NXT moved away from the Black and Gold era in September 2021. The brand spent the following year carving out a new identity. Shawn Michaels took full control of the Tuesday show from Triple H, who replaced Vince McMahon as head booker on the main roster in July 2022.
In hindsight, the change of brass had no immediate effect on WWE’s developmental system as it would take The Game another year to take complete control of creative. NXT, under Shawn Michaels, thrived with solid storytelling and in-ring action.
Speaking of in-ring action, the brand churned out great matches on weekly TV for fans to enjoy. Let’s take a look at some of the best NXT TV matches of 2022:
Imperium vs. LA Knight & MSK (Six-Man Tag Team Match, March 29)
The final NXT before Stand & Deliver kicked off with this solid six-man tag team match. All participants wanted to make a statement, and that is exactly what they did. The action began with a chaotic brawl on stage and went all the way to the ring.
LA Knight and Gunther had minimum exchanges, but that was to prepare the fans for the big showdown at Stand & Deliver. MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) vowed the crowd with their incredible athleticism against the flamboyant Marcel Barthel and the powerhouse Fabian Aichner.
Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh (WWE NXT, October 25)
Ilja Dragunov and JD McDonagh tore the house down with their feud in NXT UK. The Czar cost the Irish Ace his career on the brand. He then followed him all the way to NXT in Orlando to reignite their heated feud.
The October 25 outing came just days after the pair put on one of the greatest three-ways in NXT history alongside Bron Breakker. Dragunov began the match with some great-looking suplexes. The match only got intense as time went on.
McDonagh regained momentum by working on his long-time rival’s injured abdomen. The former NXT Cruiserweight Champion would eventually pick up the win by choking a busted open Dragunov into unconsciousness.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Tommaso Ciampa (#1 Contender’s Match For NXT Title, February 22)
Dolph Ziggler truly shocked the world when he arrived in NXT in February 2022. The Show Off immediately inserted himself into the title program with Bron Breakker. Ziggler, however, would have to go through Tommaso Ciampa before getting his hands on the champion.
The two veterans of the squared circle met in a number one contender’s match for the brand’s top title. Both men showed extra viciousness because of the high stakes. Ziggler’s heel work complemented Ciampa’s fiery comebacks.
In the end, a timely interference from Robert Roode proved to be the difference maker for his fellow Dirty Dawg.
Tyler Bate vs. JD McDonagh (WWE NXT, September 20)
Tyler Bate and JD McDonagh were two of the major names who joined NXT after NXT UK went on a hiatus. The longtime rivals met to determine the number one contender to the NXT Championship.
This was a hard-hitting contest between two men who have known each other for years. Their styles complemented each other. McDonagh does not get enough credit for his excellent heel work. Bate, on the other hand, is always a delight to watch with his fiery babyface persona.
Axiom vs. Nathan Frazer (October 11)
The best thing about Axiom’s trilogy with Nathan Frazer is that it only got better with each match. The pair first met on the September 6 episode of NXT. A competitive rivalry followed that brought out the best in both men.
The final bout turned out to be the best in this Best-of-3-Series. Nathan Frazer showed why he is truly the fastest man in NXT. Axiom brought out the energy inside the crowd with his smooth offense to cap off one of the best NXT TV matches of 2022.
Honorable Mentions
- Gunther vs. Roderick Strong (January 18)
- Roxanne Perez vs. Meiko Satomura (WWE NXT – September 6, 2022)
- Apollo Crews vs. JD McDonagh (November 15)
- Axiom vs. Carmelo Hayes (WWE NXT – December 20)
For more on the best matches of NXT from 2022, click here.
