There isn’t a younger-feeling wrestling show on television than NXT, and it’s not just because of the fresh faces. The peppy personalities and social-media incorporated storylines are vibrantly Gen Z – and so is the low attention span, TikTok-like formatting of the episodes.
Opening hot with the cold open, Trick Williams pulled up in a Mercedes, brushing past Cedric Alexander and Ashante “Thee” Adonis before entering the ring to call out NXT Champion Ethan Page. The duo instead interrupted with opposing motives – Adonis to “pick up the ball” that Williams dropped. The latter dissed Hit Row, and Alexander discarded his helping-the-young-guys schtick to challenge Williams tonight.
After Williams knocked Adonis silly into a pull-apart, footage from earlier showed Page’s annoyance with Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe in the parking lot when they mentioned Oro Mensah “pinning” him last week. NXT’s jammed opening 10 minutes finished with Jensen blindsiding Briggs during his entrance, starting their match with a ringside brawl.
Josh Briggs vs Brooks Jensen – No Disqualifications
“We want tables” chants are stifled early when Briggs chokeslams his former partner through the announce desk before picture-in-picture, and the episode can finally breathe. Jensen welts Briggs with kendo-stick shots, but the latter reverses with a back suplex onto the steel steps. They trade blows until Briggs steals his opponent’s white chair, and Shawn Spears appears on the apron, allowing Jensen to capitalize with backshots – no DQ. A DDT to the steel chair gives Jensen the victory, and a sly Spears welcomes his first pupil into the school of mediocre lackeys.
Winner: Brooks Jensen
The Rascalz contend that MSK never lost the NXT Tag Team Championships, and the current champions Axiom and Nathan Frazer respectfully agree to find a partner in a three-on-three exhibition. Axiom mentions that he got himself a WWE Speed match, and dissension between one of NXT’s only established teams continues.
Sol Ruca, Karmen Petrovich, and Lola Vice watch footage of new signee Stephanie Vaquer before Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson interrupt. They argue over who’s next in line for the Women’s Tag Team Championships, and Ruca and Petrovich decide to test it in-ring.
Lexis King vs Eddy Thorpe
King hates EDM music and takes offense to Thorpe’s DJ side hustle, but in short order, the latter reverses The Coronation and hits an impaler DDT for the pinfall victory. King expectedly commits a post-match assault, smashing the disc-spinning fingers of Thorpe between the steel steps. Despite standing tall, a discussion needs to be had about King’s stagnation one year in when many expected more.
Winner: Lexis King
Trick Williams is interviewed in the locker room, saying he views Cedric Alexander as a step towards getting Ethan Page. Pete Dunne loiters in the back, stating once again, “Figure it out.” Somebody likes listening to Ian!
Oro Mensah vs Ashante “Thee” Adonis
Meta-Four lives on as Meta-Three, and Adonis looks to chat up Jakara Jackson ringside before Mensah connects with a dive. Adonis oozes confidence amidst his biggest singles chance yet, but new hero Mensah does that and more with smooth springboard attacks. He connects with a Rolling Thunder kick for three before mocking Page with a “1-2-3” chant that doesn’t quite catch on as well as his inspiring offense.
Winner: Oro Mensah
No Quarter Catch Crew panics over Wren Sinclair’s ransom letter, which veterans The D’Angelo Family laugh off. “For your sake, (Charlie) Dempsey, I better not lose,” she says about her match later.
Wren Sinclair vs Carlee Bright
NQCC reluctantly backs Sinclair, Kendal Grey accompanies Bright, and The D’Angelo spectates from the podium – all more invested than viewers probably. Sinclair shows off some technical prowess in hopes of impressing Dempsey, who saves her with a rope break. Grey somehow overhead throws Myles Borne, but Dempsey once again assists Sinclair for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Wren Sinclair
Hank Walker and Tank Ledger talk up a two-night Great American Bash before cameras catch Axiom and Nathan Frazer bickering. Je’Von Evans offers to be their third man tonight: “I ain’t doing nothing, so what’s the word?”
Andre Chase and Riley Osborne try cheering up Duke Hudson after falling short to Oba Femi last week. Ridge Holland presents them with new black Chase U t-shirts, which Thea Hail dons in a sit-down interview on the monitors. She intends on winning the NXT Women’s Championship for all of Chase U, carrying herself as a division staple at just 20 years old.
Trick Williams vs Cedric Alexander
Better late than never for Alexander to show out in NXT, but his once agile offense doesn’t hit the same. After break, Williams comes back with a flapjack, spinning big boot, and Booker T-esque leg lariats. Alexander reverses Trick Shot with a brainbuster and armbar, but Williams eventually hits his running knee for three. They embrace before Pete Dunne blindsides the victor, repeatedly saying, “Still haven’t figured it out?”
Winner: Trick Williams
Robert Stone and Stevie Turner try and fail to appease NXT Champion Ethan Page, who demands that Oro Mensah be dealt with. NXT General Manager Ava doesn’t have two minutes for the champ.
Women’s North American Champion watches a stalker-like video of Tatum Paxley as Wendy Choo walks by. Ashante “Thee” Adonis staggers the other direction as two women’s wrestlers help him to the trainer’s room. Courageously, Adonis says, “Imma be alright,” before winking at the camera to a chuckling Orlando.
Sol Ruca and Karmen Petrovich vs Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson
Commentary credits the Great American Bash being on Syfy to tensions in the women’s division. Ruca and Petrovich glide in-ring, or surf, with effortless twisting maneuvers. But it’s simply matched by Legend’s powerhouse style that has improved tenfold within Meta-Four, and a sick right hand and slam give them the win. Legend calls out WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn for next week at Great American Bash – which by the way, will be on Syfy.
Winners: Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson
“If Pete Dunne tries me again, imma bust his ass,” Trick Williams says to Shawn Michaels. NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez airs her grievances over respect next, and Michaels on the headset calls for commercial.
A Joe Hendry video package highlights his rapid internet support, but he explains his career success didn’t happen overnight. For anyone living under a rock, this crash-course did the trick before announcing his first NXT concert next week. Gallus responds in the parking lot, and Joe Coffey throws a tantrum seeing concert fliers plastered on his car.
NXT Champion Ethan Page abruptly brings a referee in-ring to clear his name regarding Oro Mensah “pinning” him. “For the record, none of this bothers me,” Page says. The “1-2-3” chants catch on after all, and Mensah sneaks in to score another pinfall, bruising Page’s ego further.
Tony D’Angelo offers former Olympian Tavion Heights a Heritage Cup Championship match next week in spirit of the Olympics. Speaking of catching on, in the following six-man entrances, Je’Von Evans’ infamous “that boy is bouncy” intro surprisingly gets recited by Orlando.
The Rascalz vs Axiom, Nathan Frazer, and Je’Von Evans
With each participant being a high-flying favorite, tonight’s main event just exists to be a banger. The Rascalz’ match Frazer’s signature speed, and Wes Lee is as bouncy as Evans. Everyone trades crisp kicks while Zach Wentz commits a very long Bronco Buster, and he and Evans connect with outside dives before picture-in-picture. Wentz is dominated in the opposite corner until catching a mid-air knee strike, and Lee and Trey Miguel finally make the comeback with flippy, yet authentic offense. Evans counters with his spectacular springboard cutter, and Axiom and Frazer connect consecutively on Miguel with a top-rope Spanish Fly and Phoenix Splash. Action breaks loose, and a series of dives precedes Wentz’ assisted flip for the pinfall victory on NXT Tag Team Champion Axiom.
Winners: The Rascalz
Ethan Page finally meets with NXT General Manager Ava as he accepts a championship match with Oro Mensah at Great American Bash Week Two. It really bothered him after all.
NXT 7/23/24
Orlando, FL
Credit where it’s due, NXT formatting is entrancing, and with storylines and segments intertwining, the two hours are seamless. The actual wrestling part of the professional wrestling show should be more consistent, but tonight was by far a better in-ring night for NXT.