NXT FEUD TRACKER: Brandler evaluates the champions and their challengers in men’s and women’s divisions including Greyson Waller, Kelani Jordan plus other feuds

Last week’s (9/15) edition of NXT provided viewers with the number one contender for Grayson Waller’s NXT Title. In addition, new potential contenders were established for both Women’s Titles. Later in the show, General Manager Robert Stone announced that he is bringing back the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Let’s evaluate the top happenings regarding the latest feuds.

NXT MENS HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Men’s Champion: Grayson Waller

There was a Triple Threat match to determine the number one contender for Waller’s NXT Title. The three competitors, Tony D’Angelo, Mason Rooks, and Saquon Shugar had strong surges in which it looked like they were going to win. Late in the match, Shugars had a cover, only for the ref to be pulled out by Tristan Angels. Angels and Shugars continued their fight. That left Tony D and Rooks in the ring. They went back and forth with big moves and near falls. Rooks hit his Blue Thunder Bomb into a big splash for the pinfall win. Rooks will get a title shot at Grayson Waller.

Brandler’s Bit: The Triple Threat match was solid. All three were technically baby faces so it was hard to root for a favorite in the match. As a result of the match, Shugars has a new feud, the 23-year-old cocky Angels. He has something that none of the NXT men have. Rooks vs. Waller will be a first-time match up which adds a degree of intrigue. I think keeping the title on Waller is much better for future matchups.

NXT WOMEN’S TITLES

Women’s Champion: Kelani Jordan. Kelani came out and used the same verbiage as last week about winning the title in her only title match etc. She stated there is no one in the locker room who can hang with her. She was surprisingly interrupted by the new AAA Reina de Reinas (Queen of Queens) champion, La Catalina. Catalina in both English and Spanish declared herself a top contender. This led Zaria to come out and reiterate that she is the most dominant NXT North American Champion. Upon hearing this, Thea Hail sprinted to ring, telling Zaria, I tapped you out last week and I am a serious contender for your title. The four of them started fighting with La Catalina teaming up with Hail and Jordan and Zaria making an unlikely pairing. Next week: A tag team match with Hail and Catlina vs. Jordan& Zaria.

Brandler’s Bit: Let’s start with my weekly comment about the whiny Jordan promo. Do I have to accept that this is her character? La Catalina coming out in response to Jordan’s challenge was very unpredictable. I was much more interested in what La Catalina had to say in Spanish and English than in Jordan’s whiny tone! Zaria and Thea add good contrast to Jordan and Catalina. The 5’8” Zaria (who looks taller) makes the much shorter 5’2” Hail look like a great underdog wrestler. The tag match next week has some combustible elements due to the parties in the ring. Add in Izzy Dame’s psychological jabs at Zaria, and I think there is the making for a big Halloween Havoc match.

Also in the Women’s Division was a skit involving former Women’s Champion Kendal Gray’s visit to the “doctor.” Kendal is not being medically cleared due to her multiple traumas and her vertigo. She is referred to the Sports Psychologist (cue dramatic music here).

Brandler’s Bit: Why does NXT have a great wrestler, who is getting better at connecting with an audience, attempt to act? Kendal was terrible. The “doctor” was bad, not in a “Doctor Stevie” way bad, but as a cardboard cutout of a doctor. The “dreaded referral” to the Sports Psychologist (Full disclosure, I am a psychologist when not a wrestling writer) was delivered from a 1960’s soap opera. The only potential saving grace is if they were to hire the therapist from the Brian Danielsen/Kane (Hell No) therapy sessions.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

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MID-CARD MATCHES

Big Angle

Myles Borne apologizes to Tavion Heights. Myles Borne is the former NXT North American champion. He and Tavion Heights were also the former NXT Tag Team Champions. Borne lost both titles at Heat Wave and turned on Heights. He requested to make a public apology to his former friend. He acknowledged his wrongdoing, and explained his reasoning for the turn, “I was scared.” He noted that he had forgiven Heights when Tavion challenged him to a match at the Great American Bash. Heights was reluctant to accept the apology. Later he recognized the sincerity in friend and partner Borne’s voice. They hugged and all was well. That is until Borne gave him his “Borne Again” finisher, threw him out of the ring and into the LED board. He finished his assault by “Pilmanizing” his ankle.

Brandler’s Bit: This was well done! It had all the elements of a sincere apology. There was genuineness, plausibility, and accountability by Borne. He sounded like he was scared and overreacted. Heights understood, validated Borne’s feelings, recognized that he was being harsh, and offered his longtime friend and partner forgiveness. With that structure, Borne’s attack was fierce and “out of nowhere.” Tavion Heights, you are the winner of the “Brandler Gullible Wrestler” of the year. You join illustrious winners such as Sting, a many time winner for his trust in the Four Horsemen, and later Lex Luger, and Dusty Rhodes for trusting Ole Anderson. Sting and Rhodes were able to use their emotions and turn them into amazing matches which took the fans on the emotional revenge tour as well. Will you do the same?

The Vanity Project vs. EK Prosper & Cruz Montana

This match was set up during a backstage confrontation earlier in the day. The NXT Tag Team Champions, The Vanity Project (VP)_Ricky Smokes and Rob Baylor with Lockwood took on two teammates from last week’s main event six-man match, EK Prosper and Cruz Montana. Montana and Prosper had amazing teamwork for a team that has never been together before. They were crisp and combined Prosper’s high flying with the power, confidence, and experience of Montana. They dominated early on and had the tag champions reeling. The two-time NXT champions rebounded with the help of the third VP member, NXT North American Champion Jackson Drake, who hit Montana while he was outside the ring. VP took over on Prosper. Smokes hit a backslide on EK, while Baylor held his feet on the ropes for the pinfall.

Brandler’s Bit: I was impressed by the Prosper & Montana pairing. Montana is a ten-time team champion and combined with the exciting, up and coming Prosper, could be a great team to pay attention to in the Dusty Classic.

Vanity Project is an old school tag team. They cheat successfully, and they are smarmy and brash. Baylor is 22, Smokes is 26. They both wrestled on the independent circuit before signing with WWE. They will have a long career and will probably be on the main roster before long.

Lizzie Rain vs. Kali Armstrong

Kali and Rain had a competitive back and forth match. They each hit big moves which moved the crowd. In the end, Armstrong won with her “Kali Connection” finisher. After the match, Skyler Raye came out and attacked Kali. Vic on commentary stated “ …that’s Skyler Raye, the LFG winner; we haven’t seen her in months….”

Brandler’s Bit: Rain looked good in a loss, Armstrong was equally solid. Rain wrestled in the British Independent Wrestling circuit for five years. Armstrong is new to the business. The experience difference shows up in the match. Armstrong is learning the moves, Rain just flows through the match.

Skyler Raye is another undersized baby face like Thea Hail. A matchup with Armstrong will be another David vs. Goliath match. This must be the new “NXT Special”

Dark State (Cutler James & Orsiris Griffin) vs. Sean Legacy & Dorian Van Dux (DVD)

Both teams had an even match with each team taking over on offense at times. The third Dark State member, Dion Lennox, interfered from the outside, giving Dark State the win. After the match, Birthright attacked Legacy and Van Dux due to some comments that they made earlier. Zilla Fatu came out to make the save. This sets up next week’s six-man tag match between Legacy & DVD & Fatu vs. Birthright.

Brandler’s Bit: Dark State is an interesting collection of parts. Cutler James is another LFG person. He has a high wrestling IQ but seems clunky and slow. Lennox has the most personality but cannot cut a believable promo. Griffin is underutilized. There is something missing with Dark State—we don’t know who they are. By contrast, Birthright is well known. They have an agenda. We know who the players are. Birthright will probably have a strong showing in the Dusty Classic.

NEXT WEEK ON NXT

• Opening Round of the Dusty Rhodes classic
• Zilla Fatu & Sean Legacy & Dorian Van Dux vs. Birthright (Lexis King, Stacks, and Uriah Connors)
• Thea Hail & La Catlina vs. Kelani Jordan & Zaria