NXT Battleground is officially in the books!
NXT’s latest Premium Live Event went down at the UFC Apex on June 9. The card featured six matches, five of which had titles on the line. This was the first NXT event to feature appearances from not one but two TNA talents.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right into NXT Battleground review.
Six-pack ladder match for the Women’s North American Championship
Participants: Fallon Henley, Sol Ruca, Lash Legend, Jaida Parker, Michin, Kelani Jordan
Winner: Kelani Jordan
Analysis: Putting the ladder match as the NXT Battleground opener was the right move. The match featured six of the best from NXT’s stacked women’s division. Every participant brought something to the bout. This high-risk match-up featured some crazy spots.
Lash Legend getting tossed onto a ladder outside by her opponents looked nasty. Sol Ruca had pulled off some crazy back-to-back Sol Snatchers. Kelani Jordan picking up the win was surprise to me as it was to all the fans in attendance. Hopefully, she delivers a good first run with the title.
The Good Brothers battled for tag team supremacy at NXT Battleground
Participants: Axiom and Nathan Frazer (c), Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Stipulation: Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
Winners: Axiom and Nathan Frazer
Analysis: My favorite match of the night. Both teams brought out the best in each other. Axiom and Frazer may be the best tag team on the WWE roster today. The Supersonic Duo carried Good Brothers to their best match in a long time.
Gallows and Anderson were ruthless in this match. They need to bring this type of intensity to main roster now that they are full-blown heels alongside AJ Styles. If this is the end of their NXT run, then it ended on a high note.
NXT Women’s Underground match
Participants: Lola Vice, Shayna Baszler
Winner: Lola Vice via referee stoppage
Analysis: NXT brought the second women’s underground match to the UFC Apex. This was a familiar territory for both Baszler and Vice. They even showed the “Four Horsewomen of MMA” prior to the match. Baszler and Vice exchanged strikes before taking the action out of the ring.
The two former tag team partners took turns dismantling each other. The action felt realistic and a lot better than Lola Vice versus Natalya from NXT Spring Breakin’ Week 2. Miss Vice got the win after she planted Baszler with a backhand following a series of strikes.
Still not a fan of that post-match dance celebration…
Read More: Shayna Baszler Shares Her Biggest ‘Diva’ Move: I Need A Red Bull In My Hand At WWE TV, That’s A Rule
Oba Femi stood tall after a war
Participants: Oba Femi (c), Joe Coffey, Wes Lee
Stipulation: Triple threat match for the NXT North American Championship
Winner: Oba Femi
Analysis: Oba Femi is perhaps the best booked champion since Gunther in WWE. His title defenses are few but every has turned out to be different from the other – and in a good way. The champion looked absolutely dominant in the triple threat at NXT Battleground. This wasn’t certainly the case at Stand & Deliver, where Oba had two opponents almost as big as him.
Wes Lee and Joe Coffey, though not bigger than Femi, teamed up on multiple occasions to put down the champion only to be manhandled by him. Oba showed his unmatched strength by double suplexing his opponent. The way he effortlessly tossed Wes while on the turnbuckle looked scary as hell. Props to both men for the way they played their part.
Gallus interfering was expected, but even Mark Coffey and Wolfgang couldn’t stop Oba from retaining his title. Also, I believe I’m not the only one who thinks we might be getting a Rascalz reunion after how Zachary Wentz reacted to Wes Lee getting jumped by Gallus Boys at NXT Battleground.
The Juggernaut vs. The Prodigy
Participants: Roxanne Perez (c), Jordynne Grace
Stipulation: Singles match for the NXT Women’s Champion
Winner: Roxanne Perez
Analysis: This crossover didn’t disappoint. They did everything they could in 14 minutes at the PLE. Roxanne as a heel is an entirely different worker. Jordynne, well, she’s brilliant with how she carries herself in the ring. The powerlifting background does come in handy.
Their were some nice reversals and transitions throughout the match. I thought the Tatum Paxley spot was brilliant booking. Paxley tried to run away with the Knockouts Championship only for Dana… umm… Ash by Elegance to thwart her attempt.
The distraction was enough for Roxanne to pick up the win. The champion retains her title. The defeat doesn’t her the challenger. Tatum Paxley teases getting involved in the TNA Knockouts Championship program with Jordynne and Ash.
Shawn Michaels is cooking!
A hard-hitting main event at NXT Battleground
Participants: Trick Williams (c), Ethan Page
Stipulation: Singles match for the NXT Championship
Winner: Trick Williams
Analysis: The main event of NXT Battleground saw Trick Williams put his NXT title on the line against “All Ego” Ethan Page. I like how Page immediately went for the blow with the sound of the opening bell. Trick retaliated with some good offense.
Both men went back-and-forth until the announce table got involved. Page sent Williams crashing through the commentary desk. He then planted the champion with Ego’s Edge, but Williams kicked out.
They should’ve protected Page’s finisher by having Trick roll out of the ring purely on instinct instead of kicking out at two. Page tacked Williams in the corner but got too distracted with his assault allowing the champion to take him out with a running knee.
This match should’ve at least got 15-17 minutes. Let’s see if NXT runs it back between Trick Williams and Ethan Page somewhere down the line.
Also read: Two Matches Announced For 6/11 WWE NXT, Updated Card
