WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 1

Hideo Itami and Tyler Breeze have sparred numerous times over the last few weeks, leading to a 2-out-of-3 Falls match in Wednesday night's main event.

Would Prince Pretty be able to pick up a huge victory, catapulting him into the discussion for another NXT Championship opportunity? Or would Itami build on the momentum he had coming out of his WrestleMania appearance by defeating Breeze and earning himself consideration for a title shot?

Bayley and Emma clashed on this week's telecast in a match that saw the Aussie Diva openly mock her own character before disrespecting Bayley on numerous occasions throughout the bout.

Tye Dillinger attempted to avenge the betrayal by former tag partner Jason Jordan when they met in singles competition, Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake clashed with The Lucha Dragons (again), and Rhyno was in action.

Find out everything that went down on the April Fool's episode of NXT with grades, analysis and highlights of this week's show.

Sami Zayn Promo

For the first time since NXT Takeover: Rival, Sami Zayn returned to the NXT Arena and was greeted with a hero's welcome by the loyal fans in attendance. Chants of "Sami" broke out as he took the microphone.

In a short, simple promo, Zayn vowed to regain the NXT championship from Owens and make sure his former best friend-turned-hated rival felt his pain.

Highlights

"As a human being...I looked into his eyes and I saw something I had never seen before." -Zayn on Owens

"No. 1 on the priority list is kick Kevin Owens' ass." -Zayn

Grade

A

Analysis

This was a short promo, almost to the point that the viewer has to wonder why Zayn was even trotted out for it in the first place.

With that said, Zayn expressed his desire to regain the NXT title and deliver a serious beating in the process, something the fans inside Full Sail University chanted for.

It was a strong reintroduction to the character, one that reaffirmed what his goal will be in the next few months of programming and that keeps the feud between he and Owens alive.

Rhyno in Action

Credit: WWE.com

The NXT crowd erupted for Rhyno, who rushed to the ring for his match with...whoever it was that he faced. The commentary team never informed the audience who Rhyno's opponent was.

Rhyno tossed his unnamed nemesis across the ring and delivered The Gore, picking up the victory in less than a minute.

The Man Beast grabbed a microphone and revealed that he came to NXT to win the brand's championship and make a statement. He mentioned Zayn, Finn Balor and Owens before promising a Gore for anyone standing in his way.

Result

Rhyno squashed an enhancement talent.

Grade

A

Analysis

This was exactly what it needed to be.

Rhyno tore through the competition like a destructive force and then made his intentions to challenge for the NXT Championship clear in a post-match promo. The segment was simple and effective, as was the brief backstage promo involving he and Zayn.

It was strong old-school booking without all of the bells and whistles that WWE Creative occasionally overuses to tell its stories.

Bayley vs. Emma

After being slapped in the face by former friend Emma, Bayley took to the squared circle for the night's women's competition, looking to avenge the insulting strike by the Aussie Diva.

Emma looked bored as she made her way to the ring, no longer the jovial competitor she once was. It was almost as if she was mocking her own act.

She appeared to be taking things lightly to start, much to the dismay of Bayley, who was deathly serious as she stood across the ring from Emma.

Trying to awaken a darker, nastier side in Bayley, Emma was cerebral in the way she struck Bayley. Emma then taunted Bayley.

An arrogant Emma tried a simple, disrespectful cover, but Bayley made her pay, rolling her up for the win.

After the match, Bayley tried to console Emma, but the Aussie Diva looked dejected.

Result

Bayley pinned Emma.

Grade

A

Analysis

This was easily the most effective segment of the show when it came to advancing a story.

Emma has had a rough couple of months. Her promotion to the main roster did not go the way she would have liked, she has been left off of television lately, and fans barely respond to her act. With that said, she has returned to NXT wiser and smarter. She understands that success in front of the NXT Universe does not necessarily translate to support on the main roster.

Now, she is trying to get Bayley to realize that before Bayley becomes the same broken, demoralized woman that she is.

Emma's entrance was outstanding as were her expressions and body language throughout. The finish was solid, and the post-match attempt by Bayley to console her was a nice touch.

It should be interesting to see where the angle goes in the coming weeks, but for now, it was a great way to plant the seeds for a potential Emma heel turn.

Non-Title Match: The Lucha Dragons vs. Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy

Credit: WWE.com

Murphy and Blake returned to the squared circle this week, battling the duo they defeated to win the NXT tag team championships, The Lucha Dragons, in non-title action.

The heels isolated Kalisto, wearing him down with basic headlocks.

The masked luchador escaped and made the hot tag to Sin Cara, who fell prey to a frog splash and a pinfall, despite a spirited flurry of offense.

Result

Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake defeated The Lucha Dragons.

Grade

C

Analysis

Murphy and Blake are a solid tag team. They are a duo who actually work like a team, believing their success is tied to them developing and perfecting their act.

Unfortunately, Wednesday night was just another match between them and The Lucha Dragons in a line of bouts. There was nothing to gain from beating a team they have swept in recent months. 

The feud between the champions, Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady was not advanced at all and was only mentioned in passing by the commentary team.

Why this was here instead of something involving the popular babyface duo is a mystery.

Tye Dillinger vs. Jason Jordan

Credit: WWE.com

A few weeks back, Jordan walked out on tag team partner Dillinger. This week in NXT, they battled in singles competition.

Dillinger caught Jordan with a series of chops, but Jordan caught him with a spear in the corner to stop his comeback.

Jordan took control momentarily before Dillinger mounted a comeback. It lasted but a few moments, cut off in short order by his former partner, who scored the pinfall victory.

Result

Jason Jordan pinned Tye Dillinger.

Grade

D 

Analysis

Dillinger and Jordan are two talented competitors, but this looked like a match that fans simply did not care about, mostly because neither has a character that is terribly interesting.

The action was solid yet uninspiring, and Jordan won but never really seemed like he was in line for anything resembling a push.

If there was ever a match that happened for the sake of having a match, this would be it. 

Best 2-Out-Of-3 Falls Match: Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze

Itami and Breeze looked to finish their long rivalry in a 2-out-of-3 Falls match.

Itami took the first fall with a big kick, but Breeze answered in short order with a Beauty Shot, tying the score at one fall apiece.

Breeze controlled a portion of the third fall with a headlock, but the action picked up late with a series of near-falls and a Supermodel Kick that nearly put the Japanese star down for three.

With every strike Breeze leveled Itami with, it infuriated the babyface, who unleashed on Breeze. A running dropkick followed, but Breeze was ultimately able to land the Beauty Shot for the win.

 Result

 Tyler Breeze defeated Hideo Itami.

Grade

B

Analysis

This felt like a match that wanted to be awesome but never really got over the proverbial hump.

That is not to say that Breeze and Itami did not deliver a quality main event, because they certainly did. But when compared to a match like Balor vs. Owens from last week, it was clear that it did not live up to the expectations that fans likely set for it.

Perhaps it was because of the time restraints put on it, limiting just how much the two could do in the amount allowed. Maybe it was the crowd, which had sat through a long television taping and lacked the energy that it typically is known for.

Whatever the case, the match never quite achieved the quality expected of two in-ring competitors the likes of Breeze and Itami.