WWE NXT results and grades: The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team classic was a huge draw on NXT for this week.
Further, WWE confirmed that a women’s tournament would also take place and several stars were putting up their names for the competition.
There also was this huge main event with Tommaso Ciampa taking on Timothy Thatcher, but we start this WWE NXT results and grades piece with a men’s tag match.
Gargano and Theory vs Kushida and Ruff
Austin Theory and his mentor, of sorts, Johnny Gargano teamed up to face Kushida and Leon Ruff in a Dusty Rhodes classic.
The heels isolated Ruff in the early going but the former North American champion was able to turn the tables.
Things went a little crazy at the end, and in a surprise, it was Kushida who got the win by pinning Gargano.
Kushida and Ruff beat Gargano and Theory
Grade B
Kushida now seems set to get a NXT NA title shot against Gargano. Even though Gargano and Theory looked great as a team it was a bit of a surprise seeing them lose out to Kushida and Ruff.
Kross in action
Pete Dunne warned NXT Champion Finn Balor that he was better than him. Tyler Rust also asked for a match against Bronson Reed before we saw Ashante Thee Adonis take on Karrion Kross.
Kross didn’t waste time after a few early hits from his rival and got the win thanks to the Kross Jacket.
He then attacked some members who were checking up on Adonis.
Kross beats Adonis
Grade C
The problem with this segment was that we know how dominating Kross is, even if he is returning from an injury.
He needs bigger and better opponents rather than squashing talent right now.
LHP vs Imperium
The second Dusty Classic match of the evening saw Lucha House Party face Imperium. Gran Metalik of LHP started off the fight but Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner were able to deal with the high flying abilities of Metalik and Lince Dorado.
However, it was LHP that got the win in the end after shocking the former NXT tag champions.
Alexander Wolfe then came to the stage and didn’t look pleased with Aichner and Barthel after the loss.
LHP beats Imperium
Grade B
This was quite a surprise in seeing LHP win but the match was incredible too. WWE have wasted LHP in recent weeks but they are showing off their real abilities now.
Imperium getting the loss was also a huge surprise and it will be interesting to see what is next for them.
Women’s Dusty Classic
Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro were ready to face the heel and new pairing of Mercedes Martinez and Toni Storm.
Carter and Catanzaro worked great in the ring but Io Shirai attacked Martinez outside and that left Storm in a heap of trouble.
Catanzaro and Carter got the win in the end as they progressed to the next round.
Carter and Catanzaro beat Storm and Martinez
The pairing of Carter and Catanzaro have been a tag team for a long time and it was great seeing them get the win.
Shirai attacking Martinez also sets them up for the NXT Women’s title soon.
Reed vs Rust
Malcolm Bivens wanted Tyler Rust to fight an easier opponent but was still encouraging his client against Bronson Reed.
While Bivens and Rust tried their best, it was the larger Reed who got the win in the end.
Bivens then told Rust to allow him to deal with who he faces. Also, Balor wanted to face Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan but William Regal said he would have to find a partner first. Kyle O’Reilly agreed to the match.
Santos Escobar came out with Legado del Fantasma and took a shot at the NXT roster. However, LHP, alongwith Curt Stallion, got rid of the heels.
Reed beats Rust
Grade B
It is all in the story for this match. Bivens is a great character and him working with Rust should be a fun duo on NXT.
This might have been a loss but it was a learning. Further, Reed has been on a charge, of sorts, and it was great seeing him get the win.
Fight pit time
The NXT ring was turned into a cage as Ciampa and Thatcher met in the main event. While Ciampa was using brute force to make Thatcher pay, his rival was keen on using an array of submissions in hopes of breaking a limb.
Ciampa then hit a low blow after he was in a hold from Thatcher. He hit him with a widow’s bell but the 10 count was enough for Thatcher to get up.
Thatcher even got up from a Fairytale ending and then Ciampa’s leg got trapped in the cage and Thatcher took advantage of this for the win. The winner then went up to Ciampa and sat next to him it seemed as a form of respect.
Thatcher beats Ciampa
Grade A
This was an excellent match and it was great seeing Thatcher use the ring to get the win. Hopefully, this rivalry is done and we get to see something new for the pair.
More WWE news
- Adam Pearce reacts after setting up Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble
- Big E explains the need to steamroll Apollo Crews as he plans grand WrestleMania run
- (Watch) Camera angle exposes Bobby Lashley and Matt Riddle botching foot stomp
Follow our dedicated WWE page for instant WWE news and NXT results, grades, highlights and updates
