Ridge Holland’s WWE stint has been notably plagued by injuries to not only himself but others like Big E in 2022 and Elton Prince earlier this year – so when tonight’s pre-taped episode of NXT featured an injury angle involving him, it was questionable to say the least. Holland returned to the NXT roster following the disbanding of The Brawling Brutes, instantly challenging NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov in the show’s main event.
Tiffany Stratton vs Fallon Henley
“We’re not talking about the stars, we’re not talking about the moon – we’re talking about the nebula, baby!” says Booker T about Stratton. The competitors try their best to pull off a grudge match type beat, and Henley eventually sneaks the victory with a series of pinfall reversals. But Stratton attacks post-match, brawling to the back and dumping trash on her opponent – soundtracked by NXT’s signature piped-in boos.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Piped-in boos turn to cheers – although unneeded for the popular rising star Trick Williams, who meets with Carmelo Hayes in the locker room. Hayes attempts to insert himself into Williams’ NXT Championship match, but they agree to disagree and “whoop that Trick” separately. That man Hayes is guilty!
NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov enters the ring but is interrupted by a disgruntled, returning Ridge Holland – admitting that his career has been “nothing but a series of unfortunate events.” Holland looks for redemption by meekly calling out the “measuring stick,” and Dragunov shows mercy by granting a match tonight. After break, Williams approaches Dragunov, taking offense to the supposed roadblock to New Year’s Evil.
Dion Lennox vs Lexis King – Breakout Tournament
Lennox’ schtick is Clark Kent, where he “flips a switch” when his glasses come off. Meanwhile, King is finding his groove with the “so bad it’s good” lane. Collectively, the aura is at a negative, but Lennox displays his strength and athleticism before King advances with The Coronation. Trey Bearhill, who King took out last week, tries to avenge himself with a steel chair, but the latter slithers out of harm’s way.
Winner: Lexis King
A promo package from Eddy Thorpe, the luxury brand version of Bearhill by juxtaposition, issues a challenge to Dijak next week in Underground rules – which Thorpe is undefeated in thanks to training from Gable Steveson.
Jacy Jayne and Thea Hail vs Kiana James and Izzi Dame
These duos are like throwing names into a hat, but Hail is amidst a bigger arc in the Chase University cinematic universe. Riley Osborne spectates in the student section, sparking a love story between himself and Hail while the opposition takes control. Shoutout to Dame for sporting green gear – a former Eastern Michigan University volleyball player, picking up the victory with a big boot and confirming that EMU is superior to Chase University.
Winners: Izzi Dame and Kiana James
In the locker room, Roxanne Perez slaps the tears out of Arianna Grace, who wears a pageant sash much better than her aunt did.
Andre Chase plays a betting game with Scrypts but offers a proposition: he and Duke Hudson face OTM next week to either double their money or lose an NXT Tag Team Championship match. An associate of The D’Angelo Family magically steps in to officiate the deal as Chase promises to pay off his debt in the extended Chase University universe.
Dragon Lee (c) vs Charlie Dempsey vs Joe Coffey – North American Championship
The member of No Quarter Catch Crew accepting the open challenge is Dempsey, but Gallus appears before the bell to goad Lee into a triple threat. Mark Coffey and Gallus are thrown out before break, and after, the champion shows out with his hard-hitting maneuvers. Brit grappler Dempsey impresses with a double German suplex to the Scot and Latino, but the latter comes back with his intense aerial assaults. Meanwhile, Joe Gacy kidnaps Coffey from underneath the ring to do God knows what, and Lee retains his championship by pinfall.
Winner: Dragon Lee
No Quarter Catch Crew assault Lee until Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro of LWO make the save. Like other main roster companions, another NXT stint from them will be great.
Trick Williams announces, “I’m supposed to be the one to take (Ilja Dragunov) out – something that no one else has been able to do,” right in front of Carmelo Hayes – who is looking extra guilty.
Cora Jade throws out Karmen Petrovic’s locker tag and belongings, and Gigi Dolin advises that “there’s only one way to deal with Cora.”
Luca Crusifino vs Tavion Heights – Breakout Tournament
Heights is an Olympic-caliber wrestler with a lot of energy and crowd support. His opponent in “The Legal Eagle” is difficult to get behind with an NXT 2.0 residual of a lawyer gimmick, but luckily Heights advances with a spinning belly-to-belly.
Winner: Tavion Heights
A promo package hypes the upcoming NXT Women’s Championship match between Lyra Valkyria and Blair Davenport, showcasing their international backstory but first-time encounter at New Year’s Evil.
Meta-Four is interviewed backstage about Josh Briggs’ challenge for the Heritage Cup Championship, and “Noam Claus” accepts in festivity.
Nikkita Lyons vs Tatum Paxley
Lyons approaches Valkyria beforehand to ensure her stalker is taken care of – but her eyes are set on the NXT Women’s Championship as well. There’s an odd indifference towards Lyons, who was once a fan favorite before her personal beliefs were shared, but she carries herself like a top prospect regardless. Her unique offense of kicks and signature split pinfall earns the victory – her first singles match in more than a year.
Winner: Nikkita Lyons
Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs check up on Fallon Henley, who is “not done” with Tiffany Stratton after getting doused in trash. Later, Briggs declines Jensen’s offer to support him in his Heritage Cup match – even though cornermen are a staple of Heritage rules anyway.
Hank Walker and Tank Ledger vs Gallus
Thankfully Joe Coffey is ringside after being kidnapped and assaulted by Joe Gacy less than an hour ago. Meanwhile, commentary alludes to The D’Angelo Family being relatives of Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito’s caricature of an agent. Hank and Tank are pretty rough in-ring, but they have some heart – although it isn’t enough to best the Gallus boys, who remain on top. On second thought, Gacy is seen sitting in the Chase University student section, so Coffey isn’t safe after all.
Winners: Gallus
Dijak responds to Eddy Thorpe with a promo package of his own: “the last NXT in 2023 is going to be your last match ever! I’ll see you in the Underground.”
“You will always be trash,” says Tiffany Stratton to Fallon Henley – issuing a challenge at New Year’s Evil. If Stratton wins, Henley must become her servant, which legally is an odd stipulation to think about.
Ridge Holland vs Ilja Dragunov
Holland has officially transitioned back to the NXT roster, immediately throwing hands with the champion. Booker T argues that Holland’s history of accidents and injuries were “perfect for him” inside this “hurt gig” of wrestling, and the latter takes control proceeding picture-in-picture. He considers Beats of the Bodhran but decides against it, allowing Dragunov to capitalize and eventually hit the H-Bomb. Holland powers up with Dragunov in arms, falling back into a DDT that apparently injures the champion. Referees and medical personnel rush out to put Dragunov on a stretcher to an uncomfortably quiet crowd – who respectfully clap as the champion exits.
Winner: –
NXT 12/19/23
Orlando, FL
As per usual, Dragunov sold that like his life was in jeopardy – except this time it’s a pretty questionable storyline involving Holland’s actual history of injuries. It highlighted a rough watch of an episode, that merely built towards the next two weeks of programming.
