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

2019 was a special year for NXT. The roster finally took its place as the third brand in WWE with its arrival on the USA Network. The black-and-gold brand got two hours on live cable television to stand alongside Raw and SmackDown.

As WWE turned to 2020, NXT looked back on an incredible year that was far more than just a move into the spotlight.

The 2019 year-end awards highlighted the best tag teams, matches and singles stars of the year ranging from the dominance of Undisputed Era to the breakout of Rhea Ripley.

Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano and more stepped up to lead the company into a new era and were deservedly given their due.

Similarly, Shayna Baszler's dominance, coupled with the work of Ripley, Io Shirai and Candice LeRae to name a few, showcased the best women's division on any WWE roster.

Wednesday was a night to celebrate and give out awards that should not be forgotten as NXT turns to 2020.

The night of awards began with the third-best match of the year.

At NXT TakeOver: XXV on June 1, the Fatal 4-Way tag team ladder match between The Street Profits, Undisputed Era, The Forgotten Sons and Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch was non-stop action.

After the tag teams eliminated Jaxson Ryker from the equation, Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish battled Lorcan and Burch on a pair of ladders before Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake knocked them down.

Montez Ford made an incredible springboard leap to the ladder and took the titles.

Result

Street Profits def. Undisputed Era, Forgotten Sons and Lorcan and Burch by retrieving the championships to become the new NXT tag team champions.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Even though the replay cut out the excellent early section of the bout, this was still a great showcase of some of the best in NXT. Street Profits deserved the win, but every team earned its spot in this incredible match.

In particular, this was easily the best match of The Forgotten Sons' run. The two worked well with others rather than looking out of place when everyone knew they were the weakest link.

These were the first two award winners on Wednesday night.

Undisputed Era were the NXT tag team of the year while Adam Cole was the Male Competitor of the Year.

They did not let general manager William Regal live it down as they grabbed both trophies.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Only one pairing could win tag team of the year. Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly were the standouts in 2019 and put on better matches than any tag team in all of WWE. They kept the division afloat as NXT attempted to create new teams.

Cole's win was expected but far less clear cut. Recent history leans toward the leader of Undisputed Era, but Johnny Gargano was the best in NXT for much of the year, while WALTER was consistently excellent in 2019.

In perhaps the most expected result of the night, Shayna Baszler earned the title of NXT Female Competitor of the Year.

She reminded everyone that, despite no longer having the gold, she is still the most dominant champion in WWE.

Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano was announced as NXT Rivalry of the Year, and the two men traded shots that hinted they are not done with each other yet.

Grade

A

Analysis

The NXT Universe avoided becoming prisoners of the moment with a win for Rhea Ripley, who will likely take this award in 2020. Baszler was the best part of NXT in 2019, and her dominance often made it feel like she was on another level to anyone else.

It could be argued Io Shirai deserved recognition as well. Her last few months in NXT may be the best of anyone in WWE. She should take an even bigger role in 2020.

Cole vs. Gargano was clearly the feud that had most people talking in 2019. While a rivalry like Candice LeRae vs. Shirai deserves recognition, only one feud could be sold as the best angle in NXT.

Announced as the second-best match of 2019, the women's WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2019 on November 23 started from Rhea Ripley's entry into the contest.

Using weapons and pure heart, Candice LeRae helped keep The Nightmare in this bout just long enough.

Dakota Kai turned on Tegan Nox and brutally assaulted her knee to leave the babyfaces vulnerable. With Io Shirai, Bianca Belair and Kay Lee Rae out of the action, Ripley sent Shayna Baszler through two chairs with the Riptide for the victory.

Result

Ripley, LeRae, Nox and Kai def. Baszler, Shirai, Belair and Rae

Grade

A-

Analysis

While clipping the best matches of 2019 feels lazy, it was great to revisit this fantastic contest.

While many moments through the year elevated Ripley, this was the time she was crowned as NXT's future. She and LeRae went to war against a full team and miraculously won.

Somehow the women made this exciting without ever making the odds feel too massive. Ripley rallied and triumphed in deserved fashion alongside LeRae.

Dakota Kai was awarded the NXT Future Star of the Year, and she warned everyone to not get in her way.

NXT TakeOver: WarGames was announced NXT TakeOver of the year, and brand founder Triple H presented the NXT Breakout Star of the Year award to Keith Lee.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Dakota Kai absolutely deserved the title of future star. She will be a major force in 2020 and likely the one to dethrone Rhea Ripley after great matches with Tegan Nox and Mia Yim.

WarGames did not deserve to be crowned TakeOver of the Year, and it got there almost exclusively because it was near the end of the year. It was good, but TakeOver: New York on April 5 was an incredible show that has been forgotten too quickly.

The most debatable award was given to possibly the biggest star going into 2020. Lee is one of NXT's best, but Ripley earned that title. Both should be featured heavily in the coming year.

In a look back at the NXT Match of the Year, Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano went back to war at NXT TakeOver: New York.

Undisputed Era did their best to keep their top man in the action, but Johnny Wrestling trapped him in the Gargano Escape for a submission.

Result

Gargano def. Cole by submission to become the new NXT champion

Grade

A-

Analysis

It was hard to understand fully just how good Gargano vs. Cole was when not all of it is shown. It also doesn't help that both men couldn't match their first effort in subsequent rematches.

This was Johnny Wrestling's crowning moment, and he put everything into it. The action was non-stop for 38 minutes, and the ending was so incredibly satisfying.

The main disappointment with seeing this as the top match of the year is the lack of respect for NXT UK. The best bout of the year for NXT was WALTER vs. Tyler Bate, but most of the NXT Universe missed it.

To end the night, Adam Cole was crowned NXT's Overall Competitor of the Year.

Undisputed Era came out again with plenty of trophies in hand to end the year with a final declaration of the stable's dominance.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The last few months of 2019 have been all about Cole. He and Undisputed Era benefited most from the Survivor Series cross-brand rivalries, and it has made him the biggest name in NXT.

While others were better for the rest of the year, especially Johnny Gargano and Shayna Baszler, it isn't surprising that the leader of Undisputed Era was crowned at the top. Cole made an indelible impact on NXT with his title run.