WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from January 8, 2015

NXT champion Sami Zayn made his return to Full Sail University for this week's show, his first appearance since a shocking betrayal at the hands of Kevin Owens.

Recovered from the vicious powerbomb to the apron that left him lying to close out Takeover: R Evolution, Zayn addressed the NXT Universe. What did he have to say? More importantly, who interrupted him, leading to a huge main event on next week's show?

Elsewhere on this week's show, Sin Cara and Kalisto again put their NXT Tag Team Championships on the line against The Vaudevillains' Aiden English and Simon Gotch.

Showing more of an edge than they ever had before, the manliest team on the roster attempted to use their strength and determination to unseat the Lucha Dragons.

Would they succeed or see their championship aspirations dashed?

Fans would get all of the answers to their questions as NXT hit the WWE Network airwaves for the last time on Thursday nights.

Relive all of the action from the January 8 show now with grades, quotes and analysis from each of the night's four bouts.

Sami Zayn Returns

New NXT champion Sami Zayn hit the ring to kick off the night's broadcast and was welcomed back with a thunderous ovation. Chants of "Ole" erupted throughout the arena as Zayn thanked the fans, dubbing them the Zayniacs and comparing them to a band. Together, he stated, they make beautiful music.

Adrian Neville interrupted and complimented Zayn on his victory. "I saw a champion," he said of Zayn's performance at Takeover: R Evolution.

The mutual admirer's society came to a culmination with Zayn reminding Neville that he is entitled to a rematch.

NXT general manager William Regal appeared and announced the match for next week's show.

Highlights and Quotes

"I get chills watching Sami Zayn walking to the ring, holding the NXT championship." - Rich Brennan

"In the hands of anyone else, this means you're the best. In my hands, it means something entirely different. It means you can do it your way." - Zayn

"We write the words that make the world sing." - Zayn on his fans

"He killed it." - Zayn on Kevin Owens' attack

"By the look on Adrian Neville's face, he has no interest in joining Sami Zayn's band." - Corey Graves

"The match you had at R Evolution was one for the ages." - William Regal 

Grade

A

Analysis

Zayn was absolutely fired up to appear in front of the NXT fans for the first time since the latest Takeover and was greeted with the type of response you would hope for the top babyface on the roster. The passion he demonstrated in his promo was infectious and made the viewer feel that much better for him.

Neville's expression of respect erased any questions surrounding his status as a babyface. While he played a heel in the weeks leading into their major pay-per-view bout, he is once again firmly entrenched on the hero side of the roster.

The announcement of their rematch gives next week's Wednesday premiere a much-needed big-show feel while also presenting fans the opportunity to continue building on the momentum the brand has at the start of 2015.

While a little more intensity from Zayn while discussing the actions of Owens—rather than "he killed it"—would have been nice, that should come in time.

Otherwise, it is hard to find fault with this segment.

Hideo Itami vs. Curtis Axel

For weeks, Curtis Axel begged William Regal for a chance to prove himself in the NXT ring. Thursday night, he got his opportunity as he battled Hideo Itami in singles competition.

The match saw Axel wear Itami down with the same vanilla offense he has used for years now, only for the international star to mount a comeback. Bone-crunching kicks and a flying clothesline put Axel at a disadvantage, and a kick to the head finished off the second-generation Superstar. 

Result

Hideo Itami pinned Curtis Axel.

Highlights and Quotes

"He wants to kick-start his career." - Corey Graves on Axel

"Curtis Axel honestly believes he is a bad, bad man." - Jason Albert

"Who are you to even talk about the size of anyone's head? Can you even buy a hat?" - Graves on Albert

"Mr. Itami, you can pick up your dental work in the third row." - Rich Brennan

Grade

C

Analysis

Unlike Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel, who made the most of the opportunity given to them in NXT, Axel was still largely the same generic worker he has proved to be in his main roster showings. While a technically sound performer, he does nothing to stand out, and that was, again, the case Thursday night.

Not helping matters was the fact that Itami continues to appear somewhat uncomfortable working the WWE style. He has proved proficient in throwing kicks and chops, but otherwise has yet to show the skill that made him one of the most popular and sought-after stars in the world.

The chemistry was not there, and at the end of the night, fans were left with a fairly average match.

Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks

Credit: WWE.com

Sasha Banks is easily one of the hardest-hitting Divas in all of WWE, and Thursday night, she unleashed her ferocity on Alexa Bliss, who was looking to avenge the broken nose she suffered at the hands of The Boss a few months back.

Bliss put up a much more competitive showing than she did in the previous match, but by the end of the match, she still fell prey to the Backstabber/Bank Statement combination that has earned Banks a number of victories in recent months. 

Result

Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss via submission.

Highlights and Quotes

"Guys, the question for Sasha Banks is, Where does she go from here?" - Rich Brennan

"That's a huge mind game for Alexa Bliss, to have to worry about Becky Lynch at ringside." - Jason Albert

"Sasha Banks doesn't stop trash-talking, period." - Corey Graves

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was a competitive match, considering the time it was given. Sasha Banks' win over Alexa Bliss allowed The Boss of NXT to remain entrenched in the women's title hunt. Unfortunately, it came at the expense of Bliss, who could, and should, be playing a much more expanded role for the brand than she currently is.

No matter how much promise Bliss shows, she continues to be jobbed out. Eventually, that trend will have to change if she is ever to develop into a legitimate contender to the women's title.

Chad Gable vs. Tyler Breeze

Credit: WWE.com

Chad Gable made his in-ring debut on Thursday night. Unfortunately for the former amateur wrestler, he drew a motivated, aggressive Tyler Breeze as his first opponent.

Despite showing some considerable ability early, he was quickly overwhelmed.

Late in the bout, he locked in an armbar that had considerable effect on Breeze, but the Beauty Shot by the former No. 1 contender to the NXT title ended the valiant young star's debut contest on a sour note.

Result

Tyler Breeze pinned Chad Gable.

Highlights and Quotes

"Blue collar is just another word poor people use to feel better about themselves." - Corey Graves

"Graves, is it true you run Breeze's fan club?" - Jason Albert

Grade

C-

Analysis

Gable showed flashes of potential, but they were not nearly enough to justify grading this match any higher. It was an incredibly basic match, likely to mask the lack of experience on the babyface's part.

Jason Albert made much of the aggression and intensity of the Breeze character, as if that was something new. In fact, those elements have been present in Prince Pretty dating back to his push for the NXT title. Mentioning them now proves that, at least for the time being, management is content to spin its wheels when it comes to character development for Breeze.

After the match, it was revealed that an unknown spectator was watching from the distance. While announcer Rich Brennan made it seem as if it was some great big mystery, he also foreshadowed the identity of the spectator when reminding fans of Breeze's treatment of Marcus Louis nearly a month ago.

NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Lucha Dragons vs. The Vaudevillains

The NXT Tag Team Championships were on the line Thursday night as the Lucha Dragons defended against The Vaudevillains.

The champions caught their opponents off-guard early, heading to the break with the definitive advantage.

Later, however, Aiden English and Simon Gotch took control, isolating Kalisto and working over the much smaller competitor.

Ultimately, a tag to Sin Cara turned the tide back in favor of the titleholders, and moments later, a mesmerizing and breathtaking double-team finisher, unknown to both the commentators and fans, finished the challengers off for good.

Result

Lucha Dragons defeated The Vaudevillains to retain the titles.

Highlights and Quotes

"It doesn't matter if it was the legal man or not, they got pinned for the one, two, three." - Jason Albert, demonstrating his lack of knowledge surrounding tag team wrestling rules

"You may even consider Sin Cara deceptively strong." - Corey Graves

"I think this is what they need, a little edginess." - Albert on The Vaudevillains

"I have no idea what to call that move." - Graves on the dazzling finish

Grade

B+ 

Analysis

This was a very good match to cap off this week's NXT. Sin Cara and Kalisto's successful title defense seemingly brought to an end this chapter in the history of the brand's tag team championships.

English and Gotch really have no complaints after dropping their second consecutive title bout, while the champions, not always favorites of the NXT Universe, earned their respect and added to their impressive resumes.

The only question going forward is what awaits the Lucha Dragons now that they have gotten past their latest and greatest challenge. There is a decided lack of teams on the roster. Jason Jordan and Tye Dillinger are glorified jobbers, and Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake have been beaten far too many times over the last two months to be credible challengers.

Thus, the booking of the tag titles and the champions themselves bear watching in coming weeks.