WWE NXT was live in Chicago for their debut on The CW, and the night gave us three big takeaways.
WWE NXT ushered in a new era last night at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. After spending the past five years on the USA Network, WWE NXT debuted on The CW last night and will be televised every Tuesday moving forward.
In addition to beginning a new era on the brand, Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels comes out to start the show to ignite the energy in the arena, before quickly being joined by Chief Content Office Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Once this happened, it was clear that was some sort of announcement or reveal, and behold — we’re looking at the new NXT Championship and NXT Women’s Championship to go with the new black and silver era.
We had the privilege to take in all of this excitement live in person. Now that the dust has settled, there are three takeaways from last night’s show as we turn the page in NXT.
Roxanne Perez Is Putting Together A Legendary Championship Run
At just 22 years old, Roxanne Perez has already accomplished so much in her professional career. Hers is a journey that began when she was 13 years old, so we won’t lose the reader by traveling through everything she’s accomplished, but her second run as NXT Women’s Champion is one of, if not the best, run in the brand’s history.
At NXT Stand & Deliver 2023, Perez lost the title to end her first run in a six-woman ladder match due to Indi Hartwell climbing the ladder and grabbing the belt. Perez was never pinned to lose the title, so she used that as revenge to get the championship back.
It was March 5th, 2024 that changed everything. At NXT Roadblock, Perez attacked the NXT Women’s title holder at the time, Lyra Valkyria, and after being babyface for her entire run in NXT became a heel. Once this happened, she channeled in an entire new aura that has been simply unmatched by anyone else in the division on the brand. She would go on to become a two-time NXT Women’s Champion at NXT Stand & Deliver earlier this year. Since then, she has beaten Valkyria (again), TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace, Lola Vice, Thea Hail, and Jaida Parker.
This leads us to last night when it seemed almost certain Perez would lose the title to newcomer and worldwide sensation Giulia. In a perfect way to kick off things in Chicago, Perez received some outside help from an old friend and foe in Cora Jade to once again retain the title. Her 178-day reign as champion continues. As many of us know, it’ll be tough to surpass Asuka’s 510-day reign as champion, but Roxanne is putting together one of the greatest runs the brand will ever see.
Wes Lee Is Ready For A Feud For The NXT title
Wes Lee has already solidified himself as one of the greatest NXT North American Champions of all-time. He has been in NXT since 2020, which means his tenure in NXT will likely come to and end at the WWE Draft next year. Until about two months ago, Lee has been widely known as one of the top babyfaces on the brand. In unprecedented fashion, Lee turned on his longtime tag team partner Zachary Wentz, and has vowed to separate himself from them and create his own legacy. Last night, he closed that chapter by defeating Wentz in a Street Fight.
With only a few months left on the brand, Lee deserves at the very least a feud for the NXT title. He held the NXT North American title for 269 days, and helped elevate that title’s prestige in the process. Now as a heel, Lee continues to develop a new character into the new era that should include a feud for the NXT title.
Trick Williams Is The Face of NXT
From the moment I arrived at the Allstate Arena, it was quite clear why everyone was there. Surrounding me as I approached the entrance to the arena was fans in CM Punk shirts and “Trick’n Ain’t Easy” shirts. The chants of “C-M Punk,” and “Whoop that trick,” filled the arena before the show even began. I’ve seen Williams in person one time before at an NXT House Show in Tampa, Florida in 2023, but he was nowhere near the superstar he is today. One of the things I was excited to witness in person was how loud the “Whoop that trick” chants would be during his entrance. I wanted to compare how loud it sounds on television to how it sounds in person. You be the judge (It’s louder in person).
Although Ethan Page has quickly made a name for himself as a top heel in NXT, after last night it is clear Williams is the current face of the brand. After his victory last night over Page, Williams joined the company of Samoa Joe, Shinsuka Nakamura, Finn Balor, Karrion Kross, Tommaso Ciampa, and Bron Breakker as the only male superstars to win the NXT title twice in their career. From a sidekick to the face of the brand in a year’s time has been quite the remarkable story to watch. The Whoop That Trick era continues in NXT.
