WWE NXT 2.0 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 15

Dolph Ziggler is the NXT champion. This seemed improbable until recently, but now The Showoff is back at the top of a wrestling brand.

He pulled it off with the help of Robert Roode, and they celebrated on Miz TV during Tuesday's edition of WWE NXT 2.0.

In the first qualifier for the NXT North American Championship ladder match, Cameron Grimes fought Santos Escobar.

A-Kid made his debut in NXT 2.0 by facing one of the brand's most dangerous technical wrestlers, Kushida.

Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta were the best of friends, but they may now become the worst of enemies. They fought one-on-one to establish who is better.

Tiffany Stratton mocked the wrong woman backstage when she made fun of Sarray. The two have been ready to fight for two weeks and finally got the chance on this show.

Tuesday's broadcast showcased a fresh collection of matches that tested young stars on the road to NXT Stand & Deliver.

The Miz introduced his friend and new NXT champion Dolph Ziggler with Robert Roode. It was revealed that Bron Breakker was sent home to avoid a scene, but LA Knight arrived to challenge Ziggler instead.

The Million Dollar Mega Star convinced The Showoff to fight him in the main event. The A-Lister made it official.

Knight talked his way into a championship match just one week after losing to Grayson Waller. It feels like that could have been better explained.

That said, this was a fun, simple segment that barely needed Miz's involvement. This was just about adding a necessary spark to a card that was lacking big matches.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Miz put over Knight big for his ability in the ring and on the mic. This is likely to be a feud WWE revisits down the line.
• Knight looked right at home next to three guys who have won gold on the main roster.
• The A-Lister was popular. As was Knight.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams joined commentary to watch this match closely. Cameron Grimes found his openings against Santos Escobar, but he could not put him away thanks to Legado Del Fantasma. Grimes went for the Cave-In, but Escobar turned it into the Phantom Driver to win.

This was a back-and-forth, exciting match between two of NXT 2.0's best. The near-falls were memorable and didn't overly rely on the two men's signature moves.

It was surprising to see Grimes lose, but Escobar has been well-protected in NXT—more so than The Technical Savage. It is still possible that Grimes could find his way into the ladder match.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• Legado Del Fantasma got involved, allowing Escobar to trip Grimes off the apron.
• Grimes nearly got the win off an impressive Spanish Fly variant.
• Melo had a great line on commentary about his Create-A-Wrestler having a better rating than either man in the ring. It is a shame that The A Champion did not get a spot in WWE 2K22.

NXT showed a quick video package for A-Kid before his match. It was also announced during the previous contest that the winner of this match would face Grayson Waller in a qualifier for the NXT North American Championship ladder match.

Kushida seemed to have A-Kid's number early on, but the NXT UK star answered him counter for counter. Kid shocked the Japanese Superstar with a tilt-a-whirl DDT to win.

It was nice to see Kushida perform on his own, and he and Kid were fluid together but for a couple of messy transitions. It felt like the opening act of an exciting series.

Kid has work to do in order to sell himself to a fresh audience. He had to win here to build that momentum. He can certainly showcase himself if he does earn a spot in the ladder match.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Kushida had a great series of moves that allowed him to always find a way back into an armbar.
• Kushida's punt on Kid out of the corner echoed throughout the arena.

Tiffany Stratton attacked Sarray on her way to the ring, making sure that she could not transform by ripping off her necklace. The attack continued into the ring. Once the bell rang, it took less than a minute for Stratton to take the win via a corkscrew senton off the second rope.

This was the best segment Stratton has been a part of to date. She kept up the energy in a way she has failed to do so far. This rivalry is starting to take form.

The Warrior of the Sun deserves better than losing to green performers generally, but she is likely to get back her win in a fair fight. And she now has even more reason to dislike her new rival.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

• Stratton hit a smooth corkscrew senton out of the corner.

Tommaso Ciampa explained the gratitude he felt for NXT. He reminisced over his career in NXT—both the successes and failures. He is disappointed he won't be the NXT champion on WrestleMania weekend, and he said he had no idea what he would do.

Tony D'Angelo came in with a crowbar that he dropped. He said he respected The Blackheart, but after they shook hands to agree to a match at NXT Stand & Deliver, D'Angelo kneed him between the legs.

Ciampa can always draw emotion out of an audience, and he made this feel like a farewell. It is likely exactly that because he will probably go to Monday Night Raw post-WrestleMania. Before he departs, he will help put over Tony D.

This match makes a lot of sense as a follow-up to D'Angelo's feud with Pete Dunne. He is going after NXT originals and sending them off to the main roster.

Grade

A

Notable Moments

• Ciampa brought up how much he appreciated the fans booing him, and they responded by booing him.
• D'Angelo kissed Ciampa on the cheek in his latest allusion to The Godfather.

Persia Pirotta went after Indi Hartwell's wedding ring, which set off Indi Wrestling. Duke Hudson got involved to distract Hartwell, but Dexter Lumis arrived to counter. This allowed Hartwell to roll up Pirotta for three.

This was a fine segment, even if the match barely got started before it was over. What worked best was that Hartwell and Pirotta are fighting less like rivals and more like sisters just trying to take the spotlight.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments

• Hartwell and Pirotta walked out together as though they were still a team but could not stop pushing each other on the way to the ring.
• Pirotta and Hudson had a make-out competition with Hartwell and Lumis after the match that was more awkward than anything.

Santos Escobar cut a promo backstage, putting himself over as the greatest luchador. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio arrived, and The Master of the 619 told Escobar his son would bring lucha libre to the next generation. Raul Mendoza agreed to fight Dominik.

Raul Mendoza was no match for Dominik Mysterio without help from Legado Del Fantasma. Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen evened the odds. This allowed Dominik to hit a 619 and frog splash to win.

This was as big of a star as Dominik has ever felt, proving he could get a big rub from a run in NXT. He's a smooth performer who could benefit from wrestling with talent with a variety of styles.

NXT 2.0 has benefited from some crossover with Raw, even if it often leads to NXT talent losing. Escobar vs. Mysterio would be something special.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments

• The crowd was behind Dominik in a way main-roster crowds have never been.
• Dominik hit a smooth arm drag into a springboard crossbody.

Cora Jade stole the championships of Toxic Attraction, knowing this would get their attention. Kay Lee Ray and Io Shirai promised to win next week. Dakota Kai and Wendy Choo told Toxic Attraction they did not appreciate their recent interference.

Jade trapped Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin backstage with their NXT Women's Tag Team Championship. She then tried to steal Mandy Rose's car, but the NXT women's champion caught her, laying her out. She spray-painted Jade's back and stood with Toxic Attraction.

Using the environment to trap Jayne and Dolin was a great showcase of what can make The Skater stand out. Jade constantly needs to get creative in and out of the ring. She has been set up well as the underdog for a big title match against Rose.

Thereafter, The Creed Brothers took the ring, demanding to know who attacked them. MSK came out to make clear they did not attack the No. 1 contenders. However, MSK wanted their title match as well. Imperium agreed to a Triple Threat at NXT Stand & Deliver for the NXT Tag Team Championship.

Malcolm Bivens questioned The Grizzled Young Veterans, as well as Edris Enofe and Malik Blade. Zack Gibson and James Drake were willing to fight Julius and Brutus Creed next week if it got them a future title match.

The tag team division in NXT is fascinating. The Triple Threat should be great, and all three teams have potential to run with the gold. That said, The Creed Brothers deserve a standard title match if they do not win at NXT Stand & Deliver.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Jade locked Jayne in a cage and Dolin in a dumpster.
• It was never revealed who attacked The Creed Brothers, setting up a future story beat.
• Tommaso Ciampa vs. Tony D'Angelo, Rose vs. Jade and the tag team Triple Threat were made official for NXT Stand & Deliver.

Backstage, Gunther told LA Knight that he did not appreciate his jumping the line.

Bron Breakker arrived as Knight seemed to be finding his stride against Ziggler. Roode distracted Knight enough to get Ziggler close to the apron. This allowed him to get his foot on the rope for a near-fall. Ziggler sent Knight into two turnbuckles before hitting a superkick to win and retain.

After the finish, Breakker stormed out and challenged Ziggler for a match at NXT Stand & Deliver. The Showoff accepted after the challenger laid out The Glorious One with a right hand.

It was a smart move to sell Ziggler as a fighting champion, even as the intelligent heel. He is unlikely to run with the title for more than a month, so he got to add at least one successful defense on his resume.

Ziggler and Knight had a solid battle, even if the result was never in question. This was always going to lead to Breakker demanding his match. He and Ziggler should be great together.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• Knight sold his ribs injury throughout the contest, selling the effects of his recent Last Man Standing match.
• Roode fully worked the manager role at ringside, selling the near-falls with animated reactions.
• Knight sent Ziggler to the mat hard with a superplex for a close near-fall.