WWE NXT Results, Grades: Damian Priest pushed to his limit in great main event

Who won the WWE NXT North American Title clash between Damian Priest and Dexter Lumis?

On the October 14th edition of WWE NXT, contenders are crowned while others look to secure the ultimate prize. Dexter Lumis faces his first major challenge in the form of North American Champion Damian Priest.

Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan Vs. The Undisputed Era in a WWE NXT Tag Title No. 1 Contender’s Match

Grade: B

The first match of the evening featured the team of Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan against Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong of the Undisputed Era with NXT Tag Team Championship implications. Lorcan would begin the match by keeping Strong locked in chokeholds, with the latter managing a short burst of control. Once Burch entered the fray, he would exchange tags with his partner to continuously wear the treacherous duo down.

Towards the conclusion, a distraction from Bobby Fish allowed Roderick Strong to blindside Lorcan and achieve the pinfall.

Danny and Oney did an incredible job of keeping a technical pace throughout the match. They would constantly keep their opponents isolated while relying on brutal tag team moves. Unfortunately for them, sneaky tactics from Fish allowed his team to secure another chance at the illustrious titles.

Ashantee “Thee” Adonis Vs. Jake Atlas

Grade: C

Next up was Ashantee Adonis against Jake Atlas. The two began the match by locking each other up, quickly picking up with the pace with quick kicks. Adonis gained the upper hand for a short bit with his own brand of rapid offense.

Towards the conclusion, Legado Del Phantasma interfered and allowed Atlas to gain a rollup pin. He would assist his opponent and Isaiah Scott to even the odds and force an enemy retreat.

This match was relatively brief, although the two opponents looked to outdo each other with various rapid maneuvers. The introduction of the villainous trio cut this promising contest before it could reach a thrilling conclusion.

Austin Theory Vs. Johnny Gargano

Grade: A

Gargano would begin the match by containing Theory in headlocks, only for him to return the favor and keep his opponent on edge. The pace accelerated in the corner and middle of the ring until Theory broke up a constricting submission. He continued to lay on the attacks on the outside area, including frequent targeting to the head for the duration of the contest.

Towards the conclusion, Gargano unleashed the One Final Beat for the pinfall.

This was a spectacular match kept at a medium pace. Austin Theory used a smorgasbord of devastating moves to weaken his opponent and keep the flow in his favor. In the end, Johnny Gargano mustered a significant boost of strength to decisively win the contest.

Shotzi Blackheart Vs. Candice LeRae

Grade: B

Next up was Candice LeRae against Shotzi Blackheart with a NXT Women’s Championship shot on the line. Candice began the match with a lockup, only for Shotzi to quickly change the momentum. She would take advantage of a botched move to achieve a massive dive to the outside. Once back in the ring, Blackheart wailed on LeRae with hard strikes until the latter found a short opening and finally regained control.

In the climax of the match, Candice LeRae used a foreign object while the referee was distracted to gain the victory and the contender’s spot.

Shotzi Blackheart’s never-say-die attitude was on full display in this match, using her well known high-octane offense to constantly keep her opponent guessing. When all else failed, LeRae resorted to a cheap move to secure her spot.

Toni Storm Vs. Aliyah

Grade: B

Aliyah was forced to face a major challenge in the returning Toni Storm. Storm began the match with a significant rally until Aliyah gained the advantage in the corner. She would transition to neckbreakers and headlocks, although this would not help her in the long term. Toni continued to decimate Aliyah with hip attacks until unleashing the Storm Zero for the pinfall.

Toni Storm came back with a bang, easily dismantling Aliyah despite her brief attempts at gaining a substantial advantage. Her rapid style and fiery attitude prepares her for a potential NXT Women’s Championship shot.

Killian Dain and Drake Maverick Vs. Imperium

Grade: B 

The unlikely team of Killian Dain and Drake Maverick faced off against Imperium. Dain began the contest by manhandling Fabian Aichner, quickly allowing Maverick a piece of the action. Once Barthel was introduced, he isolated Maverick in the corner until the latter got his partner back in the fold.

Towards the conclusion, Barthel would attack Dain at ringside, distracting Maverick. He would then tag his partner to unleash the Imperial Implosion for the victory.

Imperium once again displayed full dominance in this match, constantly slugging on Drake Maverick and weakening him with major tag moves. Dain and Maverick still have tons of work to do in order to secure a potential spot in the division.

WWE NXT North American Champion Damian Priest Vs. Dexter Lumis

Grade: A

The main event of the evening featured Damian Priest against Dexter Lumis with the North American Championship on the line. Priest and Lumis began the match with a collar and elbow tie-up, with neither able to gain the position. They continued to lock each other up in individual corners until the former unleashed a big crossbody from the top rope.

In the climax of the contest, Cameron Grimes suddenly appeared to unleash a double leg drop on Lumis. Damian Priest would then utilize the South of Heaven for the pinfall.

Dexter Lumis was a formidable opponent to the very end, constantly preventing the champion from securing the advantage while focusing on his own vicious offense. Damian Priest would outlast the onslaught long enough to gain the victory and keep his championship.

October 14th WWE NXT Results

• Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish defeated Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan via pinfall
• Jake Atlas defeated Ashantee “Thee” Adonis via pinfall
• Johnny Gargano defeated Austin Theory via pinfall
• Candice LeRae defeated Shotzi Blackheart via pinfall
• Toni Storm defeated Aliyah via pinfall
• Imperium defeated Killian Dain and Drake Maverick via pinfall
• Damian Priest defeated Dexter Lumis to retain the North American Championship via pinfall