It feels as though it has been forever since NXT announced New Year’s Evil, but we have finally made it. And NXT has done everything in their power to make it a TakeOver level card, including the first title defense for Finn Balor since NXT TakeOver: 31. Here’s the preview for the entire card.
NXT Championship: Finn Balor (c) vs. Kyle O’Reilly
The rematch is here. Finn Balor will defend his NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly once again and no matter what — this is the end. They had the NXT Match of the Year according to the Year-End awards, and they can very well try and follow that up with another classic this Wednesday night. For Balor, it’s to further legacy. For O’Reilly, it’s all about making the journey to this worth it. One has to think that Karrion Kross could be waiting in the wings, but all they should worry about is beating each other. The gold is on the line in the assumed main event.
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez in a Last Woman Standing Match
New Year’s Evil can be about championships or the ending of grudges. This has been Rhea Ripley‘s past six months really. Whether it be Mercedes Martinez or Raquel Gonzalez, she has been willing to answer challenges that others may not. And this time will be the ultimate, as Gonzalez will face her in a last woman standing match. Brutality is guaranteed, but is this the age of Gonzalez that is coming? Or can Ripley show she is here to stay? This is a must-watch bout between the NXT women’s division’s resident powerhouses.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher in the Fight Pit
FIGHT PIT! The second-ever NXT fight pit is scheduled to go down at New Year’s Evil as Tommaso Ciampa will face Timothy Thatcher in the unique matchup. Thatcher is no one to mess with when it comes to this one, as he is the only winner in the history of the fight pit, defeating Matt Riddle in 2020. Ciampa has had the best of Thatcher to this point, but he will go in as the underdog to Thatcher’s match.
Karrion Kross vs. Damian Priest
Damian Priest has zero fear, which is a need when facing Karrion Kross. This match shouldn’t be expected to go long, but instead what should be expected is violence from the start. Kross winning here could put him right back into the NXT Championship picture, while a win for Priest could do the same. Either way, this is going to be physical.
NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar (c) vs. Gran Metalik
Santos Escobar has been a dominant champion since winning the tournament to crown a new NXT Cruiserweight Champion as Legado del Fantasma continues to run the division. And yet, out of nowhere, Gran Metalik has a chance to steal that glory in a match that should excite fans around the world. One of WWE’s most underrated talents will try and take the title that he was seconds away from winning in the inaugural Cruiserweight Classic.
Xia Li & Boa Return
For the first time in nearly two months, Xia Li and Boa will return to NXT and look more determined than ever. Many have to be wondering who is the mystery woman that we have been seeing and if she will reveal herself on Wednesday as well. This is one of the more captivating stories going on in NXT, which could lead to greatness for both Li and Boa.
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