Y&R Recap September 25: Matt Vanishes, Kyle and Victoria Make Alternate Plans

On the Friday, September 25, 2026, episode of The Young and the Restless, Kyle had a run-in with Matt and Phyllis, Sharon and Nick caught up, Diane made plans, and Nikki made logos.

Racy at the Riverbank

Phyllis had to say goodbye to Matt | Image: CBS

Kyle tried to play it cool when Matt spotted him at the Riverbank Motel. Matt asked Kyle why an Abbott would be slumming it at a place like this, so Kyle lied and claimed he had a business meeting. When Phyllis appeared, things grew weirder. Kyle acted unsurprised to see his former mother-in-law with Phyllis and told Phyllis and Matt that they deserved one another.

They had a not-so-witty comeback and asked if he was selling door-to-door lipstick for Jabot. The fact that Phyllis was Kyle's mother-in-law at one time was also brought up, which surprised Matt. He wondered if everyone in Genoa City was somehow related. (Phyllis was also Kyle's stepmother, so there's that, too.)

Matt enjoyed this little exchange because he was ready to see the news, and the Abbotts go at it and destroy the other. He knew it was coming. What he didn't know was that a Newman was in the other room. A panic-stricken Victoria listened to the entire thing.

Once Kyle was gone, Matt told Phyllis he assumed that Kyle was there to score drugs, but Phyllis disagreed. She was sure that Kyle had followed Matt so he could find Patty. Phyllis admitted she had gone to the Shadow Room and had a talk with Daniel. He said he loved her, but Phyllis didn't believe him.

Matt disagreed with Phyllis and told her that she had to stay in Genoa City. He would take care of the Patty problem on his own. Phyllis was still worried, something that Matt found to be attractive. He even told her that when he left town, she'd be happy. "I'd get out of your remarkably attractive hair for good this time," Matt said.

Phyllis was still freaked out about Patty, but Matt found it amusing. "You're so hot when you worry about me," he said. "In my eyes, you're a good man," Phyllis said, kissing Matt. The two then made it to the bed.

In the afterglow, Matt couldn't stop telling Phyllis how incredible she was. He was positive she wouldn't even be available anymore if he ever returned. Phyllis said that Matt had made her feel seen in a way nobody had in a long time. After another round in bed, Phyllis fell asleep. When she woke, Matt was gone, leaving Phyllis alone with his cap and some memories.

About Vibrante

Jack didn't like Diane's idea | Image: CBS

At the Abbott mansion, Diane seemed excited to go head-to-head with Vibrante. The staff at Jabot was excited about the news, but Jack was trying to remain neutral. He wondered what would happen if Vibrante was a success. Diane said she'd deal with this, but she planned to crush Nikki.

Diane was going to launch her own campaign against them. Jack only wanted to keep the peace, but Diane wasn't about to give up. She insisted that Jabot had to maintain its edge and she was going to make sure that happened. She had a counteroffensive ready to go on Valentine's Day, the day Vibrante was set to launch. Jack was very uneasy about Diane's idea.

At the Newman ranch, Nikki got into her role and showed Victor her Vibrante logo choices. He admired them and was complimentary to his sweetheart as always. Victor had complete faith in Nikki's abilities. Nikki wanted Victor to assure her that he wouldn't use her company as a means to stick it to the Abbotts. Victor gave her a half-hearted "yes," but it didn't seem to mean much.

When Victoria arrived, she also loved the logos, but the talk soon turned away from Vibrante. "I wanted your father to weigh in, but suddenly he has no opinion," Nikki remarked. Victor said he was staying out of things.

Victor questioned where his daughter had been since he knew she wasn't at work. Victoria tried to avoid the question and made some small talk. She noted that Nick had settled back into work, but Nikki wondered why Victoria seemed so peppy.

Victoria shrugged and said she was just happy to have Nick back. When Kyle called, Victoria ignored the call and claimed it was spam. Her parents had no reason to believe her.

Later, Victoria called Kyle and they discussed the Matt and Phyllis situation. She wondered if Phyllis suspected anything, but Kyle didn't think so. However, they needed to find a new meeting place, and Kyle had the perfect solution. He would text her with the details.

A Sharon and Nick Chat

Nick and Sharon ran into one another at Society as Nick waited for takeout. He told her he had been busy catching up on work, but he felt like he could get his life back. Nick apologized for falling into drugs and for how he had acted, but Sharon blamed the whole thing on Matt.

Sharon filled Nick in on her seemingly peaceful and humdrum life. Mariah was back at work, Aria was a delight, and Faith is dating, and life is good. Nick planned to call their son in Los Angeles, but also planned to take Jack up on the offer to be his sponsor.

Nick knew he had to take ownership of his own choices and said he had given himself permission to go down a dark path, not Matt. Sharon noted that nobody chooses addiction. When Sharon asked about Marie, Nick told her what had happened and how Marie had gone home to be with family.

When Nick's parents called, he gave them a glowing report. Nikki was so pleased. Their lives were back to normal. Or as normal as possible for a soap opera.

Are you enjoying Matt and Phyllis and Victoria and Kyle or are these matches too weird? Sound off in the comments.