Here are my NXT Battleground Thoughts:
Here's the Complete History of NXT Battleground.My Picks: Carmelo Hayes, Tiffany Stratton, The Creed Brothers, Wes Lee, Dragon Lee, Ilja Dragunov.
Good opening video.
By the way, it's great to see NXT in a huge arena again instead of the same crowd of the CWC.
Tyler Bate VS Joe Gacy VS Wes Lee was an awesome Triple Threat Match to kick off Battleground. All 3 were amazing. This extends Lee's North American Title Reign to 210 Days & 10 Successful Title Defenses, which are the most of All Time. By the way, Lee didn't break the North American Championship Defense Record tonight at Battleground. He did it 2 defenses ago, when he beat Keith Lee's Record of 8 Defenses, but Lee vacated before his 9th Defense. My Picks 1 for 1.
Good videos on Roxanne Perez & Tony D'Angelo & the Women's Tournament with Tiffany Stratton.
Dragon Lee VS Noam Dar was excellent & a good way to introduce the NXT Audience to the Heritage Cup that never watched it in NXT UK. I didn't mind the use of Nathan Frazer & Oro Mensah but Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend was horrible. This extends Dar's Heritage Cup Reign to 276 Days, which is the Longest Reign of All-Time & was his 1st Defense. It also brings his Heritage Cup Rules Record to 11-3-1. My Picks: 1 for 2.
What's the point of a video on GUNTHER if he's not in NXT? The videos should be focused on NXT wrestlers.
Ilja Dragunov VS Dijak was incredible. Both men destroyed themselves & each other. They are insane especially that Coast-to-Coast with the Stairs. My body hurts just watching that match, so I don't know how they feel. My Picks: 2 for 3.
Great video on Cora Jade.
Fun Chase University Segment.
Horrible promo with Noam Dar & company.
Awesome, Great American Bash is now a Premium Live Event & not just an episode of NXT. It's another easy records for me since it will be the 1st ever.
I really wish Joe Coffey was teaming with Mark instead of Wolfgang against The Creed Brothers because it would have been the 1st ever Brothers VS Brothers Match for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
The Creed Brothers VS Gallus was unbelievable. No offense to Taz, but Julius is the new Suplex Machine. I didn't like the finish with Ava taking out Ivy Nile causing the distraction. This extends Gallus' Tag Title Reign to 113 Days with a successful 5th Defense, which is the 3rd Most Defenses below The Ascension & Pretty Deadly’s 2nd Reign (6) & MSK’s 1st Reign (8). My Picks: 2 for 4.
Again a profile on a wrestler that's not in NXT with Rhea Ripley. She doesn't need a profile. We know who she is. Do someone in NXT. Wow. We will find out who's the mysterious attacker on Tuesday.
Good video on Lyra Valkyria.
Lyra Valkyria VS Tiffany Stratton was a great Women's Championship match. I was very critical of Stratton when she debuted. She wasn't good in the ring or on the mic, but she has improved so much & has become one of my favorite women in NXT. She is in good company, as she joins Charlotte Flair & Ember Moon as the only 3 women to win the Women's Title by winning a Tournament for the Vacant Title. My Picks: 3 for 5.
Good videos on Wes Lee & Nikkita Lyons. Looking forward to Nikkita's return soon.
LOL. What a stupid dog mask on Bron Breakker. He looks like a joke instead of a menacing monster. Another awesome entrance for Carmelo Hayes by Trick Williams.
LOL. They can't say the name of the 3-time NXT Champion Samoa Joe, who has a history with Bron's Uncle Scott.
Carmelo Hayes VS Bron Breakker was a tremendous match even though I missed the finish as my Peacock feed shut off. What a way to establish Hayes' NXT Championship Reign. This extends his reign to 57 Days with a successful 2nd Defense. My Picks: 4 for 6.
Here are my Battleground Rankings:
1) Ilja Dragunov VS Dijak
2) Carmelo Hayes VS Bron Breakker
3) Tyler Bate VS Joe Gacy VS Wes Lee
4) Lyra Valkyria VS Tiffany Stratton
5) The Creed Brothers VS Gallus
6) Dragon Lee VS Noam Dar
Ends an awesome Battleground. Any match could have been #1 in my rankings. The Tag Title & Heritage Cup Matches are ranked low because I didn't like the finish, but otherwise there was nothing that I didn't like. What an amazing weekend in WWE & NXT.