By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)
NXT TV
Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center
Aired live September 19, 2023 on USA Network
[Hour One] Highlights from last week’s NXT main event aired, featuring Becky Lynch defeating Tiffany Stratton for the NXT Women’s Championship…
Vic Joseph and Booker T were on commentary. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer…
NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch made her entrance in street clothes to open the show. Vic noted that Lynch has deemed herself a fighting champion and defended her championship against Natalya in the previous night’s Raw. Lynch took the mic and noted that The Man has come back to NXT. Becky soaked in “NXT” chants. Becky said her world tour with the championship continues because she brings the fight every damn night. She said it doesn’t matter the name, because the game is all the same.
Becky continued her rap, including the names of NXT women roster members. Becky then told the crowd she loves them and how she’s here to represent them. Becky noted that “Tiffy time” is over. A “Becky Time” chant ensued. Becky then gave Tiffany Stratton for pushing her to the limit. Becky said because of that, she can have a rematch whenever she wants. Becky called Tiffany an Idiot and arse-hole. Becky was about to praise Tiffany Stratton, but Tiffany made her entrance to interrupt.
Tiffany noted that the rematch is not optional because she deserves a rematch. Tiffany said she knows that Becky is a WrestleMania main eventer, The Man, the number one girl, but “I am Tiffany Stratton” Tiff said. She said she’s the future of WWE and the future two time women’s champion. Tiffany proposed the rematch “tonight”. A “yes” chant ensued. Tiffany then pulled the rug and said it wasn’t happening. Tiffany noted the losers in the crowd were cheering her before Becky showed up.
Tiffany then proposed the rematch to happen at Bakersfield at the No Mercy PLE. Becky said the result will be the same not because Tiffany is not good enough, but because she’s not hungry enough. Becky said she saw people who got the rocket put on their back get turned entitled. Tiffany said NXT with the crowd feels like the NXT she grew up in. Becky said after all this time she knows she wants the title more than Tiffany. Tiffany noted that Becky wouldn’t have returned if she didn’t get called out.
Tiffany said if she didn’t call out Becky, Becky would . Becky said that Tiffany is a better fighter than a talker and they should go against each other punch for punch. Becky threw the first punch and a brawl ensued. Kiana James ran out to give the heels a two on one advantage. Tiffany went for a chair shot but Becky managed to fend off both women. Becky swung the chair to cause Kiana and Tiffany to retreat. Becky’s theme played to end the segment…
John’s Thoughts: Fun opening segment with Becky Lynch, looking like she’s having fun out there. She didn’t get a chance to shine in the whole Trish Stratus feud because they were very stop-start there. Looks like Becky can benefit with the mic time she is receiving as NXT Women’s Champion. Tiffany responded with one of her better talking segments. The bait and switch was well delivered from Tiff.
The show cut to NXT Tag Team Champions Tony D’Angelo and Stacks looking at pictures of potential Tag Title contenders. Tony D then started talking about their post show dinner. Tony D said he likes the Creeds being straightforward. They said they respect Garza and Carrillo. Tony D and Stacks then proposed Hank and Tank vs. Lima and Price to see if they deserve to be in the conversation…
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Ilja Dragunov about how he’s heading to a rematch for the NXT Championship. Ilja said he’s still suffering from the wounds Wes Lee gave him last week, but he’ll keep going. He said at Bakersfield he’ll the mad dragon will cover his wings in gold. Becky Lynch walked into the scene and Ilja allowed her to speak. Becky challenged Tiffany and Kiana to a two-on-one match…
Vic Joseph and Booker T checked in on commentary. They sent the show to the Meta Four lounge with the Meta Four being interviewed by Kelly Kencaid. This week the VIP lounge was Matrix themed. Noam put on a hilariously deep voice. Not sure if Noam is trying to be Neo or Morpheus, but he has me cracking up. Oro, Lash, and Jakara were all dressed as Matrix characters. Noam’s funny promo was cut off by Butch making his entrance…[c]
John’s Thoughts: Noam’s great! Simply put.
NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio ran into Trick Williams backstage. Trick noted that Dom has a knack for sucking all the positive energy in the room. Dom said Melo’s taking the L tonight. Dom said he also empathizes with Trick being in Melo’s shadow, like he and Rey. Dom tried to recruit Trick into the Judgment Day. Trick refused and said nothing will put a wedge between Trick-Melo Gang. Dom said he used to say the same about he and his Deadbeat Dad Rey…
Vic Joseph noted that Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton for the Women’s Championship was made official for No Mercy…
Tyler Bate made his entrance. A replay aired of Tyler Bate earning two more points at NXT Level Up last week…
1. Tyler Bate vs. Butch in a Group A match of the Global Heritage Invitational. Butch started the match with his usual Joint Manipulation. Noam was watching the match like a Matrix character. Bate escaped with a leg scissors. Butch saw Bop and Bang coming and simply slapped Bate. After some dodges, Bate managed to catch Butch with Bop and Bang for a nearfall. Bate fended off Butch to the corner with alternating hooks. Butch forced Bate back with a right hand.
Bate showed off Technical dodges. Butch stepped on Bate’s foot and clocked Bate with a right hand. Butch punched Bate out of the air with a right hand. A picture-in-picture showed the rest of the GHI wrestlers watching the match in a watchparty room. Bate used a chop to stagger Butch on the top rope. Bate hit Butch with an impressive delayed vertical superplex. The show cut to picture-in-picture commercial.[c]
Butch and Bate were trading their ora ora ora punches in the center of the ring. Butch got the upper hand with some ground and pound. Bate escaped an X Plex and hit Butch with a standing Shooting Star and Saito Suplex for a two count. Butch reversed a Tyler Driver into an armbar. Butch tried to break the hold with overhead elbows. The picture-in-picture showed Joe Coffey and Duke Hudson leaving for the next GHI match.
Bate deadlifted Butch into a helicopter spin, which had extra spin to it. Bate hit Butch with a Brainbuster for a two count. Alicia Taylor gave the Two Minute Warning. Butch reversed a Tyler Driver 97 into his own Tyler Driver 97 for a nearfall. Bate reversed the Bitter End to a DDT. Bate hit Butch with a Bitter End for his own nearfall. Bate hit Butch with a rebound lariat. Butch used the knees to block a spiral tap. Butch hit Bate with the Bitter End.
Bate kicked out of Butch’s finisher. There was less than 30 seconds left. Butch hit Bate with a Modified Bitter End which he calls the Better End (Pumphandle Pile Driver). Butch picked up the pinfall win.
Butch (5 points) defeated Tyler Bate (4 points) via pinfall in 11:49 to earn 2 points and win Group A of the Global Heritage Invitational.
The graphic showed that Butch won Group A. (So no Dempsey vs. Axiom match?). Butch respectfully hugged Bate after the match…
John’s Thoughts: A good match between the two former British Strong Style faction members. We’ve seen these guys wrestle a ton of 20+ minute classics. The 12 minute time limit here allowed them to mix things up a bit and a different flavor of match. We also haven’t seen these two face each other for a hot minute, so it was fresh. I especially liked both men acting like they were in Smackdown vs. Raw PS2, by hitting the Steal-a-finisher button. Now that he’s getting time to cook on NXT, I hope Butch ends up getting a fresh look away from the Brawling Brutes on the main roster.
The show cut to Jacy Jayne and Thea Hail hanging out at the designer clothes store. Hail noted that she had to go here to not be a kid anymore. Hail was embarrassed to come out in one of the outfits. Jacy convinced Hail to walk out. Jacy said the red outfit looked good, but was a bit much. She said the black one was ok, but they need more leather.
Jacy liked the leather one, but then liked the one that showed more skin. Jacy really liked the last set of clothes, that they didn’t show on camera. Jacy said she can’t wait until the world sees the new Thea hail…
Duke Hudson and Andre Chase made their entrance…[c]
Gallus made their entrance…
2. Joe Coffey (w/Mark Coffey, Wolfgang) vs. Duke Hudson (w/Andre Chase) in a Group B match of the Global Heritage Invitational. Coffey and Hudson had a stalemate no-selling a few shoulder tackles. Hudson managed to get Joe off his feet with a tackle. Hudson showed off good agility with a huracanrana on Joe. Joe got a two count off a backdrop. Joe tackled Duke to the corner and gave him gut punches. Joe gave Duke a flapjack on the rope and followed up with boots.
Joe hit Duke with a backbreaker for a two count. Duke got to his knees and fended off Joe with right hands. Duke went for the Bionic Elbow, but Joe rolled to ringside. Joe tossed Duke into the apron. Joe hit Duke with a Missile Dropkick. Joe hit Duke with a deadlift German. Joe hit Duke with a flying knife strike. Duke ducked a discus lariat. Duke rolled up Joe for the upset win.
Duke Hudson (4 points) defeated Joe Coffey (4 points) via pinfall in 3:50 to earn 2 points in Group B of the Global Heritage Invitational.
Vic noted the three way tie between Frazer, Hudson, and Coffey. They show cut to Kelly Kincaid who interview Nathan Frazer who was hyped to still be in the title picture. Frazer said that he’s excited that they’ll have a Triple Threat tiebreaker next week. Kelly informed Nathan that the triple threat is happening tonight. Nathan liked this and darted off to get ready…
Roxanne Perez made her entrance…[c]
John’s Thoughts: While I would have gone with Joe buzzsawing through the tournament, I’m ok with them going this route. Joe dominated most of this match only for Duke to get the flukey, yet plucky win. It helps boast Duke a bit and Joe doesn’t lose much in defeat. I still think Joe needs to go over strong here, because they need Joe Coffey to come out of this tournament as a potential main event player in NXT. Speaking of which, Joe Coffey vs. Pete “Butch” Dunne was one of my favorite early NXT UK matches, so we know those two guys can tear it up in a main event (are the finals still under a 12 minute time limit?).
A Robert Stone tweet showed Robert Stone leaving the hospital and wishing Von Wagner well in his recovery…
Lola Vice and Elektra Lopez made their entrance…
3. Roxanne Perez vs. Lola Vice (w/Elektra Lopez). Both women traded wristholds. Perez got a series of nearfalls on Vice. Vice tripped Perez to block an old school. Vice worked on Perez with a few wrestholds. Vice hit Perez with an axe kick. Vice hit Perez with a sacrifice arm breaker for a two count. Vice reversed a legsweep into a grounded hammerlock. Perez rolled out and gave Vice a series of shortarm right hands. Booker noted that Vice is a former Bellator MMA fighter.
Perez escaped and gave Vice a seated Senton. Perez gave Vice a shotgun dropkick. Perez gave Vice the ten punches in the corner. Vice escaped and tripped Perez. Perez dodged a spinning roundhouse. Vice escaped Pop Rocks. Vice tried to put Perez in an arm submission, but Perez rolled up Vice for the victory.
Roxanne Perez defeated Lola Vice via pinfall in 4:17.
Separate shots of Dominik Mysterio and Carmelo Hayes were shown as they were heading to the ring from backstage…[c]
John’s Thoughts: While I’m a huge fan of Lola’s potential, she did show a bit of her greenness here; and that’s no problem, everyone needs to make mistakes to improve. She did show some good holds here. As I said, I’m more excited to see her do more kicking because she’s showed good Tae Kwon Do in past matches and Tae Kwon Do isn’t something you see employed too much in pro wrestling (aside from Mike Bailey). It looks like the finish might have been botched a bit because Lola couldn’t base the Pop Rocks, but credit to both women for recovering in the end and improvising (if that’s the case. It might have been the planned finish, but it also looked like it could have been improvised).
Vic Joseph plugged the Royal Rumble event in January…
[Hour Two] Eddy Thorpe walked up to his random tree in the forest. He looked sad because Dijak took off some bark from the tree with his belt. Eddy called Dijak a coward. Eddy said he might have a savage inside of him, a merciless Indian Savage (isn’t it native American? Or American Indian.). Eddy said that Dijak desiccated his tree. Eddy challenged Dijak to a strap match…
John’s Thoughts: Dijak randomly beating up a tree last week was an unintentional wrestlecrap highlight. I loved it. Can we get Dijak vs. Eddy’s Tree at No Mercy?
Becky Lynch met up with Roxanne Perez in the locker room. Becky said Perez has been Kicking ass in NXT. Perez said she took a page out of Becky’s book by not letting people run over her. Perez proposed being Becky’s tag team partner against James and Stratton. Becky said she respects the offer, but Perez needs to ice up that injured arm…
Entrances for the next match took place. Dominik jumped Melo during his entrance. Dom tried to pose with the title, but was blindsided by Melo. The bell ran once both men were able to recover. Ilja Dragunov joined the commentary table…
4. NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes vs. NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio in a non-title match. Melo gave Dom a snapmare. Dom rolled to ringside to avoid a superkick. Dom avoided a baseball slide, but took a right hand. Dom managed to turn the tables by giving Melo a snake eyes on the barricade. Melo recovered and draped Dom on the ropes to give him the Fadeaway Legdrop. Melo hit Dom with a nice La Mistica slam for a two count. The show cut to regular commercial.[c]
Dom had Melo in a resthold back from break. Melo fought out, but Dom came back with a head slam to the mat. A “Mami’s gonna leave you” chant ensued. Dom went for 3 Amigos, but he only hit 1 Amigo after Melo reversed it into a Final Cut Suplex. Melo kicked Dom a few times and gave him rapid punches in the corner. Melo hit Dom with a Pumphandle Uranage for a two count. Dom came back with a pump kick and DDT for a two count.
Dom dialed it up with a Catapult and hit Melo with a 619. Melo avoided the splash and hit Dom with a Codebreaker. Dom tripped Melo off the top rope. Melo accidentally tossed Dom into Ilja Dragunov, who was on commentary. Dom then recovered and tossed Melo into Ilja. Dom then slapped Ilja in the face. This fired up Ilja who ran in the ring and beat down Dom.
Dominik Mysterio defeated Carmelo Hayes via apparent DQ in 9:11 (either that or it was a no-contest).
Ilja hit Dom with the H Bomb. Ilja went for Torpedo Moscow, but Dom pulled Melo in front of him to get Melo hit by the move. Dom tried to retreat, but got hit by a superkick from Dragon Lee. Dragon Lee posed with the North American title, while Melo and Ilja glared at each other in the ring. Vic plugged Dom vs. Dragon for the title for next week’s Raw…
John’s Thoughts: I was afraid they were going to go with the overbooked non-finish. Yes we got the overbooked finish, but it made sense for Ilja to get fired up like that. It actually makes Dom look smart for purposefully getting under Ilja’s skin with the added slap. I still would have preferred Melo go over clean because Dom is a chicken champ, but I understand the logic here.
Trick was watching the match backstage frustrated because of the match outcome. Joe Gacy and Ava showed up to give Trick a lecture about loneliness. Ava said Trick looks covered in loneliness. Trick said that’s not loneliness, it’s olive oil. Gacy tried to recruit Trick into the Schism. Trick refused. Ava and Gacy left trying to sow seeds of decent between Trick and Melo, saying that Melo would have had a better outcome if he accepted Trick’s help…
Andre Chase was coaching a gassed Duke Hudson on potentially winning the Global Heritage Invitational. Hudson said Joe is as big as an ox, and Frazer is as fast as Usain Bolt. Chase then asked Duke who’s the MVP, spoiler, representative of Australia, NXT, and Chase U? Duke yelled “I AM…. Let’s F-ckin Go!!!”. Hudson and Chase ran off…
Nathan Frazer made his entrance…[c]
Scryps, Bronco Nima, and Lucien Price were in a random alley playing dice (a.k.a hood craps) with random people. After they hustled people out of their money, they were sizing up the NXT Tag Team division while counting money. Scrypts said he loves their bond and that’s why he’s with them. Scrypts noted that Price and Lima know how it is going to sleep no dinner, fast losers slow winners, reaching in yo pocket and nothin there, but whatever it is they gotta eat. The segment ended with all three men counting their cash…
John’s Thoughts: An improved promo from Scrypts, but its still going to take a while to shake away his old cheesy Reggie persona. His biggest problem, both in the ring and on the mic is coming off as “real”. I’m really pulling for him to make this work, especially since his current persona reminds me of my hometown (where me and my dad did business and charity). Scrypts was a real life Crip, and should invoke that for his current persona. Nima and Price on the other hand have been really impressing me on Level Up. They are believable, and ironically come off like Bloods from Inglewood, which enhances the act.
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Hank Walker and Tank Ledger about the last segment. Hank said they know how tough Nima and Price are, but they aren’t going anywhere. Tank said it was time to turn up. Hank accepted the match that Tony D proposed between them against Nima and Price…
The wrestlers were already in the ring for the next match. Vic would eventually note that there is no time limit…
5. Nathan Frazer vs. Duke Hudson (w/Andre Chase) vs. Joe Coffey (w/Mark Coffey, Wolfgang) to win Group B of the Global Heritage Invitational. Frazer took down Joe with a dropkick and used an elbow to take Hudson off the apron. Coffey recovered and hit Frazer with a crossbody. Frazer knocked Joe off the apron with a gamengiri. Hudson hit Frazer with an elevated flapjack for a two count.
Duke and Joe no sold standing lariats. Joe managed to get Duke to his knees with a right hand. Joe also clocked Nathan with a right hand. Duke managed to get to his feet to trade hands with Joe again. Nathan picked up speed and knocked both opponents to ringside with a shotgun dropkick. Frazer hit Duke and Joe with a suicide dive.
Nathan traded punches with Duke and had the momentum. Duke came back with a corner Uranage. Joe tortured Duke by dragging Duke’s crotch into the ringpost heading into regular commercial.[c]
Frazer rallied at Joe with punches, but he was planted by a body slam. Frazer used a victory roll for a two count. Joe hit Frazer with a pop up uppercut and flying knife strike. Duke Hudson rolled up Joe again during his finisher attempt for a nearfall. Duke went for and hit Joe with the Chase U Bionic Elbow. Joe hit Duke with a sidewalk slam for a nearfall. Frazer caught Duke with a superkick. Frazer hit both Duke and Joe with a Moonsault DDT for a two count on both men.
Frazer missed a slingshot. Frazer caught a flying Coffey with a superkick. Hudson hit Frazer with a Slingshot German Suplex. Hudson caught Joe with a Big Boot. Hudson hit Frazer with a Black Hole Slam for a two count. Duke hit Frazer with a Helicopter Bossman Slam for a two count. Joe broke up Duke’s pin.
Duke dumped Joe to ringside. Frazer hit Duke with a nice Frankendriver. Frazer hit Duke with a Phoenix Splash. Joe tossed Frazer to ringside. Duke recovered but got hit by Joe’s lariat for the win.
Joe Coffey defeated Duke Hudson and Nathan Frazer via pinfall in 12:22 to win Group B of the Global Heritage Invitational
Butch entered the ring to face off with Joe Coffey. Vic hyped Butch vs. Coffey for next week…
John’s Thoughts: A good bonus match for the invitational. As they should have done protect Nathan, have Duke take the pin, and make Joe look strong. All accomplished. Duke Hudson continues to shine with his babyface spurts of offense. I hope Joe and Butch are allowed time next week. If I remember correctly, Joe Coffey vs. Butch was the first UK Title Match when the brand’s TV show started (Bate vs. Butch was first when the belt was made) ? The match was great from what I remember.
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Mustafa Ali. Ali said everyone should be in an uproar that Dragon Lee is getting a title shot before he did. He said he promised Dragon Lee a title shot after he won the title, but a graphic randomly showed up on Raw to give Dragon the title shot. Ali said how does a man he beat get the title shot before him. Ali said neither Dom or Dragon deserve the title shot because Dom is a criminal and Dragon is a liar. He said he’s gong to deal with it at Raw…
John’s Thoughts: Setting up a triple threat at No Mercy? Looks like obvious foreshadowing. By the way, ever since Mustafa did his corrupt politician cinematic, they’ve seemingly dropped the gimmick. I understand Vince McMahon trashing the gimmick because it can be a bit too political. Has HBK had similar thoughts (which I also understand due to television sponsors).
Tiffany Stratton and Kiana James were warming up with bicep curls. They were on the same page and trading complements. Tiffany teased a surprise for Becky later…
Becky Lynch was shown leaving the locker room…[c]
Josh Briggs, Brooks Jensen, and Fallon Henley were hanging out backstage watching a replay of their loss last week. Briggs argued about it being Fallon’s fault that Miles Borne betrayed them. Fallon tried to defend Borne as a good guy hanging out with the wrong people. Briggs and Henley argued. Baron Corbin showed up and told everyone to shut up so he can enjoy his massage. Briggs said it’s good that Baron can still hear after Bron popped his eardrum last week. Briggs and Corbin traded a few verbal jabs…
Vic Joseph and Booker T checked in on commentary and sent the show to a Carmelo Hayes interview in the parking lot. Melo promised to beat Ilja at No Mercy and he’ll tell Ilja where Ilja stands next week…
The following segments were advertised for next week: Joe Gacy vs. Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov contract signing, Gigi Dolin vs. Blair Davenport, Dijak vs. Eddy Thorpe in a Strap Match.
While Becky Lynch was making her entrance, she was jumped by Kiana James and Tiffany Stratton. The women carried the beatdown to the ring. Lyra Valkyria ran in to even up the numbers. Lyra and Becky cleared the heels from the ring. Kiana and Tiffany tried to leave, but Becky and Lyra dragged them back to the ring. The bell rang once all four women were back at the ring…
6. Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria vs. Tiffany Stratton and Kiana James. Becky tossed Kiana around the ring. Becky then forced a tag and dragged Tiffany in the ring. Becky dominated and gave Tiffany a stinger splash in the corner. Lyra tagged in. Becky and Lyra gave Tiffany alternating kicks. Kiana tagged in and got put in a headlock by Lyra. Becky blind tagged in and gave Kiana a facebuster for a two count. Becky dumped Kiana to ringside and gave Kiana a baseball slide.
Becky gave Kiana a diving right hand. Lyra gave Tiffany a wrecking ball dropkick. The show cut to picture-in-picture.[c]
TIffany tripped Becky off the top rope. There’s 5 minutes left at the top of the hour (with the DVR saying 8 minutes allocated for overrun). Kiana and Tiffany cut the ring in half on Becky. Becky managed to rally with right hands. Kiana tripped up Becky and went back to isolation offense. Tiffany tagged in. Becky avoided a backflip elbow. Becky managed to get the hot tag to Lyra. Lyra cleaned house with right hands and right feet.
Lyra took down both opponents with a springboard crossbody. Lyra hit Kiana with an axe kick combo and a Northern Light Suplex. Tiffany broke up Lyra’s pin. After trading counters, Becky and Lyra draped their opponents on the 2nd rope and hit both with draping leg drops. Lyra got a two count on Kiana. Tiffany tripped up Lyra off a springboard. Tiffany then tossed Becky into the ringpost.
[Overrun] Kiana hit Lyra with a pumphandle Power Bomb. Tiffany tagged in and hit Lyra with a Swanton Bomb. Becky broke up Tiffany’s pin. Becky caught Kiana iwth a missile dropkick. Becky hit both opponents with DDTs at the same time. Kiana kicked out at two, but Becky went right into the Disarm-Her. James escaped. Lyra tagged in. Becky hit Kiana with a Manhandle Slam. Lyra hit Kiana with a Frog Splash for the victory.
Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch defeated Kiana James and Tiffany Stratton via pinfall in 11:22.
Becky and Lyra raised their hands in victory. Tiffany then cleared the ring with a chair. Tiffany hit Becky in the back with a steel chair. TIffany then posed with the Women’s title and tossed it on Becky. Tiffany walked up the ramp. Becky took a mic and said that her match against Tiffany will be an Extreme Rules match. The show closed with Becky posing with the title belt…
John’s Thoughts: A fun main television main event. WWE does seem hell bent on building up Lyra Valkyria. She’s great in the ring. I love her match work. Her Lucha Underground cinematics are cool. She’s still missing “something” though, to the point where she’s not connecting with the viewers. Becky is bringing new energy to NXT, and you could tell the crowd are extra hyped for her segments.
Not as hot as last week’s episode, but still a solid episode. A few good Global Heritage Invitational matches, to the point where they managed to squeeze out a bonus triple threat match out of the tournament. Interested to see how the ratings for this week’s show ends up? My guess is that it drops a bit because last week’s title shot was the hot-shot. On the high end, I assume it’s around 700,000, but I wouldn’t mind being surprised.
I’m confused. Was Noam impersonating Neo or Damian Priest?