WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from August 31

Wednesday's episode of NXT was a show dedicated to building toward the future. It lacked star power and for good reason. There was no Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, Austin Aries or Hideo Itami. In their place was Steve Cutler, Aliyah, Liv Morgan and No Way Jose, all of whom the brand will rely on to carry it into the coming months and year.

Unfortunately, it was a mess of a show, headlined by Shinsuke Nakamura's return to Full Sail University for the first time since capturing the NXT Championship last Saturday night.

To suggest the show was bad would be an understatement.

It was arguably the worst episode, from an in-ring perspective, in the brand's history. There was a decided lack of compelling performers, and the most over guy was relegated to a brief promo that was supposed to jump-start a new era in NXT.

Relive the abysmal show with these results, highlights, grades and analysis from the August 31 broadcast.

Tye Dillinger vs. Buddy Murphy

Credit: WWE.com

One week after Tye Dillinger defeated Wesley Blake in singles competition, he set his sights on Blake's former tag team partner—Buddy Murphy.

Seeking the momentum that has evaded him since his arrival in NXT, Dillinger took the fight to Murphy early. The Australian, though, used The Perfect 10's hair against him, pulling him to the mat and taking control of the match.

Dillinger fought out of a headlock and fired off a babyface comeback, ending the contest with The Tye Breaker for the pinfall victory.

Result

Tye Dillinger defeated Buddy Murphy.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Another solid outing between two of the more underrated wrestlers in NXT, yet it really does not matter because neither has anything even remotely close to a push on his side. They have repeatedly proved their talent, working with the biggest stars on the roster but regularly staring at the lights by night's end.

Working with each other, one beating the other further into the ground, is not conducive to either Superstar gaining momentum going forward.

Steve Cutler vs. Kenneth Crawford

Credit: WWE.com

Bitter that he did not have the same opportunities as the stars of NXT who came before him, Steve Cutler hit the ring for a match with Kenneth Crawford, determined to make an impact.

He did that, overcoming Crawford's big running Shooting Star Press to put him away with a fisherman's suplex/Falcon Arrow combination.

Result

Steve Cutler defeated Kenneth Crawford.

Grade

D-

Analysis

This was...not appropriate for NXT television.

Unfortunately, it felt too much like the opener to one of the Florida-based live events and not nearly enough like a match restoring faith in Cutler.

Crawford was the match's brightest spot, for the few fleeting moments of offense he was allowed, but none of it mattered by the time Cutler pinned his shoulders to the mat.

No Way Jose vs. Angelo Dawkins

Credit: WWE.com

No Way Jose rebounded from a disappointing loss to Austin Aries at TakeOver with an impressive showing against Angelo Dawkins.

Never did it feel as though Dawkins had a chance at winning the match as Jose fought through a brief flurry of offense and delivered his baseball punch and Cobra Clutch slam for the pinfall victory.

Result

No Way Jose defeated Angelo Dawkins.

Grade

D-

Analysis

It was comical watching No Way Jose celebrate, with such vigor, a victory over Angelo Dawkins. Rather than learning from his loss to Aries or allowing it to turn him into a more focused competitor, he continued to dance like a nerd celebrating a win over the weakest kid in the playground.

Dawkins has always worked hard but has never clicked or had a character capable of carrying him.

Liv Morgan vs. Aliyah

After a string of hard-fought losses, Liv Morgan returned to action Wednesday night, battling Aliyah in a match of women destined to carry the women's division into the future.

Aliyah used a Kimura and head scissors combination to ground Morgan early, undoubtedly looking to end the New Jersey native's quest for a victory.

She was unsuccessful.

Morgan scored the win off of a sloppy heel kick.

Result

Liv Morgan defeated Aliyah.

Grade

D-

Analysis

This was bad.

Both women have showed flashes of good in the past, but without a more talented worker to guide them, this was a sloppy and disjointed mess. Neither woman looked particularly good, leading to questions about the women's division's ability to replenish itself after the departures of Bayley, Alexa Bliss, Carmella and others over the last year.

Shinsuke Nakamura Celebrates

The new NXT champion returned to Full Sail University for his coronation, where he welcomed fans to the era of Strong Style.

Nakamura admitted he accomplished everything he ever set out to do in Japan, then came across the sea and beat everyone in line for the top prize in NXT. In doing so, he proved himself the best, and now, he will prove himself as champion.

The King of Strong Style ended with "YEAOH," and the show faded to black.

Grade

C

Analysis

It was nice to see Nakamura receive the homecoming he deserves, but this was rather one-dimensional and did nothing to further his story.

Kind of like this show.

The fans reacted nicely, there was a noticeable excitement in the air, but the final result was underwhelming given the excitement surrounding his title win.