Will Fraxiom continue to survive?

Nathan Frazer & Axiom defend the NXT Tag Team Championships against Bronco Nima & Lucien Price! Will Fraxiom get #OutTheMud?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Women’s North American Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Stephanie Vaquer VS Shotzi Blackheart; Shotzi wins and will challenge Fallon Henley for the title.
• Ethan Page VS Dante Chen; Ethan wins.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Lash & Jakara win and will challenge Bianca Belair & Naomi for the titles.
• Kelani Jordan VS Cora Jade; Cora wins.
• NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS OTM; Frazer & Axiom win and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

Oba Femi is here!

NXT is home in Orlando, and the Orlando fans fire up for The Ruler as he struts to the ring as the NEW NXT Champion! Oba grabs the mic to say, “Dread it, run from it, destiny will always arrive. Just like I have arrived! And now it’s time for me to take my rightful place upon the throne. Many a men will win something as big as this, and they will come out here and say, ‘I never believed I could do it~!'” The fans laugh at Oba mocking the American accent, and then Oba says, “I ALWAYS believed I could do it!” The fans cheer that! Oba says ever since he came here, he said he was always backed by destiny.

Others said it was a catchphrase, a gimmick, a joke, but no! He was backed by destiny all along. He was backed by destiny when he won the Breakout Tournament! He was backed by destiny when he became NXT North American Champion! He was backed by destiny when he became the longest-reigning North American Champion! And he was definitely backed by destiny when he became THE NXT Champion! The fans cheer that, too, and Oba says all this is his now. It belongs to The Ruler! And Oba shall rule how he sees fit. The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” but Oba wants to talk about Trick Williams first.

Trick put a lot of hard work into the title, and broke records doing it. But like a lot of others back there, Trick has a ceiling! Oba has NO ceiling! And as for Eddy Thorpe, well, he’s a piece of work, isn’t he? He’s a rat! A deceiver! Like a roach that won’t die! Or the gum on the bottom of your shoe that you just can’t get rid of. That is Eddy. But Oba will issue Eddy his first and final warning. Eddy can annoy anyone else he wants in the locker room, but- Tony D’Angelo interrupts! The Don tells Oba, “my guy, how you doing? Congrats on the win, by the way. You’re in the big seat now.” Tony joins Oba in the ring as champion and champion.

Tony says he was in the back and the Family was listening to Oba list all the accomplishments. But Tony’s personal favorite was Oba being the longest-reigning North American Champion. Because, in Tony’s opinion, when it comes to the North American Championship, it is The Don: 2; Oba Femi 1. See, there is no question: Oba is The Ruler. But just remember: Tony is the one man to defeat him. And when Tony decides to go for the NXT Championship, we all know he walks away the Double Title Don. Oba sees Tony found his confidence. Good for him, that’s amazing. But last time we checked… Didn’t Tony get dropped by Santa Claus?

So if Oba was Tony, he’d start worrying about his own title more, and leave Oba alone. Tony says no one gets one on the done without consequences. Tony will take care of Ridge Holland. Speaking of, here comes Ridge Holland! Ridge says hi, Tony, good to see you again. Tony’s looking in better shape than last time they saw each other. Oh, and here is a belated Christmas gift. A framed picture of that night in Philly. Tony says really funny, he’ll come sign it for him. Tony rushes out to go after Ridge, but Ridge takes a swing! Tony dodges the framed picture to then TACKLE Ridge! The fans fire up as these two brawl, but refs hurry out to stop it.

The fans boo, they wan tot “LET THEM FIGHT!” WAIT! Eddy slithers in to CLOBBER Oba! The fans boo but Eddy dropkicks the legs, then hits a DDT! The fans boo more but Eddy has a leather strap! Eddy wraps it around his arm, so he can LEATHER LARIAT! The fans boo as Eddy holds the title belt over Oba! Will the Alpha Wolf finally sink his teeth into the gold he’s been hunting?

Oro Mensah talks with Dante Chen backstage.

Main Man Mensah wants the Singapore Warrior to understand they can- All Ego interrupts. Ethan Page says it’s been a big week for the biggest star in NXT. If you guys didn’t see last week, Ethan’s interaction with “DJ,” aka The Rock… Hey, Dante, what’d you do last week? IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU DID! Oh, haha, Ethan… Ethan sniffs something and says he honestly smells… the jealousy in this locker room. Dante says no one is jealous of Ethan, because he’s just obnoxious. After what he did to Je’Von and Cedric, no one wants Ethan here! Aw, and Ethan always cared so much about what others think.

What was it, exactly, Dante? That Ethan broke Je’Von’s jaw? Or that Je’Von can’t eat solid foods? No, no, it was last week, having to hear Je’Von talk through the wires. Dante gets fired up and he shoves Ethan! The others step in to keep this from getting violent. Dante says fine, he’ll go to Ava to get this made. Ethan says good! Dante heads out, will he be the one to avenge the Young OG & Uncle Ceddy?

NXT Women’s North American Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Stephanie Vaquer VS Shotzi Blackheart!

The Dark Angel overcame Cora Jade, Lola Vice & Kelani Jordan to earn a golden ticket to facing Fallon Henley, but then The Wild Child pinned that toxic cowgirl personally. Now these two will battle to see who is truly number one! Who will Fallon have to worry about more in the near future?

NXT return as Shotzi makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. Vaquer waistlocks, Shotzi switches, but Vaquer switches. Shotzi trips Vaquer, Vaquer trips Shotzi, and Vaquer covers, ONE! Vaquer facelocks but Shotzi wrenches out and covers, ONE! Shotzi has a cording hold, then wrenches to a wristlock. Vaquer rolls, handsprings, then wrenches to a wristlock. Shotzi rolls, spins, wrenches from below and has the wristlock again. Vaquer reaches back, drops down, and then rolls to wrench back. Shotzi rolls, trips, and spins Vaquer. The two stand up and the fans fire up!

Shotzi and Vaquer nod, then fist bump in respect. They circle, tie up, and Vaquer wrenches to then slips under and arm-drag! Shotzi goes to a corner, goes up and over, then comes back. Vaquer blocks the arm-drag and smiles. She goes up, Arabian Press and arm-drag! Shotzi stumbles up, Vaquer rolls her up, and bridges! TWO! Shotzi runs up to wheelbarrow, victory roll, TWO! Both women are up again, but Vaquer trips Shotzi. Vaquer has a leglock, rolls it, ties the legs up, then moves around, but Shotzi just powers Vaquer down! Shotzi ties Vaquer’s legs up for a modified Deathlock! Shotzi grabs Vaquer’s arms and has an INVERTED SURFBOARD!

The fans rally and duel, the two roll and it’s a cover, TWO! Shotzi swings but Vaquer ducks! Vaquer swings but Shotzi ducks! Shotzi kicks, Vaquer blocks, but Shotzi ENZIGIRIS! Shotzi brings Vaquerl around, whips her to a corner, and then goes up the corner. Shotzi headscissors to then go along the ropes, HANING TRIANGLE! The ref counts, Shotzi lets go at 4, and Vaquer sputters. Shotzi climbs up fast to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Vaquer stays in this and Shotzi grows frustrated, but she hurries to bring Vaquer up. Shotzi whips, Vaquer reverses, but Shotzi BOOTS her! Vaquer frowns, blocks the next boot, and DRAGON SCREWS Shotzi!

Vaquer sits Shotzi up and the fans fire up for the headscissor DRILLER! Vaquer stops at seven, Shotzi flounders out of the ring, and the fans fire up while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Shotzi GAMANGIRIS Vaquer up top! Shotzi then climbs up, and roars before she hits a SUPER STEINER! The fans fire up and Shotzi aims from the corner. Shotzi runs up to KNEE Vaquer, then ROLLING ELBOW! Then QUESTION MARK KICK! Shotzi hurries to cover, TWO! Vaquer survives that onslaught, but Shotzi brings her up. Vaquer JAWBREAKERS, SUPERKICKS, then wrenches for EAT DA FEET! Shotzi flounders while the fans fire up. Shotzi is in the corner, Vaquer runs in, but Shotzi dodges! Vaquer hits buckles, Shotzi comes back to CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Shotzi waistlocks!

Vaquer grabs the ropes, but Shotzi clamps onto the arms! Shotzi chicken wings Vaquer for a TIGER PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Vaquer narrowly escapes and Shotzi can’t believe it! The fans rally while Vaquer goes to a corner. Shotzi runs in again, but Vaquer HIP TOSSES her into the buckles! Vaquer scrubs Shotzi’s face with her boot, then roars! The fans fire up again, Vaquer hits a METEORA! Vaquer then drags Shotzi out, covers, TWO! Shotzi survives and now Vaquer’s a bit stunned! Vaquer drags Shotzi up, tucks her in, but Shotzi escapes! Shotzi ROCKS Vaquer, Vaquer ROCKS Shotzi, repeat! Wait, is that Jacy Jayne?

Jacy shouts at Vaquer and Shotzi from the apron, but they both grab her! They drag Jacy in, and they DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Jacy falls, but then Vaquer HEADBUTTS Shotzi! Vaquer puts her on ropes, runs, but FALLON hits Vaquer with the blet! Shotzi doesn’t know it, she rolls Vaquer up! SHOTZI WINS!

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

Fallon & Jacy influence this match, and they make sure La Primera will have to wait her turn. But will Shotzi make sure Fallon doesn’t leave Atlanta with the gold? Or will Fallon shine bright on Center Stage?

The Women’s Division talks about New Year’s Evil.

Sol Ruca tells Kelani Jordan that she was a split-second away from victory. Things will turn around. Just don’t change what got her here. Zaria has to disagree. The Agent of Change says Kelani was the North American Champion just a few months ago. Kelani knows that. Then just change the tide! Use loss as motivation. But Cora Jade isn’t so sure about that. Of course she wouldn’t… Cora says Kelani can just motivate herself to the back of the line. If Kelani wasn’t in the match, Cora would’ve won. Oh don’t even get Kelani started. Yeah? Or what? Cora has no doubt that Cora will win a title before Kelani does.

Kelani can have all the attitude she wants, she’s still just the same little girl from Michigan State- KELANI SLAPS CORA! And she tells Cora that she is NOT the same “little girl.” Kelani storms off, will she prove to Cora that this is NOT The Generation of Jade?

Stephanie Vaquer returns backstage.

NXT is in picture and picture right now, but it is clear The Dark Angel is hunting for The Fatal Influence. They may have messed her up in the match, but she won’t let them get away with it! She even pushes past some people to make her way down the hall. She finds Jacy being checked on, and pushes her against the wall! Vaquer demands to know where Fallon is, Jacy says she doesn’t know, so Vaquer THROWS Jacy down! Vaquer storms back up the hall, back the way she came, and then comes across Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin. She asks them, and they assure her, they don’t like the Influence any more than her, but they have no idea where to look.

Vaquer continues on, only getting frustrated with every person that says they haven’t seen Fallon. Refs tell Vaquer to calm down, but she isn’t hearing it. Ethan Page is headed to gorilla, he says to cheer up. Her glare tells him to keep walking, so he does. The hunt continues, will La Primera find her prey?

Oba Femi enters Ava’s office.

He interrupts her talk with Robert Stone & Stevie Turner, and she asks what she can help him with. Oba said he already warned Eddy and everyone else that he would eliminate Eddy once and for all the next time they saw each other. Ava says she understands that, and would love to see that. Oba says if Eddy wants his title match, then they give him the title match. No, they don’t do anything. Ava is not rewarding Eddy for anything. Oba says it’ll be Eddy’s last shot one way or another. Stone says Oba needs to hold on. Big Guy, champ, if you don’t know this or not, but Eddy’s playing you like a fiddle! Don’t let him do that to you!

Oba picks Stone up and pins him against the wall! Oba is the champion, so if he wants Eddy, he gets Eddy! Ava tells Oba that as fun as this is, put Stone down! Then they can talk about this. Oba drops Stone, and Ava says fine, Oba VS Eddy will be next week. Oba heads out, will Eddy regret coming back for more?

Ethan Page VS Dante Chen!

All Ego’s ego has only grown since The Rock gave him a pseudo seal of approval, and it’s only gotten on everyone else’s nerves. Will the Singaporean Warrior make sure Ethan really does lose his smile? Or is the ego only going to grow exponentially?

Dante winds up for his pose, but Ethan CLOBBERS him! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Ethan throws down fists and stomps! The ref gets Ethan to back off, then asks if Dante wants this match. Dante says YES! The bell rings and Ethan runs up! Dante dodges to fire off in return! The fans fire up for Dante as he and Ethan scrap! Dante ROCKS Ethan, bumps him off buckles, then runs. Ethan dodges but Dante ELBOWS, UPPERCUTS, and SUPERKICKS! Dante runs to BOOT Ethan down! The fans fire up and he powers up again. The fans join in, but Ethan hurries away from Dante.

Dante pursues but Ethan YANKS him into ropes! Ethan drags Dante up, for a TWIST OF FATE! Cover, ETHAN WINS!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall

Between Dante’s anger and Ethan’s cunning, Ethan takes Dante out fast! But now Ethan rains down fists on Dante again! The fans boo but Ethan drags Dante to the apron. Ethan pulls Dante’s boot off his foot, then he YANKS Dante to the floor! Ethan puts Dante’s leg between steps and post! The fans boo, Ethan says Dante wanted this! Ethan DROPKICKS the steps!! Dante writhes, that was his repaired leg! Refs rush out here to tell Ethan to leave, but Ethan takes his time admiring the pain he just inflicted. All Ego is going all psycho, BUT JE’VON IS HERE! Je’Von goes after Ethan with fast hands! Those aren’t broken!

But then Ethan ROCKS Je’Von in the jaw! Ethan grins as he asks Je’Von, “Gimme a smile now!” Je’Von tried to be a hero but Ethan made him pay for it. Will anyone in NXT be able to stop Ethan?

Oba Femi walks the halls.

Dion Lennox walks over and congratulates Oba on the win. Oba thanks Dion, and Dion says one day he’ll be challenging Oba for the title. Oba says sure… Oba moves on, and meanwhile, we see Shawn Spears talking with Adriana Rizzo. Rizzo says she’s seen and heard enough of Spears and she’s done with him. But Spears says that while Rizzo understands the value of family, The Family doesn’t understand her value. Does Rizzo feel Tony appreciates her? Izzi Dame says she’s so sick and tired of Spears. She told Spears that she doesn’t need him, and Rizzo definitely doesn’t need him!

Spears says he isn’t so sure about that. Spears heads off, Rizzo says she had that handled, and Izzi says, “Sure you did.” But make sure to tell “Don Don” this makes them even. Tell him yourself! These two go their separate ways, and now we see Ashante THEE Adonis talking with Karmen Petrovic. Karmen says she got his text, and he says no more playing games. And he chooses her. Adonis offers her a rose, she takes it, and she says about damn time. She kisses Adonis! Adonis smiles and these two head out. Victory for #Adonivic, will love conquer all of NXT?

Backstage interview with DIY.

Sarah Schreiber is with the WWE Tag Team Champions, Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa, and asks what brings them back to NXT. Ciampa says first off, it is TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions. And what brings them home is #Fraxiom. They’ve heard so much about those guys. There are people saying Fraxiom is the greatest tag team in NXT history. But as the BTTITW, Best Tag Team in the World, DIY is at the top of the mountain. That means they have to be ten steps ahead. And they know that one day, DIY will step in the ring with Fraxiom, and the world will rejoice.

So Gargano asked his “good buddy, Heartbreak” for some tickets to tonight’s show so they can watch Fraxiom up close and in person. Ciampa assures us that they are not here to cause any problems, you can trust them. Can we…? Or will Frazer & Axiom just become the next DIY project?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!

Bianca Belair & Naomi are the newEST championship duo, but that means they need new challengers. Will The Unholy Union use every trick in the book to make it back to the gold? Or will the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson show what the Meta Girls can really do?

NXT returns and the wicked witches make their entrance. The teams sort out and Jakara starts against Alba. The two circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Alba and Jakara go around, Alba wrenches and wristlocks. Jakara endures, Alba snapmares Jakara and covers, ONE! Alba wrenches Jakara again, YANKS the arm, then wristlocks. Jakara wrenches back but Alba wrenches right away! Alba keeps Jakara from Lash, so Jakara uses the ropes to flip through! Jakara wrenches Alba but Alba breaks free to CHOP! The fans fire up and Alba grins, but Jakara ROCKS Alba right back! Jakara fires body shots, but Alba shoves her!

Alba swings, Jakara blocks to knuckle lock and CHOP! Jakara goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then DROPKICK! Jakara tags Lash but Alba tags Isla. Isla runs in but Jakara dodges and Lash runs Isla over! THen Lash runs Alba over! Lash wrenches Isla, knuckle locks, and straight arm levers! The fans fire up for the power, then Lash throws Isla. Isla dodges, waistlocks, but Lash ELBOWS her! Lash brings Isla around to THROW to the corner! Lash runs up to SPLASH, then tag to Jakara. Jakara taunts Alba, runs and back body blocks Isla! Jakara then wrenches and wrangles Isla to step over the arm.

Jakara hooks Isla to drag her into a cradle, TWO! Jakara storms up but Isla RAMS her! Isla ROCKS Jakara, whips, but Jakara reverses. Jakara then dodges to SLINGBLADE! The fans are torn as Jakara runs, HANDSPRING ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Isla stays in this but Jakara keeps her from Alba. Tag to Lash, they whip and scoop! Lash LSAMS Isla, then Jakara wheelbarrows with Lash, WHEELBARROW SPLASH! Lash covers, TWO! Isla survives but Lash keeps her from Alba. Lash fireman’s carries, but Isla fires forearms! Isla fires fast hands, but Lash DECKS her with one! The ref checks Isla, Alba HOTSHOTS Lash!

Lash takes a swing on Alba but Isla jumps onto Lash! SLEEPER! Alba tags in, the Unholy Union mugs Lash! The ref reprimands, Alba digs her boots in, but Alba lets off at 4. Isla fires hands, then ELBOWS Lash in the corner. Isla RAMS into Lash, Lash shoves Isla, but Alba tags in. Alba digs her boot in again, but stops at 4. Tag back to Isla, and Alba feeds Lash to the TARANTULA! Lash BOOTS Alba, then throws Isla away! Lash fires knees into Alba, but Isla jumps back on! SLEEPER! Lash stays up, and she FLINGS Isla off her! Tag to Jakara, and Jakara climbs up onto Lash’s shoulders! But Alba CLIPS Lash, Jakara falls to hit buckles!

Isla hurries to drag Jakara out, and she METEORAS to the floor! Lash whips Alba, but Alba RANAS Lash! The fans fire up with Alba, and she builds speed to go up, up and ESCALARA SWANTON! Down go the Meta Girls, and the fans fire up with Alba & Isla while NXT goes picture in picture.

Alba & Isla drag Lash up, whip her hard into the apron, then they mug Jakara! Isla pushes Jakara into the ring, covers, TWO! Isla keeps on Jakara, CLUBS away, then pulls hair! The ref counts, Isla lets go, and then Isla brings Jakara over. Tag to Alba, Alba reels Jakara in, GOURD BUSTER! Isla hits another METEORA! Cover, TWO! Jakara stays in this but Alba stays on her. Alba DECKS Jakara, then steps over her arm. Alba taunts Lash by holding the hand out, only to bend the fingers back! Alba then kicks Jakara down, and she drags her up. But Jakara rolls Alba up! TWO, and Alba LARIATS! Cover, TWO!

Jakara toughs it out but Alba drags her over. Tag to AIsla, and a feed to the TARANTULA! Then a SUPERKICK! Jakara falls, Isla covers, TWO! Isla drags Jakara up just to SMACK her off the mat! Isla clamps on a chinlock and stretches Jakara. Jakara endures, Lash coaches her up, and Jakara stands. Jakara fires body shots, but Isla CLUBS her on the back. Isla digs her boots in, the ref counts, and Isla stops at 4. Isla argues with the ref, and that lets Alba CHOKE Jakara! Isla then runs in, but Jakara BOOTS her away! Jakara dodges Isla, Isla grabs her legs! Jakara BOOTS Isla away! Alba tags in and she drags Jakara back!

Jakara stands, hops and hops,  and she ENZIGIRIS Alba! NXT returns to single picture as Lash tags in! Lash DECKS Alba, DECKS her again, then wrenches and scoops Isla! The fans fire up as Lash SMACKS Alba using Isla, then hits a FALL AWAY SLAM! Lash kips up, the fans fire up, and Lash FLAPJACKS Alba onto Isla! Lash is all fired up and the fans are with her! Lash choke grips Alba for the SLAM DUNK CHOKE SLAM! Cover, Isla breaks it! But then Lash is just mad! Isla backs off, but Alba CHOP BLOCKS Lash! Isla goes up, Alba hits a TORNADO- NO, Lash powers out of the DDT and she LARIATS!

Lash catches Isla and SLAMS her! Tag to Jakara and Jakara climbs back onto Lash’s shoulders! They try this again, META CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Alba survives for her team and Jakara grows frustrated. Jakara drags Alba up, but Isla goes after Lash on the outside! Alba JAWBRAEKERS Jakara, then BLASTS Lash! Alba tags Isla and they get Jakara up. BACKSTABBER and SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Lash BARRELS through Alba to break it! The fans fire up, but Isla hits a CODE BREAKAER on Lash! Jakara DECKS Isla! Alba SUPERKICKS Jakara! Lash runs up, but the Unholy Union DUMPS her out!

The fans are torn, but Jakara grabs Alba in a SLEEPER! Alba throws her away, Isla SUPERKICKS Jakara! Isla ROUNDHOUSES, then back suplexes, but Jakara lands out! EDGE-O-MATIC! Both women crawl, but Lash is still down! Hot tag to Alba! Alba taunts Jakara, blocks a kick, then hooks her up! But Lash returns to sneak the tag! She BOOTS Isla down! Jakara sunset flips Alba and Lash wheelbarrows her! Jakara runs up, META CUTTER!! Cover, Meta Four wins!!

Winners: Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)

Alba & Isla put Lash & Jakara to the test, and the Meta Girls passed with flying colors! Will Lash & Jakara soon prove that they are the strongEST team in the WWE? Or will they just feel the StrongEST Glow instead?

Lexis King finally adds his plaque to the Heritage Cup.

The Drama King tells the guy to secure it nice and tight so it doesn’t go anywhere. This is awesome. Ava congratulates the champ, and Lexis says that coming from the “Final Boss of NXT” makes it so official. Just look at this. This is four months of hard work and dedication. Charlie Dempsey & Wren Sinclair walk over and Dempsey also congratulates Lexis. He finally went and did it. But Wren brings up Lexis hit Dempsey in the- Wren, please, no excuses. Lexis won, his name is on the cup. Wren says it isn’t an excuse, it’s about the rematch. We all saw Lexis hit Dempsey in the-

Lexis says no, that was all an accident. Well, she doesn’t believe him. Wait, do you all hear that? Wren hears “Rematch! Rematch!” Wren does the chant and a dance, but Ava says she should get her hearing checked. But also, she does agree, there should be a rematch. Wait, what just hit the garage door from the outside? Ava hurries outside, and we see Ridge brawling with Tony! Security separates these two but things are clearly not getting any less chaotic in NXT! When and where will the Yorkshire Grit get his shot at the North American Championship?

Kelani Jordan VS Cora Jade!

Speaking of North American Championships, the inaugural Women’s North American Champion is sick and tired of everyone looking down on her or thinking that she’s just “the girl next door.” Will The Standout finally stand out and head back for the title she lost? Or will Cora once again make things all about her?

NXT returns and we see the NEW TNA Knockouts Champion, Masha Slamovich, watching this from the crowd. Cora makes her entrance, seems to take notice of of TNA’s best, then goes to the ring. The bell rings and Cora talks trash on Kelani. Cora shoves Kelani, but Kelani shoves back! Kelani then blocks a punch to SLAPO Cora! Then she dodges Cora’s lariat to DROPKICK, kip up, and slingshot arm-drag! Cora stands, Kelani TAKLCES her and rains down fists! The fans fire up, Cora pushes Kelani away and bails out. Kelani goes to the ropes, but bails out of the plancha as Cora moves. Kelani chases Cora around the outside!

The fans cheer but Cora rolls into the ring. Kelani slides in, drops down, then hurdles over Cora. Kelani ELBOWS Cora down, then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Cora stays in this, Kelani goes to the apron. Cora storms up but Kelani RAMS into her! Kelani then goes up, but Cora trips her up! Cora TOSSES Kelani off the top, and then laughs at her pain. Cora storms up on Kelani, stomps her at the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Cora drags Kelani up, brings her into the ropes, and fires forearms! The ref counts, Cora lets off, but she CHOPS! Cora runs, and she DROPKICKS Kelani down! The fans boo but Cora taunts Kelani more.

Kelani goes to ropes, Cora runs to IMPLODER STOMP! Cover, TWO! Cora drags Kelani up, puts her back on ropes, and then CHOKES her! The ref counts, Cora steps off and runs, but Kelani moves! Cora runs into ropes, then Kelani snatches her for a cradle! TWO, and Cora swings. Kelani dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and whip. Cora reverses and SHINING WIZARDS in the corner! Cora shoves Kelani down to cover, TWO! Cora is immediately frustrated, and she clamps onto Kelani with a chinlock. The fans rally as Kelani endures, and Kelani fights up to fire body shots. Kelani wrenches and hits a BIG back suplex!

The fans fire up while both women are down. Both women stand, Cora fires a forearm, but Kelani fires back! The forearms go back and forth, Kelani kicks low, but Cora wrenches out. Cora ROCKS Kelani, kicks, but Kelani blocks! And she ducks the enzigiri! Kelani runs to CLOBBER Cora! And CLOBBER her again! Kelani reels Cora in, SPLIT-LEG DDT! Cover, TWO! Kelani grows frustrated now, but she unleashes some DRAGON STOMPS! The fans fire up and Kelani snarls. Kelani stalks Cora to a corner and stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kelani stops at 4, and then she jukes to fire off fast hands!

The fans fire up for Kelani but the ref backs her off! Cora CLAWS Kelani’s eyes! The fans boo but Cora underhooks Kelani, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, Cora wins!

Winner: Cora Jade, by pinfall

Kelani unlocked her aggression, but Cora steals this one from her all the same. Will Cora make her way to the title now? Will Kelani figure out what she needs to do if she’s to get back to gold in her own right?

Eddy Thorpe speaks.

Via his Instagram, The Alpha Wolf smiles and laughs. “It feels good. I’ma wait, cuz I’ve got some stuff to say. I’ll take my time. You wanna see? Look at that. Full moon.” The first full moon of the New Year, aka the Wolf Moon. Eddy says it’s so pretty out here. And what a good night at work! He set the bait, again, and Oba took it, again. Just like Eddy knew he would! It was so easy, so predictable! And shoutout to GM Ava for making the match happen. It almost makes up for Ava calling him a liar last week. Almost. But that’s all behind him now. Soon enough, all will be well when he is crowned the NEW NXT Champion!

Eddy tells Oba that Oba may call himself The Ruler, but next week, he will be overthrown. One more week. In the meantime, Eddy’s gonna go celebrate. You have no idea how good he feels right now. The Alpha Wolf is smiling like a coyote, but will he still have the last laugh?

Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura talk with Nathan Frazer & Axiom backstage.

Briggs says he and Inamura went about this all wrong. What’s Briggs talking about? Fraxiom has their tag title match in like two minutes. Inamura says, “EXACTLY!” Briggs reminds them that a few months ago, they saved Fraxiom. Briggs & Inamura pulled them out of that wild brawl int he parking lot. Yes, which they appreciated. But- But it didn’t get their attention, did it? Because they were defending their titles against OTM then. So while Briggs & Inamura didn’t have their attention then, they have it now. So Briggs will say this to their faces: Briggs & Inamura got next, understand?

Oh, OTM understands. Bronco Nima & Lucien Price walk in, and Nima says Briggs & Inamura are talking to the wrong ones. Cuz after tonight, Fraxiom won’t be the champs. Frazer says we’ll see about that. Fraxiom heads out, and Nima tells Briggs & Inamura that OTM’s been chasing the belts since day one. And when they get it, they ain’t giving it up. Got that? Price promises that if you step to them, you get dragged through the mud. Inamura asks, is that mud wrestling? Inamura will pass. Oh, Inamura’s got jokes? Is he some kinda comedian? Inamura says he’s NO comedian. But he is about CHAOS!

Inamura throws hands, he and Briggs brawl with OTM! Refs and security rush in, OTM has to make their main event match! Will OTM be able to focus on Fraxiom with this fight going down?

Trick Williams tweets.

The former NXT Champion simply says, “Need to figure out what my next move is gonna be.” Will Trick return to NXT to make it Tricky Times Three? Or will he consider the Transfer Window to main roster an option?

NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS OTM!

Fraxiom had quite the wild 2024, with each of them splitting their focus from time to time, yet (almost) always finding a way to hold onto these titles. They once again have a run-in with Bronco Nima & Lucien Price, will they finally hit a wall? Or will they continue to #NeverSlowDown?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if this is where rubber hits the road!

The teams sort out and Price starts against Axiom. The bell rings, Price runs up, but Axiom goes up and over! Axiom CHOPS Price, fires hands, then gets away. Price pursues, corners Axiom, but Axiom dodges to CHOP! Price leans into the CHOPS and he backs Axiom down! Axiom and Price circle, knuckle lock, and Axiom KICKS a leg! And KICKS it again! Axiom then headlocks Price, but Price powers out. Frazer tags in, Axiom jukes Price, and Frazer RAMS Price! Price doesn’t budge, so Frazer runs, redirects, redirects again, then slips around to come back, only for Price to RUN him over! Price drags Frazer up, tag to Nima.

OTM double whip, DOUBLE ELBOW, then Nima FALLING AX HANDLES! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer because they see DIY up in the perch! Nima wrenches Frazer to RAM shoulders, then he SMASHES Frazer off his knee! Nima puts Frazer in the corner, RAMS into him again and again, then talks trash. Frazer fires body shots and haymakers, but Niam BODY SHOTS! Nima TOSSES Frazer to the corner, fires body shots, then knuckle locks. Nima goes up the ropes, tags Price, then FLYING STOMPS Frazer! Price covers, TWO! Frazer stays in this but Price ROCKS him. Frazer kicks in return, but Price YANKS him up from the ropes!

Frazer lands on his feet to PELE! Tag to Axiom, they fire forearm after forearm, then basement DDT! Nima storms in, but he gets a mule kick and boosted DROPKICK! Axiom KICKS away on Price, but Price snarls! Price blocks a kick, THROWS Axiom, then LARIATS him down! Price roars, fans are torn, and even DIY is impressed. Price nods as he looms over Axiom, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Price LARIATS Axiom in a corner! Price throws Axiom down, tags Nima, and Nima clamps onto Axiom with a standing crossface! The fans rally while Axiom endures, but Nima thrashes him around. Axiom fights up, Nima KNEES low, then he whips Axiom to the corner. Axiom ROCKS Price, BOOTS Nima, then goes up to BOOT Nima again! Axiom goes up and up to CROSSBODY, but Nima rolls through! Nima deadlifts Axiom, pops him into a fireman’s carry, but Axiom makes that a crucifix takedown! TWO, and Nima swings! Axiom dodges, hot tag to Frazer! Price tags in, but Frazer springboards to FLYING LARIAT!

The fans fire up as Frazer runs to forearm again and again! But Price scoops Frazer, only for Frazer to slip free! Frazer ELBOWS Price away, then runs to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Nima is back, he blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Frazer runs to SHOOTING STAR Price! Cover, TWO! Price stays in this but Frazer puts him in the drop zone. Frazer goes up and up and PHOENIX- NO, Price moves, Frazer rolls through the splash! Price hauls Frazer up to URENAGE! Tag to Nima and the fans rally! POP-UP EXPLODER! Cover, Axiom breaks it! The fans fire up and DIY nods, still impressed.

Price TOSSES Axiom, then he tags back in. OTM whips Frazer to FLAPJACK- NO, Frazer ROCKS Nima in midair! Frazer then PELES Price! Price wobbles, Frazer goes to his corner, but there’s no Axiom! Price runs up, Frazer BOOTS him! Axiom returns to sneak the tag! Price returns but Frazer clinches, FLATLINER GAMANGIRI COMBO! Then they hook Price up and Axiom climb! MISSILE DORPKICK HIGH-LOW!! Frazer SUPERKICKS Nima, Axiom covers, TWO!! Price survives, but Axiom has the ARMBAR! Frazer DIVES onto Nima! Nima hits desk, Axiom shifts to keep Price down! Nima is back, Frazer intercepts with a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!

OTM endures submissions, the fans duel, and both Price & Nima stand! They’re fading, but they head for each other! Nima GOURD BUSTERS Frazer onto Axiom! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while all four men are down! Axiom and Price crawl, but Axiom brings Price up. Axiom CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Price still stands, but Axiom kicks the chop away! Axiom runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, goes up the ropes and tags Frazer. Price CHOPS Axiom out of the sky! But then Axiom avoids the boot! Axiom kips up, but Price catches him to a dragon sleeper! Frazer leaps in, but Price catches him! UREANGE DDT COMBO!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Frazer survives! Price hurries and tags in Nima! OTM gets Frazer up, Canadian Rack and BOOT YOYO COMBO!! Cover, TWO!?! Frazer survives but Nima HAMMERS him down! Price goes out to CHOP Axiom! Nima hoists Frazer up, Price CHOPS Axiom again! Price clears off the desk! The fans fire up and Price goes back to Axiom. Price grins as he clinches Axiom, but Axiom fights free! SUPERKICK! Price is on the desk, and Frazer ROCKS Nima! Frazer puts Nima up top, but Nima shoves him away! But then Frazer springs right back up! Axiom sneaks the tag, Nima SHOVES Frazer away!

Frazer backflips to land out, and Axiom ENZIGIRIS Nima! Frazer goes to an adjacent corner, and he SUPER FROG SPLASHES Price through the desk!! The fans are thunderous and Axiom hits a SPANISH FLY on Nima!! Then GOLDEN RATIO!! Cover, FRAXIOM WINS!

Winners: Nathan Frazer & Axiom, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)

Another match, another instant classic, and another incredible victory for Frazer & Axiom!

A car pulls into the parking lot.

But who is this that’s just arrived? We don’t get to see who, will we get to see before the end of the night?

Roxanne Perez is in the ring.

The Prodigy has the mic, and she says, “When I first won the NXT Women’s Championship for the second time at NXT Stand & Deliver, no one expected that I would hold it for 276 DAYS.” The fans cheer that! Roxie says that she had nine title defends, and with every single one, the NXT Women’s Division continued to rise. Roxie was making history, and that is because all she ever wanted to do was to make Women’s Wrestling special. The fans cheer that, too. Roxie says all she wanted to do was make a Women’s Division that could main event, that the fans could be proud of, and she feels she did that. The fans cheer in agreement there, too.

Roxie says NXT attracted the best women from all around the world, because this is the BEST Women’s Division in wrestling today! But… Here she stands without the title because unfortunately, last week, Giulia was the better woman. So yes, congratulations to Giulia, and to all the fans, because as sad as it makes Roxie, it is what they wanted. But you wanna know what’s even sadder? The state of the Women’s Division without Roxie as champ! You really think Giulia can take NXT to the heights that Roxie did?! NO ONE is gonna love this Women’s Division more than Roxie!

And that feeling you get when you say, “Women’s Wrestling is changing! Women’s Wrestling is the focus! NXT has the best Women’s Wrestling!” Well, go ahead and kiss all that goodbye, because without Roxie, this division will be lost. The fans boo, but Roxie says NXT no longer deserves her. The fans no longer deserve her! And as much as fans love to live in nostalgia, trust her, it will not be the same. In the past, the fans NEEDED the Four Horsewomen. But this generation only needed- WAIT, is that Bayley!? The fans go wild and Roxie is stunned silent as The Role Model returns to NXT!

Bayley heads to the ring, mic in hand, and she says, “Ding dong, Roxanne! Happy Tuesday Night, Rox.” The fans chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” Bayley thanks them and is excited to be back. She had to come back, because she knew Roxie would not be happy about her title loss last week. But hey, where Bayley sees it, this is a crossroads in Roxie’s career. So Roxie can either keep acting how she is now, or adapt to the situation. Roxie says she didn’t ask for Bayley’s advice. Oh… Well, Bayley was sure Roxie’s been asking for advice since the day she walked into the WWE, and since they met back when Roxie was a little bit shorter than she is right now, which is crazy!

That was when Roxie was just 14 back in Austin, Texas. Bayley loves NXT, they all know how much this place means to her. And Bayley has been following Roxie’s career and how much she’s believed in her. But sis, the division’s gonna be fine. Kelani, Jaida, even Cora, they’ll all be fine without Roxie. And that doesn’t mean what Roxie did wasn’t important. It just means that NXT is bigger than that. Roxie’s title run was amazing, one of the best- Roxie says this is just like Natalya and CM Punk! And Roxie hates that Bayley is trying to tell her the same things. Y’know what that shows? It shows that Bayley is just like everyone Roxie used to look up to.

Why is Bayley even here? What? Bayley thinks NXT owes her something? Yeah, Bayley set records, but guess what? Roxie broke them. Let’s face it, Bayley, you were Roxie’s role model. Maybe Roxie can be Bayley’s. Bayley tells “Rox” that the biggest difference between the two of them is that Roxie’s gonna be stuck in her own way all along, while Bayley goes on to WrestleMania after winning the WWE Women’s Championship this Friday Night SmackDown! But then Roxie SLAPS Bayley! So Bayley TACKLES Roxie!! These two scrap on the mat while the fans fire up, but NXT has to go off the air! Will Bayley come back to settle things with Roxie after she’s settled things with Tiffany Stratton?

My Thoughts:

A great episode of NXT to not just turn the corner from New Year’s Evil but apparently start some NXT VS main roster stories. Great tag match of Meta Four VS Unholy Union, and a great win for Lash & Jakara. Lash & Jakara VS Bianca & Naomi will be great stuff, and depending on how they want to play this Jade Cargill story, the reveal of “It was Naomi!” (again, that’s the going theory) that could cost Bianca & Naomi the titles. Awesome tag title match in the main event, but I suppose DIY showing up to call out Fraxiom was foreshadowing that Fraxiom would win. Fraxiom VS DIY can be some awesome stuff, and I would think happens at Vengeance Day next month.

Roxie had a great promo to close the night, especially with Bayley making a surprise return. Their brawl to finish the show is also clearly a sign they’ll have a match, probably also at Vengeance Day. I don’t see Bayley bring a title to that, but this match doesn’t need that. This is a generational showdown as one of the more underappreciated Four Horsewomen takes on a true prodigy of her generation, and definitely a great way to bring Roxie to the main roster. Trick having just a tweet is good stuff, it adds some mystery to his next step, but I would think he goes to the main roster with a Royal Rumble debut.

As for more NXT centric stories, Briggs & Inamura putting the tag teams on notice was good stuff. I suppose them brawling with OTM was also a level of foreshadowing that Fraxiom would win. Briggs & Inamura VS OTM will be some good stuff, too, and that can help give Briggs & Inamura momentum going into a title match. Perhaps DIY is the reason why Fraxiom loses the titles, and it’d be great for Inamura as a Pro-Wrestling Noah wrestler getting a title here in NXT. For that matter, great cameo from Masha Slamovich to restart the NXTNA crossovers. We really need a Worlds Collide style event so we can get proper interaction of both companies.

Great stuff in setting up both an NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship match, though I’m surprised there wasn’t an odd “can they coexist?” tag match where Oba and Tony would have to work together against Eddy and Ridge. At the same time, I’m actually okay with that because clearly Tony and Oba would clash and that’d cost them, giving away that they’re both retaining the titles. Now, there is a chance someone loses a title, but it’s more likely Tony loses to Ridge than Oba does to Eddy, even with Eddy doing some great Heel work. And good taking advantage of the Wolf Moon for the Alpha Wolf.

Speaking of great Heel work, Ethan Page is perhaps the top Heel. Good promo with the midcard Faces, and good on Dante Chen being the one to step up. Ethan VS Dante was good but quick, and then Ethan goes and makes Dante his third victim. Great return spot from Je’Von, but yeah, with that jaw still nowhere near 100%, Ethan easily knocks Je’Von back down. Maybe NXT can give us their own take on an “Unsanctioned” match, seeing as how (in kayfabe) Je’Von isn’t 100%, and probably won’t be for months. It’ll even work as the Vengeance Day main event given the name, and Je’Von obviously wants vengeance.

Great promo with Oba with Ava, Stevie and Stone. While Stone is right, Oba picking him up with ease was funny. And then they did a great string of promos in one backstage segment, with Oba shrugging off Dion, Izzi and Rizzo finding a common annoyance in Shawn Spears, and then the surprising climax of the Karmen & Adonis love story. I still feel like Vengeance Day could be big for them since it’s right after Valentine’s Day and we could get a really fun Mixed Tag where they settle things with like Nikkita Lyons and a male superstar who could use the spotlight.

Very good promo segment to set up Kelani VS Cora, such as Sol and Zaria being opposing opinions. Those two probably need to have a 1v1 match or two, as well. Cora cheating to win makes sense, it brings her up the ranks while also adding to Kelani’s story of sharpening that edge. Vaquer VS Shotzi was a great opening match, but I should’ve figured the Fatal Influence would get involved. I almost didn’t recognize Jacy with her hair down and no hat or anything. Vaquer going on her rampage backstage was a good picture-in-picture bit, and I’m sure Vaquer will have a match or two with Jacy & Jazmyn in the background of Shotzi VS Fallon. That said, I would think Fallon wins, perhaps even with some help, but then ultimately loses to Vaquer at Vengeance Day.

My Score: 8.9/10

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.

My Score: 8.9/10