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NXT: New Year's Evil (2022)

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NXT: New Year's Evil
NXT: New Year's Evil logo
PromotionWWE
Brand(s)NXT
DateJanuary 4, 2022
CityOrlando, Florida
VenueWWE Performance Center
NXT special episodes chronology
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Halloween Havoc 		Next →
Vengeance Day
NXT: New Year's Evil chronology
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2023

The 2022 NXT: New Year's Evil was the second annual NXT: New Year's Evil professional wrestling event produced by WWE. It was held primarily for wrestlers from the promotion's NXT brand division. The event aired as a special episode of WWE's weekly television series NXT, broadcast on the USA Network. It took place on January 4, 2022, at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. This was the final event to feature the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, as it was unified into the NXT North American Championship at this event.

Four matches were contested at the event. In the main event, Bron Breakker defeated Tommaso Ciampa to win the NXT Championship. In other prominent matches, North American Champion Carmelo Hayes defeated Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong in the opening bout to unify both titles, and Mandy Rose defeated Cora Jade and Raquel González to retain the NXT Women's Championship. The event also marked an appearance by Rick Steiner, who had not appeared in the company since 1994. After the event went off-air, Steiner celebrated with his son, Bron Breakker, after he had won the NXT Championship.

Production

Background

New Year's Evil is a professional wrestling event currently produced by WWE. It was used for a special episode of WCW Monday Nitro on December 27, 1999; WWE acquired World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 2001. After 21 years since that WCW event, WWE revived the name for their January 6, 2021, episode of NXT. At NXT WarGames, it was announced that the second edition of New Year's Evil would be held as the January 4, 2022, episode of NXT 2.0 and take place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.[1][2]

Storylines

The card included matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the NXT brand, while storylines were produced on their weekly television program, NXT.[3][4]

On October 26, 2021, at NXT: Halloween Havoc, Tommaso Ciampa defeated Bron Breakker to successfully retain his NXT Championship.[5] At NXT WarGames, Breakker's team defeated Ciampa's team in a WarGames match when Breakker pinned Ciampa.[1] On the December 21 episode of NXT, Ciampa told Breakker that he earned his second chance at the title, and would get it at New Year's Evil.[6]

At NXT: Halloween Havoc, Mandy Rose defeated Raquel González in a Chucky's choice Trick or Street Fight match to win the NXT Women's Championship.[5] At NXT WarGames, Cora Jade, Io Shirai, Kay Lee Ray, and González defeated Toxic Attraction (Rose, Gigi Dolin, and Jacy Jayne) and Dakota Kai in a WarGames match, with Jade pinning Jayne to win for her team.[1] On the December 21 episode of NXT, after beating Kai in a Street Fight match, González called out Rose to demand a title rematch but got Jade instead. Moments later, Rose appeared on the TitanTron to challenge both of them in a triple threat match for the title at New Year's Evil.[6] On the December 28 episode, Rose arranged a tag team match pitting Jade and González against Shirai and Ray for that episode's main event, where the winning team got to challenge her for the title at New Year's Evil. The match was won by Jade and González.[7]

Raw roster member AJ Styles was scheduled for an appearance on the December 21 episode of NXT after Grayson Waller went after him on social media. On that subsequent episode, Styles praised the talent on NXT except for Waller. Waller was about to attack Styles, but backed off.[6] Waller then made a surprise appearance on the following Raw, where he confronted Styles from the front row during Styles' promo and held a sign that said, "The Grayson Waller Effect is Phenomenal". Waller stated that he visited Raw in response to Styles' visit to NXT. Styles responded by saying that Raw is where stars are made, and Waller was "not a star."[8] At NXT the next day, following Waller's match, Styles appeared on the TitanTron and told Waller that he got the wrong type of attention on Raw. Styles then stated that he would see Waller at New Year's Evil.[7]

At NXT: Halloween Havoc, Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel) defeated MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) in a Lumber Jack-o'-Lantern match to win the NXT Tag Team Championship for a second time.[5] The following month saw Carter and Lee go on a journey to find the person responsible for the legend of MSK called "The Shaman".[9][10][11][12][13] On the December 7 episode of NXT, The Shaman was revealed to be Raw roster member and Raw Tag Team Champion Riddle, who helped them find themselves on their way to regaining the tag titles.[14][15] On the December 28 episode, MSK returned and called out Imperium, who said they were the best tag team in the division. Walter then appeared on the TitanTron and said that Imperium showed "dignity and respect" to the tag titles, and MSK did not deserve a title match but a beating from his hands. Riddle then appeared on the TitanTron and proposed a six-man tag team match between him and MSK against Imperium, which Walter accepted.[7]

On the September 21 episode of NXT 2.0, Roderick Strong defeated Kushida to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.[16] Three weeks later, Carmelo Hayes cashed in his NXT Breakout Tournament contract and defeated Isaiah "Swerve" Scott to win the NXT North American Championship.[17] After the two men brawled with each other on the December 21 episode of NXT 2.0, Malcolm Bivens challenged Hayes to a match on Strong's behalf, leading to a contract signing the following week,[6] which would be a championship unification match at New Year's Evil.[7]

Event

Preliminary matches

The television special began with NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong (accompanied by Hachiman and Malcolm Bivens) taking on NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes (accompanied by Trick Williams) to unify both titles. The two began with chain wrestling, which was dominated by Hayes. Hayes performed a seated Senton and Strong and followed up with a slingshot DDT on the ring apron. Strong then performed a lariat on Hayes. Hayes escaped an Angle Slam attempt and followed up with a La Mistica on Strong. Hayes applied a Boston Crab on Strong, who escaped and applied a Liontamer on Hayes. After Hayes escaped, Strong performed a backbreaker on Hayes for a nearfall. Strong performed an Angle Slam on Hayes for a nearfall. Hayes performed a Final Cut on Strong for a nearfall. Strong pinned Hayes with an inside cradle for a nearfall. Hayes escaped an End of Heartache attempt and followed up with a Superkick. In the climax, Strong prevented a diving leg drop attempt and went for a superplex, but Hayes countered into a cutter on Strong, who got the worst of the impact. Hayes then performed a diving leg drop on Strong to win the match and unify the titles. The NXT Cruiserweight Championship was immediately retired, with Hayes being recognized as the final NXT Cruiserweight Champion and going forward as the North American Champion.[18]

Following this, the 2022 Men's and Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournaments were announced, with the women's tournament beginning in February and the men's tournament beginning in two weeks.[18]

After that, AJ Styles made his advertised appearance. Styles talked about his championship wins, but also having a few regrets. He mentioned his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble in 2016, but not making a stop at NXT. Styles stated that NXT had something special, which was the passion of the fans and superstars. Styles said that no matter what NXT is, the passion is what makes NXT fun. Styles talked about Grayson Waller being bigger and better than this place when Waller interrupted. Waller talked about Styles' loss to Omos the previous night on Raw, stating that Styles lost that night because he was thinking about Waller. Styles then stated that he wasn't 100% ready for a fight. Waller then teased a fight, but preferred that they have a match as the main event of the following episode of NXT. Afterwards, Styles and Waller brawled, with Styles getting the upper hand after performing a Pele Kick. Styles attempted a Phenomenal Forearm, but Waller backed away to end the segment.[18]

Next, a backstage segment took place where Amari Miller talked with Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter. Catanzaro and Carter talked about winning the Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament before Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta interrupted, challenging them and Miller to a match for the following episode of NXT. Tiffany Stratton passed up the offer of being Hartwell and Pirotta's partner, that spot being filled by Wendy Choo.[18]

In the second match, Imperium (Walter and NXT Tag Team Champions Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel) took on MSK (Wes Lee and Nash Carter) and Raw Tag Team Champion Riddle. Imperium dominated the early moments until Lee tagged in. Aichner performed a lariat on Lee. Lee ducked Aichner and tagged in Riddle before Walter tagged in. Walter then dominated Lee and Carter before Aichner and Barthel performed stereo Tree of Woe dropkicks on Lee. Carter performed a hurricanrana on Walter before tagging in Riddle. After Riddle dominated, Riddle performed a German Suplex on Walter for a nearfall. Riddle attempted an RKO, but was distracted by the other members of Imperium attacking Lee and Carter. Walter then performed a powerbomb on Riddle for a nearfall. Aichner performed a deadlift suplex on Riddle, but Carter broke up the pin. In the climax, Riddle escaped a European Bomb attempt before performing a High Knee on Barthel. Riddle performed a German Suplex on Walter. Lee and Carter performed a Dommsday Blockbuster on Aichner. Riddle then performed a corkscrew senton on Aichner before performing an RKO on Barthel to win the match.[18]

In the penultimate match, Mandy Rose defended the NXT Women's Championship against Cora Jade and Raquel González. Rose arrived at the Performance Center with a helicopter, while González entered the Performance Center on a motorcycle. After González dominated Jade and Rose, Rose brought the fight to González before Jade cleared Rose from the ring. Jade rolled up González for a nearfall. Rose then sent Jade into the steel ring steps. After González broke up a few pinning attempts, Rose sent González into the steps. González broke up another pinning attempt by Jade before performing a Samoan drop on Jade and Rose at the same time. Rose performed a lariat on Jade for a nearfall. Jade then performed a hurricanrana on González before doing the same to Rose. González performed a backbreaker on Jade before lifting her up and throwing her out of the ring. González then brought Rose, who tried to escape, back inside the ring. Rose performed a Codebreaker on González for a nearfall. In the closing moments, González performed a Chingona Bomb on Rose, but Jade broke up the pin with a senton. González went for a superplex on Jade, but Jade shoved González off the top rope. Jade then tried to pin Rose, however, Rose countered into her own pinning combination to retain the title.[18]

Before the main event, Andre Chase talked about being grateful for one of his Chase University students protecting him the previous week and for Harland not throwing that student off the roof before Von Wagner interrupted. Wagner stated that he was the real star of NXT before attacking Chase. Wagner then attacked a few Chase University students in attendance before being escorted to the back to end the segment.[18]

Main event

In the main event, Tommaso Ciampa defended the NXT Championship against Bron Breakker. While Breakker made his entrance, he broke a giant X, describing how a new era of NXT was starting. Early in the match, Breakker performed a delayed vertical suplex on Ciampa, who escaped out of the ring. Back inside, Breakker performed another delayed vertical suplex on Ciampa. Ciampa performed a dropkick on Breakker. Ciampa avoided a crossbody attempt by Breakker before performing a corkscrew plancha on Breakker. Breakker blocked a Fairytale ending attempt and followed up with a spinebuster and a standing moonsault on Ciampa for a nearfall. Ciampa performed a running knee on Breakker and looked for another running knee, but Breakker countered into a spear. After the two traded blows, Breakker performed a standing frankensteiner on Ciampa for a nearfall. Breakker attempted a Military Press Powerslam, but Ciampa escaped and performed Willow's bell on Breakker for a nearfall. Ciampa looked for another Willow's bell, this time on the exposed concrete, but Breakker countered and performed an Alabama Slam on Ciampa through the announce table. Back inside the ring, Breakker performed a Military Press Powerslam on Ciampa, who grabbed the rope to break the pin. Ciampa then kicked the ring ropes to Breakker's midsection and followed up with two running knees and a Fairytale ending on Breakker for a nearfall. In the closing moments, Ciampa attempted an Air Raid Crash on Breakker from the second rope, but Breakker shoved him off and followed up with a diving bulldog. Breakker forced Ciampa to submit to the Steiner Recliner to win the title for the first time.[18] After the event went off the air, Breakker's father, Rick Steiner, who had not appeared in the WWE since 1994, celebrated the moment with Breakker.[19]

Aftermath

AJ Styles and Grayson Waller had their match on the following episode of NXT, where Styles was victorious. After the match, Styles called Waller "good, but not phenomenal." He then introduced one of Waller's friends, which was revealed to be LA Knight, in his first appearance since being attacked by Waller in the parking lot on the December 14, 2021, episode of NXT 2.0. Knight then attacked Waller before standing tall with Styles as the show ended.[20] This resulted in Knight and Waller continuing their rivalry.

Results

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes[18]
1Carmelo Hayes (North American Champion) (with Trick Williams) defeated Roderick Strong (Cruiserweight Champion) (with Hachiman and Malcolm Bivens) by pinfallSingles match to unify the NXT North American Championship and NXT Cruiserweight Championship[21]15:29
2Riddle and MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) defeated Imperium (Walter, Fabian Aichner, and Marcel Barthel) by pinfallSix-man tag team match[22]13:50
3Mandy Rose (c) defeated Cora Jade and Raquel González by pinfallTriple threat match for the NXT Women's Championship[23]12:33
4Bron Breakker defeated Tommaso Ciampa (c) by submissionSingles match for the NXT Championship[24]15:27
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

References

  1. ^ a b c Moore, John (December 5, 2021). "NXT WarGames results: Moore's live review of two WarGames matches, Roderick Strong vs. Joe Gacy for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel vs. Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner for the NXT Tag Titles, Cameron Grimes vs. Duke Hudson in a hair vs. hair match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  2. ^ Defelice, Robert (December 5, 2021). "NXT New Year's Evil 2022 Set For January 4". Fightful. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  3. ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  4. ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Moore, John (October 26, 2021). "10/26 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Halloween Havoc with Tommaso Ciampa vs. Bron Breakker for the NXT Title, plus Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal stipulations for Raquel Gonzalez vs. Mandy Rose for the NXT Women's Title, and MSK vs. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel for the NXT Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Moore, John (December 21, 2021). "12/21 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of AJ Styles responding to Grayson Waller, Raquel Gonzalez vs. Dakota Kai in a street fight, Pete Dunne vs. Tony D'Angelo, Dexter Lumis vs. Trick Williams, Julius Creed and Brutus Creed vs. Zack Gibson and James Drake, Von Wagner in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Moore, John (December 28, 2021). "12/28 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Raquel Gonzalez and Cora Jade vs. Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray for spots in the Triple Threat for the NXT Women's Championship, Solo Sikoa vs. Santos Escobar, Grayson Waller vs. Odyssey Jones, Harland vs. Andre Chase, Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  8. ^ Keller, Wade (December 27, 2021). "12/27 WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW RESULTS: Keller's report on Miz & Maryse renew vows, Mysterios vs. Street Profits, Orton vs. Otis, Priest vs. Ziggler, Day 1 hype amidst COVID outbreak". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Moore, John (November 2, 2021). "11/2 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis vs. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams, Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner vs. Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza, Dakota Kai vs. Cora Jade, Cameron Grimes visits Duke Hudson's Poker Room". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Moore, John (November 9, 2021). "11/9 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of "Toxic Attraction" Mandy Rose, Jacy Jayne, and Gigi Dolan vs. Io Shirai, Kacy Catanzaro, and Kayden Carter, Kay Lee Ray vs. Sarray, Joe Gacy vs. Boa, and Kushida and Ikemen Jiro vs. Julius Creed and Brutus Creed". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Moore, John (November 16, 2021). "11/16 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Raquel Gonzalez vs. Dakota Kai, Dexter Lumis vs. Tony D'Angelo, Odyssey Jones, Kushida, and Ikemen Jiro vs. Roderick Strong, Julius Creed, and Brutus Creed, a poker showdown with Cameron Grimes and Duke Hudson". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  12. ^ Moore, John (November 23, 2021). "11/23 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Pete Dunne for the NXT North American Title, Tommaso Ciampa vs. Grayson Waller in a non-title match, Mandy Rose vs. Cora Jade in a non-title match, Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro vs. Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  13. ^ Moore, John (November 30, 2021). "11/30 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Kay Lee Ray vs. Dakota Kai in a ladder match for the WarGames advantage, men's ladder match for the WarGames advantage, Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner vs. Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza for a shot at the NXT Tag Titles, Joe Gacy's All-Inclusive Invitational". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  14. ^ Moore, John (December 7, 2021). "12/7 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Johnny Gargano addressing his future, Kyle O'Reilly vs. Von Wagner in a cage match, Santos Escobar vs. Xyon Quinn, NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes vs. Dexter Lumis in a non-title match, MSK meeting The Shaman". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  15. ^ Moore, John (December 14, 2021). "12/14 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong vs. Bron Breakker, Cameron Grimes vs. Duke Hudson in a No Holds Barred match, Cora Jade vs. Dakota Kai, Edris Enofe vs. Boa, Tony D'Angelo vs. Andre Chase, Harland's in-ring debut". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  16. ^ Moore, John (September 21, 2021). "9/21 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Kushida vs. Roderick Strong for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  17. ^ Moore, John (October 12, 2021). "10/12 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Isaiah Scott vs. Santos Escobar for the North American Championship, Tommaso Ciampa vs. Joe Gacy, Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner vs. Pete Dunne and Ridge Holland, Ivy Nile's in-ring debut". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i Moore, John (January 4, 2022). "1/4 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Tommaso Ciampa vs. Bron Breakker for the NXT Title, Gunther, Fabian Aichner, and Marcel Barthel vs. Riddle and MSK, Mandy Rose vs. Raquel Gonzalez vs. Cora Jade for the NXT Women's Title, Carmelo Hayes vs. Roderick Strong in a title unification match, AJ Styles confronts Grayson Waller". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  19. ^ Davis, Paul (January 4, 2022). "Rick Steiner appeared after WWE NXT 2.0 went off the air". wrestlingnews.co. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  20. ^ Moore, John (January 11, 2022). "1/11 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of AJ Styles vs. Grayson Waller, Santos Escobar vs. Xyon Quinn, Pete Dunne vs. Tony D'Angelo in a Crowbar on a Pole match, Solo Sikoa vs. Boa, Kacy Catanzaro, Kayden Carter, and Amari Miller vs. Indi Hartwell, Portia Pirotta, and Wendy Choo". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  21. ^ "Carmelo Hayes and Roderick Strong collide for unified title at New Year's Evil". WWE. December 29, 2021. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  22. ^ "WALTER returns to lead Imperium in Six-Man Tag Team Match against Riddle & MSK". WWE. December 29, 2021. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  23. ^ Bryant, Nathan (December 21, 2021). "Mandy Rose, Raquel Gonzalez and Cora Jade clash in Triple Threat Match for the NXT Women's Title". WWE. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  24. ^ Bryant, Nathan (December 21, 2021). "Tommaso Ciampa gives Bron Breakker another opportunity for the NXT Championship". WWE. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
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