WWE NXT Review - February 14, 2023

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Tyler Bate def. Grayson Waller

Waller was "suspended" for a week for disrespecting Shawn Michaels during the post-show Vengeance Day media call (which I was a part of and witnessed firsthand) and this was his first match back. Bate has been rolling since joining the NXT brand and Waller's frustrations are growing, so the outcome made sense. This was fun stuff. I'm curious where this Waller-Shawn Michaels storyline is headed, though. I'm not convinced Michaels is coming out of retirement for a match against Waller, but maybe he can bring someone in as his surrogate of sorts? Perhaps Johnny Gargano, who has unfinished business with Waller?

Jacy Jane Explained Her Actions

Jane certainly has a presence about her, but I didn't think this was the strongest promo for her on her own. She had sound logic for betraying Gigi Dolin, but I'm still not sold on the idea of Toxic Attraction breaking up or that they'll be better apart than together right now. Jane needs work both on the mic and in the ring, but she has does potential to be successful. It was wise to save Dolin coming out seeking retribution for another week.

Tiffany Stratton def. Thea Hail

Hail wasn't 100 percent coming into this contest after being abducted by Schism last week, so she had an out losing. Granted, she would have lost anyway because Stratton is in the middle of being built up at the moment. There wasn't much to this match, but it didn't need to last longer than it did considering Hail has been an undercard competitor in the women's division so far and Stratton needed to keep her momentum rolling. I could have done without the many distractions from Schism, though.

Axiom def. Damon Kemp

Kemp beat up Axiom following Axiom's match with Bate a few weeks ago. Kemp has been long overdue for another opportunity on NXT TV following his feud with The Creed Brothers late last year, but this felt like a one-off to give Axiom a rebound win. This was a well-wrestled outing for as long as it lasted, but it would have been better with more time. This rivalry already appears to be over despite just getting underway.

Jinder Mahal Challenged NXT Champion Bron Breakker

It's interesting that the boos for Breakker are finally being acknowledged and even being incorporated into his character. Mahal mentioned how a "small pocket" of fans have turned against him, which could be planting the seeds for a double turn if Carmelo Hayes is much more favored in the buildup to their NXT Championship match. Regardless, this served as setup for Breakker vs. Mahal for the NXT title next week. That feels like a simulated match you'd see in WWE 2K22 Universe Mode. Does Breakker really gain anything from beating him?

NXT North American Champion Wes Lee def. Von Wagner

This was an open challenge from Lee. Although it looked like either Tony D'Angelo or Channing Lorenzo were going to accept, Dijak prevented them from doing so and Wagner stepped up instead. Mr. Stone (I forgot he dropped the Robert part of his name a while ago) attempted to motivate Wagner backstage a week or two ago, but it obviously wasn't enough because Wagner lost here (as he should have). He came close multiple times, so they told a nice story in the time they were allotted.

Charlie Dempsey def. Hank Walker

Dempsey already beat Walker at New Year's Evil last month and I don't think anyone was clamoring for a rematch. That said, I'm glad they kept this brief with Dempsey beating him decisively.

Trick Williams Attacked Ilja Dragunov

I thought this segment was really well done. Dragunov was being interviewed backstage when Williams called him out to the ring because it was Williams who Dragunov attacked in his return last week before he set his sights on JD McDonagh. McDonagh caused a distraction that allowed Williams to lay out Dragunov and get one over on him before their match next week (that Williams is guaranteed to lose). Williams got to show off a more serious side, Dragunov looked vulnerable for a change, and McDonagh continued his usual mind games.

NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez and Meiko Satomura def. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter

Chance and Carter disrespected Perez last week before apologizing this week. I thought their apology might turn out to be disingenuous and they'd turn heel, but that didn't happen. This didn't get enough time to feel main event worthy, but Satomura is an attraction and she delivered in her first bout back on the brand. Post-match, she announced her intentions to challenge Perez for the NXT Women's Championship, so look for that to go down at Stand & Deliver. I thought Zoey Stark might get the shot because of how she's been protected lately, but Satomura is a much more appealing opponent. Perhaps Satomura can beat Stark one of these weeks to cement her status as the number one contender.

Overall Show

There were a lot of moving parts on this week's edition of NXT that made it a stronger show than last week. Whatever Waller's doing should be intriguing, Lee remains a fighting champion, Dempsey and Gulak are officially allies, Breakker has an interim challenger, several stories are being told in the women's division, and Dragunov and Satomura being back is a big plus. I don't count the ongoing angle with Brooks Jensen and Kiana James as one of the better parts of the brand right now, but to each their own. This had a better flow than most NXT shows.

SEE MORE: NXT Reviews