WWE NXT Review - November 30, 2021

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Kay Lee Ray def. Dakota Kai in a WarGames Advantage Ladder Match

I hate that NXT gives these Ladder matches away for free every November before WarGames (not to mention that they've been done to death in WWE in recent years). Despite that, this was an awesome opener. These two never cease to bring the intensity and they were the perfect people from each team to do battle before WarGames. This could have happened at the even itself and no one would have complained. This could have gone either way and the babyfaces getting the WarGames advantage was fine seeing as how the heels got the WarGames advantage later on in the night.

Cameron Grimes def. Andre Chase

Chase works as the resident jobber of NXT. Just don't give him more mic time than what's necessary because the classroom skits are terrible television. In all seriousness, the guy is competent in the ring, so this was a solid squash for as long as it lasted. Duke Hudon's post-match slideshow was awful WWE comedy, but I'm still looking forward to their Hair vs. Hair match at WarGames.

Johnny Gargano Interrupted Bron Breakker, NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller and Tony D'Angelo

Apparently the main event was determined via a fan vote, and I say "apparently" because I thought for sure it would be Tommaso Ciampa against Breakker in a rematch from Halloween Havoc. I'm actually happy we didn't get that on this show, but fan voting can be questionable with WWE. Nonetheless, this was a solid segment that saw all of Team NXT 2.0 get mic time addressing their WarGames opponents. All of them cut quality promos, but Waller in particular has really come into his own as of late.

Von Wagner and Kyle O'Reilly def. Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde) in an NXT Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contender's Match

Legado already beat Wagner and O'Reilly a few weeks ago, so you had to know the babyfaces were winning here. It's amazing how much different of a match it becomes whenever Von Wagner tags in. The guy is abysmal, whereas O'Reilly worked wonderfully with Legado and those interactions were enjoyable. I really hope O'Reilly and Von Wagner don't win at WarGames because that might mean O'Reilly actually re-signed with NXT and I'm not sure anyone wants to see that.

Joe Gacy's Matches Against Local Athletes Were Interrupted by Diamond Mine

Gacy spoke last week about how he believes the NXT Cruiserweight Championship is a "divider" and that's why he wants to win it from Roderick Strong at WarGames. He then he would defend it against everyone regardless of height, size or gender, which was what led to the impromptu Gauntlet match that was quickly interrupted and ended in a no contest. This was admittedly interesting. I'm slightly more sold on Gacy than I was previously, and I get the feeling he may win the Cruiserweight title on Sunday. I mean, the Cruiserweight division is nearly nonexistent at this point, so does it even really matter at this point?

Solo Sikoa def. Edris Enofe

I first saw Enofe in action on an edition of 205 Live and he was very impressive. It's cool that he not only made his NXT TV debut on this show but also got the video package treatment earlier in the evening. He wasn't winning here, but he did get to look credible in defeat. Sikoa continues to roll, though I'm not overly enthused about his first real feud on the brand being with Boa. Even with the new face paint, the dude just isn't that good.

Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta def. Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz

Hartwell got a call in the back beforehand from the hospital and was told that Dexter Lumis disappeared. That seems fairly on brand for him, so I wouldn't be too worried if I were her. They're trying to tell the story that she's distracted and Pirotta has to pick up the pace for her, which once again happened here. Hartwell has to get her act together because I don't want these two breaking up any time soon. If they can continue to rack up wins, an NXT Women's Tag Team Championship opportunity may be in their immediate future.

Bron Breakker def. Johnny Gargano in a WarGames Advantage Ladder Match

This was quite the clash of styles and I say that as a positive thing. Breakker proved against Ciampa that he can more than hold his own and has future star written all over him. Of the two Ladder matches on this show, they made the right choice by having this go on last because this was wild at certain points. Not that the ladies didn't take risks, but this was just one notch above, at least in my opinion. Gargano never disappoints, but it's not like he had to carry Breakker here. This was a terrific main event and Breakker winning made sense after the babyfaces got the WarGames advantage at the start of the show.

Overall Show

NXT 2.0 has largely not been for me, but I will give the brand credit for putting together a compelling card for WarGames on Sunday night. I don't know if it will measure up to what we've come to expect from TakeOver specials over the years, but I'll go into it with an open mind. As for this show, it was bookended nicely by the two Ladder matches and both are worth seeking out. Most of the stuff in the middle was just sort of there, but it was a perfectly acceptable go-home show. NXT losing Gargano and/or O'Reilly in the next few weeks would be a real blow, but the brand is already in the process of introducing even more fresh faces, likely to replace them.

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