The John Report: WWE NXT 07/01/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured Joe Hendry against Wes Lee and a number one contender’s match in the main event.
This review was delayed by nearly a week because I was on vacation for the first week of July. I feel refreshed after a week of not writing, so let’s get back into it.
On the Netflix version of the show, the commercial breaks are edited out, so I won’t even mention the commercials and just go through it. 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.
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. They taped this episode a week earlier so that they could give the talent and staff some time off.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph, Booker T and Corey Graves as usual. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.
There was a video recapping some highlights of last week’s show.
Joe Hendry vs. Wes Lee (w/Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont)
The TNA World Champion Trick Williams was on commentary. Trick defends the TNA World Title against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana at TNA Slammiversary on July 20.
Joe used his size advantage to knock down Lee with a shoulder tackle. Lee took down Joe with a hurricanrana and a kick. Lee tried to attack on the floor, but Joe was ready with a clothesline. Lee took advantage of a distraction from his friends on the floor and hit a suicide dive on the floor. Lee hit a twisting splash off the middle turnbuckle for two. Joe blocked a DDT and hit a suplex. Joe hit a fallaway slam. When Joe hit a slam off the shoulders, Tyson and Tyriek put Lee’s foot on the bottom rope. Booker: “Beautiful awareness by Wes Lee.” That was funny. Mike Santana showed up to punch Tyson and Tyriek. Lee missed a kick because Joe moved, and Joe hit a Standing Ovation for the pinfall win after about 7 minutes airing without commercials.
Winner by pinfall: Joe Hendry
Analysis: **3/4 A solid match between two veterans to put over Hendry going into his TNA Slammiversary match. Lee isn’t really being pushed that much in NXT even though I think he’s one of the best guys on the brand. They’re just not using him as much as they were in the past.
A backstage clip from last Tuesday was shown where Sol Ruca was backstage with Zaria talking to Tatum Paxley. Izzi Dame complained about Sol and Zaria getting involved when Paxley tried to help her. Dame said she lost the match, but she feels she won Tatum’s friendship. Zaria was frustrated and left. Dame said that she’d make a great team with Paxley and Paxley agreed.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Luca Crusifino and Tony D’Angelo
Luca Crusifino called out Tony D’Angelo so they could talk in the ring. They spoke about their recent issues. Luca claimed that he turned down job offers as a lawyer to pursue a career in WWE, and he’s never done a single thing to doubt him, which shows he’s loyal.
Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo interrupted with the NXT Heritage Cup Championship. Stacks thanked Luca for helping him become the Heritage Champion. Luca said that Stacks isn’t part of this family because this is between him and Tony. Luca punched Tony. Stacks went into the ring, and Luca punched Stacks too. Luca said that his loyalty lies with Luca Crusifino.
Analysis: It seems like that will set up a triple threat match between them. During that match, maybe Luca will turn on Tony or prove he is loyal after all.
The NXT Champion Oba Femi was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Femi discussed the Yoshiki Inamura match against Jasper Troy, mentioning that he wants Inamura to show grit. Inamura showed up to tell Femi that he has the grit and he’s hungry. Femi said that he’ll be seeing the winner very soon. Inamura said you won’t be waiting very long and he’ll see Femi at the Bash.
Lexis King made his entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
Myles Borne vs. Lexis King
There were members of the Florida Gators at ringside, so King taunted them. Borne did a Gator Roll takedown in the ring. Borne went up top and King dropkicked him while up there. King hit a superplex off the top for two. King hit a running dropkick while Borne was against the turnbuckle. After King did a slap to the face, Borne fired back with clotheslines and a belly-to-belly suplex across the ring. Borne hit an Olympic Slam on King for two. King ran the ropes leading to an impressive Borne dropkick. Borne hit a finishing move similar to the Zig Zag that Dolph Ziggler used. It went about 5 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Myles Borne
Analysis: **1/2 A decent match to put over Borne. I like that Borne had a better finisher this time compared to when he was using a dropkick as a finisher. They gave him the Zig Zag from Dolph Ziggler as a finisher, which is fine. King doesn’t have a lot of momentum right now, so it’s no surprise that he lost and was used to put over the younger guy.
A video aired featuring Darkstate. They spoke about how they see everything and chaos is their game. Saquon Shugars said when they catch you slacking, there is no saving you. Dion Lennox said he knows where they’re gonna go next, but you don’t. They looked into the camera to end it.
Analysis: Darkstate has lost some momentum since they haven’t been featured as much recently, but I think long term they’ll be fine.
Thea Hail vs. Lainey Reid
It was Reid in control early on with a double underhook shoulderbreaker. That was done really well and looked good. Hail made the comeback with a clothesline and a flipping neckbreaker. Hail went for the Kimura, Reid tripped her up, and Reid put her feet on the ropes for two because the referee saw it. Reid hit a knee smash to the face and covered with a hand on the ropes while Hail’s hand was under the bottom rope. It went about 4 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Lainey Reid
Analysis: ** A cheap win for the heel Reid while Hail has a legit beef because her hand was under the bottom rope. It puts over Reid as a crafty heel that found a way to win. They’ll probably do a rematch soon. I’d like to see Hail get into the title picture for the NXT Women’s Title or the NXT Women’s North American Title.
The No Quarter Catch Crew’s Charlie Dempsey, Wren Sinclair, and Tavion Heights were talking backstage. Dempsey said that Heights losing to Je’Von Evans proves that he still needs time in the NQCC. Heights said he wanted a match with Dempsey, and if Heights wins, he’s out of the NQCC. Dempsey said if he wins, then we’re not having this conversation again. Dempsey shook hands with Heights to end it.
Analysis: I’m all for Heights breaking free from the NQCC. The NQCC is fine as a midcard stable, but it’s really not being featured in major stories in NXT.
Jasper Troy did a promo backstage, talking into the camera. Troy said that Oba Femi barely survived against him and now Troy is one match away from the rematch he wants. Troy said that he’s going through Inamura and he said Femi’s destiny belongs to Troy.
Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley (w/Shawn Spears & Niko Vance)
Ruca is the NXT North American Champion. The Dame/Paxley team was in control early on. Zaria tagged in, leading to a double-team arm drag and elbow drop. Dame connected with a running boot on Zaria, which is a good move for her as a taller woman. Paxley made a blind tag and hit a cross body block off the top rope on Zaria for two. Zaria overpowered Paxley, so Sol tagged in with a sitout facebuster. Sol jumped off Paxley’s back onto Dame on the floor. Zaria followed up by tossing Paxley onto Dame on the floor.
The heel side took over as they isolated Zaria in their corner. Dame hit an impressive Chokeslam on Zaria, followed by Paxley tagging in with a spinning leg drop to the back of the head. Zaria managed to break free after a few minutes and Sol got the hot tag. Zaria and Ruca did a double team move where Sol did an assisted splash. They did a spot where Paxley tackled Dame so she could avoid a Spear and Zaria hit Sol with a Spear by accident. Zaria was shocked by it and Paxley sent Zaria out of the ring. Paxley kicked Zaria on the floor to put her down. Dame hit a Sky High on Sol for the pinfall win. It went about 10 minutes without the commercial.
Winners by pinfall: Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley
Analysis: ***1/4 It turned into a pretty good match that was given a lot of time compared to other matches on this show. The announcers pushed the story that Paxley looked as good as ever working with Dame. Zaria hitting a Spear on Sol by accident was the turning point of the match. Dame pinning Sol sets up Dame for a Women’s North American Title match, which is standard booking when a champion is in a tag team match. It could also lead to problems for Zaria and Sol since Sol’s accidental Spear on Sol cost their team the match.
After the match, Tatum Paxley celebrated with The Culling, so maybe she’ll be in the group.
The NXT North American Ethan Page was talking to GM Ava and Ricky Starks. Page had The Vanity Project group with him. Starks wanted a rematch. Page said he’ll dictate the terms. Page said he’ll give Starks a title match if he can survive the Vanity Project gauntlet. The Evolve Champion Jackson Drake mocked Ricky’s throat injury. Starks said when he beats the gauntlet, then Ricky gets to dictate the terms of his title match. Ava agreed to it and made it official.
Analysis: I think we might see a title change when Ricky faces Page again. Page going to the main roster soon makes a lot of sense.
Andre Chase spoke to his Chase U students. Chase said he is used to dishing out tough love, but Uijah Connors and Kale Dixon are a big reason why Chase U is back. Chase said he got Kale a singles match next week. Chase said he wants to be better. Kale hugged Chase. Chase said he wanted Kale to show them that he was “fu**ing Chase U tough,” and the class cheered.
Analysis: Good luck to Chase U. They are very low on the totem pole right now.
Joe Hendry and Mike Santana were interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Mike said that they are united in defending TNA against these NXT guys. Hendry said that they had something in common to bring the TNA World Title back to TNA. Santana credited Joe for repping TNA. Santana said he’ll be the one to bring the World Title back to TNA and Joe said that it’s fit for one man, which is him. Kelly said that the NXT Great American Bash would play host to a contract signing between Joe, Mike, and Trick Williams for their Slammiversary match.
Analysis: A contract signing at the Great American Bash is not that exciting, but it’s a way to get Trick, Joe, and Mike on the show. I’d rather just see matches at the NXT PLEs than have a contract signing on it.
The team of Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura were in the locker room getting ready for Inamura’s match. Briggs said he believed in Inamura. Yoshiki held Briggs back so that he could stay in the locker room, and Inamura left for his match.
The Culling was backstage talking about Tatum Paxley fitting in with Izzi Dame as a team. Ava the NXT GM informed Izzi that she’ll challenge Sol Ruca for the NXT Women’s North American Title at Great American Bash. Paxley was excited. Hank & Tank walked in with the NXT Tag Team Titles to complain about being attacked by a steel chair, so they thought Shawn Spears and Niko Vance did it. Paxley suggested they put the titles on the line next week. Ava made it official.
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Jasper Troy vs. Yoshiki Inamura
Yoshi attacked with punches, but Troy came back with a kick to the ribs and a body slam. Troy hit an elbow drop for two. Troy sent Yoshi into the turnbuckle and followed up with a clothesline. When Yoshi broke free, Troy hit multiple clotheslines, but Yoshi didn’t go down. Yoshi hit a belly-to-back slam and an elbow drop to the chest. Oba Femi was shown watching in the locker room. Yoshi busted out some sumo techniques with a shoulder tackle, but Troy came back with a sidewalk slam for two. Yoshi ducked a Troy attack and Yoshi clotheslined Troy over the top to the floor. They went to a break.
Troy was in control with a running body attack, followed by a splash. Troy hit another running splash. The offense continued as Troy hit a front powerslam for a two count. Troy went for an abdominal stretch, Yoshi broke free and sent Troy into the turnbuckle. Yoshi went for another shoulder tackle, but Troy hit a Bossman Slam or Black Hole Slam for a two count. Troy went for a splash, but Yoshi got the knees up to block. Yoshi connected with sumo style palm strikes and a hard whip into the turnbuckle two times. Yoshi hit a body slam on Troy, along with another body slam. Yoshi went up top with the rope shaking and Yoshi hit a top rope splash onto Troy for the pinfall win after about 8 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Yoshiki Inamura
Analysis: ***1/4 A good match thanks to the selling and fighting spirit of Inamura. Troy is still early in his career, so a lot of his offense is basic power moves, but Troy does those moves well. There’s a believability when it comes to Troy. He has the look of a star and a tough guy, so that helps him a lot. Imamura sells very well, and his offense is believable.
After the match, Oba Femi walked out with the NXT Title and had a staredown with Yoshiki because that’s the match at NXT Great American Bash.
Jasper Troy was looking at Femi and Yoshiki, so Je’Von Evans jumped off the top and took out Troy with a Cutter.
(Commercial)
Next week on NXT:
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank & Tank vs. The Culling
* Ricky Stakes vs. The Vanity Project in a Gauntlet Match
* Joe Hendry & Mike Santana vs. High Ryze
* Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights – If Heights wins, then he can leave No Quarter Catch Crew
Let’s Hear from Jordynne Grace…and Jacy Jayne
Jordynne Grace entered the ring for a promo. Grace said that she thrives under pressure. Grace said the bigger the battle, the bigger the win. Grace said now she’ll walk into Evolution, which is historic for WWE and women’s wrestling, and this time she’s not watching from the sidelines. Grace said that she’ll make history alongside the best women’s wrestlers in the world. Grace said for the sake of complete honesty, she has to be vulnerable, which terrifies her. Grace said that she asks herself if she’s good enough to be here. Grace wondered if she really belongs in WWE. Grace talked about how she didn’t grow up saying she was borne to be a WWE superstar, but she did everything she had to do in order to get here. Grace spoke about how she became somebody that they couldn’t ignore. Grace said at Evolution, she’ll beat Jacy Jayne and remind herself exactly who she is.
Analysis: I like Grace as a worker, and she certainly looks like a badass, but promo-wise, I think she struggles on her own in the ring like that. She’s better when interacting with others. The fans barely reacted to her during this babyface promo. Perhaps it was just a long night, as this was the end of two shows, but the fans didn’t seem particularly interested.
Fatal Influence’s NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx interrupted. Jayne wondered if Grace was done with her pitiful sob story. Jayne said she’s fully aware that Jayne can bench press more than Jayne, but Grace can’t carry this division. Jayne said some day a championship may fall in Grace’s arms, but it won’t be this NXT Women’s Title. Jayne said that everybody keeps saying she’s the most beatable champion there is, but she’s at the top of her game. Jayne said that Grace is like Blake Monroe, thinking they can go right to the top. Grace told Jayne to shut up. Grace said that Jayne shocked the world when Jayne won the NXT Women’s Title, but Grace won’t shock anybody.
Jayne and Henley attacked Grace, so it was 2-on-1 while Nyx stood on the floor for some reason. Jayne and Henley punched Grace a few times. Blake Monroe made the save, with the fans cheering her. Blake hit forearms on the heels and a Slingblade on Henley. Grace hit a spinebuster on Jayne, so Fatal Influence retreated.
Ava, the NXT GM, showed up while Jayne complained to Ava about it. Ava said that the Great American Bash will be Jayne and Henley against Grace and Monroe. The team of Grace and Monroe were happy about it. Jayne and Henley went into the ring, so Grace and Monroe beat them up.
Grace and Monroe stood tall in the ring while Fatal Influence was down on the floor, looking angry. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: It was okay as a segment to set up a tag team match at the Great American Bash. I liked Blake Monroe so much as a heel in AEW, and I get why WWE wants to try something different with her, but she is such a great heel. It’s hard to get behind Blake as a face at this point. With that said, I get why it’s being done since Fatal Influence is a top heel group in the women’s division, and it’s a way to have Blake stand out. It wouldn’t shock me if Blake turns heel within a few months, though. Anyway, the tag at GAB should be fine, and it’s one night before the Jayne-Grace match at Evolution.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Yoshiki Inamura
- Joe Hendry
- Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley
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The Scoreboard
This week: 6.75 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2025 Average: 7.38
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was a weaker show this week, but they still progressed stories well and built to future matches.
I think NXT is hurting a bit in terms of star power in the men’s singles division. If you only casually follow NXT, then you might not even know who Yoshiki Inamura and Jasper Troy are. Troy is a newcomer, while Inamura has been in the tag team division for the last year. They did a good job in their number one contender’s match and I’m a bit surprised by Inamura winning, but I don’t think the men’s singles division is a strength for NXT right now.
The women’s side is still strong, but they’ve also lost some great talent in the last few months.
The next NXT PLE is the NXT Great American Bash on July 12th. Here’s the lineup so far.
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Yoshiki Inamura
* Jordynne Grace & Blake Monroe vs. Fatal Influence – NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Sol Ruca (c) vs. Izzi Dame
* TNA World Championship Contract Signing with Trick Williams (c), Joe Hendry and Mike Santana
You can watch NXT Great American Bash on Saturday, July 12, at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, streaming live on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.
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John Canton
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Twitter/X @johnreport