NXT NO MERCY 2025 Pro Wrestling Review

NXT is the developmental brand of WWE, where the future of WWE hones their craft and turn into polished, bonafide superstars. Or at least that's the idea. The actual track record in its history has been very hit or miss. But nowadays, ever since NXT was turned into NXT 2.0 and we saw the likes of Bron Breakker, Solo Sikoa, Grayson Waller, and Roxanne Perez first debut and are now some great talent on the main roster. There are definetly still some people who may have been great in NXT and it didn't translate, or have been stuck down there for quite a while. But at this point right now, with the likes of Oba Femi, Lola Vice, Jacy Jayne, Je'Von Evans, Darkstate, and many many more...the future of WWE looks VERY bright. Not to mention the influx of AEW names like Ricky Saints (FKA Ricky Starks), Blake Monroe (FKA Mariah May), Shawn Spears, and Ethan Page. And the crossover with TNA as well as Pro Wrestling NOAH and AAA. It is a brand that is full of surprises, great talent, and a "anything can happen" atmosphere that honestly makes it one of the more exciting and must watch weekly shows in all of wrestling.

Match 1

Singles Match

Je'Von Evans vs Josh Briggs

Josh Briggs has been in NXT for quite a while. He debuted as part of a somewhat decent tag team with Brooks Jensen alongside Fallon Henley and eventually Kiana James. It was very slapstick "comedy" and weird drama that had to do with saving a failing bar or whatever. Briggs and Jensen were quite successful, winning the NXT UK Tag Team Titles in the dying days of the brand as well as the NXT Tag Team Championships. But ever since the team split, Briggs was somewhat lost for a bit. He began a partnership with Pro Wrestling NOAH's Yoshiki Inamura that had GREAT chemistry and great matches, but ever since Yoshiki left Briggs has become a bad guy who is just a cold, whiny guy. He doesn't feel like a total badass anymore despite his look and in-ring skill. And he has been in NXT for quite a while when I feel like he would do well in the mid card of the main roster.

Meanwhile Je'Von Evans is only 21 years old, and yet has already become one of the top names in the entirety of NXT if not one of the most popular in all of WWE. He is very experienced, having wrestled for plenty of indies such as Deadlock Pro Wrestling (where he is a former World Champion), West Coast Pro Wrestling, and many other smaller indies.

This match has been getting built up for a bit. A lot of Briggs calling Evans a kid and how he is too young to be big or a star while he is a MAN.

As soon as the bell rang, Evans took it to Briggs with a kick and some strikes. Using his speed to hit a lot of strikes but it didn't do much damage. Briggs picks up Evans and the two tumble to the floor, but Evans seems to injure his leg and that allows Briggs to take over instantly. The commentary talks about how much Evans has been wrestling and doing, which seems to show that he is fatigued and not going into the match at 100%.

But Evans continues to use his speed and agility to lay into Briggs, but Briggs is able to sell it like it's not doing too much damage. Evans is getting a lot of weak hits while Briggs can get a few strong hits and that's always a great dynamic for a match.

Briggs continues to throw Evans around with ease and lay into him. Evans gets a few strikes, but they have no effect while Briggs can just hit one move and take control.

Briggs begins to target the back and hips, which will limit Evans mobility in a sense when he goes for his high flying offense. Briggs uses stomps, irish whips into corners, and more while Evans does a great job of selling.

The match does drag a bit and it is telling a story, but the crowd does sound rather quiet and restless. As much as I get why this match is the one to start, it is a bit slow for an opening match on a PLE.

Evans prepares to go for a dive from the apron, but Briggs sends him flying back into the railing and tries to win by count out. Evans gets back in just in time, and Briggs just goes back to laying into him with big power moves and slams, but Evans dodges a Splash.

Evans it too hurt to take advantage, so Briggs is back on top until he goes to trash talk the crowd. He gets distracted and Evans is finally able to fight back for a bit. The stiffest strikes yet from him followed by a great springboard into a weird German Suplex, but it looked awesome. Evans goes for some Clotheslines, but it doesn't take Briggs down. Briggds trash talks him to hit him like a man, leading to a Superkick and Clothesline to take him down.

Evans hits some crazy Springboard Enziguries that he does and they look so good. Evans takes off his shirt to show that he is serious now, laying into Briggs with strikes and even goes for a Coast to Coast.

Evans is unable to hit it though since Briggs rolls out of the ring, but Evans still dives to him to the floor, almost the same distance as the ring. Evans throws Briggs into the ring and hits a Frog Splash over half way across the ring, getting to a GREAT near fall with Briggs kicking out just in time.

Before Evans could go for more flying moves, Evans goes back to the back and even boots him right in the back of the head. Followed by a stiff Lariat to the back of his neck, flipping Evans inside out. Evans kicks out and Briggs looked furious.

Briggs lifts Evans up but gets countered with a roll up. Briggs barely kicks out and Evans hits some Forearms before the two trade strikes back and forth. Briggs lays out Evans with back to back Boots, followed by a great Hip Toss into a Backbreaker, followed by what was basically a Z360 (the finishing move of one Zoey Stark) but Evans kicked out.

Briggs drags Evans towards the corner and starts to climb to the top rope. Then he tried to drag him up in a way I've never seen before. Not really in a good way. But reaching over to pull him by his wrist was weird.

Briggs goes for a Avalanche Choke Slam with both men off the top rope, but Evans back flips and lands on his feet. Evans then goes for his finishing OG Cutter, but Briggs catches him and hits ONE HELL of a Chokeslam, but Evans is able to kick out just in time.

Briggs goes to one of the corners, beginning to remove the turnbuckle pad before stopping and going after Evans. Evans sends him to the floor and goes for a Tope Suicida, but Briggs catches him and throws him into the ropes to hit a Laritat. Briggs throws him into the ring and hits a big Running Lariat, but the way he covers Evans makes his leg fall onto the bottom rope and break up the pin.

Briggs drags Evans towards the corner by his hair, showing a lot of disrespect while trash talking him. Briggs begins to climb the corner, but Evans grabs his foot and stops him. Evans trash talks back, demanding that Briggs treats him and fights him like a man.

Briggs charges, but Evans hits a Running Knee and goes for an OG Cutter, but Briggs catches him with a Boot. Briggs goes for a Chokeslam, but Evans reverses in mid-air into a Cutter followed right after by a OG Cutter for the win.

Result: Je'Von Evans Wins

Star Rating: 3.25/5 Stars

We get a "NXT No Mercy Classic" moment from the 2023 edition. The moment that Trick Williams defeated "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio in order to win the NXT North American Championship. I would honestly love if all PPVs or PLEs did this type of thng. Showing off the history of the event and the big moments, making sure you know that anything can happen and the prestige of the event.

I also just want to note that even just 2 years ago, both Trick Williams and Dominik Mysterio have improved A LOT and are both total superstars.

We then get a recap of the past Tuesday's episode of NXT where TNA invaded and a massive brawl ensued to close out the show. It was chaotic, but it was awesome.

We then get a recap of TNA Victory Road, where NXT superstar Kelani Jordan won the TNA Knockout's Championship after it had to be vacated by Ash By Elegance. As much as I don't like NXT people winning TNA belts, Kelani is pretty great and defiantly deserves a championship reign.

We hear that Lainey Reed has been injured and will not be able to face Sol Ruca for her WWE Women's Speed Championship, so she is defending it in an open challenge.

Match 2

WWE Women's Speed Championship Match

Sol Ruca (c) vs Jaida Parker

WWE Speed Matches are contested with 3 minute time limits (5 minutes if the title is on the line). It used to be a show exclusive to the X social media platform, but it was recently removed from the show. The championship belts are still being used and defended on NXT.

Jaida Parker answers the open challenge, which is...fine I guess. She's talented and popular, but it's weird that she is only on this show because somebody got injured. I guess it has to do with the fact that the show is in Florida and she is from there so get the home town pop. Whatever though. Good for Jaida...even if I am not a huge fan of the short time limit rules.

Both women go for roll ups instantly before they show their different styles. Ruca is very agile and athletic with high flying and speed while Jaida is very powerful and strong. Ruca sends Parker to the floor with some innovative offense and a dive off the steps.

I noticed that this match was bathed in green light which...I'm not huge on. I don't really like when matches have colored lightning like that.

Jaida gets the advantage and uses her power and some cheap shots to beat down on Sol, going for a bunch of pinfall attempts really quickly.

Sol quickly fights back and goes for a Sol Snatcher quickly, but Jaida stops her and hits a Hip Attack in the corner. Jaida then hits a Falcon Arrow, but Sol kicks out.

Both women are trying their best to sell but also keep a quick pace going, which is one of the reasons I don't like these matches.

The women have a really messy botch where instead of hitting a Slam, Sol sort of just falls over with Jaida and goes for a cover. Jaida kicks out and goes to the elevated rampway, which leads to a messy Springboard into a Forearm where Sol just fully lands on her feet with her arms down by her sides.

At the 2 minutes warning, the green lights are replaced with orange.

Sol and Jaida trade blows back and forth like they're exhausted, which again...ist just weird.

Jaida hits a big Samoan Drop, but Sol rolls out of the ring. Sol fights back a bit and pulls Jaida out of the ring with a minute to go.

They fight on the floor as it comes down to 1 minute, with the lights changing to red.

Sol then goes for a Moonsault off the steps, but Jaida moves and blasts her with a Hipnotic on the floor. Jaida trash talks Zaria on the floor, but then Lash Legend comes out. Zaria hits a Spear on Lash and Jaida gets back into the ring only to get hit with a Sol Snatcher with about 11 or so seconds left on the clock.

Result: Sol Ruca Retains

Star Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

We get Marcus Mathers and Aaron Rouke from WWE Evolve to share that they're going to be a team to promote the show that airs every week on Tubi and YouTube. I used to keep up with Evolve, but it just became something that wasn't the most important so I didn't keep up with it like other shows.

We then see Keanu Carver challenging Jackson Drake for the Evolve Championship. He also said how he was going to break through Brooks Jensen in order to get to the title. I understand why they are promoting Evolve on NXT, but it just annoys me when it's during a PLE event.

We then get a goofy vignette for Sean Legacy, who is one of the more talented guys on the roster but this was strange.

We get a backstage segment from Tuesday's NXT interviewing Joe Hendry after his loss to Dark State in a 6-man tag. Darkstate interrupt and threaten Hendry. Hendry seems to to hint at possibly joining them, which I'm not sure is the smartest move to have Hendry as a heel.

Now I am a big fan and watched WCPW (What Culture Pro Wrestling) back when he was a great bag guy, but this day he really couldn't do it the same way and shouldn't either.

Match 3

Weaponized Steel Cage Match

Jordynne Grace vs Blake Monroe

This match is months in the making. Blake and Jordynne were close friends and partners until Blake turned on Jordynne and cost her the NXT Women's Championship at WWE Evolution. The feud was very personal and involved a whole lot of violent beat downs and brawls. A lot of weaponry and Blake becoming more and more violent and twisted. Really going back to how Blake was as Mariah May in AEW with her Toni Storm feud. Getting incredibly violent and sadistic. I am really excited, even if it felt weird to bring in Blake as a face for maybe a month before turning her heel.

Meanwhile the weaponized steel cage match is something done in NXT only a few times. A cage match is supposed to keep people from leaving the ring. But with weapons attached to the walls, it gives them a chance to get extra violent and brutal with each other.

Jordynne comes out first in completely white gear, which makes me think that there is going to be some blood involved. Blake Monroe comes out with a Dudley Boys/Stacy Keibler tribute gear that looks incredible.

I know that both women are world traveled superstars before they ever came into NXT, but it's awesome to see them on such a big stage together. Two veterans fighting it out to become the future of WWE.

The moment the bell rings it becomes a brawl. Grace throws Blake into a wall instantly, followed by going for a steel chair attack but misses. Blake then grabs a kendo stick and cracks Grace with it over and over again. But Grace eventually catches it and gets her own strikes in.

Grace goes back to the steel chair and hits a Spinebuster onto it for a 2 count, which to me felt like too early for a pinfall with a feud like this but that's just me being nitpicky for no reason.

Grace sits the chair up and the women fight around it, leading to a Boston Crab from Grace, who puts the chair over Blake and sits down on it which looked awesome and super unique. A cool spot I've never seen before. It was cool, but Blake fights out of it.

Grace puts the steel chair in the corner and the crowd goes wild. The two women fight trade move attempts and fake out being thrown into the chair before Grace goes shoulder first into the chair.

Blake takes advantage and throws Grace into the cage walls to keep the punishment going. The crowd is the loudest they have been all night. Grace has previously injured her hand and Blake begins to arget it by pushing it between the holes in the cage wall and twisting her fingers.

Monroe grabs a trash can, dumping out things like a hair dryer, hair curler, and more similar stuff before slamming the can onto Grace and going for a pin. Grace kicked out, so Monroe grabbed the kendo stick again and used it to stab Grace's injured hand.

Grace dodges a big swing and catches the stick, the two having tug of war before Monroe hits a sort of Skull Crushing Finale using the kendo stick. Monroe gets on top and does some ground and pound, looking for more weapons.

She grabs a hair dryer, using the cord to tie her arms up in the ropes. I totally thought she was going to choke Grace with it, but probably can't because PG. Monroe beats down on Grace while she is tied up, before grabbing a strange blake bag. Monroe pulled out a pair of scissors, which really shocked me. But Monroe used them to cut Grace's hair while the crowd went wild. I was shocked that they did this.

The crowd booed louder and Monroe played up her psychotic character to great effect dumping the hair all over herself and laughing. But Grace is able to fight back and free herself. Grace snapped and began to lay into Monroe with brutal strikes and destroying Monroe with a bunch of Wrist held Lariats and some nasty chops. Grace went for a Powerbomb, but Monroe grabbed hold of the wall and started to climb the cage. The two women began to fight on the top rope, with Grace putting Monroe on her shoulders and hitting a massive Top Rope Samoan Drop.

Monroe kicked out and the crowd booed for a moment before they began to cheer and chant for tables.

Grace grabbed hold of a leather weight belt, using it to whip Monroe with some loud thuds rather than the whip sounds that usually come with belt whippings.

Grace grabbed the pink trash can that was used on her earlier, standing it up before being driven face first into it. Monroe grabbed a trash can lid, missing a shot before throwing the lid at Grace. Grace caught it and Monroe Kicked it into her face. Monroe got back on top, beating down on Grace before...Grace broke out of a pinfall by putting her foot on the ropes.

I HATE when a No DQ match of any variety has rope breaks. It defeats the point to me and shouldn't happen.

Monroe grabbed another black bag, dumping diamonds and jewellery onto the ring mat. I have to say I've never seen diamonds used as a weapon before, so good on them for being unique. They trade move attempts until Grace hits a Fisherman Buster onto the pile, with both women selling it like death but Monroe kicked out.

Grace then grabbed some of her cut hair, shoving it into Monroe's mouth followed by throwing her in the corner. Grace lifted her up to the top rope and went for a Superplex, but Monroe slipped between her legs and got her down into a Tree of Woe. Monroe put the can over her torso, followed by a Double Stop to the can over Grace's body. But Grace kicked out.

Monroe grabbed hold of a table that was in the ring, the crowd lighting up like they always do. Monroe wasn't able to stand it up because Grace was trying to stop her. Monroe then went to drive Grace eye first into the table leg, but Grace fought out and then dumped Monroe into the cage wall.

Grace finished standing the table up.

Monroe and Grace were both selling like death while the crowd was very much into this match. The most they have been so far in the night.

Monroe climbs to the top rope, but Grace goes up to join her. A crazy Electric Chair on the top rope before Monroe uses her legs to drive Grace's face into the wall over and over. They both climb to the very top of the cage, trading blows while the crowd goes wild.

Monroe reaches into her pocket and throws powder into Grace's eyes before Grace could use a crowbar that was in her pants (somewhere).

Monroe went for a Avalanche Powerbomb through the table, but Grace reversed into a Air Raid Crash off the top rope and through the table. Falling into the pin and winning.

Result: Jordynne Grace Wins

Star Rating: 4.25/5 Stars

We get some promotion for Halloween Havoc, which goes into Ava talking about how to solve the "NXT vs TNA" problem. They announce that they will be holding a co-branded show, titled Invasion with an NXT vs TNA show including 2 Survivor Series style matches as well as NXT vs TNA Tag Team Championship Winner Takes All with The Hardy Boyz (TNA) vs Darkstate (NXT). I am very excited, but I also find it strange and interesting that they would have the title for title thing.

We then get a promo segment from Lash Legend...for some reason. I don't like promo segments on PLEs or PPVs. She uses this to trash talk TNA and promote the show...that we literally just had announced. But then Lash says she should lead the women's team at the show before she turns her attention to Jaida Parker and gets ambushed.

We then get a backstage segment with Lainey Reed, revealing her injury before she gets interrupted by Lola Vice who tries to encourage her. Then the two trash talk each other.

We get another NXT No Mercy Classic from 2024, where Joe Hendry and Ethan Page fought for the NXT Championship in a great match that had the crowd going wild.

Match 4

NXT North American Championship Match

Tavion Heights vs Ethan Page (c)

Ethan Page has been promoting himself as the greatest Canadian, even making the belt personalised to look like the Canadian flag. Meanwhile Tavion was one of the members of the No Quarter Catch Crew before he broke out on his own, wanting to prove that he could be a champion on his own.

The match starts off a little technical before getting more aggressive and strike heavy. The crowd is FIRMLY behind Tavion, which shows how much he has grown into a fan faborite really quickly. There is a great strike exchange that leads to Tavion getting the advantage before Page hits a Back Body Drop onto the steel ramp way. Page looks like the sadistic side is coming through, taking it a lot more seriously and laying into Tavion before he starts to trash talk and taunt the crowd.

Page starts to target the lower back. Now this is really personal and very minor. I don't like when multiple matches on the same card target the same body part. I know that there is only so much you can do, but it just makes things slightly repetitive. Evans and Briggs in the first match built it around the back, and now theya re doing it again. Sure there was a good amount of time between them, but still.

Tavion tries to go for Suplexes and Slams, but his back gave out. Page slows down the match quite a lot with a Waist Lock, the crowd going quiet for a bit. They weren't even cheering on Tavion or chanting for him, but he egan to fight back and escape the hold. He got a few strikes, but Page got right back onto him with a Kick while Tavion was on the top rope. Page climbs up and hits a Backbreaker onto the top turnbuckle which came with a nasty bump and great selling from Tavion.

Page took too long playing to the crowd, allowing Tavion to recover and get a huge comeback, laying into Page while the crowd goes nuts. Tavion hits a great roll through into a Death Valley Driver position, but then switches it up into an Ankle Lock. Page gets to the ropes and there is a great exchange of moves back and forth until Page hits an Ego's Edge, but Tavion kicks out. Page goes right into a Boston Crab, but Tavion is able to get to the bottom rope and break it up.

Tavion rolls onto the apron and goes to the top rope, but Page meets him up there. The two men trade blows before Page goes for a Suplerplex, which would be sure to end Tavion with his back injured, but Tavion locked on a Sleeper Hold on the top rope. Page pulled his hair toget out and hit a Avalanche Powerslam followed by a Twisted Grin to get the victory.

Result: Ethan Page Retains

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

But after the match, Ethan Page gets called out by AAA Latin American Champion El Hijo De Dr. Wagner Jr. It seems that they are going to be fighting in a Title vs Title Match, which I am actually pretty excited for. I do have a bit of a thing with so many Title for Title matches happening in close proximity, as it feels like especially with the AAA purchase it might unify them which I'm not huge on.

We go backstage to see Myles Borne get interviewed after his victory against Lexis King on NXT before he begins to trash talk TNA.

We then get a social media video from TNA's Mike Santana to build up the Invasion show.

Match 5

NXT Women's Championship Match

Lola Vice vs Jacy Jayne (c)

Jacy Jayne shocked the world when she defeated Stephanie Vaquer to become NXT Women's Champion 120 Days ago. And to prove that it wasn't a fluke, Jayne went on to defend it against Lainey Reed (who at the time was a bit of a newcomer/jobber), Jordynne Grace (with an assist from Blake Monroe), and even went to TNA and became both NXT Women's and TNA Knockout's Champion at the same time. Jayne has been the "leader" of Fatal Influence and there has been a lot of tension, but recently one of the members Jazmyn Nyx was released and they just sort of...moved on with out. It's been weird and rushed but it is what it is.

Meanwhile Lola Vice, the former Valerie Loureda in MMA, has been in NXT for a long while and has been constantly on the verge of nearly winning the title but always falling short. Now that NXT is in her home town(ish) of Ft. Lauderdale Florida, will tonight be the night that she finally claims the prize?

This is the first match that doesn't really start hot and fast. It feels epic with the crowd loud for Lola. The two women lock up and trade momentum back and forth, really struggling to fight for control. Jacy is the first one to get a proper hold in while the crowd cheers and chants for Lola.

Jacy has TOTALLY improved a whole lot and I personally think she has been a great feature on weekly tv, even if I wish they booked her as a stronger champion and she didn't win all of her defenses by interference or cheating. Give her a good reign with some clean, dominant wins for once. Meanwhile Lola has finally really began to feel like she is on the verge of breaking through. There were some moments where it felt like she was only on tv because fans thought she was hot and she shook her ass, but she has really proven her charisma and in ring skills have improved a lot.

The two women keep going back and forth, with Lola clearly dominating in the striking and submission fields. Jacy tries to avoid them and get whatever advantage she can, but Lola is easily able to dominate for a bit. Showing that skill wise she is superior.

Jacy goes to talk strategy with her team mate Fallon Henley on the floor, who goes and distracts Lola in order for Jacy to blindside her and get the advantage for the first real time in the match. Beating her down and working Lola over to lots of heat.

But Lola fights back and hits a big body shot that was loud, followed by a Suplex. Lola is clearly ready for a title, I am just wondering if they will pull the trigger now or if they will continue to let Jacy hold it. She has been in NXT for almost 4 years (Jacy I mean) and giving her a lengthy reign as a thank you does seem like something Shawn Michaels would do.

They trade pinfall attempts and Lola goes back to dominating with her strikes, sending Jacy to the floor. Lola slams Jacy face first onto the announce table before Fallon distracts her again, letting Jacy throw her into the ring steps followed by a Cannonball against them.

Jacy plays to the crowd as she keeps laying into Lola for a while, working her over. And yet once again we get a match where the target is the lower back. 3 out of the 5 matches so far target the back which is...annoying to me as a personal thing.

Jacy uses more cheap tactics and distractions to wear down Lola and get in a long submission hold until the crowd cheers Lola on for a comeback. Lola breaks free, but Jacy goes right back to the back. Jacy goes for a cover, but Lola suddenly snaps into a Crossface. The crowd lit up until Jacy went for another pin, but Lola released the hold to get out.

Lola hits a couple big kicks to fight back with the crowd hot for her dominating again. Lola then does her ass shake and hits a big Hip Attack plus Stinkface, then a Saito Suplex. Jacy rolled to the ropes (in a bit of a weird way) but then Jacy leaves the ring. Lola takes out Fallon before Jacy blasts her with a Pump Kick on the floor.

Lola hits a Tornado Kick (that misses but it's whatever) but Fallon pulled the referee out of the ring. Also messy, but I think somebody was just out of position. Fallon is told to leave the ringside area. Jacy goes for a pin, but Lola reverses into a Sleeper Hold. The crowd was going wild but Jacy reversed into a pin and Lola released the hold.

Lola went for a Splash in the corner before he two women traded strikes, Jacy almost collapsing into the pin and winning until Lola kicked out.

Jacy gets back on top and trash talks Lola's family, allowing Lola to have time to recover and fight back. She goes for a Tornado DDT, but then switches it into a Guillotine Choke. Jacy got to her feet and threw Lola into the corner to get out of the hold.

Lola got back with more Kicks in the corner before going to the apron and climbing to the top rope. Jacy hit a Kick and then hit a Avalanche Back Suplex, followed by a Running Knee. Lola kicked out and the crowd went mild. It was a great nearfall, but the crowd didn't react all that well.

Jacy leaves the ring and grabs her NXT Women's Championship belt, not caring if she retains by DQ. Jacy and the ref fight over the belt before Lola gets a roll up, but Jacy kicks out. Jacy goes for another Knee, but Lola gets another roll up. Jacy kicks out again and they trade Superkicks followed by Forearms. The two women going hit for hit followed by two different Back Fists, but then Lola fell out of the ring. While the referee is checking on Jacy in the ring, somebody wearing a mask and black hoodie blindsided Lola on the floor

Lola gets back in the ring at 9 seconds, but then is immediately blasted with a Rolling Encore from Jacy and loses.

Result: Jacy Jayne Retains

Star Rating: 3.75/5 Stars

We see some more video comments from TNA Wrestlers Moose and Mustafa Ali.

I am really intrigued and interested in people like Mustafa Ali, Cedric Alexander, Indi Hartwell, Matt Cardona, Steph DeLander, Steve Maclin, and many of the former WWE people who went to TNA. It adds a lot of intrigue that I really like and can make the story a lot more interesting. As long as they play into it that is.

Main Event

NXT Championship Match

Oba Femi (c) vs Ricky Saints

Oba Femi has been the dominant champion since January 7th, not having been pinned or submitted in all of that time. He has been the final boss of NXT if you will. The last time he was defeated at all was back in October of 2024, which was in a No DQ match against Tony D'Angelo that took 4 people to lay him out.

Meanwhile Ricky Saints has only been in NXT for about 6 months after leaving AEW. He came in as a hot free agent, quickly winning the NXT North American Championship before losing it to Ethan Page. And now he hopes to move on to the main title and show that he deserves to belong in WWE. Show that he is more than just a flash in the pan or past his prime.

During the ring announcements for the match, Oba mocked Saints' pose and it was hilarious. Just felt like pointing that out.

Oba dominates in the beginning due to his sheer power and strength.

And I'm sorry. ANOTHER MATCH WHERE SOMEBODY IS SELLING THE BACK!? COME ON!

Ricky gets a few chops and strikes in, but Oba continues to use his power. Yet Ricky is able to get some speed and agility in to knock Oba down for the first time in the match, trying his best to avoid any impacts and make Oba hurt himself.

Ricky grabs Oba's arm and goes for his signature Old School like move, but Oba pulls him down. Ricky plays to the crowd just a bit before sending Oba to the floor with a flurry of quick offense. Ricky goes for a Tope Suicida, but Oba blasts him with a Forearm in the ropes to get back on top in an instant.

Oba continued to dominate and destroy Ricky while the commentary does a great job of going over Oba's title history. The second most defenses in NXT Championship history since Bron Breakker's second reign. (11 defenses vs Breakker's 13) but in this sense I think Oba is actually doing it beter. I am a fan of Japanese pro wrestling where wrestlers can hold a title for a whole year and maybe defend it 8 times. Each title match is treated as the biggest, most important thing ever. Treating the World Title that way is perfect and it should be like that. Oba having 11 defenses over 263 Days is a great amount with all the shows WWE does.

Ricky is finally able ot fight back with some of his signature moves and offense, even lifting Oba up and hitting a Samoan Drop. Oba kicks out and Ricky is selling his ribs like crazy. Oba goes for his finishing move Fall From Grace, but Ricky reversed and went for a Spear, but Oba slammed him down followed by a huge Pop Up European Uppercut. Ricky kicks out and Oba went straight into more punishment, but Ricky got a Spear out of nowhere.

Oba kicked out just in time. And I've noticed that Oba kicks out in a similar way to Brock Lesnar. What I mean by that is that Oba does not move ANYTHING until the split second that he kicks out. He really knows how to add the drama and make you think that any pinfall could be it.

Ricky and Oba fight on the top rope when Ricky goes for a Sunset Flip Powerbomb, but Oba blocks it for. afew seconds before Ricky is able to hit a massive Powerbomb for a nearfall. The crowd went wild and it was great!

The two men traded blows until Ricky just collapsed from exhaustion, but then got int a bunch of slaps and strikes before getting BLASTED with a Clothesline. Oba goes for a big Back Suplex, but Ricky reversed it into a roll up. Oba kicked out and hit some big moves onto Ricky, involving a freaking DROPKICK which I've never seen Oba do. Neither man has really been able to hit their finishers yet, but both men are giving it everything they have to win the title.

Ricky goes to the floor to try and recover, but Oba follows him and begins to tear up the announce table.

Oba pulls Ricky onto the table and goes for a Fall From Grace and I was TERRIFIED because the table was moving and shaking. Ricky was able to reverse into a DDT on the table, followed by a Tornado DDT off the table and onto the floor. Ricky tried to go for more offense, but Oba hit a MASSIVE Chop that echoed to snuff out his offense.

Oba planted Ricky with a Fall From Grace, but Ricky somehow kicked out. Oba looked shocked and the crowd was surprised, but they didn't explode like I thought. Oba went for another Fall From Grace, but Ricky reversed into a DDT followed by a Tornado DDT. Ricky covered and OH WHAT THE!? RICKY WON!? ALRIGHT!!!

Result: Ricky Saints is the NEW NXT Champion

Star Rating: 4/5 Stars

I was very much shocked at the way that Ricky won, just hitting him with a bunch of DDTs was not how I thought Oba's reign would end. I mean getting dropped on your head over and over does suck, but I didn't think that was how it would end.

But congratulations to Ricky Saints as he does deserve it and Oba for putting on a great reign. Now we can see Oba on Raw or Smackdown to tear it up.

Overall the show was pretty great. The only downside for me was the Speed match, but that's only because I don't like those kinds of short matches. And I guess the amount of time killing, which is really just how WWE in general is now so it's to be expected. But I am very excited for the future of NXT and building to Invasion. Overall, a pretty great show with nothing overly egregious.

Overall Rating: 8/10