WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from July 19

NXT champion Bobby Roode has withstood the challenge of every Superstar seeking to relieve him of his title. Wednesday night, he found out which man will be the next to attempt to dethrone him as Drew McIntyre battled Sanity's Killian Dain in a No. 1 Contender's match.

Both McIntyre and Dain have been dominant of late, rolling over the competition en route to Wednesday's potentially career-altering match.

Which Superstar was able to halt the other's momentum and earn an opportunity of a lifetime to beat Roode and take his place atop the NXT roster?

Ember Moon and Ruby Riot were in a similar situation Wednesday when they met in singles competition. Was Moon able to continue her march toward a showdown with Asuka over the NXT Women's Championship, or did Riot upset her, cashing her ticket to a match with the champ?

Find out with this recap of Wednesday's WWE Network presentation.

Ember Moon vs. Ruby Riot

Since returning from a shoulder injury that temporarily sidelined her earlier this year, Ember Moon has appeared unstoppable in her quest to dethrone Asuka as women's champion. Wednesday she battled the greatest threat to continued success, Ruby Riot, in a match that was, for all intents and purposes, to determine the next top contender.

The competitors traded near-falls early and neither was able to clearly gain the upper hand heading into the commercial break.

A falling senton by Riot left Moon reeling and in need of a desperation kick-out to preserve her championship aspirations. She recovered and delivered a big sidewalk slam. Riot responded with a headscissors off the top rope that, again, left Moon in dire straits.

Moon fought back into the match, delivering a side suplex slam and a flipping forearm into the corner. The Eclipse finished moments later as Moon came one step closer to her final destination.

Result

Ember Moon defeated Ruby Riot

Grade

A

Analysis

Moon and Riot tore the house down to kick off this week's show. The action was hard-hitting, and the timing of the near-falls was impeccable. The fans bit on every high spot and cheered both women throughout.

The win was easily Moon's most impressive since her return to action and has her in a good place heading into a presumed showdown with Asuka.

Riot's time will come. She's too good and has a charisma about her that will demand the attention of the NXT faithful. She is a future champion, for sure.

Oney Lorcan vs. Danny Burch

Danny Burch returned to NXT Wednesday night for a showdown with Oney Lorcan that, on paper, looked to be one of the hardest-hitting in recent memory.

The competitors did not disappoint.

Lorcan and Burch unloaded on each other with reckless abandon, caring very little about their own well-being and only about securing victory.

Late in the match, they came head-to-head, almost as if to challenge each other to bring their best shot. They traded uppercuts, and Lorcan landed a strong hard right hand that exploded Burch's nose all over his face in a bloody visual.

Burch caught Lorcan with a massive lariat and a powerbomb that earned him a two-count.

Lorcan rolled through a charging Burch and applied a half Boston Crab for the submission victory.

Result

Oney Lorcan defeated Danny Burch

Grade

A

Analysis

The unabashed violence and unfathomable toughness on display here was refreshing and put over the intestinal fortitude of both men.

Lorcan has long been a hidden gem in NXT, underutilized and mishandled to this point in his career with the brand. While it is difficult to gauge just how big a win this was, it is nice to see the spotlight put on him in a quality victory like this.

Burch continues to impress in every opportunity he gets to perform in front of the NXT fans.

He is a grizzled veteran, a mat technician capable of throwing strikes with the best of them when necessary. He bled for his craft and did more to put Lorcan over than anything bookers could have dreamed up in a creative meeting.

No Way Jose vs. Cezar Bononi

Credit: WWE.com

Just weeks after scoring a major upset victory over Andrade Almas, Cezar Bononi looked to continue his winning ways as he battled No Way Jose, who has been conspicuous in his absence of late.

Bononi controlled the pace of the match and even scored a convincing near-fall at one point.

Jose battled back, pulled down his forearm cover and delivered a knockout punch for the win.

After the match, the aforementioned Almas attacked the fallen Bononi at the urging of Thea Trinidad. Jose hit the ring, making the save and chasing the Mexican Superstar off. Almas looked on arrogantly, the still unnamed Trinidad by his side.

Result

No Way Jose defeated Cezar Bononi

Grade

B

Analysis

The match itself was a whole lot of nothing, thanks to the extended squash nature of it. It was nice to see the creative team keep the Bononi win in its back pocket and utilize it to instigate a rivalry between Jose and Almas, though.

Entering NXT at the same time, expected to be the next wave of stars following the call-up of so many to the main roster, Jose and Almas have suffered disappointment. Renewed momentum and a program with each other should present them the opportunity to achieve the success that has evaded them to this point.

No. 1 Contender's Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Killian Dain

Killian Dain and Drew McIntyre wasted little time waging war for the right to challenge Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship.

They unloaded with hard rights and lefts, but it was Dain who earned the early upper hand, running over McIntyre heading into the commercial break. The big man of Sanity used his weight advantage to overwhelm McIntyre and force him to expel more energy to kick out of pinfall attempts.

Dain worked an expertly applied neck vise, attempting to wear every ounce of will out of his opponent.

A big Liger Bomb out of the corner allowed McIntyre to create separation and even score a near-fall.

McIntyre exploded with a series of clubbing forearms and a flying clothesline. Dain answered with a big Vader Bomb but was unable to keep his opponent down. An Avalanche Fisherman Suplex failed to keep McIntyre down.

McIntyre exploded across the ring and delivered The Claymore to put a defiant Dain down for the count.

Result

Drew McIntyre defeated Killian Dain

Grade

A

Analysis

McIntyre looks mightily impressive by overcoming the onslaught of Dain and putting him down for the win. A dominant force who has looked poised to challenge Roode for the title from the moment his signing was announced, the title is within reach.

Dain looked like a world-beater as he weathered storm after storm, succumbing to multiple Claymores only after there was nothing left to give.

He will find himself in this position again.