Spring Breakin' (2024)

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NXT Spring Breakin'
PromotionWWE
Brand(s)NXT
DateApril 23 and April 30, 2024
CityOrlando, Florida
VenueWWE Performance Center
NXT special episodes chronology
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Spring Breakin' chronology
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The 2024 Spring Breakin' is an ongoing professional wrestling television special produced by WWE for its developmental brand NXT. It is the third annual Spring Breakin' for the brand and is airing as a two-part special episode of NXT on the USA Network. The event is taking place on April 23 and April 30, 2024, at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

Ten matches were contested on Week 1 of the event, including six televised matches and four taped for NXT Level Up. In the televised main event of Week 1, Trick Williams defeated Ilja Dragunov to win the NXT Championship in a match where if Williams lost, he would have had to leave NXT. In another prominent match, Roxanne Perez defeated Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley in a triple threat match to retain the NXT Women's Championship in the opening bout.

This is notable for being the last event to feature Ilja Dragunov, Blair Davenport & Lyra Valkyria as they would all be called up to the main roster in the 2024 WWE Draft.

Production[edit]

Background[edit]

Spring Breakin' is an annual professional wrestling television special produced by WWE for its developmental brand NXT. The event was established in 2022 and airs as a special episode of NXT.[1] On April 9, 2024, it was announced that the third Spring Breakin' would take place on April 23 and 30, 2024, at NXT's home base of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, expanding the event to a two-part special on the USA Network.[2]

Storylines[edit]

The card includes matches that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the NXT brand,[3][4] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television program, NXT, and the supplementary online streaming show, Level Up.

At Vengeance Day on February 4, Trick Williams, who was accompanied by Carmelo Hayes, failed to win the NXT Championship from Ilja Dragunov. After the match, Hayes attacked Williams with a steel chair, ending their partnership and turning heel in the process.[5] At Roadblock, The D'Angelo Family's Tony D'Angelo defeated Hayes to become the #1 contender to the NXT Championship at Stand & Deliver. After the match, Williams made his return and attacked Hayes in the ring.[6] The following week on NXT, Williams challenged Hayes to a match at Stand & Deliver.[7] At Stand & Deliver on April 6, Dragunov successfully defended his title while Williams defeated Hayes.[8] On the following episode of NXT, Williams called out Dragunov to challenge him for the NXT Championship. Dragunov agreed to a title match at Week 1 of Spring Breakin' on the condition that Williams leave NXT if he lose, which Williams accepted.[2]

In December 2023, Tatum Paxley developed a deranged obsession with then-NXT Women's Champion, Lyra Valkyria. Over the next few months, Tatum interfered in Valkyria's matches, even helping Valkyria retain the title at Vengeance Day in a triple threat match also involving Roxanne Perez.[5] At Stand & Deliver on April 6, Perez defeated Valkyria to win the title despite interference from Paxley.[8] On the following episode of NXT, Valkyria confronted Perez and demanded a rematch later that night, only for Paxley to toss her into the steel steps, ending their partnership and turning Paxley heel in the process.[2] On the April 16 episode in a cinematic vignette, Paxley said that she wanted to be close to Valkyria and that she was being a good girl by helping Valkyria remain champion, but after losing her title, Valkyria meant nothing to Paxley, who expressed her desire to become champion. After Paxley's match with Thea Hail, Valkyria attacked Paxley. In a backstage segment later that night, NXT General Manager Ava announced that Perez will defend her title against Valkyria and Paxley in a triple threat match at Week 1 of Spring Breakin'.[9]

In early 2023, an unidentified person was behind the attacks that left several members of the women's division on the shelf. One of the victims of the attacks was Sol Ruca, and footage of the attack was shown at Spring Breakin' 2023 on the April 25 episode of NXT.[10] On the May 30 episode, the attacker was revealed to be Blair Davenport.[11] At Roadblock on March 5, 2024, after an 11-month hiatus, Ruca returned from injury and attacked Davenport, costing her a match against Fallon Henley.[6] One month later on the April 2 episode of NXT, Ruca defeated Davenport in a singles match.[12] Two weeks later, Davenport knocked Ruca off the top rope, costing her a match against Lola Vice. Later that night backstage, Ruca demanded NXT General Manager Ava to schedule a No Disqualification match against Davenport at Week 1 of Spring Breakin'. Ava accepted the demand, and scheduled the match as a Beach Brawl.[9]

On the April 9 episode of NXT, members of No Quarter Catch Crew (NQCC; Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp, and Myles Borne) were challenged by members of The D'Angelo Family (Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, Luca Crusifino, and Adriana Rizzo) to a tag team match, where The D'Angelo Family (Lorenzo and Crusifino) defeated NQCC (Kemp and Borne).[2] The following week, The D'Angelo Family leader Tony D'Angelo revealed that they were hired by NQCC to (kayfabe) eliminate fellow member Drew Gulak.[a] D'Angelo demanded payment from NQCC for the job and insinuated that the NQCC's NXT Heritage Cup be given as payment. Dempsey vehemently refused which led to the two teams brawling. A six-man tag team match between The D'Angelo Family and NQCC was then scheduled for Week 1 of Spring Breakin'.[9]

On the March 26 episode of NXT, Lola Vice issued an open challenge, which was answered by Raw's Natalya, who defeated Vice.[13] Two weeks later, Vice attacked Natalya, costing her the NXT Women's Championship. Later that night, Natalya retaliated and attacked Vice backstage.[2] One week later, Natalya challenged Vice to the first-ever women's NXT Underground match, which was scheduled for Week 2 of Spring Breakin'.[9]

On the April 9 episode of NXT, NXT North American Champion Oba Femi celebrated his successful title defense against Josh Briggs and Dijak in a triple threat match at Stand & Deliver and claimed that he will remain champion for a long time. Raw's Ivar of The Viking Raiders appeared and challenged Femi for the title, which was made official for Week 2 of Spring Breakin'.[2]

On the August 15, 2023 episode of NXT, Jacy Jayne defeated Chase University's Thea Hail. Backstage after the match, Jayne gave praise to Hail and subsequently became a mentor to Hail, turning face for the first time since 2021, with Jayne eventually joining Chase University.[14] Around January 2024, Jayne took on a new protégé, Jazmyn Nyx, who would help Jayne win matches by cheating which Hail refused to do. On the March 12, 2024 episode of NXT, Hail disavowed her friendship with Jayne, and Jayne (with Nyx) turned on Chase University the following week, turning both women heel in the process.[15] At Stand & Deliver, Hail, Fallon Henley and Kelani Jordan defeated Jayne, Kiana James and Izzi Dame in a six-woman tag team match.[12] On the April 16 episode of NXT, Tatum Paxley defeated Hail after interference from Jayne and Nyx. A match between Hail and Jayne was then made official for Week 2 of Spring Breakin'.[9]

In late 2023, Axiom and Nathan Frazer formed a tag team partnership. On the April 2, 2024 episode of NXT, Axiom and Frazer won the NXT Tag Team Championship Eliminator Tournament[12] to face NXT Tag Team Champions Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker for the titles at Stand & Deliver but failed to win the match.[2] In a rematch on the following episode of NXT, Axiom and Frazer defeated Corbin and Breakker to become the new NXT Tag Team Champions. After the match, SmackDown's Authors of Pain of The Final Testament appeared and attacked Axiom and Frazer. A title match was then made official for Week 2 of Spring Breakin'.[2]

Results[edit]

Week 1 (April 23)
No.ResultsStipulationsTimes[17][18]
1Jakara Jackson (with Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, and Lash Legend) defeated Arianna Grace by pinfallSingles match[b]5:46
2Eddy Thorpe defeated Kale Dixon by pinfallSingles match[c]
3Kelani Jordan defeated Kendall Grey (with Carlee Bright) by pinfallSingles match[d]
4Edris Enofé and Malik Blade (with Brinley Reece) defeated Dante Chen and Dion Lennox by pinfallTag team match[e]5:19
5Roxanne Perez (c) defeated Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley by pinfallTriple threat match for the NXT Women's Championship[16]12:04
6The D'Angelo Family (Tony D'Angelo, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, and Luca Crusifino) (with Adriana Rizzo) defeated No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp, and Myles Borne) by pinfallSix-man tag team match[16]11:05
7Jaida Parker (with Scrypts, Bronco Nima, and Lucien Price) defeated Fallon Henley by pinfallSingles match[16]6:30
8Sol Ruca defeated Blair Davenport by pinfallBeach Brawl[16]10:29
9Lexis King defeated Baron Corbin by pinfallSingles match[16]5:38
10Trick Williams defeated Ilja Dragunov (c) by pinfallSingles match for the NXT Championship[16]
Had Williams lost, he would've been forced to leave NXT.
11:56
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
Week 2 (April 30)
No.Matches*Stipulations
1Axiom and Nathan Frazer (c) vs. Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) (with Karrion Kross, Scarlett, and Paul Ellering)Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship[19]
2Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe vs. Good Brothers (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson)Tag team match[20]
3Oba Femi (c) vs. IvarSingles match for the NXT North American Championship[21]
4Thea Hail vs. Jacy Jayne (with Jazmyn Nyx)Singles match[22]
5Natalya (with Karmen Petrovic) vs. Lola Vice (with Shayna Baszler)NXT Underground match[23]
6Shawn Spears vs. Ridge HollandSingles match[24]
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
*Card subject to change

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ In reality, Gulak was written off following allegations from Ronda Rousey that Gulak grabbed her pants' drawstrings backstage in 2022.
  2. ^ This match was taped for the April 26, 2024 episode of NXT Level Up.
  3. ^ This match was taped for the May 3, 2024 episode of NXT Level Up.
  4. ^ This match was taped for the May 3, 2024 episode of NXT Level Up.
  5. ^ This match was taped for the April 26, 2024 episode of NXT Level Up.

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Hazelwood, Bruce Lee (April 19, 2022). "4/19 NXT 2.0 Report: Hazelwood's live alt-perspective on Hayes vs. Escobar, Natalya's first NXT match in eight years vs. Paxley, Sarray vs. Stratton, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Moore, John (April 9, 2024). "NXT TV results (4/9): Moore's review of the Stand & Deliver fallout show, Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin vs. Axiom and Nathan Frazer for the NXT Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  4. ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Moore, John (February 4, 2024). "NXT Vengeance Day results: Moore's live review of Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Title, Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Title, Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic finals". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Moore, John (March 5, 2024). "NXT TV results (3/5): Moore's review of NXT Roadblock with Carmelo Hayes vs. Tony D'Angelo for a shot at the NXT Title, Kabuki Warriors vs. Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley for the WWE Women's Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Moore, John (March 12, 2024). "NXT TV results (3/12): Moore's review of Oba Femi vs. Brooks Jensen for the NXT North American Title, Trick Williams' appearance, Shawn Spears vs. Ridge Holland, Gigi Dolin vs. Arianna Grace". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Moore, John (April 6, 2024). "NXT Stand & Deliver results: Moore's live review of Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov vs. Tony D'Angelo for the NXT Title, Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e Moore, John (April 16, 2024). "NXT TV results (4/16): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams in a steel cage match, Ridge Holland vs. Joaquin Wilde, Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice, Noam Dar vs. Dijak". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  10. ^ Moore, John (April 25, 2023). "4/25 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Grayson Waller for the NXT Title, Indi Hartwell vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Tiffany Stratton for the NXT Women's Title, Bron Breakker vs. Andre Chase, Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley vs. Brooks Jensen and Kiana James, Cora Jade vs. Lyra Valkyria, Tony D'Angelo and Stacks Lorenzo vs. Pretty Deadly in a Trunk Match, Oba Femi debuts". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  11. ^ Moore, John (May 30, 2023). "5/30 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Gigi Dolin vs. Jacy Jayne in a weaponized steel cage match, NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes appears, the reveal of the masked attacker, new NXT Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton holds a "Tiffybration"". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Moore, John (April 2, 2024). "NXT TV results (4/2): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams have a final face-off on the Stand & Deliver go-home show, three-way match to determine the challengers for the NXT Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  13. ^ Moore, John (March 26, 2024). "NXT TV results (3/26): Moore's review of NXT Tag Champs Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin vs. Otis and Akira Tozawa, NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov vs. Channing Lorenzo in a non-title match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Moore, John (August 15, 2023). "NXT TV results (8/15): Moore's review of Wes Lee vs. Dijak for a shot at the NXT Title, Tony D'Angelo and Stacks vs. The Dyad for the NXT Tag Titles, Trick Williams vs. Drew Gulak, Dana Brooke vs. Blair Davenport". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  15. ^ Moore, John (March 19, 2024). "NXT TV results (3/19): Moore's review of Trick Williams vs. Noam Dar, Riley Osborne challenging for the NXT Heritage Cup, Roxanne Perez vs. Tatum Paxley, NXT Tag Team Title match qualifiers for Stand & Deliver". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "NXT Spring Breakin' 2024 Week One results: Trick Williams slays The Mad Dragon to become NXT Champion". WWE. April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  17. ^ Moore, John (April 23, 2024). "NXT TV results (4/23): Moore's review of Spring Breakin' Night One with Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Championship, Roxanne Perez vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Tatum Paxley for the NXT Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  18. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "WWE NXT Level Up #115". Cagematch.net. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  19. ^ WWE.com Staff (April 23, 2024). "Nathan Frazer & Axiom defend the NXT Tag Team Titles against AOP". WWE. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  20. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (April 28, 2024). "Tyson Dupont And Tyriek Igwe To Debut Against The OC At 4/30 NXT Spring Breakin". Fightful. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  21. ^ WWE.com Staff (April 23, 2024). "Ivar challenges Oba Femi for the NXT North American Championship". WWE. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  22. ^ WWE.com Staff (April 23, 2024). "Thea Hail faces Jacy Jayne". WWE. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  23. ^ WWE.com Staff (April 23, 2024). "Natalya battles Lola Vice in an NXT Underground Match". WWE. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  24. ^ Russell, Skylar (April 29, 2024). "Shawn Spears vs. Ridge Holland Added To WWE NXT Spring Breakin Night Two". Fightful. Retrieved April 29, 2024.

External links[edit]