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This week's WWE NXT continued to build towards the special episode, NXT New Year's Evil, which will air on 6th January. Four matches have been confirmed for the show so far. The Black and Gold brand continues to present the best wrestling among the three brands. The stories and characters are also well-defined, and every segment advances the narrative well.
While the Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly clash was hyped up with a fantastic video promo, the Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez build-up saw the two women engage in a terrific brawl. Tommaso Ciampa challenged Timothy Thatcher for a match in the Fight Pit at NXT New Year's Evil. Also, Leon Ruff will face Johnny Gargano for the latter's NXT North American Championship next week.
So, without any further delays, let's dive in and take a look at some developments on the show that has already gotten the WWE Universe talking.
#5 Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez engage in an intense brawl after Ripley's win over Dakota Kai on NXT
It's a widely accepted fact that NXT women's division is from top-to-bottom, the best division in all of wrestling. No matter who the creative pair-up for a match, the results are going to be great. Similarly, Rhea Ripley and Dakota Kai had a banger this week. The last few minutes of the match-up had Raquel Gonzalez staring the former NXT Women's Champion from the entrance ramp.
Though this could have easily distracted Ripley and allowed Kai to take advantage, it didn't take the usual route. Rather Ripley, too, stared at Gonzalez, all while being in total control over the action in the ring by executing the Riptide successfully to secure the victory.
The post-match staredown in the middle of the ring between Ripley and Gonzalez resulted in a kind of brawl that usually closes shows. Several referees and backstage personnel made their way to the ring to stop the two women from destroying each other.
While their match at NXT New Year's Evil would be undeniably great, it would be interesting to see if Kai gets involved after her loss tonight.
#4 Drake Maverick shines even while losing in NXT tag team title match
In the opening match of the night, the unlikely duo of Killian Dain and Drake Maverick wrestled the NXT Tag Team Champions Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan in a street fight for the titles. The two teams used multiple weapons to brutalize each other and put up a terrific contest.
While all the Superstars in the ring were fantastic in their own right, it was Drake Maverick who shone above all for his tremendous fighting spirit, facing a two-on-one onslaught from the champions. Being whipped with belts in the middle of the ring, Maverick put up a kind of performance that got him over even though he eventually came up short.
The reigning champs were wise enough to ensure that Dain was out of the equation for most parts of the match, a factor that allowed them to pick up the eventual victory.
Though Lorcan and Burch might now engage in a feud with The Undisputed Era, Dain and Maverick would be gunning to get another shot after their incredible showing today on NXT.
#3 Isaiah 'Swerve' Scott gets his win back against Jake Atlas after last week's shock on NXT
Jake Atlas winning over Isaiah 'Swerve' Scott in the previous episode of NXT was nothing less than a shocker. Virtually nobody expected him to pull off a victory over the former Cruiserweight Championship contender.
Resultingly, the two engaged in another contest this week, this time Scott coming on top after some pretty good back and forth action. The rear headbutt used by him during the ending stages of the encounter had displeased Atlas.
While some may criticize the 50-50 booking method the creative has adopted in this rivalry, it has opened the door for a rubber match between the two Superstars sometime down the line on NXT. Especially after Atlas refused to shake hands with Scott post-match, it became clear that the next bout will be wrestled with an added streak of aggression.
No matter which Superstar comes up on top during their rubber match, both the guys are sure to be elevated and would be viable contenders for the Cruiserweight Championship.
#2 Leon Ruff pulls off yet another upset on NXT, this time over Timothy Thatcher, Tommaso Ciampa lays down challenge
Former NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff pulled off another upset victory, this time, over Timothy Thatcher. However, considering he's a former champion now, to call this an upset would be undervaluing him a little.
Back to the point, the match progressed two stories rather nicely. While Ruff will get a rematch against Johnny Gargano for the NXT North American Championship next week, Thatcher found his over-confidence getting the better of him.
Post-match, Thatcher unleashed an attack on Ruff, but Ciampa made his way to the ring and took him down. He then laid out a challenge to Thatcher for a match in the Fight Pit.
Yes, it's the same match gimmick in which Thatcher had defeated Riddle earlier this year, an encounter that still stands on top as one of the best matches of the year. While the match-up has all the potential to be on-par or even better than the aforementioned match, it'll be intriguing to see if the creative gives Thatcher the victory he desperately needs to sustain his momentum on NXT.
#1 Adam Cole defeats Velveteen Dream in an inconsequential main-event on NXT
In the main event of this week's NXT, Adam Cole faced off against an old rival in the form of Velveteen Dream. The match was a result of the latter interrupting a backstage interview of The Undisputed Era, by the end of which Cole laid down the challenge.
While the match was seemingly inconsequential and had no real stakes, the two put on an entertaining contest to close the show. The former NXT Champion expectedly came up on top, as it has been the case with faces winning to end shows during the Holiday season.
Pete Dunne's attack on Roderick Strong at ringside set-up a match between the two Superstars on the next week's NXT while also raising doubts over Velveteen Dream joining The Kings of NXT.
It's an interesting possibility as the former North American Champion has hardly done anything of note since being embroiled in the Speaking Out Movement. It would be an opportunity for him to get some promo time, as he's well-reputed for his character work.
