NXT REVIEW – WEEK OF JAN 13
NXT – January 17
Tiffany Stratton Interview
Tiffany is interviewed by McKenzie about her return last week. McKenzie tells her she wanted her thoughts on the footage from the previous night as Tiffany was not received well. Tiffany is going to her locker room, but it’s locked. She knocks on the door; Indi opens it and tells her about the locker room situation. Tiffany asks out loud, “Does she even go here anymore?” “Is she joking?” Tiffany responds that the footage is “disturbing and alarming” and she’s “going to have to show them there’s only one superstar in the women’s division, and that’s me!”
Looks like @indi_hartwell isn't a fan of @tiffstrattonwwe.#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/JDQ2kFYvV5 — WWE (@WWE) January 18, 2023
Astrid’s Point
I liked how this was a simple way to set up Tiffany vs. Indi and help Tiffany build up those victories, setting her up as a future contender.
Toxic Attraction Promo
“Gigi and I aren’t usually the ones to say, “We told you so,” but… Jacy begins. “We told you so!” they say in unison. “We said at the end of the night, Alicia was going to announce your winners, Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin: Toxic Attraction, and that is exactly what she said,” Gig continues. “Alicia, you did your job; kudos to you, girlfriend, but the best part was watching all of your collective minds explode when it came down to Gigi and me.” You mustered up every ounce of athleticism you had just to get out of your chairs, you elbowed the guy next to you, and you said, “This is it; Toxic Attraction is done!” Jacy says. “They’re breaking up, and history is unfolding right before our very eyes.” “Your hands are on your head, and for a hot section, Jacy tried to eliminate me,” Gigi continues. “For a hot second, Gigi tried to eliminate me,” Jacy follows. “But at the end of the day, we’re a team; we think together, we act together, and we even fall to the floor at the exact same time together,” Jacy says. “There is no animosity; there is no jealousy; there’s no elephant in the room.” “There’s only Toxic Attraction doing exactly what needs to be done, and the Toxic Attraction revenge tour is in full effect, baby, and it’s heading full steam into Charlotte, North Carolina,” Gigi says. “Vengeance Day baby, Roxanne, we promise you will regret the day you became the NXT Women’s Champion because come February 4, all you’ll be hearing is “here are your winners and new entrants.” Jacy speaks as she is interrupted.
“All I’m hearing are a couple of Toxic Crows demanding to be heard; if it wasn’t for Cora Jade, I would be flying towards Vengeance Day while you two sit at home and put the blame on each other, but that’s okay, I will get my opportunity because I don’t see a champion when I look at either one of you,” Lyra begins. “I’m sorry, Lyra, but where did you come from?” “You’re new, I get it; you dropped from the sky; you’re whatever, but Gigi and I have been champions for longer than you’ve even had your wings,” Jacy tells Lyra. “You’ll learn that Toxic Attraction runs things here at NXT, so nice try, trying to get your Toxic Attraction rub, but to the back of the line you go because clearly you’re not taking any of our shine,” Gigi tells Lyra.
“All I see are two women who know they can’t beat Roxanne by themselves, so they have to do it together,” Lyra tells them before they both kick her in the midsection and begin their attack until Roxanne arrives. They run out of the ring once she assists Lyra; she welcomes them to reenter, but they don’t.
Astrid’s Point
I was wondering who would interrupt this promo when it started; I didn’t think it would be Lyra, but it made sense with her being one of the last people eliminated in the Battle Royal. It was an interesting set up to give a preview towards the Vengeance Day match.
Stevie Turner Vignette
Stevie is giving her reaction to last week’s Battle Royal: “Cora Jade didn’t have to wait a generation to get eliminated as Lyra Valkyria sent her flying over the top; Cora won’t get over that one for a while.” She also says, “I can’t get over Kiana saving Fallon Henley, and why was Elektra Lopez giving Valentina Feroz advice?” Ladies, forget alliances; this is every woman for herself. Sol Ruca broke TikTok with her athleticism, whereas Wendy Choo broke her fall—that was until Elektra pulled the rug, or should I say pillow, from under her. I love the utter chaos of these battle royals. No algorithm put that final result together with every shot I could pull up, showing joint winners. Of course, if I’d been there, I’d have won it, but that day is rapidly approaching, so stay tuned for that and updates on the life of Stevie. And just remember, I am always two levels above and two steps ahead.”
Astrid’s Point
I like Stevie’s vignettes with her analyzing the women’s division from the outside, as she still hasn’t debuted. It makes me wonder if she will pick her opponent based on what she sees.
Alba Fyre v. Sol Ruca
They lock up until Alba has the momentum to push Sol into a corner, and Sol is able to move right away from there. They go to lock up, but Alba wraps her arms around Sol’s waist until she throws herself face-first onto the mat and then goes for a pin attempt.
Alba gets up, and Sol goes for a drop toehold takedown on Alba, keeping her in place until she reverses it, but Sol does a cartwheel to break free. Sol goes for a clothesline. Alba ducks and wraps her arms around Sol’s waist, pushing her to a corner, but Sol is able to jump to avoid the contact. Alba stops herself from running into the turnbuckle.
Alba goes after Sol, who used the ropes to jump for a crossbody pin attempt. Alba goes to set up a Gory Bomb, but Sol reverses it for a back slide pin attempt. Alba goes to kick her, but Sol pushes her away. They shake hands, Alba picks up Sol’s leg to take her down, Sol kicks her away, then gets up with a kick up as Alba bounces off the ropes and faces Sol. Ruca goes to run after Alba; she pushes her so she bounces off the ropes; Alba goes for an arm drag, but Sol reverses it to a cartwheel and grabs Alba’s face for a face plant on the canvas and a pin attempt.
Sol is picking up Alba; she slaps both of her sides, then throws her headfirst on the canvas and begins to stomp on her several times. Alba hits the back of Sol’s head before throwing him face-first onto the canvas again. Sol is beginning to stand up, Alba kicks her twice, she’s setting up a Gory Bomb, Sol is wiggling out of it, Alba chops her chest, goes to pull Sol who then pulls Alba to the corner, but Alba jumps to avoid her however Sol picks her up, Alba is able to slip out. Alba kicks her, she takes a few shots to Sol’s back, and we’re able to see Isla Dawn watching the match. Sol jumps as Alba is making her way towards her, and she’s able to go for her finisher, Sol Snatcher, a pin attempt, and victory.
Astrid’s Point
The match itself was very quick, which was surprising, but it was more about the story it told. Alba had an occasion where she seemed to snap because of how violent she was getting; it seems Isla has influenced Alba’s mindset.
Alba Fyre, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance Segment
Alba is placing her bat on a referee backstage. Katana and Kayden arrive to take her away from him. Alba is upset that the referees were able to take him away. Katana asks Alba what’s going on, and she tells her that she doesn’t know what’s going on. Katana says she “just needs to be patient; it took us some time to win the tag titles.” Kayden says, “We are the longest reigning tag champs, and there’s no team that can beat us, so chill.” Alba says, “Women’s tag team champion Alba Fyre sounds good to me.” Kayden asks if she has a double personality or what’s happening with her since they just rescued her. Katana says they can take her on, but she doesn’t have a partner, and Alba says, “I don’t need one.”
Astrid’s Point
I wonder if Isla will show up on the apron for Alba to tag her in, adding another layer to their story, especially if they win over a team like Katana and Kayden, who have been a team for a while now.
Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs, Brooks Jensen and Kiana James segments
During Briggs and Jensen’s match against Gallus, Brooks is thrown by the ramp with the floor exposed; Fallon checks on him, and Kiana arrives to check on him as well. Briggs and Jensen are in the trainer’s room when Fallon arrives.
“What the hell was she doing out there?” she asks Briggs. “First of all, she has a name.” Second of all, Kiana’s out there trying to check on me. Fallon tells him, “Clearly, she did more harm than good; you cannot be that blind.” Briggs says, “She was more upset about me than you were.” Fallon replies, “How does she have you wrapped around her finger, Brooks? She doesn’t like you; she’s using you.” Briggs says, “What is she using me for?” You got the bar back, right? “She likes me, I like her, and you’re going to have to deal with it.” Fallons tells him, “I don’t have to deal with anything. When she breaks your heart, I won’t be here to pick up the pieces.”
Later on, Briggs and Jensen are backstage, and when Fallon arrives, she apologizes to Brooks for earlier, wanting the best for him. “I know Kiana means a lot to you, so I’m going to try to make it work. I even went to ask for a tag team match, and my partner is Kiana James.” Briggs is happy that she’s giving it a chance; she tells him she’s only doing it for him, and they hug.
Astrid’s Point
I didn’t like the timing of how quickly Fallon changed her mind on Kiana, and I began to wonder whether Fallon would be proven right in the end.
Valentina Feroz vs. Thea Hail
They begin with a lockup until Valentina has a headlock on Thea. She takes Thea down, but Thea is able to use her momentum to get back up quickly. They lock up again momentarily, then Thea has a head lock on Valentina until she focuses on her arm, at which point Valentina reverses it, forcing her knee onto Thea’s arm. Thea is able to kick up and reverse it on Valentina’s arm; Valentina takes Thea down, but Thea kicks her, runs to her, but Valentina takes her down for a pin attempt.
Valentina goes after Thea; she sweeps her off of her feet for a pin attempt, but Valentina kicks up quickly. Thea goes for an arm drag; she’s going for a second one, but Valentina stops her and throws her over her head, followed by a low double kick and pin attempt. Valentina has a submission locked in, Elektra arrives, Valentina pushes Thea towards the ropes, she bounces back, looking for a Crucifix pin, Valentina is struggling to pick her up as Thea is wiggling out until she’s on the mat, pulling for Valentina, but Feroz is able to lock Thea’s shoulders with her knee for a pin attempt.
Thea kicks Valentina, then goes for a moonsault and pin attempt. Thea goes for a second pin attempt, then a third. Thea is going towards Valentina’s arm, but Valentina reverses her for a pin attempt. Valentina knees Thea’s midsection then kicks her face, pulls her towards the ropes, going for a clothesline when Thea returns towards her, but Thea bounces again as Valentina bounces for a cross body and Thea was too.
Elektra gets closer to the action, and Duke and Andre Chase are wondering about her intentions at ringside. Elektra places the brass knuckles on Valentina’s hand; she screams at her for doing it; she tells the referee she didn’t use them and throws them at him. Valentina focuses on Thea, who is able to use the distraction to do her finisher and pin Valentina for the win.
After the match, Valentina is in the locker room, and Elektra arrives to tell her, “You won’t learn?” “Why didn’t you take my help?” Valentina tells her, “I don’t cheat.” Elektra replies, “Valentina, whether you play by the rules or throw the rule book away, you fight to win.” “You fight for respect.” Valentina says Elektra and Sanga think alike, to which Elektra responds that they do but also “to stop sulking over Sanga.” “I sat with men before and I realized that to get what I want, I have to stand on my own and do whatever it takes, and I practice what I preach. Make sure you watch my match with Wendy Choo next week.”
Astrid’s Point
Based on Elektra’s interaction with Valentina, I wondered if they’re building a Latina stable, with Elektra recruiting them. Also, when she said, “I have to stand on my own and do whatever it takes, and I practice what I preach,” it made me realize it wraps up her storyline with Tony D. and Legado del Fantasma moving on without her.
Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) vs. Lyra Valkyria & Roxanne Perez (c)
Before the match, McKenzie interviews Roxanne and Lyra about teaming up. Roxanne replies, “We are united by a common enemy, whether it’s Toxic this week or Cora Jade last week. I know what it’s like to be the new girl here, and everybody knows that since the day I walked in here, Toxic has tried to make my life miserable, and I’m not going to let them do that to Lyra.” Lyra says, “Normally I fly alone, but tonight I make an exception. Roxanne was there for me, so in the main event, I’m going to be there for her.”
Jacy goes after Roxanne, who ducks and holds Jacy’s head to take a few shots. Lyra enters the ring to go after Gigi, kneeing her midsection. They both hit an uppercut on their opponents until they both exit the ring. Roxanne runs to the ropes, dives onto Jacy outside, Gigi gets in Roxanne’s face, Lyra kicks her through the ropes, and Roxanne brings Jacy inside the ring for a pin attempt.
Roxanne is focused on Jacy’s arm; she is holding on to it until she gets to her corner. Lyra tags herself in; she kicks Jacy’s arm, knees her midsection twice, then hits her with an uppercut. Lyra has a headlock on Jacy; she backs towards the ropes until Roxanne tags herself in; Lyra bounces off the ropes, slides under Jacy to keep her in place while Roxanne bounces off the ropes too for a takedown, then bounces off again for a double kick to Jacy and a pin attempt.
Roxanne focuses on Jacy’s arm and wraps it around her leg for a pin attempt. Holding on to Jacy, she goes towards her corner to tag Lyra, kicking Jacy’s arm as she lands. Lyra has Jacy’s arm until Jacy kicks her, then tags Gigi. Dolin goes after Lyra, and Valkyria takes Gigi down with a hip toss. Holding on to Gigi’s head, she tags in Roxanne.
Perez hits Gigi with a running uppercut and then a pin attempt. Roxanne wraps her arms around Gigi’s waist. Gigi goes towards the ropes, tagging Jacy in the process while Roxanne is focused on the roll-up pin attempt. Jacy runs with a neckbreaker before taking a few shots at Roxanne. Perez is crawling to her corner, Jacy shot Roxanne in the back and pulled her to her corner, Jacy runs with a back splash and tags in Gigi.
Jacy assists Gigi with a running bronco buster, Jacy runs to hit Roxanne with her centon, and Gigi pulls her to the center for a pin attempt. Gigi holds onto Roxanne’s head, kicking it a few times, and tags in Jacy as Gigi hits Roxanne with a head butt. Jacy goes for her centon and pin attempt. Roxanne is crawling towards Lyra, Jacy pulling her away, taking a shot to her back then tagging Gigi in.
Jacy pulls Roxanne towards Gigi, who kicks her, then Jacy clotheslines her. Gigi goes for the pin attempt. Roxanne attempts to approach Lyra, but Gigi pulls her away, tags in Jacy, Gigi kicks Roxanne, and Jacy runs to take Lyra down in the corner. Jacy has raised Roxanne, who counters it; Jacy elbows Roxanne; Jacy runs to the ropes; Roxanne is able to avoid her; both women hit each other with a face buster.
They tag their respective partners, Lyra clotheslines Gigi, kicking her midsection then kicking her arm; Jacy is going after Lyra; she ducks, hitting her with an enzuigiri; Gigi is running towards her; Lyra hits her with a suplex; she climbs the post; Cora Jade arrives to push her down; and Lyra kicks Jacy away from her. Lyra tags Roxanne, Roxanne takes down Gigi to hit her with several shots, and Lyra hits a cross-body outside onto Cora. Roxanne hits Jacy with a running uppercut, and Lyra and Cora are going at it on their way backstage. Roxanne hits another running uppercut on Jacy and goes for a Russian leg sweep, but Gigi kicks her down; the referee didn’t see it. Toxic Attraction goes for their finisher, but Jacy hits Gigi instead because Roxanne moved; she apologizes. Roxanne performs the Russian leg sweep on Jacy and kicks Gigi in the midsection, laying the groundwork for the Pop Rocks and pin attempt.
I always enjoy seeing Jacy and Gigi’s double-team moves and how well they work together. I had a feeling Cora would arrive during this to continue her rivalry with Lyra. I also thought some kind of miscommunication would happen between Toxic Attraction and Roxanne to begin to build doubt about them both having a championship match against her.