WWE NXT Results - September 09, 2025: Carmelo Hayes Returns, DarkState Retain, and Women’s Division Chaos

WWE NXT delivered a loaded episode from Orlando with major storyline developments, heated matches, the shocking return of Carmelo Hayes, and surprise appearance from Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer, and Tiffany Stratton! Here’s everything that went down:

Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs

The night opened in chaos as Je’Von Evans stormed the ring without music and immediately dove onto Josh Briggs before their match even began. What followed was a physical battle: Briggs’ heavy strikes and power moves against Evans’ high-flying arsenal.

Evans had the crowd behind him, connecting with a daring somersault Coast-to-Coast, but Briggs turned the tide with a cheap shot. Removing his chain, Briggs leveled Evans with a loaded punch to score the tainted victory.

Winner: Josh Briggs (via pinfall)

Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes, and DIY Promo

DIY hit the ring to celebrate their NXT legacy on the ten-year anniversary of their debut. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano called NXT their eternal home, but their celebration was interrupted by Trick Williams.

Trick claimed DIY couldn’t hang with his generation of NXT stars. But the real shocker came when Carmelo Hayes made his return, reuniting the Trick-Melo Gang. Hayes, however, quickly got tense with Trick, calling him a “squatter” in a house that legends like DIY and Melo himself built. The heated exchange led to the official challenge: DIY vs. Trick & Melo at NXT Homecoming.

Read More: Carmelo Hayes Makes Shocking NXT Return, Set for Huge Homecoming Tag Match

Women’s Speed Tournament Semifinal: Faby Apache vs. Lainey Reid

International veteran Faby Apache looked poised to advance, but WWE veteran Natalya interfered from the front row, distracting Apache at the worst possible moment. Lainey Reid capitalized with a brutal running knee for the upset win.

Winner: Lainey Reid (via pinfall)
Lainey advances to the finals to face Candice LeRae at No Mercy.

NXT Tag Team Championship: DarkState (c) vs. Hank & Tank

The Big Belly Boys came fired up, even hitting stereo dives on the champions DarkState. But late interference from Cutler James backfired when Joe Hendry shockingly appeared, bursting through a wall to chase James away. Amid the chaos, Dion Lennox rolled up Hank Walker to retain.

Winners: DarkState (retain NXT Tag Team Championships)

Flag Match: Ethan Page vs. Tavion Heights

In a rare Flag Match, Ethan Page and Tavion Heights fought for national pride — Canada vs. USA. Heights endured Page’s offense, rallied back with a massive belly-to-belly superplex, and finally scaled the pole to retrieve the American flag.

Winner: Tavion Heights (via flag retrieval)

Post-match, Tavion mocked Page by draping him in the Canadian flag. Suddenly, Tyler Breeze made his shocking return, selfie stick in hand, and posed over Page — setting up a future showdown.

Women’s Tag Team #1 Contender’s Triple Threat Elimination Match

ZaRuca, Fatal Influence, and The Culling battled for a chance to face Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair. The match was chaotic, featuring everything from Orihara moonsaults to surfboard double-teams.

ZaRuca were eliminated first after Jazmyn Nyx stole a pin, leaving Fatal Influence to battle The Culling. In the end, Izzi Dame scored the decisive spinebuster on Fallon Henley to earn the title shot.

Winners: The Culling (become #1 Contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship)

Women’s Division Segment: Fatal Influence, Jacy Jayne, Vaquer, Tiffany, and Rhea Ripley

Post-match, Jacy Jayne berated her allies, declaring herself the greatest women’s champion ever. She was confronted by Stephanie Vaquer, who reminded her of her accolades. Then Tiffany Stratton arrived, flaunting her reign as the longest-standing WWE Women’s Champion. Finally, Rhea Ripley stormed the ring, mocking Jayne’s claims and challenging Fatal Influence to a six-woman tag at NXT Homecoming. The babyfaces cleared the ring to end the show on a high note.

Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

This week’s NXT was one of the most newsworthy episodes in months. Carmelo Hayes’ return gives the brand a shot of energy just when it needs it, and pairing him with Trick against DIY is the kind of “dream match” fans will circle on the calendar.

The women’s division continues to dominate conversation — Lainey Reid’s upset win, The Culling’s momentum, and the Fatal Influence vs. Rhea/Tiffany/Vaquer confrontation all suggest WWE is loading the division with storylines heading into Homecoming and No Mercy.

DarkState retaining, with Joe Hendry’s surprise cameo, adds another wrinkle to the tag scene, while Tavion Heights’ big Flag Match victory (and Tyler Breeze’s shocking return) injects freshness into the North American title picture.

All in all, this was a strong, storyline-heavy show that sets the stage for a packed fall.

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