[music playing]
[Paul] This is the time of year
where the road to immortality begins.
But the truth is, it starts tonight.
Because tonight
we are in Philadelphia.
For decades,
men and women have come here to settle their grievances,
and they've done so in a fashion most extreme.
But this isn't about dwelling in the past.
[dramatic music]
This is about creating the future.
I am the champion!
[Kyle] For the first time, I know exactly who I am,
and I am the next NXT Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Paul] What the-- Shayna Baszler!
[Ember] You wanna bully someone, Shayna?
Well, I dare you to try that with me.
The icons of tomorrow will sacrifice on that canvas tonight.
[Adam] In Philadelphia,
I will mangle and embarrass Aleister Black.
[Aleister] You brought me to this realm, Adam.
You chose this path.
I embody extreme rules.
[Paul] Talent, courage,
passion.
Tonight we takeover.
We will overthrow the system.
We will smash the status quo.
We will give you a reason to join this revolution.
[dramatic music]
Because we are here,
and we are N…
X…
T.
[dramatic music ends]
[narrator] And now, WWE Network presents
NXT Take Over: Philadelphia.
[Mauro] The NXT superstars are ready to soar
like the Super Bowl bound Eagles,
and they're willing to go to extreme measures
in order to do so.
This is NXT Takeover: Philadelphia.
[crowd cheering] NXT! NXT!
Alongside Percy Watson, I'm Mauro Ranallo.
Our broadcast partner, Nigel McGuinness,
feeling sick tonight.
We wish him a speedy recovery.
Percy, this city is gripped with football fever,
but tonight it's all about NXT.
I don't know if Philadelphia
is ready for everything that NXT is going to offer tonight.
All the titles up for grabs. It is about to get extreme.
Ember Moon is defending her title
against "the Queen of Spades", Shayna Baszler.
[horn]
-[Mauro] Speaking of titles… -[Percy] What's up?
[Mauro] We are gonna kick things up with the NXT Tag Team Championship Match.
[crowd cheering]
[rock music playing]
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest is a tag team match
scheduled for one fall, and it is for…
the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Paul Ellering,
at a combined weight of 615 pounds,
Akam, Rezar, the Authors of Pain.
[Mauro] The Authors of Pain looking to make history tonight.
Looking to join Revival
as the only two-time NXT Tag Team Champions,
led by WWE Hall of Famer, Paul Ellering.
Akam and Rezar told us it's dinnertime
and they didn't even look that menu.
Percy, they told us they will have the catch of the day,
Fish and O'Reilly.
[Percy] They know it.
They've been thinking about this since Takeover,
when they lost their titles to Sanity.
They can't wait to get their hands on the Undisputed Era.
[Mauro] They have paved a path of destruction and of domination.
[rock music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[loudspeaker] Shock the system.
[crowd cheering]
[rock music starts playing]
[announcer] And their opponents, representing the Undisputed Era,
they are the NXT Tag Team Champions,
Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Conspicuous by his absence,
the other member of the trio known as Undisputed Era,
Adam Cole.
He has an extreme rules match to deal with later tonight
against Aleister Black.
But you talk about tag team chemistry,
Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly have more chemistry
than a periodic table,
and it didn't take long for them to assert dominance
in the NXT Tag Team Division,
as they put the titles on the line tonight.
[Percy] They said since day one, since they walked in on NXT,
it was all about shocking, ruling, and taking over the system.
I saw Kyle walking down here with a little bit of cockiness.
He'd better not get too cocky, because AOP wants these guys.
They want to eat them for lunch.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Akam and Rezar can't wait
to get their hands on the NXT Tag Team Champions,
and they ambushed Fish and O'Reilly before the official bell.
[Percy] AOP wasting in no time.
Well, this is the smart strategy by AOP and Paul Ellering,
getting ahead of the Undisputed Era early.
[Akam] What the hell was that?
[Mauro] Match hasn't officially started,
and yet AOP has already fired off
the first salvo.
A duo known for its unsavory thirst for malice.
[Percy] Look, I love this strategy. Real smart, real smart strategy here.
[Mauro] AOP's first title reign ended at the hands of Sanity.
Fish and O'Reilly defeated Sanity for the titles,
and then ambushed them before granting them their rematch.
But AOP now tonight
want to become two-time NXT Tag Team Champions,
and they are already
getting the best of Fish and O'Reilly.
[crowd screaming]
Rezar waiting for Bobby Fish in the ring.
Rezar an accomplished mixed martial artist.
Known for a lot more than just his brute strength.
And yet--Percy, talk about that size advantage by Authors of Pain
and how they can exploit it?
[Percy] Clearly AOP has the size advantage
against Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish, but Kyle and Fish
are going have to try to gas AOP out.
They have to run them, get them tired, wear them down.
[Mauro] Kyle O'Reilly with a high ring IQ changing levels,
wanting to take away the foundation of Rezar,
[Kyle shouts angrily]
who manhandles O'Reilly.
And again O'Reilly attacking the foundation, the leg,
trying to cut Rezar down.
[Percy] That's smart. Go after Rezar's feet.
[Mauro] Power double leg takedown by Rezar
and that sky-high ground and pound.
O'Reilly though, known for his nifty submission game,
looking for the triangle.
Looking for the triangle.
[Percy] Oh, whoa.
[Mauro] And now transitioning, Kyle O'Reilly looking for the leglock,
he's gonna try to force the tap.
[Percy] Rezar's got his hands together. Here's the open-hand palm strikes.
[Mauro] Kyle O'Reilly, a student of MMA, studied [indistinct]
With the earliest MMA promotions.
[Percy] O'Reilly needs a minute to think.
[Mauro] O'Reilly had decorated grappler.
[audience claps]
[Mauro] Bobby Fish settling down O'Reilly, wanting to slow things down.
He got… a very methodical tag team.
[Percy] He got to think.
O'Reilly just surprised Rezar, but I mean he was strong enough,
he was able to power out of it.
[referee] Here we go. Back him up.
[Mauro] O'Reilly backs into his corner.
Another astute move, allowing him to make the tag to Bobby Fish.
[grunts]
Bobby Fish, a 16-year veteran,
and already the number one trend
worldwide no surprise, #NXTtakeover.
[Percy] They got him. He's in trouble.
[Mauro] Akam and Rezar
driving those nasty knees into the midsection.
Fireman's carry takeover by Akam,
an Olympic-caliber wrestler.
[Percy] Paul Ellering over there barking out orders,
he called The Era, "Paper Champions".
He says AOP is the judge, jury, and executioner.
And The Era is on borrowed time.
[Mauro] Tag made, back comes O'Reilly.
[gasp]
-[Mauro] A flapjack from Akam. -[Percy] Face plant.
[Mauro] Shoulder tangle.
And there, Akam using that size advantage.
And again O'Reilly very smart in retreating,
but Authors of Pain-- the Authors of Pain
running over Fish and O'Reilly on the outside.
[gasp]
And when you face a combustible tandem
like Akam and Rezar,
you have to have multiple plans.
And O'Reilly and Fish now need to make adjustments.
And again the champion's advantage, Fish and O'Reilly,
in order for AOP to win, they have to pin or submit
Fish and O'Reilly inside the squared circle.
[Percy] That's it.
Wait a second.
We can talk about this.
-Oh, wait. -[Mauro's astonishment]
Bobby Fish backed right into the…
Wheelbarrow and then face first on the barrier.
[screams in pain]
[Percy] Look. Bobby thought he was getting away but end going face first.
[grunts]
[Mauro] And Authors of Pain now teaming up on Kyle O'Reilly.
[referee screams]
Rezar attacks the body like it's filled with candy.
And, of course, the sweetest…
thing they can procure tonight
are the NXT Tag Team titles for the second time.
[crowd chanting]
AOP coalescing double team.
[Percy] Whoa.
[Mauro] And it looks like…
[crowd chanting]
Akam may have tweaked his knee.
It seems like he's nursing his left leg.
That's where all the power's derived from.
[Percy] Let's see if he shakes it off.
[Mauro] O'Reilly low Bridges, Akam lands on the apron.
A ferocious forearm.
[grunts]
And Bobby Fish attacking
the injured left leg, the opportunist.
[Percy] The perfect strike, and strategy by Bobby Fish.
[Mauro] Rezar ones over O'Reilly. Now, Fish…
Wow!
[crowd screaming]
[Mauro] Fish tackling Rezar out of the ring,
and they both fell with a thud
in front of us here in Philadelphia.
[grunts]
[Percy] Look at this, Bobby Fish putting it all on the line,
tied now in the ring with AOP.
[Mauro] Epic clash in styles, and yet Bobby Fish
showing some brute strength.
And now the Undisputed Era's, Fish and O'Reilly,
have Akam in hostile territory.
[grunts]
[gasp]
Fish diversifying his attack.
[Percy] It's a good move by Era right here,
tagging in and out, keeping themselves fresh.
They need to cut the ring in half.
[Mauro] Prior to beginning their NXT tenure, Fish and O'Reilly,
a dominant tag team around the world,
winning titles in Japan and here in North America.
And now the current NXT Tag Team Champions.
But Akam,
valiantly trying to fight back into this matchup.
[Percy laughs]
He's tossing around the members of Undisputed Era.
But then he got crotched on the rope there by Bobby Fish.
[Percy] Again Era going after the bad knee.
[grunts]
That's seems to be the strategy.
Continue going after that injured leg, that bad knee, and keep Akam down.
[Mauro] Very much like the Minnesota wrecking crew,
just targeting one part of the anatomy,
that injured left leg of Akam.
And here again the--
just wrenching it on the outside.
Modified dragon screw leg whip there by Bobby Fish.
[grunts]
[Percy] So much of their game plan is power.
You take away the legs, and the knees…
-[Mauro] Chop block… -[Percy] Take the power.
On that injured left leg.
[grunts]
[Mauro] Akam desperately trying to
alleviate the torque
and the grip by Kyle O'Reilly.
Boots O'Reilly off but he is in a world of hurt.
Desperately needs to make the tag to his partner.
[Percy] If he can get there.
[Mauro] O'Reilly won't let it happen. Looks for the knee bar.
[Percy] Man.
[Mauro] And again a master submission artist.
Kyle O'Reilly can make you tap a variety of ways.
[Percy] An Achilles lock.
He's got it on their deep.
You got to think that pain must be excruciating to Akam.
Makes a slight transition.
[audience claps]
Look at the way his legs are being twisted--
[Mauro] Wants to tear the tendons of Akam's knee.
Akam has made it to the bottom rope.
[Percy] That's great by Akam just to stay alive,
but he has to find his way to get to his side of the ring
and get Rezar in there.
[Mauro] And the Undisputed Era's tag team continuity on display.
Quick tags now being made,
as O'Reilly comes back into the fray.
And he and Fish continue
to decimate Akam of the Authors of Pain.
[Percy] That's good tag teamwork by Era.
And again back to that knee.
[Mauro] O'Reilly wants to force Akam to tap,
wants to make this an ignominious defeat.
Senton atomico by Bobby Fish.
Goes for the cover, shoulders are down.
[Percy] Did you see how dirty Bobby Fish is?
Akam tried to hold himself to break the count,
but he was kicking his hands off.
[grunts]
[Mauro] Lightning quick strikes
by Bobby Fish on Akam who literally is--
got a flat tire.
That left leg has been destroyed.
Now, Fish getting in the face of Rezar.
-[Percy] Not smart. -[Mauro] Lack of judgment,
and it cost Bobby Fish.
Towering back body drop by Akam.
[Percy] If he had just kept his attention.
[Mauro] Tag is made.
[scream]
Rezar with a big boot to the faces of both
O'Reilly and Fish,
and he sends O'Reilly crashing to the outside.
[Percy] Rezar waited for this. Look at the power.
[Mauro] What a slam by Rezar.
Spinebuster.
And Rezar
delivering thunderous blows
to Kyle O'Reilly.
[ovation]
And the NXT universe
in Philadelphia appreciating the show of strength.
[Percy] He has keep it going. Stay on him.
[crowd cheering]
Look at the power of Rezar. Taking on two, no problem.
[Mauro] Bobby Fish though has him.
Fallaway slam, and then sends all of his weight
crashing onto Bobby Fish.
-[Percy] New champs. -[Mauro] Rezar, lateral press.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd booing]
[Percy] Look at the power of Rezar.
This is how much the NXT Tag Team Championships mean to AOP.
[Mauro] Rezar wanted the powerbomb,
but look at Kyle O'Reilly just looking for that guillotine.
[gasp]
And Rezar flips O'Reilly off him.
O'Reilly though back to his feet.
[grunts]
He drives a knee right into the shoulder of Rezar.
And it was Rezar's momentum that may have even added
to the impact of that knee strike by Kyle O'Reilly.
Rezar doesn't know where he's in. He's found himself in the wrong zip code.
[Percy] Things are starting to wear down, but Kyle and Bobby
have to manage to keep the pressure.
[Mauro] And they are doing just that.
Double-teaming one half of AOP.
[Percy] No.
[Mauro] Bobby Fish able to get Rezar
up for that exploder suplex.
Fish, back press, hooks the leg,
and how did Rezar kick out of that?
And how stunning is it that Fish and O'Reilly
were able to be successful in the power game
against the much bigger team of Authors of Pain?
[Percy] They've been double-teaming all night.
You said, they've been working for a long time.
And Rezar just landed a boot on Bobby Fish,
blocks that kick, and turns O'Reilly inside out
with the lariat.
Meanwhile, Akam Gingerly standing on that injured left leg.
You would--you would usually think
that would behoove Rezar to make the tag.
I don't know if that's the case, with an injured partner.
[Percy] Right. This is a critical point in the match.
This is about who wants it more.
[crowd chanting]
[Mauro] Rezar does make the tag.
[chants continue]
Akam having problems.
This will impact his mobility
and yet it will not impact his fighting spirit, his heart.
Now Rezar comes off the ropes.
[grunts]
Right into that knee strike.
-[Mauro] Akam again… -[Percy] Bad knee.
[Mauro] …in the clutches of Kyle.
Ankle lock by O'Reilly.
Fish trying to turn the lights out of Rezar.
NXT Tag Team titles hanging in the balance.
[Percy] Rezar has got to make his way to a rope to break this hold.
[screams]
[gasp]
[Mauro] I wonder who the legal parties are,
as Bedlam breaking out here
in this NXT Tag Team title match.
What a way to kickoff NXT Takeover: Philadelphia.
[Percy] This is all-out warfare.
This is about the NXT Tag Team titles.
[crowd shouting]
[Mauro] And the Undisputed Era's Fish and O'Reilly
having done their homework,
having broken down the much bigger Akam and Rezar.
A concerned look on the face
in of one of the master tacticians sports entertainment history, Paul Ellering.
[crowd cheering]
And the NXT universe
with dueling chants of Undisputed and AOP.
[crowd chanting]
Appreciating the young man effort
of all four of these NXT superstars.
Which team will walk out of Philadelphia NXT Tag Team Champs?
[scream]
A vicious roundhouse kick by O'Reilly.
[scream]
[Percy] If Akam could just find a way to defend that left leg
and possibly mount some offense.
[Mauro] O'Reilly attacking that leg viciously,
now with the forearm and a boot to Akram's face.
Akam with that second win,
summoning the inner resolve, the fighting--
[Percy] Here we go.
[Mauro] He captured overhead suplex by Akam.
[grunts]
And Akam driving those knees
into the face of Kyle O'Reilly.
And just clubbed Bobby Fish off the apron.
[Percy] Akam won't care. He'll fight crippled.
[Mauro] He is literally doing that.
Buckle bomb by Akam.
[crowd cheering]
[grunts]
[Percy] Oh, man.
[Mauro] Say what you will about them,
you cannot discount the heart
and the courage on display here by Akam.
[crowd screaming]
[Percy] Here it comes.
[crowd clapping]
[Mauro] AOP setting up Fish and O'Reilly
for the super collider.
[Percy] Oh, man.
[Mauro] Will it be the last chapter, for the Authors of Pain?
Malfunction at the junction.
Rollup by O'Reilly.
O'Reilly just did it.
O'Reilly and Fish make the most of it.
[announcer] Here are your winners, and still
the NXT Tag Team Champions,
Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish.
[Mauro] The worst of luck for Akam and Rezar,
as they crashed into each other inadvertently
costing them a chance to become two-time NXT Tag Team champs.
[Percy] Paul can't believe it. I can't.
I was thinking after AOP
hit the super collider, that was gonna be it.
I thought AOP was gonna reclaim back the tag team titles.
[rock music playing]
[Mauro] You talk about a shock to the system.
Authors of Pain, Paul Ellering,
shocked in the ring
at what just transpired,
as Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly
escape Philadelphia
with the NXT Tag Team titles.
[music playing]
[Percy] AOP was looking real strong right here.
Check out the big kick,
and the big lariat by Rezar.
And the dominance just continues by AOP.
[grunts]
And the big knee to Kyle O'Reilly
in the corner wanting to make him suffer.
[crowd shouts]
Super collider.
We thought this was it right here.
We thought that AOP
had this match won,
but there's a little miscommunication,
[bell rings]
and Undisputed Era retains the NXT Tag Team titles.
[Mauro] And let's not forget Akam's knee, left knee, gave out
costing them the championship.
They say teamwork makes the dream work.
But a nightmare scenario for the Authors of Pain,
as that injured left knee of Akam's.
It cost them a chance to become two-time NXT Tag Team titles.
Ever the opportunists, however,
Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly
remain NXT Tag Team Champions,
and that cannot be disputed.
[rock music playing]
[crowd] Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
[Mauro] Here we go.
Listen to this place.
[man 1] At the Royal Rumble match, it's every man for himself.
[man 2] Light them up. Throw them over.
[man 1] One of them looking to win for their dream.
[man 2] Stars will be made,
legends created.
Who's gonna main event WrestleMania?
[woman 1] But that's not enough.
[loudspeaker] We got the power.
[woman 1] We'll have, for the very first time,
an all-women's Royal Rumble match.
What do you say, ladies?
You make history once again.
[music playing]
[Mauro] A special thanks to asking
Alexandria for "Into the fire",
the official theme of NXT Takeover: Philadelphia.
It's from the self-titled album, "Asking Alexandria".
Available on iTunes and Spotify.
And speaking of going into the fire,
one of the hottest tag teams on the planet,
Hanson and Ray Rowe, collectively known as War Machine.
They are ready to invade
NXT's Tag Team Division.
And there it is, the most prestigious price in NXT,
the NXT Championship,
Andrade "Cien" Almas and his wily business manager,
Zelina Vega, going over last-minute preparation
for the title defense against Johnny Gargano later tonight.
[music playing]
But right now we are set for singles action.
Velveteen Dream saying
that he can defeat Kassius Ohno
and make it so easy.
You don't believe me?
Well, let's hear it from Velveteen Dream himself.
It's 2018, graves.
Renee, tonight,
I am guaranteeing a 30-second or less knockout
of "The Knockout Artist" Kassius Ohno.
And if you doubt me,
you'll join all the others.
At the end of the day, it all remains the same.
And you will say my name.
[crowd cheering]
[loudspeaker announcement]
[Percy] Well, Velveteen Dream guarantees--
Mauro, he guarantees that he can defeat Kassius in under 30 seconds.
I got to see if the man is just talking, is just talking noise.
He's got to put his money where his mouth is.
[rock music playing]
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Capitol Hill, Washington, DC,
weighing 227 pounds,
the Velveteen Dream.
[Mauro] Earlier tonight on the WWE network
during the NXT Takeover: Philadelphia pre-show,
Velveteen Dream accepting the award
for NXT Rivalry of The Year 2017,
against Aleister Black.
And really, the match against Black at takeover,
a breakout performance for Velveteen Dream
who was driven in finesse
and attitude, Percy Watson.
[Percy] Without a doubt.
In that match, he earned the respect of the crowd.
He earned the respect of Aleister Black.
But will he be able to earn the respect…
[gasp]
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream experience is growing in numbers.
[music playing]
Velveteen Dream walks them like he talks them.
And speaking of talking,
is that a customized mouthpiece?
[Percy] That's probably a good idea.
[Mauro] You know, in all my years
of covering combat sports, boxing and mix martial arts,
I don't know if I've ever seen anything like that.
Velveteen Dream
really holding that mouthpiece in high esteem, Percy.
Everything is a production
for the Velveteen Dream.
[Percy] We don't expect less from him.
I heard that mouthpiece cost over two grand.
[Mauro] Well, the Velveteen Dream fancies himself
as the mysterious yet intoxicating presence.
But to fair, Percy, once the bell goes,
just one word describes his actions
in the ring, and that's ruthless.
[rock music playing]
[Percy] He got some unique sneakers too.
[Mauro] Here in Philadelphia,
he's channeling his inner "Smokin'" Joe Frazier.
[laughs]
[Percy] You would look good in a pair those.
[music keeps playing]
Well, now, Mauro, Smokin' Joe never came to the ring like that.
[music change]
[announcer] And his opponent, from Dayton, Ohio,
weighing 260 pounds, Kassius Ohno.
[Mauro] NXT superstar near and dear
to the Philadelphia fan base.
Kassius Ohno had a tremendous match
with Johnny Gargano.
Of course, Gargano went on to the fatal 4-way,
and then become the number one contender
for the NXT title.
Will fight Andrade "Cien" Almas in the main event tonight.
But Kassius Ohno took [indistinct]
with what Velveteen Dream had to say about him.
[Percy] Kassius Ohno, man,
is a true student of the game, 18-year vet.
Like you said, he's had some great matches,
but he's been struggling to win the big ones.
This is a guy who's mastered many techniques
from lucha to British strong style to Japanese strong style.
He can submit you standing up.
He can get it done on the mat. He can do it all.
-[Percy] Hey, Mauro. -[Mauro] A veteran, Kassius Ohno,
has held 37 championships
from around the world,
competing in so many different matches.
-[bell ringing] -[Percy] I'm starting my stopwatch.
[Mauro] He got 30 seconds or less,
and i told you he's channeling his inner "Smokin'" Joe Frazier.
He thinks this is a boxing match suddenly.
As Velveteen Dream and Kassius Ohno, of course,
knows that it's a wrestling match.
[Percy] The crowd is counting. Do you hear that?
[crowd countdown]
[gasp]
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream just slapped Ohno. Would be enough?
[Percy] He better get to cover. That was within 30 seconds.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] He's got to cover him.
-[Percy] Get the cover. -[Mauro] Velveteen Dream with…
Inexperience here.
-[Mauro] Ohno… -[Percy] Don't let Kassius get up.
[Mauro] No!
[crowd booing]
[Mauro] So much for beating Kassius Ohno in 30 seconds or less.
And, listen, Ohno knocking that mouthpiece
out of the mouth of Velveteen Dream.
Big kick to the face of Dream.
[crowd cheering]
So Velveteen Dream
going from "Smokin'" Joe Frazier to Mike Tyson
when he faced buster Douglas
and had the mouthpiece knocked out of his mouth.
It's all Kassius Ohno here, Percy.
[Percy] Kassius-- [gasp]
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream with a back elbow.
Both of these superstars known
for their electrifying elbow strikes
and hard-hitting offense.
Spinebuster by Velveteen Dream,
as that will jack the back of Kassius Ohno.
[crowd chanting]
Ohno with a huge edge in experience,
[crowd chanting]
but the NXT universe
chanting the name of Velveteen
who had a fantastic 2017.
[grunts]
[Percy] This match has barely started
and these two opponents are taking it to each other.
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream, very much in love with his striking offense against Ohno.
[crowd cheering]
It was Velveteen Dream--
big vertical suplex on Kassius Ohno.
Dream goes for the cover. Ohno quickly kicks out.
Dream hopes to be in the main event tonight for an opportunity
at the NXT Championship, coming up just short
against Johnny Gargano
earlier this week on NXT TV.
Remember Gargano replaced
the injured Velveteen Dream
in that number one contender's tournament.
[crowd cheering]
[scream]
Skyscraper knee strike to the ribcage
of Kassius Ohno.
[grunts]
And Dream doing a good job
of attacking the body of Kassius Ohno,
[grunts]
[referee] Let's go. Come on.
[Mauro] Making that investment…
[referee] Let's go.
[Mauro] hoping to manipulate Ohno's gas tank.
Ohno the much bigger superstar, physically.
[Dream trash talk]
[Percy] I got to say, I am completely impressed
with how Velveteen Dream is handling himself in the ring.
[crowd screams]
The guy's relentless. He's assertive.
[Mauro] Snapmare by Velveteen Dream.
Keeping Kassius Ohno grounded.
[Percy] Look at this.
Putting the pressure on Kassius' shoulder,
keeping him grounded,
digging into the abdominal section of Kassius Ohno,
trying to input as much pain as he can.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] The NXT universe showcasing chants for
both of these fantastic athletes.
It's Velveteen Dream with the chinlock on Ohno.
Ohno slowly getting back up to a vertical base,
carrying the weight of Velveteen Dream.
And face first into the turnbuckle goes Ohno.
[grunts]
[referee] One, two, three, four.
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream switching into overdrive,
hyper aggression on those strikes.
Dream over.
[referee] Let's go.
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream shouting at Ohno, "Dream over".
Of course, Kassius,
nearly two decades of experience,
still looking for his first NXT Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Big kick to the face by Velveteen Dream.
[grunts]
[Percy] Ohno just taking them. Just eating them.
[Mauro] Ohno's chin must be made of tungsten steel
in order to take shots like that.
Dream from the top turnbuckle,
double ax handle to the forehead of Ohno,
quickly goes for the cover, gets a two-count.
[Percy] You got to give it to Ohno, he's staying, he's fighting.
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream continues his attack
on the midsection of Kassius Ohno, mixing it up,
and really bringing the fight
to the battle-tested veteran.
[Dream] Now, what's my name?
[referee] Off the hair.
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream
asking Ohno, "What's my name?"
Remember, he was rivalry of the year with Aleister Black.
Aleister Black ended up saying
Velveteen Dream's name,
but that was after he defeated Velveteen Dream.
[Percy] That show you the amount of respect
that people have for Velveteen Dream.
[Mauro] No respect between Aleister Black and Adam Cole.
Their rivalry will be taken to the extreme
in Philadelphia later tonight.
Now, Kassius Ohno breaking the grip of Dream,
but Dream showcasing
his ability to adjust.
Kick to the spine, and now the fireman's
carry by Velveteen Dream.
Ohno with some back elbows
trying to break out of it.
[Percy] The power of Velveteen Dream, but Kassius is able to escape.
[gasp]
[Mauro] Counter by Kassius Ohno.
[crowd clapping]
[Percy] This could be Ohno's moment.
That's one of the great things about Kassius Ohno.
You think he's down
but he's able to modify techniques
and switch it up on you and get back on top.
[Mauro] Kassius Ohno has had the opportunity
to sit under the learning trees
of some of the greatest minds in sports entertainment history.
Velveteen Dream just beginning
his sports entertainment journey,
wanting to add Kassius Ohno's name
to his ever growing list.
[grunts]
Crushing forearm by Kassius Ohno.
European uppercut by Velveteen Dream.
[Percy] That's the last thing Velveteen wants,
get into a blow-by-blow match with Kassius Ohno.
[grunts]
[Mauro] Axe bomber by Ohno.
[gasp]
Big boot to the face of Velveteen Dream.
And now Kassius Ohno running senton splash.
Driving the air out of the lungs of Velveteen Dream.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd clapping]
And now how will Velveteen Dream
fare in the face of adversity.
Cyclone kick by Ohno.
Is this enough to put away the Velveteen Dream?
[Percy] No.
[crowd chanting]
[Mauro] A character-building confrontation
for Velveteen, on the receiving end
now of the wrath of Kassius Ohno.
[Percy] Kassius Ohno needs this win.
He needs this victory, to get back into the conversation
to get into title contention.
[Mauro] Kassius Ohno does not want to be known
as the gatekeeper of NXT,
he wants to become NXT Champion.
Meanwhile, backslide here
by Velveteen Dream for a two-count.
Superkick blocked by Ohno.
But that one that wasn't.
Velveteen Dream looking to put away Ohno,
spiking him face first with a DDT,
the back pocket DDT.
Will it lead to victory? No.
[Percy] My goodness.
Somehow Kassius escaped.
He was literally planted
to the point where he couldn't even move.
Face first to the mat.
Dream can't believe it.
[Mauro] Ohno, many attributes,
including resilience.
And now Velveteen Dream
going all the way to the high-rent district,
and he dives right into a kick
to the midsection from Ohno.
[Percy] Kassius saw that coming.
Velveteen Dream can't telegraph his next move.
[Mauro] Full head of steam.
And Ohno crashing down on the canvas hard with that death valley driver.
The momentum taking him over. Back press by Dream,
and Ohno able to again slip out
before the three-count.
And the longer this match unfolds,
who do you give the advantage to, Percy?
Is it the experience of Kassius Ohno
or the youth of Velveteen Dream,
the bigger gas tank?
[Percy] Personally, I would give it
to the Velveteen Dream,
just because he's so young.
[Mauro] Ripcord--and there's rolling elbow
on the Velveteen Dream by Ohno.
This could be it.
[Percy laughs]
And Ohno thought he had him.
[Percy] I have no idea how Dream
is still in this match.
I mean, after those elbows,
those forearms to the jaw.
I mean, come on.
[crowd chanting]
[Mauro] Ohno's rolling elbow
crashing into the jaw of Velveteen Dream.
Dream's gasping for air.
Ohno not going to give him an opportunity to recover.
Hangman's-- [gasp]
[Percy] Wait. Wait.
-[Mauro] Dream gets Ohno. -[Percy] Got it.
[Mauro] Rolling death valley driver.
Ohno in a supine position.
[crowd screaming]
[Percy] Kassius Ohno is three-quarters away across the ring.
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream all the way to the top.
[Percy laughs] It's show time, baby.
-[Mauro] See the leap. -[Percy] Get him.
[Mauro] Purple rainmaker.
[crowd cheering]
Velveteen Dream survives another tough test.
[announcer] Here's your winner, the Velveteen Dream.
[Mauro] And the Velveteen Dream
vanquishing Kassius Ohno,
able to overcome the size difference,
the power, and the experience.
[Percy] It took him longer than 30 seconds,
but what really matters is that Velveteen Dream
stands victorious tonight over Kassius Ohno.
[crowd cheering]
[music playing]
[change of music]
Early on in this match,
a lot of heavy hitting,
but Velveteen Dream wasted too much time celebrating and allowed Kassius Ohno
to get back into this match.
That was no-- [gasp]
One big forearm to another
and I thought this was it.
But Velveteen Dream still able
to find a way to kick out
and stick around to stay in this match.
Look at the slow motion.
Look at the agony on the face
of Velveteen Dream,
still find a way to get it done,
getting Kassius Ohno on his back,
you knew what time it was when he got to the top rope.
Flying halfway, look at the height,
halfway across the ring,
burying the elbow to the sternum of Kassius Ohno.
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream was higher
than expectations.
And Velveteen Dream expects 2018
to be his year.
Get ready to experience more
of the Velveteen Dream experience.
Meanwhile, a crestfallen Kassius Ohno
making that long walk back
to the dressing room
after tasting defeat
at the hands of "The Vainglorious"
Velveteen Dream.
[music playing]
Well, the iconic of symbol
of American independence,
it's the liberty bell,
here in Philadelphia.
[rock music playing]
And of course, many luminaries on hand
including television personality,
huge WWE fan, Maria Menounos
who will be the ring announcer
for the first ever Women's Royal Rumble
coming up on Sunday
and speaking of the women,
Percy, plenty of dynamite in that division.
Without a doubt, I can't wait to see what's gonna go down.
Ember Moon is gonna take on her Shayna Baszler
and defend NXT women's title,
that will be great.
And of course, in addition to NXT Women's Championship,
the NXT title will be up for grabs
and will Johnny Wrestling
with his family in attendance.
The long, hard journey for Johnny Gargano.
Will the ultimate underdog
realize his lifelong dream
and become NXT Champion tonight?
[music playing]
[Mauro] But coming up next, Ember Moon,
The Shenom,
will try to stave off the brutal attack
of mixed martial artist, turned NXT bully,
Shayna Baszler.
[music playing]
[Mauro] Ember Moon, the eclipse.
[Percy] We have a new champ.
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Ember] This is a dream come true.
All the hard work through the independent scene,
the performance center in NXT
around the world, finally paid off.
Now I can call myself the NXT Women's Champion.
This is only the beginning for me.
[music playing]
[Mauro] What the--?
Shayna Baszler.
[alarm]
[silence]
[alarm continues]
Shayna Baszler, the Queen of Spades.
Decorated mixed martial artist.
[Percy] MMA background, 16 years.
Ranked top 10 in the world.
Dangerous, malicious, calculating.
[Shayna] We have some people trying to learn submissions.
Let me put it on you, so you know what it feels like.
[woman 3] Okay, Shayna, that's it. She's tapping.
-Shayna. -Shayna.
-Leave her alone.
-Let her go, Shayna. -Let go.
[Mauro] Oh my God.
[female wrestler] Shayna thinks she can come into my NXT Women's Division
and take shortcuts, jump people from behind,
injure Dakota Kai.
Shayna is nothing more than a bully.
[music playing]
[Shayna] So you have stir water to catch Fish.
[Mauro] The submission magician.
[Percy] Clutch.
[Shayna] And Ember Moon is the big Fish in this pond.
[music speeds up]
[Ember] You wanna bully someone, Shayna?
Try that with me.
Do what's best for your title.
[Ember] You name the place,
and I'll bring my title.
[Shayna] NXT Takeover: Philadelphia,
you wake up and see me walking away with that title.
I'm gonna beat your--
You're gonna know that's me,
walking away with your dreams.
[music fades away]
[music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[music continues]
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Shayna Baszler,
a decorated mixed martial artist.
The first lady of catch wrestling,
trained by former UFC heavyweight champion, Josh Barnett.
But now since transitioning
to sports entertainment,
she's become a one-woman wrecking crew.
She has taken liberties
with the NXT Women's Division.
She has proven
that she will not play by your rules,
she'll play by her own, Percy.
[Percy] Exactly, that's what she wanna do.
She can care less about what anybody says about her,
about what the NXT universe thinks about her.
She is gonna play by the code of Ember Moon.
In her words, "I'MMA do me." Her words.
[Mauro] Talk about a quick study.
The steep learning curve,
going from MMA to sports entertainment.
She participated in the inaugural Mae Young classic,
made it to the final.
Finishing runner-up to Kairi Sane
but then making a huge statement,
attacking Kairi Sane
on the stage of the NXT arena.
And then just bullying the NXT Women's Division so much so
that Ember Moon actually called her out
and she's the champion.
[Percy] True, let's not forget about her
stalling out Dakota Kai and Kairi Sane.
Let's keep in mind the Queen of Spades
pretty much grew up in wrestling,
her uncle and her father were wrestling coaches.
She knows what she's doing. She grew up on the mat.
[Mauro] She is the submission magician.
And she wants to make
Ember Moon's title reign disappear
in Philadelphia tonight.
[music playing]
[crowd cheering]
NXT Women's Champion,
The Shenom, Ember Moon.
She lives by the mantra,
"Skill, honor, and heart," Percy.
[Percy] That she does. That just goes to show you
how much the NXT Women's Division
and NXT women's title means to Ember Moon.
She's going to put it on the ride,
calling out a competitor and putting the title on the line.
That's real.
[Mauro] Moon got right up in the grill of Shayna Baszler,
a primal scream from the war Goddess.
[music playing]
Ember Moon had overcome three other
NXT female superstars
to become NXT Women's Champion.
In a fatal four-way, now she defends the title a second time.
[announcer] The following contest scheduled
is for the NXT Women's Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger,
from Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
Shayna Baszler.
[crowd cheering]
And her opponent,
from Dallas, Texas,
she is the NXT Women's Champion,
Ember Moon.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Shayna Baszler's intensity is palpable.
She is a scary force.
And it is for the NXT Women's Championship
here in the fighting city of Philadelphia.
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
And the bell goes, and Percy,
I've covered Shayna Baszler's
MMA career,
one of the rare mixed martial artists
to end a match with a twister.
She's known as The Submission Magician for a reason,
but yet Ember Moon taking it right to Baszler
with a go-behind into the waist lock.
[referee] One, two…
[Mauro] And it continues to be
the number one trend worldwide,
we appreciate it,
#NXTtakeover as Baszler looks to take over this match.
[Percy] Prior to Baszler taking Ember off her feet,
did you see her grinding that forearm-- into the cheekbone of Ember Moon?
[Mauro] Baszler with a double leg takedown.
And now working the crossface.
[Percy] Just dirty.
And doing it all with a smile. She enjoys this.
She wants to taunt Ember.
[Mauro] Moon, showing off her athleticism, back kick, blocking quickly.
It was Baszler looking for that clutch, well-scouted by Moon,
and Moon dropping Baszler
face-first onto the canvas,
stick-and-move strategy,
and the champion firing on all cylinders early,
bringing the battle to Shayna Baszler.
[crowd clapping]
It's a good start here for NXT Women's Champion.
Ember Moon, representing
not only the championship,
but again the integrity and the honor
of that NXT Women's Division's locker room.
-[Percy] And she's going for it. -[Mauro] Tope suicida by Ember Moon.
[crowd cheering]
This is my division.
[Percy] Ember Moon's fired up, telling the universe this is her division.
[crowd screaming]
[Mauro] Online, many people felt it was as ill-advised
as a laundry pod challenge for Moon to call out Baszler.
But so far, so good, Percy.
But that's what it takes, I mean, something of the--
women's title is on the line.
You gotta throw caution to the wind to go get it.
[Mauro] But Ember Moon
may be a little too flashy
there as Baszler counters her,
and now Baszler delivering those short knee strikes.
[grunts]
[astonishment]
And that big kick topples Ember Moon.
Baszler going for the cover, side press, hooks the leg.
[Percy] That's what Ember needs to stay away from.
She has to stay clear
of the striking ability of the Queen of Spades.
[Mauro] And despite her success so early,
Baszler's still very much in the embryonic stages
of her sports entertainment career.
By bringing that chip on her shoulder,
that competitive edge from…
-[Percy] Look. -[Mauro] mixed martial arts.
-[Mauro] No… -[Percy] No…
This is what she did to Dakota Kai, oh, no.
[wrestler scream]
Vicious attack on the left arm of Ember Moon.
[Percy] You see how that arm bent?
[crying in pain]
Shayna Baszler,
wanting to break the left arm of Ember Moon.
[Percy] We saw what happened with Dakota,
this is hard to watch.
[Mauro] Oh my God, she put Dakota Kai
in the shelf and Ember Moon,
now behind the proverbial eight ball and…
[astonishment]
Baszler wrenching on the fingers.
[Percy] That could be problematic as this match goes on.
If Ember doesn't have use of that left arm…
[Mauro] That's an understatement.
It's--Shayna Baszler,
having Ember Moon in dire straits early in this match.
And especially here at close quarters,
Shayna Baszler is so dangerous.
She can spring a submission on you
from almost any angle,
hence the sobriquet, Submission Magician.
[Percy] You know what else? She's patient, she takes her time.
She pinpoints little spots.
She believes in herself.
[Mauro] She continues to focus her attack on the left arm of Ember Moon.
She can transition to an armbar here,
and that's exactly what she's trying to do.
[whines]
She is testing
the pain threshold of Ember Moon,
the NXT Women's Champion.
[screams]
No, no.
[Mauro] Shayna Baszler, manipulating the joints.
And there, now just wanting
to pull the left arm out of its socket.
Shayna Baszler is so comfortable here.
This is where she shines.
This is where she excels.
And shuddering screams of pain
from Ember Moon as Baszler
drops that twelve-to-six elbow.
And legal in mixed martial arts,
not here in NXT.
And Shayna Baszler making the most of that elbow strike.
[Percy] She is not getting Ember Moon an inch.
She's playing it real close, clean and tight.
[referee] Uno, dos…
Baszler,
just wanting to manipulate the system, Percy.
Using that five-count of the referee, using the ropes,
and just systematically breaking down the NXT women's' champion.
[Mauro] But you gotta think in terms of the moves, of the count.
You might use what's available to you.
If you got a count of five, use it up. Inflict as much damage as you can.
[Mauro] Shayna is a quick study, especially,
with the underhanded tactics.
[scream]
Ember Moon explodes
with a slap across the face,
ducks under the clothesline, and again paintbrushes Baszler.
[Ember screams]
[referee] Not the hair, Shayna, one, two…
[Mauro] You have to wonder how compromised Ember Moon is now,
utilizing every other limb at her disposal
while nursing that left arm.
Ember Moon pulling out all the stops,
springboard crossbody for a two-count.
What does the NXT women's title
mean to Ember Moon?
You just saw a glimpse of what it means.
[Percy] I think the entire crowd, the entire world knows how much
and how precious that title is to Ember Moon.
It took her years to get there.
[Mauro] And yet she continues to nurse
that left arm injury and, man,
she is willing to go high-risk here
against Shayna Baszler again.
But can she make it to the top?
Of course, known for that trademark eclipse,
which has brought her all kinds of success,
including the NXT women's title.
-[Percy] Can she do it? -[Mauro] She did. Hit the eclipse.
Ember Moon hits the eclipse on Baszler.
But can she capitalize?
[Percy] Look how hurt she is.
[Mauro] I think she exacerbated the left arm injury.
With the eclipse and--
Baszler is lying in a supine position.
[Percy] If she could just make her way over there--
Baszler isn't moving.
[Ember screaming]
-[Percy] She is screaming. -[Mauro] Ember Moon…
-[Percy] Can she keep going? -[Mauro] Writhing in pain.
At what cost did that eclipse,
the--I think the referee is looking for the medical staff
and here they come.
We don't wanna see the NXT women's match end like this.
[Percy] This isn't good.
[screams in pain]
[Mauro] Moon's not gonna capitulate.
[crowd cheering]
[continues screaming in pain]
Moon frustrated,
incredibly upset by the injury, but here.
[Percy] Ember Moon went for it all,
but I mean, she injured herself
going for the eclipse.
[Mauro] You understand why she attempted it there.
Because of the injury, she wanted to vanquish Shayna Baszler
as quickly as possible.
Not realizing she exacerbated the injury in the process.
[Percy] But without a doubt, she was going for her hardest, heaviest,
piece of arsenal that she has, she had to go for it.
[Mauro] And now with just one arm and-- whoa, Baszler.
Baszler looking for the armbar.
The juji gatame on that bad arm.
We can have a new NXT Women's Champion.
How can Ember Moon--
look at Ember Moon gripping her arm.
-[Percy] Ember's trying to block it. -[Mauro] Jam the pain.
Ember Moon needs to block out
that excruciating pain.
All it takes is one tap to crown
a new NXT Women's Champion.
Unbelievable heart, unbelievable courage.
And what ring presence
by the NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon.
In excruciating pain,
and still able to make it to the rope.
[Percy] Sheer instinct. It's all about survival.
And now, she's holding on to the bottom rope
and again Baszler
attacks that injured left arm,
looking for the submission.
[Percy] Now, she's is the center. The worst spot she can possibly be in.
[crowd cheering]
The champion is literally scratching
and clawing, trying to get out of there.
[Mauro] Baszler well about that snap, crackle,
pop and she wants to do more damage
to Ember Moon.
I can't understand how Ember Moon
is able to withstand this kind of pain.
[screams in pain]
Talks about the character
and the heart of the NXT Women's Champion.
[Percy] Ember to still fight-- she's still in this match.
[Mauro] Ember knows it wasn't easy to reach
the summit of the NXT Women's Division.
[referee countdown]
[crowd cheering]
[referee] Do you give up?
[Mauro] Baszler wants to hyperextend the elbow,
putting all of the pressure.
[Percy] She wants to tear Ember's arm on the side.
[Mauro] Treating that arm
like a slot machine
and she's hoping to win the jackpot here tonight
in the form of the NXT Women's Champion.
Ember Moon risking permanent damage here,
all because of what
the NXT Women's Championship means to her.
How much more could she take, Percy?
[Percy] Oh, my goodness.
[grunts]
[crowd cheering]
-[Mauro] Ember. -[Percy] Is she gonna tap? Is she?
[Mauro] She will be forced, she can't take it anymore.
Baszler maintains that grip.
[Percy] Every time we think Ember is free,
Shayna Baszler attacks her again.
[Mauro] An inexorable attack by Baszler.
Oh, Moon stacks Baszler.
Mama Mia, mama Mia.
You got to be kidding me.
Oh, my God.
[announcer] Here's your winner, and still the NXT Women's Champion,
Ember Moon.
[Mauro] I honestly cannot believe
what I just see, Percy.
[Percy] Neither can I, that was incredible.
I thought Shayna Baszler
had this match won.
But the champ being who she is,
found a way to turn things around
and walk away with the NXT women's title.
[Mauro] A picture may say a thousand words
but the expression on Shayna Baszler's face,
you can't describe it, shocked.
[rock music playing]
And yet Ember Moon overcoming
an injured left arm,
proving her mettle and proving her worth,
representing the NXT Women's Division
the only way she knows how.
[Percy] Earlier, we saw the same maneuver by Shayna Baszler,
trying to destroy the arm
of the champion Ember Moon.
But Ember throwing caution to the wind,
bad arm and all,
hits the eclipse on the Queen of Spades.
I thought that was it.
But it just took it too long to make it to the cover.
And every time you thought
that Shayna Baszler had this thing figured out,
Ember Moon would find a way out of it.
But the damage was done to the arm,
to that shoulder, that left shoulder
of the champion Ember Moon.
But then Ember would capitalize,
pin Shayna, and get the win
and hold on to the NXT women's title.
[Mauro] A shocking turn of events,
and Percy, I've had the privilege of calling
some of the biggest fights in boxing, MMA,
kick boxing, and combat sports.
And I don't know if I've ever witnessed anything
to like what we just saw
go down here in Philadelphia.
Ember Moon, one tap away.
And you know what, for her personal welfare,
she should have tapped, and wait a minute.
[Percy] Hold on.
[Mauro] Oh God, Shaynafrom behind.
Baszler attacking Ember Moon and employing the Kirifuda Clutch.
[Percy] Come on.
[Mauro] Come on, we need help out here.
[referee] Break this up.
[screams in pain]
Come on now. Ember Moon won that fight…
-[Percy] Ember's out. -[Mauro] It was a fight fair and square.
[Percy] Shayna wants to end Ember's career.
[Mauro] Disgusting display of poor sportsmanship,
but Shayna Baszler, come on.
Enough is enough.
-[Percy] Ember's out. -[referee] Get off. Let's go.
[Mauro] Shayna Baszler,
merciless attack on Ember Moon,
Baszler just snapped.
You know what?
You can't blame her, but there is a time and place.
She lost tonight, looks like Ember Moon is out.
Ember Moon gasping for air.
[shouts]
[Percy] You see Ember's arm?
She has no use for the left arm.
-It's wrapped behind her back. -[swears]
[Mauro] I had a lot of respect for Shayna Baszler.
That respect has dissipated.
[Percy] But that's the mindset of Shayna Baszler upon entering NXT.
-[Percy] She will bully her way to the top -[Mauro] I don't care what it is, Percy.
She should be fined.
I'm hoping WWE NXT
general manager, William Regal,
will come down hard,
will drop the hammer
on Shayna Baszler because this is not the actions
becoming of a contender, let alone a champion.
[Percy] Unacceptable. I totally agree with you.
[crowd shouting]
[Mauro] Ember Moon shockingly retains
the NXT women's title
but you've got to fear for her future.
You know she's gonna do
whatever it takes to leave this building
under her own volition,
because that's the champion she is.
But Shayna Baszler, you disgust me.
[indistinct chatter]
[music playing]
[music continues playing]
[announcer] The most athletic and charismatic superstars in WWE
compete in live, mixed tag team action.
[music playing]
[crowd cheering]
WWE Mixed Match Challenge.
[music keeps playing]
[silence]
[music playing]
[Mauro] A special thanks to asking Alexandria for when the lights come on,
the official theme of NXT Takeover: Philadelphia.
It's from the self-titled album,
asking Alexandria,
available on iTunes and Spotify.
And the bright spotlight is on this guy.
Trevor man, better known as, Ricochet,
one of the highest of flyers
in sports entertainment
and he is bringing his brand of excitement to NXT.
[crowd cheering]
[music playing]
And speaking of excitement, the rivalry,
the rancor, between Aleister Black and Adam Cole,
well, it's reached an extreme level.
No rules,
no countouts,
no disqualification.
Cole versus Black is next.
[music playing]
[woman 1] The following contest is a fatal four-way match
to determine the number one contender
for the NXT Championship.
[Mauro] Fatal four-way, no disqualification.
This fatal four-way, as competitive as it gets.
What a moonsault, and what a show of strength by Sullivan.
[announcer] From Belfast, Killian Dain, proving to be a revelation.
[Mauro] And Black all of a sudden
becoming a factor in this fatal four-way.
And Aleister Black on the cusp of becoming the new number one.
Wait a minute.
[screams]
Remember it was Aleister Black
who bounced at him, Cole out of the tournament.
The Undisputed Era
just cost Aleister Black
a chance to challenge for the NXT title.
Aleister, you've virtually run through every person on the NXT roster.
The problem is that the people
you've been running through, they had been named.
[crowd] Adam Cole, Bay-Bay.
Or not on my level.
I will end anyone who gets in my way.
[Mauro] Oh God.
That cannot be disputed.
Adam Cole, at Takeover: Philadelphia,
your match with Aleister Black
is now an extreme rules match.
[crowd cheering]
[music playing]
[Aleister] You chose this path, Adam.
I do not require extensions of myself
as I was born a weapon.
Am I supposed to be scared or afraid?
Aleister, there are a million and one ways for me
to not only beat you in this match
but a million and one ways for me to hurt you.
I embody extreme.
I know now what I need to do.
[music playing]
In Philadelphia, I will mangle and embarrass Aleister Black.
[metal music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[music continues playing]
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest is an NXT Extreme Rules Match.
Introducing first, from Amsterdam, Holland,
weighing 215 pounds,
Aleister Black.
[Mauro] In a word, Aleister Black's entrance is orphic.
And Percy, if you ask Siri what that means,
she'll tell you mystic, entrancing.
He was the 2017 NXT Breakout Star of the year,
the NXT Male Competitor of the year,
and he was involved in the rivalry of the year
against Velveteen Dream.
Aleister Black tonight will cross paths
with Adam Cole under extreme rules.
[Percy] I can't tell you more.
I can't wait to see how this match unfolds.
The resume of Aleister Black
continues to grow, I mean,
literally, week by week, and I'm asked all the time.
People always want me to tell them about Aleister,
and I can't tell them anything except that he's not a person
that can be understood
or categorized easily,
he is completely self-governing, neither good nor evil,
I mean, he is the complete anomaly.
[Mauro] He is proud to represent those on the fringes of society.
[metal music playing]
The anti-establishment hero,
a rough-hewn rival who refuses
to send off his thorny edges.
[crowd cheering]
[loudspeaker] Shock the system.
[music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And his opponent, representing the Undisputed Era,
Adam Cole.
[Mauro] And Adam Cole holds the fortunes
of the Undisputed Era continue.
In this matchup earlier tonight
his comrades, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly,
retain the NXT Tag Team titles.
But there wasn't quite the swagger,
the arrogance on the confidence of Adam Cole,
I think he fully realizes now
the magnitude of this moment,
the fact that he is about to go
to war with Aleister Black.
[Percy] I mean firstly, I think he realizes the mistake he made.
Aleister Black I believe was going to make Adam Cole faint.
He tried to break back over a chair.
I mean, come on.
[Mauro] He was the catalyst in costing Black an opportunity
to vie for the NXT Championship.
Remember, Black bounced Cole out
of the NXT number one contendership.
The NXT universe, the sing-along portion
with Adam Black but remember,
Cole cost Black an opportunity
to vie for the title
after already being ousted
from the tournament by Black.
[crowd clapping]
He attacked him again when Black teamed with Roderick Strong
-to challenge for the NXT Tag Team titles. -[bell ringing]
So, now it's one-on-one, mano a mano,
no disqualification, no countout,
anything goes, extreme rules
in the extreme capital of the world, Philadelphia.
#extreme rules if you wanna get in
on the conversation.
[crowd cheering]
And they waste little time in attacking each other.
Both of them loaded for bear and Cole going upstairs.
And the decorated striker,
Black on the attack with a vicious kick early.
[astonishment]
[crowd cheering]
And Aleister Black
already getting in the mind of--
wait a minute, Cole is--
Cole has brought in a steel chair now,
he has his hands on a chair and it's legal.
[Percy] No rules.
[Adam] I'll destroy you.
Remember, it was Cole putting Black through a chair
that led NXT GM, William Regal,
to raise the stakes in this matchup and make it extreme.
[Percy] Keep in mind. He had backup. He had Kyle and Bobby to help him out.
[crowd chanting]
Black doesn't look worried.
[grunts]
[Mauro] And Adam Cole has lost the chair
and now needs to retreat, refocus.
Come up with a plan B, standing for Black,
and while Aleister Black continues to impress--
impose his own brand of psychological warfare earlier tonight
on the NXT Takeover Pre-show.
Former two-time NXT Champion Samoa Joe
picking "The Panama City Playboy"
Adam Cole in this matchup.
And you can never discount Adam Cole.
-[Mauro] Never missed any shortcut. -[Percy] Man.
[Mauro] And Aleister Black just blasting Cole
with that forearm.
[Percy] He didn't need that chair, nor a weapon, he is the weapon.
[Mauro] Cole counters with a knee strike to the midsection
and then bounces Black's forehead off the apron
and Cole continues to rummage for plunder,
taking out a couple of steel chairs from underneath the ring.
[Percy] Aleister-- Cole has been talking a lot of noise,
saying he's going to embarrass and maim Aleister.
Let's see if he can do it.
[Mauro] Well, Cole taking advantage
of this match's stipulation.
[crowd cheering]
[gasp]
Face washing Black with that running boot.
[Adam] You're finished.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Black comes back with a forearm smash.
Again, no countouts, no disqualification,
they are in a heated confrontation here at ringside.
And Adam Cole seems to have
the upper hand at the moment.
[crowd cheering]
[referee] Aleister, can you continue?
[Percy] What else is he looking for?
He took out a trash there, he took out two steel chairs.
[crowd cheering]
-[Percy] Here we go. -[Mauro] The kendo stick.
[Mauro] He's produced a kendo stick. Meanwhile, Aleister Black who as we…
mentioned is his own weapon, says, "Two can play this game",
and now Black is in the possession of a kendo stick.
And now they bring the action back to the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Percy] Cole wasn't expecting this.
[Mauro] It's a kendo stick standoff.
[Adam] Let's go. Let's go.
[Mauro] Aleister Black tossing away
the stick and saying, "Bring it on."
[Percy] You're kidding me.
-[Mauro] Adam Cole… -Stupid, stupid.
[Mauro] Adam Cole saying, "You're stupid, "well…
Black outsmarting Cole.
A series of forearm smashes to the jaw
and the decorated striker from the Netherlands
tattooing the body of Cole.
But Cole,
swing and he did not miss the ribcage of Aleister Black.
[Percy] Well-scouted by Adam Cole.
[Mauro] And you know what, a rare lapse in judgment for Aleister Black,
going for that springboard moonsault,
the quebrada.
[Percy] Look, Aleister Black going for it but Adam Cole
catching him directly in the abdomen
with that kendo stick.
[Mauro] And what impeccable timing for Adam Cole
all about that hand-eye coordination.
Now sporting a Cheshire cat smile
as he knows he has the advantage.
[Percy] Adam swinging for the fences.
You don't know who you're dealing with Aleister.
You know who I am?
You know what my name is?
You know who runs NXT?
It's me. It's me.
You hear me? You hear me?
[Mauro] Adam Cole imposing his will on Aleister Black
and trash-talking--
Backstabber on Black and will this be enough?
Cole goes for the cover.
Aleister Black powers out.
You can say what you will about Adam Cole,
but when the bell goes, bell-to-bell,
one of the best technicians in sports entertainment.
And what makes him more dangerous, Percy,
is he's willing to do whatever it takes
and in this match, anything goes.
[Percy] Well that's been the M.O. of Adam Cole since day one.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] A familiar chant here in Philadelphia.
[crowd chanting]
You want Cole giving Black an opportunity
to clean out the cobwebs and you have to wonder.
Well, he acquiesces to the NXT universe
producing a table.
[Percy] Adam was figuring out what his next move would be
but like you said, he can't waste too much time.
Because the last person you want to let-- get back and let back up
on their feet is Aleister Black.
[Mauro] Adam Cole looking to set up the table at ringside.
Meanwhile, Aleister Black on the receiving end
of that backstabber in a prostate position,
barely stirring.
[crowd cheering]
And Adam Cole admiring his handiwork,
successfully setting up a table, Percy.
[Percy] I've never someone so cocky,
so in tune to his own self, than Adam Cole.
[Mauro] And Cole now resumes the attack on Aleister Black.
You're gonna get it.
He lets the NXT universe know that, well,
they and especially Aleister Black are gonna get it.
Get, what is the question?
Adam Cole bringing Aleister Black,
the table ominously set up at ringside.
Adam Cole.
But Aleister Black fighting back with a series of right hands.
And Black launches Adam Cole.
[Percy] Cole wasted too much time.
[Mauro] And he caught that garbage can on the way down.
You know what they say about hindsight being 20/20,
but Cole paying the prize
and a running knee strike by Black, the cover.
[Percy] Lights out.
[crowd chanting]
And Adam Cole almost faded to Black right there
courtesy of that running knee strike by the Dutch Destroyer.
And both of them already showing
the rigors of this battle,
this extreme rules matchup
and the damage that it does to one's body
and the damage it does to one's soul, Percy.
[Percy] And psyche as well, think that that back stabber
to the lower back of Aleister Black.
That kendo stick to the stomach.
What's his mindset right now?
[Mauro] Aleister saying one table is nice but two can be
even a lot more fun and Aleister Black now,
bringing his own table to ring side.
[crowd cheering]
An intense rivalry, Aleister Black
was on the door step of a potential opportunity
to challenge for the NXT title.
Adam Cole,
costing him championship opportunities
on more than one occasion
and Aleister Black now intent on making Cole pay.
[crowd cheering]
[Percy] In a match where anything goes, your limit is your own creativity.
I can't wait to see what Aleister Black, has in mind.
[Mauro] I think he's wanting to take the creativity to the next level.
[Percy laughs]
[Mauro] Both of these superstars wanting to climb the ladder of success,
but that's not what Adam Cole had in mind.
Dropkicking the ladder into Aleister Black
and wiping him out at ring side.
You know, Philadelphia was home to America's first hospital
and I predict when all is said and done,
both, Cole and Black, may be headed to the hospital
after this Extreme Rules match, if what we've seen thus far
is any indication, Percy.
[Percy] Oh, my goodness.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] And Cole picking away at the carcass of Aleister Black.
Rolling him back into the ring.
[Aleister screams]
Two of the top NXT superstars.
[Percy] They have been fighting so bad
and it's only gonna get worse.
[Mauro] And Black, quick to block that suplex attempt by Cole.
Cole wanting to suplex Black through the table or in the corner,
now Black wants to do the same.
Good counter, knee strike by Cole.
And a step-up Enzuigiri by Adam Cole,
showing Black he's not the only one,
with an arsenal of kicks.
[grunts]
Black trying to stave off
this intense attack from Cole, corner mount.
[crowd chanting]
And raining down those right hands.
[crowd cheering]
Aleister Black now has Cole in the electric chair.
Cole's trying to thwart Black--oh.
[screams]
And Aleister Black deposits Adam Cole
on that ladder.
[crowd cheering]
And you have to wonder,
about the status of Adam Cole's tailbone,
after it crashed into the ladder.
From a high distance, from the electric chair,
it was Black looking to put Cole through the ladder.
He bounced off.
[Percy] You'd think that would slow Adam Cole down.
It may even immobilize him.
[Mauro] It has definitely slowed
Adam Cole down
and this may give Aleister Black
the opportunity now to cover Cole.
Cole, it looks like he's also hurt
his right hand or wrist
as he's being tended to by the medical staff
as Cole and Black take it to the extreme in Philadelphia.
Just like this.
[crowd cheering]
-[Percy] Let's see it one more time. -[Mauro] Electric chair drop.
[Percy] Back first into the ladder in the corner.
Oh my goodness.
[Mauro] And the more this match unfolds,
Cole may be saying to himself,
electric chair may not be a bad idea
because the wrath of Aleister Black
is unlike anything NXT has seen
and he's picked himself up.
[Percy] But Mauro, this is it, this is what extreme rules is all about.
Anything goes.
[Mauro] Well, poetic justice in the making,
remember, Cole put Black through a steel chair now.
Aleister Black would love to deliver a receipt.
But Cole stabs him
in the midsection with the steel chair.
Cole, one step ahead of Aleister Black.
[crowd shouting]
Nothing but carnage inside this ring.
The toll each of
these two superstars bodies absorbing.
[Percy] Both men exhausted, broken, still fighting.
[Mauro] Cole unable to lift Aleister Black
due to the injuries he's suffered
but the back elbow
puts Aleister Black on his keister,
Black avoids that kick, rolls through.
Cole avoids the kick
but Aleister Black driving both feet
straight through the midsection of Adam Cole.
[Percy] Think, when you take a stomp like that,
it forces all the oxygen out of your body.
What is going through the mind of Aleister Black?
[Mauro] Both of them
feeling more than just a little foggy.
But Cole again has the chair.
Black catches Adam with that Black instant superkick
and goes through the tables at ringside.
[Percy] Oh my--oh my God.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Holy beep indeed.
The superkick from Cole,
the steel chair into the face of Aleister Black
and he was free falling through these tables.
[Percy] Watch this.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Crash and burn.
[Percy] Just when I was starting to be concerned
about the career of Adam Cole. Look at this.
Aleister Black through two tables.
[Mauro] Aleister Black, literally
falling from the heights of NXT
and now Adam Cole dragging him back into the ring.
Where he will attempt
to put Aleister Black out of his misery,
Cole goes for the cover.
Adam Cole gets a two count.
[Percy] I mean you can see the marks of war
on both bodies, both competitors here.
The face of Adam Cole pretty much says it all.
Pain, exhaustion,
how do you continue to fight,
how do you get the other man down
and keep him down
and walk away victorious?
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] The NXT universe in Philadelphia
enjoying the scintillating action
of this extreme rules match
between Adam Cole and Aleister Black.
And Cole
looking to put
the end to Aleister Black's undefeated streak
in singles competition.
He was pinned by Johnny Gargano in the fatal four-way
to determine the number one contender
for the NXT title,
but remember Adam Cole played a big part
in that turn of events as well.
[Percy] Agreed. This could be a complete milestone night for Adam Cole.
[Mauro] Oh, my.
[Percy] And keep in mind too, these takeovers is where Adam Cole shines,
don't forget the performance at War Games, he's used to taking it to the next level.
He and the rest of Undisputed Era
victorious in NXT's first ever war games,
Cole rearranged the furniture,
now Aleister Black, fireman's carry.
[Percy] Oh, my goodness.
[Mauro] Wow, Adam Cole bouncing off the stairs.
-[Percy] Jesus. -[Mauro] Excuse me, the steel chairs.
[screams in pain]
You know I made a mistake there
but Adam Cole might wanna head for the stairs now, Percy,
after what he just went through.
[Percy] He got you, Mauro, it hurt.
[screams in pain]
I mean, look at this,
Adam Cole's back goes dead center
between the uprights and the back of the chair.
-[Percy] Oh, my God. -[Mauro] No give on those chairs.
[Percy] But in all fairness Aleister Black
owed that to Adam Cole.
[Mauro] Adam Black wanting to steal
Adam Cole's soul and Cole now
using a chair to try to prop himself up.
You have to give the devil its due.
As Aleister Black just drove the chair into the face of Adam Cole.
I was gonna say you have to give the devil his due,
Adam Cole surviving that attack, Black now goes for the cover.
The count and--what the hell? What the--?
-[Percy] Come on. -[Mauro] O'Reilly and Fish
and the worst part about it is, it's legal.
This is extreme rules--
[gasp]
Fish and O'Reilly wiping out Aleister Black
as Fish and O'Reilly come to the aide
of their Undisputed Era.
[Percy] This is a straight brawn,
but at the same time, what-- you can't even be surprised.
This is how Era operates,
this is how they found success here in NXT.
[Mauro] And here in Philadelphia, Fish and O'Reilly
are the real brawn street bullies
as they are taking it to Black.
And the Undisputed Era continues
to be the biggest torn
in Aleister Black's side and…
[screams]
[Percy] Obviously, they are not done, they want to hurt…
[Mauro] Oh, man.
[Percy] Aleister Black.
[Mauro] Just dragging Aleister Black
around ringside, Black was one count away…
-[Percy] Come on, come on. -[Mauro] One count away from…
[crowd cheering]
[Percy] Come on man.
[Mauro] Black was so close
to pinning Adam Cole before Fish and O'Reilly
made their way down to ringside.
[Percy] They wanted to maim Aleister and embarrass him,
-[Percy] I believe they're gonna do it. -[Mauro] Here comes Sanity.
And they have more than a few issues
with the Undisputed Era.
They were owed an NXT Tag Team title rematch
and Eric Young, Alexander Wolf
laying waste to Fish and O'Reilly,
and it is complete and utter chaos here in Philadelphia.
[Percy] More payback, more pounds of flesh is due
after that brutal attack by Sanity
prior to their tag team title match.
Sanity can't even perform.
[Mauro] Killian Dain, in the ring eyeing Adam Cole.
Meanwhile it's Wolf and Young
blasting away on Fish and O'Reilly.
Aleister Black barely moving.
Tope suicida.
[Percy] Killian Dain just went wrecking ball on Era.
This is extreme.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Aleister Black has not moved
since being attacked by Fish and O'Reilly,
Cole now notices him,
and he wants to take advantage
of this opportunity.
Adam Cole, lifting up Aleister Black.
-[Percy] Don't do this. -[Mauro] No.
Black now fighting back valiantly.
Black with a series of right hands on Cole.
Black now, double knees through the table,
mamma mia.
[Percy laughs] Oh, my.
Talking about taking it to the next level.
Adam Cole's eyes are open
but you have to wonder if anyone is home
after being driven through the table
by Aleister Black.
[crowd chanting]
[Percy] Mauro, forget about taking the soul of Adam Cole,
Aleister Black just crushed it.
[Mauro] Aleister Black driving Adam Cole
through the broadcast table, the double knees.
[crowd chanting]
The emperor of extreme Paul Heyman
kicked off our broadcast tonight
and you know he has to be smiling ear to ear
with what he is seeing here tonight
in this extreme rules match
as Cole just blasted Black
with a superkick,
now he's reaching out for the chair
I think Cole should go for the cover, Percy.
[Percy] He needs to.
He's got Cole--he's got Black down.
Opportunities like this don't
come around often,
Black gingerly trying to make it up
to a vertical base.
[Adam swears]
I'm gonna end you.
Adam Cole saying he's gonna end Aleister Black.
-[Mauro] Black mass. -[Percy] That's it.
[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell ringing]
-[Mauro] Aleister Black. -[Percy] What a match.
[announcer] Here's your winner, Aleister Black.
[Mauro] What a match.
[metal music playing]
Adam Cole was looking to put away
Aleister Black with that steel chair
and that momentary lapse
allowed Aleister Black
to land his patented Black mass.
And that Black mass
is as devastating as any episode of Black mirror
and when Aleister Black looks in the mirror tonight,
he'll know he survived
one of the most devastating matches of his career.
[Percy] Every time we see Aleister Black,
every takeover,
he gets better and better and better,
I mean this guy steals the show.
No wonder he's superstar of the year,
no wonder he's been involved in the rivalry of the year.
This guy can do it all.
[Mauro] Bedlam outside of the ring
with Fish and O'Reilly
trying to hold off Sanity and then Killian Dain,
deceptively agile, taking to the sky
and then Aleister Black, Percy…
[Percy] Just crushing the soul of Adam Cole,
going through the announce table, this is extreme.
One more, look at this, take a look at this, look at this impact.
That's what it takes,
that's the kind of mindset you gotta have
at performing at an extreme rules level.
Somehow Adam Cole was able to stay in this fight
and find and mustered some sort of energy,
but this is it right here, Black mass.
This is all she wrote.
Count to twenty.
[bell ringing]
[Mauro] It was Adam Cole that lit the wick
but it was Aleister Black
who exploded
on the Panama City playboy
with Black mass.
Cole, Black,
they took it to the extreme.
And you know what, Percy?
Aleister Black and Adam Cole,
they'll never be the same again.
[Percy] Without a doubt, that was rough, but again,
that was a battle of battles, amazing.
[metal music playing]
[suspense music]
[man 3] Is it possible to reinforce the city?
I think Philadelphia better be ready.
[screams]
Who can stop this man?
[screams]
[Mauro] And there you look at the home of the Philadelphia Eagles,
who one week from Sunday will be
in their third Super Bowl
against the New England Patriots.
And tonight, well, NXT's own version of the Super Bowl,
takeover and, Percy,
the remnants of a brutal match,
extreme rules going down here in Philly.
At the same time, I'm not surprised
that this is all that's left after the extreme rules match
between Aleister and Adam. I can't believe it.
A metaphor for what we saw here tonight
between Aleister and Adam,
and you know who's gonna have a lot to say
about what we just saw
and the NXT Take Over Philadelphia event?
Well, it's the brainchild of NXT,
Triple H will be on Facebook live immediately
following NXT Take Over Philadelphia.
[Mauro] And boy, the superstars
are out in full force tonight,
another new NXT signing,
a familiar face.
-[Percy] There it is. -[Mauro] EC3.
[Percy] Trouble just walked in.
Look at the face of EC3.
He's ready to go.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] After what we experienced
it comes down to this, the main event,
the much anticipated NXT Championship match,
Andrade "Cien" Almas who of course
at the behest of Zelina Vega
has become a more focused superstar
and that is why he is NXT Champion.
But Johnny Wrestling, Johnny Gargano,
in the biggest match of his life.
Can the ultimate underdog pull off
the championship victory?
I'm not here to dwell on the past.
I'm here to move forward, to look at the future.
I need to be Johnny Gargano again.
More importantly, I need to be Johnny Wrestling.
[Mauro] Despite having his world turned upside down,
Gargano's intent on rising from the ashes
of the DIY tag team.
This is supposed to be a fresh start for me.
-[bell ringing] -[Mauro] Just defeated Johnny Gargano.
If you can't even get started, where do you go?
[crowd countdown]
Johnny Gargano has got to be devastated.
He's had a number of significant losses.
This happens so often, I just--
you don't feel anything anymore.
You are all witnesses
of a historic championship reign.
Third generation superstar,
one of the Mexican biggest attractions.
Andrade "Cien" Almas
is considered lucha libre royalty.
I am the champion.
The road to mediocrity is paved in excuses and I don't have that.
I own that, and I have to get better.
I believe I still belong here,
I can turn this thing around.
[Mauro] I know what he's made of,
but the only way you can be successful is to depend on yourself.
[scream]
The resilience of Johnny Gargano on display.
I am not a broken man.
[announcer] Johnny Gargano refusing to quit.
This is my opportunity.
[Mauro] What a comeback by Johnny Gargano.
And no one is gonna stop me.
[music playing]
[Mauro] He's done it, Gargano,
the number one contender for the NXT Championship.
They all doubt my ability
to beat Andrade "Cien" Almas.
Johnny Gargano has zero chance at winning at takeover Philadelphia.
[Johnny] I am done being doubted around here.
[Zelina] Johnny Wrestling is a lie, it's a sham.
This is not a fluke.
If you want Johnny Gargano
to compete in the most humiliating match in takeover history,
the NXT Champion, Andrade "Cien" Almas and I
are happy to oblige.
[crowd cheering]
[Johnny] For the first time in a very long time,
I know exactly who I am.
[Mauro] Oh, and Gargano.
[Johnny] I am Johnny Freaking Wrestling.
And I am the next NXT Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[loudspeaker] [in Spanish] "The Idol".
[mexican music playing]
[change of music rhythm]
[Mauro] Andrade "Cien" Almas' ring entrance
posing into a tribute
to his lucha libre background,
the masked mariachi band.
And of course one of the biggest attractions in Mexico,
a third generation superstar
as La Sombra and now Andrade "Cien" Almas
with Zelina Vega
wanting to continue to assert his dominance
at the top of the NXT mountain.
[Percy] Yeah, Andrade is doing it for the culture.
And with the help, like you said of Zelina,
he is now on the top of the mountain of the NXT world.
[Mauro] And on the NXT Takeover Philadelphia preshow,
Zelina Vega took umbrage to the fact
that Andrade "Cien" Almas
didn't win one 2017 year-end award
and that chip on his shoulder, well,
it's now the size of Philadelphia
as he heads into this title defense against the man who, let's face it Percy,
Almas has Johnny Gargano's number.
He's 2-0 against the challenger.
[Percy] But statistically speaking,
is he gonna be able to keep that up, to make that 3-0?
He's got to lose to Johnny Gargano some time,
you would think.
[music playing]
[Mauro] Honed his skills
in the oldest sports entertainment promotion on the CMLL
in his native Mexico,
but it is here in NXT where he has emerged
as the number one force, and of course
a big, big thank you to Zelina Vega
for that as she has played
a pivotal factor in his success.
[Percy] Speaking of that, Zelina says that Johnny Gargano,
Mister wrestling is a lie.
He is a fraud.
And he can't hold a candle to Andrade "Cien" Almas.
[crowd cheering]
[music playing]
[Percy] Now this is a man who's been to hell and back.
He's had a hell of a 2017,
but now he is refocused,
recommitted, he knows who he is.
He is Mister wrestling.
And he's ready to find an opportunity and fight for the NXT title.
[Mauro] Undersized Johnny Gargano
has always been the underdog,
and he's had his fair share of doubters throughout his career.
But to paraphrase post Malone,
they said Gargano would be nothing.
Now they always say congratulations because Johnny Wrestling
is now one win away
from becoming NXT Champion.
He used to make the long journey
by car from his hometown
of Cleveland to Philadelphia.
Not for money, but to make
a name for himself in this business.
And after going through
the trials and tribulations
of what was for the most part an annus horribilis in 2017,
Johnny Gargano reached down deep
and he emerged as the number one contender.
Now simply a three-count
or a tap out away from becoming champion.
[Percy] Let's go back and explain how that went down.
I have a hard time putting it in perspective.
Defeating Kassius Ohno, winning the fatal 4-way.
Again, putting the opportunity on the line against Velveteen Dream.
I mean, is this how it was supposed to go down?
[announcer] The following contest scheduled is for
the NXT Championship.
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Introducing the challenger,
from Cleveland, Ohio,
weighing 199 pounds,
Johnny Gargano.
[crowd cheering]
And his opponent,
accompanied to the ring by Zelina Vega,
from Gómez Palacio, Durango, Mexico,
he weighs 215 pounds,
he is the NXT Champion,
Andrade "Cien" Almas.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Andrade "Cien" Almas became
NXT Champion dethroning Drew McIntyre
at NXT Takeover war games in Houston.
And tonight in Philadelphia,
the NXT title once again
up for grabs with Johnny Gargano
seeking the biggest victory of his career
and the chants of Johnny Wrestling
-echoing throughout the Wells Fargo center. -[bell ringing]
Johnny Gargano has his family in attendance.
His father desperately wished he could be here,
recently underwent quadruple heart surgery,
heart bypass surgery,
and of course his son Johnny Gargano
with one of the biggest hearts in sports entertainment.
You know, Gargano told us though,
he's been even-keeled throughout the week,
not allowing the magnitude of this moment
to swallow him up.
He knows the task at hand.
The fact that he's 0-2 against the champion.
-[Percy] A lot of back and forth. -[Mauro] Scramble on the canvas.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Gargano made his pro-debut in 2005.
Told us he's done being doubted.
He's not a broken man, not a loser.
It's not a fluke
that he's challenging for the NXT title.
He said, for the first time, he knows who he is.
He's Johnny Gargano.
He's Johnny Freaking Wrestling.
[Percy] That he is. I mean, with that 2017,
if I was a betting man,
I'd put it all on Johnny Gargano,
if it's him against the world,
I'm taking Johnny.
[grunts]
[Mauro] Go-behind by Andrade "Cien" Almas.
Gargano looking to break the grip of Almas.
Reverse.
And into the hammerlock, now the side headlock,
takeover by Johnny Wrestling, quick counter though by Almas.
And Almas now with the side headlock,
and well, Gargano with the headscissors.
Nice escape by Almas.
Two of the very best here
looking for dominant position early on.
[crowd clapping]
[Percy] You can tell they are really familiar with each other's moves.
[Mauro] And there's Johnny Gargano's wife, another…
NXT signing Candice Lerae
who will be part of the NXT Women's Division,
but tonight it's all about her husband.
His family out in full force,
the NXT universe firmly behind his exploits,
much like the WWE universe was behind another
undersized underdog that a lot of people counted out,
that being Daniel Bryan and you know that story.
Daniel Bryan becoming a WWE champion.
Tonight Johnny Gargano
wants to be NXT Champion.
Well scouted by Almas.
Gargano looking for the leapfrog, Almas for that hammerlock DDT,
but now Gargano,
and they are jockeying for position here,
some great grappling between Gargano and Almas.
[crowd clapping]
The way they're going at it,
the Crisco cops or the grease police
you think that they got a hold of Almas and Gargano
here in Philadelphia.
Hard to keep a grip on the other.
And it remains the number one trend worldwide,
#NXTtakeover
tell us what you think about Almas and Gargano.
[crowd chanting]
And the crowd chanting "This is wrestling".
Yes, indeed.
[Percy] These two will have to change their styles
and modify their game plan just slightly.
[grunts]
[Mauro] sends Gargano into the corner, tip up by him, rolls through.
Go behind, trying to stay a step ahead
of the NXT Champion.
Flying head scissors by Johnny Gargano
and a standing dropkick drops Almas.
[Percy] Right on the jaw.
[Mauro] And a deep arm drag and a deep reservoir of skills.
There is a reason he is known as Johnny Wrestling
much to the chagrin of that young lady.
[Percy] Almas has said for weeks that Johnny Gargano does not belong
in the ring with him.
I wonder if he thinks the same thing now.
There are two battles in 2017
ranked up with some of the best matches
that NXT, the black and yellow brand, served up last year
but it's all about right here right now.
Stats don't matter anymore to Johnny Gargano.
He had to overcome so many obstacles,
and you know he does not want to let
this opportunity slip through his fingers.
Meanwhile, Almas using his fingers
to grab a hold of Gargano's hair.
[referee] Come on, knock it off, out of the corner.
[Mauro] Gargano looking for the tip up, this time well scouted by Almas.
And the chop across this-- the chest of Gargano.
You know, in some ways Percy,
Almas says he puts the boots to Gargano,
he had a similar path like Gargano.
He was a listless ship as we revisit
some of the action here.
[Percy] Listen to this.
[Mauro] That will hurt more than a bullet,
and sting as Almas again lights up Gargano,
but Almas for a long time,
resting on his laurels,
a lucha libre royalty was out partying,
wasn't focused, wasn't in the gym,
Zelina Vega enters his life
as his business associate,
and that ship was righted in a hurry.
Beautiful.
[Percy] Andrade was all about having a good time.
[Mauro] He's not having a good time
against Johnny Gargano.
[crowd cheering]
[grunts]
[gasp]
Almas lands on his feet.
[Percy] All the agility on display here.
[Mauro] Johnny Gargano a couple of steps ahead of Andrade "Cien" Almas.
-[Mauro] Johnny's got him lined up. -[Percy] Off the apron.
-[Mauro] No. -[Percy] Nobody home.
[Mauro] A sick crashing thud.
[Percy] High risk cost him.
[Mauro] And the concern on Johnny Gargano's wife's face
as he just got wiped out
as Almas avoided that attack from the apron.
And Almas will try to take advantage of this opportunity,
looking to put away Gargano for the third time.
No, unable to get that three-count.
[Percy] Take a look, Johnny Gargano was going for it all,
championship on the line,
Andrade quickly gets out of the way, nobody home.
[Mauro] Oh man, he bounced.
-[Mauro] Did you see him? -[Percy] Man.
[Mauro] …off that unforgiving mat and Almas will try to take advantage,
and he does work the back as any champion
worth his weight in gold would do.
You can say what you want about Andrade "Cien" Almas and his attitude,
but there's a reason he is NXT Champion.
-[Percy] I think… -[Mauro] Sublimely skilled.
Gargano comes back with a forearm.
[Percy] And I think that's all to attribute to Zelina Vega.
Don't get me wrong, you're right.
But this right here is the problem I have with Andrade.
His cockiness. He can't do that.
[Mauro] Almas blocked that shot, and now…
inverted face lock on the ropes.
Working the neck of Johnny Gargano, Andrade Almas,
but referee administering the five count.
Almas worked that count adroitly.
[gasp]
Oh, and a big kick right to the space
between the shoulder blades and gets another two count.
Almas rear face lock just putting all of that weight
on Johnny Gargano,
wearing the challenger down.
[Percy] Not allowing Johnny Gargano
to take in a full breath,
all that pressure on the neck.
[crowd clapping]
-[referee] Johnny, what do you say? -[Zelina] Ask him again, ref.
[Percy] You can see Johnny starting to fade.
[Mauro] That Johnny Gargano,
in the grips of Andrade "Cien" Almas
and if he--if he passes out,
the match will be over.
And Andrade "Cien" Almas
will walk out of Philadelphia NXT Champion.
[Percy] And have defeated Johnny Gargano for a third time.
[scream]
So much torque.
[Mauro] Just wrenching back.
Almas first defeated Gargano
at NXT Takeover Brooklyn three last August.
And then in October on NXT TV.
So momentum firmly
behind the NXT Champion
and he is content to just keep Johnny Wrestling grounded,
but the NXT universe now willing Johnny Gargano back to his feet.
[grunts]
Gargano finally able to break the grip.
Going for the body slam, inverted face lock.
Great counter.
And Gargano nursing that lower back and lands on his feet, however, rolls…
[grunts]
And a seated roundhouse kick there
by Gargano to the side of Almas' face.
And a shocked looked on Zelina Vega's face.
[Percy] You can feel that the momentum may be shifting right here,
this is what Johnny has been looking for.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Chants of "Let's go Johnny."
And the rally has the NXT universe back
in this match-up behind Johnny Gargano now--
he's tied to the tree of woe, trying to
use that core strength to get back up,
Gargano using the core strength, oh.
And he avoided that double stomp.
And there's an overhead belly-to-belly suplex
as Almas lands in the turnbuckles.
I mean that was out of sheer desperation.
[Percy] And all of a sudden, the confidence on the face of Zelina Vega
has been wiped-off.
[Mauro] And here's that trademark heart we've been talking about, Percy.
[Percy] As soon as Andrade turned around.
Right into the turnbuckle.
But the question is though,
can Gargano capitalize right here?
[Mauro] A battle of attrition.
The NXT Championship, Seth Rollins,
the inaugural champion.
You had on the panel in the preshow,
Samoa Joe, along with Shinsuke Nakamura
the only two time NXT Champions.
They were involved in some brutal battles and this one now.
The heat, being amplified
as Johnny Gargano giving it to Almas.
And that side forearm sends Almas crashing to the canvas repeatedly.
You can just see the confidence building in Johnny Wrestling
with the step-up Enzuigiri.
[Percy] He's fired-up.
[Mauro] Launches another forearm.
Almas, doesn't quite know where he is?
-[Mauro] Gargano explodes from the corner. [Percy] There it is.
[Mauro] Gargano, one count away
from realizing his lifelong dream.
[Percy] Hey, keep the pressure up,
stay focused, get back on the attack,
don't give Andrade one second to recover.
Gargano had Andrade in his sights,
face plant Andrade to the mat,
I thought this was it.
[Mauro] Just like the fountain pen, Johnny Gargano has been--
has refused to be written off
time and time again, scratching and clawing his way
to the number one contender spot.
Now, on the receiving end of those back elbows,
kick to the mid-section by Johnny Wrestling.
[grunts]
And Gargano, had Almas scouted there, one step ahead.
Slingshot spear, will it be enough to crown a new champion?
-[Percy] New champion. -[Mauro] No.
[Mauro] And Johnny Gargano's homework
almost presented him
with the NXT Championship right there, Percy.
-[Mauro] See? -[Percy] Take a look.
I thought this was gonna be it right here the slingshot spear by Gargano.
I tell you who was nervous about that, Zelina Vega.
Zelina-- take a look at her face, she thought that was it.
[Mauro] Take a look at Johnny's face.
Almas gasping for breath, Gargano lands another step-up Enzuigiri,
Almas though catches him but then Gargano,
looking for the headscissors instead,
facebuster, the cover, the back press
and Almas wanting to put away Johnny Gargano
for the third time.
[Zelina] Come on, get off him, now.
The main even NXT Takeover Philadelphia.
[Percy] Zelina barking orders telling Andrade to stay on Gargano, get on him.
[Mauro] Already been a momentous
action-packed night culminating with this,
the most prestigious prize in NXT
an Almas willing to pull out all the stops
in order to retain and going all the way to the top turnbuckle, moonsault.
Turns into another standing moonsault,
Gargano thought he'd avoided it
and Gargano barely escapes, wow.
[astonishment]
Talk about thinking on the fly,
Almas abled to deliver a second moonsault
on Gargano.
[Percy] Andrade went for it, didn't get it,
went for it a second time and got it.
[crowd] One, two.
[Percy] Somehow Gargano was able to kick out.
[Mauro] And Gargano remains
in this NXT Championship fight.
[gasp]
Brutal forearm there by Almas.
[Percy] That's a stiff elbow right to the jaw.
How is Gargano standing?
[Mauro] Carbon fiber jaw on display
from Johnny Gargano who now,
says, it's time for me
to give you a taste of your own medicine.
That could be the knock-out blow.
Almas with the cover, Gargano, just kicks out.
[Percy] Oh, my goodness.
Superkick, do we have a new NXT Champion?
[Percy] Come on.
[Mauro] Both looking for the lariat,
both of them on the same page
and both of them fall to the canvas in a heap.
[crowd clapping]
Fantastic NXT Championship match.
As these two author another instant classic.
[Percy] This is exactly what you would expect to see
in a championship match between these two.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] And yet somewhat,
Gargano, would probably like to ask Siri
"how do I beat Andrade 'Cien' Almas?
-[Mauro] I don't know if Siri knows… -[Percy] I don't think so either.
[crowd cheering]
[Percy] You got to think these two have to be spent.
They're running on fumes.
[Mauro] And yet it's that world-class
athleticism, the conditioning,
the ability,
to overcome adversity.
Both of them have had to do it,
and, Johnny Gargano just got popped with that knee by Almas.
[grunts]
And the bigger Andrade "Cien" Almas
wanting to impose his will and skill on Johnny Gargano.
Remember this is how--
this is how he defeated Drew McIntyre
at takeover war games
with that draping hammerlock DDT again,
well scouted by Gargano, however.
[Percy] Not just beat him, he took him out to commission.
[Mauro] As Drew McIntyre rehabilitating his injuries,
superkick, between the legs by Gargano,
he may have knocked-out the champion right there.
[Percy] That's some creative offense.
[Mauro] He needs to capitalize,
he needs to summon that inner resolve.
It's cliche but there is no tomorrow
for Johnny Gargano.
This is the opportunity
he has dreamed about since he was a kid.
Missed the sunset flip, drive through knees…
-[Percy] Right in the face. -[Mauro] …by Almas.
And now we've been--
That time Gargano avoided the attack, Almas…
-[Percy] He did it too many times. -[Mauro] Slingshot spear, no, counter.
[Mauro] And Gargano crashes down to the canvas again face first.
Inverted tornado DDT, by Almas, is it enough?
[Percy] That's it.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Tremendous drama to the face
and the back of Johnny Gargano's neck
and yet he still had the presence of mind to kick out,
listen to this arena.
[crowd cheering]
This is what the black and yellow brand is all about,
this is why I am here at ringside,
Almas and Gargano are NXT.
[Percy] But talk about the resolve
of Johnny Gargano to take big move,
after big move, after big move,
and still be able to stay in the fight.
[Mauro] You wonder, the body language speaks volumes,
both of them have been through the wringer.
[crowd cheering]
And Almas the first to his feet.
And you wonder, how much more
can Johnny Gargano take,
Almas looking for that hammerlock DDT,
now has him up in the fireman's carry on the apron.
Gargano quick to deliver those back elbow strikes
and comes back with a left.
[referee] Inside the rings.
[Mauro] Incredibly hard hitting championship affair.
Oh, man.
Step-up Enzuigiri by Gargano,
and yet Almas is still on his feet, but barely.
[Percy] He's got to finish the job.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Slingshot DDT on the apron.
But he's got to get Almas back in the ring
in order to become NXT Champion,
it's champion's advantage, although,
looking at the lay of the land, you wouldn't think so.
[Percy] He's got to move quick,
but I don't think Johnny can move
so, so, fast, right now.
[Mauro] He has to move, he has to get,
Andrade "Cien" Almas in the ring,
he's never had a better opportunity
to become NXT Champion.
The referee administrating the 10 count.
[referee] Johnny!
[Mauro] Gargano can ill afford to have a double count-out,
he won't win the title that way, now he has him in the ring.
-[Percy] Come on. -[Mauro] Is this enough?
With maybe the biggest cover of his life.
Oh, no, Almas, Almas,
just giving in a tiny, tiny space
between his shoulder and the mat
and it's enough Percy.
Zelina Vega.
[Percy] Johnny has to keep digging and fighting.
[Mauro] Vega realizes that her protege,
her charge in the toughest match of his career,
with the NXT Championship hanging in there.
Gargano looking for the Gargano escape,
Almas saying no, no.
[Percy] Locking it.
[grunts]
[Mauro] Jaw breaker by Almas,
resorting to whatever tactics
is legal and is--
giving him this opportunity but look at the fight of Gargano.
And that back elbow
sends Gargano back first into the corner.
[Zelina shouting]
Zelina Vega barking out instructions.
She sees the opportunity.
-[Mauro] So does Gargano… -[Percy] This is it.
[Mauro] …out of the corner with a clothesline
that turns the NXT Champion inside out,
has him over the shoulder, thrown third--
into the second turnbuckle, has he hit the bull's-eye,
has Johnny Gargano done enough?
[Percy] Mark this into the record books here we go.
[Mauro] Here in Philadelphia,
it's a real-life rocky story, and wait minute,
Zelina Vega does it again.
Diverts the attention of Gargano,
allows Almas to deliver the dropkick.
[Percy] Here we go, new champion.
[crowd cheering]
-[Mauro] We haven't seen that for a while. -[Percy] He setup.
[Mauro] A superkick, shoulders down.
Thank God, so close.
[crowd cheering]
Andrade "Cien" Almas able to escape and, you know,
that Johnny Gargano closing his eyes
and wondering what in the hell
is it going to take for me
to become NXT Champion.
[Percy] He must have seen his life flash before his eyes,
Thirteen years of his life has led
to this moment, right now.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] He made his own championship as a child,
fell in love in sports entertainment,
from an early age,
this is the culmination,
of a lifelong dream.
[crowd cheering]
Gargano, assessing the situation,
now, he's going to utilize the rope,
I thought he was gonna use the rope to help himself up
and you have to wonder how smart this is though,
after what he's been through, his--
he wants to go all the way to the top, and Almas.
[Percy] He's going for something big, for something that will secure a title.
[grunts]
[Mauro] Well, Almas, may have just
ruined Johnny Gargano's dreams there,
as he takes out his foundation.
Gargano in a precarious position.
[Percy] Johnny is taking a lot of blows to the back of the neck.
[Mauro] And the face, and the series of shots like this.
Deleterious strikes by Andrade "Cien" Almas again,
Gargano in the-- the double stomp
and that sends Gargano out of the ring.
And Andrade "Cien" Almas,
may have just driven
Johnny Gargano's NXT Championship aspirations
out of his body.
He fell--Gargano fell on the apron neck first and then--
and now, Almas just exploiting the situation.
[Percy] He just poured it on.
[referee] Don't you touch me.
-[Mauro] Oh, man. -[Percy] Look at the face of Johnny.
[Mauro] He doesn't look right.
[Percy] He's dazed.
[Mauro] I'm sure confused, as well, as to what is happening here
after a sustained attack
to the back of the neck by Andrade "Cien" Almas.
The referee asking Gargano if he can continue.
Almas not waiting.
Drive-through knee strikes, attacking the face of Johnny Gargano.
Andrade "Cien" Almas
looking to put the finishing touch but no, Gargano says no.
Gargano says no.
[Percy] I wanna ask how is Johnny in this?
But I know, it's that no-quit moxie.
That no-quit mentality
that Johnny Gargano has possessed since day one.
[Mauro] Andrade "Cien" Almas cannot believe it.
Watch the back of Johnny Gargano's neck, Percy.
[Percy] Right here. Slow motion.
[crowd screaming]
But yet he still, he finds a way to keep fighting.
He finds a way to still kick out.
[Mauro] I don't know if he's lucid right now.
I've said it many times,
someone should check Johnny Gargano's DNA but maybe
even this is maybe just too much.
I mean, he gave it-- that the biggest fight of his career
but you wonder how much more can he withstand?
[Percy] I know what you mean.
It's one thing to vie
and fight for the NXT title.
When does your safety matters?
Well, and, you know, Almas
isn't worried about Johnny Gargano's safety.
He continues to pinpoint his attack
on Gargano's visage.
The neck, the face.
And yet look at-- I mean,
Johnny Wrestling continues
to take deep laborious breaths.
Letting the referee know
"No, you're not gonna take this opportunity away from me.
This is for everything I have ever worked for."
And Gargano launches a left hand to Almas.
[referee] Up here, guys. Come on.
[Percy] He throws a punch
and goes right back down to a knee.
He is running on nothing.
[Mauro] He's utilizing every ounce of strength
he has left and Percy it's called heart.
Johnny Gargano has one of the biggest hearts
in sports entertainment.
[Zelina screams]
Look, they're using each other to keep each other upright.
It's a battle for the ages, and Almas now counters
with a right-hand chop to the chest.
Superkick by Gargano.
Where did that come from, Gargano.
Hurricanrana.
And now Almas slams neck first.
[Percy] Come on, Johnny, the champ is dazed.
The champ is dazed. Here we go, Johnny.
[crowd cheering]
-[Mauro] And Gargano attacks. -[Percy] He's got the escape.
[Mauro] Johnny Wrestling has Almas in the Gargano escape.
[Percy] Middle of the ring.
Tap.
[Mauro] NXT universe sensing a new champion
being crowned in Philadelphia.
Look at Johnny Gargano's face,
the pressure putting on but Almas trying to escape.
-[Percy] Right there. -[Mauro] Never say die.
Never give up.
Johnny Gargano from Cleveland.
[Percy] We're about to see a new champion.
-[Percy] Come on. -[Mauro] What's Vega doing?
Zelina. Breaks--
With the referee's attention diverted.
-[Percy] Andrade raked Johnny's eyes. -[Mauro] Almas raked them. Almas--
the referee didn't see it, he was diverted by Zelina Vega
and again, the team of Vega and Almas,
the dastardly deeds,
the dirty deeds done that are cheap.
But Gargano in the clutches-- now, Almas looking for the hammerlock DDT.
Gargano last gasp effort.
Deposits Almas to the outside.
-[Percy] He's not done. -[Mauro] Does he have it in him?
[Percy] There he goes.
[Mauro] Where the hell did he get that from?
Johnny now--Vega with the 'rana.
[Percy] Oh, my God.
[Mauro] Oh, my God is right.
Gargano face first into the stairs.
Oh, no.
Zelina Vega, the bane of Gargano's existence.
[Percy] This is robbery.
[Mauro] Andrade "Cien" Almas,
-[Mauro] it's academic from here. -[Percy] No.
[Mauro] Hammerlock DDT on Johnny Gargano.
Almas with the unos, dos… No.
Unbelievable.
-[Percy] Look at Zelina. Look at her face. -[Mauro] Unbelievable.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] The yes chants for Johnny Gargano,
the Daniel Bryan story revisited.
We've told you about the similarities
and how Daniel Bryan overcame
all of the obstacles,
and listen to the chants.
[crowd chanting]
Zelina Vega trying to earn her keep.
Meanwhile, a special night
in sports entertainment history unfolding here.
But how much more can Gargano
absorb what is left in his proverbial tank?
-[Mauro] Candice Lerae. -[Percy] That's what I'm talking about.
[Mauro] That's Gargano's wife attacking Vega.
-[Percy] She's had enough. -[Mauro] She's had enough.
[Mauro] Lerae laying out Vega.
It is a family affair in Philadelphia.
[Percy] So glad someone put Zelina in her place.
[Mauro] The latest addition to the NXT Women's Division,
Candice Lerae had seen enough
and she is sending Zelina Vega out of the arena.
[Percy] Now the playing field is even.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] And the Philly crowd.
The chants of "Thank you Candice."
[Percy] I'm feeling like them now. I got to say it too, thank you Candice.
[Mauro] The field is now even once again.
An epic confrontation.
A battle for the ages.
NXT has served up so many instant classics,
and tonight here is chapter three,
is another one between Gargano…
-[Percy] Here we go. Do it. -[Mauro] Slingshot DDT.
-[Mauro] New champion. -[Percy] Close the deal.
-[Percy] Come on. -[Mauro] Oh, my God.
[Percy] Gargano escape.
[Mauro] Gargano wasting little time.
He is running on fumes
-[Mauro] but he's got the Gargano escape. -[Percy] Tap.
[Mauro] Every last bit of strength in the Gargano escape.
Almas on the verge of happening.
-[Percy] He's--oh. -[Mauro] What the?
Unbelievable ring presence by Almas.
What I--Percy, I'm so glad
that I get to share with you.
Wish Nigel McGuinness was here.
We wish him a speedy recovery.
But what a night in Philadelphia.
And here we are a week away
from the Super Bowl where the Philadelphia Eagles
will try to defeat the New England Patriots,
and so many Eagles fans here tonight
behind Johnny Gargano
who looks to soar like an eagle
to the highest of heights in NXT.
[crowd cheering]
[Percy] I got to say win or lose for Johnny,
this will go down as one of his best matches.
[Mauro] It's all about winning. Again the back of the neck.
There's no losing in Gargano's vocabulary tonight
although I'm concerned, man.
I mean, he could lose consciousness at any time
after a series of sustained attacks to the neck.
-[Mauro] Oh, my God. -[Percy] Oh, my god.
[Mauro] Oh, no.
Oh, no. The referee has got to--
got to check out Johnny Gargano.
You know what, maybe it's time that--I don't know.
Do we save Johnny Gargano from himself?
[Percy] That's not the kind of man he is.
[Mauro] He won't capitulate
but when it's enough, is enough.
You want me to stop this?
As important as this match is.
You wonder--
you wanna see Johnny Gargano,
you know, just to wrestle another day.
[Percy] Exactly. But…
[Mauro] And yet this is the day. This is the time.
This is the match.
[crowd cheering]
Almas looking for that draping
hammerlock DDT and he spikes Gargano.
Will it be for the last time?
[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell ringing] [Mauro] Oh, my God.
[announcer] Here's your winner
and still the NXT Champion,
Andrade "Cien" Almas.
[Mauro] You could not ask for more
out of an NXT Championship match.
These two embody, they espouse
what it takes to be at the top
of the sports entertainment mountain.
And tonight, Andrade "Cien" Almas
and Johnny Gargano
gave us a battle for the ages
and as close as Gargano came,
it still wasn't enough.
[Percy] And my heart goes out to Johnny Gargano.
This is one of the hardest sport matches
I have ever seen since returning--
since me returning to NXT.
Unbelievable.
[Mauro] And we can use all kinds of superlatives
to describe Johnny Gargano
but we have to acknowledge the skill,
the talent, and the heart,
and courage, and character of Andrade "Cien" Almas.
[Percy] Let's not forget to acknowledge
Zelina Vega and where she…
[Mauro] And Candice Lerae, if we must.
Here's where Zelina made her presence known.
[Percy] Right here. Look.
Johnny Gargano gets sent right into the steel stair.
Right to the corner of the post.
Thanks to Zelina.
But I'll tell you who's had enough, Candice.
[crowd cheering]
Candice Lerae has seen too much
too many times that Zelina has gotten involved
in Johnny Gargano's matches.
[Mauro] Oh, my.
[Percy] This is where you got to be concerned for the safety
and performance ability
and tomorrow with Johnny Gargano
constantly taking that type of abuse
throughout the course of this match.
[Mauro] I just hope for Gargano's sake
he remembers tonight, tomorrow.
[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell ringing] [Percy] This is all she wrote.
[Mauro] Another legendary chapter
in the annals of NXT history.
At NXT Takeover Philadelphia.
It ends with Andrade "Cien" Almas
remaining NXT Champion.
Meanwhile, Candice Lerae
one of the newest NXT acquisitions
coming to console her husband, Johnny Gargano.
What a way to kick off
an incredible weekend here in Philadelphia
with the royal rumble coming your way on Sunday
including the historic first ever
Women's Royal Rumble match.
But let's listen to the universe
show their appreciation for Johnny Wrestling.
[crowd cheering]
Come on, Johnny, let's get you through the back.
[crowd] Bye, Johnny.
[Mauro] In sports you wonder sometimes
if some athletes say it's better to get blown out than to lose something
so ultra-competitive.
To come so close.
It makes the heartache that much greater.
But for Johnny Gargano
who did put on the match of his life tonight,
Andrade "Cien" Almas was equal to the task, Percy.
[Percy] Both went to the limits.
-[Mauro] Much better. -[Percy] It's a privilege
to call such a great match that I'm sure
will go down in NXT's record books.
[crowd cheering]
Johnny Gargano had to overcome so much
and I think he's reliving it right here.
Realizing that the dream
remains just that for Johnny Gargano.
[crowd cheering]
-[Mauro] And Gargano. -[Percy] What the hell?
[Mauro] Oh, my God. -[Percy] Tommaso Ciampa?
[Mauro] Oh, no. Tommaso Ciampa
his former tag team partner
with one of his crutches.
Oh, no.
You know, Gargano was one of the biggest hearts in NXT.
Well, this guy, his former best friend Tommaso Ciampa,
he has a "for lease" sign where his heart should be.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd continues chanting]
[grunts]
[crowd clapping]
[grunts]
[Johnny's wife] Back, sweetie.