Generation NXT - NXT recap for January 9, 2019

Johnny Gargano shows up to start tonight's show. He wishes the fans a happy new year, and says 2018 was a bit of a roller coaster for him. Nevertheless, he reflected over the holidays and realized success is measured by two things: wins and championships. Regardless of how hard you try or how good you are, all that matters are wins and titles, and in 2019, he will be better, he will win and he will become a champion. As for Tommaso Ciampa, he and Ciampa teaming together in the steel cage was a one-time thing and that Ciampa is still a piece of trash with something that he wants. He says that there is another championship out there, and as soon as Ciampa mentioned him and Gargano side-by-side with both singles titles, Ricochet called Gargano out. Gargano says that if he wants the North American title, he will take it. Ricochet shows up shortly afterwards, and tells Gargano that if he wanted a shot at the North American title, all he had to do was ask. He then asks if Gargano will take it face-to-face or attacking him from behind in a parking lot. Ricochet then mentions that he has heard all the talk about Gargano, and reminds him that when it comes to NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, there will be only one man who retains the North American title, and it will be him. Suddenly, Tommaso Ciampa shows up and says Johnny has a point about wins and championships, but Gargano tells Ciampa to shut up, as it is about him and Ricochet and that Gargano has nothing to do with this. Aleister Black then shows up on the video screen, and tells Ciampa that he sincerely hopes that he is more concerned with him than with grooming his "little dog of water," for unlike Gargano, he poses a real threat to him. He promises to make Ciampa fade to black at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, then the lights go out. When they come back on, Aleister is behind Ciampa, and he attacks him, starting a brawl on the stage. The brawl quickly goes to the commentary table, and Aleister chases Ciampa to the back. As Ricochet and Gargano watch, Gargano hits a surprise superkick to Ricochet's jaw.

It is announced that as per General Manager William Regal on Twitter, The Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong) will be defending the NXT Tag Team Championships against War Raiders (Hanson and Rowe) and NXT TakeOver: Phoenix.

Bianca Belair beats Nikki Cross.

We hear from Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford), who announce that they will take over in 2019. They plan to open up doors in the tag team division, and they will be in action next week.

Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel beat Kunzman and Stanley Watts.

Outside Full Sail University, Cathy Kelley interviews Ricochet, who says that he wants Johnny Gargano by any means necessary, as he has lost all respect for him. If Gargano wants to take the North American title, then he will take him out.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Keith Lee, who says that Kassius Ohno's attack on Matt Riddle was unsettling. He dares Ohno to show up next week so he can show him a lesson about respect and ensure that he has no choice but to bask in his glory.

Adam Cole beats EC3 follow the attempted interference of the rest of The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly, Roderick Strong), which allows Adam Cole to hit the Last Shot for the win. After the match, The Undisputed Era attacks EC3, then War Raiders show up and get the upper hand against The Undisputed Era.