WWE NXT results, Dec. 23, 2020: Adam Cole drops the boom on Velveteen Dream

NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch def. Killian Dain & Drake Maverick in a Street Fight

With bad blood boiling over, Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan go to war with Killian Dain & Drake Maverick for the NXT Tag Team Titles. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Killian Dain & Drake Maverick kicked off NXT by giving Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch a dose of their own medicine, ambushing the NXT Tag Team Champions from behind during their entrance and immediately overwhelming them. They wasted no time making use of the stipulation, setting up chairs and tables, but the loss of focus allowed Lorcan & Burch to get back in the fight. 

Unfortunately for Maverick, Dain was effectively neutralized when Lorcan dodged his attack on the outside, sending The Beast of Belfast through a table and leaving Drake alone to be punished by the champions. While Maverick temporarily found an equalizer with the use of his belt, Burch & Lorcan later put him away with a double-team elevated DDT. 

Isaiah "Swerve" Scott def. Jake Atlas

“Swerve” seeks redemption following his loss to Atlas earlier this month. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Isaiah "Swerve" Scott was intent on proving himself after his loss earlier this month to Jake Atlas, and he did just that — and with plenty of arrogance. Swerve dazzled by countering Atlas' top-rope poison rana by landing on his feet and ultimately put him away with the Confidence Boost. 

With "Swerve" gloating afterward as though he had just won a championship, Atlas wanted no part of Scott's handshake after he refused his own gesture two weeks ago. 

Rhea Ripley def. Dakota Kai

The Nightmare looks to take out one of her rivals and send a message to Raquel Gonzalez. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Rhea Ripley had an uphill climb on her hands for most of the bout with Dakota Kai wounding her early on, viciously stomping her arm on the apron. Kai dominated much of the action behind her ruthless mean streak, looking impressive in her first match since WarGames.

But The Nightmare valiantly fought back, even though she had virtually no use of her left arm. Though Raquel González was banned from ringside, it didn't keep her from taking ot the stage to stare Ripley down. The former NXT Women's Champion made sure to stare González down as she pinned Kai following the Riptide. 

The referees tried to prevent Raquel from confronting Rhea afterward, but it was to no avail, and the nemeses' war of words soon turned into a fist fight. Ultimately. roughly a dozen officials were needed to separate the two powerhouses. 

Bronson Reed def. Ashante "Thee" Adonis

The Colossal Bronson Reed is back on the black-and-gold brand in a big way. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Despite not competing in two months, The Colossal Bronson Reed looked as though he hadn't missed a beat. Reed made short work of Ashante "Thee" Adonis, flattening him with the Tsunami for the victory.

Leon Ruff def. Timothy Thatcher

Leon Ruff looks to score a major upset against the master of Thatch-As-Thatch-Can with Tommaso Ciampa looking on. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Another match, and another upset victory for Leon Ruff. Timothy Thatcher had promised to "take liberties" with the former North American Champion in order to send a message to Tommaso Ciampa, but perhaps the dean of Thatch-As-Thatch-Can was too preoccupied with The Blackheart. Ruff caught Thatcher off-guard with a small package for the win, though he paid the price afterward in the form of a post-match assault by Thatcher.

Ciampa was there moments later, spiking Thatcher with Willow's Bell and challenging him to meet him in the NXT Fight Pit. 

Tyler Rust def. Ariya Daivari

Malcolm Bivens sings the praises of his new client, Tyler Rust, who is in action against Daivari Dinero. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

With Malcolm Bivens signing his praises earlier in the evening, Tyler Rust made Malcolm Bivens look like a genius after Bivens sang his praises earlier in the evening. Rust again turned heads with a display of masterfully executed holds and strikes, and claimed a submission victory with an omoplata crossface following an innovative facebuster. 

Adam Cole def. Velveteen Dream

The former NXT Champion renews his rivalry with an old adversary. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Adam Cole renewed a long-running rivalry with one of The Undisputed ERA's most hated enemies in Velveteen Dream. While both Superstars clearly had each other well scouted after previous meetings, Cole was at the top of his game. The Panama City Playboy scored a pivotal blow when he superkicked the back of Dream's leg as he tried to go high risk, hobbling him for the rest of the bout.

Dream later tried to come off the top again but was ate a superkick for his troubles, and then Cole blasted him with The Last Shot for the big-time win.