Tonight’s NXT “Takeover: XXX” Pre-Show opens up on the WWE Network with Scott Stanford and Sam Roberts at WWE TV studios.
They’re joined by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, who checks in via Zoom. We see footage from earlier today of Adam Cole and his crew arriving to the NXT Arena. NXT General Manager William Regal greets them and says tonight will be between McAfee and Adam Cole only. McAfee says Regal has nothing to worry about, then walks off. Stanford sends us to a video package for tonight’s NXT Title match.
Booker predicts Keith Lee to retain his title over Karrion Kross tonight. Roberts puts over Kross. They discuss Dakota Kai vs. NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai and Stanford says this could be the match of the night. Stanford sends us to a video package on Imperium now, with comments from NXT UK Champion WALTER and the others.
#1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Breezango vs. Legado del Fantasma vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
We go to the ring for tonight’s opener as Breezango is out first – Tyler Breeze and Fandango. Vic Joseph and WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix are on commentary. Vic says Corey Graves will join them later. Alicia Taylor does the introductions as Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch are out next. The winners of this match will become the new #1 contenders to NXT Tag Team Champions Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner of Imperium. Out next comes Legado del Fantasma – Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde with NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar. Escobar returns to the back.
Mendoza and Fandango go at it to start. Mendoza gets the upperhand and then goes at it with Lorcan. They tangle on the apron now and Mendoza kicks Lorcan to the floor. Mendoza unloads on Fandango now and goes to the top but Fandango shoves him off to the floor. Fandango levels Wilde with a big clothesline when he comes in. Fandango launches Wilde to the floor, taking down Mendoza, Lorcan and Burch. The crowd of developmental trainees at the NXT Arena cheer Fandango on.
Lorcan tries to suplex Fandango from the apron to the floor. Fandango brings it in the ring but gets rolled up for a 2 count, and another. Fandango and Lorcan trade big strikes now. Lorcan just gets angry. Fandango dances some but Lorcan responds with chops. Fandango keeps fighting and they tumble to the floor. Fandango chops Lorcan around ringside. Mendoza runs to the top turnbuckle and hits a big corkscrew to the floor, taking down Lorcan and Fandango for a big pop.
Wilde has Lorcan in the ring but here comes Breeze. Wilde handles them both and covers for two pin attempts. Wilde stomps away on both competitors now. Lorcan gets dropkicked into the corner but Burch tags in. Burch unloads on Wilde and Breeze now. Burch dropkicks Wilde and kicks in the corner, then hits a big German suplex. Burch puts Wilde on his shoulders and Lorcan looks to capitalize from the top but it’s broken up. Burch and Wilde tangle. Burch with a big headbutt. More back and forth now but Wilde and Mendoza land some offense during the chaos. Fandango superkicks Lorcan and then Mendoza as he flies in.
Breeze tags in for the double team with Fandango on Mendoza. Fandango with the flying leg drop while Mendoza is on Breeze’s knees. Wilde breaks the pin up. Mendoza fights Breeze off. Mendoza with a big Spanish Fly. Wilde with a big 450 Splash after Mendoza drags Breeze to the corner. The others break the pin up at the last second. Breeze holds Wilde for the Unprettier but Lorcan charges and nails a running uppercut to Wilde. Breeze comes right back with a superkick to Lorcan for the pin to win.
Winners and New #1 Contenders: Breezango
– After the match, Fandango and Breeze celebrate in the ring as their music hits. We go to replays. Back to commercial.
– We see Timothy Thatcher warming up in the back. Roberts says Thatcher vs. Finn Balor will open the show.
– They hype tonight’s Ladder Match now. Booker believes Cameron Grimes will win the vacant NXT North American Title. We see video from earlier today of The Undisputed Era arriving. Stanford sends us to a video package on Cole vs. McAfee. Booker is going with Cole and Roberts is backing McAfee. Stanford wraps the Takeover Pre-Show.
NXT Takeover XXX Opener:
– The NXT “Takeover: XXX” event opens up with a video package, set to “Moth Into Flame” by Metallica.
– We’re live from the NXT Arena on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida as Vic Joseph welcomes us. Corey Graves is with him. WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix is calling action from home. The NXT developmental trainees cheer from the crowd.
Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher
We go right to the ring as Finn Balor makes his way to the ring.
Balor goes after Thatcher as the bell rings and Thatcher with a take down. Thatcher slaps Balor and Balor goes for a cross arm breaker and Thatcher blocks it. Balor with a wrist lock and Thatcher takes Balor to the mat and works on the knee. Balor with a front face lock and Thatcher escapes and applies a front face lock. Balor gets to his feet and he connects with a forearm across the chest and returns to the front face lock. Thatcher with a forearm and he stays with the front face lock. Balor sends Thatcher over the top rope to the floor with a back body drop. Balor kicks Thatcher when Tim returns to the ring. Thatcher goes for the leg and he works on the ankle.
Balor gets to the ropes to force Thatcher to release the hold. Thatcher with a knee to the ribs. Thatcher sets for a bow and arrow but Balor counters with a lateral press for a near fall. Thatcher with kicks to the leg. Thatcher with a heel hook and he stands on the other thigh. Thatcher with a knee to the ribs and a kick to the back. Balor with forearms. Balor kicks Thatcher away and Thatcher rolls through into a Kimura. Thatcher works on the other arm and has the left arm in a hammer lock using the leg. Thatcher with a knee to the back. Thatcher with a knee to the head and a forearm to the back. Thatcher with more knees to the ribs.
Thatcher with a double underhook and he locks his hands. Balor with a back drop into a jackknife cover and a near fall. Thatcher holds on and Balor with a back drop but Thatcher rolls through into a sunset flip. Balor rolls through and hits a drop kick. Balor and Thatcher exchange forearms. Balor with forearms and Thatcher slaps Balor. Balor with a Pele Kick and both men are down. Thatcher blocks a Slingblade and Balor with a double leg take down and double stomp.
Balor with a dragon sleeper but Thatcher gets Balor on his shoulders. Thatcher with forearms and a German suplex attempt but Balor blocks it. Balor with an abodminal stretch. Balor with a reverse DDT for a near fall. Balor sets for a running drop kick and hits it. Thatcher hits the turnbuckles and falls to the mat. Balor goes up top for the Coup de Grace but misses when Thatcher moves out of the way. Thatcher goes for the knee and Balor kicks Thatcher but Thatcher applies the single leg crab. Balor is able to get out of the hold but Thatcher kicks Balor in the back.
Thatcher goes for the arm but Balor blocks it and Balor with a kick to the ribs. Thatcher with a kick and German suplex. Both men go for adbominal stretches and Balor applies it. Balor with a rollup for a near fall. Balor with a seated abdominal stretch. Thatcher escapes and applies an ankle lock. Balor rolls Thatcher up and hits a double stomp. Thatcher misses a slap and Balor takes Thatcher down. Balor goes up top again and hits the Coup de Grace. Balor sets for 1916 and hits it for the three count.
Winner: Finn Balor
– We see Keith Lee and Mia Yim arriving at the building earlier today.
– We see Bayley and Sasha Banks in the crowd watching Takeover.
NXT North American Championship Ladder Match: Cameron Grimes vs. Velveteen Dream vs. Bronson Reed vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Damian Priest
Priest hits Dream during his entrance and the match starts. Priest and Reed surround Grimes and they exchange punches on Grimes. We are down to Reed and Priest in the ring and Dream pushes Reed into Priest. Gargano misses a rolling kick on Dream and Dream with a Fameasser on Gargano. Dream with the swinging reverse DDT on Priest and then he takes care of Reed. Grimes is sent to the floor. Dream goes for a ladder but Grimes sends Dream into the ring steps. Grimes gets a ladder but it is barely big enough for him to go into the ring from the floor. Priest gets a ladder and Grimes kicks Priest in the face. Gargano keeps Grimes from bringing the ladder into the ring.
Gargano with a slingshot spear to Grimes. Priest punches Gargano and he follows with a bicycle kick. Priest kicks Reed and Gargano escapes the crucifix bomb. Reed with a rolling slam to Priest. Reed pulls Dream into the ring using the ladder. Priest and Dream climb ladders but Grimes pushes them off. Grimes climbs goth ladders and then Priest and Dream pull them apart and Grimes tries his best Rob Van Dam impression. Reed is hit by the ladders and then he moves when Dream and Priest throw the ladders at each other. Gargano and Dream hit Grimes with a ladder. Reed knocks Dream and Gargano down and the ladder lands on them. Reed with a back senton onto the ladder.
Priest punches Reed and Reed fires back and hits a rolling elbow. Grimes iwth a forearm but Reed with a clothesline to Grimes. Gargano climbs a ladder held by Reed but Reed pushes Gargano away. Gargano gets onto the ladder when he escapes a power bomb attempt. Priest tries to pull Gargano off the ladder but fails. Priest sets for a choke slam on Gargano while Reed sets for a power bomb but Grimes with a German suplex on Priest and Dream clips Reed. Gargano tries to double cross Grimes and Dream but they stop Gargano.
Dream runs a ladder into Reed while Gargano does the same to Priest. Dream goes up top and Gargano hits Dream with the ladder. Priest hits Gargano with a ladder in the corner and then Priest with a back elbow onto the ladder against Gargano. Reed sends Grimes into a ladder after an atomic drop. Reed with a splash into a ladder and wrestler sandwich in the corner. Reed punches Dream on the turnbuckles and Reed punches Dream. Priest with a forearm to Reed and he wants a piece of Dream. Priest kicks Reed away. Reed catches Grimes and Grimes with a Geman suplex on Priest to start a Tower of Doom. Gargano has a ladder and Reed stops Gargano. Gargano kicks Reed through the ladder.
Grimes climbs the ladder but Reed uses Gargano to knock him off. Reed with a fallaway slam. Priest climbs the ladder but Dream stops him. Dream punches Priest and climbs the ladder but Priest kicks Dream in the leg and Dream falls off the ladder and goes to the floor. Grimes with forearms to Priest and Priest kicks Grimes and Gargano. Priest goes for a springboard kick but Gargano with a super kick. Reed puts the ladder on his head and goes Funk on Dream and Priest. Gargano with a slingshot DDT using the ladder. Gargano knocks the ladder onto Dream using the ropes. Dream throws the ladder at Gargano but moves and it almost hits Priest on the floor. Gargano sends Dream to the floor. Gargano takes care of Reed. Grimes with a standing Spanish Fly. Dream with a dive off the turnbuckles and Reed with a suicide dive.
Grimes gets a chairand brings it into the ting. Priest climbs the ladder and hits a senton to the floor onto Reed, Gargano, and Dream Grimes climbs the ladder and Candice LeRae turns her attention from her husband to stopping someone but her husband from winning. Candice pulls Grimes down and Grimes yells at Candice. Candice punches Grimes and Gargano hits Grimes in the head with the ladder to protect his wife. Candice with a head scissors of Grimes off the apron into Reed, Dream, and Priest.
Gargano sets up the ladder in the ring. Reed climbs the other side and Reed punches Gargano off. Gargano pulls Reed down for a moment but Reed with a head butt. Candice stops Reed from getting the belt and then Reed with a splash off the top of the ladder with Candice on his back. Candice and Johnny are down on the floor. Reed climbs the ladder and so does Priest. Grimes sets up another ladder. Reed chops Grimes while Priest knocks Reed off the ladder. Grimes with a forearm to knock Priest off. Dream pulls Grimes off the ladder but Dream gets his leg caught in the ladder and it is knocked over. Grimes tries to hit Dream with a ladder but Dream avois it.
Dream punches Grimes and then Dream puts a ladder on the ropes and hangs it on the ladder. Dream puts Grimes on that ladder and Dream with a chop. Dream climbs the ladder and is next to the belt and hits it so he goes for the belt. Priest stops Dream and Reed pulls Prist off the ladder. Priest choke slams Reed onto a ladder hanging in the corner. Grimes catches Priest with Cave In but doesn’t hit it fully. Grimes climbs the ladder but Gargano is back in the ring and Grimes misses a kick. Gargano sends Grimes onto the ladder with a sunset flip power bomb.
Priest misses a kick and Gargano kicks Priest. Dream with a super kick to Priest. Gargano kicks Dream and Dream blocks the slingshot DDT on the apron. Dream with a Dream Valley Driver onto Priest on a ladder. Dream and Reed are in the ring and Dream climbs the ladder. Dream has the belt but Reed pushes the ladder over and Dream falls over the guardrails through a table. Reed climbs the ladder But Grimes throws the WWELC ladder at Reed. Grimes climbs the ladder but Gargano stops him. Gargano swings the belt and it hits Grimes to knock him off the ladder. Priest grabs Gargano and Gargano hits Priest with the belt. The belt is unhooked and Priest knocks Gargano off the ladder and grabs the title belt.
Winner and NEW NXT North American Champion: Damian Priest
– Pat McAfee is in the back and he says he has kicked off Super Bowls and this is years in the making.
Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee
We go to the ring and Adam Cole is out first. Pat McAfee takes the mic from the back and brags about opening Superbowls and other big events, but goes on and says this one will end with a quick swing of his special foot. McAfee heads out and stands at the entrance. His crew comes out, all wearing “COLE SUCKS” t-shirts. McAfee poses in the corner as his crew watches from the apron. NXT General Manager William Regal had ruled during the Pre-Show that this was between the two competitors only.
They lock up and go to a stalemate. They lock up again and Cole with a side head lock. McAfee backs Cole into the corner. Cole with an Irish whip and McAfee with a float over. Cole sets for a super kick but McAfee avoids it and he backs into the corner. McAfee gets some water. They lock up and Pat with a side head lock. Pat holds on when Cole tries to send him off the ropes. Pat with a shoulder tackle. Cole sets for a bicycle kick but Pat sees it coming and goes to the floor.
McAfee mocks the Undisputed Era with his entourage. Undisputed Era makes their way out and out comes security. McAfee goes into the ring and hits a swanton onto everyone on the floor. Pat rolls Cole into the ring and Pat with a punch. Pat with punches and kicks. Pat chokes Cole in the ropes. McAfee with a punch to send Cole to the mat. Pat with a slam for a near fall. McAfee with a reverse chin lock. Pat argues with the referee. McAfee with a drop kick.
Cole slaps McAfee and then they exchange punches. Cole knocks Pat to the mat and then Cole pulls the shirt over Pat’s head and punches him. Cole with a bicycle kick. Cole kicks McAfee in the corner. Cole with an Ushigoroshi for a near fall. Cole misses a running kick and Pat gets a rollup for a near fall. Cole with a leaping double knee back breaker for a near fall. Cole goes to the turnbuckles and Pat with an elbow. Pat sets for a superplex but Cole blocks it. Cole pushes McAfee off and McAfee lands on his feet. Pat leaps to the turnbuckles and hits a superplex for a near fall.
Pat goes to the floor and he sets for a running kick to the chest but Cole plays possum and Pat kicks the ring steps when he misses. Cole sends Pat back into the ring. The referee checks Pat’s foot. Cole with a kick to the knees and he applies the figure four leg lock. Cole gets a number of near falls and McAfee tries to reverse the hold but Cole rolls through. McAfee gets to the ropes and Cole has to release the hold. Pat holds his knee and he calls Cole a punk. Cole with a boot in the corner. Pat with a kick to the groinal area and a clothesline.
Pat sets for the kick to the chest and hits it and gets a near fall. Pat goes up top and he removes the shirt. Pat iwth a double sledge attempt but Cole with a super kick. Cole tells Pat to get up. Cole goes to pull down his knee pad but he doesn’t do it. Cole goes to the turnbuckles for the Panama Sunrise. Cole hits it for the three count.
Winner: Adam Cole
– Drew McIntyre is with Corey and Vic. He says it is not about him tonight, it is about Takeover. Vic asks Drew about his match against Randy Orton. Drew says Randy is a piece of crap but a talented piece of crap. Corey asks Drew for his pick in the Lee/Kross match and Drew picks Keith Lee.
We see Karrion Kross getting ready in the back while Scarlett’s silhouette watches.
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Io Shirai vs. Dakota Kai (with Raquel Gonzalez)
Io Shirai with a double leg take down and punches. Shirai with punches and the Kai with kicks and punches. Io with a handspring but does not land properly. Shirai with a leg wringer into the mat and then she chokes Kai in the corner and hits a hesitation kick. Kai rolls to the floor and Io follows. Kai has Raquel run interference. Kai comes up behind Io and sends her into the ring post. Kai gets a near fall. Kai with an arm bar and she wraps Io’s arm in the ropes. Kai trips Io and then kicks Io in the head. Kai with a bicycle kick for a near fall. Kai works on the wrist. Kai kicks Io and wraps the arm in the ropes again. Kai gets a near fall. Kai kicks Io.
Io gets a near fall and Kai with a clothesline for a near fall. Kai with a figure four arm bar and Io gets a near fall by getting Kai’s shoulders on the mat. Io with a palm strike and Kai is down. Io with shoudler tackles and a flap jack. Io with a springboard drop kick for a near fall. Io with a waist lock and Kai with a standing switch. Io with a rollup and double stomp. Io goes to the apron and so does Kai. Kai goes for a German suplex off the apron but Io holds on to the ropes. Kai goes for a power bomb but Io with a double stomp on the apron.
Io gets a near fall and Kai with a wrist lock and she kicks Io in the face. Kai with another kick and Io is not in a good mood. She tells Kai to continue to kick her. Io with forearms. Kai with a scorpion kick and Io is down. Kai misses the running boot into the corner. Io goes for a German suplex into the turnbuckles but Kai reverses and sends Io into the turnbuckles. Kai misses a kick and then Io with two running boots to the head and a running double knee strike. Kai with a forearm when Io goes to the turnbuckles. Kai goes for a superplex but Io blocks it.
Io drops Kai on the turnbuckles and Kai is in the tree of woe. Io with a double stomp to Kai. Io gets a near fall. Kai blocks a Tiger DRiver and Kai with KaiRopractor for a near fall. Kai with a cross arm breaker. Io gets to the rope to force a break. Io with a forearm from the apron. Kai with a round kick to Io and Io avoids being sent into the turnbuckles. Io knocks Kai down and then Kai stops Io on the turnbuckles. Kai with Go 2 Kick but Io gets her foot on the ropes to stop the count. Kai with an Irish wihp and Io almost hits the referee. Kai with a Yakuza Kick into the referee. Io with a German suplex and she goes up top and hits the moonsault but the referee is still down.
Io checks on the referee and Raquel hits Io from behind and choke slams her. Raquel puts Dakota on top of the referee and the referee wakes up but Io kicks out at two. Kai gets Io up for Go 2 Kick but Io counters into a Crossface. Kai is able to escape but Io with a knee to the head. Io with a moonsault onto Raquel and Dakota on the floor. Io goes up top and hits a moonsault for the three count.
Winner: Io Shirai
After the match, the music hits as Shirai stands tall and celebrates. Gonzalez suddenly attacks from behind. The music interrupts and out comes Rhea Ripley. Ripley hits the ring and faces off with Gonzalez. They stare each other down, face to face now. Gonzalez backs off a bit but Ripley gets right back in her face. Kai gets back to her feet and gets Gonzalez to leave the ring with her. Ripley is still staring Gonzalez down as she backs up the ramp with Kai. Shirai’s music starts back up as she stands tall in the ring with the belt, facing the camera while Ripley stands with her back to her, still staring Gonzalez down. We go to replays from the match. Ripley is now standing tall on the ramp, staring back at Shirai in the ring.
– We get a promo for Tommaso Ciampa returning this Wednesday.
– SmackDown Tag Team Champion Cesaro is shown at ringside watching the show.
– Damian Priest is leaving and he is ambushed and asked for a comment from McKenzie. Damian says the new champ is going to celebrate. He gets into a hot tub in his gear and has champagne poured over him.
– We get a video package recapping the events between Keith lee and Karrion Kross.
NXT Championship Match: Keith Lee vs. Karrion Kross
We go back to the ring for tonight’s main event as Karrion Kross making his way to the ring with Scarlett in another unique entrance. NXT Champion Keith Lee is out next. We get formal ring introductions from Taylor.
Lee knocks down Kross as the bell rings. Lee with forearms and punches to Kross. Lee backs Kross into the corner and continues with the punches. Kross pushes Lee away and kicks Lee. Lee blocks a kick and punches Kross. Lee with more punches. Kross with a forearm and Lee with a running cross body. Kross rolls to the floor before Lee can get him. Lee rolls to the floor and Lee sends Kross into the apron. Kross with a kick and punches. Kross with forearms and Kross breaks the referee’s count. Kross with more forearms and he misses a punch and hits the plexiglass. Lee gives Kross ‘that look’ and sends Kross into the plexiglass. Lee misses Kross and hits the plexiglass.
Lee is sent into the ring post. Kross kicks Lee and hits the guardrails and plexiglass. Kross with a kick as they re-enter the ring. Kross with an arm bar. Kross with elbows to the arm and he adds pressure to the arm bar. Lee gets out of the arm bar for a moment but Kross returns to the hold from a different position. Lee with a shoudler tackle but Lee uses the injured arm. Kross with an arm wringer that sends Lee to the mat. Kross gets a near fall.
Kross with kicks and a double wrist lock. Lee gets Kross up for a slam but Kross escapes and he sends Lee shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Kross with a hammer lock and he sends Lee into the turnbuckles again. Lee is sent shoulder first into the ring post. Kross with a double wrist lock with his body weight on Lee. Lee slowly gets back to his feet but Kross with an elbow and punch. Lee with a punch but it has little impact. Kross with Divorce Court. Kross returns to the hammer lock.
Lee with punches but Kross with forearms. Kross takes Lee to the mat and applies a cross arm breaker but Lee has his hands clasped. Kross with a triangle but Lee picks up Kross for a one arm sit out power bomb. Lee with punches and a forearm that sends Kross to the mat. Lee with another punch. Lee with a splash intot he corner. Lee with a power slam. Kross with a back elbow when Lee charges into the corner. Lee blocks a Doomsday Saito. Kross with a series of kicks and a DDT for a near fall.
Lee blocks another Doomsday Saito attempt and connects with elbows. Lee with head butts. Lee with a suplex. Kross punches Lee in the midsection and follows with an uppercut. Kross with a forearm and running clothesline that knocks Lee off his feet and Kross gets a near fall. Lee and Kross exchange forearms. Lee with the punch advantage but Kross with forearms. Lee with a clothesline. Kross is back to his feet first and he misses a running boot. Lee with a punch and Kross with a boot. Lee misses the double chop and Kross with a Doomsday Saito for a near fall.
Kross signals that it is over and he goes for the Kross Jacket and applies it. He gets Lee to the mat. Lee’s arm starts to fall to the mat and the referee checks on him. The arm is dropped but Lee does not let it fall to the mat. Lee turns over and crawls to the ropes and gets there to force the break. Lee with a double chop and head butt. Lee with a Spirit Bomb for a near fall.
Lee pulls Kross to the corner. Kross is pulled to the turnbuckles but Lee. Kross with chops to the side of the head. Lee with forearms. Kross goes for a Doomsday Saito Superplex for the three count.
Winner and NEW NXT Champion: Karrion Kross
After the match, Kross stands tall as the NXT Arena goes completely silent. The music starts as Scarlett joins him in the ring. Kross takes the title and raises it in the air. We go to replays. Kross raises the NXT Title in the air on the stage as Scarlett poses in front of him. The flames start shooting up behind them as “Takeover: XXX” goes off the air.
PLEASE SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
LATEST NEWS var numposts = 7;var showpostthumbnails = true;var displaymore = false;var displayseparator = true;var showcommentnum = false;var showpostdate = false;var showpostsummary = true;var numchars = 100;
