Welcome to my review of the April 16th edition of NXT from the WWE Performance centre. The last tv episode of NXT I watched in full was probably back in the darker days of NXt 2.0, so I didn’t know what to expect with this edition of NXT. Now with the renaissance of WWE as a whole and a standout NXT Stand and Deliver in Philly I feel like the brand has finally drawn me back in, lets jump into the show as we begin with Noam Dar & Dijak squaring off.

Noam Dar (W/ Meta-Four) v Dijak

Summary: This was a really good opener between two massively underrated wrestlers. The match was built really well giving both wrestlers time to shine and making Dijak still look a monster despite the eventual loss. I feel like Dijak really got the chance to showcase some of his incredible offence with some of the brutal bodyshots he got in and the springboard clothesline was really a work of art. Noam Dar is someone I’ve always been a fan of and he really shone well here as the underdog heel, for all the offence Dijak got in Dar matched him and I’m really intrigued by the Meta-Four Stable.

In the End Dar picks up the win with the Nova driver following a distraction from Oro Mensah.

Winner: Noam Dar by Pinfall

Stitch’s Rating: I really enjoyed this match and it reminded me of the older NXT opening matches which is a bonus in my eyes, for me the match gets a 7/10.

Ilja Dragunov & Ava Raine Promo

We next go backstage as NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov, meets NXT General manager Ava Raine in her office. Ahead of his Spring Breakin’ title defence against Trick Williams, (who fights Carmelo Hayes tonight in a steel cage match) Ava tells Dragunov he will be fighting in an open challenge. Ilja in typical Ilja style tells Ava to warn the locker room about going face to face with the Mad Dragon. This was a very simple promo that sets up a match later tonight, simple but effective from NXT.

Tatum Paxley Promo

Tatum tells Lyra Valkyria that she lost her the minute Lyra lost the Women’s World title, her attention turns to Roxanne Perez signalling her intent to go for the Women’s World title before telling Lyra she’s in her way. As someone almost completely new to Tatum Paxley it was hard to put into words my exact reaction to this promo, in short I loved it, the spooky silly unhinged side of wrestling is always a favourite of mine and whilst I’m still not entirely sure what happened this was really fun.

Lola Vice v Sol Ruca

Summary: I was somewhat aware of Lola Vice and Sol Ruca going into their match and enjoyed what we got from it especially with it not even touching five minutes. Despite it being a move move move match due to time there was some nice spots. I loved Ruca’s X Factor spot, and on the whole I have really taken to her, she seems to be doing well after her knee injury and I hope we get to see more of her.

Winner: Lola Vice by pinfall

Lola Vice picks up the win here after a spinning heel kick following Ruca being pushed off the turnbuckle by Blair Davenport, setting up a match for next week before Natalya appears on screen to challenge Lola Vice to an NXT Underground match also for Spring Breakin’.

Stitch’s Rating: A good but short women’s match that advanced two stories and gave us two more matches for Spring Breakin’. This was an okay match that I enjoyed without it being outstanding 6/10.

Arianna Grace & Gigi Dolin Promo #1

This was the first of two Grace & Dolin promo’s tonight where Grace tells Dolin they are going dress shopping. The second promo continues the story with Gigi ending up in the most awesome green and black dress she crafted herself to Arianna’s horror. It was amusing and silly but little else. Watch it for a laugh.

Ridge Holland v Joaquin Wilde

Summary: A four-ish minute match that served to give Ridge Holland a pretty dominant win, which is a shame as I really rate Joaquin Wilde (going back to his TNA days) and I wish he’d get more chances to showcase just what he can do. Shawn Spears made his presence known standing on the ramp without getting involved so it will be interesting to see where this goes.

The match ended after Ridge counters a suicide dive on the outside into a powerslam and follows up with a DDT for the three.

Winner: Ridge Holland by Pinfall

Stitch’s Rating: This was okay for what it was but nothing much happened 5/10.

Josh Briggs & Ivar Meet Backstage

Josh Briggs is officially cleared despite his rib injury suffered at the hands of Oba Femi. He is confronted by Ivar, and Briggs tells him that he’s going after Femi, Ivar tells him he can but Ivar will be champion by then. This sets up the match for tonight.

Thea Hail & Andre Chase Patch Things Up

A nice wholesome promo between the always likeable Thea Hail and Andre Chase following up on Chase throwing in the towel for Hail. He tells her he couldn’t bear seeing her go through that amount of pain and she apologizes for doubting him. It was sweet and continues the dynamic changes of Chase U.

The Family Clash With No Quarter Catch Club

This was a really good if not silly segment that sets up a big blow off between NQCC and The Family. Tony D’Angelo was at his best showcasing just how good his wackiness can be and Charlie Dempsey and the Catch Club offered a nice foil to him. The confrontation revolved around D’Angelo claiming NQCC came to the Family to deal with one of their own and that the NXT Heritage Cup is his prize. This led to a brawl between all six men and a six man tag set up for next week. A enjoyable promo that was great if you’re into Tony D’Angelo’s gimmick and the wackier side of wrestling, I loved it.

Ilja Dragunov v Je’Von Evans

Summary: The match begins with the entire roster trying to answer the open challenge which I loved and have wondered why this wouldn’t always happen in these instances for many a year. Je’Von Evans answers the challenge by sneaking through the fans and vaulting into the ring in the most awesome way. This was a great match for the time (6 minutes) and oh my! did Je’Von Evans come out of this looking like gold. Dragunov put a lot into this to make Evans look as good as possible and it worked so well, Dragunov got to land all his spots whilst Evans showcased some insane athleticism as well as Evans getting some good offence in himself (there was a spike DDT from a counter which was brilliant).

Dragunov gets the three following the Torpedo Moscow and shakes Evans hand before departing.

Winner: Ilja Dragunov by Pinfall

Stitch’s Rating I really enjoyed this, and for me, is the kind of matches NXT should all be about, the best of the brand showcasing the future, 6.5/10

This match is followed by two segments, the first a Lola Vice promo where she interrupts a Karmen Petrovic interview telling her she will beat her friend Natalya. The second is Sol Ruca demanding and getting that match with Blair Davenport at Spring Breakin’.

Thea Hail v Tatum Paxley

A short match that was used mainly to advance the storylines in the women’s division. The match ends with Jacy Jayne costing Thea Hail the win with the two brawling after the bell as well as Tatum Paxley being attacked by Lyra Valkyrie. Chaotic awesomeness ensues as officials try to regain order.

Winner: Tatum Paxley by Pinfall

Summary: We next get an interview with NXT Champion Roxanne Perez who shines as a heel here. She takes some time to hope that Lyra and Tatum will destroy each other before slating General Manager Ava Raine. In response Ava tells Roxanne she will be defending her title against Lyra and Tatum at Spring Breakin’. I love heel Roxanne and this was very entertaining, I’m looking forward to the triple threat match.

AOP v Malik Blade & Edris Enofe

Summary: Essentially a squash match for AOP as they go back to their dominant best. Not much else to say other than battering everyone easily AOP are just awesome, I’m so glad they are back.

Winner: AOP by Pinfall

Josh Briggs v Ivar

Summary: This was a big man punching battle that worked well for it’s purpose, to make Ivar strong going into challenging Oba Femi and for Briggs to sell his injuries but still look strong in losing.

Stitch’s Rating: This was essentially punch, punch, headbut, slam but worked for what was needed and was a nice showcase for Ivar 5.5/10.

Winner: Ivar

Carmelo Hayes v Trick Williams

Summary: This was the match that drew back to NXT, I love both Hayes and Trick and this rivalry has been nothing short of incredible. This was a bit of a weird cage match, it went on for about twelve minutes and could have been better in my opinion. However, both men did deliver a good showing and Trick continued to look like a star. The outside interference from Carmelo’s bodyguards was perhaps unnecessary at this stage of the rivalry, where I would rather both men just go at each other, but served Hayes’ character well.

The match ends with the Trick Shot from Trick and the show ends with a Dragunov Williams stare down.

Winner: Trick Williams By Pinfall

Stitch’s Rating: A solid match that was very enjoyable, Trick and Carmelo are both incredible and I can’t wait for what comes next for them (Trick winning the world title is my choice!). The match suffered a little maybe by the time or the steel cage stipulation so it gets a 6/10.

Final Thoughts: A really enjoyable show that brought me right back into NXT and caught me up brilliantly. This show was an excellent set up/go home show and it did it’s job in making next week’s show unmissable. Final Rating 7/10.