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The John Report: WWE NXT 08/19/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Aug 20, 2025 08:09 EDT
WWE NXT August 19 Review

This week’s WWE NXT featured Je’Von Evans facing Trick Williams, Fatal Influence against TNA’s The Elegance Brand, and a whole lot more.

It’s the last NXT TV show before the NXT Heatwave PLE this Sunday, August 24th, so the build to that show continues.

I’ll go for the whole show since they are on the road and there are plenty of big matches. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport, and check out my NXT TV review archive.

They are at The Met in Philadelphia for this week’s show. Let’s get to it.

There was some pre-show walking shown of Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, Fatal Influence, and Ethan Page with Chelsea Green and Secret Hervice.

The commentary team was Vic Joseph, Booker T, and Corey Graves. It’s not a big building, but it looks cool, and the crowd should be loud.

What I like about NXT sometimes is that they go right into the action instead of doing a promo to start the show. I like seeing that, and that’s what they did this week.

Philadelphia Street Fight: Josh Briggs vs. Yoshiki Inamura

Briggs attacked Yoshi backstage before the match. They got out to the arena, and there’s a stage with a crowd on one side, plus fans on the other side. Yoshi hit a dive off the stage onto Briggs on the floor. Briggs came back by sending Yoshi into a barricade and Briggs hit a suplex on the floor. It looked like carpet. Briggs tossed three chairs into the ring. Yoshi and Briggs exchanged strikes, each man hit elbow smashes, and Briggs hit a boot to knock Yoshi down. Briggs slammed Yoshi on a chair. Briggs went for a splash, but Yoshi moved and Briggs splashed the chair. Yoshi sent Briggs into the chair that was against the turnbuckle. Yoshi sent Briggs into another chair against the turnbuckle. Yoshi gave Briggs a body slam onto a chair. Yoshi found a Phillies back from under the ring, but Briggs threw a chair at Yoshi’s knee. Briggs hit a Russian legsweep while using the bat to assist. Yoshi sent Briggs into a chair that was against the turnbuckle. The action continued in the break with Yoshi hitting a suplex onto a chair for two. A trash can was brought into the ring and Briggs hit a boot to knock Yoshi down. Briggs brought a railing into the ring and set it up across four chairs in the ring.

Briggs and Yoshi battled on the top rope, where Briggs gave Yoshi a superplex off the top through the steel railing that was on four chairs. Ouch. That’s a painful-sounding and looking bump. Briggs brought electrical tape and taped Yoshi’s wrists to the top rope. Briggs hit Yoshi with a hard kendo stick shot to the back four times in a row, but Yoshi broke free from the ropes. The tape isn’t going to hold a big man. Yoshi chopped a kendo stick, and then he chopped Briggs a few times. Yoshi chopped Briggs in the head. Yoshi worked over Briggs with hard chops to the back. Yoshi put the trash can on Briggs, followed by punches to the can, and Yoshi used the baseball bat to hit the trash can that was on Briggs. Yoshi gave Briggs a spinebuster onto a trash can in the ring. Yoshi brought a table into the ring and the fans loved that. Yoshi was bleeding from the right arm. Briggs had his right arm wrapped with a chain and was bleeding by the head, so the referee wiped some of his blood. Yoshi punched Briggs onto the table in the ring. Yoshi hit his Sayonara Splash off the top to put Briggs through a table. Yoshi brought two more tables into the ring, but Briggs shoved the table so that it went up against Yoshi against the turnbuckle. Briggs hit a lariat with the steel chain on his arm. Briggs went up top and hit a moonsault with his knees, driving Yoshi through the table. Briggs covered Yoshi for the pinfall win after 16 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Josh Briggs

Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a great match that was very physical the whole way. They used a lot of weapons, and the final moonsault through the table was a decisive way to end it. Yoshi was so impressive. That likely marks the end of the feud, with Briggs securing a huge win and possibly entering the title hunt. Yoshi is a lot of fun to watch because he sells very well, he has entertaining comebacks, and his offense is believable. Briggs could thrive after a win like this, but we’ll see if he gets a consistent push.

A video aired about how Masha Slamovich asked NXT GM Ava and TNA’s Director of Authority Santino Marella if she could be the referee later in the show and they said yes.

Ricky Saints made his entrance for singles action and Josh Briggs bumped into him as Ricky entered.

A commercial aired for WWE Clash in Paris on August 31st.

(Commercial)

Trick Williams was interviewed backstage by Sarah Schreiber. He talked about how he’d beat Je’Von Evans and then take the NXT Title from Oba Femi at Heatwave.

Jasper Troy vs. Ricky Saints

Ricky jumped on Troy’s back early on, so Troy backed Ricky into the turnbuckle. Troy missed a splash, so Ricky hit a cross body block off the top for a two count. Ricky punched Troy, but Troy came back with a kick to knock Ricky down on the floor. They went to a break for some fans as Troy dominated the action for about three minutes. Troy hit two running splashes in a row. Troy worked over Ricky with forearm smashes to the back and sending Ricky sternum-first into the turnbuckle. Troy applied the dreaded abdominal stretch.

The match continued with Ricky breaking free and hitting some kicks to the legs. Troy came back with a running body attack. Ricky tried an armbar, Troy powered out of that, and Ricky came back with a Samoan Drop that wasn’t very smooth. Ricky jumped off the top, Troy moved, and Troy drove Ricky into the turnbuckle two times. Ricky hit a boot to the face, Troy charged, Ricky moved and Troy hit the turnbuckle. Ricky attempted an attack on the floor, but Troy intercepted him and sent Ricky crashing into the steel steps. Troy went for a running attack on the floor, but Ricky moved and Troy went back first onto the steel steps. Ricky hit a Tornado DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, Ricky hit another Tornado DDT for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ricky Saints

Analysis: **3/4 A clean win for Ricky Saints, even though Jasper Troy was on offense for about 80% of the match. These Troy matches are okay, but you can tell he’s still limited in a lot of ways. It’s a lot of basic big man stuff, which is not the most exciting style to watch. The finish was a bit flat since people rarely win with a Tornado DDT, but they probably went with that since Ricky wasn’t going to be able to pick up Troy for Roshambo.

Hank & Tank, the AEW Tag Team Champions, spoke to NXT GM Ava in her office, wondering which two members of Darkstate they’ll face at Heatwave. Ava said they didn’t know yet. The Personal Concierge walked in, so Hank & Tank left. The Personal Concierge, representing The Elegance Brand, complained about Masha Slamovich as the referee of their match. Mash was in the room and shook hands with Ava. The Elegance Brand complained again.

Jordynne Grace was shown walking backstage for a segment up next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe

Jordynne Grace said she came to NXT after traveling the world and building a reputation. Grace said she thought she’d be here winning championships, but that hasn’t happened. Grace knew her weaknesses would set her back, but she didn’t expect a friendship to do that. Grace said she’s been wrestling for 15 years, so she knows how these wrestling friendships pan out, but she thought maybe she was the exception. Grace admitted it was stupid to think that way. Grace said that the adjustment to being in WWE has been really hard. Grace said that she didn’t need to prove she’s better than Blake, nor did she want revenge. Grace said at Heatwave that she wants to show Blake exactly who she is.

Blake Monroe made her entrance in a short dress, and she had security with her. Blake said there’s no redemption for the truth. Blake said she had a contract drawn up, saying if Grace touches her, then the match at Heatwave is off. Blake said she didn’t need to feel sorry for Grace because Grace feels sorry for herself.

Grace said that Blake was ringside at Evolution while Grace was one of the main characters. Grace said that Blake was jealous of Grace. The fans chanted, “Blake is jealous,” while Grace said that Blake didn’t like it. Grace said that Grace is a disgusting snake. Blake said that Grace can’t control herself and she doesn’t have a calm bone in her body. Blake said that Grace is a reject playing a superstar. Blake said that there’s no room for both of them. Blake called Grace pathetic. Grace said she didn’t have to touch Blake to show what would happen at Heatwave. Grace beat up a few security guys with a spinebuster and a clothesline. Grace told Balke that at Heatwave, she’ll show what ugly really looks like.

Analysis: It was okay. I’ve said before that Jordynne Grace’s strength isn’t these promos in the ring, and there were parts of her solo promo where it felt like she was struggling to get through it. When Blake got out there, you could tell Grace was more comfortable, but it wasn’t that great of an exchange. The story revolves around Blake, a heel who tries to make her opponent feel bad, but Grace is showing that she can overcome the mean girl attitude. I think Blake should win at Heatwave.

Jacy Jayne was backstage with Fatal Influence, complaining about the Elegance Brand. Lainey Reid told Jacy Jayne to show them why you’re a double champion. Sol Ruca and Zaria interrupted to say that Jayne won’t be a double champ after Sunday. Lainey walked up to Sol and said that at least Jayne defends both of her titles. Sol told Zaria that she has the need for speed, referring to the Speed Title that barely exists.

(Commercial)

There was an interview with Je’Von Evans talking about his match with Trick Williams later in the show. Evans said that Trick is selfish. Evans said Trick knows that Evans has his number. Evans spoke about how to get to Oba, he has to get through Trick. Evans claimed that Trick wasn’t locked in because he’s trying to be the face of two brands, a rapper and an actor. Evans said he’s going to Whoop That Trick.

The Elegance Brand – Ash By Elegance, Heather By Elegance & M By Elegance (w/The Personal Concierge) vs. Fatal Influence – Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx

They are both heel groups. TNA’s Masha Slamovich is the referee. Ash is a former WWE superstar, Dana Brooke, and she’s doing well in TNA.

Henley started with M and then Nyx tagged in with a springboard kick to knock M down. Nyx hit a dropkick. M got some offense going with a kick. Heather tagged in with a double team splash on Nyx as Vic used the word “reckless” since she was known as Heather Reckless previously. Ash tagged in, Nyx got a two count and Jayne tagged in against Ash. Ash got a rollup on Jayne, and then the two women exchanged two counts. Jayne hit a running back splash. Henley tagged in with a running clothesline. The Concierge pulled Henley’s foot. Masha saw it, and Ash knocked Henley out of the ring. Masha ejected the Concierge from ringside. They went on a break for some fans. Henley battled M, who took control against Henley. Heather worked over Henley with some choking by the ropes. There were quick tags by the Elegance ladies as they worked over Henley.

The Elegance ladies all took turns hitting running kicks on Henley. Jayne got the hot tag against M with strikes and a neckbreaker. Jayne superkicked Heather. Jayne hit a cannonball on M against the turnbuckle. Jayne jumped off the turnbuckle with a senton splash on M for two. Nyx tagged in and hit a double team flapjack and a double neckbreaker. Jayne hit a knee and Nyx covered for two because Ash made the save. Ash cleared the ring while M hit a superkick on Nyx. Heather tagged in and hit a top rope double foot stomp. Ash hit a Meteora on Nyx for two because Jayne made the save on the cover. The two teams took turns going into the ring and exchanging strikes. Henley fought M with forearm smashes. Ash hit a Swanton Bomb called Rareified Air on Nyx for two, but Mash was slow to count the pin. Ash argued with Masha, so Jayne hit the Rolling Encore elbow on Ash, and Masha counted the pin. Jayne got the win. It went about 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Fatal Influence – Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx

Analysis: *** This match had a weird dynamic since Fatal Influence are usually the heels, but they were in the babyface role in this match. The story ended up being that Masha’s inexperience at refereeing cost Ash, who complained about it, and that allowed Jayne to hit her finisher for the win. I think Jayne is probably going to lose the Knockouts Title at Heatwave, and I’m leaning toward Ash getting the win.

After the match, The Elegance Brand complained to Masha about her refereeing.

Charlie Dempsey talked to Kendal Grey, telling her she has to lock in an armbar in a match. Grey said that she had an amateur wrestling background. Wren Sinclair walked in, saying that Grey was 61-0 in college. Grey left. The Culling walked in to mock Charlie and Wren, so The Culling’s Izzi Dame said there was no saving those two.

Ethan Page and Chelsea Green with the Secret Hervice were up next. They also showed Tavion Heights with Tyra May Steel, also up next.

(Commercial)

NXT’s Canada-United States Peace Treaty

The NXT North American Champion Ethan Page entered along with Chelsea Green and her Secret Hervice duo of Piper Niven and Alba Fyre. Page got Niven and Fyre to throw the table out of the ring, so they did. The Olympic duo of Tavion Heights and Tyra Mae Steele (she’s a Gold Medal-winning wrestler) joined my fellow Canadians in the ring.

Page told Heights that he is doing a great job, and he has watched Heights become a weapon in human form. Page said he has an issue with Heights because of how he looks at Page. Page claimed Heights sees opportunity when he looks at Page, who said that Heights is still brand new in their world. Page said we don’t celebrate losers in this world of wrestling because there’s no second or third, there’s only gold.

Heights said he is so used to sitting across from seasoned vets like yourself. Heights said that Page is foolish for underestimating Heights. Heights said he’s done the work, and he’s blessed by the athletic Gods because he’s made in their image. Heights talked about how hungry he was for the title.

Green spoke up, which led to “Chelsea” chants. Green told Heights there’s no need to be disrespectful toward Page. Green told Heights he was being rude like an American. Green said that Canada is a superior nation and has superior athletes. I agree!

Steele spoke up, saying that Green was talking so much and had nothing to say. Steele told Green to shut her mouth. Green called Steele a “so-called” Gold Medallist. Steele said that she is the first ever women’s Gold Medallist and she is not a so-called Gold Medallist. Green reminded her she was the first-ever Women’s US Champion. Steele bragged about how she could take down Green any time she wanted.

Heights said that Philly knows how to throw down, and it’s a place for true American grit. Heights said that Philly won’t let them forget where they are. Page noted that Heights just wants to go straight to violence, but they are trying to be peaceful.

Ava, the NXT GM, interrupted to say that this really isn’t giving peace. Ava said that there will be a mixed tag team match at Heatwave: Ethan Page & Chelsea Green against Tavion Heights and Tyra Mae Steele.

Page and Green attacked with punches, but then Heights and Steele came back with Ankle Locks on Page and Green. Secret Hervice helped their friends. Steele and Heights celebrated in the ring.

Analysis: The segment was okay. Page and Green are excellent talkers, Heights is still developing in that area, and I liked Steele’s enthusiasm. This is an instance of WWE wanting to put over Tyra Mae Steele, and to do that, they wanted one of the best women in the company to work with her. Green is so talented and is great at selling, so she made Steele look awesome. I think Steele has a very bright future. Heights may be the guy to take the NA Title from Page, which is fine with me.

Ricky Saints was backstage talking to Myles Borne, who wondered what was up with Josh Briggs bumping into him. Ricky said he needs to get to the bottom of that, so he’s just another guy that Ricky has to keep his eye on.

Lexis King walked in to talk to Myles Borne. King admitted he was wrong about Borne and had been insensitive. King said that he didn’t know Borne could wrestle at such a high level, thinking Borne was deaf and blind. Borne said he’s deaf, but not blind, so King sprayed something in his eyes. Borne sold it while officials came in to check on him.

Analysis: Poor Borne. King is good in his role as a jerk. When he tried being a babyface, it felt forced with him.

(Commercial)

Kelani Jordan was backstage talking to Lola Vice about how they teamed up last week, but at Heatwave, they are in a triple threat match. Lola Vice bragged about being in a match at TripleMania. Lash Legend walked in to mock Vice for losing at TripleMania. Lash complained about Jaida Parker being in the triple threat match. Jordan mocked Lash for losing to Nia Jax. Lash claimed she is the biggest threat to the NXT Women’s Title. Jordan and Parker each said they would win.

Darkstate approached Ava, the NXT GM, in the backstage area. Darkstate said they would handle Hank & Tank at Heatwave when they win the NXT Tag Team Titles. When Saquon Shugars spoke, he mentioned Joe Hendry’s name, and Joe appeared out of some container behind them. Joe wondered which two of them it would be at Heatwave. Dion Lennox said you either get behind them or they leave you behind. Cutler James, the weird guy, said, “And you don’t want us behind you.” Joe said he was a strange young man.

The announcers did a rundown of the Heatwave card for Sunday, August 24th.

* NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank & Tank vs. Two Members Of Darkstate

* NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

* TNA Knockouts Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Ash By Elegance vs. Masha Slamovich

* Ethan Page & Chelsea Green vs. Tavion Heights & Tyra Mae Steele

* Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

* NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans or Trick Williams

Analysis: A solid card, but not great. I’ll have a preview up by Friday or Saturday most likely.

It was main event time as Je’Von Evans made his entrance.

(Commercial)

NXT Championship #1 Contenders Match: Trick Williams vs. Je’Von Evans

The winner will challenge Oba Femi for the NXT Title at Heatwave. Trick’s TNA World Title was not on the line. The NXT Champion Oba Femi was shown watching in the balcony.

Trick hit a running boot to the head for two. Trick hit a jumping side kick for two. Trick remained in control with two body slams. Evans was bleeding from the mouth after one of those kicks he took. Evans jumped off the ropes and got a rollup for two. Evans kicked Trick to knock him back. Evans hit a spin kick to the head. Evans hit an impressive hurricanrana off the ropes, followed by a dropkick for two. Trick came back with some chops to work over Evans by the turnbuckle. Evans came back with some chops of his own, along with a jab. Trick ran the ropes and hit a jumping clothesline. Trick hit a suplex, followed by a neckbreaker. Evans came back with a punch, followed by a springboard clothesline. Evans clotheslined Trick out of the ring. Evans dove over the top onto Trick on the floor. Evans went for a springboard attack, but Trick stopped that and Trick shoved Evans, who went back first through the commentary table! The fans chanted “Holy S**t” while Evans was down by the table. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued. Look at this photo of the bump that Evans just took.

The referee was checking on Evans on the floor while Trick was in the ring. I guess you could argue that the referee should have counted Evans out, but instead, he was checking on him. The referee went into the ring and started the count. Evans crawled on the floor and got back into the ring to keep fighting. When Evans got into the ring, Trick punched him in the jaw. Trick punched Evans again.

The match continued, coming out of a break with Trick remaining in control. Evans tried to fight back, and he went up top, but Trick slammed Evans off the top rope. Trick pointed at Oba Femi in the balcony to show that Trick was in control. Trick hit an impressive flatliner. Trick punched Evans in the jaw, so Evans was fired up and Evans came back with a barrage of punches. Evans punched Trick out of the ring. Evans hit a suicide dive onto Trick on the floor. Evans hit a German Suplex. Evans went up top and hit an impressive Frog Splash for a two count. Evans hit a flipping kick called the Red Dot (thanks Graves) for a two count. Evans went for a springboard Cutter, but Trick used his hands to block it, and Trick came back with an uppercut. Great counter. Trick hit a Rock Bottom or a Book End. Evans came back with the rollup for two. They ran the ropes, leading to Trick hitting a spinning kick to the jaw. Trick slammed Evans off his shoulders for a two count. Trick set up for the Trick Shot knee, but when he looked at Oba Femi in the balcony, he realized it wasn’t Oba Femi, and it was TNA’s Mike Santana instead. Trick was stopped his tracks because of that. That led to Evans hitting a Cutter. Evans went up top and hit a top rope Cutter for the pinfall win! It went 15 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Je’Von Evans

Analysis: ***3/4 An excellent main event match that was given time, and the babyface Evans showed a lot of heart in finding a way to come back to get the win. Evans did take a big bump that was very risky, which makes me nervous for the guy because he’s crazy that way. I hope he’s okay after taking that bump through the table. You can’t do bumps like that too often, but I can understand wanting to do big spots like that sometimes to get big reactions. I’ve been reviewing Trick matches since he started, and I think he’s clearly better as a heel. It’s the better role for him. I liked the Mike Santana spot because it distracted Trick a bit. It wasn’t a big distraction, but it was enough to stop Trick in his tracks, and then Evans capitalized for the win.

Je’Von Evans had his hand raised, and that was the end of the show since they were right at the two-hour mark, so it was time to sign off.

Analysis: It would have been nice to have an Oba Femi-Je’Von Evans stare-down during the show to end it, but they didn’t have time for it. They did do that after the show, and it was posted on social media, as you can see below. I feel like Evans will be the one to take the NXT Title from Femi, but will it be at Heatwave? I’m not sure. I’ll have more thoughts on that when I write the preview in a few days.

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Three Stars of the Show

  1. Je’Von Evans
  2. Trick Williams
  3. Josh Briggs/Yoshiki Inamura

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The Scoreboard

This week: 7.75 out of 10

Last week: 7.5

2025 Average: 7.33

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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT

I liked the show a lot. It was probably the best NXT episode this summer going into Heatwave. The venue they were at was a bit different since it was a stage with some of the audience far away, but it worked. It’s been a bit of a rocky summer for NXT in terms of show quality, yet I felt like this was a strong episode.

There were good matches all night long, thanks to Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura starting it off with a physical Street Fight. I’m glad that Je’Von Evans beat Trick Williams in the main event because that was the right booking decision. While Heatwave doesn’t have a strong lineup compared to the best NXT shows, there should be some interesting matches, led by Oba Femi against Evans. Speaking of Evans, that bump he took through the table was one of the craziest bumps of the year, and I’m amazed that Evans was fine after that.

Ethan Page and Chelsea Green are entertaining together, while they worked hard to put over Tavion Heights and Tyra Mae Steele. That will lead to a mixed tag at Heatwave. Using great veteran talent like Page and Green to try to elevate Heights and Steele is a good booking move. Heatwave is a full card with six matches, and I’ll try to get a preview up later this week.

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

* NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans

* Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

* TNA Knockouts Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Ash By Elegance vs. Masha Slamovich

* NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank & Tank vs. Two Members Of Darkstate

* NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

* Ethan Page & Chelsea Green vs. Tavion Heights & Tyra Mae Steele

You can watch WWE NXT Heatwave, streaming live on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT exclusively on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix internationally.

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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email [email protected]

Twitter/X @johnreport