WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from May 16

WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from May 16

0 of 10

The NXT Women’s Championship Tournament continued this week with Roxanne Perez vs. Jacy Jayne and Cora Jade vs. Fallon Henley.Credit: WWE.com.

The NXT Women’s Championship Tournament continued on the May 16 edition of WWE NXT as well as more build toward NXT Battlegrounds.

Last week, Tiffany Stratton and Lyra Valkyria advanced to the semifinals. This week, Roxanne Perez would fight Jacy Jayne while Fallon Henley challenged Cora Jade to determine the final two semifinalists.

The Creed Brothers would face long-time rivals The Dyad of Schism in a tag team match to settle the score.

Dragon Lee would appear on the return of “The Supernova Sessions” hosted by Noam Dar.

Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes are still on a collision course for NXT Battlegrounds, Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo wanted the NXT Tag Team Championships that Gallus hold.

This show was certain to deliver big surprises on the way to the gold brand’s next big premium live event.

NXT Women’s Championship Tournament: Cora Jade vs. Fallon Henley

1 of 10

Cora Jade found a target in the left leg of Fallon Henley and left her opponent limping. Henley was too slow to capitalize on her physical offense, falling to a DDT from Jade.

The Generation of Jade continues to struggle to get off the ground. While her booking would indicate she is a top act in the women’s division, her resume of matches cannot live up to that booking.

This should have been an easy match to sell to the fans, but she and Henley could not get on the same page. The pacing was awkward as Henley had to sell a knee injury but run to her spots.

It might have helped if they had more time, but the two did not seem to have chemistry regardless given the awkward transitions. Jade was always going to win, but Henley was relatively protected despite the awkward performance from both.

Result

Jade def. Henley by pinfall to advance in the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments

Both Cora Jade and Fallon sold their opportunity in pretaped interviews on their way to the ring.

Henley hit a big Shining Wizard, but Jade rolled outside while Henley struggled to cover her due to a left knee injury.

Lyra Valkyria came out to stare down Jade after the result.

Backstage, Thea Hail and Kiana James got into an argument about the tournament and ended up agreeing to a match.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams Draw the Ire of Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey

2 of 10

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams charged to the ring past Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey, who were supposed to be wrestling Wes Lee and Tyler Bate prior to a Schism attack backstage on the faces.

Melo and Trick called out Bron Breakker, but Gulak and Dempsey challenged them instead. The NXT champion and his friend sent them out of the ring.

This was a solid way to set up an impromptu match, selling the chaotic nature of NXT. It may not look great for Shawn Michaels though that he cannot keep any order.

Melo was supposedly not cleared to compete last week when he took a Spear from Bron Breakker. It is surprising that NXT decided to have him wrestle the week afterward. At least, this sets up Gulak and Dempsey to compete with top names.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

The crowd chanted “Willy Wonka” at Dempsey in his dark purple robe.

Ilja Dragunov confronted Dijak in Hard Justice’s fortress to show he was not afraid. Dijak tortured Dragunov throughout the night, but The Czar would not back down.

The Creed Brothers vs. The Dyad

3 of 10

Brutus and Julius Creed took the best shots of Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid and kept swinging. Finally, Julius sealed it with a running low-angle lariat on Reid.

NXT is getting its money worth from The Dyad before Fowler and Reid’s contracts expire in October 2023. The tag team is putting on strong performances against a variety of teams in defeat.

This was a phenomenal showcase of two of the best tag teams in NXT that allowed The Dyad to show more personality than they have in months.

Creed Brothers look poised to recapture the NXT Tag Team Championships against Gallus. If they do, this is the time to give them a full compete reign to solidify their standing in WWE.

Result

Creed Brothers def. Dyad by pinfall.

Grade

A

Notable Moments

The Creed Brothers traded Fowler back and forth in position for a delayed vertical suplex. While impressive, this was clunky.

After Brutus and Fowler collided in the center of the ring, Julius and Reid hit 450 splashes on their respective opponents then brawling.

Ava Raine tried to sneak attack Ivy Nile but got choked out for it with a dragon sleeper.

NXT showed footage of The Family at dinner. Tony D’Angelo was taken in for questioning by the police after Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo stepped out for a call.

After it was clear The Family was out of the picture, Julius grabbed a commentary headset and called out Gallus for NXT Battlegrounds.

Nathan Frazer Gets Dragon Lee a Shot at the Heritage Cup on “The Supernova Sessions”

4 of 10

Noam Dar mocked Dragon Lee and refused to give him a shot at the Heritage Cup. Nathan Frazer interrupted to make clear that Dar needed to defend his Cup.

The three men agreed that Dar would defend his title against Dragon at NXT Battlegrounds, but first he would face Frazer in a normal match next week.

This was a very odd and poorly conceived segment. Frazer’s involvement was entirely unnecessary. Dragon can speak for himself and was selling his case for a Heritage Cup shot all on his own.

Frazer came in like he was the NXT general manager, pushing future matches. It marginalized the luchador in his own segment after he had to endure the most basic racist heel diatribe from The Scottish Supernova.

Grade

F

Notable Moments

Dar brought out a level one guide to Spanish to speak to Dragon, who made clear he could speak for himself in English.

NXT showed footage from an NXT live event where a masked figure attacked Dani Palmer.

Dar talked to Lash Legend and Miss Jackson backstage. Legend was motivated to bring back Lashing Out.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams vs. Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey

5 of 10

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams looked like a well-oiled machine against the dangerous alliance of Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey. Trick hit Dempsey with a discus big boot followed by Nothing But Net from Melo to win.

NXT has done well to consistently set up talent with alliances, making a match like this possible. Both are not active teams in the tag division, but they have credibility due to their established chemistry.

Gulak and Dempsey are not yet on the same level as Melo and Trick but gained credibility by challenging them for a solid portion of this match. While it lacked drama, it was good, strong action throughout.

Result

Melo and Trick def. Gulak and Dempsey by pinfall.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

After the match, Melo and Trick called out Bron Breakker again, who appeared on the titantron to reveal he was in their signature barber shop.

Kiana James vs. Thea Hail (w/ Duke Hudson)

6 of 10

Thea Hail wanted to prove herself against Kiana James, but with only a distracted Duke Hudson in her corner, she lacked the hype she needed. James put her away with the 401K.

This was a fairly standard match. James picked up some momentum. Hail worked hard to make the most of her minutes, but neither have a strong offensive repertoire.

While Andre Chase is out, Chase U has lost some steam. It should be worth it for the confrontation to come between Chase and Hudson, but it is a shame this recently hot angle is barely registering.

Result

James def. Hail by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

Hudson did not remember that he had agreed to let Hail fight James tonight. During the match, he was more focused on grading tests than hyping his student.

Backstage, after some encouragement from Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen, Tank Ledger challenged Hank Ledger to a match next week to help them bond.

Joe Gacy and Tyler Bate Challenge Wes Lee for the NXT North American Championship

7 of 10

Wes Lee marched to the ring angry. He called out Schism. Joe Gacy and Ava Raine demanded a title shot, which brought out an injured Tyler Bate.

Bate wanted the title shot as well. The champion proposed a triple threat at NXT Battlegrounds.

NXT committed to this angle throughout the night, selling both Gacy and Bate as justifiable challengers for the NXT North American Championship.

Schism’s leader has always been good at talking his way into big spots, but he has rarely executed where it mattered. This may be the perfect time to finally give him something, though it would be a shame for Lee to lose at his hottest.

This does leave Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey out of the ring, which is a waste of recent build. However, both got their shot recently. It is better to avoid overbooking the angle.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

McKenzie Mitchell tried to get a word from Wes Lee following the attack earlier. Instead, the NXT North American champion marched to the ring.

Dabba-Kato warned the NXT roster that he would dominate. Watching the video backstage, Edris Enofé was not looking for a fight, but Axiom was.

NXT Women’s Championship Tournament: Roxanne Perez vs. Jacy Jayne

8 of 10

Jacy Jayne fought with confidence, verging on arrogance. Roxanne Perez made her pay for it, ducking the discus boot and planted her opponent with Pop Rox to win.

Perez is consistently reliable as the babyface fighting from underneath. She sold this as easily the most competitive battle in the tournament to date. This was laid out well to avoid clunky transitions like in the opener.

However, this never hit that top gear. That may be because Jayne is still not quite seen as an equal to The Prodigy. She fought hard but never had a real chance to win.

The expected final four is set. Hopefully, some surprises are in store next week because at the moment this tournament is lacking drama or true moments.

Result

Perez def. Jayne by pinfall to advance to the semifinals of the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

Jayne spoke with confident in an interview about her coming match. Perez reviewed her impressive past year, ready to do more in 2023.

Perez finally came back in this match with an emphatic suicide dive to the floor.

Tiffany Stratton and Perez faced off afterward. Meanwhile, Jayne and Gigi Dolin brawled until officials broke them up.

After chatting up a woman backstage, Von Wagner stuck up for Mr. Stone against the same man that mocked him last week. Stone still could not get him to open up.

Bron Breakker Makes Another Statement at Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams’ Expense

9 of 10

After the main event, Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams hit the ring and once more called out Bron Breakker. The former NXT champion walked out with security “to protect Melo and Trick”.

After exchanging words, Breakker and Melo met in the ring. The A Champion low blowed his challenger, leaving both on the floor dazed to end the night.

NXT pulled a Monday Night Raw this week by making the main event angle more important than anything else. This story took up a quarter of the run time over three segments to set up a final spot that could have been done in five minutes.

This is not all that bad if the two step out of the way next week to highlight the rest of the NXT Battlegrounds build, but more should have been done with this time.

Melo vs. Breakker II is looking a lot better in build than part one. However, the real test will be in the ring on Sunday at NXT Battlegrounds. No more build is going to make that match any better or worse. They just have to deliver this time.

Grade

C-

Notable Moments

Breakker ran down the Boston sports teams that Melo liked in an awkward reference that the crowd did not understand.

Overall Show

10 of 10

After a couple solid weeks of WWE NXT, this was a letdown. The Creed Brothers vs. The Dyad was the only outstanding match of the night by a solid margin.

The rest of the show was rushed, and several in-ring promo segments were flat out bad. The primary culprit was the overbooked series of segments for Carmelo Hayes vs. Bron Breakker.

NXT took the minimalist approach in the build to their first match, and it did not pay off. This time around, the product entirely revolves around them, and that has worked until this show. Melo and Trick Williams calling out Breakker three times was just too much.

The card for NXT Battlegrounds is shaping up strong, especially if Gallus vs. The Creed Brothers is the plan.

Next week will set up the NXT Women’s Championship final with a pair of semifinals matches that will outshine most of tonight. The first round could have been more competitive, but the stage has been set well for the women to over-deliver.

While this was not the best week, at least the future still looks bright for the gold brand.

Overall Grade: C-