WWE NXT’s live coverage on January 28, 2025, delivered an action-packed episode, showcasing intense in-ring action and compelling storylines. With the main roster busy preparing for the Royal Rumble, NXT was focused on its own upcoming big event, Vengeance, which is set to take place on February 15, 2025. This episode provided a look into what fans can expect from the developmental brand as it continues to build momentum for the future.
One of the key segments of the show featured Oba Femi’s appearance on The Grayson Waller Effect. Femi’s arrival added an extra layer of excitement to the show, as he took part in an intense confrontation with Trick Williams. This segment, alongside the high-energy matches, kept viewers hooked from start to finish. With several key bouts scheduled, including women’s tag team action and championship matches, NXT kept its audience entertained throughout the night.
The card for this particular episode was stacked with exciting matchups, including:
- Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson for the Women’s Tag Team Titles
- Giulia and Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade
- Trick Williams vs. Wes Lee
- Fallon Henley vs. Shotzi for the Women’s North American Championship
With a jam-packed show ahead, let’s take a closer look at the action that took place during this exciting NXT episode.
Giulia and Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade
The episode kicked off with an electrifying tag team match featuring Giulia and Bayley against Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade. The match started with a fast pace, as both teams were eager to take control early on. Perez and Jade initially tried to gain an advantage, but Giulia and Bayley managed to regroup and take over the match. Perez and Jade were thrown out of the ring early, but they quickly recovered and tried to fight back.
The first real exchange came when Giulia and Perez were the legal women in the match. They had a brief but intense exchange, showcasing both women’s technical prowess. Perez was able to keep up with Giulia’s hard-hitting style, and they exchanged near-falls, further building the tension in the match.
Bayley then tagged in and immediately took control of the match. Perez, aware of Bayley’s experience, tagged out to avoid going head-to-head with the “Role Model.” Bayley’s influence in the ring was undeniable as she guided her team through the match. Her leadership played a key role in the outcome of the match.
Both teams took risks during the match, with Jade and Perez delivering some high-flying maneuvers that thrilled the crowd. Jade’s dive from the top rope and a running knee to the corner showcased her agility, and Perez’s pin exchanges with Giulia added a dramatic flair to the match. Despite the strong efforts of Jade and Perez, it was Bayley and Giulia who managed to secure the victory. Bayley hit a flying elbow drop to put the match to rest and earned the win for her team.
Result: Bayley and Giulia defeated Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade
Trick Williams Vs. Wes Lee (image via Getty)Trick Williams vs. Wes Lee
The next match on the card featured Trick Williams facing off against Wes Lee. Before the match, a backstage segment saw Waller and Theory interview Oba Femi. However, the segment quickly took a turn when Femi and Williams confronted the pair. The altercation ended with both Williams and Femi taking down Theory and Waller together. Femi’s powerful presence left a lasting impact, and Williams was left to battle Wes Lee later in the night.
Trick Williams, still feeling the effects of his backstage confrontation, entered the match with a clear disadvantage. Wes Lee, fresh and full of energy, capitalized on Williams’ weakened state early in the match. Lee took control with a running dropkick, sending Williams to the mat and putting him on the defensive.
Williams, not one to back down easily, fought back and hit Lee with a slap to the face that sent Lee flying across the ring. However, the physical toll of the earlier altercation continued to hinder Williams as he struggled to regain his composure. Once Williams was able to recover, he used his strength and power to take control of the match, hitting Lee with a series of big moves.
As the match wore on, it became clear that both men were determined to secure a victory. Lee’s ringside friend attempted to intervene, pulling Lee out of the ring at one point to prevent a pinfall. Williams, frustrated by the interference, shoved the referee to continue his beatdown of Lee. This resulted in a disqualification, giving Lee the victory. However, the real story was the ongoing feud between Williams and Lee, which seems far from over.
Result: Wes Lee won by disqualification
Oba Femi drops Trick Williams (image via Getty)Fallon Henley vs. Shotzi (Women’s North American Championship)
The Women’s North American Championship was up for grabs next as Fallon Henley defended her title against Shotzi. This match was filled with high-flying action and intense moments as both competitors left it all in the ring. Shotzi, known for her daredevil style, didn’t hesitate to take risks early on. She hit Henley with a top-rope hurricanrana and a senton from the top turnbuckle to the floor, both moves receiving huge reactions from the crowd.
Despite her high-risk style, Shotzi found herself exposed when Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley fought off Henley’s backup, leaving Shotzi vulnerable. Henley took full advantage of this, focusing on Shotzi’s knee and targeting it throughout the match. The focus on the knee injury slowed Shotzi down, but she didn’t give up easily. Henley maintained control, working over Shotzi’s knee and trying to inflict as much damage as possible.
Shotzi attempted to mount a comeback, showing resilience despite the pain, but Henley’s technical skill proved to be the deciding factor. Henley locked in a stretch muffler submission, showing off her submission skills, and eventually hit her finisher to secure the victory. After the match, Stephanie Vaquer appeared to challenge Henley, setting up a future showdown at NXT Vengeance.
Result: Fallon Henley defeated Shotzi
Fallon Henley Vs. Shotzi (image via Getty)Ethan Page vs. Cedric Alexander
Next, fans were treated to a singles bout between Ethan Page and Cedric Alexander. The two have a history, with Page previously defeating Alexander in a heated encounter last December. Alexander was looking for revenge and started the match strong, using his speed and agility to keep Page off balance early on.
Page, however, was quick to regain control by focusing on Alexander’s injured hand, a strategy that paid off throughout the match. He slammed Alexander’s hand into the ring post, inflicting more damage. During the picture-in-picture segment, Page continued to target Alexander’s injured hand, slowly wearing him down and maintaining control of the match.
Despite Alexander’s best efforts to fight back, Page was able to keep him at bay. The match ended with Page picking up another victory, further cementing his dominance. After the match, Alexander was once again subjected to a brutal post-match beatdown. Je’Von Evans rushed to the ring to make the save, delivering a high-flying dive over the top rope to clear the ring.
Result: Ethan Page defeated Cedric Alexander
Ethan Page Vs. Cedric Alexander (image via Getty)Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson (Women’s Tag Team Titles)
In the main event of the evening, Bianca Belair and Naomi defended their Women’s Tag Team Titles against Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson. This was an exciting and physical match, with both teams showcasing their strengths. Belair and Naomi have a lot of experience, but Jackson and Legend held their own, using their power to dominate the match.
Belair and Jackson, in particular, proved to be formidable competitors, each showcasing their athleticism and strength. The pace of the match was quick, with plenty of high-impact moves and physical exchanges. Jackson and Naomi also showed off their high-flying abilities, while Belair and Legend demonstrated their strength in the ring.
At one point, Jackson and Legend hit their finisher, but Belair broke up the pin at the last second, keeping her team’s hopes alive. The ending was fast-paced, with Naomi assisting Belair in putting Jackson down for the pin. Belair and Naomi retained their titles in an entertaining main event, proving once again that the women’s tag team division can be highly competitive when given the right opportunities.
Result: Bianca Belair and Naomi defeated Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson
Bianca Belair & Naomi Vs. Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson (image via Getty)A Night of Solid Action and Drama
This week’s episode of NXT delivered a solid evening of wrestling, with standout performances from the women’s division. The tag team match between Bayley and Giulia against Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade was a thrilling way to start the show, while the Women’s North American Championship match between Fallon Henley and Shotzi kept the audience on the edge of their seats. The women’s tag team championship match was also a fun way to end the night.
The men’s matches, including Trick Williams vs. Wes Lee and Ethan Page vs. Cedric Alexander, also delivered some solid action, although the disqualification finish in the Williams-Lee match left fans wanting more. Still, the episode succeeded in building ongoing rivalries and storylines that are sure to pay off in the coming weeks.
As NXT moves closer to its Vengeance event, the anticipation continues to grow. With strong performances from both the men’s and women’s divisions, NXT remains a brand to watch, and fans can expect even more exciting action in the future.