The John Report: WWE NXT 02/11/25 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured a Tony D’Angelo-Ridge Holland Steel Cage Match, Bayley in action against Cora Jade, and more.
It’s the final NXT episode before the WWE NXT PLE Vengeance Day this Saturday, February 15th. I will review that show on Saturday. I may be out, so it may not be live, but I’ll try to get it done that evening.
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 the Netflix version of the show here in Canada.
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 as usual.
Bayley vs. Cora Jade
The women left the ring quickly with Bayley hitting a running kick to the head and Bayley sent Jade into the commentary table. The NXT Women’s Champion Giulia was shown watching the match as Bayley hit a suplex. Jade hit Bayley with a couple of forearms while Booker was complaining about Bayley being at NXT. Bayley hit a running clothesline. Bayley knocked Jade out of the ring followed by Bayley hitting a suicide dive on the floor. Jade took control with some knee strikes. They went to break for some fans as the action continued. Jade remained in control for a few minutes as she hit big moves like a clothesline, knee strike and double foot stomp on the back.
Bayley was able to get some momentum going with the Bayley to Belly slam that used to be her finisher and it only got a two count here. Bayley hit double knees to the ribs along with a belly-to-back suplex. Jade came back with a gutwrench suplex. Bayley caught Jade on her shoulders leading to Bayley hitting a spinning sidewalk slam. Bayley went up top, which led to Bayley’s old theme music from about a decade ago and it was Roxanne Perez dressed like the Bayley Buddy version of Bayley. After Bayley hit an elbow drop on Jade, she left the ring and beat up Perez. Jade capitalized by hitting a double underhook DDT on Bayley on the floor. Jade hit a double underhook DDT in the ring for the pinfall win.
Winner by pinfall: Cora Jade
Analysis: *** A big win for Jade and it made sense based on what was announced later. It also wasn’t a clean win, so Bayley has a right to complain about Roxanne Perez costing her the match. Bayley lost her focus, Jade took advantage and two DDTs led to Jade getting the big win.
They showed NXT GM Ava talking to Giulia backstage.
After the match, NXT GM Ava appeared to congratulate Jade on the biggest win of her career so far. Ava changed the NXT Women’s Title match at Vengeance Day to Giulia defending against Roxanne Perez, Cora Jade and Bayley, so Cora was added to the match. Bayley shoved Perez into Jade and Bayley hit a Bayley to Belly on Perez, who bumped to the floor after the move.
Analysis: I remarked a few weeks ago that it was strange that they would have two triple threat matches at Vengeance Day, so it’s not a major surprise to see them change this to a four-way match. I would be surprised if Giulia lost her title in that match.
The women’s locker room was shown with Zaria and Sol Ruca talking about being a team. Nikkita Lyons trashed them, so Zaria fired back and Lyons challenged Zaria to a match.
The NXT Champion Oba Femi was up next.
(Commercial)
Ridge Holland was shown getting ready for the main event.
Let’s Hear from Oba Femi, Austin Theory & Grayson Waller
Oba Femi made his entrance as the NXT Champion. Femi talked about defending his NXT Championship match against Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. Femi said it’s a triple threat match, but it’s more of a handicap match. Femi said their egos will become their greatest downfall. Femi said it’s every man for himself when it comes to this title.
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory interrupted. Waller trashed Femi for trying to split them apart. Theory said that Waller has done it all in NXT, but he doesn’t get the respect and Theory said that Waller is a pillar of NXT. Theory said that Waller would help Theory become the NXT Champion. Waller said Theory was shotgun to Johnny Gargano in NXT in the past and Theory can ride shotgun one more time with the NXT Champion Waller. Femi said you’re saying both of them will become NXT Champion. Waller said that NXT Title means a lot to him and he came this close to winning it. Waller said he’ll do whatever it takes. Theory said he’s never been the NXT Champion, but he’s been the US Champion and Waller cut him off saying we know Theory has beaten John Cena while saying nobody cares. Theory said it’s a rare accomplishment. Theory said Waller didn’t understand since he never had a singles title. Waller said he is the one who won the WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 40 and Waller claimed he saved Theory’s career. Theory said he’d do whatever it takes to become NXT Champion. Theory said maybe they’ll break a table, Waller said that maybe they’ll take him out with some chairs and they’ll decide who the champion will be. Waller said there is nothing and nobody that will stop him from getting that championship. Waller and Theory punched eachother.
Waller punched Femi into the ropes and Theory joined in. Graves said it was a trap all along. They each hit Femi with a forearm. Theory hit his A-Town Down slam onto the knee and Waller jumped into the ring with the Stunner to put Femi down. Waller grabbed the NXT Title, then Theory held the NXT Title and Theory put it on Femi. Waller and Theory shook hands.
Analysis: It was a segment that needed to be done with Waller and Theory getting the upper hand over Femi. It’s very unlikely that Femi is losing at Vengeance Day, but I think it was the right call to have Waller and Theory beat him up in this segment. Waller and Theory each have big egos, but they were on the same page when it came to beating up Femi.
Eddy Thorpe was speaking around a fire while complaining about Trick Williams. Thorpe said vengeance is what he seeks now. Thorpe said he’ll leave his mark one way or another. Thorpe challenged Trick to a Strap Match at Vengeance Day.
Hank & Tank entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
A video aired about the Ethan Page-Je’Von Evans rivalry that started when Page did a cheap attack on Evans. It led to a broken jaw. A doctor said that Evans is cleared for in-ring action while saying that Evans could be significantly injured for six months and possibly longer. The doctor said he had his concerns, so he cleared Evans for the match.
The NXT GM Ava talked to Je’Von Evans in her office about what the doctor just said. Evans mentioned the doctor cleared him while Ava talked about the risk involved. Ava wanted Evans to sign a deal saying if he gets hurt at Vengeance Day, then he waives WWE’s responsibility if he gets hurt. Evans signed the waiver.
Analysis: That should be a great match. I see that as a feud that should elevate Evans while Page is a guy who will probably be on the main roster after WrestleMania season.
Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura vs. No Quarter Catch Crew – Myles Borne & Tavion Heights (w/Charlie Dempsey & Wren Sinclair) vs. Hank & Tank
There were two guys legal in the match while the other guys waited on the apron. Hank hit an impressive bulldog on Inamura and then Heights/Borne took over with a double suplex on Hank. Inamura unloaded on a few guys with chops and Briggs hit running dropkicks. Tank hit a cross body block on Briggs and Inamura. There was a lot of fast-paced action. Booker loved Hank & Tank doing their “honk honk” double team splash on Borne on the floor. The NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom aka Nathan Frazer and Axiom watched from a podium. The action continued here on Netflix as Heights and Borne were in control. Tank got some offense after tagging in, but Heights gave Tank a slam off the shoulders for a two count. It was mostly Heights and Borne in control during the break.
It was Inamura in control of Borne with a spinning body slam. When Briggs tagged in, he hit a big boot and a sidewalk slam. Heights and Tank did a cross body block spot that led to Heights getting a two count on Hank. Briggs made a tag, there were a bunch of strikes going on and Briggs hit a dropkick on Heights. Briggs hit Hank with a boot followed by Briggs lifting up Hank for a Powerbomb. Tank hit a suicide dive knocking four guys down on the floor. Hank hit a dive off the top onto four guys on the floor. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” as Hank hit a lifting neckbreaker-type move onto Briggs for two. Hank tried a move off the top, Briggs avoided it and Briggs nailed Hank with a huge clothesline. Inamura was legal for his team and hit a top rope Superfly Splash on Hank for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura
Analysis: ***1/2 This was a great match that was full of fast-paced action. It was hard to keep up with some of it and I wasn’t doing play-by-play. I think they managed to do the match without doing too much illegal action, so that’s nice to see. Briggs & Inamura are a newer team, but I don’t mind them winning the match. I hope at some point this year we see Hank & Tank win tag team gold, but I don’t know if it’s going to happen.
After the match, the NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom congratulated Briggs & Inamura on the win. They said that Briggs was one of the most underrated guys in NXT and Inamura was very impressive. Frazer said they earned a title match, so they will see them at Vengeance Day.
Analysis: I like Frazer & Axiom a lot as the NXT Tag Team Champions and I know they can’t hold the titles forever, but I would rather see a team built up more as the ones to take the titles away. I don’t want to see a title change at Vengeance Day. Maybe we’ll see Hank & Tank built up as contenders and do the title change at Stand & Deliver during WrestleMania weekend. I think that’s a possibility.
The Lexis King-JDC match was up next.
(Commercial)
Tony D’Angelo was backstage with The Family’s Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, Luca Crusifino, Adrianna Rizzo and their friend Izzi Dame as well. Tony talked about how he’ll handle things on his own tonight since it’s a Steel Cage Match. Stacks apologized for being off lately. Tony said it was all good and told him to forget about it. Stacks felt better about that.
NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King vs. JDC
There are no more unique rules for Heritage Cup matches so it’s one fall to the finish. It’s also called the “NXT Heritage Cup Championship” now. JDC is the former WWE superstar Fandango and JDC stands for Johnny “Dango” Curtis.
There were some chops by JDC early on leading to a sunset flip rollup for two. King hit JDC with a knee to knock JDC out of the ring. JDC took over with a clothesline that sent King out of the ring followed by a slingshot over the top onto King on the floor. The action continued here on Netflix while some fans got a break. King was in control with a backbreaker. King connected with a clothesline against the turnbuckle followed by a backbreaker.
King remained in control with a hard whip into the turnbuckle. Pillman tripped up JDC leading to a half crab submission. JDC came back with a clothesline. JDC hit a Falcon Arrow slam for a two count. After King left the ring, JDC hit a dive over the top onto King on the floor. Back in the ring, JDC hit a top rope leg drop for a two count. JDC went up again, King hit the ropes to knock him down and King hit The Coronation neckbreaker off the top rope for the pinfall. It went about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Lexis King
Analysis: *** The match was okay. There was plenty of offense for JDC to try to tease the idea that he could win, but I’m not surprised that King found a way to win. I liked that top rope leg drop from JDC for a nearfall. King winning was not a surprise since JDC is a TNA guy.
Bayley was talking to NXT GM Ava and Roxanne Perez was there complaining about how it’s a 4-way instead of a triple threat. Perez said she’ll be a record-breaking three-time NXT Women’s Champion. Bayley said this was the best Perez has ever looked while calling Perez an idiot. Cora Jade walked in and said that Perez said in the past that this was Cora’s time to be champion. After Cora left, Perez said, “Over my dead body” and that was it.
Analysis: While I think this could be Jade’s year to be NXT Women’s Champion, I doubt it happens at Vengeance Day. Perez is likely going to be full time on the main roster soon.
Nikkita Lyons entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
The Fatal Influence group (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) was shown walking backstage with Fallon Henley holding her NXT Women’s North American Title. Kelani Jordan wanted a title shot and Jaida Parker walked in saying she deserved a title shot. Ashante Thee Adonis said his girl Karmen Petrovic beat Jordan and Parker, so she deserved a title shot. Henley and friends left saying you guys can figure it out.
Zaria (w/Sol Ruca) vs. Nikkita Lyons
They exchanged some power moves including Zaria hitting a German Suplex. After a double clothesline, Lyons hit a superkick for two. Lyons went for a splash on the turnbuckle. Zaria hit a Spear. Zaria hit her version of a an F5 for the pinfall win. It went about three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Zaria
Analysis: *1/2 Easy win by Zaria showing off her power. There was a time when Lyons was on her way to getting a big push, but injuries slowed her momentum down and now she’s not near the top.
Ethan Page was featured in a video talking about how Je’Von Evans is resilient. Page said that Evans has a long career ahead of him with multiple title reigns in his future along with potential to be the face of NXT and even the face of WWE. Page said what happens to Evans is not his fault. Page said this time he’ll shatter his jaw. Page said that he plans to end Je’Von’s career.
Analysis: Good job by Ethan Page as one of the best heels on the brand. I like how Page has become a serious, vicious type of heel.
(Commercial)
Trick Williams was interviewed on the platform by Sarah Schreiber, who mentioned Eddy Thorpe challenge Trick to a Strap Match at Vengeance Day. Trick said if you want the Strap Match then you’ve got it. Trick said you need to look Trick face to face and then Trick will whoop that ass.
Analysis: I think Trick will win that match and it will lead to Trick challenging Oba Femi for the NXT Title at Stand & Deliver in April.
There was a rundown of the NXT Vengeance Day lineup, but before it could finish, there was an interruption. It was Ricky Starks, who was wearing a white shirt and sunglasses. The fans cheered for Starks while announcer Vic Joseph said: “Holy crap.” There was a “Ricky Starks” chant from the fans.
Ricky: “It’s obvious you know who I am. If NXT is the future of professional wrestling, well guess what, you need an absolute superstar on the future. If this is the hottest brand…well you need the hottest free agent right now, baby.”
The fans were chanting “Ricky” for Starks.
Ricky: “Do not let the handsome face and expensive fragrance fool you. I am here to turn this place upside down. And everybody’s been begging the question…when will the revolution be televised again? Well, I’m here now.”
Analysis: It was great to see Ricky Starks there. We know he is a free agent after finally being let go from his AEW deal after they didn’t use him for nearly a year. I’m glad Ricky is here. He said he’s a free agent, but I think that’s more of a storyline and he’s likely signed to a WWE deal. It has also been reported that even though his real name is Ricky Starks, that might not be his WWE name and that could be why they never said his name on the broadcast. I think his name should be Ricky Starks, but WWE likes to own the names of their talent, so it could be an issue.
The future is brighter than ever! 😎#WWENXTpic.twitter.com/4IRwnODDdO
— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2025
Stephanie Vaquer was talking to NXT Women’s Champion Giulia with Vaquer saying after she wins the North American Title, there’s one more place left to go. She was looking at Giulia’s title.
There was some backstage walking featuring Ridge Holland and Tony D’Angelo for their match up next.
(Commercial)
Andre Chase was walking around backstage with some other wrestlers when Kale Dixon showed up to talk to him. Kale introduced Chase to Uriah Connors, who asked if he wanted to come out with them to party. Chase said he can’t do it on a school night. They reminded Chase that Chase U was dead and Chase sadly walked away when he remembered that is true. After Chase left, Uriah said “We’ll see” to end it.
Analysis: That makes it sound like these newcomers Dixon and Connors are going to try to get Chase to bring back Chase U or something like it.
The announcers finished the NXT Vengeance Day lineup. Here’s the full lineup.
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Austin Theory vs. Grayson Waller
* NXT Women’s Championship: Giulia (c) vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley (c) vs. Stephanie Vaquer
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura
* Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans
* Strap Match: Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe
There was a replay of Ricky Starks appearing on NXT before the break.
It was time for the main event Steel Cage Match with Ridge Holland up first. The fans don’t like him. Tony D’Angelo was up next as the babyface NXT North American Champion. Tony D was joined by The Family.
NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo (w/Luca Crusifino, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Adrianna Rizzo) vs. Ridge Holland
The only way to win is by pinfall or submission. There is no escape the cage option here.
Each man tried to send the other into the cage, but they were both able to block those attempts. Tony hit a running forearm. Tony worked over Ridge with punches to the ribs followed by a suplex. Tony clotheslined Ridge and then Ridge came back with a thumb to the eye since there are no rules in the cage match. Tony came back with a back body drop into the cage. Tony charged, Ridge moved and Tony went crashing into the side of the cage. They went to a break for some fans while the action continued. Ridge worked over Tony with uppercuts to the back a few times. Ridge sent Tony shoulder-first into the cage two times. Tony shoved Ridge into the cage and got a rollup for two. Ridge sent Tony throat first across the top rope. Ridge hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex across the ring. Ridge worked over Tony with forearms to the face and an elbow smash for two.
Ridge was in control with a chinlock. Tony hit a jawbreaker followed by Ridge coming back with a clothesline. Ridge went to the top rope, he jumped off with a splash, Tony moved and Ridge hit the mat. Tony sent Ridge into the cage four times in a row. Tony hit a side belly-to-belly slam two times in a row. Tony D hit a Fisherman’s Suplex for a two count. Tony charged at Ridge who hit a pump kick and Ridge hit a Snow Plow slam for a two count. They did a spot where Tony slipped out of a move that Ridge tried and they messed it up a bit, but then it was followed by Tony giving Ridge a Powerbomb into the cage. Tony hit a Spear for a two count. Izzi Dame showed up at ringside with a crowbar, Stacks took it from her, Dame said she was trying to help Tony and Stacks decided to throw it into the ring. Ridge hot the crowbar, he hit Tony two times with it and Ridge hit a running crowbar shot to the back of the head for a two count. Tony was back up with an eye gouge, Tony hit Ridge with the crowbar and Tony hit a huge Spinebuster for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo
Analysis: *** It was a solid Steel Cage Match and a way to end the feud, but I don’t think it was an epic Steel Cage Match or anything like that. That nearfall after Ridge hit Tony in the head with a crowbar was a great spot. Tony D winning was the right result because I thought this was a feud to have him keep the title rather than lose it to Ridge. Ridge challenged for the NXT Title and the North American Title but failed to win either of those titles.
After the match, Ridge Holland fought with Stacks and Luca, so those three guys went fighting to the back. Rizzo checked on Tony and so did Dame. Shawn Spears showed up with Brooks Jensen and Niko Vance. Tony was looking at them, so Dame had the crowbar and she hit Tony in the back of the left knee with the crowbar. Dame grabbed Rizzo and gave her a huge Chokeslam. Vance locked the cage.
Shawn Spears had a steel chair while Jensen and Vance stomped on Tony. Spears hit Tony with three chair shots to the back. Spears was on the turnbuckle with Tony on his shoulders while Jensen and Vance prevented Stacks and Vance from getting into the cage. Spears hit a spinning slam off the shoulders onto the steel chair in the ring. Spears stared at Jensen, Vance and Dame as they appear to be together as a group.
Analysis: It was a good angle to put over Dame as a heel ally of Shawn Spears in that group. Dame has mostly been a heel during her NXT run anyway, but she has been an ally of Tony D in the past. This showed that she was really aligned with Shawn Spears and now she showed her true colors. As an angle, it was done well. I can see Spears beating Tony D for the NXT North American Title soon too.
A video aired about the history of NXT Vengeance Day being a showcase for WWE’s future and proving ground for NXT’s champions. It’s also a stage where vengeance can lead to superstardom. The video also featured the current stars who have big matches on the show. The end of the video teased some new wrestlers that are likely going to appear as a new stable.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura
- Cora Jade/Bayley
- Tony D’Angelo
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2025 Average: 7.38
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was an entertaining show with a lot of pretty good matches since many of them went over 10 minutes. I liked the triple threat tag team match the most. The Tony D-Ridge Holland match wasn’t that great, but I liked the show ending angle with the Shawn Spears group gaining Izzi Dame as an ally.
There was plenty of talking throughout the show with segments in the ring and plenty of them backstage as well. I think they have built the Vengeance Day card well. There will be four title matches and two matches without titles. Those two non-title matches have stronger stories than some of the title matches.
The Ricky Starks debut was a cool moment and tells the audience that anything can happen on NXT, so that’s a good thing.
The next NXT PLE is Vengeance Day on February 15th in Washington, D.C. with this lineup announced so far:
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Austin Theory vs. Grayson Waller
* NXT Women’s Championship: Giulia (c) vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley (c) vs. Stephanie Vaquer
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura
* Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans
* Strap Match: Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe
You can watch Vengeance Day streaming live on Saturday, February 15, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, exclusively on Peacock in the United States and Netflix internationally.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport