WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from May 1
Triple H's announcement of another two-hour NXT special on the WWE Network, NXT Takeover, clearly motivated the roster as this week's broadcast proved to be the best in nearly a month.
Adrian Neville and Brodus Clay brought to a close their feud over the NXT Championship as they met in a No Disqualification main event. Clay provided quality competition for The Man Who Gravity Forgot, but it was Neville who left Full Sail University with his arm raised in victory.
Tyson Kidd continued his meteoric rise in NXT with an impressive victory over former NXT champion Bo Dallas. The win elevated him into title contention while it continued Dallas' disappointing post-title reign run on the developmental roster.
Natalya and Sasha Banks scored huge wins in the Women's Championship tournament, setting up a match between them in the semifinals.
Adam Rose and Mojo Rawley were dominant in victories, but each was confronted by new rivals immediately following their wins.
With a very noteworthy episode in the books, here is a look back at the highlights, grades and results from the May 1 broadcast of NXT.
Tyson Kidd vs. Bo Dallas
1 of 6
Kidd continued his climb back to prominence as he took on Dallas to kick off this week's show.
Kidd show great skill in frustrating Dallas early, but the second-generation star grounded Kidd and used a headlock to slow his momentum midway through the bout. Kidd mounted a comeback, using kicks to the thighs to stun his opponent.
Dallas used his trademark Bulldog, but Kidd showed great tenacity in kicking out of the move. Moments later, he delivered a Blockbuster to score the victory.
After the match, a frustrated Dallas lashed out at the NXT Universe.
Result
Tyson Kidd, via pinfall, following the Blockbuster.
Highlights and Quotes
"Before I met Bo Dallas, I was a faithless heathen." -William Regal
"Does anyone know if Tyson is still married? That lasted longer than I thought." -Regal
Grade
A
Analysis
Kidd and Dallas kicked off this week's show with a hard-fought match that continued Dallas' downward spiral and further legitimized Kidd as a contender to the NXT Championship.
The action was solid, the crowd was into it, for the most part, and Kidd looked great in a big win. A great way to start the night's festivities.
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks
2 of 6The NXT Women's Championship tournament kicked off with first-round action between the Beautiful Fierce Females' Sasha Banks taking on Bayley.
Bayley continued to show a more focused, aggressive style as she nearly upset Banks on several occasions. She even used the Bostonian's trademark back slaps against her. At one point, it appeared as though Bayley was on her way to the semifinals following the Belly-to-Bayley suplex, but the alert and aware Banks rolled out of the ring, preventing a pinfall.
Bayley escaped the Bankrupt finisher but could not dodge a Backstabber and Crossface as Banks picked up a rare clean victory to advance in the tournament.
Result
Sasha Banks, via submission, with a Crossface.
Highlights and Quotes
"You look at experience, I look at momentum." -Byron Saxton on what he considers most important in tournament competition
"What is going to happen if Sasha and Charlotte end up in the final?" -Regal
Grade
B+
Analysis
A very good, albeit brief, match to kick off the Women's Championship tournament. Banks and Bayley have competed against each other so many times over the last year that they have an obvious chemistry.
Banks rolling out of the ring and evading a pinfall attempt was a great addition to the match and showed just how cerebral and resourceful a performer the BFF is. Bayley was booked strong, and with a character such as hers, she loses nothing in defeat.
Banks was in major need of a clean win after months of losing so her win came at the right time.
Adam Rose vs. Danny Burch
3 of 6
Unfortunately for the tough Brit Danny Burch, the Adam Rose Experience rolled into Full Sail University this week.
Burch controlled the majority of the short match, pounding away at NXT's resident party lover, but Rose cranked up the intensity, fought back and finished his opponent with the Party Foul.
After the match, Camacho appeared at ringside and flattened one of Rose's "Rosebud" partygoers, continuing the feud between he and Rose.
Result
Adam Rose, via pinfall, following the Party Foul.
Highlights and Quotes
"I don't know how he got a Visa to be here." -Regal implying that Burch has a very dark past
"We are Rosebuds!" -The NXT Universe
Grade
B
Analysis
If you have seen one Rose match thus far in the character's short lifespan, you have seen them all. The in-ring content was nearly identical to every other match he has competed in. While that may be a bad thing in some cases, the character is so strong and the presentation is so perfect that the fans are willing to forgive it.
The post-match attack involving Camacho served its purpose in furthering the issues between he and Rose and should lead to a final and definitive match in their rivalry sometime in the very near future.
Natalya vs. Layla
4 of 6The second match of the quarterfinal round of the Women's Championship tournament featured two main roster Divas as Natalya took on Layla.
Both ladies spoke of the importance of competing in the tournament in pretaped promos aired during their entrances, and commentator Tom Phillips did a fine job of discussing the importance of the title, especially since former Divas champions such as Natalya and Layla are competing for it.
Layla showed great tenacity as she wore down Natalya throughout the bout. Natalya, the wily veteran and third-generation Diva, fought back and was able to lock in the Sharpshooter for the win.
Result
Natalya, via submission, with the Sharpshooter.
Highlights and Quotes
"Layla and myself used to have a partnership, and she picked up some nasty habits from me." -Regal
Grade
B+
Analysis
It was a good match, though not quite as good as the Banks-Bayley match from earlier in the night. Layla looked very good in her first expanded ring action since returning, and Natalya is widely recognized as one of the better in-ring workers on the Divas roster. They worked well together, but the finish came from out of nowhere and without any real comeback from Natalya.
It's interesting to note that both first-round matches ended with submissions, and considering that Natalya will meet Sasha in Round 2, one has to wonder whether each woman's submission finishers will play a role in the story of that match.
Mojo Rawley vs. Oliver Grey
5 of 6
Oliver Grey looked to make up for his stunning, decisive loss to Camacho a few weeks back by knocking off the impressive Rawley on this week's show.
That would not happen.
Instead, Rawley rolled over Grey and scored the win with Hyperdrive.
After the match, Aiden English interrupted Rawley's celebration. He voiced his disgust with the former college football star and a brawl between them broke out. Rawley got the upper hand, but it is clear that their issues are only just beginning.
Result
Mojo Rawley, via pinfall, following Hyperdrive.
Highlights and Quotes
"I hate to use the term, but he's like a freight train." -Regal on Rawley
"As you stand there the fool, I am done suffering you." -Aiden English to Rawley
Grade
B
Analysis
As a match, it was nothing. Rawley destroyed Grey and essentially ended his shot at doing or being anything of relevance anytime soon. Where the segment succeeded was in setting up a feud that will finally give Rawley the opportunity to expand his match times, grow as a ring worker and evolve as a performer.
English is the perfect choice to feud with Rawley. While the big man is a high energy beast of a competitor, English is a more cerebral wrestler who will seize opportunities and could become the first NXT star to knock Rawley out of the realm of the undefeated.
Adrian Neville vs. Brodus Clay
6 of 6The rivalry between Neville and Clay came to an end this week as they met in a No Disqualification title bout.
Infuriated after having his teeth knocked out by Clay on last week's show, Neville attacked from the minute the bell rang. He took Clay to his knees with a series of kicks and caught him with a dropkick to the head. Unfortunately for the champion, that would be the end of his offense for the time being.
The monstrous Clay took control of the match, beating him down and controlling the pace of the match with his size and strength advantage.
Neville caught Clay with a shot with the NXT Championship belt, scaled the ropes and came off with Red Arrow to guarantee a successful title defense.
Result
Adrian Neville, via pinfall, following the Red Arrow.
Highlights and Quotes
"I think Neville's pride is his own worst enemy." -Byron Saxton on Neville's determination to prove that he can beat Brodus Clay fair and square
"Can you imagine getting beaten by your own title?" -Regal in reaction to Clay introducing the championship into the match
Grade
B+
Analysis
The Neville-Clay experiment needed to end. Both men worked very hard in their matches together, but there was a decided lack of chemistry between them and the matches never quite reached the level they should have.
This week's match was their best as Neville showed great resilience in withstanding Clay's assault, coming back and scoring the win. William Regal did a tremendous job of putting over Neville's performance against the former Funkasaurus while little was made of Clay's performance.
The win frees Neville up to focus his attention elsewhere, which is a good thing for the NXT champion.
.jpg?w=600 "WWE Raw Results & Grades 🔠")
