WWE will present a new episode of NXT tonight on The CW.
WWE fans were stunned when Corey Graves made a surprise appearance on the “WWE NXT” commentary team during the January 7 episode, signaling a significant change for the longtime voice of Raw. After two weeks of absence from WWE’s flagship show, speculation about his status reached a boiling point. Finally, Graves broke his silence in a heartfelt and fiery social media post following the conclusion of the January 13 episode of Raw.
In his emotional statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Graves reflected on his love for the wrestling industry and the heartbreaking derailment of his in-ring career due to a string of concussions and neck injuries during his NXT tenure. He recounted how he channeled his passion into commentary, finding success in what he referred to as a “dream-adjacent” role. However, Graves didn’t hold back his frustration with being removed from the Raw commentary team in favor of Pat McAfee, calling out WWE’s decision-making process.
“Imagine chasing your dream. Then being TOLD (not deciding) that you’re no longer physically able to pursue your dream. Then you dedicate your life to something ‘dream adjacent’ and being pretty fu**ing awesome at it. And then, when it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, being told you’re not famous enough for your own job. Just in case you’ve wondered where I’ve been,” Graves wrote.
The post struck a chord with fans and fellow wrestlers alike, as many rallied behind Graves, showing their support. The hashtag #WeWantGraves quickly gained traction, with one reply garnering over 24,000 views as of this writing.
Graves’ move to NXT appears to be directly tied to WWE’s decision to bring in Pat McAfee for the Raw commentary booth. McAfee, a former NFL punter and current ESPN college football personality, has become a household name thanks to his high-energy broadcasting style and cross-platform fame. While McAfee’s addition has been praised for drawing mainstream attention, it’s clear the decision has left a sour taste for Graves and his supporters.
This shakeup has left Graves indefinitely stationed on NXT, with no immediate plans for a return to either Raw or SmackDown. However, reports suggest that he could rejoin the main roster later in the year when McAfee takes a leave during the college football season. It remains uncertain whether Graves would reclaim his Raw spot or transition into a different role.
Graves’ loyalty to WWE is well-documented. After injuries forced him to retire from in-ring competition, he fully embraced the color commentator role, becoming a standout voice for the company. Over the years, his sharp wit, deep wrestling knowledge, and chemistry with broadcast partners have made him a fan favorite and an integral part of WWE programming.
His recent comments reflect not only his personal disappointment but also a sense of betrayal after years of hard work and dedication. Despite this, Graves’ professionalism has shone through, as he’s reportedly committed to bringing his signature commentary style to NXT.
Graves’ move to NXT might not be permanent, but his future remains uncertain. Whether he stays in the developmental brand for the foreseeable future or makes a return to the main roster later in the year, one thing is clear: Graves has a loyal fanbase that isn’t shy about voicing their support.
For now, fans tuning in to NXT can expect Graves to elevate the brand’s commentary, lending his unique insight to the next generation of WWE superstars. However, his social media post serves as a reminder of the emotional toll these changes can have, even on one of WWE’s most seasoned commentators.
The “Savior of Misbehavior” may be off Raw for now, but his voice — and his passion for the wrestling business — is far from silenced.
For more updates on Corey Graves, WWE’s evolving commentary teams, and the latest developments across the wrestling world, stay locked in with Wrestling News Blog!
WWE NXT New Year’s Evil tonight live on The CW from the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, CA.
WWE NXT tonight on The CW.
As WWE gears up for a transformative 2025, the company’s programming continues to shift across networks, and it seems NXT Level Up is the latest casualty of this new era.
According to a report from Fightful Select, WWE is set to wrap up NXT Level Up this week, with Thursday’s taping reportedly marking the series’ final episode. This comes amid WWE’s broader network shuffle, as the company prepares for RAW’s highly anticipated move to Netflix in January.
NXT itself has already undergone significant changes this year. Back in October, SmackDown moved from FOX to the USA Network, while NXT transitioned from USA to The CW Network. Along with this shift, older episodes of NXT migrated from Peacock to The CW App, causing uncertainty about where supplemental content like NXT Level Up would land.
NXT Level Up first debuted on February 18, 2022, as a successor to the beloved 205 Live. The show primarily served as a proving ground for newer NXT talent—those who had yet to establish themselves on the main Tuesday night NXT broadcast. Episodes were often taped either before or after the live NXT shows, giving developmental wrestlers a chance to gain experience in front of a live audience.
Despite its role in spotlighting emerging stars, the future of NXT Level Up has felt uncertain for months. The lack of clarity on its streaming home—especially with NXT’s library moving to The CW—sparked speculation that the show would soon be discontinued. Now, with Fightful’s report indicating its imminent conclusion, it appears WWE is officially pulling the plug.
While NXT Level Up may be ending, WWE’s developmental brand remains a key focus. NXT’s move to The CW has given the brand a new home with broader reach, and WWE is clearly investing in elevating its younger talent through Tuesday night programming. With RAW moving to Netflix in 2025 and SmackDown thriving on USA Network, WWE’s media landscape continues to evolve—and smaller shows like NXT Level Up may no longer fit into the company’s long-term strategy.
For now, fans can tune in to the final episode of NXT Level Up this Thursday as WWE says goodbye to the short-lived series. It’s a bittersweet end for a show that helped develop the next generation of stars, but it’s clear WWE has its eyes set on a much bigger stage as it heads into 2025.
WWE NXT live tonight on The CW from the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA.
WWE will also be taping next week’s episode to air on December 24 later tonight.
Tuesday night’s WWE NXT delivered a surprise return as Shotzi stormed back from injury to even the odds against the dangerous duo of Fatal Influence—Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx. After months on the shelf, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion made an emphatic statement, standing tall alongside Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolan.
Numbers Game and a Sneaky Assist
Before the match, Tatum Paxley hinted at a surprise ally during a backstage conversation with Gigi Dolan—just before being rudely interrupted by Shawn Spears. Paxley reassured Dolan not to stress over Fatal Influence’s potential numbers advantage. However, that advantage quickly came into play.
During their tag team showdown, Jazmyn Nyx managed to divert the referee’s attention long enough for Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley to strike. Henley knocked Paxley off the top rope, allowing Jacy Jayne to capitalize with a brutal spinning right hand. Jayne pinned Paxley for the win, giving Fatal Influence a decisive victory.
Shotzi Returns to Save the Day
Post-match, the chaos escalated as Fatal Influence launched a beatdown on Paxley and Dolan. Just when it seemed like the pair was outnumbered, Shotzi’s iconic entrance music hit, and the crowd erupted. The fan-favorite sprinted down the ramp, steel determination in her eyes, to fend off Fatal Influence and stand strong with Paxley and Dolan.
Shotzi’s return marks the end of a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury suffered back in February during an NXT Women’s Championship match against Lyra Valkyria. Originally expected to miss around nine months, Shotzi used her time off not only to rehabilitate her knee but also to address lingering back issues. The powerhouse competitor even sought stem cell treatment in Mexico, further aiding her recovery.
What’s Next for Shotzi?
Shotzi’s return injects new energy into the NXT women’s division, and her alliance with Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolan may spell trouble for Fatal Influence moving forward. With Fallon Henley lurking in the mix as well, this budding rivalry seems far from over. Will Shotzi and her new allies get revenge, or will Fatal Influence and their underhanded tactics continue to dominate?
Stay tuned as the action unfolds on WWE NXT!
WWE NXT live tonight on the CW.
Je’Von Evans and Wes Lee to start.
Evans hot out the gates, looking for nearfalls, standing shooting star press… SO CLOSE! Lee takes the momentum, spiking him, shoulder blocks in the corner, spinebuster into a jackknife pin… NOPE! Deathlock the legs, grounded punches right to the middle of Je’Von’s spine! Whip reversed and reversed again, Evans with an Arabian press tijeras but Wes sidesteps the dropkick and stomps him!
Je’Von throwing hands, back suplex blocked, headlock punches from Lee but Evans gets the slam for two! Ace Crusher blocked, Je’Von completes it as a Stunner but Wes catches him, schoolboy pin with his feet on the ropes…
Wes Lee earns a fall by pinfall with a schoolboy and his feet on the ropes on Je’Von Evans, for a total of one (1) fall.
The countdown timer ticks…
Nathan Frazer is out third.
Frazer a whirlwind of violence, frog splash… SO CLOSE! Whip reversed out of the corner, up and over, handspring away, reverse STO into the turnbuckles just like his mentor Seth Rollins! Out to the floor, rolling Koppu kick from Lee! Shotgun dropkick puts Nathan into the barricade and Evans returns to the match from the penalty box… TOPE CON GIRO!
Rolling Wes back inside, he rolls out the other side, Je’Von turns and goes after Frazer, throwing him inside. Catch a kick,Nathan gets him on the rebound and Evans blasts him with a kick off the apron, cover, Lee comes in with a somersault senton to break it up! Big slam from Je’Von… STILL NO!
Evans and Frazer up top, jockeying for position, back down, Sling Blade from Nathan… NOPE! Je’Von schoolboy, only two, Frazer with a sunset flip, also two, schoolboy of his own, still not enough! Off the ropes, Nathan clotheslines him to the floor and Je’Von lands on Lee only to get powerbombed into the apron!
Frazer surveys the scene, off the ropes, suicide dive connects! Desultory brawling as the countdown timer ticks…
“All Ego” Ethan Page is out fourth.
All Ego charges in and immediately gets caught…
Nathan Frazer earns a fall by pinfall with a small package on Ethan Page, for a total of one (1) fall.
Page refuses to get into the Penalty Box but Je’Von shoves him in! In the ring, Lee with a schoolboy, no deal, O’Connor roll from Nathan, Evans blasts him with a kick on the kickout, suplex countered, Wes pulls him in, off the ropes, Frazer takes ‘em both out with a lariat!
Frazer lands a Final Cut on Wes, goes up top, Phoenix Splash, Ethan Page returns and stacks him up…
Ethan Page earns a fall by pinfall with a schoolboy pin on Nathan Frazer, for a total of one (1) fall.
Nathan’s bleeding from the nose as he goes to the box, Page tries to steal a quick one on Lee, no deal! Fighting to the apron, Ethan with an electric chair, directing traffic… SUICIDE DIVE DOOMSDAY DEVICE! Back inside, heels fighting over who gets to make the cover, it turns into a brawl on the floor… EVANS DIVES ON THEM!
Throwing All Ego back inside, Je’Von off the top with a splash… WES BREAKS IT UP! Nathan returns from the box, springboard axhandle, all four guys trading strikes as the countdown timer ticks…
Oba Femi is the fifth man!
Femi wrecks house and gets one right away…
Oba Femi earns a fall by pinfall with a lariat on Je’Von Evans, for a total of one (1) fall.
Big backbreaker on All Ego, Lee breaks it up with a superkick, Oba counters a back handspring with the tossing powerbomb… FRAZER BREAKS IT UP! Last Ride on Nathan… ETHAN PULLS THE REFEREE OFF THE PIN! They argue, Femi has hate in his eyes as he slides to the floor and goozles Page against the Lexan of the Penalty Box and bounces his head off of it!
Wes dives and gets caught by Oba, Je’Von is free to return but the door isn’t opening! Nathan puts Femi into the post, Evans climbs out and dives on him! Back inside, springboard…
Je’Von Evans earns a fall by pinfall with a springboard Ace Crusher, for a total of one (1) fall.
Je’Von and Oba square up, throwing hands, Frazer comes in with a dropkick, body blows in the corner, double-teaming the Ruler! Lee joins in, buzzsaw roundhouse sets up a superkick, another superkick, a third, Femi powers up and decks Evans! Superkick Party from Nathan and Wes but Oba freight trains them both!
Whip across, Last Ride on Je’Von, Page slides in and steals one…
Ethan Page earns a fall by pinfall with a folding press on Oba Femi for a total of two (2) falls.
Page falls into a pin on Je’Von, Evans counters…
Je’Von Evans earns a fall by pinfall with a crucifix pin on Ethan Page, for a total of two (2) falls.
All Ego doesn’t want to go in the box with Oba Femi but he has to! Oba throws him into the Lexan and he climbs out the top but Femi pulls him back in and beats him unholy into the plastic! Oba out of the box, Je’Von dives on him, he catches him as All Ego returns to the match… or he would if he wasn’t unconscious.
Oba throws Evans into the Lexan, leaving him unconscious. Back inside, Lee trying to choke him out, rammed into the corner, fending Wes and Natha off with thirty seconds on the clock! Double goozle, double chokeslam, double cover…
Oba Femi earns two falls by pinfall with double chokeslams on both Wes Lee and Nathan Frazer, for a total of three (3) falls.
Evans returns to the match, diving Ace Crusher, but he’s too slow to make the cover and time runs out…
Oba Femi wins, earning three falls total, and becomes #1 contender to the NXT Championship.
We get a Lexis King vignette where he talks about how he came to town even though he’s not booked on the show because here is where he got left out in the cold and now he’s trying to prove every day that he’s not the same, he’s different, and he’s gonna exceed beyond anything he ever did.
He struggles now, but it’s a fight worth fighting for.
Vice takes her down for mounted punches, Parker returns the favor with a spinebuster, drags her around the mat, Lola lands an upkick and blasts Jaida into the crowd at ringside with a boot! Jumping onto Parker for punches, Jaida throws her back inside, scoop and a slam! Another slam, a third, Parker catches a kick and blasts her with an elbow!
Vice in guard, she gets an ankle lock out of it! Jaida crawls to the apron and breaks the hold, Lola flashes a kick at her, action to the floor and Parker ducks a backfist! Blood in the water, Jaida working her arm over, smashing it into the apron, hip attack in the frame of the ring!
Back inside, Parker striking away, grounded punches, Lola trying to block from guard but Jaida overwhelms her, smashing her injured hand into the mat and stomping it! Parker grabs Vice’s black belt and uses it to smash her hand into the post before wrenching it around!
Back inside, Lola gets a second wind, some elbow smashes, Parker cuts her off, Samoan drop connects! Grabbing an armbar, Vice reverses, sleeper hold applied but Jaida posts to her feet and counters with a senton! Brick in play, hammerfists, Lola goes back to the sleeper, Parker reaching for the brick, Vice rolls her around, snap suplex connects!
Back suplex gets Jaida some breathing room, she grabs the brick, Lola cuts her off with a backfist but immediately regrets it, screaming and clutching her wrist! Arm-trap head-and-arm triangle choke applied… IT’S OVER!
Lola Vice wins by referee stoppage with an arm-trap head-and-arm triangle choke.
Axiom chats with a banged-up Nathan Frazer backstage and reassures him that they’re the best tag team in the world and they have this.
Borne and Frazer to start, Myles gets the better of Nathan and we get some tags. Heights gets a wicked half-halch suplex off and follows it up with a gator roll! Axiom returns a snapmare, rolling solebutt, Frazer tags back in, Axiom has a Cobra Twist, Nathan off the ropes and he blasts Tavion with a kick!
OTM make their way down the ramp, Frazer gets distracted, action spills to the floor and NQCC get into a shouting match with OTM! Heights suplexes Nathan out of the ring and into Bronco Nima and Lucien Price! Referees eject OTM, Tavion attacking Frazer with grounded punches!
Continuing to work Nathan over, Borne in, wicked pop-up slam cuts him off but doesn’t keep him down! Heights back in, assisted snap scoop powerslam, and a wicked gutwrench facebuster for a nearfall! Frazer snaps off an enzuigiri and tags Axiom back in! A crossbody and a flurry of chops and elbows, up to the second, Myles pulls him down but Axiom puts him into Tavion and takes them both out!
Off the ropes, Penalty Kick, cover for two! Heights with a spinning Tenryu Powerbomb… NO DEAL! Frazer legal again, NQCC double-team him and Axiom makes the save! Rising knee fends Heights off, taking Myles down, Nathan covers, Tavion runs in, Golden Ratio, all four men down and out!
Malfunction at the junction, Axiom accidentally blasts Nathan with a missile dropkick and Tavion slams Frazer into the apron! He tags in, fireman’s carry, F-5 / DDT combination… AXIOM KICKS OUT! Axiom lands a flip piledriver, Borne with a crucifix, countered…
Fraxiom win by pinfall with a small package from Axiom on Myles Borne, retaining the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Backstage, Je’Von Evans is interviewed and he talks about how he can go all night and jokingly suggests he should be put into the women’s match when Wes Lee walks up to ask why he’s so chipper after getting beat and Je’Von chides him for being salty. Lee says one day he’ll be just like him and he cracks Evans across the jaw!
Security swarms and we move on.
Hot out the gates, Holland with a nearfall off some strikes! Action to the floor, Ridge throwing Williams around, Trick fights out with headbutts and throws him hard into the post! Back and forth, Ridge back in control, Hot Shot sets up a big neckbreaker! Neckbreaker denied, Williams with a DDT and he’s got some breathing room!
Desperate right hands, looking for the Book End, Holland counters and takes him down into an arm-trap crossface, reversed into a cover for two! Book End connects this time… NOPE! Air Raid Crash connects, Ridge goes up top, nobody home for the headbutt, Trick lands Cyclone Kill… SO CLOSE!
Trading covers for nearfalls, both men down and out! To the floor, Ridge clears the announce desk, takes Williams up top, back body drop counters! Back inside, Holland gets him trapped neck-first in the ropes somehow! Referee DA Brewere manages to free him but it’s a near thing! Ridge catches him… TRICK KICKS OUT OF THE REDEEMER!
Trick sets it up…
Trick Williams wins by pinfall with Trickshot, retaining the NXT Championship.
I lost the exact details in a copy/paste error but Ava Raine had a bit backstage with Tiffany Stratton setting some stuff up for upcoming shows.
Giulia and Wren Sinclair start the match.
Feeling out, Giulia largely in control, a little striking, a little grappling, whip reversed, shoulder block, octopus hold countered and the countdown timer ticks…
Sol Ruca is out third.
Ruca a flurry of superkicks, revolution back suplex facebuster on Giulia, surfing on her, Sinclair off the ropes, crossbody caught and Sol slams her into Giulia… NO GOOD! Wren with Cattle Mutilation on Ruca, Giulia lets it go for a minute before breaking it up and stacking them up for a double crossface! Letting go of that, sleeper on Wren, Sol grabs one on Giulia for the double-stack!
Sinclair fights out into a Fujiwara armbar on Ruca, bridging backshifting to a heel hook on Giulia, back and forth, top wristlock from Giulia on Sol, Wren breaks it up with a dropkick, Sinclair with a running knee on Ruca! Whip blocked, Giulia chooses to help her out and Sol slides clean out of the ring to the floor!
Short-arm knee from Giulia, scoop…
Giulia earns a fall by pinfall with a northern lights bomb on Wren Sinclair, for a total of one (1) fall.
The countdown timer ticks…
Zaria is out fourth.
Zaria wrecking shop, defying attempts to double-team her, Ruca manages a double Soul Snatcher but both women fall out of the ring, no pinfall! Sinclair gets out of the penalty box…
Sol Ruca earns a fall by pinfall with Soul Snatcher on Wren Sinclair for a total of one (1) fall.
Sol in it with Zaria, fighting on the apron, back elbow knocks her down, Giulia gets under her, Zaria fights her off! Sol and Giulia team up… DOUBLE POWERBOMB THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE! Giulia follows it with a hanging neckbreaker off the apron as Wren gets out again! Sinclair trying to pick the bones, she gets Giulia up but Giulia is no easy mark and they fight out to the other side of the floor!
Ruca dives on them, back inside, cover, countdown timer ticks…
Stephanie Vaquer is out fifth.
Vaquer cleaning house, Zaria pulls her out of the ring and smashes her into the penalty box! Back inside, lariat for Giulia, German suplex for Sinclair, spear for Ruca! Giulia grabs a sleeper hold, Stephanie climbs on top of her but Zaria shrugs her off in the corner!
Walking Giulia into the middle of the ring, Zaria gets a grip on her neck… CANNONBALL POWERSLAM RIGHT INTO VAQUER! Fireman’s carry…
Zaria earns a fall by pinfall with the F-5 on Giulia, for a total of one (1) fall.
Schoolboy on Sol, Wren counters, Ruca double pin, no dice! Stephanie with a Codebreaker, X-Factor from Sol, the three of them down and out! Giulia back in the action, double missile dropkick, cover on Zaria, Sinclair pulls her off the cover! Hammerlock revolution Michinoku Driver on Wren, Vaquer breaks it up!
Stephanie and Giulia work together to take everybody out and trade headbutts in the middle of the ring! Vaquer with the package lift, countered, back suplex connects! Rolling figure four headscissors, smashing Giulia’s face into the mat, up top, cut off, butterfly superplex from the Beautiful Madness!
Sol capitalizes with a splash, Zaria pulls her off with a German suplex! Sinclair sidesteps a chair, Vaquer cuts her off…
Stephanie Vaquer earns a fall by pinfall with a crossleg victory roll pin, for a total of one (1) fall.
Ruca off the ropes, Giulia drop toehold but she ducks a Tiger feint kick from Stephanie! Springboard front flip double lariat, no dice! Wren gets out of the box, sunset flip…
Wren Sinclair earns a fall by pinfall with a sunset flip on Sol Ruca, for a total of one (1) fall.
Zaria spears her and Vaquer both, fireman’s carry, F-5 but Giulia cuts her off…
Giulia earns a fall by pinfall with Arrivederci, for a total of two (2) falls.
Stephanie rushes in and pins her but time is up!
Giulia wins with a total of two (2) falls, becoming #1 contender to the NXT Women’s Championship.
Credit to CageSideSeats
If there’s one thing to know about the Paul Levesque era of WWE, it’s that every detail matters—no line, moment, or background shot is without purpose. That philosophy was on full display during this week’s WWE SmackDown, as a small but significant comment could signal a major roster shakeup in the near future.
During the opening promo segment featuring Cody Rhodes, RAW’s Chad Gable—alongside The Creed Brothers—surprisingly made an appearance on the blue brand. While it might seem odd for RAW Superstars to crash SmackDown, Gable quickly explained that “the transfer window is about to open,” hinting at a potential move to SmackDown. He further noted that SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis was already working behind the scenes to bring him over.
To add fuel to the fire, Michael Cole followed up on commentary, stating that when RAW officially moves to Netflix in January 2025, fans can expect significant changes to both SmackDown and NXT. Cole’s comment left little doubt that trades, roster shake-ups, and call-ups from NXT are on the horizon as WWE prepares for a new era across its brands.
WWE is clearly preparing for a seismic shift in 2025 as it adjusts to new deals and platforms. The “transfer window” could be a game-changing way to keep storylines fresh, create buzz around Superstar moves, and elevate talent from NXT. It also ties into WWE’s growing partnership with Netflix, giving fans plenty to look forward to as WWE embarks on a new era.
For now, details are scarce, but the groundwork is being laid. Keep an eye on SmackDown, RAW, and NXT in the coming months because when the “transfer window” officially opens, the WWE landscape could look very different.
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