[theme music playing]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[Lemmy] The King of Kings. -[John Cena] You can't see me.
♪ Should auld acquaintance be forgot ♪
♪ And never brought to mind? ♪
♪ Should auld acquaintance be forgot ♪
♪ And auld lang syne ♪
["Taking Everything" playing]
We were down, but we went on a beautiful journey.
We found our Shaman bro, Riddle.
MSK, you're a disgrace.
How about this?
Why don't myself and MSK challenge Imperium at WWE's New Year's Evil, bro?
[music playing]
[man] So, at New Year's Evil, a unified pro championships.
The unification showdown and I walk out North American Champion.
[music playing]
AJ Styles.
You think Grayson Waller was causing some buzz before?
Waller, you got some attention, didn't you?
I'll see you at New Year's Evil.
I will go through anyone to get my title back.
Not if I get there first.
Your selfish desires for my Women's Championship
will be your downfall.
[Vic Joseph] Jade Gonzalez, Rose for the NXT Women's Championship.
[Wade Barrett] At New Year's Evil.
Bron Breakker versus Tommaso Ciampa.
[Tommaso Ciampa] You are not ready to be a champion in my NXT.
[Bron Breakker] New Year's Evil, blood is in the water.
[Bron Breakker] This shark is going to eat you alive.
[music playing]
[announcer] Now, WWE presents New Year's Evil.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] What a year it has already been in the WWE since day one of 2022.
Expect the unexpected tonight. You hear the NXT universe.
Welcome to NXT. Welcome to New Year's Evil.
[tense music playing]
[audience cheering]
[Vic] And there is Carmelo Hayes, called his shot, Wade,
said he's the A-champion.
[Wade] Well, let's face it.
Backed up everything he's ever said here in NXT,
but what a task he has on his hands tonight.
[Vic] And for the North American Champion, there is the Cruiserweight Champion,
no stranger to big matches in his historic career.
[Wade] Absolutely not. Malcolm Bivens leading the way.
Another big money match tonight for the Diamond Mine.
-["Melo Don't Miss" playing] -[audience cheering]
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest, ain't no hatin' I'm the best here ♪
♪ You want your shot, Well, I guess you wait 'til next year ♪
[Vic] You can see mind games already being played early on
by Carmelo Hayes with the Roderick Strong shirt.
You gotta imagine, if you're Carmelo Hayes,
you might be feeling yourself right now, but the butterflies,
I mean, Wade, they gotta be the size of eagles for both competitors.
[Wade] Oh, my word. Let me tell you, during my own career
I could've stepped in the ring with a Brooklyn Bull
and [inaudible] I would have had massive butterflies.
They don't go away.
Add onto that the fact that not one, but two championships
are on the line tonight, wow.
Of course, who can forget, it's the first show of the year,
but it's gonna be one of the biggest shows of the year.
This is New Year's Evil.
And Carmelo Hayes,
you are tasked with kicking 2022 off in style for NXT.
And it is a brave man
who bets against the A-champ himself, Carmelo Hayes.
[Vic] I just gonna wonder, what message is Carmelo Hayes
sending to Roderick Strong, the disrespect,
walking over at Roderick Strong shirt,
which already had disrespect printed on it.
[Wade] Well, let's face it, perhaps playing a little mind games early on.
[Vic] I think you like it.
-You have a smirk on your face. -[Wade] I did like that.
[Wade] I like a man who comes out here and says [indistinct] early.
He's not scared of anybody. He wants to be the number one in NXT.
He wants to be the number one in this entire industry.
He certainly has the talent to do that.
["The Tide Is Turning" playing]
[audience chanting]
[Vic] Well, no doubt who the NXT universe is behind in this matchup.
And on social media,
it was the NXT Cruiserweight Champion who stated, soon to be a two-time NXT
North American Champion coming very soon.
[Wade] The caliber of Roderick Strong speaks for itself.
Coming out here with the Diamond Mine.
What a force of nature that group truly is.
But it has to be said, I've got a really high level of respect
for Roderick Strong, for Carmelo Hayes.
Both men in the matchup. Both, obviously, championship-caliber.
Only one of those two men is gonna walk out tonight
with championship gold.
We're gonna be splitting hairs
to try and find any kind of gap between these two, but for me,
there is a clear advantage on the side of Roderick Strong
in terms of that experience.
He's had 20 plus years
at the very top-level, winning championships.
[Vic] No bigger way to start the New Year
-than this championship showdown. -[bell ringing]
The following contest is a Championship Unification Match,
where the winner will be recognized as the NXT North American Champion!
Introducing first, accompanied by Trick Williams,
he is the NXT North American Champion,
Carmelo Hayes.
[audience booing]
His opponent, representing Diamond Mine.
He is the NXT Cruiserweight Champion,
Roderick Strong!
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting]
[Vic] NXT universe is fired up.
This, the first of three championship matches here tonight.
Of course, the Triple Threat Match for the NXT women's title,
and the NXT championship defended in our commercial-free main event,
but this, a unification match for the NXT Cruiserweight Champion,
and the North American title. Here we go.
[Wade] Oh, I'm so ready for this. You mentioned butterflies.
I've got butterflies just sat here announcing,
but, man, what a way to kick things off here at New Year's Evil.
[Vic] Both men right now jocking for a position.
You talked about big money.
This is the biggest money match Malcolm Bivens has ever constructed.
[Wade] Hats off to Malcolm Bivens. What a brilliant mind he has.
What brilliant vision he has for the Diamond Mine.
The negotiation skills to pull off a matchup at this level.
Nobody wants any part of a unification matchup.
The reason being the stakes are simply too high.
Tonight somehow, someway, Malcolm Bivens has pulled that off.
[audience chants "Let's go, Roddy Let's go, Carmelo"]
[Vic] Trash talking between these two superstars,
I'm sure will only intensify as the NXT universe's somewhat 50/50 split.
[Wade] Yeah, I'm not sure about 50/50.
I think they're leaning more towards Roderick Strong.
[Vic] I just wanted you to say that.
[Wade] A lot of respect towards the veterans here in NXT,
and all the things that Roderick Strong has achieved over the years.
[Vic] Carmelo Hayes catching Strong quickly.
Strong looking over at Hachiman,
and I had a chance to talk to Hachiman and Bivens earlier.
Said that the self-proclaimed cardio monster and Roderick Strong
actually upped his cardio for this matchup.
[Wade] Yeah, I'm not surprised by that.
Hachiman always taking a scientific approach to his team.
The wrestling of Diamond Mine, trying to improve in what he can.
Let's face it, Roderick Strong,
there really isn't that much more he can progress
in terms of the mat game.
He's a 10 at every level in that department.
However, you have to think, with him being a veteran
perhaps he's acutely aware of the fact that the young stud himself,
Carmelo Hayes might have him on cardio if he's not careful,
so clearly upping the game, trying to counteract that early.
[Vic] Oh, right now the pace is quickening between these two superstars.
As Strong, taking out Hayes, Hayes now into the cover.
Strong able to peel his way out, and now Strong going into the cover.
Oh, a little bit of a stalemate between these two superstars.
[Wade] A little fake there did Carmelo.
Went for the kip-up, stayed down, boot to the back of the head.
[Vic] And when Hayes shoots, he doesn't miss.
This is his biggest shot of all to try to unify these two titles.
Of course, Roderick Strong,
winning at Cruiserweight Championship over 100 days ago from Kushida.
The Cruiserweight title has been defended on all sorts of brands in the WWE,
even defended at WrestleMania. But Carmelo Hayes now
the North American Champion, he's had the championship since October,
hasn't backed down, and never been shy in defending it.
[Wade] Two great championships.
Two great lineages behind those championships.
All getting merged tonight. All the spoils going to one man.
[Vic] See Trick Williams shouting words of encouragement to Carmelo Hayes.
And… Oh! [chuckles]
You felt that back in 2021. What a chop from Roderick Strong.
[Wade] Yeah, you just get the sense that Roderick Strong
starting to lose that temper a little.
We talked about Carmelo
perhaps trying to get under the skin of Roderick Strong.
Perhaps it worked.
[Vic] Hayes trying to run, but look at that, the veteran,
Roderick Strong, right on his heels giving Hayes no minute to rest.
[Wade] Yeah, Trick Williams wisely getting out the way
of Roderick Strong there.
Couldn't move fast enough.
[Vic] And right back in. Now the North American Champion goes,
Roderick Strong, again, this unification matchup,
the winner will be recognized as the NXT North American Champion.
[audience chants "Let's go, Roddy"]
Whoa! Hayes showing you that athleticism,
gets caught by that elbow and Strong has been in control.
Whoa! There's… Oh!
I was getting ready to say taking over the matchup,
but just as I was thinking it, Carmelo Hayes changes the game!
[Wade] Carmelo completely suckered in the veteran, Roderick Strong, there.
Caught him with his own move.
[Vic] Most would've thought coming into this matchup,
as you see this beautiful combination offense
from the North American Champion,
many would have given Strong the advantage based on experience.
[Wade] Exactly, but Carmelo clearly has done his homework
with or without a Hachiman behind him.
[Vic] Hayes able to drop for a moment, Strong and…
Oh! Wait a minute, gets caught.
Hayes having Strong scouted. Strong with a nice counter.
Both these superstars know exactly how much is on the line here tonight
and back and forth, Strong able to hold on.
-[Wade] Come on. -[Vic] Wait a minute. Oh!
[Wade] Nasty DDT on the ring apron.
Roddy Strong could be out cold there. Trick Williams loving it.
[audience chants]
[Vic] Quickly, Carmelo Hayes getting Strong back in the ring,
and now it's Carmelo Hayes who could be looking
to put this match away early to unify two championships.
Able to roll through, Strong right back in and turns Hayes inside-out.
[audience cheering]
-[Vic] Cover, count. -One, two…
[Vic] Hayes just kicked out.
Both men stake claim to being the top champion.
Who's gonna unify two titles at New Year's Evil?
[Vic] Back live on NXT, New Year's Evil,
this a Championship Unification Matchup.
What a way to kick off the New Year, here on NXT.
Wade, we gotta go back to some of the action
that we saw in the picture-in-picture break
because these two men were slugging it out just before the break.
You saw this, boom. DDT from Carmelo Hayes.
And then, Carmelo Hayes would follow that up for a moment,
no, he'd get turned inside-out.
The action was so fast.
Roderick Strong was showing you why he was a champion,
Hayes, though, showing you the heart of a champion.
During the commercial break, how about pinpoint accuracy,
from the North American Champion, boom, wiping out Roderick Strong.
And this match, when we say, "It's for all the marbles,"
this is a unification match.
[Wade] You can tell both men laying it all out on the line.
The crowd appreciating this.
That Carmelo Hayes, I said it from day one.
-[Vic] Oh! -[Wade] The man can move like a puma.
Roderick Strong just about beating him to the punch once again.
This one is swinging back and forth every time you break.
[Vic] Nice back breaker executed by Roderick Strong.
Again, this unification matchup,
the winner will be recognized as the NXT North American Champion.
And Roderick Strong now applying all the pressure to Carmelo Hayes.
Look, this is the experience factor in Roderick Strong.
[Wade] Well, let me tell you, Roderick Strong,
there's a whole new flood of talent entering NXT over the past few months.
Roderick Strong has done battle with many of them,
and he has beaten them.
He's beaten Joe Gacy, he's beaten Odyssey Jones.
He is not scared, he's not taking a backseat to anyone.
He is saying, "I am the man, I am the veteran.
You have to come here and beat me."
The NXT Cruiserweight Champion had been Roderick Strong
has also been at the forefront of helping aspiring superstars.
[Wade] Yeah, can't argue with that at all.
Just look at the Diamond Mine, he is the leader.
Ivy now making waves in the women's division.
Of course, the Creed's in the tag team division.
[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Cover.
Is Carmelo Hayes going to unify the gold!
Kickout by Strong. Quickly now, into the crossface.
Carmelo Hayes with a submission. Strong trying to reverse it.
Hachiman on the outside shouting at Roderick Strong.
Is Strong going to tap out, is he's starting to fade?
[Wade] Carmelo Hayes nicely maneuvering this into the center of the ring.
Roderick Strong desperately trying to get out. He does.
[Vic] And, there's that work in the room.
And now, it's Strong looking for maybe the stronghold.
Can he turn Hayes instead? Hayes able to sit.
[Wade] Beautiful block there from Carmelo Hayes,
getting a shot at his own.
[Vic] Now it's Hayes with another version of his own Boston crab,
and it is cinched in deep.
[Wade] Yes, out of the frying pan, into the fire for Roderick Strong,
championship about to fall, perhaps?
[Vic] Strong again able to roll through. Trying to counter, and certainly does.
This unification matchup gonna continue, but for how long?
And now Mel Roderick Strong, Stronghold locked in.
[Wade] Oh, so torturous, center of the ring.
Perhaps no way out here, you know. Trick Williams, panic mode here.
[Vic] There's Hachiman again telling Strong to cinch, to dig deep,
but it's Carmelo Hayes trying to dig deep. Trying to counter.
[Wade] Carmelo screaming in agony as you would expect in a hold like that.
Perhaps managing to maneuver his way out with a heel kick
to the jaw of the Cruiserweight champ.
[Vic] Hayes. Oh, and another back breaker.
That back's gotta be on fire if you're Carmelo Hayes.
Strong realizing it crawls to unify the championship and another near-fall.
[Wade] I'm out of breath watching this. How must they feel?
[Vic] You can see Malcolm Bivens glaring at the official.
Did not like the call.
[Wade] Not too often you see Malcolm Bivens losing his cool.
He's aware how close his man was to becoming the unified champion here.
The NXT North American Champion going forward, remember.
[Vic] Both these men desperately have said they are the best.
They are the top champion in NXT.
They're getting their opportunity to showcase it
here tonight at NXT New Year's Evil.
[Wade] Absolutely nothing wrong with gloating
about being the top dog here in NXT.
Both men throwing leather.
Let's not forget the top dog Tommaso Ciampa,
the NXT champ defending his championship in tonight's main event
against Bron Breakker.
[Vic] The cardio monster becoming unleashed one after another!
High angle slam.
Strong calls for the official, into the cover, puts up the leg.
Is it enough? And another kick out.
This is only the first match of the night.
[Wade] Where on earth is Carmelo Hayes finding this energy to come out
and take on the cardio king himself?
Roderick Strong firing relentless elbows on the chin of Carmelo Hayes
so close to putting this one away.
[Vic] Trick Williams' sign of desperation
on the face of Trick right here in front of us.
[audience chanting] This is awesome.
Carmelo Hayes right in the corner, almost looked like dead weight
making it impossible for Strong to hoist him up.
[Wade] Barely able to stand up there,
but immediately back, finding that second or third wind at this point.
[Vic] Carmelo Hayes rolling through. Oh, Unique Cutter dropped Strong.
Hayes trying to get into the cover, hooks the leg.
Is this enough? And Strong just able to kick out.
You gotta wonder, that momentary hesitation,
did it cost Hayes?
[Wade] Did not get enough height on that initial suplex to get it all on there.
You have to think his energy is running so low
at this point in the matchup.
Wasn't able to fully execute the move.
Just gave Roderick Strong enough chance to get out of there.
[Vic] Inside Cradle!
Strong to unify the titles and another near-fall.
Oh!
What a forearm. And now, Strong trying to follow up. Whoa.
-[Wade] Flipping over. -[Vic] Oh!
Landing on his feet, followed up superkick to the jaw.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Strong may not know where he's at. Hachiman trying to talk to Strong.
Where is Strong getting this endurance?
[Wade] Oh, my word.
I don't think either man knows where they are right now.
Malcolm Bivens certainly does. He smells blood.
[audience chanting "Roddy"]
[Vic] Roderick Strong looking to put the finishing touches
on this unification matchup with a super…
Whoa, an ex-plex from the top.
I don't know who got the worse of the wear.
Trick Williams is shocked.
-[Wade] I will tell you this… -[Vic] Carmelo Hayes with the cover! Oh.
-[Vic] What did we just witness? -[Wade] Oh, my word.
Trick Williams can't believe it.
This audience can't believe it, Malcolm Bivens breathing a sigh of relief.
His man somehow still in the fight.
[Vic] Carmelo Hayes somehow is again climbing to the top.
Roderick Strong not aware!
Hayes into the cover.
-One, two, three! -[Vic] Malcolm Bivens is screaming.
Strong can't kick out!
-[bell ringing] -History has been made!
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner and the NXT North American Champion,
Carmelo Hayes!
[Wade] Well, Malcolm Bivens completely despondent on the outside.
We just witnessed our first classic of 2022.
Congratulations, that man, Carmelo Hayes.
♪ They say success either mangle them Or make em ♪
♪ I'm the best to ever do it Going against me you stupid ♪
♪ They know it I gotta prove it I'll win and I'll never lose it ♪
[Vic] Like him or not,
Carmelo Hayes embodies what it means to be a champion in NXT.
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest, ain't no hatin' I'm the best here ♪
[Vic] Let's go back, as some of the action, I mean, bang.
Look at the elbow.
Look, Roderick Strong was throwing haymakers,
and somehow Carmelo Hayes had the wherewithal to land on his feet
and deliver a shocking kick of his own.
But this is a turning point in the matchup.
I don't know what the heck we just witnessed.
[Wade] I don't know how Carmelo didn't break his neck on that one.
-How on earth… -[Vic] Look at that presence of mind.
…did Roderick Strong kick out here?
[Vic] Oh, I mean, absolutely was just able to get his shoulder up.
Bivens was all smiles,
but that smile quickly was erased from Bivens' face.
One more look.
[Wade] Oh, my word, the height this man gets,
Carmelo Hayes, what a mover.
All of it coming down on the back of the neck of Roderick Strong,
and that was the moment it all changed for Carmelo Hayes.
[Vic] And there it is, the unified champion,
the NXT North American Champion, Carmelo Hayes.
And as he did last year, Carmelo Hayes called his shot,
Carmelo still hasn't missed.
♪ Only victory The champ is what you get now ♪
♪ All the struggles lead to this And who the best now? ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest Ain't no hatin' ♪
[Vic] Oh, we talked about championships.
Earlier today was Bron Breakker
arriving for our commercial-free main event.
Will Breakker be able to put the gold around his waist?
To do so, he's going to have to dethrone the face of the brand.
The NXT Champion, Tommaso Ciampa.
Isn't this phenomenal?
[chuckles] I guess. Hey, big match tonight. Good luck, man.
It is a big match, and look at you,
you look like you're dressed ready for a fight.
Well, think I'll handle some business, if you know what I mean.
-Waller? -You got it.
-Defend that championship. -Yes, sir.
Welcome back to the NXT.
[announcer] The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is back.
The dream lives on at NXT,
as Tag Teams from both the men's and women's divisions
look to take home the coveted Dusty Cup.
[Vic] MSK, Dusty Cup Champions!
[announcer] Which teams will punch their tickets
for an opportunity at championship gold?
[Vic] Gonzalez and Kai have made history.
[announcer] The Dusty Classic returns,
with the women's tournament beginning in February,
and the men kicking things off in two weeks on NXT.
[Wade] Oh, Dusty Rhodes.
A man who had a huge influence on my own career.
No better way to honor the great man than the Dusty Cup.
[upbeat music playing]
-["Phenomenal" playing] -[audience cheering]
[Alicia] Please welcome, "The phenomenal" AJ Styles!
[Vic] AJ Styles, not been very happy over the last 24 hours.
[Wade] Yeah, could you blame him?
Got beat by his former insurance policy the giant Omos on Raw last night.
Hey, I'm not sure this is going to cheer him up much
because I think he's going to end up face-to-face
with the world's most irritating man, Grayson Waller.
[Vic] That's just what AJ Styles wants. He wants to punch someone in the mouth.
That man's gonna be Grayson Waller.
[Wade] Let out a lot of steam, perhaps, this is the place to do it then.
♪ Blue collar boys do it With our hands muddied ♪
[audience chanting "AJ Styles"]
I never get tired of hearing that.
[audience chanting "AJ Styles"]
I've done a lot in my career, and that never gets old.
I will always enjoy that. Thank you for that.
[audience cheering]
I've won a lot of championships too,
but if you guys have followed my career for this long,
then you already know that, and I thank you for that.
Thank you for being amazing, amazing fans.
[audience cheering]
But I'd be lying to you guys
if I didn't tell you that I had some regrets.
[audience] What?
When I first started in WWE…
I wasn't down in NXT.
I know you guys think I'm crazy for saying something like that, you know.
My debut was at the Royal Rumble.
[audience cheering]
I was on Raw,
I was on SmackDown, within months, I was at WrestleMania.
[audience cheering]
But there's something about this place. There's something special about NXT.
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting "NXT"]
It's that. It's that. It's passion.
It's passion.
It's the passion that you fans have for the superstars here.
It's the passion that the superstars have for you fans.
[audience cheering]
I don't care if it's 1.0 or 2.0,
it's passion that makes NXT go around.
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting "NXT"]
And I'll be damned
if I'm going to let someone take that passion away from you guys.
[audience cheering]
If you haven't figured it out, I'm talking about Grayson Waller.
[audience booing]
There's always gonna be one.
There's always gonna be one person that thinks that they're bigger
and better than the place that they should respect the most,
and that is Grayson Waller.
-["Eye On The Prize" playing] -[audience booing]
[Vic] Does this surprise you? The disrespect continuing
from Grayson Waller, for someone like AJ Styles?
AJ Styles.
Mate, credit where it's due.
You really tug at the heartstrings, laid it on thick tonight.
You got people emotional. This guy's crying. It's beautiful.
It's a phenomenal…
deflection.
[audience chanting]
Throw shade on me, distract from the fact that last night you lost to Omos.
Actually, you didn't lose to Omos, you got crushed.
So this whole, "I really wish I started in NXT."
I don't buy it.
Hey, before you say it, I know what's next.
Grayson's green. [chuckles]
"Grayson doesn't belong here. Didn't pay his dues."
None of that's real.
The reality is, I'm a student of the game…
and I know why you lost last night.
I saw it. These people didn't see it.
Hey, see this guy right here?
He's watched WWE his entire life and he didn't see it.
He hasn't been in a ring, or a gym, or the sun…
but I saw it.
[audience booing]
You lost last night
because the whole time you were in there you were thinking about Grayson Waller.
I'm living in your head rent-free,
and I wish I was in Raw to see it for myself but…
I didn't wanna give you the opportunity to blame me for your loss.
You know what? Hold on a second, he's right.
He's right. I'm hurt, I'm beat up, I'm not at a 100%.
So, hey, Waller, why don't you take advantage of the situation?
You see, I've never had a one-on-one match here in NXT.
[audience cheering]
I've got gear on and everything.
So, all we need is a ref and we can do this right here, right now.
Hey, no, no, no. Don't cheer. Don't cheer.
We ain't on Phenomenal time. We're on Grayson Waller time.
[audience cheering]
You see this guy?
Why don't you grow a sack and get in here and do something?
Nah. Nah. Nah, not tonight.
This is a money fight. We need the spotlight.
We can do this next week in the main event of NXT.
I get the biggest victory in my career over you.
[audience booing]
Did you say the biggest victory of your career?
It will be the biggest embarrassment of your career.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Whoa! Oh!
[Wade] Oh, finally, one in the mouth.
-[Vic] Styles, not done yet. -[Wade] Oh, yes.
I have been waiting for this moment.
[audience cheering]
[audience booing]
[Vic] Oh! Classic AJ Styles.
[audience cheering]
NXT universe eating this up.
-[Wade] Yeah, aren't we all? [Vic] Phenom…
[audience booing]
[Vic] The time is ticking for Grayson Waller.
If I heard everything right, Waller, Styles, next week in the main event?
♪ Ain't nobody man enough To feel the pain ♪
[inaudible]. I promise you.
So, let me get this straight.
I treat you like anybody else, I break your fingers.
And you take that as me trying to get one up on you,
so you come back and this is the best that you can do?
Well, well done, Tony, you poked a bear.
I bet you're real proud of yourself, Tony, but do you think this is where it ends?
You think you hit me with a crowbar, and that's it? I'll walk away?
No, mate, this is just the beginning.
And this time there's not four of you, there's one of you.
Are you sure you wanna play this game with me?
Well, it's too late to consider because I'll tell you what's next.
I'm gonna rip your arm out the socket and stomp your stupid mouth shut for good.
If you're as bad as you say you are,
then next week I'm gonna give you the opportunity.
Come face me and finish the job you started.
Oh, and Tony, bring the crowbar because trust me, you're gonna need it.
-["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor" playing] -[audience cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following is a six-man Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall,
introducing the team of Walter, and the NXT Tag Team Champions,
Fabian Aichner, Marcel Barthel, Imperium!
[Vic] Walter has returned. The ring general is back in NXT.
[audience cheering]
The soldiers of Imperium,
the NXT Tag Team Champions, Aichner and Barthel.
[audience chanting "Walter"]
As this trio is set to take on Riddle
and MSK in six-man Tag Team action.
What a showdown this is going to be.
You don't wanna miss a second of this Six-Man Tag Team Match.
Next.
-Rip. -Hey, girl.
-What's up? -What up, dude?
-How was your New Year's? -It was so much fun.
Yes, we had a blast.
Brookside, put our boots on and we did a little Texas two-step.
-Oh, okay. -Whoa, whoa, not like that.
Listen, we're gearing up for this New Year
where we become NXT Women's Tag Team Champs, finally.
[Inaudible]
This is our year. I know.
You know what's funny about New Year's resolutions
is they always fall short.
Yes. You're looking at the next NXT Women's Tag Team Champions.
Okay, well, you're looking at three women that want to kick you in the face.
That's a big challenge for a small girl. You're on.
Wait, no. What is with you and handicap matches?
Well, you're so focused coming into 2022.
Sure, I do well in handicap matches, but we could do it with a partner.
What about her?
Yeah, thanks but no thanks.
Daddy, these girls are so eew.
[chuckles]
You can take her. Let's go, ladies.
Good luck. [laughs]
[audience cheering]
-Uh, who are you? -I am Wendy Choo.
And why are you looking at me like a ham sandwich?
-Wendy who? -Ham sandwich?
-Wendy Choo? -Ham sandwich, huh?
What?
[Vic] I'm just as confused as they are,
but I'm not confused that the mood certainly right now has changed
with the presence of Walter.
[Wade] Listen, the ring general shows up,
the troops stand a little taller, don't they?
Their boots are shined, a little shinier than normal.
No room for mistakes as insolence will not be tolerated in Imperium.
-["Swarm" playing] -[audience cheering]
[Alicia] And their opponents, first, MSK!
[Vic] Talk about being brought in in style.
One of the top DJs in New York, DJ Tommy Carlucci spinning in,
-not only MSK but the Shaman himself. -["Hey Bro" playing]
[audience cheering]
[Alicia] And their partner,
he is one half of the Raw Tag Team Champions, Riddle.
[Vic] The journey to the Shaman,
the entire journey MSK has been on, It all comes ahead here tonight.
[Wade] Let's face it, they searched high and low
for the Shaman across the entire country apparently.
I certainly was not expecting it to be one half of the Raw.
[Vic] Watch out, Wade. Have you never seen this before?
All right. Well, I was really hoping that he was gonna hit you
-with a flipflop, but never mind. -[Wade] Missed me by a long way.
Hopefully aims right between your eyes next time.
Let's face it, what they found was not just the Shaman,
it was, in fact, they found themselves.
Go back to being MSK.
[audience chants, "Go"]
[audience cheering]
[Wade] This is some solid DJing going on here, but…
[Vic] You were genuinely scared by the way.
You almost jumped under the table.
[Wade] It takes a lot to make me scared, believe me.
You, on the other hand, you cringe like a cat.
[Vic chuckles]
What were you gonna say? I'm sorry?
-[Wade] I forgot now. -[Vic] Yeah, I figured as much.
You threw me off my game, but going back to what I was talking about,
MSK, it was all about finding themselves,
going back to whatever made them champions here, in NXT,
in the first place.
Somewhere along the line, they lost their way,
and the Shaman really is here to put them back on that path to the top.
[Vic] Well, look, I'll agree with you.
All fun and games, this matchup has begun is over,
as Imperium trying to take control early on.
Look, Riddle, MSK, these three have been floating on cloud nine
since finding each other.
[Wade] Yes, they have, and I agree with that,
but maybe it's about time they stopped floating around,
as you put it because you're now in the ring with Imperium,
being a pair of space cadets,
riding scooters around, giving it the old Bill and Ted routine,
that isn't gonna work tonight when you're in the ring
with three men like Imperium.
Now, it is time to take care of business.
[Vic] Marcel Barthel certainly doing just that, in control of Carter.
Take a look at Nash Carter,
Carter trying to figure out his way, navigate his way free.
And there's some of that elusiveness
that Carter along with his tag team partner Wes Lee have showcased.
Take a look at MSK right now.
[Wade] To be honest, we know all about MSK,
they are freaks of nature when they get in that ring,
they almost defy the rules of physics, and this audience here in the arena
certainly appreciating having them back in town.
[Vic] Oh, a tag was made, and I believe Aichner is now legal.
Certainly is, he just caught Carter
who wasn't very much aware of what was going on,
and that brings me to this point, MSK, will they have any ring rust?
[Wade] You talk about ring rust, man,
every time I took more than two months off in my career,
I certainly came with ring rust from Wales, from injuries,
whatever it was, and you have to think, I imagine that the lung capacity of MSK
has decreased massively over that two-month period,
back to their extracurricular activities.
[Vic] All right. Now Carter trying to swing
his way back into the matchup.
Oh, Aichner is so powerful looked for the clothesline, missed wildly
but again, that superhuman strength on display.
[Wade] Talk about some freakishness, that's what Fabian Aichner is all about,
-but too good for him was Nash Carter. -[Vic] Tag!
[Vic] In comes Wes Lee, Lee said he learned so much from Riddle
that it was time to put his higher education to work here tonight,
and right now, certainly from the learning tree of Matt Riddle, Wes Lee,
very impressive tagging in.
[Wade] Higher education, I like that one, you're real smooth…
[Vic] Thank you very much. Look how smooth Wes Lee is.
Gets caught however for the moment.
Lee able to slither down… Oh, nice kick right to the midsection.
Aichner again, just that strength on display,
Lee trying to hold on, and… Oh.
[Wade] I don't care how well you move,
come into contact with that clothesline, you are getting sent around the world.
[Vic] Walter certainly has to be smiling, I mean, just feel the impact.
[Wade] It's an instant game-changer there from Fabian Aichner.
[audience chanting "We want Riddle"]
[Vic] NXT universe, we know who they want to tag in.
A look of concern on the face of Matt Riddle.
[Wade] Tagging Riddle is easier said than done when you're in there with,
pound for pound, the strongest man in NXT, Fabian Aichner.
[Vic] Ask and you might receive.
[audience cheering]
For the first time since may 27th, 2020, Riddle in an NXT ring.
Uh-oh.
[Wade] Oh, yes, the general. Are we about to see this?
[Vic] Shaman in the ring, general.
Face-to-face, and here we go.
Oh.
[Wade] You fancy being on the receiving end of one of them, Big Joseph,
you'll never get up again.
[audience chanting "Walter"]
[Vic] I mean, you just felt the air rush out of the arena with that last chop.
[Wade] Okay, Walter telling the troops,
"That is how it's done. Pay attention, do what I do."
[Vic] Walter, a game-changer,
for Fabian Aichner, who checked back into the matchup.
Aichner declared into the cover,
and a kick out declared 2022 the year of Imperium.
[Wade] I wouldn't argue with them.
They've already got tag gold,
and, well, knowing what we know about Walter, surely,
he's gonna have eyes on tonight's commercial-free main event,
if you know what I mean.
[Vic] Riddle lands on his feet,
makes the tag, back in comes in Lee. Carter just tagged himself in,
and Aichner doesn't know what's hitting him right now.
[Wade] These two move faster than the eye can see.
I used to hate that as a competitor, myself,
and I guarantee you, Fabian Aichner hates it too.
[Vic] Well, Barthel is gonna get him some too from MSK.
Look at the offense.
[Wade] Uh-oh. Sneaky tag to Walter.
[Vic] Oh.
We talk about the presence of Walter.
Oh, the game-changer that Walter is.
Walter leads in style, "Do as I say, and do as I do."
-[Wade] Oh, no. -[Vic] Oh.
[Wade] Concave chest now for Wes Lee.
[Vic] Imperium rocking and rolling.
[audience applauds]
[Vic] Back live on New Year's Evil
and Imperium in control of this Six-Man Tag Team Matchup
against Riddle and MSK,
but as I said that Nash Carter changing things on a dime.
[Wade] Nash Carter is fighting for his dear life,
in there at this moment.
This might be the opportunity he's been waiting for
after three-plus minutes of being at the boots of Imperium.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] NXT universe trying to rally Carter…
as Barthel closing in on a tag.
In comes Walter. Can Carter make the tag? So close.
And Walter stopped all the momentum there.
Look, here comes Walter.
Walter said that Nash and Lee represent everything
that's wrong with the industry.
[Wade] Well, we know about Walter's view on the industry.
He has a very narrow viewpoint of what is acceptable.
I don't necessarily agree with everything he says.
[Vic] Oh, come on!
[Wade] Just when Nash Carter was there, ready for the tag,
Imperium, like a well-oiled machine,
pulling those tag partners off the apron denying the tag.
-[Wade] This could be it. -[Vic] Walter into the cover.
Is it? It is… Oh, just kicking out, But listen to this.
Well, you had a moment of time, Imperium was able to pull out MSK, and…
[Wade] An almost telepathic way of communicating
-between the Imperium lads. -[audience chants, "This is awesome"]
[Vic] Carter up and able to take over Walter,
who was looking for the powerbomb. And, in comes Riddle.
And Riddle took a lot of issue with the criticism
that Imperium threw towards MSK.
[Wade] Absolutely. That criticism stings, but in my view, it was due.
MSK were riding a wave throughout 2021, from the Dusty Cup onwards.
Lost, finally at Halloween Havoc to Imperium,
lost those championships, lost their mojo.
Well, now it's time to find it back.
And with Riddle, at the helm, surely, they can do that.
[Vic] Walter able to beat down Riddle Riddle rising and just tossed Walter.
[Wade] That is a big Austrian oak getting thrown around in there.
[Vic] Riddle, combination offense.
Wait a minute, able to get back. Senton, lands beautifully.
[Wade] Pretty nimble oak too. Now, I might [inaudible] Riddle,
full-steam ahead, at this point, giving a three-way whooping in that ring.
[Vic] Riddle, wiping out the NXT champions
trying to pay a little…
Oh, Walter from behind.
[Wade] He was distracted momentarily and give Walter a chance,
he will take it every single time.
[Vic] Riddle trying to take a page from his tag team partner,
that being Randy Orton's playbook.
Oh, knee onto the jaw.
[Wade] Been on the receiving end of that playbook many times,
unfortunately, but now perhaps Imperium's turn.
[Vic] MSK riding on a high horse right now.
Whoa!
-[audience cheering] -[audience chants, "NXT"]
[Vic] Riddle getting Walter back into the ring.
-[Wade] Oh, my. -[Vic] Can Riddle put away Walter?
No way. Oh. Suplex, bridge, count, kick out.
[Vic] Oh, wow.
[Wade] My entire life just flashed before me,
with MSK diving head-first towards us.
[Vic] This is New Year's Evil live on NXT, our Six-Man Tag Team Matchup.
Imperium taking on MSK and one-half of the Raw Tag Team Champions, in Riddle.
Look, Riddle, not very happy with what happened on Raw,
taking out a little aggression tonight.
[Wade] Yes. Tough loss to Alpha academy on Raw, needs to dust himself down,
get back to winning ways, which he does oh-so-well.
[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Oh, Walter able to answer back.
[Wade] MSK being used like missiles in here. Is this it?
[Vic] Imperium wiping out MSK.
-One, two… -[Vic] Powerbomb.
-No! Riddle kicks out at two. -[audience cheering]
[Wade] Just too high a caliber is Riddle, refusing to go down without a fight.
Walter can't believe it, I can't believe it.
[Vic] Walter cannot believe that Riddle had the wherewithal to kick out
at two and three-fourths and Walter is angry.
[audience chants, "This is awesome"]
Tag!
[Vic] Barthel and Aichner now trying to show
what they can do in front of Walter.
Walter gave the marching orders,
and now the NXT Tag Team Champions trying to follow them.
-[Wade] Ludicrous power from Aichner. -[Vic] Aichner into the cover.
[Vic] The count, and Carter, just able to break up the count.
Wow.
[Wade] MSK and Riddle building chemistry so quickly,
and, boy, do they need it against these three.
[audience chanting "NXT"]
[Vic] Again, Carter is wiped out. This is what Imperium is known for,
having the numbers advantage, seek and destroy.
[Wade] Now they have one man isolated.
[Vic] Walter, again, giving the marching orders to Imperium.
[Wade] No finer man to bark out those orders.
[Vic] And Riddle, spoiling the plan of Imperium.
Walter again gets suplexed,
what strength by Riddle. Tag, in comes Carter.
Lee is now legal.
MSK, another tag.
Up, and down, taking out Aichner…
and Riddle looking to fly as well.
Riddle is legal.
Turns right around.
RKO, Riddle style!
One, two, three.
[bell ringing]
["Hey Bro" playing]
[Alicia] The winners, MSK,
and one half of the Raw Tag Team Champion, Riddle!
[audience chanting "Go"]
[Vic] What a Six-Man Tag Team Match.
Back to the drawing board for Imperium.
Do you think Walter has maybe changed his tune about MSK?
[Wade] Wow, The Shaman came good for MSK,
back on their path to the top perhaps, capped off,
of course, with this fantastic run by MSK.
This is the moment my life flashed before me.
[Vic] MSK was able to take things into their own hands.
Look, take another wipe from the NXT Tag Team Champions.
They were in control of this matchup, trying to follow Walter, move for move,
throughout this entire match.
Carter, however, presence of mind to break up the count.
Then how about this offense.
First, it was MSK delivering the blow,
then it was Riddle all the way from the top rope
crashing right down onto Aichner,
realizing that he wasn't the legal man, and then delivering this.
[Wade] What do you call this? Is that a Riddle KO, is that what that is?
-Whatever it was. -Stolen from Randy Orton's RKO…
[Vic] It's not stolen when you're Tag Team partners…
[Wade] Is Randy a part of this? Is he okay with that?
[Vic] He's a pro. You're not a pro.
Speaking of which, we gotta continue on with our night.
Our own McKenzie Mitchell is standing by with Joe Gacy and Harland.
MSK and Riddle win the victory but with me now, Joe Gacy and Harland.
Gentlemen, I have to ask about the events that transpired last week
with Andre Chase and his student.
Harland, do you care to explain yourself?
It's okay.
Harland has been working through things,
coming to grips with the ramifications of the way people have treated him
in the past.
Harland has made great strides over the last few weeks
and shown more restraint than he ever has before.
And I've discussed it with Harland,
if we were to compete for the Dusty Cup, it would bring him peace…
joy and happiness.
As we are a brand new tag team,
we wouldn't want to be automatically entered into the field.
We don't want handouts.
We wouldn't want the same privilege that an established tag team would receive.
We'd be happy to prove to the tournament committee
that we are a viable tag team.
[exhales]
Thank you for your time.
[Vic] I suppose that's noble, but…
-[helicopter whirring] -What?
Is that a helicopter?
-Oh… Wow. -[audience cheering]
This is how the champ arrives in style.
New Year's Evil, baby.
Go.
[Wade] Oh, my word.
That is exactly how a champion arrives in style in NXT, believe me.
I would love a ride with Mandy in that helicopter.
I don't think I make the grade, though, unfortunately.
[Vic] Well, the NXT women's title is on the line.
Triple Threat Match next at New Year's Evil.
Welcome back to New Year's Evil. I'm now joined by Elektra Lopez.
Elektra, I'll just get right to it. I think everyone, myself included,
wants to know what's going on between you and Xyon Quinn.
Oh, is that so?
Everyone wants to know what's going on with me and Xyon Quinn?
[chuckles]
Well, they can keep on wondering, but I will tell you this.
I joined Legado Del Fantasma
because Santos Escobar knew I was a difference-maker.
Family comes first,
but sometimes, when someone catches your eye,
it makes you look at things a little differently.
McKenzie, I am attracted to success.
I make no apology to you, to my family, to anyone.
But I see you still looking at me, wanting your answer.
Well, next week, you will get your answer, when Santos goes one-on-one with Xyon,
and the winner of that match, the winner of that match leaves with me.
[audience gasps]
Wow. Vic, Wade, back to you.
[Wade] Wow, thank you, McKenzie.
That was another masterstroke by Santos Escobar…
-[Vic] Oh, my God. -…a man who is always in control
of his own destiny. I like that.
-["Twisted Generation" playing] -[audience cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following is a Triple Threat Match
for the NXT Women's Championship.
Introducing first, Cora Jade!
[Vic] Cora Jade oozing with confidence.
[Wade] Yeah, you can't really blame her for being oozing with confidence now.
She's on a real hot streak here in NXT.
Somehow, everything she has touched has turned to gold.
Is it a bit of beginner's luck maybe,
a bit of youthful exuberance here and there?
Well, she is going to need all of that and more if she is somehow
gonna pull off the unimaginable tonight
and win the NXT Women's Championship,
and to make a point, if she can pull that off,
she will be the youngest NXT women's champ in history, big if however.
-["Get Out The Way" playing] -[audience cheering]
[Alicia] Next, Raquel González.
-[audience cheering] -[motorcycle engine revving]
[Vic] A little bit bigger than a skateboard.
[Wade] A bit bigger than your BMX, aye, Vic?
[Vic] It's all about arriving in style.
Of course, González lost the NXT Women's Championship at Halloween Havoc.
Will she reclaim it here tonight?
[Wade] Oh, "Big Mami Cool" riding in in style, for sure,
but once that bell rings, it's going to be all business.
You know for a fact, Cora Jade might get eaten alive by "Big Mami Cool."
[Vic] It was on Halloween Havoc the night our champion was crowned.
You gotta remember, the asterisk goes to next to Dakota Kai
for interfering in that matchup costing González.
["Toxic" playing]
[Alicia] And her opponent, she is the NXT Women's Champion,
Mandy Rose!
-[Vic] Since her arrival, Mandy Rose… -[Wade laughs]
[Wade] Stop. You ruined it. Arrival? That was more than an arrival.
She came in a bloody helicopter, Vic Joseph.
That was straight out of Rock and Roll 101.
That was a megastar moment for Mandy Rose. Our champion.
Our illustrious, superb, grand champion. Mandy Rose.
-What are you gonna work on? -[Vic] What I was going to say…
You come in a lift, don't you? You get the bus to work.
[Vic] …was since her arrival and the formation of Toxic Attraction,
-Mandy Rose has been on top of her game. -[Wade] Oh, man, she has been fantastic.
It's nice that you're finally accepting Mandy Rose.
[Vic] I'm a journalist. I just call it like I see it.
[Wade] You've got zero qualifications in journalism, Vic Joseph.
Let me tell you, Mandy Rose turned up at NXT,
formed Toxic Attraction,
took the remainder of Toxic Attraction to the top of the Women's Tag division.
Won gold here, now runs this place.
It's nice that finally after about six months,
you've given her, her due.
[Vic] Well, there is the NXT women's title.
This is a Triple Threat Match,
first superstar to get any pinfall or submission, no disqualification,
no countouts, and the important note,
the champion does not need to be factored in the decision,
so Mandy Rose can lose her title and not even be pinned.
[Wade] What an absolute disaster that would be
for Mandy Rose in this one.
But the odds are always stacked against Mandy Rose.
Our former commentary partner Beth Phoenix used to say
-that Mandy's been judged from day one. -[Vic] Oh!
Thanks to her looks.
And has had to always outwork the competition.
But, on that point, welcome back, Betty, at day one, in a war,
she is mean right now.
[Vic] I'm all about the grit couple who will be taking on the it couple
at the Royal Rumble.
But right now it's about the NXT Women's Title Champion
in control for a moment.
And there goes Cora Jade taking Rose off her feet.
[Wade] Let me tell you what I like about the start of this match,
"Big Mami Cool" Raquel went straight for Cora Jade
boot to the kisser from the off.
Welcome to this kind of matchup, Cora Jade.
[Vic] Did not work the second time for Cora Jade,
instead Raquel Gonzalez
with a different plan altogether and, look, Gonzalez went from behind,
goes straight, shoulders down and a near-fall.
[Wade] How many times have we seen Cora Jade win big matches
with that style of roll-up?
[Vic] Or baiting in Gonzalez
and now Cora Jade who was signed at 19 years old,
won the Women's WarGames match plans to continue her wild ride tonight.
Will it lead her to championship gold?
[Wade] A ridiculous run here in NXT. They get too confident, and guess what?
The wily Mandy Rose is gonna take you down a peg or two
or maybe five looking at this.
[Vic] Oh, talk about a peg getting taken down
Gonzalez right to the face.
Jade however measuring Gonzalez.
Again, there are no count-outs, no disqualification,
but Cora Jade's gotta get someone back into the ring.
[Wade] Cannonball from Cora Jade. Perhaps though as you're saying,
enjoying it a little too much and have that moment of enjoyment.
Mandy Rose tears you down.
That's right.
[Vic] Mandy Rose all smiles at this moment.
NXT Universe on their feet
and, look, the odds are certainly stacked against Mandy Rose.
Rose into the cover, Gonzalez wisely breaking things up.
[Wade] Breaking things up, saving the match for herself, of course.
Doesn't need to be pinned, doesn't need to submit herself to lose.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] Rose one more time into the cover and again,
Gonzalez wisely dragging Jade back down.
Gonzalez just frustrating the champion at this juncture.
Oh, no.
[Wade] That shows you the veteran smarts of Mandy Rose using everything available.
[audience booing]
[Vic] NXT universe, not very happy with it.
Oh, inside cradle. Cora Jade, could she win the title?
And this time Gonzalez has to break things up.
[Wade] Unique pinfall attempt.
And again one of those quick snappy pin attempts
that have served Cora Jade so well over the past few months,
including, of course, in WarGames.
[Vic] Well, Gonzalez no doubt just annoyed that Cora Jade is in this match.
[Wade] Yeah, you can't blame her.
Perhaps Cora Jade hasn't earned it the same way that Raquel has.
Perhaps, like Raquel, she wants to be the champion.
But you deserve it when you're in there with a powerhouse like this lady.
[Vic] Gonzalez wiping out the field.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Back live on NXT: New Year's Evil,
Cora Jade into the cover, the title and Rose just having to kickout.
This is a Triple Threat Match for the NXT Women's title again.
Mandy Rose is not going to be factored in the decision to lose her gold,
and as we saw during the commercial break, no disqualifications.
Rose bringing out the kendo stick,
as Jade goes up, goes over, takes Rose over, one more time,
shoulders down, near fall.
[Wade] Cora Jade taking a hell of a whooping so far
in this match from both Mandy Rose and Raquel.
But now somehow getting back on track.
[Vic] And, oh, Rose just leveling Cora Jade.
And, look, all three women are down. Cora Jade coming into this.
A lot of heart for the obvious underdog, is Rose into the cover,
and Jade has to kick out.
[Wade] Take another look at this.
Cora Jade trying her best to get a little momentum here,
getting her head taking clean off by Mandy Rose.
You're right, Cora absolutely is the underdog here,
the smallest, least experienced.
[audience chanting] This is awesome.
Not a shade of luck and good fortune in all her victories
but it has to be said, the underdog is what makes her dangerous.
Always the one people have not been keeping an eye on.
[Vic] And right now, Jade turning things around,
taking out both Gonzalez and Rose.
[Wade] Certain level of durability to Cora Jade.
-[Vic] Whoa! -[Wade] Showing time and time again.
Now getting the upper hand once again in this matchup.
[Vic] Are we getting ready to enter the generation of Jade?
As Jade starting to fire back. She's gonna have to chop down Gonzalez.
[Wade] A slip there from Raquel,
just enough for Cora Jade to turn it around.
What a difference, one little slip can make.
And Jade got enough of the knee
but turning things around with just pure power is Raquel Gonzalez.
[Wade] No answer to that.
Nobody has ever figured out how to combat Raquel,
her strength, her size, her power.
[Vic] Whoa, and again, Gonzalez believes she should still be
the NXT Women's Champion and oh…
[Wade] Talking a little trash as she did it,
and Mandy Rose wisely scampering out the way.
[Vic] Rose has realized maybe how lucky she became and…
[Wade] Yeah, what's become of Cora Jade, a pancake on the floor.
That could be it for her.
[speaking Spanish]
[Vic] But it is down to two, Jade's been wiped out.
It's Gonzalez and Rose.
The worst…
[Wade] Going back to the helicopter. She left the keys in that.
[Vic] And Gonzalez not allowing Rose to escape.
Gonzalez has not forgotten about Halloween Havoc.
Oh, Rose isn't gonna be able to talk the way out of this match.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
[indistinct]
[audience chanting]
[Vic] And Gonzalez could be closing in
on her second NXT Women's Championship reign.
[Wade] As hungry as ever to win back the gold.
In truth, she should never have lost it certainly in her view.
The interference at Halloween Havoc by Dakota Kai,
that's what ended the reign of Raquel.
Raquel wants the gold back for the…
[inaudible]
[Vic] Gonzalez trying to get her hands on Rose,
Rose wisely able to roll out of the ring.
[Wade] How smart was Mandy Rose getting out of there,
living to fight another day perhaps.
[Vic] Oh, Rose charging in.
[Wade] Lung blower there from Mandy Rose.
[Vic] Is that the knockout blow? There's no Cora Jade.
Mandy Rose into the cover, hook to the leg to retain the gold,
and powering out is Gonzalez.
[Wade] Split second away from retention. That was Mandy Rose.
[Vic] I mean, wait, you gotta look at this. Right now, Cora Jade's wiped out.
Cora Jade has not gotten up.
The Triple Threat rules, There's no wild card surrounding the ring.
I mean, this is the opportunity for both Rose and Gonzalez.
Rose was close to retaining her title right there.
[Wade] If you're in this kind of matchup, multiple-man matchup,
multiple-person matchup even,
you know this is your moment to make it count.
You've got someone one-on-one in the ring. You're on top. Make it count.
[Vic] I don't know if talking trash is the best thing for Rose.
As Gonzalez trying to refocus herself.
[audience chanting]
NXT universe on their feet for Raquel Gonzalez.
-And this could be it. -[Wade] Chingona Bomb.
[Vic] Can Gonzalez connect, holding Rose up?
Planting Rose, cover for Gonzalez, a new…
Where the hell did Cora Jade come from?
[Wade] Flying out of nowhere.
Just in the nick of time to save this matchup for herself.
Tearing that championship away from the clutches of Raquel.
[Vic] Smile on the face of Jade. That smile might be gone now, huh?
Oh!
Raquel Gonzalez almost seems like something has gone off in her head.
[Wade] Cora Jade making the biggest mistake of her life.
[Vic] Nasty landing for Gonzalez.
[Wade] Figuring out a way as she always seems to do somehow,
someway, by hook or by crook.
And, now, prone Mandy Rose.
[Vic] But as we just mentioned before, Gonzalez is now taken out of the equation.
This is the moment for Cora Jade.
Jade from behind. Rose.
Wait a minute, shoulders are down. Referee. Cover.
-Two. Rose retains! -[bell ringing]
["Toxic" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner and still the NXT Women's Champion,
-Mandy Rose! -[Wade laughs]
[Wade] What a shocker for Cora Jade.
Fallen on her own sword. How many times has she used that trick?
The quick time pin to gain victory, well, Mandy Rose was not born yesterday,
somehow pulling out the victory.
[Vic] Mandy Rose was in danger in this matchup.
The Chingona Bomb from Raquel Gonzalez.
But this is what the Triple Threat rules is all about.
Anything can happen at any moment, expect the unexpected.
And for Cora Jade, I believe everyone in the NXT universe
thought the championship door had just opened for the 20-year-old.
[Wade] Well, she was just a whisker away from pulling off the unthinkable.
Breaking a record here but just a little too smart,
a little too quick was Mandy Rose getting the three count,
getting the retention and still your NXT Women's Champion.
-[Vic] Look at the heartbreak. -[Wade] The glorious Mandy Rose.
[Vic] Look at the heartbreak on the NXT universe.
The heartbreak in Cora Jade.
-You gotta be kidding me. -[Wade] She's fantastic, isn't she?
She's the absolute best that goes in.
But better than you anyway. You don't deserve that.
[tense music playing]
[in Chinese]
That was awesome. We've just beat Imperium.
Dude, this journey has been incredible.
But now it's time for you to fulfil your destiny
and win those Tag Team Championships, so bring it and give me a hug.
Dude, this isn't goodbye forever, just goodbye for now. Later, dudes.
-I love you. I love you. -He's so cool.
All right. We know exactly what we need to do.
Oh, what a touching moment. How cute. There you go.
Congrats.
Listen, while you two were on this cute little trippy vacation,
the Tag Team division, it got a hell of a lot more competitive.
The only way MSK gets a shot at Imperium is if you win the Dusty Cup again.
But that's not gonna happen because we're in it.
-The Brothers Creed. -That's right.
We know that, bro.
Okay, I'm already there on this, the Dusty Cup.
I'm making my prediction for the men's already.
My prediction is that the Creed's will win this year's Dusty Cup.
Can MSK become the first team to ever win the Dusty Cup twice?
What? I mean, you're still gloating over Mandy Rose
retaining the NXT Women's Team.
Did you expect anything other than a Mandy Rose retention?
Let's face it. She is just a different level.
Oh, whoa, whoa. I've never been more happy in my life for Andre Chase.
["Ivy League Traditions" playing]
-[Wade] A rather untimely interruption. -Standing ovation.
I wanted to talk about Mandy Rose.
[inaudible]
[Alicia] Please welcome Andre Chase.
[Vic] Now sometimes I just wonder what goes through your mind
when we're out there doing NXT,
as right now, the Andre Chase student section on their feet.
And I'm sure we're getting set for what is described as a teachable moment.
[Wade] You don't want to know what goes through mine.
-[Vic] I do not. -[Wade] It will be taken off air.
[audience cheering]
Last week was indeed a teachable moment.
[audience cheering]
I was in deep trouble
and one of my students risked life and limb
to slide in this ring and protect me.
[audience cheering]
That's the kind of bond we have between our student body
and the faculty here at Andre Chase University.
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting]
And I'm so grateful that Harland didn't follow through
and throw him off the roof of that building.
Because that would have been terrible for enrollment.
So for his heroics and for his selflessness,
I wanna recognize this student.
[audience cheering]
A man that I'm so proud of…
[audience chanting "You deserve it"]
A man that I've watched grow up
right before my very eyes, as the recipient of the first ever
Andre Chase University full scholarship!
[audience cheering]
You deserve it. Come on down.
["Runaway" playing]
[Wade] Von Wagner is not in Chase U.
[Vic] And I also don't think Von Wagner is looking for a scholarship.
[audience booing]
Enough with the bullshit.
[audience chanting "You suck"]
Now let the real star of NXT say something.
I hear you, I hear the boos and negative comments…
but then when I step in this ring,
all of a sudden, I'm your new favorite Superstar.
And you all want to tune in to the Von Wagner watch party
because you wanna see who I'm about to tune out next.
And let's be real.
I only need to be liked by the people that matter
and none of you do.
Look at me.
[audience booing]
Look at me.
I'm everything that you're not.
And, Andre Chase, I'm everything that you're not.
Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Von.
This is what teachable moments are all…
[Vic] Whoa.
[Wade] Von Wagner is one angry man.
[audience chanting "You suck"]
[Vic] That's a teachable moment indeed.
[Wade] How did Andre Chase need one?
What do you want?
Let him go.
-Whoa. -Oh!
-You suck. -What do you want?
[Vic] No!
-Let's remember the NXT universe. -[Wade] He's lost his damn mind.
He's gone as crazy as Antonio Brown.
[Vic] We gotta get security out here.
Some sort of help. What the hell is going on?
[Wade] This is out of control, man.
This is unreal.
-Come on, man. Get out of here. -Let's go.
[Tommaso] Bron Breakker was supposed to become
the new NXT Champion,
only problem is, nobody told Tommaso Ciampa.
[Bron Breakker] I made one mistake, one.
And the match was over. One, two, three.
Now, failure that night taught me a lesson.
A lesson that I will not forget, and a mistake I will not make again.
[Tommaso Ciampa] At World Games, you gained a bit of confidence.
You pinned the champ. One, two, three.
That makes us one and one.
Don't mistake a battle for a war.
This is the war, Rob.
One mistake, one mistake and it's gone.
I'm coming for the NXT Championship.
New Year's Evil, blood is in the water!
This shark is gonna eat you alive!
[Vic] Oh, the time for talk is over. The highly anticipated rematch
for the NXT Championship is coming up next.
Challenger Bron Breakker going one-on-one with the champion,
Tommaso Ciampa, in a championship matchup.
It's commercial-free here at NXT New Year's Evil.
And the NXT title is on the line next.
[announcer] NXT 2.0 has arrived and we brought some new drip.
[upbeat music playing]
NXT Shop. Yeah, it's like that.
[Vic] Welcome back to New Year's Evil.
Wanna go back to what just transpired moments ago.
First it was Von Wagner utterly destroying Andre Chase.
But then it was the disgusting acts of what followed
as Wagner closed in on the Chase student section.
[Wade] Listen, I have been in this industry a long time
and from day one, when you become a superstar,
the cardinal rule is you never, under any circumstances,
place your hands on a member of the audience.
That is one of the most disgraceful things I have ever witnessed.
And I'm ashamed that that took place under the roof of NXT.
Yeah, and it's an absolutely disgusting display that we just witnessed.
We wanna apologize to everyone, in the NXT universe that witnessed that.
And I'm under the understanding that right now.
Von Wagner is actually being escorted out of the building.
Get off me. Don't touch me.
Wagner, come on, man.
-Just keep moving. Let's go. -Get off me.
I see you got your ass kicked, huh?
Get out of my face.
-What are you gonna do, little girl? -Keep it moving.
-Come on, man. -Can you believe this guy?
2021. What a year and what a life.
[upbeat music playing]
Who else but old Cameron Grimes
showing up in a spaceship coupe and wearing a butler suit.
From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
I went from cutting grass to kicking ass.
That damn Ted DiBiase,
[laughs]
He taught me how to conduct myself like a champion.
But that million-dollar legacy,
that's Ted's legacy and it's time I create my own.
Maybe I should stop chasing so much green.
[cash register clinks]
Maybe in 2022, I start chasing gold.
2022.
To the moon.
[Vic] Green might turn to gold for Grimes
but how about next week after the altercation earlier tonight.
It's put up or shut up for Grayson Waller.
As he gets his first main event match against Raw Superstar,
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles.
[Wade] Not only that. Santos Escobar goes one-on-one with Xyon Quinn.
And Elektra Lopez has stated that she will be leaving with the winner.
[Vic] And this matchup just announced for next week.
Pete Dunne said, "Bring the crowbar". The crowbar will be put up on a pole.
The first superstar to retrieve the crowbar
will be able to use it as a weapon.
Crowbar on a pole, Dunne D'Angelo next week.
But right now it is main event time
and it comes to you commercial-free here on NXT.
["Fear No Evil" playing]
[chains rattling]
[Vic] And that certainly is a message being sent
from the challenger to the champion.
And Bron Breakker is fired up, you can feel the energy.
The emotion from Bron Breakker, said he will win the title tonight, Wade,
or he will die trying.
[Wade] Certain level of aggression of the youth that he has,
but he is focused, he is driven, and let's face it,
last week, he sent a loud message to Tommaso Ciampa.
When he raised the champ above his head in an awesome display of power
before gently placing Tommaso Ciampa back down on the mat.
"I've got you, Ciampa." That was the message.
"I've got you right where I want you."
[Vic] How about the messages moments ago of him shattering
everything that was black and gold.
["No One Will Survive" playing]
♪ No one will survive ♪
♪ Yeah! No one will survive! ♪
♪ There's no escape now No one will survive ♪
[Vic] For a man that bleeds those colors,
had recently defended the NXT title at Madison Square Garden
where he said he is untouchable.
[Wade] I don't know if anybody on this planet
in this industry is truly untouchable.
But if anyone is, if anyone gets close to that…
♪ No one will survive ♪
…it's this man Tommaso Ciampa.
You mentioned Bron Breakker breaking everything that's black and gold,
well, I assure you,
there is one piece of black and gold left standing,
fully held together, that is that man Tommaso Ciampa
and he holds the gold.
[Vic] Adam Masni at an all-time high, it's time for the NXT championship
to be determined.
[bell ringing]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Championship!
[audience cheering]
Introducing the challenger, Bron Breakker!
[audience booing]
His opponent, he is the NXT Champion,
Tommaso Ciampa.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Well, before we get started for this matchup officially, Wade.
Do you agree with Tommaso Ciampa
that Bron Breakker isn't ready to be champion?
[Wade] Oh, that's cheap talk for me. Do I agree?
In all honesty, it isn't for me to say, nobody is ever ready to be the champ
until it actually happens but let's face it.
Take all the shots at Bron Breakker you want.
He has earned the right to get this opportunity
by pinning Tommaso Ciampa in the WarGames matchup.
Take nothing away from Bron.
Inexperienced, yes, but bloody good absolutely.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] A clean break between champion and challenger.
And you can note Tommaso Ciampa's gear tonight
certainly is a message of mind games with Bron Breakker but look up until now.
Bron showed no fear when it comes to Ciampa.
[Wade] No, he did not. Is that… I don't know. Is it a mind game?
[Vic] Oh! [chuckles]
-[Wade] Oh. Is it a block? -[Vic] No effect.
[Wade] Absolutely not. That kick got him though.
Is that a mind game? Is it a bluff?
I don't know, I can't see through any bluff
when he says he has no fear,
I can't see any fear in the eyes of Bron Breakker.
Is that naivety perhaps?
[Vic] All right, now take a look at the champion,
we're getting rolled up by the challenger.
Breakker now has his hands on Ciampa and look at the power on display
that Bron Breakker possesses.
-Boom! -[Wade] Breakker just has an inner calm,
an inner fortitude that most lack.
Even after ten years plus in this industry.
And that explains his rapid ascent to the main event here in NXT.
[Vic] Well, here is the NXT Champion getting a…
Thinking about a few things as this championship match has begun.
Of course, championship cannot change on a count out.
[Wade] Don't blame Ciampa,
taking a little breather there going on to plan B.
-Perhaps plan A wasn't going as it should. -[Vic] Oh-uh, that didn't work either,
Breakker just snatching up Ciampa one more time
and Breakker again letting Ciampa think about it.
[Wade] Okay, we tried plan B, that didn't work.
Here's the brilliance of being a veteran of experience.
You don't have just a plan A and a plan B.
You have ten plans in your pocket, ready to go for the next one.
[Vic] I understand all that but look when it comes to Bron Breakker,
he has noted he made one mistake, one mistake
at Halloween Havoc, he declared, he's learned from those mistakes.
You can see early on,
Bron Breakker didn't run out after the champion.
He waited, he stayed calm, stayed cool and stayed collected.
[Wade] Very smooth of Bron Breakker.
Certain level of maturity, that is important.
But listen, that one mistake that you mentioned,
that is all that a man the caliber of Tommaso Ciampa
needed to capitalize on, get the victory in the first place.
That's the level you have to be at if you wanna be an expert champion.
I've seen that slip that Bron Breakker made
in that first matchup when he was going for the bulldog
or whatever he was going for on that second rope.
I have seen that slip 20 times.
I assure you, Bron Breakker
must have watched it back a thousand times.
-Great athletes learn from mistakes. -[audience chanting]
[Vic] Ciampa able to turn things around. This is the veteran in Tommaso Ciampa
who now is taking control of this matchup where we talked about
how important this matchup is.
We've talked about how crazy it's been in the WWE and NXT here in 2022.
This, what a main event for the first edition of NXT
and then New Year here at New Year's Eve.
[Wade] What a show we have got for our first show of the year.
If this is any indication of what we've got to expect
for the next 12 months, it's gonna be one hell of a year
here in NXT.
[Vic ] As highly anticipated as this matchup has been all on social media today
and for the last several weeks,
everyone also talking about Lesnar last week in the WWE title
at the Royal Rumble, as right now,
[Vic] Ciampa not worried about the rumble,
worried about knocking the teeth out of Breakker's mouth.
[Wade] Just serene, calm etched all over the face
of Tommaso Ciampa as we take another look at this.
Wrong little cue ducking the clothesline, but it wasn't enough.
[Vic] And when was the last time you saw Ciampa throw a dropkick?
[Wade] Yeah, pretty rare.
You know that whatever Bron Breakker was prepping for,
it certainly wasn't that. Here's the brilliance.
He's got 20 plus years of experience to pull from.
I'll guarantee you, he's pulled a few dropkicks in his career.
Not the last five maybe, but now, bring that old stuff back.
[Vic] Ciampa has won the NXT title twice,
it is to note he has never been beaten for the NXT title and for his career,
only two men have actually held the title longer than Ciampa.
One being, of course, Finn Balor… And a knee right under the jaw
rocking Breakker and now Ciampa looking to lay it all on the line.
Look at Ciampa, again.
[Wade] What the hell is he pulling these moves from?
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Ciampa has changed his game here tonight.
[Wade] And Bron just isn't ready for it. Take another look at this.
Brutality as you would expect from Tommaso Ciampa,
knee to the jaw, but this twisted corkscrew plancha to the outside.
Didn't see that one coming, and neither did Bron Breakker.
[Vic] Certainly did not, and look at Ciampa now.
Methodically dissecting the challenger.
Ciampa has said over and over again, this is his NXT.
I mean, he's proven that.
[Wade] Yeah. You can't really argue with that.
But let's not forget that Bron threw Grayson Waller out of the locker room
just three weeks ago.
Fast becoming a locker room leader himself.
But let's face it, Ciampa has been here longer than anyone.
He's done it all
and all roads have to go through him in NXT if you want to get the top.
[Vic] We talk a lot about Tommaso Ciampa's experience
and you can see that in this matchup, able to change his game,
pull out plays he hasn't, to your point, used maybe in a number of years.
Ciampa exposed Breakker's inexperience in their first meeting.
Is that the game plan again tonight?
[Wade] It has to be, maybe with a twist.
He will then, of course, in the first matchup,
he brought Bron to deep water. What was that?
It was Bron's, what, third match in his entire career
that first time they competed,
but probably about six or seven at this point,
he's a little more experienced, but there's still got to be aspects
that can be exploited by Tommaso Ciampa, that inexperience, it's still there.
[Vic] There's some sudden impact from Bron Breakker,
but look what we just witnessed.
There's a flip side to Bron
and the lack of experience that works in his favor.
[Wade] I have to agree with that.
Listen, Bron Breakker, he's as fresh as they come.
He's a young stud in there, we can see that.
Tommaso Ciampa, he has that veteran experience,
but he also has a body that has gone through that veteran experience.
I'm talking knee surgery, shoulder surgeries, neck surgery
that almost ended his career,
and the body of Bron Breakker can absorb a lot more punishment,
at this point, you would imagine than that of Tommaso Ciampa.
[Vic] A well-documented injury history for Tommaso Ciampa.
Now, Bron Breakker able to weather that early storm early on.
-And Breakker entering back, whoa! -[audience cheering]
You talk about sudden impact,
how quickly can Bron Breakker just turn the complexion of a match?
[Wade] Turn it on a dime like we just saw.
It's not the raw power, it's that explosive movement that he has,
that mid-section torque that he can pull off
at any point in a matchup.
People overlook that with a guy like Bron.
They see the muscles, they see the raw power.
There's a lot of movement going on.
[Vic] Bron Breakker, you talk about muscles, power,
a man his size should not be going to the top rope, and again…
Oh! [groans]
Ciampa, the wily veteran, had everything scouted.
Now, you start to see Ciampa.
Can he take advantage of mistakes made by the challenger?
[Wade] There you go. That really is a rush of blood
to the head from Bron Breakker. That little bit of inexperience.
He had that great movement in the ring, that…
[Vic] Oh!
[Wade] But then he got a bit ahead of himself, a little too confident,
and against a guy like Tommaso Ciampa, you cannot afford those small mistakes.
[Vic] Ciampa can hear the NXT universe,
but right now, Ciampa could be looking for fairy tale ending to this matchup.
Breakker sensing what was happening,
able to start to break, able to start to block,
and he's able to escape for, at least, at least a moment.
[Wade] Smartly dropping the anchor there was Bron Breakker.
[Vic] Whoa, spinebuster!
[Wade] And again, you blink for a second, and he's back on…
[Vic] You gotta be kidding me!
Into the cover off the standing moonsault. Do we have a new champion?
Ciampa just kicks out.
[Wade] Look at that, 250 pounds standing moonsault?
-No problem. That's crazy. -[Vic] Take a look, first the power, boom.
All the air being rushed out of lungs, And off the power, the agility,
as you mentioned, a man his size has… We talk about not doing it.
This was the mistake in the first match. Breakker trying to leave his feet.
[Wade] Having second thoughts, clearly. You know that's where he came across…
He took a second too long, and again, mistake on the exact same move.
That fear, for the first time, perhaps in the eyes of Bron Breakker,
trying to overcome his demons, and it backfired.
[Vic] That little hesitation just opened the door
for a knee with a little extra oomph from the champion.
[Wade] Right on the temple of Bron Breakker.
That has knocked him silly.
[Vic] Champion bringing the challenger back into the ring.
And, it's again eyeing up Breakker, and another vicious knee to the temple.
[screams]
[Wade] Tommaso Ciampa perhaps tasting his own blood,
finding that extra gear.
-[Vic] Oh, spear! -[audience cheering]
Spear out of nowhere from Breakker.
Both men down in this commercial-free main event for the NXT Championship.
You can just feel the sudden impact one more time from Bron Breakker.
[Wade] Let's not forget, that was just seconds
after that brutal knee to the temple on the outside.
[audience chanting "This is awesome"]
[Vic] NXT Champion, Tommaso Ciampa, showing the wounds of war.
Bron Breakker took a nasty landing off the top rope.
He's grabbed his knee a few times, we'll see if that comes into play,
as this matchup continues, as both challenger
and champion back to their feet.
[Wade] Now, turning its way into a slugfest,
but I've got to be honest with you, in a slugfest,
you have to back the bigger man, the powerhouse inside Bron Breakker.
[Vic] Again, Tommaso Ciampa has been in this position before.
This is the deep waters that Ciampa has talked about
-all the way back to the Halloween match. -[Wade] Tommaso Ciampa does not have…
-[Vic] There he goes. -…a backwards gear.
This is what makes him so good.
Let me tell you, throwing a punch, it takes a lot out of you,
even when you've won. You get blown up, you get tired quick.
Tommaso Ciampa, more than anyone, does not tire in that ring.
[Vic] Ciampa was looking for the knee
and gets caught with a Frankensteiner into the lower turnbuckle.
Quickly, Breakker realizes, into the cover to be a new champion,
and again, Ciampa able to kickout.
[Wade] You mentioned that knee of Ciampa a couple of times.
That knee went smashing into that bottom rope,
and that can be incredibly nasty.
Real whiplash on that, not enough to put Ciampa away,
but still all the damage
accumulating on the lower body of Tommaso Ciampa.
[Vic] And this could be the final ride for Ciampa.
Up and whoa… Counter.
Holding on. No way. Ciampa, Willow's Bell!
To retain the NXT title, oh.
Ciampa was a half second away. He can't believe it.
[Wade] This matchup just flipped.
Somehow Tommaso Ciampa getting out of that gorilla press, turning into a DDT.
[Vic] Into a single-leg crab. Remember the injured knee,
the knee that Bron Breakker fell off the top rope
and it collided at the hardest part of the ring,
where the steel meets wood.
-[audience cheering] -[Wade] Absolutely.
Desperately reaching out for that rope, so close.
There it is. Has to get out of this.
Ciampa, you got to let it go.
[Vic] This is for the NXT Championship.
Champion Ciampa, challenger Breakker,
everything on the line in this highly-anticipated rematch,
coming to you commercial-free, here on NXT New Year's Evil.
And what a clash this has been. Both men feeling the effects.
We keep talking about Halloween Havoc, this looks eerily familiar.
[Wade] Oh, we've seen this once before.
This signaled the end for Bron Breakker in that matchup at Halloween Havoc,
and now Tommaso Ciampa knows the road map
to beating the big powerhouse, Bron Breakker.
Hits this again and it has to be over.
[indistinct chatter]
[referee] Come on, Ciampa, let him go.
[Vic] Wait, now, wait a minute, Breakker. Holy hell!
-Get up! -[audience gasping]
[audience chanting]
-[Vic] Wade, are you still connected? -[Wade] Think so. Just about.
[Vic] Breakker just putting Ciampa through our desk.
[Wade] Nothing else left standing.
You know, Bron Breakker had to get out of that attempted DDT on the concrete.
Now in full control.
[Vic] Breakker planting Ciampa. This is it. Championship on the line!
-Oh! Presence of mind by Ciampa. -[Wade] So smart.
Perhaps that is the rookie error by Bron Breakker
after he did everything right not to position Ciampa
in the middle of the ring for the pinfall,
allowing Ciampa to escape through the back door.
[Vic] By his fingertips.
[Wade] Yeah, but what is left in Tommaso Ciampa at this point?
Very little you have to assume.
Now clinging onto that bottom rope for dear life.
[Vic] NXT, and again Ciampa just holding on.
To your point, Wade, we talk about deep waters?
[Wade] Smart from Tommaso Ciampa,
he needs time to recover here to get back in the ring,
when you got a piranha waiting to bite your head off.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] To the… Oh!
-[Vic] Whoa. -[referee] Come on, guys, bring it in…
[Wade] I'm gonna tell you, there was nothing accidental about that.
That same shot of the middle rope into the groin.
[Vic] Ciampa exposing his knee pad and bone right under the jaw.
That could be the knockout blow.
[Wade] He's digging as deep as he has to by any means necessary
to beat Bron Breakker tonight. This is what it's gonna take.
[Vic] Ciampa said he was gonna drag Breakker
again into deep, deep water.
[Wade] Oh, now he's in a world of trouble. Tommaso Ciampa…
[Vic] Fairy tale ending,
and Tommaso Ciampa shoots the half to retain the NXT title! Oh, no!
[Wade] No way!
[Vic] The look of disbelief on the face of the champion.
What else does Ciampa have to do?
-What's going through the champion's mind? -[Wade] Okay. This has just got ludicrous.
That was the end, until it wasn't.
[Vic] Ciampa now, pulling out all the stops.
We've seen Ciampa pull out a lot of new aerial moves here tonight.
[indistinct]
Ciampa again, could be looking for that exclamation point.
Breakker starting to fight, and fought his way right through.
[Wade] Breakker just able to hold on to that turnbuckle.
-[Vic] Breakker, bulldog! -[Wade] He's nailed it!
[Vic] Breakker with the bulldog.
The challenger to his feet.
Blood is in the water here at New Year's Evil.
Breakker sensing this could be his moment.
Locking in the champion! Reclining back on Ciampa!
NXT title on the line!
[Wade] Struggling to get out in the worst way…
[Vic] Ciampa has to tap!
-[bell ringing] -Breakker is the champion!
["Fear No Evil" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner by submission
and the new NXT Champion,
Bron Breakker!
[Vic] The NXT universe in absolute disbelief.
Some pumping their fists, some screaming at the top of their lungs,
some questioning what they just witnessed
as Tommaso Ciampa now looking up at the new NXT Champion,
Bron Breakker.
[screams]
Let's go back to this matchup.
I mean, this was hard-hitting from the beginning.
Early on the power was on display from Bron Breakker,
who was just riding a wave of momentum with his power
and his absolute aerial insanity
that brought him between an eyelash of becoming the new champion.
You gotta give credit to Tommaso Ciampa
who was able to navigate his way free a number of times from Bron Breakker.
This Willow's Bell that has silenced so many in the past
would not silence Bron Breakker here tonight.
But this was a turning point, at least for us.
We almost didn't get the hell out of the way
as Ciampa crashed and burned thanks to that Alabama slam at our feet,
and then Bron Breakker again, with it on display his strength,
planting the champion,
and we all thought this was the moment, but by a fingertip and a hand,
Tommaso Ciampa was able to continue this matchup.
Then right there, a little bit low, referee didn't see what had happened,
this matchup would continue.
Tommaso Ciampa was in control with a knee after knee after knee
to Bron Breakker, including this Fairy Tale Ending,
which was planted beautifully in the center of the ring,
but the fairy tale would not come to an end
when it comes to Bron Breakker.
As this matchup would continue,
Bron Breakker's mistake in the first matchup
would not be his mistake here tonight.
Bron Breakker continuing to take control of this matchup
and then reclining back on the champion at the time,
tap out by Tommaso Ciampa which is a rarity in his NXT career,
and then a nod of approval from Tommaso Ciampa to Bron Breakker,
acknowledging the passing of the torch here tonight.
As you look around, everyone now realizes,
the pup has now become a dog-faced Gremlin.
Breakker is now the face of NXT.
Subtitle translation by: Alvi T.