SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
NXT NO MERCY RESULTS
SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. AT THE WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
STREAMED LIVE ON PEACOCK (U.S.) & NETFLIX (Int’ll)
REPORT BY PAUL WEIGLE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
[PRESHOW HIGHLIGHTS]
-Sam Roberts and Megan Morant hosted. They previewed each match, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each competitor.
-The conclusion of the Oba Femi vs Trick Williams match from last week’s NXT, which had no finish when a dozen TNA wrestlers rushed the ring and brawled with NXT wrestlers.
-Footage of TNA Victory Road where Kelani Jordan defeating Lei Ying Lee to win the TNA Knockouts Championship after it was vacated by Ash by Elegance.
-Video recapping the history of the feud between Blake Monroe and Jordynne Grace.
-Tavion Heights interviewed by Blake Howard. Heights discussed his love of the roar of the crowd, and how he missed it when competing at the Olympics in Tokyo. Heights said he is the right person to defeat Ethan Page for the North American Championship. He shared his love of fishing, traveling with his wife, and buying Pokemon Cards “I’m a grown man, and I buy what I want with my grown man money.” Heights vowed to become North American Champion.
-Video about Ricky Saints. He returns to the site of his childhood home in New Orleans, although the home itself was swept away in a hurricane. Pics of Saints as a young wrestling fan were showed, and he expressed that his passion and stubbornness has been the secret to his success. His motivation is survival and keeping himself from ever going back to his former circumstances, which seemed to be poverty and obscurity. Saints was shown talking with people on the streets in New Orleans about his upcoming title match. He pledged to defeat Oba Femi, in order to prove himself to his family and those who have struggled like he has.
Weigle’s analysis: This was a great video, which did more to humanize Saints and express who he is and what his mission statement is, than anything else I’ve seen since he debuted in NXT. I’d like to see more of this type of video.
-Interview with Lainey Reid, which highlights her history racing horses and competing in college soccer. She reviews her short career in NXT and discusses her prospects to win the Women’s Speed Championship.
Weigle’s analysis: This was also good. Reid is a natural performer and came off very well in the interview, making a case for herself as a contender to beat Roca. I can see why she is being featured on NXT after only a brief time in the business.
-Abbreviated matches from the last NXT No Mercy were shown with no introduction, including Tiffany Stratton vs. Becky Lynch, and Oba Femi vs. Tony D’Angelo.
-Video of Josh Briggs. Briggs said that he is tired of being told he was not charismatic enough to connect with the fans. He does not care if audience likes him and he enjoys spiting the fans by his success. He contrasted himself with Je’Von Evans, who seeks the approval of the audience.
-Video revieing the rivalry of Oba Femi and Ricky Saints. Femi reviewed his success in NXT as champion since January of this year. Saints expressed the importance of winning the NXT title as a way of validating his career. Highlights of their exchanges were shown.
Shawn Michaels broke news that Reid injured herself training the night before and was unable to compete tonight. Sol Ruca will defend her Speed title against a mystery opponent.
(Weigle’s Analysis: This was a worthwhile preshow, with the exception of the excerpts from past No Mercy Matches, which seemed like filler. Roberts and Morant work well together, and effectively hyped each match.)
[MAIN CARD]
-The recently-updated “Then, Now, Together, Forever” opening brand stamp aired, narrated by Paul Levesque.
– A video was shown of Fort Lauderdale Harbor, and the outside of the War Memorial arena. Wrestlers were shown arriving, including Lola Vice, Fatal Influence, Jordynne Grace, Blake Monroe, Ricky Saints and Oba Femi.
– A video aired hyping No Mercy, showing clips of the performers and highlights of the build. An abbreviated story the rivalry behind each matchup was shown in turn. The ruthlessness and malicious intent of the wrestlers was emphasized.
(1) JE’VON EVANS vs. JOSH BRIGGS
Evans came out first, to a strong reaction from fans in attendance in the small arena. Josh Briggs was greeted by a chorus of boos. A clip was shown of Briggs attacking Evans on SmackDown the night before.
The match started with a flurry of offense by Evans, delivering kicks and punches until being picked up and tackled over the top rope by Briggs. Evans immediately started favoring his right hip. The two brawled outside of the ring, with Evans using speed moves to counter Briggs’ power. Back in the ring Evans hit a hurricarana and dropkicking rapid succession. Briggs once again overpowered Evans by picking him up and ramming him into the corner. Briggs delivered a bodyslam and followed up with an elbow drop. Briggs showed a methodical pace while stomping on Evans and standing on his back. Evans slipped off Brigg’s shoulder and attempted a comeback, rolling up Briggs for a two count. However, Briggs responded with two backbreakers, targeting the Evans’s injured hip. Briggs threw Evans into the corner with a great deal of force, the entire ring shuddered and Evans continued to sell his hip and lower back. Briggs continued to stomp on Evans and Irish whipped him into the corner strongly a second time.
The third time he tried to throw Evans into the corner, Evans countered and began a flurry of punches on Briggs. Evan was able to get a momentary advantage until Briggs shoved him off the apron into the ringside barrier, further exacerbating Evans’ hip injury. “You can’t wrestle” chant directed at Briggs. Briggs paused to taunt the crowd, giving Evans a chance to get off a few punches, rally, and hit a rebound back suplex on Briggs. Evans rebounded off the ropes with clotheslines but was unable to drop Briggs until Evans hit him with a surprise superkick, then knocked him down with another clothesline.
Briggs started to beg off, and Evans took off his shirt and threw it at Briggs before hitting him with another flurry of punches, this time to great effect. Briggs collapsed into the corner, and Evans set up for a coast to coast before Briggs rolled out of the ring. Evans leapt outside of the ring onto Briggs, then rolled him back into the ring to hit a soaring top rope frog splash, then covered for a very close 2 count. Briggs took over again by kicking Evans in the back of the head, then hitting him with a clothesline from behind, which was good for a 2 count of his own. Evans hit a jumping forearm and hit the ropes.
The two exchanged multiple strike soff the ropes, until Briggs floored Evans with a kick to the face. He followed up with some power offensive moves, including flipping Evans over then delivering a knee to his face, which was good for another 2-count. Briggs dragged Evans to the corner and climbed to the top rope, pulled evans up into the top of the turnbuckle, then tried to give a chokeslam off the top rope. However, Evans flipped in mid air and landed on his feet, then kicked Briggs. Briggs immediately responded with a thunderous chokeslam then went to cover Evans, who once again kicked out at 2.
Briggs charged Evans, who ducked. Briggs flipped out of the ring, then took over agin. He threw Evans back in the ring and clotheslined him, before going for the pin. This time Evans barely got his foot on the ropes to avert a 3-count. Briggs was frustrated, dragged Evans by his hair into the corner while talking smack. He then started to climb the top rope but evans grabbed his ankle, saying ‘hell no!” Evans pushed and slapped Briggs several times before hitting him with a dropkick. He went for another move when Briggs kicked im out of the air. Briggs delivered a chokeslam but Evans countered, delivering his cutter, and covering for a three count.
WINNER: Je’Von Evans in about 17 minutes
-Evans celebrated, and the announcers indicated he would turn his attention to TNA”s X-Division.
(Weigle’s Analysis: These two worked very well together Briggs hits hard, and his power moves were a great foil to Evan’s high-flying athleticism. The action was so fast-paced, it was hard to record. The crowd was into this one, boing Briggs and cheering Evans as appropriate. A great effort by both men.)
(2) SOL RUCA vs. JAIDA PARKER – NXT Women’s Speed Title Match
Shawn Michaels had previously broke news that Reid injured herself training the night before and was unable to compete tonight. Sol Ruca will defend her Speed title against a mystery opponent.
Parker was announced as the mystery opponent replacing Laney Reid.
The match started off with a bang as soon as the bell rang, with both going for quick pin attempts. Ruca took control early, kicking Parker out of the ring and hitting her with a dive off the ring stairs before throwing her back in the ring. Parker rolled out again, and Ruca attempted a baseball slide but was caught and punched by Parker. Parker took control, and went for a pin repeatedly, bur Ruca kicked out at 2. Ruca hit a backstabber-like maneuver, and went for the Sol Snatcher but was countered. Parker took over, hit a falcon arrow, and another failed pin attempt.
Parker dropped Ruca and tried for Hypnotic. Sol countered, tried to flip Parker over but they both collapsed onto one another. Ruca went for a pin but Parker kicked out. Outside the ring on the ramp, Parker hit Ruca and threw her back into the ring as the 2-minute warning was announced. Parker went for a suplex but Ruca countered with a DDT, which was good for another near fall. The two traded blows and Ruca took over with a flurry of offense, before Parker hit a Samoan drop. Ruca draped Parker over the top ropes, dragged her out of the ring.
The two traded blows outside the ring until Ruca hit parker on the steps and missed a moonsault attempted. Parker hit a her finisher Hypnotic outside the ring, rolled Ruca back into the ring before confronting Zaida. Parker was then confronted by Lash Legen. Legend tried to hit Paker but ran into a clothesline by Zaida instead. Parker rolled back into the ring but had given Ruca too much time to recover. Ruca hit the Sol Snatcher as Parker reentered the ring, and covered Parker for the three count.
WINNER: Sol Ruca in 02:56
(Weigle’s Analysis: The action was fast and furious, as one would expect. It was fun while it lasted, but didn’t really have enough time to get going, as per the Speed rules.)
– Kelley interviewed Joe Hendry. Hendry expressed that he respects Dark State. Dark State approached and confronted him, threatened to beat him down if he dared to speak against them, and put him in the hospital. “When Dark State strikes, ain’t nobody safe.” Hendry seemed to consider joining Dark State rather than standing against them.
– -Video recapping the history of the feud between Blake Monroe and Jordynne Grace.
(3) JORDYNNE GRACE vs. BLAKE MONROE – Weaponized Steel Cage Match
A shot of the audience was shown, then the steel cage, complete with weapons hanging formteh cage. Most of the weapons were painted pink, and some had Monroe’s cartoon image on them.
Grace came out first, held up a sign from a fan, but the camera missed it. Grace, dressed all in white, received a nice reception from the crowd, and surveyed the cage and available weapons grimly. Monroe came out wearing camouflage pants, a very different look from her normal ring attire indicating her intent to go to war. Grace had a cast on her thumb, reportedly broke her thumb in an earlier melee with Monroe. The two immediately came to blows, and Grace took over, throwing Monroe into a cage. Grace missed a chair shot, and Monroe took over with several strikes with a pink kendo stick. Grace took over, took the stick, and struck Monroe several times, before delivering a spinebuster on the pink chair. Monroe set up the chair in the middle of the ring. The two t4ied to throw one another into the chair but countered one another. Grace slapped on a Boston Crab, while sitting on the chair. Monroe powered out.
Grace stomped Monroe, ad set up the chair in the corner. Grace picked up Monroe, who bit Grace’s hand. The two tried to throw each other into the chair, until Grace charged at Monroe in the corner. Monroe dodged, and Grace collided with the chair. Monroe took over, throwing Grace into the side of the cage repeatedly. Monroe wrapped Grace’s injured hand into the steel cage and twisted. She then retrieved a pink trashcan and slammed it into Grace’s back. She went for a pin, but Grace kicked out at w2. Monroe crushed Grace’s hand under the kendo stick She missed multiple kendo stick strikes. The two fought over the stick, until Monroe delivered an ‘inverted Russian reg sweep’ assisted by the kendo stick. She retrieved a pink hairdryer, and dragged Grace to the cage.
Monroe wrapped the hairdryer cord around Grace’s wrist, tying her to the ring rope. Grace was effectively handcuffed. Blake retrieved scissors, and proceeded to cut off Grace’s hair in large chunks! The audience responded in disbelief, while Grace looked on helplessly. “Holy Shit” chant while Monroe rubbed the cut hair in her own face in celebration.
Grace broke free, elbowed Monroe, and became enraged. She hit a Lou Thez press on Monroe, hit her, then picked her up and clotheslined her repeatedly. Grace picked up Monroe for a powerbomb, but Monroe scaled the cage. Grace pulled Monroe down, she landed on the ropes. Grace picked up Monroe while on the top rope, and delivered a Samoan Drop to the ring. The hair was filled with cut locks of Grace’s hair. Grace hit Monroe repeatedly with a belt of some kind. Shen then tried to slam Monroe into the garbage can, but Monroe countered and slammed Grace’s head into it. Grace took the trashcan lid, but Monroe dropkicked it into Grace. Monroe went for a pin, but Grace kicked out at 2. Monroe retrieved a black bag, and emptied out faux diamonds and gemstones all over the mat.
Grace blocked a back suplex attempt, and slammed Monroe into the diamonds. Monroe screamed in pain and writhed. Grace attempted a pin but Monroe kicked out at 2. Grace crammed her cut hair into Monroe’s mouth and stomped her. Grace placed Monroe on the top rope, then positioned the trash can underneath her. Monroe countered and hung Grace in a tree of woe, put the trash can under her, and double stomped Grace into the trash can. Monroe went for a pin while Grace’s body was still mostly in the trash can, but Grace kicked out. Monroe brought out up a table to the delight of the crowd, while stomping on Grace’s hand. Grace threw Monroe into the side of the cage. Monroe set up the table near a corner, while the crowd chanted approval.
Monroe climbed the top rope. Grace caught her and set up for an electric chair, but Monroe climbed off her to the top of the cage. The two mounted the side of the cage and traded blows. Josephs noted that escaping the cage is not a condition for winning. Grace treid to hit Monroe with a weapon, but Monroe threw powder in her eyes. The two descended to the top rope. Monroe tried to powerbomb Grace over the top rope, but was lifted up by Grace. Grace delivered an “Air Raid Crash” from the top rope, slamming Monroe through the table. Grace pinned Monroe for a three count.
WINNER: Jordynne Grace
Grace celebrated while Joseph hypothesized she will be able to put the feud with Monroe behind her at last.
(Weigle’s Analysis: Wow! This one really delivered. This was easily Monroe’s best match to date. Great match with a satisfying ending.)
Commercial for Halloween Havoc, announced for October 25th.
-General Manager Ava announced NXT/TNA Invasion on October 7th on CW, in which NXT and TNA will compete in 2 Survivor Series-type matches, one for men and one for women. Dark State will face the Hardy Boys in a title vs title match.
-Lash Legend came out, declaring herself as the leader of the NXT women’s team for Invasion. She cited her defeat of Jaida Parker. Parker attacked her from behind, and the two had a brief pull-apart brawl.
-Lainey Reid was interviewed backstage. She expressed disappointment that she could not wrestle the most important match of her career because she injured her foot training. Lola Vice tried to console her. Reid predicted that Vice would lose. Vice threatened to kick Reid “We’re in Vice City, and that title’s coming home with me.”
ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…
Check out the latest episode of “PWT Talks NXT” with Kelly Wells and Nate Lindberg, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “pwtorch” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)
(4) ETHAN PAGE vs. TAVION HEIGHTS -NXT North American Championship Match
Tavion Heights was the first out, and received a mild positive reaction from the audience. He seemed excited and fired up. Page made his entrance, entered the ring and kissed his title before handing it to the referee.
As the bell rang, the two locked up. Tavion got the advantage, and Page went for the ropes. As Heights released, Page took advantage by wrapping him in a headlock. He was thrown off and attempted ot deliver a should block off the ropes repeatedly, but Tavion did not budge. Page punched Heights, but Heights took over withshots of his own. Heights was relentless in the offense, while Page repeatedly tried to counter. Page was thrown outside the ring, where he backdropped Heights on the steel ramp. Heights writhed in pain on the grate. Page threw him back in the ring.
Dueling ‘lets go Ethan/Ethan sucks” chants. Page rammed into Heights’ back in the corner to capitalize on his injury. He stomped on Heights repeatedly, then delivered a back suplex. Page made a pin attempt, good for 2. Page continued to work on Heights’ back. He threw him hard into the corner with an Irish Whip, and Heights crumpled to the mat. Page missed an charging elbow in the corner. Heights tried to give a suplex to Page, but his back gave out. Page gave him a suplex in return, then used a bear hug to Heights’ back. Booker T noted that Page is a veteran who knows every dirty trick.
Heights made it to his feet and rammed Page into the corner, but Page was back on him with a brar hug to the back. Heights rammed him into the corner again, tried to rally but Page stopped him. Page picked up Heights off the turnbuckle then delivered a backbreaker down onto the turnbuckle. Tavion retrated outside the ring, but Page threw him back into the ring and posed for the crowd. Heights recovered enough to rally, delivering several punches to Page and clotheslining him repeatedly. Heights hit a big kick off the ropes then threw Page to the mat.
Heights then picked up Page on his shoulders, but Page slipped out. Heights maneuvered into an ankle lock on Page while the crowd changed “USA”, but Page got to the ropes. The two traded pin attempts. Heights countered a Twisted Grin with a backslide. Page hit the Ego’s Edge, but Heights kicked out. Page slapped on a Boston crab while Heights writhed in pain, until he reached the ropes forcing a break. Heights scaled the top rope, but was punched by Page. Page tried to superplex Heights, but Heights countered with a sleeper on the top rope. Page countered, delivering a slam off the top rope. He then picked up Heights and hit a Twisted Grin. Page covered Heights for the three count
WINNER: Ethan Page in 10:30.
(Weigle’s Analysis: another winner. The action tonight has been hard and fast, and this one was no exception. Another competitive match with a convincing finish.)
-The AAA Latin American Champion El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. appeared on the big screen, challenged Page to a match for his North America Title. “I’ll see you real soon.”
-Myles Bourne was interviewed backstage. Bourne celebrated beating Lexis King. Bourne called NXT his family, and pledged to go to war for NXT against TNA on Tuesday.
-Mike Santana appeared in a short video. He called Trick Williams a coward in Spanish, and pledged to bring the TNA title back to TNA. He warned NXT he would return on Tuesday “and I ain’t coming alone.”
(5) JACY JAYNE vs. LOLA VICE – NXT Women’s Championship Match
Vice entered first, swaying her hips and dancing down to the ring as normal. She hugged members of her family at ringside. Her sisters were wearing her merch. There was a mild “Lola” chant.
Jayne entered second, accompanied by the only other surviving member of Fatal Influence, Fallon Henley.
Announcements were made in the ring by Mike Rome. Lola got an ovation as the hometown favorite. Jayne was booed noticeably. The NXT crowd is responding exactly as bookers want them to. Only Booker T and Henley expressed support for Jayne.
The two locked up and Jayne delivered a headlock takedown. Head scissors by Vice. Jayne went back to the headlock after escaping. Vice powered out and the two traded wristlocks. As Vice maneuvered out, Jayne slapped on another headlock. Jayne gave a shoulder block. Jayne thrown to the ropes, and was able to put on an armbar. When Jayne escaped, Vice gave a headlock of her own, and an armdrag, then tripped Jayne and axe-kicked her in the back. Jayne consulted with Henley. Henley distracted Vice allowing Jayne to take control again. Jayne delivered chops to Vice, then missed a clothesline. Vice punched Jayne, and gave a snap suplex, before covering. Jayne kicked out at 1.
Vice applied a chinlock. Jayne gave a chinbreaker to escape, but Lola tried quick pin attempts, then kicked Jayne repeatedly in the midsection before kicking her out of the ring. Outside the ring, Vice slammed Jayne’s head against the table. Henley again distracted Vice, allowing Jayne to take control again. Jayne gave a cannonball to Vice against the ring stairs. Vice’s father protested angrily. Jayne threw Vice back in the ring and threw her into the corner, then suplexed Vice. Another failed pin attempt on Vice.
Jayne kicked Vice in the back, then stomped on before arrogantly posing to the crowd. Vice responded with kicks, before getting distracted by Henley yet again. Jayne delivered a backstabber, and Vice favored her back. Jayne continued to punish Vice’s back, then threw her against the ropes for a back elbow, which was good for another 2-count. Jayne slammed Vice’s head on the mat, then delivered a chinlock of sorts. Vice’s family was shown repeatedly, looking concerned. Vice backed Jane into the corner repeatedly to break the hold, btu Jayne hit her in the back, went for a pin. Vice countered Jayne into a chinlock of her own, which Jayne maneuvered into a pin attempt, breaking the hold.
Jayne missed a charge into the corner, then ran into repeated kicks to the chest and midsection. Vice kicked Jayne into the corner, and her family celebrated. Vice shook her hips and gave a running hip attack in the corner, followed by a back suplex. Jayne rolled out of the way, then ducked a backfist and rolled out of the ring. Lola dove onto both Fatal Influence outside the ring, but Jayne responded with a pump kick to the face. Jayne rolled Vice back in to the ring, went for a discus punch. She missed and Vice hit her spinning back fist. The ref counted 2, before he was pulled out of the ring by Henley. The ref ejected Henley. Jayne rolled up Vice, but Vice countered into a chokehold. Jayne escaped by leveraging a pin again. Vice missed a charging attack, and the two traded blows. Jayne hit a backfist and fell into a cover, but Vice kicked out at 2.
Both women were down, and slow to their feet, giving the chance for a mild “this is awesome” chant. Jayne recovered and delivered punches and kicks to a prone Vice then posed to a booing crowd. Jayne elbowed Vice repeatedly in the corner, before yelling at Vice’s family. Lola hit an elbow of her own, then delivered a tornado DDT, rolling it into a guillotine submission. Jayne rammed her into the corner to break the hold. Jayne missed another charge, and Vice kicked her repeatedly in the corner. Caught climbing the top rope, Vice was kicked by Jayne. Jayne hit for a back suplex off the top rope, then hit her charging knee strike. Vice kicked out of a pin attempt at 2, and the crowd popped.
Jayne looked stunned, went outside the ring, grabbed her title, and brought in back into the ring. She tried to hit Vice with the title, but the ref took it from her first. While she and the ref struggled for the title, Vice rolled up Jayne twice for consecutive 2 counts, then super-kicked Jayne when the champion attempted a counter. Jayne and Vice traded blows, the Vice hit her spinning backfist, btu Vice fell out of the ring. A masked figure in black jumped the barricade and dropped Vice. The referee counted to 9 before Vice got back in the ring. As she recovered, Jayne hit a Rolling Encore spinning punch for the three count.
WINNER: Jacy Jayne
(Weigle’s Analysis: An exciting match, possibly the best in Jayne’s championship reign. Vice looked strong in defeat, received strong hometown support, and brought out the best in Jayne. The presence of Vice’s family seemed to telegraph her win, so it was a mild surprise to see Jayne retain. The attack by the hooded figure kept this from being a decisive match.)
-Jayne and Henley celebrated. They seemed confused about the identity of the hooded assailant, but didn’t’ seem to care.
-Moose promised to be at NXT on Tuesday to cause chaos, and prove that TNA is the superior brand.
-Video revieing the rivalry of Oba Femi and Ricky Saints. Femi reviewed his success in NXT as champion since January of this year. Saints expressed the importance of winning the NXT title as a way of validating his career. Highlights of their exchanges were shown.
(6) OBA FEMI vs. RICKY SAINTS – NXT Championship Match
The challenger came out first, to a polite reaction. Femi entered second, and the crowd chanted along. His reaction was stronger than Saints’. The entrances featured a great deal of dry ice mist, more than I’ve noticed in the past. Mike Rome announced the competitors in-ring. Again, Femi got a stronger reaction. After the bell rang, the two stored each other down. They slowly circled one another before locking up.
Saints delivered punches before Femi took over with a knee. Saints tried for a pin, but Femi powered out and took over. He threw Saints into the corner btu then charged into Saint’s fists. Saints rolled up Femi for 2, then Oba kicked Femi and gave him an uppercut. Femi settled into a headlock while fans engaged in a dueling chant for both men. Femi body-slammed Saints, the covered, but Saints kicked out at one. Saints was looking hurt early in the match. He chopped Femi repeatedly, but Femi countered by attempting a back suplex. Saints flipped and landed on his feet, then delivered a running strike. Femi charged, but Saints dodged in the corner. Saints leapt off the top rope but was caught by Femi. Saints hit a dropkick followed by a knee to the back, which dropped Femi on to the floor. Saints tried to leap through the ropes onto Femi but was caught by a Femi uppercut.
Femi took over and beat down Saints, then delivered a backbreaker once, then twice. He called for a third attempt, and indeed hit a third backbreaker. He covered Saints for a 2-count. Femi continued to punish Saints, threw him into the corner, then clotheslined him. Saints rolled out of the ring, then Oba pulled him back into the ring to deliver a stiff forearm and sent him out of the ring again on to the entrance ramp. The ref started to count out Saints, who re-entered at 7. Oba continued the attack, draping Saints over the top rope, then punched him down onto the ring apron.
Femi then put on a chinlock, punishing Saints. Booker T wondered if taking all this punishment was Saints strategy, while Josephs correctly pointed out that this would be a terrible strategy. Femi stopped a Saints rally by delivering backbreakers, then placing Saints on the top rope and hammering his midsection, then bending Saints over the turnbuckle. Saints hit an elbow, but was caught coming off the top rope by Femi who gave Saints a chokeslam, followed by another 2-count.
Saints dogged a charging Femi, to hit a jumping knee. He then scaled the top rope to do his version of ‘old school’ on Femi, then repeated charging forearms. The third forearm dropped Femi. Saints tried to lift Femi, but failed. A second attempt to do so was successful, and Saints hit a Samoan drop, which was good for a 2-count.
Saints gave an enziguri to Femi, then missed a spear. Femi launched Saints into the air to give him an uppercut. Saints dodged a clothesline and delivered a spear, which got him a count of 2. Femi caught Saints with an uppercut when Saints was climbing to the top rope. Saints tried a sunset flip off the top rope which was blocked, but Saints then delivered a powerbomb off the top rope for another 2-count. Both men were slow to get up.
They delivered blows in the ring, which Femi appeared to be getting the better of. Saints collapsed, then seemed to play possum and struck Femi repeatedly, before Femi hit a big clothesline. Ricky pulled off a victory roll, then went for a bulldog, but was thrown off forcefully by Femi. Oba went for a fall from Grace, but was rolled up for a 2-count. Femi then hit a monstrous dropkick on Saints, and both were slow to their feet again.
Saints rolled outside the ring, and Femi followed him, clearing off the announce desk. Femi threw Saints on the announce desk. He went for a powerbomb on the announce desk, but Saints countered into a DDT. The table did not break. Saints gave a tornado DDT on the floor, then got up on the ring apron. As Saints charged Femi, he was stopped by a hard slap on the chest. Femi signaled the Fall from Grace, and delivered it to Saints. However, after a 2-count Saints kicked out of Femi’s pin attempt. Femi was shocked. He tried for another Fall from Grace, but it was again countered into a DDT, followed by yet another tornado DDT. Saints covered for the three count!
WINNER: Ricky Saints in 19 minutes
(Weigle’s Analysis: Saints’ win was shocking. I didn’t even realize that the tornado DDT was his finisher, as Saints typically wins with Rochambeau. The crowd seemed as surprised as I, and somewhat less than thrilled. He was beaten down for most of the match, and struggled to counter Femi’s strength. Saints has a compelling story, but he has lacked any real momentum in NXT, so his win seemed out of nowhere. I wonder if this means Femi is called up to the main roster. The match itself was fine, but not one of Femi’s best.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: The action was truly fast and furious tonight. No Mercy was long but didn’t overstay its welcome. All of the matches over-delivered, with the exception of the main event. Evans vs. Briggs & Grace vs. Monroe tied for match of the night. I can’t say I’m too excited for the Ricky Saints era, but I think some good booking could remedy that. All-in-all, a fun show with some great wrestling and a shocking conclusion.
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