NXT
Date: March 25, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We’re getting very close to Stand & Deliver and that means it’s time to start putting the show together. There is a good chance that we’ll see some more of the matches set up this week, though first both women’s titles are on the line as Stephanie Vaquer is defending twice. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at Stephanie Vaquer’s attempts to defend both of her titles in one night, which isn’t something you often see attempted, let alone done.

Women’s Title: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jaida Parker

Vaquer is defending and gets slammed down as Booker talks about his two TV Title defenses at Superbrawl VIII (not quite). Parker shrugs off a wristlock and slams her down before they trade rollups for two each. A hurricanrana sends Parker into the corner but she drops Vaquer as we take a break.

Back with Parker hitting a Backstabber for two but Vaquer knocks her into the ropes. The 619 sets up the figure four necklock faceplants. The STB is broken up though and Parker plants her with a Falcon Arrow for two. Parker’s hip attack connects in the corner but here is Jordynne Grace for a distraction. That’s enough for Vaquer to roll her up and retain at 9:24.

Rating: C+. Parker isn’t the most experienced star just yet but she has a certain swagger to her that you either have or you don’t. That’s one of those things that can take you a long way and now it seems that she is going to be doing something with Grace. Good enough opener here, even though Vaquer seemed to be saving some of herself for later, which is fine.

Post match Parker and Grace have to be held apart. Cue Fatal Influence to jump Parker and leave her laying.

Trick Williams still doesn’t want to hear from Je’Von Evans, saying there’s a difference between having potential and having a title. Evans is ready to prove him wrong.

Meta Four want to know why they’re not getting a TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles and get in an argument with Tatum Paxley/Gigi Dolin, who do have such a shot this week.

Earlier today, there was a sitdown interview with Ricky Saints, who thinks people are having trouble dealing with his self confidence. For awhile he had to live in his car and the only thing he had was his self confidence, which helped get him here. Then Shawn Spears interrupted, saying that Saints’ confidence is driving people crazy. Spears has friends, but Saints says that’s how he won the North American Title. Spears suggests that Saints can always go somewhere else if it doesn’t work out, but then brings up all of the burned bridges. Saints: “I guess I better win then.”

Ethan Page runs his mouth and gets into it with Andre Chase, who talks about teaching the younger people about how to deal with people like Page. Insults ensue as Chase sounded like his old self.

The Motor City Machine Guns give Hank And Talk a quick pep talk.

Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont vs. Hank And Tank

Wes Lee is here with the villains. We’re joined in progress with everything breaking down and Hank And Tank hammering away in the corners. A camel clutch/running dropkick combination gets two on DuPont before a suicide dive hits Igwe on the floor. Back in and Igwe stomps on Hank’s arm and DuPont plants him down for two. The full nelson is broken up and it’s back to Tank to clean house. Tank plants Igwe for two but Lee offers a distraction meaning it’s the Heartstopper to finish Hank at 6:25.

Rating: C+. Igwe and DuPont are getting some more exposure as of late and that’s the kind of thing that can give them some better hope in the future. I’m not sure I can imagine them doing much of note anytime soon, but it’s better than nothing. Hank And Tank still don’t have much going on, but that has been the case for a good while now.

Stephanie Vaquer insists that she can face Fallon Henley tonight, despite Ava being worried.

Fraxiom has another of their mini arguments about Axiom not inviting Nathan Frazer to Spain. Oba Femi arrives and Axiom leaves.

Heritage Cup: Je’Von Evans vs. Lexis King

Evans is challenging and grabs a headlock to start. That’s reversed into a headscissors before a belly to back suplex drops Evans. Back up and a high crossbody gives Evans two and a suicide dive sends King into the announcers’ table. We take a break and come back with King hitting a fisherman’s driver for two, with the kickout leaving King frustrated.

Evans knocks him down and hits a frog splash (with some height) for two of his own but King goes after the bad jaw. A running shot sends King outside though and Evans nails a heck of a dive. Cue Oba Femi to take Evans down though and King retains the cup via countout at 10:43.

Rating: C. The ending keeps the Cup with King, even through some shenanigans, and that’s the best thing for him at the moment. This wasn’t so much King cheating as much as King capitalizing on someone going into business for themselves. Evans vs. Femi could be a fun David vs. Goliath match, but Trick Williams seems to be the next challenger for the title.

Post match Dark State is teased but Femi goes after Evans again. Trick Williams comes in for the save but has to be held back from Femi.

Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley vs. Meta Four

Dolin and Jackson lock up to start as Zaria and Sol Ruca are here to watch. Dolin sends her into the corner for a running shot from Paxley. A reverse surfboard has Jackson in trouble it’s off to Legend to take over. Paxley gets slammed for two but it’s a quick tag back to Dolin, who hits a high crossbody on both villains. Granted it was near their legs but close enough. Everything breaks down and the Cemetery Drive finishes Jackson at 3:58.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here and it took away what they could do. There was no reason to have Dolin and Paxley lose just before their title shot on Thursday so at least they have some momentum. Zaria and Ruca didn’t do anything here but there is a good chance that they’ll wind up facing Meta Four at some point in the future.

Tony D’Angelo wants information on the Dark State. The Family goes to find it when Stacks is asked to stay. D’Angelo brings up saving Stacks when he was a kid, which Stacks will never forget. D’Angelo: “I can always trust you, right?” Stacks: “You can always trust me T, always.” I’m sure.

The Motor City Machine Guns tells Hank And Tank to stay with it. Trust your partners and don’t compare yourselves to the Guns, because they’ve been a team for a long time.

Ethan Page vs. Andre Chase

Ricky Saints comes out to join commentary, which Page doesn’t like. Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors are here with Chase, who doesn’t want them doing the Chase U pose. Chase tries some early rollups to start and grabs a headlock. That’s reversed into a belly to back suplex but Chase sends him to the floor and adds a superkick from the apron.

We take a break and come back with Chase grabbing a swinging neckbreaker into the Russian legsweep. The Spelling Stomps are blocked but Chase knocks him down for two more. Page is back with an Iconoclasm into a Codebreaker for two of his own but Chase neckbreakers him on the apron. A tornado DDT gives Chase two, only for Chase to crotch him on top. The super powerslam gives Page two, followed by the Twisted Grin to pin Chase at 9:58.

Rating: B-. I was getting into this one as Chase continues to be a likable guy no matter what he is doing. I could go for his story taking a bigger step forward, but you can see the old version of him still alive inside there. Page vs. Saints is likely going to be a big showdown at Stand & Deliver, which is a good way to get Saints on the biggest show of the year.

Post match Saints looks up at Page but Shawn Spears and the Culling jump him.

Dark State says when they strike, no one is safe.

We get a clip of the debut of Stephanie’s Places.

Trick Williams calls Je’Von Evans a distraction, just like Eddy Thorpe. He wants Oba Femi next week and calls Dark State none of his business.

Women’s North American Title: Fallon Henley vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Henley, with the rest of Fatal Influence, is challenging and drives Vaquer into the corner to start. Vaquer fights up and hits a running dropkick for an early two. A superkick sends Henley into the ropes but she’s back up with a knockdown as we take a break. Back with Henley hitting a running forearm and kicking Vaquer between the shoulders.

Vaquer catches her on top with a superplex and Eat Defeat staggers Henley again. The running knees connect in the corner but Henley rolls through a rollup attempt. Henley throws her outside for a cheap shot from Jazmyn Nyx but Vaquer sends Henley into Nyx for the knockdown. The SVB retains the title at 10:03.

Rating: C+. I was a bit surprised that Vaquer didn’t lose one of her titles here but doing the whole two title defenses in one night is a nice feather in her non-existent cap. Henley gets her rematch and is cleared out so now we can move on to another challenger. It wasn’t a particularly good match, but you can see how far Henley has come in the last few months.

Post match Fatal Influence beats Vaquer down but Jordynne Grace makes the save. Grace teases challenging Vaquer but here is Jaida Parker to jump Grace, only to be cleared out again.

A bunch of women plead their case for a future shot at Vaquer and Ava doesn’t get to make an announcement.

Vaquer and Grace have one more staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show that wasn’t so much about the wrestling but rather moving the pieces around on the way to Stand & Deliver. The show might not have anything announced yet, but you can probably guess some of the matches that are coming on the show. That is a big deal and this was the kind of show that you need on the way there. I’m looking forward to seeing those matches coming together, as there is just enough time left to still add a few surprises.

Results
Stephanie Vaquer b. Jaida Parker – Rollup
Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont b. Hank And Tank – Heartstopper to Hank
Lexis King b. Je’Von Evans via countout
Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley b. Meta Four – Cemetery Drive to Jackson
Ethan Page b. Andre Chase – Twisted Grin
Stephanie Vaquer b. Fallon Henley – SVB

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: March 18, 2025
Location: Capital Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re done with Roadblock and that means it is time to get ready for Stand & Deliver. That should make for some big matches on the way there, as we can find out what we should expect on the show. As for tonight though, we have NXT Underground with Trick Williams hopefully blowing off his feud with Eddy Thorpe. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long Roadblock recap.

Women’s US Title: Chelsea Green vs. Sol Ruca

Green, with Piper Niven and Alba Fyre, is defending while Ruca has Zaria with her. Ruca starts fast with an armbar and handstands her way out of a headscissors. An X Factor gets two on Green but she’s back up with a hard whip into the corner. Back up and Ruca faceplants her down, setting up the surfing on Green’s back. That earns her another knockdown though and we take a break with Ruca in trouble.

We come back with Green taking out the knee but Ruca wins a slugout. The knee gives out on a springboard attempt though and Green gets two off a Rough Ryder. Green gets caught on top and Ruca manages a cartwheel DDT, setting up a big dive to the floor. Back in and Green’s Codebreaker connects but she has to break up the Sol Snatcher. The Unprettier retains the title at 9:49.

Rating: C+. This was a nice way to start things off as Green comes back to NXT and breaks a bit of a sweat against a popular star in Ruca. That’s all this needed to be as Green continues to be entertaining no matter what she is doing. It was a good opening match with Ruca hanging in there before going down in defeat.

Je’Von Evans suggests that he and Trick Williams are friends and partners but Williams doesn’t want to hear it. Lexis King comes in to run his mouth and gets punched for his efforts.

The D’Angelo Family is ready to get Tony D’Angelo’s title back, but tonight D’Angelo is staying in the back while the rest of the team gets some revenge.

Here is Stephanie Vaquer for a chat after becoming a double champion last week. She says this is difficult for her because English isn’t her first language. Wrestling is her first language and she proved it last week against one of the best. Now she is ready for her first challenger and here is Jordynne Grace to interrupt. Grace says Vaquer is a trailblazer but she isn’t the only one who won last week. Cue Jaida Parker to jump Grace from behind, saying the line starts behind her. Vaquer should enjoy her time as double champion while she can, because Parker is coming for the title.

Hank And Tank fire each other up.

Hank And Tank vs. Yoshiki Inamura/Josh Briggs

It’s a brawl before the bell and Briggs clotheslines Hank down, setting up a chokeslam for two. Inamura comes in to strike away on Tank in the corner and everything breaks down again. Everyone heads outside before Inamura gives Tank a spinning slam back inside. Briggs’ big boot gets two but Tank manages a knockdown and hands it back to Hank. House is quickly cleaned but Tank misses a Swanton. Inamura’s top rope splash is good for the pin at 5:45.

Rating: C+. Inamura and Briggs are a tam who need wins like this, as they have been presented in a weird way. For some reason they have done just about everything but win a bunch of regular tag matches. This isn’t the big breakthrough win but it’s better than having the team all over the place week to week.

Eddy Thorpe comes into the locker room and talks to Ridge Holland, with the two of them talking about how no one will accept them no matter what they do.

D’Angelo Family vs. The Culling

It’s a brawl on the floor to start and we settle to Riz taking Dame into the corner and hitting a high crossbody. Stacks comes in to clothesline Vance, who powers him out tot he floor. The distraction lets Dame deck Riz but Stacks is back in with a springboard forearm to Vance. Everyone winds up on the floor for the string of dives with the Family taking over as we take a break.

Back with Jensen chopping at Stacks and hitting a top rope bulldog for two. Vance grabs a chinlock until Stacks kicks his way to freedom. The women brawl again as the tag brings in Crusifino to clean house. The Shatter Machine connects….and we cut to the back, where Tony D’Angelo is attacked by the mysterious group. That’s enough of a distraction for Vance to give Stacks the reverse Death Valley Driver for the pin at 10:30.

Rating: C+. This was an energetic match at times, with the women getting in multiple brawls to keep things going. At the same time, you had the ending as a way to keep the Culling strong and protect the Family as well. It was a good way to go, with the Culling continuing to rise up the ranks, especially Vance, who got to show himself off a bit.

Ava makes Jaida Parker vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s Title next week. Works for Vaquer, so here is Fallon Henley to say she wants her own title shot. Ava throws her out because Vaquer is already busy.

Jacy Jayne vs. Karmen Petrovic

The rest of Fatal Influence and Ashante Thee Adonis are here too. Petrovic kicks her down to start and hits a basement clothesline. A basement dropkick gets two but Jayne is back with a kick to the face. The Cannonball gives Jayne two and she grabs the chinlock to keep Petrovic down. That’s broken up so Adonis throws in a chair, which the referee cuts off. Back up and Jayne catches Petrovic with a discus forearm for the pin at 4:02.

Rating: C. I still don’t get the point of Petrovic and Adonis and they aren’t exactly making things that much more interesting. Other than that, it was nice to see Jayne getting a win, though I’m not sure what is supposed to be next for Fatal Influence. In theory it should be Henley getting her rematch, but after that it could go in a few ways. I’m just not sure how interesting that would be.

Hank And Tank are annoyed at their loss so here are Wes Lee, Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont to mock them.

Jaida Parker is ready to win next week. Ashante Thee Adonis and Karmen Petrovic can be seen fighting in the back.

Ricky Saints vs. Ridge Holland

They grapple up against the ropes to start before Holland hits some uppercuts. Saints is right back with a dropkick but Holland suplexes him right back. Saints’ elbow in the corner connects, only for Holland to pull him off the middle buckle. Holland tosses him outside and we take a break.

Back with Holland working on the back, including an over the shoulder backbreaker. That’s broken up and Saints sends him outside for a ram into the apron. Back in and a tornado DDT plants Holland again, setting up the Roshambo (minus the running part) to give Saints the pin at 12:32.

Rating: C+. They had to start Saints’ singles career somewhere and beating someone with Holland’s status is a good way to go. Saints is someone who could turn into something big around here, though it might take some time for that to happen. At least he got his first singles win, as he is at least getting somewhere.

The mystery group talks about how they weren’t given a chance and now it’s time for them to do something about it. Their name seems to be Dark State.

Here’s what’s coming next week, including Stephanie Vaquer defending both of her titles (Women’s Title against Jaida Parker and Women’s Norther American Title against Fallon Henley).

Ricky Saints is happy about his win and is ready for Stand & Deliver…but the Culling interrupts. Trash talk ensues, but Saints makes it clear to Izzi Dame that he measures up in all the right places. A quick stare at Shawn Spears sends the culling leaving.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Trick Williams

NXT Underground, meaning no ropes and you only win via submission or knockout. Thorpe takes him to the mat to start and they start the brawling before heading outside. Williams whips Thorpe into the steps but misses the Trick Shot back inside. Instead Thorpe knocks him down and goes outside again for a belly to back suplex through the announcers’ table. Back in and Thorpe grabs a triangle choke but Williams powerbombs him onto the Evolve wrestlers outside. They get back inside again, where Williams hammers away until the referee stops it at 3:54.

Rating: C. Where’s the rest of this? The match was built up for weeks and then it doesn’t even go four minutes. That’s a weird way to go and I’m not sure what purpose it really served. I get the idea of having the match be more realistic as they were being so violent, but it still felt underwhelming.

Post match Trick Williams calls out and receives Oba Femi. Then the lights go out and Dark State is here, with Je’Von Evans and the Evolve wrestlers coming in to help with the fight. Evans hits a cutter on Femi and stands tall with Williams as Dark State stands in the crowd to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There were some good parts to this and it was nice to see Dark State actually starting to get somewhere. They also started to set up a few things for Stand & Deliver but we still don’t have anything definitive. Things should start coming together in the next few weeks, though hopefully it’s just Williams vs. Femi in the main event. That’s the big match and has been for a long time now, which is where things need to go. Overall, this wasn’t a bad show, but it felt like they were waiting again before we really start getting going for the biggest show of the year, which is only about a month away.

Results
Chelsea Green b. Sol Ruca – Unprettier
Yoshiki Inamura/Josh Briggs b. Hank And Tank – Top rope splash to Tank
The Culling b. D’Angelo Family – Reverse Death Valley Driver to Stacks
Jacy Jayne b. Karmen Petrovic – Discus forearm
Ricky Saints b. Ridge Holland – Roshambo
Trick Williams b. Eddy Thorpe via referee stoppage

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: March 11, 2025
Location: Theater At Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves, Booker T.

It’s another special show with Roadblock, which seems to be the last major event before Stand & Deliver. In this case we have a bunch of champion vs. champion matches, including some involving guest stars from TNA. That should make for a major night and we are on the way to the biggest show of the year. Let’s get to it.

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

TNA Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. Fraxiom

Only the Hardys are defending. Matt sends Axiom into the corner to start and pulls him back into a sitout powerbomb for an early two. A jawbreaker into a clothesline gives Matt two and the headlock goes on. Everything breaks down and Fraser hits a dive, followed by another from Axiom as we take an early break.

Back with Jeff coming in to clean house but having to counter a cross armbreaker. The Side Effect plants Fraser on the floor and the Plot Twist gets two on Fraser. The Twist Of Fate is broken up though so it’s the super Spanish Fly into the Phoenix splash. Matt breaks it up and the Whisper In The Wind hits Fraxiom. A Twist Of Fate gets two on Fraser and Axiom’s top rope knee accidentally takes him out. The Swanton retains the titles at 12:12.

Rating: B. The fans were into this one, though it was a bit of a weird thing to see the rather red hot NXT champions lose to the Hardys. Yes they’re legends, but does that mean they should be going over the current big team? The action was rather good though, as the Hardys can still work well when they are in there with the right opponents, just like here.

Mickie James gives Jaida Parker a pep talk before her eventual title match, hinting that it might take place at Stand & Deliver.

Stacks apologizes to Tony D’Angelo for costing him the North American Title last week but D’Angelo says it wasn’t his fault. On top of that, Stacks has set up a six person tag next week, with D’Angelo eventually giving it his blessing.

Roxanne Perez vs. Jordynne Grace

A chase doesn’t go well for Perez to start as Grace is right there to hammer away. Back up and Perez gets in a cheap shot, setting up a Russian legsweep for two. It’s time to work on the leg but Grace pulls her into a rear naked choke. Perez goes after the leg to escape and wraps it around a post in the corner as we take a break.

Back with Grace sending her flying but the knee gives out again. Grace slams her down a few times but Perez goes right back to the leg in a smart move. A rollup is reversed into a sitout powerbomb for two on Perez but she flips out of a Death Valley Driver and hits a superkick. The frog splash gets two and Perez grabs a crossface while cranking on the leg at the same time. Pop Rox is countered and Grace Death Valley Drivers her into the Juggernaut Driver for the pin at 11:27.

Rating: B-. It feels like we’re seeing Perez getting cleared out of NXT as she is moving up to the main roster. That would be a good way to go as there is nothing left for Perez to do here, but what matters seems to be Grace’s push, as she appears to be the future. That’s hardly a bad idea as Grace has hit the ground running, and Perez is helping to make her into a star.

Oba Femi runs into the Undertaker, who says he has been watching him for awhile (hopefully he means Femi in the ring and not like, as he was getting dressed). Undertaker has been impressed and this match is important, so go out there and defend your yard.

Trick Williams is training for NXT Underground because it’s time for him to be back on top where he belongs.

NXT Title: Moose vs. Oba Femi

Femi is defending and Moose’s TNA X-Division Title isn’t on the line. They take their time to start and lock up against the ropes until Femi chops away. Femi runs him over but Moose is waiting on him with a clothesline to the floor. One heck of a chokeslam sends Moose onto the apron and we take a break.

Back with Femi fighting out of a chinlock and sending Moose outside again. Moose gets in a whip into the steps and a pump kick connects back inside. Moose’s top rope spinning shot is uppercut out of the air for two and Femi gets the same off an AA. Femi goes up but gets superplexed down, only to pop back up with a regular suplex.

A powerbomb gives Moose two so Femi gives him a gorilla press over the top to the floor. Back in and they slug it out before a Cactus Clothesline takes them outside again. This time Moose posts him and hits a Rock Bottom through the announcers’ table as the fans have to be muted. Moose’s spear gets two so he tries it again, only to get countered into the Fall From Grace to retain the title at 13:36.

Rating: B+. This was two big guys beating the fire out of each other until one of them couldn’t get up. That’s what this needed to be and it was a heck of a hoss fight and that’s what it needed to be. The match was billed as something close to King Kong vs. Godzilla and dang they got close. I had a great time with this and they beat each other up really well, with Femi looking like a star again.

Zaria takes Sol Ruca to a rage room to burn off some steam.

Fatal Influence still wants Fallon Henley to get a rematch for the Women’s North American Title. Ricky Starks interrupts again and asks Ava for a match with Ridge Holland. It’s on for next week but Ethan Page comes in to say NXT doesn’t like outsiders.

Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans

Street fight and Page kicks him in the face at the bell. They fight to the floor where Evans hits a dive and punches Page in the face a few times. A chair shot misses for Evans but a second connects back inside. A table is set up on the floor and the fans approve. Evans slams him onto the chair for two but gets planted onto the chair as well as we take a break.

Back with Page punching a springboard dive out of the way, setting up the Ego’s Edge for two. Evans fights up and slugs away before sending him knees first into the steps. Back in and Evans kicks a chair into his face, setting up the running cutter over the top and through the table. One heck of a no hands dive sends Page onto the announcers’ table, followed by the twisting top rope splash for two. A Pillmanizing on the neck is blocked so Evans hits an RKO onto the chair. The springboard cutter onto the chair finishes Page at 14:45.

Rating: B. That was the best Evans has ever looked and that’s because he came off like he wanted to beat the fire out of Page and get his revenge. Page was right there with him with the violence and that made for a good brawl. What matters the most is Evans getting the biggest win of his career and looking serious in the process, which is what they pulled off.

Post match the lights go out and the four men are back for a toss powerbomb to Evans.

Shawn Spears’ group, now called the Culling, talks about how they are here to purge the weak. Shawn Spears says next week, they take the D’Angelo Family’s heart.

Eddy Thorpe is in the crowd and promises to take out Trick Williams next week. Cue Williams for the brawl, with the fans rather approving.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Title/Women’s North American Title: Giulia vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Title for title. They trade early counters and wind up looking over their shoulders for a unique standoff. Giulia bounces off the ropes into a rollup before they fight over leglocks. Neither can get very far so they roll outside for a slugout before Giulia comes back in with a missile dropkick. Vaquer knocks her to the floor though and that means a springboard dive as we take a break.

Back with Vaquer hitting Eat Defeat, setting up the running knees in the corner. The figure four faceplants keep Giulia in trouble but she catches Vaquer on top with a butterfly superplex. Giulia’s spinning sitout powerslam gets two but Vaquer gets in a dragon screw legwhip out of the corner. The SVB gets two so Vaquer goes up, only for her twisting moonsault to land in the Rings Of Saturn. Giulia’s running knee gets two but Vaquer hits a superkick. Back to back SVB’s make Vaquer a double champion at 11:23.

Rating: B. Somehow that might be a bit of a disappointment, as it could have been an epic fight and instead it was just a good, back and forth match. The best part is it could have gone either way and that left some interesting chances for drama in the end. Vaquer has impressed me more since the two of them debuted so this is a nice thing to see. There is a good chance that we’ll see the North American Title vacated but we’ll get to that when we get there. Good win for Vaquer here though, as she gets her even bigger push.

Confetti falls as Vaquer celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: A. Well that worked. This was an absolutely awesome show with the worst match being more than good enough to get by. You do not get this kind of content on most pay per views and they made it work this well as a free special. It’s definitely worth a look with some nice variety and a bunch of strong action. Awesome show here with Stand & Deliver still to come.

Results
Hardys b. Fraxiom – Swanton Bomb to Fraser
Jordynne Grace b. Roxanne Perez – Juggernaut Driver
Oba Femi b. Moose – Fall From Grace
Stephanie Vaquer b. Giulia – SVB

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: March 4, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re a week away from Roadblock and that means things should be getting interesting in the near future. The other big deal is the TNA stars showing up in a better way than the first time around and we could be in for some nice guest stars. This show is likely going to be built around getting ready for Roadblock though so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Sol Ruca/Zaria vs. Piper Niven/Chelsea Green

Ruca knocks green down and it’s quickly off to Zaria to chose Niven. Back up and Niven takes her down, much to Green’s approval. Green comes in to pull Ruca down by the hair but Niven misses an elbow. Zaria comes back in with a high/low and everything breaks down, with Niven hitting a dive off the apron as we take a break.

Back with Ruca enziguring her way out of trouble but Niven cuts off the tag attempt. Ruca gets in a high crossbody and brings Zaria back in, with a spear getting two on Green. A Codebreaker/backsplash combination hits Zaria for two and Green comes up with a bloody nose. Zaria is fine enough to grab Green for a Doomsday moonsault from Ruca and Green is in trouble. Zaria is back up with an F5 to drop Niven onto Green, leaving Ruca to hit the Sol Snatcher for the pin on Green at 10:11.

Rating: C+. This got a bit of time and that’s quite the win for Ruca, though it very well might not lead anywhere for her. I’m not sure I would have the champion lose a fall here in what felt like a mostly unimportant tag match. It was a good enough match though, and Zaria is getting something to do after just kind of being around for awhile.

Earlier today, Cora Jade and Jordynne Grace argued over who would be a better Knockouts Champion. Ava made a match between them for later.

Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon try to give Ava some office supplies but interrupt Trick Williams, who isn’t happy. Williams tells them to go mess with Mr. Chase, with Dixon blaming Williams for Chase U closing. That earns Dixon a ram into the wall.

Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker

Parker powers her into the corner to start but Jordan knocks her down for the standing moonsault. Jordan works on the arm and gets two off la majistral. Back up and a hard clothesline gives Jordan two and she catches a sliding Parker with a stomp to the back. An Asai moonsault hits Parker again but she’s fine enough to hit a backbreaker onto the turnbuckle to drop Jordan hard.

We take a break and come back with Jordan hitting a faceplant out of the ropes for two. Jordan gets the better of a slugout and a standing legdrop gets two more. Parker plants her with a Samoan drop for the same but a super Tear Drop takes too much time. Instead Parker grabs a super Spanish Fly, with Parker rolling outside to crank up the frustration. The Hipnotique hits Jordan on the floor but the second hits the steps. Back in and a 450 misses for Jordan, allowing Parker to hit the Hipnotique for the pin at 12:49.

Rating: B. They had a good match here, even with the extra time. Parker gets another win and continues to feel like she is building towards being something special, perhaps sooner than later. Jordan is in the middle of trying to find out what is next for her and I’m not sure what that is, or really could be. She’s a heck of an athlete, but she needs something beyond that to help define her.

Post match Parker calls out the winner of next week’s title vs. title match.

Tony D’Angelo is with the D’Angelo Family and can’t say what he thinks of Izzi Dame. D’Angelo is ready to show that his family is the real one in NXT.

We go to the Roadblock media event, with Oba Femi talking about how he’s ready for a showdown with Moose. He has to win this match to keep the title in NXT. Femi isn’t worried about the size difference and will walk out still NXT Champion.

Here are the Hardys for a chat in their first appearance in the venue. Jeff talks about what a crazy few weeks it has been before Matt talks about how great this place is for everyone. They saw the fire in Fraxiom’s eyes but here are Hank & Tank to interrupt. They mean no disrespect and are out here to ask for some advice. What do they need to do to get to the next level? Matt likes what he has seen in the team and Jeff says take it to the extreme. Tank thinks that means a TLC match but the Hardys say it’s about being willing to take risks and bet on yourselves.

Cue Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura to say they don’t like Hank & Tank, who hit dives to take it to the extreme. The four of them brawl off and Fraxiom is behind the Hardys, with Matt saying HE KNEW THEY WOULD COME. The Hardys want them to bring their best next week and respect seems to be shown before the title match. Talent aside, Briggs and Inamura, along with Hank & Tank, do absolutely nothing for me. At least Hank & Tank have done a few things around here, while Briggs and Inamura are little more than people who keep talking about how good they are without having to do anything to show it.

Video on Giulia vs. Stephanie Vaquer.

Cora Jade vs. Jordynne Grace

They fight over arm control to start and Grace gets a fireman’s carry ram into the corner. Grace plants her down again and hits some standing clotheslines to keep Jade in trouble. Back up and Jade uses the hair to send Grace hard into the corner for a nasty crash. Jade ties her up in the ropes and we take a break. Back with…the match having been stopped as Jade can’t continue due to an injury at 7:45. I won’t rate it due to the injury but they were getting going when they went to the break.

Jade does walk off and it’s not clear what is wrong.

Video on Shawn Spears vs. Tony D’Angelo.

We get a split screen interview between Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans. Page can’t believe someone as young as Evans tried to give him a pep talk and that is what made him snap. If he could break Evans’ jaw right now, he would take the chance just to shut him up. Evans is used to people trying to hold him down and that isn’t going to happen again here. They argue to wrap this up. Evans needs to win to blow this off and that’s probably what happens.

Trick Williams vs. Kale Dixon

Trick Shot knocks Dixon out at 6 seconds and the referee calls it. That worked.

Post match Eddy Thorpe pops up to say Williams is having trouble understanding that he’s not the man anymore. In two weeks, they’ll fight in NXT Underground.

Roxanne Perez has attacked Jordynne Grace in the back.

Roadblock rundown. The Undertaker will be there too. I’m guessing that’s an LFG promotional move.

Back at the press event, Moose says his match with Oba Femi will be the biggest match of his career for the biggest prize. Moose leaves and Ava makes Roxanne Perez vs. Jordynne Grace at Roadblock. Fatal Influence pops in to demand Fallon Henley get her title rematch and that’s that.

Ricky Saints meets Ridge Holland, who isn’t impressed. Saints says get used to seeing a lot of him. Then Saints runs into Shawn Spears, who says the revolution will be televised when he wins the North American Title tonight.

North American Title: Shawn Spears vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo is defending and all of their family members are here too. After the Big Match Intros, D’Angelo starts fast and takes him into the corner, where Spears knocks him off the ropes. Back up and D’Angelo hits a superplex and we take an early break. We come back with Spears in control and mocking the Family before working on the bad back. Spears shouts about the Family being done, which wakes D’Angelo up for a grab of the face. A spear gives D’Angelo two but D’Angelo’s back is banged up.

Spears misses a dive off the top but he pulls D’Angelo into a Sharpshooter. That’s broken up and Forget About It gets two, with Izzi Dame helping on the kickout. The Families get in a big fight but Stacks is sent into D’Angelo, who lands back first on a chair on the floor. Back in and the C4 gives Spears two so he loads it up again. D’Angelo slips out and tries the spinebuster but his back gives out and Spears rolls him up for the pin and the title at 12:28.

Rating: B-. This was more about telling a good story than the match and that’s not a bad thing. They got the story absolutely right, as Stacks accidentally bangs up Holland’s back even worse and indirectly costs him the title. Sure it’s a page straight out of how Shawn Michaels won his first Intercontinental Title, but waiting thirty plus years to do a similar finish is more than acceptable.

One more Roadblock rundown takes us out.

Overall Rating: B. This show was in a tough spot as they had to get ready for next week’s really big show but they managed to put together a good one of their own. The main event and Jordan vs. Parker were both strong in different ways and I want to see what happens next week more than I did coming in. I’m a bit surprised that the mystery group didn’t get involved, but maybe that’s next week. Solid stuff this week, despite being in a difficult situation.

Results
Sol Ruca/Zaria b. Chelsea Green/Piper Niven – Sol Snatcher to Green
Jaida Parker b. Kelani Jordan – Hipnotique
Jordynne Grace b. Cora Jade via referee stoppage
Trick Williams b. Kale Dixon via referee stoppage
Shawn Spears b. Tony D’Angelo – Rollup

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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

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NXT
Date: February 18, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We’re done with Vengeance Day and that means it is time to start getting ready for Stand & Deliver in about two months. The big story from Vengeance Day seems to be Jordynne Grace coming after the two Women’s Titles, which could lead to some big showdowns. Other than that, Oba Femi will need a new challenger so let’s get to it.

Here is Vengeance Day if you need a recap.

Long Vengeance Day recap, including four Performance Center wrestlers attacking Oba Femi and Fraxiom.

Here is Oba Femi and he wants the four guys to come get him now. Instead, here is TNA X-Division Champion (and fellow monster) Moose for a big man staredown. Moose says this has to happen and Femi seems ready for the whole thing. They stare each other down and hold up their titles. Works for me.

Earlier today, Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors invited Ava and Eddy Thorpe to their after party. That’s a no from both, with Thorpe saying they should be at Chase U. That sets up a match for later tonight.

Jaida Parker vs. Karmen Petrovic vs. Kelani Jordan

Ashante Thee Adonis is here with Petrovic. Jordan and Parker slug it out until Jordan sends the other two outside for a dive. Back in and Parker chokes Jordan on the ropes before a snap suplex gets two. We take a break and come back with Parker hitting a reverse suplex on Jordan but Petrovic jumps Parker in the ropes.

Jordan hits a standing legdrop for two on Parker (no Booker, that isn’t innovative, as Big Show did it before) but Parker runs Petrovic over. Jordan breaks up the cover with a frog splash and everyone is down. They slug it out from their knees until Parker hits a Hipnotic on Jordan. Adonis pulls Petrovic to the floor and Parker hits the Tear Drop on Jordan…but Petrovic grabs a rollup to pin Jordan at 11:32.

Rating: C+. They were doing well here with everyone getting in something, as Parker continues to feel like a future star. There is something of an “it” factor to her which is carrying her a long way and makes me wonder where she’s going. Other than that, Petrovic kind of steals a win, though the stuff with Adonis is still not doing much for me at all.

Post match Fatal Influence runs in to beat Petrovic down as we take a break. Back with Fatal Influence beating down Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer but Jordynne Grace runs in for the save. Grace clears the ring and issues the challenge for the six woman tag later tonight.

Stacks tells the rest of the D’Angelo Family that he has to deal with Shawn Spears on his own tonight.

Sol Ruca/Zaria vs. Meta Four

Ruca and Legend miss kicks to the face to start and it’s off to Jackson for a quick dropkick. Ruca takes Jackson down just as well though and moonsaults into a Meteora for two. Legend and Zaria take turns exchanging gorilla presses until Jackson missile dropkicks Ruca to the floor.

We take a break and come back with Ruca fighting her way out of trouble, allowing the tag to Zaria for the house cleaning. Zaria suplexes Jackson for two and Ruca comes back in for a superkick. A running hurricanrana and armdrag drop Jackson and we get the big Zaria vs. Legend showdown. Zaria muscles her up but can’t keep a fireman’s carry. Jackson comes back in and gets speared into an F5. The Sol Snatcher finishes for Ruca at 11:39.

Rating: B-. This was better than I was expecting as Zaria and Ruca work well enough together. I can go with Zaria being put into a team if Vaquer and Giulia are already doing something in the singles ranks. It lets Zaria do something else and that’s better than nothing. I’m not wild on the Meta Four getting pinned, but I can’t imagine they’re long for NXT anyway.

Wes Lee and company are talking about how things are wild around here but the still unnamed Ricky Starks pops in to say he’ll answer your questions out in the arena.

Here are Ava and Ricky Starks for the contract signing. Starks is glad to be here and he’s ready to take this place by storm and win everything there is to win. The revolution is ready to begin and he’s ready to sign but Ethan page interrupts. Page says Starks is following his playbook and is probably guaranteed a title match in his contract.

Starks doesn’t buy this and is ready to take the show to a new level but Page isn’t convinced. Starks thinks Je’Von Evans will be coming back to get his revenge on Page…and here is Evans to jump Page and brawl with him to the back. Now it’s Wes Lee interrupting the signing so Starks offers to face him next week. Lee tries to cut off the signing but gets clotheslined to the floor. We see the contract and his name is officially Ricky Saints. Eh I’ve heard worse.

The No Quarter Catch Crew interrupts Fraxiom…and call out the Hardys (the TNA Tag Team Champions) for next week in Cincinnati.

Ricky Saints has gone to the back…and a bunch of people (Hank And Tank, Josh Briggs, Yoshiki Inamura and perhaps others) have been attacked. Saints: “D***, this place is crazy.”

Shawn Spears vs. Stacks

Spears’ associates and the D’Angelo Family are here too. Starks starts the fight on the floor and hits a running boot to the face inside. Spears sends him to the apron though and grabs a hanging DDT. A regular DDT plants Stacks again and Spears hammers away on the mat. Stacks comes back with a slingshot Codebreaker for a breather as the goons almost get into it on the floor. A spinebuster gets Stacks out of trouble but Spears brainbusters him onto the knee. The C4 gives Spears the pin at 5:08.

Rating: C+. They were speeding through this and it seems like we are gearing up for a big Spears vs. Tony D’Angelo title match down the line. That should make for a nice showdown, though I’m still not overly interested in whatever Spears talks about most of the time. At least this is getting into more of a normal feud, which should go better for him.

Lexis King introduces himself to Moose and doesn’t like what he has been doing so far. Moose says if King wants an X-Division Title shot next week, he’s on.

Andre Chase is almost fired up over what Eddy Thorpe said but comes back to reality.

Andre Chase vs. Eddy Thorpe

Thorpe stomps away in the corner to start but Chase snaps off a hurricanrana. Chase takes him out on the floor as well but gets dropped back inside. Cue Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon in Chase U shirts to cheer Chase on from the student section, which is enough for Chase to fight back up. A big boot and Russian legsweep look to set up the spelling stomps but Chase can’t do it. Thorpe hits a German suplex into the impaler DDT for the pin at 4:26.

Rating: C. This was the next step in the story of Chase, as you can see that the magic is still in there but something is going to have to pull it out. That very well may be the return of Thea Hail down the line but I’m not sure how that is going to go. It’s a long term story, but for now it would have been a stretch for Chase to beat someone who took out Trick Williams over the weekend.

Post match Trick Williams pops up on screen to say this isn’t over with Thorpe.

Ethan Page interrupts Ava and Ricky Saints to complain about Je’Von Evans. Wes Lee and Evans come in so Ava makes it a tag match next week.

The Hardys are down to face the No Quarter Catch Crew next week and invite Fraxiom to watch.

Stephanie Vaquer/Giulia/Jordynne Grace vs. Fatal Influence

Vaquer rolls Henley up to start before it’s Nyx coming in to face Giulia. Nyx’s right hands don’t work as Giulia takes her down, allowing Grace to come in for a German suplex. Everything breaks down and it’s a six way brawl with the villains being sent outside. Grace hits a big dive but Jayne pulls Vaquer down by the hair back inside. Henley grabs a quick distraction and Jayne drops Vaquer as we take a break.

Back with Vaquer fighting out of a chinlock, setting up a rollup for two. The tag attempt is broken up and Henley kicks Vaquer in the face. Jayne gets in another shot and mocks Grace before the tag, only for Vaquer to get over for the tag a few seconds later. Everything breaks down and Grace MuscleBusters Nyx for two with Jayne making the save. Jayne is back with a running knee for two on Grace and Henley adds a Blockbuster. Giulia plants Jayne and grabs a belly to back suplex, followed by a dive from Vaquer. The Grace Driver finishes Nyx at 13:03.

Rating: B-. This was about giving Grace her first win as part of the NXT roster and it worked out well. Grace got to run through some people here and Fatal Influence are just good enough to feel like a challenge for her. Odds are Grace will be put into a bigger story sooner than later, but for now, she’s off to a nice start.

The winners post and Grace looks at the titles.

There is a brawl in the parking lot and Ava’s office has been trashed. Mr. Stone is down and the words “NO ONE IS SAFE” have been painted on the wall. Ava isn’t sure what happened to end the show. She’s not overly bright is she?

Overall Rating: B. This show did a nice job of making me want to see what is going to happen next week, while also giving us a nice cliffhanger to end the show. I was worried about the lack of impact from the four guys but they got involved well enough at the end. The action was good enough, but more than that, I’m interested in where things are going. That’s a sign that they are doing something right, so we’ll call this a rather nice success.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan – Rollup to Jordan
Sol Ruca/Zaria b. Meta Four – Sol Snatcher to Jackson
Shawn Spears b. Stacks – C4
Eddy Thorpe b. Andre Chase – Impaler DDT
Stephanie Vaquer/Jordynne Grace/Giulia b. Fatal Influence – Grace Driver to Nyx

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Vengeance Day 2025
Date: February 15, 2025
Location: CareFirst Arena, Washington DC
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We’re back at the big show and that means it is time for a slightly different card. The NXT Title is on the line in a three way while the Women’s Title is a four way match. The Tag Team Titles are on the line as well, but we also have a mystery faction who seems ready to debut. Let’s get to it.

We look at various moments throughout Vengeance Day history, because Vengeance Day is old enough to have a history. The show’s big matches get a look as well.

Women’s North American Title: Fallon Henley vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Henley, with the rest of Fatal Influence, is defending. Vaquer takes her down to the mat to start and they fight over arm control early on. Henley pulls her into a rollup for two, only to get caught in an STF. With that broken up, Vaquer bends Henley’s back over her knees and then switches to a rollup for two instead. A cross armbreaker has Vaquer down for a bit, until she reverses into one of her own over the ropes.

Henley knocks her outside so Jazmyn Nyx can offer a distraction, meaning Jacy Jayne can get in a pump kick so Henley can really take over. Back in and things slow down, with the running crotch attack to the back having Vaquer in more trouble. A springboard Blockbuster gives Vaquer two and the frustration is setting in. Vaquer fights out of a chinlock and hits a springboard high crossbody, only to get caught with a sling blade.

A dragon screw legwhip into a Meteora gives Vaquer two but Henley is back with a backbreaker. Back up an Vaquer sends her to the apron for a double underhook facebuster. One heck of a springboard dive takes the villains own and the STB sets up a corkscrew moonsault for the pin and the title at 15:02.

Rating: C+. This was a situation where there was little drama, and it wasn’t exactly a situation where I was ever thinking Vaquer was in danger. That was kind of the point of the whole thing, but it made for a long match as we were just waiting for Vaquer to take the title. That’s how it should have gone as Henley wasn’t going to be a long term champion, but cut a few minutes off of this.

We recap the Tag Team Title match. Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura are friends from their time in Japan and won one match so it’s time for a title match.

Sol Ruca takes Zaria skateboarding and it doesn’t go well.

Tag Team Titles: Yoshiki Inamura/Josh Briggs vs. Fraxiom

Fraxiom is defending. Inamura and Axiom lock up to start but Frazer comes in off a blind tag. The champs take over with some rapid fire kicks, including Frazer hitting an enziguri. Inamura chops his way out of trouble and it’s Briggs coming in with a big boot to Axiom to take over. Frazer gets clotheslined out to the floor and a chokeslam onto Inamura’s knee gets two on Axiom.

Inamura strikes away in the corner and we pause to look at the crowd for some reason. With Inamura sticking his chest out so Axiom can hit a chop, Axiom hits the Golden Ratio for the big knockdown instead. It’s back to Frazer to pick up the pace, with a running shooting star press getting two on Briggs. Frazer’s dive off the top lands on Briggs’ face for two but he’s right back up with a powerbomb to put Frazer down. A sitout powerbomb gives Inamura two on Axiom and everyone is down.

Axiom hits the super Spanish Fly on Inamura, only for Briggs to super chokeslam Frazer onto Axiom for a creative looking crash. Briggs blasts Axiom with a clothesline but Axiom is back up with a poisonrana. Inamura picks up Axiom for a slam so Frazer jumps onto Inamura’s back for a sleeper. That just has Inamura spinning around and puts them both down. A very bouncy top rope splash misses for Inamura and Axiom moonsaults onto Briggs n the floor. Back in and a missile dropkick/legsweep combination pins Inamura at 10:24.

Rating: B-. This was a match that got better as it was going, but it was fighting a major problem throughout: I had no reason to be interested in Briggs and Inamura. They’re a good enough team and looked solid here, but they’ve only had a handful of televised matches. Other than that, it’s been a bunch of Briggs talking about how good they are and that’s about it. That’s a hard stop to come back from at the start but they were certainly trying here. I’m not sure who is next for Fraxiom, but they’re having quite the run as champions.

Post match respect is shown….and the four people we have seen in vignettes pop in to beat all of them down. None of them look familiar.

The D’Angelo Family is not happy with Izzi Dame turning on them so Shawn Spears and company could beat Tony D’Angelo down. Stacks is going to take care of this on his own. And he’s on his own as he talks, because the D’Angelo Family is the only family in NXT.

We recap Eddy Thorpe vs. Trick Williams in a strap match. Thorpe has cost Williams the NXT Title and now Williams wants revenge, with the strap being Thorpe’s idea.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Trick Williams

Strap match but with pinfall or submission. The fight is on before the strap is attached and Williams clotheslines him out to the floor. Back in and Williams hits a backdrop and puts the strap around his own wrist. Williams ties it to Thorpe’s wrist as well and now we get the bell. Thorpe gets sent into the corner and a pop up right hand puts him down again, only for Williams to get tossed over the top.

Back in and Thorpe uses the strap to pull him off the top, only to pose on the ropes so Williams can get in a pull of his own. Thorpe gets violent with the first hard whip to the back, followed by another on the floor. Williams gets tied up to the post and whipped in the chest, followed by some strap punches to the head.

A Randy Orton backbreaker gets two and a jumping elbow connects for the same. Something like a spinebuster gets Williams out of trouble and he goes simple by choking with the strap. That’s broken up with a rope grab so Williams just unloads with strap shots to the back. A low blow with the strap cuts Williams down though and a running knee finishes for Thorpe at 10:59.

Rating: C. NXT has decided that Thorpe is going to be a thing and they are going to try to make that happen no matter what. Thorpe has done almost nothing that is overly impressive but here he is anyway. Williams seemed like he was gearing up for a big showdown with Oba Femi at Stand & Deliver. Maybe that is what happens, but for now, Williams has a lot of work to do after this kind of a loss, as surprising as it was.

We look at Ricky Starks debuting earlier this week. He’ll sign his NXT deal on Tuesday.

We recap Ethan Page attacking Je’Von Evans and breaking his jaw. Evans is back for revenge and Page is all violent.

Je’Von Evans vs. Ethan Page

Evans has a mouthpiece in because his jaw is still a bit banged up. The fight is on fast and Page bails to the floor to avoid a big shot to the jaw. Instead Evans dives onto Page (and nearly misses) before unloading on Page on the announcers’ table (while showing some great fire).

Back in and a suplex into a Blue Thunder Bomb gives Evans one, followed by a springboard clothesline for two. Evans’ springboard cutter is blocked so he sends Page to the apron, where the springboard cutter can drop Page in a heap. A big stomp onto the steps misses though and Page takes him down by the leg to take over. Page DDTs the leg and grabs a half crab to keep up the cranking.

A slam sends the leg into the ropes and we hit the ankle lock. The rope is grabbed for a break and Evans is back with a Superman Punch. Another springboard is broken up and the Ego’s Edge sends Evans flying for two. Back up and Evans strikes away, setting up a spinning kick to the head (What leg injury?). Evans stomps on the jaw to send Page outside for a big dive. Page knocks a springboard out of the air (and Evans loses his mouth piece) and the Twist Of Fate finishes Evans at 11:59.

Rating: B-. This was a match that was going in a few different ways, as the opening portion with Evans going after Page was some of the best stuff I’ve seen from Evans so far. It was fired up and felt like someone wanting to get revenge, including by hitting Page in the face as often as he could. That stuff was very good and Page going after the leg made sense, but egads I was rolling my eyes hard when Evans was flipping and jumping on the bad leg at the end. If Evans can show fire like that when he needs to and learn to sell a leg injury, he could get a lot better.

Evans is bleeding from the mouth.

Stephanie Vaquer is happy with her win but her night isn’t over because she’ll be watching the Women’s Title match.

NXT Title: Oba Femi vs. Austin Theory vs. Grayson Waller

Femi is defending and even he knows this is a glorified handicap match. Some early double teaming has Femi in trouble to start and stereo forearms put him down to one knee. Back up and Femi chokeslams both of them but Waller gets in a kick to Femi’s ribs. A suplex sends both challengers flying and Theory charges into a boot in the corner. Femi gets clotheslined to the floor so Waller tells Theory to lay down.

That doesn’t work for Theory as he shoves Waller away, where Femi can pull him to the apron. Some chops rock Waller and Theory but Waller saves Femi from a powerbomb. Femi misses a shot with the steps though and Waller DDTs him onto those steps to actually slow Femi down. A chair is brought in and Femi hammers away with elbows, followed by some chair shots to really take over.

Back up and Femi side slams Waller through an open chair, with Theory having to make the save. The rolling dropkick takes Femi down again and the evil alliance is on again. Theory puts Femi in an electric chair but Femi grabs Waller with a superplex to put both of them down. Femi sets up a table (this match did not need a table) but the villains put him on the table, setting up Waller’s middle rope elbow through it for two.

Back in and Femi knocks Waller off the apron before hitting a spinebuster on Theory. Femi tosses Waller through the announcers’ table but Theory hits Femi in the back with a chair. A jumping DDT sets up A Town Down for two but Waller pulls the referee (with the camera telegraphing the save). Theory yells at Waller, who accidentally gives Theory the rolling Stunner. The Fall From Grace retains the title at 13:13.

Rating: C. Well, that was exactly what I was expecting when the match was announced and they didn’t change a bit. Femi was a dominant monster and the other two were too proud and/or stupid to take advantage of their advantage. I’m not sure why this was the NXT Title match on a show this big, as it was never in doubt and felt like something that should have been an impromptu match around 9pm on a random episode of NXT. Femi breaking things is good, but dang this wasn’t interesting coming in and they never did anything to make it better.

Post match the lights go out and the four people we’ve seen teased are in the crowd. They storm the ring to beat Femi down and a quadruple toss powerbomb leaves Femi laying. Two of them appeared to be Cutler James and Dion Lennox.

Ava says she’ll deal with the four of them later but now she has to worry about the show in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lexis King has texted her 22 times but then she moves on to the show in New York City two weeks later. Arianna Grace pops in ad thanks Ava for making her the liaison to TNA. She introduces Santino Marella, who has met Ava before. Ava teases mentioning something about Santino and Grace (his daughter) but leaves to talk to Santino instead.

Here’s what’s coming on Tuesday.

We recap the NXT Women’s Title match. Giulia is defending and represents the future, Bayley is representing the past, Roxanne Perez is representing the present and Cora Jade is here too. It’s being billed as a battle of the generations, which is quite the idea.

NXT Women’s Title: Giulia vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade

Giulia is defending. Perez yells a lot to start so Bayley goes after her, leaving Giulia to go up for a double dropkick. They start trading rollups for two each before Bayley and Perez hit stereo dives to the floor. Back in and Perez slaps Bayley, who takes her down for an elbow to the back. Jade pulls Bayley to the floor but has to avoid Pop Rox. It’s back to Giulia to clean house before we get the big showdown with Bayley.

That doesn’t last long as they opt to suplex Jade, who saves Jade from the same. Jade and Perez avoid fighting but Jade’s running knee in the corner accidentally hits Perez. A big flip dive takes out Giulia and Bayley on the floor but an angry Perez slams Jade off the top. Perez hammers away on Jade but Bayley breaks it up and hits some knees in the corner to rock Jade. Giulia grabs something like an Octopus on Bayley but Perez is back in with a crossface.

Giulia slips out and hits the Northern Lights Bomb for two, followed by Bayley hitting Jade with a swinging side slam for the same. Bayley’s sunset bomb sends Giulia into the corner but Jade breaks up Pop Rox. Jaded gets two on Bayley and everyone is down. Giulia starts snapping off suplexes and takes Perez up top, only for the Tower Of Doom to bring everyone down, with Jade at the bottom. Everyone brawls to the floor before Perez is back in with Pop Rox to Bayley. Jade hits Perez with Jaded but Giulia is back in with the knee to the head. The Northern Lights Bomb to Perez retains the title 18:31.

Rating: B. Thank goodness this was the main event as it was the match with the biggest build and it wound up being the best thing on the show. Giulia can more than hold her own with anyone, Perez is a natural and Bayley added the star power. I’m not sure why Jade needed to be here if she wasn’t taking the fall, but she certainly didn’t hurt things. Solid main event here as Giulia gets to further establish herself as the top of the best women’s division going today.

Post match Stephanie Vaquer comes out to pose with Giulia but Jordynne Grace returns fr the big staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. It wasn’t a bad show, but it also wasn’t an interesting one. The problem here is most of the matches didn’t have the best build and that hurt the show a lot. You had Vaquer winning the title, a Tag Team Title match added four days ago, Femi defending in a match that was never in doubt, and a big time main event, plus a pair of grudge matches. That’s not exactly a must see card and it went about that way in reality. Stand & Deliver is coming up and I would hope that it feels a lot bigger than this.

Results
Stephanie Vaquer b. Fallon Henley – Corkscrew moonsault
Fraxiom b. Yoshiki Inamura/Josh Briggs – Missile dropkick/legsweep combination to Inamura
Eddy Thorpe b. Trick Williams – Running knee
Ethan Page b. Je’Von Evans – Twist Of Fate
Oba Femi b. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller – Fall From Grace to Waller
Giulia b. Bayley, Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez – Northern Lights Bomb to Perez

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NXT
Date: February 11, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

It’s the go home show for Vengeance Day and the card is mostly set. This week is going to be about building up the rest of the show, which could use some work at this point. Bayley is here again this week to face Cora Jade so odds are we’ll be seeing Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade as well. Let’s get to it.

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

Bayley vs. Cora Jade

Jade misses the kendo stick shot to start and Bayley hammers away early on. They go outside with Bayley beating her up against the barricade, followed by a ram into the announcers’ table (Booker: “LET’S KEEP IT LEGAL!”) for two. A basement elbow to the back gives Bayley two more but the Rose Plant is blocked. Jade is sent outside for a big dive but she ties Bayley up in the ropes for some knees as we take a break.

Back with Bayley hitting the Twisting Stunner over the ropes and the Bayley To Belly gets two. Some knees in the corner set up another suplex for another two but Bayley can’t quite get a sunset bomb into the corner. Instead Jade rolls her up for two in a nice save as that would have been ugly otherwise. Bayley knocks her into the corner…and here is Roxanne Perez as Hugger Bayley for a distraction. With Bayley going after Perez, Jade gets in Jaded on the floor, followed by Jaded inside for the pin at 10:41.

Rating: B-. That’s probably the biggest win of Jade’s career and that is quite the move, especially when she is chasing the TNA Knockouts Title. I’m not sure I can see her winning the title, but this is the kind of win that could give her some strong momentum in that direction. Bayley does add some star power around here though, and the Hugger deal was rather good.

As Jade celebrates, we go back stage where Ava whispers something to Giulia, who nods. Cue Ava, who adds Jade to the Women’s Title match at Vengeance Day. Bayley lays out the surprised Perez.

Nikkita Lyons mocks Sol Ruca and Zaria so a match is set for later.

Here is Oba Femi for a chat. Femi is ready to face both members of A-Town Down Under at Vengeance Day, even if it’s really a handicap match. They can make the mistake of trying to get together to take him out…and here is A-Town Down Under to interrupt. The two of them aren’t impressed with Femi, with Theory talking about how Waller doesn’t get the respect he deserves around here.

Waller says Theory can ride shotgun when he becomes NXT Champion, which lets Femi say it sounds like both of them want to be champion. Waller is tired of hearing about Theory being US Champion and beating John Cena but Theory points out Waller never doing anything on his own. They agree to go after Femi and manage to put him down, only to argue over who gets to hold the title. They aren’t really hiding that this is going to be Femi retaining the title, but it’s still not the most interesting story.

Video on Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe, with Thorpe wanting a strap mach at Vengeance day.

Je’Von Evans is medically cleared to return, but if he gets hurt again, he could be out of action for months. Don’t tease me like that.

Evans signs a liability waiver for his match with Ethan Page at Vengeance Day.

Hank And Tank vs. Josh Briggs/Yoshiki Inamura vs. No Quarter Catch Crew

Inamura cleans house to start until Heights clotheslines Hank. Everything breaks down early on and Briggs hits some running dropkicks to send the Crew outside. Tank comes in and backdrops Borne to the floor as this is all over the place. Hank And Tank crush Borne on the floor but Heights Samoan drops Hank for two as Fraxiom is watching from the balcony.

We take a break and come back with Heights breaking up Hank’s tag to Tank. Instead, Hank hands it off to Inamura, who cleans house with Briggs. Hank and Heights slug it out but Briggs kicks both of them down. A powerbomb gets two on Hank, with Tank making the save. That leaves Hank to hit a big dive onto the pile outside and the fans are impressed. Back in and Hank knocks Briggs off the top but Inamura breaks it up. A top rope splash gives Inamura the pin on Hank at 12:10.

Rating: B. They didn’t really bother with the tagging stuff here and it wound up being totally wild throughout. That’s not a formula that works all the time but they were having a very fun match here, which is better than watching most of these guys try to go technical. If nothing else, points for having Inamura and Briggs actually win something after talking for weeks on end.

Post match Fraxiom thinks Briggs and Inamura deserve a title shot, so they’ll see them at Vengeance Day.

Stacks apologizes to Tony D’Angelo, who says everything is cool, which everything seems to be.

Heritage Cup: JDC vs. Lexis King

King is defending, JDC is better known as Fandango (now in TNA) and the Cup is now one fall title matches. Feeling out process to start with King grabbing a front facelock, only to be taken down into an armbar. A sunset flip out of the corner gives JDC two and he sends King outside for a big dive.

We take a break and come back with JDC missing a middle rope dropkick. King grabs a Canadian Mapleleaf (with commentary getting in the Lance Storm reference) but JDC makes the ropes for the easy break. A Falcon Arrow gives JDC two and King bails to the floor, where a big flip dive takes him down again. Back in and Down And Dirty (guillotine legdrop) gives JDC two but he gets caught on top. A hanging Coronation retains the title at 9:40.

Rating: C+. On one hand, I do get the idea of getting rid of the Heritage Cup rules as they didn’t mean much around here, but at the same time, now it’s just another title. We already have the North American Title and I really don’t think there is much of a need to have two midcard titles around here. Maybe it doesn’t last much longer, but I’m not sure how much sense this whole thing makes.

Roxanne Perez rants to Ava about Cora Jade being added to the title match. Bayley doesn’t want to hear the complaining, but does say this is the best that Perez has ever looked. Jade comes in and doesn’t like what Perez said, but says she’ll win on Saturday.

Fatal Influence is ready for Fallon Henley to defend the Women’s North American Title at Vengeance Day. Kelani Jordan and Jaida Parker both come in to say they want title shots but Ashante Thee Adonis comes in to say Karmen Petrovic should be getting the shot. Bickering ensues.

Zaria vs. Nikkita Lyons

Zaria starts fast with some clotheslines but Lyons snaps off a hurricanrana. A double knockdown gives us a breather and Lyons is back up for a camel clutch. That’s broken up with straight power but Lyons misses a Vader Bomb. The spear into an F5 finishes Lyons at 2:47. Well that was abrupt.

Video on Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans.

Trick Williams is in for the strap match with Eddy Thorpe.

Vengeance Day rundown….and here is former AEW star Ricky Starks in the crowd. He isn’t given a name, but he does acknowledge the RICKY STARKS chants by saying “you obviously know who I am.” Starks says you need an absolute star around here and he is here to turn this place upside down. So there’s your big moment, and dang that’s a fast turnaround after Starks left NXT. I’m not sure what he’s going to do around here, but egads please just let him be called Ricky Starks and not Lance Wigglesworth.

Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer wish each other luck at Vengeance Day, with Vaquer hinting that she’s coming for Giulia’s title.

Andre Chase says meets Uriah Connors but can’t party on a school night. Kale Dixon says he thought Chase U was dead, and Chase says it is, but old habits die hard.

North American Title: Ridge Holland vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo, with the Family, is defending in a cage with pin/submission only. Holland slugs away to start but D’Angelo fires back with the uppercuts to the ribs. A clothesline puts Holland into the corner but he rakes the eyes for a breather. Back up and D’Angelo sends him into the cage and we take a break.

We come back with D’Angelo fighting out of a chinlock before a clothesline puts him back down for two. Holland misses a top rope splash and D’Angelo starts sending him into the cage a few times. D’Angelo grabs a belly to belly but charges into a boot to the face for a breather. They slug it out from their knees until D’Angelo powerbombs him into the cage for two. Izzi Dame tells Stacks to help so he throws in a crowbar, which Holland takes away and drops D’Angelo. Another shot gives Holland two but D’Angelo goes to the eyes. A crowbar shot and spinebuster retain the title at 10:59.

Rating: B-. The cage didn’t really add much here, but I’ll take it over another street fight or weapons based match. D’Angelo is definitely turning into something, and even though his gimmick would be death on the main roster, he’s doing far better than I would have expected around here. Holland losing again is a bit much, but he certainly wasn’t crushed. Just have him win something already if you’re going to though?

Post match Holland and the Family (minus Tony) brawl to the back. Cue Shawn Spears and company, with Dame decking Tony to put him down. The big beatdown is on and the Family is held off with a chair as Tony is destroyed.

We get a long video on Vengeance Day, complete with a look at the four mystery people, complete with a skull mask. Interesting, as I was thinking it was Spears and company after that ending.

Overall Rating: B-. They are trying hard with Vengeance Day but I really can’t get into it. Having Jade added to the Women’s Title match makes it a bit more intriguing, but she feels like she is there for the sake of giving Giulia someone to pin. Other than that, the NXT Title match isn’t doing much for me and the Tag Team Title match was thrown onto the card out of nowhere. This show was a nice try at a go home show, but the show they’re going home to isn’t doing it for me and that’s a big problem.

Results
Cora Jade b. Bayley – Jaded
Josh Briggs/Yoshiki Inamura b. Hank And Tank and No Quarter Catch Crew – Top rope splash to Hank
Lexis King b. JDC – Hanging Coronation
Zaria b. Nikkita Lyons – F5
Tony D’Angelo b. Ridge Holland – Spinebuster

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

We are just over a week away from Vengeance Day, which is going to be the night of the triple threats. Last week it was announced that both NXT Champion Oba Femi and Women’s Champion Giulia will defend their titles in triple threat matches, which makes things more interesting. Other than that, we have to fill out the rest of the card so let’s get to it.

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

Jacy Jayne vs. Stephanie Vaquer

The rest of Fatal Influence is here with Jayne. Vaquer wrestles her down without much effort before sending Jayne face first into the buckle. Some facewashes in the corner have Jayne in more trouble and they go outside. Fallon Henley gets in a cheap shot and we take an early break. Back with Vaquer putting her on top for a superplex and hitting some running knees in the corner. Jayne’s knee to the face gets two and, after Jazmyn Nyx’s interference fails, the SVB finishes Jayne at 11:21.

Rating: C. Take a challenger, have her beat the champion’s friend on the way to the title match. That’s as simple as you can get and it worked out well here. Vaquer is on the way to a big time title match and very well could wind up becoming the new champion. This was a good way to build her up and it worked out well.

Various women argue over recent losses.

Oba Femi is ready for A-Town Down Under tonight and he doesn’t owe Trick Williams a thing.

Here is Lexis King for a chat. He can’t be humble when he is on the path to becoming the biggest star in wrestling history. King plays by his own drums and why wouldn’t he? The King’s blood doesn’t run with that of a normal person and he wanted to be anything but his father. He has felt at his best when he is being his father’s son and the reality is the Heritage Cup has been mistreated. Therefore, he is now going to get rid of the old rules and turn title matches into regular one on one matches, one fall to a finish.

Cue Fandango (TNA’s JDC) of all people, who talks about how weird he got around here. They insult each other and he introduces himself as JDC (despite the Fandango music/graphics) before saying the title match is set for next week. Fandango coming back is a nice moment, but he’s still not the biggest TNA name to come over as part of the crossover.

Tony D’Angelo is in the CW series Wild Cards and the Family is excited. Except Stacks, who says this is what D’Angelo is doing but he doesn’t have time for them. D’Angelo tells him to worry about Ridge Holland tonight.

Ridge Holland vs. Stacks

The rest of the D’Angelo Family is here with Stacks, who jumps Holland before the bell. Holland snaps off an overhead belly to belly suplex and sends Stacks outside for a ram into the steps. Stacks’ Codebreaker doesn’t get him very far as Holland grabs a belly to belly suplex. Izzi Dame’s distraction lets Stacks grab two but the Redeemer finishes Stacks at 3:44.

Rating: C. Much like the opener, they kept this to the point and didn’t try to do anything weird here. What matters the most is having Holland look strong, likely on the way to a title match with Tony D’Angelo. Stacks is still having issues with his boss and that could make for an interesting situation down the line.

Fraxiom is interrupted by Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura, who say they could win the Tag Team Titles in their one show. Fraxiom isn’t overly impressed.

Zaria/Sol Ruca vs. Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley

Ruca and Paxley start things off with an exchange of quickly broken headlocks. A faceplant puts Paxley down and it’s quickly off to Zaria vs. Dolin. Everything breaks down and Ruca gets dropkicked, allowing Paxley to drop a backsplash for two. Paxley gets underneath Ruca and lifts her up for a choke (that’s a new one) before handing it off to Dolin for a twisting Swanton. Ruca manages to headscissor her way to freedom though and it’s off to Zaria to clean house. Everything breaks down and Ruca gets shoved into Zaria but Zaria pulls Paxley out of the air. The F5 drops Paxley onto Dolin and the Sol Snatcher finishes at 4:22.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure what happened with Zaria but it feels like she came in on fire and then just fell through the cracks. This doesn’t feel like a major feud as she’s just kind of thrown into a tag team with Ruca. The match was energetic but it doesn’t feel like something that matters all that much.

We look at some NXT women in the Royal Rumble.

Trick Williams hasn’t seen Oba Femi tonight but the game plan is to show that he deserves the Vengeance Day title shot.

Here are Bayley, Roxanne Perez and Giulia for a chat. Well hold on as Perez wants to talk about her success in the Royal Rumble, where she broke Perez’s longevity record. Bayley cuts her off, talking about how she built the first ring in this arena with her bare hands. In this arena, Dusty Rhodes taught her how to hold a microphone. Bayley is fine, but what happens if Perez doesn’t win at Vengeance Day? Perez threatens to win all of the titles but here is Giulia to say she’ll keep the title.

Cue Charlotte to interrupt, saying Mama is home. This will always be her home and the last time she won the Women’s Royal Rumble, she cashed in and won the NXT Women’s Title. Perez had a nice performance at the Royal Rumble but she’ll finish second place again if she faces Charlotte. Giulia, the hype is real but Charlotte is still better. Oh and she’ll beat Bayley too. Cue Cora Jade to clear the ring, with Charlotte glaring at them. While I can’t imagine Charlotte coming after the NXT Women’s Title, it’s nice to see them teasing it.

Ava has Je’Von Evans and Ethan Page held apart. Evans is suspended, but Page would rather they face each other at Vengeance Day. Ava makes the match, if Evans can get cleared.

Josh Briggs gets a tag match with Hank and Tank next week.

Ridge Holland comes up to the D’Angelo Family and wants a North American Title match. The solution? A cage match.

Kelani Jordan vs. Karmen Petrovic

They shove each other around to start and Petrovic’s arm doesn’t work very well as Jordan powers her into the corner. The armbar goes on again but Jordan is sent outside and takes out Ashante Thee Adonis. Back in and a springboard DDT gives Petrovic two as we take an early break.

We come back with Jordan knocking her down and nipping up as Jaida Parker is watching from ringside. Petrovic strikes away and gets two off some clotheslines. Back up and Jordan knocks her down, setting up a pair of One Of A Kinds. A glare at Parker and a choke finish Petrovic at 10:20.

Rating: C. This Adonis/Petrovic stuff just isn’t interesting and it’s getting worse every week. I’m not sure what the appeal is supposed to be and while Jordan is getting somewhere, the other two are kind of there. Parker and Jordan could be an interesting feud for both though, as Parker continues to rise up the ranks.

Post match Jordan keeps up the choke and the result is reversed.

Stephanie Vaquer is coming for the Women’s North American Title and isn’t worried about Fatal Influence.

Bayley gets Cora Jade next week.

Fraxiom is ready for either Hank And Tank or Yoshiki Inamura/Josh Briggs.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

A-Town Down Under are ready to team tonight but then argue over who will be the next NXT Champion.

Vengeance Day rundown.

Oba Femi/Trick Williams vs. A-Town Down Under

Williams tags himself in to start so Theory fires off some shoulders in the corner. Femi isn’t pleased and Theory’s rolling dropkick to Williams makes it even worse. Williams chops his way out of trouble and hits a hard slam before it’s off to Femi for a harder slam. Femi and Williams keep arguing though, with Femi pulling him to the floor. A dive takes the good guys out and we take a break.

Back with a jumping knee to the face and rolling neckbreaker putting Williams down for two. Femi gets knocked off the apron so Williams has no one to tag after he jawbreaks his way out of a chinlock. A pop up right hand gives Williams a needed breather, allowing the tag off to Femi for a double Samoan drop. Williams tags himself back in and hits a spinning kick to Waller’s head for two. Cue Eddy Thorpe with a strap to Williams, allowing Waller to hit a rolling jumping Downward Spiral for the pin at 12:08.

Rating: C+. This was exactly what it was supposed to be with Femi and Williams not getting along, though I’m still not sure what appeal Thorpe is supposed to have. The guy isn’t overly interesting and yet he’s still in the main event scene no matter what. Other than that, you have Femi being ready to crush the annoying villains, which is how things should go.

Post match the whipping continues.

We get the test pattern again but this time it transitions into four people in the shadows to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The main event picked it up a bit but I’m not feeling Vengeance Day so far. Maybe it’s the two triple threats on top but there isn’t much about the show that is making me overly interested. This week’s show didn’t help very much and I’m still not exactly thrilled with what we’re going to be seeing. Femi continues to look like a monster and his match with Williams is likely going to be headlining Stand & Deliver, but we’ve got something else to get through first. Not a terrible show here, but not something that hooked me.

Results
Stephanie Vaquer b.. Jacy Jayne – SVB
Ridge Holland b. Stacks – Redeemer
Zaria/Sol Ruca b. Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley – Sol Snatcher to Dolin
Karmen Petrovic b. Kelani Jordan via DQ
A-Town Down Under b. Oba Femi/Trick Williams – Rolling jumping Downward Spiral to Williams

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: January 28, 2025
Location: Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We are closing in on Vengeance Day and that means it is time to start putting the card together. For some reason the big draw this week is NXT Champion Oba Femi appearing on the Grayson Waller Effect, which was presented as a bigger deal than the NXT Title match last week. Hopefully they have something good planned so let’s get to it.

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

Giulia/Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez/Cora Jade

The villains try to jump them to start but are quickly knocked to the floor. We settle down to Giulia and Perez trading rollups for two each until Perez is dragged over to the corner. Jade comes in to yell at Bayley, who drops her with a clothesline for two. Perez sends Bayley and Giulia to the floor for some dives and we take an early break.

Back with everyone down before Bayley Stuns Jade over the middle rope. A cheap shot cuts Bayley off the top though and double teaming ensues as the referee holds Giulia back. Perez mocks Bayley’s old wave before charging into a belly to back suplex to give Bayley a breather. The Bayley To Belly allows the tag off to Giulia, who sends Perez flying with a suplex. Jade accidentally runs Perez over with a forearm for two as everything breaks down again. Giulia drops Jade and Bayley hits the top rope elbow for the pin at 12:59.

Rating: B-. Nice opener here as Bayley feels like the biggest star around here, just due to her legendary status. It helps that NXT can get bigger names from the main roster here and if Bayley can do something for NXT, it’s all the better. The match itself was good action, though Jade taking the fall felt like a matter of time more than anything else.

Eddy Thorpe insists he isn’t done and will make his mark in NXT.

It’s time for the Grayson Waller Effect and hometown boy Austin Theory is rather popular until Grayson Waller cuts them off. Waller brings out Oba Femi as the guest and praises him, only for Theory to say he doesn’t see their potential. Femi brings up that he is the only one of them to be NXT Champion but Theory talks about how Femi is going to get to the main roster and then wind up on the indies selling t-shirts. Femi asks where their titles are and offers them a title shot at Vengeance Day. Waller tries to accept but here is Ava to say she makes the matches. Cue Trick Williams, who is planted with the Fall From Grace.

Izzi Dame says there is nothing going on with her and the D’Angelo Family. She helped D’Angelo keep the NXT Title because neither of them like Shawn Spears. Cue Ridge Holland to yell at her but Stacks cuts that off.

Trick Williams vs. Wes Lee

Williams is still banged up and Lee has Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont with him. Lee wastes no time in knocking Williams, with his bad ribs, into the corner. More shots to the back keep Williams in trouble but he pulls Lee’s high crossbody out of the air. The back gives out but Williams knocks him hard to the floor. A Meteora from the apron sends Williams into the announcers’ table though and we take a break.

Back with Williams kicking his way out of a half crab and dropping Lee with a shot to the face. The Trick Shot is loaded up but Igwe pulls Lee to the floor in time. Back in and Lee is launched over the top onto the other two and Williams unloads in the corner. The referee is finally thrown down and Williams is DQ’ed at 10:10.

Rating: C+. This was more about making Williams look intense and that worked out well. There is a very, very good chance that we are coming up on Williams vs. Oba Femi at Stand & Deliver and Williams is going to have to get warmed up on his way there. Beating up Lee is a good way to get started there and this was a nice way to make Williams feel serious.

Post match Williams grabs a chair and the ring is cleared out in a hurry.

Ava yells at Oba Femi for overstepping his bounds before making Femi vs. Austin Theory vs. Grayson Waller in a triple threat at Vengeance Day.

Post break Ava yells at Trick Williams and makes him/Femi vs. A-Town Down Under next week.

Women’s North American Title: Shotzi vs. Fallon Henley

Henley, with Fatal Influence, is defending so Shotzi has Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley to even things out. Shotzi grabs a hurricanrana to start and a wheelbarrow faceplant gets an early two. Henley bails to the floor so Shotzi hits a big dive and the other four brawl to the back. Shotzi’s kick only hits the post though and Henley takes the leg out as we take a break.

Back with Shotzi hitting an inverted cannonball but Henley grabs a hair faceplant. A stretch muffler is broken up and Shotzi’s Sliced Bread gets two. Shotzi crushes her with a top rope backsplash for two but another Sliced Bread is broken up. Something like a reverse explodes drops Shotzi and the Hoedown (Fameasser) retains the title at 10:15.

Rating: C. Not much to this one, other than Henley’s finisher is called the Hoedown, just in case you wanted her to be treated as a serious star. I have no idea how that was the best name they had, but for now Henley gets to hang onto the title. That being said, I can’t imagine Henley holding the title past Vengeance Day when Stephanie Vaquer likely gets a title shot.

Post match Stephanie Vaquer comes out for the staredown and the title match is official for Vengeance Day.

Kelani Jordan and Karmen Petrovic argue over Ashante Thee Adonis.

Ava makes Giulia vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez for the Women’s Title at Vengeance Day. Perez approves, Cora Jade doesn’t.

Ethan Page vs. Cedric Alexander

Alexander starts fast and hammers away to choke Page in the corner. A dropkick puts Page down again but he goes after the bad fingers for a needed breather. The covering is taken off of the bad hand and Page sends it into the post as we take a break. Back with Alexander fighting back and grabbing a modified Koji Clutch. That’s broken up with a grab of the bad hand and Page breaks up a handspring. The Twist Of Fate finishes Alexander at 11:12.

Rating: C. I’m starting to get into this more angry and aggressive Page as it is starting to make him stand out a bit more. What matters the most here is that Page continues to look like a monster and that is likely going to lead to a showdown with Je’Von Evans at Vengeance Day. Page has gone from little more than a generic villain to something more interesting and that is nice to see.

Post match the beatdown stays on but Je’Von Evans runs in for the save.

Fatal Influence is ready for Stephanie Vaquer.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Josh Briggs gives Yoshiki Inamura his own vest so they can match.

Vengeance Day rundown.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Meta Four vs. Naomi/Bianca Belair

Naomi and Belair are defending. Jackson takes Naomi down to start but gets caught in a wristlock to slow things down. An exchange of rollups gets two each and it’s off to Belair for a Paisan Elbow. Legend comes in to face Belair and the fans definitely approve. A headscissors is countered into a swinging backbreaker to drop Belair and Legend’s running moonsault gets two as we take a break.

Back with Naomi being sent into the corner but we cut to Cora Jade yelling at Ava backstage. Naomi gets over to Belair for a needed tag and house is quickly cleaned. The handspring moonsault gives Belair two but everything breaks down. Belair is sent outside for a dive from Jackson and the wheelbarrow faceplant/cutter gets two on Naomi. Legend’s powerbomb is countered into an X Factor for a needed breather but Jackson gets a VERY near fall (with the fans booing it being called two and commentary calling it out). A quick KOD retains the titles at 12:58.

Rating: B. I’ve been rather critical of Legend but sweet goodness has she come a LONG way in the last year or so. She has gone from horrible to a heck of a powerhouse and she feels like a star. The ending felt like it could be moving somewhere later on, but for now, Belair and Naomi getting a hard fought win is nice to see.

We get a test pattern saying WWE TRANSMISSION but those words are deleted and VENGEANCE DAY comes up instead.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a weird show, as they set up a bunch of stuff for Vengeance Day but I can’t quite get behind a lot of what we are going to be seeing. There are multiple triple threats and those matches are only so interesting. The show itself was decent and some people were showing good fire, though I’m less interested in Vengeance Day than I was coming into this week. That’s not a good sign, but there is still time to make it better.

Results
Giulia/Bayley b. Roxanne Perez/Cora Jade – Top rope elbow to Jade
Wes Lee b. Trick Williams via DQ when Williams shoved the referee
Fallon Henley b. Shotzi – Hoedown
Ethan Page b. Cedric Alexander – Twist Of Fate
Bianca Belair/Naomi b. Meta Four – KOD to Jackson

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.