WWE NXT Great American Bash Night 2 Results: Winners, Live Grades, Highlights, More
WWE NXT Great American Bash Night 2 Results: Winners, Live Grades, Highlights, More0 of 7
“All Ego” Ethan Page and Oro Mensah finally collided on Night 2 of NXT Great American Bash.Credit: WWE.com.
NXT Great American Bash started off hot in Week One, including a fantastic NXT Women’s Championship match between Roxanne Perez and Thea Hail.
Week Two promised more great title matches and clashes between top stars.
“All Ego” Ethan Page put his NXT Championship on the line against Oro Mensah. Could the challenger get the three-count when it mattered most?
The fastest team in NXT battled the fastest team in TNA. Who would emerge with the NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer and Axiom or Wes Lee and Zachary Wentz?
Tatum Paxley looked to finally capture the championship gold she craved in a battle with Kelani Jordan for the Women’s North American Championship.
Trick Williams went to war with Pete Dunne, while Joe Hendry made his singles in-ring debut against Joe Coffey.
These matches and more set a strong promise from NXT that Great American Bash Week Two would be a special night.
Trick Williams vs. Pete Dunne1 of 7
Pete Dunne dominated Trick Williams with technical dominance, but the former NXT champion continued to find opportunities for explosive responses.
However, The Bruiserweight pulled out the win after ducking the Trick Shot and hitting the Bitter End.
This was a welcome surprise result as Trick continues to struggle to find his focus after losing the NXT Championship.
The result allows for a longer rivalry between two men who showed some solid chemistry. Dunne was the ring general throughout, pushing the pace and allowing Trick his flourishes.
With Dunne seemingly focused on NXT for the time being, he can add so much as a veteran to this roster by helping to guide younger talent as an in-ring worker and backstage producer.
Result
Dunne def. Trick by pinfall.
Grade
B+
Notable Moments
The show started with highlights of Week One of Great American Bash, framed around the hosting of Hank Walker and Tank Ledger.
WWE @WWELet @HankWalker_WWE and @TankLedgerWWE take you back to an unforgettable Week One of #NXTGAB! 👀#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Fg53hdGZiU
Trick caught Dunne on the top with a second-rope flapjack. He called for the Trick Shot but was countered. He settled for a spinning big boot for a near-fall.On his way out, Dunne called his shot for an NXT Championship, but Trick attacked him, starting a brawl.The Great American Bash Barbecue included Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner fighting, Lola Vice sending BJ Ray through a table, and The Good Brothers ruining the party.
Women’s North American Championship: Kelani Jordan (c) vs. Tatum Paxley2 of 7
Tatum Paxley wore down Kelani Jordan by focusing on injuring the left leg.
The women’s North American champion had to adjust with a Spanish Fly and frog splash to retain.
Wendy Choo watched the match from the entrance. After it was over, she gave Paxley back her doll, only to attack her while staring down the champion.
One of the toughest tests for a young rising star is learning how to make your opponents look good without losing your mystique. In that regard, Jordan has never looked better.
She sold Paxley like her most dangerous challenge yet, working much of the match with a limp. She had to adjust her offense to sell the injury and had the crowd convinced that the challenger would take the win.
Of course, it’s far from time for Lani to lose her gold as she is genuinely getting better with each big match. By the time this reign is over, she will be in the conversation for one of NXT’s best workers.
Result
Jordan def. Paxley by pinfall to retain the Women’s North American Championship.
Grade
A
Notable Moments
Paxley played mind games with Jordan early, making the champion find her doll under the ring.
WWE @WWE.@TatumPaxley and her mind games strike again 😬#NXTGAB pic.twitter.com/mCotE0VNhC
Paxley tied up Jordan in a pretzel, focusing on stretching at the left leg. Jordan sold the leg heavily from that point on.
The crowd was standing for Paxley after she ducked the split-legged moonsault and hit a 450 Splash for a near-fall.NXT Championship: ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page (c) vs. Oro Mensah (w/ Meta-Four)3 of 7
Oro Mensah fought hard through the best shots of Ethan Page, but an Ego’s Edge outside followed by a second in the ring put away the challenger.
The build for this contest should have landed it as the opener or main event.
Both men competed like this was the most important clash of the night. Page let Mensah run, and the challenger delivered the best work of his career.
While On Sight is still finding himself as a potential main event act, he is doing more than ever before. Hopefully, he gets more opportunities from here.
All Ego is not a top in-ring worker, but he is a reliable veteran in terms of maximizing the spotlight on others. He did that with Mensah. It should be fun to see who steps up to him next.
Result
Page def. Mensah by pinfall to retain the NXT Championship.
Grade
B+
Notable Moments
Page mocked Nathan Frazer in the trainer’s room, noticing that Axiom was nowhere to be seen. Later, Frazer found Axiom, who was giving him space.The crowd chanted “1-2-3” at Page as he made his entrance.Page caught Mensah mid-springboard flip with a running single-leg dropkick.All Ego sent On Sight through a picnic table on the entrance ramp with the Ego’s Edge followed by a DDT in the ring that nearly took the victory.Mensah almost had the win with the corner spinning heel kick, but Page had his leg under the ropes. The crowd chanted “ref, you suck” for stopping the count.After the win, Page told everyone he was ready for anyone, whether it be Trick Williams, Pete Dunne or anyone else.
WWE @WWE”This ain’t NXT. It’s N-X-ME!”
The Era of Ego continues for @OfficialEGO and #WWENXT…#NXTGAB pic.twitter.com/w5Qkes5cCe
Joe Hendry vs. Joe Coffey (w/ Gallus)4 of 7
Joe Hendry faced a solid challenge in Joe Coffey but was just too crafty for Gallus.
The Scot got the whole crowd chanting “We Be-lieve” before hitting the Standing Ovation to win.
This wasn’t the most involved match, but it was impressively effective. The fans’ complete commitment to Hendry sold the action, and he hit every beat in riding that reaction.
It felt like a main event star competing just to please his fans. Coffey played his role well as the bruiser heel who was simply outmatched.
Once again, Hendry has fit into NXT like a hand in glove, and he has become one of the most obvious benefactors of the TNA partnership.
Result
Hendry def. Coffey by pinfall.
Grade
B
Notable Moments
The whole NXT crowd sang Hendry’s theme (way out of tune) during his entrance. Later, he got them singing “Don’t Stop Believing”.
Hendry dived onto his rival before the bell to even the odds for a while. Later, when Gallus tried to attack him, the Scot flopped and got the duo thrown out.After winning, Hendry told Sarah Schreiber that he’d be appearing next week on NXT and face anyone who had a problem with that.
WWE @WWE”I like it here and I might just stay for a lot longer!”@joehendry doesn’t care if anyone in the locker room has a problem with it, he’s sticking around in #WWENXT! #NXTGAB pic.twitter.com/pPot7V67AR
Wren Sinclair (w/ NQCC) vs. Kendal Grey (w/ Carlee Bright)5 of 7
Wren Sinclair showed her submission expertise, stretching out Kendal Grey much to the delight of Charlie Dempsey and Myles Borne at ringside.
Sinclair won with a right hand and headlock driver.
WWE @WWEWREN is IN!@WrenSinclairWWE is the newest member of the NQCC AND Charlie Dempsey gets his #WWENXT Heritage Cup rematch! 👊#NXTGAB pic.twitter.com/g1E7T6QuYp
On a night when NXT mostly avoided the usual 4-minute squashes, this match did not live up to the overall feel of the event, but it was still important for story progression.
The action was fine but hardly memorable. Grey hasn’t shown much to stand out from the pack, and Sinclair looked a bit uncertain with a submission focus to her offense.
The right moves were made for the future. Sinclair makes No Quarter Catch Crew more interesting. Dempsey is ready to potentially reclaim the Heritage Cup with a new-look group.
Result
Sinclair def. Grey by pinfall to become a member of No Quarter Catch Crew and earn Dempsey a Heritage Cup match.
Grade
C
Notable Moments
Tony D’Angelo told Dempsey that he would give him a Heritage Cup match if Sinclair won Tuesday night. Sinclair made Dempsey agree that she could join NQCC if she won.Borne distracted Grey to show he was not scared of her.NXT aired another vignette for Je’Von Evans.The Don interrupted Oba Femi’s announcement that he was defending his title next week to confirm he was also defending the Heritage Cup next week.
NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer and Axiom (c) vs. MSK (w/ Trey Miguel)6 of 7
MSK fought as hard as possible and with complete focus, but Axiom and Nathan Frazer were just a little better.
Wes Lee fell to a Golden Ratio, sealing the loss.
Afterward, Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel tried to console Lee, but he attacked them both, laying them out as he screamed “You left me alone.”
WWE @WWEWHY, WES, WHY?!?!?#NXTGAB pic.twitter.com/C6tYgEE1LJ
Unreal expectations can be difficult to meet, and Frazer and Axiom vs. MSK was floated as a possible match-of-the-year candidate before it even happened. This was not quite that good.
It was still a fun contest, elevated by serious athletic talent in both corners. Everyone competed at a high level, hardly slowing down to catch a breath.
It would have been a great first effort for a longer tag team feud, but the aftermath makes this a one-off dream match that could have been more with a stronger pace and story focus.
Lee’s heel turn was out of nowhere. It made for a great dramatic moment, but it feels like too much too soon. The Rascalz still had story to tell together, and Lee has some serious work to do to sell himself as a heinous heel after years of winning over fans.
This is one moment that is hard to judge at this time. It will come down to the next few weeks of fallout.
Result
Frazer and Axiom def. Lee and Wentz by pinfall to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Grade
B+
Notable Moments
In an interview, Lee said that reuniting with The Rascalz was the best moment of his career.Ridge Holland told Andre Chase that he had worked out a deal for him and Chase to fight for the NXT Tag Team Championships next week. Duke Hudson and Riley Osborne were not happy about Holland booking himself.Axiom hit Wentz with a Spanish Fly into a Frazer Phoenix Splash. Lee barely broke up the count.The night ended with the crowd asking “Why, Wes, why?”.
Overall Show7 of 7
NXT absolutely nailed Great American Bash. Week One was good with a great main event. Week Two was great with a very good main event.
What made this second week even better was the consistency of the work from everyone involved. Nathan Frazer and Axiom vs. MSK may not have lived up to crazy expectations, but it was still great wrestling.
Kelani Jordan showed her versatility, selling big time for Tatum Paxley. And “All Ego” Ethan Page made Oro Mensah look as good as he ever has.
Joe Hendry had a successful debut, while the feud between Trick Williams and Pete Dunne heated up with a great first bout.
This was everything the gold brand should be for its special event shows. It came off as a lower-level premium live event, and everyone who watches NXT will be talking about the results and action for weeks to come.
Grade: A
