WWE NXT 2.0 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from November 9

Toxic Attraction are in control of WWE NXT 2.0, but the target on the group's back only grows. The big match promoted ahead of the November 9 edition was a six-woman clash in which Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne would fight Io Shirai, Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter.

Another promised clash saw Kushida and Ikemen Jiro take on Julius and Brutus Creed. Diamond Mine have taken away so much from Kushida, who was looking to get revenge in a new alliance named Jacket Time.

Kay Lee Ray called her shot on Raquel Gonzalez when she joined the brand, but she was passed over in the transition to NXT 2.0. In retaliation, she promised to destroy everyone, starting with Sarray.

Joe Gacy has made a splash recently through his safe-space rhetoric, but he still had to prove himself in the ring. After finding a new focus, Boa challenged Gacy and his dangerous partner, Harland.

As with any week, NXT 2.0 looked certain to deliver much more with Tommaso Ciampa, Carmelo Hayes, Bron Breakker, Johnny Gargano, Dexter Lumis and others.

Mandy Rose opened the match with Kayden Carter, setting up Toxic Attraction to beat her down. Kacy Catanzaro spelled Carter, but the heel stable stayed in control. Io Shirai unleashed her anger on Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne when she finally got involved.

The Genius of the Sky hit the Over the Moonsault on Rose to nearly get three, but Dolin and Jayne broke it up. Carter got the hot tag and ran over Toxic Attraction.

As Carter headed to the top rope, action ensued outside that distracted her long enough for Dolin to pull her down and hit an abdominal stretch bomb.

Result

Toxic Attraction def. Shirai, Catanzaro and Carter by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This started slow, but the action picked up down the stretch. It is a classic tag team formula, though it works well for a bout mostly starring developing talent. Outside of Shirai and Rose, it was clear that the wrestlers here are still finding their stride.

The ultimate goal was to protect Toxic Attraction. They have gained control of NXT and need wins to keep it. Shirai will be without Zoey Stark for a while, and she will need to find the people who can help her in this numbers game if she wants to get to the NXT women's champion.

The story is only beginning. The women's division will continue to be NXT's highlight with Rose and Shirai at its head.

MSK found out the shaman they were seeking had moved, so they needed to fly to meet him.

Kay Lee Ray walked past Toxic Attraction on her way to the match. She was confident in the ring at first, dominating Sarray. However, The Warrior of the Sun fought back, bending back KLR for a near-submission.

With a superkick, Sarray set up Ray for the low ropes dropkick, but KLR ducked away. She hit a KLR Bomb on the announce table and then a second in the ring to win.

Result

KLR def. Sarray by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

This never got enough time to feel like more than a sequence of moves. Ray and Sarray are both talented women who have far more to give. However, this was always going to be about KLR no matter how much offense The Warrior of the Sun got.

While Ray teased going after Mandy Rose, it is the wrong time for her as a heel to fight a heel champion. With some time and build, KLR could play the tweener who can dethrone the NXT women's champion.

Joe Gacy explained in an interview that he was still fighting for the snowflakes and worried that Boa was hiding from his true self.

Boa, wearing new paint, sent Gacy running early with fast strikes.

Gacy goaded him in to trip up the Chinese Superstar and wore him down. Boa fought back with side kicks and an underhook suplex. As Boa stood in the corner, preparing for the win, the lights went low. Boa snapped, choking out Gacy until he got disqualified.

Result

Gacy def. Boa by DQ.

Grade

D+

Analysis

The lights going low was far too similar to the awkward presentation of Finn Balor as The Demon. Playing music during a match is corny and does not establish the mood WWE is actually trying to deliver.

Boa needed to continue winning, but this whole match felt unnecessary. Gacy did not get anything from this, and Boa's transformation already feels less dangerous than before.

It was a clash of quickly diminishing gimmicks that didn't work as either a match or an angle.

Malcolm Bivens interrupted a replay of Kushida and Ikemen Jiro deciding on their tag team name, to motivate Julius and Brutus Creed.

The Creed Brothers quickly took over with a series of impressive takedowns, and their size advantage was tough for Jacket Time to overcome. However, Jiro got going off a hot tag and hit a series of jacket punches that left the collegiate athletes reeling.

Diamond Mine had to get involved to save Julius and Brutus. Roderick Strong took out Jiro and then rolled him back into position for a powerbomb to take the loss.

Afterward, Odyssey Jones struck, throwing around Strong and sending The Creed Brothers running.

Result

The Creed Brothers def. Jacket Time by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Jacket Time is a waste of Kushida. While Jiro deserves this chance to shine, it is such an awkward pairing that will likely end up defining the rest of Kushida's run in NXT 2.0.

The match was fine. The Creed Brothers are stars in the making. Their collegiate technical style is unique to the rest of the roster. It works with anyone, though they still need to learn the art of selling.

Jones should have been done with Diamond Mine already as he cannot compete for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, but it seems the brand only has so many stars for the spot.

Raquel Gonzalez drove past Toxic Attraction on her way to the ring in her motorcycle. She called out Dakota Kai, who mocked her former friend.

Cora Jade attacked The Captain of Team Kick until Kai escaped. Gonzalez told Jade to wait her turn to get Kai.

Andre Chase tried to teach his students about mental toughness, and Grizzled Young Veterans did some urban coaching to get better about their distractions in the ring.

Duke Hudson watched closely as Cameron Grimes dominated Ru Feng. He put his opponent away with the Cave-In. Afterward, Grimes said that he played Hudson, and Hudson challenged him to a Poker Showdown next week.

Result

Grimes def. Feng by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

While the match was a squash, NXT 2.0 is starting to build some fresh angles. Gonzalez vs. Kai vs. Jade is an interesting story to keep more women involved in a loaded roster. Jade will benefit from working off these two veterans.

Hudson has serious potential that WWE has attempted to capitalize on for a few years now. His poker-player gimmick seems to be a winner, and it will be helped all the more by working off one of NXT's most charismatic stars in Grimes.

Grayson Waller tried to turn Solo Sikoa against LA Knight backstage. Instead, Sikoa challenged both men to a Triple Threat match.

Waller and Knight kept bickering, and Sikoa punched both in the mouth. The Usos' younger brother dominated both men until they were forced to work together to stay in the fight. However, the alliance broke down, leading to both getting powerbombed off the ropes.

Sikoa hit a Samoan drop on Knight as he dropkicked Waller. Waller rolled into a cutter but got suplexed out of the ring. He finished the match off with a diving splash to Knight.

Result

Sikoa def. Knight and Waller by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was non-stop action in which all three men shined. In particular, Sikoa seemed unstoppable. He clearly has the talent to make a major impact for as long as he is in NXT 2.0.

Knight took the pin, which is a minor win in the rivalry for Waller. However, he needs to be able to actually defeat The Million Dollar Mega Star in order to take the next step forward. Otherwise, he'll remain as the entertaining low-carder.

Bron Breakker and Tommaso Ciampa talked about representing NXT during the UK tour. The Blackheart promised that no one intimidated him, even Breakker.

Kyle O'Reilly talked about going for the NXT Tag Team Championships, which amused Imperium. Von Wagner backed up KOR, causing Marcel Bartel and Fabian Aichner to back off.

Elektra Lopez was clearly focused on Xyon Quinn, but it did not stop her from dominating Erica Yan. She put her opponent down with a powerbomb. After that, La Madrina asked Quinn to come out, and he answered.

She offered him the chance to join Legado del Fantasma. Though he was interested in Lopez, he refused the offer. Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza tried to take him out, but he sent both outside the ring. Quinn and Lopez shared a moment in the ring, and she let him walk away.

Result

Lopez def. Yan by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

The building romance of Lopez and Quinn is interesting. He has given La Madrina more of a story than she has had on her own. It also could help bring out more of Quinn's natural charisma.

It should be interesting to add Santos Escobar to the mix. He could be the wrestler to bring out the best in Quinn as he has many of his peers. It will be good to see him compete in a serious match.

Pete Dunne told Tony D'Angelo to step up to him when he's ready, and Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams got in The Bruiserweight's face, hoping for a match.

D'Angelo gave Indi Hartwell a dead fish to pass on to Dexter Lumis before their match next week.

While Dunne got a boot on the fingers of Hayes early, the champion kept enough of a distance to stick and move against the veteran. Trick tried to distract the referee to help the NXT North American champion. Instead, The Bruiserweight planted Hayes on the apron.

Lumis arrived to the commentary table, terrifying Trick. Melo fought back with a big clothesline and slam that got a near-fall. Dunne responded with a sit-out powerbomb that nearly took the win. Hayes went for a springboard and took a punch in the face.

He managed to reverse the Bitter End into a cutter for another near-fall. Melo drove Dunne into the mat with the Gargano Escape but could not get a firm grip. Trick tried to save the champion and got stomped. Lumis then laid out Williams.

A hand grabbed the boot of Melo, revealed to be Johnny Gargano. It allowed The Bruiserweight to hit the Bitter End to win.

Result

Dunne def. Hayes by pinfall.

Grade

A-

Analysis

You don't get much better than Hayes and Dunne in the modern NXT. This was two talented wrestlers going all-out. It was one of the best matches the updated brand has pulled off and the most NXT match the company has put on in a while.

Given the result, this should not be the last time these two fight. Give it more time and story, and these two could steal the show at any event. However, it felt unnecessary to give Hayes a loss this soon just to set up another challenger.

It was classic WWE booking with multiple distractions getting in the way of the two men hitting their top gear. It is probably for the best if Hayes vs. Dunne is going to be saved for the future.