On the Sept. 9 episode of NXT, Fatal Influence, The Culling, and ZaRuca clashed in a #1 Contender’s Elimination Match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Lainey Reid and Faby Apache battled in the Speed Women’s Title Tournament. Add in a chilling message from Blake Monroe, the latest “This Is Lola Vice” feature, and a shocking main-event angle involving Jacy Jayne, Stephanie Vaquer, Tiffany Stratton, and Rhea Ripley and you’ve got a stacked NXT Homecoming next week!
Speed Women’s Title Tournament Match: Faby Apache vs. Lainey Reid
The night opened with Faby Apache trying to establish dominance early, landing a front dropkick right at the bell. Lainey reversed an Irish whip, but Faby ducked her strike and sent her flying with a rana to the floor. Not done yet, Faby launched herself from the apron with a dive to keep momentum rolling.
Back inside, Faby stayed aggressive, but a sudden kick to the head from Lainey shifted things. They went into a test of strength that broke down into a sunset flip near-fall. Faby came back with a slam and charged, only to miss and eat a retaliatory strike. The two exchanged counters and pin attempts until Faby nailed a German suplex for two.
As Faby climbed up top, Natalya made her way to ringside, eyes locked on the action. That momentary distraction was all Lainey needed — she dodged Faby’s dive and drilled her with a knee to the head for the win.
Winner: Lainey Reid (advances to face Candice LeRae in the Finals)
Backstage, Sol Ruca and Zaria shared a lighthearted moment, joking about where Sol would even stash a third championship belt if they managed to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles at Homecoming. Sol playfully floated the idea of balancing it during her surfing routines, while Zaria smirked at her partner’s optimism. But the tone shifted as Zaria admitted this match wasn’t just about fun, it was about proving they belong at the top and making her dream of walking into Homecoming as a champion a reality.
In a cinematic vignette, Blake Monroe was shown bathed in a red hue, sitting in a bathtub filled with bubbles that felt more unsettling than comforting. She admitted she once wanted to be “clean and untouchable,” but Jordynne Grace shattered that illusion when she busted her open last week. Blake’s eerie voice carried a mix of anger and twisted fascination, confessing that Grace had awakened something inside her that she thought was long buried. No longer interested in polish or perfection, Monroe promised to embrace the darker side of The Glamour, one that thrives on violence, chaos, and control. Her closing line “The Glamour can even make the devil blush. See you in hell, JG.” felt less like a threat and more like a vow.
The second installment of Lola Vice’s profile package continued to blur the line between hype and genuine pride. Cameras followed her to her father’s martial arts academy, where she embraced him warmly before diving into memories of how martial arts has always been in her bloodline. Lola’s father, Frank, praised her determination, while her sister described watching Lola’s viral NXT moments unfold live, recalling how surreal it felt to see her sibling captivate an entire arena. Lola framed her career as a fight against perception. Defying the belief that she was just another pretty face, proving herself in MMA, and now in NXT. Clips of her training and dancing cut alongside interview bites of her smirking confidently at the camera, reminding fans that she doesn’t mind being “petty” if it means flaunting her hard-earned accomplishments. As the package closed, Lola declared that her match against Jacy Jayne at No Mercy wasn’t just about a title opportunity. It was her chance to carve her legacy for herself, her family, and Vice City.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s Elimination Match: Fatal Influence vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. The Culling
The action started at a sprint, with Nyx and Tatum double-teaming Zaria until she came back with a burst of offense, tossing both women aside. The match quickly devolved into chaos (a theme for the entire bout).
Inside, Izzi Dame and Zaria traded heavy strikes until both collapsed from a double clothesline. Fallon Henley tagged in with a high crossbody, leading to a flurry of near-falls. Sol Ruca entered with her trademark springboards, including a gorgeous dropkick and a double-surfing sequence that popped the crowd. Fallon cut her off on the apron, but Zaria made up for it by spearing Spears off the apron and setting up Sol’s breathtaking moonsault onto all of The Culling.
After the break, it was bedlam. Sol connected with a top-rope Super Blockbuster alongside Nyx, then Zaria ran wild with suplexes. Just when it looked like she and Sol had things locked down, Sol’s Snatcher accidentally nailed Zaria. Fallon tossed Sol and Nyx pinned Zaria eliminating them and leaving Fatal Influence against The Culling.
The closing stretch was crisp: Izzi nailed Nyx with a vicious chokeslam on the apron, Fallon fought back but got cut off, and finally Tatum finished her with the Psycho Blade followed by a Power Bomb.
Winners: The Culling (earning a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title shot against Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair)
Post-match, Jacy Jayne wasted no time berating Fallon and Jazmyn, blaming them for failure and reminding everyone she runs the division.
As Jacy ranted, black cars pulled up outside the arena. She continued tearing into Fatal Influence, claiming she carried the group and declaring herself the greatest NXT Women’s Champion ever. That’s when Stephanie Vaquer appeared, calling Jacy out and promising to take back the title at Wrestlepalooza.
Jacy tried to intimidate Stephane by pointing to Fatal Influence’s numbers advantage. Cue the return of Tiffany Stratton, who mocked Jacy’s claim to being the greatest champion and proudly reminded everyone she’s the reigning WWE Women’s Champion.
But the real hammer drop came when Rhea Ripley stormed into NXT. Jacy’s smug confidence instantly evaporated as Rhea, Tiffany, and Stephanie challenged Fatal Influence to a six-woman showdown. The trio cleaned house, leaving the Raw and SmackDown stars standing tall to close out the show.
Lainey Reid’s tournament win sets up a finals match with Candice LeRae, while The Culling cemented themselves as legitimate contenders with their elimination victory. The closing angle? Random but it’ll be a great match regardless. The clear story going forward is what will go down with Fatal Influence.
Leave your comments below, what did you think of NXT this week?
