NXT TakeOver London Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

For the first time ever, the men and women of NXT hit the road for a grand tour of the United Kingdom, culminating in a live, two-hour TakeOver special from London.

In the night's main event, Finn Balor defended the NXT Championship against Samoa Joe in a war between former tag team partners and friends. After Joe left the titleholder lying, the victim of his dreaded Coquina Clutch on two separate occasions, would Balor be able to hold onto the title he has called his own since this past summer or would the challenger choke his way to victory and championship acclaim?

Bayley's title reign was also in jeopardy Wednesday night as the most beloved star in NXT defended her Women's Championship against Nia Jax.

A year that has seen Bayley overcome the odds and do more to help women's wrestling gain notoriety in the sport's most established promotion could have ended in utter heartbreak for the top female performer on the brand's roster.

Did it or were there High 10s to be had for all as Bayley successfully retained her title?

With an undercard featuring Asuka vs. Emma, Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin and a tag title match pitting Dash and Dawson against Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady, the latest TakeOver special set out to steal the headlines and prove why NXT is the most buzz worthy brand in sports entertainment.

Who left victoriously and how did each match grade out with this writer?

Find out now with this wrap-up from TakeOver: London.

Asuka vs. Emma

Asuka kicked off the evening, drawing a big reaction from the fans in London. Emma followed, with Dana Brooke by her side, and the opening bout of TakeOver was underway.

Emma had more success than any other woman has to this point against the enigmatic Japanese star, using submissions and strikes to work her over. She ground Asuka's face into the mat, drawing more boos.

Late in the match, Dana and Emma tried to unsuccessfully introduce a steel chain into the match, an attempt made completely out of desperation. Ultimately, it proved the downfall of the Aussie Diva, who watched as her BFF was tossed from ringside, then suffered a stiff kick to the head that ended her night on a downer.

Asuka stood tall, soaking in the cheers of the NXT faithful, following her latest and greatest victory.

Result

Asuka defeated Emma

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a phenomenal way to kick off TakeOver: London.

The NXT brand has been built partly on women's wrestling and as has been the case so many times before, Triple H and fellow management allowed Asuka and Emma to go to the ring and have a match devoid of the nonsense that plagues today's main roster Divas.

The action was crisp and the heat was off the charts. The use of the chain was a nice touch, something not typically reserved for undercard bouts.

Asuka winning with the kick was a great way to pay off the setup that occurred last week on the television product and adds another dimension to her arsenal.

NXT Tag Team Title Match: Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Dash & Dawson

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady looked to avenge the assault they suffered at the hands of Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson when they met in a match for the NXT Tag Team Championships Wednesday.

The champions would isolate Amore, working his arm as only the ground-and-pound technicians can. Wilder and Dawson also targeted the previously injured knee of Cassady, ensuring that both of their challengers were left hobbled by some sort of ailment.

Enzo and Big Cass mounted a comeback, but their championship quest came to an unfulfilled conclusion as Dash and Dawson delivered the Shatter Machine to retain their titles.

Result

Dash and Dawson defeated Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was a really solid tag match, featuring a team that is returning old-school beatings to the division.

The comparison has been made countless times, but the champion Dawson and Wilder are reminiscent of former Four Horsemen Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson and Tully Blanchard in that they beat opponents down, focus on a given limb and beat it mercilessly until the challengers have no choice but to give up.

The action was hot, and fans wanted to see Amore and Cassady leave with the titles, but they failed. Their loss will not hurt their heat but will boost Dawson and Wilder in terms of heel heat.

Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin

The months-long rivalry between Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews culminated in a heated grudge match Wednesday night.

Crews had Corbin reeling, sending the former Arizona Cardinal scurrying to the ringside area to avoid further punishment. A big bump to the outside that saw Crews smack the ring steps on the way down, though, turned the tide in the favor of the heel.

A resilient Crews withstood a strong beating at the hands of his larger opponent but used his strength to mount a comeback late in the match. He tried for his powerbomb finish but Corbin held onto the ropes and, moments later, finished the previously undefeated Crews off with End of Days for the win. 

Result

Baron Corbin defeated Apollo Crews

Grade

C+

Analysis

One of the beautiful things about NXT is that the stars are all over, thanks to the way they are built through squash matches and intriguing programs on television. Thus, a loss for Crews here does nothing to hurt him in the eyes of fans. 

For Corbin, the win represents the next logical step in his quest to become a legitimate main event talent in NXT. With Finn Balor clear out of heel challengers after Samoa Joe, Corbin is the next most formidable character the brand has, and building him up for a potential showdown with the Demon of NXT is the best route to take.

NXT Women's Championship Match: Bayley vs. Nia Jax

For Bayley, Nia Jax presented a challenge the likes of which the women's champion had never faced before. She was bigger, stronger and meaner than anyone the huggable Diva had ever squared off with.

And for part of Wednesday night's match, it looked like the relatively inexperienced Jax was going to deliver in her first opportunity to capture women's championship gold. She cut the champion off at every turn, withstood every bit of fiery offense by the champion and nearly put her away with a hard Samoan Drop.

Bayley, resourceful and aware, caught Jax in a guillotine choke. She brought Jax to a seated position, wrapped her legs around her to really tighten the hold and forced a submission after 13 minutes of action. 

Result

Bayley defeated Nia Jax to retain her title

Grade

B

Analysis

Jax turned in a very solid performance, but there were still points in the match when she looked out of her element. That is something that will come with time and more opportunities in high-profile matches such as this one.

Bayley held this one together, playing Sting to Jax's Vader, and the end result was a good match that was as much about Bayley proving herself as one of the elite female wrestlers in the sport, is it was getting the quality of match she did out of someone as out of her element as Jax was at times.

Bayley's victory would seemingly bring an end to the program but given the involvement of Eva Marie, the likelihood that we have seen the end of the feud is low.

NXT Championship Match: Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe

Just weeks after a heel turn re-energized Samoa Joe's career, the highly decorated wrestler arrived in London prepared to add the NXT Championship to his resume.

To do so, he would have to conquer a Finn Balor who has been the face of the brand for the majority of 2015.

Joe dominated the majority of the bout, proving to be one step ahead of the NXT champion for the majority of the bout.

He delivered a powerbomb that he quickly turned into the high-angle crab, following by a crossface. Instead of netting the victory, frustration began setting in.

Balor delivered the Sling Blade to fight his way back into the match, then escaped a Muscle Buster and delivered the Pele kick. Joe managed to trap Balor in the Coquina Clutch but was unable to put the champion away.

Balor fought out and delivered a double stomp, leaving both men lying.

The Coup de Grace finished for Balor moments later after sending Joe crashing to the mat below. 

Result

Finn Balor defeated Samoa Joe

Grade

A+ 

Analysis

This was the epitome of a main event. The action was outstanding and Joe looked like a legitimate beast here, besting Balor until a comeback late. More importantly, as has been the case throughout the feud, Joe looked more motivated than he has been in years, and it certainly helped the quality of the bout.

Balor continues to be a worthy champion, a performer who understand and perfects the idea of theatricality plus in-ring work. He sold masterfully for Joe, further putting the decorated star over as a credible threat to his championship.

The atmosphere, the molten-hot crowd and the fantastic ring work combined to make this a legitimate main event that would have been right at home on as the marquee match of any event, from any promotion, in the world.