WWE NXT Results and grades: Finn Balor is having his problems with Pete Dunne and his posse but he found an ally in former rival Kyle O’Reilly.
However, the Dusty Rhodes Classic, once again, took centre stage on WWE NXT and here are the results and grades from this week’s show.
The first match of the show saw the impressive MSK take on the pairing of Killian Dain and Drake Maverick.
MSK did well on their NXT debut last week but this was always going to be a sterner test. This was a crazy match as MSK showed off their in-ring abilities and got the win to to continue their Dusty Rhodes journey.
MSK beats Dain and Maverick
Grade B
This was a great match and again proved how good MSK can be on NXT. However, it was a little upsetting to see Dain and Maverick get eliminated despite ironing out their issues in recent weeks.
Curt Stallion spoke about what it means to be in NXT and also wanting to become the Cruiserweight champion.
The next match was another Dusty Rhodes Classic for the women with Jessi Kamea and Aliyah taking on Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai.
Aliyah and Kamea tried their best but they were no match for Gonzalez and Kai.
Gonzalez and Kai beats Aliyah and Kamea
Grade C
There wasn’t much from Kamea and Aliyah to highlight but this was a great showing from Kai and Gonzalez. The pairing look good to win the title and it will be interesting to see what happens next.
An update on Tegan Nox’s rehab was shown before Malcolm Bivens spoke about Tyler Rust’s loss last week.
Rust took on Danny Garcia next and while Garcia tried to get the win, it was Rust who got it in the end.
Rust beats Garcia
Grade C
This was another squash match and WWE seems to be pushing Rust. Bivens is the interested part of the equation and WWE have done the right thing in pairing him with the rising Rust.
The team of Leon Ruff and Kushida, who impressed the earlier week, took on a tougher pairing of Zack Gibson and James Drake.
The Grizzled Young Veterans got the win over Kushida and Ruff, but there was more to come. Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory came out to attack Kushida, but Dexter Lumis made the save.
Veterans beat Ruff and Kushida
Grade B
The Veterans also seem set for Dusty Rhodes gold after another impressive showing. Lumis coming out to help Kushida was also great to see and the mysterious character could become the next North American champion as he continues his rivalry with Gargano.
Another segment saw Stallion speak up before getting injured by Legado del Fantasma to avoid a title shot.
William Regal told Santos Escobar he would be defending the title next week and the champion found a card from an unknown rival.
Toni Storm was angry with Io Shirai and blamed the NXT Women’s Champion for taking away a lot of things.
Shirai came out and was open to fight Storm anywhere before Mercedes Martinez attacked Shirai. Shirai came back to attack both her rivals but it was Storm who stood tall come the end of the segment.
Grade B
Stallion vs Escobar should be fun given how WWE is building all of this up. Storm vs Shirai should also be a great cracker but Martinez is an interesting ingredient in all this.
The next match saw a mismatch of sizes as Isaiah Scott Swerve took on the much larger Bronson Reed.
While Scott tried to use his speed and innovative offence in the match, it was Reed who got the win thanks to his power.
Reed beats Scott
Grade C
This was another squash match of sorts and only was done to build up Reed. The Aussie is a monster and there are some great things in store for him on NXT.
Kyle O’Reilly and Finn Balor teamed up to face Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. The rivals worked well to get the win but there was more damage to be done.
Pete Dunne sent out a message to Balor as he attacked the NXT Champion. He might have broken his fingers as the rest of the Undisputed Era came out.
Balor was sent out of the ring as the UE stood tall. The commentators claimed that Dunne could have entered into the race for the NXT title.
Balor and O’Reilly beat Lorcan and Burch
Grade B
This was a hard-hitting match with quality all around. It was a little shocking that Burch and Lorcan lost but Dunne vs Balor should be great, even if Balor broke his fingers.
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