WWE NXT GREAT AMERICAN BASH REVIEW

- Matthew Widdis, Senior Editor

As NXT is so fond of, we open with a vignette about the origins of Great American Bash and its ties to the late, great Dusty Rhodes. It also gets mentioned that ringside commentator and Hall of Famer, Booker T, competed at six GAB’s during his years with WCW.

Je’Von Evans vs Jasper Troy

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This was a baptism by fire for two young talents. Jasper Troy, fresh off of a failed attempt to capture the NXT Championship, had to show that he belonged on big cards. Je’Von Evans had to show that he could lead a dance despite his relatively short tenure.

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The match was a very good example of the “big strong man vs smaller faster man” match. Troy was chasing a power bomb for several minutes while Evans slipped out over and over again. The previous injuries to Evans’ ribs were the focal point for the match as his aerial attacks took longer to set up as he winced through his leaps and frog (splashes.) In the end, it was narrowly evaded Black Hole Slam that led to a sly rollup that got Evans the win and proved that he was no One-Trick Pony, relying on his sublime floating cutter.

Winner: Je’Von Evans

Sol Ruca (c) vs Izzi Dame for the NXT Women’s North American Championship

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Despite all of The Culling showing up for Izzi Dame’s entrance, only Tatum Paxley remained at ringside throughout the match. (Side note: One of the things that NXT does great is address a released talent’s departure and using it to pivot another’s storyline. Tatum looking for new friends since GiGi Dollin and Shotzi’s exits and how it rolled into this match is a good example.) Zaria accompanied Sol Ruca, as usual.

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Izzi used her power advantage throughout and gained her an early lead. The turning point came when Sol Ruca hit a spear on Dame but Tatum placed her foot on the bottom rope to break the count. This led to Zari taking out Paxley and, with no further meddling, a Sol Snatcher kept the title from changing hands.

Winner and still champion: Sol Ruca

Ricky Saints vs “All Ego” Ethan Page (c) for the NXT North American Championship

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This contest is a “Fall Count Anywhere” match, meaning (or at least implying) no disqualification. Page and Saints seem to be in a “fight forever” situation. Both are at the same level in terms of accolades and complementary in skill set. Their on-screen animosity comes off so very naturally.

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There were quite a few weapons (including the dreaded chancla!) and environment spots as are the norm is such a match. There was also interference run-ins. Jasper Troy benefitted Ethan Page by performing a Black Hole Slam on Ricky Saints. That wasn’t the end of Saints just yet as his assist was unwitting when he used the referee to kick off of for a tornado DDT at the top of the entry stage. Unfortunately for Ricky, Page kicked out at two, recovered and it’s a looong way down when he hits an Ego’s Edge through a table. That was the end of Ricky Saints… at least for now.

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Winner and still champion: “All Ego” Ethan Page

Mike Santana, Joe Hendry, and TNA Champion, Trick Williams, come to the ring for the contract signing for their championship three-way match at TNA Slammiversary. NXT general manager, Ava, oversaw the signing on behalf of TNA’s Santino Marella. Both Hendry and Santana pledge to fulfill their goals and bring the TNA title belt back home. Trick dismissed them both and purported his superiority. After ink hit paper, Trick went to leave but was stopped by Joe Hendry. Hendry and Santana double-teamed Trick and put him through the signing table. (Shout out to Corey Graves for finally suggesting that these incidents could be avoided using DocuSign via email.) To add insult to injury (or maybe a hat to a hat,) DarkState appeared to work over Trick Williams a little more as their reign of reasonable caution over both companies continues.

Oba Femi (c) vs Yoshiki Inamura for the NXT Championship

Before the match, Imamura’s tag team partner, Josh Briggs, is as hyped as he is. Briggs says his pal is walking out as champ “by any means necessary.” Inamura corrects him by saying he will win… with honor. Corey Graves describes the impending contest as “human demolition derby.”

Like movie soundtracks in the 00s, this was all smashmouth. The Japanese fireplug weathered The Ruler’s powerful attacks and proved more than capable of lifting and throwing the massive champion’s bulk in kind. The crowd was behind both men, loving the colossal collisions. Josh Briggs proved to be the drama point in the match as he hit the champion from behind with the belt without Inamura’s knowledge or approval. He later implored Inamura to use a chained fist (curiously directly in front of a recovered referee.) Despite his virtue (and top rope splashes,) Inamura-san ran right into a Fall from Grace power bomb to end his night.

Winner and still champion: Oba Femi

After the match, we see Inamura and Femi speaking backstage where Inamura apologizes for Brooks’ interference. Oba Femi is understanding until Brooks butts in and begins demanding a rematch. Inamura tries to break them apart as the two giants start to brawl.

Jordynne Grace & Blake Monroe vs Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley

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A main event with huge ramifications for the NXT Women’s Championship match at Evolution as the champion, Jacy Jayne, and challenger, Jordynne Grace, are in action. Jayne and Henley’s Fatal Influence cohort, Jasmyn Nyx was at ringside.

This was Blake Monroe’s debut NXT match and was a decent showcase for the former Mariah May. However, it should be noted that Fallon Henley made use of every opportunity to get noticed with some great maneuvers including a swinging dropkick utilizing the ring post. Another cross-company incident occurred when TNA Knockouts Champion, Masha Slamovich, appeared to neutralize a meddlesome Jasmyn Nyx. In the end, Blake Monroe and the NXT champion were left alone with an exchange of kicks and counters until Jacy ran headlong into a double-arm DDT.

Winners: Blake Monroe & Jordynne Grace