[upbeat music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[yelling] We are NXT.
[Wade] Kevin Owens takes over.
[male announcer] Bayley's done it.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] The record reign continues.
[male announcer] And the new--
This is my moment.
[crowd cheering]
[male announcer] In wargames--
Are you kidding me?
[Wade] Welcome to NXT Takeover,
brought to you by the hardest brand in the business.
[man] We are NXT.
[theme music playing]
[Wade] Major star power in this five-man ladder match
to crown the new NXT North American champion at Takeover XXX.
Everyone has placed Io Shirai on this unattainable pedestal.
This is now my feature.
I'm inside Io's head, I figured out how to beat her.
[upbeat music playing]
[Wade] Oh, my. Raquel Gonzales.
Dakota, you aren't in my head, you just piss me off.
You're gonna have to explain to the entire wrestling community
how you lost to an outsider.
Saturday at takeover, I'm gonna make you my bitch.
[music continues]
I want Kross.
History, I guess we're doing this the hard way.
Look at it, Keith.
You give me my shot at the NXT championship
or all this is on you.
Tick tock.
I fought.
And at takeover, Kross won't beat me.
[music continues]
[man] And now, WWE SuperCard presents NXT Takeover XXX.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Welcome to NXT Takeover XXX.
And I couldn't be more excited to be joined by
WWE hall of famer Beth Phoenix and Smackdown's Corey Graves.
Vic, who says you can't go home again?
It feels like only yesterday that the NXT universe began
here at full sail, here we are at Takeover XXX.
I barely slept last night.
What are we waiting for? Let's get this thing started.
[upbeat music playing]
[bell ringing]
[male announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
making his way to the ring from Bray, county Wicklow, Ireland, Finn Balor.
[Wade] Balor looking for his 12th takeover victory,
most in the history of NXT Takeover
and, Beth, Finn Balor said earlier today,
everyone is watching the prince.
[Beth] Everyone certainly is watching the prince,
one man in particular, Timothy Thatcher.
Thatcher's grudge was set in motion when he lost his own North American title
qualifying matchup when Dexter Lumis wisely
took advantage of Thatcher being preoccupied to submitting Finn Balor.
Thatcher then took his frustration out on Balor
by costing Balor victory in his second chance matchup.
That brings up to this match here tonight,
Balor taking on Timothy Thatcher,
what price will Thatcher pay for ruining Balor's plans?
[Wade] And Corey, when I ask you,
there's obviously a clash of styles between these two superstars.
[Corey] Absolutely.
Finn Balor's gonna rely on his speed,
on his finesse but make no mistake about it,
Finn Balor is a highly talented grappler,
although he is nowhere near the level of grappling mastery
that Timothy Thatcher is.
[Wade] Well Thatcher has sent messages with his recent
Thatcher-thatch-can videos to Finn Balor himself
but Finn Balor is a superstar, Corey, that will not be intimidated.
For all the accomplishments Finn Balor has had throughout his career,
the first-ever universal heavyweight champion,
I believe this is the best Finn Balor we've ever seen.
[upbeat music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Beth] His opponent, from Sacramento, California,
weighing in at 225 pounds, Timothy Thatcher.
[Wade] Vic, you better correct yourself, it's thatch-as-thatch-can style,
if Timothy hears you, he might come up and tear a ligament or something.
[Vic] That's a very good point.
With that I wanna bring up Timothy Thatcher to you for a moment,
we have watched him over the last several weeks on NXT,
there's no glitz, there's no glam.
[Beth] Absolutely. But Thatcher--
[Wade] Oh, and Finn Balor quickly and Beth, you had mentioned,
Finn Balor, having his second chance taken away from
that north American championship ladder match by Thatcher,
went right to work and now Thatcher, Corey, taking Balor right to the mat.
[Vic] Here we are on the ground,
Timothy Thatcher excels in the ground game
but Finn Balor, no slouch in his own right,
open-hand strikes by Thatcher,
looking for an armbar right out of the gate.
Great defense.
[Beth] You said it, no glitz, no glam but plenty of submissions
and strikes right out of the gate, you could tell the vitriol
between these two competitors.
[Vic] Now it's Balor look for the armbar as well.
Thatcher, shoulders down for a moment.
Balor able to get the left shoulder up
and are you interested in this strategy early on, Corey, by Balor?
[Corey] I'm a little surprised that Balor's willing to engage
grappling with Timothy Thatcher this early in the matchup.
But Balor has no reason for fear, he's a veteran in his own right.
[Beth] And Corey, Balor may be looking at it like a challenge
like Thatcher is the--one of the very, very best at submissions
and striking, to go toe to toe
in a grappling position with Thatcher is incredible.
[Corey] That's a great point, Beth.
[Vic] Balor now torquing on the left arm of Thatcher
and Thatcher trying to get away from Balor, doing his best to do so
and again, Thatcher taking Balor to the mat.
[Beth] Thatcher always looking for
another joint that he could grab,
very adept at changing positions and leverage.
[cheers and applause]
[Vic] Now Corey, to your point early on, again Finn Balor outwrestling
Thatcher in this moment on the ground.
[Corey] There aren't too many superstars in NXT
or the rest of the world that can lay claim to
the fact that they outwrestled Timothy Thatcher,
but Thatcher once again in control, nice deep front facelock applied.
[Beth] You see how Thatcher's high up on the toes,
just laying the weight and the pressure on Balor.
[Corey] And notice the positioning of Timothy Thatcher's chin a moment ago.
He had his chin right between the shoulder blades of Finn Balor,
that's just extra pain.
[Beth] That's old school, Corey.
[Corey] No doubt about it.
And once again, right into the front facelock.
[Vic] And you see the grittiness on the face of Timothy Thatcher
who has now controlled Finn Balor,
sort of weather the early storm, Corey, of Balor.
[Corey] Timothy Thatcher, oh my goodness,
is a tough, tough human being, been in many a fight in his day.
There's a reason he's, you know, not exactly known for his smile.
[Vic] And now look at Thatcher, center of the ring with Finn Balor.
[Corey] Look at that mug.
[Vic] And Thatcher again.
And this time, Balor, up and over goes Thatcher to the floor
and Balor now, Corey, has created a little separation in this match.
[Corey] You know, Finn Balor never afraid to take a risk,
and a kick right to the ribcage.
[Vic] And Balor now, that aggression stomping away on Thatcher.
[Beth] Balor accomplished exactly what he's set out to do,
create space so that he could pounce on Thatcher.
[Corey] Right now Thatcher attempting a single-leg takedown,
Balor very wisely defending.
-[Beth] Oh! -[Vic] Oh!
[Corey] Oh, that's nasty.
[Beth] See the way Thatcher has that left leg laid across the knee of Balor.
[Corey] That's agonizing on Finn Balor's knee, on his ankle.
[Vic] Look at the torque of the left ankle of Finn Balor,
you can see Balor writhing in pain.
Balor trying to do anything he can to break the hold
but Thatcher cinching in this submission.
[Corey] It's actually a very smart move by Finn Balor.
Covering the nose and mouth of Thatcher, attempting to cut the oxygen intake off.
[Vic] And let's not forget
in the last several weeks, Finn Balor has been nursing a left knee injury
and Balor able to grab the bottom rope.
[Corey] That's a risky scenario in and of itself when you're dealing
with somebody as dangerous as Timothy Thatcher.
If you come in with any sort of weakness
any type of injury,
Thatcher has researched and will exploit throughout the match.
[Vic] Devastating knee right to the side,
driving the air out of Balor and again,
Thatcher looking for yet another submission.
[Corey] Just look at how slow and methodical,
Thatcher in no hurry.
[Beth] Thatcher, a scientist of anatomy,
truly understanding where every ligament and joint
bends to the point of breaking.
[Corey] Bow and arrow submission in the center of the ring,
this could be big trouble for Balor--
[Vic] And Balor into the cover and Thatcher able to kick out at two.
But you can see Finn Balor not able to get right back to his feet,
so much has been taking on Balor early on in this matchup.
[Beth] And guys, a lot of Balor's best offense involves jumping and running.
He can't get that momentum to hit the strikes.
[Corey] If you take out an opponent's leg, it severely limits
any offensive ability for most competitors.
Thatcher knows that, Thatcher's just wearing Finn down.
[Vic] And again Thatcher continuing to ground Finn Balor
but what would a victory do for Timothy Thatcher, Graves,
against Finn Balor at Takeover at NXT Takeover XXX?
[Corey] Could be a measure of revenge because Thatcher feels that
Finn cost him the opportunity in the North American Title Ladder match
-that we'll see later tonight. -[Beth] Wow!
[Corey] Let's be perfectly honest, Timothy Thatcher likes to hurt people.
[Beth] I can't argue with that, Corey.
[Vic] Wait a minute, Balor just popped right back up.
And Balor now going right to work on Thatcher.
[Corey] Adrenaline can do amazing things to the human body.
[Vic] Trying to charge in, taking down Thatcher, again Thatcher right--
[Corey] Kimura!
[Vic] Into another submission, the kimura's locked in center of the ring.
Is Finn Balor gonna tap out? Balor a long way from the bottom rope.
[Corey] Balor in severe danger of having his shoulder dislocated any moment now,
Thatcher is cranking.
[Vic] Referee in good position but Finn Balor now trying to do
whatever he can, Beth, to roll over to his stomach to try to get back to his feet.
[Beth] Balor's best bet in this situation may be to reach for a rope
but Thatcher wisely grabbing that right arm to make that impossible.
[Vic] Thatcher continuing the joint manipulation.
Now focusing on the right arm, look at the strain
and the muscles of Finn Balor,
and now look at the wrist, Graves, being bent.
[Corey] The arsenal possessed by Timothy Thatcher is second to none
when it comes to submission.
Thatcher is just tearing Finn Balor's anatomy apart.
[Vic] And Thatcher, again, another perfectly placed knee
to the small of the back.
[Corey] You get kneed in the lower back like that, Beth,
you can attest your legs will go numb,
it's hard to maintain any sort of posture
and it'll drive the wind right out of your lungs.
[Beth] Hundred percent. And any amount of time spent in any of these submissions
-causes strains, sprains. -[Vic] Oh.
[Vic] You got to wonder, you can see Finn Balor trying to get deep breaths
right now in the center of the ring but, Graves,
with every breath it has to just hurt Finn Balor.
[Corey] There's no doubt about it.
Thatcher now attempting to-- Oh!
Secure another submission.
[Vic] And another knee right to the ribs of Finn Balor.
[Beth] You can see Balor trying to block the extension.
He was holding his own hand, his own arm.
[Vic] Guys, you can also see the welts starting to form on the body
of Finn Balor, the back of Balor turning into beat-bright red.
And now Thatcher trying to grasp his fingers
and does and another submission.
[Corey] Double Chickenwing,
tremendous amount of pressure on the shoulders of Finn Balor
trying his best to escape.
[Vic] Balor finally able to counter, shoulders down
and Thatcher able to roll through but Thatcher did not break the hold.
[Corey] Thatcher maintaining a viselike grip on his own hands.
[Vic] Thatcher goes up, goes over, rolls through
as Balor Basement Dropkick right into the face.
And for Finn Balor now, Corey,
couple of deep breaths try to regroup himself.
[Corey] This is the pivotal moment,
we know that cardiovascular conditioning possessed by Finn Balor
and the same could be said for Thatcher
who is already making his way back to a vertical base.
[Vic] Balor answering back, so does Thatcher.
Both superstars center of the ring.
What an opening contest here at NXT Takeover XXX.
[Corey] We are just getting started, to be perfectly honest,
I can watch these two fight all night.
[Beth] Two athletes in their physical prime.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Oh! Again Balor answering back with a flurry of rights,
a flurry of lefts and Thatcher-- Oh!
-[Corey] Wow! -[Beth] Wow!
[Vic] Oh, what a kick by Balor.
[Corey] Balor answers with the overhead kick.
Both men are down, we are back at zero.
[crowd cheering]
[Beth] Thatcher went wobbly in the legs.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] You're absolutely right, Beth. There's a chance Finn could have
capitalized had he been in better physical condition himself at the moment.
Let's take another look. The overhead kick.
I don't know that Finn got as much of it as he intended,
but certainly enough to rock Thatcher.
[Vic] You see Balor trying to shake feeling back into his left arm
as Finn Balor charging in once
but now Finn Balor keeps his foot on the gas into this matchup,
charges in the second time.
[Beth] Balor amping up the aggression.
[they groan]
-[Vic] Oh. -[Corey] One of the Sling Blade
but Thatcher wouldn't let it happen.
[Vic] Countered again by a knee and once again Thatcher looking for a submission.
Balor takes him out, stomp to the midsection.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] The adrenaline is pumping through Finn Balor's body.
Momentum beginning to shift toward the Prince's side.
[Beth] And Thatcher gasping for air after that stomp to the sternum.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Now Balor trying to hoist up Thatcher.
Thatcher though able to counter.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Balor doing whatever he can to wiggle himself free.
and does, but another forearm by Thatcher.
[crowd cheering]
[Beth] Both of these men jockeying for leverage.
[Corey] Beautiful counter by Balor.
He might have been thinking about 1916, but--
[Vic] Both these superstars going around and now, wait a minute,
it's the Abdominal Stretch this time by Finn Balor.
[Beth] Balor has it cinched in tight.
[Corey] This is such a valuable maneuver, in the scenario like this,
Finn Balor has been beaten up, Finn is hurting right now,
that allowed him a moment to recover.
-Here we go. -[Vic] Balor planting Thatcher.
Into the cover, hooks the inside leg
and Thatcher this time got the right shoulder up at two.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] An eyelash away from a victory for Finn Balor.
[Vic] Balor still trying to shake feeling back into his arm,
dropkick, knocks Thatcher into the turnbuckle.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And look where Thatcher's at for Finn Balor.
[Beth] Uh-oh.
[Corey] Finn is gonna have to fly a long way.
Thatcher disoriented down to the mat, Finn perched up top.
[Vic] Waiting for coup de grace, no one there but Balor-- Wait a minute!
Balor's left leg.
Don't forget what happened earlier on to the matchup.
[Corey] Finn has sustained a great deal of damage.
Thatcher's gonna capitalize.
[Vic] Realizing now Thatcher trying to go in,
trying to hook another submission on Balor who's continuing to fight.
The Single Leg Crab is locked in and, Graves,
look at to bend in the knee of Finn Balor.
[Corey] This match is slipping away from Finn second by second.
[Beth] This looks eerily familiar, guys.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Balor not gonna give up.
Finn Balor, oh, is Balor gonna tap out? Is Balor gonna tap out
here at NXT Takeover XXX?
Balor gets to the bottom rope.
[Corey] A last gasp effort pays off in the moment for Finn
but Thatcher continuing the onslaught.
[Vic] Thatcher one more time-- Oh!
Hear the kicks.
-[Beth] And you-- -[Vic] Oh!
[Beth] You see Thatcher not, for a second, letting go of a joint,
just going to the arm straight from the ankle.
[Vic] Now Thatcher trying to transition but Balor this time
swift kick to the ribs.
[Corey] Finn returning the favor.
Boot right to the body of Thatcher.
[Beth] Got him good with that one.
[Vic] And oh!
Timothy Thatcher connects with a kick. And now Thatcher, German Suplex.
Balor is rocked.
[Corey] Finn was folded in half by the German Suplex
delivered by Timothy Thatcher.
[Vic] That last kick to Thatcher's ribs really now for Thatcher like--
[Corey] As hard as Finn strikes with those kicks,
doesn't take one to break a rib.
[Vic] Oh, wait a minute, Thatcher is again looking to take down Balor.
Balor able to counter back into another submission.
Roll-through-- And the shoulders down.
And able to roll through again was Thatcher
but look at the submission locked in this time by Finn Balor.
[Corey] Balor now taking his turn to put on his grappling clinic.
[Beth] The left leg woven in front of Thatcher's left leg
to keep the hold at maximum torque.
[Vic] But Beth, look at Timothy Thatcher trying to break the grip
and Thatcher does and now bending back the digits of Balor.
And that breaks the hold and again the transition
from the upper body back to an ankle lock now.
Center of the ring ankle lock and look at the face of Timothy Thatcher.
Thatcher can sense victory.
Balor trying to crawl, trying to do whatever he can.
And rolling through. Wait a minute.
Balor stomp right to the midsection again.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] And once again somehow some way
finding the means to stay in this battle.
[Beth] You can hear Thatcher coughing, gasping,
clutching his chest to suck in that air.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] But credit to Thatcher still moving forward.
Let's take another look at the beautiful roll-through by Balor.
And the double stomp to the body of Timothy Thatcher.
[Vic] Oh, Balor looking for a double stomp
and he could be looking for more of the coup de grace as now again,
Balor for the second time in this matchup, scaling all the way to the top rope.
Balor looking down on Timothy Thatcher,
Balor connects this time coup de grace.
[Corey] A coup de grace right to the heart of Timothy Thatcher.
[Vic] But Balor's leg, Balor's left ankle and knee.
[Beth] Balor's struggling to walk.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] 1916 DDT.
[Vic] Balor got all of it, into the cover
and Finn Balor picks up his 12th NXT Takeover win.
[announcer] Here is your winner, Finn Balor.
[Vic] Graves, you can take nothing away from Timothy Thatcher
in that matchup but what an effort.
How about the resiliency of Finn Balor?
[Corey] It's a testament to why Finn Balor is the prince of NXT.
The will to excel on the big stage of Takeover,
but I assure you Finn's gonna know he was in a fight tomorrow morning.
[music plays]
[Beth] Let's take a look at some of this wrestling clinic earlier.
Thatcher trying to take advantage of that injured leg.
But Balor was able to break the hold earlier on, Vic.
[Vic] It certainly was and then Finn Balor would find himself
all the way on the top rope.
Look at the height, the air time, and then Balor sticking the landing.
Look at that coup de grace.
[Corey] Driving all the wind out of Timothy Thatcher's body
and just for good measure the exclamation point,
spiking the grappler in the center of the ring.
Another win at Takeover for Finn Balor.
[music plays]
[Beth] Well, Takeover becomes synonymous with spectacle
and no one understands the spectacle and pressure with that more than this man.
[music plays]
[Beth] Keith Lee has arrived and he has brought his limitless posse.
There you see Mia Yim as he heads towards the biggest obstacle
of his NXT championship reign.
He'll be facing Karrion Kross later on tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] And there you see the Golden Role Models
enjoying a little downtime tonight
because tomorrow is gonna be no walk in the park as they both defend
their championships against the Empress of Tomorrow Asuka.
[Vic] A lot of gold on Bayley and Sasha Banks
but at one point Keith Lee has all the gold here in NXT.
He relinquished the North American championship last month
and these five superstars will attempt to climb the ladder of success
and become champion.
[metal music plays]
["Storm" plays]
♪ Do you hear that boom From a mile away? ♪
I'll be relinquishing the North American Championship
with the caveat that as many people as possible have an opportunity.
[announcer] Five-man ladder match for the title that Keith Lee relinquished.
This incredible matchup at Takeover XXX.
♪ Do you smell that smoke Through the dirty rain? ♪
Dreams are made of second chances.
♪ Gonna burn this town Like a ten ton train ♪
I'll prove to the whole world that I'm a player here in NXT.
♪ When the moon turns red And the sky goes black ♪
The name Damian Priest is gonna live forever.
♪ Cloud's gonna rain down busted glass ♪
You can't have a Takeover without Johnny Takeover.
♪ Ain't no place hotter Ain't no place lower ♪
And I'm taking it to the moon. [laughs]
♪ We're gonna rise up like an army Take this world by storm ♪
[man] All the stars are out for this match.
[announcer] Fatal five-way ladder match to crown a new NXT North American Champion.
[man] But there will be only one shooting star climbing that ladder.
Cameron Grimes. Always at the right place at the right time.
Takeover XXX will be known as the night Johnny Gargano made history
as the first two-time North American Champion.
My first title match, we're talking about championship dream.
I'm climbing that ladder.
[man] We're talking about the dream.
[man 2] And I'm ripping down that title.
Becoming the NXT North American Champion.
[man] It's not just over.
[man 2] Legacy and infamy waits for no man.
I'm the best performer of the generation.
[man] And Takeover XXX…
It's a Dream Over.
…is the moment I've been waiting for.
[man] It doesn't matter to me because I'm gonna leave with that victory.
[Vic] Well, there is the North American Championship.
Who will climb the ladder and become champion?
[tense music starts]
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following is a ladder match
for the NXT North American Championship.
Introducing first from New York City,
weighing in at 249 pounds,
Damian Priest.
[Vic] And Damian Priest said he has been waiting for this moment.
[Beth] And you saw Priest pay homage to his hero, Hall of Famer Razor Ramon
and Shawn Michaels.
And like the Bad Guy, Priest wants to have his own name
etched forever in the record books.
Can he do it tonight?
[Corey] I spoke to priest earlier today, he said, "Tonight is do or die."
He has talked the talk. Tonight he will walk the walk.
[Vic] And by the end of the night it could be Damian Priest
who finally has gold around his waist,
but there are four other superstars just as eager as Damian Priest
to find their way up that ladder.
[music starts]
[crowd chatter]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] From Cleveland, Ohio, weighing in at 199 pounds,
Johnny Gargano.
[Vic] And when you talk about NXT Takeover,
you have to talk about Johnny Gargano, no stranger to winning championships.
This is his 19th NXT Takeover event.
And Graves, well, you've known Johnny Gargano longer than I have.
[Corey] An incredibly long time.
I've competed on the Independence with Johnny Gargano.
I remember when Johnny first arrived in NXT.
However, that is not this Johnny Gargano.
This is Johnny Gargano who does thing the Gargano way,
by any means necessary, at any cost Johnny will do whatever it win--
Whatever it takes to win.
[Vic] And Beth, you've heard from Johnny Gargano in the past,
some had called Johnny Gargano Mister Takeover.
[Beth] Johnny Gargano calls himself the Hero That NXT Deserves.
I would-- I would argue that's a little bit questionable.
[crowd chatter]
["War Ready" plays]
♪ I'm war ready I'm battle-tested ♪
♪ This the story of a fighter Who's got nothing to lose ♪
From Blackford, South Australia, weighing in at 230 pounds,
Bronson Reed.
[Vic] Bronson Reed making his way to the ring.
And Beth, it's a very unique situation for Bronson Reed
because his size might be his disadvantage in this ladder match.
[Beth] Possibly, Vic, but I'm gonna tell you,
Bronson Reed lately has found his groove, his footing,
and with that he truly knows the physics of how to make his work--
His weight work for him in this matchup.
[Corey] Never say never, Vic.
Might I remind you who the current Mr. Money in the Bank
is on Friday Night Smackdown,
someone who bears a physical resemblance to Bronson Reed.
However, I will give Reed the edge in athleticism.
I have seen this dude in action.
He is the real deal, moves like a man half his size.
[Beth] Speaking of athletes, Reed paying homage to Bam Bam Bigelow,
another big man, incredible athlete.
-[crowd cheering] -[music starts]
[crowd chatter]
[announcer] From Burlington, North Carolina, weighing in at 220 pounds,
Cameron Grimes.
[Vic] Corey, Cameron Grimes has said--
There goes the championship, baby! [laughs]
[Vic] He is going to climb the ladder, retrieve the North American title,
and take it straight to the moon.
[Corey] I don't understand much about Cameron Grimes
but I like everything about this dude.
Despite the fact he probably came from a rather shallow gene pool,
this guy will do whatever it takes to get whatever he wants
and take it to the moon.
I'm going to the moon!
[Corey] Is there any truth to the rumor, Vic, that Cameron Grimes
has a moonshine distillery in his backyard?
[Vic laughs] I have no comment.
[music plays]
[Vic] NXT Takeover XXX is presented by WWE Supercard Season 6.
Feel the heat with the brand new Summerslam '20 cards available right now.
Download for free on iOS and Android.
You can see Gargano taking a look,
along with Bronson Reed
high above the ring, that North American Championship.
-[crowd chatter] -["Velveteen" plays]
♪ Velveteen Dream Hit it! ♪
[announcer] From Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, weighing in at 217 pounds,
the Velveteen Dream.
♪ Velveteen Dream ♪
[Vic] Well, Velveteen Dream has had a much more physical style recently, Beth.
And maybe that would play to his advantage in this matchup.
[Beth] That's true, Vic. He's bringing a new vicious attitude
along with those trademark mind games.
And if he can pick and choose his spots, he can navigate the mind field,
maybe we'll see Velveteen Dream up top the ladder
holding the North American Championship.
[Corey] Anything is possible tonight.
There's a good chance that a few minutes from now
we will be declaring Dream Over once again.
Oh, man!
[Vic] And Damian Priest wasting no time.
And now all five men going right at it. And let not-- Let's not forget,
the North American Championship was originally decided
at Takeover: New Orleans in a six-man ladder match.
[Corey] In early moments Damian Priest and Bronson Reed
unleashing the heavy artillery.
Get out of there, Grimes.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And it's simple, to win the ladder match, climb the ladder,
retrieve the championship. And here we go.
[Beth] We saw these two going at it not long ago in a highly competitive matchup.
[Vic] Oh, and Dream from behind just shoving Reed right into Damian Priest.
And now Velveteen Dream and Johnny Gargano.
And-- Oh, Famouser, connecting.
And these ladder matches, Graves, so dangerous.
[Corey] All five superstars in constant peril.
-[Vic] Whoa. -[Corey] It's a necessity. Whoa!
-What a DDT by Dream. -[Beth] Wow!
[Vic] Oh, superkick rocking Reed.
[they groan]
[Corey] You have to make the most of any opportunity
because there won't be many when you've got four other superstars
with the same exact goal.
Grimes sent to the outside.
[Vic] Only one standing is Velveteen Dream, but as Dream looks up,
Dream's got to go retrieve the ladder, set it up,
and then climb all the way to the top.
[Corey] All five-- All five of these superstars well aware that
to climb to the heavens, they're gonna endure hell first.
[Vic] Velveteen Dream already holding on.
-You see the left knee of Cameron-- -[Beth] Oh!
Who put this here?
[Vic] I don't-- Whoa! I don't know if that will help
Cameron Grimes get to the moon or the North American Championship.
But look at Damian Priest now.
[Beth] Don't take your eyes off the ball, Grimes.
[they groan]
[Vic] And Grimes right back into the action.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] And again, he-- Oh!
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Grimes able to get up. What a kick under the jaw of Damian Priest.
[Beth] Nice unique use of that ladder.
And now grimes finds himself the only one in the ring.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] And Gargano on the outside holding onto that ladder.
[they groan]
[Vic] Both superstars jockeying for position,
but Gargano now with Grimes in his sights.
[Corey] Johnny now realizing the opportunity is at hand.
It's a long way up for the North American Championship.
[Beth] Gargano wasting no time, but Priest had eyes on him.
-[they groan] -[fan] Here comes the Colossal!
[Corey] Left hand by Johnny rocked Priest, who answers with a kick.
[Vic] Well, Priest now rocks Gargano.
And now Gargano host-- Hoisted high above the ring.
[Beth] Looking for that Crucifix Bomb.
-[Vic] Whoa. -[Corey] Wow. That is scary strength.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Reed launching Damian Priest.
And Bronson Reed now with the opportunity.
[Vic] Reed looking around and finally got his hands on the ladder.
But Velveteen Dream on the outside, and again, just look at the strength.
[Beth] I don't even think Dream saw that coming.
[Corey] Yeah, Dream quickly realizing exactly what he's dealing with
in the Colossal Bronson Reed.
[Vic] And now Dream quickly setting up the ladder, oh, so did Damian Priest.
Now the race to the top begins.
Dream also-- Could he become a two-time NXT North American Champion?
And Grimes ends the party.
[Corey] Grimes not wasting much time now, setting up both ladders.
-[Beth] That's an interesting insurance-- -[Vic] Grimes climbing both ladders.
[Beth] Insurance policy.
Or not. Oh!
[Corey] Oh. Oh, no. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, no.
[Beth] Uh-oh.
[Grimes groans]
[Vic] Oh, my, and now Bronson Reed taking out Grimes,
but wait a minute!
[Corey] Reed threw himself directly into harm's way.
[crowd chatter]
-[Vic] Oh. -[Corey] Bronson avoiding disaster there.
[Vic] But just for a moment. And again Priest to the outside.
And I mean, you've seen some early strategies play out this far,
Corey, in this matchup.
It's so hard to strategize or plan for a ladder match,
particularly when you're involved with, oh,
five superstars in the ring at one time.
[Vic] Oh, including a superstar this size.
-[Corey] Oh, no. -[Vic] Bronson Reed!
[Vic] And Reed willing to destroy himself to destroy Velveteen Dream and Gargano.
That's what the North American Championship means
to a superstar like Bronson Reed.
[Beth] And 300 plus pounds driving that steel into Velveteen Dream and Gargano.
Can Reed move quickly here?
[Corey] How much did it take out of Bronson himself delivering the senton?
[Beth] Reed moving a little bit slower, to your point, Corey.
[they groan]
[Corey] Big forearm from Cameron Grimes.
[they groan]
[Corey] Oh! Wow!
[Vic] Well, Beth, you mentioned the size might play into the advantage
of Bronson Reed.
[Beth] It sure is at this moment.
Reed again understanding the physics of how he use his weight.
[Vic] Wait a minute, look at Gargano.
Gargano trying to climb the ladder,
was close to the North American Championship.
[Corey] It could be argued that Johnny is the most agile
of all the competitors in this matchup. And here is the power of the Colossal One.
[Vic] Well, Gargano holding on, able to break free for a moment.
-And Damian priest again, oh, no. -[Beth] Oh, no.
[Vic] Priest looking to take Gargano for the ride, and again,
Johnny able to get free.
[Beth] Nimble Johnny Gargano taking advantage of every situation.
[crowd chatter]
-[they groan] -[Vic] Gargano--oh.
Cameron Grimes-- And Dream chops down Bronson Reed.
And now-- Oh!
A little bit of teamwork in this five-man ladder match.
[Corey] It's a necessary union in this environment,
but I'd be willing to bet it's not gonna last long.
Let's get them. Let's get them.
[Beth] Bronson Reed has been a force. It looks like this four--
[Vic] Well, wait a minute. Johnny was calling out the play
and then Gargano tried to get up the ladder.
-Let me try it. -No, I won't.
We work together to get them, okay? It's all right.
[crowd chatter]
-[Corey] They reached a temporary accord. -[Beth] Interesting.
[Corey] In a ladder match.
[Vic] But now, guys, take a look at the strategy of Velveteen Dream,
Johnny Gargano, and Cameron Grimes beating down the larger two opponents.
[Corey] Smart strategy.
Repeated shots with the ladder of the body of Priest and Reed.
Now look at the ruthlessness from Velveteen Dream.
[Vic] That's a new type of aggression, Beth,
you were hinting that earlier about Velveteen Dream.
Come on, country boy, hurry up!
[Beth] Wow. Dream's trash-talking in an all-time high,
but his aggression paying dividends in this.
[they groan]
[Vic] But again, guys, take a look at what Cameron Grimes,
Velveteen Dream, and-- Oh!
I spoke a little too soon.
[they groan]
And Dream now turning things around.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] It should've taken a lot out of Cameron Grimes with that last forearm.
[Vic] Well, now, it seems that it's Velveteen Dream and Johnny-- Oh!
And again, this time Gargano turns things around on Dream.
[they groan]
-[Beth] Oh! -[Vic] Oh!
[Corey] Danger is at an all-time high right now.
[Beth] There is nothing forgiving about that ladder.
-[they groan] -[Vic] Oh!
[Corey] A stage dive into the ladders in the corner.
[Vic] I mean, this quickly is turning into human demolition derby.
-[fan] Oh, no. -[Vic] Oh, no.
-[Beth] Oh! -[crowd chatter]
[Corey] Atomic Drop!
[they groan]
[Vic] Bronson Reed taken out the field.
[Corey] Like a wrecking ball in the corner.
Velveteen still precariously perched on the top rope.
[Beth] Reed's sifting through the carnage.
[crowd] This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Vic] Bronson Reed has wiped out all four of the other competitors.
But now Bronson Reed leaving his feet.
What is on the mind of Reed in this moment?
And quickly again, Corey, we talked about earlier all the bodies
just flying around the ring.
[Corey] You're not gonna get many opportunities.
You have to capitalize on any opening, no matter how slight.
That's what all five of these guys are trying to do.
[they groan]
-[Beth] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. -[Corey] Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Vic] Oh, no.
-[crowd cheering] -[Vic] Oh.
[Corey] There is your demolition derby, Vic.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Let's take another look at this carnage.
-[crowd cheering] -[Vic] Oh.
[Corey] Like a car crash at high speed.
Bronson Reed taking down everybody.
[Vic] But guys, there's only one person left standing,
-and that's Johnny Gargano. -[Beth] And he's moving swiftly
toward the prize.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Gargano trying to set up the ladder
to retrieve the North American Championship.
But Bronson Reed in Gargano's way.
[Beth] A game of cat and mouse.
[Vic] A game of cat and mouse, you're right, Beth.
And again, the strength of Bronson Reed.
But now Cameron Grimes, Grimes scaling the ladder.
Grimes is up almost near the top.
-[Corey] Good lord! -[Vic] Oh!
[Beth] Oh and--
[Corey] Grimes suffered some severe whiplash across the top rope.
[Beth] That speaks to the unpredictability of the ladder.
[Vic] Well, now, Damian Priest, this could be Priest's opportunity.
Is Damian Priest gonna retrieve the North American Championship?
Priest's fingers are on the gold.
Priest is reaching up. Damian Priest.
[Corey] Velveteen preventing Priest from reaching the championship.
[Beth] Priest the tallest competitor in this matchup.
Wow!
[Vic] And look at Velveteen Dream wearing out Priest.
Now Dream trying to switch gears.
And Priest kicking out the feet of Velveteen Dream.
[Corey] Beautiful maneuver by Damian Priest the Archer of Infamy
attempting to make the long climb now.
[Vic] And again, Cameron Grimes trying to get right back into this affair
and trying his best to chop down Damian Priest.
Priest though answering back.
[Corey] Educated feet of Damien Priest are lethal.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Priest again, that time superkick by Gargano.
Might not gotten all of the kick, certainly got enough to rock Priest.
[Beth] Phenomenal reaction time by Johnny Gargano.
[Vic] And Dream trying to pick up the scraps. Out goes Gargano.
But Dream doesn't see what's behind him.
-Oh. -[Beth] Maybe it was better that way.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] And Bronson Reed now with that ladder,
using it to take out everyone standing in his way, but, oh!
[Corey] Oh, Johnny had a great idea in mind in theory but not so much execution.
[Vic] He went for the one final beat DDT with the help of the ladder.
Johnny on his feet.
And again now using the ropes to his advantage.
Dream, however, staggered, did not fall.
And Dream now-- Whoa.
And Damien Priest in harm's way.
And again, Johnny Gargano, the only superstar standing.
-[crowd chatter] -[they groan]
[Vic] Gargano.
[cheers and applause]
[Vic] Johnny Takeover beginning to shine.
[Corey] Holy cow!
What was that?
[Vic] And Dream off the top rope.
[Beth] Guys, no time to celebrate.
[crowd chatter]
-[Vic] And there comes Bronson Reed. -[Corey] The big fella joining the party.
Everybody's down.
[Beth] The Beast from the East would be proud.
[Vic] Beth, you talked about Bronson Reed's size early in the matchup,
it's certainly paying off now.
[Beth] It's been the difference maker in this matchup.
Take a look at this.
[Corey] I was hoping it would be in slower motion, it still happened so fast,
I'm not entirely even sure what you call that.
And then Bronson Reed wants to join the party,
takes out Gargano and Velveteen.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] The intensity is through the roof here at the NXT Arena.
[Beth] But there is the Vulture, Cameron Grimes
finding an opportunity.
[Vic] Well, it's all about opportunity to climb the ladder
to retrieve the North American Championship.
And Cameron Grimes could be moments away
from calling himself champion.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] And Damien Priest!
[Corey] It wasn't fancy, just effective.
[Vic] Oh, what is at Priest's mind?
[Corey] We're gonna find out any second, Vic.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Damien Priest.
[Corey] Running up the ladder, sacrificing his own well-being.
[crowd] Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
[Vic] The wreckage here at NXT Takeover XXX, Beth, take a look.
[Beth] Unbelievable height, risk, it's just incredible, took my breath away.
[Corey] It achieved the desired result for Damien Priest.
However, everyone needs to realize Cameron Grimes is--
[Vic] Well, there is Candice LeRae coming on to check on her husband,
but Cameron Grimes-- Grimes has setup the ladder.
Grimes is scaling the ladder. Fingertips on the championship,
and then there's Candice LeRae.
-[Cameron] Get out of here! -[crowd chatter]
[Corey] Maybe Candice just wants directions to the moon.
[Vic] And this is all legal, guys.
[Cameron] What are you doing?
[crowd chatter]
What are you doing? You're not supposed to be in here.
[crowd chatter]
-[Beth] Oh. -[Vic] Oh.
And Candice LeRae…
…taking out Cameron Grimes.
LeRae.
-Oh. -[Corey] Oh, my god.
Right to the face of Cameron Grimes.
Gargano coming to the aid of Candice LeRae.
[Beth] Lerae has-- She might have a plan here.
[Corey] And this is all legal. There's no disqualification.
[Vic] Well, there is that, and Candice LeRae helping out her husband.
[Corey] That's a ride or die for you.
[Vic] Is this the Johnny Gargano way here at NXT Takeover XXX?
[Beth] LeRae has just bought Gargano a whole heck of a lot of time.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Precious moments now for Gargano to setup the ladder.
Johnny is looking up.
Johnny is looking to become
the first-ever two-time NXT North American champion.
[Corey] Bronson slowly re-entering the fray.
[Vic] Gargano to the top. Johnny not--
Oh, man. Gargano just saw Bronson Reed,
and look at Reed.
And now it's Bronson Reed inches away.
Reed reaching up.
[Corey] Well, I hope this ladder is reinforced.
[Vic] Oh! Gargano crashing hard down to the mat.
[Beth] Oh, no.
[Vic] And once again Bronson Reed--
Reed is gonna get the championship but again it's Candice LeRae.
LeRae swatting away the title.
-[Beth] Uh-oh. -[Vic] Lerae keeping the title away.
Oh, no.
-[Beth] Oh, no. -[Vic] Oh, no.
-[Corey] Someone call the medics. -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] The Wednesday night's been squashed.
[crowd chatter]
-[Corey] Look at-- -[Vic] All the way from the top.
I can't believe that, Corey.
[Corey] That is unbelievable, immeasurable impact.
Bronson Reed from way atop the ladder with Candice LeRae,
Johnny's beloved wife on his back.
My goodness, talk about insult and injury.
[Beth] Well, at least they've got each other, Graves. And--
[Vic] Yeah, but could Bronson Reed reach up?
Could Bronson Reed be the new North American champion?
Reed climbing
rung by rung.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Reed almost to the top.
[Corey] Damien Priest trying to give chase but Bronson Reed just fingertips away.
[Vic] Reed is so close.
And Cameron Grimes on an even bigger ladder.
[Beth] What is Grimes thinking?
[Corey] I've been asking myself that question all day.
[Vic] Oh! Well, Bronson Reed realized where Grant--
Where Cameron Grimes was.
And now wait a minute.
Grimes got knocked but Grimes' sense of balance,
able to knock off Damien Priest.
Cameron Grimes is gonna win the championship.
Grimes all the way at the top.
-[Beth] Whoa. -[Vic] Oh.
[Corey] Dream got his leg caught.
[Vic] What a kick, and Dream getting all tangled into that steel ladder.
[Beth] And now Grimes struggling to set it back up.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] Cameron Grimes looking to get a little creative.
[Cameron groans]
-[Beth] Whoa, whoa! -[Vic] Whoa!
Right hand by Velveteen Dream.
And at this point, Corey, I mean, you just got to hit
anything that moves.
[Corey] You're absolutely right, Vic.
At this deep into the matchup, everybody feeling the effects,
everybody's bodies wrapped with pain.
You have to make the most of any potential scenario.
[Beth] I mean, every square inch of the ring
is virtually covered in twisted steel.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] Dream delivering a sharp forearm to Cameron Grimes.
[Vic] Well, Velveteen Dream also has constructed
this a little bit of maybe mayhem here on the outside with these ladders.
And now Dream setting up that huge ladder.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] All five of these superstars trying to accomplish one thing.
But for Velveteen Dream, he now is looking down onto Cameron Grimes.
-[Vic] Dream-- What? -[Beth] Oh, my god.
[Vic] Dream realizes-- Dream realizes he'd become champion.
Velveteen Dream is at the top.
Dream is right there.
[Corey] He's certainly not the brightest star in the sky.
[Vic] Oh, and Damien Priest--
Dream up there, now Dream takes a fall.
Priest now reaching up.
Is Damien Priest about to become the new North American champion?
And now Bronson Reed--
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] You got to respect the tenacity of all of these individuals.
[Vic] Oh, the strength of Damien Priest with that Chokeslam on the ladder.
And now Damien Priest, Graves, has set his eyes on the championship.
-Wait a minute. -[Beth] Cave In.
[Corey] Running double stomp.
[Vic] The Cave In by Cameron Grimes.
[Beth] Oh, no.
[Vic] Is this Grimes' moment?
-Is this Cameron Grimes' Takeover moment? -[Beth] We'll never hear the end of it.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Cameron Grimes-- Is Grimes headed to the moon?
[Beth] Grimes, you--
[Corey] I got to get find a pickup truck and get to the after-party.
This is gonna be a big night for Grimes.
[Vic] Cameron Grimes all the way at the top,
just inches away from the championship if not for Johnny Gargano.
[Corey] Able to buy grandma a new spittoon.
[Vic] And Gargano able to duck one kick.
Now Gargano trying to navigate his way to the top.
-Oh! -[Corey] Oh!
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Gargano might have done as much damage to himself
as he did Cameron Grimes.
But Cameron Grimes might have just been wiped out of the equation.
[Corey] Cameron Grimes is broken, period.
Look at this once again.
High-risk. Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Crushing impact.
Johnny driving the spine of Cameron Grimes
into the unforgiving ladder.
[Beth] Guys, this has been absolute carnage.
[Corey] And it's only gonna get worse, Beth.
[Beth] Gargano somehow recovering from being squashed by Grimes,
Reed and LeRae earlier.
[they groan]
Damien Priest gets caught.
Gargano able to light up Priest for a moment.
-Oh, no, wait a minute. -[Beth] Uh-oh.
-[Corey] Uh-uh. -[Vic] Oh!
Superkick by Velveteen Dream this time.
And Dream taken out.
Bodies continuing to fly everywhere.
[they groan]
[Vic] And I think Johnny is looking for that one final beat DDT.
Dream had it countered.
-[Beth] Dream's got other plans. -[Corey] Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
[Vic] And Dream driving Gargano into Damien Priest.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] I wonder if that's the first time in Johnny's career
he's been used as a weapon.
[Vic] The Dream Valley Driver
might've just sent Velveteen Dream up the ladder.
Dream, could he become
the first ever two-time North American champion?
[Beth] Bronson Reed is stirring.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And Velveteen Dream is climbing.
Dream all the way to the top.
He's reaching up. He was fingertips away earlier.
And now Dream's got the championship--
Whoa!
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] What the hell just happened?
[crowd] Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
[Vic] Where did Dream go?
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Nonetheless, Bronson Reed, Reed's gonna climb.
Climb the ladder, Bronson, retrieve the title.
-[Corey] Look at this. -[Vic] Reed almost to the top.
Reed to your left live action.
He's reaching up for the championship.
And Cameron Grimes just chucked the ladder.
[Corey] I can't believe Cameron Grimes has the ability to walk,
let alone throw ladders.
And now an opportunity.
It could be a good night in Carolina.
[Vic] Grimes could be going to the moon.
Rung by rung, Cameron Grimes climbing.
Grimes has his left hand on the title.
We're gonna have a new champion.
And Gargano stopping Grimes,
just in the Nick of time. And now--whoa!
[Beth] Gargano trying to use it as a weapon.
[Vic] Oh, certainly did connect that time to Cameron.
And Gargano's there. Johnny Gargano is gonna retrieve the title.
Gargano-- Oh.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Grimes with Gargano by the throat. Oh!
-[Corey] Priest with a grip on Johnny. -[Beth] Oh, wait.
[Vic] The title is free. Both superstars now jockeying for position.
Gargano's got the title.
Priest got the title. Gargano teetering.
Gargano, he's fallen.
-Damien Priest has done it. -[bell rings]
[Vic] Damien Priest is champion.
[rock music starts]
[announcer] Here is your winner
and new NXT North American Champion,
Damien Priest!
[Corey] If he wants to live forever,
the Archer of Infamy just took the first step.
The new NXT North American Champion!
[Beth] You have to hand it to all of these competitors.
When you talk about a matchup that will be spoken about for generations,
inspire other performers, this was it.
[rock music plays]
[Beth] Let's take a look at some big moments from this amazing matchup.
Take a look at this.
Bronson Reed with Candice LeRae perched across his back,
crushing the body of Johnny Gargano, Vic.
[Vic] It certainly did.
And then take a look right here, Johnny Gargano up and over.
I mean, we called it human demolition derby,
it certainly lived up to that feeling.
[Corey] No doubt about it.
And just when victory was in the grasp of the Velveteen Dream,
he gets launched into orbit, through some tables on the outside.
[Vic] And then in the end both superstars, Damien Priest, Gargano
jockeying for that championship.
Gargano not able to hold on.
-[bell rings] -[Vic] And as you mentioned, Corey,
Damien Priest wants to live forever.
It's Damien Priest who has now immortalized himself
as the North American champion.
[rock music plays]
He is awake.
[growls]
And he wants something that Braun has.
[laughs hysterically]
I am more than a man.
I am the thing that nightmares are made of.
[groans]
[narrator] The Monster Braun Strowman,
the Diabolical Fiend Bray Wyatt
in a Falls Count Anywhere match for the WWE Universal Championship.
[tense music plays]
WWE Summerslam, you'll never see it coming.
["Moth into Flame" plays]
[Corey] You're listening to "Moth into Flame"
by the legendary Metallica
from the album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct,
an NXT loud theme song for NXT Takeover XXX,
available right now on Apple Music and Spotify.
[Vic] And guys, we have been waiting for this matchup.
It has been all over social media.
Two years in the making and time for talk is now over.
Adam Cole, Pat Mcafee are gonna square off one-on-one
here in NXT Takeover XXX.
We turn our attention now to the WWE and our very own Pat Mcafee.
Adam Cole, BayBay!
You and I have had moments.
-You sound a little soft, Adam Cole. -Really? Coming from a punter.
You kidding me?
Undisputed.
Shut up, Pat!
There is a lot of buzz about you because you have all these accolades.
That has to feel pretty cool.
I look at our roster and to think that I'm the king of that brand is pretty cool.
[laughs] What?
Oh, you have an argument to that?
The Undisputed Era is the main reason why you've succeeded
but by the way, smart, especially for you because you're kind of small.
[laughs] Oh, we're gonna go with the size thing now?
[tense music plays]
[bleep] you, Pat. Seriously, I'm sick of your [bleep]!
If you're gonna continue to disrespect me--
-Oh, don't touch me! -Whoa!
[bleep] you, Pat, [bleep] you!
What the [bleep] is wrong with that guy?
[Pat] We had a chance to talk about our misunderstanding. It came to a head.
You know, I'm mature unlike how Adam looked in my studio.
And listen, I know he can be a little fiery, you know,
he has a little bit of a short temper and all that stuff. I mean, I'm crushing.
At that moment in time, my mind was made up to put an end
to the charade that is Pat Mcafee.
Huh, Pat? How about you do something about it? Do something about it!
[announcer] Meanwhile Kyle O'Reilly distracted by what's going on.
Imperium retains the tag team titles.
This is your fault!
I think that's never gonna change, that for the rest of your life,
you're gonna be a tiny itty bitty short little--
[crowd chatter]
[Adam] I'll kill you!
I'll kill you.
[crowd chatter]
[man] I thought you guys made up.
All it takes is one bang. Night, night, Baybay!
Triple H is going to make an exclusive announcement live on Get Up.
[Triple H] NXT Takeover XXX.
Pat Mcafee, Adam Cole, if Pat has the guts to say yes.
I accept the challenge for sure.
And this spot right here.
[man] Bang!
I'mma walk in there, beat his ass.
[Adam] Hey, Pat Mcafee!
You wanna come to my world and play wrestler?
But don't you forget, you kicked me with my arms behind my back.
You are not special!
Guess who's back?
[Pat] And I'm gonna dance on the grave of the entire [bleep] NXT.
At Takeover XXX, it's gonna end with one swing of this foot.
Bang!
I'm gonna make you my bitch.
And that actually I think it's undisputed.
Take the photo, Paul.
[crowd cheering]
[music starts]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing the Undisputed Era,
Adam Cole!
The king of this brand!
Pat Mcafee does not belong.
He will never belong.
I'm gonna teach this punk a lesson.
[Vic] And you heard Adam Cole talking about it being game time, Beth,
no one has been a better big match player in NXT than Adam Cole.
[Beth] Adam Cole, of course, is drawing comparisons
to young Shawn Michaels.
He talks the talk but when given the opportunity,
Adam Cole always walks the walk.
[Vic] Consummate pro in every aspect of the word.
This rivalry has gotten insanely heated in a hurry.
I cannot wait to see what's in store.
[Adam] Adam Cole, BayBay!
[Vic] And Cole has said he's been disrespected for two years.
He's heard all the short jokes.
He's been waiting for this moment to shut the mouth of Pat Mcafee.
No more running your mouth now, Pat. Let's go!
[crowd chatter]
Hello, stooges.
Pat Mcafee speaking.
-Let's go, boys. I'll see you out there. -[crowd booing]
I've kicked off Super Bowls.
I've sold out buildings across this great country.
But tonight, it is years in the making.
And wakey wakey, this one's gonna end quick with one kick
from the strongest leg in the history of humans
and the history of legs in general.
Let's do the damn thing.
Hit my music.
[music starts]
[Corey] Intense look in the eyes of Adam Cole.
And never short on words, the brash Pat Mcafee.
[announcer] From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by way of Indianapolis,
weighing in at 240 pounds, Pat Mcafee.
[Corey] Beth, I know you've been very critical of some of the things
that Pat Mcafee has said over the past several weeks.
[Beth] First of all, let's be clear.
Pat Mcafee is a world-class athlete but let's be blunt,
look who's here, and look at the shirt he's wearing.
Pat Mcafee's also world class jerk.
I mean, what thinks-- What is-- What makes him think
just gonna walk in here, waltz in here with Adam Cole,
an athlete of the caliber of Adam Cole and be able to compete?
[Corey] Because everything Pat Mcafee has set his mind to in his life,
he's excelled at.
[Vic] Pat Mcafee has called himself next level.
And Beth, predicted tonight, it ends with one swing of his own foot.
Notice Mcafee didn't come alone though, Graves.
[Corey] Darius Butler, AJ Hawk, Nick Maraldo,
world-class table tennis enthusiast.
[crowd chatter]
Hey, this is your nightmare.
[crowd chatter]
[bell rings]
[Vic] Oh, here we go.
Time for talk is over.
But the trash talking is continuing.
[Corey] When you're talking about Pat Mcafee
the time for talk is never over, Vic.
[crowd chatter]
[Beth] Apparently, it's time to flex, too.
-[they groan] -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] It's been no secret, Pat Mcafee has been training
incredibly hard for the past several weeks for this matchup.
That said, you cannot substitute
for the experience possessed by Adam Cole.
[Beth] Several weeks. Let's be clear. Adam Cole has been wrestling
since he was 18 years old.
Decade-- Over a decade of experience.
[they groan]
[Corey] I agree, Beth, but you've to look at Pat Mcafee's history, his accolades.
He's been in the Pro Bowl. He's been an All-Pro.
Everything Pat Mcafee has set his mind to, he has done on another level.
This could be the next in a series of great accomplishments.
[Vic] That is true but Pat Mcafee has got to know that
this isn't the Super Bowl. This is NXT Takeover.
Oh, that's easy!
[Beth] Oh.
[Vic] Mcafee this time-- Oh, wait a minute.
[Corey] Oh.
[Vic] It was almost one swing of Cole's foot that ended this match.
[Corey] It was a reality check for Pat Mcafee.
[Beth] There is no timeouts in NXT, Pat.
No water breaks. Come on.
Get up, Pat.
Get up, Pat!
[crowd chatter]
[they groan]
[Vic] And Mcafee right back in and now Mcafee turning things around
on Adam Cole.
You mentioned the training that Pat Mcafee has gone through.
He's been very vocal on posting it on social media, Graves,
all over the place.
[Corey] Pat Mcafee doesn't do anything at less than a hundred and ten percent.
That includes his first ever match in an NXT ring.
Boom. Big tackle by Mcafee.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And the trash talk continuing and now Pat Mcafee has the--
And again, Mcafee getting out of dodge.
Well, Mcafee certainly did his homework on Adam Cole.
[Corey] No doubt about it. Mcafee is a very highly intelligent human being.
It's gonna translate into the ring.
[Beth] He's also quick to huddle with his posse.
[referee] One, two!
[Adam] Get in the ring, Pat.
[Pat] I got it. No more games.
I think you're starting to realize that I'm a better human than you.
And that, my friends, is undisputed.
[Corey] Mocking the Undisputed Era.
[Beth] The disrespect continues.
[Vic] Well, Cole looking-- Wait a minute. There's the Undisputed Era now.
[Corey] This thing could pop off in a hurry.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] Sure William Regal had extra security standing by
knowing this is a volatile situation.
[Beth] This is getting heated.
[Corey] Getting, Beth? This thing is about to blow up.
Oh my god!
[Vic] Pat Mcafee just wiped out everyone.
Woo!
[Corey] How is this for not belonging in the NXT world?
Ladies and gentlemen,
Mcafee sacrificing his own body with a beautiful Swanton,
taking down everybody.
[Beth] I am stunned on what we just saw.
[Corey] Are you starting to believe yet?
[Beth] I'm still not convinced, Graves,
but that was impressive. Let's be real.
[Corey] Listen, years ago in NXT, a man walked through the doors
from the NFL and nobody respected him and said you only got here
because of what you did on the football field.
Through hard work and attitude, that guy now runs
Friday Night Smackdown.
King Corbin, who by the way, happened to be roommates
with Pat Mcafee. Start believing.
[Vic] Well, Pat Mcafee now stomping away on Adam Cole.
Mcafee!
[Beth] Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Graves.
This is night one for Pat Mcafee.
[Corey] Pat Mcafee is better on his night one than just about anybody I've ever seen
on their night one.
[Vic] And look at Mcafee now and look at the chest of Adam Cole
starting to turn red.
[Corey] And don't lose sight of the fact this is Adam freakin' Cole
we're talking about.
This isn't some low level beginner.
This is one of the longest reigning champions in the company's history.
[Vic] The longest reigning NXT champion in the company's history.
And Mcafee winding up and dropping Cole.
[Beth] Let's hope that Mcafee doesn't get overconfident.
[crowd chatter]
This is easy!
[crowd booing]
[Corey] So far, Beth, Pat Mcafee's confidence has been his best weapon.
Wohoo! That was a warning shot.
[Vic] But Graves, Pat Mcafee can't get overconfident in this matchup.
[Corey] You're right. With a veteran like Adam Cole,
any mistake will be capitalized upon.
[Pat] Two weeks, I asked for this.
[Corey] But right now, Mcafee talking smack and backing it up.
[Vic] Reminding Cole that it only took him two weeks
and now Mcafee showcasing strength.
-[Beth] Wow. -[Pat] You like that?
[Vic] And planting Adam Cole center of the ring.
Mcafee into the cover.
Hook of the leg and quickly Adam Cole kicking out.
And right on top of Adam Cole goes Pat Mcafee.
[Corey] This is brilliant.
Mcafee is excelling beyond his years, beyond--
He's got no experience in this ring basically
and he is doing phenomenally right now.
[Beth] I hate to agree with you in this situation
but Mcafee has been nothing short of being impressive.
[Vic] Oh.
[they groan]
[Corey] Adam Cole trying to fight his way back into this one.
-Come on! -What?
-That's the third time you did that! -No.
Right in front of my eyes. You better knock it off, all right?
-That is not a rule. -It is a rule. Hey, I'm the referee.
You better respect.
[Vic] Well, this isn't the NFL. You can't talk trash to the NXT officials,
and Mcafee though, right back on top of Adam Cole.
[Beth] Mcafee certainly did his homework on bending the rules.
He's-- I've seen a couple of handfuls of hair.
[Corey] Listen, Beth, Pat has got a lot of friends,
could teach him a few tips and tricks here and there.
[Beth] Let's not count out Adam Cole.
[Vic] Well, Cole, almost on cue, Beth, starting to fire back to the midsection.
Swinging wildly and what a dropkick by Mcafee.
I mean, Beth, are you stunned?
[Beth] I mean, I'm stunned. I mean, I'm not surprised.
Pat Mcafee is in the best shape of his life.
[Corey] Well, are you stunned or are you not surprised? Make up your mind.
[Beth] Listen, I'm not taking anything away from the athlete that Mcafee is,
but you cannot substitute it for experience.
[Corey] Cole is in the danger zone right now.
All it takes is one swing of Pat Mcafee's foot and it's lights out.
I was born for this.
[Vic] And Mcafee stalking Adam Cole.
Oh! And Cole answering back.
[Beth] Whoa.
[Corey] Maybe Pat getting a little too big for his britches in this instance.
[Vic] And this is what Adam Cole has been waiting for,
to go toe to toe with Pat Mcafee. They're slugging it out.
-[Corey] It's a hockey fight. -[Vic] Oh.
[Beth] And this is what I was talking about, Adam Cole at his best.
[Corey] Now it's really a hockey fight.
[Vic] That slap might've woken up Adam Cole.
And Cole now just planting with that pump kick. Pat Mcafee.
[Beth] Cole thinking about all the disparaging comments
Mcafee has made over the last several weeks.
[they groan]
[Vic] And now it's Adam Cole just stomping away on Pat Mcafee.
[Beth] And the pendulum has swung in favor of Adam Cole.
[Vic] It certainly has.
And all that pent up frustration over the last two years
that's been inside Adam Cole starting to come out now
here against Mcafee at NXT Takeover XXX.
Mcafee feeling that he may be in over his head.
Uh-oh.
[Vic] Up goes Mcafee and Cole planting Mcafee center of the ring.
This has got to be it.
Cole into the cover. And Mcafee kicking out.
[Beth] That was unbelievable. Let's take one more look at
this impact high on the neck of Pat Mcafee.
And I just-- I can't believe Mcafee was able to kick out.
[Vic] Well, Beth, how about the facial expression of Adam Cole
after the kick-out? Almost had a smirk come across his face.
[Beth] And now Cole adding a little bit of--
Uh-oh!
[Corey] Able to evade. Rolls him up, cover.
Mcafee nearly stole the win right there.
-[Beth] Whoa. -[Corey] Oh.
-That's got to do it. -[Vic] Into the cover goes Cole.
Hook of the leg, that's got to be it. And again, Pat Mcafee kicks out.
[Beth] Adam Cole is stunned.
To be honest, so--
[Corey] I think it's safe to admit that at this point,
Adam Cole underestimated Pat Mcafee, just like everybody did.
[Pat] Oh my god.
[Corey] I don't know that Mcafee knows what state he's in right now
but he's still in the match.
[Beth] You cannot take away from everything that Mcafee
has brought to the table tonight.
[Corey] Mcafee said he was gonna shut up the haters,
silence the doubters and so far has made great progress
but Adam Cole continues to pour on the pressure.
[Vic] Oh! And almost out of desperation,
Pat Mcafee lunging to knock Adam Cole off the top rope.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] It was a smart move. It was desperate? Absolutely.
Did it achieve the desired result? You're damn right.
[Adam groans]
[Beth] Cole is hurting.
[Corey] Now-- Okay. Now, wait a minute.
Now this is an ill-advised decision, Pat.
Mcafee is getting maybe a little-- Oh, I don't see this ending well.
[Vic] And Adam Cole turning things around now.
Mcafee starting to fight back as well.
Both superstars teetering on the top rope.
[Corey] What?
[Vic] What did-- Mcafee just landed on his feet. Cole in disbelief.
-[Beth] Oh my god. -[Vic] Mcafee right back into it.
Mcafee hooked Cole.
From the top rope, Mcafee, Superplex!
[Corey] Gods be good.
[Vic] This is gonna be the biggest upset in NXT history.
Cole kicked out. Oh, that was close.
Oh my god!
[Corey] We're about to see it again and I still don't know that
I'm gonna believe it.
But watch this athleticism from Pat Mcafee.
Landing flush on his feet
and then in one leap, all the way to the top rope
before delivering a picture perfect Superplex to Adam Cole.
[Beth] How in the world did that just happen?
[crowd] This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Corey] It's one thing to not look like a fool
on your first night if you're Pat Mcafee,
it's another to do stuff that is next level,
but that's what Mcafee promised.
[Vic] Oh, wait a minute, look at Pat Mcafee.
Mcafee eyeing up Adam Cole much like we saw on NXT.
Oh, Cole just got out of the way
but Mcafee's right foot into the steel steps.
[Corey] As hard as Pat kicks, he might've just shattered his own foot.
[Beth] The steel steps completely shifted.
[Pat groans] Oh my god!
[Corey] And you could see the look in Adam Cole's eyes.
Like a shark with blood in the water.
[Vic] And you can hear the pain coming through from Pat Mcafee.
[Beth] Not a ton of protection from that footwear Mcafee's wearing.
[Pat groans]
[Vic] And Cole now, wait a minute.
-You want me to stop this? -No, no.
-All right. -It's over, Pat.
-[Beth] Oh. -[Vic] Goes down low
back to the injured leg and now looking for the Figure-Four.
Cole looking for the Figure-Four.
[Corey] This is brilliant.
[Vic] Mcafee trying to block the Figure-Four
but now Cole has it cinched in and is Pat Mcafee going to tap out?
[Adam] Give up!
[Corey] Adam Cole capitalizing on Mcafee's self-inflicted injury.
Shoulders were down for a moment. Mcafee's got to be fading.
[Adam] It is not in you.
[Vic] And Cole talking trash now right back to Pat Mcafee.
Mcafee got his shoulders up at one.
The pain. And now Mcafee trying to roll over Adam Cole.
[Corey] Pressure was reversed for the moment
but Cole continued the momentum.
[Vic] And that's what 12 years in the-- Oh.
And Pat Mcafee to the bottom rope.
[Beth] Mcafee definitely studying that rulebook.
[Pat groans]
[Vic] And I can't believe Pat Mcafee, foot into the steel steps,
was able to hold his own I guess and find a way to get free, Beth,
from the Figure-Four as you mentioned to the bottom rope.
[Beth] But Vic, he was in that Figure-Four an awful long time,
doing more damage to that foot and shin bone.
[Vic] Now, Mcafee finding out a lot about himself right now.
Is that all you had, you little punk?
[they groan]
[Vic] Mcafee being defiant and Adam Cole now putting the boots to Mcafee.
Cole's got to be careful not to get himself disqualified right--
-Oh, wait a minute. -[Corey] A low kick.
[crowd booing]
[Vic] The referee did not see the low kick by Mcafee.
And now Mcafee laying out Cole center of the ring.
[Corey] This is gonna be the biggest upset in NXT history.
Here it comes.
[Beth] No, no, no.
[Corey] Mcafee. Touchback.
[Vic] With one swing of his foot, might've just put out Adam Cole.
You got to be-- No, no, no.
Cole kicked out.
[cheers and applause]
[Corey] Mcafee in shock and understandably so.
Clearly in agony.
Pat connecting with what he was looking for.
Oh! The Punt Kick right in the chest of Adam Cole.
[Vic] Got to wonder how much damage was done to the foot
when he kicked the steel steps, that being Pat Mcafee,
before delivering that huge Punt just moments ago.
[Beth] Let's not forget how he got in that situation, the low blow
to Adam Cole behind the referee's back.
[Vic] Corey, I asked this about Pat Mcafee only two weeks to train.
What could he have left in his arsenal?
[Corey] I have no idea. Mcafee's blown my mind the entire night.
[Beth] We might be about to find out, guys.
[crowd chatter]
Mcafee, BayBay.
[crowd booing]
[Vic] Mcafee with his sights set on Adam Cole.
And Cole with a Superkick.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Pat was looking for the Hail Mary and it did not pay off.
[Beth] Now, look at the focus on the face of Adam Cole.
[crowd cheering]
Get up, Pat.
Get up!
I want you to watch me beat you. Get up!
I told you that I was gonna shut your big stupid mouth.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] What's-- Corey, what's on the mind of Adam Cole?
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Cole now--
[Corey] Adam Cole promised to shut Mcafee's mouth once and for all.
[Vic] Cole certainly did and now Cole looking to
put the exclamation point on this matchup.
Looking for the Panama City Sunrise!
Cole got all of it.
-Into the cover. -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Vic] Adam Cole picks up the win. -[rock music starts]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Adam Cole.
[Corey] What a match.
For all intents and purposes,
Pat Mcafee had no business doing what he did tonight
but from the look in Adam Cole's eyes, even Cole's beginning to believe.
[Beth] Guys, let's take a look at some of the highlights
from this unbelievable display.
I mean, check out this moment right here.
Pat Mcafee blowing our minds with that--
[Corey] Throwing caution to the wind, taking out everyone in the way.
And Pat wasn't done thrilling us yet.
[Vic] He certainly was not and it's out of nowhere,
this dropkick from Pat Mcafee which really was showcasing his offense,
-until, Corey-- -[Corey] Things went south.
Mcafee looking for the big payoff kick, connects with the steel ring stairs,
instead much to his own detriment and this is where Adam Cole excelled.
[Beth] Cole laying on the pain, on that damaged foot,
but Pat Mcafee would not quit.
[Vic] Mcafee then would look for that Punt,
connected right into the chest of Adam Cole.
And well, I think the NXT UK universe thought it was the biggest upset
in NXT history but Cole would kick out and continue to fight.
[Corey] The whole NXT universe and beyond saw the same thing, Vic,
and there it is, that was what Adam Cole was looking for,
the Panama City Sunrise, spiking Pat Mcafee.
But let's be honest, everybody, it was a hell of a night
for the brand but Adam Cole remains undisputed.
[Vic] He certainly does and Adam Cole, Corey, picks up the victory tonight
for the brand. That being NXT.
What a matchup here at NXT Takeover XXX.
[rock music plays]
Talofa.
I'm Samoa Joe.
And when I'm not punishing my opponents unmercifully in the middle of the ring,
I like to play a little WWE Supercard.
As a matter of fact, today, I'm relaxing
and I'm celebrating the launch of the new Summerslam '20 cards.
And as for our good friend Shinsuke Nakamura,
well, I'm about to make him go night night.
I lost?
How is this possible? I don't lose.
Play WWE Supercard today.
Collect all the new Summerslam cards.
It's the ultimate card showdown.
[rock music starts]
[crowd] NXT! NXT! NXT!
♪ Together we'll start a wild fire ♪
♪ Watching to the clouds ♪
[crowd] NXT!
[man] Tonight only.
Save 20% off championship titles and 40% off tees only at wweshop.com.
[rock music plays]
[Vic] Well, Graves, you said it earlier, who says you can't go home?
We are at Full Sail University for NXT Takeover XXX,
the sight of the first ever NXT Takeover which took place
back on May 29th, 2014.
And who says you can't go home?
We are welcoming back a former NXT champion,
the current WWE champion Drew Mcintyre.
How are you?
I got my title with me but unlike Bayley and Sasha down there,
it's not about me tonight.
It's about NXT, it's about NXT Takeover XXX.
Well, we thank you for joining us.
You know, you got a big match tomorrow at Summerslam taking on Randy Orton.
Yeah. Well, I could talk, but we don't have all night.
Randy Orton is a piece of crap. He's a very talented piece of crap.
He deserves his ass kicked.
Drew Mcintyre is gonna kick his ass in the Thunderdome.
I can't wait to see that. I need a pick right now,
as a former NXT champion, Keith Lee or Karrion Kross?
Put me on the spot.
I'm gonna go with
Keith Lee.
Keith Lee, will he be able to retain his NXT championship here tonight?
Don't let me down.
[Vic] Because as you can see, Karrion Kross is warming up.
Are the sands of time ticking away on the championship reign of Keith Lee?
We'll find out tonight in our NXT championship main event.
[Corey] It's not the only championship yet to be decided.
The NXT Women's Championship is on the line in moments.
Can Io Shirai successfully defend her championship
or will Dakota Kai be the one to dethrone Io,
especially when you factor Raquel Gonzalez into the match.
Everyone has placed Io Shirai on this unattainable pedestal.
"She's so great. She's untouchable. She is the best."
[she laughs]
[announcer] Shirai solidifying her status as the best on the planet.
Yeah, right.
[Dakota] I changed that.
[announcer] Oh my god.
Blindsided by Dakota Kai.
I'll let you guys in a little secret.
The best path to success is getting inside your opponent's head.
Dakota, you just pissed me off.
[speaks Japanese]
[Io] Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox.
I've done everything on my own to get to where I am right now.
I don't need friends, enemies, or insurance policies.
[speaks Japanese]
[she groans]
[speaks Japanese]
Hey, Io. Hear me out.
It's gonna feel so good when I kick you in the face,
over and over and over--
[tense music starts]
[announcer] Dakota Kai has said enough.
[Vic] And Shirai going right at the number one contender.
[announcer 2] Dakota Kai is on the run.
[announcer] Oh, what the hell? That's Raquel Gonzalez.
[Vic] This has been Dakota Kai's plan since day one.
[announcer 2] Can the Genius of the Sky overcome Dakota
and her devastating backup?
At Takeover XXX, your captain becomes the new NXT women's champion.
-[music starts] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Well, there you see Dakota Kai with her insurance policy.
Is Dakota Kai on the verge of becoming the new NXT women's champion?
Because Dakota Kai certainly is a rising star in WWE Supercard
with over 160,000 cards collected since she debuted just a season ago.
She's a fierce competitor with incredible toughness and speed stats.
Corey, she's gonna need the speed and the toughness here tonight.
[Corey] You can't underestimate the mind games of Dakota Kai.
This was all a well-laid trap and tonight she could reach top--
The top of the mountain.
-[music starts] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] But Beth, we are looking at a very angry NXT women's champion
but in your opinion, is her title in jeopardy here tonight?
[Beth] That's very possible, Vic.
We've never quite seen a superstar as graceful
and dangerous as Io Shirai
but Shirai has a challenge with Dakota Kai tonight
and Raquel Gonzalez in her corner.
[Vic] Io Shirai also joined Dakota Kai in season five of WWE supercard.
Io Shirai's edge is her charisma and she has over 300,000 cards
collected since her debut.
What a championship matchup we are set for here tonight.
And there is no love lost between champion and challenger
heading into this showdown here at NXT Takeover XXX.
[crowd chatter]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall is for
the NXT Women's Championship.
Introducing the challenger, accompanied by Raquel Gonzalez,
from Auckland, New Zealand,
Dakota Kai.
[crowd booing]
And her opponent from Tokyo, Japan,
she is the NXT Women's Champion,
Io Shirai.
[cheers and applause]
[Vic] Shirai has her work cut out for her tonight and Beth,
during your time as women's champion in WWE,
how did you block out the x-factor, whoever was on the outside?
In tonight's case, that being Raquel Gonzalez.
[Beth] That's such a challenge, because you have to keep all your focus
on the person in the ring. This is a carefully laid out plan by Dakota Kai.
She brought her insurance policy and I think that she's--
[all of them] Oh!
[Vic] It's no insurance policy needed.
Shirai going right at Dakota Kai.
And let's not forget, Beth, Io said she wanted to hurt Kai here tonight.
[Beth] Shirai certainly has retribution on her mind.
[they groan]
[Vic] And now Dakota Kai turning things around.
[Corey] This can all be part of the mind games of Dakota Kai.
She has gotten Io Shirai so angry, so flustered
that Io is much more likely to make a mistake.
If that happens, Dakota Kai is leaving here with the championship.
[Vic] And Dakota Kai gets caught
and Io Shirai now turning things right back around.
[all of them] Whoa!
[Corey] Io landed rough on that one.
[Vic] And Shirai might have baited in Dakota Kai for just a moment.
[Corey] Dragon Screw. Very effective.
But I think Io might have rung her own bell.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Well, Beth, back to Io Shirai, she called Dakota Kai
a scared little girl heading into this championship match.
[Beth] Shirai refusing to be rattled by what Dakota Kai has called
psychological warfare coming into this matchup.
Shirai oozing confidence.
It's that confidence that has brought her thus far.
[Vic] And obviously Shirai with the champion's advantage
and there is the insurance policy.
[Beth] The brick wall of a woman, Raquel Gonzalez.
[Vic] And it already paid dividends as Shirai into the ring post.
[crowd booing]
[Vic] And Dakota Kai has to have the champion, that being Io Shirai
back in the ring. Title only changes hands on pinfall or submission.
[Corey] Of course, but it looked as though Io made some serious contact
in the bicep area. Cover here by Dakota.
[Vic] Cover for the title. And Io Shirai able to kick-out at two.
[Beth] Kai moving quickly, looking to take advantage
and now staying on Shirai.
[Vic] You know, Corey brought up a great point earlier, Beth,
about the mindset of Dakota Kai who said she's already won
a little bit of the battle here tonight
because she has gotten in the mind of Dakota Kai.
-Would you agree with that? -[Beth] I would say that Dakota Kai
has finally found a way that she could be never underestimated again,
never pushed aside.
And she has brought that into the ring today
and it looks to be throwing Io Shirai off her game.
[they groan]
[Vic] And we've already seen, as we mentioned, Gonzalez on the outside.
Dakota Kai, Beth, time and time again has said she has done it all by herself.
Well, that's not really the case.
[Beth] That's an absolute lie.
Dakota Kai has done nothing but ambush Io Shirai, set her up.
-[Corey & Vic] Oh. -[Beth] And tried to lay the dominos
in her favor.
[Vic] And shirai, whoa, throwing Dakota Kai--
-[Corey] Nice one. -[Vic] Taken out and boom.
What a kick.
But Graves, thus far, Dakota Kai's plan has worked to perfection
whether you like it or not.
[Corey] Dakota has been one step ahead of the champion
for the duration of this matchup. And look at this, this is painful.
[Beth] Kai using every bit of that five-count.
[Corey] That's smart.
Maximize the damage within the rules.
[Vic] And much like we saw a couple of weeks ago, kick to the face,
into the cover, new champion and a kick-out again
by the champion Io Shirai.
[Corey] Io still favoring her elbow that was forced into the ring post
a few moments ago after the encounter with Raquel Gonzalez.
[Vic] Dakota Kai, this is just a new side of Dakota Kai.
So, desperately wants to become champion and Beth,
you've witnessed the evolution of Kai firsthand.
[Beth] I saw Dakota Kai come into the Mae Young Classic,
a fresh young face.
-[Corey] Cover. -[Beth] This is a different Dakota Kai.
She's not looking outward. She's not worried about making friends.
She's only worried about herself.
[Corey] And that is the mindset of a champion, Beth.
Dakota Kai is here in a high profile match in NXT Takeover XXX.
She's not the same young girl that came here looking for opportunity.
-Dakota is ready to take what she wants. -[Beth] I'd agree, Corey,
but Dakota Kai is also a user.
She's got Raquel Gonzalez in her corner to do her bidding.
-[referee] One, two, three-- -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] That's the old saying,
what good are friends if you can't use them?
-[Vic] Oh, trending-- -[Corey] Cover!
[Vic] Kai into the cover, hook to the leg and Shirai again kicking out.
And take a look, trending right now, NXT Takeover.
And are we gonna see a new women's champion
here at NXT Takeover XXX?
And Dakota Kai, as we mentioned, whether you like the new attitude or not,
has certainly made it work into her favor,
has found herself in a championship opportunity,
has used Raquel Gonzalez here tonight and has systematically, Corey,
picking apart the champion here tonight.
[Corey] Dakota Kai doing her best to hyperextend the elbow of Io Shirai.
[Beth] You see Kai using that knee brace from that surgically repaired right knee
to lay pressure on.
[Vic] Whoa, whoa, another cover, title is on the line
and another kick-out by the champion.
[Beth] Kai-- Oh, sorry.
[Vic] And Beth, every one of those kick-outs is taking it out of Io Shirai
who continues to favor the left shoulder.
[Beth] Io shirai has struggled to get moving out of the gate in this matchup.
And Kai really looking good. The--
[Corey] Beth, you've been a women's champion multiple times in your career.
Do you think there is a danger that Io Shirai underestimated Dakota Kai
-and is maybe a little too confident? -[Beth] I've said it many times.
Winning the championship sometimes is not as difficult as maintaining it.
At some point, you have to make sure you don't slide into complacency.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Right now, Dakota Kai looking anything but complacent,
continuing the assault.
[Beth] Dakota Kai is hungry.
[Vic] Another cover. Shoulders down and a near fall.
Shirai almost retaining and Dakota Kai, mauling down the champion.
Quickly into the cover and another kick-out by Io Shirai.
[crowd cheering]
[Beth] But to your point, Vic, with every single kick-out,
Shirai clutching that left elbow, possibly hyperextended.
Nasty strikes by Kai.
[woman] Remember what she said about you. This is your title, Dakota.
[Vic] And wisely, Dakota Kai focusing on the left elbow.
Another submission center of the ring.
And Graves, Dakota Kai has grounded the Genius of the Sky.
[Corey] And I guarantee you, that was Dakota's mindset from the outset.
You wanna take away the champion's best weapon
which is her aerial ability, but right now Dakota just torturing Io Shirai's arm.
[Beth] Kai's got to be careful to not get pinned here.
She's got to keep that shoulder up.
[Vic] Oh, referee in good position.
And Dakota Kai, her-- I don't think Dakota Kai--
again, Corey, to your point, with that left elbow,
how much damage has been done to Io Shirai?
[Corey] Only time will tell, but Dakota Kai has acquired the target
and is just dismantling-- Whoa, looking for a big kick.
-[Beth] Whoa. -[Vic] Didn't connect, what a Palm Strike.
And this is the moment now, Beth, for Io Shirai to regroup,
maybe get some feeling back in the left arm
and start to mount some offense.
[crowd] Io! Io! Io!
[Beth] The NXT universe solidly behind their women's champion, Io Shirai.
[Vic] And now Shirai charging in, trying to string together some offense,
trying to keep the momentum in her favor.
Charging in and dropping Kai face first.
Io Shirai now, Kai in her sights.
NXT women's champion goes around.
[Beth] 619 with one arm.
[Corey] But at what cost?
You can see Io immediately favoring her arm once again.
[Vic] To the top rope. Dropkick connects.
[Corey] Legs still work though.
[Vic] Champion into the cover to retain the NXT women's title
and Kai kicking out at two.
And you can see the pain etched on the face of Io Shirai.
[Beth] Shirai uses that left arm so much in her offense for balance,
gripping--
[crowd] Io! Io! Io!
[Beth] Every offensive of maneuver includes pain on herself.
[Corey] Yeah, Io unable to muscle up Dakota.
Standing switch.
[Vic] Shirai though, rolling through. And Double Stomp to the midsection.
And again, Io Shirai, every move that she successfully does to Dakota Kai, Shirai--
Io immediately grabs that left arm, now trying to beat feeling back into it.
[Beth] Shirai needing to shift that offense, do more leg kicks.
[Vic] Shirai trying to retain the NXT women's title here tonight.
Goes through, so does Dakota Kai.
[Corey] Uh-oh. Uh-oh!
[Vic] And Dakota Kai looking for a huge German Suplex.
You talk about a game changer in this matchup.
[Corey] This could be a game ender.
[Vic] Kai sliding down, again, trying to attempt.
Dakota Kai trying to break the grip of Io Shirai.
Shirai instead, down into the chest of Kai.
Well, that was dangerously close for the champion.
[Corey] The champion able to avert disaster in that particular instance.
Dakota Kai finds her way back in the ring as we take another look at this.
Nothing fancy. Just two feet right to the heart.
[woman] Come on, Dakota! Come on!
[Vic] Io shirai into the cover now.
Hook of the leg and Dakota Kai kicking out and Kai not only kicking out,
transitioning right back into a submission on that injured left arm,
focusing on the left elbow.
And now the shoulder joint as well.
And oh, it was Kai who said she was gonna kick Shirai over and over again.
[Beth] Look at the change of demeanor on Io Shirai.
[Dakota] Come on, now.
Come on!
[Beth] Wow.
[they scream]
[Beth] That fighting spirit.
[Vic] Io Shirai fired up now.
Shirai answering with clubbing blows.
Champion now picking up some momentum-- Oh.
[Corey] Scorpion kick on the mark. The champion is rocked.
[Beth] Give the assist to the knee brace.
[Vic] And now Dakota Kai
trying to-- No one there.
A swing and a miss. Shirai now catching Kai,
looking for that German Suplex.
-Reversal. -[Corey] Oh, gnarly.
[Vic] Nasty landing.
And now Dakota Kai again, no one there.
And Shirai charges in.
-[Beth] Wow. -[Vic] Second time.
The champion absolutely relentless.
[Beth] Io Shirai struggling through the pain.
[crowd] Io! Io! Io!
[Vic] And with one arm now, Io Shirai all the way to the top rope
and Dakota Kai out of desperation,
well-scouted what Shirai can do when she takes flight.
[Corey] You can still see Io Shirai favoring her left arm.
I wonder if she was unable to mount the top rope
as quickly as she would have liked.
Obviously suffering the effects of the attack from Dakota Kai.
[Beth] Now, Kai looking to take advantage.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Well, Dakota Kai certainly and Dakota Kai--
I was gonna say certainly looking to take advantage in deep, but now Kai hung up.
[Beth] So difficult to maintain balance.
[Vic] Double Stomp.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Crushing impact to the chest of the challenger.
[Vic] Champion crawling into the cover to retain the title and again,
Dakota Kai keeping her championship dreams alive.
And Graves, you said it earlier,
Io Shirai might not be a hundred percent with her arm,
certainly is with her feet.
[Corey] Like a dagger through the heart of Dakota Kai.
Somehow, Kai fights on and even with one bad wing,
Io Shirai still fighting.
[Beth] But Shirai unable to get that leverage with that damaged arm
in the pinfall attempt.
Both of these women wearing the wounds of this battle.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Oh, and Shirai now Double Underhook,
looking to plant Dakota Kai center of the ring.
Kai able to reverse with a headbutt.
Kai holding on and now, oh!
Two knees to the spine. Cover.
The kairopractor. Is it enough to make Dakota Kai champion?
And Shirai kicks out again. And quickly into the arm bar.
The injured left arm. Is Io Shirai gonna tap out?
Are we gonna have a new NXT women's champion here in NXT Takeover XXX?
[Corey] You can see Io attempting to shift her weight to minimize the pressure,
but Dakota has this arm bar locked in tight.
[Vic] Shirai trying to do anything.
The champion desperate trying to get on the clips of Dakota Kai.
Kai holding on.
Io Shirai trying to break the hand grip, Graves, right now,
but Io Shirai crawling, probably not giving an inch and Dakota Kai,
look at the placement in between the ropes.
[Corey] This is brilliant. This is great ring awareness by the challenger.
Io Shirai with nowhere to go.
Desperately trying to maintain her grip and not submit.
[Vic] The hyperextension on the elbow.
Dakota Kai doing anything she can to hold on.
Io Shirai doing anything she can to survive,
reaching out with her foot for the bottom rope
as Io Shirai trying desperately with her feet to find the bottom rope.
And the champion does so.
[referee] Break it!
[Corey] Io fights on, but at what cost?
Dakota Kai came within seconds of snapping the champion's arm in two.
[Beth] Io Shirai was in that arm bar for an eternity.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Serious damage inflicted by the challenger.
Can Dakota Kai finish the job?
[Beth] Shirai barely able to move and lift that arm.
-[Vic] Whoa! -[Corey] Oh.
[Vic] And Shirai continuing to try to shake some feeling
and now Dakota Kai again-- Oh!
Was looking for another Springboard, got caught with the foot.
Dakota Kai now trying to take advantage, but it's Io Shirai turning things around.
And the Genius of the Sky again looking to take flight. Oh!
And right to the injured left elbow goes Kai.
[Beth] Intelligent offense by Dakota Kai has Io Shirai in trouble.
[Vic] Oh, no. That's how Kai became the number one contender.
Is this how Kai is gonna become NXT women's champion?
And no, the foot-- The foot, the left foot of Io Shirai.
Wow. That was close.
[they groan]
Go. On the ropes. Just the two.
[Corey] And you can see the frustration on the face of Dakota Kai.
You're right. That was the maneuver that basically destroyed Rhea Ripley's face.
[Beth] I'm not-- I'm not even sure Io Shirai had it in her to kick-out.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Well, Io Shirai, presence of mind to get the left foot on the bottom rope,
and at least continue to have a fighting chance here tonight as Dakota Kai-- Whoa!
[Corey] Champ puts on the brakes, but--
[all of them] Whoa!
[Corey] Oh, no.
[Vic] But wait a minute, Shirai, German Suplex.
[they groan]
-[Corey] Official-- -[Vic] We got no referee.
[Corey] He's out cold courtesy of a boot from Dakota Kai.
Over the Moonsault.
[Vic] Shirai connected. There's no official.
[Corey] This has got to be over.
-[Vic] There's no referee. -[Beth] Count to three, four, five.
[crowd] Eight, nine, ten!
[fan] Come on, Kai. Get up.
[Io screams]
[Vic] Shirai realizing what has just happened,
realizing the official-- Well, no.
[Corey] Raquel Gonzalez!
[Vic] The insurance policy on the outside.
Gonzalez plants the champion center of the ring.
-Oh, come on. Not like this. -[Beth] No way.
-[Corey] Just like this. -[Vic] Not like this.
[Corey] This is how the world changes.
-[Beth] No way. -[Vic] Come on, no.
We're gonna have a new champion.
Io kicked out.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Gonzalez in disbelief.
Dakota Kai in disbelief.
[Corey] At this point, panic has got to be setting in for Dakota Kai.
[Beth] Dakota Kai's master plan is falling apart.
[crowd] Io! Io! Io!
Do something. You gotta do something.
[Vic] I mean, Beth, what has to be going through the mind of Dakota Kai now?
[Beth] Complete panic.
Plan X, Y, Z, nothing has worked.
[Vic] Dakota Kai again, this time not successful.
-[Corey] Crossface. -[Vic] Crossface center of the ring.
Io Shirai though, only with one good arm.
Can Io Shirai lock in the crossface?
Is Kai gonna tap out?
Dakota Kai reaching for the bottom rope.
Dakota Kai so close, but the champion looking to make Kai submit.
Dakota Kai able to roll through, roll through the pressure. Oh!
What a devastating knee.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] And Io Shirai now finally back up top.
Genius of the Sky takes flight, wipes out the opposition.
[Corey] Both of Io's knees caught Raquel right in the forehead.
[Vic] The insurance policy has been nullified.
Shirai to the top rope, looking for the second Over the Moonsault.
Got it. Shirai connects. Cover.
Io Shirai retains the NXT women's title.
[announcer] Here is your winner and still the NXT Women's Champion,
Io Shirai!
[Vic] What a hard-fought battle, Beth, for the NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai.
[Beth] Well, Dakota Kai certainly came to the table with a plan,
did her best to execute it, but it was not enough to best the Genius of the Sky.
Yeah!
[Vic] Oh.
[Corey] Gonzalez from behind flattening the champion.
[Beth] Why do this?
[Corey] Talk about a sore loser.
[music starts]
[Vic] Hold the phone.
Here comes Rhea Ripley.
[Beth] Wow.
[Corey] This is a staredown.
This-- Give me this.
Give me all of this.
[crowd chatter]
[fan] Just fight! Stop talking!
Just make contact!
[crowd chatter]
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Discretion is the better part of valor sometimes
particularly when you're face to face with the Nightmare Rhea Ripley.
But I don't think we've seen the last of this interaction.
[Vic] Raquel Gonzalez has not taken her eyes off Rhea Ripley.
But on this night, Ripley comes out for the moment
to save the NXT Women's Champion, which, Beth, still Io Shirai.
[Beth] Seeing moments during this matchup
with the level of competition was unbelievable,
referee evading on-- Taking a knee to the face unfortunately.
[Corey] And Raquel Gonzalez would rear her head
and nearly put Io through the ring with a hellacious Powerbomb.
Put Dakota Kai in position, wake up the official,
it doesn't get any closer than this without the bell ringing.
[Vic] Oh, the plan was executed, but it wasn't executed perfectly
as Io Shirai would show the heart and spirit of a champion,
taking to the air, sticking to her MO of her scouting report,
wiping out anything that moves with this beautiful Over the Moonsault,
which connected not once but twice in the matchup.
Second time was the charm and Io Shirai retains the women's title
here at NXT Takeover XXX.
[music plays]
[dramatic music starts]
[man] Isolate.
We have been waiting.
And finally, the time has come
for our return.
[neighs]
[man] From BT Sports Studios in the heart of London.
The Ring General returns.
Did you miss me?
NXT UK returns.
We're coming back.
[woman] Witness the rise. It's time for our return.
NXT UK returns this September.
Mama's coming home.
All will see.
-[beeps] -[crowd cheering]
[man] There is special
and then there's Tommaso Ciampa.
[beep]
[Vic] Well, I for one cannot wait for the return of Tommaso Ciampa,
but Graves, check out who's in the house.
[Corey] One half of the reigning Smackdown tag team champions
alongside Shinsuke Nakamura,
Cesaro is in the house.
The Swiss Superman fresh off a victory last night at the WWE Thunderdome.
[metal music plays]
Excuse me, Damian Priest. Congratulations.
Can I get a comment on winning the NXT North American Championship?
A comment? McKenzie, if you want a comment,
you're gonna have to stick around and party because right now,
the new North American champion is gonna celebrate.
Ladies, let's party.
-Congrats. -Hell, yeah!
[girls scream]
[girls laugh]
[Damian] Hell, yeah.
Cheers.
[Vic] Well, certainly a celebration for Damian Priest,
but I don't think it's gonna be the same sort of celebration
for the winner of our next matchup.
Keith Lee, Karrion Kross, this is what we have been waiting for.
The showdown for the NXT Championship.
[announcer] The Great American Bash, home to the historic clash of champions.
Keith Lee dedicating the biggest match of his career to his trainer,
Killer Tim Brooks who passed away last week.
[dramatic music plays]
[announcer] Powerbomb by Keith Lee.
This could be it. One digit.
And Cole now looking for the Panama-- He got it, he got it.
This has to be it. History in the Great American--
How the hell did he kick out of that?
Adam Cole is dead weight.
Keith Lee can feel it.
Keith Lee can taste it.
Keith Lee with the Big Bang Catastrophe.
Keith Lee has made history.
[announcer 2] Here is your winner, the North American…
…new NXT Champion!
Keith Lee.
[narrator] Each day, men attempts to climb the mountain.
But only when he reaches the top,
can he see that he's been climbing a volcano.
A volcano waiting to erupt.
["Frantic" plays]
[man] Tick tock.
[man] Karrion Kross is on another level.
♪ If I could have my wasted days back Would I use them to get back on track? ♪
♪ Stop to warm at Karma's burning Or look ahead, but keep on turning? ♪
♪ Do I have the strength To know how I'll go? ♪
♪ Can I find it inside to deal With what I shouldn't know? ♪
Tick tock.
Karrion Kross is good, but he's not Keith Lee.
♪ Could I have my wasted days back? ♪
[man] Tick tock.
Last week, Karrion Kross smashed the back of my head on the concrete.
Tonight, I'm gonna smash him.
[announcer] Dijakovic trying to topple Karrion Kross.
-Dijakovic blocked it. -You're not Keith Lee!
[announcer] No, no. What's he thinking of?
Oh, my god. No.
Oh, my god.
[crowd chatter]
[woman] It's about that [inaudible].
This has to be breaking Keith Lee's heart.
Look at him, Keith. Look at him.
[they groan]
[bell rings]
♪ Oh, my lifestyle Determines my death style ♪
♪ A rising tide That pushes to the other side ♪
♪ Keep searching, keep on searching ♪
♪ This search goes on, on and on ♪
♪ Frantic, tick, tick, Tick, tick, tick tock ♪
Kross, I'm calling you out man to man.
Pick the time and place and I will whoop that ass.
["Frantic" continues]
[man] Tick tock.
["Dead Silent" starts]
♪ He is time ♪
♪ Famine, war ♪
♪ Pestilence You cannot endure ♪
♪ The end is here The end is here ♪
♪ Fall and pray ♪
[applause]
[Vic] We could be looking into the eyes of the next NXT champion.
[crowd chatter]
["Limitless" plays]
[Corey] Not if this man has anything to say about it.
♪ For he is limitless ♪
♪ Bask in his glory ♪
[Vic] It no doubt has been this summer, Beth, of Keith Lee.
[Beth] Not just this summer, Vic, but all of 2020.
Keith Lee started off the year by beating Roderick Strong
for the North American Championship.
He faced off with Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble,
and then he dethroned Adam Cole at the Great American Bash.
If Keith Lee is the superhero we've always wanted,
Karrion Kross is the super villain we've always feared.
[Vic] And this summer, Keith Lee also became
the first double champion in NXT history.
But Corey, Keith Lee has never faced anyone like Karrion Kross.
[Corey] You're absolutely right. Beth mentioned superhero.
If Keith Lee is Superman,
Karrion Kross may very well live up to the name Doomsday.
[crowd chatter]
[crowd] Keith Lee! Keith Lee!
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT championship.
Introducing the challenger accompanied by Scarlett,
from Sin City, weighing in at 265 pounds,
Karrion Kross.
[crowd booing]
His opponent from Wichita Falls, Texas,
weighing in at 340 pounds, he is the NXT champion,
Keith Lee!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] Whoop that ass! Whoop that ass!
[Vic] Lee and Kross have not taken their eyes off one another.
And we are moments away from the main event here at NXT Takeover XXX
for the NXT Championship.
-[referee] Ring the bell. -[bell rings]
[Corey] Two true heavyweights colliding
and Keith Lee gets the best of that exchange.
[Vic] Certainly does. You got to think, Corey,
everything Keith Lee has gone through this summer,
everything Lee has gone through at the hands of Karrion Kross,
Kross taking out his best friend in Dominik Dijakovic,
even recently sending him to a local medical facility.
Keith Lee is fired up for this match.
[Corey] No doubt about it.
I don't know if Kross was expecting this side of Keith Lee this early.
[Beth] I don't think Kross has ever been hit like that before.
[Vic] Oh. And another clubbing blow and now to the body.
Keith Lee is just dropping haymakers into Karrion Kross.
[Corey] Big heavy lefts to the body.
[Beth] Karrion Kross has said he is not human.
But Keith Lee might have something to say about that.
[Vic] Kross trying to answer back and another left hand by Keith Lee,
and Lee again, Corey, going right to the body
and now going up top on Karrion Kross.
[Corey] This is about more than the NXT championship. This is personal.
Keith Lee bringing the big fight to karrion kross.
But as we've learned over the past several weeks,
Karrion Kross can take a beating like no other.
The man's got grit.
And now Lee charging in, leaving his feet and a Crossbody.
[Beth] Keith Lee might've just knocked the grit out of Karrion Kross.
[Corey] Wow!
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] And Kross to the outside and early on, Corey,
as you mentioned, advantage champion.
[Corey] Keith Lee realizing he's got to maintain the advantage.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] And Lee now using his environment to his advantage
in this championship matchup.
[Beth] And we are-- We are not used to seeing this from Karrion Kross.
-[Vic] Oh. -[Corey] You're absolutely right, Beth.
It's rare if you ever see Karrion Kross retreat in any capacity,
let alone roll out of the ring to stay out of harm's way.
[they groan]
[Vic] These superstars-- Referee count up to five.
Again, Karrion Kross realizing he can only win the NXT championship
on pinfall or submission inside the ring.
And Kross, though, with that unbridled intensity.
Oh, and another forearm.
And now Kross-- Oh!
[referee] Two, inside.
[Beth] Oh!
[Vic] And Kross tasting that plexiglass
and now Keith Lee was looking to deliver a haymaker.
[Corey] The hammer fist just busted the plexiglass.
It almost like it excited Kross.
[Vic] Yeah, this is the type of fight that these two superstars
are relishing in right now.
[Beth] They're decimating the NXT Arena.
[Vic] Well, what about the arm? I think the left arm of Keith Lee
was caught between the plexiglass and the guardrail.
[referee] Let's go, inside.
[Vic] Kross realizing it now.
[Corey] There's a sly smile on the face of the challenger,
realizing that his prey is wounded.
[Vic] And Karrion Kross has put a bull's eye on the body of Keith Lee.
[Beth] You see the calculated precise attack
each and every strike to the joint.
But look how difficult it is to pull that massive arm of Keith Lee
back into a submission.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Keith Lee center of the ring. You can see the pain on Keith Lee's face
but to Beth's point, Corey, Keith Lee still has a lot of strength in his body.
How much damage could've been done as now Keith Lee going to the ear,
trying anything he can to break free.
[Corey] Listen, Keith Lee's got plenty of strength left in his body
but Karrion Kross' intent on draining Lee of any strength,
any power, any will.
Karrion kross wants to be NXT Champion.
[Beth] If there's one thing that's limitless about Keith Lee, it's his will.
[Corey] Keith Lee in an agonizing position right now,
having his elbow hyperextended.
[Vic] But look at the strength of Keith Lee.
Lee has broken the grip of Karrion Kross.
Lee trying to get back to his feet but Kross continuing to try
to hyperextend the left elbow of the champion.
[Beth] Lee is hurting, doing everything he can to create some space.
[they groan]
[Vic] It's-- Oh.
But again, Lee favoring that left arm and now Karrion Kross
just ripping Lee to the mat.
And Corey, how many men have been able to yank Keith Lee
to the mat that quickly?
[Corey] Cover here by Kross.
[Vic] Championship on the line.
[Corey] I don't know that I can give you an answer, Vic.
But look at the eyes of Karrion Kross,
a look of almost shock that Keith Lee kicked out so quickly.
[Vic] Kross quickly having his face go from shock back to determination.
And now Kross relentless on top of the champion and this, Beth,
is the pace that Karrion Kross likes, slow and methodical.
[Beth] This is definitely where Kross is at his most dangerous,
like, imagine what Kross endured earlier in this match
and now is still able to lay on the heat, Vic.
[woman] No one care for you! No one care for you! No one!
[Vic] And can't forget Keith Lee who went to the outside,
maybe a little overzealous in following Kross
got his arm caught in that guardrail but now the strength on display.
Kross slipping down the back,
going right back to work on a submission
and Keith Lee right into the turnbuckle left shoulder first.
[Corey] And notice that Karrion Kross is attacking different points
of Keith Lee's left arm.
He's hit the shoulder, he's attacked the elbow,
he's worked on the wrist.
Karrion Kross wants to completely incapacitate the champion.
-[referee] Talk to me. We can stop it. -[Vic] The second time.
Talk to me. No? Okay.
[Beth] Keith Lee--
[Vic] And I don't think there's any quit in Keith Lee
who swung again with a haymaker,
couldn't connect but now into the steel post.
[Keith groans]
[Beth] The entire locker room, the NXT universe
has such great respect for Keith Lee.
He's a leader.
[Vic] Cover by kross. Championship on the line.
And Lee powering out at two.
[Corey] I'm gonna make an exception to your point-- Cover here.
[Vic] Oh, another cover, and again, Lee able to kick out at one.
[Corey] This isn't about respect if you're Karrion Kross.
Karrion kross cares only about himself, Scarlett, and the NXT championship.
[Vic] Shoulder down again for just a moment.
And look at the body positioning right now, Graves, of Karrion Kross.
[Corey] Kross maintaining control of Keith Lee's arm,
using his own body weight to keep the champion pinned
and inflict more damage.
[Beth] And now Keith Lee finding himself in the same deep waters
that his friend Dominik Dijakovic found himself in.
Karrion Kross imposing his will.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] And Kross, just the intensity oozing through his eyes
and just wrenching now on the left elbow of Keith Lee.
Lee has been immobilized in this championship matchup.
[Beth] And kross intensifying the pain by grabbing those fingers as well.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Scarlett looking on.
Could the sands of time be running out on Keith Lee?
[crowd] Keith Lee! Keith Lee!
Keith Lee trying to feed off the energy here of those in the NXT universe
but it's Karrion Kross continuing to try to hold on.
But look at Keith Lee. Lee trying to get to his feet
and one clubbing elbow from Karrion Kross stops the champion.
[Corey] Nearly turned Keith Lee's lights clean out.
Keith looks like he's been through hell at this point.
[Vic] Oh.
[Beth] That's a good way to separate a shoulder.
[Corey] It won't just separate a shoulder. That'll divorce it, Beth.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And now again, Kross right back onto Keith Lee
and continuing to maintain focus as you mentioned, Corey, different parts,
the elbow, the shoulder, even trying to manipulate the hand,
and the joint, and the fingers.
[Corey] You take away one of Keith Lee's arms,
you severely limit the champion's options as far as offense goes.
That's not to say it makes it impossible
but it's gonna make it damn difficult for the champion to retain with one good arm,
especially against a competitor the caliber of Karrion Kross.
[Beth] I don't know. An angry Keith Lee with one arm
is just as dangerous as a man with two.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] But the determination that made Keith Lee the first ever double champion
in this brand's history is the same spirit
that is fighting through Keith Lee now.
[Beth] Keith Lee one of the most resilient competitors.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Lee trying to get to his feet.
The champion trying to make his way back up,
just shrugging off Kross for a moment.
Oh! With one arm, Keith Lee trying to fight back.
But Corey, how much behind Keith Lee's right hand's at this point?
[Corey] It doesn't look like there's much at all.
But that said, a half effective Keith Lee punch is-- Whoa,
tougher than most. But look at this, a beautiful takedown
and looking for the armbar.
[Vic] Has the armbar locked in. Kross again looking for a submission.
Karrion Kross is focused on the left arm of Keith Lee throughout this matchup.
Could Kross be focusing on getting this submission,
trying to break the grip of Keith Lee.
Give it to me, Keith!
[Vic] Lee is holding on with everything he's got left.
[Beth] If Kross--
[Vic] Keith Lee-- Keith Lee cannot let his hands break, Beth.
Keith Lee has got to hold on.
[Beth] If Kross can get an extension on that elbow, this could be over.
[they groan]
[Corey] Keith Lee the champion hanging on for dear life,
has his fingers locked,
got to be careful not to count himself out,
having his shoulders pinned down to the mat.
Karrion kross adjusting his body position for maximum leverage.
[Vic] Kross continuing to try to leverage and now look at the right foot,
trying to break the grip.
The hand is breaking.
One, two…
[Vic] Lee rolling over, shoulders down of Kross and Kross had to relinquish
the hold for a moment but quickly able to grab back on.
Almost has a triangle.
[Corey] It's great jiu jitsu by Karrion Kross who also needs to be
mindful of his own shoulders.
He could be looking to transition into a triangle while the armbar--
[Vic] There's no way.
Corey and Beth, there's no way.
Keith Lee--
[all of them] Whoa!
[Vic] Just lifting up 250 plus pounds.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] The champion bought himself some valuable time.
But can Lee turn the tides?
[Beth] Let's take a look at this display of superhero strength from Keith Lee.
[Vic] Boom.
[crowd] Keith Lee! Keith Lee! Keith Lee!
[Vic] And now Keith Lee having to find the will at this point
with one arm.
Keith Lee looking over at Karrion Kross.
The NXT champion rising to his feet and here comes Lee.
[they groan]
[Vic] First right hand staggered Kross.
Second one rocked the challenger.
And now-- Oh, a left forearm and--
[Corey] Rocked kross.
Karrion Kross on spaghetti legs.
Keith Lee trying to summon some sort of power inside.
[Vic] Another left.
Keith Lee could be looking for the knockout blow.
Kross is rocked.
[crowd cheering]
[Beth] Lee smells victory.
[Vic] Lee with just one arm, charging in, rocking the challenger once again.
And a second time Lee follows up.
[crowd chatter]
[Vic] Lee ducking the clothesline. Coming back, what goes up must come down.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Lee falls into the cover to retain
and Kross able to kick out at two and a half.
And you see the sense of almost being overwhelmed by Scarlett
but here we go, boom, that big Powerslam almost retained the title for Keith Lee.
[Corey] We have seen Karrion Kross absorb almost inhuman amounts
of punishment in the past.
Keith Lee is aware.
Keith Lee knows this is gonna have to go to the next level
to knock off Karrion Kross.
But does Keith Lee have the ability?
Does Keith have enough left in the tank?
[Vic] Oh.
What a forearm by the challenger.
And now Kross, oh, just getting out of the way of Lee.
Keith Lee, though, you talked about continuing to absorb punishment, Graves.
Keith Lee showing he can absorb some as well.
And now, oh, looking for that Doomsday--
[Beth] Pump the brakes.
[Vic] Oh. Block kick connected.
Another kick connects.
-[Corey] Karrion Kross is lethal. -[Vic] DDT.
-Shoots the half. -[Corey] That might be it. Lee's out.
[Vic] Into the cover, title on the line, Lee able to kick out again at two.
The champion still with fight.
[Beth] And Scarlett furious and frustrated that Keith Lee continues to kick out.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] The intensity in the eyes of the challenger
now focusing in on Keith Lee.
Kross could be closing in on the championship.
And again,
Karrion Kross-- Oh!
and once more, Keith Lee sensing that Doomsday Saito Suplex.
Does Kross have enough to hoist up Lee?
[Corey] I wonder how much is behind the left elbows from Keith Lee
after the damage inflicted by Kross but the elbow--
Oh, I'm sorry, the headbutt right to the jaw of the challenger.
[Vic] Certainly was enough behind that headbutt.
And now Keith Lee, does he have enough to hoist up Kross?
Suplex!
[crowd cheering]
[Beth] But can Lee follow it up?
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Champion into the cover and a kick-out by Kross.
[crowd chatter]
[Corey] Look at this power this late in the game after everything
that he has endured, Keith Lee may truly be limitless,
trying to find a way to fight back into this NXT championship match.
[Beth] Imagine all of the emotions running through the veins of Keith Lee,
everything Karrion Kross has done to him coming up to this moment.
[Corey] And that's the advantage that Karrion Kross possesses.
This isn't about emotion. Kross is cold. Kross is emotionless.
Kross is calculated. He's an assassin.
Keith Lee is gonna have to overcome.
[Vic] And both has been taken out of-- Both has been--
So much has been taken out of both these superstars,
as now Keith Lee trying to hoist up Karrion Kross
but that moment hesitation maybe because of the left arm
-opens the door and Karrion Kross. -[Corey] Wow.
[Vic] Just took Lee off his feet. Into the cover.
Do we have a new champion?
And again, Lee's inside shoulder just gets off the mat.
[Beth] Wow.
Take a look at that.
[Corey] Let's take another look at that. Yes, please.
Full speed ahead, extra momentum.
[Vic] Boom!
[Corey] And a thunderous Lariat puts the champion down.
Keith Lee looks to me like he realizes his days as NXT champion are over.
Keith Lee is in the eleventh hour.
His championship reign is on the precipice of being doomed.
[Beth] Graves, you are wrong to count Keith Lee out.
[Vic] Keith Lee trying to fight back with whatever he may have left
but Karrion Kross, to Graves' point, keeps on coming,
keeps on moving forward as Lee answers back with a left forearm.
[Corey] Just look at the body language.
Lee looks like he's been fighting for two hours.
Karrion kross still looks fresh.
[Beth] Keith Lee will dig deep and find that resolve.
He always does. There isn't a mountain he can't climb.
[Vic] Kross swing and a miss and now Kross over and over again with his forearms.
The champion down to a knee.
Kross wearing out Keith Lee but wait a minute,
Lee just took out Karrion Kross.
[Corey] I don't know where Keith Lee got it from or if it was enough.
[Vic] The second and third wind for Keith Lee in this matchup,
both superstars are down.
Pivotal point here in this NXT championship matchup.
[Corey] Look at this. It was desperate but it certainly was effective.
Keith Lee nearly decapitating the challenger with a Lariat
but it's still not enough.
[Vic] Keith Lee hasn't moved since he connected with the Clothesline.
[Beth] Scarlett just clawing at the mat,
screaming at Karrion Kross to rise.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Both superstars getting back to their feet.
[crowd cheering]
[Beth] These two titans have been through a war.
[Vic] And now Kross charging in. Lee able to sidestep the kick.
Lee answers with a forearm and Kross answers back.
[Corey] The striking ability of Karrion Kross is next level.
[Vic] Whoa. And now-- There's that Doomsday Saito Suplex.
Is that gonna be enough to put Keith Lee away?
Oh, man!
[Corey] Keith Lee barely surviving the Saito Suplex
of the challenger Karrion Kross.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Let's take another look at this unholy display of power
from the challenger, dumping Keith Lee across his neck and shoulders.
[Beth] The Suplexorcist doing what he does best.
[Vic] And now Karrion Kross could be sensing his moment,
could be sensing that Keith Lee,
center of the ring, and now looking for the Kross Jacket.
The Kross Jacket Submission which has put out everyone
including Keith Lee's best friend Dominik Dijakovic.
[Corey] But is Kross able to cinch it in?
Keith Lee has got a thicker neck than most human beings.
Kross struggling to get the full pressure.
[Vic] Lee seems to be fading though, Corey.
-Beth, Lee seems to be fading. -[Beth] He's got to move.
[Vic] Karrion Kross could be squeezing the championship away from Keith Lee.
[Corey] And a sinister grin on the face of the challenger as he feels--
The breath being squeezed from the champion's body.
[Vic] Lee might be out.
Keith Lee might be out in the center of the ring.
-Referee checking on the champion. -[Beth] Lee's-- Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Kross realizing there's fight left in Keith Lee.
[Corey] A look of disbelief on the face of Karrion Kross.
Keith Lee trying to find a way, trying to stay in this,
trying to keep his dream alive.
[Vic] Look in the eyes now of Keith Lee
as Kross has really now cinched in that Kross Jacket.
[Corey] This might just be an exercise in futility for Keith Lee.
[Beth] Lee trying to drag.
[Corey] The lights are on but no one's home.
[Vic] So close to that bottom rope and made it.
And maybe for a moment, just a moment,
Keith Lee has extended his championship reign.
[Corey] I'm calling it now. Keith Lee is simply delaying the inevitable.
Karrion Kross has been an absolute Terminator tonight.
And Keith Lee looks like he's out of his depth.
[Vic] And there is no quit in Keith Lee.
[Corey] Maybe there should be.
[Beth] Let's hope Karrion Kross is not taking Lee lightly in this moment.
[Vic] Time and time again,
it's been Keith Lee that has shown the heart of a champion,
has shown the grit of true leader.
And now Keith Lee trying everything he's got left.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Lee might not realize where he's at
but the champion has enough left in the tank possibly
-to put down Karrion Kross. -[Beth] Uh-oh.
[Vic] Looking for that Spirit Bomb.
Keith Lee trying to connect center of the ring to retain the title.
Whoa. Kross just rolling free.
Relief over the face of Scarlett, pain over the face of Karrion Kross.
And determination starting to be etched on the face of Keith Lee.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Dragging over the challenger.
I mean, Corey, is this wise?
[Corey] There is no way in hell Keith Lee has enough left in the tank
to deliver whatever he's intending.
[Vic] Lee going to the top rope. Kross--
[Corey] Grabbing the ankle of the champion, preventing Keith Lee
for whatever he's looking for.
[Vic] Cut him off at the pass.
But here-- Oh, again, Kross to the left elbow goes the challenger.
Lee trying anything he can to create separation.
[Beth] Corey, there's a reason why they call Keith Lee the Moment Maker.
[they groan]
[Corey] Keith Lee better figure out how to make himself a moment
in short order because this is a dangerous situation
for these two bulls to be perched upon the ropes.
[Vic] These two superstars have been throwing haymakers since the opening bell.
Kross, the challenger, Keith Lee, the champion all the way to the top--
-Oh, wait a minute. -[Beth] Oh, no.
[Vic] Wait a minute.
-Again! That's got to be it. -[Corey] That is it.
Into the cover goes Kross. Do we have a new champion?
-Oh. -[bell rings]
[Vic] Karrion Kross.
[announcer] Here is your winner and new NXT champion,
Karrion Kross!
[Vic] Karrion Kross has ended the reign of Keith Lee.
["Dead Silent" plays]
[Vic] And a stunned silence has come over everyone here at Full Sail University.
You! You! You! You!
[crowd chatter]
♪ The end is here ♪
♪ Fall and pray ♪
[Vic] Beth, I can't-- I can't believe what we just witnessed
but let's go back to some of the moments in this matchup.
[Beth] Keith Lee dug down deep so many moments in this matchup,
operating on pure heart.
[Corey] Well, heart and heart alone
was not enough to topple the threat of Karrion Kross
who was prepared for war and delivered tonight.
[Vic] And take nothing away from Keith Lee
who continued to fight
but Karrion Kross would continue to keep moving forward in this matchup
using everything in his way to be able to take out Keith Lee.
Everything he had in his arsenal,
even Keith Lee was shocked in this moment,
hit this huge Spirit Powerbomb center of the ring which Keith Lee, Corey,
has put away superstars but not tonight.
[Corey] So many but not tonight and this is where it all came to an end.
The Doomsday Saito Suplex from the second rope.
[bell rings]
[Vic] And take another look, Beth, off that Middle Turnbuckle,
Karrion Kross putting away Keith Lee.
[Beth] And what a heartbreaking moment for Keith Lee
as Karrion Kross stands tall.
♪ Fall and pray ♪
[Corey] Doomsday has descended.
[Vic] Well, tonight, Keith Lee indeed has fallen.
We all need to pray for NXT.
Subtitles: Chantelle Vorster & Faruk Berk fallen.