["Then, Now & Forever" by Madda Da Don playing]
["Waldstein" by Amadeus Indetzki playing]
[Ray Morgan] Ray Morgan welcoming you back
to the ringside here at the wrestling capital of the world.
["Waldstein" by Amadeus Indetzki continues playing]
Another exciting, star-studded wrestling show.
[crowd cheering]
[Ray] To a nicer guy, it couldn't happen.
The world's heavyweight champion.
["Waldstein" by Amadeus Indetzki continues playing]
Wrestling fans, I certainly hope you can be with us in person
If not, we'll see you on the tube.
["Culture Head" by Corey Taylor playing]
♪ I don't trust anyone ♪
♪ Who uses God as an excuse ♪
♪ I don't trust anyone ♪
♪ So let's pray ♪
♪ Pray ♪
♪ The culture is in the culture head ♪
[presenter] We are NXT.
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[presenter] WWE 2K battlegrounds presents…
NXT TakeOver 31.
["Culture Head" continues playing]
[Vic Joseph] For the first time ever, NXT comes to you
from the incredible Capitol Wrestling Center
as NXT gets ready to takeover.
Welcome, I'm Vic Joseph. I'll be joined
by former five-time intercontinental champion, Wade Barrett,
and WWE Hall of Famer, Beth Phoenix,
as yet again, NXT will raise the bar.
Let's stop wasting time
as we are ready for the first of four championship matches
tonight at NXT TakeOver 31.
[fire burning]
[crowd cheering]
["Infamy" by WWE & def rebel playing]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia Taylor] This contest
scheduled for one fall before the NXT North American Championship.
Introducing first, from New York city, weighing at 245 pounds,
he is the NXT north American champion,
Damian Priest.
[Beth Phoenix] Priest title reign as Champion
has highlighted his versatility as a competitor.
We've seen him up his game in TakeOver performances,
and tonight he will have his hands full facing Johnny Gargano,
AKA Johnny,
Take over, Wade.
[Wade Barrett] I have to say this man, Damian Priest, is the rock star of NXT,
and how appropriate is that, given our new Capitol Wrestling Center
is exactly what you'd expect at a rock sound stage.
This place is incredible.
And what a thrill for me, personally, to be at my very first NXT TakeOver.
["Comin Back For You" by WWE & def rebel playing]
[Alicia] The challenger from Cleveland, Ohio
weighing in at 199 pounds,
Johnny Gargano.
[Vic] Wade, this may be your first NXT TakeOver
but Johnny Gargano has competed in more matches in TakeOver history
than any other superstar.
Does that give Gargano the edge here tonight?
[Wade] Let's face it.
What gives Johnny Gargano an edge tonight
is the fact that he is, quite simply, Mister Consistency.
He never ever has a bad day in the office
and tonight may be no exception.
If Damian Priest is gonna retain his Championship,
he needs to be firing on all cylinders against Johnny Gargano.
[Vic] Let's not forget that Priest won the Championship
at the five-men ladder match at NXT TakeOver 30.
When Priest and Gargano found themselves atop that ladder bed,
it was Gargano's team destined for gold as he unhooked the title,
but Priest held firm and knocked Johnny wrestling
off the ladder to secure the Championship.
[Beth] Gargano has been at Priest's heels ever since
and a bit of extra gas in the tank tonight
knowing Candice LeRae will be facing Io Shirai
for the Women's Championship.
[Vic] That's correct and both superstars,
Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano,
are very vocal on social media talking about winning the titles
and I don't know if this is how it works, Beth.
-[Vic] But they could share the titles. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] And become the first Grand Slam power couple.
-[Beth] They could make history. -[Vic] Oh.
[Beth] But he has to beat Priest first.
[Vic] Here we go, Gargano trying to chop down Priest
but Priest has obvious size advantage and educated feet as well.
[Wade] Yeah, clear size advantage in favor of the champion here.
But again, Johnny Gargano is the nimble, is the fast one.
He needs to hit and run in this match,
which he seems to be doing.
[Vic] At the south part, trying to beat down Damian Priest,
trying to become the first ever two-time North American Champion
as Gargano goes up, goes over.
There's that speed that Gargano has.
Ducks a left elbow, comes right back in, Gargano ducks again,
But he didn't duck the spinning heel kick
as Gargano gets rocked early on.
[Wade] There you go. You can bob and weave all you want
but one strike from a heavyweight like Priest on you, and you go down.
Right to the side of the jaw.
It could be a jawbreaker in the very opening goings in this one.
[Vic] You just mentioned: one right hand from Damian Priest
and Gargano to the mat like a ton of bricks.
Right now, Beth, you got to like the strategy of Priest.
[Beth] Clubbing, bad-ass offense from Damian Priest.
Again, we've seen him up his game at takeovers.
But, Wade, you said earlier
consistency is difficult to beat when you're looking at Johnny takeover.
[Wade] I agree, and that consistency is something to behold,
but Damian Priest is someone who's at a similar length of career…
[Vic] Hold on. It's the Garga-No-Escape.
Wait, Priest's looks for the reckoning, Gargano escapes.
[Wade] Similar length of career, but lately Damian Priest
has been shut out of a rocket,
his career has really picked up
in the last 12 months or so since he came here to NXT.
Priest now trying to control the pace of this match-up.
What an elbow under the jaw of Gargano
champion into the cover to retain.
Gargano's left shoulder comes off the mat.
Damian Priest believes he is always in control of any situation
and again the power coming into display here early on
from Damian Priest using, against Gargano, his obvious size advantage.
[Wade] This is exactly what Damian Priest needs to do.
He needs to slow Gargano down, keep his hands on him,
don't let him bounce around the ring, don't let him duck and weave.
[Wade] Standing in complete control.
[Vic] Damian Priest now likes to leave his feet
for a man that stands six-foot-seven.
Priest up top. Oh.
Slipped down, Gargano gets caught with a forearm.
Priest now trying to end it.
And a kick right to the knee from Gargano.
And Gargano sliding through, looking to power bomb Priest.
Gargano…
had the leverage briefly.
Damian Priest! Crash and burn goes Priest.
Hard to the mat.
And, Wade, you got to like the offense from Gargano
as that sinister smile comes across the challenger's face.
[Wade] That was a smart, smart offense from Gargano,
taking the big man off his feet.
He came crashing down hard on the outside.
That shot to the kidneys on that landing
truly knocked the stuffing hands off the champion.
[Vic] Nasty landing indeed.
Gargano could only win the title by a pinfall or submission in the ring.
And Johnny going airborne
right into that…
that fence, that steel step now for Damian Priest.
This is a whole new ballgame,
certainly a game-changer here inside the Capitol Wrestling Center.
[Wade] No one can scout for that kind of offense,
or even plan for it if you are Damian Priest.
It's just the nous, the intellect of Johnny Gargano.
That experience factor of consistently competing
at top level here in TakeOver.
[Vic] Beth, what about this dive here from Johnny Gargano?
Impact against the steel.
And then one more moment here, Priest hitting the steel steps hard.
[crowd screaming] Yeah!
[Vic] Another right hand from Damian Priest.
And the champion rocking the challenger back
to the striking ability of Priest, Wade, that you mentioned.
[Wade] Yeah. As much of a beating as the big man might take,
the last thing he'll ever lose is his punch.
That's the heavyweight style of Damian Priest.
[Vic] Gargano tying up Priest and now unleashing lefts after lefts
into the champion's jaw.
Nowhere for Priest to go.
Gargano in with a dropkick right to the chest.
Johnny Gargano, who has waited,
has dreamed about putting more gold around his waist
and adding to his resume,
from the middle turnbuckle down across the back,
Gargano into the cover for the title and Priest kicking out at two.
[Wade] The prospect of our first husband and wife NXT champions
is getting closer and closer as this match goes on.
And look at this unique offense from Johnny Gargano.
Tying up the big man and keeping him grounded.
[Vic] Beth, this is the pace you believe that Gargano
wants in this sort of match-up?
[Beth] He gives no opportunity to Priest for reprieve.
He's been on top since he swayed the momentum in his favor.
And you see that again, working on that knee
to take away the height advantage from Priest.
[Vic] Center of the ring, will Damian Priest submit?
Johnny was briefly focusing on the knee early on in the match-up,
but Priest's lower body strength coming into play yet again.
And that's that six-seven frame, Wade,
that is paying dividends thus far for Damian Priest.
But Gargano relentless right back on top of the champion
as the he now clubs away on the challenger
with a stiff kick on the back of the knee,
and now Priest is chucking Gargano.
[Wade] We see Priest with some lingering pain in that left knee
having some difficulty moving
as Gargano is once again on the attack, again back to that left leg.
[Vic] Back to the lower leg and again the strength of Priest
and the champion right now trying to get some feeling
back into the left leg, which Gargano was focused on.
[Wade] He moves so gingerly though, Vic,
the damage may already be done to the big man,
but look at the eyes, perhaps the beast inside is awakening.
[Vic] Priest answering right back, again with another forearm,
the champion starting to build some momentum.
Now using kicks to try to chop down Gargano
Gargano swing and a miss.
Priest didn't miss.
Coming back in, up and down with a Flatliner.
Gargano is rocked, the champion feeling it.
[Wade] An elevated Flatliner from Damian Priest
using all his six-foot-seven inches of his height,
and Johnny Gargano now in a world of hurt in the corner.
[Beth] Here's one more. Look, Gargano's jaw hitting the mat.
[Vic] Damian Priest with Gargano in his sights again flying in.
Johnny Gargano might not know he's at NXT TakeOver 31
as Priest with the challenger set up in his sight, third time's the charm.
Priest now turning around, hooking Gargano,
connects with the broken arrow, center of the ring.
Priest crawls into the cover to retain
and again, Johnny just able to get his right shoulder up.
[Wade] In a flash in this match-up,
we have seen the pendulum swing from side to side,
and now the champion showing his dominance once again.
Showing the inner strength that took him
to the North American Championship at the previous TakeOver.
Can he finish the job against Johnny Gargano?
[Vic] Priest looking to put Gargano away,
coming in for the razor's edge, Gargano able to crawl through
and now almost baiting Priest in with a left elbow.
Gargano ducks again, Priest rolls through, Gargano tries to connect with the kick.
Priest had it scouted, another right hand to the jaw of Gargano.
I don't know how many right hands a superstar can take, Beth.
[Beth] He's got bigger problems now.
Gargano slammed to the mat, Priest looking to follow it up.
[Vic] What offense from Damian Priest.
Gargano hoisted up.
Damian Priest looking for the Razor's Edge.
Can he plant Gargano?
Gargano able to roll through, into the cover, Championship on the line,
and Priest able to kick out.
[Wade] So close, milliseconds in that one.
We almost had a new North American Champion
and you could just see the caliber of Johnny Gargano right here.
As we see Damian Priest going for that Razor's Edge
that we've seen before from him so well scouted by Gargano,
turning into his own slam and pinfall attempt.
[Vic] Both these superstars who know each other so well,
and Gargano back to the lower extremities of Damian Priest.
Johnny had a little momentum in this match-up coming in
after the Mixed Tag Team victory on Wednesday.
But Johnny Gargano has been in for a fight tonight
and I don't know if Johnny thinks the Gargano way
would help him out early on.
But, Wade, Johnny has to regain focus on becoming champion.
[Wade] It's been a 50/50 back and forth match.
I have to say one of the problems with being the North American Champion
it puts a spotlight on you and everybody watches everything you do.
That's how Johnny Gargano's able to counter and capitalize.
[Vic] Gargano with a Spinning Lariat, another forearm by Priest.
Champion and challenger, center of the ring.
And I don't like Gargano's odds
when it comes to trying to knock down Damian Priest.
Gargano with an Enzuigiri, another kick back by Priest.
Both superstars somehow still standing.
And Damian Priest-- Oh! A forearm again.
Right hand under the jaw.
Gargano is down.
Priest now looking around.
Priest is feeling it, guys.
Damian Priest looking to retain his North American Championship.
Kick doesn't connect. Gargano now from behind.
Priest shoulder first into the post.
[Beth] This is the opening Gargano has been looking for.
[Vic] Priest goes up and over right here in front of us.
[Wade] Big man to the outside, luckily had all his fate,
But there's Gargano.
-[Vic] Priest… -[Wade] Too strong and proud.
[Vic] Looking for the South of Heaven.
Gargano counters with a Short Scissor Superkick.
Gargano now trying to refocus, and again, gets kicked and taken out.
[referee] Inside. Come on.
[Vic] Both superstars on the outside, again. Champion's advantage.
Johnny will only win the title,
with pinfall or submission inside the ring.
[crowd hitting the cage]
[Wade] This is just instinctive fighting from both men at this point,
strategy out of the window.
-[Wade] We saw… -[Vic] Wait,
What is on the mind, again, of Damian Priest?
-[Vic] Looking for that Razor's Edge. -[Wade] Oh.
[Vic] Spine first goes Gargano.
Could that be the knockout blow for Priest?
Damian Priest, three seconds away
from retaining his North American title.
Gargano!
How did Gargano kick out?
[Wade] Take another look.
This razor's edge blocked up,
landing high on the upper back
and shoulders on the corner of the ring apron.
-[Vic] Beth… -[Wade] How could he kick out of that?
[Vic] Take a look at the Capitol Wrestling Center,
the opening match tonight for NXT TakeOver 31.
Beth, what must Johnny's body be feeling right now?
[Beth] Johnny seems ravaged head to toe.
But Priest wears the wounds of this match,
he's struggling to shake the ring rest out of that left shoulder there,
but still on the attack.
[Vic] Oh, Priest.
A little chop block by Gargano,
and Johnny again
chopping down the champion.
And on the mat you're the same size as referee.
Great position, Priest not gonna quit that easily.
Gargano comes back and gets caught with a clothesline.
But how much damage, Beth, has been done to Damian Priest?
[Beth] Damian Priest continues nursing that left knee as well,
seeming to be motivated by the pain
and retaining the Championship.
[Vic] Johnny now relentless, kick after kick focusing on the left arm,
trying to soften up for the Garga-No-Escape.
Johnny trying to get Priest back down to the mat.
Priest rolls through, but gets a kick to the back of the head.
Gargano goes in, goes up, goes around
and gets caught.
For reckoning, another counter.
Gargano now goes up,
standing sliced bread,
center of the ring for Gargano.
North American Championship on the line.
Forearm to the back. Gargano into the cover.
Do we have a new champion?
And Priest kicks out at two.
[Wade] How on earth did Priest kick out of that?
Just a barrage of offense coming from Johnny Gargano,
following up with the elbow smash to the back of the neck.
[Vic] Look, Bet.
[Beth] A tremendous impact across the shoulders
to the back of the neck of Priest, quickly followed up by this hellacious elbow.
Gargano Candice LeRae must be watching in the back, loving every minute of this.
[Vic] Well, the Johnny Gargano way.
Take Johnny
to new heights,
becoming the first ever two-time
North American champion here in NXT.
[crowd booing]
[Vic] Gargano measuring the champion.
Now mocking the champion.
Superkick didn't connect. Hold on!
Priest hoists up Gargano.
Again, he rolls through.
Shoulders down. Title on the line.
Oh, a near-fall.
We almost had a new champion.
[Wade] Gargano a little too confident, a little too cocky there,
took his time on capitalizing on Damian Priest.
Managed to turn it into a pinfall attempt
such as the caliber of the mat, but not quite enough.
[Vic] The incredible Capitol Wrestling Center,
home of NXT TakeOver 31.
Gargano now looking for one final beat, gets caught.
Again, gets caught by Damian Priest.
These two superstars, they know each other so very well.
Gargano goes up, gets caught.
Priest now.
Look at the absolute strength of Damian Priest,
looking for the South Of Heaven with authority.
Cover by the champion.
And somehow again, Beth,
the challenger kicks out.
[Beth] Priest unable to get leverage on that lateral press.
That left shoulder still bothering him.
Take a look at the height right here.
Gargano lifted, slammed to the mat.
But unfortunately, you see there…
Priest's still nursing that left shoulder.
[Wade] I have to agree with Beth.
Priest could have hooked in a tight pin on that one, which he wasn't able to do.
It would have been matched over and retention for the champ.
[Vic] Again, Priest,
who has never been one
to shy away from leaning his feet,
Priest going all the way to the top rope, yet again
looking down on Gargano.
Oh, wisely Gargano able
to roll away
from Damian Priest,
a ring presence of an NXT veteran.
[Wade] Yeah. No need to lie. But it is smart.
When in trouble, distance yourself from your opponent.
[Vic] Whoa! Priest!
Oh, my god.
Damian Priest
just wiped out two members of our security.
Gargano wisely, I believe,
was able to pull security
[referee] Help!
[Vic] into the way of Priest.
[Wade] Priest closing that distance…
[Vic] Oh! Wait a minute!
Wait! I think there was a low blow.
I think Gargano-- now, with a Superkick under the jaw.
-[Vic] He's out. -[Wade] Referee distracted.
[Vic] He's out.
Title's on the line.
Priest kicks out. Wow.
I credited Johnny Gargano earlier, Beth.
But how did Damian Priest
kick out after all that?
[Beth] Well, that was-- first of all, that was 100% a low blow.
I have no idea how Damian Priest found the--
the wherewithal to kick out.
Take a look at this high risk move right here,
Priest crashing into security at ringside.
Johnny Gargano rolling then in a way
and avoiding harm.
But this was the critical moment.
-[Beth] Nothing. No doubt about that. -[Vic] Wait. Back to live action.
He's looking for the Garga-No-Escape, center of the ring.
Priest in trouble.
Priest realizing it, trying to reach out.
Six-foot-seven using all of his frame.
Gargano wisely breaks the hold, steps back in.
And now again, Gargano tying up Priest
and again has the Garga-No-Escape
cinched in deep in the middle of the ring.
And let's not forget about the knee injury.
Forget about the left knee, Wade,
which is being backed by Johnny Gargano.
[Wade] The disgusting angle
of which that knee is currently bent and twisted.
All six-foot-seven of that frame being utilized against Damian Priest.
[Vic] Priest is trying to get to the bottom rope
fighting with everything he's got and finally reaches out
with his right foot to break the hold.
[Wade] Damian Priest looks like a sitting duck right now.
I don't know if there's anything left in the tank.
[Vic] Both these superstars
laying it all on the line,
here at NXT TakeOver 31, North American Championship on the line.
And look at Gargano, relentless,
time after time, repeatedly,
knee right to the shoulder joint,
the left shoulder joint of Damian Priest.
[Wade] He's brutalizing the entire body of the North American Champion.
This is like a cat playing with a mouse at this point.
I think Damian Priest is done.
[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Beth, look at Johnny Gargano's eyes.
[Beth] He-- [Vic] What's on his mind?
[Beth] Nothing but evil intentions, Vic.
This is what we're talking about when we say Gargano way,
always digging deep into the bag of tricks,
looking for something sinister.
Gargano wants to win the North American title
at all costs.
[Vic] And by any means as Damian Priest.
Gargano charging back--oh!
Priest
fighting with just about everything he has left.
To your point, Wade.
But what does he have left in the tank?
The champion trying to hoist up the challenger.
Gargano able to counter, another forearm under the jaw.
Champion continuing
to get belted by the challenger.
Gargano charging in.
Big forearm.
Priest is rocked.
[Wade] Ominously beneath Priest
is those steel ring steps.
[Vic] Oh, what a kick by Priest.
[Wade] Desperation move.
[Vic] Absolutely out of desperation, Superkick under the jaw.
Followed by another.
And Gargano
to the outside
looking at Priest, looking for one final beat.
[wrestlers grumbling]
Priest able to counter.
And Priest, the champion
covering Gargano
right into the reckoning.
[Wade] Oh.
[Vic] Priest into the cover, hooks the inside leg.
-[Vic] Priest retains. -[bell ringing]
-[rock music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Here is your winner and still the NXT North American Champion,
Damian Priest.
[Wade] Like Michael Jordan in 1989 on Johnny's beloved Cleveland Cavaliers,
Damian Priest ends this with his best shot.
[Priest] My ring.
[Vic] Beth, what an absolute,
incredible
way to kick off
NXT TakeOver 31.
[Beth] Nothing short of a physical war between these two individuals.
Some of the action in this match-up-- here is a critical moment.
Gargano pulling security
in the way of Priest.
Crash and burn!
[Vic] But behind the official's back,
the low blow by Johnny Gargano.
I believe we all thought, it would be a turning point in the match-up,
because, Beth, Johnny Gargano
would go on the offensive.
[Beth] Gargano could smell victory in this moment,
was positive that Gargano way would pay off.
But somehow, Damian Priest able to kick out.
[Vic] And in the end, Beth, looking for that final beat.
However, Damian Priest had something else on his mind.
[Beth] The strength and power of Priest
stopping Gargano midair
and nailing that reckoning
to retain the North American Championship
here at TakeOver 31.
[Vic] And Damian Priest has one goal in mind:
to carve a legacy, so undeniable
that his name lives forever.
He continues to do that tonight
by defeating one of the greatest performers
in NXT TakeOver history
as Damian Priest continues to hold on
to the North American Championship.
And, guys, this was just the first
of four championship matches here tonight,
because still to come,
the NXT Championship will be on the line.
There we see challenger Kyle O'Reilly
arriving here today
with the rest of undisputed era.
The biggest match in the career tonight, Beth, of Kyle O'Reilly.
[Beth] There is Finn Bálor with a great deal of respect for O'Reilly,
but has no intention of letting the NXT Championship
slip from his fingers.
["Culture Head" by Corey Taylor playing]
[Vic] Coming up next here at NXT TakeOver 31,
Kushida taking on Velveteen Dream.
Dream has declared
he puts on his best performances
under the brightest lights.
But for Kushida, he is all business
here tonight
as he gets to take out his greatest rival,
Velveteen Dream.
["Culture Head" by Corey Taylor continues playing]
[Triple H] I'm so excited. One of the biggest international stars
coming to NXT to compete against the best that we have here.
[William Regal] If I had to predict where Kushida would be…
[presenter] There he is, the six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champ
on the land of the rising sun.
[Regal] I'd say the light of the baritone.
[Kushida] This is Kushida's turn.
[presenter] Kushida wants to match his world skills
against anyone willing to oppose him.
[Kushida] I wanna wrestle everybody.
It's not easy.
[Beth] Oh.
[Kushida] The doctor say broken wrist,
I will be out
for months.
Different culture, different language.
I don't fight for me now.
I fight for my family.
[Beth] This is a critical moment for Kushida.
He needs to remind everyone of why he is one of the most feared
and respected pro wrestlers in the world.
[Vic] Is Dream gonna tap out center of the ring? There's nowhere to go.
There comes Grimes with the cave-in.
[bell ringing]
[Kushida] Big change.
Mind have to change.
[Vic] Oh.
[Dream] Will the real Kushida please stand up?
[Vic] Velveteen Dream's unhinged.
[Dream] Because it doesn't matter which Kushida shows up.
[presenter] Wait a minute. Velveteen Dream.
Kushida thought he had his TakeOver opportunity
to challenge for the NXT Championship.
But Velveteen Dream took out Kushida.
[Dream] The Dream always puts on his best performances…
[Beth] They have the chance to settle their score
one-on-one at TakeOver.
[Dream] Under the brightest spotlights.
[Vic] Oh, Kushida now with a hold of Velveteen Dream and--
[people shouting] Oh!
[Wade] I have not seen this level of ferocity from Kushida
since his days competing in Japan.
[Kushida speaking in foreign language]
[Vic] Oh, man. I've never seen Kushida
with this much rage before.
[Beth] He said everyone's taken his humility for weakness.
And he's done with smiling and waiting for opportunities.
[Kushida] Velveteen Dream [speaking in foreign language]
[presenter] Kushida's first one-on-one match at TakeOver
against Velveteen Dream, who historically is spectacular at TakeOver.
[Dream] The spotlight will be too bright for you.
[Kushida speaking in foreign language]
["Velveteen" by WWE playing]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Capitol Hill, Washington DC,
weighing in at 217 pounds,
the Velveteen Dream.
["Velveteen" continues playing]
[Vic] Wade, there's a lot to like, but also question about Velveteen Dream.
[Wade] You know, I'm gonna tell you, Velveteen Dream is somebody who,
being where we're at today in the Capitol Wrestling set,
he's making me feel nostalgic for the days of Gorgeous George,
the original flat boy and intoxicating superstar.
I think there's a bit of that rubbing off on Velveteen Dream.
He's a man you cannot help to watch.
["Velveteen" continues playing]
[Vic] NXT TakeOver is brought to you in part by Credit One Bank.
Visit gocreditone.com.
Life ever rewarded.
[Beth] Speaking of nostalgia.
I feel like he's channeling a little dark round tonight,
maybe a slight,
to make fun of Kushida.
[Vic] Oh! And there's Kushida.
[Wade] He didn't like the joke.
[Vic] Certainly, he did not.
And Kushida right on top of Velveteen Dream.
And this is that new style, that new sense of aggression
that is just bleeding out of Kushida.
[Beth] Dream made a mistake turning his back
and Kushida will make him pay for it.
[Vic] Oh! Kushida!
What a kick under the jaw, Kushida.
-[Vic] Whoa. -[Dream] Move!
[chair rumbling]
-Poor guy. -Hey!
-[Beth] He's on the run! -[referee] Keep it in the ring.
-[Beth] Struggling to get his bearings. -[Vic] He chucked a chair into the ring.
-[referee] Hey! -[Vic] Still favoring the left arm--whoa!
[referee] Hey, come on, give me the chair.
[Beth] Referee struggling to maintain control here.
-[referee] Ring it. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] The bell finally ringing.
We are… The bell has rung.
We are finally under way
here at NXT TakeOver 31.
And Velveteen Dream right back in.
I mean, you can just sense the aggression, Beth, from these two superstars.
[Beth] Well, I think, we have Dream to thank
for the beast that has been unleashed in Kushida.
You see, there's that mat grappling,
that quick wrestling style
that made Kushida famous all throughout Japan.
[Vic] Wade, when you talk about Kushida, note his mixed martial arts career
as he's looking for that arm bar.
Not a superstar you wanna mess with.
[Wade] Yes. He's a vicious, violent man when he wants to--
[referee] Break the hold!
[Wade] He spoke earlier about how he felt he was suffocating
since moving to the US, but his behavior…
He's like trying to be on his best,
trying to be a nice guy.
That's all gone out the window.
The new Kushida is vicious.
[Vic] Well, to that point, he sets an eye, now he's mocking Dream.
He sets an eye, he excels, he breaths.
And now, Velveteen Dream giving chase to Kushida.
Kushida has been in control,
just a jump-start.
Just connected with a kick to the mid-section.
[referee] Get back.
[Beth] Great strategy there from Kushida bating Velveteen Dream in.
[Vic] And Kushida--oh! Right back in to Velveteen Dream.
-[crowd chanting] Kushida! -[Vic] His first match-up on a TakeOver.
[Vic] This means the world to Kushida.
[Vic] And Kushida's new all-business attitude
has not taken his foot off the gas tonight.
[Dream screaming]
[Beth] It's been a long road here for Kushida.
He knew better than anyone what he is capable of,
and now, he has the platform
to show the world here in TakeOver.
[Vic] Look at Kushida,
staring a hole into Velveteen Dream.
Triple H described Kushida
as one of the biggest international superstars.
And Kushida on the biggest stage, is arriving at NXT
looking to prove just that
as he is a firm offense here
trying to take down Dream yet again.
But Dream… hell for a moment, but Kushida grabbing on to the left wrist.
Look at the body manipulation.
Dream screaming right now.
[Beth] Strategically working on that arm and take a look at this.
Kushida using his body weight to manipulate that left elbow
and trap the other arm.
[Vic] Look at the strain in the shoulders of Velveteen Dream
as Kushida just falls back
and just continues to wretch on the joints of Dream.
-[referee] Hey! Watch it! -[Beth] A recipe for a rotator cuff tear.
[Vic] Oh, and Dream
almost out of desperation, Wade.
Barely able to get back to his feet.
[Wade] Yeah. Dream says
that he saves his best performances
for the brightest spotlights, like TakeOver.
And so far, this has been an unmitigated disaster
for the Dream.
-[Beth] He wants to turn things around. -[crowd] Oh!
[Vic] Velveteen Dream from the top.
[Vic] Dream might have been able
to weather the early storm raid of Kushida.
Dream, a veteran of NXT TakeOver.
[Wade] Perhaps managing to hang in.
Watch this replay at this high-flying offense from the Dream
connecting with the back of the neck of Kushida
stopping that flow of Kushida that has been a frenzy
from the start of this match.
-[crowd booing] -[Vic] Dream took a flammable situation
[Vic] and took gasoline all over it, Beth, when he tossed Kushida
to protect the NXT title opportunity in that gauntlet eliminator match.
[Beth] That's where things all began, Vic,
but Dream presently surprised to bring the tension back to him.
TakeOver is where Dream believes that he belongs,
in front of the bright lights.
[crowd booing]
[Beth] He'd love to get a victory at the expense of Kushida.
[Vic] Oh! What an uppercut from Velveteen Dream.
And Dream, into the cover
and just a one count from Kushida,
but back to what we talked about early on with Kushida.
Not a superstar you really wanna toy or mess around with.
[Wade] Absolutely not, but it seems to be working for the Dream
right now as we take a look back.
[Kushida] Oh!
[Wade] Just this brutal, vicious uppercuts from the Dream.
It's almost like a visual oxymoron as you stare at the Dream.
He look so ridiculous, especially right now,
but then you look at the vicious attacks that he is putting on Kushida here,
you have to say it's impressive, a savage beat.
[Dream screaming]
-[Vic] Dream Bronco Buster onto Kushida. -[Dream] Put me down.
[crowd chanting] Kushida!
[Vic] As Dream barking out to the NXT universe.
[crowd chanting] Kushida!
[Beth] A big part of Dream's strategy is always the psychological warfare.
Take a look at this right here, just drinking it in.
-[Dream] Come on! -[Beth] Enjoying good and bad reactions.
[Dream] Get up.
[Vic] Dream's gonna continue to maintain focus on his opponent,
which is just Kushida.
[crowd chanting] Kushida!
[Vic] Dream right back in, Kushida gets caught.
Dream, for a moment, thought he had the upper hand
but now Kushida trading blows to Velveteen Dream.
He's known for that striking ability.
Nice counter reversal.
Dream goes out, he gets caught in a Sleeper.
Sleeper Hold, center of the ring.
Velveteen Dream
trying to put all of his weight
into the back of Kushida
and Kushida, Wade, is fainting.
[Wade] Never forget the technical excellence of the Velveteen Dream,
despite all the hoopla that surrounds him.
Underneath all of that,
that is a technically stud athlete, and this…
could be putting Kushida to sleep.
[Vic] Velveteen Dream putting all his weight at Kushida,
trying to drain all the energy out of Kushida.
But Kushida now,
trying to feed off the energy
of the NXT universe
here in the Capitol Wrestling Center.
Kushida back to his feet, trying to break the hold,
and again, just Velveteen Dream holding on.
[referee] Three! Come on!
Fight count broken--oh! Kushida!
What an elbow.
Right to the jaw.
Dream answers back, and again, Beth,
these superstars trading right hands.
[Beth] Kushida gasping for air.
Looking to bring that oxygen back in
after Dream drove him to the mat.
But this is--this has turned into a slugfest.
[Vic] It certainly has. Kushida taking down Velveteen Dream,
and now, Kushida, Beth, new vicious side,
that all-business attitude coming into play.
Kushida, looking for the hip,
toss, rolls through, dropkick,
right into the jaw
of Velveteen Dream.
[Beth] See that spectacular reaction time from Kushida?
So lighting fast.
[crowd thumping the Plexiglas]
[Vic] And Kushida…
looking for the stop, countered by Dream, Dream rolling through.
Right-hand by Kushida under the jaw dropped Dream.
Kushida methodically now walking right back in and, again,
just looking to inflict pain
to Velveteen Dream
and one more time with the joint and body manipulation,
but, now, stomps right to the back
in between the shoulder blades of Dream.
[Beth] Pulling back at those joints
once again in that pectoral muscle that Dream seemed to be clawing at
earlier in the match-up.
[Dream screaming]
[Vic] And now, Velveteen Dream turned, he's turned over.
Kushida stomping away,
stomping out all of his frustrations
into Velveteen Dream.
And the time splitter
just picking apart
Velveteen Dream here tonight.
Kushida said it was time to show the world the real side of himself,
and he would use Dream as his stepping stone.
Oh, no, Beth, take a look at this.
[wrestlers screaming]
[Beth] On the damaged shoulder!
[Vic] Into the steel post.
Much like we saw several weeks ago on NXT
which put Velveteen Dream on the shelf
with a hyper-extended elbow.
[Beth] And we're seeing a little bit of déjà vu here.
-[crowd chanting] Kushida! -[Dream repeatedly] I'm sorry.
[Vic] You asked,
Kushida trying to deliver it.
[Dream screaming]
[Beth] One more!
[crowd stomping and clapping]
[Vic] And Kushida-- Wait!
-[Vic] Look at Velveteen's left--oh, no! -[Wade grunting]
-[referee] Hey! Back inside the ring! -[Dream screaming]
[Vic] Dream screaming in pain.
And Wade, Kushida is delivering everything
he said he was going to do tonight.
[Wade] The last minutes of this match-up have been one-way traffic.
It's turning into a punishment beating.
[Vic] A Superkick by Velveteen Dream
catching Kushida.
-[Vic] This is over now. -[Wade] Dream's arm could be broken, Vic.
[Vic] This is certainly time to regroup for Velveteen Dream, Beth.
Take a look one more time.
[Beth] It's an opening.
Dream was was looking for an impactful Superkick to the jaw.
Kushida has not budged.
Dream looking to capitalize,
but struggling with that damaged left arm.
[Vic] The Purple Rainmaker… got caught. Arm bar, cross arm breaker by Kushida.
Kushida locking in Velveteen Dream.
Dream trying to roll through the pain and the pressure,
trying to navigate his way to the bottom rope,
and Dream
actually able to slither his way free
to the outside,
but Kushida holding out the right hands
repeatedly from Velveteen Dream.
A thump in the eye.
I believe Dream just poked Kushida right in the eye.
Another right hand by Velveteen Dream.
Hoist up and a power bomb.
Dream into the cover.
Count.
[Beth] Whoa!
-[Beth] Kushida has-- [Vic] Reversal into another arm bar.
Kushida,
the submission specialist…
looking to make Velveteen Dream tap.
-[Vic] Nowhere for Dream to go. -[Beth] He's biting the fingers of Dream.
[Vic] He tries to swing away, break the pressure. And did.
And give credit when credit is due
to Velveteen Dream.
[Beth] I mean, what a vicious application
of that arm bar by Kushida,
biting the phalanges of Velveteen Dream.
[Vic] Both superstars making their way back to their feet
as Velveteen Dream hoist up a Dream Valley Driver.
Center of the ring.
Laying out Kushida.
This could be the beginning of the end.
Dream said he shines bright
under the brightest lights.
Dream going to the top rope,
looking for that Purple Rainmaker.
[crowd shouting]
[Vic] And Dream connects!
Velveteen Dream
got all that Purple Rainmaker,
but it happened on the left arm,
the injured elbow
and injured shoulder.
Wade, Dream couldn't capitalize.
[Wade] There's no point in that high-impact offense
if you can't make the cover.
The pain shooting through the arm of Velveteen Dream.
[Vic] Arm draped over--oh, Kushida!
-[Vic] Kushida. -[Wade] Enough time to recover.
[Beth] See, Dream here going for the Purple Rainmaker,
but unfortunately on the damaged arm,
was not able to capitalize in time.
Like you said, Wade,
that might have been a critical three seconds for Kushida.
[Wade] Yeah. Think back.
If he had made that cover quickly, it was over.
He would've won.
[Vic] Kushida able to grab on to Velveteen Dream.
At this point…
look at Velveteen Dream.
Looking down at Kushida.
What a clothesline!
What is left of Kushida?
[Beth] This has been an absolutely brutal battle.
The disdain these two men have for each other is unbelievable.
[crowd roaring]
[Vic] And Dream
looking for the exclamation point.
Another Purple Rainmaker.
All the way to the top
goes Velveteen Dream,
but Kushida…
Kushida meeting Velveteen Dream
and Kushida's relentless now, hooking up.
[Dream screaming]
Looks for a Hoverboard Lock on the top rope.
What is Kushida thinking?
-[Beth] Oh my god! -[Vic] Kushida!
[Vic] Into the Hoverboard Lock off the top rope.
The Hoverboard Lock cinched in by Kushida.
Velveteen Dream, precarious position.
Nowhere for Dream to go.
Is Dream gonna tap out?
Dream trying to find his way to the bottom rope, trying to reach out,
right foot and all stretching, able to get there.
Kushida could through though.
Kushida not letting go.
Kushida holding on
for everything dear to him
to win at his first ever NXT TakeOver.
[Beth] The submission specialist contorting the elbow and shoulder.
[Vic] Whoa, Dream able to counter.
That Dream Valley Driver again.
Able to counter Kushida for a moment.
-[Vic] He connects. Kushida didn't let go. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] Finally, Velveteen Dream has to tap.
[Dream screaming]
[Alicia] Here is your winner…
Kushida!
[Vic] Wade, how about the tenacity
of Kushida?
[Wade] An impressive display of resilience from the Dream,
but Kushida, you're absolutely right, Vic,
would not let go of that hold
despite the onslaught of offense coming his way.
And he gets the victory.
Perhaps goes the way to showing the world
what the new Kushida is all about.
["New Moon" by WWE, def rebel playing]
[Vic] Well, the light shining bright
on Kushida here tonight.
Kushida picking up his first victory,
Beth, at an NXT TakeOver.
[Beth] Well, Kushida's new brand of brutality certainly paying off for him.
-[Beth] We see him holding onto the elbow. -[bell ringing]
[Beth] Though Dream tried to nail him with it,
but he would soon tap out.
[Vic] And with that tap out, Kushida,
who said it was time to excel,
certainly has done that.
And maybe his--whoa!
Kushida, right on top-- what the heck is this?
[Wade] Punishment time! This wasn't about winning or losing.
This was about beating your opponent
to within an inch of his career.
[Vic] Kushida right back on
to Velveteen Dream
focusing on that left injured arm.
Kushida continuing to damage
and more Velveteen Dream.
-[Vic] Look at the wrist. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] The manipulation again from Kushida.
[Wade] That is sickening.
-[Dream screaming] -[referees] Come on.
[referees talking]
[referee] No! That's enough!
[Vic] We knew we had an all-business side of Kushida.
His words not mine.
But what did we witness tonight?
And again, Kushida right back on top of Velveteen Dream.
-[Beth] Kushida is unhinged. -[Dream screaming]
[Vic] And again, blocking, Wade, another,
another submission.
[Wade] Just listen to the screams of the Velveteen Dream
the agony coursing through his body now.
Kushida knows no bounds.
[referee] Get him out.
[Dream screaming]
-[Dream whaling] Mom. -[crowd chanting] One more time!
[referee] Get him out.
-[crowd chanting] One more time! -[Dream repeatedly] Stop.
[referee, repeatedly] It's alright.
[Vic] Look at the pain on Velveteen Dream.
Wade, what do you make of Kushida?
[Wade] I was looking at his face.
I'm not sure he's even satisfied at this point.
[Dream whaling]
[rock music playing]
[distortion noises]
[Shotzi Blackheart screaming]
Trick or treat.
[Shotzi laughing]
-[Shotzi howling] -[narrator] Join us on the scariest night.
[narrator] Halloween Havoc is back.
[narrator laughing]
[Vic] Can you believe it? For the first time in 20 years,
Halloween Havoc for the first time ever here in NXT.
I cannot wait, Beth, for October 28th,
but I also can't wait
for what we're gonna have later tonight.
[Beth] Following a disappointing loss for Johnny earlier,
Candice LeRae looking to focus on keeping her end of the promise
to bring home gold to the Gargano family.
[Vic] In order to do so,
she will have to take down the genius of the sky.
Io Shirai extremely focused
on the NXT Women's Championship match-up
still to come later tonight,
but right now,
it's all about the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
For the first time ever,
the NXT Cruiserweight Championship
is defended on a TakeOver.
Santos Escobar has raised the division,
but he takes on the one man that has had his number thus far
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
["Culture head" playing]
[presenter] El Hijo del Fantasma,
the new NXT Cruiserweight Champion
culminating his two-decade dream.
[presenter] The two masked men again.
Oh my god. Wait a minute.
[Santos] I am Santos Escobar.
The Cruiserweight Division was in desperate need for a leader.
Santos Escobar…
took the NXT Cruiserweight title…
from the sideshow…
to the main show.
Sometimes you have to tear things down…
in order to build them back up.
No one can touch me.
[Swerve] Santos Escobar…
in case you forgot,
I'm the only one that beat you.
That's two pinfall victories over you now.
But I'm not content.
And the reason why is because Santos is still walking around
with that NXT Cruiserweight Championship and Swerve is not.
Next time you step in the ring with me, you're gonna be seeing the new Champion.
[Santos] Don't make me laugh.
Swerve…
you're a parasite
that I can't get rid of.
[Swerve] Every time when that title is on the line
there's always something going on,
whether it's Legado Fantasma interfering
or you have a manipulated lucha mask.
[Santos] All I'm hearing is [foreign language]
The problem is when it really counts,
you can't deliver.
[Swerve] What you call excuses, I'm calling reality.
I'm ready to showcase to the world
what I'm truly capable of.
And while I'm doing that,
I'm gonna showcase
how our NXT Cruiserweight Champion, Santos Escobar,
is a fraud.
[Santos] At TakeOver, all of your showcasing won't be enough
because what you call a bag of tricks,
I call a century of tradition.
[Santos laughing] And I'm gonna bury you with it.
["Fly Life" by def rebel playing]
[Vic] It is time for the Cruiserweight to take flight
here at NXT TakeOver 31.
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest set for one fall is for…
is for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Introducing the challenger
from Tacoma, Washington, weighing in at 201 pounds,
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
[Vic] Beth, big opportunity tonight for Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
[Beth] Yes. Swerve is so confident
coming into this.
He's bringing his heart and soul.
You can see the attitude written all over his face.
Swerve is also a student of lucha libre himself.
He's competed under a mask before coming to NXT
and he is ready to take on Santos Escobar.
Tonight could be his night.
["Fly Life" continues playing]
[Vic] Always confident.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott…
looking to finally put gold
around his waist.
But in order to do so,
he's gotta take down one of the most dominant champions
in Cruiserweight history.
["Legacy of the Ghost" by def rebel playing]
[Alicia] His opponent
representing Legado del Fantasma.
He is the NXT Cruiserweight Champion,
Santos Escobar.
[Vic] Wade, no doubt Santos Escobar
is building quite the legacy in NXT.
[Wade] I have to say, I think this man,
Santos Escobar
is nothing short of brilliant
as he hands off that lucha mask
to his boys El Legado del Fantasma
wearing that Cruiserweight Championship
with pride.
This man is style and elegance personified.
I love Santos Escobar.
["Legacy of the Ghost" continues playing]
[Vic] NXT TakeOver 31 is presented
by WWE 2k Battlegrounds.
Enter the battlegrounds with in-your-face,
over the top, multiplayer mayhem brawl without limits.
Available now.
And we are set for a brawl
between these two superstars on the night
we have been talking about the history of professional wrestling.
You think about 205 Live,
think about superstars like Buddy Murphy, Cedric Alexander, Ali,
the body of work from the Cruiserweight Tournament.
These two superstars
really have embodied all of those
in this Cruiserweight Division as of late.
-[Vic] All led by one man, Santos Escobar. -[bell ringing]
[Beth] I had the chance to talk to Santos earlier.
And he talked about how he carries a hundred years of tradition
on his back coming into this.
Of course, the heritage of lucha libre wrestling
and he wants to show why he remains the NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
[Vic] These two locking up, no strangers to one another.
Again, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott owns two victories
over Santos Escobar.
The only superstar to have defeated Escobar
since Escobar's arrival here in NXT.
When you talk--
[Wade] Santos Escobar will want to put that right tonight.
[Vic] Wade, when you talk about lucha libre--oh!
And look at "Swerve" Scott.
When you talk about lucha libre,
Santos Escobar says Swerve doesn't respect the tradition.
Do you agree?
[Wade] Yeah, perhaps so. He's called…
Santos Escobar, the champion,
he's called him a fraud.
That is disrespectful to him.
That is disrespectful to the emperor of lucha libre,
Santos Escobar.
[Swerve screaming]
[Vic] Look at "Swerve" again,
from behind, roll through goes the champion, shoulders down,
and an early near fall
in this NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match-up.
Another Takedown, cover, kick-out.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott now, same thing on mind that Escobar did
and both superstars with a stalemate.
[crowd thumping the Plexiglas]
[Vic] And you hear the appreciation from the NXT universe.
And oh, what a kick to the midsection
by Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
A little Swerve.
Now Escobar jumping forearm drops the challenger.
Escobar charging in.
Goes up and over.
[referee] Come up again! Come on! Let's go! Inside.
[Vic] Again, these superstars,
no strangers to one another
and what a Moonsault
by the challenger.
Didn't get all of it, Beth,
got enough of it to take Escobar down.
[Beth] Swerve's lucha libre game is strong tonight
and I got to wonder if he is throwing Escobar off.
I don't know if he prepared or expected Swerve to bring this.
[Vic] But Wade, let's not forget, it was Isaiah "Swerve" Scott
who called the champion a fraud.
Tonight, trying to prove that the champion is nothing more than just that.
And another high-risk
for "Swerve" Scott.
[Wade] Well, this is effective, but this is a slap in the face
to the emperor of lucha libre,
Santos Escobar,
beating him at his own game.
[Vic] Escobar out the other end
because Escobar knows the only way for Swerve to become champion
is pinfall or submission inside the ring.
And up and over again goes the challenger,
He's reckless.
-[Wade] Escobar is being taught a lesson. -[Vic] He certainly is.
[crowd thumping the Plexiglas]
[Beth] Beautiful high risk maneuver here.
Corkscrew Moonsault
hits hard.
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[Vic] Following that up,
the challenger would go to the air yet again.
And a cover, Beth, to live action and a kick-out by the champion.
[Wade] And I've got to say, Vic, I think this is actually a mistake
from "Swerve" Scott, despite the fact that he's in control of this one.
Listen, why are you trying to show Escobar that you can beat him in his own game?
You've already beaten him previously.
Stick to what worked previously.
Don't try anything clever.
It's working now.
Don't think at some point Santos Escobar
isn't gonna be able to turn this around.
[Vic] Speaking of that,
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott trying to bend back the elbow.
Take a look at the joint manipulation
by Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
[Wade] Utilizing part of that ring to his advantage.
The referee was in close, didn't get a five-count there.
-[Wade] Broke in advance. -[Vic] Into the cover. Title on the line.
[Vic] And another kick-out
by Santos Escobar.
[Wade] Talk about strategy, there is no way that Santos Escobar
expected "Swerve" Scott to come out with a lucha libre high flying style
against him in this one.
Taken by surprise and we see the effects now.
[Vic] He certainly didn't. And Beth, we've seen him go to the air
but now he's going to his ground game.
[referee] You give up?
[Beth] He has come to the table, he's done his homework.
And he is leaving no table unturned in this situation.
Swerve, he actually told me later
that he was pushing the limits of the 205 weight limit
to come into this match-up as heavy as possible
while still making weight to just get the weight advantage.
[Wade] Let me jump in there, Beth.
Again, I think that is a big mistake for "Swerve" Scott.
Because he's put on this weight
to beat the man he can already beat.
-[Wade] Change it if you're losing. -[Vic] Wait.
[Vic] And now Swerve Scott looking for a submission.
And Santos Escobar very close to the bottom rope.
And Santos Escobar trying everything to reach out.
and finally does.
But Isaiah "Swerve" Scott holding on
for on additional second to continue to inflict damage,
because this rivalry is deeply rooted
between these two superstars.
And "Swerve" Scott knows tonight
could be his last opportunity
to become champion,
as Scott continuing to focus on the left arm of Santos Escobar.
And back to the point you made, Wade, early on,
He has an unpredictable offense.
High flying, stealthy submission, ground game as well.
I mean, how hard is it for him to prepare for an offense like Scott's?
[Wade] Yeah, if you can figure out your opponent's strategy and game plan,
the rest should be easy, common sense.
The hard part was that "Swerve" Scott has such a wide arsenal
you can't figure it out.
But perhaps somehow, some way right now,
Santos Escobar showing his quality,
buying some breathing room with that dive.
-[Vic] Certainly! What a dive! -[Wade] He hasn't been out of the block.
[Vic] Escobar into the cover, hook to the leg and a kick-out.
Well, how about Santos Escobar here, take a look.
-[Vic] Escobar resting and--oh! -[crowd] Oh!
[Vic] To point Swerve right into that barricade
which again is unlike anything we've ever seen.
It's covered in chain. It's Plexiglas.
These superstars are inside this arena for the first time here tonight.
And what a clothesline by Escobar.
[Wade] Those cages around the ring,
it's effectively you're inside a steel cage match at this point and--
[Vic] Oh.
[Wade] Swerve taking it hard against his back,
knocking the stuffing out of him.
[Vic] At Capitol Wrestling Center, the site of NXT TakeOver 31
where currently the Cruiserweight Championship
on the line for the first time ever
as Santos Escobar looking for the Frankensteiner.
Got all of it.
Escobar rolls through and drops the elbow.
-[Vic] He'll retain his title. -[referee] One, two…
Hook to the leg.
Scott able to kick-out at two.
We talk about changing a game plan up, Wade.
We're seeing a few new tricks from the champion tonight.
[Wade] Yeah, he bided his time.
He showed that resilience that he needed
to get over that initial storm
and now getting punished by "Swerve" Scott.
Those boots to the throat as the referee once again
keeping a very close eye on it.
[Vic] And the champion slowing the pace of this match-up.
And again, it was Santos Escobar who stated that when it matters most,
Swerve cannot deliver.
Swerve fighting.
[Santos speaking in foreign language]
[crowd chanting] Santos!
[Santos speaking in foreign language]
Imma spit in your face.
Do you understand that?
[Vic] Swerve said he was fighting with a little bit extra.
Swerve to his feet, but now Escobar unleashing rights after rights,
right into the challenger.
Nice counter, nice right hand
by Scott.
Scott answers back with a second, goes to the body, back up to the jaw
and the challenger unleashing on the champion.
Frustration boiling out of Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
[Wade] Looking like a middleweight boxer in his prime right now.
[Vic] What a clothesline.
[crowd shouting and thumping the Plexiglas]
[Vic] You can feel the energy
here in the Capitol Wrestling Center.
Scott in with an uppercut, takes the champion down.
Scott to the middle turnbuckle.
Jumping European Uppercut to the back.
[Wade] "Swerve" Scott managing to get a second wind
and once again, Santos Escobar wisely to the outside
putting some space between him and "Swerve" Scott.
He's blindsided though.
[Vic] Oh, what a kick.
But how wise was it, Beth, for the champion?
[Beth] Champion on the run. We talked about heritage and legacy.
But we're also talking about the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Swerve has to stay focused,
get Escobar in there and go for a pinfall.
[Vic] Certainly. Only way to win the title,
as Swerve back into the ring,
rolls in and Rolling Thunder Flatliner.
Cover by the challenger.
Do we have a new champion?
Escobar just kicking out.
[Wade] Look at the serene calm etched all over "Swerve" Scott's face.
He knows he has the opportunity
to win the Cruiserweight Championship right now.
This is exactly the position he wanted to be in.
On top for another high risk move.
[Vic] Scott looking for his first taste of gold here in NXT.
Looking down on the champion.
Scott with a handful of hair and wait,
now Escobar pulling himself to the top.
Oh, going through was the challenger.
Oh, nice kick by Escobar.
Escobar turning around, oh, dropkick.
And now looking for the DDT.
Swerve got all of the DDT.
-[referee] One, two… -[Vic] Come on.
Again…
Just in the nick of time,
Escobar able to kick-out.
But Beth, Swerve has to remain focused.
[Beth] Swerve is shocked. He's saying to himself,
you gotta be kidding me.
And this right here,
going for a huge DDT
after Escobar was tangled up.
But he was still able to kick-out.
Swerve just baffled at that.
[Vic] Isaiah "Swerve" Scott already two victories over Santos Escobar.
Third one could bring him the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Wait a minute.
What the heck is…
Joaquin Wilde.
And Escobar, there's Raul Mendoza on the outside.
Numbers advantage.
Scott goes up and he gets dropped with a Shoulder Breaker.
-[referee] One, two… -[Vic] Not like this. Into the cover.
Swerve kicks out.
This match-up continues.
Legado del Fantasma,
again, the numbers advantage.
"Swerve" Scott said nothing is ever done by the champion
without his running mates.
[Joaquin and Raul screaming]
[Wade] The bag of tricks that "Swerve" referenced earlier in the day.
The bag of tricks of Santos Escobar, what else is up his sleeve?
[Vic] Escobar, oh, gets draped over the top rope.
Swerve with a right hand.
[referee] You two!
Challenger now looking around,
realizing he does not have an advantage anymore.
Legado del Fantasma, there is your leader.
What a move from the top rope.
But wait a minute.
Escobar to his feet.
And there is Ashante Thee Adonis.
What is Ashante doing out here?
Evening the odds.
[Ashante screaming]
Beth, where did he come from?
[Beth] Sounds like Swerve brought an insurance policy of his own.
[Vic] Ashante and Isaiah "Swerve" Scott
fighting off Legado del Fantasma.
Scott's gotta remember there's a match going on.
The referee's count.
Swerve realizing it.
Back to the apron.
Back elbow gets the champion.
Challenger back to the ring.
"Swerve" looking for that Rolling Thunder--he got caught.
Super kick under the jaw.
Up…
And the Phantom Driver.
That's got to be all.
Cover. Count.
-[Vic and Wade] No way.
No one has ever,
ever kicked out of the Phantom Driver.
Escobar in disbelief.
[Wade] What on earth does Escobar have to do to win this match?
Nobody in history has kicked out of the Phantom Driver.
[Vic] We said earlier tonight,
Swerve was gonna have to go to a place not many men have.
"Swerve" Scott trying to lay it all on the line tonight.
Escobar right back in on the challenger.
But Escobar has hit "Swerve" Scott
with his best move,
the Phantom Driver.
What is going through the mind…
as the champion Suplex
and holding on to it.
Oh, Beth, we know what this is.
[Beth] Oh, the Three Amigos,
a callback to Hall of Famer, Eddie Guerrero, but…
[crowd booing]
[Beth] I don't think anyone does it like Eddie.
-[Vic] Third Suplex. -[Wade] Boos coming out of his audience.
[crowd booing]
[Vic] Santos Escobar, after the Three Amigos.
He talked about…
the lucha heritage,
that he is the emperor of lucha libre.
Looking for the top rope--oh!
Frog Splash did not connect.
That certainly was not Eddie Guerreroesque, Beth.
[Beth] But here's the moment
that Swerve has been waiting for.
Moving in for the kill quickly.
[Santos shouting] No! No!
[Vic] Back to the submission game.
Oh, trying to bend back…
the entire left arm
of the champion.
"Swerve" Scott has got to put his foot on the gas.
House Call.
The House Call connects.
Scott realizing this is his moment.
To the top.
The 450.
Swerve got all of it.
Is it--oh, man!
You don't get any closer
without ringing the bell,
to steal the phrase from Corey Graves.
[Wade] This match should've been over a long time ago.
Somehow, some way
both men digging deep
because the Cruiserweight Championship
is on the line.
The question is:
what do you have left in your playbooks?
[crowd chanting] Legado!
[Vic] This, indeed, is awesome
as both superstars spilling to the outside.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, though,
staying right on top of Escobar.
Now could be looking for some sort of half-and-half.
Escobar able to counter for a moment.
Escobar continuing to fight,
holding on and--oh!
That exposed steel of the turnbuckle from early on in the match-up.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott could be out.
-[Wade] Got a glassy eyed look right now. -[Vic] Escobar--he certainly does.
Santos Escobar realizing it.
Hooking up the challenger.
Double Underhook.
Oh.
Knee right into the face.
Cover by the champion.
-[Vic] Escobar retains his title. -[bell ringing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner and still the NXT Cruiserweight Champion,
Santos Escobar.
-[crowd booing] -["Legacy of the Ghost" playing]
[Vic] Santos Escobar
retaining the Cruiserweight crown here tonight.
Take nothing away though, Beth, from Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
[Beth] Yeah, what a heartbreak for Swerve
after that incredible effort throughout this match-up.
I mean, let's go back to some moments from earlier on.
You see here, Swerve going against the momentum,
moving Escobar, stopping him short
and landing this incredible Phantom Driver.
We thought this would be it.
But Swerve kicking out the Phantom.
The Capitol Wrestling Center going bananas.
[Vic] Certainly. No one had kicked out of the Phantom.
Scott would hit a picture perfect 450
but would not be able to keep Escobar down for the count of three.
But really, this was the changing moment in the match, Beth.
[Beth] A precarious position here, Swerve losing his footing,
whacking the top of his head,
there, you see, perhaps on the side
and that would allow Escobar
to get this Double Underhook improvisation into a face buster,
which would be enough to finally put Swerve down for the count.
[Wade] I didn't see a great shot,
but I have to say,
I think "Swerve" Scott caught the back of his head
on that turnbuckle tied to the steel.
Victorious once again, Santos Escobar.
[Vic] The legacy continues to grow for Santos Escobar.
[crowd booing]
[narrator] Rated T for teens.
["Aggro Boyz Rock" playing]
[heavy metal music playing]
["Culture Head" playing]
[Vic] You are listening to "Culture Head" by Corey Taylor
from the album CMFT,
an NXTLoud theme song for NXT TakeOver 31.
Available now on Apple Music and Spotify.
[Beth] And every athlete dreams of that defining moment
when all eyes are on them.
Kyle O'Reilly's time in the sun is now,
his opportunity for the NXT championship.
[Vic] It certainly is, but the NXT champion Finn Bálor
focusing in on that championship
and his title defense tonight
in our main event.
[Beth] And Takeover 31 has been packed with high stakes action,
and speaking of high stakes, after Johnny Gargano
was unable to defeat Priest earlier tonight,
Candice Lerae is feeling the pressure to bring home the gold
as she meets the dangerous Io Shirai
for the NXT Women's Championship.
[announcer] All these competitors are set for a battle royal
to determine who challenges Io Shirai
for the NXT Women's Title at TakeOver.
It's down to Blackheart and Lerae.
Oh, wait a minute! And Blackheart's been eliminated!
Candice Lerae is going to TakeOver!
[Candice] Let's rewind, take a trip back to April.
[somber music]
Number One Contendership Ladder Match.
And what did Io do?
As I was reaching up, so close to winning,
-[Candice] She clawed my eyes. -[Io shrieking]
-[Candice] Oh! -[audience] Oh!
[announcer] Io Shirai is the number one contender!
[Candice] But Io, you actually did me a favor,
because you opened my eyes.
It was then and there that I saw I was doing things all wrong.
For so long, so long,
I was the big sister to every single woman in that locker room.
My sister.
[Candice] Did I get a thanks? No.
Instead, I got taken out again
and again
and again.
You know who I could count on? My husband.
We just need to look after each other,
'cause who can we really depend on?
We start doing things my way now.
The Gargano way.
["Dark Demise" playing]
[Candice yelling]
[Candice] The Gargano way has given me confidence
in myself, my abilities.
It's helped me realize that I don't need anybody.
[both screaming]
And everything I need
and going into TakeOver,
I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
That title will be mine.
[Io] I am no stranger to stepping in the ring with Candice.
[Vic] Io Shirai puts Candice Lerae to sleep.
[Io] Now, I'm facing on you, Candice.
I will not lose to someone who takes shortcuts.
I take shortcuts?
You did the same thing, didn't you?
You know what? Thank you, Io, for showing me
that it's time to do things the Gargano way.
At TakeOver, I'll thank you again. I will.
I will thank you
for the NXT Women's Championship.
[Io] Since becoming the NXT Women's Champion,
I beat the best in NXT.
Candice is good
but the Gargano way
is not enough to beat Io Shirai.
[music stops]
[audience clapping and cheering]
[Vic] Well, you see the NXT Universe here
in the Capitol Wrestling Center.
[Vic] They are on their feet amped up
for this NXT women's title match.
[heavy metal music playing]
[Vic] And Beth, we cannot forget
Candice Lerae and Io Shirai have met before.
TakeOver: Toronto last August.
And Beth, what a difference 14 months can make.
[Beth] Yes, Shirai defeated Lerae
in a breathtaking match at TakeOver: Toronto II
and the major difference between then and now
is that Candice Lerae
is now operating under the Gargano way
which basically is the mantra that no one matters
except for the Garganos and the gold.
And that brings us to this moment.
Candice Lerae determined.
She's the last chance for the Garganos to make that come true
and bring it home to the Gargano dinner table.
[Vic] Wade, does that add extra pressure onto the shoulders of Candice Lerae?
[Wade] No, I don't agree with that at all.
I think if you go back to that NXT TakeOver II,
you could see the nerves etched all over the face of Candice Lerae back then.
This is a very different Candice Lerae. This is a confident Candice Lerae.
-[electronic music playing] -[audience cheering]
[Vic] A superstar who bets on herself,
Io Shirai has won her last two singles matches here on TakeOver,
not to mention winning the NXT Women's Title
in a triple threat match this past June.
[Beth] You know, the word shirai in Japanese means purple thunder
which is a fitting description for Io,
a beautiful powerful and ominous threat.
Make no bones about it.
Io Shirai is dangerous,
and Candice Lerae is gonna find out the hard way
why she is the NXT Women's Champion.
[Vic] And Wade, Io Shirai defeated
Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Rhea Ripley and Dakota Kai.
The list goes on just this year.
It's been the year of Io Shirai.
[Wade] And Io Shirai may be the most highly respected female performer
in the entire world of sports entertainment.
Not just here in NXT,
but including WWE and everywhere else.
-[Wade] She is just superb. -[music stops]
[crowd chatter and applause]
[bell ringing]
The following contest scheduled for one fall is for
the NXT Women's Championship.
[audience cheering]
Introducing the challenger
from Riverside, California,
Candice Lerae.
[audience booing]
[announcer] Her opponent from Tokyo, Japan.
She is the NXT women's champion,
Io Shirai.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Poison Pixie earned this opportunity by winning a battle royal.
Started fast, Beth, in their last meeting.
You expect the same or a new strategy from Lerae?
[Beth] I think Lerae is gonna be looking for an opening
just like Johnny did in the first match,
where she can tip into that that Gargano way.
But either way, Lerae has done her homework coming into this
and I expect this to be one hell of a matchup
based on their performance at TakeOver Toronto II.
-[bell ringing] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Right off the bat, Lerae going right into the face of the champion
and we are underway as Shirai hits a round standing switch,
able to get around Lerae,
and look at the athleticism of Shirai.
[audience] Oh!
[Vic] Nice hip toss, taking down the challenger. Shirai dropkick!
Really low, caught Lerae on the chin
and Lerae quickly, Beth, to the outside to regroup.
Yeah, frustration already but, you know
Io Shirai is one of the most gymnastic acrobatic female performers
we've ever seen.
-[Beth] She's spectacular. -[referee] Bring it in! Come on!
[Vic] We can't forget, Io Shirai has never lost, Wade, to Candice Lerae.
Could Shirai be a little too confident heading into this matchup?
[Wade] Well, it has to be said of late, Io Shirai has been pushed to the limits
by the likes of Dakota Kai and Shotzi Blackheart.
It's hard to find a weakness in Io Shirai,
but perhaps being too confident might be that weakness.
And Candice Lerae can capitalize.
[Vic] Lerae able to sidestep Shirai. And Io into the turnbuckle now.
Candice Lerae going for the monkey flip. Shirai lands on her feet!
[cheering and applause]
-[Beth] Wow! Talk about surefootedness! -[Vic] Oh!
[audience booing]
[Vic] And Lerae able to just get out of the way of Io Shirai.
[Candice] Give me a second!
[Vic] And again, we got to wonder, Beth
Candice Lerae has probably gone back
and watched that TakeOver match from a year ago.
[Beth] Yeah, I've got to be wondering
if Shirai's gotten into Lerae's head just a little bit here.
If her confidence might be rattled.
[Vic] Woah! Shirai to the outside
looking to plant Candice Lerae maybe through the mat
on the floor here in the Capitol Wrestling Center.
-[Candice screaming] -[Vic] And off the bottom rope!
Springboard! Lerae into the champion!
But Candice Lerae, again, has to get Io Shirai back into the ring.
The only way Lerae can finally taste gold,
pinfall or submission inside the ring.
[Beth] Earning an advantage over Io Shirai is no easy feat. I wouldn't waste it.
[Vic] Speaking of feet, two to the face of Lerae.
And now a little bit of "what you do I can do better" by Io Shirai!
-[cheering] -[Io screaming]
[Vic] Asai moonsault from the middle rope.
-[referee] One! -[applause]
[Beth] Shirai so dangerous with those springboards.
[Beth] Balance like no other.
[referee] -Three!
[Vic] Io Io Shirai who idolizes Rey Misterio
has been the ace all over the world.
She has been the top performer
wherever she has been. She has stated all summer
Into the cover, kick-out by Lerae,
She has stated all summer, Wade, that NXT is hers.
[Wade] Oh, she has made it her own. Who can possibly argue with that?
Whoever steps in the ring with Io Shirai almost always is defeated.
And Candice Lerae needs to change her game plan pretty quickly here
She's in the receiving end of a beating.
-[referee] One! Two! -[Vic] Oh, Io Shirai, both feet.
And now both knees right into the chest and the shoulders of Candice Lerae!
Into the cover goes the champion to retain
and Lerae able to get her shoulder up at two and a half.
But Beth, the champion has been in control of this matchup.
[Beth] Io Shirai, such an international star-worthy performer
after spending time in Japan training,
went to Mexico to hone her skills in lucha libre.
[Io grunts]
[Beth] Shirai is a hybrid performer like no other.
[Vic] Oh, Lerae able to counter,
and Lerae, backstabber out of the corner!
Much like we saw this past Wednesday.
And the game has changed as Lerae into the cover.
[referee] One! Two!
[Vic] Hook of the leg, near fall
but that could be a pivotal point in this matchup, Wade, for the challenger.
Take a look at this one more time.
-[Vic] Feel the impact! Boom! -[audience] Oh!
[Wade] Beautiful backstabber. I have to say, I was concerned
at the early goings of this match
how much did Johnny Gargano's loss earlier in tonight's show
affect Candice Lerae's mentality?
Never forget, the dream, the plan
was that we were gonna have husband and wife dual NXT champions,
so I think her being slow out of the blocks
may have been related to Johnny Gargano's loss earlier
but it seems like she's ridden that early storm
and now she's back in control.
[Vic] That's a heck of a point, but right now Candice Lerae
charging in, going up, going around, head scissor takedown again.
Shirai lands on her feet but this time Lerae follows up with a lariat
and quickly into the cover, hooks both legs, title on the line.
And the champion again almost caught by surprise.
And Beth, as a former women's champion
you know three seconds can come awfully quick.
[Beth] I hate to say it but if Lerae is gonna have a chance in this matchup,
she's got to keep that up, she's got to hit hard and hit fast
and not give Shirai any room to breathe.
-[referee] One! Two! Three! -[Vic] And Lerae
just dragging the champion across the middle rope.
[audience booing]
[Vic] Bending the rules here tonight
in the hopes of becoming champion for the first time.
And also for the first time
being able to beat Io Shirai.
Ooh!
Nice move by Lerae.
-[Vic] Lerae now into another cover. -[referee] One! Two!
And another near fall in this matchup.
[audience cheering]
[Beat] Shirai may
may be exhibiting some signs of an injury to the mouth
and the nasal area.
Keeps clutching at that her teeth.
[Vic] Well, you take a look at Candice Lerae, I mean.
Beth, you've heard from Candice Lerae, you've talked to Candice Lerae.
Lerae believes she is better now
because of the Gargano way.
She credits her husband as we heard already tonight.
[Beth] Yeah, the Garganos happy to make themselves an island down to their home
and they'll be the first to tell you about it, this new arrogance
that did not pay off for Johnny Gargano
but we'll see if Candice Lerae can benefit from it tonight.
[Vic] We see the amazing Capitol Wrestling Center.
-[referee] One! Two! -[Vic] As here goes Candice Lerae.
[Vic] Another near fall in this NXT women's championship matchup.
And the NXT Universe trying to rally behind Io Shirai, Wade,
and trying to get the champion back to her feet
because Candice Lerae, to your point,
has been able to switch gears and switch her game plan up.
[Wade] This is really impressive stuff from Candice Lerae.
Candice Lerae has turned into more of Candice Gargano these days.
[Vic] Backbreaker, cover, hook of the leg and another near fall.
[Wade] Once again, goes for that pinfall attempt.
Traditionally, Candice Lerae's life has always been about this morality play.
She's been always been focused on the good side but we saw
what she did to her former best friend Tegan Nox's knee recently.
Clearly that's out the window now. It's all about victory at all costs.
[Vic] And if Candice Lerae
is willing to do that to someone she considered almost a sister,
we can only imagine what lengths she will go to call herself champion
as Lerae charging in on Io Shirai!
[Beth] Lerae has got to watch out for that pageantry
and being overconfident in this situation.
This is about the NXT Women's Championship.
[Vic] The Poison Pixie talking a little bit of trash.
[Io screams]
[Vic] To your point, Beth,
has to keep on top of Io Shirai.
Shirai can change things so quickly, as we've seen the champion do in the past.
-[Candice] Out of the corner? -[Vic] But right now,
the challenger is in control.
And again, head first goes Io Shirai.
-[Vic] Candice Lerae right back on top -[referee] One! Two!
-[referee] Three! -[Vic] of Io Shirai.
This is a much different Candice Lerae than we saw in Toronto.
[Beth] Well, we saw earlier on today in this matchup,
Candice Lerae coming out of the box
trying to go toe to toe with Io Shirai in a wrestling match.
-[Candice] You okay? Out of the corner. -[Beth] It didn't go well for her.
[Beth] The aggression, the punching, the kicking, the meat chopping,
that's the direction she's got to go to keep her advantage.
[Vic] And Lerae just tossing Shirai.
And Candice Lerae has been very methodical in her offense here tonight.
And again, just showing her dominance
over Io Shirai in this championship matchup.
And now Candice Lerae, front face lock looking for the suplex!
And Lerae connects.
-[Vic] The cover for the championship! -[referee] One! Two!
[Vic] And another near fall!
And again, Lerae into the cover, hooks the leg again,
and Io Shirai able to kick out.
[Beth] There's that temper showing,
That petulant child. I know that look well.
[Vic] Lerae needing to stay focused, Wade, on the task at hand
and that is to continue to physically dissect Io Shirai.
[Wade] Yeah, let me tell you what's impressed me most
about this performance from Candice Lerae.
She's completely dictated the pace.
-[Wade] She's completely in control. -[audience clapping]
She hasn't even broken sweat. She's not breathing heavy.
This is just pure dominance from Lerae.
[Vic] Lerae back to the midsection
and now Candice Lerae
charging in.
No one there!
And Io Shirai
trying to get some breath back. Oh!
Stepping up, looking for that senton.
No one home.
Shirai goes in, rolls through,
double stomp to the midsection!
-[audience cheering] -[Vic] And for Io Shirai,
this is the opportunity the champion, Beth,
has been waiting for to regroup and refocus.
[Beth] Spectacular quick movement.
Damage done to Lerae's ribs.
[Beth] Which means bad news if Shirai should get up and hit that moonsault.
[audience clapping]
Three!
-[referee] Four! -[Vic] NXT Universe.
Getting loud inside the Capitol Wrestling Center.
Shirai and Lerae back to their feet!
Champion taking down Lerae.
A second shoulder tackle.
Champion finally finding a little offensive groove
and a flapjack center of the ring.
Lerae now doesn't really know where she's at
as Shirai going up and around, 619 connects!
[audience yelling]
[Vic] Io Shirai taking a look at her challenger Candice Lerae.
Shirai, the genius of the sky,
looking to fly, possibly.
Taking a little extra time and Beautiful missile dropkick!
[applause]
Shirai got all of the missile dropkick.
-[referee] One! Two! -[Vic] Into the cover.
And another near fall.
And Lerae, you can see, doesn't quite know where she's at.
But look at this dropkick.
[Beth] Shirai with complete precision!
Her impact to the collarbone sends Lerae head over heels.
[audience clapping]
[Vic] And now Io Shirai
looking to put maybe the finishing touches on this matchup.
Lerae able to counter. Another roll through this time.
Blocked and then dropped! Face first goes the champion.
[Vic] And the senton connects to the lower back for Candice Lerae!
And Lerae
-[Candice shrieks] -[Vic] Springboard Oh!
[Vic] Got caught in the midsection did Lerae
by the right foot from Io Shirai.
-[Vic] And Shirai-- -[Beth] Once
[Beth] once again to the ribs of Candice Lerae.
-[Io shrieks] -[Vic] Shirai double underhook
hoisting up the challenger into a backbreaker!
The knee down to the lower back of Lerae.
And now Io Shirai walking over her challenger tonight.
And the genius of the sky to the top rope.
-[Vic] Lerae quickly able to block. -[referee yelling]
[Vic] Able to intercept and a powerbomb to Io Shirai! Wait a minute!
-[Vic] Shirai, double knees, meteora! -[audience] Ooh! [cheering]
[Beth] That fighting spirit from Io Shirai
fighting through the pain.
[applause]
[Vic] Fighting through the pain indeed. And now hoisting up Lerae.
-[referee] One! Two! -[Vic] Lerae this time rolls through.
Center of the ring, near fall.
-[Io screams] -[Vic] Io Shirai Oh! Open palm thrust,
-[Beth chuckles] -[Vic] Rocking the challenger.
[Vic] German suplex!
Folding up Candice Lerae and Lerae with a snap German!
Where are these women getting this adrenaline from?
Another backstabber!
Lerae. Title is on the line.
Is Candice Lerae closing in
on becoming the NXT Women's Champion?
-[Vic] Cover. Count. -[referee] One! Two!
-[Candice screams] -[Vic] Kickout by Shirai.
[Vic] You got to be kidding me.
[Beth] Shirai barely able to get that shoulder up.
Take a look at this agility from Candice Lerae. Spectacular.
Across the midsection. She thought she had Shirai beat.
But at the very last second,
Shirai able to get that shoulder up.
[Vic] Shirai showing you, Wade, the heart of a champion.
[Wade] Both ladies dropping the heavy artillery at this point.
Shirai showing exactly why she is the person to beat in this division,
but Candice Lerae has matched her move for move so far in this one.
[Candice screams]
-[Io screams] -[Beth] Whoa!
[Vic] Oh, crossface! Crossface center of the ring!
Shirai with the crossface cinched in on the Poison Pixie!
-[both screaming] -[Vic] Is Lerae gonna tap?
Candice Lerae, her championship dreams
could be slipping through her hands here tonight.
-[referee] One! Two! -[Vic] And Lerae able to roll through.
Shoulders down and having to relinquish the hold.
And now it's Candice Lerae transitioning into the Gargano Escape.
And is it Lerae, Beth, that's gonna be able to tap out the champion?
[Beth] Lerae pulling with everything she's got.
She's got to get those heels under her to get leverage.
Shirai struggling to get towards the ropes
but unable to reach out.
Lerae leaning her weight on Shirai
trying to crank on that neck to get her to tap out.
[Vic] And look at the left foot of Candice Lerae,
able to keep Io Shirai away from the bottom rope.
-[referee] Tap? -[Vic] Candice Lerae, what ring presence
to keep Io away as Shirai is starting to fade.
Again, the NXT women's title is on the line.
Desperation on the face of the challenger.
So close to making the champion tap out.
-[referee] One! -[Vic] But Io Shirai
-[Vic] getting to the bottom rope. -[referee] Two! Three! Four! Oh!
[Vic] And Candice not letting Oh, no! Oh, no!
[audience screaming]
[Vic] Lerae inadvertently hitting the official.
[Beth] Wow!
[Io screaming]
[Vic] And wait a minute. Shirai with the air raid crash!
[audience clapping]
[Vic] Io Shirai now,
I don't know if Io realizes that the referee
Well, but but nonetheless, Shirai climbing to the top rope.
-[Vic] And the NXT Women's Champion -[Candice screams]
-[Vic] Oh! Both feet! Again And again! -[audience] Oh!
[Vic] Again, Wade, the official got hit.
[Wade] I think that's done him for good.
He got an elbow to the jaw from Candice Lerae,
and then a flying Io Shirai to the side of the neck. He's out.
-[Vic] A kick to the face and now -[Io grunts]
[Vic] Submission again by Candice Lerae.
And the wicked stepsister connects!
There is no referee!
Beth, there is no official!
[Beth] Shirai is out!
[Vic] Candice Lerae
-[Vic] Hasn't -[audience booing]
-[Beth] Wait a minute! -[Vic] That's her husband, Johnny Gargano!
-[Vic] And, oh, Io kicked out! -[audience screaming]
[Johnny, unintelligible]
[Wade] I'm not sure putting a referee shirt on
qualifies you to be a referee in NXT.
-[Vic] I have to tend to agree with you. -[audience booing]
-[Beth] You're 100% right, Wade. -[Wade] There's more to it than that.
-[Beth] Candice Lerae is beside herself. -[Vic] Wait. What is Johnny thinking?
[Johnny] Give me that! It's hers! It's hers!
[audience booing]
[Vic] The Gargano I mean, this can't be the Gargano way.
-[referee] What are you doing? -[Johnny] What are you talking about?
-[referee] What are you doing? -[Johnny] I'm the referee.
[Johnny] I'm the referee. Get out of here
-[referee] You get out of here. -[Johnny] You get out of here.
[referee] You get out of here. That's my shirt.
Come on. Give me my shirt back.
Give me my shirt back. Give it to me.
-[Io and Candice scream] -[Vic] Oh!
[Vic] Championship to the face!
Behind the official's back! The official got distracted!
Oh, no. And Shirai kicks out!
Shirai kicks out. Johnny in disbelief.
Candice can't believe it either. This matchup continues!
-[Johnny] Fuck! -[Candice screams]
[audience yelling]
[Vic] What is it going to take to keep down Io Shirai?
[audience clapping and banging on fence]
[Beth] Shirai still had the wherewithal to kick out,
but Lerae looking to climb high risk!
[Vic] Another open palm strike under the jaw.
Lerae getting rocked.
What is on the mind of Io Shirai?
-[audience] Oh! -[Vic] Spanish fly from the top.
[Vic] Shirai, no wasted motion.
Back to the top.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Over-the-moonsault!
Shirai getting all of it! Cover! Count!
-[Vic] Shirai retains her title! -[bell ringing]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
and still the NXT Women's Champion,
Io Shirai!
[Vic] Io Shirai continues to show
that there is no doubt, Wade,
the NXT Women's Division belongs to her.
[Wade] Well, this matchup broke down
into a complete omnishambles
after some grade-A skullduggery from the Garganos.
But somehow, someway Io Shirai coming out with a Spanish fly
and the moonsault to retain the women's championship.
What a performance.
[Vic] Absolutely amazing performance from our champion.
Let's go back to some of the action, Beth, in this matchup.
[Beth] Phenomenal performance from both of these women.
Here, you see Io Shirai going up to the moonsault,
but Lerae, unfortunately
The referee unable to see Shirai coming and was knocked out of the ring.
-[Candice grunts] -[Vic] Candice Lerae went boom!
Hit wicked stepsister, but there was no official.
The official had been taken out
until her husband Johnny Gargano entered the ring,
but not even Johnny could count to three!
[hip hop music playing]
[Beth] You see the spectacular moment
Io Shirai getting the best of Candice Lerae
Despite the attempt by Johnny Gargano
to get Candice Lerae the championship.
And Io Shirai able to pin Lerae
and walk out the NXT Women's Champion.
-[hip hop music playing] -[audience cheering]
[Vic] No doubt, number one
as the reign of Io Shirai continues
in the women's division here in NXT.
[Toni] Hey, Io. Io, Io-chan.
Hey, it's good to see you.
Hey, look, don't mind me. I just wanted to congratulate you
on what an impressive victory that was. What a match.
Oh, I also wanted to make sure
that you and everyone else around here is keeping their head on a swivel
because, as of right now,
Toni Storm is back in NXT.
[audience cheering]
And, you know, it goes without saying
that I'll be turning this place upside down, and inside out,
and I will be showing the NXT Universe
that it is indeed, always has, and always will be
Toni time.
[audience cheering]
I'll see you around.
[Vic] Toni storm is coming to NXT!
[electronic music playing]
[music intensifies then stops]
[audience chatter]
[audience yelling]
[Beth] Oh, my god!
It's Ember Moon!
Ember Moon has returned!
The dynamic former NXT Women's Champion
has returned to NXT!
[audience cheering]
["Ignite" playing]
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT!
[crowd] NXT!
-[wooing] -[distant cheering]
Ashante Adonis, earlier tonight, you interfered
the NXT Cruiserweight championship match. Why did you do so?
McKenzie, McKenzie, McKenzie.
I'm sorry. I'm all hyped up right now,
but it's quite simple.
I got a lot of respect for Swerve,
and I'm just trying to help a brother out.
But I am sick and tired
of seeing Legado jump guys.
So, I've decided to take that opportunity
and beat them faster than Amazon Delivery.
But enough about them.
'Cause it's all about me.
You see, my swag on a thousand,
and I be coming to that ring drippin', drippin', drippin'.
This is my ritual,
R-I-C-H-U-A-L.
'Cause when the money speaks,
nobody checks the grammar. [kiss]
And I hit 'em with the hammer.
It's 205 from the 215.
You know what time it is.
It's showtime.
["Culture Head" playing]
[Vic] Well, what a night it has been in NXT TakeOver 31
and it all comes down to this.
The NXT Championship on the line
the biggest match in the life of Kyle O'Reilly.
The first title defense for Finn Bálor
and it's The Prince who's looking to show that NXT is his.
[rock music playing]
[Finn] Life comes full circle in this business.
And while some fall and pray,
The Prince rises to the occasion.
My name is Finn Bálor.
And I'm here at NXT because I am the future.
[announcer] Can he somehow pull off his own miracle in Tokyo?
Coup de grace!
Finn Bálor is NXT Champion!
[announcer] The man who reigned for 292 days as the NXT Champion.
The first WWE Universal Champion,
The Prince, Finn Bálor.
[Finn] As of now,
Finn Bálor is NXT.
I made the brand, and now the brand needs me.
[Vic] The third man to ever hold the NXT Championship more than once,
Finn Bálor, The Prince, has taken over his kingdom once again.
[Finn] Finn Bálor being champion
makes this the most important title in the game.
So now, it's time for people to start fighting to face the champion.
So form a queue,
because the line starts here.
[Kyle] This is a huge opportunity for Kyle O'Reilly.
It's a big deal for The Undisputed Era. It's a big deal for NXT
because NXT is never gonna be the same again once Kyle O'Reilly
is playing sweet, sweet gold.
[announcer] Kyle O'Reilly is going to TakeOver!
[commentator] You are facing who I've said for a long time
may be the best kept secret, not just in NXT but in world wrestling altogether.
[Finn] I know how good Kyle is.
Kyle's proven himself as a tag team competitor here in NXT.
But more importantly,
you've proven yourself all over the world as a singles competitor.
[announcer] He is the ambassador of kickassador.
[audience cheering]
[Kyle] Why do I wrestle?
Because this is what I was born to do.
[announcer] Kyle O'Reilly!
[Adam] Nobody has earned an NXT title shot more.
On Sunday at TakeOver, Kyle is gonna shock the world.
[Kyle] To think of every single moment,
and match, and opportunity, and country I've wrestled in for the last 15 years,
and it has all been building up to this Sunday at TakeOver 31.
Is the photographer ready for my closeup?
[Finn] Kyle O'Reilly, don't get me wrong.
You have a great underdog story.
Ninety-nine times out of a hundred,
I believe as TakeOver goes off the air,
it would be you holding the title.
But Finn Bálor is that one time you don't.
[announcer] Kyle O'Reilly will challenge Finn Bálor
for the NXT title at TakeOver.
-[rock music playing] -[applause]
It's time, baby. Woo!
[Bobby] It's your time. It's your time, Kyle
Grab his ankle and don't let go. Love you
[Bobby] See you, baby.
Your time, baby.
Come on, get it done.
I love you. All right? It's your night. Okay?
Go get 'em. Go get 'em.
[Roderick] This is it, brother.
[voice over speaker] Shock the system.
[electronic sound effect]
["Undisputed" playing]
[Vic] This is what we have been waiting for,
the NXT Championship.
And Wade, Finn Bálor said this past Wednesday:
"There's a big difference between the main event for one night
and a main event that is life-altering."
You've main-evented matches against the likes of John Cena,
Randy Orton and Edge.
Do you agree with The Prince?
[Wade] I have to agree with The Prince on this one.
This moment
will change the trajectory
of Kyle O'Reilly's career and indeed his life.
As you mentioned, when I look back at my own career,
a very similar thing happened to me in 2010.
I was shot out of a cannon as a complete unknown.
I ended up main-eventing the likes of Summerslam, Survivor Series
Life can never return to normal after an experience like that.
You're recognized everywhere.
Your colleagues recognize the achievement you've had
and you never get to come back in that box ever again.
A large part of the reason why I'm even on this broadcast booth today
is because of what happened to me in 2010.
And that could be a similar effect to Kyle O'Reilly
over the next ten years plus, thanks to this matchup.
[crowd chanting] Kyle O'Reilly! [clapping] Kyle O'Reilly! [clapping]
[crowd cheering]
["Catch Your Breath" playing]
[Vic] And here comes The Prince.
And Wade, you and I talked earlier.
Beth, you and I talked earlier tonight. Wade, I want you to go first.
Wade, you predicted Finn Bálor wins tonight.
[Wade] Absolutely right. And that is not a knock on Kyle O'Reilly.
Let me make that clear.
I can see just how good Kyle O'Reilly is.
Anyone with a pair of eyeballs can see that.
The difference is I don't just see how good Finn Bálor is,
I've been in the ring with him and I felt how good Finn Bálor is.
I've had the life stomped out of me with that coup de grace.
And given that this is a proven quantity in the champ Finn
versus a lesser known quantity in O'Reilly,
I just have to lean with Finn Bálor on this occasion.
But I will say it is very, very close.
[Beth] You know, Wade, taking nothing away
from the spectacular singles career of Finn Bálor,
everything he's done to be a part of building NXT.
But I got to tell you, Kyle O'Reilly on this night,
he's been the consummate team player,
ready to go for Undisputed Era.
Every single time, he's shown up and done what he's had to do to get things done.
And on this night, he is the best he's ever looked physically
and he has the emotional support of his brotherhood behind him.
Tonight, I am picking Kyle O'Reilly
to be the new NXT Champion.
[Vic] A first time ever matchup
for the NXT Championship
here in NXT TakeOver 31.
Bálor, the most wins in TakeOver history
looking for lucky 13 tonight.
Kyle O'Reilly, his first singles match on at TakeOver.
And O'Reilly, talking to him earlier
knows he hasn't won at TakeOver
since NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV.
But Kyle O'Reilly focused tonight on silencing the doubters.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! [clapping]
This is awesome!
[bell ringing]
The following contest scheduled for one fall is for
the NXT Championship!
Introducing the challenger,
representing The Undisputed Era,
Kyle O'Reilly!
[crowd booing]
[announcer] His opponent
from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland,
he is the NXT Champion,
Finn Bálor!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] I had the opportunity to talk with Finn Bálor earlier tonight,
when it comes to TakeOvers, he wanted to remind me that,
since returning to NXT, he hasn't lost in a TakeOver.
Five match winning streak.
And tonight, it's all about the NXT Championship.
O'Reilly, Bálor
have not taken their eyes off one another.
And I wanna go back real quick, Wade
as we are here inside the Capitol Wrestling Center
which was first reported earlier today by Sports Illustrated.
Here we go. Main event time.
NXT TakeOver 31, O'Reilly - Bálor.
[Vic] And we went back to this past Wednesday, Wade,
Finn Bálor and Kyle O'Reilly getting into an argument about five years,
Bálor having competed for 20,
Kyle O'Reilly for 15. And Kyle O'Reilly said:
"What does those 5 years make? What's the difference?"
Think about what bálor has accomplished in five years.
Universal Title, Intercontinental Title,
Wrestlemania, returning here to NXT and becoming a two-time NXT Champion.
[Wade] Go around the world, and anywhere, Finn Bálor has been in his 20-year career.
He has dominated in singles competition.
-[Vic] Woah! -[Wade] You could say great things
about Kyle O'Reilly too, but he hasn't dominated
in singles competition right here in NXT yet.
[Vic] Both these superstars going to the mat early on.
Beth, would that be the advantage to Kyle O'Reilly?
[Beth] I would say, Kyle O'Reilly is so proficient in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
I mean, look at the speed at which both of these men move.
It would be to Bálor's advantage
to get O'Reilly slowed down early on because,
I mean, I've never seen O'Reilly this focused coming into a matchup.
[Vic] And of course, Beth, you picked Kyle O'Reilly to win this matchup.
You know, Finn Bálor doesn't know Kyle's style,
but Kyle's closest friend, Adam Cole, has been in the ring with Finn Bálor.
You can't replicate film,
but you can imagine that Adam Cole
has given just about every trick to Kyle O'Reilly
heading into this matchup.
[Beth] Undisputed Era is thick as thieves. You better believe it.
Giving each other the answers to the test.
And I'm sure Adam Cole
has been coaching O'Reilly on the best strategy coming into this.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] A feeling out process between these two superstars.
Bálor who stated he built NXT.
Now NXT needs him and the wrestling world always watches The Prince.
Bálor called it as he goes into the cover. Quick count of just one.
And Bálor right back on top of his challenger.
As Bálor has stated that he is NXT Champion,
that makes the NXT title, Wade, the most important title in the game.
[Wade] Of course, it is. It is the big one here in NXT.
It's why it's the main event. But it's funny you should bring up
earlier this week
the face-to-face interview with HBK between these two superstars. I saw Finn
[Vic] Shoulders down for a moment!
[Wade] Finn was cold and all business as you would expect.
[Vic] Ooh! Nice belly to back suplex.
But Bálor, Wade, holding onto the side headlock. I didn't mean to interrupt you.
[Wade] Absolutely. But Kyle O'Reilly, in that interview,
was charismatic, entertaining, he was the joker.
He was sending a signal to Finn Bálor
that despite Finn Bálor's accomplishments, he's not gonna take a backseat to him.
He's not intimidated by him.
Kyle is proving out here tonight
that he is deserving of this opportunity and he wants to win badly.
[Vic] O'Reilly trying to silence the doubters here tonight.
Those that question if he can break out as a singles competitor,
those like his opponent Finn Bálor, that doubt he can beat Bálor,
and believes as Kyle O'Reilly,
he is not the underdog, Beth,
no matter what Bálor's resume is.
As Bálor goes up, goes over, looking to take O'Reilly down.
O'Reilly trying to turn it over into a cross arm breaker.
And quickly, Bálor able to get to the bottom rope.
[Beth] You saw that quick motion into that submission.
You know, Kyle O'Reilly has a lot of personality.
Oftentimes, the jokester of Undisputed Era.
But what he is in the ring is a dangerous competitor,
proficient at joint manipulation.
[Vic] Talking about joint manipulation,
Kyle O'Reilly now has found a body part on Finn Bálor
and is trying to exploit the left elbow and shoulder of the NXT Champion.
-[referee, unintelligible] -[Finn] No.
Right now, O'Reilly just trying to grind down Bálor.
Bálor doing his best, Wade, at trying to maybe take down Kyle O'Reilly,
trying to pick the right leg, but Kyle O'Reilly is standing strong.
[Wade] Yeah, I have to say, if it comes to a grappling game between these two,
the advantage is definitely with Kyle O'Reilly
given his BJJ experience.
[Vic] And again, Bálor trying to take down O'Reilly,
but O'Reilly able to sidestep and counter Finn Bálor.
And again, the early chess match
early on in this match between champion and challenger.
[referee] Come on, Bálor.
[Beth] See the way O'Reilly has his left knee planted
firmly in the sternum of Bálor, allowing him to manipulate that wrist.
[Vic] Hammerlock by Kyle O'Reilly, turning it around. Nice takedown of Bálor.
Finn Bálor's left shoulder
going right into the mat
and you can see the pain on Bálor's face.
And Kyle O'Reilly quickly
following up with pinpoint precision with his knee
and now elbows right to the ribs.
Look at the transition by O'Reilly.
Kyle O'Reilly sticking to his game plan,
has made him the only three-time NXT Tag Team Champion.
[audience member yelling]
[Wade] Driving those sharp knees
into the midsection of Finn Bálor
sucking the wind out of him very early in this matchup.
This is the kind of match that you don't wanna make a mistake early on
because both of these competitors are only too eager
to capitalize on the first slip.
[audience banging on fence]
[Vic] And you can hear the NXT Universe
here inside the Capitol Wrestling Center
as Bálor tried to counter early on here.
And again, Kyle O'Reilly staying on top of The Prince.
[Wade] Yeah, hats off to Kyle O'Reilly.
No sign of nerves as we mentioned earlier, and he is not
He's not being crushed
by the weight of expectation on his shoulders
in his first singles main event here at NXT.
[Vic] Well, the hall-of-famer, Beth, Shawn Michaels
said Kyle O'Reilly is no secret.
Finn Bálor himself admitted O'Reilly is not a secret
and O'Reilly has established himself all over the world.
As Bálor able to break the hold.
And Kyle O'Reilly trying to prove he is not a secret.
[Beth] In the early minutes of this matchup,
Finn Bálor has been on the defensive for most of the time in here.
-[Vic] Ooh. -[Beth] And
[both grunting]
[Kyle screaming]
[Vic] Another takedown by Kyle O'Reilly.
And O'Reilly staying right on top of Finn Bálor.
[Finn screaming]
[Vic] Beth, to your point, it is Kyle O'Reilly
who's been able to control Bálor in the early stages of this matchup.
But again, going for another reversal, up and over, Bálor.
And… Oh!
Dropkick right between the eyes of Kyle O'Reilly.
And Wade, you said it, you can't
win the match maybe early on,
but you certainly can lose it by making a mistake.
[Wade] As we take another look
at this dropkick right between the eyes of Kyle O'Reilly,
crushing, buying Finn Bálor a little bit of space.
You can see him grasping that left arm there,
showing some aftereffects.
[Vic] Bálor into the cover. And a kickout by Kyle O'Reilly.
And Finn Bálor now with the upper hand in this matchup.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] A slow, methodical pace, Wade, would favor whom?
[Finn screaming]
[Wade] You have to say both men are absolutely on top of their condition.
I would think in theory
a slow, methodical pace
would actually favor the challenger here tonight
being that he is the expert in BJJ.
But right now, we see the ground game
of Finn Bálor, and he is on top of this one.
[Vic] He certainly is, and a submission in his own right.
And now mocking Kyle O'Reilly, playing a little air guitar.
And again, just bending back the left arm
and you can really see the strain
in that left shoulder joint of Kyle O'Reilly
as Bálor stomping down.
A little taste of his own medicine for Kyle O'Reilly,
as the champion, like a caged animal
pacing the ring, and focusing now,
trying to get a hammerlock.
And finally getting a hammerlock down onto the mat
is Finn Bálor who now has control of the challenger.
[Wade] This might be a mind game from Finn Bálor here.
We go on and on about the BJJ experience of Kyle O'Reilly,
But this perhaps is Finn Bálor saying to Kyle O'Reilly:
"Hey, give me your best shot. I'm gonna take it,
and I'm gonna come back, and I'm gonna do better than you at your own game."
Put this in Kyle O'Reilly's head this early
and Kyle O'Reilly might begin to question:
"How on earth do I beat Finn Bálor?"
[Vic] Finn Bálor continuing to wrench away
on the shoulder of Kyle O'Reilly.
And O'Reilly now trying to figure out
the best way to get out of this hold, Beth,
trying anything he can to navigate his way back to his feet.
[Beth] O'Reilly very proficient and defensive as well.
But this pace, this matchup, is when Finn Bálor is at his most dangerous.
We see this a lot in TakeOver matches.
This is the pace in which Bálor is in control.
[Vic] Oh, what an elbow by Finn Bálor!
[Finn] Yeah.
-[Vic] Ooh! -[referee] Back 'em up.
[referee] Come on. One!
-[Vic] Bálor pulling away. -[referee] Two! Three! Off the rope!
[Vic] Bending, but not breaking the rules.
Finn Bálor, I mean, this is a championship matchup for The Prince.
-[audience] Ooh! -[Vic] Bálor in for a battle tonight.
-[referee] Come out, Bálor. -[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly has wanted
to test himself against Finn Bálor his entire career.
Certainly, Beth, in for a test here tonight in the main event
of NXT TakeOver 31!
[Finn grunting]
[Beth] You know, Kyle O'Reilly is a road warrior.
He's been up and down the highways traveled.
He knows what it's like to claw your way for an opportunity
in a moment like this
and he has no intentions of wasting it.
[Vic] Bálor following up with a chop across the chest of Kyle O'Reilly.
And this is what we have seen from Bálor in the past.
As Bálor for a second time
measuring the challenger and another chop across the chest.
And Finn Bálor has been in control
of Kyle O'Reilly over the last few moments.
[referee] Let's go!
[Vic] And Bálor now setting O'Reilly up,
charging back in, but Oh! Knee to the midsection!
Turning Bálor inside out!
[Wade] Yeah, but look at Kyle O'Reilly. I can tell by his body language
that he feels like he's walking around
with a bag of bricks on his back right now.
[Vic] Bálor coming in, getting Oh! What a kick to the chest!
O'Reilly trying to follow up now
strong knees to the chest as well of Finn Bálor.
Kick to the back of the knee. What a strike!
And look at the flurry of offense by the challenger! Nice takedown!
And O'Reilly, just like that,
back in control of this championship matchup.
[Wade] Beautiful Muay Thai strikes.
We talked earlier about how The Undisputed Era
would've been helping train Kyle O'Reilly.
Of course, we know that Bobby Fish
is an expert in the field of Muay Thai
and a bit of that has rubbed off on Kyle O'Reilly.
[Vic] O'Reilly now charging in. O'Reilly forearm under the jaw.
Kyle O'Reilly transitioning himself
right back to that left elbow, trying to hyperextend.
Bálor with a forearm, knee back to the midsection.
Bálor double underhook. Oh!
Or gets caught, excuse me, does Bálor.
Another double underhook suplex!
Kyle O'Reilly with a DDT as well out of the double underhook!
And O'Reilly
-[Vic] Cover! -[crowd] One! Two!
[Vic] And Bálor able to kick out at two.
[applause]
[Vic] How about that, Beth, for a flurry of offense?
[Beth] Phenomenal movement
and O'Reilly on a roll here, I mean.
You see those kicks have really rocked Finn Bálor,
getting kicked by Kyle O'Reilly
is a little bit like getting hit by a baseball bat.
You see Bálor feeling it
and struggling still from the beginning of this matchup,
just grasping at that wrist.
[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly could be looking for possibly a regal-plex,
instead, Bálor able to counter. Bálor now firing back.
-[Finn] Oh! -[Vic] And now O'Reilly.
Answering back with a strong kick,
buckling the left knee and right knee of Finn Bálor.
And again, strong knees and strikes by O'Reilly,
lighting up the champion.
[audience members yelling]
[Vic] These two superstars, you see the chests,
with Kyle O'Reilly turning a bright red
from those chops and knees
that have connected into the chest of Finn Bálor.
Both superstars slugging it out.
And for Kyle O'Reilly, it's about 15 years of sacrifice,
but what a kick to the midsection!
[referee] You good?
[Vic] Talk about buckling the knees!
[Wade] Completely knocking the stuffing out of Kyle O'Reilly.
Referee getting in close here, seeing if he can even continue.
Hopefully just winded.
[Vic] And Bálor right back on top and going right to the midsection.
-[referee] Back up! -[Vic] Referee stepping in, Wade,
to your point.
[cheering and applause]
[Wade] Yeah, I've seen heavyweight boxers
lose to punches to the midsection before and effectively been
-[Beth] Ooh! -[Vic] Ooh!
[Vic] And Bálor relentless, back on top of Kyle O'Reilly.
[referee] Hey, listen up. Back up.
[Vic] And once again, the official backing off the champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Beth] O'Reilly looks hurt.
[Vic] And Beth, Kyle O'Reilly has not looked the same
since that spinning kick right into the midsection.
Maybe knocking the air, taking the wind from O'Reilly.
[Beth] I got to wonder, guys, if he didn't take
You know, the positioning of that kick looked like it might've been to the liver
which is a devastating move,
sends a competitor straight to the ground.
-[audience] Ooh! -[Vic] Oh! Chest first goes Kyle O'Reilly!
And again, the official checking on the challenger.
Wade, I wanna ask you your thoughts on what Beth just said,
because here's that kick one more time.
Take a look. Oh! The location of that right foot.
[Wade] I think Beth has just hit the nail on the head
with that being a liver shot.
Whenever they talk about in heavyweight boxing,
and a competitor in a boxing match goes down from a body shot,
and does not get back up, it is from a liver shot.
A strike to the liver is completely delib debilitating. Excuse me.
And I think that is exactly
what Finn managed to do to Kyle O'Reilly right there.
[Vic] And again, Bálor focusing in on that midsection.
And again, Kyle O'Reilly has gone down.
Bálor standing tall
here at NXT TakeOver 31.
[audience cheering]
[Wade] Well, hats off to Kyle O'Reilly.
He's telling the referee he wants to continue.
I don't think he physically can. That is the point. The mind is saying yes,
but the body is saying no for Kyle O'Reilly.
[Vic] But Wade, this is the biggest moment
in the life and the career of Kyle O'Reilly.
Kyle O'Reilly is not gonna quit as Finn Bálor
with another submission on Kyle O'Reilly,
almost a version of the camel clutch.
[Wade] I admire the willpower of Kyle O'Reilly,
but sometimes these can be toxic levels of willpower.
Sometimes the mind is so strong against the body
and that is not always a good thing.
You have to think about the rest of your life--
[Vic] Bálor into the cover, hooks the leg, title on the line,
and O'Reilly's right shoulder up off the mat.
[Wade] Let me put it this way, speaking in boxing terms once again,
if O'Reilly had a corner man, the towel would've been thrown in at this point.
He can barely defend himself.
[audience shouting and banging on fence]
[Vic] NXT Universe coming to their feet
as we take one more look.
Bam! More abuse to the midsection!
And again, to Beth's point, possibly to the liver,
because, back to the original kick that we saw earlier in the matchup,
Bam!
Pinpoint precision by Finn Bálor.
Kyle O'Reilly has not been the same.
And now it's Finn Bálor looking for an abdominal stretch
center of the ring, and Bálor has O'Reilly locked in.
O'Reilly, nice hip toss to counter and break the hold.
[Wade] Yeah, going back to that original kick
from Bálor to O'Reilly's midsection, the liver shot, as we're calling it now.
You just see it was a delayed reaction.
O'Reilly tried to immediately come out with a punch,
but his body just crumbled.
[Beth] Well, a strike to the liver aggravates the nerves.
[Vic] Jumping knee by O'Reilly.
O'Reilly locking in. Regal-plex!
Shoulders down, title on the line!
Bálor able to kick out at two.
But where is Kyle O'Reilly getting this will from?
[Wade] Yeah, somehow, Kyle O'Reilly
managed a steep bridge on that one.
I don't know how he ever got up that high.
But back to the liver he goes again.
It's clearly causing him a massive amount of trouble
despite that brief flurry.
[Vic] Could be a liver, could be a rib,
but nonetheless, the kick just moments ago in this matchup
has changed the complexion of this matchup
for the challenger Kyle O'Reilly
who now has to dig down deep
and block out the pain as O'Reilly back to his feet,
again, looking to hyperextend, but right to the back!
Bálor now,
hoisting up and dropping, center of the ring!
-[Vic] Cover! count! -[audience] One! Two!
[Vic] And O'Reilly able to kick out!
[applause]
[Wade] Softening the liver up.
You have to question what on earth is gonna happen
if The Prince, Finn Bálor, manages to hit that coup de grace.
[Vic] That's true. But guys, think about what we just saw.
Finn Bálor with that elbow again
into the midsection of Kyle O'Reilly.
There is a target on the body of O'Reilly.
Bálor trying to exploit it.
Champion charging in.
Sling blade connects!
And we have seen this in the past, Beth.
Finn Bálor lining up O'Reilly.
-[Finn] Come on. Come on. -[Beth] Finn Bálor smelling victory.
[Beth] Targeting Kyle O'Reilly.
O'Reilly struggling to get to his feet.
[Vic] Target is set. Oh! And a dropkick
to the left knee of Finn Bálor!
[Finn grunting]
[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly presence of mind
to unleash that dropkick
into the lower extremities of our champion.
[Beth] Let's check this out one more time.
O'Reilly able to get to the knees
and knock Bálor's attempt to the floor.
[Vic] O'Reilly has been trying to hyperextend the left elbow of Finn Bálor.
Could be trying to hyperextend the left knee instead.
-[Finn screaming] -[referee] Come on!
-[Vic] Oh! O'Reilly got caught! -[referee] What do you say, Kyle?
[Vic] Into that abdominal stretch center of the ring! The pain!
And look at the blood in the mouth of Kyle O'Reilly!
You must be imagining what's going through the body as now
Looking for maybe that 1916,
countered and dropped, knee first.
And now Kyle O'Reilly trying to apply the submission,
trying to take down the champion, Wade,
and focus in on the left knee.
[Kyle screaming]
[Wade] Absolutely. And to think that bleeding from the mouth of Kyle O'Reilly,
highly concerning, even though he's on top right now.
That could be internal bleeding.
[Vic] Bálor trying to counter! Bálor looking for the sharpshooter!
Center of the ring!
The pain shooting through the body of Kyle O'Reilly!
And O'Reilly trying to reach out, Beth, to that bottom rope.
[Beth] O'Reilly struggling with every cell in his body.
-[Beth] The pain must be excruciating! -[referee] What do you say?
[Beth] The suffering he's endured throughout this match.
[referee] Let me stop this! What do you say?
[Vic] O'Reilly trying to block out the pain, continue to fight,
crawl, and scratch like he has for 15 years and gets to the bottom rope.
Hats off, Wade, hats off to Kyle O'Reilly.
[Wade] Incredible resilience from the man
but at what cost?
What is it all gonna be for in the end?
This man can barely defend himself at this point.
[cheering and applause]
[Wade] Let's not forget, you're in there with one of the absolute best, Finn Bálor.
[Beth] You see the crimson on the lips of Kyle O'Reilly,
still clutching at his midsection.
[Vic] And Finn Bálor grasping at his knee
as he is looking down at Kyle O'Reilly.
What a battle this has been.
[Finn] Finn Bálor. [screams]
[referee] Come on. Out of that corner, Bálor.
[Finn] And I do this every night!
This is no problem for me.
[referee] He's holding on the rope! Back it up!
What do you say?
-[audience member] Come on, Kyle! -[Finn screams]
-[referee] Bálor -[audience member] Come on, Kyle!
[audience member] Get up, Kyle!
[Finn screams]
[referee] Hey, out of that corner. Let's go. One! Two! Three!
[Vic] That was uncomfortable now
as Bálor continues to beat down the challenger
and the referee is gonna have to use his discretion
because the question, Wade,
when does the official save the superstar from himself?
There will be no quit in the body or the heart of Kyle O'Reilly tonight!
[Wade] Let me be clear, if a championship
was not on the line right now, referee would already have ended this one
but somehow, someway, Kyle O'Reilly fighting back!
And the gut shots, taking all the stuffing out of him.
[Vic] Kick to the midsection, kick to the knee,
stomp to the back, forearm by O'Reilly.
Oh! A Pelé kick by the champion! O'Reilly rocked!
-[audience] Ooh! -[Vic] Lariat answered back!
[Vic] Both superstars down!
[cheering and applause]
[Vic] This is what it means
to be the NXT champion
on a night that we have shown
the history of this industry,
the game changing ability in this history.
What about this championship matchup?
[cheering and applause]
[Beth] And what about this move on?
[Wade] Kyle O'Reilly stumbling into that clothesline against Finn Bálor.
It might have held, but I think it may have caught him across the temple
as opposed to the chest where he was aiming.
-[audience member] Kyle! -[referee] Kyle
-[audience member] Go Kyle!
Get the hell up. Let's go, fight!
[Vic] What a matchup right now.
And you got to think, guys,
it's got to be about more will than skill at this point.
Who is gonna have that knockout blow?
O'Reilly delivers a kick right to the chest.
How is the challenger standing?
The abuse that Kyle O'Reilly has endured
throughout this championship matchup.
And again, O'Reilly this time gets caught by Bálor!
Bálor across the face!
O'Reilly may be out!
Bálor
hooking up, looking for that 1916. O'Reilly able to counter.
Bálor able to shift his weight back to his feet. Guillotine!
-[Vic] Wade, the guillotine is locked in! -[referee] Come on!
[Wade] Squeezing the oxygen out of Finn Bálor.
This could be a knockout right here.
[Vic] The champion, Beth, is fading.
-[Vic] But wait a minute. -[Beth] Bálor is--
[Vic] O'Reilly, backing up and delivering a knee!
O'Reilly charging back in. Front face lock.
Looking for a suplex, hit the brain buster.
Float over, cover, count,
title on the line and Bálor kicks out!
O'Reilly though transitioning into the arm bar.
[Wade] Finn Bálor, fortunately for him, has this one blocked.
You see those two arms linked
as we see Kyle O'Reilly desperately trying to break those hands apart
and extend the left arm of Finn Bálor.
-[Vic] That's the arm-- -[Wade] Hyperextended the elbow.
[Vic] That is the arm Kyle O'Reilly was focusing on earlier on in the matchup.
But look at Kyle O'Reilly, trying to use his legs
to break the grip of Finn Bálor!
Bálor holding on with literally one finger!
Kyle O'Reilly breaks the hold.
Champion's in trouble.
Arm bar almost on and Bálor able to roll through,
use his own momentum
and now stomping away on the challenger.
Both these superstars, where are they getting this from?
[Wade] You have to say, Kyle O'Reilly fighting back from that liver shot
and somehow, not only still being in the fight
but at times being on top against Finn Bálor is quite remarkable.
[Vic] Bálor again to the lower back of Kyle O'Reilly.
Bálor again, another forearm shot.
And now it's Finn Bálor trying to hook up O'Reilly.
Could he be looking for that 1916?
Connects!
Cover! Hook of the leg!
And Kyle O'Reilly
somehow, someway kicks out.
[applause]
[Wade] That was muscle memory
kicking out for Kyle O'Reilly.
He knows nothing about it right now
as we take another look at the impact here.
Everything being thrown down
on that liver midsection area of Kyle O'Reilly.
Somehow kicking out.
[cheering and applause]
[Vic] What a championship main event
here at NXT TakeOver 31,
as now Finn Bálor
[audience members yelling]
[Vic] could be looking to climb all the way to the top
looking down on Kyle O'Reilly.
[crowd screaming]
[Wade] Look at the positioning of Kyle O'Reilly.
[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly getting back to his feet,
sensed that possibly that coup de grace could be coming,
but O'Reilly is spent, Beth.
Kyle O'Reilly has left it all in the ring.
[Beth] This is gut check time for Kyle O'Reilly.
This is the difference maker
between challengers and champions.
[Vic] Oh! Dragon screw to the top rope!
Let's not forget, Bálor's left knee throughout this matchup
has been a focal point of Kyle O'Reilly's.
O'Reilly again
sensing this could be his moment.
A second time!
[referee] Off the ropes!
Kyle O'Reilly's offensive game plan now, Wade,
it's pretty simple.
Chop down Bálor.
[Wade] Well, Bálor has had a full body workout from Kyle O'Reilly so far
but right now the bullseye is on that left leg.
[Vic] Into the chest of Finn Bálor goes Kyle O'Reilly!
And now it's Kyle O'Reilly trying to transition.
Somehow, Kyle O'Reilly is pulling himself up to the top rope.
Fifteen years of sacrifice for this moment.
Knee to knee, and now the knee bar, clock center of the ring.
-[referee] What do you say? -[Vic] Beth, it's a heel hook.
[Beth] The Achilles lock driving that Achilles tendon into the bone,
looking to dismantle the tendons
in Finn Bálor's leg, ankle, and knee.
[Vic] Bálor trying to fight free. Kyle O'Reilly transitioning, Wade,
back around into another heel hook.
[Wade] Beautiful transition from the BJJ expert Kyle O'Reilly.
And look at the face of Finn Bálor,
pain etched all over it,
desperation heel shots.
[Vic] Both legs now hooked by Kyle O'Reilly.
There's nowhere for the champion to go.
Bálor center of the ring. Is Finn Bálor gonna tap out?
Beth, are we gonna see Bálor tap in his first title defense?
[Beth] The saddle heel hook locked in tight,
rotating the tibia in the knee and Bálor, out of desperation,
slugging away at O'Reilly.
[Vic] And Bálor went back to the midsection.
But somehow, Wade, Kyle O'Reilly is blocking out the pain
for the right to be called champion.
[Wade] Once again, another transition from Kyle O'Reilly
and what on earth does Finn Bálor have to do now to escape this hold?
[Vic] Is O'Reilly gonna do it? Is Bálor gonna tap?
Are we gonna have a new NXT Champion here at NXT TakeOver 31?
Bálor to the bottom rope. He's so close,
scratching, clawing, Bálor, is he going to tap?
Bálor with the bottom rope in his sights.
And Finn Bálor gets to the bottom rope to break the hold.
[cheering and applause]
[Beth] But guys, what damage could possibly have been done
to the delicate tendons of the knee?
Bálor was in that for an eternity.
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT!
[Vic] NXT Universe rallying both these superstars.
What a championship matchup this has been.
And Kyle O'Reilly
trying to think about all those long drives, all those flights.
[crowd continues chanting] NXT! NXT!
-[Finn grunts] -[Vic] And O'Reilly chopping in now.
-[crowd continues chanting] NXT! NXT! -[Vic] Kyle O'Reilly
feeding off the NXT Universe.
[Wade] There's a lot of things to have been impressed by
with Kyle O'Reilly tonight,
none more so than, no matter what predicament,
he has found himself, he's always been thinking,
he's always been coming up with strategies on how to continue.
And that strike to the knee of Finn Bálor completely took him down.
[Vic] Finn Bálor now, Wade, off that distraction.
Oh! Off that moment of hesitation, excuse me,
able to open the door.
Double foot stomp to the liver, to the midsection of Kyle O'Reilly.
And now Bálor
with the challenger in his sights.
[Kyle grunts]
[Wade] He can't stand up.
[Vic] O'Reilly trying to rise,
as is Bálor.
Bálor with the knee. O'Reilly sensing it.
O'Reilly charging in. High knee. German suplex.
Bálor, double foot stomp again.
Where in the hell are these two getting this from?
[cheering and applause]
[Vic] And it's Finn Bálor first to his feet.
And it's Bálor trying to pull himself up.
And Bálor now bleeding from the mouth as well.
Kyle O'Reilly is not moving.
Bálor perched up high.
Coup de grace!
And Bálor got all the coup de grace to retain his NXT title.
[bell ringing]
-[Vic] Finn Bálor puts away Kyle O'Reilly! -[announcer] Here is your winner!
-["Catch Your Breath" playing] -[announcer] And still the NXT Champion!
Finn Bálor!
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Finn Bálor might have a broken jaw here.
What a war of attrition
between these two superstars
giving it everything they've got
for the NXT Universe
in pursuit of that,
the big one, the NXT Championship,
and still your champion,
The Prince, Finn Bálor.
[Vic] But Beth, we can take nothing away from Kyle O'Reilly.
[Beth] You know, boxing great Oscar De La Hoya
was crumpled to the mat, never beat the count
after a strike to the liver.
And Kyle O'Reilly persisted for the length of this matchup.
What a performance.
What a breakout performance for Kyle O'Reilly.
[Vic] Beth, let's go back to some of the action
in this highly intense championship match.
And that kick to the midsection
really changed the night for Kyle O'Reilly.
[Beth] Here's one more moment, Finn Bálor taking advantage
of the strike to the liver which would drop Kyle O'Reilly.
[Vic] And Kyle O'Reilly would drop Finn Bálor
with that brain buster center of the ring.
Finn Bálor able to kick out.
Kyle O'Reilly, though,
tenacious as they come tonight,
able to try to counter into a cross into a cross arm breaker.
Bálor hitting the 1916.
We all thought Bálor would retain.
Kyle O'Reilly, Beth, would continue to fight.
[Beth] There was no quit in Kyle O'Reilly tonight.
You see here, putting caution to the wind with a devastating knee
across the collarbone and chest of Finn Bálor.
O'Reilly would follow it up
looking for victory in this moment, Vic.
[Vic] A knee under the jaw rocking the champion,
a German suplex, but Bálor doing Finn Bálor things,
being able to roll through the pain and answer back
and then would hit the exclamation point,
the coup de grace
from the top to the liver,
to the midsection of Kyle O'Reilly
and Finn Bálor would retain his title.
[Wade] Let me tell you, watching the abuse
these two superstars have exerted on each other's body
make me happy that I now sit in this broadcast booth.
I could not have done what these two have done to each other tonight.
They are gonna be hurting for a long, long time,
but it's gonna hurt Kyle O'Reilly more,
because Finn Bálor somehow, someway retains.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] A sign of respect from champion to challenger.
And it's no doubt
Kyle O'Reilly is a secret no more.
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT!
[Vic] Beth, that's Ridge Holland!
[Wade] That's Adam Cole!
[music stops]
[audience member booing]
[Adam grunting, coughing]
[audience banging on fence, shouting]
[Roderick] Adam! Adam! Adam!
Where'd he go?
Get some medical out here! Adam, are you okay?
-[Adam coughing] -[audience booing]
-[Roderick] Kyle, you okay? -[Adam grunting]
-[Roderick] What happened here? -[Bobby] You all right, dude?
-[Bobby] Cole, you all right? Answer! -[Roderick] Come on! Get someone out here!
-[Finn] What happened, boys? -[Adam coughing]
-[Bobby] I didn't see. You didn't see? -[Roderick] What happened, Finn?
-[Bobby] What the hell happened to him? -[Roderick] You all right?
[Adam wheezing]
[Roderick] Did you see? Did you see it?