WWE NXT Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights After Battleground
Kevin BergeJune 11, 2024WWE NXT Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights After Battleground0 of 9
Trick Williams successfully defended his NXT Championship at Battleground.Credit: WWE.com.
NXT Battleground 2024 was an important night in for the gold brand, and the results set the stage for an important night of action on June 11.
NXT women’s champion Roxanne Perez and NXT champion Trick Williams successfully defended their championships against dangerous competitors on Sunday, but who would step up next to the titleholders?
Cody Rhodes took inspiration from the show and promised to make an appearance to “deliver a gift”. What was The American Nightmare planning?
Cody Rhodes @CodyRhodesWatching @WWENXT Battleground curious how my old friend @OfficialEGO will do against @_trickwilliams
( Actually thinking of “dashing” down to FL this week with a gift and see some old friends ) @VicJosephWWE @ShawnMichaels
Wes Lee found some allies in his continued rivalry with Gallus as New Catch Republic returned to NXT. Would North American champion Oba Femi watch his former challengers closely and move onto new threats?
Kelani Jordan won the NXT Women’s North American Championship in a competitive ladder match at Battleground. Who would be her first challenger?
The show also promised the returns of Wendy Choo and Eddy Thorpe as well as Michin vs. Jaida Parker and Je’Von Evans vs. Shawn Spears.
NXT needed to keep its momentum and deliver another night of action that no one would forget.
Michin vs. Jaida Parker1 of 9
The show started with NXT Women’s North American champion Kelani Jordan. She talked up the challenges she overcame to keep hold of the gold.
Jaida Parker interrupted, only to get attacked by Michin to start their match early.
WWE @WWEFirst night as champion and @kelani_wwe already has a HUGE target on her back 👀#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/vDvNl0GZrh
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson came out late to watch The HBIC’s back, stopping Parker from using a steel chair and setting her up to get rolled up for three.
It was smart to open with the biggest moment of Battleground. Jordan was the only new champion by the close of the premium live event and has the freshest title scene.
The transition was seamless to the first announced match of the night. Parker continues to look smoother and more confident in the ring with each performance, especially in the last couple weeks.
She’s still not ready to beat Michin, though, so this was a smart result. Parker was protected. The HBIC got a rare and needed victory. The O.C. is finally working together in NXT to rise up the ranks.
Overall, this was a good use of 15 minutes that helped everyone involved. Michin vs. Parker should continue as the 25-year-old newcomer can learn more from a 15-year veteran.
Result
Michin def. Parker by pinfall.
Grade
B+
Notable Moments
Upon Michin’s arrival, commentator Vic Joseph said: “Say her name, she shall appear.” Could this be a deliberate reference to TNA’s hottest star, Joe Hendry?Parker knocked Michin clean out of the ring with a hip attack.Backstage, Parker told Bronco Nima and Lucien Price that she would deal with Michin herself soon.NXT general manager Ava told Michin that she would the first challenger for Jordan’s Women’s North American Championship.
Gallus vs. Wes Lee and New Catch Republic2 of 9
Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne were able to effectively eliminate Wolfgang and Mark Coffey along the way, but Wes Lee rolled right into All the Best for the Bells to give Joe Coffey the pinfall.
WWE NXT @WWENXT😱😱😱@Joe_Coffey pins @WesLee_WWE to get the win for Gallus! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/GifqIav04v
Due to NXT’s partnership with TNA, the hope was that Lee would find help from former stablemates The Rascalz here, and New Catch Republic was a less interesting option.
However, the action was always going to be fun with these six involved. Bate remains one of the most exciting wrestlers to watch in WWE, while Dunne has an extra edge in NXT that rarely translates to the main roster.
It was all-around good action that could not have been much better with no obvious stakes.
The win for Gallus was needed to help the trio regroup after a tough loss. Hopefully, NXT has a clear plan to keep that momentum going if this is going to be the top heel stable on the brand.
Result
Gallus def. Lee and New Catch Republic by pinfall.
Grade
B+
Notable Moments
Bate took out both Wolfgang and Mark Coffey with his impressive athleticism, but Joe Coffey knocked Dunne off the apron. The Big Strong Boi fought through and gave Lee a hot tag to run through Gallus.Lee got the wildest near-fall with a running meteora that made the crowd erupt.Thea Hail cut a fantastic fiery promo on everyone in Chase U for not trusting Ridge Holland.Wendy Choo vs. Brinley Reece (w/ Edris Enofé and Malik Blade)3 of 9
Wendy Choo came out with a dark look on her face and battered Brinley Reece from the opening bell.
Reece tried her best to combat Choo but got caught with an arm-trap clothesline into a leg-lock cobra clutch for the submission.
WWE @WWEGOODNIGHT. @therealestwendy just made an emphatic statement 😱#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/zZ7YM3R9gD
Few women have a higher ceiling in NXT than Choo. She was rolling before her injury and should get right back into title contention.
This new darker gimmick could allow her to lean into the best aspects of her past two characters, showcasing her entertaining flair as well as her powerhouse move set.
Reece sold the shocking transformation well in a complete one-sided squash, but it will not be clear how far this can go until Choo is fighting top names again.
Result
Choo def. Reece by submission.
Grade
C
Notable Moments
In the locker room, Edris Enofé and Malik Blade had a bad feeling ahead of Reece’s match, but she did not see it.Reece soon became terrified when she realized she was facing a different opponent than she expected.
NXT highlighted Sol Ruca’s weekend journey, ending with her promising that she would continue her championship chase.
Cody Rhodes Announces Battle Royal to Determine Trick Williams’ Next Challenger4 of 9
Cody Rhodes headed to the ring to warn AJ Styles about what was coming at Clash at the Castle on Saturday.
Trick Williams then joined The American Nightmare to ask him for advice on being a champion.
Rhodes advised him to always keep his eyes open, and he then announced that Trick’s next challenger would be determined in a 25-man Battle Royal next week, including names from “other locker rooms.”
WWE @WWE”You may know some of them, but some of them might be from different locker rooms”@CodyRhodes just informed @_trickwilliams of a GAME-CHANGING No. 1 Contenders Battle Royal for NEXT WEEK on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/fohSQdGpBD
This segment did not live up to the potential of having Rhodes and Trick in the same ring.
With the undisputed WWE champion’s attention divided, his appearance felt superfluous to NXT, and it wasn’t clear why he was making this announcement rather than Ava or Mr. Stone.
It may have all been a fun way to pop a rating for NXT, but a clearer direction for this promo could have helped Trick develop more as a character. He was too lackadaisical after what was supposed to be his toughest challenge to date.
The Battle Royal, likely featuring main roster stars and TNA talent, should be fun and unpredictable. Nothing is certain for Trick’s next challenge.
Grade
C-
Notable Moments
Trick invited Rhodes to the 4th of July cookout, and The American Nightmare accepted.NXT highlighted the 2024 NIL class in the crowd for the night.In a funny throwback, Rhodes left his “undashing” mask to Jacy Jayne backstage.Ethan Page, Shawn Spears and Lexis King interrupted Rhodes backstage, leading to him delivering an awkward All Elite Wrestling shot that these men were “in a good place.”
Singapore Cane: Lexis King vs. Dante Chen5 of 9
Dante Chen attacked Lexis King during his entrance with a Singapore cane.
However, King found the better opening in the match, using his cane to set up the Coronation to win.
WWE @WWE.@DanteChenWWE is UNLEASHED! 🔥#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/29C0YLB1Ig
While the bar was low to start, this was easily the best match between King and Chen. It was heavily reliant on the use of the Singapore canes, but Chen looked great using the weapons in innovative ways.
King needed to win this match after two straight losses, but the structure of the contest made Chen look weak as he did so much damage to King only to go down to a few clean shots.
Hopefully, NXT will keep Chen on television as he has clearly grown in his time off TV and has cut some solid promos alongside steadily improving in-ring work.
Result
King def. Chen by pinfall.
Grade
B-
Notable Moments
Sarah Schreiber interviewed Chen ahead of his match, and he promised to put an end to this rivalry.
Eddy Thorpe vs. Tavion Heights6 of 9
With a focused aggressive style and black warpaint on his face, Eddy Thorpe battered Tavion Heights in his return to the ring.
While Heights fought back well, Thorpe put him away with a running elbow drop and lifting DDT.
WWE @WWEBack and better than ever. @EddyThorpe_WWE just sent a message to EVERYONE in that #WWENXT Locker Room 😳 pic.twitter.com/YWUyhDLKnU
It was good to see Thorpe back in action. He looked good while also putting over Heights’ power.
It was a short but fun battle of talented athletes. For four minutes, it does not get much better.
Thorpe has serious credibility following his return and could be someone NXT wants to immediately push to the title scene. He and Oba Femi could be an exciting pairing.
Heights proved he needs to be used more, looking even better than he did in the men’s Breakout Tournament. Hopefully, joining No Quarter Catch Crew could get him on TV weekly.
Result
Thorpe def. Heights by pinfall.
Grade
B
Notable Moments
Charlie Dempsey told Myles Borne to go “get” Heights after the match, considering adding him to No Quarter Catch Crew.
Shawn Spears vs. Je’Von Evans7 of 9
Shawn Spears showed all of his veteran experience in wearing down Je’Von Evans.
The Chairman ducked The Young OG outside, sending him into the corner of the announce table. He followed up with C4 to win.
WWE @WWEARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?@WWEJeVonEvans is taking flight! ✈️#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/3UV6stPRpE
This was much better than it looked on paper. Spears dictated the pace and built up the furious comeback of Evans near the end. It was as good as either man has looked in NXT.
It is a shame to see The Young OG lose so soon, but Spears needed this after a disastrous start to his NXT run. He looked like the master manipulator he claims to be.
While high-flyers have typically had a ceiling in WWE, Evans has felt like the future of the business since his arrival. His presentation and performance should carry him all the way to the top.
The Young OG will rebound from this loss and is certain to win gold sooner than later.
Result
Spears def. Evans by pinfall.
Grade
A-
Notable Moments
NXT has stepped up its graphics game from entrances, highlighted by Evans appearing as part of a transition out of Ava’s office to the ring.Spears got booed heavily after he held Evans in a single-leg Boston crab until the referee’s full five-count after The Young OG made it to the ropes.The Chairman nearly got the win with a superkick into a hanging DDT.Evans was bleeding from the mouth after the finish.
Roxanne Perez’s State of the Women’s Division Address Interrupted 8 of 9
Roxanne Perez called out Ava to apologize to her. Quickly, multiple wrestlers arrived to challenge The Prodigy: Jacy Jayne with Jazmyn Nyx, Lash Legend with Jakara Jackson and Lola Vice.
WWE @WWEIt’s getting crowded at the top of the NXT Women’s Division 😱
Are @roxanne_wwe’s days as champion numbered?#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/I3hSi4AQsI
A brawl broke out that ended with Perez and Vice standing tall. The latter was clearly side-eying the NXT Women’s Championship.
With all the excitement of the night, putting Perez in the final segment promised something big. Instead, this was the typical NXT women’s segment in which everyone got in a couple lines before a brawl broke out.
The key story of Perez and Ava did not even develop because she was forgotten in the wave of women who walked out.
This could have been a fine middle-of-the-show segment to set up a match for next week, but the spotlight promised something much bigger.
At the very least, it could have been a chance to fully establish Vice as the sole challenger on Perez’s level. This is not even mentioning the looming arrival of Giulia that is certain to elevate this angle.
Grade
F
Notable Moments
Perez arrived late to the show and refused to tell Byron Saxton or Mr. Stone anything about her plans for the night.
Stevie Turner gave Ava forewarning that The Prodigy was going to call her out. The GM then took a mysterious call.
Overall Show9 of 9
NXT delivered a strong show loaded with story development that promised an even stronger episode next week.
The wrestling was consistently good, elevating talent such as Jaida Parker and Je’Von Evans hanging with veterans like Michin and Shawn Spears.
Wendy Choo and Eddy Thorpe returned with darker attitudes and intensity that could push them quickly into title contention.
New Catch Republic showed out in a fun match that also elevated Gallus back into the spotlight.
The only real issues were the developments around the NXT world titles. Trick Williams brushed aside his feud with Ethan Page too easily for a flat segment with Cody Rhodes.
Roxanne Perez looked poised to meet a new threat that might have been able to eclipse Jordynne Grace only to face a line of loud heels with limited credibility (besides Lola Vice).
Those scenes will quickly pivot into better spots, especially thanks to the promise of an unpredictable challenger for Trick being unveiled next week, so NXT overall looked better coming out of this show than going in.
Overall Show: B
