Simple yet effective! | WWE NXT Level Up 12.09.2022
wrestling 025 & tv review 066
...but maybe I took too long..
WWE
NXT Level Up
December 09th, 2022
Review
It's important for me to keep close eyes on these emerging talents and see their progression...:
Odyssey Jones v Damon Kemp (5m10s) [3/5]
I was just tuning into NXT back when it's just pashing out of the "2.0" phase so I hadn't really seen much of Odyssey in action before except once or twice in Level Up, but this is going on a good direction for a returning wrestler from an injury. No ring rust is visible on him at all, especially coupled with Damon who has really good mat wrestling fundamentals. The former is in complete control in the opening for a couple of minutes with his edge in pure power but the the latter outsmarts him on the rope by targeting an appendage, returning the favor for the second half of the match. It is a pretty grounded and slow-paced event but they are playing to each talents' strengths and highlighting them on a developmental platform such as this. Powering out of the hand lock and getting a second wind, the party boy starts laying down a couple of power moves and ends it pretty definitively with a side power slam off of the turnbuckle. It's the right booking decision here since he does need to gain back his momentum whereas the backstabber doesn't need to just yet. He'll get his opportunity elsewhere, I belive.
+ Pretty basic grappling match, showing solid foundation for both talents.
? They need to be careful when performing in the ring... some of the shots look like they're connecting hard a couple of times, and that knee drops to the hand of Kemp from Jones look flushed to the biceps and not the mat. | Kemp looks like he has his character tuned up to a tee while Jones shouldn't just be a checkered happy babyface.
- I believe Odyssey's supposed to loft Damon on his shoulders at one time, or maybe that's the story being told...
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Valentina Feroz v Sol Ruca (4m30s) [3/5]
Just like Wes Lee, Valentina has to try paving her own singular way as a solo competitor since their teammate is out injured (I believe Lee's is not in contract anymore...) and while the former has risen above the obstacles (and then some), the latter is obviously having a harder time to find her place back on her own two feet but she definitely gives her all and getting better between the ropes. On the opposite side though, Sol has nailed her overall presentation and has well-rounded skill-set, but... I really love her entrance walk-in with the split and handstand, and of course that jaw-dropping top rope step-up handstand 180 cutter! As many times as I had rewinded it, I still couldn't make sense of it! Okay, let's review the match that leads to it. I appreciate the booking on this encounter, with the smaller built Feroz proves to be a handful for the bigger Ruca with her agility and tactics that needs to be countered with her own counters and strengths. There's a bit of a pacing problem in the middle though, chalk it up to them being too green and losing that chemistry a little, but they resume well enough right away to not make it too awkward. The surfer tooks control by trying to ground down the the fiery Spanish but to no avail as she gets a second wind that almost gives her the win. Getting cornered, Sol uses the ace up her sleeve, the aforementioned mindblowing finisher to keep Valentina down long enough for the three count. Well fought and what a finish!
+ A couple of wrestlers with a lot potentional, with one poised to break through
? Valentina is certainly getting better, just needing that win to propel her into NXT proper... the right person wins here, I think? Sol just need a storyline to anchor her to and get the momentum going for her, while Feroz is showing her dedication to the craft by being the flag-bearer so to speak here on Level Up. Godspeed!
- Had to mention the lost of chemistry there in the middle.
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Ikemen Jiro v Trick Williams (5m50s) [3.25/5]
Comedy-based wrestling is also a part of the modern scene and much more trickier to get right, especially as an added layer to the basic mastery of the foundation. Rather than being created from the ground up, this approach would be best if inspired from the wrestler's own natural demeanor and personality, and I think that's definitely the case for both performers in this match. Ikemen's bubbly persona is only matched by the flashiness of his jacket, a particular presentation that only he could pull off, while the arrogant counterpart in Trick comes naturally to him as a bully, certainly in line with his partner-in-crime Carmelo Hayes. They are a perfect foil for each other, with the former playing to the crowd every chance he gets while the latter picking a fight just because he can, and he pays the price in the opening minutes before an illegal pull of the jacket to the ground gains him the upper hand. Hamming it up perfectly as a heel, doing his opponent's taunt, pulling his hair and even tucking in the jacket into his trunks! After being worked on for a little while, Jiro turns the tide when he learns from earlier to drop the jacket off the shoulders to avoid the same fate, then goes on a full assault against Williams with his signature jacket punches, side super kick and even a backward summersalt off the top rope. Just when he's about to clinch it, Trick as a last gasp goes between the buckles to allow him to opportunity to kick him away just long enough for him to land his Discus Swift Kick (I believe that's the name...?). The adequate amount of pacing and correct booking in my mind. Good ending.
+ Solid, entertaining bout all around | Quite a well-rounded and wholesome character in Ikemen Jiro | Trick is solid, but might benefit from more layers to his basic arc.
? I wonder how well his quirky gimmick would translate into the main roster... | Trick should definitely be brought up with Carmelo as is... they are already ready right now!
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