Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly WWE NXT review series.
Last night’s episode continued the build-up to NXT’s move to the CW Network. WWE RAW Superstar CM Punk made an appearance to announce a stipulation for the upcoming title match between Ethan Page and Trick Williams.
Here’s what went down on the September 17 episode of NXT.
Hit – Women’s tag team match on WWE NXT
Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley reunited for tag team action against Rosemary and Wendy Choo. Choo and Rosemary worked tremendously together. Choo planted Paxley with some hard-hitting offense. Paxley and Lyra managed to pick up the win.
This was a solid match with some great tag team offense from Wendy and Rosemary. These two ladies work really well together. Paxley took some hard hits but managed to keep herself together for a sweet victory alongside her tag team partner.
Miss – Tony D’Angelo vs. Hammerstone
Tony D took on Hammerstone for failing to take out Oba Femi last week. Hammerstone no-sold Tony’s offense. The Don looked visibly shaken. He left the ring after failing to startle Hammerstone. The TNA star picked up a win as a result of a count-out as the rest of The Family watched in shock.
Tony admitted he was scared later during the show. This whole angle would’ve made sense had Hammerstone managed to at least score a draw last week against Oba Femi. Tony was battling self doubt against a man who lost to the NXT North American Champion.
Hit – CM Punk & Roxanne Perez on WWE NXT
CM Punk entered the ring and said he was in a good mood. Punk talked about his love for WWE NXT. Roxanne Perez showed up. The two-time NXT Women’s Champion sided with Drew McIntyre in his bad blood against Punk. Giulia arrived and had a staring contest with Roxanne, who tried to hit the challenger with her title only to be stopped in her tracks by Phil.
CM Punk loves to be in NXT. He loves to be a mentor to the young stars. Having Roxanne share the ring with Punk was the right decision. Perez is so full of herself that even Punk had to intervene to stop her from making a big mistake. Giulia is winning the title on CW and she’ll teach Roxanne one or two things about humility in the process. It remains to be seen if Roxanne will join Punk on RAW.
Miss – Ashante Adonis vs. Eddy Thorpe
Ashante Adonis collided with Eddy Thorpe in singles action. Thorpe picked up the win win an Impaler DDT. This was a short match that may have ended Thorpe’s feud with Adonis. Thorpe needs to get back his momentum.
Hit – Special guest referee for WWE NXT Championship match
Tyrese Haliburton called out Trick Williams to the ring to sign the contract. Williams arrived and cut a promo. Ethan Page showed up next. Both men put pen to paper for their title match on the CW Network next month. Punk showed up again to announce himself as the special guest referee. Punk told both men to fight but security intervened.
You can’t have an NXT title match in Chicago without making Punk a part of it. The Straight Edge Superstar will be the one to call it down to the middle. Page and Trick have been going at it for months. It’s time this feud comes to its definitive conclusion. Something tells me Drew McIntyre will show up during the match to distract Punk and help Page retain his title.
Honorable Mentions
- No Quarter Catch Crew (Myles Borne and Tavion Heights) had the match of the night against Je’Von Evans and Cedric Alexander. Evans touched the skies with his high-flying offense. The Young OG will take on Randy Orton on 10/8 WWE NXT.
- Jacy Jayne collided with Lola Vice in the final match of the night. Vice picked up the win following a backhand. Fatal Influence jumped the former MMA star but Jaida Parker arrived to make the save. Now they only need one more partner to make it three versus three.
RELATED: NXT Women’s North American Title Match, Press Conference, More Set For 9/24 WWE NXT
