WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Highlights and Reaction from March 28

The journey to New Orleans for the men and women of NXT took an interesting turn this week with general manager William Regal's announcement of the first-ever North American Championship ladder match and the arrival of EC3 to the NXT Universe.

And that was only the beginning of the night's explosive telecast.

The next round of the Dusty Rhodes Classic was underway as The Authors of Pain battled The Street Profits, and the unlikely pairing of Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne squared off with Sanity's Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe.

Lars Sullivan returned to action, and Aleister Black answered Andrade "Cien" Almas' scathing promo from a week ago to round out Wednesday's WWE Network broadcast.

William Regal's Major Announcement and Huge Debut

NXT general manager William Regal kicked Wednesday's show off by making an announcement he promised would alter the course of the brand.

He revealed the creation of the NXT North American Championship and almost immediately was interrupted by the arrival of EC3.

The former TNA world heavyweight champion arrogantly thanked Regal for rolling out the red carpet for him, including the establishment of a brand new title.

Regal countered, saying EC3 will have to earn the title in a ladder match featuring five other Superstars at TakeOver: New Orleans on April 7.

The GM and his newest acquisition shook hands as the segment came to a close.

Throughout the course of the show, the five opponents would be revealed as Killian Dain, Velveteen Dream, Lars Sullivan, Adam Cole and the debuting Ricochet.

Grade

A

Analysis

The arrival of a major star, the announcement of a new title and a taste of the character that will be EC3 came together to create an explosive opening segment that should have the wrestling world buzzing.

EC3 was pitch-perfect here, the same egotistical and arrogant villain fans have come to expect.

His interactions with the hard-nosed Regal should create some quality television in the weeks and months to come, especially if NXT officials decide to spotlight them.

Dusty Rhodes Classic: The Authors of Pain vs. The Street Profits

Credit: WWE.com

The Street Profits' run in the 2018 Dusty Rhodes Classic was cut short Wednesday as they battled last year's winners, The Authors of Pain.

Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford took the fight to Akam and Rezar, stunning the former tag team champions. The mastodons of the tag team division were reeling when Ford encountered Hall of Fame manager Paul Ellering at ringside.

The distraction allowed the Authors to flatten Dawkins with The Last Chapter and advance in the tournament.

Result

The Authors of Pain defeated The Street Profits

Grade

C

Analysis

This was disappointing in that it ended as suddenly as it began.

The Street Profits saved face by losing in a screwy fashion, off a distraction of sorts by Ellering, but they still feel like a team that has lost momentum since their debut months back.

Lars Sullivan vs. John Silver

Credit: WWE.com

Lars Sullivan returned to action Wednesday, and if his performance is any indication, he has not lost a step.

The big man battled John Silver in a match the unknown enhancement talent almost certainly wishes he could forget.

Sullivan tossed him around the ring with reckless abandon, unleashing his fury on his opponent.

The Freak Accident finished Silver off as Sullivan got back to winning ways.

Result

Sullivan defeated Silver

Grade

C

Analysis

Sullivan feels very much like he is on a treadmill, neither advancing his career nor enduring any sort of a downfall.

He is still a destructive force and will get over as such, but he needs some sort of upward momentum before he starts feeling too much like Baron Corbin, who suffered a similar fate.

Then again, that worked out just fine for The Lone Wolf, who is now a genuine upper-midcarder on SmackDown.

Aleister Black and Andrade Almas Brawl

As Dakota Kai made her way to the ring, cameras shot backstage, where NXT champion Andrade "Cien" Almas attacked Aleister Black.

The champion, accompanied by a loudmouth Zelina Vega, beat down and humiliated Black.

The fight spilled into the arena, where the Superstars fought into the ring. Almas delivered a chair shot before shouting "respect" at his TakeOver: New Orleans opponent.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Black has awakened in Almas a monster that he will have to deal with and defeat if he is to extend his impressive win streak in high-profile matches.

He took Almas lightly when he signed the contract for their match, but after Wednesday he is likely to recognize the danger the champion presents.

If not, Black will see his championship opportunity go up in flames.

Dusty Rhodes Classic: Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne vs. Sanity

The Dusty Rhodes Classic took center stage for the second time Wednesday night as the newly formed duo of Roderick Strong and WWE United Kingdom champion Pete Dunne battled former NXT tag team champions Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe of Sanity.

Young, the veteran of the unpredictable faction, found himself isolated from Wolfe and worked over by the methodical Dunne.

A hot tag to Wolfe preceded action breaking down, with all four Superstars making their presences felt.

Young delivered his trademark top rope elbow drop but was stunned when it only kept Strong down for a count of two.

Ultimately, Strong and Dunne would pin Wolfe to continue their unlikely march through the tournament.

Result

Strong and Dunne defeated Young and Wolfe

Grade

B+

Analysis

A strong, hard-fought match to wrap up the show.

Strong and Dunne have been a pleasant surprise: two technically skilled workers who can pick the opposition apart piece-by-piece. Watching them isolate an opponent and torture them physically is a refreshing take given the often formulaic nature of the WWE product.

After making it past the former tag team champions, it figures they will play a key role late in the tournament.