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

NXT invaded the Arnold Sports Festival for this week's episode, airing exclusively on the WWE Network, and did so with a main event pitting heavyweight champion Kevin Owens against former commentator Alex Riley.

After weeks of being bullied by Owens, Riley stood up for himself, going as far as to relinquish his analyst job for one shot at retribution against the dominant competitor.

While valiant, was the decision smart?

And with an NXT Championship match against Owens on tap for next week's show, would No. 1 contender Finn Balor make his presence felt by night's end?

Speaking of title contenders, native Ohioan Alexa Bliss entered the night riding a wave of momentum following a win over Carmella. She would face a much more dangerous and capable opponent Wednesday night as she clashed with women's champion Sasha Banks in non-title action.

How well did things turn out for the glitter-loving young woman?

With appearances by Tyler Breeze and tag team champions Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake also on tap, this week's NXT was another fast-paced, highly entertaining episode building to next week's huge broadcast.

Get answers to all of the above questions and find out everything that went down Wednesday night with this look back at the March 18 show.

Kalisto vs. Tyler Breeze

Credit: WWE.com

One week after picking up a big win over Hideo Itami, Tyler Breeze attempted to continue his winning ways when he battled former NXT tag champion Kalisto in singles competition.

Breeze wisely attempted to wear down Kalisto early in the bout, but the luchador used his speed to mount a comeback. Unfortunately for him, he would fail in attempting his Salida Del Sol finisher. 

Breeze escaped Salida Del Sol and delivered the Beauty Shot for the pinfall victory.

Result

Tyler Breeze pinned Kalisto.

Grade

B

Analysis

With another quality victory over an internationally recognized star, Breeze continues to rebound following a disappointing end to 2014.

One of the veterans of the developmental territory, Breeze is as solid an in-ring worker as there is in NXT. While not one of the elite performers the likes of Balor or Owens, he is the type of worker who will always have a place due to the popularity of his character and the quality of his in-ring work.

It should be interesting to see whether the feud with Itami continues in the coming weeks or if their rivalry is destined to stand at one win apiece.

Colin Cassady vs. Wesley Blake

As the rivalry over the NXT tag team championships continues, Colin Cassady squared off with Wesley Blake in singles competition Wednesday night in a match recorded at the Arnold Sports Festival.

Big Cass and Enzo cut a pre-match promo running down the champions before the bell sounded and the action was underway.

Late in the match, Buddy Murphy hopped up on the apron and was confronted by Carmella. Big Cass blasted Murphy with a big boot and, at the same time, inadvertently knocked the Princess of Staten Island off the apron.

The distraction allowed Blake to score the pinfall off of a roll-up while holding the tights.

Result

Wesley Blake pinned Big Cass.

Grade

B

Analysis

Carmella has cost Enzo and Big Cass victories in the past, so her interference leading to the latter's defeat Wednesday night was nothing new.

With that said, Blake and Murphy have implied that Carmella wants two real men like them, creating a scenario in which fans are left to debate whether her role in the finish was intentional or not.

That makes for an intriguing, interesting story surrounding the tag team feud rather than the tired "these are the next guys up" angle that the main roster tag feuds typically involve.

Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks

After last week's win over Carmella, Bliss found herself squaring off with Banks in a non-title match. Bliss, the hometown girl, was full of fire as she looked to defeat the titleholder and earn herself a future opportunity at the gold.

Bliss caught Banks off guard early, but the champion gained control of the match, using the double knees to the midsection to wrest momentum away from her opponent.

The petite Ohioan fought back and appeared to be well on her way to an upset victory when the action spilled outside the ring.

There, Bliss sent Banks face-first into the steel post and then made it back inside the squared circle to pick up the win via count-out.

Result

Alexa Bliss defeated Sasha Banks by count-out.

Grade

B 

Analysis

Bliss is a woman with great potential, and she could one day serve as the face of the Divas division in NXT. Wednesday night, it was abundantly clear that she is nowhere near the level of Banks, the current women's champion and, arguably, the best female worker on the roster.

The finish of the match sets up a title match next week. Bliss' skills will be put to the test in her biggest match to date.

If anything, the match, not to mention the crowd response, indicates just how over and respected Banks is despite being the heel centerpiece of the division.

Alex Riley vs. Kevin Owens

After being humiliated on numerous occasions by Owens, Riley returned to the ring for a second consecutive week, attempting to avenge the mistreatment he suffered at the hands of the former Ring of Honor standout.

Tempers flared early with chants of "Kill, Owens kill" in the background.

Owens trash talked Riley as he wore him down with a side headlock, reminding him that he left commentary only to come back and endure a beating at his hand.

Riley mounted a comeback, delivering a big spinebuster that put Owens down for two. 

It hardly fazed Owens, though, as he came back with running sentons before sending Riley into the barricade.

Seconds later, the powerbomb finished Riley off in decisive fashion.

Balor arrived after the match, catching Owens with a clothesline off the stage and then a huge dropkick. He teased the double stomp, but Owens fled from harm as Balor stood tall to close out the segment.

Result

Kevin Owens pinned Alex Riley.

Grade

A

Analysis

Owens delivered another vicious, violent beatdown this week, ensuring that Riley's dream of a triumphant return turned into a disappointing nightmare.

But the meat of the segment was the brawl between Balor and Owens that did a phenomenal job of setting up next week's main event.

So intense and physical was the No. 1 contender's assault that, for the first time, Owens backed off and retreated.

It was a strong statement, one that instantly elevated the threat that Balor poses to the champion and his reign over NXT. More importantly, it was phenomenal (yet simple) booking that really demonstrated just why the brand is the most enjoyable wrestling product in the business right now.