It’s a new year and only one week away from the first big NXT event of 2023; New Year’s Evil. As a result the biggest thing announced for this episode of NXT was Grayson Waller and Bron Breakker having a face-to-face ahead of their NXT World Title Shot. Read on to see how it all went down!

The show opened with a recap of all of the changes made throughout 2022 then we went straight to a match.

Match 1: Carmello Hayes (with Trick Williams) vs. Apollo Crews

These two kicked off the new year for NXT with a bang. The match itself went around 15 minutes and ended when Carmello hit the “Mello Don’t Miss” to secure the 3-count.

Result: Carmello Hayes defeated Apollo Crews via Pinfall

Post match, Axiom return to attack Mello and Trick and set up the second match of the show.

Match 2: Trick Williams vs. Axiom

This match started during the ad break so as a result we got to see around 3 minutes of action that saw Axiom win via the “Golden Ratio”.

Result: Axiom defeated Trick Williams via Pinfall

Post match the beatdown is on but Apollo Crews runs in for the save.

Schism wants a Tag Team Title shot and wonders why New Day is ducking them. They argue over which team is more of a family and a match between Kofi Kingston and Joe Gacy seems to be on.

Last week, Dijak kidnapped Stacks. Stacks offers a match but Dijak says this is just the beginning. He leaves the key to the handcuffs and walks off.

Chase U and Drew Gulak and company argue on training methods.

Match 3: Dijak vs. Stacks

Tony D’Angelo is with Stacks to watch him get destroyed in 3 minutes. This match is more about setting up the D’Angelo/Dijak match and the challenge is laid down post-match

Result: Dijak won via pinfall

Javier Bernal interrupts Oro Mensah’s interview and a match is made for later on in the show as a result

Toxic Attraction come out for a chat and say they want the women’s title which brings out a slew of different members of the NXT Women’s roster to interrupt, starting with Indi Hartwell. A 20 Woman #1 Contenders Battle Royal is announces for next week and a match between Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn is set up immediately

Match 4: Alba Fyre vs. Isla Dawn in an Anything Goes match

This was a great 10 minute match that showcased both women well and ended when Alba hit the Gory Bomb through a table to secure the pinfall.

Result: Alba Fyre defeated Isla Dawn via pinfall

Match 5: Javier Bernal vs. Oro Mensah

This was a bit of a surprise as even though this was set up earlier this still only lasted 3 minutes and saw Mensah win via the running corner spinwheel kick to get the 3.

Result: Oro Mensah won via Pinfall

Match 6: Andrew Chase vs. Drew Gulak

Full disclosure; I’ve only just started rewatching NXT as a result of doing these recaps so it’s been strange to see Gulak on here after the last showing of him was his main event feud with Bryan then disappearance. I’d assumed injury. Anyway, it’s great to see him being built back up and a victory via submission in 4 minutes is a very good way to build him back up.

Result: Drew Gulak won via submission

Match 7: Kofi Kingston vs. Joe Gacy

Xavier Woods was on commentary and referenced the New Day’s prior title stipulations and stated that Big E is an NXT Tag Team Champion too. The match was great, with Gacy seeming to have the former WWE Champion’s number until he ultimately fell to the Trouble in Paradise at the 6 minute mark.

Result: Kofi Kingston won via pinfall

It was then time for the Grayson Waller Effect, with Bron Breakker as the guest. Grayson did his best to try and get into Bron’s head, including mentioning Bron’s dad and the segment, and show, ultimately ended with Bron laying Waller out.