NXT Spring Breakin’ Week 1 emanated live from the WWE Performance Center this week. The White and Gold Brand fired on all cylinders to delivered an action-paced show. We saw multiple cameos from the main roster as well.
Week 1 of NXT’s spring extravaganza featured two title matches. The first-ever NXT Women’s Underground match was made official between Lola Vice and Natalya. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest moments and misses from NXT Spring Breakin’ Week 1.
Miss – Tatum Paxley fails to win the gold
Tatum Paxley’s involvement in the NXT Women’s Title picture led to an amazing opener this week at Spring Breakin’. Paxley squared off against Lyra Valkyria and defending champion Roxanne Perez to determine the fate of the title. All three women put on a great performance. Lyra looked great with her flashy strikes. Roxanne showcased her mean resolve. Paxley, on the other hand, more than held her own against her two opponents.
The NXT Universe was firmly behind Paxley, who came so close to winning the championship. The champion, however, used her incredible ring awareness to reverse Paxley’s momentum for the win. I think Paxley winning the title would’ve been a better outcome. It would’ve given Lyra additional incentive to battle her former tag team partner. This match checked all the boxes except for shock value.
Hit – The Queen of Spades shows up at NXT Spring Breakin’
NXT Spring Breakin’ featured a contract signing segment between Natalya and Lola Vice. Both women signed the contract. Natalya asked Vice to reveal her training partner. Enter Shayna Baszler to a massive pop.
The first-ever two-time NXT Women’s Champion took verbal shots at Natalya and Karmen Petrovic, who took her out with a kick leading to an all-out brawl. WWE acknowledged Baszler’s MMA past by pairing her with Lola Vice.
Miss – Thea Hail segment
Thea Hail, Fallon Henley and Kelani Jordan appeared in a backstage segment at NXT Spring Breakin’. Jaida Parker interrupted the conversation leading to a fallout with Henley. Both women met in a match where Parker emerged as the victor.
I am failing to understand the current storyline involving Thea Hail. She was the heart and soul of Chase U. Now she seems to have created a new alliance with Henley and Jordan. Also, Thea versus Henley seems to be the direction in the long run.
Hit – Sol Ruca vs. Blair Davenport
Sol Ruca and Blair Davenport went on a collision course at NXT Spring Breakin’. The two women collided in a Beach Brawl. Ruca went full creative with her use of beach objects in the match. I thought the table spot was great as well.
Davenport bumped like a true heel for the babyface Ruca, who put away her bitter rival with a Sol Snatcher for the win. Triple H needs to call Davenport to the main roster because that seemed like a great send-off match, if it was a send-off match.
Miss – Lexis King vs. Baron Corbin at NXT Spring Breakin’
Lexis King squared off with Baron Corbin in the penultimate match of the night. King emerged as the winner after what I thought was an underwhelming match. King, no doubt, has a solid gimmick but he just doesn’t seem to connect in the ring – at least for me.
As for Baron Corbin, word is that WWE is interested in bringing him back to the main roster. Corbin’s NXT stint has been great. He’s had some interesting feuds and a short run with the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Hit – Whoop That Trick
The final match of the night saw Trick Williams challenge Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Championship. We saw previous NXT Champions such as the Creed Brothers and Johnny Gargano reveal their pick as the winner. Even World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest showed up to wish luck to Dragunov.
The bell rang and both men went at each other with absolutely zero regard for their well-being. Dragunov hit hard as he could, but Williams came back stronger every time. The challenger took out two pages from the Czar’s book to hit him with Torpedo Moscow and H-Bomb. A Rock Bottom through the announce table helped Williams slow down Dragunov’s momentum.
The final moment arrived as Williams put away a weakened Dragunov with a running knee strike for the win. After the match, an emotional Dragunov handed over the title to Williams and embraced him. You could tell both men have a lot of respect for each other. Now that Williams is the NXT Champion, what’s next for Dragunov?
A showdown with a familiar opponent on the main roster, maybe?
Also read: WWE RAW Hits And Misses (4/22/24)
