The September 9, 2025 episode of WWE NXT delivered a night of high-stakes drama, surprise appearances, and heated confrontations that left the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming NXT Homecoming. Broadcast live on The CW at 8 PM, the show was packed with pivotal matches and memorable moments, setting the stage for some major showdowns in the weeks ahead.
The main event spotlight shone brightly on the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s Elimination Match, which saw ZaRuca (Sol Ruca & Zaria), Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx), and The Culling (Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley) battle for a coveted title shot. From the opening bell, the action was relentless. Nyx and Tatum initially double-teamed Zaria, but she quickly fought back, tossing both opponents aside and shifting the momentum. The match was a whirlwind of offense and chaos, with Izzi Dame and Zaria trading heavy strikes until both collapsed from a double clothesline, setting the tone for the wild contest that followed.
Fallon Henley entered with a high crossbody, igniting a flurry of near-falls as the teams jockeyed for position. Sol Ruca wowed the crowd with her trademark springboard maneuvers, including a stunning dropkick and a double-surfing sequence, drawing a roar from the NXT faithful. The action spilled to the outside, where Zaria speared Spears off the apron, setting up Sol’s breathtaking moonsault onto all of The Culling. The intensity only ramped up after the commercial break, with Sol connecting on a top-rope Super Blockbuster alongside Nyx and Zaria running wild with suplexes. Just as it seemed ZaRuca had seized control, a miscommunication led to Sol’s Snatcher inadvertently connecting with Zaria. Fallon Henley capitalized, tossing Sol out and allowing Nyx to pin Zaria, eliminating ZaRuca and leaving Fatal Influence to contend with The Culling.
The closing stretch was as crisp as it was brutal. Izzi Dame delivered a vicious chokeslam to Nyx on the apron, and though Fallon Henley fought valiantly, she was ultimately cut off. Tatum Paxley finished the job with her Psycho Blade, followed by a sit-out Powerbomb, pinning Henley and securing The Culling’s victory. With this hard-fought win, The Culling earned a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles against Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. The result sent a clear message: The Culling are not just contenders—they’re a force to be reckoned with in the division.
Post-match, Jacy Jayne wasted no time laying into her partners. Standing in the center of the ring, she berated Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx for their performance, reminding everyone, “This is my division and you embarrassed me.” Jayne’s confidence bordered on arrogance as she declared herself the greatest NXT Women’s Champion ever, even as black cars arrived outside the arena, signaling more surprises to come.
The night was far from over. Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance, confronting Jacy Jayne and reminding the audience of her own championship pedigree. “I once carried two titles from this brand all on my own, and now I’m ready to claim the Women’s World Championship at Wrestlepalooza,” Vaquer asserted, drawing cheers from the crowd. Jayne, undeterred, pointed to Fatal Influence’s numbers advantage, but the situation quickly escalated with the arrival of Tiffany Stratton. The reigning WWE Women’s Champion mocked Jayne’s claim to being the greatest of all time, adding, “Let’s see how Rhea Ripley reacts to that.”
Right on cue, Rhea Ripley’s music hit, and the atmosphere in the Performance Center reached a fever pitch. Ripley joined Vaquer and Stratton in the ring, declaring that Jacy wasn’t the greatest champion and issuing a challenge for a six-woman tag match at NXT Homecoming. The trio stormed the ring, clearing out Fatal Influence and standing tall as the show closed, while Jacy, Fallon, and Jazmyn retreated, their confidence visibly shaken.
The show’s undercard was equally packed with action and storylines. In singles competition, Je’Von Evans faced off against Josh Briggs in a heated contest that began with Evans demanding to see Briggs and launching an attack before the bell. Despite Evans’ early aggression, it was Briggs who emerged victorious, pinning Evans and adding another chapter to their ongoing rivalry.
Elsewhere, the WWE Women’s Speed Championship Tournament saw Faby Apache square off with Lainey Reid. Apache started strong, delivering a front dropkick and a rana to the floor, followed by a dive from the apron. However, Lainey Reid weathered the storm, countering with a sudden kick to the head and a series of pin attempts. After a near-fall from a German suplex by Apache, the match’s momentum shifted when Natalya appeared at ringside, distracting Apache just long enough for Reid to dodge a top-rope dive and drill her with a knee strike for the win. With this victory, Lainey Reid advanced to the tournament finals, where she’ll face Candice LeRae—a matchup fans are already buzzing about.
Backstage, Sol Ruca and Zaria shared a lighter moment, joking about where Sol would stash a third championship belt if they managed to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles at Homecoming. But the mood quickly turned serious as Zaria admitted, “This match isn’t just about fun; it’s about proving we belong at the top and making my dream of walking into Homecoming as a champion a reality.” Their determination was palpable, and their chemistry as a team remains one of NXT’s most intriguing storylines.
The night also featured a chilling vignette from Blake Monroe, who, bathed in a red hue and sitting in a bathtub, confessed that Jordynne Grace had awakened a darker side of her. “The Glamour can even make the devil blush. See you in hell, JG,” Monroe vowed, promising violence and chaos in her quest for revenge.
Lola Vice’s profile package continued, showcasing her martial arts background and her unwavering determination to capture the NXT Women’s Championship at No Mercy. With her family’s support and her own steely resolve, Lola declared, “My match against Jacy Jayne at No Mercy isn’t just about a title opportunity—it’s my chance to carve my legacy for myself, my family, and Vice City.”
In other action, NXT North American Champion Ethan Page faced Tavion Heights, while DarkState (Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin) retained their NXT Tag Team Championship against Hank Walker & Tank Ledger after interference from Joe Hendry and the rest of DarkState. The night also saw a surprise appearance from Tyler Breeze, who snapped a selfie with Tavion Heights, adding a touch of nostalgia and humor to the proceedings.
With NXT Homecoming on the horizon, tensions are running high and alliances are shifting. The Culling’s emergence as top contenders, the escalating rivalry between Fatal Influence and the trio of Vaquer, Stratton, and Ripley, and the personal journeys of stars like Lola Vice and Blake Monroe all point to a must-see event. If this week’s episode is any indication, the road to Homecoming will be anything but predictable.
As the dust settles in Orlando, one thing’s for sure: NXT continues to deliver the kind of unpredictable, adrenaline-fueled action that keeps fans coming back week after week. With Homecoming looming and so many scores left to settle, the next chapter in the NXT saga promises even more fireworks. Stay tuned—this ride is just getting started!
