WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from September 21

The future of NXT is brighter than ever following a main event that introduced Cedric Alexander to the NXT Universe and teased a potential heel turn by Andrade Almas.

The September 21 broadcast, exclusively on the WWE Network, saw two Superstars on different paths come together for an outstanding bout that set the stage for the coming weeks and months of television.

But that was not all.

Billie Kay sought a spot in the NXT Women's Championship hunt, but to achieve it, she had to defeat young star Aliyah.

Oney Lorcan was back in action, battling Austin Aries in a match that made him a bigger star in defeat than he would have been in victory.

Find out all that went down Wednesday night with this look back at the September 21 episode.

Samoa Joe Promo

One week after brutalizing Shinsuke Nakamura and leaving him in need of medical attention, Samoa Joe arrived at the NXT Arena thinking he would be handed the championship he lost to The King of Strong Style in Brooklyn.

A copy of medical records in his hand, Joe revealed that Nakamura was out of action for six to 12 weeks, then demanded that general manager William Regal walk to the ring and hand over the title.

Regal vowed that would not happen and that he would see the problems caused by Joe fixed soon enough.

Joe promised that anyone on the NXT roster was fair game if he was not awarded the gold.

Grade

B-

Analysis

The simplistic promo from Joe may not have made sense (how did he get Nakamura's medical records?) but did spin the story forward and set up several instances of The Samoa Submission Machine interfering in matches and being the badass he was meant to be.

Oney Lorcan vs. Austin Aries

Austin Aries got more out of Oney Lorcan than he expected Wednesday night as the two squared off in an incredibly stiff match.

Even the slightest headlock frustrated Aries, and Lorcan's connection with the NXT audience became apparent. He worked that headlock as it became the foundation for the match that followed.

Late, Aries dodged a running hip attack and scored with a double axe handle from the top rope. A second attempt at the same move was met by a huge uppercut from Oney.

Unfortunately for Lorcan, Aries would recover and score the win with The Last Chancery.

Aries called out Hideo Itami after the match but bailed as the Japanese star arrived.

Result

Austin Aries defeated Oney Lorcan

Grade

B+

Analysis

Aries picked up a big win here to continue building momentum for an upcoming match with Hideo Itami, but it was Lorcan who stole the show.

From the comedic headlock spots to the intensity and aggression with which he threw his strikes, Lorcan was a ball of energy on the receiving end of the adulation of the NXT Universe.

Much like Sami Zayn became the underdog during his series against Cesaro, Lorcan could find great success as the brand's lovable loser.

Aliyah vs. Billie Kay

Aliyah and Billie Kay looked to cement their status as the future of women's wrestling in NXT as they squared off with each other Wednesday night.

Kay dominated early but Aliyah fought back late, providing a little babyface fire to the bout. So energized was she, though, that she opened herself up to a big boot by Kay from out of nowhere. The Aussie picked up the pinfall victory.

Result

Billie Kay defeated Aliyah

Grade

C-

Analysis

A formulaic match, but this one did shine the spotlight back on Kay, who has been noticeably absent from television since her loss at TakeOver: Brooklyn II to Ember Moon.

Kay looked like she was on her way to being the lead villain in the women's division when she was dispatched. Now back and ready to reclaim that position, a win over a babyface in Aliyah, who is not necessarily primed for a significant push of any kind, is exactly what she needs to be reintroduce herself to the title picture.

Cedric Alexander vs. Andrade Almas

Cedric Alexander made his debut in NXT Wednesday night, squaring off with the often scrutinized Andrade Almas in the main event.

Frustration for Almas was key in his downfall. Late in the match, his inability to put Alexander away left an opening for Alexander to capitalize on.

Almas' missed double knees in the corner led to the Lumbar Check from Alexander for the upset victory.

Result

Cedric Alexander defeated Andrade Almas

Grade

A

Analysis

NXT did more in one segment to introduce a new star, tease the heel turn of a current one and strengthen its roster than Raw or SmackDown have in months.

Alexander was made a star with yet another outstanding performance Wednesday. He is one of the hottest stars in the industry right now and a major coup for a young roster like NXT's.

Whereas Bobby Roode, Austin Aries and Hideo Itami have a lot of tread on their proverbial tires, Alexander is fresh, new and exciting. He is a star the likes of which NXT should be built around. Here's hoping that is exactly what happens.