Pre-Show:
A Pre-Show graphic aired before cameras panned Wrestlemania Axxess… Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor were shown arriving earlier in the day… Inside the arena, Renee Young, Lita, and Mauro Ranallo checked in as the pre-show panel. Renee plugged the Network and WrestleMania before turning first to a graphic of Bayley vs. Asuka for the NXT Women’s Championship. They then aired one for the NXT Title match between Finn Bálor and Samoa Joe.
Ranallo said there is a high likelihood of a title change and Lita predicted a shift in the course of NXT. Renee then welcomed new broadcaster Cathy Kelly who was standing out with the fans in Axxess. She hyped an interview with Sami Zayn coming up in a bit and got the fans to chant “NXT…” A graphic hyped The Revival vs. American Alpha for the NXT Tag Team championships before the panel discussed the resurgence in the tag division. Ranallo hyped up Dash and Dawson as a short video aired, and then Lita did the same for American Alpha. They predicted winners accordingly.
They then turned to Baron Corbin vs. the debuting Austin Aries. A good video package recapped the feud going back to Regal essentially benching Corbin, leading to his attack on Aries. Ranallo talked up Aries after the video, noting he has wins over guys like Samoa Joe, Seth Rollins, and Daniel Bryan. Mauro predicted Aries and Lita predicted Corbin… A Takeover Dallas promo aired… They thanked Halestorm…
A really good video package aired on the NXT Women’s Championship match. It built up Bayley as the standard bearer for the NXT women’s division first, and then built up Asuka as the threatening newcomer with incredible momentum, culminating in their clash tonight. Lita said that Bayley seems to come in the underdog quite often and we’ve seen how that ends up working out. Ranallo contended that Asuka is unlike anyone ever before in the NXT women’s division. Again, they predicted accordingly…
They turned their attention to Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and a good video package aired. Ranallo dropped some awesome Nakamura facts. They went backstage to Cathy Kelly who was standing by with Sami Zayn. Zayn said Sunday will be the biggest match of his career, but this weekend is the biggest of his career. He said he has a responsibility to cement his legacy as the heart and soul of NXT tonight. He said he knows Nakamura has something to prove, but it won’t be at his expense…
A video package aired on the reveal of the Dusty Rhodes statue at Axxess. My feed rose and I had to restart my feed, so I missed the Dusty Rhodes chat unfortunately… They thanked another band… They finally turned their attention to the NXT Title match, and a video package aired recapping the history between Finn Bálor and Samoa Joe leading to tonight’s match. Bálor maintained that Joe is obsessed with the wrong things, whereas he is obsessed with being the best. The video aired with Bálor declaring he’d win and retain the title. Ranallo predicted that this would be a trilogy for the two, meaning that Samoa Joe wins tonight. Lita said both guys will bring something new, and it really matters what those new aspects are…
Renee gave a final plug for the Network and WrestleMania before sending it off to start Takeover…
NXT Takeover: Dallas Opener:
The show starts with a video package of iconic wrestlers from Texas. Tonight, a revolution emerges. Will strong style become the new trend in NXT? Will a lovable Women’s Champion be beaten? Will an unstoppable beast upset the NXT Champion? A new chapter is written tonight as NXT takes over Dallas.
Tom Phillips welcomes us to the show as we are sold out. Corey Graves is also on commentary. Greg Hamilton is the ring announcer.
Jason Jordan and Chad Gable make their way out for the opening match. Champions Dash & Dawson enter next.
NXT Tag Team Championship: American Alpha vs. The Revival (c)
Dawson and Gable start things off. They lock up and Dawson sends Gable into the corner and Dawson with a clean break and then he slaps Gable a few times. Dawson and Wilder hug and then Gable with a waist lock but Dawson with a take down. Dawson with a head scissors but Gable escapes and gets a near fall. Gable gets another near fall and they both get back to their feet. Gable slaps Dawson and Wilder and Jordan come into the ring for a stand off.
The referee regains control of the situation and Dawson with a top wrist lock and punches to the ribs. Dawson with a snap mare and shoulder tackle. Dawson wiht another shoudler tackle. Gable has a hip toss blocked and Dawson with a hip toss of his own. Gable kicks Dawson and hits a side head lock take down and head scissors take down. Jordan tags in and he hits a drop kick on Dawson. Wilder tags in and the referee does not allow it since Dawson was on the floor. Dawson is brought back into the ring and he rakes the eyes. Wilder tags in and they hit a double Irish whip but Jordan with clotheslines and then Gable and Jordan hit double back body drops. Jordan with a near fall and wrist lock.
Jordan with a arm drag take down and Gable tags in and he applies a wrist lock. Gable with a hammer lock but Wilder with an elbow and Dawson tags in. Dawson sends Gable into the corner and chops him. Gable is put on the turnbuckles and Dawson with a forearm. Gable with elbows. Gable with an O’Connor Roll followed by a cross body for a near fall. Gable with arm drags and a drop kick to Dawson. Gable is stopped by Wilder. Jordan makes the save on a double suplex spot and they hit a double drop kick followed by double German suplexes and the champions go to the floor.
Jordan and Gable go to the floor and they send Dawson and Wilder into each other. Dawson and Gable return to the ring and Gable with an atomic drop but Wilder makes the tag. Gable punches Wilder and Wilder with a clothesline on the floor when Gable chases Dawson on the floor. Wilder with forearms to the back of the head and Dawson tags in and he kicks Gable in the back. Dawson with a shoulder tackle for a near fall.
Wilder tags in and Wilder with forearms from the apron and then he gets a near fall. Wilder with a cobra clutch on Gable. Gable tries to escape but Wilder holds on to the cobra clutch. Wilder with a wrist lock to keep Gable in the ring. Dawson tags in and he hits a drop kick to the side of the head and gets a near fall. Dawson goes for a Gory Special on Gable. Gable is able to get ou of the hold and gets a sunset flip for a near fall. Dawson and Wilder keep Gable from making the tag but Gable counters with a double DDT and everyone but Jordan is down.
Wilder goes under the ring to pull Jordan off the apron to stop the tag. While the referee deals with Jordan, Wilder and Dawson hit a power bomb combination but Wilder is not the legal man so the referee refuses the count. Gable with punches. Dawson with a chop and Wilder tags in and misses a splash into the corner. Dawson tags in and keeps Gable from making the tag. Jordan tags in and hits a drop kick on Dawson and he sends Wilder into the air. Jordan with a T-Bone suplex to Dawson and the straps are down. Wilder gets a running shoudler into the corner while Dawson is given a suplex by Jordan for a near fall.
Jordan puts Dawson on the turnbuckles and Dawson pushes Jordan off. Wilder holds on to Dawson to keep him on the turnbuckles and Jordan goes to the mat. Dawson with a near fall using the ropes. Jordan with a rollup after he avoids a suplex. Wilder with a forearm and Jordan makes the save on Dawson’s cover. Wilder sends Gable to the floor. Jordan tries for a sunset flip on Dawson but Wilder holds on. Gable with a drop kick to Wilder and Jordan gets a near fall on a sunset flip on Dawson.
Jordan with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex but Jordan misses the running shoulder into the corner. Gable makes the tag and Dawson with a rollup for a near fall. Dawson with a rollup for a near fall and Gable with a rollup for a near fall. Gable with an inside cradle for a near fall. Gable with a rollup for a near fall. Gable with a jackknife cover but Dawson bridges out of it. Gable with an Irish whip but Gable is sent to the apron. Jordan makes the tag and hits the running shoulder in the corner. They hit Grand Amplitude for the three count.
Winners: American Alpha
– We see Kota Ibushi in the crowd, and remember that the Global Cruiserweight Tournament is on the horizon.
– Tom Phillips talks about NXT going international and they will be back in the United Kingdom in June.
– We see Bayley meeting with fans at Axxess while we see Asuka kicking things.
Austin Aries vs. Baron Corbin
Aries with punches and forearms followed by kicks but Corbin with a forearm and he sends Aries into the corner. Aries with forearms and he punches Corbin from the turnbuckles until Corbin pushes him off. Corbin misses a clothesline and Aries with a drop kick to the knees. Aries with forearms to the back but Corbin gets Aries on his back and gets him to the mat. Corbin sends Aries to the apron and Aries with a rolling forearm and Corbin goes to the floor. Aries with a double sledge onto Corbin. Aries with forearm as he follows Corbin around the ring.
They get back into the ring and Corbin with a hot shot and forearm to the back of the head. Corbin waits for Aries to get up but he decides to continue the attack and he stomps on Aries’ midsection. Corbin stomps on the arm. Corbin chokes Aries in the ropes. Corbin sends Aries shoulder first into the ring post and Corbin gets a near fall. Corbin with a forearm to the chest and a nerve hold. Corbin taunts Aries while he has him in the nerve hold but Aries gets back to his feet for a moment. Aries backs Corbin into the corner to get out of the hold. Corbin returns to the nerve hold. Aries is able to get out of the hold but Corbin with knees and elbows in the corner. Corbin with a splash into the corner for a near fall.
Corbin wants them to ring the bell for some reason but they do not listen to him. Corbin with a wrist lock and forearms while he talks to some fans in the crowd. Aries with forearms but Corbin stays on his feet. Aries with chops that back Corbin into the corner. Corbin with an Irish whip but Aries slides into the corner and hits a flying forearm. Aries with a knee to the back and he punches Corbin in the ropes. Aries with a slingshot double sledge to the back of the head as he goes to the floor. Aries with a neck breaker with Corbin hanging over the middle rope. Aries with a missile drop kick.
Aries with a running drop kick into the corner and Corbin falls to the floor. Aries with a suicide dive that sends Corbin into the guardrails. Aries charges at Corbin but Corbin hits Deep Six onto the floor. Corbin gets back into the ring and the referee starts his count. Aries is able to power up at nine to get back into the ring before the ten count. Aries tells Corbin to bring it and Aries punches Corbin. Corbin with forearms, The referee checks on Aries and the match continues. Corbin tries for End of Days but Aries with an O’Connor Roll for the three count.
Winner: Austin Aries
After the bell, Aries rolls to the floor and Corbin looks frustrated. Aries smiles at him from ringside as we go to replays.
– We see Finn Balor arriving at the building.
– We come back from a break and see the video from earlier today of NXT Champion Finn Balor arriving. We get a video package for the next match.
Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
We see Scott Hall and Sean Waltman at ringside before Sami Zayn makes his way out. Justin Credible was also there but not acknowledged. Sami makes his way out to a big pop. Sami’s music finally stops and he takes a seat in the corner. The crowd is fired up and starts chanting “Nakamura” before his music hits. His full name Shinsuke Nakamura appears on the screen and out comes The King of Strong Style to a big pop for his debut. We see Sami looking on smiling.
Fans chant “holy s–t” as Nakamura wraps his entrance. Sami is still seated in the corner, now staring at Nakamura. Fans are going nuts as the bell rings. The dueling chants for both men start up. Sami is still seated but finally gets up. Nakamura, full of charisma, almost meets Sami in the middle of the ring and a big “yes!” chant starts. They back up and get ready to lock up. Nakamura ducks it and struts.
Nakamura with a knee but he misses a stomp on the mat. They lock up and Zayn with a wrist lock. Nakamura with a cartwheel and reversal. Zayn with a reversal of his own and he applies an arm bar. Zayn leaps over Nakamura and connects with two arm drags followed by a satellite arm drag and Zayn wants Nakamura to come out of the corner.
Nakamura with a series of kicks followed by a knee drop for a near fall. Nakamura tries for a slam but Zayn gets to his feet. Nakamura with an arm bar submission but Zayn gets to his feet. Nakamura with a hammer lock but Zayn with elbows. Nakamura with a knee and he kicks Zayn and sends Zayn into the corner. Nakamura goes for a boot but Zayn blocks the kick and he gets out of the corner but Nakamura with a dragon whip.
Nakamura with a front face lock and Zayn with a suplex. Zayn gets a near fall. Zayn with a forearm and chop. Zayn sends Nakamura into the turnbuckles and connects with a forearm. Zayn with a leg lariat and he gets a near fall. Zayn with a forearm in the corner. Zayn with another forearm. Nakamura with a forearm of his own. Nakamura goes to the turnbuckles and Zayn with a forearm that sends Nakamura off the turnbuckles and to the floor. Nakamura with a kick to the head from the apron and Nakamura with a running knee lift with Zayn hanging over the apron and then Nakamura hits a knee drop to the back of the head.
Nakamura puts Zayn in the corner and he misses a knee into the corner. Nakamura puts Zayn on the top rope and Nakamura with a running knee to the midsection and gets a near fall. Nakamura goes for a Regalplex but Zayn lands on his feet and Zayn forces Nakamura over the top rope to the floor. Zayn with a flip dive onto Nakamura and he sends Nakamura back into the ring. Zayn with a cross body for a near fall.
Zayn sets for a suplex but Nakamura with a knee to block it. Nakamura with knees to the temple. Zayn with a Michinoku Driver to Nakamura and both men are down. Zayn and Nakamura with forearms. They continue to alternate the forearms until they tire themselves out. Nakamura’s nose is busted open and he is bleeding. Nakamura with the advantage and he connects with knees with Zayn in the ropes. Nakamura kicks Zayn in the top of the head and then kicks Zayn again. The referee checks on Nakamura’s nose. Nakamura kicks Zayn in the head but Zayn with a clothesline.
Zayn with another clothesline and Nakamura with a knee. Zayn with a clothesline that is blocked by Nakamura and Nakamura floats over into a cross arm breaker but Zayn holds on so Nakamura cannot lock it in. Nakamura with a triangle and Zayn gets a near fall. Zayn kicks Nakamura in the head and gets out of the hold. Zayn with punches to Nakamura and the referee warns Zayn as Zayn kicks Nakamura in the head while in the ropes. Zayn with another kick. Nakamura with a forearm and he misses a clothesline. Zayn with a flatline into the Koji Clutch. Nakamura reaches for the ropes but Zayn adds more pressure to the hold.
Nakamura rolls Zayn up and gets a near fall. Nakamura with an enzuigiri and Zayn falls to the mat. They both get up and Nakamura grabs Zayn and sets for a suplex but Zayn with an elbow. Nakamura with a running kick that sends Zayn into the corner. Nakamura with a knee and he avoids a Helluva Kick. Nakamura with an inverted Exploder and Zayn avoids the Boma Ye and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall.
Zayn checks with the referee on the count and Nakamura rolls to the floor. Zayn goes to the floor and he sets for the tornado DDT through the turnbuckles but Nakamura sees it coming and hits a round kick and Zayn is down in the ring. Nakamura goes up top but Zayn recovers and connects with a forearm. Zayn sets for the top turnbuckle brainbuster but Nakamura with forearms. Nakamura with a head butt and Zayn falls to the mat. Zayn sets for the Exploder into the turnbuckles but Nakamura blocks it and he connects with elbows to the back of the head. Nakamura with a knee to the head from the turnbuckles followed by Kinshasa for the three count.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
After the match, fans go crazy as Nakamura looks on at Sami. We go to replays. We come back to Nakamura standing tall and Sami still down. Nakamura drops to one knee and extends his hand. Sami stares at him. Fans chant “thank you Sami” as this was likely his last NXT match. Sami pulls himself up using the ropes. They shake hands and hug. Nakamura’s music hits as he raises Sami’s hand. Nakamura makes his exit to a pop as Sami looks on from the ring. The “ole!” chants start up again as Sami looks around the crowd. Sami soaks it all in and leaves the ring as his music hits. Sami stops on the stage and salutes the crowd before heading to the back.
– We come back from a Hall of Fame plug and see Samoa Joe backstage warming up. We get a video package for the next match.
NXT Women’s Title Match: Bayley (c) vs. Asuka
We see Stephanie McMahon in the ring cheering but fans boo her. Asuka makes her way out first to a pop. NXT Women’s Champion Bayley is out next to a big pop.
Asuka teases a round kick and Bayley is able to get out of the way. They lock up and Bayley with a wrist lock. Asuka with a reversal. Bayley with a waist lock take down into an arm bar. Asuka with a snap forearm to the face and Bayley retreats to the corner. They lock up and Bayley with a side head lock. Asuka misses a round kick but Asuka with a shoudler tackle. Bayley with a hip toss and she misses an elbow drop. Asuka misses a sliding kick and they get back to their feet.
Asuka with kicks to Bayley but Bayley with a forearm. Asuka with a forearm and a running hip strike. Asuka with a kick to the back of the head and Bayley goes to the apron. Asuka goes for the running hip strike but Bayley moves and Asuka gets caught in the ropes. Bayley with a kick and missile drop kick for a near fall. Bayley runs Asuka into the corner and Bayley with a running back elbow into the corner. Asuka sends Bayley to the apron and Bayley with a shoulder and cross body from the top for a near fall. Bayley with a leaping knee drop.
Bayley goes for a sliding D but Asuka counters and tries for the Fujiwara arm bar but Bayley gets to the ropes to force a break. Asuka with kicks in the corner followed by punches. Bayley puts Asuka in the tree of woe and hits a double jump elbow drop for a near fall. Asuka kicks Bayley away but Bayley with a forearm with Asuka on the turnbuckles. Bayley goes for a super rana and gets a near fall. Bayley with a front face lock and tries for a guillotine choke. Asuka gets to her feet and Bayley adds a body scissors to the Guillotine and Asuka gets to the mat and applies an ankle lock.
Bayley gets out of the hold by sending Asuka to the floor. Bayley with a head scissors take down through the ropes to the floor despite limping on her injured leg. Bayley gets a near fall. Bayley with a forearm but Asuka stays on her feet. Bayley with more forearms with no effect. Asuka with a drop kick and back heel kick and more kicks to Bayley. Bayley with an Irish whip but Asuka with a missile drop kick. Asuka with a series of kicks but Bayley with a forearm. Asuka with a modified alarm clock followed by a sliding knee for a near fall.
Bayley with a jackknife cover but Asuka with forearms. Bayley with a waist lock into a Saito suplex. Asuka misses a round kick but she hits a second one. Both women with drop kicks followed by kicks. Bayley with a knee bar on Asuka. Asuka tries to get to the ropes but Bayley pulls her into the center of the ring and she sends Asuka’s knee into the mat. Bayley with an elbow to the knee followed by an atomic drop to the knee and a dragon screw leg whiop. Bayley with another dragon screw leg whip to Asuka.
Asuka rolls into the cross arm breaker and Bayley tries to get to her feet but Asuka with a Fujiwara arm bar. Bayley with a rollup for a near fall. Asuka misses a round kick and Bayley gets a near fall with a rollup. Asuka goes for the Asuka Lock but Bayley escapes and Bayley with a suplex. Bayley with a sliding D for a near fall. Bayley with a arm bar submission and she gets a near fall.
Asuka blocks the belly-to-belly suplex and Asuka with knees. Asuka with a spinning back heel kick followed by a suplex and the cross arm breaker. Asuka turns Bayley so she cannot get to the ropes. Asuka turns it into the Asuka Lock as she tries to keep Bayley from getting to the ropes. Asuka gets Bayley to the mat and she adds the body scissors to the Asuka Lock. Asuka rolls Bayley over but Bayley gets to her feet and Asuka takes her to the mat again.
The referee stops the match when it looks like Bayley has passed out.
Winner: Asuka
After the match, Asuka goes to celebrate as we get replays. We come back to Bayley down on the floor but sitting up as officials check on her. Asuka continues celebrating and limps away, stopping to look at a disappointed Bayley. Asuka stops again on the stage and turns around to raise the title.
– We come back and see Bobby Roode at ringside. The announcers refer to him as a free agent.
NXT Title Match: Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor
We see Samoa Joe make his way out. NXT Champion Finn Balor is out next as The Demon and he has a chainsaw.
Joe charges at Balor but Balor moves. Joe sends Balor to the floor but Balor gets back in and he punches Joe. Joe sends Balor to the floor again and Balor gets back in again. Balor punches Joe while Joe is bleeding from the head. Balor sends Joe to the floor and Balor hits a plancha onto Joe. The referee checks on Joe. Balor with a chop to Joe. Joe with a forearm and he sends Balor into the crowd and he takes out a member of the building security.
Balor emerges from the crowd and he hits a forearm off the guardrail. Balor sends Joe back into the ring. Joe does not want the referee to stop the blood and Balor with a forearm. Joe slaps Balor and connects with jabs. Balor kicks Joe away and misses a kick out of the corner. Joe with an enzuigiri followed by a suicide dive and forearm that sends Balor into the guardrails. Joe is checked on by the medical staff and Joe doesn’t care. Joe sends Balor face first into the apron. Joe is stopped from going after Balor. More medical staff members check on Joe while Balor is able to recover.
Joe gets back into the ring and Balor goes after the cut. Joe with an STJoe. Joe sets for the choke and he chops Balor in the back of the head. Joe stretches Balor with a surfboard. Balor with a kick but Joe with an Irish whip and enzuigiri. Joe gets a near fall. The referee forces Joe to be checked out. Balor with a forearm but Joe with an elbow. Joe with a jab and chops. Joe with a face wash to Balor with his boot and then he hits a running boot to the head. Joe puts Finn on the turnbuckles and chops him. Joe sets for the musclebuster but Finn stops Joe. Joe with a reverse atomic drop followed by a kick and then he hits another kick and knee drop for a near fall.
Balor with a forearm but Joe with kicks to the head. Balor with a drop kick and both men are down. Finn with forearms but Joe stays on his feet. Finn with a flying forearm and he gets Joe down for a moment. Balor with a running chop in the corner. He does it two more times. Joe with a kick and Joe gets to the turnbuckles. Balor with chops and Joe goes to the floor. Balor with a baseball slide to Joe and Balor with a running kick on the apron.
Balor sends Joe back into the ring and Balor goes for Slingblade but Joe counters with a Saito suplex and a near fall. Joe with forearms to the top of the head. Joe kicks Balor and Balor hits Slingblade but Balor misses the running drop kick. Joe with a back senton for a near fall. Joe sets for a power bomb and hits it and then he turns Balor into a Boston Crab and then the crossface. Balor gets out of the hold and hits a double stomp. Both men are down again.
Balor with Slingblade one more time followed by the running drop kick into the corner. Balor goes up top for Coup de Grace but Joe with a strike to the throat. Finn fights off the muscle buster and Joe with an enzuigiri. Joe with the muscle buster for a near fall. Joe waits for Balor to get up.
Balor with a forearm but Joe with a forearm. Joe slaps Balor but Balor with a back heel kick and chop. Joe with a forearm but Balor with a Pele Kick. Both men beat the ten count and Balor with another Slingblade and he hits the running drop kick. Balor with Coup de Grace and then he sets for Bloody Sunday but Joe counters into the choke. Balor starts to lose consciousness but he gets a second wind and he uses the turnbuckles to escape and he gets the three count.
Winner: Finn Balor
After the match, Samoa Joe does not know what to think about the result of the match. Joe leaves the ring disappointed while Balor celebrates in the ring. Joe looks at Balor from the top of the ramp and then he goes to the back.
We go to credits.
