WWE NXT #769 (January 21st, 2025) Pro Wrestling Review

We open up NXT in the hometown of NXT in the Performance Center. And I just want to note the very first thing is seeing Corey Graves on commentary.

Graves vocally was upset with being "demoted" to NXT on social media and was removed from last week's show, but then he arrives and says "I am right where I want to be" which is a wild thing to bring up or even reference. And heck, Vic Joseph says "this isn't AI" so who knows what they are supposed to talk about or say. Really threw me off to start the show.

We only see a few people walking in like NXT Champion Oba Femi, his challenger later tonight in Eddy Thorpe, and the newly traded to Monday Night Raw Bayley.

Match 1: NXT North American Championship Match

Tony D'Angelo (Champion) (with The Family) vs Ridge Holland (Challenger)

Tony D'Angelo is somebody who I haven't really gotten super into since he debuted in NXT. The mafia kingpin gimmick is just meh to me, and his skill is the ring isn't deserving of all the success and accolades he has already gotten. A NXT Tag Team Champion, Heritage Cup Champion, and now North American Champion after being the first person to beat Oba Femi. Just…he isn't all that to me.

Meanwhile Ridge is like super hated due to his character of being violent and injuring people, which then lead to him turning on Chase University, one of the most popular and loved things in NXT history. This even lead to Holland being the one to beat Andre Chase and lead to the University shutting down.

The crowd goes wild for D'Angelo and boo anything Ridge does.

The NXT fan base is incredibly dedicated, but also very vocal. Sometimes to a distracting degree with them cheering for whoever they want and never being quiet to let things feel more dramatic or breathe.

Ridge starts off overpowering D'Angelo and clubbing him down, leading to D'Angelo having to use his speed and skill to get the advantage.

Early on, Shawn Spears makes his way to the ringside area to distract D'Angelo as we go into commercial break.

The fighting goes to the outside with D'Angelo still dominating for a bit until Ridge throws his opponent into the ring post and targets his arm. They get back in the ring and D'Angelo fights back for a few seconds, but Ridge keeps going after the arm and shoulder to weaken up D'Angelo.

We come back from commercial during a Armbar, leading to D’Angelo only then fighting out of it and going on a big run, rather inconsistently selling his arm hurting.

We go on into a stiff strike exchange and a nasty Suplex from Ridge, almost getting him the win.

Ridge goes for a pair of Lariats, letting D’Angelo hit a Spear. This makes Shawn Spears get onto the apron, when D’Angelo takes him out. Spears faction mates Brooks Jensen and Nima run down to attack the family. Back in the ring, Izzi Dame runs down and hits Ridge with a Big Boot to help D’Angelo retain.

Result: Tony D’Angelo pinned Ridge Holland to retain

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

We go to the men’s locker room backstage with a few of the lower card around before Wes Lee walks in with his new bodyguards. Lee talks trash to Dion Lennox, then talks about Trick Williams as he walks in. Trick blasts Wes with a slap, just leading to a staredown before we go to break again.

We come back to see Bayley making her way down to the ring. The crowd goes wild with cheers and chants of “Welcome Home” with her just soaking it in for a bit.

Bayley talks about Roxanne Perez, saying that being compared to Natalya and CM Punk are compliments and not insults. Bayley said she came back to NXT because NXT doesn't owe anybody anything, and that Roxanne is entitled and she needs to take care of that.

Bayley talks about Roxanne showed up on both Raw and Smackdown, distracting Bayley in her matches and causing her to lose. Bayley says Roxanne isn't ready for the main roster, and definitely not to lead the youngest locker room in WWE history, mentioning a lot of the talented women including NXT Women's Champion Giulia.

This causes Giulia to come out, a dream match I hope we get sooner rather than later.

Giulia says that she traveled the world to get to NXT and that she looked up to Bayley, wanting to hold the Championship with honor and love just like Bayley.

Bayley says she is a fan of Giulia and says that she is excited to see how she does as Champion. Bayley basically gives a seal of approval onto Giulia with the crowd loving it, until Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade interrupt.

Roxanne makes fun of Bayley for 2 “embarrassing back to back losses” that were “caused” by Roxanne. Roxanne tries to cut her promo, but the crowd is so loud that you can't even hear her. Heck, when Cora Jade tried to cut her promo it is even harder to hear her. Impossible to understand what either of them are saying.

I give Roxanne and Cora credit for not crumbling under all the boos and being able to continue, but this was one of the things that made me hate this crowd. This wasn't a crowd that heightened the segment and the drama and the heat. It detracted from it and made this segment hard to watch.

The entire crowd even starts chanting “Shut the hell up!” which leads us into a brawl, with Bayley and Giulia standing tall while Cora and Roxanne run away.

This could've been great, but the crowd made it bad.

We go straight backstage to the women's locker room, seeing all the talent when Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan get into a shouting match. Karmen Petrovic comes in all butterflies and roses because she finally got with Ashante Thee Adonis last week, all of a sudden with renewed focus with loving some people and hating others.

But then we weirdly and awkwardly cut right back to the ring to see Bayley, Giulia, Roxanne, and Cora brawling again. I think we go into commercial break as security runs down and the brawl just keeps going and going and going on and on. The crowd keeps shouting “Let Them Fight!” but the brawling is so messy and awkward that it isn't all that impressive, and it goes on for so long.

So many pauses in between with security spearing them only for them to charge once again and keep fighting, which really just felt like they needed a way to kill time during the commercial break.

Roxanne and Cora are finally taken backstage, running into General Mamager Ava.

But then seconds later, Bayley and Giulia run backstage to try and keep the fight going.

Dion Lennox just walks on by for his next match, which was a cool way to keep the one camera shot and go straight into the next thing. I'll give them that.

Match 2: Singles Match

Dion Lennox vs Wes Lee (with Tyson DuPont and Tyrek Igwe)

Dion is a fine enough wrestler. Doesn't really have a character beyond “glasses=smart” and it hurts him. He's just bland and uninspired.

Meanwhile Wes Lee has long been incredibly talented even before WWE. PWG, Impact, and more as Dezmond Xavier was incredible. Since joining NXT, he has won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, NXT Tag Team Championships, and had one of the best North American Championship reigns ever. His new heel character and especially his new alliance with DuPont and Igwe has done a whole lot to make him feel like a big deal again.

Lee throws his jacket at Lennox as the bell rings to distract him, hitting a NASTY Rolling Wheel Kick that looked like it could've knocked Lennox out. Lee starts off aggressive and just stomping Lennox in the corner before hitting a Tope Suicida. Fast paced right away.

Lee goes back into the ring and Lennox throes him so high into the air that Lee legit almost leaves the frame. It was wild and the crowd lit up as Lennox went on a quick run of offense, taking Lee down and just pounding away with anger.

They actually go back and forth for a bit, each of them trading moves.

Lennox has the power advantage while Lee has experience and speed. Lee goes for unique moves and targets the legs, but Lennox keeps throwing Lee around or hitting massive power moves like a great Spinebuster.

Lee hits some great Superkicks and stuff before hitting his finisher the Kardiak Kick.

Crowd was into it and the action was really good, but ended quickly with a sudden finish.

Result: Wes Lee pinned Dion Lennox

Star Rating: 3.25/5 Stars

Wes grabs a microphone and calls out Trick Williams for a Match next week. Trick comes out and lays out Lee, accepting the challenge before bumping shoulders with Lennox on his way to the back. Lennox looks mad, which makes me hope we finally get a good story and character with him.

We get a video package of Lexis King, the irl son of wrestling legend Brian Pillman. King started off like his father, cheating and crazy and doing whatever he can to get an advantage. But now, he is going on a redemption arc. He continues to fight his genetics, often accidentally cheating to win or mistakes like accidental low blows and winning by dq getting him success. King is trying his best to redeem himself and be a good guy.

I was a huge fan of his Brian Pillman Jr days on the indys and in AEW, and I love how he is being booked and treated in NXT. Big fan.

We come back from commercial before our next match, Stephanie Vaquer cutting a quick backstage promo saying that she is coming for the NXT Women's North American Championship.

Match 3: NXT Heritage Cup Match

Lexis King (Champion) vs Charlie Dempsey (Challenger) (with The No Quarter Catch Crew)

The NXT Heritage Cup is contested under British Rounds Rules:

A. 5 3-minute rounds

B. 30 seconds in between each round

C. First person to earn 2 falls wins

D. A draw by the end of the last round goes to the champion

We get to see the son of William Regal vs the son of Brian Pillman for what feels like the 4th time in just a month. The story has been able to keep things fresh, so I'm fine with it. Just want to see somebody else challenge for the Cup. It started off with Charlie kind of a good guy and Lexis a bad guy, then we got both being respectful and honorable, and now it's sort of Lexis trying to be good and honorable with Charlie wanting his Heritage Cup back because he is all about respevt and honor and technical wrestling.

The match starts off very technical with a lot of great chain wrestling, which is my favorite style of wrestling. Trading holds back and forth, working over limbs with psychology, and being smart about what moves you go for when.

Charlie gets a super impressive roll up with an beautiful bridge, but them this leads to Charlie going for a leap frog like their last match, where King “accidentally” headbutted Charlie in the privates and got the win. King caught himself in the ropes to not do it again, the two sharing a respectful handshake before going right back into wrestling and some more amazing submissions and pin attempts.

The round ends as Charlie locks in a Crossface Chicken Wing, Lexis able to hold in and not quit.

Charlie has 3 people in his corner to help him, like cornermen in boxing, while King just has a bucket with a towel, water bottle, and brass knuckles.

The knuckles are a staple of William Regal, and were used previously in this feud to have King win the Cup by DQ, leading to the match last weak being contested under sudden death rules.

We go into the second round, with King starting on tip with his own technical expertise, leading to some great counters and trading pinfall attempts from both men.

Charlie hit a unique and great ripcord into an Gutwrench Suplex for a pin, but King kicked out quickly.

Charlie has a Chin Lock then a Ripcord Forearm, but King is able to survive and even keep up with the technical wizard Charlie Dempsey. The commentary really does a great job to push both men’s technical ability and expertise while also perfectly going into the psychology of both men.

King gets a sudden pin out of nowhere, ending the 2nd round on top 1-0.

We start off the 3rd round with Charlie having a lot more determination and anger, trying to get more physical and violent on hopes to get the advantage.

The NQCC on the floor is shouting at King to try and throw him off his game, letting Charlie keep the advantage with a stiff German Suplex and then a nasty looking hold with King’s arm extending. King got out and hit a big Superkick for a near fall, but Charlie fights back with a stiff, loud knee strike and a Butterfly Suplex to get a point and tie it up just before the 3rd round ended.

King goes to his corner and takes out the brass knuckles, but puts it away and says he'll win the right away.

Charlie starts off the 4th round just as aggressive, hitting a wicked Dragon Screw and locking in a Guillotine Choke, but King powers out and hits some strikes to build up a comeback. Starting to do good and get some momentum, hitting a great Northern Lights Suplex, but Charlie kicked out.

King climbed the corner and hit a Diving Crossbody, but Charlie kicked out. Another Superkick attempt is caught by Charlie and switched right into a German Suplex. King crawls to his bucket and the brass knuckles, but Charlie grabs him in another Chicken Wing. King throws Charlie out of the ring and hits a Tope Con Hilo onto everyone at ringside. King is about to get back in the ring, but Myles Borne grabs him to keep him from getting inside. King and Charlie bump into the referee, letting King hit a sneaky lowbrow followed by the Coronation to win.

It appears as King is back to his heelish ways, which is surprising to me.

Result: Lexis King beats Charlie Dempsey 2-1

Star Rating: 4/5 Stars

We see the WE Women's Tag Team Champions Naomi and Bianca Belair cutting a backstage promo against their Challengers next week, NXT’s Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson.

Before we go to our next match, we see Andre Chase walking backstage looking disheveled and depressed while Kale Dixon is watching Chase U highlights on a television. Kale’s whole thing is wanting to bring Chase U back and helping Chase, but it is done with such cliche and basic writing with some basic line delivery as well. Feeling like a B or even C movie.

Match 4: Singles Match

Karmen Petrovic (with Ashante Thee Adonis) vs Jaida Parker

Karmen and Ashante had a long running “will they won't they” romance storyline going on, with the two finally getting together last week with a rose and a kiss.

Jaida meanwhile is one of the rising young top stars of the NXT Women's Division.

The match starts off with a whole lot of taunting and trash talking before we get into actual action.

Karmen tries to use her technical progress and striking while Jaida is powerful and a brawler. Karmen gets some time to shine with different kicks and athletic evasions, but Jaida gets back with her strength and a nasty Electric Chair Drop.

Jadia throws Karmen into the corner and just beats her down with some shoulder tackles and a Springboard Hip Attack. Jaida then puts Karmen in the ropes and stretches her arms before having to let go. Jaida jus6 keeps beating up Karmen until Karmen is able to hit an Kick to the head, but Jaida hits a Fisherman Neckbreaker to Stomp it out right away.

Jaida locked in a Gory Special like move, but then went for a Suplex. Karmen rolled her up, but Jaida kicked out. Jaida went for another Electric Chair Drop, but Karmen reversed into a Victory Roll. Jaida kicked out again and Karmen tried some running strikes, but Jaida stayed standing.

We got a tiny bit of a sloppy moment with Karmen running, stopping to dodge a weak looking strike, then hit a Slingblade. Jaida quickly got back on top, brutalizing Karmen and going for her finisher Hipnotic, but Kelani Jordan ran down to distract Jaida and let Karmen get a quick roll up.

Result: Karmen Petrovic pinned Jaida Parker

Star Rating: 2.75/5 Stars

We go backstage to see Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson talking about their Match next week, but get interrupted by Sol Ruca and ZARIA. They share some tense words and Sol tries to build them up and give them a pep talk, leading to Jakara and Lash talking very humble and like faces. Jakarta and Lash promise to bring the titles back and that they'll let anyone have a shot against them.

I don't think we're gonna see the titles change hands, but man it really should. Lash and Jakara are awesome, and it'll add to the NXT Women's Division as being the best in the world and maybe even bring more eyes to the brand.

Match 5: Tag Team Match

Brooks Jensen and Nico Vance (with Shawn Spears) vs The Family (Luca Crusafino and Channing Lorenzo) (with Adrianna Rizzo)

This match is happening because earlier in the night, Spears almost cost Tony D’Angelo his North American Championship.

The two teams brawl before the bell even rings, showing all sorts of hatred and anger that is continuing on from earlier in the night.

The action is very fast paced and aggressive from the get go, neither team letting up.

The Family dominates at first, standing on top when we go to commercial break.

During the break, Brooks and Niko dominate with their immense power advantage and viciousness.

Luca gets brutally beat down, including a nasty looking Arm Drag with Luca landing awkwardly right on his shoulder.

Luca fights back with the crowd chanting him on, hitting a Lungblower and tagging in Lorenzo. Lorenzo goes on a run taking out both men on his own, including a Double Dropkick off the middle rope.

Luca gers back to his feet and hits Niko with an Superkick, but Brooks sends Luca to the floor. Niko hits a brutal looking Spear that sends Luca backwards into the steel steps. Then Niko gets a tag and flattens Lorenzo with a Lariat to get the win.

Result: Niko Avance pinned Channing Lorenzo

Star Rating: 2.75/5 Stars

We go backstage to see NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer and Axiom, who appeared on TNA Genesis this past Sunday. They talk about their future as champions and who their next challengers will be, including the fact tha they're going to TNA this Thursday to defend them against The Rascalz.

Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura interrupt, saying they want the next match.

OTM run over and jump Briggs and Imamura, leading to another big and violent brawl on this show, with all sorts of chaotic camera movements and stuff being thrown around.

We go backstage to see Tony D’Angelo talking to Izzi Dame before talking to The Family, who kept saying how they needed Tony out there. There seems to be some tension brewing, with Tony saying that Chance needs to handle it himself since he is the Underboss.

We go into a video package of Ethan Page and his attacks over the past few weeks. He seems to be fully mad now, fully insane and just wanting to hurt people. Breaking Je’Von Evans’ jaw, Cedric Alexander’s fingers, and Dante Chen’s leg.

Page promises to keep it up and break everyone on the roster.

We then go straight to Ava and Je’Von Evans, talking through a wired jaw. Ava then says that Cedric Alexander is cleared and will be able to fight Page.

A-Town Down Under from Smackdown come in and compliment Ava to try and be signed to NXT and appear next week in Theory’s home town.

Theory and Waller say they'll be out during the main event just to watch, and promise the winner a spot on the Grayson Waller Effect, a talk show segment hosted by Grayson Waller.

We get a run down of all the stuff going on next week in Atlanta, which is being treated like a real big and fun show.

Main Event: NXT Championship Match

Oba Femi (Champion) vs Eddy Thorpe (Challenger)

The story between Eddy and Oba is one full of jealously and deceit.

Eddy won a spot in the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge after complaining to even be given a chance to enter. He was then “attacked” backstage and taken out of the match.

Oba Femi went on to win the Iron Survivor, getting a shot at NXT Champion Trick Williams. Eddy claimed that Oba was the one who took him out and got a Championship Match first, but revealed he was lying about being attacked. Outsmarting people so he could get the match with as little effort and damage as possible.

Eddy vs Trick ended in a draw, with Trick retaining and Eddy sick of it.

Then a few weeks ago, we were supposed to see Trick vs Oba vs Eddy, but Oba legit took out Eddy. Eddy came out at the end, helping Oba win the title and wanting a proper one on one match.

The match starts off physical, with the two men brawling and trading strikes full of hatred. Oba quickly overpowers Thorpe and beats him down. Throwing him around like nothing.

Thorpe rolled out of the ring to try and escape, but Oba kept beating him up while barely breaking a sweat. Thorpe finally got the advantage by using the ropes, including a Dropkick on the apron to take out Oba to the floor and get some time to breathe.

Thorpe looks up at an elevated platform, seeing Austin Theory and Grayson Waller.

Thorpe keeps dominating as we go into the commercial break, hitting a lot of kicks while Oba won't stay down for long.

Oba is a wrestler who is always weird to see selling. He is so big and powerful that he should just steam roll everyone, but I like seeing him sell.

Thorpe uses a lot of intelligence and outsmarting to stay on top with great reversals and evasion to cause more damage to Oba.

Everytime Oba would go for a move, Thorpe would dodge it or reverse it into one of his own.

We get back from commercial and Oba throws Thorpe across the ring, fighting back to get on top once again.

A whole lot of powerful moves and clubbing blows gets the crowd on his side. Oba looks great in the ring despite his experience level, and has such intensity and effortless charisma.

A Spinebuster from Oba gets him like 2.9, the crowd shocked that Thorpe kicked out as late as he did.

Oba goes for a Chokeslam, but Thorpe locked in a Triangle Choke which looked great. Ona starts to lift him up with one arm, but Thorpe reverses into a great roll up.

Oba kicks out and blasts Thorpe with a Lariat and goes for a Suplex, but Thorpe hit a Stunner and a Diving Elbow Drop.

Oba barely kicks and the crowd lights up again.

They trade strikes back and forth with the crowd VERY behind Oba and booing Thorpe. Thorpe hits a fast German Suplex and goes for another Elbow Drop, but Oba catches him into a massive Chokeslam.

Thorpe barely kicks out, and the crowd sounded shocked.

Thorpe dodges a Powerslam, sends Oba into the ring post, then hits a big Dropkick. Thorpe goes for a Boot in the corner, but gets planted with a pair if Powerbombs.

Result: Oba Femi pinned Eddy Thorpe to retain

Star Rating: 4/5 Stars

The show goes off the air with Grayson Waller and Austin Theory trash talking Oba from their platform. Then we get Trick Williams coming out to have a staredown with Oba, Trick hitting Thorpe with a Trick Shot.

The show was packed full of progression and some good matches. My only real weak points for this show were the opening match and the women's brawl.

The opening match was fine enough, just between two guys I don't care about too much. But the idea of Shawn Spears taking the title has me very excited.

Meanwhile the women's promo and brawl was also fine, ruined by the crowd and running way too long for a pay off that came way later and announcing a match for next week.

But aside from those two minor gripes, I am very happy with this show and think it did a incredible job of putting forth the next top stars, storylines, and championship challengers.

Overall Rating: 8/10