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

The March 29 episode of NXT on WWE Network featured the final hype for Saturday's TakeOver: Orlando live-event special.

While Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode and Asuka were conspicuous by their absence, the tag team division received plenty of hype as Johnny Gargano, Akam, and Dash Wilder squared off in a Triple Threat preview of the three-team extravaganza that will unfold from the Sunshine State Saturday night.

Heavy Machinery made its long-awaited debut, running over the competition and establishing itself as a potential top contender to whichever team emerges from TakeOver with the tag team titles.

The main event, though, featured two men not at all associated with Saturday's show.

Kassius Ohno and Elias Samson met in a Loser Leaves NXT match, ensuring that one man would no longer have a job by night's end.

Who emerged victorious and how may all of the events from Wednesday's broadcast affect the future of NXT?

Take a look for yourself with this recap of the March 29 show.

Johnny Gargano vs. Dash Wilder vs. Akam

Just days before a Triple Threat match for the NXT Tag Team Championships, all three teams involved in Saturday night's match were represented, as The Authors of Pain's Akam, DIY's Johnny Gargano and The Revival's Dash Wilder squared off in a Triple Threat match of their own.

The presence of Rezar, Tommaso Ciampa and Scott Dawson at ringside led to several instances of interference and chicanery throughout the match.

Gargano was the star of the match, holding the thing together and giving fans someone to throw their support behind.

Rezar saved Akam from a pinfall late. He was not there to save him from an opportunistic Wilder, who capitalized on a momentary distraction by Dawson to score the upset win.

Result

Dash Wilder defeated Johnny Gargano and Akam in a Triple Threat match.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a fun bit of final hype ahead of TakeOver: Orlando's tag team title bout. The action was fast, furious and entertaining. Surprisingly enough, Akam never looked out of place despite his inexperience in singles competition.

Wilder winning in the fashion he did was great old-school cheating the likes of which perfectly reflect the character of The Revival.

Heavy Machinery vs. Mike Marshall and Jonathan Ortagun

Tucker Knight returned to NXT television alongside tag team partner Otis Dozovic Wednesday night, adopting the team name of Heavy Machinery.

They proved a formidable force, bowling over opponents Jonathan Ortagun and Mike Marshall.

The newcomers used clotheslines, corner splashes and other heavyweight offense to neutralize their opponents. Dozovic was particularly explosive as he ran through Ortagun and Marshall.

Heavy Machinery picked up the victory when the massive Dozovic picked up partner Knight and slammed him on top of their opponents, earning them the pinfall.

Result

Heavy Machinery defeated Jonathan Ortagun and Mike Marshall.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a fun introduction to Heavy Machinery. The duo has appeared before but was never spotlighted.

A throwback to teams like The Natural Disasters but only quicker and more athletic, Knight and Dozovic bring a heavyweight style to the tag division that could lead to some real brawls between them and The Authors of Pain if and when that time comes.

Loser Leaves NXT Match: Kassius Ohno vs. Elias Samson

Either Kassius Ohno or Elias Samson would be forced from NXT after Wednesday's main event, a rare Loser Leaves NXT match.

Samson controlled the match after sending Ohno into the steel post early.

He showed tremendous ring awareness, keeping Ohno away from the ropes and forcing him to exert more energy to break the hold. Even when Ohno did reach the ropes, Samson held on to the move as long as he could before risking disqualification.

Ohno fought back, delivering a big jumping knee to the face. He delivered a big kick for another near-fall. Samson tried to grab ahold of the rope during a rollup, but the referee sniffed the cheating out.

Ohno delivered Death By Elbow from out of nowhere to secure the win and send Samson packing.

Result

Kassius Ohno defeated Elias Samson.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a strong performance from both men, primarily Samson, who has never been allowed to showcase the vastness of his arsenal. Yes, it is still based on very basic offensive holds, strikes and maneuvers, but his understanding of where to fit them in is what makes his offense work.

Ohno, after a somewhat disappointing match against Bobby Roode a few weeks ago, looked like a Superstar poised to make a big impact on the brand in the weeks following TakeOver this Saturday night.