Roderick Strong put up a great show against Austin Theory (Image credit: WWE)
WWE NXT results, winners, grades and reaction: This was a taped episode as everyone from NXT got some deserved time off for Christmas.
There were some big matches on the card though, as Roderick Strong kept his NXT North American title on the line.
His challenger turned out to be former EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory.
Both men put up a great show with Theory coming close to pinning the champion a couple of times.
In the end, it was Strong’s experience that shone through as he got Theory to submit to the Strong Hold.
Strong beats Theory
Grade A
Theory is signed to a development contract and he put up a good show. It was great seeing how fluid he already is in the ring and should be a valuable addition to NXT until WWE ruin him by pushing the EVOLVE star on Raw/SmackDown.
Isaiah Scott fought against Jack Gallagher in a cruiserweight bout. The Gentleman gave up the size advantage to Scott, but it didn’t really matter as both went for the kill.
It was Scott that came out with the win thanks to The House Call, but the match didn’t have a real story behind it.
Scott beats Gallagher
Grade B
Scott has been one of the rising stars on NXT and seems set for a great 2020 too.
It was LeRae who came out all guns blazing before Conti got the upper hand before the break.
LeRae then took over and picked up a good win as the babyface got another push. Both wrestlers looked good, but again, no real storyline involved in this.
LeRae beats Conti
Grade B
LeRae seems to be the next big female star on NXT and it will be interesting to see what happens with her next.
Conti should get more time on NXT and she put up a decent showing against LeRae.
Dominik Dijakovic was impressive on NXT WarGames and seems set for a great run next year. He was up against another heavyweight in Bronson Reed, and the match was a little slow.
Both men tried to get the better of each other, however, Dijakovic picked up the win thanks to a powerbomb.
Dijakovic beats Reed
Grade C
There is so much talent on NXT and it is scary that WWE have to find a way to utilise it. Dijakovic is another that deserves more time but this match felt like it was just put up as a filler.
Bianca Belair is another female athlete that has been on a roll lately. She was up against debutant Shotzi Blackheart but it was her opponent that dominated early on.
It was the EST of NXT that picked up the win by dominating the clash, even though Blackheart got some decent hits in.
Belair beats Blackheart
Grade C
Blackheart making her debut was good while Belair continued her winning streak. A win-win for both but the action seemed to miss something.
The final match of the evening saw Keith Lee and Lio Rush face Damian Priest and Tony Nese.
This had a festive mood before the start with Rush dressing up in green while Lee had cookies with him.
Nese and Priest are a decent team but Rush and Lee got the better of them in the end. This was a nice match to end NXT but again, no real storyline here.
Lee and Rush beat Priest and Nese
Grade B
A good match to close off the show and it will be interesting to see if Rush and Lee continue pairing up on NXT.
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