Last night NXT hosted New Year’s Evil and we saw WWE do something we seldom ever see from them: consistency. WWE decided to change every single mid-card champion across their brands to kick off the New Year. I understood the decisions on Smackdown and Raw but this one took the wind out of my sails. And that’s the extent I’ll comment on that as Nick already covered the North American Title decision. Let’s dive in to the rest of the show!
Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame
The crowd was firmly behind Tatum Paxley from the opening bell. Izzi Dame entered confident after beating Paxley at Deadline, making this rematch feel like the natural conclusion.
They opened with stiff strikes before Dame took control, tossing Paxley with a hiptoss and shoulder tackle. Paxley avoided a corner charge, sent Dame into the post, slapped her, and targeted the leg. A leg drop from the apron briefly shifted momentum before Dame knocked Paxley to the floor heading into the break.
Dame controlled much of the middle stretch with power offense and a leg-based submission. Paxley fought back with a jumping kick and a top-rope Spanish Fly that brought the crowd to life, though she couldn’t capitalize immediately. After trading strikes, Paxley hit a knee, forearms, and a German suplex, only for Dame to respond with a boot, sit-out powerbomb, and Cutter-style move for near falls.
The fight spilled outside, where Dame drove Paxley into the steps. Paxley countered inside with a spinning kick, followed by a 450 splash with knees to the ribs and Cemetery Drive to secure the decisive win. Vic Joseph summed it up best: now we can say it’s over.
Winner by pinfall: Tatum Paxley
This felt like a proper blowoff. Dame controlled large portions, but Paxley’s comeback was clean and conclusive. The Spanish Fly was the standout, and Paxley winning here made sense.
NXT Women’s Championship
Jacy Jayne (c) w/ Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid vs. Kendal Grey w/ Wren Sinclair
Kendal Grey immediately used her speed to frustrate Jayne, dropkicking her to the floor and hitting a moonsault onto all of Fatal Influence. Jayne regrouped, tripping Grey on the apron and slamming her into the barricade before crushing her with a cannonball as the show went to break.
Jayne controlled much of the match through strikes, kicks, and a chinlock. Grey fought back with a jawbreaker, crossbody, and later a German suplex, pulling the straps down as momentum shifted. After trading big shots and near falls, Grey hit two consecutive Germans and a superkick, but couldn’t finish.
Interference proved decisive. Henley distracted the referee, Reid grabbed Grey, and despite Sinclair briefly evening the odds, Jayne capitalized, hitting the Rolling Encore elbow smash to retain.
Winner by pinfall: Jacy Jayne
A very good championship match that balanced Grey’s momentum with Jayne’s experience. Grey continues to impress given her relatively short time in the ring, while Jayne played the opportunistic champion perfectly. The interference was expected, and while a title change felt possible (especially with the rumor call up for Jacy), Grey losing here doesn’t hurt her.
Lola Vice was shown watching the action on a backstage monitor when The Vanity Project appeared to flirt. Hank & Tank quickly intervened, chasing them off. Vice mentioned her recent win over Izzi Dame and wanting another shot, but she also acknowledged unresolved issues with Kelani Jordan. Jordan emerged from the locker room, shouting at Vice as the men stepped in to separate them.
Later, Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence crossed paths with Sol Ruca and Zaria. Jayne took a thinly veiled shot at Sol being named NXT Women’s Wrestler of the Year, clearly unimpressed. Ruca and Zaria pointed out their recent tag success, and Ruca stated outright that she was coming for Jayne’s title. Jayne didn’t seem concerned.
That closed out the first NXT episode of 2026. With potential call-ups looming and several women quietly jockeying for position, the division feels like it’s in a transitional stretch heading into mania season. Sound off in the comments below!