Hey everyone! Final episode of NXT prior to Heatwave this Sunday, it’s a jam packed show so let’s get right into it!
Jaida Parker vs. Michin in a Street Fight
Michin brought out a trashcan full of weapons and started the action on the floor. After sending Parker into the steps and grabbing a chain, Michin missed her target but quickly recovered, sending Parker inside and getting blasted with a trashcan lid in return. A Samoan drop from Parker earned a near fall, but Michin retaliated with a German suplex and some belt whips. The battle moved outside, where Michin used a chair to the ribs and posted Parker, who countered with a chair setup and a failed dive, leading to a nasty landing.
After the break, Michin piled up chairs and bolts, but her package piledriver attempt was countered, sending her into the pile instead. Despite this, she continued with kendo stick shots and a cannonball with a trashcan over Parker’s head for a near fall. As the match neared its end, Parker countered Michin’s steel pipe with a fire extinguisher blast and a hip attack through a wooden wall, finishing with a running hip attack for the win.
Winner: Jaida Parker
Backstage in the lockerroom with Karmen Petrovic is doing something with the handle of her sword while Arianna Grace is huffing in the background seeking attention. Arianna says Sol snatched her soul last week and with it, her heart. She’s devastated over not being able to perform in her hometown of Toronto. Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx interrupt and we get some shade. Karmen’s having a hard time fitting in it seems.
Kelani Jordan vignette touting her accomplishments and athletic background, then goes into her inaugural title victory. Lani’s gonna make it happen at NXT Heatwave when she defends the Women’s North American Championship against Sol Ruca
Brinley Reece vs Izzi Dame
Straight up power from Izzi to start the match. Cool swinging sit out side slam by Dame but Brinley is no slouch either, she’s fast on the uptake and starts to gain momentum on Izzi. Tatum Paxley appears at ringside, that was random. Standing vertical suplex into a falcon arrow by Dame for the win in under 3 minutes.
Winner: Izzi Dame
Next we have an in ring face off between Lola and Roxanne. These two really went for an incredibly ambitious promo. Lola shared her personal struggles, showing remarkable vulnerability for all of us watching thus turning babyface in the process. Roxanne wants nothing more than to be considered one of the all time greats, she keeps challenging herself both in the ring and on the mic which is what you’re supposed to do in developmental. Personally, I don’t think the delivery was consistent throughout the segment from either. It wasn’t bad by any means but it was lengthy. I’d like it if Roxanne would try to deviate away from her AJ Lee inspiration. The star quality is there for both of these performers but this was just like I said, a very ambitious promo.
Carlee Bright vs. Wendy Choo
Kendal Grey is out in Carlee’s corner, Bright starts with strong with kicks, but Choo quickly took control, always appreciate a character driven performance and Wendy is giving it to me. Choo tied Bright in the Tree of Woe for a running dropkick, but Bright fought back with a series of clotheslines. However, Choo countered a standing moonsault attempt with raised knees and applied a cobra clutch, forcing Bright to tap out for the short victory.
Winner: Wendy Choo
Karmen Petrovic vs. Jazmyn Nyx
Jacy Jayne accompanied Nyx as they battled over wrist control, with Petrovic knocking Nyx down and hitting a running basement Blockbuster for two. Jayne’s distraction didn’t work, but Nyx took over with a kick to the ribs and a Shining Wizard for a near fall, followed by a figure four necklock. Petrovic managed a rollup that seemed to pin Nyx, but it only resulted in a near fall. Petrovic fired off some elbows, but another distraction from Jayne allowed Nyx to kick Petrovic in the face for the pin.
Winner: Jazmyn Nyx
After the match Karmen Petrovic is backstage talking to Ava, after some back and forth we get a tag match with Arianna Grace/Petrovic vs. Jacy Jayne/Jazmyn Nyx. This match will take place at Heatwave on the pre-show.
Authors Thoughts:
Overall pretty fun show in preparation for Heatwave. A great bounce back from NXT after not getting a ton of content last week from the women. Lola vs. Roxanne is the biggest attraction on the women’s side going into Heatwave and while I have a hard time believe Roxanne could be dethroned… Lola has been built up nicely since winning the breakout tournament. It’s not as out of the question as the champ would like to make us believe.
