WWE NXT New Years Evil 2026 looks to kick the year off with a bang. TNA X Division Champion, Leon Slater challenges Oba Femi for the NXT Championship. Jacy Jayne looks to defend against the Evolve standout and the Iron Survivor Winner, Kendal Grey. Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame are set for a Deadline rematch and Blake Monroe looks to get her rematch against Thea Hail.
WWE NXT New Years Evil 2026 Rating Chart
| Match / In Ring Promo | Result and Star Rating: |
| WWE NXT New Years Evil 2026 Opening Promo Ricky Saints In Ring Promo | Thea Hail gets attacked as she made her entrance for her match by Blake Monroe. Ricky goes right after with the NA title match not happening at that point. Ricky Saints sends a message to Oba about it being 1-1, and says if Leon wins he will deal with him as well. GREAT – 3.50 Stars |
| Tatum Paxley Vs Izzi Dame | Tatum Paxley by Pinfall via Cemetery Drive AMAZING – 4.00 Stars |
| Jacy Jayne Vs Kendal Grey – NXT Women’s Championship | Jacy Jayne by Pinfall via Rolling Encore AMAZING – 4.25 Stars |
| Thea Hail In Ring Promo | Thea Hail spent time selling the attack from the beginning of the night. Trying to cut a promo about proving that she deserved to be champion. She set up the open challenge. Similar to when she came out to go after Blake, several stars came out trying to be first in the ring. Tatum Paxley cleared the crowd with her chainsaw but Izzi Dame beat Paxley into the ring. GOOD – 3.00 Stars |
| Thea Hail Vs Izzi Dame – Women’s North American Championship (Open Challenge) | Izzi Dame by Pinfall via Dame Over GREAT – 3.75 Stars |
| Ethan Page In Ring Promo | Ethan Page talked about being a true world champion as he had defended his title outside of the US. A brawl is engaged as several stars come out one after another, setting up a few of next week’s title matches. GOOD – 3.25 Stars |
| WWE NXT New Years Evil 2026 Main Event Oba Femi Vs Leon Slater – NXT Championship | Oba Femi by Pinfall via Pop Up Fall From Grace. MUST WATCH – 4.50 Stars |
WWE NXT New Years Evil 2026 Highs:
A chapter is closed in the career of The Ruler, Oba Femi. He defeated the challenger Leon Slater in a banger of a bout. Truly fitting of the david vs goliath genre of wrestling matches. Leon using his speed to avoid Oba’s offense. Oba using his power to beat down on Slater. Its an awesome match with Leon not hurt in defeat. After the match Oba closed his NXT chapter by standing tall in the middle of the ring, light behind him. The show was cut to a backstage segment, but Robert Stone was freaking out about what Oba did. We are shown the ring with the NXT Championship sitting in the middle of the ring, Tony D’Angelo looking to the title from the crowd. What a way to be strong for when you arrive on the main roster.
More Highs
The entire show had an overall theme of chaos, with the developing situation with Blake Monroe after she attacked Thea to begin the show. Blake being banned from the building. Thea Hail insisted on doing an open challenge. Izzi Dame losing to Tatum Paxley before getting the one up on her by being the person to enter the ring first. Dame also becoming the new NXT North American Champion was a pure shock. This show had two solid matches from Izzi Dame, with an intriguing way to start up and create some excitement as the landscape of NXT is changing.
Kendal Grey is gonna be a force, the female Kurt Angle. The next true prodigy when it comes to being a technical wrestler along with being very agile. Jacy Jayne continues to be the perfect dance partner for every single person in the women’s division. She is getting the best out of everyone. Kendal had a tremendous showing and we are back on track with the story of Fallon/fatal influence being the difference maker when it comes to Jacy retaining the title.
WWE NXT New Years Evil 2026 Lows:
The experienced stars are directionless. Ricky Saints cut a promo that is seemingly meaningless now. After claiming that Trick, Je’Von and Oba are ducking him, it seems odd that they are being called up before him. Ricky sent a message to Oba about them being one win a piece, but now that fact is irrelevant. Ethan Page is just cutting promos to cut promos without having a true rival since Ricky Saints. Both guys will have to be constants for the championship pictures with the crop of talent leaving.
WWE NXT New Years Evil 2026 Overall Summary…
WWE NXT New Years Evil 2026 is a joy of a show that had an overarching development that was told throughout the show. With the Women’s North American championship being the forefront. We saw great in ring action, including a workhorse performance with Izzi Dame wrestling two matches that went a combined 20 minutes. All matches had great things within them. The show also had enough segments to build to the future to set up some stuff for next week. Great show overall with a fun presentation.
Matches: 0.75/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 1/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 4.00/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – Jan 06 2025
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article detailing the rating system here:
WWE NXT New Years Evil 2026 is a joy of a show that had an overarching development that was told throughout the show. With the Women's North American championship being the forefront. We saw great in ring action, including a workhorse performance with Izzi Dame wrestling two matches that went a combined 20 minutes. All matches had great things within them. The show also had enough segments to build to the future to set up some stuff for next week. Great show overall with a fun presentation.
