WRESTLING REVIEW: NXT New Year's Evil III

Day One may have come and gone but the celebration of ushering in 2022 has yet to be over in WWE’s eyes as New Year’s Evil flew in like NXT champ Mandy Rose as she defended her title in a triple threat against former champ Raquel Gonzalez and 205 Live upstart sensation Cora Jade. One touched down in a copter with black wings like a fallen angel, one rode in on a motorbike with a spirit of vengeance for fuel like she made a deal with Mephisto and one skated in like a Dew Tour contestant showing out for a Plan B sponsorship. Nothing could go wrong. Then Jade found Gonzalez’ boot in her face right as the bell rung.

A majority of the first quarter of this triple threat was Raquel letting off steam by throwing bodies around the ring. All that changed once Mandy Rose introduced a kendo stick into Raquel’s face.
Rose continued to play her role superbly once the kendo stick was no longer a factor, she made a move to run out of the arena to retain her championship, but Raquel snatched her back up into the ring. The rest of the match was primarily paint by my numbers and went as a one-on-one between Raquel and Rose, until Jade re-inserted herself from the top rope. Raquel found herself outside of the ring chasing Jade, and Rose was seemingly unaware.

Rose was attentive enough to see Jade coming for a slick package roll-up and with that alertness was able to reverse that move and retain her title. The continuation of Rose’s reign leaves Raquel and Jade with the potential of am explosive heel turn in the near future, the latter competitor having the most potential to accomplish this, since Raquel came through the gate as a heel.

Jade’s role as the bubbly face can only last for so long. And being the punching bag for the majority of the match whether she wins (see : War Games) or loses like tonight, has to get tiring. It’s only a question now when WWE will pull the trigger and put Jade in the position to snap her skateboard like Bayley once upon a time popped her balloons.

Score : 3/5