The John Report: WWE NXT 03/25/25 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured Stephanie Vaquer in two title matches against Jaida Parker and Fallon Henley.
The NXT brand is on the road to Stand & Deliver on April 19th, which will be one of their biggest shows of the year. Last week’s show featured the reveal that the mysterious vigilante group is named Darkstate, so at least we know what to call them. I’ll do a summary style for most of the show and play-by-play for some matches.
They are at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport and check out my NXT TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
A video aired about Stephanie Vaquer becoming the NXT Women’s Champion to go along with her NXT Women’s North American Title. Vaquer will have two title matches on the same night. It mentioned others like Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch trying to do that in the past, but they didn’t succeed. Vaquer agreed to both matches in one night.
They showed some pre-show walking of Stephanie Vaquer, Jaida Parker, Fallon Henley with Fatal Influence, and Je’Von Evans was also shown walking before the show.
It was Vic Joseph, Booker T, and Corey Graves on commentary. The ring announcer was Mike Rome.
There was the first of three title matches with Jaida Parker up first. The double champion Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance for this NXT Women’s Title defense.
NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jaida Parker
The challenger Parker hit two body slams. Vaquer tripped up Parker leading to a submission on the legs, but Parker got to the bottom rope to break free. Vaquer got a rollup for two. Vaquer used her legs to trip up Parker for two. Parker tried to ground Vaquer, but Vaquer broke free and hit a hurricanrana. Vaquer charged, Parker jumped over her and Parker sat on Vaquer’s back. They went to break for some fans as the action continued. Parker worked over Vaquer with forearms to the back. Parker hit a suplex for two. Vaquer hit some forearms to the head, but Parker hit a knee to the ribs. Parker hit a flipping neckbreaker for two. Parker grounded Vaquer with a chinlock.
The match continued with Parker sending Vaquer into the turnbuckle three times. They fought over a pin attempt with Parker getting a two count. Parker hit a backstabber for two. Parker charged, Vaquer got a boot up and Vaquer applied the armbar against the ropes. Vaquer hit a springboard cross body block. The women’s division was watching backstage and Jordynne Grace got out of her chair. Vaquer hit her Feint kick, aka the 619 kick by the ropes. Vaquer put her knees around the head, leading to the repeated knee slams into the mat. Parker came back with a Falcon Arrow slam for two. Parker hit a spinebuster. Parker set up Vaquer against the turnbuckle, leading to Parker’s hip drop by the turnbuckle. Jordynne Grace showed up on the apron and Parker was distracted by that. Vaquer was back up, she caught a charging Parker and Vaquer sat on top while holding Parker’s legs for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Stephanie Vaquer
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good match that was competitive the whole way. While I expected a victory for Vaquer, I didn’t think Jordynne Grace would show up to cost Parker the match. It made Grace look heelish for costing Parker the match, but I think Grace is still a babyface. Vaquer is so good technically in terms of being able to do any move in the ring and make it look easy.
After the match, Jaida Parker tried to go after Jordynne Grace at ringside, and referees were there to separate them.
The Fatal Influence trio of Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, and Jazmyn Nyx did a triple team attack on Vaquer. Henley hit some strikes. Jayne hit three senton splashes. Vaquer was down selling.
Analysis: A cheap attack to get some heat on the heels while making fans wonder if Vaquer can win again later.
Trick Williams was shown in the locker room while Je’Von Evans walked up to him and Trick said that he was focused on Oba Femi. Evans said that you are focused on Femi, but Evans was the one who dropped Femi last week. Trick said it’s because Femi was focused on him. They argued some more after that. Evans talked about winning the Heritage Cup later.
A clip was shown of CM Punk as a guest on Stephanie’s Places hosted by Stephanie McMahon. It debuts on ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+ on Wednesday.
There was an interview with Ricky Saints was up next.
(Commercial)
The women’s division was backstage watching the show together. Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson complained about Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley getting a match in TNA this week. They argued about who should be going after the Knockouts Tag Team Titles. The argument ended.
Interview With Ricky Saints
There was a sitdown interview with Ricky Saints talking to Vic Joseph earlier in the day. Ricky said that when he showed up, some superstars realized they needed to up their game because they found out how confident Ricky is. Ricky said that coming here was nothing new and nothing different. Ricky talked about how he lived in his car when he was breaking into wrestling, and he didn’t know what he was going to eat, while not having money to eat. Ricky said he had confidence that it would all work out, so that’s why he’s here now in NXT and WWE – because of his self-confidence. Ricky said he wore his battle scars with pride.
Shawn Spears, the NXT North American Champion, interrupted and told Vic to leave. Spears said that they have known eachother a long time. Ricky told Spears he would say no to being in The Culling. Spears said that Ricky is the guy that Spears left over a year ago, and he said that this arrogance is a plague everywhere you go. Spears said that Ricky creates enemies. Ricky said if you want to be number one, you’re going to make enemies. Spears said that he is a champion and he has three friends who he considers family by his side. Ricky said that they are the reason he has that title, and he said he was going to take the title from him. Spears warned Ricky not to add him to his long list of enemies because Ricky knows what Spears is capable of. Spears said in case it doesn’t work out here, you can always go back to…never mind, and Spears said we both know that Ricky has burned every bridge. Spears left, so Ricky responded: “I guess I’d better win then.” That was it.
Analysis: There’s a nice tease of a Ricky/Spears feud. Ricky explained why he’s a confident guy because he’s overcome a lot, and he’s happy to be there. Spears is terrific as a heel who likes to play mind games. That’s likely going to be a title feud soon, which is fine with me.
Wes Lee was backstage with Tyson and Tyriek watching what was happening. Wes said it was time for their match, so they left.
Ethan Page was in the locker room where Kale Dixon, Urijah Connors, and Andre Chase were also hanging out. Page was being mean to them, so Chase said he’ll teach them about guys like him. Page left, and Chase went in the other direction, saying he had to handle this.
Hank & Tank were backstage saying they were two minds intertwined. The Motor City Machine Guns were backstage there because they gave them advice. Sabin & Shelley encouraged Hank & Tank, so they did their “honk honk” salute together.
The team of Hank & Tank made their entrance for tag team action. They went to a break for some fans as their opponents made their entrance.
Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont (w/Wes Lee) vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
The team of Tyriek & Tyson were in control of Tank to start the match until Hank made the tag, leading to a running clothesline. Tyson splashed Hank. The match continued with all four guys in the ring. Hank & Tank hit a running double splash. The Machine Guns were watching on a TV backstage. Hank tossed both opponents out of the ring. Hank hit a suicide dive on both opponents and Hank landed on the commentary table. After a distraction from Lee, Tyson hit a running uppercut on Hank. Tyson & Tyriek were in control of Hank for a few minutes. Hank got the hot tag and hit an impressive suplex along with a cartwheel clothesline. Hank hit a spinebuster for two because Tyson broke up the pin attempt. Lee distracted the referee, so Tyson shoved Hank off the top. Tyriek & Tyson hit a double suplex/splash combo on Hank for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont
Analysis: **3/4 It was a decent tag team match. I thought Hank & Tank would win to finally give them momentum as a likable babyface team, but the distraction from Lee cost them because Tyson & Tyriek capitalized for the win. It seemed like Hank & Tank would pick up wins to put them in the NXT Tag Team Title picture, but I guess it’s not happening now.
Stephanie Vaquer was getting her ribs taped up in the trainer’s room. Ava, the NXT GM, said that they could do this match another time, but Vaquer insisted she was going to do it. After Vaquer left, Ava asked the trainer if she could compete, and the trainer said yes as long as he could tolerate it.
Je’Von Evans made his entrance for a NXT Heritage Cup match.
(Commercial)
There was an interview with NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom talking to Sarah Schreiber. Axiom was honored to face Gunther. Axiom said it was a surprise, so that’s why Frazer wasn’t there while suggesting that Frazer would have ruined the surprise and Frazer was upset about that. Oba Femi was shown arriving with the NXT Title looking angry.
NXT Heritage Cup: Lexis King vs. Je’Von Evans
There used to be rules for this cup, but now it’s just a regular match. Evans got a side headlock takeover and chop, but King came back with a belly-to-back suplex. King hit a body slam. Evans jumped off the ropes leading to a rollup for two. Evans bounced off the ropes, leading to a hurricanrana. Evans hit a springboard cross body block. Evans dropkicked King out of the ring. Evans hit a suicide dive onto King on the floor. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break as well.
It was King in control with a Fisherman’s Buster-style sitout move for a two count. Evans fought back with a hard chop to the chest. Evans hit a jumping forearm to the jaw. Evans bounced off the ropes with a spinning kick to the head. Evans went up top and hit an amazing Frog Splash for just a two count. King countered a move leading to a superkick. Evans bounced off the ropes again and hit another spinning kick to the head. Evans jumped over the top with a cross body block onto King on the floor. The referee was looking at King, so Oba Femi got a hold of Evans on the apron and Femi gave Evans a Powerbomb on the ring apron. The referee counted out Evans and he got to ten.
Winner by countout: Lexis King
Analysis: *** A cheap win for King thanks to Femi getting revenge on Evans, who attacked Femi last week. It also protects Evans because he wasn’t pinned in the match. Evans is one of my favorite people to watch in NXT since he’s so exciting and makes everything look easy.
The Darkstate group arrived in the arena and there were spotlights on them in the crowd. Evans and Femi got into a fight in the ring while the dark lights were in the ring. Trick Williams went into the ring, he went for a Trick Shot on Femi, but Femi moved and Trick hit a Trick Shot knee to knock Evans out of the ring to the floor. Security guys and referees went into the ring while the Darkstate guys were loving the chaos.
Analysis: There was no attack by Darkstate, but they were laughing about the chaos between Femi, Trick and Evans. I thought it was going to be Femi against Trick at Stand & Deliver, but now it feels like a triple threat match is inevitable with Evans as part of it. Since Evans beat Ethan Page, it makes sense to elevate him into the main event picture.
(Commercial)
The rundown of all the events that WWE has during WrestleMania weekend takes a few minutes because there are so many events. They are going to make A LOT of money on those days.
Meta Girls – Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson vs. Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley
I think if the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles still existed, then Lash & Jakara would be the champions. Sol Ruca & Zaria showed up at ringside to watch the match. Lash and Jakara were in control of Gigi early on, with Jakara hitting a Slingblade. Paxley tagged in with a running cross body block. Paxley did a unique submission locking up the knees and arms, so Lash saved her partner and Jackson did a neckbreaker into the ropes. Lash tagged in with a huge pump kick. The Meta Girls messed up when Paxley got out of the way and Gigi hit a cross body block and a clothesline. Gigi knocked Lash out of the ring. Paxley was back in with a double team headbutt on Jakara. Gigi and Tatum hit a double team move called Cemetery Drive like a double crucifix bomb for the pinfall win with Paxley pitting Jakara to win. It went about five minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley
Analysis: **1/2 It was an entertaining match to show that Gigi & Tatum have improved a lot since they beat an experienced team. Gigi & Tatum are in TNA against Ash & Heather by Elegance, so it gives them momentum. I liked the double team moves of Dolin and Paxley during the match.
Tony D’Angelo was seated in his restaurant when two family tough guys in the background said that the streets were talking a lot, and Tony said he knew. The D’Angelo Family’s Stacks, Luca Crusifino & Adrianna Rizzo showed up to talk. Tony wanted to find out everything they could about Darkstate (he didn’t say their name) and the family said they would. Stacks was about to leave, so Tony talked to him alone. Tony reminded Stacks about how he helped him out of a tough situation when they were younger guys. Stacks said Tony and him have always been there for eachother. Tony said he trusts Stacks and said he can always trust him. Stacks put his hand on Tony’s shoulder and said Tony could trust him…always. Stacks left.
Analysis: I smell a heel turn coming for Stacks. Perhaps it will be something where Stacks is the leader of the Darkstate group.
Ethan Page made his entrance while Ricky Saints walked by Page. Ricky went down to ringside to watch the match.
(Commercial)
The Motor City Machine Guns were backstage talking to Hank & Tank. Chris Sabin said that they did great and it takes a long time to succeed. Shelley said that it’s hard to compare to the Guns because they’ve been together for well over a decade. Shelley talked about how they are former WWE Tag Team Champions. Sabin & Shelley encouraged them not to give up. Hank & Tank appreciated it.
Andre Chase (with Kale Dixon & Urijah Connors) vs. Ethan Page
Ricky Saints was on commentary for this match. Ricky said a line about how Page was another Canadian who hates him, which may be a reference to AEW’s Adam Copeland. Chase was in control while Booker said he looked awful. They took turns hitting belly-to-back suplexes. Chase managed to send Page out of the ring, Chase kicked Page and Chase jumped onto Page on the floor. They went to break for some fans. Page was in control for most of the break.
The match continued with Chase hitting a neckbreaker and a Russian legsweep. Chase wanted to do his Chase U stomp, but he stopped himself from doing it. Chase ended up trying it, but Page blocked a kick. Chase hit a Side Effect slam like Matt Hardy for a two count. Page took over by hitting a slam off the ropes and a one-knee Codebreaker for two. They went to the apron where Chase hit a neckbreaker and back in the ring for a Tornado DDT. After Page tripped up Chase on the top turnbuckle, Page hit an impressive powerslam off the turnbuckle for two. Page hit the Twisted Grin cutter (like a traditional Diamond Cutter) for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Ethan Page
Analysis: *** A good match between two veterans. Chase doesn’t win very often, while Page is a former champion, so the result was expected. Chase is still popular with the fans after more than three years in NXT, which is cool to see because it shows they appreciate his hard work. I feel like Page is a guy who will be on the main roster when the next WWE Draft takes place, so he might only have a few months left in NXT.
After the match, Ricky Saints went up to Page to exchange words while Page was in the ring. Shawn Spears showed up with the NXT North American Title and knocked Saints down with a title to the head. Spears and his group The Culling stood over a fallen Ricky.
Analysis: That sets up a title match for next week with Ricky against Spears.
They showed the Darkstate guys in the parking lot in a video on social media. They were bragging about how they didn’t even have to do anything, and they had people scared. They said when Darkstate is around, nobody is safe.
There was another plug for Stephanie’s Places hosted by Stephanie McMahon with CM Punk as the guest. It’s out on ESPN+ on Wednesday.
The double champion Stephanie Vaquer’s second title defense was up next.
(Commercial)
A commercial aired for WWE Backlash in St. Louis on May 10th.
Trick Williams was shown outside the building. Trick said he was trying to hit Oba while Je’Von was collateral damage. Trick said that Je’Von was a distraction. Trick said he should be NXT Champion and Oba knows that, so he told Oba to find him next week. When asked about Darkstate, Trick said that’s not his business.
Analysis: They will need to set up the Stand & Deliver main event next week, so I assume that will happen with the Trick-Oba segment.
Next week on NXT, Shawn Spears will defend the NXT North American Title against Ricky Saints. I don’t think there will be a title change there.
NXT Women’s North American Champion: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Fallon Henley (w/Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx)
The story going into the match is that Vaquer is banged up due to Vaquer wrestling earlier in the show and getting attacked by Fatal Influence earlier in the show.
Henley was aggressive as she tackled Vaquer into the turnbuckle and hit a suplex. Henley hit a knee to the ribs. Vaquer kicked Henley away and hit a dropkick. Henley came back with stomps to the body. Vaquer hit a jawbreaker and a superkick. Henley avoided a kick by the ropes and Henley sent Vaquer into the ropes. Henley hit a 619-style kick around the turnbuckle. They took a break for some fans as the action continued. Henley was in control for a few more minutes by sending Vaquer into the commentary table and working over Vaquer in the ring. Henley kicked Vaquer in the ribs to stop an attack.
Henley was in control of Vaquer with an armbar and a kick to the gut. Heney hit a forearm smash followed by a sliding forearm. Vaquer avoided a swinging 619-style move by the ropes from Henley. Vaquer set up Henley on the turnbuckle, and that led to Vaquer hitting a superplex off the middle turnbuckle. Vaquer hit a headbutt, but Henley came back with a kick to the ribs. Vaquer hit the Eat Defeat boot to the face. Vaquer sent Henley into the turnbuckles, followed by a boot to the face. Vaquer hit the Meteora double knee attack. Henley countered Vaquer’s knee smash, which led to boos from the fans and Henley hit an overhead release suplex. Vaquer rolled up Henley for a pin attempt for two using the same move that Vaquer used to beat Parker earlier. Henley sent Vaquer out of the ring, Vaquer kicked Jayne down and Nyx hit a Nyx Kick on the floor. The referee never saw any of that. Back in the ring, Henley hit a blockbuster for two. Vaquer kicked Henley. Vaquer shoved Henley into Nyx to knock Nyx off the apron and Vaquer hit the SVB backbreaker for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Stephanie Vaquer
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a fun title match that saw Vaquer selling the ribs most of the way while Heley did a nice job as an aggressive heel. I didn’t think Vaquer was going to lose, so it was just a matter of finding a way to take care of the Fatal Influence women on the floor and then Vaquer hit her finisher on Henley for the win. That probably takes Henley out of the title picture as the former champion who lost her rematch.
After the match, Jayne attacked Vaquer with a forearm to the back. Jordynne Grace made the save by beating up the three Fatal Influence ladies and Grace cleared the ring. Grace picked up both titles and handed them to Vaquer. Grace held onto the NXT Women’s Title a little bit longer. Jaida Parker showed up to fight with Grace, but Grace hit Parker with an elbow. Grace hit a running hip attack to knock Parker off the apron. Vaquer had a staredown with Grace while Vaquer held up her two titles. Grace and Vaquer had a staredown.
The NXT GM Ava was backstage while multiple women said that they wanted to face Stephanie next. Ava said she’ll figure this out.
There was another shot of the ring with Vaquer having a staredown with Grace in the ring while Parker was down on the floor. Vaquer and Grace continued their staredown. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: They are probably going with Grace against Vaquer for the NXT Women’s Title at Stand & Deliver. Maybe Grace & Parker will have a contender’s match. Perhaps they’ll do a battle royal for a shot at the NXT Women’s North American Title. It’s a deep division, that’s for sure.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Stephanie Vaquer
- Je’Von Evans, Lexis King
- Ethan Page, Jaida Parker, Fallon Henley
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7
2025 Average: 7.50
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was the usual good NXT show that featured the women’s division a lot since Stephanie Vaquer had title matches to open and close the show. They put her over in a big way while also showing that other women are coming after her. The match quality was fine throughout the night, but nothing went that long. It was a lot of pretty good, but not necessarily great matches.
I find it a bit strange that Stand & Deliver is just over three weeks away and there isn’t an official match for that show yet. As I mentioned in the review, the NXT Title match seems to be Femi-Trick-Evans while the NXT Women’s Title match will probably be Vaquer-Grace. I’m just saying they will need to set up some of those matches officially, along with some other big matches.
I liked the progression of a lot of the stories. NXT is booked well every week.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport