WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 11

While Hideo Itami and Tyler Breeze headlined this week's show, it was the story involving Alex Riley and NXT champion Kevin Owens that took precedence as the brand hit the WWE Network airwaves Wednesday night.

Riley returned to the ring just one week after giving up his position as one of the voices of NXT, squaring off with CJ Parker. But Owens was lurking. What would he have to say about the impassioned former main roster star targeting him?

Carmella looked to continue her winning ways as she battled Alexa Bliss in singles competition, and Enzo Amore and Big Cass squared off with former tag team champions The Lucha Dragons to round out the night's card.

What did the critically acclaimed brand have in store for fans this week?

Who would leave Full Sail University with momentum on their side heading into spring?

Find out now with this look back at the March 11 episode of NXT.

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. The Lucha Dragons

As they continue to set their sights on Buddy Murphy, Wesley Blake and the NXT Tag Team Championships, Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady battled former titleholders Sin Cara and Kalisto, The Lucha Dragons.

Comparing them to the Geico geckos, Big Cass and Amore withstood the speed and agility of their opponents, not to mention their aerial assault, to pick up the win after Cass delivered the East River Crossing and Amore finished off Kalisto with a rocket launcher for the pinfall. 

Result

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady defeated The Lucha Dragons.

Grade

C

Analysis

Amore and Cassady needed a signature win over an established team, and they got it this week, knocking off the former champions and inching closer to a date with Blake and Murphy for the titles.

Enzo and Big Cass are an anomaly in that they are nowhere near the in-ring talent of a Finn Balor or Adrian Neville but remain incredibly over, thanks to their considerable comedic talent and entertainment value.

The Lucha Dragons could become a main roster act any time now, so using them to put over a team that management wants to push in the coming weeks and months is a wise move.

Alexa Bliss vs. Carmella

Credit: WWE.com

Just moments after her associates scored the win in the opener, Carmella took to the squared circle for the night's Divas action.

Her opponent? Alexa Bliss.

The two relatively inexperienced competitors did not quite have a match rivaling Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks, but it allowed them to get some much-needed ring time.

Bliss scored the win following the Sparkle Splash.

Result

Alexa Bliss defeated Carmella.

Grade

C-

Analysis

If this is the week you chose to check out NXT for the first time, odds are you were unimpressed by this bout. And rightfully so. The in-ring chemistry was not there, and neither were experienced enough to expect anything different.

Carmella has been the recipient of fan backlash for weeks, deserved or not, but she is athletic enough to develop into a solid in-ring performer the more she has the opportunity to compete.

Bliss, on the other hand, has every tool needed to succeed in WWE. She is beautiful, bubbly and has shown great athleticism, undoubtedly credited to her history as a fitness model and gymnast.

A great candidate to serve as a role model for the oft-neglected young girls in the audience, she should have a bright future ahead of her.

Alex Riley vs. CJ Parker

There is only so much a man can take, and after being bullied and attacked by Kevin Owens, Alex Riley resigned his position as commentator and returned to the ring, his sole purpose being to square off with Owens somewhere in the near future.

Wednesday night, he returned to the squared circle, defeating everyone's favorite punching bag, CJ Parker.

Riley dominated the majority of the contest and used the Blockbuster to put away the environmentally friendly Superstar.

After the match, Owens appeared and called Riley stupid for giving up a job just to get destroyed. 

Result

Alex Riley pinned CJ Parker.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Riley is a very solid wrestler who had his major push cut off at the knees four years ago. Having appeared in the ring as infrequently as he has over that time, it was natural that he would be fighting some ring rust when he returned Wednesday night.

Still, he looked good enough that there is reason to believe Riley and Owens could have an excellent match when the time comes.

More than anything, Riley has always showed great passion in the ring, and that passion has helped him form a connection with the audience. While he may take a little time to knock off that aforementioned rust, Riley could thrive as a competitor on NXT, a show that suits his talents and skills perfectly.

Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze

In a rematch from Takeover: Rival, Tyler Breeze and Hideo Itami battled in singles competition in this week's main event.

The performers delivered a competitive match that saw Itami torture the fashion plate with a series of hard kicks about the body, while Breeze attempted to wear him down.

Itami attempted to finish Breeze off with the running dropkick but found himself blasted in the face with the Beauty Shot, allowing Prince Pretty to score the pinfall victory to cap off this week's broadcast. 

Result

Tyler Breeze pinned Hideo Itami.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a surprise outcome in this week's main event.

Itami rarely loses, and when he does, it is to guys on their way to challenging for the NXT Championship. Seeing him put over Breeze indicates that management may be looking at a rubber match between the two, especially since they have split their first two bouts.

Breeze's win helps culminate a return to form for a Superstar who found himself lost in the shuffle leading into the new year. Now, he has momentum on his side and could very well find himself back in title contention by the time his program with Itami comes to an end.