WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from January 13

The January 13 episode of NXT was a show determined to create new stories and crown new top contenders to the brand's most prestigious championships.

Sami Zayn returned to Full Sail University and received a heroes welcome, only to have his promo interrupted by Samoa Joe and Baron Corbin, who took exception to his championship aspirations.

Speaking of title dreams, 11 women battled for the right to challenge Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship in the very near future. Who would leave the winner and how would the crowd inside the NXT Arena respond if it was somehow Eva Marie?

Dash and Dawson were in action, as was Elias Samson, as the brand looked to kick off the year on a high note.

Who left victorious and how did each match grade out?

Find out now.

Sami Zayn Returns to the NXT Arena

William Regal kicked off the evening's broadcast by announcing the night's main event—a Battle Royal to determine the No. 1 to the NXT Women's Championship, before reintroducing Sami Zayn to the fans inside Full Sail University.

Zayn arrived to a raucous ovation of "Ole!" chants and took credit for helping build the NXT brand.

Samoa Joe cut off his promo, much to the fans' dismay, and confronted the former NXT champion in the center of the squared circle. He reminded Zayn the last time the Montreal native was in a title match, it was Joe who had to save him from an assault at the hands of Kevin Owens.

Baron Corbin arrived and reiterated Joe's claims that Zayn belongs in the rear of the field of top contenders. He considers himself the uncrowned NXT champion, he said, only to have Joe remind him he was choked out by the Samoan Submission Machine in Brooklyn.

Joe walked away, while Corbin sneak-attacked Zayn, only to suffer a Helluva Kick that sent him to the arena floor. Joe tried a sneak attack but again bailed out of the ring, leaving Zayn standing tall to close out the segment.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a very strong opening segment that introduced the top three contenders to Finn Balor's title and established the differences between them.

Joe telling off both Corbin and Zayn with perfectly valid criticisms was an excellent bit and makes him look like the odds-on favorite to win the impending match between the three Superstars.

Zayn was incredibly over, while Corbin never looked out of place with the established stars he shared the ring with, which is key to getting fans to accept him as a legitimate main event attraction.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Danny Burch

Credit: WWE.com

Tommaso Ciampa returned to NXT for the first time since his jaw-dropping violent out with Samoa Joe and squared off with the double-tough Danny Burch.

Ciampa took the action to the mat, but Burch delivered a big missile dropkick to turn the tide in his favor.

Burch's trash-talking from re-energized Ciampa, who mounted a comeback, only to suffer a big right hand to the face that almost knocked him unconscious.

Ciampa finished Burch by escaping a backslide and applying the bridging armbar for the submission victory.

Result

Tommaso Ciampa defeated Danny Burch.

Grade

C

Analysis

Ciampa had a strong showing, even if Burch got in far more offense than he should have.

Getting the Boston native over as the most hard-hitting competitor on the brand is not a bad idea, and it gives him the impression that he is a legitimate badass.

That is never a bad thing on a roster full of guys like Baron Corbin and Samoa Joe.

The Ascension vs. Dash and Dawson

The most dominant tag team in NXT history returned to the brand to battle current tag team champions, as The Ascension battled Dash and Dawson.

The crowd received the returning Konnor and Viktor with a loud ovation and well-deserved based on their previous success with the brand.

The champions isolated Viktor and appeared on their way to victory until the hot tag was made to the explosive big man—Konnor.

A blind tag to Wilder led to the double-team finisher that put away their main roster opponents.

Result

Dash and Dawson defeated The Ascension.

Grade

C

Analysis

This win probably should have meant more for Dash and Dawson but, unfortunately, The Ascension has been so incredibly devalued after a year of jobbing on the main roster that it failed to leave an impression.

The Ascension was greeted with a reaction fitting longtime fan favorites—and righfully so. But the wrestlers will never mean what they once did, and that is a damn shame for them and the fans who still respect their many accomplishments.

Corey Hollis vs. Elias Samson

Credit: WWE.com

"The Drifter" Elias Samson overwhelmed Corey Hollis from the opening bell, as his size and strength was too much for his much-smaller opponent.

A double mule kick sent Hollis across the squared circle. The creepy smile Samson flashed throughout the match was discomforting, and the devastating neckbreaker that finished off Hollis even more so.

After the match, Samson said that what NXT needs is what he is.

Result

Elias Samson defeated Corey Hollis.

Grade

D

Analysis

The Samson character is intriguing, but he has yet to really deliver the in-ring performance that suggests he is capable of backing it up between the ropes.

Of course, squash matches do not necessarily provide fans with the full range of a wrestler's abilities.

Still, The Drifter needs desperately to introduce some spark to his work or risk failing, and that would be unfortunate.

No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal

Participants: Aliyah, Cameron, Liv Morgan, Billie Kay, Emma, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Eva Marie, Deonna Purazzo, Carmella and Peyton Royce

Asuka interrupted Eva Marie's entrance early and then knocked her unconscious and out of the ring—under the ropes, of course, which is something that would come into play later.

Liv Morgan badly botched a powerbomb spot before Alexa Bliss tossed her and Cameron.

Late in the match, it appeared as though the battle had come down to Royce, Kay and Asuka, and the Japanese star had somehow managed to pick up the win.

Unfortunately, Eva Marie returned to the squared circle and tossed Asuka for the win.

Or did she?

Carmella, who had been driven to the floor following an Emma-mite Sandwich, returned and eliminated the All Red Diva for the win.

After the match, the champion—Bayley—congratulated her.

Result

Carmella won the No. 1 Contender Battle Royal, eliminating Eva Marie.

Grade

C-

Analysis

There was too much going on here, with far too little time to accomplish everything the match was trying. Still, it managed to make both Billie Kay and Peyton Royce look good, Asuka saved face by being the woman Eva Marie screwed over and fans rejoiced at the fact anyone other than the Total Divas star won.

The choice of Carmella is interesting in that the feud with Bayley will tap into their real-life friendship, something established on the WWE Network original show WWE Breaking Ground.

It was a solid way to end the show and put the focus on the women's title.