1. Roxanne Perez will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Chelsea Green this week.Credit: WWE.com.

Following two eventful weeks of Spring Breakin’, NXT returned to its regular Tuesday grind but still promised big moments building toward Battleground.

After once more frustrated NXT general manager Ava, Roxanne Perez talked herself into her third NXT Women’s Championship defense against Chelsea Green.

Trick Williams would meet Meta-Four on Noam Dar’s “Supernova Sessions”, seeking answers after Lash Legend gave the NXT champion a foreboding warning about his future.

Wes Lee would return to action against Josh Briggs. Both men hoped to get an opportunity to challenge to Oba Femi for his North American Championship.

The women of NXT would compete in a Combine where the most impressive athletes would earn a spot in the ladder match to crown the first Women’s North American champion.

Some of those women would also be in action as rising NXT stars would face veteran talent. Karmen Petrovic challenged Shayna Baszler, and Arianna Grace tested herself against Michin.

This show focused on the key championships of the gold brand, setting the stage for the next big matches for NXT on the horizon.

Josh Briggs vs. Wes Lee

Wes Lee looked unstoppable in his first match back. While Josh Briggs tested the back of his opponent, the former North American champion kept fighting through, winning with a diving corkscrew senton.

One of NXT’s most underrated performers, Lee is back and delivering from the jump. He sold the physical attack of Briggs on his back while ramping up the intensity throughout the battle.

He looked completely healthy and motivated. He will be a perfect opponent for Oba Femi at Battleground.

While this does push Briggs back in line, he has made an impression in NXT all his own and will get more chances to challenge for gold sooner than later. A feud with Ivar is brewing that could help him continue to advance.

Result

Lee def. Briggs by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

1. • NXT started with a vignette highlighting Lee’s long journey back to action.
   • Lee was applauded backstage as he headed to the ring, happy to be back with one goal in mind.

🥹🥹🥹

It's so great to have you back, @WesLee_WWE! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/AmJubyZB9Y

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2024

1. • Ivar joined commentary to watch this closely.
   • Lee knocked Briggs outside with a cartwheel kick then dropkicked the big man into the Viking Raider.
   • Ivar and Briggs brawled after the bell until Lee dived onto both men. Femi laughed at all three from the stage.

Shayna Baszler (w/ Lola Vice) vs. Karmen Petrovic (w/ Natalya)

Karmen Petrovic tried her to make a statement at Shayna Baszler’s expense. However, The Queen of Spades wore her down then caught her in the Kirifuda Clutch to force a submission.

It is always good to see Baszler leaning into her ruthless technical offense, dissecting a body part with precision. She did what she could going up against Petrovic, who barely looked comfortable hitting her basic kicks.

The right woman won, and this feud is running out of steam. Vice already got her win, and Baszler hardly looks comfortable working with her long term.

Result

Baszler def. Petrovic by submission.

Grade

C-

Notable Moments

1. • NXT showed highlights from the great NXT Underground match last week before this match.
   • Baszler trapped the left arm of Petrovic in the metal frame underneath the ring and stomped her, beginning a focused attack on the arm.

.@QoSBaszler is absolutely vicious 😬#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/f5WG1Bir6b

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2024

1. • The Queen of Spades did not seem amused with Vice’s need to dance and taunt after the match.
   • Later, Natalya tried to coach Petrovic on taking the offensive in matches. She knocked out a man chatting her up backstage with a roundhouse kick.

No Quarter Catch Crew vs. Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe (w/ Special Guest Ref Stacks)

The Family facilitated an announcement that Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo would be the special guest referee of this match.

Stacks clearly fast-counted in favor of the newcomers Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe throughout. During an argument with Charlie Dempsey, Stacks shoved him into the arm of Igwe for a surprise roll-up for a fast three.

WHAT AN UPSET 😱

No Quarter Catch Crew just found out what it's like to be on the bad side of The D'Angelo Family 🤌🤌🤌#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/jNBwxkSYmk

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2024

This was much more (amusing) angle than match as the action hardly got going before the referee shenanigans set up the upset victory. Myles Borne barely got involved in the action at all.

It was good to see the newcomers pick up a win, even if it was a dubious one. Hopefully, they will continue to get chances to show what they can do as a team.

Result

Dupont and Igwe def. Dempsey and Borne by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

1. • No Quarter Catch Crew mocked the newcomers backstage to set up this match. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson also took offense to the attitude of Nathan Frazer and Axiom.
   • It was noted on commentary that Stacks had earned his officiating license ahead of this match.
   • No Quarter Catch Crew agreed to put the Heritage Cup on the line next week against Tony D’Angelo.
   • The Don kidnapped Damon Kemp and Borne to end the night, establishing Dempsey as the only man that could defend the Heritage Cup next week.

Michin vs. Arianna Grace

Arianna Grace was animated throughout this match but completely outmatched by the power and striking ability of Michin. The HBIC won with Eat Defeat.

For a match with a week of build, this was over too quick and hardly made the most of the talent involved. In particular, Michin’s timing was off, not hitting her strikes clean during her biggest stretch of offense.

She needed to win if she hopes to get involved in the Women’s North American Championship picture, so the result was expected. It just did not need to be a squash.

Result

Michin def. Grace by pinfall.

Grade

D

Notable Moments

1. • Chelsea Green and Grace got along well in the locker room while annoying Gigi Dolin, who said she was done with all of this.
   • Grace had Michin on the ropes for a moment with an armbar, but Michin powered out with a powerbomb.
   • Grace almost stole the win with a stack-up pin, but the referee caught her with her hands on the rope.
   • The Women’s Combine tested the speed, power, and conditioning of the 20 most impressive women in NXT. The top 12 announced by Ava advanced to qualifying matches. The results are shown below.

The results are in!@avawwe_ has announced the 12 superstars who will compete in the #NXTBattleground Qualifying Matches starting NEXT WEEK!!#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/uYvJhfT47G

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2024

Noam Dar Challenges Trick Williams on “Supernova Sessions”

Lash Legend revealed a picture of Noam Dar’s foot under the rope in their match, calling Trick’s title reign fraudulent. Trick was not amused, glad to accept a match with The Scottish Supernova.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

This was one of the most chaotic Supernova Sessions EVER with @_trickwilliams and Meta-Four 😳#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/vengwkBhl6

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2024

As the NXT champion asked Legend to reveal their relationship to the world, Dar laid out Trick with a back elbow.

This amounted to a whole lot of nothing. Trick himself even called out that his time was wasted in this segment.

While Dar can be a solid challenger for Trick, he does not come off as a real threat to the NXT champion’s reign. It may be hard to sustain this feud for a month into Battleground.

The best part of these segments so far is the obvious chemistry between Legend and Trick. If this leads to her working with Trick more, that might be the best option for all involved.

Grade

D

Notable Moments

1. • Jakara Jackson had trouble making Legend focus on Meta-Four and the groups’ goals throughout this segment.
   • Legend slipped and called Trick “babe”. Trick revealed that she also calls him “Trick Willy Wonka”.
   • Je’Von Evans called out Meta-Four in the parking lot for attacking Trick.

Fallon Henley vs. Kelani Jordan

Fallon Henley ripped the padding off the turnbuckle and used that opening to send Jordan into the exposed steel. She followed up with a Shining Wizard to win.

This is a match that could have been hyped up more before it happened, but it was still a great showcase for the new heel edge of Henley.

Henley was unleashed in this match, hitting hard and fast throughout. The action got a bit choppy down the stretch as they tested their dynamic, but the chemistry between them was still apparent.

Since the two are no longer partners, the best way to explore that chemistry in a longer-term feud between them. They could be the foundation of the Women’s North American Championship scene.

While Henley’s recent booking was flat, it was good to see it lead to a much-needed evolution. She needed this win badly and will hopefully keep stacking up victories from here.

Result

Henley def. Jordan by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

1. • Jordan questioned why Henley would turn on Hail in the locker room. Jordan and Henley almost came to blows.
   • Henley nearly knocked out Jordan by wrenching her head-first into the top rope.

This is a side of @FallonHenleyWWE we've never seen before…😳#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/NFa2gjArHu

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2024

Duke Hudson (w/ Chase U) vs. Lexis King

An unfortunate distraction from Ridge Holland, trying to stop Lexis King from getting in Thea Hail’s face, allowed King to hit Duke Hudson with the Coronation to win.

.@LexisKingWWE just stole another one 😡#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/xy3LGYjEV9

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2024

This was about par for the course with King’s matches. He was technically proficient, but the action never picked up.. It did not help that it only got four minutes though.

King picks up another win as he finally starts to build some momentum. He has done a solid job of establishing himself in NXT as the man no one likes, which should keep him on TV.

The main story in this moment seemed to be Holland working with Chase U. In his continued struggles to find his way, Chase U is an intriguing option, but it seems likely it will not work out.

Result

King def. Hudson by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

1. • Holland listened carefully to a distraught Thea Hail backstage and seemed to get along with Chase U. King ruined the moment, setting up this match.
   • Jazmyn Nyx warned Hail that she was coming for her after breaking Jacy Jayne’s nose.
   • King was more focused on Hail at ringside than Hudson, even heading outside to taunt her during the action.
   • Holland apologized backstage afterward to Chase U and promised to earn their trust.

NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Chelsea Green

Roxanne Perez overcame the crafty tactics of the veteran Chelsea Green and took her down with Pop Rox to retain the NXT Women’s Championship.

The dynamic of this match should have been awkward since both are heels, but Green naturally slipped into the crowd favorite role in this battle as Perez mocked and belittled her.

It was fun to see Green in a new role and competing in a match of this magnitude. She looked like she belonged in the NXT main event scene, nearly stealing one from The Prodigy.

The home stretch did not quite sell the possible upset, but the crowd was very much behind the possible result.

For a one-off title defense, this was a solid showcase that made clear why Perez will fit the main roster so well when the time comes.

Result

Perez def. Green by pinfall to retain the NXT Women’s Championship.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

1. • In an interview, Perez promised to make this title defense all about her.
   • Green nearly took the win in seconds with an arm-trap roll-up.
   • Green fired back after a beatdown from the champion with a Rough Ryder in honor of her husband, the former Zack Ryder.

Roxanne Perez overcame the crafty tactics of the veteran Chelsea Green and took her down with Pop Rox to retain the NXT Women’s Championship.

The dynamic of this match should have been awkward since both are heels, but Green naturally slipped into the crowd favorite role in this battle as Perez mocked and belittled her.

It was fun to see Green in a new role and competing in a match of this magnitude. She looked like she belonged in the NXT main event scene, nearly stealing one from The Prodigy.

The home stretch did not quite sell the possible upset, but the crowd was very much behind the possible result.

For a one-off title defense, this was a solid showcase that made clear why Perez will fit the main roster so well when the time comes.

Result

Perez def. Green by pinfall to retain the NXT Women’s Championship.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

1. • In an interview, Perez promised to make this title defense all about her.
   • Green nearly took the win in seconds with an arm-trap roll-up.
   • Green fired back after a beatdown from the champion with a Rough Ryder in honor of her husband, the former Zack Ryder.

.@roxanne_wwe and @ImChelseaGreen are pulling out all the stops tonight 😳#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/1TBTy0qiQS

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2024

1. • Perez countered the Unprettier followed by Green countering Pop Rox. The two traded pinfall attempts that almost delivered the three count.

Overall Show

This was an expected down week after Spring Breakin’, though it was a shame that so many matches fell into the three-to-four minute window.

The opener and main event were important spots for Roxanne Perez and Wes Lee to show off what they can do. In a new-look NXT after the WWE Draft, they are major leaders for the brand.

Fallon Henley showed why a heel turn may be the missing piece she needed to rise up the NXT roster. She, Kelani Jordan and Thea Hail are the women to watch in the Women’s North American Championship scene.

The women’s Combine did not work that well in practice due to how much required narrated montage. Seeing more of the action would have made the successes of the tournament qualifiers matter more.

The rest of the card was forgettable and did not clearly build to the future of NXT, though the Battleground picture may grow clearer soon.

Overall Grade: C+