Greg DeMarco is back (in written form) with a look at this week’s WWE NXT offerings–Top 5 style!

1. Tony D’Angelo/Ilja Dragunov Vignettes

From Tony’s goons picking Ilja up in the parking lot, to the walk through all of the equipment, to the sit-down confrontation, the entire presentation here was brilliant. Tony has really gotten into his character, and Shawn Michaels’ tongue-in-cheek comments about Hollywood stealing Tony could actually have a little bit of merit. He has gone all in on this role, and it’s showing.

As for Ilja? He’s perfect in his resolve. No matter the situation and no matter the surroundings, he always delivers a performance true to his character. Despite any mental edge provided by Tony’s mounting momentum, this is a match that could steal the show on Saturday, and be a star-making performance for Tony regardless of the outcome.

2. Noam Dar’s Supernova Sessions with Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria

Early into Roxanne Perez’s NXT tenure, Cora Jade turned on her, creating a very strong heel who has only been stifled by injury. But in the ultimate form of irony, it is Roxanne who is now a heel, and in all honesty is doing Cora Jade better than Cora Jade has.

Promo ability is the key to a long and successful WWE career. Charisma and presence take in-ring competency and shoot it to the moon. Roxanne Perez is 10x the promo that Lyra Valkyria will ever be, and that showed today. Even just a semi-trained eye could see the points where Lyra got lost. I know there are reports out there that WWE officials are impressed with Roxanne and a main roster call-up could be coming soon, but she needs to complete the square with this one and have a heel run as NXT Women’s Champion before making the jump. There are plenty of women on the main roster waiting for something substantial to do–give Roxanne time.

3. Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes Stand Off

One of the best things about the Stand & Deliver main event between Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes is that the match has never happened before. Anywhere. There is nothing to go back to. Not a ton of physicality between the two at all.

Carmelo Hayes has been an obvious star since his second televised NXT match, against Adam Cole. Now a ten year veteran, the obvious nature of his star has never been brighter. Trick Williams, on the other hand, wasn’t an independent star. He was a football player who went undrafted, but quickly became an undeniable star in NXT.

Once Trick took off, the breakup was inevitable. And honestly, it was necessary. Look what a split did for Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa–who have a decent chance to leave WrestleMania with some tag titles over their shoulders. But unlike Gargano & Ciampa, I don’t think this feud will drag out for multiple years. This might be their only match against each other in NXT (two at most).

Their showdown was fun, but it was the brawl that reminded me that this story has been told. Nothing more is needed. Put them in the ring and see what magic they can make happen.

My money is on Trick and Melo delivering…at Stand & Deliver.

4. Lola Vice Shows Flashes Of Being a Future Top Star

This new rivalry between Lola Vice and Natalya is exactly what the former Bellator MMA star needs. She has the physical tools. She has the ability. She has the charisma. SHE HAS “IT.” And she seemingly has an unlimited quantity of “IT.” But despite all of that, since the split from Elektra Lopez, something has been missing.

Until Tuesday night.

When Lola locked in the Sharpshooter, the crowd went nuts. Natalya reacted, but ended up with Lola’s tongue sticking out at her. If Lola Vice becomes the big star that so many of us believe she can be, tonight should be viewed as a turning point in that journey.

5. Ava Is Hitting Her Stride as NXT General Manager

Some of the most iconic general managers in wrestling history have had their “thing.” It’s something that set them apart:

• Teddy Long’s “One-on-one wit Da Undertaker” or “tag team match, playa!”
• William Regal’s “WAR GAMES!”
• Eric Bischoff pushing for “Hot Lesbian Action” or the chaos that followed the words “3 Minutes.”
• And today, Adam Pearce’s “It Is Official.”

Current NXT General Manager Ava (Raine) doesn’t have that yet, but she is really coming into her own. Her voice is stronger, and she’s not coming across as trying to be the NXT General Manager. She simply IS the NXT General Manager. And that’s what NXT is all about, right? Finding your place, and growing as performers. Just like Tony D’Angelo and Trick Williams referenced above, Ava has truly grown into her role, and is doing it in a truly authentic manner. Props to her, and props to NXT for seeing this potential. I thought it could end up being a disaster when it first started, and instead it’s turned out to be an amazing development.

Honorable Mentions:

• One hell of a tag team match to open the show, and I am glad to see Axiom & Nathan Frazer getting the nod over the main roster talents for Stand & Deliver.
• Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley don’t get nearly the credit they deserve for the job they’ve done, not only in their own growth and development in NXT, but how they’ve helped elevate so many younger talents.
• Arianna Grace is becoming a guilty pleasure in NXT. She is just so damn good at her character.
• Oba Femi will main event a future WrestleMania. Screenshot this, bookmark it, I don’t even think it’s a very bold prediction. The dude has been a star from his first NXT appearance.