The John Report: WWE NXT 09/02/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured Oba Femi teaming with Ricky Saints, Hank & Tank against Darkstate.
The NXT brand is on the road to No Mercy on Saturday, September 27th. They are also doing an NXT Homecoming episode at the old venue Full Sail University on September 16th, so that show should be more loaded than usual.
As usual for NXT, I’ll go summary style for some of the matches and then play-by-play for one or two matches.
They were at the WWE PC in Orlando for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport, and check out my NXT TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
There was some pre-show walking shown of Ricky Saints, the NXT Champion Oba Femi and Hank & Tank. The NXT Tag Team Champions Darkstate were also shown walking.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T. I assume Corey Graves has officially moved to just Raw, in addition to his AAA duties. That’s for the best. I like Graves with Cole on Raw. Mike Rome was the ring announcer as usual.
Lash Legend vs. Jaida Parker
The powerhouse Lash hit a shoulder tackle and a running splash. Parker used her athleticism to get some nearfalls on Lash. Parker set up for her hip drop against the turnbuckle, but Lash blocked that and Lash hit a Chokeslam for two.
(Commercial)
Parker got some momentum going with a running shoulder tackle. Parker hit a flipping neckbreaker for a two count. Lash hit a backbreaker. Parker avoided an attack and hit her with a running hip drop, followed by the high stepping. When they left the ring, Lash hit a pump kick on the floor. Lash also gave Parker a Lash Extension spinning slam on the commentary table, but it was not much of a bump. Back in the ring, Lash hit a better Lash Extension for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Lash Legend
Analysis: **3/4 The match was okay, but never really got going to that next gear. Both women are in a similar spot as faces who don’t really act like it, but they have aggressive attitudes. I believe Parker would be better off as a cocky heel. I think Lash could be the next NXT Women’s Champion because I don’t see Lola Vice beating Jacy Jayne, although I could certainly see Lash getting the title whenever she gets a shot.
After the match, Lash trash-talked Parker, so Parker went after Lash in the aisle. Parker sent Lash into the steel steps. Parker hit her Hipnotic hip attack on Lash against the barricade.
Analysis: That likely means the feud will continue. Parker will probably win their next match.
Blake Monroe walked up to Arianna Grace and Stacks, who looked flirty. Blake and Grace bonded over makeup. Arianna said she didn’t like Jordynne Grace and they are not related. Jordynne Grace walked in to the room and the women’s division was in there. Kali Armstrong trash-talked Jordynne, saying she felt disrespected by Jordynne, so they have a problem now.
Je’Von Evans was up next.
A commercial aired for WWE-AAA Worlds Collide on September 12 in Las Vegas. That is right after SmackDown on a Friday night.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Je’Von Evans
The Young OG went into the ring, and he wasn’t as excited as usual. Evans said that you know he’s known for being excited and finding the positive in everything, but after Heatwave, he can’t do it. Evans talked about beating Trick Williams to earn the NXT Title match at Heatwave. Evans said Heatwave felt different. Evans said he was excited at Heatwave. Evans said he called his younger sister to say he’s about to be the youngest NXT Champion, but he lost. Evans said that he almost had it, but Oba’s foot was by the ropes, and then Oba capitalized, and his hand was raised in the air. Trick apologized for letting the fans down, but the fans chanted “No” to that. The fans chanted, “We still love you.” Evans said he ignored everybody for a good week…and there was an interruption.
Analysis: Good promo from Evans. He is so easy to like, and he has such a bright future. The way he talks makes him seem genuine.
There was a motorcycle shown driving up to the building. The person on the motorcycle walked, and the gong sounded to signal The Undertaker, but instead it was Josh Briggs.
Josh Briggs walked out, wondering if you were expecting somebody else. The fans booed Briggs. Briggs said that Evans is everything he hates about the locker room because he’s 21 and already getting main events and title shots. Briggs got in the ring, so the fans chanted, “you suck” at him. Briggs said that Evans thinks it’s okay to wait. Briggs said you should have walked up to Oba, put a finger in his face, and gotten a rematch, but instead Ricky Saints became the number one contender. The fans chanted, “Shut the hell up.” Briggs complained about waiting years for an opportunity, even though he’s better than others in the other league. Evans said he’s not in the mood for this right now. Briggs told Evans he’s never going to beat Oba. Evans tried to respond, but Briggs kicked Evans in the face.
Briggs stomped on Evans. Briggs said that Evans will need to learn when to fight and when to lie down. Briggs put a chair into the ring, and Briggs gave Evans a Chokeslam onto the chair that was open in the ring. Briggs stood tall.
Analysis: There’s a new rivalry for Josh Briggs and Je’Von Evans. When Evans lost at Heatwave, it was in a controversial manner, but it also made me think he’s going to win the title, perhaps at Halloween Havoc in October. Since Femi is defending the gold against Ricky Saints at No Mercy, it makes sense to have Evans get into a feud with a heel like Briggs. I thought Briggs did well as a heel here.
Xia Brookside of TNA was shown in a video package talking about her past in NXT UK and now TNA. Xia talked about being the next Speed Champion. Candice LeRae also spoke about how she was going to be Speed Champion.
(Commercial)
The babyface team of Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, and Hank & Tank spoke in the locker room. Hank & Tank spoke about how there is tension between Oba and Saints, but Hank & Tank want them to be focused. Hank & Tank tried to encourage their partners to be on the same page. Ricky told Oba he better be locked in tonight and Oba said don’t worry about me, worry about yourself.
Women’s Speed Championship Contender’s Tournament: Xia Brookside vs. Candice LeRae
This match has a 3-minute time limit. Xia is from TNA and LeRae is from SmackDown.
Xia hit a headscissors on LeRae and then a hurricanrana. Xia hit a running dropkick. Xia hit a Russian legsweep for two. Xia was on the turnbuckle, so LeRae knocked her down to the floor. Xia came back with a nearfall. LeRae hit a running kick to the face. LeRae went for a springboard moonsault, but Xia moved and Xia hit a Codebreaker for two. There was one minute left. LeRae hit a Tornado DDT, senton splash and a springboard moonsault like a Lionsault for the pinfall win at 2:36.
Winner by pinfall: Candice LeRae
Analysis: *1/2 It’s a fast match where they hit some big moves and had some counters. LeRae winning makes sense as a WWE superstar beating a TNA wrestler.
Candice LeRae goes on to the semifinals against either Lainey Reid or AAA’s Faby Apache. Whoever wins that faces WWE Women’s Speed Champion Sol Ruca at No Mercy.
Analysis: I don’t think I’ll ever be that excited about a Speed match. It’s just another title, but there’s nothing special about it.
Josh Briggs was in the locker room, where Kale Dixon and Urijah Connors said that Briggs was a bully. Andre Chase spoke up for his guys. Briggs trashed Chase, so Kale and Urijah claimed Chase would school him. Chase and Urijah left to go talk to GM Ava.
Analysis: Poor Chase is getting put into a match because of his dumbass students.
(Commercial)
Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence were in NXT GM Ava’s office with Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley, and Sol Ruca & Zaria. The three teams exchanged words. Ava booked a triple threat tag team elimination next week and the winners will get a future Women’s Tag Team Title match.
A video aired about Darkstate talking about how devastating they are as a group. Dion Lennox said that Osiris Griffin wasn’t given a fair shot in the NFL, Cutler James said he was told he wasn’t good enough on LFG. Osiris Griffin mentioned Saquon Shugars took six years to get to WWE. Dion Lennox said he was pushed around in NXT and they were wrong to think he would just sit back. Shugars said that Dion wasn’t willing to wait to be a superstar. They spoke about how they were past security guys on NXT. They also said that the NXT Tag Team Titles validate them. Shugars said they have different backgrounds, but the same struggles. They said when Darkstate strikes, nobody is safe.
Analysis: That was good. Nice way to tell us more about the guys in the group and how they came together because of the rejection they felt in the past. That rejection made them stronger.
Trick Williams was shown backstage since he’s up next.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Trick Williams
It’s time to “Whoop That Trick” as the TNA World Champion Trick Williams was in the ring, saying he was the greatest NXT superstar of all time. Trick said he didn’t hear anybody try to counter that opinion. Trick claimed he was still the hottest NXT superstar to ever live and he said that maybe some of them don’t care about NXT anymore. Trick talked about how they have been working hard here for the last three or four years. Trick said that as soon as he moves to Raw or SmackDown, his big contract, his big house in the suburbs – you aren’t going to see him ever again. Trick said that these guys travel the world, they’re in Paris and Bologna, and they do what they want. Trick said that all your favorites that you love, they don’t love you.
The #DIY duo of Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa made their entrance as two all-time NXT greats. I believe they both live in Orlando, so it’s not like it’s a far trip for them. There were “DIY” chants for them.
Johnny Gargano said that they love the fans. There were “Johnny Wrestling” and “Psycho Killer” chants. Gargano mentioned it was the 10th anniversary of their NXT start. Gargano mentioned the upcoming NXT Homecoming show.
Gargano and Ciampa went into the ring to talk to Trick while they bragged about their credentials in NXT. They also recapped their past history in NXT. Gargano said he’s seen a lot of great men and women walk down that aisle in NXT. Gargano referenced past NXT stars and said that the one thing they had in common was love for these people and this brand. Ciampa said that they are two guys who defined an era of NXT. Ciampa took Trick’s glasses off and said that they paved the way for Trick to stand in the ring – they are #DIY, so the fans chanted “DIY” for them.
Trick Williams told Ciampa not to put his hands on him again because he couldn’t even beat Trick’s girl’s ass. Trick said that he wasn’t trying to show disrespect. Trick said it’s Johnny Takeover and the Blackheart. Trick said that he took their accolades and sent them back to medieval times. Trick claimed he carried Carmelo Hayes and was still the greatest NXT superstar of all time.
Ciampa shoved Trick, so Trick tried a punch, Ciampa ducked, and Gargano hit a superkick. #DIY hit their Meet In The Middle kick/knee combo to put Trick down.
Analysis: Welcome back #DIY to NXT for at least this show, and probably a match for one of them against Trick. #DIY are usually heels on SmackDown, but they were in babyface mode here as NXT legends. It’s a bit awkward to see a heel like Trick get beaten up by two guys, and we are supposed to be happy about it, yet it is an unfair situation for the heel. Anyway, all three guys did a good job with their promos.
Ava, the NXT GM, approached Je’Von Evans in the trainer’s room and said If you stay out of Josh Briggs’ match tonight, then Evans can face Briggs next week. Evans agreed, and Ava made a security escort for Evans.
A video aired about NXT Evolve Champion Kali Armstrong.
(Commercial)
Ethan Page, the NXT North American Champion, was backstage with Tavion Heights and Ava, the NXT GM. Heights complained about Page being a jerk to him, while Page bragged about being a superior Canadian. Page suggested she was going to make it a Flag Match, and Ava said she wasn’t going to do that, but now she’ll make it a Flag Match. Heights told Page he would acknowledge the American flag.
Kali Armstrong vs. Jordynne Grace
I don’t watch Evolve, but I know enough about Kali to know she’s very talented, and she has wrestled on NXT before. Grace hit an impressive spinning suplex, followed by a Camel Clutch submission. Kali broke free from Grace’s submission hold and Kali sent Grace into the turnbuckle.
(Commercial)
Grace got some momentum going with two clotheslines and a springboard clothesline for two. Kali ran the ropes to try a move, but Grace stopped that with an elbow smash. Grace hit her Beast Mode sitout slam for the pinfall win. It went about 8 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jordynne Grace
Analysis: **1/2 It was an average match to give Grace the win. Kali has a lot of talent, and you can tell she has a bright future, but it was obviously going to be a Grace victory since she lost to Blake Monroe, so she needed a win.
Blake Monroe made her entrance looking good as usual. Blake went down to the ring, so Grace sent her into the steel steps. Blake and Grace exchanged punches. Blake was bleeding from the nose or something like that. Security was there to break it up.
Analysis: A quick brawl to set up their next match. I assume it will be a Street Fight or something similar, allowing them to use weapons in the match.
A video package aired featuring Lola Vice discussing her life story. They showed her childhood home, and she spoke about being from Miami. Lola said when you are Cuban American, you grow up together, loud, passionate and loyal. Lola said for the past 9 years she has been chasing her dreams in MMA and WWE. Lola Vice’s mom was shown talking about her passion for chasing her dreams. They showed Lola’s younger sister talking about how proud she is. Lola said you met her mom, but wait until you meet her dad, and it ended there.
Analysis: It was a video showing us more about Lola Vice, who is going after the NXT Women’s Title at No Mercy. I like those kinds of profile videos.
Josh Briggs (w/Kale Dixon & Urijah Connors) vs. Andre Chase
Briggs attacked with some strikes early on, but Chase came back with a hurricanrana to send Briggs out of the ring. Briggs caught Chase and rammed him into the ring post.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Chase starting his comeback with a Tornado DDT. Briggs hit Chase with a sidewalk slam. Briggs hit a Bossman Slam, but Chase came back with a counter move into a Stunner. Chase jumped off the top with a cross body block off the top for a two count. The fans chanted, “That was three,” after that. After Chase hit a kick, Briggs caught him and hit a Chokeslam. Briggs hit a running boot to the face for the pinfall win after 7 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Josh Briggs
Analysis: **3/4 An easy win for Josh Briggs, who is getting a push as a heel while Chase isn’t featured that much, especially compared to the TV time that he used to have. These guys have been on NXT for about four years, and neither is a main eventer, but Briggs is close. Briggs needs a better finisher than a running kick. The Chokeslam he did was better.
After the match, Briggs sent Dixon into the barricade. Briggs gave Connors a Chokeslam through the commentary table.
Analysis: A cheap attack to put over Briggs as a heel jerk.
Trick Williams was backstage, where he was asked about #DIY attacking him. Trick made a comment about how they aren’t the only ones who have made history. Trick said he’ll see us next week.
Next week on NXT:
* Flag Match: Ethan Page vs. Tavion Heights
* #1 Contenders Triple Threat Elimination Tag Team Match: Fatal Influence vs. The Culling vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria
* Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs
It was main event time, so Ricky Saints was up first for his team.
A commercial aired for the Wrestlepalooza PLE on September 20th, which is WWE’s first PLE on ESPN in the US.
(Commercial)
A video package aired about the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford boxing match on September 13th, airing on Netflix. WWE’s owners, TKO Group, are promoting it, so they are pushing it a lot on WWE shows.
Oba Femi, the NXT Champion, made his entrance to join his teammates in the main event. Darkstate was up next and they are the NXT Tag Team Champions.
Ricky Saints, Oba Femi, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Cutler James & Saquon Shugars
The Darkstate boys were in control early on as Dion hit a running clothesline on Tank. James tagged in, Tank hit an elbow and Hank hit a bulldog as the legal man. Ricky tagged in for some rope walking on James, leading to a punch, and Femi tagged in with a shoulder tackle. James punched Femi, so Femi hit James with a forearm. Femi teased tagging in Ricky and then he mocked Ricky with a Saints pose. Femi hit a clothesline on James. The eight guys went into the ring and the faces cleared the ring. Femi hit a move like a Big Ending on James. The babyface foursome hit a “honk honk” four-man splash combo on James. The Darkstate boys retreated to the floor as the show went to a break.
(Commercial)
The heels are usually in control after coming back from a break, but Hank got a splash on Dion. The heels managed to Hank, so that led to quick tags, leading to striking moves like a dropkick, a clothesline by Dion and Griffin hit a powerslam for two. Griffin choked Hank across the ropes. Hank was sent into the turnbuckle, but Tank provided an assist, and Hank hit a clothesline. Tank tagged in against Dion, which led to a clothesline and an atomic drop. Ricky tagged in as Tank hit a shoulder tackle. Tank hit a suicide dive as well. Ricky hit a Tornado DDT on Dion. Shugars tagged in, Femi tagged himself in by slapping Ricky in the head, so Shugars hit Ricky with a knee to send Ricky crashing into Femi. Femi tossed Shugars onto Ricky. Ricky punched Femi, so Femi clotheslined Ricky out of the ring. Tank managed to tag himself in as Femi and Ricky went fighting to the back. Hank tagged in for the Honk Honk double team splash. Shugars raked Hank’s eyes. The Darkstate guys made three quick tags, but Tank helped Hank, who punched Dion down. James hit a clothesline on Hank. James said, “No one is saving you now” to Hank so Hank “Joe Hendry” and that led to Joe Hendry’s music playing. Hendry went on the apron and James went after him. Hank picked up James and Hank & Tank hit their splash-powerslam combo on James for the pinfall win. It went 12 minutes. Booker: “He said his damn name!”
Winners by pinfall: Ricky Saints, Oba Femi, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a pretty good (but not great) main event tag team match that was easily the best match on a show without great matches. The result surprised me a bit since Darkstate have been booked so strongly since they started having matches, but it’s a way to give Hank & Tank a win to set them up for an NXT Tag Team Title match. Femi and Ricky fighting to the back adds to the intensity going into their NXT Title match at No Mercy, so I get why it was booked like that. Joe Hendry continues to show up in NXT nearly every week and the fans like him a lot. That finish worked.
Joe Hendry was celebrating with Hank & Tank in the ring.
The cameras cut to the backstage area where Ricky Saints was fighting with Oba Femi. Security showed up to try to break it up. Femi hit an uppercut on Ricky. The show ended there.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Ricky Saints, Oba Femi, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
- Trick Williams, Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
- Lash Legend
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The Scoreboard
This week: 6.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.75
2025 Average: 7.30
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was a weaker episode in the sense that the in-ring quality was just average for most of the show, and then there was a good tag team match main event.
I think most of the promo segments were effective and advanced storylines for the most part. We saw some new feuds get started with Je’Von Evans having to deal with Josh Briggs while #DIY were in there as babyfaces against Trick Williams, so that should lead to a match.
The current state of NXT is that the show and the brand is solid, but it’s not at a point where I’d call it a must-see weekly show.
The next WWE NXT PLE is No Mercy on September 27th with this lineup:
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Ricky Saints
* NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Lola Vice
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
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Twitter/X @johnreport