5 Things WWE NXT got right this week: Warning sent to Hall of Famer; surprise return

Several matches and segments were preannounced for the latest episode of WWE NXT. The show kicked off with a high-profile match between Trick Williams and the returning Ilja Dragunov.

Jacy Jayne was also ready to make a statement as she took on Indi Hartwell in a match on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Alba Fyre put down Ivy Nile in a quick match on the show.

Tony D’Angelo defeated Von Wagner in a match that helped push him forward. After the win, The Don challenged Dijak to a Jailhouse Street Fight for NXT Roadblock. D’Angelo is on the right path to recovering his value on the brand, and he looks ready for some big matches on the show.

Dabba Kato also appeared in a backstage segment and said that Apollo Crews left him high and dry for months. Kato was set to teach Crews a lesson on the upcoming episodes of the show.

Take a look at the five things WWE NXT got right on this week’s show.


#5. Ilja Dragunov taught Trick Williams a lesson to kick off WWE NXT

The Czar was dominant on WWE NXT.
The Czar was dominant on WWE NXT.

Trick Williams kicked off the night with a match against Ilja Dragunov on WWE NXT. Williams took a cheap shot at Dragunov before the match started and looked to gain some unfair advantage early on.

The former United Kingdom Champion hit back with some stiff strikes, but a jab to the eye slowed him down once again. JD McDonagh came out to join the commentary team and distracted Dragunov in the process.

The Czar did not lose focus for long and hit his opponent with a few running knees before getting a knee drop. He finished off Williams with the Torpedo Moskau for the win. Dragunov and McDonagh had a face-off before the segment came to an end.

Williams has improved over the past few months and put on a good showing alongside Ilja, who was the star. WWE is slowly building towards a grudge match between JD and Ilja that will likely highlight the upcoming NXT Roadblock event.


#4. Gigi Dolin returned to get back at Jacy Jayne

Jacy Jayne faced off against Indi Hartwell in a match that was set up last week on WWE NXT. Many fans believed that the match was simply set up to award Jayne a win and push her ahead as a solo heel in the women’s division.

The former Toxic Attraction member took control of the match early and locked her opponent in a side headlock. Hartwell fought back and used her strength to take her down with a spine buster for a near fall.

Jayne hit a cannonball and stomped down on her opponent in the corner. It looked like she was ready to pick up the win before Gigi Dolin returned to attack her from behind. The two fought out of the ring, and Jayne ran out of the arena.

The match wasn’t anything special and simply set up Dolin’s return. WWE did not waste too much time in bringing her back, and it looks like the two women will have their first match against each other at NXT Roadblock.


#3. Pretty Deadly laid waste to Gallus after their win on WWE NXT

Gallus' win was overshadowed by the attack.
Gallus’ win was overshadowed by the attack.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade competed against WWE NXT Tag Team Champions Gallus in a non-title match this week. Gallus looked to showcase their dominance over the tag team division of the brand as they took control of the match early.

Blade was isolated for some time and was hit with many big moves before two Pretty Deadly impersonators walked out with a big cake. The distraction allowed Enofe to tag in and hit a dive to the outside and an elbow drop for a near fall.

Blade and Enofe’s resistance did not last too long, as Gallus was simply too good for them. The NXT Tag Team Champions isolated Blade again and hit their finisher for the win.

Pretty Deadly wanted to celebrate the anniversary of Gallus’ loss to them, but Wolfgang and Mark Coffey attacked the presenters. The heels fired back and took them down with steel chairs before driving them into the steel post and steel steps to end the segment.

The tag team division of the brand has always been strong, and it looks like another great championship match will light up the upcoming NXT Roadblock event. Pretty Deadly is currently the most established tag team on the roster that can give Gallus a tough fight.


#2. Bron Breakker overcame Jinder Mahal to retain his title

Bron Breakker had another successful title defense.
Bron Breakker had another successful title defense.

Bron Breakker faced one of his toughest challenges yet in the form of Jinder Mahal on WWE NXT. Jinder matched Bron’s strength right after the opening bell, and both men took each other down with clotheslines.

Indus Sher was at ringside trying to help out Mahal during the contest. This brought out the Creed Brothers, who attacked Veer and Sanga to level the playing field.

Mahal stayed on the front foot and hit Breakker with some good moves before sending him into the steel steps outside the ring. He hit a suplex and hit a knee before Breakker came back with a Frankensteiner.

The former WWE Champion went for Khallas, but Breakker reversed it into a Spear for the win. The match was a good test for Bron, who has proven to be a fighting champion. He has overcome several big stars in his current reign and looks set to make history with the title in hand.


#1. Grayson Waller sent a message to Shawn Michaels to end the show

Carmello Hayes showed up on the balcony after Bron Breakker retained his WWE NXT Championship against Jinder Mahal. He made it clear that he was coming for the championship sooner rather than later.

However, their staredown was interrupted by Grayson Waller, who was in the production truck. The heel invited Shawn Michaels to the Grayson Waller Effect at NXT Roadblock before the show went off-air.

Breakker vs. Hayes will be one of the best title matches fans will get this year. Both men have proven themselves on different levels, and it’s time for them to go head-to-head in singles competition.

Meanwhile, Waller’s invitation to Michaels seems to be very interesting. He already failed to defeat Tyler Bate last week after disrespecting the Hall of Famer. HBK may not be returning to the ring for a match against Waller, but he could bring along a fitting competitor to shut the heel once and for all.


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5 things WWE NXT New Year’s Evil got right: Unexpected end to championship match; controversial finish in Battle Royal

WWE NXT New Year’s Evil had a few big matches scheduled for its second show of the year. Bron Breakker was set to defend his NXT Championship against Grayson Waller in one of the biggest matches on the show.

A few more challengers for the top titles of the brand were crowned throughout the night. Wes Lee found his next opponent for the NXT North American Championship, while a returning team became the next challenger for the New Day’s titles.

A Battle Royal was also set to determine Roxanne Perez’s opponent for Vengeance Day. Overall, it turned out to be a productive night for the brand.

Take a look at the five things WWE NXT New Year’s Evil got right this year.


#5. Dijak became Wes Lee’s next challenger for the NXT North American Championship

Dijak became the next challenger for the NXT North American Championship.
Dijak became the next challenger for the NXT North American Championship.

Dijak and Tony D’Angelo competed in a #1 contender’s match for the WWE NXT North American Championship. Wes Lee joined the commentary team as the two big men took to the ring.

Dijak took control early and also dished out some punishment to Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo. The latter tried to protect D’Angelo throughout the match, and the focus turned from the match to their relationship as a family.

Tony hit a spinebuster for a near fall before Dijak exploded with a Superkick and a Chokeslam. Stacks tried to help D’Angelo, but The Don told him to get out of the way and take care of his business.

The distraction allowed Dijak to hit Cyclone Kill and pick up the win to become Lee’s next challenger. The match was decent, and Dijak got the spotlight he needed. It’s time that WWE gives him the recognition he deserves and puts the North American Championship on him.


#4. Jinder Mahal joined Indus Sher to surprise The Creed Brothers

Jinder Mahal could become a top star in WWE NXT.
Jinder Mahal could become a top star in WWE NXT.

The Creed Brothers came out for their match against Indus Sher, but Sanga was out without Veer. It looked like fans would get a handicap match between the two sides at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil before a main roster superstar made a surprise appearance.

Jinder Mahal came out to attack the Creeds and sent Julius into the ring post before laying him out with the Khallas. Meanwhile, Sanga took Brutus out and sent him into the steel steps.

Later in the night, Mahal got a singles match against Julius Creed. The babyface took control early on before Jinder hit him with a Spinebuster. Julius did not stay down for long and got a couple of near falls.

Sanga distracted Julius, allowing Jinder to avoid a dive off the top rope. The distraction helped Mahal hit a big kick, followed by Khallas for the win.

The former WWE Champion has been working aimlessly on the main roster for years now. Moving to the NXT roster could be a good move for Jinder, especially if Veer is out of action for some time. He works flawlessly as a heel.


#3. Gallus returned to lay out Pretty Deadly on WWE NXT

Pretty Deadly looked to earn a shot at New Day’s WWE NXT Tag Team Championship this week. They competed in a gauntlet match against three teams this week.

The first team turned out to be a few enhancement talents who couldn’t do much against the former champions. After a couple of double-team moves, Pretty Deadly picked up the win with Spilt Milk.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade came out as the second team to face Pretty Deadly. The two men fought against Elton Prince and Kit Wilson and nearly picked up the win with a Spinebuster.

Blade hit a Frog Splash for another near fall before a brawl broke out between the two sides. Prince rolled up his opponent and picked up the win off an inside cradle.

Gallus made its return to WWE NXT and surprised the heel team. Mark Coffey went hard at Pretty Deadly before Wolfgang tagged in to take control. The two men toyed around with Wilson and Prince before hitting their finisher to pick up a dominant win.

Gallus’ return will bolster the NXT tag team division. The faction is among the best tag teams in the company. New Day will probably have a tough time retaining their titles against Coffey and his men at Vengeance Day.


#2. Grayson Waller and Bron Breakker couldn’t bring their match to a decisive end

The NXT Championship match had a botched ending.
The NXT Championship match had a botched ending.

Grasyon Waller challenged Bron Breakker for the WWE NXT Championship. The heel tried to run away from the match early, but he was met with a big slam and a standing moonsault when he returned.

The Australian Superstar mounted a comeback and hit a suplex, but Bron was too powerful for him. The two superstars exchanged moves before the champion was sent into the turnbuckles. One of the buckles snapped, and officials had to fix it.

Waller stayed on the attack once the action picked up again and dodged a Spear before hitting a big knee strike. He went for a move off the ropes, but the turnbuckles snapped again, throwing Waller to the outside.

The challenger was counted out as he couldn’t make it back to the ring, and Breakker retained his title. Later in the night, Shawn Michaels announced that the two superstars would meet again for the title at Vengeance Day, this time inside a Steel Cage.

The match itself was good, and WWE found a different way to end it while protecting both superstars. It will keep Breakker busy for some time as he has run through many challengers over the past four months.


#1. Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne became the challengers for Roxanne Perez’s NXT Women’s Championship

The entire women’s roster had its eyes on the NXT Women’s Championship as the 20-woman Battle Royal took off in the main event. Cora Jade went out of the ring before Tatum Paxley was eliminated.

The ring quickly emptied as Lash Legend eliminated Amari Miller. Sol Ruca saved herself from elimination and headed back into the ring by walking on her hands.

Jade returned to the ring before being sent out almost immediately. Fans were surprised when Wendy Choo, Nikkita Lyons, and Zoey Stark were also eliminated from the contest.

Alba Fyre, Lyra Valkyria, Jacy Jayne, and Gigi Dolin were the final four in the ring. Valkyria eliminated Fyre before Cora Jade came back to eliminate her.

Jayne and Dolin were the final two in the ring and went at each other to determine who would face Perez. They fought outside on the apron and fell at the same time, confusing the referees. In the end, they were both announced as the winners of the match.

The match was good as it had some interesting spots. It also led to the ignition of some new rivalries. However, the finish could have been much better as both women could have jumped out of the ring simultaneously to show that it was all a part of their plan.

The match between Perez and Toxic Attraction will be good as the champion will have to face two heels who have worked together for several months. A win would help Perez get a massive boost.

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