The September 9 episode of WWE NXT from the WWE Performance Center in Winter Park, Florida delivered an explosive night of action, surprises, and storyline developments that are already setting the course for the coming weeks. With Josh Briggs scoring a brutal victory over Je’Von Evans, DarkState successfully defending their NXT Tag Team Championships against Hank & Tank, and major player returns shaking up Fatal Influence, this NXT edition was packed with energy and drama.

Josh Briggs Secures a Gritty Win Over Je’Von Evans

The night’s opening contest saw a fierce confrontation between two contrasting styles: the power and calculated aggression of Josh Briggs versus the high-flying, technical flair of Je’Von Evans. Before the bell even rang, Evans launched a daring Stage Dive onto Briggs, signaling his intent to dominate from the outset. The match itself was a back-and-forth showcase, including Evans’ Handspring Corkscrew Kick, Frog Splash, and a daring Swanton Coast to Coast that thrilled fans.

However, Briggs’ brawling tactics prevailed as he introduced underhanded tactics into the match, most notably wielding a steel chain-wrapped right hand that led to his eventual win, much to the dismay of viewers and officials alike. The use of illegal weapons highlighted Briggs’ ruthless persona and set the stage for a potential heated rivalry going forward[1][4][5].

High Stakes in the Women’s Speed Tournament and Tag Team Contenders Battle

In the ongoing WWE Speed Women’s Tournament semifinals, Lainey Reid upset AAA star Faby Apache in a time-limited bout, advancing her position toward a championship opportunity against defending champ Sol Ruca. With savvy in-ring work and resilience, Reid’s victory was notable in front of Natalya, who watched ringside[1][2][5].

Another highlight was the #1 Contenders Elimination Match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship. The chaotic triple-threat featuring Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Jazmyn Nyx), The Culling (Tatum Paxley & Izzi Dame), and ZaRuca (Sol Ruca & Zaria) saw The Culling emerge victorious, setting up fresh challengers for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, who are set to discover their next opponents from NXT soon[1][2].

DarkState Retains NXT Tag Team Championships Amid Ringside Mayhem

In arguably the night’s main event, DarkState’s Dion Lennox and Osiris Griffin put their NXT Tag Team Titles on the line against the hungry challengers Hank Walker and Tank Ledger. The bout was fiercely contested, with back-and-forth near falls and intense teamwork from both sides.

The tide turned when ringside chaos erupted after Cutler James called in Joe Hendry, igniting turmoil that distracted Hank & Tank. Seizing the moment, Lennox capitalized with a quick roll-up on Hank Walker to secure the pinfall and retain the titles for DarkState. This victory extends DarkState’s reign further while adding an unpredictable dynamic with Hendry and James involved in the rivalry[2][3][4][5].

Tavion Heights Wins Flag Match Against Ethan Page

Adding to the card’s intensity was the Flag Match between Tavion Heights and Ethan Page, which concluded with Heights securing the victory. The unique stipulations of this match type showcased Heights’ gritty determination and furthered his standing in the NXT singles scene[1][3].

Major Returns and Promos Stir the NXT Landscape

The episode also featured the return of Candice LeRae’s ally Carmelo Hayes, who came out to back up Trick Williams in a heated confrontation with the legendary tag team DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa). Sources close to WWE insiders indicated this sets the stage for high-profile clashes as DIY remain one of NXT’s most storied teams.

Meanwhile, faction tensions reached a boiling point when Jacy Jayne, still proclaiming herself the greatest Women’s Champion in NXT history, was interrupted by a surprising and fiery promo from Stephanie Vaquer. The situation escalated as Tiffany Stratton and Rhea Ripley appeared unexpectedly to challenge Fatal Influence to a Trios Match next week, promising an explosive showdown[1][5].

Backstage Insights

According to a WWE insider speaking on the Fightful Wrestling Podcast post-show discussion, the orchestrated chaos involving DarkState’s title defense was designed to deepen storylines around Joe Hendry and Cutler James, potentially hinting at a faction dynamic or managerial influence in the tag division. The insider also noted that the Speed Women’s Tournament is being pushed hard to elevate new talent on the women’s roster, emphasizing the significance of Lainey Reid’s win over a veteran like Faby Apache[1].

Looking Ahead

With DarkState still champion, Lainey Reid advancing in the Speed Women’s Tournament, and rising stars like Josh Briggs establishing themselves as ruthless competitors, the September 9 NXT episode served as a pivotal chapter in WWE’s developmental brand narrative. The combination of returning stars, faction rivalries, and tournament action perfectly positions NXT as a must-watch show leading into the fall season.

Fans can expect the fallout from these events to unfold over the coming weeks on The CW and Netflix broadcasts, with title feuds intensifying and new alliances forming. Make sure to tune into next week’s episode for the promised Trios Match featuring Fatal Influence, Ripley, and Stratton—sure to be a marquee bout in the women’s division.

For real-time updates and analysis, Fightful’s YouTube and Twitch channels offer comprehensive post-show reviews and interviews, while WWE.com provides official recaps and social media coverage.