There MUST be a challenger for New Year’s Evil!

Ricky Saints screwed Je’Von Evans over, so now someone else is going to challenge Oba Femi for the NXT Championship at New Year’s Evil!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Women’s North American Championship: Blake Monroe VS Thea Hail; Thea wins and becomes the new NXT Women’s North American Champion.
• Hank ‘n’ Tank VS OTM; Hank ‘n’ Tank win.
• Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair VS Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid w/ Jacy Jayne; Kendal & Wren win.
• NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Dion Lennox VS Leon Slater VS Joe Hendry VS Myles Borne; Leon wins and will challenge for the title at New Year’s Evil.

PLAY BY PLAY

Je’Von Evans arrives in the parking lot.

Ava Raine wants him to hold on, but the Young OG is too heated. He wants to know if Ricky Saints is here. Ava says they can’t have it go like this but Je’Von says after Ricky did him dirty last week, he’ll catch Ricky the moment he gets here. Ava says she can’t deal with this, the Women’s North American Championship is opening the show. She asks he calm down and come inside so they can talk. He’s not gonna do that. Ava sarcastically says this is a great start to  the night… Will Ava have no choice but to help Je’Von and Ricky settle things the right way?

NXT Women’s North American Championship: Blake Monroe VS Thea Hail!

The Glamour tried an Open Challenge, it got out of hand, but she blames everyone else for that. However, it was the Grown-Ass Woman that got the better of the champ, which is why she’s getting this shot straight up! Will Thea make Blake tap out on record now? Or will the Woman From Hell show herself tonight?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who walks away with the gold, and who doesn’t walk at all!

The bell rings and Blake runs up! Thea dodges and goes for the arm! Blake shoves her away, but then Thea dodges to send Blake into buckles. Thea snapmares, steps over, HIP DROP! ARM WRINGER! Cover, TWO! FUJIWARA! Blake endures, fights up, pulls hair, and snapmares free. Blake SHOTGUNS Thea to the title! Blake stomps a mudhole in, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally and even duel as Blake stands Thea up. Blake ROCKS Thea, whips her into the corner, then whips her back in! Scoop and SPIN-OUT SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Thea is tougher than that, but Blake stalks her to the ropes.

Blake stands Thea up, whips her to ropes, then scoops again, but Thea slips out! Thea spins and snapmares Blake to then PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Thea clamps onto Blake to keep her down, and she has an armlock. Blake endures as Thea grinds the arm. Blake fights up, pulls hair, and she puts Thea on the ropes. Blake whips, Thea wheelbarrows, and she arm-drags! Then she DROPKICKS Blake out! Thea then DIVES and wipes Blake out! Thea puts Blake in, clinches, EXPLODER! Blake flounders, the fans rally, and Thea runs up to back body block! But Blake THROWS Thea into buckles!

Blake goes up the corner, reels Thea in, HANGING TRIANGLE HOLD! The ref counts, Blake stops at 4, and the fans are torn as NXT goes picture in picture.

Blake huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms back into the ring. Blake rains down fists, then she drags Thea by her arm. Blake stomps Thea, drags her back up, and reels her in for a snap suplex! Thea writhes, Blake covers, TWO! Thea is still in this but Blake stalks her to the ropes. The fans rally while Blake scuffs and kicks Thea around. Blake slaps Thea around, but Thea fires body shots! Thea rises up, but Blake BOOTS her back down! Blake drags Thea up, wrenches, and ARM CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Blake keeps on Thea for an ARMBAR! Thea clasps hands to fight it, then she stacks, TWO! Blake lets Thea go, and SUPERKICKS her down!

Blake drags Thea around, clamps on with a COBRA CLUTCH, and she THRASHES Thea around! Thea endures, but Blake drags her into body scissors! Thea still moves around and fights the hold! Thea pries the clutch open, sits up and shifts around, but Blake ripcords to short arm LARIAT! Blake rains down forearms, then clamps onto Thea with a straitjacket stretch! Thea endures while NXT returns to single picture. The fans rally, but Blake ripcords to short arm LARIAT again! Blake clamps back on with the COBRA CLUTCH! Thea endures, fights up, and the fans rally again. Ripcord, and they DOUBLE HEADBUTT!!

The fans fire up as Thea rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! SENTON and then TRUST FALL! Cover, and… Wait, what? Was it a double pin or did someone kick out? The ref clears up the confusion, and says THEA WINS?!?

Winner: Thea Hail, by pinfall (NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion)

Blake is absolutely stunned, and Thea is practically in tears! Thea Hail FINALLY has gold in NXT! Is this proof that believing in yourself is the key to everything?

The Culling arrives in their lair.

Shawn Spears is sure Tatum Paxley has cried a thousand tears since Deadline. And well, it iz what it- Wait. What is that on the stool? Tatum left a Niko Vance action figure here?! What is that supposed to mean? Clearly, Tatum can’t accept defeat. If she knew what was good for her, she’d move on, just like The Culling will. They corrected their mistake, and they’re done. The Culling leaves, but Niko might be a bit spooked. Will #TuesdayAddams do that voodoo that she do?

Ethan Page is here!

The fans still taunt All Ego “A-HOLE~!” as he makes his way to the ring. Ethan gets a mic and clears his throat. “Well, I am absolutely appalled that the wrestling world seems more concerned with which WWE champions were crying while their coworker quit their job this past Saturday, instead of the champion who was heinously attacked from behind. That same champion with unlimited potential and projected earnings unlike anyone before him, that same champion with a back so strong he can carry an entire industry! Now, that back was almost broken this past week, and nobody seems to care. Why!?

“Not why do you not care…! But why was I attacked? Was it jealously? Huh? Was it the fact that i have clearly become a foundation in NXT? Or, is it the fact that I have taken the North American Championship and left every title reign before me in the dust?! Zero provocation, zero rhyme, zero reason, and I don’t care, I’m here to get my answers. So whatever dark shadow you’re lurking in, time to get your ass out here, Tony D’Angelo!” But instead of The Don, we get STACKS! Channing Lorenzo has Arianna Grace with him, and she wears his newly won TNA International Championship, while the fans boo.

Stacks knows Ethan didn’t expect him, but that guy Ethan’s talking about, Stacks doesn’t know what his problem is, and he really doesn’t give a damn. What Stacks does care about is Ethan talking about people getting on his level and being a champion across companies. Stacks knows those big ol’ glasses can see Stacks’ “beautiful, exotic queen carrying my TNA International Championship. And Arianna? She’s got expensive taste. And the one thing she asked for Christmas this year… is more gold. So we got some things to discuss.”

Ethan says this is exactly what he’s talking about! Zero decorum! Stacks is just gonna interrupt the Greatest North American Wrestler alive? Yeah, don’t think so! Stacks says all he’s saying is, to go along with the International title, those AAA Mixed Tag Team Championships would look so good around the snatch waists of NXT’s hottest power couple! But wait! MOOSE is here!? The fans fire up for that! The Face of the Franchise walks to the ring, steps right to Stacks, and says, “Once again, an NXT talent has a TNA championship! And I’ll be honest, the boys back in TNA are pissed. So I’m here to do something about it.”

The fans cheer that! Moose tells Stacks that someone will deal with you, but today is his lucky day. Because Moose is focused on ETHAN PAGE! Ethan stops in his tracks while the fans cheer. Moose says he is here to take one of NXT’s most prestigious titles back to TNA with him! No, that’s not how this works. There are RULES here in NXT! This is not TNA. Go talk to Ava, buddy. Moose says don’t worry about that, she already signed off on it. And so did Santino! And on December 30th, at the NXT Year End Awards show, Ethan WILL defend that title against MOOSE! Ethan takes a swing, but Moose blocks to DECK him! And LARIAT him up and out!

The fans fire up as Ethan is stumbling and seething! But is Moose about to make an impact on the NXT landscape?

Leon Slater talks with Je’Von Evans.

The Youngest In Charge wants the Young OG to cool down, he doesn’t need to just sit and wait in the parking lot all night. C’mon! Je’Von says Leon can go do what he’s gotta do, he’s got this. But Leon says it’s a #1 contender’s match, he wants his boy to be ringside. Je’Von says yeah, he’s got Leon. Leon says be real, Je’Von. Ricky might not even show up! Je’Von says Leon doesn’t understand! Je’Von had Oba beat, and Ricky pulled the ref! Je’Von should be champion now! Leon says he does, but Je’Von will get that lick back. But they gotta focus on what’s in front of them, and that’s Leon’s own #1 contender’s match. Is Je’Von with him or what?

Je’Von says alright, alright. They secret handshake and Je’Von reluctantly walks inside. Will Je’Von still be too focused on taking the fight to Ricky Saints? Or will he be absolutely disappointed when he’s denied his revenge?

Hank ‘n’ Tank VS OTM!

Walker & Ledge, the former GHC Tag Team Champions, are back from their expedition in Pro-Wrestling Noah, but they’re ready to get back to those NXT Tag Team Championships! Will they prove Big Belly Boys Ichiban? Or will Bronco Nima & Lucien Price make them wish they never came back?

NXT returns as OTM makes their entrance. The teams sort out and the fans duel as Tank starts against Nima. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Nima gets under to SHOVE Tank away. The fans applaud as Tank and Nima reset. They tie up, Tank slips around to waistlock, but Nima throws elbows. Nima whips, RUNS Tank over, and Nima talks trash. Tank goes to a corner, storms back up, and he waistlocks again. Tank ducks an elbow this time and he RAMS Nima into the corner! Tag to Hank, Hank headlocks, and the fans rally. Nima fires body shots, powers up and out, but Tank tags in. Hank slaps the belly and Tank headlocks Nima!

Nima powers up and out, he RUNS Tank over, then he tags Price. They get Tank up, whip him to ropes, and kitchen sink KNEE to the STOMP! Cover, TWO! Price snarls as he looms over Tank, then whips him to a corner. Price SPLASHES, scoops, and SLAMS! Price fires up, the fans are torn, and Price looms over Tank. But Tank UP KICKS! Tank runs up, but Price scoops! Tank slips free, shoves Price, then BOOTS him! Tag to Hank and they put Price in a corner. Hanks SPALSHES, Tank goes up, SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Price toughs it out but Hank wrenches and tags Tank. Tank goes up and slaps the belly to AX HANDLE the arm!

We go picture in picture to see someone pulling into the parking lot. And a lot of security is sent to make sure this individual is safe as they arrive. Could it be Ricky? Tank wrenches and YANKS Price’s arm again and again, then tags Hank. Hank HOTSHOTS Price, then Hank wrenches and YANKS the arm again. Hank wrenches, grinds the arm, and tags Tank. They double wrench, DOUBLE YANK, and then Tank whips Price into the corner. SPLASH, tag to Hank! Hank runs up, SPLASH again! Hank whips, but Price reverses! Judo throw and CHOP! Tag to Nima, and OTM double whips to DOUBLE ELBOW! Cover, TWO!

Nima stays on Hank while the fans duel. Nima bumps Hank off buckles, whips, but Hank reverses to send Nima into buckles! Tag to Tank, and Tank runs Nima side to side to buckle bump! And back the other way for Hank to UPPERCUT! Nima falls, Price runs up, but Hank ‘n’ Tank dodge to then come back and DOUBLE BACK BODY BLOCK! They double scoop, and DOUBLE SLAM! The fans fire up with Hank ‘n’ Tank as they have targets in the corners! They climb up, and they both rain down fists! But OTM stops them both at 5! SUPER COLLIDER!! OTM looking like AOP, and NXT goes to break!

NXT returns again and Tank DIVES onto Nima! The fans fire up again and Hank puts Price in the ring. Hank climbs up, up, but Price ROCKS him first! Price climbs up after Hank, and he SUPERPLEXES! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hank and Price crawl, the fans rally up, and hot tags to Nima and Tank! Tank fires haymakers with Nima, heavier and heavier, then Tank gets the flurry! Tank runs, Nima CLOBBERS him at the ropes! Nima runs but he senses Tank! Tank ducks the lariat, then the other! Then he ELBOWS Nima at the ropes! Tank runs, but Nima swings! Tank blocks, KNEES Nima, but Nima says he eats that for breakfast!

Nima ELBOWS Tank, but Tank says he eats that for lunch! Cartwheel and LARIAT! Cover, TWO, but into a TOP WRISTLOCK STRETCH! Hank blocks Price, but Price URENAGES Hank onto Tank! The fans fire up, Price drags Nima to safety so he can tag in. OTM then hoists Tank up, DOUBLE BACKBREAKER! Cover, HANK BREAKS IT! Nima TOSSES Hank, tells Price to get going, and tags back in. OTM double pump handle, then torture rack! DOUBLE RACK DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Tank survives and the fans fire up again! Nima TOSSES Tank, tags Price, and Price goes right after Tank! They get Tank up, and aim for the desk!

The fans freak out for the DOUBLE- NO, Tank kicks free! tank BOOTS Price, BOOTS Nima, and aims to then CANNONBALL! Down goes OTM! Tank hurries to get Price in the ring and he climbs up the corner! Tank aims, and SWANOTN BOMBS!! Tank roars, the fans fire up, tag to Hank! The jerseys come off, it’s time to HONK HONK! BIG BELLY SANDWICH!! Then The- NO, Nima LAIRATS Tank! Price SUPERKICKS Hank! Price tags Nima, TOM tries again! But Tank dodges Price to then POUNCE him into Nima! This disrupts the suplex and Hank cradles through!! HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!!

Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall

Price & Nima are furious, but think of that as a tackle at the goal line! Hank ‘n’ Tank score another win, will they be cruising down the highway to the tag titles?

Ricky Saints IS here!

He is the man in the SUV, and he walks to the arena with that security. But will any of them be able to stop Je’Von Evans from having his revenge before the night is over?

Ava talks with Jasper Troy in her office.

She apologizes for not meeting sooner, she was busy with Ricky and Je’Von and a lot else. Jasper says he should’ve just destroyed both those guys when he had the chance. Ava says sure… But let’s put a pin in that for now. Because next week marks the start of a new WWE Speed Men’s Tournament. Robert Stone helped Ava put together a very diverse group of talent, and it’ll be an exciting tournament. Jasper says that is good news. But also, bad news for whoever wins. If they step into the ring with him, destruction is guaranteed. She says yes, understood. But just who gets their chance at the gold with the New Year?

Ricky Saints goes to the ring.

The fans boo The Absolute as he’s betrayed everything he’s been about. Ricky mockingly says he loves them, too. Ricky then gets the mic, and he says, “Well, first thing’s first… I’m not out here to apologize. The day that I stepped foot in this ring, I told everybody that I was going to bring in The Absolute Era. And it’s the reason why I actually came to NXT, because i wanted to prove to the world that I am exactly what I have been saying for years that I am: Ricky Saints is the guy who can carry any brand!” The fans boo harder as Ricky says he took the biggest gamble on himself, because he has no more options.

Ricky realized that to get forward, he needed to be obsessed with being number one. The fans tell Ricky to shut up but Ricky ignores them. Everyone was searching for the man who was going to beat Oba, and Ricky did it! But here’s what is confusing to Ricky: You fans enjoyed it for a minute; bu tyou really wanted someone else. You would’ve rather had JE’VON beat Oba Femi?! Which is why no one cared when the Young OG decided to jump the line and cash in on his title shot in front of Ricky way before Ricky got his rematch! So that is why Ricky had to check Je’Von and remind his narrow ass that he ain’t the man until Ricky says so!

The fans continue to boo as Ricky says his entire career has been played very safe, and he has been passed over and stepped on. But no more! He ain’t doing that! Ricky will get what he wants, when he wants! If that means Ricky’s gotta stab you in the back or in the front, then so be it! Ricky tried to be a big brother, he gave sound advice: Wait your turn! Your time is gonna come! But Ricky already waited for his, and you mean to tell him that Je’Von is better than Ricky Saints?! The fans shout, “YES!” but Ricky says NO! Hey, how many titles has Je’Von even won? EXACTLY!

Whenever Ricky allows Je’Von to step in the ring with him, Ricky will prove Je’Von is in a class way, way, WAY below him! Just like everybody else, Je’Von waits! No more popularity contest! You’ve got NXT superstars in the back chasing clout when you’ve got a real superstar right here! A REAL main-eventer! Ain’t nobody in this company more debonair, more suave, or smells better! He is The Absolute! He is not the wrong guy, he’s the right guy! Every time he arrives and comes out here, they say, “The Revolution is Televised,” and you’re living in it! Ain’t nobody gonna do what it takes to get to the top more than Ricky.

And ain’t nobody will go to the lengths that Ricky will to keep that spot! Can you say the same? Je’Von can’t. The fans chant, “Ricky! The Door! Ricky! The Door!” AND THEN JE’VON TACKLES RICKY! The fans fire up, but security rushes in! The fans chant “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Je’Von DECKS guard after guard, then CLOBBERS Ricky! The security pulls them apart, and then Ricky DECKS Je’Von! The fans boo, but Ricky drags Je’Von up to THROW him into steel steps! Ricky snarls, he clears off the desk, and the fans boo more. Ricky drags Je’Von up, fires hands, then reels him in!

The fans boo and Ricky mocks Je’Von with “SIX SEVEN~!” ROSHAMBEAUX through the table!! Ricky just showed he’s an absolute narcissist, but did he just ensure Je’Von can’t get ahead of him? Or did he only escalate things?

Ava meets with #ZaRuca.

The NXT General Manager congratulates Sol on her big Saturday Night’s Main Event win, but then Ethan storms in and asks, “What in the Hell is going on here?!” Reptiles stealing cars, Tony D jumping Ethan from behind, and didn’t Ethan tell Sol to stop hanging out with Zaria?! Sol stops Zaria from attacking, and Ethan rants about “Romeo & Juliet” thinking they can come after the AAA Mixed Tag Team titles AND the Moose on the loose! Alba Fyre barges in now, and says the Hot Mess has landed. Chelsea Green says she is so sorry, she would’ve been here sooner, but there is a MOOSE in the parking lot!

And then YOU, Ava! You are just as bad as Sir Nicholas the Prickless and Pea Brain Pearce! Is there no line they won’t cross? Sabotages, cream pies and sneak attacks, oh my! What was that one? Sol says she has no idea how Ava deals with all this. Neither does Ava. But hey, idea! Ava will hold Chelsea’s hands while saying this: All of the bad things happening to her are NOT Ava’s fault. Ethan & Chelsea laugh that off and ask about Moose. Ava says Ethan’s the Greatest North American Ever, can’t he handle a challenge? Ooh~! Chelsea says she and Ethan are DOUBLE champions, and double champions can do anything!

Then that’ll be put to the test over the next two weeks. Wait, two weeks? Ethan is going to defend this title twice in a row? No, not that title alone. Ethan VS Moose is in two weeks, but next week, Chelsea defends HER United States title against… Sol Ruca! Chelsea & Ethan panic and ask why, but Ava says it is cuz Sol beat Bayley at SNME. Ethan says this is not in their favor, time to leave. Will the Canadian Connection hit quite the speed bump in their power trip? Will Sol snatch herself some new gold for the holidays?

Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair VS Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid w/ Jacy Jayne!

The Evolve Women’s Champion has already been shocking the WWE Universe with her underdog wins, but never more so when she won the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline! She’s ready to go after THE NXT Women’s Championship at New Year’s Evil, but can she and #WrenQCC make it through Jacy’s pawns? Or will even the Ice Woman be under the Influence?

Jacy joins commentary, and she says while she’d rather sit next to Booker T, she’ll tolerate being stuck next to Vic Joseph’s “crusty little butt.” The teams sort out and Fatal Influence rushes WrenQCC! They knock Wren down and out of the ring, then they double whip Kendal. They DOUBLE FLAPJACK, then run to DOUBLE THROWBACK! They BLAST Wren, too, then Fallon covers, TWO! Kendal is tougher than that, but Fallon bumps Kendal off buckles. Tag to Lainey, Jacy enjoys seeing them mug Kendal. Lainey UPPERCUTS Kendal, wrenches her, but she swings on Wren! Wren avoid the shot, Kendal cradles Lainey, TWO!

Kendal goes to a corner, Lainey runs up, but Kendal ELBOWS her away! Then Kendal goes up, around, slides under, and runs up to redirect! Wren tags in before the trip, then CHANCERY DROPKICK COMBO! The fans fire up, Wren covers, TWO! Wren waistlocks, Lainey elbows free, but Kendal tags back in. Wren SOBATS, Kendal SUPERKICKS, then Wren DOUBLE CHOPS! Kendal GERMAN SUPLEXES with a bridging cover, TWO! Kendal holds on with a facelock, but Lainey fights up. The fans rally behind Kendal as she fisherman cradles, TWO! Kendal still holds on, Wren tags in, and Kendal snapmares for Wren to BASEMENT BULLDOG! Cover, TWO!

Wren keeps Lainey down with a facelock, then whips. Lainey BOOTS back, Fallon tags in, but Wren DECKS Fallon first! And she spins Lainey around, BUTTERFLY PLEX! Lainey flounders out, Wren pursues Lainey, but Fallon is the legal one! Jacy tells Wren to chill! Lainey swings, Wren dodges, but Fallon YEEHAW KICKS! Jacy says that’s what you get! Fatal Influence is in control while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Fallon CLUBS Wren down! The fans rally for Wren but Fallon whips her to the corner. Fallon blocks boots, puts Wren int he ropes, then tags Lainey. SLIDING GERMAN, and then Lainey STEP-IN STUNNERS! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Lainey ELBOWS Wren again and again, then taunts Kendal. Lainey winds up, but Wren avoids the elbow drop! The fans rally up while both women crawl, but Lainey drags Wren back! Wren BOOTS her away! Fallon tags in, she drags Wren back, but Wren BOOTS her away! Lainey tags in, both she and Fallon jump, but Wren jumps, too! Hot tag to Kendal!

The fans fire up as Kendal rallies on the Influence with LARIATS and ELBOWS! Then she OVERHEAD THROWS Lainey! The straps come down, the fans fire up, and Kendal runs to TRIP Lainey! And spin her to slingshot and DOUBLE STOMP! Then SUPERKICK for Fallon! Kendal runs up on Lainey, SHADES OF- NO, Lainey BUCKLE SHOTS Kendal! And SUPERKICKS Wren! Lainey runs, Fallon tags, BLOCKBUSTER! YEEHAW FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Kendal survives and the fans fire up! Fallon whips Kendal to the corner, Kendal BOOTS her, and DECKS Lainey! Fallon CLOBBERS Kendal!

Fallon back suplexes, but Kendal lands out! And SNAP POWERSLAMS! Cover, Lainey BREAKS it! Wren gets Lainey, BIG back suplex of her own! But Fallon SHINING WIZARDS! Jacy gets on the apron! Kendal DECKS her! And Wren SUPER CROSSBODIES Jacy & Lainey! Fallon O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kendal avoids the knee, wrenches, and ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! Fallon flails, Kendal STOMPS the grip apart! Fallon TAPS, Kendal & Wren win!

Winners: Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair, by submission

And with that, another great win for the Evolve Women’s Champion! Will nothing stop her from taking Jacy’s title along with an arm? Or will Jacy make sure to be extra toxic for New Year’s Evil?

Backstage interview with Thea Hail.

Jackie Redmond is with the NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion and congratulates her on the title win. Thea says she’s been happy crying for like the past twenty minutes, she doesn’t think she has any more tears to cry. She, Thea Hail, is THE NXT Women’s North American Champion! She’s been here since she was 18, in Chase U, with friends and without friends, and has finally won a title! She did it today! The plates say Blake but they’ll say Thea soon enough! Can you even believe this!? Jordynne Grace steps in and says congrats. It seems Thea figured this out faster than Jordynne did.

Thea says no, she just has to be positive! Just believe! Thea did it, and… Oh, Blake steps in, and she’s almost in tears as she demands to have her title back. Blake didn’t lose, she kicked out! She doesn’t know who hired that ref but he does not deserve to work here! That title is HERS! Jordynne says Thea’s been champ for like 30 minutes, can’t Blake ever let someone have their moment? Go lick your wounds somewhere else. Blake says this is the worst day of her life! She wants her rematch. Enjoy your new Muscle Muffin! Blake leaves, Thea hugs Jordynne, and Jordynne isn’t sure how to feel about that. But will The Glamour get her revenge one way or another?

Izzi Dame walks ‘n’ talks on the phone.

She walks into the locker room and asks Spears what he means when he can’t find Niko. Oh no, the Shawn Spears action figure is in Izzi’s locker! She has to call Spears back, she knows Tatum did it. Izzi hangs out, and Lola Vice says that The Culling thinks they’re done with Tatum, but… It ain’t looking good for her boys. One done, one to go. Okay, Izzi didn’t ask for her opinion. Take it easy. Lola kinda feels bad for Niko & Spears after what Izzi did to Tatum. Lola would watch her back if she was Izzi. Izzi says, “What I did to Tatum?” Uh, yeah, duh. Maybe take your own advice, Lola. Izzi storms off, and Lola sees Kelani walking in with her stuff.

Lola asks what Lani thinks she’s doing, and Lani says she’s back in the locker room where she belongs. Don’t think Lani forgot how Lola was in charge of kicking her out, either. Yeah, well, she did. So what? Lani says she’s seen what jealousy does to people, and it does not look good on Lola. Oh, jealous of what? Lani says she is the best crossover superstar in NXT. If she wasn’t here, then maybe Lola would finally win a title. Oh, Kelani. Gymnastics is nothing compared to MMA. And people like Kelani AND Izzi are gonna find out real quick. Is The Standout going to wish she stayed away from Vice City?

Shiloh Hill and Skylar Raye talk backstage.

The journey from LFG to here is insane! Beating Lexis King was exhilarating, even better than chasing racoons! Skylar says yeah, she told him! She was itching for her shot at the Women’s North American Championship, but not everything goes as planned. In step Arianna Grace & Stacks. Arianna complains that Moose ruined everything! The AAA Mixed Tag Team titles was right there! Stacks says yeah, they were this close! “And that TNA meathead ruined everything.” They thought they left the moose behind when Arianna left “The Great North.” Shiloh asks if they said there’s a moose in Florida. That would be super weird, they don’t live this far south.

But hey, happy December, right? Stacks asks if Shiloh is stupid. Doesn’t he have an appointment to get his fake tooth fixed? Skylar says don’t they have a couples therapy session to go to? How dare you little LFG’ers talk to NXT’s Power Couple like that! Uh, you two were being rude first. Secondly, don’t throw shade, these are the Season 2 LFG Champions here. Oh, so they won? Wow. Well, they’re all winners, so maybe next week, Shiloh & Skylar learn NXT is a different ball game than LFG! They’re down. But then in walk DarkState! Everybody moves aside, and Saquon says this is Dion’s world now! Cutler says Dion doesn’t waste opportunities!

Osiris says they all think this is chance, but this is by design! Dion says he’s got this. Will Dion win the Fatal 4 Way main event for his golden opportunity at New Year’s Evil?

NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Dion Lennox VS Leon Slater VS Joe Hendry VS Myles Borne!

Regardless of what Ricky did to ruin Je’Von’s title shot, the Iron Survivor already cashed in, and now Oba Femi awaits new competition! Will it be DarkState’s hot head, The Youngest In Charge, the Prestigious One, or the #BabyOrton that meets The Ruler in the New Year?

NXT returns and DarkState makes their entrance. They dap it up with Dion as they see him off, and the bell rings. The four watch each other, but then Dion BOOTS Myles! And he sends Leon into Hendry, then scoops Leon for the EMERALD FLOWSION! Cover, Myles breaks it! Myles and Dion trade shots, Myles gets the edge, but Dion knees low! And back suplexes! Myles lands out, ROCKS Dion, and has him in the corner for UPPERCUTS! Dion fires body shots, puts Myles in the corner, but Myles dodges the splash! Hendry kicks Myles, underhooks, but Myles wrenches to dragon sleeper! Dion runs up, Myles hits EYE OF THE HURRICANE while dodging!

Myles then hits Dion with the SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, Leon breaks it! The fans rally up, Leon BOOTS Myles, then he BOOTS Myles again! Myles goes to ropes, Leon runs up, but Myles blocks the kick! Myles ducks the enzigiri, but Leon slips under the waistlock! Leon shoves Myles to Hendry, Hendry fireman’s carries, but then Leon helps Myles escape. Hendry DOUBLE LARIATS them! The fans fire up and chant, “WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!” Hendry UPPERCUTS Leon, HEADBUTTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Hendry whips, Leon goes up and over, but Hendry CLOBBERS Leon! And then HIP TOSSES him!

The fans fire up with Hendry, and he watches Leon stagger. Hendry ducks a shot, wrenches and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Leon is tougher than that, but Hendry stays cool. The fans rally, “LET’S GO, JOE! LET’S GO, JOE!” Hendry fireman’s carries, but Dion drags him down! So Hendry rolls Dion up, TWO! Dion escapes, Leon runs up, but Dion blocks a kick! Dion and Hendry both duck the enzigiri, but only Hendry avoids the REWIND HEEL! Dion is down, Leon runs up, but Hendry kicks low! Hendry whips, Leon handsprings, BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up as Hendry bails out! Leon goes up, out, and CANNONBALLS!

Leon hurries back up, but Dion runs up! Leon jumps up to GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Then Leon climbs the corner and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dion is still in this but Leon stays focused. The fans rally up, Leon CHOPS, and he shakes out the hand. Then he CHOPS again! But Dion kicks low in return! Dion CLUBS Leon, UPPERCUTS him in the corner, then fires hands! Dion whips, Leon reverses, and he runs up to CHOP! The fans fire up and Leon says that’s a free throw. Leon whips but Dion blocks! Leon still tries but Dion holds the ropes, so Leon CHOPS Dion again! The fans fire up and Leon puts Dion in a corner.

Leon climbs up and rains down fists! The fans count, Leon makes it a beat, and winds up at nine to then TEN! Leon snapmares, goes up, and CROSSBODIES again! Cover, TWO! Dion survives another one but Leon stays focused. Leon puts Dion in a drop zone, goes up the corner, but Dion bails out! The fans boo, but Leon hops down and builds speed, to then PLAN- NO, Dion dodges! Leon hobbles from the landing, he shakes out the leg, and he hurries back in. Dion BOOTS Leon to a corner! Myles gets in while Dion rains down fists on Leon. Myles spins Dion around to fire hands, then a DROPKICK! Hendry is back, but Myles DECKS him!

Myles runs up on Dion, Dion fires shots and BOOTS him! Leon uses Hendry as a step to SEATED- NO, Myles catches Leon, and Dion is up top! DOOMSDAY POWERBOMB! But then Hendry has Dion for a spin and NECKBREAKER! BOOT on Myles, but Myles dodges the lariat to BACKSTABBER! All four men are down and the fans are fired up as NXT goes picture in picture!

Everyone writhes somewhere in the ring, but Dion stomps Myles down. Dion DECKS Hendry, stomps Myles, then drags him to a cover, TWO! Myles clings to ropes so Dion goes to Leon. Dion POSTS Leon, then spins him around for body shots and stomps! Dion snarls as he looks at Myles and Hendry. Dion drags Leon up, reels him in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, Myles breaks it! Dion is annoyed but he BOOTS Myles back down. Dion drags Leon up again, brings him around and whips to the corner. Leon boots, Dion blocks, but Leon ENZIGIRIS! Leon ashakes out the leg, but Dion CHOP BLOCKS it! Leon ELBOWS Dion down for it!

Leon CLUBS Dion, goes up the corner, but Dion CHOP BLCOKS again! Leon falls hard on the mat! Myles goes after Hendry, snap suplexes him, and Dion SLAMS Leon’s leg against post! Myles covers Hendry, TWO! Dion continues to beat up Lion’s legs, Myles UPPERCUTS Hendry, and then Myles slides out after Dion! Dion ROCKS Myles first, SMACKS him off the desk, but Hendry LARIATS Dion! Hendry SMACKS Dion off the apron again and again, then whips. Dion reverses and Hendry is sent into the steel steps! Dion hurries after Leon, but Leon kicks Dion away! Roll and HALF CRAB! But Myles gets in to put Dion in a CROSSFACE!

Hendry gets Dion in a CROSSFACE!! Dion is in a TRIPLE SUBMISSION! But knowing they can’t afford a tie, they all let Dion go! Dion bails out, and Myles DOUBLE LARIATS with Hendry! NXT returns to single picture while all four men are down! The fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” for making this match happen! Leon hobbles, but he manages to LEG LARIAT Myles! Leon hurries to drag Myles to a drop zone, then he goes up top! The fans rally for Leon as he climbs, but Dion YANKS Leon down! The Youngest In Charge is in trouble as Dion ROCKS him! Dion hops up, brings Leon onto his shoulder, but Myles BODY BLOWS Dion!

Myles positions Dion just right, then he climbs up to join them! Hendry does, too! The fans fire up and are already losing their minds! Leon fires shots of his own, and he goes to the post! Leon manages a SUPER SUNSET FLIP for the TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans are thunderous, Leon covers Hendry, TWO! A cover on Myles, TWO! Leon hurries to cover Dion, TWO!! Leon is beside himself as all three opponents survive! But the fans know “This is Awesome!” Leon BOOTS Dion, DECKS Myles, then winds up to KICK Hendry! And he KICKS Dion! And he KICKS Myles! Leon fights through the pain to KICK, KICK, and KICK!

Leon BOOTS Dion down again, but Myles ROCKS and UPPERCUTS Leon! BIG back suplex! Dion SHOVES Myles, then SPINEBUSTERS on the return! Hendry waistlocks Dion! HIGH ANGLE GERMAN!! But Leon runs up! Hendry ducks the leg lariat, guzels, but Leon slips free! And UTOPIA SLAM! Leon hobbles to the corner, but Dion YANKS him off the apron! Dion fires hands, then whips Leon. Leon uses the apron to TIGER FEINT KICK! Leon puts Dion in, goes up a corner, but Dion rolls away! The fans boo, but Leon says bet! SWANTON BOMB!! Dion sputters and Leon goes to the other corner now!

Leon climbs again, but Myles DROPKICKS him down! Myles reels Hendry in, but Hendry fights the suplex! Hendry suplexes Myles up and over! The fans fire up again, “WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!” Hendry waits on someone, anyone! He fires hands on Myles, whips him to ropes, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! And scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Kip up and… Dion runs up! Hendry scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Kip up and… Myles staggers i n to the ANGLE SLAM! Hendry LARIATS Dion up and out! Then guzel on Myles! STANDING OVATION!! But Leon springboards in! HENDRY CATCHES HIM!?

Hendry pops Leon up, military press, and he THROWS Leon out onto Dion! Fireman’s carry for Myles, and WIDOWMAKER! Cover, DION YANKS HENDRY OUT! Dion and Hendry brawl, this is like Deadline and the Six Man Tag before! Leon goes up top again!! SWANTON 450!! Cover, LEON WINS!!!

Winner: Leon Slater, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)

The X-Division Champion was certainly the variable in this match, and he defied the odds to come out on top! But wait! Here comes The Ruler! The fans cheer as Oba Femi makes his way to the ring to stare down his new challenger. But will Leon just be the newest name on the list of men Oba has conquered? And wait! From the rafters! Tony D’Angelo IS here, and he’s watching this all unfold! Je’Von, Oba, Ethan, who is Tony D truly targeting? Or is it D: all of the above?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT, even with the botch that affected the title match. In Blake Monroe’s defense, Thea Hail’s trust fall senton did hit pretty solid, Blake probably couldn’t breathe after it. But the ref still did the count like nothing was wrong, hence the accidental win for Thea. But WWE has proven they know how to improvise and pivot, and I think they gave us that with the promo from Thea, Jordynne and Blake. They can easily do a rematch for New Year’s Evil, and maybe even escalate by putting Jordynne in the match as a Triple Threat to protect all three while perhaps putting the title back on Blake to correct course.

Very good tag match from Hank ‘n’ Tank VS OTM, but I’m a bit surprised OTM lost. At the same time, Hank ‘n’ Tank are coming back hot from NOAH, the fans still really love them, and DarkState being Heel tag champions, you gotta put Faces up against them. Decent promo from Ava with Jasper Troy to help set up the next Men’s Speed tournament, can’t wait to see who is in it and who wins it. Kinda hoping this “diversity” they mentioned means we get some TNA and AAA wrestlers in there to spice things up. And even then, I would think Jasper retains the title as it would be his first defense.

Very good tag match from Kendal & Wren VS Fallon & Lainey, very good win for Kendal & Wren, and while it’s too early to call go-home math, I think Jacy still finds a way to win. Kendal’s the Evolve Women’s Champion, and despite seeing double champions all year, I don’t think Kendal joins that club so quickly. Unless she were to lose the Evolve Women’s title before New Year’s Evil, she’s not winning the NXT title. Very good stuff with Ethan Page and all these moving parts. I could just sense Moose going for Ethan, not Stacks, and then Ethan & Chelsea of course step in it to give Sol a title match. But even so, feels like there will be hijinks to mess Sol over.

Really good stuff with Je’Von and Ricky, even with Ricky doing the typical Heel move of “If I can’t be champion, this guy sure can’t!” I knew that was the case since last week, but I think Ricky also added some of his AEW gripes to this where he got “fumbled” over there, too. Great brawl, though, and great table spot. I’m still sensing a bit of a “Loser Leaves NXT” story with how Je’Von has been on Raw and SmackDown quite a bit already. Je’Von losing and being “banished” to main roster would certainly get more heat on Heel Ricky, that could be some good stuff.

Good promo from Shiloh & Skylar with Stacks & Arianna to follow up, that’s a mixed tag waiting right there. Very good stuff from The Culling story, Tatum has already struck off camera like a horror movie villain, yet she’s technically the hero because of how she’s getting revenge on her bullies. Or maybe this is a Carrie situation where no one is the hero, it’s just grudges and violence. Which might just be the blowoff match where Tatum and Izzi go No Disqualification and really push things. I would think Tatum gets her win there, and maybe moves back to a title scene for it.

And good way of plugging the ongoing Lani story, but the bad attitude thing from Lani had it’s time, and now it’s just back to being bad. Maybe there needs to be a “Loser Leaves NXT” move here, too, which results in a call-up for Lani to go to SmackDown (so she can be with boyfriend, Carmelo Hayes) and Lola… I dunno, finally DOES win a title? That’d be nice. Izzi VS Lola will be good, Lani probably gets involved, and then we’ll get Lola VS Lani after. Awesome Fatal 4 Way main event, and I did NOT see Leon winning that. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised, he’ll have an awesome match with Oba. But again, Tony D watching like he’s bootleg Sting, he’s gotta be aiming for THE NXT Championship first in an attempt to complete that Grand Slam.

My Score: 8.8/10