WWE NXT Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Feb. 27

As the month wraps up for WWE, NXT promised one last big show with its February 27 edition.

Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov came face-to-face for the first time since the former's heinous attacks on Trick Williams and The Mad Dragon in the same week. What did they have to say and who would strike next?

Noam Dar would put his Heritage Cup on the line against a member of the No Quarter Catch Crew, but he had no idea who would step up. Would Drew Gulak or Charlie Dempsey take charge, or would Damon Kemp or Myles Borne make a move?

Kiana James looked to make an example out of Kelani Jordan, while Roxanne Perez faced Jakara Jackson. Who would emerge victorious and earn a future NXT Women's Championship match?

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson made their NXT in-ring debut against Malik Blade and Edris Enofé. Lexis King looked to embarrass Von Wagner again.

This week's NXT had chance to ramp up the product on the road to Stand & Deliver.

Kiana James (w/ Izzi Dame) vs. Kelani Jordan

Carmelo Hayes refused to get in the ring with Ilja Dragunov unless a contract was signed for their NXT Championship match. He gave The Mad Dragon until the end of the night to figure it out.

Meanwhile, Kelani Jordan was rolling until Izzi Dame tripped her off the apron behind the referee's back. It set up Kiana James for the Deal Breaker to win.

There were some miscues in this match, especially down the stretch. While they avoided serious botches, it slowed the action and stopped the two from reaching top gear.

This is a contest to revisit, though, as they are among NXT's best female in-ring workers. It just didn't work this time around.

James was always going to win as Jordan has continued to fight alone despite having established friends in the back. Moreover, The Businesswoman is more likely to earn a title shot soon.

Result

James def. Jordan by pinfall.

Grade

C-

Notable Moments

• Vic Joseph welcomed back Booker T to commentary. There was an instant improvement in the opener in terms of energy and insight.
• Dame blocked a dive by Jordan, so she adjusted and went over the top rope onto both James and Dame.
  
• Jordan tried a few handspring maneuvers in a row that looked clunky. She needs to figure out that part of her offense.
• NXT general manager Ava booked Gigi Dolin and Jaida Parker for later in the night after both asked to speak about their future.

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Malik Blade and Edris Enofé

Edris Enofé and Malik Blade did their best to keep Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson off their feet, but it took just one Magic Killer to end it.

Afterward, Andre Chase and Duke Hudson, as well as Nathan Frazer and Axiom, demanded a shot at The Good Brothers. The LWO arrived to attack Gallows and Anderson, starting a brawl where all the NXT wrestlers sent The O.C. running.

Only one team could win this, but this was one of the most interesting matches Gallows and Anderson have had since they returned to WWE.

Their run has been forgettable mostly, but this was a solid match. The veterans fit better in NXT and let the fresh stars shine.

Blade and Enofé showed off, looking like a top tag team against a main roster duo. It could have been longer, but the two did the heavy lifting in this match.

It is a shame that the division is moving past Blade and Enofé, but it is staying hot with an influx of main roster teams in the mix.

Result

The O.C. def. Blade and Enofé by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

• Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker watched the aftermath from the stage with matching sunglasses.
• Backstage later, The Wolf Dogs refused to be intimidated by The O.C.
  

Roxanne Perez vs. Jakara Jackson (w/ Lash Legend)

Roxanne Perez took a beating from Jakara Jackson early, but the latter's inexperience got the best of her.

The Prodigy rolled through into a crossface to force a submission.

This was the first look at Jackson as a singles performer, and she was great. Perez guided her through a physical and heated encounter that built to The Prodigy wiping out her opponent when it mattered.

Jackson was never actually beating Perez, who remains the most interesting challenger for Lyra Valkyria at Stand & Deliver, but it was good to see what she could do.

Hopefully, Valkyrie will address the elephant in the room sooner than later. The gold brand should start pushing this feud forward, build heat that can match the NXT Championship scene.

Result

Perez def. Jackson by submission.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

• The Prodigy raged backstage about missing out on a title opportunity to Lash Legend. Jackson mocked her, setting up a match.
• Legend saved Jackson from Pop Rox. The referee sent her to the back.

• Thea Hail was unhappy about her bad date. Jacy Jayne told her to get over the losers in Chase U before walking off with Kiana James.

Dijak vs. Luca Crusifino

Luca Crusifino tried to keep the pace fast against Dijak, but Hard Justice caught him with a discus big boot and Feast Your Eyes to win.

Joe Gacy arrived, still wearing the straitjacket but managing to escape Dijak's dungeon. Crusifino dumped Dijak outside, starting off the brawl between Dijak and Gacy to the back.

Even on a night of fast matches, this felt especially quick. The two moved at an impressive pace, which was set by the rookie. Crusifino looked good, even if his actual offense was limited.

Despite Dijak letting Crusifino do most of the work, he still looked strong in the win. He remains a dangerous opponent against anyone, and the Gacy story remains fascinating.

Result

Dijak def. Crusifino by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

• Crusifino brought the fight early to Dijak, including the two knocking down Booker T's drink outside.
• After the brawl, Crusifino slipped a crowbar behind the steel steps. Tony D'Angelo told Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo to remember that and "go get 'em."
• Dijak yelled at Ava about Gacy until Gacy attacked him. It was later announced that they would fight in an Asylum match.
  

Lyra Valkyria Announces Title Match with Tatum Paxley; Shawn Spears Returns

Lyra Valkyria brought out Tatum Paxley to announce that the two would team together to challenge Asuka and Kairi Sane for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship next week.

Ridge Holland interrupted to attempt an apology. Instead, the lights went out.

Another message of revealing truth showed on the titantron before Shawn Spears made his return, blasting Holland with a steel chair.

This was a chaotic series of quick segments. The Valkyrie and Paxley have a great dynamic. They haven't earned a title shot as a team, but they should be fun to watch against Asuka and Sane.

Holland interrupting Valkyria and Paxley was not the way to endear him to the fans. He is also going to have trouble building hype next to a returning Spears, who will want to show something in his second WWE run.

NXT chose an odd approach in using proverbs from various Asian philosophers to set up Spears' return. However, after an All Elite Wrestling reset, he should have more success in his second WWE run with a more dramatic presentation.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Valkyria promised a title shot to Shotzi when she returned.
• Paxley wanted to say she proved her devotion but changed her words to showing she was a "woman of her word".
• While Spears went by the name Tye Dillinger in WWE the first time, Vic Joseph called him his independent name. He also used a chair right away, likely directly bringing over his Chairman persona from AEW.
• Spears cut a strange promo in the parking lot about giving Holland "the truth."
  
• WWE showed a video package for Asuka and Sane, talking up their NXT history.
  
• Oba Femi demanded a new challenger from Ava, who was considering options. Brooks Jensen confronted Femi in the parking lot for a challenge.
  

Lexis King vs. Von Wagner

Lexis King seemed to have the better strategy in his battle with Von Wagner, chopping him down at the leg.

However, a distraction from Mr. Stone allowed Wagner to stack him up for three.

There was nothing to write home about on this one. King did the classic heel tactic against a big man, chopping him down at the leg. Wagner barely got any offense despite his size advantage, only winning by roll-up.

The main positive is that Wagner at least picked up a victory for once. He did so at the expense of King whose win-loss record in NXT is becoming dire.

It was the right move, though, as the big man is the more interesting character at the moment. He just needs to figure out how to play the babyface without forgetting his size and strength advantage over most opponents.

Result

Wagner def. King by pinfall.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments

• Afterward, King attacked the knee of Wagner and then took out Stone with the Coronation through frustration.

Gigi Dolin vs. Jaida Parker

Arianna Grace tried to convince both women to start fighting after a physical opening to their match.

Gigi Dolin laid out Grace, but the distraction allowed Jaida Parker to pick up the win with a running low forearm strike.

This did not look good on paper, but Dolin worked a faster style than usual and meshed well with Parker. Grace's interference was a bizarre move that stopped the match cold in its final stretch and took away from the point of the encounter.

Hopefully, Dolin and Parker can revisit this one down the stretch because they brought the best out of each other.

Parker is slowly building momentum. If she continues to improve in the ring, her presentation could push her straight to the title scene.

Result

Parker def. Dolin by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• Dolin and Parker asked Ava about their NXT future. Ava booked them in a match.
• Parker mocked Lyra Valkyria, Tatum Paxley and Grace in the locker room just before her match.
• OTM headed to the back to let Parker deal with her business alone. This showed how much confidence the group has in her.
  

Heritage Cup: Noam Dar (w/ Oro Mensah) vs. Charlie Dempsey (w/ NQCC)

Charlie Dempsey revealed himself as Noam Dar's opponent right before the bell.

Dempsey caught The Scottish Supernova with a surprise bridging pin for the first fall in Round 1. In Round 4, Dar ran over Dempsey and landed a Nova Roller to tie it up.

No Quarter Catch Crew all got involved to distract Dar and Oro Mensah in the fifth round, setting up Dempsey to win with a bridging dragon suplex.

This started hot with the first-round decision, pushing Dar to work as the underdog as early as the second. However, a lack of heat slowed this to a crawl down the stretch.

The finish was appropriate as Dar finally got a taste of his own medicine with the numbers game at ringside. It is just a shame the pacing was so uneven ahead of it.

It was time for a change in the Heritage Cup scene. Dempsey is a great lead man with the title, but assumedly every member of No Quarter Catch Crew will defend over time.

What is important is that the stable start looking dominant. They cannot become the generic heels who steal the win each time by helping each other.

Result

Dempsey def. Dar two falls to one to win the Heritage Cup.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Dar was on edge backstage ahead of his match.
• While The Scottish Supernova got his win in Round 4, it was actually the third round where he dominated, setting up the decision with a back elbow strike before the bell.
  

Tony D'Angelo Interrupts Carmelo Hayes' Title Challenge and Changes the Contract

Carmelo Hayes looked confident until Tony D'Angelo arrived. He wanted the NXT Championship shot and revealed that the contract was D'Angelo vs. Melo next week in a No. 1 Contender's match.

The Mad Dragon agreed to the terms, but Melo was unhappy.

This was a nice swerve on expectations. If the plan is for Melo vs. Trick Williams at Stand & Deliver on April 6, The Don is a fresh challenger for Dragunov with fan support due to his steady work for NXT over the years.

Even if Melo wins, this sets up D'Angelo as a future challenger while explaining why Dragunov vs. Melo has to wait for Stand & Deliver.

NXT has shown time and again that the NXT Championship scene is the most important for the gold brand and gets the best-booked segments consistently.

Grade

A

Notable Moments

• After D'Angelo arrived, Melo's security walked off, clearly paid off by The Don.
• Before signing, Hayes sent D'Angelo into Dragunov and then sent D'Angelo through the table.
  

Overall Show

NXT made a surprise announcement that next week's show would be a special event, Roadblock, and that set the stage for the direction of the entire night.

This was an event building forward. No matches stood out on their own, but they did set the stage for bigger contests for the following week.

The NXT Championship scene remains as hot as ever. Carmelo Hayes is in his element as the ultimate heel, and NXT is finally relying on Tony D'Angelo as a top guy again to challenge him.

The women of NXT delivered solid performances that aided the feeling that the division is as interesting as ever. However, no one besides Roxanne Perez is in Lyra Valkyria's stratosphere as far as true star power.

No Quarter Catch Crew finally won the big one in a match that should have been better, but the booking was decidedly flat in making them look imposing. Hopefully, the group's future stays bright.

The gold brand has some big moments in store, and that is exciting to anticipate. However, this show did not carry out that excitement, just build forward.

Overall Grade: C-