The John Report: WWE NXT 07/15/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured a six-woman tag main event, the D’Angelo Family triple threat, and Trick Williams, Joe Hendry & Mike Santana facing Darkstate.
The WWE NXT Great American Bash PLE took place last Saturday. A good show that featured five entertaining matches, but nothing that really blew me away. I thought the best match was between Ethan Page and Ricky Saints. There were no title changes on the show. However, Blake Monroe turned heel on Jordynne Grace at the women’s only Evolution PLE, which led to Jacy Jayne keeping her NXT Women’s Title in her match against Grace. The next NXT PLE is Heatwave on August 24th, so they have over a month to build it up.
I’ll go play-by-play for one or two matches and summary style for the rest of the show. The action during the break is edited out of the Netflix broadcast that I’m watching on, but we know the matches don’t end during the break. 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.
There was a video package about the NXT Great American Bash PLE. It also showed Monroe turning heel on Grace at Evolution.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph, Booker T and Corey Graves. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.
Let’s Hear from Jacy Jayne with Fatal Influence
The NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne made her entrance with her Fatal Influence buddies Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx. Jayne had a sore throat while explaining that Jordynne Grace elbowed her in the throat and damaged Jayne’s vocal cords. Jayne said that things didn’t go her way at the Great American Bash because certain members of Fatal Influence dropped the ball. Jayne said she knows Jazmyn tried her best, but sometimes your best isn’t good enough when standing next to somebody like her. Jayne said they redeemed themselves at Evolution. Jayne said they shocked the fans. Henley wondered when the shock will wear off because Jacy will be champion for a very long time.
Jayne said she’ll do things that no one else has ever done before, like at TNA Slammiversary when she faces TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich with a Winner Take All match. Jayne said she’ll walk out of New York with both championships.
The TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich made her entranc,e and the fans popped for her. Masha said that Jayne is only holding that championship because Blake Monroe cost Jordynne Grace. Masha said she’ll walk out with the NXT Championship at Slammiversary. Jayne mentioned she’ll be the only one with two titles.
Sol Ruca, the NXT Women’s North American and Women’s Speed Champion, interrupted with Zaria by her side. Sol showed off her two titles. Sol said she picks Masha to win at Slammiversary. Zaria said that Sol was the MVP of this weekend after having three matches. Zaria and Sol joined Fatal Influence in the ring. Nyx said that at least they are real friends. Jayne said that Sol and Zaria have problems “by accident.” The six women got into a brawl, so the babyface trio of Sol, Zaria and Masha cleared the ring of the heels.
Analysis: A cocky heel promo from the Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and Masha Slamovich was there to counter it. That sets up their Slammiversary match with both titles on the line. Sol and Zaria getting involved sets up the obvious 6-woman tag team match. It worked fine. We have seen that kind of opening segment many times over the years.
A video package aired showing the birth of Tony D’Angelo in NXT. It’s a gimmick he’s been doing for four years, so they showed clips of his early days in NXT.
Mike Santana made his entrance for tag team action.
(Commercial)
The 6-woman tag team match is official for later in the show: Fatal Influence vs. Sol Ruca, Zaria & Masha Slamovich.
Joe Hendry, Mike Santana & Trick Williams vs. Darkstate – Saquon Shugars, Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin (w/Cutler James)
TNA World Champion Trick Williams will defend his title against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana at TNA Slammiversary this Sunday night, July 20th.
It was Mike in control early with a slam on Shugars and a senton splash. The powerhouse Griffin made the tag and nailed Trick with a clothesline.
(Commercial)
Lennox was in control of Mike with a waist lock takedown. Mike broke free with a double Cutter on two guys. Joe entered the match for the first time with some punches, a DDT, and a fallaway slam. After Joe tried a pin, the six guys brawled in the ring. Trick argued with Joe and Mike, so they punched Trick to knock him out of the ring. Mike and Joe hit dives over the top. Joe barely hit the guys, but they sold it. The four Darkstate guys were in the ring, so then The System from TNA showed up. It was Bryan Myers, Eddie Edwards and JDC. They fought with Darkstate, so that led to a DQ finish. It went about 9 minutes.
Winners by disqualification: Joe Hendry, Mike Santana & Trick Williams
Analysis: **3/4 They were on their way to a good tag team match, but then The System showed up for revenge against Darkstate and it ended abruptly. We know NXT doesn’t want Darkstate to lose matches, while it made sense to keep Hendy, Santana, and Williams strong.
The System cleared Darkstate from the ring, and that ended the segment.
The NXT women’s locker room was shown as Arianna Grace and Karmen Petrovic talked about how the women’s battle royal at Evolution. Kali Armstrong, the Evolve Women’s Champion, argued with Karmen, which set them up for a match.
The Evolve Women’s Champion Kali Armstrong made her entrance. Jordynne Grace was shown arriving at the building.
(Commercial)
A video aired about Tony D’Angelo’s NXT history and the introduction of Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, who was the Underboss for Tony D. They were united for a few years until Stacks turned on him earlier this year.
Women’s Evolve Championship: Kali Armstrong vs. Karmen Petrovic
I don’t watch Evolve, but Kali is an impressive athlete and certainly looks the part of a champion. Karmen hit a kick to the jaw, but Kali came back with punches. Kali hit a powerslam. Jordynne Grace showed up and pulled Kali out of the ring. Grace dropped Kali with an elbow to the head. Grace suplexed Karmen in the ring. It ended after 2 minutes.
Match Result: No Contest
Analysis: * That’s two straight matches with a non-finish. Grace is mad about Blake Monroe turning on her Evolution, so she ruined this match. I can see Kali or Petrovic wanting a match with Grace after this.
Jordynne Grace did a promo calling out Blake Monroe because she wanted Blake to tell Grace why Blake attacked Grace at Evolution. Mr. Stone and Stevie Turner from Ava’s office went out to the ring to talk to Grace.
A video aired showing Blake Monroe’s turn on Jordynne Grace. Blake was in the bathtub, saying it was not JG’s fault. Blake said that Grace can sit in the front row next week on NXT in Houston for Blake’s in-ring debut. Blake said then you’ll see the difference between the two of them. Grace clotheslined Turner and hit a spinebuster on Stone. Ava walked out with security to try to calm Grace down.
Analysis: No Blake on the show in the arena, but we’ll see her first NXT singles match next week.
Team Undertaker from WWE LFG was talking about how they were going to be unstoppable this season. They spoke about how Undertaker will be on NXT next Tuesday. Trick Williams walked in, saying they think that they can do what they want around him. Trick told them to get out of the way when he told them to get out of the way. Trick got into a staredown and left.
Analysis: They incorporated Evolve and LFG in back-to-back segments. I don’t know how many fans watch these extra WWE shows, but a lot of these characters are unknown to the fans. Anyway, we found out more later in the show.
(Commercial)
Jasper Troy was shown talking to NXT GM Ava, who told Troy he was wrong to attack Ricky Saints during his match. Troy said that Ricky got in his way. Ava booked Troy in a match with Saints on NXT next week in Houston.
A third video aired about the Tony D’Angelo Family, and this time it featured Luca Crusifino and Adrianna Rizzo as members of the group. It showed Tony’s success as a champion in NXT. That led to the fall of the group when Stacks turned on Tony earlier this year.
Analysis: I enjoyed the three videos that showcased the D’Angelo family history. The gimmick has been part of NXT for four years, so they did a nice job of covering their past.
The entrances of Stacks and Luca Crusifino took place.
(Commercial)
A video aired about the battle royal at WWE Evolution that was won by Stephanie Vaquer. NXT’s Lash Legend was the runner-up. Good job by Lash.
Lash Legend was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Lash talked about tossing out Zelina Vega, Nikki Bella and Nia Jax. Lash said that at Slammiversary, one woman will walk out with the NXT and TNA Women’s/Knockouts Title. Lash said she will be ready to challenge the champion. Jaida Parker interrupted to say she eliminated Natalya in the battle royal. Jaida said if anybody challenges the champion on NXT in Houston next week, it will be Jaida.
Analysis: I think Lash and Jaida are both future NXT Women’s Champions. I also think the women’s roster is full of future champions, so it will be tough for some of them. At least there’s the NXT Women’s North American Title as well.
Tony D’Angelo vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo vs. Luca Crusifino
The first fall wins. No disqualifications and no countouts in this match since it’s a triple threat. Stacks is the NXT Heritage Cup Champion, but that’s not on the line in this match.
Tony attacked Stacks with punches and punched Luca as well. Tony hit an atomic drop on Luca. Tony clotheslined Stacks, who hit a DDT on Luca. Stacks looked for the crowbar by the steel steps, but couldn’t find it while Tony said he knew Stacks was going to do that. Tony hit a hiptoss on Stacks across the ring. Luca ran over Tony with a shoulder tackle. Luca hit a double DDT on Stacks and Tony. Tony pulled Stacks out of the ring, so Luca hit a sliding kick on both guys. Stacks kicked Tony off the apron and Stacks punched Luca off the apron, onto Tony on the floor.
(Commercial)
Stacks was in control with a cannonball on Tony for two. Stacks punched Luca in the ribs, followed by Tony punching Stacks in the ribs. Tony punched Luca out of the ring. Tony gave Stacks a hiptoss over the top onto Luca on the floor, which is what Tony used to when teaming with Luca. Tony ran over Luca with a clothesline on the floor. Stacks grabbed a crowbar, Tony avoided it and Stacks sent Tony into the steel steps. Stacks hit a knee drop to the head for a two count. Stacks went up top, he went for a jumping knee, but Tony avoided it. Tony clotheslined Stacks. Luca tried a suplex. Stacks got a hold of Luca and Tony hit a double German Suplex on both guys for a two count on Luca. They did a Tower of Doom spot out of the corner with Luca doing the Powerbomb part of it. Luca and Tony hit some running strikes. Tony gave Stacks a Buckle Bomb into the turnbuckle. Luca was sent to the apron, so Luca hit a slingshot shoulder tackle. Luca gave Stacks a backbreaker onto the knee. Luca and Stacks hit a Shatter Machine on Tony. Stacks sent Luca out of the ring and Stacks covered Tony for a two count. Luca pulled Stacks out of the ring and Luca grabbed the crowbar. Stacks tackled Luca into the ring post. Stacks swung the crowbar at Luca, who ducked and Tony D hit a Spear on Stacks through the thin piece of wood in the back part of the WWE PC. Tony picked up Luca and gave him a huge Spinebuster through the table. Back in the ring, Tony hit a huge Spinebuster on Stacks for the pinfall win. It went 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo
Analysis: ***1/4 I enjoyed the match. It was very entertaining with Tony D winning emphatically by hitting that huge Spear on Stacks, putting Luca through the table and then Tony finished off Stacks in the ring. I’m not sure what this means for Tony D, but he’s been on NXT for four years, so maybe there’s a future on the main roster for him. It felt like this was the end of the Tony D mafia storyline, but we’ll see how things advance in the future.
Tavion Heights argued with Wren Sinclair about how she threw in the towel last week, costing Heights his match against Charlie Dempsey. Heights said he knows what he’s capable. Charlie Dempsey walked in and Heights said they had nothing to say. Wren said she’s facing Blake Monroe on NXT next week. Heights said they’ll table this for now and do this for Wren. Sinclair said she would never leave them and if they want to be in her corner, it is their choice.
Josh Briggs was shown walking backstage for a promo up next.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Josh Briggs…and Oba Femi
Josh Briggs said that on Saturday at the Great American Bash, he watched an opportunity of a lifetime get squandered. The fans booed. Briggs said that Yoshiki Inamura didn’t want to win as much as Briggs wanted him to win. Briggs mentioned that Inamura has been in NXT for less of a year while Briggs has been there four years and has not been given a title shot. Briggs said that this is a cutthroat business where you take a shot by any means necessary.
The NXT Champion Oba Femi arrived for the interruption after beating Inamura at NXT GAB. Oba Femi said that Saturday was never supposed to be about Briggs. Femi said that Josh’s presence caused some trouble. Femi said that whether Briggs was there or not, Femi would always come out on top. Femi said that Briggs ruined it with his jealousy. Briggs said he saw Femi drowning in the deep end and Inamura let him up for air. Briggs said that Femi is about to break because nothing lasts forever. Briggs said that Inamura is a man of honor, but Briggs is not.
Yoshiki Inamura showed up, saying that Briggs doesn’t speak for him. Yoshi walked into the ring with them. Femi said that Yoshi deserves another title opportunity, but Brigges doesn’t deserve a thing. Briggs disagreed with that. Inamura said he is his own man and he’ll do what it takes to win, but he’ll do it with honor. Briggs suggested a triple threat match for the NXT Championship.
Femi said that your pride will be your downfall. Femi asked if you are sure this is what you want. Briggs punched Femi, they got into an exchange and Briggs clotheslined Femi out of the ring. Briggs knocked down Inamura by accident, and security broke it up.
Analysis: I am not a huge fan of people getting title matches just by doing a promo about it. Briggs hasn’t won many singles matches to earn an NXT Title match, so he’s getting a title shot just because he’s whining? Weak booking. Anyway, I expect Femi to win the triple threat match.
Fatal Influence was shown getting ready for the main event.
(Commercial)
A video aired featuring NXT North American Ethan Page, who spoke about celebrating Canada Day, July 4th in the US, and the Great American Bash. Page said that he risked life and limb to turn back Ricky Saints to defend the championship for the country it represents. Page said he’ll celebrate his huge triumph next week on NXT in Houston. Page said God bless each and every one of you, and God Bless America.
Ricky Saints was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Ricky said he told us that he’d be the man around here and the only way to do that was to show out every time out. Ricky mentioned Jasper Troy attacking him at the Great American Bash. Ricky said that Troy will find out why Ricky is absolute.
There was a X/tweet post from The Undertaker about how he’ll be in Houston next week.
Next week on NXT in Houston:
* The Undertaker confronts Trick Williams
* Jasper Troy vs. Ricky Saints
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Josh Briggs vs. Yoshiki Inamura
* Blake Monroe vs. Wren Sinclair
At TNA Slammiversary on Sunday, July 20th, it’s Masha Slamovich defending the TNA Knockouts Title against NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne in a Title vs. Title match.
The trio of Masha Slamovich, Sol Ruca and Zaria were backstage talking about how they were going to win.
The Culling’s Izzi Dame, Shawn Spears and Niko Vance spoke to Tatum Paxley. Dame said she wasn’t mad at Paxley, she was mad at Sol Ruca. Paxley was happy that Dame wasn’t mad at her, and Dame said that Paxley is with them now. Paxley said she had an idea.
The Fatal Influence trio made their entrance for the second time on this show, and this time it was for tag team action.
(Commercial)
The next NXT PLE is Heatwave on Sunday, August 24th, in Lowell, Massachusetts. Tickets are on sale this week.
Sol Ruca, Zaria & Masha Slamovich vs. Fatal Influence – Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx
Zaria used her power to knock down Henley with a shoulder tackle. Lexis King was watching in the crowd, at least at the start of the match. Sol tagged in with a knee to the arm. Masha tagged in with kicks to the body for a two count. Henley sent Masha into the turnbuckle. Nyx tagged in with a springboard kick for two. Masha came back with a clothesline on Nyx. Jayne tagged in, so Masha got two rollup pin attempts on her. Jayne got an armdrag, along with a headscissors and an elbow smash. Masha worked over Jayne with a kick to the head, along with a splash against the turnbuckle. Zaria and Sol hit a double team arm drag and elbow drop. Mash kicked Jayne, leading to Sol getting a two count. Ava approached Lexis King (with headphones) in the crowd and Ava told King to leave for some reason. Sol hit a spinning slam on Jayne. Nyx went into the ring, so Sol slammed Nyx onto Jayne for two. Nyx did a cheap shot when Jayne distracted the referee, so the heels took over. Henley kicked Sol on the floor.
(Commercial)
The heels were in control of Sol as the face in peril. Sol hit a backpack slam on Jayne and Zaria tagged in against Nyx. Zaria was on fire with kicks, a belly-to-back suplex and a German Suplex. Jayne tagged herself in with a superkick on Zaria. Nyx hit a leg lariat on Zaria and Jayne hit a neckbreaker on Zaria for two. Henley was back in with an elbow smash on Zaria. Zaria fought out of the heel corner and hit a double clothesline. Masha tagged in with kicks, along with a running knee on Jayne. Masha hit a boot to Jayne’s face. Masha hit a spin kick on Jayne for two. Jayne got an inside cradle for two. Jayne hit a knee smash, along with a clothesline for two. Henley and Nyx hit a double team flapjack and a bulldog. Jayne hit a knee smash on Masha. Sol and Zaria got in the ring with strikes. Nyx hit a Nyx Kick on Sol and Zaria hit a Spear on Nyx. Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley went down to the ring with Shawn Spears and Niko Vance. Sol and Zaria each hit somersault dives onto Dame and Paxley on the floor. Hank and Tank fought with Spears and Vance. Sol and Zaria went fighting with the heels to the back. Back in the ring, Masha hit a spin kick on Henley. Masha hit a spin kick on Jayne. Masha hit a Northern Lights Bomb on Jayne for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Sol Ruca, Zaria & Masha Slamovich
Analysis: ***1/4 It was an impressive showing by Masha Slamovich, getting the win on her Slammiversary opponent, Jacy Jayne. That makes me think Jayne will win at Slammiversary, which is certainly fine with me. Zaria and Ruca didn’t have any problems in this match like they have had in the past, so no tease of a breakup this time. The Fatal Influence girls work well together.
Masha Slamovich posed in the ring with her TNA Knockouts Title and Jacy Jayne’s NXT Women’s Title. Jayne took the title and left the ring. Masha posed in the ring. The announcers plugged next week’s matches. More staring and posing from Masha. End of show.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Tony D’Angelo
- Sol Ruca, Zaria & Masha Slamovich
- Joe Hendry, Mike Santana & Trick Williams
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7 out of 10
Last week: 6.75
2025 Average: 7.35
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
A good show. I don’t think I would call it great at any point, but it advanced stories throughout the night. They spent a lot of time promoting next week’s NXT in Houston with some big matches while also utilizing Evolve and LFG talent. They also promoted TNA Slammiversary a lot.
In terms of match quality, the two 6-person tags were solid, and I liked the D’Angelo Family triple threat match. I’m not a fan of Josh Briggs getting an NXT Title shot next week just because his friend Inamura got a title shot. People should earn title matches. Anyway, I doubt either of them takes the title from Oba Femi next week.
I don’t think the NXT brand is hot at the moment. They need to do a better job of pushing the men’s singles division because that is lacking right now.
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John Canton
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