Match Results and Recaps
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Hank and Tank (Hank Walker and Tank Ledger) (C) defeated The Culling (Shawn Spears and Niko Vance)
The reigning champions, Hank Walker and Tank Ledger, faced a formidable challenge from The Culling, a team known for their brutal and unorthodox style. The match saw intense action, with Spears and Vance dominating early. It was highlighted by Vance pouncing Walker so forcefully onto the announce table that it knocked over NXT broadcaster Booker T. The tide turned when Izzi Dame attempted to interfere with a Big Boot on Walker, only for Sol Ruca and Zaria to neutralize Dame and Tatum Paxley. This distraction allowed Hank and Tank to capitalize. They hit their signature “Honk Honk” finisher on Spears to secure the victory.
This win solidifies Hank and Tank’s reign, which began at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 19, 2025. They defeated Fraxiom. Their resilience against The Culling reinforces their credibility as champions. However, the interference from Dame and Paxley, countered by Ruca and Zaria, suggests ongoing tension in the women’s division that could spill into Evolution 2025. The Culling’s loss may push Spears and Vance to adopt more aggressive tactics.
Gauntlet Match: Ricky Saints defeated The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes, Jackson Drake), earning an NXT North American Championship match
Ricky Saints faced a daunting challenge in a three-on-one gauntlet match against Ethan Page’s Vanity Project stable. Saints started strong against Brad Baylor. He weathered an early storm of crossface strikes and a Drill Bit attempt to eliminate Baylor with a springboard Tornado DDT. Ricky Smokes entered next. He capitalized on Saints’ fatigue with a nearfall off a knee lift and a sneak attack from Jackson Drake while the referee was distracted.
Despite a compromised shoulder, Saints rallied with a back body drop and an inverted DDT to eliminate Smokes. Against Drake, Saints endured a systematic dissection of his injured limbs but sealed the victory with a Roshambo. Ricky Saints earned a NXT North American Championship title shot and the ability to choose a Falls Count Anywhere stipulation for his match against Ethan Page.
Saints’ victory is a significant milestone in his quest to establish himself in NXT. The Falls Count Anywhere stipulation raises the stakes for their Great American Bash encounter. It promises a chaotic brawl that could elevate Saints if he dethrones Page. The Vanity Project’s loss may lead to internal friction or a more desperate approach from Page to retain his title.
Tag Team Match: Joe Hendry and Mike Santana defeated The High Ryze (Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont) via pinfall
The match showcased High Ryze’s strength advantage, but the momentum shifted when TNA World Champion Trick Williams clocked Joe Hendry during the match. Santana countered with his “Spin The Block” finisher to secure the win. Post-match, Williams ambushed Hendry and Santana, aligning with High Ryze to deliver a beatdown, sending a clear message ahead of his TNA World Championship defense.
This match intensified the feud between Joe Hendry and Trick Williams, which has been brewing since Hendry’s ambush of Williams on June 24, 2025. Williams’ post-match attack, alongside High Ryze, suggests he’s adopting a more ruthless persona to protect his title. Santana’s involvement deepens the TNA-NXT crossover narrative.
Singles Match: Charlie Dempsey defeated Tavion Heights via stoppage (Wren Sinclair threw in the towel)
This match pitted No Quarter Catch Crew (NQCC) teammates against each other. A Tavion Heights victory would have allowed him to leave the NQCC. The bout began as a friendly competition but quickly turned brutal. Dempsey targeted Heights’ knee by trapping it in the steel steps. Then he locked it in a knee bar, followed by a modified stretch. Wren Sinclair, unable to watch Heights endure further punishment, threw in the towel, ensuring Heights remains in the NQCC.
Dempsey’s victory reinforces his dominance within the NQCC and highlights his ruthless streak. Heights’ loss traps him in the faction, potentially leading to internal conflict or a rebellion storyline. This outcome could set up a future rematch or a broader NQCC breakup angle, with Sinclair’s decision to throw in the towel adding complexity to her role in the group.
Singles Match: Kelani Jordan defeated Lainey Reid via pinfall
Kelani Jordan faced the up-and-coming Lainey Reid. She targeted Jordan’s knees to hinder her mobility. Despite the setback, Jordan showcased her resilience, hitting her signature One of a Kind Split-Legged Moonsault to secure the victory. Post-match, Thea Hail attacked Reid, retaliating for Reid’s controversial win over her the previous week (using the ropes for leverage).
Jordan’s win keeps her momentum strong as a rising star in the women’s division. The post-match attack by Thea Hail escalates their feud with Reid. Reid’s aggressive tactics and recent upset over Hail suggest she’s a growing threat.
Key Promos and Segments
Oba Femi and Yoshiki Inamura Brawl
NXT Champion Oba Femi and Number One Contender Yoshiki Inamura engaged in a heated confrontation that escalated into a massive brawl. Following Inamura’s victory over Jasper Troy on July 1st, Inamura earned a title shot at the WWE NXT: Great American Bash. Inamura, backed by endorsements from wrestling legends like Keiji Mutoh and IYO SKY, expressed confidence. Femi dismissed him as unworthy. Josh Briggs added tension to the segment by supporting Inamura.
The brawl sets a high-stakes tone for their NXT Championship match at Great American Bash, with Inamura’s underdog status contrasted against Femi’s dominant reign. The endorsements elevate Inamura’s credibility, making this a must-watch title bout.
Ava’s Evolution 2025 Battle Royal Announcement
WWE NXT General Manager Ava announced additional participants for the Evolution 2025 Battle Royal, including Nikki Bella, Stephanie Vaquer, Natalya, Maxxine Dupri, Nia Jax, Ivy Nile, Zelina Vega, Giulia, Lash Legend, Izzi Dame, Tatum Paxley, Kelani Jordan, Lola Vice, and Jaida Parker. The segment was interrupted by several former NXT Superstars, leading to a chaotic fight involving Raw, SmackDown, and NXT talent, with Stephanie Vaquer’s return sparking significant excitement. The star-studded Battle Royal lineup underscores Evolution 2025’s importance as a landmark event for women’s wrestling. The winner earns a title shot.
Trick Williams’ Post-Match Attack
Following Joe Hendry and Mike Santana’s victory over The High Ryze, TNA World Champion Trick Williams ambushed both men. This aggressive move came after Williams clocked Hendry during the match. Williams’ heelish actions mark a shift from his fan-favorite persona, likely in response to Hendry’s challenge for the TNA World Championship. This sets up a high-stakes confrontation at future PLE, with Santana potentially playing a pivotal role as an ally to Hendry or a wildcard seeking the title himself.
Additional Notes and Storyline Effects
TNA-NXT Crossover
The prominent involvement of TNA stars Joe Hendry and Mike Santana, alongside Trick Williams’ TNA World Championship, continues to strengthen the NXT-TNA partnership. This crossover enhances NXT’s appeal by blending talent pools. The post-match attack by Williams suggests a deepening rivalry that could headline a future event.
Women’s Division Momentum
The women’s division was a focal point, with the Evolution 2025 Battle Royal announcement and then fallout from matches involving Kelani Jordan, Lainey Reid, Thea Hail, Izzi Dame, Tatum Paxley, Sol Ruca, and Zaria. The accidental spear by Zaria on Ruca from the July 1st episode continues to ripple.
No Quarter Catch Crew Dynamics
The Dempsey-Heights match outcome keeps Heights tethered to the NQCC, setting up potential drama within the faction. Wren Sinclair’s decision to throw in the towel could lead to tension with Heights or Dempsey.
Ethan Page’s Vulnerability
Ricky Saints’ gauntlet victory exposes cracks in Ethan Page’s Vanity Project. Page’s upcoming Falls Count Anywhere match against Saints at the WWE NXT: Great American Bash is a critical test for his NXT North American Championship reign.
Conclusion
The WWE NXT July 8th episode was a masterclass in go-home show storytelling. It delivered competitive matches, explosive promos, and chaotic segments that amplified anticipation for the WWE NXT: Great American Bash and Evolution 2025. Hank and Tank’s title retention, Ricky Saints’ gauntlet triumph, and Joe Hendry’s ongoing feud with Trick Williams set clear paths for the PLE. The women’s division developments and the Evolution Battle Royal announcement elevated the stakes for the all-women’s event. With cross-brand chaos, TNA crossovers, and faction tensions, NXT is poised for a transformative weekend that could reshape its landscape.
