As WWE NXT prepares for the WWE draft, which could have a major impact on the gold brand, the April 16 edition would see major rivalries come to a head and familiar stars make a fresh impact.

Carmelo Hayes hoped to avenge his Stand & Deliver loss to Trick Williams inside a Steel Cage. Could he ruin Trick's upcoming NXT Championship match?

Tony D'Angelo would return to address his loss to NXT champion Ilja Dragunov. Would The Don be able to refocus on his WWE future after such a devastating loss?

Joaquin Wilde looked to reveal Ridge Holland's deception in singles action. Dijak hoped to shut up Noam Dar in a battle of talented veterans.

In two matches that could establish challengers for the new Women's North American Championship, Sol Ruca would fight Lola Vice while Thea Hail would face Tatum Paxley.

The Last Testament made a shock appearance last week when The Authors of Pain laid out new NXT tag team champions Nathan Frazer and Axiom. Akam and Rezar would compete in their first NXT match in years against Malik Blade and Edris Enofé.

This show on paper looked more like a rebuild episode than a full-on showcase of the brand, but with Spring Breakin' starting next week, the gold brand needed to deliver major moments.

Dijak vs. Noam Dar (w/ Meta-Four)

Oro Mensah distracted Dijak with a mask that was similar to the T-Bar attire. It was just enough for Noam Dar to hit the Nova Roller to win.

The dynamic of this match was odd but certainly unique. Dijak was the crowd-favorite big man battling the hated smaller competitor Dar, who struggled to keep control at any stage of the match.

Neither man looked completely comfortable in their roles (especially Dijak who has not been a true babyface in a while), but they stepped up over the course of the match including a final stretch that had the crowd completely invested.

Unless Hard Justice is on his way to the main roster, Dijak losing here is a disappointment. He had a chance to get quickly back on track toward a championship challenge.

Dar though seems more likely to stay in NXT longer (likely waiting until all of Meta-Four is ready to jump), and he can run with this victory in a big way. He could even set up an unconventional challenge for Oba Femi.

Result

Dar def. Dijak by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

• Dijak tossed Dar to the floor then attempted to slam his opponent into the steel post. Meta-Four got in the way, allowing Dar to finally start his comeback.
• The Scottish Supernova almost took the win with a picture-perfect back elbow.
  

Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice

Sol Ruca was rolling over Lola Vice until Blair Davenport tripped Ruca off the ropes. Vice caught Ruca with a roundhouse kick for the win.

Natalya interrupted Vice's celebration to announce they would fight in two weeks in NXT Underground.

This was a battle of two talented women that are not quite ready yet to lead a match. They hit their choreographed beats with Ruca guiding the action, but it never felt like a serious fight.

Vice especially suffered in that regard as she looked out of sorts trying to keep up with Ruca's pace. Hopefully, this is one of those matches that both can review afterward and figure out where they can still improve.

While Vice needed the win ahead of the biggest match of her career, it is a shame to hurt Ruca's momentum this early following her return.

Natalya vs. Vice in NXT Underground is a great step for the women's division, though it feels sudden for a rivalry still building. The BOAT can teach Vice a lot in setting up and delivering a competitive battle at Spring Breakin'.

Result

Vice def. Ruca by pinfall.

Grade

D

Notable Moments

• Karmen Petrovic promised to help Natalya train. Vice told Petrovic to stay out of her way.
• Ruca demanded a rematch with Davenport next week. No Disqualifications.
  

Ridge Holland vs. Joaquin Wilde

Ridge Holland ran over Joaquin Wilde on the outside then planted him with Northern Grit in the ring to win.

This had a chance to be a fun sprint, but Holland completely squashed a main-roster veteran that should have more credibility than this.

This was a fine squash match but continues to do nothing for Holland. He was already established as a dangerous destroyer months before this supposed rebrand.

It might have been more interesting for Wilde to pick up the win, fueling Holland's anger.

Result

Holland def. Wilde by pinfall.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments

• NXT Anonymous caught Holland backstage choking out Wilde after a conversation with Ava.
  
• Shawn Spears came out to watch this closely. Holland shoulder-checked him after his match.
  

The Family Demands Payment From No Quarter Catch Crew

Tony D'Angelo explained that The Family was continuing to grow and learn from every fight, even losses like his to Ilja Dragunov. No Quarter Catch Crew interrupted to question why The Family made "their business" public last week.

Charlie Dempsey refused to pay for business rendered, and The Don threatened to go for the Heritage Cup. A brawl broke out that ended with The Family standing tall.

NXT using The Family's "services" as the explanation for Drew Gulak's disappearance makes sense, though the follow-up has been awkward so far.

The Family, especially The Don, is on a completely different level to No Quarter Catch Crew. It played out just in promos as Dempsey struggled to keep up with a confident D'Angelo.

The Don needs to win the Heritage Cup if he challenges for it, but it would be best for Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo or Luca Crusifino to challenge for that title instead.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments

• The Family did not seem too worried about The Don's loss despite some teasing at Stand & Deliver.
  
• Arianna Grace and Gigi Dolin had a meeting in the park where Dolin seemed willing to follow Grace's lead until the business was complete.
  

Ilja Dragunov vs. Je'Von Evans

The NXT locker room ran out to answer an open challenge from Ilja Dragunov, but it was Je'Von Evans who jumped from the announce table to get in the ring first.

Evans showed off his athleticism and heart, surviving some brutal shots from The Mad Dragon. In the end, Torpedo Moscow was too much for The Young OG.

There are few clearer seals of approval than putting Evans up against Dragunov in his second-ever NXT match. While The Young OG is far from The Mad Dragon's level, he moved up the ranks just by keeping up with him for a few competitive minutes.

This was an absolute sprint and a much-better showcase for Evans than his debut. The way he moves makes him look like a force in the ring that cannot be controlled.

This was everything it needed to be, and the right star got this spotlight to shine. Evans should be in title contention by later in the year.

Result

Dragunov def. Evans by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Ava told The Mad Dragon that he needed to fight tonight with Trick Williams in action in the main event. Dragunov challenged anyone to step up to him.
  
• Dragunov showed Evans respect after the battle.
  

Thea Hail (w/ Chase U) vs. Tatum Paxley

Thea Hail had some trouble with Tatum Paxley's unique style at first. Eventually, she found her courage, only fro Jazmyn Nyx and Jacy Jayne to get involved. Jayne's surprise attack allowed Paxley to roll up Hail for three.

Afterward, officials tried to contain Hail and Jayne, but another fight broke out in the ring as Lyra Valkyria jumped Paxley.

This was way too short because Hail and Paxley found their dynamic from the jump, and it was working. Both have technical styles that fit well for a ground-based battle, interrupted by drama at ringside.

If it was going to be short, it would have been nice to see Paxley pick up a more definitive victory. She is hoping to challenge for a title but has very little credibility built up over her entire NXT career.

This match felt like the strongest indication that Hail vs. Jayne needs to happen soon because the rivalry is getting out of hand.

Result

Paxley def. Hail by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• In a pre-taped promo, Paxley told everyone that her one true love was always the NXT Women's Championship, and she done letting anyone else touch it.
  
• Backstage, Andre Chase explained to Hail why he bet everything on her NXT Women's Championship match, finally resolving a lingering issue.
  
• Paxley had Hail spooked throughout this match until Hail saw no option to get out of a submission hold but to headbutt her opponent.
  
• Roxanne Perez wanted to fight the winner of Valkyria and Paxley, but Ava instead booked a triple threat for the NXT Women's Championship at Spring Breakin'.
  

Authors of Pain vs. Malik Blade and Edris Enofé

Malik Blade and Edris Enofé showed heart by staying in this fight, but they were completely outmatched. Akam and Rezar mercifully ended this with a Super Collider.

This was an absolute squash but a necessary one, given Authors of Pain's booking on SmackDown. This re-established Akam and Rezar as lethal to just about any tag team.

It was not a pretty fight though. AOP looked out tired after what was not an involved fight. Hopefully, regular in-ring opportunities can get them back in shape for long competitive tag matches.

Result

AOP def. Blade and Enofé by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• Brinley Reece led a highlight video of Blade and Enofé's preparation.
  
• Nathan Frazer and Axiom came out to confront The Final Testament after the match.
  

Ivar vs. Josh Briggs

Josh Briggs showed off his power early against Ivar, but his bruised ribs slowed him down. The Viking Raider took advantage with a big moonsault to win.

NXT established that Briggs had bruised ribs last week. If he truly was injured after Stand & Deliver, booking him this early was an odd choice. If he is actually healthy, he sold the injury well throughout.

This was a fine match that was not too necessary. Ivar was already the next challenger for Oba Femi, solidifying his claim by beating up an injured man.

Femi vs. Ivar should be fun, especially since The Viking Raider has always been an unconventional big man. It would add some meat to the Spring Breakin' Night 2 card.

Result

Ivar def. Briggs by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• The trainer told Briggs that he was medically cleared. Ivar warned Briggs to rest up, but Briggs wanted a match with Ivar.
• Femi enjoyed watching the carnage in the locker room. As he left, he ran over Oro Mensah again.
  

Steel Cage: Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes

Carmelo Hayes used the steel cage to his advantage then got his security involved despite it all. Trick Williams still caught Melo with two Trick Knees including a second through a steel chair for a clean pinfall.

If the point of this match was to reinforce the main event of Stand & Deliver, it absolutely did that. Trick looked unstoppable down the stretch, running over Melo like he was not on the same level.

The action was very basic, heavily leaning into strikes using the cage. This was not a match of highlights but pure story as Trick would not be denied no matter what his former friend threw at him.

Melo has to go to the main roster to rebuild from here because he cannot be in the same ring as Trick for a while following this result.

All signs point to Trick winning the NXT Championship, and the crowd is absolutely ready for it.

Result

Trick def. Melo by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

• As the steel cage was constructed, NXT showed a vignette highlighting Trick's WrestleMania weekend.
  
• Melo cut a promo before heading to the ring. He promised to take everything away from Trick.
  

• Ilja Dragunov appeared on the stage to stare down Trick, who faced off with him atop the cage.
  

Overall Show

After a hot few weeks, this was a dud. While NXT continued to build a strong foundation for future episodes, the matches and segments were decidedly flat.

It did not help that this card was overloaded. Nine unique in-ring segment/matches over two hours makes it difficult for anything to shine. Even Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes did not have the big-fight feel.

The best match of the night was Dijak vs. Noam Dar, which still took a while to get on track. Ilja Dragunov vs. Je'Von Evans was executed perfectly for what it needed to be but was an exhibition sprint on a night that needed a showstopper.

NXT is in transition, ready to lose top names including Melo, Dragunov, Roxanne Perez and more. While some main roster call-downs could help the transition, this is the time for the young stars to show who is ready to step up.

Spring Breakin' should be a much better show, but tonight's episode was entirely missable.

Overall Grade: D