Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT 12/16/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Dec 16, 2025 22:05 EST
WWE NXT December 16

This week’s WWE NXT features a 4-way between Myles Borne, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Dion Lennox, plus Blake Monroe facing Thea Hail, and more.

There are just three more NXT episodes to wrap up 2025 before the big New Year’s Evil special on January 6th. We know Jacy Jayne will defend the NXT Women’s Title against Kendal Grey at NYE, and this week on NXT, we’ll find out who will challenge Oba Femi for the NXT Title at NYE. Last week’s NXT ended with Ricky Saints costing Je’Von Evans the NXT Title in a match against Femi. It could lead to a heel turn for Saints.

Several NXT wrestlers were in action on Saturday Night’s Main Event, featuring John Cena’s last match against Gunther. The big NXT winner on the show was Sol Ruca beating Bayley, so Sol has a lot of momentum after that. I thought Ruca, Femi, Evans, and TNA’s Slater all showed like they can hold their own on the main roster whenever they get the call to be there full-time. I think Ruca and Evans might win Women’s and Men’s NXT Titles first, but if they go to the main roster first, then that’s cool with me.

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 about Saturday Night’s Main Event since NXT wrestlers were part of it, as mentioned above.

They also showed a video package about last week when Ricky Saints cost Je’Von Evans the NXT Title against Oba Femi. That led to Saints having that heelish look toward Evans.

Je’Von Evans was in the parking lot, where he spoke to NXT GM Ava. Evans was looking for Ava, who said she didn’t know where Ricky Saints was. Ava wanted him to come inside.

The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T, as usual. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.

NXT Women’s North American Championship: Blake Monroe vs. Thea Hail

Blake was looking glamorous and confident as usual. Hail is loved by the fans. Hail was aggressive, going after Blake’s arm, but Blake came back with a dropkick. Blake sent Hail into the turnbuckle, followed by a spinning sidewalk slam. Hail kicked Blake and hit a standing moonsault for a two count. Hail hit an armdrag, followed by a dropkick out of the ring. Hail hit a suicide dive on Blake on the floor. Back in the ring, Hail hit an Exploder Suplex, but Blake came back by sending Hail into the turnbuckle. Blake pulled on Hail’s arm by the ropes, and Hail was selling a left arm injury. The show went on a break for some fans as Blake remained in control for a few minutes.

The match continued with Blake grounding Hail with a chinlock. Hail got some momentum going with forearms, a senton splash and Hail jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a back splash onto Blake. Hail covered, the referee counted there and it looked like it was a mistake. Blake got her right arm, but the referee counted to three. It went about 9 minutes. When they showed a replay, it looked like Blake got her right shoulder up.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion: Thea Hail

Analysis: **1/2 They were on their way to a pretty good match, and then it just ended suddenly because the referee felt like Blake didn’t kick out in time. That certainly looked like a situation where they were confused about the ending and it was likely not planned to be like that. While I am happy for Hail winning her first singles title, it was clear that Blake was going to kick out and I think she did kick out, but the referee thought otherwise. I think they should have had another referee go out there, say that Blake did get her shoulder up, then say the match continues and go to the right finish with Blake winning. What they did here was very awkward.

Thea Hail celebrated with the NXT Women’s North American Title. They played Blake’s theme song after the fall. They played Hail’s music and handed her the NXT Women’s North American Title. Blake was talking to the referee about it, and it looked like Blake was saying she did get her shoulder up.

Analysis: I think the referee thought he was doing the right thing by thinking that Blake didn’t kick out, but it looked like Blake did get her right shoulder up.

UPDATE:Fightful Select reports that Blake Monroe was supposed to win the match, but the finish was botched because Blake didn’t get her shoulder up enough and the referee counted the pin. They added that “it specifically caused issues because there was creative specifically in place with Thea Hail not being the champion.” They had to change plans on the fly. Fightful was also told that “there would be steps taken as early as tonight to make those creative adjustments.” If I had to guess, they’ll get the title on Blake again within a week or two, or maybe wait until New Year’s Evil for it.

Izzi Dame, Shawn Spears, and Niko Vance of The Culling were shown backstage somewhere, where they saw three stools and a doll on a stool. Izzi Dame said she took care of the problem. Dame dismissed this as mind games, while Spears wondered if Tatum Paxley cried after losing to Dame at Deadline.

The NXT North American Champion, Ethan Page, was shown walking backstage because he’s up next.

The WrestleMania 42 commercial aired, featuring Liv Morgan.

(Commercial)

There was a replay of the Hail/Monroe finish with Vic saying Monroe didn’t kick out.

Let’s Hear from Ethan Page

The NXT North American and AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion, Ethan Page, did a promo in the ring. Page was in dress clothes, talking about how he can carry the entire industry. Page wondered why he had been attacked recently. Page said that there was zero provocation, zero rhyme, and zero reason. Page said whatever dark shadow Tony D’Angelo is lurking in, it’s time to get out here.

Stacks, the TNA International Champion, walked out with his fiancée Arianna Grace and the TNA International Title. Stacks said he didn’t know what Tony D was doing. Stacks said that Arianna wanted more gold. Page said that Stacks had zero decorum and he didn’t like the interruption. Stacks said to go along with his TNA International Title, those AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles would look good on him and Arinna.

Moose from TNA made his entrance with the fans chanting “Moose” for his theme song. Moose said once again, an NXT talent has a TNA championship. Moose said that the boys in TNA are pissed so he’s here to do something about it. Moose said that somebody will deal with Stacks, but today, Moose is laser-focused on Ethan Page, who tried to leave. Moose said he wants to take one of NXT’s most prestigious titles back to TNA. When Page suggested that Moose talk to Ava, Moose said that Ava and Santino had already signed off. Moose said that on December 30th at NXT’s Award Show, Page is defending that title against Moose. Page tried a punch, Moose blocked it, and punched Page to knock him out of the ring.

Analysis: It’s a title match set up just like that, with Moose going after Page in two weeks. Moose is one of those guys who can be a face or a heel depending on a match, so I think going against Page, he would do just fine in the heel role. Stacks’ interruption seemed a bit out of place, but that was just done to tease Moose going after him when in reality, Moose wants Page’s title instead. Page is arguably the best performer in NXT, so he made this work.

Leon Slater approached Je’Von Evans in the parking lot. Slater said that Ricky may not even show up. Evans complained that he was one second away from winning the NXT Title when Ricky Saints pulled the title out. Slater said that he needed Evans to support him in his number-one-contender’s match. Evans said okay, and Evans went into the building.

The belly boys Hank & Tank made their entrance for tag team action.

(Commercial)

OTM – Lucien Price & Bronco Nima vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger

The OTM boys were in control after Nima hit a shoulder tackle and Price hit a knee, followed by a stomp to the chest by Nima. After Hank tagged in, they hit some tandem offense. Tank hit a double axhandle on Price’s arm. A Chevy car was shown driving up to the building. Booker: “I don’t know anybody who drives Chevy’s!” That made me laugh. Hank hit a running splash on Price, but Price came back with a hiptoss and slap to the face. OTM hit a double back elbow on Hank. The belly boys, Hank & Tank, got some momentum going with a double body slam on Price. Nima and Price came back with each guy hitting Powerbombs at the same time. The show went on a four-minute break for some fans, and I’ll take one too.

They did the hot tag during the break with Hank firing up against Price. Hank hit a spinning slam off the shoulders for two because Nima pulled Hank off the cover. Tank followed up with a suicide dive on Nima. Price hit a superplex on Hank off the middle turnbuckle. Nimi and Tank hit eachother with strikes. Hank applied an armbar on Nima, but Price slammed Hank onto Tank to stop the move. OTM hit a double team backbreaker for two on Tank because Hank made the save. After sending Hank out of the ring, OTM hit a double team slam off the shoulders for two. That looked like a possible finisher. Tank avoided a move by the commentary table. Tank jumped off the apron with a somersault splash onto both guys. Back in the ring, Tank hit a Swanton Bomb on Price. Hank & Tank hit a double team splash on Price, but Nima saved Price from another move. Tank hit a shoulder tackle on Price, and Hank got an inside cradle on Nima for the pinfall win after about 14 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Hank & Tank

Analysis: ***1/4 It turned into a pretty good match. I didn’t expect this match to go as long as it did, but both teams worked hard, and the last few minutes were exciting. It feels like OTM will be NXT Tag Team Champions in the first half of 2026, so I expected them to win, but they failed to get the W in this match. They have been around for a few years, so I’d like to see how they do as a top tag team. Hank & Tank have been champions before, and they are easy to like. The way this was done makes me think we might get a rematch soon.

Ricky Saints was shown leaving the Chevy truck and walking into the building with security by his side.

A commercial aired about NXT New Year’s Evil on January 6th.

(Commercial)

The Men’s Speed Champion Jasper Troy was talking to NXT GM Ava in her office. Ava said they will have a Speed tournament soon. Troy said that’s good, but whoever wins will be destroyed by him.

Analysis: I feel like the Speed titles are unnecessary. Just saying.

Let’s Hear from Ricky Saints

It’s a heelish Ricky Saints as he made his entrance with security guys surrounding the ring. The fans were booing Ricky. As the fans booed, Ricky said he was not there to apologize. Ricky said he told us he would bring in The Absolute Era. Ricky claimed he wanted to prove to the world that he’s the guy who can carry any brand. Ricky claimed he didn’t have any more options, and he realized that to get ahead, he had to obsess with being number one. Ricky said that everyone was searching for the man to beat Oba Femi, and that man was Ricky.

Ricky said that the fans enjoyed Ricky as the champion for a minute, but you would have had Evans beat Femi instead. Ricky said that Evans jumped ahead of him in the line before Ricky could get his rematch. That’s why Ricky reminded Evans that Ricky is the man, not Evans. Ricky said he’s going to get what he wants when he wants it. Ricky said if he has to stab you in the back or front, then so be it. Ricky told Evans to wait for his turn. Ricky said he waited for his time and said that Evans is not better than him. Ricky asked how many titles Evans has won. The answer is zero. Ricky said he’ll prove that Evans is a class below him. Ricky said he’s done with the popularity contests. Ricky said he’s a real superstar and main eventer. Ricky said he’s the right guy right here and right now. Ricky said that there ain’t nobody that will do what it takes to get the top except him. Ricky said nobody will go the lengths that he’s willing to do to get to the top.

Je’Von Evans finally showed up at ringside and went after Ricky. The fans popped as Evans went after Ricky with punches, but security held Evans back. Ricky punched Evans out of the ring. Ricky sent Evans into the steel steps. Ricky cleared off the commentary table. Ricky picked up Evans and gave him a Rochambeau slam through the commentary table. Ricky’s music played to end it while Evans sold it on the table.

Analysis: It was a good heel promo from Ricky Saints, explaining that his turn by saying he didn’t like that Je’Von Evans jumped the line ahead of him to get an NXT Title shot. It makes sense from a storyline standpoint. I thought it took too long for Evans to get out there, but I think it was just done that way to give Saints time to make his point. Anyway, it should lead to a Ricky-Evans match at New Year’s Evil.

It is women’s tag team action up next, and both teams were shown walking backstage.

(Commercial)

Sol Ruca and Zaria were talking to Ava in her office when Ethan Page complained about being interrupted by Moose, along with Stacks and Arianna Grace. The great Chelsea Green walked in with her two titles and Alba Fyre. Green complained. Ava said that the bad things that happen to Green are not her fault. Ava said next week Chelsea Green will defend the Women’s US Title against Sol Ruca since Sol beat Bayley at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Page and Green complained, of course.

Fatal Influence – Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid (w/Jacy Jayne) vs. Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey

The NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne joined commentary. Evolve Women’s Champion Grey will challenge Jayne for the NXT Women’s Title at New Year’s Evil on January 6th.

Henley and Reid attacked as soon as the bell rang. Grey tripped up Reid and hit a dropkick. Wren and Grey hit some strikes on Reid and Grey hit a German Suplex for two. Wren hit a running bulldog on Reid. Henley made a blind tag, Wren hit a suplex on Reid and Henley kicked Wren to knock her down on the floor. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too.

The heels from Fatal Influence were in control as Reid hit a Cutter on Wren for a two count. Wren broke free to bring Grey into the match. Grey hit an overhead suplex and a leap over the top with a stomp to the chest. Reid got a hold of Grey and sent her into the turnbuckle. Reid hit a neckbreaker and Henley tagged in with a spinning facebuster on Grey for two. Grey caught Henley and hit a powerslam for two because Reid broke up the pin. Grey got an armbar on Henley’s left arm, so Jayne went to the apron and Grey punched Jayne down. Wren jumped off the top with a cross body block on the girls on the floor. Grey countered Henley and applied a cross armbreaker on the left arm, so Henley tapped out. It went about 10 minutes.

Winners by submission: Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey

Analysis: *** A pretty good tag team match to put over Kendal Grey, yet again on her way to an NXT Women’s Title match. I loved that spot with Wren jumping off the top with a cross body block on the heels that were on the floor. It makes sense to give Grey the win to continue her rise. I love to see it because she is so talented in the ring.

Thea Hail, the NXT Women’s North American Champion, was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid backstage. Hail said that she has always wanted a championship. Hail was stunned. Jordynne Grace walked in to say Hail figured this out faster than she did. Hail said you just had to think positive. Blake Monroe walked in saying she kicked out. Grace said that Blake should let Hail have her moment. Blake said that this is the worst day of her life, and she wants her rematch. Blake told Hail to enjoy her new Muscle Muffin, which his what Blake called Grace in the past. Hail hugged Grace, who sold it like it was awkward.

(Commercial)

The women’s locker room was shown, where Izzi Dame walked in, talking on a phone, and saw a doll on her locker. Lola Vice talked to Dame, and they exchanged words. Kelani Jordan was putting her stuff in the locker room. Jordan said she’s the best crossover star in this locker room. Vice said that gymnastics is nothing like MMA, and you’re going to find that out.

They showed Shiloh Hill and Skylar Raye talking backstage about their recent NXT matches. Stacks and Arianna Grace walked in to complain about what happened to them. Stacks and Grace argued with Hill and Raye. Stacks suggested a match for next week, so Hill agreed.

Analysis: Two quick segments backstage to set up matches for next week. NXT loves backstage segments to set up matches next week.

Darkstate was shown walking backstage with the boys hyping up Dion Lennox for his match.

Next week on NXT:

* WWE Women’s US Championship: Chelsea Green vs. Sol Ruca

* Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame

* Men’s WWE Speed Tournament begins

The entrances took place for the main event four way match.

(Commercial)

NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne & Leon Slater

The first fall wins. No countouts and no disqualifications in a Fatal 4-Way match in WWE.

The trio of Hendry, Slater and Borne are faces, while Dion is a heel. Dion hit a sitout slam on Slater for two. Borne hit a reverse DDT on Hendry and a powerslam on Dion for two because Slater broke up the pin. Hendry hit a double clothesline on Slater and Borne. Hendry hit a running shoulder tackle to knock Slater down. Hendry hit a DDT on Slater for a two count. Slater, the high flier, used his speed to hit some incredible moves, including a jumping back elbow. Slater jumped off the apron and hit a somersault on Joe on Hendry on the floor. Slater jumped off the top and hit a cross body block on Dion for two. Slater smashed Dion with a chop to the chest. Slater hit another chop. Hendry and Borne were taking a break for a few minutes while Slater worked over Dion with punches. Slater hit another cross body block off the top on Dion for two. Slater went up top, so Dion rolled out of the ring. When Slater went over the top to try to go after Dion, it looked like Dion tweaked his left knee on the floor. Borne got back into it with a dropkick on Dion. Slater jumped onto Borne and Dion hit a top rope clothesline. Hendry hit a neckbreaker on Dion. Borne hit a Backstabber on Joe. All four men were down as they went into a break for some fans. I’ll take a break too.

The four guys did a combo spot where Hendry, Slater and Borne applied a submission on Dion at the same time. Hendry and Borne did a double clothesline. Slater was selling a left knee injury. Slater kicked Borne to knock him down. Slater went up top, Dion pulled on the left knee and Slater was trapped on the top turnbuckle. Borne and Hendry went after Dion on the turnbuckle. Slater went up top and they did a Tower of Doom spot with four guys. Slater got two counts on all three guys. Slater worked over the three guys with kicks and Slater was moving around better. Slater kicked Dion in the face. Borne hit a belly-to-back suplex on Slater. Dion hit a suplex on Borne. Hendry hit a German Suplex on Dion. Slater hit a spinning slam on Hendry. Slater hit a spinning kick on Dion. Slater slowly went on top. Slater saw how far Dion was and jumped off the top with a Swanton Bomb on Dion across the ring. That was impressive. Slater went up top again and Borne dropkicked Slater to the floor. Joe hit a suplex on Borne. Hendry worked over Borne with clotheslines and a fallaway slam. Joe hit a fallaway slam on Dion too. Hendry hit an Angle Slam on Borne. Hendry clotheslined Dion out of the ring. Hendry hit a Standing Ovation on Borne. Hendry caught a leaping Slater and tossed him over the top onto Dion on the floor. Hendry hit a spinning slam on Borne for two, but Dion pulled Joe off the pin attempt. Slater went up top, jumped off and hit a Swanton 450 on Borne for the pinfall win after 16 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Leon Slater

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a very good match with a lot of action and nearfalls. I didn’t really have a prediction going in, but I thought Hendry or Borne would win, so I’m a bit surprised they went with Slater winning. When Slater first landed on the floor, I thought the left knee injury may have been legit, but as the match went on, he was clearly doing fine and finished it in a big way. I thought Borne wasn’t featured enough because he was on the floor for a lot of the match and really didn’t have enough moments where it looked like he might win. Hendry looked like the guy who would win for most of the match. Lennox had at least a few moments. That Swanton 450 by Slater is so impressive.

That win by TNA’s Leon Slater means he will challenge Oba Femi for the NXT Title at New Year’s Evil on January 6th.

Leon Slater celebrated the win. They showed some replays. The NXT Champion Oba Femi made his entrance shirtless and looking massive as usual. Femi had a staredown with Slater while holding up the NXT Title. They showed Tony D’Angelo looking on from the crowd. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: I doubt Leon Slater will beat Oba Femi at New Year’s Evil, but it’s an interesting match to have the powerful Femi against a high flyer like Slater. It should be fun. I think Je’Von Evans taking the title from Femi at Stand & Deliver in April is the most likely outcome for that title. As for Tony D, I think we’ll see him confront Femi after Femi beats Slater in that match.

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Three Stars of the Show

  1. Leon Slater
  2. Joe Hendry
  3. Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair

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The Scoreboard

This week: 7.25 out of 10

Last week: 7.5

2025 Average: 7.32

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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT

It was a solid show most of the way. I’d call it pretty good, but not great. I enjoyed the main event 4-way with Leon Slater surprisingly getting the win. Clearly, WWE loves the TNA X-Division Champion, but he’s not going to beat Oba Femi for the NXT Title. I thought Joe Hendry would win and he certainly came close to winning. It was a fun match. The women’s tag with Grey & Sinclair winning was good and Hank & Tank did well in their match too.

There weren’t that many great promos or backstage segments, but I did like Ricky Saints’ explanation for his heel turn. It was what was expected when he said he didn’t like Je’Von Evans jumping the line to get an NXT Title shot before Ricky got his title rematch, so that’s why Ricky screwed Evans out of the title last week. That sets up a rivalry between Evans and Saints.

The Thea Hail/Blake Monroe Women’s NXT North American Title change was a mess due to the referee counting Blake’s shoulders down even though Blake looked like she was trying to get her shoulder up and didn’t get it up high enough in time. It was awkward. I don’t love to use the word “botch,” but I know in this case that’s what it was. Like I said in the review, I think Blake will get the title back soon.

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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email [email protected]

Twitter/X @johnreport