Apollo Crews failed to win the NXT Championship at NXT Deadline, and Carmelo Hayes didn’t take kindly to Crews trying to jump right back into the title hunt. After all, Crews had his shot – while Hayes has been working to elevate the NXT North American Championship to new heights, being the MVP of NXT in 2022. Now, he’s ready to properly move to the main event – and if that path starts with Crews, he’ll hang the future Hall of Famers jersey up in the rafters like everyone else who has faced Hayes. This is the match that NXT chose to start their new year, and could well be the best NXT match of 2023 given who is involved.
Apollo Crews & Carmelo Hayes Kick Of 2023 With A BANG
Crews would apply a headlock as this match began, with Hayes shoving his way free – only to run into a dropkick to the jaw. Hayes would regain his footing and hit the springboard lariat, and found some time to taunt. Crews was cornered for some strikes, before lifting Hayes up for a delayed vertical suplex.
Crews would follow up with a slingshot senton and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, able to get a two count on Hayes. A trio of German Suplex was set to follow, but Hayes was able to counter after two. Crews instead hit an overhead Belly to Belly Suplex, and would drive Hayes to the floor with a lariat.
Keeping the pressure on, Crews would hit a moonsault off the apron – before rolling Hayes into the ring for an elbow drop. Rear chinlock in the middle of the ring would keep Hayes grounded, though Crews lost control as he shifted into a side headlock, with Hayes applying a headscissors. Crews broke free, driving Hayes into the corner only to be sent to the apron.
Trick Williams Proves Vital For Hayes
Trick Williams would run a distraction from ringside, allowing Hayes to get the cheap shot on Crews. Hayes would focus in on the left knee of Crews, as taking away the legs takes away both the speed and power of Crews. A powerbomb would get a two count for Hayes, before going right into a Single Leg Crab – with Crews able to fight free.
Hayes would rely upon his speed to try and cut Crews down, only to be caught on the top rope and taken down with a lariat. Crews looked for an angle slam, but Hayes would block – before almost being dropped with a suplex. A crafty cutter counter would almost set up Nothing But Net, with Crews avoiding before a Blockbuster DDT out of the corner for a near fall.
Williams would pull Crews away from danger, but was dropped with the lariat. Hayes took a press slam, but avoided the moonsault to hit the Codebreaker. Nothing But Net would follow, and Carmelo Hayes records his first win of 2023, with a major assist to Trick Williams
Axiom Shuts Trick Williams Up
When Axiom recently went one on one with Carmelo Hayes, he nearly had the former NXT North American Champion beat – and without the interference of Trick Williams? Axiom would have gotten the win. Before he looks for his rematch with Hayes, Axiom is going one on one with Williams here tonight – looking to get some proper payback. He didn’t want to wait, he’d rush the ring following Crews vs. Hayes, and this match is happening now.
Williams would quickly land a pop up punch to gain control of this match, with Axiom unable to match the power of Williams out of the gate. A chop was ducked in the corner, giving Axiom the chance to strike back with some chops of his own before a pop up dropkick. Axiom came off the top rope with a crossbody, before applying a cross armbreaker – with Williams able to use his long legs to get the rope break.
Running neckbreaker got Williams a two count, but a spinning roundhouse kick was met with an elbow smash. Golden Ratio Jumping Superkick would follow, and Williams was down for the three count. After the match, Hayes & Williams would attack Axiom two on one, with Crews making the save.
Will we see Hayes & Williams vs. Axiom & Crews next week at New Years Evil? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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