Three championship matches are set for WWE NXT New Year’s Evil tonight at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The special tshow will be headlined by a clash for the brand’s top prize, as Oba Femi defends the NXT Championship against current TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater.
Femi has reportedly impressed WWE officials with his recent appearances on SmackDown and Saturday Night’s Main Event. These performances, including a showing against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes where he held his own before Drew McIntyre interfered, could expedite a call-up to the WWE main roster. WWE has already aired vignettes for Femi on both Raw and SmackDown entering the new year.
However, ‘The Ruler’ of NXT must first focus on Slater, a 21-year-old rising star who earned this opportunity by winning a Fatal 4-Way Match against Joe Hendry, Myles Borne, and Dion Lennox. Slater also made a name for himself teaming with Je’Von Evans at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
In the women’s division, Jacy Jayne will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Kendal Grey. Grey, the current EVOLVE Women’s Champion, became the No. 1 contender by winning the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge last month, defeating Sol Ruca, Jordynne Grace, Lola Vice, and Kelani Jordan.
The third title match features a controversial backstory. Thea Hail shocked the world by defeating Blake Monroe for the NXT Women’s North American Championship on December 16. According to a report from PWInsider, Monroe had the wind knocked out of her during the finishing sequence when Hail hit a springboard move, leading to Monroe failing to get her shoulder up before the three-count. Additionally, former friends Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame will collide in a grudge match following Dame’s betrayal at NXT Deadline.
Announced Match Card:
NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Leon Slater
NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Kendal Grey
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Thea Hail (c) vs. Blake Monroe
Grudge Match: Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame
