The John Report: WWE NXT 09/09/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured Je’Von Evans facing Josh Briggs, Ethan Page in a Flag Match, a women’s triple threat tag, some familiar faces, and more.
The NXT brand has NO Mercy on September 27, so we’ll see how they continue to build to that card.
As usual for NXT, I’ll go summary style for some of the matches and then play-by-play for one or two matches.
They were at the WWE PC in Orlando for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport, and check out my NXT TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T. Mike Rome was the ring announcer as usual.
Je’Von Evans started the show by calling out Josh Briggs for their match, so Briggs showed up and the fight began. Evans jumped over the top onto Briggs on the floor. NXT GM Ava was there with a referee and told them to go into the ring. Evans hit a springboard moonsault onto Briggs on the floor.
Josh Briggs vs. Je’Von Evans
Evans hit a spin kick to the head. Evans was on fire early and hit a top rope Frog Splash, but it was only good for a two count. Briggs was able to overpower Evans with strikes to take control. Briggs hit a running cross-body block for two, and a Bossman Slam also for two. The fans chanted, “Briggs, go away” as Briggs applied a chinlock. Evans hit a running hurricanrana. Evans got bouncy off the ropes with a hurricanrana and a dropkick. Evans sent Briggs out of the ring. Evans went for a move off the apron, but Briggs pulled on the legs, and Evans bumped to the floor. Briggs went for a Chokeslam through the table, but Evans stood on the table and kicked Briggs. Evans hit a suicide dive on Briggs, and they bumped over the commentary table. The WWE PC crowd was going crazy. There is action during the break, but I don’t review it in the NXT review. It’s just the heel in control for a few minutes.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Briggs in control with a chinlock. Evans got out of it and attacked Briggs with punches. Evans charged, Briggs ducked it, and Evans headbutted Briggs in the chest. Briggs sent Evans into the middle rope for a two count. Evans with a punch, a superkick, and a jumping Superman Punch. Evans hit a springboard clothesline for a two count. Evans went for a springboard attack, Briggs caught him and Evans hit a flipping Stunner. Evans hit a running kick to the head for a two count. Evans charged into a lariat by Briggs, but then Evans bounced off the ropes and hit a spinning kick to the head. Evans went up top and hit a Swanton Bomb dropkick on Briggs against the turnbuckle. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Briggs sent Evans into the ring post. Briggs had a steel chair, referee Adrian Butler took it from him and Evans kicked Briggs. The referee put the chair out of the ring, Briggs had a steel chain in his hand, Evans jumped off the top and Briggs punched Evans for the pinfall win. It went about 13 minutes.
The replay showed that Briggs used the chain around his neck to punch Evans.
Winner by pinfall: Josh Briggs
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a very good match with Josh Briggs cheating to win, which fits his character since he’s been more of a dastardly heel in recent months. That kind of loss will slow down Evans a bit, but I think they’ll have another match soon, and I’ll pick Evans to win that. I liked the way it was booked with Evans on fire early, Briggs took over for a while after that, and then it was pretty even in the final minutes as Briggs cheated to win.
Not like this! 😡
Josh Briggs just beat @WWEJeVonEvans… pic.twitter.com/pyfaCtt7Yh
— WWE (@WWE) September 10, 2025
Ricky Saints and NXT Champion Oba Femi were backstage talking to NXT GM Ava. Ricky and Femi argued, so Ava said that they can discuss their feelings next week on NXT on the Grayson Waller Effect talk show. Trick Williams walked in as the TNA World Champion, asking Ava if everything was set up for him, and Ava said yes. Trick said it was championship business and Trick told Oba they aren’t finished.
The #DIY boys, Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano, were walking backstage for a segment up next.
A commercial aired for WWE NXT No Mercy on Saturday, September 27th.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from #DIY’s Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano
The #DIY guys, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, were in the ring. Ciampa said that this NXT ring feels like home, and it feels special. Ciampa said that it is exactly ten years since he first teamed with Gargano in NXT. Gargano said that a lot of people forget where they came from. Gargano said that he said he was NXT for lif,e and he meant it. Gargano claimed that this place and these people will always be their home. Ciampa said that he knew his last match in NXT wasn’t going to be his last NXT match. Gargano mentioned Trick Williams, so here he comes.
Trick Williams made his entrance as the TNA World Champion. Trick claimed he was the greatest NXT superstar of all time. Trick said that they took advantage of him last week, 2 on 1, and it’s because it was jealous. Trick told #DIY that their NXT crew can’t hang with his NXT crew. Gargano said that they can remind Trick why they are NXT. Trick said that this time he is not alone.
It’s Carmelo Hayes making his return as a former NXT Champion and former NXT North American Champion. Melo was an ally of Trick in the past, then they split, and now they are on the same page again.
Carmelo Hayes got in the ring with Trick and #DIY. Melo said that Trick said some things that were true, but also things that weren’t true. Melo said he heard Trick say that this is his house. Melo mentioned that #DIY built this house. Melo referred to himself as somebody who put renovations on this house and he told Trick he was squatting in this house. Melo told Trick that the rent is due. Melo said that the next time you stand in the ring with greats from NXT, you should sit down while OGs are talking.
Trick said that he has a history with Melo. Trick admitted that what he said about Melo last week wasn’t right. Trick said he squats when he wants to squat, he wears his heels, and it’s still his house. Ciampa asked if it’s big brother/little brother and wanted some clarification. Melo said it’s between him and his bro. Melo said that Ciampa had one of the biggest backstabs in NXT. Gargano said that they’re not going to talk about it. Gargano said that they want to see two generations of NXT in a tag team match at NXT Homecoming, so Gargano suggested Trick Melo Gang against #DIY, and the #DIY music played to end it.
Analysis: Fun segment. Easy way to set up a tag team match for next week. It was obvious once Melo got out there. It was interesting how Trick & Melo didn’t seem to get along much, yet they were united against #DIY by the end of it. It’s a big match for next week’s show, so that’s cool with me.
(Commercial)
WWE Women’s Speed Tournament – 1st Round: Lainey Reed vs. Faby Apache
Speed matches have a 3-minute time limit while Championship matches have a 5-minute time limit. Fabby is an AAA wrestler. The great Natalya was watching from ringside since she’s against Faby at WWE-AAA Worlds Collide on Saturday.
There were a lot of quick pin attempts to try to put over how fast this match was. Faby hit a sitout neckbreaker. Faby missed a charge, but she came back with a kick for two. When Faby went up top, Natalya stared at her and Faby was delayed a bit. Faby jumped off the top, Reed avoided it, and Reed hit a running knee for the pinfall win.
Winner by pinfall: Lainey Reed
Analysis: *1/2 I don’t like the Speed matches that much. It’s hard to get into them and everything feels rushed. Anyway, the presence of Natalya distracted Faby enough for Reed to win.
Sol Ruca and Zaria were talking about their match. Hank & Tank spoke to Sol & Zaria about how they should win the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles. Tank said that they had a plan for the match. Zaria said it smells like victory. They did the “honk, honk” shout to end it.
(Commercial)
There was a Blake Monroe video package where she was in a bathtub setting, and it was dark in there as she talked about her rivalry with Jordynne Grace. Blake said that this is a tragedy and she said that Grace ruined everything. Blake said that you didn’t break her, you woke Blake. Blake said she will show you, while Blake would make the Devil blush.
Analysis: I liked that. Blake is a unique character who has beauty on the outside, so there are a lot of layers to her, and we’ll hopefully see more of that in the future. The feud with Grace just keeps going.
NXT Tag Team Championships: Darkstate – Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin (w/Saquon Shugars & Cutler James) vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
Hank & Tank hit their double team splash and powerslam/Spear finisher, but the pin was broken up. Dion and Griffin got some offense going, but then Hank & Tank cleared the ring. Hank & Tank each hit suicide dives on their opponents on the floor.
(Commercial)
The champions were in control of Tank as the face in peril. Dion hit Tank with an impressive spinebuster for two. Griffin, the powerhouse, hit a powerslam on Tank for a two count. Hank got the hot tag and hit a body slam on Dion. Hank gave Griffin a bulldog to Dion. Hank hit a spinning sidewalk slam on Dion for a two count. Tank got a hot tag, so there was a superplex, followed by Tank’s Swanton Bomb for a two count. James grabbed Hank around the throat. He said Joe Hendry is not coming out tonight, and Joe Hendry appeared under the platform area. Hendry chased Cutler in the ring, the referee kept Hendry away, so Hank tried to cover Dion, but Osiris flipped them over, and Dion sat on top of Hank for the pinfall win.
Winners by pinfall: Darkstate – Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin
Analysis: *** A solid match to give the champions a win over the former champions to end that rivalry. It was one of those falls where the champions won by doing a crafty move without a finisher to show that they could find a way to win. I don’t think anybody watching this thought that Darkstate would lose the titles since they won them recently. There isn’t a lot of depth in the tag team division right now, so hopefully things improve in the months ahead.
A video package aired about the Flag Match between Ethan Page and Tavion Heights. To win a match, a superstar must retrieve their flag and retrieve it proudly. Page and Heights spoke about how they were going to win.
(Commercial)
There was an NXT Anonymous video where Ethan Page spoke to Myles Borne to say that he’s a winner. Page talked to Borne about losing to Lexis King recently and wondered if he would let this stand.
Analysis: That might be a tease for Ethan Page to feud with Myles Borne. It wouldn’t surprise me if a younger guy like Borne beat Page for the NXT North American Title in the future because it makes sense to elevate a young guy.
Lexis King was in the locker room bragging to Charlie Dempsey about how he beat Myles Borne. The lights went out, Borne showed up with a chair, and we are to assume that Borne beat up King. Borne said they aren’t done yet.
Flag Match: Ethan Page vs. Tavion Heights
There are no countouts and no disqualifications. The first man to retrieve his flag is the winner. The Canadian flag is on one turnbuckle for Pag,e and the USA flag is on another turnbuckle for Heights. Page’s NXT North American Title is not on the line here.
Page tried getting the flag early, but Heights stopped that. When Page climbed for the flag again, Heights knocked him down on the apron. Heights tackled Page with a Spear-like move through the ropes to the floor. Heights hit a running neckbreaker. Heights went for the US flag, but Page pulled him down and hit him with a knee. They went to the turnbuckle, where Page stopped Heights from getting the flag again by pulling on Heights’ hair. After Page hit a kick to the head, Heights hit a jumping lariat. When Heights went for the flag, Page shoved him dow,n and Heights took a great bump to the apron. Page went for the Canada flag, but Heights stopped that and Page was crotched on the turnbuckle. Heights suplexed Page off the top turnbuckle. Heights climbed the turnbuckle and got the US flag to win the match. It went about 7 minutes.
Winner: Tavion Heights
Analysis: **1/2 An average match. Flag matches are hard to do, which is why they are so rare. It’s fine to do it and have somebody lose without being pinned, but in terms of excitement, it is lacking. Heights getting the win makes sense because it can lead to him getting a shot at Page’s NXT North American Title. I think Heights or Myles Borne could be the one to take the title from Page.
After the match, Heights put the Canadian flag on Page, who had done that to Heights in the past.
Tyler Breeze showed up at ringside with his selfie stick just like he was doing over a decade ago in NXT. Breez posed over a fallen Page and took a selfie with Page.
Analysis: Welcome back to Tyler Breeze, who will face Ethan Page at NXT Homecoming event as well. They are both Canadians, for what it’s worth.
(Commercial)
There was a video package about Lola Vice telling us more about her life story. They showed her seeing her dad at his Taekwondo school. Lola said her family all have black belts and college degrees. There were comments from Lola’s sister and father about how she’s going to win. Lola said she’s going to win at a show that is close to where she is from.
Analysis: They have really pushed Lola Vice a lot after earning the NXT Women’s Title shot at No Mercy, so it makes me think she might win. If you spend this time with video packages about her like this, I think she might beat Jacy Jayne at No Mercy. Since Lola’s family will be at ringside as well, that also makes me think a Lola win is very possible.
Jacy Jayne was watching the video, saying that Lola is going to lose to Jacy in front of Lola’s whole family. Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx talked about how they would win the Women’s Tag Team Title contender’s match and become the champions. Henley said they would be unstoppable. Jayne bragged about how great she is.
There was a video package about NXT Homecoming next week from Full Sail University in Orlando, which is the old home of NXT in the 2010s. They teased surprise appearances while showing Triple H and William Regal, among others, so we’ll see some familiar faces on that show.
Sol Ruca & Zaria made their entrance for the tag team main event.
(Commercial)
Elimination Tag Team Match: Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. The Culling – Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley (w/Shawn Spears & Niko Vance) vs. Fatal Influence – Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx (w/Jacy Jayne)
It’s a triple threat elimination tag team match. Three women are legal in the ring to start the match and can tag in their partners.
Zaria used her power early on with a double clothesline and back body drop. There were quick tags, so Dame tagged in for her team with a shoulder tackle, and Henley jumped on Dame’s back. Henley hit a hurricanrana on Dame, along with a body scissors pin attempt for two. Zaria and Dame headbutted eachother, followed by each woman hitting a kick. Dame and Zaria hit running clotheslines. Henley was back into it with a cross body block on two women. Henley hit Dame with a forearm. Nyx hit a springboard kick on Zaria for two. Dame hit Nyx with a forearm. Henley was back in and Sol tagged in with a missile dropkick. Sol spun Nyx around and slammed her onto Paxley. Sol hit a dropkick on two women at the same time. Henley tripped up Sol and hit her with a forearm. Henley jumped off the middle ropes onto Vance. Dame kicked Henley on the floor. Zaria knocked Spears off the apron and hit him with a Spear on the floor. Nyx kicked Dame, then Paxley hit an enziguri kick on Nyx. Sol jumped off the top with a twisting moonsault onto three heels on the floor. That was an amazing spot. The action continued during the break.
(Commercial)
It was Henley, Sol and Dame down in the ring as the show returned. Sol kicked Dame to knock her down, but Nyx pulled the ropes to stop Sol’s attempt at a top rope move. Jayne got involved and sent Zaria into the steel steps. Henley hit a Blockbuster, and Nyx was back in for a double team slam of Sol onto Dame. Nyx hit a running kick on Dame and a Fisherman’s Suplex on Sol. Sol came back with a kick to Nyx’s head. They went to the turnbuckle where Dame held Nyx and Sol jumped off the top with a Blockbuster, so that led to “NXT” chants. Zaria got a hot tag and was on fire with multiple German Suplexes. Zaria caught Nyx and hit a spinning back suplex. Zaria hit a release German Suplex, flipping Paxley across the ring. Zaria and Ruca hit double Spears when they went into the ring. Zaria had Paxley on her shoulders, then Sol ran the ropes, going for Soul Snatcher. Paxley moved, and Henley pushed Zaria, so Sol hit a Soul Snatcher on Zaria by mistake. Everybody was shocked. Henley shoved Sol out of the ring and Nyx covered Zaria for the pinfall.
Sol Ruca & Zaria have been eliminated.
Analysis: There’s the accidental finishing move by Sol, which is going to lead to Zaria snapping soon and going heel on her best friend. I think Zaria is the one to take the Women’s NXT North American Title from Sol. I like how it was done.
Dame jumped off the turnbuckle with a Codebreaker on Nyx, and Paxley covered Nyx for two. Henley pulled Dame out of the ring. Jayne cheapshotted Paxley with a punch, and Nyx rolled up Paxley for a two-count. Nyx hit a Nyx Kick for two because Dame broke up the pin. Dame fought with Nyx on the floor, where Dame hit a Chokeslam on the ring apron. Henley kicked Dame on the floor. Paxley kicked Henley to knock her off the turnbuckle. Paxley tried a splash, Henley moved, and Paxley landed on her feet. Dame got the tag, leading to a running kick, along with a slam by Paxley. Dame hit a Sky High sitout spinebuster for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Culling – Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley
Analysis: ***1/2 I liked the match. The three teams worked hard, set up some spots well, and the key spot was the Sol/Zaria mistake, which was executed perfectly. They all worked well together. The finish worked with The Culling, finding a way to win. Good job by everybody involved. It’s not easy with that many people involved, but they made it work.
The Culling’s Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley have earned a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match at some point in the future.
Analysis: The Women’s Tag Team Champions are Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, so it would be a boost to NXT to have them on the show. It might be smart to make it a PLE match. I don’t think there will be a title change.
Jacy Jayne did a promo saying Fatal Influence embarrassed her and said that she runs this division. They showed three SUVs pulling up to the building, but who arrived? Find out after the break.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Jacy Jayne with Fatal Influence
The NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne said there was no way that Fatal Influence wasn’t going to be part of Homecoming. Jayne said she’s not here to be anyone’s babysitter. Jayne said that she’s sick and tired of carrying this group on her back. Jayne said she didn’t get to where she is today because of any of you. Jayne said she didn’t need your applause or your respect. Jayne said she only ever needed herself. Jayne said she’s the greatest NXT Women’s Champion of all time, whether you like it or not. She carried the TNA Knockouts Championship on her terms…and here’s the interruption.
Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance and got a big ovation. Vaquer said she’ll give Jayne credit for beating her for the NXT Women’s Title. Vaquer said she held the NXT Women’s Title and North American Title at the same time. Vaquer said that at Wrestlepalooza she’ll be the Women’s World Champion. Vaquer asked if you know what time it is.
The WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton has returned to NXT, and she got a huge ovation. Stratton asked what time is it, so the fans could chant, “It’s Tiffy Time.” Stratton told Jayne she’s the WWE Women’s Champion, who is the longest current champion in WWE. Stratton mentioned beating Charlotte Flair, Trish Stratus, Jade Cargill, and she’s a former NXT Champion, so she doesn’t agree with Jayne saying she’s the best champion.
Jayne said this is like the graduates going back to high school, and it’s kind of sad. Stratton mentioned “Mami” so the fans went crazy.
Rhea Ripley made her entrance to a HUGE ovation because it’s been a long time since she’s been in NXT. Ripley didn’t agree with Jayne saying she was the greatest NXT Women’s Champion of all time. Ripley said there are three of them in the ring, and there are Ripley, Stratton & Vaquer, so Ripley said they will see Fatal Influence at Full Sail. Ripley, Stratton & Vaquer went into the ring, hit the heels with punches, and the heels bumped to the floor.
Analysis: That’s an impressive babyface super team of Ripley, Stratton, and Vaquer, so of course, the fans loved it. I liked how this was done. Ripley came across as the biggest star of the three, which is fine since she’s been on the main roster the longest of the three.
Next week at NXT Homecoming:
* #DIY vs. Trick Williams & Carmelo Hayes
* Grayson Waller Effect: Oba Femi & Ricky Starks
* NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page vs. Tyler Breeze
* Rhea Ripley, Tiffany Stratton & Stephanie Vaquer vs. Fatal Influence – Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx.
The heels were on the floor, looking scared, while Ripley, Stratton, and Vaquer stood tall in the ring. End of show.
Analysis: It’s a strong lineup for next week’s NXT. I like it.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Je’Von Evans/Josh Briggs
- The Culling – Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley
- Sol Ruca & Zaria and Fatal Influence – Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.75 out of 10
Last week: 6.5
2025 Average: 7.31
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
This was a very entertaining show that was definitely better than last week’s weaker episode. The first match with Evans/Briggs was great, and I liked the triple threat women’s tag team match in the main event, too.
It was cool seeing past NXT regulars like Tomasso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Tyler Breeze, Carmelo Hayes, Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, and Stephanie Vaquer. They are all from different eras, but they have NXT in their past, and that makes NXT “home” for all of them, so it’s cool to see them on the show again. It also makes next week’s NXT Homecoming card strong because it sets up some fresh matches.
The next WWE NXT PLE is No Mercy on September 27th with this lineup:
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Ricky Saints
* NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Lola Vice
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
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Twitter/X @johnreport