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The NXT Global Heritage Invitational is off to a good start

By Christopher Jeter

Mar 24, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gunther (black trunks) and Butch battle during WWE Smackdown at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gunther (black trunks) and Butch battle during WWE Smackdown at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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At NXT Heatwave, Noam Dar reclaimed the Heritage Cup, besting Nathan Frazer 2-1 in the British Rounds format. With the coveted trophy back in Dar’s possession and no clear-cut challengers on the horizon, WWE announced a tournament to determine the champion’s next opponent.

Dubbed the NXT Global Heritage Invitational, the tournament features eight wrestlers of varying nationalities participating in a round-robin format. Each win awards a wrestler two points, while a draw (presumably a double disqualification or countout since there are no time limits) gets them one and a loss gets you nothing. The Group A winner will face the Group B winner on Sept. 26, and the winner of that match will face Dar at No Mercy.

It’s a good field, too, with Butch, Charlie Dempsey, Tyler Bate, and Axiom making up the “A” side and Nathan Frazer, Joe Coffey, Akira Tozawa, and Duke Hudson comprise Group B.

The NXT Global Heritage Invitational got off to an entertaining start.

The Aug. 29 episode of NXT kicked off the proceedings with a pair of matches: Butch vs. Dempsey and Coffey vs. Frazer. In the Butch vs. Dempsey match, the two tortured each other with stomps to limbs and debilitating holds. It epitomized the Spider-Man meme, as the momentum see-sawed throughout the near-five-minute duration. The former Pete Dunne ultimately got the win after hitting The Bitter End.

Coffey vs. Frazer adhered more to the more traditional shine/heat/comeback format, and the distinct styles of both men made for a compelling battle. Unfortunately for Frazer, he misses a Phoenix Splash toward the end of the match, allowing Coffey to clothesline him and pick up the two points via pinfall.

Thus far, the Invitational has succeeded in energizing these episodes of NXT with matches of consequence. Even though we’re only two bouts in — the third, Akira Tozawa vs. Duke Hudson, will take place on the Sept. 1 NXT Level Up — the overall pool of contenders should give fans plenty of hope for more quality outings as the march to deciding Dar’s next adversary continues.

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