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Greg DeMarco’s Top 5 Things: WWE NXT (April 2, 2024)

Greg DeMarco is back (in written form) with a look at this week’s WWE NXT offerings–Top 5 style!

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WWE NXT Trick Williams Carmelo Hayes Stand & Deliver

Greg DeMarco is back (in written form) with a look at this week’s WWE NXT offerings–Top 5 style!

1. Tony D’Angelo/Ilja Dragunov Vignettes

From Tony’s goons picking Ilja up in the parking lot, to the walk through all of the equipment, to the sit-down confrontation, the entire presentation here was brilliant. Tony has really gotten into his character, and Shawn Michaels’ tongue-in-cheek comments about Hollywood stealing Tony could actually have a little bit of merit. He has gone all in on this role, and it’s showing.

As for Ilja? He’s perfect in his resolve. No matter the situation and no matter the surroundings, he always delivers a performance true to his character. Despite any mental edge provided by Tony’s mounting momentum, this is a match that could steal the show on Saturday, and be a star-making performance for Tony regardless of the outcome.

2. Noam Dar’s Supernova Sessions with Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria

Early into Roxanne Perez’s NXT tenure, Cora Jade turned on her, creating a very strong heel who has only been stifled by injury. But in the ultimate form of irony, it is Roxanne who is now a heel, and in all honesty is doing Cora Jade better than Cora Jade has.

WWE NXT Roxanne Perez

Promo ability is the key to a long and successful WWE career. Charisma and presence take in-ring competency and shoot it to the moon. Roxanne Perez is 10x the promo that Lyra Valkyria will ever be, and that showed today. Even just a semi-trained eye could see the points where Lyra got lost. I know there are reports out there that WWE officials are impressed with Roxanne and a main roster call-up could be coming soon, but she needs to complete the square with this one and have a heel run as NXT Women’s Champion before making the jump. There are plenty of women on the main roster waiting for something substantial to do–give Roxanne time.

3. Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes Stand Off

One of the best things about the Stand & Deliver main event between Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes is that the match has never happened before. Anywhere. There is nothing to go back to. Not a ton of physicality between the two at all.

Carmelo Hayes has been an obvious star since his second televised NXT match, against Adam Cole. Now a ten year veteran, the obvious nature of his star has never been brighter. Trick Williams, on the other hand, wasn’t an independent star. He was a football player who went undrafted, but quickly became an undeniable star in NXT.

Once Trick took off, the breakup was inevitable. And honestly, it was necessary. Look what a split did for Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa–who have a decent chance to leave WrestleMania with some tag titles over their shoulders. But unlike Gargano & Ciampa, I don’t think this feud will drag out for multiple years. This might be their only match against each other in NXT (two at most).

Their showdown was fun, but it was the brawl that reminded me that this story has been told. Nothing more is needed. Put them in the ring and see what magic they can make happen.

My money is on Trick and Melo delivering…at Stand & Deliver.

4. Lola Vice Shows Flashes Of Being a Future Top Star

This new rivalry between Lola Vice and Natalya is exactly what the former Bellator MMA star needs. She has the physical tools. She has the ability. She has the charisma. SHE HAS “IT.” And she seemingly has an unlimited quantity of “IT.” But despite all of that, since the split from Elektra Lopez, something has been missing.

Until Tuesday night.

When Lola locked in the Sharpshooter, the crowd went nuts. Natalya reacted, but ended up with Lola’s tongue sticking out at her. If Lola Vice becomes the big star that so many of us believe she can be, tonight should be viewed as a turning point in that journey.

5. Ava Is Hitting Her Stride as NXT General Manager

Some of the most iconic general managers in wrestling history have had their “thing.” It’s something that set them apart:

  • Teddy Long’s “One-on-one wit Da Undertaker” or “tag team match, playa!”
  • William Regal’s “WAR GAMES!”
  • Eric Bischoff pushing for “Hot Lesbian Action” or the chaos that followed the words “3 Minutes.”
  • And today, Adam Pearce’s “It Is Official.”

Current NXT General Manager Ava (Raine) doesn’t have that yet, but she is really coming into her own. Her voice is stronger, and she’s not coming across as trying to be the NXT General Manager. She simply IS the NXT General Manager. And that’s what NXT is all about, right? Finding your place, and growing as performers. Just like Tony D’Angelo and Trick Williams referenced above, Ava has truly grown into her role, and is doing it in a truly authentic manner. Props to her, and props to NXT for seeing this potential. I thought it could end up being a disaster when it first started, and instead it’s turned out to be an amazing development.

Honorable Mentions:

  • One hell of a tag team match to open the show, and I am glad to see Axiom & Nathan Frazer getting the nod over the main roster talents for Stand & Deliver.
  • Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley don’t get nearly the credit they deserve for the job they’ve done, not only in their own growth and development in NXT, but how they’ve helped elevate so many younger talents.
  • Arianna Grace is becoming a guilty pleasure in NXT. She is just so damn good at her character.
  • Oba Femi will main event a future WrestleMania. Screenshot this, bookmark it, I don’t even think it’s a very bold prediction. The dude has been a star from his first NXT appearance.

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Opinion

Chris King: The Wyatt Sicks’ Wasted Potential By WWE

Chris King takes a look at the WWE and their wasted potential of Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks faction.

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Wyatt Sicks WWE

Chris King takes a look at the WWE and their wasted potential of Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks faction.

It’s that time of the year again, folks; it’s unfortunate and downright awful that so many WWE superstars got released today. I’m not going to list all of them, but I am going to talk about one of my favorite factions, 

The Wyatt Sicks. Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Erik Rowan, and Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy) were something special. After Bo’s brother Bray Wyatt’s tragic passing, WWE felt like there was a hole that needed to be filled. Wyatt was one of the most creative and brilliant characters, and Bo would be taking over his brother’s concept and bringing it to life. In 2024, at the end of an incredible documentary highlighting Wyatt’s career and struggles, Bo appeared on the screen portrayed as Uncle Howdy. The last time Uncle Howdy was seen on-screen was at the 2023 Royal Rumble, where Wyatt defeated LA Knight in a Pitch Black Match. Howdy jumped off a structure onto Knight. 

This post-credit scene sparked so much speculation and excitement that Wyatt’s brother would carry on his legacy and possibly debut the faction that was Wyatt’s concept. On the June 17th episode of Monday Night Raw, The Wyatt Sicks made their dramatic debut ,destroying the backstage area as well as “murdering” Chad Gable. It was such an iconic arrival for Howdy as he made his menacing walk from the back into the audience who were chanting “Holy Shit.” The Sicks and American Made (Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers) battled for months, with The Sicks being victorious. On the September 9th episode of Raw, The Sicks defeated them, with Howdy getting the win with Sister Abigail. 

The following year, The Sicks would move over to Friday Night SmackDown, and it seemed like WWE had a plan in place. They would win the tag team championships from The Street Profits and start to look dominant. Now, what should have happened next is Howdy should have won the United States title. The Sicks could have held all the gold over on the blue brand, but it never happened. The Sicks entered into a never-ending feud with The MFT’s (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga.) It started off exciting, and the WWE Universe was red-hot for their interactions. 

After months of repetitive matches and The MFT’s stealing their lantern, the feud grew tiresome and boring. Even Tama asked Solo why they are still holding onto the lantern, as it was destroying them as a whole. Finally on the SmackDown before Mania, Tama

gave the lantern back to Howdy against Solo’s wishes. Please explain to me why both factions fought almost every single week instead of just having one final blowoff match at WrestleMania. 

It should have been either a massive street fight or a falls count anywhere match on the grandest stage of them all. Instead, it turned into a meaningless week-after-week extravaganza that benefited no one. The MFTs won the rivalry, and The Sicks don’t even work for WWE anymore. This was the same criminalized creative process that Wyatt dealt with during his first run in the company. 

We’ll never know how much of a dangerous force The Wyatt Sicks could have been in the WWE. For all their careers’ sake, I hope they stay far away from the company for as long as possible. Every superstar that was cut deserves better!

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FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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Opinion

Chris King: Bloodline Saga: Is This the Right Call For WWE?

Chris King questions the WWE’s logic in setting up Jacob Fatu as the next challenger for World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns 

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WWE Jacob Fatu Roman Reigns Backlash

Chris King questions the WWE’s logic in setting up Jacob Fatu as the next challenger for World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns is once again World Heavyweight Champion after his dominant win over CM Punk at WrestleMania 42. On the following night on Monday Night Raw, The OG Bloodline came back together as a well-oiled machine as The Usos stood side by side with Roman. With the WWE Universe asking who would be the first to challenge “The Tribal Chief,” Jacob Fatu shocked the world by answering the call. 

Fatu is running hot after his impressive win over Drew McIntyre and feels like he is ready to become the new world champion. This bloodline segment ended Raw, and it picked right back up on SmackDown with even Solo Sikoa and the MFTs involved. This is now two shows that have been centered around The Bloodline saga, and it’s made me question whether or not WWE should be retelling this story. 

The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, The Usos, and Solo Sikoa) ran WWE for over four years as Reigns’ henchmen, doing his dirty work to retain his title. Even though Roman has declared he doesn’t want Jey and Jimmy to serve him, it sure seems like WWE are spinning their wheels. Fatu could add a whole new chapter into the story, even if he’s not able to beat Roman at Backlash. “The Samoan Werewolf” could be forced to do the same thing as Jey did all those years ago and fall in line. 

 In my opinion, I feel like Fatu should be challenging for the Undisputed WWE Championship because that’s a title I feel like he should win. I understand standing up to your blood and trying to prove you’re the best, but I don’t think this is the right move. It feels like 2022 all over again, as The Bloodline is the central focus on both shows. If Fatu doesn’t win, what happens to all his momentum he’s been building over the last two years? 

Why did WWE make this the best choice for storyline purposes? Why couldn’t creative have come up with a different challenger for Roman? There are so many other superstars that could challenge The Tribal Chief, such as Rusev, Bron Breakker, Gunther, or even a returning Sheamus. 

I just can’t help but question WWE’s logic here, and it kind of reminds me of all the times The Shield reunited. Could WWE be pushing the same storyline too many times here? Could the WWE Universe get tired of this rinse and repeat cycle of The Bloodline Saga?

Are we about to see all the weekly episodes solely focused on The Bloodline again? Will it be cinema… Yes. Is there still money in The Bloodline… Yes. Was it the right call? That’s to be determined!

Chairshot Radio Network

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 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Nefarious Means

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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