The WWE NXT Gold Rush has kicked off with Week One featuring two major championship matches and rivals fighting for their future opportunities at gold. Bron Breakker challenged Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after a brutal brawl with Finn Bálor on Raw.
It remained to be seen if Rollins could defend his title against the young upstart. Meanwhile, Wes Lee, the current NXT North American Champion, set a new record for successful defenses. However, his next challenger, former two-time NXT UK champion Tyler Bate, could prove to be his toughest opponent yet. Special guest referee Mustafa Ali’s role in the match was yet to be determined.
On the latest episode of NXT, Carmelo Hayes and Baron Corbin faced off, while Duke Hudson hosted a pep rally for Thea Hail ahead of her match with Tiffany Stratton.
Additionally, the top tag teams in NXT competed for a chance to face Gallus next week, and Dana Brooke aimed to rewrite her story by defeating Cora Jade. This episode of WWE NXT was particularly significant due to the return of the first NXT champion, Seth Rollins, making it a chance to be the gold brand’s biggest show of the summer.
NXT North American Championship: Tyler Bate vs. Wes Lee (w/ Ref Mustafa Ali)
During the match, Mustafa Ali frequently inserted himself into the action, drawing attention away from the wrestlers. After Tyler Bate hit Bop and Bang on Wes Lee, Ali intervened by pulling the champion back into the ring. Lee ultimately won the match with a Cardiac Kick.
Ali’s behavior as a referee was entertaining, but it detracted from the match’s momentum. The pacing suffered as both wrestlers frequently went down to let Ali interact with the crowd.
The match lasted 13 minutes but felt rushed and could have benefited from more time. Despite this, the story between Ali, Bate, and Lee remains compelling and will continue to unfold in WWE NXT.
Result – Lee retained NXT North American Championship.
Grade – B
Tiffany Stratton Tap Out at Her Pep Rally by Thea Hail
Duke Hudson introduced Thea Hail and Chase U joined the celebration. Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey stood aside. Tiffany Stratton mocked the pep rally, but Hail made her tap out to the Kimura Lock. NXT has positioned Hail as the ultimate underdog against the NXT women’s champion.
Despite the disadvantage, Hail’s victory over Stratton gives Chase U hope. WWE NXT has successfully sold Hail as a viable challenger in a short time. Hail will face The Center of the Universe next week and hopefully have the match of her career.
Grade – B
Number 1 Contender Faceoff: Jensen and Briggs vs. Hank and Tank vs. Enofé and Blade
During the match, Hank Walker was taken out by Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen who then hit Tank Ledger with a Hart Attack. Edris Enofé broke up the pinfall. Malik Blade surprised everyone by hitting Tank with a frog splash to secure the victory. The match was chaotic and fun, but it felt abrupt due to its short duration.
Blade and Enofé are decent challengers to Gallus until The Family is back together, but their chances of winning are slim. It is important for NXT to rebuild Blade and Enofé soon as they have lost momentum lately. Briggs and Jensen are currently the only credible team among the three, but the others can improve with time.
Result – Blade and Enofé won. Hank and Tank, along with Briggs and Jensen, pin a shot at next week’s NXT Tag Team Championships.
Grade – B
Dana Brooke vs. Cora Jade
During the match between Cora Jade and Dana Brooke, Jade caught Brooke with a knee in the ropes causing her to overextend her right knee. Later, when Brooke attempted a cartwheel, she fell hard on her knee and had to be carried out by officials.
Despite this, Brooke managed to find her footing and continued the match. However, Jade dominated the match and forced a referee stoppage with a single-leg Boston crab on Brooke’s right knee. Jade played the taunting heel and came off better than she has in a while. This was a better way to handle the injury than a traditional bout and helped Brooke develop her character.
Result – Jade successfully defended Brooke by Referee stoppage.
Grade – B
Baron Corbin and Carmelo Hayes make their way to the ring
Baron Corbin was unimpressed by Carmelo Hayes’ insults of his Happy Corbin gimmick. He talked about everything that contributed to his money and success. The Lone Wolf threw the microphone at Melo and walked out confidently for next week. After two weeks of unimpressive matches, Corbin needed this moment.
He won this round with a cold and confident promo, refusing to give into any taunts about his history. Hayes sold it well, making his rival look more dangerous than he has in a long time. The match needs to live up to the promo, but it set a strong expectation for the main event next week.
Grade – A
Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson vs. Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon
Yulisa Leon was laid out after a distraction from Oro Mensah and Jakara Jackson outside, allowing Lash Legend to secure a win over Valentina Feroz with a big boot. The match served as a solid introduction for the new team of Legend and Jackson, who displayed great chemistry in the ring.
Jackson, in particular, showcased her skills and talent. This win was crucial for Meta-Four to rebuild momentum, especially with Noam Dar injured and Oro Mensah lacking credibility. The women of the stable will need to step up and dominate their division in order for Meta-Four to stand out.
Result – Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson won.
Grade- C+
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Champion Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
In a grueling match of WWE NXT, Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker battled fiercely, with both men coming close to defeating. Rollins ultimately emerged victorious after landing a superkick and two Stomps. However, as the show was about to end, Finn Bálor attacked Rollins with a steel chair. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams intervened just in time to prevent Bálor from delivering a Coup de Grace to the world heavyweight champion.
The match started slow but picked up pace in the final five minutes, showcasing Breakker’s abilities in big matches. He nearly won with a Spear and military press slam. Despite this, he was not chosen as Rollins’ next opponent, which is a shame given his performance. Post-match would have been a great opportunity for Ilja Dragunov to get some revenge. The main event was the highlight of the night and may attract more viewers to next week’s WWE NXT Gold Rush.
Result – Seth Rollins successfully retained his championship
Grade- A
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