Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Report! (1/23/18)

Published

7 years ago

January 23, 2018

Steven Mitchell

All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado VS TJP, Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese; Kalisto, Metalik & Dorado win.
Hideo Itami VS Jack Gallagher; Itami wins.
Cedric Alexander VS Mustafa Ali; Alexander wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Daniel Bryan addresses the WWE Universe.

Though he is SmackDown’s General Manager, it is Bryan’s duty “on behalf of the WWE” to inform us all that Enzo Amore has abdicated the Cruiserweight Championship and is no longer part of 205 Live. Bryan wanted to be the one to give us this news because of his connection to the Cruiserweight Division. Bryan was proud to call the Cruiserweight Classic that then gave way to 205 Live, and knows better than anyone the “untapped potential” of the Cruiserweight Division. Therefore, the next phase begins next week as an official 205 Live General Manager will be named, whose first course of action will be to address the Cruiserweight Championship situation. Whomever it is, they will give this brand the direction it needs to deliver the exciting action the WWE Universe deserves. Who will line up to be the first ever GM to 205 Live? What is to be the fate of the Cruiserweight Championship?

Six Man Tag: Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado VS TJP, Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese!

Luchadors unite as the Samurai del Sol, the King of the Ropes and the returning Golden Lynx take on the trio of the FilAm Flash, the Privileged Persian & the Premier Athlete. Will the combined #LuchaSpirit bring them a win tonight?

The bell rings and Lince starts against the “Cruiser-Great” as Lince owes TJP for injuring him months ago. TJP rushes Lince but he’s ready, they tie up and Lince puts TJP in a headlock. He holds on as TJP lifts, but TJP gets the waistlock and slams Lince down. Lince retaliates with a handspring armdrag then a waistlock of his own. TJP slips out and spins around to throw Lince with a sideways headscissors. TJP dabs on ’em, but Lince catches TJP into a headscissor hold of his own. He squeezes TJP but TJP kip-ups out. TJP pie-faces Lince, Lince gets up but gets caught into a hammerlock. Lince jumps up and snapmares TJP, then gives that dab back. TJP runs at Lince but Lince evades and arm-drags TJP down again before hitting a jumping huricanrana. Lince chops TJP down then hits a standing moonsault!

TWO, but Lince keeps on TJP with an armlock. TJP reaches for his corner but Lince wrenches his arm. TJP kicks Lince away and tags Nese, Nese runs in but gets a dropkick from Lince! Lince tags in Metalik, Metalik whips Nese but Nese reverses. Things speed up and Metalik handsprings but Nese evades. They keep going, Metalik handsprings to armdrag Nese on the rebound! Nese gets out of the ring, the fans fire up with “Lucha! Lucha!” while Metalik builds speed, but Nese returns to run him over with a back elbow!

Nese drags Metalik over to his corner, then mocks the “Lucha!” dance before flexing. He tags in Daivari, Daivari stomps Metalik before bumping him off buckles. Daivari covers, TWO, so Daivari bumps Metalik off the buckles again. He chops Metalik, whips him corner to corner, but Metalik walks the ropes to hit the whirlwind missile dropkick! Metalik covers, TWO, so he brings Daivari up in a fireman’s carry. He dumps Daivari down and tags in Kalisto, Kalisto hits a knee-spring senton. Cover, TWO, but Kalisto keeps his cool. He wrenches Daivari’s arm but Daivari drives in a knee. Daivari whips Kalisto, Kalisto tumbles to the apron to knock him back with a swing kick. Kalisto takes aim, then springboards for the flying crossbody!

TWO! Kalisto kicks Daivari, Daivari shoves him away. Daivari swings but Kalisto uses a Matrix handspring to evade, then retaliates with a spinning back heel kick! Kalisto starts up the “Lucha! Lucha!” and runs in, but Daivari blocks the monkey flip to put Kalisto on the top rope. Kalisto boots Daivari away, but Nese distracts, Daivari clubs him from behind and sends him to the floor! Lince checks on his teammate and friend while Daivari comes out. Daivari drags Kalisto up and throws him into the apron edge before putting him in the ring. Daivari covers, ONE, but he anchors Kalisto while TJP tags in. The inaugural Cruiserweight Champion stomps Kalisto, then puts him in a corner to grind a foot into his chin. The referee counts and TJP backs off at 4, but then comes back to grind his foot into Kalisto more. He drags Kalisto up for a standard suplex, then rolls and holds on to hit a back suplex. TJP covers, TWO, but he drives an elbow into Kalisto’s head. He drags Kalisto up while fans rally. Kalisto slips out fo the suplex and rolls him up, TWO, TJP runs Kalisto over with a lariat. Another cover, TWO, and TJP grows annoyed. TJP drags Kalisto over and tags in Nese, Nese gives body shots and a buckle bump. He tags Daivari back in, Daivari stomps Kalisto before wrapping on a chinlock. Kalisto feeds off the “Lucha! Lucha!” and fights back. Daivari throws him down by his mask then knocks Metalik off the apron. Daivari runs at Kalisto, Kalisto elbows him away, then boots him. Both men are down, Kalisto crawls for his corner. Daivari grabs him by the waistband but Kalisto pries himself free and enziguris Daivari down! Both men down again, crawling for their corners, hot tags to Lince and TJP! The Golden Lynx rallies, throwing TJP with a huricanrana and then bringing him down with a springboard flying crossbody!

Lince keeps moving, rolling sabat puts TJP in a corner. He then runs in corner to corner but ends up on the apron. TJP throws in a shoulder but Lince jumps up to give him a guillotine legdrop. Lince climbs up and MOONSAULT!

Nese and Daivari both break the pin, but then Metalik and Kalisto hit double missile dropkicks on them! Nese and Daivari get out of the ring, so Metalik and Kalisto both FLY!

Lince has TJP in position in the ring, he hurries up to the top rope. Shooting Star FLOPS as TJP rolls clear! TJP lifts Lince in the fireman’s carry while Nese climbs onto the apron, Lince slips out and shoves TJP into Nese! TJP gets mad at Nese, Lince handsprings for the Dorado Stunner!

Lince and Team Lucha Spirit win! Will this victory go a long way to determining a challenger for the vacated Cruiserweight Championship?

As for TJP, he’s pissed.

He shouts and yells at Nese and Daivari, who are confused as to why he’s upset with them. Nese tries to calm TJP down, but TJP angrily shoves him, so Nese shoves him down! He and Daivari point out that TJP got pinned, so TJP lost the match. Nese and Daivari take their leave, TJP continues to seethe and scoff. Will TJP ever not lose his cool when he loses a match?

Drew Gulak addresses the WWE Universe.

The Cruiserweight Crusader still stands for a #Better205Live. At the sweet center of Gulak’s plan is “authority.” Therefore, Gulak supports the decision to appoint an official 205 Live GM. However, it can’t just be anyone. The Cruiserweight Division needs a GM with “the right values”, someone who will end the “high-flying, chanting, flipping, flopping and showboating that has plagued our Division for so long.” In other words, Gulak believes we need a GM who will create a #Drewtopia. Is Gulak declaring his candidacy for the position?

Hideo Itami VS Jack Gallagher!

The Ungentle Gentleman continues to show zero respect to the Innovator of the GTS, especially after he sidelined THE Brian Kendrick with serious orbital bone damage. However, Itami has words for both Gallagher and Kendrick. “The WWE is not ballet. Injuries happen.” Kendrick’s injury was an accident, Itami would never do that on purpose. Itami actually respects Kendrick, but he does NOT respect Gallagher. Clearly no love lost here, will Itami make Gallagher #GoToSleep?

The bell rings, and Itami boots Gallagher down right away!

Gallagher goes crawling to ropes, Itami comes over and whips him to then knock him down with a kitchen sink knee. Itami kicks Gallagher stiff in the back, and fires up as Gallagher gets to his feet. Gallagher avoids a kick and gets to the ropes, but then gives Itami a cheap shot to the stomach. He puts Itami in a headlock, and holds on as Itami tries to power out. Itami puts Gallagher in a corner then rams in a shoulder. Itami wrenches Gallagher’s arm then whips him corner to corner, Gallagher brings back the Extraordinary Headstand.

Gallagher refuses to come down, so Itami rushes in. Gallagher jumps over him, but Itami knocks him down with a roundhouse kick to the chest! Itami keeps on Gallagher in a corner, then whips him but is reversed. He puts Gallagher on the apron but Gallagher bumps him off a buckle. Gallagher throws in a shoulder, Itami counters with kick after kick. Itami then hops up to the second rope, and jumps for a flying knee drop into Gallagher’s back!

Gallager tumbles to the floor, fans fire up for Itami. Itami waits while Gallagher staggers around the outside, but Gallagher slips under the ring to pull a little trickery. He pops out from the other side and pushes Itami right into buckles! Gallagher then unleashes angry right hands in the corner, stopping at the ref’s count of 4. Gallagher drags Itami and wrenches the arm. He yanks on that arm Itami has injured in the past, torturing it from shoulder to wrist. Gallagher wrenches the fingers and wrist as far as he can, but Itami endures. Itami gets up and fights back, but Gallagher yanks him right back down. Gallagher hears the “Boring!” chants but merely mocks the fans. He puts Itami into a seated hammerlock and then pulls on that other arm, to recline back for a modified armlock pin.

TWO, and Gallagher grows annoyed. He drives a knee into Itami’s back, then goes after the repaired arm again. Itami resists and endures, but Gallager drops a knee on the arm. Gallagher embraces the heat before returning to the wristlock. Itami gets up and fights back with haymakers. Itami starts rallying with lariats, then a back kick and Fisherman Suplex. Gallagher gets to a corner while Itami fires himself up, Itami then hits a knee strike in the corner. Itami throws Gallagher down then climbs up top, and hits the flying clothesline!

Cover, TWO! Itami and Gallagher both look furious, Itami is the one who unloads strikes. Gallagher shoves Itami towards the ref, but Itami manages to stop himself. Gallagher rolls Itami up, TWO! Itami blocks Gallagher’s counter attack to then rock him with a spinning backhand. Gallagher falls back, Itami goes corner to corner, to hit the hesitation dropkick! He’s not done, though! Itami grabs Gallagher in a dragon sleeper, demands “RESPECT!” before swinging him around for a code breaker!

Itami wins! The Innovator of the GTS has innovated a whole new move, will he finally get the respect he demands?

Akira Tozawa speaks.

He walks into 205 Live and hears they’re getting a General Manager. “I could be a good boss. Watch.” He walks over to a 205 Live backstage employee and tells them, “You’re FIRED!” Then he walks off with a big smile, much like Mr. Vince McMahon would. Can the Stamina Monster make the transition from wrestler to boss?

Cedric Alexander VS Mustafa Ali!

The Carolina Kid was the #1 Contender to the Cruiserweight Champion, but he doesn’t seem too upset about the situation he finds himself in. His mission stays the same, and his vow to start the #AgeofAlexander is still going strong. Can he defeat the Pakistani Prince to prove he’s still worthy of that title?

The bell rings, the two friends shake hands but Alexander also lets Ali know this is business. The fans chant “Let’s go, Cedric!” while the two circle. Ali lunges in and gets a waistlock but Alexander gets the standing switch. Alexander lifts Ali but Ali keeps from being thrown, and pushes Alexander back. The referee calls for the break, and the break is clean. The two circle again, tie up, and Ali gets a headlock. Alexander powers Ali to a corner now, and gives another clean break. They circle a third time, Ali gets the wristlock but Alexander rolls and spins to reverse it. Ali reverses back, things speed up, Ali shows off his agility and the fans applaud. They go again, Ali headscissors but Alexander handsprings through to stay on his feet. The fans applaud while Alexander says “You gotta come better than that, baby.” They tie up again, Ali pushes Alexander to the corner but Alexander turns it around. The two go back and forth in the corner, the referee calls for the break, and things get chippy for Ali. Alexander doesn’t get why, but they tie up and get chippy all over again. Ali shoves Alexander, Alexander shoves Ali then sweeps a leg. They speed up again, handspring headscissors and dropkick from Alexander!

Cover, TWO, Alexander puts Ali in an armlock. Ali endures and gets to his feet but Alexander simply sweeps the legs to bring him back down. He stands up again and whips Alexander but Alexander reverses, Ali responds with a flapjack dropkick! Ali covers, ONE, so Ali arm-drags Alexander down into an armlock. Alexander stands up and arm-drags Ali, but Ali arm-drags Alexander back down and into the armlock. Ali trash talks but Alexander stands up again to whip Ali to ropes. Ali kicks Alexander, then runs at Alexander in the corner. Alexander puts him on the apron, sees Ali trying to slingshot up, so he shoves him down!

Ali not only falls off the apron but bumps his head on the edge! He writhes in pain on the ground, but Alexander simply catches his breath in the ring. The ring count begins and climbs up to 5 before Ali stirs. Alexander goes out to fetch Ali, puts him in the ring, TWO. Alexander puts Ali in a straitjacket clutch and bends him back. Fans rally and Ali uses that energy to stand back up. Alexander yanks Ali back down, then stalks him to a corner. Ali rocks Alexander with a strong forearm, so Alexander rocks him back with a running European Uppercut. Alexander stomps Ali, Ali gives Alexander a forearm, Alexander chops Ali. Another sharp chop rings out before Alexander whips Ali corner to corner hard. Alexander runs in corner to corner but Ali jumps up and over, sending Alexander face first into buckles!

Ali himself has a rough landing, but his eyes burn with determination. Alexander is groggy as he stands up, Ali starts rallying with forearms and chops. Ali whips Alexander, Alexander reverses but Ali slides to a stop. He slips out to the apron and rocks Alexander with a roundhouse! Ali then takes aim, and slingshots in for the rolling facebuster!

Cover, TWO! Ali cannot believe it, but he won’t let it deter him. He drags Alexander up, but Alexander shoves him away. Alexander runs in but into a back elbow, Ali hops up and jumps! Alexander blocks the tornado DDT with pure strength! Then he pops Ali up and around for a suplex. Ali knees his way out then shoves Alexander to a corner. Ali runs in but Alexander dropkicks his legs out, now Ali hits buckles face first! Alexander gets to the apron, and kicks Ali in the head! Then the step-in springboard downward spiral!

TWO! Alexander is shocked, but he’s not out of ideas. He takes off his elbow pads before dragging Ali up. Ali SLAPS Alexander, so Alexander slaps him back. Now they brawl with furious right hands. Ali pushes Alexander, Alexander blocks the kick on the rebound and rocks him with a back elbow. Alexander goes to run but Ali holds onto his waistband, so Alexander scrapes him off. He throws a kick, but Ali blocks to spin Alexander around for the wheel kick!

Alexander is out on his feet, Ali runs, but into the Spanish Fly!

Both men are down but the fans are fired up! The referee checks on Alexander and Ali, they’re both okay to continue. Alexander gets up first and heads for Ali. He brings Ali up, crossbody counter, TWO! Alexander runs in but is put to the apron, he rocks Ali with a roundhouse. He jumps up but Ali trips him up, Alexander hits the top buckle! Ali runs again, and hits the tilt-o-whirl tornado DDT!

Cover, TWO!! Ali is shocked! He won’t stop here, though. He drags Alexander over while fans declare “This is awesome!” Ali climbs up, takes aim and 0-5-4 FLOPS! Alexander runs, handsprings and hits the Neuralizer enziguri! And then, LUMBAR CHECK!

Alexander covers, Alexander wins!! The Cruiserweight Championship may be up for grabs, but perhaps this victory will solidify the origins of the #AgeofAlexander!

As for the friendship of Alexander and Ali, the winner helps the loser to his feet, and they raise each other’s hands. With sportsmanship like this, will the Cruiserweight Division only grow stronger in these uncertain times?

My Thoughts:

I give kudos to WWE for handling the situation they find themselves in with Enzo Amore. Given the Certified G’s scandal, this episode essentially resets some things going on in the Cruiserweight Division. Commentary did a great job dancing around the issue while still bringing up the valid points that need to be addressed. Without Enzo, the ‘Zo Train clearly disbands without a word. Bryan makes the announcement about a GM, and Cruiserweight superstars have already volunteered for the job, but I hope the GM isn’t anyone we currently see in the Division. This can be a great opportunity to bring back a classic Cruiserweight talent from the past, such as Gregory “Hurricane” Helms or Jamie “J&J Security” Noble. A former Cruiserweight Champion from the previous era would make for a great authority, especially if they become a fighting GM. Helms can make that work the best for nostalgic and entertainment reasons, as Gregory Helms is the GM and The Hurricane is the in-ring talent. And with Elimination Chamber on the horizon, I would hope they let that match type be what decides the new Cruiserweight Champion in a high-flying and hardcore six man match.

As for tonight, this was some great action to make up for both the underwhelming Raw 25th Anniversary and the Enzo Amore issue. The Six Man Tag was a great opener, and I love seeing the luchadors of 205 Live uniting in a semi-official faction. If Cruiserweights were allowed crossover with the other divisions, I would love to see one of the three winning the Cruiserweight Championship while the other two compete for the Raw Tag Team Championships. TJP maintains his sore loser gimmick, which I shall call #TJPissed from now on. Nese and Daivari sticking together for now makes sense, they only just lost the ‘Zo Train rights recently so they must be stinging from the news. Itami VS Gallagher still wasn’t quite right, I think WWE needs to let Gallagher be even more aggressive and mean before fans stop chanting “Boring” at him. At the same time, Itami’s new move isn’t really that good yet. If Itami jumps for the code breaker part, it’ll look more effective, but I commend Gallagher for selling the damage to his eye to keep in line with what happened to Kendrick. That main event was amazing, though, and fans got into it by the end. Alexander wins to keep himself strong, but Ali looks to be a good second choice for new champion. Keeping with my Cruiserweight Elimination Chamber match idea, I would hope the six are Alexander, Ali, Itami, Nese, TJP and Gallagher for the best crossing of stories within the Division.

My Score: 8.5/10

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Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Report! (1/24/18)

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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (1/8/25)

And now…

Published

1 hour ago

January 8, 2025

Steven Mitchell

As if 2025 wasn’t already big enough!

AEW Dynamite not only holds a Casino Gauntlet to determine Jon Moxley’s challenger for Maximum Carnage, but we also welcome back Kenny Omega! What will The Cleaner have to say about the mess The Death Riders have made?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Men’s Casino Gauntlet: ??? wins and will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship at AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage.
Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Mark Briscoe; wins.
Women’s Casino Gauntlet #1 Spot Triple Threat: Kris Statlander VS Willow Nightingale VS Toni Storm; wins and will enter #1 in the inaugural Women’s Casino Gauntlet.
Will Ospreay VS Buddy Matthews; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

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Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/7/25)

NXT in LA!

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Happy New Year’s Evil!

NXT raises Hell in the City of Angels, but also raises the stakes! It’s a Triple Threat as Trick Williams defends THE NXT Championship against Oba Femi AND Eddy Thorpe!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez VS Giulia; Giulia wins and becomes the new NXT Women’s Champion.
NXT Women’s North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Kelani Jordan VS Lola Vice VS Stephanie Vaquer VS Cora Jade; wins and will challenge for the title.
Six Woman Tag: Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart VS The Fatal Influence; Tatum, Gigi & Shotzi win.
NXT Heritage Cup Championship Sudden Death: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey; King wins and is the rightful NXT Heritage Cup Champion.
NXT Championship Triple Threat: Trick Williams VS Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe; Oba wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

As NXT counted down to a New Year…

…we looked back on 2024, a year that brought NXT moment after moment. The biggest Stand & Deliver ever, NXT moving to CW, and even entered the ECW Arena. But as one countdown ends, another begins. A countdown to validation, a countdown to new challenges, a countdown to new opportunities, and a countdown to long awaited vindication. Forget the countdown to 2025, the countdown to New Year’s Evil, ends now!

A truck pulls into the arena.

And out steps THE ROCK! He promised on social media that he would be here, and so here he is! What will The People’s Champion get up to on the first NXT of 2025?

NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez VS Giulia!

These two met before, but there was some controversy to how that one ended. The Prodigy still thinks she’s the best in the world today, but now there will be no one coming to save her! Will Roxie make it past day 276? Or will she succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the first match of NXT’s 2025 is already epic!

The bell rings and the two tie up. The fans rally, Roxie hits a headlock takeover but Giulia headscissors. Roxie kips free, roles reverse as Giulia headlocks for the takeover. Roxie headscissors, Giulia kips free, and the two reset. The fans cheer as they circle again, and then they tie up. Roxie waistlocks, then she spins Giulia and has a hammerlock. Roxie wrangles Giulia into La Magistrol and then BRIDGE, TWO! ARMBAR! Roxie flails, rolls, but Giulia keeps her grounded. Roxie fights to a stack, TWO! Roxie headlocks, Giulia powers up and out, then drops down. Roxie cartwheels, and then she SLAPS Giulia!

The fans fire up while Roxie takes a bow. Roxie talks some trash, but then Giulia HEADBUTTS her! And HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS! Giulia has Roxie in a corner, the ref counts, but Giulia lets off to whip corner to corner. Roxie reverses, runs up, but Giulia dodges! Giulia ROCKS Roxie, shoves her down, then climbs up the corner. The fans are fired up as she MISSILE DROPKICKS Roxie down! Roxie ends up in the corner, Giulia runs up and BOOT WASHES her! Roxie flops to the floor but Giulia pursues. Giulia kicks Roxie around, then puts her in the ring. Giulia goes up but Roxie grabs an arm! HOTSHOT!

The fans are torn but Roxie drags Giulia through the corner! Roxie bends Giulia’s arm against the crossbar, then DOUBLE STOMPS it! The fans are torn again, and maybe Giulia’s arm is busted, but NXT goes picture in picture.

Roxie drags Giulia into the ring, wrenches the arm, then throws Giulia down by her hair! But Giulia avoids the knee drop! Ghost pin, TWO! Giulia hurries to whip, Roxie reverses, CODE BREAKER to the arm! Giulia clutches that elbow, but Roxie pushes her to a cover, TWO! Roxie is frustrated but she STMOPS the bad arm again and again! Then she traps the arm for the KNEE DROP! Roxie mocks the fans, talks trash, then drags Giulia around ot whip her to the corner. Roxie runs up to UPPERCUT, then she wrenches and clinches, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, ONE!! Roxie is furious but she throws Giulia down by her hair!

The ref reprimands but Roxie digs her shoulder into Giulia’s shoulder. Roxie pulls the arm, talks trash while she SLAPS the arm over and over, then YANKS it back! Cover, TWO! Roxie is only getting angrier, and she clamps on a top wristlock. Roxie pulls on that bad arm, then wrangles Giulia to trap the arm. BRIDGING HAMMERLOCK! Giulia fights around, ROPEBREAK! Roxie lets off, just to CLUB Giulia on the back. Roxie keeps the hammerlock as she stands Giulia up, then she RAMS Giulia into buckles! Roxie reels Giulia in, wrenches, hammerlocks again, and then whips, but Giulia reverses! Roxie hits POST!

NXT returns to single picture and Roxie staggers back. Roxie ROCKS Giulia, Giulia ROCKS Roxie! Roxie rebounds to ROCK Giulia! Giulia ROCKS Roxie again! Roxie ROCKS Giulia once more, but then Giulia ROCKS Her back! The fans fire up as the forearms go faster and faster! Roxie gets the edge, then whips, but Giulia DROPKICKS her down! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders away. Giulia and Roxie slowly rise up, and Giulia goes to the apron. Giulia climbs, the fans rally, but Roxie ROCKS her first! Roxie climbs up after Giulia, then SUPER STEINERS! High stack, TWO!! Giulia survives and Roxie is furious!

Roxie stomps away on Giulia’s bad hand! The fans boo but Roxie drags Giulia up to ELBOW BREAKER, then she UPPERCUTS the arm! Another wrench, another wrench, and- SAIDO from Giulia! Roxie shrieks as she rises up! Roxie dodges Giulia, and she SAIDOS! But Giulia roars as she rises! The fans are thunderous as the SLAPS fly! Both women wobble, but they both SLAP again! Giulia fires hands from all sides, then winds up, HAYMAKER! Roxie staggers to ropes, Giulia storms up on her, but Roxie WRINGS the bad arm! The fans rally while Giulia bails out. Roxie says this is why she’s the champ! Roxie DIVES and down goes Giulia!

Roxie puts Giulia in the ring, fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Giulia UPPERCUTS Roxie! Giulia goes up, the fans fire up, and Giulia underhooks the arms! SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! The fans are thunderous, and then Giulia hammerlocks, scoops, and swings Roxie for the GLORIOUS DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! “This is Awesome!” as Roxie survives, and Giulia brings her up. Scoop and- NO, Roxie slips free, and she wrangles Giulia right down! CROSSFACE!! Giulia endures, fights around, and reaches out, but Roxie kicks off ropes to roll things back! But Giulia gets up! Roxie hops on, Giulia slips free!

But Roxie SHOTGUNS Giulia outta the ring! The fans are thunderous again as Roxie hurries to get Giulia up. But Giulia scoops! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB on the floor!! Both women are down, and a ring count starts! They’re still down at 5 of 10! WAIT! CORA JADE puts Roxie in the ring! She interfered after all! But then Giulia slips in at 9.9!! But Roxie hops on! POP ROX!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Giulia shocks everyone, but Roxie clamps on! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! The ref EJECTS Cora, that’s what she gets! Roxie THEASHE the arm, but Giulia rolls her! TWO!! Roxie staggers up, into ARRIVEDERCI KNEE!!

Giulia roars, the fans are with her! Scoop and NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!!! Cover, GIULIA WINS!!

Winner: Giulia, by pinfall (NEW NXT Women’s Champion)

The Prodigy is indeed one of the greatest champs in NXT history, but she finally falls to one of the greatest champs in international wrestling history! The New Year has a new champion, will all of NXT succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

Refs find Eddy Thorpe down and out!

Eddy writhes on the steps, and Ava Raine walks in. Oh, okay, she gets it. Big Triple Threat, Eddy, time to get going. Hey, he didn’t fake this one! He really got attacked! Oh? And she’s supposed to believe him? The Alpha Wolf cried wolf before, but is he telling the truth now? Or will it not matter once he steps into the ring with Oba Femi and Trick Williams?

Je’Von Evans speaks.

The Young OG, jaw wired shut, fights through the pain to tell Ethan Page, “I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I can’t talk. But I’m going to find you. For what you did to Cedric. For what you did to me. Ethan, I’m gonna make you feel my pain.” When and where will All Ego pay for all his crimes?

NXT Women’s North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Kelani Jordan VS Lola Vice VS Stephanie Vaquer VS Cora Jade!

The NXT Women’s Division continues to grow stronger and stronger, and this match is proof of that! The Standout wants payback on everyone in this match for looking down on her, will she overcome the odds to make it back to her title? Or will someone else be going after the Fatal Influence’s toxic cowgirl?

NXT returns and Lola makes her entrance, everyone else already waiting in the ring. The bell rings and the four watch each other. Cora talks trash on the other three, so Lola KICKS her, Vaquer ROCKS her, and Kelani ROCKS her! Lola mule kicks, Vaquer HEADBUTTS, and Kelani kicks low! Kelani TOSSES Cora, but then Cora drags Kelani out of the ring! Vaquer and Lola talk while Kelani DECKS Cora! Kelani gets back in, she shoves Vaquer into Lola and rolls Vaquer up, TWO! Lola runs up, Kelani rolls her up, TWO as Vaquer rolls Kelani! But Lola rolls Vaquer! Cora CLUBS Lola, DECKS Kelani, and TOSSES Lola!

Lola ends up on ropes, so Cora runs up to ELBOW her in the back! Cora STOMPS Kelani down, covers, but Vaquer drags Cora right up. Vaquer snapmares Cora, then wraps on the headscissors! Vaquer gives Cora the DRILLER into the mat, but Lola stomps Vaquer! The fans boo as Lola puts on the SLEEPER, but Kelani SUPERKICKS Lola! Kelani runs up to slingshot arm-drag Lola, then she DOUBLE DROPKICKS Lola and Vaquer !Kelani kips up, the fans fire up, and Kelani dodges Cora to CLOBBER her! Kelani keeps moving, she rolls over Cora’s dropdown, but Cora dodges Kelani to tilt-o-whirl RANA! But Kelani handsprings through!

The fans fire up as Kelani wags her finger. But then Cora and Kelani DOUBLE LARIAT! Lola and Vaquer brawl on the outside, and Lola BOOTS Vaquer down. Kelani PLANCHAS onto Lola! Cora CANNONBALLS Kelani! The fans fire up while Cora laughs sat Kelani. Cora mocks Kelani’s tears while NXT goes picture in picture.

Cora drags Kelani up, puts her in the ring, then stalks her to a corner. Cora stomps a mudhole into Kelani, and doesn’t have to stop as she digs her boots in because there’s No Disqualifications! Cora still does let off so she can SLAM Kelani down, though! Then she whips Kelani to a corner, runs up, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cora pushes Kelani down, covers, TWO! Cora stalks Kelani to ropes, puts her in a corner, then whips her corner to corner. Kelani blocks it, but Cora SLAPS her! Then runs up, but Kelani dodges the wizard! Roll up, TWO! Kelani brings Cora around, bumps her off buckles, then bumps her off more buckles.

Kelani TOSSES Cora out, but Lola TOSSES Kelani! Kelani RAMS into Lola, then slingshots to sunset flip! TWO, and both women hurry to their feet. Kelani gets around Lola, snapmares and runs, to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Lola stays in this but Kelani stays on her, KNEE to the back again and again! Then she pulls on Lola’s arms, digging her boots into Lola’s back! Lola endures, powers up, and pushes back to stack Kelani! TWO as Kelani kicks Lola away in time! But then Lola mule kicks Kelani! Lola whips Kelani to ropes, KNEES her low, then shakes her hips. Lola whips and KNEES Kelani again, more shaking hips!

Lola whips, Kelani wrenches, but Lola ducks the roundhouse, only for the CALF KICK to hit! Kelani crawls to ropes, but Cora is there. Kelani DECKS Cora, and Vaquer runs in! Lola dodges Vaquer to have a SLEEPER! Lola thrashes Vaquer around, but then Cora has a SLEEPER on Lola! Lola holds onto Vaquer, and now Kelani has a SLEEPER on Cora! Cora holds onto Lola, but Vaquer slips around to TRIPLE JAWBREAKER! All four women stagger around, and NXT returns to single picture as Vaquer serves Lola some SOLE FOOD! Vaquer then brings Cora around to bump off buckles, and she fires off HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT!

Vaquer runs side to side to BOOT Lola, then corner to corner, only for Kelani to stop her! The fans boo but Vaquer has Kelani’s leg! Kelani apologizes, but Vaquer still DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Kelani writhes, Vaquer gives Cora METEORA! Vaquer drags Cora back, but Lola has the SLEEPER again! Vaquer drops down, rolls Lola, TWO! Lola SPIN KICKS! And SPIN KICKS! And SPIN KICKS again! Kelani runs up but into LIGHTNING KICKS! The fans fire up as Lola sits Kelani down! Lola has targets in all corners, “I’M A LATINA~!” HIP ATTACK on Vaquer! HIP ATTACK misses Kelani! Cora DROPKICKS Lola!

Cora shrieks, runs up, and SHINING- NO, Lola stops the wizard to DUMP Cora out! But Vaquer DROPKICKS Lola! Vaquer goes up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODIES Lola and Cora! All three women are down, but then Kelani rises up! Kelani grins as she has a target, and she climbs up! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” as Kelani ARIHARA MOONSAULTS them all! Kelani drags Vaquer up and in, “This is Awesome!” as Kelani leaps again! CROSSBODY! But roll through! TWO!! Kelani escapes, Vaquer runs up, but Kelani gets around! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Vaquer has the GEDO CLUTCH, but then BRIDGES!

Lola is back to drag Vaquer away from Kelani! Cora rolls in while Lola TOSSES Vaquer! SHINING WIZARD at the ropes! But Kelani wrenches Cora into a RIGHT ANGLE SLAM! The fans fire up as Kelani steps on Cora, goes up, up, and FIVE STAR- FLOP!! Cora avoided disaster, Lola URAKENS Kelani! Vaquer SUPERKICKS Lola! Lola shrieks as she stays up, but Vaquer TOSSES her out! Vaquer has Kelani, tucks her in, SVB!! Cover, Vaquer wins!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s North American Championship)

That Stephanie Vaquer Backbreaker gets the job done, and now she is aiming for Fallon Henley! Will Vaquer parallel Giulia by becoming the new champion in the New Year? Or will NXT stay under the Influence?

Ava Raine meets with the Unholy Union.

The NXT General Manager notes that with Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn winning over Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx, they will battle Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson next week, the winners becoming NEW #1 contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Alba says that is fantastic, Isla thanks Ava, and the wicked witches head out. Sarah Schreiber walks in to ask about Eddy Thorpe. Ava says Eddy is fine, this is just what he did last time. He can moan and groan and pretend he’s hurt, but she isn’t falling for it, the match stays as scheduled. Oba Femi walks in and says no, Eddy isn’t pretend. Oba did attack Eddy this time.

And Oba did it because Eddy smashed Oba in the face with the NXT Championship. We all saw that, so this is Oba returning the favor. Oh, well, then the match is still a Triple Threat. Oba says that’s fine, because that’s if Eddy makes it to the ring. But one way or another, the result remains the same. The Ruler is ready to become THE NXT Champion, will New Year’s Evil see the entire landscape change?

OTM speaks.

Bronco Nima & Lucien Price got #OutTheMud in the NXT Tag Division, and are proving the haters wrong. They got outta the hood, and look at them now: the NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships. Nathan Frazer, Axiom, they’re smooth, move like no one else in the game, but they ain’t never been in a dog fight. They’ve never had to fight for their food. So you will learn that you can’t see pain, you can only feel it. And you will feel it! Fraxiom thinks having two matches in one night is a struggle, but their problems and OTM’s problems are not the same! Try having to be 17 years old and you gotta put food on the table for your whole family!

So while OTM’s been dealing with some real-life struggles, Fraxiom been arguing like little kids. They’re dealing with some grown-ass men! Remember, they warned you. It doesn’t matter if you’re in sync or out, cuz next week, OTM takes those belts off Fraxiom’s shoulders to put around their waists. Next week, Fraxiom gets dragged through the mud! Will Nima & Price finally be golden? Or will Fraxiom prove they never slow down?

Six Woman Tag: Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart VS The Fatal Influence!

As if things weren’t tense between the “freaks” and the Mean Girls of NXT before, the back and forth of screw jobs has only turned up the hostility. Will the outcasts prove they belong? Or will Fallon, Jacy & Jazmyn continue to influence NXT’s future?

NXT returns and Gigi makes her entrance, Tatum by her side, followed by Shotzi making her entrance. But the Influence doesn’t wait, Jacy DECKS Gigi off the corner! Jazmyn & Fallon go after Tatum & Shotzi while the fans boo and the ref reprimands. Jazmyn goes out to KICK away on Gigi! The bell rings, Tatum dodges Jacy to fire off forearms! Jacy shoves Tatum back, but Tatum SHOTGUNS Jacy down! The fans fire up with Tatum and she CROSSBODIES in the corner! Then BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, ONE!! Jacy crawls away but Tatum drags her up. Jacy fights free, then throws Tatum down by her hair!

The ref reprimands but Jacy PENALTY KICKS Tatum! Tag to Jazmyn, she PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Jazmyn runs, but Tatum kicks Jazmyn’s leg! Jazmyn hobbles, into a KNEE SMASH from Tatum! Tag to Gigi, then Gigi tags Shotzi. Tatum whips Gigi and she SHOTGUNS Jazmyn at the ropes! Tatum then sends Shotzi in, SENTON at the ropes! Tatum ELBOW DROPS, Shotzi covers, TWO! Shotzi drags Jazmyn up, but Jazmyn wrenches sand SWEEPS! Tag to Fallon and she runs up, but Shotzi dodges! Victory roll, TWO! Fallon stands, into a KNEE from Shotzi! Then a ROLLING ELBOW! Fallon flounders, Shotzi brings her around, snap suplex into buckles!

Shotzi drags Fallon to a cover, TWO! Fallon is tougher than that, but Shotzi watches the Influence closely. Shotzi fires forearms on Fallon while the fans cheer her on. Fallon kicks back, then talks trash on Shotzi. Fallon whips and KNEES Shotzi low, then runs, to YEEHAW FACEBUSTER! Cover, Gigi & Tatum break it! Jacy & Jazmyn storm in, the brawl is on again! LA loves it as Shotzi’s team TOSSES the Influence. Shotzi then builds speed, and she DIVES into a FOREARM! Fallon shoots Shotzi outta the sky, then stands her up. But Shotzi ROCKS Fallon back! Gigi hurries to check Shotzi, Jazmyn storms up, Gigi HEADBUTTS her!

Jacy CANNONBALLS Gigi down! Tatum CLOBBERS Jacy for it! But then Fallon swings on the corner to KICK Tatum down! Fallon turns around, Shotzi kicks her! Snap suplex to the floor! All six women are down, the fans fire up, and NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Fallon whips Tatum to the corner. Tag to Jazmyn, then a feed to the drop toehold! Tag to Jacy and she KICKS Tatum in the back! Then SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tatum toughs it out but Jacy clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally as Tatum endures being thrashed around. Tatum fights up, pries at the hold, but Jacy puts her in a corner. Jacy takes a bow but the fans boo. Jacy goes back to Tatum but Tatum ELBOWS her! Tatum kicks, Jacy blocks, but then Tatum gets around to hit a BIG back suplex! Both women are down, the fans fire up, and their teams coach them up. Tatum crawls, hot tag to Gigi!

The fans fire up as Gigi runs to BLAST Jazmyn & Fallon! Gigi runs up but Jacy runs away! Gigi catches Jacy to fire off forearms! And a KNEE! Gigi roars, and she CLOBBERS Jacy! And CLOBBERS her again! Gigi wrenches, ROUNDHOUSES, then shoves Jacy so she can follow and STO! Cover, TWO! Jacy stays in this, but Gigi hauls her up. Jacy fights the underhooks, Jazmyn runs in to CLUB Gigi! Jacy SUPERKICKS Gigi down, hot tag to Fallon! Fallon gets Gigi up, she and Jacy double suplex, but Gigi lands out to DOUBLE NECKBREAKER! Hot tag to Shotzi, she goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Gigi & Shotzi get Fallon up!

Shotzi runs, Gigi lifts, BLUE THUNDER NECKBREAKER!! Cover, Jacy & Jazmyn break it! The brawls on again, but Gigi & Tatum TOSS the Influencers! Fallon runs back in, but Gigi wrenches her, she and Tatum DOUBLE ENZIGIRI! Gigi hurries to the apron with Tatum, then they climb! Tatum ASAI MOONSAULTS Jacy, Gigi CANNONBALLS onto Jazmyn! Shotzi goes up, and she BALLPIT SENTONS Fallon! Cover, the “freaks” win!

Winners: Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart, by pinfall

A great win for the Wild Child, and wait, she pinned the NXT Women’s North American Champion. Vaquer has her own shot at the title, will the walls start closing in on the Influence?

Ava Raine talks with Ethan Page.

She knows he heard what Je’Von said. Or at least, what Je’Von barely managed to say, given his jaw is wired shut from Ethan breaking it in half! Ethan says yes, and yet that moment has played one very episode since. For some reason, this big historic episode, New Year’s Evil 2025, and Ethan is nowhere to be seen on the card. Ava tells Ethan that she’ll make this very clear: this is HER show, this is NXT, and she calls the shots! Oho, hey, perfect timing. Ethan says there’s nothing perfect about this. But The Rock says oh no, there is something perfect about this. All Ego stares down The People’s Champ, and the fans can be heard from here!

Rock smiles and says, “Ethan Page.” That is correct, Final Boss. That is also correct. The Rock says good to meet Ethan, and Ethan says great to meet The Rock. They shake hands, and Rock says he’s heard a lot about Ethan. Not all good, a lot of bad actually. Apparently, Ethan broke a guy’s jaw. Is that right, Ava? Yes. Je’Von Evans. He deserved it. Oh, well, payback’s gonna be a b*tch, just so Ethan knows. Ethan highly doubts that. Well, Ethan also broke another guy’s wrist. Right, Ava? Ethan corrects The Rock that it was just Cedric’s fingers, but sure. Well, then Rock will tell Ethan as he told everyone else here on NXT that he’s talked with today…

If they need anything, come to The Rock. That includes Ethan. Wow, Ethan likes the sound of that. They shake hands, and Rock says one more thing. He IS The Final Boss. But uh, here on NXT, Ava’s the Final Boss. So if he and Ethan are gonna be cool, then Ethan and Ava need to be cool. Cool? Yeah, they’ll be cool. Then see him on main roster one day. Ethan sure hopes so. Rock says good, and he gives Ethan a pat on the butt as he leaves. Ava says she can’t wait for Ethan to be main roster’s problem. Ava says NXT is all about moments, and she feels like this is a good one. But speaking of, what’s Rock gonna say?

Rock has no idea! It’s crazy out there. But can she give him some advice? She can. No one has Rock’s record, no one can do what Rock does. Rock’s been in front of millions, and millions, but he’s never been in front of an NXT crowd. That passion hits different. We can literally hear that. So while Rock may not know what to say right now, he’ll feel it when he gets out there. Okay, Rock will feel it, and say it from the heart. They fist bump and Rock gets ready. “I dunno wtf I’m gonna say… CHEE-HOO~!” Will this be the one time The Great One is found speechless?

NXT Heritage Cup Championship Sudden Death: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey w/ No Quarter Catch Crew!

While The Drama King did win the Cup, it was the controversial nature of a disqualification caused by outside interference that has him having to “win it back.” And this time, it’s under standard rules, aka a single fall! No time limits, no breaks, and no Champion’s Advantage! Will the King finally and for truly have his crowning achievement? Or will the Cup stay with the No Quarter Catch Crew?

Entrances are made in picture in picture, then we return to single picture for the introductions. The Cup is raised, the bell rings, and there’s nothing to it but to do it!

The two tie up, Dempsey waistlocks but King wrenches. Dempsey wrenches back, wristlocks, but King spins, headlocks, and grinds the hold. Dempsey powers up and out, then ducks down, but King blocks the hip toss! Dempsey blocks in return, but King arm-drags and DROPKICKS! King hits a headlock takeover, Dempsey fights around, then rolls back to then hammerlock. Dempsey goes for the other arm, King resists, but Dempsey grabs the leg! Then he gets the arm, steps over, and King is being bent back! The fans rally while King endures, but Dempsey shifts to a cover, TWO!

Dempsey keeps on King with a wristlock, but King endures. King pushes through to spin Dempsey, headlock him, but Dempsey powers out to knuckle lock and wrench. Dempsey wristlocks again, but King rolls, wrenches, and wristlocks in return. Dempsey fights to a snapmare, but King holds onto the arm! King wrenches again, but Dempsey spins, breaks free, and he snapmares King. But King slips free to wristlock! Dempsey repeats the break and snapmare, and uses the cravat for a cover, TWO! Dempsey holds that cravat as King stands, and Dempsey fires knees! Dempsey whips, King goes up, but Dempsey catches him to a waistlock!

King goes to the corner, uses that to pivot and switch, O’Conner Roll! TWO, but King hurries to arm-drag! King has the cording hold and the fans cheer! Dempsey fights up, King pushes on the elbow, but Dempsey pulls hair. Dempsey puts King in the corner, but King dodges the haymaker to CHOP! King stalks Dempsey along the ropes, but Dempsey blocks the chop! Dempsey ROCKS King, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Dempsey whips, King grabs ropes, but then King DUMPS Dempsey out! Dempsey stands up, but King DROPKICKS him into the NQCC! Then King goes up, up and CROSSBODIES!

The fans fire up as King wipes out Dempsey, Tavion & Myles! Wren Sinclair is freaking out, but King has Dempsey up while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Dempsey has the cravat, but King fights up! Dempsey ripcords, but King CHOPS! Dempsey KICKS King, then Dempsey wrenches to SLAP King! Dempsey wrenches again, but King fires forearms and a CHOP! And CHOP! CHOP! King whips, Dempsey reverses but King CLOBBERS Dempsey! And LARIATS! The fans rally up, but Dempsey wrenches. King SLAPS Dempsey, wrenches him and whips him to a corner. King runs up to LARIAT! Then CHOP! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! And Dempsey has an arm! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! King endures as Dempsey kneels on King’s head!

King fights as the fans rally, and he RAMS Dempsey into a corner! Dempsey keeps on the arm, KNEES King away, then runs up, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! King hurries to a corner, climbs up, and the fans fire up for the CROSSBODY! But Dempsey rolls through! ARMBAR!! The fans go nuts, as does NQCC, but King fights around! King stacks Dempsey, then deadlifts him! POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Dempsey is still in this, and King grows frustrated. The fans rally, King ROCKS Dempsey, then reels him in. But Dempsey powers out of Coronation into a CROSSFACE CHICKEN WIGN!

King hurries to the ROPEBREAK! Dempsey holds until 4, then Dempsey ROCKS King! Dempsey fires off forearms but he might’ve even gotten a knockout! Dempsey CLUBS King, whips him, and ELBOWS him! Dempsey whips King to a corner, then runs up, but King BOOTS him! Dempsey whips again, but King goes up, around, and the two COLLIDE! Both men fall back and the fans fire up! Dempsey manages to stand, then runs back up. Backslide! TWO!! King stands, dodges Dempsey, but Dempsey drops down. King comes back, Dempsey hurdles, but not high enough as King runs right into Lil’ Charles!

The ref checks both men, and King says no, not again! He doesn’t wanna win like this, but what choice does he have? King brings Dempsey up. CORONATION!! Cover, King wins!

Winner: Lexis King, by pinfall (NEW NXT Heritage Cup Champion)

King was a new champion before, but now he is TRULY the new Heritage Cup Champion! King can finally put his name on the Cup, will he be able to survive the New Year with it?

Ava meets with Vaquer and Fallon.

She knows that Fallon just had her match, but so did Vaquer, and we have our next title match set. Shotzi steps in and asks Ava to hold on a moment. Before anything is made official, Shotzi points out she just pinned Fallon in that ring. Shotzi makes the case that SHE is #1 contender here. Vaquer says hey, she won the Fatal 4 Way that Ava made, and she beat three of the top stars in this division by herself. What’s that supposed to mean? Fallon says she loves this. They should fight it out, she fights the winner. Fallon leaves, Shotzi and Vaquer are all for it. Ava says she’s also all for it, just next week, not in the office.

The Wild Child and the Dark Angel are ready for a massive showdown, but who wins out to be THE #1 contender to the NXT Women’s North American Championship?

NXT Championship Triple Threat: Trick Williams VS Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe(?)

Ava said that one way or another, this is the main event. And The Ruler said that one way or another, he’s going to win it! Will Oba beating down The Alpha Wolf really improve his chances of winning? Or will Tricky Two-Time Two-Time make sure this is still the Whoop Dat Era?

Trick’s entrance is made with picture in picture, but NXT returns to single picture for Oba. And though we wait a moment, it doesn’t seem that Eddy is going to be joining us. The introductions are made for Oba and Trick, the belt is raised, and no matter what, New Year’s Evil is going to end with a bang!

The bell rings, the fans fire up, and Trick ties up with Oba. Oba powers Trick to a corner, RAMS him again and again, but then Trick slips away. Trick and Oba tie up again, and Oba powers Trick back. Trick powers Oba back, but then Oba slips around to waistlock and SLAM! Oba holds onto Trick, the fans rally and duel, “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” “HOOT!” Trick fights up, fires elbows, but Oba holds on! Trick jumps to JAWBREAKER free! Trick fireman’s carries, to DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Oba gets out of the ring while the fans rally up, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and the fans duel as Oba grinds Trick down. Trick endures the chinlock, even as Oba thrashes him, but wait! We get a shot of backstage as Eddy storms into gorilla, armed with a chair! The fans rally up, Trick stands and pries the hold open, but Oba ROCKS Trick in the back! Oba then hoists Trick up to back suplex! Trick lands on his feet and goes to a corner. Oba runs up, Trick dodges, and Oba POSTS himself! Oba is stuck in the ropes, the fans rally as Trick hurries over, and while Oba falls back, Trick goes up. But Oba SWATS Trick first! Oba climbs up after Trick and the fans fire up!

Oba clinches Trick, but Trick clinches Oba in return! SUPER BOOKEND!! Cover, TWO!! Oba survives and the fans fire up! Trick and Oba rise, and Oba ROCKS Trick! Trick ROCKS Oba! They go back and forth with those heavy shots, and Trick gets the edge! Oba avoids the roundhouse to ROCK Trick! Trick BOOTS back! Oba RAMS Trick, Trick LEAPING LARIATS Oba! The fans are thunderous, and Trick dodges Oba to JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Trick scoops and SLAMS Oba! Trick whips Oba to ropes, and FLAPJACKS him! Trick kips up and the fans fire up with him! Trick aims from a corner as Oba rises, and SPIN- NO, Oba catches Trick!

POP-UP CHOP!! Oba storms after Trick, brings him around, FALL FROM- DDT!! Trick turns things around, and he takes aim again! SPIN KICK! Cover, TWO!! Oba survives again and Trick shakes his head. “This is Awesome!” as Trick goes back to a corner. Trick runs up at Oba, but Oba UPPERCUTS first! Trick staggers, Oba hauls him up! FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, EDDY YANKS THE REF OUT!! The fans boo but Eddy storms into the ring. But Oba grabs Eddy first! And TOSSES him around! Then BOOTS him down! And BACK ELBOWS! Oba whips Eddy to a corner, Eddy bounces off buckles, and Oba hits a SPINEBUSTER!

The fans fire up for Oba as he hoists Eddy into the SHOTPUT BOMB! Oba aims, runs corner to corner, UPPERCUT! Oba keeps moving, UPPERCUT! But then TRICK SHOT for Oba!! Cover, TWO!??! Oba survives, Trick shakes his head, and the fans fire up again! Trick lets his hair down, LA duels between Trick and Oba, but Eddy is lurking! Oba dodges Trick, FULL METAL TRICK SHOT for Eddy!! Eddy flops out, Trick staggers on the bad leg, Oba gives him a FALL FROM GRACE!!! Cover, OBA WINS!!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall (NEW NXT Champion)

Oba tries to remove Eddy from the equation, but The Alpha Wolf ended up a deciding factor in Oba’s victory! The Ruler is now THE champion in NXT, and he stands on stage alongside the other new champion, Giulia! Confetti flies as they hold up the gold, will they dominate this new era in NXT?

NXT goes picture in picture as the new champions return backstage. They are greeted and congratulated by many members of the NXT staff, and surely the celebration will begin after the show.

The Rock heads to the ring!

Los Angeles is fired up for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” even before the music hits, and they only get louder once The People’s Champion is on stage. The Rock goes down the ramp, high-fives the fans, and even makes sure the one fan’s shirt, “Pro-wrestling is real,” gets some attention. Rock then steps into the ring, poses on the corner, and then catches a mic. The Rock raises the eyebrow, revels in the cheering a little more, then shows the goosebumps. Fans “CHEE-HOO~!” and Rock takes a moment to soak in the moment. The fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” and Rock nods. Rock echoes the CHEE-HOO~! “And I love you, thank you.”

Rock says he has effin’ chills right now! This is crazy! Rock hears the fans continuing to cheer him on, and he says hold on, he has to get hold of his emotions. Rock finally catches his breath, sees he has about six minutes, but it’ll be the best six minutes ever. “The Rock has a lot of nicknames: People’s Champ; THE Most Electrifying Man in All of Entertainment; The Sexiest Man Alive! And, most proudly, The Jabroni Beating, Pie Eating, Trailblazing, Eyebrow Raising, Electric, Iconic, Holds All the Stock, THE Final Boss, The People’s Champ, The ROCK!” The fans cheer that, and again chant for “ROCKY! ROCKY!”

Rock then says that he needs them to help out. They all feel it, he feels them, so help him with this. This time last year, The Rock, everywhere he went, every gym, every restaurant, every church, every strip club… The same thing! “Oh, why you so mean to Cody? Don’t be mean to Cody! Cody gotta finish his story! Don’t be mean!” UGH. Okay, okay, but a year later, just last night, Netflix’s Raw premiere, WOO! An amazing night! Electric, historic! Rock wanted to give Cody his flowers. Cody’s been kicking ass! Carrying the company on his shoulders! And now, what’re “they” saying? “YoU cAn’T bE nIcE tO cOdY~! Don’t drink tequila with Cody~!”

Rock says F that noise! At the end of the day, let us all remind “them” that The Rock is the Final Boss, 20 steps ahead. The best thing to do is know your role, shut your mouth, and enjoy the ride The Rock is taking you on! LA cheers that! Rock says this is a rowdy crowd right here. Two-minute warning, though. Now, Rock’s in charge, F that, they can go all night if they want! The fans love that idea! Oh, “they” are sweating back there, sorry for the language. But here’s the thing: Rock knew he was coming to NXT even a couple weeks ago. He talked with Nick Khan and Triple H, he told them he should go to NXT.

We all knew it would be Intuit Dome on Monday, so Rock can go to NXT in The Shrine on Tuesday. They liked that idea, but then Rock didn’t know what to say. Think about it. Rock talked with Ava, Ava said he was gonna come out here and FEEL this crowd! She said the crowd would inform him on what he’d say. He loves them, he appreciates them, but he wants to say something very important. The main thing is, he wants to tell us all thank you. And here’s why. Because going to the Intuit Dome last night, that was a sexy ticket. LA, Netflix, Raw, the stars of WWE, celebrities of Hollywood, that’s the one you “have” to go to.

NXT, The Shrine, this is the one you WANT to go to! The fans cheer that! Rock will tell you something, the chills won’t stop! See, it is easy to go to the place with all the stars. Not that there aren’t stars here! But that’s what Rock needs us to know. Every single one of the fans here, how important and critical they are to this whole thing, because the thing is: the guys ‘n’ girls back there, they come out here, and who knows? In three years, they could be the main event of WrestleMania! But as we all know, they could also be out of the business. What it depends on, whether you boo or cheer, it is about how you react!

Rock has been down this road, wrestled in Memphis as “Flex Cavana,” he knows, probably the worst name in all of wrestling, but he knows what it is like to depend on the crowd. He wants us to know that we matter more than anything. His job takes him to a lot of places, but he will always come back home! WWE, NXT, Rock loves you! IF YA SMELLLLLL~… What The Rock is Cookin’!! The fans cheer The Great One, will this electrifying endorsement strap a rocket to NXT’s back?

My Thoughts:

An awesome NXT with New Year’s Evil, but also just a great LA crowd. The Rock had a great promo to close, clearly very genuine, and a lot of fun with The Rock being himself. Between Rock showing up and events like tonight’s New Year Evil being WWE coded, it is clear WWE is elevating NXT. Not so much that it’ll be the third main roster brand, but it’s certainly more than “just developmental.” Rock also had a very good promo with Ethan Page and Ava to help set up the closing promo, and I do like the idea of The Rock wanting All Ego to respect Ava, aka his daughter. Je’Von also had a very good promo, that grudge match is going to be some awesome stuff.

Speaking of grudge matches, all these titles matches were great given all the story and heat going into them. The NXT Women’s Championship opening was a little surprising, but that let it breathe and go as hard as it could. And as such, awesome win for Giulia, as expected. Same goes for the main event match, though I did like the outside the box idea: Eddy actually got attacked but gutted it out to join the match about halfway through. Oba VS Trick on its own was great, and then Eddy bringing a chair was good stuff. Oba winning was also expected, and Trick eating the pin could indicate Trick’s being called up. Roxie surely moves on, too, SmackDown being three hours could use some fresh faces to fill it out.

Great Fatal 4 Way, though I think one of the ads for the show messed up saying it was just Vaquer and Cora. That aside, great win for Vaquer, which for one lets Kelani and Cora settle things on their own, maybe even with Lola in the mix. The Six Woman Tag was also really good, though some of those wide shots made it hard to see what was going on. Great win for the Faces, but I’m partly disappointed that Shotzi pinning Fallon gives us Shotzi VS Vaquer, winner gets Fallon, and not just a Triple Threat. Though, it’ll also be a shame no matter who wins, as both Shotzi and Vaquer deserve a shot. But when things all sort out, I’m pretty sure Vaquer beats Fallon to be the champ.

Very good promo from OTM to hype up their tag title match, and there’s a chance they do win. Fraxiom has had such a good run as tag champs, this is definitely the time to have them move on and each become great singles champs. Good promo that was really more an announcement for Unholy Union VS Meta Four, winners get Bianca Belair & Naomi. Regardless of who wins, I feel like they could get the titles off Bianca & Naomi thanks to a Jade Cargill return. Jade can appear, shocking everyone, and she’ll even reveal whodunnit, aka probably Naomi at this point. Bianca will be confused and upset, Naomi will run away from Jade, Bianca takes the pin to crown new champs.

And while not really a new champ, Lexis King truly winning that Heritage Cup was good stuff. A little odd that they’d have an “incidental” head to the groin spot, like they did months ago when King first started his redemption story… But maybe this is to communicate that the real lesson for King is that it doesn’t matter what people think of him, he knows he’s a better person that his father. Maybe Dempsey moves on to the North American Championship from here, letting King face some fresh faces in the Heritage Rules Division. Then King can continue to ride that Tweener line with every victory until someone comes along that again makes him question where he stands.