NXT: Orton schools Evans in high-energy St. Louis show

NXT debuted on The CW last week in a packed Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, heading the multi-million dollar deal with an appearance from CM Punk. This week’s hometown hero in St. Louis, Missouri was Randy Orton, who main-evented The CW’s second episode against 20-year-old upstart Je’Von Evans.

The new era brought in updated world championship designs, a sleek silver aesthetic, a 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne show theme – and tonight, a performance from “Hood Hottest Princess” Sexyy Red. Mixed with the arena’s intimate setting, substantive pacing, and the removal of unnecessary picture-in-picture breaks, NXT presented itself with an infectious energy. 

Beginning the show, roughly 2,000 fans at The Factory welcomed in new NXT Champion Trick Williams to hearty “whoop that trick” chants. Wes Lee quickly interrupted amid the sold-out crowd to stake his claim at gold (or that re-designed silver) before Intercontinental Champion Jey Uso made a more exemplary crowd entrance. They traded catchphrases until the opening trio appeared, standing triumphantly together with five belts in-hand.

Kehlani Jordan, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair vs Fatal Influence

The Women’s North American Champion and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are cohesive in lavender while the opposing, actual faction has had no continuity since their inception. Arguably NXT’s greatest creation Belair cleans house with amazing athleticism, but Fatal Influence gains control over Jordan before break. Cargill eventually makes the comeback, hits the champions’ double-team finisher, and tags in Jordan for the winning moonsault in an effective opening bout.

Winners: Kehlani Jordan, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair 

Hometown hero Randy Orton asks NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom exactly how fast his opponent Je’Von Evans is. Nathan Frazer argues that he’s faster, and Orton assures him that “finding that dark place” is a good thing.

Giulia’s interview is interrupted by a knock on the door: “Hello, my old friend,” Giulia says before commercial. Afterwards, NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez enters the ring, gloating about defeating her last week via her own old friend, Cora Jade. The latter takes offense to NXT’s claim of having “the deepest women’s division” after a series of big signings – which include Giulia and a debuting Stephanie Vaquer to toss the duo out and simultaneously grab Perez’s belt.

Wren Sinclair watches the monitor and challenges Vaquer before she and No Quarter Catch Crew run into Lexis King. The latter still mulls over Oro Mensah’s victory, and Charlie Dempsey suggests having a “gentleman’s duel” to settle it.

Tony D’Angelo vs Oba Femi (c) – North American Championship

Femi is now the longest-reigning North American Champion ever, and D’Angelo has already been a victim. Femi chokeslams him into the apron before break, and Channing Lorenzo slides D’Angelo his crowbar. He decides to continue clean, resulting in a Femi chop and a shove-down to Adriana Rizzo. The challenger snaps back with great intensity, kicking out of an even crazier dropkick and chokeslam. Femi continues maiming him until D’Angelo reverses with a spinebuster through the announce desk – and a second one in-ring to a huge near-fall pop. D’Angelo ultimately scores with a roll-up, defeating the once unstoppable champion in an exciting, shock win.

Winner: Tony D’Angelo

Lola Vice wants Jaida Parker, but Ava is preoccupied with Nikkita Lyons. The general manager then coincidentally finds Lyons’ first opponent in her in-ring return.

Kehlani Jordan, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair encounter Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson, who want a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match. Belair isn’t coming back to NXT but instead offers Meta-Four to challenge them on Smackdown.

A-Town Down Under vs Nathan Frazer and Axiom (c) – NXT Tag Team Champions

Frazer proves his statement to Randy Orton correct with lightning speed, but Austin Theory catches Axiom with a rope-hung lariat before break. Commentary continually puts over A-Town Down Under’s victory at WrestleMania, but they’ve done little to nothing since – the same story for Theory’s previous WrestleMania victory. The champions pull out an innovative bag of tricks, and dissension from the challengers leads to Axiom’ Destroyer. The champions connect with their Spanish Fly and Phoenix Splash combo on Waller for victory, and their grip on the NXT tag team division holds strong.

Winners: Nathan Frazer and Axiom

That grip caused Ridge Holland’s turn on Chase University, and dueling promo packages recap the feud. Holland stomps a Chase U trophy, and after, Riley Osborne jumps the traitor during his interview.

St. Louis-native Sexyy Red performs “Get It Sexyy” in-ring until Ethan Page interrupts, following their dust up on Monday Night Raw. He lists a myriad of complaints, including a “bogus concert” and Trick Williams winning the NXT Championship from him. Je’Von Evans clotheslines him over the ropes, celebrating with Red before the biggest match of his career.

Je’Von Evans vs Randy Orton

Hometown support aside, Orton’s aura is unmatched. He little-bros Evans until the 20-year-old sneaks in a superkick before break, but Orton recuperates with his vintage announce desk drops. “Paying those dues,” Booker T says after the third drop. Evans comes back with a springboard clothesline and a twisting kick, but Orton catches his cutter attempt. He connects with a powerslam and rope-hung DDT, and Evans recuperates with another superkick. The rookie finally hits his beautiful springboard cutter for two, but hitting a cutter on Orton is a win in itself. Orton tries catching Evans with a mid-air RKO, misses, and course-corrects with a decisive RKO for three. 

Winner: Randy Orton

Orton lifts Evans up, and the latter mouths, “I’m so sorry.” “You’re okay. You’re the f- man,” Orton responds. Back in Ava’s office, the general manager signs Wes Lee versus Ethan Page next week to determine Trick Williams’ challenger at Halloween Havoc. But after his main-event showing, she adds in Evans for a triple threat.