors heading into an NXT Championship match with Carmelo Hayes.

Schism vs Mustafa Ali, Tyler Bate and Wes Lee

After a brief memorial for The Iron Sheik, NXT immediately opens mid-entrance of Schism, who gain control despite the opposition’s jumpstart. Lee finally makes a hot tag to “Big Strong Boi” Bate, and the team hits triple dives preceding commercial. Back at ground zero with Rip Fowler on top, Ali’s comeback is next – and he fits naturally within NXT’s deep midcard division. In Lee’s go-around, the referee is inadvertently blinded, and a second referee heroically restores order as momentum drastically picks up. Orlando is standing and pops big when Bate hits Tyler Driver 98 for victory in a slow-burn opener.

Winners: Tyler Bate, Wes Lee, and Mustafa Ali

 

Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey show tough love to Thea Hail before Duke Hudson makes a call to Andre Chase. “Things around here, they’re getting out of hand,” says the substitute professor and MVP of Chase University.

Bron Breakker enters the ring to Seth Rollins’ blaring fan chant, in a sports coat looking better than ever. Out comes Ilja Dragunov being restrained by officials before Rollins finally appears – on the screen. “Challenge accepted,” he cackles, announcing a match next week on NXT for the World Heavyweight Championship. Deservedly, the segment is Booker T’s “shucky ducky quack quack” moment of the night.

A vignette for Dana Brooke brings into realization that her career peak was seven years ago, but she’s returning to the white-and-gold brand despite being an official RAW competitor. Cora Jade interrupts her interview and slaps Brooke with no rebuttal.

Mustafa Ali, Wes Lee, and Tyler Bate celebrate their victory until the free agent starts instigating. Ali offers to guest-referee a match between Lee and Bate before they go out for vegan.

Thea Hail vs Cora Jade

Brooke comes out to spectate, adjacent to substitute professor Duke Hudson. Hail is the number-one contender for the NXT Women’s Championship and shows fire before Jade attempts to attack with her kendo stick. The referee is preoccupied with the weapon as Brooke takes out Jade, and Hail capitalizes with a Kimura Lock for victory.

Winner: Thea Hail

 

Oro Mensah vs Nathan Frazer – NXT Heritage Cup

A match for the NXT Heritage Cup was supposed to happen between Frazer and Noam Dar, but the latter pulls up on crutches, accusing his opponent of attacking him in the parking lot. “Main man” Mensah steps up, defending the cup for the first time on NXT US television on Dar’s behalf, but Frazer scores the first fall with a speedy roll-up. Jakara Jackson distracts the referee while Lash Legend restricts Frazer, allowing Mensah to even the score before picture-in-picture.

Three straight matches have had referee shenanigans, but nevertheless, the competitors continue with smooth action, tying in the third round. Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz halt another attempt at interference, allowing Frazer to hit an incredible Phoenix Splash to win the Heritage Cup in a very welcomed surprise.

Winner: Nathan Frazer

 

A cinematic vignette for Lyra Valyria plays, and Jacy Jayne reacts with disgust. Elektra Lopez and Lola Vice stand up to her, forming a desperately needed new team.

Mr. Stone is happy about Von Wagner’s therapy sessions when Dijak walks by with an insult. Hoss fight incoming, but meanwhile, Wagner still hasn’t talked about his baby picture. “Who you gonna trust, man?” asks Stone. “You. It’s always been you,” responds Wagner.

Dabba-Kato vs Axiom and Scrypts

NXT is still insistent on Axiom and Scrypts corny superhero characters, now working together in a two-on-one handicap match. They attack consecutively with cool strikes and dives, ultimately pinning Dabba-Kato with the Golden Ratio. At this point, the big man deserves some sympathy.

Winners: Axiom and Scrypts 

 

Humberto and Angel attack the victors to “welcome back” chants and piped-in boos, already feeling rejuvenated in a much-needed career shift. Meanwhile, Wes Lee versus Tyler Bate for the North American Championship is made official for next week’s NXT Gold Rush.

Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo looks over a suspect board, attempting to find out who snitched on Tony D’Angelo. Gallus remain the main suspects, alongside former rivals Legado del Fantasma, Tommaso Ciampa, and “Petey Poppins” Butch.

Duke Hudson is apparently proud of Thea Hail and announces a pep rally for her next week. NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton mocks her underdog story before Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey walk in to demand more training.

Edris Enofe vs Malik Blade

Starting with Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs to Hank Walker and Tank Ledger, the NXT trend of friendly fire continues. The aforementioned duos spectate ringside while the young competitors impress with athleticism and beautiful outside dives. After a superplex from Enofe, Blade shifts the weight for a sneaky pinfall win. “I love you!” says Enofe as the team embraces, but Booker T declares a triple-threat tag team match with the winner’s facing Gallus for the NXT Tag Team Championships. Humberto and Angel survey the field atop the podium, now turned into a pull-apart brawl, revealing that they’re gunning for the white-and-gold tag team division.

Winner: Malik Blade

 

Damon Kemp complains to the referees about his loss to Eddy Thorpe, who offers a third going under any stipulation. “I’ll think about it. But you should’ve taken those cheap victories,” responds Kemp.

Roxanne Perez vs Tatum Paxley

A package from Blair Davenport recaps the victims she’s sidelined around the Performance Center, stating her “road to the top is a lot easier.” Paxley has sided with her, helping to eliminate Perez from the battle royal last week – a much better fit following her overlooked split from Diamond Mine. Perez gets the win anyway after an awkward Pop Rox, taking the mic and promising to hurt Davenport.

Winner: Roxanne Perez

 

Fallon Henley bonds with Gigi Dolin over shared hatred for Kiana James. “I’m gonna show her exactly why you don’t mess with a reject,” Dolin says ironically to herself. After, a refreshing background vignette for Lucien Price and Bronco Nima showcase their brotherly friendship bred from the streets.

Baron Corbin vs Ilja Dragunov

Dragunov sports rib tape after his brutal Battleground match against Dijak and attack from Bron Breakker while Corbin is wearing possibly the most unflattering gear ever – quickly ripped off amid signature chops from “The Czar.” Corbin is left in maroon gym shorts, and following picture-in-picture repeatedly throws his opponent onto the apron – which is actually the hardest part of the ring, believe it or not. He targets the injured mid section while Orlando makes inaudible, but surely derogatory, Corbin chants as Dragunov keeps fighting. The latter goes for Torpedo Moskau but inadvertently takes out an interfering Breakker, letting Corbin hit End of Days for victory.

Winner: Baron Corbin

 

Corbin is the new number-one contender for the NXT Championship, and the champion Carmelo Hayes blindsides him and connects with Nothing But Net to close the show.

 

NXT 6/13/23
2.5

Orlando, FL

“Bumass Corbin” is impossible to take seriously, and Hayes deserves better after defeating Breakker twice. The loser of that feud has a high-profile match against Seth Rollin, clearly positioned more favorably than the current leader of the brand.