WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from October 7

On the back of a successful and violent NXT TakeOver 31, the October 7 edition of WWE NXT focused on the fallout. It was a show with the potential to refresh the black-and-gold brand completely.

After an epic clash with Candice LeRae, Io Shirai emerged victorious, continuing her memorable reign as NXT Women's champion. In the aftermath, Toni Storm and Ember Moon both made statements about their title aspirations. The War Goddess demanded an opportunity to explain her return to NXT.

Kushida pulled off the biggest victory of his NXT career when he made Velveteen Dream tap out to the Hoverboard Lock. Confident, he stepped into the ring against another former champion in NXT, Tommaso Ciampa, for the first time.

At the end of TakeOver, Finn Balor and Kyle O'Reilly were beaten and broken. The Prince barely survived with the NXT Championship. However, another injury grabbed even more headlines as Ridge Holland viciously attacked Adam Cole. How would Undisputed Era respond?

Going into the winter season, including the return of Halloween Havoc and the WWE Draft potentially taking certain stars from the black-and-gold brand, this was the moment to sell the NXT Universe on the future of the brand.

Tommaso Ciampa and Kushida got into a fight before the show and demanded this open the show. Kushida looked to build off his momentum from NXT TakeOver 31, but Ciampa was not interested in what the Japanese Superstar wanted.

The Blackheart brutalized Kushida, utilizing his strength advantage fully. Kushida struggled to fight through to get the Hoverboard Lock, but he was able to pick up the pace. Using a series of physical kicks on the left arm of Ciampa, Kushida narrowed in on a weakness.

After a series of stomps, Kushida applied the Hoverboard Lock. Velveteen Dream tried to ambush the Japanese Superstar but hit The Blackheart instead to cause a disqualification. Kushida ran off Dream, threatening to injure him again.

Result

Ciampa def. Kushida by disqualification.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a fun opener. Ciampa and Kushida have some chemistry, but it will take some time for them to find their groove in the ring. They have similar physical styles. Kushida just needs to lean into his strikes, especially fighting someone like The Blackheart.

Dream vs. Kushida should have ended at TakeOver. The longer the feud lasts, the more likely it is that NXT goes back on the result. The Japanese Superstar is on the rise, and it finally feels like he can genuinely defeat anyone, even Ciampa. Dream cannot take back that momentum.

Ember Moon explained to the NXT Universe that she felt right returning to an NXT ring after 14 long months of rehab. Io Shirai interrupted her as she was beginning to explain she wanted a shot at the NXT Women's Championship.

Rhea Ripley also got involved, clearly after her own shot. As The Nightmare approached the ring, Dakota Kai ambushed her with Raquel Gonzalez. The War Goddess made the save, and general manager William Regal announced Moon and Ripley vs. Kai and Gonzalez for the main event.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was a delaying tactic. Moon got to hint at what she really wanted, but everyone got involved to distract from Moon vs. Shirai. It will be fun to see The War Goddess back in action. It just would have been better if so many stories did not converge before Moon could speak openly.

Since Ripley is likely not going to Monday Night Raw or Friday Night SmackDown any time soon, it makes sense that she is still after the NXT Women's Championship. She and Shirai can have a great match together, even if there are plenty of other great options for The Genius of the Sky as well.

Drake Maverick explained that he had found new music for his team with Killian Dain, but The Beast of Belfast was not amused, especially once he heard it.

Matt Martel made a mistake by taunting Dain while Ever-Rise was dominating Maverick. The Beast of Belfast took over the match and set himself up for a Vader Bomb on Chase Parker. Maverick tagged in to help, but Dain got annoyed and powerbombed him onto Parker for the win.

Afterward, Maverick attempted to celebrate his win, only for his tag team partner to lay him out.

Result

Maverick and Dain def. Ever-Rise by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Analysis

While the wrestling in this match was not great, it was entertaining and used the talent involved well. Ever-Rise has the talent to work as a comedy tag team that occasionally outshines the standing of the team. Here, Parker and Martel were just obstacles to fuel the rise of a new fun tag team.

Maverick and Dain have been paired together for a reason. Maverick is a good comedy performer and can sell a hard-fought victory. Dain is extremely talented but has limited upside in the ring, working better in spurts of action.

A video package was shown for Toni Storm, who promised she was a different person than she was when fans last saw her. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae found that Indi Hartwell had left them a TV to replace their broken screen.

The speed and athleticism of Leon Ruff surprised Austin Theory. However, the difference in power was obvious. Theory blasted Ruff to the mat and then took him down with the ATL.

The young Superstar bragged about his future and why no one could get in his way. Dexter Lumis came out in his return to NXT from injury, and Theory agreed to a match in the heat of the moment.

While Lumis had to shake off some ring rust, he never lost complete control of the match before catching Theory with a kata gatame, forcing a tapout. Cameron Grimes planted Lumis with the Cave-In afterward.

The Technical Savage explained backstage that Lumis got on his nerves by not answering a question he asked, leading to the attack.

Result

Theory def. Ruff by pinfall; Lumis def. Theory by submission.

Grade

C+

Analysis

While Theory is still learning, he has a natural talent that shines enough for him to work in NXT. He can make segments interesting. He just needs more time to put it all together. For now, he works as the braggadocios heel who loses against top babyfaces.

Lumis has certainly been missed. The enigmatic Superstar was on a roll before his injury, and he put on a solid first showing back with Theory. Hopefully, though, this won't be a recurring feud because there are better opponents for both men.

Grimes vs. Lumis is a better matchup, though it is not the most exciting first real rivalry for the star returning to action.

A recap of Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly explored the brutality of the match, explaining that Finn Balor fractured his jaw in two places. Adam Cole promised to make Ridge Holland pay for injuring him. Holland explained that he had a Mercedes thanks to the hit.

Danny Burch tried to ground-and-pound Holland, but the former rugby player could not be kept down. He kept on his feet and planted Burch with Northern Grit for the win.

Afterward, Holland mocked Burch and then battered him with headbutts. Oney Lorcan made the save, starting a vicious brawl with the big man. Officials had to break it up. Holland was stretchered out because of the damage that Lorcan did in the fight.

Result

Holland def. Burch by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a fun sprint that led to the hint of an even better brawl. While Burch gave Holland a solid fight, Lorcan was the one to truly push him. That is a fun match to have down the line when Holland is back and fully healthy.

Hopefully, the injury he suffered is not too serious. The way his leg twisted did not look good. He was clearly set up for a major push in a feud with Cole. He should still get a major rub upon his return.

Indi Hartwell included a flash drive with the TV she sent Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano, showing how she protected The Poison Pixie at many points in the Battle Royal. Both were impressed.

Shotzi Blackheart came at Xia Li quickly. The Chinese Superstar had no response to the onslaught of quick offense. Blackheart connected on a senton to take the victory.

Afterward, Boa walked out in a suit and tie, handing Li a letter that she quickly read before heading to the back.

Result

Blackheart def. Li by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

No one should have expected much from what was always going to be a squash match, but the post-match situation was fascinating. Li seems to finally be telling a story, connected to Boa. Whatever the two are doing together, it is better than what they have done.

Blackheart is clearly on the rise. Hopefully, she should be getting a major opportunity soon. The women's division is stacked, but she's proving herself in huge spotlight moments.

Ember Moon came out on fire. She was not going to stop even against the powerful Raquel Gonzalez. Dakota Kai and Gonzalez had to isolated Rhea Ripley to gain control back in this contest. However, The Nightmare was also too resilient for the heels to manage.

Ripley kicked out of a somersault backbreaker and then got the tag to Moon, who was ready to pick up a big win for the first time in over a year. She powerbombed Kai and then, after Ripley and Gonzalez took each other out at ringside, landed the Eclipse for the win.

Result

Moon and Ripley def. Kai and Gonzalez by pinfall.

Grade

A-

Analysis

This match was all about showing what Moon can do, and she made the most of the spotlight. The War Goddess was all over the ring, flying without fear. She even attempted some dangerous spots without hesitation.

She was as good as she has ever been, and she was already one of the best women in WWE before her injury. This tag team match may not have led anywhere long-term. However, it showed that Moon versus anyone in the near future is a money match.

This was a fun way to make up for a night that did not land as hard as expected. The women brought it, and Moon and Ripley could be a fun tag team or rivalry.