Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT Heatwave 2025 Review

By John Canton • Published Aug 25, 2025 12:17 EDT
WWE NXT Heatwave Review 2025 tjrwrestling

This is WWE NXT Heatwave, featuring title defenses from Oba Femi, Jacy Jayne, Hank & Tank, and some other big matches.

NXT Heatwave took place on Sunday night, and I am writing this on Monday because I had a 4.5 hour AEW Forbidden Door show to review and I didn’t feel like writing about more wrestling. If you ever miss any of my reviews, just visit “The John Report” section on TJRWrestling and it’s right there for you.

The women’s division is featured strongly on this show with three matches, plus another mixed tag, so as usual the NXT ladies are featured heavily. I’m happy for them.

My review will include some experimentation, where I won’t go full play-by-play for all the matches. I’ll do a full play-by-play for a few of them, but not all. I want to try out different styles, and I’m sure most of you don’t read the full play-by-play anyway. The analysis is what really matters.

I did do a results post on TJRWrestling already, so I know what’s going to happen in all the matches, but it won’t affect my judgment. The show length is shorter than a typical episode of Raw too. Let’s get to it.

WWE NXT Heatwave
From Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts
Sunday, August 24, 2025

There was some pre-show walking shown of various superstars like Je’Von Evans, Oba Femi, Chelsea Green with Ethan Page, Tyra Mae Steele with Tavion Heights, Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe.

A video package aired to set up the big matches on the show.

The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T. No Corey Graves at the show because he’s in England for Raw on Monday. I could see them removing Graves from NXT fully since he’s on Raw for several months and does the AAA shows, too.

It wasn’t a big venue, but they seated about 2,000 people in there. They kept the lights off on the fans, which I don’t really like because it looks too dark.

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Lola Vice vs. Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan

The first fall wins in a triple threat. No countouts and no disqualifications in this match.

Jordan kicked Parker out of the rin,g and Jordan rolled up Vice for two. Parker got back into the ring and hit a double clothesline. Parker set up both women against the turnbuckle, which led to Parker hitting her hip drop attack on both women by the turnbuckle. Parker did her high-stepping after that, which drew a pop from the fans. Parker hit a Samoan Drop on Vice for two. Jordan stomped on Parker while on the apron. Jordan hit a springboard leg drop on Vice for two, but Parker broke up the pin. Jordan gave Parker a hurricanrana on the floor, and the lights were dark, you could barely see it. Jordan hit a sitout DDT for a two count. Jordan went up top, but Parker shoved her off the top and onto the apron. Vice went for an armbar on Parker, but Jordan jumped off the top with a Frog Splash on both women, and all three women were down. Jordan superkicked Parker off the apron to the floor. Jordan hit a slingshot corkscrew cross body block onto her opponents on the floor. Jordan hit a split-legged Stunner on Vice for two. Jordan applied a single leg crab, Vice got out of it and Vice went for a submission of her own, but Jordan got out of that. Vice kicked each woman repeatedly, leading to her “I’m a Latina” running hip attack on both opponents three times. Vice hit a belly-to-back suplex on Jordan for two. Jordan hit a flipping neckbreaker on Vice for two. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for the ladies. Parker caught a running Jordan and hit a spinebuster for two. They did the Tower of Doom spot out of the corner with Vice doing the Powerbomb to Parker and Jordan took the superplex. All three women were down.

The three women exchanged strikes. Vice kicked Jordan in the ribs and Parker hit an elbow on Vice. Jordan kicked Parker to knock her down by the turnbuckle. Jordan went for One of a Kind off the top, but Parker blocked with her knees. Parker suplexed Jordan on Vice. Lola was back up with a spin kick on Parker. Jordan spun around Vice and hit an Angle Slam-like move. Jordan hit a 450 Splash that came up a bit short as Vice countered it. Vice applied a guillotine choke and Parker was back in with Hipnotic on Jordan. Vice did a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! on Jordan and Vice put her body on top cover Parker for the win. It went 11:53.

Winner by pinfall: Lola Vice

Analysis: ***1/4 Good match with all three women looking like they had a shot to win. I really didn’t know how this would go, which helps a match like this. They went with the classic triple threat finish of somebody hitting a finishing move and then the third woman got a rollup for the win. My pick was Parker, but I don’t mind Vice getting the win because she’s popular with the fans and has been through a lot in her career. Jordan was impressive in the match as well.

Lola Vice will challenge for the NXT Women’s Title at No Mercy on September 27th. I think Lola may win the title, but it’s certainly not a lock or anything like that.

Next Sunday, it’s WWE Clash in Paris. That’s an afternoon show for me, but the night before, I’ll be at a family member’s wedding, so I’m not sure if I’m going to write about that show live. It depends on how I’m feeling.

There were some videos promoting Evolve talent and storylines.

The Culling’s Izzi Dame, Shawn Spears, Niko Vance and Tatum Paxley were talking backstage. They spoke about how much they believed in Paxley. Dame said Paxley made them better. Dame said this Tuesday, she’ll team up with Paxley against Wren Sinclair and whoever she can find as a partner. Spears said that Dame makes him proud. Niko said they are stronger than ever. Paxley said she has her family and The Culling always wins.

Jordynne Grace was shown getting ready for her match.

NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Darkstate – Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin (w/Saquon Shugars & Cutler James)

The story going in is that we didn’t know which Darkstate guys would start the match.

Dion started by attacking Tank, but when Hank tagged in, he hit a shoulder tackle to knock Dion down. They had all four guys in the ring brawling with the other Darkstate guys, who tried to distract. Hank & Tank cleared the ring with a double clothesline. Hank and Tank each hit suicide dives. The heel Darkstate boys managed to work over Hank as the face in peril. The Darkstate guys sent Hank hard into the turnbuckle. After a Hank clothesline, Tank tagged in and was on fire with suplexes and a springboard cross body block. Tank hit a Full Nelson Slam for two. James did a cheap attack by sending Hank into the ring post. Lennox and Griffin hit a double team Powerbomb on Tank for two. Tank hit an impressive Swanton Bomb off the top on both opponents. Hank recovered and tagged back in with an impressive Bossman Slam on Dion. Hank jumped off the top with a cross body block on three Darkstate guys on the floor. Tank was legal as Hank & Tank hit their Honk Honk double team splash. Shugars distracted the referee, so James tripped up Tank and sent him groin-first into the ring post. Dion sent Hank into the turnbuckle, then a shoulder tackle and Griffin tagged in, put Hank on his shoulders and Dion hit a Doomsday Device top rope clothesline. Griffin covered Hank for the pinfall win to win the NXT Tag Team Titles. It went 10:17.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW NXT Tag Team Champions: Darkstate – Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin

Analysis: **3/4 It was a solid match, but it never really got to that next level and ended before I expected. It would have been nice to see Hank & Tank get a couple of nearfalls in the match. I expected a title change here because even though Hank & Tank had the titles for 126 days, it was a forgettable title reign. It was a big deal when Hank & Tank beat Fraxiom, but the title reign was uneventful. I am in favor of the title change decision here.

Lexis King chatted with NXT GM Ava about how Myles Borne is deaf and blind. Ava said that since King attacked Borne’s vision, so she’s going to put King in a Blindfold Match against Borne on Tuesday’s NXT episode.

NXT No Mercy takes place on Saturday, September 27th, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

TNA Knockouts Championship: Jacy Jayne (w/Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Masha Slamovich vs. Ash By Elegance (w/Heather By Elegance, M By Elegance & The Personal Concierge)

If you don’t watch TNA, Ash By Elegance is the former Dana Brooke in WWE. There are no countouts and no disqualifications in a triple threat match. Masha is the only face here, but she didn’t get much of a reaction. TNA President Carlos Silva was shown watching at ringside.

There were pin attempts by all three women early on. Jayne hit a neckbreaker. Mash hit a twisting suicide dive on the three Fatal Influence ladies on the floor. Jayne got back into it with a hurricanrana and a running elbow on Ash. The pace slowed down a bit as Ash hit a handspring elbow on Jayne, followed by a sitout Powerbomb for two. Masha was back in with kicks to Ash’s head. Masha hit a springboard dropkick. Jayne got some momentum going and hit two cannonball splashes. Masha slammed Jayne into Ash against the turnbuckle. Jayne hit a neckbreaker off the ropes on Masha for two because Ash broke up the pin. Jayne was impressive on offense with a hurricanrana off the top, but when she went for a pin, Ash hit a Meteora double knee attack on Jayne for two. Henley put Jayne’s foot on the rope, so it was just a two count. Fatal Influence argued with the Elegance Brand, and Nyx punched Ash, but the referee, Gary Wilson, saw it and ejected Fatal Influence from the ringside. Masha had Jayne on her shoulders and Masha slammed Jayne on the apron. Ash jumped off the top with a cross body block on both opponents on the floor. Masha hit some kicks, Ash blocked a knee and Ash hit a knee. Ash hit a Tornado DDT and moonsault off the middle turnbuckle. Jayne hit a running knee on Ash and covered Masha for two. Masha got a rollup for two, but Jayne came back with the Rolling Encore elbow for two because Heather & M By Elegance pulled Jayne out of the ring. No DQ in a match like this. Ash went up top and hit Rareified Air (Swanton Bomb) on Masha for the pinfall win. New Knockouts Champion. It went 12:19.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW TNA Knockouts Champion: Ash By Elegance

Analysis: *** It was the second women’s triple threat match in the first three matches, and I think the other one was a bit better. The key spot was Nyx screwing up by punching Ash in front of the referee, so Nyx’s mistake cost her pal Jayne the match. To counter that, the Elegance Brand was very effective in helping Ash win and that’s why Ash got the victory. I expected a title change here since Ash got pinned on NXT last week, so I figured she would win. Jayne lost the title without being pinned because Masha took the pin in this match.

Ash By Elegance and the Elegance Brand celebrated with the TNA Knockouts Title. TNA President Carlos Silva was shown applauding at ringside as well.

A commercial aired for WWE Wrestlepalooza on September 20, which is their ESPN debut in the US.

Ricky Saints talked to Je’Von Evans backstage. Evans admitted he was sore, but he’s leaving as NXT Champion. Ricky told Evans he believed in him, and Ricky also teased that he was coming for the NXT Title as well.

The NXT Halloween Havoc PLE will take place on Saturday, October 25th, in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

There was a video package for the Blake Monroe-Jordynne Grace since there’s actually a good story there.

Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

I’m not a fan of girl pop music or anything like that, but I think the Blake Monroe entrance and theme song is perfect for her. Just saying that it fits her character so well. I’ll go play by play for this one.

Blake slapped Grace in the face to start the match. Grace chased her, so Blake ran away as best she could. Back in the ring, Grace tackled Blake and hit some punches. Grace hit a spinning slam on Blake. Grace caught Blake’s leg and hit an overhead suplex across the ring. Grace hit a fallaway slam on the floor. Blake countered Grace on the floor and slammed Grace onto the steel steps. Blake wrenched the arm to slam Grace into the mat. Blake hit a dropkick to send Grace out of the ring. Blake pulled Grace’s left arm into the ring post. Grace tried to come back with strikes, but Blake hit a Slingblade neckbreaker for a two count. Grace managed to use her hurt left arm to lift up Blake and hit a slingshot suplex. Grace rammed Blake into the turnbuckle a few times, followed by a short arm clothesline. Grace hit another clothesline. Grace hit a spinebuster followed by a Jackhammer slam for a two count. Grace put Blake on her back and Blake pulled the turnbuckle cover off. Grace hit a reverse Alabama Slam, followed by a German Suplex for a two count. Blake countered Grace and hit a reverse legsweep slam into the mat. Grace applied an armbar on the left arm, but Grace countered into a pin for two. Blake hit a knee smash for two. Grace hit a back body drop on Blake. Grace had Blake on her shoulders and sent Blake down for a suplex for a two count.

Blake hit Grace with a headbutt, Grace hit a back fist. Blake hit another headbutt and a running knee. Blake hit a belly-to-back suplex for two. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for the back and forth action. Blake went for a move off the turnbuckle, but Grace held Blake on the turnbuckle and Grace hit a Powerbomb off the middle turnbuckle for a two count. Great nearfall there. Blake elbowed the left arm, then Blake did a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle. Blake stomped Grace’s head into the exposed steel. Blake hit a double arm DDT on Grace for the pinfall win at 12:47.

Winner by pinfall: Blake Monroe

Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a very good match with a clever finish that was fitting for a heel like Blake. It shows that Blake is a crafty way who found a way to pick up the victory by using the exposed turnbuckle and sending Grace into the steel, which set up the finish. That nearfall by Grace off the Powerbomb was great and they went to the finish right after that. This is one of those matches that could have gone either way because I can see either woman in the title picture soon, but I went with Blake in my preview because I think it’s important for her to get some positive momentum. This could certainly be an NXT Women’s Title feud in the future.

Lash Legend confronted Jaida Parker backstage, and Parker reminded Lash that she got squashed by Nia Jax. Lash said she was going to be the woman to win the NXT Women’s Title. Lash and Jaida argued until they were separated.

The NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Jayne complained about Jazmyn Nyx for messing up. Fallon Henley told Jayne not to look at her. Lola Vice walked in and teased that she would beat Jayne for her title. Sol Ruca and Zaria showed up to gloat about how Sol is the only double champion in NXT.

It was announced that NXT Homecoming will take place on Tuesday, September 16th, at Full Sail University in Orlando, which is the old home of NXT.

A video package aired about the mixed tag team match with Ethan Page and Chelsea Green delivering a message for the Canadian Standard of Excellence.

Tavion Heights & Tyra Mae Steele vs. Ethan Page & Chelsea Green (w/Piper Niven & Alba Fyre)

The fans were booing Heights & Steel even though they were in USA gear. They cheered Page & Green because of how entertaining they are as characters. I’m Canadian, so of course I support Page and Green. It’s men against men and women against women.

There were “Chelsea” chants from the crowd. Steel took down Green and rolled her around the ring, which drew boos. The fans booed as Steele and Heights tossed their opponents out of the ring. There were “Canada” chants. Page did a promo telling the crowd that no matter how much cheer for Canada, they are not giving you citizenship. Good! Heights battled Page, and every time they did moves, the fans were cheering for Page, even though he’s the heel. Page was in control of Heights with a suplex. The fans chanted for Green and even a “Secret Hervice” chant. When Heights hit a clothesline, the fans booed. When Green ran into the ring and dropkicked Steele off the apron, the fans popped huge. Page hit a Codebreaker for a two count. After Green tagged in, Steele tackled her and the fans booed again. Green kicked Steele into the turnbuckle. Green and Steel did a double cross body block spot. Heights was on fire against Page with a neckbreaker and Jackhammer slam. Booker wanted Heights to slow down because he’s a little reckless. Steele suplexed Page and booed. The ladies were back in as the fans chanted for Green. Steele suplexed Page while Fyre was in Page’s arms, so Fyre was suplexed. Heights tackled Page, the referee was looking at that and Fyre superkicked Steele, so the referee never saw it. Green hit an Unpretty-her on Steele for the pinfall win. The fans cheered the heels. It went 9:30.

Winners by pinfall: Ethan Page & Chelsea Green

Analysis: **1/2 It felt like an average match. That one didn’t go as I expected because I thought this was being done to set up Heights and Steele for the win as stars on the rise, but instead, the more experienced duo of Page and Green got the win. I doubt WWE expected the fans to turn on the match the way they did. I also don’t want Green ever to turn face because she’s so good as a heel.

The NXT Champion Oba Femi was getting ready backstage. Josh Briggs said that tonight, he thinks that Femi’s reign will end. Briggs said he believes the grind is wearing Femi down. Femi didn’t care about Briggs’ insignificant opinion. Briggs said he’s next in line.

Ava, the NXT GM, was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Ava said that she is bringing the Men’s and Women’s WWE Speed titles to NXT. Ava said that Sol will defend the Speed Title against a tournament winner at No Mercy.

This Tuesday on NXT:

* Fatal Influence vs. Zaria, Sol Ruca & Lola Vice

* Blindfold Match: Myles Borne vs. Lexis King

* Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley vs. Wren Sinclair & ???

A video package aired for the NXT Championship match. There’s not much of a story other than The Undertaker encouraged Je’Von Evans to go for the NXT Title. Je’Von Evans beat Trick Williams last week on NXT to earn this title shot.

NXT Championship: Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans

Oba Femi has been champion for 228 days and is 9-0 in NXT Title matches. This is Evans’ first singles match for the NXT Title, but he has been in multi-man matches.

Femi used his power advantage to run over Evans with a shoulder tackle. Evans had some kinesio tape on his back shoulders to sell his crazy table bump last week. Evans tried a springboard attack, but Femi blocked a Cutter attempt and Femi ran over Evans with a shoulder tackle again. Evans worked over Evans with punches to the ribs. Femi kicked Evans in the back where the tape was. Evans knocked Femi back and Evans went for a springboard attack, but Femi caught him. Evans came back with a superkick that knocked Femi down. Evans hit another kick for just one. Evans went up top and jumped off, but Femi tried to block. Evans was ready for it, and Evans kicked Femi in the chest. Evans hit a hurricanrana, followed by a dropkick. Evans went for an attack on the floor, but Femi chopped Evans in the chest while Evans was on the apron. That was a loud smack. Femi press slammed Evans over the top to the floor. Femi hit a stomach breaker onto the knee. Femi did a press slam and used his knees to hit Evans in the ribs with a gutbuster. Evans went to pick up Femi, but Femi landed on top for a two count. When Evans tried to get some momentum again, Femi hit a perfect spinebuster for a two count. That’s a great move for Femi to use for nearfalls. Femi sent Evans into the turnbuckle, and Evans bumped with his back, hitting the turnbuckle. Femi was booed as he posed over a fallen Evans. Evans stunned the big man with some forearm strikes to the jaw, but Femi caught Evans and hit a backbreaker. Femi hit a Chokeslam for a two count.

Evans was able to get some offense going with some punches that staggered the champion and Femi was against the turnbuckle. Evans punched Femi, and Evans hit a springboard clothesline. Evans was getting bouncy off the ropes with two spinning kicks to the head for two. Evans countered Femi with a Tornado DDT. Evans jumped off the top with a Frog Splash, and he came up short, so he grabbed his left knee. The referee was talking to Evans to make sure he was okay. Evans went up top again and hit a better Frog Splash for a two count. Femi punched Evans, who punched back, and Femi kicked Evans. Evans hit a German Suplex, but Femi was fired up and hit a lariat. Femi hit two running uppercuts, but a third one was countered by a Cutter by Evans! Evans jumped off the to,p and Femi hit an uppercut for just two. Great sequence and nearfall. The fans were chanting, “This is awesome” for them. Evans went for a move off the top, but Femi shoved Evans and he bumped into referee Adrian Butler, who is a former wrestler, and the referee was out on the floor. Evans hit a top rope hurricanrana. Evans hit a Cutter on Femi. Evans hit a top rope Cutter, and referee Derek Sanders was back in to count the three, but the original referee, Adrian Butler, realized Femi’s foot was on the bottom rope. Referee Butler said that the match will continue.

Evans went for a top rope twisting splash, but Femi avoided it. Femi picked up Evans and tossed him over the top and through the commentary table. That drew “Holy Shit” chants with good reason. Femi hit the Fall From Grace (Popup Powerbomb) for the pinfall win. It was the longest match of the show at 17:43.

Winner by pinfall: Oba Femi

Analysis: ***3/4 It was a very good match, similar to the Evans/Trick match on TV last week. Femi dominated most of the match, and Trick fought back as best he could and nearly got the win. As for the controversial finish, I don’t mind it at all. In my preview, I wrote: “If Femi wins clean, then what? I think it needs to be a controversial ending of some kind to set up a rematch down the road.” Since it was controversial, it will set up Evans for a future match, as he can claim he had the match won and has a legitimate case to support his claim. Evans came so close to winning, and he can say he had Femi beat, but Femi got his foot under the bottom rope, and it was seen by the original referee, so that kept the match going. That table bump with Femi tossing Evans onto the commentary table was crazy, but it’s also something we are used to from Evans, who is an incredible athlete and can certainly handle those kinds of crazy bumps.

Oba Femi celebrated with the NXT Title.

Ricky Saints made his entrance and confronted Oba Femi in the ring. Femi held up the NXT Title. Ricky said that the NXT Title is going to be his. Femi told Ricky he was just another guy.

Analysis: I can see them going with Saints against Femi at No Mercy next month and go back to Evans against Femi at Halloween Havoc, which is usually a bigger event in NXT. I’d have Evans beat Femi at Halloween Havoc.

This event had a runtime of 2:21:55 on Netflix in Canada.

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Five Stars of the Show

  1. Oba Femi
  2. Blake Monroe
  3. Je’Von Evans
  4. Darkstate
  5. Lola Vice

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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT Heatwave

I’m going with a 7.25 out of 10.

It was like watching a TV episode of NXT where they go on the road and it’s filled with matches that have been built up well. They literally did that last week in Philly and I thought that show was mostly better than this one. That doesn’t mean this was a bad show. I’m just saying it was a bunch of solid matches, along with an entertaining main event, but there really wasn’t a standout match. There’s no Carmelo Hayes or Ilja Dragunov on the NXT roster right now to have that special match to boost the entire event, but Je’Von Evans is close to that level.

I enjoy watching Oba Femi and Je’Von Evans a lot. They have very bright futures and all of this big match experience is going to help them in the years ahead when they’re hopefully thriving on the main roster. I figured the Femi/Evans match would have some controversy to necessitate a rematch, so I’m looking forward to seeing it again down the road.

Everything else was okay. I’m happy for Ash By Elegance winning the TNA Knockouts Title, but maybe that should have happened on a TNA show. The dark lighting throughout the show was annoying. I normally don’t complain about that, but I think it hurts the show where most of the arena is dark like that.

Here are my NXT PLE rankings for this year:

Stand & Deliver (April 19) – 8.5 (out of 10)

Vengeance Day (February 15) – 7.75

The Great American Bash (July 12) – 7.5

Heatwave – 7.25

Battleground (May 25) – 7.25

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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email [email protected]

Twitter/X @johnreport