5 Ups And 3 Downs From WWE NXT New Year's Evil (Jan 4)

Ups...

5. Melo And Strong Don't Miss

And just like that, the worst kept secret of recent developmental times has become a reality. R.I.P. Cruiserweight Championship and thy once-adored division, we hardly knew ye.

But, in truth, by the time the announcement that this unification match would confirm the undisputed North American Champion (completely dropping said CW moniker for whoever came out on top) had landed with those watching on, Carmelo Hayes and Roderick Strong had already set a pace that seemed near-impossible to maintain for a significant spell.

Yet, once again showcasing why he's undoubtedly one of the brightest sparks currently jolting through the WWE landscape, the NA champ in particular seemed to find yet another level during last night's opener. Proving that he'd done his homework early, Hayes would counter and reverse just about everything the veteran former Undisputed man had to offer, even slicking out of Strong's usual forearm train to deliver a neat hung-up springboard leg drop to his rival - as you f***ing do.

Strong wasn't going down without a fight, though, and battled back to regain control via his typical variety of violent backbreakers, a rather sickening Strong Hold and a super X-Plex capable of keeping you up at night. It was this last weapon that seemed to unintentionally open the door for a Hayes top-rope leg drop for the devastating defeat of this black and gold stalwart, with the newcomer taking advantage of the Diamond Mine man's desperation in the closing stages.

The future looks hella bright for the now undisputed "A Champion" and this match will no doubt do wonders for his credibility in the long run. As for Strong, however, dropping the belt in such emphatic fashion will likely give Malcolm Bivens a thing or two to think about. I mean, it's not like he's lacking in the human specimen department...