This past Tuesday’s WWE NXT kicked off with the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams faced Edris Enofe and Malik Blade. Williams delivered a knee strike on Blade to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
NXT North American Champion Oba Femi addressed the fans. Dragon Lee interrupted Femi. Lee told Femi that he hoped Femi would continue the tradition of open challenges. Oba Femi said no. Lee then asked Femi for a rematch for the title. Femi said that he would consider it.
In a backstage segment, Ilja Dragunov told Trick Williams that he was medically cleared. Dragunov further said that he will give Williams a title match at Vengeance Day. Carmelo Hayes then reminded Williams that the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic would take place at Vengeance Day as well.
Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley defeated Lola Vice and Elektra Lopez in a Tag Team match.
Ridge Holland defeated Joe Coffey. After the match, Joe, Mark, and Wolfgang assaulted Holland.
Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro defeated Chase University to advance to the semi-finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Dijak defeated Trey Bearhill. Joe Gacy and Dijak had a brawl after the match. Meanwhile, Lexis King attacked Bearhill.
Roxanne Perez, Fallon Henley, Kiana James, and Kelani Jordan became the final four of the 20-Woman Battle Royal. Perez pinned Jordan to become the No. 1 contender for the NXT Women’s Championship.
According to Nielsen via Wrestlenomics, the January 16th episode of WWE NXT drew 683,000 viewers on USA Network and a 0.19 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
WWE NXT viewership & ratings for the past few weeks
| Episode of WWE NXT | Viewership | 18-49 demographic |
| January 16 | 683,000 | 0.19 |
| January 9 | 722,000 | 0.21 |
| January 2 | 768,000 | 0.25 |
| December 26 | 670,000 | 0.19 |
| December 19 | 641,000 | 0.17 |
| December 12 | 678,000 | 0.18 |
| December 5 | 626,000 | 0.19 |