NXT
Date: March 3, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

It’s time for the last show before Vengeance Day and the pay per view card has mostly been set. Odds are this is going to be a show about furthering the stories that have already been set up, which is what a go home show is supposed to be. That’s in addition to the Women’s Title being on the line so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap, featuring last week’s three title changes and Zaria turning on Sol Ruca.

Here is Myles Borne for his championship celebration (complete with the classic red strap on the belt). He heard that announcement loud and clear but he’s not here to talk about his sob story because we’ve all been there. Instead, he wants to thank his biggest hater for doubting him: Ethan Page. All that did was unleash a demon inside of Borne, and can you hear him now?

Cue Page, who heard the thank you from Borne, meaning it’s time for a thank you. Page had one bad night but he’s had quite a few great nights. Borne is down for the rematch but here is Robert Stone to cut it off. Actually never mind as we’re getting a referee so the match is on right now.

North American Title: Myles Borne vs. Ethan Page

Borne is defending and they’re both in suits. They start the brawl fast with the shirts being ripped open as they go outside. Borne drives him over the announcers’ table for a big crash and we take a break. We come back with Borne hitting a dropkick and Page pulling out something for a cheap shot and a near fall. Page loses his pants and gets caught in an ankle lock. That’s broken up as Page loses a shoe, which Borne uses for a cheap shot, setting up Borne Again to retain at 7:04.

Rating: C+. The best thing I can say about this is that it was different, which made things more interesting in this case. I wasn’t exactly expecting them to have the match in street clothes but it’s better than doing the same stuff over and over again. Borne gets to put Page behind him and while another match is possible for Vengeance Day, this very well may be it for the feud.

Zaria doesn’t want to talk about what happened last week.

Darkstate is waiting for Tony D’Angelo in the parking lot but Robert Stone says they have to go inside. As they leave, D’Angelo arrives and pulls a crowbar out of his trunk.

Here is a ticked off Blake Monroe for a chat. She was expecting to feel rage and anger when Jaida Parker kept costing her things. The reality is Parker needs her and all Parker has done is confirm Monroe’s value. People love to obsess over her and Parker is someone who is obsessed with emotions. The fastest way to relevancy is to come after Monroe, which is why Monroe is going to take care of Parker at Vengeance Day.

Cue Parker, who needs to slap the taste out of Monroe’s mouth. The Glamour is insecure, which isn’t the case with Parker. Monroe has been a supporting character all her life and the reality is she needs Parker. At Vengeance Day, Parker is going to prove that Monroe is soft. If you take away the glamour, all you have is a mediocre b****. The brawl is on with Monroe being cleared out.

The Vanity Project apologizes to not being there for Ethan page but Ricky Saints tells them to worry about the Evolve Title match tomorrow night. The Project leaves and Saints is off to prep as well. Page is annoyed but understanding.

Sean Legacy congratulates Elio LeFleur on his Speed Title win. Jasper Troy comes in to say he wants a triple threat rematch next week.

Women’s Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Wren Sinclair vs. Nikkita Lyons

Kendal Grey is here with Sinclair. Lyons fires off the kicks to start but Sinclair is back with a shot to the ribs. Lyons’ release fisherman’s suplex gets two so Sinclair chops away, setting up a running clothesline. A dropkick puts Lyons on the floor but she’s back in with a great looking spinning kick to the face. Lyons is sent shoulder first into the post though and a Final Wrench (Cattle Mutilation) makes her tap at 2:56.

Joe Hendry congratulates Myles Borne on his win last week, though he says listening to Ricky Saints makes him wish he was deaf too. Borne teases being annoyed by they’re fine.

Kelani Jordan is training for NXT Underground with Shayna Baszler.

We get a sitdown interview with Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame, complete with the dollhouse. Paxley brings up winning the Women’s Title but Dame talks about stealing the title. Dame blames Paxley for losing everyone because she is pathetic and incapable of being fixed. Paxley promises to win on Saturday and prove that she was never meant to be played with. She leaves, with Dame breaking the dollhouse.

Vanity Project vs. Hank & Tank/Shiloh Hill

The Project gets jumped in the aisle to start fast and we take a break before the opening bell. We come back joined in progress and Drake in trouble in the corner. Hill’s running shoulder puts him down again but Smokes comes in to take over in the corner. Cue Keanu Carver to yell at Booker T., saying keep his name out of his mouth.

Smokes gets sent into Tank’s exposed stomach and the good guys clear the ring to quite the positive reception. Baylor comes in off a blind tag and it’s back to Drake for a knee drop. That’s shrugged off and it’s back to Tank as everything breaks down again. Tank gets pulled to the floor though and crushed with the steps as we take a break.

We come back with Tank making a diving tag to Hill so he can take the tooth out. A double backsplash gets two and it’s back to Drake, who gives Hank something close to a Burning Hammer. Drake gets dropped with a Boss Man Slam and Hank & Tank hit stereo dives on the floor. Hill’s pop up neckbreaker gets the pin at 12:36.

Rating: B-. They had an energetic match here with some people who have been having some issues in recent weeks. The Project has fit in well around here thus far, even with their less than strong in-ring abilities. That’s the entire point of the team though and it’s working out well, as it’s fun to see them get beaten up.

Blake Monroe pops up on the announcers’ table, swearing to end it with Jaida Parker at Vengeance Day…in a street fight. Parker runs out and they both have to be held back.

Osiris Griffin has been attacked and Dion Lennox is going to call out Tony D’Angelo.

Lola Vice is told she still needs time to have her hand heal and she needs time off. She won’t do it, despite warnings that it could get worse, even permanently.

Here is Dion Lennox to call Tony D’Angelo out. D’Angelo pops up in the crowd, saying that Darkstate took out a dangerous man but a more dangerous man is here. The challenge is on for Vengeance Day but Lennox wants it in the parking lot. D’Angelo is in.

Jacy Jayne thinks Sol Ruca is here for the main event. The rest of Fatal Influence understands their assignment: get Jayne to Stand & Deliver.

Myles Borne thanks the No Quarter Catch Crew for their help, who say they’re spinning their wheels. Lexis King and company come in to tell Charlie Dempsey that the clock is ticking, with Tavion Heights not being happy about Dempsey even considering this.

Women’s Title: Zaria vs. Jacy Jayne

Jayne, with Fatal Influence, is defending. Zaria looks at the seconds to start and gets jumped from behind. That’s shrugged off and Zaria chokes in the corner, with Jayne rolling out to the floor. Jayne sends her into the steps and we take an early break. We come back with Zaria hitting a superplex to leave both of them down.

Zaria’s running elbows in the corner set up a suplex and clothesline for two as frustration sets in. Jayne is back with a running knee for two of her own but the Rolling Encore is cut off with a spear. Back up and the Rolling Encore drops Jayne and here is Sol Ruca to take out Fatal Influence. Ruca comes in and hits a double Sol Snatcher for the double DQ at 10:50.

Rating: B-. This was a question of when Ruca was going to interfere rather than would she debut, which is ok as it makes sense for the story they’re telling. The triple threat title match is set for either this weekend or next week, and that’s a good way to go. If nothing else, Jayne retaining the title is nice to see, as it seems a bit too soon for her to lose the belt.

The fans aren’t sure about that and sing something, even as Ruca belt shots Reid’s hands.

Vengeance Day rundown.

Robert Stone talks about…something involving the Women’s Title that I can’t understand as the feed screws up.

Here is Ricky Saints for his Experience. He’s a musician, actor and wrestler so he’s here to one up Joe Hendry’s concerts. The first song isn’t exactly great music and involves lyrics about how he believes in himself. Ah apparently that was just mocking Hendry’s style so he requests a stagehand give him a chair. Saints sings a similar song before needing his mic fixed, allowing him to sing about how you should NOT believe in Hendry.

Actually he needs an entirely new guitar so here is one…as held by Hendry himself. The Vanity Project runs in for the beatdown so here is Myles Borne for the quick save. The champions pose to end the show. This wasn’t a great segment as we got the joke pretty fast, but the closing brawl was good.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling was just ok here, but the important part was having the focus on Vengeance Day. What matters the most is that the card is set and has been built up well, which should make for a good event. I’m not sure how well it’s going to go, but they’ve laid the groundwork and that’s a good sign. NXT is still in a transitional phase and now we get to see how well that has gone with their first big test, which they very well could pass.

Results
Myles Borne b. Ethan Page – Borne Again
Wren Sinclair b. Nikkita Lyons – Final Wrench
Hank & Tank/Shiloh Hill b. Vanity Project – Pop up neckbreaker to Drake
Zaria vs. Jacy Jayne went to a double DQ when Sol Ruca interfered

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

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NXT
Date: February 10, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re in a bit of a new era as we have a new NXT Champion in Joe Hendry, who won the title last week in a heck of a seven man ladder match. That leaves us pretty wide open for where things go from here and that should make for some interesting developments. Other than that, we’re on our way to…whatever the next big show is going to be.  Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Here is Joe Hendry to get things going. He is the new NXT Champion but he wasn’t sure he was going to get here. Last week he was on the floor in pain but he looked up at Ricky Saints and he got up to win the title. Becoming a two time national amateur wrestling champion in England was a step, just like winning the TNA World Title and facing Randy Orton at Wrestlemania. Cue the Vanity Project to interrupt, with Jackson Drake saying he’s ready to run through a wall. Or take the title. The brawl is on with Hendry getting taken down, allowing Drake to do Hendry’s pose and hold up the NXT Title.

Zaria and Sol Ruca are still having tension, with Zaria asking why it can’t be her time. Ruca: “Good talk, I guess.”

Jaida Parker is ready to give a beating. The fire she has in her eyes is great.

Keanu Carver wants the next shot at the NXT Title but Robert Stone says Jackson Drake is getting it, as Shawn Michaels wants chaos. Carver is fine with delivering chaos but Stone tries to stop him. A glare cuts that off really fast.

Blake Monroe vs. Jaida Parker

Parker jumps her to start but Monroe throws part of her gear. That doesn’t get her very far though as Parker is back with a German suplex. A waistlock puts Monroe in trouble and Parker knocks her out to the floor. Monroe manages a trip into the announcers’ table though and we take a break. We come back with Parker blocking a kick to the ribs and elbowing Monroe in the face. The Teardrop connects in the corner and Parker knocks her outside, where they brawl to a double countout at 9:02.

Rating: C. Well that wasn’t much. Parker continues to feel like a star in the making but instead she’s going to a double countout in a so so match with Monroe. At least Parker feels like she has something going for her though, but Monroe is just kind of there. That’s going to need to change, as she’s needing something else to do. Like pairing her with someone perhaps.

Post match the beatdown stays on, with Parker taking out both Monroe and security. Monroe bails into the crowd.

Tatum Paxley talks about how it felt like she was drowning and struggling to breathe around Izzi Dame and the Culling. She tried to become what Dame wanted her to be but had to let go. It let her become what she knew she was and become the version of Tatum Paxley she needs to be.

Kale Dixon yells at Uriah Connors for walking out on Chase U last week. Connors says Chase held them back and here are Stacks, Arianna Grace and Lexis King, who seem to want Connors on their side. Wasn’t he on the team last week?

The title character from the movie Psycho Killer is behind commentary. Make your own Tommaso Ciampa reference.

Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Josh Briggs vs. Eli Knight

Knight ducks boot in the corner to start and gets in a high crossbody. An enziguri sends Briggs outside for a running dive but he clotheslines Knight in the back of the head for an early two. Knight knocks him back down and hits a moonsault for the fast pin at 2:06. Well they got the speed part right, but that’s about all they had here.

Elio LeFleur comes out to shake hands with Knight but Jasper Troy comes in to lay them both out.

Lola Vice gets her hand looked at and is ready to face Kelani Jordan next week. Cue Jordan to jump her from behind.

Keanu Carver has wrecked a bunch of people, including Sean Legacy and Andre Chase.

Here is Darkstate for a chat. Dion Lennox wants the NXT Title but Cutler James isn’t sure what Tony D’Angelo was thinking last week. They haven’t forgotten about the Culling either, but here is the Culling on the platform to say they aren’t charging into this kind of a disadvantage. The lights go out and OTM say they’re here for the titles as well. Hank & Tank pop up to say they want the belts too but here is D’Angelo to run through Darkstate.

Post break Robert Stone makes a three way #1 contenders match for next week with OTM, the Culling and Hank & Tank. Stone runs into Shiloh Hill, in a hockey mask for some reason, but Ethan Page comes in to say Hill needs to leave. Hill does that and Page tells Stone that he wants to set the record for the most title defenses. Page says he’s already beaten everyone around here and from TNA but Hill comes back in to get his machete, which gets him a title shot next week.

NXT Title: Joe Hendry vs. Jackson Drake

Only Hendry is defending and Drake (with the Vanity Project) dropkicks him into the corner to start. An early Swanton gives Drake two and a running shooting star press connects, only for Hendry to roll through into a fall away slam. They go outside with Hendry blocking a ram into the apron and then hitting a slam back inside.

Hendry rams him into the corner a few times and gets two off a suplex, with the fans approving. The Project gets caught sending Hendry into the steps though and get ejected as we take a break. We come back with Hendry fighting out of a cravate and grabbing a quick neckbreaker.

Hendry makes his comeback but the Standing Ovation is escaped, meaning Hendry has to settle for two off an Angle Slam instead. A German suplex and the Unaliver (running knee, not even named by commentary) gets two on Hendry but he counters a hurricanrana into a powerbomb. The Standing Ovation retains the title at 11:14.

Rating: C+. This was about getting Hendry’s first title defense out of the way and that’s not a bad thing. What matters the most is establishing him as champion, which kind of hast to be done since he won the title in a ladder match. I’m not wild on a champion losing, but it does help when the Evolve Title is clearly further down the ladder than the NXT Title, so this is far from an upset.

Post match Ricky Saints runs in and lays Hendry out.

Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair fire each other up before their main event.

Darkstate is ready for whomever comes after them next. Cutler James is ready to take out Tony D’Angelo next week.

IMG Credit: WWE

Hank & Tank vs. Vanity Project

Hank chases after Baylor to start but gets taken into the corner for the tag off to Tank. A Smokes distraction lets Baylor get in a dropkick though and Smokes comes in for a chinlock. That’s broken up in a hurry with Hank working on the arm. Smokes gets sent face first into the buckle but Baylor gets a blind tag so Tank can get stomped in the corner.

We take a break and come back with Tank getting away and diving over for the tag back to Hank. A wheelbarrow Edge-O-Matic (that was cool) drops Smokes but Baylor comes in off the top with an elbow to cut Hank off. Everything breaks down and they all knock each other down but here are OTM and the Culling to brawl for a distraction. Cue Jackson Drake to knock Tank into a rollup to give Baylor the pin at 11:20.

Rating: C+. I’m assuming this will result in the Vanity Project being added to the #1 contenders match (which is fine) but the best thing is that it makes the team look like a bit more of a threat. The idea of the team isn’t that physically imposing but they’re clever. That’s something that has worked for years and it’s probably the best option for the team.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Sean Legacy wants Keanu Carver in two weeks. Yeah Carver will beat him up, but Carver will know he’s been in a fight.

Robert Stone does indeed put Vanity Project in the #1 contenders match next week (Simple and logical. That’s all I ask for. Well a lot of it at least.). Myles Borne comes in and isn’t happy about not getting the North American Title shot. Stone tells him it’s time for him to do something out of character.

Here’s what else is coming next week.

IMG Credit: WWE

Wren Sinclair/Kendal Grey vs. Sol Ruca/Zaria

Whomever gets the pin gets an NXT Women’s Title shot. Grey rolls Ruca up to start fast so Ruca throws her into the corner for a break. It’s off to Sinclair for a basement dropkick but Ruca flips out of a wristlock. Zaria comes in to take over but shoves Ruca for a tag, only to break up Ruca’s cover. Zaria’s blind tag lets her get back inside, where Grey hits a superkick from the apron.

A double suplex gets Zaria out of trouble and it’s back to Ruca for a Mega Powers elbow. Ruca and Zaria argue with each other though and get dropkicked together for a crash out to the floor. Sinclair and Grey hit a dive apiece and we take a break. We come back with Grey escaping Zaria’s torture rack and both of them being knocked down.

Ruca tags herself back in and missile dropkicks Sinclair, followed by a running knee for two. Zaria makes her own tag back in and has to fight out of a cross armbreaker. Grey superkicks Zaria into Ruca, which counts as a tag but Zaria doesn’t notice. The spear hits Grey and an F5 takes out Sinclair, only for Ruca to come back in with the Sol Snatcher (which didn’t come close, with Grey falling down before the contact) to pin Grey at 12:25.

Rating: B-. That ending really didn’t work as there was no way to hide how far off the Sol Snatcher really landed. At the same time, it’s another issue between Ruca and Zaria, as I try to figure out why they’re still together. It’s one case after another of Zaria getting screwed over (often by herself) and they should have pulled the trigger on their split already. Sinclair and Grey work well together too and hopefully their split is a good time off in the future, as it doesn’t need to happen anytime soon.

Zaria is furious and here is Fatal Influence to yell at Ruca to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was about trying to take some steps into the future, as we have a lot of new stories that need to come together. It also helped with the idea of giving some of the fresh names something to do. NXT was needing some fresh blood and thankfully their early steps went fairly well. That being said, they still have a long way to go so we’ll have to see where it goes from here.

Results
Jaida Parker vs. Blake Monroe went to a double countout
Eli Knight b. Josh Briggs – Moonsault
Joe Hendry b. Jackson Drake – Standing Ovation
Vanity Project b. Hank & Tank – Rollup to Hank
Sol Ruca/Zaria b. Kendal Grey/Wren Sinclair – Sol Snatcher to Grey

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

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NXT
Date: February 3, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s time for a new champion as we have a lot to cover this week. In addition to the seven way ladder match for the vacant NXT Title, Ava has announced that she is done with NXT, meaning we’re going to need a new boss around here. There aren’t many obvious candidates for the job, though one does tend to stand out. Let’s get to it.

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

Shawn Michaels names Robert Stone as the new Interim GM. Yeah that’s the most logical choice.

The opening video looks at the history of the NXT Title and what it can mean for someone’s career, both here and beyond. Tonight, another name is added to the list.

Women’s North American Title: Izzi Dame vs. Thea Hail vs. Lola Vice

Dame is defending and they trade some early rollups for two each. With Dame sent outside, Vice pulls Hail into a triangle choke but Dame is back in for the save. Not that it’s important though, as we see go split screen to see Ricky Saints arriving. Thanks for that one. Anyway, Hail and Vice hit dives to the floor and Hail bites the title to send us to a break.

We come back with Vice getting caught in a middle rope G9 but she pops up to strike away. Hail and Dame get hip attacked in the corner but Hail makes the clothesline comeback. That’s not what matters though, as instead we need to see Joe Hendry warming up. Hail’s springboard backsplash lands in a choke but she’s right back with the Kimura to Vice. That’s broken up and it’s DDT to plant Dame. Cue Kelani Jordan to crush Vice’s hand with a ladder, leaving Dame to get caught in the Kimura. That’s reversed into a sitout gutwrench powerbomb to retain Dame’s title at 11:46.

Rating: C+. They were flying through this as well as they could and it’s nice to see Dame getting another win. At the same time, it’s sad to see Hail’s accidental push erased, as she’s right back to what she was before. The fans were behind her because she won something, so now let’s have her lose all over again. At least Dame is starting to become something a bit better though, as she certainly has potential.

Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair praise Sol Ruca for her Royal Rumble performance, but Zaria interrupts. As usual, they’re having tensions and Zaria says she needs the win tonight, for herself.

Earlier today, Chase U was complaining about not getting opportunities but Arianna Grace, Stacks and Lexis King interrupted to mock them. A match was set up for tonight.

Here is Tony D’Angelo for his big explanation. D’Angelo hasn’t been here for seven months and he could explain the two reasons he left and call it a day, but he has a lot to say. He talks about the things he’s done here, and about a year ago he was a happy man, with his family around him. Then that was taken from him and it meant he needed to learn to stand on his own.

Darkstate ruined his life and now he needs to remember who he is. Then he came back and had people wondering what he was doing. He’s coming for Darkstate and it’s about punishment, because he’s going to take everything from them. The second reason: you’ll find out when he’s done with Darkstate. That’s a nice explanation and at least he has a simple target to start.

Shiloh Hill gives a quick rundown of his competition tonight.

Jasper Troy doesn’t care who he faces next for his Speed Title.

Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Elio LeFleur vs. Charlie Dempsey

They hit stereo crossbodies at the same time and LeFleur gets two off a backslide. A suplex swinging neckbreaker gets the same but Dempsey is back with a tabletop suplex for two. Dempsey breaks up a springboard as we have less than a minute to go. LeFleur knocks him down again but gets wheelbarrow suplexed for two more. Back up and LeFleur grabs a weird reverse headscissors driver for the quick pin at 2:52. Cool finisher.

Joe Hendry isn’t going to let bruised ribs stop him from winning the NXT Title. He hasn’t had a title in seven months and it’s time for him to accomplish his goals around here.

We look at the NXT stars, both past and present, in the Royal Rumble.

TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Zaria/Sol Ruca vs. Elegance Brand

The Brand is defending. Zaria decides to start with M but it’s quickly off to Ruca for a standing moonsault. M drives her into the corner though and Heather comes in, only to get suplexed down. Zaria isn’t interested in a Mega Powers elbow (makes sense as this is the anniversary of their split on Main Event II) and gets distracted on the top, allowing the Brand to take over as we take a break.

We come back with Heather slowly hammering on Zaria, who fights up…but won’t tag. That lets M hit a Codebreaker for two as Sean Legacy is putting his vest on. Whoa man. Zaria fights up and this time Ruca tags herself in to clean house as the pace picks up. The fans would rather do the Wave as M misses a moonsault. Zaria tags herself back in and that means it’s time for some shoving with Ruca. A double spear drops the champs but the Sol Snatcher accidentally takes Zaria out. The top rope backsplash onto an elevated Zaria retains the titles at 11:26.

Rating: C+. The match was fine, but this was about Zaria and Ruca arguing again which seems to be what should be the last straw. They’ve teased breaking up so many times now that they need to get on with it already. Maybe that even means that Zaria gets two win a match already, which might be nice for a change.

Ethan Page talks to the Vanity Project, telling Jackson Drake to finish the job.

Before the show, Blake Monroe attacked Jaida Parker in the parking lot in front of the fans.

Chase U vs. Stacks/Lexis King

Connors dropkicks Stacks down to start and it’s off to Dixon for an armbar. Dixon has to flip around to get out of trouble and it’s off to Connors to start the rather quick comeback. King sends Connors into the corner as everything breaks down. Dixon comes back in to clean house but the moonsault hits raised boots. The Coronation gives King the pin at 3:38.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t much to see and that shouldn’t be a surprise. The New Chase U are just completely nothing, which is a shame as Andre Chase was red hot for a bit. In this case now though, there’s nothing to what he’s doing and he’s little more than a person who happens to exist. I don’t see that changing anytime soon, or far off, though and that’s kind of saddening.

Post match Connors walks out on Chase U. Probably a smart move.

Here is Fatal Influence for a chat. Jacy Jayne talks about killing it in the Royal Rumble but then Sol Ruca snuck up on her and eliminated her. Jayne complains about Ruca going viral all the time so it’s her time to kill the hype. Cue Zaria to say Ruca has had all kinds of opportunities handed to her so it’s time for Zaria to make her own chance. Jayne laughs it off, saying everyone loves Ruca but they just tolerate Zaria.

Cue Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair to interrupt, with Grey saying she knows she can beat Grey. They argue over who should get the shot so here is Ruca, who accuses Zaria of sneaking around on her. Zaria gets on her for going to the Rumble on her own. Cue Robert Stone to make Zaria/Ruca vs. Sinclair/Grey next week and whomever gets the pin gets the title shot in three weeks.

Kelani Jordan broke Lola Vice’s hand so she can’t knock anyone else out. There’s a logic to that.

Lexis King and company (now with Uriah Connors) interrupt Charlie Dempsey and seem to offer him a spot on the team. Dempsey doesn’t give an answer.

NXT Title: Ricky Saints vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Jackson Drake vs. Keanu Carver vs. Sean Legacy vs. Shiloh Hill

Ladder match for the vacant title. It’s a brawl to start with Carver getting the better of things until a backdrop sends him onto the ladder. Saints is back in to spear Hendry but Hendry is back up with some ladder shots. Drake is up to go for the title but Hendry cuts that off rather quickly. Hendry’s dive takes out the pile at ringside and we take a break.

We come back with Carver wrecking people on the floor until Legacy hits a dive of his own. Drake and Legacy go up top and fight on the ladder so here is Hill with two pieces of a broken ladder as stilts. Carver breaks that up until Lennox springboards in for a Doomsday Device. Lennox drops Saints onto the ladder but gets his climb cut off. Drake sends Carver outside and then flip dives onto the pile as we take another break.

We come back with Hill cutting off Legacy’s climb and clearing out everyone else. Rather than climbing, he crushes Carver with a ladder on the floor, as do the rest of the competitors, who throw ladders onto Carver. A ladder is bridged into the standing ladder inside and Legacy springboard 450s Drake onto the bridged ladder. Legacy and Lennox go up top but Hill and Drake are back with a ladder of their own.

Hendry makes the save but Carver is up with his own ladder to wreck people, including a Pounce to send Legacy through a wall. Carver goes up but Saints is right there to shove him off, through a ladder bridged at ringside. Back in and Hendry and Saints go up to fight over the title, only for Hendry to knock him off and through another ladder. That’s enough for Hendry to win the title at 22:41.

Rating: B+. There were a lot of people here and quite a bit going on, but they still had a rather entertaining and energetic match. It felt like they were all trying to get the title, with the group beatdown of Carver making sense. Hendry winning is a good way to go, as the fans love him and that’s what NXT could use right now. It’s a case where NXT is going with someone the fans care about and are running with him. Now just find a good challenger and they should be fine.

Hendry celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a case where you had a lot going on, but the ladder match was the part that mattered the most. It carried the show that much higher, with the secondary story of Ruca and Zaria finally falling apart going the rest of the way. We’re clearly still in a time of transition around here with Hendry as the champion and Robert Stone as the new boss. Hopefully they can make it work, as starting from almost scratch is quite the test. At least they did well with their big show this week.

Results
Izzi Dame b. Thea Hail and Lola Vice – Sitout gutwrench powerbomb to Hail
Elio LeFleur b. Charlie Dempsey – Reverse hurricanrana driver
Elegance Brand b. Zaria/Sol Ruca – Top rope backsplash to Zaria
Stacks/Lexis King b. Chase U – Coronation to Connors
Joe Hendry b. Shiloh Hill, Keanu Carver, Sean Legacy, Dion Lennox, Jackson Drake and Ricky Saints – Hendry pulled down the title

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

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NXT
Date: January 27, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the week before the big show and that means we have more qualifying matches for the six way ladder match for the vacant NXT Title. Other than that, the Tag Team Titles are on the line as Darkstate defends against OTM. That should be enough to carry us to next week’s big card so let’s get to it.

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

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Joe Hendry vs. Jackson Drake

Non-title and….non-match as the Vanity Project has attacked Hendry in the back. Ava pops up to say she has to deal with Tony D’Angelo and they’ll shuffle the schedule.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Darkstate vs. OTM

Darkstate is defending and Shuggars is trying to get his gear on as the match starts. Price and Griffin have a big staredown with Nima coming in for some double slams to clear the ring. Back in and Price sends Shuggars into the corner but Three Amigos are broken up. OTM clears the ring and we take an early break.

We come back with Nima in trouble as Shuggars grabs a spinning toehold. Griffin and Nima hit stereo crossbodies and it’s back to Price, who Rock Bottoms Shuggars onto Griffin for two. Cue the Vanity Project for a distraction though and Price gets rolled up to retain the titles at 11:10.

Rating: B-. Good enough here, though Darkstate is only so interesting as champions. It feels like they’re just kind of there and the big impact that they had earlier in the run is gone. They’re far from bad, but they need to do something else to stand out. The same is true of OTM, who just feel like they’re kind of floating around from match to match.

Post match the brawl is on with Chase U and the Culling getting into things. The Culling lays out Darkstate.

Nikkita Lyons agrees to face Jaida Parker so Blake Monroe doesn’t have to. Singing is involved.

Jaida Parker vs. Nikkita Lyons

Parker works on the arm to start and grabs a headlock as the fans are rather approving. Lyons is back up with a spinning kick to the face and some dancing. A faceplant sets up the neck crank but Parker is up with some clotheslines. The Tear Drop in the corner and the Hipnotique sets up a kind of abdominal stretch slam (better than the Hipnotique) to give Parker the pin at 4:54.

Rating: C. Not much to see in the match, but Parker being treated as someone serious is a good thing to see. The fans love her and she has the charisma to make it work. If she can turn that into something in the ring, she’ll be a star in a hurry. NXT needs some replacements and she very well could be one of the better ones.

Post match Blake Monroe (in a different outfit than before) says she’ll see Parker soon.

Tavion Heights gives Eli Knight and Elio LeFleur a pep talk but Arianna Grace, Stacks and Lexis King interrupt. They don’t think much of Heights and a match between King and Heights seems likely.

TNA’s The Elegance brand is ready for Sol Ruca and Zaria.

Zaria isn’t happy that Ruca isn’t here yet but Thea Hail comes in. They argue about being handed title shots and a match seems likely.

Ethan Page wants Myles Borne to be ruthless instead of righteous tonight. Borne says mind his own business and Ricky Saints, who comes in as well, can shut up too.

Vanity Project comes up to see Ava and says she can’t prove they attacked Joe Hendry. Ava says she can’t but there is a spot in the ladder match and Jackson Drake is in, but if Hendry is cleared, he’s in too.

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne

Borne grabs a headlock to start and they go to the mat with Lennox getting caught in a headscissors. Lennox is up with some rollups for two each but Borne is back up with some running elbows in the corner. A running clothesline puts Borne on the floor, where he fights back with a whip into the steps as Ethan Page comes out to watch as we take a break. We come back with Borne fighting back until Lennox grabs a rollup, though the referee catches him cheating. Page throws Borne a belt but the referee takes it away (it didn’t seem like Borne was going to use it), allowing Lennox to hit a Michinoku Driver for the win at 10:42.

Rating: C+. I still like Borne, though I’m worried they might turn him evil. He’s the definition of someone who would make for a good overcoming the odds story so hopefully that’s the direction they’re taking instead. If nothing else, having him take the title from Page would be a nice result. As for Lennox…uh…can I talk about Borne some more?

Post match Page tells Borne that he has to listen so Borne drops him.

Tony D’Angelo comes in to Ava’s office, where Ricky Saints is warning her about Keanu Carver. Saints leaves and D’Angelo asks Ava why she bailed him out. Apparently NXT needs him and she wants to know if he’s in or out. He’ll make his intentions clear next week, but he’s not the same D’Angelo. Ava warns him not to interfere in the ladder match.

Andre Chase isn’t happy with Chase U getting involved in the fight earlier but now he has to go get ready for his match. Lexis King comes in, asks if Uriah Connors’ father is proud of him, and rides his throne into the arena.

Tavion Heights vs. Lexis King

Heights suplexes him for two in the first ten seconds before starting in on the ribs. King manages to send him outside for a ram into the barricade as Stacks and Arianna grace come out to watch. Heights gets in another suplex back inside, only to miss a clothesline and fall back out to the floor. He comes up favoring his arm and misses a slingshot shoulders back inside. King grabs the Coronation for the pin at 3:49.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what is next for either of these two as they feel like they are pretty much just kind of there. Neither feels like they are moving up the list in the slightest and that isn’t a great sign. Hopefully they find something new to do, as both of them could do more than they are currently handling.

Post match King poses with Stacks and Grace, saying that was just the beginning. Granted his promo is cut off but at least it’s something.

We get a special feature called NXT Origins, featuring a look at Finn Balor’s time in NXT. I’ve heard worse ideas.

Zaria vs. Thea Hail

Izzi Dame is on commentary. Hail’s headlock doesn’t last long as Zaria powers her into a fireman’s carry. That’s broken up and Hail sends her outside for a suicide dive. A clothesline drops Hail back inside and we take a break. We come back with Zaria’s choke out of the corner being broken up and Hail running her over for two. The springboard backsplash is pulled out of the air but she gets the Kimura to keep Zaria in trouble. That’s broken up with a backdrop and Zaria hits a spear but the F5 is countered into a DDT. Cue Tatum Paxley to go after Dame and the distraction lets Hail grab a rollup for the pin at 9:16.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure what to make of Zaria but it’s starting to get less and less interesting. She’s a powerhouse and can do that well enough, but it only works so well if she keeps losing match after match. Then again it could (and likely is) leading to a feud with Ruca, which is about as good of an option as she has right now.

Post match here is Fatal Influence, with Zaria laying Hail out with an F5.

Charlie Dempsey was impressed by Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey, except for their loss. Grey is distracted by not being Jacy Jayne but Stacks and company come up to say Dempsey is one of them. Dempsey is confused, as he should be.

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Keanu Carver vs. Andre Chase

Chase goes right at him to start but gets powered into the corner. Carver knocks him outside and then into the ropes back inside. A suplex gives Carver two but Chase fights back with some shots to the head. The high crossbody gives Chase two and they head outside, with Chase tackling him over the announcers’ table. Carver gets back up for a hard slam onto the announcers’ table. Back in and the spinning powerslam gives Carver the pin at 4:01.

Rating: C+. Chase was trying out there and he did what he could, but there is only so much offense to be found against this kind of a monster. It made for a nice debut for Carver, who feels like something to be reckoned with in the near future. While I can’t imagine him winning the title, I could imagine him smashing through a lot of people and that’s a good idea.

Post match Carver wrecks him again, including stomping Chase’s injured face into the steps.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Keanu Carver grabs the mic and says if anyone has a problem with him wrecking everyone, come do something about it. We cut to the back, where Shiloh Hill and Dion Lennox are heading to the ring.

Post break, Jackson Drake, Lennox, Hill, Sean Legacy and Carver are in the ring, with Hill saying all that just fired him up even more. Lennox doesn’t want to hear that trash talk because Darkstate knows how to take things. Legacy says this is the biggest opportunity of his life and he’ll take chances, which is why Drake thinks Legacy will choke. Cue Ricky Saints with a ladder, which he climbs before addressing everyone else. He is the rose who has come up from the concrete jungle but Carver is sick of talking so the fight is on. Cue Joe Hendry to join the fight but Carver powerslams him down.

One more rundown of next week’s show wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C+. This was the kind of show that you need to have every so often, as this was all about setting things up for next week’s really big event. It might not make for the best card but it is something that has to be done. They made it work well enough here, though you might be better off just waiting for next week instead of wasting your time here.

Results
Darkstate b. OTM – Rollup to Price
Jaida Parker b. Nikkita Lyons – Abdominal stretch slam
Dion Lennox b. Myles Borne – Michinoku Driver
Lexis King b. Tavion Heights – Coronation
Thea Hail b. Zaria – Rollup
Keanu Carver b. Andre Chase – Spinning powerslam

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

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NXT
Date: January 20, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re coming up on the big February 3 show, which will feature the six way ladder match for the NXT Title. That should make for some big moments here, as the qualifying matches start this week. Other than that, we have the North American Title is on the line, which has some interesting potential. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Ava talks to security, telling them to watch out for Tony D’Angelo.

IMG Credit: WWE

North American Title: Ethan Page vs. Elio LeFleur

Page is defending against the debuting LeFleur. A running shoulder drops LeFleur to start but he’s back up with a springboard headlock. Page takes him down but LeFleur backs to his feet and pats Page on the head in a nice touch. They head outside with LeFleur hitting a running hurricanrana off the steps, only for Page to backbreaker him onto the turnbuckle. We take a break and come back with Page ramming him face first into the mat.

LeFleur fights up with a springboard spinning crossbody into a swinging suplex for two. A 450 misses though and Page’s pump kick gets two more. Page kicks him down but LeFleur is back up with a spinning DDT. A springboard knee to the head gives LeFleur two and he goes Coast To Coast for the same. Another 450 hits raised knees but the Ego’s Edge is countered with a hurricanrana. Page powerbombs him out of the corner though and grabs the trunks to retain at 10:14.

Rating: B-. It was a nice debut from LeFleur, though I’m a bit surprised to see him lose in his first match. While I get the idea of not wanting to change the title out of nowhere, there is something weird about putting LeFleur into the title match right off the bat. Still though, nice job from both, as Page’s title reign manages to continue.

Post match here is Ricky Saints for a quick reunion with Page before joining commentary.

We look at Keanu Carver wrecking people last week.

We look at Carver and Booker T. getting into a big argument on LFG. Booker has no comment.

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Shiloh Hill vs. Josh Briggs

Hill knocks him down to start but gets kneed in the head for his efforts. A swinging neckbreaker puts Briggs down for a quick two and Hill drops a leg on the apron. Briggs sends him outside, where Hill is back with a running flip dive off the steps. Another knockdown drops Hill on the floor though and we take a break.

We come back with Hill being sent into the corner, with a running elbow giving Briggs two. Hill runs him over with a shoulder and an inverted flipping backsplash gets two more. One heck of a chokeslam gets two, with Hill’s tooth flying out on the impact. Briggs’ moonsault misses though and it’s a belly to back neckbreaker (always liked that move) to give Hill the pin at 10:41.

Rating: C+. Well, they’re certainly trying something new with Hill, though the results are still to be determined. He’s a weird guy, and that might not have the longest shelf life. At the same time you have Briggs, who has been in the same place for so long now that you can almost guarantee what you’re getting with him. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly a good thing.

Post match Tony D’Angelo comes in to lay them both out before looking at Saints…and leaving.

Zaria and Sol Ruca are still upset over the former losing at Genesis. Zaria’s shoulder is banged up and she doesn’t want to be blamed if they lose tonight. That sounds harsh.

Vanity Project vs. Chase U

It seems that Swipe Right is no more as this is the former team but under the name Vanity Project. Jackson Drake and Andre Chase are both here too and it’s Smokes shouldering Connors down to start. Dixon comes in to take over on Baylor, including a standing moonsault. Connors takes too long going up though and gets slammed down, followed by a big boot to give Smokes two.

The villains keep Connors down but he rolls out of the corner, allowing the tag off to Dixon. House is quickly cleaned with the Project being sent outside for the big running flip dive. Back in and a twisting top rope splash gets two on Smokes, followed by a springboard Stunner for the same. Everything breaks down and a top rope double stomp/reverse DDT combination finishes Hill at 6:38.

Rating: C+. Nice fast paced match here, though the Project isn’t exactly known for what they can do in the ring. That was on display here, as the match was pretty generic throughout. You can only get so much out of a match like this, with neither team meaning much, but at least the Project is off to a nice start.

Ava is calling the cops on Tony D’Angelo but Lola Vice interrupts. She wants a title shot, as does Thea Hail, who comes in to argue. Ava makes a triple threat for February 3, which has them both happy.

Earlier today, Keanu Carver sat down with an interview, where he says he’s here because he has to be and doesn’t want to answer any dumb questions. He’s asked about some disciplinary issues and walks out.

Here is Jaida Parker to quite the reception for a chat. She knows things have been changing here but she certainly hasn’t changed. There are some people who deserve flowers, like Kendal Grey and Lola Vice, but she didn’t return in a hurry because she wanted to prove herself. She is here because she is the standard that refuses to bend and everyone has opinions about her.

There is always someone telling her how to do something better and she knows she is making people feel pressure. She deserves the attention she gets but she isn’t going to be put in a box. She isn’t dimming her lights because….and the lights go out. Here is Blake Monroe in the balcony, saying Parker made a grave mistake last week. Parker says she’s standing right here and hits her catchphrase to wrap it up. Parker is on fire right now and giving her a big win over Monroe is a good idea. Just follow up on it.

Myles Bourne is with Ava when Elio LeFleur comes in. He thanks Ava for the opportunity and Ava says it was a tough loss. Bourne welcomes him to NXT when Ricky Saints comes in, with Bourne saying he’ll be in the ladder match. Ethan Page pops up to say Bourne is the one who always loses and says he has a choice.

We look at Unreal Season 2.

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight

Legacy is new on the NXT roster and Ricky Saints is on commentary. They both block kicks to the ribs to start and set the boots down, giving us an early standoff. Knight is sent outside and it’s an early suicide dive to take him down. Back in and Knight hits a dropkick to send Legacy outside instead for another dive.

We take a break and come back with both of them getting up to slug it out. Legacy hits a clothesline and gets two off a sunset flip. A Spanish Fly into a springboard 450 gives Legacy two more but Shambles (a complicated swinging neckbreaker) is blocked. Knight suplexes him into the corner for two as the fans certainly approve. They trade rollups for two each until Knight hits a Sliced Bread. Knight’s moonsault hits raised boots though and Shambles gives Legacy the pin at 10:51.

Rating: B-. It was a good start for Legacy, but he has made a career out of starting well and then never really doing much. There is a good chance that will happen again here, but at least he is getting the chance. It is clear that WWE sees something in him, and now he’ll have a shot. Knight will get a chance as well, as he looked good in there too.

Saints is impressed and Legacy shows respect…and Tony D’Angelo takes both of them out. Legacy is even chokeslammed onto the announcers’ table. The cops come out to take D’Angelo away.

Izzi Dame calls her title win the reason the Culling was started. The rest of the team wants the Tag Team Titles, starting with beating OTM.

Tony D’Angelo is put in a car and has nothing to say. The car leaves and OTM pops up to say they want Darkstate next week.

The Vanity Project is happy to be here, with Jackson Drake being told he has a qualifying match against next week with….Joe Hendry. Cue Hendry, who thinks he’ll win.

Darkstate is ready for everyone who wants to come for them.

Fatal Influence vs. Zaria/Sol Ruca vs. Kendal Grey/Wren Sinclair

For a future TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles shot. Ruca, Reid and Grey start things off and trade rollups for some early near falls. Ruca’s backsplash gets two each and it’s off to Zaria to run people over. A double belly to back suplex drops Zaria though and Fatal Influence takes over on Sinclair. Ruca comes in and tries an assisted top rope splash but Zaria’s shoulder gives out. Reid dives onto Zaria on the floor, only for Grey and Sinclair to hit dives of their own.

We take a break and come back with Zaria choking Grey in the corner until Henley turns it into a middle rope Doomsday Device. Ruca, Sinclair and Reid come in to strike it out, with Sinclair suplexing her way to control. A Blue Thunder Bomb gives Reid two but Grey has to take out Jacy Jayne on the floor.

Ruca dives in with a top rope splash for two and everyone is down. Grey kicks Reid down but walks into a slingshot X Factor from Ruca. Zaria is back in to clean house but walks into Shades Of Grey for two, with Jayne breaking it up. That leaves Reid to crucifix bomb Zaria and it’s Henley coming back in with a Blockbuster for two. Ruca is back up with a double Sol Snatcher to Fatal Influence and Zaria hits the F5 to pin Henley at 12:24.

Rating: B-. Another nice match here and they didn’t go with what felt like the expected result of Zaria costing her team the win. At some point Zaria is either going to have to win something or turn, as this has been going on for a bit now. It seems like we might be seeing it coming up here, but that could go either way.

Overall Rating: B-. Nothing really stood out as great on its own, but this show did a very good job of making me want to see the February 3 show. They’re turning it into a big deal and I’m wanting to see where things are going. If nothing else, the title match feels like it could go in a variety of directions and that’s the appeal of a big ladder match. They have to pay that off in the right way, but at least they’re starting it off right.

Results
Ethan Page b. Elio LeFleur – Rollup with trunks
Shiloh Hill b. Josh Briggs – Belly to back neckbreaker
Vanity Project b. Chase U – Top rope double stomp/reverse DDT combination to Hill
Sean Legacy b. Eli Knight – Shambles
Sol Ruca/Zaria b. Fatal Influence and Kendal Grey/Wren Sinclair – F5 to Henley

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

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NXT
Date: October 7, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

THEY’RE HERE! Granted they’ve been here for the last few months, but tonight is the big showdown between NXT and TNA. We have four matches between the two of them, including a pair of Survivor Series matches, a regular title match and a winner take all Tag Team Title match. I’d call that a loaded show so let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the origins of both NXT and TNA while talking about how this seemed impossible for years. Then TNA showed up here and the fight was on, with tonight’s show being set up.

TNA Tag Team Titles/NXT Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. Darkstate

Title for title and yeah the fans still know the Hardys and the Dudley Boyz are in the crowd. All four members of Darkstate run in for the brawl though and are quickly dispatched by the Hardys but they’re right back up. Shugars and James are sent to the back though and it’s Lennox getting taken down with the Spin Cycle for an early two. A Poetry In Motion clothesline hits Lennox but Griffin gets in a cheap shot.

Darkstate can’t get a double clothesline right and Griffin manages to miss a legdrop despite Jeff not moving. Booker: “Did he miss that?” Jeff dodges another one (at least on purpose this time) and knocks Griffin down, allowing Matt to come back in. A few rooms of the house are cleaned but Lennox knocks him down again as we take a break.

We come back with Lennox hammering on Jeff and throwing in a jumping splash. Griffin chokes on the rope but Jeff fights up and hits a better Whisper In The Wind to take them both down. The tag brings Matt back in to clean house and a Plot Twist gets two. Everything breaks down and Matt slips out of a Doomsday Device, setting up the Twist of Fate to Lennox. The Swanton gives Jeff the pin and the titles 10:48.

Rating: C. There were some rough spots in there but the Hardys getting to add yet another title to their incredible resume is hardly a stretch. They likely won’t hold them that long and (probably) get to be double champions heading into Bound For Flory. Darkstate will likely get a rematch and maybe even get the belts back. For now though, this is a nice result as TNA needed to win something for a change.

Team NXT vs. Team TNA

NXT: Jacy Jayne, Lola Vice, Jaida Parker, Sol Ruca
TNA: Kelani Jordan, Cassie Lee, Jessie McKay, Mara Sade

Survivor Series rules and Jordynne Grace is guest referee. Jayne knocks Kelani down to start so it’s off to Vice, who gets taken down by the IInspiration. Sade comes in and has to be saved from a double suplex. Everyone comes in and they have the big staredown into the big brawl. They head outside and Ruca hits a dive, followed by another one from Kelani as we take a break.

We come back with Sade dropping a knee and it’s back to Jayne for a middle rope flipping splash. Parker drives McKay into the corner and stacks Lee on top of her for the hip attack. Sade breaks it up and totally overshoots a moonsault, with her hands grazing Parker. A Falcon Arrow gives Parker two as Kelani breaks it up with a top rope splash. Everything breaks down again and we get the parade of knockdowns until Sade drops Parker for the pin at 12:50. Ruca is up with Sol Snatcher gets rid of Sade at 13:02 and we take another break.

We come back again with Vice cleaning house with the kicks, plus the running hip attacks. Lee and Vice trade missed kicks to the head until Vice hits the spinning backfist for the pin at 17:00. A triangle choke makes McKay tap at 17:10 with Kelani not being able to make the save. We’re down to Kelani vs. Jayne/Ruca/Vice but the Lee and McKay pull Ruca and Vice down. Kelani hits One Of A Kid for a rather delayed two on Jayne, leaving Kelani to argue.

Jayne’s rollup gets two more and she hits a nasty kick from the apron to Kelani on the floor. Jayne seems to have hurt her foot as Vice tags herself back in, so Kelani shoves them together. An Angle Slam gives Kelani the pin on Vice (with the ring announcer being confused about it being an elimination rather than the final pin) at 20:18. Ruca comes in and gets planted down, allowing Kelani to go up top, where Ruca kicks her in the head. A super Spanish Fly plants Ruca but a 450 hits raised knees. The Sol Snatcher kind of connects but Jayne tags herself in to get the final pin on Kelani at 23:09.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure if the TNA stars are nervous or what but it’s been a pretty sloppy night. At the same time, it’s not a good sign when the final four women in the match are all from NXT, as it doesn’t quite make the TNA women look good. Grace wasn’t much of a factor but she’ll probably be going after Jayne soon enough. Either way, nice long match here, with the ending being a logical way to go.

Matt Cardona comes in to see Ava and doesn’t mind that he made Josh Briggs mad. Briggs comes in, doesn’t see Cardona, and gets a match with him next week. Briggs leaves and Cardona says he loves this place.

North American Title: Mustafa Ali vs. Ethan Page

Page is defending. They fight over wrist control to start and Ali spins him around into a backslide for two. The rolling neckbreaker into a standing moonsault gives Ali two so Page bails out to the floor. The chase is on and Page gets in a cheap shot as we take a break. We come back with Ali hitting a sunset bomb, which seems to shock him more than anyone else. Page crotches him on top and one heck of a pump kick gives Page two, with Ali bridging out to leave Page stunned.

Ali’s tornado DDT gets two and he goes up top, only to miss the 450. A hurricanrana and superkick have Page in trouble and the Twisted Grin is countered into a rollup for two. Page is sent outside for a VERY hard suicide dive, sending both of them over the announcers’ table. Ali goes up again but gets his foot caught in a microphone cord, allowing Page to shove him down to the floor. That’s enough to set up the Twisted Grin to retain the title at 14:02.

Rating: B+. This was a heck of a match as Ali knows how to leave it all in the ring when he’s given the chance. I’m glad that they let him be the good guy version of himself as it works so much better in the ring. I didn’t think the title would change hands, but at least the loss came after an awesome performance from both.

El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. wants Ethan page but Lexis King interrupts and says there is NO doctor named Wagner anywhere in Mexico. King thinks it’s Tavion Heights under the mask and Heights pops up behind him.

The NXT women’s team is technically happy with their win but Zaria comes in to still not be happy. Ruca apologizes for Zaria not being on the team and says they’ll be Women’s Tag Team Champions. Blake Monroe comes in and says Zaria will never be champion if Ruca holds her back. Monroe suggests she’s coming for the Women’s North American Title.

Team NXT vs. Team TNA

TNA: Mike Santana, Frankie Kazarian, Moose, Leon Slater
NXT: Ricky Saints, Trick Williams, Myles Borne, Je’Von Evans

Survivor Series rules again and Joe Hendry is guest referee. Kazarian and Williams start things off with Williams slugging away and hitting a big dropkick. Borne comes in for a neckbreaker and everything breaks down with Borne hitting a big flip dive to the floor. Back in and Borne hits a flipping neckbreaker but walks into a slingshot cutter to give Kazarian the elimination at 2:21.

We take a break and come back with Kazarian working over Evans and getting mad at Hendry’s count. Slater comes in and gets beaten up by Williams, who throws his jersey away before chopping Slater in the corner. That’s broken up and Santana comes in for the Bound For Glory preview…but Williams tags Evans in instead. Evans is up with the flip dive but Moose pulls him out of the air. A hurricanrana sends Moose flying but Slater rolls Evans up for the pin at 11:21.

It’s 4-2 and we take another break, coming back with Williams fighting back against Moose. Williams won’t tag so Saints has to do it for him to kick Moose in the head. Slater comes in with a Blue Thunder Bomb and Saints goes for the tag…but Williams drops to the floor and walks out. That leaves Saints alone, but he reverses Kazarian’s crossface chickenwing into a rollup for the pin at 17:50.

Slater’s frog splash gets two on Saints and he hits a running dropkick in the corner. The Swanton 450 (as cool as it sounds) hits raised knees though and Saints pins Slater at 19:03. Moose comes in to take over and hit a backsplash but Saints fights back again. It’s back to Santana to kick away at Saints, followed by a belly to back faceplant for two. Everything breaks down and Moose spears Santana by mistake for a rather near fall. Spin The Block misses and Moose gives Saints a powerbomb. Spin The Block finishes Saints at 22:49.

Rating: B. Well the ending was a bit surprising, but TNA had to win here after losing the women’s match. I was worried about Saints pinning another TNA star after he pinned a pair of champions in less than two minutes but Santana kicking out was the right way to go. Williams leaving Bad News Brown style is perfectly fitting for him and Saints went down fighting before losing to TNA, so it all made sense.

Ava and Santino Marella are in the back and Ava invites some Knockouts to be in next week’s battle royal for the #1 contendership to the NXT Women’s Title. Marella accepts to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The show felt big, though I was waiting for some huge moment to end the show and it just never happened. This isn’t the ending to the story and it makes enough sense as it keeps a lot of fresh talent coming into NXT. I liked the show well enough and it lived up to the hype, with Bound For Glory getting enough of a boost as well. Good show, though it could have been better with some kind of a big angle or moment.

Results
Hardys b. Darkstate – Swanton to Lennox
Team NXT b. Team TNA last eliminating Kelani Jordan
Ethan Page b. Mustafa Ali – Twisted Grin
Team TNA b. Team NXT last eliminating Ricky Saints

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @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: September 30, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with No Mercy and there was a surprise title change as Ricky Saints defeated Oba Femi to win the NXT Title. That’s a big enough story, but at the same time, we have a week to go before the next event, as TNA is coming for Invasion. That show’s lineup will be announced this week, which should be rather important. Let’s get to it.

Here is No Mercy if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of last week’s TNA invasion, which set up next week’s TNA Invasion.

Long No Mercy recap.

Here is Ricky Saints for a chat. Saints talks about how he wanted to bring reality around here and the reality is he is your new NXT Champion. Did he do it? Did WE do it? He bet everything on himself and that title is the proof that it works…and here is Jacy Jayne to interrupt. She brags about having the gold and now it’s time to deal with TNA. Cue Ava to interrupt, saying that Jayne is right, which is why the two of them are the captains for Invasion.

Cue Santino Marella, who says you can’t trust a man named TRICKY to be your captain so Mike Santana will be his captain instead. At the same time, NXT’s Kelani Jordan will be the women’s captain for TNA. They’re ready for a summit later but Jayne has no idea how Jordan makes sense as a captain. Saints says he’ll see Santana later tonight.

Je’Von Evans runs into TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater, who he is set to face at Bound For Glory. They’re cool with each other and ready for their title match. The Culling comes in to say they don’t approve of this and a match seems to be made for later. Lyra Valkyria comes in and has a present for Tatum Paxley: a new doll! Screaming for joy ensues.

Jaida Parker vs. Lash Legend

Legend jumps her in the corner to start fast and a suplex drops Parker. A running shoulder puts Parker on the floor, where she gives Legend a Samoan drop. We take a break and come back with Legend grabbing a half crab, which is broken with a grab of the rope. Parker scores with a quick Blockbuster but Legend grabs the tights to cut her off (with the fans approving). The hip attack connects in the corner, only for Legend to pop up with a pump kick. Legend’s backbreaker faceplant is broken up though and the Hipnotique (more a running shoulder this time) finishes for Parker at 9:08.

Rating: C+. They were just starting to get going at the end but I can go with Parker picking up the win. She’s been needing that for a good while now and beating Legend clean feels like an important moment. At the same time, Legend losing isn’t great to see, but I’d be stunned if we don’t get another match between these two.

Trick Williams talks to the NXT roster and says he should be co-captain with Ricky Saints. That’s not quite cool with Saints, who says there are two spots left on his team and Je’Von Evans (next to him) is getting one of them. The other spot is going to Myles Borne, who impressed Saints at No Mercy. Williams, who seems to have some authority here, picks Josh Briggs, which makes Evans walk off. Saints says he’ll deal with Evans, and tonight it’s Briggs vs. Borne for a spot on the team. They really did not make this clear and I shouldn’t be this unsure of who is in and who isn’t.

Here is Ethan Page to brag about his title defense on Saturday, as he turned away an OLYMPIC level threat. Now it’s time to go south of the border and deal with El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Page calls him out but instead he gets TNA’s Mustafa Ali, who is greeted with a WELCOME BACK chant.

Ali gets right to the point: two years ago he earned a North American Title shot but he was released before he got his shot. Page says cry to someone who cares, but Ali says he’ll be politicking for it. That’s why he’s talked to Ava and Santino Marella and the title is on the line next week at Showdown (not Invasion). Page isn’t happy but says bring it. The brawl is on and Page is cleaned out.

Fatal Influence is here to pick the women’s Survivor Series team. First up: Sol Ruca, who agrees. Lola Vice wants to be on the team but Fallon Henley says she’s getting the final spot. Lainey Reid comes in to say don’t trust Henley and the big argument is on. Jayne calms things down and makes Henley vs. Vice for the spot on the team. Zaria asks to talk to Ruca in private.

Video on the Hardys, who are back in a title vs. title match against Darkstate next week. They’re ready to win the only WWE titles they’ve never won and DELETE Darkstate.

Myles Borne vs. Josh Briggs

For a spot on the NXT Survivor Series team. The fans don’t like Briggs, who shoves away an early headlock. Borne knocks him down and hits a sliding forearm before sending Briggs outside. The big running flip dive connects but Briggs knocks him down back inside to take over. Briggs sends Borne into the corner but stops to acknowledge the fans chanting about him. A crossbody takes Borne down and a chokeslam gives Briggs two as we take a break.

We come back with Briggs fighting out of a chinlock and going up top. Briggs catches him though and hits a pair of backbreakers for two. Borne gets in a belly to back suplex but walks into a boot. That’s enough for Briggs to load up his chain but cue Matt Cardona to cut off the big swing. The distraction lets Borne hit Borne Again for the pin at 10:15.

Rating: B-. Borne has come out of absolutely nowhere and turned into a rather solid star. I’m not sure how far he’s ever going to go, but for someone who was little more than an extra hand in a stable, he’s come an incredibly long way. You can see the confidence in him and that’s an incredible sign for his future.

Jordynne Grace congratulates Kelani Jordan and wants to be on the TNA team but makes the mistake of mentioning Joe Hendry. Mike Santana comes in and wants to talk to Jordan, leaving Grace and Hendry to want in on next week.

Fallon Henley vs. Lola Vice

Vice starts fast but gets elbowed in the face, setting up a dropkick to the back for two. Henley sends her throat first into the ropes for a right hand, followed by a running elbow for two more. The comeback starts fast with some suplexes and Henley is quickly knocked outside. The spinning backfist finishes Henley at 3:50.

Rating: C. This was about all it needed to be as Vice shrugged off everything Henley threw at her (which granted wasn’t much) and then pinned her clean. Vice is still someone who can be around the title picture so putting her onto the team over Henley is a good move. I’m glad they didn’t extend this one out as there was no need for it to go any further.

Darkstate is ready for the Hardys.

Jacy Jayne says that was her fault as Fallon Henley wasn’t ready. Lainey Reid comes in to say she attacked Lola Vice and Jazmyn Nyx, who never belonged in Fatal Influence. The team is stunned.

Je’Von Evans/Leon Slater vs. The Culling

Slater headlocks Spears to start and hits a running clothesline in the corner. Vance comes in and gets his arm worked on, including Evans’ top rope ax handle. A spinebuster gets Spears out of trouble but he sees Izzi Dame yelling at Tatum Paxley for playing with the doll she got earlier. The Culling is sent outside and taken down by dives and we take a break.

We come back with Slater fighting out of a full nelson and kicking Spears away. A kick to the face drops Vance and the tag brings in Evans to pick up the pace. Vance manages to Alabama Slam him out of the corner for two and it’s already back to Slater. That means the big running flip dive over the post can drop the Culling but Spears knees Slater out of the air. Slater is back up with a double Lethal Injection and the Swanton 450 (exactly what it sounds like and it’s awesome) pins Spears at 10:51.

Rating: B-. Pretty standard tag match until it all went nuts at the end, which is where Slater took over. Slater is one of the most exciting stars going today and it would not surprise me at all to see him getting on a much bigger stage. His time in TNA has gone well so far and he needs a lot more experience, but dang he is fun to watch.

Team TNA is here (in a CYBERTRUCK of all things) and they’re confronted in the parking lot. We come back from a break with the big summit in the ring, with Trick Williams declaring himself co-captain. Ricky Saints shuts that down immediately and names the men’s NXT team: Saints, Williams, Je’Von Evans and Myles Borne (who has suited up since his match). Mike Santana says TNA has a locker room full of men ready to turn this place upside down. The TNA team: Santana, Frankie Kazarian, Moose and Leon Slater (no Hendry oddly enough).

Jacy Jayne doesn’t buy Kelani Jordan being loyal to NXT and picks herself, Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker and Lola Vice. Jordan counters that with herself, the IInspiration (apparently the new Knockouts Tag Team Champions) and “Jak…I mean Mara Sade!” (formerly known as Jakara Jackson). The huge brawl is on with Shawn Michaels coming out to watch to end the show. The only thing I got out of this: Jordan isn’t great with a live mic. Oh and the women’s match is looking like a total squash on paper.

Overall Rating: B-. They were in a very tricky spot here as they had to build to No Mercy in the previous weeks before turning all of their attention to Showdown. The invasion still feels a bit out of nowhere, but they’ve turned it into a pretty big deal in short order. I’m wanting to see the show, even if the build was pretty much done in the span of one night. It’s a one story show so if you don’t care about the invasion then you won’t care, but it walked a thin line fairly well.

Results
Jaida Parker b. Lash Legend – Hipnotique
Myles Borne b. Josh Briggs – Borne Again
Lola Vice b. Fallon Henley – Spinning backfist
Je’Von Evans/Leon Slater b. The Culling – Swanton 450 to Spears

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

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No Mercy 2025
Date: September 27, 2025
Location: FTL War Memorial, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s another special and the card is looking big enough. We have a nice mixture of title matches and grudge matches, which should make for a nice night. The main event is…well it could be a few different things actually, but in theory it’s Oba Femi defending the NXT Title against Ricky Saints. Let’s get to it.

The opening video is a pretty standard look at the card.

Josh Briggs vs. Je’Von Evans

Evans kicks him in the face to start fast but misses another boot and gets sent over the barricade. With Evans favoring his hip, Briggs sends him over the barricade but Evans is back with a ram into the steps. Back in and a springboard crossbody into a springboard hurricanrana has Briggs in trouble.

Briggs shrugs off a dropkick though and starts hammering away, followed by some backbreakers for two. A hard whip into the corner has Evans in more trouble but he fights out of said corner with the right hands. An enziguri staggers Briggs but he knocks Evans off the apron for a crash to the floor. A right hand seems to wake Evans up and he springs around for a German suplex.

Evans sends him outside for a heck of a dive, followed by a frog splash for two back inside. Briggs goes simple by hitting him in the back of the head for two more. Some big boots and another backbreaker set up a knee to the area near Evans’ head for another near fall. They go up top with Evans flipping out of a super chokeslam but getting caught with the regular version for two.

It’s back to the floor, where Briggs throws him into the ropes for a right hand. Back in and a hard lariat gets two, with Evans making the rope. Evans knees him in the face but a springboard is booted out of the air. The chokeslam is countered into a cutter (ala Randy Orton vs. Undertaker) and the top rope cutter finishes for Evans at 16:24.

Rating: B. Evans has turned me around on him with some of his recent stuff and it has been very nice to see. He’s no longer just someone who does his same basic stuff and has become a high flier who knows how to use his strengths. I got into seeing him take down the bigger guy here and it was a rather nice opener.

We look at Trick Williams vs. Dominik Mysterio at No Mercy 2023. Ok then.

Last night, Kelani Jordan won the TNA Knockouts Title after Ash By Elegance had to vacate the title.

Jordan is excited to be the champion and will fight like heck to keep it.

Lainey Reid is injured but Sol Ruca is still defending the title.

Women’s Speed Title: Sol Ruca vs. ???

Ruca, with Zaria, is defending against….Jaida Parker with a five minute time limit. They start fast and Ruca knocks her to the floor, where we get a mockery of Parker’s stepping taunt. Parker rolls to another part of the floor, where she cuts off a baseball slide and hits her in the face. Back in and a falcon arrow gives Parker two but the Hipnotique is countered into….we’’ll call it a tilt-a-whirl slam but it didn’t hit clean at all.

They head to the apron, where Parker gets in a forearm as we have two minutes left. Ruca reverses a suplex into a DDT for two and they fight outside again with a minute to go. Ruca’s moonsault off the steps misses and the Hipnotique connects but Parker would rather go after Zaria. Cue Lash Legend to go after Parker but Zaria spears Legend. The Sol Snatcher connects back inside to retain the title at 4:43.

Rating: C. The Speed Title is a nice idea that doesn’t work very well with the longer match. No five minutes isn’t a ton of time, but it also doesn’t make for the greatest matches. Parker was a last minute replacement, but it’s not like Reid would have done that much better. This is something that belongs on the pre-show rather than the main card and it showed pretty badly here.

Joe Hendry was disappointed by his most recent loss when Darkstate interrupted to threaten him again. Hendry seems intrigued by what sounded like an offer to join them.

We recap Blake Monroe vs. Jordynne Grace. They were friends for a few weeks but then Monroe turned on her, saying that Grace wasn’t good enough for her. Grace has come after vengeance and now it’s time for a weaponized cage match.

Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

In a cage with weapons. Grace swings a chair to start but misses, allowing Monroe to come back with some kendo stick shots (Joseph: “Like the Guardians against the Rangers!”). Grace knocks her down though and puts on a Boston crab, with the chair over the back of Monroe’s neck. The chair is wedged into the corner but Monroe sends her into the cage a few times.

Monroe goes after Grace’s injured thumb and then stabs at the hand with a kendo stick. A hairdryer is used to tie Grace’s wrists to the ropes and Monroe hacks off a bunch of Grace’s hair. Grace gets out and unloads on Monroe but the powerbomb is blocked with a grab of the cage. A weightbelt is used to give Monroe a whipping and it’s time for a pink trashcan. That takes too long though and Monroe hits her with the trashcan lid for two.

Monroe pours out a bag of diamonds but Grace manages to suplex her onto them for two instead. They go to the corner with Monroe hitting a double stomp into a trashcan for two. The fans want and receive a table, before the fight heads to the top of the cage. A metal bar shot to the face rocks Monroe but she loads up a powerbomb. Grace blocks that instead and switches into an Air Raid Crash through a table for the pin at 16:48.

Rating: C. This match didn’t know what it wanted to be, as it was designed to be all about the violence and the hatred but then wound up being a lot of less than serious spots. The weapons being pink and featuring stuff like a hairdryer and a bag of diamonds didn’t exactly help either. I’m glad Grace got a bit win, but dang I was wanting something a lot different than this.

Ava announces Invasion, with TNA facing NXT on October 7 in a pair of Survivor Series matches. Also, Darkstate vs. the Hardys, winner take all.

Lash Legend comes out to mock TNA and say she should be the captain of the NXT Survivor but will be back. Lola Vice comes in to say she’s sorry Reid is hurt Series team. Jaida Parker comes out for the brawl…and that’s it.

Lainey Reid is disappointed that she’s injured when Lola Vice comes in to console her. Reid thanks her…but knows Vice is losing anyway.

We look at another No Mercy classic, with Ethan Page beating Joe Hendry in 2024.

North American Title: Tavion Heights vs. Ethan Page

Heights is challenging and rams into him to start, with neither of them going anywhere. They head to the ramp where Page hits a quick backdrop to take over, followed by some elbows to the back inside. A belly to back suplex gives Page two and a regular suplex gets the same, with Page staying on the back. Page gives him a backbreaker onto the turnbuckle (OUCH) for a crash out to the floor.

Heights gets back to his feet and makes the comeback, including something close to a Sling Blade. An ankle lock puts Page in more trouble until he makes it to a rope. The leg is fine enough for Page to hit an Ego’s Edge for two before floating straight into a Boston crab. That’s broken up as well and they go up, with Heights grabbing a sleeper. Page reverses that into a super powerslam, followed by the Twisted Grin to retain the title at 10:19.

Rating: B-. I liked this one a good bit more than I was expecting, though Heights was only so much of a serious threat to take the belt. Page is on a bit of a roll right now and I could see him being something of a replacement Miz on the main roster. For now though, he gets to continue his second reign as a champion and that’s going well enough.

Post match AAA Latin American Champion El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. pops up to say he wants the North American Title.

Myles Borne is glad Lexis King made him tap into a different world. NXT is his family and he’s ready to go to war with TNA. He doesn’t care who comes after NXT, because they’ll be ready to defend their house.

TNA’s Mike Santana is ready to win the TNA World Title back and he’s not the only one in TNA who is ticked off. He’ll be back on Tuesday and he’s not coming alone.

Frankie Kazarian is going to be at NXT on Tuesday too.

From No Mercy 2024, Roxanne Perez b. Jaida Parker.

Women’s Title: Lola Vice vs. Jacy Jayne

Jayne, with Fallon Henley, is defending and Vice is the hometown star. We get the Big Match Intros before Jayne pulls her into a headlock. That’s reversed into a headscissors, which is reversed just as fast. Vice gets another headlock and stays on Jayne, who needs a breather in the corner. Henley offers a distraction and gets nowhere, as Vice is right back with a knockdown into a chinlock.

That’s broken up and they head outside, with Henley offering another distraction so Jayne can knock her into the steps. Back in and Vice fights back only for Henley to offer another distraction. A Backstabber gives Jayne two and we hit the chinlock with a knee to the back. Vice is able to reverse into a crossface, which is stacked up for two and the escape. Some kicks send Jayne into the corner for the running hip attack, with Jayne being sent outside. Vice’s flip dive connects (Henley seemed to take a big hit) but Jayne is back with a pump kick.

Back in and Vice’s spinning kick to the face gets two as Henley pulls the referee out. Henley is ejected but Vice misses a charge into the corner, allowing Jayne to hit a heck of a backfist for two. Vice is back up with a tornado DDT into a guillotine, which is broken up with a ram into the corner. A belly to back superplex into the running knee gives Jayne two and she’s stunned off the kickout.

The title is brought in but Vice rolls her up for two instead. Jayne kicks her in the arm but Vice kicks her in the face. They strike it out until Vice connects with a spinning backfist but falls out to the floor. Cue a woman in a hoodie to knee Vice down on the floor but she beats the count back in. The Rolling Encore retains the title at 18:40.

Rating: B-. I was thinking that Vice was going to win the title here, but at the end of the day, Jayne is in a great place as champion. It makes a lot of sense to keep the title on her, as someone is going to have to take the title from her sooner or later. I’m not sure where Vice is going from here, but she’s going to need a win to bounce back from this one way or another.

TNA’s Moose and Mustafa Ali are ready for the invasion.

We recap Ricky Saints challenging Oba Femi for the NXT Title. Saints has been around for a few months and has done well but he wants the top prize. Femi has talked about being the best of the best and is ready to make the Absolute look mediocre.

NXT Title: Ricky Saints vs. Oba Femi

Femi is defending and powers Saints into the corner to start. Saints gets a boot up to cut him off though and a rollup gets a quick two. A shot to the back has Saints in trouble but he’s up with some chops to slow it down. Saints poses a bit too much and has to slip out of a powerslam, meaning it’s a dropkick to stagger Femi. A running knee sends Femi outside but he’s back in with some Irish Curses to cut Saints off again.

Femi drops him with a clothesline out of the corner and Saints has to beat a count back inside. We hit the chinlock with a knee in Saints’ back, followed by a backbreaker to make it even worse. Saints fights up but springboards into a chokeslam for two. Back up again and Saints tries some running shots to the face, eventually managing to knock Femi down. The spear gives Saints two and it’s time for a double breather.

Femi catches him on top but Saints slips down and powerbombs him out of the corner for another near fall. Back up and Femi gets rolled up for two but he sends Saints flying for a crash. The Fall From Grace is countered into a hurricanrana for two and they knock each other down for another breather.

They go outside, with Femi loading up the announcers’ table, only for the Fall From Grace to be reversed into a DDT. A tornado DDT on the floor drops Femi again but he knocks Saints silly with a single shot. Back in and the Fall From Grace connects for two and Femi can’t believe it. Another Fall From Grace is countered into another DDT and another tornado DDT gives Saints the title at 17:23.

Rating: B. This was the story of Starks trying to fight through adversity because he had something to prove, which is exactly what he had to do. Other than spamming the DDT a bit, the match was put together well and it was definitely a big moment after a show without much in the way of title changes. Femi very well may be on his way up to the main roster too, as there isn’t much left for him to do in NXT.

Saints celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The opener and main event were both good (imagine: Shawn Michaels knowing how to book a match involving smaller wrestlers fighting monsters) but that Speed Title match and the cage match brought the show way back down. There’s nothing on here that is worth going out of your way to see but there is a good chance that this was Femi’s NXT swan song. Overall it’s a fine show, though not exactly a must see event. Check it out if you’re bored at best.

Results
Je’Von Evans b. Josh Briggs – Top rope cutter
Sol Ruca b. Jaida Parker – Sol Snatcher
Jordynne Grace b. Blake Monroe – Air Raid Crash through a table
Ethan Page b. Tavion Heights – Twisted Grin
Jacy Jayne b. Lola Vice – Rolling Encore
Ricky Saints b. Oba Femi – Springboard tornado DDT

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

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NXT
Date: September 23, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s time to finalize everything for No Mercy, which is taking place this weekend. In this case we have the winner take all World Title match as NXT Champion Oba Femi faces TNA World Champion Trick Williams. That does not have the rest of the TNA roster happy and they might be getting involved as a result. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a Homecoming recap.

Myles Borne vs. Lexis King

Lights Out (meaning wacky lighting) and anything goes. Borne jumps King during his entrance and we’re starting fast. The trashcan and chair are thrown inside and Borne drops him with a few chair shots. King is back up to put Borne in the chair for a running knee, followed by a knee to the ribs. A suplex onto the chair gets two and we hit a crossarm choke on Borne. King sends him into the corner and kicks away as the dark lighting is already getting annoying.

Borne comes back with a powerslam and we take a break. We come back with King throwing in a table but Borne cuts him off with some belt whipping to the back. Borne catapults him into a chair in the corner but King is right back up and tries to Pillmanize the necks. That doesn’t work either and a spear sends King crashing through the barricade. King superkicks his way out of trouble but a DDT puts him onto the steps. Borne Again through a table gives Borne the pin at 11:48.

Rating: C+. The violence was fine and I liked seeing Borne win, or at least I thought I did as you could barely see a lot of this. The whole Lights Out deal can be added without actually darkening the arena but I guess they wanted to go a bit more literal. I’m not sure what is next for King, but it’s not exactly working well for him at the moment.

Robert Stone and Stevie Turner are in charge tonight since Ava isn’t here. Ava is on the phone but the reception cuts out before she can say if she invited some TNA wrestlers.

Ethan Page is walking through the back when Miles Borne looks at his title. TNA’s Mance Warner and Steph de Lander are behind him but Page doesn’t seem to notice.

Here is Ethan Page for a chat. First, he acknowledges AAA’s El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and invites him to No Mercy. Wagner gets up and goes to the ring, with Page saying get a referee in here. That’s exactly what happens and Wagner makes him tap to an ankle lock in about ten seconds, though the bell never rang so I don’t think it really counts. Wagner holds up the title…and unmasks as Tavion Heights in a nice moment.

Earlier today, Jordynne Grace didn’t think much of Arianna Grace being less than serious and a match was made for later.

Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Lainey Reid vs. Candice LeRae

A NASCAR driver is the ring announcer. LeRae kicks her down to start but misses an early Lionsault as TNA’s Angel Warriors arrive in the back. Reid knocks her out to the apron but can’t get a suplex. Instead LeRae sends her outside and hits a springboard spinning crossbody. Back in and LeRae’s Gargano Escape is countered into a rollup for two and they trade some near falls. Reid knocks her silly with a knee to the face for the pin at 2:26.

Jaida Parker doesn’t like Lash Legend and says she can hit harder, talk louder and look better. A rematch is suggested.

Lyra Valkyria meets up with Tatum Paxley again and talks about friends possibly being strange. Paxley says nothing is ever Valkyria’s fault, with Valkyria saying she’s glad that Paxley is weird, but consistently weird. Izzi Dame comes in to say Valkyria will drop Paxley again. Of note: more TNA wrestlers were walking around behind them, with Hank & Tank following.

Chase U apologizes to the banged up Andre Chase but Chase says it’s ok. He brings in some NASCAR drivers, who tease summoning Joe Hendry. Darkstate comes in and doesn’t think much of Hendry…who has taken over the body of one of the drivers. Either way, a six man tag is set up.

Jordynne Grace vs. Arianna Grace

Arianna gets in a quick cheap shot to start but Jordynne unloads with forearms in the corner. A quick knockdown lets Arianna hit a splash, only to miss an elbow drop. Jordynne sends her into the corner a few times, followed by some clotheslines. The spinebuster into a spinning torture rack bomb finishes for Jordynne at 2:50.

Post match Stacks of all people pops up to check on Arianna but here is Blake Monroe with a trashcan full of weapons. Jordynne grabs a chair and the fight is on, with security breaking it up. The bosses come out to make a weapons cage match for No Mercy.

Lainey Reid is ready to beat Sol Ruca but Fatal Influence pops in. Jacy Jayne praises Reid but says she can handle Lola Vice by herself. The rest of the team isn’t convinced.

Here is Jayne to talk about how she’s been champion for over 100 days, like it or not. She has gotten rid of the labels people have put on her, like transitional champion. Now people are expecting LOLA VICE is going to take the title from her? Sure Vice has a million Instagram followers but she’s not ready to take the title. Jayne already shocked the world and she’s the underdog again because no one believes in her.

No one is going to ruin this for her and here is Vice to interrupt. After talking about various curves she has that Jayne doesn’t, Vice talks about growing up over the last year and being ready to win the title. At No Mercy, Vice will show no mercy but Jayne mocks Vice for wanting her family to be proud. Jayne promises to retain the title, even if it means a broken nose or jaw. Vice knocks her cold with a spinning backfist (Jayne sold that like death).

Josh Briggs is tired of being told he can’t connect with people so he’s finally giving up on doing anything but hurting people. Like Je’Von Evans at No Mercy.

Darkstate vs. Joe Hendry/Chase U

Darkstate jumps them during Hendry’s entrance until Shugars and Connors start things off. Connors ducks around Lennox and hands it off to Dixon to take over. A clothesline gets two on Lennox and it’s off to Hendry to keep the hot crowd warm. Hendry’s suplex is cut off and everything breaks down with Dixon hitting a big flip dive to the floor. Hendry and company pose and we take a break.

We come back with Dixon in trouble, with James dropping him onto the buckle so Lennox can clothesline him for two. We cut to the back where TNA’s Mike Santana is arriving and everything breaks down again. That settles back down to Dixon fighting out of the corner and bringing Hendry in to clean house. A suplex cuts Lennox off and it’s back to Connors, who manages to kick down some of the villains. Griffin and Lennox are sent into each other but a knee to the face drops Connors. The toss powerbomb finishes for Shugars at 11:39.

Rating: B-. I was expecting a squash here but Chase U managed to do a good bit better than usual, which made it a nice surprise. You’re only going to get so much out of a match with one of the lowest level teams against the champs but Chase U was working hard. I’m still not sure how much of a future they have, though they were certainly trying here.

Ricky Saints has gone back to New Orleans, in a place where his childhood home was…before the storm took it away. He’s proud to be the one who made it and he had to, because he didn’t have another choice. The reality is he believed in himself because there was no one else to believe in him. He’s back in New Orleans because it represents everything he’s done to get here. Saturday isn’t just about winning the NXT Title, but also about proving that he has gotten where he wanted to go. Good stuff here, though the Lola Vice version a few weeks ago was better.

No Mercy rundown.

Je’Von Evans knows Josh Briggs is talking about him but…and we pause because Jazmyn Nyx has been attacked. Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley don’t think much of it.

TNA World Title/NXT Title: Trick Williams vs. Oba Femi

Title for title. Femi tries an early Fall From Grace but Williams slips out and jumps over him for another standoff. More power has Williams in trouble, with one shot sending him to the floor. Williams manages to pull him onto the apron as we see various TNA wrestlers watching in the crowd.

Cue Mike Santana (set to challenge Williams at Bound For Glory, the biggest TNA event of the year, next month) to join commentary as we take a break. We come back with Williams hitting a slam…and Matt Cardona is in the crowd (that gets the fans’ attention). Femi gets fired up and hits a spinebuster, followed by a flying shoulder.

A Big Ending gives Femi two so Williams kicks him in the face for the same. Back up and Femi sends him flying but the Fall From Grace is countered into a rollup for two. The second attempt at the Fall From Grace gives Femi two as more TNA wrestlers are shown. Williams and Femi slug it out and head outside with Williams going after Santana, who slaps him back for the DQ at 11:51.

Rating: B-. They were starting to cook near the end, but NXT all but guaranteed that this was going to end with someone from TNA getting involved for the DQ to avoid a title change. It was a bit of a weird way to go, but Femi vs. Williams is the kind of a match that can be saved for a big moment later on. What we got was good, but it was basically just waiting for the interference ending.

Post the TNA wrestlers and NXT locker room run in for the big brawl. Ricky Saints grabs the NXT Title, but Oba Femi grabs it as well so the staredown can end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The ending of the main event was the weakest part of the show but the rest worked pretty well. What matters the most is the fact that they made No Mercy look a lot better. The show got some good build and I’m more interested in what they have coming up this weekend than I was coming in. Good show here and one of the better NXT’s in a while.

Results
Myles Borne b. Lexis King – Borne Again through a table
Lainey Reid b. Candice LeRae – Knee to the face
Jordynne Grace b. Arianna Grace – Spinning torture rack bomb
Darkstate b. Chase U/Joe Hendry – Toss powerbomb to Connors
Trick Williams b. Oba Femi via DQ when Mike Santana interfered

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

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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:

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