By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)
NXT TV
Orlando, Florida, at the WWE Performance Center
Aired live August 5, 2025, on The CW Network
[Hour One] Vic Joseph, Booker T, and Corey Graves were on commentary. Mike Rome was the ring announcer…
Entrances for the opening match took place…
1. Blake Monroe vs. Kelani Jordan. Jordan quickly started the match with a crossbody for a nearfall. Jordan then hit Blake with a flying axe handle strike. Blake dumped Jordan to ringside and followed up with a baseball slide to the face. Jordan rallied with right hands. Blake planted Jordan with a Helicopter Sidewalk Slam for a two count. Jordan fought out of a chinlock and rallied with strikes. Blake came right back with a Sling Blade.
Jordan dodged from the corner and gave Blake a fireman carry takeover. Jordan rallied with axe handle strikes. Jordan hit Blake with a Splits Stunner for a nearfall. Jordan then put Blake in a Single Leg Crab. Blake quickly got to the rope for the break. Jordan hit Blake with a Modified Angle Slam for a nearfall. Blake swatted Jordan out of the air with a headbutt and followed up with a big knee for the nearfall.
Blake froze when Jordynne Grace made her entrance. Blake ran backstage to the parking lot. Blake entered an SUV, and the SUV drove off. The referee counted Blake out.
Kelani Jordan defeated Blake Monroe via countout in 5:18.
John’s Thoughts: The finish makes sense given the Blake Monroe character, but I would have had Monroe pick up a few wins to establish her credibility a bit, before going with this finish. Is Grace’s “suspension” lifted too? I also don’t think it’s worth giving Kelani a win because Jordan is in dire need of some character development herself and has been stale for a long time.
Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors asked Andre Chase what were their chances in their next match. Chase said there’s one in a million chance. Kale and Uriah were excited about his, with Kale dropping the Lloyd Christmas “so at least there’s a chance” line from Dumb and Dumber…[c]
Entrances for the next match took place…
2. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger vs. “Chase U” Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors (w/Andre Chase) for the NXT Tag Team Championships. Connors quickly hit Hank with a superkick and Kale got a two count on Hank. Kale and Uriah hit Hank with an assisted Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Hank swatted Uriah out of the air off a slingshot. Hank threw Tank and Uriah to give Tank a nearfall. Tank and Connors traded fatigued strikes. Kale tagged in and got a one count off Tank.
Kale dumped Hank and Tank to ringside and hit them with a Fosbury Flop. Tank avoided a dive and tagged in Hank, who hit Kale with a Bossman Slam. Connors took the Honk Honk bullet from Hank and Tank for Kale. Hank and Tank hit Kale with their High Low Power Slam. Kale kicked out on an odd looking kickout. Hank and Tank hit Kale with their Honk Honk Sandwich move and High Low Power Slam for the victory.
Hank Walker and Tank Ledger defeated Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors via pinfall in 3:33 to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.
The DarkState light show happened as DarkState stormed the ring and beat down both teams to leave they lying…
John’s Thoughts: Filler segment all across the board. The new Chase U just hasn’t clicked like the magical first iterations of the group. I’d pull the plug on Kale and Uriah and find two better prospects that can connect with the crowd. The finish of this match seemed botched with Kale seemingly kicking out when he wasn’t supposed to. Meanwhile, DarkState still feels like a DarkDud. NXT creative doesn’t even seen high on them these days, especially since they had them lose a quick match in TNA recently clean.
Fatal Influence were chatting backstage. They were approached by The Personal Concierge (George Iceman from TNA) who said that Ash by Elegance sent him to inform Jacy Jayne that Ash will become Knockouts Champion this Thursday. Jacy brushed him off…
Miles Borne and Tavion Heights dapped it up backstage with Tavion wishing Borne luck in his upcoming match against that hater Lexis King…[c]
Tatum Paxley was backstage with The Culling looking nervous. Izzi Dame told Tatum she believes in her and after she wins her next match she’ll never be lonely again. Tatum said she’ll make Izzi proud…
The show cut to a Thea Hail Instagram video where she was talking crap about Nia Jax while at a coffee shop…
Entrances for the next match took place…
3. Myles Borne vs. Lexis King. King controlled the match early on with a side headlock. Borne shoved King away and hit him with a shoulder tackle and back suplex. A “Baby Randy” and “RKO” chant ensued. King hit Borne with a rough looking springboard Crossbody for a nearfall. Borne hit King with a Ushigoroshi for a nearfall. King tripped Borne off a springboard and hit him with a double stomp.
King dumped Borne to ringside. Borne turned the tables and dumped King to ringside. Borne followed up with a Plancha heading into break.[c]
King was working on Borne with methodical offense during the break. King put Borne’s hand on the steel step and then stomped on it. The referee went to Borne and ruled that he was ok to wrestle. King gave Borne a jawbreaker on the 2nd rope for a nearfall. King hit Borne with a Hesitation Dropkick for a two count. Bourne rallied back with strikes and hit him with the Zig Zag for the victory.
Myles Borne defeated Lexis King via pinfall in 9:30.
John’s Thoughts: The build to this match, because it consisted of King acting like a weirdo, seemed disconnected to Myles Borne. Not sure if they are going to stick with this either, as they had Borne quickly handle him. The match was fine. Borne continues to look smooth in the ring like his hero Randy Orton. He really needs an actual program to sink his teeth into in order to truly have that connection with the audience.
DarkState were hanging out backstage where they were bragging about beating up Hank and Tank a few weeks ago when everyone thought The Culling attacked them. Cutler James drew chuckles when he put up his thumb and said that DarkState are up Hank and Tank’s butt…
John’s Thoughts: So they have to kick him out for saying “up your butt” right?
Entrances for the next match took place…
3. Nia Jax vs. Thea Hail. Hail went for a sleeper early on, but was quickly shrugged off. Jax swatted Hail out of the air. Hail dodged a elbow drop and got a one count on Jax after a kick. Jax came right back with a Samoan Drop. Jax planted Hail in the corner and shoved a boot in her throat. Jax popped up Hail in the air and told the crowd to suck it.[c]
Jax was dominating most of the break with Hail barely getting any offense in. Hail rallied back with right hands, but Jax came right back with a front tackle and leg drop for a nearfall. Hail hit Jax with a jawbreaker and rallied with right hands. Hail escaped a Fireman Carry. Jax countered Hail into a wheelbarrow slam.
Hail rallied back with trikes, but couldn’t get Jax off her feet. Hail managed to get Jax off her feet with a DDT. Hail hit Jax with a Liger roll and Trust Fall for a nearfall. Jax tripped Hail down and slammed her ass into Hail a few times in the corner. Jax hit Hail with an A-Nia-Lator for the victory.
Nia Jax defeated Thea Hail via pinfall in 9:34.
Kelly Kincaid interviewed Nia Jax in the ring. Jax said she imposes her will in the ring. She talked about winning championships and defeating hall of famers, and what has Lash Legend done? Lash Legend made her entrance and threw hands at Nia Jax. Security ran out to pull both women apart…
Oba Femi was shown walking backstage…[c]
John’s Thoughts: Awesome big vs. little match with Hail showing heart, but Jax being so dominant in the end. Jax looks strong while Hail looked great and plucky in defeat. Looking forward to Lash Legend’s biggest test yet in facing on of WWE’s best heels. While people like to give Jax a lot of hate, that’s good heel heat at this point as she’s been really good after getting rehired by the company. Her having a run in NXT also allows her to take time off the main roster and come back fresh once they want a strong heel on Raw and Smackdown.
Vic Joseph hyped up Jelly Roll as the next guest on the Cody Rhodes podcast…
Jordynne Grace was in the GM office sporting a neck brace while pacing in front of Ava. Ava said she’ll give Grace a match against Blake at Heatwave. Ava said she agrees with Grace and everyone that Blake needs her ass kicked. Grace said Ava can count on that…
[Hour Two] NXT Champion Oba Femi made his entrance. Oba talked about how Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura failed miserably after throwing everything they had at him. Oba talked about holding the title over 200 days and it was time again to see who will step up to try to take the title from him. Oba said no one is worthy. Oba said NXT is about the future, to set up people to wrestle at events like SummerSlam and WrestleMania.
Oba said the future looks bleak because there’s noone in the back able to step up to him. TNA World Champion Trick Williams made his entrance. Trick said Oba is the big dog, but Trick Williams is the biggest dog NXT has to offer. Oba said Trick shows up every week to sing his own praises. Oba wondered if Trick was trying to convince the crowd, or himself, that he’s all that. Trick said he’s trying to convince Oba.
Trick said he’s the man carrying two brands. Oba said Trick says he’s carrying two brands, but Oba has the top belt. Oba said Trick knows he can’t beat him. Trick said he did think about that. He said he looked at the title and thought to himself, why not Trick, why not carry two brands with two belts. Trick said he’s a self made superstar who made himself “Him”. Trick said to look no further to see the man who will take Oba down.
Je’von Evans made his entrance. Evans said he ain’t gonna lie, and Trick looks goofy as hell. He said he’s stepping up to the biggest dog Oba Femi, and Trick is out here making a fool of himself. Evans said that Trick is trying to go after the NXT title, but he can barely defend the TNA championship. Trick said Evans should allow grown men to talk to each other. Evans proposed throwing hands with Trick for a shot at the NXT championship.
Oba said he loves that match, and wants it to happen tonight. Trick called Oba and Evans “goofies”. Trick said he doesnt’ want to do this at the PC and in a Philadelphia in two weeks, in a town that knows about champions. Quinn “Moose” Ojinaka came out to his old “Moose!” (fist pump) entrance theme that he had in the Ring of Honor days. Moose said he’ll snap Trick back to reality, because at Emergence Trick has a date with the face of the franchise.
Moose said after he takes the TNA championship off Trick’s waist, the name that’s going to be synonymous with whooping that trick is Moose. Suddenly, the light show happened and DarkState stormed the ring. Oba, Moose, and Evans cleared DarkState from the ring and stood tall…[c]
John’s Thoughts: A fun segment to set up a few things. One problem with Oba Femi in recent months is that he’s been tangled in mid-card programs, overshadowed by Trick Williams as a world champion of a more tenured title (recently, Oba was the side character in the Briggs and Inamura breakup). This was good to get Oba back as the top dog in NXT. Trick has done a solid job as TNA champ on his end (though, I wish they do allow Trick to have his First Class stable with him on Tuesdays because they do add to the act). I hope Moose showing up isn’t just a one off to help plug TNA’s next TNA Plus event. Moose has run his course in TNA and would be very fun to see finally get his long deserved run in WWE. WWE/NXT would benefit because Moose is one of the best wrestlers in the world all across the board. Not to mention his athleticism for his size.
Channing Lorenzo was approached by Ariana Grace backstage. Before they could strike a conversation, the camera panned over to Lash Legend and Nia Jax brawling…
Wren Sinclair was trying to cheer up Charlie Dempsey for losing Tavion Heights from the NQCC. Wren tried to cheer Charlie up by singing Joe Hendry’s entrance theme. Say his name and he appears! I believe in Joe Hendry! Clap clap! Joe Hendry burst out of a refrigerator. Hendry handed Charlie a coat to cheer up Charlie.
Charlie tossed it aside. Charlie said Joe is viral like a virus. Wren said Charlie doesn’t know about doctor stuff, he just likes Grey’s Anatomy. Joe said he can cheer Charlie up with a match next week. Wren accepted on Charlie’s behalf. Wren then took a selfie with Joe….
John’s Thoughts: A bit cheesy, but a fun throwback to Hendry’s TNA debut where people would say his name and he would pop up from random places.
Yoshiki Inamura was jumped on the ramp by Stacks. The referee ran the bell once both men were separated and in the ring…
4. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo vs. Yoshiki Inamura. Stacks worked on Inamura with a side headlock. Stacks gave Inamura a back suplex for a two count. Stacks hit Inamura with a basement lariat and ground and pound. Stacks mocked Inamura’s powered up Frog Splash. Inamura tossed Stacks off the top rope and rallied with shoulder tackles. Inamura hit Stacks with his E Honda palms.
Inamura hit Stacks with punch chops and dumped him to ringside. Stacks tackled Inamura to the apron. Inamura slapped Stacks across the face when he got in his face. Ariana Grace ran out, yelled at Inamura, and slapped him in the face. While the referee was distracted taking care of Grace, Josh Briggs showed up and laid out Inamura with a Clothesline From Hell. Stacks ran in the ring to pick up the victory.
Channing Lorenzo defeated Yoshiki Inamura via pinfall in 3:19.
Ethan Page was shown walking backstage…[c]
John’s Thoughts: The Briggs and Inamura stuff was expected, but I like NXT quickly getting Stacks some development by using a few segments to pair him with his real life fiance Ariana Grace. I’m surprised they haven’t found anything to do with Grace in NXT, as she’s had a fun and successful run in TNA over the past year working with her father Santino Marella. A bit odd to see her work as a heel in NXT, and a babyface in TNA, but it’s not too big of a deal. I hope this leads to Grace getting meaningful TV time and giving Stacks a chance to move away from all the mafia stuff he was stuck in.
All Ego Ethan Page was in the ring. He marked his 70th day as North American Champion. He said his recent defense against Santino was an example of the Canadian label of excellence. Page said despite Santino’s reptilian sock, he wasn’t able to win the title. Page said Santino is better than the fans because he’s Canadian.
Page said there were great men like Alexander Graham Bell, Wayne Gretzky, and Bret Hart; and now you have the greatest Canadian of all time, Ethan Page. Page said before he devours another continent, he’ll ask the crowd to stand up while he sings the Canadian National Anthem. Page started to sing “Oh Canada!”. US Olympian Tavion Heights made his entrance and said that Page sounds like a Canadian goose dying.
He said he respects a man who represents his country because he represented the USA at the Olympics. Tavion said Ethan puts himself on a pedestal, but it looks like Ethan needs to get knocked out of that maple leaf sucking perch. Tavion said he just got freed from NQCC, but he’s a weapon in human form. He said he wants to let out this pent up energy on Page. Page said Tavion crawled his way out of NQCC.
Page said Tavion needs to walk before he runs in order to dance with All Ego. Chelsea Green and the Secret Her-vice made their entrance with Corey Graves getting extra hype. Green told Heights not to disrespect a proud fellow Canadian in Page. Green said Page inspires Cannucks daily. Green said that “Cannucks” is Canadian for Canadian. Green said Page fought off a moose once and the moose apologized. Green said that Page is the 2nd best Canadian behind her.
Green said she came out to also sing “Oh Canada” with Page before a rude American like Tavion ruined it. Green said that a low life trashy American would not have the balls to hit a woman like Green. Heights said that he agrees. Heights then punched Page in the face to end the segment with Green looking afraid…
Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne showed up to trash talk Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice in the locker room. Jazmyn Nyx brought both of Jayne’s title belts to Jayne. Nyx talked about how she talked to Ava and got Jayne and Henley booked in a match against Vice and Jordan next week. Henley and Jayne didn’t like this…
Sol Ruca and Zaria were hanging out backstage. The camera panned over to Nia Jax and Lash Legend still brawling. Ava showed up and booked Lash Legend vs. Nia Jax for next week…[c]
Ava approached Je’von Evans, Oba Femi, Moose, and Trick Williams backstage. Ava booked Trick vs. Evans in two weeks and Trick, Evans, Oba, and Moose vs. DarkState for next week. Hank and Tank ran in saying they want DarkState. Ava booked Hank and Tank vs. DarkState in a tag title match at HeatWave…
Kelly Kincaid interviewed Ricky Saints about if he has a target on his back after Jasper Troy coming after him. Saints said he agrees that he has a target, but there’s also jealousy from people like Ethan Page and Jasper Troy. Saints talked about Ethan Page understanding he needs NXT to get where he wants to go, he’s desperate. Saints said Troy is young, mad, hungry, but inexperienced, trying to make is way. Kincaid wondered if that was frustrating. Saints said it’s not because he’s destined for Monday and Friday nights.
He said to get there he needs to be NXT Champion. Saints said you’ve seen a reserved Ricky. Ricky said in a few weeks it’s going to way worse for Troy when they face each other…
The following matches were advertised for next week: Lash Legend vs. Nia Jax, Oba, Moose, Trick, and Evans vs. DarkState, and Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne vs. Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan…
The Culling made their entrance heading into break…[c]
Corey Graves plugged AAA’s TripleMania event…
Sol Ruca and Zaria made their entrance. Sol Ruca is still carrying around the WWE Speed Championship (despite the show not happening the last few weeks). Mike Rome handled the formal in-ring championship match introductions…
5. Sol Ruca (w/Zaria) vs. Tatum Paxley (w/Shawn Spears, Izzi Dame, Niko Vance) for the NXT Women’s North American Championship. Sol dominated the early collar and elbow. Vic Joseph noted that Sol has the 4th best win-loss record in WWE in 2025 behind Jey Uso, LA Knight, and Stephanie Vaquer. Tatum took over and put Sol in a reverse Surfboard. Sol escaped with a pin attempt. Sol put Tatum in a regular Surfboard. Sol hit Tatum with an impressive Slingshot X Factor.
Spears got on the apron for the distraction. Zaria approached them and yelled at them. Sol hit Izzi, Spears, and Vance with a Moonsault heading into break.[c]
Back from break, Tatum got a nearfall on Sol after a draping neckbreaker. Tatum put Sol in a Snapmare Stretch. Sol got up and reversed the hold into a cartwheel. Sol gave Tatum a chop, running strikes, and superkick. Sol hit Tatum with a Rude Awakening. Sol hit Tatum with a Backpack Atomic Drop for a nearfall. Tatum hit Sol with an impressive Enzuigiri from ringside.
Tatum hit Sol with a Mid Rope Whisper of the Wind for a nearfall. Tatum pressured Sol to the corner with right hands and dragged her to the top rope. Sol escaped into a Sunset Bomb. Tatum avoided a Spear and rolled up Sol for a two count. Tatum hit Sol with a modified Lightning Spiral for a good nearfall. Sol slammed Tatum to the mat. Tatum avoided a moonsault, but was tackled into the corner.
Sol slipped off a slingshot move. Sol went right back to a tightrope. Tatum hit Sol with a headbut and hit her with a cool looking Super Final Cut. Izzi Dame put a barbie doll on the apron. The Lash and Jax brawl spilled to ringside. Jax and Lash beat up security. Jax tackled Lash through the barricade. While Tatum was distracted with the commotion, Sol hit Tatum with the Sol Snatcher outta nowhere for the victory.
Sol Ruca defeated Tatum Paxley via pinfall in 11:43 to retain the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Sol and Zaria celebrated the win while the Culling went back up the ramp. The show closed with the Executive Producer credits…
John’s Thoughts: An awesome match that exceeded the expectations on paper. Given Tatum’s established nature of being a fixture on the midcard, this match looked a bit out of place on paper in the main event slot. We know that Sol Ruca is talented and main event worthy, but Tatum Paxley really stepped up and showed out over here to make this one fun television main event. I felt bad for the slip Sol had on the tightrope, but I’m glad she decided to take a take-two, because that Super Final Cut was crazy and worth the redo.
Tatum Paxley has been in NXT for a long time as a good hand since the beginning of 2.0, and has continued to improve and impress in the ring and time goes on. Here’s hoping her current program with the Culling leads to bigger and better things. Her in-ring is already there as we’ve seen her steal the show before, particularly doing great in her near-falls. As for the show, the first hour of this week’s show was a bit mid, but the 2nd hour along with the main event are worth going out of your way to watch.
Anybody thought Zaria was gonna attack Sol?
It would’ve been about time.
I’ve been thinking it’s about time for months… and months (I’m pretty sure this is even going back to last year’s survivor series because they could have broke them apart around Iron Survivor)
What I liked about Sol’s unfortunate slip was she knew it was coming early and managed to land on her feet on the floor. That is valuable instinct in this business which will serve her well going forward.