WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 9

In one week, the Superstars and Divas of NXT will hit the WWE Network airwaves for the latest TakeOver special, live from London.

That show will be co-headlined by a heavyweight championship battle between Finn Balor and Samoa Joe and an intensely personal grudge match pitting Apollo Crews against "The Lone Wolf" Baron Corbin.

Wednesday night, those four competitors partnered up for a gigantic tag match pitting babyfaces Balor and Crews against Corbin and Joe.

Women's champion Bayley was preparing for a major title defense against Nia Jax, but she would have to get through the young, hungry Peyton Royce before she could turn her attention toward London.

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady prepared for their upcoming tag title bout against Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder by battling local talent, and Asuka looked to send one last message to Emma ahead of their contest on December 13.

How did those Superstars make out on a pivotal night for NXT?

Find out now with this look at the week's winners, grades and analysis.

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. Corey Hollis and John Skyler

There was no time for laughs or goofy entrances this week for Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady. as they made their way to the squared circle minus the catchphrases. Their opponents, Corey Hollis and John Skyler, had no shot at stopping the experienced and determined duo.

Big Cass steamrolled Hollis and Amore showed great intensity before putting away the opposition with The Rocket Launcher.

After the match, Enzo cut a promo on Dash and Dawson and their upcoming bout next Wednesday. 

Result

Enzo Amore and Big Cass defeated Corey Hollis and John Skyler.

Grade

A

Analysis

Enzo Amore cut the best promo of his career, and one of the best of the year, Wednesday night, proving that he and Big Cass can shine even without the popular catchphrases that have gotten them to where they are now.

A fine talker who connects with the audience thanks to his natural charisma, Amore is an underrated member of NXT who will have the opportunity to add "champion" to his resume when he and the equally as awesome Big Cass challenge Dash and Dawson for the tag titles.

Asuka vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Credit: WWE.com

Just days before her match at TakeOver: London, Asuka squared off with Deonna Purrazzo.

Rivals Emma and Dana Brooke made their presence felt midway through the bout, clearly trying to distract the international star as she looked to add another victory to her resume.

There was no distraction that could possibly take away the focus of the Japanese competitor, who tore through Purrazzo and knocked her out with a heel kick, adding yet another dangerous weapon to her arsenal.

Emma and Dana were, understandably, uneasy over the latest developments.

Result

Asuka knocked out Deonna Purrazzo.

Grade

A

Analysis

This was perfect in that it introduced a new way for Asuka to take out her opponents, just as Emma and Dana Brooke were starting to gain confidence that they could deal the Japanese star her first defeat.

The kick looked good, and Emma and Dana sold the fear to perfection, leaving fans to wonder how the Aussie Diva can possibly overcome the ferocity of Asuka come next Wednesday night. 

The Hype Bros vs. Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake

Credit: WWE.com

A few weeks ago, The Hype Bros teamed with Bayley to battle Murphy, Blake and Alexa Bliss. Wednesday night, the two male tag teams continued their rivalry.

Murphy and Blake isolated Zack Ryder and beat him down, wearing him out with a chin lock. A hot tag to Mojo Rawley resulted in a fiery babyface comeback.

Blake delivered a superkick that served as a last-grasp attempt at securing the win, but the Hype Ryder finisher ended it in favor of Ryder and Rawley.

Much to the dismay of Alexa Bliss. 

Result

The Hype Bros defeated Murphy and Blake.

Grade

C

Analysis

There was nothing spectacular or phenomenal about this match, but it was still a fun little sprint of a match that featured two teams with nothing else better to do except shining when given the opportunity.

It is shocking to see how far Blake and Murphy have fallen since dropping the tag titles this past August, especially considering how talented and solid they are as workers. Unfortunately, Dash and Dawson and The Vaudevillains seem poised to dominate on the heel side of things for the foreseeable future.

Bayley vs. Peyton Royce

Bayley needed a strong test heading into TakeOver, and she found it in the form of Peyton Royce, who is clearly a heel at this point.

Royce used her lengthy legs as weapons, unleashing with a heel kick and a running knee to counteract Bayley's experience. 

The women's champion showed great resiliency, as she has so many times over the course of her career, and delivered a Bayley-to-Belly to score the victory.

After the match, Nia Jax and Eva Marie appeared, the former warning Bayley that her luck will run out in London. 

Result

Bayley defeated Peyton Royce.

Grade

C

Analysis

Not only did Bayley pick up a quality win, and Nia Jax managed to send a chilling threat to the champion, but the division was strengthened by the emergence of Peyton Royce.

Sure, she has been around for a few months, but Wednesday night was clearly her best performance to date. She looked strong and confident, like someone finally putting the pieces together and poised to be so much more than she has been to this point.

Something that doesn't happen on WWE's main roster.

Finn Balor and Apollo Crews vs. Samoa Joe and Baron Corbin

The two biggest rivalries in NXT converged in a huge tag team main event as Finn Balor teamed with Apollo Crews to face Samoa Joe and Baron Corbin.

Crews found himself in the wrong part of town (thanks, Gorilla Monsoon) and suffered a beatdown at the hands of his vicious, tenacious and villainous opponents. A missed blind charge into the corner cut off the heels' momentum and allowed the charismatic Crews to make the hot tag to Balor.

The NXT champion was on fire until Corbin pushed him off the top rope and into the arms of Joe, who delivered a big Death Valley Driver. The Coquina Clutch finished Balor off as Joe continued to roll heading into London. 

Result

Samoa Joe and Baron Corbin defeated Apollo Crews and Finn Balor.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a solid tag match, no better or worse than what fans would see on a throwaway episode of Raw or SmackDown. What it did was put the spotlight on the main events of next Wednesday's show while also giving Joe yet another victory as he prepares for the biggest match of his NXT career.

Best of all, he looks like a killer Balor just cannot overcome, creating doubt that the babyface will leave London with his title. It has been a one-sided feud to this point, which will only help to add drama to their main event clash.