The John Report: WWE NXT 09/23/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured Oba Femi and Trick Williams in a huge main event.
The NXT brand has No Mercy on September 27, so they have to build up the card for this Saturday night.
I’ll be using the summary style for most of the show and then play-by-play for one or two matches.
They were at the WWE Performance Center 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.
A video package aired with highlights from last week’s NXT Homecoming show. Great show.
They showed TNA Champion Trick Williams and NXT Champion Oba Femi walking earlier in the day for their match in the main event.
Lights Out Match: Myles Borne vs. Lexis King
There are no rules in a Lights Out Match, and you have to win by pinfall or submission. The lights were out in the building and there were spotlights on the guys, but it was dark in the building. Borne was aggressive early on with a belly-to-belly suplex. King managed to hit Borne with a clothesline while Borne was against a chair. King suplexed Borne on a chair. King was in control as he beat up Borne by repeatedly smashing him with a trash can. Borne gave King a snap powerslam onto a trash can.
(Commercial)
King brought a Slim Jim table into the ring. King hit Borne with a Coronation neckbreaker on the commentary during the break. Borne went for a suicide dive, but King used a leather belt to hit Borne and stop that. King sent Borne into the steel steps. King teased stomping on a chair on Borne’s head, but Borne avoided it. Borne hit a Spear on King through the thin barricade that they have in the arena. King clotheslined Borne out of the ring to the floor. Borne got a hold of the leather belt and whipped King with it several times. King hit a superkick. There was a table set up in the ring and Borne gave King a DDT on the steel steps. Borne hit a Born Again (Zig Zag) slam off the steps and through a table for the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Myles Borne
Analysis: ***1/4 That felt like a feud-ending match with the babyface Borne getting the win to get revenge on King for trashing Borne repeatedly in the past. It was tough to see some of the match because of the Lights Out stipulation, but they worked hard, and I liked the story. It made sense for Borne to get the decisive win.
Robert Stone and Stevie Turner were talking to Ava on the phone. Ava said she was in England, taking care of business. Ava said she trusted them to run the show. Rob mentioned that TNA people were there, so he wondered if Ava had invited them, but Ava said she couldn’t hear him. Why can’t they just text her and ask that way? Anyway, it’s a tease for what’s coming later.
Ethan Page was up next as the NXT North American Champion. Myles Borne looked at his title as Page kept walking. TNA’s Mance Warner and Steph De Lander were also shown walking backstage.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Ethan Page
The NXT North American Champion and my fellow Canadian, Ethan Page, made his entrance. The AAA wrestler Hijo Del Dr. Wagner Jr. was seated in the crowd.
Ethan Page pointed out AAA Latin American Champion Dr. Wagner Jr. and he welcomed him to NXT. Page said he’d be a two-belt champion if Wagner didn’t screw him out of his victory at Worlds Collide. Page invited Wagner to No Mercy as Page embarrasses Tavion Heights. Page invited Wagner into the ring, and Page said to give him a referee, even though Page was in his dress clothes. Wagner put Page in an Ankle Lock and Page tapped out. The referee gave Wagner the NXT North American Title and the mask was removed to show that Heights was holding the NXT North American Title. Page was stunned by it.
Analysis: The bell never rang to start the match, but it’s a way to show how cocky Page is and how Heights may be able to beat him at No Mercy.
Jordynne Grace was in the locker room with Arianna Grace, Karmen Petrovic, and others. This was earlier in the day. Jordynne and Arianna exchanged word,s and Jordynne mentioned having a match with Arianna, who was not thrilled about it.
Candice LeRae made her entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
They had NASCAR driver Cole Custer do the ring introductions for this match. He looks like a NASCAR driver. Just saying.
Women’s Speed Title #1 Contender’s Match: Lainey Reid vs. Candice LeRae
There’s a 3-minute time limit in this match. Reid hit a lifting neckbreaker for two. LeRae kicked Reid down. Reid hit a superkick while they were on the aisle. LeRae hit a flatliner onto the apron. LeRae hit a springboard cross body block on Reid on the floor. LeRae spun around Reid and applied a Crossface, but Reid got out of it. Reid got a backslide pin. LeRae got a rollup. Reid hit a knee smash to the face to win with 34 seconds left.
Winner by pinfall: Lainey Reid
Analysis: ** It was an action-packed match that was under three minutes. Reid has a bright future, and now she’ll be in a PLE match for the first time ever at No Mercy.
Lainey Reid will face Sol Ruca for the Women’s Speed Championship at No Mercy. Sol Ruca and Zaria were watching from the platform, so Reid and Ruca had a staredown.
Jaida Parker was featured in a video discussing her issues with Lash Legend, who defeated Lash in a match. Parker said she put Lash through a barricade after the match. Parker talked about how she’ll stand over Lash and give her a reality check that she needs.
Lyra Valkyria was backstage talking to Taum Paxley. Lyra talked about getting close to people, and then those people become weird. There was TNA’s Steve Maclin in the background. Izzi Dame talked to Paxley, saying Lyra had left her in the past, so Dame grabbed Paxley’s hand and they left.
(Commercial)
Andre Chase was backstage with Kale Dixon and Urijah Connors. They talked to NASCAR drivers Cole Custer and Sam Mayer in the backstage area. There were more TNA guys in the background. Darkstate appeared, but then somebody said Joe Hendry’s name, and Joe Hendry was there in a race car driver outfit. Darkstate challenged Joe and Chas U boys to a 6-man tag team match.
Jordynne Grace vs. Arianna Grace
It’s the battle of the Grace girls, who are not related. Arianna was aggressive as she attacked Jordynne with punches and kicks. Jordynne took control with two clotheslines and a spinebuster. Jordynne hit a Direct Effect spinning slam off the shoulders for the pinfall win in under 3 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jordynne Grace
Analysis: *1/4 Easy win by Jordynne Grace as you’d expect here. Arianna rarely wins.
Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo checked on Arianna at ringside and held her in his arms. They are engaged in real life.
Blake Monroe walked out to the ring with a kendo stick, but Jordynne blocked that with a chair. Blake hit Jordynne with some kendo stick shots to the body. There were officials and security guys there to break up the fight. Stevie Turner and Robert Stone arrived, so Stevie said they’ll have a Weapons Match at No Mercy. Stone said they can go bigger than that – a Steel Cage. Vic said it’s a Weaponized Steel Cage Match. Blake and Grace tried to punch eachother again, but security held them back.
Analysis: That’s a way to end the Blake/Jordynne feud at No Mercy. I think Grace will win.
Lainey Reid was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid about how she’s going to win the Women’s Speed Title. The NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne congratulated Reid on the win and Reid said thanks since they get along. Jayne told Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx that she could handle Lola Vice on her own, so Jayne left while Henley wasn’t happy about it.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Jacy Jayne
The NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne entered alone for a promo. Jayne said that Rhea Ripley pinning her last week and Lola back fisting her doesn’t really matter because for over 100 days, Jayne is the NXT Women’s Champion. Jayne said she’s gotten rid of the labels that people put on her, and she went over those labels. Jayne said that it’s laughable that people think Lola Vice will beat her. Jayne said that Vice is a crossover act pretending to be a wrestler. Jayne said that Vice has 1 million followers on Instagram and she’s improved a lot, but she doesn’t have what it takes to win this. Jayne said that Vice will be in front of the hometown crowd at No Mercy. Jayne said she’s the one who shocked the world, and Lola is not the underdog in this story because Jayne is. Jayne claimed she was told she would never make it. Jayne said while Lola was shaking her ass, Jayne was busting her ass to get to the top. Jayne said that no family, no MMA background, no hometown advantage is going to save Lola for what’s coming her way at No Mercy, and no one will ruin it for Jayne.
Lola Vice interrupted, saying that another person was talking about her ass. Vice said at least she has an ass to shake. (So that’s how you get those Instagram follows, huh?) Jayne applauded that. Vice said that Jayne is barely surviving since she’s always needed someone, while Vice does not. Vice mentioned that Jayne was a “toxic third wheel” (a reference to Toxic Attraction), and she found an easy way to become champion. Vice knocked women out to earn her opportunity. Vice remembered being emotional a year ago against Roxanne Perez, but it’s not who she is anymore. Vice said that she’s a completely different person who is more than a fighter – she’s a pro wrestler and a WWE superstar. Vice said as much as she wants to win for her family and culture, it’s for the fans who have always had her back. That led to a “LOLA” chant. Vice said she’ll show Jayne no mercy at No Mercy when she becomes the new NXT Women’s Champion.
Jayne said that more than likely, Vice will beat Jayne’s ass, but Jayne knows her, and she knows Vice has been looking for validation. Jayne said that somehow, some way, she’ll be walking out with the title. Jayne said she may have a broken nose or a broken jaw, but Vice will have to tell her parents that their sacrifices were for nothing. Jayne said she’ll still be the champion, and Vice will walk out as her family’s biggest disappointment. Vice hit a spinning back fist on Jayne and held up the NXT Women’s Title.
Analysis: I don’t mind Jayne and Vice as performers, but let’s not act like the NXT women’s division is as hot as it’s been in the past. The Grace-Monroe feud is a lot better than this one. The difference is there’s a title in this feud. With that said, Jayne did a nice job as the cocky heel champion, while Vice is easy to like as a woman going for her first title win. I think Vice will likely win at No Mercy near her hometown and with family in attendance, but Vice getting the upper hand here makes me question it a bit.
(Commercial)
Josh Briggs was featured in a video package talking about how he can do it all in the ring. Briggs said he gets told that he is not relatable to the fans, so now he doesn’t give a damn what a fan thinks of him because nobody can deny his talent. Briggs mentioned fans say “go away” but then they say “this is awesome” during his matches, so the fans don’t get it. Briggs said that Je’Von Evans seeking the fans approval makes Evans weak. Briggs said you can chant what you want because he only cares about the 1, 2, 3.
Analysis: That was perfect in covering the kind of heel that Briggs is. He used to be a face, but he’s better off as a heel, and he’s right that he gets “this is awesome” chants a lot because he does have a lot of good matches. I think Evans should win at No Mercy.
Joe Hendry, Kale Dixon & Urijah Connors (w/Andre Chase) vs. Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars (w/Cutler James)
The Darkstate guys attacked the babyfaces during Joe’s hand-waving entrance. Darkstate worked over Connors with Dio,n hitting a body slam. Dixon hit a running splash to Dion’s back. Joe tagged in and worked over Dion with chops. The faces sent Dion and Shugars out of the ring, so Hendry clotheslined Griffin out of the ring. Dixon did an impressive dive over the top to the floor. The faces posed together as the show went to a break.
(Commercial)
Darkstate was in control of Dixon, and they did some quick tags. Dion hit a running lariat on Dixon for two. TNA’s Mike Santana was shown walking into the building. Griffin hit a powerslam on Dixon and Joe made the save. Shortly after that, Joe got the hot tag, and he was on fire with strikes. Joe even hit a headscissors. Joe hit a fallaway slam on Dion. Griffin saved Dion from a Standing Ovation attempt. Connors got back into the match and unleashed with a kick, along with a superkick, and a spinning kick. Connors hit a DDT. Connors even hit a Stunner for two. James distracted the referee, so Shugars hit a knee drop on Connors. Darkstate hit their triple Powerbomb combo move on Connors for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars
Analysis: *** A solid tag team match as the Chase U guys keep losing, but they are getting better. It makes sense to give Darkstate the win as the NXT Tag Team Champions, and they are booked strongly in most of their matches. Hendry is a good fit for Chase U or any babyfaces as an ally because Joe is so easy to like. Connors, who is Fit Finlay’s son, showed a lot to end the match.
(Commercial)
Ricky Saints Video
A video aired about Ricky Saints hanging out in New Orleans. Ricky was standing where his childhood home used to be, but it’s not there anymore because the storm (Hurricane Katrina) took it away. Ricky said he comes back so people can say that’s the guy who made it. Ricky said he had no other choice but to make it. Ricky said you can see his style and glamour, but he represents everybody who is passionate and stubborn because he believes in himself. Ricky said that every day he makes sure he progresses just a little bit more, and it’s all about survival. Ricky said it’s not just about him, it’s about his people and his family. Ricky spoke about how proud he is to be from where he’s from. Ricky said this Saturday isn’t about winning the NXT Championship, it’s about making the non-believers into believers. Ricky said what matters is that he gets it done. Ricky said he will usher in a new era because he has to.
Analysis: It was a solid profile video to tell us more about Ricky Saints. It’s interesting how Ricky lost his NXT North American Title feud to Ethan Page, yet here he is a short time later in an NXT Title match on a PLE.
Here’s the lineup for NXT No Mercy on Saturday, September 27th.
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Ricky Saints
* NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Lola Vice
* NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Tavion Heights
* Women’s Speed Championship: Sol Ruca (c) vs. Lainey Reid
* Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs
* Weaponized Steel Cage Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe
Je’Von Evans was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid about his match with Josh Briggs at No Mercy. Evans said he’ll jump around him, punch him in the mouth and everybody will know he is bouncy.
There was commotion off-screen, so we saw Jazmyn Nyx on the ground selling an attack. A referee was checking on her. Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley were there, with Henley saying she was with her and left her for one minute. Henley wondered who it was. Jayne said it doesn’t matter because it was time to drop her, and only the strong survive.
Analysis: That could be the end of Jazmyn Nyx in Fatal Influence. Maybe there’s an injury or NXT wants to end the group since Jayne is rude to Henley all the time as well. Jayne and Henley have been regulars on NXT TV for four years, so maybe it’s time for them to go to the main roster. There are a lot of options, obviously.
UPDATE: The real story with Jazmyn Nyx is that WWE has chosen not to renew her contract, so she has essentially been released. I think Nyx improved a lot, but WWE must have felt like it was best to move on.
Trick Williams made his entrance as the TNA World Champion. There were many TNA wrestlers in the crowd watching the match, like Moose, Steve Maclin, and others.
(Commercial)
The NXT Champion Oba Femi made his entrance.
Winner Take All – Champion vs. Champion, Title for Title Match: NXT Champion Oba Femi vs. TNA World Champion Trick Williams
Femi blocked a spin kick and Trick came back with chops. They each tried moves, but they avoided them, and when Trick went for a knee, Femi stepped out of the way. Trick hit a spin kick to the head. Femi knocked over Trick with shoulder tackles. Femi tossed Trick over the top to the floor. With Trick on the apron, Femi chopped him. They kept showing TNA wrestlers in the crowd. Trick gave Femi a flatliner onto the apron. The fans popped as Mike Santana went to ringside and joined commentary. Santana is against Trick at Bound for Glory. Trick chopped Femi while Frankie Kazarian and Eric Young looked on.
(Commercial)
Trick hit a body slam. Matt Cardona, aka former Zack Ryder, was in the crowd, and the fans popped for him. Trick hit a Rock Bottom for two. Femi spiked Trick with a spinebuster. Femi hit two running uppercuts, but Trick hit a clothesline. Femi hit a running uppercut and a Big Ending slam for a two count. Trick hit three spinning kicks to Femi’s face. Femi caught a leaping Trick and Femi hit a forearm to the jaw. Trick hit a kick to the head. Femi tossed Trick across the ring. Trick countered a move with a hurricanrana for two. That’s an impressive move for two big guys. Trick hit a Trick Shot knee for two. Femi lifted up Trick and hit Fall From Grace for two. Both guys were down selling. Femi and Trick took turns hitting clotheslines. Femi knocked Trick out of the ring, where they were in front of the commentary table. Trick sent Femi into the steel steps. Trick got in Santana’s face, so Trick slapped him, and Santana punched Trick, and there’s the DQ finish. It went 12 minutes.
Winner: Trick Williams by disqualification (Both champions keep their titles)
Analysis: ***1/4 A solid match before the chaos ended it. They hit some big moves and got some nearfalls, but I figured there wouldn’t be a pinfall loss. In last week’s NXT review, I wrote, “I think TNA wrestlers will attack the guys and there will be no winner.” It wasn’t a bold prediction or anything like that, but it was obvious that they were going to have a non-finish in this match.
After the bell rang, Santana and Trick went into the ring to throw punches, while others from TNA and NXT went into the ring to get into a huge brawl. It was men and women fighting in the ring and around the ring. It was probably 40+ people out there. Ricky Saints walked out to ringside and touched the NXT Title, so Oba Femi got back to his feet and grabbed the NXT Title for himself. Femi held the NXT Title up in front of Ricky’s face as the fighting went on in the background. End show.
Analysis: I thought it was a good angle to end it. The NXT-TNA relationship so far has been a harmonious one, but now they are going to do the story where they don’t like eachother and this TNA “invasion” sets the stage for what’s to come. It was cool seeing a guy like Matt Cardona out there because he’s been gone from WWE for five years, he has said he wanted to come back, and now he’s back as a TNA guy on NXT. I think this ending did a good job of planting the seeds for more of an NXT-TNA rivalry, and I think that’s a smart thing that will build up both brands more, and maybe lead to some interesting booking scenarios regarding the titles on both brands.
THIS. IS. MADNESS.
IT'S A TNA INVASION!!!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/qp5mMRGQ2W
— WWE (@WWE) September 24, 2025
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Three Stars of the Show
- Trick Williams
- Oba Femi
- Myles Borne
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7.75
2025 Average: 7.32
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
A solid show overall, but not as strong as last week’s great Homecoming show. I think the show ending angle, with Oba Femi and Trick Williams having a match that led to an NXT-TNA brawl, was well done. It was predictable, given how the story was told throughout the night, but it was still effective. The NXT-TNA story was harmonious throughout the year, but now they are gonna turn it into more of an “us against them” type story, and I think that’s a good idea.
The rest of the show did a decent job of building the No Mercy lineup, although that card isn’t very strong. NXT isn’t “hot” right now, but maybe the NXT-TNA story will spark it a bit. The Myles Borne match with Lexis King was pretty good. Other matches were just okay.
The next WWE NXT PLE is No Mercy on Saturday, September 27th with this lineup:
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Ricky Saints
* NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Lola Vice
* NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Tavion Heights
* Women’s Speed Championship: Sol Ruca (c) vs. Lainey Reid
* Weaponized Steel Cage Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe
* Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs
You can watch NXT No Mercy LIVE on Saturday, September 27, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.
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John Canton
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Twitter/X @johnreport