WWE NXT kicked off the “biggest party of the summer” early with Great American Bash 2023 at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas. Read the Article to have recap of WWE Great American Bash 2023 Results. Carmelo Hayes faced his sturdy challenge yet as NXT Champion against Ilja Dragunov. Chase University declared Thea Hail the uncrowned champion after making Tiffany Stratton tap out. Dominik Mysterio, with the help of Judgment Day, stole the NXT North American Championship from Wes Lee, setting up a match with Mustafa Ali to determine the true champion.
Tony D’Angelo found himself in jail due to the actions of Gallus. However, thanks to the cunning performance of Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, The Underboss managed to secure The Don’s freedom and a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championships. The question remained: would they finally seize the coveted gold? Meanwhile, Roxanne Perez aimed to showcase her skills and seek vengeance against the formidable Blair Davenport in a high-stakes Weapons Wild match.
Additionally, Gable Steveson made his highly-anticipated debut, facing off against the imposing Baron Corbin. Stay tuned for these intense matchups and witness the unfolding of these gripping storylines.
Meta-Four vs. Dragon Lee, Nathan Frazer, Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon
Meta-Four employed cheap tactics to stay in the action, but Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon refused to be defeated in their premium live event debut. They eliminated Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson, allowing Dragon Lee to secure victory with a running tilt-a-whirl reverse DDT on Oro Mensah. This opening match showcased the skills and determination of all participants.
Although Nathan Frazer and Noam Dar didn’t interact as much as anticipated, their upcoming Heritage Cup clash promises excitement. Leon and Feroz demonstrated their continuous improvement and are deserving of a future opportunity against Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville. Dragon Lee’s win was impressive, yet he still needs a bigger spotlight to showcase his talents in more singles matches.
Victor – Dragon, Frazer, Leon and Feroz
Grade – B
NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus (c) vs. The Family
Gallus struggled to maintain control of the match, despite their various tricks. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo executed a dive onto Mark Coffey, while Wolfgang set up Bada Boom, Bada Bing for the win. The match was entertaining, with fast-paced action over nine minutes. Joe Coffey made timely contributions without overshadowing the main event.
Gallus had a successful run with the tag team titles, but it was time for a change. The Family emerged as a formidable tag team, winning over the crowd. After a two-month absence from the ring, The Don deserved his championship victory. NXT had previously identified four promising talents, and now it’s The Don’s turn to shine.
Victor – D’Angelo and Stacks
Grade – B
Weapons Wild: Roxanne Perez vs. Blair Davenport
Roxanne Perez dominated Blair Davenport in her hometown, unleashing a relentless assault with weapons. Davenport fought back, but Perez’s killer instinct prevailed as she finished the match with a devastating move called Pop Rox on steel chairs. Round two between these rivals was even better, with a stronger pace and more memorable action. The Prodigy proved herself at a high level, displaying a newfound toughness. It wouldn’t be surprising if this victory set up a match against Tiffany Stratton at No Mercy, potentially leading to a well-deserved title reign for Perez.
Victor – Roxanne Perez
Grade – B+
Gable Steveson vs. Baron Corbin
Gable Steveson and Baron Corbin’s match ended in a non-finish as they were counted out outside the ring. The brawl between them continued even after the bell rang, until The Olympic Gold Medalist emerged victorious. Steveson’s performance was not impressive, and he seemed like an NXT Superstar who still had a lot to learn.
The hostile crowd did not help either, as they were not impressed with him despite the hype. It would have been better to have this match on NXT with a controlled Performance Center crowd. The post-match segment was better than the actual match, and it would have been ideal to have that level of intensity from the beginning. Perhaps a rematch will yield better results.
Grade – C-
NXT North American Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Wes Lee vs. Mustafa Ali
Wes Lee fought valiantly against Dominik Mysterio, despite interference from Rhea Ripley. However, Mustafa Ali’s 450 splash weakened Lee, allowing Dirty Dom to secure the victory with a frog splash. Lee had been consistently stealing the show at premium live events, and this triple threat match was no exception. It showcased Dirty Dom’s best performance in the ring thus far.
Working alongside two highly motivated competitors elevated the match to new heights. Lee’s reign as North American Champion has been remarkable, making his 2023 one of the best among WWE Superstars. By keeping the title on Mysterio, NXT will generate significant buzz. Although Ali missed out on the opportunity, his potential for stardom across all three brands remains promising.
Victor – Dirty Dominik Mysterio
Grade – A
NXT Women’s Championship – Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Thea Hail
Tiffany Stratton utilized a variety of submission holds in the match, successfully evading multiple Kimura Locks. She executed the Prettiest Moonsault Ever and followed it up with a Boston crab, which proved to be unbreakable for Thea Hail. Andre Chase threw in the towel due to Hail’s refusal to submit, causing frustration for Duke Hudson. Although not technically flawless, the match maintained the crowd’s constant engagement. Both competitors displayed great determination and showcased their chemistry.
Stratton’s performance in the match showcased her hard work, but it was clear that submissions are not her specialty. She struggled to lock in the Boston crab, which should not have been the finish. Despite this, the match exceeded expectations and showcased the talent of both Superstars, with the crowd fully supporting them. While the decision to not have Hail win was obvious, it’s worth noting that she has shown significant improvement in the past month and her time will come.
Victor – Tiffany Stratton
Grade – B
NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov
Ilja Dragunov unleashed a relentless assault on Carmelo Hayes, leaving his chest red and unyielding. With each chop, Dragunov pushed the limits of their endurance. Just when it seemed like both competitors were at their breaking point, Trick Williams emerged to provide a much-needed boost of encouragement to Hayes. However, in a twist of fate, The Czar’s dive towards the champion at ringside was intercepted by Trick and the NXT Championship.
This turn of events allowed The A Champion to seize the opportunity and deliver the decisive blow, executing the Nothin’ But Net in the ring to secure victory. While Hayes had always shown promise, it was in this match that he truly ascended to greatness. The final three minutes of the bout showcased his unparalleled skill and determination, propelling him to a level previously unattained.
The match between both weestlers was truly incredible, showcasing their immense talent. This match deserves a spot on the WWE match-of-the-year list. While both competitors had a strong chance of winning, NXT clearly sees The A Champion as having a slight edge at the moment. The match ended with a somewhat questionable finish, leaving room for a potential rematch that could surpass their previous encounter. It is hoped that Melo will continue to challenge himself in physically demanding matches, elevating his performance to the highest level. If he does, it is highly likely that he will become a champion on the main roster as well.
Victor – Carmelo Hayes
Grade – A+
Great American Bash emerged as a mesmerizing event for fans and wrestlers. The hard hitting, the beautiful finishers, the tapping submissions added glory to the special event of WWE. Overall, it successfully highlights the intense ability of the stsrs and promises a bright future them ahead.
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