Ciocco’s WWE NXT Review 10.28.25

NXT Universe! Don’t adjust your screens, hit refresh on your browser, or click out of the site altogether! For yes, it is me, the person you may or may not have seen across the 411Mania Galaxy, covering other companies and events hand over fist! As some of you may have noticed, the team put up a post for a permanent NXT coverage/recap person. Unfortunately for ALL of us, Jeremy Thomas will be stepping down from the Tuesday prized possession and will be focusing on other functions within the site. In that vein, I can only hope to uphold the spirit and the enthusiasm that has been shown for NXT over the past weeks, months, and years. Wait, years, right? Yeah, I feel like it’s been a while lol.

So, for those who may not know me, yes, I am the AEW Dynamite guy every Wednesday but, due to my recent coverage of TNA PPV events, it has gotten me back into NXT once more. After all, WWE does have that working relation (see one-sided control) with TNA, and NXT, obviously, has been prominently featured on their show, and vice versa. On the other side of it, I can vividly remember the original purpose of NXT, which was that “awesome” game show, and then the underground powerhouse that it would become years later. So, yes, I have been around the block with the NXT brand a time or two…or three…or four.

But, enough about me, what do we have in store for us tonight? We will see the TNA Knockouts Title defended by champion Kelani Jordan, as she defends against a lady who knows the title belt very well in Jordynne Grace. The EVOLVE Women’s Championship will be on the line, as Kendal Grey will defend the belt against Lash Legend. The recently made exclusive Men’s Speed Title will see a new champion, as Axiom will face-off with Jasper Troy, the winner of the first season of LFG. Elsewhere, Myles Bourne will face Tavion Heights, NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley will appear, and as I am sure, so much more in store tonight!

So, how is everyone doing on this Tuesday Night? Currently, I am in the midst of watching the Flyers-Penguins game, and since it started at 6:00PM, it won’t be over by the time NXT starts. But, hey, that’s what they made internet radio for! Also, still thrilled about the Eagles win over the Giants, although the Pacers have been nothing but pain so far, and I feel it will only get worse.

After Halloween Havoc this past weekend, NXT is back in Orlando, Florida, at the Performance Center, or the PC, if you will! Vic Joseph and the ever excitable 5-time WCW Champion Booker T are on the call.

THEN!

NOW!

FOREVER!

TOGETHER!

Highlights/introduction package from the events that took place at Halloween Havoc. Congratulations to Blake Monroe on winning the NXT North American Women’s Title! And, of course, big ups to Tatum Paxley for winning the NXT Women’s Title. Dark State? Eh, lol.

To the here and the now! We see Jordynne Grace arrive outside the arena, followed by Kelani Jordan!

We see Trick Williams in the back. He is threatening the production team. He leaves and walks the halls of the PC. He shoves a rando into a garage door, looking for Ricky Saints. He keeps saying this is his house. He enters the back of the arena and grabs a mic.

SHUT UP! I’M TALKING NOW! This is my house, proclaims Williams. 99/100 times, he would whoop Ricky Saints’ ass. He proved he is a bum; he will prove again that he is a bum. He isn’t leaving until he gets another title match.

Here comes General Manager Extraordinaire, Ava with some security, and the one dude keeps looking at Ava’s butt lol. If they want to have a conversation about this, grow up, and we’ll talk about in her office. There was no controversy.

NAH, says Williams, as the fans chant TRICK GOT WHOOPED. Put Trick’s tape on, HUH, how long has Ricky been in the business? Trick went underground; he beat Ethan Page in the Devil’s Playground. Trick Williams isn’t done. Let’s talk about that!

Ricky Saints here is! He says that’s real big talk a guy whose ass he beat on Saturday, and a brawl breaks out!

Cut to the Progressive Break, highlighting tonight’s Men’s Speed Title Finals between Axiom and Jasper Troy. Axiom says it is a tale as old as time, speed versus strength. He believes in himself, and he will come out victorious. Troy says he will take care of Axiom. All of his destruction has led to him, and he is coming for El Grande Americano next.

Yeah, I don’t think so, ROOKIE.

Dealers table promo for WM42 is actually pretty cool.

COMMERCIALS!

This weekend, Salt Lake City will host Smackdown and SNME!

Here comes Axiom for the opening match!

Speed Men’s Finals Match: Axiom vs. Jasper Troy

Troy looks like a cross between the Missing Link from Vendetta and Byron Davis of God Forbid. I kind of like it!

The three minute time limit is put on the screen, as Axiom goes after the leg of Troy. He slaps him, and that only pisses Troy off. Axiom charges Troy into the corner, but Troy runs Axiom across the ring and rams him into the corner. Backbreaker from Troy, and he stretches him out like he’s a chiropractor. Clotheslines from Troy follow. A headbutt from Troy sends Axiom from the ring. Axiom back on the apron, he goes after his knee again. Axiom to the top rope, missile dropkick!

60 seconds to go, as Axiom applies a sleeper hold. Jumping knee from Axiom, but a huge lariat from Troy stops that. Axiom goes back to the sleeper with 30 seconds left. HUGE lariat from Troy decks Axiom! World’s Strongest Slam from Troy! Boss Man Slam by Troy! The cover, the win!
WINNER: Jasper Troy
TIME: 2:54
THOUGHTS: All the credit in the world to Axiom, he fought his arse off. I’m more impressed they smashed as much as they did into this big-man/little-man match.
RATING: ***

Ava is in the back with Sol Ruca and Zaria. Ava wants to talk to her about the Speed Championship. We see Ruca still has a boot on her foot, and Ruca says she is going to relinquish the title. Zaria says really. Ruca says yes, she wants to focus on her rehab and win back the Women’s titles that she didn’t lose. Zaria walks away in disgust.

We see The Culling arrive, with the new champion Tatum Paxley front and center! We’ll hear from her next!

COMMERCIALS!

We see a Ferris Wheel, as they shill Nattie’s new memoir, now available everywhere!

The Culling have arrived in the arena! The fans serenade Paxley with YOU DESERVE IT chants. Tatum has the mic. Well, WE DID IT! I have dreamt about this moment for so long, to stand in front of you guys as your new NXT Women’s Champion! Halloween Havoc was best night of my entire life, and all she could think about was how excited she was coming back here to share this with all of us. But, guys, this title isn’t just about her, she will not forget all the hardships she went through, when it felt like that chance would never come. The opportunities are rare, and she knows that she can be a little too intense, maybe a little too trusting, but if this creepy little weirdo can be champion, then anyone can! That’s why she wants to defend the title against everyone! She wants to open up the door for other women to step up.

Izzi Dame cuts her off and says she doesn’t see her as that kind of champion. She wants to remind her that she has been chasing that title for so long, does she really want to give it up that easily? She thinks Tatum should make people earn it like she earned it.

But Tatum says no, she is going to do it, and it will be amazing! She is bringing back the wheel, she is going to spin it, and whoever it lands on, that woman is getting a title shot, tonight!

They head up the ramp, and Izzi says she doesn’t like this. Shawn Spears notes that Izzi’s name isn’t on the wheel, and Tatum says of course it’s not, she doesn’t want to fight her.

She spins the wheel, and it lands on Lola Vice! Tatum is so happy for her!

Trick Williams is still on the hunt. He wants to know if anyone has seen Ricky or Ava. We see EVOVLE Women’s Champion Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair. Wren isn’t sure about her putting the EVOLVE title on the line against Lash Legend. Grey wants to know if she is hyping her up or putting her down. Kendal says she is going to show Lash exactly how good she is. She wants Wren out there with her for the match.

COMMERCIALS!

Louisville and Virgina Tech, this Saturday on the CW!

Lash is a Legend, and she is here for a title match!

EVOLVE Women’s Championship: Kendal Gray (C) vs. Lash Legend

The bell rings, and the match is underway! Early lock-up, and Legend overpowers Grey. Grey goes for the ankle, but Lash throws her off and applies a sleeper. Spin-out suplex by Legend. Grey to her feet, she tries some misdirection, but Legend grabs her by the throat and throws Kendal out of the ring. Grey to the apron, she’s back in and rolls up Legend for a two count. Crucifix roll-up for another two. Legend says F this and shoves Grey around the ring and slams her face first into the mat. Legend misses an elbow drop, but she catches Grey’s double stomp attempt and sends her out of the ring, Legend hits a clothesline on the floor as she poses, and we head to break!

Grey is fighting from her knees as we return from break. She gets Legend down to her knees and hits a thrust kick. She goes to run the ropes, but Legend with a forearm that knocks the champion into tomorrow. Two count follows. Legend with a front face lock to Grey. Grey fights her to the ropes, but Legend brings her back to the middle of the ring. Clothesline from Legend follows. Legend follows in, but Grey with hits her with a jaw breaker. Grey back to her feet, she peppers Legend with forearms, but Legend cuts that off. At least for a moment, anyway, as Grey snaps off a release German. Grey goes to the outside, but Legend stops her from pulling her out. No sweat, as Grey springboards in with a double stomp.

Grey’s baseball slide is cut off by Legend, but Grey uses her own momentum to bounce off the ropes and hits a DDT on the floor. Grey into the ring, springboard is caught by Legend. Legend misses a big boot, and Grey with a flatliner gets her the win!
WINNER: Kendal Grey (Still Champion)
TIME: 10:50
THOUGHTS: A good speed versus strength match. Just when you thought Legend was going to get the upper hand, Grey kept her off balance, and she managed to slay the dragon.
RATING: ***1/4

TikTok promo from Myle Bourne. He says that no matter what happens tonight, Tavion Heights is family, he is blood, and he loves him. Heights with a promo. He doesn’t know how his match request got misconstrued, but somehow, he ended up facing Myles tonight. He said Myles was the one who told him to leave and spread his wings, and tonight, he will do just that.

COMMERCIALS!

We see Tatum in the back skipping around, and here comes Lola. She says she is so happy for Tatum winning the Women’s title, and thanks to her, she is happy to finally be getting a women’s title shot. But she hates to tell her, that she is taking that title tonight. Tatum says she loves Lola, but she busted her ass to win this title, and she isn’t losing to her.

Izzi is here. She wants to know if there is a problem. Lola says there isn’t and she leaves. Tatum wants her to come along as they leave.

We see Williams and Saints brawl in the ring from earlier.

Tavion is looking to get to new Heights!

Tavion Heights vs. Myles Bourne

The bell rings, as both men bump fists and slowly raise their hands. Respect! Early lock-up favors Heights, as he goes behind Bourne and wrestles him to the mat. Bourne to his feet, he fights out and grabs a headlock. Heights tries to fight him off, but Bourne retains his headlock. Heights rolls Bourne through, he has Bourne on his shoulders, but Heights with a roll-up for a two. Another roll-up for a two. Bourne with a crucifix for a two count. Another two for Bourne on a roll-up. Both men come to a stand still.

Roll through double counter in the next exchange, as Heights laughs and shakes hands with Bourne. It was a trap, as Heights slaps on a headlock. Bourne escapes, only to get taken down a second time. Bourne out again, but for a third time, Heights takes Myles over with a headlock. Bourne to his feet, and it’s his turn to take Heights down. Bourne off the ropes with a running crossbody for a two. Heights leaps over Bourne and hits a big dropkick for a two count. It’s time for non-stop NXT action in picture-in-picture!

(Man, how I miss Booker T commentary. He gets so worked up it sounds like he is out of breath lol.)

Josh Briggs is on commentary, as Heights is confused as we return from break. GO AWAY, BRIGGS, GO AWAY chants as Bourne hits a moonsault out of the corner for a two count. Heights with an ankle lock. Booker T hates a STITCH, apparently. And they get STITCHES. LMAO!

Bourne with a Randy Orton-like snap suplex for a two count. Heights to his feet, release overhead suplex! Cover for another two. Heights rolls out to the floor, and he talks with Briggs. Briggs drops his headset and gets on the apron. Tavion hits him in the face, and Bourne clotheslines Heights to the floor. Myles hits a crossbody to both men on the floor! Myles goes from a guillotine to a snap roll-up for the win!
WINNER: Myles Bourne
TIME: 10:05
THOUGHTS: Good athletic match between two good wrestlers. Briggs interference certainly didn’t help, but Bourne did well for himself.
RATING: ***1/4

Post-match, Briggs pulls Heights out of the ring, and they fight to the back. Trick is back with a chair, and he cracks Bourne in the back with it. He has a mic. If you are scared, say you are scared, Ricky! I want my title shot!

Ricky comes from out of the crowd, as he hits the ring and takes down Williams. Security is here, but Saints flies and takes out all of them and Trick on the floor.

We see Kelani Jordan in the back getting ready for tonight’s main event.

If you have seen and heard this scene already, it’s because you have! Tatum Paxley is back to defend her NEW NXT Women’s Title against Lola Vice next!

COMMERCIALS!

Chelsea Green and Ethan Page are walking in the back. They discuss Page winning at Halloween Havoc over Dr. Wagner the third, and them winning the mixed tag team titles next. Imagine how much gold they would have when they are victorious. Thea Hail walks by and says she believes in Joe Hendry! And he pops out of a garbage can! Oscar Hendry lol! He thinks they should be worried less about winning those titles and winning their next match instead. Page says they don’t take advise from people who pop out of garbage cans. Green chastises Isla, and they take their leave. Hail returns and wheels Hendry away in the garbage can. That was a segment LMAO!

Lola Vice is here!

NXT Women’s Title Match: Tatum Paxley (C) vs. Lola Vice

The bells rings, and Vice wrestles Paxley to the mat. Tatum back to her feet, and she grabs a headlock. Takeover by Tatum, as she has grounded Lola. Vice turns it around and puts her thighs around Tatum’s head. Lola with a variation of the Devil’s Kiss but sideways. Dang. Tatum does a headstand in front of Lola. but Vice captures her with an arm bar. Tatum fights out of that and charges Lola to the corner. Lola cuts that off with an arm drag and a shoulder tackle. Wrist control from Lola. Tatum with a Northern Lights Suplex counter and she takes further control. Lola counters with a roll-up for a two count. Lola goes to kick Tatum, but she slides underneath it. Fatal Influence are here! They wipe out Dame on the floor and get onto the apron. Vice and Paxley lock arms and prepare to fight FI.
WINNER: No contest
TIME: 4:00
THOUGHTS: More angle, and a spur of the moment title defense was probably not going to go so well after all. This challenge allowed for Fatal Influence to come, interrupt it, and reestablish their dominance.
RATING: N/R

The beating continues, as Jayne hits a Rolling Encore to Vice.

We’ll hear from the NEW North American Women’s Champion Blake Monroe next!

COMMERCIALS!

Blake Monroe is in a bathtub as we return. Oi. She is applying lipstick. This title isn’t just a title; it is her mirror. Women see her through this title, but you should not chase the Glamour, because Hell will follow! In fact, she proved that she could take everything from you. Isn’t that right, Sol? Her first title defense is going to be in a city befitting of her, New York City!

NXT Anonymous is snooping on Je’Von Evans. He’s on a facetime call with Leon Slater, and he’s telling him what has happened tonight. Dark State arrives. If Evans thinks that winning an exhibition match means they are worthy of facing the team that won in the Broken Rules match, then Evans is out of his damn mind. Je’Von says wait until Leon Slater is back from his business and we’ll see.

Fatal Influence will face Tatum Paxley, Izzi Dame, and Lola Vice in a 6-woman tag next week!

Our main event is up next!

COMMERCIALS!

Sol Ruca and Zaria are seen walking in the back. Kelly Kincaid wants a word with them. Fatal Influence cut them off, saying that Sol wasn’t the only one who lost her title. They walk, and explain that next week, Lola, Tatum, and Izzi are going to pay the price. Now MOVE!

We see the second confrontation between Trick and Ricky. No word, at least not yet, on if Williams is getting another NXT World Title shot.

The Knockouts Champion is here!

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

Mike Rome with the special in-ring introductions for the main event!

The bell rings and we get an early lock-up. Jordan tries to overpower Grace, but Jordynne fights back and takes Kelani to the mat. Jordan gets out, Graces fires Jordan off, Jordan lands on her feet, Grace misses some clotheslines, and after ALL of that, it ends with a slap by Jordan. That fires up Grace, as she launches into a Thesz Press. Grace with a Vader Bomb attempt, but she switches it up and ends up on the apron. Jordan to her feet, she tries to suplex Grace back in, but she trips up Grace in the ropes and kicks her. Jordan off the ropes and hits a crossbody to the knees of Grace.

Grace to the floor, Jordan follows by hitting a moonsault to Grace on the arena floor! Jordan sends Grace into the ring steps, but she throws on the breaks. Jordan slams Grace’s face and then her knee off of the ring steps as she poses, talks smack, and we go to PIP break!

Grace with the Alabama Slam as we return. Both women fight from their knees and continue fighting on their feet. Grace with a slap, followed by a scoop slam. She hits a second one. A third one is reversed by Jordan, who hits Grace with a chop block. Grace hooks Jordan’s arms and slams Jordan into the corner. Grace with a spinebuster into the cover for a two.

Dual NXT/TNA chants as Jordan kicks out Grace’s bad leg. She hits a splash, but Grace rolls through with Jordan in her arms! Up on her shoulders, but Jordan lands on her feet! Springboard split legged stunner from Jordan! The cover, Grace out at two. Grace to the corner, she leapfrogs Jordan, but her leg buckles. She recovers to hits a standing slam, though. She tries another Vader Bomb, but she gets caught in the corner. Jordan with a double stomp in the corner. She stacks her up for a two.

Jordan tries to roll through Grace, but Grace rolls her through instead and hits a jackknife powerbomb! Jordan kicks out at two as we get THIS IS AWESOME chants! Grace has Jordan on her shoulders, but Jordan with a roll-up for a two count. SUPERKICK by Jordan! Grace kicks Jordan away, slaps her, and heads to the top rope. Jordan follows her over and kicks out her vertical base. Jordan to the very top, they almost both hit the deck, but they course correct, with Jordan hitting a Spanish Fly from the top! The cover, Grace kicks out at two!

Williams and Saints are back, as they fight their way out to ringside! Jordan uses the ref’s distraction to grab her title belt. She doesn’t use it, though, and Grace hits a German! The ref returns, and Jordan kicks out at two. Williams throws Saints into the ring; they fight on the mat. The ref tries to break it up, as Williams sends Saints out of the ring. Jordan grabs her title again and this time she clocks Grace with it! The cover, Jordan retains!
WINNER: Kelani Jordan (Still Champion)
TIME: 12:25
THOUGHTS: Cheap ending aside because of the on-going Trick and Ricky battle, this was a really good match. Both ladies played to their strengths, Jordan is trying to embrace the heel/pariah role, and Grace was a very credible title defense, seeing as she’s a former 3-Time Knockouts Champion.
RATING: ***3/4

Post-match, Williams and Saints continue the fight at ring side. Williams punches out security, and Saints SPEARS Williams through the ringside NXT sign. The censor is hard at work here lol. Ava arrives. She is sick of these two fighting out here. You want to fight; you will fight until you can’t stand anymore. In two weeks, Trick and Ricky will face off in a last man standing match!

Ricky attacks Trick again after the announcement, as refs are now trying to help and break the fight up. And with that, we are done!

7.5

The final score: review Good

The 411

Tonight was a fairly good episode of NXT. They worked to bridge some events from Halloween Havoc, kept the Trick and Ricky feud going for at least a couple more weeks, and had a heavy focus on the women of NXT, up to and including the defense of the EVOLVE Women's Title on the show. None of the matches were bad per se, but none of them were ones that will end up on Year-End lists, either. Still, that doesn't mean they didn't deliver, which they did, and boy, how I missed Booker T's inane commentary lol!