Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT 08/12/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Aug 13, 2025 16:37 EDT

This week’s WWE NXT featured four top stars facing Darkstate, Lash Legend battling Nia Jax, and more.

The NXT Heatwave PLE is on August 24th, so the build to that show continues.

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

There was a recap of last week’s episode.

The commentary team was Vic Joseph, Booker T, and Corey Graves.

Ava, the NXT GM, talked to WWE Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank outside the building. She told Hank & Tank they can face Darkstate at Heatwave. Ava was touching her eye as she said, so Hank & Tank reacted like they thought Ava did want them to get involved in Darkstate’s match later in the show.

Lash Legend vs. Nia Jax

There were strikes exchanged early on with Lash also hitting some shoulder tackles. Lash countered a Jax move and drove Jax into the turnbuckle. Jax kicked Lash and tossed Lash out of the ring. When Jax left the ring, Lash tackled Jax into the ring apron a few times. Jax hit a running elbow and a splash for a two count. Jax hit a headbutt. Lash charged right into a double clothesline that knocked them both down. Lash hit a pump kick that knocked Jax out of the ring.

(Commercial)

Jax was in control with a chinlock. Jax got a hold of Lash and hit a Samoan Drop for a two count. Lash sent a charging Jax into the ring post. Lash put Jax on her back and hit a spinning slam into the mat, but Lash was too tired to cover. Jax pulled the ring apron, the referee put it back, so Jax did the illegal thumb to the eye. Jax hit a senton splash on Lash. They left the ring where the bottom half of the steel steps were set up by the commentary table, which was cleared off. Lash teased a suplex through the table. Lash picked up Jax, but Jax was too big and splashed Lash through the commentary table. Ouch. The fans chanted “Holy S**t” for that spot. The referee did the countout, Jax was back in the ring and Lash crawled in at the last moment. They got back to their feet exchanging punches. Lash picked up Jax and hit a body slam for two. Some fans thought that was it even though it was just a body slam. Lash went to the turnbuckle, Jax went after her, Lash tried a Powerbomb, but Jax fell on top and sat on Lash. Jax went back up to the middle turnbuckle and hit the Annihilator for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Nia Jax

Analysis: ***1/2 I really liked the match and how they set up some big spots throughout the match. The table bump was big and then the finish was very creative because I haven’t seen Jax hit the Annihilator two times in a row like that. It was a competitive match between two women who don’t mind hitting hard. I’d like to see Lash beat Jax in a match like that, but maybe that’s something they can go back to down the road.

The four members of Darkstate were interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Dion Lennox said that this is why they came together – to be in the main event. Osiris Griffin said that it’s time for them in the main event scene. Cutler James had some awkward dialogue again about finishing on top. Saquon Shugars said tonight they cut the head off the snake and they’ll take the Tag Team Titles at Heatwave. Dion said when Darkstate strikes, nobody is safe.

(Commercial)

Chelsea Green arrived with the Secret Hervice (Alba Fyre & Piper Niven) where she saw some women who Tavion Heights could team up with to take Green out. Hank & Tank showed up in drag at one point. That was scary. Anyway, Green told Alba Fyre to have a match with Kendal Grey during that. It’s NXT. They always come up with weird ways to set up matches.

Joe Hendry vs. Charlie Dempsey (w/Wren Sinclair)

This match was set up last week with TNA’s Joe Hendry back in action in NXT. It was a battle of arm drags early on, leading to Joe using an arm drag to take Charlie down. Charlie cam back with a gutwrench suplex, along with a butterfly suplex. Joe came back with an impressive suplex. Joe hit a fallaway slam. Joe countered Charlie and Joe hit the Standing Ovation for the pinfall win after about 4 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Joe Hendry

Analysis: **1/4 A short match to give Joe Hendry a win, which makes me think they’ll be using him more moving forward. I’m not sure how much more time Joe has left in TNA, so I think a move to NXT may be permanent soon.

Josh Briggs was shown walking backstage for a promo up next.

(Commercial)

Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan were shown getting ready backstage. Vice said that she has to win this match tonight and Jordan said that they will win. Vice said she has been heating up, so she needs this. Jaida Parker walked in, saying she had money on both of them in this tag team match. Parker told them she has the next shot at the NXT Women’s Title. Parker left, so Vince said she has to win and Jordan said so does she.

Let’s Hear from Josh Briggs

Josh Briggs did a promo in the ring, and he was booed by the fans. Briggs said When someone shows you who they really are, believe them. Briggs said Inamura claimed to be his friend, but Inamura was selfish. The fans chanted, “Turn his mic off,” and Josh said they aren’t shutting it off. Briggs said all Inamura talked about is winning the NXT Championship. Briggs said he tried to be friends with Inamura, but he didn’t liste,n and Inamura failed. Briggs said there is no honor in NXT. Briggs said he’s not a man of honor, he’s a man of mayhem. Briggs said he’s not NXT Champion because of Inamura. Briggs challenged Inamura to a Philadelphia Street Fight for next week’s NXT episode in Philadelphia.

Yoshiki Inamura got into the ring to confront Briggs. Yoshi said he thought Briggs was his friend, but now he’s just a jackass. The fans cheered. Yoshi said he fights with honor and the fans chanted, “He’s a jackass.” Yoshi said he’ll have honor when he beats Briggs in a Street Fight next week. Yoshi punched Briggs and knocked him off the apron. Yoshi and Briggs fought by the turnbuckle, there were security guys at ringside and Yoshi chopped Briggs onto the security guys (wrestlers). Yoshi hit a cross body block off the top onto Briggs and the security guys on the floor. The fans loved that.

Analysis: Easy way to set up a match for next week. The story has been brewing for months with Yoshi and Briggs as a team, then Briggs became a jealous heel and now they have a Street Fight next week. That should be good. Yoshi is very likable as a face, while Briggs is doing well as a heel.

(Commercial)

Jordynne Grace Interview

Jordynne Grace did a sitdown interview with Kelly Kincaid earlier in the day. Grace claimed Blake Monroe was right because she avoided mirrors because she never saw herself like that. Grace admitted the real battle was with her mind, not her body, and she felt like she was never good enough, no matter how hard she tried. Grace admitted that she let her guard down when it came to Blake Monroe. Grace said she wanted to connect to Blake, but she knows that Blake is there to tear other women down so that Blake can look stronger. Grace said that real strength doesn’t feed off somebody else’s weakness. Grace said there’s no blueprint for a champion and they can silence bullies like Blake Monroe. Grace said that at Heatwave, she’ll show Blake what a champion looks like.

Analysis: I like having a three-minute sitdown interview like that on the show. It covers a lot, and it doesn’t have to be an in-ring promo. They’re trying to make Jordynne sympathetic even though she’s stronger than Blake. I like the rivalry.

Blake Monroe was backstage talking to NXT GM Ava in Ava’s office. Ava told Blake she has to meet Grace face-to-face next week. Blake didn’t like it and claimed Ava was biased.

Highlights were shown of Jacy Jayne defending the TNA Knockouts Title over the last two weeks on Impact, but these were interrupted.

Fatal Influence was interviewed by Blake Howard. Jacy Jayne wasn’t happy seeing Masha Slamovich and Ash By Elegance showing up at the show. Lainey Reid wished Jayne good luck and Jayne said thanks.

Analysis: There’s obvious tension with Jayne and her allies, Henley & Nyx, so it’s certainly teasing the idea of a split, which could lead to Reid aligning with Jayne.

The NXT Women’s Champion and TNA Knockouts Champion Jacy Jayne made her entrance with her Fatal Influence allies Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx for tag team action.

(Commercial)

The foursome of Oba Femi, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans and Moose were in the locker room. Femi talked about how they aren’t friends, but they need to get along against Darkstate. Moose said that they don’t have to be friends as long as it means they whip Darkstate’s ass. Evans said he is with it. Trick Williams told Moose he’s losing at Emergence, Trick told Evans he’s losing on NXT in Philly and Femi is losing at Heatwave. Femi said we’ll see about that. Hank & Tank showed up with some pesticide spray to continue their wacky storyline.

Fatal Influence – Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley (w/Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Lola Vice & Kelani Jordan

They showed Ash By Elegance (former Dana Brooke) in the crowd with her “Personal Concierge” George Iceman. Masha Slamovich was also in the crowd.

Jordan hit a cross body block on Henley for two. Vice tagged in against Jayne and connected with a punch to the gut. The heel team of Jayne & Henley took control with double team moves, including a forearm by Henley and Jayne hitting a senton splash. Jayne and Vice made a comeback, which included Jordan dropkicking her opponents out of the ring. Jordan chased Henley on the floor, so Jayne hit a jumping kick to knock Jordan down.

(Commercial)

The heels were in control as they isolated Jordan. After Jordan broke free, Vice tagged in and she was on fire with several kicks. Vice did her “I’m a Latina” running hip attack. Jordan was back in with a spinning leg drop to the back. When Jordan went up top, Henley got help from her friends and slammed Jordan off the top. Jayne hit a knee on Jordan for two because Vice broke up the pin. Jordan hit a leg drop across the chest as part of a slam for a two count because Henley made the save. Vice knocked down Nyx by the apron and Vice hit a spinning back fist on Jayne that the referee didn’t see. Jordan hit a split-legged moonsault off the top on Jayne for the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Lola Vice & Kelani Jordan

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good match with the champion Jayne on the losing end to build up Jordan as a title contender. The finish was booked well with the referee distracted by Nyx on the apron, so that led to Vice hitting a cheap shot, and Jordan benefited from it. It sets up Vice and Jordan as contenders against Jayne, who may have a multi-woman title defense in the future.

After the match, Jayne was helped to her feet by her friends and Jayne looked at Ash By Elegance & Masha Slamovich watching from the crowd.

Jasper Troy was featured in a promo talking about his issues with Ricky Saints. Troy said that Ricky acts like a star QB who thinks they are perfect while Tory was an offensive lineman. Troy said nobody is protecting Ricky now. Troy said that Ricky can’t relate to Troy being angry. Troy said he’ll end Ricky in the ring in Philly and the spotlight will be on Troy.

Analysis: I like Jasper a lot because he comes across as an intimidating big guy. Working with a veteran like Ricky is good for his career.

(Commercial)

Kendal Grey vs. Alba Fyre (w/Piper Niven)

Grey is an accomplished amateur wrestler who is fairly new to WWE and is a regular on Evolve. Chelsea Green and Ethan Page were shown watching on a TV backstage. Green said that Fyre will make them proud.

There was a spot early in the match where Grey jumped off the turnbuckle, but Fyre was there with a superkick to put Grey down. Niven did a cheap shot slap to Grey’s face. Grey hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Grey applied an armbar, but Fyre fought it off. The NXT North American Champion Ethan Page went out to ringside. Grey hit a powerslam for a two count. Fyre hit a front suplex and a knee to the face for two. Fyre did an eye gouge that the referee didn’t see and Fyre hit a Gory Bomb for the pinfall win after 4 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Alba Fyre

Analysis: ** A solid win for the veteran Fyre while Grey showed off what she could do. With somebody like Grey, they need to work on her personality and try to develop a character. The eye gouge by Fyre set up the finish.

Ethan Page did a promo, laughing about how that’s the best that America has. Page said he’s so sorry that Fyre had to embarrass Tavion Heights’ pick.

Tavion Heights interrupted, saying he respects Kendal and what she’s done in NXT, but that wasn’t his pick. Heights said he picked a woman who has done something no other woman has done in WWE history – win an Olympic Gold Medal. Tyra Mae Steele was in the ring and she hit German Suplexes on Fyre and Niven. Page ran away. Heights put Page back into the ring, and Tyra hit a German Suplex on Page as well. Heights celebrated with Tyra.

Analysis: Great way to get Tyra into a storyline. She won the first season of WWE LFG just like Jasper Troy, but was waiting for a storyline, and I think they found the right spot for her. Tyra is an impressive athlete who should do well as a babyface. They can obviously do Page & Green vs. Heights & Steele after this.

Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx were talking to NXT GM Ava, who said that she talked to TNA’s Santino Marella. George Iceman, the Personal Concierge from TNA, was there. Ava said that Jayne had to defend the TNA Knockouts Title against Masha Slamovich and Ash By Elegance at Heatwave. George said that at Heatwave, the TNA Knockouts Title will become elegant. Ava also booked Fatal Influence against The Elegance Brand in Philly next week. Fatal Influence wasn’t happy about it. George thanked Ava for it.

(Commercial)

Chelsea Green was complaining to Ethan Page about what happened. Page said that their problem are the Olympic athletes. Green suggested a peace treaty between Canada and America. Page said that they can do this next week. Green said a peace treaty will be signed in Philly next week.

Analysis: That sounds ridiculous, but my fellow Canadians Page and Green are so good at these characters, so they can pull it off.

Next week on NXT in Philadelphia:

* Trick Williams vs. Je’Von Evans – Winner challenges Oba Femi for the NXT Title at Heatwave

* Face-to-Face: Blake Monroe and Jordynne Grace

* Jasper Troy vs. Ricky Saints

* Philly Street Fight: Josh Briggs vs. Yoshiki Inamura

* Fatal Influence vs. The Elegance Brand

Analysis: That’s a strong lineup. I hope Evans beats Trick.

The entrances took place for the main event with Je’Von Evans getting bouncy up first. The TNA World Champion Trick Williams was next, with the fans singing “Whoop That Trick” for him. TNA’s Moose was next with the “Moose” chants for his song.

(Commercial)

The NXT Champion Oba Femi was last, and the fans were chanting during his song too. The foursome known as Darkstate were next as the opponents.

Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars, Cutler James & Osiris Griffin vs. Oba Femi, Moose, Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans

Evans tripped up Shugars and hit a standing SSP. Evans bounced off the ropes, leading to a hurricanrana and a dropkick. Dion was in illegally, so Evans dropkicked him, Femi clotheslined James out of the ring and Griffin was tossed out of the ring. Femi tossed Shugars over the top onto the Darkstate guys on the floor. Trick reluctantly tagged in, so Femi and Moose hiptossed Trick over the top onto the Darkstate boys. Trick celebrated it and hugged his teammates. That was funny.

(Commercial)

Femi was legal against James as they battled over a suplex, which led to Femi hitting the suplex. The powerhouse Griffin tagged in against Femi, so Femi hit a shoulder tackle. Griffin hit a powerslam on Femi while Dion took over as the legal man, who hit a neckbreaker for two. Griffin hit a leg drop on Femi, who came back with a body slam. Evans tagged in with a superkick. Evans jumped over the top and hit a dive onto one of the guys on the floor. Evans hit a springboard clothesline on Dion. Evans hit a suicide dive onto Shugars on the commentary table! That was great. Dion came back with a spinebuster on Evans. Darkstate made quick tags as they all hit splashes on Evans, and James hit a clothesline on Evans for two. Evans bounced off the ropes and hit a twisting kick on James. Moose tagged in with chops and a jumping kick. Moose dropkicked Shugars off the top rope. Moose hit a Chokeslam on Dion and a senton splash. Shugars kicked Moose, but Moose hit a sitout spinebuster off the middle turnbuckle for two. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Dion tagged in, Moose hit him with a forearm, Trick tagged in and hit an uppercut. Femi tagged in with a shoulder breaker on Dion. Evans tagged in and hit a Frog Splash off the top on Dion for two because the other Darkstate guys tackled their opponents onto the pile to break up the pin. Darkstate made quick tags as Griffin hit a back body drop. Shugars was legal and jumped off the top with a leg drop on Evans for two. Darkstate went for their team Powerbomb, but Femi and Moose made the save. Femi accidentally hit an uppercut on Evans and Moose accidentally hit a Spear on Femi. Shugars dropkicked Moose out of the ring. Trick was back up while Darkstate isolated Evans, but Trick didn’t help Evans as Darkstate hit a team Powerbomb on Evans for the pinfall win. Trick walked away instead of helping Evans. It was Dion covering Evans for the win. It went about 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars, Cutler James & Osiris Griffin

Analysis: ***1/2 That was a lot of fun. Evans stood out the most in the match, so of course, he was the guy who got pinned. They had some great spots in the final moments where the foursome of Femi, Evans, Moose, and Trick had issues, which showed that Darkstate worked better as a team, as they should, since they are a regular team. Trick not helping Evans fits Trick as a heel character who is known for being selfish. It was the right move to give Darkstate the win.

After the match, NXT Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank went to ringside to fight the Darkstate guys. They fought with Lennox and Shugars in the ring, but James and Griffin went back in there to even the odds. The security guys showed up to try to break it up. End of show.

Analysis: I think Darkstate are going to beat Hank & Tank at Heatwave to become NXT Tag Team Champions. It should be Lennox and Shugars as the Darkstate team in that match.

===

Three Stars of the Show

Darkstate
Nia Jax & Lash Legend
Oba Femi, Moose, Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans

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The Scoreboard

This week: 7.5 out of 10

Last week: 7

2025 Average: 7.33

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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT

It was a stronger episode than last week, thanks to the match quality being better. The opening match was very good, the women’s tag in the middle was solid and the main event tag was a lot of fun too. As usual with NXT, they are getting a lot of people on the show and there are so many storylines going on that it’s hard to keep up with everything sometimes.

They are building to Heatwave on August 24th and they also set up big matches for next week in Philly too. Like I said, a lot was going on, but I think it was a fun show overall.

The next WWE NXT PLE is Heatwave on August 24th, with this lineup so far: