WWE NXT Results: Highlights, Grades, and Analysis for January 18

Roderick Strong vs. Steve Cutler

Result: Roderick Strong defeated Steve Cutler via pinfall

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Cutler has come a long way in recent months. He’s a solid hand, and has an impressive look. In the wake of the next wave of call-ups, he could develop into one of the top heels in NXT.

What I loved about the match was that it was just a decent wrestling match. There wasn’t any major, overarching story. Roddy is gearing up for a match with Andrade Almas, but that doesn’t really get mentioned until the match is over. I don’t say this enough, but I like NXT for being a wrestling show with wrestling matches.

Look, the Yankees don’t play the Red Sox every night. The Cowboys and Eagles play twice a year. Strong vs. Cutler was the equivalent of the Yankees playing the Rockies. No real history, it’s just a match on the schedule. Stories can still be told within these confines.

Also: Roddy is in NXT because he needs to learn to not look at the camera, right?

Ember Moon & Liv Morgan Backstage

One of these two sounds like a human being. The other sounds like something out of a weird sci-fi movie. Strangely, the humanoid is the werewolf lady, and the Jersey Girl sounds like a robotic alien. Anyway, they’re gonna fight, because someone has to face the champion in Orlando.