Generation NXT 2.0 - NXT 2.0 recap for December 21, 2021

Tommaso Ciampa is in the ring to start tonight's show. Ciampa says that as NXT Champion, he is the hunted and everyone is gunning for him, but as champion, he is different from those who held the title before him, as he does the hunting, and Bron Breakker was the hunted. He says that Bron Breakker may be wanting to interrupt him, but he invites him to the ring, as he has something he wants to say to him face-to-face. Not surprisingly, Bron Breakker shows up. Bron goes for a microphone, but Ciampa says he does not need it, as he knows what Bron is going to say. He says that Bron Breakker made a statement after what he did to him and that he has earned another shot at the NXT Championship on the big stage. Ciampa then says he agrees with Breakker, saying he deserves the NXT Championship. He then says that he hopes Breakker does not drown again like he did the first time, and that in two weeks, Breakker will get his second opportunity. Ciampa then tells Breakker to remember what he said about jumping into the deep end, as he exposed him for his inexperience both in the ring and in life, as there is no replacement for time and experience and he is not ready to be champion in his NXT. Ciampa says his contemporaries spent ten years getting to WWE and another ten perfecting their craft while Breakker has ten to twenty matches, and says that while he is doing great, he does not know if he is ready for superstardom. He says that just like at Halloween Havoc, just one slip-up on the rope could end it all, and while nothing could be better than Breakker winning the title on his own at New Years' Evil and showing it to his family, Ciampa is the reality that will stop that. As Ciampa is that reality, Ciampa slaps Breakker, and Breakker lifts him high into the air before placing him feet-first on the ground, taking the NXT Championship and telling Ciampa that blood is in the water and that the shark will eat him alive in two weeks.

We see an Instagram post from Grayson Waller, saying he used to love "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, but says that Styles feels like that other guy who held on for too long and tells Styles to get a haircut before calling himself "The Phenomenal" Grayson Waller.

Backstage, Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez brawl backstage, getting their Street Fight started early.

Raquel Gonzalez beats Dakota Kai in a Street Fight with a Chingona Bomb into a trash can. After the match, Raquel Gonzalez says she is sick and tired of waiting and demands Mandy Rose come to the ring so she can get her NXT Women's title rematch.

We hear from Tony D'Angelo, who says that if honesty is dangerous, then he is the most dangerous man in NXT. He says he has beaten everyone who has stood in his way and that he is not afraid of Pete Dunne. He then asks how bad Pete Dunne is after he did nothing when he pulled his mouthpiece out of his mouth, then says he will see Pete Dunne in the ring.

After the commercial break, Raquel Gonzalez continues to call out Mandy Rose, then Cora Jade shows up to congratulate Raquel before saying that as much as Raquel deserves another Women's title shot, she wants Mandy Rose to pay for what she did to her. She says that the only way to beat Toxic Attraction is to cut the head off the snake, and Raquel says as well as they beat Toxic Attraction (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne) together, the Women's title is every woman for herself and she will get through anyone to get the title back. Cora Jade says "Not if I get there first," then Mandy Rose shows up on the TitanTron in front of a pool and says that both Raquel and Cora are envious of what she has done for NXT before saying she will make it a Triple Threat Match for the NXT Women's Championship at New Year's Evil. Mandy says she will kill "two ugly birds" with one stone and that they will both get an ass-whipping in the same night, then Raquel and Cora are attacked from behind by Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne, and Gigi puts Raquel through a table.

We hear from Joe Gacy and Harland. Joe Gacy says it has been put upon Harland's heart to apologize for his actions last week, as he is a very sensitive man and too shaken up to speak on it, yet regret is written all over his face. He says that The Brian Kendrick triggered an emotion that took Harland back to a time when people did not like him as much as he does, and while they do not condone violence, Kendrick put his hands on Harland and called him a freak as they did as they were told. Gacy says that Kendrick may have nobody to blame but himself, but he is not here to make that argument and hope everyone grows from this experience.

Backstage, James Drake is watching a video of The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) working out. Zack Gibson says The Creed Brothers may be incredible athletes, but they will beat them with their minds.

Backstage, Persia Pirotta meets with Indi Hartwell about their match being postponed when Grayson Walter. Indi calls Grayson a douche, and Persia says Grayson should be more concerned about "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles coming for him. Grayson tells Indi she should move on after he kicked Johnny Gargano out of NXT, and that she should watch what he does tonight. Persia holds Indi back as she tells Grayson to get out.

The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) ends in a no-contest. During the match, it is announced that there is no timetable on LA Knight's recovery from his injuries from last week. Later on, Jacket Time (KUSHIDA and Ikemen Jiro) show up with their own commentary table and commentate on the match in Japanese. The match ends when both teams in the match collide with Jacket Time, and Brooks and Jensen jump in and get involved in the ensuing brawl while multiple referees rush in to break things up.

Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes. Carmelo says Trick is a fearless man, and Trick says that if Dexter Lumis shows up with his thumb up, he will leave with is thumb up his ass. Suddenly, Lumis shows up on the monitor, scaring Carmelo and Trick.

In backstage footage from earlier today, Zoey Stark and Io Shirai are met by Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza. Io Shirai yells at Wilde and Mendoza when they try to jump in line at the trainer's room, and Elektra Lopez shows up and says she is not afraid of Shirai. Io Shira says something to her in Japanese, then Lopez, Wilde and Mendoza leave. Zoey Stark says she knew Io Shirai liked her and that she was sticking up for her, but Io Shirai insists she does not.

Dexter Lumis beats Trick Williams with Silence after avoiding a shoe from Trick. During the match, Roderick Strong is seen on the stage, and Malcolm Bivens and Ivy Nile are seen watching from the balcony. When Carmelo Hayes confronts Lumis on the outside, Hayes gets attacked by Strong. After the match, Lumis is attacked from behind with a chair by Grayson Waller, who says that he will take out the best in NXT one by one. Suddenly, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles is seen heading into the building, and Grayson Waller sits in the chair and waits for him.

We hear from Pete Dunne, who says that nobody in NXT is like him. After listing off his NXT accomplishments, he says he is far from done. He says the new guys are young and hungry, but he is their age and more hungry and will not let anyone stand in his way. He says Tony D'Angelo thinks he had one up on him, but that was before last week, and he will prove to D'Angelo he is the baddest in NXT and that D'Angelo will never forget it.

After the commercial break, Grayson Waller mocks everyone who thanks everyone including the fans when they are inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame, then says that when he is inducted, he will say "I told you so." Before Waller can say much else, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up. Waller says Styles coming to NXT is part of "The Grayson Waller Effect," then Styles tells him to shut up before calling him "the biggest jackass in NXT." Styles says he has heard what Grayson said on Instagram, and Grayson says he is so great he got Styles' attention before asking Styles why he is here before concluding that his meal ticket (Omos) left him last night and he needs a new one. Styles says Grayson called him out to get the rub, then says Grayson dresses so similarly to him that he does not know who he is watching. He admits that Grayson is cocky and has potential, but he does not see him as a potential Superstar. Styles says the jury is still out on Grayson and that Grayson's problem is that he would rather look good and lose than look bad and win. Grayson says he always look good before bragging about his win at WarGames. Styles says Grayson is more concerned about "swipes and likes," but Grayson says that he does not have Omos and says he could end Styles right now if he wanted to. Styles dares him to do it after having three good weeks, daring him to be phenomenal for more than twenty years in the process. Grayson teases fighting Styles, but leaves the ring and says he will let Omos get him first before he gets next.

We hear from Diamond Mine. Malcolm Bivens says that what happened to Carmelo Hayes earlier tonight is what happens when Diamond Mine is disrespected, and that it is all about respect and money. Bivens then proposes a champion vs. champion match between Roderick Strong and Carmelo Hayes at New Year's Evil, then Strong tells Carmelo he has two weeks to find his balls.

We see MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) and Matt Riddle. Riddle says a scooter is like a journey to one's destination. Wes Lee admits he did not think this would pan out, but he is glad he stuck around. After Nash Carter says a scooter is like a tag team partner, Riddle says he cannot wait to share his knowledge with Randy, then MSK get some RK-Bro merchandise. Riddle then says that next week, he will be with MSK in NXT. The three of them then go on a scooter ride until they crash into a car. Nash Carter and Wes Lee then wake up, revealing this was a dream, but when they see their RK-Bro shirts, Riddle shows up with scooters and the three of them go scooter riding, this time watching out for traffic.

Edris Enofe gets an upset win on Von Wagner after reversing a powerbomb into a Sunset Flip. After the match, Von Wagner throws Enofe back into the ring and and takes his anger out on him while Robert Stone watches from the bottom of the entrance ramp.

Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel). Barthel says that MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) is trying to pick up the pieces after their ramp, and Aichner says that while MSK may have Riddle, it was them who ran them out of town. Barthel says MSK may have found a shaman, but they have a general.

Backstage, Elektra Lopez says tonight is the biggest match of her career, but she is not worried, because tonight, she will destroy Io Shirai. Meanwhile, Xyon Quinn is watching Lopez from a distance.

We see NXT Superstars take part in WWE's community outreach programs with other organizations in the Orlando, Florida area for the holiday season.

Io Shirai beats Elektra Lopez after Xyon Quinn distracts Elektra Lopez with some mistletoe and fends off Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza).

We hear from Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. He says that if Roderick Strong wants the smoke, he's got it, and he will be the one walking out with two titles.

We hear from The Brian Kendrick, who thanks Joe Gacy and Harland for their apology. He then says he has resigned as a coach and has signed a waiver as he removes his neck brace, and if Harland wants an apology, he will get it from him in the ring next week.

Pete Dunne beats Tony D'Angelo when D'Angelo goes for Dunne's mouthguard again. After the match, D'Angelo sneaks up on Dunne, but Dunne sees him coming and attacks him. D'Angelo has the last word, however, and hits a Fisherman's Neckbreaker on the outside. D'Angelo then grabs his crowbar and chokes Dunne with it before smacking it into Dunne's left hand.

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