Trick Williams’ rise to the top of NXT was an amazing story to watch, and it reached a peak during Spring Breakin’ Week One on 4/23. Williams defeated Ilja Dragunov to become the new NXT Champion.
This match had a special stipulation for Trick, because he would be banished from NXT if he lost. In the end, he walked out of the NXT Arena as the brand’s top champion.
Before he went out, Williams was on the phone with his mother, who is in the hospital. She was certainly a source of inspiration for him during this match.
Williams entered this match 0-3 against his opponent. He and Dragunov last battled for the NXT Title at Vengeance Day in February. That match ended with the Mad Dragon retaining his championship.
After ending Dragunov’s 204-day reigns as champion, Trick Williams is the 30th man to hold the NXT Title. He was elated to speak about his win after Spring Breakin’ was over.
EXCLUSIVE: An emotional @_trickwilliams speaks for the first time as #WWENXT Champion.#NXTSpringBreakin pic.twitter.com/LoWHkF1TE6
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2024
The Match Finish
This match had a big-fight feel to it as it main evented the Spring Breakin’ special. The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile were also sitting in the front row, cheering Trick on.
OH. MY. GOD. #NXTSpringBreakin pic.twitter.com/gBtCsnGOr3
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2024
This match saw many high-intensity spots, including Williams putting Dragunov through the announce table with a Rock Bottom. They continued in the ring, where Trick kicked out of two H-Bomb finishers from the Russian.
Finally, Williams nailed a Trick Shot to secure the clean win and become the new NXT Champion. After the match, Dragunov hugged Trick before he left the ring while the NXT Arena chanted, “Whoop that, Trick!”
TRICK WILLIAMS IS NXT CHAMPION!!!#NXTSpringBreakin pic.twitter.com/wgWaGTvgjR
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2024
Trick Williams’ Rise in WWE NXT
After entering WWE as Carmelo Hayes’ right-hand man, Trick quickly gained a following of his own. He eventually broke the news to Hayes that he wanted to maintain their alliance, but he needed to do things on his own.
Trick Williams is coming off of two big matches against Carmelo Hayes. He defeated HIM at NXT: Stand & Deliver on April 6 during WrestleMania 40 weekend. He then met, and defeated, Melo once again last week in a cage match on NXT. Those matches paved the way to this big match for Trick.
Trick Williams has been on WWE’s radar for quite a long time, and in line for a push. Shawn Michaels also gave special care to his program with Carmelo Hayes, ensuring that they snagged the main event spot at Stand & Deliver.
It was previously reported that WWE has paid attention to Trick Williams, and officials took notice of the reaction he got in his surprise SmackDown appearance back in January. There have also been pitches for Trick and Melo to continue their rivalry on the main roster.
The 29-year-old Williams actually entered WWE by way of an XFL tryout. He had aspirations on the gridiron in his eyes prior to accepting an offer to test his abilities at the Performance Center.
2024 WWE Draft
Ilja Dragunov already declared that he will be in the 2024 WWE Draft. Those important dates are coming up sooner than mater, as it will kick off with Friday, April 26 for SmackDown and Monday, April 29 for RAW.
We will have to see if Carmelo Hayes has his name called during the 2024 WWE Draft. SEScoops‘ own Muscleman Malcolm had a chance to speak with Hayes during WrestleMania weekend, where he dove into a little-known part of his personal pro wrestling history.
Trick Williams may not be a part of the WWE Draft this year, because he has a brand-new assignment as NXT Champion.
SEScoops will have continued coverage of the upcoming Draft festivities. Odds are, it will be an exciting time as WWE shakes things up.