NXT Homecoming - NXT recap for September 16, 2025

We see a video package chronicling NXT's early days as a developmental brand turned third brand at Full Sail University.

We see the early-2010s introduction with today's NXT roster.

WWE Chief content Creator Paul "Triple H" Levesque heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Triple H talks about how Full Sail University is something special in NXT's history as well as everyone who was involved in it, then says that the fans are why NXT is stronger than ever. He talks about how the fans turned something that started out as a whisper into an undeniable roar, and says that their passion shattered conventions and allowed NXT to take over. Triple H says that the fans are the ones who said that NXT is the future, and that future is now. He thanks the fans before Shawn Michaels shows up. Shawn Michaels says that they are thrilled to have Triple H here tonight after all he has done for the main roster, then says the NXT Superstars are ready to steer the ship into the future. Triple H says NXT has been knocking it out of the park, then asks what would happen if he were to come back. Shawn says he didn't want this to be uncomfortable, then says it would be a very big problem. All of a sudden, William Regal shows up and says there is only one way to settle this: WarGames. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss show up, and make fun of Shawn and Triple H arguing before Charlotte state that the women have always ran NXT. She and Alexa list a couple of names from NXT's past, then says the women have always been the backbone of NXT.

Backstage, The Culling (Shawn Spears, Niko Vance, Izzi Dame, Tatum Paxley) run into Lyra Valkyria. Tatum hugs Lyra.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss retain the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships againts The Culling (Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley).

Backstage, Sol Ruca argues with Zaria when Lainey Reid shows up and says she should be focused on future opponents when Candice LeRae also shows up. All of a sudden, "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler shows up, and Candice and Lainey leave before Shayna tells Sol Ruca and Zaria to fix what is going on and apologize.

Before the next match, Carmelo Hayes finishes Trick Williams' sentence before a #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) jersey is symbolically burned on the TitanTron, and Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano's NXT solo career entrance themes are played. Ciampa also wear his special NXT facepaint for this match.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams beat #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) after The Miz shows up from out of the crowd and hits Gargano with the Skull Crushing Finale on the outside behind the referee's back. The Miz celebrates with Carmelo Hayes to Trick's chagrin after the match.

Backstage, Kelly Kincaid interviews Sami Zayn, who talks about his memories in Full Sail University and how there is still potential in NXT today, and that he sees potential in Je'Von Evans. Josh Briggs shows up and says that Je'Von Evans is a bum, and gets jumped by Je'Von in the process. Sami pulls Je'Von away from Josh Briggs as Briggs isstopped by officials, and Sami tells Je'Von that he has heart and that while it will not come easy, the sky is the limit.

El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. is seen in the front row before the next match.

"All Ego" Ethan Page retains the NXT North American Championship against Tyler Breeze after hitting Breeze with the Twisted Grin as Breeze is on the top rope.

Backstage, Tavion Heights is annoyed that "All Ego" Ethan Page is still champion when Damian Priest shows up. Priest says Tavion is so close to reaching the next level and that he sees the NXT North American Championship in his future. He then says he has gotten with General Manager Ava and that Tavion has a match for the North American Championship against Ethan Page at No Mercy.

It's time for The Grayson Waller Effect. Tonight's guests are Oba Femi and Ricky Saints. Grayson mocks them both as he asks who will win, and Oba says that he does not see Saints as "special" and that he is underwhelmed. He says that Saints has looked past NXT for the main roster where he can "carry Cody Rhodes' bags," then says he will show Saints the door as he cannot carry the NXT Championship. Saints says that Oba is nothing without the championship at his core, and that he knows who he is, and while he tried out for WWE and failed eight years, a delay is not a denial, and that neither thing will happen and he will become champion. Trick Williams shows up and says that Oba is still holding something that belongs to him, then tells Saints to mind his business and that he is only here because he and Oba made NXT hot again. Grayson says he will meet with General Manager Ava and Total Nonstop Action Director of Authority Santino Marella and make a Winner Takes All Match between Trick and Oba for both titles with the winner defending both against Saints at No Mercy. After Grayson says TNA is only relevant because he mentioned, Trick grabs his microphone, tosses it away, then says he will beat Trick to become a double champion, and calls it "The Oba Femi rub."

Backstage, Wren Sinclair brings a list of changes to make to The No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey and Wren Sinclair) to Charlie Dempsey. Dempsey says he will be heading to Japan for a month to become a new man, then Bobby Roode shows up and does the "Glorious" bit. Joe Hendry also shows up when Wren mentions his name, and Roode sings Hendry's praises before telling him to focus on the NXT Championship. Hendry and Roode shake hands.

Lexis King is in the ring. Lexis calls himself "the Homecoming King," and says the black-and-gold era is overrated and does not hold up to today's standard, and says that the stars from that era have moved on. He then says that he is still here and that he has a target on his back after being beaten in the darkness by Myles Borne, who he calls an evil man. He says that they have a Lights Out Match next week, then says he will knock his lights out before the lights go out. Finn Balor shows up to his original entrance music, and as Finn is on the ring apron, Myles Borne attacks Lexis King from behind. Finn then hits Lexis King with the Coup de Grace.

Backstage, Kelly Kincaid interviews DarkState (Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin). As Saquon Shugars says that having the gold is all that matters, Montez Ford suddenly shows up and reminisces about being NXT Tag Team Champions before telling DarkState to worry about the targets on their back. Cutler James goes off, and the rest of DarkState have to keep him in check.

Stephanie Vaquer, Lyra Valkyria and Rhea Ripley beat Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx) in a six-woman tag match after Lola Vice keeps Jacy Jayne from walking out of the match.

Backstage, Oba Femi and Trick Williams have a staredown as William Regal tells General Manager Ava, Robert Stone and Stevie Turner they have their hands full next week. Oba says "May the best man win," and Trick says "He will."

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!