The John Report: WWE NXT 05/06/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured a Jordynne Grace-Giulia main event, plus a big battle royal for a shot at the NXT Title.
WWE released the following NXT wrestlers last week. As somebody who has covered this show, I have seen many of them develop from having very little experience on TV to being pretty good performers over the last three or four years.
- Gigi Dolin
- Cora Jade
- Eddy Thorpe
- Riley Osborne
- Jakara Jackson
- Mark Coffey of Gallus
- Joe Coffey of Gallus
- Wolfgang of Gallus
- Javier Bernal
- Oro Mensah
I think the name that most surprised me is Cora Jade, who is in her early 20s with a bright future. She also has had several injuries, so maybe it’s a case of WWE telling her to go get experience elsewhere, and perhaps she’ll be back some day. Gigi was on TV regularly for nearly four years. They never really pushed her as a singles star. I think she’ll be fine wherever she goes next. Jakara Jackson impressed me a lot with Lash Legend as a team, but I can see WWE wanting to push Lash in singles, so I guess that meant they felt Jakara was expendable a bit. The Gallus boys are talented veterans who should have been on the main roster years ago, but for whatever reason, WWE never pulled the trigger. As for the rest, they are talented and I hope they do well with whatever is next. It sucks when WWE releases people on the main roster and NXT, but that’s part of the business even when WWE is making record profits. Good luck to everybody that was let go. I hope they crush it wherever they go next.
I will go summary style for most of the show and then play-by-play for one or two matches.
They are at the WWE Performance Centre in Orlando for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport, and check out my NXT TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
There was some pre-show walking shown of Jordynne Grace, Giulia, Je’Von Evans, the No Quarter Catch Crew, The Culling, Wes Lee, Tyson & Tyreke, and Zachary Wentz from TNA, who smiled at his former friend Lee on his way into the building.
It was Vic Joseph, Booker T & Corey Graves on commentary.
The NXT Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank were joined by TNA World Champion Joe Hendry, so the fans loved that trio. Trick Williams attacked Hendry on TNA Impact last week so there was a replay of that.
Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Cutler James & Osiris Griffin (w/Saquon Shugars) vs. Joe Hendry, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
The Darkstate boys were aggressive early on, but then the faces got some offense as Hendry hit a vertical suplex. Lennox nailed Hank with an elbow smash. Hank and Tank got some offense going, leading to their double-team smash. Hendry hit fallaway slams on Lennox and James. The babyface trio spun to look at the hard camera. They went to a break for some fans. Darkstate took over as they isolated Tank until Hank got the tag and got some offense going.
Hank hit James with a clothesline. Hank went up top, Lennox distracted the referee, and Shugars shoved Hank off top. The powerhouse Griffin worked over Hank with a backbreaker and Darkstate made some quick tags as they took turns working over Hank. After a couple of minutes, Hank broke free to bring in Tank, who was on a roll with clotheslines and an overhead suplex. Tank hit a cannonball off the apron onto two opponents on the floor. Shugars distracted Hank, so Griffin sent Hank into the ring post. Hendry hit a fallaway slam on James. Trick Williams showed up to pull Hendry out of the ring. Hendry wasn’t legal. Lennox did a chop block to Tank. Tank was launched in the air and Lennox finished the Powerbomb. James covered Tank for the pinfall win after about 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Cutler James & Osiris Griffin
Analysis: *** A dominant win by Darkstate as they remain undefeated. Beating the team of Hank & Tank in a tag team match could mean that Darkstate gets a title shot soon. I know Hendry was involved as well, and Trick taking Hendry out of the match affected the outcome, but it’s still a meaningful win for Darkstate. The match was a bit chaotic. I thought it was booked well,l and I’m not surprised by another Darkstate win.
Karmen Petrovic was talking to Thea Hail in the women’s locker room. Jaida Parker showed up to insult both women while taking a shot at Hail first. Jaida Parker said that Ashante wasn’t the only thing holding Karmen back because Karmen was too soft. Karmen said that Parker choked at Stand & Deliver. Parker challenged Karmen to a match.
Kelani Jordan made her entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
No Quarter Catch Crew was backstage as Charlie Dempsey spoke to Myles Borne and Tavion Heights about the battle royal later. Wren Sinclair said that was giving her anxiety, and they all said “NQCC” together.
Zaria (w/Sol Ruca) vs. Kelani Jordan
Jordan used her speed to get a sunset flip. Zaria was able to overpower Jordan with shoulder tackles to the ribs. Jordan hit an impressive hurricanrana off the steel steps onto the floor. They went to a break as the action continued, with Zaria dominating the action with shoulder tackles, knees, and a stomach breaker onto the knee.
The action continued with Jordan slamming Zaria off the turnbuckle. Zaria tried a German Suplex, but Jordan landed on her feet and Jordan hit an elbow smash. Jordan hit a Tornado DDT for two. Jordan went for a 450 Splash off the top, Zaria moved, and Zaria hit a Spear for two. Jordan hit a leg drop across the chest for two. Jordan sent Zaria out of the ring and Jordan hit a springboard moonsault onto Zaria on the floor. Zaria punched Jordan into Sol, who held Jordan and Zaria gave Jordan a Spear through the barricade at ringside. Back in the ring, Zaria hit her version of the F5 spinning slam off the shoulders for the pinfall win after about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Zaria
Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining match that was even most of the way since Jordan got plenty of offense until Zaria managed to use her power and pick up the win. The key spot was when Ruca held Jordan, and then Zaria hit that huge Spear through the barricade. It was all over at that point.
After the match, Sol Ruca saved Zaria’s hand and they hugged. Vic said that was true friendship.
Analysis: I think this might lead to Zaria turning heel out of jealousy, but maybe that will be saved for after Ruca beats Zaria in a match.
Tony D’Angelo was in the locker room talking on his phone when Wes Lee, Tyson & Tyriek interrupted. Lee mocked Tony for not having a “Family” around now. Lee mentioned Stacks turning on him and Tony said Lee turned on Zachary Wentz. Lee said he would do it again too. Lee mentioned Tony was lacking confidence and wasn’t in the battle royal. Tony dared Lee to take a shot, but Lee said no because he had a match tonight.
Analysis: That sets up a match for next week. I figured Tony D would be against Stacks at Battleground, but they didn’t progress that story during this show.
Trick Williams made his entrance for the battle royal.
(Commercial)
Lola Vice was backstage talking to NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer. Vice talked about how she knows Stephanie can handle any challenge, but Vice wants her shot. Giulia walked up to Stephanie, saying she hadn’t forgotten and that she’d see her at Battleground.
Wrestlers’ entrances were shown in the Men’s Battle Royal. Ethan Page got his full entrance. Elijah from TNA Impact (formerly known as Elias in WWE) had a guitar with him, so he sang on his way to the ring. The fans popped at the former Elias being back in a WWE ring. He has a deal with TNA as Elijah, so it’s not an official WWE return, but we know TNA talent can appear on the show. The bell rang at that point.
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal
Lexis King eliminated Chris Island immediately and then Shiloh Hill eliminated King right after. Island and Hill are from LFG. There was a lot of standing going on and punching. Elijah eliminated Charlie Dempsey. Inamura eliminated Brad Baylor. Ashante Thee Adonis hit about five superkicks in a row. Trick hit Adonis with an uppercut to eliminate Adonis. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued. Wes Lee and Zachary Wentz had a staredown, but then other guys got involved. Wentz and Lee worked together, which led to Wentz eliminating Ricky Smokes from Evolve. Josh Briggs hit a huge running kick on Tyson Dupont to eliminate Tyson.
The action continued for the full audience. Page kicked Timothy Thatcher, and Page eliminated Thatcher, who is on Evolve and used to be in NXT. Shiloh Hill clotheslined Niko Vance out after Niko pushed Shawn Spears out of the way. Hill tried to fight against Trick Williams, but Trick hit a pump kick off the apron to the floor. Inamura and Briggs tried to eliminate Trick, but Trick was able to hang on. Brooks Jensen sent Tyriek Igwe to the apron, and Jensen jumped over the top with a clothesline, so Brooks eliminated himself. Wentz hit a jumping knee on Lee. Ridge Holland hit a forearm on Tavion Heights to eliminate Heights while he was on the apron. Briggs and Inamura tried to eliminate Holland, but Ridge pulled Briggs to the apron. Inamura accidentally hit Briggs to eliminate him after Ridge pulled Briggs in front of him. Briggs wasn’t happy about it. Elijah hit a jumping knee smash on Evans, who jumped off the ropes. Page clotheslined Wentz out. They went to another break for some fans. After Lee delivered a kick while on the apron, Trick hit a Trick Shot knee on Lee to eliminate him. Shawn Legacy from Evolve was still in there as one of the final nine guys in there. Inamura and Ridge exchanged chops.
There were nine guys left as Inamura and Ridge exchanged strikes. They did double clothesline spots. While Inamura and Ridge were against the ropes, Trick hit a double clothesline to eliminate Inamura and Ridge. The TNA World Champion Joe Hendry entered, looking for revenge on Trick. While Trick was looking at Joe, Elijah eliminated Trick. Joe and Trick went fighting to the back. Spears eliminated Elijah. Sean Legacy hit a missile dropkick on Spears. Evans bounced off the ropes and hit a German Suplex on Legacy. Evans went for a springboard, but Legacy hit a superkick and a jumping kick on Evans. Legacy nearly eliminated Page while Evans hit a Cutter on Page. Evans hit a spinning kick on Legacy, Page was holding the rope down and Legacy bumped to the floor.
The final four were Je’Von Evans, Shawn Spears, Ethan Page & Myles Borne. The fans were chanting “This is awesome” for it. Borne hit powerslams on Evans and Spears. Page kicked Borne, but Borne came back with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Evans was on the turnbuckle and Borne hit a dropkick, but Evans held on. Spears hit a superkick on Borne. Evans and Spears fought on the apron. Page kicked Evans, but Evans found a way to hang on. Evans hit a springboard clothesline on Evans and Spears. Evans hit a springboard Cutter on Borne. Evans tried a double Cutter, but Page & Spears caught Evans, so Page & Spears tossed Evans out of the ring. Spears tried to turn on Page, but Page was ready for it. Page tossed Spears to the apron and Borne hit a dropkick on Page, so Page went over the top to the floor along with Spears simultaneously. Myles Borne gets the win! It’s an upset winner. It lasted 23 minutes.
Winner: Myles Borne
Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was an entertaining battle royal, and it had a surprise winner in Myles Borne, so that was cool to see. I remember Borne & Tavion Heights winning a battle royal as a surprise last year, so Borne does well in these battle royals. The fans like to chant “Baby Randy” for Borne since he looks like a young Randy Orton and has a similar body type. I think WWE is high on Borne for good reasons, so it’s a way to give him a surprising win and put him in a big NXT Title match at Battleground. I thought that Je’Von Evans might win, but I don’t mind the surprise winner and how it was booked.
The win means that Myles Borne will challenge Oba Femi for the NXT Championship at Battleground.
Analysis: I’ll pick Femi there. At some point, he’ll lose, but I think it will be later in the year against Je’Von Evans or somebody else.
The No Quarter Catch Crew’s Tavion Heights & Wren Sinclair went into the ring to celebrate with Myles Borne. Charlie Dempsey was clapping from the ringside area.
Jordynne Grace was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Grace was interrupted by Izzi Dame and Lash Legend, who both made it clear they were coming for some gold. Grace said after she wins the NXT Women’s Title, she’ll see both of them on the other side. Dame and Legend are much taller than Grace, so it was an interesting visual.
Jaida Parker entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
Karmen Petrovic vs. Jaida Parker
There was a leg lariat by Karmen early on. Karmen hit a jumping kick to knock Parker out of the ring. Karmen hit a suicide dive on Parker on the floor. Parker hit a back elbow and a flipping neckbreaker. Parker hit her hip drop against the turnbuckle and the high-stepping celebration. Karmen came back with some offense that included a running kick. Karmen went for a spinning kick, Parker avoided it, and Parker hit the Hipnotic running attack for the pinfall win. It lasted about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jaida Parker
Analysis: ** It was an easy win for Parker, who is pushed more than Karmen at this point. That match result didn’t surprise me at all.
After the match, Parker punched Karmen a few times and slammed Karmen face first into the mat. Parker went for Hipnotic, but Thea Hail pushed Karmen out of the way. Parker knocked Hail off the apron. Karmen tried a kick, but Parker avoided it and left.
A clip of Stephanie McMahon’s “Steph Places” show on ESPN, with Pat McAfee as the guest, was shown.
The NXT GM Ava was in her office talking to TNA World Champion Joe Hendry, saying this has to end. Hendry said he’s not backing down to Trick Williams. Ava said she spoke to Santino, and they agreed that Hendry would defend the TNA World Title against Trick Williams at Battleground. It’s the first time the TNA World Title has been defended on an NXT PLE. Joe was okay with that. Ava said that the contract signing is next week. Joe said he’ll be there.
Analysis: That story has been built up well, so doing it as a Battleground match makes sense. It’s also history-making because the TNA World Title is on the line at an NXT PLE.
(Commercial)
An NXT Spotlight video aired about OTM talking about how they were coming for the other teams in the tag team division.
Wes Lee was backstage with Tyson and Tyriek. Wes was on the phone, saying, “He took the bait,” and the match was set, so everything was done. Wes said, “Every man’s got a price.”
Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura talked backstage. Inamura apologized to Briggs for accidentally eliminating him in the battle royal. Inamura said he’s going back to Japan and wishes he could have been a better partner. Inamura gave Briggs his jacket. After Inamura left, Brooks Jensen said that he knows that feeling. Brooks said that Briggs thinks it has been the partner’s fault, but maybe the problem has always been Briggs.
Analysis: Briggs is a talented guy, but he’s been part of NXT for about four years and has never really broken out in singles. Maybe he’ll get a shot now.
Myles Borne was backstage with his NQCC friends. Charlie Dempsey said he needs them all to help him prepare for this match against Oba Femi. Borne reminded Charlie that he won the battle royal. Charlie said it’s gotta be him out there. The fans booed that idea. Oba Femi approached Borne, saying he was impressed. Dempsey claimed it was him who Oba will face. Borne said it would be his title match. Borne suggested that Dempsey face Femi next week. Borne said if Dempsey wins, then Battleground may become a triple threat. Femi said he’s done with triple threats and he’ll see Charlie next week. After Femi left, Dempsey wasn’t happy that Borne put him in a match with Femi next week.
Analysis: They like making jokes about Borne having trouble hearing since he’s partially deaf, which also plays into this. Dempsey being an egomaniac isn’t a surprise since he’s the heel leader of the group. I think Borne has babyface potential.
(Commercial)
Andre Chase was featured in a Chase U segment with Kale Dixon and Urijah Connors. They had some clothing suggestions for Chase. They gave Chase a new vest and pants. Chase liked it.
Next week on NXT:
* TNA World Champion Joe Hendry contract signing with Trick Williams for their match at Battleground
* Tony D’Angelo vs. Wes Lee
I assume the Oba Femi match against Charlie Dempsey will also happen, but it wasn’t shown on a graphic.
Women’s NXT Title #1 Contender’s Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Giulia
The winner will face Stephanie Vaquer for the NXT Women’s Title at Battleground.
It was Giulia in control early on with punches to the chest. Grace hit a backbreaker followed by a flipping slam that sent Giulia on her head/neck. Graves said, “Oh God,” a few times while the referee checked on Giulia right away, but she appeared to be okay. Grace gave Giulia a slam onto Grace’s shoulder. Grace sent Giulia into the turnbuckle. Giulia hit an STO trip. Grace tried a pin attempt, but Giulia rolled through with a dropkick. Grace tripped up Giulia on the apron, and then Giulia knocked down Grace on the apron. Giulia tripped up Grace by the ropes, and Giulia hit a neckbreaker off the apron onto the floor. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued. The three minutes that followed featured a lot of offense from Giulia, who stomped Grace in the back to send Grace into the mat. Giulia hit a running dropkick while Grace was against the turnbuckle.
The action continued with Grace connecting with a spinebuster for two. Giulia applied a Guillotine submission on the mat, but the powerful Grace was able to get out of it. Grace gave Giulia an overhead suplex. Giulia and Grace exchanged hard slaps. Grace hit two body slams in a row, and then Grace hit a Michinoku Driver for two. That looked like another painful bump on the head by Giulia, but she appeared to be okay. Grace showed off her power with a superplex off the middle turnbuckle, followed by a Jackhammer slam for a two count. The fans were chanting “Giulia” even though she’s more of a heel now. Giulia countered Grace by jumping up and hitting a DDT. Giulia hit her own version of a Michinoku Driver that was more like a powerslam. Giulia went for another slam, Grace slipped out of it, and Grace flipped over Giulia like a German Suplex from a different position. Grace hit her Beastmode flipping slam into a pin for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jordynne Grace
Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a great match, with Grace looking impressive by beating a former champion clean like that. It feels like Giulia’s on Raw already, so Grace getting the win wasn’t a surprise. There were a couple of spots in the match where Giulia was dropped on her head, and Graves freaked out when he saw them, but Giulia could continue the match. These women are so talented, just like so many women in NXT and WWE. It’s always good to see them in a main event level match like that. I thought Grace winning made sense since Giulia has already been the champion, and as I said, it seems like she’s going to be a regular on Raw at this point.
The NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer walked down to the ring with the title. Vaquer had a staredown with Grace in the ring, and Vaquer held up her title for the staredown. The fans were chanting “La Primera” for Vaquer. That was the end of the show.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Myles Borne
- Jordynne Grace
- Darkstate
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2025 Average: 7.47
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was a good show with entertaining matches throughout the night. I liked the Grace-Giulia match in the main event, and the Men’s Battle Royal was entertaining. It was given a lot of time. A shock winner like Myles Borne tells the NXT audience that the obvious booking results don’t always happen. I like that.
The Joe Hendry-Trick Williams rivalry continued, and now it will lead to Hendry defending the TNA World Title against Trick at Battleground. A TNA World Title match at a NXT PLE is a first, so that’s cool. I think Trick will probably be on the main roster soon while Giulia and Roxanne Perez feel like two women already on the main roster, even if it hasn’t been officially announced by WWE yet.
No matter who comes and goes, the NXT brand continues to thrive. I think it’s a consistently good show, especially regarding the women’s division.
The next NXT PLE is Battleground on May 25th in Tampa. Here’s the lineup so far:
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Myles Borne
* NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
* TNA World Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Trick Williams
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
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Twitter/X @johnreport