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In the wake of a successful NXT Stand & Deliver, the April 5 edition of WWE NXT 2.0 was more of the same, selling the stories that have defined the brand over the past few months.
Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai reunited due to a mutual dislike of Toxic Attraction. They struck the first blow against the group by regaining the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne hoped to get the titles back in a rematch.
Cameron Grimes was set to speak on his huge win. Completing a promise to his late father, he captured the NXT North American Championship and would now look to prove himself a worthy champion.
Bron Breakker regained the NXT Championship from Dolph Ziggler, bringing the title back to the brand. No one knew how The Showoff would respond or whether someone else would challenge the new champion.
In a battle of tall young stars, Nikkita Lyons would fight Lash Legend, hoping to shut up the loudmouth talk show host.
WWE NXT 2.0 is still developing, but each week is a new opportunity to build fresh stars and champions.
Gunther Challenges Bron Breakker; Imperium vs. The Creed Brothers
Bron Breakker put over his journey to regaining the NXT Championship, only to be interrupted by Gunther. The Ring General challenged the NXT champion, who gladly accepted for tonight.
The Creed Brothers marched down to the ring to attack Marcel Bartel and Fabian Aichner, setting up a surprise match. During the match, Aichner walked out on Bartel, leaving him to take a torture rack slam and low running clothesline to lose.
Two men attacked Julius and Brutus Creed from behind with steel chairs before revealing themselves to be Pretty Deadly, the former NXT UK tag team champions.
This was a busy opening 30 minutes for NXT. Breakker vs. Gunther was made official. Imperium look ready for a break-up, and Pretty Deadly have arrived in NXT, a team with the talent to truly stand out.
The match was very good, and it is great to see NXT 2.0 bringing out the big moment post-WrestleMania. It is disappointing though to see Imperium falling apart. Aichner and Bartel have consistently been great together, and both may struggle on their own.
This does open up a spot for potential new members in Imperium if WWE wants to reshape the Gunther led stable though. Many could seriously benefit.
Grade
A
Notable Moments
The crowd started with loud dueling chants of “We want Ziggler!” and “No, we don’t!”, making it hard for Breakker to speak over them.
Julius and Aichner fought for a headlock, and when Julius ducked out, he ran right into a rolling fireman’s carry slam.
Julius got the hot tag, catching Bartel with a chop block and a dead-lift package suplex.
Pretty Deadly announced new individual names: Elton Prince and Kit Wilson. This was the rare improvement in gimmick names by WWE.
Solo Sikoa Steps Up as the First Challenger to Cameron Grimes
With Harland glaring in the background, Joe Gacy warned that success only comes with family behind him. Draco Anthony was watching closely and got angry at Xyon Quinn for telling him not to listen. The two almost came to blows.
Cameron Grimes explained why this meant so much to him. He then promised to be a fighting champion. His first challenge arrived in Solo Sikoa.
For now, Grimes does look right at home as a champion. He is the kind of talent that will likely not last long with the gold, but he should work hard with every single defense.
Sikoa was not the obvious choice to challenge The Technical Savage first, but he is certainly one of many that deserve that chance. This will be one of the biggest matches of his career to date.
Grade
B-
Notable Moments
This crowd continues to be unruly, battling a “You deserve it!” chant with “No, you don’t!”.
Sikoa made a very clear Bloodline reference in talking about his lineage.
Dexter Lumis (w/ Indi Hartwell) vs. Duke Hudson (w/ Persia Pirotta)
NXT 2.0 showed a recap of Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta’s photo shoot rivalry including Dexter Lumis and Duke Hudson. In the end, InDex won by 89% of the votes.
Pirotta and Hudson made out before this match. The two men battled to the outside where Hartwell and Pirotta tried to help them only to send the two men into the steel post, knocking them out. The two were counted out.
This was really bad, though that has been par for the course with this rivalry. Nothing about this has worked. Hartwell and Pirotta have been turned catty, and Lumis and Hudson have been just boring.
The match was forgettable beyond a terrible result. Two talented wrestlers were reduced to a few moves and repeat distractions from ringside.
Grade
D-
Notable Moments
Lumis ran right into a uranage from Hudson out of the corner.
Hudson sent Hudson into the corner to set up a bulldog and spinebuster.
The ending got a deserved “That was stupid!” chant.