‘NXT: Homecoming’ Review (Sep 16th 2025)
Welcome to this week’s review of NXT, right here on Nerdly. This week’s show was a “special” episode, entitled NXT: Homecoming, so let’s get straight into it and see what went down on the show!
Match #1: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss def. Tatum Paxley & Izzi Dame
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Title remains with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss after a hard fought matchup against The Culling. Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley mirrored the Queen and the twisted one, but at NXT Homecoming, it was destined to be alums night. The action broke down in a major way and as the official dealt with a brawling Flair and Dame, Bliss tagged Paxley with a Sister Abigail to win the match.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Trick Melo Gang def. #DIY
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
TNA World Champion Trick Williams and his former running mate Carmelo Hayes ran it back at NXT Homecoming and picked up a win against former NXT legends Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. The pace became frenetic and at one point, it looked as if Williams would intentionally hit Hayes, but he leapt over him and clotheslined Gargano. With everyone down, The Miz suddenly appeared and hit Gargano with a Skull Crushing Finale, tossing him back into the ring and allowing Trick Melo Gang to win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: NXT North American Championship – Ethan Page def. Tyler Breeze
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Ethan Page is still the NXT North American Champion after an epic bout with Tyler Breeze. Prince Pretty returned to NXT and made the most of it, even locking in a Figure Four Leglock with the ring post as leverage. Page and Breeze found themselves perched on the top rope, and that’s when All Ego hopped down and hit a Twisted Grin from the top turnbuckle to retain his title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: Rhea Ripley, Lyra Valkyria & Stephanie Vaquer def. Fatal Influence
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The dream team of former NXT Women’s Champions Rhea Ripley, Lyra Valkyria and Stephanie Vaquer defeated Fatal Influence in an incredible Six-Woman Tag Team Match. NXT Women’s Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx tried to gain momentum, but were thwarted at every turn, with Nyx even being launched onto her teammates at one point. Jayne attempted to leave but was turned back by her No Mercy opponent Lola Vice, leading to a match-ending Rip Tide from Ripley.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Final Verdict: 4/5
This week’s Homecoming special was a celebration of NXT’s legacy while spotlighting its current stars. Returning to Full Sail brought a rush of nostalgia, with appearances from Triple H, Shawn Michaels, William Regal, and other familiar faces setting the stage for a night that felt both historic and forward-looking. The opening segments leaned heavily into emotion, reminding fans why NXT built such loyalty over the years. That same spirit carried into the women’s tag title match, where Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss not only retained against The Culling but also reinforced the long-standing truth that women have always been at the heart of NXT. DIY vs. TrickMelo delivered a lively showcase, whilst Finn Balor’s return for a classic Full Sail entrance drew one of the biggest reactions of the night, showing how well nostalgia can be used when timed right. Though at times the returning legends overshadowed newer talent who could’ve used more spotlight. Still, the show planted seeds for major storylines, and the six-woman tag featuring Rhea Ripley, Lyra Valkyria, and Stephanie Vaquer against Fatal Influence was a proverbial “banger” (to use an old wrestling review term… Hell, if NXT can do nostalgia, so can I)
