WWE NXT Review - June 4, 2024

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace def. Stevie Turner (Non-Title)

Needless to say, the TNA Knockouts World Champion competing in an NXT ring was quite the surreal sight. I know she was in the women's Royal Rumble earlier this year (as well as Mickie James when she was the Knockouts champ in 2022), but this was an advertised match and the crowd was behind Grace throughout. It was total domination as it should have been. She interacted with a few women backstage later on, so I wouldn't be shocked to see one of them answer her open challenge at TNA's Against All Odds event next week.

The NXT Women's North American Championship Summit Descended Into Chaos

These "summits" NXT tends to do on occasion are rarely any good because it's always a bunch of people talking and none of the promos standing out. That was once again the case here, but I suppose it could have been worse. This was designed to stress the importance of the newly-created championship and to set up the six-woman tag team match involving all of the combatants later in the night.

Jazmyn Nyx def. Thea Hail

I really hope this storyline isn't being stretched out so Hail can rekindle her rivalry with Jacy Jane once the latter returns. That said, I've been impressed by Nyx's progress in the ring. She certainly has an aura about her and could have potential if she continues to improve. This was a fairly basic bout and keeping it on the shorter side was probably for the best. Nyx winning was the right call after losing to Hail in their first encounter.

Je'Von Evans Attacked Shawn Spears

Spears attacked Josh Briggs before he could make his entrance, so Evans came to his aid and got the better of Spears. Their brawl was well done and set the stage for them to go one-on-one. Spears' return run has been underwhelming so far as he's lost more than I thought he would, but then again, it's not as if I expected him to be a main event player upon coming back. Putting over an up-and-comer like Evans is the best use of him at this point.

NXT Heritage Cup Champion Tony D'Angelo def. Damon Kemp

I couldn't care less about the NXT Heritage Cup Championship, but I like both D'Angelo and Kemp, so I was willing to give this match a chance. It was solid while it lasted and it didn't need to last long. It gave D'Angelo a straightforward win and that's about it. I'm ready for this rivalry to be over. I will say that it was nice to see No Quarter Catch Crew show off a different side to themselves with their pre-taped segment that aired earlier in the episode.

Natalya def. Izzi Dame

Props to Natalya for pulling double duty between the main roster and NXT just as her contract is about to expire. I have no doubt she'll re-sign, but the fact she hasn't already is pretty surprising. This NXT run would mean more if she wasn't simultaneously wrestling on Raw. A little time away from the main roster could go a long way in freshening up her stagnant character. This was fine and gave Natalya a rebound win after losing to Dame's ex-tag team partner, Kiana James, on Monday's Raw.

Gallus Attacked Tyson Dupont, Tyriek Igwe, Wes Lee and NXT North American Champion Oba Femi

Dupont and Igwe were on their way to the ring for a match when they were attacked by Gallus, so whatever match they were suppose to have never happened. That led to them talking to Lee and Femi and laying them out, too. It's been a decent effort to get heat on Gallus in recent weeks, but I still don't see Coffey winning the NXT North American Championship at Battleground. By the way, imagine if Lee reunited with The Rascalz to fight Gallus at some point?

Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker and Michin def. Lash Legend, Kelani Jordan and Fallon Henley

You'd think all of the babyfaces would have teamed together to take on all of the heels, but Parker and Jordan were switched because, well, I don't know why actually. The whole "Can they coexist?!" crap is so played out and doesn't even make sense heading into a Ladder match where it's every woman for themselves. This was a well-worked affair, if nothing else. Jane showing up at ringside was interesting. Expect her to challenge for the NXT Women's North American Championship once she's cleared.

NXT Champion Trick Williams and Ethan Page Signed the Contract for Their NXT Championship Match at Battleground

Yes, the idea of Page getting a title shot in his first match as an NXT Superstar lacks logic, but at leas they tried to explain it with Williams demanding Ava for the match because Page attacked him last week. Page did a majority of the talking in this segment and I thought he did a terrific job of introducing himself. Promos are his strong suit, so the more his mic work his highlighted, the better off he'll be. The build to Williams vs. Page at Battleground has obviously been very rushed, but I'm looking forward to that way more than I would have Williams vs. Noam Dar (which appeared to be the plan for a few weeks).

Overall Show

Page and Grace coming in has already injected new life into NXT and the Battleground card, which already had potential on paper. This was a successful go-home show that touched on everything we'll be getting at the event, including the video package for Lola Vice vs. Shayna Baszler that was well done. Whether the brand can maintain this momentum coming out of Battleground remains to be seen.

SEE MORE: NXT Reviews