WWE NXT
November 21. 2023 | Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
NXT Heritage Cup Championship Match: Noam Dar [c] (w/Meta-Four) vs. Chad Gable (w/Alpha Academy)
Round one began with Dar and Gable starting off with some great mat wrestling. The intensity picked as Dar and Gable had a great counter exchange. Gable applied an ankle lock but Dar grabbed the ropes. Gable went for a German Suplex but time expired. Round two started with Gable rocking Dar with a shoulder tackle. The intensity picked up after Dar slapped Gable in the face. Gable responded rocking Dar with a running forearm for a near fall. Gable planted Dar with an overhead German Suplex for a two count. Gable caught Dar with an arm bar against the ring. Gable went for a German Suplex but Dar grabbed hold onto the turnbuckle. Ora Mensah nailed Gable with a cheap shot. Dar nailed Gable with the Nova Roller to take the lead. Dar leads 1-0! Round three was already in-progress as they returned from commercial break. Gable caught Dar with a Superplex. Dar caught Gable with a rollup on the landing for a two count. Gable reversed catching Dar with a rollup for a two count. Round four began with Dar and Gable exchanging strikes. Gable took the lead launching Dar with an overhead suplex. Gable connected with a flying head butt for a two count. Gable went for an apron German Suplex but Dar escaped. Dar planted Gable with a Hangman Flatliner on the floor. Dar went for a knee bar but Gable blocked. Dar went for a Rear-Naked Choke but Gable broke free. Dar caught Gable with a knee strike for a two count. Round five began with Gable rocking Dar with a rolling kick. Gable delivered the Chaos Theory Suplex to tie up the score. The score is tied 1-1. Meta-Four distracted the referee. Dar nailed Gable with a cheap shot. Round six began with Dar rocking Gable with a sliding lariat for a two count. Gable responded catching Dar with a Brainbuster. Dar caught Gable with a Triangle Hold flying off the ropes. Gable broke free planting Dar with a Powerbomb for a two count. Dar responded catching Gable with a back elbow for a two count. Dar went for the Nova Roller. Gable countered catching Dar with an ankle lock Dar broke free sending Gable into the ropes. Dar caught Gable with a rollup for a two count. Gable responded catching Dar with a Cliffhanger DDT for a two count. Gable went for a Flying Moonsault but Dar got his knees up. Gable caught Dar with an ankle lock. Gable transitioned into a knee bar. Dar tapped after the time limit expired.
WINNER: Noam Dar retained the NXT Heritage Cup
Amin’s Thoughts: The wrestling was tremendous as both Dar and Gable worked a great match. I really like the Heritage Cup because the wrestlers have to work a complete different style of match. These types of matches sometimes don’t work on TV because you miss some action during the breaks and that’s key because it goes by rounds. I really liked the finish as they protected Gable without having Dar losing the Heritage Cup. The draw leaves the door opens for a possible rematch at the Deadline show if they choose to go in that direction.
Lash Legend shoved Maxxine Dupri after the match. Ora Mensah began shoving Otis. This didn’t go well as Otis showed Mensah to the mat. Dupri slapped Legend as she fell into Otis hands. Legend freaked out.
JBL announced Carmelo Hayes vs. Josh Briggs and Blair Davenport vs. Thea Hail for the next Men’s and Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches.
Tony D’Angelo spoke to Stacks about not being done with Chase U. Stacks spoke about wanting to help Chase U out. D’Angelo noted tonight was about them. This led to D’Angelo and Stacks having a championship dinner celebration with the rest of The Family.
Trick Williams approached Carmelo Hayes in his locker room. Williams spoke qualifying for the Iron Survivor Challenge. Hayes was distracted. Trick asked Hayes what’s going on? Hayes says he’s just locked in. Hayes says he needs to qualify as well but can’t look past Josh Briggs. Williams wanted to give the people what they wanted by having him in Hayes corner. Hayes wanted to do the match alone. Williams understood.
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Lyra Valkyria [c] vs. Xia Li
Lyra Valkyria made her entrance. Xia Li attacked Valkyria from behind. Li was held back by WWE officials. Medical staff appeared to check on Valkyria. No Match.
Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo vs. Malik Blade & Edris Enofe
Blade rocked Carrillo with a dropkick. Blade caught Carrillo with a flying crossbody. Garza pulled the ropes sending Blade to the floor. Carrillo held Blade as Garza rocked him with a running knee strike. Garza and Carrillo planted Blade with a Slingshot Gory Special/Cutter combo. Blade responded catching Garza with a DDT. Enofe ran wild rocking Garza and Humberto with strikes. Enofe went for a 450 Splash but Garza moved. Humberto planted Enofe with a Powerbomb. Carrillo and Garza rocked Enofe with a Popup Knee strike combo for the win.
WINNERS: Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a solid tag team match as both teams worked well together. A strong win for Carrillo and Garza likely setting them up for a tag team title match.
Lyra Valkyria was shown being check on by the trainer.
Brooks Jensen and Fallon Henley wanted to accompany Josh Briggs ringside for his match against Hayes. Briggs noted he’s been waiting all his life for this opportunity and wanted to do this alone.
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Josh Briggs
Hayes received a great reaction from the crowd. Briggs and Hayes began exchanging strikes. Hayes took the lead hitting a fadeaway. Hayes followed with a flying crossbody to the floor. Briggs caught Hayes flying off the barricade swinging him onto the ring apron. Briggs rocked Hayes with a shoulder tackle for a two count. Hayes responded pulling down the ropes sending Briggs to the floor. Briggs responded launching Hayes over the announcers table. Briggs planted Hayes with a gut buster as they returned from break. Briggs connected with a side slam for a two count. Hayes battled back rocking Briggs with strikes. Briggs caught Hayes with a release slam coming off the ropes. Briggs delivered an STO for a two count. Hayes kept battling back as he caught Briggs with a Springboard Lariat. Hayes made a comeback rocking Briggs with a Superkick. Hayes planted Briggs with La Mistica. Hayes connected with a Scissors Kick for a two count. Hayes went for a Hurricanrana but Briggs caught him. Briggs planted Hayes with a Chokeslam. Briggs rocked Hayes with a running lariat for a two count. This Is Awesome chants. Briggs went for a Powerbomb but Hayes countered into a Codebreaker. Hayes called for Nothing but Net. Lexis King ran down and distracted Hayes. Briggs took advantage rocking Hayes with a huge lariat. Briggs delivered a Flying Moonsault for the surprise win.
WINNER: Josh Briggs
Amin’s Thoughts: The second straight week where we got a surprising finish in the qualifying matches. They protected Hayes by having King costing him the match. King getting involved makes sense as he’s been involved in the Hayes and Williams story. They really must see big things ahead for King if this is leading to him facing Hayes at Deadline. The match itself was solid as both Briggs and Hayes worked great together. This was a great win for Briggs which could lead to huge step towards starting his run as a single’s star on NXT.
Lyra Valkyria told McKenzie Mitchell the NXT Women’s Title match is still happening. Valkyria said she’s not letting Li leave with the NXT Women’s Title.
They showed a highlight package of Von Vagner arriving to Mr. Stone house for family dinner. Vagner brought some brownies. Vagner ate some brownies already. Vagner met Mr. Stone’s wife Tara and the kids. Vagner liked the pasta because there was no asparagus. The kids agreed as well as they and Vagner noted asparagus sucks. Vagner and the kids ate the pasta. They showed the kids staring at Vagner’s scars from his face. Vagner said he was okay with it. The kids spoke about being bullied at school. Vagner volunteered to beat up the bullies at school. Mr. Stone told him to not do that. Mr. Stone and Tara left to get the brownies. Vagner whispered to the kids to write the bullies names down. Vagner and the kids ate some brownies.
Dominik Mysterio/Wes Lee segment
Wes Lee came out to a great reaction. Lee spoke about wearing his heart on his sleeves. Lee mentions everyone knows he’s out here because of Dominik Mysterio. Lee spoke about Judgment Day having all the gold. (Not really, they have most of the gold on Raw.) Lee spoke about Dominik having the North American Title was the start of Judgment Day getting the gold. Lee mentioned he sees red when he sees Dominik not just because he’s a bad person or has a punchable face but because he has the North American Title. Lee spoke about finding himself and the fans accepted him when he was champion. Lee challenged Dominik to a North American Title match at Deadline.
The crowd booed as Dominik Mysterio came out without Rhea Ripley. Dominik spoke about the Lee feeling bad for him. Dominik took digs at Lee for losing to Dragunov and Hayes. Dominik brought up how Lee took time off from NXT. Dominik mentioned Lee made his return and lost to Corbin. Dominik claimed Lee’s opinions are worthless. Lee spoke about Judgment Day helping Dominik keep his title. Lee said he’s willing to do anything and everything to win it back. Dominik noted Lee will have to face three former North American Champion. Dominik noted if Lee loses he can’t challenge for the North American Title. Lee accepted the challenge.
Amin’s Thoughts: There’s something really special about Lee who has that it factor and knows how to present himself like a star on TV. This was a pretty creative stipulation with Lee having to beat three former champions before he can challenge for the North American Title.
Chase U
They aired a dramatic video package recapping the ongoing scandal surrounding Chase University and Andre Chase. This began with Tony D’Angelo and Stacks telling Chase they own him something. This was followed by Chase meeting Shawn Michaels in his office. This was followed by people delivering an envelope which Jacy Jayne had a peak at. This led to Chase U students walking out as Chase and Duke Hudson losing the NXT Tag Team Titles to Tony and Stacks. This led to Chase and Jayne driving off. We are told Chase will break his silence next week on NXT.
Amin’s Thoughts: Chase U was one of the hottest babyface acts on NXT. I’m interested to see where this Chase U storyline is leading.
Thea Hail was backstage with Jacy Jayne. Hail wondered where Andre Chase and Duke Hudson are? Jayne noted they aren’t here for good reasons. Hail spoke about not winning her last big match. Jayne spoke about having Hail’s back. They shared a hug.
Josh Briggs was excited about qualifying for the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge. Tiffany Stratton appeared and tells Briggs it feels good to be a winner. Tiffany told Briggs she will see him at Deadline. Tiffany left. Jensen and Henley appeared. Jensen congratulated Briggs on his win. Henley asked Briggs what was going on with Tiffany? Briggs told Henley to not worry about it and they should go celebrate.
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Blair Davenport & Thea Hail (w/Jacy Jayne)
Davenport took control early catching Hail with a flying double stomp. Davenport ran Hail into the turnbuckle. Davenport connected with an elbow drop for a near fall. Hail battled back rocking Davenport with a pair of flying shoulder tackles. Hail went for a German Suplex. Davenport responded catching Hail in Fujiawara Armbar. Hail countered catching Davenport with a Crucifx for a near fall. Davenport and Jayne argued on the floor. Hail took advantage catching Davenport with a tope. Hail planted Davenport with a T-Bone Suplex on the floor. Hail tried to fire up the crowd. Chase U student section didn’t responded. Hail went for a Springboard Senton but Davenport got her knees up. Davenport rocked Hail with a Kamigoye Knee Strike for the win.
WINNER: Blair Davenport
Amin’s Thoughts: There were a few moments where things didn’t seem to click properly. This still ended up being a fine match for the time given. Davenport is another on NXT who presents herself like a star and should be right at the top of the mix to challenge for the title. Davenport right now seems like a strong pick to win the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge and could challenge Valkyria for the title. Hail losing is just part of the bigger story they are telling with Chase U.
Baron Corbin/Ilja Dragunov “Inside Look”
This highlight package started with Corbin giving Dragunov the End of Days. This led to Dragunov granting Corbin an NXT Title match at Deadline. Corbin spoke about how Dragunov lives far away from his family and puts his body on the line. He spoke about the life of champion is lonely enough but living in an empty apartment is even harder. Corbin noted the only connection Dragunov has is the NXT Title. Meanwhile, Corbin spoke about living in a fancy mansion with expensive cars. Corbin spoke about kissing his wife and kids before he sleeps. Corbin spoke about finding himself in 2023 and his future is being champion. Corbin noted Dragunov was right saying the only person who can slay the dragon is the dragon himself.
Eddy Thorpe vs. Charlie Dempsey (w/Drew Gulak & Myles Bourne)
Dempsey and Thorpe began with some nice chain wrestling. Thorpe went for a dropkick but Dempsey held onto the ropes. Dempsey took control rocking Thorpe with a sliding knee strike. Dempsey connected with a bridging Butterfly Suplex for a two count. Dempsey applied an abdominal stretch but Thorpe broke free. Thorpe made a comeback rocking Dempsey with strikes. Thorpe nailed Dempsey with a running boot. Thorpe went for a Saito Suplex but Dempsey blocked. Dempsey applied a Cobra Twist. Thorpe countered catching Dempsey with a pinning combination for the win.
WINNER: Eddy Thorpe
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a nice wrestling match. It’s really fun seeing Dempsey wrestle because you can see how he’s working more of William Regal’s style of match. This was a nice showing from Thorpe and it was nice to see him get back on the winning track.
Dempsey, Gulak and Bourne attacked Thorpe after the match. WWE officials checked on Thorpe.
Amin’s Thoughts: Looks like Thorpe will continue to feud with Gulak’s crew before he moves onto something bigger in NXT. This program could get interesting if Thorpe could get some buddies to help him even the numbers.
Tony D’Angelo, Stacks and The Family were finishing their dinner. Members of The Family appeared and handed D’Angelo envelopes filled with cash. D’Angelo and Stacks left the building. Carrillo and Garza appeared as they jumped D’Angelo and Stacks. The Family checked on D’Angelo and Stacks. D’Angelo accepted Carrillo and Garza challenge for an NXT Tag Team Title match.
They aired an Arianna Grace vignette. She spoke about being the victim of an heinous attack from Karmen Petrovic. She mentions as a beauty queen she tries to find the best in everyone. She doesn’t see it with Petrovic. She ran down the NXT Universe. She called Petrovic an incurable disease but mentions she’s the cure. She loves us all.
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Lyra Valkyria [c] vs. Xia Li
The crowd booed as Li made her entrance. Valkyria received a very nice reaction from the crowd. Valkyria told the referee to ring the bell. Valkyria rocked Li with strikes right away. The referee held Valkyria back. This led to Li catching Valkyria with a throat thrust. Valkyria battled back catching Li with a running crossbody. Valkryia took control nailing Li with a wrecking ball dropkick. Li respond yanking Valkyria off the ropes. This led to Valkryia getting rocked on the turnbuckle. Li placed Valkyria in a cravat as they returned from break. Li connected with a swinging neck breaker for a two count. Li applied a chin lock but Valkyria broke free. Valkryria battled back rocking Li with mid kicks. Valkyria went for a roundhouse kick but Li countered into an STF. Valkyria broke free catching Li with a pinning combination for a two count. Li caught Valkyria with an Airplane Spin slam for a two count. Li went for a spin kick but Valkyria caught her with a German Suplex. The crowd chanted NXT. Li and Valkryia exchanged strikes. Li caught Valkyria with a jumping knee strike. Valkyria responded with an enzuigiri. Li went for a pump kick but Valkryia countered into a reverse rollup for a two count. Li caught Valkyria in a Rear-Naked Choke. Valkyria reversed into a reverse cradle for a two count. Li called for Spinning Roundhouse Kick but Valkyria ducked. Valkyria caught Li with a Roundhouse Kick. Valkyria followed delivering the Cradle Shock for the win.
WINNER: Lyra Valkyria retained the NXT Women’s Title
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a pretty good wrestling match as both Li and Valkyria worked great together. The last two matches with Becky Lynch on Raw and Valkyria was a great way to give Li a chance to show how talented she can be when given a chance. They tried to make the match feel bigger after Li’s earlier attack on Valkryia on the show. There was no way Valkyria was going to lose her first title defence after beating Lynch clean for the title. A good first title defence for Valkyria to show she wants to be a fighting champion show how much the NXT Women’s Title means to her.
Overall Thoughts: This show relied heavily on the in-ring wrestling. The matches on the show was pretty solid for the most part. I also thought they did a good job making Lyra Valkryia feel like a top champion on show. Overall, this was a pretty standard episode of NXT for the most part. That’s perfectly fine sometimes when the goal is build towards a bigger show. There was another strong push building the Deadline card which is looking solid right now.
