Ciocco’s WWE NXT Gold Rush Night Two Review 11.25.25

NXT Universe! It’s Tuesday, and that can only mean one thing. NXT is taking over the airwaves with another two-hour block of high-quality wrestling!

Obviously, with this Thursday being Thanksgiving, the company decided to tape both weekly episodes of Gold Rush last week. And even though the matches have already taken place, that doesn’t mean that the matches themselves shouldn’t deliver the goods.

Given that the name of the show, for a second straight week, is Gold Rush, there are plenty of titles on the line tonight! The Evolve Men’s and Women’s titles are on the line, as for the former, Jackson Drake will defend the Men’s title against Sean Legacy, and in latter, Kendal Grey will defend the Women’s title against Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence.

The WWE Women’s Speed title will be decided between Fallon Henley and Zaria, who have reached the end of the mini tournament to crown a new champion. The TNA Knockouts Title will be defended in a triple threat, as Kelani Jordan will look to hold off the challenge of both Jordynne Grace and Lei Ying Lee. And, in a match promised last week by General Manager Ava, Myles Borne and Trick Wiliams will meet in the ring, with a spot in the Iron Challenger match on the line. All of this and, of course, so much more in store for us tonight!

So, how is everyone doing tonight? I’m still smarting over the Eagles blown loss on Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys, but the fact is that, at 8-3, we’re still in a really good spot to potentially take back the top spot in the NFC. Or it could end up like it did in 2023, who knows! Also, I’m kind of exhausted from getting up at 6:30AM and going down to Oakland (The Pittsburgh suburb, not the California city) to get my lovely MRI/SHY-2 tests. It is, truly, the joy of my life.

Well, enough about my sad life, let’s get ready to Rush for that Gold!

Image Credit: Our very own site!

THEN!

NOW!

FOREVER!

TOGETHER!

Tonight, we are LIVE (to tape!) from the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York City! Everyone’s favorite odd couple announce team, Vic Joseph and Booker T, are on the call tonight!

Fatal Influence walk in the back! Trick Williams walks out of an elevator! We see Myles Bourne taking a selfie with some fans outside!

We get a quick highlight package from Night One of Gold Rush last Tuesday.

Oh, yeah, John Cena is going to pick the participants for the Iron Survivor. So, how come Bourne and Williams are in a qualifying match for it then? Weird lol.

“Super” Sean Legacy is here for his Evolve Men’s Title match!

WWE Evolve Men’s Title Match: Jackson Drake (C) vs. Sean Legacy

Peter Rosenberg is on commentary for this match. Booker T and Peter make fun of Vic lol.

The bell rings, as both men trade low kicks and hands. Legacy wrestles Drake to the mat and keeps Drake tied up. Drake eventually fights through and grabs wrist control on Legacy. Legacy to his feet and he hits an Atomic Drop. He hits another one from behind. Low kick combination and a moonsault gets the challenger a two count.

Drake rolls out to the floor, as Legacy gives chase. He lands some chops, as Drake’s buddies watch from afar. Apparently, Drake must have been watching the selling of HBK from his match with Hogan at Summerslam 2005 lol. Legacy turns his attention to the other guys, and Drake takes advantage.

back in the ring, Drake scores a two count off of a running boot. Legacy turns it around with some misdirection and he hits a dropkick for a two count. One of the crony’s grabs Legacy’s feet, allowing Drake the opportunity to turn the tables. Drake’s dudes clap as we head out to break.

Drake shuts down Legacy’s offense as we return from break. Big corner running kick from Drake nets him a two count. Drake channels his inner-Miz with the DB kicks, but Legacy cuts him off and lands some chops. Drake fires back with a dropkick to the ribs, but Legacy counters with a release German. Basement dropkick from Legacy, he hits the ropes and nails a missile dropkick! Drake hits the floor, but he isn’t safe, as Legacy takes off with the greatest of east and wipes out everyone on the floor!

Back in the ring, Legacy hits a Michinoku Driver for a two count! Legacy off the ropes with a springboard splash, but Drake reverses it with a small package for a two. Drake with the standing moonsault knees! The cover, another two count. Legacy rolls out of the ring, so Drake takes off and hits a tope!

Back in the ring, Drake goes to the top, but Legacy meets him up there. AVALANCHE T-BONE FALLWAY SLAM FROM LEGACY! That was crazy! But it only gets him a two count. Legacy goes behind Drake; he hits some clubbing blows. Legacy has Drake up, but he slides out. Drake has Legacy up, double gut buster! Drake suplexes Legacy on the top rope, hits the corner, and hits a flying knee. The Unaliver (Shinning Wizard variation) means a retention for the champion!
WINNER: Jackson Drake (Still Champion)
TIME: 10:55
THOUGHTS: A pretty good match. I will admit to not knowing too much about Evolve as a brand, but these two guys definitely opened my eyes up to them. Some standard stuff, but some interesting offense from both guys as well.
RATING: ***1/2

We see Sol Ruca sitting on a couch in the back. Someone throws a white towel to her, and it’s Ethan Page! The Greatest Canadian male of all-time tells Sol that she should be the North American Champion, had she looked out for herself. Sometimes, you need to put yourself first and you need to stop being a friend to Zaria. Myles Bourne is here. He tells Sol not to listen to anything Page says. Page says you always stick your nose into places that it shouldn’t be. He says he doesn’t want to think about Bourne, so he’ll work to change that.

Does…does that mean we’re getting Bourne and Page at some point?

The Most Amazing Fatal Influence are here for Fallon’s title match next!

COMMERCIALS!

John Cena segment! Success means something different to him than other people. There are many good days, some C to C+ days. He knows when he has had an A+ day, but it takes someone strong to grade themselves and give themselves an honest opinion.

Okay, NOW it’s match time!

WWE Speed Women’s Title Match: Zaria vs. Fallon Henley W/Jacy Jayne and Lainey Reid

The bell rings, and we have FIVE on the clock. Somewhere, King Kong Bundy and Big E are smiling.

Henley tries to jump on the back of the bigger Zaria from the start. Zaria backs Henley into the corner, but Fallon rolls her up for a two count. Both ladies trade in the middle of the ring. Henley avoids Zaria and sends her to the apron, but Zaria slingshots back in with a roll-up for a two. Crucifix by Henley for a two. Sunset Flip attempt by Henley, but Zaria sits down for a two. Another roll-up by Henley for a two count. Henley off the ropes and she hits a crossbody for a two. Zaria says enough, as she squashes Fallon in the corner. Butterfly suplex from Zaria for a two.

We’re halfway home, as Booker T says he can’t stands anymore lol. Zaria looking for a submission, she does get the Texas Cloverleaf. Henley is in the middle of the ring, but she fights valiantly to break the hold. Zaria picks up Fallon, but Henley sneaks out and shoves Zaria into the corner. Henley follows in, but Zaria goes to the top and chokes Henley from the top rope! Big lariat from the top by Zaria, as Fallon goes to the floor!

One-minute remaining, as Zaria sends Fallon into the ring. The other members of FI approach Zaria, and she decks them. But Fallon returns Zaria to the ring. Fallon’s crossbody is countered, but Henley reverses with a DDT! Zaria has Fallon on her shoulders, but the time has run out!

Ava is here, and she says this is not how the match will end. We have no champion, and we need one, so right now, it becomes sudden death!

The bell rings and the match will continue! Zaria looks to press slam Fallon, but she sneaks out the back door. Zaria does send Henley to the floor as we hit commercial break.

Zaria is, once again, choking Henley in the corner as we return. This time, however, she manages to drop Zaria to the mat. She gets a pin for a two. Both women trade hands in the middle of the ring, Henley gets Zaria down to the mat and applies the Rings of Saturn. Zaria sits back to get a pin for a two. Crucifix by Henley follows for a two. Henley slams Zaria’s head in the corner. She goes to the top, but Zaria with the goozle, and she throws Henley across the ring.

Zaria fires up with some clotheslines and she gets a two count. SPEAR from Zaria, but it takes Henley out of bounds. On the floor, Reid pulls Henley out of the way, as Zaria ends up hitting the ring steps. Henley returns Zaria to the ring, and one Shining Wizard and Rocker Dropper later, Henley is the next champion!
WINNER: Fallon Henley (New Champion!)
TIME: 11:40
THOUGHTS: Glad that we got overtime/sudden death for this match, since the title was vacant. Also, glad that Henley won the title, because the more gold/titles that Fatal Influence have, the better off we ALL are. As for the match, it was fine, kind of repetitive in spots, but fine.
RATING: ***

Shiloh Hill promo. Not going to lie, I didn’t really pay too much attention to what he said because I was trying to play catch-up on the previous match results.

John Cena will pick the Iron Survivor participants next!

COMMERCIALS!

We return, and Vic and Booker T are playing with the new LJN action figures lol.

John Cena is here via satellite lol! The future of WWE is with NXT, that’s why he asked to choose the participants for the Iron Survivor match.

For the men, Cena has chosen Je’Von Evans, Leon Slater, Joe Hendry, Dion Lennox, and the last spot goes to the winner of tonight’s Myles Bourne and Trick Williams match! Tonight, they will compete in the main event, one that you can’t miss! Gentlemen, his time is up, but their time is now!

Apparently, the women’s participants will be chosen later on tonight. Boo, how DARE you keep us waiting!

Knockouts action is upon after the break!

COMMERICALS!

NXT Focus sponsored by Progressive! Izzi Dame says that Tatum should have heard her message loud and clear. Instead, she listened to what the voices in her head told her, and she paid the price for it. Don’t worry, she will explain everything next week, but it is, what it is.

TNA Knockouts Title Match: Kelani Jordan (C) vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Lei Ying Lee

TNA President Carlos Silva and Tommy Dreamer are seen in the crowd.

The bell rings, as Jordan hightails it as Lee and Grace go after her. Lee rolls up Grace instead for a two count. Jordan returns to the ring to attack both of her challengers. Lee kicks Jordan in the face, but Grace catches Jordan and runs her into the corner until she gives up the hold. Lee from the corner, as she hits a blockbuster to both Grace and Jordan. Cover for a two.

Lee tries to fire up the crowd, as she runs in and hits Grace with a knee. She goes to mount and punches away on the head of Grace. She rolls Grace out to the middle of the ring, and she leaps to the top, but Jordan sneaks in and shoves her off the top and to the floor. Grace hits Jordan with two knees to the back of the head. Shoulder tackle and a Vader Bomb get Grace a two count.

Lee is back, as she hits strikes on Grace. Grace scoops up Lee, but Jordan kicks out the legs of Grace, sending Lee out to the floor. DDT from Jordan to Grace, cover for a two. Lee gets back to the apron, but Jordan sends Grace into Lee, sending her back to the floor. Split legged Stunner from Jordan, sending Grace out of the ring and to the floor on top of Lee. Jordan goes to the apron, as she hits both challengers with a moonsault. The Champion is feeling herself as we head out for commercials.

Jordan to the top as she hits a frog splash to Grace as we return from break. The cover, but Lee is back to break it up. Lee charges Grace in the corner, Grace whips her across the ring, as Jordan moves but ends up on the shoulders of Grace. Lee to the top with a missile dropkick. She pins Grace for a two. She tries to pin Jordan but again gets a two. Lee has Grace set up for something, but she ends up eating a backdrop. Grace hits a release German to Lee, who hits a Northern Lights to Jordan! Grace covers Lee for a two.

Grace and Lee fight on the top rope. Lee gets the better of Grace, but Jordan is back and hits the Wasteland on Lee. Jordan now goes to the top to attack Grace. AVALANCHE SPANISH FLY FROM JORDAN! The cover, but Lee breaks it up and applies the ankle lock! Jordan kicks her away once, but not twice, as Lee opts for a single leg crab instead. Grace casually walks over and slaps Lee, who still has the foot of Jordan lol. Grace powerbombs Lee, the stack, but Jordan breaks it up. So, Grace hits one on Jordan that Lee breaks up.

THIS IS AWESOME chants from the New Yorkers. Lee picks up Grace, but Jordynne out the back door. WOMEN”S WRESTLING chants as Grace slaps Lee down to the mat. She goes to the outside, but Jordan uses Grace’s momentum against her. Jordan to the top, 450 Splash, but Lee moves. Lee has Jordan up, but Grace is back. Grace smacks Lee with the backfist, but Jordan rolls up Grace for a two. Grace with another power bomb to Jordan, but Lee is back with a corkscrew kick to Grace to break it up. She pins Jordan instead to win the title!
WINNER: Lei Ying Lee (NEW Champion!)
TIME: 14:00
THOUGHTS: Well, I am happy, not just for Lee winning the title, but the journey she took to even get here. This match was awesome, as all three ladies left it all in the ring. Kind of surprised that Lee won the title but again, I am very happy.
RATING: ****1/4

Fatal Influence in the back. One down, one more to go tonight. Fallon won the Women’s Speed title, and Lainey is going to go out and beat Kendal Grey for the Evolve Women’s Title.

Ava is here. She notes that FI interfered in last week’s match and their match earlier tonight, so she is banning Jacy and Fallon from ring side.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

COMMERCIALS!

We return to a big overhead shot of NYC as Vic pimps the LJN action figures.

Sarah Schriber and Ricky Saints have a sit-down interview. Ricky says all eyes are on him, and the pressure is on. Last week, he was very confident, but this week, he started to question himself. Sarah says that he beat Oba Femi before, why is it different now? Ricky says he has been trying to pinpoint what worked for him, and he doesn’t know. He also doesn’t know if he was a deviation of the Oba Femi title reign. Like, he has the title, but now we’re back to the Oba title run.

Sarah wants to know how he gets over the doubt. Ricky says that the biggest voice in his head is pressure. He takes pressure on head-on. He hates it, and it sucks, but it is how he handles business. All the critics, all the naysayers, they will question Ricky, but if he can’t beat Oba Femi, who can? The impossible becomes possible when it comes to Ricky Saints. He is going to prove it to everyone that he is the NXT Champion. Sarah wishes him all the best for Deadline.

More women’s title goodness on deck!

WWE Women’s Evolve Title Match: Kendal Grey (C) W/Wren Sinclair vs. Lainey Reid

Peter is back to commentate on this match, and this time, Booker T is arguing with Peter. So much for making fun of Vic lol.

The bell rings, as Grey wastes no time going at Reid with a double leg takedown. She grounds and pounds Reid, looking for the cross-arm breaker. Reid turns the tide as she corners Grey and kicks away on her. To the other corner, as Reid kicks Grey through the corner. Grey says okay, and she takes Reid to the corner and returns the favor. Grey up and over to the apron, she sneaks back in through the legs of Reid. Grey trips up Reid and hits a dropkick. Cover for a two count.

Grey is sent to the apron, as Reid lands some overhand slaps. Reid sneaks out underneath Grey and looks for a powerbomb, but Grey manages to get back to the apron. Reid trips up Grey from the ring apron, sending her face-first into the ring steps as we head out for break.

Reid with a flatliner to Grey as we return from break. Grey gets sat in the corner; Reid goes up after her. Reid with some elbows, as she keeps trying to suplex her from the top. Grey fights her off, as she hits a moonsault to Reid!

Reid is first to her feet, but Grey is the first to fight back. Kicks and clotheslines from the Champion, as she hits a release overhead suplex. She slides out of the ring and tries to drag Reid to the floor, but Lainey stomps on her and brings her back into the ring. Blue Thunder Bomb by Reid gets her a two count. Reid to the corner, she pulls down her knee pad, but Grey catches a charging Reid with a snap slam! The cover, two count.

Cross-arm breaker from Grey, but Jacy Jayne is here! She gets on the apron while Reid is tapping out. Fallon Henley is on the other side of the ring, but Sinclair attacks her. Henley drops her into the arms of Charlie Dempsey! The ref ejects everyone, as Grey is back to her feet and she hits Reid with a release German. She drops the strap and hits Shades of Grey, and the Champion retains!
WINNER: Kendal Grey (Still Champion)
TIME: 10:25
THOUGHTS: A fairly good match that was hindered by the interference at the end, despite Ava barring Jayne and Henley from ringside.
RATING: ***1/4

DarkState are in the back. Lennox says he likes the tag titles, but he wants some singles gold. The tag titles will still be key, though. It doesn’t matter if it is 2-on-1, or 4-on-1, they will strike, and they are going to take care of Evans and Slater.

John Cena will announce the Women’s Iron Survivor participants next!

COMMERCIALS!

John Cena is here again Via Satellite! When it comes to the women, the division is overflowing with talent. He has selected Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan, Jordynne Grace, and Evolve Women’s Champion, Kendal Grey.

Well, there certainly were no bad choices here, for sure.

Next week, the five women involved in the Iron Survivor will have a Summit! I’ll be eagerly anticipating that!

The main event is upon us!

Men’s Iron Survivor Qualifying Match: Myles Bourne vs. Trick Williams

Booker T does usual pantomiming of Trick’s theme song lol.

The bell rings, and Williams with a flying lariat straight away. He stomps on Bourne before picking him up and whipping him. Bourne over the top with a roll-up for a two count. Bourne misses his first dropkick, but he hits a second one. He telegraphs his offense, and Williams throws him down to the mat. Williams with some punches, as he taunts Bourne. We see Joe Hendry, Je’Von Evans, and Leon Slater watching the match in the back as Williams hits a butterfly suplex for a two. Williams continues to talk that smack, as he slaps Bourne and picks him up. Myles lands on his feet and hits the Bourne Again for a two count. We’ll take our (I assume) last commercial break of the night.

Williams has Bourne grounded and he is pounded as we return from break. Williams with a flapjack for a two count. He sends Bourne to the corner and chops him, as he stalks him across the ring. Williams with another chop, as he stares off into the abyss. Another whip, but Williams is countered by uppercuts from Bourne. Trick puts a stop to that and hits a scoop slam as again he stops and stares at Myles. Inside cradle for a two count by Bourne. He tries again but gets a two. Williams says enough, as he hits Bourne with a DVD. Williams with the Trick Shot, but Bourne counters with a power slam for a two count.

Both men to their feet, as Bourne with clotheslines and a dropkick. Atomic Drop from Bourne and a reverse DDT for a two count. We again see Hendry, Slater, and Evans watching on from the back. Bourne with an uppercut, but Williams with a backslide on the second time, as he hits a Book End. Trick rolls over, but Bourne grabs him from behind, forcing Trick to abandon ship. Both men hit each other with a double neck breaker.

The match resets, as Bourne connects with a knee, but he gets popped up into a suplex. Borne with a dropkick, but Williams uses his momentum to send Myles to the floor. He hits a running knee to Bourne, but his second attempt meets the ring steps. Myles with another Bourne Again on the floor. He rolls Trick into the ring and hits a third Bourne Again for the win!
WINNER: Myles Bourne
TIME: 11:20
THOUGHTS: A solid main event, and the right man won. With Williams all but on his way to the main roster, Williams does the JOB for Myles, who takes his place at the fifth and final man in the Iron Survivor match at Deadline.
RATING: ***1/2

Williams makes his way up the ramp as Bourne celebrates his win. But the lights go out, and DarkState are here! They surround the ring, but here comes Slater, Evans, and Hendry to even the odds! They talk at each other as the show comes to an end.

And with that, we are done!

8.0

The final score: review Very Good

The 411

Night two of Gold Rush may have been taped last week, but the company did NOT put this show on autopilot, as tempting as it may have been, I am sure. Three women's titles matches that all delivered, a strong opening Evolve Men's match, and a main event that saw the continued rise of Myles Bourne made for an enjoyable night of action. The NXT brand is gearing up for Deadline and, more to the point, both the Men's and Women's Iron Survivor matches, and it is all systems go on the road to San Antonio!