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

Before we got the night’s main event, we heard briefly from NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa. He responded directly to Aleister Black’s invitation to start things early, but made it clear that he wants things happening according to his plan. Ciampa called Aleister “the ultimate puppet,” and made it clear that he’ll be waiting for NXT TakeOver: Phoenix to bring the fight.

Keith Lee vs. Kassius Ohno

The night’s main event was definitely poised to be the match of the night, and it felt like that early. Keith Lee put his power advantage on display early with a huge shoulder tackle to Kassius Ohno, but followed it up with his uncanny agility by avoiding Ohno with a leapfrog.

Kassius Ohno fought back with a series of strikes before slipping out of the ring. Keith Lee looked ready to dive to the outside, but Ohno slipped out of the way before Lee went into the air. Instead it was Ohno who caught air a few moments later when Keith Lee sent him skyward with an enormous back body drop.

https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/1085716546649911297

Kassius Ohno hit a few well-timed strikes moments later and started to regain control of the match. A stiff kick finally got the big man to the mat, and Kassius Ohno began to dictate the pace. He hit a huge senton on Lee, following it up with some stiff stomps.

Keith Lee was able to fight back to his feet, but caught a series of stiff elbow to put him back on the mat. Kassius Ohno went for another senton, but Lee got his knees up and drove them square into the back of Ohno.

Finally getting some momentum on his side, Keith Lee followed it up with some powerful right hands, and even hit a slingshot cross body from the apron that nearly finished Kassius Ohno off. With Ohno reeling, Keith Lee picked up the pace with some clubbing blows, a lovely Mongolian chop, and a pounce that nearly sent Ohno into the crowd.

It looked like Lee was poised for victory, but some underhanded tactics by Kassius Ohno changed things. Ohno shoved Lee into the referee, causing enough of a distraction for Ohno to hit a low blow.

With Lee incapacitated, he couldn’t defend a deadly discus elbow from Kassius Ohno that finished him off and gave Ohno the three count. After the match, despite not being medically cleared, Matt Riddle plowed through the referees holding him back and came to his friend’s aid.

In a dress shirt, slacks, lime green tie, and lime green slippers (because BRO), Matt Riddle sent Ohno fleeing to the back. Things are heating up for the eventual rematch between these two, but Riddle will have to watch for Ohno’s underhanded tactics when that time comes.

Grade: A++, A spectacular main event. Keith Lee is a star in the making, and this really showcased that. Ohno’s veteran instincts were on display near the end, helping him secure the win by any means possible. This should be an A+, but I’m adding a + just for Matt Riddle’s outfit.