The first WWE NXT episode of 2026 has arrived with tonight’s live New Year’s Evil special from Orlando, Florida.
In the main event, NXT Champion Oba Femi defends against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater. Femi appears to be main roster bound, but isn’t looking to lose his title anytime soon. This is his first TV appearance since December’s Saturday Night’s Main Event match with Cody Rhodes.
The NXT Women’s title will be on the line as Jacy Jayne defends against Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge winner Kendal Grey.
After an upset win to cap off 2025, NXT Women’s North American Champion Thea Hail defends against Blake Monroe in a rematch.
The show is capped off by rivals Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley in a grudge match.
Our live coverage begins at 8 pm Eastern.
**********
Welcome to NXT New Year’s Evil (presumably to be followed next year by New Year’s Evil 2: Evil Harder) where the stakes are high, the parties are well, over, but the action remains hot and spicy, not unlike the Italian sausage I finished before getting started tonight.
Speaking of getting started, New Year’s Evil started with a quick recap package of some of NXT’s 2025 highlights, while t’ing up the night’s card. Vic Joseph and Booker T made a solemn and dignified pair as we saw what could be the first footage of wrestlers arriving to work in 2026.
NXT Women’s North American Championship Match: Thea Hail (c) vs. Blake Monroe
As 2025 came to a close, Hail won the Women’s North American Title from Monroe and she’s been soooooo bummed about it ever since. Monroe has been sulking around GM Ava’s office and Ava told her last week that she has to “bring the glamour” if Monroe expects to win back her title. But I still believe in Thea Hail.
Monroe attacked Hail on the entrance ramp as her music played and beat her up with a chair before tossing her through the barricade. Security arrived to try and get them back on track while the crowd chanted “Let them fight!”
That settled down just in time for Ricky Saints and his snakeskin pants (also my Velvet Revolver cover band’s name) to come sauntering to the ring? So the match…?
They then casually announced that the match wouldn’t take place tonight so:
Match Result: Thea Hail vs Blake Monroe was a no contest? or something?
Saints grabbed a mic and said that he was there to give the crowd a gift to start of 2026: him. The crowd did not like the gift and asked for it to be returned, but Saints said that “NXT needs” him now that Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams have gone off as “free agents” since they knew they couldn’t hang with him.
Saints said that he “ain’t going nowhere” and anyone who comes at him will be sent back where they came from. Saints said that it’s natural-born stars like him against “home-grown” stars that they are trying to make.
Saints then called out Oba Femi, saying that they are 1-1 against each other and regardless of who wins tonight, Saints will be coming for that title. And that, is absolute.
-Backstage, GM Ava sent Robert Stone to go find Monroe and grabbed a production headset. She told the team to play the Paxley/Dame video package because they were now on first!
-After a break, GM Ava was still stomping around backstage and ran into Blake Monroe. Ava rightly asked her “what the hell?” and Monroe said that she was just bringing the glamour! Ava then banned her from the building and threw her out.
Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame
So, yeah. The long and the short of this match is that Paxley and Dame used to be in the Culling together. Paxley had a cup of coffee with the NXT Women’s Championship, which drove Dame crazy and she convinced the rest of the culling to oust Paxley. So they don’t like each other. Like, at all.
Dame actually came to the ring without her Culling stablemates, so it would be Dame and Paxley one-on-one.
Immediately off the bell, Dame tried to get Paxley on her shoulders, but the latter sllid off. They then traded punches in the corner with each one throwing some very agressive shots. You could really feal the animosity between these two.
Paxley got Dame in an ankly lock through the ropes, but Dame broke it off, rolling out and under the rope clutching her leg. Paxley dragged her back into the ring and smacked her right in the face. She put on an STF lock, pulling Dame’s leg back, then picking it up and slamming it.
Paxley hit a flipping leg drop on the ring apron (the evilest part of the ring!), but Dame caught her leg on the follow up and knocked her off the apron with a forearm. Dame then drove Paxley into the announce table and back into the apron. She picked her up by the throat and slammed her on the apron before throwing her back in.
Dame ragdolled the smaller Paxley from corner to corner, adding in some stomps and elbows for good measure. She then leapt off the second rope into a codebreaker for a two count.
Dame grabbed a headlock while the crowd chanted for Tatum. Paxley fought out of the headlock with some elbows and a chop block, but Dame took the momentum back and the headlock as well. Dame threw Paxley with a gutwrench, but a back elbow stunned her and Paxley got free.
The two started a slug fest in the middle of the ring until Dame landed a backbreaker followed byt a flapjack into the top rope and two knees to Paxley’s gut. She put Paxley in a Walls of Jericho -type hold, but Paxley was able to get to to the rope to break it.
Dame went up top, but Paxley managed to hit her with and insiguri. The crowd started singing the Addams Family theme at this point, but that didn’t distract Paxley from hitting a flipping bulldog from the top turnbuckle!
The two got to their feet and went blow for blow, letting it all come out, until Paxley hit a chinbreaker. She followed that with a snap German suplex and went for a kick, but Dame dodged and hit her with a gutwrench sit out powerbomb for a two count.
Dame sent Paxley into the corner, and Paxley came out swinging. Dame caught her with an up and over suplex, but Paxley kicked out. Dame then speared Paxley through the ropes and into the outside. She threw Paxley into the steel steps then back into the ring.
Paxley countered a suplex attempt and landed a Pele kick before going up top for a 450. She got about 440 and then nailed a Cemetery Drive to get the pin and the victory.
Match Result: Tatum Paxley defeated Izzi Dame
Next a hype video for French luchadore Elio LeFleur aired before heading to a commercial break.
-Back from break, GM Ava told Thea Hail that she would be pushing back her match with Blake Monroe because she was ejected from the building. Hail said that she wanted to revive the open challenge so she could have a match tonight. Jordynne Grace was there and she also approved. Ava said “whatever” and left.
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey
Grey won the women’s Iron Survivor Challenge to earn the right to face Jayne in this match. Unlike Je’Von Evans, Grey had patience and waited just long enough for Jayne Fatal Influence to beat (up) her best friend Wren Sinclair last week. This match has some great potential as it’s champion vs champion and pits the future (NXT Women’s Champion Jayne) against the future future (Evolve Champion Grey).
During Fatal Influence’s entrance, I had but one thought: So much hair flipping.
After the bell rang though, Grey went right for Jayne, grabbing an armbar. Jayne kicked out of it and Grey threw it right back on. This time, Jayne was able to get to the ropes to break it. Jayne threw some kicks and chops and sent Grey to the corner.
Grey dodged the charge and ran circles around Jayne until delivering a dropkick that sent her out of the ring. Fatal Influence ran over to check on her and Grey did a crossbody from the top turnbuckle onto all three.
Jayne got to her feet first and picked up Grey and thew her into the plastic barricade. She then cannonballed her into the same plastic barricade. She threw Grey back into the ring for a senton and a two count.
Jayne hit a gnarly kick that sent Grey’s head spinning around and then threw some knees into the back of her head before hitting snakeyes on the turnbuckle. Jayne grabbed a chinlock, wrenching Grey’s neck. Grey dropped out of it though and started throwing hands.
Jayne shot Grey off the ropes, but Grey rolled through for a two count. Jayne then kicked her in the face and began mocking her. She tossed her head first into the turnbuckle and grabbed a tight headlock. Jayne pulled back, twisting Grey in half by the head.
Grey fought her way out of it, but left herself open for a neckbreaker from Jayne. Jayne went back to the headlock, but Grey pushed her into the turnbuckles to break the hold. Grey hit a high cross body and dodged a kick, but she and Jayne ran into each other in stereo crossbodys and were left laying.
They staggered up and Jayne’s talented feet peppered Grey with kicks. Jayne started mocking Grey again, but Grey interrupted with a headbutt and a series of kicks. She dropped the straps like so many Brons Breakkers and hit a top rope stomp and then a DDT on Jayne.
Jayne kicked out of the pin attempt and Grey went up top. Jayne knocked her off the turnbuckle though and hit another neckbreaker. Grey kicked out a two, and a frustrated Jayne resorted to punching.
Grey got up and caught her with three german suplexes. Jayne exploded out with a knee, but Grey kicked out at two. Both women crawled around the ring while “this is awesome” chants began around them.
Jayne went up top, but Grey scrambled up and pulled her down. Grey tried a rollthrough, but ended up putting on that armbar, with Jayne nowhere near the ropes. Fatal influence interferede behind the refs back causing Wren Sinclair to get up on the apron.
That left Jayne open and Grey grabbed another ambar and went for a DDT. Fallon Henley reached through the ropes though and grabbed Jaynes tights holding her up, sending Grey to the mat alone. That gave Jayne a few seconds to set up and hit a rolling encore on Grey and get the pin to retain the NXT Women’s Title.
Match Result: Jacy Jayne defeated Kendal Grey
-Back from break, GM Ava was subjected to Ethan Page being in her office. Page reminded her that he had a record setting 12 title defenses in the last year. Page said that since Ava was having a good day, he was going to the ring to finish his thoughts. That gave The Vanity Project a chance to enter. They want to talk 2026 with Ava and the segment ended.
NXT Women’s North American Title Open Challenge: Thea Hail (c) Vs…?
Hail limped to the ring, holding her wrist, obviously not in prime condition. She grabbed a mic and sat in the middle of the ring. She said she was devastated that she wasn’t going to get to fight Blake Monroe, but she promised everyone a championship match and she re-opened the open challenge!
The women’s locker room then emptied out as everyone tried to get to the ring first. Suddenly Tatum Paxley arrived with a chainsaw, only to get taken out by the Culling. Izzi Dame appeared in the ring and Spears made the timekeeper ring the bell!
NXT Women’s North American Title Open Challenge: Thea Hail (c) vs Izzi Dame
Dame absolutely dominated Hail for a few minutes with elbows and scoop slams. She hoisted Hail to her shoulders, but Hail worked out of it. Dame grabbed her, but Hail rolled through it. Dame grabbed Hail and threw her into the turnbuckle before hitting a powerslam for a two count.
Dame then stomped Hail and threw her into the corner. Dame stood on Hail who wailed in pain. Dame continued throwing elbows, stomps, fists and anything else she could think of at Hail. Dame hit a backbreaker but Hail came up swinging. Dame dodged it and grabbed a headlock.
Hail managed to stand, but Dame put a knee in her stomach and went right back to the headlock. Hail fought back, but couldn’t get the upper hand on Dame. Hail got a DDT on Dame that surprised even her and then put a kick to her midsection.
Hail hit a few takedowns and rolled through a charge from Dame, but Dame regained control with a scoop slam and an elbow. Hail fought back with a senton and went off the ropes, but Dame put her knees up. Dame then hit a big boot, but only got a two count as Hail kicked out.
Hail went for a kimura lock, but Dame powered out of it. Hail hit an exploder out fo the corner and Dame slid out of the ring. Hail dove through the ropes at her, but Dame caught her in midair and chokeslammed her onto the announce table.
Dame got back in the ring, but forgot Hail! She quickly grabbed her and threw her back into the ring to avoid the countout. Dame went up to the top turnbuckle, but Hail met her there with some punches. Hail tried to put on the kimura, but that left her open for a Super Dame Over and bam. 1-2-3 and Izzi Dame is your new NXT Women’s North American Champion.
Match Result: Izzi Dame defeated Thea Hail
-Backstage, The Vanity Project left Ava’s office and ran into Lola Vice. They tried hitting on her, but Hank and Tank arrived to shoo them away. Hank, Tank and Vice discussed what they just saw and Vice’s feud with Kelani Jordan. Jordan then teleported into the scene and a brawl broke out.
They decided not to bore us with a finish to that segment and moved back to Ava’s office where Joe Hendry asked for a match against Dark State. Ava said that she knew Dark State would just jump Joe 4-on-1, so Hendry said that he would find some friends to watch his back. Ava said that sounded good and Hendry left.
-Back from break, NXT North American Champion Ethan Page was in the ring. He said that he wanted to celebrate himself being so great in 2025. He said that proved time and time again that he is the greatest North American alive.
Page declared his North American title the most prestigious title in all of WWE. He said that he thought it was funny that Femi only defended his “world” title in North America while he has defended his title all over the place.
Suddenly, Speed Champion Jasper Troy appeared. Troy said that he is out here to prove that he’s the Monster of NXT. He said that the Speed title wouldn’t be the last title he held and looked at Page’s belt.
Then, Sons of Anarchy cosplayer Josh Briggs showed up and said that Page and the crowd were delusional.
Then, because why not, TNA International Champion Stacks and Arianna Grace appeared and added themselves to the crowd of people who think they are more important than Ethan Page.
Not to worry though! The Promo Parade continued as Shiloh Hill came down to the ring to call out Stacks. Hill announced that Santino and Ava had decided that Hill would get a shot at the TNA International title next week.
Then, Tavion Heights showed up and challenged Jasper Troy to a match for the Speed Title. A frustrated Page then told Heights that the last time he was near a championship, he dropped the ball. That caused a brawl to break out with everyone spamming finishers and Hill dancing with Arianna Grace until his tooth fell out.
TL;DR: An Ethan Page promo resulted in a Speed Title match, a TNA International Title Match and a mid-card brawl that ended with someone losing a tooth and as we all know, it’s all fun and games until someone loses a tooth.
-After a break, Joe Hendry was shown trying to recruit OTM to be his backup against Dark State. Hendry convinced them just as Fatal Influence walked by and nearly into Zaria and Sol Ruca. Jayne made fun of Ruca for not having any titles. Ruca said she was coming for Jayne’s title and she said “oh, I thought you were a tag team” and then Fatal Influence left.
-Ethan Page stomped through backstage and yelled at Miles Borne for not being there to back him up even though he didn’t ask. He ended it with “can you hear me now, Miles?” which is a pretty low blow, even for Page.
-It was announced that next week Joe Hendry will take on Dark State’s Dionne Lennox. Jasper Troy and Tavion Heights will fight over the Speed title and Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan will got one-on-one.
NXT Championship Match: Oba Femi (c) vs.TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater
This title shot was supposed to belong to Je’Von Evans for winning the Iron Survivor Challenge. However, Evans forced Femi’s hand and forced him to defend it early in a match that Evans lost in one hell of a match. But then he bounced and signed to RAW, so no one really feels too bad for him. Similarly bouncy TNA X-Division Champion Slater (Evans tag team partner) then won a Fatal 4-Way Match against Dion Lennox, Joe Hendry and Myles Borne to become the No. 1 Contender to Femi’s NXT Title.
Slater was almost as tall as Femi, but could not escape Femi’s strength. Off the bell, Femi picke dup Slater and threw him clear across the ring. Femi grabbed a wristlock and Slater tried to get out of it with speed. Femi wasn’t letting go though and the ref broke it up.
Femi laid some big potatoes on Slater’s skull and then knocked him to the mat. Slater got up to take an elbow, but started throwing shots back. Femi put an end to that with a single chop, sending Slater to the ring with astonishment on his face.
Slater managed to sneak in a high kick, but Femi was right there to counter with a backbreaker. Femi then whipped Slater into the corner so hard he bounced out of the ring to the floor. Femi floolwed him and bounced Slater’s head off the ring apron (the near yearsiest part of the ring!). Femi then dropped him on the apron and rolled him back into the ring.
Femi continued to dominate, countering everything Slater threw at him. Femi hit another backbreaker, trying to take away Slater’s high flying abilites. Slater got in a couple of punches, but Femi threw him into the corner before they could have an affect.
Slater managed to hit a codebreaker, stunning Femi. He then went for a headscissor, sending Femi out of the ring. Slater ran the apron to get Femi, but Femi swatted him down to the mat like a fly. Femi drove his knees into Slater, but Slater moved on the last one and Femi’s knee hit the ring post.
Slater took advantage and sidestepped a lariat and shoved Femi into the steel steps. He then threw the champ back into the ring and hit a crossbody from the top rope. Femi kicked out of the pin at two. Slater went right back to work, trying to take out Femi’s knees. He left himself open for a clothesline and a chokeslam though and Femi went for the pin. Slater kicked out at 2.75.
Femi looked to finish Slater off with a series of elbows, but his knee gave out. Slater took advantage and scooped him up for a body slam! Slater went for a pin but only got a two count. Femi shoved Slater off and rolled to the apron to recover.
Slater hit an insiguri that sent Femi to the floor. Slater leapt over the ring post and right onto Femi. He dragged him back to the ring and went up top for a swanton 450, but Femi got his knees up. Femi crawled over for the cover and Slater rolled through into ta two count.
Femi grabbed Slater before he could recover and hit a Fall From Grace. He pinned Slater but there was no kickout and Femi got the win and retained the NXT World Championship.
Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Leon Slater
Femi posed and celebrated in the ring and backstage, Ava addressed the Evolve Roster about the potential for them to be called up to NXT. Robert Stone then burst into the room saying “did you see what Oba Femi just did?!?!”
The scene cut back to the ring where Femi was nowhere to be found and the NXT Title belt was left behind, sitting in the middle of the ring as the show ended.
