WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from September 2

The Dusty Rhodes Classic kicked off Wednesday night, with some of wrestling's most talented tag teams competing for the right to be called victors.

The Ascension made a surprise return to the NXT Arena. Konnor and Viktor were greeted with a hero's welcome as they stalked toward the squared circle for their match with Rhyno and Baron Corbin. A happy ending was not to be had, though, as the unstoppable forces across the ring from them proved too daunting a task for even them.

Speaking of homecomings, Neville returned to the arena he called his house for nearly a year, teaming with Solomon Crowe to face the up-and-coming team of Jason Jordan and Chad Gable.

Like The Ascension, "The Man That Gravity Forgot" experienced disappointment, losing out on the opportunity to advance in the tournament.

Eva Marie was in action, and Blue Pants and Alexa Bliss looked to settle their differences to round out the rest of the card.

How did each match grade out, and how will the outcome of each affect the coming weeks and months of NXT television?

Take a look for yourself.

The Ascension vs. Rhyno and Baron Corbin

The Dusty Rhodes Classic tournament kicked off with The Ascension making its return to the world it dominated for nearly one full year. Arguably the greatest tag champions in NXT history, they received a warm response from the fans who appreciated what they accomplished during their time with the brand.

Their opponents were the dominant duo of Rhyno and Baron Corbin, who were both coming off recent losses to Samoa Joe.

Rhyno and Corbin dominated Viktor for the meat of the match, using their strength advantage to work over the smallest man in the match. The hot tag was made to Konnor, though, and the big man unleashed his fury on the opposition.

Unfortunately, he took his focus off Rhyno for one moment and wound up eating a Gore that would end The Ascension's homecoming on a sour note.

Result

Rhyno and Baron Corbin defeated The Ascension.

Grade

B-

Analysis

The response for The Ascension was fantastic and demonstrated just how poorly handled its "promotion" to the main roster was. The tag team looked motivated here, delivering a performance that reminded the NXT Universe why it was the baddest team in the land for so long.

It just happened to run into a badder one Wednesday night, and now the tag team finds itself on the outside looking in on the rest of the Dusty Rhodes Classic.

Blue Pants vs. Alexa Bliss

Credit: WWE.com

At NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, Blue Pants surprised the wrestling world by standing in The Vaudevillains' corner, ensuring Alexa Bliss would not have a role in the outcome of Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake's NXT Tag Team Championship defense.

Wednesday night, Bliss made sure the lovable underdog paid for her involvement in Murphy and Blake's defeat, thwarting every comeback attempt and finishing her off with the Sparkle Splash.

Result

Alexa Bliss defeated Blue Pants.

Grade

C

Analysis

It would have been nice to see Blue Pants get a little more offense in than she did, but considering she is not a contracted talent, whereas Bliss is, it makes sense that management would want to shine the spotlight on the heel here.

Bliss has mastered her heel mannerisms and facial expressions, to the point that her days as the lovable fairy-type are long gone.

Blue Pants is such a lovable loser and has such a connection with the NXT fans that one has to wonder why Triple H and WWE have not offered a contract at this point.

Come on, guys, do the right thing and get her signed up before someone else comes along and beats you to the punch.

Apollo Crews vs. Martin Stone

Apollo Crews made his long-awaited debut at Takeover, dispatching of "The Perfect 10" Tye Dillinger in impressive fashion. Wednesday night, he competed in front of the Full Sail University fans for the first time, squaring off with Martin Stone.

Crews tore through Stone, delivering a press slam and clothesline before finishing him off with the standing moonsault in what was little more than a squash.

Result

Apollo Crews defeated Martin Stone.

Grade

D+

Analysis

Crews is an impressive athlete for someone his size, something he shows off every time he steps foot inside the squared circle.

This was fine for what it is, but one has to hope management does not go the same route with Crews that it did with Corbin by forcing him into a long string of squashes that ultimately turned fans against him.

Billie Kay vs. Eva Marie

Credit: WWE.com

Eva Marie's journey "to be the best" continued Wednesday night as the Total Divas star squared off with NXT newcomer Billie Kay.

The fiery redhead worked over Kay and even managed to withstand a late-match surge. Unfortunately, a botch on a pinfall attempt in which Eva Marie did not kick out on time hurt the bout's flow, leading to a finish that the Divas limped to.

Eva Marie scored another victory with the Sliced Red (nifty name, huh?) and continued her undefeated streak.

Result

Eva Marie defeated Billie Kay.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Eva Marie is a strange case in that the athleticism is there. A former collegiate soccer player, she is more than capable of delivering from a purely athletic standpoint. But when it comes to the art of wrestling, she still appears frazzled when she competes, as if she is thinking way too much about what comes next.

She is also far too wooden at this point, another sign of nervousness.

A class with the NXT crew in which she can work more on timing and understand why she does what she does would benefit her tremendously.

Neville and Solomon Crowe vs. Chad Gable and Jason Jordan

Jason Jordan is a Superstar whose athleticism is nearly unparalleled. Unfortunately, the early portion of his NXT career was filled with singles disappointments and insufficient tag team partners. Discovering Chad Gable as his new partner, though, has earned him a number of recent victories and has them riding a wave of momentum heading into the Dusty Rhodes Classic.

This, despite a loss in last week's Eight-Man Tag Team match.

Wednesday night, the duo made up for last week's stumble with a victory over Neville and Solomon Crowe.

Late in the match, The Man That Gravity Forgot was electric, taking out both opponents with his dazzling, high-risk offense. Unfortunately for him, partner Crowe got greedy and tagged himself in. He was finished off moments later, costing Neville the opportunity to add to his considerable NXT resume.

Result

Chad Gable and Jason Jordan defeated Neville and Solomon Crowe.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a very solid tag match and a great way to end the first week of the Dusty Rhodes Classic.

Jordan and Gable are a strong team with great chemistry. Their ability to wear down their opponents with their amateur wrestling skills is unparalleled in NXT.

Neville was phenomenal here, looking like a legitimate star among boys as he flew through the air and captivated the NXT fans who had watched him inside the yellow ropes for so long. His defeat is disappointing, but it came at the hands of a greedy act that could lead to a much-needed character change for Crowe, who is struggling mightily.