On April 1, 2023, WWE’s NXT brand presented its third annual Stand & Deliver premium live event, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. This event, taking place just hours before WrestleMania 39 Night One, showcased the rising stars of NXT in a series of high-stakes matches that captivated the audience and set the stage for future storylines. With a mix of championship bouts, personal rivalries, and unexpected twists, NXT Stand & Deliver 2023 delivered a memorable experience for fans worldwide.
Kickoff Show Chase U vs. Schism
The pre-show featured an eight-person mixed tag team match to determine control of Chase University. Chase U’s Andre Chase, Duke Hudson, Thea Hail, and Tyler Bate faced off against Schism’s Joe Gacy, Rip Fowler, Jagger Reid, and Ava. The match was a chaotic affair, with both teams delivering high-energy performances. In the end, Chase U emerged victorious, maintaining control of their university and sending the fans into the main card with high spirits.
Opening Match NXT Women’s Championship Ladder Match
The event officially kicked off with a high-stakes ladder match for the NXT Women’s Championship. Champion Roxanne Perez defended her title against Indi Hartwell, Gigi Dolin, Lyra Valkyria, Tiffany Stratton, and Zoey Stark. The match was a brutal display of athleticism and resilience, with each competitor using the ladder as a weapon to gain the upper hand. In a surprising turn, Indi Hartwell emerged victorious, capturing her first singles title in WWE with the help of Dexter Lumis, who assisted her in climbing the ladder to retrieve the championship belt.
NXT Tag Team Championship Gallus vs. The Creed Brothers vs. The Family
In a triple-threat tag team match, Gallus (Mark Coffey and Wolfgang) defended their NXT Tag Team Championships against The Creed Brothers (Brutus and Julius Creed) and The Family (Tony D’Angelo and Channing Stacks Lorenzo). The match was a hard-hitting contest, with each team showcasing their unique styles and strategies. Gallus retained their titles after Joe Coffey interfered, ensuring his team’s victory and solidifying their dominance in the tag team division.
NXT North American Championship Fatal Five-Way Match
The North American Championship was on the line in a thrilling five-way match featuring Wes Lee defending his title against Axiom, Dragon Lee, Ilja Dragunov, and JD McDonagh. The match was a fast-paced spectacle, with each competitor delivering high-flying maneuvers and near-falls that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Wes Lee successfully retained his championship, narrowly defeating his opponents in a contest that showcased the depth of talent in NXT’s mid-card division.
Unsanctioned Match Johnny Gargano vs. Grayson Waller
One of the most personal rivalries in NXT culminated in an unsanctioned match between Johnny Gargano and Grayson Waller. The bout was a brutal encounter, with both competitors using weapons and brawling throughout the arena. The match saw interference from Gargano’s wife, Candice LeRae, who assisted her husband in overcoming Waller’s attacks. Gargano secured the victory by forcing Waller to submit to the Gargano Escape, bringing an end to their bitter feud and providing a cathartic moment for the fans.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship Fallon Henley & Kiana James vs. Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre
In a match for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships, Fallon Henley and Kiana James defended their titles against Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre. The match was a back-and-forth contest, with both teams delivering impactful moves and near-falls. The turning point came when Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen, who had been accompanying Henley and James, became involved in the match’s outcome. Despite their interference, Dawn and Fyre emerged victorious, capturing the tag team titles and marking a new chapter in the women’s tag team division.
Main Event NXT Championship Match – Bron Breakker vs. Carmelo Hayes
The main event of the evening featured a highly anticipated NXT Championship match between the reigning champion Bron Breakker and challenger Carmelo Hayes. The match was a showcase of athleticism and storytelling, with both competitors delivering hard-hitting moves and near-falls. The turning point came when Trick Williams, who had been accompanying Hayes, interfered in the match, leading to his ejection by the referee. Despite this, Hayes capitalized on the opportunity, defeating Breakker with his signature moves to become the new NXT Champion. This victory marked a significant milestone in Hayes’ career and signaled the beginning of a new era in NXT.
NXT Stand & Deliver 2023 was a testament to the talent and dedication of WWE’s developmental brand. The event featured compelling matches, unexpected outcomes, and the emergence of new champions who are poised to lead NXT into its next chapter. With standout performances across the card and the culmination of long-standing rivalries, Stand & Deliver 2023 proved to be a pivotal moment in the NXT brand’s evolution.