6 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE NXT Spring Breakin' (30 April - Results & Review)

2. NXT Underground Delivers… Mostly

Say what you will about Natalya versus Lola Vice in NXT Underground, but the match gave a different flavor to what could have been a very dull veteran versus rookie match.

The gritty feel, dimmed lighting and ropeless ring immediately casts a different vibe, so much so that even though you know you’re watching a Natalya match in 2024, it just felt fresh. And without ropes, some of Nattie’s typical offense had to be jettisoned, giving fans a more strike- and submission-based match.

Yes, they could have done more with submission holds and jockeying for position, but this still worked for the most part, right up until the conclusion when Shayna Baszler caused a distraction by attacking Karmen Petrovic, forcing Natalya to give up the Sharpshooter. Naturally, Nattie walked right into a Vice backfist, leading to forearm strikes until the referee called the match. It was a disappointing finish – why protect Natalya at this stage if the match format already favored Lola? – that soured the overall segment.

Still, this deserves passing marks for making a Nattie match feel interesting and putting over Vice as a fighter in NXT. She’s clearly one to watch on the developmental brand.