At the WWE Performance Center in Winter Park, Florida, on September 30, 2025, the much-anticipated NXT Showdown event took a dramatic turn as new NXT Champion Ricky Saints kicked off the night with a passionate speech. Saints celebrated overcoming Oba Femi at No Mercy and emphasized the importance of believing in oneself, setting the stage for the intense rivalry ahead. Following this, AVA appointed Saints and Jacy Jayne as captains for Team NXT, charging them with assembling their squads by night’s end.
Meanwhile, TNA made their presence known as Santino Marella introduced Mike Santana as captain for Team TNA, alongside the newly crowned TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan. Jayne challenged Marella’s choice to overlook Trick Williams in favor of Jordan, but Saints kept tensions in check, indicating a decisive showdown would unfold before the night concluded.
Backstage Developments Heighten Tensions Between NXT and TNA
In backstage encounters, a respectful yet wary interaction between Je’Von Evans and TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater hinted at an electrifying match at Bound For Glory. However, their exchange was violently interrupted by The Culling, who expressed hostility toward Evans’ alliance with TNA talent and issued a tag team challenge to be contested later.
Elsewhere, light personal drama surfaced as Lyra Valkyria handed Tatum Paxley a custom doll, foreshadowing growing friction with Izzi Dame.
Jaida Parker Triumphs in Physical Bout Against Lash Legend
The opening match featured a fierce battle between Jaida Parker and Lash Legend, marked by Legend’s early dominance using power moves like a delayed vertical suplex and sleeper hold. Parker fought back with impactful attacks, including a Samoan Drop outside the ring, a running Blockbuster, and relentless shoulder tackles. Legend nearly sealed victory with a Pump Kick, but Parker countered expertly, ultimately winning with her finishing move, The Hypnotic.
Internal Conflicts Emerge in Team NXT’s Locker Room
A tense debate unfolded over Team NXT’s roster spots as Ricky Saints and Trick Williams clashed. Williams demanded co-captain status backed by his TNA World Title, while Saints had already secured Je’Von Evans and Myles Borne. Trick pushed for addition of Josh Briggs to add size, a suggestion met with resistance, especially from Je’Von. To resolve the impasse, Saints announced a match between Briggs and Borne to decide the final team member.
North American Title Contention Ignites Between Ethan Page and Mustafa Ali
In a heated backstage altercation, Ethan Page boasted about retaining the North American Championship and taunted Dr. Wagner Jr., only to be confronted by Mustafa Ali. Ali demanded recognition of a long-promised title shot denied due to his WWE departure and announced the match would finally take place at Showdown after securing approval from AVA and Santino Marella. Page dismissed Ali’s claim with a cutting remark before Ali retaliated with a sudden attack, laying Page out with a dropkick.
“wish him well in his future endeavors.”
– Ethan Page, North American Champion
Women’s Team NXT Shapes Up as Contenders Express Ambitions
Jacy Jayne openly considered team composition, applauding Jaida Parker’s win and inviting Sol Ruca into the fold. Lola Vice, despite personal struggles, offered to contribute, while Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid made their cases for inclusion. Jayne confirmed that Vice and Henley would battle for the last spot on the women’s team, heightening competitive tension.
Hardy Boyz Vow to Capture NXT Tag Team Titles in Upcoming Clash
In a pre-taped vignette, Matt and Jeff Hardy expressed their determination to seize the elusive NXT Tag Team Championships and promised total domination over their opponents, DarkState, at Showdown.
The Final Spot on Team NXT Decided in a Brutal Match Between Borne and Briggs
Myles Borne and Josh Briggs faced off in a physical confrontation for the last male position on Team NXT. Borne showcased agility with a somersault plancha and flying crossbody, while Briggs relied on power moves such as a Chokeslam and big splash. The battle was disrupted by interference from Matt Cardona, which distracted Briggs enough for Borne to secure the win with a dropkick followed by The Borne Again finishing move.
Uncertainty Lingers Among TNA Women as Loyalties Are Questioned
Backstage, Jordynne Grace openly doubted the trustworthiness of Jacy Jayne and hinted at a possible switch to Team TNA. Kelani Jordan raised concerns about the loyalties of Grace and Joe Hendry, while Mike Santana underscored TNA’s expectation of full commitment from its talent.
Lola Vice Clinches Final Women’s Team NXT Spot in Fierce Bout With Fallon Henley
The decisive match to finalize the women’s roster saw Lola Vice and Fallon Henley trade rapid submissions and high-impact moves. Vice’s swift kickstones and persistence prevailed after a teep kick knocked Henley out of the ring, allowing Vice to land The 305 for the victory and a spot on Team NXT.
DarkState Declares Intentions to Erase the Hardy Boyz
Promoting their upcoming showdown, DarkState asserted themselves as the ultimate evolution in tag team wrestling and vowed to eliminate the Hardy Boyz from WWE history at the upcoming event.
Lainey Reid Reveals Shocking Role in Women’s Championship Controversy
Lainey Reid confessed to being the hooded attacker who sabotaged Lola Vice’s Women’s Championship match at No Mercy by ambushing Jazmyn Nyx, even defying medical orders to carry out the assault, deepening existing feuds within the division.
Evans and Slater Secure Win Against The Culling in Dynamic Tag Match
Je’Von Evans paired with Leon Slater to face The Culling in an intense tag team match featuring high-flying and creative teamwork. Despite The Culling’s attempts to isolate Slater with brute force, the match momentum shifted after a timely hot tag to Evans. The contest concluded with a flurry of finishers, including a Handspring Double Cutter and Slater’s spectacular Swanton 450, sealing a victory for Evans and Slater.
Explosive Brawl Erupts Ahead of Showdown as Rival Rosters Clash
Tensions boiled over during the intermission when the NXT and TNA rosters clashed violently in the parking lot, foreshadowing the fierce confrontations to come at Showdown.
Official Teams for WWE NXT Showdown Revealed Amid Rising Hostility
Presided over by AVA and Santino Marella, the NXT/TNA Showdown Summit announced the final rosters: Team NXT men’s division includes Ricky Saints, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Myles Borne; Team TNA counters with Mike Santana, Frankie Kazarian, Moose, and Leon Slater. On the women’s side, Team NXT features Jacy Jayne, Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker, and Lola Vice, while Team TNA fields Kelani Jordan, Jessie McKay, Cassie Lee, and Mara Sade.
Hostilities flared as Jacy Jayne labeled Kelani Jordan a traitor, with Jordan vowing to silence Jayne at Showdown. Mike Santana boldly declared that TNA would seize the night and take over NXT, leading to a massive brawl that engulfed ringside as the event closed. Shawn Michaels observed the chaos with a smile, signaling the high stakes and brewing war between the factions.
Future Matches Confirmed as Build-Up to Showdown Intensifies
Additional announcements confirmed Mustafa Ali will challenge Ethan Page for the North American Title at Showdown, while DarkState will face the Hardy Boyz in a Winner Takes All Tag Title Match. The following week will feature a Survivor Series-style team warfare event, raising anticipation for ongoing faction rivalries.
