WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Highlights and Reaction from January 10

The road to Philadelphia was paved in broken bodies on Wednesday night as the stars of NXT took over the WWE Network with just over two weeks until a massive TakeOver extravaganza in The City of Brotherly Love.

The Undisputed Era continued its path of destruction, first ensuring original opponents Sanity would not be able to compete in its scheduled NXT Tag Team Championship bout, then making life a living and painful hell for Roderick Strong and Aleister Black.

Speaking of painful hell, Lio Rush found out the hard way what it feels like to share the ring with Lars Sullivan, while Dakota Kai was the unlucky first victim of the debuting Shayna Baszler.

Find out more, plus everything else that went down between the ropes on Wednesday's show, with this recap of the January 10 broadcast.

Dakota Kai vs. Shayna Baszler

After two vicious assaults at the WWE Performance Center, both of which involved Kai in one form or fashion, Baszler made her NXT debut against the Kiwi Wednesday night.

It was a short, impressive and dominant one.

Baszler toyed with Kai like a predator with her prey. She targeted the hands and arm of the established worker, completely overwhelming her and eventually leading to a referee stoppage.

After the match, Baszler choked Kai unconscious until NXT women's champion Ember Moon hit the ring and made the save.

Result

Baszler defeated Kai by referee stoppage

Grade

A

Analysis

This was a phenomenal introduction to Baszler, who was a focused and systematic assassin, picking and choosing her spots before rendering Kai so unable to continue that the referee had to intervene.

The post-match choke-out was an exclamation on her debut showing, and the save by Ember Moon was the perfect hint at a match between the two for the top prize in NXT.

There will be rumors and speculation as to why Baszler is getting the push she is, particularly because of her friendship with Ronda Rousey away from the squared circle, but if she continues to deliver in the opportunities presented to her, she will earn the respect of fans—especially if the television is this entertaining.

Kassius Ohno vs. Raul Mendoza

Credit: WWE.com

The veteran Kassius Ohno squared off with luchador Raul Mendoza on Wednesday night in a match that, while fun, served no apparent purpose.

Ohno used his size and striking ability to earn the early advantage, but Mendoza answered with his fast-paced offense, keeping the experienced Ohno on edge.

An electric chair onto the ropes and the rolling elbow ended Mendoza's night and earned Ohno a victory.

Result

Kassius Ohno defeated Raul Mendoza

Grade

C

Analysis

Ohno is a fantastic worker, and Mendoza has the potential to be a solid addition to the NXT mix for a long time to come. The match itself was perfectly acceptable wrestling, and each Superstar was allowed the opportunity to shine.

However, there wasn't a single reason for this match to exist. It was a match for the sake of a match, an excuse to get Ohno a win, which he only seems to get when he works with preliminary wrestlers rather than recognizable faces.

Still, Ohno serving as the elder statesman on NXT is a good role for him and one he fills well. Show up, have a hell of a wrestling match and move on to the next show.

Some may be disappointed by his lack of a major storyline, but for Ohno, every match is an opportunity to prove that after a decade-plus in the industry and the wear and tear on his body, he still has what it takes to deliver a damn fine bout.

Lio Rush vs Lars Sullivan

There was an audible gasp when Lars Sullivan walked through the curtain for his match with Lio Rush, probably because the independent wrestling-loving fans packed into the arena recognized one of their favorites was about to be demolished by the unstoppable force and NXT's resident madman.

Rush was speedy early, but that elusiveness—like his Twitter game—only served to inspire anger.

A nasty lariat and the Freak Accident ended Rush's night in short order.

Result

Lars Sullivan defeated Lio Rush

Grade

A

Analysis

This is worth tracking down just for the audience reaction at the beginning.

Sullivan is one of the most interesting performers in all of NXT, and watching him bowl over Rush here as the audience cringed at the indie darling's cruel fate made for entertaining television.

This was a solid squash match that continued Sullivan's warpath.

NXT Tag Team Title Match: Roderick Strong and Aleister Black vs. Undisputed Era

The Undisputed Era struck again Wednesday night, seeing to it that Sanity would not be able to challenge Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly for the tag team titles in the main event by attacking the faction prior to the marquee bout.

Per general manager William Regal, though, the champions would still be forced to defend their titles.

The opposition? Roderick Strong and Aleister Black.

The makeshift tandem took the fight to the champions and came within several near-falls of relieving Fish and O'Reilly of the gold. When Adam Cole got involved late in the bout, Black took off after him, leaving Strong to be beaten down and defeated by the heels.

After the match, Black returned to the ring but was followed swiftly by Cole, who delivered a fireman's carry slam to the enigmatic Superstar before standing tall with his stablemates to close out the broadcast.

At the conclusion of the show, Regal announced an Extreme Rules match between Black and Cole for TakeOver: Philadelphia.

Result

Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly defeated Roderick Strong and Aleister Black

Grade

B+

Analysis

The rivalry between Black and Cole escalates with every passing week, and this was no exception.

Cole was an expert heel, manipulating the situation to benefit his teammates while toying with his main rival. Black, frustrated and angry, played right into his hands, and the rest was history. It is superb booking that builds heat between the babyface and heel and sets up a big blowoff match for the latest TakeOver.

Clearly, Fish and O'Reilly are gearing up for one last war with Sanity, while it remains to be seen what Strong's role in all of this is. He has history with Undisputed Era, but he has not figured into much of the story since War Games. 

Someone of his talent definitely belongs involved in something, though, particularly considering his history with Ring of Honor in Philly.