New Year's Evil - NXT recap for January 6, 2021

Dexter Lumis is in the building before the show. He looks at the ring from the tech area, then tests a few of the buttons for the lights before flicking the switch. The lights go on, and suddenly people have filled the arena that has now come alive.

Karrion Kross beats Damian Priest in a match where Priest seems to withstand just about everything Kross throws at him.

The first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic begins next week!

Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole and Roderick Strong). Adam Cole says every night is a big night for them, and in 2021, they will fulfill the Golden Prophecy again. Roderick Strong says Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) can get the job down, but Cole says they are on another level. Cole says their first round win will be a continuation of the golden prophecy, and as for tonight, Kyle O'Reilly will become the undisputed NXT Champion.

Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) are seen in the crowd.

Santos Escobar retains the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Gran Metalik after obstructing Metalik's vision with his own mask by nearly pulling it off.

We see a vignette of Xia Li practicing martial arts and fighting with a sword as it is announced that she returns next.

We hear from Mercedes Martinez, who says she is glad to be back and gloats about putting Io Shirai through the announcement before saying she wants the NXT Women's Championship. She then tells Io Shirai she is waiting for her.

Xia Li beats Katrina Cortez (formerly known as Catarina).

It is announced by General Manager William Regal that Timothy Thatcher suffered a minor injury while training and is not cleared to compete tonight. His Fight Pit match with Tommaso Ciampa will happen when Thatcher is cleared.

Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Bronson Reed, who says that he had to sit through injuries that would unleash his inner savage and make for a great 2021. He then says he has his money on Rhea Ripley in the next match.

Raquel Gonzalez beats Rhea Ripley in a Last Woman Standing Match after planting Rhea Ripley through the stage.

The Way (Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, Austin Theory) make their way to the arena with a police cavalcade.

The Way (Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, Austin Theory) make their way to the ring. Johnny Gargano says he has "reversed the curse" of the "Johnny Gargano Championship Defense Curse" and that he is only cursed with being handsome, beautiful and a good dancer. Candice LeRae provides Gargano a plaque of the curse being broken, then Austin Theory says Gargano is like a real-life superhero, but that superheroes don't get anything in return. Indi Hartwell says that is not the way they roll, and the rest of The Way unveil a drawing of The Way as The Avengers. Gargano then announces that he and Austin Theory are entering the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Suddenly, Shotzi Blackheart shows up in her new tank, and asks Candice if she forgot her, but Theory says she will not ruin anything as he approaches her only to get a foam rocket to the groin. Shotzi then rushes the ring and beats up Candice LeRae, then KUSHIDA shows up and pulls Gargano off the ring apron when he confronts Shotzi. The bell then rings, and Dexter Lumis is seen holding the bell. Lumis then points at a video screen, which reveals that Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano have a tag match with KUSHIDA and Shotzi Blackheart right now.

Dexter Lumis guests on commentary for the next match.

KUSHIDA and Shotzi Blackheart beat The Way (Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae) after KUSHIDA sends Gargano's head into Austin Theory's groin for interfering in the match.

NXT TakeOver returns on Sunday, February 14th!

Next week: The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole and Roderick Strong) vs. Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) and Ever-Rise (CHase Parker and Matt Martel) vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic!

General Manager William Regal says that 2021 will be a great year, and with the help of Dexter Lumis, announces that the female Superstars of NXT will have a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic for the first time.

Oney Lorcan, Pete Dunne and Danny Burch are in the audience for the next match.

Finn Balor retains the NXT Championship against Kyle O'Reilly by submission. After the match, the rest of The Undisputed Era checks on Kyle O'Reilly as Finn Balor stands tall in the ring.

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!