3 Talking Points From Tonight’s Episode Of WWE NXT – 21st November 2023
Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT delivered nonstop excitement and drama, living up to the show’s reputation as the breeding ground for future WWE superstars. There were several key talking points that defined the night – from controversial championship match outcomes to unexpected upset victories and resilient title defenses in the face of adversity.
The first major highlight saw Noam Dar somehow retain the NXT Heritage Cup against Chad Gable despite Gable’s dominant performance for much of the match. The opening round was very even between the two tremendously skilled competitors and ended in a draw. But in the second round, Dar managed to eke out a controversial victory with an assist from his ally Oro Mensah, who distracted Gable at a critical moment to allow Dar to connect with his Nova Roller finisher for the pin and a 1-0 lead.
Gable battled back with his trademark technical wrestling and agility, slowly swinging the match in his favor over the next few rounds and delighting the NXT Universe with moves like his bridging German suplexes. By round five, he had evened the score at 1-1. The final round was extremely dramatic, with Gable locking in his devastating Ankle Lock submission. It appeared Dar would have no choice but to tap out, but the time limit for the round expired a split second before he submitted. Thus, Dar escaped by the skin of his teeth with his NXT Heritage Cup reign intact, much to the outrage and disbelief of Gable and the fans.
The next key talking point of the night was Josh Briggs’ monumental upset victory over former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes to qualify for the upcoming Iron Survivor Match. Hayes came into the match as the heavy favorite, backed by the confidence gained from his signature “Melo Don’t Miss” knee strikes. But Briggs would not be denied on this night. Hayes initially controlled the match and seemed poised to secure a decisive win. But suddenly Lexis King appeared at ringside, unexpectedly distracting Hayes right as he was setting up his finisher.
Capitalizing on Hayes’ confusion, Briggs blasted him with a bone-rattling lariat before following up with a gorgeous moonsault – a maneuver almost unthinkable from a wrestler his size. The NXT fans watched in awe as Briggs covered Hayes for the unbelievable 1-2-3, punching his ticket to the unique Iron Survivor Match at NXT Deadline next month. His victory shows anything can happen on the fast-paced, must-see show that is WWE NXT.
The last key talking point of the broadcast centered around NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria, who showed tremendous grit and toughness in defeating Xia Li to retain her title despite nursing an injured knee. Li determined to exploit Valkryia’s weakened state, viciously and repeatedly attacked the champion’s knee throughout the match. Valkryia somehow endured the assault but seemed to be hanging on by a thread as Li readied her knockout kick finisher late in the bout. But in a stunning turn of events, Valkryia managed to duck the kick and floor Li with a roundhouse kick and unique driver combination for the hard-fought victory.
By overcoming Li’s ruthless onslaught and courageously fighting through injury to keep her championship, Valkryia once again demonstrated the skill, fortitude and fighting spirit that makes her one of NXT’s top stars. Her gutsy title defense was an inspirational capstone to an outstanding evening of NXT action.
Overall, the November 21 episode of WWE NXT exceeded all expectations with not one but three hotly-debated talking points. Controversial finishes, surprising upsets, and tenacious title match battles kept the NXT Universe enthralled from start to finish while also setting the stage for even more fireworks at next month’s NXT Deadline spectacular. Nights like these showcase why devoted followers of professional wrestling never miss a chance to tune in to WWE NXT – the most thrilling, unpredictable and can’t-miss wrestling program today.
