WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from September 18

With Takeover II in the rearview window, NXT hit the WWE Network airwaves Thursday night, feeling very much like a completely different show than the ones fans had become accustomed to.

Hideo Itami made his in-ring debut against Justin Gabriel and again found himself in a confrontation with former NXT tag team champions The Ascension.

Impressive young star Baron Corbin followed up his dominant victory over CJ Parker at the huge two-hour special event with an equally dominant win Thursday night, proving himself to be one of the brightest big men on the roster.

Titus O'Neil made his presence felt on NXT as he appears destined to be the next No. 1 contender. The big man has long been one of the more underutilized stars on the WWE roster, so to see him finally get the chance to shine—even if it is as part of WWE's developmental brand—should be a treat for fans.

Still, rising above all of the new are a few constants. Adrian Neville, the current NXT champion, finds himself with more potential opponents than ever before. With Sami Zayn hot on his heels and the brutish O'Neil gunning for his title, the likelihood that he can continue successfully retaining his gold is dwindling.

With so much going on involving the future stars of World Wrestling Entertainment, you could not afford to miss Thursday's broadcast of NXT. What went down? Who made the biggest impact? Which matches had the greatest influence, and which did not?

Find out with this week's grades, analysis and highlights from the September 18 episode of NXT.

Titus O'Neil Promo

Credit: WWE.com

The man with the potential to become the top dog in NXT made his debut on the brand this week, as Titus O'Neil wasted very little time making it known to heavyweight champion Adrian Neville, prospective contender Sami Zayn and anyone else in the locker room that he is coming for the NXT Championship.

Zayn, Neville and even Tyson Kidd took exception to O'Neil waltzing into the show and demanding a title shot, which led to William Regal having to intervene. Rather than clearing up the title picture mess, he channeled his inner Teddy Long and booked a huge tag team main event for the evening, pitting O'Neil and Kidd against Zayn and Neville. 

Highlights and Quotes

"While you're getting beaten up by bunnies, we're here stealing the show!" - Zayn

"Gentlemen please; this is a fighting show, not a whining show." - Regal

Grade

A 

Analysis

This was a great segment to kick off the latest chapter of Adrian Neville's NXT Championship reign.

One brief segment introduced fans to O'Neil as the next challenge awaiting the flying Brit and established the tremendous tension existing between Neville and Zayn. That is not to mention the pesky little gnat that is Kidd, who continues to insert himself in the title picture, no matter how many times he gets beaten.

The tag match should be fun, and the amount of talent surrounding O'Neil should make the former Florida Gator look like a million bucks on his first night with the brand.

Emma vs. Charlotte

Credit: WWE.com

Emma made her return to NXT Thursday night, squaring off with Charlotte in what was the second-generation star's first battle since defeating Bayley at Takeover II.

The Australian provided Charlotte with a competitive match, even going as far as to taunt the champion on occasion, but in the end, Charlotte was able to flatten Emma with Natural Selection and score the pinfall victory. 

Result

Charlotte defeated Emma via pinfall with the Natural Selection.

Highlights and Quotes

"Look at the way she methodically moves around the ring. She moves at her own pace." - Alex Riley on Charlotte

"You do not taunt Ric Flair's daughter!" - Riley 

Grade

C 

Analysis

Emma was really never a threat to knock off Charlotte, who has made her case for Diva of the Year thanks to a strong second-half showing.

It is disappointing to see the place Emma is in currently in her career, especially considering the ability and talent she demonstrated throughout her career in NXT and in the outstanding matches she wrestled against Paige, particularly at Arrival back in February.

The NXT Women's Championship picture is heating up, especially with the three-way feud developing between Charlotte, Bayley and Sasha Banks, but one can't help but wonder if adding Emma to the mix would be such a bad idea.

Hideo Itami vs. Justin Gabriel

Hideo Itami was a major acquisition for World Wrestling Entertainment, an internationally recognized star who was widely considered one of the best workers in the industry. After a memorable debut at Takeover II, during which he single-handedly dispatched The Ascension, Itami wrestled his first match with the sports entertainment empire Thursday night on NXT.

Justin Gabriel was the unfortunate first victim of Itami, bumping around for and putting over the Japanese sensation. Itami's win set his career in NXT off on the right foot. The assault he suffered at the hands of The Ascension in the post-match moments ensured that a rivalry between him, Konnor and Viktor will continue in the weeks and months to come. 

Result

Hideo Itami defeated Justin Gabriel via Double Stomp.

Highlights and Quotes

"Listen to the reaction for the debut of Itami!" - Rich Brennan

"There he is: the bear-fighting, snake-wrangling, volcano luging, motocross-racing, jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, high-flying Justin Gabriel!" - Alex Riley

Grade

A 

Analysis

This was a fine way to introduce Itami's in-ring work to the fans. Justin Gabriel is a quality opponent who is well-versed in putting others over and did a fine job of doing so with Itami.

Pairing up Itami with The Ascension for his first major feud is a bit questionable, however. Neither Viktor nor Konnor will ever be confused with being outstanding in-ring workers. Why waste Itami's talents on them, especially when they are being groomed to be main roster talent anyway?

Baron Corbin vs. CJ Parker

CJ Parker's terrible week continued into this week's show as he once again fell victim to a surging young star in Baron Corbin. 

Parker was unable to mount much of an offense against Corbin, who finished him off with End of Days and looked like a future stud in NXT while doing so.

Result

Baron Corbin defeated CJ Parker via End of Days.

Highlights and Quotes

"Let's not lose focus that CJ Parker...he's a player here on NXT." - Renee Young, bringing optimism to the sad story of Parker

Grade

C 

Analysis

It did exactly as it was meant to in that it sacrificed a star on the downswing in Parker to benefit a rising star in Corbin.

The writing staff will have to be careful to prevent Corbin from falling into the same traps that Mojo Rawley did, but at this point, there is more upside with Corbin than there ever was with Rawley, so that should not be a problem.

Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville vs. Titus O'Neil and Tyson Kidd

The main event of this week's show pitted Tyson Kidd and Titus O'Neil against Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn in a match with four very combustible elements.

Zayn and Neville managed to stay united for the most part, despite very noticeable tension between them, but it was the awareness of O'Neil and Kidd that ultimately secured them the victory.

Neville climbed the ropes for his outstanding Red Arrow finish but was shoved off by O'Neil. The champion crashed down, sternum-first, across the knees of Kidd, who then rolled him up for the pinfall victory.

Result

Titus O'Neil and Tyson Kidd defeated Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn when Kidd rolled up Neville. 

Grade

A 

Analysis

This was a good, energetic little tag match that was jam-packed with moving parts.

O'Neil is now mixing it up with the top stars in NXT, establishing himself as a threat to Neville's title. Kidd jumped right back into contention with his pinfall win over the champion, and Zayn is waiting in the wings for his ultimate showdown with a man he once considered a friend.

The title picture remains the most interesting aspect of NXT, thanks to great storytelling and some immensely talented individuals.