WWE NXT Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From July 28

Once again airing from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, the July 28 episode of WWE NXT featured a new star and heated matches between rivals.

Myles Borne put his North American Championship on the line against the cocky Kam Hendrix. Cruz Montana was ready to speak for the first time as member of the NXT roster.

Shiloh Hill promised to bring The Fog against Tristan Angels. Izzi Dame and Lizzy Rain collided while OTM hoped to shut up BirthRight.

Check out the results, grades and highlights with this recap of the July 28 edition.

Grayson Waller Declares His Intention to Take Over NXT

After recapping last week's show including the arrival of the former Mike Santana, now Cruz Montana, Grayson Waller interrupted Vic Joseph with a live microphone in the ring.

Waller talked about his career trajectory, falling apart as he was held back by working with Austin Theory and left behind after his story with The New Day disappeared.

He focused his attention to resetting his direction by taking the title he never won: the NXT Championship.

Waller talked down about Montana and Tony D'Angelo and then mocked the whole men's roster, calling them soft while the women's division ran laps around them.

He refused to stop shooting after a stagehand told him to wrap it up. His mic was cut off, and when Waller talked to the camera directly, NXT cut the feed to commercial.

This was the most interesting thing NXT has done in months, maybe even years. While shoot promos are often overused by WWE, this felt appropriate for the moment.

Waller finally got a live microphone to speak his piece and came off as a bigger star than just about any other man in NXT right now.

It is not surprising given that he has always delivered on the mic, but Waller absolutely nailed this, even when it went just a bit too long.

WWE clearly has not seen this in Waller in a while. Hopefully, a fresh start in NXT can help get him back on track as it has other top men of NXT's past.

If this spot is anything to go by, Waller might have just jumped to the top of most likely men to dethrone D'Angelo.

Grade

A

Notable Moments and Observations

• Waller showed off his newly toned abs, honed while he could not get booked.
• It took one sentence of Waller talking about Montana to talk down about his new name.
• Waller rightfully called out that the 10 percent of the NXT roster ready for the main roster were all women.

• Mason Rook found Myles Borne and Tavion Heights backstage and told them he did not appreciate Waller talking down about their work ethic.

Lizzy Rain vs. Izzi Dame (w/ Niko Vance)

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Izzi Dame and Lizzy Rain

Last Time in Action: Lizzy Rain and Izzi Dame both lost in a Fatal 4-Way for the Women's North American Championship, won by Zaria (NXT, July 14).

Izzi and Lizzy delivered strong physical offense in this match from the outset. Izzi finally found her edge, sending Lizzy face-first into the apron into the commercial break.

Lizzy began to rally back from the break, hitting the Machine Gun Chops to a welcoming crowd. Izzi managed to catch Lizzy flying with a Blue Thunder Bomb for the near-fall.

An Air Raid Crash from Lizzy nearly took the win. Izzi responded with a Running Crucifix for another near-fall.

A strong Cutter into a Running Headbutt set up Thunderstruck, but Niko Vance distracted Lizzy into a Big Boot.

Shawn Spears arrived to scare off Niko, and the distraction allowed Lizzy to hit Thunderstruck for the victory.

After over a month of build-up, Lizzy and Izzi collided in a good match, but it was not likely the showstealer that they wanted.

The problem was the pacing. Too often Izzi took a methodical pace in a contest that needed more energy, and Lizzy was rarely in control to speed things up.

The two need to find their chemistry more, and the somewhat inconclusive finish will likely lead to a rematch down the line. They have time to get to the next level.

The right woman certainly won as Lizzy is the better and less established star right now. NXT should rely on her more.

Result

Lizzy def. Izzi by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• Vic Joseph kept a running count of Booker T mixing up Izzi and Lizzy, but he only made the mistake once.
• Booker renamed Lizzy's Air Raid Crash into Rock the Mic, which may become its official name.
• Cruz Montana hit it off with Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno in the NXT lounge. Saquon Shugars interrupted, telling Montana he had changed. Kelani Jordan tried to talk to Montana, but he walked off as she ranted.
• Later, Emily Agard interviewed Lizzy, who set her sights on the NXT Women's Championship alongside a KFC sponsorship read. Tristan Angels told Lizzy to stop listening to Shiloh Hill.

North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Kam Hendrix

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Kam Hendrix and Myles Borne

Last Time in Action: Myles Borne defeated Tavion Heights to retain the North American Championship (NXT Great American Bash, June 28); Kam Hendrix lost to Tony D'Angelo for the NXT Championship (NXT, June 2).

The champion overwhelmed Hendrix early with his athleticism until the challenger tripped Borne back-first on the apron as the match transitioned into a Picture-in-Picture break.

The power of Hendrix gave him a firm advantage, but the challenger spent too much time jaw-jacking, allowing Borne to fire back with punches and Clotheslines.

The champion tried the Borne Again, but Hendrix got his hands on the rope. NXT cut to backstage where Mason Rook decided to get a closer look at the action.

Tavion Heights grabbed Rook and stopped him from interfering. Borne survived a Showtime Kick and slipped into a Borne Again for the win.

Afterward, Rook brawled with Hendrix to the back while The Vanity Project struck. Despite the disadvantage though, Borne and Heights cleared the ring and stood tall.

This match relied heavily on Hendrix's ability as a heel to carry the bulk of the action, and in that regard, it was fine.

However, Borne's comeback work was impressively smooth with the kind of snap that is seen much more on the main roster.

It was clear throughout that these men are at different levels in their career. Hendrix has so much work left to do to become a genuine NXT champion in the future.

Borne was always going to win here, though next week could be more unpredictable as NXT might be looking to make him a double champion alongside Heights.

Result

Borne def. Hendrix by pinfall to retain the North American Championship.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments and Observations

• Hendrix won one tag team match in his NXT in-ring debut and somehow earned two title shots from it. That is impressively efficient.
• In Robert Stone's office, The Vanity Project complained about Myles Borne and Tavion Heights talking their way into a title shot.
• Keanu Carver interrupted to ask for a rematch with EK Prosper. Stone then took a call from Grayson Waller and told him to get back to the arena.
• Lola Vice talked up her AAA and NXT accomplishments ahead of her Underground match against Kendal Grey.
• Thea Hail and Jaida Parker bonded in the women's locker room and got excited about teaming against Nikkita Lyons and Karmen Petrovic next week.

BirthRight's Channing 'Stacks' Lorenzo and Uriah Connors vs. OTM

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BirthRight

Last Time in Action: Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo and Uriah Connors as well as Lucien Price and Bronco Nima lost in a Fatal 4-Way Tag, won by Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux to earn an NXT Tag Team Championships opportunity (NXT, July 7).

Connors tried to impose his will early with a loud chop to Price, but it only annoyed him. OTM double-teamed Connors and sent him retreating outside.

BirthRight found no answer to OTM into the commercial break, especially after they tossed Connors onto the whole group outside.

During the break, BirthRight isolated Nima, and when Price was able to get the hot tag, he could not manage the overwhelming numbers of BirthRight.

Angel and Berto interrupted to get in the face of BirthRight. Nima tried to ease tensions but was distracted too long. Price took a combination Running Knee and Superkick for the Birthright win.

The flow of this match was almost non-existent. It never felt like either side got into a good groove, and the commercial break was poorly timed.

The standout of the match was Price, who looked like a monster at times in this contest. It is a shame it just led to him losing.

This sudden escalation with Nima's split loyalties between OTM and Los Perros del Mal does not feel like it benefits anyone.

OTM was on the rise and now is losing to awkward interference and distractions. BirthRight got the win but did not feel like they did much of anything in this match.

This match especially showed the weakness on the current NXT roster. While the men's division has solid numbers, too many experienced stars look like rookies in these spots.

Result

Stacks and Connors def. Price and Nima by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments and Observations

• Before OTM headed to the ring, Angel and Berto told Nima that they had his back as a chosen member of Los Perros del Mal.
• Price repeatedly showed he does not trust Los Perros del Mal.
• NXT highlighted Kendal Grey training with her father and Julius Creed for the Underground.
• In the women's locker room, Izzi Dame and Kelani Jordan took offense to Kali Armstrong demanding a title shot before Reina Volcan warned all three that the women's division had "reloaded."

Shiloh Hill vs. Tristan Angels

Last Time in Action: Shiloh Hill lost to Niko Vance (NXT, July 7); Tristan Angels lost to Hill (NXT Great American Bash, June 28).

Hill and Angels showed their familiarity with one another early, exchanging strikes and explosive offense. Angels took the advantage with a Neckbreaker on the floor into the commercial break.

Hill slowly fought his way back with his Reverse Flipping Senton as well as catching Angels flying with a Falling Scoop Slam.

Angels fired back with a Superplex for a near-fall. Hill ducked Angels' attempt to stomp him into steel steps then bounced him off the announce table with a Powerbomb.

After a final strong back-and-forth, Hill caught Angel with a Super Thunder Breaker for the victory.

Despite the teases of a darker side of Hill emerging in this match, he worked this contest the same way he usually does.

However, he and Angels have obvious chemistry and delivered a memorable main event clash, especially for the NXT stage.

This was noticeably better than their first clash and made both men look great. They sold their hatred for one another while also delivering consistent, varied offense.

The result could have gone either way, but a win for Hill should end this rivalry for good. Angels needs to move onto opponents he can beat while Hill can finally start contending for gold.

Result

Hill def. Angels by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Vic Joseph and Booker T argued and somewhat bonded over both of their wives' beauty pageant backgrounds.
• Vic set the stage for Booker to question Hill going to Danhausen for a new tooth. Instead, Booker talked up Danhausen as the man to bet on.
• Angels lost every match to Hill and the NXT pageant. It will be difficult for him to sell his confident bravado for a few weeks at least.
• In Robert Stone's office, Zaria and Wren Sinclair wanted new challengers. Stone announced Zaria would challenge Wren for the Women's Speed Championship with the caveat Wren would earn her own title shot on a win.

Cruz Montana Calls His NXT Championship Shot

Cruz Montana talked up his journey, admitting he was no saint in his life. He wanted to become a great wrestler and a worthy father to his daughter.

He confirmed he was officially a WWE Superstar and had his sights set on the NXT Championship.

While Montana first called out Grayson Waller for his comments to start the show, it was Tony D'Angelo that arrived to welcome Montana.

He put over the former TNA star's accomplishments but refused to give up his spot to Montana.

Montana took offense, dropping the microphone, but Waller struck first, laying into both men and setting up Montana to accidentally hit D'Angelo.

The show ended with an annoyed D'Angelo standing in the squared circle with a pacing Montana while Waller mocked them both from ringside.

On a normal night, Montana's speech would have been a major highlight of the show, but Waller stole his spotlight with a much stronger promo to open the show.

Even in the brawl that ended the night, the Australian made the most of his seconds, showing his craftiness with eye pokes and misdirection.

In what was supposed to be the moment that established NXT's next big name, Waller instead solidified his claim to be the best man currently working NXT.

There will be more opportunities for Montana in the future, but it is telling how many "big names" NXT has tried to establish recently and how few have lasted as big names.

Montana has some work to do to not just fall to the wayside, following Mason Rook and Naraku into a likely midcard spot.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• Robert Stone confirmed Waller was returning to the arena before the end of the night.
• Santana's new name undercut some of his personal anecdotes early in his speech. It would have been easier for him to just call himself "Santana" for one more week.

Final Word

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Grayson Waller

NXT started with one of its most memorable moments in recent memory as Grayson Waller returned to NXT and chastised the men's roster as complacent and soft.

What followed was a night of fine action that never disproved Waller's point, especially since this show heavily featured the men over the women.

While nothing was outright bad, no one stepped up to answer the challenge, thus it all felt like a missed opportunity.

NXT will have more chances to showcase the roster, but at this stage, the brand is what it is.

The women's division continues to make the most of chances, and next week Kendal Grey and Lola Vice are likely to dominate the conversation.

The men will need to find their own way to step up unless Waller is just coming in to make his own name at their expense, which is always possible.

Final Grade: B-