WWE NXT Review - January 31, 2023

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Indus Sher def. The Creed Brothers

This match has been in the works for a while, and although I was originally surprised it wasn't saved for Vengeance Day, I guess the card is already full as it is. It ended up being worth the wait because this was a very good match while it lasted. These teams have quality chemistry together and I appreciated how hard-hitting this was. Indus Sher winning keeps the feud alive and Creed Brothers losing due to a distraction from Jinder Mahal at ringside protects them in defeat.

Zoey Stark def. Indi Hartwell

First of all, congrats to both women for being included in the women's Royal Rumble. Stark could use some more time in NXT, but Hartwell is definitely ready for the main roster. She loses more than she should, but I'm hoping that's because she's on her way out of the brand and onto either Raw or SmackDown (preferably Raw so she can be with the rest of The Way). This was a nice match from them, even though it didn't last too long.

Von Wagner and Robert Stone Interrupted NXT North American Champion Wes Lee and Dijak; Dijak def. Von Wagner

I thought for sure Wagner would have been called up to the main roster by now. I'm not complaining that he hasn't been, but it's weird how he completely disappeared from NXT TV and started appearing on Main Event. It looks like those plans have been pushed back for now if he showed up here. Anyway, I liked the verbal exchange between Lee and Dijak to hype up their championship clash for Vengeance Day, and the impromptu match between Dijak and Wagner was solid. Dijak had to win ahead of his title match, and Wagner teased a character change later on in the show while in the back with Stone. We'll see what comes of it.

Tyler Bate def. Axiom

I appreciated the nod to their history in NXT UK when they were shown watching an old Bate vs. A-Kid match backstage beforehand. I still don't understand the point of A-Kid being repackaged as Axiom as it hasn't made much of a difference, but at least he's still having fun matches like we saw here. They were given an ample amount of time and both men shined. I was happy to see Damon Kemp resurface afterward attacking Axiom as that should be the next feud for both men.

NXT Women's Roxanne Perez and Toxic Attraction Brawled Backstage

This started out as Vic Joseph conducting split-screen interviews with Perez and Toxic Attraction but devolved into a brawl once Perez had enough of their trash-talking and attacked them where they were backstage. Perez's promo wasn't great as her mic skills remain her biggest weakness, but Toxic Attraction did an effective job of carrying the rest of the segment. Despite that, I still don't see them as a threat to the NXT Women's Championship at Vengeance Day.

Stevie Turner def. Dani Palmer

I was a big fan of Turner's work in NXT UK and am glad she's getting a chance in NXT, but this wasn't the strongest debut for her. The match was perfectly fine, but the crowd didn't seem to care one bit. I know they've given her the vignette treatment in recent weeks, but the Twitch streamer gimmick is pretty lame. Why not keep it basic and have her do what she was doing in NXT UK? She's talented enough in the ring to where she should be able to work through it, regardless.

Drew Gulak def. Charlie Dempsey

I honestly couldn't care less about Hank Walker, so this was the match I was looking forward to. It was heavy on the submissions and technical wrestling just as I hoped it would be and they made the most of the time they had. My only nitpick was the outcome as I feel Dempsey should be more protected. He doesn't lose a lot, but I would've preferred to see him win here. That said, they're probably telling a story with the rookie having to do more to beat the veteran, so a rematch should be coming.

Chase U (Andre Chase and Duke Hudson) def. The Dyad and Edris Enofe & Malik Blade in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match to Qualify for the NXT Tag Team Championship Match at Vengeance Day

I don't know why the NXT Tag Team Championship match at Vengeance Day has to be a Fatal 4-Way, but Chase U being added shouldn't hinder it at all. The gimmick has never been my cup of tea, but there's no denying they're over and the crowd was happy to see them win. This was well worked with all three teams getting a chance to shine. Pretty Deadly are my pick to regain the tag titles on Saturday.

Overall Show

The Vengeance Day card has come together quite nicely over the last few weeks. I'm especially excited to see the brand back on the road and I hope this is the start of NXT running more shows outside of Florida beyond just WrestleMania weekend. As a go-home show, this succeeded in hyping up the event and there were a few entertaining matches to boot. Incorporating the NXT UK talent into the mix has been a big boost to NXT lately.

SEE MORE: NXT Reviews