WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from August 3

Bobby Roode debuted, Hideo Itami returned and Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano moved one step closer to a tag team title opportunity as NXT looked to rebuild following a WWE draft that shook the brand to its core.

With Finn Balor, Alexa Bliss, Carmella, American Alpha, Eva Marie and others headed to the main roster, the former developmental brand was tasked with creating new stars and using established ones to generate interest.

Roode got off to a hot start, creating a persona for himself that screams, "bad guy," while Itami looked phenomenal in his first outing.

How did their work grade out Wednesday night, and which other Superstars emerged from the WWE Network riding a wave of momentum as TakeOver: Back to Brooklyn approaches?

Find out now with this exclusive look back at the August 3 episode.

Hideo Itami vs. Sean Maluta

After a year spent watching NXT's growth from the sidelines, Hideo Itami made his return before an electric NXT audience as he battled WWE Cruiserweight Classic standout Sean Maluta.

Itami dominated early until Maluta sent him face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Maluta trapped him in a leg scissiors as chants of "Hideo" broke out. Itami roared as his opponent delivered a series of strikes, then took him down with a dragon screw. A big boot and a hesitation dropkick in the corner were precursors for a running knee for the win.

Result

Hideo Itami defeated Sean Maluta.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was an impressive return for Itami, who looked dominant and intense as he tore through Maluta.

The fans treated him like the star he is, and the result was a thunderous welcome back for someone who, at one time, looked like the future face of the brand. Now, with Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode and Austin Aries hanging around, not to mention fellow countryman Shinsuke Nakamura, the potential for outstanding matches is abundant.

Mojo Rawley in Action

Credit: WWE.com

Seconds into Mojo Rawley's match with Chris Atkins, Samoa Joe hit the ring, drawing a disqualification.

Frustrated over the announcement from William Regal that he will defend his NXT Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura at TakeOver: Back to Brooklyn on August 20, Joe cut a scathing promo on his superior.

Rawley attacked, though, refusing to allow Joe's sneak attack to go unpunished.

Joe seized the upper hand and trapped Rawley in the Koquina Clutch, leaving the SmackDown draftee lying to end the segment.

Result

No-Contest

Grade

B-

Analysis

It is nice to see Joe fuming and enraged over Regal's announcement rather than sitting back and taking it.

The disenfranchisement with his promotion and its general manager festered for seven days, and poor Rawley was the unfortunate recipient of his rage.

It could not have happened to a more grating character.

Asuka vs. Aliyah

Bayley joined Tom Phillips and Corey Graves at the commentary position for Asuka's match with Aliyah, whose journey through developmental was chronicled in WWE Breaking Ground, exclusively on the WWE Network.

That was not good enough for the NXT women's champion, who ordered Bayley to take a closer seat at ringside. The beloved female competitor watched as Asuka demolished her younger, lesser-experienced opponent.

Just two minutes into the bout, the champion used the Asuka Lock to force a tapout of her opponent.

Asuka continued her assault after the match until Bayley made the save.

Result

Asuka defeated Aliyah.

Grade

C

Analysis

It may be too early to officially label Asuka a heel, but she certainly took the steps toward that distinction Wednesday night. The arrogance she showed in addressing Bayley, the insistence that her top contender watches from the ringside area and the continued attack of Aliyah add up to a new side of the Japanese competitor fans had not seen to this point.

Whether NXT goes all-in and executes a heel turn is a question that will be answered in the coming weeks. With a lack of credible babyfaces beyond Bayley, the bigger question is whether it can afford such a move.

Bobby Roode Debuts

After months of speculation, Bobby Roode finally made his NXT debut—his theme song exclaiming "Glorious!" as he stepped through the curtain.

The trademark arrogance that was so prominent in his TNA act was there as the Canadian-born competitor professed, "NXT needs Bobby Roode."

Roode claimed he will bring the brand the international recognition it has sought while replacing the hideous fans with Fortune 500 types.

He ended the promo by claiming NXT will be glorious and stood in the center of the ring, basking in the spotlight and providing fans with a look at the next great heel to carry the NXT mantle.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a magnificent start for Roode. One of his strong suits in TNA was always his ability to talk. No matter how awful the writing was or how lethargic the matches may have been toward the end, Roode was always able to convince fans to invest of themselves in his matches through the strength of his promos.

Roode came across as the star too big for NXT rather than someone looking for one last big payday from the WWE-associated brand. He looked like a mega star in ways few others to come through the doors of NXT ever have.

Much like Finn Balor, he was made a gigantic deal of right out of the gate and should prosper into the future.

TM61 vs. The Revival

Credit: WWE.com

Born of a backstage promo earlier in the night, TM61's Nick Miller and Shane Thorne battled The Revival's Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson in non-title competition.

The young upstarts out of Australia controlled the pace early, but the champions slowed things down to suit their pace.

The action broke down late, but it was a DDT from Dawson that scored the win for the titleholders.

After the match, The Revival grabbed a mic but the two wrestlers quickly found themselves interrupted by Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. The prospective No. 1 contenders poked fun at a Pokemon reference from the champions and counted their own three-count after a brief brawl.

Result

The Revival defeated TM61.

Grade

B+

Analysis

TM61 continues to impress, but it was The Revival continuing to prove their greatness in the main event. Dawson and Wilder were fantastic as they held the action together, keeping the youngsters grounded before finishing them off with an old-school DDT.

The post-match activities set Ciampa and Gargano up to challenge for the titles, presumably as early as the upcoming TakeOver special.

More importantly, the Aussies were impressive enough to remain in contention going forward.