Generation NXT - NXT recap for January 3, 2018

General Manager William Regal introduces us to the best of 2017. There will not only be some of the best matches of the year, but also some un-aired and backstage footage as well. Memories mentioned include:

"The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship (NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, January 28)

"The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura's final bow in NXT (April 12)

The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) for the NXT Tag Team Championships (NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, January 28)

Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, August 19)

We see a video package of NXT tag teams to watch in 2018: The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly), Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford), the team of Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss, Heavy Machiner (Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovich), TM61 (Shane Thorne and Nick Miller).

In two weeks, we take a look at TM61's (Shane Thorne and Nick Miller) much-anticipated return to NXT.

Aleister Black vs. The Velveteen Dream (NXT TakeOver: War Games, November 18)

In a previously unaired match, Drew McIntyre retains the NXT Championship against Adam Cole in a match with "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels as special guest referee. During the match, McIntyre ducks a super kick meant for him, which inadvertently hits Shawn. Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly, who were ejected from ringside earlier in the match by Shawn, return to drag Shawn out of the ring. McIntyre takes out Fish while Shawn hits O'Reilly with Sweet Chin Music when he comes to. Cole goes for another superkick to Shawn, but Shawn ducks and McIntyre catches it, swinging Cole around and hitting the Future Shock DDT before hitting the Claymore to retain. (November 17)

Andrade "Cien" Almas wins the NXT Championship (NXT TakeOver: War Games, November 18)

We hear from Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega. Zelina Vega does not think much of Gargano, but they are taking him seriously and she is sure Andrade will retain the NXT Championship. Andrade says he is preparing for his future. Zelina goes on to say that Gargano is a broken man and not over 2017, and that she and Andrade know how to pull on his heartstrings. Andrade says he is always calm, and Zelina says the NXT Championship is not going anywhere after NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. Zelina then concludes by saying that Johnny Gargano is not worth their time, and that nobody can hold a candle to Andrade "Cien" Almas.

Asuka relinquishes the NXT Women's Championship after 523 days as undefeated champion before signing to the main roster (September 23)

We see the future of the NXT women's division in 2018: Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Lacey Evans, Kairi Sane, Bianca Belair, Vanessa Borne, "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Nikki Cross.

"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler debuts on NXT next week!

The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) and Roderick Strong vs. SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) vs. The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly) (NXT TakeOver: War Games, November 18)

Tommaso Ciampa explains why he turned on Johnny Gargano and broke up #DIY (May 31)

Johnny Gargano beats Lars Sullivan, Killian Dain and Aleister Black to become #1 contender for the NXT Championship (December 27)

Aleister Black will take on Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia after Cole's interference last week.

We hear from Johnny Gargano. At the beginning of 2017, he was on top of the world as one-half of the NXT Tag Team Champions with Tommaso Ciampa, then it all came crashing down when Ciampa turned on him. He does not remember much of it, and does not want to look back on it. He knew that he had to move forward on his own. He wanted to pay the fans back for their support, but he couldn't, and a losing streak made things worse. He did not know how to feel about himself, but in NXT, all you need is one opportunity. Now he plans to walk into NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, step up to Andrade "Cien" Almas and walk out the new NXT Champion. He is on top of the world again, and 2018 will be the best year of his life.

The 2017 NXT Year-End Awards are ready to be voted on on WWE.com.

We get an in-depth look at Ember Moon's road to NXT and her road to becoming NXT Women's Champion.