The John Report: WWE NXT 12/02/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT features a big 8-man tag and the final push for NXT Deadline.
The last two weeks of NXT had Gold Rush episodes with several title matches over both shows. We are now on the road to NXT Deadline, which is this Saturday, December 6th.
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.
The commentary team this week was Vic Joseph and Corey Graves, who was filling in for Booker T. They didn’t say why Booker was off, but maybe he just got a break this week. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Summit
The NXT GM Ava was in the ring with Kendal Grey, Lola Vice, Sol Ruca, Jordynne Grace and Kelani Jordan to talk about the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Summit. Sol said that Ethan Page said she was a World Champion caliber talent. Sol said it’s time for her to see herself that way. Sol said she had her highs and some lows as well. Sol said life has been complicated recently, but there’s a simple path to getting her peace back, and that’s winning at Deadline, then walking into New Year’s Evil to become the NXT Women’s Champion.
Jordynne Grace spoke up while wearing her giant glasses. Grace said there’s not a woman in this ring who can stop her.
Lola Vice said John Cena picked them all for a reason. Lola said she still believes in herself. From NXT to AAA, Vice City is everywhere, and she said she should be the Women’s Champion.
Kendal Grey spoke up, saying she’s the only champion in the ring right now as the Women’s Evolve Champion. Grey said she is all about big moments.
Kelani Jordan told Grey to shut up and said now she’s swimming with the sharks, so there’s blood in the water. The fans booed Jordan loudly and Jordan said nobody cared about the other women’s excuses. Jordan said only she and Sol have been in the Iron Survivor Challenge before. Jordan said that they are stand-ins while she is the standout.
The Fatal Influence Trio of NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley and Kendal Grey. Jayne said now that she has the title again, order has been restored in NXT. Jayne said Sol had a broken heart and bum leg, and then Grey is the new flavor of the month. Jayne mentioned beating Vice and Grace in the past. Jayne said it’s nice to see Jordan showing some spine.
Jordan said she’d still be Knockouts Champion if it wasn’t for Grace, so Jordan shoved Grace and they went fighting out of the ring. Fatal Influence went into the ring, so the trio of Grey, Vice and Ruca cleared the ring of that trio.
Analysis: It is the usual promo segment to build a multi-person match where everybody stands in a line and makes their points about why they are going to win. We have seen these types of promos many times. The fight at the end will likely lead to a tag team match as well. Jordan is getting a lot of heat as a heel, so it showed that her turn worked because, as a face, she was getting boring. I think Ruca is my pick to win the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge at this point, but that may change later in the week.
Joe Hendry and Thea Hail were shown talking earlier in the day. Joe talked about how honored he was that John Cena picked him in the Iron Survivor Challenge. Channing Stacks Lorenzo and Arianna Grace walked in to laugh at them. Arianna and Hail argued, so that set up a match.
Analysis: NXT leads all WWE shows in terms of having a backstage confrontation to set up a match either that night or the next week. They happen so often.
Thea Hail made her entrance, joined by her buddy Joe Hendry.
The WrestleMania 42 commercial aired, featuring the women, and this one with Becky Lynch talking about being the best female wrestler of all time.
(Commercial)
They showed Ava walking backstage and telling security to keep Jordynne Grace and Kelani Jordan apart. Ava also told Fatal Influence they’ll be in a 6-woman tag against Kendal Grey, Sol Ruca and Lola Vice.
Analysis: There’s the tag team match that was set up in the opening segment.
Thea Hail (w/Joe Hendry) vs. Arianna Grace (w/Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo)
Grace and Stacks are engaged in case you don’t know. Stacks distracted Hail, so Grace hit a chop to the throat and a neckbreaker. Hail countered Grace with a backslide pin. Hail sent a charging Grace out of the ring and Hail hit a suicide dive on the floor. Back in the ring, Hail hit an Exploder Suplex and a running kick. Stacks tried to interfere, so Hendry grabbed Stacks and gave him a Standing Ovation on the apron. Grace rolled up Hail for two, but Hail applied a Kimura Lock on the arm and Grace tapped out. It went about 3 minutes.
Winner by submission: Thea Hail
Analysis: ** Easy win for Thea Hail while Arianna Grace rarely wins. Hail is one of the most likable babyfaces in NXT. I think Grace would be a great fit as an ally of Chelsea Green on the main roster, even though Grace rarely wins in NXT, and you might not think she deserves a main roster spot, but as a character, she’s a perfect fit. Hail is a star on the rise who could definitely win a singles title in NXT next year.
OTM was shown earlier in the day when Chase U’s Kale Dixon and Urijah Connors almost drove into the parking lot. Connors was driving a Tesla, so he was acting like he didn’t know how to control it. Andre Chase tried to calm OTM down. OTM said if it happens again, then it’s on sight, meaning there will be a fight. OTM left. Chase told his guys to smarten up.
Josh Briggs made his entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
A clip aired from John Cena’s interview about his career that will go online next week.
The babyfaces Je’Von Evans, Leon Slater, Myles Borne and Joe Hendry were in Ava’s office. Mr. Stone walked in with some delivery for Ava, and she put it on her desk. Ava said whoever gets the pin gets to pick their spot in the Iron Survivor Challenge. If Darkstate wins, then Dion Lennox gets to pick. The guys liked that. Ava dumped the box out, and it was some cut-up material.
Tavion Heights vs. Josh Briggs
They started brawling before the bell. When they got into the ring, Briggs hit a Chokeslam for a two count. Heights came back with a German Suplex and a clothesline. Heights hit an impressive suplex where he captured the leg and flipped over into a two count. Briggs nailed Heights with a hard shot that knocked him off the barricade to the floor. Heights came back by lifting up Briggs and tackling him through the barricade. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. I’ll take a break too.
Briggs was in control with a sidewalk slam and splash for two. Heights ran the ropes, leading to a dropkick. Briggs sent Heights shoulder-first into the turnbuckle. Heights came back with a hiptoss. Heights hit a neckbreaker-like move. Briggs had the chain from his neck, but Heights stopped him from using it because he punched him. Heights hit a belly-to-belly slam for two because the referee was slow to count and Briggs had his foot on the rope. Briggs hit a running kick to the head. Briggs hit a Clothesline From Hell for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Josh Briggs
Analysis: *** A good TV match as they have done before. Heights is very talented in the ring, but we need to see more from him as a character. The chain was a factor even though it wasn’t used. Briggs capitalized on Heights’ frustration for the win. Briggs does a good job as a midcard heel. It just seems like Briggs is stuck in that spot and isn’t moving up or down.
The Culling’s Izzi Dame, Shawn Spears and Niko Vance were walking backstage for a promo up next.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear From The Culling
The Culling trio of Izzi Dame, Shawn Spears, and Niko Vance went into the ring for a promo. Dame said that the fans are like Tatum Paxley because they are just like her and don’t know how to be alone. Dame talked about how pathetic Paxley was. Dame said that she corrected a mistake when she thought that Paxley was an equal. Dame said when the fans ignored Paxley, Dame carved purpose into her, gave her a face, gave her confidence, and cared about Paxley. Dame claimed that Paxley was so selfish and so stubborn. Dame said it felt like everything The Culling gave Paxley wasn’t good enough for Paxley. Dame said that Paxley became NXT Women’s Champion because Dame allowed her to. Dame said she took everything from Paxley. Dame said that when you stand beside her, you don’t get the chance to ignore Dame. Dame said that at Deadline, she’ll face Paxley. Dame said she’ll end this version of Paxley. Izzi looks like she has a lot of spray tanner on her hands because it looks way darker than her face. Just saying.
Tatum Paxley was backstage somewhere on the stools and said she was all alone. Paxley wondered why Dame tore it apart. Dame said that Paxley rejected Dame. Dame said if Paxley is that upset, she dared Paxley to come out there to do something about it. Paxley said that she’s scared because she doesn’t know what she’ll become without Dame’s hand on her shoulder. Paxley said at Deadline, she’ll make Dame feel all of her pain.
Analysis: It was a solid promo from Izzi Dame, who is a pretty good heel. I think her talking is her strength, and she still has a long way to go in the ring. Paxley will be even more likable after The Culling turned on her. It makes sense to the Paxley-Dame match at Deadline, too.
Sol Ruca was in the locker room with her tag team partners Lola Vice and Kendal Grey, who was with Wren Sinclair too. Zaria walked up to Ruca and they exchanged words to continue the tension between them. Zaria wasn’t happy. Sol’s tag team match was next.
Analysis: The Zaria heel turn is coming soon. Does she cost Ruca the match at Deadline? Might happen.
(Commercial)
A video aired about the Iron Survivor Challenge matches at Deadline as they went over the rules of the 25-minute match. Most falls win.
Fatal Influence – Jacy Jayne, Tatum Paxley & Lainey Reid vs. Lola Vice, Sol Ruca & Kendal Grey (w/Wren Sinclair)
It was a chaotic start as the match spilled to the floor quickly, as Grey hit a cross body block off the top onto the heels. Jayne hit a somersault attack off the apron onto the faces. Sol went up top and hit a moonsault onto the three heels. Sol landed on her feet. Vice worked over Reid with a kick. Sol tagged in with a standing moonsault. Grey took down Henley with a fireman’s carry. Grey tripped Henley and hit a dropkick. Henley kicked Grey and Reid tagged in with a dropkick. Grey hit an overhead suplex on Reid. Jayne tagged in and Grey got a takedown into a pin for two. Jayne distracted the referee, so Henley and Reid did some cheap shots that the referee never saw and Jayne hit a senton on Grey. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too, as Fatal Influence were in control.
The Fatal Influence trio was in control of Grey. Reid hit a neckbreaker and Jayne tagged in with a superkick for two. Jayne splashed Grey against the turnbuckle. Grey broke free and brought in Vice. Vice unloaded with strikes, including quick kicks to the body. Vice did her “I’m a Latina” running hip attack on two opponents. Vice hit a belly-to-back suplex on Henley. Sol tagged in with a foot to the back and a shoulder breaker. Sol tossed Jayne out of the ring. Henley got a rollup on Sol. Henley sent Sol into the ropes and then a Blockbuster after that. Jayne and Reid hit double knees on Sol for two because there was a save. All six women went into the ring to do moves and then bump to the floor. Sol hit a jumping facebuster on Henley. Jayne rolled up Sol for two. Sol avoided the Rolling Encore, Sol bounced off the ropes and hit the Soul Snatcher on Jayne for the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Lola Vice, Sol Ruca & Kendal Grey
Analysis: ***1/4 Good tag team match with the babyfaces working well together to get the win. That Soul Snatcher by Ruca looked amazing as usual, and it was executed perfectly. Sol pinning Jayne could be a sign of things to come if Sol gets the title shot. The heel side worked well together and controlled a lot of the match, but it made more sense for the faces to win.
After the match, Zaria showed up and hit a Spear on Grey. Was Zaria going for Ruca, who moved out of the way? Maybe.
Je’Von Evans was shown talking to Ricky Saints in the locker room. It was filmed by NXT Anonymous. Evans said he’d win Iron Survivor Challenge and Ricky said Evans will. Evans mentioned Ricky facing Oba Femi again and Ricky talked about how he’s going to win. Evans said he’s on a roll. Ricky said that at New Year’s Evil, we’ll see what happens. Evans laughed at told Ricky he’ll get to wrestle at MSG one day because he’s young. That was funny because that’s what people say about Evans all the time.
OTM made their entrance for tag team action.
(Commercial)
There was a video about John Cena and CM Punk talked about how he thinks he was Cena’s most iconic rival. Others talked about it as well. This aired on Raw also.
Darkstate was backstage with Dion Lennox, saying he was going for singles gold, so he wanted to hand one of them an NXT Tag Team Title. Lennox gave it to Saquon Shugars, who wanted Cutler James to have it, but Cutler insisted Shugars take it, so it’s Shugars and Osiris Griffin as the champions. Oba Femi walked up to them. Lennox talked tough to Femi, saying he hopes he gets Femi at New Year’s Evil. Lennox said he hopes to take the title and knock his teeth down his throat. Femi told Lennox not to get ahead of himself. Lennox said they’ll give him a peek at what his future holds.
Chase U – Kale Dixon & Urijah Connors (w/Andre Chase) vs. OTM – Lucien Price & Bronco Nima
There was some offense from Chase U early, but then OTM took over. After Connors broke free, Dixon tagged in and charged into a superkick by Price. Nima hit a jumping stomp to the chest of Dixon. Price slammed Dixon onto Nima’s knee. Dixon hit a jumping knee smash on Price. Connors tagged in against Nima and hit a jumping kick to the face. Connors hit a few kicks on Nima, along with a Tornado DDT for two because Price broke it up. Connors hit a springboard Stunner on Nima. OTM caught both opponents on the floor and collided them into eachother. Price lifted up Connors and Price hit a spinebuster. It went about 6 minutes.
Winners: OTM – Lucien Price & Bronco Nima
Analysis: ** Just an okay TV match. Chase U got more offense than I expected. Easy win for OTM. I think the finisher is supposed to be more impressive, but it looked weak there. The fans were dead for this match, which is rare for the NXT crowd.
The NXT North American and AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion, Ethan Page, was leaving the building. Ava spoke to Page outside. Ava mentioned Page hasn’t defended the title since Halloween Havoc. Mr. Iguana showed up and stole Page’s career. Page told her to call the cops and Ava wondered if she should say a reptile stole his car.
Analysis: It’s a shame that Ethan Page hasn’t had a title match in over a month. I figured Myles Borne would take the title from him by this point in the year.
(Commercial)
The announcers went over the Deadline card. Ethan Page facing Iguana is official.
* NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Mr. Iguana
* NXT Championship: Ricky Saints (c) vs. Oba Femi
* Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge for an NXT Women’s Championship match: Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Kendal Grey
* Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley
* Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge for an NXT Championship match: Je’Von Evans vs. Leon Slater vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne
The entrances took place for the 8-man tag team match with Joe Hendry up first, followed by Leon Slater and then Je’Von Evans leading into a break.
(Commercial)
Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars & Osiris Griffin vs. Joe Hendry, Myles Borne, Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
The four babyfaces and Dion are in the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match. Griffin ran over Borne with a shoulder tackle. Borne got his knees up to block an attack by Shugars. Borne hit a spinning powerslam. Borne hit a slam with an elbow drop for two. Hendry tagged in with a hiptoss, followed by a neckbreaker for two. Shugars broke free and brought in James, who hit an uppercut. Slater tagged in with a dropkick. Evans was legal for his team with a double foot stomp on Cutler’s back. James punched Evans to knock him down. James hit a spinning backbreaker on Evans. Dion tagged in as Evans hit a hurricanrana and a dropkick. Borne tagged in as Dion hit a spinebuster. Shugars was back in for his team. Dion punched Joe off the apron. The eight guys got into a brawl. The faces cleared the ring as Evans and Slater tried dives, but James and Griffin stopped that. James and Griffin sent Evans and Slater into the barricade. Shugars and Dion each sent opponents into objects around ringside. They went on a break, and I’ll take a break too.
It continued with Joe as the face in peril for a few minutes. Joe gave Dion a suplex and brought in Slater. Slater hit a spin kick on Griffin. James caught Slater with Griffin, and they double-teamed Slater. Slater hit a counter move to fight out of the heel corner. Evans got the hot tag, he hit a superkick and a suicide dive onto the commentary table. Evans hit an amazing dive over the top onto the floor. Evans hit a springboard lariat on Griffin, who caught him Evans hit a Cuter and Evans hit a top rope Cutter for a two count because Griffin’s partners saved him. The ring was full of everybody in the match and Hendry cleared the ring with a fallaway slam and punches. Joe and Dion went fighting to the back. Slater tagged in, Evans kicked Griffin. Evans hit a Swanton 450 Splash, but Borne made the tag. Borne hit Borne Again for the pinfall win. It went about 14 minutes.
The pinfall by Myles Born means he gets to pick his entry spot in the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge match. Slater and Evans weren’t happy about the quick tags.
Winners by pinfall: Joe Hendry, Myles Borne, Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a great main event match with a lot of action. Lots of tags and cool moves throughout the match. I thought Evans stood out the most with his performance. Borne was clever with the tag at the end to get the win and the advantage in the Iron Survivor Challenge Match. Darkstate used to be dominant in tag team matches and things like that, but now they lose sometimes, and I understood it in this case.
Ricky Saints-Oba Femi Contract Signing
There was one minute left in the show as NXT Champion Ricky Saints and Oba Femi signed the contract while Ava was there to witness it. Femi said that this version of himself is going to destroy Ricky and remind him he’s a footnote in Femi’s legacy in NXT. Ricky wonders what happens if he doesn’t beat Femi. Ricky said it’s not a fairytale because he’s the champion. Ricky said that he’s the exception to the rule and his name is Ricky Saints. Ava said that for the first time in NXT PLE history, the Men’s NXT Championship Match will open the show. Ricky said perfect, and Ava wished them good luck. End show.
Analysis: I would be cool with Oba Femi winning the NXT Title again, but I think it’s better for him to go to the main roster for the Royal Rumble, so Oba losing is fine with me, too. Ricky has done a good job as champion so far, and I think his reign will likely continue.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Joe Hendry, Myles Borne, Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
- Lola Vice, Sol Ruca & Kendal Grey
- Thea Hail
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2025 Average: 7.32
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
I thought they did a good job of pushing the matches at Deadline. The promos were fine most of the night, and the in-ring action was very good. Great main event match as I noted in the review. The 6-woman tag team match was a lot of fun, and then the men’s 8-man tag was even better. Good night for the babyfaces in those matches.
It would have been nice if they did more than 1-minute parking lot segment to set up Ethan Page against Mr. Iguana at Deadline. A little more effort and they could have set up some storyline going into the match. It just feels like it’s there because Deadline needed another match.
The Ricky Saints-Oba Femi segment at the end was good, but that felt rushed, too. Why not do it in the ring and give them some more time? It was brief.
Here’s the lineup for NXT Deadline on December 6th in San Antonio.
* NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Mr. Iguana
* NXT Championship: Ricky Saints (c) vs. Oba Femi
* Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge for an NXT Women’s Championship match: Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Kendal Grey
* Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley
* Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge for an NXT Championship match: Je’Von Evans vs. Leon Slater vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne
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John Canton
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