[WWE intro music]
[male announcer] In the desert the heat burns.
The air stings.
And the silence… is deafening.
[crowd chanting]
[male announcer] Tonight champions--
[Mauro] The one and only Ricochet.
[male announcer] And challengers rise.
I'm gonna take the North American Championship.
[male announcer] And prepare to take over.
You're gonna take it, huh?
[energetic music]
-[crowd] Oh! -[male announcer] New blood.
[Mauro] The highly-touted Matt Riddle is here in NXT.
[male announcer] He's the old guard.
[Mauro] Kassius Ohno ambushing Riddle.
Do you know who I am? Do you know what I've done, bro?
[male announcer] Hunter.
[Mauro] Shayna Baszler, the merciless women's champion.
[male announcer] Becomes hunted.
I've got 20/20 vision when it comes to that NXT Women's Championship.
[Mauro] Belair poured kerosene on the fire.
[male announcer] And an era--
[Mauro] 2019 we're going to capture all Championship gold.
[male announcer] Finds itself at war.
[Mauro] The War Raiders coming to reign Undisputed Era.
[male announcer] And through it all, the snake looks to keep its grasp.
Tommaso Ciampa will hold gold
for as long as Tommaso Ciampa can take a damn breath.
At TakeOver: Phoenix, I will make you fade to black.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Aleister Black is all over Tommaso Ciampa.
[energetic music]
[male announcer] Tonight in the desert,
the heat burns. The air stings.
But the silence is no more.
Because tonight
NXT TakesOver: Phoenix.
[rattling]
[male announcer] And now Kingdom Hearts 3 presents
NXT TakeOver: Phoenix.
[energetic music]
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Rising from the ashes of an amazing annum
for the black and gold brand,
Royal Rumble weekend kicks off with the gold standard in sports entertainment.
This is NXT TakeOver: Phoenix!
Hello, and welcome to the Talking Stick Resort Arena.
I'm Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson.
We are in the Valley of the Sun
where the action promises to be hotter than Arizona asphalt.
Absolutely. And I'm no Nostradamus, but the quality of matchups here tonight,
I dare say we may already see a show of the year.
With that in mind, let's take you now to our Spanish announce team.
[speaking Spanish]
[rock music]
[speaking Spanish]
[Mauro] I think he just said you don't have to be Tony Romo
to know that tonight will be filled with more NXT instant classics.
[suspenseful music]
[cheers and applause]
[drumming]
[music in crescendo]
[bell rings]
[female announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Introducing the challengers,
Hanson, Rowe, War Raiders!
[Mauro] Great Odin Raven,
what an entrance by the Modern Era Vikings,
Hanson and Rowe, War Raiders who came to NXT
for one reason, to raid, to pillage the NXT tag team division.
[Nigel McGuinness] The drum beats of destruction ring out around the arena.
And to your point, Mauro,
ever since the War Raiders attacked The Undisputed Era at TakeOver: Brooklyn
they have been on a hunt for those NXT tag team titles.
[Mauro] Evidence that The Vikings were among the most feared warriors in history,
landed on the coast of North America 500 years before Christopher Columbus.
Well, War Raiders, Percy, have landed in NXT and all they want is tag team gold.
[Percy Watson] Oh, without a doubt. I have got to say
I like what I'm seeing from Hanson and Rowe.
I like what I'm seeing from War Raiders.
If they keep that same rage as of late, they bring it tonight,
we could be looking at the new NXT tag team champions.
[Mauro] The War Raiders have promised tonight will be the end of an era.
[rock music]
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct chatter]
[female announcer] And their opponents, they are the NXT tag team champions,
Kyle O'Reilly, Roderick Strong, The Undisputed Era!
[Mauro] Of course, Nigel, the 2018 NXT tag team of the year,
the two-time NXT tag team champions along with the revival,
they might have something to say about this being the end
of an era tonight.
[Nigel] Well, for them, as Adam Cole said, it is just the beginning
of a new era for The Undisputed Era. Adam Cole made it clear.
He said 2019 will be the year of The Undisputed Era
and they would be draped in gold.
[music continues]
[Mauro] Look, Era said they are on a completely another level
in comparison to the War Raiders.
They said these guys are nothing but a bunch of calm players.
[Mauro] Hanson and Rowe were on the cusp of dethrone Undisputed Era
back in October, before a chair wielding Bobby Fish interfered
attacking the War Raiders in the waning moments of the match.
[Percy] That desperate tactic resulted in a disqualification loss for U.E.
O'Reilly also defeated Hanson to gain advantage going into War Games
where, well, the War Raiders team were victorious,
but tonight it's all about the NXT Tag Team Championship.
[crowd chanting]
[bell rings]
[Mauro] And immediately The Undisputed Era attacked War Raiders.
And O'Reilly and Strong looking to skeletonize Hanson
like a water buffalo if they were piranhas.
And wrecking ball drop kick by Strong.
[Percy] I've got to say, it's a smart move by Undisputed Era
starting fast against the War Raiders.
Don't let them get to rocking and rolling early.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] O'Reilly and Strong all over the War Raiders.
But Rowe showcasing his explosive power.
[Nigel] And The Undisputed Era elected to go to the outside,
but immediately gets stopped.
[Mauro] Hanson runs over both members of The Undisputed Era.
[Nigel] Whoa whoa!
[Mauro] Picking up Hanson and slamming him on members of The Undisputed Era, wow!
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] The War Raiders know what is on the line here.
[Percy] Undisputed Era was not ready for this.
[Mauro] Incredible strength as Rowe Gorilla presses Roderick Strong.
But then Strong just bounces off of Hanson.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Whoa, War Raiders have been nearly unstoppable thus far.
[Mauro] Incredible tandem offense by The Behemoths.
The modern era Vikings
and Rowe comes within the count of three.
[Percy] Guys, I hate to call this early,
but it looks like it could be all but over for Undisputed Era.
[Mauro] And already the entire world talking about NXT TakeOver,
the number one trend worldwide with the number one spot
in the NXT tag team division up for grabs.
[Nigel] O'Reilly in there with a kick, changing the momentum, speaking of--
[Mauro] And Rowe sent crashing into the mid section of his partner Hanson.
Both of them crash and burn on the outside.
And what a vicious start to this tag team title tilt.
[Percy] This is what Undisputed Era had to do.
They had to weather the storm,
that early storm by the War Raiders and now they are back on top
doing what they do.
[Mauro] Undisputed Era mugging Hanson.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] I think if you talk strategy in this match, though, Percy,
the longer the match goes, I think the more it favors The Undisputed Era.
[Mauro] Beautiful jumping knee attack by the educated striking of Kyle O'Reilly.
[Percy] You know what, Nigel, I may have to agree with you.
We have seen Undisputed Era in a number of battles, a number of wars.
These guys can go. They have got a lot of endurance.
[Nigel] Carrying as much weight as the War Raiders.
[Mauro] Roderick Strong looking to take over the big man,
but Hanson doing a good job of blocking that attempt.
And Hanson showing off his strength
although the veteran Strong lands on his feet and grabs some of Hanson's trunks
and the tag is made back to O'Reilly.
[Percy] Wow. Hanson won't budge.
Strong and O'Reilly finally send him back first into the corner.
And it's the one-two combination of the NXT tag team champions,
The Undisputed Era.
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] That is what The Undisputed Era is going to have to do in this matchup.
They are going to have to double-team their opponents
because there's no way they could compete in terms of strength and power.
[Mauro] O'Reilly has a grip like a pistachio nut, it's hard to open.
And he's putting the squeeze on Hanson's noggin.
[applause]
[Nigel] Kyle O'Reilly with a fantastic submission background.
Able to control a larger opponent, not dissimilar to Royce Gracie
in the early days of MMA.
[Percy] Oh, going for the guillotine.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Doesn't have a body scissors on, but how can you with a waist that big.
[Mauro] Look at the strength of Hanson.
-In the clutches. -[Percy] Tag made.
[Mauro] The tag is made and in comes Rowe.
And Rowe is mowing down members of The Undisputed Era.
[Nigel] Undisputed Era unable to enact that strategy.
[Mauro] Wow. The strength of Rowe. There's a forearm by Kyle O'Reilly.
-[Nigel] Rowe unmoved. -[Mauro] You can't stir Rowe.
[Percy] Oh, man!
[Mauro] And Rowe launches Strong into O'Reilly.
The feats of strength on display to kick of NXT TakeOver: Phoenix are mind-blowing.
Oh, but Strong runs right into the elbow.
And now O'Reilly cutting Rowe down to size.
Wrecking ball drop kick by Strong, but it's blocked by Rowe.
But he didn't. Look that jumping knee by O'Reilly.
[crowd cheering]
-[Percy] What's this? -[Mauro] Hold on, fellows, hold on!
Top-- No!
Hanson sent crashing to the outside of the ring.
-[Nigel] Huge mistake for Hanson. -[Mauro] Hanson went for Broke and,
Percy, he's lucky he didn't break anything.
[Percy] He was going for break. He was going for all.
The NXT tag team titles on the line.
What choice did he have?
[screaming]
[Mauro] Oh, and Rowe spiking O'Reilly.
Drop kick by the agile Rowe.
[Nigel] Rowe going to have do his best here.
[Mauro] Clothesline on Strong and the chop block by O'Reilly.
Referee trying to restore order.
This is a tag team action, not a Texas tornado rules match, Nigel.
[Nigel] You said a tag team match, but after Rowe took a spill to the outside,
it may as well be a handicap match at this juncture.
That's exactly the way The Undisputed Era needs to treat it.
[Percy] Oh, my God!
[Mauro] Just uncorked a powerful right hand and Strong comes in.
Strong with the back breaker living up to his moniker the Messiah
of the back breaker.
Rowe is down, cover by Strong.
But a powerful escape by Rowe.
[Percy] And how physical has this match been?
I guess I would expect nothing less by two of the best tag teams in NXT, period.
[Nigel] As this match starts to slow down a little bit,
that methodical style of The Undisputed Era.
[Mauro] Oh, they hang Rowe out to dry on that top rope.
[Nigel] Driving that top rope into the mid section,
into the intercostal muscles of the ribs.
[Mauro] O'Reilly dropping elbows, driving knees into the rib cage of Rowe.
[Nigel] Sliding knee strike lands.
[Mauro] It will be palm strikes by O'Reilly, a student of the history of MMA.
Taking it back to the back and looking for that armbar, the cross arm breaking.
[Percy] There's only so much of this Rowe can take by himself. Hanson is out.
[Mauro] Now looking for the triangle. O'Reilly transitions into the triangle.
Look at the strength of Rowe dead lifting O'Reilly.
[Nigel] Tag was made.
[Mauro] Tag was made and the back breaker by Strong.
And The Undisputed Era remaining a step ahead of War Raiders
and The Undisputed Era almost walking out of Phoenix tag team champions right there.
Hanson barely stirring on the outside.
Rowe being dominated by O'Reilly and Strong.
And the tag is made again.
[Percy] A smart thing by The Undisputed Era, now they can take their time,
like Nigel said earlier. Tag in, tag out. Keep themselves fresh.
Keep Rowe on their side of ring. It doesn't even matter.
Hanson is nowhere in sight.
[Mauro] Standing head in arm there.
[Nigel] I hate to agree with you, Percy,
I think they have to potentially change their strategy, but no.
Hanson is back up in the corner.
[Mauro] Back up on the apron desperate to make a tag.
Come on.
[Mauro] Save for a quick spot. And there's Strong wiping--
-Oh, he went to wipe out Hanson. -[Nigel] Oh, no.
[Percy] Hanson having none of it. And now the referee keeping
Hanson in his corner but The Undisputed Era,
the opportunistic tag team champions taking advantage.
[Nigel] You cannot blame Roderick Strong for doing that, Percy.
That is classic tag team excellence.
[Percy] But if Undisputed Era considers themselves to be so great,
why not fight straight up?
[Nigel] When you get the opportunity, Percy, it pays to take it.
[Percy] Rowe and there's a suplex that sends O'Reilly crashing into Strong.
Strong flies off the apron.
[Nigel] Speaking of opportunity, Rowe has a huge one now.
[Percy] Rowe is delirious. I don't think Rowe knows where he is.
[Mauro] Rowe desperate to get back up to a vertical base.
He can't even stand up after being decimated by the two-fisted attack
of O'Reilly and Strong. And now O'Reilly--
-Come on! -[Mauro] Oh!
Strong takes out Hanson again.
Standing drop kick by Strong, down goes Rowe.
The cover by Strong. Hooks the leg.
[Percy] And Rowe able to lift that right shoulder in the nick of time.
[Nigel] Take a look on the outside here, right out of nowhere,
that wrecking ball drop kick saving his partner.
And then following up straight away with another drop kick of his own.
[Mauro] And The Undisputed Era continue to control this NXT tag team title match.
And as soon as I speak, Rowe with the reversal.
Oh, inside kick to the inner thigh of Rowe by O'Reilly.
Oh, that crushing forearm smashing into the jaw line of O'Reilly.
O'Reilly explodes with a big boot to the face.
[Nigel] O'Reilly trying to control-- Oh, he's out!
[Mauro] What a knee, out like a light. Like a light!
[cheers and applause]
[crowd chanting]
[Nigel] Roderick Strong there imploring O'Reilly to get over and make the tag.
[Percy] Look at Hanson, he wants to make that tag himself.
[Mauro] Here we go! Rowe is in, Hanson is also the legal man.
And Hanson sends Strong flying with a towering back body drop.
And a flurry of strikes from Hanson.
War Raiders on the war path.
Oh!
-[Percy] Look at the big man go! -[Mauro] Cross body by Hanson.
Deceptively quick and agile for a man his size.
What a cartwheel escape.
[Nigel] Oh, oh, oh.
[Mauro] And O'Reilly gets turned inside-out!
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Hanson en fuego in Phoenix.
[Percy] He looks like he needs to be on 205 Live with moves like that.
[crowd chanting]
[Nigel] The chants of war ring out. We take a look at the incredible power
followed up by the agility, wham, of Hanson.
[Percy] Look at the one man wrecking crew going to work here.
[Mauro] Hanson adding to NXT's lengthy highlight reel. And oh!
O'Reilly, talk about a malfunction at the junction,
power slam by Hanson.
Bronco buster in the corner by 1/2 of the War Raiders.
Strong is the legal man. We could have new tag team champions. No!
[Percy] But look, the War Raiders are this close.
If they keep the pedal to the metal, I'm telling you
the NXT Tag Team Championship could change hands here tonight.
[Nigel] That's the key, though, Percy.
They have to keep that gas pedal pushed down.
The longer this match goes, the tougher it's going to be for these big men.
[Mauro] Hanson attacking the body like it was filled with candy.
Now going upstairs but don't discount Strong.
The school of hard knocks and he's an alumni.
The step-up enziguri and Strong lands on his feet.
What a vicious clothesline by Roderick Strong.
[Nigel] Slipped off the chest just underneath the jaw
and Hanson went down hard.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] O'Reilly makes the tag, so does Rowe.
And these two will make-- Oh, O'Reilly with a roundhouse kick.
[Percy] Did you see that? Rowe just ate that kick from O'Reilly.
-[Nigel] Trying for the double leg. -[Mauro] O'Reilly changes levels.
[Nigel] Couldn't get it, not enough leverage.
[Mauro] Oh, and down! O'Reilly takes out the left leg of Rowe.
And again, bedlam here in this NXT tag team title match.
Fireman's carry into the gut buster by Roderick Strong.
[Percy] Look at the bodies just flying out here.
[Mauro] Let the bodies hit the floor in Phoenix
in this NXT tag team title match.
Whoa! Tandem offense by War Raiders to a big suicida.
Hanson wipes out Strong.
-[Percy] This is absolutely insane. -[Mauro] The cover and O'Reilly escapes!
[applause]
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[Mauro] Three letters that spell the best, N-X-T.
And what a way to kick off TakeOver: Phoenix.
Look at Rowe continue to take that power late into this match.
Slams O'Reilly.
-[Percy] What's the big man doing? -[Mauro] Hanson with the splash!
Hard route Phoenix. And Strong leaps in to rescue his partner.
How close have the War Raiders come to becoming NXT tag team champions?
[Nigel] At least two or three times in this matchup,
a fraction of a second from leaving Phoenix with those titles.
[Percy] Yeah, but close don't count. They have to find a way
to put the proverbial final nail in that coffin
if they want to be champions here tonight.
[Mauro] War Raiders treating O'Reilly like a crash test dummy but, oh,
O'Reilly is no dummy.
And Strong now ascends to the top of the turnbuckle.
-[Nigel] Wait a second. -[Mauro] Hanson sits precariously.
-[Nigel] No way. That's 300 pounds. -[Mauro] Superplex by Strong!
[Percy] Hold on, O'Reilly.
[Mauro] O'Reilly diving knee across the face of Hanson.
And still War Raiders remain alive.
[cheers and applause]
A standing ovation from this raucous crowd in Phoenix.
[Percy] Look at this. Roderick Strong, all that power that this man possesses
and the impact and the follow-up by Kyle O'Reilly.
Watch the knee right on the jaw of Hanson. I thought that was it.
Pinpoint accuracy.
[crowd chanting]
[Mauro] This is awesome.
And it's only the beginning of NXT TakeOver: Phoenix,
a heated battle for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Tag is made. Strong the legal man.
[Percy] But, guys, what do you think
is going on through the mind of Undisputed Era?
[Mauro] The kick.
[Percy] They have spent everything to the War Raiders and still--
[Mauro] Spinning elbows olympic slam delivered with authority by Strong.
The cover, hooks the leg.
And still, still Hanson has enough to kick out.
[crowd chanting]
[Nigel] The NXT Universe imploring Hanson to fight forever,
but The Undisputed Era are not going to let that happen.
[Mauro] Hanson picks him up. Oh, and a leaping knee strike by Strong.
And there's the high-low. High-low!
-Cover! -[Percy] Game over.
[Mauro] O'Reilly with the cover.
Have we ever seen anyone kick out of the high-low
since The Undisputed Era became NXT tag team champions?
[Nigel] Strong and O'Reilly have beaten everybody they have hit with that.
[Mauro] Save for a spot of tea title reign by mustache mountain,
Undisputed Era dominated the tag team division
and that is why they are the 2018 tag team of the year in NXT.
Oh, my goodness. Hanson still has life left in him.
Oh, another cartwheel escape by the agile Hanson.
Hanson with the double back elbow.
What the hell?
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Tag is made and in comes Rowe.
Oh, my God.
[Percy] Look at this.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Rowe with the power slam, power bomb combination.
-[Nigel] O'Reilly is dead weight. -[Mauro] Oh!
-[Nigel] Viking full out! -Come on!
-One, two, three! -[bell rings]
[victory music]
[female announcer] Your winners and new NXT tag team champions,
War Raiders!
[Mauro] There is no emoji that adequately describes what we have just witnessed,
but it is an end of an era, the reign successful,
Hanson and Rowe.
War Raiders have added to their war chest
the NXT tag team titles.
[music continues]
[Mauro] What a glorious moment and a glorious night for the War Raiders
as we take a look here at The Undisputed Era.
For a second, wham, I thought that was it.
Everybody in the arena, it was one person who didn't
and that was Hanson who kicked out at the last second.
[Percy] We have seen The Undisputed Era beat everybody with that,
but not The Undisputed Era. Check out the big man go yet again.
Look at the athleticism of Hanson from the War Raiders.
[Nigel] And with that, another incredible display of power
from these two huge individuals.
With Roderick Strong taken out,
it would be a dead weight Kyle O'Reilly
with the full out from this match
-is new tag team champions. -[bell rings]
[Mauro] We always knew that the end of an era would come one day.
And we also knew that if anybody could take out The Undisputed Era,
it would be these two men, Hanson, Rowe, new NXT tag team champions.
[Percy] Around the world, War Raiders have dominated the tag team division.
And here at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix,
they become the new NXT tag team champions.
[music continues]
[Mauro] Welcome to the Royal Rumble.
[Percy] What?
-[Nigel] Oh, my God! -[Mauro] I love it!
[Mauro] Listen to this place.
[Percy] I can't tell you how excited I am.
♪ We got, we got, we got the power… ♪
[Mauro] Thirty men, thirty women.
The ultimate prize at stake.
The main event of Wrestlemania.
[Percy] For the first time ever from the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks,
Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
[energetic music]
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] Well, all of the superstars are here today.
WWE United Kingdom champion Pete Dunne
and the NXT UK women's champion Toni Storm taking in all the action.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Guys, speaking of champions,
the north American champ Ricochet said, "If you want a title opportunity,
all you had to do is ask. But you are not going to take anything."
Tonight Ricochet has put the title on the line.
If Johnny wants the smoke, tonight he gets it.
[Nigel] Before that, it has been a tempestuous conflict
between The Knockout Artist and The Original Bro.
Ever since Ohno took umbrage to what he calls
one of William Regal's shiny new toys, things have spiraled out of control.
When I came back to NXT,
there was so much buzz until,
well, until there wasn't.
There's always going to be someone new.
Bro.
[Mauro] Another blue chip signing,
a guy who has taken the sports entertainment world by storm,
that is Matt Riddle.
[Matt Riddle] I fought on UFC for six years.
I have been wrestling in the Indies for four.
I think the time is right and I'm going to make my mark.
Whoever the next guy is, the next guy with buzz,
I'm going to be the first one to welcome you
and to knock you to the back of the line.
Kassius Ohno isn't going anywhere.
You're a mirage and I see through you.
When I step in the ring with you, Matt Riddle,
it will take me one second to expose you.
Instead of being bitter, you should try being better, bro.
[Mauro] Whoa! Riddle hits him with the final flash. And it's over in a flash.
Oh, my God! The bell rang and then Riddle rang Kassius Ohno's bell.
[Nigel] Oh no! Looking for retribution
after what happened at TakeOver: War Games.
-[Mauro] The bromission. -[Percy] He's got it locked in.
[bell rings]
-[Percy] The tap. -[Mauro] Riddle defeats Ohno again.
[Nigel] Despair on the face of Kassius Ohno.
What's got to be going through his mind?
[Kassius Ohno] Kassius Ohno is a dangerous man.
And if you don't know how dangerous I am, you will know.
[Mauro] Oh no! Driving Riddle into the ring post.
Oh! There will not be no fist bumps tonight.
Instead Ohno destroying Matt Riddle at ringside.
You know who I am? You know what I've done, bro?
-You know what I've done, bro? -[crowd chanting]
[male voice] Shiny new toy are real fun to break.
[Ohno] Bro.
[cheers and applause]
[lively music]
[crowd chanting]
[bell rings]
[female announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring from Las Vegas, Nevada,
The Original Bro Matt Riddle!
[Percy] Riddle celebrated his birthday earlier this month.
And in his TakeOver debut at TakeOver: WarGames 2,
he blew away Kassius Ohno faster
than it takes to blow out candles on a birthday cake.
And while their second meeting on NXT lasted a little bit longer,
he is 2-0 against The Knockout Artist.
[Mauro] Look, I don't mind him making it 3-0 tonight.
Keep in mind after that last encounter with Kassius Ohno,
he stuck out his hand. Stuck out his hand to show sportsmanship.
What did Kassius Ohno do? Punched him in the mouth for it.
[Nigel] No way that Kassius Ohno, the wily veteran that he is,
is going to let Riddle get off scot-free.
[Mauro] Ohno used the olive branch as a switch.
♪ Ohno, Ohno ♪
[hip-hop music]
[female announcer] And his opponent from Dayton, Ohio,
weighing in at 260 pounds, Kassius Ohno.
[Mauro] Kassius Ohno feels the world doesn't need another hero
when it already has The Knockout Artist.
But Ohno is 0-4 in NXT TakeOver matches.
[Percy] Look, this is not the same Kassius Ohno that I knew,
that I went and trained at FCW with.
I don't know where this man's mentality is,
but this is a man I've seen low blow Keith Lee.
I don't know what's up with this dude.
[Mauro] WWE NXT TakeOver: Phoenix is presented by Kingdom Hearts 3,
Kingdom Hearts 3 available January 29 on PlayStation 4
and Xbox one consoles.
Make sure you preorder today.
[Nigel] Kassius Ohno not just a student of the game,
he is a professor with an encyclopedic knowledge of sports entertainment.
-[bell rings] -[Percy] Don't get me wrong.
Kassius Ohno is one of the greats here at NXT.
But I mean his moral compass is absolutely shot.
[Mauro] Yeah, Ohno a grand master
when it comes to sports entertainment version of chest.
For the life long student of the game, Nigel, it is not just about the checkmate.
He wants to be number one.
But Matt Riddle wielding the ring steps
and exploding with a flying forearm on Ohno.
Go! Go!
[Percy] Riddle taking umbrage with the fact that Ohno put him on the sidelines
for a few weeks after ambushing him.
Standing, wow-- Look at the athleticism.
There is Riddle taking a page out of Ohno's playbook with a senton.
[Mauro] Ohno couldn't dodge them all.
[Nigel] Knee strike from The Original Bro lands Strong.
[Percy] Riddle wanting to showcase his strength.
Wow, dead lifting Kassius Ohno. Over 270 pounds.
[crowd chanting] Ohno!
[Nigel] Matt Riddle is a strong competitor.
Oh, but he walked right into that boot.
[Mauro] Riddle telling us that he was going to slap the hate
out of Kassius Ohno's voice.
Ohno refusing to call him "Bro," calls him a "Bum."
Oh, and Ohno lands up on the apron.
There's another forearm from Riddle.
Riddle looking for the sunset bomb. Wow!
Ohno hanging on to the skirt around the ring.
And look at that. The veteran Ohno.
[Percy] That's the craftiness of a Kassius Ohno.
[Nigel] Absolutely.
[Percy] Right at his disposal, right there, you saw it.
[Nigel] Really is genius,
experience from over two decades in sports entertainment.
Covering up the face of The Original Bro.
So Matt Riddle had no way of protecting himself.
[Mauro] Kassius Ohno used a low blow to defeat Matt Riddle's bro Keith Lee.
As Ohno crashes down with that leg drop and goes for the cover.
Gets a two-count.
But we have definitely seen a change in attitude from Kassius Ohno.
Looking for his first-ever win at NXT TakeOver.
I guess he could take some semblance of victory in the fact
that he lasted longer than six seconds in this match, Nigel.
[Nigel] Yeah, absolutely.
He's not going to be as embarrassed in this matchup,
but certainly is somewhat of an ignominious record for Kassius Ohno.
Ohno, as I said, has been around the block for a long time.
[Mauro] Oh, wow, man, Matt Riddle went down like the Korean zombie
from that album.
The back press and Ohno gets a two and a half count.
The question is, "Did he do that on purpose
or did Riddle run right into that unorthodox elbow?"
[Nigel] Could have been six of one and half dozen of another, a bit of both.
One thing, absolutely without doubt is that Kassius Ohno is on top.
Come on! You, bum!
[Mauro] Ohno continues to call Riddle a bum.
Ohno has sat under some of the greatest learning trees.
Oh, what a boot to the face by The Knockout Artist.
Come on!
[Mauro] Oh!
[chatter]
[Mauro] Riddle coming back with those open palm strikes.
[Nigel] Oh, nasty, a flurry of forearms and a back fist and a second three.
[Mauro] They don't call Ohno The Knockout Artist for nothing.
[Percy] How relentless has Ohno been here tonight.
Look, bottom line, though, Ohno needs to win.
Don't think general manager Mr. William Regal hasn't noticed
that he is 0-2 against OG bro.
[Mauro] Ohno put Riddle in a quiet place with that shot.
[loudly] Remember this! Remember this!
[Mauro] And, oh, remember when Ohno ambushed Riddle on NXT TV
asking him if he remembers what just transpired.
[Nigel] Remember, remember, it was back in December
when Kassius Ohno destroyed The Original Bro.
[Mauro] And sends him back into the stair steps,
deja vu all over again for Matt Riddle.
Ohno utilizing the cravat to set up that high impact attack.
[Nigel] Look at the look there in the face.
-[Mauro] Oh, man. -[Nigel] Nasty, right in the mush.
Following up into the ring steps as well.
The look on the face of Matt Riddle, in agony.
[Percy] Kassius Ohno said before that the new toys are cheaply made
and easily broken.
[Nigel] Certainly trying to dismantle this toy.
[Mauro] Oh, what a vicious forearm by Ohno.
Riddle desperately trying to hang on.
Summoning that inner resolve. Oh, what a kick.
-Yet Riddle still standing. -[Percy] Oh, oh, oh.
[Nigel] That's just fired up The Original Bro.
He walked straight into a front face lock.
[Mauro] Oh, but Riddle right into the rear neck and Riddle with the sleeper on.
Kassius Ohno, what a transition.
[Nigel] That's right underneath the jaw across the carotid artery
but straight to the ropes.
-[Mauro] Waist lock by Riddle. -[Percy] No way.
[Mauro] Riddle looking for-- And then Ohno stomps on the bare foot
of Matt Riddle like he's putting out a cigarette.
[Nigel] That could have broken a bone in the foot.
[crowd booing]
[Percy] That's just smart, that's crafty, that is effective.
[Nigel] That's exactly right, Percy.
[Mauro] Oh! Riddle blocks that attempt again. Looking for that German suplex.
What power and strength by Riddle!
German suplex with a bridge for two and a half.
Incredible show of strength by The Original Bro.
[Nigel] I could only imagine the adrenaline has to be flying
through the body of Matt Riddle now
to be able to hit that German suplex with a bridge, with an injured ankle.
That's incredible tenacity.
[Mauro] Looking for his third consecutive victory against Kassius Ohno,
delivers three kicks. Make it four, five.
A cavalcade of kicks from Riddle.
[Nigel] But Ohno looking for the single leg ankle pick.
[Percy] Remember, he stomped on that-- But now-- Look at that!
-Oh, my gosh. -[Mauro] No!
Oh, wow. If Pete Dunne likes finger food,
Kassius Ohno has a thing for toes. What a knee strike.
Was he biting his toes?
[Nigel] That's exactly what he was doing.
He was doing what he needed to do.
[Mauro] Ohno, now some assemble. Looking for the liger bomb.
Ohno executes the liger bomb. Shoulders are down!
And Ohno almost broke his losing streak at TakeOver.
[Nigel] Is that a look of desperation, perhaps, on the face of Kassius Ohno?
[Percy] 100%, yeah, Nigel.
What does Kassius Ohno have in mind now?
[Mauro] Ohno going all the way to the top turnbuckle, doing whatever he can
to snap the losing streak. Moonsault connects!
Ohno looking to pick up his first TakeOver win but it doesn't come right now.
[Nigel] Ohno didn't land that moonsault perfectly.
Didn't get all of his body weight across the chest there of Riddle
as we take another look. An incredible feat of agility nonetheless.
But look where Ohno lands.
The majority of his body weight past Matt Riddle.
Nonetheless, a deep hook on the pinfall to make sure
Matt Riddle expended some more energy kicking out.
[Percy] And when you are a man Kassius Ohno's size,
even catching your opponent a little bit is going to hurt.
[Mauro] For sure. You never see Ohno take to the skies often,
but that's how important this match is to Ohno. Oh, the rolling elbow.
[Mauro] Big boot to the face.
Riddle goes down, senton splash by Kassius Ohno.
-Oh, and another! -[Percy] Whoa whoa.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Riddle looking for the bromission.
[Nigel] I think that's rear naked clutch.
[Mauro] Yeah, yeah, he's got him in the sleeper.
And this time Ohno able to make it to the bottom rope.
Remember, it was Riddle who vanquished Ohno
the last time with his patented submission.
And now just stomping away on Kassius Ohno.
[Nigel] That bromission version of the MMA twist of the spine crank
that was made famous by Eddie Bravo, can he get it again?
[Mauro] Our NXT Women's champion Shayna Baszler
also known for pulling off a twister in MMA competition.
She defends against Bianca Belair later tonight here at TakeOver: Phoenix.
[chatter]
[Mauro] Now it's Kassius Ohno looking for the fist bump in the middle
of this heated battle.
And it's Riddle that says, "Riddle me this." Knee strike to the face.
-[Percy] Learned his lesson last time. -[Mauro] Whoa!
[Mauro] Sleeper suplex by Riddle.
What torque, what execution!
[Nigel] Elbow strikes.
Ohno trying to defend himself, but he can't get his arm up.
-[Mauro] The Knockout Artist-- -[Nigel] There's the tap.
-[Mauro] Yes, he is tapping. -[bell rings]
Ohno is tapping. And the referee finally sees it.
Ohno getting a piece of his own medicine as Riddle looks to knock out Kassius Ohno!
[female announcer] And your winner Matt Riddle!
[Mauro] And he sends Ohno to his fifth loss at TakeOver.
An incredible display of fury from The Original Bro there.
[celebratory music]
[Nigel] The official was on the wrong side,
didn't see the tap until a little bit later.
But incredible.
[Mauro] Matt Riddle just let Kassius Ohno have it.
The Knockout Artist is still tapping out.
[Percy] And we witnessed all of the incredible offensive arsenal
that The Original Bro Matt Riddle possesses.
Proving to be the real deal continues to be Kassius Ohno's worst nightmare.
[Nigel] As Kassius Ohno will extend the olive branch,
but there was no way that Matt Riddle was taking it a second time.
Instead dumping Ohno. High angle across the shoulders.
And then following up with the elbow strikes.
And there the tap, as I said, on the opposite side of the official.
-[bell rings] -[Nigel] The official finally seeing
the tap on the mat.
[Percy] Matt Riddle absolutely furious.
Letting go of his rage on The Knockout Artist Kassius Ohno tonight.
[Mauro] The Bro show continues to earn rave reviews
at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix.
Matt Riddle vanquishes Kassius Ohno
for the third time.
[music continues]
[Mauro] Welcome to Wrestlemania!
The irresistible force meeting the immovable object.
The boyhood dream has come true.
Miracle on Bourbon Street!
[cheerful music]
This is WWE network. And it's on.
♪ Everybody, if you're feeling nice ♪
♪ Let me hear you say all right ♪
♪ All right ♪
[cheers and applause]
♪ Get it, get it ♪
♪ Show up and we have a good time ♪
♪ The feel is fresh ♪
♪ And the mood is right ♪
♪ Hands up and touch the sky ♪
♪ Let me hear you say all right ♪
♪ All right, all right ♪
♪ Let me hear you say all right… ♪
[Mauro] All roads lead to Wrestlemania.
♪ All right ♪
♪ Show up and we have a good time ♪
♪ The feel is fresh ♪
♪ And the mood is right… ♪
[Mauro] Your chance to see every live pay-per-view is right here on network.
["Holding my breath" by Alien Weaponry]
[male announcer] You're listening to "Holding my breath" by Alien Weaponry,
an NXT loud theme song for NXT TakeOver: Phoenix.
It's available now on iTunes and Spotify.
[song continues]
[Mauro] 2018 male competitor of the year,
also in the 2018 NXT rivalry of the year with Johnny Gargano.
NXT champion Tommaso Ciampa admiring goldy
as he gets to defend the title tonight against ex-champion Aleister Black.
[Percy] I wonder who is joining us here tonight at Talking Stick Arena.
[pop music]
[Mauro] Oh, oh! The show-stopper, the Velveteen Dream has arrived
and it appears the man is rolling deep.
And you better believe he thinks he should be competing tonight
and kicking off Royal Rumble weekend.
[Nigel] Well, Dream was upset that he wasn't booked on tonight's card,
but he will have a different opportunity because he is one of 15 superstars
who will compete in the first-ever worlds collide tournament,
a 15-man Battle Royal and marquee matches with the ultimate winner
getting a title opportunity of his choosing.
The semifinals and finals are exclusively on the WWE network
next Saturday at 8:00 P.M. Eastern.
Earlier in the day, at noon eastern you can follow along with the first round
and quarterfinals streaming on YouTube,
Facebook, WWE.com, the WWE app and Twitter.
Worlds collide!
[music continues]
[Mauro] And, guys, this surely will be a collision to remember.
Gargano now has his eyes set on the North American Championship,
thanks to Tommaso Ciampa.
But in order to claim the title for his own,
he has to go through one of the most talented champions
the world has ever seen,
the one and only Ricochet. And tonight, we find out who leaves the valley
with the North American Championship.
2018 a lot of people thought they knew what was best for Johnny Gargano.
[Mauro] Oh, Ciampa helped Johnny Gargano defeat Aleister Black
in the steel cage match.
[bell rings]
As the champ, maybe Johnny should have an opportunity
at the north American title.
The only man that knows what's best for Johnny Gargano
is Johnny Gargano.
In 2019--
[male voice] Johnny, I know you're listening.
-[Ricochet] I know my end game. -[Johnny Gargano] Think about it.
[Ricochet] I have become the man I was always meant to be.
[Gargano] North American champion.
[Mauro] Johnny Gargano will become champion.
[male voice] This is our TakeOver, Johnny.
But don't get confused about a moment in the cage that meant nothing.
But if I want the North American Championship, I'm gonna take it.
If you wanted an opportunity at the north American title,
all you had to do was ask.
But you're gonna take it, huh?
Let me ask you a question.
Are you going to take it from me man-to-man
or after attacking me behind my back in the parking lot?
[Mauro] Oh, Johnny Gargano just kicked Ricochet!
The way I see it, 2019 Johnny Gargano
is the same person as 2018 Johnny Gargano.
I'm kind of starting to like it.
All you finally did was you showed the world your true colors.
Ricochet, can we get a word?
All the respect that I had for Johnny before he superkicked away.
But in 2018 I showed my true colors when I won this.
I am the one and only.
That's not just a catchy nickname.
Ricochet is a one-of-a-kind athlete.
He flies around that ring like a superhero.
You know what I do when I feel like being a superhero?
I just wake up in the morning.
[Gargano] I've known Johnny for a long time.
But something is different. This isn't the same Johnny.
This past year has changed me.
[Mauro] Johnny Gargano, a tortured soul.
I'm still very much in control.
The difference between me and Ricochet, he never had to fight.
He never had to scratch. He never had to claw.
I went out there and I won.
Opportunity is only good if you deliver.
And that right there might be the biggest difference
-between Johnny Gargano and Ricochet. -[crowd chanting]
You hear something so often,
it starts to get in your head a little bit.
Well, I'm going to be a bad guy, so bad,
I'll be the baddest guy they have ever seen.
The Johnny that I know, he's still in there.
I'll knock some sense back into him.
[male announcer] TakeOver: Phoenix.
[Ricochet] I'll show the NXT Universe that I am something that Johnny Gargano is not.
[male announcer] Johnny Gargano will become champion.
[cheers and applause]
[energetic music]
[cheers and applause]
[bell rings]
[female announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT North American Championship!
Introducing the challenger from Cleveland, Ohio,
weighing in at 199 pounds, Johnny Gargano!
[Mauro] Gargano has christened himself Mr. TakeOver tonight
in his record 12th TakeOver match.
Unfortunately, Percy, his record at TakeOver,
well, it rivals that of his beloved Cleveland Browns.
[Percy] Johnny TakeOver is now starting to believe his own hype.
Gargano says success is determined by two things-- wins and Championships.
In 2019, he will become a champion.
But is that accurate?
[Mauro] Yeah, but Nigel, he hasn't been getting many friends at TakeOver.
-[Percy] That was my point. -[Nigel] Absolutely.
When it comes to wins and losses-- and perhaps that is Johnny Gargano's point.
He realizes he can call himself Johnny Wrestling all he wants,
but until he gets some ticks in the win column, it doesn't count for much.
[Mauro] He has known Ricochet for over ten years.
They have competed against each other all over the world.
The tweeted that tonight, well, he needs this one, #andnew.
[male announcer] The one and only.
[challenging music]
[cheers and applause]
[female announcer] And his opponent from Paducah, Kentucky
weighing in at 190 pounds, he is the NXT north American champion
Ricochet!
[Mauro] No surprise that the one and only Ricochet,
the current NXT north American champion was voted
the 2018 NXT break-out star of the year.
Most nights he left the NXT Universe breathless.
[Percy] I'll tell you what.
We have seen this man perform on a nightly basis in NXT.
And this man can absolutely fly. Title on the line,
you better believe he wants to leave the desert with it still in place,
still intact wrapped around his waist.
[Mauro] It was a year ago at TakeOver: Philadelphia
that Johnny Gargano was involved in the 2018 NXT match of the year
against then NXT champion Andrade.
And he was also in the rivalry of the year with current NXT champion Tommaso Ciampa.
But again, delivering in matches and putting on a show is one thing,
but it all comes down to the Ws.
And Johnny Gargano seeks one of the biggest wins
of his career here tonight.
[Nigel] I think perhaps it comes back to the thing that Ricochet said.
Is the 2019 Johnny Gargano the same as the 2018 Johnny Gargano?
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] You can sense the electricity here in Phoenix.
The NXT Universe salivating at the prospects of what
they are about to witness.
[crowd chanting]
-[bell rings] -[Mauro] The bell goes.
The North American Championship up for grabs.
The singular aerial artist Ricochet defending against the technical wizardry
of Johnny Gargano.
[Nigel] A simple wrist lock to take things up.
Some technical expertise from Johnny Wrestling as well.
[Mauro] Reversal by Ricochet with the side wrist lock.
Beautiful kip up by Gargano. Deep arm drag by Johnny Gargano
as beautiful-- rolling crucifix into the pinning predicament.
And this is where Gargano is expected to have the edge on Ricochet.
Again, goes into the cover. But only one-count.
Oh, and remember Ricochet
on the receiving end of that thunderous superkick on NXT TV.
[Percy] You better believe Ricochet did not forget about that.
This Gargano, this is the technical Gargano that I'm used to seeing.
I wonder if we will keep seeing the same thing going forward
as this match progresses.
[Nigel] It's also a very confident Gargano that we are seeing here.
You have to wonder, where does that confidence come from?
Is it perhaps--
We saw a limited collusion with Tommaso Ciampa on NXT TV recently.
[Percy] Johnny Gargano's responsible for Tommaso Ciampa being the NXT champion.
Of course, responsible for attacking Aleister Black last summer.
But now here against Ricochet,
needs to put all of that out of his mind. He needs to be laser focused.
He's a former NXT tag team champion, but singles gold has eluded him.
He knows that tonight he needs to put it all on the line.
[Nigel] Gargano knows he's going to have to take some risks.
Just making some mistakes.
[applause]
[Mauro] Shoulder tackle by Gargano. The kip up by the Uber athletic Ricochet.
There's an aggressive response by Gargano.
Rizadora.
Oh, and Gargano again the rolling crucifix but Ricochet gets up and has Gargano.
Oh, but the roll-up by Johnny Wrestling.
Quick reversals here by Ricochet and Gargano.
You can tell that these two have crossed paths myriad of times
throughout their illustrious career.
[Nigel] Oh, yeah.
[Percy] These guys are just one-upping each other all night so far. Here we go.
[Mauro] A mystica there by Ricochet.
Lands on his feet after Johnny Gargano trying to get the better of him.
[cheers and applause]
[crowd chanting] Ricochet!
What Johnny am I going to get tonight?
What Johnny am I going to get?
[Mauro] And Ricochet was asking Gargano, "Which Gargano are we going to get?"
And well, he got his answer.
[Nigel] For a second there, it looked like neither man had the advantage.
But Johnny Gargano taking an advantage.
[Mauro] Well, Ricochet asking him, "Are we going to get the Gargano
who is Johnny Wrestling or the guy who attacked Black
in the parking lot at full sail last summer?"
Well, Ricochet got his answer.
And it wasn't the one I think he was looking for.
[Percy] I think-- I truly think that the man that can fly knows
what he's going to get with Gargano.
He said that Gargano showed his true colors. He's a liar. He's deceitful.
[Mauro] The future of flight is here in the form of Ricochet.
Head scissors takeover, skip up. Drop kick by the north American champion.
[cheers and applause]
Please return your seat backs to your full upright and locked position.
Oh, Ricochet lands on the apron. Wow!
AsaI moonsault from the corner by Ricochet making it look oh, so easy.
[Percy] As it says on his left shoulder, he is absolutely fearless.
And he will show you time and time again just why.
-Take a look at Ricochet. -[Nigel] Absolutely effortless.
[crowd] Oh!
Moonsault kebrada as though gravity just took a break.
[chatter]
[Nigel] Wham! Strong chop right into the pec.
[Mauro] Ricochet telling us he's never called himself Mr. TakeOver.
He's never asked to be called that either.
However, the NXT Universe may have other plans.
After all, he became north American champion at TakeOver dethroning Adam Cole.
He almost got defanged there by that back elbow to the mouth
by Johnny Gargano who is now in a precarious position.
[Nigel] Gargano's toes hooked under the middle rope
to keep him from falling backwards.
Not what Ricochet had in mind there, didn't pay off certainly.
[Mauro] Oh, but that right hand does.
Rocks Johnny Gargano's whiskers.
And again Ricochet going all the way to the top turnbuckle.
Oh, my God, Johnny Gargano slips out from underneath
and face first to the top turnbuckle, Ricochet crashes down in a heap.
[Percy] Ricochet is absolutely dazed. Look at this one more time.
Johnny Gargano only needed half a second to turn things around
and put Ricochet down.
[Nigel] Like an elevator dropping down a shaft.
Crashed hard into that top turnbuckle.
[Mauro] Ground and pound being administered by Gargano.
Ricochet doing his best to block these strikes from Gargano.
[Nigel] I have yet to see a sign whether this is a new Johnny Gargano or not.
Ah!
[Percy] Oh! Gargano looking to prove he's not a failure, that he's a winner.
Going for the win here.
[Nigel] We have heard sometimes some of the words
that came out of Gargano's mouth.
Dare I say almost sounded like Tommaso Ciampa.
[Percy] I don't know, Nigel, but I'll tell you what.
A new Johnny Gargano if he wins the North American Championship here tonight.
[Nigel] Gargano a Cleveland native,
developing a cavalier attitude and now tying Ricochet up.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Ricochet trying to escape with those back elbows.
Forcing the break.
[Nigel] Nice strong forearm with the right.
[Mauro] Reversal on the Irish whip. Ricochet sweeps out the leg of Gargano.
And Gargano--
[Percy] Gargano had that scouted.
[Mauro] Short-circuiting that high impact offensive maneuver by Ricochet.
Oh!
[Nigel] Driving the knee to the back of the neck into the cover.
[Mauro] The two press and two-count only.
[Nigel] Interesting strategy there from Johnny Gargano.
He was lying on his back.
And I think it was Ricochet trying for a moonsault.
But a lot of times guys who lie in wait and put their knees up
at the last minute, Gargano didn't wait. He just kicked him out of the air.
[Mauro] Gargano was stretching Ricochet's body like it was Silly Putty,
but now with the arm wringer looking for
maybe a modified-- Oh.
Wow. Just really tying up Ricochet into this pinning predicament.
-And Gargano utilizing all of his limbs. -Oww.
[Nigel] Look at the torque on the deltoid.
[Mauro] This is how you separate a shoulder.
[Percy] Exactly.
[Mauro] This is why he's known as Johnny Wrestling.
[Nigel] Almost like a surgeon there.
[cheers and applause]
[Percy] This is not where Ricochet wants to be.
Gargano is in complete control of this situation right now.
[Mauro] Oh, Gargano's shoulders are down for a two-count
as Ricochet looking to turn the tables. What a devastating chop.
[Percy] That chop was across the throat of Ricochet.
[Nigel] That's exactly where it was. And a boot to the side of the jaw.
We are starting to see just the beginnings here of a more aggressive,
nasty vicious side of Johnny Gargano perhaps.
[Mauro] Yeah, Gargano showing no fear in battling the nastiest brawlers,
guys like Tommaso Ciampa.
And he is showing that in addition to his wrestling ability,
well, he can fight fire with fire
and you can never discount Johnny Gargano's heart.
[Percy] You've got to think with all his issues with Ciampa,
you can't be surprised that some of it didn't rub off on him.
[Mauro] Sunset flip attempt, well scouted by Ricochet. Picks up Johnny Gargano.
Tip up. Gargano lands on his feet on the apron.
-Oh, and Ricochet avoiding-- -[Percy] Oh!
[Mauro] Beautiful!
Wow, he landed on the back of Gargano with that standing moonsault.
[Nigel] I'm not sure if perhaps Ricochet thought that Gargano was flat to the mat,
so he tried the moonsault. When he landed, Gargano was on his knees
so he took some of the brunt into his mid section.
[Percy] And, of course, Gargano missing with that sling shot spear.
But Gargano and Ricochet both on their feet.
Gargano trying to break down the high-flying NXT north American champion.
[Nigel] Oh.
[indistinct chatter]
-Ricochet is out on his feet. -[Mauro] Knife edge chop by Ricochet.
Keeps him in this matchup.
And now Ricochet coming back with a series of right hands.
Oh, and that lariat levels Gargano momentarily.
And Ricochet pulls off the flying head scissors.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Oh. European upper cut in the corner.
And Ricochet using all points of his limbs.
Tiger feint kick to Gargano.
Springboard European upper cut as Ricochet sails through the air!
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] Creative way into the front face lock.
-[Mauro] Northern lights suplex. -[Percy] How strong is Ricochet?
[Mauro] Wow, brain buster by Ricochet showcasing his strength.
[Nigel] Cover!
[Mauro] Athleticism and almost a victory right there
as he tries to retain the NXT North American Championship.
Royal Rumble weekend getting started in style
courtesy of NXT. Tomorrow Royal Rumble comes to you
from the home of the Arizona Diamonbacks Chase Field.
And, of course, Johnny Gargano chasing the North American Championship.
[Nigel] Showing a lot of tenacity doing that as well, Mauro.
Digging deep. Intestinal fortitude. Oh, hold on a second.
Looking for a suplex there, but nice block from Gargano.
[Percy] Palm strikes by Gargano.
[Mauro] Half Nelson, oh, back elbow connects for Ricochet.
Hard-hitting affair between two of the very best in the world
in Ricochet and Johnny Gargano.
Springboard, but this time Gargano avoids the impact.
Oh! And Gargano into the power bomb.
-And he gets a two and a half. -[Nigel] Ooh. Hold on a second.
[Mauro] Cross face! Cross face by Gargano!
[Percy] Ricochet is in trouble right here.
[cheers and applause]
-[Percy] Ricochet may have to tap. -[Nigel] Grabbing there at the wrist
of Johnny Gargano trying to break that monkey grip.
Great job from Gargano positioning himself between Ricochet and the bottom rope.
[Mauro] And now Gargano looking to get him into the Gargano escape.
[Nigel] Just couldn't get it. Ricochet too strong.
[Mauro] Oh, lemahieu straw here by Gargano.
But Ricochet drops his weight on Gargano for a quick two-count.
-It's incredible to see-- -Oh!
[Mauro] …how well scouted, how much data has been collected
by these two superstars. Case in point.
[Percy] He hit that, you called it.
[Nigel] These two superstars know each other so well!
[Mauro] Wow wow! Ricochet dumping Gargano out of the ring.
And Gargano hit his rib cage hard on the apron on the way down.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Ricochet flies through the air and flattens Gargano!
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] High pace, fosbury flop dive as we take a look here.
-It was Ricochet scouting-- -[Percy] Oh, man!
[Nigel] …that DDT attempt. And then following up with this.
Fosbury flop landing hard.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Fosbury flop was not a flop for the north American champion.
[crowd chanting]
[Mauro] Gargano trying to regain his faculties in the corner.
Big boot to the face of Ricochet. Oh!
[Nigel] Oh!
[Mauro] Walked right into that European upper cut.
[Nigel] Something flat of the mouth of Gargano.
[Mauro] Let's hope it wasn't his teeth.
Oh, standing shooting star press by Ricochet.
Pulling out all the stops. Moonsault from the second to be.
-Will Ricochet retain the title? -[Percy chuckles] Oh, man.
How in the world is Johnny Gargano staying alive in this matchup?
[Mauro] And, Nigel, how is Ricochet able to utilize so much oxygen
still to pull off these high risk, high impact maneuvers?
[Nigel] I think it is partly genetics, it's partly training.
This young man we have seen time and time again when matches go deep,
he's always there.
[crowd chanting]
[Mauro] And, of course, Johnny Gargano has been so close.
Look at the resolve by Johnny Gargano.
Ricochet again wants to go utilize the real estate,
wanting to put that show on for the NXT Universe.
[Nigel] Gargano knows how dangerous Ricochet is on the top rope.
That's why he was so adamant he was going to stop the one and only
-from getting up there. -[Percy] Agreed.
He knows he can't take one more big high-offensive maneuver from Ricochet.
It could be all over.
His chances of becoming champion could be all over in a second.
[Mauro] It was one year ago at TakeOver: Philadelphia
where Gargano almost became NXT champion against then champion Andrade.
It was voted the 2018 NXT match of the year.
We could be seeing the 2019 match of the year unfold in front of our very eyes.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Oh.
[Mauro] What the heck is Ricochet-- What's Gargano thinking?
Looking for that Franken-steiner again.
[Percy] Too much power from Ricochet.
[Mauro] The game of chess is being played.
-[Percy] Oh, my God. -[Nigel] Wow, wow!
-[Percy] Did you see that? -[Mauro] Ricochet lands on his feet.
Mamma mia!
[Percy] Gargano can't believe it!
[Mauro] Johnny wants some smoke. This man Ricochet is on fire.
-[Percy] Can you believe it, Nigel? -[Nigel] No one can.
[Mauro] Oh, step-up enziguri by Gargano.
He runs right into another European upper cut. This time Ricochet ducks down.
Oh, and Ricochet misses with the back flap kick.
What a knee strike.
Superkick! But that one didn't drop Ricochet like it did on NXT TV.
Didn't quite get it. Okada roll.
Back flip kick there by Ricochet lands.
[Nigel] What incredible action.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] A Titanic struggle for the NXT north American title.
Handspring. Oh, looking for the back elbow.
Right into the Gargano escape!
Gargano escape!
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] Beautiful transition from Gargano!
[Mauro] Gargano can sense becoming a singles champion
for the first time in NXT.
But Ricochet already back up to a vertical base.
-Dead lifting the challenger. -[Nigel] Wow.
[Mauro] Incredible!
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] The power, the grit, the guts, the heart,
all of the ingredients for what is becoming
another instant NXT classic.
[crowd chanting]
[Mauro] Ricochet just having Johnny Gargano.
I don't think he knows where he is.
He just wanted to get rid of him
and landed him in the corner in the turnbuckle.
[Nigel] It has been absolutely incredible
what these two superstars have given.
And it speaks volumes about how prestigious and how valuable
the north American title is to both these superstars.
[Mauro] Adam Cole was the inaugural north American champion
dethroned by Ricochet.
And now Ricochet in the fight of his life here as again, Gargano rolling away.
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] Great ring presence from Johnny Gargano.
He knew he was in danger.
He knows at least for a second he is safer now.
[Percy] I think Ricochet realizes he got Gargano exactly where he wants him.
-[Nigel] Wait a second. I think-- -[crowd booing]
[Nigel] I think Gargano realized where he was on the apron.
-They can boo all they want. -[Mauro] Oh, my God!
Did you see Ricochet?
Ricochet sailed over the top turnbuckle wiping out turnbuckle.
[Percy] Did you see him? Don't even worry about it, I'll find him.
[Mauro] Springboard 450!
-Ricochet hits the spot! -One, two!
[Mauro] Gargano shows his heart in kicking out!
What a breathtaking dive here by Ricochet.
[Percy] Not even worried about it. Taking to the skies.
That man wants to retain his North American Championship here in Phoenix.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Again, Ricochet on the top turnbuckle.
[Nigel] Gargano a long way out.
[Mauro] Shooting star press right into the knees.
The cradle, the cradle here. Small package by Gargano.
Gargano almost became north American champion, wow.
[cheers and applause]
[Percy] I think those knees to the abdomen of Ricochet took a lot
out of him right there.
[Mauro] But again, you have to wonder,
Ricochet going to the well again with another scintillating shooting star press
but it didn't end well, Nigel.
One, two!
[Nigel] It was the experience of Johnny Gargano lying in wait
and brings those knees up at the last second
when there was no way of Ricochet to change his trajectory.
[Mauro] Because these two know each other so well,
there needs to be adjustments made. Ricochet may have to change course.
-[crowd chanting] -[Nigel] Oh!
[Mauro] Oh, one superkick sends Ricochet crashing to the outside!
[Nigel] The force and the velocity of that superkick through the jaw of Ricochet
sent Ricochet to the outside.
[Mauro] Tommaso Ciampa told Gargano he can do it himself.
Gargano says, "I can."
And right into Ricochet. Unbelievable.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Reverse rana, reverse spikerana. Ricochet crashes to the outside.
This has to be it!
Gargano on the verge of becoming north American champion.
-Sling shot DDT! -[Percy] Oh, my God!
-[Mauro] Plants the champion. -[Nigel] That is it!
-Gargano! -One, two, three!
[Mauro, Nigel, Percy] No!
[cheers and applause]
[crowd] Oh!
[crowd chanting] Ricochet!
[Mauro] Gargano rolling Ricochet over to the center of the ring.
Gargano beginning to sense that his time is now.
But instead of going for the cover, Gargano is on the outside.
-[Nigel] Gargano is frustrated. -[Mauro] He's talking to himself.
[Mauro, Nigel, Percy] Oh, no. No, no.
[Percy] This is like the unsanctioned match against Tommaso Ciampa.
[Mauro] At Wrestlemania weekend last year in New Orleans
the tortured soul of Johnny Gargano, crisis confidence, crisis of heart.
[Percy] But why take it to this extent? He's got Ricochet down already.
-[Mauro] Good question, Nigel, why? -[Nigel] Gargano is frustrated.
And if you can't beat him within the rules,
maybe you have to bend them.
-[Percy] Not like this. -[Mauro] That's exploiting.
Gargano, this is not how you become north American champion.
And thankfully, Johnny Gargano comes to his senses.
He has to pin or submit Ricochet if he wants to-- Roll-up by Ricochet.
Oh, two and a half.
Ricochet blocks that superkick attempt.
The cat-and-mouse game has been incredible.
Oh, what a clothesline!
[Nigel] Good lord! Light's out.
[Mauro] Again, why doesn't he go for the cover?
[Nigel] Because he's got better intentions, Mauro.
[Mauro] The best laid plans, Phoenix splash, Ricochet lands.
He's able to recover. Oh, what a superkick.
-[crowd cheering] -[Mauro] What a kick by Gargano.
Oh, and Gargano now-- What the--
And Ricochet is going for the Gargano escape.
Talk about adding insult to injury.
If Ricochet were to retain the title via the Gargano escape.
[cheers and applause]
[Percy] You called it, Mauro. You are talking about a mental break.
Gargano will never be able to live with himself
if he loses to Ricochet with the Gargano escape.
[Nigel] Look how far Gargano is from the bottom rope.
[Percy] Yeah, but Ricochet didn't have the grip.
-[Nigel] Just couldn't hold it. -[Mauro] And Gargano able to regroup.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Both superstars in a taxing battle,
both of them need to make adjustments.
It's, I believe, going to come down to who makes a critical error.
And probably due to fatigue,
probably due to the fact that they have gone together,
added like hammer and tongs here, Nigel.
[Nigel] Back and forth, both superstars.
[Mauro] And I agree with the NXT Universe.
I wouldn't mind if they fought forever. Oh!
[Nigel] Nasty driving Ricochet right back into the post.
That was the exact same thing that happened in Gargano's match
against Andrade that caused Gargano to lose that match.
[Mauro] It was the 2018 NXT match of the year.
Gargano is looking at the floor, the exposed floor.
-And Gargano-- -[Percy] What Gargano are we dealing with?
[Mauro] Oh, no! Oh, my God! On the exposed floor!
Gargano just drove Ricochet straight down!
Oh, my God! Ricochet is barely moving.
[Percy] If you didn't know which Johnny Gargano we are dealing with,
take a look at this on the exposed floor.
[Mauro] This time Gargano realizing, in order to become champion,
he has to roll Ricochet back into the ring.
[Nigel] It's hard when you make assurances.
Johnny Gargano said, "I will be champion."
And sometimes you have to take risks and you have to make sacrifices
and you have to become a deeper, darker person to do that.
[indistinct chatter]
[Percy] Gargano saying, "I win, I win." And he's on the verge.
He's on the verge of winning!
We are about to crown a new NXT north American champion.
-One, two, three! -[bell rings]
[Percy] Oh, my God!
[Mauro] Johnny Wrestling has finally done it!
[female announcer] Your winner and new NXT north American champion
Johnny Gargano!
[Mauro] After so much emotional turmoil,
after coming, oh, so close,
on this night in Phoenix,
Gargano has indeed risen from the ashes of prior title opportunities
and Johnny Wrestling is the new NXT north American champion.
[Nigel] Gargano licking his lips,
savoring every second.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] I've got to say along with so many people in the NXT Universe,
I had my reservations when it came to Johnny Gargano.
I wasn't sure I believed him
when he said in 2019 he would become a champion.
I'll tell you what, he changed my mind.
The man stands tall with the title held in his hands tonight.
[Nigel] It was a match
where both superstar would try to outsmart one another.
Here the incredible agility of the one and only
and the shock on the face of Johnny Gargano.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Again, it would be Gargano lying in wait, shooting star press
driving the knees into the mid section.
And the small package coming ever so close.
[soft music]
[Mauro] Look at the face of Johnny Gargano.
He knows exactly what he has to do in order to become champion
here tonight.
But this is not the way. Whoa! So much impact.
Took a lot out of Johnny Gargano himself.
[Percy] After that, he simply said, "I win."
[Nigel] And with that DDT, that was exactly what Johnny Gargano did.
A hook of the leg. And at that point, it was academic.
[bell rings]
[Nigel] We have a new NXT north American champion.
[Mauro] The journey started at the age of 16.
And the childhood dream has been realized.
The man who has been in the highways and byways.
The man who has had to overcome so many obstacles,
the ultimate underdog is the top dog
in the NXT north American division.
[Nigel] If success is measured by wins and Championships,
Johnny Gargano is Mr. Success.
[energetic music]
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] The stage is set.
Ronda Rousey will face off against Sasha Banks
for the raw Women's Championship.
You have accomplished pretty much everything.
[Mauro] Rousey continues to dominate.
[Sasha Banks] Except you have never beaten me.
Trying to get under the skin of Ronda Rousey is a bold move.
Come Royal Rumble, your reign as champion is over.
[Mauro] This one is going to be off-the-chains exciting.
[Percy] It's time to get rowdy.
[lively music]
[Mauro] We are in the Valley of the Sun where the sun has just set
on Ricochet's north American title reign.
Johnny Gargano, the new NXT north American champion.
Two more title matches coming your way at TakeOver: Phoenix.
[Nigel] Well, is the sun rising for Bianca Belair?
With each successive victory the undefeated Bianca Belair
has taken one step closer to tonight's NXT Women's Championship opportunity.
Will the journey end with Belair backing up her superlative assertions?
Or will Baszler be Belair's Waterloo?
[challenging music]
[Mauro] Shayna Baszler, the merciless women's champion.
-[Percy] She is dangerous. -[Nigel] Ruthless.
-[Percy] Malicious. -[Nigel] Disagreeable.
-[Percy] Calculating. -[Mauro] She stands tall.
The first-ever two-time women's champion.
[Shayna Baszler] I spent the entire year winning.
[Mauro] We have a new women's champion.
-[Baszler] And defending this title. -[Mauro] Baszler continues to prove
that she has what it takes.
They can't stand that I have this title
because they know that there's not a single thing they can do about it.
[pop music]
[Mauro] Has there been a hotter NXT superstar than Bianca Belair?
[Binaca Belair] I'm the strongest, I'm the toughest, I'm the fastest.
[Mauro] Wow, unbelievable athleticism.
Shayna is going to find out that I am the best.
[Mauro] Belair will challenge Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's title
at TakeOver: Phoenix.
Shayna had a great year.
First-ever two-time champion. You know what that means?
She's lost. And guess who hasn't?
[Mauro] K.O.D. leads to the one, two, three.
I am un-de-feat-ed. I'm undefeated.
[Percy] Bianca Belair remains undefeated heading into TakeOver: Phoenix.
And I'm going to take that title from Shayna.
[chuckles]
You know, I can understand things that Bianca is going to feel.
I have been there. One year ago in fact.
[male announcer] Baszler challenging for the Women's Championship
at her very first TakeOver.
Look what I did. People fear this title now.
That's what a title should mean.
You know what? I know Marina and Jessamyn pick up the slack for Shayna.
[Mauro] Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke helped Shayna Baszler win
the NXT Women's Championship.
Are you worried about these two?
Our rule for each other is the same as it's always going to be.
We have each others' back.
You are like every opponent that won't put their money
where their mouth is and actually fight me.
If I have to take on three girls to get to the title,
that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Nothing is going to get in my way.
[Mauro] Oh, slap!
It doesn't matter how strong you are.
Doesn't matter how fast you are.
You still need air to breathe.
[Mauro] The Queen of Spades can never be taken lightly.
My whole life I have thrived under pressure.
And it takes a lot of pressure to create a diamond.
And this diamond is going to shine the bright-est at TakeOver.
♪ I'm on my own ♪
♪ Against the world ♪
♪ The pressure is on ♪
♪ And I will never fall ♪
♪ The crowd, they hear me roar… ♪
[Mauro] Hard to believe it was only a couple of years ago
when Bianca Belair stepped into the NXT performance center.
A few months later she made her professional debut.
And, Nigel, she went from zero to an NXT Women's Championship match
real quick.
And our own Sam Roberts during the preshow causing a firestorm
on social media saying, "Maybe it's too soon for Double B."
Do you agree?
[Nigel] Absolutely not. I don't know what's wrong with Sam Roberts.
I mean perfectly, what could you want more than an undefeated record?
What more does Bianca Belair have to do to prove
that she deserves a title opportunity?
[Percy] Well, she made a believer out of me, Percy,
when she won that fatal four-way to become the number one contender
overcoming a lot of competition with more experience.
And the one thing that really impresses me about her,
she's not swallowed up by the magnitude of the moment.
-[cheers and applause] -[Mauro] I completely agree with you.
She defeated Mia Yim, Lacey Evans, Io Shirai.
Now this woman has the biggest test of her career
against Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship.
[rock music]
[Nigel] She doesn't seem to be swallowed up by the moment.
We will find out once this match starts whether or not that's true, Percy.
[Mauro] The Queen of Spades Shayna Baszler,
the only two-time NXT Women's champion,
of course, with a little help of her friends Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke,
helping to dethrone KairI Sane.
There's huge WWE supporters in attendance.
[Nigel] Yeah, the Iron Maiden, a member of Alice Cooper's band.
[Mauro] And Shayna Baszler knows a thing or two about the guitar, the Axe.
[Percy] The NXT Women's champion Shayna Baszler wants to put
the axe to Belair tonight.
She wants to put the E-S-T to our E-S-T here in Phoenix.
[Mauro] Baszler telling us no matter how good you are,
you still need air to breathe. Alluding to the kirifuda clutch.
Of course, this is going to come down to the incredible strength
and athleticism of Belair
and the guile and brutality of Baszler.
[bell rings]
[female announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Women's Championship.
[cheers and applause]
[female announcer] Introducing the challenger from Knoxville, Tennessee
Bianca Belair!
[cheers and applause]
[female announcer] And her opponent from Sioux Falls, south Dakota,
she is the NXT Women's champion
Shayna Baszler!
[cheers and boos]
[Nigel] Well, a vociferous response for the champion.
You take a look at Bianca Belair.
She looks confident. She may feel confident.
But a good punch to the face may quickly kill that confidence.
[Mauro] It's all about the NXT Women's Championship.
The first champion Paige, her story to be shared on WWE Chronicle
immediately following NXT TakeOver here on the WWE network.
But, Baszler, the first-ever two-time champ--
[bell rings]
[Mauro] Ready to defend against Bianca Belair.
And yes, you must beware of the hair. Known for using that hair whip.
[crowd cheering]
[Percy] Do you think to some extent Shayna Baszler has a little bit of concern
with Belair's record? I mean if you think about it just mathematically,
the odds are not in Baszler's favor.
Bianca Belair is undefeated and that may continue here tonight.
[Nigel] What do you mean, Percy?
I don't really understand what you are saying.
[Percy] What do you mean? I mean she is undefeated.
Do you think that bothers her, does rattle the champion slightly?
Knowing that no one on the NXT roster could beat this woman.
[Mauro] The only place you find success before work is the dictionary.
And Belair has put in all the work at the performance center.
Meanwhile, Baszler, a noted mixed martial artist before she came,
made it before the final of the inaugural Mae young classic
and then defeated KairI Sane to become the two-time champion.
And it's all about the here and now, guys. You can see there--
Oh! Bianca Belair gets the tables turned
as Baszler has heard enough of the loquacious one.
[crowd booing]
[Nigel] Baszler said that she was going to turn--
[Mauro] Wow, there you go.
Un-de-feat-ed!
[Mauro] Just like the first opportunity here for Belair,
making the most of it as Baszler with the side headlock
arm wringer into the hammer lock, immediately into the side headlock
and Baszler wanting to wear down Belair.
[Nigel] Seems to me the champion doesn't really respect the challenger at all.
[Mauro] I think that can be vice versa as well as the strength of Belair on display.
[Nigel] I caught something earlier in the match.
Belair was breathing deeply and to me that shows
she's perhaps a little scared of the champion.
[Mauro] Reversal on the Irish whip, but Belair tip up.
And again showing off her athleticism, all-American honorsin track
and field at the university of Tennessee, competed in crossfit.
[Percy] You think Belair is scared of Baszler? I think not, Nigel.
[Nigel] She may just be covering it well, Percy.
I don't know. We'll see once Baszler gets in and opens up her bag of tricks.
We'll see what happens.
[Mauro] A former power lifter, Belair settling in now.
And I know those butterflies in her stomach have to be the size of sea gulls.
Here she is now with the first opportunity at becoming NXT Women's champion.
And we usually say, "Beware of the hair,"
but it's Baszler utilizing Belair's follicles to her advantage.
[Nigel] That is so dangerous.
The champion when she sees an opportunity, she takes it.
Look here. She saw the hair.
Grabbed it at the last second and then boom!
I know from firsthand experience how that ring post feels.
[Mauro] And Baszler just enjoys hurting people by any means necessary.
[Nigel] Well, I will give Belair this.
She may be the only opponent that Shayna Baszler faced
who is a better athlete than Shayna Baszler.
[Mauro] Referee's count is up to six.
Remember, Belair has to break a 10-count. She is injured.
Her arm and that shoulder.
But she's able to roll in showing her guts.
Because Baszler now with the full mount ground and pound.
Baszler beating down the challenger.
Back press, hooks the leg, and Belair forced to kick out.
And we'll see how Belair overcomes this early taste of adversity
at the hands of the NXT Women's champion. Oh, no.
[Nigel] Well, the big problem for Belair and you can understand why--
[Mauro] Oh, God, ask Dakota Kai.
[Nigel] She's shown clear as day she is injured now.
[Mauro] We have seen this before.
Belair in a perilous position. Oh, no!
On, no! Oh, my God!
[Nigel] Baszler is going to eat Belair alive. Still in this Bianca.
-Ah! -Shake it off.
[Mauro] The referee tending to Belair. Is she going to be able to continue?
[Nigel] I hate to use a cliche, but this is exactly like
putting blood in the water with a shark.
[Percy] I guess we'll find out when it comes to Belair.
But there's a lot of fight in Belair. You better believe that.
[Mauro] And the true measure is how they deal with adversity.
And Belair tasting adversity here against NXT Women's champion Baszler
continuing to focus her attack on that left arm.
Moves into full mount momentarily.
[Nigel] The spinning armbar representing of Pat O'Connor.
Believe it or not, O'Connor--
[Mauro] Oh, my!
[Nigel] Has used that spinning armbar to beat people in the 1950s and 1960s.
That shows the student of the game.
[Mauro] Well, and speaking of students,
Belair again still very much in the early stages of what has been
a sensational start to her career. She may be in over her head here, guys.
And maybe, dare I say it, our panel was right, Nigel.
One, two!
[Nigel] Well, potentially, I mean, I don't know. It could speak perhaps--
You could say that potentially Baszler is just so dominant as the champion.
You can't find a credible challenger.
[Percy] Hold on. Baszler with the cover.
[Mauro] Oh, the cover by Baszler for a two.
It was at TakeOver: New Orleans last year that Baszler beat Ember Moon
to become NXT Women's champion for the first time.
Lost the title to KairI Sane before regaining it at evolution.
[Nigel] Nasty torque there on the double wrist lock.
[Mauro] The catch wrestling specialist, the first female certified
as a catch wrestler by the legendary late great Billy Robinson.
-And Baszler looking for the sleeper. -[Nigel] Hold on, trying!
[Mauro] And Belair, though backs her into the corner and breaks the grip.
And remember what Baszler said about as good as you are,
you still need to breathe. And she is making sure
that she is stealing the breath out of Bianca Belair's body.
[Nigel] Oh, boy.
[Mauro] And stealing her soul at the same time with that kick!
Good for a two-count.
[Pery] And look at the smirk on the face of the NXT Women's champion Baszler.
She's enjoying inflicting this punishment on Belair tonight.
[Nigel] Certainly is an element of sadism, the NXT Women's champion.
E-S-T are you, huh? E-S-T?
[Mauro] Baszler mocking Belair saying you're the E-S-T of NXT, huh?
[Nigel] Rubbing Belair's words in her face.
Listen to me. You are o-ver-ra-ted.
[Mauro] Oh, that wasn't an overrated slap delivered by Belair.
Remember she doubled down slapping Baszler on NXT TV recently.
And now Belair trying to get back in this Championship match
using her size and strength.
Driving the air out of the lungs of Baszler.
Hip toss by Belair out of the corner.
Oh, wow with that injured shoulder.
And you talk about knowing what's at stake, Percy.
[applause]
[Percy] Man, look, Baszler may have the technical aspect of this game down pat.
But if Belair can utilize more of her power,
we can see this match go a completely different way.
[Mauro] Oh, spear by Belair.
Injured shoulder holds up well. Back press! And Baszler powers out.
[Nigel] Certainly have been impressed with the heart and the tenacity of Belair.
But heart and tenacity can only get you so far
when you're in there with a submission artist.
[Mauro] Cover. Oh, Baszler kicks out after one.
[Nigel] Great agility from Belair as well.
And driving the shoulder with the spear,
the injured shoulder and had to use the other shoulder to hook her leg.
[Mauro] Belair told us the only thing that Baszler could possibly try to do
is work harder than her, which she doesn't.
And Belair believes she's more talented.
And Belair putting her skills to use here stomping mercilessly on
the ruthless NXT Women's champion Baszler.
Big splash but, oh, right on to those ribs.
And her ribs have been a life-long issue for Belair.
Step-up knee strike by Baszler.
-[Nigel] Baszler on top. Cover! -[Mauro] Back press.
Baszler looking to retain the title. But Belair able to kick out.
[Nigel] That jumping knee strike from Shayna Baszler
turned Bianca Belair's eyes up inside her head.
[Mauro] Baszler mean-spirited, dangerously proficient.
Ruthlessly ambitious.
And all she wants to do is continue…
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] …her streak of annihilating her opposition.
[Nigel] Well, Bianca Belair suffering under a lot of pressure here.
We heard earlier it takes a lot of pressure to create a diamond.
Oh!
[Mauro] And Belair says she's going to shine brighter than any diamond.
She may have a shiner after those strikes from Baszler
as Belair tries to fight back valiantly and eats a kick.
-[Nigel] Not even close. -[Percy] So far away.
[Mauro] Not able to negotiate the distance.
And now inexperience and desperation may be setting in for Bianca Belair.
-And this is where Baszler-- -[cracking]
[Nigel chuckles] Oh!
[Mauro] When in doubt, bring out the hair whip.
-[crowd cheering] -[Percy] Did you hear that crack?
[Nigel] The champion gave the challenger an opening.
And Bianca Belair took it.
[Mauro] And Belair whipped it and whipped it good.
-[Percy] Listen to this. -[cracking]
[Mauro] Oh, wow!
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] But now can the challenger take that advantage?
As the champion clutches at her mid section.
[Mauro] And Belair still having all kinds of--
-[Nigel] Oh, look at that. -[Mauro] Wow, that was-- Oh, my God!
[Nigel] Good lord.
[Mauro] Belair still has issues with that shoulder.
Now looking for the double chicken wing.
Look at the strength.
And Baszler the reverse right into the referee.
Baszler sends Belair crashing into the referee.
-[Nigel] The official went down hard. -[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] And now Baszler utilizing that hair braid.
Oh, but the right hand from Belair.
-[Nigel] Wait a second. -[Mauro] Oh, Belair looking for the K.O.D.
-[Nigel] This is it! -[Mauro] The K.O.D.!
Belair hit the guillotine, but there's no referee.
-[Nigel] Oh, my! -[Mauro] Oh, no!
[chatter]
[Mauro] Belair has the champion pinned but the referee--
[screaming]
[Percy] We should have a new champion right now.
-[Mauro] Oh, man. -[Percy] Bianca needs to stay on her.
[Mauro] Look at how Belair is reacting.
-[Percy] Don't panic. -[Mauro] She's beginning to panic.
[crowd cheering]
-[Nigel] The challenger breaking down. -[Percy] Oh, man.
[Mauro] Look at this. Here comes Shafir.
Marina Shafir and now she gets dropped by Belair.
Remember, Shafir and Duke helped Shayna Baszler
become the only two-time women's champion.
But this time, Belair getting the best of Shafir and Duke.
But Belair needs the referee.
[Nigel] The official is still down. A valiant fight.
[Mauro] We could have already crowned a new NXT Women's champion.
But now Baszler turns the tables into the kirifuda clutch.
-[Nigel] Body scissors on as well. -[Mauro] And the referee is stirring.
[Percy] This can't go down like this. Come on.
[Nigel] That elbow is underneath the jaw in deep.
[Mauro] Baszler has the kirifuda clutch secured.
Belair desperately trying to stave it off.
Belair desperately trying to keep breathing.
[Nigel] Baszler said it doesn't matter how strong you are,
you still need to breathe.
[Percy] Oh, my goodness.
[Mauro] I think that strength can come into play right now.
Belair not only breathing, but Belair getting to her feet
with the NXT Women's champion on her back with the kirifuda clutch employed.
She's broken the kirifuda clutch.
[Nigel] Belair making Baszler a liar.
It does matter how strong you are.
Strength!
[Mauro] Unbelievable strength and unbelievable recovery by Bianca Belair!
Maturing and growing as a sports entertainer immediately in front of us.
What a match.
[Percy] Belair continuing to prove she's going to be a problem
to Baszler here tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Belair has been taken to the limit
and yet we still don't know what her limit is, Nigel.
-[Nigel] We may be finding out here. -[Mauro] Oh, no, not again.
Jessamyn Duke injects herself. Belair kicks her off the apron.
Belair is on the top turnbuckle.
[Nigel] Well, against all the odds, the E-S-T of NXT!
[Mauro] She pulled out of Wrestlemania last year,
but this time Baszler turns it into the kirifuda clutch.
-[Nigel] That is in deep. -[cheers and applause]
[crowd cheering]
[Percy] Belair is trying to fight her way out of this one but it's not looking good.
[Mauro] Belair desperately trying to break the grip of the kirifuda clutch.
But Belair begins to-- Is she beginning to fade?
No, look at the fight.
So much fight left in Bianca Belair.
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] Belair was desperately clawing,
but the technique now is beating the strength as the energy fades.
[Mauro] Shayna Baszler has been a submission artist for so many--
-Are you kidding me? -[Percy] Unreal.
[Mauro] In Phoenix, Bianca Belair attempts to rise.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] I can't believe that Baszler still has the kirifuda clutch employed.
[Nigel] Look at this.
[Mauro] How much energy is she expending? She had to switch arms.
[Nigel] Switch to the other arm because she couldn't hold it.
[Mauro] And Belair still standing!
[Percy] As long as there's half a breath left in Belair,
she's going to continue to fight.
This is the biggest opportunity to date for her.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] The tenacious Shayna Baszler refuses to quit.
[Mauro] You talk about exhibiting character.
[crowd chanting] E-S-T!
[Mauro] Oh, but Baszler back on the canvas.
[crowd cheering]
-[Nigel] I think that is it, surely. -[Percy] Belair is fading.
-Eyes are closed. -[bell rings]
[Mauro] The referee calls for the bell.
And Shayna Baszler retains the NXT Women's Championship.
[cheers and boos]
[victory music]
[female announcer] Your winner by submission,
and still NXT Women's champion, Shayna Baszler!
[Mauro] Well, guys, we already know
that Shayna Baszler is a dominant NXT Women's champion.
But, boy, did we learn a lot about the character, the guts,
the future of Bianca Belair in her first Championship opportunity.
[Percy] And take nothing away from Bianca Belair.
I think she learned a lot tonight as well from Shayna Baszler.
And I highly doubt this will be the last time we see Bianca Belair
vie for the NXT Women's Championship.
[Nigel] Let's take a look now at this incredible matchup
between these two superstars.
Here it was on the top rope and that 450 splash.
But lying in wait, the champion was there with the kirifuda clutch.
The challenger gave absolutely everything time and time again,
trying to fight out.
But ultimately, it would be the technique of the champion
that would prove the difference.
[music continues]
[Mauro] Shayna Baszler retains the NXT Women's Championship.
For Bianca Belair, you can call it a loss.
I'm sure she's going to call it a learning experience
because, boy, she taught us a lot about what she's made of
in her first Championship opportunity.
[Nigel] Being Bianca Belair absolutely did.
The odds were stacked against her.
Not just the alliterative inexperience,
but the two other members of the four horsewomen
coming down to ringside.
Bianca Belair staying alive in this matchup.
[Mauro] Shayna Baszler saying that she made the Championship,
the women's title something people fear. That's what a title should mean.
And, boy, she is a scary good champion.
[Nigel] But she's leaving tonight with a few scars
metaphorically and physically.
[music continues]
[Nigel] Baszler ecstatic.
She will celebrate tonight.
But Bianca Belair will live to fight another day.
[Mauro] But Bianca Belair is also no longer un-de-feat-ed.
[music continues]
[drumming]
[Mauro] Welcome to the greatest event in live entertainment in New Orleans.
I got totally lost in it
because I was just so blown away by what I was seeing.
Oh, my gosh, my heart is just beating so fast.
I can barely like catch a breath.
[Mauro] Rollins is now a career grand Slam winner.
I'm so proud to leave Wrestlemania with this.
That was my moment.
It's just crazy where life takes you.
[energetic music]
I have thought about this moment so much.
I got this. Now she gets to grow up seeing her daddy wrestle.
It's the best job in the world.
[energetic music]
[Mauro] Welcome to Wrestlemania!
[Mauro] Welcome to the Royal Rumble.
[Mauro] Oh, my God! I love it!
[Percy] Listen to this place.
[Mauro] I can't tell you how excited I am.
♪ We got, we got, we got the power… ♪
[Mauro] Thirty men, thirty women.
The ultimate prize at stake.
The main event of Wrestlemania.
For the first time ever at the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks,
Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
[music continues]
[Mauro] NXT TakeOver: Phoenix living up to its billing.
Two title changes thus far tonight.
And still to come, the main event for the NXT Championship.
And tomorrow at Chase Field, it's the Royal Rumble!
[music continues]
[Percy] You're listening to "X" by Poppy, an NXT loud song
for NXT TakeOver: Phoenix. It's available now on iTunes and Spotify.
[Mauro] An incredible night of action so far in Phoenix
kicking off Royal Rumble weekend.
And, guys, coming up immediately after the show,
the brain child of NXT Triple H will be talking about this momentous event
on Facebook live.
[Nigel] You can hear everything that Triple H thinks about all the events
here tonight.
And one man who has certainly played a factor in Triple H's decisions
is the sartorial superstar Velveteen Dream who is here.
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] He's not on the show tonight,
but even though he's not on the show, he's making himself the show.
Of course, he is one of the 15 superstars who will be in the worlds collide.
And let's remember the winner of that tournament will get a title opportunity
of his choosing.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] And from the man who chases the spotlight
to the men who will be in tonight's spotlight,
Aleister Black has already absolved Gargano for his sins
and now he turns his attention to Tommaso Ciampa.
And he has one thing and one thing only on his mind,
and that's the NXT Championship.
Will Ciampa fade to Black or will the Black heart retain the NXT title?
There's a little quote. The title doesn't make the man.
The man makes the title.
And, Aleister Black, I let you know back in July.
In your case, I feel like the title does indeed make the Aleister Black.
But ever since…
-[Percy] Oh, no! -[Mauro] Oh, my God!
[bell rings]
[Mauro] The scourge of NXT is now the NXT champion.
Ever since Tommaso Ciampa wrapped his arms around goldy,
it's the man who makes the title.
NXT is now the IT show
because I just happen to be the greatest sports entertainer
of all time!
Why can't anybody dethrone Ciampa?
Because I want it more than everybody.
It takes a certain kind of man to scratch and claw and climb
his way to the tippity top of the mountain.
But it takes an entirely different kind of man
to build his den nest there and call it home.
That's the kind of man I am.
[Tommaso Ciampa] I look at the person who took that title.
Let that breathe.
I was down in an abyss and I had to climb out of that abyss.
It made me very, very angry.
There's a lot of good men out there
that get lost in the frenzy of their rage.
I project it in a single stream of focus and concentration.
And vengefully apply it to my enemies.
[ominous music]
[Mauro] That ominous call can mean only one thing.
The devil's envoy Aleister Black is here.
I stood toe to toe with Johnny Gargano.
And I absolved him from his sins
that you created, Puppet Master.
[male voice] Puppet Master.
[Mauro] Wow, what a finish.
I love when you come out here and you become Johnny bad--
This is just my opinion, a steel cage.
[male voice] Puppet Master.
I want you to hold your loved ones dear, Tommaso.
I had to go to extreme lengths to get back where I belong
in the first place because that title is rightfully mine.
Your entire NXT title reign 109 days
was overshadowed by me,
the main event.
That must have bothered the hell out of you.
I will expose you and cut your wires, Puppet Master.
I walk into Phoenix day 184.
It's jealousy, Aleister Black.
I shall throw you in the abyss.
One man will continue to reign.
And take your title, your pride, your essence.
Day 184, day 185, day 186.
And I will make you fade to black!
[rock music]
[cheers and applause]
♪ No man is ever truly good ♪
♪ No man is ever truly evil ♪
♪ I do the things you never could ♪
♪ And we won't ever be equal ♪
♪ No man is ever truly good ♪
♪ No man is ever truly evil ♪
♪ I do the things you never could ♪
♪ And we won't ever be equal… ♪
[Mauro] Former NXT champion Aleister Black is 7-0 in NXT TakeOver events.
Laser focused.
He is set to absolve Tommaso Ciampa not only of his sins,
but of the NXT title that, let's face it,
Aleister Black lost in dubious fashion.
[Percy] The issues between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano
spilled over into this man's lap.
He was robbed of his NXT Championship for that reason.
And tonight I believe this man will find some sort of absolution
in the form of the NXT title.
[music continues]
[Nigel] The poise.
The grace.
The harbinger of fury ready to unleash on the NXT champion.
[Percy] A lot of anger and walking rage.
He has a single focus and concentration and applies it to his enemies.
Tonight public enemy number one is Tommaso Ciampa.
[cheers and applause]
[beeping]
♪ No one will survive ♪
♪ There's no escape now ♪
♪ No one will survive… ♪
[Nigel] The dark and imposing NXT champion
grabbing that Championship tight to his chest.
The obsidian Tommaso Ciampa feels
that title is deserving of a man
like Tommaso Ciampa.
Let's be honest, fellows, a lot of us never thought we'd see
Tommaso Ciampa as the NXT champion.
[Percy] You're exactly right. He played the game well.
He played everybody. And this man now believes
he is the greatest sports entertainer of all time.
He's believing it more so now
that he's been named 2018 Male Competitor of the Year.
[Mauro] Also involved in the rivalry of the year with
his former tag team partner Gargano.
They were NXT tag team champions.
And to your point, Nigel, in just his 10th singles match in NXT,
Tommaso Ciampa shocked the universe with a little help from Gargano.
And last July, Ciampa became NXT champion.
Defended the title against Velveteen Dream at the last TakeOver.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Velveteen Dream in attendance tonight.
[bell rings]
[female announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall is
for the NXT Championship!
[cheers and applause]
Introducing the challenger from Amsterdam, Holland,
weighing in at 215 pounds, Aleister Black!
[cheers and applause]
[female announcer] And his opponent from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
weighing in at 210 pounds,
he is the NXT champion,
Tommaso Ciampa!
[cheers and boos]
[Nigel] Almost reptilian eyes on the champion there as, again,
he clutches what he calls goldy close to his chest.
Another kiss for the title.
Is that just safekeeping?
Or is he kissing good-bye to that prestigious Championship?
[Mauro] NXT Championship hangs in the balance in the main event
of NXT TakeOver: Phoenix.
It's been 16 Championship reigns--
[bell rings]
[Mauro] With 14 different champions. And this match gets started in a hurry.
Collar and elbow tie-up in the center of the ring.
And it, not surprisingly, already falls to the ringside area.
[Nigel] Neither superstar could wait to get their hands on each other.
[Percy] Championship's advantage, of course, for Tommaso Ciampa
as Black needs to pin him or submit him inside the ring to win the title.
Waist lock take-down by Aleister Black.
Again, it's been number one throughout the night.
NXT TakeOver, you can become part of the conversation
for this much-anticipated main event using #NXTChampionship.
[crowd chanting]
[Nigel] Challenger showing somewhat of a technical grappling advantage
against the champion.
With Tommaso Ciampa, you've got to try to continue the mental game
against the very easily provokable Aleister Black.
[Mauro] Ciampa rotten to his very marrow.
Known for his vicious and intemperate disposition.
Yet when the bell goes, he is as good as it gets.
Oh, come on.
[Mauro] Oh!
[Mauro] Ciampa says he's a realist. He calls it like he sees it.
He feels he has the best physique in all of WWE.
He's the best in-ring performer in all of WWE and he says it's not happenstance.
[Percy] This man believes his own hype. And I guess for good reason.
He is the NXT champion for a reason.
[Mauro] And Black side headlock reversal.
Takeover by Aleister Black, quick cover for a one.
Side headlock takeover now by The Dutch Destroyer.
[crowd cheering]
[Nigel] Again, the challenger showing a technical advantage arguably
against the champion.
Of course, Black usually known for his strong striking.
And if you are the champion, that's really got to be your game set,
your strategy is how you negate that striking advantage.
[Mauro] Black wears symbolism on his skin.
The NXT Championship a symbol of supremacy.
[Percy] You see Ciampa pulling at the ear of Black.
[Mauro] On sports entertainment's ultimate proving ground,
the black and gold brand, but goldy belongs to Ciampa.
Back body drop by Black.
And again Black with that side headlock takeover,
grounding Tommaso Ciampa and wanting to grind him down.
[Nigel] You saw there the champion trying for a fairy tale ending
to this match early on.
But there was no way the challenger was going to let him have it.
Side headlock.
Making Ciampa expend some energy to get back to his feet.
See if we get a clean break.
-Break it up! -One, two, three!
[Mauro] Referee counting.
Ciampa had up until the count of five to break in the corner.
And now he has Black in the other corner.
And again referee looking for the break.
This time Black comes back with a couple of right hands, make it a hat trick.
But the knee to the bread basket by Ciampa stops Black in his tracks.
[Nigel] Irish whip.
[Mauro] Black avoiding the back body drop and now the striking man
from Amsterdam utilizing those striking skills.
[Nigel] Oh, oh, oh!
[Mauro] And there's some grace on the part of Black.
Oh, Ciampa drops down and avoids that roundhouse kick from Black.
-[cheers and applause] -[Nigel] Well, to my original point,
the strategy of avoiding those strikes.
[Mauro] A brutal game of chess being played here. And the mind games. Oh!
[Mauro] Boot to the face by Ciampa.
[Nigel] And a smile on the face of Ciampa after doing that.
[indistinct chatter]
[Nigel] Black has referred to the champion as the Puppet Master.
[Mauro] Black said he's going to cut the strings tonight.
Yeah, well, Ciampa has more nicknames.
Ed Leslie calls himself the greatest sports entertainer of all time,
Tommy sports entertainment. And, well, Black is going to try to end Tommy.
Whoa, topcon hiro by The Dutch Destroyer.
And that's one way to end Tommaso Ciampa.
But he's going to roll him back into the ring and he's quick to do so.
-Wow. -[Nigel] I can't be 100% sure.
May have just tweaked his knee slightly on the outside.
[Mauro] Well, he's still able to deliver an avalanche of strikes here.
Let's see if we can pick it up here.
-[Nigel] Take another look. -[Percy] He did land hard.
-[cheers and applause] -[Nigel] Just there. Did you see that?
Just a momentary, just trying to shake it off.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] High risk, high reward.
[Percy] That's exactly what it takes, tonight is not a time to hold back.
[Mauro] Black able to sweep Ciampa off his feet and delivers a knee
right to the side of Ciampa's head. Ciampa staggered.
Quebrada by Black. Black goes for the cover, hooks the leg.
And Black almost became a two-time NXT champion.
Well, Ciampa saying enough of this.
The champion taking a momentary respite on the outside.
Utilizing that referee's count,
trying to get into the brains of Black and he succeeds momentarily.
Oh, but he pays for it with that kick by Black.
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] Things weren't going very well for the champion in the ring,
so elected to go to the outside. Stopped the momentum of the challenger.
[Mauro] Oh, and Black able to block. Running into the steel steps.
Oh, but he wasn't able to block that.
And now Ciampa drives Black into the stairs.
And, you know, Nigel, you mentioned Black may be tweaking the knee on the landing.
And if he wasn't there before,
he's definitely feeling the wrath of Ciampa right now.
[Nigel] Exactly. As we see here, look at this.
Driving the champion's knee hard into the ring steps.
[Percy] Tommaso Ciampa says that Aleister Black is a one trick pony.
You take away black mass and he has nothing.
[Nigel] That's an interesting strategy. Oh!
[Mauro] Oh, Ciampa suplexes Black into the steps.
And his knee crashes into that unforgiving steel.
[Nigel] And that was the same knee that was tweaked earlier on.
[Mauro] And the sadistic NXT champion smiling that Cheshire cat smile.
[Percy] I was wondering early how does Tommaso Ciampa plan on doing it.
How does he plan on stopping black mass?
I think that plan is starting to unveil itself
slowly but surely throughout the course of this match.
[Nigel] Straight away, oh, to the left knee.
Ah!
[Mauro] And Ciampa focusing his attack on the left leg of Black.
[Nigel] Well, of course, we know Ciampa very familiar with knee injuries.
-Right now the right knee there. -[Mauro] He has a brace.
[Nigel] Yes, of Ciampa.
[Mauro] But it's Ciampa meting out the punishment to Aleister Black.
Black told us he was going to take everything that Ciampa is
and use it against him.
Right now he's able to-- Oh!
Unable to turn the tables on the NXT champion.
Black has to find a way to extricate himself from this painful position.
[Nigel] And sooner rather than later.
Because if you take out that left leg, that's the base leg.
-[Mauro] The pivot foot. -[Nigel] That's the base leg that
the challenger uses for that black mass spinning heel kick.
So take that away, you take out the strongest weapon of Aleister Black.
[Mauro] You have been making salient points all night, Mr. McGuinness.
That may have been your most astute observation
as Ciampa indeed looking to wear down the challenger.
Oh!
[Nigel] Strong elbow from the challenger. And there's the injured leg again.
-Oh! -[Mauro] wow.
Say what you will about Tommaso Ciampa's attitude,
but, boy, he's hyper-focused on that left leg.
And he is taking away the very foundation of what makes Aleister Black so dangerous.
[Nigel] Trying to hyperextend the cruciate ligaments of that left knee.
[Mauro] And Ciampa doing it in a methodical systematic fashion, Percy.
[Percy] Ciampa does not care.
Whatever helps him retain the NXT title here tonight.
[Mauro] Oh, wow, look at that, the leverage.
Nigel, using the ring ropes to his advantage
and knowing full well he has up to a count of five.
And again, Ciampa attacking the injured leg of Black.
[cheers and applause]
You're a one trick pony!
[Nigel] There he is. He said he's a one trick pony
as champion tries to take out one of the legs of that pony.
[Mauro] Oh.
[Nigel] It won't be a pleasure ride for the rest of this match at all.
[Mauro] Oh, wrapping that injured leg around the post.
And Tommaso Ciampa continues to just decimate Aleister Black.
[Percy] You can't be surprised at the lengths
that Tommaso Ciampa will go to to preserve his title, his Championship.
This man will do anything.
[Mauro] What was the most epic of rivalries against Johnny Gargano
that was voted the rivalry of the year. And now Tommaso Ciampa! Oh, my God!
[cheers and applause]
[Nigel] If this continues, the challenger will be without one leg.
[Mauro] Well, Ciampa, he's got that injured knee.
And he drives the knee on to the Spanish announce table!
Black's patella tendon could be torn, his kneecap shattered.
Look at Tommaso Ciampa admiring his handiwork.
[cheers and applause]
[Percy] This could be more about the title.
This could be more about trying to end the career of Aleister Black here.
[Nigel] A moment of Zen for the NXT champion.
[Mauro] A moment in which he continues to taunt the challenger Aleister Black.
[Nigel] Hydration super important especially as this match goes longer.
[chatter]
-[Percy] Oh! -[Mauro] And Black explodes back!
[Nigel] Everybody getting hydrated at ringside as that water flew.
[chatter]
[Mauro] And Black trying to get back up to his feet.
Ciampa rolls back into the ring knowing that Black needs to make it back
into the squared circle if he wants a chance at becoming
a two-time NXT champion.
And joining Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura as the only two-time NXT champs.
[Percy] Look at Black hobbling. He's essentially on one leg.
[Mauro] Oh, and not for long.
He's on no legs after Ciampa again attacks the injured limb.
[Nigel] A bull's eye as clear as the noonday sun.
[Mauro] Here in the Valley of the Sun.
[Nigel] Oh. Again extending the cruciate ligaments.
The challenger has got to come up with a game plan
and come up with one quickly.
One, two…
[Mauro] How dirty is Ciampa.
Come on! What you doing?
[Percy] Just digging the heel in the face of Aleister Black.
[Mauro] Malevolent force, Tommaso Ciampa.
S-T-O.
Oh, wow, just continues to do whatever he can
to exacerbate that left leg injury.
[Percy] This is not where Aleister Black wants to be
when Tommaso Ciampa gets time to manipulate the body.
[Mauro] Black tied to the tree of woe on that injured leg.
And a brutal display here by Tommaso Ciampa.
And, Percy, you're right. Black is at the mercy of the NXT champion.
And it's very rare when you can say that about The Dutch Destroyer, Nigel.
[Nigel] Absolutely. But it had been almost a perfect game plan
for the NXT champion at this point.
[chatter]
[Mauro] Black is limping but he's on his feet.
Ciampa uncorks a right hand that drives Black back.
But Black now with the full head of steam.
And black mass sends Ciampa toppling from the top turnbuckle.
But at what cost, you guys?
[applause]
[Nigel] The challenger gritting his teeth, excuse me.
[Percy] Aleister Black absolutely out of nowhere willing himself
to find some offense knocking Ciampa off of his perch.
[Mauro] And while it will give Black an opportunity to recover,
dare I say it almost-- again, it exacerbated the injury.
But this is what's at stake.
Aleister Black coming from behind the proverbial 8-ball has to find a way
to get back into this Championship match.
And he may have just done it with that hail Mary kick.
[Nigel] And I don't think that the challenger Black is a one-trick pony.
But a lot of his offense does involve kicks.
[Mauro] It's a one-legged pony right now
but Black firing back with a right hand.
Again, though, the tenacity of Tommaso Ciampa. Oh!
He got rocked with that strike.
And Black unable to put weight on that leg.
And again Ciampa immediately going after that leg.
[Nigel] This is going to be the biggest test of Aleister Black's career.
[Mauro] It already is, Nigel. Oh, wow, he caught him!
-[Percy] Did you see that? -[Mauro] He caught Tommaso Ciampa.
-He rattled the champ. -[Percy] Black is a smart man.
He's clearly making the modifications and making them count.
[Mauro] And Black making the most of the opportunity.
The adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Watch as the kick. Black goes for the cover.
One, two!
[Mauro] Ciampa able to kick out.
Wow, a second wind of Aleister Black,
almost the winds of change atop the NXT men's division.
[Percy] Easier said than done. Now is not the time to let up.
Aleister Black needs to dig deep and find a way to find more offense,
to apply more pressure to Tommaso Ciampa.
[Mauro] Small package by Ciampa. Shoulders down, Black escapes.
Oh, look. Ciampa looking for that fairy tale ending. Black fights it off.
Takes down the champ. Oh, but misses with black mass.
Backslide!
Here's Ciampa again looking for that fairy tale ending.
Fairy tale ending. Oh, wow.
[Percy] You see Black holding that left knee again.
[Mauro] Oh, but the rabid forearm by Ciampa.
[Nigel] Black was trying for the black mass. Ciampa stopped him.
And again trying.
[Mauro] Oh, wow, Black again. Black sits down. Shoulders are down.
Black almost became a two-time NXT champion.
Oh, Black utilizing those kicks.
Another roundhouse kick catches the champ.
German suplex with the bridge. Black on one leg.
[Nigel chuckling] Wow!
Wow, what a creative way of driving with your hips
with only one good leg.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] An incredible display of guts here by Aleister Black.
But you have to wonder what adjustments he can make
because when it comes to his black mass, he needs that base leg.
Uh-oh.
[Percy] Knowing Black he'll figure it out on the run. Uh-oh.
[Nigel] This is it.
-[Mauro] We have seen this. -[Nigel] Oh, no.
[Mauro] As usually a prelude to the black mass.
[Nigel] Can't do that but immediately--
[Mauro] Dragon screw leg whip by Ciampa on that injured leg.
Now into the single leg crab and this force Black to tap.
-[Percy] It could be over. -[Nigel] That is deep.
Look how deep the champion is sitting down.
[Mauro] The pain and agony etched on the face of Aleister Black.
[Percy] Wow.
[Nigel] Black frantically trying to get to the bottom rope.
[Mauro] He's able to turn the tables. He's able to kick off Ciampa.
Arm strikes by Ciampa, but Black drops the champion.
Now it's Black with the single leg crab.
-[Nigel] Legs turned. -[Mauro] It's the NXT champion.
[Nigel] Black has to use that base leg, the injured knee.
He has to put weight on that knee at the same time, yes.
[Mauro] Wow, it is a war of attrition here in the main event
for the NXT Championship.
[Nigel] That left knee gave out
trying to sit deep on that single leg Boston crab attempt.
What can the challenger do now?
[Mauro] Black, of course, having to survive that brutal cage match
with Johnny Gargano on NXT TV leading into this title match.
And he has Tommaso Ciampa staggered.
Black on the apron.
Oh, but Ciampa well scouted.
Launches with the right hand.
-Oh, no. -[Nigel] Oh, my God!
[Nigel] Tower of London on the apron! This could be it!
[Mauro] Ciampa dropping Black with the tower of London.
And Black able to escape.
[Percy] Talk about the heart of a challenger. Not willing to give in.
[Mauro] Oh! Running knee strike back press.
Hooks the leg and Black able to pop up that right shoulder
before the referee hit the mat a third time.
[Nigel] And the champion Ciampa refusing to quit here.
Take a look at the impact. Very little give on the outside.
-Wham, but very quickly following up. -[crowd chanting]
[Mauro] Dueling chants here in Phoenix.
The night before the Royal Rumble
and Black and Ciampa are rumbling in the main event here for the NXT title.
-Oh, wow. Ciampa now-- -[Percy] Look at this.
[Mauro] Really rubbing it in. Black-- Oh, and he pays for it!
He pays for it with that jumping knee.
And there's one for Black as Ciampa responds in kind.
[Nigel] Well, that spoke volumes.
The champion usually after hitting that jumping knee strike
follows up with more offense.
He had expended too much energy and the champion came straight back.
[Mauro] The 2018 Male Competitor of the Year,
Tommaso Ciampa defending the title
for the second time at TakeOver after a successful defense
against the Velveteen Dream.
Aleister Black on his feet.
And now coming forward with a forearm.
[chatter]
[Mauro] Both superstars digging deep.
[Nigel] Whoa, picking up the pace here and the aggression.
[Mauro] In the former home of the Phoenix coyotes,
there's a hockey fight breaking out between Ciampa and Black.
And there's a big boot to the face of the challenger by Ciampa.
And Black responds with one of his own. Oh!
-[Percy] Wait! -[Mauro] Shoulders are down, roll-up!
And Ciampa almost escaped with the title right there.
Oh, beautiful reversal by Black, but now his shoulders are down.
[Nigel] Where are these men finding the energy?
[Mauro] Incredible, simply incredible.
[Percy] Oh!
[Mauro] Not as fast as usual that offensive sequence
and Black pays for it as Ciampa--
[cheers and applause]
[Percy] Black was turned inside-out with that lariat from Ciampa.
[Nigel] Oh, Ciampa trying to do it himself!
-[Mauro] Oh, wow. -[Nigel] Instead--
[Mauro] Black exposing the knee.
Oh, Black with the double stomp to the champion's chest.
[Nigel] Ciampa tried to kick the leg out.
Challenger avoided it. Here we go!
[Mauro] Black, oh, but he cannot carry weight on that injured left leg
and he's going to try again sending Ciampa into the ropes.
Jumping knee strike to the back by Aleister Black.
-[Nigel] Somehow grit, determination! -[Percy] This could be it!
[Mauro] Aleister Black looking to become two-time champion.
But he only gets a two-count.
[cheers and applause]
[Percy] Look at Ciampa smartly rolling out of the ring,
getting out of the way of Aleister Black.
Buying himself some more time to recover.
[Nigel] Champion's advantage. Can't lose the title on the outside.
[Mauro] Black on the second turnbuckle.
Mamma mia, what a moonsault by the injured challenger!
[Nigel] You can run, but you cannot hide.
[Mauro] Black executes a moonsault from the second turnbuckle to the outside.
Oh, and he just-- I think Black just slipped on the water
here in front of us.
And that allows Tommaso Ciampa to sink in fairy tale ending.
-[Nigel] That's it! -[Mauro] Fairy tale ending!
-[Nigel] Champion retains! -[Mauro] Oh.
[Percy chuckling] Oh!
[Mauro] Black able to keep his fairy tale alive.
This is not the happy ending that Black is looking for.
He wants to become a two-time champion.
And Ciampa, he simply can't believe what just transpired, Percy.
[Percy] I can't believe it either.
Black just kicked out of Ciampa's toughest offensive maneuver.
I don't know how he did it.
[Nigel] A fairy tale ending would not fair to be an ending for the match.
That was very surreptitious of the champion,
a slip from the challenger gave the champion the opportunity to hit that.
[Mauro] Ciampa rolls back to the outside. Oh, wow.
Oh, we saw Johnny Gargano do this
earlier tonight against Ricochet.
[Nigel] We saw the effect that it had on Ricochet.
[Mauro] Yes, we did. And, of course, Ciampa knows what it feels like as well
as he was on the receiving end Wrestlemania weekend last year.
And what a sick smile the champion is sporting.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Exposing the concrete around ringside.
Ciampa knows he needs to break that count.
I mean now Ciampa just wants to-- Just wants to punish him.
[shouting] You get back in the ring right now! You get back in there!
[Mauro] Ciampa in a conversation with the referee.
-Meanwhile, Black is on the apron. -[crowd] Oh!
[Mauro] Black with the meteora from the apron.
Double knees wipes out the NXT champion.
[Nigel] Look at how the challenger landed on to the injured knee!
Perhaps you have to question that as an offensive maneuver
as this juncture.
-[Mauro] At this stage-- -[Percy] Very little time.
[Mauro] Yeah, at this stage, he needs to pull out every potential stop.
He needs to do whatever is necessary.
[Percy] Oh! Game over! Good night!
-[Nigel] He's out! -[Mauro] Aleister Black--
[Nigel] Oh, my God, he got all of that.
[Mauro] --Just nailed Tommaso Ciampa with the black mass.
But Ciampa has rolled on to his stomach.
Black unable to cover him.
He has his arm over top, but there's no cover.
[Nigel] With the last ounce of energy in his body, Ciampa turned to his chest.
And that has saved him the title.
[Percy] Look at the velocity on this black mass as it made contact
with the face of Tommaso Ciampa.
[Mauro] The sickening impact of that brutal black mass.
[applause]
[Mauro] And yet Ciampa's title reign refuses to fade to Black.
Ciampa staggered, trying to get back up to his feet.
[Percy] And if Black just found the way to get the shoulders of Ciampa
on the mat, this could be all over right now.
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] I think Black is about to absolve Ciampa of his sins.
-Oh, but the referee-- -[crowd] Oh!
[Mauro] Wow, jumping knee strike by Black. Ciampa with the quick roll-up.
Black is on the second rope, draping DDT.
Draping DDT by the champion!
[crowd cheering]
-[Mauro] Fairy tale ending! -[Percy] Oh, no!
[Mauro] Ciampa with the fairy tale ending!
-[Percy] Cover! -[Mauro] Oh, my God!
[cheers and applause]
[Mauro] Did Aleister Black just kick out of the fairy tale ending?
[Percy] Not once, but twice.
[Mauro] This is incredible, Nigel.
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[Mauro] How in the hell did Black kick out of the fairy tale ending?
[Nigel] I am stunned as Ciampa tries it again for a third time.
[Mauro] Will the third time be the charm?
[Nigel] That's it! That is it!
-[Percy] Oh, no, no, no. -[Mauro] What is--
Tommaso Ciampa refusing to go for the cover.
Wants to eliminate Aleister Black.
He's paying for it with a roundhouse kick.
[Mauro] Oh, no. Black injured his knee.
[Nigel] The knee again, the knee gaveway!
[Mauro] And another fairy tale ending!
-Tommaso Ciampa goes for the cover. -One, two, three!
-[bell rings] -Tommaso Ciampa remains NXT champion!
[celebratory music]
[female announcer] Your winner and still NXT champion
Tommaso Ciampa!
[Mauro] An incredibly gutsy display by both superstars.
And in the end, Ciampa's reign of terror continues.
[music continues]
[Percy] Aleister Black literally fought to the bitter end in this NXT title match.
But in the end, his knee was what let him down slightly.
And Tommaso Ciampa was just too much.
Tommaso Ciampa is still the NXT champ.
[Mauro] The game plan was a successful one, Nigel,
as Tommaso Ciampa focuses his attack on the base leg of Aleister Black.
And yet we are still dumbfounded.
We are still at times speechless as to the fight Aleister Black was able to give
despite being mostly on one leg.
[Nigel] It was absolutely incredible for a good portion of this match,
I for one thought that perhaps
Aleister Black was unbeatable at TakeOver.
But the champion proved me wrong.
[Mauro] And Black falls to 7-1 at NXT TakeOver events.
[Nigel] What an incredible display of brutality.
A number of times the champion thought he had put away the challenger.
It would not be a fairy tale ending at this point, however.
[Percy] And Aleister Black found a way to kick out of that still.
You saw the look of shock and disappointment on the face of Ciampa.
But look at the speed again of that black mass thrown by Aleister Black.
And right here, it should have been all over.
[Nigel] Attempting the black mass spinning heel kick.
Again hitting the knee. And then there rolling through.
Surreptitious landing on the middle rope.
Oh, impact DDT.
Look how quickly the champion follows up again
with the fairy tale ending.
Hook of the leg. Two, and no!
The challenger again would kick out.
[Mauro] I mean you can read out of Ciampa's face and the look of surprise.
He couldn't believe that Black was able to kick out of that.
But Aleister Black was still able to stay alive and keep fighting.
You can see right there his knee would not give him the support
he needed to continue on which led Ciampa again
to go to fairy tale ending, get the cover
and get the win and retain the NXT title.
[bell rings]
[Mauro] Tommaso Ciampa told us that he was not overlooking
or underestimating Aleister Black.
He said Black may well be the second best talent in all of NXT.
Ciampa told us, "Never in the history of sports entertainment
has the gap between number one and number two been so big."
Ciampa says he's untouchable on a different level.
He says he's a man of his word.
That word tonight remains "Champion."
♪ No one will survive ♪
♪ There's no escape now ♪
♪ No one will survive… ♪
[Mauro] What a night it has been here in Phoenix.
Royal Rumble weekend off to a memorable start
as NXT TakeOver: Phoenix culminates with Tommaso Ciampa
in a Titanic battle retaining the title
against former champion Aleister Black.
[Nigel] Another look at the way he did it.
It was actually I believe the fourth time that the champion hit this,
a valiant effort from Black.
But the base leg there giving way.
And finally, wham, by the grace of God, the champion retains.
-One, two, three! -[bell rings]
[celebratory music]
[Mauro] Tommaso Ciampa saying that when his mission is complete,
kids will no longer dream of their Wrestlemania moment.
Kids will dream of their TakeOver moment.
What a moment for the champion.
What a weekend it is here in Phoenix.
Enjoy the Royal Rumble tomorrow streaming live
only on the WWE network!
[loudly] I win!
[cheers and applause]
♪ There's no escape ♪
♪ No one will survive… ♪
[cheers and applause]
♪ There's no escape ♪
♪ No one will survive ♪
[cheers and applause]
♪ There's no escape ♪
♪ No one will survive… ♪
Subtitles: Jessica Fanelli ♪