WWE NXT on USA: Results, Highlights and Grades for Oct. 16

In the second hour of WWE NXT action, Lee attempts a powerslam, but Dijak hits a chokebomb for a two-count. Commentator’s put over Dijak’s injury, saying he couldn’t get all of the bomb because of his shoulder.

Lee and Dijak go to the top rope. Lee chest slaps Dijak off the top, then hits a frog splash onto Dijak’s arm. Followed by a Spirit Bomb, but can’t capitalize as Dijak rolls out the ring. Lee rolls him back in and attempts a Fireman’s Carry, but Dijak uses his healthy right arm to elbow his way out, followed by a Cyclone Kick for a near fall.

They collide again until Lee hits a deadlift suplex for another near fall.

Dijak gets Lee in an Electric Chair position, but Lee reverses with a reverse hurricanrana. You read that right. A REVERSE HURRICANRANA!

Dijak gets Lee on the top rope attempting a hurricanrana, but Lee goes for a powerbomb, until Roderick Strong runs in to attack both men.

William Regal says Strong isn’t clever enough to get out defending his title next week, and he will defend vs. both Lee AND Dijakovic in a triple threat WWE NXT North American Title match.

Winner: No Contest

Grade: B+

Ending without a finish was a bummer, but man, incredible stuff before that. Don’t care how many times I see these two wrestle. They always put in amazing work and tonight was no exception, especially since it was a surprisingly technical contest with Lee constantly attacking the arm. Made it feel fresh.

Matt Riddle vs. Bronson Reed

Immediately chops and kicks exchange. Riddle eventually gets the advantage, hits a PK KIck for a near fall.

Reed gets back into this once back to his feet, hitting a senton.

Outta nowhere, Riddle gets back into this. Bro To Sleep, Powerbomb, then a Final Flash Knee for a near fall before Riddle hits a spinning senton dive, but Reed catches him with a powerbomb for a nearfall. Pulls his straps down before setting something up, but Riddle gets him in a chokehold to recover. Reed judo throws him over. Reed jumps over Riddle, but Riddle catches the 300+ pounder in a Tombstone position, slams him down, then gets the win. They fist bump after the match.

Winner: Riddle

Grade: C+

Another quick, fun one that could have been great with more time. Nothing more to say than that. It is what it is, and it ain’t bad.

Taynara Conti vs. Tegan Nox

Conti has the early advantage thanks to her judo background, but Tegan Nox hits a chokeslam (!!!) followed by the Shiniest Wizard

Winner: Nox

Grade: D+

Mostly dull contest. Nice showcase for Conti, but it was clear she was losing, which has been a running trend for these last few weeks of action for

Dakota Kai congratulates Tegan Nox after the match during her post-match interview, but before Nox gets a word in, Shayna Baszler and her Horsewomen come out in tow to intimidate the duo. Given all the challenges she’s received, she asks Nox if she wants to throw her hat in the race, then reminds her what she did to her friend, Kai, last time they were in the ring (injured her).

She then tells Nox to talk to her when she does something worthwhile to earn herself a title shot.

Killian Dain vs. BOA

Despite some surprising early offense from BOA, Dain dominates the whole thing. Slurry of Vader Bombs, then a new Abdominal submission for the win.

Winner: Dain

Grade: D

More of a squash match than the last one. Except even less interesting, somehow. Granted, it was exactly what it should’ve been. Dain is supposed to dominate a guy like this in quick fashion, but I just didn’t care for it.

Pete Dunne vs. Kililan Dain

Main event time. But right beforehand (pun intended), Dunne walks down the ramp as Dain walks up the ramp. They stare down, trade words, then Dunne breaks Dain’s fingers, forcing him to run off. Forcing the big man to run off right after making him look like a huge threat seems counter-productive if you ask me, but whatevs. Main event time.

Priest and Dunne lock up. Dunne off the ropes, then a leaping elbow from a surprisingly agile Priest.

There fight gets taken to the apron, as Priest dropkicks Dunne back first off the apron. Then a right hand punch to nearly knock Dunne out as we head into a commercial break.

Back from the break, Dunne topples Priest with a top rope suplex. They trade strikes before Dunne hits a dropkick off the top rope to Priest’s knee, then a moonsault to the outside.

Back in the ring, Dunne nails a Liger Bomb for a near fall.

Priest gets back into this and hits a tope to the outside. Back in the ring, he hits a Slice of Heaven Chokeslam for a near fall.

Trade strikes, evade each other’s finishers’ Dunne punches Priest in the face. Both men down.

Dunne tries another moonsault, but gets knees. Priest lifts him onto his shoulders, but Dunne wiggles out. They basically smother the ref in the corner during a lock up, and while distracted, she doesn’t see Priest hit a low blow kick, followed by a Reckoning for the win.

Winner: Priest

Grade: B+

Really fun main event worthy contest to end the show. Great chemistry with a great dynamic.

Overall Grade: C+

Thanks to some way too short matches and one disappointing finish, this felt like it might be my least favorite episode of WWE NXT since the move to USA Network. Most of the second hour took the match down a peg. That being said, still not a bad episode by any stretch of the imagination, and is still worth a watch. Especially thanks to Lee vs. Dijak. Even with a disappointing finish, it’s a MOTY candidate despite it. While Dunne vs. Priest isn’t as good, it was still a super enjoyable and worth watching.