WWE NXT New Years Evil Results: Gran Metalik vs. Santos Escobar [NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match]

Gran Metalik has been floundering since leaving 205 Live, but the second he stepped back into an NXT ring. After beating Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza alongside Lince Dorado, he laid out a challenge to Santos Escobar for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.

Legado Del Fantasma might constantly claim to represent lucha libre, but now Escobar needs to prove he can hang with one of the best in that style. It’s The King Of The Ropes vs. The NXT Cruiserweight Champion, a main event on just about any other show, but not on New Year’s Evil.

Gran Metalik Shows His Skills

Escobar got Metalik cornered early, but was outsped. Metalik would nail a running hurricanrana before feinting the dive to the outside. Escobar got back in the ring, had his wrist snatched, chest slapped, and a rope assisted hurricanrana got Escobar. Metalik looked to be in trouble for a second as Escobar sent him to the apron, but jumped over Escobar and nailed a moonsault to the outside.

Back in the ring, Metalik nailed a springboard senton and attempted a moonsault, landing on his feet. Escobar again sent to the apron, and Metalik tried for a hurricanrana, but was caught with a powerbomb to the outside instead. Now with Metalik grounded, Escobar would bend him around the ring post, and take his slower and brutal pace.

A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker got a near fall, before Escobar was set up on the top rope. Big enziguri would be followed up with Metalik just being lifted up and dropped ribs first on the top rope. The surfboard stretch would be applied, Metalik yelling in pain before being dropped into a pinfall attempt.

Santos Escobar Is The Champion For A Reason

Metalik tried to get up, before taking an elbow drop to the back. Back to his feet, he turned a slingblade into a flash pinfall, getting a desperate two count. Escobar quickly dropped him with a lariat, but took a boot to the face when rushing into the corner. A superkick and reverse slingblade were followed by a springboard dropkick, before showing why he’s The King of The Ropes with a huge dive.

Escobar was sent back in, and had to kick out after a big frog splash. He’d take a big chop, but counter a dive with a jumping knee below the jaw. The Arrows From The Depths of Hell drove Metalik into the barricade, the only suicide dive that could end a match, but Metalik kicked out at two.

Metalik blocked the Legado Driver, before being set up on the top rope, and Escobar went after the mask, a taboo in lucha libre. He’d be fought off, and Metalik nailed a hurricanrana off the middle rope for another two. The rope walk elbow drop was scouted, and Legado hit before the Phantom Driver ended the match.

Santos Escobar is the best thing to happen to the Cruiserweight Championship since Neville. Every defense has been must see, and this might have been his best yet, even topping the match with Swerve at Takeover 31. Match Rating: 4/5 (****)

Should Gran Metalik stick around in NXT after this match? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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