NXT New Year’s Evil Match Card Predictions

Io Shirai (c) vs. Toni Storm for the NXT Women’s Championship

Although an NXT Women’s Title match has not been announced for NXT New Year’s Evil, I believe that will happen on the next episode of the Black and Gold brand. I think it’s important for both world titles to be represented on the show, and, selfishly, I relish any opportunity I can get to watch Io Shirai wrestle. She is arguably the very best on the planet in that ring.

Toni Storm is a damn good wrestler in her own right, too. For the life of me, I can’t understand why WWE decided to turn her heel, but I am admittedly enjoying seeing her express herself as a villain. She’ll need some more time to find her footing in this new character, of course, but I am optimistic. Storm is an incredible talent and has been one of WWE’s most impressive performers in the NXT system for a couple of years now.

Shirai vs. Storm would be the best quality match for NXT New Year’s Evil. A lot of fans wondered if we could get Raquel Gonzalez vs. Shirai, but I like this set-up more. Mercedes Martinez is another option instead of Storm if WWE doesn’t want Storm to take a loss so early into her heel turn, but, honestly, that’s OK with me. I simply want to see a great match and don’t feel losing to Shirai would hurt anybody’s credibility in the least.

As awesome as O’Reilly vs. Balor would be, a Storm vs. Shirai title match would be THE title match to watch on Jan. 6.