WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 25, 2014

Women's wrestling has proven to be essential to the rise and critical success of World Wrestling Entertainment's NXT brand throughout 2014.

From Paige to Emma and Bayley to Natalya, fans have been treated to some of the most memorable and highest-quality matches in female sports entertainment, courtesy of the next generation product.

At Takeover: R Evolution, the latest two-hour live event special presented by NXT, second-generation Diva Charlotte defended her women's championship against former friend and tag team partner, Sasha Banks, in a match that ranks as one of the best the brand has presented all year.

It was an incredibly physical match that saw the former BFFs unleash on each other with stiff shots, high-impact maneuvers and thrill the audience with some reversals and near-falls that kept them guessing as to whom would leave with the title in their possession.

The answer, ultimately, was Charlotte, as she pinned Banks following Natural Selection from the top rope.

Rightfully hailed as a phenomenal wrestling match, it was only natural that management would book a rematch as soon as possible.

What better night to give that present to fans than Christmas as a reward to fans for their continued loyalty and support?

The rest of Thursday's show was a recap show, a look back at the year in NXT. Video packages devoted to Paige and Adrian Neville aired, recaps of the latest Takeover special reminded fans of just how awesome that show was and Renee Young and newly minted commentator Corey Graves hosted.

But the draw was clearly Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks for the NXT Women's Championship. 

With a special appearance by the champion's father, the legendary "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, pressure was on Charlotte to retain her title and remind fans of why she is considered the future face of women's wrestling in WWE.

Would she succeed or would the roster's answer to Mean Girls' Regina George celebrate a very Merry Christmas with the first title win of her blossoming career?

Broadcast Team

Rich Brennan, Alex Riley and Jason Albert

The Match

Ric Flair introduced Charlotte prior to the match, then walked the aisle by her side, showing enormous support for her.

Banks did not show Flair, nor his daughter, the same respect that the commentary team did, getting right in the champion's face and talking trash before the pre-match ring announcements.

The Divas fired off hard right hands and forearms to start, with Charlotte taking control seconds in and working the leg as soon as possible.

Charlotte used Bank's fiery temper against her, then utilized her strength to her advantage and took the challenger down with a slam before again targeting the knee.

A crafty and resourceful Banks seized an opening and brought Charlotte crashing face and shoulder-first into the steel post.

Back from the break, the challenger worked over the back with a few clubbing forearms and a series of open-hand slaps.

Further punishment to the back of the champion led to Banks applying a back-centered submission hold. Again using her strength to her advantage, Charlotte fought to her feet and delivered a running jaw-breaker that cut off the challenger's considerable momentum.

Charlotte mounted a comeback, using a big neck-breaker and some Flair chops to put Banks down, but the self-proclaimed Boss of NXT dodged a running knee drop and delivered the Bankrupt neck-breaker.

The champion kicked out at two.

Banks responded with the Bank Statement, but Charlotte was able to grab hold of the ropes, forcing a break.

The challenger hit the ropes for a suicide dive attempt, but the second-generation star blasted her with a forearm to the side of the head.

A superplex brought the crowd to its feet and nearly won the title for Banks.

Charlotte tried to apply the Figure Four leg lock but Banks countered into a small package for two. The legs of the competitors remained locked, however, and Charlotte finally trapped her opponent in the hold, bridged backward to add pressure and scored the submission victory.

Father and daughter celebrated to close out the broadcast.

Result

Charlotte defeated Sasha Banks via submission with the Figure Four

Highlights and Quotes

"Sasha Banks...really stepped out at NXT Takeover: R Evolution, and though she did not win, she certainly matured and evolved." -Alex Riley

"I didn't pass the torch. My daughter took the torch." -Ric Flair

"How impressive is it that Sasha Banks is not only not intimidated by Charlotte, she's not intimidated by the Nature Boy?" -Riley

"Sasha Banks is straight GANGSTA!" -Riley, with the worst call of the year

Grade

A+

Analysis

There was reason to believe that there was no chance Charlotte and Sasha Banks would deliver a match anywhere near the classic they produced at NXT Takeover: R Evolution. That bout was so good, with such signature performances from each woman, that it would be foolish to believe they could replicate it one night later, during the most recent round of television tapings.

But that is exactly what happened.

Charlotte and Banks delivered another outstanding match. It was a contest that was incredibly intense and really made the fans feel the hatred between the competitors.

The psychology and storytelling was most certainly up to par with the original while the Divas did a phenomenal job of captivating what was essentially the same audience from the night before.

The presence of Ric Flair, not to mention the fact that it was the only new match on this week's show, instantly elevated it in terms of importance. The women followed up the hype, the pomp and the circumstance with a match deserving of recognition on year-end lists.

Most definitely go out of your way to dial up the WWE Network and check out this week's broadcast, even if you fast-forward everything else just to get to the main event.

It is that good.