NXT results, Jan. 31, 2018: Strong paves path to WWE U.K. Title opportunity behind gritty victory

The ever-unhinged Nikki Cross takes on "The First Lady of NXT" Lacey Evans. Video courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

PHILADELPHIA — Lacey Evans may think twice before she calls out Nikki Cross again.

Evans described the SAnitY member as a “classless psycho” two weeks ago on NXT, and the crazed Cross wasted no time getting her hands on Evans in their head-to-head match.

Cross unleashed a flurry of punches on Evans at the sound of the bell, but The Lady of NXT didn’t flinch, responding with her own hard-hitting attack via a roundhouse kick.

The SAnitY member’s chaotic offense was too much for Evans to handle, however. After leaving The Lady of NXT reeling, Cross delivered her swinging Fisherman’s neckbreaker for the pinfall.

Returning to action for the first time in more than a year, Shane Thorne & Nick Miller battle towering twins Gabriel & Uriel Ealy. Video courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

TM61 picked up right where they left off since their last in-ring appearance in NXT more than a year ago, energizing the crowd en route to an empathic victory over The Ealy Brothers.

Nick Miller & Shane Thorne’s long-awaited return to the squared circle wasn’t without its challenges, though. The towering twin team of Gabriel & Uriel Ealy used their size and strength, as well as a well-timed illegal switch, to gain an early advantage.

Miller & Thorne responded with their trademark high-energy offense, finishing off their opponents via Thunder Valley for the victory. It was a mighty impressive win, which made it even more fitting when, in a post-match interview backstage, the Australian duo rechristened themselves "The Mighty."

Roderick Strong and Tyler Bate fight for the right to challenge WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne. Video courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

Roderick Strong outlasted Tyler Bate in a classic heavy-hitting matchup to become the No. 1 Contender to Pete Dunne’s WWE United Kingdom Championship.

Having brazenly called out Lars Sullivan two weeks ago, Strong seemed determined to earn an opportunity to face The BruiserWeight for the WWE U.K. Title. The Messiah of the Backbreaker pulled out a plethora of backbreaking slams on Bate, but the young Brit showed true grit with each spirited comeback.

Strong remained committed to keeping his opponent down, however, unleashing a string of maneuvers that even Bate couldn’t overcome.

After connecting with back-to-back knees on Bate’s chin, Strong forcefully spiked the former WWE United Kingdom Champion face-first to the mat. Then he hit the End of Heartache on Bate’s already-tender back for the win and earned himself a WWE U.K. Championship Match against Pete Dunne.