WWE NXT Results, Highlights, and Grades for January 16, 2019

Next up, we were graced with the presence of “The EST of NXT” Bianca Belair. With her title shot at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix looming, Belair was speaking directly to NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler. She spit fire about this being her year, even saying, despite it being early in 2019, that she has “2020 vision” when it comes to the NXT Women’s Championship.

It didn’t take long for the NXT Women’s Champion to join the party, bringing Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir along with her. Baszler retaliated with her usual brash confidence, going as far as to say Belair is “afraid” her vocabulary will go from “undefeated to overrated” after they clash in Phoenix.

Bianca Belair replied with a stiff slap to the face of Baszler. Duke and Shafir tried to attack after the slap, but Belair was able to slip out of the ring before the beatdown could begin. It’s safe to say that Baszler will be looking for revenge sooner rather than later.

Grade: A, Every single time Bianca Belair or Shayna Baszler get on a microphone, it’s great. These two are spectacular, and this segment made their impending clash even more exciting. 

Donovan Dijakovic vs. Adrian Joude

Shortly after, we got to see Adrian Joude out first for in-ring action. He was up against the steadily rising Donovan Dijakovic, but Joude wasn’t about to go down without a fight. Utilizing his martial arts background, Joude was able to ground the tall and lengthy Dijakovic to gain an early advantage.

Unfortunately for Joude, that advantage didn’t last long. Dijakovic fought back and hit a huge suplex throw that really turned the tide for things. A big boot a bit later and a single Feast Your Eyes was the end of Joude.

Grade: B+, Not a groundbreaking match, but one that did its job well. Joude got some great moments and showed his mat work, but Dijakovic dominated him in the end as expected.