On Saturday, April 6th, NXT kicked off WrestleMania Weekend with their huge event, “Stand & Deliver.” The show saw a ton of great action, and bigger moments, and even had its fair share of surprises. It was headlined by a great match between two former friends, now bitter enemies, Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams.
However, we also saw the likes of Shawn Spears face Joe Gacy, Ilja Dragunov put his NXT Championship on the line against Tony D’Angelo, and Oba Femi put his NXT North American Championship on the line in a three-way against Josh Briggs and Dijak. We also saw Roxanne Perez look to get her NXT Women’s Championship back against Lyra Valkyria and so much more.
So, what were the top three moments of the show?
Honorable Mention: NXT Women’s North American Championship Reveal/Giulia Cameo
Ahead of the NXT Women’s Championship match between Lyra Valkyria and Roxanne Perez, we saw a backstage promo from NXT General Manager, Ava. In this promo, Ava announced the massive news that the NXT Women’s division would be getting a new championship, the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
This is truly a massive deal as it adds another championship to fight over in a division that has so much depth, and so much talent. From that promo, we go back to ringside and see Giulia in the front row. Giulia has been a much sought-after free agent for a while now and it looks like she officially has found her new home.
Great to have you at #StandAndDeliver, @giulia0221g! pic.twitter.com/hv2kySgsHQ
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2024
Now, is it a coincidence that she was shown right after the new championship reveal, or could we be staring at the inaugural NXT Women’s North American Champion in Giulia? One thing we know for sure is that the NXT women’s division is truly the greatest women’s division in all of professional wrestling, and another title is truly a fantastic idea.
Top 3 Moments of NXT Stand & Deliver 2024
3. Oba Femi retains against Dijak & Josh Briggs
In the second match of the night, we saw Oba Femi put his NXT North American Championship on the line against Josh Briggs and Dijak. These are three of the most talented big men around today, and it showed in this match. With chants of “THIS IS AWESOME!” ringing through the arena, these men lived up to the name of this show.
Each man showed up and showed out during this match. Ultimately, it ended with Femi pinning Briggs after Dijak landed the “feast your eyes” on Briggs. Femi stopped Dijak’s pinfall with a chokeslam of his own before getting the eventual victory over Briggs. This could have very well been the best match of the show. These were truly three of the top big men around today, and looking ahead, you’d be hard-pressed to try and find someone to stop Oba Femi.
2. Roxanne Perez wins the NXT Women’s Championship
Towards the end of the show, we saw Lyra Valkyria put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Roxanne Perez. This was another match that certainly lived up to the name of the event. Both of these women showed up, showed out, and truly left it all out in the ring.
She's done it!@roxanne_wwe takes her place atop the #WWENXT Women's Division once again!#StandAndDeliver pic.twitter.com/CF6OrBCjnx
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2024
Ultimately, in the end, Perez would force Valkyria to submit. In the process, Perez became a two-time NXT Women’s Champion. However, this time we see a new attitude in Perez. The babyface Roxanne Perez is long gone and we are in the era of “The Prodigy,” the heel, Roxanne Perez. Valkyria was a fun champion to watch, and seeing her call up on the main roster sooner rather than later will be equally as cool to see.
1. Trick Williams finishes his story vs. Carmelo Hayes… for now.
In the main event of “Stand & Deliver,” we saw Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes go to war. This was history as it was the first time two black men had ever main-evented an NXT premium live event. This time, there was no more friendship. From best friends to bitter enemies, Williams and Hayes each tried to destroy each other in this match. It was the perfect ending to one of the greatest stories ever told by NXT.
The match itself had it all. Ultimately, it ended with Williams getting some revenge on Hayes with a steel chair and landing his big finisher on Hayes to put him away. This was a beautiful conclusion to one of my personal favorite stories in NXT. Williams got his big “Stand & Deliver” moment, and Hayes got his final send-off before going up to the main roster. What a show, and what a kickoff to WrestleMania weekend.
