Problem
This is the last NXT of the year, thus the last televised WWE event of 2025. And, sad to say, it left a sour
taste in my mouth. Je’Von Evans, the guy who won two awards on this show, the guy crowed male wrestler of the year, and the same guy who I’m told is WWE’s hottest free agent, found himself laying down for the three-second tan.
Why?
It’s fine that he picks up victories on Raw against the Americanos, but it doesn’t eclipse losing two huge matches on NXT back-to-back. Yes, shenanigans came into play both times, but an L is still an L. Ricky Saints got the W this week thanks to cheating more than once, but it brings a dissonance to the evening that I can’t shake. If this guy is the hottest person in the universe, then make him look like that in all phases. Don’t give him two of the nights biggest awards and then give him the L as the lights fade on the year.
The story for this match was Ricky’s composure vs. Je’Von’s lack thereof. Was the Young OG letting his emotions get the better of him and making rash decisions? Part of that played out during the match. Je’Von attacked Ricky before the bell dinged, he seemed a bit more devil-may-care than usual, and he packed a lot more aggression. But only a bit. It never felt like they delivered on the promise of cool, calm, and collected Ricky vs. out of control Je’Von. Which makes the loss even worse. Ricky didn’t win because of his composure; he won because he yanked the ref in front of him at the last second to take a springboard cutter meant for him. Oh, and the low blow, of course. Je’Von’s emotional state had nothing to do with either of those actions.
Ricky and Je’Von still wrestled a clean match. Their styles complement and Ricky is a good cat to learn from. But none of that matters when the ending just sours me on the whole thing.
Happy New Year indeed.
B-Sides
- I really, really wish Ethan Page didn’t defeat Moose clean in the middle of that ring. I appreciate the violence because I believe Ethan shines when he brings out his sadistic side and it showed how much punishment Moose can take. But for a face like Moose who talks a lot of trash and comes equipped with a stacked CV, let Ethan cheat to take him down. Moose being in TNA means he doesn’t even have to get a rematch. He can take the L, complain about it while Ethan tells him to kick rocks somewhere else. It was a fine opening match but I don’t know what that ending does for Moose when there’s always an easy out with a heel.
- Tatum Paxley is a bit ahead of Izzi Dame. That’s not a diss to Izzi, just something noticeable during their mic segment. Izzi was a bit too fast; and I get it, those boos can distract. But it felt like she hardly took a pause to breathe. The segment got better in my eyes when Tatum showed up because she kept it at a pace. It helped having them across from each other . Tatum is just so ingrained in her character while Izzi is still sorting that out. Of course once things got violent, both women looked good. Izzi got the upper hand here which might not bode well for her future.
- How would Wren Sinclair fair without Kendal Grey by her side? Fatal Influence took Kendal out before Wren’s match with Jacy Jayne. It didn’t matter in the match as it was, surprisingly, a pretty fair bout between the heel champ and the white meat babyface. HOWEVER, it did matter after Jacy defeated Wren. Fatal Influence did what they usually do and out came Kendal to have her friend’s back. If the match with Wren did anything, it banged Jacy up a bit before she defends her title. That shoulder is hurting, so what happens when Kendal, a much more capable wrestler than Wren, gets her hands on her?
- DarkState got their Waldorf & Statler on when they crashed Joe Hendry’s concert. That’s all. Joe sang, they beat him down. Everyone’s a critic.
- Remember when Alexis King came in with video packages and a sizable hype train? Now he’s getting beat in 8 seconds in Speed matches. Tavion Heights got the job done in record time so props to him as I think a match between Tavion and Jasper Troy is the better move. But whew, what are they doing with Alexis? Was he better off in Hollywood?
- OTM and Swipe Right wrestled the customary fun NXT tag team match. OTM got the win, as they should, and I hope this means good things for them in the future.
- Speaking of OTM…where is Jaida Parker?! She was such a huge part of NXT this year and her absence the past few weeks is weird.
The best thing I can say for this week is they didn’t phone it in. That ending really bugged me. NXT is often inconsistent but giving your other biggest star a win on the last show of the year after giving him multiple awards seems like a layup. Alas.
What say you, Cagesiders? Did they make the right move giving Ricky the win or are you also confused?
