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

A new No. 1 contender to the NXT Championship was crowned Wednesday night as Tye Dillinger, Bobby Roode, Andrade "Cien" Almas and Roderick Strong battled in a monumental Fatal 4-Way match.

All four men overcame tremendous competition to earn their spots in the match, and they didn't hold anything back as they competed for the opportunity to oppose Shinsuke Nakamura for the biggest prize the brand has to offer.

Which man was able to overcome his three tremendously talented Superstars and pick up the victory?

Was Daria Berenato able to avenge the Billie Kay and Peyton Royce betrayal when she squared off with the former in the night's opener?

The answers to those two questions would be answered on a newsworthy episode of the weekly WWE Network presentation.

Daria Berenato vs. Billie Kay

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce abandoned Daria Berenato during a six-woman tag team match a few weeks back. Wednesday night, Kay battled the trained MMA fighter in singles competition.

Seeking vengeance, Berenato unloaded with fists of fury on Kay, who needed partner Royce to pull her to safety. Royce paid for her interference but was key in the finish of the match, sending Berenato back-first into the ring apron.

A big boot from Kay finished the impressive rookie off.

After the match, Kay issued a warning to the rest of the women's division, most notably Asuka.

Result

Billie Kay defeated Daria Berenato.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Listening to Royce and Kay call themselves the greatest threats to Asuka after barely beating a rookie was comical.

That is not the desired effect.

Until the two are presented in such a manner that they are dominant rather than conniving heels who run from danger and cheat at every turn, they will lack the credibility of the great female competitors who preceded them.

The Authors of Pain in Action

The Authors of Pain were in action again.

Their dominance continued, as they pummeled John Ortagun and Anthony Bowens.

A reckless powerbomb to Ortagun onto Bowens' face resulted in the referee stopping the match and a wrestler lying unconscious in the middle of the ring.

Manager Paul Ellering sent a message to the tag teams in the division, but it was difficult to focus on him, given the dangerous situation that had just unfolded.

Result

The Authors of Pain defeated John Ortagun and Anthony Bowens.

Grade

F

Analysis

Why the hell did this make television?

There was no reason for such a scary situation to unfold on the WWE Network when the match was taped weeks in advance. The Authors of Pain, winners of numerous squash matches, were not better off because this match made the air.

Fill the time with a video package, a clip from Camp WWE or a Roman Reigns promo. Anything other than what we witnessed Wednesday night.

NXT typically does things the right way.

This was a rare and major misfire from the brand.

Fatal 4-Way No. 1 Contender's Match

Tye Dillinger, Bobby Roode, Roderick Strong and Andrade "Cien" Almas competed Wednesday night for the right to challenge Shinsuke Nakamura for the NXT Championship.

All four Superstars received longer-than-usual entrances, signifying the bout's importance.

Almas was the first Superstar to be eliminated—but not before exploding with a flurry of offense. His run 10 minutes in was cut short by a sudden and vicious Sick Kick from Strong.

Nearly two minutes later, Dillinger eliminated Strong in a huge upset, pinning him following a Tye-Breaker.

From there, the action came down to the two men who waged war in Toronto, Roode and The Perfect 10.

Despite another spirited performance, Dillinger found himself crotched on the top rope, and Roode finished him off with a lifting DDT.

Result

Bobby Roode defeated Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong and Andrade "Cien" Almas.

Grade

B

Analysis

Roode winning was the right choice. He is championship-ready right now and is a credible challenger to Shinsuke Nakamura. For a show as important as TakeOver: San Antonio, that is exactly what the brand needs.

It was interesting to see Dillinger cleanly pin Strong in the center of the ring. The Messiah of the Backbreaker is a tremendous performer with name value, yet his use to this point has been suspect.

Almas was impressive in the 10 minutes he spent in the match, but the fans have turned on him completely. At this point, one has to wonder if his run can be salvaged.

Then there is Dillinger. The unlikely journey of The Perfect 10 continued, as the fans, absolutely in love with the performer, erupted at every near-fall he scored. Even in defeat, his star is brighter than it has ever been. Do not be surprised to see him achieve great things in 2017.