WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from June 29

While Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura have set up a dream match of sorts and Samoa Joe has had the luxury of sitting back and waiting for his next challenger to present himself, Wednesday's WWE Network broadcast of NXT focused on other areas of the roster.

Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano hoped their winning ways would continue and put them in contention for the NXT Tag Team Championships. For both of those things to happen, they would have to get past former WWE Intercontinental champion Zack Ryder and partner Mojo Rawley, known collectively to fans as The Hype Bros.

Carmella and Alexa Bliss have built winning records for themselves in recent months but have not had the opportunity to challenge for the NXT Women's Championship to this point. A win over the other could finally net that chance, something they battled for on Wednesday's show.

Who emerged victoriously from their matches or stepped closer to their ultimate goal of championship glory?

Find out with this in-depth look back at the June 29 episode of NXT.

Carmella vs. Alexa Bliss

The opening match of Wednesday's show saw Alexa Bliss battle Carmella in singles competition.

Bliss worked the shoulder of her opponent, keeping the energetic and dynamic babyface grounded. Her insistence on arguing with the referee, though, allowed Carmella to fight her way back into the match.

Carmella broke out an impressive superkick and looked for her Bronco Buster, landing it. Bliss cut her off and set in motion the events that would lead to her win.

Moments later, Bliss executed what was formerly called the Sparkle Splash, now renamed Twisted Bliss, for the pinfall victory.

Result

Alexa Bliss defeated Carmella.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Bliss was the logical winner here, especially with a babyface in Asuka as champion. She looked more than solid here, her facial expressions and body language as important to the quality of her work as the action itself.

Whereas this would have been a match of two incredibly green, inexperienced workers not that long ago, their work Wednesday demonstrated just how far they have come over the last year. Both are poised for big years in 2016, be it in NXT or elsewhere.

Andrade 'Cien' Almas vs. Noah Potjes

Andrade "Cien" Almas looked to make a positive impression on NXT fans after a series of disappointing showings against the much more popular Tye Dillinger.

That did not happen Wednesday as he battled Noah Potjes in a squash match.

He teased his dives to the floor, as he has done numerous times early in his career with the brand, only to showboat rather than execute. Almas found himself on the receiving end of a chinlock before firing off a few kicks and delivering his running knees into the corner for the comeback win.

Result

Andrade "Cien" Almas defeated Noah Potjes.

Grade

C-

Analysis

First things first: Almas has the most annoying name of any Superstar on the WWE roster. The three-name gimmick is ridiculous and does nothing to add to his character. Speaking of which, his on-screen persona is a drastic departure from the video packages that preceded him, which suggested a respect for Mexican culture rather than a bombastic showoff.

He is not particularly likable, so it is no surprise the NXT faithful have failed to invest in him the way they have No Way Jose, another floundering character who at least is a fun-loving babyface.

This did nothing to help the newcomer, who is desperately in need of a breakout performance.

And stat.

Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano vs. the Hype Bros

The tag team division took center stage in Wednesday's main event, as the surging duo of Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano battled stalwarts The Hype Bros in an action-packed main event.

Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley turned in their most impressive performance to date, using their experience as a team to thwart Ciampa and Gargano at several turns. Late, though, the former independent stars eliminated Rawley from proceedings, isolated Ryder and finished him with their running knee/kick duo.

After the match, the victors voiced their desire for a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championships, especially after beating The Revival a few weeks back. This brought out former titleholders American Alpha, who said Ciampa and Gargano can have their match—against them, when they win the gold back.

Naturally, Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson made their presence felt. They asserted that they are the best and that neither of the teams in the ring really deserve a chance at the gold.

General manager William Regal arrived on the scene and booked American Alpha vs. The Revival in a 2-Out-of-3 Falls match for next week's show.

The Authors of Pain attacked to close out the show, putting down both American Alpha and Gargano and Ciampa while Paul Ellering watched on.

Result

Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano defeated The Hype Bros.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The main event match itself was outstanding. The Hype Bros have been the definition of mediocrity for so long it had become difficult to remember Ryder is as skilled a professional wrestler as he is and that Rawley has actually made tremendous strides over the last two years.

They went toe-to-toe with two incredible workers and never looked out of place.

The post-match activities were the strength of the segment, with Ciampa and Gargano accurately stating their case for a title opportunity. American Alpha, as the former champions, also had an argument for the show. Regal, making the decision in the best interests of the teams, booked a main event-quality match for next week.

With those two teams occupied, the potential for a Ciampa and Gargano vs. Authors of Pain match is there.

Finally, management has done a great job of building intrigue for Ellering's motivations. Why has he come out of retirement to back the monstrous newcomers?

It is a question that should be answered in the coming weeks.