NXT: Gonzalez defeats Kai; AJ Styles confronts Grayson Waller

They were once the best of friends, now they are bitter rivals. The saga continues between Raquel González and Dakota Kai as the two are scheduled to compete in a street fight tonight…

But before that, the show kicks off with Tommaso Ciampa in the ring and he has a mic. As the NXT “Champion you are the hunted”, Ciampa says.

He explains his actions for attacking Bron Breakker last week and wants to say something to him, face to face. The champ doesn’t have to wait long as Bron comes out moments after.

When Bron enters the ring he asks for a mic, but Ciampa suggests that isn’t needed. He knows what he’s about to say. In short, he says he knows Bron wants another shot at the title at New Year’s Evil. He’s cool with that.

Ciampa then goes on to make some valid points about Breakker and questions if he is ready for this.

Eventually, Ciampa slaps Breakker.  Breakker retaliated via teasing a military press before putting him down and pretty much saying the title is his at New Years Evil. So wait, is Bron the babyface now, or is Ciampa just trying to push him a bit? Or is this just a matter of both being neutral, at this point?

Dakota Kai vs. Raquel Gonzalez

Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez’s street fight starts off unofficially outside of the ring as the two NXT stars brutalize each other. Well, that’s a cool way to start a street fight.

The match officially begins during the picture/picture commercial break. Does anyone else dislike the picture/picture commercial break thing?

Anyway, there’s a lot to take from this match. At one point Dakota Kai stomps the trash can with part of Raquel’s anatomy inside it. There’s a sick-looking powerbomb spot on the steel steps as well as another on a trash can. The latter earns Gonzalez the victory.

After the match ends, Ms. Gonzalez gets on the mic and calls out the NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose. She has some unfinished business with her and makes it clear she wants that NXT Women’s Title again.

Instead of Mandy, we get Cora Jade.

She says she wants to get some revenge on Mandy and Toxic Attraction for injuring her… and the audience is giving her the “what” treatment. Uh oh. That’s not good.

Raquel replies by saying she doesn’t care who she has to go through to get the Women’s Title back. Shortly after this, Mandy Rose appears on the titantron with a message

Rose states that she’ll take both women on at New Year’s Evil in a triple threat match. Well, that wasn’t very heel-like. But it was cool, nonetheless.

Wait. That’s not all. The segment ends with Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne attacking Jade & Gonzalez

The Creed Brother vs Grizzled Young Veterans

With all the backstage shenanigans, It may come as a shock that the Grizzled Young Veterans have some skills inside the squared circle as opposed to being all comedy.

The first part of this match is a perfect example. Then outcomes Jacket Time and we get some comedy thrown in as well. They’re apparently going to be serving as NXT’s Japenese announced team specifically for this match.

The match is thrown out after The Creed Brother get in Jacket Times’ faces and the fists get to flying.

Dexter Lumis vs. Trick Williams (with Carmelo Hayes)

Now keep in mind, the story going into this match is that Trick Williams is creeped out by Dexter Lumis. He’s doing the thing where talks trash when he thinks Lumis isn’t around, then gets shook when he shows up.

Neither of them gets an entrance this time around, but Trick can be seen trying to hype himself up. The man is scared for his life, ladies and gentlemen. “Whoop that trick” chants can be audibly be heard from the live crowd in attendance.

Hayes gets in Lumis’ face, but Roderick Strong then attacks Hayes. In the end, Dexter Lumis silences Trick Williams.

Then Grayson Waller attacks Lumis with a chair, but before he can do any more damage…  AJ Styles is on the way!

Waller is on his soapbox as usually talking about the Hall of Fame and what not. Finally Styles music hits. “They don’t want none, They don’t want none.”, as the song states.

The crowd goes wild.

AJ says Grayson can shut the hell up now. The crowd confirms that’s exactly what he should do.

Waller asks why Styles is here. Styles gives Waller some credit but states he doesn’t know if Waller has what it takes to be a superstar.

Styles dares Waller to swing, but we all know where this is going.

Waller backs off and states he has “next” after Omos.

Styles’ music hits again… can’t help but think it hits differently, as apparently, despite all the talk Grayson Waller didn’t want any of AJ Styles tonight. Nice segment.

Von Wagner vs. Edris Enofe

This looked to be a squash match, but Edris got the upset victory over Wagner. Wagner got his steam back by beating down Enofe after the match. Oh yeah, Robert Stone was there. No, no one needed to know that bit of info. Yes, he looked like a total douche.

Io Shirai vs. Elektra Lopez

The match starts with some back and forth action, but the second Xyon Quinn entered the fray, you realized where this was going.

Much like the Escobar/Quinn match a couple of weeks ago where Lopez gives Quinn some knucks and he’s all confused; this week, the shoe is on the other foot.

Quinn interrupts Lopez’s bout with mistletoe in hand. Just as Lopez is about to seemingly kiss him, Escobar yanks Quinn from the apron. Lopez looks puzzled. Io capitalizes. Io wins. We still have no idea where the relationship between Lopez and Quinn is going.

Pete Dunne vs. Tony D’Angelo

Despite being a newcomer, the NXT audience has taken a liking to Tony D’Angelo since his debut in NXT. This isn’t to say Dunn doesn’t have his fair share of fans, as the crowd is split. This is a Dunne match, so of course, there were some stiff shots and of course, it was hard-hitting.

In the end, it was the Bitter End from Dunne that earned him the victory.

Tony looked like he was about to attack Dunne, Pete saw it coming, but Tony eventually gets the upper hand. The show ends with D’Angelo attacking Dunne’s hand with a crow bar.