Who steps up for a golden opportunity?

Blake Monroe wants to prove she is a fighting champion, so she’s holding her first-ever Open Challenge! Who goes after her for NXT Women’s North American Champion?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kelani Jordan VS Jordynne Grace; Kelani wins.
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Open Challenge: Blake Monroe VS ???; No Contest.
• Shiloh Hill VS Lexis King; Shiloh wins.
• Sol Ruca VS Wren Sinclair w/ Kendal Grey; Sol wins.
• NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Je’Von Evans; Oba wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Oba Femi is here!

The fans fire up as The Ruler returns the NEW, TWO-TIME NXT Champion! Oba struts to the ring, struts in the ring, then grabs a mic. The fans cheer him on, and Oba says, “Power… True power. It doesn’t bend. It doesn’t break. It doesn’t beg. It stands still and it watches the world revolve around it. THIS is true power! Two-time NXT Champion. THIS is true power! And fair play to Ricky Saints. The stars aligned for him and he did exactly what he said he was going to do at No Mercy. He momentarily knocked The Ruler off his throne. But let’s be real! NXT was not the same without The Ruler on top!” The fans cheer that!

Oba says the universe did what it does best: it corrected itself. And at Deadline, The Ruler rose from the ashes and reclaimed his title! The fans cheer, and Oba says this title belongs here, to him! It is on his shoulder because this is the way it is supposed to be! So now, Oba is done with Ricky Saints. Saturday Night’s Main Event, Oba will stand across the ring from Cody Rhodes! “And he will look me in my eyes. And he will not see ‘potential,’ he will not see the future, he will see the NOW! He will see the inevitable! The Ruler! The Destroyer! The Bringer of War! In all my glory! OBA FEMI!” The fans cheer that, too!

Oba says now to talk about the end of Deadline- Wait! Ricky Saints interrupts! Ricky has a mic, and he tells Oba, “Let me be the first to congratulate you. Prophecy fulfilled. My bag is lighter because of you, because you did exactly what you said what you were gonna do. And that’s the reason why I shook your hand, because I am man enough to admit that Oba Femi was the better man after Deadline.” The fans applaud that. And Ricky says on the drive home that night, he got to thinking: What is next for Absolute Ricky? The Absolute Era came and went, and he sees Oba with the title, and it really does make Ricky feel like that was all. There ain’t ever gonna be another chance.

but then, Ricky remembered who the hell he is! HE IS Absolute Ricky Saints! And if you think he’s gonna bow down and just fade to the back, you got another thing coming. Ricky will step right back up, putting all bets right on his heart, and coming after what is his. Oba talks about the universe correcting itself? Nah, Ricky is steering back on course, undoing all mistakes, and let the record show it is 1-1! So by those standards, Ricky gave Oba his shot, so now he’s demanding his! But now Je’Von Evans joins in! The Young OG says hold on hold on hold on. YURT~! He ain’t gonna lie, he didn’t meant to interrupt…

But Je’Von has been watching Deadline over and over and over and over, and over, again. But like, the Young OG survived the Iron Survivor Challenge. The fans cheer that! And because of that… That means Je’Von just earned his NXT Championship opportunity at New Year’s Evil~! The fans cheer that, too! But then… Then that made Je’Von wonder. Why wait until January for the match? Je’Von is on fire. He’s locked in. He’s ready right now! And ain’t nobody gonna dictate his moment. So if Oba’s picking up with Je’Von’s putting down, how about they have that match tonight? The fans really like the sound of that!

Ricky says whoa, whoa, Je’Von, hold on! What’s the rush? No, for real. Je’Von is on fire, banger after banger, what is the rush? If Ricky gets his rematch, then it is Ricky VS Je’Von, and that’s a way better play than this! And Je’Von has been there for Ricky every step of the way. It is totally Je’Von’s call, sure, but is this really- Je’Von stops Ricky because yeah, all these question. “Are you sure, Je’Von? Let’s not rush it, Je’Von. Je’Von, you’re the future.” Is he or not? No, Je’Von is the right now! Je’Von doesn’t need stars to align, he’ll line up for himself. So how to say this? Not to be cocky or nothing, but no one is touching him at the age of 21!

Je’Von been going crazy! AAA! NXT! Raw! SmackDown! You want more? Hell, NXT LIVE! Ain’t nobody touching Je’Von, this IS the play. Plus, Je’Von’s got beef with Oba. If there is anyone Je’Von puts money on tonight, it’s The Young OG. Ricky says okay, okay, he’s with it now! It IS Je’Von’s time! Go get yours! Oba says so these beltless, title-less, championship-less guys wanna run their mouths? Ricky says pump the brakes, big man. But isn’t Oba DA RULA? Isn’t Je’Von the Iron Survivor? Je’Von says nah, this looks like Oba’s scared as hell. Oba knows for a fact the Young OG’s got his number.

Oba says he has never been afraid of Je’Von. In fact, every single time they’ve locked up, Je’Von’s never beaten him, Oba’s always beaten Je’Von. So it will be no different tonight. Y’know what? GAME ON! The fans fire up for that! Oba wants it, Je’Von wants it, the fans all want it, but will we all get it? Will Christmas come early when Je’Von gets his title match with Oba Femi?

Tatum Paxley speaks.

“Izzi… You said you were gonna end this hopeless and pathetic version of myself that just refuses to evolve. And you know what? You did. She’s all gone now. And I have nothing left to lose. But you do…” Tatum shows off her Shawn Spears & Niko Vance action figures! “You stabbed me in my back, separated my heart from my mind, all because I didn’t wanna play your way. Well now, we are gonna play my game! One by one, two will go, and then it’s just gonna be you and me, Izzi. Alone, together.” Tatum has a twisted smile, will Izzi regret everything she ever did?

Kelani Jordan VS Jordynne Grace!

The Standout won the Knockouts Championship, got rejected by most of the NXT Women’s Division, but then lashed out at the one who stood by her. And now that bad attitude is coming back to haunt her as The Juggernaut is ready to bulldoze right through her! Will someone learn how to lose with Grace? Or will no one do it like Lani?

Grace makes her entrance, and Lani rushes her! The fans fire up as the brawl is on at the ramp! Grace LARIATS Lani down, then drags her up and into the ring. Lani runs up, Grace RAMS her, then jumps in! The bell rings as Lani dodges, but Grace hits a THESZ PRESS! Grace rains down fists, and the fans fire up as Grace roars. Grace scoops and SLAMS Lani! Then scoops and SLAMS again! And then another scoop, but Lani slips free! Lani shoves Grace, dodges her, but Grace scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Lani survives but Grace brings her up. Grace SLAPS Lani, Lani SLAPS back, and then they fire fists!

Grace reels Lani in, Canadian Rack, but Lani slips free. Lani BOOTS Grace from the corner, then storms up to whip, but Grace reverses! Lani hits buckles hard, and Grace runs back in! DOUBLE KNEES to the back! Lani sits down, Grace ELBOWS her down! The fans fire up and Grace runs corner to corner. Grace goes up, up, GRACE UNDER PRESSURE FLOPS! Lani runs and DROPKICKS the legs! Lani stomps away on the leg, then drops KNEES on the knee! The fans rally for Grace but Lani drags her around. ELBOW DROP on the knee! ELBOW DROP on the knee! And another ELBOW DROP on the knee!

The fans rally and Lani stalks Grace. Grace kicks Lani away, skins the cat, but Lani avoids the shoulder tackle! Lani KICKS Grace, reels her in, but Grace backdrops free! Lani lands on the apron, and they start throwing forearms and CHPOS! The fans rally, Grace reels Lani back in! Lani holds ropes to stop the suplex! Lani fires elbows, then a BOOT! Grace wobbles, Lani clinches, but now Grace holds ropes! Grace fires headbutts! Grace Alabama Lifts, but Lani clicks her heels! Lani sunset flips, but Grace jumps! Lani YANKS her down, knee hitting the apron! The fans boo while Lani talks trash, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Lani SMACKS Grace off the mat! Then she SMASHES Grace’s knee into the mat! Lani stalks Grace to a corner, and wraps the leg around ropes! The ref counts, Lani stops to ROCK Grace, but then she drops KNEES on the knee! The fans duel, Lani drags Grace up, and SMACKS her off the mat again! Lani has the leg, stomps it, then YANKS it! Lani circles, drags Grace around, but Grace UP KICKS! Grace goes to a corner, Lani runs up, but Grace puts her on the apron! Lani drops before Grace throws hands, and Lani YANKS Grace into the post! Lani SLAMS Grace’s leg against the post, ties the legs up, but Grace fights the leglock!

The ref counts, Lani lets go at 4, but then she ties the leglock again! Lani stops, goes in and covers, TWO! Lani is annoyed but she drags Grace up. Grace fires body shots, the fans rally, and Grace reels Lani in. But Lani turns that into a dragon sleeper! Grace powers up to facelock, Lani turns things around again, but Grace powers it back to a suplex! Both women are down, the fans fire up, and Grace pounds the mat. Grace reels Lani back in, but Lani wrenches the arm to KICK out the leg! Lani drags Grace up, scoops her again, and puts her in the Tree of Woe! Lani stomps away on the bad leg!

The ref counts, Lani stops, and Lani goes up the corner. The fans boo but Lani stands on Grace’s leg! Grace sits up to THROW Lani away! The fans fire up while Grace is free of the Tree! Grace crawls, drags Lani up, and the fans rally. Lani fires forearms but so does Grace! Grace shoves Lani to a corner, rolls her up, TWO! Into the STRETCH MUFFLER! Lani endures, fights up, but Grace turns her for a MUFFLER PLEX! Lani flounders out of the ring, Grace pursues, and Grace hooks Lani up in a Reverse Gory Especial! But Lani flips free, and she CHOP BLOCKS the leg out! The fans boo but Lani drags Grace up and SMACKS her off steps!

Lani goes looking under the ring, and she brings out a chair! The ref reprimands, but Lani takes a swing! Grace avoids the shot and the chair hits steel steps! Lani is disarmed, Grace puts her in the ring, and she SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Grace is frustrated, but she ties Lani’s legs up in a BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! But Lani endures, turns things over, and the legs are hooked up! They fight for control in this wild surfboard duel! They both power up, and bridge upside-down! They start slapping each other and the fans fire up! The two break free, hobble, and Lani runs up, but into a BOOT! Grace dodges Lani, RAMS her into the buckle again and again!

The fans cheer “Women’s Wrestling!” as Grace hits the backslide. Lani rolls through, but Grace LARIATS! And short arm LARIATS again! Lani ducks the third, but Grace wrenches. Lani BOOTS the punch, ducks another, but Grace ducks the kick! Grace waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, and CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, TWO! Lani survives and Grace is beside herself! The fans duel, Lani TOSSES Grace, but Grace trips Lani! Grace reels Lani into a gut wrench, but Lani turns it around! Grace turns it back around! Lani slips free, goes for the steps, but Grace blocks! Grace SMACKS Lani off the steel! GRACE UNDER PRESSURE on the floor!

The fans agree, “This is Awesome!” Grace puts Lani in the ring, but she grabs the chair! The ref reprimands again, and he takes the chair away this time! Lani BOOTS Grace off the steps, and Grace crashes through barriers!! Lani puts Grace in the ring, goes up, 450 SPLASH!! Cover, Lani wins!

Winner: Kelani Jordan, by pinfall

Grace let her anger get the better of her, and then Lani got the better of her, too! Will Lani and her bad attitude get back to gold soon enough? Will Grace ever figure out what she has to do to be on top in NXT?

The entire Women’s Division warms up.

Stars from NXT and Evolve are all getting ready, because they all know about Blake Monroe’s Open Challenge. But Jordynne returns backstage and says she’s sick and tired of this. Everything was perfect when she first showed up, and now she can’t even beat rookies?! She can’t even beat Kelani Jordan?! But Thea Hail steps in and says Grace shouldn’t be so hard on herself. Take it from someone whose emotions are constantly all over the place, this is not the time to be doubting yourself but to believe in yourself even more! Grace has everything it takes to be where she wants to be, and do you know why?

Because she is JORDYNNE GRACE! Do NOT doubt yourself! Wow, is Grace really getting life advice from a 16 year old? Thea’s 22… But she’s been here since she was 18, so some might say she’s pretty grizzled. Oh, everyone else already left. Thea apologizes but she’s gotta get going, too. Hopefully she’ll talk with Grace again after becoming champion! Thea runs after the others, but who will make it to the ring first?

NXT Women’s North American Championship Open Challenge: Blake Monroe VS ???

As intense as Ilja Dragunov. As beloved as Sami Zayn. As talented and admired as John Cena! This is how The Glamour sees herself, but we might all know better. Even so, she wants to prove she can be as much the fighting champion as they are, hence this opportunity. We saw the locker room all abuzz, but who will share the spotlight with Blake Monroe?

Blake takes the mic to say, “As your NXT Women’s North American Champion, I know how much the women in that locker room idolize me. And how they look up to me as something of a role model. And with the holidays coming up, I’m finding myself in a giving mood, wanting to bless those less fortunate, give back. After all, who doesn’t want a little bit of Glamour in their lives? So being the ferocious competitor that I am, I have decided to host an Open Challenge! And of course, Ava agreed, so without further ado, let’s see which lucky lady gets the opportunity of a lifetime.” The entire locker room rushes out!

Blake panics a bit, saying one at a time, she only has two hands. She can’t possibly face them all! There’s only so much room in this ring! Blake shouts for Ava to sort this out, but THEA HAIL jumps in from the other side! KIMURA!! Blake TAPS!! Thea thinks she won, but the bell didn’t ring! Blake scrambles out of the ring, only to be surrounded by the rest! Blake tells them all to back off! It seems we’ll have to try this another night. But did the Grown-Ass Woman just prove she can overcome The Woman From Hell?

Backstage interview with Shiloh Hill.

Kelly Kincaid is with the newest LFG talent signed to NXT, and says we’ve certainly learned a lot of… interesting facts about him over the past few weeks. Now he is moments away from his NXT debut! Shiloh says yes, he’s very nervous. But y’know what they say about nervousness, right? It’s just the body activating the hyperthymic pituitary adrenal access from the nervous system. He’s good! All this pent up energy gets to be unleashed, and he can be all smashmouth on Lexis King! Time to show the world why no one sleeps on Shiloh Hill. Oh, almost forgot his lucky tooth! Shiloh puts his smile on, literally, will he make waves in his NXT debut?

Shiloh Hill VS Lexis King!

NXT returns as Shiloh makes his entrance to the ring. But then Lexis runs up on him! Shiloh TOSSES Lexis, then goes out after him! Shiloh fires hands on Lexis, SMACKS him off the apron, then off the desk! Shiloh puts Lexis in, the bell finally rings, and Shiloh RAMS Lexis into a corner! Then he reels Lexis in so he can RAM him into the other corner! Shiloh TOSSES Lexis across the ring, then runs to SLIDING SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up, but Lexis YANKS Shiloh into buckles! Lexis runs to DROPKICK, then he covers, TWO! The fans boo Lexis but he KNEES Shiloh in the side! “Welcome to the big leagues, kid!”

Lexis CHOPS Shiloh, CLUBS him, then pie faces him! Lexis CHOPS again, then whips! Lexis kitchen sink KNEES Shiloh, then KICKS! And basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans boo Lexis but he stalks Shiloh to ump off buckles. The fans rally for Shiloh but Lexis digs his boots in! The ref counts, Lexis stops at 4, and he runs corner to corner, only to fake the dropkick and SLAP Shiloh! Lexis struts, but Shiloh is getting mad. Lexis runs, but Shiloh gets up, DOUBLE LARIATS knock both men down! The fans fire up for Shiloh as he rises. Shiloh takes the tooth out! Time to go smashmouth! He ROCKS Lexis, fires body shots and haymakers, then runs to CLOBBER Lexis!

Shiloh LARIATS, then wrenches to reel Lexis in! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Lexis survives but the fans chant “TOOTHLESS WRESTLING!” Lexis UP KICKS Shiloh, then runs up to SUPERKICK! Shiloh staggers, but he just fires up for it! Lexis is freaking out a bit, but he runs up, into a BACKDROP! Then a BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Cover, Shiloh wins!

Winner: Shiloh Hill, by pinfall

“The Whisper to the Beast” just slayed the Drama King! Will Shiloh and his “toothless aggression” take over NXT soon enough?

Backstage interview with Oba Femi.

Kelly Kincaid is with The Ruler to bring up that anything can happen on NXT. Tonight, Oba thought he was going to celebrate being NXT Champion again, and look forward to Saturday Night’s Main Event against Cody Rhodes. But now, he is defending the title against Iron Survivor, Je’Von Evans. Oba says when you are champion, you learn to expect the unexpected. Because when surprises run into dominance, the end result is typically predictable. It always ends with gold hoisted above Oba’s head. Oba hopes Cody Rhodes is watching tonight, because Cody knows what Je’Von is all about. But he has no idea what The Ruler is capable of.

Oba will step up to Cody in his own territory as Face of the Company, Quarterback Number One, the man who carries WEW. But Cody, who is going to carry you when Oba puts you through the ground? That is what awaits Cody, that is what awaits Je’Von Evans! Oba will break the Iron Survivor! And then on Saturday, Oba will break the American Nightmare! Now, he must prepare. Oba leaves to prepare for yet another title fight, but will it all go as he expects? Or will the inevitable be shocked by the unexpected?

Ethan Page is here!

The fans are torn as All Ego carries both his NXT North American & AAA Mixed Tag Team Championships to the ring. Ethan gets a mic and tries to talk over the song of “A-HOLE~!” Ethan says, “Superstars, legends, reptiles, insiders, outsiders, it truly doesn’t matter when it comes to my North American Championship. Folks, I came to NXT to drink from the Fountain of Youth and soak up as much knowledge as humanly possible. But it turns out, I was the only guy willing to ask the questions that nobody else had the balls to ask. No, it’s true. While athletes asked how to perform the best dropkick, I asked, ‘How do I break that guy’s jaw?’

“And when no one was willing to answer, I did it their way anyways. Old school, trial and error, using whatever warm body this company wants to call a professional wrestler! So now, these said wrestlers seem to be a bit preoccupied with their TikToks, with their social media, trying to aim for that finger point photo with their childhood favorite. Bit these were the same man I was asking these questions to, so that these athletes could stay in the back and stare at ME out here with THESE!” Ethan holds up the belts and the fans boo. Ethan says now collectively, they’ll all have to watch. They’ll watch John Cena have his last match in a few days…

And after that, we get to watch John Cena walk away for good. What Ethan learned, though, is that a week after Cena is gone, he will become a distant memory, leaving behind a giant void to be filled. “A void to be filled by a man with a giant ego! The same man who won the NXT Championship in record time! Now, when I couldn’t find my path back to that championship, well, that’s when I won this, turning the North American Championship into the most sought after, prestigious prize in ALL of NXT! By the way, that’s not just a cliche or a catchphrase, it’s true. Just check my resumé.

“Every locker room, brand, company, amalgamation of letters, has sent their very best to try and take this championship away from me, and they couldn’t. Now a man with that many accomplishments truly deserves a break. No break for All Ego, I decided to keep conquering, and I did. I went on while defending this championship to win the AAA Mixed Tag Team titles! Making me one-of-one, unlike anyone else in this entire company!” The fans are again torn, but Ethan says there are three days most important to everyone: The day they’re brought into this world, the day they leave this world, and the day they realize ETHAN PAGE IS THE BIGGEST STAR THE WWE HAS!

And going forward, under Ethan’s supervision, NXT will be perfectly- Oh, wait, the lights go out! And walking on that bridge… TONY D appears from the crowd side! Ethan knows it a moment too late, and he turns around into the SPINEBUSTER! Tony sprinkles the black rose petals, but who will the former Don of NXT hit next?

DarkState talks backstage.

The others talk about Dion’s great highlights from Deadline, but Dion says he has to take care of something real quick. They head on without him, and Dion sees Ava talking with the other Iron Survivor Challenge competitors that lost out. He asks what this is about, and Ava says now that they’re all here, we all know now that Oba VS Je’Von for the title is happening tonight. That means there still needs to be a New Year’s Evil challenger. Myles says if she needs a challenge, say no more. He’s right here. Dion says hell nah, no one is jumping him in line. Hendry says just say his name, but Ava has them all calm down. She’s already put thought into this.

Since they were all tied during Iron Survivor, there is going to be a traditional Fatal 4 Way, first fall to a finish. The winner then moves on to New Year’s Evil to face the NXT Champion, whoever that is after tonight. They all agree to that, but then Ethan storms into the office in a rage! What the absolute HELL is going on with Tony D?! How is Ava supposed to know? No one’s seen him in months! Oh, amazing GM skills. Is she on goofball pills? A reptile steals Ethan’s car, nothing happens. A guy who’s been on vacation for six months is back, and who does he attack? Ethan! Who gets the short end of the stick? Why is it always him, Ava?!

Myles says look out, Tony’s right there! Gottee! Oh, real funny! Deaf guy’s gut jokes. Ethan storms off in a rage, will he and Tony just have to settle this in the ring? And who will be the NEW #1 contender headed to New Year’s Evil?

Sol Ruca VS Wren Sinclair w/ Kendal Grey!

Speaking of Iron Survivor, the Soul Surfer got taken out at the knees quite literally, but now she has to shake that off and be ready for the Role Model, Bayley, at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Will Sol recover from that wipeout by taking her frustrations out on #WrenQCC? Or will Wren prove there’s no use in making excuses?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Sol powers Wren to a corner, and the fans duel. Wren waistlocks, spins Sol, but Sol shoves Wren away. Wren rushes back in, Sol avoids the leg pick, and then Sol jumps the next. Sol waistlocks, Wren trips Sol and turns her over using the leg! CALF KILLER! Sol reaches back to headlock, the fans duel as they sing, “SOL~ OH OH OH, SOL~!” “WREN!” and Wren fights up. Wren powers up and out, drops down, but sol redirects! Wren ducks the kick, rolls Sol up, TWO! Wren goes for a leg, Sol steps over, but Wren shoves her away. Sol comes back to wrench and FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Wren stays in this, but wait! Zaria is in the crowd! Sol sheepishly waves hi, but Wren rolls her up! TWO, Wren ghost pins, TWO! Sol Oklahoma Rolls Wren, TWO! Wren slips around, waistlocks, then headlocks, but Sol powers up and out. Wren grabs ropes, then spins to SOBAT and LEG SWEEP! Then BASEMENT BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Wren SMASHES Sol’s leg, then ties the leg up for a TWIST! And a TWEAK! Sol endures, fires elbows, but Wren stomps the leg and CLUBS the other! Sol fires elbows, Wren fires some in return, and Wren stands to- NO, Sol stands out of the knee smash and ROUNDHOUSES Wren!

Sol then ELBOWS Wren down! And ELBOWS her again! The fans rally and duel, Sol whips but Wren reverses. Sol goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Then she mule kicks, CLUBS and SUPER- NO, Wren blocks and spins Sol! CHOP! And CHOP! And DOUBLE CHOP! Sol stagers around, Wren underhooks, BUTTERFLY PLEX! The fans rally with Wren, she runs up, but Sol goes up and over! Sol hits a SURFBOARD BACKSTABBER! Then the SOL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol wins!

Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall

Zaria somewhat applauds her friend’s victory, though it is hard to say if they’re still that friendly. Zaria almost goes to ringside, but then decides to just go backstage. Sol hurries after Zaria, can she fix the fractured relationship? Will Sol ride her wave of momentum all the way to DC when she faces Bayley?

Oh wait, Fatal Influence is here…! What do Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid have planned? We’ll see, after the break.

NXT returns and…

Fatal Influence now stands in the ring with Kendal & Wren, mics in hand. The Toxic Rockstar says, “Look at you, Kendal! You’re living the Cinderella story, aren’t you? Going from relatively unknown to being the Iron Survivor? I mean, that’s quite the accomplishment, and you should be extremely proud of yourself.” The fans cheer, and Jacy says to take a piece of advice from the locker room leader, this feeling that you have, this moment, this is as good as it’s gonna get. Think about it: Kendal has all of the people hyping her up and supporting her. The fans do cheer that, and Jacy says the Kendal stock has never been higher.

Kendal isn’t the future, she’s the now! Truly, Kendal is living the dream. This is exactly why people say they wanna do this: So they can feel that love and support Kendal is getting right now. The fans cheer again, and Jacy says she hates to be the one to say it… But Kendal’s reality is gonna smack her in the face come New Year’s Evil! Kendal’s 15 minutes of fame will be up the moment she loses, and she WILL lose. This crash, this downward spiral that Jacy sends Kendal on, will be catastrophic. And these people will do what they always do, and move on to the next new favorite, the next new flavor of the month.

Where does that leave Kendal? Where? See, no one else is gonna tell you the truth, but Jacy has no problem being the bad guy. Potential doesn’t win championships! Kendal may have her Evolve Women’s Championship, but holding THE NXT Women’s Championship, the prestigious title, is a whole different level. And Kendal may have spent all year trying to make a name for herself, but Jacy OWNED 2025! This was the Year of Jacy Freakin’ Jayne! She went from being “underappreciated” and “overlooked” to being the most dominant woman in the deepest division in wrestling history!

And speaking of history, she’s also a history maker! The first woman to ever hold the TNA Knockouts World Championship AND The NXT Women’s Championship at the same time! She is a TWO-TIME NXT Women’s Champion! See, everybody realized this year what Jacy’s known all along: That Jacy IS a Rockstar in the ring! She IS the foundation, the glue that holds NXT together! In what world does Kendal think Jacy is gonna let some flash in pan, bootleg Kurt Angle with a ponytail steal her spotlight?! Wren is heated, but Jacy tells Kendal, “rookie,” you don’t stand a chance in Hell at beating me. LOSER!

Kendal says wow, that was a lot. Can she talk now? She’ll talk now. Jacy is right, she’s had a ton of momentum this year. But look who has it now. And she gets it, Kendal’s the rookie, still up-and-coming, still so much to learn. But no one expected her to win Iron Survivor, and she did! She even shocked herself! And now, no one expects Kendal to beat Jacy, but now that Kendal thinks about it… No one expected Jacy to beat Stephanie Vaquer, did they? No. And that’s what Kendal loves about wrestling: When you get in the ring, anything can happen! This past Saturday, Kendal showed she can rise to the occasion.

So if Jacy wants to treat their match at New Year’s Evil as a joke, go ahead. But do you know what’s the best part about being the underdog? The face people make when the underdog bites back! The fans cheer that! Jacy says how cute. Kendal wins one big match and now she thinks she belongs in the ring with the most dominant female faction in the game today? What a joke! Wren says okay, the #WrenQCC is just getting started, but they already have a title. And then they’ll have two titles. That’ll leave them with one, but who knows? Fallon, maybe the WrenQCC will make this a clean sweep. Lainey says that is enough out of Wren.

Lainey tells Wren to listen. Matching jackets doesn’t make their little “project” better than Fatal Influence. And they have no problem showing them that. But don’t worry, they’ll leave just enough left so Jacy can show the rookie exactly where she belongs. Then Fallon sucker punches Kendal! The fans boo as Fatal Influence mugs Kendal 3v1! Wren gets up, she DECKS Lainey! And she drags Jacy back to CHOP her down! Wren dodges Fallon to CHOP her now! Lainey is back to SUPERKICK! The mugging continues 3v2 now, and the fans boo as the three stand tall. Will NXT be stuck under the Influence, even in the New Year?

Backstage interview with Hank ‘n’ Tank.

Kelly is now with the Big Belly Boys, still in their finest yukatas from their visit to Japan. They hung out with Yoshiki Inamura, he did right by your boys. Then Kelly speaks for everyone when she says that we’re all excited to have the Belly Boys back stateside. Arigato gozaimasu, Kelly-san. It was bodacious, in a sense. It was great to get into another culture, learn a thing or two, and add some tools to the toolbox. Plus, winning gold, slapping bellies, long that gold, all in all, a great experience. But now they’re ready to do what they do best, and that is make some noise. And it sounds a little bit like-

OTM interrupts, and Bronco Nima criticizes these two in Espanol. They’re back, so what? Oh, konichiwa, “Bronc” and “Lush.” Let’s not act like they forgot what OTM did to Hank ‘n’ Tank, okay? Yeah, they were hoping the same. But also hoping Hank ‘n’ Tank were smart enough to stay away. Guess not. Sounds like they wanna tussle with the tummies, Tank. Well, if they wanna tussle with the tummies, Hank, then let’s get the hockey jerseys back on and meet them in the ring! OTM’s up for that. These teams head out, but will Bronco Nima & Lucien Price learn just why Hank ‘n’ Tank became GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Champions? Or will Hank ‘n’ Tank fail to get out the mud?

Blake Monroe meets with Ava in her office.

Blake says they need to talk. Ava figured. How’d the open challenge go? That’s the thing! It didn’t! All thanks to Ava! What? This was Blake’s idea and Ava was trying to talk her out of it! Oh, don’t backtrack now! Blake cannot believe Ava would set her up for that embarrassment! Blake told Ava she’d be a glamorous champion, but Ava took it too far! Blake was like a piece of meat in shark infested waters! How many women are in this division? Ava mockingly starts counting on her fingers, but Blake says don’t even get her started on that lil’ blonde banshee, Thea Hail! But that’s it! Ava’s creation of the Glamour Open Challenge is DONE!

Blake, this was your idea! But fine, whatever, no more open challenges ever. And an apology wouldn’t kill Ava. It might. But Ava’s not apologizing for tonight, or for making Blake defend the title against, how’d she put it? “That blonde banshee,” Thea Hail. Blake says Ava has some nerve. Blake storms out of Ava’s office, and Ava mockingly says she hopes the arm feels better. But will Blake be even more embarrassed and humiliated after the loses to Thea Hail?

Sol catches up to Zaria.

Sol asks why Zaria was in the crowd, and Zaria says they haven’t had their chat yet, but she figured she should support Sol. Sol says that means a lot. Well, you’re welcome. And good luck against Bayley on Saturday. Wait, Zaria, Sol would love it if you were there, too. Really? Duh! They both say they’re sorry, and they hug it out! Friends fight, it is normal, but… Zaria’s never had a friend like Sol. Sol says same for Zaria. Now, to get some sweets! But will everything be just as it was for #ZaRuca? Or is this just a patch fix on a bigger problem?

NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Je’Von Evans!

The Ruler says he is inevitable, but even he was thrown a curveball when The Young OG decided to take his shot tonight, not a month from now! But will the Iron Survivor make good on playing his hot hand now? Or will he regret being in such a hurry to have his moment?

NXT returns and Oba makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly has the other’s number!

The bell rings and the two tie right up. Oba powers Je’Von to a corner, the ref counts, but Oba backs off. Oba eggs Je’Von on, the fans rally, and the two reset. They tie up, Oba again powers Je’Von back to a corner, and the ref again counts. Oba again lets off cleanly, but with a smirk on his face. Je’Von SUPERKICKS the smirk off his face! Je’Von then springboards and O G- NO! Oba stops the cutter, shoves Je’Von away and then runs up, but Je’Von dodges the uppercut! BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Oba survives Je’Von pulling out the Yes Movement and the fans are thunderous! Oba THROWS Je’Von to a corner, CLUBS him, but Je’Von slips free!

Je’Von fires body shots and fast hands! The fans fire up but Oba TOSSES Je’Von to another corner! Je’Von dodges a boot to fire more fists! Oba ROCKS Je’Von! Je’Von staggers, the fans fire up, and Oba storms up on Je’Von again. Oba whips Je’Von to ropes, but Je’Von ducks ‘n’ dodges and RED DOT KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Another close call but Oba is still in this! Je’Von goes to a corner, the fans fire up again, and Je’Von runs up again, but into a lift! Oba RAMS Je’Von into the corner, UPPERCUTS and ROCKS Je’Von, then brings him around. Oba whips Je’Von, Je’Von bounces off buckles, and Oba scoops with one hand! Shh… BACKBREAKER!

Je’Von writhes, the fans fire up, and Oba drags Je’Von to the ropes. Oba stands on Je’Von, steps off as the ref counts 4, and the fans rally as hard as they can. Oba drags Je’Von around, clamps on a chinlock, but Je’Von endures. Je’Von kicks and flails, reaches out, and fights up as the fans cheer him on with all they’ve got! Je’Von fires body shots, elbows free, but Oba clamps back on! Je’Von runs for the corner to HOTSHOT Oba! And then he DROPKICKS Oba down! Oba falls out of the ring, and Je’Von hurries to the apron! Je’Von avoids the swat, mule kicks back, and then jumps, but Oba YANKS him down!

Oba snarls as he looms over Je’Von. The fans rally, Oba stands Je’Von up, and Oba whips Je’Von at the ring. Je’Von leaps to ASAI MOONSAULT, but he gets caught! But then he slips free, and he RAMS Oba into the apron! Je’Von runs up, but Oba pops him up, and SWATS him down! Oba is practically foaming at the mouth while NXT goes picture in picture.

The ref checks Je’Von, Je’Von is somehow in this, so Oba drags him up. Oba scoops, and SNAKE EYES off the apron! Je’Von flounders around, Oba drags him back up, and he puts Je’Von in the ring. Oba paces, reaches down, but Je’Von snatches Oba into a cradle! TWO, and Oba LARIATS Je’Von right down! Oba stomps away on Je’Von, takes a leg, and SMASHES it on the mat! Je’Von hobbles and scrambles away, clutching the knee, but Oba stalks him to a corner. The ref again wants to check Je’Von, but Je’Von insists he can continue. Oba stomps Je’Von, then looms over him in the corner. Oba drags Je’Von up and reels him in.

Je’Von fights the suplex with body shots, but Oba CLUBS him down! Oba grins as he brings Je’Von back up, suplexes again, and SLAMS Je’Von down hard! Oba does sit-ups just to show off, then he stalks Je’Von to the ropes. Oba drags Je’Von up, brings him around, but Je’Von again fights the lift. NXT returns to single picture as Je’Von fires hands and the fans fire up! But Oba clinches for the URENAGE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Je’Von writhes, but Oba stalks him to the ropes. Oba drags Je’Von up and reels him in. But Je’Von flops down! Oba is amused, and he mocks Je’Von’s pain. Oba stands Je’Von up, talks trash, but Je’Von fires body shots!

Oba is more annoyed now, but the fans still rally for Je’Von as he fires hands! Je’Von ROCKS Oba! Oba CLUBS Je’Von down! Oba drags Je’Von up, and hoists him up, only for Je’Von to fight and RANA! Oba tumbles out, Je’Von rises, but Oba YANKS Je’Von off the apron! Je’Von fires hands, and he RANAS Oba away! The fans rally up again as Je’Von drags himself up with the desk. Je’Von sees Oba is up, Oba runs in, but Je’Von dodges! Oba FLIES over the desk, and almost takes Booker T out with him!! The fans go nuts, but the ring count is climbing! Je’Von rolls in at  5, and Oba rises at 7! But he’s very wobbly as he drags hismelf over teh desk!

Oba is in at 9, but Je’Von goes COAST2COAST to FROG SPLASH!! Oba writhes, Je’Von goes up! FIVE STAR FROG SPALSH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Oba survives and no one can believe it! Je’Von shrugs it off, fires back up, and he runs up to bob ‘n’ weave and fire hands! “This is Awesome!” as Je’Von keeps Oba wobbling! SPIN KICK! Oba staggers all the way out of the ring! Je’Von just FLIES! Down goes Oba and the fans are thunderous! Je’Von hurries to get Oba up and into the ring, then he springboards in! But Oba DECKS him outta the sky! Oba runs up to SPLASH in the corner! But Je’Von gets around?! GERMAN SUPLEX! But Oba’s right back up!!

Oba runs, but into a CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Oba survives, but Je’Von springboards! RED- UPPERCUT!!! Cover, TWO!!!! Je’Von survives and the fans are electric! The fans are loving this, but Oba hoists Je’Von up! SHOTPUT BOMB! Oba says it is over now! FALL FROM- CUTTER!!! Je’Von goes up, up, SUPER O G CUTTER!!! Cover, SOMEONE YANKS THE REF OUT!!! IT’S RICKY!!! The Absolute couldn’t let Je’Von have his moment after all! So Je’Von DIVES onto Ricky!! The fans boo Ricky, Je’Von hurries into the ring, and he dodges Oba to RED DOT! Je’Von runs again, but Oba LARIATS! And UPPERCUT!

Oba keeps moving, he UPPERCUTS again! Oba reels Je’Von in, but Je’Von fights the lift! Oba still POWERBOMBS him down! Cover, Oba wins!

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

The fans are furious with Ricky, but it seems if he can’t beat Oba, no one else can. Will Je’Von have justice by going after The Absolute? Will Oba prove he is not just The Ruler of NXT, but ALL of WWE?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT to follow Deadline, but I can’t be sure the point of undercutting Je’Von like this. Granted, they could’ve easily done this same move of Ricky betraying Je’Von and screwing him over in January, but the timing of this being so soon after Je’Von’s incredible win at Deadline just feels awful. Je’Von VS Ricky is clearly set for New Year’s Evil now, and we might still get Oba VS Dion now that there’s a Fatal 4 Way. Though even with that, I suppose DarkState could cheat the others to help Dion win, and maybe even help Dion against Oba, but with New Year’s Evil apparently just being in Orlando, I don’t see a major title change like that happening.

They set up some interesting things with the Men’s and Women’s North American Championships, but still can’t be sure either title changes hands. Tony D going after Ethan Page outta nowhere, maybe Tony reclaims the NA title. As for Blake, I was a little disappointed we didn’t get a match from the Open Challenge, but that was a pretty hilarious way to get OUT of an open challenge. Blake VS Thea will be a great match, but I feel like Blake retains. Blake might even cheat to keep Thea strong in defeat. But at the same time, Thea really needs to get a title win, and it’d be so great if she got one humbling Blake.

But at the same time, Grace might pull a Ricky Saints and screw Thea over. Grace’s newest loss to Kelani, though a great match, is clearly grinding down her last nerve. Lani herself might be in a holding pattern for titles, as Blake is Heel and Jacy Jayne is Heel, but that could change after New Year’s Evil. Though that’d only be if Kendal Grey got her newest title shocker. Good promo from Kendal & Wren with Fatal Influence, but of course Influence beats down the Faces 3v2. I wonder if #WrenQCC adds a new member to even things out against The Influence, like Carlee Bright since she’s Kendal’s Evolve bestie.

Wren VS Sol was good but certainly quick, and it was mostly to also give us more ZaRuca story. They’ve made up for now, but I feel like something could make Zaria snap and Spear Sol right on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Shiloh had a solid debut against Lexis King, and I like that the false tooth is his version of bringing down straps or whatever other powerup. Very good promo from Tatum to call out Izzi & The Culling and promising to have her revenge. A little surprised she isn’t getting reinforcements this time, but I suppose that’s because Hank ‘n’ Tank are back to their feud with OTM. Really good promo from those two teams, they’ll have a great match.

My Score: 8.8/10