NXT made a triumphant return to its ECW roots this week, broadcasting live from the iconic 2300 Arena in the City of Brotherly Love. The show was full of nods to the hardcore legacy of Extreme Championship wrestling, and the Philly faithful were more than happy to welcome it back.
The Dudley Boyz Bring The Tables
One of the biggest draws of the night was the return of the legendary Dudley Boyz. Bubba Ray Dudley teamed up with Trick Williams, the current NXT Champion, to take on the formidable duo of Ethan Page and Ridge Holland.
Despite Bubba’s advanced age, the crowd still erupted when he began throwing elbows and called for the tables. Unfortunately, there were no tables to be found under the ring—until D-Von Dudley arrived just in time to provide one for Bubba and Trick to use on the villainous page.
Hardcore Antics In The ECW Arena
Throughout the night, the hardcore spirit of ECW was evident. In a Hardcore match, Jaida Parker battled Lola Vice, with Dawn Marie serving as the special guest referee. The match featured all the classic hardcore spots—chairs, ladders, bricks, and more. While the action was a bit sloppy at times, the crowd loved every minute of the old-school ECW mayhem.
Elsewhere, Wes Lee and Je’Von Evans took their rivalry to the next level, brawling all over the arena and using the environment to their advantage. Although the Young OG emerged victorious, Lee made it evident that their feud was just getting started.
The Future Of NXT Shines
While the ECW nostalgia was a big draw, the real highlights of the night came from NXT’s up-and-coming stars. In a thrilling 10-woman tag team match, a super-team led by Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, Kelani Jordan, Zaria, and Jordynne Grace took on the dynamic trio of Roxanne Perez, Cora Jade, and Fatal Influence.
The action was non-stop, with each woman getting a chance to shine. In the end, it was Zaria who landed the decisive blow, countering Perez’s Pop Rox finisher into a massive F5 for the win.
CW Executives Are Expecting Big Numbers
Backstage, there was a buzz about the high internal expectations from CW Network executives for this week’s NXT show. With the political landscape dominating the news cycle, the network is hoping the return to the ECW Arena and the star power of the Dudley Boyz will drive a big ratings boost.
“They’re really counting on this episode to be a breakout moment for NXT on the CW,” said one source close to the situation. “The nostalgia factor combined with the rising stars of the roster—they think it could be the highest-rated show since the debut.” One thing is certain: the WWE Universe in Philadelphia was electrifying, and NXT delivered an unforgettable night at the legendary ECW Arena.
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