[theme music playing]
[narrator] Then.
[Rick Flair] Whoo!
[The Rock] If you smell…
[narrator] Now.
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-[Lemmy] The King of Kings. -[Cena] You can't see me.
[narrator] Forever.
Together.
[female narrator] A new year signifies looking to the future.
As you stare into the unknown, you see new beginnings,
something to accomplish.
But in the unknown, darkness also smiles back.
Tonight, many will discover
if good can be outweighed… by evil.
Defending what's yours is one thing, but taking it requires much cruelty.
Lyra Valkyria, that clock is ticking,
and I will be seeing you at New Year's Evil.
[Lyra] The difference between me and Blair,
you want this title to call yourself champion.
I want this title, because I want to be the best.
[female narrator] If you desire to stand out from the rest,
you must tap into your dark side.
[Vic] It's down to two. Riley Osborne, Oba Femi.
Who will be this year's Men's Breakout Tournament winner?
[female narrator] Is this the year hard work pays off,
or will you crumble to other embarrassment?
[Vic] A loser becoming a servant or a ranch hand for a day.
[Fallon] When I look at Tiffany, the last thing I see is a hard worker.
And I am not done with her.
[Tiffany] It feels good to put you in your place, Fallon Henley.
You like to work, right? So I'll put you to work.
[female narrator] Sinister deeds lurk around every corner.
If your ambition is to be on top…
[Trick] I'm supposed to be the one to take him out,
something no one else has been able to do, take that title off of Dragunov.
[Ilja] Unfortunately, Trick, nothing and no one can stop me.
[female narrator] …as the new year starts,
let us see if you can withstand the evil or embrace it.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] WWE's New Year's Knockout Week continues tonight
where our superstars are going to make their first impressions hot 2024.
Welcome to NXT New Year's Evil.
And, Book, we're kicking things off
with the first championship match of the night.
["On Point" playing]
[Vic] We're looking at a superstar, Booker,
that outlasted the likes of Tiffany Stratton, Kelani Jordan,
Lash Legend, Fallon Henley,
to become the Women's Iron Survivor
and the number one contender to the NXT Women's Title.
[Booker] Yes. Ever since Davenport set foot here in NXT,
the eye has been on one thing, Vic, that's the prize. Oh, yes, man.
[Vic] We kicked off day one on Monday Night RAW
with Becky Lynch, Nia Jax.
It certainly was a hard-hitting affair.
We're getting ready to witness here in just a matter of moments,
two women with one goal, to walk out of New Year's Evil
with the NXT Women's Title around their waist.
[Booker] Sound like Thunderdome,
two will enter, but only one will leave. Oh, yes, man.
[Vic] Have you been watching old movies over the break?
[Booker] What do you think? Do you think it's movie day?
It's Christmas. It's the holiday season.
["Triumph" playing]
[Vic] Well, as we mentioned, the first of two championship matches tonight.
What a way to kick off the New Year. The first match of 2024 here at NXT.
This is going to set the tone for the next 12 months.
[Booker] Buckle up, Vic. This is it.
New Year's Evil and truly one of the best women's champions
here in NXT that we've seen is truly Lyra Valkyria.
-Give her a prop, Vic. -[Vic] Lyra Valkyria…
[Booker] Stand up, man, stand up.
[Vic] Lyra Valkyria who knocked off Becky Lynch,
the man herself to become the NXT Women's Champion.
-[Booker] How big is that? -[Vic] Huge.
[Alicia] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Women's Championship.
Introducing first, the challenger.
Blair Davenport.
[audience booing]
And her opponent,
she is the NXT Women's Champion,
Lyra Valkyria.
[Vic] Not only a big way to start tonight, right?
Not only we're about to find out who'll start the New Year's champion,
you gotta start thinking a little bit down the line.
Who's gonna be the one that walks into the NXT Vengeance Day,
Sunday, February 4th, Parksville, Tennessee?
Tickets on sale now in Ticketmaster. There's a lot on the line here, Book.
[Booker] I don't know, but I can tell you this right here.
This is the championship, imagine you had that championship feeling.
And I can feel it in my bones, Vic. This is gonna be good.
[Vic] That was a quick glance.
-[audience chanting] Let's go, Lyra! -[Booker] Yes, the…
[Vic] The NXT universe already fired up. And a quick glance, though, Book,
there are some similarities between the two.
Both cut teeth in Europe, both sharpened their skills
against the likes of legends like Meiko Satomura.
[Booker] More than anything, they both want that top spot, Vic.
Both have a very, very deep playbook. We'll see who has the best playbook.
Oh, whoa, quick little trip up right there by Davenport.
[Vic] Both students of the game have studied each other.
Getting ready for this affair, met face to face last week.
There was a lot of talk from Davenport that the time was ticking on Valkyria.
Valkyria, a champion who is right now coming right back in
and big hip toss on Davenport.
[Booker] Vic, that was a hip lock right there.
Got her up high, got the hip deep in, and the pop of the hip, Vic.
[Vic] I was getting ready to say it was a champion
that when she starts to feel someone's doubting,
it makes her raise her game.
And one would say that Valkyria has raised her game
since winning the women's title. Not a complacent champion.
[Booker] No, when you win that championship, Vic,
you become laser focused.
I always call it, what do I call it? That cloak of invincibility.
You know, championship gain about 20% to 30% more knowledge
when you get that title right away. So, yeah, she's ready.
[Vic] We talk about the championships.
One woman who returned at deadline, who targeted Valkyria,
has zero respect for anyone, that being Cora Jade.
Nice counter by Davenport, trying to hoist up Valkyria.
Valkyria trying to lower the hips to block,
turns it right back around and right back into control.
[Booker] You know why Cora Jade did that, Vic, because…
-Whoa, whoa. -[Vic] Shoulders down.
[Booker] She wants a piece of the action. That's what it's all about.
It's about championships here. It's about winning.
[Vic] Let's not forget, she got a piece of the champion in tag team matchup,
teaming with Blair Davenport.
It was Cora Jade who earned the victory by pinning Lyra Valkyria.
[Booker] That right there, that's just a notch on the belt, Vic.
That's that gunslinger coming back to town, man, I like it.
[Vic] You won't miss a second of the action.
This is a commercial-free first 30 minutes here on NXT New Year's Evil.
Blair Davenport just turning this matchup around.
And Davenport now looking down, laser focus, as you mentioned earlier.
Double stomp right to the shoulder blades.
Valkyria may be out. Cover, count, near-fall.
You don't have to squeeze me so tight there, Book,
but that shocked you. Take another look, Booker.
[Booker] That shot right there, that was gnarly right there.
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] That was gnarly.
Let me tell you right now, Lyra Valkyria, she's on Dream Street right now.
Davenport, go for the cover. What are you thinking?
[Vic] She just attempted one, and now just toying with the champion.
This, to your point, might not be a sound strategy by the challenger.
[Booker] No, Vic. That right there, that was a blow that was a bit different.
-Let me tell you right now, Davenport… -[Vic] Into another cover.
And is it going to be enough? But again, Valkyria kicking.
Valkyria right now is trying to fight through,
and we've seen Valkyria be able to overcome the odds.
We've seen her battle through injuries in the past
but the game has changed in an instant here tonight.
[Booker] And I look at this last year that Lyra Valkyria's had,
I mean, this meteoric rise to the championship, I get it.
But right now, she's in the fight, fighting for her life right now, Vic.
[Vic] You mentioned Fallon Henley and Tiffany Stratton already,
a high stakes match between those two women here tonight,
but it is Davenport who believes the time is ticking for Lyra Valkyria.
Valkyria hoisting up the champion. Doesn't have a great grip.
Davenport trying to get back down…
Oh, that's one unique way to counter a submission.
[Booker] One thing you can't think about in a situation like this, Vic.
Right now, she's hurting, but you can't think about that.
You gotta let the pain flow.
You gotta let that adrenaline kick in right now.
Seeing like that adrenaline boost, it is moving, man.
[Vic] Big strikes by the champion. Right back, palm thrust.
Now going down low, trying to chop down Davenport.
Davenport on Dream Street. Look at the right hand by the champion.
Valkyria back in with a big clothesline.
[Booker] Yes, right now, Vic, that's adrenaline rush right now.
But one thing about that adrenaline dump,
you can only do this for only so long, Vic.
[Vic] Davenport trying to turn it around. High crossbody.
And Valkyria had so much momentum, she bounced off the challenger,
but now has Davenport in her sight. Back kick to the midsection.
Look at the combination offense from the champ.
[Booker] Beautiful combination. Wow.
[Vic] Step-up enzuigiri rocks Davenport.
Valkyria may be looking… for a high risk.
Will it pay off?
Oh. High crossbody did not connect, but there comes Davenport back in.
Oh, maybe looking for that Falcon Arrow. Gets countered.
Oh. Flex connects. Into the cover.
Off the float over, and another near-fall, this time for Valkyria.
[Booker] I'm so impressed with Valkyria now.
I don't know where she's getting this from, Vic,
'cause right now, I thought she was out.
I thought she was out of the game, but right now she's right back in it. Wow.
[Vic] Well, Booker, we're watching this matchup,
and I heard what you just said, we have breaking news at this moment.
Kelly Kincaid will have a medical update immediately following this.
There's something going on right now, Book.
We don't exactly know what,
but Kelly Kincaid is going to have a huge update following this matchup.
Here and again, it's commercial-free for the first 30 minutes.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] And I take a look.
We're already starting off 2024 with a wild night.
We got huge breaking news coming. We got this matchup going on.
We got the champion into a cover. And another near-fall.
And I go back to the beginning of this matchup several moments ago,
when the champion took that nasty fall.
And we've asked how she's been able to get back into this matchup.
But if you look at Blair Davenport, Davenport's been grabbing on
to that right shoulder throughout this matchup.
Take another look at this right here.
-Double stop, bam! -[Booker] Oh!
-[Vic] Face first into the mat. -[Booker] Bam!
There's one thing I always talk about, Vic.
We go into the ring each and every night. I'm talking about 365 days a year.
Each and every night we go in that ring and hurt, but injured?
That's another story, Vic. That's something totally different.
[Vic] And after the face-to-face,
we've wondered, does the challenger have the advantage in this matchup?
The challenger's brought her game. But Valkyria's showing you why.
She has become a leader. She has become a superstar
that the rest of the women's locker room can look up to.
But Blair Davenport could be moments away.
-Falcon Arrow from the top! -[Booker] Oh, my God!
[Vic] Falcon Arrow from the top. Lyra somehow able to roll to the outside.
[Booker] That was the smartest move of the night for Valkyria. Oh, no.
[Vic] And again, champion's advantage.
Davenport has to get Valkyria back into the ring.
Has to win by pinfall or submission.
-Watch out, Book. -[Booker] Yes, indeed, man. Move it, Vic.
[Vic] It's set up. Oh, no.
[audience clamoring]
[Vic] And Valkyria may have just seen… her championship reign flash.
[audience chanting] Holy shit!
[groaning]
[Vic] As I was saying, her championship reign
flashed before her eyes.
Just able to get out of the way.
And now you gotta wonder, Davenport's knee. You heard the impact.
-It was right here. -[Booker] Yes.
-Shook the whole desk. -[Booker] I'm looking that right now.
I'm looking at Valkyria trying to get some feeling
back in that right hand right now.
There must be some numbness going through that elbow.
Like, Vic, this matchup, right? This is a matchup.
-This is main event matchup. -[Vic] It certainly is.
And that's why I said that this is setting the tone.
And the knee gave out after what we just witnessed.
Davenport's knee just gave out. Oh, face first goes Valkyria.
What a women's clash for the NXT Women's Title.
Oh, Davenport's bouncing herself. [inaudible].
Damaged under the knee. The right knee. Davenport's holding on.
Big kick to the face.
And Valkyria needs a little bit extra
to put the exclamation point on New Year's Evil.
[audience] One, two, three.
-[Vic] Valkyria retains. -[Booker] Wow.
[announcer] Here is your winner, and still the NXT Women's Champion,
Lyra Valkyria.
["Triumph" playing]
[Vic] NXT universe on their feet.
What a way to kick off New Year's Evil.
Lyra Valkyria successfully defending her title against Blair Davenport.
And these two brought the heavy artillery all night long.
That was a big Falcon Arrow from the top.
Luckily, Valkyria got to the outside, and then again had luck on her side.
Moving out of the way. Knee first went, Davenport.
That really was the moment the game changed.
Because after another miscue, the knee buckled.
And then, bam, big kick under the jaw. And then for Valkyria… Oh, Booker.
It's Lola Vice with an official. And that guaranteed championship contract.
Where the hell… It's Tatum Paxley.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Elektra Lopez.
[audience clamoring]
[groaning]
[Vic] What the hell is going on?
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Lola Vice was about to execute that championship contract.
[audience clapping]
-Maybe for the first time. -[Booker] Let them loose.
-Maybe for the first time. -[Booker] It's New Year's Evil.
[Vic] Valkyria was happy. Paxley was creeping around.
[audience chanting] Let them fight!
I'll ask you whatever, though. You wanna do it today?
[audience chanting] Let them fight!
[Vic] As we mentioned earlier,
Kelly Kincaid standing by with some breaking news right now on NXT.
What a start to New Year's Evil, but breaking news from WWE Medical.
Despite Ilja Dragunov saying that he will defend his NXT title tonight,
WWE Medical will not clear Ilja as he did not pass his neck examination.
He's still suffering lingering effects
from the injury he sustained two weeks ago.
I'm hoping to get a word with Trick Williams to get his reaction
as the NXT title match will not take place tonight.
Guys, back to you.
["Substance Over Style" playing]
-[Vic] You're throwing your hands up. -[Booker] Oh, man.
[Vic] That's… That's heartbreaking for Trick Williams.
[Booker] Wow.
["Substance Over Style" continues playing]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is a Six-Man Tag Team match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, No Quarter Catch Crew.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] You know what to say after that news we just heard from Kelly in the back?
We knew it was breaking news.
[Vic] There's gotta be a bit more answers or something,
but, I mean, your heart goes out to someone like Trick Williams.
-WWE Medical doing their job. -[Vic] Let me tell you something.
Trick got to have the worst look I've ever seen any man have.
[Vic] We gotta move on to this match because it is a Six-Man Tag Team match.
There you see No Quarter Catch Crew. We know they'll be facing the LWO,
but it was Dragon Lee who went on social media
and noted he wouldn't be here tonight.
But the LWO and Dragon Lee have promised us a major surprise.
["Our World" playing]
[Alicia] And their opponents,
first, the team of Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde,
LWO.
-["Bad Apple" playing] -[audience cheering]
[Alicia] And their tag team partner,
Carlito.
-[Vic] Booker, how cool is this? -[Booker] What the hell's going on?
[Vic] Carlito.
[Booker] Everybody wanna get a piece of the act.
Everybody wants some champagne 'cause it's New Year.
It can't be our dream. Is that it? Is that why Carlito is here?
-[Vic] All I know… -[Booker] What the hell?
[Vic] Booker, all I know is that the first 30 minutes…
[Booker] Why is everybody so happy?
[Vic] The first 30 minutes commercial-free.
Lyra Valkyria retained the NXT Women's Title.
We had some breaking news about what we thought was our main event,
and now Carlito's here.
[audience chanting] Carlito! Carlito! Carlito! Carlito!
[Vic] Carlito wants a piece of Drew Gulak.
One superstar who is not here,
is not in the camp of Kemp, Gulak and Borne,
that is Charlie Dempsey in Japan competing for All Japan Pro Wrestling
tomorrow for the Triple Crown Championship.
[Booker] I don't know what movie are you looking at.
Carlito's right there. He could have easily gotten a ring with Drew Gulak
if he really, really wanted a piece of that smoke. Oh, yes.
Why are you dampering all the party festivities
here on New Year's Evil?
You're the one coming in, telling me to put the champagne down right now, Book.
Take a look at Del Toro taking out Drew Gulak.
He's getting back to the matchup.
[Booker] This kid's got a lot of talent. He's sitting there with a pole.
He's sitting there with a legit master of the sport.
[Vic] Uh-oh. Bang!
Big high crossbody into the cover, hook to the leg, near-fall.
This is going to be high flying versus ground and pound.
[Booker] Yeah, I agree with that. I agree with that.
[Vic] Here's some of that high-flying. Take a look. Bang.
[Booker] Beautifully executed right there by Del Toro.
But right now, Joaquin, wow, he's on the move. I like it.
[Vic] Found the move in a big way. Unique offense into the cover.
Another near-fall.
We talk about LWO. We talk about the night that we've had here tonight.
Still to come, Loser is the Winner's Ranch Hand or Servant.
Stratton Henley, big stakes on the line here at New Year's Evil,
live later tonight on NXT.
Wild right now in the wrong part of town.
[audience groan]
Wow, though, Damon Kemp trying to get him some.
-Look at Wilde flying around with ease. -[Booker] Yes, indeed.
[Vic] I'd say right now that high-flying is taking over ground and pound.
-And the official distracted by Gulak. -[Booker] Whoa, whoa, say that again.
I said high flying was taking over and taking control of ground and pound.
-It looks like here right now. -[Booker] You know what?
-Boom. That's what I'm talking about. -[Vic] Take a look at this.
All six superstars. And look who's standing.
[audience jeering]
What is on the mind of Wilde?
What's on the mind of LWO?
[audience chanting] LWO!
[audience jeering]
[Vic] What'd you say earlier? What the hell was that?
[audience chanting]
[Vic] Take another look.
Booker, Joaquin Wilde got launched halfway up the ramp.
Take a look at the height. Take a look at the landing.
And just for fun, one more look at it, wiping out Kemp, Gulak, and Borne.
[Booker] I guess, we thought that was out of range right there.
[Vic] It went out of his range.
That's your catapult that made the difference right there. Oh, wow.
[Vic] Facial dropkick from the top into the cover one more time.
And Gulak powering out and I will reiterate my stance
that high flying is controlling the ground and pound.
[Booker] They are. Gulak needs to get his team to regroup a little bit,
rally around, trying to come up with another game plan.
-Plan A is not working, go to Plan B. -[Vic] And again, the official distracted.
And Myles Borne with a cheap shot. Drew Gulak cleaning up.
[Booker] Like I said, that's what tag team wrestling is all about.
Like I said, one plan may not work in the beginning,
but that's what strategizing is all about.
That's what getting in the dojo working on schemes is all about, Victor.
That's what I'm… If you feel me, it's New Year's Evil.
[Vic] Now, you're back to having fun here on New Year's Evil.
You take a look at this Six-Man Tag Team match
and how it came about.
We gotta remember that it was Del Toro and Wilde that came to the aid
of Dragon Lee several weeks ago.
I know, Book, you don't gotta put your hand in my face.
What do I tell you all the time? Mind your business.
-[Booker] That's exactly what I'm saying. -[Vic] I know you're gonna say it.
[Booker] He's concerning himself with business that don't concern him.
That's exactly what they did, Mr. Victor. That's exactly what they did.
Damon Kemp under the jaw.
Kemp turning around into a neckbreaker as well.
And Kemp now quickly into a cover. The center of the ring and Wilde.
[Booker] You're beginning to go a little too well, Vic.
-I don't like it. -[Vic] Ankle lock applied. Tag was made.
Look, Damon Kemp can show his toughness. Gulak and Dempsey have the pedigree.
The wild card for this team known as No Quarter Catch Crew
is the man in the ring that just tagged on Myles Borne.
Myles Borne, you know what he did in the beginning, Vic?
He bought in. He bought in to the system.
He's not one of these guys that's just going to come in here
and want to play games and make friends.
He's about making money.
-Like, CM Punk said that, didn't he? -[Vic] He did. He certainly did.
-[Booker] I agree with him. -[Vic] Now, Kemp is the legal superstar.
All three men are in the ring at this moment.
-[Booker] Oh, double clutch. -[Vic] With a German. Kemp with a German.
Turned around into an assisted dropkick.
Kemp is legal with the bridge. Carlito has to land…
-[Booker] What is this referee thinking? -[Vic] What? Not disqualifying…
[Booker] No, he needs to move a little quicker there.
The Quarter had that match won by two or three.
Maybe a two or three count. Come on.
[Vic] Kemp right back into the ankle lock
because as Drew Gulak used to have a PowerPoint presentation,
the sole purpose was to show you that you're safe and sound
when your feet are on the ground. That's Gulak's tag back.
[Booker] Uh, uh, not so quick, son. That's what I'm saying.
Look at Drew Gulak
how he's just managing every inch of the square circle right there.
-He's a master at it. I love it. -[Vic] Whoa, whoa, oh, oh.
Kemp now just putting the brakes on with a stiff kick.
Right to the spine and right back to the ankle lock.
-All right. You're praising Drew. -[Booker] No, no. I like this kid.
He's scrambling right now. Right now, all of those little tricks
he was doing earlier, all those working, everything.
-They smiled at him. They were like… -[Vic] Cheap shot.
[Booker] Right now, he's getting that [inaudible] off.
He'll do the ankle kick right there.
[Vic] Trying to hoist him up.
Wilde able to land on his feet for the moment.
Wilde now. Rolling through. Oh, here it comes.
[audience jeering]
[audience chanting] Carlito!
[Booker] Oh, no.
[audience chanting continues] Carlito!
[Vic] Carlito bringing the smoke, as you said a little bit earlier.
He wanted it. He's getting him some now, Booker.
[audience jeering]
-[Vic] Oh, yeah. -[Booker] Foreign object.
It's an apple, not a foreign object. Big backdrop.
[audience jeering]
[Vic] Oh, and Kemp back to his feet. And Damon Kemp coming in.
-Got caught. Cover. -[audience] One, two…
[Vic] Oh, you like breaking up the count. You know, we talk about LWO.
Well-wishes go out, speedy recovery to Rey Mysterio.
And superkick under the jaw. Gulak wiped out.
Borne taking out Wilde for the moment. Big clothesline.
Borne's standing. Not anymore. Walking the tightrope.
-Hitting the dropkick. -[Booker] That was impressive.
Cruz Del Toro, who gets scooped up and planted by Damon Kemp.
[Booker] All muscle there by Kemp.
[Vic] All muscle just got caught by Carlito.
Carlito, though, turning around, oh.
[Booker] Oh, yeah, I like this kid, Damon Kemp. He's been on my radar.
Looking to get him at fade five man.
[Vic] All six superstars are down. Bodies are everywhere.
Kemp shoots the half into the cover for a big victory.
And a kick out by Carlito.
We're talking about Rey Mysterio, the former United States Champion.
We'll be watching SmackDown New Year's Revolution,
very closely, as will the LWO.
Because we'll find out who'll face the current champion, Logan Paul,
at the Royal Rumble for the United States Championship
in the finals of the tournament.
-[Booker] Oh, Vic. -[Vic] Oh, to the top.
Twisting through the air and coming down hard,
wiping out the field was Joaquin Wilde.
[Booker] Talking about Wilde. My God, man.
[Vic] Damon Kemp, I don't think realizing he's the only superstar standing.
He certainly didn't realize the tag was made.
He does now. Del Toro's legal.
Backstabber.
[audience groan]
And Del Toro picking his spot. Carlito with a big slam.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] And somewhere smiling, Rey Mysterio,
as LWO handling business for Dragon Lee.
[audience] One, two, three.
[bell rings]
["Our World" playing]
[Alicia] Here are your winners,
Carlito, Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro,
LWO.
[Vic] What a Six-Man Tag Team match. What a surprise.
Carlito. But what a moment at NXT.
Look at the height. Look at the distance. And that wouldn't be it.
Because it would be high-flying LWO all night here at New Year's Evil.
But not just Wilde,
it also would be Cruz Del Toro with the assist from Carlito.
Big backstabber. Made the tag. Del Toro was legal.
And take a look at the height, the rotation, sticking, the landing,
for the big victory for the LWO.
And Dragon Lee who is somewhere all smiles right now.
["Our World" playing]
Soon, when Charlie Dempsey gets back, we are going to the deck
and straightening this out. Let's go. Let's go.
[Vic] You can tell Drew Gulak not happy with how New Year's Evil went. Oh.
-[audience jeering] -["Our World" playing]
[Vic] Oh.
[audience applauding]
[audience cheering and applauding]
Trick Williams, not exactly the start you wanted to your 2024.
Kelly, to say I'm disappointed is an understatement.
I mean, me and Melo have been in the gym. We've been grinding.
But, look, I wish the best for Ilja. I can't wait for him to get healthy.
Because once he is, we'll have this title match.
You know what? I'm not buying it, Kelly.
I think Ilja knew that Trick was training with me.
He got spooked. Because that's a guaranteed lose, man.
-That's a guaranteed new champ. -Trick-Melo again.
You can get out, the adults will talk now. Yeah, such unfortunate news.
But maybe it was a New Year's blessing, you know?
Because there's no way you'll beat Ilja. Come on, Melo. Tell him.
-Be honest with him. -Naysayer, please.
I'll be the one to win the title off of Ilja.
-Okay. -And I'm sure you've heard by now.
-I am the Iron Survivor. -Actually, I'm the original Iron Survivor.
Remember back when you were a valet? But, I guess, Melo is the valet now.
Oh, hell no. No, we're not gonna do all that.
Because you got the wrong ones, but you got the right ones.
You and me, we can run it back like it's nothing.
-You'd like that, huh? -Yeah.
As a matter of fact, Trick's locked and ready to go.
And he needs somebody to whoop tonight.
I don't know if you guys know this, but I'm on SmackDown now.
And I wrestle legends, not flops like Trick Williams.
Flop? Your jacket's a flop.
-What do you mean? This is nice. -Look at me and look at you.
-Who looks like a flop? You do. -You do.
As a matter of fact, nobody more ready than Trick.
-Exactly. -Nobody look better than Trick.
-Exactly. -Matter of fact, you know what?
-Trick got a new T-shirt out. -Exactly.
And I'm so confident that Trick will whoop your ass.
And he'll put up his number one contender shot tonight.
-Exactly. -Exactly. I love…
Melo, you don't miss, man. Thank you. Hey, I accept. See you out there, Trick.
-Oh, yeah, he will. -Whoop that, Trick.
-What was that, dawg?
[Riley] Tonight is the biggest match of my life.
The finals of the NXT Breakout Tournament.
It's the reason I came to NXT.
To follow in the paths paved by great European superstars
like Finn Balor and Drew McIntyre.
All the OGs like Fit Finlay and William Regal.
To have my name be in that conversation with those guys
and the outstanding competitors, I've got to win that contract.
If I win…
I have a real shot at becoming a champion in 2024.
But, man, Oba Femi is a beast. He has the advantage in every category.
Size, strength, power. No doubt, I'm the underdog.
But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Somehow, someway, I've got to get my hand raised.
Become the next NXT Breakout winner and be on my way to one day hear my name,
Riley Osborne on a list of the great European superstars.
[Vic]NXT BreakoutFinals still to come, but Carmelo Hayes' idea is official.
Dragunov, not clear to compete.
Our new main event has championship implications,
the Battle of Iron Survivors.
Williams, Waller, who will be the next to face Ilja Dragunov for the NXT title?
We find out tonight at New Year's Evil.
["Lido" playing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Arianna Grace.
["Lido" playing]
["All Fall Down" playing]
[Alicia] And her opponent, Roxanne Perez.
[Vic] Let's not forget, New Year's Evil, where you won't miss a second
of the in-ring action here tonight
as WWE's New Year's Knockout Week continues here on NXT,
culminating Friday with SmackDown's New Year's Revolution.
But this matchup, well, it took place and came about
because of something that took place two weeks ago on NXT.
You need to remember, it's not about wins and losses,
it's about good sportsmanship.
Actually, it is about wins and losses.
-[groans] -[women gasp]
Oh, my God, she's crazy. My face!
[Vic] And, really, you saw the slap that we all heard.
Some of us were shocked, some people were not.
But what really has been the trigger
that has been setting off Roxanne Perez as of late?
-Why are you laughing? -[Booker] No, look, let me say this.
I don't condone that, okay? But we truly don't know the backstory.
Vic, we don't know what's going on in the women's locker room.
We don't know exactly what's going on around that whole story there.
Come on, you gotta agree with me there, right?
[Vic] It's hard to argue with you.
But, look, maybe for Roxanne Perez, nice counter by…
[Booker] Don't… Look, look, Vic, don't let the smooth taste fool you.
As well as Roxanne Perez, she's been going through a lot.
She's under a lot of pressure. I mean, having that meteoric rise.
Like I said, it's so hard to get there, but it's so much harder to stay there.
She's got a lot of pressure on her, Vic.
[indistinct chatter]
[Vic] Oh. Slapping her right back.
This could be a big moment for Arianna in this match against Roxanne.
But I'll go off of what you just said because frustration could lie in the fact
Roxanne Perez was never beaten for the NXT Women's Tag Team Title.
-She had relinquished it. -[Booker] That's right.
[Vic] She was never pinned for the NXT Women's Title,
if you remember that as well.
So she could be sitting here going, she's never been beaten
for any championship she's ever held here.
It's always been something else, whether it was an injury,
whether it was not medical clearance,
whether it was 'cause a friend stabbed her in the back.
It's never been 'cause she wasn't the best woman in the ring.
[Booker] That's true, but that might create
not being in that right mind space.
And Arianna Grace could slip in there.
[Vic] Rolling right through, shoulders down.
Look at the transition and a near-fall.
[Booker] And you wonder if Arianna is catching Roxanne
in the right place at the right time to get that victory,
to catapult her to stardom. Oh, yes, that's what it's about.
[Vic] Perez now trying to turn things around, but so is Grace.
And then Roxanne Perez also needs a little home cooking.
[Booker] No, no, you know what? She'll be getting a little home cooking.
On January 13th, she's going to be coming back home.
Roxanne Perez coming home to reality of wrestling.
-One night only. -[Vic] That's where she cut her teeth.
You've trained her well.
You've been in her life since she started her wrestling life,
-I should say, since she began. -[Booker] Oh, wow!
[Vic] You've seen the ups and downs,
which is why I've brought it to what has triggered her,
what has pushed her over the edge.
But right now, Arianna Grace has turned the tables.
Do you feel bad for someone like Arianna Grace?
I think she talks to hear herself talk.
[Booker] I don't feel bad about Arianna.
[Vic] 'Cause she's getting slapped in the face. There we go.
[Booker] She don't do this for the money.
-This is a hobby for Arianna Grace, man. -[Vic] A hobby?
[Booker] Yes, right now she's doing it, and doing it well, check it out. Oh, wow.
That was exhibit A in this matchup.
But what would a win do then for Arianna Grace
to beat someone like Roxanne Perez?
Like I said, catching Roxanne in the right place at the right time
would take you straight to the moon.
I'm talking about putting the rocket on her.
[Vic] We know the road to WrestleMania begins three weeks from Saturday
at the Royal Rumble.
Float over into the cover and a kick out, Grace.
Really anyone in the NXT would like to follow in the footsteps of Perez,
who entered into the Royal Rumble last year
in the Women's Royal Rumble match at number eight.
-Show them that pretty face. -Roxanne, do you quit?
[Vic] Talking real trash is Grace,
who's also told many women in the locker room
that her New Year's resolution was to install etiquette
into everyone that she talks to,
and she was gonna start with Roxanne Perez here tonight.
[Booker] Very respectful backstage, but one thing I like about Arianna Grace
is how she's able to switch gears, Vic.
Right now, this is a different Arianna. Oh, whoa.
-[Vic] A near-fall. -[Booker] So close.
-[groans] -[Vic] Oh, and another kick right to the…
-You don't see Roxanne go down often. -I'm trying to help you.
[Vic] As Grace screaming, I can help you, and…
[audience chanting] Go Roxy!
[Vic]NXT universe now trying to rally behind Roxanne Perez.
-[audience chanting] Let's go, Roxy! -[audience chanting] Arianna!
[Vic] That was one of the few times we've seen Grace in the ring
that a smile has left her face, almost into disgust, almost into anger.
[Booker] I just said it. I just said it a second ago.
I mean, Arianna Grace has switched gears.
[Vic] Uh-oh, she tried to slap Perez back. Perez having none of it.
[grunts]
I don't think so. Here I go.
-[Booker] Whoa. -[Vic] Here comes Roxanne Perez,
who hasn't been the same Roxy since last summer.
[Booker] Let me tell you something, Roxanne is all we're thinking about.
We think about the future, Vic. We think about Hall of Fame.
We think about being the greatest of all time.
-That's what Roxanne Perez is all about. -[Vic] What do you think about prodigies?
They all start off as prodigies, don't they, Book?
-[Booker] Yes, indeed. Oh, wow. -[Vic] Another big foreman.
Roxanne Perez now, a different side, a different anger, a different vengeance.
-[audience] Three, four, five… -Bring it down. Just bring it down.
[Vic] Oh, right into the eyes of Perez, raking the face.
Face first goes Perez. Grace just turning things around in this matchup.
-[Booker] Referee don't see that. -[Vic] Oh, this would be a huge victory.
-[Booker] It's all legal. -[Vic] You're right.
The official didn't see it. But wait a minute. Perez, Pop Rocks.
One, two, three.
-[bell rings] -[Vic] What a victory for Perez.
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Roxanne Perez.
[Vic] The rake of the face, cutting corners, didn't stop Roxanne,
who again was able to battle through the adversity of this matchup.
Hit that picture. Perfect Pop Rocks.
Pick up another victory. It's our 2024 on the race.
You need my help. You have issues. You need help.
[grunts]
[Vic] I don't know if it's Perez who has the issues.
Stop. What's wrong with you?
[Vic] The referee might have his hands full here.
Perez, though… Roxanne?
-[Booker] Ref, get in there and stop this. -[Vic] She's become unhinged.
[Booker] Ref, get in there and stop this.
No, no. I don't like this side of Roxanne.
-This is different. -[Vic] Book.
Stop. Don't [inaudible]. Perez, stop.
-[Booker] This isn't the way you do it. -I need help. Stop, stop.
[Vic] Official call for more help. What has gotten in?
-We talked about a trigger going off. -[Booker] I don't know.
[Vic] Roxanne's smiling. She's smiling, Book.
Stop. What's wrong with you?
-Stop. Come on, stop, stop, hey. -Roxanne, slow down. Stop there.
Come on, hey.
[Vic] Officials doing their best to separate.
-That's enough. That's enough. Stop. -Stop.
[indistinct chatter]
[Vic] [inaudible] tell her? The official.
[indistinct chatter]
Due to Roxanne refusing the referee's instructions…
the referee has reversed his decision
and has awarded the victory to Arianna Gray.
[Booker] Damn it. Man.
[Vic] But, Book, she didn't follow the rules.
She didn't listen to the official. I can't… They better stop Perez.
[indistinct chatter]
["Lido" playing]
Ava, excuse me. Lots of big things happening tonight on New Year's Evil.
Absolutely. Last night, day one was crazy. Tonight, it's been unpredictable.
And it was a tough decision to make with Ilja Dragunov,
but his health is the most important thing.
When he's finally cleared, he'll defend his title against Trick or Grayson.
Now, I have to ask. We've been seeing you come out of Shawn Michaels' office,
talking to superstars, announcing matches. What's going on?
It was brought to my attention a few months ago
when a wise man told me that as the brand continues to grow,
Shawn Michaels, he might need some help. And that's where I come in.
I have a unique relationship with the NXT roster.
I have some of my own ideas. Sometimes they work.
Sometimes they don't. But one idea that did work is that,
next week is the start of the Men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
-Ava, that's so exciting. -I think so too.
-Happy New Year, Kelly. -Happy New Year, Ava.
[sighs]
It feels good to finally put you in your place, Fallon Henley.
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Fallon Hen…
[Vic] Oh. Tiffany has snapped.
A person like Tiffany Stratton doesn't even belong in the same world as Fallon.
The only match I care about is Becky versus Lyra.
-Whoa. -Oh.
[Tiffany] If I were you, I'd want to be me too as well.
I've only dealt with you for a month, but I'm already sick of you.
But, really, what are you doing?
Sarah, I deserve everything.
-Do you know why? -Why?
Because I'm the center of the universe. If that's the universe, that's me.
In the center, the Tiffany center. [laughing]
God. Why am I so rich? You can go now. Toodles.
-Oh, that's typical. -[grunts]
-[women] Oh!
I said it once, and I'll say it again. You will never be me.
This is what I mean. Tiffany, you are the perfect example
of what these girls shouldn't become.
You're a self-absorbed, egotistical…
So, what you're saying is they shouldn't strive
to be somebody who's a main eventer, who's a champion?
Oh, I get it. They should strive to be somebody like you.
Someone who spends her time at a horse farm
with dirt underneath her fingernails. Gross.
[Vic] This is a side of Tiffany Stratton, Booker, we've never seen.
This is deplorable.
[Tiffany] You will always be trash.
Embarrassed, humiliated, and pissed off.
Tiffany has had everything handed to her on a silver platter.
She doesn't know what hard work means.
So I'll put you to work. You versus me at New Year's Evil.
[Vic] Fallon Henley and Tiffany Stratton
will meet with a loser becoming a servant or a ranch hand for a day.
I mean, nothing would thrill me
more than to make Tiffany my ranch hand for the day.
Make her muck out some stalls.
She doesn't know what it means to get your hands dirty.
When I look at Tiffany, the last thing I see is a hard worker.
And I am not done with her.
You will become my servant. Just the way it's supposed to be.
Toodles.
[audience booing]
-Bang. [laughs] -Oh!
I should have taken you out, put you on the shelf for ten months.
Just like you did to me.
[chuckles]
Yeah, but you didn't have the guts to pull the trigger, did you?
Now see, Nicky, some people think they have the killer instinct
or they only dream of it.
No. I'm showing you the respect that you failed to show to me.
Me taking you out here or in the parking lot
does not get me any closer to that title.
I gotta do that in the ring.
[chuckles]
Yeah, but your only chance is taking me out from behind.
-You can't take me out face to face. -[chuckles]
I took your head off once before. And the next time I do…
-No, no, there's not gonna be a next time. -Oh, there's not?
-Okay, we can go right now then. -You wanna go now?
-Let's go right now then. -That's enough, that's enough.
You have no idea what's coming.
[cross-talking]
[Vic] Seems that rivalry far from over. But, Booker, this one ends tonight.
-[camera shutter clicking] -["Keep Up" playing]
[camera shutter clicking]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
where the loser becomes the winner's servant or ranch hand.
Introducing first, Tiffany Stratton.
[Vic] Booker, picture this. You ready? You picturing it?
-[Booker] I'm picturing it. -[Vic] Tiffany Stratton cleaning stables.
-Think about it. -[Booker] Is that the image?
[Vic] One hand on a shovel, the other one on a pitchfork,
picking up straw, shoveling manure.
[Booker] She's not that type of girl, Vic.
I mean, I can picture one hand, a champagne glass,
one hand with a caviar dream.
[Vic] Can't have her hands on her dreams, Booker.
You can't have your hands on caviar dreams.
It could be just caviar, but I'll digress.
[Booker] It could be special.
["Saddle Up" playing]
[Alicia] And her opponent, Fallon Henley.
[Vic] What we can all agree on
is one of these two have the ultimate embarrassment
by the end of the night. Fallon called for the bell.
She told the official, "Ring it," and Fallon Henley, much like Roxanne,
just fueled by a certain fire and desire, that burns deep.
[Booker] Fallon Henley fighting on all emotion right now.
It's an adrenaline rush of emotion right now.
That's what's gonna do her here tonight. She needs to slow it down just a bit.
-[Vic] Whoever's side you're on… -[Booker] No, I'm not on anybody's side.
[Vic] But anybody's side you're on…
[Booker] I'm not biased like somebody at this table.
[Vic] It's only you and I sitting here. Who are you talking about?
-[Booker] I'm talking about you. -[Vic] Whoever's side you're on,
do these two need to resolve the issue and move to the ultimate goal
of becoming champion?
Obviously, Lyra Valkyria retained earlier tonight.
[Booker] I like Ilja Dragunov and JD McDonough.
I like when those guys got apart
'cause Ilja Dragunov ruled right to the top.
Yeah, I get it. Yes, maybe you're right on that. I agree with you.
[Vic] Oh, Fallon, right in front of the official,
was able to put the brakes on and continue this offensive onslaught.
And you see the official here looking out there,
having a… Run to the cover, getting a count and a near-fall,
allowing these two right now,
maybe a little leniency in this matchup due to the history of this rivalry.
It'll really be up to the ref's discretion to how he'll enforce the rules.
He's rolling right through, back to her feet,
drop toe hold, drop Tiffany.
Face first into the mat and Fallon Henley, boom, right into the side of the face.
[Booker] Wow. I'm gonna tell you, that was a big shot right there.
Fallon Henley has done her homework here tonight.
Fighting for all those that have been looked down on.
And, oh, wait a minute. Face first, shoulder first into the post.
-Go. -[Booker] What are you talking about?
All that is looked down on.
[Vic] All those that are looked down and talked down…
Oh, and again, I can't even finish my thought, Book,
because these two are trying to rip each other apart.
Are you ready to be my servant? Oh.
[Vic] Back live on NXT, it is New Year's Evil
and Tiffany Stratton is in control of Fallon Henley.
The loser is the winner's ranch hand or servant.
And both women, same idea. Double clothesline, both women down.
And can you imagine the list of chores
Tiffany has probably already written up for Fallon Henley? Boom.
And she's able to walk away with her hand raised high?
[Booker] You know, Tiffany has a lot of servants.
And right now, I think she's looking for a hand servant.
Someone with some experience in management.
You know, like working a bar or something like that.
[Vic] See, that's what I'm getting back to, Booker.
-[Booker] I'm just saying. -[Vic] You kept cutting me off earlier.
Fighting for all those that are looked down upon and down at.
Tiffany thinks people like Fallon Henley should serve people like her.
It's not right.
[Booker] I mean, life isn't fair, Vic. That's just the way it is.
Someone live, you know, in the upper echelon level.
Some people live, you know, medium rise. That's just the way life is.
[Vic] Now, both these two have had issues with the other dating back to last year.
Most recently, tempers flaring at Halloween Havoc
as Fallon Henley charging in.
And now, look at Henley, taking a right to Stratton.
[screams]
[Vic] You gotta wonder if Fallon,
where she is at emotionally after last week,
a goodbye of sorts to Briggs Jensen and herself,
could be fueling her tonight
as she is turning it up a notch here against Tiffany Stratton.
Three, come on, let's go.
[audience clamoring]
[Booker] Yeah, you can see that breakup coming, Vic.
I mean, it's all about going out there on your own and making big, big money.
-Fallon Henley right now… -[Vic] Into the cover.
No, near-fall. Another kick out with a lot on the line.
And speaking of which, Shawn Michaels himself
tweeting out New Year's Evil off to a hot start.
But take a look, Booker,
read what Shawn Michaels put out on social media.
Everyone wants their eyes on the main event here tonight.
Williams, Waller, who will be next
to challenge Ilja Dragunov for the NXT title.
A stipulation, by the way, that was added by Carmelo Hayes.
Why would he do that? Into the cover, shoulders down.
-[Booker] Whoa, whoa. Wow. -[Vic] Another near-fall.
[Booker] I don't know, Vic.
Carmelo Hayes must know something that we don't
because that's a situation I wouldn't wanna be in if I was Trick Williams.
[man] Come on, Fallon.
[audience cheering]
[groans]
[Vic] Fallon Henley, the back.
So much damage done throughout this matchup.
And Stratton trying to get right back into the offense.
-Catch and drop. -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] Nice spinebuster. Into the cover. And Fallon almost a servant.
[Booker] People always talk about the vanity of Tiffany.
They don't talk about the hard work. She's like Floyd "Money" Mayweather.
Hard work is easy work. Wow.
[Vic] Prettiest Moonsault Ever, didn't connect.
Able to roll through with Stratton. Back to her feet, though.
Both competitors. Stratton, though, seems rocked for a moment.
And look at Fallon Henley. Henley up and over.
Nasty landing by both these women to the outside.
[Booker] Bad, bad spill there. That was gnarly, Vic.
[Vic] And so much on the line for these two women.
Because again, ultimately, one will be embarrassed
by the end of the night.
[grunts]
[Vic] Right hand from Fallon. Big right hand from Stratton.
-One… -[Vic] And… Oh.
No, no.
-…two. Let's go inside of the ring. -No.
-Three. Let's go inside. -[Vic] Stratton trying to pull Fallon.
Oh, and face first went Fallon.
[referee] Five.
-Move. -[Vic] Hey, what…
-[indistinct chatter] -[audience clamoring]
[Vic] Wait a minute. She doesn't want to get disqualified.
What are you doing? Just throw it out of this ring.
Come on, let's go.
[Vic] Oh, Fallon sensing it, realizing it.
But right now, the referee's gotta get some order.
Leave it.
[Vic] He doesn't want it to end in a dis… Whoa.
-Fallon. Out of nowhere. -One, two, three.
-[Vic] Oh, my God. -[bell rings]
[laughs] Booker.
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Fallon Henley.
["Saddle Up" playing]
[Vic] Fallon Henley has herself a new ranch hand.
[Vic] Oh, back to the matchup. Some of the action.
The Prettiest Moonsault Ever didn't connect.
Fallon Henley was not able to connect on that.
I'm still shocked right now what I'm about to say,
because after that, Fallon Henley now has a ranch hand.
-Are you ready, Book? -[Booker] Come on, man.
[Vic] Tiffany Stratton will be trading in pink for blue overalls.
["Saddle Up" continues playing]
[Vic] How good it must feel for Fallon Henley.
Oh, man, she won't be worried about manicures.
It'll be a manure. She'll be working up early in the morning.
Bad coffee. This is going to…
I feel great for Fallon Henley. Oh, what a way to start 2024.
-[Baron] Hey, Bron, listen. -What the hell do you want?
I'm gonna regret this. You know what?
Listen, let's drop the tough guy attitude just for a second
and think about something. Did you hear what Ava said tonight?
-No, I didn't. -Shocker.
But, listen, the Dusty Classic, it starts next week.
And against every single fiber of my body, I actually think we'd be a good team.
[scoffs]
-Really? [laughs] -Yeah.
You're coming to me, asking me if I want to be your teammate?
You must be desperate, dude.
You know, if your brain was a quarter the size of your ego…
-My ego? -Yes, your ego.
I mean, seriously, look around.
Is anybody else knocking on your door to be your partner?
The answer you're looking for is no.
Why? Because you're a smug, arrogant a-hole.
But it takes one to know one.
If I'm so bad, then why do you want me to be your partner? What's the…
-Obviously, because we're both a-holes. -All right. I accept that.
-Okay. -That's fair.
So with that being said, and that being in our nature,
we'd absolutely destroy everybody in this tournament,
and then we could go on and win the tag titles.
-Oh, oh. Light bulb's coming on, right? -I mean, we would destroy everybody.
-Wheels are starting to turn. Okay. -I can see it now.
-There you go. -I can see it.
-See, what are you looking at? -Dude, hey.
Me leading the team with baldy right behind me would be great.
Okay. Listen, you're not going to lead anything.
I'm going to be out there destroying people, putting them down,
and you're going to be over there putting on like your third, fourth,
fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth coat of tanner.
-Okay. You know what? -What?
-All right. -Okay.
-This will be fun. -It is.
I'll see you next week.
Seriously? I don't know. I'm gonna…
[giggles]
[sighs]
[Baron] Is this gonna be it?
[audience chanting] Oba!
[Oba] Oba.
A name given to rulers who possess immense and undeniable power,
and you've all witnessed it throughout the course of this tournament.
[Booker] Give it up for Oba Femi.
[Vic] Sends a message to everyone in this tournament.
[Booker] He's in the finals.
[audience chanting] Oba!
You see, I come from the beautiful country of Nigeria, the heartbeat of Africa.
Two hundred and thirty million people built on a culture
where strength is not revered but expected.
And I stand head and shoulders above the rest.
So tonight, I take my final step towards my contract.
And Riley Osborne will crumble under my feet.
Nigeria truly is the giant of Africa.
And when I win this Breakout Tournament,
Oba Femi will be the giant of NXT.
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[upbeat music playing]
[Vic] It started with eight. It's down to two.
Who will leave tonight with a guaranteed championship contract?
Osborne, Femi.
The finals of the Men's Breakout Tournament
here tonight on New Year's Evil.
But final preparations are being made at this moment.
Ridge Holland is ready. Has a lot on his mind.
We will hear from Ridge. And it happens next on New Year's Evil.
I finally felt comfortable in my own skin.
I don't do all these New Year's resolutions.
-I think it happened… -Um, let me just… Let me ask.
What is wrong with this picture right here?
Uh, I don't know what's wrong with this picture.
To me, it looks like we're all enjoying some time
without your negativity around.
Wrong. You're in my locker in my personal space.
Am I in your locker? Hold on.
Would you look at that? I must have gotten confused.
I am so sorry. I'm so sorry.
Can you please find it in your heart to forgive me, Cora?
When you can't respect other people's lockers,
you can't expect me to respect yours.
Typical Gigi.
Typical Cora.
New look, same dreadful attitude. I think we both know where this is going.
Yeah, we do. And it is not a place you want to go with me.
-But I really, really do. -Do you?
No, because I think I remember waiting on you to sign back around.
[indistinct chatters]
There's been a lot going on here tonight at New Year's Evil.
It all started with Lyra Valkyria retaining the NXT Women's Championship.
And right now, a superstar who's had a lot to get off his chest
and off his mind is Ridge Holland.
Ridge, thanks for joining me.
You mentioned that this turn at NXT is all about Ridge's redemption.
Now, there's a lot that's been said and made
about your actions since arriving to NXT and WWE.
In your return, you said you're no stranger to mishaps in the ring.
What can you tell us about your journey to today?
Yeah, Sarah, you're spot on there. You've hit the nail on the head.
[sighs]
It's true.
I am no stranger to injuries, mishaps and accidents in the ring.
Just as my career was starting to take that upward trajectory, that upward climb,
that first kind of rung on that big ladder.
You know, I remember we were building to WarGames 2020.
I was gonna be on the same team as Pat McAfee.
And then tragedy struck and I blew both my legs out.
You know, a fractured and dislocated left ankle.
A dislocated kneecap, and ruptured patellar tendon on my right.
And… at that moment, I thought it was all over.
When I laid on the ramp,
just looking up at the lights and thinking,
"Is this how it's going to end?"
You know, how can I go home and tell my wife,
who was pregnant with my twin boys at the time that,
"Sorry, love, I've dragged you away from your family.
I've pulled you away from your home to try out this new life in the States."
How can I go home and tell her that it's done?
"We need to go back." This has been how I feed my family.
This has been how I pay my bills, how I keep that roof over their heads.
But you recover. You come back and you form the Brawling Brutes with you,
Butch and Sheamus. How exciting on SmackDown.
It's kind of bittersweet
because although I appreciate the opportunity
with Sheamus and Butch…
[audience cheering]
I get flashbacks to that first PLE, Day One.
Like, two years ago yesterday,
when I got my nose smashed all over my face.
That injury bug strikes again, you know, I got that black cloud.
I get home and, you know, I had to have reconstructive surgery.
But you pick yourself up.
Mm-hmm. You have to,
when you're not the only one in the equation,
when you have other people relying on you.
But a few weeks ago, you arrived back at NXT.
And you get the opportunity to show
how you stand up against the NXT Champion, Ilja Dragunov.
Yes, it had an impromptu ending and there were a lot of questions,
but the biggest question is,
who is the Ridge Holland you want NXT to know?
[clears throat]
Look, I respect Ilja immensely, okay?
And every word that came out of my mouth two weeks ago, I meant it.
And when that bell rang later that night, whatever happened, happened.
There was no malicious intent. There was no ill will.
Because, Sarah, at the end of the day, I'm a dad, I'm a husband,
I'm a friend, I'm not a monster.
I'm not someone who goes out and aimlessly tries to hurt people,
tries to take away someone's career
because I know what that feels like.
I know how fast things can be taken away. [fingers snaps] It's like that.
I don't have that in me to do that to somebody else, Sarah.
It's not in my DNA.
But the point still stands that I'm in NXT for a reason.
And that is to prove to everybody…
and show everyone who Ridge Holland really is.
And I will go through that roster man by man…
to prove myself to find redemption…
and to show the NXT universe…
who Ridge Holland truly is…
with no perceptions.
Well, Ridge, I thank you so much for your time and honesty.
-Best of luck to you. -Thanks, Sarah. I'll be seeing you.
[Vic] Book, some might still be wondering who truly is Ridge Holland.
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[Vic] But it is time for the finals
of the NXT Men's Breakout Tournament.
[Vic] And as you take a look at this monster of a man,
what has stood out to you about Oba Femi?
[Booker] First of all, you're about to get an ass whooping.
-[Vic] What? -[Booker] It's Oba, Oba, Oba.
You know what I mean, that's the way you said.
[Vic] You called him Fema three weeks ago. What are you yelling at me for?
-[Booker laughs] -["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[Vic] Well, could Oba Femi be the Men's Breakout Tournament Champion?
[screaming]
[Vic] You might be looking in the eyes of what could become
one of the most fearful men in all of NXT.
He's a beast, I'm Riley Osborne. Anyway, I'm getting that contract.
I'm getting that contract.
-What's up, Riley? -Hey, Thea.
I just wanna let you know that I'll be out there tonight
and I'm rooting for you and you'll do great. Good luck.
Thank you so much. Hey, I'll see you out there.
He just high-five me.
-Did you see that? -I saw it.
I'm never washing my hand again, this is amazing.
-I don't know if I go that far, but okay. -Okay.
He went like this, yeah, went like this. It was so good. Oh, my God.
["Engine" playing]
[Vic] Well, maybe Thea and Chase U
scan provide a little motivation for Osborne to win this entire tournament.
Because both superstars have made their way to the ring.
Both have passed
that guaranteed championship contract that they can execute whenever.
[Booker] Give her a cigarette.
[Vic] What? What does that even mean?
[Booker] After all that excitement. [laughs] [inaudible].
There is a lot going on there.
[Vic] We are kicking off 2024 in a wild way.
["Engine" playing]
[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is the final match
in the NXT Men's Breakout Tournament.
Introducing first, Oba Femi.
And his opponent, Riley Osborne.
[Vic] I'll try to get us back on track here, Booker,
for this Men's Breakout Tournament final.
You take a look at these two.
Do you think either superstar realizes the path their career can take?
With a win, is Oba already overpowering Osborne?
[Booker] This is like that American Idol.
I mean, overnight, one of these young men's life
will be changed in a moment's notice.
I'm talking about one, two, three, life-changing moment here tonight.
[Vic] You think about superstar like Carmelo Hayes,
who's won every single title this brand has to offer.
When you think about the Breakout Tournament,
you think about superstars that have come and gone,
that have just been a part of the Breakout Tournament,
and right now it's Osborne.
-[Booker] I don't like this move here. -[Vic] Why's that?
[Booker] You're not gonna overpower Oba. I mean, this guy got raw power.
I mean, brute strength. I don't like this battle right here.
[Vic] Championship contract on the line for the winner of the tournament.
A championship opportunity on the line in the main event,
thanks to the aforementioned Carmelo Hayes,
putting Trick Williams' championship shot up against Grayson Waller.
An opportunity here tonight.
The winner will face Ilja Dragunov, but the winner here tonight
will be the Men's Breakout Tournament winner.
And Femi just overpowering again Osborne,
and I believe that might be the theme of the night.
[Booker] No, no, I'm looking at this kid, Oba Femi,
and just the way he went through his bracket again.
He got to this point right here so easy, and right there, he's just one win away
from becoming Breakout Tournament winner, Vic.
[Vic] Talking about the entire field.
I mean, how fortunate is everyone that was in this tournament
to get the platform to Breakout?
I mean, looking at your career, how long did it take you
to, quote, unquote, "Breakout"?
[Booker] It's called the rub, Vic.
TV time is worth its weight in gold, and all those guys got a bit of shot.
Oh. Oh, my God, man.
[audience barking]
[Vic] Oh, Hail and Jayne didn't like what they just saw.
[audience jeering]
[Vic] Back live on NXT, it is New Year's Evil.
It is the Men's Breakout Tournament final.
Osborne, Femi, one of these two will be the Breakout superstar
and earn themselves a guaranteed contract match
that they can execute the contract when they see fit.
But throughout the commercial break,
we have just seen Oba Femi overpower and dominate Riley Osborne.
I mean, it has been undeniable power from Oba.
[Booker] Yes, indeed.
I mean, talking about that raw power, that brute strength,
and this kid, Oba Femi, is displaying that right now in grand fashion.
[Vic] When we talk about the contract that the winner will get,
we saw Lola Vice,
we thought she was gonna execute her contract earlier tonight
against Lyra Valkyria
after she won the Women's Breakout Tournament.
We also think about someone like Damian Priest,
who we thought was gonna cash in his Money in the Bank contract
on day one Monday Night RAW against Seth "Freakin" Rollins
for the World Heavyweight Title.
Both didn't work out the way they had thought.
And things aren't working out for Riley Osborne here tonight.
[Booker] Talking about going for the ride.
[Vic] I just looked over to the Chase U Students section
and Thea Hail was beside herself. Look at the bend.
[Booker] Look at the velocity. Look at the quickness. Oh, my God, man.
[audience whooping]
He's going to step down.
[Booker] Oba Femi, I mean, from Nigeria, this kid straight out of the bush,
he's ready to make a big, big impression. Look at that.
[Vic] Oba Femi just looked up at Jacy Jayne
and almost he was like, "What else you want me to do?"
He was just dominating Osborne in this matchup.
-What do you say, Riley? -[Vic] I don't know how much more
Osborne has left. This has been all Oba Femi.
Hail, Jayne, and Chase U trying their best,
but their best won't be good enough.
[Booker] I think he's making it look easy right now.
This kid, Riley Osborne, he's no slouch.
He's had a hell of a run, as well, getting to this point right here.
But tonight, it's been all downhill for this young man.
[Vic] One thing we have noted about Osborne
is his resiliency, is his ring IQ.
Does he have one more? And he just got knocked over like nothing.
[Booker] This kid had all kind of problems.
You know, Keanu Carver, but he pulled it out somehow, someway.
But tonight, it's just a bit different with Oba Femi, man.
[Vic] I was gonna talk about the road to the finals and what it meant.
But at this moment, it doesn't mean a damn when someone the size, the power,
the strength of Oba Femi is hunting you down.
And Osborne just getting out of the way.
And this is the best opportunity Osborne's going to have.
He's got to think about all those legends he wants to follow the footsteps of.
He's got to think about Thea Hail.
He's gotta think about Chase U, everything going on at Chase University.
Does he have an upset in him here tonight?
Trying to go up, trying to go around, but Femi's just so damn big.
[Booker] Too strong…
[Vic] Osborne now trying again to take out Oba Femi. Uh-oh.
That didn't work out. Now the speed, the quickness,
the agility, the elusiveness, still, and finally, Femi's down.
Oba Femi's rocked.
-Charging back in is Osborne. -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] This is the first time in this matchup,
where Osborne has been able to string in any sort of momentum.
Nice standing twist moonsault, corkscrew-esque. Still not enough.
When you talk about the resilience of this young kid,
I mean, he has an abundance of that. Like, there's no quitting in this kid.
Riley Osborne, let's see if he can pull it out against Oba Femi.
Breakout Tournament on the line, man.
[Vic] Tonight, it has been Lyra Valkyria retaining the NXT Women's Championship.
Tiffany Stratton is heading to the farm
to keep it in Tiffy tip-top shape for Fallon Henley.
Who'll be the Breakout Tournament winner?
Who'll earn themselves a guaranteed championship contract?
Is it gonna be Femi or Osborne? Because Osborne right now is rocking.
He's looking over at Hail and Chase U.
He's gonna climb. This is his opportunity.
-This is his moment. -[Booker] In the drop zone, Vic.
[Vic] Looking for that shooting star press.
Oh, [inaudible]? No. Able to roll right through Femi.
Pumped back up. Femi just got dropped.
And back in position once more. I don't know how he's doing it, Book,
I don't know how he's on his feet, how he's scratching, how he's clawing.
[Booker] Chase U's going crazy right now, Vic.
[Vic] If he's able to pull this off, he may need a cigarette.
To the top, looking down for the U.
-Oh, no, got caught. -[Booker] Oh, no.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Oba Femi.
-One after another. -[Booker] Goddamn.
-[Vic] Power. -[Booker] Bring the pain, Oba.
[Vic] Strength.
[audience whooping]
Recipe for disaster. Powerbomb!
[Booker] Good night, son.
One, two, three.
[bell rings]
[Vic] There is our Breakout Tournament winner.
[Alicia] Here is your winner
of the 2024 Men's Breakout Tournament,
Oba Femi.
[Vic] Take nothing away from Riley Osborne.
[Booker] He had a hell of a run, Vic.
[Vic] Had a great showing once more.
But in the end, his speed was not able to overcome the power.
We're talking about ring IQ, boom, double knees right to the ribs.
And then it was like Oba Femi went into beast mode.
Just throwing around Osborne.
Like a child. Take a look at the strength one more time,
that massive powerbomb,
as we are looking in the eyes of Oba Femi, who now has that guaranteed contract,
that championship contract to execute when he sees fit.
-[screams] -From the SEC to NXT, Oba Femi,
the Men's Breakout Tournament winner.
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
Hey, Tony D, [speaking in Spanish] because from what we've seen,
you've had a good run, boss man. [speaking in Spanish].
After Lucien and I are done with you and your boy,
all you're going to have left is a nickname.
[Lucien] Matter of fact, Stacks, go ahead, keep your nickname.
-Me and my boy about to beat ya, damn. -That's real.
Call yourself family?
Me and my boy connected at the bottom, like the letter V.
The bottom. And what you know about the bottom, huh?
Yeah, y'all might be champs now, but when I look into your eyes,
I don't see that hunger no more. Y'all know nothing,
but not knowing where your next meal is gonna come from?
Going to sleep with nothing but acid in your stomach?
We've been starving.
You see O-T-M? Yeah, we hungry.
We got gold in our mouths, neck, and our ears.
Matter of fact, the only thing we missing is going around our waist to match.
Now, we might not be in our field, but best believe that next week,
we're going to make you feel what it's like playing our game.
Matter of fact, we're gonna give y'all your playbook.
Power, speed, ain't nothing you can do about it.
Nada.
Yo, look, Tony D, Stacks, y'all ain't even got to say much.
See, we beat the streets, we beat the system,
-and we made it through. -No doubt.
So next week, we're going to pull that punk card.
And become a new NXT Tag Team Champion.
And then we beat her on top of it.
Kiana James, Izzi Dame, ladies,
since NXT Deadline, the two of you have been quite the pair.
How did that come about?
Well, Kelly, I know everyone saw me slam the door on Roxanne at Deadline.
But did you see the social media comments? "Who is that? What is she doing?
Who is that? Who, who, who? What are they, a bunch of freaking owls?"
That's when I knew I made the right decision.
Kiana James has the best business mind in all of WWE.
Choosing her was a no-brainer.
Kelly, Izzi Dame is a triple threat, okay? She's loyal to a T.
She has unlimited potential. And my personal favorite,
she's not afraid to stomp on whoever she needs to, to get ahead.
I know that's right. I'm not shy of conflict.
Never have been, never will be.
I used to hit volleyballs and bitches in my free time.
On and off the court, if anyone had any issue,
I would be the first one to handle it.
When I see Izzi, I see dollar signs, okay?
In this business, you either make friends or you make money.
But, of course, I'm Kiana James, so I'm here to change that.
I have my friend, and now it's time we make some money.
In 2023, I made it crystal clear to the entire NXT universe
-that Kiana James is a threat. -That's right.
In 2024, with my guidance, of course,
everyone will know exactly who Izzi Dame is.
-[whispers] That's right, awesome. -[whispers] Let's go.
You know what I'm saying? Knock his lights out, man. It's easy, bro.
We gonna be good.
Melo, how could you put my title match on the line against Waller?
Trick, look, you got this in the bag, man.
Look, when you win that championship,
you gotta take on all comers at any time, any place, man.
We gotta start practicing like we play.
Plus, you was gonna do the impossible and beat Ilja anyway.
-Yeah, you're right. -Yes.
-I am the one. -Yes.
But putting my title match on the line is crazy, dawg.
You're not seeing it how I'm seeing it, bro.
I wouldn't put you in this position if I didn't think you could handle it.
-Okay. -All right?
-And I'll be by your side regardless. -Whoa, whoa.
We talked about this. I wanna do this by myself.
I wanna face Dragunov by myself. I wanna face Waller by myself.
I wanna do this how I always done it, by myself.
By yourself?
Oh, so when we was hooping in the gym, you was by yourself?
I mean, yeah, but I gotta run this play alone.
-All right. -I hope you feel what I'm saying, dawg.
-Oh, I feel exactly what you're saying. -All right.
-I'll go take care of business. -All right.
[Vic] The main event is next.
[sighs]
If Riley had him…
-It was so close. -…if Riley had him,
he's probably so sad.
-He probably is. -I should text him.
-Yeah, maybe. Yeah. -[groans] Maybe not.
Maybe that's a little too much pain, a little overkill.
I should buy him a gift card. A gift card would be good.
-Let's just let Riley cool down for now. -Okay.
Tell you what, ladies. Riley did one hell of a job. I was amazed.
Listen, Riley represented Chase University with pride.
-But speaking of tournaments, Mr. MVP. -Yeah.
I need you to get your head in the game because we got the Dusty Cup coming up.
Dusty Cup? Absolutely not. I'm taking over now.
And with all due respect, professor, if your track record shows anything,
it's that you can't focus on two things at once.
Therefore, your first and only focus going forward is your dad.
Everybody thought Riley did a good job tonight, right?
-Oh, he was amazing. -Yeah, of course.
Me included.
That's why it's going to be Duke and Riley competing in the Dusty Cup.
OMG! That's the best idea I've ever heard.
-Wait, Jacy, since when… -Shh. No.
Chase University, your university, hangs in the balance.
And you don't have to tell me that you're not handling it well
because it's written all over your face, even under your eyes.
But don't worry, because I'm going to get us the money.
And, Thea, you're going to help me.
I'm going to dig deep down and I'm going to grab Chase U.
And I'm going to bring it up from the depths of hell
and back to prominence.
-Nice. -Yeah, that's what we're going to do.
Wait, Jacy, let's game plan. How are you going to do it?
Let's go.
Lyra. Hey. Oh, my gosh, congratulations.
-You are still the NXT Women's Champion. -Yep.
-Thanks. -As long as you're still champion…
all is right in the world. Bye.
Thank you?
He's unstoppable. What do you think?
Yeah, nice try, pal.
I'm not saying anything about either man, because you know what I might like.
They'll morph through this freaking wall as soon as I'm about to give an answer.
All right, don't worry about it. But what about the Dusty Cup?
-Are you in? -All right, now we're talking, all right?
Your technical wizardry, my speed, I thought we'd make a good tag team.
Dude, we'll be so good together, so dynamic. And hear me out.
I think we'll make a lot of noise in that tournament.
Oh, mate, we won't just make a lot of noise.
We'll genuinely be the ones to win the whole thing.
And truth be told,
all the other established tag teams around here have failed miserably.
This tag team division needs a rebound. No, I'm with you, pal.
They're here, and we are here.
-And that is not what you meant, is it? -No.
-And there's someone behind us? -Yeah.
Right.
Hey, what's going on, guys? Looking forward to the Dusty Cup?
"Looking forward to the Dusty Cup?" Looking forward to shutting you up.
Just 'cause y'all are some little friends
don't mean y'all will make a good tag team.
-They don't. -But y'all will see in this year's Dusty.
And I hope we're the ones to prove it to you.
[sighs]
-Every time, I don't understand. -Yeah.
Well, normally, I'd just let you fend for yourself here.
But since we're friends and a team, let's do it together.
Cheers to that, amigo.
It's right there. Seriously. Everything he said he was gonna do, it's right there.
[interviewer] Tony, Tony, Stacks.
What's your reaction to OTM's comments from earlier tonight?
First off, Mr. Chase ain't even close to being off the hook.
Now, because of their losing ways, we're on the hook
for a tag team title match next week against OTM.
I think we're giving Mr. Chase a little too much grace.
But regardless, a deal's a deal, OTM. You wise guys wanna run your mouth about…
Hey, forget OTM. You can handle it next week.
Now you'll keep flapping your gums like a fish,
-or are you going to introduce me? -Introduce her, huh?
Ladies and gentlemen, you've been seeing this face do business
-for a couple of weeks now. -That's right.
-She is the glue of the D'Angelo family. -That's right.
-Adriana Rizzo. -How you doing?
The Riz always takes care of business. She gets the job done.
And if you wanna be a wise ass, she'll punch you in the mouth. Kapish?
Yeah, you two would know.
We do. Come on, let's go. Let's get out of here.
-Come on, go ahead. -Oh.
-Hey. How you doing? -How'd you do that?
Sorry, boys. I needed a quiet place to think.
Wait. How long have you been in there for?
It's a big trunk. Oh, a few hours.
-A few hours? -Yeah.
-What the… You know? -Oh, the guy that was in there.
Oh, well, you know, I thought we were taking him to the bridge. So I…
-See ya. -What the… Did he…
There's nothing in there.
[Vic] A lot to digest there. But for OTM,
they have a chance to take over the tag team division
while The Family has a chance to solidify their dominance.
Tag team titles on the line next week live here on NXT.
And speaking of tag team action, it's back.
Teams have been forming all night long.
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic begins next week here on NXT.
And the tensions between these two rose more here tonight.
So next week, Gigi Dolin has an opportunity
to beat some respect into Cora Jade.
It's all going down next week live here on NXT.
Well, Booker, right now, it is the main event of New Year's Evil.
["Eye On The Prize" playing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Grayson Waller.
["Eye On The Prize" playing]
[Vic] Nothing to lose tonight. Everything to gain for Grayson Waller.
And I can't help, Booker, but think about Shawn Michaels' post earlier,
that a former NXT champion was stopping by. But who?
[audience cheering]
-[Booker] Oh, whoa, whoa. Yeah, my bad. -[Vic] Bookery, it's not even like…
[Booker] No, no, I have my mind on Grayson Waller.
I mean, it goes back to something that happened over the weekend in Houston
with him and my lovely wife, Queen Sharmell.
So I was a little distracted. A little distracted.
I'm talking about the ultimate in disrespect.
Grayson Waller disrespected my city, the city of Houston, Texas.
So I was a little distracted. I'm sorry.
[Vic] Hey, your shtick's coming up. Your shtick's coming up.
-["Locked In" playing] -[audience chanting] Whoop That Trick!
-[Booker] What? -[audience] Whoop That Trick!
-[Booker] Yeah. -[audience] Whoop That Trick!
-[Booker] Uh-huh. -[audience] Whoop That Trick!
-[Alicia] And here's your opponent… -[Booker] I like it.
-Oh, yeah, man. -[Alicia] …Trick Williams.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] What?
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] Yeah.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] Uh-huh.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] I like it.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] Oh, yeah, man.
-Oh, yeah, man. That's Trick. -[audience] Whoop That Trick!
[Vic] Well, Trick Williams is set to actually defend…
the fact that he's the number one contender
because Carmelo Hayes put him in this position tonight.
[Booker] Take nothing away from the star power of Grayson Waller.
I mean, out goes Ilja Dragunov. In goes Grayson Waller.
I'm loving this because I'll get a chance to see
Grayson Waller get the beat out of him by that man, Trick Williams.
-Oh, yeah, man. -[Vic] I wanna get us caught up on why…
-[Booker] Oh, yeah, man. -[Vic] I wanna get us caught up
-on why we're here. -[Booker] Oh, yeah, man.
[Vic] I wanna get us caught up on why we're here.
Ilja Dragunov in his pre-match medical check.
Well, our medical team couldn't clear him for tonight
to defend the NXT Championship.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
[Vic] Oh. Right hand by Waller right off the rib.
And because of that, Carmelo Hayes then was talking to Trick Williams.
Insert Grayson Waller. Really, it was Carmelo, as I mentioned,
who put Williams' championship opportunity up in this matchup.
And what's a Battle of the Iron Survivors?
This year, Iron Survivor, Trick Williams, and the OG, the first ever to do it,
Grayson Waller, kick out by one, Waller in control.
But as I mentioned to you earlier, Shawn Michaels put out that post.
Which former NXT Champion do you think is on the way here?
-[Booker] There's so many former NXT… -[Vic] Up and over.
[Booker] …champions out there, that it could be anyone.
I mean, I'm not a mind reader.
[Vic] You got to wonder who… And the speed comes to an end.
Williams follows up with a slam.
[Booker] I don't like the idea of Carmelo putting Trick Williams in this position.
But right now, Trick Williams just trying to man up, son.
[Vic] Williams doing just that.
And, look, I try to think of what Shawn Michaels put out there,
and I think no one hates Trick Williams. A lot of people love Trick Williams.
We still don't know who attacked Williams, but a lot of people like him.
There's a lot of superstars that'd like to get their hands on the arrogant Aussie.
Into the cover goes Williams, and the kick out by Waller at two.
[Booker] Trick Williams, 6'4", carved out of granite.
And right now, he's on a mission, Vic. He's on a mission to greatness.
And I'm loving everything.
When I say everything, I mean, everything about Trick Williams.
[Vic] And I should tell that earlier, you felt for Trick Williams.
You were just as shocked as anyone
when we heard the breaking news from Kelly.
[Booker] Yeah, it was a position that I wouldn't want anybody to be in,
especially someone like Trick Williams. He's on the rise.
He could lose a huge opportunity, Vic.
A huge opportunity that he's worked so hard for.
[Vic] Well, Melo's math and theory, I guess, is right,
because at the end of the day, Carmelo Hayes believes in Trick Williams.
And there's nothing wrong with believing in your friend,
-believing in your partner. Whoa! -[Booker] I get it. I get that.
But Grayson Waller, I mean, this is a guy who made it
to the main roster for a reason, Vic, because I said it was.
I said it a thousand times. He's mature enough.
This guy knows everything about this business at such a young age.
He's your guy? He's your guy, huh?
[Booker] He's my guy. He's my guy. What are you talking about?
[audience groan]
[Vic] Well, that is your guy who… Waller, I think, had an idea.
Trick Williams standing tall. Waller trying to crawl away.
[Booker] Take him out.
[audience chanting] Whoop That Trick!
[Vic] And, Book, I don't know if anyone heard you.
You were screaming, "Take him out," to Williams.
[Booker] I'm sorry. I didn't know the microphone caught all of that.
But this is personal for me, Vic.
[Vic] Uh-oh, Waller to the outside. Big clothesline.
[audience clamoring]
[Vic] Who is gonna be the ultimate Iron Survivor?
-Who'll be the number one contender? -You're right. I just whooped you, Trick.
[Vic] Back live on NXT, it is New Year's Evil,
the Battle of Iron Survivors, Williams-Waller.
The winner of this matchup will become the number one contender
to Ilja Dragunov in the NXT Championship.
It was supposed to be Williams-Dragunov for the title here in the main event.
Dragunov not cleared by our medical team.
And because of Carmelo Hayes, who was told to stay in the back
by Trick Williams, who wanted to do this himself.
It was because of Carmelo Hayes' idea
to put that championship opportunity on the line.
We have this main event matchup
as Williams now slugging it out with Waller,
trying to chop Waller down in the corner and Williams swinging for the fences.
[Booker] Yes, right now trying to mount a combat,
but Grayson has been all over him tonight, Vic.
-Whoa. -[Vic] Oh.
-[Booker] What a move. -[Vic] Right to the back of the neck.
Williams may be out. Waller to become the number one contender.
Williams fighting through.
And the first-ever Iron Survivor, Grayson Waller,
who certainly has some unfinished business here in NXT,
who just about became the number one contender.
We gotta remember, it was last year at this event,
it was Waller who challenged for the NXT title.
You gotta think, if he won last year, maybe there's no Trick Williams.
Maybe there is no Carmelo Hayes.
Things would have been very different in 2023 for Grayson Waller,
who is now bending the knee over solid steel.
And he's taken it all the way to the count of four from our official.
[Booker] Just think about the growth. I don't like this guy, Grayson Waller.
I mean, just think about the growth.
[Vic] Obviously, you're just screaming at Trick.
-So, what happened to being biased? -[Booker] No, I…
What a difference a year makes. That's what's important.
The guy's arrogant, he's self-centered.
But I must say, he's very, very talented. I can't take that away from him.
[Vic] One more time into that single-leg crab.
The damage done a second ago.
And there's got to be some extra incentive for Grayson Waller
for not only to take the title opportunity,
but also to really crush the dreams of all those that support Trick Williams.
[Booker] I was just thinking about that. If Waller sit back just a bit,
he could get Trick Williams to perhaps tap out on him close.
[Vic] Williams right now remembering every battle he's had to go through.
It was Williams who said he'll never beg for a seat at the table.
When he can build his own damn table, he gets to the bottom rope.
He's able to break the hold.
But what does that tell you about a man like Trick Williams,
who just doesn't wanna be given anything? He wants to earn it.
[Booker] No, Trick just wanted a shot. He just wanted an opportunity.
That's what he asked Shawn Michaels for. Shawn Michaels granted that opportunity.
You have to show me something, kid. Show me something.
[Vic] I don't know how much Trick Williams has left.
-He certainly was not prepared. -You think you're the guy, huh?
You don't understand.
You are not on my level, you are not on Melo's level.
You don't belong here.
[Vic] He wasn't ready for Waller.
But it appears Trick Williams is ready for anything.
Trick Williams is sick of being told he can't beat Ilja Dragunov.
He's sick of being told he's a sidekick.
He's sick of being told he's a second wheel.
He wants to stand on his own two feet. And now Williams throwing hands at Waller.
[Booker] Yes, indeed, like I say, Trick, he's not like your typical wrestler.
This guy just throws hands and gets the job done.
At the end of the day, that's the only thing that matters.
-Oh, wow. -[Vic] Big clothesline for Williams.
Williams following up, dropping Waller. Oh, a one-man flapjack.
And right now, the man standing.
It's Trick Williams, the Iron Survivor this year,
who's been put in an awkward position.
Oh, just got dropped. Thrown over the top rope.
Waller, we've seen this in the past. Coming in, got caught. Got popped.
-Big right. Williams into the cover. -[Booker] He's out. He's out. Whoa.
[Vic] Waller, just getting the right shoulder up.
One more look. Pow.
Right in the kisser, but able to kick out, Grayson Waller.
And I know you said he had a personal beef with Waller
after what happened this past weekend.
But, Book, you have to sit here and be impressed
with what Waller brings to the table.
[Booker] Vic, let me tell you something.
As arrogant as this kid is, his in-ring prowess is second to none.
He is just that good. Moving to the main roster.
Learning those main roster tricks. Oh, man. He's dangerous.
[Vic] And Waller able to counter Williams.
Waller, of course, like a snake slithering into this position.
They quaked the impression in NXT before being drafted to SmackDown.
Can he find himself become the number one contender?
Or can Williams overcome another obstacle that's been put in his way?
Oh, the superstar is teetering.
You can feel the tension among the NXT universe at this moment.
[audience chanting] Trick!
-[Vic] Williams going for broke. -[Booker] Oh, hook in.
[Vic] Will it be enough? Cover, count.
[indistinct chatter]
-[Vic] Grayson Waller knew where he was. -[Booker] Yes, indeed, Vic.
[Vic] Much like Seth Rollins last night against Drew McIntyre,
Waller knew right where he was at the right moment
and should be ready to dash the dreams of Trick Williams.
Second time, will it be the charm? Oh, a little flatliner.
Center of the ring. Cover. Here we go.
And then Williams kicked out again. That right shoulder just off the mat.
-The frustration is building. -[Booker] That was too close, Vic.
That was too close for comfort right there.
[Vic] Coming in and boom.
[audience clamoring]
[Vic] And Waller was a half second away.
[audience chanting] Trick!
[Vic] Waller says all the time he stretches his arms out.
Why his arms are so long? To embrace all his haters.
We talk about Melo, when he shoots, he don't miss.
Lining up is Waller. Didn't connect. Brick city for Waller.
-[Booker] Oh, no, here we go. -[Vic] Jumping neckbreaker.
[audience cheering]
This could be it for Trick.
And what the hell is Carmelo doing? Melo was asked to stay in the locker room.
[indistinct chatter]
Why is he out here?
[indistinct chatter]
-[Vic] Waller's eyeing up Williams. -[Booker] Come on, man.
[Vic] Williams doesn't see Waller. Holy.
[audience jeering]
Kevin Owens. The NXT champion is Kevin Owens. Owens.
Broken hand be damned. Big knee.
Williams, flush knee. Cover. Count. Williams remains the number one contender.
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Trick Williams.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Vic] What…
-[Booker] Uh-huh. -[audience] Whoop That Trick!
-[Booker] I like it. -[Vic] …in the world?
-[Booker] Oh, yeah, man. -[Vic] Kevin Owens.
[Booker] Give it to him. Give it up for Kevin Owens.
Give the assist. Give the assist to Kevin Owens.
A man with some integrity.
[Vic] We knew there were some current superstars
who had a vendetta with Grayson Waller.
But you see Melo, who was told to stay in the back.
Bam, big jumping knee.
That was after Kevin Owens with a broken right hand…
[bell rings]
[Vic] …clean the clock of Grayson Waller.
[Booker chuckling] I love it. I like it. Oh, yeah, man.
[Vic] What's going through the mind of Melo?
[audience chanting] Whoop That Trick!
[Vic] The ultimate Iron Survivor is still the number one contender
-for the NXT title. -[Booker] What?
-[Vic] Trick Williams cannot be denied. -[Booker] What? Uh-huh. I like it.
[audience chanting]
Subtitles: Ed Boon