‘NXT Heatwave 2025’ PLE Review
Welcome to this review of NXT Heatwave, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get straight into it and see what went down in this Premium Live Event – only the second time this show was a PLE rather than a regular episode of NXT…
Match #1: NXT Women’s Title No. 1 Contender’s Triple Threat Match – Lola Vice def. Kelani Jordan and Jaida Parker
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The high-stakes Triple Threat Match that kicked off Heatwave proved to be a slugfest from start to finish. Lola Vice countered Kelani Jordan’s 450 Splash attempt into a submission maneuver. Jaida Parker leaped in to stop it, but she ended up taking out Jordan. As a result, Parker opened herself up to the quick pin by Vice, who earned the three-count to become the No. 1 Contender to NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: NXT Tag Team Championship – DarkState def. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After much speculation, DarkState selected Dion Lennox and Osiris Griffin to challenge Hank Walker and Tank Ledger for the NXT Tag Team Title. DarkState’s numbers advantage played a big role in the outcome as Tank was suddenly dragged legs-first into the ring post by DarkState. With his partner out of commission, Hank fell victim to a devastating Doomsday Device that ushered in the era of DarkState.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: TNA Knockouts World Championship Triple Threat Match – Ash by Elegance def. Masha Slamovich and Jacy Jayne
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
During a heated ringside confrontation with The Elegance Brand, the official noticed Fatal Influence strike Ash by Elegance and quickly ejected the devious faction from ringside. In the final moments, Jacy Jayne hit Masha Slamovich with the Rolling Encore. Before she could get the pin and potentially retain the championship, though, The Elegance Brand pulled Jayne out of the ring. Ash then seized the moment and leveled Slamovich with a Swanton off the top rope to pick up the win and bring the TNA Knockouts Title back home to TNA.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Blake Monroe def. Jordynne Grace
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In a highly personal showdown, Jordynne Grace was clearly out to punish Blake Monroe for the constant mockery she has received in recent weeks. Monroe took advantage of her foe’s thirst for payback and targeted Grace’s left shoulder in an attempt to take away her power advantage. Grace fought through the pain and hit Monroe with a devastating Powerbomb off the second rope for the near pin. Monroe gained the advantage when she stomped Grace into the exposed turnbuckle and finished her with the Double Underhook DDT for the three-count.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Mixed Tag Team Match – Ethan Page & Chelsea Green def. Tavion Heights & Tyra Mae Steele
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In a fierce Mixed Tag Team Match, Tavion Heights and Olympic Gold Metalist Tyra Mae Steele represented the United States against the Canadian faction of NXT North American Champion Ethan Page and Chelsea Green. As Piper Niven distracted the official in the final moments, Alba Fyre got involved and was suplexed into the ring by Steele along with Page. Chaos continued as Fyre hit Steele with a kick that paved the way for Green to pick up the win with the Un-Pretty-Her.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: NXT Championship Match – Oba Femi def. Je’Von Evans
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Je’Von Evans took WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker’s advice by deciding to battle the biggest dog in the yard in NXT Champion Oba Femi. Evans faced an uphill battle of a tremendous weight disadvantage, suffering the full force of the titleholder’s size and power from the start, but he made up for it with unyielding heart as he fired back with everything he had, including devastating frog splash, a cutter off the ropes, and more. When the official got accidentally taken out, a second referee emerged and counted three on Evans’ pin attempt. However, the first official reemerged and overturned the pinfall because Oba’s foot was under the rope. Femi then regrouped and hurled Evans full force over the top rope to send him crashing through the announce table before dragging him back into the ring for a match-ending Powerbomb.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
This weekend’s Heatwave was a solid but uneven premium live event. The in-ring action delivered at times, with standout efforts from the younger talent proving why NXT remains WWE’s proving ground. However, the pacing felt inconsistent, with some matches overstaying their welcome and others lacking the energy expected from a big-stage showcase. The main event was clearly the highlight of the night, with only the Monroe/Grace match coming anywhere close. Overall, this PLE offered enough good wrestling to satisfy, but with a few flat spots and uneven booking, it felt like a middle-of-the-road effort… entertaining but far from NXT’s best.
