Ciocco’s WWE NXT Review 11.4.25

NXT Universe! What is good with you all tonight? It’s the new guy on the NXT block back at you with what should be a great two hours of action in the Performance Center!

Recent events have led to this, and it was announced by the company that the 6-women match featuring the team of NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley, Izzi Dame, and Lola Vice going up against Fatal Influence will start the show tonight! Lucky us, indeed! Je’Von Evans will face Dark State’s Saquon Shugars in what promises to feature NO interference at all, we swear!

We will also see the start of the Women’s Speed Tournament to crown a new champion after Sol Ruca had to vacate the title. What we know is that matches will include Zaria opposing Wren Sinclair, while Falloon Henley will face LFG season 2 winner Skylar Raye. What we don’t know is whether or not both matches will take place tonight or not. But, considering the lack of announced matches for tonight, and when you take into account Speed matches have a three-minute time limit…

Eric Bischoff: Did someone say…THREE MINUTES?
Me: No, Easy-E, go away.

…It is entirely possible that both matches take place tonight.

So, how is everyone doing tonight? I am a very happy Eagles fan, after the team picked up Jaire Alexander, Micheal Carter II, and Jaelan Phillips, all at the cost of largely inconsequential draft capital! When it comes to the Flyers and Pacers, well…

But that’s enough about me, it’s time to chant N-X-T and get this party started!

Image Credit: 411mania.com!

Tonight, we are LIVE from the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida! The man who lives to correct Booker T, Vic Joseph, and the man who has no filter from brain to mouth, Booker T are on the call tonight!

THEN!

NOW!

FOREVER!

TOGETHER!

The new AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions, Ethan Page and Chelsea Green, are seen walking outside. Booker T spits his Spanish, which is better than his English, at the very least.

6-Women Tag Team Match: NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley, Izzi Dame, and Lola Vice vs. Fatal Influence

Safe to say, the ref has his hands full here.

Jayne and Paxley to start. Paxley won’t back down, as she slaps and back elbows Jacy to her corner. Lola tags in and assaults Jacy with an attack in the corner. The ref backs her off, allowing Jayne to hit a bicycle kick on Vice. All three members of FI work over Lola in their corner. Lainey Reed is in now, but she falls victim to a cross-arm breaker from Lola. She escapes, and Dame is in. Reed dropkicks Dame, but she isn’t impressed, as she brings her to her own corner.

Paxley in now, but her offense is cut off by Reed. Falloon Henley in now, as she has a weakness, as the champion favors her knee. Chop block and a lariat from Henley gets her a two count. Leapfrog by Tatum, Falloon runs into a kick from Lola. She works over the FI members not named Jayne. Lola and Tatum do double corner bumps, despite Jayne’s attempt to stop it. Lola and Tatum dance in the ring, as Izzi resigns to watching as we head out to break!

Fatal Influence triple team Lola as we return from break. Jayne with a pin after a knee strike for two. Jayne with a dropkick to Lola, sending her to the FI corner. She misses the cannonball, and Lola kicks away Falloon to get a tag to Tatum. T-Bone suplex by Tatum, corner crossbodies to the other members of FI. Henley misses her clothesline and eats an enziguri. Her 450 splash misses, Henley with a scissor roll-up for a two count.

Reed with a cheap shot to Tatum, Reed with the pin, but Dame kicks Falloon over. The ref is distracted and misses Falloon’s roll-up of Tatum. Inverted sit-out driver by Tatum, the pin is broken up. Everyone gets their shit in, ending with Paxley and Henley hitting a double lariat.

The match resets, as Tatum and Falloon jockey for position. Izzi and Jacy get the tags. Izzi moves Tatum out of the way, and she eats the Rolling Encore. Jacy with the win for Fatal Influence!
WINNER: Fatal Influence
TIME: 10:40
THOUGHTS: Fast paced and frantic action throughout. A very good opening match, and a great effort from all the ladies involved.
RATING: ***1/2

The Progressive Rewind sees Los Grande Americanos in the locker room. The promo is in Spanish, but with English subtitles. Josh Briggs shows up and tells them get their hands off his stuff or he will put his hands on them. He says that El Grande Americano can take a rookie like Jasper Troy, but how long can you hang with him? EGA tells his companions that Briggs is his tonight.

We’ll hear from TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan next!

COMMERCIALS!

We get a view of Madison Square Garden, as NXT, along with EVOLVE, AAA, and TNA will have matches at the iconic arena!

We see the events of last week, as Kelani Jordan smacked Jordynne Grace in the face with her title belt.

Lei Ying Lee has words for Jordan. She says that Jordan’s actions disappointed her and the entire TNA Knockouts division. Jordan better be ready for the fight, because she is bringing the war to her.

We see, amongst other women, Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey in the back. Apparently, they are a group now. Kelani Jordan says this is cute, but you might want to be by a monitor, so you don’t miss what I have to say.

And with that, the TNA Knockouts Champion has arrived in the building! She has a mic. Last week, she did everything that she could to keep this Knockouts Title. I guess you could say it was a little bit out of character for Kelani Jordan. She scolds the fans.

She wants to know why when Dom Mysterio cheats, everyone cheers? When Cody Rhodes hit Drew McIntyre with his title belt, you will still sing his theme song. This is why NXT is drowning. There was an opportunity when Ash by Elegance vacated the title, and she took it. She isn’t going to be like Trick Williams and wear the title upside down. She wanted to uphold the respect and dignity of the Knockouts Title. And what did it get her? Booed and chastised. Why is it okay for her to be kicked out of the locker-room and labeled a traitor. She isn’t just called the standout; she has been the standout since she debuted in Nashville. Everyone knows it back there, and you all know it out here. The sad thing is, they don’t care. They switch their minds every single week. They have their narrative, and they only care about girls with fat asses and not someone like me!

Case in point, Jordynne Grace! Everyone booed her out of this building, but when I hit her with my title, I am public enemy number one. That’s not right by her. She isn’t going to be like Tatum Paxley and defend the title against everyone. When it comes to NXT Gold Rush in New York, she isn’t defending the title. In fact, she is staying home. Lei Ling Lee, I already beat you, hello, so why should I care? Call me disloyal, call me a traitor, but the one thing you will call me is Champion!

Mic drop. Fantastic promo there by Jordan. She didn’t give a damn that she was being drown out by boos, she is fleshing out her heel character, and she spoke with compassion and conviction.

Briggs and El Grande Americano is up next!

COMMERCIALS!

Sarah Schrieber has OTM in the back. She wants to know why they ruined a tag team match. They don’t have to answer to anyone, and they wanted those guys to feel the pain and the power that they can bring when they want to. They say that they want silence that shakes the room.

Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon are here. They say you better not forget about what they did to them. Andre Chase is here to reign his guys in. Chase U is still a thing? Then where the hell is Thea Hail lol.

Josh Briggs is here for the next match.

Josh Briggs vs. El Grande Americano W/Los Grande Americanos

This is a non-title match, and the crowd is wildly behind EGA!

Briggs takes Americano to the corner, but he swats Briggs away. Briggs runs over Americano, but the Speed Champion fires back with a dropkick. Americano goes over the top of Briggs, hits an arm drag and goes into an arm lock. Americano does a headstand, applying more pressure, and then he dances in place! Nice! Americano with a PK to Briggs as he tried to get to his knees. Americano to the second rope, but he takes WAY too long. Briggs tries to pull him down, but we hear chains rattling, and Jasper Troy is here! Briggs takes advantage with a straight punch and a lariat to Americano as we go to commercial break!

Both men are slugging it out as we return from break. Briggs does get the upper hand with a lariat and a standing splash for a two count. Briggs drags Americano to the corner, but El Grande back with slaps. He tries to go up top, but Briggs trips him up and Americano is in the Tree of WHOA! YOU STILL SUCK chants for Briggs, who sits Americano on the top rope. Briggs is trying to remove the mask of Americano! The nerve! Los Americanos get on the apron, but Briggs knocks them back to the floor. The distraction allows for Americano to hit a flying shoulder tackle!

The match resets, as Americano lays into Briggs. Running headbutts follow. He tries to pick up Briggs, but he settles for more chops and a blockbuster! Briggs rolls out to the floor, as Americano takes flight with a Tope! Americano celebrates, allowing Briggs to attack, as he throws Americano off the ring ropes.

Tavion Heights is in the ring! Los Americanos hit a double backstabber to Briggs while the ref is distracted with Heights! Americano with the submission victory!
WINNER: El Grande Americano
TIME: 10:50
THOUGHTS: The bottom line is that Americano won, which is always a pleasure and a thrill. It was kind of boring in spots, honestly, although that was more on Briggs just being a slog and not Americano. Surprised/happy that Troy did not get involved, at least.
RATING: ***

Wren and Kendal in the back. Kelani stops by and asks if they saw it. Wren leads Kendal away before she can answer. Ava is here. She wanted to talk to Kelani in private, but if she wants to talk in front of everyone, they can do that. Jordan says that Ava is the NXT GM, not the TNA GM, so she doesn’t have to listen to her. Tyra Mae Steele steps up to Jordan and says she is the reason that she wanted to be here. Jordan says that, like at the Olympics, she will be second place. Ava says you are right, she is not the TNA GM, but Jordan is on her show right now, so maybe she can test herself against Steele tonight. Steele says she’ll find out who is second place.

NXT Champion Ricky Saints is walking in the back with a producer. He runs into Myles Bourne, who asks Ricky to save him a piece of Trick Williams. Ricky says you got it, they shake hands, and we move on!

COMMERCIALS!

This past Sunday at a AAA show, Ethan Page and Chelsea Green won in the finals of the Mixed Tag Team Tourney. Their celebration is still to come tonight.

There will be a Last Man Standing Match next week, but before then, Vic is going to interview Trick Williams and Ricky Saints. They are in separate rooms.

Trick says Ricky cannot cover up his bruises from the beating that he gave him. Saints says you held the show hostage last week and for what. Williams says he is obsessed with winning the NXT World Title.

Saints says that Williams doesn’t care about NXT, he always has one foot out the door. Ricky thought this would just be a pit stop, but he realized that he could make something out of himself in NXT, and winning the title proved that.

Williams calls Ricky a fan and tells him to get a title from WWE Shop. LOL! Trick wants to talk about that!

Saints tells him to meet him and they will settle this right now.

And if on cue, Williams and Saints meet up in the back! Trick has a pipe, as security tries to stop the fight. Williams has the title and says you will see another side of Trick next week when he wins the title back. For those who were curious, yes, the cliche pipe clanging noise was heard lol.

That is one kick arse theme song/entrance for Zaria! Her match in the Women’s Speed Tourney is up next!

COMMERCIALS!

NXT Women’s Speed Title Tourney: Zaria W/Sol Ruca vs. Wren Sinclair W/Kendal Grey

The bell rings and the timer is counting down! Sinclair goes for the arm of Zaria and rolls her up for a two. Roll-up counters ensue. Sinclair with a roll-up for a two count. Zaria with an Irish Whip and a backbreaker for a two count. Sinclair back to her feet, she cuts off Zaria with a kick, but Zaria tries another backbreaker. Wren goes around with a submission before Zaria rolls her up for a two count. Kicks and chops from Sinclair. Zaria throws Sinclair off and unloads with lariats and a pump kick. Sinclair fights off Zaria and puts on the cross-arm breaker! Zaria rolls her through and into a SPEAR! Zone of Destruction (F-5) by Zaria for the win!
WINNER: Zaria
TIME: 2:32
THOUGHTS: Good power and speed battle. The length of the match made it feel like either woman was going to pull out a flash pin, but Zaria was too much for Sinclair.
RATING: **3/4

LFG Season 2 winner Skylar Raye will face Fallon Henley in the other Speed Tourney match next week. The winner will face Zaria on the 18th or the 25th.

We see Je’Von Evans getting ready for his match later tonight.

Kelani Jordan is out for a second time tonight, except this time, she will be in action, next!

COMMERCIALS!

TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan vs. Tyra Mae Steele

This is a non-title match.

The bell rings, as Steele tries to take down Jordan. She does get a front head lock, but Jordan quickly takes over and talks some trash. Steele fights her way out and grabs wrist control. Jordan reverses it, as Steele does some cartwheels to escape. Jordan with a straight kick to the gut. Jordan tries to roll-up Steele with her hand on the ropes, but the ref admonishes her. Steele takes down Jordan again rolls her over. She applies a stretch submission, which Jordan reverses with a roll-up. Steele reverses it, and Jordan kicks out at two. Kelani rams Steele’s head into the top turnbuckle, and then into the ring post.

The fight spills out to the floor, as Jordan snaps Steele’s wrist and slams her off the apron. She sets her up against the steps, but Steele kicks her away. She tries to shake feeling back into her hand, but Jordan attacks from behind. She returns Steele to the ring and puts on a chin lock. Steele back to her feet, Jordan keeps her at bay. Her attack misses, but she proceeds to truck Jordan with repeat lariats. Jordan sent off, and Steele sends her into the air and face down to the mat. Shoulder tackle by Steele, as she picks up Jordan into a reverse Angle Slam for a two.

Jordan fights back and scoops up Steele. She hits a standing slam and then goes to the top. The split legged moonsault gets her the win!
WINNER: Kelani Jordan
TIME: 4:50
THOUGHTS: A good showing for Steele, but let’s be real, did anyone believe she was going to beat Jordan, even in a non-title bout, in a spur of the moment match? She has a lot of talent, though, and should be someone to watch moving forward.
RATING: ***

Poat-match, Santino Marella is on the screen! SON OF A GUN! He heard what Kelani had to say earlier, he is the Director of Authority in TNA, and he tells Jordan that she will defend the Knockouts Title in New York. It will be a Triple Threat match, and she will face Lei Ying Lee and Jordynne Grace. Credit to Will for commenting that and letting me know that!

In the back, Ava, Sol Ruca, and Zaria are discussing business. Sol says she wants to face Blake Monroe in New York at Gold Rush. Ava says that she knows she is still a month away. Sol says she wants to test herself. Fatal Influence are here, but Ava says she doesn’t have time for this, because she has to talk to Adam Pierce in regard to the John Cena the Time is Now Tour. Jacy says rude, as Fatal Influence take their leave.

Someone is feeling Bouncy! Je’Von Evans is here for his match next!

COMMERCIALS!

Je’Von Evans vs. Saquon Shugars

Evans is really feeling bouncy, as he takes out all the members of Dark State before the bell! Evans sends Shugars into the ring as the bell rings. Evans tries to grab a quick pin for a two. Shugars shoulders Evans to the mat. Evans tries to take Shugars over, but he catches Evans and hits an inverted atomic drop. Shugars puts up one strap on his singlet and hits a kidney punch to Evans. Saquon takes him to the other side of the ring and hits another kidney punch. Shugars picks up Evans and hits a backbreaker for a two.

Shugars tries a third kidney punch, but Evans kicks him away. Evans treats Saquon’s kidney with the same disrespect and hits a dropkick to Shugars. Undeterred, Shugars hits ANOTHER backbreaker for a two count. Shugars grinds his boot into the face of Evans and poses, mocking Je’Von. Evans, though, drops Shugars to a knee with a big kick. Evans springs up into the corner, bounces back, and hits a cutter on Shugars. Evans sends Saquon from the ring. The rest of the Dark State hype up Saquon, and Dion Lennox throws Saquon back into the ring. He wears down Evans and sends him from the ring. A distraction from Dark State allows Saquon to send Evans crashing into the barricade. The Dark State pose on the apron as we go to commercial break.

Evans with a quick roll-up as we return from break. An up kick from Evans keeps Saquon at bay, and Evans uses his momentum against him with a back body drop. Shugars deposits Evans on the apron, but he slaps Shugars away. Shugars avoids the springboard from Evans, then proceeds to cartwheel and hits a basement dropkick for a two. Shugars toys with Evans, talking smack and scrapping his boot against his head. Evans is PISSED off, as he hits a springboard cutter! Evans connects with strikes thar Shugars misses, and he hammers him into the corner. Dark State pull Saquon out of the ring, but here comes Evans as he flies and nearly damn killed himself on that dive.

Evans returns Shugars to the ring and tries to put his arm back in place. He gets into the ring, bounces off the ropes, and splashes Shugars for a two count. Evans to the top, but Saquon shakes the ropes, causing Evans to lose his balance. Shugars picks him up and hits a front face slam for a two count. Evans fights back and hits another splash. The cover, but he is pulled out of the ring. Evans avoids every member of Dark State and gets back into the ring. He drops an incoming Shugars and hits a picture perfect moonsault! The cover, Evans wins it!
WINNER: Je’Von Evans
TIME: 13:30
THOUGHTS: A really good match. I know Evans quite well from his matches in TNA, but this is the first time I have seen Shugars wrestle, and I have to say, for the most part, he was good in the ring. A great main event, at least in terms of the in-ring aspect of the show. A little too much interference, but Evans overcame it in the bottom of the ninth inning.
RATING: ***3/4

Vic runs down matches for next week’s NXT.

Blake Monroe and Ava are in the back. Monroe wants her first title defense to be amazing! Ava says Sol Ruca was just in here and if she is cleared, that will be her opponent. Blake says bless her, but her knee won’t hold her up. Ava says she did not actually lose that title. Blake gets a phone call. She accosts Ava of being nosy and says her better half wants an interview next week!

Alba Fyre checks the surroundings, and we see Ethan Page and Chelsea Green arrive. The celebration is next!

COMMERCIALS!

Shill for Smackdown and SNME in January in Montreal.

The Culling are arguing in the back. Izzi says they are in situations like this because Tatum keeps handing out title shots. You’ve worked three years to get here, and you shouldn’t be so giving.

Tatum says you are right. She promises that, from here on out, she will be more selective about who gets a title shot in the future. But there is one more thing that will make her feel good about this.

Oh?

The ring is Canadian decked, as we see Alba Fyre, Ethan Page, and Chelsea Green in the middle of the ring. Page wants to talk about the two best Canadian wrestlers in the world. People hate them in locker rooms around the world because they are the best. He told them they would be AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions, and they stand here as the champions. But Page also stands here as the North American Champion, further proving that he is the greatest North American to lace up the boots in a WWE ring.

Chelsea understands that. As a AAA-Ah-Ah-Ah Champion, and a future 2-time Women’s Champion.

Ethan: This Friday!

There is no one who will stop her from winning the Women’s Title back!

Page says absolutely, and their goal for the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles is to defend them against anyone and everyone.

Chelsea says they want to celebrate, they have the decor, and the desperados here to bask in their greatness. Chelsea wants to say Joe Hendry’s name.

They get ready to attack, as they think Hendry is in the cake. Hendry isn’t in the cake, though, as he is on the ramp. Say his name and he appears. Sometimes, the easiest way is the best way.

Ethan wants him to cut to the chase; do you want a title shot? Hendry says, yes, he wants a shot at the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles.

Chelesa says she doesn’t know what metric system he uses, but there are two of them and one of him. Who do you have?

Well, Hendry say he was going to keep it a secret until Gold Rush, but all you have to do is say her name.

Hendry’s theme plays, but instead, we believe in Thea! Thea Hail pops out of the cake, and she shoves it into the face of Alba and Chelsea! Hendry shoves cake in the face of Page! Hendry and Hail wave their hands from side-to-side, and they’re even dressed the same! Awesome!

Vic runs down the title matches for next week, as Hail and Hendry lead us out with the arms being waved from side-to-side.

And with that, we are done!

7.8

The final score: review Good

The 411

NXT was a pretty good show all-around tonight. The action in the ring, epsecially the main event, was fairly good, and it helped to move some things forward in development. The focus on the women is always welcome in my book, but more to the point, Kelani Jordan's deeper dive into a heel promo. followed by her convinving win over a rookie in Tyra Mae Steele. It helped to gain her more confidence in her heel character and mannerisms moving forward. It was a fun two hours that flew by.