WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from January 17

In response to NXT New Year's Evil, the January 17 edition of WWE NXT would be focused on reactions from stars who picked up big wins or ran into major controversy.

Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne both won the No. 1 contendership to the NXT Women's Championship last week. They would address that win and the NXT women's champion Roxanne Perez.

Bron Breakker and Grayson Waller signed a contract for a steel cage match following the finish to their NXT Championship bout. Both would be in attendance to address that upcoming match.

Apollo Crews and Axiom were set to get their hands on Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen looked for revenge against Gallus. Alba Fyre would face Sol Ruca.

Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Tyler Bate would also appear on a night when NXT needed to set the stage for NXT Vengeance Day, one of the biggest shows it has put on in years.

Apollo Crews and Axiom vs. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams

After a competitive back-and-forth tag team match, Axiom took out Trick Williams outside with the Golden Ratio while Apollo Crews stacked up Carmelo Hayes and stole a three-count.

This was a fun opener with some smart tag team spots. Axiom and Crews looked good together, and this could be a team to watch going forward.

Unfortunately, it did lead to the expected 50-50 booking in these stories. The A Champion lost when he should be building a win streak for a future title opportunity.

Result

Crews and Axiom def. Trick and Melo by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Trick came out in a mask, mocking Axiom.
• Melo and Trick tried to regroup outside, but Crews threw Axiom onto them.
• Later, Crews found Melo and Trick in the parking lot and asked them about a good barber to help him celebrate his win.
  
• Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo went to the bridge where Two Dimes was thrown over the side. He told Stacks he was officially The Underboss.
  

Alba Fyre vs. Sol Ruca

Alba Fyre was extra-aggressive with Sol Ruca in this match, but she was distracted by Isla Dawn on the stage. And this allowed Ruca to hit the Sol Snatcher for a shocking upset win.

Ruca has a ways to go as a performer, but she is clearly improving with each match. This was no different as she sold well and showed off more of her athletic prowess. She even got to hit her impressive finisher.

It is shocking that Ruca defeated Fyre, but there is a clear story here. Dawn seems to be in her head, and it is affecting her ability to be herself.

This win can be the launching pad in NXT for Ruca, who can continue proving her worth with a larger spotlight.

Result

Ruca def. Fyre by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

• After her loss, Fyre attacked a referee backstage. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance tried to calm her, but she warned the champions she wanted their titles.
  
• Tiffany Stratton complained in an interview about Indi Hartwell turning her exclusive locker room into the NXT women's locker room.
• Julius and Brutus Creed kept arguing in the Diamond Mine Dojo until Ivy Nile talked them into focusing on the NXT Tag Team Championships rather than Indus Sher.
• Stevie Turner talked about her thoughts on the women's Battle Royal last week.

Gallus vs. Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen (w/ Fallon Henley)

Brooks Jensen was badly injured at ringside, leaving Josh Briggs to get beat down by Wolfgang and Mark Coffey. Gallus put him away with a powerslam/enzuigiri combination.

It's rare that NXT delivers a complete story-focused match, but this delivered. Gallus came in confident and unafraid to hurt Briggs and Jensen. It was hard-hitting, and both teams looked good throughout.

When Briggs was left alone, he continued to show his immense value with explosive offense. Gallus won but only by taking a barely legal approach to divide and conquer. This sets up the question of what the heels could do to The New Day to win gold.

Result

Gallus def. Brooks and Jensen by pinfall.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments

• Gallus made a promise to dominate NXT.
• Gallus removed the padding outside and then slipped Jensen onto the floor. Fallon Henley called for help, and Kiana James came out but seemed to only be a distraction.
• Afterward, Henley warned Jensen that he was making a mistake trusting James.
• Later, Henley apologized and told Jensen she was going to try teaming with James next week.
  

Thea Hail (w/ Chase U) vs. Valentina Feroz

Elektra Lopez passed brass knuckles to Valentina Feroz, who refused to use them. This allowed Thea Hail to pick up her first win with a facebuster.

This was an OK match that finally gave Hail her first victory while continuing the story of Lopez trying to mentor Feroz. NXT is doing a good job engaging the whole women's roster while building what look to be new tag teams at the same time.

This wasn't too exciting as a match, but the booking more than accomplished what was needed.

Result

Hail def. Feroz by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• Andre Chase questioned Duke Hudson on why he made disparaging comments about Chase U to a fellow student.
  
• After the match, Lopez told Feroz backstage that she needed to learn to focus on winning and forget about Sanga.
  

The New Day, Pretty Deadly and Gallus Brawl

The New Day made fun of Pretty Deadly until Elton Prince and Kit Wilson walked out, angry about the injustice they had suffered. Gallus took offense, and a brawl broke out that officials struggled to contain.

This was a solid segment to continue the build for NXT Vengeance Day on February 4. The New Day vs. Gallus can be a great match, but it is good to see Pretty Deadly involved. Prince and Wilson have earned a spot on NXT's biggest card in years.

It did feel unnecessary to double-book Gallus on the same show in which the team picked up a memorable win, though. This could have been saved for next week.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• WWE showed respect to Jay Briscoe's family after the news that the Ring of Honor wrestler had died.
• In an interview with Vic Joseph, Grayson Waller showed off the NXT Championship he commissioned that he felt he deserved. He also promised to beat Bron Breakker.
• In an interview with Vic Joseph, Breakker wanted to move on from the controversy and focus on Vengeance Day.
• Dijak warned Wes Lee that he would defeat him at Vengeance Day.

Tyler Bate vs. Javier Bernal

Javier Bernal was ready to sing "Feliz Javidad", but Tyler Bate interrupted. He ran over Bernal and finished him off with an awkward attempt at a Tyler Driver 98.

Excluding a badly botched finish, where Bernal and Bate could not get on the same page, this was a solid sprint that mainly showed why The Big Strong Boy is one of NXT's most explosive performers.

Bate has more than proved over the years that he is a top guy. He should either win NXT gold soon, or WWE should consider moving him to the main roster.

Result

Bate def. Bernal by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• Bernal interrupted McKenzie Mitchell's interview with Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria but was promptly told to leave by everyone.
• Bate has new entrance music, but it's rather bland.
• Bate attempted the Tyler Driver 98 but could not get Big Body Javy up. On his second attempt, Bernal just fell into the pin attempt to end the match.
  

Toxic Attraction vs. Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria

Earlier in the night, Lyra Valkyria interrupted Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne in the ring, but she got beat down for it until Roxanne Perez made the save.

After Jayne accidentally booted Dolin in the face, Perez sent her packing and then hit Pop Rox to win over Toxic Attraction.

NXT is selling the possible dissension in Toxic Attraction with a strong focus, which distracts from the drama of the champion's first title defense. Hopefully, there is a plan to make the heel pair look more dangerous to Perez before Vengeance Day.

This was a rushed main event that offered only a limited view of what Valkyria can do in the ring. Everyone involved has more in them than we got to see in this tag team match.

Result

Perez and Valkyria def. Toxic Attraction by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• The champion took out both women with a double diving facebuster and then got the hot tag to Valkyria, who laid into Dolin with kicks and then an enzuigiri on Jayne.
  
• Cora Jade appeared late and sent Valkyria over the top rope