This past weekend, WWE NXT Vengeance Day took place in Clarksville, Tenn., and it was a night filled with thrilling matches and unexpected twists. The event featured three NXT Championship matches along with the highly anticipated Dusty Cup Finals.
One of the standout moments of the night came from rising star Trick Williams, who pulled double-duty. First, Williams and his partner Melo Gang faced off against the formidable Wolf Dogs (Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker) in the Dusty Cup Finals. Williams then had his sights set on the biggest match of his career as he challenged Iljia Dragunov for the WWE NXT Championship.
Another championship match on the card saw Roxanne Perez taking on Lyra Valkyria for the WWE NXT Women's Championship. Meanwhile, Oba Femi defended his WWE NXT North American Championship against Dragon Lee.
In the main event for the NXT Championship, Carmelo Hayes shocked fans by turning on his partner Trick Williams. The betrayal came after Williams came incredibly close to capturing the NXT Championship. The match was not only filled with intense action but also saw the surprise appearance of Wade Barrett as a color commentator alongside Vic Joseph.
One of the most visually impressive entrances of the night came from the Wolf Dogs, who rode motorcycles on their way to the ring. The energy in the arena was palpable as fans eagerly anticipated the showdown between the talented competitors.
Throughout the night, the crowd was engaged and vocal, chanting for their favorite wrestlers and even requesting certain elements like a table spot. The match featuring Bron Breakker received an enthusiastic response from the audience, who erupted in chants of 'NXT' after witnessing his impressive back suplex into a cutter move.
Trick Williams, who was working double-duty, was wisely kept out of much of the match to preserve his energy for his upcoming bout with Iljia Dragunov. Unfortunately, Williams did tease a leg injury when he tagged into the match, adding a layer of concern for his chances in the championship match.
Despite a few missteps, such as an awkward Asai Moonsault by Carmelo Hayes, the matches continued to captivate the audience with dangerous and inventive spots. One notable moment included Dijak diving through a table covered in toys. The fans got particularly invested in this match, chanting 'you can't see him' when Dijak blindfolded himself with duct tape.
In a tag team match, Adrianna Rizzo made her WWE NXT live event debut and connected with a series of punches on Jaida Parker, although some fans felt her execution was lackluster. Rizzo's overconfidence later in the match led to a brief stumble, but Wade Barrett covered for her by highlighting her spirited attitude.
The night was not without some surprises, as OTM dominated their tag team match and emerged victorious against Tony 'Stacks' Lorenzo. This win set up a future Tag Team Title match between OTM and the D'Angelo family.
Backstage, Trick Williams expressed his desire for Carmelo Hayes to be present when he eventually wins the NXT Championship, hinting at a continued storyline between the two talented performers.
The match for the WWE NXT Women's Championship took an unexpected turn when Lola Vice cashed in her Breakout Tournament contract, turning the bout into a Triple Threat match. However, this move seemed ill-timed and drew tepid boos from the crowd. Eventually, it was Vice who ended up taking the pin, leading to a backstage brawl between her and Roxanne Perez.
The WWE NXT North American Championship match between Oba Femi and Dragon Lee showcased Femi's potential as a newcomer to the ring. Despite displaying some rookie tendencies, Femi impressed the crowd with powerful moves, including a choke-slam into an office chair. The match was a strong showing for Femi, who has a bright future ahead in WWE.
The event concluded with the highly anticipated match between Trick Williams and Iljia Dragunov for the WWE NXT Championship. Fans chanted 'whoop that trick!' throughout the match, creating an electric atmosphere. Williams, with a bloody lip early on, matched Dragunov's intensity, delivering a kick to the nose that made Dragunov bleed. Although Williams showcased incredible resilience, Dragunov ultimately emerged victorious.
As the evening came to a close, Carmelo Hayes made his true intentions known, turning on Trick Williams after the match. This sets the stage for an intense and historic rivalry between two Black men in WWE, promising an exciting future for both wrestlers.
Overall, WWE NXT Vengeance Day presented an action-packed and dramatic event. The matches delivered on excitement and showcased the talents of both established stars and rising talent. With surprising twists and memorable moments, this event will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the NXT landscape.
