NXT
Date: September 2, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re inching closer to No Mercy and that means it’s time to have a bunch of people get together to go after Darkstate. That could go in a few different ways, but the bigger issue seems to be Ricky Saints coming after Oba Femi and the NXT Title. Hopefully the rest of the card starts to come together so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Lash Legend vs. Jaida Parker

Parker drives her into the corner for some shoulders to the ribs to start. Legend is back up with a slam and splash for two before rattling Parker’s head between the ropes. A rollup into an armbar gets Parker out of trouble and we go split screen to see Je’Von Evans arriving. The Tear Drop is broken up and we take an early break.

We come back with Legend missing another splash and Parker dropping her with a running shoulder. A running Blockbuster gives Parker two and now the Tear Drop can connect. Legend tries to bail to the floor, where she kicks Parker down. Parker gets dropped onto the announcers’ table with the Lash Extension and another one finishes Parker back inside at 11:35.

Rating: C+. This was about two rather strong women beating on each other until the finish, with Legend getting to move forward towards the title picture. Either of them would have made sense, but Legend has been doing some rather great work recently and deserves the chance. Parker needs to get there at some point too though, as she’s rather entertaining as well.

Post match Parker jumps Legend and Hipnotiques her through the barricade. So this isn’t done.

Arianna Grace meets Blake Monroe and believe it or not, they hit it off. Jordynne Grace storms in and Monroe runs, with Kali Armstrong not being pleased with Grace’s intrusion.

Here is Je’Von Evans for a chat. He knows everyone is expecting him to be all positive but he believed he was going to win the NXT Title at Heatwave. Evans feels like he let himself down because he felt like he had it in the bag…but a motorcycle arrives in the back. The gong sounds….and it’s Josh Briggs.

Was Evans expecting someone else? Undertaker wasn’t going to show up with some words of wisdom to save him. Evans is everything that Briggs hates about NXT because Evans should have demanded a rematch from Oba Femi but here he is instead. Evans doesn’t want to hear this but Briggs isn’t done. Briggs says Evans is good, though he’s never beating Femi. A big boot drops Evans and Briggs chokeslams him through an open chair.

Video on TNA’s Xia Brookside, who is here for the Speed Title tournament. Candice LeRae isn’t impressed.

Hank & Tank try to fire up Ricky Saints and Oba Femi for the eight man tag tonight but Saints and Femi aren’t overly interested. Saints tells Femi to be locked in tonight but Femi tells him to worry about himself.

Women’s Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Xia Brookside vs. Candice LeRae

Three minute time limit. Brookside snaps off a headscissors to start and hits a running dropkick. The running knees in the corner set up a Russian legsweep for two as we’re already a third of the way done. LeRae knocks her over the top and out to the floor, only to miss a Lionsault back inside. We’ve got a minute left as LeRae hits a tornado DDT into the Lionsault for the pin at 2:37. I really didn’t need to see this as a regular feature on TV, as it makes me wonder why people take their time in regular matches if they can get wins this quickly. See also most gauntlet matches.

Josh Briggs bullies the locker room but Chase U stands up to him. They’re ready to teach him a lesson, with Andre Chase getting to do it, even if he didn’t seem thrilled.

Fatal Influence comes in to see Ava, with a few women’s tag teams already there. Ava makes a triple threat match for next week with the winners getting a Women’s Tag Team Title shot.

Darkstate isn’t happy with how they have been treated, including how it went on LFG and NXT. They’re not waiting when they have the talent. Good, fired up promo here and it explained the team a lot better.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. He’s the greatest TNA star of all time and the hottest NXT superstar to ever live. The fans don’t care about him though and he can’t blame them, because when he moves up to Raw and Smackdown, he’s never coming back here. The people the fans love don’t care about them…and here is DIY to quite the reception.

They heard that Homecoming is in two weeks but they wanted to show up early, because it is the ten year anniversary of their NXT debuts. So Williams is supposed to be the best NXT star ever? Well he is a two time NXT Champion….but so is Tommaso Ciampa. They talk about their own success in NXT, though Gargano says his partner got a bit grumpy at the end of shows.

Gargano talks about the people who have walked that aisle, like a demon, a hugger, the undisputed and the glorious, who were pretty great in their own right. Ciampa says two guys bled black and gold and defined an era but Williams says they were great. The problem is Williams is just that much better. The fans chant for Carmelo Hayes and Williams shoves Ciampa, earning himself Meet In The Middle. This was a cool moment and DIY felt like returning legends.

Ava says if Je’Von Evans doesn’t interfere tonight, he can face Josh Briggs next week.

Video on Evolve Women’s Champion Kali Armstrong.

Tavion Heights gives Ethan Page the Canadian flag back and says he’s cool with Canada, but not one specific Canadian. The result is a flag match next week.

Kali Armstrong vs. Jordynne Grace

Non-title. Armstrong stomps away in the corner to start and hits a running shoulder to the ribs. Grace strikes away to come back before grabbing the camel clutch. That’s shrugged off and Armstrong sends her into the corner as we take an early break. We come back with Grace sending her into the corner again (they really like that move). The Grace Driver is blocked and Armstrong hits a powerslam for two. The Kali Connection (running shoulder) is blocked as well and the Grace Driver finishes at 7:50.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure how smart it is to put Armstrong out there for a loss, but also against another powerhouse. The idea is that Armstrong is incredibly strong, but that only works so well when she’s in there against someone like Grace. The match wasn’t bad and it’s far from a stretch to have Grace win, though I’m still not wild on a champion losing clean.

Post match Blake Monroe comes out for the brawl and security has to break it up. Monroe is busted open and seems shaken up by the whole thing.

Video on Lola Vice, who is back at her childhood home in Miami. Family means a lot to her and she’s glad to be back for a rare visit. Her family is rather proud of her. To be continued. These vignettes always work.

Andre Chase vs. Josh Briggs

Briggs runs him over to start but Chase is back with a kick to the floor. That earns Chase a drop onto the apron though and we take a break. We come back with Chase getting two but having to fight out of a superplex attempt. A Boss Man Slam sets up a suplex but Chase is back with a Stundog Millionaire. The high crossbody gives Chase two but Briggs chokeslams and hits a big boot for the pin at 7:21.

Rating: C+. I get the idea of pushing the new monster, but dang it’s sad to see Chase fall this far. He was the hottest thing in NXT for awhile and they just stopped everything they had with him. Now he’s doing nothing but jobbing and trying to relieve the past. Hopefully they find something else for him, because this is rather sad.

Post match Briggs beats up Chase U.

Trick Williams will see DIY next week.

Ricky Saints/Oba Femi/Hank & Tank vs. Darkstate

Shugars hammers on Hank in the corner to start and it’s off to Lennox for a running clothesline. Tank comes in and elbows James in the corner before handing it off to Saints for the arm cranking. Old School seems to annoy Femi, who comes in to stay on James’ arm. Femi teases tagging Saints but then does Saints’ pose to a rather big reaction. Everything breaks down and James is left alone, meaning it’s a four way crushing as we take a break.

We come back with Hank getting beaten down and Griffin grabs the chinlock. Back up and Tank saves Hank from a whip into the corner, allowing Tank to get the needed tag. Saints adds a springboard tornado DDT as everything breaks down. Femi tosses Shugars to Saints for a powerbomb but Saints and Femi get in a fight of their own. They fight to the back, leaving Darkstate to load up the triple bomb. Tank makes the save but James grabs Hank by the throat. Hank summons Joe Hendry, whose distraction lets Hank & Tank hit the powerslam/running shoulder combination to pin James at 11:52.

Rating: B-. The ending was a bit dumb with Darkstate looking pretty weak, as they couldn’t win despite having a 4-2 and then 4-3 advantage. I guess they had to get to Hank & Tank’s rematch though, because we just haven’t seen enough of the team. Femi and Saints brawling off is fine, as their match should be quite the showcase when we get there.

Saints and Femi have to be separated in the back to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show started setting up No Mercy in a bigger way and I’m curious to see what else we’re getting. You can probably guess most of what is going to happen but this was a nice step forward towards the show. DIY’s special appearance was a great bonus and it has me wondering who else is going to show up for Homecoming. Good show here, with some stuff being set up for the next big night.

Results
Lash Legend b. Jaida Parker – Lash Extension
Candice LeRae b. Xia Brookside – Lionsault
Jordynne Grace b. Kali Armstrong – Grace Driver
Josh Briggs b. Andre Chase – Big boot
Hank & Tanks/Oba Femi/Ricky Saints b. Darkstate – Powerslam/running shoulder combination to James

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Heatwave 2025
Date: August 24, 2025
Location: Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

It’s another special event and in this case we have quite the David vs. Goliath main event, as Je’Von Evans challenges Oba Femi for the NXT Title. Other than that, TNA is around again and has some fairly prominent matches, including the Knockouts Title on the line. This show has been fairly big over the years so hopefully the live up to the reputation here. Let’s get to it.

The opening video focuses on the idea of a spark turning into a big fire and how anything can make it start. This gives us a look at the card.

Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

For a future Women’s Title shot and Jordan’s parents are in the crowd. Parker gets double superkicked to the floor to start and a flipping forearm knocks her off the apron. That doesn’t last long as Parker comes back in to knock them both down to quite the reaction, as Parker seems to be the crowd favorite. The double stack tear drop connects for Parker in the corner but Jordan knocks her to the floor again.

That leaves Vice to get caught in the ropes for a spinning legdrop, with Parker having to make a save. Back in and Vice pulls Parker into a triangle choke, only for Jordan to dive off the top for a save. Jordan superkicks Parker to the floor and hits a slingshot dive but Vice is back in with her bouncing kicks back inside. The running hip attacks connect in the corner but Parker is back up to run them over for two each.

Vice is sent outside but comes back in to catch Parker on top for a Tower Of Doom. Jordan gets up and kicks Parker down but One Of A Kind hits raised knees. Hipnotique is cut off by Vice but Jordan gives Vice a spinning Angle Slam. Jordan’s 450 is left short and Vice guillotine chokes her, only to avoid Parker’s Hipnotique. With Jordan knocked silly, Vice gets a rollup to pin Parker at 11:52.

Rating: B-. This had some issues but they gave three up and coming women a chance to show what they could do and the match wound up being pretty good. I’m not sure it got to the point of being some big career making match for the three of them as Vice has been close to the title before, but this was a good opener and showed what we might be seeing in the future of the women’s division. Nice work from everyone involved, though Parker needs to win something soon.

The Culling is ok with recent losses and focus on going after the No Quarter Catch Crew.

Tag Team Titles: Darkstate vs. Hank & Tank

Darkstate (Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox in this case, with the other members at ringside) is challenging. Hank slugs away at Lennox to start and shrugs off a clothesline, which has Lennox a bit surprised. Griffin comes in to slam Tank but everything breaks down and the champs hit some running dives to the floor to drop all of Darkstate. Back in and Hank gets crotched on top, allowing Lennox to hammer away outside.

Lennox whips him into the corner back inside as Booker doesn’t think it would be too bad if Darkstate wins. Booker: “Other teams will have to step up.” Kind of yeah, but wrestlers have weird logic. Hank manages to avoid a charge and brings Tank back in, with Darkstate quickly double powerbombing him for two.

Tank breaks up a superplex attempt and throws Lennox off the top onto Griffin, setting up a Swanton onto both of them. Hank takes out the rest of the team and gets up for the tag, followed by a dive off the top to drop them again. The double standing splash looks to set up the powerbomb/neckbreaker combination but a distraction lets Tank get crotched on the post. A Doomsday Device gives us new champions at 10:06.

Rating: C+. There was almost no reason to believe that Hank & Tank were going to retain here as Darkstate needed to win something and Hank & Tank felt like underdog champions for their entire reign. Darkstate feels like it could be something with the titles and that’s a good idea. Now just find some good teams to come after the belts.

Ava isn’t happy with Lexis King for attacking Myles Borne. The solution: a blindfold match next week.

TNA Knockouts Title: Ash By Elegance vs. Jacy Jayne vs. Masha Slamovich

Jayne (with the rest of Fatal Influence) is defending and Ash has the rest of the Elegance Brand with her. Ash and Slamovich punch Jayne down to start but Jayne is back up for a quick rollup. Jayne sends Ash to the apron and hits a flip dive off the apron. Slamovich is right there with a dive of her own, followed by a running kick for two on Ash.

Jayne gets back in and is sent down just as fast, leaving Slamovich to clothesline Ash for two. The Personal Concierge offers a distraction so Slamovich can be knocked outside, leaving Ash to get two off a flipping neckbreaker. A sitout powerbomb gives Jayne two and it’s Slamovich coming back in to clean house. Jayne cuts Slamovich off with a running knee to the face and a swinging neckbreaker gets two.

Slamovich sends Jayne into the corner but Ash is right back with a top rope Meteora for two of his own. The other groups get in a big argument on the floor, with Jazmyn Nyx getting in a cheap shot, and that’s an over the top ejection for Fatal Influence. Slamovich and Jayne crash out to the floor and Ash dives onto both of them for probably the biggest spot of her career. Back in and the Rolling Encore connects on Slamovich but the Elegance brand pulls Jayne out, leaving Ash to hit Rarefied Air to pin Slamovich at 12:22.

Rating: B-. What we got here wasn’t a great match, but what mattered the most was getting the title back to TNA. At some point they had to win something or things were going to get even worse. The match featured a bunch of high spots, but it was the second match of a similar style of the night, which isn’t the easiest thing to overcome. Either way, the result is what matters most.

Je’Von Evans is getting warned up when Ricky Saints comes in to give him a pep talk. Evans has sore ribs but he’s ready to go.

Blake Monroe vs. Jordynne Grace

No recap here but they were friends for about five minutes before splitting up and Monroe mocked Grace for not being a star, while Grace needs to win the big one to prove herself. Monroe slaps her in the face to start and runs away from a charging Grace, who chases her behind commentary. Back in and Grace hits a kind of spinning Big Ending, followed by a suplex out to the floor.

A fall away slam sends Monroe crashing on the outside but she gets in a shot of her own to take over. Monroe pulls her shoulder first into the post and it’s off to a seated full nelson. That’s broken up so Monroe goes with a Sling Blade for two. Monroe’s seated armbar doesn’t work as Grace fights up and slingshots her into the ropes for the break. Some clothesline drop Monroe again and a spinebuster into a Jackhammer gets two.

Grace loads up a reverse Alabama Slam and throws Monroe down, with a turnbuckle pad being ripped off in the process. Back up and a not so great Skull Crushing Finale has Grace in trouble and Monroe flips over for an armbar. That’s broken up and Grace gets fired up but a headbutt cuts her off. Monroe’s suplex gets two and Grace’s arm seems to be banged up from the armbar. Grace is able to reverse a superplex attempt into a super sitout powerbomb for two and they’re both down. Back up and Monroe manages to stomp her Grace head first into the exposed buckle, setting up a double arm DDT for the pin at 12:45.

Rating: B. Rather good, hard hitting fight here, with Monroe looking like she survived for a big win here. That’s something that should serve as a nice upgrade for her, which she needs so soon after her debut. That being said, is Grace just not allowed to win anything important? She was the biggest deal ever when she came into NXT and has proceeded to do just about nothing. They might want to work on that.

Jaida Parker is mad about her loss when Lash Legend comes in to mock her. They’re quickly held apart.

Jacy Jayne isn’t happy with her loss and blames her teammates when Lola Vice comes in. Jayne says there’s no problem here, but Vice thinks there will be a problem at No Mercy when she gets her title shot. Zaria and Sol Ruca come in to mock Fatal Influence (Jayne wants to know how they always manage to show up) and the villains leave.

Tavion Heights/Tyra Mae Steele vs. Chelsea Green/Ethan Page

USA vs. Canada, the Secret Hervice is with Green/Page and the fans are VERY pro-Green and don’t approve as Steele takes her to the mat for a roll around. Heights comes in for a fireman’s carry on Page and the Canadians are sent crashing out to the floor. Page grabs the mic and shouts that Canada will NOT give your citizenship before taking Heights down for some elbows.

The chinlock goes on for a bit before Green comes in to dropkick Steele off the apron. A running Downward Spiral gets two on Heights, who is back up to block Green’s chop. Steele comes back in with a spear and swings Green into Page, which might have been a bit low. The women trade crossbodies for a double down, allowing the tag off to Heights to clean house. Green offers a distraction though and stereo big boots leave Heights and Page down.

Steele comes in to suplex Page and tries to do it again, only for Alba Fyre to try to make the save. That’s fine with Steele, who suplexes both of them but the referee won’t stand for her ankle locking Page. The distraction lets Fyre come in for the superkick and Green grabs the Unpretty Her for the pin at 9:31.

Rating: C. Heights and Steele are still fairly new, or at least rather untested, and it was clear that they needed some help to get them through the match. At the same time, it’s nice to see them getting the chance to go out there as you have to bring in the fresh blood at some point. The match wasn’t the best, but it’s nice to see someone new being presented in a bigger spot.

Josh Briggs comes in to see Oba Femi, who is clearly being worn down by being champion. Femi wants him out of here but Briggs says he’s next in line to come for the title.

Ava announces that the Speed Titles will be defended on NXT, with Sol Ruca defending at No Mercy. A tournament is coming to crown a new opponent. You know, it is ok to just drop some concepts occasionally. The Speed Titles would be a good choice for that status.

NXT Title: Je’Von Evans vs. Oba Femi

Femi is defending after Evans won a #1 contenders match. Evans goes after him to start and is sent flying into the corner, further banging up his bad ribs. Instead Evans tries to pick up the pace and goes for the springboard cutter, which is pulled out of the air as well. With that not working either, Evans lands a quick superkick and Femi is stunned by the knockdown.

A basement superkick looks to set up the frog splash but Evans bails out at the last second. Femi gets back up so Evans dropkicks him to the floor, only for the dive to be cut off as Femi grabs him by the throat. Back in and a gutbuster has Evans in more trouble and a big spinebuster makes it worse. Evans somehow fights up again but walks into a backbreaker. A chokeslam gets two and Femi isn’t sure what to do now.

Evans manages to get in a few shots of his own and some spinning kicks to the head get two. The top rope splash connects, though Evans lands a bit too early and the referee has to check on him. The second attempt lands a lot better for two but a strike off goes to Femi (that forearm was LOUD). Somehow Evans manages a German suplex but Femi pops up with a hard clothesline. The springboard cutter gets Evans out of trouble so he tries it again, only to get uppercutted out of the air for a rather near fall.

Femi goes up (up oh) but Evans is shoved down and into the referee, only to come back with a super hurricanrana. A pop up cutter hits Femi and the top rope cutter connects as another referee comes in to count three….but the first referee points out that Femi’s foot was underneath the rope. Back up and Femi picks Evans up and THROWS HIM OVER THE TOP AND ONTO THE ANNOUNCERS’ TABLE for one of the nastiest landings I’ve seen in a long time. Back in and what used to be Evans is planted with the Fall From Grace for the pin to retain at 17:42.

Rating: B. This started out slowly but I was getting it it by the end, with Evans doing everything he could to make you believe that the impossible could happen. The visual pinfall at the end was a nice touch, but that crash at the end was the really big spot of the match and OUCH. Hopefully Evans gets that he doesn’t have to do that very often, or he’s going to have a very short career.

Post match Femi celebrates but Ricky Saints comes out for the staredown to end the show. There are worse choices for a next challenger.

Overall Rating: B-. I’m not sure how much this needed to be its own stand alone special, as it felt more like getting things ready for the future rather than doing much here. The biggest things were setting up Saints as the next challenger and the two title changes, one of which doesn’t even involve an NXT title. That being said, the focus here seemed to be on bringing up some fresh names, which is a good idea. It might not be the stuff that matters at the moment, but it’s planting some seeds for the future.

Results
Lola Vice b. Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan – Rollup to Parker
Darkstate b. Hank & Tank – Doomsday Device to Hank
Ash By Elegance b. Jacy Jayne and Masha Slamovich – Rarefied Air to Slamovich
Blake Monroe b. Jordynne Grace – Double arm DDT
Chelsea Green/Ethan Page b. Tyra Mae Steele/Tavion Heights – Unpretty Her to Steele
Oba Femi b. Je’Von Evans – Fall From Grace

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: August 19, 2025
Location: The Met Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Booker T., Corey Graves, Vic Joseph

We’re on the road here and that should make for an interesting situation. We’re actually not in the old ECW Arena, which might make things a bit easier as the fans there can be, shall we saw, totally insane. It’s also the go home show for Heatwave, which still has a few spots to fill in on the way. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We start with a brawl in the back with Josh Briggs jumping Yoshiki Inamura, which is the straight of the street fight.

Josh Briggs vs. Yoshiki Inamura

They go into the arena for the opening bell, where a suplex on the floor has Inamura in more trouble. Briggs throws in some chairs and wedges one of them in the corner before kicking Inamura in the face. Inamura knocks him down for a breather though and it’s time for a Phillies bat. Briggs cuts that off with a chair to the knee and steps on the bat as we take a break.

We come back with Briggs superplexing Inamura onto a piece of barricade, which is bridged over some steps. The audience has to be muted for a bit and they’re also not happy with Briggs for taping Inamura’s arms to the ropes. Some HARD kendo stick shots to the back have Inamura’s back banged up. Inamura rips the tape off (that looked cool) and breaks the kendo stick in half before chopping away to put Briggs down in the corner.

The trashcan is put over Briggs’ head for more strikes and Inamura plants him onto the trashcan. Naturally it’s table time and the top rope splash through said table gives Inamura two. Another table (a SLIM JIM table) is set up and Inamura tries to get another, which is rammed into his ribs. A lariat with a chain drops Inamura and Briggs moonsaults him through the table for the win at 15:52.

Rating: B+. These guys beat the fire out of each other and it’s nice to see Briggs getting a big win. That has been missing for a long time and hopefully it’s the start of something bigger. The street fight makes sense in a city which is known for its hardcore and they did rather well while they had the chance.

Ava and Santino Marella talked to Masha Slamovich, with Slamovich agreeing to be the guest referee for the women’s tag match. The bosses are in.

Trick Williams loves himself and he’s ready to beat Je’Von Williams and then become a three time NXT Champion this weekend.

Ricky Saints vs. Jasper Troy

Saints runs into Josh Briggs as he’s leaving and we get a quick staredown. Saints hits a dropkick to start and hammers away before grabbing a choke. Troy breaks out of that pretty easily but misses a charge, only to knock Saints outside as we take a break. We come back with Saints kicking away at the leg but getting dropped with a single shot. A Samoan drop gives Saints a breather and he avoids a charge to send Troy hard into the post. They head outside with Saints being sent into the steps but Troy’s backsplash hits the steps as well. Back in and a springboard tornado DDT finishes for Saints at 9:15.

Rating: B-. They didn’t have the time to make this work as well, but Saints gets to slay a monster for a big win. That’s about as much as he needs, especially with Briggs likely being the next opponent. Troy can go on to threaten someone else as he’s still new and young enough that he’s far from being wasted. If nothing else there is always the classic bodyguard route, which could work well.

Hank & Tank are in Ava’s office and want to know which members of Darkstate they’ll be facing but the Elegance Brand comes in. The Personal Concierge complains about Masha Slamovich being guest referee. Cue Slamovich to shake Ava’s hand because she’ll be referee tonight.

Here is Jordynne Grace for a chat. She worked a long time to get here and she never expected to make a friend in Blake Monroe. The thing is, she’s watched wrestling for a very long time and she knows how these things end. The adjustment to coming to WWE is really hard and now someone is trying to force her to face her issues. She doesn’t want revenge on Monroe, but she wants Monroe to see herself for what she really is.

Cue Monroe with security, saying that she wants Grace to see the truth. Monroe has drawn up a contract, saying that if Grace touches her before Heatwave, the match is off. Grace says this is where Monroe is wrong, because Monroe was ringside at Evolution while Grace was in the ring. That must have been a crushing moment because Monroe is a jealous snake. That’s what sets Monroe off, calling Grace a jealous impersonator. Monroe hides behind security so Grace beats the guards up. Grace grabs Monroe’s wrist and promises to show her what ugly really is at Heatwave. Nice stuff here, with Grace making her point clear.

Fatal Influence is warming up when Lainey Reid comes in to wish them luck. Sol Ruca and Zaria come in and say that Jacy Jayne is losing soon. Reid says at least Jayne defends both of her titles. Ruca says she has the need for speed. Zaria: “No.” Ruca: “Yes.” Zaria: “No.”

Je’Von Evans is ready to beat Trick Williams to get on to his NXT Title shot at Oba Femi.

Fatal Influence vs. The Elegance Brand

Masha Slamovich is guest referee. M and Henley lock up to start with Henley grabbing a quick rollup for two. Nyx comes in to put M down for two more but she’s back up with a running knee lift. It’s off to Ash, who gets rolled up for a quick near fall. Jayne comes in and misses a spinning forearm to Ash can roll her up for two more (they’re not exactly doing anything high level here). The Personal Concierge trips Henley though and gets ejected as we take a break.

We come back with Henley getting sent into the wrong corner, where M gets in a running boot to the head. Ash misses her moonsault though and the tag brings in Jayne to clean house. A middle rope backsplash gets two on M and a double flipping faceplant puts her down again. M is back up with a superkick and Ash’s top rope double stomp connects for two as everything breaks down. Ash hits her Rarefied Air Swanton for a very delayed two as Slamovich was trying to keep control. Jayne’s discus forearm finishes Ash at 10:49.

Rating: C+. Slamovich was barely a factor here as I forgot she was the referee until the ending. The match itself was a bit weird as it was heels vs. heels and that’s only going to get so far. Jayne getting the win is kind of surprising too as it’s weird to see the champion standing tall going into the title match this weekend.

Post match the Brand and Slamovich get in an argument as Fatal Influence approves.

Kendal Grey and Charlie Dempsey are in the back with Dempsey trying to offer her armbar advice. Wren Sinclair comes in to remind Dempsey of Grey’s college wrestling background when the Culling comes in. They decide there is no saving Dempsey and Sinclair and leave.

Here are Chelsea Green and Ethan Page, with the Secret Hervice, for their peace treaty with the Americans. The Canadians get rid of the table (they know how it is in Philadelphia) before the Americans (Tavion Heights/Tyra Mae Steele) come out as well. Page says they’re here to share their opinions and settle their issues. He praises Heights but says Heights sees opportunity when looking at Page.

In their world, there is only gold, but Heights talks about all the times he has been close to being out and how blessed he has been by the athletic gods. Green accuses the Americans of being rude when they are in the ring with superior athletes. Steele says they speak their mind in Philadelphia and she thinks Green needs to shut her mouth. Steele brags about her gold medal and says it represents the best. She can take anyone down anytime and Heights is ready to fight too. Cue Ava to make the mixed tag, with the Olympians grabbing double ankle locks to send the Canadians limping.

Lexis King interrupts Myles Borne and apologizes for what he has been saying lately. It’s impressive that someone could wrestle so well despite being deaf and blind. Borne: “I’m not blind.” King: “You are now!” And he sprays something in Borne’s eyes.

Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice are in the back and talk about working out when Lash Legend interrupt. Legend isn’t impressed with them and says she’s the biggest threat to the Women’s Title rather than anyone, including Jordan and Jaida Parker.

Darkstate interrupts Ava and brag about their success…but mention Joe Hendry, who pops out of a closet. He wants to know which members of the team will be wrestling on Sunday but is told he’ll find out when everyone else does. Threats are made, including one saying Hendry doesn’t want them behind him. Ava and Hendry find that strange.

Heatwave rundown.

Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams

For the NXT Title shot on Sunday (with Oba Femi watching from a balcony) and Williams’ TNA World Title isn’t on the line. Williams decks him with a spinning boot to the face to start but Evans reverses a Rock Bottom. Evans wants him to bring it and snaps off a hurricanrana into a dropkick. Back up and Williams knocks him into the corner, followed by a running clothesline.

Williams’ suplex and neckbreaker have Evans in trouble and the cravate goes on. Evans avoids a charge in the corner and hits a springboard clothesline, allowing him to send Williams outside. Back in and Evans’ springboard is broken up, with Williams LAUNCHING HIM off the ropes and over the announcers’ table for an incredible crash. Commentary is stunned (with a great shot of Booker) and Femi even stands up as we take a break.

We come back with Evans fighting out of a front facelock but getting slammed off the top. Williams tells him to bring it so Evans slugs away, with a right hand sending him to the floor. The big dive takes Williams down and a frog splash gets two back inside. Williams is back up with a right hand but misses a knee, allowing Evans to roll him up for two. Back up and the spinning kick to the face drops Evans but Williams gets distracted by Mike Santana, who is in Femi’s spot. The distraction lets Evans hit the top rope cutter for the pin at 14:51.

Rating: B-. Good stuff here, with Evans getting the title shot which could result in him winning the title. If nothing else, there is a good chance that he could get a TNA World Title shot as well, which wouldn’t be the worst idea. Williams gets to move on to keep defending the title, which is likely going to be in trouble at Bound For Glory. Either way, nice main event here, which did what was needed.

Overall Rating: B+. The wrestling here was rather good and the peace agreement segment worked well enough. The big thing here though is I’m more interested in seeing Heatwave than I was coming in, which means they’re doing something right. As is usually the case with the better NXT shows, it felt like there were boxes being checked off with every segment and it worked well here. Rather strong show going into the pay per view.

Results
Josh Briggs b. Yoshiki Inamura – Moonsault through a table
Ricky Saints b. Jasper Troy – Springboard tornado DDT
Fatal Influence b. The Elegance Brand – Discus forearm to Ash
Je’Von Evans b. Trick Williams – Top rope cutter

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: July 29, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph, Corey Graves

We’re just under a month away from Heatwave and that means it is time to start putting the show together. We already have a few hints at what to expect, which very well may include Trick Williams defending the TNA World Title. Odds are we get a bit more of the card announced this week so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a ten bell salute to Hulk Hogan and the tribute video from this week’s Raw.

Long recap of last week in Houston.

Jaida Parker vs. Jazmyn Nyx

The rest of Fatal Influence is here with Nyx. Parker gets kicked down to start but blocks a kick to the face. Back up and Parker sends her into the corner and shouts down at Fatal Influence, allowing Nyx to get in a shot of her own. Something like a standing Last Chancery has Parker in trouble, which doesn’t last long as they’re back up for the slugout. Parker hits a Samoan drop, followed by a quick Hipnotique for the pin at 4:11.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time to work here but it was nice to see Parker getting a win. She might be on the way towards the title picture and that is not a bad idea. Parker has all of the charisma she could ever need but it’s going to take some success in the ring to make that happen.

Je’Von Evans runs into High Ryze, who don’t impress him. After that, Evans runs into Chase U, with Andre Chase telling the team to go after the big dogs. Evans is going to do the same right now.

Here is Evans in the arena for a chat. A Hall of Famer told him to go after the biggest dog so let’s do this. Cue Trick Williams, who says the big dog is here. Williams says Evans should watch who he talks to, with Evans bringing up the chokeslam from Undertaker last week. Evans was actually talking about Oba Femi, which doesn’t mean much to Williams. Cue the High Ryze, who says Williams is on a different level from Evans. Lee doesn’t think Evans is making a smart move but Evans tries fighting all of them anyway. The brawl is on and Evans is quickly beaten down.

Chase U goes after Hank & Tank…but can’t decide if it’s 1-2-3 go or go on 3. The result is a standoff, with Hank & Tank giving them the match anyway. Andre Chase comes in and says that’s not what he meant.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Tavion Heights

If Heights wins, he’s out of the No Quarter Catch crew. Heights takes him down a few times to start but Dempsey is back with an armbar. We get a random Joe Hendry shot (I’m assuming that was a glitch) before Heights is back up with a quick leg trip into a headlock takeover. Back up and they collide with stereo crossbodies and we take a break.

We come back with Heights suplexing his way out of trouble. They go outside where Dempsey starts going after the leg, setting up a half crab back inside. Heights rolls out and gets two off a small package, followed by a Death Valley Driver for two more. The belly to belly gives Heights the win at 10:11.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure why it took three weeks to get there but at least Heights is free of the team and he did it with a clean win. Now all that matters is that they do something with him now that he’s out of the team. There is always room for an Olympic wrestler who can do well enough in the ring so see what he can do after a bigger win.

Santino Marella comes in to see Trick Williams and the High Ryze. Marella tells Williams to not get too comfortable with the TNA World Title because it’s coming home soon.

Here is Blake Monroe for a chat. After getting on Booker T. for getting her name wrong, Monroe moves on to Jordynne Grace. Monroe has seen protein shakes with more personality than Grace and we see various shots of Grace looking as “gym material” rather than “championship material”.

On the other hand, Monroe has star power but here is Lola Vice to interrupt. She doesn’t understand how Monroe can be so beautiful on the outside but so ugly on the inside. Vince made a moment by dancing with Nikki Bella at Evolution…and here is Jaida Parker to interrupt. Parker doesn’t need anyone else to make her into a star but here is Kelani Jordan to interrupt. Jordan doesn’t like Monroe, who challengers her to a match next week. Vice and Jordan clear the ring in a hurry.

Tatum Paxley tells Izzi Dame that she wants to challenge Sol Ruca. Dame isn’t sure but the rest of the Culling comes in to say Paxley is indeed getting the title shot. With the team gone, Luca Crusifino pops in to say no family lasts forever.

Lash Legend is ready to beat up Fallon Henley and go after the Women’s Title.

Lash Legend vs. Fallon Henley

The rest of Fatal Influence is here and Henley backs behind Legend for some early posing. Legend hammers away in the corner and drops down onto Henley’s back. Henley sends her throat first into the ropes and stomps away for two. We get another Hendry glimpse so the glitch theory seems to be wrong. A springboard bulldog into a hurricanrana have Legend down but she’s right back with a fall away slam. Legend goes outside and beats up the rest of the team…but gets dropped by Nia Jax of all people. Back in and Henley hits her Fameasser for the pin at 4:10.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what to think of that, but I’m glad Henley didn’t take another fall. At the same time, Legend looks to be getting into a bigger feud, which might be her path up to the main roster. Legend was a star in the Evolution battle royal against the main roster talent and it’s great to see her possibly getting the chance to do it again.

Post match Jax gives Legend the Annihilator.

Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura have to be held apart. Stacks comes in and doesn’t think much of Inamura, who is ready to face him next week.

Wes Lee vs. Je’Von Evans

The rest of High Ryze is here and Trick Williams is on commentary. Evans dives onto Lee to start the brawl in the aisle and they head inside for the opening bell. A springboard high crossbody hits Lee for two but he gets in a knockdown of his own. Lee strikes away until a chop drops him in a hurry. Back up and Lee sends him into the corner for a trip out to the floor, setting up the big running flip dive.

We take a break and come back with Lee holding a front chancery. That’s broken up and Evans kicks him in the head, followed by a German suplex. Some kicks to the face, including the springboard variety, give Evans two but Lee knocks him back as well. A brainbuster gives Lee two but Evans ties him in the Tree Of Woe. Evans flips into a Coast To Coast for two, only for the High Ryze to offer a distraction. One heck of a no hands dive takes them out but Lee hits the Cardiac Kick…for two, as Evans’ foot is in the ropes. Evans is back up with a jumping cutter, followed by the top rope cutter for the pin at 13:03.

Rating: B. This was a heck of a match, with Evans getting to look like a star. He not only beat a former long term champion but he took out Lee’s goons on the way there. That’s a good way to give Evans a nice rub and it looks like he’s going after some gold of his own. Evans can wrestle that fast paced style very well and it worked well here, especially with an opponent like Lee.

Post match Evans and Williams have a staredown but Oba Femi pops up on the platform for the three way staredown.

We get a sitdown interview with Myles Borne, who talks about his health issues as a baby which led to him losing 90% of his hearing. Communication isn’t easy for him but he knows how to read lips and use non-verbal cues. Now he’s blocking out people like Lexis King.

Ava’s assistants update her on Ricky Saints’ and Jordynne Grace’s health issues. Lexis King comes in to call Myles Borne a phony. Ava makes Borne vs. King for next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Nia Jax interrupts Fatal Influence’s interview and says that’s what Lash Legend gets when she messes with the most dominant force in WWE. Legend just doesn’t measure up.

North American Title: Santino Marella vs. Ethan Page

Page is defending. Marella wrestles him down to the mat to start and gets some early near falls. Page fights back as we get another Joe Hendry blip. Another rollup gives Marella two and Page bails to the floor, where he takes Marella down. A big boot drops Marella again and a neckbreaker gives Page two.

The chinlock doesn’t last long as Marella lifts him up into an airplane spin. The Twisted Grin is countered into a Stunner and the saluting elbow gives Marella two. Page’s kick to the head gets two more but a top rope splash hits raised knees. Marella sends him outside for a slingshot dive but Page uses the referee to avoid the Cobra. That lets Page grab the Twisted Grin to retain at 7:01.

Rating: C. Well that’s a sigh of relief. The match was about all you’re going to get out of Marella, who thankfully did nothing but play the hits here. Page gets to beat a popular star and NXT gets a win over someone from TNA. That’s all this needed to be, even if it doesn’t feel like the biggest main event.

Tony D’Angelo is dining alone at his restaurant, where he tells the server to call him Tony rather than Don…but someone we can’t see is behind him to end the show. That could be interesting.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t the biggest show but they seem to be planting the seeds for some things down the line. That includes Evans getting a choice to go after one of the two top titles and the ending, which could go in a few ways. Next week should be the build towards Heatwave, as they’re only going to have so many weeks left to get ready. Not a bad show this week, but it didn’t feel like their biggest offering.

Results
Jaida Parker b. Jazmyn Nyx – Hipnotique
Tavion Heights b. Charlie Dempsey – Belly to belly
Fallon Henley b. Lash Legend – Fameasser
Je’Von Evans b. Wes Lee – Top rope cutter
Ethan Page b. Santino Marella – Twisted Grin

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: July 22, 2025
Location: 713 Music Hall, Houston, Texas
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We’re on the road for a change this time with a show in Booker T.’s hometown. There is a good chance that he’ll get a chance to do something, as we only have about a month to go before we get to Heatwave. Coming off this weekend, Trick Williams is still the TNA World Champion and Jacy Jayne is now the TNA Knockouts Champion. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

There’s no Booker T. to start but here he is from backstage to introduce the show and give us a preview of what we’ll be seeing tonight.

Hank & Tank/Sol Ruca/Zaria vs. Culling

The brawl starts both in and out of the ring and we settle down to Vance hammering on Hank. Spears comes in for a neckbreaker but gets sent into the corner and it’s off to Zaria. A gorilla press has Paxley bailing to the corner and everything breaks down. Vance gets crushed by all four opponents and we take a break.

We come back with Vance missing a top rope headbutt and Tank clotheslining Spears. Ruca and Paxley both come in with the former cleaning house. Everything breaks down and Dame and Ruca both hit big dives to the floor. Zaria F5’s Spears and spears Paxley but Darkstate pops up. The distraction seemingly lets Paxley knock Zaria cold with the doll for the pin at 10:55.

Rating: C+. They had a lot going on here, including what has felt like Darkstate coming for the Tag Team Titles for a good while now. Paxley cheating to beat Zaria is fine and it would make sense for one of them to get a title shot against Ruca sooner or later. Other than that, Hank & Tank continue to be flying under the radar with the titles, though that might not last much longer.

We look at Jacy Jayne winning the TNA Knockouts Title at Slammiversary.

Jordynne Grace was barred from entering the building.

Here is Fatal Influence for a chat. Jacy Jayne brags about being women’s wrestling today and says no one believed in her but look at her now. Everyone wants to find their place in history but look who is the double champion. Cue Lash Legend to interrupt, saying it is time for her to lash out. She wants one of those titles but here is Jaida Parker to interrupt. Jayne tells the two of them to figure this out for themselves but then jumps Legend to start the brawl. Fatal Influence is quickly cleared out and Parker argues with Legend even more.

Ricky Saints gives Je’Von Evans some advice for later tonight.

Myles Borne gives Wren Sinclair a pep talk before her match tonight. Lexis King is seen in the background kicking…something.

Jasper Troy vs. Ricky Saints

Saints slugs away in the corner to start and even chops Troy into another corner. A clothesline gets Troy out of trouble though and he hits a running powerslam for two. Saints is tossed outside in a heap and we take a break. We come back with Troy pulling him into a bearhug but Saints bites his way out.

Troy is knocked outside for a suicide dive and Saints avoids a charge to send him into the post. Back in and Saints hits a tornado DDT for two and they crash right back out to the floor. The fight heads up the ramp this time and Troy sends him through said ramp. Troy gives him a backsplash and Saints is counted out at 10:45.

Rating: C+. It was a creative finish and I can go with having something like that over the same thing time after time. Troy needed a win after losing too often and this is good enough. Odds are Saints is going to want to come after him again and that could make for a good story against the monster.

Trick Williams is ready to deal with being called out and doesn’t like Je’Von Evans’ comments.

Commentary pays tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. He brags about retaining his TNA World Title at Slammiversary over the weekend. Then he was disrespected by some LFG stars, who called in the Undertaker. Now it’s true that Undertaker is a star, but he never held down two brands. Williams calls out Undertaker for being turned soft by LFG so here is Undertaker (in full on Kid Rock mode).

After the big entrance, Undertaker says we have a dead man walking with the title and the bling and….is this real cowhide leather? Undertaker: “Asking for a friend.” Williams has everything except the respect. Undertaker has been watching Williams and this version doesn’t have the same traits that he had as NXT Champion.

With this attitude, it’s a matter of when Williams loses that title and that’s when the walls start crumbling down. He tries to teach his LFG team about attitude but Williams doesn’t want to hear it. No one on that team or in WWE is a superstar like him so Undertaker offers to make him famous. Williams comes out swinging and is promptly chokeslammed. This was the regular “Undertaker is better than the modern stars and you better know it”.

Fatal Influence isn’t sure what to do about Jaida Parker and Lash Legend but Michelle McCool comes in to straighten it out. No one is sure which way it is to Ava’s office though.

Wren Sinclair vs. Blake Monroe

Sinclair is looking nervous as Monroe sends her into the corner to start striking away. A takedown gives Sinclair some near falls but Monroe dropkicks her down for the same. The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a double arm DDT to finish Sinclair at 2:57. Pretty much a squash.

Post match Monroe grabs the mic but here is Jordynne Grace through the crowd. Grace beats up security but Monroe uses the distraction to hit a DDT onto a chair. Geez security around here isn’t very good.

Here is Ethan Page for his North American Title celebration. He has been around this country and seen every location, but if his parents had raised him differently, he might have been like these people. This title will no longer represent North America, because it should be all about Canada.

Page throws the title down and unveils a new version of the title, with a Canadian themed strap. He insults America and praises Canada before asking us for the Canadian national anthem. Page sings it himself, out of fear of an American butchering the song. Cue TNA boss Santino Marella, who talks about being Italian in the spirit of Rocky Balboa, but he was born and raised in Canada. That’s why next week, he’s getting a title shot. The threat of the Cobra sends Page running. At least it’s just one week rather than a build for some big match.

Trick Williams and Oba Femi have a staredown, with Jacy Jayne going between them.

Yoshiki Inamura comes up to Je’Von Evans to ask for advice. Inamura isn’t sure if he should have listened to Josh Briggs, but Evans says he’s not a bad friend. The thing is Inamura has his own code and you can love someone and not like them. Inamura seems to get it.

Charlie Dempsey tells Myles Borne to go away but Bully Ray comes in to say Borne should stay. After hugging Wren Sinclair and praising her for her efforts, Ray says he’s going to get a match made between Tavion Heights and Dempsey. If Heights wins, he’s out of the team. With Ray gone, Lexis King comes in to say Borne isn’t deaf and is just trying to get sympathy. Borne says he wishes King was mute.

Roman Reigns has challenged Bronson Reed/Bron Breakker to a tag match at Summerslam.

NXT Title: Josh Briggs vs. Yoshiki Inamura vs. Oba Femi

Femi is defending. Femi and Inamura knock Briggs out to the floor to start and grapple against the ropes. Briggs is back in with a side slam but Inamura powerslams Femi for…no count as Briggs steps on the referee’s hand. It’s claimed as a mistake but Inamura isn’t happy as we take a break.

We come back with something like a Doomsday crossbody allowing Inamura to get two each. Briggs elbows Inamura down but he’s right back up to run Briggs over. Back up and Inamura powerbombs Femi for two, with Briggs making the save. Inamura hits his top rope splash on Femi but Briggs makes a save with a moonsault. Briggs wins a slugout with Inamura and drops him with a clothesline. Femi is right there with the Fall From Grace to finish Briggs and retain at 9:34.

Rating: B-. They were in a weird place here as Femi is in the middle of this feud with Briggs and Inamura. That doesn’t leave Femi with much to do at the moment but at least he got to win over some more powerhouses. This didn’t feel like much of a main event, with even the title not being enough to really carry it that high.

Je’Von Evans is still looking for what to do next. Undertaker comes in to say go after the biggest dog in the yard as they look at Femi celebrating to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. Wrestling aside, this wasn’t the most inspiring show. Between the LFG stars showing up and acting like big shots again, we’re coming up on a Santino Marella title match and Wren Sinclair got crushed. It wasn’t a show that felt overly important and nothing on here stood out in a positive way. Hopefully that’s just a one off issue, and thankfully NXT has shown that is likely going to be the case.

Results
Culling b. Hank & Tank/Sol Ruca/Zaria – Pin to Zaria
Jasper Troy b. Ricky Saints via countout
Blake Monroe b. Wren Sinclair – Double arm DDT
Oba Femi b. Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura – Fall From Grace to Briggs

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Great American Bash 2025
Date: July 12, 2025
Location: Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

It’s another big show and we have an interesting lineup here, with three title matches and some grudge matches to fill out the card. The (likely) main event will see Yoshiki Inamura challenging Oba Femi for the NXT Title. Other than that, Ricky Saints is challenging Ethan Page for the North American Title in a falls count anywhere match. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks back at the history of the Great American Bash, including some footage of the first Bash from 40 years ago. Tonight, the tradition continues and we look at the card.

Maybe it’s the camera angle but the ring looks a bit smaller than usual.

Jasper Troy vs. Je’Von Evans

Troy has been bullying Evans, who is coming in with bad ribs. Evans hits him in the face to start and is quickly knocked down, with Troy sending him to the apron. A jump over the post gets Evans out of trouble and he comes back with a dropkick. They crash out to the floor and Evans is sent into various hard objects to make the ribs much worse. Back in and Troy grinds away but Evans gets in a few right hands.

That just earns him a slam on the ribs, only for Troy to miss an elbow. For some reason Evans tries a German suplex, which doesn’t work in the slightest. Instead Troy backbreakers and then tosses him down for a big crash. A seated abdominal stretch goes on but Evans gets up and hits him in the face. Evans kicks him in the face and tries a springboard but the ribs give out.

Troy misses a Vader Bomb and Evans unloads on Troy in the corner, even managing to get him to his knees. Some kicks to the face rock Troy and Evans slips out of a chokeslam. The German suplex doesn’t work again, with commentary again wondering why Evans went there. The springboard high crossbody does work this time, only for Troy to block a springboard cutter.

Evans’ running flip kick to the head gets two and he sends Troy to the floor for the big no hands dive. Back in and Evans seems to slip a bit on a springboard but he’s fine enough to finally get the German suplex. A frog splash gets two on Troy and you can hear the crowd being surprised. Troy is back up with the chokeslam but Evans reverses the Black Hole Slam into a rollup for the pin at 13:40.

Rating: B-. This was slow to start but once Evans started fighting back and swinging away, it got really good in a hurry. There is something about watching a smaller guy fight back against a bully that works every time and it was certainly working here. Good opener here, as they told a solid story and Evans gets a really big win. They might not want to job Troy any more for a bit though, as a monster who loses a lot isn’t a great visual.

Jaida Parker is ready for the battle royal at Evolution.

Stacks is ready to end the D’Angelo Family for good on Tuesday. He wants to make the Heritage Cup the #1 title in NXT so he’s been trying to come after some stars, like Koko B. Ware, Logan Paul’s dad, the Situation from Jersey Shore, the A-Train or Logan Paul….’s dad. Apparently only A-Train accepted the challenge so Stacks goes to face him at the Performance Center. Apparently A-Train was hacked and it wasn’t him. A-Train tells him to keep his head on a swivel…because someone has stolen the cup. Hokey smoke that actually went somewhere.

Zaria and Sol Ruca are ready to win this weekend. Darkstate hacks the video for a bit but doesn’t say anything.

Women’s North American Title: Izzi Dame vs. Sol Ruca

Ruca is defending and has Zaria in her corner, while Tatum Paxley is here with Dame. Paxley slaps Zaria at the bell and they go to the floor, allowing Dame to hit a quick Sky High. The referee is on the floor with the other two though, meaning Dame only gets a VERY delayed two. Ruca is back up with a dropkick to send Dame outside, setting up the running hurricanrana off the apron.

Back in and Ruca hammers away in the corner but Dame is back with a gutbuster to take over. A backbreaker keeps Ruca down and a clothesline gives Dame two. The chinlock is broken up but Dame absolutely blasts her with a big boot for two more. Ruca hits a clothesline and a quick Backstabber to send Dame outside. A step up middle rope step up moonsault drops Dame again, followed by a springboard Buckshot Lariat (which didn’t look great) for two.

Dame knocks her off the top though and hits a middle rope Codebreaker for two. They both go up top again, with Ruca grabbing a super X Factor. A belly to back faceplant gives Dame two but Ruca catches her with a superkick. Ruca flips out of a belly to back superplex though and hits a spear for two more. Dame is sent outside for a meeting with Paxley, who gets speared in half by Zaria (that looked GREAT). Back in and the Sol Snatcher retains the title at 11:45.

Rating: B. These two were beating the fire out of each other and it made for a heck of a match. I wasn’t expecting them to go this hard but it wound up being a lot better than I was expecting. The Sol Snatcher is still an awesome looking finisher and Zaria’s spear to to Paxley was a heck of a bonus.

We look at Lola Vice at a AAA show.

Blake Monroe is doing her makeup while Jordynne Grace warms up.

We recap Ricky Saints challenging Ethan Page for the North American Title. Page took the title from Saints, who wants both the belt and revenge. Saints won a gauntlet match to earn the rematch and the right to pick the stipulation, which will be falls count anywhere and anything goes.

North American Title: Ethan Page vs. Ricky Saints

Page is defending in what is basically a hardcore match. Saints slugs away during the entrances and hits a spear to send Page bailing out to the floor. Back up and Page tosses him over the barricade so they can fight into the crowd. Something like Old School along the barricade has Page in more trouble and they go back stage. Page drive shim into a pillar and grabs a Boston crab to stay on the back.

That’s broken up and Ego’s Edge into the pillar is escaped, allowing Saints to put him through a WWE Shop table. They head back into the arena with Page sending him into the steps and throwing a chair inside. Another chair shot misses though and Page hits him in the back with a fire extinguisher. A piece of the barricade is brought inside but Page slams him off the top.

Page slams him onto the tops of a pair of open chairs, followed by a suplex into the barricade for two. The chairs are set up again but Saints blocks a superplex, setting up a powerbomb to send Page through the tables for two. They go back stage again, with Saints using a pipe to dropkick him down.

Some flip flop shots to the back have Page in trouble but Saints bumps into Jasper Troy, who Black Hole Slams him onto an anvil case. They’re quickly back to ringside, where Page is backdropped onto the ramp. Saints uses the referee (yep) for a tornado DDT onto the stage for two. Roshambo is blocked though and Ego’s Edge off the stage through some tables (that looked AMAZING) retains the title at 14:50.

Rating: B-. Outstanding looking ending aside, this was your usual weapons based brawl, which was only going to be so interesting. They do get some points for doing some innovative stuff, but it feels like I’ve seen so many of these things before. Not bad at all, though I’m surprised Saints lost here. Maybe he’s going to the main roster, though he might have to deal with Jasper Troy first.

Luca Crusifino is ready for the biggest match of his life.

It’s time for the contract signing for the TNA World Title match at Slammiversary between Mike Santana, Trick Williams and Joe Hendry. Santana talks about how he doesn’t take moments like these lightly. He is ready to show what it means, which is what Williams used to do. Now though, Williams is all sizzle but no steak. Santana respects Hendry but he’s ready to throw hands with him to get the title.

Santana signs, allowing Hendry to talk about how he wants to bring TNA to new heights as only he can. Hendry says Williams will be behind enemy lines next week and Hendry is taking the title back. With Hendry signing as well, Williams says he wants some respect on his name.

Williams says this isn’t about making people believe or making promises to Santana’s daughter (Santana doesn’t like that). He’s ready to keep the title and signs as well but Hendry cuts him off from leaving. Hendry and Santana agree that they don’t like Williams so they put him through the table. Cue Darkstate to lay out Hendry and Santana as the random attacks continue.

Kelani Jordan wants to win the Evolution battle royal.

Tony D’Angelo recaps the history of his Family, which he’s ready to end on Tuesday. Stacks is going to come in a bit light though, because D’Angelo has the Heritage Cup…which he throws off a bridge.

Josh Briggs gives Yoshiki Inamura a pep talk.

NXT Title: Yoshiki Inamura vs. Oba Femi

Inamura, with Josh Briggs, is challenging. They trade shoulders to start with Inamura getting the better of things and knocking Femi outside. A running shoulder off the apron drops Femi again but he knocks Inamura down to take over. Back in and Femi starts in on the ribs, with a gutbuster getting two. Inamura fights back and manages to win a battle of the suplexes.

A German suplex brings Femi down again but the top rope splash misses. The referee gets bumped in the corner so Briggs hits Femi with the title. Inamura didn’t seem to notice as he backdrops Femi and goes up, but then realizes what happened. He doesn’t want it that way and climbs down, setting up a running headbutt to Femi.

The top rope splash connects but there’s no referee. Briggs tries to send in a chain but Inamura won’t use it, allowing Femi to grab a chokeslam for two. Inamura fights back and hits a lifting powerbomb but Briggs gets on the apron. Femi sends them into each other and hits the Fall From Grace to retain at 13:16.

Rating: B+. They followed a simple formula here, with two big bruisers beating the fire out of each other until one of them couldn’t get up anymore. The Briggs stuff feels like it is leading to a split with Inamura and that’s about all Briggs has to do. This was pretty much Inamura’s best match in NXT to date and one of Femi’s best so we’ll call this a big success.

Lash Legend is ready to win the Evolution battle royal.

Trick Williams comes in to see Ava, who isn’t happy with what happened with Darkstate. Why did Williams leave when Darkstate showed up? Williams has no idea, but Ava puts him in a six man tag with Joe Hendry and Mike Santana against Darkstate. Williams: “Aw h*** nah!”

Yoshiki Inamura comes up to Oba Femi in the back and apologizes for what Josh Briggs did. It’s ok with Femi, who says Inamura deserves a rematch but Briggs storms in and yells at Femi. Shoving ensues, with Briggs saying he’ll fix this on Tuesday.

We recap Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe vs. Fatal Influence. Jacy Jayne is the shocking champion and Grace wants to take the title. Monroe debuted a few weeks ago and was jumped by Fatal Influence, setting up the tag match with Monroe and Grace as the oddball team.

Fatal Influence vs. Jordynne Grace/Blake Monroe

Grace kicks away at Henley to start and powers her over with a suplex. Monroe comes in to drop Jayne before catapulting Grace onto Henley (after fixing Grace’s hair of course). Back up and Monroe is taken into the wrong corner, which doesn’t last long as she’s right back to Grace. The chase is on outside, where Jayne cuts Grace off with a big boot.

Back in and Grace gets double teamed in the corner, followed by Jayne’s basement superkick knocking her silly again. A Death Valley Driver out of the corner plants Henley though and the tag brings Monroe back in to clean house. Monroe can’t hit a powerbomb on the apron but she can headbutt Henley back inside. Grace tags herself in and powerbombs Henley, with Monroe decking Jayne during the two count.

Henley is sent to the ramp as Grace skins the cat, only for Henley to give her a big spear. Jazmyn Nyx offers a distraction but here is TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich to cut her off. A double shot to the face drops Monroe, with Grace diving in for the save. Back up and they all slug it out until Grace and Henley go outside. Jayne superkicks Monroe and rolls her up for two but Grace elbows Jayne into a double arm DDT to give Monroe the pin at 16:31.

Rating: B-. Kind of a weird choice for a main event here, but in theory this was promoting Evolution more than anything else. Monroe looked fine out there in her in-ring debut, with anything she does in the ring as a bonus compared to her incredible charisma. Grace is ready for the title match, though it would seem to have been the perfect place for her to pin the champion. Points for not being entirely predictable though.

Overall Rating: B+. Another pretty awesome show here with no bad matches and few rather good ones throughout. It didn’t feel like a must see show but it’s one where you’ll have a nice time if you watched. If nothing else, it was over at about two and a half hours so it isn’t even a long sit. Throw in some building towards next week and it was a rather nice Saturday afternoon.

Results
Je’Von Evans b. Jasper Troy – Rollup
Sol Ruca b. Izzi Dame – Sol Snatcher
Ethan Page b. Ricky Saints – Ego’s Edge off the stage
Oba Femi b. Yoshiki Inamura – Fall From Grace
Blake Monroe/Jordynne Grace b. Fatal Influence – Double arm DDT to Jayne

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: July 8, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Booker T., Vic Joseph

It’s the last show before both the Great American Bash and Evolution, both of which will have some NXT involvement. Therefore, it’s time to see who is going to be in the Evolution battle royal, plus finding out any last minute additions to the shows. That should make for a nice evening so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Ricky Saints vs. Vanity Project

Gauntlet match, Jackson’s Drake’s Evolve Title isn’t on the line, and if Saints wins, he gets to pick the stipulation for his match with Ethan Page (here too). Brad Baylor starts for the Project and Saints strikes away, including a middle rope dropkick. Baylor gets in a shot of his own though and hammers away, including a spinning butterfly suplex. Saints makes a quick comeback though and hits the springboard tornado DDT for the first pin at 3:09.

Ricky Smokes is in second and grabs a quick suplex for two on Saints. We take a break and come back with Smokes hitting a fireman’s carry backbreaker for two more. Saints comes back again and grabs an overhead belly to belly for two of his own. An atomic drop into a jackknife rollup gives Saints the pin at 8:38 total.

Drake is in third and stomps away in the corner to start fast. A kick to the back gives Drake two and he grabs a surfboard. The fireman’s carry gutbuster gets two more and Drake is getting a bit frustrated. Drake misses a running kick to the chest and Saints gets his knees up to block a springboard Swanton. The Roshambo gives Saints the pin at 12:13 total.

Rating: C+. The Vanity Project is a good choice for something like this as they’re still a level beneath the NXT roster so it’s not like they lose any status here. Saints gets to run through some people and head on to his big match with Page at the Bash. For now, good enough opener for the show and it sets up some things for the future.

Post match Saints makes it an anything goes, falls count anywhere match with Page at the Bash.

Zaria and Sol Ruca are fired up for the Women’s Tag Team Title match at Evolution but Lainey Reid says she should be in the battle royal. She’s asked what she’s done to earn that spot and doesn’t have much of an answer.

Earlier today, Blake Monroe blew off a training session with Jordynne Grace, who wants her to have a glamorous workout. Grace agreed, and we’ll see more of this later.

Tavion Heights vs. Charlie Dempsey

If Heights wins, he is out of the No Quarter Catch Crew. Heights armdrags him down a few times to start and they take turns sending each other to the floor. Back in and Dempsey grabs a cravate to frustrate Heights. That’s broken up so Heights tackles him down and hammers away. They head outside again and knock each other down as we take a break.

We come back with Heights fighting off a crossface chickenwing and throwing him down a few times. They crash out to the floor again, but this time Dempsey crushes the knee with the steps. The half crab goes on back inside, followed by a stepover toehold. Dempsey turns it into an STF and Wren Sinclair throws in the towel at 9:39.

Rating: B-. The idea of Heights trying to get out of the team but not being able to do it is a good way to set something up for him, especially here where he didn’t give up. Sinclair could be going either way here and I like what they’re doing with the story. The match itself was a nice technical vs. power showdown as well, so we’ll call this a nice outing.

Hank & Tank are ready for their match while Lexis King messes with stuff behind them. Je’Von Evans comes in for a pep talk but gets jumped by Jasper Troy.

Mike Santana/Joe Hendry vs. High Ryze

Wes Lee is here with High Ryze. Hendry and Igwe take each other down for an early standoff and it’s off to Santana for a dropkick. DuPont gets sent flying with the fall away slam and we take an early break. We come back with Hendry getting two off a rollup but a clothesline drops him for the same. A series of splashes get two as we see Natalya and Maxxine Dupri arriving in the back.

Hendry muscles Igwe up for a suplex and the tag brings in Santana to clean house. The Rolling Buck Fifty (rolling cutter) hits Igwe and a big flip dive to the floor takes him out again. Everything breaks down and Hendry hits a dive to the floor of his own. Cue Trick Williams for a distraction but Santana hits Spin The Block (discus lariat) to pin DuPont at 8:45.

Rating: B-. Good enough match here, though it continued to show that Hendry isn’t quite as interesting as Santana no matter how he is presented. Santana is just on fire right now and Hendry has already had his moment, but Hendry being there adds some star power to the title match. I’m not sure Santana wins the title, but dang it’s fun to see him in the ring every time.

Post match Williams drops Santana so Hendry goes after him. High Ryze comes back in for the beatdown.

We look at Yoshiki Inamura becoming #1 contender to the NXT Title last week. Various Japanese stars, including THE GREAT MUTA and Iyo Sky say they believe in Inamura.

Darkstate brags about invading TNA and suggest they’re coming for the Tag Team Titles.

Here are Oba Femi and Yoshiki Inamura, with Josh Briggs, for a face to face chat. Inamura says Femi is his greatest challenge but he is ready. He has the support of his friends and family and now he must make them proud. Femi says it’s good that Inamura has support, because maybe those people can pick up his pieces. No one is taking the title from him, but Briggs says Inamura beat Jasper Troy a lot more easily than Femi did.

Inamura may be a man of honor but Briggs isn’t, so he will do everything he can to make Inamura champion. This is “their” chance and the brawl is on, albeit quickly broken up. This was a good showing from Inamura, who feels like someone who is trying to prove he belongs here. At the same time, this is the second straight major event where Femi is defending against a pretty low level challenger, but it brings up a big issue in NXT: who else is there to come after the title?

Jordynne Grace shows up for Blake Monroe’s makeover and rips the sleeves off the robe she is given. They get their nails done and a massage, plus makeup. Grace admits she kind of likes this and they’re ready for the tag match at the Bash.

Kelani Jordan vs. Lainey Reid

They trade early takedowns to start with Jordan grabbing a monkey flip and dropkick out to the floor. Back in and Reid ties her leg up in the ropes and cranks away but a Figure Four attempt is blocked. Reid’s spinebuster gets two and the half crab goes on. Jordan tries to use the free leg to kick her way out but Reid just pulls her into a Boston crab for a smart counter. That’s broken up as well and Jordan hits a handspring elbow into a nipup (impressive after having her leg and back cranked). Reid catches her up top but gets shoved down, setting up One Of A Kind to give Jordan the win at 4:23.

Rating: C. I wasn’t wild about Jordan’s lack of selling but the ending was a nice touch which showed off Jordan’s rather impressive athleticism. The win gives her a boost going into the battle royal, which she isn’t likely to win but at least she could have a good showing. Reid is still finding her footing around here, but she’s far from a lost cause.

Post match here is Thea Hail to brawl to the back with Reid.

Jasper Troy jumps Je’Von Evans in the trainer’s room.

We have a meeting of the former D’Angelo Family, with all four members showing up. Riz tries to talk but gets shut down by Stacks. Riz isn’t having that and talks about what happened between Stacks and Tony. She realizes this can’t be fixed but she has set up a triple threat next week. While she doesn’t know if their paths will cross again, this will be the final battle. Stacks says he’s bigger than all of them and they can’t take it. Next week, he’ll prove it. D’Angelo says he’s done here and everyone stares at each other. That could go in a few different ways and that’s a good thing.

Here is Jasper Troy, who wants in on the NXT Title match. Cue Je’Von Evans to jump him and hit a big dive onto both Troy and security.

Tatum Paxley likes being part of the Culling, who are ready to win the Tag Team Titles.

Tag Team Titles: The Culling vs. Hank & Tank

Hank & Tank are defending and charge in to start the fight fast. We settle down to Spears stomping on Hank, allowing Vance to send him into the turnbuckle. Tank comes in for some dancing into a double splash but Spears is back with a neckbreaker. That doesn’t last long as the champs fight back, only for Hank to miss a top rope clothesline. The Culling runs Hank over on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Hank knocking Vance off the top, allowing Tank to come in and clean house. Everything breaks down and Vance’s top rope headbutt hits Tank for two. Izzi Dame gets in a cheap shot so Spears can grab an implant DDT for two more. Cue Zaria and Sol Ruca to take out Tatum Paxley and Dame, leaving the champs to hit their powerslam/neckbreaker combination on Spears to retain at 10:49.

Rating: C+. Hank & Tank still don’t feel like the most serious champions, but they’ve at least figured out something that fits for them. That’s a good thing for them to have and it would be nice to see it continue to grow. That being said, if Darkstate comes after the belts, there is no reason to believe the title reign will be lasting much longer.

Great American Bash rundown.

Kale Dixon couldn’t wrestle as scheduled due to high blood pressure, caused by nerves. Andre Chase isn’t happy but seems to understand.

Here is Ava, who talks about the original Evolution, which took place when she was in high school. She’s so proud that NXT will be all over Evolution, with Jaida Parker, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan, Lash Legend, Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley being in the battle royal. Cue Fatal Influence to interrupt, with Ava saying she just talked about Jacy Jayne. We get a rant from Jayne about how she’s the focal point of the show, but cue Jordynne Grace saying she’ll take the title.

Lash Legend comes out to say she’s going to win the battle royal. Stephanie Vaquer returns to NXT and says Grace will win. Maxxine Dupri and Natalya come out to say they’ll be the last two in the battle royal. Jaida Parker pops up in the crowd to say she’ll win. Everyone gets in and the big brawl is on to end the show. This was more than Raw and Smackdown have done for the show, and that’s not surprising given how much of a focus the women’s division has received around here.

Overall Rating: B. I came into this show not particularly wanting to see either Evolution or the Bash and I left a lot more interested in both. They did a heck of a job building up both shows and there is even some stuff set up for next week’s regular show. That’s a very nice way to go, even if the wrestling was pretty middle of the road this week. What mattered was everything else, and that stuff was quite well done.

Results
Ricky Saints b. Vanity Project last eliminating Jackson Drake
Charlie Dempsey b. Tavion Heights when Wren Sinclair threw in the towel
Mike Santana/Joe Hendry b. High Ryze – Spin The Block to DuPont
Kelani Jordan b. Lainey Reid – One Of A Kind
Hank & Tank b. The Culling – Powerslam/running neckbreaker combination to Spears

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: July 1, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph, Corey Graves

We’re officially in the second half of the year and less than two weeks away from the Great American Bash. The card is starting to come together and we are going to be seeing some more added this week. In addition, TNA’s Joe Hendry is here to face Wes Lee, which should be a fun one. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Joe Hendry vs. Wes Lee

Trick Williams is on commentary and the rest of High Ryze is here with Lee. Hendry takes him down by the arm to start as Williams says his challengers (Hendry and Mike Santana) need to be the ones getting ready for Slammiversary. Lee rolls around and kicks him in the ribs before sending Hendry outside. That’s fine with Hendry, who blasts him with a clothesline.

We take a break and come back with Hendry glaring at the High Ryze, allowing Lee to hit a suicide dive. A middle rope phoenix splash gives Lee two but Hendry suplexes his way out of trouble. The comeback is on quickly but Lee slips out of the Standing Ovation. A fireman’s carry slam gives Hendry two so High Ryze gets up. Cue Santana to cut them off though and the Standing Ovation finishes for Hendry at 9:29.

Rating: B-. Well Hendry wasn’t going to lose here so this was about giving him a victory on the way to his big rematch with Trick Williams at Slammiversary. The good thing is that Lee is someone who can make just about anyone look good. Hendry’s charisma and star power are more than enough to carry him but he can back it up in the ring well enough, which was on display here.

Santana and Hendry stand tall as Williams doesn’t look happy.

We look at Tatum Paxley seemingly joining the Culling, with Zaria and Sol Ruca letting her go.

Here is Luca Crusifino for a chat. He wants to talk to Tony D’Angelo, who comes out to say the tables have turned. They argue over who has done what to whom in the last few weeks but Crusifino doesn’t want to hear it. Crusifino talks about the things he has sacrificed for D’Angelo and the Family and that is loyalty. Cue Stacks to interrupt but Crusifino doesn’t want to hear it. Crusifino decks D’Angelo…and then does the same to Stacks, saying his loyalty belongs to himself. There’s your big moment, with another betrayal/surprise likely coming sooner than later.

Oba Femi wants to see if Yoshiki Inamura has the fire to come after him. Inamura, with Josh Briggs, comes in to say he’s ready, but Femi says he is the hunter rather than the hunted.

Lexis King vs. Myles Borne

They fight over wrist control to start and King steps on his back a bit for some mind games. Borne takes him down and does the Florida Gator chomp, only for King to nail a dropkick on top. A top rope superplex brings Borne down for two and a running corner dropkick gives King two. The seated abdominal stretch goes on for a bit before King hits a running slap in the corner. That’s enough for Borne to fight up, including an Angle Slam for a breather. Borne’s big dropkick sets up a Zig Zag for the pin at 4:40. Well at least it’s a finisher.

Rating: C+. Good enough match here as the idea is to turn Borne into something more important. He had his big moment against Oba Femi and now the goal is to do something to keep him at a higher level. A clean win like this is a good way to start and I could go for seeing more of him. It’s nice to see NXT trying with someone who got a nice reaction and they’re doing it again here, which has potential.

Darkstate says everything that happens around here is because they allow it. They know what they’re going to do next, but we don’t.

Thea Hail vs. Lainey Reid

Hail isn’t happy and takes her down to start for some forearms to the face. Reid drops her face first into the corner and chokes away, followed by a spinning clothesline. A double underhook shoulderbreaker gives Reid two but Hail is back with a Codebreaker to the arm. The Kimura is blocked and Reid grabs a rollup but gets caught caught with her feet on the ropes. Hail’s rollup gets two so Reid kicks her away, setting up a running knee for the pin (while grabbing the rope and with Hail’s hand under the rope) at 4:22.

Rating: C+. And that’s another loss for Hail, who doesn’t really seem to win much of note…ever really. They’ve tried a few things with her but ever since that whole ordeal of Andre Chase throwing in the towel, Hail hasn’t felt like anything important. Reid isn’t that much further ahead, but she seems to be going in a rather different direction than Hail at the moment.

Tavion Heights isn’t happy with still being in the No Quarter Catch Crew. Charlie Dempsey agrees to give him one more “win and you’re out” match but this is his last chance.

Jasper Troy says you should fear him and Oba Femi knows what is coming for him if Troy wins tonight.

Sol Ruca/Zaria vs. Tatum Paxley/Izzi Dame

The rest of the Culling is here with Paxley and Dame. Ruca tries to talk some sends into Paxley to start but Zaria and Dame come in to argue as well. Ruca and Zaria clear the ring without much trouble and it’s Ruca grabbing a waistlock on Paxley. Some arm cranking has Paxley in more trouble and it’s off to Zaria to yell at Dame. They trade forearms until Paxley breaks it up with a high crossbody for two. Back up and Ruca and Zaria clear the ring again and we take a break.

We come back with Paxley tying Zaria up in the ropes for a running dropkick from Dame. A chokeslam drops Zaria again and a running flipping ax kick gives Paxley two more. The chinlock doesn’t last long so Paxley knocks her down again and puts it on for a second go. Zaria powers out without much trouble and it’s Ruca coming in to clean house.

A quick tag brings Zaria back in to clean house and an assisted splash from Ruca gives Zaria two. Dame hits a Codebreaker but there’s no Paxley, only for her to run back in and shove Dame out of the way. That means Zaria spears Ruca by mistake and Zaria is sent outside. A Sky High finishes Ruca at 13:17.

Rating: B-. Zaria and Ruca’s issues continue and it would not stun me to see them split for good in the near future. At the same time, Paxley seems to be finding a place with the Culling, though they don’t feel like the most trustworthy team in the world. There is a good chance that Dame gets a shot at Ruca out of this, and things might change even more once we get to that one.

Ethan Page, with the Vanity Project, and Ricky Saints are in Ava’s office. Page agrees to let Saints get a title shot if he can run the Vanity Project gauntlet (which happened recently on Evolve). Saints is in, but if he wins, he gets to pick the stipulation for the title shot. Deal.

We go to Chase U where Andre Chase actually apologizes. As a result, he has gotten Kale Dixon a match for next week and they hug. Chase does his swearing pep talk, but he does it WITH Dixon rather than at him.

Joe Hendry thanks Mike Santana, who says they’re uniting to fight for TNA. They’re not friends, but they’re fighting together against High Ryze next week. Works for them.

Josh Briggs gives Yoshiki Inamura a pep talk before his #1 contenders match, though Inamura says he has this.

Tatum Paxley is happy with their win and here is Ava to say Izzi Dame gets a Women’s North American Title shot at the Great American Bash. Hank & Tank come in to accuse the Culling of attacking them last week and Paxley talks them into giving the Culling a Tag Team Title shot next week.

Jasper Troy vs. Yoshiki Inamura

For an NXT Title shot at the Great American Bash. Inamura strikes away to start but Try gives him a hard whip into the corner. The chinlock is already on but Inamura powers out and shrugs off some clotheslines. A headlock grinds away at Troy and Inamura hits him with a sumo charges but Troy is right back with a side slam. Back up and Inamura knocks him to the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Troy hitting three straight splashes for two and a World’s Strongest Slam gets the same. The abdominal stretch goes on but Inamura is quickly out for a ran into the post. Inamura unloads with shots to the head but walks into a swinging Boss Man Slam (appropriate as commentary compared Troy to Abyss earlier). Inamura muscles him up for a slam and the top rope splash connects for the pin at 11:38.

Rating: B-. I’m a bit surprised by the result but maybe they’re going with the idea of “Inamura isn’t here long, get what we can out of him”. He’s gotten a bit more interesting lately, though maybe that’s due to having him actually get in the ring rather than just talking about it most of the time. Troy is still a good monster, but that aura goes away quickly if he keeps losing.

Post match Oba Femi comes in to stare at Inamura as Je’Von Evans comes in to drop Troy.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is Jordynne Grace for a chat. Getting here is the hardest thing she has ever done but last week reminded her that she thrives on pressure. Evolution is a major event for women’s wrestling and she will be making history. She’s terrified of being vulnerable though and she has been asking herself if she belongs here. She did everything to get here and became someone you can’t ignore.

Cue Fatal Influence to interrupt, with Jacy Jayne asking if Grace is done yet. Grace can bench press more than Jayne but she can’t carry as much as Jayne. Grace tells her to shut up and says it won’t be a surprise when there is a new champion at Evolution. The beatdown is on but Blake Monroe runs in for the save. Ava comes out to make the tag match for the Great American Bash. Jayne and Fallon Henley run back in and get knocked back down just as fast.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was much more about getting ready for the future with the Great American Bash, which is something that has been needed. At the same time, we’re building towards a big match at Slammiversary and likely some things at Evolution. That’s a tricky path to walk and they did it well enough here. NXT has found quite the balancing act of not having boring television while still setting things up for later. Other shows can’t make that work so well done for figuring out a nice formula.

Results
Joe Hendry b. Wes Lee – Standing Ovation
Myles Borne b. Lexis King – Zig Zag
Lainey Reid b. Thea Hail – Running knee while holding the rope
Tatum Paxley/Izzi Dame b. Sol Ruca/Zaria – Sky High to Ruca
Yoshiki Inamura b. Jasper Troy – Top rope splash

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

NXT
Date: May 27, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves, Booker T.

We’re done with Battleground and that means it is time to start the rather long road to the Great American Bash. Assuming they don’t have a June special, that’s a long way off to get ready for something but it could be a nice positive. The big story coming out of Battleground is Trick Williams winning the TNA World Title. As for tonight, Ethan Page is challenging for the North American Title so let’s get to it.

Here is Battleground if you need a recap.

We open with a long Battleground recap.

North American Title: Ricky Saints vs. Ethan Page

Page is challenging and the brawl is on before the bell, with security having to hold them back. We’re not waiting though as the match officially gets going, with Saints grabbing a headlock on the mat. Page reverses into one of his own but it’s too early for the Ego’s Edge. Instead Saints slips out to the apron and plants Saints down as the fight heads to the floor. Security comes in to break it up again so here is Ava to say….something as we take a break.

Back with Page and Saints beating up the security, with the fans approving. Security tries to get them broken up again but Page uses the distraction to hit a Twisted Grin onto an open chair. Saints is down on the floor and the Ego’s Edge connects for two back inside. They slug it out and Saints counters a powerslam into a tornado DDT. Saints fires off some clotheslines but Page hits an even bigger one to cut him off. A neck snap across the top rope sets up the Twisted Grin to give Page the pin and the title at 12:52.

Rating: B-. This was a wild brawl to start but then it turned into a regular match, which went well too. Saints is likely moving on to something bigger, with the title being a good way to start his NXT run. Page getting the title is a nice way to boost him up again, and adding a former NXT Champion to the title lineage is a smart idea.

Fatal Influence continues to snipe at each other, even though Jacy Jayne is facing Stephanie Vaquer tonight.

Video on TNA’s Mike Santana, who is making his NXT in-ring debut tonight.

Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura are glad to be back together and want the Tag Team Titles.

Mike Santana vs. Tavion Heights

The No Quarter Catch Crew is here with Heights. Santana grabs a headlock to start before a dropkick sends him into the corner. A springboard spinning crossbody drops heights, who is back up with something like a hiptoss. That’s fine with Santana, who sends him outside for the big running flip dive.

We take a break and come back with Heights hitting some running clotheslines up against the ropes. A gutwrench suplex gives Heights two and we hit the chinlock. Santana is back up with a clothesline and enziguri into a rolling cutter for two. The fans certainly approve but are a bit more silenced with Heights hitting a Death Valley Driver. Santana is back up with a fireman’s carry faceplant into Spin The Block (discus lariat) for the pin at 10:22.

Rating: B-. Santana is one of those stars who has one of the most important things you can have in wrestling: that fire in his eyes. There is something you get when you look at him and it makes Santana feel like that much of a bigger deal. It would not surprise me at all to see him be the TNA World Champion at some point this year and coming over to WWE one day down the line. This was a heck of a debut for him and it’s a good sign for his future.

The High Ryze is ready to take over.

Andre Chase tells his students to take risks so they ask Ava for a match. She gives them a match with Darkstate next week, which isn’t what Chase means.

Tony D’Angelo yells at Luca Crusifino about what he did/didn’t do at Battleground. Crusifino says Stacks let him go and he was scared of what would happen if he reached out. D’Angelo says he doesn’t know if he can trust Crusifino, who insists D’Angelo can.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. He brags about being the first NXT star to be the TNA World Champion but doesn’t want to hear those cheers. These people here are the same people who were cheering for the Average Joe. He’s on his way to TNA to defend the title, which has been held by names such as Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Drew McIntyre and more. Now he’s turning his back on the fans because they turned their backs on him.

Cue Mike Santana to interrupt, which Williams calls a mistake. Santana isn’t having that because TNA is on a roll and Williams isn’t ruining that. Santana calls Williams a pretend rapper and champion who has never dealt with someone like him. A fight is teased but cue TNA boss Santino Marella to make the title match for next week. Williams isn’t interested in shaking hands so Santana clears the ring and holds up the belt.

Ava tells Stephanie Vaquer that she’ll be in a tag match at Worlds Collide and needs a partner. Lola Vice comes in to say she’ll do it.

Jaida Parker vs. Tatum Paxley

Paxley drives her into the corner to start and manages a butterfly suplex for a knockdown. Parker’s Backstabber out of the corner gives her a breather and the Tear Drop connects. A double arm crank goes on but Paxley is right back up with a rollup. An enziguri has Parker in more trouble and a running flipping Fameasser drops her again. Parker is knocked to the floor, where she grabs one of Paxley’s dolls and throws it inside. The distraction allows Parker to hit the Hypnotique for the pin at 3:49.

Rating: C. This felt like another step in Paxley’s decline, though I’m not sure how far that is going to go. At the same time, it is nice to see Parker getting another win as she continues to look strong. What matters the most is that she is turning into a bigger star and could wind up being a player in the title picture sooner than later.

Post match Thea Hail runs in to chase Parker off.

Video on Jasper Troy.

Jasper Troy vs. Dante Chen

Troy powers him into the corner to start and tries a slam. Chen slips out but gets sent flying with a backdrop. A drop onto the top rope has Chen in more trouble and Troy hits a backbreaker. That seems to wake Chen up a bit though and he grabs a tornado DDT. Troy runs him over again though and hits a Boss Man Slam for the win at 3:39.

Rating: C+. And that is why Chen has a job. He’s out there to make someone like Troy look good and it worked well enough. Troy is already getting into things with Oba Femi so he needed a win like this to get him a nice in-ring start. Odds are he’ll be in for a bigger match next time, but at least he did well to start.

Post match Oba Femi pops up on the platform, saying that Troy’s five minutes of fame are over because he has the Ruler’s attention.

Charlie Dempsey mocks Myles Borne and Tavion Heights for their losses, saying it’s time for the team to regroup. Borne doesn’t want to take a step back and agrees to face Dempsey for his freedom from the team. We’ll make it a rounds match.

Here is Ethan Page to celebrate his title win but Je’Von Evans interrupts. Evans talks about their history together and now he is getting a title shot at Worlds Collide. Cue AAA’s Laredo Kid, who wants the title as well. That’s not all though, because here is Rey Fenix to be the other challenger in a four way match at Worlds Collide.

In her office, Ava announces that Sean Legacy gets a title shot against the winner.

Tatum Paxley freaks out over her loss but runs into Sol Ruca and Zaria. They’re here if Paxley needs someone to talk to but the Culling is shown watching behind them.

Women’s Title: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jacy Jayne

Jayne, with Fatal Influence, is challenging. Vaquer charges in and the brawl starts fast, with Jayne getting rolled up for an early two. The Devil’s Kiss is broken up and Jayne gets two off a suplex. Back up and Vaquer sends her into various buckles but here are Chik Tormenta and Dalys for a distraction. Lola Vice runs in to cut them off and Vaquer hits a 619 into a springboard missile dropkick.

We take a break and come back with Jayne hitting a running kick to the face for two. Frustration is setting in so Jayne hits a Sling Blade backbreaker. Vaquer fights up and it’s a double swinging faceplant for a double down. Back up and Jayne knocks her into the corner for a knee to the face. Jayne knees her in the face as well for two of her own but Vaquer grabs a dragon screw legwhip.

They head to the floor where Jayne is sent into the steps but Henley offers a distraction back inside. That’s fine with Vaquer, who rams them together and then dives onto both of them. Back in and the Devil’s Kiss connects but Henley gets in a cheap shot from around the post. Jayne’s discus forearm connects for the pin and the title at 13:02.

Rating: C+. Well. That happened. This feels like a way to move Vaquer up to the main roster really, really fast and that’s not a bad move. She had a quick run on the main roster and looked more than comfortable. Jayne winning something is quite the move for her and opens up the doors for a lot of potential challengers. This was quite the shock, but what matters here is Vaquer seems likely on the way to the main roster, where she belongs.

The ring announcer is so stunned that he has to be told to make the announcement.

Overall Rating: B-. That is quite the change of path forward after Battleground, as we have another TNA star getting a World Title shot, the LFG winner going after the NXT Champion, a shocking upset main event and a title change in the opener. You do not get that kind of change around here very often and dang I’m curious to see where it goes next.

Results
Ethan Page b. Ricky Saints – Twisted Grin
Mike Santana b. Tavion Heights – Spin The Block
Jaida Parker b. Tatum Paxley – Hypnotique
Jasper Troy b. Dante Chen – Boss Man Slam
Jacy Jayne b. Stephanie Vaquer – Discus forearm

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: May 20, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

It’s the go home show for Battleground and that means we’re in for the final push towards the show. The card is mostly set and now we get to see what is going to be added at the last minute. Some of these shows can be hit and miss and that makes me curious about what we’re going to see. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Je’Von Evans vs. Ashante Thee Adonis vs. Sean Legacy

Ricky Saints is on commentary. Adonis stomps away in the corner to start and we get an exchange of rollups for two each. Evans is sent outside for a dive from Adonis and Legacy is tossed as well. Back in and Evans’ dive is cut off so he busts out another one to drop both Legacy and Adonis as we take a break.

We come back with Adonis spinebustering Legacy onto Evans but Legacy blocks the Long Kiss Goodnight. Legacy missile dropkicks Adonis to the floor and hits a running Spanish Fly for two on Evans. Back up and Evans snaps off a super hurricanrana to Legacy but Adonis tries to steal the pin.

That’s broken up as well and all three of them need a breather. Adonis hits a superkick on Evans but Legacy breaks up the cover with a springboard 450. Evans cleans house again and frog splashes Adonis, with Legacy making another save. Cue Ethan Page to go after Saints though and Evans dives onto both of them. That leaves Adonis to miss a frog splash and Legacy grabs Shambles for the pin at 11:58.

Rating: B. This was the showcase for Legacy and it worked well for him. It’s fairly clear that he’s one of the brighter prospects in Evolve and it would not surprise me to see him wind up full time in NXT sooner than later. They had an entertaining match here and while I’m not sure Legacy is going to move to the top, this is a nice start for him on the next level.

Ava sends security to deal with Ethan Page. That brings her to Tyra Mae Steele and Jasper Troy, the winners of WWE LFG Season 1. They’ll be debuting in the next few weeks but Troy promises to make an impact tonight. Ava: “Ok.”

We look at Jordynne Grace training. She signed around the same time as Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer and they all want to be at the top. Grace has been in Mexico and Japan, plus dominating TNA. On Sunday at Battleground, she’ll prove she’s the best.

Lola Vice wishes Vaquer luck but runs into Fatal Influence. They argue a bit and Fallon Henley vs. Vice is set for tonight.

Trick Williams says people break their neck to see him while Joe Hendry breaks his neck to see the people. Williams raps about not losing to an average Joe and Booker T. seems impressed. I’m not a rap fan but this seemed to be decent.

Josh Briggs dedicates his match to Yoshiki Inamura.

Shawn Spears vs. Josh Briggs

The rest of the Culling is here with Spears. We’re joined in progress with Briggs running him over but Spears fires off some knees to the ribs. They go outside where Spears posts him before taking it back inside for a neckbreaker. A superkick is blocked though and Briggs hits a quick splash for two. Spears’ dive to the floor is pulled out of the air and Briggs drops him onto the announcers’ table. They go to get back inside but the Culling gets in a cheap shot, allowing Spears to get a small package for the pin at 5:30.

Rating: C. Am I supposed to be sad that Inamura is gone? I’m not sure that’s going to happen, but it could be interesting to see Briggs and Brooks Jensen join forces again in some way. It’s not like either of them have done anything important else in a long time so why not see what they can do. The match was nothing all that good anyway, which shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

Post match the beatdown is on but Hank & Tank run in for the save.

Kelani Jordan bickers with Zaria and Sol Ruca tonight, with Zaria saying she’ll take care of Jordan for Ruca later.

Thea Hail, with her eye bandaged, yells at Tatum Paxley about the attack last week. Paxley says Hail has no idea what it’s like to lose everyone, which Hail doesn’t accept. Jaida Parker then jumps Hail from behind but wants nothing to do with Paxley. That was kind of funny.

Uriah Connors/Kale Dixon vs. OTM

Andre Chase is here with Connors/Dixon. Price knocks Connors down to start and then faceplants Dixon as well, leaving Chase worried on the floor. Back in and Connors runs Price over, allowing Dixon to hit a quick DDT. Nima comes in though and gets knocked back, only to grab the assisted Alabama Slam to finish Connors fast at 3:10.

Rating: C. Just shy of a squash here, with OTM running over the new Chase U. That’s what it should have been, as Chase U has nothing going for them yet and have quite a long way to go. At the same time, OTM is a pair of powerhouses and it makes sense to have them smash through some people now that they’re back. If nothing else, they could be into the title scene sooner than later.

Here are Myles Borne and Oba Femi for their final showdown before the title match. Femi is surprised and impressed that Borne made it this far. He understands that Borne is fighting for people who believe in him and who are following their dreams. However, that dream was realized when Borne won the battle royal and it all ends when the bell rings at Battleground. Borne talks about how he has been treated differently for his entire career.

This is about making a statement and he hopes Femi underestimates him. Everyone has done that before, from the doctors and nurses to NXT coaches. He’s been overcoming battles all of his life and every ruler eventually falls. No he can’t hear well, but he’ll hear the 1-2-3 on Sunday when he wins the NXT Title. Borne leaves and here is Jasper Troy to jump Femi. Borne makes the save and holds up the title, eventually handing it back to Femi for the staredown. I don’t believe he has a chance of winning the title but man alive Borne is turning himself into one of the easiest to like stars NXT has seen in a good while.

Ricky Saints and Ethan Page argue in Ava’s office and Saints is willing to give him a title shot to get his hands on him. Ava says they don’t make matches….and then she makes the match they want for the title next week.

Tony D’Angelo talks about what it means when you get betrayed. He and Stacks grew up together and have known each other for years. They made the D’Angelo Family but now Stacks wants to run everything. Stacks doesn’t get what it takes to be in charge and doesn’t see everything. On Sunday, Stacks will see how things really work. Those personal touches are making it even better and that should be a good thing at Battleground.

Lola Vice vs. Fallon Henley

Jacy Jayne is here with Henley, who gets wrestled to the mat without much trouble to start. Vice takes her down again without much trouble as Jayne doesn’t seem impressed on the floor. Back up and Vice snaps off a hurricanrana to the floor but Henley gets in a shot of her own.

We take a break and come back with Vice striking her way out of trouble. That doesn’t last long as Henley is back with some sliding forearms but Vice kicks her down. Vice’s running hip attack in the corner gets two so Henley grabs a flying faceplant. Vice fights up again so Jayne offers a distraction, only for Henley to be sent into her. The spinning backfist gives Vice the pin at 11:30.

Rating: C+. Vice continues to be in a weird place, as she smashes through various stars but never seems to get to the next level. She doesn’t quite seem ready to move up to the title picture, but there isn’t much of a point in having her beat people like this. The issues between Fatal Influence continues and I’m not sure where that is going, but it doesn’t seem likely to go anywhere good.

Stephanie Vaquer has a sitdown interview where she talks about all of the work it took to get here. She was inspired by Rey Mysterio and now she knows that she had to do everything to accomplish her goals. Jordynne Grace conquers companies but Vaquer conquers countries.

Darkstate talks about how Dion Lennox started the team and they are all ready to take NXT down. They all bring something different, and now it is time to find out who is next.

We look at Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson (NBA stars) almost getting in a fight last year on Smackdown.

Kelani Jordan vs. Zaria

Sol Ruca is here with Zaria, who sends Jordan flying with a release German suplex to start. Jordan gets in a shot to the face and hits a high crossbody for two, followed by a choke to try and slow Zaria down. They go outside where Zaria sends her head first into the barricade as we take a break.

Back with Jordan escaping a belly to back suplex attempt and managing a knockdown for a double breather. The exchange of forearms goes to Zaria so Jordan gives her a running crossbody. A tornado DDT plants Zaria for two but Jordan misses a 450. Jordan tries another choke but gets flipped into a Cannonball into the corner (that was cool). Back up and Jordan is sent outside, where she goes after Ruca. This brings Ruca up onto the apron but Zaria is sent into her, allowing Jordan to grab the rollup for the pin at 10:32.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure why both women’s matches had the same finish but it’s not a great sign. That aside, Jordan winning to get the next shot at Ruca isn’t a bad way to go. She’s already a former champion and that could be quite the accomplishment if Ruca can beat her. At the same time you have Zaria….and she is certainly there. Unfortunately that’s about all there is to say about her at the moment and that isn’t promising.

Battleground rundown.

Here is Joe Hendry for a concert. After praising Trick Williams for trying in his first performance, Hendry sings about how he’ll be champion after Battleground. Williams is merely the World Champion of producing tears and is only a bad sidekick to Carmelo Hayes. This gives us a clip of Williams and Hayes in a haunted house back in the day, albeit with some Hendry heads superimposed.

Hendry sings about how Williams is Melo’s b****, which brings out Williams to interrupt. Williams calls him Average Joe and the fight is on, with the Trick Shot hitting the guitar. Hendry gives him the Standing Ovation (chokeslam) and sings about winning on Sunday to end the show. That’s pretty clearly the main event, which is a rather weird thing to see but it’s the right way to go.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was about getting us ready for Battleground but thankfully they did a nice job of getting some things ready for other stories down the line. That is something that has been missing from various go home shows and it’s nice to have them get things better. I’m mostly interested in Battleground and I’m interested in where things are going, so we’ll call this a good enough one.

Results
Sean Legacy b. Je’Von Evans and Ashante Thee Adonis – Shambles to Adonis
Shawn Spears b. Josh Briggs – Small package
OTM b. Uriah Connors/Kale Dixon – Assisted Alabama Slam to Connors
Lola vice b. Fallon Henley – Spinning backfist
Kelani Jordan b. Zaria – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6