WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from July 20

Rhyno wasted little time putting NXT on notice, telling every Superstar in the locker room that to make it to the top of the industry, they must go through him. Wednesday night, he battled the competitor already at the pinnacle as he contested NXT champion Samoa Joe in the main event.

The heavyweight clash was not the only encounter on the star-studded lineup.

On the heels of her drafting to Raw, Nia Jax squared off with Bayley, each woman searching for the win that would catapult them into contention for Asuka's NXT Women's Championship. Which of the prospective No. 1 contenders emerged with her arm raised in victory?

What of American Alpha, who saw their stock rise significantly after being drafted to SmackDown? Would Jason Jordan and Chad Gable overcome the oppressive onslaught of newcomers The Authors of Pain, just 24 hours after the greatest moment of their tag team career?

The answers and more can be found in this recap of the July 20 episode of NXT.

Rhyno vs. Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe continued his quest for complete dominance Wednesday night as he battled Rhyno—a veteran of the mat wars whose belief that he has one last great run in him fuels him.

Unfortunately for Rhyno, a victory was not to be this week.

Despite a valiant effort, his trademark Gore was countered late by Joe, who trapped the former ECW champion in the Coquina Clutch for the submission victory.

Result

Samoa Joe defeated Rhyno.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was a high-impact battle of the mastadons—a heavyweight showdown between two of the industry's most respected big men. They have waged war in the past, primarily in TNA Wrestling, and have always had a very solid chemistry.

Nothing they did in Wednesday's match was any different than their previous matches or particularly awe-inspiring. It was a good, hard-fought match in which the right guy went over as he rolls toward Brooklyn for TakeOver.

Rhyno loses nothing, having won the respect of the fans a long time ago, and continues to be a welcome surprise when he pops up from time to time.

American Alpha vs. The Authors of Pain

A sneak attack by The Authors of Pain prior to the bout threatened the match itself, but the resilient babyface tandem of Jason Jordan and Chad Gable refused to let its rivals get out of the match that easily.

American Alpha, despite its pre-match injuries, did not hesitate to expend energy throwing its much-larger opponents around the ring with spectacular suplexes, wowing the NXT faithful.

No spirited effort or intestinal fortitude could make up for the fact The Authors were too big and too vicious to overcome.

Late in the six-minute match, Jordan was sent crashing into the steel stairs, taking him out of the match. That allowed the heels to lay waste to Gable with the leg sweep/clothesline combination and pick up their first official televised win.

Result

American Alpha defeated The Authors of Pain.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a great example of effective booking.

American Alpha looked like world-beaters, tossing its super heavyweight opponents around the ring. Jordan and Gable looked unstoppable as they tore up their opponents en route to an impressive underdog victory. Except that win never came.

No, the intimidating heels had to resort to splitting their opponents up and utilizing steps to do so.

It adds heat to the villains and lets the babyfaces take a bow as they prepare for a great run on SmackDown.

Patrick Clark vs. Austin Aries

Those familiar with Tough Enough will remember Patrick Clark as one of the competitors on the most recent season. He did not win, but still makes his television debut before the guy who did, so that is quite the consolation prize.

There was no prize for Clark once the bell rang Wednesday night, though.

Austin Aries obliterated him in under two minutes, tapping him out to The Last Chancery.

After the match, Aries found himself on the receiving end of a beatdown by No Way Jose, whom he had left lying in a heap weeks ago.

Result

Austin Aries defeated Patrick Clark.

Grade

C-

Analysis

It was nice to see Aries as dominant as he was here. He demolished Clark and looked good doing it 

Unfortunately, it was all erased by the reminder that yes, he will be working No Way Jose in a program heading into TakeOver: Back to Brooklyn.

Perhaps it has been the underwhelming nature of the Jose character, but nothing about him suggests he is ready to work a high-profile program with a former TNA and Ring of Honor champion.

Bayley vs. Nia Jax

The final battle between Bayley and Nia Jax headlined Wednesday's show.

After a previous bout in which Jax systematically dismantled Bayley, the former NXT Women's champion sought retribution and a key victory.

It would not be easy.

Jax pummeled Bayley for the entire first half of the match, keeping her grounded and at bay into and out of the commercial break. Unfortunately for Jax, her strength and size advantage would not be enough to secure her victory this time.

After climbing to the middle rope, she was met by Bayley, who delivered a jaw-dropping super Bayley-to-Belly for the pinfall victory.

Result

Bayley defeated Nia Jax.

Grade

B

Analysis

Bayley and Nia Jax have some of the best chemistry of any combination on the NXT roster; their ability to tell a story is their greatest attribute.

Bayley once again proved her worth as the consummate underdog—an inspirational babyface who will one day find outstanding success as a member of Raw or SmackDown.

The big story of the match was Jax's growth as a performer. When comparing her first match with Bayley at TakeOver: London to Wednesday's bout, the differences between the performances within are startling. She is a talented wrestler who should thrive under the bright lights her cousin The Rock once called home.