Straight Shoot UNFILTERED is back, and we’re kicking things off with Mr. Teshk’s NXT Review + Rankings. From last night’s “surprise(s),” to the stories shaking up the wrestling world, here’s everything you need to know before the next bell rings.

If you thought the road to Homecoming was going to be quiet, think again. Last night’s NXT proved why this brand thrives on mixing raw talent, chaos, and just the right amount of nostalgia. From breakout performances to jaw-dropping returns, every segment felt like a piece of a larger puzzle … and the crowd in Orlando ate it up. Let’s break it all down.

Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs
Evans’ athleticism was on full display with high-flying dives, crisp kicks, and relentless energy, but Briggs’ size and power ultimately dictated the match. Evans nearly stole it with a Coast to Coast attempt, but Briggs caught him one too many times and powered through for the win.
Rating: ★★★ (3/5) – A solid opener that highlighted Evans’ potential while reminding us why Briggs is tough to beat.

#DIY Returns to NXT
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa brought the nostalgia and laid down the challenge. Trick Williams tried to stand tall, but Carmelo Hayes cut him down with some of the sharpest lines we’ve heard in months. The tease of Trick & Melo vs. #DIY at Homecoming feels like a generational clash in the making.
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5) – Not a match, but one of the best segments of the night. Pure NXT magic.

Lainey Reid vs. Faby Apache
Fast-paced and scrappy. Apache controlled chunks of the match, but Reid capitalized on mistakes, hitting a running knee for the win. Natalya watching from ringside and staring down Apache added intrigue for what comes next.
Rating: ★★¾ (2.75/5) – Solid, but more about story progression than a showcase bout.

DarkState vs. Hank & Tank – NXT Tag Titles
The challengers came out swinging with big power moves, but DarkState’s experience and teamwork won out. A timely interference gave the champs the edge, and they retained. Hank & Tank showed growth, but they’re not quite ready to dethrone the kings.
Rating: ★★★¼ (3.25/5) – Good tag action with a hot crowd, though the finish was predictable.

Ethan Page vs. Tavion Heights – Flag Match
Page leaned on veteran smarts, but Tavion’s raw power stole the show. A super belly-to-belly suplex from the top rope was the turning point. Heights pulled down the flag for the biggest win of his NXT run. Tyler Breeze showing up post-match for a selfie over Page was the cherry on top.
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5) – A breakout moment for Tavion Heights. Physical, engaging, and decisive.

Women’s Tag Team Contender’s Triple Threat
Chaos defined this one. ZaRuca were shockingly eliminated early, leaving Fatal Influence and The Culling to finish the fight. Paxley and Dame capitalized late, powering their way to victory. The division needed a new threat, and The Culling stepped up in a big way.
Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5) – A wild, high-energy match with the right team winning.

Closing Angle – Jacy, Vaquer, Stratton, Rhea Ripley?!
Jacy Jayne’s meltdown triggered a huge confrontation with Vaquer, Stratton, and Ripley. The division feels loaded, and the crowd erupted when the faces cleared the ring. This was a perfect exclamation point to end the night and tee up Homecoming.
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5) – Star power, drama, and a crystal-clear path to the big event.

Final Take:
NXT delivered a strong night of action and storytelling. Briggs, Reid, and Tavion Heights made statements, while The Culling cemented themselves as real contenders. The returns of #DIY and the closing angle with Ripley and company gave the brand that must-watch spark. With Homecoming around the corner, NXT feels like it’s firing on all cylinders.

Kurt Angle has never been shy about the punishment his body took, but on The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast he pulled back the curtain more than ever. His words were blunt and chilling.

“My hands shake ‘cause my neck is so bad … I can’t feel either one of my pinkies. They’re gone.”

Doctors confirmed what Angle already knew. His neck is destroyed. There are no discs left in his spine, just bone fused together from decades of trauma. He tried stem cell therapy. He tried disc replacement. Nothing worked. The damage is permanent.

And here’s the staggering part: Angle says he’d still rather deal with his neck than the bad knees he suffered through in his final WWE run.

Angle’s legacy isn’t just about titles and accolades. It’s about a body that endured more than most could imagine. He won Olympic gold in 1996 with a broken (freakin’) neck. He broke his neck multiple times in WWE and still kept performing. He walked into WrestleMania 19 against Brock Lesnar with doctors warning one wrong bump could paralyze him. By his own admission, he was injured “98 percent of the time” he stepped into a ring.

For any other man, those injuries would have ended the story. For Kurt Angle, they became the story. He redefined toughness, but at a price he’s still paying every single day.

Why does it matter? Because Kurt Angle isn’t just a Hall of Famer. He’s a reminder of what this business takes from the people who give us everything. His matches lit up two generations. His intensity set the standard. But his body carries scars that will never heal.

👉 Kurt Angle isn’t just a legend. He’s living proof that greatness always comes with a cost.

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mr.teshk

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