Generation NXT - NXT recap for April 29, 2025

Joe Hendry heads to the ring. Hendry talks about his match with Randy Orton at WrestleMania as well as his successful TNA World Championship defense at Rebellion and Trick Williams attack on him post-match. He says he expected retaliation from Trick, but Trick crossed the line, and that Trick is not only entitled, but arrogant, and he blames everyone else for his inability to win back the NXT Championship. He says that his inability to win the NXT Championship led Trick to TNA, and while he is an entertainer, he has an antagonistic side. He calls out Trick Williams, then the lights go out and DarkState (Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin) attack Hendry.

In footage from earlier today, General Manager Ava introduces Iyo Sky back to Ava, then Jordynne Grace shows up and offers to be Iyo's tag team partner tonight. Iyo accepts.

Backstage, Karmen Petrovic talks with Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolin when Ashante "Thee" Adonis shows up and tells Karmen Petrovic she has a match with Sol Ruca tonight, much to Petrovic's surprise.

Ricky Saints retains the NXT North American Championship against Lexis King.

The Culling (Shawn Spears, Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance, Izzi Dame) meets. Shawn Spears says everyone has come up short recently, but failure but teach - not define - them. Spears tells Izzi Dame to stand out and rip the spotlight away and put it on herself. He also says that Brooks Jensen and Niko Vance must work as a team in order to take the NXT Tag Team Championships, and that everyone needs to rise up and take control.

Tony D'Angelo heads to the ring. As members of the family are near him on the apron, D'Angelo says he did not expect what happened at Stand & Deliver. He says that Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo is passionate, and that he has given him the benefit of the doubt and always had his back. He also says that Stacks has wanted to lead the family, and that Stacks has handled business in the past and proved himself worthy of being underboss when he was down. He also says that Stacks' impulsivity has been a problem. D'Angelo says Stacks waited for the moment the whole world was watching to stick the knife in his back, and says that Stacks will pay for his sins. He says that nobody has heard from Luca Crusifino and that Adrianna Rizzo is in hiding. Security shows up and Stacks appears on the video screen, and tells D'Angelo that he is sick of taking orders from him when he is getting soft and making decisions that make people like DarkState (Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin) think they can push the family around. Stacks says he had to take the reins and put D'Angelo in his place, and now, D'Angelo losing more power every day and losing trust in his own family, stating that D'Angelo does not know if he can trust anyone right now. The security guards try to attack D'Angelo, but D'Angelo takes them down and says Stacks will have to take him down himself.

Backstage, Meta-Four (Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, Lash Legend, Jakara Jackson) - now as one for the first time in months - celebrate Noam Dar's Heritage Cup Championship win. Lash says a lot has happened since Noam Dar, then says it is time for everyone to do their thing. Noam Dar agrees, and says it is time for everyone to meet their individual needs. Everyone leaves, then Noam Dar says it is just him and the Heritage Cup again.

Sol Ruca beats Karmen Petrovic. After the match, Karmen kicks Ashante "Thee" Adonis in the head.

Trick Williams heads to the ring. Trick calls out Joe Hendry, and says Hendry should be glad DarkState (Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin) got to him before he did, as Hendry does not belong here. He admits Hendry got the better of him, and took advantage of Rebellion to get back at him. He brags about attacking Hendry before plugging his debut on the season finale of "All-American," then says that he and Hendry are not on the same level, saying he is Hollywood while Hendry is local talent. Trick says that he is on the same lane as The Rock and John Cena while Hendry cannot see him, and that he is moving on to bigger and better things. He tells Oba Femi that he said what he said and that he wants the NXT Championship back. General Manager Ava shows up, and Trick Williams says that he is "bigger than NXT" and is the biggest superstar here and in TNA. Ava then announces a 25-man battle royal for #1 contendership, and is Trick wins it, he will face Oba Femi at Battleground for the NXT Championship.

Backstage, Roxanne Perez admits she was not the biggest fan of Giulia, but changed her mind after being in the ring with her. Giulia says Roxanne is a great champion and that Roxanne was right, and that together, they are unstoppable.

Backstage, Kelly Kincaid interviews Oba Femi. Oba Femi says that no matter how many times he faces Trick, the NXT Championship will stay on his shoulder. The Undertaker shows up and tells Oba that this is his yard for now, then his LFG - Shiloh Hill, Jasper Troy and Anthony Luke - team shows up as The Undertaker says they will be coming for him soon. Oba says he looks forward to the challenge, then shakes The Undertaker's hand and leaves.

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger retain the NXT Tag Team Championships against Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura.

Backstage, Myles Borne tells Tavion Heights and Wren Sinclair about next week's 25-man battle royal. He also finds out that Charlie Dempsey is still mad about him for teaming with Je'Von Evans, then decides to take part in the battle royal after telling Tavion and Wren that they need to think for themselves. Tavion also decides to jump in. After Myles leaves, Tavion asks what Charlie Dempsey would think, but Wren Sinclair basically tells him that it's complicated.

We hear from DarkState (Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin), who brag about attacking Joe Hendry as they proclaim that they are just getting started.

Andre Chase restarts Chase University five months after Ridge Holland ended it. He admits that he did not think he would ever open the doors to the university again, but today is a new semester. Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors show up late, and when a student named Chad calls them out for it, Chase embarrasses him.

Backstage, Kelani Jordan takes issue with Sol Ruca being NXT Women's North American Champion. Sol Ruca offers to defend her title against Kelani, but Zaria steps in, saying that Sol Ruca is not just going to throw title shots around and that Kelani will have to go through her first.

Backstage, Hank Walker and Tank Ledger check on Joe Hendry. Hendry says he is fine, but he wants to take care of DarkState (Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin). Hank and Tank offer their assistance, which Hendry accepts.

Iyo Sky and Jordynne Grace beat Giulia and Roxanne Perez.

Backstage, Stephanie Vaquer meets with General Manager Ava regarding her next championship defense. Ava says that Giulia and Jordynne Grace will have a #1 contender's match, and whoever wins will face her for the NXT Women's Championship at Battleground.

Here are the highlights for tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!