NXT Results, Grades & Opinion: January 13, 2021

NXT Results: January 13, 2021

A.K.A. The One With The Rascalz Debut

Results:

• Candice LeRae def. Shotzi Blackheart
• Grizzled Young Vets def. Ever-Rise in a Dusty Cup First Round Match
• Johnny Gargano def. Dexter Lumis
• MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) def. Jake Atlas & Isaiah “Swerve” Scott in a Dusty Cup First Round Match
• Xia Li def. Enhancement talent
• Undisputed Era def. Breezango in a Dusty Cup First Round Match

The Main Event: Tourney Time!

It’s time once again for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, one of my favorite tournaments in wrestling. The tournament this year has 16 teams, including a mystery team we saw in action (more on them later). The opener saw Grizzled Young Vets dispatch of Ever-Rise in a quality matchup.

It's a first-round matchup between #EverRise and the Grizzled Young Veterans on #WWENXT!

Let's face it… the #DustyClassic RULES!!! pic.twitter.com/bYe7mBgsJQ

— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2021

Our main event was between the Undisputed Era & Breezango. Despite a valiant effort, the fashionable ones were bested by Adam Cole & Roderick Strong. After the match, Pete Dunne & the NXT Tag Team Champions attacked in retaliation to an incident earlier in the night. They targeted injured Kyle O’Reilly, but Finn Balor evened the playing field. Dunne and his boys stood tall to end the night.

#NXTChampion @FinnBalor & @KORCombat continue to pay the price against @PeteDunneYxB & the #WWENXT Tag Team Champions @ONEYLORCAN & @strongstylebrit! pic.twitter.com/kl6pwE9n8Y

— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2021

The Undercard:

Peter Dunne wants to be NXT Champion. He, Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan attacked Finn Balor after a brief promo battle where Dunne said he’d be taking the title off of Balor. Finn got some backup from the Undisputed Era boys, and was able to chase them off for now.

Looks like #NXTChampion @FinnBalor didn't come alone! @AdamColePro, @KORCombat & @roderickstrong are always ready for a FIGHT on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/tPHRKuEtrs

— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2021

MSK, the mystery team at the top of the Dusty Cup bracket, has been revealed: The Rascalz have debuted on NXT. They don’t go by Zachary Wentz or Dezmond Xavier now, but they looked good in their first match. How far can the former Impact stars go in the tournament?

#WhoIsMSK? They're the team that just made a name for themselves by defeating @swerveconfident & @JakeAtlas_ in their #WWENXT debut! #DustyClassic @DezmondXavier @zachary_wentz pic.twitter.com/GKTof9jBaP

— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2021

Xia Li is the coolest thing in NXT right now. She was dominant against an enhancement talent tonight, being commanded by a mystery woman on a throne at the entrance way. Think Bray Wyatt rocking chair, but with Chinese mysticism and a lot of intrigue. She could be built all the way up to the Women’s Championship

WHO IS THAT AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED ON #WWENXT?! 😲 pic.twitter.com/fJ3KxMUL1Q

— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2021

Karrion Kross has made his intentions known – he wants next at Finn Balor. While Pete Dunne is the next challenger, Kross is waiting in the wings for the title he never lost.

The cards don't lie…@WWEKarrionKross & @Lady_Scarlett13 are ready to dance with The Prin❌e. #WWENXT @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/cMLjAJpq0z

— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2021

The Women’s Dusty Cup had some teams announced on Twitter. Those teams are:

• Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
• Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
• Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter
• Mercedes Martinez & Toni Storm

Let’s hope the field is more than just four teams.

There was a Fight Pit preview between Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa, and these two may tear the house down next week.

The FIGHT PIT is home to Timothy Thatcher and brand new territory for @NXTCiampa.

The fight is ON next week on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/DQtUHKonun

— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2021

Grade: B

I’m biased because I love tournaments and I love tag team wrestling. Still, this was another excellent episode of NXT. Dunne-Balor is a great feud, plus it gives something for Undisputed Era to do and continue to solidify their babyface run. All three tag matches were fun to watch. Xia Li is now must-see television. I’m excited for next week, so this show did it’s job.