NXT: Lowell shown no warmth on Christmas Eve

Doubling up on last week’s NXT in Lowell, Massachusetts, tonight’s Christmas Eve edition hailed once again from the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. After Trick Williams retained his NXT Championship in a double-pin scenario, the opening package played footage of Eddy Thorpe shoving Shawn Michaels post-show. Tonight, ahead of New Year’s Evil on January 7, Thorpe secured another chance – this time inserted into the once hopeful headliner of Williams versus Oba Femi.

As NXT’s men’s division continues searching for its Christmas miracle, the entryway tonight was decorated in festive lighting, presents and trees. And as promised, Santa Claus opened the episode, although suspiciously looking like Ridge Holland – the grinch who stole the brand’s joy to begin with.

Stephanie Vaquer vs Cora Jade

Jade attempts to up her technical game as NXT’s women’s division gatekeeper, but it’s a losing battle against the crispness of newcomers like Vaquer. An awkward backbreaker from Jade shows either that or the ongoing recovery from her knee injury, and Vaquer makes an effortless comeback after break. Vaquer delivers her finishing shoulder breaker for three, and as Jade taunts in-ring, Kehlani Jordan attacks the loser with her own weaponized stick until the former holds her back.

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer

Donned in red and black, The D’Angelo Family prepares for tonight’s Christmas Chaos tag team match. Channing Lorenzo shares a story about his mother whacking “little Fabrizio from down the street” with a broom for stealing presents, comparing it to their three opponents in the way of championship gold.

Lexis King vs Charlie Dempsey (c) – Heritage Cup Championship

Mr. William Regal asks King if he’s “going to do it,” and the latter responds by vowing to become champion after weeks of soul-searching. “That’s not what I was asking you,” Regal says aloud backstage, pulling out the brass knuckles King refused to use in the first encounter. Lowell directs faint “who’s your daddy” chants at Dempsey since NXT hasn’t mentioned the suited elephant in the opposing corner, and after an even round one, King keeps a tight headlock on through the bell. Dempsey controls round two with more catch mastery and continues stomping King before break, which runs through round three. The competitors trade strikes in round four where Regal passes King the brass knuckles, and the latter refuses again. Regal drops him with a left hand, the referee spots the loose knuckles and assumes Dempsey used them, and King is crowned the new Heritage Cup Champion to a briefly revitalized Lowell.

Winner: Lexis King

OTM calls the holidays a facade, comparing unwanted family to their opponents The Family, No Quarter Catch Crew, and Hank Walker and Tank Ledger. After, Kehlani Jordan goes off on Stephanie Vaquer and Lola Vice for entering her business, and the former Women’s North American Champion abnormally shows some fire.

Unholy Union vs Fatal Influence

Speaking of fire, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn return to NXT – along with fellow main roster floaters Katana Chance and Kayden Carter, who spectate from the balcony next to Santa Claus. Shotzi, Gigi Dolin, and Tatum Paxley eventually join ringside as Shawn Spears, Niko Vance, and Brooks Jensen watch on more intently than the audience. Vic Joseph asks Booker T if he’s on eggnog as Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx control, and Fyre receives the apt hot tag. Chance and Carter squabble with Fallon Henley ringside, allowing Dolin to interfere against Jayne in favor of Unholy Union’s double-team victory.

Winner: Unholy Union

Tavion Heights and Myles Borne empathize with leader Charlie Dempsey’s loss, but the duo looks ahead to Christmas Chaos; deaf Borne says Christmas was “pretty quiet” growing up. After, Izzi Dame rubs in Zaria and Sol Ruca’s loss last week before Shawn Spears comes in, insisting that the former shouldn’t be alone for Christmas.

Dion Lennox vs Ashante “Thee” Adonis

Friends fight over the Karmen Petrovic saga, which includes Nikkita Lyons who appears in Adonis’ corner. Lennox throws him around with impressive height and athleticism, but Lyons saves Adonis with a foot on the rope. The latter scores with a roll-up, and Lyons raises his hand unlike Petrovic.

Winner: Ashante “Thee” Adonis

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger hype up holiday treats and chaos, looking to bring the NXT Tag Team Championships “ho-ho-home.” Shotzi, Gigi Dolin, and Tatum Paxley meet Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, who meet Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson – a team who habitually likes inserting themselves into casual conversations.

NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez narrates a celebratory highlight package with her insincere inflection; she defends against Giulia at New Year’s Evil on January 7. After, Lexis King claims to uphold his integrity despite the manner of his Heritage Cup Championship win, and his long-term arc finally shows itself.

Ethan Page speaks towards Je’Von Evans: “I had to listen to you carry on about how great your year was. Well, now it’s ending with you eating through a straw.” Page acts accordingly to his serial-killer glasses, eerily commending himself for cracking Evans’ mandible.

The Family vs OTM vs No Quarter Catch Crew vs Hank Walker and Tank Ledger

It isn’t a holiday wrestling show without Christmas Chaos, immediately featuring weaponized trees, a fire extinguisher, a wrapped briefcase, and a loaded stocking. In an oddly continued tradition, Luca Crusifino rolls a bowling ball into Walker’s crotch right before NQCC sends Channing Lorenzo into a table of cookies. They wrap up Lucien Price and batter him with kendo sticks, but OTM recuperates by sending Myles Borne into a corner table. Outsiders Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe brawl away with rivals Walker and Ledger, and Tony D’Angelo gifts The Family gift-wrapped crowbars. “Santa Claus” delivers The Redeemer to D’Angelo as OTM gains the win, earning an NXT Tag Team Championship match against Nathan Frazer and Axiom. The bearded man is of course revealed to be Ridge Holland, looking to terrorize yet another championship division.

Winners: OTM

NXT Champion Trick Williams heads in-ring to emphatic “whoop that trick” chants, quickly interrupted consecutively by Oba Femi and Eddy Thorpe. Lowell showers Thorpe in jeers when insisting he was screwed, and Femi is more concerned with his NXT Championship match on January 7. Williams shuts down quarrels about the past and future, questionably making the aforementioned match a triple threat – made official by NXT General Manager Ava. Femi destroys his opponents, albeit Thorpe escapes, and stands tall with the belt that will seemingly escape him just a little longer.