NXT Vengeance Day
F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee
Vic Joseph welcomed everyone to NXT Vengeance Day. Vic welcomed Wade Barrett who joined him for commentary. Vic and Barrett hyped the opening match which was the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: The Wolf Dogs (Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin) vs. Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams came out to a huge reaction. Hayes and Trick came out to a mixed version of their team. Huge chants of “Whoop That Trick!” Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker came out on motorcycles. The crowd cheered as both teams exchanged strikes inside the ring. Trick planted Corbin with a swinging neck breaker for two. Hayes rocked Corbin with combination strikes. Hayes connected with the Fadeaway to Corbin. Hayes called for Nothing but Net but Breakker the save. Trick caught Breakker with a popup punch. Corbin caught Trick with a Death Valley Driver. Hayes nailed Corbin with a springboard lariat. Breakker planted Hayes with an awesome reverse Popup Cutter. NXT chants. Breakker ran super fast as he caught himself against the ropes in a scary spot. Breakker quickly recovered rocking Hayes with a lariat for two. Breakker did Steiner pushups. Breakker planted Hayes with a Popup Powerslam for two. Hayes got Trick the hot tag which got a big reaction. Trick ran wild rocking Breakker and Corbin with leg lariats. Trick planted Corbin with a Rock Bottom for two. Hayes connected with a Springboard Moonsault for two. Hayes caught Breakker charging with a Codebreaker for two. Breakker responded launching Hayes onto Trick. Breakker delivered an impressive double fallaway slam to Hayes and Trick to a big reaction. Breakker launched Corbin onto Hayes and Trick on the floor which looked crazy. Corbin caught Hayes and Trick with a pair of Deep Six for two. Breakker climbed the ropes hitting a flying cannonball onto Hayes and Trick on the floor. Hayes battled back launching Breakker off the ropes. Hayes called for Nothing But Net but Corbin caught him. Corbin called for End of Days but Hayes escaped. Trick managed to catch Corbin on an off-timed neck breaker. Trick celebrated. Breakker charged rocking Hayes with a huge spear. This was great as the shot was so tight looking like Hayes took the spear from Breakker to save Trick. Breakker covered Hayes to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
WINNERS: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a great action packed tag team match with both teams getting the chance to shine. I really liked the layout with Hayes showing he’s a true friend taking the spear for Trick. I also liked Trick not taking the pin to keep him strong for his NXT Championship match against Ilja Dragunov. Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin have great chemistry together as they make for such a fun team to watch. Breakker is ready made for the WWE main roster. I’m curious to see if Breakker and Corbin challenge for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title after winning the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. I would like to see how Breakker and Corbin would do together as a team on the WWE main roster. (***½)
They aired a Roxanne Perez highlight package on her path back to the NXT Women’s Championship match.
No Disqualification Match: Dijak vs. Joe Gacy
Dijak came out to huge boos. Joe Gacy was laughing. Dijak grabbed his knife stick. Gacy grabbed his stick as well. Gacy caught Dijak with a tope on the floor. Dijak was still wearing his ring jacket. Gacy sent weapons into the ring. The crowd chanted for tables. Gacy connected with a flying cannonball to a seated Dijak on a chair. The crowd cheered as Gacy grabbed a table. Gacy dumped legos onto the table. Dijak responded nailing Gacy with a Cyclone Boot for a near fall. Dijak planted Gacy with a Northern Lights Bomb for a one count. Gacy smiled manically. Dijak placed a trash can over Gacy’s hand. Gacy kept rising up. Gacy responded launching the trash can into Dijak. Gacy chant from the crowd. Gacy made a comeback planting Dijak with a uranage slam for two. Gacy used Dijak’s momentum launching him onto the ring apron. Dijak went for springboard. Gacy shoved Dijak as he went flying crashing through a table on the floor. This got a Holy S*it chant. Dijak responded catching Gacy charging with a Chokeslam onto a chair for two. Gacy stopped Dijak from climbing the ropes. Gacy connected with an Avalanche German Suplex as Dijak went flying over the trash can for a two count. Gacy wrapped Dijak’s face with duck table. Gacy whacked Dijak with kendo stick shots. Gacy went for a handspring clothesline but Dijak caught him with Feast Your Eyes. Dijak couldn’t cover Gacy as he had duck tape covering his eyes. The crowd chanted “You Can’t See Him!” Dijak removed the duck tape. Gacy caught Dijak with a DDT onto a chair. Gacy connected with a Super Splash onto a chair for two. There was a chant of that was three. Gacy went for a handspring clothesline. Dijak nailed Gacy with his knife stick. Dijak hit Feast Your Eyes for the win.
WINNER: Dijak
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a pretty violent hard hitting hardcore match. Joe Gacy is a talented wrestler and has had some good matches on NXT. The problem was Gacy’s onscreen characters haven’t been great and that’s being kind. I’m liking this new character with Gacy playing the unhinged babyface. I thought Gacy smiling after the match was a nice touch for his character. Gacy didn’t win but got Dijak’s attention by enjoying the punishment he took in the match. Dijak is one of the most talented wrestlers on the NXT roster and you can always count on him to give you a great match. A strong showing from Dijak as he looked great in the win. (***¼)
Jacy Jayne and Thea Hail were at a merchandise table selling Women of Chase University calendars. Jayne told Kelly Kincaid the calendars was a huge success and will help save Chase U. Karmen Petrovic and another developmental talent was also signing calendars. Jayne noted the Women of Chase U calendars will also be available on WWE Shop.
NXT North American Champion Oba Femi was doing biceps curls with stage scaffolding’s.
The D’Angelo Family (Tony D’Angelo, Stacks & Adrianna Rizzo) vs. OTM (Bronco Nima, Lucien Price & Jaida Parker) (w/Scrypts)
OTM entrance gives off some vibes to GTA: San Andres. Nima and Price came out riding bikes. The D’Angelo Family jumped OTM from behind before the match started. Rizzo mounted Parker with mounted strikes. The Family rocked all members of OTM with strikes. Tony launched Rizzo onto Parker. Tony connected with a cannonball to Nima for two. Scrypts caused a distraction. Parker took advantage knocking Stacks off the ring apron. Nima planted Stacks with a wheelbarrow face buster. Nima and Price planted Stacks with a Popup Powerslam for two. Stack got Tony the hot tag. Tony ran wild planting Nima and Price with belly-to-belly suplex. Tony planted Price with a spinebuster. Parker slapped Tony across the face. Rizzo tackled Parker to the floor. Tony launched Stacks onto Nima and Price on the floor. Rizzo delivered a flying crossbody onto everyone on the floor. This got a nice reaction. Tony nailed Scrypts with a right hands. Tony planted Price with a Fisherman’s Driver for the win.
WINNERS: Tony D’Angelo, Stacks & Adrianna Rizzo
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a fun mixed tag team match. Nima and Price aren’t there yet as polished wrestlers but you can them improve with more matches. Jaida Parker was fine but her presence makes the OTM a much bigger act. I liked how they gave Rizzo some shine with her big dive to the floor. Rizzo has tons of charisma and could become a big breakout star. Tony and Stacks are such a fun team to watch as they were the stars of this match. A strong showcase especially for Tony who looked great in the win. (**½)
They aired a Kiana James and Izzy Dame vignette. James spoke about the NXT Women’s division getting better. Dame said they have to work smarter not harder. James said their new target is the winner of the NXT Women’s Championship match between Lyra Valkyria and Roxanne Perez. Dame suggested they should take out Kelani Jordan first. James told Dame if there’s anything that gives them an advantage she needs to know. James told Dame to do whatever they need to do. They had a toast.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams were getting checked out in the trainer’s office. Trick asked Hayes why he took the spear. Hayes said he took it so Trick could be ready for the NXT Championship match against Ilja Dragunov. Hayes said the Dusty Cup slipped through their fingers. Hayes told Trick to slay the Mad Dragon and win the NXT Championship. Trick said Hayes having his back means everything. Trick said tonight. Hayes stopped Trick. Hayes thought Trick said he needs to do it alone. Trick said he wants Hayes in his corner when he wins the NXT Championship.
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Lyra Valkyria [c] vs. Roxanne Perez
Roxanne got a great reaction from the fans. Valkyria’s entrance is awesome. Valkyria got a solid reaction from the fans. Roxanne and Valkyria exchanged pinning combinations for near falls. The crowd cheered as Roxanne and Valkyria were evenly matched after having a great mat wrestling exchange. Roxanne caught Valkyria with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Roxanne went for a dive but Valkyria caught her with a right hand. Valkyria nailed Roxanne with a slingshot dropkick. Valkyria went for flying crossbody but Roxanne moved. Roxanne connected with a Springboard Moonsault for two. Roxanne charged into Valkyria’s boots. Valkyria connected with a running Fisherman’s Buster for two. Valkyria sent Roxanne flying with a release German Suplex. Valkyria went for a deadlift suplex but Roxanne blocked. Roxanne caught Valkyria with a beautiful Springboard Super Hurricanrana. Roxanne caught Valkyria with Pop Rocks.
Triple Threat NXT Women’s Championship Match: Lyra Valkyria [c] vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Lola Vice
Lola Vice’s music played. Tatum Paxley tried to grab the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament contract. Vice rocked Paxley with a spin kick. Vice cashed in her NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament contract. This is now a Triple Threat Match. Vice nailed Valkyria with a spin kick. Roxanne went for Pop Rock but Vice blocked. Vice caught Roxanne in a sleeper hold. Roxanne countered into a reverse rollup. Vice rocked Roxanne with a spin kick for a two count. Vice placed Roxanne in a Triangle Hold. Valkyria delivered a Super Splash to Vice but Roxanne made the save. NXT chants. Vice rocked Roxanne and Valkyria with combination kicks. Roxanne responded nailing Vice with a knee strike. Roxanne caught Valkyria and Vice with a DDT/leg sweep combo. Roxanne knit up to a big reaction. Roxanne connected with topes to Valkyria and Vice. Huge Roxy chants. Roxanne went for a flying crossbody. Valkyria caught Roxanne on the landing. Valkyria rolled through hitting Night Wish but Vice made the save. NXT chants from the fans. Vice rocked Valkyria with a spinning back fist for a two count. Roxanne responded nailing Vice with a spin kick. Roxanne caught Valkyria charging with Pop Rocks. Roxanne looked to have the match won. The fans booed loudly as Paxley tackled Roxanne to the floor. Vice went for a spin kick but Valkyria ducked. Valkyria caught Vice with Night Wish for the win to retain the title.
WINNER: Lyra Valkyria retained the NXT Women’s Championship
Amin’s Thoughts: The first part between Roxanne and Valkyria was great as they were having a great babyface wrestling match. They added more drama when Lola Vice cashed in her NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament contract. This turned into a really fun action packed match with everyone looking great. Vice has tons of charisma and will become a big star in NXT. Vice isn’t ready to carry NXT as Women’s Champion. I was fine with Vice not winning the title. I really liked the overall layout for the match. Roxanne was on the verge of winning the title twice but both Paxley and Vice stopped it from happening. This is the start to Roxanne going heel as she’s been showing a more aggressive side in her match. I’m guessing we are getting a Roxanne and Valkyria rematch at Stand & Deliver for the NXT Women’s Title. (***½)
Jacy Jayne and Thea Hail were signing Women of Chase University calendars. Riley Osborne appeared asking Hail if she has a Valentine’s Day date? Hail nervously said no. Osborne asked Hail if he can be her Valentine’s Day date. Hail said yes.
They aired a pretty cool vignette. The vignette said ” Man has three faces…One the world sees…One his family sees…And the real one no one sees, But reflects the evil he truly possesses…”
Amin’s Thoughts: That was a pretty interesting vignette. I would love to see Kazuchika Okada come to WWE. I’m hoping that vignette is a teaser that Kazuchika Okada signed with WWE and is coming to NXT.
NXT North American Championship Match: Oba Femi [c] vs. Dragon Lee
Dragon Lee got a solid babyface reaction from the fans. Oba Femi was marching backstage heading to the ring. Dragon Lee started quickly nailing Femi with a dropkick. Dragon Lee followed hitting a tope to the floor. Dragon Lee goes for a dive but Femi drops him onto the ring apron. Femi carried Dragon Lee back into the ring. Dragon Lee caught Femi with a dropkick against the ropes. Dragon Lee connected with a flying double stomp for a two count. Femi responded catching Dragon Lee with a release Chokeslam. Femi connected with a suplex for a two count. Femi talked smack grabbing Dragon Lee by his mask. Dragon Lee battled back nailing Femi with a palm strike. Femi grabbed Dragon Lee sending him over the ropes to the floor. Femi wanted a count-out win. Dragon Lee got into the ring at the 9 count. Femi planted Dragon Lee with a series of uranage backbreaker for a two count. Dragon Lee responded catching Femi in an Octopus Hold. Femi bit the ropes to force a break. Dragon Lee made a comeback catching Femi with a Tornado DDT. Dragon Lee followed hitting a running knee strike for two. Dragon Lee rocked Femi with a corner dropkick for a two count. Dragon Lee caught Femi with a Running Powerbomb for a two count. Dragon Lee went for a Flying Hurricanrana but Femi caught him. Femi rocked Dragon Lee with a huge palm strike. Femi went for a Chokeslam. Dragon Lee countered with a DDT onto the floor. Femi stood up as he yanked Dragon Lee out of the ring. Femi grabbed Dragon Lee and Chokeslam him onto the commentator’s chair. Femi sent Dragon Lee back into the ring. Dragon Lee caught Femi with a Dragon Hurricanrana for a two count. Femi battled back rocking Dragon Lee with a lariat. Femi launched Dragon Lee with a release toss. Femi delivered a Catch Powerbomb for the win to retain the title.
WINNER: Oba Femi retained the NXT North American Championship
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a good big guy vs. little guy match. Dragon Lee was awesome bumping selling making Oba Femi’s moves look great. A solid showing from Oba Femi as he continues to get better with more matches. Femi has tons of charisma as he just looks like a readymade star. (***¼)
Lexis King appeared at the Chase U merch stand. King looked at the calendar and saw Miss April. King also began hitting on Hail. Hail, Jayne and Osborne didn’t appreciate it. NXT officials pulled King and Osborne away after they began brawling.
Kelly Kincaid interviewed NXT GM Ava backstage. Ava said all the matches have been incredible and the main event is still to come. Ava said it’s been a great night. Ava said Clarksville has been a great host for NXT. Kincaid agreed as well. Kincaid said NXT is gaining momentum and hitting its stride. Kincaid asked what’s next for NXT? Ava hyped the NXT Roadblock TV special. Ava said it’s on NXT Stand & Deliver after that. Ava hyped the ticket sales for Stand & Deliver. Ava said Stand & Deliver could be the biggest show in NXT history. Kincaid asked if NXT going back on the road again? Ava hyped the NXT Battleground PLE special in May. Ava said she’s proud of the NXT brand.
Brinley Reece was backstage with Malik Blade and Edris Enofe. Blade showed Brinley his positive list. Blade said on the negatives was they lost communication on the end and they lost the match. Axiom and Nathan Frazer showed up. Frazer mostly mocked Blade and Enofe. Frazer said he and Axiom would’ve reached the finals if they faced Blade and Enofe. Brinley was excited by this as she wanted to see both teams have a match.
Vic Joseph hyped the WWE WrestleMania Kickoff Press Event on Thursday. You could hear fans booing in the background when the WrestleMania Kickoff graphic came up.
Roxanne Perez and Lola Vice were brawling backstage.NXT officials appeared to pull Roxanne and Vice apart.
NXT Championship Match: Ilja Dragunov [c] vs. Trick Williams (w/Carmelo Hayes)
Trick Williams received a huge reaction. Trick came out with Carmelo Hayes. Ilja Dragunov received a mixed reaction. This had a big match feeling. Huge Whoop That Trick chants. Dragunov and Trick began exchanging strikes. Trick caught Dragunov with a standing dropkick. Dragunov responded catching Trick with a popup enzuigiri. Dragunov followed rocking Trick with a rebound clothesline. Dragunov was bleeding from the nose. Trick was bleeding from the mouth. Dragunov nailed Trick with a running boot. The crowd booed as Dragunov shouted nobody can stop him. Dragunov planted Trick with a pair of German Suplex. Dragunov hit a running boot sending Trick to the floor. Dragunov planted Trick with a German Suplex on the floor. Dragunov planted Trick with a Death Valley Driver onto the ring apron. Hayes motived Trick to get up. Hayes and Trick hugged. Dragunov connected with a missile dropkick for a two count. Dragunov mocked Trick. Trick slapped Dragunov across the face. Trick told Dragunov to bring it. Trick went for a Cyclone Boot. Dragunov caught Trick with a Powerbomb. Dragunov called for the H-Bomb. Hayes got excited as Trick caught Dragunov with a Codebreaker. Whoop That Trick chants. Trick made a comeback planting Dragunov with an elevated flatliner. Trick caught Dragunov with a jumping clothesline after a solid strike exchange. NXT chants. They battled for position on the ring apron. Trick delivered a Rock Bottom off the ring apron to the floor. This got Holy S*it chants. Hayes got in Dragunov’s face. Dragunov shoved Hayes. Dragunov ducked a swing. Dragunov nailed Hayes as Trick’s knee went crashing into the ring steps. Trick battles back catching Dragunov with a neck break. Trick rocked Dragunov with a H-Bomb for a good two count. NXT chants. Trick charges but knees gave out. Dragunov catches Trick with a Powerbomb. Dragunov nailed Trick with an H-Bomb. Dragunov delivered a Flying H-Bomb but Trick kicked out to a huge reaction. The crowd was going nuts. Dragunov went for Torpedo Moscow but Trick moved. Trick rocked Dragunov with a Cyclone Kick. Trick covered Dragunov who kicked out for an awesome two count. Hayes stood on the ring apron. Dragunov moved as Trick hits the referee who bumps into Hayes. Trick rocked Dragunov with a Trick Knee Strike. The fans counted along as Trick had a visual win. A second referee runs down. Dragunov kicked out at two for another great near fall. The crowd booed. The fans chanted Ref You Suck. Dragunov caught Trick with a knee strike. Dragunov followed with an H-Bomb. Dragunov went for a Super H-Bomb but Trick got his knees up. Dragunov and Trick stood on opposite sides of the ring. The crowd was going wild chanting Whoop That Trick. Trick went for the Trick Knee Strike. Dragunov went for the Torpedo Moscow. They both connected at the same time. Dragunov covered Trick for the win to retain the title.
WINNER: Ilja Dragunov retained the NXT Championship
Amin’s Thoughts: This was a great hard hitting action packed match. The closing moments was absolutely tremendous as the fans were reaching a fever pitch just wanting to see Trick win the NXT Championship. The drama for the match was off the charts once Hayes accidentally clipped Trick’s leg. The only bummer was Dragunov playing the third well as the champion in this story. Dragunov looked awesome working just a complete different style of match which stands out from the rest. I’m curious to see who challenges Dragunov for the NXT Championship? The “three faces” that was shown earlier on the show is a Japanese proverb. It would be awesome if Kazuchika Okada signs with WWE and challenges Dragunov for the NXT Championship at Stand & Deliver. (****)
Carmelo Hayes Turns On Trick Williams
The camera cut to Carmelo Hayes who was looking upset outside the ring. They showed match highlights. Ilja Dragunov posed with the NXT Championship on the entrance ramp. NXT copyright symbol appeared. Hayes told Trick Williams he came so close. Hayes told Trick it’s just them. Trick was selling his knee as he started walking. The crowd gasped as they saw Hayes stand behind Trick. Hayes looked at Trick’s knee and delivered a chop block. Huge boos from the crowd. Hayes left the ring and grabbed a chair. Hayes told Trick you did this. Hayes whacked Trick’s injured leg repeatedly with a chair. Huge boos from the crowd. Hayes whacked Trick leg with a chair again. Hayes placed a TrickMelo gang shirt on Trick. Thunderous boos from the crowd. The crowd was split chanting “F—U Melo” and “Melo sucks.” The crowd booed as Hayes posed on the ropes. The crowd booed as Hayes blamed the crowd. The show ended.
Amin’s Thoughts: They have building Hayes turning on Trick for months. They got the exact fan reaction from Hayes heel turn. Hayes just became the biggest heel on the NXT roster. Trick will become even a bigger babyface with the fan. This was tremendous as Hayes and Trick has the potential to become of the biggest NXT storylines. The build has begun for Hayes and Trick to clash at Stand & Deliver.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This was a pretty enjoyable show. The opening and main event were both excellent. The rest of the matches went from good to reaching great. Carmelo Hayes heel turn on Trick Williams was really well done to set up their Stand & Deliver match. They also left you wanting to see Roxanne and Valkyria have a rematch after Lola Vice’s cash-in attempt. The “three faces” vignette which aired will create some big interest to see who’s the newest NXT Superstar that’s coming. I’m hoping it’s leading to Kazuchika Okada signing with WWE and joining NXT. Overall, NXT Vengeance Day was a pretty good show.
