NXT New Year’s Evil Results, Grades & Opinion: January 6, 2021

NXT New Years Evil Results: January 6, 2020

A.K.A. The One With An Excellent Rematch

Match Results:

• Karrion Kross def. Damian Priest
• Santos Escobar (c) def. Gran Metalik to retain the NXT Cruiserweight Championship
• Xia Li def. Katrina Cortez
• Raquel Gonzalez def. Rhea Ripley in a Last Woman Standing match
• KUSHIDA & Shotzi Blackheart def. Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae
• Finn Balor (c) def. Kyle O’Reilly to retain the NXT Championship

The Main Event: Bested by Balor

Kyle O’Reilly had another shot at the NXT Championship this week and gave it his all. O’Reilly and Balor had a match that lived up to their first encounter at NXT TakeOver 31. Balor ended up broken and bloody, but was able to hold on to his belt.

"You want to be a champion here at #WWENXT? THIS is what you have to put yourself through!" – @StuBennett @FinnBalor vs. @KORCombat for the #NXTChampionship is as INCREDIBLE and HARD-HITTING as ever!#NXTNYE pic.twitter.com/KeuHy6gmCa

— WWE (@WWE) January 7, 2021

Balor will move on to Pete Dunne, but O’Reilly benefited from this match as well. Undisputed Era now has two different main event level stars in their midst. Will that cause any infighting? Odds are not for now. Undisputed Era all came out and supported O’Reilly after the match.

You'll always be #Undisputed to us, @KORcombat. 😔#NXTNYE #NXTChampionship @FinnBalor @AdamColePro @theBobbyFish @roderickstrong pic.twitter.com/cKMUWzz3f2

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 7, 2021

The Undercard:

Raquel Gonzalez has to be the next woman up to challenge Io Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship. After getting the pinfall at NXT TakeOver: War Games, Gonzalez followed it up tonight with a huge win over Rhea Ripley. She would be a fresh challenger, having never challenged for the belt before. Would that cause friction between her and friend Dakota Kai? Mercedes Martinez is challenging for the belt next, but Gonzalez-Shirai could be an amazing feud.

.@RaquelWWE is the #LastWomanStanding.

Words cannot even describe what we just witnessed. WOW.#NXTNYE @RheaRipley_WWE pic.twitter.com/kn4eCTVbwo

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— WWE (@WWE) January 7, 2021

Xia Li & Boa’s new gimmick is mysterious, but also very interesting. Li looked incredible in a squash match victory. There were rumors the new group or leader will be named The Hand. Let’s see where they go with it from here.

So many questions, so little answers. #NXTNYE @XiaWWE @Bigboawwe pic.twitter.com/cXbnetNiD1

— WWE (@WWE) January 7, 2021

Karrion Kross & Damian Priest had a massive brawl to start the show. NXT clearly has more plans for Kross as he picked up the win. Tick tock, now what happens to Kross and the NXT title he never lost.

The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is back! We always are down for another tournament around these parts. Teams confirmed included Grizzled Young Vets, Adam Cole & Roderick Strong, Ever-Rise and Breezango.

The #DustyCup begins NEXT WEEK with #UndisputedERA's @AdamColePro & @roderickstrong vs. #Breezango @WWEFandango & @MmmGorgeous AND #EverRise's @ChaseParkerWWE & @MattMartelWWE vs. GYV's @ZackGibson01 & @JamesDrake_GYT! #NXTNYE pic.twitter.com/6aNWNrZB4F

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 7, 2021

And finally, NXT has a Women’s Dusty Cup coming soon.

ABOUT TIME.

Per #WWENXT GM @RealKingRegal, the WOMEN'S #DustyCup is coming your way, soon! #WeAreNXT #NXTNYE pic.twitter.com/D7btsuCPso

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 7, 2021

Grade: B+

An excellent show that was bookended by two different singles matches, but the true star was the Last Woman Standing match. Ripley and Gonzalez tore the house down with one of the early match of the year candidate. The Women’s division continues to be the strength of NXT, and was definitely the strength of this show.