This week’s WWE NXT episode took place on the buildup to the No Mercy event on September 27th, 2025, with several key developments in the roster’s storylines. The show featured prominent appearances by NXT Champion Oba Femi and number one contender Ricky Saints, alongside Hank and Tank, as they faced the dominant NXT Tag Team Champions, Darkstate. The focus keyword, WWE NXT September 2025 Review, highlights the pivotal moments and emerging rivalries leading into the upcoming pay-per-view.
In addition to the No Mercy hype, NXT is preparing for a Homecoming show on September 16th at Full Sail University. This venue is significant in NXT history, suggesting a loaded card and important matches that will deepen ongoing storylines.
Opening Matches Set the Tone
The opening contest featured Lash Legend and Jaida Parker, two aggressive competitors with contrasting styles. Lash utilized power moves such as a shoulder tackle and backbreaker, while Parker countered with athletic maneuvers including a flipping neckbreaker and running hip drop. The match lasted around twelve minutes and concluded with Lash securing a pinfall after delivering her signature Lash Extension spinning slam.
Following the match, Lash provoked Parker with verbal taunts, which escalated into a physical brawl in the aisle where Parker retaliated with a hip attack against a barricade. This segment indicated the rivalry would intensify, likely leading to a rematch where Parker could emerge victorious.
Tensions Rise Among the Women’s Division
Backstage interactions highlighted animosities within the women’s roster. Blake Monroe shared a lighthearted moment bonding over makeup with Arianna Grace and Stacks, only for that to be disrupted by remarks from Kali Armstrong, who criticized Jordynne Grace. Jordynne’s entrance solidified a brewing conflict, amplified by Kali’s declaration of feeling disrespected by Jordynne, paving the way for their later match.
Je’Von Evans Faces Emotional Setback
In a rare candid promo, Je’Von Evans expressed his frustration after losing the NXT Title match at Heatwave in a controversial finish against Oba Femi. Evans detailed the emotional impact of the loss, including a moment of calling his younger sister before the match in hopes of becoming the youngest NXT Champion. Despite Trick Williams’ apology during the segment, fans showed support with chants of “We still love you,” reflecting Evans’ connection with the audience.
Josh Briggs Interrupts and Sparks a New Feud
Josh Briggs made a dramatic entrance on a motorcycle, initially teasing The Undertaker’s iconic gong before revealing himself. Briggs confronted Evans in the ring, criticizing him for waiting passively instead of demanding a rematch against Oba Femi. The exchange escalated to physicality as Briggs attacked Evans with a kick to the face and delivered a brutal Chokeslam onto a chair, establishing himself as a formidable heel and setting up a new rivalry.
Women’s Speed Championship Contender Match
The three-minute contest between Xia Brookside and Candice LeRae was a fast-paced encounter emphasizing agility and counters. LeRae capitalized near the end of the limited time with a combination of moves culminating in a springboard moonsault for the pinfall victory. This win advanced LeRae to the semifinals, where she will face either Lainey Reid or AAA’s Faby Apache. The eventual winner will challenge reigning Women’s Speed Champion Sol Ruca at No Mercy.
While the match showcased impressive athleticism, it did not generate high enthusiasm, reflecting the general perception of the Speed Division as less prominent within NXT.
Rivalries and Alliances in Backstage Segments
Josh Briggs continued to build his villainous character backstage, where Kale Dixon and Urijah Connors labeled him a bully, and Andre Chase defended his proteges. The conflict led to a setup for Andre Chase’s match later in the night. Meanwhile, NXT GM Ava arranged a triple threat elimination tag match among Jacy Jayne’s faction Fatal Influence, Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley, and Sol Ruca & Zaria, with the prize being a future Women’s Tag Team Championship opportunity.
Darkstate released a compelling video providing insight into their backgrounds, highlighting personal struggles and perseverance. Members Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Cutler James, and Saquon Shugars discussed overcoming previous rejections from the NFL and other prospects, underlining how their unity gave them purpose and strength in NXT.
Trick Williams Champions His Dominance
Trick Williams, the reigning TNA World Champion, made a strong statement in the ring, boasting about his status as the greatest and hottest NXT superstar. He criticized other talents seemingly losing passion for NXT and hinted at an imminent move to Raw or SmackDown, boasting about his impending success outside the brand. Williams’ promo exuded confidence and arrogance, setting up his ongoing rivalry.
Return of #DIY Brings Nostalgia and Rivalry
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, known collectively as #DIY and considered NXT legends, were warmly received by fans chanting their nicknames. They reminisced about their careers and the love for the NXT brand, asserting they helped define an era. The duo confronted Trick Williams, mocking his claims and physically confronting him without causing injury. Their presence creates tension for an upcoming match, contrasting #DIY’s babyface status with Williams’ heel persona.
Plot Thickens: Je’Von Evans’ Deal to Avoid Conflict
In the trainer’s room, NXT GM Ava negotiated with Je’Von Evans, offering him a match against Josh Briggs next week if he stayed out of Briggs’ scheduled match. Evans accepted the terms under security escort, adding suspense to the forthcoming showdown between Evans and Briggs, fueling the intense narrative built on their recent altercations.
Flag Match Set for Upcoming Week
Ethan Page, the NXT North American Champion, backstage with Tavion Heights and GM Ava, engaged in a tense exchange that led to the official scheduling of a Flag Match for the following week. Tavion Heights challenged Page’s superiority while promising to respect the American flag despite the match stipulation. This development adds an extra layer to the rivalry, promising a physical and symbolic contest.
Women’s Division Showdown: Kali Armstrong vs. Jordynne Grace
Kali Armstrong, an accomplished NXT Evolve Champion known for her technical prowess, faced Jordynne Grace in an eight-minute bout. Grace took control with a spinning suplex and a signature Camel Clutch submission attempt. Armstrong showed resilience before Grace mounted a decisive comeback with clotheslines and her finishing sitout slam, securing the win. The match highlighted both athletes’ strengths while positioning Grace for upcoming conflicts, especially with Blake Monroe.
Post-match, Monroe and Grace engaged in a brief but intense brawl involving punches and weaponized steel steps, indicating a likely street fight or similar match to settle their differences.
Lola Vice’s Personal Story Adds Depth to Women’s Title Picture
A video package profiled Lola Vice, showcasing her Cuban American roots and journey chasing dreams in MMA and WWE over nine years. Insights from her family, including her mother’s pride and a tease about her father, added emotional layers to Vice’s persona ahead of her challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship against Jacy Jayne at No Mercy.
Rising Tensions in the Ring: Josh Briggs vs. Andre Chase
Josh Briggs continued his heel push by dominating Andre Chase in a seven-minute match. Briggs controlled the early exchanges, inflicting damage with power moves like the Bossman Slam and a Chokeslam finishing maneuver. Post-match, Briggs further asserted his dominance through vicious attacks against Dixon and Connors, solidifying his status as a top antagonist in the brand.
Trick Williams Responds to #DIY Assault
Backstage, Trick Williams addressed the earlier attack by Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. He dismissed the duo’s legacy claims while vowing to maintain his own status, signaling ongoing rivalry developments and promising further confrontations.
Main Event: Faction Warfare Between Babyfaces and Darkstate
The main event featured a showdown between the babyface team of Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, Hank Walker, and Tank Ledger against the NXT Tag Team Champions Darkstate, consisting of Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Cutler James, and Saquon Shugars. Early dominance belonged to Darkstate, working cohesively to wear down their opponents. However, the babyfaces forged comebacks through tag sequences and high-impact moves, including a signature four-man splash combination that cleared the ring.
Cutler James taunted Hank with,
No one is saving you now
— Cutler James, which was met with interference from Joe Hendry, setting the stage for chaos.
Hank and Tank capitalized on this moment to defeat James with a splash-powerslam combination. The finish surprised some viewers given Darkstate’s recent strong booking but successfully elevated Hank & Tank toward a future tag title opportunity. The physical altercation between Oba Femi and Ricky Saints intensified when they fought backstage moments after the match, underscoring the brewing tension ahead of their NXT Title clash at No Mercy.
Ratings and Overall Impressions
The show received a 6.5 out of 10 rating, marking a slight dip from the previous week’s 7.75 and sitting below the 2025 average of 7.3. In-ring action was generally average with a standout main event tag team match. Promos effectively advanced storylines, notably Je’Von Evans’ emotional depth and Trick Williams’ brash declarations.
New rivalries, particularly between Evans and Briggs as well as animosities in the women’s division, added fresh intrigue. The return of #DIY offered nostalgic appeal while reinforcing backstage tensions and upcoming matches. Though solid, the episode did not reach must-see status but set a clear path toward No Mercy’s significant matches.
Anticipated Matches at No Mercy
The following headline bouts are confirmed for the September 27th pay-per-view:
- NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Ricky Saints
- NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Lola Vice
These encounters will mark the culmination of the storylines intensified during this episode, promising high stakes and heated competition.
