[music]
Pain, noun, physical or mental suffering and distress.
Pain does not discriminate,
coming for the weak and Strong alike.
The biggest threat that Aleister Black has ever encountered is Lars Sullivan.
Oh, Sullivan catches Black Mass.
I don't believe it.
I am gonna take everything that you worked your entire life for.
No one's [Indistinct]
The Black, but you Aleister.
Pain is the weapon of choice for the vile and the oppressive.
Oh, my god.
The merciless Women's Champion.
The painful pattern unfolding.
And the signature hallmark of the unhinged and deranged.
Nikki Cross has [Indistinct]
That up.
Cheater.
I'm gonna take the NXT Women's Championship.
Pain is ever-pervasive, and the root of all conflict in history.
But ultimately pain leads you with a choice,
you can either feel it…
What a Valiant effort from DIY.
…or you can inflict it.
And once pain has been unleashed,
there is no controlling the path and destruction it will lead in its wake.
Not confined by that wrestling [indistinct]
Johnny Wrestling.
I'm not coming to Chicago to wrestle,
I'm coming to beat the hell out of you.
Tonight, pain takes over the hearts and souls of NXT.
Tonight, pain takes over Chicago.
[music]
And now, WWE Champions, the mobile game presents NXT TakeOver Chicago.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] We are live in the windy city.
The three championships will be defended,
and the next chapter will be written in the bitter
storied conflict between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano.
Welcome to NXT TakeOver Chicago.
I'm Nigel McGuinness.
Mauro Ranallo, not here tonight, he is on assignment,
he'll be back in two weeks, but don't worry,
you are in good hands because in the interim,
we have the voice of 205 live, the erudite,Vic Joseph.
Well, I appreciate the lovely introduction.
-Welcome, my boy. -[Indistinct]
-Percy Watson as well. -What's going on?
I am excited to be here with you guys.
Three championship matches, the street fight as well,
but guys we're not the only ones
that's gonna have fun here tonight at ringside.
We also have our Spanish commentating announce team
of Carlos Cabrera and Marcelo Rodriguez.
[Speaking in foreign language]
NXT TakeOver [speaking in foreign language]
Chicago [speaking in foreign language]
NXT TakeOver Chicago [speaking in foreign language]
[music]
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest, scheduled for one-fall
is for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Making their way to the ring,
accompanied by the NXT North American Champion, Adam Cole,
representing the Undisputed Era,
they're the NXT Tag Team Champions, Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong.
[Vic] Starting things off with the NXT Championship match and guys,
some of the NXT Universe would say that
Undisputed Era initially didn't take their opponents,
like, seriously,
but after Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch earned some victories
over the Undisputed Era, they pushed them to their limits.
Nigel, are we gonna see the tag titles switch hands tonight?
[Nigel] Well, that's a huge question,
the one that I'm not able to answer at this point of the day.
I did talk to Roderick Strong earlier,
and Strong said to me, perhaps they did take them lightly,
but they realize now it was a fluke then, they are laser-focused.
It will not happen again.
[Percy] Yeah, I just--we'll see,
but then not coming here have step into them [Indistinct]
Lorcan and Burch got no problem
with leaving the boys of their tag team titles.
[announcer] And they're opponents, at a combined weight with 360 pounds,
Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan.
[Vic] Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch you talk about a greedy Cinderella story.
What a Cinderella story it would be,
if Lorcan and Burch walk out of Chicago with the NXT titles around their waists?
[Percy] Hey, look, that's what I wanna see.
You really think of how fast Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch have come
in a short amount of time,
nobody believed in them now look where these kids are,
standing here vying for the tag team championship.
[Nigel] Both of these superstars are pretty rulers,
they actually started out in a series
of hard-hitting matches against each other.
They liked each other so much they formed a tag team,
and now are in title opportunity.
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Oh, here we go.
Is--right off the bat, Roderick Strong,
I wanna simply say toying with Oney Lorcan but--
just to have a little bit of fun.
[Percy] Roderick Strong is trying to get in the head of Oney Lorcan.
[Vic] We talk about Roderick Strong and Kyle O'Reilly,
it is important to note that for that duo it is the first time
that they have defended the NXT Tag Team Titles as a team.
Well, that play artist--play out as a tag is made, Danny Burch enters the fray.
And Nigel, you know a little about Danny Burch, you've been in the ring.
[Nigel] Well, I saw him actually at early stages of Danny's career,
but even back then you could see he had a ton of potential,
and boy, you get hit with one of those punches,
you know about I can tell you.
[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly, talking about grim determination.
Kyle O'Reilly has to have a short memory
because if we go back to what happened in this past week on NXT TV,
he was in a one-on-one contest with Pete Dunne
for the United Kingdom Championship.
How much was taken out of O'Reilly in that matchup?
[Nigel] It was an-- long and arduous match,
but I guarantee O'Reilly took a lot out of that contest.
[Strong] Here we go, Kyle.
[Vic] Oh.
Oh, foot under the jaw and Burch
trying to answer back and-- oh, what a takedown.
And Burch-- oh.
[Nigel] Beautiful, seamless European uppercut followed with a Europe--
excuse me, with a forearm and a quick tag.
That's what these guys have to do. Quick for tag, in and out.
[Percy] Cut the ring in half.
Don't let Kyle O'Reilly get to his tag--oh.
[Vic] We talk about his tag team partner, Roderick Strong.
He's gonna-- On O'Reilly in the center of the ring.
[Nigel] Strong came in to try to help. He actually hurt things.
[man 1] Let's go.
[Vic] Oh.
[man 1] Let's go, let's go, let's go.
[Vic] Burch and Lorcan, no nonsense, straight forward.
They wanna take the fight to Undisputed Era,
and right now they certainly have.
[man 1] Let's go, let's go, let's move.
[Nigel] Big opportunity for Danny Burch, as I mentioned before,
I've known him from the very beginning since he was coming his teeth.
This is his second opportunity in NXT and he is not gonna waste it.
[Vic] Let's talk about that, that second opportunity
because Percy you can relate a lot to a guy like Danny Burch,
he's second go around here at NXT.
[Percy] Oh, without a doubt, I do, man.
I know what it's like to get that second opportunity.
You better believe Danny Burch will not let this opportunity slide, man.
All he wants to do is prove that he deserves to be here.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Look at the strategy of O'Reilly lurching from his back.
He's very comfortable and he's back with that MMA training.
[Strong] Come on.
[Vic] Quickly attacking right on top of Oney Lorcan, and Lorcan now.
Oh. Oh. Whoa. Oh.
[Nigel] Lorcan likes to fight, he likes to strike.
[Percy] We don't call him the Boston brawler for nothing.
[Vic] O'Reilly wisely trying to close the gap between him and Lorcan.
[Percy] Look at the speed of O'Reilly.
Oh.
[Vic] But you're not fast when you're on the ground, Percy,
and that's where O'Reilly is right now.
As Lorcan dragging O'Reilly right back over, tag in,
and Danny Burch back in the matchup.
[man 2] You can fight him of.
[man 3] Let him out, man. Come on, let him out.
Oh.
[Percy] Hey guys, you're gonna think a physical matchup
will definitely, definitely favor the challenge.
[Vic] Burch charging in.
Oh.
[Nigel] What an incredible stunt.
This is a great pace, and the pace that the challengers really want.
Nice [Indistinct]
[Vic] Nigel, I was gonna ask you,
what the pressure--will the lights be too big for Burch and Oney Lorcan?
[Nigel] Well, it doesn't look like it thus far, does it?
Oh [Indistinct]
[Vic] Sent to the outside.
[Percy] Hey, look, I don't think so. They've been waiting on this moment.
Oh.
[Vic] Roderick Strong picking up on the distraction from O'Reilly.
[Nigel] See, Burch's mouth is wide open there,
he really got caught with that dropkick.
Oh.
[Vic] Rib first on the led board went Burch.
Roderick Strong, tag made.
[Nigel] Here--was--Burch was distracted.
No way to protect himself from that dropkick.
[Vic] Roderick Strong now, oh, with Kyle O'Reilly.
[Nigel] Burch in trouble.
Two on one using a referee's full five-count to take the advantage.
-[Vic] And O'Reilly. -[Nigel] Look at that move.
[Indistinct]
[Vic] On the left elbow, and transitions right in,
right into the kneebar.
Trending right now on Twitter, NXT TakeOver.
The first one for Danny Burch--
no, he does not wanna tap out, as a tag was made.
Strong enters back into the ring.
[Nigel] Danny Burch using the toe and ankle
to release some of the pressure.
[Vic] Strong right on top of Burch.
When you look at Roderick Strong,
you talk about superstar who has really switched his mindset.
Strong saying he joined Undisputed Era
at TakeOver New Orleans, he did for himself.
And now, because he was selfish,
he finally can call himself a champion here in NXT.
[Nigel] Well, I think it's a fair point--
oh, beautiful back breaker, let's see if he tries a pinfall.
[Vic] Strong into the cover, hooks the leg to retain the titles,
and Burch out at two.
[Percy] Switched his mindset or lost his weight?
[Nigel] Well, how long had Roderick Strong been here in NXT
without championship gold?
And as soon as he switched allegiances, boom, his a champion.
How can you argue with that?
[Percy] Let's not forget, Nigel,
he had an opportunity with Pete Dunne, he had it.
[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly back into the matchup.
And Undisputed Era working together like a well-oiled machine.
And considering that tandem offense,
O'Reilly continuing to focus on that left shoulder--
Burch for a moment now.
And a nice takedown by O'Reilly.
[Nigel] Jumps out at the guard.
[Vic] And a right back to the mid-section.
[Nigel] Great grappling jujitsu ability, showing that he can be just as physical.
[Percy] And that arm strikes.
[Vic] The Undisputed Era with that pack mentality we've talked about.
We talk tag team champions.
[Nigel] Trying for the elbow right in the center.
Trying to retain-- O'Reilly looking for that arm bar,
which is focused on that left elbow,
Burch is fighting and getting over to the bottom rope.
We talk about the tag titles, the North American title,
the first war games victory in NXT belongs to Undisputed Era.
Is that pack mentality what has made Undisputed Era so successful, Nigel?
[Nigel] Well, there's certainly value in numbers,
there's certainly strength in numbers,
and they've had the numbers advantage for a number of times,
but of course it was when--
it was when Lorcan and Burch teamed up with Pete Dunne
that they evened those numbers advantage and got that victory.
[Vic] Oh, Burch in the wrong corner.
We talk about numbers advantage-- what a drop kick from Strong,
into the cover to retain, and Burch again kicking out at two.
[Nigel] Burch is certainly hurting here now, there's no doubt about that.
And the Undisputed Era trying to really in act some retribution
because we gotta not forget,
it was Burch that pinned O'Reilly to get this title opportunity.
[Vic] Roderick Strong focusing on the left elbow,
which has been the main focus of Kyle O'Reilly
on Danny Burch throughout the matchup.
Burch trying to create a little bit of separation.
Burch a little bit of separation now, but Strong trying to capitalize.
[Nigel] Oh, there's nobody home.
[Vic] Missed his target. And Burch, back throw.
And now for Danny Burch,
he's got to find his way over to the corner to tag Oney Lorcan.
As Kyle O'Reilly tags in, and O'Reilly right after Lorcan.
[Nigel] Strong saving it for his team there.
[Vic] Head-butt rocking Kyle O'Reilly.
Both men down.
[Nigel] O'Reilly down to both knees, though.
[Percy] Oney Lorcan can't wait to get in.
The first contestant to that corner, make that tag.
[Nigel] Critical moment in the match.
[Vic] O'Reilly reaching out…
[Percy] Here we go.
[Vic] …tags in, in comes Oney Lorcan.
And Lorcan, a lot of pent up frustration, waiting patiently,
to get an opportunity.
-[Percy] Look at the fire… -[Vic] What a clothesline.
Look at the fire in the eyes of Oney Lorcan.
[Vic] What a beat-cleaning uppercut.
[Nigel] Oney Lorcan pulling out on the stops.
[Vic] And taken out the Undisputed Era.
[Percy] Hold on boys, oh.
[Nigel] Lorcan doesn't care. The only he cares about are those titles.
[Vic] And the only way to win the championship
is by pinfall or submission for Oney Lorcan.
Can Lorcan put away--whoa. [Indistinct]
[Nigel] Strong.
Oh, my goodness. For the tag titles.
[Vic] Kicks out at two.
[Percy] Man, how big of a shock to the system will it be?
[Vic] Nigel, is the pace as we take a look at Oney Lorcan going aerial
to take out Undisputed Era.
[Nigel] From a different angle,
all the pace and the risk-taking ability of Lorcan.
[Vic] Is this the pace the challengers want?
[Nigel] Absolutely, I said it at the beginning of the match,
the faster it goes, the more greedy are these guys.
[Percy] It's definitely working for them.
-[Vic] Oh, wait. -[Percy] Wait a minute.
[Vic] And--oh, Strong, and Lorcan-- whoa, blockbuster.
-[Nigel] With a two-for-one. -[Vic] Tag.
[Nigel] Oh, here comes Burch,
he absorbed a lot of punishment early but this could be it.
They'd beaten guys with this before, yes. Oh.
[Vic] He's been undisputed that way.
Are we gonna have new champions?
-[Percy] Here it is. -[Indistinct]
[Vic] And O'Reilly in at the last moment.
[Nigel] Well, if not for Kyle O'Reilly we would have new tag team champions.
What a save.
[Vic] Lorcan looking around and--what is--now Burch…
…trying to lift up Roderick Strong.
-[Vic] Lorcan to the top. And Roderick… -[Percy] Oh, no.
Oh, my…
[Vic] Oh, and Lorcan taking out,
and Burch trying to take out-- oh, Roderick Strong.
[Nigel] Right hand landed…
Oh.
With the enziguri, but he staggered in the center.
[Vic] O'Reilly the legal man, and trying to chop down Danny Burch.
[Percy] Oh, strike from Kyle O'Reilly.
[Vic] And Burch head-butt to the mid-section.
Burch got--has to know, he's the only one standing for his team.
And O'Reilly, oh.
Oh.
Float over.
Cover, and Burch out at two.
But O'Reilly trying to transition right into the armbar,
trying to make Burch tap out.
[Percy] Not fully extended.
Burch [Indistinct]
[Nigel] Using that monkey grip to prevent the full extension on the arm breaker.
[Percy] Kyle O'Reilly trying to break that grip of Danny Burch.
[Vic] O'Reilly swaying away,
Burch fighting for everything he's got left in there, and.
[Nigel] Oh, he's going--this is the…
[Vic] One last muscle to fully-- it's fully extended.
And Burch, the left elbow.
[Nigel] Look at Burch trying to change the angle to protect the elbow.
[Vic] Is Danny Burch gonna tap out?
Burch fighting, trying, even if it's [Indistinct]
[Percy] So close.
[Nigel] Fighting, Burch refusing to [Indistinct]
Well done.
What an incredible fortitude from Danny Burch.
He knows what's on the line,
he knows the opportunity, he will not let it go.
[Vic] The biggest opportunity in Danny Burch's career,
but just for reminder, what happened to Oney Lorcan.
Boom, spine first.
[Nigel] Because Lorcan attempted to take things to a different level.
[Vic] It's O'Reilly, trying into the cover,
the legal man looking to retain the titles.
Oh, my goodness.
And again, another near fall.
And what must Undisputed Era
do to take out Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan?
[Percy] I just cannot get over,
the guts of Burch and Lorcan here tonight.
[Vic] O'Reilly back into the ring.
[Nigel] Burch facedown barely able to stand, oh, hold on a second.
Well done Danny Burch, dig in deep.
[Vic] Dig in deep, indeed, and O'Reilly over the top.
And Oney Lorcan…
How is Lorcan on his feet?
Double blockbuster on the floor.
[Nigel] Adrenaline coursing through the veins.
[Percy] We might see the championships change hands, folks.
[Vic] Lorcan to the top rope and lifting up O'Reilly.
[Percy] Oh, boy [Indistinct]
[Vic] Lorcan cover, new champs?
[Percy] Oh, look at this.
[Vic] Adam Cole just saved the tag team championships.
[Nigel] Oh, he's out.
The referee has seen it, sending Adam Cole to the back.
[Vic] Adam Cole just sent back in, by the referee.
[Vic] And now the numbers advantage that Undisputed Era's used to, guys,
it's two on two.
[Nigel] But Adam Cole arguably has done his job now.
Save the match for the Undisputed Era.
[Percy] This is not over.
[Vic] O'Reilly back into the ring.
We are even, its two-two.
Does this make the advantage in favor of Burch and Lorcan?
Lorcan lifting up O'Reilly,
and Burch, oh, and burch, oh.
[Nigel] Hey, wait a minute.
O'Reilly in the center, he has the guillotine on [Indistinct]
With that body scissors as well.
[Vic] Is Lorcan gonna tap out?
Is Oney Lorcan gonna tap out, center of the ring.
[Nigel] No one to save him, oh, but he fights.
[Vic] Can the Undisputed Era retain the undisputed titles and, no.
[Percy] What a counter by Oney Lorcan.
Lorcan knows his time is on the line,
who knows when this opportunity will come back around for this tag team.
[Nigel] Oh, Lorcan now must tend to himself.
[Vic] Strong the legal man, I don't believe Lorcan knows it.
[crowd cheering]
Chop in the leg is Oney.
The left knee taken out, and Lorcan, powerbomb--
[Nigel] Powerbomb. Folds him up.
-[Vic] A kick-out, but wait… -[Nigel] Wait, wait.
[Vic] Lorcan rolled him to the single crab.
[Nigel] Half crab.
[Vic] It's drawn quickly. Trying to get to the bottom rope.
[Nigel] And Lorcan attempted to save-- oh, but it doesn't matter--
oh, look at that.
Oh, refusing to release the hold.
Oh, guillotine.
And Burch following up. Oh.
Front face-- Undisputed Era…
-[Nigel] Era's gonna tap. -[Vic] Are they gonna tap out?
Are we gonna have new tag team champions?
[Nigel] Both members of the era far from the bottom rope, far from safety.
[Vic] Roderick Strong is the legalman.
Oh, look… Look at this.
-[Vic] Oh, O'Reilly kicking Lorcan. -[Nigel] Wow.
Desperation up kick.
[crowd cheering]
This is absolutely incredible.
[crowd cheering]
-Come on. -Go, go, go, go.
They want more.
[Vic] Absolutely.
The greatest of Lorcan and Burch on display.
And Lorcan now oh, throwing rights at O'Reilly--
[Nigel] Slice.
[Vic] It's two-on-one, numbers advantage, Undisputed Era.
-[Nigel] Oh. -[Vic] Oh.
Undisputed era…
[Nigel] Oh, my--and down Lorcan.
Cover.
One, two, three.
Undisputed Era retains the NXT tag team titles.
Your winner and still NXT tag team champions,
Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong.
[Percy] Hey, look.
Undisputed era may have retained their tag team championships tonight,
but Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch pushed the champions to the very limit.
I can't-- and if it hadn't been for Adam Cole,
we might have seen a different situation.
[Nigel] I can't disagree with you, Percy.
Lorcan and Burch came out here to prove a point, they certainly did that.
They may not be leaving with the titles but they'd left with their pride.
[Vic] Undisputed era literally gripping,
holding on to the NXT Tag Team Championship.
What an effort from Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch.
[Nigel] Oh, here it was.
Taking things up on a level, doomsday European uppercut
and hooking in [Indistinct]
But look on the outside, it was Adam Cole,
the leader of the Undisputed Era who saved things for his team.
[Vic] And then Adam Cole would feel the wrath of the official
who would even the odds kicking Adam Cole out of the ringside
making this two-on-two.
[Percy] And we all thought this was it right here.
Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
had the era right where they wanted them,
but Kyle O'Reilly still fighting his way out.
It was the desperation of O'Reilly, but ultimately,
it would come down to a two-on-one situation,
and if it's the Undisputed Era, two against one, they always win.
One, two, three.
[Vic] Undisputed Era retaining their tag team titles tonight.
And you would see Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong.
But once again,
what an effort from the team of Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch.
[Percy] We were talking about a war, that was an absolute battle,
that was a fight right there.
[Nigel] What a way to start off.
What a way for TakeOver: Chicago to get in the hooks.
[music]
[Percy] The challengers may be disappointed
but they can keep their heads held high.
[Nigel] The champions remain strong, though, the Undisputed Era
still on top of the pile in NXT.
[crowd cheering]
[music]
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Well, of course, money in the bank,
all about title opportunities,
and this man has a huge one tonight.
The [indistinct]
Lars Sullivan, he has caught the Black Mass,
spinning heel kick before, can he do it tonight,
and strip the champion off his title?
[Percy] Yeah, that was a [indistinct]
The winner of the million prize. The Pirate Princess, Kairi Sane
is gonna get some [indistinct]
Kairi's bringing to sea [indistinct]
Chicago as the NXT women's champ.
[Vic] Oh, and Kairi Sane no stranger to the spotlight.
And one matchup we have for you next,
it all started with Ricochet setting his sights
on the NXT championship, but Velveteen Dream taking exemption
then from there, it's been about who has the biggest spotlight.
And from Ricochet's point of view, this rivalry has taken
a step because he believes he's the one outshining the Velveteen Dream.
[music]
You know, for a while, the name Ricochet always coincided
with this kid who could do flips.
I kind of set an expectation for myself
that I have to stay at this certain level or exceeded a lot of times.
[Vic] The one thing you can expect is the unexpected.
[Ricochet] For 15 years, I have scraped and clawed my way
to the top of every single company that I have been in.
[Vic] The One and Only is in NXT.
[Ricochet] The One and Only, that must mean you're blessed.
I'd say I'm blessed.
[Vic] Dripping in finesse and attitude, the Velveteen Dream
has certainly proved he's tough enough.
When you're truly blessed,
you don't need to struggle.
Being blessed means that you're equipped with intangibles, with--
what's the word, "it".
Do you wanna know what "it" is?
Every word they say, every gesture, hooked just like that.
Ricochet is good, that's athletically.
You can impress a few people, but can you make them feel it?
[crowd cheering]
No, no, no.
Understand this.
Anything that you can do, the Dream can do better.
Prove it.
Velveteen, what's the worst struggle he's had?
Being eliminated from a reality TV show?
The Dream has no memory of that.
And not only that, he gets his NXT contract,
he gets his opportunity.
Well, I got mine, and I wasn't handed it, I earned it.
There's a monarchy here in NXT, and Ricochet believes
that he's the king, and that's funny to the Dream.
Well, the Dream would have picked a crown,
he'd choose to be the prince.
The difference between a king and a prince?
The king was good, but that prince,
he knows that there's a bigger crown.
In NXT TakeOver: Chicago…
when 100% of my focus is on the Velveteen Dream…
the king will fall.
[Ricochet] The only thing that he's going to experience…
The monarchy dies, it's defeat. The Velveteen Dream will rise.
at the hands of the king Ricochet.
[crowd cheering]
[music]
[bell ringing]
The following contest is scheduled for one-fall.
Making his way to the ring from Capitol Hill, Washington DC,
weighing in at 227 pounds,
the Velveteen Dream.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Well, guys, as Mauro Ranallo said,
Velveteen Dream always dripping in finesse.
[Nigel] Take a look at him, I mean, he clearly is the man
who feels like he's been a little bit upstaged by the man
they call the One and Only, the Ricochet.
[Vic] Well, you know, Nigel,
when you take a look at Velveteen Dream and you just heard
from Velveteen Dream, does he have that "it" factor?
Oh, he certainly got the "it" factor but the question is…
does he have the athletic ability to compete with Ricochet?
[Nigel] Of all these superstars competing
that six-man ladder match at New Orleans TakeOver
for the north American title, both superstars want to align
themselves for future opportunities for the NXT championship.
One superstar is gonna take his step forward here tonight.
And look at that outfit as well, Dream mighty are running wild.
Yeah.
[Vic] All these superstars is very active on social media.
We've seen John Cena actually talk about Velveteen Dream
as the future of NXT of the WWE.
[Vic] Yeah. Quite the endorsement.
I have to agree with them. You seen Velveteen Dream time
and time again but if he wants to beat Ricochet here tonight
that he's gonna have to earn.
[Nigel] When it comes crashing down it hurts inside, really hurt tonight
for the Velveteen Dream.
Oh, what's this?
[Vic] Joking aside this is a very personal match
for Velveteen Dream.
[Percy] Of course it is, he believes the spotlight
has been taken off him. It's been all about Ricochet,
since Ricochet's arrival.
Velveteen Dream as you can see needs the spotlight on himself.
[Vic] All day long. Look at him.
That's how you win by the end of the night.
One of these two competitor is gonna walk out of Chicago
with all the shine.
[music]
And his opponent, from Paducah, Kentucky,
weighing in at 190 pounds, Ricochet.
[Nigel] A [indistinct] you mentioned, Velveteen Dream [Indistinct]
Velveteen is gonna have to earn it.
I would dare say Ricochet is gonna have to earn it as well.
Take a look at Velveteen Dream there, just hanging out.
[Percy] Velveteen Dream better not to cavalier, but [Indistinct]
A two or less, because Ricochet is here tonight.
He means absolute business.
Ricochet also hasn't forgotten about teaming
with Velveteen Dream and Velveteen Dream turning his back
on Ricochet several weeks ago on NXT TV.
[Percy] Velveteen Dream [Indistinct]
They was gonna be working together
but that's the kind of man that Velveteen Dream is.
[Vic] NXT TakeOver: Chicago is presented by WWE Champions,
the mobile game, download WWE Champions now and enter code
"Strongstyle" to get a free Shinsuke Nakamura character.
We talked about the endorsement of John Cena
of the Velveteen Dream, how about the endorsement on social media
that Ricochet received from "the great one", The Rock.
As Ricochet and Velveteen Dream looking to electrify the crowd
here at TakeOver in Chicago tonight.
Look at the wings on the back of Ricochet
I think we're gonna see this man fly tonight.
[Nigel] And take a look at the way Velveteen Dream is getting
in the ring here, taking over time. He's gonna do it in his own place.
You think he's being cautious?
[Percy] You're asking me or Nigel? But [Indistinct]
-[Vic] Either one. -[Nigel] It's mind games.
Both superstars have locked eyes and now meet face-to-face.
Here we go.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] You can feel the anticipation, can't you?
A lot on the line here, this really is a personal vendetta
between these two.
Both men taking digs at each other.
[Vic] As they lock up, Nigel, how equal are these two.
How similar are these two superstars?
[Nigel] Well, I'd have to say given athletic advantage to Ricochet
but that's with anytime, anybody's in the ring with this man.
Uh-oh.
[Vic] In terms of a strategy perhaps
Velveteen Dream's got the better one here.
Trying to get inside the head of Ricochet.
[Nigel] Ricochet doesn't seem too fazed yet, Percy.
No, that wouldn't bother Ricochet. Ricochet is here to get a victory.
He's not worried about the antics of Velveteen Dream.
[Vic] Oh, Nigel, I ask if you--
do you believe there'll be a feeling out process between
these two superstars early on?
[Nigel] It looks like it, thus far, doesn't it?
I think both men, you know, as much as they've said about each other.
They are perfectly aware of what the other person is capable of.
[Nigel] Oh, simple check [Indistinct]
Exchange and into the head scissors and as you can see Dream,
unable to get out.
[Percy] It's just smart of Ricochet trying to get Velveteen Dream frustrated early.
[Nigel] That's the thing about Ricochet.
He really is one of the best high flyers in the business today.
But he's not just that, it's his ability to do it at the right time
and not make mistakes.
[Vic] When you take a look at Ricochet, Nigel, you know,
again, a lot of people talk about Ricochet's
amazing athletic ability but you can also argue
his technical sound in the ring.
[Nigel] There's no argument to be made it's a hundred percent…
[Vic] Near-fall, first in the matchup.
I think the big umbrage
that Velveteen Dream has with the night Ricochet had for himself
before he came to NXT and perhaps the opportunities he--it [Indistinct]
over it.
[crowd cheering]
Interesting start of the match, side headlock.
Cover, shoulder up, and again, Percy, I'll ask you,
we already mentioned what John Cena said about Velveteen Dream.
A lot of people believe that Velveteen Dream is the future
of this business, what say you?
[Percy] I mean, he very well may be. He has all the tools, I mean,
he's as physical as they come, he looks great,
and they guy can move he can put in the work in the ring,
he's got a ton of charisma.
[Vic] Oh, showcasing the power game
is Velveteen Dream.
Probably the most important thing, Percy,
is that Velveteen Dream believes in himself.
You can't put a price on that.
Absolutely not.
And a very dangerous man, the one who believes in himself. Oh.
[Nigel] Oh, that's a good scissors,
I've never seen that before.
[Vic] And I don't think Dream has seen that he didn't take Ricochet off his feet.
[Nigel] From the Velveteen Dream team, I mean.
[Percy] Coming in, pace starting to quicken, which is right
what Ricochet is gonna want
in this match up, the pace to be.
Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Ricochet may have the best balance of anyone in NXT.
He is like a world-class parkour competitor.
[crowd chatter]
Oh.
[Vic] And Ricochet into the cover, rolls through,
Velveteen Dream out at one.
And a quick go behind, the size of Velveteen Dream and Ricochet.
Hook in the head, oh, and a dropkick.
And the momentum starting to sway in the favor of Ricochet
here in the early going.
[Nigel] If you know one thing from those slaps is that Ricochet
will not let Velveteen Dream get in his head.
-[Vic] Oh. -[Nigel] Oh.
[Vic] A right hand, and now Ricochet, takes to the air,
and Velveteen Dream had it scouted.
Ricochet all the way to the floor.
[Percy] Ricochet could be in trouble. That top rope across the throat
that--that's a big trouble for Ricochet.
-You can't breathe, you ain't fighting. -Two.
[Vic] Let's take one more look.
[Percy] Velveteen Dream was able to turn things around.
He saw this from a mile away.
[Nigel] It was one of the few mistakes
Ricochet has made in this match so far.
[Vic] You don't wanna make a lot of mistakes
when you're taking on something like Velveteen Dream.
[Nigel] Right, do you not--look at the aggression now
of Dream in the corner.
[Vic] And Dream stomping away.
Again he stated. Oh. anything Ricochet can do,
the Dream can do better.
One, two, three, four.
Hey, come on. Do not touch me.
Hey. I'm the Velveteen Dream. Don't touch me.
[Nigel] We saw earlier Dream talking about being blessed.
One thing he was blessed with was perhaps the biggest ego of anyone in NXT.
[Vic] Oh, his ego will only get bigger
if he's able to put away Ricochet here tonight.
And Dream hoisting and dropping Ricochet over the top rope.
Velveteen Dream taking the time soaking it in.
[Nigel] And, oh.
[Percy] Look at that. That's one of Ricochet's moves.
[Vic] Again, Nigel, a point was made, anything Ricochet can do,
Velveteen Dream believes he can do it better.
[Nigel] I think that's what Velveteen Dream is doing here.
He's trying to match Ricochet for athletic ability.
[Percy] But Velveteen Dream can't be too patient.
He's got to continue to-- continue to punish Ricochet.
You can't just wait around and be cocky.
Neckbreaker.
Dream into the cover, hooks both legs.
And Ricochet out at two.
[Nigel] Oh, thus far, Percy, Dream has been cocky.
And he's being very effective with it.
Can't argue with results.
Get up, bingo hall, boy.
That don't work, hit me.
[Vic] Oh, and Ricochet now,
trying to feed off the energy of the crowd here in Chicago.
Able to side--oh. Sidestep Dream for a moment.
What a back elbow from Ricochet.
And Ricochet shoved all the way to the floor.
Velveteen Dream from behind.
And again, Dream has had Ricochet scouted from the onset.
[Percy] There was nothing pretty about that.
But it was clearly effective.
[Nigel] Now, he's looking again to…
[Percy] Hold on, hold on.
[Nigel] Perhaps…
[Vic] Dream going over the top again.
[Nigel] For the third time in this match, that's something
I have never seen Velveteen Dream do before.
[Vic] But we have seen Ricochet do it.
And a cover, hook to the leg.
And again, Ricochet's right shoulder up in two.
[Percy] As it stands right now, Velveteen Dream is completely
beating Ricochet at his own game. Look at this right here.
[Vic] And Dream slowing down the pace,
so what we've seen thus far from Velveteen Dream, Nigel,
do you like the strategy to slow things down to wear down Ricochet?
[Nigel] How could I not like it when
he's got this advantage and we've seen relatively little
from the One and Only thus far in the match.
[Vic] But the real big question,
Percy, is at some point,
Ricochet is gonna get going,
how long can Velveteen Dream keep the One and Only grounded?
[Percy] Well, that is the question.
But, I mean, this is the smart thing to do
about Velveteen Dream right now to keep the high flyer down,
not letting him get to that onslaught.
No, not yet. That don't work.
[Nigel] You'd have to think,
if you're Ricochet and you come out here for this match,
this is the last thing you expect
that your opponent is gonna try to beat you with athleticism.
Perhaps that stunned him.
[Vic] And Ricochet back to his feet.
Oh, and a forearm from Velveteen Dream.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Strong boot creates a little bit of separation.
But look, on the ropes, Ricochet still having trouble breathing.
[Vic] Ricochet trying to refocus himself in this matchup.
And a right hand and--oh,
Velveteen Dream.
And Dream sent to the outside.
[Percy] Well, is he trying to buy himself some time to come back to life?
[Nigel] Look how slow he was to follow up on that.
Velveteen Dream has done an absolutely superb job in this match.
[Vic] An enzuigiri missing wild.
And Velveteen Dream continuing to try to pick apart Ricochet.
Dream charging in, Ricochet both feet up this time.
As Ricochet flying through with a dropkick.
[Percy] You called it, Vic. It was only a matter of time
before Ricochet begins to turn things around here.
[Vic] Well, Ricochet still trying to get out to the blocks
here against Velveteen Dream.
There's one way to do that though, guys.
The only way Ricochet knows how to live.
[Vic] Oh, boy. Here we go.
Laying it all on the line.
Wow.
[Nigel] Strong topé, fast, aggressive.
[Vic] Wait, wait.
Ricochet is not done.
[Vic] Oh, man.
Sticking the landing.
[Nigel] Now, Ricochet is exactly where he wants to be, in his wheelhouse flying.
[Percy] And the pace has picked up as Ricochet answers him with a European.
Out of the corner.
And, oh.
What offense on display.
As Ricochet flies through the air and takedown Dream.
Into the cover.
The count.
One, two.
Dream out at two.
[Nigel] Springboard European uppercut, landed it.
Let's take a look. At first, this dive,
topé, it was simple but boy, was it effective.
Look how he lands, perfectly diving Dream into the mat.
[Vic] He got all of that.
And certainly, boom, Ricochet, no stranger to landing on the line.
Ricochet going for broke,
doing whatever he feels and deems necessary to take out the Velveteen Dream.
[Nigel] Fosbury Flop dive, landed it perfectly.
Oh, that was a mistake.
[Vic] Ricochet telegraphing Velveteen Dream,
trying to take advantage and--oh.
A jumping neckbreaker from Ricochet.
Standing Shooting Star.
Cover.
One, two.
Kick out again by Dream.
Left shoulder just getting up.
[Vic] Hey, look guys, this is the pace that Velveteen Dream
did not want to face here against Ricochet.
[Nigel] Certainly, he looks to be in a little bit trouble now.
Take a look at his mouth. It's wide open that's means he's breathing hard.
[Vic] Up goes Velveteen Dream.
[Nigel] He barely stands.
[Percy] To the outside.
And Velveteen Dream though
doesn't realize Ricochet on his feet, doesn't realize Ricochet to the top rope.
[Vic] Ricochet is most comfortable--oh.
[Nigel] He's not comfortable anymore.
[Vic] Not at all.
[Nigel] I spoke too soon.
[Vic] That's just the great ring awareness and presence of Velveteen.
[Percy] Certainly, not the position Ricochet wants to be in at this moment.
What is on the mind of Velveteen Dream?
[Nigel] Perhaps, putting Ricochet away as soon as possible.
You can see here.
He got in the lion's share of the offense early in the match.
And that expends a lot of energy.
And, oh.
[Percy] Guys, Velveteen Dream
certainly not gonna like-- when he looks up.
[Vic] Time to shine.
[Vic] Again, Ricochet wisely able to stay one step ahead of the
Velveteen Dream.
[Nigel] Ricochet knew what Dream had in store for him,
elected to jump to the outside and strike himself.
Oh, this is bad intention.
[Vic] Wait a minute.
Oh, no, he's got caught.
And Dream--oh.
[Nigel] Dream got all of it.
[Vic] Rolling Death Valley Bomb off the top.
Look at the eyes.
Dream felt it too however.
[Percy] Dream into the cover.
One, two.
Ricochet out in two. And this match continues.
[Nigel] Here it is. The death valley bomb off the top. But look how Velveteen Dream
lands as well.
Wham, there was impact to both superstars
which made it took a little bit longer than usual for Dream to follow up.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Velveteen Dream crawling,
knows he might need one more impactful maneuver to put away Ricochet.
Is the spotlight gonna shine to brightest on Velveteen Dream?
[Nigel] And again, both these men so aware of each other's offensive moves.
They're thinking one, two moves ahead of each other.
[Percy] And wait…
You guys knock it off.
What's on the mind of Ricochet now?
[Vic] Ricochet wants to end this thing.
[Nigel] Perhaps--oh, no.
No, no, no.
Velveteen Dream.
No, no, no, no.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Velveteen Dream will do whatever it takes, willing to sacrifice himself.
Absolutely…
[Percy] Yeah, he just suplexed Ricochet.
[Nigel] Oh, my goodness. …incredible.
[Vic] He just suplexed Ricochet all the way to the floor.
[Nigel] It was Ricochet, perhaps, who was looking for the suplex
but instead it was Dream who hoisted the One and Only.
[Percy] As referee has started his count.
Up to five.
And Ricochet just getting in.
[Nigel] No way, either superstar was gonna let it end like that.
Look at the height and the impact of this suplex from the apron.
[Vic] Oh, man.
[Percy] I gotta tell you,
I'm surprised that either man made it into the ring before the count to ten.
[Vic] That's why these two are considered the future of NXT.
[Nigel] But now, this is a pivotal moment in this match.
Who can capitalize?
Both men considerable damage done.
Could be internal injuries from a fall from that height, I don't know.
[Percy] They got hasty all the time, man,
this is--at this point it's not about skill, it's about will.
[Vic] And who wants it more?
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Oh, missed that.
Whoa.
[Vic] And, oh, Dream connected again. This could be it.
Dream into the cover.
One, two.
Ricochet at another near fall.
[Percy] And Dream scrambled to get that cover
and still wasn't enough to put away Ricochet.
[Vic] No wasted moment from Velveteen Dream either,
was that just instinct on the part of Ricochet?
[Nigel] Or was it perhaps Velveteen Dream playing possum lying in wait.
Both men getting up showing fatigue,
but as soon as Ricochet pounced, Velveteen Dream was there to catch him.
Look at this.
He was there, ducked, picks him up.
Boom.
Beautiful Death Valley Bomb,
and quickly follows up, and hooks the leg.
[Vic] Nigel, unlike the first time,
Velveteen Dream got all of that. [indistinct]
Yeah, but driving all of his body weight into the chest of Ricochet.
[Percy] And both men are hurt, boys. Look at this.
This is about who wants it more at this point.
[Vic] Stunning right hand, dropping the Dream.
Oh, Velveteen Dream answering back.
[Nigel] Not a lot to muster behind these shots at this point,
but you can understand why.
[Vic] Yeah. I think Velveteen, guys, definitely said it.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Body shots from both competitors.
Looking to drive the wind out of the rib cage.
[Vic] Imagine the damage done to both after that massive suplex
to the floor from Dream to Ricochet.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] This is the worst point in a match.
There's almost nothing left in the tank.
[Vic] Ricochet answering with a barrage of shots.
[Percy] I believe Ricochet will fight until there's nothing left.
[Vic] Rolling through.
[Nigel] Velveteen Dream,
looking for that DDT.
He got it with a connect.
[Vic] Roll through from the northern lights. And…
[Percy] Look at the suplex.
[Vic] No. But Ricochet's back gave out.
[Nigel] Too much damage done from that big suplex.
Oh, what a Super Kick from Velveteen Dream.
[Nigel] And a big pump kick from Ricochet.
[Vic] What a match.
[Percy] Ricochet is taking the-- oh.
[Vic] One for one.
And now, Dream off the top gets caught.
Whoa. What a clothesline in Ricochet.
Could be moments away from
putting down the Velveteen Dream.
And the back… Oh.
Boom. There's a ddt.
Into the cover.
One, two.
Ricochet again, able to kick out at two and a half.
[Nigel] Well, your heart's got to go out to both of these men giving
absolutely everything.
[crowd cheering]
The NXT universe on their feet,
but the question is which of these great competitors can
get to their feet first?
[Percy] And guys, I don't know if you noticed, but that last kick out…
Come on.
You belong in a bingo hall.
You hear that?
[crowd cheering]
I'm awesome.
That's the last farewell,
superstar, you hear me?
I am homegrown.
You belong in a bingo hall,
hotdogs and handshakes for you.
I'm a wrestling god.
A wrestling god.
Oh.
[Percy] Oh, Ricochet scooping up and--oh.
[Nigel] Death valley bomb of his own.
[Vic] We've seen Velveteen Dream do it not once, but twice,
and is this now the moment?
Is this the moment for Ricochet?
[Percy] This might be it.
Dream did too much time talking.
Ricochet all the way to the top.
But…
[Nigel] His pausing.
[Percy] Here we go, oh.
Yeah.
Showtime.
[Vic] Oh, look at that.
That's Purple Rainmaker. That's Dream's move.
[Vic] Elbow drop into the cover.
Velveteen… Oh, boy.
…Dream kicks out.
[Vic] Ricochet cannot believe it.
[Nigel] Pulled that out of Velveteen
Dream's playbook,
Purple Rainmaker elbow,
but was it a mistake?
Perhaps, he should've gone for something he's more familiar with.
[Vic] Yeah, like maybe what he's possibly setting up Velveteen
Dream for now, that 630 off the top.
[Percy] And that elbow was impactful
nonetheless, but this could be all over right here.
[Vic] Talk about impactful is
Velveteen Dream maybe sensing it wisely rolling away.
[Nigel] Of course, it was a wise move from Dream.
[Percy] The final flight.
[Vic] And it is making the One and Only…
Oh, wait a second.
Maybe rethink his strategy. Oh, wait.
Or maybe not.
[Vic] He's not gonna… Look how far away he is.
Oh, my--oh, no.
[Percy] The man got the knees up on
the shooting star.
Velveteen Dream, cover.
One, two.
Oh, wow.
Ricochet kicks out again.
[Percy] How the hell did Ricochet kick out of that?
[Nigel] What a match,
for everyone in the arena.
Everyone on the NXT universe
including me, we were like, "can he make this Shooting Star Press…"
[Percy] Well, I can't believe "…or not?"
…where Velveteen Dream is going.
Ricochet…
[Vic] He's on the other side of the ring.
[Percy] Yeah. He--he's all the way across the ring literally.
Velveteen Dream.
Oh, no. He went for the Purple Rainmaker himself.
[Vic] He would've cleared it, but Ricochet smartly got out of there.
[Percy] He couldn't connect.
[Nigel] Dream now grabbing the left shoulder,
the landing hard…
[Indistinct]
As well.
[Percy] Velveteen Dream could've possibly broken his arm, I have no idea.
[Nigel] He's in so much pain and he…
[Vic] Oh, now, Ricochet all the way to the top.
Ricochet looking down,
630… Whoa.
…connects, cover.
One, two, three.
Whoa.
[bell ringing]
Here's your winner, Ricochet.
[Vic] What a match.
[Percy] I got to say, guys, I am almost speechless at the effort
of the both of those competitors, Velveteen Dream and Ricochet.
[Nigel] Absolutely incredible, both superstars giving their all,
so much on the line.
[Vic] Well, Ricochet victorious tonight, but these two
superstars are trying to one up each other all night long.
[Nigel] Time and time again, and I've mentioned it earlier in the match,
the ego of Velveteen Dream.
Perhaps it was the ego of Velveteen Dream that got the better of him there.
[Percy] And apparently, fellas, anything Velveteen can
Dream--Velveteen Dream can do,
Ricochet can do better.
[Vic] But take a look at Ricochet,
I talked to him earlier tonight,
Ricochet said he is better than Velveteen Dream.
He is the best and the best is yet to come from the One and Only.
[Nigel] It was an incredible matchup back and forth,
both men pulling out everything.
It was here an attempt.
Boom.
Beautiful DDT to stop the offense,
slow to cover,
a lot of fatigue by this point in the match.
[Percy] You got to think there was not much left in that kick out right there.
I'm a wrestling god.
A wrestling god.
Well, the jaw japping certainly didn't help out Velveteen Dream
as Ricochet took advantage and started to turn things around.
[Vic] And look at the distance
covered here by Velvet--by Ricochet.
Look at this.
Look at the precision of Velveteen Dream…
[Nigel] It was…
…with the awareness, getting those knees up.
It wasn't the distance he traveled, it was how he landed the knees up.
And here I mentioned before,
perhaps, it was the ego of Velveteen Dream,
thinking that he could land this move and he had enough time.
There was not enough time
because Ricochet moved and would follow up.
[Vic] And so, did the ego of Ricochet cost him because
following up was the 630 from the One and Only.
[Percy] Ricochet, and this is right here,
this is what sealed the deal for the man, the myth,
"the One and Only" Ricochet.
One more time, take a look at this.
Look at the precision and the accuracy.
There was nothing Velveteen Dream could do.
[Percy] So Nigel, do you believe it was the ego of Velveteen Dream?
[bell ringing]
[Nigel] I would have to say in that instance,
it was, but perhaps it was the ego that got him to that
stage in the first place.
So, bottom line, both men proved
something to me tonight.
The--these guys are future superstars.
They're superstars now to be reckoned with.
But tonight, the spotlight is shining down on "the One and Only" Ricochet.
[music]
She was ready for the games.
Ready for UFC.
She was ready for Hollywood.
But is Ronda Rousey ready for Nia Jax?
Six-feet tall, two hundred seventy pounds.
"The Irresistible Force" Nia Jax, "the baddest woman on the planet"
Ronda Rousey on a collision course for the championship.
Rousey goes for the armbar,
Nia's tapping.
If that happens Sunday, Rousey will shock the world.
[music]
[Vic] Taking a ride along the Chicago River as we kick off
Money in the Bank Weekend here on the WWE network by NXT
TakeOver, here in Chicago and what a night
we've had thus far, gentlemen.
[Nigel] What a night indeed. And of course it was here in Chicago,
one year ago the Batman, the bitter, vitriolic,
and vengeful, Tommaso Ciampa had turned on Johnny Gargano
into one of the most brutal conflicts
In NXT history.
What is going through his mind here tonight?
Lord only knows.
[Vic] Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny
Gargano not about championships,
but our next contest is.
It's all about the NXT Women's
championship as Shayna Baszler
will defend against Nikki Cross.
And has Nikki Cross been playing mind games?
Shayna Baszler believes and absolutely correct,
Nikki Cross Is crazy, but the question is Nikki Cross,
is she crazy or does she know exactly what she's doing?
Because tonight she finds
herself in a match for the Women's Champion ship.
[music]
[bell ringing]
Oh, my god, we have a new NXT Women's Champion.
You know what meant more to me than getting my hand raised in that ring?
I'm just trying to imagine
the women's division under the reign of Shayna Baszler.
It was walking back in the locker room and seeing the fear
in everybody's eyes because fear means respect.
You're gonna get smacked in the face with a hard dose of reality,
and I am that reality.
[Vic] Shayna Baszler decorated
mixed martial artist.
Ranked top ten in the world.
She is dangerous, malicious,
she's smart, calculated.
[music]
People wanna call it bullying, they can put whatever
label they want on it.
That's not what this is.
This is reality.
If you can't handle it, you get weeded out.
[music]
Oh, my god.
The merciless Women's Champion.
The fight starts here.
You train to make your body do exactly what your mind says,
So if your mind breaks, your body will break even easier.
The painful [indistinct] unfolding with the queen of spades.
Shayna.
Nikki Cross has seen enough.
[music]
Shayna.
You thrive on fear?
Me.
This.
What happens when there's no fear?
There's only chaos.
[music]
In her fantasy world, she just won the title.
[music]
Shayna Baszler is NXT Women's Champion.
That was a joke.
And I beat someone to win this.
She hasn't done that and she's not gonna do that.
Shayna.
You wanna delete someone, Shayna?
Maybe Nikki Cross is getting the best of her mentally.
At TakeOver, my chaos will bring me,
your championship my championship.
This is my championship.
Your championship, my championship.
Was it your championship?
Are you serious?
You're seriously asking me if Nikki Cross has the possibility
of taking my championship at the NXT TakeOver: Chicago?
Shayna.
I'm gonna take the NXT Women's Championship.
You know what? I'm done.
I'm done with this.
You--this is why I don't do these interviews.
[music]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] The quote, Nigel, "the mind breaks, but the body breaks easier."
But what sort of mind does Nikki Cross have?
[Percy] Who knows, maybe it's broken already.
[Vic] At the same time, Percy, I ask you this, is she crazy?
Because she's in the championship match, this is what Nikki Cross wanted.
[Percy] How about you ask Nikki Cross if she's crazy?
[Vic] Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
No, thank you.
[Percy] Nikki Cross, she's just unpredictable.
She just hops in the ring and things happen.
There's no planning. There's no strategy.
[Vic] And guys, but also remember, let's not forget how Nikki Cross
loves to play mind games.
It was three weeks going on NXT TV.
Cross, took Shayna Baszler's Championship,
walked it all the way up the ramp, near you guys
and left it there for Shayna Baszler to walk and retrieve.
[Percy] That's just Nikki Cross, man.
[Nigel] They certainly broke the mold
when they made Nikki Cross and they shut down the factory.
[music]
Because Shayna Baszler having
the best training in the world,
but none of it prepared her for this.
[Vic] So, Nigel, you say it's safe
to say that Shayna Baszler has never met anyone as crazy as Nikki Cross.
[Nigel] I dare say so.
She is certainly unpredictable.
[Percy] Look at the eyes.
Looking into those eyes, showtime.
[Vic] Absolute bonus.
[Nigel] She is unhinged, she's unpredictable.
Some say psychotic as well.
She is the challenger for the NXT Women's Championship.
[music]
[Nigel] Held by this woman.
[Vic] Shayna Baszler has been quoted in saying,
"when you step in the ring with me,
you get smacked in the face with a hard dose of reality."
[Percy] Let's see if that happens tonight.
And fellas, we have a little bit of idling here.
The woman that has single handedly
dismantled the women's division now has an opponent
that she has no idea
what to do with.
[Vic] Well, that's is a great point
because Shayna Baszler believes
that everyone in the women's locker room fears her.
But guys, does Nikki Cross even know what fear is?
[Percy] I was getting ready to say, I hope that she understands the
concept of fear.
[Nigel] Absolutely not.
Cross grew up in the rough East End of Glasgow,
developing an immunity to fear.
And immunity to pain as well
which she may be suffering a lot of,
very shortly.
[Vic] Well, Shayna Baszler was worried.
She's certainly not showing in the early going, as confident as ever.
[music]
[Crowd chatter]
[bell ringing]
The following contest,
scheduled for one fall is for the NXT Women's Championship.
Introducing the challenger from Glasgow, Scotland, Nikki Cross.
[crowd cheering]
And her opponent from Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
she is the NXT Women's Champion,
Shayna Baszler.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And Shayna Baszler would love
to retain her NXT women's championship
because if she does, guys, two of the Four
Horsewomen could be champions,
if Ronda Rousey can beat Nia Jax
for the RAW Women's Championship
tomorrow night right here on the WWE network
at Money in the Bank.
[Crowd chatter]
[Nigel] Certainly gonna be test for Baszler.
[bell ringing]
You mentioned before she has never seen anything like Nikki Cross before.
Baszler trained, of course,
by the former UFC Champion Josh Barnett,
catch wrestling legend, Billy Robinson.
[Crowd chatter]
She's adopted the fighting stance, but look.
Now, wait, the fighting
stance…
Cross is unfazed.
Hadn't even moved. Nikki Cross isn't even flinching.
[Percy] This has to be part mind games
or I mean, right?
[Vic] Oh, is it?
Do it.
Do what?
[Indistinct]
Oh.
What the…
[Vic] What is wrong with Nikki Cross?
Or perhaps…
Do it.
What is right with her?
Because she is getting in the head of the champion right now.
Hey, hey, hey.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Percy] Getting in the head or getting right in the face
of the NXT Women's Champion.
[Nigel] The face of the NXT women's Champion looks
perplexed, confused.
That's one thing we never really see is the champion retreating.
[Crowd chatter]
[Vic] What--Nikki Cross… [Indistinct]
Back turned.
…is baiting Shayna Baszler in. Is this what she wanted--oh,
okay.
[Nigel] Baszler doesn't…
Whoa.
…know what to think at this point.
Oh, Cross jumped on…
Whoa, whoa. …Shayna Baszler
and trying to take down the NXT Women's Champion.
[Nigel] Attempting to cut off the blood supply of the carotid artery.
Doesn't have it fully attached at the moment.
That's gonna allow Baszler to get out like that.
[Vic] But Baszler--whoa.
[Nigel] That's the way, the Kirifuda clutch.
Baszler looking to--oh.
[Nigel] But quickly, Cross pushing
her opponent back to the corner.
Let's go.
[Vic] And Nikki Cross now, right on top of Shayna Baszler.
[Nigel] The frustration of Shayna Baszler clearly evident now.
[Percy] Champ needs a second to figure this thing out.
And Baszler--oh, swing and a miss.
And Cross following up.
And Nikki Cross--oh, we've seen this before.
No.
[Vic] Giving Baszler a taste of her own medicine.
Nikki Cross has to be careful however in this situation.
She gets disqualified, she can't win the championship,
but she can also only win the title by pinfall or submission.
[Nigel] And right back.
And again, jumping on from behind,
not electing to try for the sleeper hold instead just
getting ahead--in the head of the champ--oh.
Oh, no.
Hell, yeah, Shayna.
Come on, Nikki.
Driving the psychotic Scott.
Come on.
Let's go, inside this ring.
Into that ungiving steel on the outside.
Hell, yeah, Baszler.
[Vic] And Shayna Baszler, now peeling Nikki Cross up.
[Nigel] Now, Baszler has that clear advantage.
Let's see what she does with it.
[crowd cheering]
Oh.
Oh, lord.
Under the… That's it.
Nikki Cross, she out at--no
Cross… Oh, my goodness.
…out at two and--Nigel,
I wanna talk strategy for a moment
and Shayna Baszler right on top, pounding down.
We might not have time to talk strategy if this continues,
absolutely devastating
aggression.
We've seen Shayna Baszler
able to exploit body parts in the past, she did it to Ember Moon,
she did it to Dakota Kai.
Oh, look, look, look.
Look what she's doing…
Get that [Indistinct]
…to Nikki Cross.
[Nigel] Covering the mouth of Cross making it difficult to breathe,
that's an illegal hold in MMA.
[Vic] Oh, and now, just grinding
away on the face of Nikki Cross.
Again, attempting to suffocate an opponent.
Is Nikki--is Nikki Cross smiling?
I mean, Nikki Cross said that there's nothing
Shayna can do to her that, she won't enjoy, guys.
Oh, my goodness.
The definition of crazy.
[Nigel] Definition of masochism.
[Vic] And again, Baszler
right on top, is trying to bend away the body of Nikki Cross.
[Nigel] That's a variation of the chin [Indistinct] on Cross,
and now Baszler's
starting to enjoy her work.
[Percy] Oh, Nikki Cross, oh.
[Vic] Oh, what a forearm.
And Baszler another knee. Yeah.
[Nigel] Again with that knee strike.
[Percy] I mean, how many of those knee lifts can Nikki Cross take?
I mean, directly to the jaw, oh.
Oh, a third. My lord.
Look at--watch.
[Nigel] A smile on the face, a cry from…
[Vic] Look at this.
…the [Indistinct] Banshee.
[Vic] How is Nikki Cross coming back for more?
Oh.
[Nigel] Oh, catches the knee.
[Vic] Oh, boy.
[Vic] Oh, Cross, look at the champion.
Oh, and a scream before the strike, a second one.
And Cross…
[Vic] Kirifuda clutch. Wait a minute.
Wasn't able to lock it in and Nikki Cross belly to back.
[Nigel] Baszler didn't have time to drop to her back
and Cross was there with the belly to back suplex.
[Percy] Nikki Cross I think just slapped herself,
trying to maybe psych herself back up into this matchup.
NXT Women's Championship on the line.
And Cross… Whoa.
[Vic] …[indistinct] on the Champion.
[Nigel] Cross comes to life.
[Vic] Unloading on the champ.
[Nigel] Absolutely electric.
[Vic] In Nikki Cross' fantasy world, she believes she's already been champion
for about three weeks and could be closing
in on making that fantasy a reality here in Chicago.
One, two, three, four.
Hey, come one, let's go.
[Vic] And Nikki Cross has to be careful she doesn't get disqualified.
One, two, three, four.
Referee right on top.
[Nigel] Baszler is clearly stunned when she's hurt, she's in trouble.
I'm not sure if I've ever seen Baszler in such trouble.
[Percy] Well, have you--have you ever seen anyone get under Shayna
Baszler's skin like Nikki Cross has?
Never. Never.
Cross to the top.
Whoa. And a Crossbody, cover.
[Vic] This could be it.
[Percy] Baszler out at two.
Near fall and Nikki Cross almost became NXT Women's Champion.
[Nigel] Cross slapping herself in the head.
[Percy] She does all this with a smile on her face. Watch the hair.
Come on.
[Nigel] Let's go. Oh, reverse ddt position, oh. Oh.
Sharp drop.
[Vic] Baszler laid out and Cross…
[Nigel] Tries to take advantage quickly.
…wisely, cover. Hooks the leg.
One, two…
[Vic] Baszler continues to fight.
[Percy] And from a different angle.
Look at this impact here from the hardest part of the ring.
[Vic] Shayna Baszler as Nikki Cross,
you know, enjoying what's she's doing and Cross--oh,
getting countered. And another knee under the jaw.
The champion to retain--and Nikki Cross.
[Nigel] Another strong knee strike from Baszler and the trouble
with Baszler where most of your offense involves inflicting pain,
what do you do when your opponent enjoys pain and wants more of it?
[Vic] That's a great question, Nigel.
[Percy] I have no idea what to say to that.
I'm just still trying to figure out how Nikki Cross
is able to fight through all of this.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Nigel] Got the Kirifuda clutch… And Baszler… …the body scissors--oh.
[Vic] Oh, and Cross wisely able to use her environment to help her out.
Hey, come on. Let's go.
And now--oh.
High impact, is this enough for a new champion?
One, two…
And…
Oh, Baszler's left foot on the bottom rope.
She got a foot the rope.
[Nigel] Great presence from the champion to know where she was at all times.
Knowing that bottom rope was close enough to put her left leg upon,
causing the break.
[Vic] All the rage, the intensity coming out now even more in the challenger,
Nikki Cross just dragging…
[Nigel] Hold on a second [Indistinct] …on her--whoa.
Crucifix pin.
Rolls through.
Wait a minute. She's got it, Kirifuda
clutch.
Here we go. Baszler reverses.
[Vic] In the center.
[Percy] This could be all over right here.
[Vic] And Shayna able to lock her feet.
As the body scissors--but look how she's pushing her…
Oh.
Hand to the back of her neck,
more pressure.
[Percy] This is what Baszler's been looking for right here.
Is Nikki Cross gonna tap out? Center of the ring.
[Nigel] This is Baszler's most devastating hold.
[Vic] Baszler has put everyone down with this hold, but Cross.
[Percy] Cross does not have a choice.
[Vic] Continuing to fight.
And, oh, look at the eyes of the champion.
[Nigel] Desperation on the face of Cross, trying to figure out what
she can do here.
[crowd cheering]
Talk to me.
[Percy] Cross trying to feed off the energy.
She's reaching out a long way away from the bottom rope.
[Vic] What must be going through the mind of Nikki Cross now?
She has to know, she's in trouble.
She has to know she's in danger.
[Percy] Wait, wait, she what?
[Vic] She's smiling?
Well, Baszler trying to put down Nikki Cross and cross is fading.
The smile is fading from the face.
She really going [Indistinct]
[bell ringing]
[crowd cheering]
[music]
And the winner, and still NXT
Women's Champion, Shayna Baszler.
[Vic] Nikki Cross always said she's willing
to go these unbelievable lengths for victories.
Not worried about her own body,
and tonight, she didn't tap out, Nigel.
[Nigel] Well, that's right, one thing she wasn't willing to do was to
tap out to the champion, Shayna Baszler.
But what an incredible match,
Shayna Baszler, she looks stunned at the beginning in this match.
Didn't know when Nikki Cross,
she [Indistinct] And she's stuck with her game plan,
and she came on--out on top as the champion.
[Vic] Still holding that title triumphantly.
[Nigel] Here it was. She would take…
Unbelievable impact, swinging neckbreaker,
but look at the presence of Baszler to know that bottom rope…
Right there.
…was there to save that pinfall attempt.
[Vic] Nikki Cross not to be outdone went for another pinfall attempt,
but Shayna Baszler able to counter.
[Percy] Turned this around into the Kirifuda clutch
and this is pretty much all she wrote from Nikki Cross.
Nikki Cross not willing to tap out.
She'd rather go to sleep by Shayna Baszler.
Perhaps…
Look at the face of the champion.
[Vic] Absolutely,
Cross nearly--she'd taken the champion to the limits.
But be that as it may, there is no doubt this is a defining
career victory win for Shayna Baszler.
She had a tough time against
Nikki Cross, and had never had an opponent like this before
and she came through with flying colors.
[Percy] And Shayna Baszler continues to have that tight hold
on the NXT women's division and also the NXT Women's Championship.
[Vic] Is Nikki Cross still smiling?
[Baszler] That's the reality.
Time for reality.
[Vic] You're listening to "Painless" by Fozzy an #NXTloud theme song
for NXT TakeOver: Chicago.
It's available now on iTunes and Spotify.
[Percy] Whoa, fellas, look who's here.
There he is.
If he have it his way, it'd be calling it NX3 TakeOver: Chicago.
I know EC3 can't wait to see NXT title match.
Whoever wins, you better believe
he'll have his eye on the price.
[Vic] We saw EC3 on the preshow earlier tonight.
[Nigel] Another man with his eyes on the prize.
The former WWE champion,
the "limitless" Keith Lee,
he will have a special interest in the match coming up next.
[Vic] Well, speaking of championships, coming up next,
it's about the NXT championship
as Aleister Black defends the title against Lars Sullivan
and Sullivan essentially included himself into the title picture
by brute force.
Laying waste to any superstar
who puts their names in the hat for the championship opportunity.
But for Aleister Black, is he able to land his most potent
weapon tonight, that being Black Mass.
[music]
This path has always led one way.
Whoa.
Oh, my god.
My god, Black Mass.
Knocking out opponent after opponent.
Aleister Black's Strongest weapon without a doubt the Black Mass.
I only need one shot to make
my opponents fade to black.
Oh.
Black Mass.
He hit it.
That's it.
New NXT Champion.
I only need one shot
to make my opponent fade to black.
Oh.
Sullivan catches Black Mass.
I don't believe it.
And there's the freak accident.
Come on.
Aleister, you've never faced
anyone like me.
Lars Sullivan.
Absolutely monstrous individual.
This guy is an absolute freak.
There is nobody like me.
Six-three, 300 pounds.
A one man wrecking ball.
I am gonna take everything
that you've worked your entire life for.
Lars Sullivan caught the one
strike that I've used to knock all my opponents down.
But he will feel the full force
of the Black Mass at TakeOver: Chicago.
Lars Sullivan and Aleister Black [Indistinct]
Blows in the ring.
Oh, my god.
Aleister Black is at the mercy of Lars Sullivan.
And another freak accident.
Things do not go well
for the NXT champion reign of Aleister Black.
Three in a row.
This your reality in Chicago.
[music]
[Vic] Lars Sullivan has been on a rampage at the path of destruction he's on,
could lead him to the top of the rocky mountain in NXT tonight.
[Nigel] Lars back to a bygone era of cannibals and freak shows.
Reminiscent perhaps of a Maurice Tillet
"the French Angel" who had the same life changing acromegaly as a child.
[Percy] I want to ask both of you guys is--both of you have seen
Lars Sullivan more than I have.
Lars stated Aleister Black has never been challenged by anyone like him.
Do you guys agree?
[Vic] A hundred percent.
I mean this freak had just rammed through people
from Kassius oh no, no way Jose,
Velveteen Dream, and Ricochet, and even the champ himself.
I mean this guy is just freakishly relentless and brutal.
[Nigel] Absolutely.
Black said,
"I only need one shot to make my opponent fade to black."
Lars Sullivan made him a liar.
Catch him, not just block him, catching the Black Mass spinning
heel kick and emasculating the NXT champion.
[Percy] So Nigel, I got to ask you.
Do you believe the Black Mass
can put down Lars?
Whoa, I wouldn't dare to guess.
The bigger question is can he hit the Black Mass spinning heel kick?
Certainly not when Lars isn't a hundred percent.
We've seen that.
On this past Wednesday on NXT TV
was Lars Sullivan who is standing tall over a fallen Black.
Will that be the result tonight?
[music]
[Vic] Aleister Black said the devil
on his back is now the devil around his waist.
[Nigel] Well, now he faces a humongous devil
in the form Lars Sullivan.
It's often that you see a champion
come out here to be considered an underdog.
[Vic] And I would have to say that
exactly what Aleister Black is when he faces Lars Sullivan.
Well, a lot of people in the NXT universe would agree with you,
but, Percy, what say you?
[Percy] I think--i think Aleister Black
is climbing an uphill battle,
but Sullivan did say he's gonna take everything Black
has worked his entire life for.
[Nigel] Being obviously that prestigious NXT title around Black's waist.
[music]
He's defended it with pride.
He is the 13th NXT champion.
Will it be a lucky title defense
for Aleister Black tonight?
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
The following contest scheduled one fall is for the NXT championship.
Introducing the challenger, from the Rocky Mountains,
weighing in at 303 pounds, Lars Sullivan.
And his opponent, from Amsterdam, Holland.
Weighing in at 215 pounds,
he is the NXT champion, Aleister Black.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] The eyes of the champion burying into his opponent.
[Vic] And Nigel, I want to ask you about strategy,
this championship match because it feels that Lars Sullivan
is the reality that Aleister Black may not be able to figure out.
So, how does Black retain his title tonight here in Chicago?
[Nigel] Well, really, obviously it comes down to the Black Mass
spinning heel kick or perhaps if he's got something else,
a plan b. But if I'm Aleister Black,
that's what I'm doing.
I'm attempting to hit that.
The question is we've seen--if Sullivan at a hundred percent,
he can catch that hold.
So, Black's gonna have to weigh down Lars Sullivan.
[Percy] That's the key. It's one thing at a time.
Aleister Black is undefeated in singles action
but that could all change by the end of the night.
You said it takes one shot.
But it's not what is gonna take for me.
I'm gonna take you out.
I'm gonna hold you [Indistinct]
[Crowd chatter]
[Indistinct]
And Black seemed unfazed by that stare down with Lars Sullivan.
But now Sullivan, picking…
No.
He was looking for freak accident. And the Black Mass got caught.
Oh, dear.
And he's caught him again. He's caught him again. He got caught.
Oh, my god.
Oh, ooh.
[Percy] He is gonna tear the big man down piece by piece.
[Vic] Yeah, he's got to tear, he's got to stick, he's got to move,
he's got to hit…
[Nigel] And look how quickly Aleister Black moves, it's very rarely,
we see Black move this quickly, early in a match.
[Percy] Aleister charging, oh,
landing on his feet, and the NXT champion.
Oh.
[crowd cheering]
That's one way to take Lars Sullivan off his feet.
[Crowd chatter]
[Vic] Now, Aleister right back in and--oh.
A clubbing blow and a second.
Look at these haymakers, being thrown by Lars Sullivan.
[Nigel] Black trying to get his hands up to protect himself and there.
What a knee under the jaw. Sullivan drops.
To retain the title, and Sullivan out at one.
Just one yet.
You have to admire Aleister Black.
That Black Mass spinning heel kick was cool--hold on a second.
Here from the attack
[Indistinct]
From Black.
And as I was saying earlier you have to admire--as
we take another look. Strong knee strike from Aleister Black.
This is part of Aleister Black, not being fazed by the fact.
[Percy] He's the champ--he's the champ for a reason.
But Aleister Black, he has to find a way
to deal with and endure this--the physicality,
the size, and intelligence of Lars.
[Vic] Lars Sullivan, grabbing Black and just tossing the champion.
[Nigel] Aleister Black had his biggest move,
the spinning heel kick caught by Lars Sullivan
he was not fazed, not one bit.
[Vic] Oh, look at this.
[Percy] This time Sullivan catching the right hand by Aleister Black.
And now the power…
Oh, no.
…of Sullivan on display.
Oh.
What--whoa.
[Percy] He just went right through it.
Oh.
And Lars Sullivan,
rammed through the NXT champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Well, in the last few recent
weeks here on NXT.
The way that Sullivan has just dominated the champion,
you would think perhaps Black would come out here angry,
and that has to be the biggest mistake he could make.
Oh.
[Vic] And Sullivan, shoulder first.
Better take some of the [Indistinct] Sullivan a little bit.
[Percy] But just look at the size difference between
these two people on the screen.
[Vic] Lars Sullivan is built like no other person on the roster,
period. Oh, whoa, whoa.
Okay [Indistinct]
He caught it.
He caught Aleister Black.
And--oh.
Lars Sullivan caught Aleister
Black with one arm
[Vic] Oh.
And is just power that the champ has never had to deal,
a contentment.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] From that, if you're Aleister Black look at this, beautiful
[Indistinct]
He got caught like a child and ran…
Oh.
…into the apron.
And if you're Aleister Black,
you've gonna be thinking, "what on Earth do I do now?"
[Percy] And Lars Sullivan--oh.
Stalking the NXT champion,
Sullivan, cover.
One, two…
[Vic] And Aleister Black,
left shoulder out at two.
[Crowd chatter]
It's not often
anyone has questioned the ability of Aleister Black.
[Crowd chatter]
Who's the one.
Who's the [Indistinct] Those sizeable
arms has come across the face of the champion.
[Vic] But Aleister Black has never been tested like
he is here tonight.
[Vic] That dropping forearm across
the jaw [Indistinct]
One, two…
Oh, there's the two count.
Near fall for Aleister Black
as he's able to get his shoulder
up at two and now, Lars Sullivan
just leaning across, wearing down Aleister Black.
[Nigel] Looking to sap some energy
out of Aleister Black and of course every time Lars Sullivan
caught, pins Black, that's more energy, forcing him to kick out.
[Vic] Look at the size of Sullivan's arms wrapped around Aleister Black.
[Percy] And Lars Sullivan purely is in my opinion,
in sports entertainment, he is the perfect storm.
Look at the size and how he moves and let's not forget the intelligence
that this man has, all that came from the DNA.
[Nigel] Oh, look at Black
face--Black's face red like a beetroot.
That's a lot of pressure.
And Black's face to the…
That's a lot of weight on the back of the NXT champion
as Sullivan continuing to squeeze Aleister Black in the center of the ring.
We all now there is gonna be no quit in the NXT champion
as Aleister Black making his way back to his feet.
Black trying to figure out the problem,
that is Lars Sullivan.
Oh.
[Nigel] Desperately trying to fight out,
but every--for every three
shots of Black it takes one from Sullivan to equal things.
Oh, my.
[Vic] And more of that strength on display.
Hey, wait minute.
Aleister…
No. No.
…does he have enough?
It's Sullivan… Too big.
He's wrapping up, picking up and now.
Boom.
The NXT champion, for the title,
and Black out at two.
Lars Sullivan, if you guys agree or not,
has dominated Aleister Black.
Every time they've crossed paths.
What's there to argue, man.
He's…
[Nigel] Guys, I'm starting to get the feeling,
it's only a matter of time now.
[Sullivan] You got nothing, come on.
He's beckoning the champion on.
You got nothing.
Oh.
Look at how ineffective the shots are from the champ.
And--oh.
And Black, trying to put together a little bit of offense.
[Nigel] Very little effect from those forearms.
Oh, and--oh, no.
No.
[Vic] Title on the line.
One, two…
And the champion kicks out once again.
Two and seven-eighths.
[Percy] Can you imagine Lars Sullivan with the NXT title?
Who'll contest him, who can stand up to him?
[Nigel] Look at…
[Vic] I can't--i can't imagine that. But I also can't imagine being
planted--boom, like that.
With the ring IQ of Lars Sullivan,
to know that Black was coming and to stop his momentum.
Oh, no.
Aleister Black is in-- oh,wait.
Oh.
[Nigel] Black not in trouble. Perhaps lying in wait.
This perhaps the biggest mistake, Sullivan has made thus far in the match.
[Percy] Or mistake or no mistake,
Lars Sullivan knows he needs to lay it all on the line tonight
to capture the NXT title, but Black knows he needs to lay
it on the line tonight to retain his crown.
[Nigel] Sullivan, wants some air, he was not comfortable.
Not sure if he's willing to do it.
Now, he is in a very precarious position.
As Black…
Oh.
Look at that. Man.
Lariat from Lars.
Probably [indistinct] right up side of the jaw, down goes Black.
[Vic] And now…
And Sullivan, again, climbing all the way to the top.
Sullivan looking for the NXT title.
Oh, no.
Oh.
Left knee got up from Aleister Black.
[Nigel] But there was so much mass coming down from the top rope
that that had to damage the knee.
What about the knee?
[Percy] You saw Black just shaking it out.
I think he might have injured himself as well.
Aleister Black, Lars Sullivan.
Sullivan…
Take a look at Lars, coming from the top rope,
trying to [Indistinct] Black lifts that knee up and catches
the big man right on the jaw.
Sullivan's only concern was landing of the top,
not what was there when he landed.
Oh.
Now, the advantage perhaps coming back to the champion.
[Vic] Well you saw a little bit hitch in Aleister Black on a kick
on that left knee to your point, Nigel.
What you said moments ago, that Aleister Black trying
to knock down Lars Sullivan.
[Nigel] And the fury.
Here we go.
Oh, leg spin.
[Vic] The big man is down, but it follows up.
Oh, he's got it.
Here we go.
[Nigel] Adrenaline coursing through the knee now.
A little limp, but here we go.
[Vic] And the NXT champion,
feeding from this NXT TakeOver crowd in Chicago.
Black takes down, to retain his title.
One, two…
Went out at two.
[Nigel] And the champion back on his feet.
[Vic] But if you're Aleister Black, you got to be thinking
positively now, momentum is back in your favor.
[Nigel] One hundred percent you must not stop.
[Percy] Yeah, he's got the big man down finally,
this is the big opportunity right here for Aleister Black.
[Nigel] Looking for Black Mass.
[Percy] Oh, yeah.
[Vic] And Sullivan, grabbing the left foot.
[Nigel] Sullivan knew it was coming.
Oh.
Dumps the champ.
Oh.
[Vic] Sullivan, down to the left knee.
[Nigel] To the injured knee, what a smart move.
And--oh.
[Vic] Right foot that time and Aleister Black…
Oh, no.
Again, the left leg of Aleister Black.
[Nigel] He injured--again, pain.
Oh, horse-collar.
It's the horse-collar in the center.
Oh, my god.
Genius play.
[Vic] Aleister Black, is he gonna tap out?
NXT championship out of the line.
And Lars Sullivan, hooks the hands for a moment.
Bending Black in the center of the ring.
[Percy] This could not only cost Aleister Black the championship
but this could ruin his career.
[Nigel] The crucial ligaments of the damaged right knee--excuse me,
the left knee.
And of course, trying to weaken that leg.
[Vic] And again, but that time Lars Sullivan sat on…
Wait, wait.
Reverses, shoulders down. Oh.
Lars kicking out at two. That relinquished the hold.
Black… And now, Lars Sullivan, right back on top.
[Nigel] Black can barely stand, here we go.
Looking for the freak accident--reversed into a DDT.
And now, Sullivan's stunned.
[Percy] That's a hell of a counter by the champion.
This man is human after all.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Both superstars down.
NXT championship on the line.
[Percy] Let's keep in mind how much damage that left knee has been taken
from the champion now.
And Lars Sullivan, rolling to the outside.
[Nigel] What is Sullivan doing out there?
It's not his strong point.
But perhaps, he's got something in mind,
yes. Oh, my…
Oh, man.
Did you hear that?
What a clubbing right forearm.
And Aleister Black now, just dragging the body of Aleister Black.
Oh.
[Vic] Black desperately trying to find an advantage.
Where is Aleister Black getting this from?
[Percy] Just the drive and determination to be the champion.
No, no, no, no.
Oh.
Lars Sullivan just laid waste to Aleister Black,
and now Sullivan, quickly shoving the champion
back into the center of the ring.
The champ [Indistinct]
Sullivan on top of the ropes once again.
Sullivan, oh.
He got it that time.
We have a new NXT champion in here in Chicago.
One, two…
But he kicks out. What?
[Vic] That's the heart of a champion right there.
[Nigel] Aleister Black proving something to me, and everyone in the NXT universe.
[Percy] And Black has taken everything the big man can throw at him, I mean…
Yeah, including this, Percy.
Look at this.
Boom.
[Vic] Powerslam on the apron and then this, diving headbutt. Wham.
Oh.
Three hundred twenty pounds behind it, Black prone, in trouble.
Oh.
Beautiful evasion.
[Vic] But the knee, the knee of Aleister Black.
And oh.
[Vic] Oh, Black Mass, cover to retain and Lars Sullivan
kicked out at two.
Did he get him [Indistinct]
Lars Sullivan has just kicked out of Black Mass.
Sullivan was blind with the injured knee.
Did not make the full connection.
Sullivan had nothing left.
Sullivan hit so hard that he went down anyway.
What?
He can't barely stand.
Lars Sullivan, I don't think
Aleister Black got all of Black Mass.
[Nigel] But he is up first which means if he can hit it again.
And--oh. Oh, no.
Sullivan.
Sullivan caught it.
Oh.
Oh, my.
Down goes the champion.
Black catching a clothesline and now, Lars Sullivan
[Vic] looking to capture the NXT title.
He's looking for Freak Accident--oh.
Oh.
[Percy] Back to that jaw.
[Vic] Knee under the jaw.
Black Mass.
He's got him.
What?
No way.
I cannot believe this.
Sullivan, he's just shaking it off.
[Indistinct]
I take it back.
Oh.
Cover.
One, two, three.
Good night. Black…
[bell ringing] …retains the NXT title.
Your winner and still the NXT champion, Aleister Black.
[music]
[Nigel] What an incredible match.
What an incredible title defense, and what a test for Aleister Black.
[Vic] Well, he certainly passed the test tonight, Nigel,
as Aleister Black finally able to connect
with Black Mass and retain his NXT championship.
[Nigel] Connecting with the jaw of Lars Sullivan.
My god it took 2 Black Mass spinning heel kicks to take Sullivan down.
[Percy] You're talking about getting pushed to and beyond your limits.
That was a match right there.
Lars Sullivan took the champion to a different realm.
But the champ was able to stick in there, retain his championship.
I thought it was all over here.
Right [Indistinct]
[Nigel] …catching the Black Mass heel kick following up with a strong lariat.
And then look at that face, with determination--oh.
The final Black Mass spinning heel kick taking down the challenger.
Different angle for the champion. Down goes Sullivan.
One, two, three.
[bell ringing]
And Aleister Black retains his NXT championship
as his reign continues here in NXT
and that devil on his back is still the devil in his right hand.
[music]
They battled at WrestleMania.
The dream match, Nakamura and Styles.
And the greatest Royal Rumble.
The two of the pre-eminent in-ring performers of the generation.
But is this rivalry ready…
A brutal altercation between Styles and Nakamura.
…for its next chapter.
Last Man Standing.
AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura,
a Last Man Standing match
for the WWE championship.
This rivalry is going to a whole new level.
Who will stand tall and walk
out at Money in the Bank as WWE champion?
WWE Money in the Bank streaming live tomorrow night on WWE network.
[music]
Well, you're all listening to "Uncomfortable" by Halestorm,
an NXT loud theme song for NXT TakeOver: Chicago.
It's available July 27th on iTunes and Spotify.
[music]
[Vic] And you're taking a look at downtown Chicago nearly 11,000
WWE members in the Universe inside the all state arena
as we kick off Money in the Bank weekend with NXT TakeOver: Chicago.
And guys it has been an unbelievable night so far here in Chi-town but immediately
after TakeOver.
Go on Triple H's Facebook page and hear from the creator of NXT
and get his thoughts on how it all went down tonight
in the Windy City for TakeOver: Chicago.
[Nigel] Oh, I cannot wait to hear what the guy has to say.
What a night it's been, Velveteen Dream, Ricochet,
tearing the roof off of places.
We just saw the champions surviving the onslaught of Lars Sullivan.
[Vic] But guys, it's now time for the street fight,
a rivalry that began last year right here in Chicago and with Johnny Gargano,
he arrives this year in TakeOver with one thing on his mind,
to destroy his former best friend, Tommaso Ciampa.
And would you take a look at everything?
Could Johnny Gargano be risk his career based on the damage
called by Ciampa since TakeOver: New Orleans before Gargano,
is tonight about proving who's better or is about inflicting
pain where essentially everything is legal.
[music]
Tommaso Ciampa.
-If Johnny Wrestling loses… -Gargano is furious.
Johnny Wrestling is gone for good. I would finally have my moment.
Who do you hate more than the previous statue in the back?
[bell ringing]
With the bell this unsanctioned match begins.
Presumption.
He is one of the most dangerous superstars.
I am scared for Johnny Gargano right now.
This is my moment. Gargano going for the fight
in his life here against Tommaso Ciampa. Tommaso Ciampa has taken over.
How is Gargano staying alive in this match?
Gargano has the crutch in his possession.
Why did he stop?
Why is he stopping?
Oh, oh.
STF with the [Indistinct]
There's the tap.
[bell ringing]
Johnny Gargano [Indistinct]
And Johnny Gargano now will get to celebrate
with his loving wife Candice LeRae.
They have been put through hell by Tommaso Ciampa.
That is all now behind them. Takeover New Orleans,
I remembered exactly who Johnny Wrestling is.
And I'm almost ready to move forward.
[crowd cheering]
For too long, I was defined by two words, Tommaso Ciampa.
My Dream since day one is to be the NXT champion.
Aleister Black, I am challenging you. And I knew once I beat you,
I could do it.
I was leaving full sail as the new NXT champion.
[crowd cheering]
Oh, my god, what the hell? Tommaso Ciampa firmly attacks Johnny Gargano.
Maybe in your fairy tale world, you actually believed
I wasn't coming back.
Oh my god.
Tommaso Ciampa had different plans.
Somebody has to stop this madman.
Just like in Chicago.
Johnny Wrestling is gone.
I win.
Well, my husband's future may be uncertain.
You will know that Johnny Gargano was better than you.
But you know that that boy you call a husband isn't have the man that I am.
[Crowd chatter]
She's cold, come on. She's not moving.
Get out the way. Help her.
Come on. Let's go.
He made me…
You put her in harm's way.
You live with that.
This thing was personal since day one but you brought Candice into this?
A street fight?
I'm done with this, we're done.
This is a signed contract for
Johnny Gargano versus Tommaso Ciampa to in a street fight.
Takeover Chicago going back to where this thing first started.
And I'll confine by that wrestling ring, Johnny Wrestling.
I'm not coming to Chicago to wrestle.
I'm coming to beat the hell out of you.
Johnny Gargano may have won the battle
but I will always win the war.
Tell mom, tell dad, tell your wife, tell them all to stay home
injury going to get ugly.
Last time we were in Chicago,
I left in an ambulance and I'm gonna make sure you leave the same exact way.
[Crowd chatter]
[crowd cheering]
Kick his ass.
[music]
[bell ringing]
The following contest is a Chicago Street Fight,
where anything goes the only way to win, by pin fall or submission.
Making his way to the ring, from Cleveland, Ohio,
weighing in at 199 pounds, Johnny Gargano.
[Nigel] There goes that crutch, a symbolic thing in the hands
of Johnny Gargano.
It was Tommaso Ciampa who would return from a knee injury with that crutch
and use it to attack Johnny Gargano every opportunity he got.
[Vic] And Johnny Gargano has been thinking about NXT TakeOver: Chicago last year.
It's been 392 days and trust me guys, I could tell you not one day
has gone by that Johnny hasn't thought about that note.
[Vic] And I think it's hard to imagine
a friendship turned so sour like the one between Gargano and Ciampa, man.
[Percy] You're close with both of those guys.
[Vic] Well, I am--and I consider
both--well, I consider both friends.
Johnny one of my best friends and it is been hard over the last year
to see what Johnny has had to go through.
[Crowd chatter]
[Vic] I know Mauro Ranallo would love to be here.
Mauro, on assignment, covering Showtime and I'm here this week
but Mauro Ranallo will return in two weeks.
[crowd cheering]
But…
[crowd cheering]
And his opponent from Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
weighing in at 210 pounds, Tommaso Ciampa.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Well, Tommaso Ciampa bringing his own crutch.
Everything is legal tonight.
Given what we've seen of these 2 men before, what are they capable of tonight?
[crowd cheering]
[Crowd chatter]
[bell ringing]
And we're underway. Oh, no.
[Vic] And-oh, Gargano is out for blood tonight
as he gets right on top of Tommaso Ciampa.
[Nigel] But Ciampa is certainly…
Oh.
Ciampa takes over Chicago, that's his game plan.
[Vic] It's all about
#chicagostreetfight.
Oh.
And Gargano, measuring Ciampa--whoa.
[Nigel] Cannonball Senton.
[Vic] A definition of pain,
physical, or mental stress, Gargano wants to put Ciampa
through both here this evening.
Oh, god.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Crowd chatter]
Percy.
Geez.
[Crowd chatter]
Oh.
[Vic] Again, this is a county-- it could go anywhere to Chicago
Street Fight and Gargano and Ciampa are battling through the crowd.
[crowd cheering]
And--oh.
Oh.
[Crowd chatter]
But Gargano--oh, right back
on top of Tommaso Ciampa again.
Pinfall or submission has to take place inside the ring
but everything else is legal.
Including that stop sign, Percy.
Oh, boy.
Oh.
[Crowd chatter]
Oh, Gargano wearing out Tommaso Ciampa.
Oh.
[Percy] Nigel you [Indistinct]
[Indistinct]
My lord.
That speaks to just how dangerous this match is.
[Vic] Well, this rivalry has been taken to another level here tonight.
Johnny Gargano is not gonna show any mercy tonight.
He's not gonna make that mistake this time.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Take your eyes off of your opponent for one second,
that's what happens.
Now, Ciampa feeling the effects of this Chicago Street Fight early on.
And Ciampa…
[crowd cheering]
Oh.
Whoa.
[Vic] Gargano just flies.
[Percy] Gargano's got nothing left to lose.
[Percy] He is the most dangerous man on the planet
when it comes to Tommaso Ciampa.
Take a look at this, Johnny Gargano
sacrificing life and limb to take it to Ciampa.
[Nigel] Emotion makes you do crazy things,
leaping nearly 15 feet through the air.
And--oh, so much…
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] The bitter, vitriolic…
I'm being very careful.
[Crowd chatter]
[Vic] And Gargano, that intense stare right through Tommaso Ciampa now.
Oh, no.
Oh, Gargano, again,
everything legal here in this Chicago street fight.
[Nigel] Well, the history between these two men,
the bitterness, the vitriol.
Both these men despise each other.
[Percy] You got to think, this man's wife got hurt because of Tommaso Ciampa.
He's not holding anything back.
Whoa.
And--oh, Tommaso--oh.
[Vic] And Gargano landing high and just like that.
Is Gargano trying to shake some feeling into his left hand
is--now Tommaso…
Oh.
…stomping away.
[Nigel] Let's not forget we just saw evidence
there how dangerous Tommaso Ciampa is, everything
that he's done to Johnny Gargano.
Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And--oh, Gargano and Ciampa holding on.
[Percy] Still got the hold on.
[Nigel] Ciampa looking for retribution, refusing to release the hold.
Oh.
That's two.
[Vic] We can see Johnny starting to grab--let's not forget the neck
injury of Johnny Gargano, cause for concern he was in a neck brace
not long ago from an unprovoked attack from Tommaso Ciampa.
Oh.
[Nigel] A sad one.
[Percy] You got to think, a man can only take so much of that.
[Vic] Ciampa, seek pleasure on his face as,
and again Johnny reaching out trying to find anything.
Oh, no.
Number one worldwide trend right now on Twitter
#NXTtakeover…
…and for good reason.
[Crowd chatter]
Whoa.
[Vic] Gargano said he's willing to destroy himself to destroy his former best friend.
Come on, Ciampa.
[Crowd chatter]
[Percy] Gargano taking flight to stop his former best friend and tag
team partner, Tommaso Ciampa.
[Nigel] I don't think there's anything that Johnny Gargano
will not do against Tommaso Ciampa.
[Vic] Guys, it was a year ago here in Chicago, I don't believe anyone…
Oh.
…saw this coming.
The hatred between these two former tag team partners boiling over
into what it has become--of the last, as I mentioned, 392 days.
[Percy] You got to think of how much has been pent-up inside of
Johnny Gargano since then--oh my god. Oh, no, the knee…
[Nigel] But what about everything that's being pent-up for Tommaso Ciampa
are you talking about the emotion of Johnny Gargano, with Ciampa,
just the vitriolic, the emotions that Ciampa
has gone through over the last year.
Oh.
And he's turned that all into the physical aggression against Johnny Gargano.
[Percy] All of that is Tommaso Ciampa's fault.
All he had to do is be a partner, staying [Indistinct]
With his boy and no telling where they would be right now.
[Vic] Tommaso said he broke Johnny's heart, his mind, his spirit.
Tonight, he is gonna break the body of Johnny Gargano.
Tommaso, rearranging the steps in, of course,
bad intentions in his eyes.
[Crowd chatter]
Uh-oh.
[Vic] And now it's Tommaso Ciampa going under the ring.
[Nigel] The look of glee on the face of Tommaso Ciampa.
Watch out, watch out.
Poor Gargano barely able to stand.
[Vic] And Ciampa, look at Johnny--right in the face stared him right in the eyes.
Not good man.
[Nigel] Driving the chair to the midsection.
Oh, my god.
Come on, let it go. Oh no, come on. No.
Remember Johnny's neck.
[Vic] Remember the injured neck of Johnny Gargano.
Oh, with just four weeks ago we thought he's gonna walk away.
Come on Johnny, get up.
[Nigel] Gargano has suffered a neck injury in the past and this is not gonna happen.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
You think Ciampa cares?
Oh.
Oh, my.
This is terrible.
Oh, no.
[Crowd chatter]
[Nigel] Absolutely no remorse from Tommaso Ciampa.
[Indistinct]
Oh, driving the chair underneath the jaw to the larynx.
[Crowd chatter]
[Percy] See the trembling in the hands of Johnny Gargano,
that's nerve damage.
Oh, what's in the left hand? And again through his spine.
[Nigel] Tommaso Ciampa dealing out the punishment that in his mind
he feels Johnny Gargano deserves.
[Percy] It makes no sense, what are you talking about?
He ruined his life, destroyed--this man was fired,
fought his way back.
[Nigel] I said in Ciampa's mind.
[Vic] And Ciampa again, oh,
focusing on the neck of Johnny Gargano.
[Nigel] Oh no, come on.
Come on.
[Nigel] But whether you like it or not, it has been a great game plan.
[Vic] But like or not, it's all legal in this Chicago street fight.
Anything goes but pinfall or submission has to happen inside the ring.
[Nigel] Take a look at the impact of this trash can.
Come on.
The ear, the neck.
[Vic] And back in the ring is where Ciampa sends his former friend.
[Crowd chatter]
Oh.
[Nigel] Ciampa driving that t-shirt into the mouth of Gargano.
[Percy] I mean, guys seeing all these brutality makes me wonder,
how far are these two willing to go to get rid of each other?
[Nigel] I said before, there's nothing these men will not do.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Oh, there's no doubt who the NXT universe is behind
in this street fight,
as Ciampa just pulling up Gargano and--oh,
this is right in the wheel house of Tommaso Ciampa.
[Nigel] Physical, aggressive, vengeful style…
Oh, no.
Oh, no, no, no, oh.
[Vic] And Ciampa--oh, face first, the bridge of the nose.
[Nigel] More damage to the injured neck.
[crowd cheering]
Notice how Tommaso Ciampa is not electing to thrive for a pinfall attempt.
He wants to enact more punishment.
[Percy] Well, that's how personal this has gotten, Nigel.
These two--these two wanna end each other.
Oh, no.
[Percy] If he gets those on Johnny Gargano Johnny Gargano is in huge trouble.
He won't be able to move, Ciampa
can just do whatever he wants. Ciampa…
[Nigel] No way he'd be able to defend himself.
Ciampa looking to handcuff Johnny Gargano.
[Percy] He's got one arm.
Oh, no.
Oh, Gargano, starting to fight back with everything Johnny's got left.
And--oh.
[Vic] And Gargano able to muster up some energy continuing
to hold himself up and now Johnny spear.
[Nigel] But look he grabbed immediately to his neck.
There's been a lot of damage done now.
[Percy] Johnny Gargano is just living on emotion.
[Vic] Adrenaline does crazy things to a man.
As Gargano,
unloosening his belt.
Oh, boy.
Oh.
And anything is legal in Chicago Street Fight fare.
[Crowd chatter]
Get up.
Oh.
Oh my god, to the face, to the back.
[crowd cheering]
His incredible display of aggression--oh.
[Nigel] Loaded left hand from Gargano.
Nothing pretty about this match
or should I say nothing pretty about this fight.
[Percy] This is just straight payback a year in the making.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Hold on.
[Vic] Gargano side kick.
[Nigel] And of course Tommaso Ciampa,
his vision disrupted, had no idea what was coming
or when it was coming.
[Vic] Into your point earlier Nigel.
Tommaso Ciampa didn't look for a pinfall, Johnny not doing the same thing.
One thing on his mind is--we see that Super Kick inflicting
as much pain to Tommaso Ciampa as Gargano possibly can.
And now Johnny--oh, to the eyes.
[Percy] - He went to the eyes. [Nigel] - Right to the eyes.
Come on. Illegal…
Ciampa, up goes Gargano. Whoa.
[Nigel] Double knees.
Oh, my.
Project Ciampa.
And, oh.
Oh, knee strike, cover.
[crowd cheering]
And, oh.
[Vic] Oh, the Gargano fairy tale not over yet in Chicago.
Tommaso measuring Johnny,
looking for that knee for the second time.
Oh, no.
Driving that trashcan lid into the temple.
[Nigel] But as a former competitor, this is--this is hard to watch.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] What is going through the mind now of Tommaso Ciampa?
[Percy] I think unfortunately
Johnny Gargano is about to find out first hand.
[Vic] And Ciampa trying hoist up Gargano.
[Nigel] Gargano dropping his hips.
Keeping his center of gravity lower.
[Vic] And Johnny continuing to fight free.
Oh.
[Vic] Just relentless, repeatedly banging down on the back of Tommaso Ciampa.
[Nigel] Oh, Ciampa trying to let his left hand up to protect him, he can't.
Oh.
He just [Indistinct] Through it.
[Percy] How in the world--Ciampa--no. Oh.
[Vic] Over the steel steps.
Ciampa rolling Johnny into the ring, goes for the cover.
[crowd cheering]
Oh, no.
Gargano kicks out again at two.
How in hell is Johnny Gargano finding ways to kick, how'd he get up from this?
Look at this?
Oh.
[Indistinct]
[Nigel] Crash.
On the ring steps, no give,
whatsoever, nothing but steel.
These men are tearing each other apart.
[Percy] Ciampa's got to be wondering
what does he have to do to put Gargano away.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] To Percy's point Nigel, what does Tommaso Ciampa have to do?
[Nigel] I'm scared to find out.
[Vic] And Ciampa just--Ciampa just reach out to the ring and…
Oh, no, no, no.
Nigel, come on.
[Percy] This is too far.
[Nigel] What is he doing?
[Vic] Tommaso…
[Nigel] Have he lost his mind?
[Percy] A long time ago Nigel.
Tommaso cutting the undercarr-- the ropes.
[Percy] What is this?
[Nigel] Wait a second.
That holds the mat down
and if he could…
No.
[Nigel] …roll away the canvas…
[Vic] Well, what do you mean, his pulling it away Nigel, I mean…
[Percy] I have no idea.
[Vic] I know it's a street fight but guys, when's enough enough?
[Nigel] Anything goes.
Oh, no I know what he's doing.
No.
He's pulling away the softer part, exposing the hard part,
the boards where there is absolutely--oh.
Oh. No give.
Whatsoever.
[Vic] The sickening sound of that steel chair.
[Nigel] A wave goodbye but in a second
it could be hello.
[crowd cheering]
To that.
[Vic] And look the ring exposing.
There's--we've said it earlier, we've said it a bunch of times,
the intentions in the mind of Tommaso Ciampa.
How far are these two willing to take this personal,
deeply rooted rivalry?
[Percy] I mean, if Ciampa hits Gargano with something…
[Nigel] - No, come on, no, no, no. [Percy] - …on this exposed--
this could truly be the end of Johnny Gargano.
[Nigel] Gargano is limp, barely able to hold himself on the top rope.
[Percy] Oh, was he--is he biting him?
[Nigel] He's biting him.
Ciampa…
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] A taste of Gargano's ear.
[Percy] Look at the sick smile on Ciampa.
[Vic] That sinister look on the face of Ciampa…
[Nigel] These men are willing to go to any length.
[Vic] And Ciampa looking to hoist up Johnny Gargano.
[Indistinct]
[Vic] - No. [Percy] - Oh my god.
No, no, no.
[Vic] And Gargano…
[Indistinct]
Oh, Gargano, gargano is…
[Percy] Ciampa's holding off the damn life.
[Nigel] Ciampa is trying to hold on.
Oh, preventing that…
Oh, and, oh.
Another super kick from Gargano.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Both these men are giving it all.
Here it was attempting to power bomb, but look at that,
electing to hit a Superkick to the jaw,
damage was done but thankfully to Tommaso Ciampa
did not get driven into that unprotected wood.
Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] The world is watching.
The number one trend in the world is NXT TakeOver.
Oh.
[Indistinct]
[Nigel] How can it not be with a main event like this?
This display of brutality.
And Gargano answering back, trifecta of lefts.
And, oh.
Oh.
And Ciampa, oh.
[Vic] Enzuigiri by Gargano.
Ciampa rocked.
Oh.
And Gargano, oh.
Oh, no.
Supershot.
Gargano, cover for the pin,
cover.
Oh.
[Vic] And Ciampa's left shoulder just getting up.
[Nigel] Both men were down.
[Percy] Talking about as close as it comes,
that was too intense right there.
I think Ciampa was out.
The ref slapping the mat I think woke him up.
[Nigel] Gargano just fell on top of Ciampa.
[Vic] Well, you saw Johnny's eyes.
I don't even believe Johnny knew
that he was in any sort of pinning predicament.
I didn't believe he knows that he was on top of Tommaso Ciampa.
Look at the welt on the back of Ciampa,
the physical toll that this Street Fight has taken out of both superstars.
[Nigel] The physical toll at this entire rivalry has taken out.
Oh, no.
[Vic] Come on.
Enough is enough.
[Crowd chatter]
And Gargano again grabbing at his neck.
But take a look.
[Percy] Look at this.
[Percy] Gargano getting stopped, getting pulled out of midair.
Watch this, listen to this impact.
Oh.
[Nigel] Absolutely incredible.
Go Johnny.
I don't have the words for it.
Oh, no.
Oh.
[Vic] The right knee, right into the steel steps
and that was the right knee,
the surgically repaired knee of Tommaso Ciampa.
That he injured last year here in Chicago.
And Ciampa feeling the effects--looks
like he's trying to loosen up his knee brace a little bit.
[Percy] I mean, he go knee first into the steel stand there.
[Vic] - Oh, wait a second-- that's it. [Nigel] - And you saw Gargano…
And wait a minute Gargano.
Oh no, no. Right onto the knee.
[Vic] Sensing it, realizing it and now trying to pick it apart.
[Nigel] Ciampa saw Gargano coming in and [indistinct]
Oh, no.
[Vic] - No, no, no. [Percy] - Gargano found a weakness.
And Gargano…
[Nigel] Ciampa is doing his best in trying to get the brace back on.
Gargano will not have it. He's destroying that knee.
[crowd cheering]
The fury of Johnny Gargano will not be stopped.
[Vic] And Tommaso…
Oh, no.
Gargano right in to the trash can and now…
Oh, no.
Ciampa, as Gargano escaped, locked down Johnny Gargano.
Johnny--is Johnny gonna tap out?
[Nigel] Ciampa driving with his hips but at this point this is about survival.
[Vic] And don't forget the injured neck of Johnny Gargano.
As we see the strain in Gargano's left shoulder and is Johnny faded?
Is Gargano fading in this street fight?
[Percy] How much of a slap in the face is this?
[Nigel] Wait a second.
Gargano grabs the crutch.
Oh, and…
Ciampa saw it, what drive defense.
[Vic] Ciampa trying to bend that crutch into the face.
Gargano doing everything he can to fight but Ciampa, to the neck and the back.
Oh my, come on.
[Nigel] Gargano is spent, he's out.
And now finally Ciampa able to re-attach the knee brace.
Well, Ciampa said to Johnny Gargano "tell your family to stay at home.
If they're watching, they may wanna stop watching right now."
Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And Tommaso Ciampa getting, looking down at--what did--what
did you call this symbolic crutch?
Well, maybe nothing symbolic
about what he wants to do to Johnny Gargano, no.
No.
Right to the neck.
Is this it?
[crowd cheering]
Gargano.
Gargano kicks out.
Gargano kicking out at two.
[Percy] I'm telling you Johnny Gargano is as tough
and as resilient as they call him.
Look at this Tommaso Ciampa didn't waste time,
right to the back of the neck.
[Nigel] He may be tough, Percy but is he smart?
At this point perhaps he needs to think about his future,
think about his wife…
Well…
…think about his family.
[Vic] Nigel at what point does--maybe the referee stopping
to save Johnny Gargano from himself?
You know he's not gonna quit.
You know Gargano's not gonna stop.
[Nigel] Absolutely there is no way with his breath in his body.
[crowd cheering]
Look of total disdain and hatred on the face of Tommaso Ciampa.
And that's what drives men to these lengths.
Tommaso that's your friend.
It go down so deep to dark places of the soul
where even they never knew they could go before.
Do you hear me?
Come on.
Come on Johnny.
Get up Johnny.
We were like brothers.
You and me, best friend man.
We traveled the world together.
You were my family.
You did this to yourself.
Now, you say bye Chicago,
you say bye Candice, you say bye-bye
to your damn career.
No.
Oh.
[Vic] That certainly looks eerily familiar, guys, from last year in Chicago.
That's what started all of this.
And, oh, Ciampa following in with that injured knee.
[Vic] - Ciampa just tried That's not enough.
Get back in the ring.
You don't know.
They don't know.
I know.
It's not enough.
Come on.
That's enough.
You done enough.
You get up, Johnny.
[Nigel] How could it not be enough?
[Crowd chatter]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Oh, it is enough, going to be enough.
Johnny, you okay [indistinct]
Do you hear them?
[Crowd chatter]
[Vic] What does Ciampa have in mind?
[Nigel] The same thing he had one year ago to end Johnny Wrestling.
[Crowd chatter]
Come on Johnny.
[Crowd chatter]
[Nigel] This is what Ciampa has Dreamed about
for a year and counting.
That's enough.
Come on.
Get him down.
Three, three, three.
Oh, he's…
Come on now.
[Nigel] …taking off Gargano's wedding ring.
Oh.
[Vic] Oh, how--that's disgusting.
[crowd cheering]
Yeah.
[Vic] - How low can Ciampa get? [Percy] - Wait a minute.
[crowd cheering]
No.
[Indistinct]
I need help. Let's go.
We need help.
[Indistinct]
Get me the medic.
[crowd cheering]
We need help.
Hey, take him [Indistinct]
[Vic] Look at this.
Look at the height.
Gargano taking it on himself to take out Tommaso Ciampa
[Nigel] and the impact here from a different angle.
[Percy] Nigel, this is--it's not fun to watch.
[Nigel] But Tommaso Ciampa as we take one more look in a different angle.
Oh.
Tommaso Ciampa took things too far.
Taking the wedding ring off the finger of Johnny Gargano,
spitting on it, and throwing it.
You all think of as much as Gargano has been through
in the past year for him, that fall? It was worth it.
[Crowd chatter]
I just [Indistinct]
[crowd cheering]
Hey, just [Indistinct]
Move these stuff out.
The stretcher's here.
[Indistinct]
With the stretcher.
[crowd cheering]
[Indistinct]
Right here now.
[Nigel] What is Johnny Gargano gonna be thinking now
as he looks down on his beaten…
[Percy] He's thinking he wants Tommaso Ciampa to leave in a stretcher
and leave in an ambulance the same way he did a year ago.
That's what he's thinking.
[Nigel] Is that what he's thinking? I don't know.
[Vic] Oh, Johnny has said earlier this week that this match will not end
when the bell rings.
It will end when Tommaso Ciampa does.
It's gonna hurt a little bit.
It's gonna hurt a little bit,
it's okay.
[Crowd chatter]
[Indistinct]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Let's go back and take a look at it, guys, one more time.
Again, it's hard to watch, fellas.
Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] That had to be a good twelve, fifteen feet.
[Vic] - Just listen… [Percy] - Just listen to this.
[Nigel] There's two impacts, as he impact on the table
and the impact on the floor.
[Vic] And, you know,
we've been asking what lengths would these two superstars go to.
I don't think anyone thought that either these two superstars would Tonight.
[Vic] I don't know.
If you ask me, man.
I'm not surprised by this at all.
I knew it would be infinite,
I knew it would be a battle like we've never seen.
Come.
Let's go.
[crowd cheering]
Okay.
Careful.
[Nigel] If you take a look at that.
Johnny Gargano looking at his finger where that ring was taken off.
Do you think perhaps he's thinking,
"I went too far," and even given the last year between these guys,
their history, their friendship, everything they went through together?
[crowd cheering]
Has Gargano become what he despised?
Go, go, go.
[crowd cheering]
Johnny.
Come on, come on.
Johnny, Johnny, wait.
Johnny, come on.
Come on.
Don't do it.
Come on Johnny.
Oh.
[crowd cheering]
Stop.
Stop…
I guess now--i guess Gargano wants to inflict more punishment.
Stop.
Stop [indistinct]
Stop.
Ciampa is pleading with him.
Johnny.
[Vic] And now Ciampa is strapped with nowhere to go.
Gargano.
No, no, no.
No.
And Gargano raining down on to Ciampa, his former friend, his former partner.
[Percy] There is no need for Gargano to take this any farther.
He's clearly, in my mind, he has won.
But, I mean, he's blinded by rage right now.
Oh, you're gonna ask Johnny. This doesn't end.
As I mentioned, until Tommaso does and Gargano, no remorse.
And looking to lock in the Gargano escape.
Whoa.
[crowd cheering]
And quickly…
[Nigel] Ciampa tapping quickly but no referees to see it.
Oh, no.
Gargano has snapped.
Whoa.
[Percy] Whoa, and Nigel…
Gargano's got the handcuffs.
[Nigel] Can you justify this?
This level of brutality.
No, Johnny.
I said, no.
No.
Oh.
[Vic] And Gargano.
This is what Gargano has been waiting for.
Oh.
Come on.
Oh, Tommaso Ciampa is defenseless.
Shot after shot.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Please, please stop.
[Vic] And again the Gargano escape.
[Nigel] Somebody has got to stop this.
[Vic] And there's nowhere for Tommaso Ciampa to escape too.
And again to your point,
there's no referee.
You are [indistinct]
Because that's what you do.
Come on.
You got to get off of him.
Get him off.
Come on. Get him off.
Get out.
Get him off. And now finally [Indistinct]
Get him off.
Come on.
Come on. Get him off.
Come on, Johnny.
Come on now. Come on.
Come on. Get him off now.
Get him out of there. Let him go, Johnny.
Come on. Let's go.
Come on.
That's it.
We want you to go back.
Johnny.
Well this is just quite nasty.
Johnny, no.
Wait. What?
[Vic] Gargano trying to do anything to get his hands again on Ciampa.
Oh.
[Nigel] Of course he was trying to un-cuff Tommaso Ciampa.
And Johnny--oh.
Wait, no.
Whoa.
Exposed [Indistinct]
No.
Nothing there to protect Ciampa.
He's out.
[Percy] Why is Ciampa still in this thing?
One, two, three.
[bell ringing]
And here's your winner,
Tommaso Ciampa.
[Percy] Johnny Gargano had this thing dead to rights.
Tommaso Ciampa was in the middle of the ring tapping
on two separate occasions
but there was no referee at the time to call it.
[crowd cheering]
[Crowd chatter]
It has come to this.
[Percy] Look, guys.
Again, this is incredibly hard to watch.
And with Johnny Gargano and emotions were very high,
that's what happens in a street fight.
[Vic] And Ciampa brought it on himself when he threw away
Johnny Gargano's wedding ring.
[Nigel] And that was enough--that was enough to fire up Johnny Wrestling,
he had not had enough, and he would follow up
with a completely injured Tommaso Ciampa.
[Vic] The rage boiling over in Johnny Gargano to this.
[Percy] And then shot after shot after shot.
How many can one person take?
[Nigel] Ciampa had no way to defend himself, completely unprotected.
But end--right here, look.
[Vic] Gargano escapes locked in and [Indistinct] There's the tap.
To your point--to Percy's point.
But there was no referee.
[Nigel] All officials were [Indistinct] End of the match as Gargano
would not be stopped.
Again, he would look.
[Vic] Gargano wanted to keep it
going but Tommaso Ciampa was able to turn this thing around.
I don't even know how he was able to stand even still
and continue to be in this match after all the punishment
delivered by Johnny Gargano.
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
The injured neck again of Johnny Gargano as Tommaso Ciampa…
The winner.
[crowd cheering]
As his hand held high in victory.
[Crowd chatter]
[Nigel] In Tommaso Ciampa's mind,
vindication
[Vic] and at what cost?
[Nigel] Friendship destroyed.
It was Gargano attempting to climb back in…
Oh.
Oh, a short ddt driving into the unprotected wood.
Just listen if you can to the impact.
Oh.
[Vic] And then crawling on top.
Count.
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Nigel] Words can't do it justice.
[Percy] Look, guys, a part of me can't--i thought I can't blame
Johnny Gargano for taking it to that level, for taking it that far,
but by the same token something changed,
something snapped in Johnny Gargano tonight.
I don't know.
Maybe… It might be his neck.
[Vic] …one has to wonder if a win
would satisfy either of these two superstars because tonight
Tommaso Ciampa came to Chicago with a goal in mind,
it was to win the war and end the fairy tale of Johnny Gargano.
[crowd cheering]
Don't move, Johnny.
[crowd chatter]
Subtitles: Harsh Vachved end the fairy tale of Johnny Gargano.