WWE NXT Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From Aug. 18

Zilla Fatu's electric arrival to WWE NXT last week ushered in a new era for the brand's burgeoning main event scene, and the latest episode of the weekly show will feature the fallout.

Cruz Montana just recently crashed the NXT Championship picture and is set to call out the Samoan newcomer. Fatu crashed last week's number one contender's bout between Montana and Grayson Waller, so there should be an update on what the NXT title match will be at Heatwave on Aug. 30.

Scores will be settled when Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair battle Kali Armstrong and Kelani Jordan in tag team action while Nattie battles Thea Hail after Hail cost her a recent win against Jaida Parker.

Plus, Rey Fenix's next challenger to the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship will be determined in a Fatal 4-Way with La Parka, Romeo Moreno, Tristian Angels and EK Prosper.

Here are the complete results, grades and reaction for the Aug. 18 edition of WWE NXT as it airs live on The CW.

Cruz Montana Called Out Zilla Fatu

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After being attacked by the debuting Zilla Fatu in last week's main event and costing him an opportunity at the NXT Championship at Heatwave, Cruz Montana started the show immediately putting the newcomer on notice.

Montana was fired up while demanding a fight with Fatu before being told by a stagehand that he hadn't arrived at the building yet. He ended up getting the AAA World Cruiserweight champion Rey Fenix instead, who told Santana he was there to find out his next challenger and that he has his back in his war with Fatu.

Santana acknowledged their history in other promotions (specifically naming TNA and AAA but obviously excluded AEW) and said that he was proud of Fenix for proudly representing their culture. Santana said he'd see Fatu in the parking lot.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Santana has such a star presence about him. It's no surprise that he's already involved in the main event mix on NXT and chasing the NXT Championship. He came off like a total natural kicking off the show with his passionate promo.
• WWE rarely ever acknowledges the existence of AEW and this segment was no exception, but The Lucha Bros' battles with Santana and Ortiz over there deserve to be remembered, too. Those teams were holding down the fort with their matches in AEW's tag team division for a while.
• Fatu doesn't have any allies (as of now), so it's interesting that an alliance between Santana and Fenix is being established. This could end up being nothing, but perhaps we'll get Fenix vs. Fatu out of this at some point.

AAA World Cruiserweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Fatal 4-Way Match

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Last Time in Action: EK Prosper and Lizzy Rain def. The Culling (NXT, Aug. 11); Tristian Angels lost to Shiloh Hill (NXT, July 28); Romeo Moreno, Noam Dar and Saquon Shugars lost to DarkState (NXT, July 21); La Parka beat Psycho Clown (AAA, Aug. 15).

The combatants included EK Prosper, Tristian Angels, Romeo Moreno and La Parka.

As has been the case with most of the Fatal 4-Ways we've gotten on NXT this summer, this was all action from start to finish with all four guys getting some time to shine.

Parka's high-flying arsenal were especially a highlight. Before the commercial break, Moreno leapt to the outside in impressive fashion before being one-upped by Parka's moonsault.

Angels connected with an emphatic enziguri to Moreno coming back from break. A Spanish Fly from Parka on the top rope was followed by a frog splash from Prosper.

Prosper ultimately won with a a backflip moonsault to Moreno, earning him a shot at Rey Fenix's Cruiserweight title on next Tuesday's episode.

Result

EK Prosper pinned Romeo Moreno to become number one contender to the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• Prosper is coming off some big wins over Keanu Carver, so it's smart to keep his momentum rolling by having him challenge for the Cruiserweight title. He shouldn't be expected to win, but he should have a standout showing, nonetheless.
• Thankfully, Angels didn't suffer another unnecessary loss. Granted, he didn't win, but it was better to protect him by ensuring he didn't eat the pin.
• Whatever happens in Fenix vs. Prosper should set something up for the AAA event that is preceding Heatwave on Aug. 30, whether it be a rematch or them teaming up against common enemies.

Nattie vs. Thea Hail

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Last Time in Action: Hail and Jaida Parker beat Nikkita Lyons and Karmen Petrovic (NXT, Aug. 4); Nattie lost to Parker (NXT, July 21).

Thea Hail controlled the offense early on. When she went for finisher down the stretch, Nattie avoided it and nearly stole the win with a crucifix pin.

After an exchange of strikes, Hail locked in a Kimura on Nattie. Once Nattie escaped, she secured the Sharpshooter and forced Hail to tap out.

Post-match, Nattie put Hail back in the Sharpshooter while Hail's friend Jaida Parker was forced to watch while being held back by Nikkita Lyons and Karmen Petrovic.

Result

Nattie defeated Thea Hail.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

• This was a well-worked match from Nattie and Hail, serving its purpose of furthering the feud between Nattie and Parker and creating the need for a rubber matchup. Hail was responsible for Nattie's loss to Parker, so this gave her a measure of revenge.
• Hail has made the most of being back on NXT TV in a regular role. She didn't need to win here, but it's important that she was made to look credible in defeat.
• As noted, Parker vs. Nattie III is imminent, but hopefully they can get it out of the way on the sooner side because the rivalry has run its course. Perhaps the payoff will be at Heatwave.