Will the landscape change again?

Eddy Thorpe keeps prodding and provoking Oba Femi, so he gets his last chance at the NXT Championship! Will Eddy truly be the alpha of NXT?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; Tony wins and retains the title.
• Dion Lennox VS Wes Lee w/ Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe; Wes wins.
• NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey; King wins and retains the title.
• Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS Jaida Parker; Karmen wins.
• Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance VS Luca Crusifino & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo; Jensen & Vance win.
• NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe; Oba wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland!

A golden NXT begins with The Don stepping to the man who tried to ruin Christmas! Will NXT still belong to Tony D? Or will Ridge the Fridge put him on ice?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really got grit!

The two tie up with the bell, then go around the ring. They end up on ropes, in a corner, back on ropes, then they break. The fans rally, Tony and Ridge tie up again, then Ridge waistlocks, spins Tony, and UPPERCUTS! Tony fires back and the fans fire up! The shots go back and forth, but then Ridge kicks low. Ridge headlocks, Tony powers up and out, but Ridge RUNS Tony over! The fans boo and Tony gets up in a huff. They tie up again, Ridge headlocks, but fans taunt him with “No One Likes You!” Tony powers up and out, drops down, but Ridge ducks ‘n’ dodges. But then Tony hip tosses Ridge, and RUNS him over!

The fans fire up with Tony, and he dodges a haymaker to hit a headlock takeover! Ridge fights around, fights up, and he powers up and puts Tony on ropes. The fans rally for Tony while the ref counts. Ridge lets off, and Tony throws hands! Ridge ROCKS Tony in return, has him in a corner, and then fires body shots. Ridge whips, Tony reverses, then he dodges to FLYING PUNCH! Tony whips Ridge to a corner, then BACKDROPS Ridge on the rebound! The fans cheer while Tony paces. Ridge slowly rises, but wait, Shawn Spears is here? The fans boo The Chair Man but he tells Tony to focus on Ridge. Tony has The Family watch Spears closely while NXT goes picture in picture.

Tony glares at Spears before he goes back to Ridge. But Ridge takes a swing! Tony dodges, and then Tony LARIATS Ridge up and out! Tony hurries to go after Ridge, then SMACKS him off the apron! But then Ridge RAMS Tony into a post! And then Ridge just POSTS Tony! Tony slumps against the steel, but Ridge pulls his arm through the corner. Ridge SLAMS the arm against the post! Ridge pushes Tony into the ring, storms in after him, but Tony fires haymakers! Ridge kicks low, then he RAMS Tony into the buckles! Spears is amused while Ridge drops a KNEE onto Tony’s arm! Tony writhes but Ridge stands him up.

Ridge UPPERCUTS the arm, RAMS the shoulder, then CHOPS! Ridge RAMS Tony again, but Tony rolls Ridge up! TWO, and Ridge kicks Tony in the shin! Ridge then WRINGS the arm out! Tony writhes more, but Ridge then clamps on for an armlock. Ridge stands over Tony as he puts the pressure on, but the fans and The Family coach Tony up. Tony fights up, fires haymakers again, but Ridge wrenches to WRING the arm again! Ridge drops KNEES on the arm again, then clamps onto Tony with the armlock. Tony endures, the fans rally, and Spears continues to be amused as NXT returns to single picture.

Tony fights up, fires haymakers, but Ridge wrenches again. Tony still fires haymakers! Tony ROCKS Ridge, goes to a corner, but Ridge runs in! Tony dodges to DECK Ridge! And DECK him again! Tony whips, then runs, to FLYING PUNCH again! Then he clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up and Tony reels Ridge in! FISHERMAN SUPLEX, and a float to the cover! TWO!! Ridge survives, but the fans are all behind Tony. Spears looks worried now, but Tony clinches. Ridge KNEES free of the spinebuster! But then Tony ROCKS Ridge! Ridge ROCKS Tony! They go back and forth, but then Tony FLYING PUNCHES! Ridge BOOTS back!

Ridge has the half nelson, HALF ‘N’ HALF PLEX! Cover, TWO! Tony survives and Spears looks annoyed. The fans fire up but Ridge roars! Tony rises, Ridge runs up, but Tony dodges the lariat, and the Southpaw! SPEAR!! But then speaking of Spears, he gets on the apron! The fans boo, but Tony DECKS Spears! The Family storms up but then Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen attack! The ref calls for reinforcements, but Tony goes back to Ridge. Ridge body shots, but wait! IZZI DAME!? She BOOTS Ridge! SPINEBUSTER from Tony! Tony high stacks, and WINS!

Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

The irony here is sweet! Spears has been trying to recruit The It Girl to his team, but she made sure things went the other way! She says they’re even, so will Spears have to just FOGEDABOUTIT?

Dion Lennox and others talk backstage.

But then in steps Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe. Wes tells Dion that he’s a funny guy. Why is that? Because what he said to Oba last week, how Dion is championship material and could actually beat him one day. Dion says that’s not Wes, so why not Dion? Uh, because there’s a very drastic difference between a superstar with “potential” like Dion, and one who is a decorated superstar like Wes. Dion wants Wes to hold on. Maybe he can prove his “potential” by beating a former champion like Wes. Wes says Dion will realize he has a long, long way to go before that. So Wes will see Dion around.

Wait, Trick Williams just walked in! And Wes says look at that! Another former champion! Tricky Willy is back! From the penthouse to the outhouse! It must stink knowing that Eddy Thorpe’s getting another shot while- TRICK SLAPS WES!! Wes falls right over, and Trick stares everyone else down. No one steps to Trick, so who will Trick step to now that he’s back?

Bayley is here!

The Role Model is back again because after last week’s brawl, a certain Prodigy has been following her to both SmackDown and Raw. The fans again chant “Welcome Back!” “Welcome Home!” and Bayley says yeah, this IS her home! And that’s why last week, she came out here to talk with Roxanne Perez. Bayley cares about Roxie, about the legacy she is building, and everything Roxie has done for NXT. But all that got Bayley was a big ol’ slap in the face. The fans boo that, but Bayley continues to bring up how Roxie said Bayley was just acting like CM Punk and Natalya. To Bayley, that’s a compliment!

People like Punk and Natty built the foundation they’re all walking on. Natty showed Bayley how to give back and how to help. So Bayley isn’t here because NXT owes her something. NXT doesn’t even owe Roxie! If anything, Bayley owes NXT to get rid of “entitled little idiots like Roxanne Perez!” Fans cheer, “I LOVE YOU, BAYLEY~!” a la Jacob Fatu. Bayley says she loves them, too. And maybe deep down, Roxie “loves” Bayley, because Roxie talked crap to Bayley during a title match with Tiffany Stratton, then showed up to Raw last night to try and put her hands on Bayley during her match with Nia Jax. Rox, c’mon!

Maybe Bayley gave Roxie too much credit, because that’s all really lame. She thought Roxie would have a better plan than that. That’s like small ball. That doesn’t prove Roxie is ready for Raw and SmackDown. That doesn’t even prove Roxie is ready to be a leader of the youngest locker room in WWE right now! There’s Jaida Parker, Kelani Jordan, Lola Vice, all of these girls are eager to prove themselves worthy of an opportunity. And with a champion like Giulia, then sky’s the limit! Wait, speaking of Giulia, here she comes! The fans fire up again as the NEW NXT Women’s Champion is here to meet Bayley face to face!

The Beautiful Madness has the mic to tell Bayley, “Coming from Japan and seeing part of, I wanted you. I wanted to be in NXT!” The fans cheer that. Giulia joins Bayley in the ring, and Giulia says Roxie may not look up to Bayley, but Giulia does. The fans also cheer that! Giulia says she hopes to hold this title with as much honor and love for NXT as Bayley did. Bayley thanks Giulia for that, that means a lot, because she has so much respect for Giulia. Bayley’s also a big fan of hers. When Giulia won the title, Bayley was so happy. And Bayley knows Giulia will make historic moments of her own, because this title changes your career, your life, and means everything to all of us here.

That title changed the landscape of the Women’s Division, not just in NXT but in WWE. Before Bayley can say more, Roxie makes her way out here, Cora Jade by her side. And Roxie of course has a mic, to say this is “boring~!” Roxie is surprised Bayley is showing her face after two embarrassing losses. Roxie is so happy she was in the front row to see those. But seriously, drop the act, stop acting innocent, because if Bayley actually cared about the WWE’s future, Bayley wouldn’t have punched Roxie in the face last night! And Roxie isn’t the only one who sees through Bayley. Cora does, too! Right, Cora? Can you actually believe this was their role model?

Roxie & Cora laugh but Bayley says it is hard to hear them because the fans are booing so loud. Roxie tells the fans to shut up, but they just boo harder. And Bayley asks what Cora’s even doing here! Cora says she is here because she was once a “naive” Bayley fan, too! But Roxie is right, Cora sees it! Bayley is not a role model! Role models aren’t part of NXT “when it’s cool.” Role models build this place up when people like Bayley choose to leave it. As far as they’re concerned, Giulia might as well hand the title back to Roxie here and now, because no one can carry it the way Roxie did. No one loves NXT like Roxie & Cora! And they didn’t need to compete overseas to see it.

Roxie & Cora have been holding it together since day one! Roxie again tells the fans to shut up, because she has something important to say! The fans keep booing, so Roxie says fine! She’ll just talk to Bayley, not the idiot fans. Roxie will not take anything away from what Bayley has done. Bayley’s done it all in WWE. She’s the 2024 Royal Rumble Winner, won championships at WrestleMania, and most importantly, she inspired little girls like Roxie & Cora. But thank you for your service because it is no longer required. Bye-bye~! The fans continue to boo and Bayley smiles. Roxie says everyone should be booing Bayley!

And why? Because Bayley’s been looking at the NXT Women’s Championship! Bayley wants to be the number one woman in the number one women’s division. Because deep, deep down, it has succeeded even the Four Horsewomen. So Bayley should tell her new friend, Giulia, the truth! Tell her why you’re here, Bayley! Fans tell Roxie to “Shut The Hell Up!” Bayley & Giulia look to each other, and they agree on something. They go after Cora & Roxie! The fans fir e up for the brawl! Bayley ash Cora, Giulia has Roxie, but then Cora gets free of a clinch! Roxie gets free of one, too, and the two regroup as they retreat!

The fans cheer as Role Model and Beautiful Madness stand tall, will they look to put the mean girls in their place?

The rest of the Women’s Division watches.

Jaida Parker loves what she sees! Bayley mentioning her two weeks in a row, everyone heard it! Kelani Jordan says yeah, but she’s not the only one. Bayley mentioned Kelani, too. Jaida says okay, this “attitude” Kelani is trying on ain’t it, so go back to the drawing board, because the only real one is right here looking at you. Kelani says being rude doesn’t make you “real,” Jaida. Well, being pretty doesn’t mean you have to be rude, Kelani. JAIDA is the one being rude! Karmen Petrovic says it doesn’t matter, because love is in the air! Karmen loves Kelani for being so sweet, and Jaida- Jaida says she dares her to say something.

Kelani is about to go off because Jaida brushed her aside, but Sol Ruca & Zaria keep her back. Karmen asks why Jaida’s coming at her, and Jaida asks why Karmen’s always up in people’s business. Oh, is it cuz she finally got a kiss from a guy who’s gonna dump her in a few months anyway? Don’t interrupt. Oh, wow, “finally got a kiss?” Karmen kissed Adonis. So watch how you talk about her and her man. Wow, “her man?” Yeah, and if Karmen interrupts Jaida again, what’s she gonna do? Jaida pushes Karmen back and says that’s Nikkita’s man, get it right. Dani Palmer and Brinley Reece now step in to keep the peace.

WAIT! The brawl at the ring started up again!? Bayley & Giulia are again throwing hands with Cora & Roxie! The fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” but then Cora POSTS Giulia! Bayley THROWS Roxie into barriers, and NXT goes picture in picture!

Security finally rushes out there to try and stop this, but then Bayley helps Giulia against Cora in the ring! Security hurries to stop that but the mugging is 3v2! Giulia HEADBUTTS Cora outta the ring, but then Roxie CLOBBERS Bayley! Roxie and Giulia brawl, Bayley is back up, and Cora returns, too! The refs and security separate the four, but then Bayley breaks loose to JUMP at Roxie & Cora! Giulia follows after, it’s a lot of wild fists and black leather pants! Roxie & Cora stand down again, but then Bayley & Giulia run back up! Roxie and Bayley scrap to the mat, Giulia and Cora aren’t far behind! Bayley TOSSES Roxie, then TOSSES Cora!

The brawling finally stops, or rather stops again, and refs usher Cora & Roxie away. Ava Raine is there, but then Giulia & Bayley storm in! The brawling is happening right in front of the NXT General Manager! She shouts for this to stop but that’s easier said than done! Dion Lennox does his best to get by, his match with Wes is next! Will Dion level up taking on the former NXT North American Champion?

Dion Lennox VS Wes Lee w/ Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe!

The bell rings and Wes throws his jacket! Dion gets blinded and Wes HANDSPRING KICKS him down! The fans boo, Wes stomps away, but then Wes lets off as the ref counts. Dion bails out, Wes builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Dion and the fans boo more. Wes puts Dion, storm sin, but Dion FLAPJACKS Wes high! Dion fires up, and he rallies on Wes with ELBOW after ELBOW! #GameMode has activated, and Dion TACKLES Wes! Dion rains down forearms and fists, but Wes scrambles away to ropes. Dion ROCKS Wes with a haymaker! Dion whips, but Wes KICKS him back! Dion shakes that off, and he scoops Wes!

Wes fights free, mule kicks a leg out, then runs, but into a SHOULDER TACKLE! Dion fires up while Wes goes to a corner. Ty & Ty coach Wes up while Dion runs in, and Wes BOOTS him! Wes ROUNDHOUSES Dion, then runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wes survives but Dion drags him right up. Dion suplexes, but Wes knees free! Wes wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Then HEEL KICKS! Dion wobbles, so Wes ENZIGIRIS! Wes handsprings, CARDIAC KICK! Cover, Wes wins!

Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall

The Cardiac Kid was on the defensive against the former linebacker, but he found a way to score the win. Wes says so much for championship material. That takes care of Dion, so TRICK! You think you’re that man? Walking into the locker room and slapping Wes in the face!? Wes will take care of Trick next week in Atlanta! And if you think you- Well, here comes trick now! Ty & Ty run up but Trick DECKS Tyson! Trick storms in and ROCKS Wes again and again! Wes flounders out, and Trick says if Wes wants it in Atlanta next week, then he’s got it! Trick storms out, pushes past Dion, ready for a fight. Will Trick be a house of fire until he takes back his title?

Sarah Schreiber gives us BREAKING NEWS!

After the confrontation earlier tonight, NXT GM Ava has made a match: Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance VS Luca Crusifino & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo! But now, welcome her guest at this time, Stephanie Vaquer! La Primera steps onto the set, and Sarah says that Stephanie did win the #1 contender’s spot for the Women’s North American Championship, but then Shotzi Blackheart pinned Fallon Henley directly. Then Shotzi beat- Vaquer stops Sarah there, and says yes, she is still THE #1 Contender. Fatal Influence is already doing everything they can to stop her.

But Vaquer arrived in NXT, and she is not going to stop just because Fallon is playing games. Or because Shotzi benefitted from the situation. Vaquer adds in Spanish, then translates, that if Shotzi becomes champion, she will meet Hell. And Fallon, you can run, but you can’t hide from La Diabla. The Dark Angel is ready to destroy whoever is champion, so who will have a date with Vaquer for Vengeance Day?

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

It takes time to turn over a new leaf, but perhaps The Drama King has truly done that. He chose to win honorably, owned up to mistakes and controversy, and is even willing to clear the air once and for all. Will King keep the throne after going a few more rounds? Or will the No Quarter Catch Crew soon have the cup back in their possession?

NXT returns as NQCC enters all together. The introductions are made, the cup is raised, and one way or another, we put an end to this chapter!

The bell rings on round one, and King offers a handshake. Dempsey kicks it away, not in the mood for it. The fans boo but Dempsey waistlocks. King switches, SLAMS Dempsey, then facelocks. They roll, King holds on, but Dempsey trips King up. Dempsey has the toehold, but King uses leg with leg for leverage! King throws Dempsey away but Dempsey cartwheels through! The fans cheer so King throws his headband away. The two tie up, Dempsey waistlocks, then spins King to a facelock. But King wrenches out to WRING Dempsey! Dempsey gets up, but King DROPKICKS him! The fans cheer, and King arm-drags Dempsey down!

Dempsey endures the armlock, fights up, but King wrenches to a wristlock, Dempsey rolls, snapmares, but King holds onto the wristlock! Dempsey rolls, wrenches, breaks, and snapmares! Dempsey headlocks, King slips out to wrench the arm again. Dempsey spins, snapmares, and headlocks, but King slips out the back to hammerlock! King KNEES the arm in the back, KNEES him again, then traps it under his knee. King flexes, the fans cheer, but Dempsey BOPS King in the face! Dempsey runs, King drops down, but Dempsey turns hip toss into wrench and backslide, with bridge! TWO!! King has a sunset flip, TWO!

King headlocks, Dempsey powers up and out, but King RUNS Dempsey over! Dempsey hurries up, then drops down as King runs. King avoids the hurdle, not wanting a repeat of the controversial “nutcracker” from last time. We reach a minute left in this round, and King wants the handshake again. Dempsey decides to take it this time, but then he UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! King wobbles, Dempsy whips, but King reverses to drop toehold, body scissor, Gedo Clutch, but King tries to get fancy, TWO! Dempsey has the REAR NAKED CHOKE! King fights around but Dempsey holds on tight!

King snapmares free, Dempsey rolls him up, TWO! Twenty seconds left and King goes for a leg. Dempsey gut wrenches King to a backslide, TWO! King escapes but we hit ten seconds! Dempsey wants the chicken wing! King fights around, he’s caught, but time’s up!

King: 0; Dempsey: 0

The fans cheer this first round coming to a close, but while Dempsey has NQCC to refresh him, King has no one. Wait, what’s a pair of brass knuckles doing in King’s bucket? Did a certain gentlemanly villain put those there? King shakes his head, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Round two begins and the two storm up to tie up. Dempsey wrenches to hammerlock but King standing switches to headlock. King hits the takeover, Dempsey fights to a headscissor but King shrugs that off. Dempsey rolls King to a cover, TWO! King holds on, but Dempsey manages a cravat from that position. Dempsey wrangles King to a cover, TWO! Dempsey now has a top wristlock and grinds King down. King endures, fights around, and he arm-drags free! King then grabs Dempsey’s arm for a knuckle lock cover, TWO as Dempsey gets an arm up! King pushes that arm down, TWO as Dempsey gets the other arm up!

King pushes that arm down, TWO as Dempsey bridges! Dempsey then kips up, powers King back, and MONKEY FLIPS him! Dempsey rolls back to cover, TWO! King sunset flips again, TWO! Both men stand, and Dempsey KNEES low! Dempsey headlocks and squeezes tight. Dempsey then ripcords King for a GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! We’re already under 90 seconds as Dempsey KNEES King in the back! Dempsey clamps on a chinlock and he grinds King down again. King still endures, fights back up, but Dempsey ripcords to ROCK him! But King reels Dempsey in for a BACKDROP!

King clamps onto an arm and he grinds the shoulder. Dempsey rolls to stand, but King rolls to wrench! Dempsey wrenches, King wrenches, repeat! Dempsey rolls, spins, wrenches, and hammerlocks. But King gets under to BACKDROP again! Dempsey sunset flips it! King sits on the cover, AND SCORES!

King: 1; Dempsey: 0

With 26 seconds to spare, King snatches the crucial first fall! Will King wrap this before halftime? Or can Dempsey push it into the late rounds?

NXT returns to single picture during the refresher, the round begins, and the two storm up to each other again. Dempsey KNEES King low, CLUBS him on the back, then UPPERCUTS! King CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Dempsey wrenches to KNEE King hard! King goes to a corner, Dempsey is on him to whip, but King reverses. Dempsey goes up but King stays back! King arm-drags Dempsey, then grinds the armlock! The fans rally, Dempsey fights around, then rolls back. Dempsey stands, fights the armlock, and fans duel as Dempsey puts King on ropes. The ref counts, Dempsey HOTSHOTS King down!

The NQCC cheers, and Dempsey drags King up to fire off in the corner! We’re at two minutes, Dempsey whips to send King right into the buckles! Dempsey stomps King, then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! King survives but Dempsey looms over him. Dempsey stomps King around, then clamps onto an arm. Dempsey traps that arm, and he steps on it to bend it back! King endures as Dempsey also has a headlock added on! King fights, Dempsey traps the arm with a leg, and then he throws down palm strikes to the forehead! King manages to roll to a cover, TWO! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!!

Dempsey survives and we go under a minute here! King storms after Dempsey, brings him around to whip, but Dempsey reverses. King goes up and over the corner, then half nelsons, but Dempsey standing switches! Dempsey has the nelson, King fights it, but Dempsey KNEES him! BUTTERFLY PLEX, with a bridge! Dempsey scores!!

King: 1; Dempsey: 1

And with that, we’re all tied up going into the second half! King goes back to his corner, and he looks at those brass knuckles. King holds them in his hand but then shakes his head and puts them down. Round four begins, and Dempsey runs up! King dodges and then KICKS! KICKS! And KICKS! Dempsey blocks to DRAGON SCREW! King ends up in the corner, Dempsey hauls him for a HALF HATCH! FACELOCK GUILLOTINE! King endures, fights up, but Dempsey pulls on the head more! King powers up to suplex free! The fans fire up as both men rise! King blocks a shot to CHPO, CHOP, and UPPERCUT!

King whips, Dempsey reverses, but King CLOBBERS him! And LARIATS! King whips, runs up and LARIATS again! King CHOPS, then brings Dempsey in! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! King hurries to a corner to climb! Dempsey stands, into the CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! King is frustrated, but he aims again, SUPER- NO, Dempsey blocks the kick, spins King around, LEG TRAP GERMAN! King sputters, then crawls to his corner! Is he still thinking about the knuckles? Dempsey has the chicken wing! But King runs to the ropes, and he TOSSES Dempsey out onto NQCC! King builds speed, and he FLIES! Down goes NQCC!

The fans are all fired up as King stands tall! We’re under a minute in the round but King puts Dempsey in the ring. Myles storms up but King DECKS him for it! King storms in, Dempsey snatches him to a cradle! TWO!! Dempsey rolls King up again, TWO!! Thirty seconds left as Dempsey waistlocks King! They crowd the ref in the corner! MULE KICK LOW BLOW!! Was that on purpose?! King reels Dempsey in, CORONATION!! Cover, King wins!!

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

King does Dempsey dirty, and that seemed a lot more blatant than that noggin knocker last time! A win is a win, but does the apple really not fall far from the tree? Will King stay the champion while also being his father’s son?

Bianca Belair & Naomi speak.

The EST tells Lash Legend & Jakara, “Y’all putting in that work to become #1 contenders, because of course y’all want a shot at our titles.” The Glow says The Bougie Bully is bringing the size and power, while Miss Jackson if ya nasty, she has the athleticism. But they might’ve forgotten just who The Glow & EST are. Because nobody does those things better than them. So bring all that and more to Atlanta if you wanna take these titles off the champs. Will Meta Four be the ones next week? Or will they just feel the StrongEST Glow ever?

Hank ‘n’ Tank talk with Andre Chase.

The big belly boys are a bit worried about Mr. Chase. They’re not even mad about him walking out on them, they just want to know how they can help. Chase says they should just break up as a team now. All tag teams end in heartbreak anyway. Kelani Jordan walks past as Chase says everyone is better off just looking out for themselves. Hank ‘n’ Tank say not this team. Chase says forget he even said it then. Chase heads out, but he finds other superstars watching a highlight reel of Chase’s best rage moments. Kale Dixon tells Mr. Chase he was so badass! Chase says yeah, he was…

But Chase U is dead. Chase leaves and Kale says it doesn’t have to be! Can Kale find a way to revive Chase’s school spirit?

Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS Jaida Parker!

Love is in the air, but when it’s NXT, there’s also a lot of tension. The Blackbelt Beauty was just trying to keep the peace, but Miss Parker is always ready for a fight. Will Karmen kick ass on the road to Vengeance Day? Or will Jaida make sure the lovebirds don’t make it #OutTheMud?

NXT returns and Jaida makes her entrance. She didn’t bring her boys, Nima & Price, so she’s annoyed to see Adonis ringside. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Karmen waistlocks. Jaida THROWS Karmen away and the fans duel. Karmen gets up, Jaida mocks the crane stance, but then Kamren starts throwing kicks! Jaida hurries to a corner, and the two reset. Karmen dodges Jaida’s haymaker to then slip under and UP KICK! Jaida comes back into a LEG SWEEP! Karmen mocks the high steps and now Jaida’s mad. Jaida runs up but Karmen wrangles her to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Jaida rolls Karmen, ONE!

Karmen keeps on the arm, but Jaida fights up to pull hair. Jaida puts Karmen in the corner, the ref counts, but Jaida knees low! Jaida whips Karmen corner to corner but Karmen SOBATS! And BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Jaida gets up but Karmen KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Jaida blocks a kick, but Karmen SOBATS again! Karmen whips, Jaida reverses, but Karmen goes up. Jaida blocks that kick then gets under with an Electric Chair Lift! Karmen fires hands, but Jaida still SLAMS Karmen down! Jaida snarls as she drags Karmen up, and she RAMS Karmen into a corner! Jaida RAMS into Karmen again and again, but stops as the ref counts.

Jaida drags Karmen out to then put her in the ropes. Jaida CHOPS Karmen, then runs to TEARDROP in the corner! Jaida says that’s how it’s done! Jaida drags Karmen up, then shoves her onto ropes. Jaida traps Karmen’s arms and pulls! The ref counts, Jaida CLUBS Karmen while she lets off, then she bumps Karmen off buckles. Jaida eggs Karmen on, but Karmen blocks the bump to ELBOW back! Karmen goes up to ENZIGIRI! Karmen runs up, but Jaida wrenches to hook and FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO! Jaida is frustrated but the fans rally up. Jaida brings Karmen around, neckbreaker stretch!

Karmen endures as Jaida keeps her off the ground! Karmen kicks the legs, but Jaida suplexes! Karmen cradle counters, TWO! Both women hurry to their feet, and Jaida KNEES low! Jaida whips, runs up, but Karmen dodges! Karmen runs in, but Jaida dodges! Karmen hits buckles, and Jaida hoists her up again! But Karmen manages to victory roll, TWO! Jaida escapes, swings, but Karmen dodges! Karmen ROCKS Jaida with a forearm! And ROCKS her again! Then DISCUS LARIAT! The fans fire up as Karmen aims, runs, and dodges Jaida to then SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Jaida survives the #Shingblade, but Karmen aims!

Jaida ducks the roundhouse, then she BACK ELBOWS Karmen down! Jaida drags Karmen up to GOURD BUSTER! Then Jaida builds speed for the- WAIT, Kelani is here! She stands in Jaida’s way, and Karmen rolls Jaida up! KARMEN WINS!

Winner: Karmen Petrovic, by pinfall

Karmen celebrates with her man Adonis, and Jaida is pissed at Kelani! Will Kelani not stand for the disrespect? Or will she get knocked out for it?

Meta Four meet backstage.

Jakara and Lash heard what Naomi & Bianca had to say, but then wait! Sol & Zaria, Jakara can guess what you want: The first opportunity at the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Sol asks if they understand how big their match is next week. Uh, duh! Zaria doesn’t think so. Not only do they have the chance to become WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, but they can bring those titles back to NXT, the best women’s division in the world. Uh, wow, Sol, you have a point. This IS the biggest match of their career. And Lash gets to go back to her hometown to do it! She can compete in front of her friends and family!

And Meta Four gets to step into the ring with two former WWE Women’s Champions. And even if Naomi & Bianca are two of the most accomplished women in WWE history, the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson will bring that action. Because when they do, everyone here can get a shot at the champs. Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin walk in. Did Gigi hear that? Oh, she sure did, Tatum. They like the sound of it. So then it’s agreed: Meta Four better bring those titles home. Oh, they will! Let’s do it, girls~! Fatal Influence also eyes this from the background. Will the line be out the door should Naomi & Bianca lose to Meta Four?

Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance w/ Shawn Spears VS Luca Crusifino & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Adriana Rizzo!

It’s been very obvious The Chair Man has been after the North American Championship, and with that, Tony D’Angelo. Spears has even done his best to gather “lost souls” to his side so that they can all take over NXT together. Will that start here as Brooks & Niko take on Luca & Stacks? Or will Tony’s Consigliere and Underboss handle business?

The D’Angelo Family doesn’t wait, they attack Jensen & Niko at the ramp! The fans fire up as the brawl is on like it was earlier tonight! Stacks sends Jensen into the ring, Niko and Luca continue to brawl on the outside, and then Jensen TOSSES Stacks back out! Niko sends Luca into the barriers, Jensen ROCKS Stacks, then Spears’ men put The D’Angelos back in the ring. Jensen & Niko storm back in, but Stacks & Luca throw more haymakers! Stacks LARIATS Jensen up and out, the bell finally rings, and Luca dodges Niko to KNEE him down! Luca drags Niko over, tags Stacks, and they double wrench, DOUBLE ELBOW, then DOUBLE BOOT!

Niko sputters, Stacks brings him around to UPPERCUT! Stacks whips, but Niko blocks and reverses! Niko runs in at the corner, but Stacks BOOTS him away! Stacks slides under to UPPERCUT Niko! The fans fire up, Stacks puts Niko in the ropes, and then UPPERCUTS and ROCKS him! Stacks UPPERCUTS again, then runs to BOOT Niko down! Jensen returns but Stacks throws him tot he apron! Luca runs up but Jensen CLOBBERS him! Stacks triangle jump DROPKICKS Jensen down! Luca returns, he helps Stacks FLY! Down go The Chair Man’s henchmen and the fans fire up! Stacks puts Niko back in, tag to Luca.

The D’Angelos whip Niko, BODY BLOW then KNEE LIFT! Niko staggers, Stacks runs, but Jensen trips him up! Jensen drags Stacks out to RAM him into the apron! Niko reels Luca in for a SAIDO! Spears barks orders, Niko RAMS into Luca again and again! Niko whips Luca corner to corner hard, and Luca falls! Niko tags Jensen, they mug Luca, then Jensen short arm LARIATS! The fans rally for Luca but Jensen hits a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Jensen tags Niko, then Jensen WRINGS Luca out! Niko FALLING HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Niko pie faces Luca around, Spears tells him to keep going. Luca CHOPS Niko, Niko HEADBUTTS!

Niko scoops but Luca slips free! CODE BREAKER! The fans fire up, Niko and Luca crawl, hot tags to Jensen and Stacks! Stacks rallies on Spears’ men with lariats and forearms! Stacks ENZIGIRIS Jensen to a corner, then runs in for an UPPERCUT! Stacks aims at Niko but Jensen snatches him for a SLEEPER! Niko runs up but Stacks BOOTS him! Stacks snapmares free of Jensen, then he goes up to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Stacks as he goes after Jensen. Spears is frustrated but then Niko storms up! Luca SUPERKICKS Niko down! The fans fire up as The D’Angelos get Jensen up!

Stacks whips Jensen, Luca sets up, but Jensen grabs ropes! Luca runs up, Jensen TOSSES him out! Niko BATTERING RAMS Luca, and Luca is sent into steel steps! Jensen hooks Stacks’ arms, Stacks fights the backslide, but Niko tags in! Jensen runs, WHEEL KICK! Niko runs, CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!! Cover, Spears’ men win!

Winners: Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance, by pinfall

The fans aren’t happy, but Spears is very, very pleased. His soldiers savagely stuck it to The Don’s men, but will they find their way to the NXT Tag Team Championships?

Backstage interview with Nathan Frazer & Axiom.

Sarah is with #Fraxiom, and she brings up how they made a surprise appearance at TNA Genesis on Sunday, but also wants to talk last week’s successful tag title defense. Frazer says yes, thank you, Sarah. And there wasn’t a doubt in their minds! Right, amigo? Axiom is sure there was a little doubt. OTM was coming off a brawl with Briggs & Inamura yet they still threw Fraxiom all over the ring. It was close. Plus, DIY was watching! Axiom feels that in this tag team division, you just never know. Frazer says yes, but he does! And he knows that they are the best team on the planet!

And this Thursday, against TNA’s Rascalz, Frazer knows- Briggs & Inamura storm in. “What part of ‘We got next’ do you two not understand?” Fraxiom takes one field trip to TNA and they just forget? Briggs doesn’t know if he likes that or not. Inamura says, “Exactly.” They call themselves the best? But are they dodging Briggs & Inamura? Frazer says hold on, Inamura-san. There’s a difference between a tag team wanting a match, and actually deserving one. Besides, who’d Briggs ever beat? But then OTM storms in! Bronco Nima & Lucien Price want more with Briggs & Inamura! So they get more! It’s another backstage brawl!

Briggs takes on Nima, Inamura has Price, but Robert Stone & Stevie Turner are there to call in refs and security! The chaos continues, will Briggs & Inamura have to settle things with Price & Nima before they go for gold? Will Fraxiom #NeverSlowDown, even after going through TNA Impact?

Dion Lennox rages backstage.

He shoves road cases and throws spare ladders, then he throws his glasses and shouts, “F THIS PLACE!” Dion storms off, and cameras pan over to Izzi Dame and Tony D’Angelo. Izzi says Spears might have a crush on her, or is just delusional, she’s not sure which. Tony says yeah, they could go on and on about Spears, but he has places to be. Right. Izzi says again that they’re even now, so she heads out. The Family catches up with The Don and asks why he wasn’t out there with them. Tony says he would’ve, but Izzi kept wanting to talk. Anyway, how’d they do? They lost. They were mostly waiting for Tony and were starting to get worried.

Spears was out there with his guys but- Tony says hey, he’s fine, he was just busy with Izzi. But T, they needed you. Tony says Stacks has been the Underboss for two years now. He can figure things out on his own, can’t he? Tony heads out, will Stacks step up to lead on his own? And back to Dion, is he quitting NXT over what happened with Wes and Trick?

Ethan Page speaks.

“I didn’t wanna have to do that to you, Dante. I was riding high after All Ego finally shook hands with The Final Boss. Dante, you wanted to stand on some moral high ground. Now you can’t even stand at all.” Ethan smiles, and says, “It still echoes through my head. I never knew I’d enjoy the sound of human bones breaking, you screaming out in pain. Just like Cedric Alexander. Just like Je’Von Evans. Now Je’Von, you must never wanna speak normal again. Why else would you come to the ring in the stage that you are in? I blasted you in the face one time, and I drew blood. This is your last warning. The next time we cross paths, it won’t just be one punch.

“I. Won’t. Stop.” All Ego is going all psycho, what will stop him from doing that to the rest of the NXT roster?

Je’Von Evans meets with Ava Raine.

Je’Von says Ava saw what Ethan did. Like, everyone saw it! He needs to get after Ethan! Ava says yes, she gets it, but his jaw is still broken, and he almost re-broke it with that stunt last week. She talked with medical, Je’Von is anything but cleared. Yeah… But turns out, he is cleared. Cedric Alexander returns! Je’Von says sup, Unc! Cedric says hey, don’t worry about it. He’ll get Ethan for both of them. Ava says good, and Je’Von & Cedric head out. Only for Grayson Waller & Austin Theory to walk in… A-Town Down Under just want to tell Ava that she is doing an amazing job! Way better than Nick Aldis is, that’s for sure.

But Ava isn’t just a GM, she’s the Final Boss of NXT! They like her way more than The Rock. Whoa, okay, hold on… Ava appreciates all this, but they were supposed to meet next week. Why’re they here now? Waller says that’s the thing. But they’re good guys, so they wanted to personally thank her for allowing the winner of tonight’s NXT Championship match to get the Grayson Waller Rub on the Grayson Waller Effect next week in Atlanta! Theory’s hometown, A-Town, and he is, or rather they are, a pretty big deal down there. So if Ava could, maybe just have some extra security ready for that.

And they’re here anyway, so maybe they can watch the main event? Seriously, they won’t do anything, they just want to watch. They love wrestling! ATDU is back in NXT, but will they be welcoming The Ruler or The Alpha Wolf for a Hotlanta edition of The Grayson Waller Effect? We’re about to find out in a matter of moments!

NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe!

The Ruler was once framed for the attack on The Alpha Wolf, but then he got even on the night of New Year’s Evil. Trick Williams is no longer part of the equation, but will the result still be the same? Or can Eddy dethrone Oba in his first defense?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it is time to see who is truly leading this new era!

The bell rings and the fans chant, “Oba’s Gonna Kill~ You!” Oba and Eddy circle, Eddy BOOTS Oba, but then bobs ‘n’ weaves to KCIK! Oba gets his hands on Eddy, THROWS him to a corner, then runs up. Eddy dodges and ENZIGIRIS! Eddy waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Eddy runs to then TOMAHAWK ELBOW! Cover, ONE!! The fans fire up and Oba glares at Eddy. Eddy hurries to KCIK, KICK, and run! Oba LARIATS Eddy down! The fans fire up and Oba stalks Eddy to a corner. Oba TOSSES Eddy across the way, then he storms up on Eddy again. Oba TOSSES Eddy the other way, then he puts Eddy on ropes.

Oba whips, and he BACKDROPS Eddy! Eddy’s hangtime was insane! The fans fire up with Oba but Eddy bails out. Oba doesn’t let Eddy rest, he ROCKS him and puts him back in the ring! Eddy hurries up but Oba avoids the elbow drop! Then Oba drags Eddy to the apron. But Eddy avoids the clubbing forearm! Oba clutches that hand from hitting the apron edge. Oba storms up onto the apron, but Eddy fights off Oba’s grip to HOTSHOT him! Eddy GAMANGIRIS, then runs to DROPKICK Oba down! The fans boo Eddy, and then Eddy sees A-Town Down Under up in the perch. Waller cheers Eddy on while NXT goes picture in picture.

Eddy goes after Oba, CLUBS him and RAMS him into the apron! Eddy RAMS Oba back into the apron, pushes him into the ring, then hurries to BOOT him! Eddy KICKS Oba, and KICKS again! Oba wobbles, but he blocks the next kick! Oba swings, but into a BACXKBREAKER! Eddy runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Eddy snarls and Oba goes to ropes. Eddy fires forearms, then bumps Oba off buckles. Eddy KICKS and CLUBS Oba again, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! Oba puts Eddy in the corner to CHOP in return! Oba stalks Eddy to a corner, CHOPS him again, then whips corner to corner. Oba runs up, but Eddy dropkicks legs out!

Oba hits a buckle then falls back. Eddy hurries to clamp on with a top wristlock and even adds a half nelson. Oba endures, fights up, and arm-drags free! Oba scoops to SLAM Eddy, then he runs, but Eddy avoids the elbow drop! Eddy hurries to clamp back on with a chinlock. Oba endures, fights up, but Eddy leans on the hold. Eddy grinds Oba down while NXT returns to single picture. The fans rally, Oba fights to his feet, but Eddy shifts to a facelock! Eddy squeezes tight and he brings Oba down again! Oba powers up again, to THROW Eddy away! The fans fire up while Oba catches his breath. Oba then rises, but Eddy storms up!

Oba fires body shots on Eddy! But Eddy avoids the uppercut! Eddy has a SLEEPER, but Oba RAMS him into the corner! Obas CHOPS, stomps, CLUBS, and short arm LARIATS! Then BOOTS! Oba whips, scoops, and SIDEWALK SLAMS Eddy down! The fans fire up for “O~BA!” as he runs, and Oba UPPERCUTS Eddy in a corner! Oba keeps going, and he UPPERCUTS again! Eddy staggers into the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Eddy survives, the fans rally up, and ATDU get a bit worried for Eddy. Oba choke grips Eddy, but Eddy turns choke slam into TRIANGLE HOLD! Oba fights to stay on his feet but Eddy fires hands!

Oba deadlifts Eddy, but Eddy RANAS through! Cover, TWO! Oba escapes, runs up, and LARIATS Eddy back down! The fans fire up again as Oba drags Eddy to his feet. Oba suplexes, but Eddy hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Oba falls back, Eddy hurries to a corner! Eddy climbs, fans boo, but Eddy MACHO ELBOWS! Cover, TWO!! Oba survives and Eddy is beside himself! Eddy rises, and he fires forearms, UPPERCUTS, and elbows! But Oba ROCKS him back! Eddy ROCKS and CHOPS Oba, Oba CHOPS and fires off on Eddy! The fans fire up, Eddy dropkicks legs out! Eddy facelocks, but Oba wrenches free! Eddy BOOTS first!

Eddy waistlocks, but Oba ELBOWS free! Oba runs, Eddy sidesteps, SNAP GERMAN! Eddy hurries to run, TOMAHAWK- NO, Oba grabs Eddy outta the air! Oba then CHOKE SLAMS Eddy!! Cover, TWO?!? Eddy survives and Oba is stunned! Oba huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Eddy back up. Oba scoops, Eddy slips free and falls to a corner! Oba runs in, but Eddy moves! Oba POSTS himself!! Eddy runs to SHOTGUN Oba! Oba ends up in a corner, and Eddy runs to HELLU- NO! Oba stops that boot to then SHOTPUT Eddy! The fans are thunderous as Oba powers up again! Eddy rises, into the FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!!

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

Eddy put up the fight of his life, but it just wasn’t enough to conquer this mountain of a man! Oba is still THE Ruler of NXT, and then he spots ATDU. Waller says Oba will be getting that Grayson Waller Effect, but wait, Trick Williams steps into the ring. Oba says if Trick’s back for more, then there is plenty more where that came from. Speaking of more, Eddy storms back up! Trick BOOTS Eddy back down!! Trick and Oba still have a score to settle, will they tear the house down when they do?

My Thoughts:

An awesome NXT, and really jampacked. They’re making the Atlanta episode a big deal, even with Vengeance Day just three weeks away. Good promo from Bianca & Naomi to hype up the tag title match, and great follow-up from Meta Four with the rest of the Women’s Division. I’ve been saying it, and I’ll say it again: Jade Cargill could/should return to reveal Naomi was her attacker, that shocking news will cost Naomi & Bianca, Meta Four wins. It really makes sense for those titles to spend some time in NXT given there are so many great tag teams in NXT, and we could get some great stuff on the Road to WrestleMania.

Speaking of tag teams, we’re getting a lot of great stuff in the Men’s Tag Division as Fraxiom is doing a crossover with TNA. I would think Fraxiom wins against The Rascalz, and I like the stuff we’re getting from Briggs & Inamura with OTM. Andre Chase being extra depressed is really good, very “Bum Ass Corbin” at this point. And Kale Dixon returns to again try and encourage Chase, I really hope we do get an attempt at Chase U 2, or Chase State/Chase Tech, something like that. Chase U could literally be the developmental story within NXT’s developmental structure, as it helped build personalities and stories for a lot of people. Though, that said, where are Riley Osborne, Duke Hudson and Thea Hail? They need to make some great returns during this Road to WrestleMania.

Very good match from Tony VS Ridge for the North American title, and Izzi’s role in this story is intriguing. She makes sure Tony retains the title as Spears and crew try to screw Tony over, but then she keeps Tony’s attention during the tag match? Is Izzi playing double agent? Was her helping Tony against Ridge just a smokescreen so that no one realizes she’s helping Spears? At the same time, Tony’s got a point that if Stacks is second-in-command, he needs to start taking command when Tony isn’t ringside.

Great promo from Bayley to open the show, and clearly we’ve got a tag match set up of her & Giulia VS Cora & Roxie. While Roxie was trying to plant seeds, saying Bayley wants to be NXT Women’s Champion again, I’m pretty sure we get Roxie VS Bayley instead. Very good promo from Vaquer to call out both Shotzi and Fallon before next week’s title match, but as I said last week, we’ll be getting Vaquer VS Fallon at Vengeance Day. And while I appreciate Kelani having her new attitude, and while we got a good match from Karmen VS Jaida, too many of the stories in NXT feel like teen drama type stuff. Though, I guess that’s fitting since CW has a ton of those…

Really good stuff from Lexis and Dempsey in the Heritage Cup, and I liked the tease of the brass knuckles. While Lexis has been talking about being a better man than “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman and all that, that makes it all the more surprising that he’d resort to a blatant low blow. I don’t know if this actually ends his feud with Dempsey & The NQCC, maybe Myles or Tavion will go after Lexis on Dempsey’s behalf. At the same time, William Regal probably finds King to congratulate him on finally doing things the Heel way. I could totally see King getting a big head again and he rejects Regal, perhaps compelling Regal and Dempsey to work together for revenge.

Good promo from Dion with Wes, and then I laughed so hard when Trick slapped Wes right off his feet! Dion VS Wes was really good, and Wes of course won, but I was surprised it was so fast. Trick getting the best of Wes again was also great, but I’m a bit surprised Trick dissed Dion like that. Dion being mad was a logical move, but I would think Dion isn’t actually leaving. We might get a character change in him like we’re seeing in Kelani, and that could help Dion get to the next level. Also, Wes VS Trick will be an awesome match next week, but I would think Trick wins to have momentum going towards his rematch with Oba.

Oba VS Eddy was great stuff, but of course Oba would win. Oba will have a good promo with A-Town Down Under next week, and he might even end up slamming Theory and/or Waller when they inevitably upset him. Then Oba and Trick will surely have their rematch at Vengeance Day, which is fitting because Trick challenged for the NXT Championship at Vengeance Day just last year. Granted, he lost that match, because it was against Ilja Dragunov and they were building to Trick VS Melo. So Trick is more than likely losing again to build Oba up and possibly send Trick to the main roster for the Road to WrestleMania.

My Score: 8.9/10

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