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NXT Recap and Reactions (October 11, 2022): JD’s Revenge

October 12, 2022

Halloween havoc is a fortnight away, so NXT is setting the stage for a big show. Claire is the best guide one could ask for. so check out his blog. Me? I’m just doing my best to keep up.

Let’s talk NXT!

Bron revenge

Bron Breakker is not a man who forgives or forgets. After his opener with Javier Bernal – of which there was not much to say – Bron found himself facing JD McDonagh and Ilja Dragunov. Anything involving those three rounds gets physical, so of course JD threw the first punch by headbutting Ilja. Ilja then nailed Bron with her own headbutt, which seemed accidental but we never got a response. Why? Glad you asked.

Ilja decided he had enough for the night and encountered Grayson Waller as he left the building. Grayson cut off Ilja’s interview, so we never got an answer about her previous intentions, but I mean, that didn’t matter either. Whether he wanted to hit JD or not, he hit Bron. Which means it was only a matter of time before Bron got a little clawback.

Waller engaged in a match with Dragunov, and it was another solid match. Waller looked awfully overwhelmed at first, but eventually found his footing by squirming a few takes and just being a slimy bastard. Dragunov didn’t seem distracted by Bron’s presence. Maybe he forgot about it because Waller is just so annoying and has that effect on people. But all that changed in the third act.

Waller found an opening and went for his patented stunner. But at the entrance, the lights went out and the wheel turned. By himself. This quirk scared Waller enough and gave Ilja a second wind. He reversed Waller’s stunner into a beautiful German suplex. Ultimately, that’s all she wrote for Waller.

Oh and Bron? He showed up with a spear for Dragunov and posed for the crowd while JD’s freaky ass sat in the audience and clapped.

Obviously, we needed some animosity between Bron and Dragunov, because that plays into JD’s hands as well. But it also makes the game more interesting. It’s not the greatest story ever told, but it’s effective.

Extracurricular activities

No tricks, just treats

Nathan Frazer and Axiom put on a hell of a show this week. Their third match in their best of three delivered more than the previous two. Maybe because the winner gets a shot at the North American Championship at Halloween havoc. Maybe because after two games together, the two men know each other better and their chemistry is at a boiling point. Either way, these two got incredibly physical, applied a lot of counters, took at least one very nasty bump, and struggled with every style possible. They had plenty of time and every well-deserved second.

At times like this, I settle for the obvious: watch the game.

Here are new challengers…

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade have come a long way. From teaming up to being two guys lusting after Mandy Rose, to being labeled as underachievers. Now? They are suitors.

The triple threat match between them, Briggs & Jensen and The Dyad was another gem this week. It was generally chaotic, but it also told an interesting story. At least when it comes to Enofe & Blade and The Dyad. For the former, it was about developing a serious attitude towards winning. As the match continued, it showed until the point where they got the three count.

For the latter, it was Cameron Grimes and Joe Gacy. Gacy got physical and stepped in. Just when it looked like the Dyad had a W in hand, Grimes came out of nowhere with a Cave-In to Gacy. He followed that up by distracting the Dyad, leading to a block victory for Enofe & Blade.

Pretty Deadly watched their next challengers celebrate this milestone. Halloween havoc just gets better.

Mandy’s Surprise

Alba Fyre beat Jacy Jayne but that’s not the story here. As Alba celebrated, a hand grabbed her from the crowd. Turns out that hand belonged to Sonya Deville. Toxic Attraction mentioned a surprise for Alba and it turns out it was Sonya. The three women beat Alba’s tar and dropped her through the commentary table. Mandy’s best friend supports her, which is a really cool storytelling.

Sonya Deville is in NXT for at least a bit. How will Alba Fyre react?

Wes Lee has a new partner

Wes Lee and Stacks struggled in a decent game this week. Nothing horrible since both guys can get going, but, as usual with a lot of NXT matches, it took longer. Wes got the win because of course he did and it’s the right call.

The post-game beatdown happened courtesy of Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. Oro Mensah made the save, which revitalized Wes. Looks like a match is on the horizon and Lee might finally have a new partner.

indian wrestling

Valentina Feroz fought Indi Hartwell this week in a small showcase. This match seemed built around Indi and putting some muscle behind her. She looked powerful but Valentina continues to show potential. Indi ending the match with a powerful suplex was all about strength. So yeah, like I said, make Indi look strong.

NXT was solid. Sonya Deville was the biggest moment of the night and adds another wrinkle to Toxic Attraction, which is needed at this point.

Solid show.

Category B

This is my note and I stick to it. Your turn.