Date: 12/21	7:00 PM
Views: 408

Nickolye's WWE NXT recap for December 21, 2021 at 8 PM ET! Tonight, the Phenomenal AJ STYLES will be in the house tonight to confront Grayson Waller! Tony D'Angelo goes one-on-one with Pete Dunne. Also, Raquel González will face Dakota Kai in a Street Fight! Tune in to find out what else could happen! NXT has a makeover in 2.0 fashion. Hit F5 or refresh as often as you like for the latest updates!

The NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa is already in the ring when we come on the air. Ciampa as champion you are the hunted, but says he's different than all the other previous NXT Champions, because he is the hunter in this scenario. He knows that Bron Breakker is waiting to interrupting him, but instead he is inviting him to come to the ring to say what he has to say to his face. Breakker doesn't waste time coming out to approach the NXT Champion, but Ciampa denies him a microphone. Ciampa knows that Breakker would brag that he pinned him to the mat at WarGames, and believes that he earned another shot at the title. "I'm thinking January 4th, New Year's Evil, Bron Breakker vs. Tommaso Ciampa part two for the NXT Title!" Ciampa agrees with that statement because he deserves it and hopes he doesn't drown in this opportunity like the last time. He calls Breakker special for getting two title matches, says he exposed him to his inexperience at Halloween Havoc, and adds he is not ready to be a champion in his NXT. Ciampa name-drops former champions like Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Bálor, and even himself as guys who spent 10-15 years honing their craft while criticizing Breakker for having about 20 matches. Ciampa goes on a tirade if Breakker wins, slaps him as a sign of reality hitting him in the face, Breakker picks him up in the military press, then puts him down and hands him the title. "New Year's Evil, blood is in the water. This shark is gonna eat you alive! See you in two weeks, champ!" Ciampa hugs his title close to the chest as Breakker barks at him from outside the ring.

We cut to Grayson Waller talking about AJ Styles on his Instagram making fun of his haircut then calls himself Phenomenal. Due to those comments, AJ STYLES will be here live!

Raquel González is walking backstage, then she dodges an incoming cart by Dakota Kai! The fight begins backstage without a referee and they try to odamage each other in the backstage area, González swings her into metal structures, hits her with a pipe, darts her into a steel grate, Dakota sends her into the grate and kicks her in the head. González muscles up a metal piece of the structure and jams it into Dakota's ribs and drops her on a rolling cart. Dakota backs away while throwing anything she can get her hands on, González tries to squish her between two carts, but Dakota escapes and kick her in the back while smiling. A couple of referees show up as she sets up a table, but González puts her on a dolly and rams her into the garage door! Dakota rams her head into a metal siding, they end up outside in the parking lot and they keep fighting into the commercial break!

The literal street fight continues throughout the commercial break with picture-in-picture to see everything that happens. Dakota side-steps her and Raquel crashes into a steel barricade, and they bring the fight back inside. Kai is in control now as she throws her around, but Raquel fights back, and as they end up at ringside Raquel pulls a ladder from under the ring! Kai fights her off, González throws some more punches, but she ends up striking the ringpost as Dakota ducked.

* Raquel González vs. Dakota Kai

When we come back full-screen as match is announced as official. González hits her with the top panel of the announce table, brings out a plethora of weapons, carries steel steps to hit her with, but Kai ducked and drops her on the steps. The fight goes on and on around the ring, Kai lands on the apron to kick her in the head, blocks her on her shoulders and stomps her head onto the apron. Kai brings out a table, González shoves the table at her, flapjacks her onto a chair, leans the table in a corner, they spill out the ring after a hurricanrana from Kai, she puts a trash can over Raquel's head, and hits the double foot stomp onto the trash can! González counters her and hits a POWERBOMB ONTO THE STEEL STEPS! Kai slaps her, González chokes her on the announce table, Kai kicks her in the head, but González hits the big boot, hits the CHINGONA BOMB ONTO A TRASH CAN, and covers for 1-2-3! WINNER: RAQUEL GONZALEZ!

González destroyed her former friend to put this issue to a rest, and now the former women's champion calls out the current NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose and she wants her title rematch and she's not leaving until she gets it! Breaktime.

We get a video package for Tony D'Angelo and he says he's not afraid of Pete Dunne, and even ripped out Dunne's mouthpiece at WarGames. They face off tonight!

González is still in the ring calling out the champ, but Cora Jade comes out instead. Cora tells Raquel that she deserves her rematch, but she also wants a title match herself. Raquel lets Cora know that they are cool with each other, but when it comes to the championship it's every woman for herself and she hasn't been the same since Halloween Havoc when she lost the title. She doesn't care if an enemy or friend gets in her way, she will go through anybody to get to the title, and Cora plans to beat her to it. Mandy Rose shows up on the screen in front of a pool and talks trash about both women. Mandy claims they are jealous of her in addition to wanting the title. "Since I'm in the holiday spirit, at New Year's Evil, it will be a triple threat match for my championship. In just two weeks, I get to kill two ugly birds with one stone." Mandy also says they will also get an ass-whooping, and that's the cue for Toxic Attraction to attack them with kendo sticks! Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne single out Raquel in the ring and they throw her through the table in the corner! Dolin and Jayne are both laid out while Toxic Attaction are all smiles.

We go back to last week where Harland threw Brian Kendrick down a flight of stairs. Joe Gacy apologizes on Harland's behalf for what happened to Kendrick, then tries to excuse Harland for his actions claiming that Kendrick made him uncomfortable and only has himself to blame.

Backstage, James Drake is watching The Creed Brothers on their Instagram page, and Zack Gibson claims he doesn't care. Gibson says he's always got a plan, and will give Drake some details in his mind. Breaktime.

When we come back, Indi Hartwell is working out when Persia Pirotta informs her that their match has been postponed. Grayson Waller pops in and Indi calls him a douche and she'll never forgive him for what he did to Johnny Gargano. Waller suggests: "We're all Australian. We should have each other's back, right?" Persia tells him worry more about AJ Styles coming here to confront him instead of them. Waller is not worried and taunts Indi about kicking papa Gargano out of NXT, and says that's "the way" of the future. Persia has to kick him out while holding Indi back.

* Grizzled Young Veterans vs. The Creed Brothers

Zack Gibson and Julius Creed start the match for their respective teams. Julius get sthe better of the exchange, tags in Brutus, throws Gibson down, and gutwrench suplexes Brutus onto Gibson. Malcolm Bivens approves outside the ring, Julius tags back in, tag team offense, Gibson kicks him off, Drake protects his partner allowing Gibson to come back with a clothesline. James Drake tags in, double axe handle to the back, covers for 2, jumping back elbow, Gibson tags in, Drake hits a spinning heel kick, and Gibson covers for a 2-count. Julius delivers a snap fisherman's suplex, Drake tags back in, fights off Julius, Brutus makes the blind tag, mat slam, knee strikes to the ribs, Brutus with a gutwrench suplex, Gibson breaks the count, makes the blind tag, kicks him in the back, and Drake shoves him out the ring. GVY hit a double team move outside the ring, and Jacket Time show up with their own table before a commercial break.

When we come back, Jacket Time have their own commentary table as the Japanese announce team. GYV are in control of this match as Drake puts Brutus in the chinlock, and now Briggs & Jensen walk down the ramp to get a closer look. We listen in to Jacket Time doing commentary, Brutus breaks free, Julius gets the tag, front chopblock to Drake, running dropkick, and even knocked Gibson off the apron. Brutus tags back in, double-team powerslam, covers for 2, Gibson tags in as we hear more from Jacket Time. Drake hits a suicide dive, Gibson taunts Jacket Time, both teams dare to powerbomb one another into the Japanese announce table, and GYV shove both Creed Brothers into Jacket Time and they all start fighting with Briggs & Jensen getting involved until they all get separated! NO CONTEST.

Carmelo Hayes gets interviewed backstage about Trick Williams conquering his fears over Dexter Lumis, and Trick claims he isn't afraid of anybody. Trick goes on a tangent until Dexter shows up on the screen behind him and they get spooked and leave. That match is next!

Earlier today, Zoey Stark and Io Shirai are in the trainer's room. Legado Del Fantasma show up to cut in line, but Io Shirai gets in their faces, then Elektra Lopez shows up to say she's not afraid of her. Shirai stands her ground, Zoey wants to know that she stood up for her, but Io says she still doesn't like her.

* Dexter Lumis vs. Trick Williams

The crowd starts chanting "Whoop that Trick! Whoop that Trick!" Williams tries to make him jump, but it's the other way around that has an effect as Dexter flinches towards him. Dexter catches a kick, shoves him backwards, Carmelo Hayes tells him to focus, Dexter scares him out the ring by slithering towards him. Lumis does a Thesz Press, elbow drop, neck twist, and looks up to see Roderick Strong, Ivy Nile and Malcolm Bivens on the balcony. Williams escapes, Lumis uppercuts him, Williams dropkicks him, Carmelo taunts him, but Roderick Strong has left the balcony. Lumis traps him in the ring apron and superkicks him, then gives Hayes a thumb's-up. Strong undoes Carmelo's NXT North American Championship and goes on the attack, fighting away from ringside! Lumis kicks the bottom rope into Lumis, scoop slams him, 1-count, scoop slam, 1-count, then puts him in the chinlock. Lumis battles out, clothesline and bulldog combo, back suplex, kips up into a jumping legdrop, punches him in a corner, Trick takes off his shoe, Lumis catches him in the Silence, and Williams drops his shoe as he fades and sleeps. WINNER: DEXTER LUMIS!

Lumis stands in the middle of the ring in victory, but then he's hit in the back with a steel chair by Grayson Waller! AJ STYLES IS HERE!! Grayson sits in the chair waiting for Styles before the break.

We get a video package for Pete Dunne talking about the newcomers of 2.0 and says nothing changes even though they're all the same age as him. He singles out Tony D'Angelo because of the brief history they have and hypes up their match for tonight.

Grayson Waller is still in the ring complaining about WWE superstars getting in the Hall of Fame and thanks the WWE Universe claiming their opinion doesn't matter. Before he can go much further, he's cut off by "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles! Is this the first time AJ Styles has stepped foot in NXT?? Waller takes credit for bringing Styles to NXT, but he's told to shut up by Styles and the crowd. Styles calls him the biggest jackass in NXT, and mentions his social media promo. Waller tauntts him and claims he's here because his "meal ticket" (Omos) left him last night on Raw, and now he needs a new tag partner on Raw to be relevant. Styles turns it back on him claiming Waller's saying his name just to get the rub from his famous name. Styles notes the gloves and one elbow pad that he wears, and assumes that Waller is trying to dress like him. He admits that Waller has potential, is cocky, but not a future WWE superstar like Bron Breakker, Tony D, and Carmelo Hayes. Waller brags about his big leap in WarGames, but AJ says it's about swipes and likes. Waller claims he could end him here, so AJ dares him to do it. "You had a good three weeks and you think you're a superstar? Try being phenomenal for 20+ years! Do what you said you're gonna do!" They look like they're ready to fight, but Waller walks away and wants next after he faces Omos.

Backstage, Malcolm Bivens lays the challenge for champion vs. champion, title for title, at New Year's Evil! Breaktime.

Riddle is here with MSK teaching them how to properly treat a scooter, like it's a tag team partner. Riddle gifts them RK-Bro shirts and hats. He tells them all they need to do now is challenge Imperium for the tag titles and he'll be there when they do. More hilarity ensues.

* Von Wagner vs. Edris Enofé

Enofé dropkicks him twice at the start, but Wagner catches him and gives him a body slam. Robert Stone is standing in the entranceway looking on and Wagner notices him there. Enofé rolls him up inside cradle for a near-fall, Wagner clotheslines him, goes on the attack, then Enofé counters a powerbomb with a sunset flip for 3!! WINNER: EDRIS ENOFE!

WHAT A BIG WIN! Enofé even got the jobber entrance! Wagner clotheslines him from behind outside the ring when we wasn't looking. Robert Stone does not look impressed. Wagner throws him in the ring and gives him the angle slam for good measure, then picks him back up for a short-arm clothesline. Wagner purposefully shoulder-bumps Robert Stone as he walks past him in a wide-open area just to prove his point.

Backstage, Imperium get interviewed, they speak German and Italian with subtitles, and they basically say that they embarrassed MSK and send them looking for answers in the first place. McKenzie Mitchell says didn't understand them (she can't read the subtitles standing next to them) so then asks if MSK are a threat for their titles. Marcel Barthel speaks English now and says even though MSK may have found a shaman (Riddle), they have a General (Walter).

It's official that on NXT New Year's Evil in two weeks, Tommaso Ciampa will defend his NXT Championship against Bron Breakker! Also, for the NXT Women's Championship it will be the champion Mandy Rose vs. Cora Jade vs. Raquel Gonzalez in a triple threat match.

Elektra Lopez speaks backstage on how tonight is the biggest match of her career, but she's not nervous. "I'm about to destroy the legend of Io Shirai." Xyon Quinn lurks in the back as Legado Del Fantasma walk off-screen. Breaktime. When we come back, Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett promote WWE Day 1 and NXT New Year's Evil coming up in two weeks.

* Elektra Lopez vs. Io Shirai

Lopez overpowers her with a body slam to start, but Shirai is quicker to trip her in a corner, but Lopez counters the pendulum kick and clotheslines her. Lopez ragdolls her, Shirai fights back, Lopez plants her with a spinebuster for 2, then puts her in the rear chinlock. Shirai throws her off, hits a shoulder block, running dropkick, tiger feint kick, top rope missile dropkick, meteora, gets a near-fall, then Lopez shakes the ropes to trip Io on the top turnbuckle. Out comes Xyon Quinn, he fights off Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde, takes off his jacket and presents mistletoe to Lopez. As Lopez gets close enough, Santos Escobar pulls Quinn off the apron, but he gets thrown into the steel steps instead. Shirai takes advantage hitting a palm strike, connects with the diving moonsault, and gets the win! WINNER: IO SHIRAI!

Quinn throws the mistletoe at Lopez and walks away from the Legado madness.

Carmelo Hayes: "Roderick Strong, you want smoke with 'Melo? Well I got so much smoke that you gon' choke cause I am the A champion. And in 2021 when I shot, I never missed. And going into 2022 we gonna keep it the exact same way. So at New Year's Evil, I'm gonna give you a Christmas present, and I'm gonna give you that match. But I'm gon' be the one walking out with two titles." Book it!

After the break, we get a video of Brian Kendrick speaking on comments from Joe Gacy. Kendrick thought about apologizing to Harland, but earlier today he resigned as a coach and signed a waiver to COMPETE in the ring against Harland next week! Speaking of next week, Wade Barrett will host the contract signing between Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong and North American Champion Carmelo Hayes for the Championship Unification Match! Also next week, Grayson Waller takes on Dexter Lumis one-on-one, and in tag team action Raquel Gonzalez and Cora Jade team up to take on the NXT Women's Tag Team Champions Toxic Attraction.

* Tony D'Angelo vs. Pete Dunne

The lock up, D'Angelo takes the arm, Dunne reverses, D'Angelo rolls away from getting his shoulder stomped, Dunne flips around to reverse pressure, and D'Angelo gets a cheap shot. We get word that next week MSK with Riddle will confront Imperium. Dunne leapfrogs over him, D'Angelo delivers a Saito suplex dropping him on his head, Dunne kicks and chops him, and D'Angelo counters the guillotine with an overhead throw. Dunne slaps him hard on the chest, bends his arm back, but D'Angelo delivers another high angle belly-to-back suplex. Dunne lands on his feet this time from the suplex, D'Angelo gloats, and Dunne kicks him on the side of the head, plus a running kick to the head to knock him off the aprom followed by a kneedrop on the apron before our final commercial break.

We get picture-in-picture here for the last break, and Dunne is still in control over D'Angelo with several attacks to the arm. Dunne puts him in the hammerlock after a couple of armbreakers, and bends the fingers back. D'Angelo gets serious with a back elbow and knees to the ribs, but Dunne comes back with a double foot stomp.

When we come back, Dunne is in control as he bends Tony's hand back and does a kneedrop to the shoulders. D'Angelo takes a couple of chops to the chest, does a double-leg takedown, northern lights suplex, floats over, Dunne grabs his hand and locks him in the triangle, so D'Angelo counters with an exploder suplex! D'Angelo covers for 2, hits a lot of body blows, then delivers a facelock suplex into the turnbuckles. Dunne has enough time to recover as he kicks him in the head, hits a kneedrop, running forearm, a Gamengiri, covers for 2, repeated stomps to the neck, and both men are down. Dunne stalks his opponent to rise up, they trade punches while kneeling, Dunne stomps on his fingers, kicks him in the head, and D'Angelo counters with a falcon arrow. Both men are slow getting to their feet, D'Angelo has a crowbar, but Dunne takes him down for the Fujiwara armbar, and bends his fingers! D'Angeo rips at his mouth, removes his mouthpiece, throws him face-first into the middle turnbuckle, Dunne blocks the fisherman's, snaps Tony's fingers back, hits The Bitter End, and pins him for 1-2-3! WINNER: PETE DUNNE!

D'Angelo showed some new aggression here tonight, but Dunne showed him the bitter end when you mess with him. D'Angelo tries a sneak attac but Dunne senses it and clocks him. D'Angelo throws him into the announce table, hits the spinning fisherman's suplex on the floor, picks up the crowbar, presses it against Dunne's mouth, then whacks him on the hand! Don't mess with Tony D'Angelo.