Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT 06/03/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Jun 04, 2025 12:05 EDT
WWE NXT June 3 Review

This week’s WWE NXT featured Trick Williams defending the TNA World Title against Mike Santana.

Last week’s WWE NXT episode featured Jacy Jayne beating Stephanie Vaquer to win the NXT Women’s Title, while Ethan Page won the NXT North American Title from Ricky Saints. Vaquer is already on Raw, and there have been reports that Saints is heading to the main roster, too.

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.

I’ll go play-by-play for one or two matches and summary style for the rest of the show. Let’s get to it.

There was a video package featuring the two title changes from last week’s show, as well as the Trick Williams-Mike Santana promo exchange to set up their title match for this week’s show.

There was some pre-show walking shown of Jacy Jayne with Fatal Influence, Mike Santana, and Trick Williams without a shirt.

The commentary team was Vic Joseph, Corey Graves, and Booker T. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.

Let’s Hear from Ethan Page, Je’Von Evans, and Laredo Kid

Ethan Page made his entrance as the NXT North American Champion. Page said that this summit is a farce. Page said that Rey Fenix is stuck on a plane and won’t be here. Page claimed he should be celebrating his title win. Page said he has to share his celebration with these guys, defend his title at Worlds Collide and he complained about facing Sean Legacy for the title. Page said that Ricky Saints agreed to this stuff, not him. Laredo Kid trashed Page for continuing to talk. Je’Von Evans said that Page cost him his match on Smackdown and Page said that Evans got in his business.

Sean Legacy walked out to say he’s got next after whoever the champion is at Worlds Collide. Legacy said he hopes that it’s not Page. Legacy said that he has the chance to be the first Men’s Evolve Champion and then he’s getting a title shot next Tuesday.

An Evolve group called The Vanity Project did a promo, and one of the guys has a high voice, sounding like he hasn’t hit puberty yet. Anyway, they attacked the faces with Page, but Evans, Kid and Legacy cleared the ring. Evans, Legacy and Kid each hit dives onto the heels on the floor.

Analysis: This was done to build interest in the four-way NXT North American Title match at Worlds Collide on Saturday. I don’t know the Evolve guys much, so it’s tough to get that excited about seeing them. There are so many shows going on with NXT, Worlds Collide, Evolve, and so on. It’s tough to find time to watch everything, and sometimes I want to watch other things. Anyway, this was all done to likely set up a tag team match.

There’s a Chase U-Darkstate tag team match up next.

A commercial aired for WWE-AAA Worlds Collide this Saturday, June 7th at 3 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. Money in the Bank is later that night, also in LA in a different building.

(Commercial)

The AAA Mega Champion El Hijo Del Vikingo was at ringside with his title. He’s against Chad Gable at Worlds Collide.

Chase U – Andre Chase, Kale Dixon & Urijah Connors vs. Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Osiris Grifin & Cutler James (w/Saquon Shugars)

James overpowered Connors with a tackle into the corner and a clothesline. Lennox connected with a backbreaker on Connors. Chase was distracted by Shugars, so Kale tagged in and did a double clothesline spot with Lennox. Kale tagged in Connors instead of Chase, so Chase wasn’t happy about that. Kane and Connors hit a double superkick on Griffin. There was an impressive double suplex by Griffin on Connors and Kale at the same time. Darkstate did their launch into a Powerbomb by Lennox for the pinfall win. It went about four minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Osiris Grifin & Cutler James

Analysis: ** It was a win for Darkstate, as expected. It wasn’t as dominant as I thought. Chase didn’t even tag into the match. The announcers failed to mention that, which I think was the point of the match because Chase was frustrated after the loss. Anyway, no surprise that Darkstate won. I was impressed by Griffin in that double suplex spot.

The trio of Je’Von Evans, Sean Legacy, and Laredo Kid were talking when NXT GM Ava said that they could have a tag team match against Ethan Page and Vanity Project. Dragon Lee walked in to say he’d be their partner.

TNA World Champion Trick Williams was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Trick said that the standard of TNA has changed because Trick is in charge and he calls the shots. Trick said TNA’s been looking for “the one” for 20 years, and they have found him – it’s Trick Williams. Trick said he knows Trick-NA is what’s best for TNA. Trick said that the title stays with him.

(Commercial)

A video was shown of earlier this week when Tyra Mae Steele was talking to other women in the locker room. Tyra discussed winning WWE LFG, and Arianna Grace boasted about winning beauty pageants. Grace told Tyra that nobody likes a bragger. Tyra said it looked like she found her first opponent.

Rounds Match: Myles Borne vs. Charlie Dempsey

They made their entrance together to the NQCC music. Tavion Heights and Wren Sinclar supported both wrestlers. If Borne wins, then he’s out of the No Quarter Catch Crew group. It’s best 2 out of 3 falls. Three-minute rounds.

Round 1: Borne was in control with a wrist lock. Dempsey did a headscissors while applying an armbar. Dempsey applied a short arm scissors on the left arm. When Borne got up to his feet, Dempsey got a sunset flip and they exchanged pin attempts. Borne sat on top, hooked the legs and leaned forward for the pinfall. Borne got the pin with about 7 seconds left. Borne leads 1-0

Round 2: This fall started during the break for some fans as it continued here on Netflix. Dempsey was in control with a headlock until Borne took over with a side headlock. Dempsey had Borne in a submission, but Borne countered it for a two count. Borne hit a snap belly-to-back suplex for two. They returned from the break for some fans as Dempsey hit a shoulder tackle. They fought for a takedown, but the clock ran out to end round two. After the bell, Dempsey hit a knee lift to the stomach. That drew boos.

Round 3: Dempsey hit a knee to the stomach and bridging Regalplex into a bridging pin for the fall. It was 24 seconds into the round. Match is tied 1-1.

Round 4: Dempsey hit a running dropkick and uppercuts after that. Dempsey hit knee strikes to the ribs. Borne hit a back body drop. Borne hit clotheslines and two overhead belly-to-belly suplexes across the ring. Borne hit an Angle Slam for two. Borne countered Dempsey and each guy got multiple pin attempts. Dempsey and Borne each got in attempts again. Dempsey tried a clothesline, Borne dropped it and Borne hit a standing dropkick for the pinfall win.

Winner: Myles Borne (2-1)

Analysis: *** I liked the match, and the result was what I expected, with Borne getting the win so that he can be free from the NQCC group. Borne did a good job of selling the ribs throughout the match. Dempsey did a lot of good submission moves while showing off his technical wrestling skills as usual. Borne needs something better than a dropkick as a finisher. Everybody does dropkicks, so why does his lead to a pin? It’s a weak finisher.

After the match, Borne wanted a handshake, but Dempsey refused.

The Culling was backstage with Shawn Spears talking to Brooks Jensen and Niko Vance. Izzi Dame walked in with a steel chair shot to Jensen’s back. Vance said that they had a match tonight. Vance said that they had a match tonight. Dame said that she got it moved to next week for Vance and Spears. Dame said that Jensen is out because if you’re not fully committed to The Culling then you’re out. Spears said, “damn right,” and they left while Jensen was down on the floor.

Analysis: I don’t know what that means about Jensen’s future. Perhaps they want to try him as a singles guy, perhaps in a babyface role, perhaps there’s an injury, or maybe his time is done in the company. I’m not sure.

(Commercial)

Tyra Mae Steele vs. Arianna Grace

This is Tyra’s debut WWE NXT match after winning WWE LFG season one. She is an Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler from Tokyo 2020 (it was in 2021). Tyra got takedowns on Grace a few times, so Grace got to the ropes to break free. Grace hit a boot to the face for a two count. Tyra hit two clotheslines and a toss across the ring. Tyra hit a bridging German Suplex for the pinfall win. It went under three minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Tyra Mae Steele

Analysis: * A short match to put over Tyra in her debut. Tyra has the intensity, that’s for sure. Grace rarely wins, but she is an entertaining character.

A video package aired about Jacy Jayne winning the NXT Women’s Title last week. They showed the shocked reactions on social media, fan reaction videos and media coverage.

(Commercial)

Mike Santana was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Mike talked about the crazy times we’re living in. Mike said that Trick is a pretender while Mike is fighting for everybody who has ever wrestled for TNA and the legacy of TNA. Santana said he’s fighting for his little girl at home. Santana said tonight he has to be three seconds better, so let’s get it.

Jacy Jayne’s NXT Women’s Title Celebration

The NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne made her entrance with her Fatal Influence allies Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx. Booker wanted everybody to stand up to celebrate. Jacy said that the fans hadn’t supported her for the last four years, so you can’t get on her bandwagon now that she’s the champion. Jacy told them to shut up and listen to her. Jacy said Fatal Influence is finally on top where they belong. Jacy claimed it was the most shocking moment in NXT history, and the looks on the fans’ faces said it all. Jacy called them a fickle group of wrestling fans. Jacy said she wasn’t shocked because she put in the work, she got better, and she stayed ready. Jacy said that she started in the business with Fallon and has become like a sister to her. Jacy said that after a discussion, they ran the play – the slap heard around the world.

Analysis: It was a solid heel promo by Jacy bragging about being the champion while also trashing the fans like the heel that she is.

Lainey Reid interrupted, saying that Jayne proved that anything is possible when Jacy beat Stephanie Vaquer. Reid called Jacy the most beatable champion of all time.

Lola Vice also interrupted and said that it was time to bring that title home to Vice City.

Jordynne Grace walked out, saying that she had a plan. Grace said it’s apparent that anything can happen.

Jaida Parker walked out to say she’s the baddest bitch in this place and that NXT Women’s Title needs to be around her waist.

Kelani Jordan said she’s beaten Jacy Jayne and never had a shot at that champion.

Lash Legand told Jordan to zip it. Lash said she sees a bunch of women who have had their turn, so if anybody is taking that title, it is Lash Legend. Thea Hail showed up to fight with Parker. The six women got into a fight around ringside when security showed up to break it up.

The lights went off. After about five seconds, that led to the spotlight showing the lovely Mariah May standing on the platform. The fans went wild for her, while Vic and Corey were going crazy for her. May said that she had finally arrived. Graves said she looked even better in person. May said that you can call her the next NXT Women’s Champion. May said that the best women’s division in the world just got a lot more glamorous.

Analysis: That was a great way to debut Mariah May, who had a good two years in AEW. It was expected that she would join WWE; her AEW deal was set to expire at the end of May, and now she’s in NXT. Great addition. It has been reported that May’s name will likely be different in WWE, but they don’t know the official name yet, so it’s like when Ricky Saints debuted and we found out his name a week later. The fans obviously knew who May was, so that helped. I think May is an excellent all-around performer and should thrive in WWE.

(Commercial)

The Evolve Prime Minister Stevie Turner spoke to the Evolve women’s roster about what just happened. I don’t watch Evolve, so a lot of the names are unknown to me.

There was a replay of Ethan Page taking out Ricky Saints last week with a Twisted Grin on the chair. They reported that Saints has a “laryngeal contusion” injury meaning a bruised throat.

Ethan Page was backstage with his partners, and they spoke about taking care of their opponents.

Je’Von Evans, Laredo Kid, Sean Legacy & Dragon Lee vs. Ethan Page and The Vanity Project – Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & Jackson Drake

They showed Mr. Iguana, Aero Star and Octagon Jr. watching at ringside. They are against Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro and Lince Dorado at WWE-AA Worlds Collide on Saturday.

Kid and Lee worked well together as they beat up Drake with multiple kicks. Lee hit a cross body block on Drake for two. After Page tagged in, Legacy dropkicked him out of the ring. The babyface team made quick tags as Legacy hit a dive, then Trick and Lee hit dives over the top. Page decked Kid with a boot to the face to stop his dive attempt. There was a commercial for some fans as the action continued. When Evans tagged in, he was on fire with punches and he hit a bouncy kick. After Smokes distracted the referee, Page kicked Evans and Drake hit a double knee smash on Evans. The heels worked over Evans.

The heels remained in control as Drake hit a German Suplex on Evans for two. Drake hit a standing SSP for two. Evans broke free with a back body drop and a superkick. Lee got the hot tag and was on fire with superkicks and a dropkick. Kid took out Baylor with a kick, and then Kid messed up his suicide dive, coming up a bit short, but he was okay. The heels ended up hitting some combo moves ending with a powerslam, but the pin attempt was broken up. It led to “NXT” chants. Evans hit an impressive somersault dive over the top onto two guys and landed on his feet. Kid hit a springboard moonsault onto two guys on the floor. Legacy and Page knocked eachother down with kicks. Lee faced off against Baylor, so Lee set up Baylor upside down and Lee hit the double foot stomp that he loves to do. Lee hit the Operation Dragon slam for the pinfall win. It went about 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Je’Von Evans, Laredo Kid, Sean Legacy & Dragon Lee

Analysis: ***1/4 It turned into an entertaining tag team match with a lot of action since it was an eight-man tag. Four of the guys are in Evolve regularly and I thought they all fit in well. I’m not surprised by the babyfaces getting the win here. It made sense for Dragon Lee to get the win since he’s in the four-way title match at Worlds Collide. Those final three minutes were outstanding.

The Trick Williams-Mike Santana match is still to come.

(Commercial)

The NXT Champion Oba Femi was in Ava’s office talking to Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner. Jasper Troy got in Femi’s face. Stone had the contract. Troy said it was the first time that Femi had to look up at a man that he was facing. Femi said the result will be the same, with Femi remaining the champion.

The NXT North American Women’s Champion Sol Ruca and Zaria checked on Tatum Paxley, who was lying down with a naked doll. Izzi Dame told Paxley not to turn to these best friends for help. Dame said that she purges friends that she doesn’t need and that’s what Paxley should do too.

Tony D’Angelo was talking on the phone when he saw Luca Crusifino, who asked how everything was going. Luca said he’s been thinking about trust and loyalty. Luca said he’ll prove to him that he’s still loyal. Luca got them a tag match against High Ryze. Tony said you wanted to do this for the family, but you didn’t get my consent first. Luca said with all due respect, we’re not really a family anymore.

Next week on NXT:

* NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Jasper Troy

* NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (or whoever leaves as champion at Worlds Collide) vs. Sean Legacy

It was main event time as Mike Santana made his entrance by entering through the crowd. Elijah from TNA was at ringside.

(Commercial)

The announcers went over some matches at Worlds Collide on Saturday, but not the full card.

The TNA World Champion Trick Williams made his entrance as the heel champion.

TNA World Championship: Trick Williams vs. Mike Santana

They showed Elijah watching in the crowd. Elijah will challenge the TNA World Champion at Against All Odds on Friday night.

Trick got a knockdown while the fans were chanting for Santana. Santana tackled Trick into the turnbuckle, and Santana slapped Trick in the face. Santana did a spinning slam into the mat. Santana hit a senton splash. Trick came back with a jumping neckbreaker. Trick hit a suplex for two. Santana hit a dropkick, leading to Trick rolling out of the ring to the floor. Santana hit a somersault dive over the top onto Trick on the floor. There were “Santana” chants as the show went to break for some fans, but the action continued. Santana dropkicked the back of Trick’s neck/head. After a chinlock by Trick, he ran the ropes and Santana hit a dropkick for two. Trick left the ring again, so Santana rammed Trick’s head into the top of the table. They went back into the ring, where Trick applied a single leg crab submission.

Santana kicked Trick a few times to break the single-leg crab submission. Santana hit a running elbow smash. Trick sent Santana face first into the top turnbuckle. Trick hit a spinning kick to the head for two. Trick hit a jumping side kick to knock Santana down. They exchanged some strikes, Santana caught Trick on his shoulders and Santana hit a Death Valley Driver, but he was too exhausted to cover. Santana connected with some punches and a jumping back elbow. Santana came back with a rolling Cutter for a two count. Santana hit a cannonball against the turnbuckle for a two count. Santana went up top and hit a 450 Splash for one…two…no because Trick’s index finger was on the bottom rope for a two count. Trick was bleeding from the mouth. Trick bailed to the floor. Trick grabbed Elijah’s guitar and smashed it against the steel steps. Elijah wasn’t happy about that, so the referee got involved. TNA’s KC Navarro and AJ Francis (Top Dolla in WWE) showed up to attack Santana. They are known as First Class. Francis gave Santana a Chokeslam on the table. The referee never saw it. Booker: “WHO?” It didn’t break the table. Trick hit a Trick Shot knee to send Santana into the turnbuckle. Trick hit another Trick Shot for the pinfall win. It went about 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Trick Williams

Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a very good main event match with some twists and turns along the way to give Trick the cheap win. Trick got an assist from Francis and Navarro, which the referee didn’t see, so it shows that Trick has TNA allies now. I think Santana did a terrific job in this spot as a babyface that the fans liked and somebody who could take the title from Trick, but he got screwed out of the win. They can certainly build to a rematch down the line, or maybe Joe Hendry will get a title rematch in the future.

Trick Williams celebrated with the TNA World Title while Francis and Navarro joined him. That was the end of the show.

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Three Stars of the Show

  1. Trick Williams
  2. Mike Santana
  3. Mariah May…or whatever her WWE name will be.

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The Scoreboard

This week: 7.5 out of 10

Last week: 7.75

2025 Average: 7.43

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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT

I thought it was an entertaining show that had a strong second hour, including the Jacy Jayne promo that led to Mariah May’s debut. That 8-man tag team match was a lot of fun, and I liked the Trick Williams-Mike Santana a lot. The finish was cheap, but it fit Trick as a heel, so I don’t mind it at all.

It was great to see Mariah May in NXT, even though she’ll likely have a different name next week. The women’s division will be hurt by losing Roxanne Perez, Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer in recent weeks, but I have faith in the booking and there are still a lot of talented women around. I’m happy for Jacy Jayne as the champion and she’s very good in her heel role.

They are incorporating more wrestlers from Evolve as the weeks go by. I understand why it’s done to build up interest for the Evolve brand, but some of us watching don’t know much about the talent, so I think NXT could do a better job of sharing more info about them. They’re all solid in the ring, obviously. I mean personality-wise, a short promo or video package could help.

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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email [email protected]

Twitter/X @johnreport