Don't Say The F Word Podcast: WWE NXT Results and Analysis from July 18

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the "Don't Say The F Word" podcast, where we bring you all the latest updates, winners, live grades, reactions, and highlights from WWE NXT. The July 18 edition promised an action-packed night as we inch closer to the Great American Bash 2023. Join us as we break down the matches and storylines that unfolded on this week's show.

**Ilja Dragunov Stands Up to Carmelo Hayes**

The episode kicked off with Carmelo Hayes blaming Ilja Dragunov for costing him the main event last week. The tension between the two superstars was palpable as they exchanged intense glares. While the segment lacked some real heat due to limited build-up, the upcoming NXT Championship clash between Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov promises to be a must-watch battle. Our rating: **12/25**

Action: 3 (There were some intense moments, but it didn't reach a very high level of excitement)

Storytelling: 3 (The tension between Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov was evident, but the limited build-up affected the overall storytelling)

Atmosphere: 2 (The segment lacked real heat and a big-fight feel)

Innovation: 2 (No notable new or innovative moves or sequences)

Overall Enjoyment: 2 (The segment was okay, but there was room for improvement)

Overall Rating: 12

**Los Lotharios vs. Nathan Frazer and Dragon Lee**

Los Lotharios faced off against Nathan Frazer and Dragon Lee, and this match delivered on all fronts. Frazer and Lee displayed exceptional teamwork, while Los Lotharios showed their menacing side. The eventual pinfall victory for Dragon and Frazer earned a high rating from us. Our rating: **18/25**

Action: 4 (The match delivered on in-ring action and high-flying moves)

Storytelling: 4 (Both teams showcased their abilities and chemistry, making the audience care about the match's outcome)

Atmosphere: 3 (The crowd seemed engaged, but it didn't have a big-fight feel)

Innovation: 3 (No groundbreaking innovations, but the match featured good sequences)

Overall Enjoyment: 4 (The match was enjoyable and left viewers satisfied)

Overall Rating: 18

**Gigi Dolin vs. Kiana James**

Gigi Dolin and Kiana James clashed in a rematch, but unfortunately, the match failed to live up to expectations. The lazy finish left Dolin looking weak, and the storyline build didn't translate well into this encounter. Our rating: **8/25**

Action: 2 (The match lacked excitement and high-impact moves)

Storytelling: 2 (The limited build-up affected the storytelling and didn't make viewers care much about the outcome)

Atmosphere: 2 (The crowd didn't seem engaged, and the match didn't have a big-fight feel)

Innovation: 1 (No notable innovations in the match)

Overall Enjoyment: 1 (The match was forgettable and left much to be desired)

Overall Rating: 8

**Axiom and SCRYPTS vs. Bronco Nima and Lucien Price**

Axiom and SCRYPTS faced Bronco Nima and Lucien Price, but this match felt directionless. It lacked the necessary momentum for both teams, and the result seemed to erase any meaningful storyline progression. Our rating: **7/25**

Action: 2 (The match lacked excitement and memorable moments)

Storytelling: 1 (The match seemed directionless and didn't contribute to a meaningful storyline)

Atmosphere: 2 (The crowd didn't seem particularly invested, and the match lacked a big-fight feel)

Innovation: 1 (No notable innovations in the match)

Overall Enjoyment: 1 (The match was flat and didn't leave a lasting impression)

Overall Rating: 7

**The D'Angelo Family Stand Tall Over Gallus**

Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo celebrated their Homecoming to NXT, culminating in a solid segment. The storytelling between The D'Angelo Family and Gallus showcased the dedication put into this storyline, earning it a high rating. Our rating: **16/25**

Action: 3 (The segment had some solid moments, but it wasn't action-packed)

Storytelling: 4 (The storytelling between The D'Angelo Family and Gallus was well-executed and engaging)

Atmosphere: 3 (The segment had a good atmosphere, but it didn't have a big-fight feel)

Innovation: 2 (No notable innovations in the segment)

Overall Enjoyment: 4 (The segment was enjoyable and added excitement to the storyline)

Overall Rating: 16

**Thea Hail vs. Elektra Lopez**

Thea Hail quickly defeated Elektra Lopez with the Kimura Lock, adding more credibility to her arsenal. The decision to make their upcoming match submission-focused should help build Tiffany Stratton's character further. Our rating: **12/25**

Thea Hail vs. Elektra Lopez:

Action: 2 (The match lacked excitement and high-impact moves)

Storytelling: 3 (The match served its purpose of building Thea Hail's legitimacy, but it lacked depth in storytelling)

Atmosphere: 2 (The crowd seemed engaged, but it didn't have a big-fight feel)

Innovation: 2 (The match focused on Thea Hail's submission finisher, but it wasn't groundbreaking)

Overall Enjoyment: 3 (The match was decent, but it left room for improvement)

Overall Rating: 12

**Eddy Thorpe vs. Oro Mensah**

Oro Mensah surprised everyone with a big upset victory over Eddy Thorpe, courtesy of Meta-Four's assistance. The match left us intrigued about a potential feud between Dabba-Kato and Thorpe, and Meta-Four's regrouping as a stable was well-executed. Our rating: **14/25**

Action: 3 (The match had some surprising moments, but it wasn't action-packed)

Storytelling: 3 (The match set up potential feuds for both Eddy Thorpe and Oro Mensah)

Atmosphere: 3 (The crowd seemed invested, but it didn't have a big-fight feel)

Innovation: 2 (The match featured some involvement from Meta-Four, but no major innovations)

Overall Enjoyment: 3 (The match was decent and had some interesting developments)

Overall Rating: 14

**Roxanne Perez Walks Out on Joint Interview with Blair Davenport**

The segment between Roxanne Perez and Blair Davenport sets the stage for an intense rematch between the two superstars. The Prodigy's newfound aggression promises to elevate this feud to new heights. Our rating: **11/25**

Action: 1 (This segment didn't involve in-ring action)

Storytelling: 3 (The segment set the stage for an intense rematch between Roxanne Perez and Blair Davenport)

Atmosphere: 2 (The crowd seemed somewhat invested, but it lacked a big-fight feel)

Innovation: 2 (No notable innovations in the segment)

Overall Enjoyment: 3 (The segment left viewers intrigued for the upcoming rematch)

Overall Rating: 11

**NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio**

In a surprising twist, Dominik Mysterio defeated Wes Lee to become the new NXT North American Champion. While the match itself had some moments of excitement, it didn't reach the level of Wes Lee's usual standards. The result left us wondering about Mustafa Ali's position going into the Great American Bash. Our rating: **16/25**

Action: 4 (The match had some exciting moments, but it wasn't consistently high-paced)

Storytelling: 4 (The match had a surprising outcome that left viewers intrigued about Mustafa Ali's position)

Atmosphere: 3 (The crowd seemed invested, but it lacked a big-fight feel)

Innovation: 2 (No notable innovations in the match)

Overall Enjoyment: 3 (The match was decent, but the result overshadowed the in-ring action)

Overall Rating: 16

**Overall Show**

Unfortunately, this week's episode of NXT left much to be desired. Outside of a few highlights, the show lacked engaging storylines and memorable matches. The surprise title change added a talking point, but overall, the episode struggled to impress. Our overall rating for the show: **10/25**

Conclusion:

As we wrap up another edition of the "Don't Say The F Word" podcast, we reflect on a mixed night of WWE NXT action. While some matches and segments stood out, others fell short of expectations. The Los Lotharios vs. Nathan Frazer and Dragon Lee match emerged as the highlight of the night, earning the highest rating. On the other hand, the Gigi Dolin vs. Kiana James match received the lowest rating due to its lackluster performance. Let's hope for better storytelling and more exciting matches in the weeks to come. Join us again next time for more WWE NXT updates and analysis. Stay tuned, and don't say the F word!