HEYDORN’S NXT 2.0 RECEIPT 3/29: Strong Ziggler and Breakker vignettes lead final Stand and Deliver hype

This week’s episode of NXT 2.0 has wrapped. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and relive some of the madness.

-A pretty good opener between LA Knight & MSK vs. Imperium. NXT has a bit of a problem on their hands, though. Gunther is over with that NXT crowd as a babyface. He has such a strong presence and regularly overshadows his babyface opponent because of it. A good problem to have I suppose, but a problem nonetheless.

-If Ivy Nile can develop a mic game, she will be someone to watch in five or so years.

-WWE and NXT should pat themselves on their backs for the video work on Dolph Ziggler and Bron Breakker. The vignettes correctly articulated the tone of each character and the stakes of their main event match at NXT Stand and Deliver this weekend. Given where Breakker’s promo skills are at right now, these videos did more for the program than an in-ring segment would have. Smart move and well executed across the board.

-Great promo from Tommaso Ciampa. Is it his last match in NXT? Last match ever? Either way, an end of an era in a lot of ways.

-Brooks Jensen and Joshua Briggs need some work. This was better than the dating video nonsense, but, yikes. There was a lot of holes in their match with LDF and if they will be mainstays on television, it needs to be cleaned up.

-A hot couple angle? What are we doing here? Surely there is a better way to spend valuable time on the USA Network and Peacock, right?

-Cameron Grimes, hello sir. The standout promo on the show without question. It was so strong that it pretty much gave away the ending of the main event. This was the type of promo that pulls fans to your side. Whatever audience is in the building for Stand and Deliver, they’ll want Grimes to make good on these promo points.

-A fun little reunion between Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez. Wendy Choo ok, though?

-It’s time for Von Wagner to grow a bit. More than any of the other new NXT 2.0 talent, Wagner is the same guy he was when he first appeared. There isn’t a character there and he’s not emphasizing any depth of a personality.

-Joe Gacy? See above.

-Nikkita Lyons is playing wrestler out there. Another 2.0 act that doesn’t seem polished enough for the television time she’s getting. There is a natural charisma there with her, but the act just isn’t ready yet.

-Great main event. Action packed stuff from all-involved and a nice tease for what the tone of the ladder match will be at Stand and Deliver.

-It’s hard to say who NXT is working to position for the big ladder match win. Grayson Waller makes a lot sense. Carmelo Hayes retaining makes sense too. That audience is going to be behind Cameron Grimes, though, and the guys should remember that when putting the match together.

CATCH-UP: HEYDORN’S RAW RECEIPT 3/28: Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns shine with go-home promos