WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 27
The fallout from NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver has not stopped. That event reshaped NXT to the point that we are still experiencing the aftermath. The April 27 edition of the show included plenty of fresh moments and matches as NXT refocuses on the future.
Adam Cole was set to sit down with Arash Markazi to address his brutal match with Kyle O'Reilly. This was the first time we heard from Cole since he had to be taken to a local medical facility on a stretcher.
Legado del Fantasma has lost its stranglehold on NXT's cruiserweight division. Kushida defeated Santos Escobar to become NXT cruiserweight champion, and MSK has gotten in the way of any attempted retribution. Fans would get to see these six men battle in a tag match.
Mercedes Martinez laid her claim to the NXT Women's Championship, but she has felt ignored by Raquel Gonzalez. To get the champion's attention, she challenged her best friend Dakota Kai to a match.
The Way may continue to hold control of NXT through the NXT North American Championship, but Johnny Gargano fears Bronson Reed. Unfortunately for him, Austin Theory challenged The Colossal to a match where Reed would get another title shot if he won.
Robert Stone has been itching for a chance to solidify his brand. He managed to convince general manager William Regal to let Aliyah and Jessi Kamea challenge Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart to a non-title match that could lead to a championship opportunity down the line.
This show promised many important matches that could reestablish the hierarchy in NXT. Who would step up? Who would be knocked down?
Mercedes Martinez vs. Dakota Kai
Mercedes Martinez tried to take a dominant first step in this match, but Dakota Kai answered with a DDT and corner running low boot. The two went back and forth in a competitive clash where The Captain of Team Kick sent her opponent to the floor with a corner Kaio Kick.
Kai could not keep Martinez down as the latter answered back with an emphatic discus forearm. Martinez sent The Captain of Team Kick outside where Martinez and Raquel Gonzalez met face to face. A brawl broke out that led to the NXT women's champion booting her potential challenger in the face, causing a disqualification.
The champion continued the onslaught on Martinez to make a point about her place at the top of the division. She threw her face-first into the barricade screen.
Result
Martinez def. Kai by DQ.
Grade
B+
Analysis
Before the non-finish, this was an excellent physical opener in which both women shone. Kai looked like the more dominant force throughout, forcing her opponent to fight from underneath. This emphasized that Martinez will be the face in the rivalry with Gonzalez going forward.
The disqualification was completely unnecessary, but it was only emphasized by the fact that Martinez supposedly almost won clean with so little offense mounted. There should have been a few more minutes to get to that moment.
Gonzalez vs. Martinez is interesting, though the heel champion facing a face challenger may take some getting used to as Martinez has mostly played the dominant force in her rivalries to date.
To Earn an NXT NA Title Match: Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae glared at Bronson Reed on his way to the stage. Indi Hartwell was clearly sulking when she walked out with The Way. Austin Theory was far too confident early, but after a superkick outside by Gargano, Theory hit a diving crossbody outside to take an emphatic advantage.
The Colossal fought back with his pure power, nearly taking the win with a powerful chokeslam. Theory answered back, leaving both laid out. Dexter Lumis arrived to try to get close to Indi Hartwell, who seemed uncertain of him.
Chaos ensued where Lumis took a hard elbow from Theory after pushing Hartwell out of the way. The Colossal ended it with the Tsunami.
Result
Reed def. Theory by pinfall to become the new No. 1 contender to the NXT North American Championship.
Grade
C+
Analysis
Reed vs. Theory was a fine but overbooked match. With so many stories happening in parallel, the main match was lost in the shuffle. There were far too many points late where both wrestlers were lying around waiting for other wrestlers to take action.
Ind-Dex has developed strangely. To the story's credit, though, NXT has made it interesting. Every week is an unknown. The fact that Lumis cannot talk only makes the story more fascinating. Every miscommunication is easy.
Killian Dain and Drake Maverick vs. Imperium
Drake Maverick made clear that he did not trust Killian Dain going into this surprise match. He felt like The Beast of Belfast would turn against him.
Dain started to ease Maverick's concerns. However, as with most of their matches, Maverick tagged in and got dominated by the heels. Imperium kept him away from his partner repeatedly and then knocked The Beast of Belfast off the apron at the key moment.
The smaller member of the team almost lost hope, but Dain ran into the ring to make the save. Marcel Barthel demanded that Alexander Wolfe hit Dain with a steel chair. Wolfe held back because of their history, and the action broke down.
Maverick had too much in this contest, diving into the arms of Fabian Aichner. Imperium finished him off with the elevated spinning uppercut. The Beast of Belfast looked over his injured friend.
Result
Imperium def. Drake and Maverick by pinfall.
Grade
B+
Analysis
The layers of solid storytelling in this match elevated it. Maverick went in ready to be betrayed. Instead, Dain fought his absolute hardest to protect his friend. It was a heartwarming scene, even in a loss.
The man who showed some hesitation was Wolfe. He and Dain have history dating back to Sanity. It seems WWE is using that history to add more depth to the man who has often felt the most out of sorts in Imperium. Could Wolfe choose an old friend over his current allies?
While recent angles have given some story to this tag team matchup, the battle between the teams tonight solidified this as a story to watch. A few more matches between these teams need to happen.
Moon and Blackheart vs. Aliyah and Jessi Kamea; Adam Cole Interview
Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart received flowers. Franky Monet said they were from Dexter Lumis, which cause the two champions to argue over who they were truly for.
This would lead to Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell attacking the NXT women's tag team champions from behind as they headed to the ring. The brutal attack left Moon and Blackheart unable to compete. Aliyah and Jessi Kamea celebrated in the ring like they had won.
William Regal announced later in the night Moon and Blackheart would put their titles on the line against The Way in a street fight.
Arash Markazi tried to interview Adam Cole, who was preoccupied. He was not bothered by his loss to Kyle O'Reilly. He saw himself as the face of NXT, and he laughed at the idea that O'Reilly or Karrion Kross could take his spot. The camera showed O'Reilly watching the interview, shaking his head.
Grade
B
Analysis
The two segments back-to-back here enforced the status quo of NXT. The Way continues to demand more opportunities against Moon and Blackheart, but LeRae and Hartwell cannot put it away. While this was the best The Way has looked against the champion, it was a segment, not a match.
Cole was the biggest star in NXT. He will likely remain on the black-and-gold brand for another year at least. However, it is time to stop considering him the biggest star on the show. This heel persona is the same man he was, just without backup.
Cole vs. O'Reilly went so long the first time it felt like two matches, but it is very likely that the two will have a legitimate rematch soon. Hopefully, that will allow O'Reilly to move on.