[soft epic music]
[narrator] The beginning.
A place where dreams are born.
Where opportunity is the first step.
Seth Rollins has become the first NXT champion.
Paige, she did it!
We're here.
[music increases]
[narrator] From humble beginnings, a new era sprung forth.
A revolution was launched.
[epic music]
Oh my goodness! Sami Zayn.
Neville got the title!
Bow down to the queen. Charlotte's the NXT women's champion.
Tonight, Kevin Owens takes over.
-Cover and that's it. -She did it!
The boss!
We have a new Women's champion!
[narrator] All thing that begin will indeed come to an end.
It is inevitable.
[epic music continues and decreases]
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[crowd screams]
[crowd cheers]
["The Final Testament" playing]
[narrator] Tonight, the beginning will end.
And the end will begin.
Tonight a new chapter begins.
Tonight, opportunity awaits.
Inside that cage, nobody knows what Finn Balor is capable of.
The reign of Samoa Joe has only just begun.
You will witness the end of Finn Balor.
[narrator] Tonight, the end is here.
♪ The end is here ♪
[narrator] The end of the beginning.
[NXT's theme song playing]
[narrator] And now, WWE Network presents
NXT TakeOver, the end of the beginning.
[heavy metal music playing]
[announcer] Today, we take over the WWE Network live
once again from our home of Full Sail University.
Welcome everybody to NXT TakeOver, the end.
[heavy metal music decreases]
[techno orchestral music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[music continues playing]
TYE DILLINGER
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
making his way to the ring from Niagara Falls, Canada.
Weight 225 pounds.
He is "the perfect ten",
Tye Dillinger.
[crowd cheering]
[commentator 1] It feels like the perfect way to kick-off NXT TakeOver, The End.
[commentator 2] Home sweet home, there is no better way
than Tye Dillinger, "the perfect ten".
We're gonna start a whole new chapter.
A new beginning for NXT.
I could not be any more excited about it.
Oh, this is gonna be so much fun here tonight.
We wanna welcome you in here to Full Sail University
Tom Phillips joined by NXT icon, Corey Graves.
I know, I was right this time.
We're gonna have so much going on here tonight.
But let's talk about Tye Dillinger.
This is a man who took the social media last week
to ask Mr. Regal for an opportunity here at TakeOver.
[Corey] But his campaign paid off.
He has an opportunity tonight to do exactly what he wanted to do.
And that is to impress the NXT universe.
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] El ídolo.
[Latin music playing]
[speaks foreign language]
[Tom] And his opponent.
[announcer] From Gomez Palacio, Duran go, Mexico.
Weight 210 pounds.
Andrade "Cien" Almas
[Corey] You can see in the periods over the last few weeks
about Andrade Cien Almas,
this is a man with a tremendous background on the independent scene in Mexico,
Japan, all over the world won multiple championships.
What a talent.
[Tom] He belongs right here in NXT, but tonight he gets his first test
to beat the talent comes here from all over the globe
for the opportunity to be part on NXT.
To see if they can hang.
Tye Dillinger has been here for a long time.
This is just as big an opportunity for him as it is for Cien.
[Corey] This is the first time we've got to see the face of Andrade Cien Almas
because this was a man who was once a masked luchador in Mexico.
[bell rings]
[crowd chants "Cien"]
[Corey] What can we expect out of Andrade "Cien" Almas here tonight.
This is a pretty ruckus environment already.
[Tom] This is, in a weird way, can almost be a home-field advantage for Dillinger.
This is the first time this NXT crowd has got a look at Cien.
To see how much the crowd interaction plays into his strategy.
[crowd chants "Let's go Tye"]
[Tom] Are we talking about Tye Dillinger picking up a win
in recent weeks here on NXT.
I was really impressed.
Have you talked about how he took the social media,
he tweeted at the general manager, Mr. William Regal
saying quote, "I've never been shy about giving earned opportunities
or getting earned opportunities."
Shoulders down. Kick out.
"And nearly 15 years, I've never asked for anything. Give me a shot!"
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chants "Ten"]
[Tom] Dillinger know the eyes of the NXT universe are on him right now.
Tonight could be his night to beat Andrade "Cien" Almas
on his very first night at takeover.
It'd be massive for the career of Dillinger.
[Corey] And we heard from Lita during the preshow Andrade "Cien" Almas,
Cien, of course, stands for one hundred
and one hundred could be ten times better than the perfect 10 here tonight.
[Tom] Listen, I admire the swagger, but if you're gonna come in here
and say you're ten times better than the perfect 10,
you better get the job done.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Dropped the corner here. Andrade Almas in pursuit.
Look at Dillinger underneath.
Whoa!
Oh, caught him!
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Such incredible quickness by Andrade
to be able to adapt mid-air like that into the drop kick, so impressive.
[Corey] Oh, there goes Dillinger.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] A smart move by Dillinger.
Roll out, regain his composure.
[Corey] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey laughs]
[Corey] Look at this, he became a g-cue shoot all of a sudden, Phillips.
[Tom] He's just hanging out there and he's having a good time.
Almas, a third generation talent.
One point, held the IWGP intercontinental championship
actually in new Japan, same title once held by one Shinsuke Nakamura.
[grunts]
[Corey] Impressive company to be among.
Now into the corner, Tye Dillinger trying to create a little separation.
Look at this.
Almas.
[grunts]
Oh! And a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
Here's a cover. Don't normally see that from Dillinger at one.
[Tom] Again Dillinger knows what's at stake tonight.
He's gonna pull out all of the stops.
[Corey] Take another look at this. Watch this.
Look at the twirl-- Boom! Right into the lower back,
and somehow, Andrade kicking out at one.
[Tom] Think how much Dillinger would love to ruin Cien's debut.
[Corey] They talked about an opportunity and you mentioned it multiple times
that Tye Dillinger won major victory-- Oh!
[crowd gasps]
One major victory away from being at the top of the heap here on NXT.
[Tom] He's one more of those chaps away from ending Cien's run in NXT
[Corey] Now you talked about on the preshow,
this one's very a high profile in-ring debuts at NTX TakeOver.
[Corey] Absolutely. Kevin Owens made his debut at TakeOver.
Shinsuke Nakamura, Baron Corbin, all these guys have gone rocketed
to success in NXT and beyond.
[crowd cheers]
[Tom] I hope Dillinger knock to the mat.
Second rope. Oh, he caught him anyway!
Put to the outside leg. Dillinger on a two.
[crowd cheers]
[Tom] Andrade thought he had him.
[Corey] Take a look at this.
The moonsault. Dillinger thought he was out of the way.
[Tom laughs]
[Corey] Andrade thought otherwise.
[Tom] That is beautiful.
[grunts]
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] Just backing, whoa, he's backing Dillinger into the corner once again.
[Corey laughs]
That's it, that's it.
[Tom] He knew that one. Cover, cover. Andrade, still in this match.
[Corey] Dillinger was half a count away from spoiling the debut of Cien
right here at Full Sail. What a super-kick!
[crowd chanting]
[indistinct chattering]
[Corey] What an unbelievable superkick by Dillinger.
This is a massive opportunity as right now.
He could finish off Andrade right now.
[Tom] Exposing the name. We've seen this before from Dillinger,
calls this the tye breaker, trying to set it up.
Andrade creating a little bit of separation however, out of the corner.
[grunts] Another sharp elbow from Tye Dillinger.
Dillinger. Oh!
[Corey] Oh! Double knees to the spine of Dillinger.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Look at Cien go, face first goes Tye.
[yells]
[Tom] Hold on, hold on. [chuckles] Double knees into the corner!
[crowd counting]
[Tom] Andrade "Cien" Almas wins his debut!
[music playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Andrade "Cien" Almas!
[Corey] We said it's about new beginnings tonight.
[Tom] Yeah.
[Corey] And what a beginning for Andrade "Cien" Almas.
When you have that much hype coming to NXT,
you better live up to it.
He did exactly that.
[Tom] Take a look at this. This is incredible.
The moonsault would connect halfway across the ring
that was and Tye Dillinger, give credit to the perfect ten.
Stuck around here with this match.
[Corey] Dillinger came within an eyelash, multiple occasions, take a look at this.
Bam! Superkick right on the jaw.
I thought this was it. Everyone in Full Sail thought this was it.
-[Tom] Yeah. -But Cien had other plans.
[Tom] Full sail crowd went nuts and watch this.
All the speed, the double knees into the corner,
wiping out "the Perfect Ten".
[Corey] You get a 20 foot running start, full speed ahead.
Not too many guys are gonna get up from that one.
[upbeat guitar music playing]
[Tom] Oh, my goodness.
To tye Dillinger, you can't take anything away from Tye Dillinger.
He asked for an opportunity.
He brought some very new offense here to try and knock off ACA.
[Corey] I think at the very worse, yet Dillinger opened a lot of eyes.
Maybe silenced a few doubt or show that he can hang among the elite
around the globe here in NXT.
Do you think we're off to a very good start here?
-I would say so. -[chuckles]
But we want to let you know that exclusively,
right after NXT TakeOver, on Facebook live,
Triple H, The COO, the father of NXT will join our broadcast
colleague cath and Kelly in an exclusive interview.
All you have to do is go to Facebook.com/tripleh.
I can't wait to see what the gang think of this.
You're gonna be able to get inside the mind of the boss
behind all this, t's gonna be insane.
There's still so much more to come here on NXT TakeOver: The End.
We are still awaiting the NXT women's championship match later on.
[Corey] Well, speaking of, there's the challenger, Nia Jax,
looking mean, looking ready.
She has the biggest opportunity of her life tonight.
[Tom] But also still to come here, The American Alpha
ready to defend the NXT Tag team championship against the revival
after winning the titles at NXT TakeOver Dallas.
Right now, we wanna take you back and show you what happened
at wrestlemania weekend.
[heavy rock music decreases]
[announcer] Welcome to NXT TakeOver Dallas.
Jordan and Gable are ready.
This is a big moment for not only the revival, but also American Alpha.
[epic music playing]
[commentator] Grand amplitude.
[crowd cheering]
[commentator 1] We have new champions!
[commentator 2] Look at the emotion on the faces
of these two unbelievable athletes.
[commentator 2] They found their calling. They found their home
here on NXT as champions.
[music fades out]
[Dash Wilder] There's a reason we're called The Revival.
[tense music]
We're preaching the sermon on this whole tag team revolution.
[Scott Dawson] That's what you get for coming to NXT
and try to make a name for yourself at the expense of the revival.
[Dash] We are the absolute best tag team and you all know it.
Now, we're putting every tag team on this world on notice.
None of you…
[announcer] A message sent to American Alpha.
…are safe.
[crowd chatter]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] A much deserved heroes' welcome home
for the NXT Tag team champions, American Alpha.
[Dash] The American Alpha, they are great little amateur athletes.
[Chad Gable] There ain't two better guys in the planet than American Alpha.
[Dash] We eat, sleep, breathe, and dream about those championships.
[Jason] We talk heavy and we hit hard
and, come take over, that's exactly what we're gonna do.
[Chad] You guys can bring whatever you got.
Bring them nasty little attitudes.
[Dash] And we ain't gonna stop, so we get back what completes us.
[Chad] We want it all.
[Dash] We'll prove it anywhere on this planet.
[music increases]
[Chad] I'll takeover, we'll be ready.
Willing and Gable.
[music decreases]
["Southern Proud" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] It was an incredible moment for American Alpha
to knock on Dash and Dawson, but tonight, Dash and Dawson are the hunters.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
It's for the NXT tag team championship.
[rock music playing]
Introducing first, at a combined weight of 446 pounds,
Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, The Revival.
[Corey] These two have been extra mean, extra nasty since Dallas.
These guys are miserable.
All they can think about is getting back what they truly believe is theirs,
those NXT tag team championship.
[Tom] Earlier tonight on the preshow, Scott Dawson said,
quote: "American Alpha are great amateur athletes,
but I don't think they've ever been in a real fight in their lives."
We're gonna find out tonight.
[Corey] Well, I tell you, the one thing that stood out to me on that preshow
is almost that, The Revival weren't taking Alpha seriously as they should
and, if they're not, there is no way they walk out with the title.
[Tom] No way they're amateur athletes.
[upbeat hip-hop music playing]
[announcer] And their opponents, at a combined weight of 445 pounds,
they are the NXT tag team champions,
Jason Jordan, Chad Gable, American Alpha.
[Tom] Jordan and Gable ready for the very first title defense
here on NXT.
And we wanna give you a quick reminder
that, immediately following NXT TakeOver: The End,
right here on the WWE Network,
you can see breaking ground
reloaded and graves, we saw so much of Jordan and Gable,
especially Jason Jordan.
[Corey] Well, that emotional moment in Dallas for Jordan and Gable,
finally capturing the big win on the big stage,
but tonight, they need to put the past behind them
and defend those championships.
[Tom] You got to check it out. Jordan has come so far as have Gable
and Jordan as a tag team since this past summer.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] With that emotion, I just referenced
that's what The Revival we're talking about.
They think they know what's going on.
They've been in this situation before. Like you said, they're the hunters now.
Can American Alpha get the job done with the target on their backs?
That remains to be seen.
[crowd chanting "Alpha"]
[Tom] Graves, you're a former NXT tag team champion.
How difficult is it to be the hunted as opposed to the hunter?
[Corey] It's a whole different game. When you're the hunter,
you have your eyes focused on one team,
one championship, and doing anything you can to get there.
When you're the champion, you have to worry about everybody.
Dash Wilder now legal and you could see Scott Dawson early on
not looking to necessarily wrestle with Chad Gable,
just trying to out-muscle him into his corner.
[Tom] All The Revival are masters of cutting the ring in half.
There might not be a team on the planet that does it better.
They cut that ring in half and, if you're in The Revival's corner,
it's bad news for you.
[crowd cheering]
[grunts]
[crowd chanting "Gable"]
[grunts]
[Tom] Now, dash Wilder early command here of Chad Gable.
The number of count out Chad Gable, the former Olympian.
This is a position where Chad Gable thrives--
Oh! Being able to adapt, but dash Wilder just used a brute force
and there's the tag to Scott.
[grunts]
[Corey] And here we go.
I think we're gonna see a lot of chopping up, beating up.
[Tom] Oh, quite literally.
[Corey] Hands, fists, kicks, all that stuff from The Revival tonight.
They said they made a mistake in Dallas. They tried to wrestle
American Alpha and you're not gonna out-wrestle those two guys.
-They're gonna trying to win a fight. -[Tom] Look at this.
Look at this, an early slugfest between Chad Gable and Scott Dawson.
[crowd gasps]
[Tom] Into the corner, Chad Gable creates a little bit of room
and just chopped down Dawson, cover, and a kickout.
[grunts]
Again, just blunt power. Another power out by Chad Gable.
[Jason] Perfect, perfect, perfect.
[Tom] Oh, look at Gable. Gable catches Dawson.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] And again, sending Dawson for a ride and American Alpha
starting to roll. There's the tag to JJ.
[gaps] What an elevation.
[Corey] What a dropkick.
And another, this is the pace American Alpha needs to maintain.
This is what they need to do…
[Tom] Cover and a kickout by Dawson.
[Corey] …to make it their match
coming out of the gates strong.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Watch this, this is great teamwork. The tag to Jason Jordan.
right there on the button
and then, again, Jason Jordan one on one
with Dash Wilder and he wins that battle
and nearly put away Dawson for the cover.
[Corey] With hops like that,
I'm surprised the Cavaliers aren't calling Jason Jordan right now
to help them up.
Get him again! Get him again, Scott!
[grunts]
[Tom] Another champions' advantage, the only way to win the titles
is by pinfall and submission, but look at Dawson.
Look at Dawson ripping at the knee pad of Jason Jordan.
[Corey] Sometimes, you got to take a shortcut, Tom. It's gonna pay off.
[Tom] Oh, look at this.
[crowd cheering]
-[Tom] And a standoff for a moment! -[Corey] Here we go.
And here we go, hammering away on each other.
They couldn't hold back last week on NXT.
And now back into the ring, The Revival
going right after American Alpha.
[Corey] More of the same haymakers being thrown, but The Revival…
…somehow stops the momentum.
[commentators gasp]
[Tom] Almost was as a collision there for a second.
Dash and Dawson, face first into the mat.
Double leg locks!
[Corey] Oh, my god, this could be it!
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] And both members of the revival get to the ropes.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] American Alpha has The Revival all out of sorts.
They came prepared and ready to go.
[crowd chanting]
Two…
[Tom] Now, Dash and Dawson, after the count of ten,
try to get back into the ring. Dash Dawson.
Dash Wilder rather flattens Jason Jordan.
[grunts]
[Corey] He's got amateur background and Jordan-- raw power.
[Tom] Shoulders down here, puts him into the cover, kick out at two,
nearly put away the challengers right there.
[crowd] Let's go, Jordan!
[Corey] This high energy as fast as the pace was,
you've got to take a look at the faces of Jordan and Gable,
how relaxed they are, how calm they are.
Everything is going their way.
[Tom] We are making noise on social media. #NXTTakeoverTheEnd is trending.
Here's the cover and nearly put away Dash Wilder to Gable.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Gable!
[Tom] We can hear Scott Dawson calling out from the corner
saying, "tag, tag!" They've got to go a fresh man into this match.
[Corey] To this point, Jordan and Gable
have actually used The Revival's plan against them.
They've cut that ring up fairly effectively.
[Tom] No, no, not a legal tag, not a legal tag in the corner.
[Corey] It doesn't matter. It wasn't a legal tag,
but the referee was distracted long enough
for Wilder to take that short cut.
[grunts]
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] That is what we've seen The Revival do.
They always manage to find a loophole.
They always seem to have a plan
for specific moments.
The backslide, backslide here to put away Dawson, no.
And again, shoulders down, shoulders down!
Dawson! Dawson still in this match.
[Corey] I have never seen The Revival at this much trouble
in the early goings of a match like this. [gasps]
[Tom] Oh, man!
[Corey] I've seen that before though.
[Tom] What an uppercut by Dawson
and taking a cheap shot at Jason Jordan.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Now, Wilder misses in the corner.
Jason Jordan. Oh! Look out!
[crowd cheering]
Double dropkicks!
And there go the revival again!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] This is absolutely unbelievable.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Look at this teamwork,
Gable from the skies, double clothesline,
stereo drop kicks
and a pair clotheslines for good measure.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Maximum effort from American Alpha.
[crowd cheering]
[grunts]
[Tom] a drop at Dawson. Dawson looking for another shot
there to Jason Jordan and, again, American Alpha
taking advantage [gasps] into the top rope.
The Revival and Gable right where they want them
hook to the inside leg and Scott Dawson nearly had him.
[Corey] That just completely turned the tide of this match.
When you're in the ring with two talented stars
like Dawson and Wilder,
you got to be watching out for everything.
The slightest opening like this…
[crowd gasps]
…turned the lights out.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] And then again, the cover here on Gable
and Gable managing to stick around,
the NXT tag team championship on the line here.
[Corey] And this is exactly what American Alpha was trying to avoid,
this smash mouth of the revival. Look at this.
[Tom] That case in point, Dash Wilder is the legal man.
[Corey] I'm pretty sure that constituted clobbering, Tom.
Come on!
Hey! Listen up! Knock that off.
[Tom] Now, Scott Dawson back into the match legal,
seeing this before for the revival, great double teamwork.
Now shoots a half, into the cover to win the championship, Gable at a two.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] When you face off with two guys as talented and experienced
as The Revival, you almost have to wrestle the perfect match.
You can't have any room for error.
I think somehow, someway,
American Alpha was able to do that in Dallas,
but tonight, the slightest opening was given
and Revivals made them pay.
[grunts]
[Tom] Now, Scott Dawson focusing on the left arm and shoulder
of Chad Gable here.
[crowd cheering enthusiastically]
[Corey] Gable trying to power back towards Jordan.
[Tom] A miss with the elbow drop
little bit of solace outside of the ring and took a shot.
[grunts]
[moans]
[Tom] Chad gable go out here on the apron.
Another cover, here's cover to Dawson to put it away. No.
[yells]
[Tom] And Gable, Gable, Gable
inches away, inches away from Jason Jordan.
[Corey] Oh, what a spinebuster.
[Tom] Caught with that one to win the championship,
Gable still in this match.
[Corey] Arn Anderson-like spinebuster
from Scott Dawson,
Gable came within inches of making the tag with Jordan,
but let's be honest, he might as well have been a mile away just now.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Let's take another look at this.
Watch the snap by Dawson,
driving Gable's spine first into the mat.
That almost changed…
[Tom] Give credit to Chad Gable, getting that shoulder up
sticking around here on this match.
Let's go.
[grunts]
[Tom] Right to the midsection, Dash Wilder,
another cover here, and Gable
keeping his team in this match.
American Alpha in trouble right now.
[grunts]
Come on, Gable!
[crowd booing]
[grunts]
[Tom] Graves, this is the difference we talked about
of being the hunted before the hunter.
This kind of situation,
how do you dig down deep?
How do you find a way to get to the end of the tunnel?
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] That remains to be seen if American Alpha can get that done.
We knew going into Dallas, they've had trouble on the big stage
they haven't had the best luck throughout their lives.
I'm curious to see how this works out tonight here at Full Sail.
[Tom] They found their calling,
they found their home, they found a championship in Dallas,
and now gable trying to reach out,
trying to find some opening here to Jason Jordan. Wow.
[Corey] Buried that shoulder right into the abdomen of Gable.
[Tom gasps]
[crowd chatters]
[moans]
[Tom] look at this.
[Corey] Gable's got that armbar.
He can only hold it for a count of five before being disqualified,
but that'll do some damage in short order.
Knock it off.
[Tom] Now, Dawson doing the smart thing, tossing his teammate back into the ring.
There's the legal tag now, Scott Dawson very, very aware.
[Corey] Dawson needs to…
[Tom] Put out from under him.
[crowd chatters]
[Tom] That was a nasty fall and a nasty shot to Jason Jordan.
-[Corey] Dawson knew he had… -[Tom] Wait a minute.
Dash Wilder's not legal in this match,
just times in.
Dawson with the leg drop off the top rope.
Hook to the outside leg, Chad Gable's still in this match.
[Corey] I don't know how gable did
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Great ring awareness by Dash and Dawson
to stop Gable from making the tag to a fresh man
executing this beautiful double team.
Check this out. Bam!
[Tom] Give credit to Chad gable
who's taken a ton of punishment earlier on here in this match.
And American Alpha is still fighting.
[crowd cheering]
[grunts]
[Corey] Gable's dangerously close to making the tag there.
[Tom] Now there's a tag, Dash Wilder back into his own corner.
Revival trying to slow down Chad Gable.
Through the legs, through another set of legs,
here comes Jason Jordan.
Jason Jordan starting to roll.
Dropkick from JJ.
[crowd gasping]
[Tom] And he caught him with a T-bone suplex.
Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Look at the eyes of Jason Jordan, spear into the corner.
And launching Wilder.
The cover to retain the championship,
Dash Wilder kicked out at two.
[Corey] Gable made that tag to Jordan,
it was like somebody pulled Jordan's trigger.
He came in here a hundred miles an hour and started wrecking everything in sight.
[Tom] As Jason Jordan shocked out of a Cannon.
[crowd chatter]
[grunts]
[Tom] And face first into the second turnbuckle,
drop toehold here from Dash Wilder.
[Corey] It's that veteran instinct, that ring awareness
that Dash and Dawson have like nobody else.
[grunts]
[Tom] He tried to block that suplex. Jason Jordan dangerous territory.
Scott Dawson makes the tag.
Top rope here. I don't know if JJ saw the tag.
And a big clothesline, cover from Dawson,
shoulders down, he nearly had him.
[Corey] It doesn't get any close than that without the bell ringing.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] What a series there.
Great wherewithal by Jason Jordan
to find a way to kick out
knowing he was in trouble.
[Corey] Which is where that power game that Jordan comes into play,
to be able to hold that man, 250 pounds
down for three seconds is next to impossible.
[grunts]
Are you okay?
[Corey] And once again, The Revival dictating the pace.
[moans]
[crowd chanting] Let's go, JJ!
[Tom] Well, hold on, look at Jason Jordan trying to counter
and made the tag, made the tag to Chad Gable!
[Tom] Bridging into the cover,
shoulders down, Dash Wilder's down,
Dawson kicked out.
[Corey] You got to give Dawson credit for being able to kick out of that.
A combination dropkick German suplex by American Alpha.
I don't know if Dawson knows where he is but he knows he didn't lose.
[crowd cheering and chanting]
[Tom] Now you see Chad Gable directing traffic,
trying to set up Jason Jordan in the corner.
Look at dash Wilder.
Face first into the steel stairs!
[Corey] Wilder pulled Jordan right off the apron.
Gable's still legal in the ring.
[Tom] I thought he was going for a DDT there for a second.
Ankle lock.
[Corey] Gable's got it locked in.
Can Wilder-- Can Dawson hang on?
[Tom] Scott Dawson caught in the middle of the ring.
The NXT universe cheering now from the tap
and Dawson… [gasps]
…walks right into a cover.
Cover. He's got the tights. He nearly had him.
[Corey] Unbelievable.
Gable somehow able to kick out
that uppercut from Wilder on the floor
caught him off guard Dawson right there with the rollup,
but it wasn't quite enough to dethrone the tag team champions.
[Tom] Another tag. Back in comes dash Wilder.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] What a matchup here for the tag team titles.
Now once again, The Revival, looking for a double…
Oh, my god. Gable caught him in a belly-to-belly.
Both men are down and out.
Gable got the best of it, however.
Cover here and Wilder broke it up.
[Corey] I don't know how gable was able to reverse the momentum.
Dawson came in a little high
Gable caught him in a belly-to-belly. That was unbelievable.
[Tom] It was so close, it didn't look like either man had a good landing.
Well now, into the corner,
Jordan's got the legal tag.
Oh, and Jordan got him again.
[Corey] Up there goes gable.
[Tom] Almost setting up for grand amplitude
[Corey] Dawson with the save, shatter machine.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Dash, the cover.
Revival are two-time champions!
[announcer] Here are your winners,
and the new NXT tag team champions,
The Revival!
[Corey] Full Sail University
is in complete shock right now
because The Revival have just captured
the NXT tag team championship for the second time.
[Tom] They are now the winningest tag team in nxt history,
the only team to have climbed the mountain twice.
[Corey] I've said it from the outset
it was about which team to execute their game plans.
You have to come in with that perfect match against The Revival.
I thought American Alpha were pretty close.
They were on the same page. Take a look at this teamwork.
[Tom] Great teamwork here, there was a dropkick.
This was a very good fall.
Dash Wilder was right down,
but Scott Dawson, tremendous bridge,
he hung around in this thing.
Then the angle lock, bam! Dash Wilder got an opening.
This was back and forth so many times, Graves.
[Corey] This match could've ended six or seven times.
Here we go, watch this. Watch the ability of Chad Gable
[gasps] to somehow reverse the momentum, plants Scott Dawson
with that belly-to-belly and somehow, that wasn't enough.
[Tom] And dash Wilder able to break up that near fall
and then watch this down the scratch.
This was a break up of grand amplitude,
the legal tag, shatter machine of Dash Wilder who took advantage.
[Corey] If you didn't execute the perfect match against The Revival,
there is no way you're leaving with the titles.
I thought American Alpha did great.
Hats off to them, but tonight, the facts are the facts,
The Revival are just better.
[Tom] Give credits to Dash and Dawson.
They came into this match knowing that they lost.
They went to the back of the line. We talk about hunted versus hunter.
American Alpha, a tremendous effort tonight,
but Dash and Dawson are the champions.
[heavy metal music playing]
Whatever you wanna say, two-time on this place.
[heavy metal music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] The looks on those faces say it all.
The emotions that got to be rushing…
-Oh, my-- -[Tom] Oh, my God.
[crowd screaming]
[Corey] What the hell is going on?
[Tom] Look at the size of these guys.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Wailing away on Jordan and Gable!
[Corey] This is ridiculous.
These guys just had a tag team match, they just lost their titles.
They don't need this.
[Tom] Oh, my god.
[Corey] These guys are freaking monsters.
[Tom] Both of them now.
[crowd booing]
[indistinct dialogue]
[Tom] No, no, no. Chad Gable!
Chad Gable dropped.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Who in the hell are these monsters, Tom?
[Tom] I have no idea. They are laying waste to American Alpha right now.
They are manhandling Jason Jordan.
[crowd booing]
[Tom and Corey] Whoa.
-[Tom] Who is that? -[Corey] Tom, that's Paul Ellering.
That's Paul Ellering, one of the greatest managers
in the history of our business.
He managed the Road Warriors, the Legion of Doom.
This guy is synonymous with great tag teams.
[crowd cheering]
He's a WWE hall of famer.
He may be the greatest manager of all time.
But, what's he doing here? Who are these guys?
[crowd chatter]
[crowd booing]
[Corey] I cannot believe that Paul Ellering is here in NXT.
[crowd chatter]
[Asian music playing]
[Corey] Great new history for NXT,
You got to have a soundtrack.
We wanna send a special thanks to Baby Metal for their song Karate.
It's one of the official themes
of NXT TakeOver: The End
from their album Metal Resistance.
You can get it right now on iTunes and Spotify.
[Tom] we are still trying to regroup after what we just saw,
but we could tell you, still to come here on NXT TakeOver: The End.
There's the NXT women's champion, Asuka, warming up for her matchup.
["Karate" playing]
Good luck tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[heavy metal music playing]
[Tom] We are live here at Full Sail University
in Orlando, Florida.
What a night it's already been here
at NXT TakeOver: The End.
NXT TakeOver is presented by Warcraft,
prepare for battle.
warcraft in theaters reañ D, 3D, and IMAX 3D this Friday.
[heavy metal music playing]
[Corey] Well tonight, the global journeys of two world-class competitors
have led them here to NXT.
Tonight, Austin Aries and Shinsuke Nakamura will clash
in their quest for definitive supremacy.
[heavy metal music playing]
[Austin Aries] The best,
everybody wants to be the best,
but the problem with that
is you're only the best
until someone better comes along.
That's why I always preferred to simply be great.
[announcer] This is one of the hottest, free agents on the planet earth,
the greatest man that ever lived.
There's a lot of a-level competition here in NXT,
there's only one man at the A-double level,
and that's Austin Aries.
[rock music playing]
[Austin] It is simply a matter of time
before Austin Aries is the NXT champion
[music decreases]
[Tom] Talk about who is at the top here on NXT
cannot forget about Shinsuke Nakamura.
NXT championship
not coming to greatness,
coming to king of strong style.
[crowd cheering]
[upbeat orchestral music playing]
[Tom] Here he comes Kinshasa!
[crowd cheering]
[music fades out]
We got this big buzz surrounding the greatest acquisition in NXT history,
it seems now I'm kind of flying under the radar.
[Austin] But all that's gonna stop,
all that is about to change.
June the 8th, the takeover, it will be Austin Aries against Shinsuke Nakamura,
[Austin] Nakamura, I am the greatest in this ring
and I will shine the spotlight
where it belongs.
And that's on Austin Aries.
I think Austin Aries
will bow down to the king of strong style.
[orchestral rock music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
making his way to the ring from Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
weighing 202 pounds Austin Aries.
[rock music playing]
[Corey] Tom, you don't call yourself the greatest man that ever lived
without expecting to have to defend that champion-- that title
every so often.
Tonight is a golden opportunity
to prove that Austin Aries is just that.
[Tom] This is a match to find out who is simply the best here in NXT.
But, Graves, you got to notice the taped up midsection of Austin Aries,
What's the scoop on that?
[Corey] I see that and there was nothing in the injury report earlier tonight.
But knowing Aries honestly, Tom,
it wouldn't surprise me if he was doing that to throw Nakamura off.
When you tape something up… When you put something,
it's like putting a target on your body.
Maybe he's trying to keep Nakamura away from another part of his body,
maybe his ankles hurt, maybe his neck's injured, you never know.
[Tom] So he doesn't get kick to the face by Nakamura.
[Corey] This is why he's the greatest man that ever lived, Tom.
[crowd cheering]
[electric guitar music playing]
[upbeat Asian tech no music playing]
[orchestral upbeat music playing]
[announcer] And his opponent from Kyoto, Japan,
weighing 220 pounds,
Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Tom] We talk about NXT
being the hottest brand in sports entertainment
It's not boasting. It's not overstating.
This is the brand where great matches happen.
This is where the best of the best come to prove themselves.
And Graves, this is a matchup we never thought we'd see
especially here on the WWE Network.
[Corey] And there's no better way to put it in dream match,
this is one of those points you talk about with your buddies
saying, "Wouldn't it be cool…?" or "I wish someday we could see that."
You never really expect it to happen, but it's happening.
It's very real and it's happening right now.
[Corey] Nakamura for years was the king of Japan,
Austin Aries also competing all over the world,
and it's amazing how these superstars would pass each other
like ships in the night but then they find a way here on NXT.
Give credit to Mr. William Regal making this dream match.
Is that a stretch-off right now?
[Corey] These are two warriors getting ready to go to battle.
[music fades out]
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Austin Aries playing a little mind games with Nakamura.
but Nakamura may very well be the master.
[crowd cheering and chanting]
[bell ringing]
[Tom] We invite you to use the #NakamuraVsAries on social media.
[crowd cheering]
I respect Austin Aries for all of his confidence,
all of his swagger, tonight, he is in the front line
of the battle field against the king,
and the king of strong style has his spear aimed directly at Aries' heart.
[crowd chanting "Nakamora"]
[crowd cheering enthusiastically]
[Tom] What an atmosphere at Full Sail University,
NXT TakeOver: The end.
Two superstars with--
the beginning, just getting started really here on NXT.
Both these men debuting in NXT TakeOver: Dallas,
And you can see Nakamura right out the gates
going after the midsection there of Austin Aries.
[Corey] Yes, but Aries's not backing down, he's not afraid to mix it up,
grapple a little bit with Nakamura.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] You'd see it in the face and the eyes of Austin Aries.
He is not intimidated by Nakamura.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] That's what the WWE hall of fame Lita talked about on the preshow.
She said Nakamura looked excited
to face Aries when he found out about this match.
[crowd cheering]
Very vocal crowd here inside the NXT arena.
[Corey] Do you expect anything less from the crowd here at Full Sail?
[Tom] First NXT TakeOver here at Full Sail University in 2016.
[crowd cheering]
[gasps] Look at this, he went to the drop kick
and Nakamura saw it coming, and nearly took his head off.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] Graves, this early on in a matchup of two superstars,
very different styles.
What are you looking for early on in terms of the favor?
[Corey] It's gonna come down to who makes the first mistake…
here, take a look at this, Nakamura
having a little fun there with Aries.
I asked Nakamura what that's about, why he does that.
He said it's to keep himself relaxed.
It's the most impossible thing in the world
to stay relaxed during a fight, that's why he does it.
[Tom] Knee right to the midsection,
Whoa.
[grunts]
[Tom] And Austin Aries into the dropkick.
-Great suplex… -[Corey] And going for that last chance.
[Tom] Really had it, Nakamura saw it coming.
[crowd cheering]
I told you Aries isn't backing down.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] I wouldn't expect Austin Aries to back down.
This is the man who beat Baron Corbin
This very first match here on NXT TakeOver: Dallas.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom chuckles]
Right back to the midsection with the left knee.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] If Austin Aries' ribs weren't injured before, they are now.
[Tom] Yeah.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] And a drop of the knee!
See the NXT universe chiming in on social media
#NXTTakeOver all over social media.
And this is a dream match that everybody wants to see.
#NakamuraVSAries.
Good vibrations in the corner!
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] And again!
[crowd] One more time!
[Tom] Nakamura went for one more time and he got caught,
caught by Aries.
[grunts]
[Corey] This is a brilliant strategy by Aries.
You take away those legs of Nakamura, you take away the sharpest weapons.
[Tom] Now Austin Aries' popped the larger opponent
down to size here on the mat.
[crowd booing]
[Tom] Right into the corner, into the top turnbuckle,
trying to isolate that left knee.
One, two, back it up, man! Come on!
[Corey] This is a brilliant strategy, and people were discounting Austin Aries.
They forget he's the world class competitor.
He's been all over the globe, held titles everywhere he's been.
Hey, come one, man, watch his eyes!
[Tom] Titles in every single division around the world,
now unto the second rope here.
Oh, into the back of the neck!
Now into a cover here on Nakamura, out at one.
And you could see how smart is Austin Aries, grabbing the left leg
that he's been targeting over the last few minutes.
[Corey] Let's take another look at this, Aries from the middle rope,
full extension on that elbow right through the back of the neck.
[Tom] And the cover but Nakamura managing to stay here on this matchup
and again Austin Aries bringing Nakamura down to his level.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] And we heard it earlier, Graves, this is the man that Austin Aries
who called himself, "the greatest acquisition in NXT history."
This is a man who--it's not just about being the best,
this man's got a big ego to go along with it.
[Corey] He believes it, though, but it served him well
that's why he's been so successful
because if you're gonna say you're great, you have to live up to it.
[crowd booing]
[Tom] Again, Nakamura back down to the mat.
Austin Aries heading out to the apron,
another place where he flies all the way from a senton
and he got caught with the knees,
but how much did that take on Nakamura?
[Corey] Bought him a little bit of time if nothing else
Nakamura has a few seconds to compose himself.
You could see Aries right back on the attack with Nakamura
with those sharp elbow strikes.
[yells]
[grunts]
[Corey] Stopped Nakamura dead in his tracks with that elbow.
[Tom] Oh, off the top rope, here's the cover of the elbow drop
forearm in the face, and a kick out.
One thing these two men discussed two weeks ago was the NXT championship.
Anybody who comes in NXT wants the title
especially Nakamura and Aries.
Who knows how the winner of this match will be received by our general manager.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] What a night it's been already here in NXT TakeOver: The End.
Here on Full Sail University's campus
and this NXT universe has been on fire
throughout the night and they get this dream match here on NXT TakeOver
and another kick out.
[Corey] As always, we wanna thank you for joining us on the WWE Network tonight.
We make a little history.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Already saw history earlier tonight.
First two-time NXT tag team champions later on,
first steel cage match in NXT history.
[grunts]
[Corey] Look at this. I don't think I've ever seen anybody manipulate
Shinsuke Nakamura like Aries has right now.
Look, a submission hold. Nakamura is in a lot of trouble right now.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Look at Nakamura trying to grab up, trying to find any sort of leverage
here as possible, Graves.
I don't know if here is any in this kind of position.
[Corey] He's gonna try to apply those fingers of Aries apart.
It's a lot easier said than done.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] The NXT universe, the NXT universe trying to will
Shinsuke Nakamura backup to his feet
and chopped down again by Austin Aries.
They might be having the opposite effect
because it seems to irritate Austin Aries.
[Tom] Right to the mid-section, and he caught him.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] If the first kick doesn't get you, the second one sure will.
[Tom] And that one's with the left leg of Nakamura
as we've seen a lot of punishment from Austin Aries' arm.
-[Tom] Oh, look at Nakamura. -[Corey] Oh, my god.
[Tom] Nakamura firing up here.
[Corey] The left leg seems to be working okay to me.
[Tom] There goes Aries again and Aries again for the third time
down to the canvas.
[Corey] This is exactly what Aries needed to avoid, these strikes.
Any one of them can turn the lights out in a heartbeat.
[Tom] And now top rope. This can be a real issue.
Knee right to the mid-section of Austin Aries.
Into the cover to put Aries here and shoulder up.
[Corey] Now, we're gonna see for sure if those ribs of Aries,
how they're gonna hold up. Are they really injured?
How severely are they injured
because after that running knee from Nakamura, things aren't okay in there.
[Tom] Every time these superstars kick out,
it's one more opportunity to prove that you're the best,
that you have the greatness here on NXT.
Well scouted by Aries, Nakamura looking for that reverse exploder.
And trying to setup up again and Austin Aries
went to the back of the neck ala Sami Zayn's actions in NXT takeover: Dallas.
[Corey] Since that night, of course, Nakamura has taken NXT
and the entire WWE universe by storm.
Aries looking to put an end to that.
[Tom] Looking for the rolling elbow there and look at Austin Aries,
into the counter, shoulders down here and Nakamura kicked out.
[Corey] Look at those knees at the top of the head.
He could be looking for that last chancery.
[Tom] And he tries to flip over here, couldn't get the leverage
however on Nakamura.
Nakamura trying to get back up on a vertical base and prevent it.
[Corey] He may not need to. Anyone of those knees from Aries
might turn Nakamura's lights out.
[grunts]
[moans]
[Tom] Just trying to out-muscle Nakamura.
Nakamura might be out.
Nakamura outside the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Look at Austin Aries!
Aries through the ropes!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting]
[Tom] Aries slides back into the ring to pin Nakamura for the first time on NXT.
Two and a half.
[Corey] It has been all Austin Aries to this point.
Take a look at this.
Aries, full head of steam.
Watch him dislodge the barricade…
-Yeah. -…with Nakamura's spine.
[Tom] One more look at this. Full head of steam.
Man, that thing buckled.
[Corey] Aries knows what it takes to beat the King of Strong Style.
Does he have it in him?
[crowd booing]
[Tom] Oh, look at this.
-Look at Nakamura! -[Corey] Nakamura…
He's going for the triangle! He's got it locked in!
[Tom] Nakamura into the triangle!
Center of the ring!
Austin Aries trying to reach out for the bottom rope.
-And he does, with the leg. -[Corey] He got it!
[referee] One, two, three!
[crowd murmuring]
[Corey] Aries was in that hold for 10 to 15 seconds.
A lot of damage could have been done.
-[Nakamura growls] -[Corey] Oh, man!
-[growls] -[Tom] Oh, those vicious knees!
To the back of the neck.
[crowd chatter]
[Nakamura growls fiercely]
-[Tom] Oh, Nakamura! -[crowd gasps and cheers]
-[Corey] Uh-oh… -[crowd cheering]
We know what he's thinking.
Could it be…
[Tom] Oh, he was looking for the Kinshasa!
Once again to the left leg!
-[Corey] Ow! -[Tom] Oh!
Nasty landing for Nakamura.
Aries going for the Last Chancery. He's got it locked in!
Got it! Got it on Nakamura!
Nakamura in the middle of the ring!
[crowd cheering]
Nakamura has got nowhere to go.
Is he going to tap out to the Last Chancery?
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Aries has it bridged.
Can Nakamura hang on or will he just pass out?
Will he tap out?
Austin Aries has that bridge in deep.
[crowd clapping]
[Tom] Too far from those ropes. He's trying to use his leg.
Nakamura's trying to drag himself to the bottom rope.
And look at Austin Aries adjust.
[Corey] Trying to get his chin in between the forearm…
-And there it is. -…to break the hold, the pressure of it.
That slight height advantage by Nakamura comes into play.
That may have just saved the match.
[crowd chanting] Nakamura! Austin Aries!
[crowd continues chanting]
[Corey] Oh, what a kick by Nakamura!
Oh!
[Tom] Aries from the second rope… sends Nakamura for a ride.
[Corey] Austin Aries has had an answer for everything
the King of Strong Style has had tonight.
[growls]
[Tom] Aries with the dropkick!
Nakamura is down flat on his back.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] Oh, look at this. We've seen Austin Aries do this before.
He's taking a high risk. That's what he's all about.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Top rope, he's thinking about it.
Looking for the 450… and he missed!
[Corey] He rolled through.
[both grunting]
[Tom] Uh-oh.
[crowd clamoring]
-[Tom] Caught again! -[groans]
-[clap] -[Tom] A great counter by Austin Aries!
[Corey] Aries able to escape just in time. That ear clap will disorient anybody.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Tom] Trying to muscle Nakamura out onto the apron now.
[yells indistinctly]
[referee] Inside in the ring!
[crowd booing]
Hey, listen up!
-[crowd yelling] -[referee] Inside the ring!
-[crowd jeering] -Get over here!
-[Aries groans] -[crowd cheers]
-[crowd exclaims] -[Corey and Tom] Oh!
[Corey] Enzuigiri by Nakamura on the apron,
but Aries is still somehow able to hang on.
[Tom] You can hear that throughout Full Sail Live.
[growling]
[Tom] Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
-[crowd gasps] -[Corey] Oh my god!
[Tom] The hardest part of the ring, and Nakamura's neck went crashing into it.
[crowd chanting] Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
[Corey] The referee checking on Nakamura. I can't believe he's moving.
One!
[Tom] Nakamura has until the count of 10 to get back into the ring.
-Three! -Count of three now.
-For the King of Strong Style. -Four!
[Corey] Aries with that Death Valley driver on the apron.
There is absolutely no give in that solid steel out there.
[Tom] Count of six.
-[referee] Seven! -[Tom] Nakamura trying to gather himself.
Look at Aries!
-Aries… Oh! -[crowd yelling]
[Corey] Aries about knocked himself out on the guardrail.
Nakamura able to get out of the way.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] Austin Aries crashed and burned into the steel guardrail.
Nakamura on that second rope.
-[crowd cheering] -[Tom] Kinshasa!
-That was the prelude, Tom. -[Tom laughs]
[Corey] Here comes the Reverse Exploder!
If you're going to do it, do it right.
-[Tom] Hit it! -It's that time!
The King of Strong Style…
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Kinshasa!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
-[crowd cheering] -[epic music playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Corey] What a match, a dream match that lived up to the hype.
Austin Aries brought his A game,
but one tiny mistake,
one miscalculation, one error
lead to his downfall at the hands of Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Tom] Let's take a look.
This was a match to find out who is the greatest here on NXT.
A near Last Chancery here for a moment.
It was Austin Aries who had to transition,
and we saw Nakamura break free.
-But watch this. -[Corey] Look. Death Valley driver.
Neck first onto that ring apron.
I can't believe the match didn't end right there.
But that's how much being the best means to both these guys…
[crowd yelling]
Nakamura able to stay for the last second.
[Tom] And that was plain nasty, Austin Aries crashed and burned…
-[Corey] Want to try this again, Tom? -[Tom laughs] Kinshasa!
I got so excited, man.
-That was incredible. -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Talk about a dream match here on NXT.
[crowd cheering and clapping]
[epic music continues]
[Tom chuckles] I mean, what can I say? Long live the King of Strong Style.
[Corey] I am exhausted. I can only imagine how these two feel.
And all I did was talk about it. What a match.
[Tom] Oh, my gosh. Are you surprised by the outcome at all?
Absolutely not. I wouldn't have been surprised either way.
Those are two world class athletes. Great job by both of them.
Tonight, Nakamura was superior.
Well, we've talked about dream matches here on NXT.
What about a dream scenario?
That's what NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn was last year.
A part of SummerSlam Weekend.
We want to let you know, it starts all over again.
Coming up this Saturday at noon,
tickets go on sale for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn.
You were at the first one.
-What was it like? -One of the coolest nights in my life.
The energy in that building was like nothing I've ever experienced.
I cannot wait to head back to Brooklyn and do it again.
I hope we bring this energy and we have dream matches
like the one we just saw.
But we have still so much more to come here tonight.
NXT TakeOver: The End.
Shinsuke Nakamura.
Got to give a lot of credit
for what the King of Strong Style did here tonight.
[epic music continues]
But, Graves, we are gearing up for our main event still to come.
A steel cage match for the NXT title.
[Corey] That's what it's all about.
There is the man to beat.
Samoa Joe, the NXT champion,
looking cool, calm, and collected as he prepares for the cage.
[Tom] However, coming up next, here on NXT TakeOver: The End,
we will see the NXT Women's Championship defended.
Nia Jax bullied her way to this opportunity,
but Asuka's path to the championship culminated two months ago in Dallas.
[heavy metal music playing]
[announcer] The Empress of Tomorrow has taken her throne
atop the NXT Women's division.
[commentator] Bayley passed out at the hands of the Asuka Lock.
[announcer] Asuka is the new NXT Women's Champion.
[yells indistinctly]
["Karate" by Babymetal playing]
[commentator] Six months plus in NXT and remains undefeated.
[music fades out]
Bayley, tonight you face Nia Jax. What's your mentality going in?
[suspenseful music]
I'm going to prove that you can't just bully your way
into getting what you want.
And once Nia's out of the way,
I can get back to my focus,
and that is to become the NXT Women's Champion once again.
[epic music playing]
[commentator] Bayley going right after Nia.
Nia has evolved. This isn't the same girl that Bayley faced in London.
-Oh! -Oh, man!
Nia Jax has been imposing her will on Bayley throughout this match.
Look at Bayley clutching at her left knee, it looks like.
The amount of damage that Nia Jax has dealt out,
Bayley is starting to feel the effects.
Nia's not done yet.
Oh, with a leg drop!
-[bell rings] -That is gonna do it.
Nia Jax has defeated Bayley.
[gloomy music playing]
I had planned on having Bayley challenge Asuka
for the NXT Women's Championship at TakeOver.
Unfortunately, our medical stuff has advised me
that Bayley is not fit to compete at this time.
[rock music playing]
[commentator] Nia Jax has managed to put the entire Women's division on notice.
-Leg drop from Nia Jax! -Game over.
Nia Jax has gotten herself a championship match.
Nia Jax is out there having fun, she's got a million-dollar smile,
and she's as dangerous as the day is long.
Who can stop Nia Jax?
♪ Lucky for me I'm not like most girls ♪
[epic music playing]
[commentator] Speak of the devil.
For months now, everyone has been running scared from you.
Why?
You beat Bayley?
I broke Bayley.
Just like I'm gonna break you.
[commentator] Absolutely no fear shown by Nia Jax.
[Asuka] If you're not scared of me…
I'm gonna drop you where you stand.
…you should be.
-[crowd roaring] -[speaks Japanese]
[commentator] Uh-oh…
Asuka! Asuka going after Nia Jax!
[crowd cheering]
[commentator, echoing] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Oh my God!
[music fades]
[Nia, muffled] You're looking at the next NXT Women's Champion.
[muffled] ♪ Lucky for me I'm not like most girls ♪
[tense music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Nia Jax's theme song playing]
♪ I'm not like most girls Who only take just what they're given ♪
[Tom] This maybe one of the most intelligent and ruthless paths
to a championship match we've seen on NXT.
Nia Jax defeated Bayley three weeks ago,
injuring Bayley in the process.
Bayley was not medically cleared to take her contractual rematch tonight,
so Nia claimed the number one contender's opportunity
in a Triple Threat match.
Take a look at this. This was earlier on today.
From the former NXT Women's Champion, Bayley,
we saw her offering a handshake to Asuka earlier on tonight.
Bayley twitting, "Disappointed, but very curious about this match."
[Corey] It's understandable she's disappointed.
She thinks she should have her opportunity to regain the Women's Championship.
That said, she better be paying very close attention,
because in my opinion, that woman right there, Nia Jax,
walks out of here with the championship.
[crowd cheering]
[Asuka's theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ From far and wide And light years away ♪
♪ Cast from the shadows Now light my way ♪
[Tom] Tonight has been all about beginnings and endings.
Asuka's championship reign has only just begun.
A stellar win in Dallas,
an unblemished record since her debut in October of last year,
but will Asuka's time as champion continue to blossom tonight?
You say no, but a lot of members of the WWE universe
think that Asuka's an unstoppable force.
[Corey] They're not as intelligent as I am.
You know what else happened in Dallas the night she became champion?
American Alpha became Tag Team Champions.
And you know what just happened about 15 minutes ago?
They lost.
[Tom] It could be very well the end of the beginning for Asuka here tonight.
However, you cannot tarnish an unbeaten record since October.
[Corey] I completely agree. I'm not downplaying the ability of Asuka.
She's incredible to watch. I enjoy watching her.
I just don't think she has ever been in the ring
with anybody quite as dangerous as Nia Jax.
And look in the eyes of Nia.
No fear.
[music fades out]
[crowd chatter]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
It's for the NXT Women's Championship!
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Introducing the challenger.
From San Diego, California…
[crowd cheering and booing]
…Nia Jax!
[crowd cheering and booing]
And her opponent.
From Osaka, Japan,
she is the NXT Women's Champion,
Asuka!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Asuka! Asuka! Asuka! Asuka!
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] And that is what this is all about, the NXT Women's Championship.
[crowd chanting]
[bell rings]
[Tom] Use #womenschampionship on social media
when talking about this matchup.
Here we go, Nia Jax and Asuka.
Right out of the gate, Asuka trying to go right after the midsection,
right after the legs now of Nia Jax.
[Corey] I assure you that Nia is a bit…
Asuka has a strong game plan in place.
Whether or not she can execute is the question.
[Tom] You're absolutely right. Nia Jax, a completely different competitor
since her first championship matchup in London.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] And a slap right across the face.
-Oh, look at that kick. -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Yeah. I said there was no fear in the eyes of Nia Jax,
-but Asuka is straight up taunting Nia. -No fear in the eyes of Asuka either.
[crowd chatter]
[Asuka grunts]
Now Nia early on trying to enjoy the power advantage over Asuka,
just too quick.
Wrenching at the left arm-- A big head butt by Nia Jax.
[referee] Watch the hair, come on. Nia, watch the hair.
[Nia shouts]
[Corey] Oh my God!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Nia Jax just threw Asuka almost into the first row.
[Tom] She just threw the Women's Champion halfway across the ring.
Asuka's in for a fight and she knows it.
[crowd cheering for Nia]
Look at the face of Asuka. Is that doubt?
I don't think I've ever seen doubt in a champion's face.
[Tom] I don't think that's doubt. She's finding a new game plan.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Oh! Right into the top turnbuckle.
…two, three!
[Corey] Asuka better find a new game plan quicker,
or she's gonna end up broken like Bayley.
-[Nia] Huh? Here's the champion. Huh? -[referee] Watch the hair.
Come on, Nia. One, two, three!
[Tom] That forearm right across the face of Asuka.
[Corey] Nasty. That's not gonna win you any matches, that just hurts.
[Tom] Watch this again here.
Right across the ring!
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Now Asuka trying to unload all those kicks for a moment,
now on the back of Nia Jax.
[Corey] She's got it locked in, she's got a submission.
[Tom] Got a hold on Nia Jax here. Nia Jax a long way from any sort of help.
[Corey] But look at the core strength of Nia. Wow!
Able to whip Asuka right on with that…
-Oh! -…submission.
[crowd cheering for Asuka]
[Tom] Right to the midsection and now caught up…
-Ow! -…by Nia.
And what a big backbreaker for the championship, pressing down,
and Asuka kicked out at two!
[Nia] Huh?
[Corey] Everything that Nia Jax has done so far
is just to hurt Asuka.
Even the cover, just a plain double slap into the cover.
[Tom] We got to take notice.
It's been a while since we've seen a two count on Asuka.
[Corey] I don't know if I've ever seen Asuka put in this sort of position.
[crowd] Let's go, Asuka! Let's go Nia! Let's go, Asuka! Let's go Nia!
[Tom] Oh, look at this. Rubbing at the face.
Rubbing that paint across the face of Asuka.
Just plain disrespect.
[Corey] Back to the point I made earlier, Nia Jax is not only physically,
but psychologically breaking down Asuka right now.
-[Nia grunts] -Oh!
[Nia grunts]
[Tom] And again, right to the back.
Now, Nia Jax is trying to bend the back of Asuka.
[crowd clapping]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] These strikes from Asuka, able to escape.
-She's got that guillotine! -Whoa, whoa, whoa.
So many other women trying to go after Nia Jax
has paid off in the past for superstars like Bayley.
-[Corey] Not this time! -[Tom] Whoa!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] What raw power on display.
[Tom] Another cover, hook to the leg.
All the pressure on Asuka, and she kicked out.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] There has never been a woman like this in NXT, Tom.
Hey, come on knock it off.
Huh, champ, huh?
[crowd booing]
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
Watch the hair, hey. Knock it off.
[Corey] Asuka is a world class competitor.
She's still fighting, but she's been absolutely manhandled.
[Tom] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Trying to bring Nia Jax down again.
Look at the nimbleness here of Nia, only she got caught.
[crowd cheering]
-[Corey] Looks like she's got a triangle. -Yes.
[Corey] She has all of it. She can't get that foot behind her knee.
-[Tom] But Nia Jax gonna use her legs. -Look at the power!
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Using those powerful legs, dropping Asuka in the corner.
[Corey] I don't care how skilled you are in submissions,
raw power will always dominate.
[Tom] Oh!
[crowd chatter]
[thud]
[referee] Stop this.
Hey! No!
[Corey] Oh, look at this.
[referee] Hey! No!
-[Corey] Look at Nia Jax. -[crowd shouting]
-Just bending the spine of the champion. -[referee] Knock it off!
[Tom] Using the steel post outside the ring.
The only way that championship could change hands
is via pinfall or submission.
Nia Jax back into the ring before the count of ten.
[Corey] Those kicks had absolutely no effect on Nia.
[Asuka growls]
[Tom] Oh, and again, now caught up in a bear hug.
Come on, stop it.
-[Nia screams] -[referee speaks indistinctly]
[Tom] This has been a very focused attack by Nia.
She's going after the small of the back of Asuka throughout much of this match.
[Corey] This is an absolutely brilliant plan and execution by Nia Jax.
I don't think anyone expected her game to be this on right now.
[Tom] Whoa!
Asuka was trying to find an opening, trying to flip over Nia Jax.
-But Nia just too strong. -[Corey] Asuka goes for that knee bar!
[crowd roars]
[Tom] This is such an end, this has [indistinct] for a moment,
but Nia Jax still has one knee free.
[Corey] This is the first time we've seen Nia in jeopardy.
Can the champ capitalize?
[Tom] And Nia reaches out for the second rope.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] That back has taken a ton of punishment for Asuka.
Oh!
[Corey] What a kick.
[Asuka yelps]
[Corey] But Nia only down to one knee. She never lets go of Asuka.
That's brilliant.
[Asuka growls]
[Nia screams]
-[Tom] Oh! -[Corey] That's it!
Planted.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Now Nia picking up the momentum.
Look at the leg drop! She missed.
Asuka rallies!
[Corey] It was a last-ditch effort. Did she have anything left?
[Tom] For the first time,
Asuka and Nia Jax both on the same playing field.
But look at how quickly Nia Jax is back up here.
[Corey] Not for long. Asuka, able to execute that sliding knee,
but it only kept Nia down for a moment.
-[referee] Knock it off. -[Nia yells indistinctly]
[crowd booing]
[Tom] Oh!
A shot to the right arm there. Asuka preventing the strike.
[Corey] And Nia better be careful. Asuka is so dangerous.
-You can't give her any opportunity! -Case in point.
[crowd cheering]
Missile dropkick out of the corner for the NXT Women's Champion!
-Oh! -Oh my God. Backhands from the champ.
[Tom] Perhaps the most dangerous part of Asuka's game, the slides!
There's the hip attack! She's got a chance here against Nia,
to put away Jax… No.
Jax powering out with authority.
[Corey] How much does Asuka have left?
She's exuding every last drop of energy with these last attacks.
[crowd chanting]
[Asuka yells indistinctly]
-[Tom] Uh-oh. Oh! -[Corey] Oh my God!
Asuka was trying to summon that fighting spirit
and Nia Jax just powerbombed it out of her.
[Tom] Another cover, this time to win the NXT Women's Championship. No!
-Look at Asuka! -[Corey] She's got the armbar!
Where does this come from?
So dangerous.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Asuka, so quick and dangerous… Oh, look at this!
[Corey] She's got that armbar, fully extended.
Is Nia Jax gonna tap out?
[Tom] Is Nia Jax gonna submit to the NXT Women's Champion?
[Corey] Just too strong, too strong.
Into the…
She's looking for the Asuka Lock. I don't think she has it in.
[Tom] Now up on the back of Nia Jax… -I don't think she has it all.
…she's trying to bring Nia Jax down to the ground.
-Oh! -[Corey] Oh!
Valid? Maybe not.
[Tom] Oh! And another strike!
[Corey] Jax is down to one knee.
The champ summoning what she needs to keep her champion--
[Tom] Nia Jax, a third strike to the side of the face!
And a fourth!
Asuka to put away the challenger.
-And Asuka retains her title! -[bell rings]
-[crowd cheering] -[Asuka's theme song playing]
[accouncer] Here is your winner and still the NXT Women's Champion,
Asuka!
[Tom] You keep chopping, chopping, and you find a way to win.
That was what Asuka did in this match.
[Corey] That was absolutely unbelievable.
-I had my doubts. I've said it proudly. -[Tom] You picked Nia.
[Corey] I thought Nia was leaving Full Sail tonight
with that Women's Championship.
But, man, Asuka earned every bit of that victory.
[Tom] This is a completely different Nia Jax tonight.
Much more vicious. The powerbomb here on Asuka.
For a moment there we thought that was the end of the Women's Champion's reign.
Look at Nia!
[Corey] A fighting spirit of her own.
Just wasn't quite enough to dethrone the empress tonight.
-[Tom] Asuka pinning Nia Jax. -[bell rings]
[Tom] Here on NXT TakeOver: The End.
[Asuka's theme song playing]
[Tom] Asuka remains your NXT Women's Champion.
[song continues playing]
[song fades out]
[narrator] In WWE Breaking Ground, we experience the journey…
-Let's go, get up! -One more. Straight away. Now!
…that dreams are made of.
But where are these new faces of NXT?
Now…
WWE Network presents WWE Breaking Ground: Reloaded.
An hour long special that follows these stars
to the biggest event in sports entertainment.
[man 1] We leave our own mark on a historic weekend!
[man 2] It's like seeing the last three years flash before my eyes.
This match is the greatest night of my career and of my life.
-For some… -There will be callouts.
…their dreams are coming true.
Thank you so much. Thank you.
For others, the grind continues.
Witness the next chapter.
[woman] This is where I need to be. Where I want to be.
In a one hour special event.
Next WrestleMania, I will be there.
Breaking Ground: Reloaded.
Tonight, immediately following NXT TakeOver: The End.
Only on WWE Network.
[rock music playing]
[Tom] It has been an incredible night so far.
[Corey] And still more to come, but we want to send a special thank you
to a Day to Remember for their song "Paranoia."
One of the official themes of NXT TakeOver.
You can get it right now on iTunes and Spotify.
[Tom] And we want to let you know a special note.
Exclusively after NXT TakeOver: The End ends,
you can get involved in Facebook Live
in an exclusive interview with Triple H, "The Game,"
joined by Cathy Kelley.
I can't wait to hear what The Game thinks,
but right now, we want to turn our attention
to something that happened earlier today.
Our broadcast colleague, Andrea D'Marco,
caught up with our General Manager, Mr. William Regal.
Mr. Regal, you must be so excited for tonight's NXT historic TakeOver,
especially you overseeing it all happen.
Yes. I mean, excitement doesn't do it justice.
Tonight is the first time that the NXT Championship
will be defended inside the steel cage here at Full Sail.
And that's another splendid thing, to be back here.
The first TakeOver of the year at Full Sail. This is our home.
And you know the rivalry between Samoa Joe and Finn Balor.
It's come to a head, so this is the only way to--
[door closes]
You'll have to excuse me. Thank you very much indeed.
[crowd chatter]
-[scoffs] -Bobby Roode.
[Tom laughs]
I mean, I wonder if the COO will talk about this on Facebook Live.
Wow… [laughs] What a night it's been here at NXT TakeOver: The End.
And we are getting set now for our main event.
We are witnessing history!
NXT's first-ever steel cage match.
Samoa Joe defends his NXT title
against the longest-reigning champion in our history, Finn Balor.
[rock music playing]
[announcer] The NXT!
[Tom] And Graves, there is the structure for the first time ever here on NXT.
Two tons of steel,
fifteen feet from the top of the cage to the floor of the arena.
[Corey] Two men who can't stand each other
are going to settle it in the rawest form of combat
inside that cage.
[Tom] Right now, we want to take a special look at a rivalry
that has spanned all over the globe
pertaining to the man that is possessed with the NXT Championship, Finn Balor.
[rock music stops]
[dramatic music playing]
[Tom] Finn Balor has been the NXT Champion for 292 days.
[Balor] Anybody that knows who I am
knows that I am obsessed with NXT,
and I am obsessed with being NXT Champion.
[Samoa Joe] It is a new era.
What stands before you is a man who keeps his word.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] One, two, three!
[crowd roaring]
[Tom] A new NXT Champion has been crowned.
Finn Balor defeated at the hands of Samoa Joe.
[tense music playing]
-[music fades out] -[man] Finn Balor will rise again.
[Balor] Now I'm possessed, possessed like a demon stalking his prey.
-[dramatic music playing] -Possessed.
Going after what belongs to me.
[commentator] This will not break down into chaos at TakeOver!
[indistinct yelling]
[commentator] There will be a rematch for the NXT Championship.
Inside a steel cage.
-[crowd roaring] -["Paranoia" by A Day To Remember playing]
[man] Inside that cage, there are no excuses, only instincts.
[Samoa Joe] It'll just be you, Finn Balor, trapped inside with the monster.
And there will be no one who can stop me.
♪ You can't run, you can't hide ♪
♪ I'll be there When you close your eyes at night ♪
[Balor] I know what to expect from Samoa Joe.
But nobody knows what Finn Balor is capable of.
♪ My time is wearing thin ♪
♪ I'm like a time bomb Ticking in your head ♪
♪ Paranoia clouding your judgement ♪
♪ And no matter what you do About it, 'bout it, 'bout it ♪
[Samoa Joe] The reign of Samoa Joe has only just begun,
and at TakeOver…
I guarantee you will witness…
…the end of Finn Balor.
[Balor] …the end of Samoa Joe.
[song ends]
[Corey] Take a look right there. It's the man that gravity forgot.
Former NXT Champion, my old tag team partner, Neville.
[Tom] Oh, he loves you.
Two time NXT Tag Team Champion,
he was at one point the longest-reigning NXT Champion in history.
Competed in the first main event at NXT Arrival,
our very first ladder match.
Tonight, we get our very first steel cage match.
[crowd cheering]
[slow pulsing rhythm]
[crowd continues cheering]
[electric guitar playing]
[pulsing rhythm accelerates]
[electric guitar intensifies]
[music holds]
[crowd shouting]
-[Finn Balor's theme song playing] -[crowd roaring]
[crowd buzzing]
[Finn Balor's theme song continues playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Finn Balor's theme song continues playing]
[crowd cheering]
[music fades out]
[Corey] The Demon has never been locked inside of a steel cage before.
Let's see what he's capable of.
[crowd cheering]
[Samoa Joe's theme song playing]
[Corey] This man has been inside of a steel cage numerous times
and he's dominated each and every one of them.
[Tom] On April 21st in Lowell, Massachusetts,
Samoa Joe finally captured what had eluded him since December.
Winning the NXT Championship from Finn in stunning fashion.
Since accomplishing this feat, Joe has stated, and quote,
"Balor goes to the back of the line, like everybody else."
Well, now Finn gets his rematch
inside NXT's first-ever steel cage.
The only way to win,
escape through the roof of the cage,
through the door,
pinfall, or submission.
[Corey] There's no roof on that cage. Look at Samoa Joe.
He just slammed himself in the cage.
That's how confident he is. That's how comfortable he is.
Demon or no demon.
[crowd cheering]
[Samoa Joe's theme song continues playing]
[music fades out]
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is a steel cage match…
[crowd roaring]
…for the NXT Championship!
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] The only ways to win are by pinfall, submission,
or by climbing out of the cage with both feet on the floor.
[crowd chatter]
[announcer] Introducing the challenger.
From Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland,
weighing 190 pounds,
Finn Balor!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting rhythmically]
[announcer] And his opponent.
-From Huntington Beach, California… -[crowd booing]
…weighing in at 282 pounds,
he is the NXT Champion,
Samoa Joe!
[crowd booing and cheering]
[crowd chanting rhythmically]
[Corey] We are about to witness history.
Two warriors,
one of them a demon, the other one a monster,
doing battles at the gates of hell for that right there,
the NXT Championship.
[crowd chanting]
[bell rings]
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] And here we go, #steelcage.
Samoa Joe one-on-one with Finn Balor.
[crowd chanting]
This will be the fourth time these two have squared off for the championship.
Our general manager, Mr. William Regal,
implying the stipulation of the steel cage match.
These two have gotten absolutely out of control all over the country,
all out of the world, all over the world.
This is… [indistinct].
And look at Joe already going for the door!
[Corey] Why not?
All Joe has to do is walk out that door and he leaves NXT Champion.
That's a brilliant strategy.
[grunts]
[Corey] These two know each other so well.
They've battled many times, it's so personal.
This thing could go either way.
[Tom] Finn using one of the posts of the cage,
trying to get his bearings early on in his first steel cage match.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chatter]
[growling]
[Tom] Oh, now, Joe trying to block here.
[crowd chatter]
Trying to back up Finn Balor into the corner.
Graves, you've been in a steel cage match.
What's the strategy got to be for Finn Balor early on here?
[Corey] There's no champion's advantage for Samoa Joe.
-Samoa Joe has to be very careful. -[crowd gasps]
He can't get himself counted out and disqualified like a normal match.
He needs a game plan.
[Tom] Look at how close Balor is to the door.
The referee is opening the door for a moment.
[Corey] Finn will have to use his speed, Joe will have to rely on his strength.
[crowd chanting]
[Corey] It all comes down to strategy.
These guys know each other so intimately,
their offense, their defense comes down to who's gonna make the first mistake.
[Tom] Oh, and a big forearm by Finn Balor!
-[slap] -[Joe groans]
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] And now Finn drops Samoa Joe!
[crowd clapping]
[crowd cheering enthusiastically]
-[slap] -[crowd gasps]
[Tom] And now Joe, once again, into the near corner by the door.
The referee once again locking the door. Samoa Joe whipped into the corner.
And Finn Balor lighting up the chest!
[Corey] Brutal knife-edge chops by Balor.
[Tom] And again, Joe continues to try and find some haven
here in this near quarter.
Oh, and a shot right on the ear!
[loud thud]
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] Neck first on the way down.
What's Balor waiting for?
He needs to escape. That's all the strategy you need.
[Tom] He might be thinking about it. Now, he's going up to the top of the cage.
Trying to go over the top.
Both feet have to touch the floor to win the match.
Now Joe-- Oh, Joe, dragging him back inside the center of the cage.
Oh my God!
[Corey] I knew it wouldn't be long until we saw that cage used as a weapon.
And Samoa Joe firing the first shot.
[Tom] What does it feel like when your body goes down that steel cage?
[Corey] That steel, it won't just break your body,
it won't just tear your flesh, it'll crush your spirit.
[Tom] Oh, and again, another one to Finn!
[referee] Finn, you all right?
[crowd chatter]
[groans]
[Tom] Now Samoa Joe's got Finn Balor exactly where he wants him,
just measuring the challenger.
[crowd chatter]
[yelps]
-[growls] -[groans]
-[crowd gasps] -[Tom] Enzuigiri in the corner!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Balor may be out long enough for Joe to make an escape.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] That's what Samoa Joe said, "You're trapped in here
with a 100% straight monster."
There is a part of Samoa Joe
that wants to inflict punishment, damage.
There is malice, you said it earlier, between these two.
[Corey] It started over the NXT Championship
and it has devolved into a personal grudge.
These guys can't stand the sight of one another.
They're looking to end each other right now.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] The boot right across the face of The Demon
on that corner from Samoa Joe.
[Corey] Joe just looking to scrape that paint off of Balor's face.
Sending a message, "I don't care about The Demon."
-Oh! -[Tom] Oh, and he connected!
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] Good thing Balor has got those teeth painted on
because I think Joe might've kicked a few of the real ones out.
[grunts]
[Tom] Now Joe into a cover for a pinfall. Finn Balor out at two.
[Corey] Let's take another look. Full head of steam.
And the right foot of Samoa Joe right to the side of the skull of Balor.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Joe saw through the attack there, it's brutal,
and right into steel cage,
right after he connected with the jaw of Finn Balor.
Look at Finn trying to fight.
[Corey] Still a lot of fight left in Balor.
He's not gonna go out without the fight of his life.
[Tom] But again launched into the cage!
[Corey] That raw power of Samoa Joe
will stop Balor dead in his tracks every time.
[crowd chatter]
This is it.
Signaling for the referee to open the door.
Trying to open the door, Samoa Joe's trying to exit the cage.
[Corey] Balor hanging on for dear life.
[Tom] Finn Balor holding on to the right leg,
trying to prevent Samoa Joe from getting outside the cage.
And Finn Balor backing out of the corner.
-[Corey] Careful, Finn might make it out. -Finn! Finn on--
He's halfway out the door!
[Tom] Finn on top of the stairs, trying to drag himself out.
Trying to grab on anything that'll help him out.
But again, only the feet have to hit the floor
for you to win the match.
[Corey] Samoa Joe with that vice-like grip on the ankle of Balor,
not ready to let this end that way.
-[Tom] And again, the door is closed. -Oh my God!
[Tom] German suplex from Joe.
Joe again now to retain the championship by pinfall,
and the shoulder up.
[Corey] Did you see the angle? Take another look.
Balor goes for the big right hand.
Joe, high-angle German
right on the back of the neck, top of the shoulders.
I can't believe Balor is able to kick out.
[crowd chatter]
The champ now looking to make an exit.
[Tom] Now, look at Joe. Trying to climb over the top of the cage.
Finn Balor between him and the door.
Now trying to climb the cage. Finn Balor again, holding on to the leg.
282-pounder all the way up there.
[Corey] Balor with those chops to the back of the knee of Joe.
This is unfamiliar territory for the champion right now.
[Tom] Oh, right into the steel.
Both men up here on the top of the cage, and both men crashed down!
[Corey] Good God.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] Balor coming down between the cage and the ring ropes.
That desperate enzuigiri by Samoa Joe.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] It looked like Finn Balor got the better of the offensive strike
on top of the ropes, but took the nastier fall.
Joe sees that. Now into the cover, and powering out is Finn Balor.
All of this for the NXT Championship.
-[slap] -[crowd gasps]
[Corey] Those chops of Samoa Joe are so dangerous, so lethal,
they'll knock the wind right out of you.
[crowd booing]
[Tom] Now, Joe-- Oh, Joe sent into the steel!
[Corey] Finn Balor might've bought himself some valuable time there.
[crowd cheering]
Samoa Joe with a head of steam,
Finn able to get out of the way just in time, but can he capitalize?
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Now Finn again, pinned between the ropes!
Joe's got nowhere to go.
[Corey] And again, here comes Balor, another one of those strikes.
[Tom] And again, back into the steel goes the NXT Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Balor screams]
[Tom] Oh! And Joe let Finn go face first into the steel.
[Corey] Coquina Clutch!
[Tom] But again, the rope trap might've saved Finn Balor.
Now Finn, again, picking up momentum into the steel!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Samoa Joe just holding himself up on that top rope,
between that and the cage, holding his body weight up.
It's a golden opportunity for Balor.
[Tom] Finn Balor is gonna climb on top of the NXT Champion to escape,
trying to escape the cage.
Samoa Joe holding on to the leg, trying to drag Finn back into the ring.
[crowd cheering]
-[Tom and Corey] Oh! -[crowd gasps]
-[Corey] That's it. Joe-- -[Tom] Oh, no!
[Corey] What a kick! I can't believe Samoa Joe is conscious after that.
But unfortunately for Balor,
when Joe went down, so did The Demon.
[crowd chatter]
Joe might be out.
[Tom] I don't think he is conscious. Watch this.
[Corey] Take a look at this kick.
Right on the chin of Samoa Joe.
There you see it, that's one place every man is vulnerable.
[Tom] It looked like all that dead weight of Samoa Joe collapsing on the top rope,
it worked out for him.
[Corey] That was luck. Champion's luck, if there is such a thing.
[crowd exclaims]
-[Tom] Right there. -Because Joe went goodnight.
And Balor, just straight up bad luck.
[Tom] Oh, no! Planted!
Planted by Samoa Joe!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] I thought Joe was out cold.
-[Tom] Oh, wait. No, no, no, this is… -[Corey] This is it.
…what won him the NXT Championship in Lowell,
one of the muscle busters-- Cover by Finn. No.
Oh, and a big right forearm.
[grunting]
[groans]
[Tom] Now both men trading shots.
Pelé kick floors the champion!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] These two warriors trading everything they have back and forth.
Forearms, chops.
That kick of Balor able to even the playing field, if momentarily.
[crowd chanting]
[Tom] Balor trying to get himself up to a vertical base here on the corner,
far corner, opposite of the door.
Now trying to climb here up to the top turnbuckle.
And Samoa Joe is gonna get pursued.
[groaning]
[Tom] Both these men towards the top of the cage.
[both grunting]
[Corey] Oh my gosh, listen to these shots. These are inhuman.
[Tom] Very high-risk situation for both men along the cage.
-[Corey] Sling blade! -Sling blade!
[Corey] Oh, my god! Sling blade off the top rope by Finn Balor!
[Tom] Look at where Finn is.
If Finn could turn around and get himself to the cage door--
I don't think he realized how close he was.
[Tom] He wants the pin fall! No.
[Corey] I don't think Finn realized how close he is,
he's caught up in the moment.
[Tom] And another sling blade!
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] Then all caught. Oh, and a senton!
[Corey] Finn Balor may have missed his golden opportunity,
but the champ looking for what won the thing, muscle buster!
-[Tom] Got it! -[Corey] That's it!
[Tom] To pin the challenger, Finn Balor--
Finn Balor kicked out!
Finn Balor kicked out of the muscle buster.
[Corey] And a look of shock and disbelief in the eyes of Samoa Joe.
That's the very maneuver that won Samoa Joe
the championship in Lowell, Massachusetts,
the muscle buster in the center of the ring,
and somehow, The Demon able to summon just enough to kick out.
[crowd chatter]
But is there anything left in Finn Balor? He hasn't moved.
I'm going to end you!
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Samoa Joe screaming, "I'm going to end you."
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Looking to end any more chances for Finn Balor inside the cage.
[Balor yelps repeatedly]
This isn't about chances anymore, Tom. This is about ending Finn Balor, the man.
Samoa Joe wants to do maximum damage.
[Tom] Uh-oh. He's about to go into the steel cage,
they're in bad position-- Oh, and there goes Joe, face first!
And a second time!
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] Finn with another sling blade!
And Finn sending Samoa Joe into the corner!
[Corey] But the champion did not go down.
[Tom] The champion, now he's down.
[Corey] That one did the trick. Can Balor capitalize?
[Tom] Now a golden opportunity for Finn Balor.
[Corey] The champ is down, The Demon is ascending.
[Tom] The Demon is not trying to escape, however.
Coup de grâce!
-Coup de grâce to pin the champion! -One, two…
[Tom] Samoa Joe out of two!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Samoa Joe, somehow with enough left in the tank
to survive a coup de grâce.
[crowd cheering wildly]
[Samoa Joe moaning]
[crowd cheering]
What do you think could be going on in the mind of The Demon, Tom?
[Tom] Bad intentions.
Looking to set him up for 1916, perhaps.
-[Corey] Coquina Clutch! -There it is!
-Can he lock it in on Finn? -It's in.
[Corey] The Demon could be breathing his last breath
right now in the center of that ring.
[Tom] Finn Balor is wilting, wilting at the hands of the NXT Champion.
Now he's back up to a vertical base.
[crowd chatter]
Oh, look at this, great counter.
Oh, shades of Dallas!
[Corey] I don't know how much of it he got.
He didn't get all of that double stomp.
Enough to buy himself some time, but Balor's got to do more.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Uh-oh.
[crowd chanting]
Finn's realizing his opportunity here.
The NXT Universe trying to will him on.
They've been chanting, "Up, up, up!"
[Corey] You got to go up to go over, he needs to get out of the cage.
[Tom] And Samoa Joe knows that, again, grabbing on to the leg.
Joe not going anywhere. Now Joe is down!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] What are you waiting for, Finn? Climb the cage!
[Tom] Finn Balor with perhaps his best opportunity.
-[Corey] We're gonna have a new champion. -Top of the cage!
He just needs to get those feet down on the ground.
[Tom] There's the hand of Samoa Joe, look at that!
Samoa Joe trying to wrench Finn Balor off the top of the cage.
-Samoa Joe literally grasping his title. -[Tom] Finn's outside!
Finn's outside the cage!
[Corey] Joe hanging on for dear life to his championship.
-[Tom] Oh! -[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Oh my God.
-Oh my God… -[Corey] No way.
-[Tom] Look at this. -[Corey] No way! You got to kidding me!
No way!
Samoa Joe, second rope, muscle buster!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Tom] Samoa Joe has survived Finn Balor! -[bell rings]
[Samoa Joe's theme song playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner and still the NXT Champion,
Samoa Joe!
[Corey] What a battle.
The lengths that these two men were willing to go
for the right to be called champion,
for the right to end one another.
And Samoa Joe somehow, someway, barely survives The Demon
in the first ever cage match.
[Tom] Both men, flat out on their backs,
a grueling steel cage match,
our first ever here on NXT.
[Samoa Joe's theme song continues playing]
[Corey] Samoa Joe said it time and time again.
In the past, Balor survived him,
but I think tonight, Samoa Joe survived The Demon.
[Tom] Watch this. This one's early on in the matchup.
Samoa Joe, the first muscle buster.
He thought this was gonna be it.
This was the way Joe won the championship in the first place.
And Finn Balor kicked out.
[Corey] Balor gets all of his coup de grâce,
giving himself a golden opportunity.
Somehow, Joe, with enough wherewithal,
enough left in the tank to kick out.
[Tom] And watch this.
This was the best opportunity Finn Balor had to escape the cage.
Samoa Joe, the monster,
dragging Finn Balor back inside the ring,
back inside the cage rather.
And look at this, just flying at The Demon at the top of the cage.
[Corey] Watch the skull of Balor.
Bang! Right here, off the cage.
Samoa Joe with what might be the nastiest muscle buster I've ever seen,
and it's exactly what he needed to do to escape with his championship.
[Tom] From the second rope, you said it,
an absolutely brutal muscle buster puts away Finn Balor.
[Samoa Joe's theme song continues playing]
[Corey] Take a look at these two exhausted warriors.
Only one can call himself champion tonight.
And it's that man, Samoa Joe.
[crowd cheering]
[Samoa Joe's theme song continues playing]
[Corey] See our medical staff attending to Finn Balor.
Samoa Joe looks…
beat up, exhausted, with good reason.
What a title defense.
And we have a definitive NXT Champion right now.
[Tom] Finn Balor had told Samoa Joe going into this match,
"Enjoy the title while it lasts."
Samoa Joe learned
just how much the title meant to Finn Balor in this match.
Watch this again.
From the second rope…
[crowd roaring]
…the muscle buster to put away Finn Balor.
And here's another look.
[Corey] A super muscle buster from the middle rope.
Balor, coming almost from the top of the cage.
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
[Tom] An absolutely unbelievable fall from Finn Balor.
And the WWE medical staff now checking on Finn.
[Corey] And as much as that NXT championship
has meant to Finn Balor,
tonight it means just a little bit more to the NXT champion, Samoa Joe.
[crowd cheering]
[Samoa Joe's theme song continues playing]
[Tom] In our first ever steel cage match here on NXT,
Samoa Joe outlasts Finn Balor
and retains the NXT Championship.
[Corey] It's the end of the beginning
and the beginning of the era of Samoa Joe.
[Samoa Joe's theme song continues playing]
[crowd clapping]
[music fades out]
Subtitles: Maria Fe Almada & Cristina Vidal e on NXT,