
WWE LFG: Episode 8 Recap
The world of professional wrestling is about to welcome a new era of talent with WWE’s newest show, WWE LFG, premiering on A&E. This groundbreaking series provides an inside look at what it truly takes to make it in WWE. It also features legendary mentors guiding the next generation of superstars vying for a WWE NXT contract.
Helmed by WWE executives and Hall of Famers Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Shawn Michaels, LFG boasts a stacked coaching lineup. It includes The Undertaker, Booker T, Mickie James, and Bubba Ray Dudley. Each week, these industry veterans will mentor a group of aspiring wrestlers. They will offer invaluable guidance on both in-ring performance and the all-important mic skills. With their wealth of experience, they will shape the future of WWE one match at a time.
Season 1, Episode 8: ‘Making Your Move’
The eighth episode, Making Your Move, aired on April 6, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET on A&E. The episode kicks off with Mickie James speaking to Dani Sekelsky, who has not been cleared to compete this week. Troy Yearwood is also sidelined due to the flu and unable to train. Bubba Ray takes a moment to celebrate Zena Sterling’s first point last week with his team. Shortly after, an impromptu push-up challenge breaks out between Booker T and Chris Island—with Chris coming out on top.
The competition has officially reached the halfway point. Shawn Michaels then steps in and asks the Legends: If the competition ended today, who would be your front-runner?
- Without hesitation, Bubba names Zena Sterling.
- As expected, Booker picks Jasper Troy.
- Mickie chooses Chris Island.
- Surprisingly, The Undertaker refrains from selecting anyone on his team. He explains that they all need to step up their game, so no front-runner is named from his corner.
Shawn Michaels then shifts the focus to finishing moves and their importance in the ring. WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page makes a surprise appearance as this week’s guest. Michelle McCool also came through to assist her husband. The challenge? Whoever delivers the best finisher will win.
Bubba Ray and Chris Island get into a heated exchange, which Mickie believes was instigated by Bubba. After tensions settle, the matches are set—two competitors from each team will have the opportunity to showcase their finishers.
The Finishers
- Chris Island originally planned to perform a variation of the GTS, but instead pays tribute to his trainer, Kal Jack—a former WWE NXT talent whose career was cut short due to a shoulder injury. His move carries sentimental value as a nod to Kal’s influence.
- Sirena Linton is eager for redemption after a disappointing debut and wants to get back in the ring. Inspired to blend gymnastics into her finisher, she ultimately decides on the Molly Go Round and respectfully asks Molly Holly for her blessing to use it.
- Drake Morreaux is working on a top-rope Bullfrog Splash.
- Cutler James introduces a move called the Upper Cutler, which appears straightforward but effective.
- Leigh Laurel, drawing from her bodybuilding background, is leaning toward a powerful slam-based finisher.
- Shiloh Hill has a range of creative—sometimes outlandish—ideas that need refining.
- Jasper Troy’s finisher looks spectacular, but safety will be key in its execution.
- Bayley wanted to continue developing her Skull Crush finisher by incorporating more acrobatic elements and body movement into the execution.
- Anthony Luke is developing a move he calls the LCA – Lights, Camera, Action—a creative blend of a reverse belly-to-back suplex into an ura-nage.
- Elijah Holyfield is focused on perfecting a striking finisher—a powerful super uppercut that showcases his boxing roots.
- Zena is working on a tilt-a-whirl side slam, which she’s named The Whatchamacallit.
After the matches, Booker said it was a hell of a day but warned that the competition is only going to get tougher. He picked Anthony Luke as his standout. Mickie went with Sirena, while Undertaker admitted it was a tough choice but ultimately chose Elijah. Bubba felt the guys took a big step forward today.
In the end, it was DDP who awarded the points for the male and female standouts of the week. He selected Anthony Luke from Team Booker and Sirena Linton from Team Mickie. The updated point breakdown is as follows:
- Team Booker: 5 Points
- Team Mickie: 3 Points
- Team Undertaker: 5 Points
- Team Bubba Ray: 1 Point
The Matches on Episode 8
Cutler James vs. Anthony Luke
The match starts off slow, gradually building in intensity. This marks Anthony Luke’s fourth solo match, and he continues to show noticeable improvement each time he steps into the ring. Playing the heel, he even goes so far as to pull off an eye poke in front of the referee—blatantly breaking the rules.
Cutler James eventually gains momentum, using his strength to overpower Luke. As he sets up for the Upper Cutler, Luke counters and shifts the momentum in his favor. Luke then attempts to hit the LCA, but Cutler reverses it. The two trade offense in a solid back-and-forth, each having their moments. Cutler finally connects with the Upper Cutler—a move that still needs refining, as the dramatic wind-up comes off a bit awkward. He goes for the pin, but only gets a two-count. As Luke rises, Cutler tries to build more impact by bouncing off the ropes, but Luke catches him mid-run and nails the LCA for the win.
When it was time to give feedback, Booker praised Anthony’s finisher. Bubba expressed his appreciation for Cutler, noting the simplicity of his move. DDP felt the match dragged didn’t like the extended setup for Cutler’s finisher. But, he was caught off guard by Luke’s sudden, out-of-nowhere finish and loved it.
Zena Sterling vs. Leigh Laurel
Leigh Laurel played the heel, while Zena Sterling embraced the babyface role—this time wearing ring gear that was less revealing than last week. Mickie, in particular, liked Zena’s gear and thought it was cute. The match kicks off with a strong, powerful lock-up, with Zena gaining the upper hand. The two engage in a series of back-and-forth exchanges.
Zena attempts her finisher, but Leigh counters it. A particularly funny spot comes when Leigh charges in for a clothesline, but Zena pauses, claiming her shoelace is untied. As Leigh rushes back toward her, she trips over Zena’s shoe. The comedic moment has the Legends laughing. Leigh gains momentum and lands her power slam finisher, but Zena kicks out. From there, Zena begins to build her own momentum, ultimately hitting The Whatchamacallit to secure the win.
Watching Zena’s progress in the ring has been truly special. She’s finding her rhythm and showing significant improvements every week. Mickie sees the charisma in her, while Bubba believes Zena is on track to be a star.
When it was time for feedback, Bubba couldn’t help but smile. He complimented Leigh on looking amazing in her gear and praised Zena for passing with flying colors. Booker expressed that he wants to see more from Leigh, and The Undertaker echoed his sentiment, offering Leigh the same compliment about her gear. However, Leigh seemed frustrated, feeling her feedback was focused too much on her appearance. She wanted to hear about her wrestling, not her gear. Leigh’s frustration grew after taking a brutal clothesline, which led to tears when Mickie asked if she was okay. DDP stepped in, telling her not to get in her own head and to focus on the positives moving forward.
Chris Island vs. Elijah Holyfield
Apparently, there’s some backstage animosity between these two, stemming from Elijah Holyfield earning a point in their last encounter. They kick off the match with Elijah showcasing both his hands and swagger. Chris Island quickly takes control, forcing Elijah to work for it. Elijah gets back to his feet but is immediately put down again by Chris. They run the ropes until Elijah starts to take charge, displaying aggression and power. He lands a few spears in the corner, and Booker believes he’s making Elijah look strong in the ring. Elijah then lands his finishing punch, but Chris kicks out at two. Chris builds momentum, getting the crowd fired up and removing his straps at just the right moment. He hits his tilt-a-whirl knee for the win.
When it came time for feedback, Legends felt it was Elijah’s best performance yet. The Undertaker and Bubba were critical of Elijah wrestling with a chain and earrings, urging him to get rid of them. Bubba then addressed Chris, calling him out for being rude and disrespectful, telling him to smarten up—quick. However, he acknowledged that Chris did a great job in the ring overall. DDP was impressed, offering glowing feedback.
Sirena Linton vs. Bayley Humphrey
The legends were nervous about this one, describing it as the blind leading the blind. They did, however, love Sirena’s energy as she entered the ring. Right off the bat, Sirena was pushed out of the ring, landing awkwardly. But she quickly got back in, only to be dominated further by Bayley, who carried her from corner to corner, delivering a brutal beatdown. Sirena managed a brief moment of offense, landing a kick to Bayley’s head to shift the momentum. She climbed to the top rope and nailed the Molly Go Round perfectly, but only got a two-count. Sirena then fired back, landing a few chops and punches on Bayley. However, as expected, Bayley regained control, catching Sirena and slamming her. She then crushed Sirena’s skull for the win. This one had a slight twist, though—it led to a slam for the pin.
When it came to feedback, Mickie was ecstatic and proud of Sirena for landing her finisher. The Undertaker was impressed, calling it incredible considering it was only their third and second matches. He felt the execution was flawless and couldn’t have been prouder. DDP also praised the match, remarking that Bayley was intimidating. Bubba, however, felt the Legends had put the match over the moon, but he wasn’t going to follow suit. Despite that, he gave Sirena a hug at the end. Backstage, Molly and Sirena shared a moment, with Molly confirming that Sirena could use the move as her finisher moving forward.
Why You Should Watch
As part of their journey, four competitors will step into the ring for matches that could determine their WWE futures. With everything on the line, these hopefuls must showcase top-tier athleticism, ring IQ, and charisma to make their mark. The pressure is immense—every move matters as they fight to prove they have what it takes to succeed in sports entertainment.
With a dynamic mix of fierce competition, mentorship, and drama, LFG is shaping up to be a must-watch. Whether you’re a longtime WWE enthusiast or new to the world of sports entertainment, this series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the intense journey to superstardom.
But it’s not just a challenge for the competitors—it’s also a test for the coaches. Combining the best elements of The Voice and The Ultimate Fighter, the competition will ultimately reward one man and one woman with an NXT contract, while securing a win and bragging rights for their mentor.
Be sure to tune in every Sunday at 8:00PM ET on A&E to see the next generation of WWE superstars in action.
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