WWE NXT Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From May 5

WWE NXT promised to continue rebuilding the foundation of the brand with its May 5 show.

Zaria was set to appear for the first time since defeating Sol Ruca, while Kali Armstrong met Jaida Parker and Jasper Troy looked to make an example of Jackson Drake.

AAA mixed tag champions Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana collided with The Culling's Izzi Dame and Niko Vance.

This and more highlighted a night of fresh surprises in a new-look NXT.

Jaida Parker vs. Kali Armstrong

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Jaida Parker

Last Time in Action: Jaida Parker lost to Kelani Jordan, and Kali Armstrong defeated Skylar Raye (NXT, April 14).

These two collided with similar impact early in this contest, showing off their hard-hitting offense and trash-talking attitude.

Miss Parker continued to build momentum, rallied by the crowd, until Armstrong raked her eyes and caught her with the Kali Connection to win.

This was a good match though relied more on the flash and athleticism of the competitors than any building story.

In particular, Kali is an explosive performer that has not quite mastered the art of selling her character in the action, working a bit too safe.

Working at this next level in NXT should help her figure that out because she already has all the physical tools based on how dominant she worked in this match.

Miss Parker feels lost at this stage of NXT, but this loss could be a catalyst to push her up the card with more character growth.

Hopefully, that is the plan because the only reason she and Kelani should still be in NXT is to go after the NXT Women's Championship.

Result

Armstrong def. Parker by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

NXT started with a hype package for the various new additions to the roster that appeared last week.

Tony D'Angelo then tackled Tavion Heights backstage and started a brawl that other wrestlers had to break up.

After the match, the NXT champion demanded a match with Heights from Robrt Stone tonight.

The crowd was fully behind Miss Parker in this one, though Armstrong was slow to fully play the heel.

Miss Parker sold her frustration afterward in the corner, indicating recent losses may be hurting her confidence and force a character evolution.

Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake (w/ Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes)

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Jasper Troy

Last Time in Action: Jasper Troy as well as Josh Briggs lost to Keanu Carver, and Jackson Drake alongside Blake Monroe defeated Shiloh Hill and Tatum Paxley (NXT, April 7).

While Troy's power overwhelmed Drake one-on-one, Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes continued to distract the big man to protect Drake.

Drake countered a Black Hole Slam into a Tornado DDT, but Troy popped back up to catch Drake diving with an Elevated Chokeslam.

Troy threw Baylor and Smokes out of the way, but Myka Lockwood laid out Troy with a Bodyslam followed by Drake's 450 Splash to win.

This was a decent match but struggled with flow, particularly when Troy was in control. His inexperience was obvious in comparison to Drake, who was trying his best to bump strong for the big man.

The match itself told its story as Troy overwhelmed The Vanity Project but was not ready for the impressive strength of Lockwood.

Still, it would have been better to let Drake take more of a confident lead to build heat before Troy's comeback and the interference.

If nothing else, this segment solidified Lockwood as the newest member of Vanity Project, and she's got a distinctive look and power (giving off Chyna vibes) that should get her far.

Result

Drake def. Troy by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments and Observations

In an vignette, the former EVIL proclaimed war against Tony D'Angelo. He makes his in-ring debut next week under the name Naraku.

In an unnecessary recap video, NXT showed last week's backstage exchange that led to this match.

Troy struggled to throw Baylor over the top rope. Lockwood though delivered the Bodyslam with relative ease.

In another hype package, Tristan Angels mocked Myles Borne, Karl Hendrix, Shiloh Hill and Hank and Tank.

Zaria Makes Her Intentions Clear, Lays Out Tatum Paxley

Zaria arrived with confident swagger and reveled in her freedom from Sol Ruca. She declared her intention to take the Women's North American Championship.

Tatum Paxley arrived, sympathizing with her anger but warning that she was not going to let anyone take her title away.

Lizzy Rain arrived followed quickly by Nikkita Lyons to call their shot. Lyons and Rain began to brawl, but it was Zaria that laid out Lyons and Paxley to stand tall.

The constant interruption segment is an NXT staple that never leads to the best segments as no one gets enough time to really make an impact,

Luckily, Zaria opened and closed the segment to solidify herself as the clearest threat to Paxley right now.

Rain does not need an extended feud with Lyons, but putting her right into the championship scene is interesting.

The real goal though should be to extend Paxley vs. Zaria to at least the next premium live event and give them time to deliver.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

Finlay interrupted BirthRight backstage and, alongside William Regal by phone call, advised the group to step it up next in a six-man tag.

In an NXT Origin, Rhea Ripley talked about her evolution into the star she has become.

The returning Noam Dar ran into The Vanity Project backstage and challenged Jackson Drake to a match next week.

Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana vs. The Culling's Izzi Dame and Niko Vance

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Mr. Iguana and Lola Vice

Last Time in Action: Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana successfully defended the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships against Shiloh Hill and Thea Hail (WWE World at WrestleMania 42, April 20); Izzi Dame and Niko Vance alongside Shawn Spears and Tatum Paxley defeated Hank and Tank, Sol Ruca and Zaria (NXT, July 22).

The chaotic style of Iguana and Vice caused quick problems for The Culling, especially when La Yesca was involved.

The power of Vance turned the tide, and he nearly knocked out Iguana with a discus headbutt. Dame made sure Vice was taken off the ramp to avoid an early tag out.

When the NXT women's champion got the tag, she rolled over Dame with a series of hard strikes. Vance tried to make the save, and the champs hit simultaneous hip attacks on their opponents.

After Vice hit a strong Roundhouse, Vance stopped the referee's count. Vance then took out Iguana outside followed by a Rocket Kick for the victory.

This was good match with terribly formulaic booking. Despite competing against the AAA world mixed tag team champions, Dame and Vance often held the dominant position in this match.

Their win was not about the AAA titles but getting Dame a singles shot at Vice, so she was able to pin the NXT women's champion relatively clean.

There is no reason NXT needed to weaken the AAA champions' position to further an NXT storyline. This should have been a chance for Vice to get some revenge while Iguana pinned Vance.

Vice should not be taking non-title losses this early in her reign, especially against an inconsistent Dame, who has lost multiple big matches recently.

The positive was that Iguana and Vice flowed well throughout this match, delivering the best action of the night to this point by a wide margin.

Vance is also getting better with recent opportunities. He and Dame looked good together if not good enough to beat the only mixed champions in WWE right now.

Result

Dame and Vance def. Vice and Iguana by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

This was originally supposed to be when Tony D'Angelo fought Tavion Heights, and Karl Hendrix attacked the champion before he could head out.

D'Angelo stormed off while Hendrix was banned from the building, and Robert Stone was forced to move up the main event.

Afterward, backstage, Robert Stone told Heights his match with D'Angelo was back on for the main event.

Stone also advised Zaria she would need to team with Nikkita Lyons next week against Tatum Paxley and Lizzy Rain to earn a title shot.

DarkState's Cutler James and Osiris Griffin vs. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger

Last Time in Action: Hank Walker and Tank Ledger alongside EK Prosper, Shiloh Hill and Wren Sinclair defeated BirthRight (NXT Countdown to Stand & Deliver, April 4); Cutler James and Osiris Griffin alongside Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars lost to Tony D'Angelo, Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints and Ethan Page (NXT, April 7).

Griffin and James tried their best to keep the peace between Lennox and Shugars, and the distraction allowed Hank and Tank to stay in the action.

Hank got the hot tag and nearly took the win with a double-team shoulder tackle on James, but Griffin broke up the pin.

Griffin turned the tide and nearly defeated Tank after a Vader Bomb, but Hank broke it up.

Cutler and Griffin caught Tank diving outside and threw him onto Hank followed by an assisted Spin-Out Powerbomb for the victory.

This was fine but hardly the inspiring effort one would expect of two rising tag teams in NXT.

In particular, James and Griffin relied heavily on Hank and Tank's explosiveness to get the crowd invested in this match at all.

Despite Hank and Tank doing the heavy lifting, they never really sold themselves as a real threat to win against DarkState.

All of the DarkState drama is not interesting, and it is leading to fairly flat performances in what should be big match moments.

Hopefully, this win will get the group back on track, or NXT is ready to break up Lennox and Shugars sooner than later.

Result

Griffin and James def. Hank and Tank by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments and Observations

Lennox and Shugars were completely unable to work together during this match but stayed out of the action down the stretch.

In the locker room, Jaida Parker crashed out, causing a mess, until Nattie appeared to question if Miss Parker had gone soft.

Kelani Jordan mocked Lola Vice until Kendal Grey arrived to challenge Lani.

Booker T and Vic Joseph completely lost audio after the match.

In the best segment of the night, outside, NXT correspondent Emily Agard tried to interview Keanu Carver, who was aggravated by her questions. He clarified that he was making money for his family and refused to play games with anyone.

Tony D'Angelo vs. Tavion Heights

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Tony D'Angelo

Last Time in Action: Tony D'Angelo successfully defended the NXT Championship against Ethan Page (NXT, April 14); Tavion Heights alongside Charlie Dempsey lost to BirthRight (NXT, March 10).

The athleticism of Heights allowed him an early edge against D'Angelo, who grew angrier throughout the contest.

A Frog Splash from the challenger got him a near-fall, but it also seemed to push D'Angelo to another level as he began throwing around Heights.

Forget About It picked up a near-fall for the champion. Heights followed up with a Belly-to-Belly, but Karl Hendrix arrived to distract him from the pin.

Myles Borne dived onto Hendrix. The distraction allowed D'Angelo to hit Dead to Rights for the win.

Afterward, D'Angelo and Heights shook hands only for the same mystery man from last week to attack again. After sending the champion and challenger crashing into the corner, he announced himself as Mason Rook.

This was a solid main event where D'Angelo gave Heights a strong spotlight for his grappling style. It was surprising though that the champion did not get more strong offensive sequences.

The ending was a complete miss as NXT tries to sell the chaos of the new-look brand by overusing Hendrix, who has done nothing to make himself stand out.

Especially with Rook and Naraku on the hunt for D'Angelo, the champion should have picked up a clean victory to put one of those challengers behind him.

Instead, Hendrix has somehow introduced himself into both the NXT and North American Championship pictures while doing little to sell why he should be in either.

As far as the odd presentation of Rook, this week made him look like a more realistic threat to D'Angelo but has yet to sell him fully, especially since he is the only guy in NXT right now than Vic Joseph supposedly does not know.

Result

D'Angelo def. Heights by pinfall

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

Before the main event, Shiloh Hill talked up his big win last week and warned Tristan Angels that he did not take his insults lightly.

Heights oddly got no entrance for the main event.

The crowd was awkwardly inconsistent with their reactions to the main event, even losing interest quickly in an attempted dueling chant for both men.

D'Angelo is over with the fans, but NXT has work to do in selling any of these new challengers as immediate threats to the top man.

Overall Show

For the second week in a row, NXT has presented a new focus: chaos.

The brand is bombarding fans with new faces and rushed stories to sell the show as must-see television, but it is still less exciting and more unfocused.

The presentation of certain stars like Naraku and Lizzy Rain remain strong. Mason Rook stand out as well, but he is suffering so far from being just one of many attacks attacking Tony D'Angelo.

Tristan Angels and Keanu Carver made the most of pre-taped promo time, and Shiloh Hill and The Vanity Project feel like foundational stars on the new-look roster.

The matches were mostly forgettable with some rough booking particularly in a women's division that has way more established stars that could be highlighted.

Next week would be a good time to slow down. Let D'Angelo, Vice, Tatum Paxley and Myles Borne stay in the back and watch a new crop of talent sell themselves to the NXT faithful.

Overall Grade: C+