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With only one week until New Year's Evil, NXT did a fine job in building to the brand's first big show of 2022. A few hiccups and absentees were well masked, with some Superstars appearing via video.
Tommaso Ciampa and Bron Breakker were not on the show, with NXT instead showcasing their feud in a video package. Meanwhile, other singles title matches received further builds. We will also get a huge multi-man match at New Year's Evil, featuring a main roster Champion.
Things are looking up for NXT. Several new faces are in the spotlight. A lot of them are good, while some of them could do with better creative direction. Either way, the potential keeps on flowing as we head towards New Year's Evil.
Here are the main positives and negatives from the last episode of NXT in 2021. What did you think of this week's show? Let us know down in the comments.
#3 Best/Worst: A tired concept with a new twist on NXT
The story of two Superstars trying to co-exist with each other in a tag team has been extremely played out in WWE, with a few instances coming in NXT itself. But this week saw a new layer to this tired trope.
Instead of the originally scheduled match against Toxic Attraction, Cora Jade and Raquel Gonzalez defended their place in the NXT Women's Championship match at New Year's Evil. They took on Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray, both of whom were eager to enter the title picture on the spot.
The tag team match between WarGames partners was solid, with Gonzalez helping Jade reverse a pinfall attempt to win and keep their places. The two of them will indeed challenge Mandy Rose for the NXT Women's Title at New Year's Evil.
Rose was not at the show. Instead, she was sending in spontaneous videos next to a swimming pool in real-time. The timing of her interruptions on the screen was comically perfect as if she was right there next to Cora Jade and Raquel Gonzalez.
The NXT Women's Champion wouldn't look very smart if she doesn't have some sort of plan for her triple threat Title defense next week.
#2 Best: Solo Sikoa impresses on NXT 2.0
Continuing his upward trajectory in WWE, Solo Sikoa delivered another impressive performance on NXT 2.0. He faced Santos Escobar in a solid outing for both superstars, picking up a big win over the leader of Legado del Fantasma. Even the distraction from Xyonn Quinn did not take too much away from Sikoa's victory.
The Usos' baby brother continues to be embedded in NXT, with his feud with Boa carrying on. The Chinese Superstar viciously attacked him backstage after the match. This will only enhance Solo Sikoa on his journey to the top. He has family waiting for him on the WWE main roster.
#2 Worst: Tiffany Stratton's gimmick
Following weeks of vignettes, the entitled "daddy's girl" has made her NXT debut. Tiffany Stratton squashed Fallon Henley, looking solid in the process. She performed as well as a new wrestler can be expected to.
However, Stratton's gimmick leaves a lot to be desired. It is quite corny and doesn't really work. NXT already has a looks-based female faction, which makes another such character a bit too much. Hopefully, Tifanny Stratton is booked better as her in-ring career gets off the ground.
#1 Best: NXT New Year's Evil gets a huge boost in star power through WWE RAW
NXT New Year's Evil is quite stacked, with several exciting matches. This week's episode added some massive star power to the card. First off, AJ Styles called out Grayson Waller and announced he will be on the show next week. This may lead to a match between the two.
Elsewhere, Riddle will make his way to the WWE Performance Center along with WALTER. The two hard-hitters will team with their respective tag team allies - MSK and Imperium - in six-man tag team match. Their involvement makes New Year's Evil a much bigger show.
Styles and Riddle are both currently in storylines on WWE RAW, which makes their appearances next week on NXT even more interesting. Will Omos or Randy Orton also show up at New Year's Evil? We shall see.
#1 Worst: WWE set to discontinue the Cruiserweight Championship
Wade Barrett hosted the contract signing between NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes and Cruiserweight Titleholder Roderick Strong. The two will face off at New Year's Evil in a unification match, with Barrett announcing that the winner will carry the North American Title.
This means it could be the end of the road for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. The belt had a solid five-year run in WWE, initially being the prize for the budding 205 Live roster.
The company should have booked the Title better, with there being tremendous potential in a full-blown cruiserweight division.
This was evident in 2018 - the greatest year in 205 Live's existence. It's a shame that momentum didn't last and the title is going to be retired.
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