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["Then, Now & Forever"
by Madda Da Don playing]

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["Waldstein" by Amadeus Indetzki playing]

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[Ray Morgan] Ray Morgan welcoming you back

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00:00:44,310 --> 00:00:47,247
to the ringside here
at the wrestling capital of the world.

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["Waldstein" by Amadeus Indetzki
continues playing]

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Another exciting,
star-studded wrestling show.

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[crowd cheering]

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00:01:02,328 --> 00:01:04,431
[Ray] To a nicer guy, it couldn't happen.

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00:01:04,497 --> 00:01:06,399
The world's heavyweight champion.

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00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:11,237
["Waldstein" by Amadeus Indetzki
continues playing]

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Wrestling fans, I certainly hope
you can be with us in person

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If not, we'll see you on the tube.

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["Culture Head" by Corey Taylor playing]

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♪ I don't trust anyone ♪

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♪ Who uses God as an excuse ♪

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♪ I don't trust anyone ♪

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♪ So let's pray ♪

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♪ Pray ♪

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♪ Pray ♪

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♪ The culture is in the culture head ♪

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00:02:18,905 --> 00:02:25,211
[presenter] We are NXT.

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00:02:25,278 --> 00:02:30,183
[crowd chanting] NXT!

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00:02:34,621 --> 00:02:37,357
[presenter] WWE 2K battlegrounds
presents…

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00:02:39,125 --> 00:02:41,561
NXT TakeOver 31.

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00:02:41,828 --> 00:02:44,864
["Culture Head" continues playing]

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00:02:45,265 --> 00:02:47,901
[Vic Joseph] For the first time ever,
NXT comes to you

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00:02:48,201 --> 00:02:51,237
from the incredible
Capitol Wrestling Center

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00:02:51,638 --> 00:02:55,041
as NXT gets ready to takeover.

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Welcome, I'm Vic Joseph. I'll be joined

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00:02:58,978 --> 00:03:01,915
by former five-time
intercontinental champion, Wade Barrett,

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00:03:01,981 --> 00:03:03,750
and WWE Hall of Famer, Beth Phoenix,

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00:03:03,816 --> 00:03:06,953
as yet again, NXT will raise the bar.

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00:03:07,186 --> 00:03:08,454
Let's stop wasting time

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00:03:08,521 --> 00:03:11,424
as we are ready for the first
of four championship matches

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00:03:11,491 --> 00:03:14,360
tonight at NXT TakeOver 31.

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00:03:16,229 --> 00:03:19,265
[fire burning]

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00:03:23,403 --> 00:03:26,539
[crowd cheering]

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00:03:26,773 --> 00:03:32,745
["Infamy" by WWE & def rebel playing]

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00:03:44,224 --> 00:03:45,191
[bell ringing]

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00:03:45,258 --> 00:03:46,626
[Alicia Taylor] This contest

41
00:03:46,693 --> 00:03:52,932
scheduled for one fall before the NXT
North American Championship.

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00:03:53,633 --> 00:03:58,071
Introducing first, from New York city,
weighing at 245 pounds,

43
00:03:58,304 --> 00:04:01,841
he is the NXT north American champion,

44
00:04:01,908 --> 00:04:03,910
Damian Priest.

45
00:04:04,510 --> 00:04:07,046
[Beth Phoenix] Priest title reign
as Champion

46
00:04:07,113 --> 00:04:09,949
has highlighted his versatility
as a competitor.

47
00:04:10,383 --> 00:04:13,152
We've seen him up his game
in TakeOver performances,

48
00:04:13,353 --> 00:04:17,290
and tonight he will have his hands
full facing Johnny Gargano,

49
00:04:17,724 --> 00:04:19,225
AKA Johnny,

50
00:04:19,292 --> 00:04:20,360
Take over, Wade.

51
00:04:21,227 --> 00:04:25,565
[Wade Barrett] I have to say this man,
Damian Priest, is the rock star of NXT,

52
00:04:25,632 --> 00:04:29,702
and how appropriate is that,
given our new Capitol Wrestling Center

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00:04:29,769 --> 00:04:33,239
is exactly what you'd expect
at a rock sound stage.

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00:04:33,306 --> 00:04:34,874
This place is incredible.

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00:04:34,941 --> 00:04:39,345
And what a thrill for me, personally,
to be at my very first NXT TakeOver.

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00:04:39,879 --> 00:04:44,284
["Comin Back For You"
by WWE & def rebel playing]

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00:05:00,466 --> 00:05:03,269
[Alicia] The challenger
from Cleveland, Ohio

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00:05:03,336 --> 00:05:05,805
weighing in at 199 pounds,

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00:05:06,406 --> 00:05:09,742
Johnny Gargano.

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00:05:10,076 --> 00:05:12,845
[Vic] Wade,
this may be your first NXT TakeOver

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00:05:12,912 --> 00:05:17,317
but Johnny Gargano has competed
in more matches in TakeOver history

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00:05:17,383 --> 00:05:18,651
than any other superstar.

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00:05:18,718 --> 00:05:21,554
Does that give Gargano the edge
here tonight?

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00:05:21,888 --> 00:05:22,955
[Wade] Let's face it.

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00:05:23,022 --> 00:05:25,658
What gives Johnny Gargano an edge tonight

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00:05:25,725 --> 00:05:29,729
is the fact that he is, quite simply,
Mister Consistency.

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00:05:29,796 --> 00:05:32,031
He never ever has a bad day in the office

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00:05:32,098 --> 00:05:34,067
and tonight may be no exception.

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00:05:34,133 --> 00:05:38,337
If Damian Priest
is gonna retain his Championship,

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00:05:38,404 --> 00:05:42,141
he needs to be firing
on all cylinders against Johnny Gargano.

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00:05:42,308 --> 00:05:45,578
[Vic] Let's not forget that Priest
won the Championship

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00:05:45,645 --> 00:05:48,114
at the five-men ladder match
at NXT TakeOver 30.

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00:05:48,314 --> 00:05:52,418
When Priest and Gargano found themselves
atop that ladder bed,

74
00:05:52,485 --> 00:05:55,922
it was Gargano's team destined for gold
as he unhooked the title,

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00:05:55,988 --> 00:05:59,192
but Priest held firm
and knocked Johnny wrestling

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00:05:59,258 --> 00:06:01,461
off the ladder to secure the Championship.

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00:06:01,728 --> 00:06:04,364
[Beth] Gargano has been
at Priest's heels ever since

78
00:06:04,430 --> 00:06:06,499
and a bit of extra gas in the tank tonight

79
00:06:06,566 --> 00:06:09,435
knowing Candice LeRae
will be facing Io Shirai

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00:06:09,502 --> 00:06:11,104
for the Women's Championship.

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00:06:11,504 --> 00:06:13,673
[Vic] That's correct and both superstars,

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00:06:13,740 --> 00:06:15,608
Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano,

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00:06:15,675 --> 00:06:19,078
are very vocal on social media
talking about winning the titles

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00:06:19,145 --> 00:06:21,514
and I don't know
if this is how it works, Beth.

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00:06:21,748 --> 00:06:25,251
-[Vic] But they could share the titles.
-[bell ringing]

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00:06:25,318 --> 00:06:27,854
[Vic] And become the first
Grand Slam power couple.

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00:06:29,055 --> 00:06:31,457
-[Beth] They could make history.
-[Vic] Oh.

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00:06:31,524 --> 00:06:33,593
[Beth] But he has to beat Priest first.

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00:06:33,659 --> 00:06:36,362
[Vic] Here we go,
Gargano trying to chop down Priest

90
00:06:36,429 --> 00:06:39,799
but Priest has obvious size advantage
and educated feet as well.

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00:06:40,533 --> 00:06:43,970
[Wade] Yeah, clear size advantage
in favor of the champion here.

92
00:06:44,036 --> 00:06:47,006
But again, Johnny Gargano
is the nimble, is the fast one.

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00:06:47,073 --> 00:06:49,175
He needs to hit and run in this match,

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00:06:49,242 --> 00:06:51,177
which he seems to be doing.

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00:06:51,244 --> 00:06:54,147
[Vic] At the south part,
trying to beat down Damian Priest,

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00:06:54,580 --> 00:06:58,951
trying to become the first ever two-time
North American Champion

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00:06:59,018 --> 00:07:00,486
as Gargano goes up, goes over.

98
00:07:00,553 --> 00:07:02,855
There's that speed that Gargano has.

99
00:07:03,089 --> 00:07:06,392
Ducks a left elbow, comes right back in,
Gargano ducks again,

100
00:07:06,559 --> 00:07:09,028
But he didn't duck the spinning heel kick

101
00:07:09,095 --> 00:07:11,164
as Gargano gets rocked early on.

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00:07:11,564 --> 00:07:14,267
[Wade] There you go.
You can bob and weave all you want

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00:07:14,333 --> 00:07:19,105
but one strike from a heavyweight
like Priest on you, and you go down.

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00:07:20,206 --> 00:07:22,108
Right to the side of the jaw.

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00:07:22,408 --> 00:07:25,878
It could be a jawbreaker
in the very opening goings in this one.

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00:07:25,945 --> 00:07:29,115
[Vic] You just mentioned:
one right hand from Damian Priest

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00:07:29,182 --> 00:07:31,317
and Gargano to the mat
like a ton of bricks.

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00:07:31,384 --> 00:07:35,121
Right now, Beth,
you got to like the strategy of Priest.

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00:07:35,721 --> 00:07:38,357
[Beth] Clubbing, bad-ass offense
from Damian Priest.

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00:07:38,424 --> 00:07:41,928
Again, we've seen him
up his game at takeovers.

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00:07:42,161 --> 00:07:43,563
But, Wade, you said earlier

112
00:07:43,629 --> 00:07:47,166
consistency is difficult to beat
when you're looking at Johnny takeover.

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00:07:47,633 --> 00:07:51,904
[Wade] I agree, and that consistency
is something to behold,

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00:07:51,971 --> 00:07:55,341
but Damian Priest is someone
who's at a similar length of career…

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00:07:55,408 --> 00:07:57,443
[Vic] Hold on. It's the Garga-No-Escape.

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00:07:57,510 --> 00:08:00,513
Wait, Priest's looks for the reckoning,
Gargano escapes.

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00:08:01,380 --> 00:08:05,284
[Wade] Similar length of career,
but lately Damian Priest

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00:08:05,351 --> 00:08:07,019
has been shut out of a rocket,

119
00:08:07,086 --> 00:08:08,754
his career has really picked up

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00:08:08,821 --> 00:08:11,624
in the last 12 months or so
since he came here to NXT.

121
00:08:11,691 --> 00:08:14,560
Priest now trying
to control the pace of this match-up.

122
00:08:14,727 --> 00:08:16,729
What an elbow under the jaw of Gargano

123
00:08:16,796 --> 00:08:18,865
champion into the cover to retain.

124
00:08:18,931 --> 00:08:20,967
Gargano's left shoulder comes off the mat.

125
00:08:21,534 --> 00:08:25,037
Damian Priest believes
he is always in control of any situation

126
00:08:25,104 --> 00:08:29,909
and again the power
coming into display here early on

127
00:08:30,243 --> 00:08:33,913
from Damian Priest using, against Gargano,
his obvious size advantage.

128
00:08:35,081 --> 00:08:38,117
[Wade] This is exactly
what Damian Priest needs to do.

129
00:08:38,184 --> 00:08:40,786
He needs to slow Gargano down,
keep his hands on him,

130
00:08:40,853 --> 00:08:44,156
don't let him bounce around the ring,
don't let him duck and weave.

131
00:08:44,857 --> 00:08:46,993
[Wade] Standing in complete control.

132
00:08:47,059 --> 00:08:49,529
[Vic] Damian Priest now
likes to leave his feet

133
00:08:49,595 --> 00:08:51,564
for a man that stands six-foot-seven.

134
00:08:51,797 --> 00:08:52,798
Priest up top. Oh.

135
00:08:52,865 --> 00:08:55,268
Slipped down, Gargano
gets caught with a forearm.

136
00:08:55,334 --> 00:08:56,736
Priest now trying to end it.

137
00:08:56,802 --> 00:08:59,839
And a kick right to the knee from Gargano.

138
00:09:00,006 --> 00:09:03,843
And Gargano sliding through,
looking to power bomb Priest.

139
00:09:04,710 --> 00:09:05,545
Gargano…

140
00:09:07,747 --> 00:09:09,148
had the leverage briefly.

141
00:09:09,215 --> 00:09:12,151
Damian Priest! Crash and burn goes Priest.

142
00:09:12,218 --> 00:09:13,286
Hard to the mat.

143
00:09:13,352 --> 00:09:15,888
And, Wade, you
got to like the offense from Gargano

144
00:09:16,455 --> 00:09:19,926
as that sinister smile
comes across the challenger's face.

145
00:09:20,259 --> 00:09:23,629
[Wade] That was a smart, smart offense
from Gargano,

146
00:09:23,696 --> 00:09:25,464
taking the big man off his feet.

147
00:09:25,765 --> 00:09:28,067
He came crashing down hard on the outside.

148
00:09:28,134 --> 00:09:30,236
That shot to the kidneys on that landing

149
00:09:30,403 --> 00:09:32,838
truly knocked the stuffing hands
off the champion.

150
00:09:33,539 --> 00:09:35,041
[Vic] Nasty landing indeed.

151
00:09:35,207 --> 00:09:39,178
Gargano could only win the title
by a pinfall or submission in the ring.

152
00:09:39,245 --> 00:09:40,913
And Johnny going airborne

153
00:09:41,414 --> 00:09:42,415
right into that…

154
00:09:43,683 --> 00:09:46,452
that fence, that steel step
now for Damian Priest.

155
00:09:46,519 --> 00:09:48,187
This is a whole new ballgame,

156
00:09:48,254 --> 00:09:52,491
certainly a game-changer
here inside the Capitol Wrestling Center.

157
00:09:53,793 --> 00:09:56,395
[Wade] No one can scout
for that kind of offense,

158
00:09:56,462 --> 00:09:58,965
or even plan for it
if you are Damian Priest.

159
00:09:59,031 --> 00:10:02,535
It's just the nous,
the intellect of Johnny Gargano.

160
00:10:02,602 --> 00:10:05,738
That experience factor
of consistently competing

161
00:10:05,805 --> 00:10:08,040
at top level here in TakeOver.

162
00:10:08,207 --> 00:10:12,044
[Vic] Beth, what about this dive
here from Johnny Gargano?

163
00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:16,382
Impact against the steel.

164
00:10:17,283 --> 00:10:21,153
And then one more moment here,
Priest hitting the steel steps hard.

165
00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:22,521
[crowd screaming] Yeah!

166
00:10:22,688 --> 00:10:24,957
[Vic] Another right hand
from Damian Priest.

167
00:10:25,024 --> 00:10:27,493
And the champion
rocking the challenger back

168
00:10:27,727 --> 00:10:30,863
to the striking ability of Priest,
Wade, that you mentioned.

169
00:10:31,297 --> 00:10:34,367
[Wade] Yeah. As much of a beating
as the big man might take,

170
00:10:34,433 --> 00:10:36,602
the last thing
he'll ever lose is his punch.

171
00:10:36,669 --> 00:10:40,039
That's the heavyweight style
of Damian Priest.

172
00:10:40,306 --> 00:10:44,677
[Vic] Gargano tying up Priest
and now unleashing lefts after lefts

173
00:10:45,011 --> 00:10:46,445
into the champion's jaw.

174
00:10:46,512 --> 00:10:47,813
Nowhere for Priest to go.

175
00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,716
Gargano in with a dropkick
right to the chest.

176
00:10:53,986 --> 00:10:56,088
Johnny Gargano, who has waited,

177
00:10:56,155 --> 00:10:59,291
has dreamed about putting more gold
around his waist

178
00:10:59,358 --> 00:11:00,693
and adding to his resume,

179
00:11:00,960 --> 00:11:03,429
from the middle turnbuckle
down across the back,

180
00:11:03,596 --> 00:11:07,900
Gargano into the cover for the title
and Priest kicking out at two.

181
00:11:08,467 --> 00:11:13,706
[Wade] The prospect of our first husband
and wife NXT champions

182
00:11:13,773 --> 00:11:16,742
is getting closer and closer
as this match goes on.

183
00:11:16,809 --> 00:11:19,378
And look at this unique offense
from Johnny Gargano.

184
00:11:19,912 --> 00:11:22,181
Tying up the big man
and keeping him grounded.

185
00:11:22,248 --> 00:11:24,950
[Vic] Beth, this is the pace
you believe that Gargano

186
00:11:25,017 --> 00:11:26,585
wants in this sort of match-up?

187
00:11:27,019 --> 00:11:29,955
[Beth] He gives no opportunity
to Priest for reprieve.

188
00:11:30,022 --> 00:11:33,426
He's been on top
since he swayed the momentum in his favor.

189
00:11:33,492 --> 00:11:35,795
And you see that again,
working on that knee

190
00:11:35,861 --> 00:11:38,197
to take away the height advantage
from Priest.

191
00:11:39,165 --> 00:11:41,767
[Vic] Center of the ring,
will Damian Priest submit?

192
00:11:41,934 --> 00:11:45,404
Johnny was briefly focusing on the knee
early on in the match-up,

193
00:11:45,471 --> 00:11:49,408
but Priest's lower body strength
coming into play yet again.

194
00:11:49,575 --> 00:11:51,477
And that's that six-seven frame, Wade,

195
00:11:51,544 --> 00:11:54,146
that is paying dividends
thus far for Damian Priest.

196
00:11:54,213 --> 00:11:57,049
But Gargano relentless
right back on top of the champion

197
00:11:57,116 --> 00:11:59,218
as the he now clubs away on the challenger

198
00:11:59,285 --> 00:12:01,487
with a stiff kick on the back of the knee,

199
00:12:01,654 --> 00:12:03,522
and now Priest is chucking Gargano.

200
00:12:05,257 --> 00:12:08,561
[Wade] We see Priest
with some lingering pain in that left knee

201
00:12:08,627 --> 00:12:10,362
having some difficulty moving

202
00:12:10,429 --> 00:12:13,899
as Gargano is once again on the attack,
again back to that left leg.

203
00:12:14,733 --> 00:12:17,670
[Vic] Back to the lower leg
and again the strength of Priest

204
00:12:17,737 --> 00:12:20,706
and the champion right now
trying to get some feeling

205
00:12:21,173 --> 00:12:24,276
back into the left leg,
which Gargano was focused on.

206
00:12:24,877 --> 00:12:26,912
[Wade] He moves so gingerly though, Vic,

207
00:12:26,979 --> 00:12:29,315
the damage may already be done
to the big man,

208
00:12:29,381 --> 00:12:33,552
but look at the eyes,
perhaps the beast inside is awakening.

209
00:12:34,053 --> 00:12:37,356
[Vic] Priest answering right back,
again with another forearm,

210
00:12:37,423 --> 00:12:39,759
the champion starting
to build some momentum.

211
00:12:39,825 --> 00:12:42,461
Now using kicks
to try to chop down Gargano

212
00:12:42,628 --> 00:12:43,896
Gargano swing and a miss.

213
00:12:44,163 --> 00:12:45,164
Priest didn't miss.

214
00:12:45,231 --> 00:12:48,334
Coming back in,
up and down with a Flatliner.

215
00:12:49,602 --> 00:12:52,004
Gargano is rocked,
the champion feeling it.

216
00:12:52,905 --> 00:12:55,241
[Wade] An elevated Flatliner
from Damian Priest

217
00:12:55,307 --> 00:12:58,878
using all his six-foot-seven inches
of his height,

218
00:12:58,944 --> 00:13:02,181
and Johnny Gargano now
in a world of hurt in the corner.

219
00:13:02,715 --> 00:13:05,951
[Beth] Here's one more.
Look, Gargano's jaw hitting the mat.

220
00:13:06,452 --> 00:13:10,389
[Vic] Damian Priest with Gargano
in his sights again flying in.

221
00:13:11,724 --> 00:13:15,861
Johnny Gargano might not know
he's at NXT TakeOver 31

222
00:13:15,928 --> 00:13:20,633
as Priest with the challenger set up
in his sight, third time's the charm.

223
00:13:20,833 --> 00:13:23,536
Priest now turning around,
hooking Gargano,

224
00:13:23,602 --> 00:13:26,105
connects with the broken arrow,
center of the ring.

225
00:13:26,505 --> 00:13:29,675
Priest crawls into the cover to retain

226
00:13:29,742 --> 00:13:33,979
and again, Johnny just able
to get his right shoulder up.

227
00:13:34,547 --> 00:13:36,715
[Wade] In a flash in this match-up,

228
00:13:36,782 --> 00:13:39,685
we have seen the pendulum
swing from side to side,

229
00:13:39,752 --> 00:13:42,822
and now the champion
showing his dominance once again.

230
00:13:43,255 --> 00:13:46,258
Showing the inner strength that took him

231
00:13:46,325 --> 00:13:49,862
to the North American Championship
at the previous TakeOver.

232
00:13:49,929 --> 00:13:52,464
Can he finish the job
against Johnny Gargano?

233
00:13:52,531 --> 00:13:54,600
[Vic] Priest looking to put Gargano away,

234
00:13:54,667 --> 00:13:57,736
coming in for the razor's edge,
Gargano able to crawl through

235
00:13:57,803 --> 00:14:00,306
and now almost baiting Priest
in with a left elbow.

236
00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:06,412
Gargano ducks again, Priest rolls through,
Gargano tries to connect with the kick.

237
00:14:06,478 --> 00:14:10,683
Priest had it scouted,
another right hand to the jaw of Gargano.

238
00:14:10,916 --> 00:14:13,919
I don't know how many right hands
a superstar can take, Beth.

239
00:14:14,653 --> 00:14:16,622
[Beth] He's got bigger problems now.

240
00:14:16,689 --> 00:14:19,992
Gargano slammed to the mat,
Priest looking to follow it up.

241
00:14:20,759 --> 00:14:22,695
[Vic] What offense from Damian Priest.

242
00:14:23,128 --> 00:14:24,530
Gargano hoisted up.

243
00:14:25,097 --> 00:14:27,366
Damian Priest
looking for the Razor's Edge.

244
00:14:27,433 --> 00:14:28,934
Can he plant Gargano?

245
00:14:29,001 --> 00:14:33,439
Gargano able to roll through,
into the cover, Championship on the line,

246
00:14:33,505 --> 00:14:35,207
and Priest able to kick out.

247
00:14:35,908 --> 00:14:39,478
[Wade] So close, milliseconds in that one.

248
00:14:39,545 --> 00:14:41,780
We almost
had a new North American Champion

249
00:14:41,847 --> 00:14:45,818
and you could just see the caliber
of Johnny Gargano right here.

250
00:14:45,885 --> 00:14:49,154
As we see Damian Priest
going for that Razor's Edge

251
00:14:49,221 --> 00:14:52,558
that we've seen before from him
so well scouted by Gargano,

252
00:14:52,625 --> 00:14:54,860
turning into his own slam
and pinfall attempt.

253
00:14:54,927 --> 00:14:57,730
[Vic] Both these superstars
who know each other so well,

254
00:14:57,796 --> 00:15:00,766
and Gargano back
to the lower extremities of Damian Priest.

255
00:15:00,833 --> 00:15:03,569
Johnny had a little momentum
in this match-up coming in

256
00:15:03,636 --> 00:15:05,804
after the Mixed Tag Team victory
on Wednesday.

257
00:15:05,871 --> 00:15:08,707
But Johnny Gargano
has been in for a fight tonight

258
00:15:08,774 --> 00:15:11,477
and I don't know if Johnny
thinks the Gargano way

259
00:15:11,543 --> 00:15:13,345
would help him out early on.

260
00:15:13,412 --> 00:15:18,050
But, Wade, Johnny has to regain focus
on becoming champion.

261
00:15:18,550 --> 00:15:21,487
[Wade] It's been a 50/50 back
and forth match.

262
00:15:21,954 --> 00:15:26,025
I have to say one of the problems
with being the North American Champion

263
00:15:26,091 --> 00:15:29,895
it puts a spotlight on you
and everybody watches everything you do.

264
00:15:30,095 --> 00:15:32,998
That's how Johnny Gargano's able
to counter and capitalize.

265
00:15:33,065 --> 00:15:36,168
[Vic] Gargano with a Spinning Lariat,
another forearm by Priest.

266
00:15:36,235 --> 00:15:38,370
Champion and challenger,
center of the ring.

267
00:15:38,437 --> 00:15:40,072
And I don't like Gargano's odds

268
00:15:40,606 --> 00:15:43,142
when it comes to trying
to knock down Damian Priest.

269
00:15:43,208 --> 00:15:46,211
Gargano with an Enzuigiri,
another kick back by Priest.

270
00:15:46,278 --> 00:15:49,648
Both superstars somehow still standing.

271
00:15:49,715 --> 00:15:52,184
And Damian Priest-- Oh! A forearm again.

272
00:15:52,484 --> 00:15:53,786
Right hand under the jaw.

273
00:15:53,852 --> 00:15:55,054
Gargano is down.

274
00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:56,822
Priest now looking around.

275
00:15:56,889 --> 00:15:58,424
Priest is feeling it, guys.

276
00:15:58,490 --> 00:16:02,695
Damian Priest looking
to retain his North American Championship.

277
00:16:04,530 --> 00:16:07,066
Kick doesn't connect.
Gargano now from behind.

278
00:16:07,132 --> 00:16:09,034
Priest shoulder first into the post.

279
00:16:10,903 --> 00:16:13,739
[Beth] This is the opening Gargano
has been looking for.

280
00:16:14,773 --> 00:16:17,576
[Vic] Priest goes up
and over right here in front of us.

281
00:16:18,344 --> 00:16:21,213
[Wade] Big man to the outside,
luckily had all his fate,

282
00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:22,614
But there's Gargano.

283
00:16:23,983 --> 00:16:26,385
-[Vic] Priest…
-[Wade] Too strong and proud.

284
00:16:26,585 --> 00:16:28,554
[Vic] Looking for the South of Heaven.

285
00:16:28,620 --> 00:16:30,956
Gargano counters
with a Short Scissor Superkick.

286
00:16:31,023 --> 00:16:35,027
Gargano now trying to refocus,
and again, gets kicked and taken out.

287
00:16:37,229 --> 00:16:38,664
[referee] Inside. Come on.

288
00:16:39,698 --> 00:16:43,235
[Vic] Both superstars on the outside,
again. Champion's advantage.

289
00:16:43,302 --> 00:16:45,137
Johnny will only win the title,

290
00:16:45,204 --> 00:16:47,606
with pinfall or submission
inside the ring.

291
00:16:47,673 --> 00:16:49,308
[crowd hitting the cage]

292
00:16:49,375 --> 00:16:53,345
[Wade] This is just instinctive fighting
from both men at this point,

293
00:16:53,412 --> 00:16:54,713
strategy out of the window.

294
00:16:54,780 --> 00:16:56,215
-[Wade] We saw…
-[Vic] Wait,

295
00:16:56,281 --> 00:17:00,219
What is on the mind,
again, of Damian Priest?

296
00:17:00,285 --> 00:17:03,021
-[Vic] Looking for that Razor's Edge.
-[Wade] Oh.

297
00:17:04,022 --> 00:17:06,091
[Vic] Spine first goes Gargano.

298
00:17:07,092 --> 00:17:09,328
Could that be the knockout blow
for Priest?

299
00:17:10,062 --> 00:17:12,164
Damian Priest, three seconds away

300
00:17:12,231 --> 00:17:15,401
from retaining his North American title.

301
00:17:15,634 --> 00:17:17,169
Gargano!

302
00:17:17,236 --> 00:17:19,304
How did Gargano kick out?

303
00:17:20,539 --> 00:17:22,007
[Wade] Take another look.

304
00:17:22,074 --> 00:17:23,942
This razor's edge blocked up,

305
00:17:24,009 --> 00:17:26,011
landing high on the upper back

306
00:17:26,078 --> 00:17:29,481
and shoulders
on the corner of the ring apron.

307
00:17:29,548 --> 00:17:33,452
-[Vic] Beth…
-[Wade] How could he kick out of that?

308
00:17:33,519 --> 00:17:35,988
[Vic] Take a look
at the Capitol Wrestling Center,

309
00:17:36,055 --> 00:17:38,657
the opening match tonight
for NXT TakeOver 31.

310
00:17:38,724 --> 00:17:41,226
Beth, what must Johnny's body
be feeling right now?

311
00:17:41,727 --> 00:17:43,729
[Beth] Johnny seems ravaged head to toe.

312
00:17:43,796 --> 00:17:45,964
But Priest wears the wounds of this match,

313
00:17:46,031 --> 00:17:50,869
he's struggling to shake the ring rest
out of that left shoulder there,

314
00:17:50,936 --> 00:17:52,137
but still on the attack.

315
00:17:52,204 --> 00:17:53,072
[Vic] Oh, Priest.

316
00:17:53,272 --> 00:17:55,107
A little chop block by Gargano,

317
00:17:55,174 --> 00:17:56,241
and Johnny again

318
00:17:56,308 --> 00:17:58,010
chopping down the champion.

319
00:17:58,811 --> 00:18:01,246
And on the mat
you're the same size as referee.

320
00:18:01,313 --> 00:18:03,849
Great position,
Priest not gonna quit that easily.

321
00:18:03,916 --> 00:18:06,718
Gargano comes back
and gets caught with a clothesline.

322
00:18:06,985 --> 00:18:10,756
But how much damage, Beth,
has been done to Damian Priest?

323
00:18:11,156 --> 00:18:14,760
[Beth] Damian Priest
continues nursing that left knee as well,

324
00:18:14,993 --> 00:18:17,496
seeming to be motivated by the pain

325
00:18:17,563 --> 00:18:19,798
and retaining the Championship.

326
00:18:19,865 --> 00:18:23,302
[Vic] Johnny now relentless,
kick after kick focusing on the left arm,

327
00:18:23,602 --> 00:18:25,904
trying to soften up
for the Garga-No-Escape.

328
00:18:25,971 --> 00:18:28,707
Johnny trying to get Priest
back down to the mat.

329
00:18:28,774 --> 00:18:32,077
Priest rolls through,
but gets a kick to the back of the head.

330
00:18:32,144 --> 00:18:34,546
Gargano goes in, goes up, goes around

331
00:18:34,613 --> 00:18:35,714
and gets caught.

332
00:18:35,781 --> 00:18:37,282
For reckoning, another counter.

333
00:18:37,349 --> 00:18:38,917
Gargano now goes up,

334
00:18:38,984 --> 00:18:40,752
standing sliced bread,

335
00:18:40,819 --> 00:18:42,387
center of the ring for Gargano.

336
00:18:42,621 --> 00:18:44,656
North American Championship on the line.

337
00:18:44,723 --> 00:18:47,059
Forearm to the back.
Gargano into the cover.

338
00:18:47,326 --> 00:18:48,627
Do we have a new champion?

339
00:18:48,694 --> 00:18:50,462
And Priest kicks out at two.

340
00:18:51,096 --> 00:18:53,665
[Wade] How on earth
did Priest kick out of that?

341
00:18:53,732 --> 00:18:57,469
Just a barrage of offense
coming from Johnny Gargano,

342
00:18:57,536 --> 00:19:01,640
following up with the elbow smash
to the back of the neck.

343
00:19:01,707 --> 00:19:02,574
[Vic] Look, Bet.

344
00:19:03,475 --> 00:19:06,245
[Beth] A tremendous impact
across the shoulders

345
00:19:06,311 --> 00:19:10,682
to the back of the neck of Priest, quickly
followed up by this hellacious elbow.

346
00:19:11,049 --> 00:19:15,420
Gargano Candice LeRae must be watching
in the back, loving every minute of this.

347
00:19:15,487 --> 00:19:17,456
[Vic] Well, the Johnny Gargano way.

348
00:19:17,523 --> 00:19:18,490
Take Johnny

349
00:19:19,658 --> 00:19:20,492
to new heights,

350
00:19:20,559 --> 00:19:22,261
becoming the first ever two-time

351
00:19:22,327 --> 00:19:24,830
North American champion here in NXT.

352
00:19:24,897 --> 00:19:25,831
[crowd booing]

353
00:19:25,898 --> 00:19:27,766
[Vic] Gargano measuring the champion.

354
00:19:28,567 --> 00:19:29,902
Now mocking the champion.

355
00:19:30,936 --> 00:19:32,738
Superkick didn't connect. Hold on!

356
00:19:32,804 --> 00:19:34,773
Priest hoists up Gargano.

357
00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:36,208
Again, he rolls through.

358
00:19:36,275 --> 00:19:37,943
Shoulders down. Title on the line.

359
00:19:38,010 --> 00:19:39,077
Oh, a near-fall.

360
00:19:39,144 --> 00:19:40,612
We almost had a new champion.

361
00:19:41,246 --> 00:19:44,917
[Wade] Gargano a little too confident,
a little too cocky there,

362
00:19:44,983 --> 00:19:47,920
took his time on capitalizing
on Damian Priest.

363
00:19:47,986 --> 00:19:50,055
Managed to turn it into a pinfall attempt

364
00:19:50,122 --> 00:19:52,624
such as the caliber of the mat,
but not quite enough.

365
00:19:53,792 --> 00:19:56,528
[Vic] The incredible
Capitol Wrestling Center,

366
00:19:56,595 --> 00:19:58,497
home of NXT TakeOver 31.

367
00:19:59,131 --> 00:20:01,867
Gargano now
looking for one final beat, gets caught.

368
00:20:02,234 --> 00:20:04,303
Again, gets caught by Damian Priest.

369
00:20:04,369 --> 00:20:07,339
These two superstars,
they know each other so very well.

370
00:20:07,773 --> 00:20:09,808
Gargano goes up, gets caught.

371
00:20:10,342 --> 00:20:11,343
Priest now.

372
00:20:11,543 --> 00:20:14,546
Look at the absolute strength
of Damian Priest,

373
00:20:14,746 --> 00:20:17,449
looking for the South Of Heaven
with authority.

374
00:20:19,685 --> 00:20:21,820
Cover by the champion.

375
00:20:22,487 --> 00:20:25,023
And somehow again, Beth,

376
00:20:25,757 --> 00:20:27,359
the challenger kicks out.

377
00:20:28,193 --> 00:20:31,997
[Beth] Priest unable to get leverage
on that lateral press.

378
00:20:32,064 --> 00:20:34,166
That left shoulder still bothering him.

379
00:20:34,466 --> 00:20:36,435
Take a look at the height right here.

380
00:20:36,501 --> 00:20:39,938
Gargano lifted, slammed to the mat.

381
00:20:40,005 --> 00:20:41,773
But unfortunately, you see there…

382
00:20:42,507 --> 00:20:44,743
Priest's still nursing that left shoulder.

383
00:20:45,077 --> 00:20:46,912
[Wade] I have to agree with Beth.

384
00:20:46,979 --> 00:20:51,350
Priest could have hooked in a tight pin
on that one, which he wasn't able to do.

385
00:20:51,416 --> 00:20:54,686
It would have been matched over
and retention for the champ.

386
00:20:55,120 --> 00:20:56,121
[Vic] Again, Priest,

387
00:20:56,521 --> 00:20:57,856
who has never been one

388
00:20:57,923 --> 00:20:59,725
to shy away from leaning his feet,

389
00:20:59,992 --> 00:21:02,928
Priest going all the way
to the top rope, yet again

390
00:21:02,995 --> 00:21:04,896
looking down on Gargano.

391
00:21:05,664 --> 00:21:07,666
Oh, wisely Gargano able

392
00:21:08,433 --> 00:21:10,068
to roll away

393
00:21:10,502 --> 00:21:11,903
from Damian Priest,

394
00:21:12,404 --> 00:21:15,007
a ring presence of an NXT veteran.

395
00:21:15,607 --> 00:21:18,143
[Wade] Yeah.
No need to lie. But it is smart.

396
00:21:18,210 --> 00:21:20,979
When in trouble, distance yourself
from your opponent.

397
00:21:21,046 --> 00:21:22,047
[Vic] Whoa! Priest!

398
00:21:22,481 --> 00:21:23,515
Oh, my god.

399
00:21:25,017 --> 00:21:26,385
Damian Priest

400
00:21:27,252 --> 00:21:29,521
just wiped out two members
of our security.

401
00:21:29,921 --> 00:21:31,256
Gargano wisely, I believe,

402
00:21:31,323 --> 00:21:33,191
was able to pull security

403
00:21:33,258 --> 00:21:34,159
[referee] Help!

404
00:21:34,226 --> 00:21:35,961
[Vic] into the way of Priest.

405
00:21:36,662 --> 00:21:38,830
[Wade] Priest closing that distance…

406
00:21:38,897 --> 00:21:40,599
[Vic] Oh! Wait a minute!

407
00:21:41,300 --> 00:21:43,068
Wait! I think there was a low blow.

408
00:21:43,135 --> 00:21:46,772
I think Gargano--
now, with a Superkick under the jaw.

409
00:21:47,639 --> 00:21:49,808
-[Vic] He's out.
-[Wade] Referee distracted.

410
00:21:49,875 --> 00:21:50,709
[Vic] He's out.

411
00:21:51,310 --> 00:21:52,444
Title's on the line.

412
00:21:52,811 --> 00:21:54,980
Priest kicks out. Wow.

413
00:21:55,313 --> 00:21:57,316
I credited Johnny Gargano earlier, Beth.

414
00:21:57,616 --> 00:21:59,451
But how did Damian Priest

415
00:21:59,518 --> 00:22:00,819
kick out after all that?

416
00:22:01,086 --> 00:22:05,223
[Beth] Well, that was--
first of all, that was 100% a low blow.

417
00:22:05,290 --> 00:22:07,426
I have no idea
how Damian Priest found the--

418
00:22:07,659 --> 00:22:09,361
the wherewithal to kick out.

419
00:22:09,428 --> 00:22:11,963
Take a look
at this high risk move right here,

420
00:22:12,264 --> 00:22:14,466
Priest crashing into security at ringside.

421
00:22:14,533 --> 00:22:16,835
Johnny Gargano rolling then in a way

422
00:22:16,902 --> 00:22:17,969
and avoiding harm.

423
00:22:18,203 --> 00:22:20,572
But this was the critical moment.

424
00:22:21,540 --> 00:22:25,210
-[Beth] Nothing. No doubt about that.
-[Vic] Wait. Back to live action.

425
00:22:25,277 --> 00:22:28,080
He's looking for the Garga-No-Escape,
center of the ring.

426
00:22:28,146 --> 00:22:29,047
Priest in trouble.

427
00:22:29,114 --> 00:22:31,216
Priest realizing it, trying to reach out.

428
00:22:31,283 --> 00:22:33,618
Six-foot-seven using all of his frame.

429
00:22:33,685 --> 00:22:36,121
Gargano wisely
breaks the hold, steps back in.

430
00:22:36,655 --> 00:22:39,324
And now again, Gargano tying up Priest

431
00:22:39,391 --> 00:22:41,460
and again has the Garga-No-Escape

432
00:22:41,526 --> 00:22:44,563
cinched in deep in the middle of the ring.

433
00:22:44,629 --> 00:22:47,265
And let's not forget
about the knee injury.

434
00:22:47,332 --> 00:22:49,000
Forget about the left knee, Wade,

435
00:22:49,067 --> 00:22:51,336
which is being backed by Johnny Gargano.

436
00:22:51,970 --> 00:22:53,438
[Wade] The disgusting angle

437
00:22:53,505 --> 00:22:55,974
of which that knee
is currently bent and twisted.

438
00:22:56,041 --> 00:23:00,479
All six-foot-seven of that frame
being utilized against Damian Priest.

439
00:23:01,046 --> 00:23:03,448
[Vic] Priest is trying
to get to the bottom rope

440
00:23:03,515 --> 00:23:06,752
fighting with everything he's got
and finally reaches out

441
00:23:06,818 --> 00:23:09,287
with his right foot to break the hold.

442
00:23:10,122 --> 00:23:13,191
[Wade] Damian Priest
looks like a sitting duck right now.

443
00:23:13,258 --> 00:23:15,861
I don't know
if there's anything left in the tank.

444
00:23:18,029 --> 00:23:19,765
[Vic] Both these superstars

445
00:23:19,831 --> 00:23:21,500
laying it all on the line,

446
00:23:21,833 --> 00:23:26,037
here at NXT TakeOver 31,
North American Championship on the line.

447
00:23:26,104 --> 00:23:27,773
And look at Gargano, relentless,

448
00:23:27,839 --> 00:23:29,674
time after time, repeatedly,

449
00:23:29,941 --> 00:23:32,110
knee right to the shoulder joint,

450
00:23:32,377 --> 00:23:34,513
the left shoulder joint of Damian Priest.

451
00:23:35,347 --> 00:23:39,684
[Wade] He's brutalizing the entire body
of the North American Champion.

452
00:23:39,751 --> 00:23:42,587
This is like a cat playing
with a mouse at this point.

453
00:23:42,654 --> 00:23:44,556
I think Damian Priest is done.

454
00:23:44,623 --> 00:23:45,824
[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa.

455
00:23:45,891 --> 00:23:47,826
Beth, look at Johnny Gargano's eyes.

456
00:23:49,227 --> 00:23:51,129
[Beth] He-- [Vic] What's on his mind?

457
00:23:51,429 --> 00:23:53,598
[Beth] Nothing but evil intentions, Vic.

458
00:23:53,665 --> 00:23:57,035
This is what we're talking about
when we say Gargano way,

459
00:23:57,269 --> 00:23:59,704
always digging deep
into the bag of tricks,

460
00:24:00,205 --> 00:24:01,907
looking for something sinister.

461
00:24:03,875 --> 00:24:06,077
Gargano wants
to win the North American title

462
00:24:06,144 --> 00:24:07,412
at all costs.

463
00:24:07,479 --> 00:24:10,115
[Vic] And by any means as Damian Priest.

464
00:24:10,482 --> 00:24:11,783
Gargano charging back--oh!

465
00:24:11,850 --> 00:24:12,684
Priest

466
00:24:12,751 --> 00:24:15,654
fighting with just
about everything he has left.

467
00:24:15,921 --> 00:24:17,055
To your point, Wade.

468
00:24:17,122 --> 00:24:19,057
But what does he have left in the tank?

469
00:24:19,124 --> 00:24:21,760
The champion trying
to hoist up the challenger.

470
00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:25,063
Gargano able to counter,
another forearm under the jaw.

471
00:24:25,297 --> 00:24:26,498
Champion continuing

472
00:24:26,565 --> 00:24:28,700
to get belted by the challenger.

473
00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:30,168
Gargano charging in.

474
00:24:30,802 --> 00:24:31,636
Big forearm.

475
00:24:31,703 --> 00:24:32,537
Priest is rocked.

476
00:24:33,004 --> 00:24:35,073
[Wade] Ominously beneath Priest

477
00:24:35,140 --> 00:24:36,541
is those steel ring steps.

478
00:24:36,608 --> 00:24:39,211
[Vic] Oh, what a kick by Priest.

479
00:24:39,678 --> 00:24:41,379
[Wade] Desperation move.

480
00:24:41,446 --> 00:24:44,683
[Vic] Absolutely out of desperation,
Superkick under the jaw.

481
00:24:45,450 --> 00:24:46,718
Followed by another.

482
00:24:49,020 --> 00:24:49,855
And Gargano

483
00:24:50,155 --> 00:24:51,289
to the outside

484
00:24:52,157 --> 00:24:55,627
looking at Priest,
looking for one final beat.

485
00:24:55,694 --> 00:24:56,761
[wrestlers grumbling]

486
00:24:56,828 --> 00:24:58,063
Priest able to counter.

487
00:24:58,129 --> 00:24:59,698
And Priest, the champion

488
00:24:59,764 --> 00:25:01,099
covering Gargano

489
00:25:01,166 --> 00:25:02,601
right into the reckoning.

490
00:25:02,667 --> 00:25:03,502
[Wade] Oh.

491
00:25:04,703 --> 00:25:07,138
[Vic] Priest into the cover,
hooks the inside leg.

492
00:25:07,205 --> 00:25:09,074
-[Vic] Priest retains.
-[bell ringing]

493
00:25:09,140 --> 00:25:11,042
-[rock music playing]
-[crowd cheering]

494
00:25:11,109 --> 00:25:16,915
[Alicia] Here is your winner
and still the NXT North American Champion,

495
00:25:17,515 --> 00:25:19,251
Damian Priest.

496
00:25:20,952 --> 00:25:26,591
[Wade] Like Michael Jordan in 1989
on Johnny's beloved Cleveland Cavaliers,

497
00:25:26,858 --> 00:25:29,961
Damian Priest
ends this with his best shot.

498
00:25:31,930 --> 00:25:33,031
[Priest] My ring.

499
00:25:34,833 --> 00:25:36,701
[Vic] Beth, what an absolute,

500
00:25:38,003 --> 00:25:39,204
incredible

501
00:25:39,571 --> 00:25:40,505
way to kick off

502
00:25:41,006 --> 00:25:43,275
NXT TakeOver 31.

503
00:25:44,242 --> 00:25:49,180
[Beth] Nothing short of a physical war
between these two individuals.

504
00:25:49,447 --> 00:25:52,517
Some of the action in this match-up--
here is a critical moment.

505
00:25:52,584 --> 00:25:54,586
Gargano pulling security

506
00:25:54,753 --> 00:25:56,154
in the way of Priest.

507
00:25:56,554 --> 00:25:57,422
Crash and burn!

508
00:25:58,857 --> 00:26:00,759
[Vic] But behind the official's back,

509
00:26:00,825 --> 00:26:02,894
the low blow by Johnny Gargano.

510
00:26:03,128 --> 00:26:06,865
I believe we all thought, it
would be a turning point in the match-up,

511
00:26:06,932 --> 00:26:08,800
because, Beth, Johnny Gargano

512
00:26:08,867 --> 00:26:10,135
would go on the offensive.

513
00:26:11,536 --> 00:26:14,539
[Beth] Gargano could smell victory
in this moment,

514
00:26:14,873 --> 00:26:17,175
was positive that Gargano way
would pay off.

515
00:26:17,342 --> 00:26:19,844
But somehow,
Damian Priest able to kick out.

516
00:26:20,211 --> 00:26:22,914
[Vic] And in the end, Beth,
looking for that final beat.

517
00:26:22,981 --> 00:26:26,284
However, Damian Priest
had something else on his mind.

518
00:26:26,818 --> 00:26:28,753
[Beth] The strength and power of Priest

519
00:26:28,820 --> 00:26:30,522
stopping Gargano midair

520
00:26:30,889 --> 00:26:32,791
and nailing that reckoning

521
00:26:33,091 --> 00:26:36,828
to retain the North American Championship

522
00:26:36,895 --> 00:26:38,830
here at TakeOver 31.

523
00:26:39,264 --> 00:26:41,499
[Vic] And Damian Priest
has one goal in mind:

524
00:26:41,733 --> 00:26:44,336
to carve a legacy, so undeniable

525
00:26:44,402 --> 00:26:46,538
that his name lives forever.

526
00:26:46,605 --> 00:26:48,506
He continues to do that tonight

527
00:26:48,573 --> 00:26:51,109
by defeating one
of the greatest performers

528
00:26:51,643 --> 00:26:53,611
in NXT TakeOver history

529
00:26:53,845 --> 00:26:56,414
as Damian Priest continues to hold on

530
00:26:56,481 --> 00:27:00,118
to the North American Championship.

531
00:27:02,287 --> 00:27:04,422
And, guys, this was just the first

532
00:27:04,489 --> 00:27:08,093
of four championship matches here tonight,

533
00:27:08,159 --> 00:27:09,694
because still to come,

534
00:27:09,961 --> 00:27:12,597
the NXT Championship will be on the line.

535
00:27:12,897 --> 00:27:15,467
There we see challenger Kyle O'Reilly

536
00:27:15,533 --> 00:27:16,968
arriving here today

537
00:27:17,035 --> 00:27:19,037
with the rest of undisputed era.

538
00:27:19,237 --> 00:27:22,440
The biggest match in the career tonight,
Beth, of Kyle O'Reilly.

539
00:27:22,507 --> 00:27:26,277
[Beth] There is Finn Bálor
with a great deal of respect for O'Reilly,

540
00:27:26,344 --> 00:27:28,980
but has no intention
of letting the NXT Championship

541
00:27:29,180 --> 00:27:30,849
slip from his fingers.

542
00:27:31,116 --> 00:27:34,219
["Culture Head" by Corey Taylor playing]

543
00:27:34,419 --> 00:27:37,722
[Vic] Coming up next here
at NXT TakeOver 31,

544
00:27:38,123 --> 00:27:40,859
Kushida taking on Velveteen Dream.

545
00:27:40,925 --> 00:27:42,027
Dream has declared

546
00:27:42,093 --> 00:27:44,029
he puts on his best performances

547
00:27:44,262 --> 00:27:45,864
under the brightest lights.

548
00:27:46,131 --> 00:27:48,833
But for Kushida, he is all business

549
00:27:48,900 --> 00:27:49,768
here tonight

550
00:27:49,834 --> 00:27:52,570
as he gets to take out his greatest rival,

551
00:27:52,637 --> 00:27:53,872
Velveteen Dream.

552
00:27:53,938 --> 00:27:56,574
["Culture Head" by Corey Taylor
continues playing]

553
00:27:57,509 --> 00:28:00,712
[Triple H] I'm so excited.
One of the biggest international stars

554
00:28:00,779 --> 00:28:04,049
coming to NXT to compete
against the best that we have here.

555
00:28:04,115 --> 00:28:06,951
[William Regal] If I had to predict
where Kushida would be…

556
00:28:07,018 --> 00:28:10,855
[presenter] There he is, the six-time
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champ

557
00:28:10,922 --> 00:28:12,490
on the land of the rising sun.

558
00:28:12,557 --> 00:28:14,592
[Regal] I'd say the light of the baritone.

559
00:28:14,659 --> 00:28:17,262
[Kushida] This is Kushida's turn.

560
00:28:17,862 --> 00:28:20,365
[presenter] Kushida wants
to match his world skills

561
00:28:20,432 --> 00:28:22,600
against anyone willing to oppose him.

562
00:28:22,667 --> 00:28:25,270
[Kushida] I wanna wrestle everybody.

563
00:28:25,670 --> 00:28:26,938
It's not easy.

564
00:28:28,239 --> 00:28:29,874
[Beth] Oh.

565
00:28:29,941 --> 00:28:31,910
[Kushida] The doctor say broken wrist,

566
00:28:31,976 --> 00:28:33,244
I will be out

567
00:28:33,678 --> 00:28:34,679
for months.

568
00:28:34,913 --> 00:28:38,249
Different culture, different language.

569
00:28:38,316 --> 00:28:41,186
I don't fight for me now.

570
00:28:41,252 --> 00:28:42,787
I fight for my family.

571
00:28:43,021 --> 00:28:45,390
[Beth] This is a critical moment
for Kushida.

572
00:28:45,457 --> 00:28:48,693
He needs to remind everyone
of why he is one of the most feared

573
00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:50,829
and respected pro wrestlers in the world.

574
00:28:50,895 --> 00:28:54,399
[Vic] Is Dream gonna tap out
center of the ring? There's nowhere to go.

575
00:28:55,366 --> 00:28:57,735
There comes Grimes with the cave-in.

576
00:28:57,802 --> 00:28:58,903
[bell ringing]

577
00:29:00,205 --> 00:29:01,406
[Kushida] Big change.

578
00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:05,276
Mind have to change.

579
00:29:07,145 --> 00:29:08,313
[Vic] Oh.

580
00:29:09,380 --> 00:29:12,016
[Dream] Will the real Kushida
please stand up?

581
00:29:12,083 --> 00:29:13,952
[Vic] Velveteen Dream's unhinged.

582
00:29:14,185 --> 00:29:17,021
[Dream] Because it doesn't matter
which Kushida shows up.

583
00:29:17,088 --> 00:29:19,991
[presenter] Wait a minute.
Velveteen Dream.

584
00:29:20,058 --> 00:29:23,461
Kushida thought
he had his TakeOver opportunity

585
00:29:23,528 --> 00:29:25,730
to challenge for the NXT Championship.

586
00:29:25,797 --> 00:29:28,366
But Velveteen Dream took out Kushida.

587
00:29:28,433 --> 00:29:31,436
[Dream] The Dream always
puts on his best performances…

588
00:29:31,503 --> 00:29:34,072
[Beth] They have the chance
to settle their score

589
00:29:34,139 --> 00:29:35,940
one-on-one at TakeOver.

590
00:29:36,007 --> 00:29:38,309
[Dream] Under the brightest spotlights.

591
00:29:38,877 --> 00:29:43,314
[Vic] Oh, Kushida now with a hold
of Velveteen Dream and--

592
00:29:44,082 --> 00:29:45,383
[people shouting] Oh!

593
00:29:45,617 --> 00:29:49,320
[Wade] I have not seen this level
of ferocity from Kushida

594
00:29:49,387 --> 00:29:51,556
since his days competing in Japan.

595
00:29:51,856 --> 00:29:54,959
[Kushida speaking in foreign language]

596
00:29:55,026 --> 00:29:57,162
[Vic] Oh, man. I've never seen Kushida

597
00:29:57,228 --> 00:29:58,863
with this much rage before.

598
00:29:59,397 --> 00:30:02,300
[Beth] He said everyone's taken
his humility for weakness.

599
00:30:02,367 --> 00:30:05,336
And he's done with smiling
and waiting for opportunities.

600
00:30:05,403 --> 00:30:08,907
[Kushida] Velveteen Dream
[speaking in foreign language]

601
00:30:08,973 --> 00:30:12,310
[presenter] Kushida's first one-on-one
match at TakeOver

602
00:30:12,377 --> 00:30:16,447
against Velveteen Dream, who historically
is spectacular at TakeOver.

603
00:30:16,514 --> 00:30:18,883
[Dream] The spotlight
will be too bright for you.

604
00:30:18,950 --> 00:30:21,352
[Kushida speaking in foreign language]

605
00:30:26,691 --> 00:30:33,364
["Velveteen" by WWE playing]

606
00:30:55,787 --> 00:30:56,688
[bell ringing]

607
00:30:57,055 --> 00:30:59,891
[Alicia] The following contest
is scheduled for one fall.

608
00:31:00,191 --> 00:31:03,728
Introducing first,
from Capitol Hill, Washington DC,

609
00:31:03,895 --> 00:31:06,497
weighing in at 217 pounds,

610
00:31:06,564 --> 00:31:10,768
the Velveteen Dream.

611
00:31:11,903 --> 00:31:14,105
["Velveteen" continues playing]

612
00:31:14,505 --> 00:31:18,509
[Vic] Wade, there's a lot to like,
but also question about Velveteen Dream.

613
00:31:19,711 --> 00:31:23,114
[Wade] You know, I'm gonna tell you,
Velveteen Dream is somebody who,

614
00:31:23,481 --> 00:31:26,251
being where we're at today
in the Capitol Wrestling set,

615
00:31:26,317 --> 00:31:30,521
he's making me feel nostalgic
for the days of Gorgeous George,

616
00:31:30,922 --> 00:31:34,726
the original flat boy
and intoxicating superstar.

617
00:31:34,792 --> 00:31:37,829
I think there's a bit of that
rubbing off on Velveteen Dream.

618
00:31:37,896 --> 00:31:40,298
He's a man you cannot help to watch.

619
00:31:41,099 --> 00:31:43,701
["Velveteen" continues playing]

620
00:31:44,602 --> 00:31:48,373
[Vic] NXT TakeOver is brought to you
in part by Credit One Bank.

621
00:31:48,439 --> 00:31:50,275
Visit gocreditone.com.

622
00:31:50,575 --> 00:31:52,110
Life ever rewarded.

623
00:31:54,579 --> 00:31:56,014
[Beth] Speaking of nostalgia.

624
00:31:56,080 --> 00:31:58,816
I feel like he's channeling a little
dark round tonight,

625
00:31:59,017 --> 00:32:00,084
maybe a slight,

626
00:32:00,551 --> 00:32:01,719
to make fun of Kushida.

627
00:32:02,553 --> 00:32:05,523
[Vic] Oh! And there's Kushida.

628
00:32:05,590 --> 00:32:07,358
[Wade] He didn't like the joke.

629
00:32:07,425 --> 00:32:08,826
[Vic] Certainly, he did not.

630
00:32:08,893 --> 00:32:11,095
And Kushida right
on top of Velveteen Dream.

631
00:32:11,162 --> 00:32:14,232
And this is that new style,
that new sense of aggression

632
00:32:14,399 --> 00:32:16,834
that is just bleeding out of Kushida.

633
00:32:17,268 --> 00:32:19,904
[Beth] Dream made a mistake
turning his back

634
00:32:19,971 --> 00:32:21,839
and Kushida will make him pay for it.

635
00:32:22,740 --> 00:32:24,676
[Vic] Oh! Kushida!

636
00:32:24,842 --> 00:32:27,412
What a kick under the jaw, Kushida.

637
00:32:27,478 --> 00:32:28,980
-[Vic] Whoa.
-[Dream] Move!

638
00:32:29,047 --> 00:32:29,981
[chair rumbling]

639
00:32:30,048 --> 00:32:31,382
-Poor guy.
-Hey!

640
00:32:31,449 --> 00:32:34,285
-[Beth] He's on the run!
-[referee] Keep it in the ring.

641
00:32:34,352 --> 00:32:38,389
-[Beth] Struggling to get his bearings.
-[Vic] He chucked a chair into the ring.

642
00:32:38,456 --> 00:32:41,759
-[referee] Hey!
-[Vic] Still favoring the left arm--whoa!

643
00:32:42,060 --> 00:32:45,029
[referee] Hey, come on, give me the chair.

644
00:32:45,430 --> 00:32:48,466
[Beth] Referee struggling
to maintain control here.

645
00:32:49,967 --> 00:32:51,502
-[referee] Ring it.
-[bell ringing]

646
00:32:51,569 --> 00:32:53,237
[Vic] The bell finally ringing.

647
00:32:53,638 --> 00:32:55,473
We are… The bell has rung.

648
00:32:55,540 --> 00:32:57,141
We are finally under way

649
00:32:57,208 --> 00:32:59,577
here at NXT TakeOver 31.

650
00:33:00,345 --> 00:33:02,180
And Velveteen Dream right back in.

651
00:33:02,246 --> 00:33:05,950
I mean, you can just sense the aggression,
Beth, from these two superstars.

652
00:33:06,217 --> 00:33:08,386
[Beth] Well, I think,
we have Dream to thank

653
00:33:08,453 --> 00:33:11,089
for the beast that
has been unleashed in Kushida.

654
00:33:11,155 --> 00:33:13,291
You see, there's that mat grappling,

655
00:33:13,358 --> 00:33:15,026
that quick wrestling style

656
00:33:15,093 --> 00:33:19,097
that made Kushida famous
all throughout Japan.

657
00:33:19,530 --> 00:33:23,835
[Vic] Wade, when you talk about Kushida,
note his mixed martial arts career

658
00:33:23,901 --> 00:33:25,703
as he's looking for that arm bar.

659
00:33:25,770 --> 00:33:27,772
Not a superstar you wanna mess with.

660
00:33:28,673 --> 00:33:31,509
[Wade] Yes. He's a vicious, violent man
when he wants to--

661
00:33:31,576 --> 00:33:33,111
[referee] Break the hold!

662
00:33:33,177 --> 00:33:36,180
[Wade] He spoke earlier
about how he felt he was suffocating

663
00:33:36,247 --> 00:33:39,083
since moving to the US,
but his behavior…

664
00:33:39,150 --> 00:33:41,052
He's like trying to be on his best,

665
00:33:41,119 --> 00:33:42,620
trying to be a nice guy.

666
00:33:42,687 --> 00:33:44,255
That's all gone out the window.

667
00:33:44,322 --> 00:33:45,723
The new Kushida is vicious.

668
00:33:46,257 --> 00:33:49,861
[Vic] Well, to that point, he sets an eye,
now he's mocking Dream.

669
00:33:49,927 --> 00:33:52,196
He sets an eye, he excels, he breaths.

670
00:33:52,263 --> 00:33:55,767
And now, Velveteen Dream
giving chase to Kushida.

671
00:33:55,833 --> 00:33:57,301
Kushida has been in control,

672
00:33:57,368 --> 00:33:58,403
just a jump-start.

673
00:33:58,469 --> 00:34:01,105
Just connected with a kick
to the mid-section.

674
00:34:01,172 --> 00:34:02,106
[referee] Get back.

675
00:34:02,173 --> 00:34:05,476
[Beth] Great strategy there from Kushida
bating Velveteen Dream in.

676
00:34:06,744 --> 00:34:10,815
[Vic] And Kushida--oh!
Right back in to Velveteen Dream.

677
00:34:10,882 --> 00:34:14,619
-[crowd chanting] Kushida!
-[Vic] His first match-up on a TakeOver.

678
00:34:14,685 --> 00:34:16,888
[Vic] This means the world to Kushida.

679
00:34:18,022 --> 00:34:20,892
[Vic] And Kushida's new
all-business attitude

680
00:34:20,958 --> 00:34:24,128
has not taken his foot
off the gas tonight.

681
00:34:24,529 --> 00:34:26,030
[Dream screaming]

682
00:34:26,097 --> 00:34:28,566
[Beth] It's been a long road
here for Kushida.

683
00:34:29,233 --> 00:34:31,769
He knew better than anyone
what he is capable of,

684
00:34:31,836 --> 00:34:33,371
and now, he has the platform

685
00:34:33,438 --> 00:34:36,074
to show the world here in TakeOver.

686
00:34:38,810 --> 00:34:39,911
[Vic] Look at Kushida,

687
00:34:40,111 --> 00:34:42,613
staring a hole into Velveteen Dream.

688
00:34:44,649 --> 00:34:45,917
Triple H described Kushida

689
00:34:45,983 --> 00:34:48,419
as one of the biggest
international superstars.

690
00:34:48,619 --> 00:34:51,923
And Kushida on the biggest stage,
is arriving at NXT

691
00:34:51,989 --> 00:34:53,524
looking to prove just that

692
00:34:53,758 --> 00:34:55,993
as he is a firm offense here

693
00:34:56,427 --> 00:34:58,563
trying to take down Dream yet again.

694
00:34:59,096 --> 00:35:02,800
But Dream… hell for a moment,
but Kushida grabbing on to the left wrist.

695
00:35:02,867 --> 00:35:04,368
Look at the body manipulation.

696
00:35:04,435 --> 00:35:06,370
Dream screaming right now.

697
00:35:07,271 --> 00:35:10,541
[Beth] Strategically working on that arm
and take a look at this.

698
00:35:10,608 --> 00:35:13,911
Kushida using his body weight
to manipulate that left elbow

699
00:35:13,978 --> 00:35:15,780
and trap the other arm.

700
00:35:15,947 --> 00:35:19,684
[Vic] Look at the strain
in the shoulders of Velveteen Dream

701
00:35:19,750 --> 00:35:22,220
as Kushida just falls back

702
00:35:22,753 --> 00:35:26,190
and just continues to wretch
on the joints of Dream.

703
00:35:26,257 --> 00:35:29,627
-[referee] Hey! Watch it!
-[Beth] A recipe for a rotator cuff tear.

704
00:35:29,694 --> 00:35:30,862
[Vic] Oh, and Dream

705
00:35:31,129 --> 00:35:33,097
almost out of desperation, Wade.

706
00:35:33,164 --> 00:35:35,032
Barely able to get back to his feet.

707
00:35:35,733 --> 00:35:37,034
[Wade] Yeah. Dream says

708
00:35:37,101 --> 00:35:39,237
that he saves his best performances

709
00:35:39,303 --> 00:35:41,572
for the brightest spotlights,
like TakeOver.

710
00:35:41,639 --> 00:35:44,909
And so far, this
has been an unmitigated disaster

711
00:35:44,976 --> 00:35:45,943
for the Dream.

712
00:35:47,578 --> 00:35:50,147
-[Beth] He wants to turn things around.
-[crowd] Oh!

713
00:35:50,214 --> 00:35:52,416
[Vic] Velveteen Dream from the top.

714
00:35:52,483 --> 00:35:54,051
[Vic] Dream might have been able

715
00:35:54,118 --> 00:35:57,622
to weather the early
storm raid of Kushida.

716
00:35:57,688 --> 00:36:00,324
Dream, a veteran of NXT TakeOver.

717
00:36:00,892 --> 00:36:02,660
[Wade] Perhaps managing to hang in.

718
00:36:02,727 --> 00:36:06,197
Watch this replay
at this high-flying offense from the Dream

719
00:36:06,664 --> 00:36:08,966
connecting with the back
of the neck of Kushida

720
00:36:09,033 --> 00:36:12,670
stopping that flow of Kushida
that has been a frenzy

721
00:36:12,737 --> 00:36:14,172
from the start of this match.

722
00:36:14,238 --> 00:36:18,109
-[crowd booing]
-[Vic] Dream took a flammable situation

723
00:36:18,176 --> 00:36:21,412
[Vic] and took gasoline all over it, Beth,
when he tossed Kushida

724
00:36:21,479 --> 00:36:25,449
to protect the NXT title opportunity
in that gauntlet eliminator match.

725
00:36:26,217 --> 00:36:28,319
[Beth] That's where things all began, Vic,

726
00:36:28,386 --> 00:36:33,191
but Dream presently surprised
to bring the tension back to him.

727
00:36:33,958 --> 00:36:36,827
TakeOver is where Dream
believes that he belongs,

728
00:36:36,894 --> 00:36:38,663
in front of the bright lights.

729
00:36:38,729 --> 00:36:39,830
[crowd booing]

730
00:36:39,897 --> 00:36:42,867
[Beth] He'd love to get a victory
at the expense of Kushida.

731
00:36:42,934 --> 00:36:46,203
[Vic] Oh! What an uppercut
from Velveteen Dream.

732
00:36:47,271 --> 00:36:49,740
And Dream, into the cover

733
00:36:49,807 --> 00:36:51,842
and just a one count from Kushida,

734
00:36:51,909 --> 00:36:54,645
but back to what we talked about
early on with Kushida.

735
00:36:54,879 --> 00:36:57,682
Not a superstar you really wanna toy
or mess around with.

736
00:36:57,982 --> 00:37:01,586
[Wade] Absolutely not,
but it seems to be working for the Dream

737
00:37:01,652 --> 00:37:03,621
right now as we take a look back.

738
00:37:03,688 --> 00:37:04,522
[Kushida] Oh!

739
00:37:05,022 --> 00:37:08,292
[Wade] Just this brutal,
vicious uppercuts from the Dream.

740
00:37:08,359 --> 00:37:11,829
It's almost like a visual oxymoron
as you stare at the Dream.

741
00:37:11,896 --> 00:37:14,398
He look so ridiculous,
especially right now,

742
00:37:14,465 --> 00:37:18,903
but then you look at the vicious attacks
that he is putting on Kushida here,

743
00:37:18,970 --> 00:37:21,439
you have to say it's impressive,
a savage beat.

744
00:37:21,505 --> 00:37:22,907
[Dream screaming]

745
00:37:23,207 --> 00:37:26,844
-[Vic] Dream Bronco Buster onto Kushida.
-[Dream] Put me down.

746
00:37:26,911 --> 00:37:28,879
[crowd chanting] Kushida!

747
00:37:28,946 --> 00:37:32,250
[Vic] As Dream barking out
to the NXT universe.

748
00:37:32,316 --> 00:37:34,085
[crowd chanting] Kushida!

749
00:37:34,318 --> 00:37:38,956
[Beth] A big part of Dream's strategy
is always the psychological warfare.

750
00:37:39,023 --> 00:37:42,493
Take a look at this right here,
just drinking it in.

751
00:37:42,560 --> 00:37:45,830
-[Dream] Come on!
-[Beth] Enjoying good and bad reactions.

752
00:37:45,896 --> 00:37:46,731
[Dream] Get up.

753
00:37:47,598 --> 00:37:50,801
[Vic] Dream's gonna continue
to maintain focus on his opponent,

754
00:37:51,235 --> 00:37:52,403
which is just Kushida.

755
00:37:52,570 --> 00:37:53,871
[crowd chanting] Kushida!

756
00:37:53,938 --> 00:37:56,173
[Vic] Dream right back in,
Kushida gets caught.

757
00:37:56,707 --> 00:37:59,210
Dream, for a moment,
thought he had the upper hand

758
00:37:59,277 --> 00:38:02,279
but now Kushida trading blows
to Velveteen Dream.

759
00:38:03,147 --> 00:38:04,949
He's known for that striking ability.

760
00:38:05,349 --> 00:38:06,484
Nice counter reversal.

761
00:38:06,550 --> 00:38:08,719
Dream goes out,
he gets caught in a Sleeper.

762
00:38:08,786 --> 00:38:10,288
Sleeper Hold, center of the ring.

763
00:38:10,354 --> 00:38:11,589
Velveteen Dream

764
00:38:12,390 --> 00:38:13,924
trying to put all of his weight

765
00:38:13,991 --> 00:38:15,526
into the back of Kushida

766
00:38:15,593 --> 00:38:17,795
and Kushida, Wade, is fainting.

767
00:38:18,462 --> 00:38:22,667
[Wade] Never forget the technical
excellence of the Velveteen Dream,

768
00:38:22,733 --> 00:38:25,169
despite all the hoopla that surrounds him.

769
00:38:25,236 --> 00:38:26,537
Underneath all of that,

770
00:38:26,604 --> 00:38:29,707
that is a technically stud athlete,
and this…

771
00:38:29,774 --> 00:38:31,709
could be putting Kushida to sleep.

772
00:38:32,643 --> 00:38:36,814
[Vic] Velveteen Dream
putting all his weight at Kushida,

773
00:38:37,148 --> 00:38:39,750
trying to drain all the energy
out of Kushida.

774
00:38:39,817 --> 00:38:40,951
But Kushida now,

775
00:38:41,018 --> 00:38:43,321
trying to feed off the energy

776
00:38:43,387 --> 00:38:44,588
of the NXT universe

777
00:38:44,789 --> 00:38:46,757
here in the Capitol Wrestling Center.

778
00:38:47,491 --> 00:38:49,994
Kushida back to his feet,
trying to break the hold,

779
00:38:50,461 --> 00:38:53,264
and again,
just Velveteen Dream holding on.

780
00:38:53,898 --> 00:38:55,900
[referee] Three! Come on!

781
00:38:56,067 --> 00:38:57,735
Fight count broken--oh! Kushida!

782
00:38:57,802 --> 00:38:58,803
What an elbow.

783
00:38:59,003 --> 00:38:59,937
Right to the jaw.

784
00:39:00,004 --> 00:39:01,872
Dream answers back, and again, Beth,

785
00:39:01,939 --> 00:39:03,908
these superstars trading right hands.

786
00:39:03,974 --> 00:39:05,843
[Beth] Kushida gasping for air.

787
00:39:05,910 --> 00:39:08,145
Looking to bring that oxygen back in

788
00:39:08,646 --> 00:39:10,247
after Dream drove him to the mat.

789
00:39:10,314 --> 00:39:13,584
But this is--this has turned
into a slugfest.

790
00:39:13,651 --> 00:39:16,587
[Vic] It certainly has.
Kushida taking down Velveteen Dream,

791
00:39:16,654 --> 00:39:18,823
and now, Kushida, Beth, new vicious side,

792
00:39:18,889 --> 00:39:21,192
that all-business attitude
coming into play.

793
00:39:21,359 --> 00:39:22,793
Kushida, looking for the hip,

794
00:39:22,860 --> 00:39:24,362
toss, rolls through, dropkick,

795
00:39:24,428 --> 00:39:25,629
right into the jaw

796
00:39:25,696 --> 00:39:26,964
of Velveteen Dream.

797
00:39:27,631 --> 00:39:30,434
[Beth] See that spectacular
reaction time from Kushida?

798
00:39:30,501 --> 00:39:32,269
So lighting fast.

799
00:39:32,703 --> 00:39:34,538
[crowd thumping the Plexiglas]

800
00:39:34,905 --> 00:39:35,940
[Vic] And Kushida…

801
00:39:36,707 --> 00:39:40,010
looking for the stop, countered by Dream,
Dream rolling through.

802
00:39:40,077 --> 00:39:43,247
Right-hand by Kushida
under the jaw dropped Dream.

803
00:39:46,283 --> 00:39:49,186
Kushida methodically now
walking right back in and, again,

804
00:39:49,487 --> 00:39:51,155
just looking to inflict pain

805
00:39:51,222 --> 00:39:52,590
to Velveteen Dream

806
00:39:52,656 --> 00:39:55,826
and one more time
with the joint and body manipulation,

807
00:39:55,893 --> 00:39:57,895
but, now, stomps right to the back

808
00:39:57,962 --> 00:40:00,698
in between the shoulder blades of Dream.

809
00:40:01,599 --> 00:40:03,367
[Beth] Pulling back at those joints

810
00:40:03,434 --> 00:40:06,971
once again in that pectoral muscle
that Dream seemed to be clawing at

811
00:40:07,037 --> 00:40:08,205
earlier in the match-up.

812
00:40:09,006 --> 00:40:09,874
[Dream screaming]

813
00:40:10,040 --> 00:40:13,177
[Vic] And now, Velveteen Dream
turned, he's turned over.

814
00:40:13,244 --> 00:40:15,012
Kushida stomping away,

815
00:40:15,546 --> 00:40:17,648
stomping out all of his frustrations

816
00:40:17,815 --> 00:40:19,350
into Velveteen Dream.

817
00:40:21,218 --> 00:40:22,420
And the time splitter

818
00:40:22,486 --> 00:40:24,054
just picking apart

819
00:40:24,422 --> 00:40:26,223
Velveteen Dream here tonight.

820
00:40:28,192 --> 00:40:32,797
Kushida said it was time to show the world
the real side of himself,

821
00:40:33,564 --> 00:40:36,033
and he would use Dream
as his stepping stone.

822
00:40:36,100 --> 00:40:37,868
Oh, no, Beth, take a look at this.

823
00:40:37,935 --> 00:40:39,003
[wrestlers screaming]

824
00:40:39,069 --> 00:40:40,738
[Beth] On the damaged shoulder!

825
00:40:41,872 --> 00:40:43,641
[Vic] Into the steel post.

826
00:40:44,241 --> 00:40:47,344
Much like we saw several weeks ago on NXT

827
00:40:47,578 --> 00:40:49,847
which put Velveteen Dream on the shelf

828
00:40:49,914 --> 00:40:51,682
with a hyper-extended elbow.

829
00:40:53,551 --> 00:40:56,554
[Beth] And we're seeing
a little bit of déjà vu here.

830
00:40:56,620 --> 00:40:59,423
-[crowd chanting] Kushida!
-[Dream repeatedly] I'm sorry.

831
00:40:59,790 --> 00:41:00,658
[Vic] You asked,

832
00:41:00,991 --> 00:41:03,127
Kushida trying to deliver it.

833
00:41:03,194 --> 00:41:04,595
[Dream screaming]

834
00:41:04,662 --> 00:41:05,663
[Beth] One more!

835
00:41:05,729 --> 00:41:08,799
[crowd stomping and clapping]

836
00:41:08,866 --> 00:41:10,201
[Vic] And Kushida-- Wait!

837
00:41:10,267 --> 00:41:13,604
-[Vic] Look at Velveteen's left--oh, no!
-[Wade grunting]

838
00:41:13,671 --> 00:41:17,074
-[referee] Hey! Back inside the ring!
-[Dream screaming]

839
00:41:17,508 --> 00:41:19,210
[Vic] Dream screaming in pain.

840
00:41:20,544 --> 00:41:23,881
And Wade, Kushida is delivering everything

841
00:41:23,948 --> 00:41:25,850
he said he was going to do tonight.

842
00:41:26,550 --> 00:41:30,488
[Wade] The last minutes of this match-up
have been one-way traffic.

843
00:41:31,021 --> 00:41:32,990
It's turning into a punishment beating.

844
00:41:33,057 --> 00:41:35,426
[Vic] A Superkick by Velveteen Dream

845
00:41:35,493 --> 00:41:36,560
catching Kushida.

846
00:41:37,361 --> 00:41:40,731
-[Vic] This is over now.
-[Wade] Dream's arm could be broken, Vic.

847
00:41:41,532 --> 00:41:44,802
[Vic] This is certainly time
to regroup for Velveteen Dream, Beth.

848
00:41:44,869 --> 00:41:46,136
Take a look one more time.

849
00:41:46,704 --> 00:41:47,872
[Beth] It's an opening.

850
00:41:48,138 --> 00:41:51,108
Dream was was looking
for an impactful Superkick to the jaw.

851
00:41:51,175 --> 00:41:53,210
Kushida has not budged.

852
00:41:53,577 --> 00:41:54,979
Dream looking to capitalize,

853
00:41:55,045 --> 00:41:57,181
but struggling with that damaged left arm.

854
00:41:57,248 --> 00:42:01,585
[Vic] The Purple Rainmaker… got caught.
Arm bar, cross arm breaker by Kushida.

855
00:42:01,819 --> 00:42:03,721
Kushida locking in Velveteen Dream.

856
00:42:04,188 --> 00:42:06,924
Dream trying to roll through the pain
and the pressure,

857
00:42:06,991 --> 00:42:09,627
trying to navigate his way
to the bottom rope,

858
00:42:09,693 --> 00:42:10,694
and Dream

859
00:42:10,761 --> 00:42:12,997
actually able to slither his way free

860
00:42:13,063 --> 00:42:14,298
to the outside,

861
00:42:14,465 --> 00:42:16,767
but Kushida holding out the right hands

862
00:42:16,967 --> 00:42:19,069
repeatedly from Velveteen Dream.

863
00:42:19,136 --> 00:42:20,204
A thump in the eye.

864
00:42:21,405 --> 00:42:24,575
I believe Dream just
poked Kushida right in the eye.

865
00:42:27,344 --> 00:42:29,246
Another right hand by Velveteen Dream.

866
00:42:29,680 --> 00:42:31,115
Hoist up and a power bomb.

867
00:42:32,816 --> 00:42:33,984
Dream into the cover.

868
00:42:34,318 --> 00:42:35,152
Count.

869
00:42:35,419 --> 00:42:36,487
[Beth] Whoa!

870
00:42:36,554 --> 00:42:39,623
-[Beth] Kushida has--
[Vic] Reversal into another arm bar.

871
00:42:40,057 --> 00:42:40,891
Kushida,

872
00:42:41,425 --> 00:42:42,960
the submission specialist…

873
00:42:43,394 --> 00:42:45,329
looking to make Velveteen Dream tap.

874
00:42:45,930 --> 00:42:49,867
-[Vic] Nowhere for Dream to go.
-[Beth] He's biting the fingers of Dream.

875
00:42:49,934 --> 00:42:52,770
[Vic] He tries to swing away,
break the pressure. And did.

876
00:42:53,037 --> 00:42:54,939
And give credit when credit is due

877
00:42:55,172 --> 00:42:56,307
to Velveteen Dream.

878
00:42:57,041 --> 00:42:59,877
[Beth] I mean, what a vicious application

879
00:42:59,944 --> 00:43:01,445
of that arm bar by Kushida,

880
00:43:01,679 --> 00:43:04,315
biting the phalanges of Velveteen Dream.

881
00:43:07,484 --> 00:43:10,421
[Vic] Both superstars
making their way back to their feet

882
00:43:11,055 --> 00:43:14,258
as Velveteen Dream
hoist up a Dream Valley Driver.

883
00:43:14,425 --> 00:43:15,726
Center of the ring.

884
00:43:16,260 --> 00:43:17,828
Laying out Kushida.

885
00:43:17,995 --> 00:43:20,364
This could be the beginning of the end.

886
00:43:21,332 --> 00:43:23,033
Dream said he shines bright

887
00:43:23,267 --> 00:43:24,635
under the brightest lights.

888
00:43:24,969 --> 00:43:26,370
Dream going to the top rope,

889
00:43:26,704 --> 00:43:28,739
looking for that Purple Rainmaker.

890
00:43:28,939 --> 00:43:30,975
[crowd shouting]

891
00:43:31,408 --> 00:43:32,843
[Vic] And Dream connects!

892
00:43:34,278 --> 00:43:35,346
Velveteen Dream

893
00:43:35,746 --> 00:43:37,414
got all that Purple Rainmaker,

894
00:43:37,481 --> 00:43:39,350
but it happened on the left arm,

895
00:43:39,416 --> 00:43:40,751
the injured elbow

896
00:43:40,818 --> 00:43:42,119
and injured shoulder.

897
00:43:42,186 --> 00:43:43,921
Wade, Dream couldn't capitalize.

898
00:43:44,221 --> 00:43:47,024
[Wade] There's no point
in that high-impact offense

899
00:43:47,558 --> 00:43:48,993
if you can't make the cover.

900
00:43:49,059 --> 00:43:52,262
The pain shooting
through the arm of Velveteen Dream.

901
00:43:52,529 --> 00:43:54,632
[Vic] Arm draped over--oh, Kushida!

902
00:43:55,132 --> 00:43:57,434
-[Vic] Kushida.
-[Wade] Enough time to recover.

903
00:43:59,203 --> 00:44:02,373
[Beth] See, Dream here going
for the Purple Rainmaker,

904
00:44:02,439 --> 00:44:04,441
but unfortunately on the damaged arm,

905
00:44:04,508 --> 00:44:06,644
was not able to capitalize in time.

906
00:44:07,411 --> 00:44:08,412
Like you said, Wade,

907
00:44:08,479 --> 00:44:11,315
that might have been
a critical three seconds for Kushida.

908
00:44:11,682 --> 00:44:12,883
[Wade] Yeah. Think back.

909
00:44:12,950 --> 00:44:15,452
If he had made that cover quickly,
it was over.

910
00:44:15,519 --> 00:44:16,420
He would've won.

911
00:44:16,854 --> 00:44:19,990
[Vic] Kushida able to grab
on to Velveteen Dream.

912
00:44:21,558 --> 00:44:22,526
At this point…

913
00:44:24,061 --> 00:44:25,462
look at Velveteen Dream.

914
00:44:26,397 --> 00:44:27,765
Looking down at Kushida.

915
00:44:27,831 --> 00:44:29,233
What a clothesline!

916
00:44:32,569 --> 00:44:34,338
What is left of Kushida?

917
00:44:36,206 --> 00:44:38,976
[Beth] This has been an absolutely
brutal battle.

918
00:44:40,044 --> 00:44:43,147
The disdain these two men
have for each other is unbelievable.

919
00:44:43,213 --> 00:44:44,148
[crowd roaring]

920
00:44:44,214 --> 00:44:45,182
[Vic] And Dream

921
00:44:45,249 --> 00:44:47,184
looking for the exclamation point.

922
00:44:47,518 --> 00:44:49,987
Another Purple Rainmaker.

923
00:44:51,288 --> 00:44:52,623
All the way to the top

924
00:44:52,956 --> 00:44:54,324
goes Velveteen Dream,

925
00:44:54,391 --> 00:44:55,225
but Kushida…

926
00:44:55,659 --> 00:44:57,661
Kushida meeting Velveteen Dream

927
00:44:57,728 --> 00:45:00,164
and Kushida's relentless now, hooking up.

928
00:45:00,230 --> 00:45:01,065
[Dream screaming]

929
00:45:01,131 --> 00:45:03,333
Looks for a Hoverboard Lock
on the top rope.

930
00:45:03,400 --> 00:45:04,902
What is Kushida thinking?

931
00:45:05,169 --> 00:45:06,870
-[Beth] Oh my god!
-[Vic] Kushida!

932
00:45:07,104 --> 00:45:09,540
[Vic] Into the Hoverboard Lock
off the top rope.

933
00:45:09,940 --> 00:45:12,176
The Hoverboard Lock cinched in by Kushida.

934
00:45:12,242 --> 00:45:15,212
Velveteen Dream, precarious position.

935
00:45:15,279 --> 00:45:16,613
Nowhere for Dream to go.

936
00:45:16,914 --> 00:45:18,215
Is Dream gonna tap out?

937
00:45:19,116 --> 00:45:22,553
Dream trying to find his way
to the bottom rope, trying to reach out,

938
00:45:22,619 --> 00:45:25,222
right foot and all stretching,
able to get there.

939
00:45:25,289 --> 00:45:27,124
Kushida could through though.

940
00:45:27,191 --> 00:45:29,159
Kushida not letting go.

941
00:45:29,326 --> 00:45:30,794
Kushida holding on

942
00:45:30,994 --> 00:45:33,197
for everything dear to him

943
00:45:33,263 --> 00:45:36,333
to win at his first ever NXT TakeOver.

944
00:45:36,667 --> 00:45:40,537
[Beth] The submission specialist
contorting the elbow and shoulder.

945
00:45:41,538 --> 00:45:43,273
[Vic] Whoa, Dream able to counter.

946
00:45:44,575 --> 00:45:46,477
That Dream Valley Driver again.

947
00:45:46,710 --> 00:45:48,579
Able to counter Kushida for a moment.

948
00:45:49,480 --> 00:45:52,549
-[Vic] He connects. Kushida didn't let go.
-[bell ringing]

949
00:45:52,616 --> 00:45:54,952
[Vic] Finally, Velveteen Dream has to tap.

950
00:45:55,385 --> 00:45:57,855
[Dream screaming]

951
00:45:58,589 --> 00:46:00,557
[Alicia] Here is your winner…

952
00:46:01,125 --> 00:46:03,227
Kushida!

953
00:46:03,393 --> 00:46:05,429
[Vic] Wade, how about the tenacity

954
00:46:05,929 --> 00:46:07,097
of Kushida?

955
00:46:08,799 --> 00:46:12,469
[Wade] An impressive display
of resilience from the Dream,

956
00:46:12,536 --> 00:46:14,738
but Kushida, you're absolutely right, Vic,

957
00:46:14,805 --> 00:46:16,507
would not let go of that hold

958
00:46:16,573 --> 00:46:20,110
despite the onslaught
of offense coming his way.

959
00:46:20,177 --> 00:46:21,745
And he gets the victory.

960
00:46:21,812 --> 00:46:24,982
Perhaps goes the way to showing the world

961
00:46:25,048 --> 00:46:27,217
what the new Kushida is all about.

962
00:46:27,684 --> 00:46:30,821
["New Moon" by WWE, def rebel playing]

963
00:46:31,021 --> 00:46:33,223
[Vic] Well, the light shining bright

964
00:46:33,891 --> 00:46:35,792
on Kushida here tonight.

965
00:46:36,293 --> 00:46:38,562
Kushida picking up his first victory,

966
00:46:38,729 --> 00:46:40,731
Beth, at an NXT TakeOver.

967
00:46:41,265 --> 00:46:44,968
[Beth] Well, Kushida's new brand
of brutality certainly paying off for him.

968
00:46:45,202 --> 00:46:48,438
-[Beth] We see him holding onto the elbow.
-[bell ringing]

969
00:46:48,505 --> 00:46:50,841
[Beth] Though Dream
tried to nail him with it,

970
00:46:50,908 --> 00:46:52,976
but he would soon tap out.

971
00:46:56,446 --> 00:46:58,982
[Vic] And with that tap out, Kushida,

972
00:46:59,683 --> 00:47:01,585
who said it was time to excel,

973
00:47:01,985 --> 00:47:03,320
certainly has done that.

974
00:47:03,987 --> 00:47:05,923
And maybe his--whoa!

975
00:47:06,990 --> 00:47:10,093
Kushida, right on top--
what the heck is this?

976
00:47:10,594 --> 00:47:13,530
[Wade] Punishment time!
This wasn't about winning or losing.

977
00:47:13,597 --> 00:47:15,566
This was about beating your opponent

978
00:47:15,632 --> 00:47:17,334
to within an inch of his career.

979
00:47:17,401 --> 00:47:18,969
[Vic] Kushida right back on

980
00:47:19,169 --> 00:47:20,270
to Velveteen Dream

981
00:47:20,337 --> 00:47:22,472
focusing on that left injured arm.

982
00:47:22,539 --> 00:47:24,975
Kushida continuing to damage

983
00:47:25,042 --> 00:47:27,311
and more Velveteen Dream.

984
00:47:27,711 --> 00:47:29,813
-[Vic] Look at the wrist.
-[bell ringing]

985
00:47:29,880 --> 00:47:32,015
[Vic] The manipulation again from Kushida.

986
00:47:32,249 --> 00:47:33,517
[Wade] That is sickening.

987
00:47:34,318 --> 00:47:37,888
-[Dream screaming]
-[referees] Come on.

988
00:47:38,789 --> 00:47:43,093
[referees talking]

989
00:47:43,994 --> 00:47:46,129
[referee] No! That's enough!

990
00:47:46,363 --> 00:47:48,999
[Vic] We knew
we had an all-business side of Kushida.

991
00:47:49,066 --> 00:47:50,968
His words not mine.

992
00:47:51,835 --> 00:47:53,437
But what did we witness tonight?

993
00:47:53,837 --> 00:47:56,840
And again, Kushida
right back on top of Velveteen Dream.

994
00:47:57,474 --> 00:47:59,776
-[Beth] Kushida is unhinged.
-[Dream screaming]

995
00:47:59,843 --> 00:48:02,579
[Vic] And again, blocking, Wade, another,

996
00:48:02,813 --> 00:48:04,181
another submission.

997
00:48:05,349 --> 00:48:08,352
[Wade] Just listen to the screams
of the Velveteen Dream

998
00:48:08,418 --> 00:48:10,921
the agony coursing through his body now.

999
00:48:10,988 --> 00:48:12,823
Kushida knows no bounds.

1000
00:48:13,190 --> 00:48:14,358
[referee] Get him out.

1001
00:48:14,424 --> 00:48:15,926
[Dream screaming]

1002
00:48:16,326 --> 00:48:20,998
-[Dream whaling] Mom.
-[crowd chanting] One more time!

1003
00:48:21,598 --> 00:48:22,733
[referee] Get him out.

1004
00:48:22,799 --> 00:48:25,736
-[crowd chanting] One more time!
-[Dream repeatedly] Stop.

1005
00:48:25,802 --> 00:48:27,571
[referee, repeatedly] It's alright.

1006
00:48:27,638 --> 00:48:31,141
[Vic] Look at the pain on Velveteen Dream.

1007
00:48:31,808 --> 00:48:33,610
Wade, what do you make of Kushida?

1008
00:48:34,378 --> 00:48:36,046
[Wade] I was looking at his face.

1009
00:48:36,113 --> 00:48:38,515
I'm not sure he's even satisfied
at this point.

1010
00:48:38,715 --> 00:48:40,817
[Dream whaling]

1011
00:48:42,419 --> 00:48:46,790
[rock music playing]

1012
00:49:04,574 --> 00:49:07,577
[distortion noises]

1013
00:49:08,445 --> 00:49:11,248
[Shotzi Blackheart screaming]

1014
00:49:12,282 --> 00:49:14,351
Trick or treat.

1015
00:49:14,418 --> 00:49:17,254
[Shotzi laughing]

1016
00:49:20,390 --> 00:49:24,761
-[Shotzi howling]
-[narrator] Join us on the scariest night.

1017
00:49:25,262 --> 00:49:27,731
[narrator] Halloween Havoc is back.

1018
00:49:28,565 --> 00:49:30,467
[narrator laughing]

1019
00:49:33,437 --> 00:49:37,174
[Vic] Can you believe it?
For the first time in 20 years,

1020
00:49:37,240 --> 00:49:40,544
Halloween Havoc
for the first time ever here in NXT.

1021
00:49:40,610 --> 00:49:43,580
I cannot wait, Beth, for October 28th,

1022
00:49:43,780 --> 00:49:45,048
but I also can't wait

1023
00:49:45,115 --> 00:49:47,084
for what we're gonna have later tonight.

1024
00:49:48,018 --> 00:49:51,054
[Beth] Following a disappointing loss
for Johnny earlier,

1025
00:49:51,121 --> 00:49:54,558
Candice LeRae looking to focus
on keeping her end of the promise

1026
00:49:54,624 --> 00:49:57,060
to bring home gold to the Gargano family.

1027
00:49:57,627 --> 00:49:58,962
[Vic] In order to do so,

1028
00:49:59,129 --> 00:50:02,332
she will have
to take down the genius of the sky.

1029
00:50:02,499 --> 00:50:04,901
Io Shirai extremely focused

1030
00:50:05,135 --> 00:50:08,004
on the NXT Women's Championship match-up

1031
00:50:08,238 --> 00:50:10,007
still to come later tonight,

1032
00:50:10,073 --> 00:50:11,008
but right now,

1033
00:50:11,074 --> 00:50:14,811
it's all about the NXT
Cruiserweight Championship.

1034
00:50:15,011 --> 00:50:16,580
For the first time ever,

1035
00:50:16,646 --> 00:50:18,448
the NXT Cruiserweight Championship

1036
00:50:18,849 --> 00:50:20,817
is defended on a TakeOver.

1037
00:50:20,884 --> 00:50:23,153
Santos Escobar has raised the division,

1038
00:50:23,353 --> 00:50:26,556
but he takes on the one man
that has had his number thus far

1039
00:50:26,623 --> 00:50:28,291
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.

1040
00:50:28,558 --> 00:50:30,894
["Culture head" playing]

1041
00:50:33,230 --> 00:50:35,365
[presenter] El Hijo del Fantasma,

1042
00:50:35,432 --> 00:50:37,634
the new NXT Cruiserweight Champion

1043
00:50:38,168 --> 00:50:40,504
culminating his two-decade dream.

1044
00:50:41,571 --> 00:50:43,440
[presenter] The two masked men again.

1045
00:50:43,807 --> 00:50:45,575
Oh my god. Wait a minute.

1046
00:50:46,243 --> 00:50:47,978
[Santos] I am Santos Escobar.

1047
00:50:49,980 --> 00:50:53,316
The Cruiserweight Division
was in desperate need for a leader.

1048
00:50:54,017 --> 00:50:55,085
Santos Escobar…

1049
00:50:56,186 --> 00:50:57,954
took the NXT Cruiserweight title…

1050
00:50:58,822 --> 00:50:59,823
from the sideshow…

1051
00:51:01,391 --> 00:51:02,592
to the main show.

1052
00:51:02,659 --> 00:51:05,796
Sometimes you have to tear things down…

1053
00:51:06,830 --> 00:51:08,598
in order to build them back up.

1054
00:51:08,665 --> 00:51:10,300
No one can touch me.

1055
00:51:14,271 --> 00:51:15,739
[Swerve] Santos Escobar…

1056
00:51:16,306 --> 00:51:18,241
in case you forgot,

1057
00:51:19,376 --> 00:51:20,877
I'm the only one that beat you.

1058
00:51:21,945 --> 00:51:23,914
That's two pinfall victories over you now.

1059
00:51:24,080 --> 00:51:25,282
But I'm not content.

1060
00:51:25,715 --> 00:51:28,618
And the reason why
is because Santos is still walking around

1061
00:51:28,685 --> 00:51:32,022
with that NXT Cruiserweight Championship
and Swerve is not.

1062
00:51:32,289 --> 00:51:36,426
Next time you step in the ring with me,
you're gonna be seeing the new Champion.

1063
00:51:36,493 --> 00:51:37,961
[Santos] Don't make me laugh.

1064
00:51:38,695 --> 00:51:39,529
Swerve…

1065
00:51:40,030 --> 00:51:41,164
you're a parasite

1066
00:51:41,865 --> 00:51:43,033
that I can't get rid of.

1067
00:51:43,233 --> 00:51:46,236
[Swerve] Every time
when that title is on the line

1068
00:51:46,303 --> 00:51:48,038
there's always something going on,

1069
00:51:48,238 --> 00:51:50,440
whether it's Legado Fantasma interfering

1070
00:51:50,507 --> 00:51:52,843
or you have a manipulated lucha mask.

1071
00:51:52,909 --> 00:51:55,312
[Santos] All I'm hearing
is [foreign language]

1072
00:51:55,378 --> 00:51:57,681
The problem is when it really counts,

1073
00:51:57,747 --> 00:51:58,882
you can't deliver.

1074
00:51:58,949 --> 00:52:01,952
[Swerve] What you call excuses,
I'm calling reality.

1075
00:52:02,018 --> 00:52:04,020
I'm ready to showcase to the world

1076
00:52:04,087 --> 00:52:06,756
what I'm truly capable of.

1077
00:52:06,823 --> 00:52:08,058
And while I'm doing that,

1078
00:52:08,725 --> 00:52:09,659
I'm gonna showcase

1079
00:52:10,227 --> 00:52:14,965
how our NXT Cruiserweight Champion,
Santos Escobar,

1080
00:52:15,398 --> 00:52:16,500
is a fraud.

1081
00:52:16,566 --> 00:52:21,171
[Santos] At TakeOver,
all of your showcasing won't be enough

1082
00:52:21,238 --> 00:52:23,273
because what you call a bag of tricks,

1083
00:52:23,807 --> 00:52:25,809
I call a century of tradition.

1084
00:52:25,876 --> 00:52:28,879
[Santos laughing]
And I'm gonna bury you with it.

1085
00:52:33,517 --> 00:52:35,418
["Fly Life" by def rebel playing]

1086
00:52:35,485 --> 00:52:38,421
[Vic] It is time for the Cruiserweight
to take flight

1087
00:52:38,655 --> 00:52:41,024
here at NXT TakeOver 31.

1088
00:52:43,827 --> 00:52:44,661
[bell ringing]

1089
00:52:44,861 --> 00:52:47,831
[Alicia] The following contest
set for one fall is for…

1090
00:52:47,898 --> 00:52:52,068
is for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.

1091
00:52:53,136 --> 00:52:54,538
Introducing the challenger

1092
00:52:54,771 --> 00:52:57,641
from Tacoma, Washington,
weighing in at 201 pounds,

1093
00:52:57,941 --> 00:53:02,612
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.

1094
00:53:02,979 --> 00:53:06,183
[Vic] Beth, big opportunity tonight
for Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.

1095
00:53:06,750 --> 00:53:08,818
[Beth] Yes. Swerve is so confident

1096
00:53:08,885 --> 00:53:09,753
coming into this.

1097
00:53:09,986 --> 00:53:11,655
He's bringing his heart and soul.

1098
00:53:11,721 --> 00:53:14,257
You can see the attitude
written all over his face.

1099
00:53:14,758 --> 00:53:17,627
Swerve is also a student
of lucha libre himself.

1100
00:53:17,827 --> 00:53:20,397
He's competed under a mask
before coming to NXT

1101
00:53:20,630 --> 00:53:23,667
and he is ready to take on Santos Escobar.

1102
00:53:23,733 --> 00:53:25,435
Tonight could be his night.

1103
00:53:25,936 --> 00:53:28,939
["Fly Life" continues playing]

1104
00:53:31,575 --> 00:53:32,742
[Vic] Always confident.

1105
00:53:34,211 --> 00:53:35,712
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott…

1106
00:53:36,746 --> 00:53:38,548
looking to finally put gold

1107
00:53:39,015 --> 00:53:40,350
around his waist.

1108
00:53:42,852 --> 00:53:44,120
But in order to do so,

1109
00:53:44,888 --> 00:53:47,857
he's gotta take down one
of the most dominant champions

1110
00:53:48,024 --> 00:53:49,693
in Cruiserweight history.

1111
00:53:50,160 --> 00:53:54,264
["Legacy of the Ghost"
by def rebel playing]

1112
00:54:07,544 --> 00:54:08,745
[Alicia] His opponent

1113
00:54:08,812 --> 00:54:11,681
representing Legado del Fantasma.

1114
00:54:12,115 --> 00:54:14,451
He is the NXT Cruiserweight Champion,

1115
00:54:14,951 --> 00:54:17,754
Santos Escobar.

1116
00:54:20,523 --> 00:54:22,292
[Vic] Wade, no doubt Santos Escobar

1117
00:54:22,359 --> 00:54:25,061
is building quite the legacy in NXT.

1118
00:54:25,762 --> 00:54:27,731
[Wade] I have to say, I think this man,

1119
00:54:27,797 --> 00:54:29,332
Santos Escobar

1120
00:54:29,399 --> 00:54:32,035
is nothing short of brilliant

1121
00:54:32,302 --> 00:54:34,004
as he hands off that lucha mask

1122
00:54:34,070 --> 00:54:36,973
to his boys El Legado del Fantasma

1123
00:54:37,040 --> 00:54:40,377
wearing that Cruiserweight Championship

1124
00:54:40,443 --> 00:54:41,311
with pride.

1125
00:54:41,378 --> 00:54:44,848
This man is style
and elegance personified.

1126
00:54:44,914 --> 00:54:46,750
I love Santos Escobar.

1127
00:54:47,817 --> 00:54:52,922
["Legacy of the Ghost" continues playing]

1128
00:55:00,063 --> 00:55:02,265
[Vic] NXT TakeOver 31 is presented

1129
00:55:02,332 --> 00:55:04,668
by WWE 2k Battlegrounds.

1130
00:55:04,734 --> 00:55:06,803
Enter the battlegrounds with in-your-face,

1131
00:55:06,870 --> 00:55:09,706
over the top,
multiplayer mayhem brawl without limits.

1132
00:55:10,006 --> 00:55:11,007
Available now.

1133
00:55:15,178 --> 00:55:16,646
And we are set for a brawl

1134
00:55:16,713 --> 00:55:19,182
between these two superstars on the night

1135
00:55:19,683 --> 00:55:22,919
we have been talking about the history
of professional wrestling.

1136
00:55:23,086 --> 00:55:24,521
You think about 205 Live,

1137
00:55:24,587 --> 00:55:27,691
think about superstars like Buddy Murphy,
Cedric Alexander, Ali,

1138
00:55:27,757 --> 00:55:30,460
the body of work
from the Cruiserweight Tournament.

1139
00:55:30,960 --> 00:55:32,529
These two superstars

1140
00:55:32,762 --> 00:55:34,864
really have embodied all of those

1141
00:55:35,565 --> 00:55:37,634
in this Cruiserweight Division as of late.

1142
00:55:37,701 --> 00:55:40,603
-[Vic] All led by one man, Santos Escobar.
-[bell ringing]

1143
00:55:41,004 --> 00:55:43,540
[Beth] I had the chance to talk
to Santos earlier.

1144
00:55:43,606 --> 00:55:47,210
And he talked about how he
carries a hundred years of tradition

1145
00:55:47,277 --> 00:55:48,712
on his back coming into this.

1146
00:55:48,778 --> 00:55:51,181
Of course, the heritage
of lucha libre wrestling

1147
00:55:51,247 --> 00:55:55,418
and he wants to show why
he remains the NXT Cruiserweight Champion.

1148
00:55:56,152 --> 00:55:58,888
[Vic] These two locking up,
no strangers to one another.

1149
00:55:58,955 --> 00:56:01,357
Again, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott
owns two victories

1150
00:56:01,791 --> 00:56:03,593
over Santos Escobar.

1151
00:56:03,660 --> 00:56:05,762
The only superstar
to have defeated Escobar

1152
00:56:05,829 --> 00:56:08,331
since Escobar's arrival here in NXT.

1153
00:56:09,332 --> 00:56:10,166
When you talk--

1154
00:56:10,233 --> 00:56:13,103
[Wade] Santos Escobar
will want to put that right tonight.

1155
00:56:13,169 --> 00:56:15,472
[Vic] Wade, when you talk about
lucha libre--oh!

1156
00:56:15,972 --> 00:56:17,640
And look at "Swerve" Scott.

1157
00:56:17,841 --> 00:56:19,709
When you talk about lucha libre,

1158
00:56:19,776 --> 00:56:23,046
Santos Escobar says Swerve
doesn't respect the tradition.

1159
00:56:23,113 --> 00:56:24,147
Do you agree?

1160
00:56:24,748 --> 00:56:26,850
[Wade] Yeah, perhaps so. He's called…

1161
00:56:27,784 --> 00:56:29,953
Santos Escobar, the champion,

1162
00:56:30,220 --> 00:56:31,521
he's called him a fraud.

1163
00:56:31,821 --> 00:56:33,289
That is disrespectful to him.

1164
00:56:33,356 --> 00:56:36,459
That is disrespectful
to the emperor of lucha libre,

1165
00:56:36,526 --> 00:56:37,660
Santos Escobar.

1166
00:56:38,862 --> 00:56:39,863
[Swerve screaming]

1167
00:56:39,929 --> 00:56:41,531
[Vic] Look at "Swerve" again,

1168
00:56:41,831 --> 00:56:44,801
from behind, roll through
goes the champion, shoulders down,

1169
00:56:44,868 --> 00:56:46,035
and an early near fall

1170
00:56:46,102 --> 00:56:48,571
in this NXT Cruiserweight
Championship Match-up.

1171
00:56:48,638 --> 00:56:50,273
Another Takedown, cover, kick-out.

1172
00:56:50,507 --> 00:56:53,943
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott now,
same thing on mind that Escobar did

1173
00:56:54,010 --> 00:56:56,679
and both superstars with a stalemate.

1174
00:56:57,180 --> 00:57:00,250
[crowd thumping the Plexiglas]

1175
00:57:00,917 --> 00:57:03,086
[crowd thumping the Plexiglas]

1176
00:57:03,853 --> 00:57:07,190
[Vic] And you hear the appreciation
from the NXT universe.

1177
00:57:07,257 --> 00:57:09,259
And oh, what a kick to the midsection

1178
00:57:09,325 --> 00:57:10,760
by Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.

1179
00:57:11,528 --> 00:57:12,729
A little Swerve.

1180
00:57:12,896 --> 00:57:15,799
Now Escobar jumping forearm
drops the challenger.

1181
00:57:16,499 --> 00:57:17,834
Escobar charging in.

1182
00:57:17,901 --> 00:57:19,369
Goes up and over.

1183
00:57:19,803 --> 00:57:22,672
[referee] Come up again!
Come on! Let's go! Inside.

1184
00:57:22,739 --> 00:57:24,207
[Vic] Again, these superstars,

1185
00:57:24,274 --> 00:57:25,842
no strangers to one another

1186
00:57:25,909 --> 00:57:27,644
and what a Moonsault

1187
00:57:27,710 --> 00:57:29,012
by the challenger.

1188
00:57:29,412 --> 00:57:30,814
Didn't get all of it, Beth,

1189
00:57:30,880 --> 00:57:32,816
got enough of it to take Escobar down.

1190
00:57:33,283 --> 00:57:36,085
[Beth] Swerve's lucha libre game
is strong tonight

1191
00:57:36,152 --> 00:57:39,055
and I got to wonder
if he is throwing Escobar off.

1192
00:57:39,622 --> 00:57:42,559
I don't know if he prepared
or expected Swerve to bring this.

1193
00:57:43,860 --> 00:57:46,996
[Vic] But Wade, let's not forget,
it was Isaiah "Swerve" Scott

1194
00:57:47,063 --> 00:57:48,798
who called the champion a fraud.

1195
00:57:49,732 --> 00:57:53,369
Tonight, trying to prove that the champion
is nothing more than just that.

1196
00:57:53,570 --> 00:57:55,205
And another high-risk

1197
00:57:55,905 --> 00:57:57,073
for "Swerve" Scott.

1198
00:57:57,941 --> 00:58:01,110
[Wade] Well, this is effective,
but this is a slap in the face

1199
00:58:01,177 --> 00:58:03,079
to the emperor of lucha libre,

1200
00:58:03,146 --> 00:58:04,547
Santos Escobar,

1201
00:58:04,614 --> 00:58:06,549
beating him at his own game.

1202
00:58:07,016 --> 00:58:08,751
[Vic] Escobar out the other end

1203
00:58:08,818 --> 00:58:12,455
because Escobar knows the only way
for Swerve to become champion

1204
00:58:12,522 --> 00:58:14,691
is pinfall or submission inside the ring.

1205
00:58:14,858 --> 00:58:18,294
And up and over again goes the challenger,

1206
00:58:18,761 --> 00:58:19,629
He's reckless.

1207
00:58:19,696 --> 00:58:23,466
-[Wade] Escobar is being taught a lesson.
-[Vic] He certainly is.

1208
00:58:23,533 --> 00:58:25,101
[crowd thumping the Plexiglas]

1209
00:58:25,268 --> 00:58:27,403
[Beth] Beautiful high risk maneuver here.

1210
00:58:27,470 --> 00:58:29,138
Corkscrew Moonsault

1211
00:58:29,339 --> 00:58:30,373
hits hard.

1212
00:58:30,440 --> 00:58:31,508
[crowd chanting] NXT!

1213
00:58:31,574 --> 00:58:32,775
[Vic] Following that up,

1214
00:58:32,842 --> 00:58:35,078
the challenger would
go to the air yet again.

1215
00:58:35,545 --> 00:58:38,882
And a cover, Beth, to live action
and a kick-out by the champion.

1216
00:58:39,315 --> 00:58:42,619
[Wade] And I've got to say, Vic,
I think this is actually a mistake

1217
00:58:42,685 --> 00:58:46,289
from "Swerve" Scott, despite the fact
that he's in control of this one.

1218
00:58:46,356 --> 00:58:51,127
Listen, why are you trying to show Escobar
that you can beat him in his own game?

1219
00:58:51,194 --> 00:58:53,062
You've already beaten him previously.

1220
00:58:53,129 --> 00:58:54,931
Stick to what worked previously.

1221
00:58:54,998 --> 00:58:56,399
Don't try anything clever.

1222
00:58:56,466 --> 00:58:57,600
It's working now.

1223
00:58:57,667 --> 00:58:59,969
Don't think at some point Santos Escobar

1224
00:59:00,136 --> 00:59:02,105
isn't gonna be able to turn this around.

1225
00:59:02,305 --> 00:59:03,806
[Vic] Speaking of that,

1226
00:59:03,873 --> 00:59:06,910
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott
trying to bend back the elbow.

1227
00:59:08,044 --> 00:59:10,780
Take a look at the joint manipulation

1228
00:59:10,847 --> 00:59:12,849
by Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.

1229
00:59:13,616 --> 00:59:16,386
[Wade] Utilizing part of that ring
to his advantage.

1230
00:59:16,452 --> 00:59:19,155
The referee was in close,
didn't get a five-count there.

1231
00:59:19,222 --> 00:59:22,592
-[Wade] Broke in advance.
-[Vic] Into the cover. Title on the line.

1232
00:59:22,659 --> 00:59:24,027
[Vic] And another kick-out

1233
00:59:24,294 --> 00:59:25,762
by Santos Escobar.

1234
00:59:27,363 --> 00:59:30,833
[Wade] Talk about strategy,
there is no way that Santos Escobar

1235
00:59:30,900 --> 00:59:34,938
expected "Swerve" Scott to come out
with a lucha libre high flying style

1236
00:59:35,004 --> 00:59:36,272
against him in this one.

1237
00:59:36,739 --> 00:59:39,309
Taken by surprise
and we see the effects now.

1238
00:59:39,375 --> 00:59:42,545
[Vic] He certainly didn't. And Beth,
we've seen him go to the air

1239
00:59:42,612 --> 00:59:44,480
but now he's going to his ground game.

1240
00:59:44,547 --> 00:59:45,748
[referee] You give up?

1241
00:59:45,815 --> 00:59:48,551
[Beth] He has come to the table,
he's done his homework.

1242
00:59:49,485 --> 00:59:53,556
And he is leaving no table unturned in
this situation.

1243
00:59:54,090 --> 00:59:55,959
Swerve, he actually told me later

1244
00:59:56,125 --> 00:59:59,028
that he was pushing the limits
of the 205 weight limit

1245
00:59:59,329 --> 01:00:01,698
to come into this match-up
as heavy as possible

1246
01:00:01,764 --> 01:00:04,600
while still making weight
to just get the weight advantage.

1247
01:00:04,667 --> 01:00:06,602
[Wade] Let me jump in there, Beth.

1248
01:00:06,669 --> 01:00:09,439
Again, I think that is a big mistake
for "Swerve" Scott.

1249
01:00:09,505 --> 01:00:11,107
Because he's put on this weight

1250
01:00:11,174 --> 01:00:12,976
to beat the man he can already beat.

1251
01:00:13,576 --> 01:00:16,045
-[Wade] Change it if you're losing.
-[Vic] Wait.

1252
01:00:16,112 --> 01:00:18,648
[Vic] And now Swerve Scott
looking for a submission.

1253
01:00:18,982 --> 01:00:21,951
And Santos Escobar
very close to the bottom rope.

1254
01:00:22,552 --> 01:00:25,154
And Santos Escobar
trying everything to reach out.

1255
01:00:25,221 --> 01:00:26,255
and finally does.

1256
01:00:26,322 --> 01:00:28,124
But Isaiah "Swerve" Scott holding on

1257
01:00:28,191 --> 01:00:31,027
for on additional second
to continue to inflict damage,

1258
01:00:31,194 --> 01:00:33,930
because this rivalry is deeply rooted

1259
01:00:33,997 --> 01:00:35,865
between these two superstars.

1260
01:00:35,932 --> 01:00:37,800
And "Swerve" Scott knows tonight

1261
01:00:37,867 --> 01:00:39,535
could be his last opportunity

1262
01:00:39,602 --> 01:00:40,903
to become champion,

1263
01:00:40,970 --> 01:00:45,475
as Scott continuing to focus
on the left arm of Santos Escobar.

1264
01:00:45,541 --> 01:00:48,077
And back to the point you made,
Wade, early on,

1265
01:00:48,845 --> 01:00:50,480
He has an unpredictable offense.

1266
01:00:50,546 --> 01:00:53,816
High flying, stealthy submission,
ground game as well.

1267
01:00:53,883 --> 01:00:57,820
I mean, how hard is it for him
to prepare for an offense like Scott's?

1268
01:00:58,154 --> 01:01:02,158
[Wade] Yeah, if you can figure out
your opponent's strategy and game plan,

1269
01:01:02,225 --> 01:01:04,360
the rest should be easy, common sense.

1270
01:01:04,427 --> 01:01:07,897
The hard part was that "Swerve" Scott
has such a wide arsenal

1271
01:01:07,964 --> 01:01:09,198
you can't figure it out.

1272
01:01:09,265 --> 01:01:12,201
But perhaps somehow, some way right now,

1273
01:01:12,268 --> 01:01:15,204
Santos Escobar showing his quality,

1274
01:01:15,438 --> 01:01:17,807
buying some breathing room with that dive.

1275
01:01:17,874 --> 01:01:21,444
-[Vic] Certainly! What a dive!
-[Wade] He hasn't been out of the block.

1276
01:01:21,511 --> 01:01:25,148
[Vic] Escobar into the cover,
hook to the leg and a kick-out.

1277
01:01:25,481 --> 01:01:28,584
Well, how about
Santos Escobar here, take a look.

1278
01:01:28,651 --> 01:01:30,920
-[Vic] Escobar resting and--oh!
-[crowd] Oh!

1279
01:01:31,287 --> 01:01:34,557
[Vic] To point Swerve right
into that barricade

1280
01:01:34,624 --> 01:01:37,126
which again is unlike anything
we've ever seen.

1281
01:01:37,193 --> 01:01:39,562
It's covered in chain. It's Plexiglas.

1282
01:01:39,762 --> 01:01:44,500
These superstars are inside this arena
for the first time here tonight.

1283
01:01:44,567 --> 01:01:47,103
And what a clothesline by Escobar.

1284
01:01:47,970 --> 01:01:49,839
[Wade] Those cages around the ring,

1285
01:01:49,906 --> 01:01:53,943
it's effectively you're inside a
steel cage match at this point and--

1286
01:01:54,110 --> 01:01:54,944
[Vic] Oh.

1287
01:01:55,011 --> 01:01:57,447
[Wade] Swerve taking it hard
against his back,

1288
01:01:57,647 --> 01:01:59,248
knocking the stuffing out of him.

1289
01:01:59,315 --> 01:02:03,086
[Vic] At Capitol Wrestling Center,
the site of NXT TakeOver 31

1290
01:02:03,386 --> 01:02:05,755
where currently the Cruiserweight
Championship

1291
01:02:05,822 --> 01:02:07,957
on the line for the first time ever

1292
01:02:08,157 --> 01:02:11,260
as Santos Escobar
looking for the Frankensteiner.

1293
01:02:11,327 --> 01:02:12,295
Got all of it.

1294
01:02:13,296 --> 01:02:16,899
Escobar rolls through and drops the elbow.

1295
01:02:18,301 --> 01:02:20,937
-[Vic] He'll retain his title.
-[referee] One, two…

1296
01:02:21,003 --> 01:02:21,971
Hook to the leg.

1297
01:02:22,038 --> 01:02:23,773
Scott able to kick-out at two.

1298
01:02:25,575 --> 01:02:28,144
We talk about changing a game plan up,
Wade.

1299
01:02:28,211 --> 01:02:31,481
We're seeing a few new tricks
from the champion tonight.

1300
01:02:32,014 --> 01:02:33,583
[Wade] Yeah, he bided his time.

1301
01:02:33,649 --> 01:02:36,219
He showed that resilience that he needed

1302
01:02:36,285 --> 01:02:38,454
to get over that initial storm

1303
01:02:38,521 --> 01:02:41,057
and now getting punished
by "Swerve" Scott.

1304
01:02:41,124 --> 01:02:43,960
Those boots to the throat
as the referee once again

1305
01:02:44,026 --> 01:02:45,595
keeping a very close eye on it.

1306
01:02:47,130 --> 01:02:49,899
[Vic] And the champion
slowing the pace of this match-up.

1307
01:02:50,166 --> 01:02:54,504
And again, it was Santos Escobar
who stated that when it matters most,

1308
01:02:54,570 --> 01:02:56,205
Swerve cannot deliver.

1309
01:02:56,806 --> 01:02:57,807
Swerve fighting.

1310
01:02:57,874 --> 01:03:00,877
[Santos speaking in foreign language]

1311
01:03:00,943 --> 01:03:05,081
[crowd chanting] Santos!

1312
01:03:05,148 --> 01:03:09,252
[Santos speaking in foreign language]

1313
01:03:10,486 --> 01:03:11,621
Imma spit in your face.

1314
01:03:12,155 --> 01:03:13,322
Do you understand that?

1315
01:03:16,092 --> 01:03:18,895
[Vic] Swerve said he was fighting
with a little bit extra.

1316
01:03:18,961 --> 01:03:22,298
Swerve to his feet, but now Escobar
unleashing rights after rights,

1317
01:03:22,365 --> 01:03:23,666
right into the challenger.

1318
01:03:24,300 --> 01:03:26,235
Nice counter, nice right hand

1319
01:03:26,869 --> 01:03:27,737
by Scott.

1320
01:03:27,904 --> 01:03:31,340
Scott answers back with a second,
goes to the body, back up to the jaw

1321
01:03:31,407 --> 01:03:34,477
and the challenger
unleashing on the champion.

1322
01:03:34,544 --> 01:03:37,547
Frustration boiling
out of Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.

1323
01:03:38,147 --> 01:03:41,317
[Wade] Looking like a middleweight boxer
in his prime right now.

1324
01:03:41,384 --> 01:03:42,652
[Vic] What a clothesline.

1325
01:03:42,985 --> 01:03:46,689
[crowd shouting
and thumping the Plexiglas]

1326
01:03:47,223 --> 01:03:48,758
[Vic] You can feel the energy

1327
01:03:48,825 --> 01:03:50,760
here in the Capitol Wrestling Center.

1328
01:03:50,827 --> 01:03:53,529
Scott in with an uppercut,
takes the champion down.

1329
01:03:53,596 --> 01:03:55,164
Scott to the middle turnbuckle.

1330
01:03:55,464 --> 01:03:57,500
Jumping European Uppercut to the back.

1331
01:03:59,135 --> 01:04:01,671
[Wade] "Swerve" Scott
managing to get a second wind

1332
01:04:01,737 --> 01:04:04,941
and once again, Santos Escobar
wisely to the outside

1333
01:04:05,007 --> 01:04:07,743
putting some space
between him and "Swerve" Scott.

1334
01:04:07,810 --> 01:04:08,945
He's blindsided though.

1335
01:04:09,011 --> 01:04:10,179
[Vic] Oh, what a kick.

1336
01:04:10,246 --> 01:04:13,049
But how wise was it, Beth,
for the champion?

1337
01:04:13,649 --> 01:04:17,019
[Beth] Champion on the run. We talked
about heritage and legacy.

1338
01:04:17,086 --> 01:04:20,690
But we're also talking
about the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.

1339
01:04:21,457 --> 01:04:23,159
Swerve has to stay focused,

1340
01:04:23,226 --> 01:04:25,261
get Escobar in there and go for a pinfall.

1341
01:04:25,328 --> 01:04:27,430
[Vic] Certainly.
Only way to win the title,

1342
01:04:27,496 --> 01:04:29,632
as Swerve back into the ring,

1343
01:04:29,699 --> 01:04:32,902
rolls in and Rolling Thunder Flatliner.

1344
01:04:32,969 --> 01:04:34,537
Cover by the challenger.

1345
01:04:34,704 --> 01:04:36,973
Do we have a new champion?

1346
01:04:37,039 --> 01:04:40,810
Escobar just kicking out.

1347
01:04:41,777 --> 01:04:45,748
[Wade] Look at the serene calm
etched all over "Swerve" Scott's face.

1348
01:04:45,815 --> 01:04:47,917
He knows he has the opportunity

1349
01:04:47,984 --> 01:04:50,253
to win the Cruiserweight Championship
right now.

1350
01:04:50,319 --> 01:04:52,955
This is exactly the position
he wanted to be in.

1351
01:04:53,122 --> 01:04:55,258
On top for another high risk move.

1352
01:04:55,324 --> 01:04:58,694
[Vic] Scott looking for his first
taste of gold here in NXT.

1353
01:04:59,228 --> 01:05:01,464
Looking down on the champion.

1354
01:05:02,965 --> 01:05:04,934
Scott with a handful of hair and wait,

1355
01:05:05,001 --> 01:05:07,403
now Escobar pulling himself to the top.

1356
01:05:09,105 --> 01:05:10,973
Oh, going through was the challenger.

1357
01:05:11,040 --> 01:05:13,109
Oh, nice kick by Escobar.

1358
01:05:13,843 --> 01:05:15,978
Escobar turning around, oh, dropkick.

1359
01:05:17,513 --> 01:05:19,849
And now looking for the DDT.

1360
01:05:20,783 --> 01:05:22,418
Swerve got all of the DDT.

1361
01:05:22,485 --> 01:05:24,353
-[referee] One, two…
-[Vic] Come on.

1362
01:05:24,420 --> 01:05:25,254
Again…

1363
01:05:25,621 --> 01:05:26,589
Again…

1364
01:05:26,956 --> 01:05:29,125
Just in the nick of time,

1365
01:05:29,425 --> 01:05:31,294
Escobar able to kick-out.

1366
01:05:31,360 --> 01:05:34,163
But Beth, Swerve has to remain focused.

1367
01:05:34,230 --> 01:05:36,933
[Beth] Swerve is shocked.
He's saying to himself,

1368
01:05:36,999 --> 01:05:38,167
you gotta be kidding me.

1369
01:05:38,234 --> 01:05:39,335
And this right here,

1370
01:05:40,069 --> 01:05:41,704
going for a huge DDT

1371
01:05:41,771 --> 01:05:43,606
after Escobar was tangled up.

1372
01:05:43,973 --> 01:05:45,675
But he was still able to kick-out.

1373
01:05:45,942 --> 01:05:47,977
Swerve just baffled at that.

1374
01:05:48,444 --> 01:05:52,815
[Vic] Isaiah "Swerve" Scott already
two victories over Santos Escobar.

1375
01:05:52,882 --> 01:05:56,085
Third one could bring
him the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.

1376
01:05:56,152 --> 01:05:57,019
Wait a minute.

1377
01:05:57,486 --> 01:05:58,521
What the heck is…

1378
01:05:59,422 --> 01:06:00,623
Joaquin Wilde.

1379
01:06:02,258 --> 01:06:05,394
And Escobar, there's Raul Mendoza
on the outside.

1380
01:06:05,561 --> 01:06:06,829
Numbers advantage.

1381
01:06:07,563 --> 01:06:11,400
Scott goes up and he gets dropped
with a Shoulder Breaker.

1382
01:06:11,600 --> 01:06:14,870
-[referee] One, two…
-[Vic] Not like this. Into the cover.

1383
01:06:15,071 --> 01:06:16,272
Swerve kicks out.

1384
01:06:16,605 --> 01:06:17,940
This match-up continues.

1385
01:06:20,142 --> 01:06:21,944
Legado del Fantasma,

1386
01:06:22,011 --> 01:06:23,779
again, the numbers advantage.

1387
01:06:24,146 --> 01:06:27,516
"Swerve" Scott said nothing is ever done
by the champion

1388
01:06:27,950 --> 01:06:29,385
without his running mates.

1389
01:06:29,452 --> 01:06:30,920
[Joaquin and Raul screaming]

1390
01:06:31,420 --> 01:06:35,257
[Wade] The bag of tricks that "Swerve"
referenced earlier in the day.

1391
01:06:35,891 --> 01:06:39,095
The bag of tricks of Santos Escobar,
what else is up his sleeve?

1392
01:06:39,161 --> 01:06:42,198
[Vic] Escobar, oh,
gets draped over the top rope.

1393
01:06:42,264 --> 01:06:43,532
Swerve with a right hand.

1394
01:06:43,599 --> 01:06:44,567
[referee] You two!

1395
01:06:44,633 --> 01:06:46,235
Challenger now looking around,

1396
01:06:46,302 --> 01:06:48,838
realizing he does not have an advantage
anymore.

1397
01:06:49,372 --> 01:06:52,575
Legado del Fantasma, there is your leader.

1398
01:06:54,477 --> 01:06:56,946
What a move from the top rope.

1399
01:06:57,446 --> 01:06:58,447
But wait a minute.

1400
01:06:58,748 --> 01:06:59,949
Escobar to his feet.

1401
01:07:00,282 --> 01:07:02,218
And there is Ashante Thee Adonis.

1402
01:07:02,918 --> 01:07:04,587
What is Ashante doing out here?

1403
01:07:04,754 --> 01:07:05,955
Evening the odds.

1404
01:07:06,188 --> 01:07:08,391
[Ashante screaming]

1405
01:07:08,691 --> 01:07:10,259
Beth, where did he come from?

1406
01:07:10,926 --> 01:07:14,163
[Beth] Sounds like Swerve
brought an insurance policy of his own.

1407
01:07:15,498 --> 01:07:18,768
[Vic] Ashante and Isaiah "Swerve" Scott

1408
01:07:18,968 --> 01:07:21,103
fighting off Legado del Fantasma.

1409
01:07:21,170 --> 01:07:23,506
Scott's gotta remember
there's a match going on.

1410
01:07:23,572 --> 01:07:24,940
The referee's count.

1411
01:07:25,674 --> 01:07:26,742
Swerve realizing it.

1412
01:07:26,809 --> 01:07:27,910
Back to the apron.

1413
01:07:27,977 --> 01:07:29,445
Back elbow gets the champion.

1414
01:07:29,912 --> 01:07:31,313
Challenger back to the ring.

1415
01:07:31,380 --> 01:07:34,316
"Swerve" looking
for that Rolling Thunder--he got caught.

1416
01:07:34,517 --> 01:07:35,985
Super kick under the jaw.

1417
01:07:36,485 --> 01:07:37,386
Up…

1418
01:07:37,920 --> 01:07:39,588
And the Phantom Driver.

1419
01:07:39,922 --> 01:07:41,223
That's got to be all.

1420
01:07:41,290 --> 01:07:42,892
Cover. Count.

1421
01:07:43,692 --> 01:07:45,294
-[Vic and Wade] No way.

1422
01:07:46,562 --> 01:07:47,596
No one has ever,

1423
01:07:47,897 --> 01:07:50,266
ever kicked out of the Phantom Driver.

1424
01:07:50,866 --> 01:07:52,501
Escobar in disbelief.

1425
01:07:54,170 --> 01:07:57,773
[Wade] What on earth
does Escobar have to do to win this match?

1426
01:07:57,840 --> 01:08:01,410
Nobody in history has kicked out
of the Phantom Driver.

1427
01:08:01,577 --> 01:08:03,112
[Vic] We said earlier tonight,

1428
01:08:03,179 --> 01:08:06,582
Swerve was gonna have to go
to a place not many men have.

1429
01:08:07,249 --> 01:08:10,052
"Swerve" Scott trying
to lay it all on the line tonight.

1430
01:08:10,119 --> 01:08:12,455
Escobar right back in on the challenger.

1431
01:08:13,489 --> 01:08:16,192
But Escobar has hit "Swerve" Scott

1432
01:08:16,258 --> 01:08:17,693
with his best move,

1433
01:08:17,760 --> 01:08:19,095
the Phantom Driver.

1434
01:08:20,396 --> 01:08:22,298
What is going through the mind…

1435
01:08:23,899 --> 01:08:26,569
as the champion Suplex

1436
01:08:26,635 --> 01:08:27,736
and holding on to it.

1437
01:08:27,803 --> 01:08:29,805
Oh, Beth, we know what this is.

1438
01:08:29,872 --> 01:08:31,474
[Beth] Oh, the Three Amigos,

1439
01:08:31,540 --> 01:08:35,044
a callback to Hall of Famer,
Eddie Guerrero, but…

1440
01:08:35,111 --> 01:08:35,945
[crowd booing]

1441
01:08:36,011 --> 01:08:38,414
[Beth] I don't think anyone
does it like Eddie.

1442
01:08:39,281 --> 01:08:42,318
-[Vic] Third Suplex.
-[Wade] Boos coming out of his audience.

1443
01:08:42,384 --> 01:08:44,553
[crowd booing]

1444
01:08:44,787 --> 01:08:47,723
[Vic] Santos Escobar,
after the Three Amigos.

1445
01:08:48,624 --> 01:08:49,592
He talked about…

1446
01:08:50,526 --> 01:08:51,560
the lucha heritage,

1447
01:08:51,727 --> 01:08:54,263
that he is the emperor of lucha libre.

1448
01:08:54,497 --> 01:08:56,332
Looking for the top rope--oh!

1449
01:08:56,398 --> 01:08:58,167
Frog Splash did not connect.

1450
01:08:58,667 --> 01:09:01,237
That certainly
was not Eddie Guerreroesque, Beth.

1451
01:09:04,006 --> 01:09:05,875
[Beth] But here's the moment

1452
01:09:05,941 --> 01:09:08,310
that Swerve has been waiting for.

1453
01:09:09,178 --> 01:09:10,779
Moving in for the kill quickly.

1454
01:09:11,113 --> 01:09:13,082
[Santos shouting] No! No!

1455
01:09:13,349 --> 01:09:15,251
[Vic] Back to the submission game.

1456
01:09:15,317 --> 01:09:17,052
Oh, trying to bend back…

1457
01:09:18,120 --> 01:09:19,388
the entire left arm

1458
01:09:20,489 --> 01:09:21,490
of the champion.

1459
01:09:22,725 --> 01:09:25,161
"Swerve" Scott
has got to put his foot on the gas.

1460
01:09:25,895 --> 01:09:26,962
House Call.

1461
01:09:27,296 --> 01:09:28,597
The House Call connects.

1462
01:09:30,533 --> 01:09:33,002
Scott realizing this is his moment.

1463
01:09:33,169 --> 01:09:34,003
To the top.

1464
01:09:35,638 --> 01:09:37,139
The 450.

1465
01:09:37,606 --> 01:09:39,008
Swerve got all of it.

1466
01:09:39,208 --> 01:09:41,076
Is it--oh, man!

1467
01:09:41,877 --> 01:09:44,046
You don't get any closer

1468
01:09:44,246 --> 01:09:45,915
without ringing the bell,

1469
01:09:45,981 --> 01:09:48,584
to steal the phrase from Corey Graves.

1470
01:09:49,351 --> 01:09:52,688
[Wade] This match
should've been over a long time ago.

1471
01:09:52,755 --> 01:09:53,789
Somehow, some way

1472
01:09:53,856 --> 01:09:55,858
both men digging deep

1473
01:09:55,925 --> 01:09:57,893
because the Cruiserweight Championship

1474
01:09:57,960 --> 01:09:58,994
is on the line.

1475
01:09:59,061 --> 01:10:00,262
The question is:

1476
01:10:00,329 --> 01:10:03,432
what do you have left in your playbooks?

1477
01:10:04,033 --> 01:10:07,937
[crowd chanting] Legado!

1478
01:10:09,672 --> 01:10:11,507
[Vic] This, indeed, is awesome

1479
01:10:11,574 --> 01:10:14,677
as both superstars
spilling to the outside.

1480
01:10:16,979 --> 01:10:18,480
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, though,

1481
01:10:18,547 --> 01:10:20,616
staying right on top of Escobar.

1482
01:10:20,916 --> 01:10:23,619
Now could be looking
for some sort of half-and-half.

1483
01:10:23,686 --> 01:10:26,055
Escobar able to counter for a moment.

1484
01:10:26,522 --> 01:10:28,257
Escobar continuing to fight,

1485
01:10:28,557 --> 01:10:30,826
holding on and--oh!

1486
01:10:33,662 --> 01:10:38,701
That exposed steel of the turnbuckle
from early on in the match-up.

1487
01:10:39,768 --> 01:10:41,570
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott could be out.

1488
01:10:42,571 --> 01:10:46,609
-[Wade] Got a glassy eyed look right now.
-[Vic] Escobar--he certainly does.

1489
01:10:46,675 --> 01:10:48,978
Santos Escobar realizing it.

1490
01:10:50,879 --> 01:10:52,381
Hooking up the challenger.

1491
01:10:53,716 --> 01:10:54,683
Double Underhook.

1492
01:10:54,750 --> 01:10:55,584
Oh.

1493
01:10:55,884 --> 01:10:57,319
Knee right into the face.

1494
01:10:57,753 --> 01:10:59,188
Cover by the champion.

1495
01:10:59,255 --> 01:11:03,292
-[Vic] Escobar retains his title.
-[bell ringing]

1496
01:11:03,359 --> 01:11:08,397
[Alicia] Here is your winner
and still the NXT Cruiserweight Champion,

1497
01:11:08,864 --> 01:11:11,700
Santos Escobar.

1498
01:11:12,334 --> 01:11:15,204
-[crowd booing]
-["Legacy of the Ghost" playing]

1499
01:11:15,671 --> 01:11:17,473
[Vic] Santos Escobar

1500
01:11:17,706 --> 01:11:21,443
retaining the Cruiserweight crown
here tonight.

1501
01:11:21,877 --> 01:11:25,481
Take nothing away though, Beth,
from Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.

1502
01:11:25,781 --> 01:11:27,950
[Beth] Yeah, what a heartbreak for Swerve

1503
01:11:28,017 --> 01:11:30,853
after that incredible effort
throughout this match-up.

1504
01:11:30,919 --> 01:11:34,089
I mean, let's go back
to some moments from earlier on.

1505
01:11:34,156 --> 01:11:37,726
You see here, Swerve going
against the momentum,

1506
01:11:37,793 --> 01:11:40,229
moving Escobar, stopping him short

1507
01:11:40,529 --> 01:11:43,866
and landing this incredible
Phantom Driver.

1508
01:11:43,932 --> 01:11:45,768
We thought this would be it.

1509
01:11:46,068 --> 01:11:48,971
But Swerve kicking out the Phantom.

1510
01:11:49,038 --> 01:11:51,473
The Capitol Wrestling Center
going bananas.

1511
01:11:51,540 --> 01:11:54,276
[Vic] Certainly. No one
had kicked out of the Phantom.

1512
01:11:54,343 --> 01:11:57,646
Scott would hit a picture perfect 450

1513
01:11:57,713 --> 01:12:02,151
but would not be able to keep Escobar
down for the count of three.

1514
01:12:02,318 --> 01:12:05,254
But really, this was the changing moment
in the match, Beth.

1515
01:12:05,688 --> 01:12:08,724
[Beth] A precarious position here,
Swerve losing his footing,

1516
01:12:09,024 --> 01:12:10,559
whacking the top of his head,

1517
01:12:10,626 --> 01:12:12,828
there, you see, perhaps on the side

1518
01:12:12,895 --> 01:12:14,363
and that would allow Escobar

1519
01:12:14,430 --> 01:12:19,134
to get this Double Underhook improvisation
into a face buster,

1520
01:12:19,702 --> 01:12:23,505
which would be enough
to finally put Swerve down for the count.

1521
01:12:24,373 --> 01:12:26,075
[Wade] I didn't see a great shot,

1522
01:12:26,141 --> 01:12:27,242
but I have to say,

1523
01:12:27,409 --> 01:12:30,012
I think "Swerve" Scott
caught the back of his head

1524
01:12:30,079 --> 01:12:32,648
on that turnbuckle tied to the steel.

1525
01:12:33,349 --> 01:12:36,085
Victorious once again, Santos Escobar.

1526
01:12:36,251 --> 01:12:39,922
[Vic] The legacy continues
to grow for Santos Escobar.

1527
01:12:39,988 --> 01:12:42,091
[crowd booing]

1528
01:12:44,159 --> 01:12:45,661
[narrator] Rated T for teens.

1529
01:12:45,728 --> 01:12:47,596
["Aggro Boyz Rock" playing]

1530
01:13:26,502 --> 01:13:29,438
[heavy metal music playing]

1531
01:13:42,751 --> 01:13:44,553
["Culture Head" playing]

1532
01:14:03,639 --> 01:14:07,009
[Vic] You are listening to
"Culture Head" by Corey Taylor

1533
01:14:07,075 --> 01:14:08,944
from the album CMFT,

1534
01:14:09,011 --> 01:14:11,613
an NXTLoud theme song for NXT TakeOver 31.

1535
01:14:11,680 --> 01:14:16,418
Available now on Apple Music and Spotify.

1536
01:14:20,522 --> 01:14:23,659
[Beth] And every athlete
dreams of that defining moment

1537
01:14:23,725 --> 01:14:25,127
when all eyes are on them.

1538
01:14:25,194 --> 01:14:28,997
Kyle O'Reilly's time in the sun is now,

1539
01:14:29,064 --> 01:14:31,667
his opportunity for the NXT championship.

1540
01:14:31,733 --> 01:14:35,504
[Vic] It certainly is,
but the NXT champion Finn Bálor

1541
01:14:35,571 --> 01:14:38,140
focusing in on that championship

1542
01:14:38,207 --> 01:14:39,975
and his title defense tonight

1543
01:14:40,042 --> 01:14:41,210
in our main event.

1544
01:14:43,745 --> 01:14:47,349
[Beth] And Takeover 31 has been
packed with high stakes action,

1545
01:14:47,416 --> 01:14:49,685
and speaking of high stakes,
after Johnny Gargano

1546
01:14:49,751 --> 01:14:52,221
was unable to defeat Priest
earlier tonight,

1547
01:14:52,287 --> 01:14:55,290
Candice Lerae is feeling the
pressure to bring home the gold

1548
01:14:55,357 --> 01:14:57,593
as she meets the dangerous Io Shirai

1549
01:14:57,659 --> 01:15:01,196
for the NXT Women's Championship.

1550
01:15:05,067 --> 01:15:08,036
[announcer] All these
competitors are set for a battle royal

1551
01:15:08,103 --> 01:15:11,173
to determine who challenges Io Shirai

1552
01:15:11,240 --> 01:15:14,409
for the NXT Women's Title at TakeOver.

1553
01:15:17,379 --> 01:15:19,748
It's down to Blackheart and Lerae.

1554
01:15:22,017 --> 01:15:26,088
Oh, wait a minute! And
Blackheart's been eliminated!

1555
01:15:26,154 --> 01:15:29,091
Candice Lerae is going to TakeOver!

1556
01:15:31,627 --> 01:15:35,230
[Candice] Let's rewind,
take a trip back to April.

1557
01:15:35,297 --> 01:15:36,131
[somber music]

1558
01:15:36,198 --> 01:15:39,167
Number One Contendership Ladder Match.

1559
01:15:39,234 --> 01:15:40,702
And what did Io do?

1560
01:15:40,769 --> 01:15:44,039
As I was reaching up, so close to winning,

1561
01:15:44,106 --> 01:15:46,375
-[Candice] She clawed my eyes.
-[Io shrieking]

1562
01:15:47,075 --> 01:15:49,611
-[Candice] Oh!
-[audience] Oh!

1563
01:15:49,678 --> 01:15:52,714
[announcer] Io Shirai is
the number one contender!

1564
01:15:53,448 --> 01:15:56,451
[Candice] But Io,
you actually did me a favor,

1565
01:15:56,518 --> 01:15:58,620
because you opened my eyes.

1566
01:15:58,687 --> 01:16:02,224
It was then and there that I saw
I was doing things all wrong.

1567
01:16:02,291 --> 01:16:04,326
For so long, so long,

1568
01:16:04,393 --> 01:16:08,463
I was the big sister to every
single woman in that locker room.

1569
01:16:08,530 --> 01:16:10,399
My sister.

1570
01:16:10,465 --> 01:16:13,001
[Candice] Did I get a thanks? No.

1571
01:16:13,068 --> 01:16:15,704
Instead, I got taken out again

1572
01:16:15,771 --> 01:16:17,439
and again

1573
01:16:17,506 --> 01:16:19,207
and again.

1574
01:16:19,274 --> 01:16:21,977
You know who I could count on? My husband.

1575
01:16:22,044 --> 01:16:24,346
We just need to look after each other,

1576
01:16:24,413 --> 01:16:26,448
'cause who can we really depend on?

1577
01:16:27,115 --> 01:16:29,685
We start doing things my way now.

1578
01:16:30,519 --> 01:16:32,087
The Gargano way.

1579
01:16:33,221 --> 01:16:37,326
["Dark Demise" playing]

1580
01:16:43,198 --> 01:16:45,167
[Candice yelling]

1581
01:16:45,233 --> 01:16:47,936
[Candice] The Gargano way
has given me confidence

1582
01:16:48,003 --> 01:16:50,439
in myself, my abilities.

1583
01:16:50,505 --> 01:16:53,542
It's helped me realize
that I don't need anybody.

1584
01:16:53,608 --> 01:16:57,346
[both screaming]

1585
01:16:58,280 --> 01:17:00,182
And everything I need

1586
01:17:00,248 --> 01:17:02,451
and going into TakeOver,

1587
01:17:02,517 --> 01:17:05,287
I have nothing to lose
and everything to gain.

1588
01:17:06,455 --> 01:17:08,123
That title will be mine.

1589
01:17:09,358 --> 01:17:13,095
[Io] I am no stranger to
stepping in the ring with Candice.

1590
01:17:13,161 --> 01:17:17,633
[Vic] Io Shirai puts
Candice Lerae to sleep.

1591
01:17:18,467 --> 01:17:20,602
[Io] Now, I'm facing on you, Candice.

1592
01:17:21,737 --> 01:17:25,641
I will not lose to someone
who takes shortcuts.

1593
01:17:26,642 --> 01:17:28,076
I take shortcuts?

1594
01:17:29,644 --> 01:17:33,115
You did the same thing, didn't you?

1595
01:17:35,350 --> 01:17:38,220
You know what?
Thank you, Io, for showing me

1596
01:17:38,286 --> 01:17:41,223
that it's time
to do things the Gargano way.

1597
01:17:41,289 --> 01:17:43,992
At TakeOver, I'll thank you again. I will.

1598
01:17:44,059 --> 01:17:45,494
I will thank you

1599
01:17:45,560 --> 01:17:49,197
for the NXT Women's Championship.

1600
01:17:49,264 --> 01:17:52,167
[Io] Since becoming
the NXT Women's Champion,

1601
01:17:52,234 --> 01:17:54,670
I beat the best in NXT.

1602
01:17:55,504 --> 01:17:57,172
Candice is good

1603
01:17:57,239 --> 01:17:58,640
but the Gargano way

1604
01:17:59,508 --> 01:18:02,377
is not enough to beat Io Shirai.

1605
01:18:03,211 --> 01:18:06,481
[music stops]

1606
01:18:08,016 --> 01:18:10,085
[audience clapping and cheering]

1607
01:18:10,152 --> 01:18:13,121
[Vic] Well, you see the NXT Universe here

1608
01:18:13,188 --> 01:18:15,157
in the Capitol Wrestling Center.

1609
01:18:16,158 --> 01:18:18,427
[Vic] They are on their feet amped up

1610
01:18:18,493 --> 01:18:21,029
for this NXT women's title match.

1611
01:18:21,096 --> 01:18:23,765
[heavy metal music playing]

1612
01:18:29,104 --> 01:18:31,039
[Vic] And Beth, we cannot forget

1613
01:18:31,106 --> 01:18:34,342
Candice Lerae and Io Shirai
have met before.

1614
01:18:34,409 --> 01:18:37,045
TakeOver: Toronto last August.

1615
01:18:37,112 --> 01:18:40,549
And Beth, what a difference
14 months can make.

1616
01:18:40,615 --> 01:18:42,651
[Beth] Yes, Shirai defeated Lerae

1617
01:18:42,718 --> 01:18:45,153
in a breathtaking match
at TakeOver: Toronto II

1618
01:18:45,220 --> 01:18:47,389
and the major difference
between then and now

1619
01:18:47,456 --> 01:18:48,957
is that Candice Lerae

1620
01:18:49,024 --> 01:18:51,226
is now operating under the Gargano way

1621
01:18:51,293 --> 01:18:54,129
which basically is the mantra
that no one matters

1622
01:18:54,196 --> 01:18:57,132
except for the Garganos and the gold.

1623
01:18:57,199 --> 01:18:59,034
And that brings us to this moment.

1624
01:18:59,101 --> 01:19:00,669
Candice Lerae determined.

1625
01:19:00,736 --> 01:19:04,439
She's the last chance for the
Garganos to make that come true

1626
01:19:04,506 --> 01:19:07,142
and bring it home
to the Gargano dinner table.

1627
01:19:07,209 --> 01:19:11,379
[Vic] Wade, does that add extra pressure
onto the shoulders of Candice Lerae?

1628
01:19:11,446 --> 01:19:13,515
[Wade] No, I don't agree with that at all.

1629
01:19:13,582 --> 01:19:16,118
I think if you go back
to that NXT TakeOver II,

1630
01:19:16,184 --> 01:19:20,088
you could see the nerves etched all over
the face of Candice Lerae back then.

1631
01:19:20,155 --> 01:19:23,692
This is a very different Candice
Lerae. This is a confident Candice Lerae.

1632
01:19:23,759 --> 01:19:28,396
-[electronic music playing]
-[audience cheering]

1633
01:19:40,675 --> 01:19:43,478
[Vic] A superstar who bets on herself,

1634
01:19:43,545 --> 01:19:47,048
Io Shirai has won her last two
singles matches here on TakeOver,

1635
01:19:47,115 --> 01:19:50,085
not to mention
winning the NXT Women's Title

1636
01:19:50,152 --> 01:19:52,187
in a triple threat match this past June.

1637
01:19:53,255 --> 01:19:56,391
[Beth] You know, the word shirai
in Japanese means purple thunder

1638
01:19:56,458 --> 01:19:59,094
which is a fitting description for Io,

1639
01:19:59,161 --> 01:20:02,397
a beautiful powerful and ominous threat.

1640
01:20:02,464 --> 01:20:03,932
Make no bones about it.

1641
01:20:03,999 --> 01:20:05,600
Io Shirai is dangerous,

1642
01:20:05,667 --> 01:20:09,037
and Candice Lerae
is gonna find out the hard way

1643
01:20:09,104 --> 01:20:11,306
why she is the NXT Women's Champion.

1644
01:20:11,373 --> 01:20:13,208
[Vic] And Wade, Io Shirai defeated

1645
01:20:13,275 --> 01:20:16,211
Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks,
Rhea Ripley and Dakota Kai.

1646
01:20:16,278 --> 01:20:18,046
The list goes on just this year.

1647
01:20:18,113 --> 01:20:20,949
It's been the year of Io Shirai.

1648
01:20:21,016 --> 01:20:25,420
[Wade] And Io Shirai may be the
most highly respected female performer

1649
01:20:25,487 --> 01:20:28,290
in the entire world
of sports entertainment.

1650
01:20:28,356 --> 01:20:29,958
Not just here in NXT,

1651
01:20:30,025 --> 01:20:32,260
but including WWE and everywhere else.

1652
01:20:32,327 --> 01:20:34,362
-[Wade] She is just superb.
-[music stops]

1653
01:20:34,429 --> 01:20:39,701
[crowd chatter and applause]

1654
01:20:39,768 --> 01:20:41,203
[bell ringing]

1655
01:20:41,269 --> 01:20:44,506
The following contest
scheduled for one fall is for

1656
01:20:44,573 --> 01:20:50,111
the NXT Women's Championship.

1657
01:20:50,178 --> 01:20:52,247
[audience cheering]

1658
01:20:52,314 --> 01:20:54,115
Introducing the challenger

1659
01:20:54,182 --> 01:20:56,985
from Riverside, California,

1660
01:20:57,052 --> 01:21:00,021
Candice Lerae.

1661
01:21:00,088 --> 01:21:02,557
[audience booing]

1662
01:21:02,624 --> 01:21:05,660
[announcer]
Her opponent from Tokyo, Japan.

1663
01:21:05,727 --> 01:21:10,031
She is the NXT women's champion,

1664
01:21:10,098 --> 01:21:13,935
Io Shirai.

1665
01:21:14,002 --> 01:21:15,136
[audience cheering]

1666
01:21:15,203 --> 01:21:18,974
[Vic] Poison Pixie earned this
opportunity by winning a battle royal.

1667
01:21:19,040 --> 01:21:21,209
Started fast, Beth, in their last meeting.

1668
01:21:21,276 --> 01:21:23,678
You expect the same
or a new strategy from Lerae?

1669
01:21:23,745 --> 01:21:26,681
[Beth] I think Lerae is gonna
be looking for an opening

1670
01:21:26,748 --> 01:21:28,950
just like Johnny did in the first match,

1671
01:21:29,017 --> 01:21:31,386
where she can tip into that
that Gargano way.

1672
01:21:31,453 --> 01:21:34,422
But either way, Lerae has done
her homework coming into this

1673
01:21:34,489 --> 01:21:37,259
and I expect this
to be one hell of a matchup

1674
01:21:37,325 --> 01:21:39,661
based on their performance
at TakeOver Toronto II.

1675
01:21:39,728 --> 01:21:44,199
-[bell ringing]
-[crowd cheering]

1676
01:21:47,602 --> 01:21:51,206
[Vic] Right off the bat, Lerae
going right into the face of the champion

1677
01:21:51,273 --> 01:21:54,209
and we are underway as Shirai
hits a round standing switch,

1678
01:21:54,276 --> 01:21:55,510
able to get around Lerae,

1679
01:21:55,577 --> 01:21:58,413
and look at the athleticism of Shirai.

1680
01:21:58,480 --> 01:21:59,314
[audience] Oh!

1681
01:21:59,381 --> 01:22:02,350
[Vic] Nice hip toss, taking down
the challenger. Shirai dropkick!

1682
01:22:02,417 --> 01:22:04,586
Really low, caught Lerae on the chin

1683
01:22:04,653 --> 01:22:07,989
and Lerae quickly, Beth,
to the outside to regroup.

1684
01:22:08,056 --> 01:22:10,225
Yeah, frustration already but, you know

1685
01:22:10,292 --> 01:22:13,528
Io Shirai is one of the most
gymnastic acrobatic female performers

1686
01:22:13,595 --> 01:22:15,096
we've ever seen.

1687
01:22:15,163 --> 01:22:18,066
-[Beth] She's spectacular.
-[referee] Bring it in! Come on!

1688
01:22:18,133 --> 01:22:22,304
[Vic] We can't forget, Io Shirai
has never lost, Wade, to Candice Lerae.

1689
01:22:22,370 --> 01:22:25,607
Could Shirai be a little too
confident heading into this matchup?

1690
01:22:25,674 --> 01:22:29,611
[Wade] Well, it has to be said of late,
Io Shirai has been pushed to the limits

1691
01:22:29,678 --> 01:22:32,614
by the likes of Dakota
Kai and Shotzi Blackheart.

1692
01:22:32,681 --> 01:22:36,351
It's hard to find a weakness in Io Shirai,

1693
01:22:36,418 --> 01:22:39,154
but perhaps being too confident
might be that weakness.

1694
01:22:39,220 --> 01:22:40,956
And Candice Lerae can capitalize.

1695
01:22:41,022 --> 01:22:44,292
[Vic] Lerae able to sidestep
Shirai. And Io into the turnbuckle now.

1696
01:22:44,359 --> 01:22:47,662
Candice Lerae going for the
monkey flip. Shirai lands on her feet!

1697
01:22:47,729 --> 01:22:49,030
[cheering and applause]

1698
01:22:49,097 --> 01:22:52,200
-[Beth] Wow! Talk about
surefootedness! -[Vic] Oh!

1699
01:22:52,267 --> 01:22:53,134
[audience booing]

1700
01:22:53,201 --> 01:22:57,038
[Vic] And Lerae able to just
get out of the way of Io Shirai.

1701
01:22:57,105 --> 01:22:58,373
[Candice] Give me a second!

1702
01:22:58,440 --> 01:23:00,608
[Vic] And again, we got to wonder, Beth

1703
01:23:00,675 --> 01:23:02,510
Candice Lerae has probably gone back

1704
01:23:02,577 --> 01:23:04,980
and watched that TakeOver
match from a year ago.

1705
01:23:06,348 --> 01:23:08,216
[Beth] Yeah, I've got to be wondering

1706
01:23:08,283 --> 01:23:11,353
if Shirai's gotten into Lerae's
head just a little bit here.

1707
01:23:11,419 --> 01:23:13,221
If her confidence might be rattled.

1708
01:23:13,288 --> 01:23:14,990
[Vic] Woah! Shirai to the outside

1709
01:23:15,056 --> 01:23:17,492
looking to plant Candice Lerae
maybe through the mat

1710
01:23:17,559 --> 01:23:20,128
on the floor here
in the Capitol Wrestling Center.

1711
01:23:20,195 --> 01:23:22,630
-[Candice screaming]
-[Vic] And off the bottom rope!

1712
01:23:22,697 --> 01:23:25,700
Springboard! Lerae into the champion!

1713
01:23:25,767 --> 01:23:29,170
But Candice Lerae, again, has to
get Io Shirai back into the ring.

1714
01:23:29,237 --> 01:23:31,306
The only way Lerae can finally taste gold,

1715
01:23:31,373 --> 01:23:33,274
pinfall or submission inside the ring.

1716
01:23:33,341 --> 01:23:37,312
[Beth] Earning an advantage over Io Shirai
is no easy feat. I wouldn't waste it.

1717
01:23:37,379 --> 01:23:40,115
[Vic] Speaking of feet,
two to the face of Lerae.

1718
01:23:40,181 --> 01:23:44,619
And now a little bit of "what
you do I can do better" by Io Shirai!

1719
01:23:44,686 --> 01:23:46,087
-[cheering]
-[Io screaming]

1720
01:23:46,154 --> 01:23:49,057
[Vic] Asai moonsault from the middle rope.

1721
01:23:49,124 --> 01:23:51,359
-[referee] One!
-[applause]

1722
01:23:51,426 --> 01:23:54,229
[Beth] Shirai so dangerous
with those springboards.

1723
01:23:54,295 --> 01:23:57,032
[Beth] Balance like no other.

1724
01:23:57,098 --> 01:23:58,032
[referee] -Three!

1725
01:23:58,099 --> 01:24:01,202
[Vic] Io Io Shirai
who idolizes Rey Misterio

1726
01:24:01,269 --> 01:24:04,272
has been the ace all over the world.

1727
01:24:04,339 --> 01:24:05,940
She has been the top performer

1728
01:24:06,007 --> 01:24:08,410
wherever she has been.
She has stated all summer

1729
01:24:08,476 --> 01:24:10,211
Into the cover, kick-out by Lerae,

1730
01:24:10,278 --> 01:24:14,115
She has stated all summer, Wade,
that NXT is hers.

1731
01:24:14,182 --> 01:24:17,952
[Wade] Oh, she has made it her
own. Who can possibly argue with that?

1732
01:24:18,019 --> 01:24:21,156
Whoever steps in the ring with
Io Shirai almost always is defeated.

1733
01:24:21,222 --> 01:24:24,993
And Candice Lerae needs to
change her game plan pretty quickly here

1734
01:24:25,059 --> 01:24:27,128
She's in the receiving end of a beating.

1735
01:24:27,195 --> 01:24:29,664
-[referee] One! Two!
-[Vic] Oh, Io Shirai, both feet.

1736
01:24:29,731 --> 01:24:36,137
And now both knees right into the chest
and the shoulders of Candice Lerae!

1737
01:24:36,204 --> 01:24:38,306
Into the cover goes the champion to retain

1738
01:24:38,373 --> 01:24:41,609
and Lerae able to get her
shoulder up at two and a half.

1739
01:24:41,676 --> 01:24:45,914
But Beth, the champion has been
in control of this matchup.

1740
01:24:45,980 --> 01:24:49,384
[Beth] Io Shirai, such an
international star-worthy performer

1741
01:24:49,451 --> 01:24:51,619
after spending time in Japan training,

1742
01:24:51,686 --> 01:24:55,156
went to Mexico to hone
her skills in lucha libre.

1743
01:24:55,223 --> 01:24:56,991
[Io grunts]

1744
01:24:57,058 --> 01:24:59,561
[Beth] Shirai is a hybrid
performer like no other.

1745
01:24:59,627 --> 01:25:01,362
[Vic] Oh, Lerae able to counter,

1746
01:25:01,429 --> 01:25:03,498
and Lerae, backstabber out of the corner!

1747
01:25:03,565 --> 01:25:06,034
Much like we saw this past Wednesday.

1748
01:25:06,101 --> 01:25:08,536
And the game has changed
as Lerae into the cover.

1749
01:25:08,603 --> 01:25:09,571
[referee] One! Two!

1750
01:25:09,637 --> 01:25:11,439
[Vic] Hook of the leg, near fall

1751
01:25:11,506 --> 01:25:15,410
but that could be a pivotal point in this
matchup, Wade, for the challenger.

1752
01:25:15,477 --> 01:25:17,178
Take a look at this one more time.

1753
01:25:17,245 --> 01:25:20,281
-[Vic] Feel the impact! Boom!
-[audience] Oh!

1754
01:25:20,348 --> 01:25:23,351
[Wade] Beautiful backstabber.
I have to say, I was concerned

1755
01:25:23,418 --> 01:25:25,120
at the early goings of this match

1756
01:25:25,186 --> 01:25:28,490
how much did Johnny Gargano's
loss earlier in tonight's show

1757
01:25:28,556 --> 01:25:30,492
affect Candice Lerae's mentality?

1758
01:25:30,558 --> 01:25:32,594
Never forget, the dream, the plan

1759
01:25:32,660 --> 01:25:36,397
was that we were gonna have
husband and wife dual NXT champions,

1760
01:25:36,464 --> 01:25:38,633
so I think her being slow
out of the blocks

1761
01:25:38,700 --> 01:25:41,436
may have been related
to Johnny Gargano's loss earlier

1762
01:25:41,503 --> 01:25:43,938
but it seems like she's
ridden that early storm

1763
01:25:44,005 --> 01:25:45,473
and now she's back in control.

1764
01:25:45,540 --> 01:25:48,710
[Vic] That's a heck of a point,
but right now Candice Lerae

1765
01:25:48,776 --> 01:25:52,280
charging in, going up, going
around, head scissor takedown again.

1766
01:25:52,347 --> 01:25:56,217
Shirai lands on her feet but
this time Lerae follows up with a lariat

1767
01:25:56,284 --> 01:25:59,487
and quickly into the cover,
hooks both legs, title on the line.

1768
01:25:59,554 --> 01:26:02,957
And the champion again
almost caught by surprise.

1769
01:26:03,024 --> 01:26:05,493
And Beth, as a former women's champion

1770
01:26:05,560 --> 01:26:08,129
you know three seconds
can come awfully quick.

1771
01:26:08,196 --> 01:26:11,699
[Beth] I hate to say it but if Lerae is
gonna have a chance in this matchup,

1772
01:26:11,766 --> 01:26:14,969
she's got to keep that up, she's
got to hit hard and hit fast

1773
01:26:15,036 --> 01:26:17,038
and not give Shirai any room to breathe.

1774
01:26:17,105 --> 01:26:19,240
-[referee] One! Two! Three!
-[Vic] And Lerae

1775
01:26:19,307 --> 01:26:23,044
just dragging the champion
across the middle rope.

1776
01:26:23,111 --> 01:26:24,012
[audience booing]

1777
01:26:24,078 --> 01:26:26,414
[Vic] Bending the rules here tonight

1778
01:26:26,481 --> 01:26:30,084
in the hopes of becoming
champion for the first time.

1779
01:26:30,151 --> 01:26:31,553
And also for the first time

1780
01:26:31,619 --> 01:26:34,055
being able to beat Io Shirai.

1781
01:26:35,490 --> 01:26:36,491
Ooh!

1782
01:26:37,525 --> 01:26:38,560
Nice move by Lerae.

1783
01:26:38,626 --> 01:26:41,462
-[Vic] Lerae now into another
cover. -[referee] One! Two!

1784
01:26:41,529 --> 01:26:43,531
And another near fall in this matchup.

1785
01:26:43,598 --> 01:26:45,500
[audience cheering]

1786
01:26:45,567 --> 01:26:46,601
[Beat] Shirai may

1787
01:26:46,668 --> 01:26:50,004
may be exhibiting some signs
of an injury to the mouth

1788
01:26:50,071 --> 01:26:51,272
and the nasal area.

1789
01:26:52,040 --> 01:26:54,475
Keeps clutching at that her teeth.

1790
01:26:54,542 --> 01:26:57,212
[Vic] Well, you take a look at
Candice Lerae, I mean.

1791
01:26:57,278 --> 01:27:00,648
Beth, you've heard from Candice
Lerae, you've talked to Candice Lerae.

1792
01:27:00,715 --> 01:27:02,517
Lerae believes she is better now

1793
01:27:02,584 --> 01:27:05,019
because of the Gargano way.

1794
01:27:05,086 --> 01:27:07,989
She credits her husband
as we heard already tonight.

1795
01:27:08,056 --> 01:27:12,160
[Beth] Yeah, the Garganos happy to make
themselves an island down to their home

1796
01:27:12,227 --> 01:27:15,396
and they'll be the first to tell
you about it, this new arrogance

1797
01:27:15,463 --> 01:27:17,465
that did not pay off for Johnny Gargano

1798
01:27:17,532 --> 01:27:20,435
but we'll see if Candice Lerae
can benefit from it tonight.

1799
01:27:20,501 --> 01:27:23,304
[Vic] We see the amazing
Capitol Wrestling Center.

1800
01:27:23,371 --> 01:27:26,107
-[referee] One! Two! -[Vic] As
here goes Candice Lerae.

1801
01:27:26,174 --> 01:27:29,677
[Vic] Another near fall in this
NXT women's championship matchup.

1802
01:27:29,744 --> 01:27:34,182
And the NXT Universe trying to
rally behind Io Shirai, Wade,

1803
01:27:34,249 --> 01:27:36,484
and trying to get the champion
back to her feet

1804
01:27:36,551 --> 01:27:38,419
because Candice Lerae, to your point,

1805
01:27:38,486 --> 01:27:41,356
has been able to switch gears
and switch her game plan up.

1806
01:27:41,422 --> 01:27:45,226
[Wade] This is really impressive
stuff from Candice Lerae.

1807
01:27:45,293 --> 01:27:48,563
Candice Lerae has turned into
more of Candice Gargano these days.

1808
01:27:48,630 --> 01:27:51,966
[Vic] Backbreaker, cover, hook
of the leg and another near fall.

1809
01:27:52,033 --> 01:27:54,369
[Wade] Once again,
goes for that pinfall attempt.

1810
01:27:54,435 --> 01:27:58,273
Traditionally, Candice Lerae's life has
always been about this morality play.

1811
01:27:58,339 --> 01:28:01,209
She's been always been focused
on the good side but we saw

1812
01:28:01,276 --> 01:28:04,412
what she did to her former best
friend Tegan Nox's knee recently.

1813
01:28:04,479 --> 01:28:08,149
Clearly that's out the window
now. It's all about victory at all costs.

1814
01:28:08,216 --> 01:28:09,651
[Vic] And if Candice Lerae

1815
01:28:09,717 --> 01:28:12,620
is willing to do that to someone
she considered almost a sister,

1816
01:28:12,687 --> 01:28:16,190
we can only imagine what lengths
she will go to call herself champion

1817
01:28:16,257 --> 01:28:19,193
as Lerae charging in on Io Shirai!

1818
01:28:19,260 --> 01:28:22,163
[Beth] Lerae has got to
watch out for that pageantry

1819
01:28:22,230 --> 01:28:24,599
and being overconfident in this situation.

1820
01:28:24,666 --> 01:28:27,302
This is about
the NXT Women's Championship.

1821
01:28:29,337 --> 01:28:32,707
[Vic] The Poison Pixie
talking a little bit of trash.

1822
01:28:32,774 --> 01:28:33,675
[Io screams]

1823
01:28:33,741 --> 01:28:35,510
[Vic] To your point, Beth,

1824
01:28:35,576 --> 01:28:38,579
has to keep on top of Io Shirai.

1825
01:28:38,646 --> 01:28:42,583
Shirai can change things so quickly, as
we've seen the champion do in the past.

1826
01:28:42,650 --> 01:28:45,119
-[Candice] Out of the corner?
-[Vic] But right now,

1827
01:28:45,186 --> 01:28:47,088
the challenger is in control.

1828
01:28:47,155 --> 01:28:49,424
And again, head first goes Io Shirai.

1829
01:28:49,490 --> 01:28:52,994
-[Vic] Candice Lerae right back
on top -[referee] One! Two!

1830
01:28:53,061 --> 01:28:54,996
-[referee] Three!
-[Vic] of Io Shirai.

1831
01:28:55,063 --> 01:28:58,166
This is a much different Candice
Lerae than we saw in Toronto.

1832
01:28:58,232 --> 01:29:00,702
[Beth] Well, we saw earlier
on today in this matchup,

1833
01:29:00,768 --> 01:29:02,570
Candice Lerae coming out of the box

1834
01:29:02,637 --> 01:29:05,373
trying to go toe to toe with
Io Shirai in a wrestling match.

1835
01:29:05,440 --> 01:29:08,676
-[Candice] You okay? Out of the corner.
-[Beth] It didn't go well for her.

1836
01:29:08,743 --> 01:29:11,913
[Beth] The aggression, the punching,
the kicking, the meat chopping,

1837
01:29:11,979 --> 01:29:14,515
that's the direction she's got
to go to keep her advantage.

1838
01:29:14,582 --> 01:29:17,118
[Vic] And Lerae just tossing Shirai.

1839
01:29:17,185 --> 01:29:21,089
And Candice Lerae has been very
methodical in her offense here tonight.

1840
01:29:21,155 --> 01:29:25,093
And again, just showing her dominance

1841
01:29:25,159 --> 01:29:27,595
over Io Shirai
in this championship matchup.

1842
01:29:27,662 --> 01:29:31,666
And now Candice Lerae, front
face lock looking for the suplex!

1843
01:29:31,733 --> 01:29:33,101
And Lerae connects.

1844
01:29:33,167 --> 01:29:35,670
-[Vic] The cover for the championship!
-[referee] One! Two!

1845
01:29:35,737 --> 01:29:37,371
[Vic] And another near fall!

1846
01:29:37,438 --> 01:29:40,341
And again, Lerae into the cover,
hooks the leg again,

1847
01:29:40,408 --> 01:29:42,677
and Io Shirai able to kick out.

1848
01:29:42,744 --> 01:29:44,679
[Beth] There's that temper showing,

1849
01:29:44,746 --> 01:29:47,415
That petulant child.
I know that look well.

1850
01:29:49,650 --> 01:29:53,488
[Vic] Lerae needing to stay
focused, Wade, on the task at hand

1851
01:29:53,554 --> 01:29:56,991
and that is to continue
to physically dissect Io Shirai.

1852
01:29:57,058 --> 01:29:59,527
[Wade] Yeah, let me tell you
what's impressed me most

1853
01:29:59,594 --> 01:30:02,196
about this performance from Candice Lerae.

1854
01:30:02,263 --> 01:30:04,132
She's completely dictated the pace.

1855
01:30:04,198 --> 01:30:07,068
-[Wade] She's completely in
control. -[audience clapping]

1856
01:30:07,135 --> 01:30:09,937
She hasn't even broken sweat.
She's not breathing heavy.

1857
01:30:10,004 --> 01:30:12,473
This is just pure dominance from Lerae.

1858
01:30:12,540 --> 01:30:14,442
[Vic] Lerae back to the midsection

1859
01:30:14,509 --> 01:30:16,611
and now Candice Lerae

1860
01:30:16,677 --> 01:30:17,678
charging in.

1861
01:30:17,745 --> 01:30:19,213
No one there!

1862
01:30:19,280 --> 01:30:20,448
And Io Shirai

1863
01:30:20,515 --> 01:30:23,050
trying to get some breath back. Oh!

1864
01:30:23,117 --> 01:30:24,986
Stepping up, looking for that senton.

1865
01:30:25,052 --> 01:30:26,120
No one home.

1866
01:30:26,187 --> 01:30:27,989
Shirai goes in, rolls through,

1867
01:30:28,055 --> 01:30:29,957
double stomp to the midsection!

1868
01:30:30,024 --> 01:30:32,226
-[audience cheering]
-[Vic] And for Io Shirai,

1869
01:30:32,293 --> 01:30:34,362
this is the opportunity
the champion, Beth,

1870
01:30:34,429 --> 01:30:37,365
has been waiting for
to regroup and refocus.

1871
01:30:37,432 --> 01:30:39,567
[Beth] Spectacular quick movement.

1872
01:30:39,634 --> 01:30:42,036
Damage done to Lerae's ribs.

1873
01:30:42,103 --> 01:30:46,674
[Beth] Which means bad news if Shirai
should get up and hit that moonsault.

1874
01:30:46,741 --> 01:30:48,409
[audience clapping]

1875
01:30:48,476 --> 01:30:49,610
Three!

1876
01:30:51,579 --> 01:30:54,949
-[referee] Four!
-[Vic] NXT Universe.

1877
01:30:55,016 --> 01:30:57,952
Getting loud inside the
Capitol Wrestling Center.

1878
01:30:58,019 --> 01:30:59,687
Shirai and Lerae back to their feet!

1879
01:30:59,754 --> 01:31:01,456
Champion taking down Lerae.

1880
01:31:01,522 --> 01:31:03,124
A second shoulder tackle.

1881
01:31:03,191 --> 01:31:05,560
Champion finally finding
a little offensive groove

1882
01:31:05,626 --> 01:31:07,662
and a flapjack center of the ring.

1883
01:31:07,728 --> 01:31:10,198
Lerae now doesn't really know
where she's at

1884
01:31:10,264 --> 01:31:14,135
as Shirai going up and around,
619 connects!

1885
01:31:14,202 --> 01:31:15,469
[audience yelling]

1886
01:31:15,536 --> 01:31:20,208
[Vic] Io Shirai taking a look
at her challenger Candice Lerae.

1887
01:31:20,274 --> 01:31:23,044
Shirai, the genius of the sky,

1888
01:31:23,110 --> 01:31:25,913
looking to fly, possibly.

1889
01:31:25,980 --> 01:31:29,250
Taking a little extra time and
Beautiful missile dropkick!

1890
01:31:29,317 --> 01:31:30,384
[applause]

1891
01:31:30,451 --> 01:31:32,420
Shirai got all of the missile dropkick.

1892
01:31:32,487 --> 01:31:34,555
-[referee] One! Two!
-[Vic] Into the cover.

1893
01:31:34,622 --> 01:31:36,657
And another near fall.

1894
01:31:36,724 --> 01:31:40,595
And Lerae, you can see, doesn't
quite know where she's at.

1895
01:31:40,661 --> 01:31:42,663
But look at this dropkick.

1896
01:31:42,730 --> 01:31:45,233
[Beth] Shirai with complete precision!

1897
01:31:45,299 --> 01:31:50,137
Her impact to the collarbone
sends Lerae head over heels.

1898
01:31:50,204 --> 01:31:51,639
[audience clapping]

1899
01:31:51,706 --> 01:31:53,274
[Vic] And now Io Shirai

1900
01:31:53,341 --> 01:31:56,277
looking to put maybe the
finishing touches on this matchup.

1901
01:31:56,344 --> 01:31:59,146
Lerae able to counter.
Another roll through this time.

1902
01:31:59,213 --> 01:32:02,416
Blocked and then dropped!
Face first goes the champion.

1903
01:32:02,483 --> 01:32:06,420
[Vic] And the senton connects to
the lower back for Candice Lerae!

1904
01:32:06,487 --> 01:32:07,355
And Lerae

1905
01:32:07,421 --> 01:32:09,390
-[Candice shrieks]
-[Vic] Springboard Oh!

1906
01:32:09,457 --> 01:32:11,526
[Vic] Got caught
in the midsection did Lerae

1907
01:32:11,592 --> 01:32:13,327
by the right foot from Io Shirai.

1908
01:32:13,394 --> 01:32:15,129
-[Vic] And Shirai--
-[Beth] Once

1909
01:32:15,196 --> 01:32:17,431
[Beth] once again
to the ribs of Candice Lerae.

1910
01:32:17,498 --> 01:32:20,067
-[Io shrieks]
-[Vic] Shirai double underhook

1911
01:32:20,134 --> 01:32:23,004
hoisting up the challenger
into a backbreaker!

1912
01:32:23,070 --> 01:32:25,606
The knee down to the lower back of Lerae.

1913
01:32:25,673 --> 01:32:29,677
And now Io Shirai walking
over her challenger tonight.

1914
01:32:29,744 --> 01:32:32,446
And the genius of the sky to the top rope.

1915
01:32:32,513 --> 01:32:35,550
-[Vic] Lerae quickly able to block.
-[referee yelling]

1916
01:32:35,616 --> 01:32:40,388
[Vic] Able to intercept and a
powerbomb to Io Shirai! Wait a minute!

1917
01:32:40,454 --> 01:32:44,692
-[Vic] Shirai, double knees, meteora!
-[audience] Ooh! [cheering]

1918
01:32:44,759 --> 01:32:47,662
[Beth] That fighting spirit from Io Shirai

1919
01:32:47,728 --> 01:32:49,430
fighting through the pain.

1920
01:32:49,497 --> 01:32:51,032
[applause]

1921
01:32:51,098 --> 01:32:54,535
[Vic] Fighting through the pain
indeed. And now hoisting up Lerae.

1922
01:32:54,602 --> 01:32:57,238
-[referee] One! Two! -[Vic]
Lerae this time rolls through.

1923
01:32:57,305 --> 01:32:59,006
Center of the ring, near fall.

1924
01:32:59,073 --> 01:33:02,043
-[Io screams] -[Vic] Io Shirai
Oh! Open palm thrust,

1925
01:33:02,109 --> 01:33:04,312
-[Beth chuckles]
-[Vic] Rocking the challenger.

1926
01:33:04,378 --> 01:33:05,980
[Vic] German suplex!

1927
01:33:07,515 --> 01:33:11,419
Folding up Candice Lerae and
Lerae with a snap German!

1928
01:33:12,720 --> 01:33:15,623
Where are these women
getting this adrenaline from?

1929
01:33:16,223 --> 01:33:18,125
Another backstabber!

1930
01:33:18,192 --> 01:33:20,094
Lerae. Title is on the line.

1931
01:33:20,161 --> 01:33:22,330
Is Candice Lerae closing in

1932
01:33:22,396 --> 01:33:26,233
on becoming the NXT Women's Champion?

1933
01:33:26,300 --> 01:33:28,302
-[Vic] Cover. Count.
-[referee] One! Two!

1934
01:33:28,369 --> 01:33:30,538
-[Candice screams]
-[Vic] Kickout by Shirai.

1935
01:33:30,605 --> 01:33:32,573
[Vic] You got to be kidding me.

1936
01:33:32,640 --> 01:33:36,978
[Beth] Shirai barely able
to get that shoulder up.

1937
01:33:41,515 --> 01:33:46,053
Take a look at this agility
from Candice Lerae. Spectacular.

1938
01:33:46,120 --> 01:33:49,523
Across the midsection.
She thought she had Shirai beat.

1939
01:33:49,590 --> 01:33:51,325
But at the very last second,

1940
01:33:51,392 --> 01:33:53,661
Shirai able to get that shoulder up.

1941
01:33:53,728 --> 01:33:56,664
[Vic] Shirai showing you, Wade,
the heart of a champion.

1942
01:33:57,231 --> 01:34:01,102
[Wade] Both ladies dropping the
heavy artillery at this point.

1943
01:34:01,168 --> 01:34:05,172
Shirai showing exactly why she
is the person to beat in this division,

1944
01:34:05,239 --> 01:34:08,976
but Candice Lerae has matched
her move for move so far in this one.

1945
01:34:09,043 --> 01:34:10,378
[Candice screams]

1946
01:34:10,444 --> 01:34:11,646
-[Io screams]
-[Beth] Whoa!

1947
01:34:11,712 --> 01:34:14,248
[Vic] Oh, crossface!
Crossface center of the ring!

1948
01:34:14,315 --> 01:34:17,485
Shirai with the crossface
cinched in on the Poison Pixie!

1949
01:34:17,551 --> 01:34:19,954
-[both screaming]
-[Vic] Is Lerae gonna tap?

1950
01:34:20,021 --> 01:34:22,623
Candice Lerae, her championship dreams

1951
01:34:22,690 --> 01:34:25,192
could be slipping
through her hands here tonight.

1952
01:34:25,259 --> 01:34:27,995
-[referee] One! Two! -[Vic] And
Lerae able to roll through.

1953
01:34:28,062 --> 01:34:30,297
Shoulders down and having
to relinquish the hold.

1954
01:34:30,364 --> 01:34:34,502
And now it's Candice Lerae
transitioning into the Gargano Escape.

1955
01:34:34,568 --> 01:34:38,973
And is it Lerae, Beth, that's gonna be
able to tap out the champion?

1956
01:34:39,040 --> 01:34:41,075
[Beth] Lerae pulling
with everything she's got.

1957
01:34:41,142 --> 01:34:43,477
She's got to get those heels
under her to get leverage.

1958
01:34:43,544 --> 01:34:46,547
Shirai struggling to get towards the ropes

1959
01:34:46,614 --> 01:34:47,948
but unable to reach out.

1960
01:34:48,015 --> 01:34:51,285
Lerae leaning her weight on Shirai

1961
01:34:51,352 --> 01:34:54,488
trying to crank on that neck
to get her to tap out.

1962
01:34:54,555 --> 01:34:57,091
[Vic] And look at the left foot
of Candice Lerae,

1963
01:34:57,158 --> 01:35:00,528
able to keep Io Shirai
away from the bottom rope.

1964
01:35:00,594 --> 01:35:03,330
-[referee] Tap? -[Vic] Candice
Lerae, what ring presence

1965
01:35:03,397 --> 01:35:06,434
to keep Io away
as Shirai is starting to fade.

1966
01:35:06,500 --> 01:35:08,502
Again, the NXT women's title
is on the line.

1967
01:35:08,569 --> 01:35:10,938
Desperation on the face of the challenger.

1968
01:35:11,005 --> 01:35:13,941
So close to making the champion tap out.

1969
01:35:14,008 --> 01:35:15,609
-[referee] One!
-[Vic] But Io Shirai

1970
01:35:15,676 --> 01:35:19,046
-[Vic] getting to the bottom rope.
-[referee] Two! Three! Four! Oh!

1971
01:35:19,113 --> 01:35:22,349
[Vic] And Candice not letting
Oh, no! Oh, no!

1972
01:35:22,416 --> 01:35:24,085
[audience screaming]

1973
01:35:24,151 --> 01:35:27,221
[Vic] Lerae inadvertently
hitting the official.

1974
01:35:27,288 --> 01:35:28,689
[Beth] Wow!

1975
01:35:28,756 --> 01:35:32,193
[Io screaming]

1976
01:35:32,259 --> 01:35:35,196
[Vic] And wait a minute.
Shirai with the air raid crash!

1977
01:35:35,262 --> 01:35:36,464
[audience clapping]

1978
01:35:36,530 --> 01:35:38,365
[Vic] Io Shirai now,

1979
01:35:38,432 --> 01:35:41,502
I don't know
if Io realizes that the referee

1980
01:35:41,569 --> 01:35:45,172
Well, but but nonetheless,
Shirai climbing to the top rope.

1981
01:35:45,239 --> 01:35:48,075
-[Vic] And the NXT Women's
Champion -[Candice screams]

1982
01:35:48,142 --> 01:35:51,178
-[Vic] Oh! Both feet! Again And
again! -[audience] Oh!

1983
01:35:51,245 --> 01:35:54,081
[Vic] Again, Wade, the official got hit.

1984
01:35:54,148 --> 01:35:56,117
[Wade] I think that's done him for good.

1985
01:35:56,183 --> 01:35:58,385
He got an elbow to the jaw
from Candice Lerae,

1986
01:35:58,452 --> 01:36:02,323
and then a flying Io Shirai to
the side of the neck. He's out.

1987
01:36:02,389 --> 01:36:05,226
-[Vic] A kick to the face and
now -[Io grunts]

1988
01:36:05,292 --> 01:36:08,662
[Vic] Submission again by Candice Lerae.

1989
01:36:08,729 --> 01:36:12,032
And the wicked stepsister connects!

1990
01:36:12,099 --> 01:36:13,701
There is no referee!

1991
01:36:13,768 --> 01:36:15,703
Beth, there is no official!

1992
01:36:15,769 --> 01:36:17,271
[Beth] Shirai is out!

1993
01:36:17,338 --> 01:36:19,073
[Vic] Candice Lerae

1994
01:36:19,707 --> 01:36:21,475
-[Vic] Hasn't
-[audience booing]

1995
01:36:21,542 --> 01:36:24,678
-[Beth] Wait a minute!
-[Vic] That's her husband, Johnny Gargano!

1996
01:36:24,745 --> 01:36:27,748
-[Vic] And, oh, Io kicked out!
-[audience screaming]

1997
01:36:30,050 --> 01:36:33,053
[Johnny, unintelligible]

1998
01:36:36,757 --> 01:36:39,160
[Wade] I'm not sure
putting a referee shirt on

1999
01:36:39,226 --> 01:36:41,395
qualifies you to be a referee in NXT.

2000
01:36:41,462 --> 01:36:44,365
-[Vic] I have to tend to agree
with you. -[audience booing]

2001
01:36:44,431 --> 01:36:48,002
-[Beth] You're 100% right, Wade.
-[Wade] There's more to it than that.

2002
01:36:51,739 --> 01:36:55,609
-[Beth] Candice Lerae is beside herself.
-[Vic] Wait. What is Johnny thinking?

2003
01:36:55,676 --> 01:36:58,045
[Johnny] Give me that!
It's hers! It's hers!

2004
01:36:58,112 --> 01:37:00,314
[audience booing]

2005
01:37:00,381 --> 01:37:03,551
[Vic] The Gargano I mean,
this can't be the Gargano way.

2006
01:37:05,319 --> 01:37:09,056
-[referee] What are you doing?
-[Johnny] What are you talking about?

2007
01:37:09,123 --> 01:37:12,593
-[referee] What are you doing?
-[Johnny] I'm the referee.

2008
01:37:12,660 --> 01:37:15,129
[Johnny] I'm the referee. Get out of here

2009
01:37:15,196 --> 01:37:18,699
-[referee] You get out of here.
-[Johnny] You get out of here.

2010
01:37:18,766 --> 01:37:21,635
[referee] You get out of here.
That's my shirt.

2011
01:37:22,770 --> 01:37:25,105
Come on. Give me my shirt back.

2012
01:37:25,172 --> 01:37:28,209
Give me my shirt back. Give it to me.

2013
01:37:28,275 --> 01:37:30,277
-[Io and Candice scream]
-[Vic] Oh!

2014
01:37:30,344 --> 01:37:32,680
[Vic] Championship to the face!

2015
01:37:32,746 --> 01:37:35,583
Behind the official's back!
The official got distracted!

2016
01:37:35,649 --> 01:37:38,118
Oh, no. And Shirai kicks out!

2017
01:37:38,185 --> 01:37:40,955
Shirai kicks out. Johnny in disbelief.

2018
01:37:41,021 --> 01:37:43,591
Candice can't believe it either.
This matchup continues!

2019
01:37:43,657 --> 01:37:46,193
-[Johnny] Fuck!
-[Candice screams]

2020
01:37:46,260 --> 01:37:48,028
[audience yelling]

2021
01:37:48,095 --> 01:37:51,298
[Vic] What is it going to take
to keep down Io Shirai?

2022
01:37:51,365 --> 01:37:54,935
[audience clapping and banging on fence]

2023
01:37:55,002 --> 01:37:57,438
[Beth] Shirai still had
the wherewithal to kick out,

2024
01:37:57,504 --> 01:38:00,441
but Lerae looking to climb high risk!

2025
01:38:00,507 --> 01:38:03,177
[Vic] Another open palm strike
under the jaw.

2026
01:38:03,244 --> 01:38:04,445
Lerae getting rocked.

2027
01:38:04,511 --> 01:38:07,114
What is on the mind of Io Shirai?

2028
01:38:10,651 --> 01:38:13,954
-[audience] Oh!
-[Vic] Spanish fly from the top.

2029
01:38:14,021 --> 01:38:16,123
[Vic] Shirai, no wasted motion.

2030
01:38:16,190 --> 01:38:17,191
Back to the top.

2031
01:38:17,258 --> 01:38:18,392
[audience cheering]

2032
01:38:18,459 --> 01:38:19,994
[Vic] Over-the-moonsault!

2033
01:38:20,060 --> 01:38:23,230
Shirai getting all of it! Cover! Count!

2034
01:38:23,297 --> 01:38:26,600
-[Vic] Shirai retains her title!
-[bell ringing]

2035
01:38:26,667 --> 01:38:28,636
[announcer] Here is your winner,

2036
01:38:28,702 --> 01:38:34,241
and still the NXT Women's Champion,

2037
01:38:34,308 --> 01:38:37,544
Io Shirai!

2038
01:38:37,611 --> 01:38:41,215
[Vic] Io Shirai continues to show

2039
01:38:41,282 --> 01:38:43,651
that there is no doubt, Wade,

2040
01:38:43,717 --> 01:38:47,655
the NXT Women's Division belongs to her.

2041
01:38:47,721 --> 01:38:49,990
[Wade] Well, this matchup broke down

2042
01:38:50,057 --> 01:38:52,660
into a complete omnishambles

2043
01:38:52,726 --> 01:38:56,263
after some grade-A skullduggery
from the Garganos.

2044
01:38:56,330 --> 01:39:01,502
But somehow, someway Io Shirai
coming out with a Spanish fly

2045
01:39:01,568 --> 01:39:04,505
and the moonsault to retain
the women's championship.

2046
01:39:04,571 --> 01:39:06,106
What a performance.

2047
01:39:06,173 --> 01:39:10,210
[Vic] Absolutely amazing
performance from our champion.

2048
01:39:10,277 --> 01:39:14,448
Let's go back to some of the
action, Beth, in this matchup.

2049
01:39:14,515 --> 01:39:17,551
[Beth] Phenomenal performance
from both of these women.

2050
01:39:17,618 --> 01:39:21,488
Here, you see Io Shirai
going up to the moonsault,

2051
01:39:21,555 --> 01:39:24,291
but Lerae, unfortunately

2052
01:39:24,358 --> 01:39:28,529
The referee unable to see Shirai coming
and was knocked out of the ring.

2053
01:39:28,595 --> 01:39:31,098
-[Candice grunts]
-[Vic] Candice Lerae went boom!

2054
01:39:31,165 --> 01:39:34,935
Hit wicked stepsister,
but there was no official.

2055
01:39:35,002 --> 01:39:36,437
The official had been taken out

2056
01:39:36,503 --> 01:39:39,573
until her husband Johnny Gargano
entered the ring,

2057
01:39:39,640 --> 01:39:42,743
but not even Johnny could count to three!

2058
01:39:43,644 --> 01:39:45,946
[hip hop music playing]

2059
01:39:46,013 --> 01:39:48,415
[Beth] You see the spectacular moment

2060
01:39:48,482 --> 01:39:51,685
Io Shirai getting the best
of Candice Lerae

2061
01:39:51,752 --> 01:39:55,356
Despite the attempt by Johnny Gargano

2062
01:39:55,422 --> 01:39:58,125
to get Candice Lerae the championship.

2063
01:39:58,192 --> 01:40:01,996
And Io Shirai able to pin Lerae

2064
01:40:02,062 --> 01:40:05,265
and walk out the NXT Women's Champion.

2065
01:40:05,332 --> 01:40:07,468
-[hip hop music playing]
-[audience cheering]

2066
01:40:07,534 --> 01:40:09,436
[Vic] No doubt, number one

2067
01:40:09,503 --> 01:40:12,539
as the reign of Io Shirai continues

2068
01:40:12,606 --> 01:40:15,142
in the women's division here in NXT.

2069
01:40:15,209 --> 01:40:18,412
[Toni] Hey, Io. Io, Io-chan.

2070
01:40:18,479 --> 01:40:21,582
Hey, it's good to see you.

2071
01:40:21,648 --> 01:40:24,585
Hey, look, don't mind me. I
just wanted to congratulate you

2072
01:40:24,651 --> 01:40:28,088
on what an impressive
victory that was. What a match.

2073
01:40:28,155 --> 01:40:30,557
Oh, I also wanted to make sure

2074
01:40:30,624 --> 01:40:34,261
that you and everyone else around here is
keeping their head on a swivel

2075
01:40:34,328 --> 01:40:36,363
because, as of right now,

2076
01:40:36,430 --> 01:40:42,036
Toni Storm is back in NXT.

2077
01:40:42,102 --> 01:40:43,504
[audience cheering]

2078
01:40:43,570 --> 01:40:45,506
And, you know, it goes without saying

2079
01:40:45,572 --> 01:40:48,575
that I'll be turning this place
upside down, and inside out,

2080
01:40:48,642 --> 01:40:51,311
and I will be showing the NXT Universe

2081
01:40:51,378 --> 01:40:56,483
that it is indeed,
always has, and always will be

2082
01:40:56,550 --> 01:40:57,951
Toni time.

2083
01:40:58,018 --> 01:41:00,154
[audience cheering]

2084
01:41:00,220 --> 01:41:01,622
I'll see you around.

2085
01:41:04,058 --> 01:41:07,327
[Vic] Toni storm is coming to NXT!

2086
01:41:13,767 --> 01:41:19,273
[electronic music playing]

2087
01:41:40,761 --> 01:41:46,166
[music intensifies then stops]

2088
01:41:49,369 --> 01:41:52,372
[audience chatter]

2089
01:42:12,192 --> 01:42:13,694
[audience yelling]

2090
01:42:13,760 --> 01:42:15,129
[Beth] Oh, my god!

2091
01:42:16,029 --> 01:42:18,499
It's Ember Moon!

2092
01:42:18,565 --> 01:42:20,134
Ember Moon has returned!

2093
01:42:20,200 --> 01:42:24,304
The dynamic former NXT Women's Champion

2094
01:42:24,371 --> 01:42:27,975
has returned to NXT!

2095
01:42:28,041 --> 01:42:29,676
[audience cheering]

2096
01:42:33,514 --> 01:42:35,482
["Ignite" playing]

2097
01:42:35,549 --> 01:42:42,156
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT!

2098
01:42:56,003 --> 01:42:57,704
[crowd] NXT!

2099
01:43:02,676 --> 01:43:04,178
-[wooing]
-[distant cheering]

2100
01:43:04,244 --> 01:43:06,547
Ashante Adonis,
earlier tonight, you interfered

2101
01:43:06,613 --> 01:43:09,616
the NXT Cruiserweight
championship match. Why did you do so?

2102
01:43:09,683 --> 01:43:12,252
McKenzie, McKenzie, McKenzie.

2103
01:43:12,319 --> 01:43:14,488
I'm sorry. I'm all hyped up right now,

2104
01:43:14,555 --> 01:43:16,490
but it's quite simple.

2105
01:43:16,557 --> 01:43:18,625
I got a lot of respect for Swerve,

2106
01:43:18,692 --> 01:43:21,662
and I'm just trying to help a brother out.

2107
01:43:21,728 --> 01:43:24,298
But I am sick and tired

2108
01:43:24,364 --> 01:43:26,700
of seeing Legado jump guys.

2109
01:43:26,767 --> 01:43:29,503
So, I've decided to take that opportunity

2110
01:43:29,570 --> 01:43:33,140
and beat them faster than Amazon Delivery.

2111
01:43:33,206 --> 01:43:34,641
But enough about them.

2112
01:43:35,642 --> 01:43:37,945
'Cause it's all about me.

2113
01:43:38,011 --> 01:43:40,347
You see, my swag on a thousand,

2114
01:43:40,414 --> 01:43:43,584
and I be coming to that ring
drippin', drippin', drippin'.

2115
01:43:43,650 --> 01:43:45,085
This is my ritual,

2116
01:43:45,152 --> 01:43:48,021
R-I-C-H-U-A-L.

2117
01:43:48,622 --> 01:43:50,357
'Cause when the money speaks,

2118
01:43:50,424 --> 01:43:52,960
nobody checks the grammar. [kiss]

2119
01:43:53,026 --> 01:43:54,528
And I hit 'em with the hammer.

2120
01:43:54,595 --> 01:43:56,930
It's 205 from the 215.

2121
01:43:56,997 --> 01:43:58,365
You know what time it is.

2122
01:44:00,367 --> 01:44:01,368
It's showtime.

2123
01:44:04,771 --> 01:44:06,273
["Culture Head" playing]

2124
01:44:06,340 --> 01:44:10,110
[Vic] Well, what a night it
has been in NXT TakeOver 31

2125
01:44:10,177 --> 01:44:11,912
and it all comes down to this.

2126
01:44:11,979 --> 01:44:14,147
The NXT Championship on the line

2127
01:44:14,214 --> 01:44:17,484
the biggest match
in the life of Kyle O'Reilly.

2128
01:44:17,551 --> 01:44:19,953
The first title defense for Finn Bálor

2129
01:44:20,020 --> 01:44:24,124
and it's The Prince who's
looking to show that NXT is his.

2130
01:44:26,693 --> 01:44:27,995
[rock music playing]

2131
01:44:28,061 --> 01:44:30,297
[Finn] Life comes full circle
in this business.

2132
01:44:30,364 --> 01:44:32,266
And while some fall and pray,

2133
01:44:32,332 --> 01:44:35,102
The Prince rises to the occasion.

2134
01:44:37,304 --> 01:44:40,941
My name is Finn Bálor.

2135
01:44:41,008 --> 01:44:44,111
And I'm here at NXT
because I am the future.

2136
01:44:44,177 --> 01:44:47,681
[announcer] Can he somehow pull
off his own miracle in Tokyo?

2137
01:44:47,748 --> 01:44:48,982
Coup de grace!

2138
01:44:49,049 --> 01:44:51,618
Finn Bálor is NXT Champion!

2139
01:44:51,685 --> 01:44:56,290
[announcer] The man who reigned
for 292 days as the NXT Champion.

2140
01:44:56,356 --> 01:44:59,493
The first WWE Universal Champion,

2141
01:44:59,559 --> 01:45:02,062
The Prince, Finn Bálor.

2142
01:45:08,235 --> 01:45:09,403
[Finn] As of now,

2143
01:45:09,469 --> 01:45:13,473
Finn Bálor is NXT.

2144
01:45:15,008 --> 01:45:17,311
I made the brand,
and now the brand needs me.

2145
01:45:17,377 --> 01:45:22,382
[Vic] The third man to ever hold
the NXT Championship more than once,

2146
01:45:22,449 --> 01:45:26,753
Finn Bálor, The Prince, has
taken over his kingdom once again.

2147
01:45:29,423 --> 01:45:31,091
[Finn] Finn Bálor being champion

2148
01:45:31,158 --> 01:45:33,660
makes this the most
important title in the game.

2149
01:45:33,727 --> 01:45:37,531
So now, it's time for people to
start fighting to face the champion.

2150
01:45:37,597 --> 01:45:39,099
So form a queue,

2151
01:45:39,166 --> 01:45:41,301
because the line starts here.

2152
01:45:43,670 --> 01:45:46,273
[Kyle] This is a huge
opportunity for Kyle O'Reilly.

2153
01:45:46,340 --> 01:45:49,576
It's a big deal for The
Undisputed Era. It's a big deal for NXT

2154
01:45:49,643 --> 01:45:52,946
because NXT is never gonna be
the same again once Kyle O'Reilly

2155
01:45:53,013 --> 01:45:54,448
is playing sweet, sweet gold.

2156
01:45:54,514 --> 01:45:58,085
[announcer] Kyle O'Reilly
is going to TakeOver!

2157
01:45:58,151 --> 01:46:01,688
[commentator] You are facing
who I've said for a long time

2158
01:46:01,755 --> 01:46:06,026
may be the best kept secret, not just in
NXT but in world wrestling altogether.

2159
01:46:06,093 --> 01:46:08,528
[Finn] I know how good Kyle is.

2160
01:46:08,595 --> 01:46:12,399
Kyle's proven himself as a tag
team competitor here in NXT.

2161
01:46:12,466 --> 01:46:13,967
But more importantly,

2162
01:46:14,034 --> 01:46:17,304
you've proven yourself all over
the world as a singles competitor.

2163
01:46:18,238 --> 01:46:22,342
[announcer] He is the
ambassador of kickassador.

2164
01:46:22,409 --> 01:46:23,910
[audience cheering]

2165
01:46:23,977 --> 01:46:25,545
[Kyle] Why do I wrestle?

2166
01:46:25,612 --> 01:46:28,148
Because this is what I was born to do.

2167
01:46:28,215 --> 01:46:33,653
[announcer] Kyle O'Reilly!

2168
01:46:33,720 --> 01:46:36,690
[Adam] Nobody has earned
an NXT title shot more.

2169
01:46:36,757 --> 01:46:40,260
On Sunday at TakeOver,
Kyle is gonna shock the world.

2170
01:46:40,327 --> 01:46:42,396
[Kyle] To think of every single moment,

2171
01:46:42,462 --> 01:46:46,600
and match, and opportunity, and country
I've wrestled in for the last 15 years,

2172
01:46:46,666 --> 01:46:50,203
and it has all been building up
to this Sunday at TakeOver 31.

2173
01:46:50,270 --> 01:46:52,572
Is the photographer ready for my closeup?

2174
01:46:52,639 --> 01:46:55,208
[Finn] Kyle O'Reilly, don't get me wrong.

2175
01:46:55,275 --> 01:46:57,244
You have a great underdog story.

2176
01:46:57,677 --> 01:46:59,613
Ninety-nine times out of a hundred,

2177
01:46:59,679 --> 01:47:01,681
I believe as TakeOver goes off the air,

2178
01:47:01,748 --> 01:47:03,483
it would be you holding the title.

2179
01:47:03,550 --> 01:47:06,686
But Finn Bálor is that one time you don't.

2180
01:47:06,753 --> 01:47:10,223
[announcer] Kyle O'Reilly
will challenge Finn Bálor

2181
01:47:10,290 --> 01:47:13,326
for the NXT title at TakeOver.

2182
01:47:17,731 --> 01:47:21,701
-[rock music playing]
-[applause]

2183
01:47:21,768 --> 01:47:23,770
It's time, baby. Woo!

2184
01:47:25,639 --> 01:47:28,475
[Bobby] It's your time.
It's your time, Kyle

2185
01:47:28,542 --> 01:47:32,345
Grab his ankle and don't let go. Love you

2186
01:47:32,412 --> 01:47:33,947
[Bobby] See you, baby.

2187
01:47:34,014 --> 01:47:35,148
Your time, baby.

2188
01:47:36,249 --> 01:47:37,517
Come on, get it done.

2189
01:47:40,220 --> 01:47:43,156
I love you. All right?
It's your night. Okay?

2190
01:47:43,223 --> 01:47:44,658
Go get 'em. Go get 'em.

2191
01:47:44,724 --> 01:47:48,628
[Roderick] This is it, brother.

2192
01:47:48,695 --> 01:47:51,998
[voice over speaker] Shock the system.

2193
01:47:52,065 --> 01:47:53,633
[electronic sound effect]

2194
01:47:55,235 --> 01:47:58,238
["Undisputed" playing]

2195
01:48:01,174 --> 01:48:03,977
[Vic] This is what
we have been waiting for,

2196
01:48:04,044 --> 01:48:06,146
the NXT Championship.

2197
01:48:06,213 --> 01:48:09,282
And Wade, Finn Bálor said
this past Wednesday:

2198
01:48:09,349 --> 01:48:12,152
"There's a big difference
between the main event for one night

2199
01:48:12,219 --> 01:48:14,321
and a main event that is life-altering."

2200
01:48:14,387 --> 01:48:17,424
You've main-evented matches
against the likes of John Cena,

2201
01:48:17,491 --> 01:48:18,658
Randy Orton and Edge.

2202
01:48:18,725 --> 01:48:21,161
Do you agree with The Prince?

2203
01:48:21,228 --> 01:48:23,930
[Wade] I have to agree
with The Prince on this one.

2204
01:48:23,997 --> 01:48:25,432
This moment

2205
01:48:25,499 --> 01:48:27,167
will change the trajectory

2206
01:48:27,234 --> 01:48:30,570
of Kyle O'Reilly's career
and indeed his life.

2207
01:48:30,637 --> 01:48:33,573
As you mentioned, when I
look back at my own career,

2208
01:48:33,640 --> 01:48:36,276
a very similar thing
happened to me in 2010.

2209
01:48:36,343 --> 01:48:39,379
I was shot out of a cannon
as a complete unknown.

2210
01:48:39,446 --> 01:48:43,583
I ended up main-eventing the
likes of Summerslam, Survivor Series

2211
01:48:43,650 --> 01:48:47,320
Life can never return to normal
after an experience like that.

2212
01:48:47,387 --> 01:48:49,256
You're recognized everywhere.

2213
01:48:49,322 --> 01:48:52,526
Your colleagues recognize
the achievement you've had

2214
01:48:52,592 --> 01:48:55,695
and you never get to come
back in that box ever again.

2215
01:48:55,762 --> 01:49:00,033
A large part of the reason why
I'm even on this broadcast booth today

2216
01:49:00,100 --> 01:49:02,702
is because of what happened to me in 2010.

2217
01:49:02,769 --> 01:49:05,438
And that could be a similar
effect to Kyle O'Reilly

2218
01:49:05,505 --> 01:49:08,375
over the next ten years plus,
thanks to this matchup.

2219
01:49:08,441 --> 01:49:13,113
[crowd chanting] Kyle O'Reilly!
[clapping] Kyle O'Reilly! [clapping]

2220
01:49:15,649 --> 01:49:18,652
[crowd cheering]

2221
01:49:37,103 --> 01:49:40,140
["Catch Your Breath" playing]

2222
01:49:45,145 --> 01:49:48,214
[Vic] And here comes The Prince.

2223
01:49:48,281 --> 01:49:50,083
And Wade, you and I talked earlier.

2224
01:49:50,150 --> 01:49:53,386
Beth, you and I talked earlier
tonight. Wade, I want you to go first.

2225
01:49:53,453 --> 01:49:56,523
Wade, you predicted
Finn Bálor wins tonight.

2226
01:49:56,590 --> 01:50:00,527
[Wade] Absolutely right.
And that is not a knock on Kyle O'Reilly.

2227
01:50:00,594 --> 01:50:02,228
Let me make that clear.

2228
01:50:02,295 --> 01:50:05,498
I can see just how good Kyle O'Reilly is.

2229
01:50:05,565 --> 01:50:08,034
Anyone with a pair of eyeballs
can see that.

2230
01:50:08,101 --> 01:50:12,305
The difference is I don't just
see how good Finn Bálor is,

2231
01:50:12,372 --> 01:50:16,710
I've been in the ring with him
and I felt how good Finn Bálor is.

2232
01:50:16,776 --> 01:50:21,114
I've had the life stomped out
of me with that coup de grace.

2233
01:50:21,181 --> 01:50:24,317
And given that this is a proven
quantity in the champ Finn

2234
01:50:24,384 --> 01:50:26,686
versus a lesser known quantity
in O'Reilly,

2235
01:50:26,753 --> 01:50:30,090
I just have to lean with
Finn Bálor on this occasion.

2236
01:50:30,156 --> 01:50:32,559
But I will say it is very, very close.

2237
01:50:33,493 --> 01:50:35,629
[Beth] You know, Wade, taking nothing away

2238
01:50:35,695 --> 01:50:38,999
from the spectacular
singles career of Finn Bálor,

2239
01:50:39,065 --> 01:50:42,435
everything he's done
to be a part of building NXT.

2240
01:50:42,502 --> 01:50:45,171
But I got to tell you,
Kyle O'Reilly on this night,

2241
01:50:45,238 --> 01:50:47,474
he's been the consummate team player,

2242
01:50:47,540 --> 01:50:50,210
ready to go for Undisputed Era.

2243
01:50:50,276 --> 01:50:55,482
Every single time, he's shown up and done
what he's had to do to get things done.

2244
01:50:55,548 --> 01:50:58,652
And on this night, he is the
best he's ever looked physically

2245
01:50:58,718 --> 01:51:02,222
and he has the emotional support
of his brotherhood behind him.

2246
01:51:02,288 --> 01:51:05,058
Tonight, I am picking Kyle O'Reilly

2247
01:51:05,125 --> 01:51:06,660
to be the new NXT Champion.

2248
01:51:08,261 --> 01:51:10,964
[Vic] A first time ever matchup

2249
01:51:11,031 --> 01:51:13,299
for the NXT Championship

2250
01:51:13,366 --> 01:51:16,436
here in NXT TakeOver 31.

2251
01:51:16,503 --> 01:51:19,139
Bálor, the most wins in TakeOver history

2252
01:51:19,205 --> 01:51:21,474
looking for lucky 13 tonight.

2253
01:51:21,541 --> 01:51:25,345
Kyle O'Reilly, his first
singles match on at TakeOver.

2254
01:51:25,412 --> 01:51:27,313
And O'Reilly, talking to him earlier

2255
01:51:27,380 --> 01:51:29,149
knows he hasn't won at TakeOver

2256
01:51:29,215 --> 01:51:32,118
since NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV.

2257
01:51:32,185 --> 01:51:36,423
But Kyle O'Reilly focused
tonight on silencing the doubters.

2258
01:51:37,190 --> 01:51:39,626
[crowd chanting]
This is awesome! [clapping]

2259
01:51:39,692 --> 01:51:43,730
This is awesome! [clapping]
This is awesome!

2260
01:51:44,497 --> 01:51:45,699
[bell ringing]

2261
01:51:45,765 --> 01:51:49,169
The following contest
scheduled for one fall is for

2262
01:51:49,235 --> 01:51:55,442
the NXT Championship!

2263
01:51:55,508 --> 01:51:57,343
Introducing the challenger,

2264
01:51:57,410 --> 01:52:00,580
representing The Undisputed Era,

2265
01:52:00,647 --> 01:52:03,683
Kyle O'Reilly!

2266
01:52:03,750 --> 01:52:05,618
[crowd booing]

2267
01:52:05,685 --> 01:52:06,986
[announcer] His opponent

2268
01:52:07,053 --> 01:52:09,656
from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland,

2269
01:52:09,723 --> 01:52:12,459
he is the NXT Champion,

2270
01:52:12,525 --> 01:52:15,528
Finn Bálor!

2271
01:52:15,595 --> 01:52:16,429
[crowd cheering]

2272
01:52:16,496 --> 01:52:19,966
[Vic] I had the opportunity to
talk with Finn Bálor earlier tonight,

2273
01:52:20,033 --> 01:52:22,602
when it comes to TakeOvers,
he wanted to remind me that,

2274
01:52:22,669 --> 01:52:25,672
since returning to NXT,
he hasn't lost in a TakeOver.

2275
01:52:25,739 --> 01:52:27,273
Five match winning streak.

2276
01:52:27,340 --> 01:52:31,177
And tonight, it's all
about the NXT Championship.

2277
01:52:36,149 --> 01:52:38,351
O'Reilly, Bálor

2278
01:52:38,418 --> 01:52:41,221
have not taken their eyes off one another.

2279
01:52:43,757 --> 01:52:46,126
And I wanna go back real quick, Wade

2280
01:52:46,192 --> 01:52:49,362
as we are here inside the
Capitol Wrestling Center

2281
01:52:49,429 --> 01:52:53,066
which was first reported earlier
today by Sports Illustrated.

2282
01:52:53,133 --> 01:52:55,268
Here we go. Main event time.

2283
01:52:55,335 --> 01:52:59,105
NXT TakeOver 31, O'Reilly - Bálor.

2284
01:52:59,172 --> 01:53:01,608
[Vic] And we went back
to this past Wednesday, Wade,

2285
01:53:01,674 --> 01:53:05,245
Finn Bálor and Kyle O'Reilly
getting into an argument about five years,

2286
01:53:05,311 --> 01:53:07,180
Bálor having competed for 20,

2287
01:53:07,247 --> 01:53:09,415
Kyle O'Reilly for 15.
And Kyle O'Reilly said:

2288
01:53:09,482 --> 01:53:12,218
"What does those 5 years make?
What's the difference?"

2289
01:53:12,285 --> 01:53:14,654
Think about what bálor
has accomplished in five years.

2290
01:53:14,721 --> 01:53:17,123
Universal Title, Intercontinental Title,

2291
01:53:17,190 --> 01:53:21,661
Wrestlemania, returning here to
NXT and becoming a two-time NXT Champion.

2292
01:53:21,728 --> 01:53:26,366
[Wade] Go around the world, and anywhere,
Finn Bálor has been in his 20-year career.

2293
01:53:26,432 --> 01:53:28,468
He has dominated in singles competition.

2294
01:53:28,535 --> 01:53:31,004
-[Vic] Woah! -[Wade] You could
say great things

2295
01:53:31,070 --> 01:53:33,406
about Kyle O'Reilly too,
but he hasn't dominated

2296
01:53:33,473 --> 01:53:36,442
in singles competition
right here in NXT yet.

2297
01:53:36,509 --> 01:53:39,179
[Vic] Both these superstars
going to the mat early on.

2298
01:53:39,245 --> 01:53:42,015
Beth, would that be
the advantage to Kyle O'Reilly?

2299
01:53:42,081 --> 01:53:46,085
[Beth] I would say, Kyle O'Reilly is so
proficient in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

2300
01:53:46,152 --> 01:53:49,389
I mean, look at the speed
at which both of these men move.

2301
01:53:49,455 --> 01:53:51,691
It would be to Bálor's advantage

2302
01:53:51,758 --> 01:53:54,494
to get O'Reilly
slowed down early on because,

2303
01:53:54,561 --> 01:53:58,031
I mean, I've never seen O'Reilly
this focused coming into a matchup.

2304
01:53:58,097 --> 01:54:01,534
[Vic] And of course, Beth, you
picked Kyle O'Reilly to win this matchup.

2305
01:54:01,601 --> 01:54:04,070
You know, Finn Bálor
doesn't know Kyle's style,

2306
01:54:04,137 --> 01:54:08,241
but Kyle's closest friend, Adam Cole, has
been in the ring with Finn Bálor.

2307
01:54:08,308 --> 01:54:10,009
You can't replicate film,

2308
01:54:10,076 --> 01:54:11,978
but you can imagine that Adam Cole

2309
01:54:12,045 --> 01:54:14,347
has given just about every trick
to Kyle O'Reilly

2310
01:54:14,414 --> 01:54:15,682
heading into this matchup.

2311
01:54:15,748 --> 01:54:18,685
[Beth] Undisputed Era is thick
as thieves. You better believe it.

2312
01:54:18,751 --> 01:54:21,187
Giving each other the answers to the test.

2313
01:54:21,254 --> 01:54:22,388
And I'm sure Adam Cole

2314
01:54:22,455 --> 01:54:25,658
has been coaching O'Reilly on
the best strategy coming into this.

2315
01:54:25,725 --> 01:54:27,093
[audience chanting]

2316
01:54:27,160 --> 01:54:29,996
[Vic] A feeling out process
between these two superstars.

2317
01:54:30,063 --> 01:54:32,599
Bálor who stated he built NXT.

2318
01:54:32,665 --> 01:54:36,169
Now NXT needs him and the
wrestling world always watches The Prince.

2319
01:54:36,236 --> 01:54:39,439
Bálor called it as he goes into
the cover. Quick count of just one.

2320
01:54:39,505 --> 01:54:41,674
And Bálor right back on
top of his challenger.

2321
01:54:41,741 --> 01:54:44,677
As Bálor has stated
that he is NXT Champion,

2322
01:54:44,744 --> 01:54:48,481
that makes the NXT title, Wade,
the most important title in the game.

2323
01:54:48,548 --> 01:54:51,351
[Wade] Of course, it is.
It is the big one here in NXT.

2324
01:54:51,417 --> 01:54:54,520
It's why it's the main event.
But it's funny you should bring up

2325
01:54:54,587 --> 01:54:56,256
earlier this week

2326
01:54:56,322 --> 01:55:00,960
the face-to-face interview with HBK
between these two superstars. I saw Finn

2327
01:55:01,027 --> 01:55:03,129
[Vic] Shoulders down for a moment!

2328
01:55:03,196 --> 01:55:06,065
[Wade] Finn was cold and all
business as you would expect.

2329
01:55:06,132 --> 01:55:08,067
[Vic] Ooh! Nice belly to back suplex.

2330
01:55:08,134 --> 01:55:12,071
But Bálor, Wade, holding onto the side
headlock. I didn't mean to interrupt you.

2331
01:55:12,138 --> 01:55:14,707
[Wade] Absolutely. But Kyle
O'Reilly, in that interview,

2332
01:55:14,774 --> 01:55:17,243
was charismatic, entertaining,
he was the joker.

2333
01:55:17,310 --> 01:55:19,412
He was sending a signal to Finn Bálor

2334
01:55:19,479 --> 01:55:24,017
that despite Finn Bálor's accomplishments,
he's not gonna take a backseat to him.

2335
01:55:24,083 --> 01:55:26,085
He's not intimidated by him.

2336
01:55:26,152 --> 01:55:28,321
Kyle is proving out here tonight

2337
01:55:28,388 --> 01:55:32,659
that he is deserving of this
opportunity and he wants to win badly.

2338
01:55:33,226 --> 01:55:36,129
[Vic] O'Reilly trying to silence
the doubters here tonight.

2339
01:55:36,195 --> 01:55:39,232
Those that question if he can
break out as a singles competitor,

2340
01:55:39,299 --> 01:55:42,435
those like his opponent Finn
Bálor, that doubt he can beat Bálor,

2341
01:55:42,502 --> 01:55:44,070
and believes as Kyle O'Reilly,

2342
01:55:44,137 --> 01:55:46,105
he is not the underdog, Beth,

2343
01:55:46,172 --> 01:55:48,374
no matter what Bálor's resume is.

2344
01:55:48,441 --> 01:55:51,311
As Bálor goes up, goes over,
looking to take O'Reilly down.

2345
01:55:51,377 --> 01:55:54,147
O'Reilly trying to turn it over
into a cross arm breaker.

2346
01:55:54,213 --> 01:55:56,549
And quickly, Bálor able
to get to the bottom rope.

2347
01:55:56,616 --> 01:55:59,352
[Beth] You saw that quick motion
into that submission.

2348
01:55:59,419 --> 01:56:01,621
You know, Kyle O'Reilly
has a lot of personality.

2349
01:56:01,688 --> 01:56:04,123
Oftentimes,
the jokester of Undisputed Era.

2350
01:56:04,190 --> 01:56:07,360
But what he is in the ring
is a dangerous competitor,

2351
01:56:07,427 --> 01:56:09,128
proficient at joint manipulation.

2352
01:56:09,195 --> 01:56:11,130
[Vic] Talking about joint manipulation,

2353
01:56:11,197 --> 01:56:13,666
Kyle O'Reilly now has found
a body part on Finn Bálor

2354
01:56:13,733 --> 01:56:18,705
and is trying to exploit the left elbow
and shoulder of the NXT Champion.

2355
01:56:18,771 --> 01:56:21,207
-[referee, unintelligible]
-[Finn] No.

2356
01:56:21,274 --> 01:56:23,676
Right now, O'Reilly
just trying to grind down Bálor.

2357
01:56:23,743 --> 01:56:27,280
Bálor doing his best, Wade, at
trying to maybe take down Kyle O'Reilly,

2358
01:56:27,347 --> 01:56:30,616
trying to pick the right leg,
but Kyle O'Reilly is standing strong.

2359
01:56:30,683 --> 01:56:34,387
[Wade] Yeah, I have to say, if it comes to
a grappling game between these two,

2360
01:56:34,454 --> 01:56:36,990
the advantage
is definitely with Kyle O'Reilly

2361
01:56:37,056 --> 01:56:39,359
given his BJJ experience.

2362
01:56:39,425 --> 01:56:42,028
[Vic] And again, Bálor
trying to take down O'Reilly,

2363
01:56:42,095 --> 01:56:45,465
but O'Reilly able to sidestep
and counter Finn Bálor.

2364
01:56:45,531 --> 01:56:47,567
And again, the early chess match

2365
01:56:47,633 --> 01:56:50,536
early on in this match
between champion and challenger.

2366
01:56:50,603 --> 01:56:52,338
[referee] Come on, Bálor.

2367
01:56:52,405 --> 01:56:54,974
[Beth] See the way O'Reilly
has his left knee planted

2368
01:56:55,041 --> 01:56:59,312
firmly in the sternum of Bálor,
allowing him to manipulate that wrist.

2369
01:56:59,379 --> 01:57:03,282
[Vic] Hammerlock by Kyle O'Reilly, turning
it around. Nice takedown of Bálor.

2370
01:57:03,349 --> 01:57:05,284
Finn Bálor's left shoulder

2371
01:57:05,351 --> 01:57:06,686
going right into the mat

2372
01:57:06,753 --> 01:57:08,988
and you can see the pain on Bálor's face.

2373
01:57:09,055 --> 01:57:10,623
And Kyle O'Reilly quickly

2374
01:57:10,690 --> 01:57:13,626
following up with pinpoint
precision with his knee

2375
01:57:13,693 --> 01:57:15,395
and now elbows right to the ribs.

2376
01:57:15,461 --> 01:57:17,263
Look at the transition by O'Reilly.

2377
01:57:17,330 --> 01:57:19,432
Kyle O'Reilly sticking to his game plan,

2378
01:57:19,499 --> 01:57:23,302
has made him the only three-time
NXT Tag Team Champion.

2379
01:57:23,369 --> 01:57:24,504
[audience member yelling]

2380
01:57:24,570 --> 01:57:26,239
[Wade] Driving those sharp knees

2381
01:57:26,305 --> 01:57:28,474
into the midsection of Finn Bálor

2382
01:57:28,541 --> 01:57:31,377
sucking the wind out of him
very early in this matchup.

2383
01:57:31,444 --> 01:57:35,248
This is the kind of match that
you don't wanna make a mistake early on

2384
01:57:35,314 --> 01:57:38,084
because both of these
competitors are only too eager

2385
01:57:38,151 --> 01:57:40,153
to capitalize on the first slip.

2386
01:57:40,219 --> 01:57:42,221
[audience banging on fence]

2387
01:57:44,257 --> 01:57:46,626
[Vic] And you can hear the NXT Universe

2388
01:57:46,692 --> 01:57:49,095
here inside the Capitol Wrestling Center

2389
01:57:49,162 --> 01:57:52,165
as Bálor tried to counter early on here.

2390
01:57:52,231 --> 01:57:55,635
And again, Kyle O'Reilly
staying on top of The Prince.

2391
01:57:55,701 --> 01:57:57,670
[Wade] Yeah, hats off to Kyle O'Reilly.

2392
01:57:57,737 --> 01:58:01,240
No sign of nerves as we
mentioned earlier, and he is not

2393
01:58:01,307 --> 01:58:02,408
He's not being crushed

2394
01:58:02,475 --> 01:58:04,577
by the weight
of expectation on his shoulders

2395
01:58:04,644 --> 01:58:07,480
in his first singles
main event here at NXT.

2396
01:58:07,547 --> 01:58:10,049
[Vic] Well, the hall-of-famer,
Beth, Shawn Michaels

2397
01:58:10,116 --> 01:58:12,285
said Kyle O'Reilly is no secret.

2398
01:58:12,351 --> 01:58:14,954
Finn Bálor himself admitted
O'Reilly is not a secret

2399
01:58:15,021 --> 01:58:17,590
and O'Reilly has established
himself all over the world.

2400
01:58:17,657 --> 01:58:19,625
As Bálor able to break the hold.

2401
01:58:19,692 --> 01:58:22,361
And Kyle O'Reilly trying to
prove he is not a secret.

2402
01:58:22,428 --> 01:58:24,430
[Beth] In the early minutes
of this matchup,

2403
01:58:24,497 --> 01:58:27,500
Finn Bálor has been on the
defensive for most of the time in here.

2404
01:58:27,567 --> 01:58:28,668
-[Vic] Ooh.
-[Beth] And

2405
01:58:28,734 --> 01:58:30,670
[both grunting]

2406
01:58:30,736 --> 01:58:32,238
[Kyle screaming]

2407
01:58:32,305 --> 01:58:34,440
[Vic] Another takedown by Kyle O'Reilly.

2408
01:58:34,507 --> 01:58:36,909
And O'Reilly staying right
on top of Finn Bálor.

2409
01:58:36,976 --> 01:58:37,944
[Finn screaming]

2410
01:58:38,010 --> 01:58:40,046
[Vic] Beth, to your point,
it is Kyle O'Reilly

2411
01:58:40,112 --> 01:58:43,149
who's been able to control Bálor
in the early stages of this matchup.

2412
01:58:43,216 --> 01:58:46,486
But again, going for another
reversal, up and over, Bálor.

2413
01:58:46,552 --> 01:58:47,520
And… Oh!

2414
01:58:47,587 --> 01:58:52,258
Dropkick right between
the eyes of Kyle O'Reilly.

2415
01:58:52,325 --> 01:58:54,427
And Wade, you said it, you can't

2416
01:58:54,494 --> 01:58:56,162
win the match maybe early on,

2417
01:58:56,229 --> 01:58:58,998
but you certainly can lose it
by making a mistake.

2418
01:58:59,065 --> 01:59:00,433
[Wade] As we take another look

2419
01:59:00,500 --> 01:59:04,570
at this dropkick right between
the eyes of Kyle O'Reilly,

2420
01:59:04,637 --> 01:59:07,206
crushing, buying Finn Bálor
a little bit of space.

2421
01:59:07,273 --> 01:59:09,442
You can see him
grasping that left arm there,

2422
01:59:09,509 --> 01:59:11,143
showing some aftereffects.

2423
01:59:11,210 --> 01:59:14,113
[Vic] Bálor into the cover.
And a kickout by Kyle O'Reilly.

2424
01:59:14,180 --> 01:59:17,049
And Finn Bálor now with the
upper hand in this matchup.

2425
01:59:17,116 --> 01:59:18,351
[crowd cheering]

2426
01:59:18,417 --> 01:59:22,121
[Vic] A slow, methodical
pace, Wade, would favor whom?

2427
01:59:22,188 --> 01:59:23,556
[Finn screaming]

2428
01:59:23,623 --> 01:59:27,527
[Wade] You have to say both men
are absolutely on top of their condition.

2429
01:59:27,593 --> 01:59:28,694
I would think in theory

2430
01:59:28,761 --> 01:59:30,263
a slow, methodical pace

2431
01:59:30,329 --> 01:59:32,698
would actually favor
the challenger here tonight

2432
01:59:32,765 --> 01:59:35,401
being that he is the expert in BJJ.

2433
01:59:35,468 --> 01:59:37,603
But right now, we see the ground game

2434
01:59:37,670 --> 01:59:40,039
of Finn Bálor,
and he is on top of this one.

2435
01:59:40,106 --> 01:59:42,508
[Vic] He certainly is, and a
submission in his own right.

2436
01:59:42,575 --> 01:59:45,344
And now mocking Kyle O'Reilly,
playing a little air guitar.

2437
01:59:45,411 --> 01:59:48,181
And again, just bending back the left arm

2438
01:59:48,247 --> 01:59:50,082
and you can really see the strain

2439
01:59:50,149 --> 01:59:52,585
in that left shoulder joint
of Kyle O'Reilly

2440
01:59:52,652 --> 01:59:54,520
as Bálor stomping down.

2441
01:59:55,354 --> 01:59:59,358
A little taste of his own
medicine for Kyle O'Reilly,

2442
01:59:59,425 --> 02:00:01,961
as the champion, like a caged animal

2443
02:00:02,028 --> 02:00:03,663
pacing the ring, and focusing now,

2444
02:00:03,729 --> 02:00:05,197
trying to get a hammerlock.

2445
02:00:05,264 --> 02:00:07,600
And finally getting a hammerlock
down onto the mat

2446
02:00:07,667 --> 02:00:10,403
is Finn Bálor who now has
control of the challenger.

2447
02:00:10,469 --> 02:00:13,205
[Wade] This might be a mind
game from Finn Bálor here.

2448
02:00:13,272 --> 02:00:17,043
We go on and on about the BJJ
experience of Kyle O'Reilly,

2449
02:00:17,109 --> 02:00:20,112
But this perhaps is Finn Bálor
saying to Kyle O'Reilly:

2450
02:00:20,179 --> 02:00:22,415
"Hey, give me your best shot.
I'm gonna take it,

2451
02:00:22,481 --> 02:00:26,352
and I'm gonna come back, and I'm gonna do
better than you at your own game."

2452
02:00:26,419 --> 02:00:28,454
Put this in Kyle O'Reilly's head
this early

2453
02:00:28,521 --> 02:00:30,489
and Kyle O'Reilly might begin to question:

2454
02:00:30,556 --> 02:00:33,693
"How on earth do I beat Finn Bálor?"

2455
02:00:33,759 --> 02:00:36,262
[Vic] Finn Bálor continuing to wrench away

2456
02:00:36,329 --> 02:00:38,397
on the shoulder of Kyle O'Reilly.

2457
02:00:38,464 --> 02:00:40,933
And O'Reilly now trying to figure out

2458
02:00:41,000 --> 02:00:43,169
the best way
to get out of this hold, Beth,

2459
02:00:43,236 --> 02:00:46,639
trying anything he can to
navigate his way back to his feet.

2460
02:00:46,706 --> 02:00:49,442
[Beth] O'Reilly very proficient
and defensive as well.

2461
02:00:49,508 --> 02:00:53,145
But this pace, this matchup, is
when Finn Bálor is at his most dangerous.

2462
02:00:53,212 --> 02:00:55,548
We see this a lot in TakeOver matches.

2463
02:00:55,615 --> 02:00:58,684
This is the pace
in which Bálor is in control.

2464
02:00:58,751 --> 02:01:01,621
[Vic] Oh, what an elbow by Finn Bálor!

2465
02:01:01,687 --> 02:01:03,189
[Finn] Yeah.

2466
02:01:03,255 --> 02:01:05,091
-[Vic] Ooh!
-[referee] Back 'em up.

2467
02:01:05,157 --> 02:01:06,993
[referee] Come on. One!

2468
02:01:07,059 --> 02:01:09,562
-[Vic] Bálor pulling away.
-[referee] Two! Three! Off the rope!

2469
02:01:09,629 --> 02:01:11,597
[Vic] Bending, but not breaking the rules.

2470
02:01:11,664 --> 02:01:14,967
Finn Bálor, I mean, this is a
championship matchup for The Prince.

2471
02:01:15,034 --> 02:01:17,570
-[audience] Ooh! -[Vic] Bálor in
for a battle tonight.

2472
02:01:17,637 --> 02:01:20,439
-[referee] Come out, Bálor.
-[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly has wanted

2473
02:01:20,506 --> 02:01:23,109
to test himself against Finn
Bálor his entire career.

2474
02:01:23,175 --> 02:01:26,078
Certainly, Beth, in for a test
here tonight in the main event

2475
02:01:26,145 --> 02:01:27,980
of NXT TakeOver 31!

2476
02:01:28,047 --> 02:01:28,948
[Finn grunting]

2477
02:01:29,015 --> 02:01:31,083
[Beth] You know,
Kyle O'Reilly is a road warrior.

2478
02:01:31,150 --> 02:01:33,185
He's been up and down
the highways traveled.

2479
02:01:33,252 --> 02:01:36,389
He knows what it's like to claw
your way for an opportunity

2480
02:01:36,455 --> 02:01:37,990
in a moment like this

2481
02:01:38,057 --> 02:01:41,127
and he has no intentions of wasting it.

2482
02:01:41,193 --> 02:01:45,665
[Vic] Bálor following up with a
chop across the chest of Kyle O'Reilly.

2483
02:01:45,731 --> 02:01:49,135
And this is what we have seen
from Bálor in the past.

2484
02:01:49,201 --> 02:01:51,103
As Bálor for a second time

2485
02:01:51,170 --> 02:01:55,207
measuring the challenger and
another chop across the chest.

2486
02:01:55,274 --> 02:01:58,244
And Finn Bálor has been in control

2487
02:01:58,311 --> 02:02:00,413
of Kyle O'Reilly
over the last few moments.

2488
02:02:00,479 --> 02:02:02,281
[referee] Let's go!

2489
02:02:02,348 --> 02:02:05,051
[Vic] And Bálor now setting O'Reilly up,

2490
02:02:05,117 --> 02:02:07,687
charging back in, but
Oh! Knee to the midsection!

2491
02:02:07,753 --> 02:02:09,755
Turning Bálor inside out!

2492
02:02:10,456 --> 02:02:14,060
[Wade] Yeah, but look at Kyle
O'Reilly. I can tell by his body language

2493
02:02:14,126 --> 02:02:16,128
that he feels like he's walking around

2494
02:02:16,195 --> 02:02:18,364
with a bag of bricks
on his back right now.

2495
02:02:18,431 --> 02:02:21,701
[Vic] Bálor coming in, getting
Oh! What a kick to the chest!

2496
02:02:21,767 --> 02:02:23,536
O'Reilly trying to follow up now

2497
02:02:23,602 --> 02:02:26,672
strong knees to the chest
as well of Finn Bálor.

2498
02:02:26,739 --> 02:02:28,708
Kick to the back of the knee.
What a strike!

2499
02:02:28,774 --> 02:02:32,545
And look at the flurry of
offense by the challenger! Nice takedown!

2500
02:02:32,611 --> 02:02:34,413
And O'Reilly, just like that,

2501
02:02:34,480 --> 02:02:36,949
back in control
of this championship matchup.

2502
02:02:37,016 --> 02:02:39,018
[Wade] Beautiful Muay Thai strikes.

2503
02:02:39,085 --> 02:02:41,153
We talked earlier
about how The Undisputed Era

2504
02:02:41,220 --> 02:02:43,422
would've been helping train Kyle O'Reilly.

2505
02:02:43,489 --> 02:02:45,257
Of course, we know that Bobby Fish

2506
02:02:45,324 --> 02:02:47,360
is an expert in the field of Muay Thai

2507
02:02:47,426 --> 02:02:49,929
and a bit of that
has rubbed off on Kyle O'Reilly.

2508
02:02:49,995 --> 02:02:53,299
[Vic] O'Reilly now charging in.
O'Reilly forearm under the jaw.

2509
02:02:53,366 --> 02:02:56,135
Kyle O'Reilly transitioning himself

2510
02:02:56,202 --> 02:02:59,071
right back to that left elbow,
trying to hyperextend.

2511
02:02:59,138 --> 02:03:01,440
Bálor with a forearm,
knee back to the midsection.

2512
02:03:01,507 --> 02:03:03,542
Bálor double underhook. Oh!

2513
02:03:03,609 --> 02:03:06,212
Or gets caught, excuse me, does Bálor.

2514
02:03:06,278 --> 02:03:08,414
Another double underhook suplex!

2515
02:03:09,115 --> 02:03:12,952
Kyle O'Reilly with a DDT as well
out of the double underhook!

2516
02:03:13,018 --> 02:03:14,186
And O'Reilly

2517
02:03:15,154 --> 02:03:17,189
-[Vic] Cover!
-[crowd] One! Two!

2518
02:03:17,256 --> 02:03:19,492
[Vic] And Bálor able to kick out at two.

2519
02:03:19,558 --> 02:03:20,426
[applause]

2520
02:03:20,493 --> 02:03:22,995
[Vic] How about that, Beth,
for a flurry of offense?

2521
02:03:23,062 --> 02:03:24,630
[Beth] Phenomenal movement

2522
02:03:24,697 --> 02:03:27,433
and O'Reilly on a roll here, I mean.

2523
02:03:27,500 --> 02:03:30,169
You see those kicks
have really rocked Finn Bálor,

2524
02:03:30,236 --> 02:03:32,004
getting kicked by Kyle O'Reilly

2525
02:03:32,071 --> 02:03:34,440
is a little bit like getting
hit by a baseball bat.

2526
02:03:34,507 --> 02:03:36,075
You see Bálor feeling it

2527
02:03:36,142 --> 02:03:39,311
and struggling still from the
beginning of this matchup,

2528
02:03:39,378 --> 02:03:42,181
just grasping at that wrist.

2529
02:03:42,248 --> 02:03:45,317
[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly could be
looking for possibly a regal-plex,

2530
02:03:45,384 --> 02:03:48,621
instead, Bálor able to counter.
Bálor now firing back.

2531
02:03:48,687 --> 02:03:50,423
-[Finn] Oh!
-[Vic] And now O'Reilly.

2532
02:03:50,489 --> 02:03:52,591
Answering back with a strong kick,

2533
02:03:52,658 --> 02:03:55,961
buckling the left knee
and right knee of Finn Bálor.

2534
02:03:56,028 --> 02:03:58,431
And again, strong knees and
strikes by O'Reilly,

2535
02:03:58,497 --> 02:04:00,099
lighting up the champion.

2536
02:04:00,166 --> 02:04:01,967
[audience members yelling]

2537
02:04:02,034 --> 02:04:05,171
[Vic] These two superstars,
you see the chests,

2538
02:04:05,237 --> 02:04:08,340
with Kyle O'Reilly turning a bright red

2539
02:04:08,407 --> 02:04:10,009
from those chops and knees

2540
02:04:10,075 --> 02:04:12,578
that have connected
into the chest of Finn Bálor.

2541
02:04:12,645 --> 02:04:14,447
Both superstars slugging it out.

2542
02:04:14,513 --> 02:04:18,017
And for Kyle O'Reilly, it's
about 15 years of sacrifice,

2543
02:04:18,083 --> 02:04:20,186
but what a kick to the midsection!

2544
02:04:20,252 --> 02:04:21,554
[referee] You good?

2545
02:04:21,620 --> 02:04:23,956
[Vic] Talk about buckling the knees!

2546
02:04:24,023 --> 02:04:26,992
[Wade] Completely knocking the
stuffing out of Kyle O'Reilly.

2547
02:04:27,059 --> 02:04:31,263
Referee getting in close here,
seeing if he can even continue.

2548
02:04:31,330 --> 02:04:32,398
Hopefully just winded.

2549
02:04:32,464 --> 02:04:35,601
[Vic] And Bálor right back on
top and going right to the midsection.

2550
02:04:35,668 --> 02:04:38,337
-[referee] Back up! -[Vic]
Referee stepping in, Wade,

2551
02:04:38,404 --> 02:04:39,305
to your point.

2552
02:04:39,371 --> 02:04:41,207
[cheering and applause]

2553
02:04:41,273 --> 02:04:43,309
[Wade] Yeah, I've seen heavyweight boxers

2554
02:04:43,375 --> 02:04:46,412
lose to punches to the
midsection before and effectively been

2555
02:04:46,478 --> 02:04:48,681
-[Beth] Ooh!
-[Vic] Ooh!

2556
02:04:48,747 --> 02:04:52,017
[Vic] And Bálor relentless,
back on top of Kyle O'Reilly.

2557
02:04:52,084 --> 02:04:53,619
[referee] Hey, listen up. Back up.

2558
02:04:53,686 --> 02:04:56,655
[Vic] And once again, the
official backing off the champion.

2559
02:04:56,722 --> 02:04:59,124
[crowd cheering]

2560
02:04:59,191 --> 02:05:00,526
[Beth] O'Reilly looks hurt.

2561
02:05:01,494 --> 02:05:04,163
[Vic] And Beth, Kyle O'Reilly
has not looked the same

2562
02:05:04,230 --> 02:05:07,132
since that spinning kick
right into the midsection.

2563
02:05:07,199 --> 02:05:10,236
Maybe knocking the air,
taking the wind from O'Reilly.

2564
02:05:10,302 --> 02:05:12,505
[Beth] I got to wonder, guys,
if he didn't take

2565
02:05:12,571 --> 02:05:16,709
You know, the positioning of that kick
looked like it might've been to the liver

2566
02:05:16,775 --> 02:05:19,178
which is a devastating move,

2567
02:05:19,245 --> 02:05:22,014
sends a competitor straight to the ground.

2568
02:05:22,081 --> 02:05:25,084
-[audience] Ooh! -[Vic] Oh!
Chest first goes Kyle O'Reilly!

2569
02:05:25,150 --> 02:05:28,254
And again, the official
checking on the challenger.

2570
02:05:28,320 --> 02:05:31,257
Wade, I wanna ask you your
thoughts on what Beth just said,

2571
02:05:31,323 --> 02:05:33,459
because here's that kick one more time.

2572
02:05:33,526 --> 02:05:37,129
Take a look. Oh!
The location of that right foot.

2573
02:05:38,230 --> 02:05:40,666
[Wade] I think Beth has just
hit the nail on the head

2574
02:05:40,733 --> 02:05:42,268
with that being a liver shot.

2575
02:05:42,334 --> 02:05:44,503
Whenever they talk about
in heavyweight boxing,

2576
02:05:44,570 --> 02:05:47,540
and a competitor in a boxing
match goes down from a body shot,

2577
02:05:47,606 --> 02:05:50,209
and does not get back up,
it is from a liver shot.

2578
02:05:50,276 --> 02:05:55,114
A strike to the liver is
completely delib debilitating. Excuse me.

2579
02:05:55,180 --> 02:05:56,649
And I think that is exactly

2580
02:05:56,715 --> 02:05:59,985
what Finn managed to do
to Kyle O'Reilly right there.

2581
02:06:00,052 --> 02:06:03,255
[Vic] And again, Bálor
focusing in on that midsection.

2582
02:06:03,322 --> 02:06:06,058
And again, Kyle O'Reilly has gone down.

2583
02:06:06,125 --> 02:06:08,193
Bálor standing tall

2584
02:06:08,260 --> 02:06:10,696
here at NXT TakeOver 31.

2585
02:06:10,763 --> 02:06:12,231
[audience cheering]

2586
02:06:12,298 --> 02:06:14,133
[Wade] Well, hats off to Kyle O'Reilly.

2587
02:06:14,199 --> 02:06:16,302
He's telling the referee
he wants to continue.

2588
02:06:16,368 --> 02:06:20,072
I don't think he physically can.
That is the point. The mind is saying yes,

2589
02:06:20,139 --> 02:06:22,207
but the body is saying no
for Kyle O'Reilly.

2590
02:06:22,274 --> 02:06:24,376
[Vic] But Wade, this is the biggest moment

2591
02:06:24,443 --> 02:06:26,545
in the life and the career
of Kyle O'Reilly.

2592
02:06:26,612 --> 02:06:29,248
Kyle O'Reilly is not gonna quit
as Finn Bálor

2593
02:06:29,315 --> 02:06:31,350
with another submission on Kyle O'Reilly,

2594
02:06:31,417 --> 02:06:33,953
almost a version of the camel clutch.

2595
02:06:34,019 --> 02:06:36,488
[Wade] I admire
the willpower of Kyle O'Reilly,

2596
02:06:36,555 --> 02:06:39,658
but sometimes these can be
toxic levels of willpower.

2597
02:06:39,725 --> 02:06:42,294
Sometimes the mind is so strong
against the body

2598
02:06:42,361 --> 02:06:44,196
and that is not always a good thing.

2599
02:06:44,263 --> 02:06:46,532
You have to think about
the rest of your life--

2600
02:06:46,598 --> 02:06:49,468
[Vic] Bálor into the cover,
hooks the leg, title on the line,

2601
02:06:49,535 --> 02:06:51,971
and O'Reilly's right shoulder
up off the mat.

2602
02:06:52,037 --> 02:06:55,174
[Wade] Let me put it this way,
speaking in boxing terms once again,

2603
02:06:55,240 --> 02:06:58,644
if O'Reilly had a corner man, the towel
would've been thrown in at this point.

2604
02:06:58,711 --> 02:07:00,245
He can barely defend himself.

2605
02:07:00,312 --> 02:07:03,282
[audience shouting and banging on fence]

2606
02:07:06,585 --> 02:07:09,555
[Vic] NXT Universe coming to their feet

2607
02:07:09,621 --> 02:07:11,123
as we take one more look.

2608
02:07:11,190 --> 02:07:14,159
Bam! More abuse to the midsection!

2609
02:07:14,226 --> 02:07:17,129
And again, to Beth's point,
possibly to the liver,

2610
02:07:17,196 --> 02:07:20,933
because, back to the original
kick that we saw earlier in the matchup,

2611
02:07:21,000 --> 02:07:22,434
Bam!

2612
02:07:22,501 --> 02:07:24,637
Pinpoint precision by Finn Bálor.

2613
02:07:24,703 --> 02:07:26,605
Kyle O'Reilly has not been the same.

2614
02:07:26,672 --> 02:07:29,508
And now it's Finn Bálor
looking for an abdominal stretch

2615
02:07:29,575 --> 02:07:32,544
center of the ring, and
Bálor has O'Reilly locked in.

2616
02:07:32,611 --> 02:07:35,581
O'Reilly, nice hip toss
to counter and break the hold.

2617
02:07:35,647 --> 02:07:37,983
[Wade] Yeah, going back
to that original kick

2618
02:07:38,050 --> 02:07:41,587
from Bálor to O'Reilly's midsection,
the liver shot, as we're calling it now.

2619
02:07:41,654 --> 02:07:43,989
You just see it was a delayed reaction.

2620
02:07:44,056 --> 02:07:46,558
O'Reilly tried to immediately
come out with a punch,

2621
02:07:46,625 --> 02:07:48,394
but his body just crumbled.

2622
02:07:48,460 --> 02:07:51,463
[Beth] Well, a strike to the
liver aggravates the nerves.

2623
02:07:51,530 --> 02:07:53,165
[Vic] Jumping knee by O'Reilly.

2624
02:07:53,232 --> 02:07:55,234
O'Reilly locking in. Regal-plex!

2625
02:07:55,300 --> 02:07:57,069
Shoulders down, title on the line!

2626
02:07:57,136 --> 02:07:59,204
Bálor able to kick out at two.

2627
02:07:59,271 --> 02:08:03,042
But where is Kyle O'Reilly
getting this will from?

2628
02:08:03,108 --> 02:08:04,910
[Wade] Yeah, somehow, Kyle O'Reilly

2629
02:08:04,977 --> 02:08:07,046
managed a steep bridge on that one.

2630
02:08:07,112 --> 02:08:09,715
I don't know how he ever got up that high.

2631
02:08:10,282 --> 02:08:12,117
But back to the liver he goes again.

2632
02:08:12,184 --> 02:08:15,387
It's clearly causing him
a massive amount of trouble

2633
02:08:15,454 --> 02:08:17,089
despite that brief flurry.

2634
02:08:18,457 --> 02:08:20,392
[Vic] Could be a liver, could be a rib,

2635
02:08:20,459 --> 02:08:23,962
but nonetheless, the kick
just moments ago in this matchup

2636
02:08:24,029 --> 02:08:26,298
has changed the complexion of this matchup

2637
02:08:26,365 --> 02:08:28,133
for the challenger Kyle O'Reilly

2638
02:08:28,200 --> 02:08:30,436
who now has to dig down deep

2639
02:08:30,502 --> 02:08:33,338
and block out the pain
as O'Reilly back to his feet,

2640
02:08:33,405 --> 02:08:36,108
again, looking to hyperextend,
but right to the back!

2641
02:08:36,175 --> 02:08:37,476
Bálor now,

2642
02:08:37,543 --> 02:08:39,678
hoisting up and dropping,
center of the ring!

2643
02:08:39,745 --> 02:08:42,081
-[Vic] Cover! count!
-[audience] One! Two!

2644
02:08:42,147 --> 02:08:44,049
[Vic] And O'Reilly able to kick out!

2645
02:08:44,116 --> 02:08:44,950
[applause]

2646
02:08:45,017 --> 02:08:46,318
[Wade] Softening the liver up.

2647
02:08:46,385 --> 02:08:49,354
You have to question
what on earth is gonna happen

2648
02:08:49,421 --> 02:08:53,959
if The Prince, Finn Bálor,
manages to hit that coup de grace.

2649
02:08:54,026 --> 02:08:56,995
[Vic] That's true. But guys,
think about what we just saw.

2650
02:08:57,062 --> 02:08:58,630
Finn Bálor with that elbow again

2651
02:08:58,697 --> 02:09:01,100
into the midsection of Kyle O'Reilly.

2652
02:09:01,166 --> 02:09:03,702
There is a target on the body of O'Reilly.

2653
02:09:03,769 --> 02:09:05,337
Bálor trying to exploit it.

2654
02:09:05,404 --> 02:09:07,139
Champion charging in.

2655
02:09:07,206 --> 02:09:09,308
Sling blade connects!

2656
02:09:10,275 --> 02:09:12,678
And we have seen this in the past, Beth.

2657
02:09:12,745 --> 02:09:15,481
Finn Bálor lining up O'Reilly.

2658
02:09:15,547 --> 02:09:18,650
-[Finn] Come on. Come on.
-[Beth] Finn Bálor smelling victory.

2659
02:09:18,717 --> 02:09:22,054
[Beth] Targeting Kyle O'Reilly.

2660
02:09:22,121 --> 02:09:24,056
O'Reilly struggling to get to his feet.

2661
02:09:24,123 --> 02:09:26,125
[Vic] Target is set. Oh! And a dropkick

2662
02:09:26,191 --> 02:09:27,626
to the left knee of Finn Bálor!

2663
02:09:27,693 --> 02:09:29,061
[Finn grunting]

2664
02:09:29,128 --> 02:09:31,930
[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly presence of mind

2665
02:09:31,997 --> 02:09:33,699
to unleash that dropkick

2666
02:09:33,766 --> 02:09:36,602
into the lower extremities
of our champion.

2667
02:09:41,540 --> 02:09:44,176
[Beth] Let's check this out one more time.

2668
02:09:44,243 --> 02:09:47,379
O'Reilly able to get to the knees

2669
02:09:47,446 --> 02:09:49,448
and knock Bálor's attempt to the floor.

2670
02:09:49,515 --> 02:09:53,018
[Vic] O'Reilly has been trying to
hyperextend the left elbow of Finn Bálor.

2671
02:09:53,085 --> 02:09:55,621
Could be trying to hyperextend
the left knee instead.

2672
02:09:55,687 --> 02:09:57,956
-[Finn screaming]
-[referee] Come on!

2673
02:09:58,023 --> 02:10:01,160
-[Vic] Oh! O'Reilly got caught!
-[referee] What do you say, Kyle?

2674
02:10:01,226 --> 02:10:04,296
[Vic] Into that abdominal
stretch center of the ring! The pain!

2675
02:10:04,363 --> 02:10:07,065
And look at the blood
in the mouth of Kyle O'Reilly!

2676
02:10:07,132 --> 02:10:11,203
You must be imagining what's
going through the body as now

2677
02:10:11,270 --> 02:10:13,672
Looking for maybe that 1916,

2678
02:10:13,739 --> 02:10:15,607
countered and dropped, knee first.

2679
02:10:15,674 --> 02:10:18,911
And now Kyle O'Reilly
trying to apply the submission,

2680
02:10:18,977 --> 02:10:20,946
trying to take down the champion, Wade,

2681
02:10:21,013 --> 02:10:22,514
and focus in on the left knee.

2682
02:10:22,581 --> 02:10:23,582
[Kyle screaming]

2683
02:10:23,649 --> 02:10:27,486
[Wade] Absolutely. And to think that
bleeding from the mouth of Kyle O'Reilly,

2684
02:10:27,553 --> 02:10:30,155
highly concerning, even
though he's on top right now.

2685
02:10:30,222 --> 02:10:31,657
That could be internal bleeding.

2686
02:10:31,723 --> 02:10:35,060
[Vic] Bálor trying to counter!
Bálor looking for the sharpshooter!

2687
02:10:35,127 --> 02:10:36,061
Center of the ring!

2688
02:10:36,128 --> 02:10:40,232
The pain shooting through
the body of Kyle O'Reilly!

2689
02:10:40,299 --> 02:10:43,569
And O'Reilly trying to reach
out, Beth, to that bottom rope.

2690
02:10:43,635 --> 02:10:47,472
[Beth] O'Reilly struggling
with every cell in his body.

2691
02:10:47,539 --> 02:10:51,076
-[Beth] The pain must be excruciating!
-[referee] What do you say?

2692
02:10:51,143 --> 02:10:53,679
[Beth] The suffering he's
endured throughout this match.

2693
02:10:53,745 --> 02:10:55,948
[referee] Let me stop this!
What do you say?

2694
02:10:56,014 --> 02:10:59,084
[Vic] O'Reilly trying to block
out the pain, continue to fight,

2695
02:10:59,151 --> 02:11:04,022
crawl, and scratch like he has
for 15 years and gets to the bottom rope.

2696
02:11:04,089 --> 02:11:07,459
Hats off, Wade, hats off to Kyle O'Reilly.

2697
02:11:07,526 --> 02:11:10,195
[Wade] Incredible resilience from the man

2698
02:11:10,262 --> 02:11:11,530
but at what cost?

2699
02:11:11,597 --> 02:11:13,665
What is it all gonna be for in the end?

2700
02:11:13,732 --> 02:11:16,969
This man can barely
defend himself at this point.

2701
02:11:17,035 --> 02:11:20,172
[cheering and applause]

2702
02:11:20,239 --> 02:11:24,309
[Wade] Let's not forget, you're in there
with one of the absolute best, Finn Bálor.

2703
02:11:25,744 --> 02:11:29,114
[Beth] You see the crimson
on the lips of Kyle O'Reilly,

2704
02:11:29,181 --> 02:11:31,483
still clutching at his midsection.

2705
02:11:32,551 --> 02:11:35,320
[Vic] And Finn Bálor grasping at his knee

2706
02:11:35,387 --> 02:11:37,489
as he is looking down at Kyle O'Reilly.

2707
02:11:37,556 --> 02:11:39,524
What a battle this has been.

2708
02:11:39,591 --> 02:11:41,526
[Finn] Finn Bálor. [screams]

2709
02:11:41,593 --> 02:11:43,929
[referee] Come on.
Out of that corner, Bálor.

2710
02:11:43,996 --> 02:11:46,431
[Finn] And I do this every night!

2711
02:11:49,334 --> 02:11:51,503
This is no problem for me.

2712
02:11:51,570 --> 02:11:53,972
[referee] He's holding
on the rope! Back it up!

2713
02:11:54,039 --> 02:11:55,240
What do you say?

2714
02:11:56,074 --> 02:11:59,244
-[audience member] Come on,
Kyle! -[Finn screams]

2715
02:11:59,311 --> 02:12:02,014
-[referee] Bálor -[audience
member] Come on, Kyle!

2716
02:12:03,715 --> 02:12:05,517
[audience member] Get up, Kyle!

2717
02:12:06,285 --> 02:12:08,654
[Finn screams]

2718
02:12:08,720 --> 02:12:12,124
[referee] Hey, out of that
corner. Let's go. One! Two! Three!

2719
02:12:12,190 --> 02:12:13,625
[Vic] That was uncomfortable now

2720
02:12:13,692 --> 02:12:16,662
as Bálor continues
to beat down the challenger

2721
02:12:16,728 --> 02:12:19,564
and the referee is gonna
have to use his discretion

2722
02:12:19,631 --> 02:12:21,133
because the question, Wade,

2723
02:12:21,199 --> 02:12:24,569
when does the official
save the superstar from himself?

2724
02:12:24,636 --> 02:12:28,974
There will be no quit in the body
or the heart of Kyle O'Reilly tonight!

2725
02:12:29,041 --> 02:12:31,043
[Wade] Let me be clear, if a championship

2726
02:12:31,109 --> 02:12:34,680
was not on the line right now,
referee would already have ended this one

2727
02:12:34,746 --> 02:12:38,250
but somehow, someway,
Kyle O'Reilly fighting back!

2728
02:12:38,317 --> 02:12:40,686
And the gut shots, taking
all the stuffing out of him.

2729
02:12:40,752 --> 02:12:43,121
[Vic] Kick to the midsection,
kick to the knee,

2730
02:12:43,188 --> 02:12:45,257
stomp to the back, forearm by O'Reilly.

2731
02:12:45,324 --> 02:12:48,427
Oh! A Pelé kick by the champion!
O'Reilly rocked!

2732
02:12:48,493 --> 02:12:50,929
-[audience] Ooh!
-[Vic] Lariat answered back!

2733
02:12:50,996 --> 02:12:52,531
[Vic] Both superstars down!

2734
02:12:52,597 --> 02:12:54,232
[cheering and applause]

2735
02:12:54,299 --> 02:12:56,034
[Vic] This is what it means

2736
02:12:56,101 --> 02:12:58,570
to be the NXT champion

2737
02:12:58,637 --> 02:13:01,673
on a night that we have shown

2738
02:13:01,740 --> 02:13:04,109
the history of this industry,

2739
02:13:04,176 --> 02:13:07,312
the game changing ability in this history.

2740
02:13:07,379 --> 02:13:10,349
What about this championship matchup?

2741
02:13:10,415 --> 02:13:11,616
[cheering and applause]

2742
02:13:11,683 --> 02:13:14,119
[Beth] And what about this move on?

2743
02:13:15,220 --> 02:13:19,358
[Wade] Kyle O'Reilly stumbling
into that clothesline against Finn Bálor.

2744
02:13:19,424 --> 02:13:22,995
It might have held, but I think
it may have caught him across the temple

2745
02:13:23,061 --> 02:13:25,163
as opposed to the chest
where he was aiming.

2746
02:13:25,230 --> 02:13:27,099
-[audience member] Kyle!
-[referee] Kyle

2747
02:13:27,165 --> 02:13:28,467
-[audience member] Go Kyle!

2748
02:13:29,067 --> 02:13:30,702
Get the hell up. Let's go, fight!

2749
02:13:30,769 --> 02:13:32,671
[Vic] What a matchup right now.

2750
02:13:32,738 --> 02:13:34,506
And you got to think, guys,

2751
02:13:34,573 --> 02:13:38,577
it's got to be about more will
than skill at this point.

2752
02:13:38,643 --> 02:13:42,013
Who is gonna have that knockout blow?

2753
02:13:42,547 --> 02:13:45,183
O'Reilly delivers a kick
right to the chest.

2754
02:13:46,385 --> 02:13:49,521
How is the challenger standing?

2755
02:13:49,588 --> 02:13:52,924
The abuse that Kyle O'Reilly has endured

2756
02:13:52,991 --> 02:13:54,993
throughout this championship matchup.

2757
02:13:55,060 --> 02:13:57,996
And again, O'Reilly this
time gets caught by Bálor!

2758
02:13:58,563 --> 02:14:00,599
Bálor across the face!

2759
02:14:00,665 --> 02:14:02,200
O'Reilly may be out!

2760
02:14:02,267 --> 02:14:03,201
Bálor

2761
02:14:03,268 --> 02:14:06,938
hooking up, looking for that
1916. O'Reilly able to counter.

2762
02:14:07,005 --> 02:14:10,208
Bálor able to shift his weight
back to his feet. Guillotine!

2763
02:14:10,275 --> 02:14:13,211
-[Vic] Wade, the guillotine is
locked in! -[referee] Come on!

2764
02:14:13,278 --> 02:14:16,615
[Wade] Squeezing the oxygen
out of Finn Bálor.

2765
02:14:16,681 --> 02:14:19,084
This could be a knockout right here.

2766
02:14:19,151 --> 02:14:21,286
[Vic] The champion, Beth, is fading.

2767
02:14:21,353 --> 02:14:23,522
-[Vic] But wait a minute.
-[Beth] Bálor is--

2768
02:14:23,588 --> 02:14:26,425
[Vic] O'Reilly, backing
up and delivering a knee!

2769
02:14:28,059 --> 02:14:30,529
O'Reilly charging back in.
Front face lock.

2770
02:14:30,595 --> 02:14:33,031
Looking for a suplex,
hit the brain buster.

2771
02:14:33,098 --> 02:14:35,200
Float over, cover, count,

2772
02:14:35,267 --> 02:14:37,502
title on the line and Bálor kicks out!

2773
02:14:37,569 --> 02:14:40,739
O'Reilly though
transitioning into the arm bar.

2774
02:14:41,673 --> 02:14:44,643
[Wade] Finn Bálor, fortunately
for him, has this one blocked.

2775
02:14:44,709 --> 02:14:46,511
You see those two arms linked

2776
02:14:46,578 --> 02:14:50,215
as we see Kyle O'Reilly desperately trying
to break those hands apart

2777
02:14:50,282 --> 02:14:52,484
and extend the left arm of Finn Bálor.

2778
02:14:52,551 --> 02:14:55,320
-[Vic] That's the arm--
-[Wade] Hyperextended the elbow.

2779
02:14:55,387 --> 02:14:59,090
[Vic] That is the arm Kyle O'Reilly was
focusing on earlier on in the matchup.

2780
02:14:59,157 --> 02:15:01,526
But look at Kyle O'Reilly,
trying to use his legs

2781
02:15:01,593 --> 02:15:04,229
to break the grip of Finn Bálor!

2782
02:15:04,296 --> 02:15:07,999
Bálor holding on
with literally one finger!

2783
02:15:08,066 --> 02:15:09,468
Kyle O'Reilly breaks the hold.

2784
02:15:09,534 --> 02:15:10,669
Champion's in trouble.

2785
02:15:10,735 --> 02:15:13,538
Arm bar almost on
and Bálor able to roll through,

2786
02:15:13,605 --> 02:15:15,040
use his own momentum

2787
02:15:15,107 --> 02:15:17,442
and now stomping away on the challenger.

2788
02:15:17,509 --> 02:15:21,313
Both these superstars, where
are they getting this from?

2789
02:15:22,747 --> 02:15:26,351
[Wade] You have to say, Kyle O'Reilly
fighting back from that liver shot

2790
02:15:26,418 --> 02:15:28,687
and somehow, not only
still being in the fight

2791
02:15:28,753 --> 02:15:33,125
but at times being on top
against Finn Bálor is quite remarkable.

2792
02:15:33,191 --> 02:15:37,229
[Vic] Bálor again to the
lower back of Kyle O'Reilly.

2793
02:15:37,295 --> 02:15:40,031
Bálor again, another forearm shot.

2794
02:15:41,133 --> 02:15:44,703
And now it's Finn Bálor
trying to hook up O'Reilly.

2795
02:15:44,769 --> 02:15:47,606
Could he be looking for that 1916?

2796
02:15:47,672 --> 02:15:49,374
Connects!

2797
02:15:49,741 --> 02:15:52,410
Cover! Hook of the leg!

2798
02:15:52,477 --> 02:15:54,179
And Kyle O'Reilly

2799
02:15:54,246 --> 02:15:57,983
somehow, someway kicks out.

2800
02:15:58,049 --> 02:15:59,484
[applause]

2801
02:15:59,551 --> 02:16:01,419
[Wade] That was muscle memory

2802
02:16:01,486 --> 02:16:03,288
kicking out for Kyle O'Reilly.

2803
02:16:03,355 --> 02:16:05,390
He knows nothing about it right now

2804
02:16:05,457 --> 02:16:08,994
as we take another look
at the impact here.

2805
02:16:09,060 --> 02:16:10,595
Everything being thrown down

2806
02:16:10,662 --> 02:16:13,565
on that liver midsection
area of Kyle O'Reilly.

2807
02:16:13,632 --> 02:16:15,567
Somehow kicking out.

2808
02:16:15,634 --> 02:16:17,302
[cheering and applause]

2809
02:16:17,369 --> 02:16:21,039
[Vic] What a championship main event

2810
02:16:21,106 --> 02:16:23,675
here at NXT TakeOver 31,

2811
02:16:23,742 --> 02:16:25,343
as now Finn Bálor

2812
02:16:25,410 --> 02:16:27,412
[audience members yelling]

2813
02:16:27,479 --> 02:16:30,215
[Vic] could be looking to climb
all the way to the top

2814
02:16:30,282 --> 02:16:32,551
looking down on Kyle O'Reilly.

2815
02:16:32,617 --> 02:16:33,485
[crowd screaming]

2816
02:16:33,552 --> 02:16:36,354
[Wade] Look at the positioning
of Kyle O'Reilly.

2817
02:16:36,421 --> 02:16:38,590
[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly
getting back to his feet,

2818
02:16:38,657 --> 02:16:41,259
sensed that possibly that
coup de grace could be coming,

2819
02:16:41,326 --> 02:16:42,994
but O'Reilly is spent, Beth.

2820
02:16:43,061 --> 02:16:45,463
Kyle O'Reilly has left it all in the ring.

2821
02:16:45,530 --> 02:16:48,433
[Beth] This is gut check time
for Kyle O'Reilly.

2822
02:16:48,500 --> 02:16:50,468
This is the difference maker

2823
02:16:50,535 --> 02:16:52,671
between challengers and champions.

2824
02:16:52,737 --> 02:16:55,207
[Vic] Oh! Dragon screw to the top rope!

2825
02:16:55,273 --> 02:16:58,443
Let's not forget, Bálor's left
knee throughout this matchup

2826
02:16:58,510 --> 02:17:00,946
has been a focal point of Kyle O'Reilly's.

2827
02:17:01,012 --> 02:17:02,948
O'Reilly again

2828
02:17:03,014 --> 02:17:04,683
sensing this could be his moment.

2829
02:17:04,749 --> 02:17:06,084
A second time!

2830
02:17:06,151 --> 02:17:08,086
[referee] Off the ropes!

2831
02:17:08,153 --> 02:17:10,622
Kyle O'Reilly's
offensive game plan now, Wade,

2832
02:17:10,689 --> 02:17:12,123
it's pretty simple.

2833
02:17:12,190 --> 02:17:14,125
Chop down Bálor.

2834
02:17:14,192 --> 02:17:18,230
[Wade] Well, Bálor has had a full body
workout from Kyle O'Reilly so far

2835
02:17:18,296 --> 02:17:21,199
but right now the bullseye
is on that left leg.

2836
02:17:21,266 --> 02:17:24,469
[Vic] Into the chest of Finn
Bálor goes Kyle O'Reilly!

2837
02:17:25,036 --> 02:17:27,472
And now it's Kyle O'Reilly
trying to transition.

2838
02:17:27,539 --> 02:17:32,444
Somehow, Kyle O'Reilly is
pulling himself up to the top rope.

2839
02:17:32,510 --> 02:17:36,348
Fifteen years of sacrifice
for this moment.

2840
02:17:36,414 --> 02:17:39,417
Knee to knee, and now the knee
bar, clock center of the ring.

2841
02:17:39,484 --> 02:17:42,354
-[referee] What do you say?
-[Vic] Beth, it's a heel hook.

2842
02:17:42,420 --> 02:17:46,958
[Beth] The Achilles lock driving
that Achilles tendon into the bone,

2843
02:17:47,025 --> 02:17:49,461
looking to dismantle the tendons

2844
02:17:49,527 --> 02:17:52,297
in Finn Bálor's leg, ankle, and knee.

2845
02:17:52,364 --> 02:17:55,700
[Vic] Bálor trying to fight
free. Kyle O'Reilly transitioning, Wade,

2846
02:17:55,767 --> 02:17:58,403
back around into another heel hook.

2847
02:17:58,470 --> 02:18:02,540
[Wade] Beautiful transition from
the BJJ expert Kyle O'Reilly.

2848
02:18:02,607 --> 02:18:04,409
And look at the face of Finn Bálor,

2849
02:18:04,476 --> 02:18:06,411
pain etched all over it,

2850
02:18:06,478 --> 02:18:08,346
desperation heel shots.

2851
02:18:08,413 --> 02:18:10,615
[Vic] Both legs
now hooked by Kyle O'Reilly.

2852
02:18:10,682 --> 02:18:12,617
There's nowhere for the champion to go.

2853
02:18:12,684 --> 02:18:15,387
Bálor center of the ring.
Is Finn Bálor gonna tap out?

2854
02:18:15,453 --> 02:18:18,456
Beth, are we gonna see Bálor tap
in his first title defense?

2855
02:18:19,090 --> 02:18:21,993
[Beth] The saddle heel hook
locked in tight,

2856
02:18:22,060 --> 02:18:25,630
rotating the tibia in the knee
and Bálor, out of desperation,

2857
02:18:25,697 --> 02:18:27,399
slugging away at O'Reilly.

2858
02:18:27,465 --> 02:18:29,668
[Vic] And Bálor
went back to the midsection.

2859
02:18:29,734 --> 02:18:33,004
But somehow, Wade, Kyle O'Reilly
is blocking out the pain

2860
02:18:33,071 --> 02:18:35,340
for the right to be called champion.

2861
02:18:35,407 --> 02:18:38,476
[Wade] Once again, another
transition from Kyle O'Reilly

2862
02:18:38,543 --> 02:18:42,681
and what on earth does Finn
Bálor have to do now to escape this hold?

2863
02:18:42,747 --> 02:18:45,283
[Vic] Is O'Reilly gonna do it?
Is Bálor gonna tap?

2864
02:18:45,350 --> 02:18:49,120
Are we gonna have a new NXT
Champion here at NXT TakeOver 31?

2865
02:18:49,187 --> 02:18:51,323
Bálor to the bottom rope. He's so close,

2866
02:18:51,389 --> 02:18:54,359
scratching, clawing,
Bálor, is he going to tap?

2867
02:18:54,426 --> 02:18:56,928
Bálor with the bottom rope in his sights.

2868
02:18:56,995 --> 02:19:02,000
And Finn Bálor gets to the
bottom rope to break the hold.

2869
02:19:02,067 --> 02:19:05,337
[cheering and applause]

2870
02:19:08,640 --> 02:19:12,310
[Beth] But guys, what damage
could possibly have been done

2871
02:19:12,377 --> 02:19:15,080
to the delicate tendons of the knee?

2872
02:19:15,146 --> 02:19:18,216
Bálor was in that for an eternity.

2873
02:19:18,283 --> 02:19:21,553
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT!

2874
02:19:25,290 --> 02:19:29,260
[Vic] NXT Universe
rallying both these superstars.

2875
02:19:29,327 --> 02:19:33,198
What a championship matchup this has been.

2876
02:19:33,264 --> 02:19:35,033
And Kyle O'Reilly

2877
02:19:35,100 --> 02:19:38,336
trying to think about all those
long drives, all those flights.

2878
02:19:38,403 --> 02:19:41,272
[crowd continues chanting] NXT! NXT!

2879
02:19:41,339 --> 02:19:44,175
-[Finn grunts] -[Vic] And
O'Reilly chopping in now.

2880
02:19:44,242 --> 02:19:48,379
-[crowd continues chanting] NXT!
NXT! -[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly

2881
02:19:48,446 --> 02:19:51,015
feeding off the NXT Universe.

2882
02:19:54,419 --> 02:19:57,255
[Wade] There's a lot of things
to have been impressed by

2883
02:19:57,322 --> 02:19:58,590
with Kyle O'Reilly tonight,

2884
02:19:58,656 --> 02:20:01,960
none more so than,
no matter what predicament,

2885
02:20:02,026 --> 02:20:04,629
he has found himself,
he's always been thinking,

2886
02:20:04,696 --> 02:20:08,032
he's always been coming up with
strategies on how to continue.

2887
02:20:08,099 --> 02:20:12,437
And that strike to the knee of
Finn Bálor completely took him down.

2888
02:20:12,504 --> 02:20:14,973
[Vic] Finn Bálor now, Wade,
off that distraction.

2889
02:20:15,039 --> 02:20:17,575
Oh! Off that moment of
hesitation, excuse me,

2890
02:20:17,642 --> 02:20:19,177
able to open the door.

2891
02:20:19,244 --> 02:20:23,214
Double foot stomp to the liver,
to the midsection of Kyle O'Reilly.

2892
02:20:23,281 --> 02:20:24,616
And now Bálor

2893
02:20:24,682 --> 02:20:26,418
with the challenger in his sights.

2894
02:20:26,484 --> 02:20:27,519
[Kyle grunts]

2895
02:20:27,585 --> 02:20:29,187
[Wade] He can't stand up.

2896
02:20:29,254 --> 02:20:30,622
[Vic] O'Reilly trying to rise,

2897
02:20:30,688 --> 02:20:32,624
as is Bálor.

2898
02:20:32,690 --> 02:20:35,627
Bálor with the knee. O'Reilly sensing it.

2899
02:20:35,693 --> 02:20:39,097
O'Reilly charging in.
High knee. German suplex.

2900
02:20:39,164 --> 02:20:41,566
Bálor, double foot stomp again.

2901
02:20:41,633 --> 02:20:44,436
Where in the hell
are these two getting this from?

2902
02:20:44,502 --> 02:20:49,340
[cheering and applause]

2903
02:21:01,152 --> 02:21:04,088
[Vic] And it's Finn Bálor
first to his feet.

2904
02:21:04,155 --> 02:21:06,524
And it's Bálor trying to pull himself up.

2905
02:21:06,591 --> 02:21:09,961
And Bálor now bleeding
from the mouth as well.

2906
02:21:10,028 --> 02:21:11,563
Kyle O'Reilly is not moving.

2907
02:21:11,629 --> 02:21:13,465
Bálor perched up high.

2908
02:21:13,531 --> 02:21:15,300
Coup de grace!

2909
02:21:15,366 --> 02:21:20,605
And Bálor got all the coup de
grace to retain his NXT title.

2910
02:21:20,672 --> 02:21:22,106
[bell ringing]

2911
02:21:22,173 --> 02:21:26,010
-[Vic] Finn Bálor puts away Kyle O'Reilly!
-[announcer] Here is your winner!

2912
02:21:26,077 --> 02:21:30,548
-["Catch Your Breath" playing]
-[announcer] And still the NXT Champion!

2913
02:21:30,615 --> 02:21:33,218
Finn Bálor!

2914
02:21:33,284 --> 02:21:34,652
[crowd cheering]

2915
02:21:34,719 --> 02:21:38,089
[Wade] Finn Bálor
might have a broken jaw here.

2916
02:21:38,156 --> 02:21:40,391
What a war of attrition

2917
02:21:40,458 --> 02:21:43,094
between these two superstars

2918
02:21:43,161 --> 02:21:45,230
giving it everything they've got

2919
02:21:45,296 --> 02:21:46,931
for the NXT Universe

2920
02:21:46,998 --> 02:21:48,700
in pursuit of that,

2921
02:21:48,766 --> 02:21:51,569
the big one, the NXT Championship,

2922
02:21:51,636 --> 02:21:53,671
and still your champion,

2923
02:21:53,738 --> 02:21:55,640
The Prince, Finn Bálor.

2924
02:21:55,707 --> 02:22:00,144
[Vic] But Beth, we can take
nothing away from Kyle O'Reilly.

2925
02:22:00,211 --> 02:22:02,947
[Beth] You know,
boxing great Oscar De La Hoya

2926
02:22:03,014 --> 02:22:05,183
was crumpled to the mat,
never beat the count

2927
02:22:05,250 --> 02:22:07,252
after a strike to the liver.

2928
02:22:07,318 --> 02:22:11,189
And Kyle O'Reilly persisted
for the length of this matchup.

2929
02:22:11,256 --> 02:22:12,323
What a performance.

2930
02:22:12,390 --> 02:22:15,593
What a breakout performance
for Kyle O'Reilly.

2931
02:22:25,103 --> 02:22:27,338
[Vic] Beth, let's go back
to some of the action

2932
02:22:27,405 --> 02:22:31,042
in this highly intense championship match.

2933
02:22:31,109 --> 02:22:33,311
And that kick to the midsection

2934
02:22:33,378 --> 02:22:35,680
really changed the night
for Kyle O'Reilly.

2935
02:22:36,581 --> 02:22:40,084
[Beth] Here's one more moment,
Finn Bálor taking advantage

2936
02:22:40,151 --> 02:22:44,222
of the strike to the liver
which would drop Kyle O'Reilly.

2937
02:22:44,289 --> 02:22:47,258
[Vic] And Kyle O'Reilly
would drop Finn Bálor

2938
02:22:47,325 --> 02:22:49,561
with that brain buster center of the ring.

2939
02:22:49,627 --> 02:22:51,329
Finn Bálor able to kick out.

2940
02:22:51,396 --> 02:22:53,164
Kyle O'Reilly, though,

2941
02:22:53,231 --> 02:22:55,300
tenacious as they come tonight,

2942
02:22:55,366 --> 02:22:59,437
able to try to counter into a
cross into a cross arm breaker.

2943
02:22:59,504 --> 02:23:01,706
Bálor hitting the 1916.

2944
02:23:01,773 --> 02:23:03,574
We all thought Bálor would retain.

2945
02:23:03,641 --> 02:23:06,010
Kyle O'Reilly, Beth,
would continue to fight.

2946
02:23:06,077 --> 02:23:09,113
[Beth] There was no quit
in Kyle O'Reilly tonight.

2947
02:23:09,180 --> 02:23:13,618
You see here, putting caution to
the wind with a devastating knee

2948
02:23:13,685 --> 02:23:17,155
across the collarbone and chest
of Finn Bálor.

2949
02:23:17,221 --> 02:23:19,090
O'Reilly would follow it up

2950
02:23:19,157 --> 02:23:21,693
looking for victory in this moment, Vic.

2951
02:23:21,759 --> 02:23:24,562
[Vic] A knee under the jaw
rocking the champion,

2952
02:23:24,629 --> 02:23:28,433
a German suplex, but Bálor
doing Finn Bálor things,

2953
02:23:28,499 --> 02:23:31,703
being able to roll through
the pain and answer back

2954
02:23:31,769 --> 02:23:34,305
and then would hit the exclamation point,

2955
02:23:34,372 --> 02:23:35,940
the coup de grace

2956
02:23:36,007 --> 02:23:37,675
from the top to the liver,

2957
02:23:37,742 --> 02:23:40,044
to the midsection of Kyle O'Reilly

2958
02:23:40,111 --> 02:23:44,682
and Finn Bálor would retain his title.

2959
02:23:45,650 --> 02:23:48,119
[Wade] Let me tell you, watching the abuse

2960
02:23:48,186 --> 02:23:52,657
these two superstars have
exerted on each other's body

2961
02:23:52,724 --> 02:23:56,527
make me happy that I now
sit in this broadcast booth.

2962
02:23:56,594 --> 02:24:00,098
I could not have done what these
two have done to each other tonight.

2963
02:24:00,164 --> 02:24:02,600
They are gonna be hurting
for a long, long time,

2964
02:24:02,667 --> 02:24:04,969
but it's gonna hurt Kyle O'Reilly more,

2965
02:24:05,036 --> 02:24:07,705
because Finn Bálor
somehow, someway retains.

2966
02:24:22,053 --> 02:24:26,124
[crowd cheering]

2967
02:24:26,190 --> 02:24:30,428
[Vic] A sign of respect
from champion to challenger.

2968
02:24:30,495 --> 02:24:31,696
And it's no doubt

2969
02:24:31,763 --> 02:24:35,500
Kyle O'Reilly is a secret no more.

2970
02:24:35,566 --> 02:24:38,569
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT!

2971
02:24:40,138 --> 02:24:41,639
[Vic] Beth, that's Ridge Holland!

2972
02:24:41,706 --> 02:24:43,441
[Wade] That's Adam Cole!

2973
02:24:45,610 --> 02:24:47,445
[music stops]

2974
02:24:47,512 --> 02:24:49,547
[audience member booing]

2975
02:24:49,614 --> 02:24:52,050
[Adam grunting, coughing]

2976
02:24:52,116 --> 02:24:56,954
[audience banging on fence, shouting]

2977
02:24:57,021 --> 02:24:58,690
[Roderick] Adam! Adam! Adam!

2978
02:24:58,756 --> 02:25:00,258
Where'd he go?

2979
02:25:00,324 --> 02:25:02,627
Get some medical out here!
Adam, are you okay?

2980
02:25:02,694 --> 02:25:04,462
-[Adam coughing]
-[audience booing]

2981
02:25:04,529 --> 02:25:07,198
-[Roderick] Kyle, you okay?
-[Adam grunting]

2982
02:25:07,265 --> 02:25:10,301
-[Roderick] What happened here?
-[Bobby] You all right, dude?

2983
02:25:10,368 --> 02:25:14,105
-[Bobby] Cole, you all right? Answer!
-[Roderick] Come on! Get someone out here!

2984
02:25:14,172 --> 02:25:16,240
-[Finn] What happened, boys?
-[Adam coughing]

2985
02:25:16,307 --> 02:25:19,477
-[Bobby] I didn't see. You didn't see?
-[Roderick] What happened, Finn?

2986
02:25:19,544 --> 02:25:22,947
-[Bobby] What the hell happened to him?
-[Roderick] You all right?

2987
02:25:23,014 --> 02:25:26,084
[Adam wheezing]

2988
02:25:26,150 --> 02:25:28,186
[Roderick] Did you see? Did you see it?

