NXT might have undergone a revamp earlier this year and become NXT 2.0, but some of the black and gold brand's elements have remained in place. Halloween Havoc still has a place on the NXT calendar, as does WarGames. It turns out New Year's Evil will also continue. A tradition that was retired by WCW in 1999 and revived by NXT last year. It will once again be the show that kicks off NXT's year when we hit the first Tuesday of 2022.
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New Year's Evil will air live from the NXT 2.0 Arena on January 4, 2022. It won't be a TakeOver or a weekend special as NXT 2.0 appears to have dropped the TakeOver label altogether. Since it will be a themed edition of a regular episode of NXT, it will start at 8 pm EST and run for two hours. Fans in the US will be able to watch New Year's Evil on the USA Network, and those of you elsewhere can watch live on whatever network carries NXT where you live. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the matches announced for the show so far.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship
Quite a few names most of us had never heard before have broken through since NXT became NXT 2.0. Cora Jade, Grayson Waller, Duke Hudson. However, none has risen more or as quickly as Bron Breakker. Breakker has clearly been watching his dad Rick and his uncle Scott closely throughout his entire life, and it is really paying off.
Breakker got a shot at Tomasso Ciampa's NXT Title at Halloween Havoc but failed to capitalize. He then won the men's WarGames match by pinning Ciampa. That has earned him a second shot at the title, and it seems likely that Breakker will win this time around. The dominos from the old era of NXT continue to fall. If WWE is serious about pushing through with this new crop of Superstars, then NXT needs a champion that can lead them.
Mandy Rose vs. Raquel Gonzalez vs. Cora Jade
While NXT 2.0 has been filled with new faces, the return of an older one might be the most surprising addition to the roster so far. Mandy Rose is back in NXT, leading her own faction, and is currently the Women's Champion. Rose is doing work many fans didn't realize she was capable of in NXT, but at New Year's Evil, her still-young title reign faces its biggest challenge yet.
Rose will defend her title against both Raquel Gonzalez and Cora Jade. The woman she took the title from, and the young upstart who thinks she is already prepared to be champion. Considering the backing Jade has right now, and her win at WarGames, that could happen. However, it seems more likely Rose retains in this one. As for Gonzalez, this could be her final match in NXT before heading to the main roster.
Roderick Strong vs. Carmelo Hayes in an NXT Cruiserweight and NXT North American Championship Unification Match
It has been teased for a while that the Cruiserweight Title as we know it might not be long for this world. Ever since Joe Gacy tried to win it so he could defend it against anyone, regardless of weight or gender. Well, while Gacy didn't get his way at WarGames, the Cruiserweight Title will be merged with the North American Championship at New Year's Evil.
It's unclear at this point what will become of each title after this match. Whether one title will consume the other or if they will merge to create an all-new championship. Whatever happens, Carmelo Hayes seems to be the most likely winner in this one. Roderick Strong has done some great work as a part of Diamond Mine, but as is the case with Breakker, Hayes is the new guy those booking NXT are high on right now.
Riddle and MSK vs. Imperium
MSK's weeks-long journey to find the shaman eventually came to an end at Riddle's door, because who else? Well, maybe Rob Van Dam, but perhaps the Hall of Famer wasn't available. Turns out Riddle's involvement with his new proteges will extend beyond weird advice and recreational activities together. The three will be teaming up to take on a fully loaded Imperium at New Year's Evil.
Riddle returning to NXT is a big deal, but Walter coming back to the US might be an even bigger one. Despite the Austrian's reluctance to move stateside full time, there have been rumblings he might be nearing a main roster call-up. That paired with his fellow Imperium members being Tag Team Champions points to Imperium winning this one.
