Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT 07/29/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Jul 30, 2025 21:13 EDT
WWE NXt July 29 Review

This week’s WWE NXT featured Ethan Page facing TNA’s Santino Marella in the main event.

The NXT brand is on the road to Heatwave on August 24th. I wouldn’t say NXT is in a “hot” period right now, but I hope they have some good storylines and big matches going into that show.

I’ll go play-by-play for one or two matches and summary style for the rest of the show. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport, and check out my NXT TV review archive.

They are WWE Performance Center in Orlando for this week’s show. Let’s get to it.

The ring and ringside area was filled with WWE NXT personnel and wrestlers paying tribute In Memory of Hulk Hogan, 1953-2025. Hulk died last Thursday, so it’s the first NXT episode since then. NXT boss man Shawn Michaels was on the ring apron while the talent was in the ring. There was a ten-bell salute for The Hulkster.

A video package aired paying tribute to Hulk Hogan. It was the same video that aired on Raw.

Analysis: There were tributes to Hulk Hogan on SmackDown, Raw, and NXT. I think that’s nice of WWE to do that. Yes, Hulk said and did things that upset some people and I get that too, but he also made a significant impact on the pro wrestling world, and in particular the WWE Universe.

There was a video package about last week’s NXT show from Houston featuring The Undertaker beating up Trick Williams, Oba Femi retaining the NXT Title, and Santino confronting Ethan Page to set up their match this week.

The commentary team was Vic Joseph, Booker T, and Corey Graves. Since Graves has been on Raw for the past two months, I think he’ll likely be permanent there soon, so maybe they’ll take him off NXT soon.

Jaida Parker vs. Jazmyn Nyx (w/Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley)

Nyx was in control early with a springboard kick. Parker hit a front suplex and a flipping neckbreaker. Nyx hit a jumping side kick. Parker hit a reverse suplex. Jazmyn hit the jumping Nyx Kick for a two count. Parker hit a spinning back elbow and a Samoan Drop. Parker hit the jumping hip drop by the turnbuckle. Parker finished with the Hipnotic running hip attack for the pinfall win after about 4 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jaida Parker

Analysis: **1/4 A decisive win by Jaida Parker as you would expect here since she’s going after the NXT Women’s Title. I think it’s time for Parker to fully embrace being a heel and see how far she can go. Nyx is a former soccer player who uses a lot of kicks in her offense and it makes sense because of how athletic she is.

Je’Von Evans was shown walking backstage where he was confronted by The High Ryze’s Wes Lee and friends, who argued with Evans, and Evans kept on walking. Chase U was talking backstage when Evans approached them. Chase encouraged his guys to face the biggest dogs in the yard. Evans said he’s about to go do that right now.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Je’Von Evans

The talented 21-year-old Je’Von Evans made his entrance. Last week on NXT, The Undertaker told Evans to focus on the NXT Title. Evans talked about how he met The Undertaker last week and he was given some legendary advice about how Evans should go after the biggest dog in the yard.

The TNA World Champion, a shirtless Trick Williams, interrupted to say he was the biggest dog in the yard. Trick said that you shouldn’t pull on Superman’s cape and don’t try to challenge Trick Williams. Trick said they’ve done this dance before and we know how it turned out last time. Trick told Evans to mind his business while grown folks were talking.

Evans told Trick to slow down and reminded Trick that The Undertaker Chokeslammed his ass last week. Trick said he took The Chokeslam, but he’s still TNA World Champion, and the biggest thing you can do wrong is try Trick Williams. Evans made it clear he wasn’t talking about his ass because he was talking about the NXT Champion, Oba Femi. Trick said that Oba wishes he was Trick Willy. Trick said maybe he’ll be a two-time Champion like Jacy Jayne, taking over both brands. Evans said that if Trick gets in his way, then he has no problem erasing him from the equation.

The High Ryze’s Wes Lee interrupted with Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont. Lee said that Trick is on another level than Evans. Lee said that Evans doesn’t understand what it takes to be a champion. Lee said that some people leave the crowd captivated and oftentimes leave themselves empty-handed. Lee bragged about being the greatest NXT North American Champion ever. Lee told Evans that he’ll have a great journey to a championship, but it’s a long ways away. Lee said that The High Ryze will stop Evans dead in his tracks. Evans said he’ll start tonight with Wes and he punched Wes. The fight didn’t go well because The High Ryze and Trick beat up Evans with punches and kicks. Lee bounced off the ropes and hit a Cardiac Kick. Lee said he’ll talk to Ava so they can set this match up tonight.

Analysis: A good way to set up a match for later in the show with Evans facing Lee. No sign of Oba Femi, even though Evans mentioned him by name. Trick will likely be busy dealing with the TNA wrestlers in the coming weeks and months, but I can see Evans beating him in a future match to earn a NXT Title match.

(Commercial)

The Chase U boys, Kale Dixon and Urijah Connors, were outside the NXT Men’s Locker Room talking about how they would take out the NXT Tag Team Champions, Hank & Tank. Connors and Dixon walked in with chairs while Hank & Tank were ready to fight them. Hank & Tank said if you want a match, just ask. Tank said that they love Chase U, so if they want to go, then they can do this. Andre Chase walked in and he was stunned that Kane and Urijah would attack them with chairs. Hank & Tank said they’d talk to Ava and get a match for next week. Kale & Urijah were happy that all they had to do was ask to get a match.

Analysis: It puts over the idea that Kale and Urijah are dumbasses, so it was more of a comedy segment to set up a match for next week.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Tavion Heights

If Tavion Heights wins, then he gets to leave the No Quarter Catch Crew. Wren Sinclair was at ringside.

Heights and Dempsey locked up to exchange some holds, and Joe Hendry’s face was shown on the screen briefly, which the announcers didn’t acknowledge. Heights did an athletic move, putting Dempsey on his shoulders, and flipped over into a pin attempt for two. They did a double cross body block spot to knock each guy down.

(Commercial)

Heights hit an impressive suplex, dropkick and a neckbreaker. When they left the ring, Dempsey sent Heights knee-first into the steel steps. Dempsey applied a single-leg crab submission multiple times on the left knee. Wren didn’t have a white towel to throw in this time, unlike three weeks ago. Heights fought back from the knee injury and hit a slam off the shoulders. Heights hit a huge belly-to-belly spinning slam for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Tavion Heights

Analysis: **3/4 A pretty good technical wrestling match to free Heights from the NQCC group. The match needed some nearfalls to build up the excitement a bit more. It was clean for Heights. It makes sense that Heights would win since the NQCC group really wasn’t going anywhere, so they might as well move away from it.

Tavion Heights and Charlie Dempsey shook hands after the match. The win means that Tavion Heights is out of the No Quarter Catch Crew group.

Trick Williams was backstage talking to Wes Lee and The High Ryze. Lee said that if he takes care of Evans tonight, then maybe Trick can help Tyriek & Tyson get a NXT Tag Team Title match. Trick said sure because it’s Trick-NA. Santino Marella walked by to remind Trick that he’s the Director of Authority in TNA and tonight he’s a WWE superstar. Santino told Trick that TNA World Title is coming back home soon.

Blake Monroe was shown walking backstage for her segment up next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Blake Monroe

Blake Monroe did a promo in the ring, saying that Booker T has to get her name right, it’s Blake Monroe. Blake said people have been wondering why she attacked Jordynne Grace and she said that Grace isn’t good enough. Blake said she’s seen protein shakes with more personality. Blake shared some past images of Grace when she was heavier as a way to mock her. Blake said that Grace doesn’t see a juggernaut, she sees that photo of when Grace was heavy and Blake said that’s gym membership material. Blake said she is star power and she is the kind of person you build around. Blake said she’s here to be the woman that this brand is built around.

Lola Vice interrupted to tell Blake to shut up. Vice said she doesn’t understand how Blake could be so beautiful, but so ugly inside. Vice said that they have the deepest women’s division, but Blake won’t be the champion of it. Blake talked about representing WWE in AAA and not taking selfies backstage. Vice said she created a viral moment with Nikki Bell at Evolution.

Jaida Parker interrupted the promo exchange, and she joined them in the ring. Parker talked about how she didn’t need anybody else to make her relevant. Parker said she’s not chasing clout, she’s chasing the NXT Women’s Championship. Blake said that they’ll be like JG.

Jordynne Grace’s music hit, but Kelani Jordan showed up, saying she wasn’t the Jordan you were looking for. Jordan said she’s here to talk about the future. Jordan said you can’t talk about the future without talking about her. Jordan challenged Blake to a match, and said even on Blake’s best day, she can’t Do It Like Lani. Blake said how about next week she puts Jordan with Grace in a medical facility. Blake headbutted Jordan, but Jordan fought back with a dropkick to knock Blake out of the ring. Vice also kicked Blake out of the ring. Jordan shoved Blake down when Blake tried to hug her.

Analysis: It sets up future matches with Blake facing Jordan, and the Vice-Parker feud is reignited. I mentioned earlier that I think it’s time to have Parker as a full-fledged babyface, yet she came across as a heel here since Vice is a face, so I’m not sure if Parker is fully a face yet. Anyway, I liked Blake’s promo work as usual. Blake is going to be a huge star.

Tatum Paxley was with Izzi Dame, and Paxley said she had the biggest win of her career, beating Zaria last week. Shawn Spears and Niko Vance walked in, saying that Paxley proved herself to them. Spears said next week, Paxley is getting a shot at the Women’s NXT North American Title. Paxley was so happy. Luca Crusifino walked into the scene to say family doesn’t last forever.

Lash Legend was walking backstage, saying that she’s the most dominant woman in WWE. After she beats Fallon Henley, she’ll have a clear path to the NXT Women’s Championship.

(Commercial)

The NXT North American Champion, Ethan Page, was shown getting ready for his match.

Lash Legend vs. Fallon Henley (w/Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx)

Lash used her power to hit a press slam and a running splash got a two count. Joe Hendry’s face appeared on the screen again. Lash continued using her power to hit a backbreaker. Henley took over with a jumping neckbreaker. Henley hit an impressive counter bulldog. Lash came back with a forearm and a fallaway slam across the ring. Lash punched Henley off the turnbuckle to the floor. Lash avoided Jayne on the floor and Lash hit Jayne with a pump kick. Nia Jax showed up and hit Lash with a forearm to the back while the referee was looking at Henley in the ring. Henley hit a Fameasser on Lash for the pinfall win after 4 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Fallon Henley

Analysis: **1/4 A cheap win for Fallon Henley. I certainly didn’t expect a Nia Jax appearance there, so that sets up a rivalry for Lash.

After the match, Jax attacked Henley in the ring and Jax hit an Annihilator splash. Jax posed in the ring while Lash rolled out of the ring.

Analysis: That’s a rivalry that can elevate Lash by having her beat Nia Jax in a match. It would make Lash look like a bigger star, so I certainly understand why they set it up.

(Commercial)

Josh Briggs was backstage with other wrestlers like Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo. Briggs was watching his title loss last week. Briggs complained about Yoshiki Inamura ruining his moment. Yoshi walked in and shoved Briggs, so Briggs was taken away. Stacks told Yoshi that family doesn’t last forever, while loyalty and honor do not exist, so in the end, everybody gets theirs. Yoshi slapped Stacks, saying that you have no honor, and Yoshi will show him honor next week. Arianna Grace checked on Stacks. Fun fact: Arianna and Stacks are engaged to be married, but that’s not acknowledged in NXT.

Wes Lee (w/Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe) vs. Je’Von Evans

Trick Williams, the TNA World Champion, was at ringside watching the match. This should be great, so I’ll go play-by-play here.

Evans jumped on Lee with a suicide dive in the aisle. Evans sent Lee into the ring and punched him. The referee pulled Evans back to start the match. Evans hit a springboard clothesline for a two count. Lee worked over Evans with punches and a dropkick to the back. Lee went for a splash, but Evans avoided it. Evans connected with a punch, so Evans came back with a chop. Lee hit an elbow to the ribs and a forearm to the jaw. Lee sent Evans face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Evans stopped a charging Lee with a boot to the face. Igwe distracted Evans on the turnbuckle, so Lee hit Evans in the back and knocked Evans down to the floor. Lee hit a somersault dive over the top onto Evans.

(Commercial)

Lee countered an Evans move and got an inside cradle for two. Lee bounced off the ropes, so Evans punched him and Evans hit a snap German Suplex. Evans with a punch, followed by a Superman Punch. Evans hit a spinning kick to the head for two. The fans were chanting “NXT” for them. Lee hit a jumping kick to the head and a Tornado DDT. Lee hit a brainbuster for a two count. Good nearfall after that flurry of offense by Wes. Lee went up top, Evans tripped him up on the top and Evans stomped on Lee, so that Lee was upside down against the turnbuckle. Evans went up top and hit a somersault Coast to Coast dropkick on Lee. That was impressive. Evans hit a Frog Splash off the top and got a lot of height on that move. It only got a two count. It looked like Je’Von’s knees hit first when he landed that move. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. I agree. Evans was distracted by Tyson and Tyriek, so Evans went to the apron and kicked Dupont. Evans jumped over Lee and Evans hit a dive over the top onto Tyson & Tyriek on the floor. Back in the ring, Lee got an inside cradle. Lee hit a Cardiac Kick, but while Lee hooked the legs, the foot of Evans hit the rope, so it was just a two count. Evans got a rollup on Lee. Evans jumped up and hit a Cutter. Evans jumped off the top and hit a Cutter for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Je’Von Evans

Analysis: **** Awesome match. Evans is so good at any age, but especially for a guy who is only 21 years old. The potential Evans has is through the roof. Lee was terrific in the match as usual. I didn’t expect a four-star level match here, but these guys crushed it. The good thing about Evans is that while he does a lot of high-flying moves, he also plays to the crowd well and takes his time rather than rushing through things. Lee is somebody who deserves to get more TV time and more featured matches like he had in the past, but they don’t push him consistently in NXT like they did in the past.

Je’Von Evans celebrated the win while Oba Femi was holding the NXT Title on the platform, and Trick Williams was holding his TNA World Title as well.

Analysis: We have seen those guys in a triple threat match before, so maybe that’s where things are headed again.

(Commercial)

Myles Borne Interview

There was an “NXT Focus” interview with Myles Borne talking to Vic Joseph in the locker room. Vic mentioned Lexis King saying and doing things that have hurt Myles. Borne said that he is mostly deaf, and the doctors gave him a 15% chance to live, but he survived. Borne said that he was living off a machine, then they unplugged him from the machine and Borne said that he lost 90% hearing in both ears. Borne said he taught himself how to read lips. Borne said it helps him communicate and understand. Borne joked that he couldn’t hear. Borne said he chooses to have fun with this. Borne said you gotta keep moving forward and block out the haters like Lexis King. Vic thanked him.

Analysis: It’s easy to like Myles Borne and his future. Good segment to have him tell his story.

Ava, the NXT GM, was backstage talking to Robert Stone and Stevie Turner about issues in NXT. Lexis King walked in complaining about Myles Borne and claimed Borne wasn’t deaf because he’s a conman. Ava told King he has a match with Borne next week. King said he’ll prove Borne is a fraud in the ring, just like outside of the ring.

Next week on NXT:

* Blake Monroe vs. Kelani Jordan

* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Sol Ruca vs. Tatum Paxley

* NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank & Tank vs. Chase U’s Kale Dixon and Urijah Connors

Santino Marella made his entrance for the main event. Santino is a WWE legend and the TNA Director of Authority. Vic said it was Santino’s first match on WWE TV since June 2014.

(Commercial)

Fatal Influence was shown outside during the break. Fallon Henley bragged about her win while Jazmyn Nyx lost, and Nyx said that Nia Jax is why Henley lost. Nia Jax walked in to say that Lash Legend doesn’t measure up to her.

The NXT North American Champion, Ethan Page, made his entrance with the Canadian version of the title.

NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page vs. Santino Marella

They are from my part of the world since Santino is from Mississauga, Ontario, near Toronto, and Page is from Hamilton, Ontario. They are about an hour apart in terms of their hometowns. I grew up in and live in London, Ontario, which is about an hour west of both guys.

Page and Santino locked up a few times, with Santino getting multiple two-counts. Page punched Santino, which led to Joe Hendry’s face being shown on the screen again. Santino jumped over Page and hit two arm drags for a two count. Santino got a jackknife pin attempt for two. Page hit a necksnap across the top rope. Santino got a sunset flip pin attempt for two. Page got back up with a boot to the face. Page hit a neckbreaker. Page grabbed a chinlock, Santino punched Page in the ribs, and Santino did an airplane spin to put Page down. Santino fell while selling the spinning. Santino went for a jumping chop, Page avoided it, Page wanted Twisted Grin and Santino hit a Stunner. Santino hit a jumping chop splash for two. The fans chanted, “You still got it” for Santino. When Page got back up, he hit a roundhouse kick to the head for two. Page took a long time to go to the top rope, Page jumped off the top and Santino got his knees up to block. Santino worked over Page with punches, Santino hit a hiptoss and Page bailed from the ring. Santino hit a slingshot cross body block on Page on the floor. Santino took out the Cobra, put it on his hand and Page hit behind the referee. Page hit a thumb to the eye and hit Twisted Grin for the pinfall win after 7 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ethan Page

Analysis: **3/4 It was a good match to show that Santino Marella is still very talented at 51 years old, but he wasn’t good enough to beat the NXT North American Champion, Ethan Page, who is in his prime. A lot of the Santino offense was the classic moves that he is known for, and he almost hit The Cobra, but Page was ready for it and found a way to avoid it, so that Page could get the win. It was the result I expected.

Tony D’Angelo was shown seated at a restaurant. A waiter gave Tony some wine, he called him The Don, and Tony said that things are changing, you don’t have to call him The Don, and said you can call him Tony D. As Tony was about to eat, the room went dark, he turned his head, and that was the end of the show.

Analysis: It was The Sopranos ending for Tony D. In The Sopranos, which is one of my favorite TV series ever, Tony Soprano is at a restaurant with his family when suddenly the screen goes dark. It leaves the viewer to wonder if Tony got whacked (aka murdered) right there or if it’s just a way to end a scene. It’s up to the viewer to decide that. I wouldn’t be surprised if it led to Tony D joining the main roster soon because he’s been in NXT for four years, and I think he’s more than ready to be on the main roster, so maybe that’s his NXT ending.

After the show, Page tried to attack Santino, so Santino fought back and hit Page with The Cobra. Page did a funny job of selling it with his leg staying in the air.

===

Three Stars of the Show

  1. Je’Von Evans
  2. Wes Lee
  3. Ethan Page

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The Scoreboard

This week: 7.25 out of 10

Last week: 7.25

2025 Average: 7.33

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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT

A solid wrestling show with the second hour coming off as a lot better than the first half. The Evans/Lee match was excellent, showcasing Je’Von Evans as a threat to any title he aims to challenge. The Page/Santino match was solid as well, even though it was weird seeing Santino in a NXT main event.

Joe Hendry’s face was shown throughout the show. My guess is his TNA run is ending and he’ll be joining WWE NXT officially in the next month or two. I recall the reports that his TNA deal was set to expire later in 2025, which might explain what those videos were teasing.

They still haven’t announced anything for Heatwave on August 24th, but I assume we’ll learn more in the weeks ahead.

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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email [email protected]

Twitter/X @johnreport