At The Met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the WWE NXT Heatwave 2025 Highlights kicked off with a brutal Philadelphia Street Fight between Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura. Even before the official start, the two brawlers clashed fiercely in the gorilla position, bringing the action directly to ringside. Inamura executed a daring flying shoulder tackle off the stage, but Briggs countered with powerful suplexes on the floor and aggressive chair-assisted strikes in the ring.
The match escalated as various weapons entered the fray, including chairs wedged in ring corners, trash cans, kendo sticks, and a Phillies baseball bat, heightening the chaos. Inamura rallied with heavy chops and a devastating uranage slam, finishing with a splash through a table that seemed to put Briggs at a disadvantage. Despite this, Briggs summoned his strength, landing a Clothesline from Hell followed by a moonsault through a table that sealed his hard-fought victory in front of the Philadelphia crowd.
Winner: Josh Briggs
Masha Slamovich Secures Role as Special Guest Referee
Behind the scenes, Masha Slamovich claimed her position as special guest referee for the highly anticipated six-woman tag team match. After a FaceTime conversation with AVA and Santino Marella over the weekend, Slamovich was confirmed to oversee the confrontation between Fatal Influence and The Elegance Brand, promising added drama to the encounter.
Confidence High for Trick Williams Before Heated Showdown
In a backstage interview, Sarah Schreiber caught up with Trick Williams, who was brimming with self-assurance following his recent win over Moose at TNA Emergence. Trick boldly predicted he would send Je’Von Evans “back to high school” in their upcoming contest and declared his aim to become a three-time NXT Champion, placing a spotlight on his championship ambitions at Heatwave.
Rising Talent Ricky Saints Overcomes Jasper Troy in Singles Match
The singles competition saw Ricky Saints, a rising star, take on the formidable Jasper Troy. Saints used his agility and quick strikes to unsettle Troy early on, but the powerhouse soon regained control through heavy slams, stomps, and an abdominal stretch that targeted Saints’ ribs. The momentum shifted repeatedly as Saints landed two tornado DDTs—one on the floor and another inside the ring—ultimately securing the pinfall and victory.
Winner: Ricky Saints
Tensions Mount as AVA Faces Pressure and The Elegance Brand Challenges Authority
Backstage, Hank & Tank pressed General Manager AVA for clarification about their Heatwave opponents from DarkState, but AVA had no answers for them. Shortly after, George Iceman introduced The Elegance Brand, who immediately demanded that Masha Slamovich be removed as referee. Slamovich made an appearance in referee attire, grinning broadly and hinting at potential chaos in the looming match.
Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe Clash Emotionally Ahead of Heatwave
In a tense in-ring segment, Jordynne Grace opened up about the challenges she faces adjusting to WWE and the feelings of betrayal by Blake Monroe. Rather than seeking revenge, Grace vowed to expose Monroe’s true nature at Heatwave. Monroe interrupted arrogantly, brandishing a contract clause that would cancel their Heatwave match if Grace even touched her beforehand. Grace retorted, accusing Monroe of jealousy and calling her a “snake,” igniting a chaotic scene where security intervened but was overwhelmed by Grace, who stopped short of attacking Monroe yet promised to reveal the “ugly” truth at the upcoming event.
Clashes Ignite Between Rival Factions and Wrestlers Backstage
Fatal Influence and The Elegance Brand exchanged hostile words before encountering Sol Ruca and Zaria, who warned Jacy Jayne that her double-champion reign would be challenged soon. Je’Von Evans dismissed Trick Williams as selfish and unfocused in an interview, vowing to defeat him that night before targeting Oba Femi. Elsewhere, Charlie Dempsey offered guidance to Kendall Grey while conflict brewed between Wren Sinclair and The Culling. Lexis King antagonized Myles Borne with harsh insults and pepper spray, escalating tensions backstage. Lash Legend boasted about Lola Vice’s recent loss and doubted Jaida Parker’s chances at Heatwave, sparking a verbal battle with Kelani Jordan. DarkState interrupted AVA, boasting about previous chaos until Joe Hendry appeared, but Dion Lennox warned Hendry to stay clear of their affairs.
Peace Treaty Sparks Conflict Between USA and Canada Competitors
Ethan Page and Chelsea Green arrived together with The Secret Service to propose a so-called peace treaty with Tavion Heights and Tyra Mae Steele. Page acknowledged Tavion’s development but accused him of disrespecting his legacy, while Chelsea disparaged the United States, favoring Canada. The American duo fired back with pride and defiance, leading to a heated exchange that devolved into a brawl. AVA then officially sanctioned a Mixed Tag Match for Heatwave: Ethan Page and Chelsea Green versus Tavion Heights and Tyra Mae Steele.
Heatwave 2025 Match Card Overview
- Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice – #1 Contender’s Match for the NXT Women’s Championship
- Hank & Tank (champions) vs. DarkState – NXT Tag Team Championship
- Jacy Jayne (champion) vs. Ash vs. Masha Slamovich – TNA Knockouts World Championship
- Ethan Page & Chelsea Green vs. Tavion Heights & Tyra Mae Steele – Mixed Tag Match
- Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe
- Oba Femi (champion) vs. Je’Von Evans – NXT Championship
- Main Event – Heatwave #1 Contender’s Match
Je’Von Evans Defeats Trick Williams in Brutal Contest
With NXT Champion Oba Femi present in the audience, Trick Williams started aggressively, nearly ending the match early with a Trick Kick and a series of power moves. Je’Von Evans showed resilience, impressing with aerial maneuvers like a Stage Dive and a German suplex. Throughout the match, both competitors exchanged near-falls, delivering a relentless war inside the ring. Trick attempted to finish with the Trick Shot, but Mike Santana’s unexpected interference distracted him. Seizing the chance, Evans hit a cutter followed by a stunning Box Jump Cutter to claim victory and secure his spot at Heatwave to challenge Femi.
Winner: Je’Von Evans
NXT Heatwave 2025 Poised for Explosive Storylines and High-Stakes Battles
The WWE NXT Heatwave 2025 Highlights showcase a night filled with fierce competition, intense rivalries, and dramatic confrontations that set the stage for a highly charged event. From brutal street fights and intense backstage confrontations to championship pursuits and peace treaties dissolved into conflict, the wrestling world is tense and restless. Fans can anticipate that the upcoming Heatwave event will deliver high-impact showdowns that could reshape the landscape of NXT, punctuated by the ongoing feuds and the declared ambitions of top contenders like Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans.
