Jeremy’s WWE NXT Review 9.2.25

Hello everyone, and welcome to our live WWE NXT coverage on 411! Jeremy Thomas, here with you as per the usual, and tonight we have a big eight-man tag team match as Hank & Tank team with rivals Oba Femi and Ricky Starks to take on the full DarkState lineup. In addition, Jaida Parker and Lash Legend will meet in the ring to continue their rivalry while Candice LeRae makes her return to NXT to take on TNA’s Xia Brookside in a Women’s Speed Championship Tournament match. Plus we have a PLE to get ready for in No Mercy so we’ll likely have more build — perhaps Blake and Jordynne will battle some more. That’ll be fun.

I was busy here at Thomas HQ as I got a decent amount of movie-watching in. I watched and reviewed the new Toxic Avenger movie, and you can see my thoughts on that here. I also watched a couple interesting documentaries in Stans about Eminem fanbase and Vice Is Broke on MUBI about that company’s rise and fall, not to mention the strange but incredibly engaging Grand Theft Hamlet (also on MUBI) and SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) which took a look at the inimitable Sly Stone.

Outside of documentaries, I checked out the shark/serial killer film Dangerous Animals which was a nice and tense little thriller as well as the gorgeously well-made and acted body horror film Together with Dave Franco and Alison Brie. Finally, I got another Hammer watch in with the mannered but well-acted The Witches from 1966 and did a rewatch of The New Mutants for the Final Ghouls of Horror podcast. I will have… THOUGHTS on that one.

Speaking of the Final Ghouls of Horror, you can check out our latest episode below as Holly, L and I look at the 2025 sci-fi thriller Companion! You can subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, including YouTube.

I also managed to get some TV watching in as I kept up on the amazing Alien: Earth, and did some more catch-up work on the most recent season of Marvel’s What If…?. It’s fine.

As a reminder, the GoFundMe for Larry’s kids is still active and if you can make a donation, that would be awesome. Thank you so much to everyone who’s done so thus far.

* TUDUM.

* Ricky Saints survives the NXT parking lot as we start the show, as did Oba Femi and Hank & Tank. So did DarkState. Good on all of them.

Jaida Parker vs. Lash Legend

Lash pie-faces Jadia to start and Jadia slaps Lash, only to get carried into the corner for shoulder thrusts and a kneelift. Lash gets Jaida up but Jaida slides down the back, puts Lash in the corner and hits her own shoulder thrusts. She goes to leap in for a hip smash but is caught, thrown into the ropes and knocked down. Splash off the ropes for two.

Jaida off the ropes, picked up into a crucifix and bounced between the ropes before she rolls down for a sunset flip — but Lash holds on and picks Jaida up. SHot from Jaida and a wristlock, she works the arm and hits a shoulderblock and another. Kneelift by Lash into a La Magistral for two-plus, crucifix for a second pin.

Jaida back to the arm and shoulder, Lash fires off with a forearm and another, then picks Jaida up but Jaida floats over. She tries to roll Lash up off the ropes but Lash holds on, Jaida put on the apron and they trade blows as Je’Von arrives and survives the parking lot. Jaida with a crossbody off the top for a couple nearfalls.

Jaida dodges a boot and puts Lash on the middle rope for the teardrop — but Lash goozles Jaida! Chokeslam! Lash covers for two-plus. Jaida is holding her head and the ref attends to her as Lash backs up and we go to break.

Jaida fights out of a bear hug as we come back but gets slammed down. Lash with a splash but Jaida moves. Both are slow to get up but then Jaida takes over with strikes and hits a shoulderblock off the ropes — but Lash doesn’t go down! Another and then a third finally takes Lash down.

Jaida up, she charges at Lash in the corner for a hip smash. Suplex attempt countered by Lash, but Jaida takes over again with a Backstabber. Leaping neckbreaker off the ropes, cover gets two-plus.

Jaida off the ropes but Lash counters the Hypnotic with a knee. Big swinging backbreaker gets a nearfall and Lash is frustrated. She gets up and charges into the corner but Lash moves and Lash eats the steel post. Jaida sets Lsh on the middle rope and nails her a few times — Tear Drop! She gets Lash on her shoulders for a Samoan drop, Lash escapes to the outside but Lash has her hair.

Jaida goes to get Lash on her shoulders but gets shoved away — pump kick by Lash! Lash sets Jaida across her back, Lash Extension onto the announce desk. Lash rolls Jaida in, follows and sets Jadia up for another Lash Extensio0n for three.

Winner: Lash Legend (11:37)
Rating: ** 1/2
Thoughts: This lost some steam toward the end and had a couple less-than-crisp moments, but on the whole this was fairly decent.

Jaida attacks Lash post-match as she’s leaving and throws her into the ringsteps. Lash falls against the barricade and Jadia with HYPNOTIC through the barricade!

* Blake Monroe is in the back and interrupts Arianna and Stacks. Arianna has some lash makeup from Maybelline. Arianna says that she’s not related to Jordynne, who walks right in and goes after Blake. Blake high-tails and Kali is made the door got slammed into her. She says Jordynne now has a problem with her.

* Je’Von Evans WALKS backstage.

* Back from break and Je’Von makes his way to the ring. He says he knows that everyone expects him to be energetic and excited about everything, but he doesn’t know he can do that after Heat Wave. He thought he had it in the bag, and he had great advice from legends and GOATS, and has had great opportunities but it felt different at Heatwave.

He says the feelings are coming back and he felt nervous; the butterflies were getting to him. He felt like if he was ever going to be NXT Champion it would be them, and he even called his sister and said he was going to become the youngest NXT Champion in history. But he didn’t. He thought he was, he heard the crowd and say the ref count three but saw Oba’s foot under the ropes. And then Oba capitalized and won the match. And he wants to apologize for letting the fans down. (The fans do not feel let down as they chant “We Still Love You!”)

He says he let them down and himself down. He felt like he had this in the bag and ignored everyone over the past week, and told himself —

Suddenly a motorcycle appears on the Tron! Je’Von says he’s not trying to do the games, and the bike parts while feet walk toward the arena.

BONG! But it’s actually Josh Briggs. Briggs comes out like a biker and asks if Je’Von is expecting someone else? Taker isn’t here to save him with words of wisdom. Briggs says Je’Von is immature and is everything he hates about the NXT locker room, getting title matches at 21.

Evans gets why Briggs is pissed but isn’t trying to hear it all. Briggs says Je’Von’s problem is, he thinks it’s okay to wait. He’s from a generation where if he has a problem he tweets about it. He should have put his finger in Oba’s face but he didn’t and Ricky stepped over him to get a title shot. Briggs tells Je’Von to try being him, waiting for years waiting for an opportunity when you know you’re better than everyone.

Je’Von says he’s trying to be nice but Josh is big bro’ing him and he’s not having that. Briggs tells Je’Von to put the mic down. He says Evans won’t ever beat Oba; he’s good but not good enough. Evans asks if he thinks he knows him and eats a big boot and stomps. He rolls out of the ring, grabs a chair and sets it up — CHOKE SLAM through the chair!

* Tonight’s NXT focus is on Xia Brookside, previewing her before her debut against Candice LeRae. She says Candice is a former Speed champion but won’t stop her from becoming the next. Candice then says Xia is a stepping stone to Sol Ruca and becoming the next champion.

* Hank and Tank are backstage as Oba and Ricky prep for the match and Hank says that they need to focus on tonight. Hank tells Oba to acknowledge Ricky’s talent and Tank says that Oba has Ricky’s back. They run off and Oba asks if they’re his friends, and he says no but to be locked in tonight. Oba says not to worry about him; worry about himself.

First Round Speed Tournament Match
Xia Bookside vs. Candice LeRaw

Roll-up by Xia right off the jump for two, she hits a sunset flip for another but Candice with a shot to the gut. Into the ropes, Xia with a rana. She charges at Candice and ends up in the corner, she hits a rana on Candice and a dropkick that puts her in the corner. Meteora from Xia, Russian legsweep gets two.

Xia charges into the corner, she is caught and put on the top, then shoved to the floor by Candice. Candice out and rolls Xia in, but she is caught eith a roll-up for two. But leaping dropkick for Candice, moonsault off the bottom misses and Xia with a takedown for two.

We’re in the last minute, Xia puts Candice in the corner and puts her on the top. She tries to yank Candice down, Candice with a Tornado DDT and a senton off the top, moonsault finishes it.

Winner: Candice LeRae (2:35)
Rating: N/A
Thoughts: Result was obvious here, but the match was fine for the time it got.

* Lainey Reid vs. Faby Apache is next week.

* A number of guys are backstage when Briggs walks in and he says to keep talking. Kale says that he’s got the balls to say Briggs is a jerk. Briggs goes off on them and Andre Chase walks in to tell him to chill. Briggs says Chase is no Undertaker and Kale and Uriah say they’re going to talk to Ava and Mr. Chase will school Briggs tonight.

* The Culling and Sol Ruca & Zaria are in Ava’s office when Fatal Influence arrive. Ava wants someone from NXT to get a Women’s Tag Team Title opportunity. Everyone makes their cases and take shots at each other. Ava says a triple-threat tag team elimination match is set for next week for a future title shot.

* DarkState say they the rest of the world seems confused about them. Dion says the worlds sees renegaes and Cutler James talks about how he was embarrassed on LFG, and Shugars was too much of a wild card for NXT for six years. Williams got pushed around by Trick and was told by Oba Femi he’s never be championship material. They were security for other stars, just like guys like Bron and Sheamus and Trick were. Osiris says why take disrespect when they can demand respect. Dion says if he’s not championship material, what does he have in his hands? Shugars says these are his brothers and Hank & Tank are in the way like everyone else. It isn’t just a catchphrase: when DarkState strikes, nobody is safe.

* Trick Williams WALKS backstage.

* Back from break and Trick walks to the ring. The TNA Champion cuts the music and says last week, he did a promotional piece like only he can and said some things he meant. He stands on it because it’s real and looked at that camera, saying he’s the hottest and greatest NXT star who ever lived.

He says to his surprised, no one from the past made a whisper, said a word, sent a Batman signal, nothing. It’s either that they all know that he knows: he is the hottest and greatest NXT star ever. Or two, they don’t care about NXT anymore. That’s crazy because they’ve been busting their butts and says he’s seen fans coming every way they can for NXT, and they don’t care?

Well, he has to be clear: he doesn’t blame them. Because as soon as he gets to Raw or Smackdown and gets his million dollar house, NXT will never see him again. He says Superstars travel the word to Paris and Bologne and do what they want. He says all the favorites the fans love? They don’t love him.

OH WAIT HERE COMES DIY! Gargano and Ciampa have arrived! The fans chant “Welcome home!” Gargano says first of all, they do love the fans. They heard that Homecoming is in two weeks but decided to stop by early because today is the 10 year anniversary of their NXT debut. Gargano tells Ciampa, look what they have here: the greatest star in NXT history!

Ciampa says you mean to tell him that no one is greater that Trick? Gargano says Trick is a two-time NXT champion — but wait, so is Tommaso. Tommaso says Trick also held the NXT NA Title. Gargano says he held it three times. But they can’t claim to being the TNA World Champion. Ciampa does point out that Gargano won the NXT Tag Team Champion and his partner was probably great, had big muscles, a beautiful bald head, a glorious beard — Gargano says he was okay but got grumpy when the show was over and the logo popped up, but he was fine otherwise.

Gargano says Trick’s resume speaks for himself but the jury is still out on greatest NXT star. It didn’t matter if you’re a Demon or a Hugger, Undisputed or Glorious. Ciampa says there were two guys who defined an NXT era, bled Black and Gold, two guys who paved the way for Trick to stand in this ring. Three letters: D-I-Y!

Trick says not to get it twisted or put his hands on him again, because Ciampa can’t even beat his girl’s hands. But he acknowledges their accomplishments. They’ve done great things and talked about it, but then Trick Williams came in and took their awards, kicking them back to Medieval Times. He says Trick Williams is still the greatest NXT star of all time.

Gargano asks Ciampa if he wants to talk about it, he says no and shoves Trick. Trick gets superkicked! Stereo kick by DIy!

* Je’Von is being checked on by medical, he says he’s okay. Ava walks and and tells Je’Von if he promises not to interfere in Briggs’ match tonight, he can have Briggs next week.

* We get a quick vignette for Kali Armstrong.

* Tavion Heights shoves Ethan Page’s flag back into his chest with Ava between them. Page said Heights is craping on 40 million Canadians and Heights says he only has a problem with one Maple syrup-sipping guy. Ava has a solution and Page complains that it will probably be a flag match. Ava says it wasn’t going to be but since it bothers Page, it will be now.

Kali Armstrong vs. Jordynne Grace

Jordynne dodges a charge by Kali and whips her into the corner, but gets put in there and battered by Kali. Grace send across the ring and comes out of the corner into a backdrop. Kali charges in for a shoulder tackle and lays in more before decking Grace. She backs up and charges in, but Grace gets the knee up and goes up and over, chopping Kali repeatedly.

Short-arm kneelift by Grace, Kali sent into the ropes and flipped over into a slam followed by a camel clutch. Kali manages to stand up and backs Grace into the corner twice, big Grace stands on. She finally snapmares Grace over and hits a back elbow, then tosses Grace HARD back into the middle turnbuckle as we go to break.

Back from break and Kali has Grace bent over her back. Jordynne knees out of it and ducks a lariat, hooks Kali and slams her back into the corner a few times. Big lariat, another off a bottom rope springboard for two. Juggernaut Driver attempt countered, Kali escapes and goes into the ropes, Jordynne follows but gets powerslammed for two.

Kali off the ropes — right into a back elbow! Juggernaut Driver finishes it.

Winner: Jordynne Grace (7:52)
Rating: ** 3/4
Thoughts: Jordynne needed this win and the match was solid. Kali got more offense than I thought but she looked good; still, I don’t know if WWE knows what they’re doing with Grace as she seems lost even with a feud.

Blake Monroe comes out after the match and they start brawling! Grace sends Blake into the ringsteps and takes her down, officials are out to separate them and Blake gut busted open in the mouth.

* We get a vignette about Lola Vice winning an NXT Title shot. We then go to Miami where Lola talks about growing up and being told that everyone has a sad story, and her only option was to make something of it. She says Miami is more than a city; its a heartbeat and her culture. Being a Latina is one thing but being a Miami Latina is another.

She says she left her house at 18 to find a future in the cage. She hasn’t returned since until now. She says somewhere between living and dreaming is Miami. She calls her mom every day and preys every night. We hear comments from her mom and sister about how proud they are of her. SShe then talks about her dad — to be continued.

Josh Briggs vs. Andre Chase

Briggs runs over Chase to start, sends him into the ropes and knocks him down. Pin but Chase is under the ropes so he whips Chase across the ring. Chase stops himself and hits a back elbow, then a rana.

Briggs to the outside, Chase into the ropes and hits a kick, but Briggs catches a leap and sends him into the ringpost as we go to break.

We’re back as Chase hits a DDT on Briggs for a nearfall. Briggs battles back and hits a splash for two. He puts Briggs on the top and hits a back elbow, then climbs up — Chase blocks the superplex and Chase lays in the body punches! Ne knocks Briggs down, jumps over and rolls through but Briggs with the Boss Man Slam.

Suplex by Briggs — countered into a Stunner! High crossbody for Chase — almost three! Chase measures Briggs and hits a kick to the shoulder, then another. Briggs catches the third, spins him around, goozle — chokeslam. Big boot off the ropes for three.

Winner: Josh Briggs (7:19)
Rating: ** 1/2
Thoughts: I love Andre Chase but if they actually wanted to get Briggs over, this should have been about two minutes. The match was good but when you extend these glorified enhancement matches into seven minutes-plus, they just become matches that don’t get anyone more over.

Briggs assaults Kale right after the bell, then chokeslams Uriah Connors through the booth.

* Trick is leaving and is asked about DIY. He says he’s not going to let it slide and isn’t the only one here with history. He’ll see them next week.

Set For Next Week:
– Flag Match: Ethan Page vs. Tavion Heights
– WWE Women’s Tag Team Title #1 Contenders Elimination Match: Fatal Influence vs. The Culling vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria
– Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs
– Speed Tournament Match: Faby Apache vs. Lainey Reid

* We get a vignette for the big boxing match on Netflix. Cool.

* We look back to Blake Monroe being pissed after being busted open. Vic calls her the “woman from Hell.”

Ricky Saints, Oba Femi, Hank & Tank vs. DarkState

Tank and SHugars start off and Shugars leaps on Tank, brawling but gets picked up. He turns it into a snapmare and tags in Dion, who comes off the ropes for a big leaping clothesline for one. Tank pushed into the hostile corner, Cutler comes in and Tank hits a back elbow, then tags in Hang who leaps in for a splash in the corner and bulldog. Tank with a senton, cover for two.

Saints tags in and gets backed into a corner, he ducks a shot and hits some strikes, then goes for the Old School while staring at Oba. Oba tags in and works over James’ wrist but gets decked. Oba fires back and knocks James down, then teases a tag to Saints but pulls back before jokingly doing Ricky’s taunt, then hits a clothesline. Ricky was amused.

Ricky comes in and cuts off DarkState as do Hank and Tank. Everyone is cleared but James and the babyfaces take aim — FOUR-MAN PANCAKE! James pulls from the ring as we go to break.

We’re back as DarkState has overwhelmed Hank and beat him down. Cutler James is the legal man and nails Hank before choking him against the middle rope. The ref backs him off and Shugars kicks Hank. DarkState hit Hank with a number of moves in the corner, Osiris with a powerslam for two.

Osiris wrenches on Tank’s neck, Tank elbows free but takes a shot tot he back. Hank whipped into the corner and battered with a shot to the gut. He picks Hank apart and lays in strikes in the corner, then talks some shit before sending him across the ring — Tank dives in for the save and Hank hits a clothesline out of the corner!

Dion tags in, but Tank has the hot tag and takes it to Dion before knocking James off the apron. He hits a second-rope tackle and DIVES into DarkState on the outside. Saints is in now and takes it to James, Shugars tags in and Oba tags himself in. An argument and Oba throws Shugars into Saints! Ricky and Oba start brawling!

Ricky and Oba head to the back as Hank and Tank pancake Sugars, but James yanks Tank down. DarkState go to set up Hank — Tank makes the save! Hank is hit with a clothesline from James, who sets up — goozle! James says no one is saving him now — Hank says “JOE HENDRY!” JOE HENDRY IS HERE! He distracts James, and Hank and Tank take out James with their finisher for the win!

Winner: Hank, Tank, Oba Femi and Trick Williams (11:58)
Rating: *** 1/4
Thoughts: Chaotic but fun and DarkState looked fine while we advanced the Ricky and Oba feud, while Hendry gets another big appearance. I laughed at the finish but I know it’s not going to be for everyone. Still, good stuff by my book.

Joe, Hank and Tank celebrate in the ring as we go to the back where officials are trying to break up Oba and Ricky.

And with that, we’re done for the night!

6.0

The final score: review Average

The 411

This was a perfectly "fine" episode of NXT. And that's okay; I've said it before, but we need transitional shows like this. Not every episode can be a banger. This had weird match pacing and is the second week in a row of two much being thrown in, but nothing was bad and it did necessary building for No Mercy which still has multiple weeks of build to go. Perfectly watchable stuff, but you can skip it if you want.