NXT Battleground (2025)
| Battleground | |||
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| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Brand | NXT | ||
| Date | May 25, 2025 | ||
| City | Tampa, Florida | ||
| Venue | Yuengling Center | ||
| Attendance | 7,481[1] | ||
| WWE Network event chronology | |||
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| Battleground chronology | |||
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| NXT major events chronology | |||
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The 2025 Battleground, also promoted as Battleground: Tampa, was a professional wrestling livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was the third annual Battleground held for the promotion's developmental brand NXT, and the eighth Battleground overall. The event took place during Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. This was the first Battleground to air on Netflix in most international markets and it was the first NXT livestreaming event to take place in Tampa. As with the 2023 edition, the event went head-to-head against All Elite Wrestling's Double or Nothing pay-per-view event.
Six matches were contested at the event. In the main event, Trick Williams defeated defending champion Joe Hendry from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to win the TNA World Championship; this was the first time a TNA championship was defended on a WWE livestreaming event. In other prominent matches, Oba Femi defeated No Quarter Catch Crew's Myles Borne to retain the NXT Championship and Stephanie Vaquer defeated Jordynne Grace to retain the NXT Women's Championship.
Production
[edit]Background
[edit]
Battleground was previously an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event established by WWE in 2013. The inaugural 2013 event was held in October,[2] but then moved to July from 2014 to 2017, after which, it was discontinued.[3] Since its revival in 2023, the event has been held for WWE's developmental brand, NXT. On March 7, 2025, NXT's third Battleground event, and eighth overall, was announced to be held during Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida.[4] This event was part of a four-night residency of Yuengling Center, alongside Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIX, Monday Night Raw, and NXT; however, the NXT taping for May 27 was cancelled due to low ticket sales.[5] This event became the first NXT livestreaming event to take place in Tampa, as that city was originally planned to host NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay in 2020 at nearby Amalie Arena, but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to Peacock in the United States, the event was also available to livestream on Netflix in most international markets and the WWE Network in any remaining countries that had not yet transferred to Netflix due to pre-existing contracts. This marked the first Battleground to livestream on Netflix following the WWE Network's merger under the service in January 2025 in those areas.[6] Beginning with Halloween Havoc in 2024, all major NXT events are branded solely with the WWE logo instead of the NXT logo, marking the first Battleground since 2017 to just use the promotion's logo. Tickets went on sale on March 14 via Ticketmaster.[4]
As with the 2023 event, Battleground went head-to-head with Double or Nothing, a PPV event produced by All Elite Wrestling (AEW). According to WWE executive Shawn Michaels back in 2023, the scheduling was not intended for WWE to go head-to-head with AEW, but that it was just due to the holiday (Memorial Day weekend) as he said WWE events had always done well on holidays.[7][8]
Storylines
[edit]The event included matches that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the NXT brand, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television program, NXT,[9][10] as well as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's (TNA) weekly television program, Impact!, following WWE and TNA signing a multi-year partnership in January 2025.[11][12]
Following Oba Femi's successful NXT Championship defense at Stand & Deliver,[13] a battle royal was scheduled for the May 6 episode of NXT to determine the number one contender for the title at Battleground.[14] The match was won by No Quarter Catch Crew's Myles Borne.[15]
At Stand & Deliver, Stephanie Vaquer retained the NXT Women's Championship in a fatal four-way match involving Jordynne Grace and Giulia.[13] On the April 22 episode of NXT, after Vaquer won her match, she was confronted by Grace and Giulia.[16] After Grace's team defeated Giulia's team in a tag team match the following week, NXT General Manager Ava scheduled a match between Grace and Giulia on the May 6 episode, where the winner would face Vaquer for the title at Battleground.[14] The match was won by Grace.[15]
On the April 22 episode of NXT, TNA World Champion Joe Hendry interrupted NXT Champion Oba Femi and Trick Williams, trying to stake a claim to Femi's title. Williams took exception to Hendry's comments and mocked him for his quick defeat against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41, stating he was "first in line" for the title while telling Hendry he "didn't belong" in NXT. Hendry fired back at Williams's constant complaining before going eye-to-eye with Femi. Williams tried to intervene but was quickly dispatched by the two champions.[16] Five days later at TNA Rebellion, Williams ambushed Hendry after his successful title defense to close the show.[17] On the next episode of NXT, Hendry appeared and called out Williams, but was instead attacked by DarkState (Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars, Cutler James, and Osiris Griffin). Williams eventually appeared later, disregarding Hendry as a viable threat and star.[14] Two days later on Impact!, Hendry again called out Williams, but was met with a supposed satellite feed from the latter, who said he was preparing for a battle royal on the next week's NXT to determine Femi's next challenger. In the main event, Williams attacked Hendry during his six-man tag team match, costing Hendry's team the match, with Williams laying out Hendry after the match.[18] It was subsequently announced that Hendry and Elijah, whom Hendry formed an alliance, would face Williams in a tag team match two days before Battleground at TNA Under Siege, marking Williams's TNA in-ring debut.[19] On the next episode of NXT, Williams once again interfered in Hendry's six-man tag team match against DarkState, again costing Hendry the match. Later that night, Hendry interfered in the battle royal, allowing Elijah to eliminate Williams. NXT General Manager Ava subsequently announced that after speaking with TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella, Hendry would defend his title against Williams at Battleground, marking the first time the TNA World Championship would be defended in a WWE ring.[15]
Prior to Stand & Deliver, The D'Angelo Family (Tony D'Angelo, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, Luca Crusifino, and Adriana Rizzo) had been feuding with DarkState (Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars, Cutler James, and Osiris Griffin). On the April 8 episode of NXT, Lorenzo challenged DarkState to meet him in the parking lot the following week unbeknownst to D'Angelo, where he and Crusifino engaged in a vicious brawl with DarkState, who got the upper hand until D'Angelo arrived to even the odds. D'Angelo confronted Lorenzo for not consulting him about this plan.[20] This led to a six-man tag team match at Stand & Deliver, where Lorenzo turned on D'Angelo, turning heel in the process and costing The D'Angelo Family the match.[13] Over the following weeks, Crusifino disappeared while Rizzo went into hiding at a safe house per D'Angelo's request. On the April 29 episode, D'Angelo stated that Lorenzo's impulsivity put the group in danger and vowed to get revenge. Lorenzo responded via satellite and stated that D'Angelo had grown soft and was no longer capable of leading the group.[14] On the May 13 episode, D'Angelo competed against Wes Lee, where Lorenzo appeared via satellite from outside of Rizzo's safe house, distracting D'Angelo long enough to cost him the match. Later that night, D'Angelo arrived at the safe house, only to be ambushed by Lorenzo, who stated that he would end D'Angelo at Battleground, with a match between the two being scheduled for the event.[21]
At Stand & Deliver, WWE Women's Speed Champion Sol Ruca won a ladder match also involving Kelani Jordan and Ruca's tag team partner Zaria to win the vacant NXT Women's North American Championship.[13] On the April 29 episode of NXT, Jordan mocked Ruca and Zaria, stating that when she was champion, she defended the title every week. Ruca was about to agree to defend her title, but Zaria interrupted, stating that Jordan would have to face her first.[14] A match between Jordan and Zaria took place on the next episode, where Zaria won.[15] On the next episode, Kelani challenged Zaria for a rematch, stating that if she wins, she would challenge for Ruca's title at Battleground. Ruca agreed, and the match took place on the next episode,[21] where Jordan defeated Zaria.[22]
On the May 6 episode of NXT, Pro Wrestling Noah's Yoshiki Inamura announced that he would be heading back to his native Japan, effectively ending his partnership with Josh Briggs after months of dissension between the two.[15] The following week, Briggs reflected on how he felt guilty as if he pushed Inamura away, but he was comforted by NXT Tag Team Champions Hank and Tank (Hank Walker and Tank Ledger). The Culling leader Shawn Spears interrupted, saying Briggs has a pattern of pushing people away, including his former tag team partner, Brooks Jensen, a member of The Culling.[21] This led to a match between the two on the next episode, where Spears defeated Briggs after interference from the rest of The Culling (Jensen, Niko Vance, and Izzi Dame). After the match, Briggs attacked Spears, but was attacked by The Culling before Walker and Ledger came out to even the odds. Later that night, it was announced that Briggs, Walker, and Ledger would face Spears, Jensen, and Vance in a six-man tag team match at Battleground.[22]
Event
[edit]| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| Commentators | Vic Joseph |
| Corey Graves | |
| Booker T | |
| Spanish commentators | Marcelo Rodríguez |
| Jerry Soto | |
| Ring announcer | Mike Rome |
| Referees | Adrian Butler |
| Chip Danning | |
| Dallas Irvin | |
| Derek Sanders | |
| Felix Fernandez | |
| Interviewers | Kelly Kincaid |
| Sarah Schreiber | |
| Pre-show panel | Megan Morant |
| Sam Roberts |
Preliminary matches
[edit]The event opened with Sol Ruca defending the NXT Women's North American Championship against Kelani Jordan, who was accompanied by Zaria. Ruca delivered a headbutt to Jordan before executing her finisher The Sol Snatcher to retain her title.[23]
In the second match, Hank Walker and Tank Ledger secured a victory by hitting their signature Headbutt and Powerslam combination. Following the bout, The Culling launched a surprise attack on Josh Briggs. Yoshiki Inamura intervened, seizing a steel chair from Izzi Dame and using it to clear the ring.[23]
The third match saw interference from Luca Crusifino, who appeared at ringside to distract Tony D'Angelo and the referee. Taking advantage of the distraction, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo delivered a low blow to D'Angelo and followed up with a bicycle kick to the back of his head to earn the win. After the match, D'Angelo refused a hug from Crusifino, indicating tension between the two.[23]
In the fourth match, Stephanie Vaquer defeated Jordynne Grace to retain the NXT Women's Championship after delivering a Spiral Tap. Post-match, Vaquer was involved in a backstage altercation with AAA wrestlers Chik Tormenta and Dalys. The confrontation escalated when Jacy Jayne slapped Vaquer, leading to a backstage brawl.[23]
In the fifth match, Oba Femi defeated Myles Borne to retain the NXT Championship by delivering two Falls From Grace finishers to secure the victory.[23]
Main event
[edit]The main event featured Trick Williams facing Joe Hendry for the TNA World Championship. This marked the first occasion that the TNA World Championship was defended on a WWE pay-per-view event. During the match, Williams seized the TNA title belt, prompting Hendry to attempt his signature Standing Ovation chokeslam. However, Williams countered with an eye rake and executed a flapjack onto the TNA title belt. He then followed up with his finishing manoeuvre, the Trick Shot, to secure the victory. With this win, Williams became the first active WWE wrestler and the third non-contracted TNA wrestler (the other being Kenny Omega and Christian Cage) to capture the TNA World Championship.[23]
Aftermath
[edit]On the following episode of NXT, it was announced that NXT Women's Champion Stephanie Vaquer would team with Lola Vice to take on Chik Tormenta and Dalys at Worlds Collide. Also on that episode, Jacy Jayne defeated Vaquer to win the title after interference from Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx.[24]
Ricky Saints would later lose the NXT North American Championship to Ethan Page, marking Page's second NXT singles title win in less than a calendar year. It was then announced that Page would put the title on the line at Worlds Collide against former rival Je'Von Evans as well as SmackDown's Rey Fenix and AAA's Laredo Kid in a fatal four-way match.[24]
Results
[edit]| No. | Results | Stipulations | Times[23] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sol Ruca (c) (with Zaria) defeated Kelani Jordan by pinfall | Singles match for the NXT Women's North American Championship[25] | 12:59 | ||
| 2 | Hank and Tank (Hank Walker and Tank Ledger) and Josh Briggs defeated The Culling (Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance, and Shawn Spears) (with Izzi Dame) by pinfall | Six-man tag team match[25] | 9:26 | ||
| 3 | Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo defeated Tony D'Angelo by pinfall | Singles match[25] | 15:14 | ||
| 4 | Stephanie Vaquer (c) defeated Jordynne Grace by pinfall | Singles match for the NXT Women's Championship[25] | 16:07 | ||
| 5 | Oba Femi (c) defeated Myles Borne by pinfall | Singles match for the NXT Championship[25] | 16:49 | ||
| 6 | Trick Williams defeated Joe Hendry (c) by pinfall | Singles match for the TNA World Championship[25] | 14:58 | ||
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References
[edit]- ^ "FINAL COUNT: WWE Battleground [Yuengling Center, Tampa, FL]". WrestleTix. June 7, 2025.(subscription required)
- ^ Salgado, Sebastian (July 30, 2013). "WWE officially announces the Battleground PPV". Super Luchas. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
- ^ Sapp, Sean Ross (February 17, 2018). "WWE Eliminates Single-Branded PPV Shows, Shuffles PPV Schedule". Fightful. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ a b Currier, Joseph (March 7, 2025). "WWE reveals location for next Saturday Night's Main Event, John Cena to appear". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
- ^ Carrier, Steve (May 21, 2025). "Why WWE Canceled May 27 NXT Taping at Tampa's Yuengling Center Revealed". Ringside News.
- ^ Gibbons, Aidan (January 25, 2024). "WWE Network to be shut down by the end of 2024". Cultaholic. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 31, 2023). "Shawn Michaels Says NXT Battleground Running Same Day As AEW Double Or Nothing Was A Holiday Thing". Fightful. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
- ^ Reichlin, Michael (March 7, 2025). "WWE and AEW Set for Another Clash on May 25 with NXT Battleground and Double or Nothing". Se Scoops | Wrestling News, Results & Interviews. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ WWE.com Staff (January 16, 2025). "WWE & TNA Wrestling announce multi-year partnership". WWE. Archived from the original on January 16, 2025.
- ^ "WWE® & TNA Wrestling announce multi-year partnership". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. January 16, 2025. Archived from the original on January 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Moore, John (April 19, 2025). "NXT Stand & Deliver results: Moore's live review of Oba Femi vs. Trick Williams vs. Je'Von Evans for the NXT Title, Stephanie Vaquer vs. Giulia vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker for the NXT Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Moore, John (April 29, 2025). "NXT TV results (4/29): Moore's review of Ricky Saints vs. Lexis King for the NXT North American Championship, Hank & Tank vs. Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura for the NXT Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 30, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Moore, John (May 6, 2025). "NXT TV results (5/6): Moore's review of a 25-man battle royal for a shot at the NXT Championship at NXT Battleground, Giulia vs. Jordynne Grace for a shot at the NXT Women's Championship at NXT Battleground". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ a b Wells, Kelly (April 22, 2025). "NXT TV results (4/22): Wells's live report on Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez vs. Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley, more". PWTorch. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Powell, Jason (April 27, 2025). "TNA Rebellion results (4/27): Powell's review of Joe Hendry vs. Ethan Page vs. Frankie Kazarian for the TNA World Championship, Masha Slamovich vs. Tessa Blanchard for the Knockouts Title, Ultimate X". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ Moore, John (May 2, 2025). "TNA Impact results (5/1): Moore's review of Joe Hendry and The Hardys vs. Frankie Kazarian and The Nemeths, Moose vs. Zachary Wentz for the X Division Title, Leon Slater vs. KC Navarro". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 4, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ TNA Wrestling Staff (May 2, 2025). "Joe Hendry & Elijah Face Off Against Frankie Kazarian & NXT's Trick Williams at Under Siege". TNA Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 4, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
- ^ Moore, John (April 8, 2025). "NXT TV results (4/8): Moore's review of Darkstate vs. Oba Femi, Trick Williams, and Je'Von Evans, Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker, Wes Lee vs. Yoshiki Inamura". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 9, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c Moore, John (May 13, 2025). "NXT TV results (5/13): Moore's review of Oba Femi vs. Charlie Dempsey in a non-title match, Tony D'Angelo vs. Wes Lee, Joe Hendry and Trick Williams contract signing for the TNA Title at NXT Battleground". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ a b Moore, John (May 20, 2025). "NXT TV results (5/20): Moore's review of the Battleground go-home show with Joe Hendry and Trick Williams' concerts, J'Von Evans vs. Sean Legacy vs. Ashante Adonis in a Triple Threat". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Moore, John (May 25, 2025). "NXT Battleground results: Moore's live review of Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jordynne Grace for the NXT Women's Championship, Joe Hendry vs. Trick Williams for the TNA World Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Lindberg, Nate (May 27, 2025). "NXT TV results (5/27): Lindberg's Live Report on Stephanie Vaquer defending against Jacy Jayne, Ricky Saints defending against Ethan Page, Tatum Paxley vs. Jaida Parker, more". PWTorch. Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "WWE Battleground 2025 results: Trick Williams makes history by winning the TNA World Championship". WWE. May 25, 2025. Retrieved May 25, 2025.