The John Report: WWE NXT 05/13/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured Oba Femi in action, a Joe Hendry-Trick Williams contract signing, and Stephanie Vaquer teaming up with Jordynne Grace.
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 a recap of Myles Borne winning the battle royal last week for a shot at the NXT Title at Battleground.
It was Vic Joseph, Booker T & Corey Graves on commentary. Mike Rome is the ring announcer.
Let’s Hear from Myles Borne and No Quarter Catch Crew
Myles Borne was in the ring talking about how he shocked the world last week. Borne said now he’s going to Battleground. Myles said he is used to being doubted. Borne said that he is partially deaf, which affects his speech and the way that he talks. Borne said that when he eliminated Ethan Page and Shawn Spears, he heard the fans going crazy. Borne said he doesn’t want to be known as the deaf kid because he wants to be judged by his ability, not by his disability. Borne said that’s how everybody with a disability wants to be judged. Borne said that he knows he is facing a dominant champion, but he’s fighting for all the kids struggling in their fight to prove that you can achieve success. Borne said that on May 25th, they aren’t giving him a shot, but he’s ready to shock the world game. Borne said that at Battleground, he’ll hear Mike Rome announce him as the new NXT Champion.
Ethan Page interrupted the promo. Page spoke slowly, saying that Borne couldn’t beat Oba. Page said that Borne isn’t on Oba’s level or Page’s level. Page said if Borne wants to prove he deserves an opportunity at the championship, prove it by putting the title shot on the line against Page. Charlie Dempsey spoke up, saying what better way to learn than facing a former NXT Champion. Tavion Heights and Wren Sinclair didn’t want Borne to do it. Dempsey said you can silence your doubters. Borne said you’re on.
Ava the NXT GM interrupted saying she didn’t know if this is the right move for Myles right now. Ava said she’ll allow it. Ava said that the match is scheduled for later because Charlie’s match with the NXT Champion Oba Femi is right now.
Analysis: It’s a big match for later in the show with Ethan Page facing Myles Borne with the NXT Title shot on the line. It’s a way to feature Borne in a singles match before his Battleground match. We haven’t heard Borne done promos like that before and I thought he got through it okay.
The NXT Champion Oba Femi made his entrance.
Oba Femi vs. Charlie Dempsey (w/Myles Borne, Tavion Heights & Wren Sinclair)
Femi knocked Dempsey out of the ring. They went to break for some fans as the action continued. Dempsey tripped up Femi and applied a kneebar submission, but Femi got to the ropes to break that. Femi ran over Dempsey with a shoulder tackle. Femi remained in control with a hip toss across the ring.
Dempsey had Femi grounded with a leg scissors around the throat. Dempsey wrenched on Femi’s left arm against the top rope. Femi hit a knee lift for a two count. Dempsey hit a German Suplex for a two count. Femi countered a short arm scissors by slamming Dempsey into the mat. Femi hit an overhead suplex and three running uppercuts in a row. Femi tossed Dempsey across the ring, followed by the Fall From Grace (Popup Powerbomb) for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Oba Femi
Analysis: **3/4 A dominant win by Oba Femi, as you would expect from him in a match like that. Femi actually sold for Dempsey more than I thought, but I don’t mind because Femi is good at selling. Femi’s power moves looked impressive, as usual.
There was a backstage scene from earlier today when Thea Hail and Karmen Petrovic were chatting about things. Tatum Paxley freaked out telling them that friends just leave you. That was a reference to WWE firing Paxley’s friend Gigi Dolin recently.
Tony D’Angelo entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
Ethan Page was getting ready backstage when NXT North American Champion Ricky Saints approached. Ricky said that Page loves raining on people’s parades around here by trying to ruin Myles Borne’s moment. Page said that the NXT Title match at Battleground needs Ethan Page in it. Page said that Ricky could go back to playing second fiddle to him.
Tony D’Angelo vs. Wes Lee (w/Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont)
Wes Lee did a pre-match promo and informed us that his group is called The High Ryze. That’s how it is spelled because there was a graphic on screen. Tony D tossed Lee onto Lee’s buddies on the floor and Tony hit a cross body block onto them. That led to a break for some fans. After a distraction, Lee knocked Tony out of the ring and hit a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Lee hit a Superfly Splash off the top for two. They did a spot where Tyson and Tyriek were stomping on Tony, the referee even saw it and didn’t eject the guys.
The match continued with Lee in control, telling Tony he’s lost his power, he lost his family, and his Don-ship because Stacks will be the next Don. Tony responded with headbutts that led to Lee taking a great bump out of the ring. Tony hit a double clothesline on Tyson & Tyriek on the floor. Tony nailed an overhead suplex on Lee. Tony hit a German Suplex, leading to Lee taking a moonsault bump and a powerslam by Tony got a two count. Lee tried a Cardiac Kick, Tony caught him and hit a powerslam. It looked like Lee landed on his head, but he was okay. Stacks appeared in a video on the screen, saying he was at Rizzo’s safe house. Lee hit a Cardiac Kick and pinned Tony. It went about 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Wes Lee
Analysis: *** A pretty good match between two guys who have been in NXT for about four years and have done a lot while there. The distraction helped Lee get the win, so it puts over Lee while Tony can blame Stacks for the loss.
Stacks said he would go visit Rizzo, so Tony left the ring and went to the back.
The NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer was up next.
(Commercial)
There was a video about OTM’s Lucien Price and Bronco Nima. They spoke about their return to the ring and how they are going to end other teams.
Let’s Hear from Stephanie Vaquer, Fatal Influence & Jordynne Grace
Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance as the NXT Women’s Champion. Her outfit will make her even more popular with the fans. Just saying. Vaquer spoke about how last week Jordynne Grace became the number one contender for the NXT Women’s Title at Battleground. Vaquer talked about how Grace was at the top of TNA and now she wants to get to the top in NXT. Vaquer spoke a bit in Spanish until there was an interruption.
Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley interrupted the promo. Henley said that Vaquer has been on top since she got here, and she’s truly one of a kind. Henley said that Vaquer was a double champion. Jayne said she couldn’t relate as a singles champion, and she pointed out that Henley lost to her, so Henley was angry. Jayne said it won’t last much longer for Vaquer. Jayne spoke about how one of them might take the title off Vaquer’s hands.
Jordynne Grace interrupted, saying that Fatal Influence can’t get out of each other’s way, so how are they out here to talk about the NXT Championship? Grace said she was here to protect her investment and opportunity. Vaquer said she is not her investment. Jayne said that while those two were touring the globe, Fatal Influence was in NXT holding things down. Vaquer said that Grace failed last time and she’ll fail again. Grace told Vaquer that she’d beat her at Battleground, and nothing would stop her. Grace said she’ll make sure that Vaquer makes it to Tampa in one piece. Jayne said whoever leaves Battleground with the title will be ripe for the taking, and Fatal Influence will take the title from them. Fatal Influence left.
Analysis: It was an easy way to set up a tag team match for later in the show. I don’t think the dialogue was that great, but it was a way for Fatal Influence to try to put themselves over since they’ve been in NXT for the past four years while Stephanie and Jorydnne are newer talents on NXT.
No Quarter Catch Crew was backstage while Charlie Dempsey was selling the idea that he was hurt. Myles Borne told Tavion Heights and Wren Sinclair to take Charlie to medical. Borne said nobody is taking his title shot from him.
(Commercial)
There was a backstage scene with Bubba Ray Dudley, The Undertaker, Tyra Mae Steel and Zena Sterling. Bubba said that they have earned the right to compete in the finals of WWE LFG this Sunday night. They get to compete in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Bubba said that one of them gets the NXT contract to compete in the best women’s division in wrestling. Izzi Dame and Nikkita Lyons interrupted to wish them good luck lasting in their locker room. Lash Legend and Lola Vice showed up as well and other women in the division were there too. The Undertaker said whoever wins Sunday, it looks like they have their work cut out for them.
Analysis: The finals of WWE LFG were taped several weeks ago. I won’t spoil it here, but based on what I saw on that show, they picked the right man and woman as the winners.
Tony D’Angelo was shown in the parking. Tony got into a car with a camera guy and Tony’s driver. They left to go find Stacks at Rizzo’s safe house.
Myles Borne vs. Ethan Page
This is for a shot at the NXT Title at Battleground. Page was in control early, but Borne came back with a suplex. Page knocked down Borne with an elbow. Page applied a chinlock for about a minute. Borne likes throwing uppercuts and he clotheslined Page out of the ring. They went to a break for some fans. Page took control during those three minutes, which is usual for a heel to do during a break.
Page hit a superplex for a two count. Borne started the comeback with a powerslam. Borne hit a running splash, along with an Angle Slam for a two count. Page blocked a dropkick with a double knee attack for two. Page wanted a powerslam from the turnbuckle, Borne fought out of it, and Borne jumped off the top with a clothesline or maybe a forearm smash. Borne countered Twisted Grin and hit a dropkick, followed by a jackknife pin for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Myles Borne
Analysis: *** A competitive match to put over Borne as a rising star who can beat a former NXT Champion like Page. I think it would have been better if it was a faster paced match that showed off Borne’s athleticism more. This was more of an old-school match that was slow-paced, with Page working over Borne, and Borne made the comeback to win. It made sense for Borne to win since he won the battle royal last week, so the positive momentum has continued. I don’t think Borne should keep using a dropkick as a finisher. He needs to work on something better than that if he’s going to be a singles wrestler.
A video aired from Sean Legacy in his car saying he’s not an NXT superstar. He challenged Je’Von Evans since they had some magic in the battle royal and wanted Evans to let him know.
Je’Von Evans was in the locker room when Ashante Thee Adonis talked to him. Adonis mentioned Evans main evented Stand & Deliver, while Adonis said that the indy guys don’t deserve time. Evans disagreed, saying he respected the indy guys because that’s where Evans is from. Adonis said he’d smoke them both. Ricky Saints was in the background, he heard them talking and said he’d like to see that. Saints said that the winner could see them on the other side of Battleground.
Analysis: Evans should beat Adonis, so setting up Evans-Saints sounds good to me.
There was a clip from Stephanie’s Places on ESPN+ talking to The Undertaker, who is the guest on this week’s show.
Thea Hail entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
Tony D’Angelo was shown arriving at the house, and a camera guy was with him. Tony told the driver to get the rest of the boys. Stacks hit Tony in the knee with a crowbar. Stacks said he knows everything that Tony is going to do. Stacks said that he humiliated Tony D at Stand & Deliver by choice. Stacks said at Battleground, he’ll finish The Don and put an end to The D’Angelo Family once and for all.
Thea Hail vs. Tatum Paxley
Paxley hit an impressive counter move where she kicked Hail in the ribs. Paxley hit an enziguri kick while Jaida Parker was watching on a TV backstage. Paxley kicked Hail and hit a flipping leg drop to the back for two. Hail hit a double knee attack to the elbow. Hail took down Paxley with a Kimura Lock, but Paxley got her hand on the bottom rope to break it. Hail applied a Kimura Lock submission again, but Paxley put her fingers in Hail’s eyes, so the referee called for the DQ. This lasted about four minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Thea Hail
Analysis: ** It was a decent match for the time given, but it was more about putting over the idea that Paxley has gone crazy since her friends got fired. You don’t see the eye gouge for a DQ finish very often.
After the match, Paxley continued her eye gouge attack on Hail until referees ran in to break it up.
Analysis: It’s back to crazy heel mode for Tatum Paxley. She’s good in that role.
The women’s locker room was shown as Jaida Parker said that Thea Hail got what she deserved. Kelani Jordan walked in to talk to Sol Ruca and Zaria. Jordan complained about losing to Zaria. Zaria said that if they do it again, the results will be the same. Jordan said that if she won, she would get a North American Title shot against Sol. Ruca agreed to it, while Zaria didn’t seem to like that idea.
The Joe Hendry-Trick Williams contract signing was next.
(Commercial)
It’s official for NXT Battleground: Tony D’Angelo vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo.
Contract Signing: Joe Hendry vs. Trick Williams
I thought this would be done in the ring, but it was backstage in NXT GM Ava’s office, with Ava sitting between them at a table. At Battleground, Joe Hendry will defend the TNA World Title against Trick Williams.
Ava said for the first time at a WWE PLE, the TNA World Title will be on the line. Trick said that he’s going to take what means the most to Joe – the TNA World Title. Trick said that Joe should have stayed in his sweet spot. Trick said that Battleground is his house. Joe said if anybody should know about being more and having confidence to be more, it’s Trick. Joe said instead, Trick is busy bitching about what he thinks he deserves. Ava told them to sit down when they stood up and told them to sign the contract. Joe said that TNA is the hottest it’s been in years because every morning, he wakes up and makes this brand the biggest he can possibly be. Joe said he’s defending this against TNA and NXT wrestlers. Joe spoke about how big it is for the TNA Title to be on the line at an NXT show. Trick said he’s bigger than NXT and TNA combined. Trick said that every man has his 15 minutes of fame except Trick because he’s going to take Joe’s title and his brand. Trick Williams signed the contract.
Joe said that nobody is more confident than Trick. Joe said Trick main evented Stand & Deliver back to back years, so maybe it’s not his biggest match, but it is the most important for Trick. Joe said that Trick is at a crossroads since there’s no pathway for the NXT Title, and then when Joe beats him, Trick gets no more shots at the TNA World Title. Joe said that as far as Trick rose to the top, his rise could come crashing down. Joe told Trick if anybody will find out what it’s like for their 15 minutes of fame to expire, it’s Trick Williams. Joe signed the contract and left.
Analysis: Good promo work by both guys. They are both excellent talkers, so that’s no surprise. I’m enjoying heel Trick’s work. Hendry is easy to like as well. I think Hendry winning at Battleground makes a lot of sense, especially because I think Trick will be part of the WWE Draft and going to the main roster soon.
(Commercial)
The NXT Tag Team Champions, Hank & Tank, were talking to Josh Briggs in the locker room. Tank said they felt bad for Briggs. Briggs said that Inamura took care of him n Japan and he was so happy Inamura was with him in NXT. Briggs said he wished he hadn’t pushed him away. Hank & Tank said that if Briggs needs anything, they are there for him. Shawn Spears interrupted Briggs and trashed him for losing his best friend, referring to Brooks Jensen. Spears said Briggs was a cancer when it comes to relationships. Spears said that they should take care of that before he explodes. Briggs claimed he had a good idea of how to clear his head, and Spears walked away.
Ava the NXT GM was talking to Kale Dixon and Urijah Connors. Urijah said that they wanted to put Chase U back on the map. Ava said that they could have their debut tag team match. Andre Chase walked in, and Ava said their opponents were a returning OTM. Chase: “Guys, what the f**k.”
Next week on NXT:
* Joe Hendry in concert
* Trick Williams rap performance
* Kelani Jordan vs. Zaria
* Je’Von Evans vs. Ashante Thee Adonis vs. Shawn Legacy
Stephanie Vaquer & Jordynne Grace vs. Fatal Influence – Fallon Henley & Jacy Jayne
Grace knocked down Henley with a shoulder tackle. Grace clotheslined Henley a few times. Vaquer tagged in and hit a cross body block off the top onto Henley. Vaquer jumped on the ropes, but Henley stopped that and the heels took over. Jayne connected with a suplex on Vaquer. There were pin attempts exchanged by Vaquer and Jayne. Vaquer ran the ropes, so Henley hit her with a knee to the back and Jayne hit a superkick. Vaquer hit a Codebreaker/senton combo on both opponents. Grace nearly tagged in, but Jayne pulled Grace off the apron. Henley kicked Vaquer out of the ring. Jayne hit a somersault onto Grace on the floor. Henley jumped off the ropes with a cross body block on both opponents on the floor. They went to a break for some fans. The Fatal heels were in control of Vaquer for the three minutes during the break.
Jayne remained in control of Vaquer with a clothesline. Vaquer avoided a move by Jayne, but Jayne came back with a pump kick. Vaquer set up Jayne upside down against the turnbuckle and Vaquer hit a superkick. Grace got the hot tag with German Suplexes for both opponents. Grace hit Jayne with a spinebuster and a rolling senton for Henley. Grace hit a forearm to the face for two on Henley because Jayne made the save. Henley hit an impressive suplex out of the corner. All four women were in the ring as Jayne kicked Grace, which led to Henley giving Grace a DDT. Grace saved her partner by pushing her out of the way and Grace took a knee/kick combo for two. Jayne was on the apron, where she hit Vaquer with a kick. Grace headbutted Henley, Grace with a backfist on Jayne and Grace hit Beastmode on Jayne for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Stephanie Vaquer & Jordynne Grace
Analysis: ***1/4 A solid tag team match with an obvious result to put over Stephanie & Jordynne as opponents at Battleground. The Fatal Influence women are very talented, and I like them a lot, but they had no shot here. That nearfall after the kick/knee combo was good, at least. It took just two moves for Grace to beat Jayne to win the match. Having Grace win for her team was the right call since she’s Vaquer’s opponent at Battleground.
The announcers did a rundown of the NXT Battleground card on May 25th:
* Tony D’Angelo vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
* NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Myles Borne
* TNA World Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Trick Williams
Analysis: I assume they add another two or three matches to the show.
The NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer and Jordynne Grace had a staredown. Grace presented Vaquer with the title. Grace did the “stare at the title” thing as Vaquer held up the title.
There was a backstage scene showing Ethan Page standing tall over NXT North American Champion Ricky Starks. Page said he told Ricky they’d pick this up later, so it’s later now. Officials showed up to make Page leave.
Analysis: We already saw Ricky Saints beat Ethan Page to keep the title, but I guess there will be another match between them. That will most likely be a stipulation match. I think Page could be headed to the main roster soon.
Stephanie Vaquer held up the NXT Women’s Title in the aisle while Jordynne Grace was in the ring. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: I think Jordynne Grace might beat Stephanie Vaquer because I could see WWE moving Vaquer to the main roster since the WWE Draft is likely coming soon after Battleground.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- Stephanie Vaquer & Jordynne Grace
- Myles Borne
- Oba Femi/Wes Lee
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2025 Average: 7.42
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was a pretty good show most of the way. They continue to build up matches for Battleground. Some of the promos weren’t that interesting and I thought the match quality was a bit below normal for NXT. With that said, there was nothing that bad on the show. Myles Borne did fine in his promo and his match with Ethan Page, but he needs a better finisher. The guy facing the dominant Oba Femi at Battleground has a dropkick finishing move? It needs to be something better than that. The women main eventing is a common theme in NXT, as Vaquer & Grace worked well together as a team. (Yes, I saw the “news” that Borne is dating Vaquer. Good for both of them!)
They continue to do a nice job of utilizing most of the NXT roster. I was a bit surprised that Darkstate wasn’t featured at all. They have lost some momentum after their initial push, but I assume they’ll be featured again soon.
I like the Battleground card for the most part. Several NXT stars are likely to “graduate” to the main roster (I mentioned them throughout the review) when the WWE Draft takes place soon after Battleground, so we will see how those matches get booked at the Battleground PLE.
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
* Tony D’Angelo vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
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