By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)
NXT TV
Taped October 7, 2025 in Orlando, Florida, at the WWE Performance Center
Aired October 14, 2025, on The CW Network
Highlights from last week’s NXT vs. TNA Showdown themed show aired… Vic Joseph and Booker T were on commentary. Mike Rome was the ring announcer… Arrival shots were shown of Lola Vice, Jaida Parker, Zaria, and Sol Ruca…
NXT Champion Ricky Saints made his entrance to the Performance Center crowd. Ricky took the mic and noted that he doesn’t get tired of the crowd cheering him on during his entrance. Ricky talked about how after what Trick did to him last week by abandoning him, he made Ricky put his back against the wall to fight for himself and everyone in here. Ricky said that when things get tough, Trick folds under pressure.
Ricky said the night he won the NXT Championship, everything became clear when he held the title belt, but for Trick it hasn’t been very clear. Ricky said for a guy in Trick who says he built this place, he hasn’t been tidying up after himself. Ricky said Trick abandoned NXT for TNA and is delusional and stupid. Ricky said with all that said, he wants Trick to prove him wrong. Ricky said champions usually wait for their challenger, but he’s calling his shot. Ricky challenged Trick to a title defense on Halloween Havoc.
Trick appeared on the big screen. Trick said Ricky calls himself the man, but he’s just fallowing Trick’s footsteps. Trick said Ricky has been waiting in line to get here, but Trick is VIP and Ricky can’t stand it. He said he sees Ricky is so mad right now he’s just giving Trick a title shot. Trick said he’ll challenge Ricky on his own time. Ricky said Trick must be covered in so much coco butter that caused him to slip, hit his head, and go crazy. Ricky said he’s going to burst Trick’s bubble and he’s going to prove why he’s absolute…
Je’von Evans and Leon Slater were hanging out backstage. Je’von was mad at DarkState ruining their match. Slater calmed things down and joked around with Evans about their great match. NXT Tag Team Champions Matt and Jeff Hardy showed up to give Je’von and Leon praise. He said Leon has always been their boy, and they like that Je’von is from North Carolina like them.
Matt said Leon and Je’von showed them the future. Matt and Jeff said they will always have Je’von and Leon’s back. Both teams dapped it up before the Hardys left. Leon and Je’von started fanboying over the Hardys and doing Jeff and Matt’s different dances…
“Always Ready” Matt Cardona (a.k.a. Zack Ryder) made his entrance…[c]
John’s Thoughts: A decent opening match, but I’m a bit surprised that they are rushing to Ricky vs. Trick with a short build towards Halloween Havoc. Trick has been such a mainstay in NXT coming off a strong TNA title run, that I would have saved it for a long build feud. Similar to what Mustafa Ali did so well when he lost to Mike Santana, it would have been fun to see Trick sell his title loss a bit before moving on to Ricky Saints.
The NXT Anonymous spy cam was spying on Kelani Jordan and Jordynne Grace arguing in the women’s locker room. Kelani called Jordynne a big fish in a small pond when she was in TNA. Kelani said she got the Knockouts title on her first night in TNA. Grace got in Kelani’s face and said she’ll see Kelani in the battle royal…
John’s Thoughts: If NXT Anonymous is a dude, is he a peeping tom? Creeping up in the women’s locker room with a hidden cam? The same deal if it’s a shawty creeping in the men’s locker room. NXT needs better security… hahaha…
Josh Briggs made his entrance…
1. “The Complete” Matt Cardona vs. Josh Briggs. Cardona rallied with right hands. Briggs turned the tables and came back with strikes of his own. Cardona caught Briggs with a Missile Dropkick and Wrecking Ball Kick. Vic Joseph ran through Zack Ryder’s WWE accomplishments. Briggs tripped Cardona and stomped on his back. The crowd chanted “Briggs go away” in that European singing cadence.
John’s Thoughts: The “Briggs go away” line is actually a clever chant, but I’m kinda getting sick and tired of the WWE fans running that stupid European singing chant into the ground.
Briggs pumped his fist to Ryder’s Woo Woo Woo. This allowed Cardona to recover and dump Briggs to ringside. Cardona hit Briggs with a flip dive. Briggs gave Cardona a big boot and got a two count. Cardona reversed a Chokeslam into a DDT on Briggs. Cardona hit Briggs with a clothesline and facebuster. Cardona rallied with forearms. Ryder hit Briggs with the Broski Boot.
Cardona hit Briggs with his wife’s finisher, the Unpretti-her, for a good nearfall. Briggs dodged a Broski Boot. Cardona gave Briggs a boot from the ring. Briggs caught Cardona with a backbreaker and Chokeslam. Cardona kicked out at two. Briggs took the chain off his neck, but the referee saw him and dumped it to ringside. Cardona caught Briggs with the Ruff Ryder Leg Lariat for a good nearfall.
A “ref you suck” chant ensued. Briggs reversed a dive into a Power Bomb. Cardona came back with double knees. Both men traded counters. Briggs caught Cardona with a Big Boot for the victory.
Josh Briggs defeated Matt Cardona via pinfall in 7:53 of on-air time.
John’s Thoughts: Welp. Zack Ryder, I mean, the complete Matt Cardona loses in his return to WWE TV. It was a good match, but they haven’t really established Cardona as an upper tier threat, like he is when he’s a heel on the indies. That and Vic Joseph reminding us that Cardona is Zack Ryder, made it both discredit Cardona, while making Briggs’s win not as big. I hope Cardona gets signed back to WWE, and I hope he drops his “Complete” moniker (because all the “Complete” Matt Cardona has been over the last few months is babyface Zack Ryder).
Lyra Valkyria was hanging out with Hank, Tank and new Chase U backstage. They were all talking over each other. Lyra found Tatum Paxley, but Izzi and the Culling cut in. Izzi mocked Chase U and Hank and Tank for failing at tag title pursuits, and that Spears and Niko should be tag champions. Andre Chase said he’s going to Ava to propose a number one contender’s triple threat. Izzi said she’s going to win the battle royal later in the show. Lyra asked what about Tatum? Izzi said Tatum will be by her side…
El Hijo Del Dr. Wagner Jr made his entrance to generic mariachi music…[c]
A Fatal Influence vignette aired where Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne talked about how they ran the division. They talked about how they got rid of their weakest link, Jazmyn Nyx. Jayne talked about how the person that took her out deserves to be a part of their group. Lainey Reed joined the promo and talked about how she looks up to Jayne and wants to follow her path. Jayne welcomed Reid into Fatal Influence…
Lexis King made his entrance…
2. AAA Latin American Champion El Hijo Del Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Lexis King in a non-title match. Wagner started the match with armdrags and a Magistral for a two count. King hit Wagner with a boot from the ground. Wagner then mocked Wagner by walking on Wagner’s back off a reversal. Wagner came back with a shoulder tackle. King came back with an eye poke. Wagner trapped King in the corners and hit him with chops.
King came back with a slap version of Old School. Wagner hit King with a huracanrana. Wagner hit King with a Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Wagner hit King with a Triangle Moonsault.[c]
Wagner backdropped King to ringside. King tossed Wagner into the steps and bottom rope. King worked on Wagner with methodical offense. Wagner came back by making King flinch and hitting him with a knee in the corner for a two count. King came back with a Superkick and Dragon Screw. Wagner dodged King and hit him with a Shining Wizard and Michinoku Driver for the win.
El Hijo Del Dr. Wagner Jr. defeated Lexis King via pinfall in 7:41 of on-air time.
Wagner took the mic and called out Ethan Page. The NXT North American Champion Ethan Page made his entrance. Page called Wagner a muchacho and said it’s exhausting being the greatest North American of all time. He said everyone is chasing him from TNA, AAA, Raw, and Smackdown for his title. Page said he already took care of things and got him vs. Wagner booked for the title at Halloween Havoc.
Wagner spoke in Spanish and said something about the Dia Del Los Muertos. Page said he has no clue what Wagner said. Wagner said that they are going to have a “Day of the Dead” match…
Zaria and Sol Ruca were putting on makeup from the makeup sponsor of the show. Sol talked about how she’s looking forward to win the Battle Royal. Zaria didn’t like that Sol wasn’t having her back and looking to selfishly get a third belt. Zaria walked off saying she doesn’t need Sol in her corner for her match against Blake Monroe. Sol looked sorry…[c]
John’s Thoughts: An okay match, but I think it would have been better if either Wagner had an opponent who could show off Wagner’s solid in-ring ability, or even a video package to introduce him as more than an interchangeable luchador. Better than what AEW does by treating guest wrestlers as cameo appearances, but still not too effective. Lucha Underground did a way better job introducing his father into their show with him looking impressive against high workrate wrestlers and having cinematics (along with his father looking jackked to the gills around age 50).
Leon Slater and Je’von Evans met up with the Authority Figures Santino Marella and Ava and asked if they had any tag matches they can wrestle in. Ariana Grace and Stacks showed up. Stacks noted that Slater only has the title because DarkState interfered. Santino noted that it looks like his future son in law wants a title shot. Ava said it would be great to have a title match on NXT. Slater agreed. The camera panned over to show that Trick Williams attacked Ricky Saints backstage. Ava yelled at Trick to go away…
John’s Thoughts: Ariana Grace and Stacks are dating in real life, and I assume that Stacks proposed. Subtle way to announce that to the world, but also I’m happy for the happy couple. And the happy father of the bride Santino. (They might have been engaged for months, but I’m not bothering to check on Instagram).
Blake Monroe made her entrance first. Zaria made her entrance to Karrion Kross’s old TNA theme…
3. Blake Monroe vs. Zaria. Zaria showed off her power with a shove after the collar and elbow. Zaria shrugged off a Standing Switch. Zaria used her size to block a Dragon Screw. Monroe got control after a chop block and corner strikes. Zaria came back with a corner splash. Blake slapped Zaria on the top rope. Zaria dragged Monroe to the top with a Cobra Clutch. Zaria then tossed Blake around at ringside.
Blake held on to the rope to block a suplex.[c]
Monroe dominated Zaria with methodical offense back from break. Zaria got a window of opportunity after jumping and falling on her back to break a sleeper. Blake rallied with slaps which fired up Zaria, who hit Blake with a clothesline and superkick. Zaria hit Blake with a Spear. Blake held on to the top rope to escape a F5 attempt. Blake shook up Zaria with a headbutt.
Blake pulled a chair from under the ring. Sol Ruca appeared and pulled the chair away. Zaria went for a F5, but Blake took a hair pick out of her hair and poked Zaria in the face with it. Blake hit Zaria with the Swinging DDT for the victory.
Blake Monroe defeated Zaria via pinfall in 6:23 of on-air time.
Monroe sat at the top of the ramp and mockingly put back in her hair pick while gloating…
John’s Thoughts: A fine match and fine booking, so as long as we can finally get Zaria turning on Sol Ruca. I wanted this turn to happen months ago and they keep dragging this out. Zaria has so much potential as a monster heel, but has been held back by being a “regular” tag team wrestler.
The show cut to NXT GM Ava at her desk. She announced the beginning of the Men’s WWE Speed Tournament. Axiom, Sean Legacy, Zachary Wentz, and Jasper Troy were announced for the tournament…
Hank and Tank made their entrance…[c]
The rest of the entrances took place…
4. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger vs. Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon vs. Shawn Spears and Niko Vance. Vance took down Tank with a Big Boot. Vance, Tank, and Connors traded rapid rollups. Vance shook off both opponents with Headbutts. Connors and Tank hit Niko with Superkicks. Hank and Spears tagged in. Hank hit Spears with a Bossman Slam. Hank and Tank cleared everyone. Hank and Tank hit Vance with the Honk Honk.
Connors hit the pile of wrestlers with a dive at ringside. Vance slammed Hank and Dixon borke up Vance’s pin. Dixon fended off both Culling members with punches to fight out of the top rope. Hank and Tank dumped Vance to ringside. Connors and Dixon hit Hank and Tank with stereo splashes after they hit Spears with a double back suplex. Out Tha Mud, Lucien Price and Bronco Nima, ran out and attacked everyone for the no contest.
Hank and Tank vs. Chase U vs. The Culling ended in an apparent no contest in 3:32.
OTM beat up all the teams and stood tall…
John’s Thoughts: Filler segment, but I do like the return of OTM. OTM seem to be snakebitten as both guys have looked good, spoke well, and had solid showings, but always ending in Nima or Price being injured. I’ve always been rooting for them because I always like what the motto of coming from out the mud stands for. Given how Mike Santana’s life story is all about climbing from out the mud, I wouldn’t mind if Price and Nima go on an excursion to TNA to be Santana’s babyface squad?
Sol Ruca apologized to Zaria backstage, blaming herself for Zaria’s loss. Zaria said it wasn’t Sol’s fault and she appreciates that Sol always has her back. Sol said her and Zaria are going to beat Flair and Bliss for the tag titles. Sol said she’s also relinquishing her spot in the battle royal to have Zaria in her place. Sol said she wants Za-Ruca to have all the gold, and it’s Zaria’s turn. Zaria hugged Sol…[c]
John’s Thoughts: Tag team break up booking 101. We’ve seen it before, but I like them establishing Sol as wholesome and selfless. That’s how you make a tag team breakup effective.
Ricky Saints was looking for Trick Williams backstage. Ava told Ricky that Trick left the building. Ricky said he’s going to step up to that smug son of a bitch. Ava said that he can see Trick next week at the contract signing…
Vic and Booker checked in on commentary. Vic ran through the advertised Halloween Havoc matches so far, which includes the Hardys vs. DarkState for the NXT Tag Titles…
Entrances for the women’s battle royal took place…[c]
Back from break, Matt and Jeff hardy were left lying with Dark State standing over their fallen bodies…
Leon Slater vs. Stacks for the X Division Title, Hank and Tank vs. OTM, and WWE Speed Tournament matches were announced for next week…
5. Women’s Number One Contender Battle Royal. A bunch of TNA and NXT women were in the ring. We even got the WWE return of Alicia Foxxxxxx (Where Noam Dar at?!?). Walking and punching ensued. Vic said there are some Evolve wrestlers in there too. Jessie McKay (Billie Kay) eliminated Karmen Petrovic with a big boot. Ariana Grace and Victoria Crawford (Alicia Fox) struck a fighting pose on the apron but then had a truce and handshake. Jordynne Grace eliminated Grace and Crawford by running the ropes.
Kali Armstrong eliminated Lei Ying Li (Xia Li). Wren Slinclair eliminated herself, but it was credited to the IInspiration because they chased her. Kendal Grey tried to eliminate McKay, but Cassie Lee (Peyton Royce) saved her. McKay was eliminated by Grey. Zaria dump Mara Sade (Jakara Jackson) on the apron with Sade holding on. Lash teased dumping her off, but then hugged her longtime tag partner for a wholesome moment. Zaria dropkicked Lash to eliminate Sade.
Kali Armstrong eliminated Xia Brookside. Lash used a big boot to eliminate Jaida Parker. Jaida hit Xia Brookside with Hip Notic for no reason. Security ran out to drag Jaida away. All the women lifted up Lash and press slammed her onto Jaida and the security.[c]
Izzi Dame eliminated Kali Armstrong and Thea Hail. Hail had eliminated Heather by Elegance during the break. Blake Monroe ran out in street clothes and attacked Sol Ruca. Zaria eliminated herself to go check on Sol. Jessie McKay and Kelani Jordan eliminated Lola Vice. Kendal Grey eliminated Jessie McKay. Jordan skinned the cat off a Sunset Flip attempt. Grace dumped Kelani to ringside and she did a handstand walk to get back to the rope. Grace used a boot to easily shove Kelani to the floor to eliminate her.
Grace and Grey skinned the cat at the same time when The Culling went after them. Grace, Grey, Dame, and Tatum were the final four. Grace suplexed all three. Dame hit Grace with a chokeslam and hit Grey with a Yakuza Kick. Dame caught Grey out of the air and reversed a body slam into a huracanrana. Grey hit Grace with a German Suplex. Grey hit Tatum with a Belly to Belly. Izzi recovered and dumped Grey to ringside. Tatum held Grace in place against the top rope while Tatum was on the apron. Izzi eliminated Grace with a clothesline, but also took herself out due to the momentum. Tatum wins.
Tatum Paxley won the Women’s Battle Royal to become number one contender to the NXT Women’s Championship in 12:00 of on-air time.
The crowd cheered on Tatum. Fatal Influence appeared at the top of the ramp to glare at Tatum. Lyra Valkyria ran past Fatal Influence to celebrate with Tatum. NXT closed…
John’s Thoughts: While there was the usual walking and punching, NXT usually does a great job with these TV battle royals by making sure they have standout moments rather than unknown names and meaningless eliminations. It helps that most of the TNA wrestlers are known WWE names due to their past. I thought it had standout setpiece moments though. I liked the wholesome Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson reunion. Blake Monroe running out to stir the pot made sense, but Zaria eliminating herself made her look stupid (Zaria’s character couldn’t just loop back to go under the top rope?).
I really like Kendal Grey getting the spotlight by being the most dominant wrestler in the match, dominating the TNA Knockouts Tag Champions and tossing everyone else around. The key there is follow-up and we’ve seen wrestling companies fumble follow-ups, which I hope they don’t do here. I like that Grey has changed up her look from generic create-a-wrestler, to wearing a modified singlet to showcase her amateur background. Tatum winning actually sets up a really good match for Halloween Havoc.
Tatum randomly gets inserted in main events and every time she gets put in a big match she shines, especially with her really good nearfalls and closing sequences. Hopefully they do a good job next week to tell a good story of her being a threat to Jacy Jayne. A decent enough episode with the focus on starting the short build to Halloween Havoc. It doesn’t feel rushed though as they took their time to put things in place with promos, matches, and backstage beatdowns.
Somebody tell Papa Shango Josh Briggs stole his jacket!
Lol
What annoyed me about OTM’s return was that it stopped the match. Triple threats are supposed to be no DQ. BS booking. If they were going to do that it should have been a simple tag team match so a DQ made more sense. Shock win for Tatum and Izzi didn’t look happy about it even before Lyra arrived.
By the way – the anonymous video of Kelani and Jordynne was in the gym, not the women’s locker room.
Triple threats should never be no DQ. That’s an invention of the last decade or so and it’s one that needs to go away. Having 3 people in a match shouldn’t automatically mean there are no rules.