5 things WWE NXT got right at New Year’s Evil: Bron Breakker wins after legendary move; AJ Styles confirms match

WWE NXT hosted the annual New Year's Evil special in the first week of January. The creative team booked all the champions of the brand in matches for the event.

In a title unification match, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong competed against North American Champion Carmelo Hayes. The NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium teamed up with WALTER to take on Riddle and MSK.

Mandy Rose defended her NXT Women's Championships against Cora Jade and Raquel Gonzalez. Meanwhile, Cameron Grimes made his intentions to win gold very clear.

The biggest match of the night saw Bron Breakker take on NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa for the title. AJ Styles also arrived on the brand to confront a rising superstar at New Year's Evil.

The creative team delivered as most of the matches were solid on Tuesday night. Take a look at the five things WWE got right at NXT New Year's Evil.

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#5. Carmelo Hayes defeated Roderick Strong at WWE NXT New Year's Evil

Carmelo Hayes seemed overconfident as he came out for the title unification match at WWE NXT New Year's Evil. The North American Champion wore a t-shirt that mocked Roderick Strong and stepped over it on his way to the ring.

Strong came out looking focused and was ready to teach the younger superstar a lesson. The two men traded some strikes before Hayes showcased his agility.

The NXT Cruiserweight fought back and pulled out the Stronghold to wear Melo down. The A Champion made it to the ropes, but Strong hit him with a series of running forearms followed by an Olympic Slam that nearly sealed the win.

The two men battled to the top rope, where Carmelo hit an X-Plex for another nearfall. He finished the Cruiserweight Champion with a leg drop to become the unified champion.

It was expected that NXT would choose the newcomer over the veteran in the clash. However, Hayes proved himself and worked hard for the win. It was a good match that helped put Melo on the map.

WWE needs to give Carmelo Hayes some good matches in 2022 before moving him to the main roster. Meanwhile, Strong will likely move into another rivalry quickly to stay relevant to the brand.

#4. AJ Styles and Grayson Waller confirmed their match at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil

AJ Styles and Tommaso Ciampa were seen talking backstage at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil. The former walked out and thanked the fans for supporting him for so long.

The Phenomenal One said he had some regrets in WWE, and one of them was never joining NXT before heading to the main roster. He cut to the point and said he wasn’t ready to allow guys like Grayson Waller to ruin the brand.

Waller walked out and mocked AJ for losing to Omos on RAW. He said the former WWE Champion was worried about Waller and could not defeat the giant.

Styles challenged Waller to a match at New Year’s Evil, but Waller said he would do things in his own time. He agreed to compete against the RAW superstar in the main event next week.

The two men got in a brawl, and the NXT newcomer got the better of the veteran. Styles bounced back with a Pele Kick and nearly nailed Waller with the Phenomenal Forearm, but the heel backed out.

WWE is giving Waller an excellent launching pad. He has had a perfect build over the past couple of months and could head into the NXT Championship picture after he’s done with Styles.

#3. Riddle and MSK teamed up to take down Imperium at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil

RAW Tag Team Champion Riddle teamed up with Nash Carter and Wes Lee of MSK at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil. The three men took on NXT Tag Team Champions Fabian Aichner, Marcel Barthel, and the returning WALTER.

Riddle was tagged in after Barthel dominated Carter early. The Original Bro tasted his first chop from WALTER in the match and could not stand the pain.

The Ring General looked to keep control before Riddle came back and put him on the backfoot. He hit WALTER with a suplex for a nearfall. The latter returned the favor by hitting a powerbomb for a nearfall.

Aichner and Barthel nearly picked up the win with an elevated brainbuster, but Carter broke up the pin. Soon after, the babyfaces went on a roll as MSK hit their double team finisher on Aichner. The Shaman finished off the match with an RKO to Barthel for the win.

NXT booked an excellent tag team match to keep fans interested in New Year’s Evil. The face-offs between WALTER and Riddle were great. MSK did its job well and kept the action ticking. Aichner was the shining star of the contest. It will be challenging to keep MSK away from the NXT Tag Team Champions after the win.

#2. Raquel Gonzalez remained dominant in defeat at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil

Mandy Rose made a grand entry for her title defense at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil. She arrived in a helicopter while Cora Jade rode down on her skateboard and Raquel Gonzalez came out on her motorcycle.

Gonzalez showcased her strength early on before all three women took the battle outside the ring. Rose sent Jade hard into the steel steps and took control of the contest.

Gonzalez hit back and dropped both women with a Samoan Drop. Rose wanted to keep control of the contest and grabbed a kendo stick to beat down her opponent.

She worked on Jade and looked to pick up the win by pinning her. Big Mami Cool nearly picked up the win with a Chingona Bomb. Jade broke the pin and looked to make it herself.

Rose took advantage of the situation and stacked up the young superstar to retain the NXT Women’s Championship. It was a good contest, but the champion wasn’t as impressive as she should have been.

Gonzalez was the star of the match and did a great job at carrying the entire contest. WWE needs to take her out of NXT and give her a big push on the main roster soon.

#1. The Steiner Recliner earned Bron Breakker the win over Tommaso Ciampa at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil

Bron Breakker broke an X on his way to the final match at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil. He was ready to take down the most well-known veteran of the brand and usher in a new era.

Tommaso Ciampa used his experience to slow down the big man early. The Blackheart looked even better and took down Breakker with some good moves.

Breaker fought back and climbed the top rope, but Ciampa tripped him into the tree of woe for more stomp and a running low dropkick. The newer star fought back and climbed to the second rope again, but Ciampa sent him outside the ring.

Both men punished each other, and Breakker hit the NXT Champion with a military press powerslam. Ciampa barely grabbed the rope to break up the pin.

The NXT Champion hit two running knees and followed it with a Fairy Tale Ending for a nearfall. In the end, Breakker locked in the Steiner Recliner to make Ciampa tap out, winning the NXT title.

The match was great, and Ciampa took Breakker to the edge and brought the best out of him. His reign as champion wasn’t the best, but he did well to keep things calm after WWE revamped NXT. Breakker will likely prove to be a grand new champion.