The John Report: WWE NXT 12/30/25 Review
This week’s WWE NXT features Je’Von Evans against Ricky Saints, Ethan Page facing Moose, Jacy Jayne battling Wren Sinclair, and more.
It’s two days before New Year’s Day for this final episode of NXT in 2025. It was taped two weeks ago to give talent and staff some time off during the holiday season. The next live episode of NXT is a big one on January 6th, which they call New Year’s Evil. I think the lineup this week looks better than last week.
I mentioned in last week’s review that there’s a report that some NXT wrestlers like Je’Von Evans, Sol Ruca, Joe Hendry, and NXT Champion Oba Femi could be joining the main roster soon. The former NXT Champion Trick Williams has also been on Raw and SmackDown, where they have called him a free agent. Trick going to SmackDown with fiancée Lash Legend makes sense. Evans has also been on Raw the last few weeks, while Hendry has been on SmackDown, beating The Miz. Femi has been shown in video packages on Raw and SmackDown as well, so his main roster push is likely coming soon. In Femi’s case, it will be interesting to see if he drops the NXT Title to somebody or if he just forfeits it and goes to the main roster. I’m not sure if WWE would want him to lose before going to the main roster. Anyway, I think all of them will do well in 2026 and beyond.
This episode will also feature the NXT Year End Awards.
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.
On the Netflix version of NXT I’m watching, they have edited the show, so there won’t be any action during the break like in a live show. I won’t even mention the commercials in my review. The runtime is 1 hour, 21 minutes. The whole show was available at 8 p.m. ET, so of course I’ll go in order.
They showed Ricky Saints and Je’Von Evans walking around earlier in the day. That’s the main event.
It is Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary as usual. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.
NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page vs. Moose
Page attacked early, Moose broke free and hit a Spear. Page went to the floor to avoid being pinned. Moose charged on the floor, Page avoided that and Moose hit the steel steps. When they got back into the ring, Page went to the turnbuckle and hit a roundhouse kick to the head, followed by a neckbreaker.
They returned after a break for some fans as Page remained in control. Page tried a suplex, Moose blocked that and Page hit a boot to the face. Moose came back with a suplex of his own. The fans chanted for TNA’s Moose and chanted his name. Moose hit a uranage slam and a senton splash. Page tried something off the turnbuckle, but Moose caught him and hit a sitout spinebuster for two. They stood face to face and exchanged strikes. Moose hit a pump kick, but Page hit a clothesline and a Codebreaker knee attack for two. Moose headbutted Page, who went to the turnbuckle and Moose dropkicked Page from the turnbuckle to the floor. Moose gave Page a Spear into the thin barricade at ringside. Back in the ring, Moose hit a Spear and sold a left arm injury. While Moose was making a pin, Page got his left foot on the bottom rope to stop the count. Page left the ring. Moose slowly ran around the ring and Page gave him a back body drop onto the steel steps. Rough landing for Moose’s lower back onto the steps. Back in the ring, page went up top and hit a Superfly Splash for two. Page hit the Twisted Grin for the pinfall win. It went about 9 minutes without commercials.
Winner by pinfall: Ethan Page
Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match between two veterans. Page was in TNA for several years, so they likely know eachother well. I didn’t think Moose had a shot here, but he does have credibility as a big guy and former TNA World Champion, so it was better than seeing Page against a midcarder with no chance. Moose had a lot of momentum, but then Page sent him onto the steel steps and that was the key moment in the match. Page hit two moves after that to get the win.
The NXT Year End Awards video aired for Male Superstar of the Year. The nominees are: Je’Von Evans, Ricky Saints, Trick Williams, Ethan Page and Oba Femi. And the winner is…Je’Von Evans.
A video aired with Evans holding the award. Evans thanked the fans for voting for him. Evans talked about his accomplishments over the last year. Evans said if you thought 2025 was wild, then 2026 will be real bouncy.
Analysis: I think Oba Femi should have won and Ethan Page would be my second choice. I love Evans as much as anybody, but the others had bigger roles and greater years.
While standing backstage, Izzi Dame spoke to her pals in The Culling, Shawn Spears & Niko Vance, as she mentioned Tatum Paxley with a chainsaw last week. Spears and Vance didn’t want to go near Paxley, so Dame left on her own to go handle it.
There was chaos backstage with Wren Sinclair checking on her friend Kendal Grey, who was down on the ground, selling an attack. Wren called for help.
Let’s Hear from Izzi Dame
Izzi Dame did a promo talking about how sad Tatum Paxley is. Dame said that she did so many things to Paxley, yet Paxley went after Spears and Vance. Dame said that Paxley can’t be fixed and nothing Paxley does will ever scare Dame. Dame said that Paxley was spiraling, and it’s pathetic. Dame claimed she is Paxley’s cure. Dame said she saw Paxley at her lowest and she put her back there when Paxley refused to evolve.
Tatum Paxley interrupted and the fans were behind her as usual. Paxley claimed she learned so much from Dame. Paxley got into the ring with Dame to say she saw and felt everything. Paxley said she is sorry. Paxley said she’s sorry that Dame is so insecure. Paxley said that Dame has lost sight of who she really is. Paxley said that Dame is saying Paxley is weak, yet Dame is scared to look in the mirror. Paxley said she doesn’t need friends like Dame, she needs friends like the fans who have been with her from the start. Paxley said she’s here to end this for her.
Dame said if you want to play games, she’ll play too. Dame asked Paxley what’s her next move? Paxley said when it’s her time, and she’s rotting in the dirt, and when the bugs eat her brains, they’ll see what Paxley does to Dame at New Year’s Evil. Paxley said no Spears, no Vance, no dolls, no chainsaw – just the two of them. Dame said she’s all for it, but after that, playtime is over. Paxley said that it’s not over until she says it is. Dame tried a kick, but Paxley avoided it, and Paxley hit a flipping neckbreaker on Dame.
Analysis: The promos were okay, but sometimes Izzi Dame promos bore me. I like her in the ring, but promo-wise I need to see more. Tatum Paxley has charisma, so that helps her a lot. I assume Paxley wins at New Year’s Evil to end the feud since Dame won their last match.
The NXT Year End Awards video aired for Tag Team of the Year. The nominees are: Hank & Tank, Zaruca (Sol Ruca & Zaria), The Culling (Shawn Spears & Niko Vance), Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) and Darkstate. And the winners are…Sol Ruca & Zaria.
Sol Ruca and Zaria held their award while talking about how they are the best tag team in NXT. They spoke about being a team for a year and how they have wrestled on multiple brands together.
Analysis: Weak year for NXT tag teams. I’d pick Darkstate to win, but this is a fan vote, so the babyfaces are going to do well.
Fatal Influence was shown walking backstage for Jacy Jayne’s match up next.
Jacy Jayne (w/Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) vs. Wren Sinclair)
This is not for Jayne’s NXT Women’s Title. Jayne will defend the NXT Women’s Title against Kendal Grey next week at New Year’s Evil.
Jayne was in control early with a senton splash. Jayne worked over Wren with kicks and punches. Jayne hit a clothesline. Wren got a hold of Jacy’s left arm and wrenched on it, followed by Wren kicking Jayne in the left arm. Wren hit a shoulder tackle, along with a neckbreaker for two. Henley distracted Wren, so Jayne superkicked Wren. Jayne hit a catapult to send Wren’s throat into the middle rope.
The match continued with Jayne hitting a neckbreaker. Wren was able to get some momentum going after sending Jayne into the ropes. Wren hit a running clothesline, along with a double underhook suplex for a two count. Jayne rolled through a pin attempt and hit a running knee for two. Wren pulled Jayne’s arm and sent her into the turnbuckle. Wren hit a cross body block off the top for two. Wren went for a submission on the arms and then went for an armbar. Wren got a rollup for two. Jayne broke free and hit the Rolling Encore forearm smash for the pinfall win. It went about 8 minutes without commercials.
Winner by pinfall: Jacy Jayne
Analysis: *** The match was solid with the NXT Women’s Champion Jayne continuing to look strong. I would have liked to see Jayne sell the left arm injury more during the match because she stopped doing it in the second half of the match. It was a relatively clean win by Jayne. Wren is still in that underdog babyface role, but I hope she gets some momentum in 2026 and is featured more in the future.
After the match, Fatal Influence attacked Wren Sinclair. Kendal Grey went down to the ring and fought off the three heels with superkicks, punches, and a German Suplex. Grey applied an armbar on Jayne’s left arm, and Jayne tapped out. Grey posed with the NXT Women’s Title to end it.
Analysis: I think Kendal Grey has a shot to win the NXT Women’s Title next week. It would be an upset, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it. Jayne doesn’t need a long title reign.
Joe Hendry was working on his singing voice. An NXT guy with a headset said that the ring was set up for Joe’s concert, so Joe left.
Joe Hendry Concert
Joe Hendry made his entrance wearing one of his Joe Hendry shirts. Booker T sang Hendry’s theme song, and it wasn’t a good sound. Just saying.
Hendry was in the ring with a guitar and a microphone. Hendry talked about how 2025 was an amazing year for him. Hendry said he won the NXT Title, he appeared in the Royal Rumble, he wrestled Randy Orton at WrestleMania, he slammed The Miz at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and he joined NXT. Hendry said he had a song to wrap up an amazing year in NXT. Hendry sang about NXT talents like the women’s division, he mentioned Je’Von Evans being bouncy, Ethan Page was still miserable because an iguana stole his car, he plugged NXT on CW and NXT was the show for me in 2025. Hendry mentioned Trick Williams crying and releasing terrible songs. Hendry sang about a man named Ricky Saints, thinking he was rich, but he has become a whiny, little…bitch. Hendry sang the “NXT was the show for me in 2025” line to end it, and Booker sang along with it poorly. Hendry mentioned Darkstate by saying no one knew who they were until Joe made them famous. That led to the lights going out and here comes Darkstate.
The Darkstate foursome of Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin & Cutler James attacked Joe Hendry. They went into the ring to punch and stomp on Hendry. Griffin and James launched Hendry into the air so Lennox and Shugars could finish the Powerbomb. Darkstate posed over Hendry. Vic mentioned Tony D’Angelo looking on during Hendry’s song too. I didn’t even notice that, but there he was.
Analysis: Poor Joe Hendry was all alone against four guys with no security or other wrestlers out there to help him. I’m not sure if this will lead to a tag team match for Hendry with partners against Darkstate, or maybe Hendry against Lennox, who has become more of a solo act within the group. Hendry’s song was fun as usual, like when he did that in TNA in the past.
NXT GM, Ava, was backstage talking to Robert Stone. Ava told Stone to make sure that the rest of the Year End Awards are ready. Ava walked into her office, where she saw a sad Blake Monroe sitting on her desk. Monroe said that Ava has to make sure it’s a different ref. Ava said she can’t guarantee that, but she’ll do her best. Ava told Blake that if she wants to win, then The Glamour has to show up, and she knows Blake has it in her. Blake said nothing and left.
Analysis: I think Blake Monroe will win her title back next week. It makes sense.
Tavion Heights entered for singles action.
They showed predictions of the NXT Championship match between Oba Femi and Leon Slater. TNA’s Matt Cardona and Elijah picked Leon Slater. NXT’s Stacks and Arianna Grace picked Femi. TNA’s Mike Santana told Leon Slater to show Oba Femi who is the youngest in charge. Mara Sade from TNA also picked Leon Slater. NXT’s Hank & Tank had mixed opinions, with Hank going with Femi while Tank picked Slater. Each guy changed their pick after a discussion. Riveting.
WWE Speed Tournament Match: Tavion Heights vs. Lexis King
The winner of this match gets a title shot against WWE Speed Champion Jasper Troy. This match has a 3-minute time limit.
Tavion Heights got a hold of King as soon as the bell rang and he hit a spinning belly-to-belly slam. Heights pinned King to win after about 8 seconds.
Winner by pinfall: Tavion Heights
Analysis: A quickie. No point in rating. It puts over Heights as a huge threat while King remains a goofy heel who has no momentum.
Jasper Troy showed up with the WWE Speed Championship and had a staredown with Tavion Heights from a distance.
The NXT Year End Awards video aired for Match of the Year. The nominees are: Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams @ Stand & Deliver, Sol Ruca vs. Kelani Jordan @ Battleground, Ethan Page vs. Ricky Saints @ The Great American Bash, Jacy Jayne vs. Lola Vice @ No Mercy, Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans @ Heatwave, Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge @ Deadline. And the winner is: Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams @ Stand & Deliver. There was no video featuring the wrestlers thanking the fans.
Analysis: I don’t agree with all of the nominees, but there are many great matches there. I agree with the winner.
Ricky Saints was shown getting ready for the main event.
Swipe Right – Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes (w/Jackson Drake) vs. OTM – Lucien Price & Bronco Nima
These Swipe Right guys have very punchable faces, and also act very annoying. They remind me of 2004 Miz. That’s not a compliment. Price smacked both Swipe Right guys with hard chops. The fans were chanting “OTM” as Nima clotheslined Smokes. Nima splashed Smokes against the turnbuckle. When Baylor tagged in, Nima hit a backbreaker across the shoulders. Drake did a cheap shot on Nima, which led to a double team move by Swipe Right and Baylor hit a DDT on Nima. Smokes kicked Nima and Baylor splashed Nima for a two count. Nima hit a suplex toss and broke free to bring in Price. Price hit running clotheslines and even a spinebuster for Drake. Price hit a boot to Ricky’s face. OTM hit their double team spinebuster move on Smokes and Nima covered Smokes for the win. It went about 5 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: OTM – Lucien Price & Bronco Nima
Analysis: **1/4 It was a dominant win for OTM, who looked like babyfaces in this match because of who their opponents were. I think OTM are going to win the NXT Tag Team Titles in the first half of 2026. Seeing them as badass babyfaces could be the right path for them instead of being angry heels like they were in the past.
Thea Hail, the NXT Women’s North American Champion, spoke to Jordynne Grace in the locker room. Hail said she would love being in Grace’s corner at New Year’s Evil. Hail said she knows Grace wants to do it, and she wants Blake to cry again. Hail accepted it. Hail hugged Grace, who said she didn’t like this hugging thing, so Hail said just one.
The NXT Year End Awards video aired for Female Superstar of the Year. The nominees are: Kelani Jordan, Sol Ruca, Tatum Paxley, Blake Monroe and Jacy Jayne. And the winner is…Sol Ruca.
Sol Ruca was featured in a video thanking the fans for their support. Ruca recapped her big year, saying she was successful in singles and as a tag team with Zaria. Ruca said that 2026 will be even bigger and even better.
Analysis: It’s another win for a babyface wrestler in the NXT Year End Awards. Jacy Jayne is more of the obvious choice, but she had no chance as a heel. I think Ruca is awesome too.
Next week on NXT New Year’s Evil:
* Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame
* NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne vs. Kendal Grey
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Thea Hail vs. Blake Monroe
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Leon Slater
Je’Von Evans made his entrance for the main event.
After they went on a break for some fans, Ricky Saints made his entrance for the main event.
Je’Von Evans vs. Ricky Saints
They brought the intensity right away with some strikes from each guy. Evans hit a suplex, followed by a superkick to the head for two. Ricky took control by stomping on the back of Evans’ left knee. Ricky gave Evans a body slam into the ropes so that Evans’ left knee hit the ropes. Ricky tossed Evans out of the ring. Saints sent Evans into the barricade. Saints slammed Evans’ head into the hood of the commentary table a few times. Back in the ring, Evans clotheslined Ricky out of the ring. Evans hit a running dive over the top onto Ricky on the floor. Evans got some payback by throwing Ricky into the barricade and into the commentary table a few times. Evans punched Ricky while on the table. They went back into the ring where Evans hit a springboard clothesline. Ricky sent Evans throat-first into the ropes. That led to a final break for some fans.
The match continued with Evans hitting a suplex to counter a move by Ricky. Evans superkicked Ricky, followed by a jumping punch and a spinning kick to the head for two. Ricky kicked Evans and went for a DDT, but Evan came back with a kick to the face. Evans hit a spinning DDT, along with a jumping knee or kick for a two count. Evans went for a splash off the top, but Ricky got his knees up. Ricky hit a sitout Powerbomb for a two count. Ricky left the ring, looked like he was going to clear the commentary table and Evans hit an incredible dive onto Ricky to put them over the table. That was amazing. Back in the ring, Evans went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two. Evans went for a springboard attack, Ricky tripped him up and covered for two while using the ropes, but the referee saw it. Ricky hit a Spear for two. Ricky hit a Tornado DDT for just one because Evans kicked out. Ricky kicked Evans in the ribs, Evans broke free from a move and Evans hit a Cutter to counter a Spear. Evans jumped off the top with a Cutter, but Ricky put the referee in front, so Evans hit an OG Cutter on referee Adrian Butler. With the referee down, Ricky kicked Evans in the groin. Ricky picked up Evans and hit a Rochambeau slam. A new referee went down to the ring and counted the pin as Ricky Saints got the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes without the commercial.
Winner by pinfall: Ricky Saints
Analysis: ***1/2 An entertaining main event match that was back and forth the whole way. We know Evans is going to the main roster, so it’s not a surprise that he did the job here. At least it was a cheap win for Ricky since he did the low blow to set up the finish. That’s better for Evans since he didn’t lose clean. I think they could have had a better match if it were a Street Fight or some kind of match where they used weapons to make it stand out a bit more. I still liked it, though.
Ricky Saints celebrated the win. There was a rundown of the NXT New Year’s Evil card for next week.
* Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame
* NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne vs. Kendal Grey
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Thea Hail vs. Blake Monroe
* NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Leon Slater
Analysis: I can see them adding another match, but if not, then it’s a strong showing for the women’s division with 3 of the 4 matches.
Ricky Saints continued to celebrate. That was the end of the show.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Ethan Page
- Je’Von Evans/Ricky Saints
- Moose
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.25 out of 10
Last week: 6.75
2025 Average: 7.31
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
This taped show was better than last week, with some bigger matches that delivered. It’s a bit weird to book a show to end the year with so many heel wins since Ethan Page, Jacy Jayne, and Ricky Saints all won their matches.
I would have booked a babyface win or something like that at some point. I know Tavion Heights is a face, and OTM were like faces even though they’ve been heels in the past. It just felt like a heel heavy show. Poor Joe Hendry got beaten up by Darkstate, too.
Anyway, the New Year’s Evil card for next week is good with the women’s division well represented as usual, with 3 of the 4 advertised matches. I think there could be some title changes coming on that show, too.
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John Canton
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