Dante Chen Returns at NXT Live Event in Lakeland – WWE NXT held a non-televised live event on Friday night, May 16, 2025, at the Lakeland Armory in Lakeland, Florida, featuring a card filled with rising talent, veteran performers, and a major in-ring return.
Dante Chen returned to action for the first time in over four months, stepping back into the squared circle after recovering from an undisclosed injury that had sidelined him since early 2025. His return match wasn’t an easy one — Chen faced none other than dominant NXT Champion Oba Femi in a non-title bout.
Though Chen ultimately came up short against the powerhouse champion, the Singaporean Superstar showed no signs of rust, pushing Femi in a competitive and hard-hitting match that gave fans in attendance a glimpse of his determination and grit.
After the event, Chen took to social media to reflect on his return:
“It’s been over 4 months since my last match. Happy to be back in action,” Chen wrote on X. “No better way than to test myself than with a huge opportunity.”
The Lakeland event also featured several other standout performances, continuing NXT’s tradition of offering its talent valuable reps in front of live audiences. Below are the full results:
WWE NXT Lakeland Live Results (5/16/25):
- Lince Dorado def. Anthony Luke
- Chris Island def. BJ Ray
- Izzi Dame (w/ Niko Vance) def. Arianna Grace
- Charlie Dempsey (w/ Wren Sinclair) def. Edris Enofe
- Lash Legend def. Nikkita Lyons
- OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) def. Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors (w/ Andre Chase)
- Karmen Petrovic def. Tyra Mae Steele
- Lexis King def. Shiloh Hill
- Zaria def. Jaida Parker
- NXT Champion Oba Femi def. Dante Chen
While the match against Oba Femi may not have ended in victory, Chen’s return is a promising sign for his future on the NXT brand, and his resilience could lead to bigger moments in the weeks ahead.
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Dante Chen Returns at NXT Live Event in Lakeland
