In the wake of NXT New Year's Evil, WWE NXT 2.0 had a new NXT champion, Bron Breakker. It was unclear who would step up to him, but there were plenty of other big matches promised.

AJ Styles may not have a history with NXT from his past, but thanks to Grayson Waller, he was looking to make a new legacy in the brand. He would step in the ring with the loudmouth in the main event.

Elektra Lopez has been caught between passion and family. After Xyon Quinn rejected her offer to join Legado del Fantasma, she has been in the awkward position of choosing a side. This week, Quinn would fight Santos Escobar, and the winner would walk out with Lopez.

Pete Dunne fears no man, but Tony D'Angelo has been successfully getting in his head. The two rivals would fight in a Crowbar on a Pole match where the man to take down the dangerous weapon would be allowed to use it in order to win this brutal second contest.

Solo Sikoa has been battling the volatile Boa for weeks outside the ring. Finally, the battle would rage in the ring as the undefeated Samoan would fight the dangerous Chinese Superstar.

Who is Wendy Choo? No one has known what to make of the strange woman sleeping backstage for weeks. Finally, she would step into the ring alongside Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta against the formidable alliance of Kacy Catanzaro, Kayden Carter and Amari Miller.

NXT 2.0 has been up and down, but following arguably the best episode to date, this was a chance to show that this talent can be far more than just developmental stars.

Elektra Lopez Leaves with Winner: Santos Escobar vs. Xyon Quinn

NXT champion Bron Breakker opened the show after a video package highlighting his win over Tommaso Ciampa. He put over The Blackheart for passing him the torch. He promised that he would spend every day watching film and getting better, taking on all challengers.

Santos Escobar stared down the NXT champion on his way to the ring, smiling as he looked at the title. He was quickly outmatched by the power and speed of Xyon Quinn, who sent him reeling. The former NXT cruiserweight champion used veteran tactics to go after the limbs of the rookie.

Elektra Lopez arrived to distract both men before revealing her intentions. She kicked Quinn between the legs, setting him up to take a Phantom Driver and lose.

Result

Escobar def. Quinn by pinfall, confirming Lopez will remain in Legado del Fantasma.

Grade

B

Analysis

Breakker is a solid promo, but it was smart to let him speak his mind and quickly move on. Until the challenger is set, he just needs to remain front and center. It will be fun to see how he handles this responsibility and grows with each challenge.

It seems the Legado/Quinn feud is officially over. This was definitely the best option for everyone involved. Lopez is an important part of Legado del Fantasma, and no one is set to take her role. Quinn does not need her specifically to succeed.

Escobar is consistently one of NXT's best in the ring. Quinn is still learning. He will recover from losing this feud, looking like he can compete with one of the best, even if he has room to grow.

Cameron Grimes vs. Damon Kemp

Cameron Grimes found himself outmatched for a moment by amateur wrestler Damon Kemp. This brought out Malcolm Bivens to watch closely. However, Grimes turned it around with speed and impact offense, winning quickly with the Cave-In.

Result

Grimes def. Kemp by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

It does not feel like Grimes needs to win squash matches, but it was a good opportunity to see Kemp. The amateur wrestler looked like he could transition well to competing in WWE soon. While he won't be highlighted like his brother Gable Steveson, he has the potential to earn a spotlight with time.

For now, he will continue to learn, while The Technical Savage is likely to go after gold soon. He could be a great challenger to Carmelo Hayes at the next major NXT event.

Dusty Classic Qualifier: Joe Gacy and Harland vs. Edris Enofe and Malik Blade

Joe Gacy told Edris Enofe and Malik Blade that he and Harland wanted to be their allies after they beat them to earn a spot in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Enofe and Blade managed to isolate Gacy early, but once Harland hit the ring, he dominated. However, he lost control, beating down both men until the referee had to call for the disqualification.

Result

Enofe and Blade def. Gacy and Harland by disqualification to advance to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Grade

D+

Analysis

Enofe and Blade continue to build momentum one surprise win at a time, and the booking is working for the moment. However, this was a lot more flat than it needed to be. Harland got disqualified for barely a good reason. Gacy seemed to be happy despite losing.

It ended up feeling like there was no point in having the match in the first place. Gacy's gimmick continues to be an odd mystery, and it is hard to believe NXT 2.0 has a clear vision for him.

Crowbar on a Pole: Pete Dunne vs. Tony D'Angelo

Imperium explained its desire to make the ring sacred while hating the slobs who waste their lives away. Tony D'Angelo compared Pete Dunne to his dog, promising to put down the Superstar who embarrassed him not long ago.

The Bruiserweight went after the left hand of D'Angelo early, stomping on him with no remorse. He enjoyed inflicting punishment while keeping his opponent away from the crowbar. When Dunne finally got close to the weapon, D'Angelo laid him out with an exploder suplex and grabbed the weapon.

The heel snapped the throat of Dunne against the crowbar and then smashed his fingers with the weapon. Just as D'Angelo looked to have this in control, Dunne fought through and grabbed the crowbar. He locked D'Angelo in a crowbar-assisted submission.

Losing control, D'Angelo went for a steel chair. He knocked The Bruiserweight on the chair and then into the pole before smashing his face with a crowbar for the win.

Result

D'Angelo def. Dunne by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Analysis

While pole matches are inherently strange, this was mainly just Dunne and D'Angelo fighting with a couple of weapons. The two played on the story they had built up, as the heel was just a little craftier than the injured Bruiserweight.

It seems like Dunne could be on his way out of NXT. He put over a talented young heel who has a ton of natural ability and is developing quickly. For his talent, Dunne deserved a bigger final match, so hopefully this isn't quite the end.

Hartwell, Pirotta & Wendy Choo vs. Kacy Catanzaro, Kayden Carter & Amari Miller

NXT 2.0 aired two vignettes on Toxic Attraction, first highlighting Mandy Rose and second hyping Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne. Kay Lee Ray destroyed the photo shoot set of the NXT women's champion.

Wendy Choo fell asleep at the start of the match, but she showed his energy when she got the hot tag. She threw around Amari Miller with ease, and Kacy Catanzaro had to save the pinfall after a powerbomb. Persia Pirotta got the tag and hit a facebuster followed by an Indi Hartwell diving elbow to win.

Result

Hartwell, Pirotta and Choo def. Catanzaro, Carter and Miller by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

Choo looks a little more comfortable in this role rather than playing the dominant Mei Ying, and the character has legs more than many odd gimmick ideas from NXT 2.0. However, she still clearly is learning slowly. Her offense did not look like it was landing.

Hartwell and Pirotta clearly are set up to challenge Toxic Attraction next. It would not be surprising if they won. Since The Way broke up, she has remained a clear priority for the company and could even challenge for the NXT Women's Championship before the year is up.

Solo Sikoa vs. Boa

Solo Sikoa told Boa to bring his best no matter who showed up for the match. Boa came out without the make-up, fighting without his power. Despite missing that extra power, Boa put up a strong fight against the undefeated Samoan.

The two fought outside until they both got counted out. The brawl continued to the back. Sikoa and Boa trashed backstage as they continued to brawl. The Samoan Superstar threw the Chinese Superstar over a crate, and he stepped over only to take a fireball from an empowered Boa.

Result

Sikoa vs. Boa goes to a double count out.

Grade

C+

Analysis

In very brief action, Boa looked better than he ever has, though it wasn't a full test. The double count out felt cheap, especially since Boa was supposed to be fighting at less than his best against a star that has dominated everyone before him.

Still, the feud is building, and these two men seemed to have chemistry in round one. This is one of the rare rivalries in NXT 2.0 that feels like it is legitimately building the future of the company.

Carmelo Hayes Talks His Talk and Finds His Next Challenger, Cameron Grimes

MSK found the Dusty Tag Team Classic trophy, hyping themselves for a second run through the bracket. Dakota Kai arrived to warn them that success destroys friendships.

It was announced that Von Wagner had been fined and suspended for his action last week only to later have it revealed that it was lifted with the fine paid. Carmelo Hayes started with a moment of silence for Roderick Strong's title reign before celebrating his victory.

Cameron Grimes grabbed the keys of Melo from the security guard at the NXT 2.0 backstage entrance. He warned the NXT North American champion that he was going after his gold.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Hayes delivers every time, whether it is in the ring or on the mic. Much like Bron Breakker earlier, the focus here was to focus on him. It might have made more sense to have a full celebration, but NXT has limited time for most segments these days.

Grimes is a great next challenger up for Melo. The two are incredibly charismatic. The storytelling could easily take over the entire show. The Technical Savage is also the most likely man on the current roster to dethrone Melo, especially if there are plans to build The A Champion toward the NXT Championship.

AJ Styles vs. Grayson Waller

Grayson Waller talked a big game backstage, threatening to go after other top WWE stars after he defeated AJ Styles. The Phenomenal One put over the energy and excitement in NXT that Waller could never understand.

The rookie used some shortcuts to get an early advantage on Styles, but he found himself outmatched by The Phenomenal One's stamina. The Phenomenal One went for a Styles Clash, and when Waller snuck outside, he took a springboard forearm to the face for his trouble.

Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm, but again the rookie escaped outside. He tripped up Styles and hit a diving elbow for two. Waller barely made it to the ropes to escape the Calf Crusher.

Waller got too cocky going for a Styles Clash. Styles escaped and went for the Phenomenal Forearm. Waller ducked it and hit a return springboard cutter for a nearfall. A pele kick and brainbuster from The Phenomenal One set up the Phenomenal Forearm to end it.

Styles warned Waller that his night was not over before LA Knight arrived to lay out the rookie that tried to seriously injure him weeks back. After sending Waller running, Styles and Knight embraced in the ring as friends with a common enemy.

Result

Styles def. Waller by pinfall.

Grade

A

Analysis

With a huge spotlight and build that got him on Monday Night Raw multiple weeks, Waller delivered in spades. He looked like he belonged next to The Phenomenal One. It was an impressive performance where he very nearly pulled out the ultimate upset.

A performance like this will make many look at Waller in a way they have not before. He has arrived as a top heel in the ring after a month of build-up. His feud with Knight is heated and could very well set up Waller for the big win he needs to solidify a run to one of the main NXT titles.

This was a big segment and match that far exceeded the rest of the show. It felt like one of those moment NXT has long awaited, and it delivered.