WWE NXT New Year’s Evil 2026 Review: Oba Femi Leaves the Title?

In our WWE NXT New Year’s Evil 2026 Review, we break down a night where the landscape of developmental wrestling shifted on its axis. From the Performance Center in Orlando, the first major special of 2026 provided a definitive end to one legendary title reign and a controversial start to another. If you missed the live broadcast on The CW, this WWE NXT New Year’s Evil 2026 Review is your definitive guide to the chaos.

The Grudge Match: Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame

The night kicked off with a bitter encounter between former allies Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame. This WWE NXT New Year’s Evil 2026 Review notes that Paxley has become one of the most compelling characters in the division, and her “Cemetery Drive” finisher remains one of the most protected moves in NXT.

The match was a physical back-and-forth that saw Dame utilize her significant height advantage to “ragdoll” Paxley around the ring. The highlights included a dangerous spear through the ropes that saw both women land flush on the floor. Despite the punishment, Paxley hit a stunning top-rope Spanish Fly to regain momentum. She eventually secured the pin with her signature driver, but as we would see later, Izzi Dame was far from finished with her night.

Jacy Jayne Stays Atop the Mountain

Jacy Jayne continues to prove why she is the most tactical champion in NXT. Defending the NXT Women’s Title against the sensational Kendal Grey, Jayne survived a literal grappling masterclass. Grey, the Evolve Champion, showed poise beyond her years, locking in multiple armbars and hitting a stunning moonsault to the floor that wiped out the entire Fatal Influence stable.

The numbers game ultimately favored the champion. Just as Grey seemed to have the title won, interference from Fallon Henley allowed Jayne to connect with a devastating rolling elbow to secure the pin. According to the latest Cagematch ratings, this was the highest-rated technical match on the card.

Shocking Title Change: A New North American Champion

The most controversial moment in this WWE NXT New Year’s Evil 2026 Review came when Thea Hail defended her NXT Women’s North American Title. Earlier in the night, a brutal chair attack by Blake Monroe left Hail visibly injured. Despite being advised to postpone the match, Hail’s fighting spirit led her to issue an open challenge.

While the fans clamored for Tatum Paxley, Izzi Dame—fresh off her loss in the opener—re-entered the ring. Dame ruthlessly targeted Hail’s injured arm and ankle. The end came when Dame caught a diving Hail and delivered a terrifying avalanche spinebuster from the middle rope. It was a classic “heel” victory that left the Orlando crowd in a state of stunned silence.

The Main Event: Oba Femi’s Final Decree?

The WWE NXT Title was on the line as the “Ruler,” Oba Femi, defended his throne against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater. For more context on Femi’s dominance, see our 2026 WWE Standings. Slater brought an incredible aerial assault that pushed the champion to his limit, even managing a shocking bodyslam on the giant.

However, Femi’s veteran instincts saved him; he got his knees up during a 450 splash attempt and finished Slater with a thunderous Pop-Up Powerbomb. The post-match scene, however, was the real story. Femi disappeared from the ring, leaving the NXT Championship belt sitting alone on the mat. It was a silent, powerful statement: The Ruler has conquered NXT, and the main roster beckons.

WWE NXT New Year’s Evil 2026 Review: Final Results

The Bottom Line: Our WWE NXT New Year’s Evil 2026 Review highlights a night of massive transitions. With Oba Femi seemingly vacating the title and moving to the main roster, a power vacuum now exists at the top of the card. Meanwhile, Izzi Dame’s opportunistic title win has established her as a major force for the new year.