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

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

Here is Battleground if you need a recap.

We open with a long Battleground recap.

North American Title: Ricky Saints vs. Ethan Page

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mike Santana vs. Tavion Heights

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

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

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

The High Ryze is ready to take over.

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

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

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

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

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

Jaida Parker vs. Tatum Paxley

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

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

Post match Thea Hail runs in to chase Parker off.

Video on Jasper Troy.

Jasper Troy vs. Dante Chen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Women’s Title: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jacy Jayne

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Battleground 2025
Date: May 25, 2025
Location: Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

It’s another big show and we have quite the interesting card this time. Not only is Myles Borne getting an NXT Title shot against Oba Femi, but the TNA World Title is on the line as Joe Hendry defends against Trick Williams. That’s quite a doubleheader and now we get to see what else they have set up. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at the show’s major matches as battle lines have been drawn.

Women’s North American Title: Sol Ruca vs. Kelani Jordan

Ruca is defending and has Zaria in her corner. Feeling out process to start with neither of them getting anywhere until Ruca takes her down. Ruca surfs on her back before tripping Jordan into an STF. That’s broken up so Ruca hits a suplex into a standing moonsault. They trade rollups for two each until Jordan plants her down in the corner. Something like a powerbomb looks to set up a half crab but Ruca kicks away.

Jordan kicks at the leg and gets the half crab, which is reversed into a rollup to escape. They both climb up and it’s Ruca with a super X Factor to plant her down for a double breather. Back up and Jordan sends her to the floor, setting up the Asai moonsault. Jordan glares at Zaria and they head back inside, where Ruca blocks a super hurricanrana. A Backstabber (with feet instead of knees) sends Jordan to the floor and a big handspring flip dive drops her again.

Back in and Jordan knocks her down for a change, setting up a frog splash for two. They both head up top again and Jordan tries a super poisonrana, with Ruca flipping out and landing on her feet. A spear gives Ruca two so she goes up, where Jordan gives her a super Spanish Fly for two. Back up and Zaria pulls Ruca away from One Of A Kind, which is enough for an ejection. Jordan baseball slides Ruca down and breaks up the Sol Snatcher but Ruca goes up anyway. A top rope Sol Snatcher retains the title at 12:58.

Rating: B-. That Sol Snatcher is something else and WWE seems to know what they have with the thing. It’s making Ruca feel like a bigger star every time she puts someone away with it and this time it came at the end of a good match. Jordan is starting to find herself more, while Zaria continues to feel irrelevant. Odds are this is setting up Ruca vs. Zaria, and that’s feeling like a downgrade for Ruca at this point.

We recap the Culling attacking Josh Briggs, with Hank And Tank making the save.

Shawn Spears gives the Culling a pep talk before the six man tag. The team can rely on him to face a formidable challenge.

AAA’s Dalys and Chik Tormenta are here.

TNA’s Mike Santana is coming for the TNA World Title so he needs to see who walks out tonight. For those of you who don’t know who he is, he’s a proud man from the Bronx and he wants the winner of tonight’s title match. The No Quarter Catch Crew come in and say they don’t like these outsiders. Tavion Heights wants a match on Tuesday and Santana is game. As this is going on, two women (I believe Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne) can be seen arguing in the back.

The Culling vs. Hank And Tank/Josh Briggs

Izzi Dame is here with the Culling and Vance gets caught in the wrong corner to start. Some dives take Vance out on the floor but Hank gets sent hard into the post. The villains take turns beating on Hank, with Spears stomping away. Hank gets in a right hand for a breather and kicks Vance away, allowing the tag off to Tank to clean house.

Vance gets in a headbutt, only for Briggs to come in with a top rope moonsault for two. A double stomp Dominator hits Hank and the referee has to stop the count due to a late save. Spears grabs Briggs’ hand and Dame gets in a big boot so Jensen can roll him up for two. Briggs hits a heck of a lariat and hands it back to Hank for the powerslam/neckbreaker combination and the pin at 9:28.

Rating: C. This felt like a way to get the Tag Team Champions on the show and they probably should have a better way to go than that. I’ll take it over a forced title defense, but this was easily the weakest built match on the show. The tag division isn’t overly strong at the moment and I’m not sure who is going to be next to come after the belts, save for maybe Darkstate.

Post match the Culling jumps the winners again but Yoshiki Inamaru returns for the save. Great. Now he can be uninteresting all over again.

Ethan Page is ready to win the North American Title on Tuesday by finally finishing Ricky Saints. Ava comes in to say the winner will defend the title at Worlds Collide on June 7.

We recap Stacks vs. Tony D’Angelo. They were the leaders of the D’Angelo Family and grew up together. Stacks started making some moves that D’Angelo didn’t like and put a stop to them, which led to Stacks turning on the team. Now it’s time for revenge and to find out the real force of the team.

Stacks vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo takes him straight down to start and hammers away but Stacks hits a kick to the ribs. Some heavy forearms to the back of the head rock D’Angelo and they head outside. Stacks gets rammed into the apron and tries to go over the barricade, earning himself a ram into the post. A little too much trash talk lets Stacks knock him into the steps though and a running dropkick makes it worse.

Back in and Stacks stays on D’Angelo’s ribs with a seated abdominal stretch as Booker goes on a weird rant about how it’s “Channing Stacks Lorenzo” rather than “Stacks”. Cement Shoes gives Stacks two but D’Angelo fires off some more uppercuts to the body. Stacks goes back to the ribs but misses another Cement Shoes. A delayed German suplex drops Stacks and D’Angelo hits a powerbomb before raining down right hands.

Hold on though as D’Angelo stops and looks around before they both stand up. Stacks tells D’Angelo that he’s weak and drives him ribs first into the post. A cannonball only hits post though and D’Angelo hits Forget About It for two. D’Angelo’s ribs give out again and Stacks drapes him over the ropes for a top rope double stomp.

Stacks goes to get his crowbar but D’Angelo has taken it away. A spear cuts Stacks down and D’Angelo hammers away with forearms. Stacks begs forgiveness but gets spinebustered for his efforts. Cue Luca Crusifino to stare at D’Angelo, allowing Stacks to kick D’Angelo low. A running knee to the back of the head finishes for Stacks at 15:17.

Rating: B. That’s the right way to go as it leaves the door open for something else while Stacks losing here would have been a death sentence. The Crusifino deal is something else on its own, as he didn’t actually attack anyone and just stood there. That’s likely going to be explained soon, as this story feels like it has a long way to go.

Post match D’Angelo gets up and Crusifino (who did not get physical) offers a hug but gets shoved away.

We recap Jordynne Grace challenging Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s Title. Vaquer is the new star and Grace beat Giulia to get a title shot. This is a major showdown and that’s what it should be.

Women’s Title: Jordynne Grace vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Vaquer is defending. We get a handshake to start and Grace picks her up without much trouble. Grace works on an armbar but Grace is back up with a headscissors into a rollup for two. They go outside and Grace is sent over the announcers’ table, leaving commentary to mock Booker for being such a huge Vaquer fan. Back in and the Boston crab sends Vaquer over to the ropes so Grace slams her down. The Vader Bomb misses though and Vaquer gets in the Devil’s Kiss.

Back up and Grace hits a spinebuster into a sitout package powerbomb for two as they’re both getting tired. Vaquer hits a DDT for two but Grace takes her into the corner for a superplex into a Jackhammer for two more. Back up and the SVB and Juggernaut Driver are both countered, setting up a fight over a tombstone.

With that not working, they go outside and Vaquer powers her through the barricade for a big crash. Back in and the SVB connects…for two, leaving Vaquer stunned. Another SVB is broken up and Vaquer takes out the leg with a dragon screw legwhip out of the corner. Vaquer goes up and hits a Spiral Tap to retain at 16:09.

Rating: B. Another good one here, as Vaquer felt like she defeated Grace for good here. Busting out the Spiral Tap felt like a big way to go and it was Vaquer needing to go big to beat a top opponent. I’m not sure who is next for both of them, but this was a big time title match and that’s what it was supposed to be.

Here is Ricky Saints for a chat. He is ready to face Ethan Page because he doesn’t get what people see in Page. The thing is Page is like the guy at the party but no one knows why he is there. The reality is Saints can put the title on the line because he knew Page’s greed would get in his way. If he has to start this week’s show to beat Page up, so be it. As for Worlds Collide, Saints is ready to go to Mexico if he has to…and here is Page to try and jump him from behind. Saints cuts that off and security breaks it up, with Saints diving onto all of them to get at Page.

We recap Myles Borne challenging Oba Femi for the NXT Title in the form of Borne having a sitdown interview in an empty arena. Borne wasn’t sure if he was ready when he came here but now he’s doing as well as he ever has before. He was ready at the battle royal and he’ll be ready to come after the title.

It’s true that he was given a 15% chance of living when he was born but now he wants people to know about his disability so that kids who are struggling can know that nothing can hold them back. He’s been fighting the odds since birth and he’ll be fighting the odds against Femi, who has everything over him. The only thing Borne has over him is heart. Sweet goodness this guy is likable.

NXT Title: Oba Femi vs. Myles Borne

Borne is challenging. Femi backs him into the corner to start and sends Borne flying, though Borne does stick the landing. A nice dropkick staggers Femi but he’s back up with a suplex for one to take over. Some forearms to the back have Borne in more trouble and a big one puts him down. An Irish Curse plants Borne again and Femi slams him head first into the mat.

Back up and another great dropkick puts Femi down again for a needed breather. A big clothesline rocks Borne but he grabs a sleeper to put Femi in some trouble for a change. Borne can’t suplex him and Femi gets in a kick to the ribs, setting up a reverse chinlock. That’s broken up and Borne manages to send him outside for a heck of a flip dive. Back in and a powerslam out of the corner gives Borne two as the fans are getting into this.

A double stomp into a standing moonsault…is countered into a chokeslam for two as Femi is looking a bit shaken. Borne is back up with a DDT before countering the Fall From Grace with a hurricanrana. Back up and Femi rocks him with a forearm to the face, only to get caught with a German suplex. A frog splash gives Borne two and he hits another dropkick but walks into a pop up uppercut. The Fall From Grace…gets two and the fans are right back into this. Borne rolls him up out of the corner for two but gets turned inside out with a clothesline. Back to back Falls From Grace retain the title at 16:51.

Rating: A-. I had a grand total of no expectations coming into this and they MORE than pulled me into the whole thing. While I wasn’t completely buying that Borne was going to win, they had me feeling the Rocky style story here of someone who had no business hanging in there with the monster champion. I loved this and it’s one of the best things I’ve seen NXT do in a long time.

Post match, respect is shown.

We cut to the back where Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley are STILL arguing (for an hour now). At the same time, Stephanie Vaquer is arguing with the two women from AAA. Jayne comes in to slap Vaquer and they have to be held back.

We recap Trick Williams challenging Joe Hendry for the TNA Title.

TNA World Title: Joe Hendry vs. Trick Williams

Hendry is defending and we get the Big Match Intros. Hendry wants to fight so they start the brawling, with Hendry grabbing a headlock. Back up and Williams hits a fall away slam for two, followed by a Rock Bottom for the same. They trade rollups for two each until Williams drops him again. Williams tries a Spinarooni (yes we look at Booker) but he walks into a Rock Bottom for two.

A side kick drops Hendry but he muscles Williams into a fireman’s carry slam for two more. Williams is back up and they go to the floor, where Hendry is whipped into the steps. Back in and Hendry fights up again, this time with a fall away slam. Hendry hits the pose but the Standing Ovation is blocked. Williams misses a kick and gets Standing Ovationed for two with a foot on the ropes making the save.

Back up and Williams kicks him down and they head outside, with a Rock Bottom through a table planting Hendry. Back in and a Trick Shot gives Williams two and frustration is setting in. Williams grabs the belt and gets it taken away, only to walk into a Standing Ovation attempt. That’s broken up with a rake to the eyes, allowing Williams to flapjack Hendry down onto the belt. Another Trick Shot drops Hendry for the pin and the title at 15:04.

Rating: B. This is what the crossover story has been needing, as otherwise it’s just been midcarders trading wins. Hendry gets cheated out of the title and there is a reason to see a rematch, possibly with Hendry winning the title back at Slammiversary to avenge his company. Williams has been needing a win of his own too and it came at the end of another solid match.

Overall Rating: A-. That six man is the only thing close to bad on the show and it’s absolutely nothing terrible. Other than that, it was one good match after another with Femi vs. Borne tearing the house down. This was a good looking show coming in and they knocked it out of the park with a great night. NXT has been needing a show like this for a bit and dang it was worth the watch. Awesome stuff here.

Results
Sol Ruca b. Kelani Jordan – Super Sol Snatcher
Josh Briggs/Hank And Tank b. The Culling – Powerslam/neckbreaker combination to Jensen
Stacks b. Tony D’Angelo – Running knee
Stephanie Vaquer b. Jordynne Grace – Spiral Tap
Oba Femi b. Myles Borne – Fall From Grace
Trick Williams b. Joe Hendry – Trick Shot

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

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NXT
Date: May 13, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Corey Graves, Vic Joseph

We’re less than two weeks away from Battleground and the big story is going to see Trick Williams challenging Joe Hendry for the TNA World Title. That means there is a good chance that Hendry will be around this week, along with some other things being set up for the show. We could be in for some big happenings so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Here is the No Quarter Catch Crew, with new #1 contender Myles Borne. He talks about how he was probably not the big favorite for last week’s battle royal and let’s get around this already: yes he has a disability because he is partially deaf. It affects his hearing and his ability to speak, but that’s not what he wants to be known as. He wants to be known as the one who overcomes the odds and while he can’t hear very well, at Battleground, he’ll hear himself called the new NXT Champion.

Cue Ethan Page, who is tired of this sentimental stuff. Borne won the title shot on a fluke so he can’t beat Oba Femi. Fans: “YOU CAN’T EITHER!” Page wants the title shot on the line tonight and Charlie Dempsey thinks it’s a good idea. Ava comes out to say it’s on, but Dempsey’s match is on right now. Page is right in that Borne came out of nowhere, but this did a good job of making him feel a lot more personable. That’s a nice thing to see and it worked well here.

Oba Femi vs. Charlie Dempsey

Non-title. Femi wastes no time in powering him out to the floor and we take an early break. Back with Dempsey getting a few shots to the head and grabbing a headscissors takeover. Dempsey starts in on the arm but Femi slams his way out of an armbar. A short armscissors is countered with a dead lift and Femi starts firing off the uppercuts. The Fall From Grace finishes Dempsey at 8:13.

Rating: B-. Dempsey going after the arm and trying to do the technical stuff worked well enough, but there was only so much you can do to stop a monster like Femi. This was more about Femi overcoming a bit of adversity and winning in the end, which is what he does well. Nice opener, and a bit better than I was expecting.

Earlier today, Thea Hail and Karmen Petrovic ran into Tatum Paxley, who was losing her mind and screaming about her friends leaving her (as Gigi Dolin was released).

Ricky Saints comes up to a warming up Ethan Page and mocks him for trying to ruin everyone’s moments. Page isn’t impressed and says Saints can go back to playing second fiddle to him. Saints: “Good luck with that.”

Wes Lee vs. Tony D’Angelo

Lee has officially dubbed his team with Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont as “High Rise”. Yeah that’s not good. Lee’s headlock doesn’t get him very far so he fires off some kicks to the legs. That earns him some uppercuts from D’Angelo but DuPont grabs the foot. That offers a grand total of no impact but D’Angelo sends Lee outside, with the other two catching him. D’Angelo dives onto the three of them and we take a break.

Back with Lee yelling a lot and promising to be the next Don. That brings D’Angelo up with some headbutts to the floor and an overhead belly to belly connects back inside. The powerslam gives D’Angelo two but he gets pulled down into a hurricanrana. The Cardiac Kick is speared down…but Stacks is on the Titantron. Stacks shows up at Riz’s safe house and that’s enough of a distraction for the Cardiac Kick to finish D’Angelo at 10:15.

Rating: C+. Odds are that is setting up the Stacks vs. D’Angelo showdown at Battleground and Lee winning here is a nice moment for him. Giving the stable a new name isn’t going to make it much better, but the winning could help. Not exactly a great match, but it set up the bigger match down the line.

OTM is coming back.

Here is Stephanie Vaquer for a chat. She saw Jordynne Grace becoming the new #1 contender to the Women’s Title and now it’s time for them to fight at Battleground. Cue Fatal Influence to interrupt, with Jacy Jayne bringing up Fallon Henley losing the Women’s North American Title.

Henley doesn’t like that but here is Grace to interrupt. Grace is here to protect her investment, which isn’t something Vaquer likes. Jayne mocks Grace’s lack of success, which Vaquer says will continue at Battleground. Grace is going to make sure Vaquer makes it to Battleground. Given that it’s another show and a half, that’s not much of a guarantee.

Myles Borne says he has this, mainly due to Charlie Dempsey being banged up.

The Undertaker and Bubba Ray Dudley talk to the finalists of the women’s side of WWE LFG. Izzi Dame, Nikkita Lyons, Lola Vice and Lash Legend all come in to threaten anyone who comes for this division. Undertaker isn’t intimidated. Dang I can’t wait for LFG to be over so they can stop talking about it.

The D’Angelo Family races to the safe house.

Myles Borne vs. Ethan Page

For the Battleground title shot. Borne wrestles him into a front facelock to start and then armdrags him into an armbar. That’s broken up and Borne reverses Page’s suplex attempt into a successful version. Page elbow shim in the face and grabs a chinlock, which is broken up rather quickly as well. A clothesline puts Page out on the floor and we take a break.

Back with Page hitting a superplex but not being able to get a Boston crab. Borne snaps off an overhead belly to belly suplex and an Angle Slam gets two. Page blocks a dropkick for two more but it’s too early for the Ego’s Edge. Twisted Grin is countered as well and Borne hits a dropkick into a jackknife rollup for the pin at 11:09.

Rating: B-. The point of this match was to make Borne look like a more serious challenger to Oba Femi and it went just fine. At the end of the day, NXT has two shows to have Borne go from basically a nobody to challenging for the NXT Title. He got a clean win over a former NXT Champion and that’s good, but you can only get him so far that fast. Borne did look good here though and that’s all he could do.

Sean Legacy is upset about losing last week in the battle royal and wants Je’Von Evans.

Evans is interested but Ashante Thee Adonis comes up to mock the idea. Ricky Saints likes the idea too, and says maybe the winner can get a title shot after Battleground.

Tony D’Angelo arrives at the safe house and gets jumped by Stacks, who mocks everything he’s doing. The challenge is issued for Battleground.

Thea Hail vs. Tatum Paxley

Hail punches her down to start and wants to know what she did to Paxley. Some armdrags take Paxley down but she faceplants Hail down. Hail reverses a ram into the buckle as Jaida Parker is watching backstage. An enziguri connects with Hail, who is right back with a rollup for two. Paxley’s running flipping Fameasser gets two but Hail clotheslines her way out of trouble. The Kimura sends Paxley straight to the rope so Hail grabs it again. That sends Paxley to Hail’s eye, which is actually a DQ at 4:35.

Rating: C+. This was pretty much all about the ending and it only worked so well. At the end of the day, this feels like a total shift for Paxley as her short lived team with Gigi Dolin is over. It continues to astound me that the team was thrown together and then left to die without any kind of resolution, even a short term one, as it creates this kind of an issue. Paxley being insane could be a good way to go, but we’ll have to see where it goes from here.

Post match Paxley goes for the eye again and has to be held back.

Kelani Jordan comes in to yell at Sol Ruca and Zaria for taking her out last week. Jordan wants one more shot at Zaria and when she wins, she gets a title shot. Ruca accepts, with Zaria not being happy.

We get the Joe Hendry/Trick Williams contract signing. Ava talks about the prestige of the title and Williams promises to take the title. Hendry knows Williams knows what it means to break out, but now Williams is just complaining about everything. Hendry talks about how he’s making TNA bigger than ever before but Williams says everyone has his fifteen minutes of fame. Well except for Hollywood Trick that is.

Williams signs and Hendry talks about how this is Williams’ last chance, because he has no path back to the NXT Title. After Battleground, the TNA Title is gone too. Hendry signs and staring ensues. There wasn’t much new here, but both of them sold it well. I’m just not sure I can imagine Hendry actually beating him.

Hank And Tank come in to see Josh Briggs, who is a little blue. Briggs is sad to lose his friend and his partner but here is Shawn Spears to mock him for his losses. Briggs doesn’t want to hear this and implies he wants a match with Spears.

The new Chase U gets their first match set for next week against….OTM. Andre Chase: “GUYS WHAT THE F***?”

Jordynne Grace/Stephanie Vaquer vs. Fatal Influence

Grace backdrops and clotheslines Henley to start but Vaquer tags herself in. A springboard high crossbody hits Henley but it’s back to Jayne for a snap suplex. Vaquer pulls her into a European Clutch for two, only for Henley to get in a cheap shot from the apron. Jayne’s superkick sets up a Codebreaker and Vaquer is in trouble. Grace gets pulled off the apron and Fatal Influence puts both of them down as we take a break.

Back with Vaquer fighting out of the corner but Jayne plants her back down for two. Jayne hits her with a pump kick but Jayne gets in a shot of her own and brings Grace back in. Grace cleans house for two and everything breaks down with Fatal Influence actually getting the better of things. Grace takes a shot for Vaquer though, only to fight out of a double team. The Juggernaut Driver finishes Jayne at 10:54.

Rating: B-. So we have a team who is starting to work well together for the sake of their upcoming match, while Fatal Influence’s issues continue. I’m not sure how a split would go between them as there isn’t much of a reason to cheer for them, but we seem to be heading in that direction. The Grace/Vaquer story isn’t exactly original, but it should go well enough to get them to Battleground.

Battleground rundown.

Grace holds up Vaquer’s arm.

Ethan Page has attacked Ricky Saints.

Vaquer and Grace look at each other some more to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was mostly the “get Battleground ready really fast” and it worked out fairly well. The problem here is that they only had so much time to make it work and they did it well enough here. There is still a lot to do next week, but this was a good way to get us closer.

Results
Oba Femi b. Charlie Dempsey – Fall From Grace
Wes Lee b. Tony D’Angelo – Cardiac Kick
Myles Borne b. Ethan Page – Dropkick
Thea Hail b. Tatum Paxley via DQ when Paxley poked the eye
Jordynne Grace/Stephanie Vaquer b. Fatal Influence – Juggernaut Driver to Jayne

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

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

NXT
Date: May 6, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We’re less than a month away from Battleground and the big story continues to be TNA World Champion Joe Hendry having issues with NXT’s Trick Williams. That could open up some doors to a big time fight, but there are some other things that need to be covered on the way to the show. Let’s get to it.

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

Hank And Tank/Joe Hendry vs. Darkstate

Darkstate jumps them to start fast with Lennox spinebustering Tank for two. Hank comes in for a backsplash on James and it’s off to Hendry for a delayed suplex. It’s already back to Tank, who gets taken down by Lennox. Hendry gets the tag though and everything breaks down, with Hendry cleaning house. Hank almost gets caught in Hendry’s fall away slam but instead they pause for the three man pose.

We take a break and come back with Hank hammering away on Jones but a distraction cuts it off. Hank gets taken into the wrong corner and Griffin gets two off a backbreaker. A clothesline gives James two of his own and we hit the chinlock. Griffin’s powerslam gets two more but Hank breaks free and brings in Tank to clean house. Everything breaks down and the fall away slam sends Jones falling away. Cue Trick Williams to brawl with Hendry though, leaving the toss triplebomb to pin Tank at 11:47.

Rating: C+. I like what they’re doing with Darkstate so far as they’re being treated like a big deal. The team has debuted and turned into a threat in just a few weeks. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them win the Tag Team Titles sooner than later and that’s a good place to start. Other than that, Williams vs. Hendry should be good when they get here, as it’s pretty clearly up next for both of them.

Karmen Petrovic and Thea Hail are talking about the women’s division when Jaida Parker comes in to talk down to them. Petrovic seems ready to fight Parker soon.

The No Quarter Catch Crew is ready to fight, even if it’s every man for themselves.

Zaria vs. Kelani Jordan

Sol Ruca is here with Zaria. Jordan gets powered out of the corner to start but comes back with a kick to the head. Some shoulders to the ribs have stagger Zaria but she’s right back with a gutbuster. Jordan is fine enough to kick her out to the floor, only for Zaria to be ready for One Of A Kind. Zaria gets knocked down on the outside again and we take a break.

Back with Zaria on the second rope and lifting Jordan up for a choke. Jordan flips out of a release German suplex though and a tornado DDT gets two on Zaria. A 450 misses though and Zaria’s spear gets two more. Jordan’s standing legdrop into a reverse DDT gets the same and she slips out of a chokeslam. Zaria gets sent outside and taken out with a dive but Jordan gets knocked into Ruca by mistake. Ruca makes a quick catch though, allowing Zaria to spear Jordan through the barricade. The F5 gives Zaria the pin at 11:24.

Rating: C+. This is more like it from Zaria, who got to smash through Jordan (and the barricade) to win in the end. She’s a powerhouse and it’s nice to see what she can do. I’m not sure what she’s going to do other than likely turn on Ruca at some point, but that’s better than nothing. Just let her be a monster and it should work well.

Wes Lee, Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont come up to mock Tony D’Angelo, who would rather fight than talk. They’ll see each other later.

Lola Vice knows Stephanie Vaquer is ready for whomever wins the main event. Giulia comes in to say she’s waiting on Vaquer.

Battle Royal

Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, Brad Baylor, Timothy Thatcher, Ricky Smokes, Sean Legacy, Tavion Heights, Ethan Page, Myles Borne, Lexis King, Shawn Spears, Nick Vance, Brooks Jensen, Ashante Thee Adonis, Elijah, Wes Lee, Tyriek Igwe, Tyson DuPont, Chris Island, Charlie Dempsey, Yoshiki Inamura, Shiloh Hill, Zachary Wentz, Josh Briggs, Ridge Holland

For the NXT Title shot at Battleground and Elijah, now in TNA, is better known as Elias. After a bit of a song, the bell rings and Island (from WWE LFG) is thrown out by King. That’s the end of good things for King though, who is tossed out as well. Inamura knocks Baylor out and Adonis gets to clean house. Williams saves himself though and gets rid of Adonis as we take a break.

Back with Inamura and Briggs almost getting into a fight and Thatcher being tossed out by Page. Vance sacrifices himself to save Spears and gets eliminated as a result. Williams kicks Hill out but gets sent over the top, where he hangs on to the bottom rope. Jensen charges at DuPont and accidentally eliminates himself at the same time. Inamura accidentally knocks Briggs out and most of the people left stop for a breather. Wentz and Lee tease a fight but get broken up, with Wentz being tossed out.

We take another break and come back again with Holland and Inamura trading forearms. The exchange of clotheslines stagger both of them but Williams is back up with the double elimination. Cue Joe Hendry for a distraction though, allowing Elijah to toss Williams out. Hendry and Williams brawl to the back and Spears throws Elijah out as well. Legacy hits a kick to Evans, who springboards back to knock Legacy down. A cutter cuts Legacy off and Page’s low bridge gets rid of him.

We’re down to Page, Borne, Evans and Spears, with the fans approving of what they’re seeing. Borne starts snapping off some powerslams but gets kicked in the head by Page. Spears superkicks Borne but winds up on the apron with Evans. With Spears back inside, Evans springboards in to take down Spears and Page. A springboard cutter hits Borne but Page and Spears cut off another springboard cutter and eliminate Evans. Naturally the alliance doesn’t last as Spears is thrown over, with Borne sending Page over at the same time for the double elimination and the huge upset win at 23:00.

Rating: B-. Well ok then. I’m not sure how many people would have guessed Borne but that’s kind of the point of a battle royal. You can have someone come in and get a surprise win, which could set up something else on the way to the title match. Borne getting the title shot is quite the odd choice, though I certainly did like the surprise of going with a fresh star rather than going with someone who has been around the title scene for a good while.

Post match the No Quarter Catch Crew comes in to celebrate.

Jordynne Grace is ready to become #1 contender. Izzi Dame and Lash Legend come in to laugh at her, with Grace saying she’ll win the title and see them on the other side. Grace barely comes up to Legend’s shoulder.

Jaida Parker vs. Karmen Petrovic

Parker powers her into the corner to start but Petrovic is back with something like a basement Rough Ryder for two. Petrovic sends her outside for a dive, only to get caught with a spinning elbow to the face back inside. A Tear drop in the corner sets up a seated neck crank but Petrovic fights up again. Petrovic knocks her into the corner for a running kick to the face for two, meaning frustration is setting in. The spinning kick misses though and Parker hits Hipnotique for the pin at 4:10.

Rating: C. This was a way to have Parker go out there and get a quick win as she is likely on the way to getting to do something bigger in the near future. She’s not ready for the title picture yet but there is a good chance that she could wind up there one day. To set that up, she is going to need some more wins like this one so points for building towards the future.

Post match Parker stays on her but Thea Hail makes the save. Parker knocks Hail off the apron as well but bails when Petrovic gets back up.

Ava tells Joe Hendry that he’ll be defending the TNA Title against Trick Williams at Battleground. Next week: a contract signing.

Video on OTM, who are on the way back.

Wes Lee is on the phone and tells Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont that “everybody has a price.”

Yoshiki Inamura knows he disappointed Josh Briggs and is on his way back to Japan. Inamura gives him back his fest and they seem to part as friends. The Culling comes in and Brooks Jensen as Briggs might have always been the problem. Or maybe it’s putting him with lame partners.

Charlie Dempsey suggests that Myles Borne give him the title shot for the good of the team. Oba Femi comes in and says he’ll see Borne at Battleground. Dempsey says he’ll be getting the shot, but Borne says not so fast. Instead, how about Dempsey faces Femi? Works for Femi. Borne: “D***. He’s p*****.” Dempsey loves Borne’s selective hearing.

We go to Chase U, where the students have some new gear for Andre Chase. He tries on a shirt and then a track suit, the latter of which seems to work for him.

Jordynne Grace vs. Giulia

For the Women’s Title shot at Battleground. They forearm it out to start with Giulia knocking her into the corner and hammering away. A gutwrench faceplant has Giulia in trouble (landing on her head doesn’t help, with commentary sounding scared) and Grace strikes away. Giulia’s STO gets two and a basement dropkick has Grace down again. Giulia breaks up a middle rope suplex and hits a neckbreaker onto the floor as we take a break.

Back with Grace fighting out of a cravate and hitting a spinebuster for two. Giulia pulls her into a guillotine but Grace reverses into an overhead belly to belly suplex. Grace’s Michinoku Driver gets two and a delayed superplex into a Jackhammer gets the same. Back up and Giulia hits a northern lights driver for two, followed by a modified octopus. They forearm it out again and the Juggernaut Driver gives Grace the pin at 12:43.

Rating: B-. It’s weird to see Giulia taking a clean loss but this sets Grace up for the title shot at Battleground. Grace has felt like she has been gearing up for something like this since she debuted and now it’s starting to happen. At the same time, I’m not sure where this leaves Giulia, who lost clean and needs something to do.

Stephanie Vaquer comes out for the staredown with Grace to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was the show that started setting up a lot for Battleground, either by having the matches officially made or teasing something that will be announced soon. I liked the show well enough, but it was the show that sets things up for later. That Borne win was definitely a big surprise and kept me interested for a good while on the show, so points for trying something out of left field.

Results
Darkstate b. Hank And Tank/Joe Hendry – Toss triplebomb to Tank
Zaria b. Kelani Jordan – F5
Myles Borne won a battle royal last eliminating Ethan Page
Jaida Parker b. Karmen Petrovic – Hipnotique
Jordynne Grace b. Giulia – Juggernaut Driver

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

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

Last week’s big deal was the return of Joe Hendry, who confronted NXT Champion Oba Femi. Trick Williams isn’t happy with Hendry either and he showed up to jump Hendry over the weekend at TNA Rebellion. Other than that, it’s time to get ready for Battleground and now some stars are on the main roster, meaning some people will get to step up. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Joe Hendry showing up last week and then getting taken out by Trick Williams at Rebellion.

Commentary talks about Hendry so of course here he is. Hendry talks about having a great week but then he got laid out by Williams. That was Williams crossing the line because he couldn’t stand people talking about Hendry. People were talking about Williams not being able to win so he went after Hendry, who has a violent side. Hendry calls Williams out…but it’s Darkstate to jump him instead.

Earlier today, Ava invited Iyo Sky back to NXT for one night and asked if she had a partner for tonight. Sky doesn’t yet, but Jordynne Grace comes in to offer her services. Works for Sky.

Karmen Petrovic listens to Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley vent about their losses but Ashante Thee Adonis comes in. He’s gotten Petrovic a match with Sol Ruca but she’s not thrilled about him calling Dolin and Paxley “losers”.

North American Title: Lexis King vs. Ricky Saints

Saints is defending and gets jumped to start fast. That doesn’t work for Saints, who fights back without even taking off his vest. A shot in the corner has King in trouble but he gets in a shot to the face. Back up and Saints sends him outside for a dropkick through the ropes and we take a break.

We come back with both of them hitting crossbodies at the same time, allowing King to hit a Swanton for two. A fireman’s carry gutbuster gets two as Booker wants him to follow up. The tornado DDT is countered and King rolls him up for two. Now Saints’ tornado DDT can connect and Roshambo retains the title at 8:31.

Rating: B-. Good match here for Saints, as he gets to beat a former champion and continue to establish himself. The easiest way to make someone look good as a newcomer is to have them win matches and that’s what they’re doing with Saints. I’m not sure what is next for King, but he could use something new sooner than later.

Shawn Spears isn’t happy with the Culling’s recent issues but he wants Izzi Dame to put the spotlight on herself. If they can become a better team, they will find their success.

Here is Tony D’Angelo for a chat, with security flanking him. No, he did not expect Stacks to turn on him because they have known each other since they were kids. Stacks would go after someone and D’Angelo would step up for him because that’s what loyalty does. The thing is Stacks has always wanted to be the boss. While Stacks has stepped up when he was needed, even when D’Angelo was hurt, he has been a hot head and put the team in jeopardy.

That’s what made D’Angelo step in to make the save, which is why Stacks waited for the right moment to stab D’Angelo in the back. The Family is scattered…and here come some goons. Stacks pops up on screen, saying he won’t be showing up tonight. Security wouldn’t let anyone do anything tonight but D’Angelo needs to hear something.

The reality is that D’Angelo doesn’t understand that he isn’t a leader anymore. D’Angelo has gone soft and doesn’t even know who he can trust anymore. The goons come in and go after D’Angelo, who clears the ring without much trouble. D’Angelo tells Stacks to bring it but sneering ensues instead. This is a fairly goofy feud but if they focus on the personal issues between old friends who have split, they have something.

The Meta Four is happy to be back but Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson seem to think it’s time for the team to go their separate ways. Dar agrees and the team is done on good terms.

Karmen Petrovic vs. Sol Ruca

Non-title and Ashante Thee Adonis is here with Petrovic while Zaria is here with Ruca. Petrovic is sent to the floor to start but avoids a moonsault, only to get kicked in the ribs back inside. Ruca gets knocked into the corner for a baseball slide but is right back up for the comeback. A running kick to the chest looks to set up the Sol Snatcher, which is broken up for a change. Back in and Ruca pulls her out of the corner, setting up the Sol Snatcher for the pin at 3:28.

Rating: C. Not much to see here outside of the always cool Sol Snatcher (which looked like it was fairly close to missing this time). Petrovic didn’t get to showcase herself very well here, but it wasn’t like this was some big match for her in the first place. Ruca needs a challenger, and Petrovic pretty clearly is not it.

Post match Petrovic kicks Adonis down. Thank goodness, as that story has gone absolutely nowhere.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. Williams gets right to the point by calling out Joe Hendry, who does not appear because Darkstate already took him out. Hendry got the best of him last week so Williams showed up at Rebellion to take Hendry out. While Williams was in Los Angeles for Rebellion, he got a spot on All American and debuts soon.

Yeah he’s Hollywood Trick (as the fans chant him) but Hendry is local talent. Williams wants Oba Femi and the NXT Title so here is Ava, who reminds Williams of his ejection last week. That doesn’t seem to mean much to Williams, who says he is the biggest star in NXT and TNA. Ava says Williams can have a title shot…if he wins a 25 man battle royal next week, with the winner getting the title shot at Battleground.

Roxanne Perez talks to Giulia before their tag match tonight and Giulia seems to respect her.

Oba Femi is fine with facing Trick Williams if he wins the battle royal. The Undertaker comes in who says some of his guys from LFG are coming for Femi, so here are Jasper Troy, Shiloh Hill and Anthony Luke. Femi shakes Undertaker’s hand and looks forward to the challenge.

Tag Team Titles: Hank & Tank vs. Josh Briggs/Yoshiki Inamura

Hank & Tank are defending. Inamura runs Tank over to start but the champs take Inamura down to start fast. Briggs comes in to knock Hank down with a running shoulder and everything breaks down. We settle down to Inamura taking over on Tank, including a rather hard chop to send us to a break.

Back with Inamura striking away at Hank and Briggs coming back in for a splash for two. A German suplex gives Briggs two more but Hank is back with a top rope clothesline. Tank comes in but Hank gets sent into the steps, leaving Tank to get chokeslammed. Inamura’s top rope splash gets two with Hank making the save. Inamura picks Hank up but swings him into Briggs by mistake. The neckbreaker/powerslam combination retains the titles at 10:31.

Rating: C+. If that’s it for Briggs and Inamura, they’re going out just like they came in: doing very little and not exactly standing out. I haven’t gotten their appeal as a team since they got here and I still don’t see it here. Their issues at the end could set up a singles match between them, but it’s not like there is much interest in them in the first place.

The No Quarter Catch Crew is ready for the battle royal and don’t care what Charlie Dempsey (not here) think.

Chase U is back with a bunch of students and Andre Chase wasn’t sure he was ever going to be here again. Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon come in late but Chad doesn’t like them being late. Chase isn’t going to have students talking to each other like that, but F*** YOUR QUESTION CHAD! CHASE U IS BACK!

Kelani Jordan mocks Sol Ruca for not defending her title tonight like a real champion should. Zaria isn’t pleased and says if Jordan wants a title shot, they can fight first.

Hank & Tank came up to see Joe Hendry and they’re ready to help him against Darkstate. That’s quite the dream (ish) team for Darkstate to overcome and I’m not sure if they’re going to.

Roxanne Perez/Giulia vs. Jordynne Grace/Iyo Sky

The fight goes to the floor to start and the villains are in early trouble. Sky gets caught in the wrong corner but flips away and hits a double dropkick. Grace comes in to help Sky with an electric chair Swanton for two on Perez. Giulia gets dropped as well and an over the shoulder gutbuster gives Grace two. Perez offers a distraction though and Giulia gets in an eye rake to take over.

A spinning Russian legsweep gives Perez two but it’s back to Sky, who rolls Perez up for a fast two. Grace’s second electric chair attempt doesn’t work as well though as Sky is sent face first into the apron as we take a break. Back with Giulia stomping Sky for two but Sky rolls Perez into a kick of her own. Grace comes in to hit the running shoulders before sending both of them flying at once. Sky’s top rope double stomp into a Gory Bomb gets two on Giulia with Perez having to make the save.

Everyone is down and Perez makes a blind tag, allowing her to snap off a super hurricanrana to bring Sky down. Giulia plants Sky, setting up Perez’s double springboard moonsault for two. Grace and Giulia brawl up the aisle, leaving Perez and Sky to have a snappy pinfall reversal sequence. Sky kicks her down though, setting up Over The Moonsault for the pin at 14:25.

Rating: B+. I had a very good time with this one as they were all working hard and had a heck of a match. Sky being back in NXT doesn’t feel like someone miles ahead of the rest of the division, which shows you just how deep the women’s division is around here. Outstanding match here and one of the best that NXT has had in a good while.

Post match Perez is frustrated.

Stephanie Vaquer wants to know her next challenger so Ava makes Grace vs. Giulia next week in a #1 contenders match. Works for Vaquer.

Overall Rating: B. The main event was by far the best thing on the show, but it also did a good job of making me more interested in the Battleground card. You can see a lot of the matches coming from here, with a few that still need to be made. I like what we’re getting here, and they’re doing a very nice job of balancing the guest stars. Good show here, with the main event certainly being worth a look.

Results
Ricky Saints b. Lexis King – Roshambo
Sol Ruca b. Karmen Petrovic – Sol Snatcher
Hank & Tank b. Yoshiki Inamura/Josh Briggs – Neckbreaker/powerslam combination to Briggs
Iyo Sky/Jordynne Grace b. Roxanne Perez/Giulia – Over The Moonsault to Perez

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

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

NXT
Date: April 22, 2025
Location: BleauLive Theater, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Booker T., Corey Graves, Vic Joseph

We are done with Stand & Deliver and still in Las Vegas so it is time for a pretty big show. In this case, we have the Women’s Title and Women’s Tag Team Titles on the line, which should make for a good night. Other than that, it is time for a bunch of fallout and getting ready for the next major event. Let’s get to it.

Here is Stand & Deliver if you need a recap.

We open with a long Stand & Deliver recap, which was an eventful show.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez vs. Tatum Paxley/Gigi Dolin

Paxley and Dolin are challenging after winning an elimination match at Stand & Deliver. Morgan knocks Paxley into the corner to start but gets pulled down by her hair. Rodriguez quickly comes in for a swinging front facelock to take over. Paxley gets in a facebuster on Morgan but Dolin can’t do much with Rodriguez. A high crossbody is countered into a powerslam to give Rodriguez two but everything breaks down. Paxley moonsaults off the apron onto both champions and we take a break.

Back with Rodriguez grabbing a chinlock on Paxley before handing it off to Morgan. Three Amigos set up the Eddie Dance for two but Paxley knees her way out of Rodriguez’s suplex. A DDT breaks up the suplex and it’s off to Dolin to pick up the pace. The Tejana Bomb is broken up and Paxley’s 450 connects with Morgan making the save. The Cemetery Driver is loaded up but Morgan comes in off a blind tag with a top rope Codebreaker to drop Paxley. That means the Tejana Bomb to Dolin sets up Oblivion to retain the titles at 11:30.

Rating: C+. Dolin and Paxley were a fine choice from NXT to go after the titles and the match wasn’t bad at all. The two title changes in the last two days made the belts feel like they could be in a bit more jeopardy here and that helped a lot. Morgan and Rodriguez are turning into the big bads of the division and that is something the titles have been needing for a long time.

Lexis King asks Penn and Teller to bring his Heritage Cup back but has to admit that magic is real and defend the Cup tonight. Deal, and he gets the Cup back.

We look at NXT starts competing at Bloodsport.

Darkstate mocks Miles Borne and the No Quarter Catch Crew. Je’Von Evans comes in and a match is made for later.

Here is Ricky Saints for a chat. Saints is happy to have retained the title and even his mother doesn’t think much of Ethan Page. Cue Lexis King to interrupt and while he’s happy to have his Cup back, he wants the North American Title. King will even put the Cup up to make it title for title. Works for Saints.

Thea Hail is happy with Hank & Tank and Sol Ruca for winning at Stand & Deliver but Jaida Parker and Fatal Influence aren’t happy with Hail’s energy. Jazmyn Nyx and Jacy Jayne tell Fallon Henley to deal with it and leave. Henley says she will since the other two never could.

Heritage Cup: Lexis King vs. ???

King is defending against…the returning Noam Dar, with commentary not exactly giving him a hot reception. Dar takes him down for a quickly broken ankle lock before hitting a running shot in the corner. Some elbows to the face get two but King runs him down with a knee to the head for the same. Dar strikes away but gets superkicked down for two. King misses a Swanton though and a spinning elbow gives Dar the Cup back at 4:03.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time here but Dar beat him pretty decisively. After the Cup has had so many things going on with it recently, I’m wondering if we might be coming up on a unification match. Without the rounds, there isn’t much of a point to having the Cup as its own thing, so unless Dar is reinstating the rules (which he could), I’m not sure why it needs to exist.

Roxanne Perez is annoyed at people taking her spotlight and is ready to win the Women’s Title tonight.

Fallon Henley vs. Thea Hail

The rest of Fatal Influence is here too. Henley chops away in the corner to start but gets rolled up for a fast two. It’s too early for the Kimura as Booker goes on a rant about Chase U being a horrible university. Hail throws her down but gets caught with something like a reverse exploder suplex. Nyx distracts the referee but Jayne kicks Henley by mistake. The Kimura makes Henley tap at 2:25.

Here is Oba Femi for a chat. Femi gets right to the point in saying he did exactly what he promised he would do at Stand & Deliver. We pause for an OBA chant before Femi praises Je’Von Evans for being better than he expected. He can’t stand Trick Williams though, because he is just that much better than Williams. Cue Williams to say he wants the one on one title shot. And here is Joe Hendry.

He isn’t seeing the same Williams that he tagged with last year. The truth is that Williams is entitled instead of hungry and now he’s just a whiny b****. Williams wants to talk about what he believes: Hendry had his moment and got beaten up at Wrestlemania. Hendry: “I was in the ring and you were in the stands.” He’ll be defending the title at Rebellion, but he has business with Femi. Williams tries to get involved and is quickly tossed out, leaving us with a staredown. That could be interesting.

Luca Crusifino comes to meet Stacks in the desert. Crusifino yells at Stacks for turning on the D’Angelo Family and wants this to be solved. Stacks asks if Crusifino knows why he was invited out here. Crusifino: “….oh f***.”

Sol Ruca, with Zaria, is happy but Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez come in to mock her. Ruca tells them to get out and threatens to come for the titles.

Trick Williams breaks a bunch of stuff and Ava throws him out.

Darkstate vs. Je’Von Evans/Miles Borne

It’s Dion Lennox and Osiris Griffin for Darkstate with the other two on the floor. Borne works on Lennox’s arm to start and it’s quickly off to Evans for a springboard hurricanrana. Griffin throws Evans into the corner though and drops him with a shoulder. Some dropkicks put Darkstate on the floor but Griffin pulls Evans’ dive out of the air. Borne’s dive works a bit better though and we take a break.

Back with Griffin pulling Evans out of the air again and sending him flying with a fall away slam. Lennox tosses Evans to Griffin for a powerslam and a waistlock has Evans in more trouble. Evans finally rolls over and brings in Borne with the diving tag so house can be cleaned. Everything breaks down and Griffin pulls Evans out of the air again (dude never learns) for a planting. A double powerbomb finishes Borne at 9:57.

Rating: C+. Darkstate might not be anything original but what matters is they are being treated like something important. They came in, made an impact, and have racked up some wins. The people involved aren’t exactly anything special but they’re being presented as something good and that’s what’s going to make this a success.

The rest of the No Quarter Catch Crew is on the stage and does not approve.

Shawn Spears has been talking to Ava when Yoshiki Inamura comes in, saying it is time for him to go back to Pro Wrestling Noah. He wanted to win the Tag Team Titles so Ava gives him one more shot with Josh Briggs next week. Cue Briggs to ask how that happened. Inamura: “Old Japanese secret.”

Tony D’Angelo goes to Riz’s hotel room and they can’t believe what Stacks has done. They realize they haven’t heard from Luca Crusifino but D’Angelo says it’s going to have to come to blows with Stacks. Riz wants them to work it out but we’re beyond that point. D’Angelo wants Riz to go to a safe house and she reluctantly agrees.

Ricky Saints is happy that Noam Dar won the Heritage Cup but Lexis King is still getting his title shot. Ethan Page comes in for a distraction and King decks Saints.

Andre Chase opens a suitcase and pulls out a Chase U sweater. Chase: “WE’RE F****** BACK BABY!”

Women’s Title: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez is challenging and takes her into the corner to start but gets wrestled down. They trade rollups for two each until Perez gets two more off la majistral. That’s good for a staredown until Vaquer takes over, only for the Devil’s Kiss to be blocked. Perez gets in a shot on the bad arm and we take a break.

Back with Perez dropkicking her out to the ramp, where Vaquer hits a superkick into a 619. A springboard crossbody drops Perez on the ramp again and NOW the Devil’s Kiss can get quite the reaction. The SVB is blocked but Vaquer gets a regular backbreaker instead. Perez is right back with the crossface and she flips back into the middle of the ring. That’s reversed into some near falls but Pop Rox is blocked. A dragon screw legwhip sets up SVB to retain the title at 11:39.

Rating: B-. That very well might be it for Perez in NXT as there is a grand total of nothing left for her to do around here. She’s dominated the division before and now it is in the capable hands of the newcomers. Let Vaquer, Grace and Giulia run things for a bit while Perez sees what she can do on the main roster where she belongs.

Post match Giulia comes out for the staredown. Jordynne Grace is watching from the crowd to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a solid fallout show from Stand & Deliver as they started up some fresh stories while also dealing with everything that happened. I’m curious to see where a lot of this goes and that is always a nice feeling to have. It’s also something that was only kind of there going into Stand & Deliver so maybe things are starting to turn around in the right way.

Results
Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez b. Tatum Paxley/Gigi Dolin – Oblivion to Dolin
Noam Dar b. Lexis King – Spinning back elbow
Thea Hail b. Fallon Henley – Kimura
Darkstate b. Je’Von Evans/Miles Borne – Double powerbomb to Borne
Stephanie Vaquer b. Roxanne Perez – SVB

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

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NXT
Date: April 15, 2025
Location: Capitol One Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

It’s the last show before Stand & Deliver and there are still some spots that need to be filled in. The main thing that needs to be done is filling in the final spots in the women’s ladder match, but there is always the chance that another match can be added. Other than that, the already announced card has some build to be done so let’s get to it.

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

Ethan Page vs. Eddy Thorpe vs. Lexis King vs. Wes Lee

Non-title and the winner gets a North American Title shot on Saturday, so here is Ricky Saints to join commentary. It’s a brawl to start until King gets triple teamed for an early beating. Thorpe drops all of them and a suplex gets two on King. Lee gets to take over for a bit and drops everyone but King avoids some charges to send everyone else into the corner.

Thorpe gets low bridged to the floor and a Codebreaker in the ropes gives King two on Lee. Back in and Lee puts everyone else down with a Tower Of Doom before a running shooting star press gets two on Page. Lee’s suicide dive hits King and Page sends Thorpe into Saints. That’s enough for Saints to get ejected and we take an early break.

Back with Page cleaning house and getting a Boston crab on King. Thorpe puts a crossface on King at the same time so Lee has to dive in to break up the tap. With the holds broken up, King gets caught in an electric chair, with Lee adding a Whisper In The Wind to take everyone out. Page and Lee slug it out until Thorpe Meteoras Lee, only to get caught with the Coronation. Page is right back up with the Twisted Grin to pin King at 12:21.

Rating: B. Fast paced and action packed opener here, with Page getting the title shot in the match that had already been set up. The good thing is that they had enough going on here to make you think there was a chance someone else could win, which is a nice bonus. Page makes the most sense though and it should make for a good title match.

Post match Page taunts Saints, who runs back in for a spear.

Jordynne Grace talks about starting out in wrestling and knowing she needed something else. This involved turning her body into a wall of muscle and becoming something that you couldn’t find anywhere else. She got to TNA and is now in WWE and knows what she has to do to win her first WWE title this weekend.

Various women talk about how they’re going to win the Women’s North American Title.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice

Gigi Dolin is here with Paxley. Vice takes her down to the mat to start but can’t get something like a crossface. Paxley reverses into an armbar but has to get out of a triangle choke. We take a break and come back with Vice cutting off a charge in the corner, setting up some rapid fire kicks. The running hip attack gets two on Paxley, who is right back with a running crossbody in the corner. Paxley catches her on top and pulls her down but the Psycho Trap is blocked. Instead, Vice hits the spinning backfist for the fast pin at 9:59.

Rating: C+. It feels like Vice hasn’t been around much lately and hopefully this is the start of something else for her. I’m not sure how likely she is to win the title, but at least she’s going to be on the show again. Paxley and Dolin are seemingly just a low level tag team at the moment and I don’t quite see a ton of upside there.

Giulia was tired of waiting for Stephanie Vaquer and she’s back for revenge and her title. Jaida Parker is confident but Giulia will show her how to take pain. Jordynne Grace is strong, but Giulia will introduce her to strong style.

The women’s division argues in the back so Ava makes a four way women’s tag match for Stand & Deliver, with the winner getting a Women’s Tag Team Title shot next week. Roxanne Perez needs a partner.

Tag Team Gauntlet Match

For the title shot at Stand & Deliver. Hank & Tank is in at #1 and Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe are in at #2. Vic says this is the matchup that we have all been waiting for and…I really don’t think that’s true. Anyway Tank and DuPont lock up to start with DuPont taking over and handing it off to Igwe. That’s broken up and it’s back to Hank for the house cleaning, including the powerslam/neckbreaker combination to pin Igwe at 1:40.

The Culling is in at #3 with Hank & Tank taking it right to them. A running seated senton gets two on Jensen and we take a break. Back with Hank in trouble but getting in a clothesline to drop Vance. The referee doesn’t see the tag though and an assisted powerslam gets two on Hank. As tends to be the case, Hank breaks away rather shortly thereafter and the hot tag brings in Tank. House is cleaned but Tank gets caught in an electric chair. Jensen goes up but Tank powerslams him out of the air for the pin at 10:10 total.

The No Quarter Catch Crew are in at #4 and go right after the tired Hank & Tank. Heights grabs a chinlock but Tank jawbreaks his way to freedom, allowing Hank to come back in to make the comeback. Borne hits a big flip dive to take Hank & Tank down though and we take a break.

Back again with Heights suplexing Tank and hitting a crossbody for two. Hank pulls Borne outside though and Tank gets a rollup pin on Heights at 17:59. Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura are in at #5 (the last team) and start hammering away on Hank. Everything breaks down and Hank & Tank pull themselves up, with Hank getting a quick small package to pin Briggs and win at 20:47.

Rating: C+. I still don’t care much for Hank & Tank but they did have a story here and it fits to see them coming back and beating so many teams who had beaten them. The fans are getting into them as well and it makes sense to have them get the shot here. It was a bunch of rollups and quick wins, but I’ll take it over a team being randomly thrown out there.

Evolve’s Kali Armstrong is ready for her main event but Ava teases that she has a surprise for the qualifying match for the final spot in the Women’s North American Title ladder match.

Oba Femi arrives….and Darkstate is following him.

Jaida Parker knows that looking the part isn’t the same as being the best. She knows the pressure and is ready to move up to the next level. She lost her best friend when her uncle passed away and she knows she can lose anyone. Now she just needs the big game situation.

The D’Angelo Family, minus Tony D’Angelo (as this was Stacks’ call) gets in a fight with Darkstate in the parking lot, which goes inside. Various weapons are used and some Evolve wrestlers are beaten up before they crash through a wall. A fire extinguisher goes off and Luca Crusifino is slammed onto a car. Cue D’Angelo himself with a crowbar to clear out Darkstate. Cops arrive and D’Angelo yells at Stacks for going over his head. D’Angelo has gotten the match set up for Stand & Deliver. Stacks understands that he went too far.

Stephanie Vaquer is ready for the biggest match of her life. We see her going back to her native Chile as champion and talking about how important this was for her.

Hank & Tank are ready to win and Fraxiom come in to say they’re ready.

Roxanne Perez has found a tag partner: herself! That doesn’t work for Ava, but Cora Jade comes in to tease being her partner.

Stand & Deliver rundown.

Andre Chase is scared about ruining Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon but Thea Hail comes in to say Chase didn’t ruin her. She’s ready to win the Women’s North American Title. This would have been a better surprise if Hail hadn’t been shown in a graphic before the break.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Karmen Petrovic vs. Thea Hail

Ashante Thee Adonis is here with Petrovic and they trade rollups to start. Petrovic gets knocked to the floor but cuts off Hail’s dive. Hail makes the comeback without much trouble and a spinning double underhook slam plants Petrovic. The Kimura finishes Petrovic at 2:41. That’s a great return, but it gets Hail into a ladder match, which doesn’t work as well.

Here is Trick Williams to say he’ll win the NXT Title. Cue Oba Femi to say that Williams is a broken record, saying the same things he has said for months. No one is singing along though, because the spotlight has moved on. Williams seems ready to fight but Je’Von Evans comes in to tell Williams to shut up. Evans says Williams is dismissed and turns his attention to the Rules. Evans has dropped Femi a few times lately and knows it is a matter of time before Femi goes up to the main roster.

Femi was a star at the University Of Alabama (Femi: “Roll Tide.”) but Evans is a kid from North Carolina and shouldn’t have gotten here. Femi says being champion means he is the top dog and Evans is a CHILD. Williams is ready to fight again and Evans is sent to the floor so the other two can brawl. Evans dives in to take both of them out though and holds up the title to end the show. This was about all you needed for a final push towards the title match, with Evans getting a chance to shine over the two much bigger stars.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a more active than usual go home show as they had a return with Hail and some matches being added. Other than that, we had a few more qualifying matches, because it’s Wrestlemania season so there will be qualifying matches everywhere. Finally though, you had the usual final push towards the show and I’m more interested in seeing Stand & Deliver than I was coming in so call it well done.

Results
Ethan Page b. Eddy Thorpe, Lexis King and Wes Lee – Twisted Grin to King
Lola Vice b. Tatum Paxley – Spinning backfist
Hank & Tank won a tag team gauntlet match last eliminating Josh Briggs/Yoshiki Inamura
Thea Hail b. Karmen Petrovic – Kimura

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

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

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

We are less than two weeks away from Stand & Deliver and this week’s show is going to be focused on the main event. In this case we have a six man tag between the three people involved in the Stand & Deliver main event and the debuting Dark State. That could go in a variety of ways so let’s get to it.

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

Stephanie Vaquer will announce her opponent for Stand & Deliver after this match.

Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker

Stephanie Vaquer is on commentary. They get in a fight to start and head outside for some rams into the apron. Back in and Grace hits a Death Valley Driver for two before heading out to the apron. Neither can drop the other so Parker hits a TKO onto the top rope. A Blockbuster gives Parker two and she sits on Grace in the corner (setting up that high step, which is an awesome signature taunt).

We take a break and come back with Parker blocking a sunset bomb but getting caught in….well Grace loaded her up for a Tombstone but flipped her backwards onto her back (that was cool). Grace drops her face first onto the turnbuckle and gets two off a neckbreaker. The Juggernaut Driver is blocked so Grace sends her to the floor, where a suicide dive doesn’t work as her foot gets caught in the ropes. Thankfully she’s ok as Parker slaps Vaquer, who swings and hits Grace by mistake. That’s enough for the referee to throw it out at 10:03.

Rating: B-. As much as I like both of them, my goodness I do not want another triple threat over Wrestlemania Weekend. They are hammering those things into the ground this year and that’s where it seems we’re going with this one too. Parker continues to feel like a star and if she can back it up in the ring, they have something special with her. Grace isn’t exactly bad either, but please don’t just throw them both in there with Vaquer.

Post match the brawl stays on but Giulia makes her return and helps Vaquer clear the ring. Then Giulia lays out Vaquer and holds up the title. Vaquer never announcers her challenger.

We look back at Ricky Saints winning the North American Title last week in a star making performance, only to be taken out by Ethan Page after the match.

Swipe Right interrupt Hank & Tank and offer them advice after their match tonight. Hank: “We’re not that desperate…are we?” Tank: “No Hank.”

The Culling wants the North American Title back but Shawn Spears says he is happy with what he did and it’s time for the rest of the team to succeed.

Fraxiom vs. Swipe Right

Non-title and Swipe Right (Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes) are the heel pretty boy team from Evolve. Smokes dropkicks Axiom off the apron to start and Baylor comes in for a Hennig necksnap on Frazer. Back up and Axiom helps clear the ring, with Fraxiom hitting stereo dives to the floor. Axiom hammers away on Baylor in the corner but Smokes comes in off a blind tag and hits a spear.

A springboard X Factor gives Baylor two as Graves busts out a Julius Smokes reference for your obscure independent wrestling name drop of the week. Frazer comes back in and hits a running shooting star press but gets kneed in the face. An assisted swinging double underhook neckbreaker drops Frazer but Axiom is back in to clean house. The super Spanish Fly into the Phoenix splash finishes Smokes at 5:12.

Rating: B-. For a pair of rookies who are from the most minor of minor league shows, Swipe Right looked pretty good in there against one of the best teams going today. This was a rather nice performance from the newcomers and while they might not be ready to move up, they certainly made a nice first impression. That’s a good thing to see, though I’m almost worried about who is coming for the titles next.

Fatal Influence bickers over who will get the Women’s North American Title.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Sol Ruca vs. Jazmyn Nyx

The rest of Fatal Influence and Zaria are here too. Ruca starts fast by fighting out of a headlock and sending her into the corner. A suplex into something like a moonsault Meteora gives Ruca two but a springboard splash hits raised boots. Nyx stomps away and grabs a fisherman’s suplex for two. A running knee gives Nyx two more but Ruca is back with a spinning belly to back faceplant. Ruca’s running knee gets two but Henley offers a distraction, allowing Nyx to kick Ruca in the face for two. Back up and the Sol Snatcher finishes Nyx at 5:04.

Rating: C+. Fatal Influence is starting to fall apart and that isn’t the best sign for their future. Other than that, Ruca moving on is a good idea to go with, as having her hit the Sol Snatcher off a ladder should be fun. I’m not sure if she’s going to win the title, but it’s nice to see her getting a win in a match that matters in some way.

Je’Von Evans is coming for the NXT Title but tonight, he’s taking out Dark State.

Giulia wants a rematch with Stephanie Vaquer at Stand & Deliver.

Culling vs. Hank & Tank

Hank & Tank start fast to clean house until we settle down with Tank working on Jensen’s arm. Vance breaks it up though and Jensen comes back with a neckbreaker for two. Tank fights out of the chinlock and Hank gets the tag to fight back. Everything breaks down though and Vance sends Hank into the barricade. Hank is right back up and misses a Swanton, setting up a top rope knee/Dominator combination to give Vance the pin at 3:26.

Rating: C. Not much to see here but the point was giving the Culling a win. Hank & Tank are flailing, which very well could lead to something changing for them in the near future. Other than that, neither of these teams feel like they’re coming for the Tag Team Titles, but that didn’t seem to be the goal here anyway.

Here is Ricky Saints for a chat. Saints appreciates the reception and says the revolution will be televised again. He’s happy with his win but he’s not pleased with Ethan Page. Saints gets that Page isn’t ok with someone showing him up so get out here right now. Instead it’s Lexis King, who says he loves gold…and here is Eddy Thorpe to interrupt.

Thorpe wants a title, and it should be the one that represents the land stolen from his people. Cue Wes Lee, who says he was the best champion the title has ever seen so the conversation starts with him. Starks is ready for any of them but here is Page to drop him. The four challengers get in a brawl and Lee hits a big flip dive to take them out.

Ava, Robert Stone and Stevie Turner are in the back when Stephanie Vaquer comes in. She wants to face everyone at Stand & Deliver, so it’s a four way with Giulia, Jordynne Grace and Jaida Parker. As they somehow get bigger than a triple threat.

Trick Williams is ready to get the NXT Title back and he’s not sweating Dark State.

Wes Lee vs. Yoshiki Inamura

Tyson DuPont, Tyriek Igwe and Josh Briggs are here too. Lee kicks him in the face to start fast but gets dropped with a running shoulder. Some choking on the ropes has Inamura down again but it’s too early for a 450. Inamura strikes away in the corner and muscles him up for a fisherman’s suplex. Lee fights up and takes out Briggs but Inamura pulls him out of the air for a spinning slam. Briggs goes after DuPont though and Lee hits the Cardiac Kick for the pin at 3:54.

Rating: C+. Neither of these two have much going on at the moment but Lee could at least be in the running for the North American Title shot. I still don’t get the appeal of Inamura, who hasn’t done much in his time around here and has only had some flashes of interest. Maybe that changes in the future but for now, he’s just kind of there without doing much.

Oba Femi is ready to wreck Dark State and keep his title at Stand & Deliver.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Izzi Dame vs. Wren Sinclair

The Culling and the No Quarter Catch Crew are here too. Dame drives her into the corner to start so Sinclair grabs a wristlock. A rollup gives Sinclair two but the octopus is broken up rather quickly. Dame hits a clothesline and hammers away, setting up a crossface chickenwing. Sinclair fights up and hits some clotheslines for two, followed by a crucifix for the same. Back up and Dame grabs a Sky High for the quick pin at 4:28.

Rating: C. Not much to see here, with Dame being another name without much chance to win, though it would be a nice surprise. The Culling is having a good night here and that’s a nice thing to see, as the team is at least getting a chance. Sinclair is still good in the ring but she isn’t exactly doing much lately, which is another annoying thing to see.

A bunch of women are in Ava’s office and she announces a last chance qualifying match for the Women’s North American title match.

Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon finally get Andre Chase to agree to help them. Hank & Tank come in but run into the Street Profits, who tell them to be themselves. The Profits want them in next week’s gauntlet match for a Tag Team Title shot at Stand & Deliver.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Dark State vs. Je’Von Evans/Oba Femi/Trick Williams

Dark State charges the ring and the fight is on, with Dion Lennox starting against Oba Femi. Lennox sends him into the corner so Cutler James can come in for a clothesline. Williams comes in to go after Saquon Shugars, who pulls him down by the hair. A jumping neckbreaker hits Shugars but James comes in for a sleeper on Williams.

James slams him down but gets hit with a heck of a backdrop. Williams chops away at Shugars in the corner and hands it off to Evans, who snaps off a hurricanrana. Everything breaks down and Dark State is knocked to the floor, giving us a standoff as we take a break. Back with Evans hitting a springboard high crossbody on Shugars but Cutler comes in with a clothesline.

Lennox grabs a chinlock and the villains take turns beating on Evans. An elbow misses though and Evans hits an enziguri, allowing the tag off to Femi. House is cleaned until Shugars is tossed Williams, meaning the brawl is on. Evans hits a frog splash for two on Lennox as Williams and Femi fight up the aisle. A triple bomb, with Shugars diving off the top to put Evans down (cool) is good for the pin at 13:33.

Rating: B. For a team of people who came from pretty much nowhere with little success before this, Dark State did rather well here. That finish had quite the impact and I liked what they were doing together. They have the D’Angelo Family to deal with and this makes their feud that much more interesting as they had a strong in-ring debut here. The other three brawling into a fight isn’t a big surprise, but this was more about Dark State and they did well.

Post match Stacks pops up on the screen to issue the challenge for a fight in the parking lot next week. Well that ups the danger significantly.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was more about setting up things for Stand & Deliver, with matches being made and some qualifying matches being covered. That being said, the show isn’t feeling like the most must see card as all of the multi-person matches don’t really come off as special. Stand & Deliver is supposed to be the biggest show of the year and that doesn’t often mean a bunch of matches with all kinds of people running around. It should be good, but it doesn’t feel special and that’s not a positive thing at all.

Results
Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker went to a double DQ when Stephanie Vaquer interfered
Fraxiom b. Swipe Right – Phoenix splash to Smokes
Sol Ruca b. Jazmyn Nyx – Sol Snatcher
Culling b. Hank & Tank – Top rope knee/Dominator combination to Hank
Wes Lee b. Yoshiki Inamura – Cardiac Kick
Izzi Dame b. Wren Sinclair – Sky High
Dark State b. Oba Femi/Trick Williams/Je’Von Evans – Triple Bomb to Evans

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

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

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

It’s another title show as Shawn Spears is defending the North American Title against Ricky Saints. Other than that, we need to find out some of the matches for Stand & Deliver as we are just over two weeks away from the biggest show of the year. There is a good chance that we find out some of those matches this week so let’s get to it.

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

Here is Stephanie Vaquer to get things going for a chat with Ava. After Ava praises her for her recent efforts, she announces that Vaquer has agreed to vacate the Women’s North American Title. Therefore, the new champion will be crowned in a six woman ladder match at Stand & Deliver (ERG), with qualifying matches beginning tonight.

Hold on though as Vaquer says she will give up the title if she gets to pick the challenger for the Women’s Title. Cue Jordynne Grace, who says she wants us to have the title match the fans are demanding. Cue Jaida Parker, who says she dropped Grace last week, but Grace brings up Parker losing to Vaquer last week. The brawl is on, with Grace LAUNCHING one of them over the top. Parker backs off a bit and a match seems likely. As usual, Parker feels like a star and that is going to take her places.

Trick Williams wants to face Oba Femi at Stand & Deliver.

Femi arrives and is ready to deal with Williams tonight.

The women’s locker room bickers over the ladder match.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Zaria vs. Lash Legend

Zaria actually loses a test of strength to start but gets her over with a sunset flip. They chop it out, with Legend’s getting quite the response. Legend knocks her down again but Zaria grabs a victory roll for two. Back up and a pump kick sends Zaria outside, where a lot of bickering ensues as we take a break.

We come back with Legend getting frustrated as Zaria makes the comeback, including a kick to the face in the corner. Zaria’s middle rope crossbody is pulled out of the air but she reverses a powerbomb into a hurricanrana. A German suplex drops Legend again but she’s right back with a chokeslam for two. Zaria is back up with a spear and the F5 finishes at 11:45.

Rating: C. Maybe I’m missing something with Zaria but there isn’t much to her that is keeping me interested at the moment. She’s a powerhouse but that’s not really making her stand out. At the same time, Legend has come a VERY long way and looked like a star here. I could have gone for her winning, which is something I never would have bet on just a year or so ago.

Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura want to get to Stand & Deliver but Wes Lee, Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont interrupt. Arguing ensues and Inamura challenges Lee. Game seems to be on.

Kelani Jordan seems interested in getting into the ladder match but Roxanne Perez comes in to say she wants to win the title so she’ll have every women’s title in NXT. Ava puts them in a qualifying match tonight.

The D’Angelo Family has gone looking for information on Dark State. They have found out the members: Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars. We get mini bios on them, most of which involve college athletics and intelligence. Tony D’Angelo sees potential in them, but has to calm Stacks down. The last plan Stacks put together didn’t go so well, but Stacks says he trusts D’Angelo. Tension seems to be high. This was a creative way to introduce the members rather than just having commentary say what’s going on.

Hank And Tank have new gear, courtesy of Pretty Deadly, but they’re not sure it’s the right look.

The members of the Culling want Shawn Spears to succeed tonight.

No Quarter Catch Crew vs. Hank And Tank

Hank And Tank are in their regular gear rather than the Pretty Deadly attire. Evolve’s Swipe Right is sitting in the front row as we hear about some bad weather in the area. Borne can’t get very far with Tank to start so Heights comes in to grind away on a headlock. It’s back to Borne, who gets taken down for a Pretty Deadly style double team.

Heights comes back in but Borne makes a quick blind tag and clotheslines Hank to the floor. Back in and the chinlock doesn’t last long and Hank gets over for the tag to Tank to pick up the pace. A spinebuster gets two on Heights with Borne making the save. Everything breaks down and Borne has to break up a Pretty Deadly Spilled Milk. A TKO/DDT combination finishes Tank at 5:38.

Rating: C+. Hank And Tank continue to do very little for me so it was nice to see them lose here. That being said, it did seem like they were trying to find something with the Pretty Deadly impressions so maybe some changes are coming. I could go for more of the Crew, with Heights continuing to look good in there. Borne is as well, which is a nice little bonus.

Here is Trick Williams to say that he is still the man around here. No matter what Oba Femi has said, there is nothing stopping Williams from getting back to the top of the mountain. Cue Je’Von Evans to interrupt, but Williams says the adults are talking. Evans asks Williams when he knew it was his time (which is what Williams asked John Cena, launching his singles run), which must sound familiar.

Evans wants the #1 spot but he doesn’t have to step out of anyone’s shadow to do it. Williams says Evens has no idea what it’s like to be the champion. Evans: “You ain’t Trick Williams. You’re Carmelo Hayes.” That gets Williams’ attention, with Evans saying this is the exact same stuff that Hayes told Williams last year. Evans brings up dropping Oba Femi, which brings Femi out to tell Evans to say it to his face. Evans talks about getting so close to winning at Deadline and threatens to jump Femi again.

Williams isn’t interested but Femi tells him to shut up. Femi says the now belongs to him and Williams tells Evans to get out. Femi says Williams is talking too much so here is Ava to announce….the triple threat title match for Stand & Deliver (erg). Williams decks Evans but gets knocked to the floor, only for the lights to go out and Dark State to appear. Femi tells them to bring it so here they come to beat him down. Evans and Williams are laid out too.

Andre Chase is banged up and has a cracked rib, which has no timetable for recovery. He doesn’t have a ride home, but Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon show up with a wheelchair to help him out. Chase thinks they might not be so bad after all but they back up when they see Jaida Parker and Jordynne Grace fighting.

Fraxiom kind of mocks Hank And Tank over their Pretty Deadly stuff, but Axiom wishes he and Frazer were such close friends. Swipe Right (Ricky Smokes/Brad Baylor) come in to ask for a match against Fraxiom. Frazer accepts but Axiom isn’t impressed. Swipe Right are more interested in Roxanne Perez walking by, calling her a smoke show.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Roxanne Perez vs. Kelani Jordan

They lock up to start with Jordan taking her down into a headscissors. That’s broken up and Jordan flips to her feet as we take an early break. Back with Perez slamming her head first into the mat and flipping over her for an exchange of glaring. Jordan drapes her over the middle rope for a handstand spinning Fameasser (that was impressive) for two. Perez gets in a rake to the eyes though and Jordan is sent shoulder first into the post.

A big stomp onto the arm has Jordan in more trouble and Perez stays on the arm. Jordan gets two off a rollup but the kickout sends her arm into the buckle. Perez hits a northern lights suplex onto the arm for two and we take another break. Back again with Jordan getting in a kick but missing One Of A Kind. Perez’s cartwheel knee to the head (ouch) gets two but Jordan plants her with a DDT. One Of A Kind connects to put Perez away at 14:41.

Rating: B. Good stuff here with Jordan having to work hard to overcome the odds in the end. That’s the kind of win she has been needing lately and it’s a good sign for her future. I’m not sure if she’s going to win the title but at least she got a nice win on the way there. Perez very well may be on her way out of NXT, as she seems ready to be called up to the main roster.

Stevie Turner apologizes to Ava for Swipe Right but Robert Stone brings up the matches announced for Stand & Deliver. Ava is more worried about Dark State so she puts three of them in a six man against Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams.

Ricky Saints isn’t worried about what Shawn Spears has been saying about his past. Tonight is about the future, when he wins the North American Title.

Zaria wants Sol Ruca out there with her at Stand & Deliver. Kelani Jordan comes in to say she’s winning the ladder match but Zaria isn’t impressed. Ruca says she’ll win….and Zaria doesn’t like that either.

Dark State is down for next week’s match but says no one is safe.

North American Title: Ricky Saints vs. Shawn Spears

Spears, with the Culling, is defending and goes straight to the floor to start. Saints is right there with a dive to take him down and hammers away to start fast. Back in and Saints hits a nice dropkick before unloading with right hands in the corner. Saints hits something like a dancing Old School off the barricade, including kissing his fingers and putting them on the forehead of a VERY happy fan.

We take a break and come back with Spears sending him hard into the corner. Saints catches him on top though and slugs away, setting up a top rope Jackhammer of all things, leaving both of them down. Back up and Saints strikes away, setting up a heck of a spinebuster for two.

It’s back to the floor for a tornado DDT off the apron to plant Spears again. Izzi Dame slips Spears the belt though and a shot to the face gets two. Spears loads up the C4 but Saints reverses into one of his own. Saints takes out the Culling and hits a spear into the Roshambo is good for the title at 10:17.

Rating: B-. This might not have been a great match but it was an absolute star making performance from Saints, who not only won the match and the title but showed all kinds of fire on the way. That’s what is going to make him into a bigger deal and it worked very well here. Saints is instantly a player and this will make people notice him. Great stuff for Saints here and I was impressed.

Post match Saints celebrates with the title but Ethan Page runs in to take him out.

Overall Rating: B. Good show this week as they set up stuff for Stand & Deliver (as annoying as some of it may be) and had a big moment in the end. This was the show that NXT has been needing and they made it work here, with a lot of stuff taking place in the span of two hours. You can tell that things are picking up for the biggest time of the year, which is exactly what needed to happen.

Results
Zaria b. Lash Legend – F5
No Quarter Catch Crew b. Hank And Tank – DDT/TKO combination to Tank
Kelani Jordan b. Roxanne Perez – One Of A Kind
Ricky Saints b. Shawn Spears – Roshambo

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

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NXT
Date: February 25, 2025
Location: Andrew J. Brady Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Corey Graves, Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re on the road again and on the way to Roadblock in a few weeks in New York. Things are also getting interesting again around here as we have the new mysterious group of people attacking various stars, including Mr. Stone at the end of last week’s show. Throw in some big TNA names, such as Moose and the Hardys in action this week, and we should be in for a fun night. Let’s get to it.

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

Women’s North American Title: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Karmen Petrovic

Petrovic, with Ashante Thee Adonis, is challenging. Vaquer takes her down to start but Petrovic kicks out of trouble, setting up a full nelson with the legs. That’s broken up so Petrovic hits something like a Shining Wizard for two. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and legdrop give Vaquer two but the running knees in the corner miss. Back up and Vaquer is sent outside, setting up a big dive and we take a break.

We come back with Vaquer striking away and grabbing the figure four necklock for the faceplants onto the mat. Vaquer goes up but gets hurricanranaed back down, setting up a spinning kick to the head for two. Petrovic superkicks a springboarding Vaquer out of the air for two but Vaquer gets smart by taking out the leg. The SVB retains at 11:42.

Rating: B-. Petrovic was working here and has come a long way since being little more than a bunch of kicks. That’s still the majority of her offense but there is enough to make her feel like a more complete worker in the ring. Vaquer feels like a star and the fans are reacting to it as well and it could be a long time before she drops the title.

Post match here is Giulia to interrupt. She congratulates Vaquer but says that she (Giulia) is the real best champion. The result: a challenge for a title vs. title match.

Ariana Grace and Santino Marella are happy with what is going on but Lola Vice comes in, saying she wants a fight. Vice is willing to fight Grace, assuming someone in her family taught her to fight. The match is on.

Lexis King tells Oba Femi that he’s ready for Moose. Femi doesn’t seem so sure.

TNA X-Division Title: Lexis King vs. Moose

Only Moose’s title is on the line. The much bigger Moose powers him into the corner to start and they trade slaps to the face. Moose puts him on the top and hits a dropkick out to the floor (that’s always impressive). King is whipped hard into the steps but he gets in a shot of his own. Back in and Moose release Rock Bottoms him out of the air, followed by a big backdrop onto the ramp.

Moose kicks him in the face (as it seems like we came back from a break though we never went to split screen or anything else) but King is back with a superkick as the fans approve. A high crossbody gives King two but Moose runs the corner and hits a spinning high crossbody for two of his own. Moose grabs a powerbomb for two, with the fans way behind the hometown King. The Coronation connects out of nowhere to give King two more but Moose is back with the spear to retain at 9:32.

Rating: B-. This crossover is going in something of a weird direction as you regularly see someone winning another promotion’s title. That hasn’t happened (yet) in this whole thing and I keep waiting to see it. King got in some hope spots here, but the idea was to push Moose as someone who could smash through good competition on his way to a showdown with Oba Femi down the line.

Post match Oba Femi comes out and says that in two weeks at Roadblock, it’s title vs. title when he faces Moose. Well that was quick.

Shawn Spears talks about how he is transforming people such as Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance and Izzi Dame. They are the new Family running NXT and next week, it’s time to take the North American Title.

Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan got in an argument on a bus earlier today.

Here is Jordynne Grace for a chat. From the moment she first set foot in a WWE ring, she knew she belonged. Now it is time for her to become a champion and it is a matter of time before she is facing either Stephanie Vaquer or Giulia. Cue Roxanne Perez to interrupt, saying she knows everyone wants to be part of the best women’s division in wrestling, the division that Perez runs.

Grace says if this is Perez’s division, where is her title? Perez threatens to win the Women’s Title at Wrestlemania and then come back here to win the NXT Women’s Title again. Grace brings up the saying about having a plan until you….and then she hits Perez in the face. Putting Grace against someone who seems to be moving up to the main roster is a smart way to start her off.

Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans talk about what they both want and Williams does not seem impressed. Things are about to get physical but Ricky Saints comes in to introduce himself. Williams gives him a fist bump and then leaves, with Saints wondering why everyone is so angry around here.

Jaida Parker is annoyed at Kelani Jordan and while there might be a Him in WWE, Jordan is not the “Her” in NXT. Parker is getting a feel for her promos and they’re working well.

No Quarter Catch Crew vs. Hardys

The Hardys’ TNA Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line. Even Wren Sinclair is doing Jeff Hardy’s dance during his entrance. Jeff and Heights start things off with Jeff hammering away as the fans tell the Hardys that they still have it. The double elbow and fist drop/flipping splash combination get two on Heights but it’s Borne coming in for armbar. One heck of a clothesline drops Matt but he’s quickly over to Jeff, who uses Heights for Poetry In Motion.

That’s not it though as another Poetry On Motion off the ramp hits Borne and we take a break. Back with Matt in trouble as Fraxiom is watching from the ramp. Matt fights out of a chinlock and walks over for the tag to Jeff. The Whisper In The Wind takes the Crew out and the Plot Twist (Twisting Stunner into a neckbreaker) gets two on Borne. The Twist Of Fate into the Swanton Bomb finishes Borne at 11:11.

Rating: C+. The match was fine but there was a grand total of no chance that the Hardys were losing here. That’s not a bad thing at all as this was all about having the Hardys make their NXT debuts. Like them or not, the Hardys are indeed living legends in tag team wrestling and it is a good thing to have them around on a show like this.

Post match Fraxiom gets in the ring to show respect, with Frazier saying they’re the best team in the world today and standing in the ring with the best team ever. Jeff cuts to the chase and issues the challenge so here is Santino Marella (to his old WWE music) and the match is on for Roadblock for the TNA Tag Team Titles. Dang that is a stacked show.

The D’Angelo Family has a meeting and D’Angelo is proud of Stacks for trying, even if he came up short. D’Angelo is banged up but he has to try to deal with Shawn Spears next week.

Zaria and Sol Ruca are in the trainer’s room but Piper Niven comes in, saying Chelsea Green is in the building. Green comes in and isn’t impressed, with a tag match being made for next week. Green: “Wait. What did I just agree to?” Niven: “We have a match next week.” Green: “Well that was stupid!”

Ariana Grace vs. Lola Vice

Grace gets in a jab to start and is quickly struck down in the corner. The running hip attack connects but Grace manages to strike away. A swinging neckbreaker puts Vice down and Grace grabs the cravate. Grace kicks her down again and finishes with the spinning backfist at 2:27.

The mystery group has attacked the No Quarter Catch Crew.

Eddy Thorpe is walking through Cincinnati and talks about how his people were once forced out of their land and moved out west. Somehow, this is like him having to face Trick Williams again, so name the time and place.

Ava is here for some announcements. She seems to clarify that Oba Femi vs. Moose is only for the NXT Title and NOT title for title.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Wes Lee/Ethan Page vs. Ricky Saints/Je’Von Evans

Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont are here with the villains. Apparently Cody Rhodes has called Saints “the most naturally talented wrestler since Barry Windham.” That’s….probably not accurate. Evans hammers on Page to start so it’s quickly off to Lee, who gets dropkicked down. Saints comes in for the first time and elbows Lee in the face and slugs away in the corner. Page and Lee are sent outside and we take a break.

Back with Evans getting caught on top but Igwe and DuPont get involved so Page can hit a backbreaker onto the turnbuckle. The Boston grab stays on the back, with Lee adding a shot to the back of his own. A powerslam out of the corner gives Evans two but Evans is back with a spinning kick to the face.

The tag brings in Saints to pick up the pace with a tornado DDT and a spear gets two on Lee. Evans and Page brawl into the crowd but Saints is sent into the post. Igwe and DuPont offer another distraction so Lee can hit a Meteora for two. The Cardiac Kick is loaded up but Saints reverses into the Roshambo (running Dominator) for the pin at 12:47.

Rating: C+. Nice enough match here but this was all about getting Saints in the ring to introduce him to the NXT audience. He did perfectly fine as well, overcoming the odds at the end and winning over someone with some status. It wasn’t supposed to be some great match and it did exactly what it needed to accomplish.

A preview for next week’s show wraps us up.

Overall Rating: B. This was a good, well thought out show which covered quite a few things that need to be done as they move forward. Roadblock is suddenly looking like one of the biggest shows of the year and a title change seems fairly likely. Setting up so much stuff and adding in some good enough matches in a single week is quite the feat and they pulled it off here. Nice stuff, as NXT knows how to set things up for the future.

Results
Stephanie Vaquer b. Karmen Petrovic – SVB
Moose b. Lexis King – Spear
Hardys b. No Quarter Catch Crew – Swanton to Borne
Lola Vice b. Ariana Grace – Spinning backfist
Ricky Saints/Je’Von Evans b. Ethan Page/Wes Lee – Roshambo to Lee

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

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