Deadline done, now we count down to New Year’s Evil!

Ilja Dragunov is STILL NXT Champion, and Trick Williams is this year’s Mr. Iron Survivor! They’re on a collision course for the New Year, but who fires the first shot?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Mixed Six Tag: The Meta Four VS Country Strong; Country Strong wins.
• Men’s Breakout Tournament, Opening Round: Myles Borne VS Oba Femi; Femi wins and advances.
• NXT North American Championship Open Challenge: Dragon Lee VS Tyler Bate; Dragon wins and retains the title.
• DIJAK VS Eddy Thorpe; Eddy wins, by disqualification.
• Men’s Breakout Tournament, Opening Round: Riley Osborne VS Keanu Carver; Osborne wins and advances.
• Lyra Valkyria & Nikkita Lyons VS Cora Jade & Blair Davenport; Cora & Blair win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Trick Melo Gang arrives.

They both talk about their big wins, and NXT Media asks Trick about winning the Iron Survivor Challenge. He feels good, feels like money, ain’t gonna lie. He’s clutch in the fourth, just call him Trick Brady or Michael Trick. And you already know what it is. New Year’s Evil, Trick VS Dragunov III, this ain’t a movie, it’s the real deal. Melo has since entered inside, is he doing his best to not be jealous?

Melo got attacked!?

Melo clutches a leg, Trick asks whet happened but the refs didn’t see anything! They call for medical, Trick is worried Melo won’t make it to SmackDown now.

Cora Jade is in the ring.

Fans boo as she coughs to get everyone’s attention. “Four months. Four long, hard months. But not for me! For you! Saturday at Deadline, the sun finally emerged from the clouds, and the fog was finally lifted. And I know how hard it was for all of you, me being gone that long. Crying yourselves to sleep in your little Cora Jade T-Shirts. Kissing your little 8 by 10s of me goodnight. But don’t worry, cuz everything’s fine. I’m back now. And that’s what you all wanted, right? Tweeting me every day, every episode, begging me to come back! You guys didn’t like me back then, but all of a sudden, you love me now?

“Saturday at Deadline was just the best day ever. Because I reminded everybody that no matter how deep the NXT roster may be, everything is better when Cora Jade’s around. But hey, I’ll give all those women in that Iron Survivor match their flowers. That was one hell of a match> But let’s be honest, at the end of the day, nobody was talking about a singlet one of those women. They were all talking about the return of Cora Jade. As I stood there, holding that NXT Women’s Championship high-”

Speaking of the championship, here’s Lyra Valkyria! She welcomes Cora back and couldn’t help but notice Cora is leaving out a detail just there: The fact that Cora jumped her from behind! But what’s crazy is, Cora’s been away for four whole months, and nothing has changed. Cora’s still gonna try and take shortcuts, just like always. Oh, did she ruffle some feathers? Lyra tells Cora to listen. Cora may not have changed, but things around here definitely have. Lyra has changed. She isn’t the same woman Cora used to mess with, she’s the NXT Women’s Champion! Fans cheer that!

And Lyra doesn’t care what generation Cora thinks this is, or what she thinks she deserves, there is nothing that- Blair Davenport is here! “Well, you might be at the top right now, Lyra, but I overcame four of the very best women in NXT to become YOUR Iron Survivor! And Cora Jade, you ain’t one of them!” Fans cheer Blair as she tells Lyra she needs to say something important: focus on her right now. Time is ticking on Lyra’s reign, and come New Year’s Evil, Blair will become the champion she was always destined to be.

Oh, don’t worry, Lyra heard what Blair had to say at Deadline. But there’s no way in hell Blair is taking this from Lyra. And it’s surprising Blair and Cora aren’t best friends already, seeing as they both love to jump people from behind. Well, whatever it takes to get the job done. WAIT! Here comes Nikkita Lyons! Did Blair forget what she did to Lyons? Blair throws hands on Lyons, Cora goes after Lyra, and it’s a brawl! The fans fire up, Lyra & Lyons DECK Cora & Blair! Lyra holds up the belt, will the Morrigan and Nikkita send the Punk Rock Mean Girl and Iron Survivor packing?

Backstage interview with Dragon Lee.

Kelly Kincaid is with the NEW NXT North American Champion and congratulates him on beating Dominik Mysterio. Has it sunk it yet that he won? Dragon says hello and that Saturday night was a dream come true. He had the greatest luchador of all time in Rey Mysterio coaching him, and then he finally won a title here in NXT. It is incredible! But he must point out that he would not have had this chance if not for the unfortunate injury to the greatest North American Champion ever, Wes Lee. He tells Wes that he has all Dragon’s respect, and he wishes you a speedy recovery.

And Dragon wants to defend this title like Wes did, meaning as much as possible. And that starts tonight. Then who is he facing? Dragon will be in the ring, and we’ll find out. AKA an Open Challenge! Who answers the call when Boy Wonder hits the ring?

Mixed Six Tag: The Meta Four VS Country Strong!

After losing the Iron Survivor Challenge, Lash Legend had to just lash out at one of the other losers in Fallon Henley. They and their boys all got into it backstage, so now they get at it in the ring! Will Lash, Noam Dar & Oro Mensah put their money where their mouths are? Or will they get whooped by a fired up Fallon, Briggs & Jensen?

NXT returns as Country Strong make their entrance. But then Meta Four attacks! Fans boo, Lash and Fallon brawl in the ring while the boys go outside. The bell rings, Lash CLUBS Fallon down, SMACKS her off the mat, then drops a big elbow! Cover, TWO! Lash stands Fallon up to pie face her, then whips her to a corner. Lash runs in but Fallon BOOTS her! Fallon storms up to pie face back! Fallon is fired up, the two start shoving, and Fallon jumps on for a SLEEPER! Lash RAMS Fallon into buckles, but Fallon hops back on! Lash stays up, throws Fallon off, but Fallon CHOPS! Fans fire up as that one echoes out!

Fallon CHOPS and CLUBS Lash, whips, but Lash blocks to DECK Fallon! Lash brings Fallon, whips her and back drops, only for Fallon to sunset flip! Lash goes Matrix to stay up, and she drags Fallon up. Fallon breaks free, kicks the legs out, then runs up to CALF KICK! Lash wobbles, Fallon runs, springboards, wheelbarrows, but Lash shoves her away. Jensen tags in, Lash eggs him on, but Oro runs in. Jensen dodges and atomic drops Main Man Mensah and fires off forearms! Jensen whips corner to corner, Oro rebounds into a hip toss! Jensen shakes out the bad leg but Oro kicks it!

Oro bumps Jensen, CHOPS him, and reels him in to clinch. Tiff is watching, clearly upset at both Lash and Fallon over her own Iron Survivor loss. Jensen CLUBS Oro to fight the lift, and Jensen headlocks. Oro powers up and out, but Jensen hurdles and FACEBUSTERS! Dar runs in but Briggs runs him over! Briggs puts Dar on ropes with Oro, he and Jensen run, slide and HAYMAKER! The fans fire up as Fallon runs, but Lash catches her! Lash TOSSES Fallon onto the boys and Meta Four stands tall while fans boo and NXT goes picture in picture.

Country Strong flounders while Meta Four talks a lot of trash. Lash goes out to fetch Fallon, POSTS her, them mocks the yeehaw. Lash bumps Fallon off the apron, pushes her around, then pushes her in the ring. Lash has Fallon on the apron to CHOP! And CHOP again! Lash slides in, talks more trash, then HIP DROPS Fallon down. Lash drags Fallon up, scoops, and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Lash pushes Fallon around, gut wrenches to a Canadian Rack, and she bends Fallon! Fallon endures, fans rally and Fallon kicks fere, only for Lash to throw her down! But Fallon avoids the elbow drop! Lash hurries to keep Fallon from the boys!

Lash scoops again, Fallon slips free, hot tag to Jensen! Oro runs in but Jensen rallies with elbows! Jensen whips, Oro reverses but Jenesn goes up to CROSSBODY! Dar distracts but gets away as Jensen takes a swing. Oro runs in to dropkick the legs out! Jensen clutches the knee, Oro CLOBBERS him from behind! Oro CHOKES Jensen on the ropes, lets off, and kicks Jensen out of the ring. Tag to Dar and he goes around to KICK Jensen! Lash & Jakara talk trash while Dar shoves Jensen in and wrenches an arm. Dar hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then reels Jensen in for knees. Dar puts Jensen in the corner, tag to Oro.

Meta Four mugs Jensen, the ref counts and reprimands, but Dar puts Jensen’s leg in ropes to run and DROPKICK it! Oro then sweeps the leg! NXT returns to single picture as Oro CLUBS Jensen. Jensen throws body shots, then he dumps Oro out! Fans fire up as Jensen hurries to his corner. Oro run sin, Jensen jumps the sweep but that hurts the leg! Oro sweeps the legs again! Tag to Dar and Meta Four DOUBLE FOREARM Jensen down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally but Dar keeps Jensen from his team. Dar has a cobra clutch, then ELBOWS Jensen down! Dar ELBOWS Jensen down again, then flexes.

But Jensen goes after a leg! Dar CLUBS away on Jensen, drags him up and puts him on ropes. Dar throws knees, KICKS and snapmares to cover, TWO! Jensen crawls but Dar clamps onto him with a chinlock. Jensen fights up, throws body shots, but Dar KICKS the bad leg! And UPPERCUTS! Jensen hobbles. Dar runs in but Jensen ELBOWS him! And LARIATS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Jensen crawls, Dar grabs a leg, but Jensen hops up to ENZI- DRAGON SCREW from Dar! ANKLE LOCK! Jensen endures, Dar thrashes the leg, and Dar drags Jensen back! Jensen still claws around!

Jensen BOOTS Dar, but Jakara distracts the ref! Hot tag to Briggs but it doesn’t count with the ref not seeing it !Oro FLYING KNEES Briggs out! Oro runs in to GAMANGIRI Jensen and shove, into Dar’s SPINNING ELBOW! Cover, Fallon breaks it! Fans fire up but Lash pops Fallon up! Fallon RANAS Lash out of the ring! Oro leaps to FLYING UPPERCUT Briggs! Dar and Jensen are still in the ring, and here comes Tiff! Lash DECKS Tiff, DECKS her again, and chases her off! Dar has Jensen, but Jensen cradles!! TWO!! Dar escapes, runs back in, NOVA ROLLA!! But Briggs tags in!!! Briggs rallies on Dar!

Fans fire up with Briggs as he fires off on Dar! Oro runs in but Briggs DECKS him! Briggs sends Oro into Dar, BOOT DDT COMBO!! The fans are thunderous as Briggs runs, CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!!! Cover, Country Strong wins!!

Winners: Country Strong, by pinfall

Not only does Briggs’ crew win over Meta Four, Briggs just pinned the NXT Heritage Cup Champion! Is the loss at the Iron Survivor only opening the door to another path?

Trick Melo Gang is in the trainer’s room.

Trick says this is awful timing. Doc, tell us something. The trainer says everything seems to be fine, so Melo is medically cleared as tolerated. Trick says that’s great! Melo can still go to SmackDown! But does he know who did this? No, but he has an idea. He won’t tell while they’re here, maybe later, but Melo’s gonna call this guy out. Good. Trick is ready to ride, he just has to handle his business with Dragunov a little later tonight, and then they’ll be good. Melo says yeah, Trick handles his business and Melo will handle his. Just who could it be that Melo thinks attacked him?

The Men’s Breakout Tournament field is here!

Trey Bearhill, Dion Lennox, Luca Crusifino, Tavion Heights, Keanu Carver, Riley Osborne, Myles Borne and Oba Femi are all on stage, but who start off this tournament? LEXIS KING ATTACKS BEARHILL WITH A CHAIR!! The fans boo, refs back King off, that guy’s nuts! Well, Bearhill won’t be starting anything tonight, it’s Borne and Femi up first! Will Drew Gulak’s training pay off for Borne? Or will Femi throw him around easier than a shotput?

Men’s Breakout Tournament, Opening Round: Myles Borne VS Oba Femi!

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Femi pushes Borne to a corner, but Borne comes back to tie up again. Femi throws Borne down! Femi eggs Borne on so Borne headlocks. Femi powers up and out, then RAMS shoulders! Borne stays up but Femi eggs him on. Borne runs, slides under and DROPKICKS! Femi wobbles, but he comes back to ROCK Borne! And CLUB him! And KNEE him low! Femi whips Birne to a corner, Borne goes up and over and DROPKICKS again! Femi wobbles, Borne fires more hands and stomps. The ref counts, Borne lets off, and Borne ROCKS Femi with haymakers!

Fans boo Borne as he bumps Femi, throws more body shots but then Femi blocks the buckle bump. Femi throws a shot but Borne drop toeholds! Borne stomps Femi, DOUBLE STOMPS him, and covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Femi but Borne kicks and knees him in the back. Femi grits his teeth as he’s getting angry! Femi throws body shots but Borne knees low. Borne whips, Femi reverses but Borne goes up again. Only for Femi to catch him! Borne gets loose, only for Femi to LARIAT! Fans fire up, Femi wants Borne to stand, then he ROCKS him! And ROCKS him again! Femi CLOBBERS Borne, then CLOBBERS him again!

Borne takes a swing, but into Femi’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Femi powers up that arm, runs in and UPPERCUTS! Then Femi whips Borne, but Borne dodges! SPIN POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Borne grits his teeth in frustration, storms up as Femi bails out, but Femi YANKS him down from the apron! Femi pushes Borne back in, Borne knees low, and Borne reels Femi in. But Femi FLAPJACKS Borne, to the POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Femi wins!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Borne flew all around this ring, because of Femi throwing him! Femi heads to the semifinals, who else will he throw out of the tournament?

Nikkita Lyons talks with Lyra Valkyria backstage.

They’ve got a tag match with Cora & Blair now, is the champ good? Lyra has Blair in three weeks at New Year’s Evil, Lola Vice is parading around with her Breakout Contract, and the biggest pain in the ass, Cora, is back. So basically, another day in the life as champion. But seriously, Cora’s return won’t poison this division. Lyons says as bad as Lyra wants after Cora, she wants after Blair ten times as much. Cora attacked Lyra but Lyra was back in one night. Blair attacked Lyons, Lyons was on the shelf for a year. But if you thought last week’s kick was nasty~, just wait for tonight. Lyra opens her locker and Lyons notices a picture hanging there.

Did Lyra put that there? Tatum Paxley’s face over Becky? Lyra doesn’t know when that happened. How creepy. Tatum’s a weird one. Lyons and Lyra have to focus on their tag match, will Tatum work to make Lyra obsess over her?

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

Kelly brings up there’s no love lost between Tiff and Fallon, and we just saw them scrap again. Tiff tells Kelly that her questions don’t matter, she needs to vent. Tiff is so sick of Fallon and her entire existence. Because of that piece of trash, Tiff lost at Deadline! Fallon never lived a life like Tiff, Fallon’s life is to serve people like Tiff. Fallon owns a bar and yet can’t even afford what’s on the top shelf, unlike Tiff. Fallon can’t dress like Tiff, can’t even come close to her star power! So Tiff is gonna show the cowgirl where she belongs in life. Now Kelly can talk. But then Tiff leaves. Will Fallon be the one putting Tiff in her place next time they meet?

NXT North American Championship Open Challenge: Dragon Lee VS ???

The challenge was put out, and that makes for quite the gamble in Dragon’s first title defense. Will the future of lucha libre be in good hands with Dragon? Or will he regret leaving things up to chance?

Dragon’s opponent is… Tyler Bate! Fans cheer as the Big Strong Boi looks to rebound from his Iron Survivor Challenge loss. Will the NXT UK Triple Crown Champion look to finally strike gold again?

The bell rings, Dragon and Bate shake hands and fans cheer. The two circle, they tie up, and they go around. Bate headlocks, fans cheer “Both These Guys!” as Dragon powers out, Bate goes up the corner, comes back, but into a snapmare. Dragon runs Bate over, things keep moving, and Bate hurdles. Bate runs, Dragon drops and hurdles, but into a fireman’s carry! AIRPLANE- NO, Dragon slips free, but Bate headlocks for a takeover! The fans cheer the exchange, and Bate holds on as Dragon fights up. They both kick, but they both block! They both let the other down, but then they both dropkick! Those cancel out and both men kip up.

The fans fire up, Bate and Dragon tie up, and Bate headlocks. Bate then wrenches, whips, but Dragon reverses. Bate goes up, under, baits Dragon into knuckle locks and he steps over to bait again. Bate leap frogs, slips under, gets Dragon again and rolls him up, TWO! Bate keeps moving, tilt-o-whirl and RANA, but Dragon handsprings through! Dragon runs, RANAS, Bate handsprings through! They both feint dropkicks and fans cheer! Both men run, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall but both sit up quick, and fans cheer as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Dragon bumps Bate off buckles. Dragon stomps and throws hands, then whips corner to corner. Bate boots, Dragon blocks but Bate knees him away! Bate goes up to FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up, Bate DROPKICKS and Dragon tumbles out! Bate builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and fans fire up with Bate again! Bate brings Dragon up, puts him in the ring, and then runs up. Dragon swings, but into the clinch! EXPLODER! Bate then kips up and STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Dragon is still in this but Bate keeps his cool. Bate stalks Dragon to ropes, drags him up, and fireman’s carries.

AIRPLANE- NO, Dragon fights that with elbows. Dragon goes to a corner, Bate runs in but Dragon pops him up to SUPERKICK him upside-down! Bate flops back, Dragon SUPERKICKS again! Bate tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Dragon DIVES and direct hit at ramp! The fans are fired up again as Dragon puts Bate back in. Dragon runs in at the corner, JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! SWINGING DROPKICK! Combinacion Dragon hits, but Dragon isn’t done there! Dragon runs corner to corner to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Then a cover, TWO! Bate stays in this but Dragon stays cool. Fans rally and duel as Dragon aims again.

Bate slowly rises up, Dragon runs back in, but into a pop-up! AIRPLANE SPIN! Bate goes around and around for TEN, then FIFTEEN! Then TWENTY before the DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Dragon survives and Bate is stunned! Dragon is also dizzy, though, and “This is Awesome!” as Bate stalks him. Bate brings Dragon up, ROCKS him with a right, and another! And another! Dragon wobbles, BOOTS back, but Bate UPPERCUTS! Dragon rebounds, dodges Bate and SNAP GERMANS! Bate stands right up!! Bate runs in, Dragon dodges, but the REBOUNDER hits! Cover, TWO!! Dragon survives but Bate hurries to a corner!

Bate climbs, fans are loving “Both These Guys!” and Bate is up top! Only for Dragon to trip him up! Dragon CLUBS Bate into the Tree of Woe, then he goes up top! Bate sits up but into the WOE STOMPS! And then Dragon reels Bate in, POWER- NO, Bate slips free and underhooks! TYLER DRIVER- RANA!! Cover, TWO!! Bate escapes and Dragon runs up. Bop up, V-TRIGGER instead! BANG still finds Dragon! Bate rebounds again, but Dragon ducks, tilt-o-whirls, OPERACION DRAGON!! Cover, Dragon wins!!

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

A much deserved standing ovation for these two, and the Boy Wonder outlasts the Big Strong Boi! But Dragon shows Bate respect for this awesome first defense and Bate returns the favor. Will Bate just have to fight that much harder to get another shot down the line? Who else will step to Dragon for their own shot?

Jensen and Briggs regroup backstage.

Jensen doesn’t know how Briggs did it, but he pulled through for them tonight. He turned what was looking like a loss into a big win! Briggs says nah, it was a close one either way. Meta Four ain’t as soft they thought. Fallon returns and apologizes for ditching them out there. It’s just, every time she sees Tiff, she sees red! Did she hear what Tiff said? Yeah, no, Tiff’s garbage. Well, Briggs just pinned Dar! And so that must mean Briggs is next in line for the Heritage Cup. How awesome would it be to drink outta that thing?

Jensen doesn’t wanna tell Briggs this, but that division isn’t really Briggs’ style. Not his style? Well, Briggs is a one-round KO kinda guy, but the Heritage Cup is British Rules multiple rounds. Yeah, but if Briggs KO’s Dar, then he wins. And the Iron Survivor wasn’t Briggs’ “kind of match,” but Jensen said he did pretty good, right? Yeah, he meant every word of that. Then Briggs should keep the momentum going, and should start thinking outside of the box. Jensen gets that, and Fallon says his name would look good on the cup. The three agree, Briggs for the cup! They put hands in, will the Scottish Supernova have to worry about that one hit KO?

Lexis King and Ava Raine are outside Shawn Michaels’ office.

King still feels good about what he did to Bearhill, and he’s pretty mad, huh? Yeah, HBK is mad! Ava wouldn’t go in there if she was King, because everyone in that tournament field wants King’s head! As per usual. No, King, they want you in the tournament so they can kick your ass! Then mission accomplished! King makes moments happen on NXT! And he gets it, Ava is fired up and flustered being in the presence of a true superstar like himself. But don’t sweat it, it is completely natural. You’re not the first and you won’t be the last. Yeah… Well, since King is still new around here, King will be replacing Bearhill in the Breakout Tournament.

Oh, you don’t say? Lexis King, Breakout Star. That just made his night, sweetheart. See you around. Lexis might be the king of crazy, but is someone going to knock him off his imaginary throne?

DIJAK VS Eddy Thorpe!

These two have gone back and forth, and #HardJustice is furious after The Alpha Wolf made sure he didn’t win the Iron Survivor. Will either man survive this newest encounter?

NXT returns as Eddy makes his entrance, and Dijak rushes him! But Eddy is ready and they brawl at the ramp! Fans fire up for Eddy as he fires off on Dijak! Dijak hits back, throws Eddy into barriers, but Eddy hits back again. Dijak ROCKS Eddy, but Eddy ROCKS Dijak! Eddy fires hands, Dijak hits back, and he CLUBS Eddy. Eddy fires forearms, Dijak RAMS him into the apron! And then SMACKS him off the desk! Dijak says if Eddy wants to stick his nose in Dijak’s business and cost him the Iron Survivor, this is what he gets! Dijak whips but Eddy reverses, and Dijak hits the steel steps! Fans fire up as Eddy takes off his jacket and necklace!

Eddy puts Dijak in the ring, the bell rings, and Eddy fires hands! Dijak hits back, Dijak hoists Eddy up and RAMS him into buckles! Dijak throws hands, Eddy fires back! Eddy KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Dijak hoists Eddy up again and RAMS him back into buckles! The buckle BREAKS OFF!! The fans lose their minds, the ref checks both men, and this just escalated to a new level! Dijak has the buckle, aims the hook at Eddy, and CRACKS Eddy in the gut!!

Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by disqualification

Dijak doesn’t care about the match, he CLUBS away on Eddy with the crossbar, going after those ribs he injured in the past! Fans boo, more refs rush out, and Dijak backs off. Dijak exits the ring, but he feels the blood on his forehead, He refuses to let it end here and he rushes back in! Dijak SLAMS Eddy across the second rope’s crossbar!! Eddy writhes and flops to the floor from the damage to his ribs! Dijak storms off into the night, did he finally put Eddy down once and for all?

NXT checks in on Chase U.

Andre Chase brings up the fundraiser ideas they all came up with last week, and this week, they put them into action. So what’re the numbers on the bake sale? $66. Oh. Car wash? $245. Better. Duke Hudson says that’s about one quarter. Of one quarter… of one quarter of the interest. Duke, c’mon, this is just the start. Chase will handle this. Really? Cuz Mr. Chase kinda looks like s*it. Chase says it’s fine, they can brainstorm new ways to fundraise. Seriously, anything at all.

Thea Hail’s been busy on her phone this whole time, and sees that Riley’s match is up next. So, what? She gonna watch from the Chase U section or something? Wait, can they? Duh, it’s their section. Ohhh! The girls look to Mr. Chase, and he says fine, go. Thea & Jacy head out, and asks Duke what he thinks. But then Scrypts walks in and says he has a “proposition” for him. Chase nervously looks at the case Scrypts hands him. Does Scrypts have his own motives for helping Chase U with its debt?

Blair Davenport & Cora Jade talk backstage.

Blair says Cora kinda ruined her moment on Saturday. No she didn’t, Lyra did. Lyra was the one that interrupted Blair midsentence. How rude. And if Lyra didn’t interrupt, Cora wouldn’t have done anything. She would’ve let Blair have her moment. Well, whenever Cora gets her shot, it won’t even be against Lyra. After New Year’s Evil, Blair will be the champion. Arrogant and assertive. Cora likes it. And after what Lyons did to Blair last week, Blair will handle her. Trying to literally kick Blair out of the Iron Survivor Challenge? Can you imagine? Nope, Cora cannot. But that’s perfect since Cora will go after Lyra.

Great. Because after New Year’s Evil- Yeah, Cora gets it. Blair heads out first, will these two be able to coexist long enough to ruin Lyons’ return?

Men’s Breakout Tournament, Opening Round: Riley Osborne VS Keanu Carver!

The newest recruit to Chase U is ready to have his breakout moment, but the same can be said for the former Temple defensive tackle. Will Keanu play power defense on Osborne’s speedy offense? Or will this win be great redemption for Chase U?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans are behind Riley but he gets SLAMMED by Carver! They keep the clinch, but Riley slips around to headlock. Carver back suplexes, Riley lands on his feet to trip Carver and GEDO CLUTCH! TWO, but Riley comes back to SHOTGUN! And STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO and with power! Riley ends up on the apron, Carver runs in, but Riley slingshots up and over! Riley returns, into a LARIAT!! Jacy & Thea are freaking out in the student section! Riley goes to a corner, Carver runs in, but Riley BOOTS him away! Riley goes up, leaps, but Carver catches him! FALL AWAY SLAM!

Fans fire up as Carver storms around. Riley rises up, Carver RAMS him in the corner! And again! And again! The ref counts, Carver RAMS Riley again, before he hoists Riley up, and SLAMS him! Cover, TWO! Riley survives, but Carver bends him back with the chinlock stretch. The fans rally as Riley endures, and Riley fights up! Riley gets to his feet, pries the hold open, and he throws body shots! And a forearm! Carver staggers, but he ROCKS Riley back! Riley CHOPS! Carver swings, Riley dodges and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up and Riley runs up to SHOTGUN Carver down! Riley keeps moving, but Carter POUNCES!!

The fans are thunderous, Carver is roaring, and he goes to the corner. Carver drags Riley up, but Carver ROUNDHOUSES! Carver falls, Riley climbs, and Riley says “U~!” SHOOTING STAR! Cover, RILEY WINS!!

Winner: Riley Osborne, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Riley survives Carver’s blitz and takes the win! Will the British Javelin kick in the turbo and win the whole thing?

Drew Gulak’s crew finds Dragon Lee backstage.

They sarcastically applaud his win tonight, and Dragon asks what he means. The title match was legit, what do these guys even want? Damon Kemp says they’re just having a friendly conversation as sportsman. They come in peace. Oh, is that all? No, Gulak also wants to ask Dragon a question. This touching tribute to Wes Lee, is this gonna be a week to week thing or just a one-off? No, Dragon says in Spanish that he’ll do this as many times as possible. Oh, sorry, learn Spanish and you’ll know. Well, Gulak didn’t think about learning, but good to know.

But then that means every week, right? Yes, every week. Then they accept for next week! This is great! Thank you so much, Dragon. Well, fine by Dragon, but uh, which one of them is actually stepping up? Oh, uh, you’ll just have to find out next week. Thanks! Gulak and his goons head out, will the Philly Stretcher fight his own battles here?

Thea & Jacy find Riley backstage.

But Thea’s so nervous about talking to him! Jacy tells her to just go, then gives her a push. Riley sees Thea and thanks her for being out there tonight. Thea appreciates him! Er, uh, y’know, no problem. Okay, cool. So is Riley from around here? Jacy rolls her eyes. No, not quite, Riley is from the UK. Anyway, he’s gonna go shower off. Yeah, go do that, kinda need it. Er, no, uh, she just means, he smells nice but is kinda sweaty. Yeah, catch you in class later, okay? Okay! Riley leaves, Jacy walks up and Thea asks how she did. Uh… Room for improvement.

Kiana James & Izzi Dame then walk up, and Kiana says that was “cute.” Oh don’t start. Why? Cuz little Thea has a little crush? Trust Kiana, she wasn’t. Izzi asks if Thea is delusional. Riley’s a whole man, and Thea’s a whole child. Thea is upset but Jacy keeps her back. Kiana & Izzi leave, but will Thea show them who’s a whole?

Lyra Valkyria & Nikkita Lyons VS Cora Jade & Blair Davenport!

It’s a tag team grudge match as the Morrigan and the Lioness are both ready to roar! Will they bring down “The Generation of Jade” and Miss Iron Survivor? Or will Cora & Blair be likeminded in creating a nightmare before Christmas?

NXT returns and Cora makes her entrance, followed by Blair. Fans boo the entire time, and the teams sort out. Lyra and Blair start as a preview of their title match. They circle, feel things out, and fans rally for Lyra. Cora tells them to shut up but Lyra and Blair tie up. They go around, Lyra spins and snapmares but Blair goes for a leg. Lyra steps over, slips around and rolls Blair up, ONE! Blair runs in, Lyra sweeps and cover, ONE! Blair sweeps and covers, ONE! Blair snapmares and runs but Lyra ducks the kick to kip up! Blair avoids the heel kick and fans fire up. Cora tags in and fans boo again as she talks trash.

Lyra fires off forearms on Cora! Lyra whips, Cora reverses but Lyra goes up the corner, leaps over Cora, then hip tosses her down! Lyra runs up to headlock and takeover! Fans rally, Cora fights up, but Lyra kicks Blair away. Cora reaches out again, Lyra kicks Blair again. Blair storms in, Lyra DROPKICKS Blair to BULLDOG Cora! Cover, TWO! Lyra wrenches and whips Cora to the corner, and then tags in Lyons! Fans fire up as Lyons TOSSES Cora and tells her to tag Blair. Cora does tag Blair, and Blair runs in, but into a scoop and SLAM! Blair tags Cora back in, Cora gets around to waistlock and CLUB her!

Lyons stays up so Cora apologizes, only for Lyons to KICK her down! And again! Lyons scoops but Cora slips free and shoves. Blair trips Lyons up, Cora SHINING WIZARDS Lyons against rope! Cora grins, tags Blair and drags Lyons up by her hair. Blair BOOTS Lyons down, then gets her up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Blair drags Lyons into a chinlock and squeezes tight as NXT goes picture in picture.

Lyons endures, fights up, but Blair drags her over to bump off buckles. Tag to Cora, she stomps a mudhole in then brings Lyons onto ropes. Cora CHOKES Lyons, lets off and runs, to ELBOW Lyons down! Cover, TWO! Cora drags Lyons up, tags Blair in, and they mug Lyons in the corner. Blair stomps Lyons, snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Blair eggs Lyra on but then stalks Lyons to ropes. Blair CHOKES Lyons as she grinds her knee in. The ref counts, Blair lets off and has Lyons for another snapmare and chinlock. Blair makes that a cobra clutch and she thrashes Lyons around! Lyons endures and fans rally up.

Lyons fights up, throws body shots, but Blair ripcords and ELBOWS her down! Blair drags Lyons to the corner, tags Cora, and they mug Lyons some more. Cora ROCKS Lyons with a forearm then shoves her down. Cora stalks Lyons, runs in and IMPLODER STOMPS! Cora covers, TWO! Cora is annoyed but she drags Lyons up to SMACK her off the mat! NXT returns to single picture, Cora reels Lyons in, but Lyons fights her way forward! The fans rally, Cora holds onto the facelock but Lyons lifts her! Cora CLUBS Lyons, then sucker punches Lyra! But Lyons rolls Cora up, TWO! Cora kicks Lyons low!

Cora CLOBBERS Lyons then tags Blair! Blair drags Lyons around but Lyons BOOTS her away! Hot tag to Lyra and the fans fire up! Lyra rallies on Blair with LARIATS! Lyra whips, Blair reverses but Lyra CLOBBERS her! Fans fire up with Lyra, and she SOBATS, front kicks, and HEADBUTTS! Then a front kick, SOBAT and facelock! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Blair bails out and Lyra snarls. But the fans rally up, Lyra builds speed and she WRECKS Blair with a dropkick! Lyra goes out to put Blair in the ring, but Tatum Paxley emerges from the shadows? She has one of Lyra’s feathers and is nuzzling it…

Lyra goes up, CROSSBODIES but FLOPS as Blair moves! Blair hauls Lyra up but Lyons makes the save! Cora runs in and DECKS Lyons! But Lyra GAMANGIRIS Cora! Blair reels Lyra back in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, Lyons breaks it up! Cora runs back in, but Lyons TOSSES her out! Blair BOOTS Lyons! But Lyra waistlocks Blair! Cora tags in before the O’Conner Roll, Blair kicks out, sending Lyra into Cora! Blair drags Lyra up, KAMI-GOYE!! But Lyons drags Blair out! ROUNDHOUSE! Cora hurries to cover, Cora & Blair win!!

Winners: Blair Davenport & Cora Jade, by pinfall

From one obsession to another, Cora comes out on top because she’s only obsessed with herself! Will this guarantee Cora gets her shot at the champion after the New Year? Wait, Tatum then rushes in to TOSS Lyons out of the ring? Tatum is so obsessed with Lyra, and it creeps Lyra out! But Tatum “comforts” Lyra after the loss… What is going on inside that twisted mind?

Hank ‘n’ Tank meet up backstage.

Hank asks Tank what’s up. Same thing he’s been thinking about the past seven days: Hank, Tank and Gallus. Like they said, they will earn their spot at the table. And if that means proving themselves against Mark Coffey & Wolfgang, then they can do that. But Gallus walks over, laughing at Hank ‘n’ Tank. Have the lads been reading Tag Teaming for Dummies? Maybe they should go by the pub and drown their sorrows already. Tank says they know what they’re getting themselves in for. Gallus may have forgotten more fights than Hank ‘n’ Tank have been in, but Hank ‘n’ Tank have more heart than the three of them combined!

Oh, all three? Joe ain’t getting involved, trust him. Oh, right, he’s not getting involved. Sure. They “trust” him. Hank ‘n’ Tank head out, and then someone honks the horn on a forklift? Joe Gacy? Gacy says, “Hey, Joe, what do ya know? Y’know, Joe, it takes a Joe to know a Joe.” And what’s better than one Joe than a cup o’ Joe? Gacy chugs his coffee, and asks why so serious. Is the Joker of NXT about to snap?

Trick Williams heads to the ring!

Just as he said, he’s gonna handle business with Dragunov tonight, and Trick echoes Booker with “What? Huh? Uh-huh! I like it!” Booker loves it, Trick loves it, and then Trick has them cut the music. Fans chant “You Deserve It!” Trick thanks everyone for that, and wants to get to business. “Deadline was a movie. And look man, I walked into this match with four of the best in NXT to do it. And I walked out of this match your Men’s NXT Iron Survivor.” Fans cheer that! Now, usually Trick would cut up his opponent, but not this time, and not tonight. Nothing but love for those other guys, they put on a banger last Saturday.

But Trick also heard NXT is coming out with an awards show at the end of this year, and Trick would put up the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge against any other match of NXT’s year, let’s talk about it! The fans cheer that, too! But here’s the thing. Trick was in the ring with some dogs, but they made one mistake: They forgot one very important thing. Trick Williams has been ballin’ his whole life. Trick Willy is clutch in the fourth! Forget Steph Curry, this is Trick Curry, Trick Brady, Mike Trick, 23 in LA, nevermind who you thought he was! This is TRICK JAMES, B*TCH!! The fans fire up for that one!

Trick says in three weeks, it is New Year’s Evil. And imagine it now: The Baddest Man in NXT VS The Hottest Star Under the Sun! But speaking of, here comes Ilja Dragunov! The NXT Champion joins Trick in the ring, and says a few months ago, they stood in this ring. And Trick thanked Dragunov for pushing him to a whole new level. Does Trick remember that? He does. Then on that same day, Dragunov said he admired Trick’s courage. Dragunov is proud of Trick. Fans cheer that! Dragunov couldn’t watch it live, he had to get into the zone for his own match. But he watched that match back, and Trick snatched victory from the jaws of defeat within just a few seconds!

A misstep here or there, Dragunov might be having this conversation with someone else. Trick rode a wave of momentum that has barely ever been seen before! Whoop Dat Trick! Fans chant that and Dragunov says this is the talk of the WWE! They secret handshake!! And Dragunov says this with respect to Trick’s journey: “At New Year’s Evil, it comes to an end.” Trick tells Dragunov, “If you’d looked me in the eyes, and you said that a few months ago, I probably would’ve played it cool, and deep down wondered if I had what it takes to face Ilja Dragunov. But this ain’t a few months ago, dog.

“I ain’t in here trying to show my worth in this world, show the world what I can do. I’m that guy now. I’m talking that walk, I’m Trick Williams, I’m the man here in NXT. And in three weeks, I’ma beat the best here NXT has to offer, and I’m gonna be your NEW NXT Champion.” The fans like that! Dragunov nods and says he likes it. He does. But Dragunov suffered too much to become NXT Champion, WAY too much to just stay NXT Champion, and he is so sorry, but he will do whatever it takes to remain N X T CHAMPION! But wait, here comes Melo!?

Trick and Dragunov are both confused as to why Melo is hobbling out here with his bad leg. Melo apologizes to Trick for interrupting, but this cannot wait any longer. But now isn’t the time. He knows, he knows, but remember that business about earlier? This is that. Look, Trick, for two months, they’ve dragged his name through the mud and tha tends tonight! Melo knows exactly who attacked Trick, because it’s the same person who attacked Melo. Dragunov wants everyone to hold on. He will see Trick at New Year’s Evil, and he will leave them to their business.

But then Melo says hold on, Dragunov, don’t go anywhere. “Ilja… It was you!” WHAT?! Dragunov is just as confused as Trick! The fans chant “That’s Not True!” But Melo says it makes sense! Dragunov took Melo out and took Trick out! What the hell is Melo talking about? Dragunov has no part in that! Trick asks Melo what’s going on. Melo says to think about it: Who gains the most from seeing Trick Melo Gang split? Melo put all the pieces together! All that instigating he was doing! Saying that Trick helped Melo at Great American Bash! Why did he do that? Cuz he knew that if he faced one of them, he’d have to face both of them!

And by the looks of it, Dragunov didn’t wanna take that chance. Oh, Melo. Dragunov knew you were arrogant. But delusional, too? Melo says no, he isn’t delusional. Dragunov is more calculating than he looks! He knew that if he pitted Trick Melo Gang against each other, then attack Trick, that he’d have all of this to himself! That the whole world would point fingers at Melo! Melo had Dragunov beat at Halloween Havoc, but Trick came out and distracted Melo, allowing Dragunov to win! But that was all according to Dragunov’s plan! Melo knew he’d do anything to keep the title, but Dragunov has him beat.

Melo, listen. Dragunov doesn’t know what kind of Bogeyman he is creating in his head, but Dragunov did NOT attack him! If Melo even did get attacked. Trick says, “Dragunov, tell me you didn’t just say that.” Dragunov wants them both to understand, he did NOT attack anyone. But Trick & Melo need to talk this out. No, too late for all that! Trick Melo Gang’s back on the same page and there’s nothing Dragunov can do about it! Trick says Melo got his point across, and Melo says yeah, Dragunov needs to learn what it’s like to have something taken from him! The same way Trick did, the same way Melo did!

Dragunov doesn’t deserve that title like Trick does! Melo grabs the belt! Melo and Dragunov tug-o-war, Dragunov loses his grip, and Melo CLOBBERS Trick with the belt!! Everyone freaks out and Dragunov snatches the belt back. Melo looks guilty and the fans chant as much! Melo frowns at Dragunov while Trick is asking to be helped up. Just what is the truth when it comes to HIM?

My Thoughts:

An awesome NXT to follow Deadline and turn the corner towards New Year’s Evil. Great start to the Breakout tournament, though I didn’t think Lexis King would attack someone and take them out of the tournament and then get in as a substitute. A shame for Bearhill, unless Bearhill attacks King to keep him out of the tournament and have a feud with King on the side. But great stuff as Femi beats Borne and then Riley pulls off a big comeback win on Carver, who technically should’ve won. But it works in story with Chase U and now Thea’s story. Honestly a little surprised there hadn’t been a “Thea has a crush” story until now.

Great stuff from the Chase U student meeting, $311 being what they made in a week is pretty funny. Nice detail that Scrypts is getting involved. This probably means we’ll get Chase & Duke VS Out The Mud at some point. And wild stuff with Eddy and Dijak tonight, with them “breaking” the top rope there. Dijak beating Eddy down again, hard to say what’s going to come of that since they already had a Strap Match. Maybe this comes down to a Last Man Standing or I Quit match to really take things up a notch.

Awesome Open Challenge for the North American title, but of course Dragon wins. Bate is great but it just seems he’s not in any title plans just yet. Kinda wish he’d be the one they were sending to SmackDown for the US title tournament but oh well. And I do appreciate Gulak’s group stepping up to Dragon Lee, but is their team name really “No Quarter Catch Crew?” What a garbled mouthful. Is it meant to be a parody of Blackpool Combat Club in AEW, all because of the William Regal connection? Just trim it down to “Team No Quarter” or even just “No Quarter.” But anyway, don’t bet it on being Borne facing Dragon, Borne just lost.

Great Mixed Six Tag and great win for Country Strong, even with Tiffany going after Fallon. Tiff VS Fallon rematch will be great stuff, and I do like Briggs going for the Heritage Cup. I’ve been wanting someone to actually go for a knockout win in a British Rounds match, and Briggs is looking to be that guy. There’s probably any number of ways Meta Four is still gonna screw Briggs over but I’d love if Briggs won.

Good promo between Hank ‘n’ Tank with Gallus, not that it added much. And Joe Gacy is clearly calling out Joe Coffey, but in such a weird way. Almost feels like that could end up a weird Six Man Tag, too. I wanna ask what they’re doing with Gacy but I guess this is it: Gacy is just being random and weird so that he’s different from other eccentric and odd characters.

And great stuff out of the top title stories. Lyra wanting after Cora but Blair wanting after Lyra and then Lyons wanting after Blair with Tatum apparently wanting to be Lyra’s friend is all good stuff, and we got a great tag match main event. Tatum might be the only reason Lola doesn’t get a good cash-in opportunity on Lyra since Tatum’s always gonna be creeping. And then great story with Trick Melo Gang. Melo’s skewed logic is oddly still kinda logical, if not for Dragunov not being the kind to ambush anyone.

And great ending moment with the “accidental” belt shot and then Melo leaving Trick hanging on that helping hand. This has to still be Melo behind it all and he’s just desperate to deflect, and then he costs Trick at New Year’s Evil to start on the Trick Melo Gang feud going into Vengeance Day.

My Score: 9/10