NXT Battleground Review

This past Sunday was NXT Battleground from the UFC Apex and was a decent show from top to bottom, did not completely meet what I expected but was not a bad show.  So, with that here is what liked, disliked and of course the Right Hook Rating for the show.

What I Liked

The North American triple threat title match was exceptionally good, and Oba Femi continues to impress me every time I watch. Just the best way to display him, his abilities and strength, now I might be alone on this, but Femi gives off next big thing young Brock Lesnar vibes and cannot wait to see his next big match because he has star potential without question.

The underground match was probably the show stealer match on this card, even with some hiccups during the match it still delivered and hopefully we get another match between them in that setting. But this match certainly made Lola Vice a serious contender for one of the NXT women’s titles and not just eye candy.

And finally, the ladder match for the NXT women’s north American title was fine considering what it was but the stand outs of the match were Jaida Parker, Sol Ruca, and the winner Kelani Jordan who made a good impression Sunday night making this new championship picture intriguing to see. Jordan is potentially the women’s division Wes Lee like champion that should be good.

What I Disliked

Speaking of that ladder match one of things I was not a fan of was Lash Legend, I am still on the fence, unsure, whatever you want to call it about her. I do not know if it is the whole Meta-four group thing I’m not getting, her presentation or what but she clearly was the giant in this match and had some moments but right now just not getting the big deal about her still and hopefully it does get fleshed out over the summer.

The tag team title match was sort bland and not having the Good Brothers Anderson & Gallows win those titles leaves me asking “what is their purpose here?” Seems like since the pandemic they have been presented like flunkies which is not the best way to use them in my view. Putting some tag team gold or at least making them legitimate threats to any of the tag team titles would be a huge improvement in presenting them and freshen up the rather sad state the tag division is in currently.

The two main events were fine with Roxanne Perez vs. Jordynne Grace being match of the night barely and the NXT title match between Trick Williams and Ethan Ego seems a little rushed or short and just missed something. Obviously, Trick is getting some on the job experience as a champion and clearly has the potential to be a big major star.

But the lack of TNA crossover in those matches was a little disappointing because I was expecting something or someone to make a surprise appearance like Moose or Josh Alexander or someone like that. Now the appearance of Ash by Elegance (Former Dana Brooke) was a nice touch during the women’s championship match, hopefully we get some sort of WWE/TNA portal or forbidden door stuff happening on NXT where they seem to like to try new concepts out.

Overall Battleground was a solid show certainly show us some new potential big players for their divisions, kept some intrigue on what is next with NXT/TNA situation, and seems to set up some fun challengers for Trick Williams going forward. The battleground match was good and may not great the props it deserves but that was the better underground matches/segments they have done I am waiting for them to add a cage or something to it because that has to be the next step for that type of match.

Overall Right Hook Rating: 7 out of 10