Welcome to eWrestling.com’s LIVE Results for the December 16, 2020 edition of WWE NXT which airs on the USA Network starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time/7:00 p.m Central Time! A special return is set for this evening, Tick-Tock……
Featured below are complete results of the December 16, 2020 edition of WWE NXT On USA Network which airs live at 8/7C! The following report was written by eWrestling.com’s longest running female reporter, Jamie Rush. Follow Jamie on Twitter @JamieRush312.
Tonight’s edition of NXT On USA Network will include the Former NXT Champion Karrion Kross is set to return to action this week on NXT, competing for the first time since a shoulder injury forced him to relinquish the title last August.
The NXT Universe had seen neither hide nor hair of Kross in the months that followed his devastating setback, but that all changed last week when he and Scarlett made their surprise return to the black-and-gold brand. The night began with Scarlett confronting NXT Champion Finn Bálor, but she was merely a harbinger of the destruction to follow, as Kross ambushed Damian Priest and sent him crashing through a table later that night.
WWE NXT On USA Results (12-16-2020)
We immediately head into the Capitol Wrestling Center in Winter Park, Florida as we are welcomed to the December 16, 2020 edition of WWE NXT airing on the USA Network! The first match-up of the evening is announced as this action packed episode has no time to waste! Johnny Gargano’s entrance theme sounds to bring out the Gargano and his tag-team partner (both accompanied to the stage by women).
Mixed Tag-Team Match
Johnny Gargano (w/ Candice LeRae) & Austin Theory (w/ Indi Hartwell) vs. Leon Ruff & KushidaThe ring announcer starts off by stating the following match is a mixed tag-team match scheduled for one-fall. The first team makes their way out as they are announced, Leon Ruff and Kushida. The head down the ramp and enter the ring as they await their opponents for this match-up. Out next is Johnny Gargano who is accompanied by his wife, Candice LeRae, and Gargano’s tag-team partner, Austin Theory who is accompanied by Indi Hartwell. Indi is carrying Candice’s trophy that she received from her husband last week. With all the competitors inside the ring, the first match-up of the evening is officially underway!
To start things off, Johnny Gargano is in the ring with Kushida. The crowd begins a “Johnny Sucks! Johnny Sucks!” chant as Gargano bounces from his left foot to his right foot with his arms outstretched, seeimingly trying to “fake out” hia opponent early on in the match-up. His efforts are to no avail as Kushida gets the upperhand! Gargano starts off but backs out and tags in Theory before anything happens. Kushida and Theory go at it, going to the mat. Kushida with the upperhand and showing off some. Theory tries to mount offense but Kushida hits an inverted Atomic Drop and more offense to dominate Theory. Ruff tags in and takes over, beating Theory down and going for his arm.
Theory and Ruff go at it now with Theory getting some shots in. They tangle in the corner and Ruff nails a dropkick. Ruff is distracted by Gargano, which allows Theory to deck him and turn it back around. Gargano tags in and beats Ruff down, then taunts Kushida. Ruff counters Gargano and drops him with a kick for a pin attempt. Ruff beats Gargano around now. Gargano fights out of the opposite corner. Gargano plants Ruff face-first. Gargano takes Ruff to their corner and tags Theory back in. Theory with a big chop to the chest, then a big Irish Whip. Gargano tags back in as Theory drives Ruff into his boots.
Austin Theory stretches his hand into the ring as he is desperate for the tags back in for a Double Suplex but Kushida runs interference. A Double Dropkick takes The Way out, they end up on the floor. Kushida also flies out. Ruff runs and leaps up in the corner to fly out, but he slips and falls, botching the dive for the most part. Theory gets right on Ruff and takes control, bringing it back in. Ruff immediately catches him with a DDT for a 2 count. Ruff and Theory tangle. Gargano tags in but Ruff knocks him off the apron.
As we are close to the commercial break, Theory heads in for multiple Dropkicks on Ruff and he lands into a Big Missile Spear from Gargano instead as Gargano flies in from the apron. Impressive, but the crowd still ultimately begins to “Boo” Fans boo Theory and Gargano as we go to commercial.
Following a short commercial break, we return to the Capitol Wrestling Center arena as we head back into the ring. Commentary notes that Theory is in control of Ruff, and was for the most part during break.. Ruff hits a Clothesline on Theory, but Theory tags in Gargano. Ruff hits an Enziguri and gets to Kushida for the tag. Kushida hits Gargano with a hip toss in to a Dropkick.
A Surfboard attempted by Kushida on Gargano, but Theory runs interference. Kushida hits Theory with an Arm-breaker. Kushida tags in and hits a missile dropkick on Gargano. Ruff and Gargano hit a combo kick to Gargano’s head, pinning him for two. Gargano hits Ruff with a clothesline and tags in Theory. Theory picks up Ruff and hits the ATL on Ruff, pinning him for two. Gargano tags in and knocks Kushida off the apron, then Theory and Gargano hit a double superkick on Ruff. Gargano pins Ruff, but Kushida breaks up the pin.
Finally, we see Gargano inside the ring as he hits Kushida with a Superkick. Trying to take advantage of the moment, we see Ruff Ruff tries to roll up Gargano, but Gargano rolls through. Gargano tags in Theory, but Ruff didn’t see the tag. Theory hits Ataxia on Ruff, pinning him for three.
Winners: The Way (Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory)
After the Match
Gargano and Theory celebrate their victory as we see the camera pan the audience .
In Audience
The camera continues to pan over when suddenly it is noticed that Dexter Lumis is casually sitting in the audience section, sitting at an elevated table for an unknown reason. (Guess we’ll learn more on that later…)
Video Package
As commentary wraps up their thoughts on Dexter Lumis’s choice of seats in the arena, we switch topics as we head into a video package highlighting the ongoing feud between Toni Storm and Rhea Ripley that’s had it’s ups and downs over the past several weeks (and storyline) between Rhea Ripley and Toni Storm. We get a video package for the background between Toni Storm and Rhea Ripley. Storm goes on to say she only cares about Toni Time, and tonight she ends this feud on her terms.
Backstage – Kyle O’Reilly
We head backstage where we see Adam Cole and Roderick Strong helping assist Kyle O’Reilly with warming up for his match up later in the evening.
Backstage – Pete Dunne
Elsewhere in the backstage area, we see Pete Dunne with the NXT Tag-Team Champions, hyping him up for tonight’s main event as we head to commercial break!
Backstage Interview – Shotzi Blackheart
As we return from the commercial break, we head backstage for an interview with Mackenzie Mitchell who is standing with Shotzi Blackheart. o
Shotzi Blackheart is asked about her upcoming match with Indi Hartwell. Shotzi says that, while WarGames is over, her war with Candice is NOT over.
Tyler Rust vs. Tommaso Ciampa
As we return to the ring, we see Tyler Rust inside the ring as he makes his in-ring debut right here on NXT! Out next comes Tommaso Ciampa as Rust stares him down. Ciampa grabs a steel chair at ringside and sets it up, facing the ring. He then grabs a Timothy Thatcher t-shirt and places it over the chair, an apparent invitation for Thatcher to come out. Ciampa taunts Rust, pointing at the chair. The bell rings and they lock up. Ciampa takes it to the corner and the referee counts for the break. They lock back up and tangle. Rust takes Ciampa down by the arm but Ciampa turns it around on the mat with a scissors.
We get a lot of back and forth retaliation from both meds. They trade more counters and holds with Ciampa taking Rust back down and grounding him. Thatcher comes down to the bottom of the ramp as some fans boo. Thatcher stands next to the chair that Ciampa set up for him. Ciampa takes Rust to the corner but Rust rocks him and gets free. They trade shots on their feet and Ciampa chops Rust down. Ciampa with more offense, then tosses Rust to the floor in front of Thatcher. Ciampa follows and works Rust over in front of Thatcher, taunting him. Rust ends up sending Ciampa into Thatcher, then going for a boot to Ciampa but Ciampa moves and Thatcher gets hit. Rust returns to the ring as Ciampa gets in Thatcher’s face. Thatcher and Ciampa argue as referees get in between them. Rust takes advantage of thee distraction and rocks Ciampa with a forearm on the apron. Rust then slams Ciampa by his arm, sending him down into the apron. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Rust has Ciampa in an abdominal stretch in the middle of the ring. Rust dominated during the break, according to Phoenix. Ciampa overpowers and slams Rust for a pop. Fans rally but Rust kicks Ciampa in the arm. Ciampa chops him. Rust keeps focusing on the arm. Ciampa with another chop and a clothesline. Ciampa with three more clotheslines, then a flying clothesline. Ciampa yells out for a big pop.
Ciampa hits a Clothesline in the corner. Ciampa with White Noise for a 2 count. Ciampa with more chops now. Rust blocks a shot, kicks Ciampa in the gut, then drops him with an axe kick to the back for a close 2 count. Rust goes right into a submission but Ciampa resists for a 2 count. Ciampa blocks a kick and swings but Rust counters and drives him into the mat. Ciampa fights off another submission. More back and forth now as the brawl continues. Ciampa with a knee to the jaw, putting Rust down on his face.
Ciampa goes for the Fairy Tale Ending but Rust fights and nails a big boot to the face. Rust with a big modified twisting neckbreaker for a close 2 count in the middle of the ring. Rust goes for another submission on the mat but Ciampa resists. Rust locks a hold in and pulls back on both arms, making Ciampa scream out. Ciampa gets his boot on the bottom rope to break it. Rust takes advantage of the 5 count but Ciampa is hurting as they break. Rust with kicks while Ciampa is on his knees now. Ciampa catches a kick, nails big strikes while Rust has his leg stuck on the middle rope. Ciampa unloads with chops. Ciampa with a pump kick. Ciampa charges in with a big knee while Rust is still on the ropes.. Ciampa then hits the Willow’s Bell draping DDT for the pin to win.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
After the Match – Timothy Thatcher Botched Attack AttemptAfter the match, Ciampa stands tall as his music hits. Ciampa exits the ring and picks up the Thatcher t-shirt. He walks to the stage and Thatcher runs out but referees stop him before he can reach Ciampa. Ciampa stares at Thatcher and taunts him before heading to the back.
The Grizzled Young Veterans Cut A Promo
Next we head into a promo made by The Grizzled Young Veterans. They say they have more momentum than any other tag team heading into 2021. James Drake and Zack Gibson talk about what they did before their recent hiatus, and how NXT has changed since then, but the more things change the more they stay the same and they are still the very best tag team of this generation, and the best we will find anywhere in the world. They go on and say they are soon to be recognized as NXT’s #1 tag team.
Backstage – Undisputed Era
We head backstage with where we see the members of Undisputed Era walking down a hall. Then in another part of the backstage are
– We see The Undisputed Era walking backstage. Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch are also walking through the back. Back to commercial.Video Package – Karrion Kross
As we return from commercial break, we immediately head into a video package highlighting the return of Karrion Kross and his main event match-up during tonight’s edition of NXT on USA Network… but first, commercial break!
Quick Announcement
As we return from the commercial break, the announcers show us what happened and give us a quick recap. Malcolm Bivens came out and repeatedly told Tyler Rust that he’s a star as he recovered from the loss to Tommaso Ciampa in the corner. Bivens told Rust to get up and they seemed to be on the same page as they left together.
Back In The Audience
We see the camera pan the audience once again… Dexter Lumis is still sitting there, though now he has his art supplies and he’s drawing the logo for the NXT New Year’s Evil.
#1 Contender’s Match
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Pete DunneAs we return to the ring, the entrance theme for the Undisputed Era sounds over the speakers in the arena. Adam Cole and Roderick Strong make their way down the ramp and enter the ring where they await their opponents for this #1 Contender’s Match! (We are informed that the winner of this match will challenge NXT Champion Finn Balor at New Year’s Evil on January 6. Out next comes Pete Dunne with NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. The three make their way down the ramp towards Undisputed Era member Cole and Strong.
Lorcan and Burch are talking trash from the apron until Killian Dain and Drake Maverick run down to pull them off from behind. A big brawl breaks out as The Undisputed Era also gets involved. Dunne and O’Reilly are staring each other down in the ring. Breezango returns out of nowhere, also getting involved in the big ringside bawl. Officials back the participants to the backstage area. FINALLY The bell rings as Dunne and O’Reilly are the legal men in to kick things of in this canvas.
The match continues on the canvas with more grappling and submission hold attempts, to no avail as the fast paced action for this match-up continues! Both competitors get back to their feet. We get some more back and forth action until Dunne levels O’Reilly with a big clothesline. O’Reilly rolls to the floor for a breather. Dunne leaps out but lands on his feet and misses. They trade counters and Dunne nails a Pump Kick. O’Reilly counters the X-Plex, jumping on Dunne’s back at ringside. Dunne fights out and goes for the fingers. They trade forearms as the referee counts. They make it back in right before the 10 count at the same time.
The forearms continue between both men in the ring now. O’Reilly with knee strikes. O’Reilly charges and drops Dunne with a knee. O’Reilly with a running kick to the back to knock Dunne off the apron to the floor. We go to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
Back from the break and fans chant “NXT!” as we get a tug-of-war with the Superstars yanking each other into the turnbuckle. They go down and get back to their feet now. Dunne with a knee to the jaw. Dunne with a sitdown powerbomb in the middle of the ring for a 2 count. Dunne stomps on O’Reilly’s head while holding his arm, then drops back with the arm bar. O’Reilly breaks an arm submission by getting the bottom rope. Dunne goes for a move but O’Reilly back-drops him and goes for another arm bar in the middle of the ring. Dunne rolls through and applies an ankle lock. O’Reilly counters with an ankle lock of his own. Dunne counters with a Guillotine. O’Reilly applies a hold of his own but Dunne slides out. Dunne drops O’Reilly with a stiff headbutt.
O’Reilly counters a move and drops Dunne with a Brainbuster. They’re both down on their backs in the middle of the ring as a “this is awesome!” chant starts up. Fans chant “fight forever!” as they get up. They trade more big strikes and O’Reilly knocks Dunne into the corner. O’Reilly with a jumping knee in the corner. Dunne’s mouthpiece is on the mat now. O’Reilly with the big suplex from the corner, dropping Dunne on his head. O’Reilly stomps Dunne’s hand as he goes for the mouth guard.
More back and forth now. O’Reilly and Dunne trade more submissions for a few more minutes. Dunne grabs the fingers but O’Reilly beats him down with more strikes. O’Reilly drops Dunne with a kick to the jaw. Dunne leaps up, stomps the fingers and nails a roundhouse kick. O’Reilly charges but gets kicked in the head again. Dunne with more bending of the fingers and strikes on the apron.
O’Reilly blocks a Bitter End on the apron, and nails a suplex from the apron to the floor. O’Reilly immediately brings it back in the ring, with Dunne draped over the bottom rope with his face down in the mat. O’Reilly goes to the top and nails a flying knee drop to Dunne’s head. O’Reilly covers for the pin to win.
Winner and New #1 Contender: Kyle O’Reilly
– After the match, O’Reilly stands tall as the music hits. O’Reilly vs. NXT Champion Finn Balor is confirmed for New Year’s Evil on January 6. We go to replays. O’Reilly looks up at the New Year’s Evil graphic on the big screen and he’s ready for the rematch with Balor.
– McKenzie is backstage with Rhea Ripley. She talks about Raquel Gonzalez backing down last week. She talks more about Raquel and says she is a whole different animal when she’s by herself. McKenzie asks about Toni Storm and tonight’s match. Ripley acknowledges they have a lot of history together. Storm may be right when she says Ripley isn’t the same Rhea Ripley she knew in NXT UK, but Storm is the same piece of trash she was back then, and tonight she will finish this once and for all. We go to commercial.
– We come back to another vignette with Xia Li and Boa continuing their brutal training. The mystery woman and the ShiFu master look on. Li cries as she’s told to strike again. A bloody Boa says no more. The master tells Li to strike again and this time we see she’s beating up Boa. Li continues to cry as she delivers stiff strikes to a bloody Boa. The mystery woman looks on.
Indi Hartwell vs. Shotzi Blackheart
We go back to the ring and The Way is in the ring – Indi Hartwell with Candice LeRae, Austin Theory and NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano. Out next comes Shotzi Blackheart on her new tank.
The bell rings and they go at it. Shotzi with an arm drag. They lock back up and Shotzi goes behind. They tangle and Hartwell slams Shotzi on her face. Indi with another takedown face-first. Shotzi turns it around with a shoulder, then a dropkick. Shotzi focuses on Indi’s arm now as The Way looks on from ringside.
Shotzi continues working on the arm, taunting The Way. Shotzi grounds Indi by her arm now. Indi fights up and out but Shotzi keeps coming. Shotzi drops Indi with an enziguri. Shotzi flies into the corner with a cannonball but she moves and Shotzi barely hits her. Indi works Shotzi over while she’s down in the corner, covering for a 2 count. Indi drops Shotzi with an elbow for a 2 count. Indi keeps control and hits a Full Nelson slam for another 2 count.
Shotzi fights back out of the corner with a boot to the jaw. Shotzi splashes Indi in the corner and then works her over in the opposite corner. Shotzi with more offense into another corner, leaping onto her back with a senton. Indi goes to the apron for a breather but Shotzi dropkicks her to the floor in front of the announcers. Shotzi brings it back in but here comes Candice. The referee yells at her.
Candice jumps on the apron and talks trash at Shotzi for the distraction. Theory tosses Candice’s trophy into Hartwell while the referee is distracted. Shotzi turns around to a trophy shot to the gut. The referee sees it and calls the match.
Winner by DQ: Shotzi Blackheart
After the Match
Immediately following the match, the fans start to “boo” quite loudly as Candice and Indi double team Shotzi. Gargano and Theory join them in the ring. Indi holds Shotzi down while Candice hits her with the Wicked Stepsister.
Video Package – Karrion Kross
As we prepare to head to commercial break, we are sent to yet another video package highlighting the in-ring return for Karrion Kross!
Vignette – “Colossal” Bronson Reed
As we return from the commercial break, we get a quick vignette for the Colossal Bronson Reed stating that he will be will return next week.
Karrion Kross vs. Desmond Troy
As we go back to the ring, we hear the entrance theme start for Karrion Kross! Finally making his return after his injury during the pay-per-view for the championship where he ended up relinquishing the title. Karrion Kross makes his way to the stage with Scarlett Bourdeux and the two then make their way down the ramp and into the ring for his in-ring return. Desmond Troy is already waiting in the ring.
The referee looks to both competitors, then signals for the bell to start the match. bell rings and Kross stares Troy down. They go at it and Kross immediately takes him down, mounts him from behind and unloads with strikes. Kross sends Troy to the corner and charges in, and again in the opposite corner. Kross manhandles Troy in the corner and launches him out with the Doomsday Saito suplex as Scarlett watches.
Kross with a big back kick. Kross with another Doomsday Saito Suplex. He’s definitely still got it, not letting his previous injury affect him in any way shape or form! Kross yells out and applies the Kross Jacket submission on the mat, rolling over to tighten it for the three count pin and win!
Winner: Karrion Kross
After the Match
Scarlett hits the ring as Kross stands tall over Troy. We go to replays as the music plays. We come back and see the NXT power couple posing in the middle of the ring. Kross looks into the camera and sends a warning to Damian Priest for New Year’s Evil on January 6. Kross says this time Priest’s ass will be his. Kross does his “Tik, Tok” taunt to end the segment.
Backstage Interview – Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
As we head backstage, we see that McKenzie is standing with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott now. Mitchell asks about last week’s loss to Jake Atlas and the post-match show of disrespect from Scott. He asks why everyone is making a big deal out of this and blowing it out of proportion. Scott says he lost and he gets frustrated when he loses, especially to someone like Jake At… no, Atlas is a great athlete and deserves to be in NXT.
Scott then goes on and says he’s been working on his own craft for a long time, and it bothers him losing to someone like Atlas. Scott reveals that he just left the office of NXT General Manager William Regal, and he will get his rematch next week but this time the result will be different.
Ever-Rise Enters As Swerve Exits
Ever-Rise immediately walks up as Scott leaves. They go on about last week’s fluke and how it has to be stricken from the record because it was really a Handicap Match. She asks if they want a rematch against The Grizzled Young Veterans who won last week’s Triple Threat that also featured Imperium. They say they are still undefeated, joking that they are coming for WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg. Matt Martel and Chase Parker talk more trash and say they aren’t here to complain or talk about matches, they just want their voices to be heard. They go to leave but stop to tell everyone that Ever-Rise rules! Martel and Parker walk off to end the segment.
Dexter’s Audience Art
We go check in on Dexter Lumis and not only is he ok, he looks great as he covers!@ drawing the New Year’s Evil logo on his perch in the arena. It’s revealed that he will be the host of the special episode on January 6. Lumis continues staring out.
Backstage – Toni Storm
Toni Storm is shown walking backstage for tonight’s main event. Rhea Ripley is also shown. Back to commercial.
Finn Balor Promo
As we return from commercial break, we see Finn Balor sitting alone as he begins to speak NXT TakeOver 31, you proved you belong in the main event, you proved you belong in the ring with Finn Balor. You broke my jaw, and you STILL lost. January 6th, New Years Evil it’s not Finn vs Kyle 2 it’s Finn Balor versus Kyle O’Reilly… THE END.
Main Event
Toni Storm vs. Rhea RipleyToni Storm comes out first to boo’s. Rhea strides out, full of confidence and eager to get a measure of revenge against her long-time rival. The bell rings and we waste no time getting to it. Both women spend the first two minutes with grapples and counter moves as they’re very familiar with each other. Toni Storm breaks up the sequence by raking Rhea’s back, which only upsets Ripley. Ripley slugs Storm down. Rhea with a series of clotheslines, pulling Storm back up and into it. Storm attempts to escape to the ringside but Rhea grabs her, only to be dumped out by Storm. Ripley rubs the back of her head and climbs onto the apron. Storm is quick to attack Ripley, dumping her hard to the ringside. We go to break.
Back from the break. Toni Storm is in control, a headlock on Ripley. Ripley tries to power out. Storm eats a side kick from Ripley. Ripley with a series of knee strikes that leave Storm reeling, seated, and vulnerable to an absolutely beautiful basement dropkick from Ripley! Ripley covers but only picks up two. Ripley sets up Storm in the pump-handle position, looking for the Riptide, but Storm has it scouted and escapes. Storm and Rhea collide with each going for a a massive headbutt that drops both women and the crowd chants “NXT!” over and over. The ref begins to count but both women get to their feet by eight. Storm with a running club, but Ripley answers back with her own. Both women go off the ropes and Ripley sidesteps Storm, then hits a big kick and covers for another two. Ripley is rubbing her head. Ripley stomps on Storm, then pulls her up in an inverted cloverleaf as we’re now running past our allotted time. Ripley lifts Storm up impressively in that inverted cloverleaf. Storm escapes and hits a German Suplex on Ripley, getting a close two. Storm sends Ripley into the corner. Storm grabs Ripley by the head and tosses her across the ring and into an opposite corner, then charges the corner. Ripley moves and drops Storm face-first onto the top turnbuckle, covering for a close two. Ripley is visibly upset and continues to rub her head. Ripley rises and leaps in the air to hit a leg drop, then executes a second and third leg drop! She wraps the leg but only gets a two.
Storm gets to the apron. Raquel Gonzalez shows up at ringside. Ripley runs into Storm and sends her flying into Gonzalez, who falls over the barricade. Ripley exits the ring and sends Storm in, eying Gonzalez before heading back into the ring. Ripley gets on the apron but as the ref is distracted while checking on Storm, Gonzalez grabs Ripley off the apron and lawn darts her into the ring post! Storm quickly recovers and nails the Storm Zero, picking up the win!
Your Winner, Toni Storm!
WWE NXT ON USA NETWORK TV REACTION & DISCUSSION
* For late-breaking WWE & AEW news & rumors, follow our social media reporter on Twitter @JamieRush312
* Follow the official eWrestling account on Twitter @eWrestlingCOM
* Follow the official eWrestling Facebook page at Facebook.com/eWrestlingCOM
* Chat with other fans about this article in the official eWrestling Disqus feed below, or at Disqus.com/home/forums/http-ewrestling-com
