WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 23

One week after finding out she will challenge Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship at TakeOver: Dallas, Asuka renewed her rivalry with Emma in the main event of the March 23 episode of WWE Network's acclaimed broadcast.

It was only three months ago that the women nearly stole the show out from underneath their peers in London, wrestling a brilliant match that demonstrated their undeniable skills. Wednesday night, they once again proved why they are among the best female wrestlers in the industry with another high-quality bout.

Speaking of wrestling's best, NXT champion Finn Balor returned to the ring to battle young Rich Swann, who has made a habit out of impressing every time he sets foot in the NXT ring.

Alexa Bliss looked to climb back into championship contention as she battled Indy star Mary Dobson, and Johnny Gargano returned to the NXT Arena at Full Sail University, battling "The Drifter" Elias Samson.

Which Superstars earned themselves some much-desired momentum heading into next weekend's TakeOver: Dallas, and who was not quite as lucky?

Take a look for yourself. 

Johnny Gargano vs. Elias Samson

Credit: WWE.com

A momentary lapse in judgment, fueled by arrogance, spelled the end of Elias Samson's win streak Wednesday night.

Despite controlling the majority of the match against Johnny Gargano, Samson left himself open to a rollup and defeat at the hands of the man affectionately known to Indy fans as "Mr. Wrestling."

After the match, an irate Samson attacked Gargano, but before he could do too much damage, Apollo Crews hit the ring and made the save.

Crews and Samson stared each other down to end the segment.

Result

Johnny Gargano pinned Elias Samson

Grade

C

Analysis

A Johnny Gargano win was a nice surprise, but the tease of an Elias Samson-Apollo Crews feud is not necessarily the most appealing to fans.

Samson has done nothing to suggest he is ready for that high-profile a match. He is still too one-dimensional a wrestler, relying on strikes to fill a match. He has shown flashes but is still too inconsistent to be relied upon to deliver the show-stealing bout that fans of NXT expect out of the talent lucky enough to make the card.

The recent wins for Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa over NXT-contracted talent leaves this writer wondering whether a full-time spot on the roster may await them.

Finn Balor vs. Rich Swann

The fans in the NXT Arena showed very vocal support of Rich Swann as he battled heavyweight champion Finn Balor in a nontitle bout Wednesday.

Swann kept up with Balor early, but a chop slowed him momentum. The champion dumped the newcomer to ringside, then followed up with a nasty dropkick and Bloody Sunday for the pinfall victory.

Result

Finn Balor pinned Rich Swann

Grade

B-

Analysis

Finn Balor continues to roll as he enters Dallas and a second showdown with Samoa Joe. This was another fun, energetic match against a performer in Rich Swann who looks poised to dominate NXT for the next year if given the opportunity.

With every passing week, it becomes more and more obvious just how ahead of everyone else Balor is at this point and how ready for the main roster he is.

Sarah Dobson vs. Alexa Bliss

Credit: WWE.com

With the face of women's wrestling in NXT possibly changing as soon as TakeOver: Dallas, Alexa Bliss looked to build momentum for herself with a decisive victory, this one over Sarah Dobson.

She would benefit from the quick thinking of former tag team champion Murphy, who pulled her out of the way of a Dobson attack.

Seconds later, she delivered the Sparkle Splash for a pinfall victory.

Result

Alexa Bliss pinned Sarah Dobson

Grade

D+

Analysis

Alexa Bliss is one of the most underrated stars on the roster, but this was ugly. It looked like the women were trying to force too much into a small amount, the result of which was a rushed and disjointed bout. The botched body block by Dobson is proof of it.

Bliss winning allows her to pick up momentum after a few high-profile losses and could be the beginning of another push.

Or it could be a way to kill a few minutes of television time.

Bull Dempsey vs. Danny Burch

Before Bull Dempsey and Danny Burch's match could get underway, Samoa Joe appeared and attacked both of them.

He choked them out before sending a short, threatening message to Finn Balor.

Result

No contest

Grade

B+

Analysis

Samoa Joe finally looks like the killer he should have been from the get-go, a highly motivated and equally as dangerous competitor looking to leave Dallas with championship gold.

The best part? No one suffered as a result of the beatdown. Dempsey, unfortunately, is no longer with the brand, while Danny Burch has long been presented as an enhancement.

A quick, powerful segment that sets the stage for a championship battle coming on April Fools' Day.

Asuka vs. Emma

Asuka and Emma battled in singles competition in this week's main event, a rematch from their near-classic at TakeOver: London.

The Japanese star frustrated her opponent early, flattening her with the running hip attack as the match went to the break.

Emma took over, working a headlock before trapping her in the Tree of Woe. She executed a flurry of kicks to the ribs.

Asuka exploded back into the match, catching her with another hip attack and a German suplex.

The Asuka Lock netted her the submission victory.

Result

Asuka defeated Emma 

Grade

B+ 

Analysis

Asuka and Emma have excellent chemistry, as evidenced by their last two high-profile bouts. Emma looked like a credible contender to the title, while Asuka was resilient, proving unstoppable as she prepares for her women's title bout against Bayley in Dallas.

One of the best-built matches of the entire WrestleMania weekend, Bayley vs. Asuka is a bout featuring two women who have been presented as unbeatable. Now, with the eyes of the wrestling world watching, they will battle in a match in which one must win and one must lose. It is simple-yet-effective booking that the main roster's Creative staff can only dream of presenting.