WWE NXT New Year's Evil 2024 Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights

WWE NXT planned to start the year off right with New Year's Evil 2024. Multiple title matches and more clashes with high stakes would be must-see.

Trick Williams cashed in his Iron Survivor Challenge contract to face Ilja Dragunov one on one with the NXT Championship on the line.

Lyra Valkyria would also put her NXT Women's Championship on the line against Iron Survivor winner Blair Davenport. Would either major NXT title change hands?

Tiffany Stratton and Fallon Henley would battle once more. The loser would need to work as a support to the other for one day, servant or farm hand.

Oba Femi and Riley Osborne would face off in the Men's Breakout Tournament final. Roxanne Perez looked to show off her new attitude against Arianna Grace.

LWO would help Dragon Lee battle Drew Gulak's No Quarter Catch Club. NXT interviewed Ridge Holland about the controversy around him.

It was a jam-packed show that would continue to elevate the future of the gold brand.

NXT Women's Championship: Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Blair Davenport

Lyra Valkyria was too fast for Blair Davenport, escaping the strikes of her challenge. The Valkyrie took her down with a confident roundhouse kick and cross-legged Samoan driver to win.

Afterward, Lola Vice ran out to cash in her Breakout contract for a title shot, but Tatum Paxley made a save. Elektra Lopez got involved, but Paxley and Valkyria sent them running.

This was a very good match as Valkyria continues to deliver in title defenses. It is a shame she is not defending more regularly, but hopefully that is coming.

Davenport looked dangerous but not at the same level as The Valkyrie. Down the stretch, Valkyria had a leg up on her, winning in clean and definitive fashion.

Davenport should transition to a full feud with Nikkita Lyons while Valkyria is likely to focus on Vice then Cora Jade soon.

Result

Valkyria def. Davenport by pinfall to retain the NXT Women's Championship.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• Vic Joseph announced the first 30 minutes were commercial free.
• Valkyria ducked the knee strike of Davenport outside, sending her challenger's knee through the table.
• Later, Paxley happily showed her admiration for Valkyria backstage.
  

Latino World Order vs. No Quarter Catch Crew

With Dragon Lee unfortunately stuck in Mexico due to visa issues, Carlito was revealed as Dragon's replacement. LWO ran over No Quarter Catch Crew. Carilto hit Damon Kemp with a backstabber then Cruz Del Toro connected on a 540 splash to win.

This was a solid tag team match but lacked serious heat. Without Dragon Lee involved, Carlito worked this as a veteran that was bigger than the action.

The action was crisp throughout, especially from Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde against the talented heels. It just had potential to be more with the previous weeks of build-up.

No Quarter Catch Crew has failed time and again. Unless Charlie Dempsey pulls off a major upset in All Japan Pro-Wrestling and captures the Triple Crown, this group lacks all credibility.

It may take a complete reset, including the arrival of William Regal to elevate the stable.

Result

LWO def. NQCC by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

• Charlie Dempsey was not with No Quarter Catch Crew because he is in Japan. He will face Katsuhiko Nakajima for the Triple Crown Championship on January 3.
  

• Drew Gulak was not happy with his group after the match. Carlito spit apple in his face.

Roxanne Perez vs. Arianna Grace

Arianna Grace was no match for Roxanne Perez despite her overconfidence. The Prodigy put her away with Pop Rox.

Afterward. Grace kept goading Perez until she attacked her. The Prodigy refused to let up, and the referee decided to reverse the pinfall decision, awarding Grace the win.

This was a notable performance from Grace, who stepped up against Perez. The two have chemistry to spare and could further lean into this feud in the future.

The dynamic worked wonders to sell both women's growing character. The Prodigy has leaned into this growing anger, showing off more personality than she ever has.

The result was a unique choice that would not work for most stories but helps both women long term.

Result

Grace def. Perez by disqualification after the referee reversed the original decision.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Ava explained to Kelly Kincaid why she had become Shawn Michaels' assistant before announcing the return of the Men's Dusty Classic next week.
• Baron Corbin convinced Bron Breakker to team with him in the Men's Dusty Classic.
• Nathan Frazer and Axiom agreed to team in the Dusty Classic.
• OTM sent a warning to The Family ahead of their title shot next week. The Family talked up their support Adrianna Rizzo before running into Joe Gacy.

Servant or Farm Hand: Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley

Tiffany Stratton and Fallon Henley beat each other up throughout this personal fight. The Center of the Universe tried to use a steel chair. After the referee pulled it away, Henley blasted Stratton with a running knee to win.

Stratton and Henley just click. This was a pure brawl that worked because these two were in sync throughout. It was not a show stealer, but it absolutely worked. It was a physical battle of top women that ended perfectly.

After all the teasing, Henley has definitively beaten The Center of the Universe. While this will force Stratton to work as a ranch hand for a day, it is more important in setting up Henley as a top contender.

It would not be surprising if this story leads to Stratton and Henley tagging together, building a team that can immediately challenge for the Women's Tag Team Championships on the main roster.

Result

Henley def. Stratton by pinfall, forcing The Center of the Universe to become a ranch hand for one day.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments

• This match got a strong hype package before the entrances.
• Henley went right after Stratton after entering the ring. She kept the aggression throughout.
• Gigi Dolin and Cora Jade got into it in the locker room and agreed to a match for next week.
  

Men's Breakout Tournament Final: Oba Femi vs. Riley Osborne

Oba Femi dominated Riley Osborne with ease early on, but the Chase U student pushed through to get back into the fight. Femi cut him off with pure power, winning with a pop-up elevated powerbomb.

The strength of Femi is impressive to watch. His power was on full display in this contest, memorably throwing around Osborne throughout. He is fun to watch in a way that will translate to major matches.

He was the right man to win. Osborne has not figured it all out yet. He is a solid high-flier but will struggle to stand out next to some of the greatest athletes in the world on the main roster.

Femi stands out immediately. He has genuine star power and looks like the best in his class from the first WWE NIL recruitment.

Where he still needs work is character focused. Once he figures out who he is beyond the in-ring dominance, he will be a dominant member of the WWE roster.

Result

Femi def. Osborne by pinfall to win the Men's Breakout Tournament.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

• NXT showed video packages hyping both men in the finals.
• Thea Hail wished Osborne good luck before his match. She and Jacy Jayne joined the Chase U student section to cheer him on.
• Femi got his knees up to counter the Shooting Star Press followed by slamming Osborne to the mat repeatedly.
• After the match, backstage, Jacy Jayne announce that she was taking over planning for Chase U, starting with pairing up Duke Hudson and Osborne for the Dusty Classic.
  
• Ridge Holland talked about his history with injuries. He explained that he came to NXT to show who he is.
  

No. 1 Contender: Trick Williams vs. Grayson Waller

Kelly Kincaid announced that Ilja Dragunov could not be cleared to compete tonight. Grayson Waller mocked Trick Williams backstage until Carmelo Hayes announced that Trick would fight him with his NXT Championship shot on the line.

Shawn Michaels announced a former NXT champion was very interested in this match. It was Kevin Owens, who blasted Waller with a right hand. This set up Trick to hit a running knee to win.

After a night where the women of NXT delivered in spades, it was odd for a thrown together bout to main event over Lyra Valkyria vs. Blair Davenport and Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley.

Trick and Waller worked hard though to make the most of the opportunity. It was a solid test for Trick, who remains a partial unknown as a singles main eventer.

The two men delivered a solid match that will likely be forgotten in the coming weeks but did absolutely move the stories of Trick vs. Melo and Waller vs. KO forward. Trick's best friend continues to try and ruin Trick's moment quietly without success.

Result

Trick def. Waller by pinfall to remain No. 1 contender to the NXT Championship.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

• Trick almost won it with a Book End off the top, but Waller got his foot on the ropes. Waller hit a running return Flatliner but only got two.
• Melo almost distracted Trick for the loss near the end despite being told to stay in the back.
  

Overall Show

It was a night for the women of NXT as so many of the best moments came from the women's division.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Blair Davenport started the show on the right foot, delivering a strong title match and making The Valkyrie look even more unbeatable.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley had the match of the night, beating each other up left and right to sell their hatred. Stratton's day as a farm hand should be a fun segment in the coming weeks.

Even Roxanne Perez vs. Arianna Grace, a match that did not have much hype, delivered more than expected and showed off a fresh face to NXT.

Without Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams, the main event scene mostly looked to be on cruiser control this week, but Trick did compete hard in a big test match with Grayson Waller.

LWO showed out in a match that was mostly just proof of why Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde need to be used more. The right man in Oba Femi won the Men's Breakout Tournament.

It was a solid rebound show, elevated by the work of the women, though because The Mad Dragon was not in attendance, New Year's Evil did not feel as special as it could have.

Overall Grade: B-