The April 15 edition of WWE NXT was a chance to get the black-and-gold brand back on track. With NXT TakeOver cancelled, the company needed to start pushing forward to the next big show.

That started with continuing to build to some of NXT's big title matches. Finn Balor battled Fabian Aichner as a statement to the leader of Imperium and NXT UK champion WALTER.

Adam Cole called out The Velveteen Dream to meet him in the ring. After repeated attempts by Dream to get under the skin of the NXT champion, Cole gave him a chance to speak face to face.

Matt Riddle also put the NXT Tag Team Championships on the line against Undisputed Era's Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish, but he was walking in without Pete Dunne. He needed to find a temporary partner.

Charlotte Flair was expected to appear to address her first challenger for the NXT Women's Championship Io Shirai.

The Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament also began as a new champion was to be crowned with Jordan Devlin grounded in Ireland.

This show had much to deliver, promising a big show despite a limited roster on hand.

Finn Balor vs. Fabian Aichner

Fabian Aichner tried to push Finn Balor past his limit, but The Prince was not going to stay down. Despite a competitive showing and the help of Marcel Bartel, Aichner was no match for Balor. A corner dropkick set up the Coup De Grace into the 1916 for the win.

Result

Balor def. Aichner by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Crowdless shows often lack energy, and this certainly lacked needed energy. However, Aichner is talented and athletic. He made the most of the opportunity as he always does. This went long when it didn't to, but it was good for what it was.

Balor still has a tendency to not bring his all to matches. He is far too talented to be so unexciting, especially when his opponent is putting so much into his own performance.

Charlotte Flair Promises to Dominate the NXT Generation

Charlotte Flair cut a pre-taped promo on dominating three generations. She talked about defeating Trish Stratus, Natalya and Nikki Bella as well as the present stars such as Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch.

She turned to the future. She was ready for Rhea Ripley again as well as her next challenger Io Shirai. The Queen even put over Mia Yim as one she was ready to fight one on one.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a solid promo from Charlotte. She sold her history and the potential of matches to come. The Queen is much better taped than live as most wrestlers are.

As long as it is clear that the new NXT women's champion is the heel in this story, promos like this work. She came off as arrogant in a way that works if someone can take her down a peg down the line.

Xia Li vs. Aliyah

Xia Li went right after Aliyah to start the match. Her long-time rival went down quickly to the motivated Li, who won with a spinning heel kick.

Result

Li def. Aliyah by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

Aliyah does not have much to her as a performer, so it was smart to get this done with quickly. Li got her revenge and can move on. This would be best because these two cannot have a good match together.

Li still has a chance to become something more in WWE. She needs to work off experienced performers though to reach that level.

Interim CW Tournament: Isaiah "Swerve" Scott vs. Akira Tozawa

Isaiah "Swerve" Scott caught Akira Tozawa off guard to start the show. In a physical back-and-forth clash, Tozawa built himself back up for the moment until he hit a diving senton for the win.

Afterward, he was interviewed and promised to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship again.

Result

Tozawa def. Scott by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a solid match between two talented stars, but the lack of crowd left the match without much energy. This is better than the short matches without booking behind them that WWE was doing, but it is hard not to feel the empty arena sometimes.

Tozawa has always been talented, but he lost so much steam with his debut on Raw. He needs wins like this. However, Swerve should be the favorite in his group. A loss feels like a mistake this early.

Tegan Nox vs. Raquel Gonzalez

Raquel Gonzalez dominated Tegan Nox throughout this match, but The Welsh Superstar refused to give up. Dakota Kai tried to get involved. Shotzi Blackheart laid out Kai, and the distraction allowed Nox to roll up Gonzalez for a three count.

Result

Nox def. Gonzalez by pinfall.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Despite all the story behind it, this was not much of a match. It was too one-sided. Gonzalez has the size to be imposing in NXT, but she needs to open up her moveset to be interesting.

Nox needed this win. She is still one of NXT's strongest assets, but she needs to be built up to the moment. With her repeated losses to Kai who still has not managed to move up herself, the two seem stuck waiting for a real opportunity.

Keith Lee Explains the Sacrifices He Made to Become a Star

In a pre-taped interview, Keith Lee explained why he had to steal his own car to head to a wrestling show. Despite his own father's reservation, NXT North American champion fell in love with wrestling, and it has led to this moment where he is the biggest star in NXT.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Lee has made a noticeable impact in NXT this last year, but it is a good idea to humanize him. He is easier to root for when understanding his struggles with his family.

He may play the role of a larger-than-life personality, but it's even better to know that he is human. He is someone who struggled to reach this point. It makes his ascension all the more impressive.

Dexter Lumis vs. Tahuti Miles

Tahuti Miles tried to walk into the ring with confidence, but Dexter Lumis took any emotion out of his face quickly. He choked him out with the Anaconda Vice for the win.

Result

Lumis def. Miles by submission.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Lumis has not stood out so far in NXT, but this squash match was surprisingly memorable. The dead-eye stare of Lumis as he dominated and choked out Miles really worked. It made him feel truly dangerous.

Miles has been getting his name out there at least even if he is being used as enhancement talent. Maybe he can use this to his advantage soon.

Finn Balor Interrupts The Velveteen Dream After Adam Cole No-Shows

Adam Cole reneged on his word of appearing, airing another pre-taped interview where he said no one was worthy of a shot at his title. The Velveteen Dream called Adam Cole the greatest NXT champion of all time before promising to get what was his.

Finn Balor took offense to Dream's words. He challenged the likely No. 1 contender to a match, and Dream happily accepted for next week.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a surprisingly fun segment even after NXT didn't deliver on Cole as promised. Dream cuts a strong promo at all times, and he worked well off of The Prince's anger.

Balor and Dream have never wrestled before. They could have a fascinating match together, and perhaps Dream can bring more personality out of The Prince.

NXT Tag Team Champions Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher vs. Undisputed Era

Pete Dunne announced in an interview that Timothy Thatcher would be replacing him as Matt Riddle's tag team partner for the night. Thatcher was not sure how to handle The Original Bro, but he was willing to give him a chance.

Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish made sure to isolate Riddle to avoid Thatcher. Behind the barricade, the camera caught Dexter Lumis watching intently. Thatcher got back into the match and made Strong tap out to the fujiwara armbar.

Result

Riddle and Thatcher def. Strong and Fish by submission.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was a weird way to debut Thatcher. He's a talented performer that was supposed to be a big signing. While debuting in an NXT main event is impressive, doing so in an empty crowd with no build up did not land despite good work in the ring from the debuting star.

The match was fine, though the work of Thatcher was more memorable than anything else. He does not have the typical look of a top WWE guy, but NXT has been good about giving talent their due. It will be fun to see what he can do to prove he is worthy of attention to fresh eyes.

Karrion Kross Attacks Tommaso Ciampa Backstage

Tommaso Ciampa ended the show in a backstage interview, stating he was done with Johnny Gargano. He agreed that the match, despite the cheap finish, was the last of their rivalry. He accepted that The Rebel Heart was the better man. Karrion Kross attacked Ciampa and laid him out.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was short and sweet. Ciampa said his hopefully final words on Gargano. Now, both men can move on. It looks like The Blackheart is headed for a collision course with Kross.

He has been built up well so far, and it will be interesting to see what he does next. Kross could become a huge star if this feud goes well.