WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from June 1

With less than two weeks before NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021, the June 1 edition of WWE NXT began to build the massive show for the black-and-gold brand.

Kyle O'Reilly, Pete Dunne and Johnny Gargano have all called their shot at Karrion Kross, but only one could challenge the NXT champion at TakeOver. They would open the show in a must-watch clash of three of the top NXT stars.

The NXT Tag Team Championships were on the line between two longtime rivals. Nash Carter and Wes Lee found themselves in a tough fight against Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza. Would MSK be able to fend off another top challenger in a tough division, or would Legado del Fantasma regain some gold?

Only these two matches were promised for the night, but plenty more was expected given the rivalries that have been building.

Raquel Gonzalez attacked Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart last week, setting up for likely revenge. Franky Monet made her debut and is likely to be watching everyone closely.

We have not seen Kushida much since his victory over Santos Escobar to retain the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, but he should have many potential challengers. Escobar himself has moved on targeting North American champion Bronson Reed.

Anything was possible for this big show and the TakeOver card. The only promise was two absolute must-see matches.

Kyle O'Reilly went for the kneebar early on Pete Dunne and Johnny Gargano, but The Bruiserweight slipped out of the grip of O'Reilly and locked in his own armbar. The Bruiserweight gladly tortured both men with a focus on the hands of the competitors.

Johnny Wrestling found himself at a disadvantage against the technical wizards, so he instead looked for opportunities to hit explosive offense to try to steal the win. The heels eventually teamed up to try to eliminate O'Reilly, but he rebounded into an explosive double clothesline.

The Bruiserweight got out of the Gargano Escape and then hit the Bitter End. O'Reilly broke up the pin with a diving knee drop on both men. Adam Cole arrived to blast all three men with a steel chair and then took out the official who tried to stop him.

Cole hit the Last Shot on Gargano, which brought out an angry William Regal with security. With all three out for the count, the match was called off for the moment.

Result

Gargano vs. O'Reilly vs. Dunne goes to a no-contest because of Cole's interference.

Grade

B

Analysis

Three of the best in NXT went all out in a Triple Threat that was unique in style. All three men were involved for the majority of the contest rather than the match devolving into a series of one-on-one clashes.

Dunne and O'Reilly have always had chemistry, but Gargano worked well with both men as well. At some point, we need to get Johnny Wrestling vs. O'Reilly and Dunne one-on-one. While Gargano has faced Dunne before, this is a very different dynamic.

There was no winner in the end, which was a unique choice that made sense. Cole has been out of action for a while, but he has always felt entitled to the NXT Championship. This was a setup for an even more complicated title scene.

Ember Moon charged to the ring as William Regal was attempting to wrangle Adam Cole to the back. The War Goddess called out Raquel Gonzalez. Security stopped Gonzalez from fighting Moon, but Dakota Kai snuck up on Moon and attacked her from behind.

LA Knight told the world that Ted DiBiase would be watching as he took out Jake Atlas, who beat Cameron Grimes two weeks ago. Knight, though, found himself in trouble early against Atlas, who countered his offense with core strength.

Knight came back with a jumping neckbreaker, which brought out The Million Dollar Man. Knight was distracted by the arrival of DiBiase, trying to show off for the WWE Hall of Famer. However, Atlas could not steal the win with a roll-up, allowing Knight to finally take over.

Cameron Grimes decided to walk out during the match to talk to DiBiase. This fueled Atlas, who hit a rolling fireman's carry into a standing moonsault for a near-fall. Atlas hit the cartwheel DDT and won clean. Afterward, Knight blamed Grimes for the loss.

Result

Atlas def. Knight by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The chaotic open of the show worked well, including the sudden transition to Moon calling out Gonzalez. NXT has quickly set up a big match for the NXT Women's Championship at TakeOver. It's been too long since The War Goddess was in singles title contention.

Knight has rarely been protected in NXT for a reason. He is an entertainer who can talk his way past losses. It was still surprising for him to lose to Atlas. This was an important victory for Atlas to take.

He got time and delivered in a big way. While Atlas still needs some refining in the ring, he is one of the most exciting performers NXT has. He's got the athleticism and strength to compete with anyone.

Ultimately, this was about whether Grimes or Knight would inherit the Million Dollar Legacy. It's worth considering, though, if Atlas may be earning his way to a surprise win in this feud.

Backstage, Austin Theory and Oney Lorcan got into it near the trainer's room, both convinced that their man would have won the Triple Threat if not for Adam Cole.

Cole called his shot on the NXT Championship. He mocked Karrion Kross until the NXT champion arrived. William Regal tried to stop Cole from weaseling his way into a title shot. Instead, Kross made clear he wanted Kyle O'Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano and Cole at TakeOver.

Grade

D

Analysis

This was an awkward segment that continued to take away from the unique aura of Kross. Once the monster in the shadows that no one wanted to fight, now everyone is challenging the NXT champion, and he is accepting it like any other "fighting champion."

The Herald of Doomsday should not be marching out to the ring because Cole mocks him. We should not have Cole throwing phrases like "Mr. Overrated" at a supposed dominant monster, nor should Kross be answering back by calling Cole "no longer special."

These petty phrases could be used by anyone. That's not a good way to treat one of the rare characters on a show that is primarily built on wrestlers. Setting up a Fatal 5-Way match also made no sense if Kross genuinely was angry with only Cole.

Xia Li challenged Mercedes Martinez because of their history in the Mae Young Classic. Martinez gladly accepted. A video package was shown for the debuting Carmelo Hayes, who wanted to make an immediate impression.

The newcomer did that right away by kicking Kushida in the face. Hayes' offense had Kushida off balance, striking fast and heavy. The Japanese Superstar had to build his game plan as the match progressed, surviving a springboard clothesline for a near-fall and responding with forearms.

However, despite Hayes' best efforts, he still could not escape when Kushida trapped him in the Hoverboard Lock. He tapped out.

Result

Kushida def. Hayes by submission to retain the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.

Grade

A

Analysis

This was a really good match that did exactly what it set out to do. Hayes came in as a relative unknown to most of the casual audience, and he delivered in every moment of this contest.

While the cruiserweight division has been a bit of a graveyard for talent, primarily working in 205 Live, those who have been able to get time to work NXT have gained a ton of credibility. Hayes instantly gained that with his performance against Kushida.

The NXT cruiserweight champion has continued to elevate the title with each performance. He is a true shining light in the division and can continue to push stars to the next level like this.

Franky Monet promised she was just getting started. Candice LeRae could not focus on her interview, even though she was angry at Poppy appearing next week, because Indi Hartwell was sulking while listening to '80s power ballads. Dexter Lumis found her headphones and listened to the music.

Zayda Ramier found herself stuck in the ring alone with the NXT women's tag team champions after LeRae took out Zoey Stark. Together, the champions hit the Wicked Savage for the victory.

Result

The Way def. Stark and Ramier by pinfall.

Grade

D+

Analysis

This match had potential to be far more than it was, especially with Hartwell distracted. Instead, the champions defeated the upstart team in quick fashion. Stark and Ramier have potential as a newcomer underdog team, but they need more time.

Especially given the other matches on this card that got time, there was no reason this had to feel like a squash. The Way remains without challengers. Why not at least allow Stark and Ramier to push the champions before losing?

Another vignette was aired for Diamond Mine, promising an opening soon. Ember Moon promised to defeat Dakota Kai and then take the NXT Women's Championship from Raquel Gonzalez at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.

Before their match, both teams said their piece, promising they would win. Nash Carter and Wes Lee thought they could set the pace against Joaquin Wilde, but he dodged Carter, sending him hard into the corner. Raul Mendoza helped Wilde take over the action, dominating Carter.

The Grizzled Young Veterans tried to get involved, and Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher attacked them. The brawl raged into the back. Meanwhile, Lee gave his partner a reprieve but could not stop the dominance of Legado del Fantasma.

Lee barely survived impressive offense from the heel, including a headscissors takedown off the top rope into a powerbomb. Santos Escobar attacked Lee from behind the referee's back and set up MSK to hit its finisher, but Carter made the save.

Bronson Reed blasted Escobar into the barricade, which distracted Mendoza. Wilde ran right into the finish of MSK, allowing the champions to retain.

Result

MSK def. Legado del Fantasma by pinfall to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a strong main event, but it did not quite hit the top gear these two can absolutely deliver. The repeated interference led to a match that was mostly dominated by Legado del Fantasma before MSK pulled out a sudden win.

It is a shame that so much happened on the outside because this was just a few minutes away from being one of MSK's best title defenses to date. Still, it was a good win, and the right team pulled it out for the long run.

Carter and Lee have been absolutely electric in NXT. It's tough to say who can challenge them next. However, there are plenty of interesting options, including Ciampa and Thatcher.