WWE NXT Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Nov. 28

WWE NXT promised a night with big stakes across the board for its November 28 edition.

Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo put the NXT Tag Team Championships on the line against Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo.

Wes Lee hoped to earn another shot at Dominik Mysterio, but he would need to win a Fatal 4-Way against three former North American champions Johnny Gargano, Bronson Reed and Cameron Grimes.

In the latest Iron Survivor qualifiers set by Jerry Lawler, Bron Breakker fought Eddy Thorpe for the first time, and Kiana James looked to qualify against Kelani Jordan.

Nathan Frazer talked his way into a fight with Ilja Dragunov, while Andre Chase promised to break his silence about recent controversies on the future of Chase U.

The gold brand looked set to deliver quality action on the road to Deadline 2023.

NXT Tag Team Championships: The Family (c) vs. Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo

After a tough fight, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo caught Angel Garza with a low blow behind the referee's back.

He hit the Bada Bing Bada Boom on Garza with Tony D'Angelo. The Don threw The Underboss onto Humberto Carrillo outside before picking up the win.

This was a fun opener that showcased the talent of two up-and-coming tag teams in WWE. While this probably should have been saved for Deadline where they could get more time, the teams maximized their minutes.

The right pair won as it was too soon for The Family to lose the gold again. But Carrillo and Garza are going to have a tough time getting back into title contention soon.

Perhaps this is a way to set up the brothers to return to the main roster. Both are certainly ready and have found a gimmick that will work for them better this time.

Result

The Family def. Garza and Carrillo by pinfall to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Garza and Carrillo tried to take a cheap shot before the match got started, even teasing grabbing a table, but The Family fought them off.
• Carrillo planted The Don with a powerbomb off the second rope followed by a double-team superplex on The Underboss with Garza.

Iron Survivor Qualifier: Kiana James vs. Kelani Jordan

Kiana James set up Kelani Jordan for the Deal Breaker, but the bell rang early.

Roxanne Perez had rang it to distract James, who walked right into a side kick and a split-legged moonsault for the loss.

While James came in as favorite, the upset result was fairly predictable. Since the heel had already cost her rival a shot in the Iron Survivor Challenge, The Prodigy had to do the same.

The action was solid and highlighted two of NXT's smoothest in-ring workers. It was a bit too choreographed, but both looked strong coming out of the contest.

The right woman won as Jordan needed a rebound after losing the Women's Breakout Tournament. She should turns heads in the biggest match of her career.

Result

Jordan def. James by pinfall to qualify for the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

• Jerry Lawler announced the final four competitors in the Iron Survivor qualifier.
  
• NXT showed Nikkita Lyons in the crowd after highlighting her recovery training video posted on Instagram.
  

• Perez gloated later about costing James her shot. Ava announced two last-chance qualifiers for next week. A brawl broke out that ended with Perez and James at each other's throats.
  
• Alpha Academy challenged Meta-Four to a six-person mixed tag match.
  

Iron Survivor Qualifier: Bron Breakker vs. Eddy Thorpe

While Eddy Thorpe tried to fight through a rib injury, he was overwhelmed by a confident Bron Breakker.

And the former NXT champion won this contest definitively with a Spear.

This probably went longer than it needed to, but the two men told a clear story in the ring. This did not feel like two developmental prospects wrestling, this was a fight between stars.

Breakker had to win to give the Iron Survivor Challenge a clear favorite, but Thorpe is ready for more as well. He just hasn't quite put it all together yet.

When his chance comes, he needs to bring the physicality shown in this match but also raise the energy of his performance.

Result

Breakker def. Thorpe by pinfall to qualify for the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

• Thorpe came out with bandaged ribs from last week's attack. Breakker went after the ribs with every attack.
• Alpha Academy challenged Meta-Four to a six-person mixed tag match.
  
• Andre Chase addressed the investigation on Chase U on gambling and misuse of college funds. The Professor admitted all accusations were true, and he was working to get the university out of debt.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Nathan Frazer

Ilja Dragunov did not find an easy opponent in Nathan Frazer, but once The Mad Dragon took over late, it was over.

Dragunov planted his rival with a powerbomb and three H-Bombs to win.

Baron Corbin appeared on the titantron to offer The Mad Dragon a first-class ticket back to Germany without the NXT Championship. He agreed to meet Dragunov next week face-to-face.

This was about as good as a five-minute match can get. The crowd was completely invested in a fast-paced and physical battle of two men with chemistry to spare.

A rematch would be welcome, especially with more time. Frazer barely got to show what he can do as this match was all about the anger of The Mad Dragon.

Corbin's promos the last two weeks have sold the important of the NXT Championship match at Deadline. It is down to both men to deliver that story in the ring next.

Result

Dragunov def. Frazer by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• NXT caught footage of Frazer and Dragunov arguing backstage in reaction to Corbin's video interview last week.
• Dragunov battered Frazer into the mat to start the match. As the beatdown continued with suplexes, the crowd chanted "Suplex City."
• The Mad Dragon tried to extend a hand to his opponent, but he got distracted by Corbin on the titantron.
  

Arianna Grace vs. Karmen Petrovic

Joe Gacy ran off with the ring bell early in the match. He reappeared to ring it after Arianna Grace poked Karmen Petrovic and planted her with a forward fireman's carry slam to win.

The distraction of Gacy did not help this match stand out. The action was fairly generic. Both women hit their expected offense, but the pacing was slow. The two do not have the chemistry to make this feud work.

However, this at least showed the potential of the women individually, and they should stand out once they are working with those with more experience.

At this stage, neither is ready to lead a nine-minute match, but they may have the ability to follow a top name like Roxanne Perez, Kiana James or Tiffany Stratton.

Result

Grace def. Petrovic by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• Petrovic showcased her discipline and focus in shutting up Grace.
  
• Gacy cut a promo from underneath the ring right before the match.
  

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

Brooks Jensen had Lexis King on the ropes, but Carmelo Hayes arrived to get some revenge. The distraction accidentally helped King hit the Coronation for the win.

This was not the best showcase for King. Jensen was the entire focus of the action. The heel just snuck away with the victory at the end.

NXT has put so much into King early. Pitting him against Melo and Trick Williams early sets him up as a top heel. However, he needs to back up that trust by competing at a high level.

While NXT continues to sell that King was the one that attacked Trick, it seems unlikely that will be the final result. Melo still looks like the most likely culprit.

Result

King def. Jensen by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

• King tried to stir the pot between Josh Briggs and Jensen, setting up a challenge.
• NXT Anonymous showed a video of King stalking Trick just before he got attacked. After watching the footage, Melo and Trick talked about making King pay.

• Backstage, Fallon Henley warned Lyra Valkyria that she would win the last-chance qualifier and Iron Survivor Challenge. Tatum Paxley arrived to seemingly admire The Valkyrie.
  

No. 1 Contender: Wes Lee vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed vs. Cameron Grimes

Bronson Reed looked too dominant to lose until Ivar attacked him.

Cameron Grimes caught Johnny Gargano with the Cave-In, but Wes Lee caught Grimes with the Cardiac Kick to earn his win.

Unsurprisingly, this match was fantastic. It showed the value of each man, and the crowd was completely invested in the return of some of NXT's finest. The nostalgia was earned.

Gargano remains a different kind of athlete in NXT, and Reed was a wonderful centerpiece of this battle thanks to his size and power. Grimes also showed why he deserves more on SmackDown.

Lee showed that he belonged and why NXT should consider giving him a second reign as North American champion. He remains one of the brand's best bout machines and sold his passion for the title he lost.

Result

Lee def. Gargano, Reed and Grimes by pinfall to earn a North American Championship match at Deadline.

Grade

A

Notable Moments

• NXT showed video packages highlighting each returning wrestler's previous North American Championship reign.
• Lee put over his opponents but promised victory.
• Dirty Dom joined commentary.
  
• Gargano got a "Welcome back!" chant. He was the obvious crowd favorite.
  
• Mr. Nice Guy nearly took the win with a beautiful Death Valley Drive on Lee. He then smashed everyone with a three-for-one Death Valley Driver. All three had to powerbomb Reed to take him out.
  

• The night ended with a brawl in the parking lot. Officials could not break up Roxanne Perez and Kiana James.
  

Overall Show

NXT delivered a step in the right direction, but outside of the main event, the rest of the show will likely be forgotten past Tuesday night.

Luckily, that main event was good enough to elevate the show. It should hopefully open up WWE officials' eyes to the potential that Johnny Gargano and Cameron Grimes still have while reinforcing the value of Bronson Reed.

The right wrestlers won on a night that built toward Deadline, and NXT even ended the show highlighting a women's feud that should stand out without any gold on the line in Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James.

The Iron Survivor Challenge matches have shaped up in odd fashion. NXT seems to be giving a few new stars a chance to prove themselves alongside the obvious favorites.

Next week's final qualifiers should be very interesting. The best bet on winners would be Carmelo Hayes and Fallon Henley, but nothing is certain with the result already from the initial qualifiers.

NXT is building a good Deadline card and can still deliver stellar action with the right focus. The go-home show next week will likely be better than this show.

Overall Grade: B-