Tag: nxt news

WWE NXT viewership down, 18-49 demo rating steady

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Tuesday night’s WWE NXT episode averaged 675,000 viewers on The CW, down 9.6 percent from last week. It’s the second-lowest viewership total for the show since July 8.

In the 18-49 demo, NXT drew a 0.16 rating. That’s the same rating the show did last week (which had an appearance by The Undertaker) and ties the best rating NXT has drawn in that category since April 22. It finished sixth on all of television in prime time last night with no major sports competition.

As compared to the same week in 2024, when NXT was moved to SyFy because of USA Network coverage of the Olympics, the show’s overall viewership was up 44.2 percent while the 18-49 rating was up 6.7 percent, so the audience continues to skew much older on broadcast television.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership numbers and 18-49 demo ratings for NXT, as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s episode was down 0.7 percent in viewers but up 6.7 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.

Undertaker appearance helps boost WWE NXT ratings

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Tuesday night’s WWE NXT episode averaged 747,000 viewers on The CW, an increase of 27.5 percent from last week. It’s the best viewership the show has done since February 25.

The episode — which took place on the road in Houston and included an appearance by The Undertaker — drew a 0.16 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 33.3 percent from last week and ties the highest rating the show has done in that category since April 22. In the demo, NXT finished sixth on all of television in prime time.

The main sports competition on the night was a WNBA game on ESPN that ranked third on TV and tops on cable with a 0.20 rating in 18-49 and averaged 1.175 million viewers airing head-to-head with NXT.

As compared to the same week in 2024, when the show was still on USA Network, NXT’s overall viewership was up 18 percent while the 18-49 rating was down 15.8 percent, showing how NXT’s audience continues to skew older on broadcast TV as opposed to cable.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership totals and 18-49 demo ratings for NXT, as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was up 11.2 percent in viewers and 6.7 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.

WWE NXT live results: The Undertaker confronts Trick Williams

Posted on by Jeff Moss

NXT is on the road in Texas tonight — and one of the biggest legends in WWE history is scheduled for an appearance in his home state.

The Undertaker will appear live on tonight’s NXT episode in Houston for a confrontation with Trick Williams. The segment stems from Williams recently insulting the Performance Center recruits who are on Undertaker’s WWE LFG team. In a promo on Monday’s Raw, Williams took shots at The Undertaker and threatened to knock him out tonight.

Tonight’s show is also a homecoming for Wren Sinclair, who will be the opponent for Blake Monroe’s NXT TV singles debut.

An NXT Championship bout is part of the card with Oba Femi defending his gold against Yoshiki Inamura and Josh Briggs in a triple threat. Plus, Ricky Saints will be in action against Jasper Troy.

We’ll have an appearance by NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne following her winner-take-all victory over Masha Slamovich at TNA Slammiversary. Jayne won the TNA Knockouts title in that match and is now a double champion.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

It’s busy times for WWE’s formerly-black-and-gold brand! The NXT roster has been through The Great American Bash, Evolution and TNA Slammiversary since it’s last episode an there are doin’s a-transpirin’!

-There was a nice nod to Ozzy Osbourne (RIP!) off the top as the traditional footage of wrestlers arriving for work kicked off the show. The card was run down with Vic Joseph and Corey Graves and Booker T arriving to a great Houston ovation. Booker announced that the show would begin with an 8-person surprise Mixed Tag Team match!

Mixed Tag Team Match: NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca, Zaria and NXT Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank vs The Culling (Shawn Spears, Niko Vance, Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley)

The Culling jumped their opponents off the bell, but things settled down with Hank and Spears facing off. A quick tag to Vance and he and Hank traded punches until Spears tagged back in. Hank Sent Spears face first into the turnbuckle and Tank tagged in with a Senton.

Spears got a quick tag to Paxley and she and Zaria went back and forth. Ruca jumped in to cut off Dame interfering and the men came back in. Then, it broke down into a straight up brawl culminating with a 4-person slam and quadruple splash from the Hank, Tank, Zaria and Ruca side.

Hank and Tank isolated Spears in their corner and traded tags to try and take him out. Spears ducked Tank and Vance hopped in with a devastating clothesline. Vance worked the arm of Tank and Dame added a kick to the face through the ropes for good measure.

Vance and Spears double teamed Tank while the crowd chanted for Ruca. Vacne went to the top rope and tried a headbutt, but Tank dodged it and reached for a hot tag. Spears cut it off though and he and Tank battled in the center of the ring.

Paxley and Ruca were tagged in next and Ruca took out Paxley and Dame with a little help from Zaria. Zaria went for a pin, but Dame broke it up. The men tagged back in and Tank used Hank as a weapon to take out Vance. Spears began superkicking anything that moved.

Dame went up top and flung herself onto Hank and Tank on the outside. Not to be undone, Ruca did the same thing to Spears Paxley and Zaria were in the ring and Spears tried to interfere, but Zaria hit him with a face breaker. Paxley tried for a quick rollup, but the lights went out and DarkState appeared int he crowd!

When the lights came back on, Paxley had Zaria in a pin and got the 1-2-3 to give the Culling the win.

Match Result: The Culling (Shawn Spears, Niko Vance, Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley) defeated Sol Ruca, Zaria and Hank & Tank

Super fun match to kick things off! Ruca is really popular with the NXT crowd and I’ve always been a big Shawn Spears fan. I like the Culling a lot and they are a great foil for Hank & Tank in the tag division!

-Jordynne Grace was shown arriving to the arena. She was met by NXT GM Ava who said that she was not allowed in the building. Grace promised to get her hands on Blake Monroe anyways.

-NXT Women’s Champion & TNA Knockouts champion Jacy Jayne came to the ring with the rest of Fatal Influence, Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx. Jayne grabbed a mic and celebrated her win, declaring herself the best. She was very adamant she did it all by herself to prove everyone wrong. She is a history maker!

Suddenly Lash Legend’s music hit and the Legend herself joined the conversation. Legend congratulated Jayne and said that Jayne was about to begin her fall from the top. Legend said that it’s time for her moment, and suddenly more music!

Jaida Parker came down to the ring. Parker declared that she has a direct line to the NXT Women’s title and Legend can step aside. Jayne said that they should figure it out for themselves and Fatal Influence jumped Parker and Legend. Parker and Legend cleared the ring and began jawing at each other as the segment slammed into:

-Je’Von Evans and Ricky Saints having a conversation in the back about Jasper Troy. Evans gave Saints some advice: Don’t over think it.

Ricky Saints vs. Jasper Troy

Saints fought Ethan Page at the Great American Bash in a brutal Falls Count Anywhere match. When that match spilled over into the back, Saints and Page stumbled onto Troy, who was either eating his lunch or angrily leaning against a wall lamenting a loss to Je’von Evans. Troy decided to take that out on Saints and NXT GM Ava made this match so that they can properly destroy each other. 

If you’re just joining us, Troy is a very big, very angry man. Saints needed to use his quickness and agility to get around the big man, but it didn’t work well off the top. Troy sent Saints into the corner and Clotheslined him on the ring apron (the most revolutionary part of the ring!).

Troy hoisted Saints up on his shoulder and hit a spinning slam for the first near fall of the match. Troy grabbed Saints again and threw him out of the ring. Saints clutched his wrist as Troy exited the ring, picked him out and carried him back into the ring.

Saints tried his hardest to fight back, but a trio of big splashes from Troy left him writhing in the ring. Troy added one more splash for good measure, but Saints managed to kick out. Troy punched Saints in the stomach so hard his wrist tape started coming off.

Every time Saints started gaining some offense, Troy would hammer him back down. Troy began literally throwing Saints around the ring, hoisting him up on his shoulders. Saints wriggled free, but Troy decided a Bear Hug was in order and Troy ragdolled him.

Saints got desperate and bit Troy on the head. Saints lured Troy out of the ring and laid some haymakers on him. Troy tried to punch back but Saints ducked and Troy hit the ring post. Troy shoved Saints back into the ring, favouring his hand.

Saints went up top and hit a high crossbody followed by a spinning DDT. It wasn’t enough though as Troy kicked out at 2. Keeping up the momentum, Saints sent them both outside over the top rope. Troy got to his feet first and began menacing the Ref. Saints used that to hop on Troy’s back and they battled up the entrance ramp.

The Ref tried to get them back into the ring, but the entry ramp collapsed on Saints! Troy hit a senton bomb on him through the collapsed metal ramp! The ref began a count in the ring and Troy staggered back, just beating the count and getting the win over Saints!

Match Result: Jasper Troy defeated Ricky Saints via Countout

Wow! The collapse of the ramp may have been a little premature, but IF they needed to call an audible, they did it seamlessly. Troy is an awesome force and I think if they can give him some good creative, he’ll be a big star.

-Next, tribute was paid to 2021 Hall of Famer Ozzy Osbourne who’s involvement with WWE goes all the way back to Wrestlemania 2.

The Undertaker confronts Trick Williams

Over the weekend, Williams defeated Joe Hendry and Mike Santana in a Triple Threat Match at TNA Slammiversary to retain the TNA World Championship. However, his mouth got the best of him and he badmouthed the Undertaker’s WWE LFG team. Taker, lacking things to do with his time these days, would like a word with the TNA Champion about it. 

Williams made his way to the ring and grabbed a mic. Williams talked about his victory at Slammiversary and said that he was undeniably the greatest TNA Champion of all time. Williams said that he will drop anyone in his way. Williams said that the LFG team told on him to the Undertaker. Williams gave taker props, but he’s never held down two brands at the same time like Williams. He then said that LFG has made the Undertaker soft. He then called Taker down to the ring.

A giant DONG rang out, but quickly switched to the American Badass music and out strode the Undertaker. He walked to the ring (stepping around the hole Ricky Saints left in the ramp) and got a mic. The music faded and Taker stood silently, considering what he would say while the crowd chanted for him.

Eventually, Taker began speaking, calling Williams a Dead Man Walking. Taker admired William’s cowhide leather outfit and said that Williams had it all… except respect. Taker said that Williams just isn’t the same guy with the TNA title as he was with the NXT title. NXT Williams was hungry, he said. He had that “daawg” in him.

Undertaker said that TNA Williams isn’t that guy anymore. With his current attitude, he won’t keep the TNA Championship for long. Taker said that he tries to teach his LFG team to not have an attitude and Williams interrupted, saying he doesn’t give a damn about the LFG team! No one is as good as he is!

Undertaker offered Williams one more piece of advice: Don’t step to an OG (Taker being the OG). Williams looked terrified as Undertaker promised to make him famous. Williams tried to sucker punch Taker, but he immediately goozled him and hit him with a vintage Taker chokeslam! The segment ended with Williams lying in the ring.

-Back from a commercial, Fatal Influence were discussing who would take on Jaida Parker and Lash Legend. Michelle McCool joined them and made some suggestions. They headed off to Ava’s office to make things official.

Blake Monroe vs. Wren Sinclair

Monroe had a heck of a week going back to Great American Bash. There, she made her NXT/WWE in-ring debut in a tag match with Jordynne Grace in an eventual loss to Fatal Influence. Then, at Evolution, she turned on Grace, costing her the NXT Women’s Title in a match with Jacy Jayne. Grace had promised to be out there somewhere looking for revenge and caught in the middle is Sinclair, who was big-upped by her friends in the No Quarter Catch Crew earlier in the show.

The two locked up and Monroe took control, sending Sinclair to the corner. She raked Sinclair’s head along the ropes and and had her until Sinclair hit a big back elbow. Sinclair tried to employ the technical style of the NQCC and it threw Monroe off at first.

Monroe regained control with a sling blade followed by a tight chinlock while wrenching her arm behind her. Sinclair fought out of it with an armdrag and some big chops. Monroe sent Sinclair face first into the ropes and then a big head butt.

Monroe hit a big slam and pinned Sinclair, getting her first NXT singles victory.

Match Result: Blake Monroe defeated Wren Sinclair

After the match, Monroe grabbed a mic but before she could say anything, Jordynne Grace appeared through the crowd and headed right for Monroe. Grace battled security allowing Monroe to grab her from behind and DDT her into a steel chair!

The match was pretty good, essentially a glorified squash, but I’m loving the feud between Grace and Monroe. They are both excellent at this pro wrestling thing and I can’t wait to see them go one on one.

-Back from commercial, NXT North American Champion Ethan Page was in the ring with a podium. Next to him was a second podium with a belt under a black cloth. Page said that he would be bringing more class to the title than the 17 Americans that had previously held it.

Page talked about his parents being immigrants from the Ukraine and that he was born in Canada. He unfurled a set of Canadian flags and said that the title would no longer represent the continent of North America, because America is a lie. It should represent the pure dominance of Canada over the rest of North American.

Page said the was born in Canada but made in America which makes him the greatest North American alive. He tossed the NXT North American Championship Belt to the side and unveiled a new version of it with a Canadian flag as the strap.

Page listed the various reasons that he feels Canada is better than America or Mexico, including hotter women, cleaner air and being nice to each other. He said that the USA is in HIS North America and as the North American Champion, he takes great pride in holding the title. But that pales in comparison to the pride he feels about being Canadian.

He then asked the audience to rise as he sung the Canadian National Anthem. He began singing but was cut off by an arriving Santino Marella, TNA Director of Authority!

Marella made his way to the ring and said that Page should be ashamed of himself. Marella lives in Canada and he said that Canadians don’t think like Page. He said that Page couldn’t relate to the people of North America because he is a “bumhole boy.”

Page said that Marella should go back to TNA and Marella said that someone with dignity, honor and pride should hold the North American title. He then challenged Page to a match next week. Page said that he wouldn’t do that, he’d do it RIGHT NOW!

Page turned around and Marella had the cobra ready for him! Page grabbed his new belt and bailed as the Commentary team speculated about the match happening next week!

-Backstage, Trick Williams was looking around every corner for the Undertaker, trying to avoid him. That set him up to run into NXT Champion Oba Femi though and the two stared each other down as the show went to commercial.

-Back from Commercial, Yoshiki Inamura met with Je’Von Evans. Inamura was wondering if he’d been a bad friend to Josh Briggs. He likes Briggs, but not always how he thinks. Evans said sometimes you can love someone, but not like them.

-The scene transitioned to the No Quarter Catch Crew lamenting Wren Sinclair’s loss. Suddenly, Bubba Ray Dudley appeared. He congratulated Wren on a good match and said that he was going to set up a match between Charlie Dempsey and Tavion Heights. If Heights wins, he can leave the Crew.

Then, Lexis King wandered by and accused Dempsey of not really being deaf. Dempsey left and that was the end of the segment. Weird.

-Then, the match was made official: Next week, North American Champion Ethan Page will defend his title against TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella!

NXT Championship Triple Threat Match: Yoshiki Inamura vs. Josh Briggs vs. Oba Femi (c) 

At Great American Bash, Femi and Inamura had a slugfest that saw Femi retain the NXT title. The bigger issue was that Briggs, Inamura’s best friend, kept trying to interfere on his behalf. Not wanting to win the title in a “dishonorable” way, Inamura wasn’t pleased with Briggs’ interference. Briggs thinks Inamura was being “too nice.” The question is will they work together in this triple threat? Or will Femi be able to stand back and let these two take each other out? 

Off the bell, Femi sent Briggs to the outside and he and Inamura began clubbing each other in the corners. Femi flipped Inamura over which allowed Briggs to jump in a get a quick splash. Femi bounced between Inamura and Briggs before sending them into opposite corners.

Imamura got a big slam on Femi but during the count, Briggs “inadvertently” stepped on the Ref’s hand, breaking the count. In the confusion, Femi delivered a double Chokeslam to both men. Femi focused on Briggs, but Briggs sent Femi into the corner and Inamura began stomping him.

Inamura went for a cover and Briggs stepped towards him to break up the pin, but Femi kicked out and the two eyed each other. Briggs then introduced a chair into the ring. Inamoura did not like that dishonorable move and Briggs slammed him onto Femi for his trouble. Inaumra then returned the favor and the two began working together.

Briggs went for a cover, but Inamura didn’t break it up. Femi kicked out and stalked Briggs into the corner, setting him up on the second rope. Inamura grabbed Femi from below in an Electric Chair position. Inamura threw him backwards and Femi dragged Briggs down with him.

Briggs went for a quick cover, but Femi kicked out. Briggs seemed to think that Inamura caused the kickout and the two got angry at each other. Inamura was sent out of the ring by Femi, who was then chokeslammed by Briggs, resulting in a two-count.

Briggs and Femi fought in the ring and Inamura returned, charging at Femi. Femi leapt into the air and Inamure speared Briggs by mistake. Inamura then lifted Femi and hit a sit-down powerbomb. The ref started counting, but Briggs pulled him out. The ref jumped back in and tried to count again, but Briggs put Femi’s arm on the ropes.

That made Inamura mad and he screamed at Briggs while laying Femi out for a big splash. As he mad the pin though, Briggs broke it up with a moonsault. Briggs went for the cover, but Femi kicked out at two.

Briggs and Inamura had enough at that point and started trading chops and punches. Inamura gave as good as he got and Briggs hit a massive lariat. That brought Femi back in who hit a powerbomb on Briggs and got the pin to retain his title.

Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Yoshiki Inamura and Josh Briggs

After the match, Briggs ran over Inamura at ringside. The scene switched to the back where Je’Von Evans was still trying to figure out what he is going to do next. The Undertaker approached and offered him some advice: Keep going after the biggest dog in the yard. Evans considered that as the show went off the air.

Great triple threat main event tonight! The story was obviously the dissolving of the friendship between Briggs and Inamura, but Femi looked great as always. He didn’t steal a victory, he earned it through smarts and picking his moments. NXT is chock full of talent right now and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

WWE NXT ratings drop against MLB All-Star Game

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Tuesday night’s Great American Bash fallout edition of WWE NXT averaged 586,000 viewers on The CW, down 15.7 percent from last week. This marks the lowest viewership total for the show since August 6 of last year.

NXT drew a 0.12 rating in the 18-49 demo, a drop of 25 percent from last week. It’s the lowest rating the show has done in that category since February 7, 2023.

There was significant sports competition in the form of the MLB All-Star Game, which averaged more than seven million viewers on Fox and drew a 1.43 rating in 18-49.

As compared to the same week in 2024, when NXT still aired on USA Network, the show’s overall viewership was down 3.9 percent and the 18-49 rating was down 40 percent.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership totals and 18-49 demo ratings for NXT, as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 13.6 percent in viewers and 20 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.

WWE NXT live results: The fallout from Great American Bash

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The fallout from Great American Bash takes place on WWE NXT tonight — and the episode will also help set the stage for TNA Slammiversary.

At Sunday’s TNA pay-per-view, Trick Williams is defending his TNA World Championship against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana in a triple threat match. But those three will be teammates tonight when they take on DarkState in a six-man tag. The bout comes after DarkState left Hendry and Santana laying at Great American Bash. Williams claimed that he had nothing to do with his upcoming challengers being attacked.

Jordynne Grace & Blake Monroe defeated Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley in the Great American Bash main event. The partnership between Grace & Monroe didn’t last long, though, with Monroe betraying Grace the next night at WWE Evolution. The turn helped cost Grace her NXT Women’s Championship challenge against Jayne, who now has a winner-take-all match against TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich at Slammiversary.

An appearance by Jayne will kick off tonight’s show.

The D’Angelo Family implosion continues as Tony D’Angelo, Stacks, and Luca Crusifino look to settle business in a triple threat match.

Plus, Evolve Women’s Champion Kali Armstrong defends against Karmen Petrovic.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show is on the air from a sound stage at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando in front of a live studio audience.

A recap of The Great American Bash catches up viewers on the happenings at the PLE last Saturday. Opening the show from the sound stage is the entrance of the trio known as Fatal Influence. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne is flanked by Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyz.

NXT Women’s Champ Jacy Jayne addresses the audience

Jayne first apologizes for her raspy voice, and she blames it on Jordynne Grace hitting her in the throat over the weekend. Jayne goes on to address the “elephant in the room,” which is her not doing well at The Bash.

Jayne blames her partners, and she especially casts blame on Nyz. Jayne says Nyz did her best, but her best is not good enough next to someone like Jayne herself. Luckily for Nyz and Henley, Jayne says they redeemed themselves at Evolution, where Jayne shocked the crowd again by winning.

Henley chimes in to put over Jayne. Henley says Jayne will be champion for a long time to come. Jayne also says she will do what no person has done before, like this Sunday when she goes one-on-one with the TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich. Jayne insults Slamovich until Slamovich interrupts the in-ring promo.

Slamovich gets in the ring to confront Jayne and Fatal Influence. Slamovich’s microphone was not working well, so Henley gave her a microphone. Slamovich says the only reason the interference of Blake Monros is the only reason Jayne retained her title at Evolution. Slamovich vows to be the first TNA wrestler to hold the NXT Women’s Championship.

Jayne scoffs and starts cutting a promo on Slamovich when Jayne is interrupted by the entrance of NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca and Zaria. Ruca cuts a promo on Jayne, and Ruca says her money is on Slamovich. Zaria adds that Ruca was the MVP of this weekend. Okay, sure.

Zaria and Ruca get in the ring to confront Fatal Influence. Nyx gets to cut a promo. Soon thereafter, a brawl erupts. The babyfaces clear the ring of the heel trio. This sets up a six-women tag team match, which is officially announced after a commercial break.

— Tony D’Angelo is the focus of a video package that recaps The Family’s history in NXT. The title of part one is “Birth of the Don.” More to come later in the show as they hype the “family business” triple threat match for later tonight.

TNA World Champion Trick Williams, Joe Hendry & Mike Santana vs. Darkstate (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, & Saquon Shugars with Cutler James)

During the entrance of Darkstate, Santana leaps over the ropes with a tope con hilo. Besides getting knocked down before the bell, Darkstate has lost almost all of their mystique. They are just another faction in NXT at this point.

The tag bout goes through a commercial break with a heat spot. The heel faction works over Santana. When the show returns from the break, Hendry cleans house after a hot tag.

Darkstate are all thrown out of the ring. Santana and Hendry then deck Trick when she starts cutting a promo on them. Santana and Hendry then do stereo dives outside the ring.

Suddenly, TNA faction known as The System run in to brawl with Darkstate, Hendry and Santana join in as the referee calls for the bell. No official word on the actual result, so I’m guessing a no contest.

Match Result: No finish after outside interference

— A skit in the locker room sets up a match between Karmen Petrovic and WWE Evolve Champion Kali Armstrong. Arianna Grace is also involved in the skit.

— Jordynne Grace arrives to the building, and Vic Joseph on commentary says she “looks pissed.”

— Part two of the Tony D’Angleo saga is titled “Enter the Underboss”.

WWE Evolve Champion Kali Armstrong vs. Karmen Petrovic

Shortly after the match starts, Jordynne Grace runs down to ringside and trips Armstrong. Grace gets into the ring and suplexes Petrovic. Grace calls out Blake Monroe, and Grace demands that Monroe immediately come to the ring.

Match result: No contest when Jordynne Grace runs in

Out comes Stevie Turner and Robert Stone, who are presumably acting under the authority of Ava. Turner and Stone argue with Garce until a video package starts playing, which tells the story of Monroe turning on Grace. The video includes a narration that seems like a ripoff of Toni Storm’s current gimmick. In this particular video, Monroe is a bathtub. She invites everyone to her NXT debut next week.

Grace goes berserk in the ring when she attacks Stone and Turner. Grace clotheslines Turner and gives Stone a spinebuster. Security comes out trying to wrangle Grace.

— Team Undertaker from LFG are talking backstage when in walks Trick Williams. He yells at them to move out of his way. Williams bullies them and leaves. Not sure what this skit accomplishes, but Team Undertaker gets a call from The Undertaker himself as the show cuts to a commercial break.

— NXT General Manager Ava talks with Jasper Troy about him attacking people. If he wants to prove himself in NXT, Ava says to do it in matches she approves for him. Troy defends himself by saying Saints entered his territory. Ava says this is NXT, where they settle things in the ring. (Sure Ava, of course they do considering this show begins with two matches that ends in a no contest due to run-ins.) Ava books a match for next week with Troy against Saints next Tuesday in Houston.

— “Rise & Fall of the Family” is the title of for part three of the D’Angelo Family saga. This hypes the triple threat that is up next on NXT.

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Lash Legend, who brags about being one of the last two remaining in a battle royal at Evolution. She was thrown out by Stephanie Vaquer, but Legend still brags on herself in this interview. Jaida Parker interrupts her to brag about her performance in the battle royal. Both Legend and Parker vow to confront the women’s champion in Houston.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo vs. Luca Crusifino in a “family business” triple threat match

D’Angelo turns his back to both of his opponents after the opening bell, lulling Stacks into an attack. “The Don” fights off both Stacks and Crusifino. Stacks goes to retrieve a hidden crowbar, only to discover that D’Angelo found and disposed of the weapon.

The fight eventually spills outside. D’Angelo and Crusifino are fighting on the apron when Stacks knocks them off the ring apron. From there, the match goes through a split-screen commercial break. The triple threat continues after the show returns from the break.

In a big high spot, “The Don” with a hip toss sends Stacks into a flip dive over the ropes. Crusifino catches him on the floor. Stacks retrieves a crowbar, and D’Angelo blocks it only to for Stacks to send him crashing in the steps.

They do some clever triple threat spots that includes a double German suplex. The also do a Tower of Doom spot where Crusifino powerbombs D’Angelo while Stacks takes a superplex.

Crusifino gets his time to shine, and he gets a near fall on Stacks. Crusifino grabs the crowbar, but Stacks posts him and takes the crowbar. Just as Stacks is about use the crowbar as a weapon, D’Angelo strikes out of nowhere with a spear. D’Angelo spears Stacks through a gimmicked section of the wall in a stunt. Stacks then comically shoots out of the hole like a bullet after presumably being launched by D’Angelo.

D’Angelo gives Crusifino a spinebuster on the announce desk, and D’Angelo roll into the ring to give Stacks a spinebuster. D’Angelo then covers Stacks for a three count.

Match result: Tony D’Angelo wins via pinfall

— Wren Sinclair defends her throwing in the towel for Tavion Heights last week. Up walks Charlie Dempsey to gloat. Sinclair reveals she is booked in a match next week against Blake Monroe. The match is in Sinclair’s home state of Texas, but I do not like her chances for winning against a debuting Monroe.

— Josh Briggs is heading to the ring for a monologue.

NXT Champion Oba Femi confronts Josh Briggs

Briggs begins with an in-ring promo where he bemoans no getting a NXT title shot. Briggs mentions his pal Inamura getting a shot, but Briggs has yet to get his own title match.

Out comes Oba Femi to confront Briggs. Femi says Briggs’ presence in Femi’s title defense against Inamura raises some doubts. Yet, Femi insists “The Ruler” would have always won. But now people are questioning the validity of Femi’s win because of Brigg’s involvement. Femi says Briggs ruined the match.

When Femi accuses Briggs of being jealous of Inamura, Briggs snaps back by cutting a promo on Femi. Briggs says Femi might know Inamura as a man of honor, but Briggs is not.

Inamura comes through the crowd with a microphone in hand. Inamura gets into the ring while saying Briggs does not speak for him. Briggs and Femi bicker some more. Femi says Inamura deserves a rematch, but scoffs at the idea of Briggs getting a shot.

Inamura stops Briggs to say he will do what it takes to win, but Inamura will do so with honor. Briggs suggests a triple threat match for the NXT title next week in Houston. Femi asks if that is really what Briggs wants, and Briggs jumps Femi. A brawl erupts in the ring, where Briggs inadvertently elbows Inamura. When officials and referees pour out, they must separate Briggs and Inamura. Looks like a triple threat title match is set for next Tuesday.

— NXT North American Champion Ethan Page is the focus of a video package where he brags about retaining the title against Ricky Saints at The Bash.

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Saints, and Saints cuts a promo on Jasper Troy ahead of their match next week in Houston.

— On social media, Undertaker confirms an appearance next Tuesday on NXT.

NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca, Zaria & TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich vs. Fatal Influence (NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyz)

For some reason, Lexis King is watching the match in the stands with the live studio audience. He is also wearing headphones. Ava takes exception to this, so she confronts him in the middle of this match. Ava rips off the headphones and yells at him.

Meanwhile, Sol Ruca was shinning in the match. The heel trios works together to underhandedly gain the upper hand on Ruca. Fatal Influence are in control as the show cuts to a picture-in-picture commercial break.

Hot tag and Zaria is a house of fire. Zaria is soon cut off, but she makes a quick comeback. Slamovich tags in and cleans house. Slamovich is also cut off by the heel trio.

Out comes The Culling with Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley. In the ensuing commotion at ringside, Ruca knocks down Paxley, and Zaria does a running senton off the apron on Dame. Ruca is yelling at Shawn Spears and Niko Vance at ringside. NXT Tag Team Champions Hank and Tank run down to fight with Spears and Vance. Meanwhile, Ruca and Zaria brawl with Dame and Paxley. The leaves Slamovich at a disadvantage, as the heels have a three-on-one advantage. That does not stop Slamovich.

Slamovich is holding her own, and she delivers a brainbuster on Jayne. Slamovich then covers Jayne for a three count.

Match result: Slamovich, Ruca & Zaria win when Slamovich pinned Jayne

Trick Williams on Lash Legend’s WWE Evolution performance: ‘That was a beautiful thing’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Trick Williams watched on with pride as his girlfriend Lash Legend had the biggest moment of her career so far at WWE Evolution.

In her hometown of Atlanta, Legend was among the NXT contingent who participated in the Evolution Battle Royal on Sunday night. She made it to the final two of the match before losing out to main roster star Stephanie Vaquer. Along the way, Legend got to shine by eliminating Nikki Bella and lifting up Nia Jax for her elimination.

Williams was interviewed by the Battleground Podcast following Evolution and expressed how proud he was of Legend.

“Man, that was a beautiful thing,” he said. “I mean, in her hometown of the ATL of Atlanta. Watching her succeed, watching her do incredible things, man. She picked Nia Jax up — how many women do you think are capable of doing such a thing? Not many. She picked Zelina [Vega] up like a little rag doll [and threw her out]. Hit Nikki Bella in the mouth. I was a proud supporter [on Sunday], I’m not going to lie.”

Legend (real name Anriel Howard) is a former college basketball star and was drafted to the WNBA in 2019 prior to joining WWE in 2020. She and Williams recently bought a house together.

The Battleground Podcast’s interview with Williams was to promote TNA Slammiversary 2025, where Williams will defend his TNA World Championship against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana in a triple threat match this Sunday (July 20). Before that, there will be a six-man tag bout on NXT tonight where Williams, Hendry & Santana face off against DarkState.

WWE NXT talent Aria Bennett undergoes surgery for torn ACL

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE NXT talent Aria Bennett recently suffered a torn ACL and has already undergone surgery for the injury.

The 30-year-old Bennett (real name Ajiea Lee Hargrave) joined the Performance Center in October 2023 and, so far in her career, has competed at NXT house shows and on WWE Evolve. But she’s likely going to be sidelined for several months after undergoing ACL surgery. Bennett revealed the injury in an Instagram stories post yesterday, saying that she waited until having surgery to make the news public.

“Life threw a curveball a few weeks ago…I tore my ACL,” she wrote. “Funny thing is, I didn’t even feel pain when it happened. I kept practicing like nothing was wrong. Found out later it was a full tear.

“To protect my mental, I wanted to wait until after surgery to update my followers. At first it was a lot to process, until I started praying and realized God is always working, even when I can’t see it. Keeping things fun and lighthearted has helped me get through the hard times. Laughter really is medicine. This is just one chapter in the story. Right now, it’s about healing, trusting the process, and coming back stronger mind, body, and spirit.Thank you for all the love, support, and prayers. I’ll keep y’all posted on the comeback.”

Bennett has a background in gymnastics and as a fitness coach. Before signing with WWE, she appeared on “The Tonight Show” in 2023, performing a gymnastics stunt where she put her shorts on while in mid-air.


Shayna Baszler update following WWE NXT producer report

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided an update on Shayna Baszler’s status with WWE.

News got out yesterday that Baszler — who was released from her WWE contract in May — worked as a producer for the Kelani Jordan vs. Lainey Reid match that took place on Tuesday night’s NXT episode. Meltzer confirmed that this is not the first match Baszler has produced for NXT, but she is not back with WWE in a full-time role. Producing is something that she’s doing while waiting for her 90-day non-compete clause to expire.

“The story on Shayna Baszler is this — she’s right now on her, I think she’s got another month, I think the date is August 2 when her 90 days is up,” Meltzer said. “She can’t wrestle anywhere until August 2. So for now — it came out that she was one of the agents [for] the Kelani Jordan match from [Tuesday] night. The story was made out to be bigger than it was. She has been at NXT tapings. She has agented other matches, but this is the first one to come out. But it’s not like she has taken a job as an agent. She is doing it since she’s around and they’ve asked her.”

The two producers listed for the Jordan vs. Reid match were Baszler and Oney Lorcan. Lorcan (Chris Gerard) has been working behind the scenes in NXT full-time since the end of his in-ring career in 2022.

Baszler’s release happened on May 2 as part of a round of cuts where Cora Jade, Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, Katana Chance, and Kayden Carter were also among those let go.

WWE NXT live results: Great American Bash go-home show

Posted on by Chris Aiken

After airing a taped episode last Tuesday, WWE NXT is back live tonight ahead of a loaded weekend of pro wrestling ahead.

Tonight, NXT is a go-home show ahead of PLEs this weekend, which includes the Great American Bash on Saturday and WWE Evolution. Both shows feature wrestlers from the NXT roster.

General manager Ava is set tonight to announce the NXT wrestlers who will be competing in the Evolution Battle Royal.

Ricky Saints is looking for an NXT North American Championship rematch against Ethan Page. To get that opportunity, he needs to defeat The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & Jackson Drake) in a gauntlet match.

Gold will be up for grabs tonight with NXT Tag Team champs Hank Walker & Tank Ledger putting their tag titles on the line against Shawn Spears & Niko Vance of The Culling.

At Great American Bash, there will be a contract signing to make Trick Williams, Joe Hendry, and Mike Santana’s triple threat TNA World Championship match official for Slammiversary. Tonight, Hendry & Santana will have to get on the same page as they team up against Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe.

Plus, Charlie Dempsey and Tavion Heights meet in a high-stakes match where Heights will be allowed to leave No Quarter Catch Crew if he wins.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show is opening with a gauntlet match from the sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando. The mastermind of this match is NXT North American Ethan Page, who enters the sound stage ahead of The Vanity Project. Page joins the announce team for guest commentary alongside regular commentators Vic Joseph, Booker T and Corey Graves.

Ricky Saints runs the Vanity Project Gauntlet

The first two matches feature the tag team of Swipe Right in singles matches.

Ricky Saint defeated Brad Baylor in a gauntlet match

Saints pinned Baylor after springing off the top rope into a tornado DDT.

Ricky Saints defeated Ricky Smokes in a gauntlet match

Smokes gets heat on Saints as the show cuts to a split-screen commercial break. Smokes works over Saints during the break, but Saints makes a comeback after the show returns from picture-in-picture.

Saints glares at Page at ringside, which almost costs Saints. Smokes rolls up Saints for a two count. Moments later, Saints uses an inverted atomic drop to set up a roll through that Saints used to cradle Smokes for a pinfall.

Ricky Saints defeated WWE Evolve Champion Jackson Drake in a non-title gauntlet match

Saints pinned Drake after a Roshambo. Drake got heat on Saints, and Drake got a near fall. Nonetheless, Saints makes a triumphant comeback to complete the gauntlet.

In winning, Saints gets to pick the stipulation for his title match on Saturday against Page. Saints vows to “dog walk” Page all over Atlanta, and Saints in a post-match promo informs Page their match for The Bash is falls count anywhere.

Match Result: Ricky Saints ran the Vanity Project Gauntlet

-NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca is chatting in a locker room with her pal Zaria. Lainey Reid eavesdrops on their conversations and takes exception. Up walks Kelani Jordan to cut a promo on Reid, which sets up a singles match later on with Reid against Jordan.

-Jordynne Grace reluctantly agrees to do a glamour workout with Blake Monroe. Grace rolls her eyes when she arrives at the spa for the “workout” with Monroe. The vignette continues later in the show.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Tavion Heights

They had a good long match that goes through a commercial break.

Wren Sinclair is ringside for this clash between No Quarter Catch Crew, and she threw in the towel to end the match. If Heights won, he could leave No Quarter Catch Crew. Instead, Dempsey wins after targeting the leg of his own stablemate.

Dempsey was cranking on the leg when Sinclair threw in the towel to stop the match. Heights never gave up. The finish teased further dissension within No Quarter Catch Crew.

Match Result: Charlie Dempsey defeated Tavion Heights

-The NXT Tag Team Champions — Hank & Tank — are backstage dancing with Je’Von Evans when Evans is ambushed by Jasper Troy. Evans is slammed against a roll-up door. The tag champs try to pull Troy off Evans as he smashes Evans again.

Joe Hendry & Mike Santana vs. Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont (w/ Wes Lee)

Santana pinned Dupont to win the match, despite interference by TNA World Champion Trick Williams. After the match, Williams joins High Ryze in a beatdown on Hendry and Santana.

The tag bout goes through a commercial break. Santana and Hendry both do dives at one point. As they go home, Wes Lee gets on the ring apron to distract the referee. Meanwhile, Trick Williams runs down to ringside and sends Hendry crashing into the metal ring steps. After glaring at Tick, Santana rolls through a missed stomp to deck Lee with a right hand. Lee takes a Bobby Heenan bump off the apron. Soon thereafter, Santana delivers a spinning lariat on Dupont. Santana then covers him for the pinfall.

Trick joins with High Ryze in attacking Hendry and Santana after the match is over. The four heels leave the TNA babyfaces laying prone on the mat, and the NXT heels stand over the TNA faces.

Match Result: Joe Hendry & Mike Santana defeated Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont (w/ Wes Lee)

-Yoshiki Inamura is the focus of a vignette, which features Keiji Mutoh, Naomichi Marufuji, Ulka Sasaki, IYO SKY, and Kaito Kiyomiya all wishing luck to Inamura in his title challenge against NXT Champion Oba Femi at The Bash this Saturday.

Inamura, dressed in a suit and flanked by Josh Briggs in a leather vest and t-shirt, heads to the ring for confrontation with Oba Femi. But first comes more commercials.

-After the commercial break is a pre-tape promo from Darkstate where they threaten to interfere in TNA matches along with NXT.

Oba Femi, Yoshiki Inamura & Josh Briggs in-ring promo

Inamura and Briggs enter the ring, followed by NXT Champion Oba Femi. Inamura cuts a promo on Femi, with Inamura calling Femi his greatest challenge. Inamura says he is supported by Briggs and his family, and he vows to fight with honor. Femi responds by asking if Inamura is ready to lose with honor.

Briggs says Inamura grabs the mic and cuts a promo on Femi on behalf of Inmaura. Briggs also vows to make sure Inmaura wins, because it’s their only chance. Femi tells Briggs this is not his fight, and they start brawling. Briggs is sent outside the ring by Femi, only for Inamura to bodyslam Femi. Referees and producers run in to break things up as Inamura honorably backs away.

-Blake Monroe tries getting Jordynne Grace to enjoy a spa day, much to Grace’s chagrin. Grace eventually enjoys the spa.

Kelani Jordan vs. Lainey Reid

Jordan pinned Reid after springboarding into a split-legged moonsault. After the match, Thea Hail runs down to ringside to fight with Reid. They seem set for a singles match.

Match Result: Kelani Jordan defeated Lainey Reid

-Je’Von Evans is in the trainer’s room when he is again attacked by Jasper Troy.

The Family sitdown meeting

My local over-the-air channel is glitching as Adrianna Rizzo calls a sit-down meeting with Stacks, Luca Crusifino and Tony D’Angelo. After all that time she was missing, Rizzo shows up unexpectedly. Rizzo wants to bring The Family back together, but they are having none of it.

Rizzo does have one more item to discuss in the meeting. Rizzo then announces a triple threat match next Tuesday on NXT. She calls it the “final battle” in the family business.

-Jasper Troy rushes into the ring to issue a challenge to Je’Von Evans. Out comes Evans to fight with Troy, and they have a pull-apart brawl.

-Tatum Paxley joins The Culling in a vignette where they cut a promo on Hank & Tank ahead of the tag title match later on.

NXT Tag Team Champions Hank Walker & Tank Ledger defend against The Culling (Niko Vance & Shawn Spears) (w/ Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley)

Tank pinned Speaars to win the match. Paxley and Dame interference in the match, leading to Sol Ruca & Zaria to run down to ringside. They had a good tag bout. The title match goes through a commercial break. Just before cutting to commercials, Vance with a shoulder tackle sends Hank bumping over the announce desk.

Paxley joins in the fun by distracting the referee. That allows Dame to boot Tank in the head. Spears then gets a near fall on Tank.

Sol Ruca runs in to jump Dame. Zaria also appears and she carries Paxley away. That counteracts the interference as Hank & Tank run wild. For the finish, Spears takes a bullet for Vance, and Spears takes a finisher from Hank & Tank with a powerslam/spear combo. Tank then covers Spears for a three count. And still…

Match Result: NXT Tag Team Champions Hank Walker & Tank Ledger defeated The Culling to retain

NXT Women In-Ring Summit

NXT General Manager Ava is heading to the ring for a “summit” of sorts.

Ava first puts over the first Evolution. She was in high school at the time, but it inspired her. Ava goes on to put over the women on that show and what they have done since.

Ava also announces the six entrants from NXT in the battle royal at Evolution on Sunday. Those six are Jaida Parker, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan, Lash Legend, Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley.

Out comes the Fatal Influence trio to interrupt. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne cuts a promo while flanked by Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyz. They are soon interrupted by Jordynne Grace.

Grace cuts a promo on Fatal Influence for trying to steal the spotlight. Yet another interruption as Lash Legend enters to cut a promo.

Stephanie Vaquer is out next to interfere, and she is super over with the live studio audience in attendance. Vaquero cuts a promo of her own.

In a surprise cameo, Natalya enters with Maxxine Dupri introducing her. Natalya also cuts a promo.

Jaida Parker is next to cut a promo. She then rushes into the ring and a huge brawl erupts. Hyping the battle royal on Sunday, the show goes off the air with the women brawling in the ring.

Taped WWE NXT episode draws lowest viewership of 2025

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Tuesday night’s WWE NXT episode averaged 627,000 viewers on The CW, down 14 percent from last week. This is the lowest audience total the show has drawn since December 31 of last year.

With this being Fourth of July week in the United States, NXT was taped in advance rather than airing live. It drew a 0.15 rating in the 18-49 demo, down 6.3 percent from last week and tying the lowest number the show has done in that category since May 20. NXT finished ninth on the English-language broadcast networks of the 11 programs in prime time but did beat everything on Fox.

There biggest sports competition on the night was World Cup qualifying on TNT and MLB on TBS, averaging 0.16 and 0.09 ratings in 18-49 respectively.

As compared to the same week in 2024, when the show still aired on USA Network, NXT’s overall viewership was up 15.7 percent while the 18-49 rating was identical, so the show continues to skew older on broadcast television as opposed to cable.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership totals and 18-49 demo ratings for NXT, as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 8.1 percent in viewers but steady in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.

WWE NXT ratings up for Stand & Deliver fallout

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Tuesday night’s WWE NXT episode averaged 686,000 viewers on The CW, up 3.5 percent from the previous week. It’s the best audience total for the show since March 25.

In the 18-49 demo, NXT drew a 0.17 rating. That’s up 21.4 percent from last week and ties the highest rating the show has done in that category since the February 25 episode. NXT finished seventh among the 12 shows on English-language broadcast networks for the night, beating everything on Fox and most shows on NBC.

NXT went head-to-head with the NBA playoffs on TNT and NBA TV as well as the NHL playoffs on ESPN. Those games took three of the top four spots on the cable charts.

As compared to the same week in 2024, when the show still aired on USA Network, NXT’s overall viewership was up 3.8 percent while its 18-49 rating was down 15 percent — so the audience continues to skew much older on The CW.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership numbers and 18-49 demo ratings for NXT, along with the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 3.8 percent in overall viewership but up 6.3 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.