Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (7/3/20)

A toast to Jeff Hardy!

Published

5 years ago

July 3, 2020

Steven Mitchell

Sheamus wants SmackDown to celebrate!

The Celtic Warrior wants us all to raise a glass to the legacy of Jeff Hardy! Will tonight be the toast or the roast of the Charismatic Enigma?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

John Morrison w/ The Miz VS Matt Riddle; Riddle wins.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: AJ Styles VS Drew Gulak; Styles wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Champion.
Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Alexa Bliss w/ Nikki Cross; Bayley wins, by disqualification.
Kofi Kingston w/ Big E VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Cesaro; Nakamura wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown opens with Michael Cole in the ring.

He welcomes to the show, The Original Bro, Matt Riddle! Riddle heads to the ring, still feeling good after his defeat of AJ Styles in his “debutt.” Riddle picks up a mic and Cole talks about that “auspicious beginning” when he defeated a former WWE World and United States Champion and current Intercontinental Champion. Can he put into words what that moment meant to him? “Not really.” To go from NXT to SmackDown, that’s pretty awesome. To stand in this ring, it’s the love child of a lot of work and a lot of dreams, bro. Then, to have Styles hitting him in the face, like bro, Riddle respects you! But at the same time, it might be more Riddle liking AJ than AJ liking him.

After that victory, celebrating with the SmackDown roster, from Daniel Bryan to Drew Gulak to Otis and the New Day, bro, like, Riddle could get used to this. The crowd likes the sound of that. Speaking of getting used to things, Riddle competes barefoot! Why? Well Cole, that is a great question. He is sure everyone is wondering. Riddle warns us, it’s a long story. But as a child, he would go on vacation to Wisconsin during the winter. There was a sweet indoor pool, then he’d go in the snow. He went back and forth, back and forth, but stayed out too long once and his feet felt on fire.

They went to the hospital, they confirmed he had frostbite, they almost amputated them, bro. Luckily, he recovered, so it didn’t come to that. But he never wears shoes now because he gets that burning sensation. It could be a wedding, a bar mitzah, or a hanging with bear, Riddle doesn’t wear shoes. Riddle learned that you can lose everything in a single moment. And even though Riddle can’t feel his feet, his feet allow him to feel everything much more. Cole encourages Riddle to stay barefoot and would love to see what comes next for Riddle. Well here comes Baron Corbin! The Lone Wolf King heads right to the ring, grabs a mic of his own, and tells Riddle that he could’ve saved us all a bunch of time by saying, “When I was a little kid, I was an idiot. And I still am to this very day.”

As for Cole, Cole embarrassed himself by praising a “bag of bones” that can’t even carry Corbin’s crown! And now he’s interviewing this guy? Cole should know better than that. Get out of the ring! Cole does go back to commentary as Corbin wants to talk that stunt Riddle pulled last week. Riddle added on as Corbin was being beat up by Jeff Hardy, The New Day and Braun Strowman. They should all know better than that! They should BOW DOWN to the king! This will not be tolerated! Corbin doesn’t like Riddle, no one is happy Riddle is here and no one wants Riddle here. So Corbin personally wants to ruin Riddle’s time here. Well you do you, bro.

What? What does that even mean?! But Corbin says it means that here on SmackDown, Riddle better be ready at any moment. Especially since someone needs to teach him respect and put him in his place. Then lets go, bro! No! Riddle doesn’t get a shot at the king just like that! Instead, Riddle’s opponent is… John Morrison! The Guru of Greatness, accompanied by The Miz, heads to the ring to do the king’s bidding. “Hey hey! Ho ho! The bro has got to go!” Will we see things go Corbin’s way? Or will his knew “knight” find out what the “new guy” can do?

John Morrison w/ The Miz VS Matt Riddle!

SmackDown returns with Corbin on commentary as the bell rings. Riddle kicks his sandals off and they fly over the Plexiglas. Riddle and Morrison tie up, Riddle waistlocks but Morrison bridges and switches. Riddle switches back, Morrison pries free and gets to ropes. Morrison bucks Riddle away, the two fight for control, Riddle waistlocks and slams! The crowed cheers the exchange while Morrison and Riddle reset. They approach, Morrison blocks the takedown and gets a leg. Morrison floats all around, but Riddle uses legs to trip Morrison up. Morrison gets the ropebreak and Riddle lets off. Miz coaches Morrison and Morrison approaches Riddle. Morrison gets through the guard to ROCK Riddle with that forearm!

Morrison fires off more, but Riddle jumps the sweep to jump on for a guillotine! Morrison powers up and slams Riddle down! Riddle gets up again, gut wrenches Morrison and slams him! Riddle keeps on and gut wrenches again! He still holds on, brings Morrison on again, but Morrison Alabama lifts to ROLLING Alabama Slam! Shining Wizard CAUGHT to an ANKLE LOCK! Morrison rolls but Riddle holds on! Riddle twists tight but Morrison gets help from Miz. The ref sees that, Riddle brings Morrison back, but Morrison lands out of the German Suplex! FLYING CHUCK! The crowd boos Morrison as he rains down rights on Riddle. Morrison brings Riddle up, MOONLIGHT DRIVE! Cover, TWO!!

The Miz is frustrated for Morrison but Morrison keeps on Riddle with stomps at the ropes. Riddle stirs while Miz and Morrison start up “Hey Hey! Ho Ho!” Morrison clubs away on Riddle then wraps him up in a chinlock. Riddle endures as Morrison cranks on the hold, then fights his way up to throw body shots. Morrison knees and forearms back to put Riddle in a corner. Riddle counter punches and backs Morrison down! Riddle whips but Morrison goes out to the apron. Morrison spins and slides and handsprings to enziguri Riddle away! Springboard SPINNING PLANCHA! Cover, TWO! Riddle survives as Morrison brings out a twist on that crossbody.

The crowd rallies up as Morrison brings Riddle into a facelock. Corbin says Morrison knows what he’s doing, but Riddle pries free and has a leg. Morrison throws body shots, clubs Riddle down, then KNEES him to the face! Morrison SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Riddle still lives and Morrison, Miz and Corbin are all frustrated. Morrison wraps on another chinlock but Riddle endures. The crowd rallies up, Riddle fights his way up, but Morrison hits him back. Morrison KICKS, but Riddle shrugs it off?! Riddle eggs Morrison on, Morrison kicks, but Riddle CHOPS! Riddle still eggs Morrison on so Morrison fires himself up. Off comes the elbow pad, and Morrison eye pokes! Miz applauds as Morrison brings Riddle up. But Riddle counters with a FISHERMAN BUSTER!

Both men are down but the crowd is thunderous! The standing count begins but Morrison goes to a corner. Riddle runs in, but Morrison puts him on the apron. Both men hit each other and Riddle hits the floor! Corbin coaches Morrison, but Riddle throws a sandal at him!? One of those stayed at ringside?! Riddle gets away into the ring, the ref keeps Corbin back, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Riddle fires off hands with Morrison. Riddle backs Morrison then runs side to side for a forearm! BROSPLODER! Morrison dodges the Penalty Kick and the moonsault, but not the BROTON! Fireman’s carry, BRO TO SLEEP! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Riddle fires up, the crowd rallies behind him as he climbs up, FLOATING BRO gets knees! Corbin cheers Morrison and taunts Riddle at the same time. Morrison spins but sweeps the legs, then cartwheels to gut wrench Riddle up! SPINNING CRUCIFIX SLAM! Cover, TWO! Morrison can’t believe it, and he gets caught in the BROMISSION! Morrison fights his way up, gets to a corner and he climbs up. The ref calls for a break, Riddle lets go to get a waistlock.

Morrison elbows Riddle away, but Riddle comes back! Morrison dumps Riddle to the outside but Riddle rocks him with a right. Riddle CHOPS, then climbs back up, for Morrison’s SUPER SPANISH FLY! Then a STANDING Spanish Fly! Cover, TWO!?! Corbin is furious on behalf of Morrison but the ref tells him to keep back. Morrison and Riddle slowly rise, brawl on their knees, then brawl as they stand. Riddle fires off palms strikes, Morrison ducks a kick but Riddle counters a kick to a PELE! Morrison wobbles into the FINAL FLASH! Riddle reels Morrison in for a bomb lift but Morrison gets out to dropkick! Riddle slips out of the tilt-o-whirl to POWERBOMB, flip and KAMI-BRO-YE!! Cover, TWO!?

Riddle grits his teeth, fires up and brings Morrison back up. Riddle gut wrenches but Miz distracts now. Riddle decks Miz, then he swings on Corbin. Morrison rolls Riddle, TWO! Morrison goes for the leg, Riddle cradle counters, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

Bro! Riddle gets away from Corbin and his new buddies, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat! But then AJ Styles attacks Riddle on the ramp! The Phenomenal One is furious over his loss but then Drew Gulak goes after him! It’s chaos and referees work to sort it out! Will the bros formerly known as Catch Point sweep the night? Or can Styles keep hold of the Intercontinental title?

Corbin, Miz and Morrison regroup backstage.

Riddle is fixing to wake up in Slam Town! But then Sarah walks over to interview them about what just happened, and gets a lot of attitude from the upset Miz and Morrison. Corbin says he knows how things work around here, and he will talk with some people. Riddle may not have had his feet cut off as a kid, but he will have his legs cut out from under his career. Solid burn, King! These three head out, just what pull does Corbin have to ruin Riddle’s good times?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: AJ Styles VS Drew Gulak!

After that confrontation before the break, this main event caliber match is happening right now! The Philly Stretcher earned a shot at the Phenomenal One’s title when he beat him 1v1, fair and square. But can lightning strike twice for Gulak? Or is SmackDown always going to be the House That AJ Styles Built?

The bell rings and Gulak rushes Styles! Styles dodge,s throat chops and kicks Gulak along the ropes. Styles stomps Gulak in a corner but lets off at the ref’s count. Styles brings Gulak up, bumps him off buckles and throws more punches and stomps. He does it again in another corner, then rams a shoulder and CHOPS! Styles brings Gulak out, throws him out of the ring, and leaves him to the count. Gulak stands so Styles wrecks him with a dropkick! Styles goes out to fetch Gulak as the fans boo. Styles bumps Gulak off the apron, then digs his face into the edge of it! He lets up at the ref’s reprimand, then stomps Gulak at the ramp.

Styles puts Gulak in, stalks him, but Gulak grabs a leg. Styles elbows Gulak away then brings him up to throw forearms in the corner. Styles brings Gulak out but Gulak throws forearms and kicks back! Bryan joins commentary via Zoom to say how great Gulak is looking and how their training is going. Gulak whips Styles corner to corner, Styles reverses, but Gulak goes up and over! Gulak is on Styles’ shoulders in an Electric Chair and victory rolls! Cover, TWO! Styles CLOBBERS Gulak down! Gulak isn’t looking that good right now but he does sit up. Styles brings Gulak back into a chinlock, the crowd rallies and Gulak gets to ropes. The ref calls for the break but Styles elbows Gulak in the neck.

Styles KICKS a leg out then stomps him around. Styles stands on Gulak’s face but lets off as the ref reprimands. Styles brings Gulak up to snap suplex! Cover, ONE! Styles keeps on Gulak, drags him to a corner and throws haymakers. Gulak tries to fight back but Styles keeps punching him down. Styles brings Gulak out to snapmare and drop a knee! Cover, TWO! Bryan talks to Styles not having many holes in his game but Gulak knows much about Styles’ style and what to expect. Styles brings Gulak up and Gulak breaks free to ROCK and CHOP Styles back! Gulak scoops but Styles slips out and ducks a chop. Styles has a leg, to Dragon Screw! Gulak is down and Styles catches his breath.

Styles stalks Gulak to ropes, grabs the leg and jams it with his own knee. Gulak crawls while clutching the leg but Styles gives it a leg DDT! Styles puts the leg on the rope to stand on it! The ref counts, Styles lets up at 4, then stomps the knee! Gulak tries to get out but Styles drags him back up. Styles has the leg again but Gulak throws forearms back! Gulak backs Styles down again, but hobbles into the hook! Gulak holds the ropes, Styles breaks his grip, but Gulak rolls out of the roll, to a modified chinbar! Styles is stuck as Gulak has an arm trapped! Styles uses his legs and gets to the ropebreak! Gulak holds on until 4 to do as much damage as he can. Styles bails out to walk it off. He gets frustrated, especially as the crowd jeers.

Styles goes back to the ring but Gulak WRECKS him with that baseball slide! Gulak eggs Styles on while he’s down at the ramp and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Styles brings Gulak up, only for Gulak to power him to a corner! Gulak rams his shoulder in again and again, then backs off at the ref’s count. Styles kicks back and POSTS Gulak! Styles brings Gulak around to snap BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Gulak survives and Bryan speaks to Gulak’s similarities to himself. In fact, Gulak is even more technically sound than Bryan is, which he learned firsthand in their match against each other. Styles brings Gulak up and clubs him on the neck. Gulak crawls to ropes but gets back up, only for Styles to STOMP him down! Styles drags Gulak up again, for an STO BACKBREAKER! Styles drags Gulak up again, puts him in a corner and rams his shoulder in.

Styles scoops Gulak for a running backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Styles just grins, because he actually seems to be enjoying this. Gulak sits up, Styles elbows him in the face! But Gulak gut wrenches Styles from the mat like a low sunset flip! Cover, TWO! Styles pries free and has a wristlock. Styles sneaks a rake of the eyes! Gulak flounders to the corner and Styles looms over him. Styles stomps a mudhole into Gulak then lets off. Styles brings Gulak up, Gulak fights back with big fists, and he stomps and elbows Styles in return! The ref counts and Gulak lets up, to then go out to the apron and drag Styles up. Styles hotshots Gulak down! Bryan isn’t losing hope in Gulak’s chances in this match, because he knows that Gulak has the same “heart that just doesn’t quit.”

Styles drags Gulak up and in to cravat and crank. Gulak throws body shots, but Styles snapmares for a chinlock. Gulak endures, the crowd rallies, but Styles shifts into a facelock. But Gulak flapjacks Styles off buckles! Both men are down but the crowd is firing up! Gulak drags Styles up, whips him to ropes, and then shotgun dropkicks him down! And again! Styles gets up for a third! And a fourth! Gulak just keeps hitting Styles, and then he brings Styles up into a scoop and DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives that snap Michinoku, if you will, but Gulak won’t let himself be deterred.

Gulak has Styles in the corner, hoists him up top and throws forearms. Gulak climbs to join Styles, then goes all the way up. Styles slips out and trips Gulak up! Gulak hits buckles on the way down and is dazed. Styles runs back in but misses! Gulak runs in but the headscissors are caught for a POWERBOMB! To STYLES CLASH!! But Styles doesn’t cover?! The crowd boos as Styles wants to add on. Styles drags Gulak up and around, standing him against the ropes. Styles takes his time going to the apron and preparing the elbow. Styles springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Phenomenal and brutal, Styles is sending a message to the entire roster! Who in SmackDown steps up and earns a phenomenal fight with the champ that runs the camp?

Bayley and Sasha Banks return to SmackDown!

The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions have been on all the brands this week, with the contract signing and Mixed Tag Match on Raw and The Boss taking the fight to the Evil Genius on NXT. These two have title matches at Extreme Rules as Sasha goes after Asuka’s Raw Women’s Championship and Bayley defends her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross. But that’s in a few weeks, as tonight is about who else? Themselves.

“Do you know the week that we’ve had?” The #GoldenRoleModels have rolled through everyone! The Empress of Yesterday lost to Sasha. But they won’t mention what happened in Full Sail themselves, since Asuka made sure Sasha lost to Io Shirai. But now they’re home! The crowd should be calling them #Sasha3Shows and #Bayley3Brands! They’re everywhere! And still, they get no respect working their tails off! But there is someone who respects them. Ding dong! Hello? THE UNDERTAKER! Wait, what? Yes, “Taker,” the Phenom, called Bayley after the show last week and said, “Bayley Dos Straps…! I’m quite frankly embarrassed at all the fuss and tribute that you guys paid to me last week, when clearly, you are the greatest champion in WWE history!” Goosebumps! He said Bayley and Banks are redefining what it means to be a champion!

But there’s more! He also said that at Extreme Rules, he is excited to see them win the titles and hold all the gold! He knows what’s up! Taker implores the WWE to pay these two the proper respect, with a tribute to them! Who are Bayley and Banks to NOT grant Taker his wish? Did no one watch The Last Ride? Bayley did and finally we can move on! But why wait for after Extreme Rules? Let’s do the tribute TONIGHT! Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the tribute to Sasha and Bayley!

“Unstoppable, unbeatable, first-ever women’s tag team champions, the Golden Role Models. Bayley and Banks have dominated everybody that’s stepped in their path.” Two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are each once in a generation talent! Sasha was a headliner for Hell in a Cell, and is one half of the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Champions. They’re not alone on the top, because they have each other! The greatest tag team of all time, the Blueprint and the Role Model! Belt clink. What makes Bayley so great is that she carried the division on her back for over a year. The first ever Women’s Grand Slam! No one else can even dream about that! The closest thing they’ll get to a Grand Slam is a greasy breakfast at Denny’s.

Better than Trish Stratus? YES. Better than John Cena? Without a doubt! Lita? Absolutely! And no one else comes even close. “Damn we’re good!” The titles represent their friendship, and are without a doubt the best ever. Unstoppable, unbeatable, unconquerable!

Back to present, Sasha chants, “Thank You, Bayley!” and Bayley responds with, “Thank You, Sasha!” The crowd boos them both. But then here comes Bliss-Cross! Alexa and Nikki have mics to respond. “Wow, that was really, um… Inspirational.” But it was pretty truthful, as they accomplished so much. But there were some details left out, so Nikki and Alexa have a list of their own. Did you know that Nikki is not only a WWE superstar but the Queen of Scotland! And is 325th in line to the throne in England. Fancy! As for Alexa, she is the epitome of a champion, and is the first woman to drive and cross Antarctica in a go-cart! Nikki and Alexa trade off saying, “You’re the best!” but then glare at the tag champs.

In seriousness, we all know how this is ridiculous. Oh yeah right. Did they not watch that video? Many have tried, including Alexa multiple times, but no one can touch Sasha’s bestie for the past YEAR. And Sasha will be damned if that hyper little runt does different. Alexa says we’ve heard this song and dance before. Sasha and Bayley claim to be best friends, blah blah blah. Nikki speaks up and says Byaley’s accomplishment have brought her success. But Nikki’s journey has been about heart. If she puts her entirety into this, she can take that title and become the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion! The crowd likes the sound of that but Sasha and Bayley mock her. So Alexa SLAPS Bayley off her feet!

Sasha will not stand for this! Bayley will fight you in a preview! What? Challenge accepted. What?!? It seems this time, Sasha’s mouth has written a check. Can Bayley cash it?

Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Alexa Bliss w/ Nikki Cross!

SmackDown returns but Bayley has to fight in street clothes! The bell rings and Bayley is still stinging from that slap, but she still powers Alexa to a corner. Bayley goes to slap back but Alexa dodges to drop toehold! Bayley flounders up but into another drop toehold that bounces her off ropes. Alexa basement dropkicks and then stands on Bayley’s back. Alexa brings back the skateboard stomps! Alexa backs off at the ref’s count and Bayley flounders to a corner. Alexa puts her in that corner, runs in and SLAP- No! Bayley blocks it, but then Alexa flicks her forehead! And SLAPS her again! Cover, TWO! Bayley keeps holding her chin but Alexa gives her a standing STO! And then Insult2Injury! Cover, TWO!

Bayey gets to a corner, Alexa runs in but Bayley flapjacks her off buckles! Bayley brings Alexa up to throw her to the apron. Alexa drops down to trip Bayley up! Alexa strikes a pose and then shoos Sasha. Bayley comes back and kicks Alexa’s hand! Sasha taunts Alexa as Bayley drags Alexa in and throws the hand down on the mat. Bayley stands on the fingers to STOMP the arm! Sasha mocks Alexa’s pose, then Bayley gives Alexa shoulder breaker after shoulder breaker in the corner! Bayley brings Alexa around and pulls on the fingers in an almost Disarm-Her position. Bayley jams the arm then covers, TWO!

Bayley keeps on Alexa’s bad hand and makes Alexa slap herself! Sasha taunts Alexa as Bayley puts her in a keylock. Nikki and the crowd rallies up, Alexa fights to her feet, but Bayley throws her down by her hair. Bayley mocks Nikki but then Alexa rolls her! TWO, and Bayley clobbers Alexa! Cover, TWO! Bayley grows annoyed with Alexa, and with Nikki rallying the crowd. Bayley runs and elbows Alexa in the corner! She snapmares, stomps the hand again, then knuckle locks. Alexa handsprings through, breaks free and ROCKS Bayley! But that bad hand is bothering her now. She drags Bayley up but Bayley throws her down and drags her out, to SLAM the arm on the apron! Bayley gets back in, covers, TWO!

Alexa gets to a corner, Bayley fires herself up and mocks Nikki again. Bayley runs in to corner splash and then bulldog! Nikki snarls at Bayley taking her moves. Bayley covers, TWO! Bayley drags Alexa around and stands on the bad hand. Bayley mocks the rallying but lets up on Alexa’s hand. Nikki genuinely rallies the crowd for “Lexi! Lexi!” but Bayley swipes at her. Nikki gets on the apron, but this distracts the ref! Bayley throws Alexa into Sasha’s knee! But then Nikki BLASTS Sasha! Bayley dares Nikki to do something, and so Nikki DECKS her!

Winner: Bayley, by disqualification

Nikki did something, and now she TACKLES Bayley! Nikki rains down rights, clubs her but Bayley pushes her away. Nikki corner splashes Bayley, but Sasha saves Bayley from the bulldog! Will anything save Bayley from Nikki’s wrath? Or will Nikki’s rage cost her at Extreme Rules?

SmackDown looks back on the relationship of Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt.

It all started years ago in a swamp. It was there that the Monster Among Men first met “the split-tongue Father of Lies, the Eater of Worlds, Bray Wyatt.” Bray told us all that we were lying to ourselves. The ones that were meant to protect us were the ones we should truly fear. The Black Sheep, a horseman of pain and pestilence in the apocalypse, admits he enjoyed it all. But Braun has broken that spell and has locked that side away. That’s not to say he wasn’t still as dominant and destructive. But then, the Firefly Fun House brought him back. “In order for us to move forward, we must first take a step back.” Which brings us “home.” To destroy him, Braun must become him. Braun must drown the serpent in his own swamp. Braun will go home. But will he go back to being that monster?

Kofi Kingston w/ Big E VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Cesaro!

AWWWW~ people at hooome~! The SmackDown Tag Team Champions are ready to take on the Artist Collective 2v2, but for now they’re testing things 1v1. Will Kofi be ready for the King of Strong Style? Or will the power of positivity only get Bad Vibrations?

SmackDown returns as Cesaro and Nakamura make their entrances. Things get tense and the ref has to back Nakamura off. Cesaro and Big E exit, the bell rings, and Kofi dropkicks Nakamura to a corner immediately! Kofi throws hands and stomps, then lets up at the ref’s count. Nakamura gets up but gets another dropkick! Kofi brings Nakamura around, but Nakamura blocks the bump to give knees to the body. Nakamura whips, Kofi goes up and around to dropkick again! The crowd cheers as Nakamura gets to the apron. Kofi builds speed and dropkicks Nakamura to the floor! Cesaro checks on Nakamura but Kofi stays back.

Kofi builds speed but Nakamura moves to deny his flight. Kofi goes out but Nakamura kicks him back. Kofi throws body shots but Nakamura throws body shots back. Nakamura whips but Kofi reverses to send him into barriers! Big E laughs at Nakamura and Kofi puts Nakamura into the ring. Kofi climbs up top but Cesaro lurks. Nakamura kicks Kofi down! Nakamura drags Kofi up, puts him in a corner, and chokes him on the ropes with Bad Vibrations! The ref counts, Nakamura backs off, and Cesaro ROCKS Kofi! Big E gets Cesaro from behind! Cesaro runs into the ring but Big E drags him back out! Nakamura chokes Kofi with a knee while the ref is busy with Big E. The ref EJECTS Big E, AND Cesaro! Things are truly 1v1 now as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Nakamura has Kofi in a chinlock. The crowd rallies as Kofi endures. Kofi fights up, fights back, but Nakamrua knees low and snapmares him down for a knee drop! Cover, TWO! Nakamura keeps his cool as he stalks Kofi to ropes. Nakamura drags Kofi up, knees him in a corner, then whips him corner to corner. Nakamura corner clotheslines, kicks and hoists Kofi up and sideways. Nakamura kicks, runs and SLIDING GERMANS! Cover, but they’re both in the ropes. Nakamura kicks Kofi along the way, drags Kofi up and kicks away in the corner. The crowd rallies and Kofi hits back. Nakamura throws body shots, Kofi throws haymakers. The two brawl, Kofi backs Nakamura down but Nakamura whips him away and runs him over with an elbow!

Nakamura toys with Kofi as he kicks him around the way. Nakamura goes out, drags Kofi to the apron, and he clubs away on Kofi’s back. Nakamura runs to KNEE Kofi back in! Cover, TWO! Nakamura keeps on Kofi with a chinlock. Kofi endures, fights his way up and fights back again. Kofi throws forearms, Nakamura throws fast hands. Nakamura whips, Kofi comes back with a flying forearm! Both men are down, the crowd rallies up, and Kofi starts to rally with CHOPS! Kofi dropkicks Nakamura down, then runs for the leaping lariat. Nakamura dodges to throw strikes! Kofi goes to a corner but slips out to kick back! Kofi climbs, leaps, into a KNEE! Cover, TWO! And Kofi has the cover now, TWO! Kofi sends Nakamura through but Nakamura ducks Trouble in Paradise! Kofi ducks one kick but not the second! Cover, TWO!!

Nakamura wastes no time going to a corner and taking aim. “YAO~!” But Kofi jumps over Kinshasa, only to get caught into the Inverted Exploder! Kofi lands on his feet, SOS!! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura lives again and Kofi can’t believe it! Kofi cools off and drags Nakamura up. The crowd rallies, Kofi sets Nakamura up again but Nakamura blocks SOS. Kofi ducks the knee to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura is still in this! Kofi keeps his focus as he aims from a corner. Nakamura sits up, but he blocks Trouble in Paradise with a sleeper hold! Kofi pries at the hold but Nakamura rakes the eyes! KINSHASA!! Cover, Nakamura wins!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall

The Swiss Cyborg returns to celebrate with the King of Strong Style, but that’s not all. Cesaro brings out a table! The Artist Collective has an idea, but Big E comes back! Big E scoops Cesaro but Cesaro gets free! Big E goes after Nakamura but Nakamura gets away. Will Cesaro and Nakamura get their way and go to the extremes to get the SmackDown Tag Team Championships?

SmackDown has a special treat for next week!

For the first time on TV, it will be the WWE Universal Championship match from Money in the Bank! Relive Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman meeting in the ring again and understand why this coming rematch is so crucial! But that’s not all, as Bliss-Cross will take on the #GoldenRoleModels in a tag team match! Will Nikki and Alexa score big against Bayley and Banks? Or will the role models stay on a roll? And with what we just saw, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions are on the line! Will Cesaro and Nakamura take those titles by any means necessary?

SmackDown returns to Jeff Hardy heading to the ring!

The Charismatic Enigma has been on a roller coaster, all thanks to the Celtic Warrior pushing his buttons. There is a minibar in the ring with champagne, beer and any number of other alcoholic drinks. Hardy dares Sheamus to come out here and do whatever he has planned to embarrass, humiliate and/or break him. But Sheamus shows up via Titantron. Welcome to Sheamy’s Bar! Sheamus knows how hotheaded Hardy can be so that’s why Sheamus is giving him this much space. And what about last week? Hardy must’ve felt great defending Taker’s honor and being given such a warmhearted applause.

But here’s the thing: that adrenaline rush is just Hardy slipping back to his old ways. Hardy will just fall into that vicious cycle again. Hardy has a problem. And not with drugs or alcohol and all the money wasted on rehab as he disappoints his family and friends, or even the best years of his career. It’s Hardy’s problem with facing reality. Hardy was moping after losing at Backlash, and then he sticks his nose in someone else’s business as a quick pick-me-up. In Hardy’s mind, everything is right in the world again. The way Sheamus sees it, it’s sad, pathetic and heartbreaking. We’ve seen this all before. But it has to be different, right? Hardy’s gonna show up when it matters most! But the truth is, that’s all a lie. Sheamus can’t bear to see it.

So being the “kind-hearted” man Sheamus is, here’s the solution! Just open a bottle. Here’s to a proper toast. “May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, as you drink yourself blind and pass out on the floor. Your wife and kids cry as you enter their thoughts, because your life has been nothing but a series of DUI’s and mugshots. Jeff, with a drink in your hand, you’ll never walk alone. Please never change, you beautiful, beautiful junkie.” Bottoms up for Sheamus. Hardy says they’re taught to never take another’s inventory, but Sheamus has to be the sickest person he’s ever met. Is this funny to him? Making fun of people’s day-to-day struggles? Is it funny to rub their noses in the pain he’s caused?!

Whoa, Jeff, brother. Sheamus isn’t here to hurt, but to help! All Sheamus is saying is that Hardy doesn’t have to live the lie anymore. Sheamus knows there’s nothing Hardy would rather do but jump into the gutter in with both feet. That’s why the bar is set up. As friends, bomb’s away! The bartender offers Hardy some champagne, Sheamus tells him to take it. We’ve seen the pain in Hardy’s eyes, and felt the pressure on his shoulders. Don’t pretend to be strong for the crowds. Do what you’ve always done: follow your instincts. Hardy says Sheamus has a point. What’s the worst that could happen? There’s that Hardy Sheamus remembers! Hardy brings the glass up, but pours it on the bartender’s head. The crowd cheers as Hardy SMASHES a bottle on the bartender’s head, too!

Sheamus can’t believe what he’s seeing as Hardy gives the bartender a SWANTON BOMB! The crowd cheers loud and proud for the Enigma’s self-control! Hardy swears to show Sheamus just how strong he truly is, but just how far will he have to go to do just that?

My Thoughts:

A pretty good episode here, though I might’ve rearranged some things. For one, the Sheamus and Hardy segment closing the show was fine, it shows they want to make that story feel bigger, but the way it played out, I would’ve actually had it start the second hour. The main event could’ve been the women’s segment with that very well made but also very cheesy self-praising tribute for Bayley and Banks, as supposedly made by Bayley and Banks. Bayley’s attempt at sounding like Taker was clearly meant to be bad, because Bayley’s gimmick now is to do things she thinks works and mock things that don’t. Bayley and Alexa had a pretty good match, too, and I actually like that Nikki ended up interfering. Nikki’s anger could be a good part of the story for the SmackDown Women’s Championship match.

While I wanted Mandy VS Sonya to get the Extreme Rules match type, I don’t know how much they’re going to put into that story with how things are going in reality with the health concerns. Bayley VS Nikki becoming at least No Disqualifications could add layers to how Bayley and Banks are getting involved in something on all three brands. If Bayley is in a No DQ situation, she might try and get Sasha to help her, even though Sasha has to worry about challenging Asuka. Also hearing that Bayley VS Asuka in a Champion VS Champion match is happening is great stuff. I am really curious to see if Io Shirai gets involved to return the favor from NXT.

Riddle had a decent interview segment with Cole, but I figured Corbin was going to show up. Also it is apparently WWE law that Heels become friends with other Heels just because they’re Heels. Corbin has Miz and Morrison hanging around him now with Ziggler and Roode now on Raw. It’s probably why Corbin stopped being the Lone Wolf and is now the King of the Ring. Can’t be the loner if you keep getting help. Morrison VS Riddle was an incredible opener and a great win for Riddle. Styles attacking Riddle made sense given two weeks ago, and Gulak going after Styles made sense on both tonight and on Gulak and Riddle once being Team Catch Point in Evolve Wrestling. Styles VS Gulak was also incredible, but naturally Styles finds a way to win to keep the title. I’m definitely looking forward to Styles VS Riddle in the future, but it feels like Riddle and possibly Heavy Machinery taking on Corbin, Miz and Morrison for a really good Six Man Tag.

We got a really good vignette for Braun VS Bray II: The Swamp Fight. That match could easily be great but it could also be the new House of Horrors. Replaying their MITB match next week is obviously a move to fill time while stars specifically on SmackDown are dealing with COVID concerns. That’ll be an easy copy-paste for me, that’s for sure. The SmackDown Tag Team Championship story is going good, but I’m disappointed they’re putting that right on TV. Nakamura VS Kofi tonight was great, so I was kinda hoping we were getting Cesaro VS Big E as the flip side. Perhaps something happens to add controversy to the tag match’s ending, and then we get a tag title match for Extreme Rules, where a table can be used, as Cesaro heavily implied.

My Score: 8.2/10

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Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Results & Report! (7/3/20)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup 2020 Results & Report Part 7!

AEW Coverage

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

And now…

Published

3 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Steven Mitchell

As if 2025 wasn’t already big enough!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Will Ospreay VS Buddy Matthews!

The Aerial Assassin may not be Continental Champion after Worlds End, but you best believe he is going to shrug that off and keep on fighting. Will Ospreay make 2025 the Year of the Bruv? Or will the Aussie Juggernaut show that even in the New Year, the House Always Wins?

About Chairshot Radio Network

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FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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

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

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Coverage

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

NXT in LA!

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Happy New Year’s Evil!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

As NXT counted down to a New Year…

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

A truck pulls into the arena.

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

NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez VS Giulia!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Refs find Eddy Thorpe down and out!

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

Je’Von Evans speaks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ava Raine meets with the Unholy Union.

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

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

OTM speaks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ava Raine talks with Ethan Page.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ava meets with Vaquer and Fallon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Rock heads to the ring!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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