WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Highlights and Reaction from March 21
Adam Cole squared off with Kassius Ohno in the main event of Wednesday's show and The Dusty Rhodes Classic continued this week, but it was the attack on Tommaso Ciampa by Johnny Gargano that defined the March 21 episode of NXT.
Gargano reappeared on television despite his career with the brand coming to an end because of Ciampa, only to be escorted out of the arena by a mass of security.
The angle was red-hot and kicked the show off with a bang before the Superstars competing between the ropes carried the ball from there.
Another quality show that set the stage for the upcoming TakeOver: New Orleans event on April 7, relive Wednesday's show with this recap, including grades and analysis of every match and moment.
Tommaso Ciampa Addresses the NXT Fans
1 of 5
For the third week in a row, Tommaso Ciampa entered the NXT Arena with the intent to address the fans after costing former friend and tag team partner Johnny Gargano his job with the brand.
Chants of "We want Johnny" and "Johnny Wrestling" poured from the stands, leading Ciampa to snap and remind the audience Gargano is gone and he is not walking down the aisle anytime soon.
Ciampa stalked around ringside, confronting fans with Gargano signs. Suddenly, Gargano himself appeared, unloading on Ciampa until security hit the ring and dragged the former NXT Superstar from the ring and to the backstage area.
Ciampa looked as if he had seen a ghost, with his jaw hanging open as Gargano was escorted out of the building.
Grade
A+
Analysis
The NXT faithful was red-hot for this segment, an indicator that management has done a phenomenal of telling Gargano and Ciampa's story.
Everything from the split to Gargano's shortcomings in title matches to the heartbreak he encountered when his career came to an end courtesy of his former friend has been pitch perfect; it has created a story that is as easy to emotionally invest in as any on either NXT or the main roster as WrestleMania weekend approaches.
Another great segment here that only enhances the desire to see the two do battle sooner than later.
Dusty Rhodes Classic: 1st-Round Match
2 of 5
The incredibly physical team of Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch took to the squared circle Wednesday at a disadvantage, with scheduled opponents Tyler Bate and Trent Seven unable to compete due to an injury to the former.
Replacing Mustache Mountain was Roderick Strong and a tag team partner not previously announced before this week's show. That partner? WWE United Kingdom champion Pete Dunne.
The Bruiserweight arrived to a strong reaction from the NXT fans, who clearly approved of Strong's choice in partners.
Chain wrestling started the match until Dunne tagged in and proceeded to manipulate the joints of the veteran Burch. Strong re-entered the match and took Burch down with a backbreaker as the newly formed team executed tags and strategy like a well-oiled machine.
The action broke down late as Lorcan exploded across the ring with a nasty European uppercut that stunned Strong.
A miscalculation by Strong and Dunne nearly allowed Burch and Lorcan to steal a win, but ultimately Strong scored the win for his makeshift tag team.
Result
Strong and Dunne defeated Lorcan and Burch
Grade
B+
Analysis
For a team thrown together on a whim, Dunne and Strong exhibit traits that make them logical partners.
They are hard-hitting, specialize in targeting joints and body parts and systematically picking them apart, and are among the most popular on the roster.
Wednesday, they encountered a team every bit as tough as them and were nearly upset. Instead, they head to the next round with the potential to wreak havoc at TakeOver: New Orleans if they can escape the next round.
Ember Moon vs. Aliyah
3 of 5
The rarely used Aliyah returned to the NXT Arena this week, battling women's champion Ember Moon in a non-title match.
Aliyah gave Moon a tougher fight than one would have expected, while No. 1 contender Shayna Baszler made her presence felt by joining Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watkins and Nigel McGuinness on commentary.
Moon fought back, delivering a Samoan Drop and a flipping clothesline in the corner.
The Eclipse earned Moon the victory over the Toronto native.
Result
Moon defeated Aliyah
Grade
C+
Analysis
Aliyah looked good in the few spurts of offense she got in on the champion, but it is clear that management sees her as a bit player in the women's division.
The real attention here was given to Baszler and Moon, who will look to bring their differences to a head at TakeOver: New Orleans.
An inoffensive segment that did not match up to the heat and intensity of previous ones involving Basler and Moon.
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Andrade "Cien" Almas Calls Out Aleister Black
4 of 5
NXT champion Andrade "Cien" Almas jumped Raul Mendoza before a scheduled match and had a few harsh words for his No. 1 contender Aleister Black, including one that was beeped by censors.
Almas implored Black to face him next week as the brief segment came to an end.
Grade
B
Analysis
Whatever Black awakened in Almas after last week's contract signing, it may be for the worse.
Almas does not need any more motivation than retaining the NXT Championship already gives him. He is infuriated at the way Black treated Zelina Vega a week ago, and he now has it out for the enigmatic Superstar.
The meanness and fury of Almas is something that has been missing from the character for quite some time. It will do him wonders against a dark Superstar determined to relieve him of his title in New Orleans.
Kassius Ohno vs. Adam Cole
5 of 5
Born from a few social media website posts, Kassius Ohno battled Adam Cole in Wednesday's main event.
Ohno was aggressive early, and after sending Cole through the air and to the apron, it appeared he may have injured his opponent's knee.
It was a fake out by the devious heel, though, as Cole used a cheap kick to the face to flatten the unsuspecting Ohno.
Cole controlled the majority of the bout, but Ohno mounted a comeback. He threw a ton of strikes at Cole but the most over heel in NXT weathered the storm and was in the driver's seat heading into the final moments of the match.
Cole ultimately scored the win, earning a bit of momentum as NXT heads toward one of its biggest events of the year.
Result
Cole defeated Ohno
Grade
A
Analysis
A really strong match, which is the norm from Ohno in these hotly contested television main events.
Cole picked up a big win, the likes of which have not been nearly as plentiful as you would have expected from the former Ring of Honor standout.
A quality match that did not necessarily further any ongoing storylines, but it capped off the show with a dramatic contest so the positives outweight the negatives.
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