The John Report: WWE NXT 01/21/25 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured Oba Femi defending the NXT Title against Eddy Thorpe, Tony D’Angelo’s North American Title match with Ridge Holland, and more.
Last week’s NXT episode ended with Bayley and Roxanne Perez getting into a fight. Perez showed up on SmackDown and Raw during Bayley matches, so they are building to a singles match.
I will do a review that is summary style for most of the show and then full play-by-play for a few matches. This week has three title matches, so I’ll probably go play-by-play for those three.
They are at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport, friend me on Facebook, or chat with me on the Bluesky App as well. Let’s get to it.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph, Booker T and Corey Graves, who is back after throwing a social media tantrum of sorts and missing last week. Graves said: “I am right where I want to be. Where passion is everything and only the hungry survive and pro wrestling never stopped being cool. Let’s light a fuse.”
Analysis: Welcome back, Corey Graves. I thought the whole thing was overblown. The Graves thing was treated like a big deal by the wrestling world, but the guy missed only one week of work in a job where he works one day per week. A lot of people work way more hours per week for a lot less money. If I was Corey, I would have never posted anything on social media. If you have an issue, bitch to your family and friends privately. Putting it out there on social media was a dumb move. I think Corey probably should be on Smackdown with Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett or with Michael Cole and Pat McAfee on Raw, but I assume WWE prefers a two man team on those shows instead.
There was some backstage walking shown of NXT Champion Oba Femi and Eddy Thorpe. Bayley is also back this week.
NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo (w/Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, Luca Crusifino & Adrianna Rizzo) vs. Ridge Holland
The ring announcer Mike Rome did the in-ring championship introductions. I think Mike is the best of the current WWE ring announcers. I’ll go play-by-play here.
Ridge and Tony exchanged punches followed by Ridge knocking down Tony with a shoulder tackle. The announcers talked about the WWE-TNA deal and Graves said he believed in Joe Hendry. Me too. Tony took Ridge down with a side headlock. Tony hit a running forearm followed by a back body drop. Shawn Spears appeared in the aisle to watch the match as the show went to break I think, but it continued for me on Netflix. Tony knocked Ridge over the top to the floor with a clothesline. Ridge tackled Tony into the ring post and then Ridge sent Tony into the ring post. Ridge sent Tony’s left shoulder into the turnbuckle. Tony managed to get a rollup. Ridge kicked Tony in the knee followed by an arm wringer. Ridge applied an armbar.
The match was back for the entire audience as Tony came back with punches. Tony worked over Ridge with punches along with along with a bely-to-belly side slam. Tony hit a Fisherman’s Suplex for a two count. Ridge punched Tony a few times followed by a half-n-half suplex for two. Tony avoided a clothesline leading to Tony running the ropes and hitting a Spear. Spears was on the apron, so Tony punched Spears off the apron. Brooks Jensen and Niko showed up at ringside to fight with Stacks and Luca at ringside. Izzi Dame went into the ring, kicked Ridge in the head and Tony hit a spinebuster for the pinfall win. It went about 8 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo
Analysis: **3/4 The match was okay for the time given. There wasn’t anything special about it and it was shorter than you might expect for a title match. The cheap finish protects Ridge since he didn’t lose clean while Tony keeps his title that he has held for over 100 days.
After the match, Izzi Dame said: “Now we’re even.” Tony looked confused about the whole thing.
Analysis: We know that Izzi Dame has refused the help of Shawn Spears in the past, so I think this was her way of preventing Spears from costing Tony D his title.
Wes Lee and his buddies Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe walked up to Dion Lennox in the locker room. Lee mocked Dion for thinking he could beat Oba Femi for the NXT Title. Dion defended himself, so they exchanged words. Trick Williams walked into the locker room, Lee trashed him saying he was the former champion, so Trick punched Lee in the face. Trick left.
Bayley was shown walking backstage for a promo up next.
There was a commercial for the NXT Vengeance Day PLE on Saturday, February 15th.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Bayley
Bayley made her entrance for a promo to continue her story with Roxanne Perez. Bayley lost to Nia Jax on Raw and Tiffany Stratton on Smackdown, but she’s a four-time Women’s Champion and a former NXT Women’s Champion. It was nearly 10 years ago when I went to NXT in Orlando to see her wrestle Sasha Banks for 30 minutes. That was a good time.
Bayley said that she cares about Roxanne Perez and the legacy she is building. Bayley said she cares about what Perez has done for NXT. Bayley talked about how she got a slap in the face. Bayley said that Perez compared her to CM Punk and Natalya, but Bayley thinks that is a compliment because Natalya taught her how to give back. Bayley talked about taking care of entitle little idiots like Perez. Bayley mentioned Perez showing up at Bayley’s matches this past week. Bayley said Perez’s actions prove she’s not ready for Raw or Smackdown or being the leader of the youngest locker room in WWE. Bayley mentioned some of the women in NXT by name and mentioned the champion Giulia as well.
The NXT Women’s Champion Giulia walked into the ring saying she wanted to be in NXT. Giulia said that Roxanne may not look up to you, but Giulia does. Giulia said she hopes to hold this title with as much honor and love as Bayley did. Bayley told Giulia she had so much respect for her. Bayley said that title changed the landscape of the women’s division not just in NXT, but in WWE.
Roxanne Perez interrupted with her bestie Cora Jade by her side. Perez mocked Bayley for two embarrassing back to back losses. Perez and Jade were in black like Bayley and Giulia. Perez said that she’s not the only that sees through Bayley because Cora does too. Jade said she was a naïve Bayley fan once too. Jade said that Bayley is not a role model. Jade said that Giulia should hand that title back to Perez because nobody loves this the way that Cora and Perez do. The fans were booing loudly, so Perez told the fans to shut up.
Perez said she won’t take anything away from Bayley has done while talking about what Bayley has done in her career. The fans kept booing loudly. Perez told Bayley thank you for your service because it’s no longer needed. Perez said she knows why Bayley is here and Perez said Bayley is looking at the NXT Women’s Championship. Perez said Bayley knows that NXT right now has exceeded the Four Horsewomen era. The fans chanted “shut the hell up” at Perez, so the four women got into a fight. Bayley tried to slam Jade, but Jade got away from her and Perez got away from Giulia to leave the ring.
Analysis: This was an easy way to set up a tag team match. Since next week’s NXT show is a bigger episode in Atlanta, it makes sense to do the match there. It’s an easy story to tell with Perez and Jade as the younger wrestlers think they are the best and disrespecting a WWE legend like Bayley. Giulia showing respect to Bayley makes Giulia even more of a likable babyface champion. Also, the crowd booing Perez and Jade as loudly as they did was a nice touch to show how hated they are as heels.
Jaida Parker was shown in the women’s locker room talking about how Bayley mentioned her name. Kelani Jordan said that Bayley said her name too. Jordan and Parker argued. Karmen Petrovic walked in saying love is in the air. Parker and Karmen argued while Parker said that you finally got a kiss from a guy who will leave you in a few months anyway. The other women in the locker room tried to separate them.
They went back to ringside where Bayley and Giulia kept on fighting with Jade and Perez. The action continued during the break for those of us on Netflix. Giulia punched Jade to knock her out of the ring. Perez went after Giulia while the referees were in the ring trying to break it up. The four women were separated by the referees briefly, but then Bayley and Giulia fought with Jade and Perez again. Bayley sent Jade and Perez out of the ring. The four women went backstage where NXT GM Ava was standing. The referees separated the women again.
Analysis: I thought all four women did a good job showing their intensity during those segments.
Dion Lennox made his entrance. I can tell when they come back from a break because they hit the mute button for a few seconds and then the announcers start talking again.
Wes Lee (w/Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe) vs. Dion Lennox
Lee threw his jacket at Dion followed by a running kick. When Dion left the ring, Lee hit a suicide dive. Dion got the offense going after hitting a clothesline and a spinebuster for two. Lee hit multiple kicks to the head and bounced off the ropes with a Cardiac Kick for the pinfall win. It went about two minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Wes Lee
Analysis: *1/2 Easy win for Wes Lee. Dion Lennox has a bright future, but they just aren’t using him a lot right now. In terms of his look, Dion can be a big star. It’s just a matter of building his personality and getting some interesting storylines.
Wes Lee did a promo after the match saying he’ll take care of Trick Williams next week in Atlanta. Trick went into the ring, punched Lee a few times and Trick clotheslined Lee out of the ring. Trick did a promo saying if you want him in Atlanta next week then you’ve got it. After Trick left the ring, he bumped his shoulder into Lennox to show that Trick is angry.
Analysis: That’s a good match for the Atlanta fans next week with Trick Williams facing Wes Lee. They are two of the best in NXT.
A video package aired about Lexis King becoming the NXT Heritage Cup from Charlie Dempsey. It was controversial since King did an accidental low blow leading to the win.
Lexis King made his entrance for his NXT Heritage Cup match.
(Commercial)
Stephanie Vaquer was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Vaquer issued a warning to Shotzi and NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley. Vaquer made it clear she was coming for them.
NXT Heritage Cup: Lexis King vs. Charlie Dempsey (w/Myles Borne, Tavion Heights & Wren Sinclair)
This is their fourth match together in the last couple of months. It’s the traditional rules with six rounds of three minutes and it’s best 2 out of 3 falls. I’ll go play-by-play for it.
Round 1: King and Dempsey exchanged some holds on the mat. King hit a dropkick followed by an armdrag leading to an armbar. King trapped Dempsey’s arm behind the back followed by a knee to the arm. Dempsey did a backslide pin for two and King countered for two. King knocked down Dempsey with a shoulder tackle. Dempsey applied a sleeper hold, King got out of it, Dempsey got a rollup and King kicked out. Dempsey did a backslide pin for two.
There was a shot of King’s bucket in his corner and there were brass knuckles. They went to a break for some viewers while it continued for us here on Netflix.
Round 2: Dempsey was in control with an armbar on the left arm. King and Dempsey had their hands locked together leading to multiple pin attempts. Dempsey hit a gutwrench suplex. Dempsey grabbed a chinlock. King hit an overhead suplex. Dempsey went for a sunset flip, King sat on top and King leaned forward while hooking the legs for the pinfall.
Lexis King leads 1-0.
They were back from the picture-in-picture break for some fans.
Round 3: Dempsey hit a knee to the face. King came back with an armdrag leading to an armbar. Dempsey sent King throat first into the top rope. Dempsey sent King face first into the middle turnbuckle followed by a German Suplex for two. Dempsey grounded King with a headlock, King broke free and King hit a superkick for two. Dempsey hit a knee lift followed by a bridging double underhook suplex for the pinfall.
The match is tied 1-1.
Lexis King grabbed the brass knuckles, put it on his hand and then put it back in the bucket.
Round 4: Dempsey did a dragon screw leg whip. Dempsey applied a front facelock, but King came back with a suplex. King knocked down Dempsey with a shoulder tackle and a corner clothesline. King hit a Northern Lights Suplex with a bridge for two. King jumped off the top with a cross body block for two. Dempsey hit a German Suplex that led to a rough landing on the head/neck for King. King crawled to his bucket, Dempsey went for a Crossface Chickenwing, but King sent him out of the ring. King hit a somersault dive over the top onto three guys on the floor. King sent Dempsey into the ring, King punched Borne and Dempsey got a cradle for two. Dempsey got a rollup for two. King and Dempsey were against the turnbuckle with the referee, so King did a low blow kick. King hit The Coronation neckbreaker for the pinfall win with about 10 seconds left in the round.
Winner by pinfall: Lexis King (2-1)
Analysis: ***1/4 A cheap win for King thanks to the low blow. King said in the past that he didn’t want to cheat and wanted to do things the right way, but he lied because he cheated to win here. I assume the feud is over now because these guys have wrestled enough times. Dempsey is so technically sound and it’s not the most exciting style, but I like watching him. King has improved a lot over the last year. Good match.
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi talked about how Lash Legend and Jakara are coming for their titles. They said Lash & Jakara will have to bring it next week if they want to take the titles in Atlanta.
Karmen Petrovic made her entrance joined by Ashante Thee Adonis for Karmen’s match up next.
(Commercial)
Andre Chase was backstage with Hank & Tank. Chase was asked about why he walked out on them a few weeks ago. Chase told them to just break up now because all teams break up. Kelani Jordan was shown in the background. Andre Chase walked backstage where some NXT talent was watching Chase U videos. Kale Dixon told Chase he was a total badass. Chase said he was a badass, but Chase U is dead and Chase left. Dixon said: “But it doesn’t have to be.” That ended the scene.
Analysis: The sadness of Andre Chase continues while this newcomer Dixon wants to bring it back in some form. We haven’t seen other former Chase U talent in recent weeks like Duke Hudson, Thea Hail, and Riley Osborne, so I hope they don’t get lost in the shuffle.
Jaida Parker vs. Karmen Petrovic (w/Ashante Thee Adonis)
There was a sweep kick by Karmen. The offense continued as Karmen kicked Parker and hit a bulldog. Parker put Karmen on her shoulders leading to an Electric Chair drop. Vic mentioned Parker had 17 televised victories in 2024, which is only second to Roxanne Perez in the women’s division in NXT. Parker hit her Tear Drop attack against the turnbuckle. Karmen was on Parker’s shoulders again and this time Karmen got a rollup for two. Parker hit a spinning back elbow along with a front suplex, but that’s when Kelani Jordan showed up on the apron. Jordan tried a slap, Parker blocked it and Karmen did a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! on Parker to win.
Winner by pinfall: Karmen Petrovic
Analysis: **1/4 That’s a result that could be considered an upset since Parker has been pushed more than Karmen in recent months. That ROLLUP OF DEATH~! is deadly after all. It wasn’t a clean loss, so that protects Parker while continuing her issues with Kelani Jordan. Parker had a feud with Lola Vice that didn’t involve a title and now with Jordan.
The Meta Girls team of Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson were talking in the women’s locker room about what Bianca & Naomi said while other women were in the background. Sol Ruca and Zaria walked up to Lash & Jakara. Sol said that they have the chance to be Women’s Tag Team Champions and bring those titles to NXT – the best women’s division in the world. Lash said that she gets to be in her hometown Atlanta in front of her friends and family while they get to be in the ring with two former World Champions. Jakara said they are going to bring that action and when they do, you all can get a shot at those titles. Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley said they liked the sound of that. Lash said they are going to bring those titles to NXT.
A graphic reminded us that it’s Bianca Belair & Naomi defending the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles against Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson next Tuesday on NXT in Atlanta.
Analysis: I think there might be a title change with Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson winning the titles in that match. Why not? As much as I love Bianca and Naomi, I want to see Bianca as a singles wrestler again after being in tags for the last year.
They showed Eddy Thorpe and NXT Champion Oba Femi in their locker rooms getting ready for the main event.
(Commercial)
Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance (w/Shawn Spears) vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Luca Crusifino (w/Adrianna Rizzo)
Niko is a newcomer, so now we’ll see what he can do in the ring in his NXT TV debut. Stacks knocked both opponents out of the ring, so Luca hiptossed Stacks over the top onto both opponents on the floor. The heels took over as Niko sent Luca hard into the turnbuckle. After getting beat up for about a minute, Luca hit a jumping knee smash. Stacks got the tag leading to a jumping kick and Stacks hit a middle rope dropkick on both opponents. Brooks sent Luca out of the ring, so Niko tackled Luca into the steel steps. Brooks hit a spinning heel kick and Niko hit a huge running lariat that Stacks sold with a flip bump. Niko covered Stacks for the win after four minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance
Analysis: **1/4 It was a shorter match to give the heel side a win. I’d like to see Stacks & Luca get some wins to put them in the NXT Tag Team Title picture. I like them as a team. Niko looks very impressive physically. Great clothesline by Niko and an even better sell by Stacks with the flip bump.
The NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom aka Fraxiom were interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Axiom said in this tag team division, you never know. Frazer said they are the best tag team in the planet and next up they’ll go to TNA against the Rascalz. The team of Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura walked in with Briggs complaining about the champions going to TNA. Frazer said that they heard them but there’s one thing about wanting a title shot and deserving a shot. Frazer asked who the have ever beaten. The OTM boys walked into the screen, so they got into a fight with Briggs and Inamura. There were officials trying to break it up.
Analysis: A valid point made by Frazer since Briggs and Inamura aren’t a team that has earned a title shot. I agree with Frazer & Axiom thinking they are the best team in the business. They just might be. They were my WWE Tag Team of the Year in 2024 and it should be a great match against the Rascalz in TNA too.
(Commercial)
Dion Lennox was walking around backstage and he was angry about his loss. Izzi Dame talked to Tony D’Angelo saying she thinks Spears has a crush on her or he’s delusional. Dame said they are even now. Stacks and Luca showed up with Rizzo asking where Tony was. Tony said Izzi was talking to him. Stacks said that they needed Tony out there. Tony said that Stacks has been the Underboss for two years now, so he can figure it out on his own.
Analysis: There’s a tease of some problems with that group and maybe they will split up, but I’d rather see Stacks & Luca get a push as a team.
Ethan Page was featured in a video package talking about injuring Dante Chen’s right foot last week. Page said he didn’t want to have to do that to Dante. Page said he was riding a high after shaking hands with The Final Boss aka The Rock. Page said he never knew he’d enjoy the sounds of human bones breaking. Page said Chen was screaming out in pain just like Cedric Alexander and Je’Von Evans. Page said that Evans must never want to speak normal again since he came out to the ring in the state he was in. Page said he drew blood after striking Evans in the face. Page said next time Evans comes after him, it won’t just be one punch because Page will not stop.
Analysis: I really like this storyline that they have for Ethan Page where he has become this heel who enjoys hurting people.
Je’Von Evans was backstage talking to NXT GM Ava. Evans was selling the broken jaw injury. Ava said that his jaw is still broken and he is not cleared. Cedic Alexander walked in with Ava saying he is cleared while Cedric had his left wrist in a brace. Cedric said he’ll get even against Ethan Page, so they left.
Grayson Waller & Austin Theory walked in to talk to Ava. Theory claimed Ava was doing an amazing job in NXT. Waller said that she’s the Final Boss of NXT. Theory said he likes Ava way more than The Rock. Waller talked about the Grayson Waller Effect in Atlanta next week (Theory’s hometown) with the NXT Champion and they said they’d be watching the main event.
Next week on NXT in Atlanta.
* WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi vs Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
* Bayley & Giulia vs. Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade
* Trick Williams vs Wes Lee
* The Grayson Waller Effect talk show with the NXT Champion
* NXT Women’s North American Championships: Fallon Henley vs. Shotzi
Analysis: That’s a very good lineup. The Ethan Page-Cedric Alexander also seems like it will take place next week too.
They showed Eddy Thorpe walking backstage for his match up next. The NXT Champion Oba Femi was also walking backstage where former champion Trick Williams was there to stare at him.
(Commercial)
The WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page was seated in the crowd for the main event.
Eddy Thorpe was up first for the main event. The NXT Champion Oba Femi made his entrance. I don’t mind the fans doing the grunting for his entrance, but when they do it for his promos it’s so annoying. Anyway, Mike Rome did the championship introductions. Booker called Oba a “generational talent” that will be champion no matter what era he is in.
NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Eddy Thorpe
Thorpe sent Femi into the turnbuckle followed by a German Suplex and a fist drop for just a one count. Thorpe ran the ropes leading to a clothesline by Femi. Femi tossed Thorpe across the ring two times in a row. Femi gave Thorpe a huge back body drop. Thorpe did necksnap across the top rope, then a jumping kick and a running dropkick that sent Femi off the apron to the floor. The team of Austin Theory and Grayson Waller were watching from the podium. They went into a picture-in-picture break for some fans while the action continued here on Netflix. Thorpe hit a backbreaker onto the knee along with a running kick. Femi worked over Thorpe with a hard chop to the chest. Thorpe dropkicked Femi in the left knee to slow the champion down. Femi gave Thorpe a body slam, but when Femi tried an elbow drop, Thorpe moved.
They were back from the break for some fans and Thorpe was in control with a front facelock until Femi managed to power out of it. Femi worked over Thorpe with punches, kicks and a clothesline. Femi hit a spinning sidewalk slam. Femi hit two running uppercuts followed by a huge spinebuster for two. Thorpe countered a Femi move leading to a hurricanrana for two. Femi came back with a clothesline. Femi tried a lifting move, but Thorpe hit a variation of a Stunner to put the champion down. Thorpe jumped off the top with a lefty elbow drop for a two count. They exchanged some strikes, Femi hit a back elbow and Thorpe hit a German Suplex. Femi caught Thorpe with a hand around the throat leading to a massive Chokeslam for two. Thorpe barely kicked out at two. Femi charged, Thorpe moved and Femi hit his shoulder against the turnbuckle. Thorpe tried a charge, Femi caught him and Femi tossed Thorpe across the ring. Femi hit the Fall From Grace (Popup Powerbomb) for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Oba Femi
Analysis: ***1/4 This was a good match with a predictable outcome. I don’t think anybody watching this match thought that Eddy had a chance to win. I enjoy Femi’s matches because he’s a special talent just like Booker said throughout the match. Thorpe got plenty of offense to look like a credible opponent. Perhaps somebody watching could say Femi shouldn’t sell as much as he does, but I think it shows how talented Femi is because he’s good at selling too.
Oba Femi celebrated with the NXT Title in the ring. Grayson Waller and Austin Theory yelled at Femi from a distance since Femi will be on the Grayson Waller Effect talk show next week on NXT.
Trick Williams was in the ring to stare at Femi, who said Trick was back for more. Thorpe got back up, so Trick hit him with a Trick Shot knee to the face. Trick stared at Femi to end the show.
Analysis: I think Oba against Trick will be the main event of Vengeance Day on February 15th. They might make it official next week after Trick beats Wes Lee and Oba is on the Grayson Waller Effect talk show.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Oba Femi
- Lexis King
- Tony D’Angelo
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
This episode was okay, but a bit of a downer compared to last week. All three championship matches saw the champions retain, which isn’t much of a surprise. They built up next week’s show a lot.
The promo segment with Bayley and Giulia facing off against Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade was well done to set up that tag team match. They love brawling segments in NXT and maybe they do them too often, but I thought these four women did a nice job of bringing the intensity.
Next week’s episode in Atlanta has a strong lineup, so I’m looking forward to that show.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport