Who will have a Happy New Year as champion?

As the year draws to a close, Tony D’Angelo looks to bring Wes Lee’s reign as North American Champion to an end! Will The Don of NXT be golden for the holidays?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Julius Creed w/ Brutus Creed VS JD McDonagh; Julius wins.
• Wendy Choo VS Cora Jade; Wendy wins.
• Ikemen Jiro VS SCRYPTS; Scrypts wins.
• Lyra Valkyria VS Lash Legend; Lyra wins.
• Six Man Tag: Odyssey Jones, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Schism; The Schism wins.
• Battle for the Bar: Fallon Henley VS Kiana James; Fallon wins and keeps the family bar.
• NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee VS Tony D’Angelo w/ Channing Lorenzo; Wes wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Creed Brothers talk backstage.

They had a good holiday weekend, and Brutus loved that green bean casserole. Julius wouldn’t know, Brutus ate it all. The cookies were good, though. But tonight, Julius is going for a big win! Indus Sher better be watching, Julius is giving JD a receipt. Creed time, baby!

JD McDonagh responds.

The Irish Ace is happy the holidays are over. Everyone can stop pretending they enjoy being around each other and that they love the gifts they got. Besides, JD believes it is better to give than receive. He has one more gift for Julius tonight: a loss, so that he can share the feeling of defeat with his brother.

Julius Creed w/ Brutus Creed VS JD McDonagh!

The Creed Brothers want to face Indus Sher and the feeling is mutual, but big brother Julius has to prove he is 100%! Will he do just that to open the last NXT of 2022? Or will the Necessary Evil bring Julius back down below 100 to delay that match-up even more?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally and the two tie up. JD headlocks, hits a takeover, but Julius headscissors. JD kips free, and he wants the ref to check the hair pulling. The ref says he saw no such thing, so JD and Julius reset. They tie up, JD hits another headlock takeover but Julius hits another headscissor. JD kips free again and he again complains about the hair. The ref still didn’t see what JD is talking about. JD slaps Julius! Julius SLAPS JD! JD shoves Julius, so Julius SHOVES JD! JD gets up, Julius headlocks, but now JD pulls hair! JD powers out but Julius pulls hair back! JD powers out, but Julius runs him over!

Things keep moving, JD drops, hurdles, but Julius whips him away to hip toss. Fans fire up as Julius hits a big headlock takeover! Cover, TWO as JD gets his arm up. JD stands up, Julius pushes on that hold, but JD wrenches out to top wristlock. JD then wrenches to a standard wristlock, but Julius rolls, only for JD to wrangle him. Julius moves around, stands up, and fans rally as Julius goes up the ropes to rebound and arm-drag! JD staggers up, Julius runs in but JD sends him out! JD goes to the apron but Julius blocks the kick to yank JD down! “Sorry< Vic!” Julius DROPS JD on the desk!

Fans fire up and Julius drags JD off the desk! But JD slips off to POST Julius! The ring count climbs, fans rally up, and JD refreshes the ring count. JD throws shots into the bad arm, then he brings Julius over. JD has the arms through the corner to YANK Julius into the post! And again! And again! JD pushes against the post to pull Julius in harder, but the ref counts. JD lets off at 4 and NXT goes picture in picture.

JD drags Julius up, RAMS him into the apron, and puts him in the ring. JD CLUBS Julius down, then soaks up the heat. Julius throws body shots but JD CLUBS Julius. JD wrenches and lifts Julius for a BIG back suplex! Brutus is frustrated but JD soaks up the heat. JD drags Julius around by his arm, hammerlocks it, and KNEES the shoulder over and over! JD has the arm and pulls on the hold. Julius endures, so JD drops another knee! Julius crawls to the ropes, stands up, and JD storms over. Julius fires off BIG haymaker after haymaker! But JD grabs the arm to WRING it out! Julius clutches the arm, but JD CLUBS him down again!

JD smirks as Julius crawls to a corner. JD storms up, brings Julius up, and wrenches him again. JD hammerlocks the arm to RAM it into buckles! JD wrenches for an ARMBREAKER DDT! And then back to the hammerlock! JD digs his knuckles in, then leans on the arm to put on the pressure. Julius endures, but JD turns Julius over to drop a knee right on Julius’ face! JD soaks up more heat but Julius tackles him! JD pushes Julius away, CHOPS him against ropes, then CHOPS him again! JD headlocks Julius to scrape his face off the ropes! The ref reprimands, JD lets off, and he eggs Julius on. JD avoids the haymaker to throw body shots!

JD whips Julius to ropes for a BIG hip toss! Brutus is worried as JD drops a leg on the arm and tie sit up in a short arm scissor! Julius endures, moves around, and NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally as Julius pushes JD to a cover! TWO, and Julius deadlifts JD for a BIG back suplex! Fans rally up as both men go to corners. JD stands, Julius storms over but into BOOTS! JD goes up, leaps, but into Julius’ arms! BACKBREAKER! Fans rally for Julius as he goes to a corner. JD stands, Julius storms back in and lifts JD, but JD sunset flips! But Julius rolls through, flips JD up, but JD kicks low! JD ripcords, but Julius JUMP KNEES! Julius runs, into a SPANISH FLY!!

Fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while both men are down! A standing count starts, JD stands at 4 of 10. JD SLAPS Julius, then SLAPS him again. Julius grabs at a leg but JD SLAPS and CLUBS Julius! Julius stands up to DECK JD! Fans fire up and Julius waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! JD gest up to ENZIGURI! JD brings Julius up and suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives and fans rally for “CREED! CREED! CREED!” JD snarls, he goes to the corner and climbs up top. But Julius jumps up after him! Julius grabs at JD, but JD fights back with a HEADBUTT! JD adjusts, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Julius moves!

Fans fire up as Julius picks JD up, ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! Julius fires up for the SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, Julius wins!

Winner: Julius Creed, by pinfall

Brutus celebrates with his brother and says that is what JD gets! And then Indus Sher appears! Sanga congratulates Julius for proving himself. Veer says they are now willing to face the Creeds. At New Year’s Evil, Indus Sher will get the respect they deserve when they destroy the Creed Brothers! The countdown begins now, will this battle to start the year be someone’s last?

Backstage interview with Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo.

McKenzie Mitchell notes The Don’s North American Championship match in tonight’s main event. How is he feeling? He is feeling great. The last NXT of 2022 will be when Tony wins his first championship. Y’know, other than the title of being Don. But he has been waiting a long time now. Wes took some months off Tony’s career, but Tony brings the title reign to an end. McKenzie brings up the “looming threat” of Dijak, and Tony scoffs at that. Dijak is no threat. Stacks took care of that last week. Tell ’em what you did, Stacks. Stacks says it wasn’t pretty, but a closed door meeting is a closed door meeting.

But let’s just say Dijak won’t be an issue. The Don will win the title. Now, if she’ll excuse them, they have to prepare. Did Stacks really take care of #HardJustice? Will it matter when The Don takes on the Must-See Kid?

The Schism speaks.

Joe Gacy says, “We understand that our lifestyle is intimidating to other groups in NXT. Anyone who has crossed out path in 2022 have fell to our mercy, and they have not been treated very favorably.” Rip Fowler tells Odyssey, Malik & Edris that the Schism sees the “emotional disturbances” the Schism has created in them. Jagger Reed says, “Letting your emotional states control your actions does not serve you. It merely digs a deeper cavity of anguish for you to try and repair.” Ava Raine says, “Your attempts to fill that void are temporary solutions to long-term insecurities. This is the definition of living your best life.”

Those three wear masks of fake happiness while The Schism sees through the charade. “Real joy is supposed to be fruitful and multiply, not consumed and discarded for social clout.” Gacy tells them that to their credit, there are redeeming qualities within the trio. The bond is clear, but they must continue to nurture that bond. Tonight, The Schism shows that togetherness above all else is what binds them and allows them to grow beyond their limits. They are four roots, one tree. But will they grow larger than NXT can contain? Or will Odyssey, Malik & Edris be up to the task of chopping them down?

Wendy Choo VS Cora Jade!

The Queen of Comfy endured until she couldn’t endure any longer, and she wants revenge on the Punk Rock Mean Girl of NXT! Will the #GenerationOfJade be humbled? Or will she just double down on the damage done to Wendy’s self-esteem?

NXT returns and Wendy makes her entrance, and a bee-line right to the ring! The bell rings right as Wendy fires off forearms! Wendy whips Cora to ropes, then OVERHEAD ARM-DRAGS her! Cora bails out, Wendy gives chase, and then catches Cora to CLUB her on the back! Wendy doesn’t let Cora get back in, she ELBOWS her down! Then Wendy puts Cora in herself. Cora bails out again, Wendy is upset, but then Cora trips Wendy! Cora laughs at Wendy, then smacks her off the apron! Cora brings out her kendo stick! The ref reprimands, but Wendy dodges! The stick hits post, then Wendy kicks Cora!

Wendy smacks Cora off the apron, puts her in, and fans rally up for Wendy. Wendy dodges a haymaker, rolls Cora up, TWO! Wendy DROPKICKS Cora down! Cora goes to a corner, Wendy runs in but Cora dodges! Cora brings Wendy into a BACKBREAKER! Cora talks trash to the fans, then runs for the IMPLODER STOMPS! Cora laughs and covers, TWO! Cora stomps Wendy to ropes, CHOKES her on the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Fans still rally for Wendy but Cora runs to ELBOW Wendy against the ropes! And then Cora drops another elbow! Cover, TWO! Cora smirks as she toys with Wendy and clamps on an armlock.

Fans rally for Wendy, Cora tells them to shut up, but Wendy fights up. But Cora wrangles Wendy right back down! Cora adds a chinbar to the hold but Wendy fights up again. Fans rally, Wendy throws body shots, then elbows! Cora waistlocks, Wendy slips out and around to ROCK Cora with a forearm! Cora ROCKS Wendy back, but Wendy ROCKS Cora again! Wendy gets the edge, waistlocks, but Cora buckles the O’Conner. Wendy runs in, Cora sidesteps and SHINING WIZARDS at the ropes! Cora laughs and covers, TWO! Fans rally up again but Cora drags Wendy up. Cora full nelsons but Wendy backs her up. Cora sends Wendy into a corner!

Cora runs in, SHINING- NO, Wendy catches Cora for a RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Cora survives and Wendy grows frustrated. Fans rally as both women rise. Wendy ROCKS Cora, Cora ROCKS Wendy! Wendy gets the edge again, kicks and KICKS then CLOBBERS Cora! Cora scrambles to ropes, Wendy whips her then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Suplexes! Fans fire up and Cora staggers to a corner. Wendy handsprings and forearms! Wendy goes up the corner, SLEEPY CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Wendy and she drags Cora back up. Wendy full nelsons, but Cora switches it onto Wendy, FULL NELSON FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!

Fans rally but Cora shrieks in frustration! Cora kicks Wendy around, “You think you’re better than me?” Cora says NO ONE is better! But Wendy cradles her! TWO!! Cora escapes to kick low! Cora underhooks, Wendy wrenches out to whip Cora into buckles! Wendy then reels Cora in, FULL NELSON SLAM! But Wendy isn’t done, she goes up top! VADER BOMB!! Cover, Wendy wins!

Winner: Wendy Choo, by pinfall

Vindication! Wendy gets even with the bully, but is this battle over? Or will Cora come back for her own revenge?

Ikemen Jiro speaks.

“Everyone knows my jacket is part of who I am. Jacket is what makes Ikemen be number one. Without the jacket, I am just Jiro. Jacket is what makes me even more me and makes everyone smile! So tonight, I beat Scrypts and take back what’s mine. And tonight, everyone smiles! IKU ZE!!” The Handsome One is ready to tear up the wicked wordsmith what took his precious! Will Jiro get payback on the poetic purloiner? Or will Scrypts be the one writing the ending to this chapter?

Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen prepare for tonight’s match.

Briggs tells Fallon that tonight isn’t just any match. This is for the Henley bar! That bar’s been in the family for decades! Think of all the childhood memories that Fallon made there! Right, Brooks? Brooks is busy checking himself in the mirror, wearing the shirt Kiana James gave him. Whose side is he on? Hers! Which her? He meant Fallon! That’s who’s her! Team Fallon all the way! Good. Keep it that way. Briggs hopes Jensen has his head on straight. Or is Jensen too busy thinking with his heart?

Ikemen Jiro VS SCRYPTS!

The Handsome One has been without his favorite jacket for two weeks! And sure, he has other jackets, but this is about the principle! Will Jiro get back what’s his? Or will Scrypts just take more and more from those he deems “the special ones?”

Scrypts makes his entrance, but not from the ramp! He jumps into the ring from the crowd side and shocks Jiro! The bell rings, Jiro and Scrypts rush in but Scrypts SHOTGUNS Jiro to a corner! Scrypts fires off hands but Jiro tosses Scrypts up and out. Jiro SUPERKICKS Scrypts to the floor! Then Jiro FLIES! Direct hit on Scrypts and fans fire up for Jiro! Jiro puts Scrypts in the ring, storms up on him and rains down fists! Scrypts slips away but Jiro ROCKS him in the corner! Jiro stomps, fires off hands, but now Scrypts dumps Jiro out! Jiro shoulders in, slingshots up and over to sunset flip! But Scrypts holds ropes to then backflip free and BASEMENT DROPKICK!

Scrypts rains down fists on Jiro while fans boo. Scrypts lets off, then he stomps Jiro. Fans chant “You Suck!” but Scrypts drags Jiro up. Scrypts whips Jiro to ropes, sweeps the legs, then runs to basement dropkick! Jiro flounders, Scrypts covers, TWO! Scrypts wraps on a headscissor hold! Fans rally as Jiro endures. Jiro rolls, but Scrypts lets off to have a neck wrench! Fans rally and Jiro pries at the fingers! Jiro is free, and he ROCKS Scrypts with haymaker after haymaker! Scrypts kicks low, whips, but Jiro reverses! Scrypts hits buckles, then staggers into a back drop! Fans rally up for Jiro and he aims at Scrypts. SHOTEI! SHOTEI!

Jiro fires off palm strike after palm strike! Scrypts drops to his knees, Jiro SHOTEIS again! Then BOOTS Scrypts down! Cover, TWO! Scrypts is dazed and Jiro drags him up. Fireman’s carry, but Scrypts slips off. Scrypts waistlocks, Jiro switches, but Scrypts elbows free! Scrypts runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, to SPINNING CROSSBODY! Scrypts then takes aim, to STANDING SHOOTING FLOP! Jiro avoids disaster, and he runs in at the corner, into a BOOT! But Jiro GAMANGIRIS in return! Scrypts wobbles, Jiro puts him up top! Scrypts hits back but Jiro GAMANGIRIS again! Jiro climbs up to bring Scrypts up, but Scrypts throws body shots!

Scrypts shoves Jiro, Jiro flips to land and roll, but FLIP THE SCRYPTS! Cover, Scrypts wins!

Winner: Scrypts, by pinfall

Another win for the mysterious masked man. But he drapes the jacket over Jiro, having gotten what he really wanted out of this. Will Scrypts continue to write off each member of the NXT roster until he has his perfect ending?

Where’s Oro Mensah?

He says he’s in the middle of the action, the social phenomena. The nightlife maximizes all the senses. And when the music hits right, it isn’t about your stresses, but about that moment, that interactive environment that can only be duplicated in the ring. Oro is going to bring that vibe to NXT.

Alba Fyre speaks.

“Isla Dawn. Your mystical darkness has pushed me to my breaking point. Trying to blind my vision, practically fracturing my hand. But you’ve awakened an unfamiliar yet barbaric fire inside my soul. The light of my ancestors is more powerful than the darkness of your spirits. We’ll see whose laughing last, because next week, ANYTHING GOES! It’s gonna be an extreme resolution not just to end the year, but to end Isla Dawn, as well.” Fyre is ready to burn the Wicked Witch, but just how will 2023 start for NXT?

Lyra Valkyria VS Lash Legend!

The Morrigan transformed and made the trip to the US, and she had a successful debut. But will that success continue against the self-proclaimed Legend in the Making?

The bell rings and the two tie right up. Lash knees low, brings Lyra up and UPPERCUTS her down! Lash talks trash, stands Lyra up and SWINGS her to SLAM her! Lash kicks Lyra around, talks more trash, and Lyra goes to a corner. Lyra stands up, Lash runs in to SPLASH! Lash snapmares and then drags Lyra around. Lash drops a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO! Lash drags Lyra up, but Lyra glares at her! Lyra KICKS and KICKS then headlocks. Lash lifts Lyra up to TOSS her, but Lyra lands on her feet and RAMS Lash! Lash stays up, Lyra RAMS her again! Lyra runs, ducks the boot, wheelbarrows and arm-drags!

Lash flounders out of the ring and fans fire up as Lyra builds speed. Lyra WRECKS Lash and fans fire up more! Lyra goes to the apron, Lash grabs at her but Lyra kicks her. Lash YANKS Lyra down to the floor! Lash stands Lyra up to CHOP her against the apron! Lash talks more trash, pushes Lyra into the ring, and even kicks her before getting in. Cover, ONE!! Lash is annoyed, she pushes Lyra around. Lash talks more trash and Lyra throws low headbutts! Lyra KICKS, runs, but leaps into Lash’s arms! SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Fans boo but Lash goes to the corner. Lash handsprings but Lyra avoids the moonsault!

Lyra KICKS, KICKS, HEADBUTTS, and AX KICKS! Lash staggers, swings, but Lyra dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! And then again! Lyra tilt-o-whirls, and DDTs! Not the cleanest but Lyra kips up and fans fire up. Lyra aims and HEEL KICKS Lash down! But Lyra isn’t done, she climbs up the corner! FLYING SPLASH!! Cover, Lyra wins!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall

Another first time showdown, and another big win for Lyra! Will the Morrigan reach the highest heights in NXT soon enough?

Toxic Attraction is in the Toxic Lounge.

Gigi Dolin says 2022 was their year. They built an empire! The greatest women’s trio in NXT history! And in their opinion, the greatest in all of WWE history! Jacy Jayne dares anyone to name any other faction that, despite their ultimate success, didn’t also experience heartbreaking losses. But even at their lowest point, the eyes of the world are still on the attraction. And they know what the fans are saying. “What’re they gonna do? What’s their next move?” But Gigi says “This group was created by doubt, motivated by those writing them off. And they still reached superstardom, stepping on the nonbelievers.

Jacy vows they will rebuild, reconstruct and return to glory. And that starts with taking down the woman who took down their empire. Roxanne Perez is a marked woman, and not just because she has the NXT Women’s Championship. What will rise from the ashes of the Toxic Goddess’ reign?

Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.

McKenzie brings up Grayson Waller baiting Bron into Spearing him while wearing a protective vest, knocking him unconscious. How is Bron recovering from that? Bron admits he fell for a trap. But he recovered just fine, and he is not in the mood for games. He is going to the ring and he calls Waller out tonight. Um, Waller isn’t here. But he did leave a video message.

“Bron Breakker. I bet you’re still pissed at me, lad, for last week, embarrassing you in front of the whole world. But I can’t believe you fell for that! But that’s okay. Bron Breakker is hands down the most dangerous man in NXT, and it’s not even close. He’s big, he’s fast, he’s strong, he hits harder than anyone else. As good as you are, I’m smarter. And as much as I’d love to be there tonight to go fact to face with you one more time, unfortunately for you, I’ve come home. Because what better place to get ready to become the next NXT Champion than the most beautiful place on Earth, Sydney, Australia?”

Waller shows he’s at the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and though he’s biased, he’s pretty sure there is no better view in the world. Especially now that Waller’s here. The Sydney Opera House has hosted the greatest artists in the world, but only now do they have a real superstar! “Australia, you’re welcome.” Then Waller goes to Bondi Beach to swim and prepare. How is Waller gonna beat Bron? This is how. Australia has the best athletes in the world. Waller is taking care of mind and body. At New Year’s Evil, Waller takes care of Bron and takes the title home to Australia!

Waller gave up all this to show the world who he was. He had to show the world that he is bigger than this and it’ll all be worth it when he wins the title. But don’t worry, Bron, Waller will be there next week to sign the contract face to face on a very special episode of the Grayson Waller Effect.

The video is over and Bron grabs the television screen! He throws it against the wall! The rage of old is back, will Waller exploit that to take the title away?

Six Man Tag: Odyssey Jones, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Schism!

It’s a clash of good vibes versus holier-than-thou philosophy. Will Odyssey, Malik & Edris #SoundTheAlarm? Or will Gacy, Fowler & Reed ruin the fun for their own gratification?

NXT returns and the party trio makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Gacy insists he start against Malik. They circle, tie up, and go around. Malik headlocks, Gacy powers up to back suplex! Malik manages to land on his feet and waistlocks, but Gacy drop toeholds to then float and get a headlock. Malik slips free and Gacy grins as the two stand off. They go again, Malik ducks, dodges, wheelbarrows and victory rolls! ONE, and Gacy throws body shots! Gacy bumps Malik off buckles, tags in Jagger, and they mug Malik. Jagger ROCKS Malik, whips but Malik reverses. Malik then dodges, trips Reed up, trips him again and DROPKICKS!

Fans fire up with Malik, he wrenches Reed and tags Edris. They double whip to trip and BOOT and LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Edris keeps close, brings Reed up, but Reed RAMS Edris into the corner! Rip tags in, the Dyad mugs Edris and fans boo. Rip hits a short arm LARIAT! Fans boo but Rip drags Edris up to CLUB him back down. Rip drags Edris around to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Rip covers again, ONE! Rip clamps onto a chinlock and he grinds Edris down. Fans rally for Edris and he fights up. Edris pries the hold open but Rip CLUBS Edris in the back! Rip scoops, Edris slips off but Rip bucks the O’Conner.

Rip runs, Edris leaps, drops and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up with Edris and he brings Rip up. Rip resists, wrenches out, but Edris headlocks. Rip powers out but Jones tags in! Edris whips Rip away then drops down, Jones CLOBBERS Rip! Fans fire up with Jones and he runs the ropes to ROLLING SENTON! Jones tags Malik then scoop SLAMS Rip! Malik climbs up onto Jones for a SUPER SPLASH! Rip flounders away and the Schism is there to defend him. Jones and Edris back Malik up, the six men stare down. Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Rip has Malik down in a headlock. Rip pushes up to put on the pressure, but Malik endures. Ava gets in Booker T’s personal space to tell him, “This is the definition of living your best life. Four roots, one tree.” Okay… Malik fights up but Rip wrangles him back down! Fans rally up and Malik fights to his feet. Malik pries the hold open but Rip knees low! Rip CLUBS Malik to the Schism corner, then tags in Reed. But Malik fights back on them all with haymakers! Rip keeps Malik from his corner and Reed CLOBBERS Malik! Rip DECKS Edris, Reed whips Malik to the corner! Malik goes up, over, under and hot tags Jones!

Jones rallies on The Dyad! He DECKS Gacy for good measure, ROCKS Rip, then SPLASEH Reed! Back body block for Rip! Back body block for Reed! Rip swings but misses, and Jones scoops him! Reed runs in, Jones scoops him, too! DOUBLE SIDEWALK SLAMS! Fans fire up, Jones tags Edris! Edris goes up for a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, Gacy breaks it! Gacy fires off on Jones but Jones throws him out. Reed rushes up, Jones shoves him down. Gacy & Rip drag Jones out! They hold Jones, Reed DIVES! But bounces off?! Rip runs to DIVE, but also bounces off! Gacy DIVES, Reed DIVES, Rip DIVES, Gacy DIVES again, and finally Jones falls!!

Fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” and Malik FLIES to take out Gacy and Rip! Edris fires off on Reed, chases him into the ring, but Reed shoves him away. Edris rolls under, gets around, goes up the ropes, FLYING KNEE! Reed flounders, Edris drags him up the ropes! Fans rally, but Gacy sneaks a tag! Gacy CLUBS Edris, Electric Chair Lifts him, but Malik hurries in! Rip throat chops him first! Rip then pops Malik up to an Electric Chair Lift! The Schism sets up, DOUBLE DOOMSDAY!!! Gacy stands Edris back up, for the DOUBLE CODE BREAKER, to the UPSIDE-DOWN!! Cover, The Schism wins!

Winners: The Schism, by pinfall

Ava celebrates with her “family” as they work together to take out the three amigos! The Schism is stronger together, will they soon go for gold together?

Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams.

McKenzie asks them about next week’s big match ups. Trick faces Axiom 1v1 while Melo goes 1v1 with Apollo Crews. Trick stops her there and says they’re on Trick Melo Time, and they don’t get paid to hear McKenzie talk. Now, next week, Trick has Axiom, and we know he can fly, flip, wrestle and submit. But one thing he can’t do is whoop that Trick! These size 16’s are gonna send Axiom all the way to Comicon! And Melo has been saying that 2023 is the year Melo becomes THE NXT Champion. But in his way is Apollo. Apollo has accomplished so much here in NXT and that is admirable. But one thing he hasn’t done is beat Melo.

Apollo has two choices: move out of the way or be moved out of the way. And right now, Melo is feeling some kinda way about moving Apollo out of the way. That NXT Championship has one man’s name on it! Not Apollo’s, but Melo’s! And they’re going for two. Nothing but net! Will Melo & Trick hit their shots? Or will they brick to start the New Year?

Battle for the Bar: Fallon Henley VS Kiana James!

Financial problems, family members, and land development plans all collide in one match! Will Fallon defend the honor of the Henley family bar? Or will the Professional Professional Wrestler prove this isn’t about feelings, this is all business?

The bell rings, Kiana and Fallon circle. Fans rally for Fallon, she eggs Kiana on, and they tie up. Kiana knees low, CLUBS Fallon on the back then CHOPS her! Kiana wrenches, YANKS, then YANKS the arm again! And again! Kiana taunts Fallon but Fallon wrenches and YANKS in return! And again! Fallon whips Kiana, then reels her in to ELBOW! Kiana pulls hair! Fallon mule kicks, runs, but Kiana elbows her back! Kiana whips, Fallon reverses and follows to run Kiana over! Fans fire up, Jensen is  bit torn, but Fallon sits Kiana down for a CALF KICK! Kiana flounders to ropes and Fallon runs to slide!

Kiana uses the apron skirt as a shield! Fallon waits, Kiana drops her guard, and Fallon ROCKS her! Kiana flounders away, Fallon gets in and covers, TWO! Fallon grabs a leg but Kiana kicks free with the other. Kian whips, Fallon goes up and headscissors, but Kiana catches that to SLAM Fallon down! Kiana RAMS Fallon into the corner, handsprings back and RAMS in again! Kiana reels Fallon in for a short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Fallon but Kiana whips her to a corner. Kiana runs in but Fallon elbows back! Kiana stomps a mudhole in, lets off at the ref’s count, then runs in, into an elbow!

Fallon storms up but into a knee! Kiana fireman’s carries and DROPS Fallon! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Fallon but Kiana wraps on a bodyscissor squeeze. Fallon endures, pushes back to a cover, TWO! Kiana CLUBS Fallon, Kiana turns her over for a Gedo Clutch! TWO, but Kiana holds onto the bodyscissor. The fans rally, Fallon pushes back again, TWO! Kiana lets Fallon go and kicks her around! Kiana pie faces Fallon, talks trash, but Fallon throws body shots! Kiana ROCKS Fallon, Fallon ROCKS Kiana, repeat! Fallon CHOPS, ROCKS and ROCKS again! Then she LARIATS! Fans fire up with Fallon while Kiana goes to a corner.

Fallon runs in, back elbows, then runs for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kiana survives and Briggs makes sure Jensen is cheering for the right lady. Fallon runs, but into a low headbutt! SWINGING GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Fallon survives but Kiana shouts, “What’s your problem?!” Kiana knees low, runs, but Fallon trips her up! Kiana clutches her foot, Fallon runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Fallon wins!!

Winner: Fallon Henley, by pinfall (keeps the family bar)

Briggs celebrates with Fallon, and Jensen does congratulate her, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Will Jensen still have a chance with Ms. James even though she wanted that bar?

Backstage interview with Roxanne Perez.

McKenzie asks if it has sunken in yet that she IS NXT Women’s Champion. Honestly, no. Roxie says this is a dream she doesn’t wanna wake up from. But NXT moves so fast, and she knows that this honeymoon phase will wear off quickly. So as the new champion, she will be on point, on her game, every single night. As hard as she worked to get this title, she could lose it just as quick. Have you seen the level of talent in this locker room? “You look at the list of past champions, and every single one of them is gonna be in the Hall of Fame one day. I’m not even close to that.”

Roxie has to live up to the history of this title. “It’s a pressure I don’t take lightly. And I’m gonna do everything I can to represent this championship.” McKenzie thanks Roxie for her time, but will the Prodigy prove herself worthy of the gold she holds?

Isla Dawn speaks.

“Oh, Alba Fyre. Oh, now we’re really having fun. I just know that evil is inside of you. And I’m reaching in and dragging it to the surface. Your challenge is just another step in this process, and next week, this extreme resolution will happen. But… It won’t be for me. It will be for you.” The Wicked Witch laughs into the night. What does she mean about dragging out that dark side within Fyre?

It’s the Drew Gulak Invitational wrestling seminar!

The Philly Stretcher and Hank Walker are in the ring, and Gulak welcomes us to the Invitational. Behind him are three promising grapplers who look to sharpen their skills, and also Hank Walker, who he asked to be here as a personal favor to just observe. Walker goes to a corner and fans cheer him on. Gulak says that one of the first things Hank will learn in NXT is that he’ll be facing competitors of all different experience levels. Each of the gentlemen here is getting a hands-on lesson from Gulak. First is the newcomer, Luca. Fans applaud as Luca shakes hands with Gulak. Luca, we’re going to do a demonstration.

First, turn around. Luca turns to face away from Gulak. Gulak has him relax, and explains this hold involves the arm. Relax or you’ll feel pressure in the collar bone. Any hold here you can take control with. This is the Chicken Wing, and then Gulak adds the chinlock! Luca taps and Gulak lets off. Good job. Luca’s okay, right? Yeah, good. Thank you, Luca. Luca exits and Gulak makes sure Hank understood that he let go right when Luca tapped. That is very important. Now a more experienced wrestler in Tavion Heights. Tavion has been an amateur wrestler for a few years so they’ll go for a grapple.

Tavion and Gulak tie up, go around, and Gulak facelocks to drag Tavion down. Tavion is strong, but Gulak says that sometimes, all it takes is the right opening. Gulak gets through Tavion’s leg guard to then step in and tie up the legs, FIGURE FOUR HEEL HOOK! Tavion taps, Gulak lets go. Hank nods, and Gulak says that’s all it really takes. Again, as soon as you feel the tap, release. And lastly, someone who has been stepping up their game recently, Miles Borne. Fans cheer Miles and Gulak shakes hands with him. They tie up, go around in a collar ‘n’ elbow, Miles waistlocks but Gulak switches to headlock.

Miles pops out the back to waistlock again. Gulak turns around, they grapple, and Miles throws Gulak with a fireman’s carry takeover! Fans cheer but Gulak is a bit flustered. Gulak fights up, pries the hold open, then spins Miles into a dragon sleeper! With body scissors! Miles taps, Gulak isn’t letting go! Hank tells Gulak that Miles tapped, and Gulak finally lets go. Gulak tells Miles it was a good job. Hank, Gulak does want to point out that sometimes, you gotta hammer the point home. Now, hopefully, Hank was taking good notes. But here comes Charlie Dempsey! And the Son of the Gentleman Villain goes right to the ring!

Dempsey has a mic to say, “Gulak. You wanna step up to a real wrestler? How about I give you a run for your money?” Fans like the sound of that! Gulak says if that’s so, they can do that here. This was an invitational but Dempsey wasn’t invited. The two start stepping to each other and Hank has Gulak stand back. This is just an exhibition. Dempsey says next week, he’ll make an example out of Gulak’s student. Alright, fine! Hank will be ready! Gulak promises to turn Hank into a technical machine, but will one week be enough time?

NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee VS Tony D’Angelo w/ Channing Lorenzo!

For much of 2022, the former NXT Tag Team Champion had to scratch and claw his way back from the bottom, and he finally returned to the top by winning this title in that wild Ladder Match at Halloween Havoc. But now, the Don, the made man of NXT, wants to finally add a title to his riches. Will Wes’ roller coaster year crash back down at the end? Or will Tony be the one who has to fogedaboutit?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly has a Happy New Year!

The bell rings and the two stare down. They tie up, Tony shoves Wes away, and he says, “Are you serious?” Fans rally behind Wes, he and Tony tie up again. Tony throws Wes down again, and continues to talk trash. “You’re embarrassing yourself! You’re the champ? C’mon!” They tie up again and Wes throws body shots! But Tony clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Tony waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Wes escapes just in time and he goes to the corner. Tony stomps Wes, taunts him, then drags him up by his hair. Tony says he’s gonna take the title and Wes’s legs!

Wes holds onto ropes as Tony tries to suplex again! Tony still gets Wes out of the corner, to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Wes lands on his feet! Tony doesn’t realize it, he turns around to get a DROPKICK! Wes has Tony at the ropes, whips, but Tony reverses. Wes hurdles, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slide sunder to roll back and RANA Tony into the ropes! Tony sputters to a corner, and Wes UPPERCUTS him! Wes fires off haymakers and body shots, the fans fire up and the ref counts! Wes lets off and Tony bails out. Stacks coaches Tony up, telling him to sweep the legs. Tony asks, “Whaddya mean, sweep the legs!?”

Tony catches his breath while the ring count climbs. Tony slide sin at 5, rushes for a leg but Wes avoids it! Wes then facelocks and sprawls. Tony fights up, fans rally, and Tony gets a leg. Wes cranks the facelock to fight the takedown and fans rally behind him. Tony fights up, powers Wes up and onto the top rope. Wes lets go, Tony ROCKS Wes with a right! Tony fires off body shots, RAMS into Wes again and again, then lets off again to whip corner to corner hard! Wes bounces off buckles, Tony storms up and gets in Wes’s face. Tony runs in, but Wes dodges! The boot gets stuck in the ropes, and Wes SUPERKICKS the leg!

Wes YANKS the leg and BUZZSAWS Tony down! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! But Tony flounders out of the ring! Fans boo but Wes just builds speed! Wes DIVES to take Tony out at the ramp! Fans fire up again and Wes shouts, “You think you can run from this?!” as NXT goes picture in picture.

Wes tells Stacks to stay back, and the ref warns him, too. Wes puts Tony in the ring, covers, TWO! Tony is still in this and Stacks is relieved. Stacks coaches Tony but Wes facelocks. Tony endures the grovit and fights his way around. Wes keeps Tony from the ropes, gator rolls him to center, and keeps on the facelock. Tony fights up, Wes resists, but Tony suplexes him up and over! Cover, TWO! Wes clamps right back onto Tony with a headlock! Wes grinds the hold, Tony fights up, and Tony powers out, only for Wes to go up and over him! Wes has the headlock again! Tony endures, but Wes hits a headlock takeover!

Tony keeps his shoulders up, NXT returns to single picture, and fans rally and duel. Stacks coaches Tony, Wes grinds the headlock, but Tony fishhooks Wes’s nose. The ref reprimands, Tony stands up and powers Wes to a corner. Tony is free, but Wes dodges the haymaker to KICK and KICK and KICK! Tony blocks a kick, clinches, and CORNER EXPLODERS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tony sputters, but he stands up to stomp Wes! Tony drags Wes from the corner to rain down fists! Fans boo, the ref reprimands, and Tony paces. Tony drag Wes back up, scoops him, and hits a BACKBREAKER!

Tony bends Wes against the knee, but fans rally as Wes endures. Tony pushes Wes down, pushes him to a cover, TWO! The Don is frustrated but fans rally up. Wes sits up, Tony grabs his arm and twists it. Tony stands Wes up for a short arm LARIAT, and then a BIG elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Stacks is just as frustrated as Tony, and Tony drags Wes around by a leg. Tony drops elbow after elbow on the leg, then YANKS the leg! This is the receipt Tony promised, and he paces around Wes like a shark with blood in the water. Tony drags Wes up as fans rally and duel. Wes throws body shots but Tony DECKS Wes!

Tony drags Wes by his legs, drops another elbow on the one leg, and then has a toehold! Tony pulls on the leg but Wes endures. Tony stands up to drop another elbow! And another! Tony has the toehold again, but Wes tries a chinlock. Tony shrugs that off, pulls on the toehold, but Wes reaches out. The ropes are too far away, Wes tries grinding his forearm into Tony’s face. Tony shrugs that off to grind the knee. Wes throws forearm shots and Tony lets him go! Tony stalks Wes, gets the leg again, SHINBREAKER! Tony holds on, for another SHINBREAKER! Wes flops out of the ring and Tony says, “I ain’t done with you.”

Stacks stays back as The Don goes out to fetch Wes. Tony throws body shots like a hockey fight! Then he suplexes Wes to GOURD BUSTER him off the announce desk! Fans boo as Wes flops to the floor! Tony drags Wes up, puts him in the ring, and crawls to the cover, TWO!! Wes escapes and Tony is beside himself. The fans rally behind Wes more and more but Tony drags Wes up. Tony has the leg, but Wes fights the fisherman suplex to hit a DDT! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Wes and Tony crawl to opposite ends as fans are thunderous behind the champion! Tony storms over, Wes kicks the bad leg!

Wes kicks the bad leg again! Tony goes to ropes, Wes fires off body shots and haymakers! And kicks and hands and more fists! Wes whips, to UPPERCUT Tony down! And CLOBBER him! And fire off fast hands! BIG RIGHT! Tony drops to a knee but Wes brings him up for more shots! Wes fires off like Tony’s his punching bag! The ref counts, Wes lets off at 4, and then he climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count, but Tony stops that at 4 to POWERBOMB Wes down!! But Tony is tired, he has to crawl to the cover! Wait, he doesn’t cover, he isolates the bad leg. Tony climbs up, takes aim, but DIJAK SNATCHES STACKS!!

Tony freaks out as Dijak drags Stacks away! Wes GAMANGIRIS Tony! Tony falls, Wes handspring PELES!! Cover, Wes wins!!

Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

That #MustSeeKick finishes this off, Wes has settled things with The Don once and for all! But what about Dijak dragging Stacks away? Will Hard Justice still be served in NXT?

My Thoughts:

A very good NXT to set up quite a bit for the next couple of weeks, including New Year’s Evil. Bron and Waller had a good promo segment, more on Waller’s side than Bron’s. At the same time, Waller’s promo felt like it went on one paragraph longer than it needed to. But having Waller use his talk show to host the contract signing is a decent way of tying things together. Not sure the last time we got something like that, so that’s pretty big for Waller. But I still don’t see Waller winning the title, as good as he is as a Heel. Melo & Trick had a good promo to hype up their matches, and it seems Melo VS Apollo happens before New Year’s Evil. I still think Melo wins to become the de facto #1 contender, and he’ll be watching New Year’s Evil so that he can congratulate the champ in person.

Good promo from Toxic Attraction. And while they didn’t mention or even show Mandy Rose, we all know that story in kayfabe is to avenge Mandy. I feel like Toxic Attraction rebuilding needs to include them bringing along a young female superstar we’ve seen in backstage segments and/or on Level Up to give them something to do. Roxanne Perez had a good promo to show some modesty despite all the great accomplishments she’s had this year. She could face just about anyone at New Year’s Evil and Vengeance Day, so there will be a lot of intrigue the next few weeks.

Lyra Valkyria got a good win over Lash Legend, showing she can take on bigger, stronger opponents, but it’s still too early for her to challenge for the title. Wendy VS Cora was really good, and Wendy getting a win fits the story. They can go another round as a tiebreaker, the winner of that moving on to face Roxie. And given it’s Roxie, I feel like that means Cora gets that win so she and Roxie can revisit their feud. We got good promos from Fyre and Dawn to set up an Anything Goes match, and that should be some awesome stuff.

But Dawn talking about bringing out Fyre’s inner evil, I wonder if Fyre goes Heel, and then she and Dawn become unlikely allies to go after the tag titles. I wouldn’t mind that. Fyre never did go for the NXT Women’s Tag titles with Iyo Sky when they won the Women’s Dusty Cup, and Dawn hasn’t had a title in WWE period, so them getting those belts together would be pretty cool. After all, they’re remnants of the NXT UK roster, them getting anything would be nice. And we got a good match out of Fallon and Kiana, but it could’ve been longer and grittier. Jensen played his part perfectly, though, and I hope they find a way to give us the payoff on the romance with Kiana on Valentine’s Day, which is a Tuesday this year.

Good promo from the Creeds and very good match from Julius VS JD. Julius of course finds a way to win so that we can finally get Creeds VS Indus Sher, and that will be great stuff. Very good promo from Jiro and good match from Jiro VS Scrypts. I figured Scrypts was going to win that, but I was a bit surprised he gave the jacket back. Perhaps Scrypts continues to take items from those he wants to feud with. That’d be a lot like what Isla Dawn did in NXT UK, but HBK has borrowed a bit of his NXT UK ideas to use in NXT, so maybe that’ll happen here. Maybe Scrypts takes Axiom’s comic books to spark their feud.

Good Six Man Tag out of The Schism and Jones-Blade-Enofe. I think the best spot was the endless stream of tope suicidas that eventually toppled Jones. Of course Schism wins, they’re going strong, and there might even be a chance that they go for the tag titles. The Dyad being Grizzled Young Veterans, they would give New Day one hell of a match. And maybe, just maybe, in 2023, Blade & Enofe start winning and make their own way to the titles. Good stuff out of the Gulak Invitational, and of course Gulak got more and more frustrated to where he violated his own rules. Dempsey showing up was also a given, and him and Hank having a match already, Dempsey definitely beats Hank. The real attraction in this feud will be Dempsey VS Gulak, and that’ll be awesome stuff.

We got a good promo from Tony and Stacks, but I kinda wish we didn’t see Stacks tonight to imply Dijak beat the snot out of him last week when Stacks tried to talk tough to him. But it made sense for Dijak to show up and drag Stacks away. Wes was gonna win either way, but that was a good way to tie all these stories together. Dijak and Tony can fight it out, Dijak surely wins, and Dijak goes after Wes in time for Vengeance Day.

My Score: 8.5/10