WWE NXT: A rotten debut for Giulia

Thomas Starr

WWE positions Ava between their two stars to make sure audiences know they are both small.

The best part of this show was a run-in by Bloodline. This show featured Jaida Parker wandering around with a baseball bat. Two women hiding in a closet and under the bed. Another woman was playing with dolls with a woman who stalked her for months. They even had a dollhouse.

There were more childish, stupid things on the show, but the worst was the debut of Giulia. WWE aired a good video package highlighting her in action in Japan. She made a surprise debut at No Mercy against their top female star and has a title match with her in three weeks. That indicates they have big plans for her.

In her first match in WWE, she started with a headbutt that clearly missed. I mean there had to be at least six inches between her head and Chelsea’s. Then Chelsea had control of most of the match. When Giulia did get in her offense, it did not look good.

Even worse, the referee clearly stopped his count because Giulia was supposed to kick out but missed her cue. Chelsea Green had a visual pin on their debuting star.

I love Chelsea Green and think she should be used more seriously. But she has been used as a comedy heel. If you put her against someone you look at as a potential star, Chelsea needs to get squashed. That does not mean to beat her in a minute, but Giulia needed to dominate and end it in 3-4 minutes.

They made Giulia look like just another modern wrestler with weak strikes and does the same moves they all do. She has a great look, but she does not have the kind of charisma that can overcome these types of even steven matches.

Show opening

They showed video of different wrestlers walking to the studio. Jaida Parker was hanging out in the parking lot with a baseball bat. You would think security would have a discussion with her. She is loitering out there with a weapon. Unless there is a baseball game at the local park, and she is waiting for the rest of the kids.

Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs. The Street Profits – Tag Team Titles

The first half an hour is supposed to be commercial-free, but after WWE had two commercial breaks during a commercial-free hour of Raw I am not holding my breath. Also, they are opening with this tag match. I cannot complain too much, because at least it is Street Profits and not Rascalz.

So far, they have not distinguished heel from babyface. Just a series of moves that are meaningless. The execution of the flips has been better than normal, but the strikes look terrible as usual.

The Bloodline has arrived! They ran out for the DQ finish, which picked things up. That match was boring me to tears.

Winners: No contests, but really The Bloodline

They aired a video package for Giulia.

Chelsea Green vs. Giulia

The match starts with Giulia missing a headbutt by a good six inches. The wrestling media talked about how hard-hitting Giulia is, but not here. The strikes look like everyone else’s.

The referee just held up a count because it was not the finish. Chelsea just had a visual pin on their debuting star. This is not good.

I cannot say Chelsea dominated Giulia, but she got in more offense than Giulia. That is not how you debut a talent you have big expectations for.

Winner: Giulia

Jordynne Grace talks about her open challenge tonight.

A Lexis King video aired. He is in a barbershop and the way they shaved his beard is heat. That is fantastic. Then Oro Mensah attacked him. So, Oro is stalking him now. That is nice.

All the women were spending time together backstage being friends. Lolo Vice does some sparing with Kelani Jordan, who is barehanded. Kelani then throws, well, nominally a punch back at Lolo. That was the worst punch ever thrown. Fatal Influence comes and I do not care.

Je’Von Evans vs. Charlie Dempsey – Heritage Cup

This is the match that Wren Sinclair interviewed Je’Von Evans for last week. Yes, if you did not see it, she interviewed him. He explained to her why he should have the match, and she accepted. She accepted. Not Dempsey. Wren accepted. No logic.

The announcers have not explained the rules, but there are rounds. I do not know if a fall ends the match or if there are multiple falls.

I write that and Dempsey pins Evans and we are continuing. Someone please explain the rules. And no, I am not looking them up. It is WWE’s job to let me know.

I am not lying; Wren Sinclair has a bucket of water at ringside. One of those farm buckets too. She is splashing it on Dempsey. What am I watching?

Now, Wren handed him a water bottle. Then why does she have the bucket? I love Charlie Dempsey but having him with these goofs is not helping his career.

I still do not know the rules, but Dempsey won at two falls to one, so I am assuming it is the first to two falls. But who knows?

Tavion Heights, whoever he is, returned from Japan and did a run-in. Dempsey needed help from three people to beat a featherweight.

Winner: Charlie Dempsey

They air a bad, cable access level Rosemary and Wendy Choo video. Horrible.

Ethan Page is backstage. He is a fantastic heel. Everything from his haircut to the glasses and facial expressions scream jerk.

Oba Femi vs. Hammerstone

Hammerstone debuts as the mystery opponent. He comes in as D’Angelo’s hired muscle. It is about time this guy left wrestling purgatory.

Hammerstone looks fantastic. He has either cut some weight or he just looks slightly smaller outside of the minor leagues. He is still huge, though.

Well, thanks for coming Hammerstone. That was a glorified squash. Is this a one-off or do they have plans for him? This would be a weird way to bring someone in if they do have plans for him.

Winner: Oba Femi

Duke Hudson vs. Ridge Holland

They are having a decent match, but considering the angle at No Mercy, you would think Hudson would be more intense.

This is a glorified squash. Holland won and then attacked Duke after the match. He pulled off part of the guard rail and dropped it on Duke’s head.

Winner: Ridge Holland

Wes Lee interrupts the broadcast and challenges Zachary Wentz to a street fight for the CW debut of NXT. Yawn.

Jordynne Grace vs. Sol Ruca – TNA Women’s Title

Grace and Ruca were having a nice match, but Rosemary and Wendy Choo did the lights out gimmick. This show is awful.

Winner: No contest

Tatum Paxley and Lyra Vakyria are backstage playing with dolls. Tatum has a Dollhouse too. What am I watching?

The black hole of charisma Ava is talking to Giulia and an interpreter backstage. Roxanne interrupted and words were said.

Brooks Jensen is talking to the same mystery man from last week. The one who said Shawn Spears was gaslighting him. Brooks asks mystery man what gaslighting means. So, a grown man had to wait a week to find out what gaslighting means.

Ashanti “The” Adonis had words with Eddie Thorpe and his parade of women. This is so lame.

Pete Dunne vs. Trick Williams – Last Man Standing

The typical use of weapons. These two were levels above the other wrestlers on this show except Oba Femi.

The big move was Pete Dunne and Trick Williams climbing up on top of a part of their setup. I do not know what to call it. Dunne did a leg sweep, and they fell through a table.

Winner: Trick Williams

More Reports