WWE NXT Highlights: Coming fresh from the official WWE 2024 drafts, the May 7 episode of WWE NXT (May 8 in India) featured a number of high-intensity segments while building the road to their next Pay Per View (PPV), NXT Battleground on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at UFC Apex Arena, in Nevada, Las Vegas. The show included the returning match of one of the most popular stars of NXT, Wes Lee, along with the announcement of qualification round for the ladder match at NXT Battleground to crown the first-ever WWE NXT Women’s North American Champion. This week’s episode also featured some great grudge matches, which intensified the building rivalries in the brand.
These are the top 5 moments from the first edition of WWE NXT following the WWE Draft.
1]Wes Lee is back
The former WWE NXT North American Champion, Wes Lee, who was sidelined from the action after suffering a back injury, made a surprise comeback at night 2, WWE NXT Halloween Havoc on April 30, 2024, shooting himself right into the North American Championship picture . Lee went up against Josh Briggs in a brutal physical match. However, after his return, the former champion looked to have found his groove, as the smooth counterattacks and high-flying actions that made Lee famous were on display. Ivar is also on the hunt for the match on the ringside. Notably, right before the finish, Briggs collided with Ivar, which resulted in the two exchanging blows after the match. However, after the match, the victor, Wes Lee, took out both Ivar and Briggs with a top rope dive, as the champion Oba Femi was seen enjoying the carnage from the VIP area.
2]Championship qualification matches announced
WWE NXT General Manager Ava sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe when she announced the debut of WWE NXT Women’s North American Championship belt, which will be the company’s first-ever mid-card title for the women’s division. On the May 7 edition of NXT, a video package of 20 women competing in the women’s combine challenge was shown, with the top 12 women set to qualify for the six qualification matches in the upcoming weeks to determine the six competitors for the ladder match at Battleground 2024 to crown the first-ever WWE NXT Women’s North American champion. Towards the end of the show, Ava revealed the list of 12 names that will participate in the qualification matches. The list included Thea Hail, Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker, “Michin” Mia Yim, Lash Legend, Brinley Reece, Ivy Nile, Izzi Dame, Fallon Henley, Wren Sinclair, Kelani Jordan and Tatum Paxley.
3]Fallon Henley embraces the heel role
At night two of the NXT Springbreak, Fallon Henley attacked Thea Hail after her victory against Jacy Jayne. Kelani Jordan confronted Henley post-match and was seen agitated against her during a backstage segment, which eventually led to the match between the two former friends. Jordan starts aggressively, but Henley takes advantage of her strength to dominate the match. Jordan fought valiantly but eventually came out short of ella as Henley won the match to solidify her new persona as a heel wrestler.
4]NXT title match confirmed
After Meta Four’s Lash Legend interrupted the newly crowned WWE NXT CXhampion Trick Williams on the last episode of NXT, she invited him to the faction’s talk show Supernova sessions for this week’s edition. A video package of Trick Willams’s championship win was shown before Noam Dar revealed a picture from his match against the champion where Trick pinned Noam while Noam’s foot was under the ropes, signifying he never actually won the match. Trick said he is ready to give Noam his title opportunity if he wants before shifting his focus towards Lash Legend. Lash was about to reveal some secret between her and Williams, but before it could happen, Noam attacked Willam from behind, leaving him cold on the floor.
5]Don has the control
The Don of NXT, Tony D’Angelo, and his family, who is currently in a feud with the No Quarter Catch Crew, interjected a special stipulation in the latter’s match against Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont. The member of Don’s family, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, was announced as the special guest referee as the official referee for the match went missing. Stacks attacked Charlie Dempsey before making a fast count, making the Crew lose against Tyriek and Tyson. In a backstage post-match segment, Charlie challenges Tony for a Heritage Cup match but emphasizes that the don has no control as he doesn’t even know which No Quarter Catch Crew member he will be facing for the Heritage Cup next week. However, Tony retaliated and was seen attacking Demon Kemp of the crew before driving away in his car with Demp in the trunk to close the show.
