WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from February 18

On the heels of another critically acclaimed live event special titled TakeOver: Rival, NXT returned to the WWE Network airwaves for its February 18 episode.

Kevin Owens is the new NXT champion following his controversial victory over Sami Zayn, in which Owens never officially pinned the former champion or made him submit.

What would Owens have to say about the savage beating he inflicted upon a man he once considered a friend? More importantly, how would the NXT Universe greet the new champion as he stepped back inside Full Sail University for the first time since his monumental win?

Speaking of huge championship victories, Sasha Banks accomplished her dream of being NXT women's champion, defeating Charlotte to win the title in a Fatal 4-Way match also involving Bayley and Becky Lynch. Just one week after defeating her protege Charlotte, the woman she helped groom for championship success, what would Banks have in store as she met cult favorite Blue Pants in one-on-one action?

During TakeOver: Rival, fans witnessed a bizarre and momentary hack of the television feed, promising that the takeover was not done. What did the ominous warning mean? Was it a hint at a debuting star? The wrestling world got the answer Wednesday night, and it was certainly one poor CJ Parker is not likely to forget anytime soon.

With the sports-entertainment world buzzing about the extraordinary broadcast that unfolded a week ago, there was pressure on the stars of NXT to follow up with another outstanding show.

Did they succeed?

Find out now.

Kevin Owens Promo

NXT general manager William Regal kicked off the show, asserting his dominance as the authority figure and booking Kevin Owens vs. Adrian Neville in a non-title match for this week's main event.

Kevin Owens made his way to the ring to kick off the live portion of this week's show, holding the NXT Championship with pride as he made his way to the ring. The NXT Universe was very much divided as Owens called for a microphone and prepared to address the fans for the first time since capturing the title.

Chants of "Kevin Owens" and "Sami Zayn" rained down, preventing the champion from speaking.

Owens was unapologetic about his actions at TakeOver and reiterated that he would fight anyone and everyone to make life for his family better. He did that by capturing the NXT title.

He referred to Zayn as "the past" and then turned his attention toward No. 1 contender Finn Balor.

Owens promised that no one would take the NXT Championship away from him or his family, ending the promo on that note, without interruption.

Highlight

"Who I beat, or how I beat them, is relevant. What matters now is that Sami Zayn is the past." -Owens

Grade

   A

Analysis

Short and to the point is the best way to describe Owens' opening promo.

The new champion addressed the audience, reaffirmed that everything he does to his fellow stars is in the name of a better life for his children and then left.

He did not scream, yell or come up with an overly convoluted reason for attacking his former best friend.

His explanation made sense and backed up everything Owens has said from Day 1.

That is the type of simplistic booking that works every time. Instead of replicating it on the main roster, WWE Creative has a tendency to think too much.

That is why NXT is critically praised week in and week out, while main roster shows have a hit-or-miss tendency—a tendency that has swayed more to the latter than the former as of late.

Rhyno vs. Elias Samson

Rhyno made his surprise return in the night's opening contest, drawing a huge ovation from the NXT Universe.

The Man Beast pummeled Elias Samson, tossing him with a huge belly-to-belly suplex and then finishing him off in mere seconds with the Gore.

Rhyno soaked in the applause and adulation of the fans following the win.

Result

Rhyno defeated Elias Samson.

Highlight

The fan response to the surprise return of Rhyno was something truly special and one that the performer is unlikely to forget.

Grade

   A

Analysis

Rhyno's return to NXT is interesting in that it gives the brand an injection of recognizable star power that it did not have before. Sure, Balor, Owens, Neville and others have done a phenomenal job of carrying the reputation of the brand based on their phenomenal in-ring work, but Rhyno brings legitimacy from having competed in three of the biggest promotions of the last 20 years (ECW, WWE and TNA).

The best asset Rhyno possesses is his unselfish nature. Sure, he is a veteran who has worked all over the world, but he has proved on more than one occasion that he will do what is right for business. He is not a guy who will cry and moan about putting a younger star over. Instead, he will do it and rest peacefully knowing that he has contributed to the future of the industry.

That the fans greeted him with the response that they did proves that he has a connection with fans that will only help Triple H and company accomplish everything they hope to with the Man Beast.

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. the Vaudevillains

The Vaudevillains made their return to the NXT Arena in hopes of earning a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championships that are currently held by Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake. To toss their names in the title hunt, however, they would have to defeat the immensely popular Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady Wednesday night.

Aiden English caught Amore with a cheap shot, immediately turning the tide in the favor of the heels early on. They isolated Amore and wore the much smaller competitor down, much to the dismay of Cassady.

Commentators Rich Brennan, Jason Albert and Corey Graves discussed the intensity and aggression demonstrated by The Vaudevillains, who lacked the over-the-top personas that they had become associated with in recent months.

Big Cass erupted into the match, delivering a big splash to English, followed by a big boot. Moments later, Amore scored the pinfall victory for his team, pinning NXT's resident Artiste.

After the match, Blake and Murphy appeared on the video screen and talked trash. The NXT tag team champions flirted with Carmella and then mocked the catchphrases of the babyfaces.

Result

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady defeated The Vaudevillains.

Highlight

In a perfect world, "Butterscotch Gotch" would be trending on Twitter right now.

Grade

  

   A

Analysis

With Lucha Dragons failing to knock off Murphy and Blake at Takeover, the brand was left with a vacancy at the tag team No. 1 contender's spot.

Enter Amore and Big Cass, who have long been the most over team in NXT. They proved it again Wednesday, bringing their unique brand of excitement and electricity to the show before running over The Vaudevillains.

The most interest note was Murphy and Blake's attempts to get under the skin of the conquering duo by targeting Carmella, flirting with her and attempting to get the beautiful Staten Island native to drop her associates and join with the champions.

It should be interesting to see how the feud unfolds in the coming weeks. Amore and Cassady are storyline guys more than they are traditional wrestlers, so crafting a story that fans can follow, while enhancing the credibility and importance of the tag titles, will be key to the success of the rivalry.

Solomon Crowe Debuts

CJ Parker, irritated by the lack of respect shown to him as of late, not to mention the fact that he was not involved in TakeOver: Rival, threatened to hold the show hostage, going as far as to rope the ring off with caution tape.

Suddenly, the lights and graphics were interrupted by a hack of sorts. "This is not a test" flashed on the screen, and suddenly, Solomon Crowe came from out of nowhere and attacked Parker.

He grabbed hold of a microphone as fans chanted his name. "Now we return to your regularly scheduled broadcast," he stated before tossing the microphone away and heading back to wherever it was he came from.

Highlight

Crowe's debut is one that fans of NXT have anxiously anticipated for quite some time. Seeing him finally appear on television, laying out someone as despised as Parker, was the perfect start for the competitor.

Grade

   B+

Analysis

Crowe's arrival in NXT gives the brand yet another phenomenal talent to add to, arguably, the best roster in wrestling.

He did not do nearly enough Wednesday night for viewers to get a feel for the character or what direction he may head in eventually, but his arrival did pop the crowd and make for a memorable moment as the brand attempts to maintain the momentum it built with last week's simply fantastic show.

Blue Pants vs. Sasha Banks

The new NXT women's champion Sasha Banks made her way to the ring for her first in-ring action since capturing the title just one week prior.

Fans greeted the heel with a warm response; they were respectful and appreciative of the hard work she put in to become the top dog.

Her opponent, Blue Pants, entered to an equally impressive pop.

The crowd was split as the women prepared to lock up. Banks ordered Blue Pants out of the ring, to which the underdog responded by kicking her to the arena floor.

Banks answered a quick pin attempt with a flurry of hard rights. Moments later, the double knees to the midsection in the corner netted a two-count before the champion pulled her opponent off the mat.

The Bank Statement followed, and Blue Pants had no choice but to tap out.

After the match, Banks cut a promo, calling herself the baddest Diva in NXT.

Result

Sasha Banks defeated Blue Pants.

Grade

   A

Analysis

After receiving a fairly big pop for her title win at TakeOver: Rival, Banks needed a match against such a sympathetic and popular performer like Blue Pants to re-establish herself as the top heel on the NXT Divas roster.

Showing such ruthlessness and aggression against someone so beloved and innocent reaffirmed just how unlikable the Boss character can be when the time calls for it.

It was a good start to her title reign and one that perfectly fit the character that has been established over the last year.

Non-Title Match: Adrian Neville vs. Kevin Owens

After being sent to the hospital following his last match with Kevin Owens some two months ago, Adrian Neville had an opportunity to not only gain a measure of revenge but also kick the champion's reign off with a loss.

Neville was angry and took some of that fury out on Owens early, but the champion responded with a gut buster and a series of hard rights to the face.

Owens dominated the action, just pummeling Neville with his brawling style as fans resumed their mixed reaction.

The commentators brought up the fact that the match, to that point, resembled Owen's one-sided victory over Zayn from last week.

Showing the tenacity that made him a champion in the past, Neville withstood Owens' assault and mounted a comeback, using his feet and a big dropkick to the head that sent the new champion outside the squared circle. A moonsault onto the arena floor left Owens stunned and the fans chanting "NXT" in approval.

A springboard dropkick from Neville nearly put Owens away. Before Neville could follow up on the two-count, though, the former ROH star rolled outside the squared circle. A 450 splash off the apron and onto the floor enhanced Owen's despair.

Neville delivered a German suplex, followed by a huge kick to the head. A dead-lift German suplex followed as the NXT faithful rained down with chants of "This is awesome!"

A rebounding Owens ran straight into a superkick, and Neville appeared poised to deliver the Red Arrow. Owens rolled out of the way, delivered the powerbomb and picked up the hard-fought win.

Result

Kevin Owens pinned Adrian Neville.

Highlight

The missed 450 splash into the powerbomb finish was an excellent way to cap off an intensely competitive main event.

Grade

   A+

Analysis

Owens book-ended this week's show with a strong promo to start and an even better in-ring performance against Neville. Much like last week at TakeOver, he proved he can dominate one of the elite stars in the brand. Of the utmost importance, however, is the fact that he withstood the best of Neville and still managed to score a clean win.

Owens continues to look like a world-beater, while Neville loses nothing in defeat.

At this point, the Man Who Gravity Forgot is essentially bulletproof. A former NXT champion, he has accomplished enough and wrestled a number of classic matches that he will be forever over. At the same time, it is time for him to take a step back and allow others to enjoy the spotlight that comes along with the title he once held.

He did that by losing to both Balor and Owens in consecutive weeks.

Make no mistake about it, though: The Brit remains one of NXT's most valuable players.

Going forward, it should be intriguing to see how the Owens character develops. Right now, he is a ruthless villain who is willing to destroy anyone put in front of him, but he does it for the sake and welfare of his family.

It is an interesting character, and the performer is doing a phenomenal job of walking what is a fine line between sympathetic and detestable villainy.

Rhyno And Bryan Kendrick Return To WWE At NXT Tapings

Rhyno returned to the WWE at Thursday night’s NXT tapings. The former ECW star came out to a big pop and defeated Elias Samson in a short match. The 39 year old wrestled with his T shirt on and won the match with a gore. Later in the show, he walked in on a Bayley promo and made eye contact before exiting.

The fact he wrestled in a t shirt could be a sign that he isn’t in top shape, but there’s no doubting Rhyno’s experience as a performer. WWE’s idea is to mix a few veterans in with the NXT talent, with the idea of imparting some knowledge to the rookies.

Also returning to the WWE was Brian Kendrick. Billed as The Brian Kendrick, he worked a match with Finn Balor.

Kendrick is 35 years old and a good in-ring talent. His quick pace and high flying moves will be perfectly at home amongst NXT’s athletic performers. Hopefully he sticks around for a while, as he’s reliable to put on some entertaining matches.

Fans will be able to see Rhyno’s return on next Wednesday’s show. The Brian Kendrick return will be on the February 25th broadcast. Rhyno last worked for WWE in 2005, and Kendrick’s last WWE appearance was in 2009. It looks unlikely that the returns could lead to a comeback on the main roster, but both men could have that in mind if their NXT roles are well received.

WWE NXT Takeover Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Rival

"Rival" was the theme of the latest NXT TakeOver special, and given everything that unfolded in the night's main event for the brand's heavyweight title, it was more than fitting.

Good friends turned bitter enemies Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens waged war in what was a one-sided match for the most part as Owens relentlessly brutalized Zayn for the first three-quarters. Then, Zayn battled back, but a high-risk maneuver saw the champion smash his own head on the steel entrance ramp, leaving him with concussion-like symptoms.

Owens exploited the injury, leaving the referees with no alternative but to stop the match and announce the former Ring of Honor star the new champion.

Earlier in the night, Finn Balor defeated Adrian Neville in a Match of the Year candidate to become No. 1 Contender.

Elsewhere on the card, Sasha Banks captured the NXT Women's Championship, Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake retained the tag titles and Hideo Itami defeated Tyler Breeze.

What hit, and what missed?

Which matches graded the highest, and which disappointed?

Find out now, with an in-depth look at NXT's latest two-hour live event.

Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze

The NXT Arena erupted as Hideo Itami made his way to the squared circle to kick off the evening's broadcast. His opponent? "Prince Pretty," Tyler Breeze.

A female fan jumped on the back of Breeze as he made his entrance, complete with a decorated selfie stick.

Breeze dodged two straight attempts at kicks to the face but could not duck out of the way of a knee to the midsection.

Itami unloaded on Breeze with a series of kicks. To counter that striking ability, Breeze targeted the knee of his opponent, trapping him in a single-leg Boston Crab.

The Japanese star teased GTS, but Breeze countered out with a rollup. Itami answered with a kick to which Breeze responded with the Supermodel Kick for two.

Itami mounted a comeback, firing off a series of hard kicks about the chest, then delivered a hesitation dropkick in the corner. The running kick to the face won the match for him.

Result

Hideo Itami pinned Tyler Breeze.

Highlight

The trading of kicks that led to Breeze's Supermodel Kick made for a phenomenal series.

Grade

   B

Analysis

Itami and Breeze may not have had a match that measured up to anything that followed it later on the card, but it was a great way to kick off the night's proceedings.

Both men are incredibly over with the NXT Universe, and their in-ring styles meshed well. Despite their hard work and a hot crowd that greeted every near-fall with a thunderous ovation, it was a match that is unlikely to be remembered much past Wednesday night.

Baron Corbin vs. Bull Dempsey

Trying to prove that the third time is the charm, or something like that, Bull Dempsey made his way to the ring for his match with Baron Corbin. After causing the Lone Wolf his first defeat in the No. 1 Contender's tournament, Dempsey was looking to pick up his first win over the former Arizona Cardinal.

Corbin rushed the ring, taking the fight to Dempsey in what was revealed to be a No Disqualification match.

Dempsey delivered a huge snap suplex on the entrance ramp.

After several moments of being on the defensive, Corbin blasted Dempsey with a spinebuster before an ugly clothesline over the top rope sent both stars to the outside.

Moments later, Dempsey delivered a diving headbutt for two, much to the shock and dismay of the Last of a Dying Breed.

Dempsey sent Corbin back-first into the steel steps, determined to do whatever it took to pick up the win. He grabbed hold of a steel chair, but Corbin delivered the End of Days to pick up the win. 

Result

Baron Corbin pinned Bull Dempsey.

Highlight

Corbin blocking the attempted chair shot by Dempsey and countering with End of Days.

Grade

   C- 

Analysis

This was not pretty.

Neither Corbin nor Dempsey appeared overly comfortable in the No Disqualification setting. That the stipulation never really came into play leaves one to wonder why it was even implemented in the first place.

The finish was very cool, and Corbin proved that he can take a beating and sell it effectively. But it is time for the big man to move on to other Superstars not named Dempsey.

NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Lucha Dragons vs. Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake

Just weeks after losing the NXT Tag Team Championships, Sin Cara and Kalisto had the opportunity to regain the straps as they challenged the upstart team of Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake.

Blake and Murphy made their entrance to techno music that could not possibly suit them less.

Sin Cara started the match off on the right foot, thwarting a double-team attempt by the champions, then wracked Blake in the Gory Special. A big chop and headscissors continued his early success.

Kalisto botched a dive over the top rope but eventually took Murphy with a second try.

Sin Cara caught Blake with a victory roll off the top rope for two before allowing Blake to tag in his partner.

The challengers executed a beautiful wheelbarrow senton on Murphy for two, but the champions delivered a big toss into a neckbreaker on Sin Cara.

Kalisto entered the bout, delivered a corkscrew cross-body block and drove Murphy face-first into the mat.

Both men made the tag, allowing Sin Cara to deliver a springboard body block to Blake for two. Counter wrestling reigned supreme, with neither team really gaining the upper hand. Near-falls ensued before Sin Cara delivered a powerbomb for two.

Murphy caught Sin Cara with a running brainbuster, and Blake came off the top rope with a Frog Splash for the pinfall victory. 

Result

Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy defeated Lucha Dragons to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Highlight

The double-team finish beckoned back to a time when tag teams worked like a well-oiled machine, coming up with a finisher that allowed both members of the duo to be involved.

Grade

   B-

Analysis

The competitors tried so very hard to pack as much action into the time given that the match actually suffered from it as a result. The action was sloppy early, with all involved missing or botching spots. As things settled down, however, the performers were able to recover nicely and put together a competitive match.

Kalisto outclassed everyone else in the bout, while Sin Cara was his typically solid self. In the end, though, the young duo of Blake and Murphy picked up the win to continue its reign.

The biggest question is who the champions are programmed with next.

While The Vaudevillains would be the most logical choice, there really is no division past them, something Triple H will have to address in the coming weeks.

No. 1 Contender Tournament Final: Finn Balor vs. Adrian Neville

A video package detailing the respect that Adrian Neville and Finn Balor have for each other preceded the much-anticipated finals of the No. 1 Contender's tournament.

Balor's entrance was goosebump-inducing as he brought back the paint and the theatrics for his second NXT live-special appearance. Unlike The Ascension, Neville did not appear fazed, nor did he appear impressed as he stood across the ring from the Irish-born competitor.

The action was fast-paced and action-packed early, with Balor stunning Neville following a dropkick. The former NXT champion answered with a springboard dropkick that took his opponent down and allowed him to apply a side headlock.

After several minutes of Neville grounding Balor with a headlock, Balor delivered an enzuigiri kick that sent Neville to the floor. A big dropkick to the guardrail further stunned the former heavyweight champion.

A double stomp to the back of the head nearly brought Neville down, but he was able to kick out at two.

Neville and Balor exchanged kicks, leaving both men lying flat on their backs as chants of "this is awesome" broke out inside the NXT Arena.

With Balor lying prone, Neville delivered a corkscrew splash that brought the audience to its feet but only kept his opponent down for two.

An intense Neville caught Balor with a forearm but had it answered by the Sling Blade. A lifting inverted DDT scored Balor a two count.

Neville planted Balor and tried for a Red Arrow, but Balor caught him. A big kick to the back of the head led to a second attempt. Balor got the knees up, scored a rollup and nearly scored the win.

Seconds later, Balor caught Neville with the Coup De Gras double stomp for the win.

Balor and Neville exchanged a handshake as the crowd applauded their superb effort.

Result

Finn Balor pinned Adrian Neville. 

Highlight

The finishing sequence, which saw Balor get the knees up to counter the Red Arrow then finish Neville off with the double stomp, was fantastic and the perfect culmination to a molten-hot bout.

Grade

   A+ 

Analysis

With a shot at the NXT Championship at stake, Finn Balor and Adrian Neville beat the unholy hell out of each other Wednesday night. They unleashed on each other with a series of bone-crushing strikes, all in hopes of being the man to emerge with a future title shot. That is a simple story to follow and one the competitors told phenomenally.

Neville was brilliant, refusing to be fazed by the theatrics Balor incorporated into his performance. He was intense and determined, but at the end of the night, he simply could not overcome the buzzsaw that was the Irishman.

As a former NXT champion, arguably the best to date, Neville still has a credibility and legitimacy about him that helps elevate others when he does suffer a rare pinfall or submission defeat.

By beating the Man Who Gravity Forgot, Balor instantly established himself as a main event talent in NXT and a very real threat to the champion—whomever it may be by night's end.

Fatal 4-Way Match for the NXT Women's Championship

Give the quality of recent NXT Divas matches, there was every reason to believe the four women involved in Wednesday night's bout would deliver another outstanding match as they took to the ring for the women's title match.

Bayley found herself on the receiving end of a two-on-one assault at the hands of Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch, whose history as partners fell apart with a big suplex.

Charlotte recovered after finding herself down early, delivering a big neckbreaker to Banks. Another neckbreaker followed, this time to Lynch. A spear to Lynch by Charlotte followed by one to Banks by Bayley ignited an ovation from the crowd.

The NXT women's champion found herself shoulder-first into the ring post. Moments later, Banks delivered a double knee to the midsection on both Charlotte and Lynch.

An aggressive Bayley unloaded on Charlotte, mounting an offensive that had her in position to capture the title. A hurricanrana off the top rope and the Bayley-to-Belly nearly ended Charlotte's title reign, but Lynch pulled her out of the ring before the three count.

The action spilled outside the ring, where Banks caught Bayley and Lynch with a suicide dive.

Charlotte followed suit, taking all three of her challengers out with a dive over the top rope.

Bayley delivered a huge Bayley-to-Belly suplex off the top rope, but Banks tossed her out of the ring. She pinned Charlotte for two, then locked in the Bank Statement. She kicked Lynch and Bayley off the apron and reapplied the hold.

As Charlotte tried to use her strength to fight out of the hold, Banks reversed into a crucifix rollup for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Charlotte attempted to embrace her mentor, but Banks shoved her away and gloated about the win. 

Result

Sasha Banks defeated Charlotte, Bayley and Becky Lynch to win the NXT Women's Championship. 

Highlight

The series of dives to the outside proved the extent to which the women would go to deliver a fantastic match.

Grade

   A+

Analysis

Triple H mentioned during the live edition of the Steve Austin Show podcast that he would like to see the women get a better chance to prove their worth on the main roster.

Wednesday night, Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley and Becky Lynch proved that if that opportunity ever presents itself, they are more than willing to step up and deliver high-quality wrestling matches.

Building drama with interference, near-falls, high-impact maneuvers and thrilling dives, the four women had the NXT Universe on the edge of its collective seat Wednesday night, awaiting the moment that one of them would score the fall that allowed them to leave Full Sail University with the NXT Women's Championship.

That woman would be Sasha Banks, who overcame past disappointment and three immensely talented competitors to put an end to Charlotte's title reign with a crucifix pin.

The disrespect shown by Banks after the match was in line with her character. In fact, willingly embracing Charlotte would have done more damage than good, as it would have gone against everything the character is and has been over the last year.

Yet again, the Divas of NXT proved that with time, they are capable of delivering when the lights are brightest and stage its grandest.

NXT Championship Match: Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

After years of friendship across various independent promotions, Kevin Owens attacked Sami Zayn at TakeOver: R Evolution. Wednesday night, after weeks of escalating personal attacks, they battled for the NXT Championship in the main event.

Two competitors who have waged war at each other's side and across the ring from one another, they stared each other down as JoJo performed ring introductions.

Owens stalled early, but Zayn responded by performing a breathtaking dive over the top rope and onto his rival. He rolled Owens inside the squared circle and pounded away with a series of rights and lefts.

Suddenly, Owens dropped Zayn jaw-first across the top rope, then delivered with a series of corner clotheslines.

Owens wore down Zayn, using a headlock to keep the champion grounded. He returned to the headlock after a brief flurry from Zayn then floored him with a back suplex for two. A chop to the chest and a big clothesline on the arena floor continued Zayn's pain and punishment.

A gut buster and a senton nearly ended the champion's brief reign.

Owens blasted Zayn with forearms, to which Zayn responded with slaps. A big clothesline over the top rope followed, and the champion began to mount a comeback.

Inside the squared circle, Zayn delivered the Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Owens recovered and delivered a huge superkick. A cannonball in the corner put Zayn down for two as the challenger found his second wind.

Owens dropped Zayn across his knee with a neckbreaker, and Zayn responded seconds later with a huge suplex, both of which earned the stars a near-fall.

The challenger came off the top rope with a big senton from the top rope, but Zayn got the knees up. An Exploder Suplex in the corner followed, but Owens ducked out of the way of the Helluva Kick.

Outside the ring, Owens tried for a powerbomb on the concrete floor. Zayn escaped and delivered a springboard moonsault. Both men's heads smashed into the steel ramp. Zayn appeared to be out on his feet when he rushed across the ring for his finisher. Owens caught him and planted him with the pop-up powerbomb, which garnered him a two count.

The referee checked on the well-being of the NXT champion, but Owens cared not about whether his former friend was able to continue. He blasted him with forearms to the head, and the NXT trainer made his way to the ringside area.

Owens delivered another powerbomb, then a third. Another pinfall attempt netted a two count as Zayn was able to roll his shoulder ever so slightly off the mat.

The challenger delivered three more powerbombs to Zayn, and the referee called for the bell before announcing Owens the winner.

Medics checked on Zayn while the official handed the title over to Owens, who celebrated accordingly.

Owens was noticeably emotional as the special came to an end.

Result

Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn to win the NXT Championship via referee stoppage.

Highlight

Owens' heelish beatdown of Zayn, comprising of multiple powerbombs despite a likely concussion, was an outstanding, old-school style booking.

Grade

   A 

Analysis

The finish to the TakeOver: Rival main event may not be one fans necessarily hoped to see, but it certainly helped establish Kevin Owens as one of the most ruthless, detestable competitors in the sport.

Despite the fact that the man he once considered a friend was clearly hurt, that he was suffering from a likely concussion, Owens targeted the injury and relentlessly attacked. His actions built sympathy for Zayn and, at the same time, allowed the champion to lose the title without suffering a pinfall or submission defeat, something that would have hurt him and his credibility tremendously.

Instead, the storybook ending to Zayn's journey to the title turned into a nightmare courtesy of a despicable heel and an injury that prevented him from defending himself.

Owens' victory establishes him as the top heel on the roster and the centerpiece of a title hunt that includes Zayn, Finn Balor and Adrian Neville.

How can fans not be excited about NXT in 2015?