The WWE NXT edition on September 26 served as the precursor to No Mercy, laying the groundwork for an unforgettable show in Bakersfield, California.
Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov were scheduled to finalize the contract for their upcoming rematch at the Saturday pay-per-view, while Becky Lynch addressed the audience just days ahead of her Extreme Rules match against Tiffany Stratton.
Butch and Joe Coffey emerged as the final contenders in the Global Heritage Invitational. The question remained: who would step up to challenge Noam Dar for the Heritage Cup?
Dijak and Eddy Thorpe aimed to conclude their intense feud in a strap match, with both seeking a decisive victory.
Hank Walker and Tank Ledger squared off against Bronco Nima and Lucien Price, competing for a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championship, a chance to make a lifetime statement.
The NXT needed to lay a strong foundation for one of its most significant events on Tuesday.
- Global Heritage Invitational Final: Butch vs. Joe Coffey (w/ Gallus) Result: Butch triumphed over Joe by pinfall, securing a Heritage Cup match at No Mercy. Grade: B
Notable Moments:
- Despite the high stakes, the match did not surpass Butch’s previous encounters with Axiom and Tyler Bate, mainly due to the inconsistent storytelling.
- Gallus was ejected from the ringside after interference attempts.
- Coffey showcased his destructive NXT UK persona, making it one of his best NXT matches.
- The win was crucial for Butch, hinting at a significant match with Noam Dar at No Mercy.
- Trick Williams vs. Joe Gacy (w/ Ava) Result: Trick secured a win over Gacy by pinfall. Grade: C
Notable Moments:
- The match was brief, highlighting Trick’s popularity and potential in the NXT midcard.
- Post-match, Trick was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid, expressing his gold-winning aspirations.
- Crowd support for Trick was evident through the chants.
- Baron Corbin vs. Josh Briggs (w/ Fallon Henley) Result: Corbin defeated Briggs by pinfall. Grade: D+
Notable Moments:
- The match primarily served to build Corbin for his feud with Bron Breakker.
- The storyline lacked depth and failed to establish a compelling rivalry between Corbin and Breakker.
- Out The Mud (w/ SCRYPTS) vs. Hank and Tank Result: OTM defeated Hank and Tank by pinfall. Grade: C-
Notable Moments:
- The match was quick, with OTM capitalizing on a distraction to secure the win.
- The new tag team, OTM, showcased potential, but their presentation needs refinement.
- Strap Match: Dijak vs. Eddy Thorpe Result: Thorpe emerged victorious over Dijak by pinfall. Grade: C+
Notable Moments:
- The match started slow but picked up pace when Thorpe took control.
- While both competitors utilized the strap, more creative use would have elevated the match.
- The feud seemed to continue despite Thorpe’s decisive win.
- Thea Hail (w/ Jacy Jayne) vs. Dani Palmer Result: Hail submitted Palmer for the win. Grade: D+
Notable Moments:
- The match was a classic squash, highlighting Hail’s Kimura Lock.
- Hail’s rebranding has been effective, but her in-ring repertoire needs expansion.
- No. 1 Contender: Dragon Lee vs. Tyler Bate vs. Axiom vs. Trick Williams Result: Trick won the Fatal 4-Way, earning a title shot at No Mercy. Grade: A
Notable Moments:
- The match was the highlight of the night, with all competitors delivering stellar performances.
- Trick emerged as the central figure, securing a win despite being outmatched athletically.
- Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov Sign the Contract Grade: B
Notable Moments:
- Both competitors exchanged intense words, with Melo signing the contract and vowing victory.
- The segment was solid but could have benefited from more vulnerability from Melo.
Overall Show Grade: D
Summary:
- The go-home show lacked the necessary hype for No Mercy, with several squash matches and segments not living up to expectations.
- The Fatal 4-Way match was the standout moment, while other feuds and storylines required better execution.
- Despite the underwhelming build, No Mercy has the potential to deliver a memorable event.
