The John Report: WWE NXT 09/30/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT featured new champion Ricky Saints, Jaida Parker facing Lash Legend, the latest in the NXT-TNA rivalry, and more.
The NXT No Mercy PLE took place last Saturday with Ricky Saints beating Oba Femi for the NXT Title in the main event. I didn’t predict it, but it means that Oba’s run as NXT Champion is over, and it wouldn’t shock me to see him on the main roster soon. I’m happy for Ricky as the champ.
I’m doing a rare NXT live review because my Toronto Blue Jays have a bye in the MLB Playoffs and don’t play until Saturday, so I figured I would do this live. I’ll be using the summary style for most of the show, and then the play-by-play style 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 showing NXT No Mercy highlights.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T. The ring announcer was Mike Rome.
Let’s Hear from Ricky Saints
The new NXT Champion, Ricky Saints, made his entrance with his title, and he was cheered by the fans. Ricky was greeted with the “You Deserve It” chant.
Ricky said that every giant needs to rest, and he did that when he put Oba down. Ricky said that when he got here in February, reality was him headlining NXT PLE’s and holding the NXT Championship, so reality was standing in front of you. Ricky said there have been a lot of nights when people wondered if he could do it, so he asked did he do it? The fans cheered. Ricky said he’s always going to stand on business, so he put the chips on the line, bet on himself, and walked out of Fort Lauderdale as the new NXT Champion. Ricky said that the only person you can keep betting on is you because there’s only one person you see when you go to sleep, and that’s yourself.
Analysis: Good promo by Ricky Saints as the new champion. Ricky is one of the better talkers in NXT, and he’s easy to like as a babyface with charisma.
Jacy Jayne interrupted as the NXT Women’s Champion. I didn’t expect that. Jayne said that they had bigger things to worry about as the fans booed and Jayne got into the ring. Jayne said that TNA is trying to take over NXT even though they have both of their titles. Jayne said nobody likes to talk about themselves more than she does.
The NXT GM Ava interrupted and she walked to the ring. Ava said that she has decided that both of them are the team captains for NXT. Ava said that they have the important task of deciding who will be on their teams. Ava told them to put their pride and differences aside because she needs the best teams, so she needs the best men and women of NXT.
The legendary Santino made his entrance as the TNA Director of Authority. Santino said that he’s going to let his captains choose his teams as well. Santino said he doesn’t trust Tricky Williams, so he won’t be his captain. Santino introduced his captain, Mike Santana. There were “Boricua” chants for Mike. Santino said that the new TNA Knockouts Champion, Kelani Jordan, is the leader of the TNA team. Jordan won the title at TNA Victory Road last Friday, so they showed a replay of that.
Ava said, as she had previously, that she needs both teams finalized by the end of the night. Santino said this is not an Invasion since the two brands have been working together, so it’s more of a Showdown. Jayne complained about Jordan being the TNA Knockouts captain. Ricky said that they need to focus on their own teams. Ricky said he’ll see Santana at the end of the night.
Analysis: The “Invasion” name got dumped, and they are calling it “Showdown” instead, which is fine. There were complaints from people about “Invasion” and how the NXT-TNA “Invasion” show was going to be on October 7, which is when the Israel-Hamas war started two years ago. I think the name change is a good idea. Santino picking Jordan as the champion of the women’s Survivor Series team is a bit of a surprise, but TNA is also thin when it comes to having eligible Knockouts for the match due to multiple reasons. Anyway, this week’s show will be used to build next week’s Showdown episode.
The Lash Legend-Jaida Parker match was next, and we saw both women walking backstage getting ready for it.
A commercial aired promoting John Cena’s final WWE match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th in Washington, DC. It’s official.
(Commercial)
Je’Von Evans was backstage with TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater. Evans said that their Bound for Glory match will be like a movie. They were excited. The Culling confronted Evans about how he was talking to TNA. Niko Vance challenged Evans and Slater to a tag team match, so Evans and Slater left. Lyra Valkyria walked up to The Culling’s Tatum Paxley and said she had made her something. Lyra gave Paxley a doll, which Paxley loved. Izzi Dame wasn’t happy and got Paxley out of there.
Analysis: That set up a tag team match for later. Evans is facing Slater at Bound for Glory in a matchup of talented 21-year-olds who are also babyfaces.
Lash Legend vs. Jaida Parker
These two women have had issues for several weeks, so now they will settle it. Lash hit an uppercut to knock Parker down. Lash used her power with a suplex. They left the ring where Parker gave Lash a Samoan Drop on the floor. There was action during a break for some fans as the action continued here on Netflix. Parker was in control for most of it until Lash sent Parker into the turnbuckle, along with a clothesline. Lash also hit a backbreaker.
Lash applied a single leg crab submission, and Parker got to the bottom rope to break the hold. Parker avoided a splash attempt by Lash. Parker hit a flipping neckbreaker. Parker hit Lash with a suplex/neckbreaker for two. Parker hit her hip drop by the turnbuckle, but Lash was back up with a pump kick to the head. They left the ring, so Lash sent Parker into the steel steps and barricade. Parker countered Lash’s finisher and sent her into the ropes. Parker hit the running Hipnotic hip attack for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jaida Parker
Analysis: *** It was an entertaining match that could have gone either way. Lash dominated a lot of it and nearly won a few times, but Parker showed some heart and found a way to win. I like Parker as a babyface who is easy to get behind. Lash is also doing well as a face after a few years as a heel.
Ricky Starks was in the locker room with Je’Von Evans, and TNA World Champion Trick Williams named himself team captain on NXT. Ricky said that Evans is on the team. Ricky said that Myles Borne is on NXT’s team. Trick wanted Josh Briggs to be on the team. Ricky told Evans to put his differences aside with Briggs. Evans left. Trick suggested that Briggs face Borne tonight, and the winner gets to be on their team. Ricky agreed to it.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Ethan Page…And Mustafa Ali
The NXT North American Champion did a promo in the ring, saying he turned away a dangerous threat, Tavion Heights. Page said he showed there was a talent gap between them. Page mentioned AAA’s Dr. Wagner Jr. is coming after his title. Page told Wagner to keep it up. A car was shown arriving and we saw somebody exit the car.
TNA’s Mustafa Ali, who previously worked for WWE, walked out in a sit. Ali joined Page in the ring. Ali said he had no issue with anything that Page said, but he has an issue with his title. Page said he has no business with him and he doesn’t owe Ali anything. Ali said that NXT owes him something. Ali said that he earned an opportunity at that championship, but that opportunity never came. Ali said that two years ago today at NXT No Mercy, but the son did not rise. Ali said instead of a title match, he got a phone call that his services were no longer needed. Ali said he was still waiting for the championship match that he earned.
Page said that this is the part where you cry because this is a hell of a sob story. Page said he’s not the guy to offer him a title shot. Ali said he’s going to politic for it, not cry about it. Ali said that next week at NXT-TNA Showdown, he gets to challenge Page for the NXT North American Title next week at Showdown. Page said he shouldn’t be surprised. Page said every challenger of his is cursed. Page said he won’t call Ali on the phone to fire him, but he’ll wish Ali the best in his future endeavors. They got into a fight and Ali dropkicked Page out of the ring. Page grabbed his title and left.
Analysis: Good promos from both guys to set up their title match. I thought Ali made a clever point about not getting his title shot two years ago because he got fired, so it will make it easy to root for Ali in the match. Even though Ali is a heel character in TNA, he’ll be more of a babyface against Page.
The women’s locker room was shown with Wren Sinclair talking to Kendal Grey. Jaida Parker walked in with the NXT Women’s Title and with Fallon Henley. Henley mentioned Sol Ruca is a champion and it’s not her choice, but she wanted to win. Sol accepted. Lola Vice spoke up, Fallon Henley said it’s her spot, Lainey Reid spoke up, and Jayne said it’s her team. Jayne said that tonight, Vice can face Henley for a spot on the NXT team.
(Commercial)
A video package aired about The Hardy Boyz – TNA’s Tag team Champions Matt & Jeff Hardy. They talked about facing Darkstate for the NXT Tag Team Titles and how they had never been NXT Champions, so they were excited about it.
Next Tuesday on NXT Showdown: Darkstate vs. The Hardy Boyz for the NXT and TNA Tag team Champions.
Josh Briggs vs. Myles Borne
The athletic Borne was in full control as Briggs was sent out of the ring, and Borne hit a somersault dive over the top onto Briggs on the floor. Briggs was in control for a few minutes, and hit a running cross body block. Briggs hit a Chokeslam for a two count. They went on a break during the match.
Briggs remained in control as Borne tried to make a comeback. Briggs hit two backbreakers in a row for a two count. Borne got some offense going with a Randy Orton-like powerslam for two. Borne hit a belly-to-back suplex, but Briggs came back with a spinebuster and boot to the face. Matt Cardona showed up at ringside and grabbed Briggs’ arm to stop him using a chain. Borne hit a dropkick along with a Borne Again neckbreaker like a Zig Zag for the pinfall win. It went about 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Myles Borne
Analysis: *** A big win for Borne thanks to Cardona getting involved to prevent Briggs from using a weapon, and Borne capitalized to win. The Cardona interference felt a bit random since he went after a heel like Briggs, but maybe there’s going to be a follow up to it down the road.
The win means Myles Borne is on Team NXT at NXT Showdown. Borne joins Ricky Saints, Trick Williams, and Je’Von Evans on the four-man Survivor Series team.
In the backstage area, Jordynne Grace told Kelani Jordan to carry the TNA Knockouts Title with pride. They mentioned that people don’t know where Grace stands since she used to be in TNA. Jordan mentioned “Joe” so Joe Hendry appeared from behind a door. Mike Santana arrived to talk to Jordan, and they left. Joe told Grace he’s not sure either of them will be part of this, but Grace insisted that they should be involved.
Lola Vice made her entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
Fallon Henley (w/Jacy Jayne) vs. Lola Vice
It was Henley in control for a few minutes early in the match. Henley hit an impressive running neckbreaker for a two count. Vice got some offense going with kicks, along with a belly-to-back suplex. Henley tripped up Vice on the apron. Vice came back with a spinning back fist to knock Henley down for the pinfall win after just about four minutes of action.
Winner by pinfall: Lola Vice
Analysis: **1/4 Easy win for Lola Vice after failing to beat Jacy Jayne at NXT No Mercy. That was an expected result. Henley is pushed to a decent level, but Vice winning made sense here.
The tag team match with Je’Von Evans teaming with Leon Slater against The Culling is still to come.
A commercial aired for WWE Crown Jewel on October 11th.
(Commercial)
Darkstate spoke in a video package with the NXT Tag Team Titles, talking about their match against The Hardys on NXT next week. Osiris Griffin mentioned that he and Dion Lennox won the NXT Tag Team Titles, so they will win the match next week, too. Saquon Shugars said that when Darkstate strikes, nobody is safe.
Jacy Jayne was with the NXT Women’s Title, talking to Fallon Henley backstage. Lainey Reid sucked up to them, saying she went against the doctor’s orders at No Mercy. Reid handed them the mask from the mystery attack at No Mercy. Jayne was surprised by it. Reid said that Jazmyn never belonged in Fatal Influence, and Reid left.
Analysis: That means that Lainey Reid did the attack at No Mercy, and it looks like she wants to be part of Fatal Influence. I think Reid will be a perfect fit for it.
Je’Von Evans made his entrance for tag team action.
A commercial aired for the next NXT PLE, Halloween Havoc on October 25th.
(Commercial)
The Culling – Shawn Spears & Niko Vance (w/Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley) vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
Slater hit a jumping kick and a forearm on Spears. Slater worked over Spears with punches. Slater hit a jumping side kick. Vance tagged in, so Slater hit a dropkick on him. Evans tagged in with a headscissors and a dropkick of his own. Slater jumped off the top with a punch to Vance’s arm. Vance countered a move and headbutted Slater. Spears was back in, Evans got the tag and Spears hit a spinebuster. Dame yelled at Paxley and they went to the back. Evans hit a German Suplex on Spears. Evans and Slater hit a slingshot dive over the top onto the heels of the floor. The show went on a break. During the break. The Culling took over and were in control of Slater.
Vance was in control of Slater with a full nelson. Slater hit a jawbreaker to break free. Spears tagged in with a body slam. Slater kicked Spears to break free and Vance was back in. Slater hit a spinning kick on Vance’s head. Evans got the hot tag, and he cleaned house with a clothesline and a suicide dive onto Spears on the commentary table. Evans kicked Vance and hit a springboard clothesline. Evans hit a twisting kick. Evans went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two on Vance for a two count. Evans got a sunset flip on Vance for two. Evans hit Vance with a forearm. Vance kicked Evans and hit an Alabama Slam for two. Slater got the tag as Evans cleared the ring and Slater jumped over the top onto both opponents on the floor. Slater hit a spinning slam on Spears for two because Vance made the save. Evans hit a running kick on Vance, and Spears hit a knee on Slater. Slater came back with a back flip into a double Cutter. Evans hit a double springboard Cutter on both heels. Evans hit a suicide dive onto Vance on the floor. Slater went up top and hit a Swanton 450 Splash for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a great match with Evans and Slater working well together as a babyface team. They built up the hot tag well, the action picked up after that and Evans and Slater were so fun to watch when they got on the same page. There’s something magical about that Evans/Slater team, so I want to see them together again in the future.
They showed the TNA roster walking outside the building for a summit up next. NXT wrestlers were there to confront them in the parking lot and there was a lot of arguing.
There was a commercial break for some fans as the NXT roster and TNA roster both walked out into the arena.
NXT-TNA Summit
This was the main event segment with dozens of wrestlers in the arena. Ava mentioned Ethan Page against Mustafa Ali and The Hardys against Darkstate next week. Ava brought up the Survivor Series style of matches.
Trick Williams spoke up as the co-captain of the NXT team. Ricky Saints told Trick that Ricky is the captain and Trick is riding shotgun. Ricky said that his team is him, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Myles Borne coming off a big win.
Mike Santana announced the TNA Survivor Series-style team, saying he’s choosing TNA International Champion Frankie Kazarian. Santana also said he was choosing former TNA World Champion Moose. Santana said that the TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater was the fourth man on his team.
Jacy Jayne spoke up as the NXT Women’s Champion. Jayne said that Kelani Jordan can be all innocent, but she’s just a traitor. Jayne said that for Team NXT, the only double champ left in this building will be the NXT Women’s North American & Speed Champion, Sol Ruca. Jayne also called on Jaida Parker for her team. Lastly, for Team NXT, somebody that Jayne knows very well…it’s Lola Vice.
The TNA Knockouts Champion, Kelani Jordan, said she respects the responsibilities of being the TNA Knockouts Champion, even if it means going against NXT. Jordan said she picked the IInspiration’s Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee for her team. Jordan mentioned them as TNA Knockouts Champions, but I don’t think that has aired yet because it happened at recent tapings. She mentioned them as being iconic. Jordan picked Mara Sade as the fourth woman on the team. It’s the former Jakara Jackson who was in NXT.
Santana spoke up, saying that TNA is going to win Showdown just like he’s going to walk into Bound for Glory and bring Trick’s TNA World Title back home where it belongs. Santana punched Trick, and it set up a huge brawl around the ring.
The men’s and women’s wrestlers got into a massive brawl around the ringside area, with the NXT wrestlers fighting the TNA wrestlers. It was a chaotic scene with punches thrown by everybody.
The NXT boss man, Shawn Michaels, walked out in the aisle, and he was in awe of all the chaos. The fighting continued at ringside. The wrestlers kept on fighting, and that was the end of the show.
Analysis: They did a nice job of going through their promos quickly enough that they all said what needed to be said. I’m not surprised by any of the picks, although I think the TNA Knockouts division is very thin right now. I’m not surprised by the chaotic brawl ending. We saw it in the past, and it made sense to do it again here.
HISTORY WILL BE MADE.
IT'S GOING TO BE A TNA vs. NXT SHOWDOWN!!!! pic.twitter.com/Z5rYKCqCdE
— WWE (@WWE) October 1, 2025
To summarize, on next week’s NXT-TNA Showdown episode, the matches are as follows:
– Survivor Series Elimination NXT vs. TNA Men’s Match: Ricky Saints, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans & Myles Borne vs. Mike Santana, Frankie Kazarian, Moose & Leon Slater
– Survivor Series Elimination NXT vs. TNA Women’s Match: Jacy Jayne, Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker & Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan, The IInspiration’s Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee, and Mara Sade
– Winner Take All NXT vs. TNA Tag Team Championship Match: Darkstate’s Osiris Griffin & Dion Lennox vs. The Hardys – Matt & Jeff Hardy
– NXT North American Championship Match: Ethan Page vs. Mustafa Ali
Analysis: I think the NXT women will win, and the TNA men will win. I also think The Hardys will win the Tag Team Title match, and I’ll go with Page over Ali. That means each brand will win two matches.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater
- Ricky Saints
- Jaida Parker
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2025 Average: 7.32
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
The episode was built around selling the idea that next week’s NXT-TNA Showdown (not Invasion) is some huge event. I understand that it’s a significant development in the storyline, but they should have done more to convey that the winners receive some reward, because then maybe we would care about it more. They are doing the NXT-TNA Showdown next week because AEW Dynamite is on Tuesday next week, so WWE wanted to do a strong counter to Dynamite, most likely.
In terms of matches, I really enjoyed the tag team match with Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater beating The Culling. Evans and Slater are so much fun to watch as 21-year-old dudes who have incredibly bright futures. Putting them together on this show, just a few weeks before they meet at TNA Bound for Glory, was a great move.
Anyway, I’m interested to see how they book the NXT-TNA Showdown and how they follow up on it since it’s leading into TNA Bound for Glory as well.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email [email protected]
Twitter/X @johnreport