Former North American Champion Wes Lee returned last week, immediately stepping up to current champion Oba Femi, and tonight’s episode of NXT opens with a recap package of his journey back. Lee left in December 2023 as the longest-reigning champion in the lineage, and after back surgery to repair three ruptured disks, Lee is back in action.
Wes Lee vs Josh Briggs
Lee is overwhelmed with emotions, walking through a hallway of supporters before his first match post-surgery. His agile offense is still on point, controlling Briggs with head-scissor takedowns. Ivar appears ringside and into the mix of North American Championship contenders while Briggs targets Lee’s back throughout picture-in-picture. Meanwhile, Ivar joins the commentary booth as a regular man rather than a caricature, and Lee showcases his equally on-point defense against his opponent. Briggs eventually gets kicked into Ivar, allowing Lee to capitalize with his always eye-catching Spiral Tap for victory. The big men brawl, and Lee takes both out with a top-rope senton as North American Champion Femi spectates laughing over his rejuvenated division.
Winner: Wes Lee
No Quarter Catch Crew talk down on newcomers Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe for having tag team championship aspirations, and the latter square up to Charlie Dempsey’s threats. Afterwards, The Good Brothers passive-aggressively approach the NXT Tag Team Champions Axiom and Nathan Frazer, who decline their sour “too sweet” offer.
Shayna Baszler vs Karmen Petrovic
A recap package highlights NXT Underground between Lola Vice and Natalya, which realistically should’ve favored the former duo much more. The cornerwomen compete tonight, and Bazler dominates after wrenching Petrovic’s arm in the apron beams. Baszler quickly stifles her opponent’s comeback, catching her with a Kirifuda Clutch for the submission victory. For a brief moment, Baszler rightfully looked as unstoppable as her original NXT run.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
Kehlani Jordan tells the women’s locker room she wanted to smack Fallon Henley for turning on Thea Hail last week. But Henley walks in, vowing to put herself first in order to become Women’s North American Championship.
The first step to winning that Women’s North American Championship is being one of 12 to advance out of the NXT Women’s Combine at the Performance Center. Footage from yesterday highlighted nine events, such as sled pushes and 10-yard sprints. Thea Hail and Kehlani Jordan apparently stood out of the speed portions, with the rest “to be continued.”
No Quarter Catch Crew vs Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe
Ring announcer Alica Taylor hesitantly announces that the referee is unavailable, by order of “Legal Eagle” Luca Crusifino, and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo is appointed special guest ref. So The D’Angelo Family continues hawking NQCC for conveniently killing off Drew Gulak without paying due, and “Stacks” – who commentary notes to be officially licensed – swings things towards the newcomers. He slow-counts a German from Charlie Dempsey, slaps him with a right, and Igwe capitalizes with a fast-counted roll-up for their first NXT victory.
Winners: Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe
Chelsea Green finally meets with Arianna Grace like the dual Spider-Man meme. Gigi Dolin impatiently sits between their yapping as they dedicate Green’s NXT Women’s Championship match to pageant girls around the world. After, NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez is interviewed backstage, vowing to send the Smackdown draftee packing.
Michin vs Arianna Grace
Grace’s pull towards comedy wrestling is hereditary, but her offense is snappier than Michin’s. Grace attempts to gain rope leverage, the referee catches it, and Michin follows up with Sole Food for an average exhibition before the Women’s North American Championship hunt.
Winner: Michin
Ridge Holland tells Thea Hail she reminds him of his daughter, and Chase University congratulates her on last week’s victory. Lexis King calls the interaction a terrible Lifetime movie, which NXT often resembles, and Duke Hudson steps up to his trash talk. “You just pissed off the king,” King says.
Supernova Sessions are in session with Meta-Four and their special guest NXT Champion Trick Williams. A short video package commemorates his success and handling of “the ball” before Lash Legend reveals what’s in her envelope. “The truth” is awkwardly revealed as Dar’s unseen rope break in a loss to Williams, and the champion is understandably annoyed. He tells Lash Legend he “ain’t the daddy” like Drake to Kendrick Lamar, but before she can admit to their relationship, Dar floors Williams and holds the belt high.
More of the NXT Women’s Combine plays, this time highlighting broad jumps and punching strength. Michin is said to have led in striking power, but OTM’s Jaida Parker led in verticals.
Snoring sounds can only mean the subtle return of Wendy Choo, who is set to return from injury. After, Karmen Petrovich high kicks Brayden Ray for calling her a smoke show, and Natalya approves of the newfound aggression. Ray actually gets a pop from the audience, familiar as the Next Gen signee with the punchable face. “Whoever that was may want to rethink some life choices,” Vic Joseph says regardless.
Kehlani Jordan vs Fallon Henley
Henley is fresh off of turning on Thea Hail, but Orlando seems hesitant to boo their longtime homegrown – or it’s simply the lull moment of the show. Jordan makes a comeback after break and both showcase an athletic back-and-forth throughout, but Henley’s use of an exposed turnbuckle leads to the Shining Wizard for victory.
Winner: Fallon Henley
Charlie Dempsey says he has the upper hand over Tony D’Angelo because of the Catch Clause in the Heritage Cup Championship. D’Angelo is forced to wait until next week to know which No Quarter Catch Crew member he’ll face, and all are heaters with their reduced numbers.
Lash Legend and Wren Sinclair have strong showings in the medicine ball event, Michin and Izzi Dame round out the strength category, and Ivy Nile comes out “levels above” in the conditioning events.
After break, NXT General Manager Ava announces the 12 women moving on in the Women’s North American Championship selection. From the highest overall of 95 to 86: Sol Ruca, Thea Hail, Jaida Parker, Brinley Reece, Michin, Fallon Henley, Lash Legend, Ivy Nile, Izzi Dame, Kehlani Jordan, Tatum Paxley, and Wren Sinclair.
Rapper Sexxy Red weighs in on X over tonight’s Supernova Sessions, predicting that Trick Williams will be on Meta-Four’s ass. Wrestling might be back.
Lexis King vs Duke Hudson
Commentary calls Hudson the glue of Chase U, which is true and endearing since he showed signs of turning early on. But the MVP moniker is too accurate to lose now, and Hudson chops away at King. The latter gains control and jaw-jacks Thea Hail before Ridge Holland attempts to defend her with a chair. But instead, he inadvertently provides a distraction for King to connect with a superkick and the Coronation for three. Vic Joseph says Holland’s emotions got the better of him, and the latter continues looking like a goof.
Winner: Lexis King
Meta-Four is approached in the parking lot by “Young OG” Jay Malachi, who shows concern for Trick Williams. An abnormally direct Noam Dar vows to clip his wings, sending him towards Williams in the hospital if the rookie doesn’t believe.
Jazmyn Nyx blames Hail in a promo package for breaking Jacy Jayne’s nose, and after, Holland profusely apologizes for interfering. It isn’t enough for Riley Osborne, but Holland promises to earn Chase University’s trust.
From Sexxy Red to Kendrick Lamar, Shawn Michaels extends an invite to “K Dot” and Drake on X after being name-dropped in “Not Like Us” – which is the number-one song in the world.
Chelsea Green vs Roxanne Perez (c) – NXT Women’s Championship
Beforehand, Green exchanges a glance with former advocate Mr. Robert Stone, and The Brand is surely reforming – at least with the members still employed. The opening goings are a statement for Green, who is combating social media claims of not being a serious in-ring competitor anymore. After picture-in-picture, she hits a Rough Ryder and makes a clear face comeback, but Perez recuperates with a top-rope Hurricanrana. They exchange near-falls, and Perez barely connects with Pop Rox for the win, but it’s Green who shined as a legit challenger.
Winner: Roxanne Perez
In the infamous NXT parking lot, The D’Angelo Family stuffs Damon Kemp and Myles Borne in their trunk. “How ‘bout that Catch Clause now, Sir Charles?” says D’Angelo. Charlie Dempsey nonchalantly looks for his partners, oblivious to the kidnappings that just occurred.
NXT 5/7/24
Orlando, FL
NXT shines in the sweet spot between engaging storylines and barnburning matches, but lately it’s been neither. The athletic rookies are obviously finding themselves in-ring, but the lack of intriguing character makes it a double whammy. Of course, there are sparse highlights such as Meta-Four and Williams, but not enough for a two-hour program.
