WWE NXT Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From Sept. 8

Continuing a solid run in the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, WWE NXT delivered major title action and a major in-ring return for one of NXT's best teams, The Creed Brothers.

NXT women's champion Kelani Jordan defended against Jaida Parker. Tavion Heights challenged North American champion Jackson Drake.

Tony D'Angelo, Mason Rook and Saquon Shugars faced Cruz Montana, EK Prosper and Keanu Carver where the winning team would face off next week for a shot at NXT champion Grayson Waller.

Check out all the results, live grades, highlights and more below.

NXT Women's Championship: Kelani Jordan (c) vs. Jaida Parker

Last Time in Action: Kelani Jordan defeated Kendal Grey to win the NXT Women's Championship, and Jaida Parker defeated Nattie (NXT Heatwave, August 30).

Ms. Parker went for a quick pin attempt at the bell, trying to quickly catch The Standout. This frustrated Lani, who grounded Jaida and stomped on her.

After the two traded shots, Jaida caught The Standout with a Sit-Out Powerbomb for a near-fall into the Picture-in-Picture break.

Back from break, Ms. Parker countered a Super Spanish Fly followed by a Diving Leg Lariat. She followed up with a Blockbuster and Falcon Arrow for two.

Jaida locked in the Rings of Saturn, but Lani fought free only to get knocked down in the corner. The Standout managed to counter the Teardrop into a Hanging Leg Drop and Asai Moonsault to the floor.

Ms. Parker fired back and hit the Teardrop, but she was slow to capitalize. Lani sent her into the turnbuckle followed by the One of a Kind for the win.

Afterward, Wren Sinclair attacked Lani, even knocking down the referee Victoria D'Errico to do so, until security broke it up.

This was a good explosive opening match, but it lacked the flow and drama of a championship clash, especially down the stretch.

Lani made Jaida look good, but Ms. Parker did not return the favor despite taking the fall in the end, never giving the heel her heat spots.

The two have never had great chemistry, so this was an improvement on their past work. It just was not what it should have been based on the spotlight.

Lani absolutely could not lose this early. She is deserving of a memorable run as one of NXT's best while Jaida still has not proved she is ready beyond her popularity with the crowd.

While Wren attacking The Standout for what she did to Grey makes sense, it does set up Wren to lose again to Lani, which she has done multiple times over already.

Result

Lani def. Jaida by pinfall to retain the NXT Women's Championship.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• Vic Joseph talked up Jaida's upcoming appearance on Busted Open Radio while Booker T questioned her arrogance on scheduling an interview before winning.
• NXT reiterated the announcement from Raw that Lani will be in a Money in the Bank qualifier next week. It should be a big opportunity, but it is a shame she will likely take the pin.

The Creed Brothers vs. Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno

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The Creed Brothers

Last Time in Action: Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno defeated Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux (NXT, September 1); Brutus and Julius Creed defeated BirthRight (Main Event, August 10).

While The Creed Brothers tried to impose their will early, Dar and Moreno caught them outside, and Dar managed to wound Julius with a Dropkick right into the steel steps into the PIP break.

During the break, Brutus took over, isolating Dar. The Scottish Supernova slipped free from Julius' Bearhug and ran around outside to slip away from both men for the hot tag.

Romeo and Dar set up a meet-in-the-middle double team, but Brutus pulled Dar out of the ring. Julius then nearly got the win off a Sit-Out Powerbomb.

In the ensuing flurry, Dar caught Julius with a Rolling Back Elbow for a Romeo near-fall than Brutus broke up.

Julius caught Romeo with a vicious Clothesline followed by a Double Elevated Spinebuster for the victory.

This was electric, but it is hardly surprising. Romeo and Dar move the explosive fire that makes tag team champions and have stolen the show every match.

Brutus and Julius might have been banished from the main roster for a time, but they remain a great tag team that looked more confident here than they did when they were last in NXT.

The combination signal the immediate future of the tag team division. The Creed Brothers should only be back in NXT to take the NXT tag titles, and Romeo and Dar should be long-term tag champions in 2027.

The Creed Brothers could not have asked for a better re-introduction.

Result

Julius and Brutus def. Romeo and Dar by pinfall.

Grade

A

Notable Moments and Observations

• In video from yesterday, Dar and Moreno asked for the first shot at The Creed Brothers in Robert Stone's office.
• The Creed Brothers' team theme is bad. They should have just kept the American Made theme rather than going back to this.
• The aggression in The Creed Brothers was palpable in this contest and sold why they should be a formidable heel team on the main roster.
• Romeo is one of the two best hot tags in NXT right now, next to Tavion Heights.

BirthRight Sends a Painful Message to Zilla Fatu

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Lexis King and Zilla Fatu

Dempsey told the fans that he was underappreciated, and he was done with himself and BirthRight being treated like jokes.

He then called out Zilla Fatu to ask him to join BirthRight and help them take over NXT. Zilla arrived to say Dempsey was mostly speaking the truth, but he was not looking to join a crew.

Uriah Connors warned Zilla that BirthRight was no longer asking but telling. The group arrived to beat down Zilla, blasting him with a steel chair and Powerbombing him through the announce table.

For an attempted shoot promo on Dempsey's current lackluster status in NXT, this fell awkwardly flat.

Throughout, it felt like Dempsey was trying too hard to come off genuine, only to sound like he was not confident in his own words. His dry charisma did not help either.

Even if the message had some weight, the messenger delivered one of his weakest promos of his career when it mattered most.

Zilla stood out in comparison due to his charisma, though much of his side of this promo was catchphrases rather than any substance.

Hopefully, the beatdown that followed gives BirthRight some legitimacy and pushes Zilla to get more real with his first true NXT rivalry.

There is no way BirthRight has any chance against Zilla, even if he gets no help, but it would be for the best if he found some friends to not embarrass BirthRight.

Grade

D

Notable Moments and Observations

• William Regal and Finlay advised BirthRight they needed to deal with Zilla.
• Robert Stone found Wren Sinclair backstage and suspended her.
• The crowd was actually behind Dempsey as he talked about how underappreciated he is before booing BirthRight.
• In a pre-tape, Naraku warned Shiloh Hill to stop researching the mist, or he will torment him with every color of the mist.

North American Championship: Jackson Drake (c) (w/ The Vanity Project) vs. Tavion Heights

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Jackson Drake with The Vanity Project

Last Time in Action: Jackson Drake defeated Myles Borne to capture the North American Championship, and Tavion Heights alongside Borne lost the NXT Tag Team Championships to Ricky Smokes and Brad Baylor (NXT Heatwave, August 30).

Drake tried to slow the pace early, but Heights fired up with a Clothesline and German Suplex.

Smokes tripped Heights as he went for a Tope to the floor. Heights responded by blasting Smokes with a Forearm, but Drake took advantage, dumping his challenger out of the ring into the PIP break.

Out of the break, Drake went for a Foot Stomp, but Heights ducked, causing Drake to twist his ankle. Drake took off his boot to relieve the pressure. The challenger went right after the ankle with an Ankle Lock.

Drake continued to limp while trying to fight back, but Heights kept bringing the impact, including an explosive German Suplex on the apron.

As Heights went to pick the ankle again though, Drake caught Heights with a Knee Smash to the face followed by a 450 Splash to retain his gold.

Afterward, Borne arrived in the crowd, but Heights did not trust him and walked out.

This was a clever match, built around the heel champion's weakness without losing his heat. Drake looked tough fighting through it even while taking what cheap shots he could manage.

Heights got to look explosive and dangerous while Drake's ingenuity was on full display, especially late.

It was surprising that Baylor and Smokes did not get involved more down the stretch, but that made for a more engaging home stretch that sold Drake as champion.

Heights lost in definitive enough fashion that he is likely out of the title picture for the foreseeable future.

NXT has enough established stars to give Drake plenty of interesting challengers going forward, especially based on who does not earn the next shot at Grayson Waller.

Borne vs. Heights has not landed yet as a rivalry due to teasing whether Borne might not be committing to playing the heel. Hopefully things will clear up soon.

Result

Drake def. Heights by pinfall to retain the North American Championship.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments and Observations

• Earlier in the night, Borne delivered an apology via his car, hoping Tavion could pick up the win and capture gold despite Borne's mistake.
• Heights watched the video and looked skeptical while Hank Ledger and Tank Walker encouraged him to believe in his friend.
• Heights carried his uncertainty to the ring, which Booker T called out.
• Booker's oddest call of the night was stating that Heights should be disqualified for attacking Smokes at ringside.
• Heights cause Drake to bleed from his mouth early, and Drake leaned into it with unhinged bloodied smiles.

Thea Hail and Izzi Dame Make Their Case for a Shot at North American Champion Zaria

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Zaria

Zaria talked up her redemption, finally putting the nightmare of her past with Sol Ruca behind her.

The North American champion talked up her future until Izzi Dame arrived on the stage, who mocked Zaria's "fake act" and promised to expose the champion.

Thea Hail arrived to call her shot at the North American Championship, and Izzi told her and Zaria to settle it first.

Thea said Zaria was still not over Sol, which caused Zaria to headbutt her. A brawl ensued, and Hail stood tall, promising victory to come.

Another week, another interruption promo segment in the women's division.

The positive of this segment was that Zaria and Hail both shined on the mic, especially the champion who is by far the best talker in the women's division.

Dame's involvement felt unnecessary, especially since her message got muddled quickly. She started out promising to expose Zaria but then decided she was only interested in winning the gold, no matter who held it.

Zaria vs. Hail has a clear heel vs. face dynamic while Dame seems to be pushing at Zaria turning face. While the second could work, it did not need to start here.

Grade

C-

Notable Moments and Observations

• In a backstage interview, Kali Armstrong questioned why Hail was taking her title shot until Lizzy Rain arrived to confront her. Security broke up the argument.
• In the locker room, Tony D'Angelo told Saquon Shugars and Mason Rook to stay out of his way. Tristan Angels arrived to mock Rook and Shugars.
• In a separate locker room, Keanu Carver did not get along well with Cruz Montana and EK Prosper until Robert Stone arrive. Keanu was nice to Stone to the confusion of Montana and Prosper.
• Hank Walker and Tank Ledger advised Myles Borne to apologize to Tavion Heights in the ring next week.
• William Regal and Finlay praised BirthRight's attack until The Vanity Project interrupted. Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux, The Creed Brothers and DarkState all tried to call the next shot at the tag titles.

Tony D'Angelo, Saquon Shugars and Mason Rook vs. Cruz Montana, EK Prosper and Keanu Carver

Last Time in Action: Mason Rook defeated Kam Hendrix (NXT, September 1). Tony D'Angelo and Cruz Montana alongside Zilla Fatu lost to Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship (NXT Heatwave, August 30). Saquon Shugars defeated Dion Lennox; EK Prosper lost to Rey Fénix; Keanu Carver defeated Hendrix (NXT, August 25).

This match started as a brawl that broke down to Carver vs. Shugars in the ring. Carver sent Shugars out with a Pounce and laid out Rook with an effortless Fireman's Carry before tagging in Montana.

D'Angelo had to get involved to turn the momentum, laying into Prosper with a Spinebuster.

The action quickly broke down where Montana and Carver threw Prosper onto Shugars on the top rope for a Top-Rope Hurricanrana to send the match into the final PIP break.

Back from break, Carver and Montana Double Superplexed Rook to the mat followed by a Frog Splash from Prosper for the near-fall.

Rook kicked Carver into Montana, allowing him to tag in an energized D'Angelo, who threw around all three men with ease.

Montana went for Spin the Block but accidentally ran into Carver out of the ring. Shugars dived onto Montana and Carver.

Back in the ring, D'Angelo Speared Prosper then Rook sent D'Angelo into Prosper with a Corner Death Valley Driver to win.

The show ended with D'Angelo and Rook arguing as Shugars tried to keep the peace. Waller mocked all three men directly to the camera, promising victory against any of them.

This was not the cleanest match, but it was consistently entertaining. The fast tags allowed this match to be believably non-stop.

Carver and D'Angelo's explosiveness especially carried the match forward and delivered the biggest pops of the match.

Down the stretch, it was clear that Waller was most focused on mocking D'Angelo, Rook and Shugars, somewhat spoiling the finish.

It did set up the best dynamic for three interesting challengers to come. While D'Angelo vs. Waller is an easy story, it would be more interesting to lean into either Shugars or Rook.

Both are fresh matches that are likely to be worthy of the premium live event spotlight at Halloween Havoc.

Result

Rook, D'Angelo and Shugars def. Prosper, Carver and Montana by pinfall to advance to the NXT Championship No. 1 Contender Triple Threat.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• The NXT champion interrupted D'Angelo's entrance to join commentary.
• Waller immediately caused problems with Vic Joseph, deciding to wheel around to sit next to Booker T instead.
• The final entrance before this match was for Montana, who came off as the biggest star.
• Waller's early reaction to the start of the match was that he did not want to fight Carver.
• After the finish, security had to get involved to stop Montana and Carver from brawling into the back.

Vic Joseph ran down the card for next week:

• Kali Armstrong vs. Lizzy Rain.
• Myles Borne's public apology.
• DarkState vs. Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux.
• NXT Championship No. 1 Contender's Triple Threat.

Final Word

It was a good night of action for NXT, relying heavily on the in-ring work of the NXT roster to carry a show that is still well over a month away from the next premium live event.

Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker was a solid opener while Jackson Drake vs. Tavion Heights was a creative TV showcase for both men.

Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar continue to be one of the biggest reasons to watch NXT weekly, delivering another great performance against The Creed Brothers.

The main event also sold all six men involved as future top stars of the brand, which is a message NXT needed to deliver.

While NXT is still struggling to deliver confident promo segments, the roster rallied in the ring to make clear that the talent at the head of the brand is the future of the business.

Final Grade: B+