The lights dim purple and Orlando pops big for The Judgment Day – Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Rhea Ripley, and Dominik Mysterio. They’re welcomed home as heroes besides unanimous boos for “Dirty Dom”, who is interrupted by Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. “In this building, Trick-Melo gang run things,” says the NXT Champion before issuing a tag-team challenge. With everybody standing and all lines hitting, the white-and-gold brand featured its most electric opening in some time.
From “Prison Dom” to “The Don of NXT”, imprisoned Tony D’Angelo is interviewed about Channing Lorenzo fighting for his freedom. If “Stacks” defeats Joe Coffey tonight, D’Angelo is released and granted an NXT Tag Team Championship match – the damning opposite result would be pretty funny.
A vignette from Gigi Dolin shares her opinions on rival Kiana James. “I embrace who I am while you live a lie,” says Dolin after exposing actual college photos of her.
Andre Chase and Duke Hudson vs Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey
Chase University jumpstarts the match in the professor’s in-ring return, continuing to add layers to NXT’s long-running storyline. Newcomers Bronco Nima and Lucien Price spectate on the podium while 6’5” Hudson fires up with a hurricanrana. The student section starts a wave, energizing an already vibrant crowd before commercial, but the opposition controls thereafter. Chase makes a comeback, Thea Hail cinches a Kimura on Gulak, and Hudson pins Dempsey for the cathartic win.
Winners: Andre Chase and Duke Hudson
Bron Breakker sends an intense message to Ilja Dragunov, continuously proving that the “meaner than evil” persona is his wheelhouse – and undeniably main-roster ready.
The Von Wagner story slowly progresses, thanking Mr. Stone for his positive fan reactions. He became a “monster” after childhood bullying, but a new leaf is being turned.
Cora Jade vs Kehlani Jordan
Rookie Jordan is accompanied by Dana Brooke, but the foolproof coaching provides no help. Jade dominates the match and weakly connects with a DDT for victory, but Brooke saves her protege from a post-match assault.
Winner: Cora Jade
Ilja Dragunov responds to Bron Breakker, vowing to head to The Great American Bash for the NXT Championship.
The awesome NXT Underground match between victorious Eddy Thorpe and Damon Kemp is recapped in a package. The former competitor and Gable Steveson were interviewed after, with the Olympian contemplating an NXT run. However, Dijak takes objection to Thorpe’s limelight in the locker room.
Bron Breakker vs Ilja Dragunov
The winner advances to The Great American Bash against Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Championship, and another Breakker rematch seems implausible and honestly undesirable. He controls in picture-in-picture, but Dragunov comes back with his trademark velocity – “that dawg in that young man,” as Booker T comments. Dragunov drives Breakker into the corner, connects with Coast-to-Coast and hits Torpedo Moskau for a crazy two-count. The latter hits a mid-air spear for another big two-count and bleeped-out “holy sh-” chants. To a standing crowd, Dragunov hits two Torpedo Moskaus to win an incredibly hard-hitting match.
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
North American Champion Wes Lee reacts to his Great American Bash opponent, Mustafa Ali, before getting interrupted by Dominik Mysterio – who confidently accepts an open challenge that was never issued.
“I’m the master of my own destiny… without a compass,” says Baron Corbin in another vignette that flexes his wealth.
Tiffany Stratton vs Ivy Nile
A dejected Nile wears a Creed Brothers t-shirt as if they were killed, except they’re off to greener pastures on either the red or blue brand. NXT Women’s Champion Stratton gains control over persistent “you tapped out” chants from the Chase University student section and eventually hits Prettiest Moonsault Ever for victory. Nile impressed with technical, smooth reversals but her future is foggy without Julius and Brutus beside her.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Stratton denies the “you tapped out” allegations, and speaking of, Thea Hail is pep-talked by Andre Chase who believes she deserves a rematch. After, Blair Davenport says the women’s division is for “grown-ass women” now that she’s defeated Roxanne Perez.
Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo vs Joe Coffey
A very slow start allows Booker T and Vic Joseph to argue the situation of fighting for Tony D’Angelo’s freedom. A completely unconvinced crowd goes mild over a supposedly big two-count as Lorenzo shouts, “I ain’t no snitch!” before commercial. A call from D’Angelo plays over the speakers while Bronco Nima and Lucien Price appear and disappear, and Lorenzo makes his comeback thereafter. He utilizes the crowbar and Eddie’s his way into ejecting Gallus, eventually pinning Coffey in an unnecessarily messy match.
Winner: Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
Ivy Nile is approached by Schism and six other minions, offering “room for one more” following the absence and ultimate end of Diamond Mine – a faction that endured plenty of roadblocks in retrospect.
Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz’ interview is interrupted by Humberto and Angel, but the ladies reject their flirtations. Dragon Lee and Nathan Frazer appear and send the main roster boys packing.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams vs Finn Balor and Damian Priest
The Judgment Day dominates over Williams in the opening goings before NXT Champion Hayes turns the tide preceding picture-in-picture. The Money-in-the-Bank holder regains control until Williams makes a fired-up comeback, and Hayes gets some payback over Balor. The latter attempts Coup de Grace but is dropped by a springboard crossbody, and meanwhile, Williams is roughly planted into the corner of the announce desk. Dominik Mysterio provides distraction while Priest grabs the briefcase, and Ilja Dragunov tries evening the odds until Hayes inadvertently takes him out. The Judgment Day capitalizes by pinning the NXT Champion, solidifying themselves as the most dominant faction in all of WWE.
Winners: The Judgment Day
NXT 7/1//23
Orlando, FL
The Judgment Day has become the highlight of Monday Night Raw, and they brought that energy and superstar presence to NXT tonight. They got a usually energetic crowd even rowdier, which helped out other matches – including an absolute barnburner between Breakker and Dragunov.
