Carmelo Hayes and Wes Lee have finally reached the climax of their feud. While these two have been fighting for a while, a one-on-one match had not quite come together until the November 22 edition of WWE NXT.
Cora Jade and Wendy Choo would also clash in the hopes of putting an end to their rivalry.
Following her recent betrayal of Nikkita Lyons, Zoey Stark was looking to build momentum at the expense of newcomer Sol Ruca.
Toxic Attaction were also set to appear, opening the show after Mandy Rose's latest successful title defense against Alba Fyre. But no one knew what the group would have to say about the future of the NXT women's division.
There was more expected for this show, especially as Bron Breakker and Apollo Crews look ready to fight and NXT Deadline is just around the corner.
Toxic Attraction Take Out Kayden Carter and Katana Chance
1 OF 7
Mandy Rose bragged about her success before Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne turned the focus to the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter interrupted, leading to a brawl in which Toxic Attraction laid them out.
This was a paint-by-numbers segment for the heel stable, but its purpose was accomplished. Carter and Chance still haven't truly taken down the former champions, and that feud can be one of the highlights of NXT Deadline on December 10.
It was interesting to have no one step to the NXT women's champion, who should have plenty more potential challengers. This would seem to indicate Rose will not be wrestling at Deadline and will wait for the winner of the Iron Survivor Challenge instead.
Grade
C+
Notable Moments
- Rose tried to play off her win as being all her own doing, ignoring Isla Dawn's interference. Carter and Chance called her out on that when they interrupted.
Cora Jade vs. Wendy Choo
2 OF 7
Wendy Choo kept Cora Jade on her toes, but Jade was unafraid to cheat to pull ahead.
Jade threw Choo's drink in her face and then hit a DDT to win. Afterward, Choo was left in the ring crying.
This was better than expected. Jade has found her way as a heel in the ring, while Choo remains an underrated in-ring performer. While there was only one possible result to come of this match, the two told a complete story in the ring with solid time.
The main concern at the moment is whether Choo can translate beyond NXT, and it seems the brand could be evolving that gimmick. There have been some subtle hints that she could bring back some aspect of her old character, Mei Ying.
Result
Jade def. Choo by pinfall.
Grade
B-
Notable Moments
- Before heading to the ring, Jade promised to leave her mark on Choo.
- In a pre-taped segment, Apollo Crews talked about his upcoming match with Bron Breakker, going over the history that led him to the NXT Championship picture.
Kiana James vs. Ivy Nile (w/ Tatum Paxley)
3 OF 7
Kiana James' confidence was shattered when Ivy Nile sent her outside. Fallon Henley got in her face, leading her back into the ring to walk into a Dragon Sleeper for the submission.
Henley brawled with James into the crowd. The Creed Brothers celebrated with Nile and then called out Indus Sher for Deadline. Nile was not happy about that challenge.
Nile remains a capable performer but needs to show what she can do more against serious competition. This was an uneventful match that felt longer than its four-minute run time.
Some of that is down to James remaining far too green. She is not impressing as an in-ring worker or entertainer. Henley at least seems to be getting some rub by beating her down.
Result
Nile def. James by submission.
Grade
D
Notable Moments
- James told McKenzie Mitchell that she wasn't intimidated by Nile before explaining that her deal to buy Henley's bar only fell through due to stupidity.
- James walked around the ring with Nile on her shoulder before hitting a backbreaker. Nile connected on an impressive headscissors takedown and gutwrench suplex.
- Javier Bernal continued to challenge only competitors who were not on the active roster, while Mitchell questioned whether he really wanted to wrestle.
Scrypts vs. Guru Raj
4 OF 7
Scrypts made quick work of Guru Raj, ending their match with a top rope cannonball. Afterward, he left a note on his fallen opponent with his signature.
After weeks of outright threats to NXT and the WWE Performance Center, Scrypts came in and wrestled a plain cruiserweight squash. While his athleticism is impressive, nothing about this carried the same weight as the promos that preceded.
That said, he is clearly talented, and there is an easy story to tell with him as the super-villain to Axiom down the line. Hopefully, the awkward mask stays on in all the wild action between the two.
Result
Scrypts def. Raj by pinfall.
Grade
C
Notable Moments
- Scrypts is clearly the former Reggie under a poorly made mask. His athleticism remains immensely impressive, even if the gimmick is questionable.
- In a vignette, Ivy Nile warned Alba Fyre that her darkness would overcome her fire.
- Schism told the world that they were done adding to their group, and Joe Gacy sent a fan through a table after he had been lured into the ring by Ava Raine.
- Malik Blade and Edris Enofé tried to invite Von Wagner to their night out, but Wagner called them losers, starting a fight in the parking lot.
- Charlie Dempsey questioned the legitimacy of the NXT locker room, putting over his old-school professional wrestling focus.
Zoey Stark vs. Sol Ruca
5 OF 7
Sol Ruca's athleticism had Zoey Stark reeling, but the veteran did not allow her to put it away. She dodged a dive from Ruca and hit a running knee to win.
Nikkita Lyons came out afterward to fight Stark and sent her reeling.
This wasn't the type of match Stark should be having right after her big heel turn. She gave Ruca too much and did too little to stand out. While Ruca is clearly improving, this should have been a more condensed squash.
Lyons' return felt more climactic than it should have been, but the two are doing solid work to build their rivalry. Hopefully, NXT will give their match the right spotlight.
Result
Stark def. Ruca by pinfall.
Grade
C-
Notable Moments
- NXT showed Ruca's TikTok message to Stark, in which she refused to accept her negative energy.
- Ruca nearly got the win off a handstand splash and running powerslam.
- Bron Breakker talked about the pressure of being NXT champion and the way he found his center with all the pressure: fishing on his favorite lake.
NXT Tag Team Championship: Pretty Deadly (c) vs. Andre Chase and Duke Hudson
6 OF 7
Andre Chase took a beating in this match, setting up Duke Hudson for the hot tag run. However, after Hudson accidentally big-booted Chase, Kit Wilson and Elton Prince took advantage to hit Spilt Milk on Chase for the win.
Hudson's angle with Chase U is the most entertaining story in NXT. He continues to show off his acting chops, making it hard to tell whether he is playing Chase or honestly learning to be better.
This match was never going to end with a shocking result, but this was a fun TV title bout. Hudson was a great hot tag while Chase played his role as talented technician well. Pretty Deadly kept it all grounded to add another quality defense to their run.
Result
Pretty Deadly def. Chase U by pinfall to retain the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Grade
B+
Notable Moments
- In the locker room, Grayson Waller questioned Hudson's loyalty to Chase U.
- Later, Pretty Deadly questioned the same, causing a brawl. Hudson told Chase about the situation and announced they had a tag title match coming up.
- Chase caught Prince in a headlock and then kicked away the hand of Wilson, who was trying to tag in. When Wilson tried to attack him, The Professor suplexed him followed by a combination arm drag and headscissors to take down Pretty Deadly.
- Hudson missed a big tag from Chase after Wilson knocked down Thea Hail outside.
NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
7 OF 7
Carmelo Hayes brought his best to his match with Wes Lee, but it was not enough.
The NXT North American champion had an answer to everything, hitting a handspring back kick into a Michinoku Driver for the victory.
An animation for a jail cell opening showed on the stage screen, and Lee turned around to see the former T-Bar, now returning to his old name Dijak. He planted the champion with Feast Your Eyes.
This was a fantastic main event, which lived up to its build. Lee and Melo have chemistry to spare, and they left it all in the ring.
This was one of NXT's best matches of the year. It is almost a disappointment the two did not get to have this bout at a pay-per-view without commercials.
The NXT North American champion did not just beat The A Champion, though. He looked like the better man, matching him move for move. It was an important statement after over a year of Melo dominating NXT.
He will move on to bigger and brighter things while Lee proves himself night in and night out. His next challenge will be Dijak, a proven star who needs this fresh start in NXT.
Result
Lee def. Melo by pinfall to retain the NXT North American Championship.
Grade
A+
Notable Moments
- Early in the night, Lee tried to convince Trick Williams that he was not needed in The A Champion's corner for the main event. He took it to heart and walked out alone.
- Melo and Lee exchanged punches in the center of the ring, ending with a corner right hand, a running back uppercut and poisonrana from Lee for a near-fall.
- Lee almost got the victory off a running double knee smash and then cartwheel-kicked Melo out of the ring. Trick walked out, and Lee somersaulted onto him.
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