WWE NXT Review – March 21, 2023
Kicking off this week’s NXT with a video recapping what happened between Grayson Waller & Johnny Gargano last week.
Elton Prince introduces himself & Kit Wilson as the hosts of Stand & Deliver before Wilson says their 1st act as hosts will be to erase the footage of their NXT Tag Team Titles loss to Gallus and being put through a table by Carmelo Hayes & Bron Breakker during their contract signing last week. They then begin discussing their outfits for the Stand & Deliver and say Hayes & Breakker’s outfits last week sucked.
Hayes’ music hits, and he & Trick Williams head to the ring. Williams says Pretty Deadly interrupted both Breakker & Hayes which is why they were put through the table, and says he and Hayes can talk their talk while Pretty Deadly walk their walk. Prince says if they’re trying to get a match for tonight then they’re on. Williams agrees to their terms, then says he won’t be Hayes’ partner but Breakker will be.
Pretty Deadly blindsides Williams & Hayes with an attack but Breakker runs down to the ring and tosses them out of the ring. He helps Hayes up and tells him he doesn’t want anything happening to him between now and Stand & Deliver.
We are back from the break we head backstage to Hayes & Williams. Hayes asks Williams why he made Breakker his partner tonight and Williams explains he did it so Hayes could see how he moves in the ring to prepare for their Stand & Deliver match.
Women’s Title Qualifying Match
Tiffany Stratton vs. Indi Hartwell
Match starts off with a lock up then Indi Hartwell delivers a shoulder tackle then delivers a pair of clotheslines. Stratton fires back with a suplex and a couple of stomps then delivers a right hand to Hartwell’s spine and whips her into the corner. She delivers a back handspring elbow before they spill to the outside and Stratton sends Hartwell crashing into the ring apron face first that sends us to a break.
After the break Stratton delivers a hip attack and a senton. Hartwell fires back with a cutter, and they go back & forth with right hands. Hartwell gains the upper hand and delivers a boot to the side of Stratton’s head but Stratton manages to hit a scoop powerslam. She heads out to the apron and looks for a cannonball, but Hartwell moves out of the way and delivers a spinebuster. Stratton connects with Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.
Winner & Gets Into The Women’s Title Ladder Match At Stand & Deliver: Tiffany Stratton
We then head to a video of NXT Tag Team Champions Gallus & Creed Brothers playing a round of pool at the pub. Gallus eventually comes out on top, and wishes Creed Brothers better luck next time. Julius Creed says pool was never their game but darts was. Both teams play a couple of rounds and Creed Brothers win. Julius says he has an idea in mind for a tiebreaker, and Gallus says he thinks he knows that they’re thinking a match for the NXT Tag Team Titles at Stand & Deliver. Gallus & Creed Brothers look to leave the pub but Tony D’Angelo & Stacks are waiting outside & they say they have Stand & Deliver business to discuss, and the 6 men go back into the pub to talk.
We are back from the break we go backstage to McKenzie Mitchell is with Gigi Dolan. Mitchell asks for Dolin’s thoughts on the lineup for the Women’s Title Ladder Match at Stand & Deliver. Dolin says it’s too early to tell but she will do anything to win the Women’s Title. Tiffany Stratton tags in and brags about winning her match then says Dolin and every other participant’s chances in the match just became 0.
North American Champion Wes Lee says both he & fans are enjoying his open challenges, but he keeps getting asked why he’s holding them. Lee says it’s because he doesn’t want to be a hypocrite then says he knew if he came up short at Halloween Havoc he wouldn’t get another shot. He says from the moment he won the North American Title, he vowed to give chances to others in the same position the chance that he got. He then addresses the video from NXT Anonymous Twitter account last week and says Shawn Michaels gave him 4 opponents of his voice to face at Stand & Deliver.
Dragon Lee’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring & he tells Wes that it’s nice to meet him, then says he came to NXT for the same reason he did. He tells Wes that he is the best but he loves the chaos. He asks to be part of the North American Title match on April 1st, and Wes says this is what he loves. He says he’s been following Dragon’s career, and has been wanting to face him. He then gives him the first spot.
JD McDonagh’s music hits and he appears. He says the two of them are putting one another over, then invites Dragon to pull up a seat and watch him beat down Ilja Dragunov since he’s new here. He asks Wes what his excuse is and Wes tells McDonagh that Dragunov is going to tear him apart. McDonagh tells Wes to count himself lucky that he hasn’t had his eyes on his North American Title because he wouldn’t be standing in the ring with or without it.
Ilja Dragunov’s music hits and he heads down.
We are back from the break, we see a video posted to the NXT Anonymous Twitter account of Indi Hartwell taking out her frustrations on a bunch of equipment.
We then head backstage to NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Fallon Henley & Kiana James. Henley confronts James about what she found last week and yells at her for cheating on Brooks Jensen. She says while James might not care about him she does. Henley then storms off.
JD McDonagh vs. Ilja Dragunov
JD McDonagh & Ilja Dragunov go back & forth with right hands before Dragunov gains the upper hand. He sets up for a knee but McDonagh moves out of the way and delivers a Tornado over the top. We see Dragon Lee watching on from ringside as McDonagh delivers a suplex. They exchange forearms with one another before Dragunov delivers 3 German suplexes then he follows it up with a running knee and ascends to the top but McDonagh meets him there. Dragunov pushes him off before McDonagh pulls him down that sends us to a break.
We are back from the break McDonagh delivers a kick to Dragunov’s spine. Dragunov looks for a kick but McDonagh moves out of the way and delivers another kick. Dragunov lands an enziguri but McDonagh lands a back elbow. Dragunov delivers a series of chops, then executes several rapid ones. He plants McDonagh but McDonagh sends Dragunov crashing into the rope throat first then he hits a powerbomb and 3 German suplexes but Dragunov lands a roundhouse kick. He sets up for a move but McDonagh matches him and looks to lock in The Twister. Dragunov escapes and rains down right and left hands then delivers a running headbutt.
They spill to the outside and topple onto Dragon Lee. McDonagh tags a cheap shot at Dragon as Dragunov sets up for a headbutt. He accidentally hits Dragon, and Dragon fights back, causing the disqualification.
Winner: No One (No Contest) (Recommend)
After the match McDonagh,Dragunov & Dragon Lee begin brawling before Wes Lee comes out of nowhere and goes flying to level anyone.
Back from the break we go backstage to McKenzie Mitchell is with Wes Lee & he announces that he has chosen JD McDonagh & Ilja Dragunov have the 3rd & 4th spots before he announced who gets the 5th & final spot Axiom walks in and asks for the 5th spot. Lee then says he’s had many opportunities before so the 5th opponent will be determined next week in a 20 Man Battle Royal.
Back at ringside Johnny Gargano’s music hits but Javier Bernal appears instead of Gargano. Bernal says when that music hit, everyone thought it was Gargano but they were wrong like he was when he thought he was going to Stand & Deliver. He blames Gargano for losing his spot and says he has been working hard for the past 7 months. He asks how many Christmas albums Gargano has sold and they are a Triple Crown Champion between both of them.
Gargano’s music hits for a 2nd time and this time the man himself appears. He clocks Bernal with a right hand then tosses him out of the ring. He chucks him into the barricade and the ring steps, then gets back inside the ring and grabs a mic. He says he knows Grayson Waller is listening, and says if he wants to make things personal and raise the stakes, then he’ll do the same. He pulls out a contract, then reveals what it’s for an unsanctioned match. He signs the contract and says all Waller has to do is the same.
Waller appears on the Titan Tron and asks Gargano if he wants to embarrass himself on the big stage again. He says he’ll sign the contract next week as long as Gargano is banned from the building, and Gargano agrees to his terms. He hands the contract over to Vic Joseph and tells him to pass it on to Waller. Bernal is back on his feet and appears in the ring, and Gargano catches him with a superkick.
We then head to a video hyping up the debut of Eddy Thorpe next week.
Women’s Title Qualifying Match
Lyra Valkyria vs. Ivy Nile
Match starts off with a lock up then they go back & forth with submission holds before Ivy Nile lands a kick across Lyra Valkyria’s chest. Valkyria fires back with one of her own and they level one another with kicks. We see Tatum Paxley watching on from backstage as Nile plants Valkyria.
Valkyria hits an enziguri then fires off a series of kicks. Nile delivers a suplex and a kick. She then locks in her signature submission hold but Valkyria escapes and hits a German suplex, then follows it up with a roundhouse kick for the win.
Winner & Gets Into The Women’s Title Ladder Match At Stand & Deliver: Lyra Valkyria
We see Fallon Henley walking around backstage. Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre blindside her with an attack before Kiana James provides Henley with a helping hand.
The Great Debate
The Schism (Joe Gacy,Jagger Reid,Rip Fowler & Ava Raine) vs. Chase U (Andre Chase,Thea Hail & Duke Hudson) & Tyler Bate
Blake Howard welcomes everyone to The Great Debate. He then welcomes the 1st 2 debaters Rip Fowler & Duke Hudson. He asks them how their respective groups approach togetherness, and Fowler says Schism is built on togetherness. He says Hudson has presented him with the opportunity to remove his mask and be welcomed with open arms. Hudson says Ava welcomed him with open arms then says Chase U gave him a sense of belonging and inclusion but without a lot of passion.
Thea Hail & Ava are up next. Howard asks them how their group provides them with safety, and Ava says Schism’s tree provides her with it. Hail starts rambling and says she’s learned a lot and made connections. She says Schism only creates a false sense of safety.
Andre Chase & Joe Gacy are the last ones to go. Howard asks how they rate their fellow members with leaving their nests. Chase looks to speak but Gacy says his students have already proven that. He tells Howard to tally up the score but Tyler Bate rises up from the crowd and asks Chase to step in. Chase allows it and Jagger Reid steps up. Howard asks them how they would sum up the experience of their groups. Reid keeps it simple and says Schism is 4 roots, 1 tree. Bate says it takes a big, strong mind to prosper in the squared circle and is a collaborative effort. He says it has provided Hail & Hudson with chances, and says Schism will never achieve growth in NXT the way Chase U has. Bate says now that Chase U has beaten them philosophically, it’s time they beat them in the ring. Andre Chase challenges Schism to an 8 Person Tag Team Match but Gacy declines the offer, as they have already beaten them philosophically and in the ring. Hudson raises the stakes and says the winner of the match gains control of Chase U. Gacy then accepts the challenge with the amended terms.
Winners: Chase U & Tyler Bate
Tag Team Match
NXT Champion Bron Breakker & Carmelo Hayes vs. Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince)
Pretty Deadly charge at Carmelo Hayes & Bron Breakker then Kit Wilson pins Hayes but Hayes kicks out before hitting a dropkick. Elton Prince tags in and delivers an uppercut then tags Wilson back in. Hayes delivers a shoulder tackle before Wilson hits a flapjack and tags in Prince. Pretty Deadly looks to double team on Hayes but Breakker interjects. Both teams go at it and Breakker & Hayes toss Wilson and Prince out of the ring that takes us to a break.
We are back from the break Wilson is wearing down Breakker. He shoves him into the corner before Hayes and Prince tag in. Hayes rocks Prince with a kick then suplexes Wilson on top of Prince. Prince delivers a series of stomps in the corner then tags in Wilson. Wilson and Prince deliver a leg drop splash combination. Wilson then delivers a second leg drop and a right hand then plants Hayes and delivers a knee.
Prince tags in and delivers a back elbow but Hayes lands a few forearms. Breakker & Wilson tag in. Wilson gets planted with a German suplex, then delivers a shoulder tackle and a 2nd German suplex. He hits a bulldog and goes for a pin but Prince breaks the fall.
Wilson looks to send Breakker into Hayes but Breakker stops himself before they collide. Hayes pushes Breakker out of the way and delivers a Codebreaker to Wilson. Breakker then delivers a Spear and tags Hayes back in then Hayes ascends to the top and delivers Nothing But Net for the win.
Winners: NXT Champion Bron Breakker & Carmelo Hayes
After the match Hayes & Breakker the NXT Title. Breakker raises it over his head and the two stare one another down to close out this week’s NXT.
Next Week’s NXT (Spoilers)
North American Title Qualifying 20 Man Battle Royal
Axiom vs. Nathan Frazer vs. Dijak vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Xyon Quinn vs. Dabba Kato vs. Scrypts vs. Apollo Crews vs. Dante Chen vs. Damon Kemp vs. Charlie Dempsey vs. Drew Gulak vs. Edris Enofe vs. Malik Blade vs. Odyssey Jones vs. Bryson Montana vs. Quincy Elliot vs. Javier Bernal vs. Oro Mensah vs. Hank Walker
Tyler Bate vs. Von Wagner
Elektra Lopez vs. Valentina Feroz
Eddy Thorpe vs. Myles Borne
Last Chance Triple Threat Women’s Title Qualifying Match
Sol Ruca vs. Indi Hartwell vs. Ivy Nile
Drew Gulak vs. Hank Walker
Tag Team Match
Tony D’Angelo & Stacks vs. Josh Briggs & Brooks Jansen (If Briggs & Jansen win they get added to the NXT Tag Team Titles Match at Stand & Deliver)
Stand & Deliver Card (April 1st) (Spoilers)
Unsanctioned Match
Grayson Waller vs. Johnny Gargano
NXT Title Match
Bron Breakker (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
Women’s Title Fatal 5 Way Ladder Match
Zoey Stark vs. Gigi Dolan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Indi Hartwell
NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles Match
Fallon Henley & Kiana James (c) vs. Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn
North American Title Fatal 5 Way Match
Wes Lee (c) vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Axiom
NXT Tag Team Titles Triple Threat Match
Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang) (c) vs. Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus) vs. Tony D’Angelo & Stacks
Winner Gets Control Of Chase U 8 Person Tag Team Match
The Schism (Joe Gacy,Jagger Reid,Rip Fowler & Ava Raine) vs. Chase U (Andre Chase,Thea Hail & Duke Hudson) & Tyler Bate
