WWE NXT TakeOver: XXX - 6 things we learned from the event

#2 Main-event heels CAN win without outside interference

The new NXT Champion

New NXT Champion Karrion Kross, who was previously with IMPACT Wrestling, started his stint in that company with a bang and was a featured performer of theirs until he was at an impasse with the promotion. He was forced to sit out for an extended period and was released late last year.

He made a few appearances on the independent scene before officially signing with WWE and NXT. His name may have changed but he was paired with his real-life girlfriend, Scarlett. While she hasn't wrestled yet, she adds an incredible amount of gravitas to the act.

When Kross has wrestled in NXT, he's been an intimidating and ruthless heel. One thing that WWE and NXT have traditionally used for its major heels is cheating to win. Ciampa did so when he beat Aleister Black for the NXT title and Gargano cheats all the time now that he's a bad guy. Cheating to win has also been a staple of the Undisputed Era.

So as Kross pinned Lee and won the NXT title, it was refreshing that he did so without any outside interference. Scarlett was present at ringside throughout the match but did not interject herself. Interfering and cheating to win has been a trope WWE has gone to the well with over and over again. It's even responsible for most of Bayley and Sasha Banks' reigns as Champions.

Having Kross just physically match and eventually overcome Lee sets him up wonderfully as the next big thing in NXT. A lot of us already knew that he was a big deal and his first-ever NXT ring entrance proved that.

Now he has the title to back it up. How long he holds it, however, is up for debate due to the severity of his shoulder injury. Whatever happens, it was refreshing to see a heel win without cheating or using outside help.