WWE NXT Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From May 19

The May 19 edition of WWE NXT promised a wild show including multiple major championship matches.

Tatum Paxley defended the Women's North American Championship against Lizzy Rain. Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars hoped to bring the NXT Tag Team Championships back to DarkState.

Tony D'Angelo and Myles Borne teamed up against potential title challengers Mason Rook and Kam Hendrix. Tate Wilder collided with Keanu Carver.

This was the foundation of an eventful night of action for WWE's developmental show.

Tony D'Angelo and Myles Borne vs. Mason Rook and Kam Hendrix

Last Time in Action: This was the first time Tony D'Angelo and Myles Borne teamed up in NXT, and this was the debut of both Mason Rook and Kam Hendrix in NXT.

While Rook and D'Angelo collided confidently in explosive exchanges, a strong Chop Block from Hendrix behind the referee's back allowed Rook and Hendrix to isolate and wear down Borne.

When D'Angelo got the hot tag, he was rolling until Rook dived onto him with a Running Senton.

Borne tagged back in, followed by a massive brawl. Tavion Heights tried to help Borne but accidentally bumped into him.

This set up Rook for a Corner Death Valley Driver followed by a Fireman's Carry Powerslam. Hendrix got the blind tag and stole the pin from Rook.

While Rook struggled to fully stand out on the mic, he was the star of this match. He is explosive and electric in the ring, making the most of his size whether he's running, diving or dropping his opponents.

He and D'Angelo instantly sold their coming battle for the NXT Championship as a future premium live event main event.

Hendrix struggled in comparison to stand out, often delivering far too basic offense opposite two of NXT's best right now.

Still, NXT finally found a great booking spot for him, stealing the thunder from the already popular Rook and pinning the North American champion.

Rook and Hendrix worked decently well as a tag team, but this clearly indicated that it will not last. When Rook lays out Hendrix at some point, the crowd will go wild.

Result

Hendrix and Rook def. Borne and D'Angelo by pinfall.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments and Observations

While NXT has tried to sell Hendrix as a dangerous explosive heel, his entrance theme is too corny for that presentation.

Rook's entrance already got an upgrade with an animated tank intro.

The crowd only wanted to see Rook working on the heel side, playing out his full chant when he got the first tag in to fight D'Angelo.

Lola Vice Agrees to Defend Against Izzi Dame and Wren Sinclair Lays Out

Andrea Kellaway/WWE via Getty Images

Izzi Dame with Shawn Spears standing over Lola Vice

Kelani Jordan questioned what she needed to do to get an NXT Women's Championship opportunity.

Izzi Dame interrupted to make her own case for a title shot, which brought out Lola Vice.

The champion agreed to defend her title against Dame next week before Kendal Grey arrived. She distracted Lani for an attack by Wren Sinclair with her crutch.

Why does NXT insist on these interruption promo segments? They never go well for anyone and often make one or more of the competitors look bad.

In this case, Jordan stumbled through her solo promo time, and she and Izzi got nowhere with their bickering. Vice also struggled to deliver confident mic work.

While her time was short, Grey was the closest to coming out of this looking good despite the loss last week, and the crowd support further emphasized her popularity in comparison to the field of challengers.

After all the build-up, throwing Vice vs. Dame into a one-on-one title match for a random TV episode next week is bizarre, though Great American Bash is not until July.

The plan may be to build up to a multi-woman match for the next PLE.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments and Observations

Grey and Wren got the most support from the NXT audience.

Backstage, Sean Legacy told Dorian Van Dux that they would fight in the Speed Tournament next week.

In the women's locker room, Jaida Parker demanded to speak to Natalya, only to meet her mentee Layla Diggs. They agreed to fight next week.