WWE NXT rolls into Fort Lauderdale with No Mercy, featuring Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, Jacy Jayne, Lola Vice, and more!

This ain’t your father’s (older brother’s?) NXT. NXT in 2025 is a raw, unapologetic proving ground where the future writes itself in pain and pageantry. Forget the odds—this show is about hunger. About chaos. About legacy just waiting to be stolen. And no brand, in my opinion, is hungrier, more chaotic, and more motivated to create legacies than WWE NXT. So in classic DeMarco fashion, let’s dive headfirst into every match, every story, and every prediction.

WWE NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Ricky Saints

The story: Oba Femi is a one-man apocalypse in boots—a dominant, unshaken force whose reign has become more fearsome with every defense. But Ricky Saints isn’t here to play respect-the-champ; he’s here to punch a god in the face and steal the crown while doing it. Saints has momentum, mouth, and madness—and that makes him dangerous. The question is, can he stop a man who hasn’t flinched all year?

The prediction: Oba Femi retains the NXT Championship when Trick Williams and/or TNA talent get involved in this match, leading to a rematch in October that prevents outside interference. Ricky Saints’ time is coming in October. (Yes, TNA is running in Canada, so this may not happen.)

WWE NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) (with Fallon Henley) vs. Lola Vice

The story: Jacy Jayne is clinging to that title like it’s a lifeline, and with Fallon Henley by her side, the scheming never stops. Lola Vice has kicked her way through NXT’s toughest, building legitimacy and fanfare on her own terms. This isn’t just a title fight—it’s a culture clash between plastic power and authentic violence. If Lola connects clean, we may be crowning a new era.

The prediction: Lola Vice does in fact connect clean, and Mike Rome exclaims #ANDNEW NXT Women’s Champion. Expect either more dissension or a new member to be added to Fatal Influence in the coming weeks–might I suggest Karmen Petrovic?

WWE Women’s Speed Championship: Sol Ruca (c) (with Zaria) vs. Lainey Reid

The story: Sol Ruca flips, flies, and finishes fights in highlight-reel fashion, but don’t sleep on Lainey Reid’s grind. Lainey has scratched and clawed her way into title contention, and she’s not here for a sprint—she’s here for a statement. With Zaria looming ringside, expect chaos at top speed. One misstep, and this Speed title might change hands before the next commercial break.

The prediction: I know it seems easy to split Sol and Zaria at some point, but I think now is not the right time. So I’m gonna say Sol Ruca successfully retains the Women’s Speed Championship, either in the final seconds, or via a draw.

NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Tavion Heights

The story: Ethan Page has strutted into NXT like he owns the damn brand—and so far, he’s backing it up. But Tavion Heights isn’t here to be a stepping stone; he’s a next-level athlete with Olympic pedigree and an explosive chip on his shoulder. The tension here? Page’s arrogance vs. Tavion’s precision. If Tavion brings both power and poise, this could be the title shift no one sees coming.

The prediction: I love me soma Tavion Heights, I think he has an amazing future ahead of him. And it might be time for Ethan Page to head to the main roster. So I am going against what my gut tells me and am calling a title change here–Tavion Heights wins the NXT North American Championship.

Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs

The story: Je’Von Evans is the breakout star with speed and swagger, ready to leap over every obstacle. But Briggs is the brawler who breaks momentum like bones—slow, methodical, and mean as hell. This isn’t just about athleticism; it’s about will. Can Evans dodge the punishment long enough to strike the final blow?

The prediction: Admittedly, I don’t love this match being on the card. DarkState doesn’t really have a story to get themselves inserted on the card, but I’d rather have seen some sort of NXT vs. TNA match get added here. But I don’t book the product! The match is indeed on the card, and I don’t think you run this back unless Je’Von Evans gets the win.

Weaponized Cage Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

The story: You want violence? You want spectacle? This is your match. Jordynne Grace is built like a powerhouse tank and fights like a pitbull in a locked room. Blake Monroe’s edge isn’t just attitude—it’s intent, and she’s been sharpening her game for this exact war. Weaponized cage means no rules, no escape, and no one leaves unscarred. With their history, this match deserves the Weaponized Steel Cage stipulation.

The prediction: This could be a spot for someone like Zaria to align themselves with Blake, but I think this match is the opener–so that doesn’t make sense. If no one comes to the rescue of Blake Monroe (Fatal Influence, maybe?), then I see Jordynne Grace picking up the win.

Overall Thoughts

After the ending to NXT on Tuesday night, I know it makes total sense for TNA talent to get involved here. But who do you send, given that TNA has a taping in Canada. I think Matt Cardona, who isn’t listed on TNA’s website as appearing on Saturday, makes the most sense. But it’s entirely possible that we get no TNA appearances, at least live in-arena.

Outside of a potential re-tooled Fatal Influence with a new third member, I don’t see any crazy surprises for Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. Instead, I think WWE has NXT stand on its own for this event, allowing for a more chaotic Halloween Havoc in October.

WWE WrestleMania 41 is upon us, and you know what that means—it’s time to throw logic out the window and dive headfirst into the wild world of Greg DeMarco’s BOLD Predictions.

I’m not here to give you the safe picks. I’m here to hit you with the predictions that make you yell “NO WAY!” before whispering “…but maybe.” These aren’t your dirt sheet spoilers or fantasy booking pipe dreams—these are Bullheaded, Outlandish, Lascivious, and Deplorable takes straight from the brain of the man who sees the wrestling business for what it is: ruthless, unpredictable, and gloriously absurd. Welcome to WrestleMania 41… DeMarco style.

These are NOT supposed to come true–but you can be rest assured that when one does, you won’t hear the end of it.

WWE WrestleMania 41 – Night 1

World Heavyweight Championship – Jey Uso vs. Gunther (champion)

Real Prediction – Jey Uso wins the World Heavyweight Championship

BOLD Prediction – Ludwig Kaiser prevents Gunther from using a chair on Uso, after being frustrated that he can’t keep the 2025 Royal Rumble winner down. After Jey wins, this sets up Gunther’s post-WrestleMania program, and the biggest push for Kaiser to date.

World Tag Team Championships – The New Day vs. The War Raiders (champions)

Real Prediction – The New Day defeats The War Raiders to win the World Tag Team Championships

BOLD Prediction – Big E interferes and costs The New Day, allowing The War Raiders to retain. This only works if Big E can actually return to the ring–otherwise, there’s no payoff!

Rey Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano

Real Prediction – Rey Mysterio picks up the win but doesn’t take the mask.

BOLD Prediction – El Grande Americano pulls out some “twin magic” with different versions of himself entering the match–played by Julius Creed, Brutus Creed, and even Ivy Nile. In the end, it’s not the true “El Grande Americano” that eats the pin.

Jade Cargill vs. Naomi

Real Prediction – Naomi defeats Jade Cargill via nefarious means.

BOLD Prediction – Those nefarious means involve Bianca Belair, who doesn’t want to see her two best friends fight, “accidentally” doing something that costs Cargill the match.

United States Championship – Jacob Fatu vs. LA Knight (champion)

Real Prediction – Jacob Fatu wins the title clean.

BOLD Prediction – Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga interfere and cost Jacob Fatu. Also, the Las Vegas crowd treats Jacob like the babyface, so Knight leans into it by showing heel tendencies (the man is basically a heel as it is).

WWE Women’s Championship – Charlotte Flair vs. Tiffany Stratton

Real Prediction – Tiffy Time picks up the biggest win of her career over Charlotte Flair.

BOLD Prediction – THIS MATCH STINKS. Charlotte Flair, plain and simple, has not been the same Charlotte Flair that we’ve grown accustomed to since she won the 2025 Royal Rumble. She’s had so many outside distractions, and so many negative voices coming at her that she’s not the GOAT at the moment, and it shows in this match.

Triple Threat Match – CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns

Real Prediction – Seth Rollins gets his WrestleMania main event victory.

BOLD Prediction – Seth Rollins joins up with Paul Heyman, but in the real surprise it is Brock Lesnar that helps Rollins win.

WWE WrestleMania 41 – Night 2

Women’s World Championship – Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky (champion)

Real Prediction – Iyo Sky proves she wasn’t the afterthought and picks up the win.

BOLD Prediction – Naomi interferes, but openly helps Bianca Belair win, fully turning The EST heel in the process, with the duo revealing during the week that follows that they both orchestrated the attack on Jade Cargill.

Sin City Street Fight – Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest

Real Prediction – Damian Priest picks up the win much to the dismay of the Las Vegas crowd.

BOLD Prediction – This match features your outlandish spot of the weekend, where there is some huge fall or giant superplex through an apparatus with pyro going off after it happens, which leads to Priest’s unpopular (but deserving) win.

AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul

Real Prediction – AJ Styles surprisingly gets the clean victory–he’s not quite done yet!

BOLD Prediction – Jake Paul interferes in the match and the Paul Brothers compete as a tag team in WWE later this year.

Randy Orton vs. ???

Real Prediction – Randy Orton defeats Nick Aldis, shaking his hand in a show of respect after.

BOLD Prediction – When it appears that Aldis will be Orton’s opponent, Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga get involved, leading to a Tag Team Match that is won by Aldis and Orton. (Thank you, Andrew Balaz.)

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships – Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (champions) vs. Bayley & WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria

Real Prediction – Liv & Raquel retain after miscommunication between their opponents.

BOLD Prediction – Roxanne Perez interferes to cost Bayley in the match, possibly bringing Cora Jade with her, setting the table for her main roster program.

WWE Championship – John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes (champion)

Real Prediction – LOLCODYWINS – clean, to retain his championship.

BOLD Prediction – John Cena doesn’t get the job done, so The Rock brings out Brock Lesnar, who ultimately wins the WWE Championship. By the end of the match, this all includes Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins being involved to reveal that Cena, Rollins, Lesnar, and Heyman are The Rock’s new unit in WWE.

You didn’t come here for “well maybe” or “if the booking makes sense.” You came for BOLD—for the predictions that light Twitter/X on fire and make group chats erupt in rage or awe. WrestleMania 41 is WWE’s playground, and I’m here to knock down the jungle gym. Whether I’m right, wrong, or just plain insane… at least I’m not boring. Enjoy the show, and remember: Wrestling is better when it makes you feel something—even if that feeling is total disbelief.