The John Report: WWE NXT 01/28/25 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured Bianca Belair & Naomi defending Women’s Tag Team Titles against Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson, another big women’s tag with Bayley & Giulia taking on Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade, Trick Williams vs. Wes Lee and more.
I will do a review that is summary style for most of the show and then full play-by-play for a few matches. I am watching on the Netflix version of the show here in Canada.
They are at the Center Stage in Atlanta 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.
There was some superstar walking shown including Grayson Waller & Austin Theory, the NXT Champion Oba Femi, Lash Legend with Jakara Jackson, and Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Naomi.
In this venue at Center Stage, there was a ramp on the way to the ring. That’s different for NXT, but they do have big screens by the entrance area. This is a venue that WCW used in the 1990s for Saturday Night, Worldwide, and other shows. They had a solid crowd here. There is less room on the floor for people who want to do dives outside the ring.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph, Booker T, and Corey Graves. Vic mentioned that Center Stage is where Booker’s Harlem Heat team (with brother Stevie Ray) won the WCW Tag Team Titles for the first time.
Bayley & Giulia vs. Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade
Giulia is the NXT Women’s Champion. I’ll go play-by-play here.
The heel side of Perez and Jade tried an early attack, but Bayley and Giulia were ready for it. Giulia and Perez took turns getting two counts on eachother. Perez pulled Giulia’s hair, so Giulia pulled some Perez hair too. Giulia hit a dropkick. Bayley tagged in, so Perez slapped her in the face. Jade tagged in leading to Bayley delivering some punches. Bayley hit an elbow along with a clothesline. Jade managed to send Bayley to her corner, so Perez tagged in with punches. Bayley set up Perez against the turnbuckle leading to Bayley doing a knee drop. Bayley and Giulia each hit corner splashes followed by Bayley and Giulia each hitting suplexes. Giulia tagged in, Perez punched and Perez sent both opponents out of the ring. Perez hit a suicide dive on her two opponents. Jade jumped off the top with a somersault splash onto Bayley and Giulia on the floor. They went to a break for some fans while the action continued. Jade and Perez were in control of Giulia while making some quick tags. Perez did a double foot stomp to the ribs of Giulia for two. Jade tagged in with a kick followed by a hair pull takedown. Jade hit Giulia with some knees, Giulia sent Jade down and Giulia broke free to bring Bayley in. Bayley hit a belly-to-back suplex on Jade along with a spinning slam on Perez.
The match continued with Bayley trying to pin Jade, who kicked out and Perez nailed Bayley with a forearm smash. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” for them. Bayley hit a move on Jade by the ropes and then Perez distracted Bayley on the apron, so Jade knocked down Bayley. The heels were in control again as Perez hit a running uppercut. Bayley caught a charging Perez and hit a belly-to-back suplex. Perez set up Bayley against the ropes, Jade hit an elbow to the back and Perez hit a springboard moonsault on Bayley leading to Jade covering Bayley for two. Jade sent Bayley into the middle rope again. Jade attacked Giulia on the apron, so Bayley came back with a Bayley to Belly on Jade. Giulia tagged in against Asuka leading to Giulia hitting a couple of punches and an overhead suplex. Giulia kicked Perez in the face along with a dropkick off the middle turnbuckle for two. Jade tagged in with an elbow on Perez accidentally because Giulia moved. Giulia hit Jade with a knee for two because Perez made the save. Perez and Bayley brawled leading to a fight on the floor. Giulia headbutted Jade. Bayley tagged in and Bayley hit a top rope elbow on Jade for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Bayley & Giulia
Analysis: ***1/4 A good match between four talented women. I thought Giulia would win to give her more momentum as the champion although I certainly don’t mind a Bayley victory. There was a lot of intensity throughout the match. I’m not surprised that Jade took the pin because they want to keep Perez strong. There will be a Bayley-Perez singles match soon.
After the match, Bayley shook hands with Giulia while Bayley also looked at Giulia’s NXT Women’s Title.
Eddy Thorpe was featured in a video saying he forced his way into an NXT Title match and proved he belonged. Thorpe said he’ll make his mark in NXT and NXT will understand that he cannot be broken.
A commercial aired for WrestleMania 41 on April 19 & April 20 in Las Vegas.
(Commercial)
Grayson Waller Effect with Oba Femi
The Raw tag team duo of Grayson Waller and Austin Theory (who is from Atlanta) were in the ring hosting the Grayson Waller Effect talk show. They are known as A-Town Down Under. The fans cheered when Waller mentioned Theory was from Atlanta. Waller said it’s ATL because they can’t spell the full word. Waller introduced the NXT Champion Oba Femi as the guest on the show.
Oba Femi made his entrance as the NXT Champion. There were some fake-looking trees in the ring along with chairs, a table and a rug. Femi was cheered since he’s more of a babyface than a heel but he does show heel tendencies sometimes.
Waller trashed the fans by claiming they aren’t very smart. Waller mentioned Femi is the longest reigning NXT North American Champion and Femi said that the NXT Title is where it needs to be. Theory said that Femi started in NXT at 24 years old and he has been taking over. Theory bragged about the youngest US Champion of all time while saying that everybody sees Femi as a main eventer on the main roster. Theory said he doesn’t see that for Femi.
Femi reminded them that neither of them had ever been NXT Champion. Femi said he accomplished more in two years than the two of them combined. Waller said he wanted to know if the hype is real. Waller said that he was winning the WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 40 and Femi was in a suite hoping that one day he could do what they can do.
Theory said that when the ink was drying on Femi’s contract, Theory had competed on three WrestleManias and said that it was actually four. Theory mentioned that Femi went to a great high school, had a full ride at Alabama and now he’s a great champion. Theory said that he and Waller are in the big leagues. Theory said we’ve seen guys get called up, then they don’t make it and then they are selling shirts on the indies. The fans chanted “turn on Grayson” so Theory turned his back to Waller, which was funny. Theory said that all they do is create unforgettable moments.
Femi responded saying that he doesn’t see either of them with titles. Femi said that they have big mouths while Waller’s lips write cheques that his hands can’t cash. Femi said he was building a dynasty here and said that it will be built. Femi said that if you like moments, if you like PLEs, here’s one for you. Femi mentioned Vengeance Day on February 15th and they showed Trick Williams watching on a TV backstage. Femi wondered who wanted a title shot. Waller talked about how he stood in front of the best and didn’t back down.
The NXT GM Ava walked onto the stage saying that as much as Oba would like to make the matches, it is up to Ava to make the matches. Trick Williams also walked out onto the stage with Ava. Trick told Ava they were trying to jump the line.
Trick Williams got into the ring to have a staredown with Femi. The fans were chanting “Whoop That Trick” for Williams. Theory and Waller tried to attack, so Trick punched both of them and Trick sent them out of the ring. Femi hit Trick with a Fall From Grace (Popup Powerbomb) and Femi stood over Trick. The Trick match with Wes Lee was next.
Analysis: I liked the segment with Waller & Theory doing their usual heel schtick of being obnoxious and trashing Femi. There were good comebacks from Femi because Waller and Theory kept talking about moments from their past while Femi correctly pointed out that he was the one holding the NXT Title while they didn’t have a title. I liked how they showed Trick Williams watching backstage, which led to him going out to the ring because Trick didn’t like Waller & Theory getting a title shot instead of him.
(Commercial)
Izzi Dame was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber on a platform in the arena. Izzi said that there was nothing going on with Tony D’Angelo and her. She helped him last week because Tony helped him in the past. Ridge Holland showed up to call Dame a liar and claimed she had a weird situation going on with Tony D. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo approached Ridge saying don’t talk to a woman like that. Ridge called Stacks the “lackey” of Tony D and they had to be separated before there was a fight.
Wes Lee (w/Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe) vs. Trick Williams
Trick was selling the Fall From Grace that he took before the break, so Trick was selling his ribs and back. I’ll go play-by-play here.
Lee hit a dropkick into the turnbuckle. Trick came back with punches, but Lee managed to trap Trick against the turnbuckle leading to some punches. Trick fired back with punches of his own. Lee worked over Trick with kicks to the body along with a dropkick to the back while Trick was seated on the mat. Lee jumped off the top rope, Trick caught him and Lee punched Trick in the back a few times. Lee hit a running cross body block on Trick for two. Trick came back with a few punches that sent Lee out of the ring. Trick left the ring, so Lee sent Trick into the commentary table. Lee hit a Meteora double knee attack on Trick onto the hood of the commentary table. Nice spot going into a break for some viewers as the action continued here. The match continued with Lee working over Trick with punches along with a rear chinlock submission almost like a Camel Clutch, but not exactly like that. Lee hit a dropkick to the right knee followed by a spin kick to the head for two. Lee applied a half crab submission hold as the match returned for the entire audience.
Trick kicked Lee a few times to break free and Trick hit an uppercut along with a clothesline. Trick hit a body slam as he continued the comeback. Trick did a back body drop and a Book End after that. Tyson and Tyriek pulled Lee out of the ring, so Trick brought Lee into the ring. Trick brought Tyson into the ring and punched him a few times. Trick gave Lee a hiptoss over the top onto Lee on the floor. Trick jumped off the ramp with a clothesline onto Lee on the floor. Trick kept punching Lee, Tyson was in the ring and Trick punched him. Trick kept kicking Lee, the referee tried to get Trick to stop and Trick shoved the referee down. The referee called for the bell for the DQ finish. Trick hit a spinning kick into a chair that Tyson was holding. It went about 10 minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Wes Lee
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good match with a DQ finish that was justified since Trick put his hands on the referee and shoved him down. They worked a match where Lee controlled the first half, Trick made the comeback, did a good job as the fired up babyface, and then Trick lost his mind a bit due to Lee’s buddies interfering.
After the match, Trick Williams was still angry as he was swinging a chair around, but Lee left the ring to avoid it. Referees tried to calm Trick down and he shoved a referee.
Analysis: This should set up Trick and Lee for a match at Vengeance Day. That probably means they are saving the Femi/Trick singles match for Stand & Deliver during WrestleMania weekend.
There was a scene in NXT GM Ava’s office with Oba Femi holding the NXT Title. Ava said that Oba was not allowed to make matches. Ava said that at Vengeance Day, Femi has to face Austin Theory and Grayson Waller in a triple threat match. Ava left.
Analysis: One of my issues with NXT booking sometimes is they give people title shots without earning them. Yes, Theory and Waller are main roster guys, but they haven’t won matches in NXT in years, yet they are getting an NXT Title shot just because of a promo segment. I like it when people win matches to earn title shots. Anyway, we know Femi is retaining at Vengeance Day. I’m just saying they should set up title matches better sometimes.
(Commercial)
The NXT GM Ava approached Trick Williams in his locker room. Ava didn’t even knock before going in the room. Ava wondered what got into Trick. Ava said at Vengeance Day it’s Waller & Theory in a triple threat with Femi for the NXT Title. Trick wondered what they did to deserve a shot. Ava said if you think they don’t deserve it, he can prove it by teaming up with Oba Femi against Theory & Waller next week.
Analysis: Thank you Trick for asking a logical question like I did before the break. Ava’s answer was weak. Perhaps they’ll have Trick win the tag team match and maybe it will be a four-way match at Vengeance Day.
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley (w/Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Shotzi (w/Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley)
Shotzi was aggressive early on with a top rope hurricanrana. Jayne and Nyx pulled Henley out of the ring, so Shotzi hit a cross body block onto Henley and friends on the floor. Dolin and Paxley fought with Jayne and Nyx to the backstage area. Henley rammed Shotzi’s left leg against the ring post and did a chop block to the back of the left knee. Henley worked over Shotzi’s left knee for a few minutes. They did a double clothesline spot and Shotzi hit a neckbreaker.
There was a flurry of offense from Shotzi with a facebuster and a suplex into the turnbuckle. Shotzi was selling the left knee injury and she also hit a cannonball. Henley took over when they left the ring with Henley sending Shotzi’s knee into the hood of the commentary table. Shotzi got momentum back with a forearm to the jaw and Sliced Bread neckbreaker off the ropes for two. Booker predicted a win for Shotzi. Shotzi hit a senton bomb off the top onto Henley for two. Henley stomped on Shotzi while she was against the turnbuckle Henley hit a Fameasser that she calls the Hoedown for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Fallon Henley
Analysis: *** A solid match to keep the title on Henley while Shotzi was a tough challenger. I didn’t expect a title change in this match. Shotzi is easy to like as an energetic face. Henely winning clean puts her over as a talented champion who doesn’t always need help to win.
After the match, Stephanie Vaquer showed up on the stage to have a staredown with Henley, who held up her title. Vic said it was official that Henley will face Vaquer for the title at Vengeance Day.
Analysis: I think Henley may lose her next title match against Stephanie Vaquer. I would have no problem with that.
There was a backstage chat between Karmen Petrovic and Kelani Jordan, who was checking her makeup. Jordan said she got involved last week because of her problems with Jaida Parker and not because she was helping Karmen. Jordan trashed Petrovic and said it was only a matter of time until Ashante Thee Adonis leaves Karmen. After Jordan left, Karmen said: “What a bitch!”
Ethan Page entered for a match up next.
A commercial aired for the WWE 2K25 video game with Roman Reigns on the cover and a special edition featuring The Undertaker.
(Commercial)
The NXT GM Ava was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Ava said she hopes Trick gets over whatever is wrong with him. Ava talked about wanting to find Giulia the best competitor for the NXT Title. Roxanne Perez walked up with Cora Jade pointing out that Cora got pinned, not her. Ava said at Vengeance Day the NXT Women’s Title match will be Giulia vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez. That made Perez happy while Cora Jade wasn’t happy about it.
They showed rapper and actor Killer Mike at the show.
Cedric Alexander vs. Ethan Page
The story here is that Page broke the left hand of Cedric Alexander one month ago. Cedric had a heavy brace on his left hand. Cedric was in control in the first few minutes of the match with a dropkick. Page took control when he hit Cedric’s injured left hand. Cedric nailed Page with an uppercut to send him out of the ring. Page left the ring and slammed Cedric’s back onto the apron. Page shoved Cedric shoulder-first into the ring post and Page sent Cedric’s left hand into the ring post.
The action continued with Cedric hitting a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Cedric had a modified Koji Clutch submission hold around the head/neck area, but Page pulled on Cedric’s fingers to force a break. Cedric hit three kicks in a row to the head, but a handspring against the ropes was a bad idea since Page kicked him. Page hit a Diamond Cutter for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Ethan Page
Analysis: ***1/4 This was an entertaining match that I thought would be a more decisive win for Page. I don’t mind Cedric getting plenty of offense. I’m just saying I thought Page would be more dominant in the match. I liked the story since Cedric sold the left hand injury well and Page managed to hit a couple of moves to win.
After the match, Page tried to attack Cedric again, but Jevon Evans made the save. Evans jumped over the top with a cross body block. Evans punched Page several times to knock him out of the ring. Evans checked on Cedric to end it.
Analysis: Good fire shown by Evans there. I think we can pencil in Evans against Page at Vengeance Day.
Fallon Henley, the NXT Women’s North America Champion, was backstage with her buddies Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx. Henley complained about Stephanie Vaquer staring at her after Henley’s match. Jayne talked trash to Vaquer and they said that Jayne will face Vaquer next week.
Next week on NXT
* Oba Femi & Trick Williams vs. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
* NXT Vengeance Day Summit: Giulia, Roxanne Perez & Bayley
* Karmen Petrovic vs. Kelani Jordan
* Ridge Holland vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
It was main event time for the Women’s Tag Team Titles so both teams were shown walking backstage.
A commercial aired for the Royal Rumble taking place this Saturday, February 1st in Indianapolis.
(Commercial)
There was a video featuring Josh Briggs talking to Yoshiki Inamura and Briggs got Inamura a leather vest. Inamura said it meant a lot to him. Briggs said they need to look like a tag team. Briggs said that they will get to NXT Tag Team Champions Axiom and Frazer. Inamura said that Briggs would become a champion. They shook hands.
The following matches are set for NXT Vengeance on February 15th.
* NXT Women’s Championship: Giulia vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley vs. Stephanie Vaquer
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Austin Theory vs. Grayson Waller
Analysis: I don’t like two triple threat matches on the same card. Maybe Trick Williams will get added to the men’s match, but maybe Trick is against Wes Lee. They could also put Cora Jade in the NXT Women’s Title match. I also think Je’Von Evans facing Ethan Page is likely too. There may be other title matches as well.
The Meta Girls duo of Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson made their entrance as the challengers. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Naomi made their entrance. I’m sure the four women in this match are proud of being in the ring together.
Love this pic. https://t.co/pABwGU959g
— Bianca Belair (@BiancaBelairWWE) January 29, 2025
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. The Meta Girls – Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
Belair and Naomi lost to Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan on Raw in a non-title match. This time, the titles are on the line.
Jackson and Naomi started the match with some counter wrestling early on leading to both women getting nearfalls. Naomi hit a jumping side kick to knock Jackson down. Belair tagged in leading to a double leg sweep and a double elbow. Lash tagged in to face off against Belair with the fans getting excited about this power matchup. Lash tried a lift, Belair landed on her feet and Belair hit a belly-to-back suplex. Belair hit a standing moonsault for two. Belair charged, Lash caught her and Lash hit a spinning backbreaker onto the knee. Lash hit a cartwheel into a moonsault for two to show off her athleticism. Lash did a leapfrog, which led to Belair and Lash each doing a dropkick with neither woman connected. They both did kip-ups back to their feet. They went to a break for some fans while the action continued with Naomi making the tag. Belair and Naomi hit a double suplex on Lash. Naomi hit a leg drop for two. Lash went for a clothesline, Naomi slid under it and Naomi hit a kick to the back. Lash sent Naomi face first into the top turnbuckle for a move we know as Snake Eyes. Jackson hit Naomi with a cheap shot while the referee was dealing with Belair. Jackson hit multiple knee drops on Belair for two. Lash was back in with a running splash on Naomi. Lash hit a splash on Naomi for two.
Lash was in control of Naomi with a chinlock. Naomi tried to fight back, so Lash hit a clothesline. Lash splashed Naomi against the turnbuckle. Cora Jade was backstage saying she needed to talk to Ava, who told Jade to talk in her office. As for the match, Naomi hit a Blockbuster off the turnbuckle. Belair got the tag against Jackson with a shoulder tackle and dropkick. Belair hit a vertical suplex. Belair hit a running shoulder tackle on Jackson along with punches and a backflip over Lash. Belair did a headscissors on Lash. Belair pressed Jackson over her head and slammed Jackson to the mat. Belair bounced off the ropes with a moonsault for two. Naomi tagged in with a springboard kick on Jackson for two because Lash broke up the pin. Belair tried to lift Lash, but Lash held onto the ropes. Lash sent Belair to the apron followed by a forearm. Jackson hit a suicide dive onto Belair on the floor. Naomi kicked Lash to the floor. Jackson was legal with a Slingblade on Naomi. Lash was back in, she picked up Naomi and they hit a neckbreaker/sitout facebuster combo for two because Belair was there to break up the pin. Belair hit a Spear on Jackson. Lash slammed Belair off her shoulders. Lash went for a move, but Naomi countered it into a facebuster. Naomi hit a running kick on Lash, who came back with a pump kick. Jackson was back in, Naomi kicked her down and Belair sent Lash out of the ring. Belair sent Lash into the steel steps. Jackson rolled up Naomi for two, then Naomi countered it for two of her own and Belair got the tag. The pin attempt by Jackson on Naomi was nearly a three count so the announcers said they weren’t sure about it. Belair picked up Jackson with Naomi, so Belair and Naomi hit a double KOD slam on Jackson. Belair covered Jackson for the win.
Winners by pinfall: Bianca Belair & Naomi
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a great main event tag team match. A lot of nearfalls for both teams throughout the match. That spot where Jackson rolled up Naomi and nearly got a three count was really good because the fans thought that was it. Naomi may have been a bit late to kick out, but the referee’s hand didn’t hit the mat a third time. I actually thought a title change was possible here since Lash and Jakara have been so impressive, so why not put the titles on them? I figure Belair and Naomi will lose the titles soon because I assume Belair will be back as a featured singles star around WrestleMania season. Anyway, Lash really stood out a lot to me because she not only showed off her power as usual, but she showed off some impressive athleticism. Lash’s growth over the last three years has been incredible to see. I’m proud of her. Bianca is a special talent and maybe my favorite women’s wrestler in WWE right now.
At the end of the show, there was a graphic that said “WWE Transmission” on it. The words went away and then it said “Vengeance Day.” I don’t know what it’s for or who it’s for, but it’s a mystery angle.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- Bianca Belair & Naomi
- Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
- Giulia & Bayley and Trick Williams
====
The Scoreboard
This week: 7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7
2025 Average: 7.44
====
Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
I liked the show because there was a heavy focus on the matches. A big night for the women’s division as usual on NXT since they were in the opening match, the main event and the match in the middle of the show. Great job by Belair & Naomi and Legend & Jackson in the main event.
When NXT goes on the road outside of Orlando, they usually have better matches and there are fewer goofy backstage segments.
They are finally building the card for Vengeance Day with three title matches announced so far. There could be some changes coming too.
The next NXT PLE is Vengeance Day on February 15th in Washington, D.C. with this lineup announced so far:
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Austin Theory vs. Grayson Waller
* NXT Women’s Championship: Giulia vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley vs. Stephanie Vaquer
===
Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport