The John Report: WWE NXT 12/24/24 Review

This week on WWE NXT featured Trick Williams addressing the controversial ending to last week’s show and a big four-way tag team match.

It is the day after Christmas (Boxing Day here in Canada) and I’m sitting down to review this episode of NXT that aired on Christmas Eve. They taped it a week earlier in Lowell, Massachusetts in the same venue as last week’s show.

Also, I posted my massive WWE Johnny Awards column on Christmas Day, so check that out if you haven’t seen it yet. There were some NXT winners including Nathan Frazer & Axiom as the best WWE Tag Team this year and plenty of NXT wrestlers were mentioned in the awards.

Since it’s the holiday season, I’m going to do a condensed review where I write a brief summary of the matches before doing the analysis. I’ll do play-by-play for the main event.

They are at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport, friend me on Facebook, or chat with me on the Bluesky App as well. Let’s get to it.

A video package aired about the Trick Williams-Eddy Thorpe NXT Title match that ended with a double pin.

The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T as usual. There was somebody dressed as Santa Claus walking around the building.

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Cora Jade

It was an even matchup most of the way. After Jade missed a corner attack, Vaquer hit a running double knee attack against the turnbuckle. Vaquer did her double knee smash move into the mat. Jade threw a tantrum after she didn’t win with a gutwrench suplex. Vaquer got the win with a package backbreaker. They went about 10 minutes with a commercial during the match.

Winner by pinfall: Stephanie Vaquer

Analysis: **3/4 It was a solid match to put over Vaquer with a clean win. They are booking Vaquer well for the most part while Jade has been losing quite a bit since coming back from injury.

After the match, Kelani Jordan went into the ring and hit Jade in the back with a kendo stick repeatedly. Vaquer went into the ring and grabbed Jordan to stop the attack.

The D’Angelo Family was shown talking backstage with Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo and Luca Crusifino thanking NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo for getting him a spot in the tag team four-way match. Adrianna Rizzo was there too. Stacks told a story about his mother being tough.

Lexis King was getting ready backstage. William Regal was there to ask if he could be in his corner and King said he was going to do it. After King left, Regal had brass knucks with him.

NXT Heritage Cup: Charlie Dempsey (w/Wren Sinclair) vs. Lexis King (w/William Regal)

The first round was fairly even with neither man able to get a fall.

There were no falls in the second round. Dempsey was in control for a lot of it. King hit a superkick and a rollup for two. Dempsey hit a German Suplex for a two count.

They didn’t even show round number three because it happened during the three minute break.

In round four, the two men exchanged chops. King hit a running clothesline and a Northern Lights Suplex for two. King hit a cross body block off the top for two. King hit a superplex and Dempsey hit a knee lift. They did a collision spot. Wren went into the ring to check on Dempsey, which caused the referee to look at her. Regal wanted King to use the brass knuckles, King refused, so Regal punched King with another set of brass knuckles and the knuckles went into the ring. Dempsey picked up the brass knuckles, the referee saw them and the referee raised King’s hand.

In a Heritage Cup match, a disqualification means a title change, so Lexis King was the new NXT Heritage Cup Champion

Winner by disqualification AND NEW NXT Heritage Cup Champion: Lexis King

Analysis: *** That’s the first title win for King in NXT. It’s a controversial win because it was a disqualification due to William Regal getting involved. Dempsey didn’t even use the brass knucks, but the referee assumed it and that was enough to give King the win. What’s interesting also is that Regal screwed his own son Dempsey out of the NXT Heritage Cup because of what he did in the match. They don’t mention that Regal is Dempsey’s dad, but obviously, a lot of us watching the show know about that relationship.

Lexis King was presented with the NXT Heritage Cup and he kissed the trophy. Booker T: “What the hell is going on?” King celebrated with the Cup.

OTM did a promo about how they are going to win the four-way tag team match.

There was a replay of Ethan Page’s cheap attack on Je’Von Evans last week that gave Evans a bloody mouth after Page stepped on a chair that was around Evans’ mouth.

Kelani Jordan was backstage talking to Stephanie Vaquer saying she didn’t need her to be there. Lola Vice showed up to talk to Jordan saying she was just there to help Jordan. That led to Jordan telling Lola and Stephanie to get out of her face.

Fatal Influence – Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx (w/Fallon Henley) vs. The Unholy Union – Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn

The team of Fyre & Dawn are on the main roster, but they are being used on this week’s show. They showed Katana Chance & Kayden Carter watching from the balcony. The trio of Gigi Dolin, Shotzi & Tatum Paxley showed up at ringside before they went to a break. Dawn was isolated from her partner in the second half of the match. Fyre nearly won for her team with a superkick. Fyre and Jayne did a double headbutt spot. There were arguments on the floor with Henley & Nyx yelling at Carter & Chance, so Gigi shoved Jayne off the turnbuckle. The Unholy Union hit their double team Gory Bomb/neckbreaker combo for the win after 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall:The Unholy Union – Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn

Analysis: *** There was a lot of chaos at ringside in this match. The match was given a lot of time and it was pretty good by the end of it. I don’t know if this match needed to go 13 minutes with a commercial because it dragged on a bit, but on these taped shows sometimes you get longer matches. Fyre & Dawn winning is fine although I don’t know if they are going to be in NXT very often in the future. The story was about Gigi screwing over Jacy’s team.

The team of Myles Borne & Tavion Heights were shown talking backstage about their match later.

Zaria and Sol Ruca were talking backstage about what happened last week. Izzi Dame interrupted to say she knows better than to team up with anybody. Shawn Spears and his friends talked to Dame, who told them to leave her alone. Izzi told Zaria she was better off alone.

Ashante “Thee” Adonis vs. Dion Lennox

Adonis was in control of the match in the first few minutes. Nikkita Lyons showed up at ringside to support Adonis, who didn’t want her to be there. Dion made the comeback with some power moves like a spinebuster and running powerslam. Lyons put Adonis’ foot on the bottom rope for a two count. Dion rolled up Adonis, then Adonis countered it into a pin of his own for the win after five minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ashante “Thee” Adonis

Analysis: ** It continues the story that Nikkita Lyons claims to like Adonis, who seems more interested in Karmen Petrovic. Lennox doesn’t get much TV time, but maybe he’ll get more opportunities next year.

Hank & Tank did a promo backstage about their tag team match in the main event.

The trio of Shotzi, Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley walked up to Kayden Carter & Katana Chance to chat. The Meta Grisl duo of Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson. They exchanged words with Carter & Chance about how they better recognize. Lash & Jakara also argued with Shotzi, Gigi & Tatum.

A video package aired about NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez bragging about how great she is. Perez trash talked Giulia since they have a title match at New Year’s Evil on January 7th.

Lexis King was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber backstage. King said he knew he could do it. King said he proved he was a man of integrity who didn’t need shortcuts to win. King said he felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Analysis: Lexis King won the NXT Heritage Cup thanks to William Regal helping him, but King didn’t acknowledge that and instead acted like he did it on his own.

Ethan Page was shown talking about how people were outraged when he broke Je’Von Evans’ jaw last week on NXT. Page said that the person to blame for his heinous act is Evans himself. Page said he had to hear about Evans talking about how great his year was and now Evans has to eat through a straw. Page claimed that last week was the highlight of his year, so he thanked Evans for helping Page find his smile by taking Evans’ smile.

Analysis: The Page-Evans feud should be great. A young guy like Evans will learn a lot from working with a vet like Page.

Next week on NXT:

* NXT Year End Awards

* Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

* Gigi Dolin & Shotzi vs. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter vs. Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson

Analysis: That episode has already been taped.

Christmas Chaos Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match: The D’Angelo Family – Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Luca Crusifino (w/Tony D’Angelo & Adriana Rizzo) vs. OTM – Bronco Nima & Lucien Price vs. No Quarter Catch Crew – Myles Borne & Tavion Heights vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger

There are no rules in this match. It ends by pinfall or submission. Hank & Tank attacked the other teams with Christmas trees and a shopping cart. A table was set up in the ring while Luca & Stacks used a fire extinguisher to spray Hank & Tank. Heights and Borne cleared the ring with the fire extinguisher. Bronco Nima used a chair to Heights’ back, Borne hit a dropkick and Lucien Price hit a clothesline on Borne. Hank & Tank used a tree to knock Price down. The fans chanted for Santa at ringside. Stacks & Luca attacked Hank & Tank with a briefcase leading to Stacks and Luca hitting double leg drops to the groin. Luca got a bowling balling ball and rolled into Hank’s groin against the turnbuckle. Vic: “Hank’s Jingle Bells just got rocked.” Well said. Borne & Heights got Stacks on the floor for a double team spinebuster that sent Stacks through the table. Borne hit an impressive Cutter on Price for a two count because the other guys broke it up. They went to break there.

The match returned with Heights and Borne using kendo sticks to beat up some of the guys in the match. Hank & Tank stopped that with double clotheslines. Hank & Tank hit a double splash on Price. Tank hit a running splash on Nima. Heights and Borne used kendo sticks to beat up Hank & Tank again. Stacks & Luca used candy canes to attack Borne & Heights. OTM hit running kicks on Hank & Tank. Price gave Borne a spinebuster onto a steel chair. Nima hit a spinning slam on Heights onto a chair. OTM tossed Borne through a table against the turnbuckle. Hank got back into it with a clothesline while Tank hit a shoulder tackle. Hank and Tank jumped onto OTM on the floor. The team of Tyson & Tyriek attacked Hank & Tank, so they went fighting to the back. Tony D handed Stacks & Luca some candy cane crowbars that they used to beat up the guys in the match. Luca and Stacks hit a Shatter Machine on Price for two because Nima made the save. Santa attacked Tony D with a Redeemer DDT so it was Ridge Holland dressed as Santa. OTM hit a double team Alabama Slam on Stacks for the pinfall win. It went about 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: OTM – Bronco Nima & Lucien Price

Analysis: ***1/4 The match was okay with weapons being used and a lot of nearfalls in the match while other teams were around to break up the pin attempts. I liked how the finish was done with OTM capitalizing on the chaos caused by Santa Claus Ridge and that led to OTM picking up the big win.

The win by OTM means they will get a NXT Tag Team Title match against Nathan Frazer & Axiom.

Analysis: Good choice for winners because OTM hasn’t been used that much this year and maybe they’ll be the team to beat Frazer & Axiom for the NXT Tag Team Titles. I think Frazer & Axiom are more than ready for the main roster at this point.

After the match, Santa revealed himself to be Ridge Holland. The fans booed.

Analysis: That obviously sets up Ridge Holland as a challenger for the NXT North American Title held by Tony D’Angelo. Easy way to set up a feud.

Let’s Hear from Trick Williams, Oba Femi and Eddy Thorpe

The NXT Champion Trick Williams was in the ring wanting to address what happened on last week’s show. However, there was an interruption from Oba Femi, who is the number one contender for the NXT Title. Eddy Thorpe said that Femi may not care about what happened last week, but Thorpe does care. Thorpe said that he wasn’t pinned last week because the referee raised his hand. Thorpe told Trick that he should be ashamed to be the champion. Trick said that he should have beaten him clean. Oba told Trick he’ll only remain champion for two more weeks until New Year’s Evil. Thorpe said that he has something to settle with Trick, so Oba will have to wait for his title match. Femi said that Thorpe lied about getting a title opportunity.

Trick told them both to shut up because he’s tired of hearing about the past and the future. Trick said that they are going to make this a triple threat match. Trick said he’ll put the title on the line against both of them and he knows he can lose his title without being pinned. Trick said he’ll show everybody how to Whoop That Trick. Femi said that Trick knows he can’t beat Femi one on one so Trick can pin Eddy and escape with the title. Thorpe tried to speak, so Femi told Thorpe to be quiet. Femi told Thorpe that with Femi in the equation, Thorpe’s chances of winning are zero.

Ava the NXT GM made her entrance. Ava said if this is the match that Trick wants then she’s more than happy to sign off on it. Trick said that this is what he wants. Ava summarized that at New Year’s it’s Oba Femi vs. Eddy Thorpe vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Championship in a triple threat match.

Thorpe threw a punch, Trick ducked it and Thorpe hit Femi. Oba ran the ropes and hit a running back elbow on both guys. Femi hit running uppercuts on both guys. Femi hit a Popup Powerbomb on Trick. Thorpe escaped a Femi move and bailed to the floor. Femi held up the NXT Title as a possible preview of what could happen at New Year’s Evil. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: The match at New Year’s Evil will likely see Trick beat Thorpe in the match. That will lead to Femi saying he wasn’t pinned, so that will set up Trick against Femi at the first PLE of the new year. I realize that Femi basically said that same thing in his promo, but I still think that’s exactly what will happen.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Lexis King
2. OTM – Bronco Nima & Lucien Price
3. Stephanie Vaquer

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The Scoreboard

This week: 6.75 out of 10

Last week: 7.25

2024 Average: 7.18

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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT

The show was okay, but a weaker episode than usual. I think these taped episodes during the holiday season are usually weaker no matter the brand, so it was more of the same here.

In terms of matches, the four-way tag team match was entertaining. The Vaquer-Jade was fine as a way to put over Vaquer. I liked the King-Dempsey match with Regal getting involved and “accidentally” costing his own son Dempsey the match.

They are building to the NXT New Year’s Evil show on January 7th with Trick Williams set to defend the NXT Title against Oba Femi and Eddy Thorpe. That will be an interesting match.

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John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X @johnreport