WWE NXT: January 3, 2023 – WWE

Carmelo Hayes defeated. Apollo crews

Apollo Crews and Carmelo Hayes look to prove who’s the better competitor as the two Superstars square off for the first time ever. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT

Carmelo Hayes was on a mission to prove he was still the cream of the crop in NXT, and a win over Apollo Crews further cemented his place in the pecking order.

Both Superstars displayed their superior skills with highly athletic aerial moves combined with grueling skills as mat technicians. Hayes was able to slow Crews down with a strategically placed apron leg kick, but Crews overcame him and put together an incredible series of combo attacks, including a massive Superplex.

The two men traded big punches, but Hayes eventually got Crews down long enough to hit his signature Nothing But Net leg drop that gave him the big win.

axiom def. Trick Williams

Axiom and Trick Williams lose little time getting their match started after Williams potentially cost Axiom a win over Carmelo Hayes last week. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT

Axiom wasted no time getting back at Trick Williams for what he did to him last week when the masked superstar jumped both Williams and Carmelo Hayes after Hayes’ win over Apollo Crews.

Williams was beyond impressive, taking the action right onto Axiom and grounding him, preventing him from deploying his high-flying offense. A well-placed shot to the jaw put Williams out of the way long enough for Axiom to pin him with the golden ratio and take the win.

Diyak def. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo

After kidnapping and interrogating Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo last week, Dijak seeks harsh justice for Tony D’Angelo’s right-hand man. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT

Dijak provided another example of his harsh justice, this time against Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, just a week after kidnapping and interrogating the superstar.

The Don’s right hand failed to get anything going as Dijak mauled him while Tony D’Angelo watched helplessly at ringside. Dijak gave D’Angelo one last look before hitting Feast Your Eyes, mercifully ending the match.

Tony D’Angelo is fed up with people messing with his family and now he wants Dijak at New Year’s Evil. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT

After the bell, D’Angelo saved Stacks from a bigger blow and challenged Dijak to a match at NXT New Year’s Evil next week.

Alba Fyre defeated. Isla Dawn – Extreme resolution game

Week-long attacks between Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn culminate in an Extreme Resolution Match. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT

Alba Fyre has grappled with the menacing Isla Dawn for weeks and finally got revenge on the woman who cost her the NXT Women’s Championship shot.

Before their Extreme Resolution Match even started, Fyre and Dawn fought their way through the arena, with Fyre even throwing herself onto a pile of chairs and debris.

When they reached the ring, a chaotic fight ensued, showcasing guns and ruthlessness. When Fyre was finally about to end the match, Isla Dawn gave her a twisted smile and appeared to welcome her fate just before Fyre smashed her through a table with a bloody bomb.

Oro Mensah def. Javier Bernal

Big body Javy and Oro Mensah seem to start the new year off on the right foot when they clash. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT

Both Oro Mensah and Javier Bernal wanted to start the new year on a positive note, but it was Mensah who came out on top when the dust settled.

Javier Bernal wasted no time in chasing Oro Mensah and attacked him before he could even enter the ring. Bernal would continue the aggressiveness, throwing Mensah through the ring until Mensah fired back with an offense of his own.

Mensah wowed the crowd and eventually defeated Bernal with a huge spinning heel kick, giving him a boost to start the new year.

Drew defeated Gulak. Andre Chase

After feeling disrespected earlier in the night, Andre Chase tries to show why he’s a better teacher to his students than Drew Gulak. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #WWENXT

Two wrestling instructors faced off as Drew Gulak and Andre locked Chase in the ring, but veteran Gulak proved too skilled and too polished in the end.

Chase has felt disrespected by Gulak for weeks and it was raised when Gulak implied that Chase was a bad teacher. The two went on to have a grappling showcase, but Chase’s skills frustrated Gulak to the point that he openly punched him.

A visibly frustrated Gulak secured victory with his patented Gulock, much to the bewilderment of his new protégé, Hank Walker.

Defeated Kofi Kingston. Joe Gacy

One half of the NXT Tag Team Champions, Kofi Kingston, walked away with a big win over Schism’s Joe Gacy, but not before Gacy put him through an incredible test.

Gacy used his Strength advantage to gain some early momentum, but Kingston was too smart in the ring and used his athletic arsenal of moves to throw Gacy off balance. Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid distracted Kingston for a moment, but the presence of Xavier Woods allowed Kingston to jump the ropes and get them both out.

Gacy tried to take advantage of the situation, but Kingston countered his slam with an arm drag before taking on Gacy with a dynamic Trouble In Paradise.

The Grayson-Waller Effect

The final episode of The Grayson-Waller Effect didn’t go as the challenger had planned.

Waller wanted to embarrass the champion ahead of their matchup at New Years Evil for the NXT Championship, but Bron Breakker maintained his calm and composure before finally getting physical.

Breakker lashed out at Waller after belittling his father, and he left the challenger in a heap of pain ahead of their matchup next week.