Left My Wallet returns with former WWE NXT wrestler Denzel Dejournette as the former Division I All-American is here to talk about his love of 90’s R&B, the Dallas Cowboys and some pro wrestling.
The former Appalachian State standout talks about how hard his NXT tryout was compared to collegiate wrestling, the transition from college to pro wrestling, what he found the easiest to pick up and what has been the most difficult as well as what lies ahead in the next stage in his career.
Having coached Denzel at the WWE Performance Center, I realized quickly he has a natural charisma and the potential to be a standout on the independent wrestling scene. Get to know a little more about him on this week’s Left My Wallet.
2021 NXT Breakout Tournament qualifier: Andre Chase defeated Guru Raaj
Looking back mere moments later, I can barely remember this match. It wasn’t awful, but it was utterly forgettable.
The match opened with back and forth grappling control. Finally, Raaj connected with a monkey flip before trying for multiple quick pins, ending the opening flow. Chase knocked Raaj into the rope, connecting with numerous strikes in the following moments. Chase took the match to the mat, slowly trying to choke Raaj out.
Raaj fought to a standing position before hitting a back-body-drop. Raaj connected with significant strikes before an awkward dodge (at least I think it was a dodge) allowed Chase to steal control back rather quickly. Chase then hoisted Raaj up and dropped him with a stalling brainbuster for the win.
2021 NXT Breakout Tournament qualifier: Joe Gacy defeated Desmond Troy
If either of these men are within a stone of 205 pounds, I’d be shocked; these are some big men. Weight aside, these two put on a fantastic match filled with high-quality ring work. Troy’s amateur background shined throughout tonight’s outing, and Gacy offered a perfect contrast.
This match opened with Troy quickly dropping Gacy with a suplex, triggering a quick exchange on the mat. Troy shot with a blisteringly quick double-leg takedown as soon as Gacy was back on his feet.
Gacy was able to interrupt a shoulder tackle, opening Troy up for offence for the first time. A variety of power moves and two big suplexes yielded a Gacy near fall. Troy collapsed after being slammed repeatedly into the turnbuckles, causing Gacy to crash into them in a very cool moment. Troy managed to make it to his feet first, leaving him with proper match control. The offence that followed was filled with beautiful suplexes.
After receiving a gut-wrench suplex trifecta, Gacy fought free from Troy’s control, connecting with a short strike, uranage, and suplex to close the contest.
A pair of matches with NXT Breakout Tournament implications will take place on this week’s episode of 205 Live.
WWE has announced that two Breakout Tournament qualifying matches will air on 205 Live this Friday night. The qualifying matches are: Guru Raaj vs. Andre Chase (Harlem Bravado) and Desmond Troy vs. Joe Gacy.
“Just as it did during the Men’s and Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classics, 205 Live will make an exception to its typical 205-pound weight limit, and the prestigious NXT Breakout Tournament will instead take center stage,” WWE wrote.
Raaj wrestled at WWE Superstar Spectacle earlier this year and lost to Finn Balor. The event featured wrestlers from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT and spotlighted WWE’s Indian talent.
Chase and Gacy both formerly wrestled for EVOLVE and are making their WWE debuts in their qualifying matches. Troy (Denzel Dejournette) joined the WWE Performance Center in 2018 after having been an All-American amateur wrestler at Appalachian State University. Last year, he made appearances where he lost matches on NXT, Raw, SmackDown, and Main Event.
It was announced on this Tuesday’s NXT that the Breakout Tournament would be making its return. It will feature eight participants, with the winner getting a shot at the NXT title of their choosing. The tournament will begin on the Tuesday, July 13 episode of NXT.
The inaugural NXT Breakout Tournament took place in 2019 and was won by Jordan Myles (ACH). Cameron Grimes, Bronson Reed, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Dexter Lumis, Joaquin Wilde, Angel Garza, and Boa also took part in the tournament.
Next Friday’s edition of 205 Live will feature matches in both the men’s and women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournaments.
WWE has announced that Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Desmond Troy will face Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari in a men’s Dusty Classic first round match on 205 Live next Friday. There will also be women’s Dusty Classic action on 205 Live next Friday, though the match that will be taking place on the show has yet to be revealed.
Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, and Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon are the first four teams announced for the women’s Dusty Classic. It was stated on 205 Live tonight that the women’s Dusty Classic will begin on 205 Live next week, but a first round match between Storm & Martinez and Catanzaro & Carter has already been announced for next Wednesday’s NXT.
Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong, MSK, The Grizzled Young Veterans, Killian Dain & Drake Maverick, and Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde have advanced to the second round of the men’s Dusty Classic thus far.
Two men’s Dusty Classic first round matches have been announced for next Wednesday’s NXT. Kushida & Leon Ruff will face NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory, while Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner will face Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado.
The full bracket for the men’s Dusty Classic was revealed earlier this week. It’s a 16-team tournament where the winning team will receive the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
