WWE NXT Review - July 11, 2023

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams Confronted The Judgment Day

Finn Balor returned to NXT a few weeks ago to attack and Rhea Ripley was on the show just last week, so I can't say seeing them back on NXT was a surreal sight. This was still a solid segment, though, with everyone playing their roles well. Hayes and Williams interrupting them set up the tag team main event. Technically, Priest can cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on the NXT Championship and they teased it here, but it's safe to say that's not going to happen.

Chase U (Andre Chase and Duke Hudson) def. Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey

As much as I want Dempsey to be pushed, it made sense for Chase U to give them their comeuppance here after all the abuse they've put Chase U through. This was as well-wrestled as you'd expect given the talent involved. I've never been the biggest Chase U fan, but there's no denying they've gotten over with this audience and have become a fun act. Is Hudson turning on Chase inevitable?

Cora Jade def. Kelani Jordan

Jordan is already showing signs of potential despite being brand new to the roster and to wrestling in general. She could have used more time on Level Up, but I thought she had an impressive outing here in what was a perfectly passable match with Jade. Dana Brooke made the save for Jordan afterward and again got booed. I'm sure this is leading to a rematch between Brooke and Jade, but Brooke really needs a character refresh or possibly a heel turn. She's been stale as a babyface for years.

Ilja Dragunov def. Bron Breakker in an NXT Championship No. 1 Contender's Match

These two were a part of a Triple Threat for the NXT Championship last year at Halloween Havoc, but I believe this marked their first one-on-one encounter and it definitely delivered. Dragunov is excellent and Breakker works well with everyone. They had a great match here, even if the outcome wasn't in doubt. Was this Breakker's swan song from NXT? He's lost a majority of his matches since April and I'm not sure what's left for him to do at this point.

NXT Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton def. Ivy Nile (Non-Title)

Nile called out Stratton for tapping out against Thea Hail when the referee wasn't looking. This could have worked as a title defense for Stratton eventually, but it's clear officials doesn't see Nile on that level. I'd love for that to change, especially if she's going to be without The Creed Brothers going forward, but the fact she continues to be booked as a stepping stone isn't an encouraging sign. This was a decent match while it lasted.

Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo def. Joe Gacy

Maybe in the minority here (and maybe I just don't watch enough crime shows), but I've found this whole storyline confusing, wondering how Tony D'Angelo ended up in prison and why Stacks would work with Coffey. Putting D'Angelo's jail sentence on the line was pretty goofy as well, though the match itself was solid. Stacks winning should hopefully end this angle once and for all.

The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) def. NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams

As seen on Monday's Raw, Balor and Priest are back to being a cohesive unit, so it made sense for them to go over here. That said, was it really necessary for Hayes to get pinned by Balor again? They have to be building to a rematch between them for the NXT Championship because that's the only explanation for why Williams wasn't pinned instead. Regardless, this was an entertaining main event with Judgment Day scoring the second straight win this week.

Overall Show

Judgment Day were all over Raw and NXT this week and that's not necessarily a bad thing. They were the focal point of this episode, which was enjoyable on the whole. In addition to Judgment Day in the main event, we got an above-average Breakker vs. Dragunov match and those things alone made this a quality show. Everything else served a purpose. Only two matches have been announced for The Great American Bash so far, so they have two weeks to confirm the rest of the card.

SEE MORE: NXT Reviews