The John Report: WWE NXT 04/08/25 Review
This week on WWE NXT featured Oba Femi, Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans teaming up against Darkstate in the main event.
Last week’s show saw Ricky Saints beat Shawn Spears to win the NXT North American Title. Ethan Page attacked Saints after the match, so that should set them up for a big match soon. The NXT brand continues on the road to Stand & Deliver on Saturday, April 19th in Las Vegas.
I’ll go summary style for most of the show and play-by-play for a match or two.
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.
The NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer was shown walking backstage. Kelly Kincaid said that Stephanie was given the choice of who to face at Stand & Deliver, so Kelly asked when Stephanie will decide who she would face at Stand & Deliver. Stephanie said she could announce it after this match. Vaquer walked out to ringside to join commentary.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph, Booker T & Corey Graves. The ring announcer was Mike Rome.
Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker
This is not officially a number one contender’s match, but it does feel that way in some ways. Grace and Parker were aggressive as they fought in the ring and got into a brawl on the floor. Grace hit an impressive rolling senton slam. They went to the apron where each woman teased moves so Parker sent Grace throat first across the top rope. Parker hit a flipping neckbreaker. Parker set up Grace by the turnbuckle so Parker hit the hip drop along with some high stepping. They went to break for some fans as the action continued. Parker was in control, but Grace came back with a rollup for two. They exchanged some hard slaps during the match.
Grace showed off her power by holding Parker in a piledriver position and tossed her across the ring like a suplex. Grace had Parker on her shoulders and hit a spinning neckbreaker for two. Parker hit a front suplex, she went for Hipnotic, but Grace avoided it. Grace tried a suicide dive and missed it so she landed hard on the floor. Parker checked on her and Grace was okay. Vaquer got involved with Parker, so they got into it and Vaquer hit Grace by accident. The referee called for the bell after about 10 minutes.
Match Result: No Contest
Analysis: *** A good match with both women showing a lot of aggressiveness from the moment the bell rang, so that made it fun to watch since it felt like a fight. Parker is one of my favorites in the women’s division, while Grace has been a natural fit as a top competitor in the division. I wasn’t surprised by the non-finish.
After the match, Giulia went into the ring. Giulia and Vaquer cleared the ring with dropkicks. Giulia headbutted Vaquer followed by a Northern Lights Bomb. Giulia stood tall over Vaquer.
Analysis: Welcome back to Giulia. I saw people on social media say that Giulia turned heel with this, but I don’t know if I see it that way. She delivered a message to the champion and it doesn’t mean she’s a heel now. I think it puts over the value of the title more than anything.
A video package aired about Ricky Saints beating Shawn Spears last week to become the NXT North American Champion. Ethan Page attacked Ricky after the match.
Hank & Tank were backstage talking about trying to figure out how to get some wins. The annoying Swipe Right team from Evolve told Hank & Tank to take some notes. The Swipe Right guys are young and used lingo that was foreign to me. Tank wondered who they were while Hank questioned if they were that desperate and Tank said no.
Fraxiom entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
A video aired featuring The Culling group with Shawn Spears, Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance and Izzi Dame. Spears said that he was grateful that he won gold for the first time, and he’ll be a champion for the rest of his life. Spears said that this bond is about the success of the group. Spears told Dame not to dwell on what Spears lot and told Dame to focus on what she can achieve in her match tonight. Spears told Brooks & Niko to focus on their match. Spears said it was always about the three of them shining and it starts tonight.
Fraxiom – Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs. Swipe Right – Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes
The NXT Tag Team Titles are not on the line. I’ve never seen Swipe Right before since I don’t watch Evolve. They are young guys in their early 20s who are the annoying “bro” guys. Smokes and Baylor hit some moves on Frazer, but Frazer came back with a kick. Axiom tagged in, Frazer hit a kick and Frazer dropkicked Smokes out of the ring. Axiom and Frazer each hit suicide dives. They each hit another suicide dive. Smokes tagged in and hit a Spear on Axiom. Baylor hit a springboard X-Factor for a two count. After Smokes tagged in, Axiom hit a Spanish Fly slam. Frazer tagged in and hit a reverse DDT/front DDT combo on both opponents. Frazer hit a standing SSP for a two count. Axiom got the tag, but Swipe Right got some double team offense, including a double neckbreaker on Frazer. Smokes too way too long going to the top rope, so Axiom threw Baylor into Smokes. Axiom jumped to the top and hit a Spanish Fly off the top. Frazer hit a Phoenix Splash off the top on Smokes. Axiom hit a Golden Ratio on Baylor to prevent the save. Frazer covered Smokes for the pinfall win after five minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Fraxiom – Nathan Frazer & Axiom
Analysis: *** Fraxiom is so damn good and I’ve said that for over a year now that they are clearly the best tag team in WWE. Frazer and Axiom work so well together while the fans are solidly behind them as always. I was impressed by the Swipe Right boys who have a very bright future, so I’m sure we’ll see more of them in the weeks and months ahead.
The Fatal Influence trio was in the locker room talking about one of them getting a qualifying match for a shot at the Women’s North American Title. Fallon Henley said she should get the match, Jacy Jayne said Henley already had the title, so Jayne should get the match and Jazmyn Nyx spoke up to say she’ll be the one having the match. Jayne and Henley were surprised by that.
Analysis: The women’s division in NXT deserves a lot of praise, but I think Jacy Jayne is the most poorly used woman in the division. She’s been in NXT for over three years, never held a singles title and I wonder if she’ll ever get pushed to the top or even see the main roster. I hope she does because she can do it all in the ring and is a good character. Jacy is one of my favorites for sure.
(Commercial)
NXT Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Sol Ruca (w/Zaria) vs. Jazmyn Nyx (w/Fallon Henley & Jacy Jayne)
There was a spot early in the match where Sol went for a springboard splash, but Nyx got her feet up. Nyx hit a spinning knee to take over. Nyx hit a Perfectplex for two. Sol hit a spinning slam on Nyx. Sol hit a running backpack Stunner-like move and a running knee for two. Jayne and Henley provided a distraction, so Nyx hit a Nyx Kick (like a Pele Kick) for two. Sol got a cradle for two. Nyx hit a kick, Sol with a kick and Sol hit a Soul Snatcher for the pinfall win after about five minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Sol Ruca
Analysis: **1/4 It was an average match to give Sol the win and put her in the Ladder match at Stand & Deliver. Good choice because Sol will do some creative spots in that ladder match. Nyx doesn’t win most of her singles matches, so the result wasn’t a surprise. The Soul Snatcher remains one of the coolest looking moves in all of WWE.
Je’Von Evans was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber in the locker room. Evans said he knew Darkstate would come after them. Evans said he’s going to win the NXT Championship at Stand & Deliver. Evans talked about his issues with Oba Femi and Trick Williams. Evans said tonight is Darkstate and then it’s the NXT Championship.
(Commercial)
Giulia was outside the building for a quick interview. Giulia said that at Stand & Deliver, no friends and she wants a rematch. Simple enough.
Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. The Culling – Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance
Hank & Tank hit some double team moves early on with some double splashes on both opponents. Vance pulled Hank out of the ring while Jensen hit a spin kick on Tank to take control. Hank got a tag and was on fire against Brooks with a bunch of moves, including a bulldog. Hank ran over Jensen with a running elbow. Tank clotheslined Niko out of the ring and Niko sent Tank into the barricade. Hank was legal on Brooks with a Bossman Slam. Hank went up top, took way too long, a Swanton Bomb missed because Brooks moved and Vance/Brooks hit a double team knee drop/powerslam on Hank. Vince covered Hank for the win after four minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
Analysis: **1/4 It was a decent match for the time given. It continues the story that Hank & Tank can’t seem to win matches because they are overthinking a lot. Brooks & Niko worked well together and I think they’ll continue to be featured more as a team.
Ricky Saints was shown getting out of his car in the parking lot and he has a promo up next.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Ricky Saints
The NXT North American Champion Ricky Saints made his entrance to a big pop from the crowd. I think it’s fair to say he has a superstar entrance as far as NXT wrestlers go.
Ricky said that the first night he stepped foot in NXT, he said he was there to turn this place upside down and he told us that the revolution would be televised again and you would get an absolute superstar. Ricky said he’s a man of his word because he’s standing there as the new North American Champion. Ricky said that while he would love to get the celebration going, he knows Ethan Page’s ego is shattered because Ricky got a title quicker. Ricky said that Page had to go and ruin a special moment of his. Ricky called out Ethan Page so they could talk to man to man.
The NXT Heritage Cup Champion Lexis King interrupted the promo and King told “Slick Rick” that he’s worried about the wrong guy. King said he already has the Heritage Cup Championship, but he loves gold.
Eddy Thorpe joined the promo party saying it must be nice to waltz in here and be handed opportunities. Thorpe said he’s been on a quest to win a title, but now he has his sights set in the wrong place. Thorpe said that the title represents the land of his people and that the title is his birthright. Thorpe told Ricky to worry about him.
Wes Lee was next to arrive with Tyson & Tyriek by his side. Lee said you can’t talk about that title and not include him. Lee said that the title was at its peak when he had the title. King said if he was in Lee’s shoes, he would want to relive his glory days. Thorpe told King to shut up and called him “another greedy white man” who is not content with what he already has. Lee had this shocked look on his face that was funny. Thorpe made it clear that Ricky’s title belongs to him.
Ethan Page snuck up behind Ricky and hit him with a Twisted Grun cutter to put him down. The four guys Thorpe, Lee, King and Page all held the title at the same time. Those four guys got into a brawl around ringside. Lee jumped over the top with a somersault dive on top of Page, Thorpe and King on the floor.
Analysis: It was one of those typical NXT segments that they love to do where multiple people say they deserve a title shot. They do them every so often in the men’s division and the women’s division. It’s an obvious way to set up a four-way match. Thorpe calling King a “greedy white man” was an interesting line to use in a promo like that and it certainly got a reaction. Ricky did a nice job with his promo, which is no surprise since he’s a great talker.
There was a shot of NXT GM Ava in her office with Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner. Stone said that this shows it is Stand & Deliver season. The NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer walked into Ava’s office and said she wants to face all of them at Stand & Deliver. Ava said okay.
Analysis: That means Stephanie Vaquer wants to defend the NXT Women’s Title against Giulia, Jaida Parker & Jordynne Grace at Stand & Deliver.
(Commercial)
Trick Williams was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber backstage. Trick said there is always somebody in his way. Trick talked about his resume in NXT and said he was a back to back Stand & Deliver main eventer. Trick said that Darkstate doesn’t care about anybody. Trick said he wants Oba & Je’Von on his A game tonight, but at Stand & Deliver he’ll whip both of their asses.
Yoshiki Inamura (w/Josh Briggs) vs. Wes Lee (w/Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe)
Inamura hit some hard strikes early on in the match. Lee hit a somersault over the top and kicked Inamura in the head. Lee charged at Inamura, who hit a big back body drop. Inamura hit a powerful cradle suplex for two. Briggs was helping Inamura, so Lee hit a running forearm dive on Briggs on the floor. Inamura caught Lee, spun around the ring and hit a big body slam. Briggs fought with Tyson & Tyriek on the floor. While this was happening, Inamura was on the top rope and one of the guys pulled the top rope, so Inamura fell off the rope. Lee hit his Cardiac Kick for the pinfall win after four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Wes Lee
Analysis: **1/2 Wes Lee is one of the best in NXT, while Inamura is very entertaining and has a unique style. Based on the segment earlier in the show, it made sense for Lee to get the win to give him some momentum. The chaos on the floor tripped up Inamura and Lee capitalized for the win.
The NXT Champion Oba Femi was shown getting ready backstage. Femi said that Darkstate has put everybody on edge. Femi told Darkstate that he hasn’t forgotten what they did to him at Vengeance Day. Femi said that he’ll return the favor. Femi said that at Stand & Deliver, Trick & Je’Von will find out that the Ruler can’t be stopped.
(Commercial)
NXT Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Wren Sinclair (w/Charlie Dempsey, Myles Borne & Tavion Heights) vs. Izzi Dame (w/Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance)
The taller Dame used her height to her advantage with a big boot to the face, a body slam and a running dropkick. Wren made a comeback with a clothesline along with a running neckbreaker. Wren countered a slam into crucifix pin for two. Dame hit a sitout Sky High spinebuster. The referee counted one…two…Dame let go and the referee finished the count. Vic said that Izzi has qualified while Graves said “No” initially. That went away because Graves said Dame punched her ticket for Stand & Deliver. It went about four minutes. They did not replay the finish, of course.
Winner by pinfall: Izzi Dame
Analysis: ** It was an awkward finish because Dame didn’t really hold Wren down for the three count. Dame must have thought the referee counted to three when she let go, but it was only two when Dame let go. Dame needs to hold onto the move until the bell rings for the end of the match. There’s no reason to let go early. I like Wren a lot as a worker, and I would like to see her get more wins. Maybe that’s coming in the months ahead. It’s tough when the division is loaded.
That means the Ladder Match for the vacant NXT Women’s North American Championship looks like this: Zaria vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Sol Ruca vs. Izzi Dame vs. two other women.
Analysis: I think Zaria or Ruca could win. I doubt Jordan or Dame will win. It depends on the other two women in the match too.
A clip aired of Stephanie’s Places on ESPN+ with Stephanie McMahon hanging out with Rhea Ripley.
Ava was shown in her office with Roxanne Perez, Lash & Jakara and Fatal Influence complaining about wanting to be in a Last Chance Qualifying Match, but Ava said there isn’t one this year. Ava said that she thought of something and she will let them know. Roxanne Perez said it better not be a tag team match because she doesn’t have a partner.
There was a graphic shown making the NXT Women’s Championship match official for Stand & Deliver: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Giulia vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker.
Analysis: I doubt Vaquer is going to lose her title so quickly after winning it, so I think the champion will retain.
Andre Chase was backstage talking to Urijah Connors and Kale Dixon, who were watching their match. Chase said they were moving a bit too fast in their match. Chase said they do not want his help. Dixon & Connors said they do want his help.
Hank & Tank were walking backstage, looking angry. The Street Profits walked in with their WWE Tag Team Titles. Montez Ford said that they need to lean on eachother and be who they are. Angelo Dawkins told them to be who they are. Dawkins said that there’s a Tag Team Gauntlet Match with the winning team getting a shot at Fraxiom at Stand & Deliver. Dawkins and Ford hyped them up by saying it was time to Stand & Deliver.
Analysis: The Hank & Tank team has lost multiple matches over the last month, but I think they can definitely win the Gauntlet Match and get that Tag Team Title match at Stand & Deliver. They might win the gold at Stand & Deliver. It feels like a good story to tell.
Next week on NXT:
* Ethan Page vs. Eddy Thorpe vs. Lexis King vs. Wes Lee – The winner faces Ricky Saints for the NXT North American Title at Stand & Deliver
* Qualifying Matches Continue for NXT Women’s North American Title Match at Stand & Deliver
* Tag Team Gauntlet Match #1 Contender’s Match
Analysis: I’m going with Page to win the four-way match. I think Hank & Tank will win the Gauntlet Match.
It was main event time with Je’Von Evans up first followed by Trick Williams and the usual “Whoop That Trick” chants, but the entrance was cut short because the NXT Champion Oba Femi was next.
(Commercial)
Oba Femi, Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans vs. Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars & Cutler James (w/Osiris Griffin)
This is Darkstate’s first televised match. Lennox has wrestled on the main NXT show many times over the last year, while the other three guys have not. Cutler James is on the WWE LFG show, though.
The Darkstate boys went into the ring and attacked the three babyfaces at the same time. Dion worked over Femi with punches. Darkstate made quick tags with Shugars hitting a dropkick on Femi and James hit a clothesline. Trick made the tag and Trick got a rollup, but Shugars countered it into a pin for two. Trick punched Shugars along with a jumping neckbreaker. James tagged in with a clothesline on Trick while Shugars was holding Trick’s legs. James hit a backbreaker along with a body slam. Trick kicked James to break free and Trick hit a back body drop on Shugars, who was legal for his team. Trick hit a suplex for two. Shugars went for some chops, but Trick came back with chops of his own. Trick gave Shugars a sloppy body slam that ended up okay. Evans got the tag leading to a hurricanrana and a spinebuster. Evans did a legsweep takedown and a double foot stomp to the chest. James went in illegally, so Evans superkicked him. Evans hit a hurricanrana on Shugars, then dropkicks for Dion and Shugars. Oba and Trick went into the ring for a double clothesline on James out of the ring. The four Darkstate guys were on the apron together as the show went to a break for some fans. The trio of Femi, Trick and Evans kicked Darkstate off the apron to the floor. Femi tagged in so he worked over Shugars’ arm. Trick was back in with an armbar on Shugars and Shugars broke free, so that Dion tagged in. Dion was aggressive with shoulder tackles and an arm wrench on Trick. James was back in with an armbar on Trick’s left arm. Trick hit a DDT on James. Evan tagged in against Shugars, leading to Evans hitting a springboard cross body block.
The match continued as the referee said “we’re live” to the wrestlers and Trick hit a springboard cross body block on Shugars for two. James was back in for his team as he overpowered Evans with a body slam. Dion hit a spinebuster on Evans. Dion applied a chinlock, Evans broke free and Dion hit a spinning spinebuster that was a big one. Shugars tagged in, so Dion gave Shugars a body slam on Evans for a two count. Evans nearly broke free, but Shugars hit a body slam. Cutler was back in, Evans avoided a charging attack and Evans hit a cross body block on Dion to take control. Evans hit an enziguri kick on Dion. Femi pushed Trick away so that Femi could make the tag. Femi was on fire with kicks, a back body drop and a spinebuster. Femi tossed Shugars into Trick on the apron. Femi hit Fall From Grace on Dion. Trick went into the ring to argue with Trick. Evans asked what they were doing, so Femi tagged him in. Trick and Femi fought eachother, which led to Femi clotheslining Trick out of the ring. Evans went up top and hit a Frog Splash on Dion for two. Shugars pulled the ropes while Evans tried a springboard move, so Evans couldn’t hit a move. James and Shugars each made tags, leading to Shugars jumping off the top while Dion & James lifted up Evans, so Shugars finished off Evans with a Powerbomb. Cool move. Shugars covered Evans for the pinfall win. It went 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars & Cutler James
Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a very good main event match, which was the longest match on the show. Trick & Femi fighting eachother made sense because they had issues going into the match and it boiled over during the match. That left Evans all alone and while Evans had a good performance in the match, he wasn’t able to beat Darkstate by himself. A lot of the offense that Darkstate did was basic stuff. It’s not like they did anything flashy, but they were aggressive and on point throughout the match. You could tell that they think highly of Shugars because he worked a lot of the match for his team. Darkstate definitely feels like The Shield in a lot of ways and part of the reason why The Shield worked so well is because they worked so well as a team while winning a lot of matches. Putting Darkstate over three main event guys in a tag in their first match is a good booking move.
After the match, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo appeared, saying that if Darkstate wants to cause chaos, then they can do it next week in the parking lot. Stacks said that messing with the D’Angelo Family has severe consequences.
Darkstate stood tall in the ring as the victors. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: That could lead to a six-man tag team match at Stand & Deliver with the D’Angelo Family against Darkstate. I’m not sure how many matches there will be at S&D, but I can see NXT wanting to feature Darkstate on the show.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- Darkstate
- Fraxiom
- Jordynne Grace & Jaida Parker
====
The Scoreboard
This week: 7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2025 Average: 7.48
====
Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was a solid show overall. I think the Darkstate guys were impressive in their first match as a group. They didn’t do anything that special in the match, but they work hard and know their roles as a heel group. The trio of Femi, Trick & Evans fell apart as expected, so Darkstate got the win.
The match quality was weaker than most episodes of NXT. There were some entertaining matches, but a lot of them were kept short and they weren’t that interesting overall. There were some awkward moments like Izzi Dame letting go of Wren Sinclair early while the referee was doing the count. Also, Jordynne Grace’s suicide dive didn’t go well for her. Mistakes happen sometimes.
There were so many people on the show between all the matches, promos and backstage segments. There are multi-person matches all over the place on television and at Stand & Deliver to try to get more people on the show. I like the Stand & Deliver card that is full of multi-person matches.
The next WWE NXT PLE is Stand & Deliver on Saturday, April 19th in Las Vegas. Here’s the lineup so far:
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Trick Williams vs. Je’Von Evans
* NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Giulia vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker
* Ladder Match for the vacant NXT Women’s North American Championship: Zaria vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Sol Ruca vs. Izzi Dame vs. two other women
* NXT North American Championship: Ricky Saints (c) vs. Fatal four-way match winner
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. Gauntlet match winners
===
Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X @johnreport