Every Match Announced for NXT’s New Year’s Evil and AEW’s New Year’s Smash Events

AEW and NXTwill both look to kick off 2021 on a high note with their respective special television events — New Year’s Evil and New Year’s Smash beginning tonight. AEW’s event will stretch across two episodes (Jan. 6 and Jan. 13) and see the AEW World, TNT and Women’s World Championships be defended. On top of that, Jon Moxley will make his long-awaited return to AEW television after Kenny Omega defeated him for the company’s top prize at the Winter is Coming event.

On the other side of the dial, Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly will clash in a rematch from last year’s Match of the Year contender with the NXT Championship on the line, Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez will meet in a Last Woman Standing match and Damian Priest will wrestle in possibly his final NXT match when he takes on Karrion Kross.

Which shows will you be watching live over the next two weeks? Which matches are you most looking forward to? Check out the cards for both shows and let us know in the comments below!

AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega vs. Rey Fenix (New Year’s Smash Night One)

Omega will make his first defense as AEW World Champion, taking on Rey Fenix. The pair were supposed to meet in the Eliminator Tournament, but Fenix had to be pulled due to injury.

AEW Women’s World Championship: Hikaru Shida vs. Abadon (New Year’s Smash Night One)

Abadon has been stalking Shida for well over a month, going so far as to bite her on the neck and spit blood on her championship. 

 

Jake Hager vs. Wardlow (New Year’s Smash Night One)

Hager announced on a recent Dynamite that he’s been granted a match with Wardlow. The pair haven’t been able to get along and keep staring each other down ever since MJF and Wardlow joined The Inner Circle.

Cody Rhodes vs. Matt Sydal (New Year’s Smash Night Two)

As part of the promotion for the premiere of the Go-Big Show, Rhodes will be in action taking on Matt Sydal. Surprisingly, the pair never met in a one-on-one match during their overlapping runs in WWE. 

Jon Moxley’s Return (New Year’s Smash Night One)

Moxley will appear on Dynamite for the first time since dropping the AEW World Championship to Omega. Granted how their first match ended, Moxley will likely want to get some revenge on “The Cleaner.”

Darby Allin and Brian Cage Weigh-in

Ahead of their TNT Championship match next week, Darby Allin and Brian Cage will have an official weigh-in during this week’s show. Expect Team Taz and Sting to all get involved in some way. 

The Young Bucks & SCU vs. The Acclaimed and The Hybrid 2

The Acclaimed and Hybrid 2 have consistently tried to attack The Young Bucks ever since the latter won the AEW tag titles, and each time they’ve been chased away by Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels of SCU. Now the four teams will join forces for an eight-man tag match.

Appearances by Snoop Dogg and Sting

Iconic rapper Snoop Dogg and “The Icon” Sting have both been confirmed for this week’s show

NXT Championship: Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly (New Year’s Evil)

The two men clashed in a Match of the Year contender back at NXT TakeOver: 31, resulting in O’Reilly breaking Balor’s jaw in multiple places but failing to capture the title. 

Last Woman Standing: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez

Ripley and Gonzalez recently reignited their feud from earlier this year, and will now clash in a Last Woman Standing Match.

Karrion Kross vs. Damian Priest

Kross made Priest his first target following his return from injury. Between his tease of going back for the NXT Championship and rumors of Priest getting a call-up, this match probably won’t end well for the “Archer of Infamy.”