WWE NXT Results: Biggest Winners, Losers, Moments from NXT TakeOver: Orlando

Saturday night, the Superstars of NXT thrilled the WWE Universe with yet another unforgettable live special entitled TakeOver: Orlando. In front of a jam-packed audience inside the Amway Center, the competitors turned in memorable performances that will help shape the brand in the wake of WrestleMania weekend.

Bobby Roode successfully retained his NXT Championship in the night’s main event, defeating Shinsuke Nakamura clean in the center of the ring, legitimizing his reign.

Asuka retained the NXT Women’s Championship in a fiercely competitive bout against Ember Moon, though she did so under controversial and underhanded methods.

The Authors of Pain overcame a united front by DIY and The Revival to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships, while SAnitY continued their winning ways by defeating Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong, Kassius Ohno and Ruby Riot in an explosive tag match.

Finally, Aleister Black made a successful debut, defeating Andrade "Cien" Almas in a spirited bout.

Which of the above outcomes spawned the night’s biggest winners and losers?

Find out in this recap of the WWE Network presentation.

Winner: Bobby Roode

The Glorious NXT champion continued his incredible run atop the brand Saturday night via clean victory over Shinsuke Nakamura.

A performer at a time in WWE history where heels seemingly never win clean, almost always relying on outside interference or cheating to capture the gold, Roode netted an uncontroversial victory over NXT’s top star.

That speaks volumes about management’s trust in the Canadian competitor. He is a rare heel around whom a show can be built, and that appears to be the strategy Triple H is taking with his developmental brand.

Roode was crisp between the ropes, was greeted with a star reaction and proceeded to deliver a performance that equaled the enormity of the moment. He did everything he had to in order to ensure his match with Nakamura lived up to expectations and put a suitable cap on the night’s festivities.

In the weeks to come, it will be more important than ever to evolve and grow Roode’s character. The NXT champion still feels very much like a one-dimensional persona, even with the incredibly fun "Glorious" gimmick attached.

Giving fans a reason to care about him will only strengthen his appeal to audiences and help NXT rediscover the spark it had with stars such as Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Neville on top.

Loser: Tye Dillinger

Arguably the most beloved character in NXT today, "The Perfect 10" Tye Dillinger is receiving some of the loudest pops of any Superstar the brand has to offer. His arrival Saturday night drew a passionate response.

In a perfect world, he would have put a nail in the proverbial coffin of his feud with SAnitY, overcoming the insane and unconventional faction to stand victoriously in the center of the squared circle.

That was not to be, though, as the numbers game again proved too much for Dillinger.

With teammates Roderick Strong, Kassius Ohno and Ruby Riot disposed of around the ringside area, Dillinger lifted Killian Dain on his shoulders for the Tye Breaker but was caught with a big boot by Alexander Wolfe. He would then fall victim to the Ulster Plantation from the aforementioned Dain and lose yet another high-profile bout.

The losses when the pressure is on may play into Dillinger’s character, but at some point, the lovable loser must score the big win or he risks losing credibility. A Superstar who always falls just short of the big win eventually loses heat. Considering the lack of depth on the NXT roster, diminishing Dillinger’s star is a major misstep from a promotion that typically does not make them.

The Perfect 10 is in desperate need of a perfect win. Hopefully Triple H and Co. recognize that before it is too late.

Winner: Asuka

The NXT women’s champion may have cheated to defeat Ember Moon, shoving the referee into the ropes in a spot that initiated the challenger’s downfall, but the moment represented the evolution of her character.

Asuka has spent the last year-plus dominating the women’s division in NXT. She tapped out Emma, overwhelmed current Raw women’s champion Bayley and obliterated lesser competitors such as Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Liv Morgan and Aliyah.

In Moon, she met a woman who could hang with her from bell to bell. She encountered a competitor capable of defeating her—a Superstar who may have done just that had it not been for The Empress of Tomorrow’s underhanded tactics late in Saturday’s championship clash.

Asuka's arrogance nearly defeated her at TakeOver. Saturday night, she was forced to resort to methods beneath her. Will Moon bring a more traditional villainess out of Asuka or force her to refocus her attention to remaining the elite performer in women’s wrestling?

Only time will tell, but for now, Asuka’s character is far better off for the change in attitude and hints of desperation.

Winners: The Authors of Pain

Say what you will about the outcome of Saturday’s NXT Tag Team Championship Triple Threat elimination match, but management could not possibly have put titleholders The Authors of Pain over any stronger than it did.

Akam and Rezar overcame a united front by DIY and The Revival, dispatching both teams and successfully retaining their titles in the night’s best match.

The tandem endured considerable punishment. Rezar was put through a table, Akam was stuck in the grasp of The Revival’s Scott Dawson and DIY’s Tommaso Ciampa in a double submission spot. They overcame every double-team maneuver by the two best tag teams in all of WWE and answered with demolition and destruction.

So dominant was the victory that it begs the question: Who can beat the champions?

The tag division is noticeably devoid of suitable competition past The Revival and DIY. The new tandem of Heavy Machinery just recently debuted, but they would not appear to be ready for a high-profile spot yet. TM61 are sidelined due to Shane Thorne knee injury.

Perhaps SAnitY’s Dain and Wolfe could challenge, but heel vs. heel matches generally fall flat.

While The Authors of Pain are very clearly winners following Saturday’s show, their long-term prospects are questionable thanks to NXT’s inability to create credible challengers for them beyond the two teams they have already beaten on several occasions.