Vengeance Day,NXT’s second annual event and the last before their majorStand & Deliver event duringWrestlemania season, returned again this year, delivering a great set of matches that showed the best of NXT’s current roster as well as hinting just how far some of their talent is going to go. Even since its shift into more than just a developmental arm for theWWE, NXT has been consistently delivering some of the best wrestling on TV. With their first major premium liveevent onNetflix, NXT continues to earn their reputation and stand out amongst the crowd.

Vengeance Day took place at the fully sold-out CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C, airing on February 15th, 2025, and running for just under three hours. Marketed as NXT’s alternative to Valentine’s Day, focused on the theme of revenge guiding many of NXT’s ongoing storylines, it was a sight to behold as it felt like WWE’s first major push for NXT since the beginning of their deal with Netflix. Coming just a handful of days after theRoyal Rumble, which saw NXT talent such asRoxanne Perez get major pushes, the pressure was on, and the event delivered.

The production throughout Vengeance Day was fantastic. WWE’s improved camera work and production design continues to shine, as they put their money where it out to be spent.NXT has always had less of a big event feel thanRaw orSmackdown, but it has its own indie-feeling charm that I personally cannot get enough of. It strips back some of the technical elements and showboating and just focuses on damn good wrestling, of which there was plenty to be found.

Stephanie Vaquer defeats Fallon Henley by pinfall, making history

Kicking off the Vengeance Day card strong, Stephanie Vaquer took on reigning NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley, as well as other members of the Fatal Influence stable. From the moment Vaquer entered the ring, it seemed clear whose side the crowd and the announcers were on, but Henley did a great job at playing the heel role, as didJacy Jayne andJazmyn Nyx. Vaquer and Henley had great chemistry in ring, the match slowly escalating to ever more complex and technical moves as it went on. A particular highlight was Stephanie Vaquer utilizingRey Mysterio‘s 619 move, as well as her crossbody off the buckle onto the members of Fatal Influence outside of the ring. Henley was doing the best work of her NXT career here, but ultimately, Vaquer shined throughout, earning a celebratory victory over Henley and becoming the first female South-American born WWE Champion ever. In the short time since her entrance into the company, Vaquer has already become a fan favorite, and that trajectory shows no signs of stopping. Even Booker T was vocally on her side, almost to a concerning extent.

Nathan Frazer and Axiom continue to shine

Teaming up with his Pro Wrestling Noah opponentYoshiki Inamura, Josh Briggs took on NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer and Axiom in what was undoubtedly my favorite match of the night. As a big fan of Japanese wrestling, it was a delight to see Inamura working the NXT ring, and he did a phenomenal job showing off his sumo influence whilst also delivering a great show for an American audience. A particular highlight was his slap battle with Axiom that climaxed in Axiom hitting his finisher on Inamura, which got vocal gasps and applause from the crowd. Briggs and Frazer also did an incredible job, and the match was incredibly dynamic and energetic, never getting boring or overstaying its welcome at any point. Frazer and Axiom have been doing incredible work as a tag team, putting some much needed energy back into the NXT tag team division, and it’s great to see their work rewarded in their continuous reign as champions. I would love to see WWE utilize Japanese wrestlers more, both ones signed with the company and potential one-off uses like how Inamura is utilized here. 

Eddy Thorpe conquers Trick Williams in a strap match

One of the most high profile matches ofVengeance Day, Trick Williams faced off against a wrathful Eddy Thrope. The crowd’s energy and support for Williams was absolutely infectious, chanting ‘Whoop that Trick’ and supporting him at every turn. He’s sure to become one of the biggest stars that NXT has produced, incredibly over with the crowd as well as being a good wrestler in ring and on the mic. The strap match format made for some particularly brutal moments, particularly as the two men attempted to drag each other in and out of the ring, or when Thorpe bound Williams using the leather strap. The finish to the match was somewhat underwhelming, as it ended with Williams getting hit in the genitals with the strap and eliminated. The crowd seemed visually disappointed, and as a viewer I was too, but I took it as a sign that Williams is ending his rivalries as he’s main roster bound soon. Williams is always a wrestler who gives back as much as he’s given by whoever he’s working with, which makes for great chemistry when his opponent really tries hard to make it all work. 

Je’von Evans fails to get revenge on Ethan Page

One of the most heated matches in terms of historical backstory, Je’von Evans took on Ethan Page in an attempted act of revenge for injuring his jaw. Evans could only participate in the match if medically cleared, in a strange blurring of kayfabe and reality that gave the match some emotional heft. Both wrestlers did a great job throughout, showing off their talents and making the other look great in the process. Evans tried his best but failed to get revenge, in a bittersweet conclusion to the match that contrasted incredibly well with Eddy Thorpe’s victory immediately before. There was a somewhat uncomfortable feeling at the end of the match, heightened by Trick Williams’ immediate loss before, given recent allegations of racism towards WWE head Paul Levesque. Looking at the match on its own merits, it was good, but unfortunately feels overshadowed by what came before in the line-up, as well as what was to come after. 

Oba Femi proves his mettle against Austin Theory and Grayson Waller

Vengeance Day began to reach its climax with this fantastic match between Austin Theory, Grayson Waller and Oba Femi. Setting up conflict in the A-Town Down Under Tag Team was a brilliant move, as the tension helped add another layer of excitement to the match. Oba Femi continues to prove himself as one of the best talents in NXT’s arsenal right now, and a worthy champion. He’s great in ring, has a fantastic gimmick, and had great chemistry with the other two wrestlers, who both did a tremendous job selling Femi’s moveset as powerful and devastating. A standout moment in the match was the three man powerbomb off the shoulders of Oba Femi, as well as Waller betraying Theory and costing him the finish. I will never tire of how well Austin Theory sells, as it reminds me of Dolph Ziggler, who is debatably the best seller in all of wrestling. Both at the end of this match and throughout the evening, teasers were plentiful for a new faction hidden behind mysterious masks. I felt little to no excitement, and actually felt like it took away from some of the match finishes, but maybe that’s just me. 

Giulia faces off against Bayley, Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez

Vengeance Day‘s main event was a Fatal Four-Way match between current champion Giulia and challengers Cora Jade, Bayley and Roxanne Perez. Tons of eyes were on this match, following Roxanne Perez’ fantastic showing at the Women’sRoyal Rumble match. Bayley, as one of the original ‘four horsewomen’ who forever changed women’s wrestling due to her work in NXT was also a noticeable inclusion, and felt like the passing of the torch onto a younger generation of upcoming stars ready to change the game in the same way Bayley and others did years ago. This match did not disappoint, with great showings from all four wrestlers. Group matches like this can often feel cluttered or overbooked, but this match felt seamless and easy to keep track of. There were plenty of great spots from all involved, particularly Cora Jade’s fantastic move pictured above. This match felt like an assertion of just how good the women’s division of NXT is at the moment, and how much work the company have put in place to highlight more female talent than ever. It helps that it was a great match from all involved, and Giulia kept the title, her reign continuing as she faces more rivals to come. The final moments of the PLE set up a potential conflict with Stephanie Vaquer, as well as newcomer and TNA starJordynne Grace.

Overall, NXTVengeance Day 2025 was a fantastic viewing experience, setting up new storylines and finishing others. NXT continues to be a fantastic centre for talented young wrestlers, and that shows absolutely no sign of stopping anytime soon with the arrival of Jordynne Grace into what might already be one of the best women’s rosters in all of wrestling. Whilst some of the matches could’ve been improved, many of them were tremendous, entertaining throughout and incredibly memorable. As NXT enters an era with new champions, new faces, and new rivalries, the future is looking bright. 

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