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NXT BATTLEGROUND REPORT
MAY 25, 2025
YUENGLING CENTER – TAMPA FL
AIRED ON PEACOCK
REPORT BY NATE LINDBERG, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
NXT Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Backstage Correspondent(s): Sarah Schreiber
-The show opened after the pre-show concluded. Stephanie Vaquer, Jordynne Grace, Oba Femi, Myles Borne & the NQCC, Joe Hendry and Trick Williams were all shown arriving at the arena throughout various times during the day.
-A video package aired, quickly recapping all of the feuds going into tonight.
(1) SOL RUCA (w/Zaria) vs. KELANI JORDAN – NXT Women’s North American Championship
One year ago at Battleground, Kelani Jordan became the inaugural Women’s North American champion, and she looked to recapture the title from the current champion, Sol Ruca.
The announce team talked up Kelani Jordan’s new attitude as well as Zaria seeming to be too protective over her friend, Sol Ruca – perhaps foreshadowing issues between the two women.
Ruca and Jordan locked up and quickly began trading offense, leapfrogging over each other time and time again to show off their athletic and gymnastic abilities. Sol Ruca extended her hand to shake Jordan’s out of respect. Jordan reluctantly shook it, then punched Ruca in the face.
After a little back and forth, Ruca locked in an STF which Jordan managed to reverse into a pin for a one count. Ruca then hit a stalling suplex for another near fall. This prompted both women to attempt to reverse each others offense into a myriad of near falls.
A few minutes later, Sol Ruca hit a massive X-Factor on Jordan from the top rope, but couldn’t capitalize on it to make the pin. Ruca was hurt just as much as Jordan with the move. They both struggled to their feet with Ruca continuing to stay on the offensive until Jordan managed to get Ruca out of the ring and hit a springboard moonsault to the outside.
Ruca made it back into the ring and countered Jordan’s offense into a modified Backstabber. Jordan rolled out of the ring and Ruca hit her own moonsault to the outside.
Ruca hit Jordan with a spear after she managed to reverse a top-rope Poisonrana from Jordan. Ruca covered and Jordan kicked out at the last moment possible. A few moments later, Jordan hit a top rope Spanish Fly for a two count.
It was anyone’s game until Zaria interfered on behalf of Sol Ruca, preventing Ruca from being hit by Jordan’s split legged moonsault. This caused a distraction for Jordan to capitalize on, and it looked like Ruca could have lost the title then and there. Instead, she managed to hit the Sol Snatcher from the top rope for the win.
Winner: Sol Ruca retains in approx 13:00
Lindberg’s Analysis: I think both women needed to slow down just a hair. There were a couple spots that looked a little rushed and sloppy towards the beginning of the match. That said, I don’t think it took away from the enjoyment of the contest. Kelani Jordan got a lot of offense in making her still look credible going forward, even in her loss. It wasn’t time for Ruca to lose the belt yet, the story between she and Zaria has yet to be told.
-A replay of The Culling attacking Josh Briggs, with Hank and Tank making the save during last week’s episode aired. Following that replay, a vignette of Shawn Spears talking to the Culling in a dark room aired. He was hyping them up for the “biggest match of their careers”. Each member of the Culling explained why Shawn Spears helped them and how that brotherhood will bring them to victory.
-Ava was backstage talking to AAA stars, Dalys and Chik Tormenta. Sarah Schreiber then interviewed TNA wrestler, Mike Santana who was on hand to see who would win the TNA Championship, the title he has his eye on. The NQCC walked into frame. Charlie Dempsey said he was an outsider and didn’t belong here. Tavion Heights then challenged Santana to a match on Tuesday. In the background, you could see Thea Hail and Tatum Paxley having what looked like a heated conversation.
(2) THE CULLING (Shawn Spears & Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance w/Izzi Dame) vs. JOSH BRIGGS & HANK & TANK
Niko Vance and Josh Briggs kicked things off for their respective teams with Tank quickly tagging in. Hank then tagged in, keeping Vance on his toes.
All the members of the Culling wound up on the floor near the ramp, sending Hank, Tank and Briggs over the top rope into their opponents.
Vance and Tank were still the legal men, Vance threw Hank head first into the ring post sending him outside. Jensen picked him up and threw him back into the ring, then tagged himself in. Vance quickly tagged back in, allowing for some double team offense on a defenseless Hank.
The Culling continued to isolate Hank from his team for the next few minutes, keeping their legal man fresh. Shawn Spears taunted Tank and Briggs with “HONK HONK”, allowing Hank to capitalize for just a moment and giving Tank the hot tag. Tank came in and cleared house with Jensen as the legal man for the Culling. Tank showed off his agility, flying all over the ring, before Hank made the tag. They hit a double superplex on Shawn Spears, Briggs tagged himself in then hit a moonsault on Spears for a pin. Jensen broke things up.
Vance and Jensen hit a double team move on Tank and then pinned him. Hank was not in the right spot, and ended up breaking the pin up when the count should have been 3. This prompted some “You F’d Up” chants scattered throughout the crowd. Corey Graves even called out the ref’s blatant miscount on commentary.
A few moments later, Briggs hit a lariat on Jensen and then tagged in Tank. Hank and Tank hit some double team offense allowing them to pick up the win over the Culling.
Winners: Hank, Tank & Josh Briggs in 9:24
The Culling attacked the winners to the match until Yoshiki Inumura made the save with a steel chair.
Lindberg’s Analysis: A frenetic and chaotic six man tag, as they tend to be. The crowd was solidly behind Hank and Tank as their tag champions, and clearly wanted to see the Culling get their comeuppance. I think this was a good detour for Hank and Tank before facing OTM and losing their recently won Tag Titles to the up and comers. Very predictable to see Inumura make his quick return from Japan, but glad to see it nonetheless. The Culling, even though they attacked Josh Briggs and the champs after the match, feel like they are all talk but can never win the big one. I’m hoping in future weeks we’ll see them win some more meaningful matches otherwise they’re going to feel almost as useless as Retribution did in short order.
-Ethan Page was interviewed backstage about his upcoming match with Ricky Saints on Tuesday for the North American championship. Ava interrupted him ranting. Ava says that their match will kick off the show on Tuesday. Whoever wins the match will defend it at WWE/AAA Worlds Collide, but did not say against who.
-A recap of the D’Angelo Family saga aired.
(3) TONY D’ANGELO vs. STACKS
The Don of NXT took on his former Underboss, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo in a highly anticipated matchup after Stacks destroyed everything that the D’Angelo Family stood for. During his entrance, Stacks showed off his D’Angelo Family jacket then stepped on it on his way to the ring.
Once the bell rang, D’Angelo stood there and stared down his former best friend. Stacks began some trash talk, prompting Tony to slap him in the face before attacking him with mounted punches. Tony threw Stacks around the ring for a few moments before Stacks managed to take the offensive over his former best friend and boss. This didn’t last long, as Tony threw Stacks from corner to corner then belly to belly suplexed him to the outside. D’Angelo hit Stacks with a lariat and then sent Stacks into the barricade. D’Angelo rolled into the ring to reset the Ref’s count, then continued to assault Stacks on the outside.
“All you had to do was listen to me you mother f–” D’Angelo screamed at Stacks. D’Angelo went to throw him into the steps, Stacks reversed and sent D’Angelo into the steps instead, and rolled D’Angelo into the ring before the 10 count was called.
The crowd booed Stacks loudly as he stayed in control of the Don of NXT for the next few minutes, the Don managing to escape a few pin fall and submission attempts by the skin of his teeth.
D’Angelo began making his comeback, topping it off with a massive spinebuster to Stacks. D’Angelo hit Stacks with 10 uppercuts to the stomach, then picked him up looking for a suplex. Stacks reversed with an enziguri, but then missed another kick allowing D’Angelo to hit a Chad Gable-eqsue German Suplex for a two count.
D’Angelo looked to go for a spear, but was caught in an armbar. This barely slowed the Don down, he picked Stacks up with one arm and powerbombed him before mounting him and punching him in the head. D’Angelo stopped punching him after a few, realizing that he was about to really hurt his former best friend. He looked like he couldn’t continue and like he just wanted to hug his former friend. Stacks called D’Angelo weak and then attacked. Stacks sent the Don into the ringpost, but missed a cannonball allowing D’Angelo to hit a running knee into his Fisherman Suplex finisher for a near fall.
Tony tried to launch Stacks out of the ring, but his ribs gave out and he fell over in pain. Stacks then hit a dropkick from the top rope into D’Angelo’s face. D’Angelo rolled out of the ring, and Stacks went to go look for his trusty crowbar under the ring. The Don came into frame, making it seem like he stole the crowbar earlier in the day. With a big smile on his face, he continued the onslaught on Stacks in the ring. Stacks barely managed to say “I made a mistake, I’m sorry!” “You made your bed, now lie in it” retorted the Don before a massive Spinebuster.
Luca Crusifino showed up at ringside and just stood there and stared at D’Angelo. This allowed Stacks to hit D’Angelo from behind and get a win over the Don of NXT.
Luca entered the ring after the match and went to hug the Don, who pushed him away and rolled out of the ring.
Winner: Stacks in 15:16
Lindberg’s Analysis: It appears that Luca has now joined forces with Stacks, perhaps creating their own family? Or did Luca just show up at the wrong time and cost The Don the match? It looks like this story is far from over, which could be a double edged sword. The D’Angelo family saga has waged on for nearly three years in the midcard. I think this could wind up overstaying it’s welcome. That said, it’s probably the best thing that all involved could be doing. If they weren’t all embroidered in this saga, they’d probably all be toiling around in the midcard without much direction. I’m worried about D’Angelo once he hits the main roster, this gimmick has a ceiling and most likely won’t be well received by a main roster crowd. Especially if he winds up debuting without a family behind him.
-A video package for the next match aired, Grace vs. Vaquer.
(4) STEPHANIE VAQUER vs. JORDYNNE GRACE (NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
The crowd couldn’t decide who to get behind as the two women shook hands as the bell rang. They locked up, and jockeyed for position for the first few moments of the match with just about 50/50 offense.
They had some amazing chemistry together, working through a sequence of roll ups for some early false finishes. Vaquer was in control next, hitting her opponent with a series of suplexes before attempting to hit her patented banging the head of her opponent on the floor between her knees (have they named this yet?), but Grace telegraphed it and rolled out of the ring. This prompted the action to spill outside with Grace in control. She threw the champ into the barricade and then back into the ring for a two count.
Grace locked in a double leg crab with Vaquer managing to escape and lock in a sleeper hold. Grace turned this into an electric chair drop and then backed the champ into the corner. She hit a fall away slam and missed a Vader Bomb allowing Vaquer to climb to the top rope and lock in an armbar while using the top rope as leverage.
Vaquer hit an Eat Defeat and then a Meteora in the corner, followed by a Belly to Back suplex. Finally, Vaquer hit her patented slamming the opponents head into the mat with her knees move for a two count.
Vaquer looked for an SVB, which was reversed by Grace who then managed to make her comeback after no-selling a clothesline. Grace hit a spinebuster and then a package powerbomb for a NEAR fall. Vaquer then hit a DDT for a near fall of her own.
The two women continued to trade offense quickly, climbing to the top rope. Grace managed to take control and hit a massive superplex followed by a Jackhammer for another near fall. “This Is Awesome!” chants broke out as Vaquer and Grace exchanged roll ups for a few moments. Stephanie looked for an SVB which was countered by Grace. The two women looked to have lost their place in the match for a moment, it looked like they didn’t know what to do and just exchanged a couple punches before Grace exited the ring to catch her breath. Vaquer then sent Grace through the barricade by the timekeeper area as “Holy Sh!t!” chants rang out through the arena.
Vaquer quickly got the juggernaut back in the ring and hit the SVB for what looked like the win, Grace kicked out at the very last second sending the crowd into a frenzy. Vaquer looked panicked as she went for a 2nd SVB. Grace countered and the two traded forearms, trying to knock the other off their feet.
Grace hit a backfist on Vaquer, sending her into the corner. She went to kick Vaquer, who turned it into a Dragon Screw. Vaquer climbed the top rope, Grace followed her up. They both looked like they might hit a move until Vaquer pushed Grace off the top rope and hit “Hallowed Be Thy Name” on Grace for the win.
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer retains in 16:07
Lindberg’s Analysis: Vaquer just won the title a 70ish days ago, it’s not time for her to lose the title just yet. Grace still looked like a credible opponent in defeat, similarly to Kelani Jordan earlier in the night. It looks like the next opponents for Vaquer will be the two AAA stars, Chik Tormenta and Dalys, as they stared her down from the crowd after the match.
-Ricky Saints made his way to the ring to be interviewed by Schreiber about his match against Ethan Page and the match at Worlds Collide. Ethan Page made his way ringside to try and interfere but was stopped by security before he hit the ring. Saints jumped off the top turnbuckle to the outside to take out Page and the Security to end the segment.
-Myles Borne was interviewed by Vic Joseph in a prerecorded segment. It’s revealed that at birth, Borne had a 15% chance to live. Borne explained his disability, how he overcame the odds over the years and how happy he is to reveal the real him. (Same interview aired during the pre-show)
(5) OBA FEMI vs. MYLES BORNE (NXT Championship)
The NQCC accompanied Borne to the stage, but let him make his way to the ring on his own. They know that he needs to fight this fight by himself.
After ring introductions, the two men locked up with Femi quickly backing Borne into the corner. The ref backed him off and they locked up a second time. Femi went to back him into the corner again, Borne quickly dodged and they locked up for a third time. Borne grabbed a headlock and then was shot off the ropes by Femi. Femi then tried throwing him straight up in the air, Borne landing directly on his feet.
They locked up for a fourth time, this time Borne managed to take Femi off of his feet with a series of moves followed by a massive dropkick. Femi was taken aback by this, fired up, and backed Borne into the corner once again. Then he began his onslaught on Borne with Borne trying to make his escape. Borne finally hit an enziguri and went for a cross body, but Femi caught him and placed him on the top turnbuckle. Borne managed to kick Femi away and then hit the cross body from the top. Femi couldn’t catch him this time, but immediately stood up and suplexed Borne into the top rope, ribs first. Then picked him up into a standing suplex for a one count.
Femi continued to stay in control against a scrappy Borne for the next few minutes. Borne would manage to throw a punch here and there only to be thwarted by the Champion over and over again. Eventually, Femi began to trash talk Borne which only seemed to serve to motivate Borne into a massive dropkick to the Champ, taking both men off their feet. Femi made it back to a solid base first and hit another backbreaker on Borne, then stretched him over his knee, bending him backwards. Borne made his way out, but was swiftly clotheslined by the Champ for his troubles.
Borne dodged an uppercut and then jumped on Femi’s back to lock in a sleeper hold. Femi knocked him off only for Borne to jump right back on and lock the submission back in. Femi knocked Borne off once again, this time managing to stay in control. He tried suplexing Borne off the apron to the outside, Borne escaped and hit a dropkick on Femi who landed on the outside. Borne went for a suicide dive, but before he was able to jump outside, Femi decked him in the face then covered him for a two count.
He locked in a modified STF on Borne, who just barely managed to break the grip. The champ telegraphed the reversal and turned it into a sleeper hold. Borne escaped, Femi went for a spear. Borne dodged and sent Femi shoulder first into the ringpost. Borne fired up and hit a dropkick on the champ. Femi exited the ring, Borne then hit a flying senton over the top rope to the outside onto Femi. He threw Femi back in the ring, hit a top rope splash and covered for a near fall.
Borne hit a Randy Orton-esque powerslam on Femi, almost managing to get a three count. Femi dodged a standing moonsault, goozled Borne by the neck and hit a chokeslam for a near fall. Just as it looked like Borne was down and out, he dodged an attack from Femi and tried to hit a German Suplex, but couldn’t muster Oba Femi over his head. Instead, he spiked Femi on his head with a DDT and climbed the top rope. He missed his top rope offense, but then reversed a powerbomb from Femi into a Hurricanrana and pinned Femi for two. Then he hit the German Suplex and climbed the rope again. Borne hit a splash on Femi and Femi kicked out at 2.9 seconds.
Fighting with all he had, Borne managed to get back to his feet, but not before the Champion did. Femi hit a few punches, but Borne then hit his dropkick once more. He went for another dropkick, but was met by an uppercut by the champ followed by a Fall From Grace. Just as it looked like Femi had won, Borne kicked out of a finish that nobody kicks out of.
Borne tried to get the upperhand, but Femi hit a clothesline and then two more Falls from Grace to finally put Borne away.
Winner: Oba Femi in 16:52
Lindberg’s Analysis: You can’t take anything away from Myles Borne, he just became a certified main eventer in my eyes during this match. Nobody expected him to win this match, but nobody expected him to come so close so many times and take Oba Femi to a near 17 minute match either. What does this mean for Borne going forward? Hopefully a push out of the midcard with NQCC, as he just proved that he doesn’t need a faction behind him. He can easily stand on his own as a babyface.
-Stephanie Vaquer, Dalys and Chik Tormenta were backstage arguing in Spanish, fists began flying. Tatum Paxley and Thea Hail were once again arguing in the background.
-An video package, narrated by former TNA Sensation AJ Styles, on the Joe Hendry and Trick Williams feud aired.
-TNA President, Carlos Silva, was shown sitting ringside to witness the outcome of the next match.
(6) JOE HENDRY vs. TRICK WILLIAMS (TNA Championship)
I cannot believe I am witnessing the TNA Championship main eventing a WWE/NXT show over the men’s and women’s NXT Titles. This is history making, and I’m so here for it.
The bell rang and the crowd tore the roof off of the place. Trick Williams and Joe Hendry basked in the cheers from the crowd, then teased a lock up. The two didn’t actually touch until nearly a minute after the bell rang when Hendry was shoved by Williams. Hendry dumped Trick to the outside and then hit a suicide dive on Trick, sending the crowd over the moon once again. Once back in the ring, Williams reversed a strike from Hendry, but Hendry was ready for it and dodged Trick’s attack. He hit Trick with a stalling vertical suplex for a two count.
Hendry took Williams to the mat with an arm drag and then synched in a headlock. Williams got to his feet and shot Hendry off the ropes. Hendry went for a cross body, Williams caught him with a Fall Away Slam. Trick Hendry did Joe Hendry’s taunt of looking into the camera. Hendry tried to get the upper hand with a Fall Away Slam off the top ropes for a near fall. Trick and Hendry traded quick offense and near falls for a few moments until they began trading punches, one for one. Trick wound up winning that exchange with a modified Axe Kick, and then performed a Spinerooni while looking at Booker T on Commentary. Taking his eye off the ball, Hendry was able to hit him with a Chokeslam for a 2.5 count.
Trick quickly took control of the match once again and eventually hit a Death Valley Driver on Hendry for another near fall. Trick went to the top rope and taunted, he went for a cross body, but Hendry caught him and then slammed him to the mat for two.
Trick dumped Hendry outside the ring and then threw him into the steps. Hendry was shown visibly talking to the referee for more than a few seconds and he wasn’t using his left arm all that much. The ref continued to check in with Hendry a few more times, and they weren’t making note of it on commentary. This seemed concerning to me – though it could have just been very good selling by Hendry.
A few minutes later, Hendry regained control of the match with a massive standing suplex and a fall away slam. He did his taunt in the middle of the ring and a “We Believe” chant broke out. Hendry hit Trick with a chokeslam, but Trick managed to get his foot on the rope to keep the match alive.
The action spilled out ringside, Trick put Hendry through the table with a Book End, rolled Hendry back into the ring and hit Hendry with a Trick Shot. Hendry kicked out at two. Trick then went out of the ring and grabbed the TNA title. He went to hit Trick with the title and the ref stopped him. Hendry rolled Trick up for two. The TNA title was on the ground and Trick wound up sending Hendry into it, face first. Since it was accidental, the ref allowed it, as they said on Commentary, which allowed Trick to roll Joe Hendry up for the win.
Winner and New TNA Champion: Trick Williams in 15:39
Lindberg’s Analysis: This week on PWT Talks NXT, both Kelly and I talked about the real possibility of Trick Williams becoming the TNA Champion. As much as I hate to see Hendry lose the title, this is such a massive moment for the entirety of professional wrestling. For the first time since perhaps Tazz held the ECW title as an active WWE competitor, a WWE superstar holds the world title of another major promotion. (I’d have to research that to be sure…) This is something that would never have happened under the old McMahon regime, yet here we are. The real question is, can both companies work together to make this angle a success? So far, this partnership has largely treated stars from both promotions as equals, with a few exceptions, of course. I’d like to see this be a long-ish term story to increase the quality of stories and deliver some dream matches on both brands.
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