[WWE music plays]
[female announcer] Please, welcome Alice Cooper's guitarist,
solo recording artist
and one of the baddest guitarist on the planet,
Nita Strauss.
[audience cheering]
[Nita Strauss strumming US national anthem on guitar]
[audience chanting "USA"]
[male announcer] And now, WWE presents
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
[audience chanting "NXT"]
[Vic] Live inside the Capitol Wrestling Center,
for the biggest event in the history of NXT,
an event so big, it needed two nights.
Welcome to NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
[audience chanting "NXT"]
[Pete Dunne's music plays]
[bell rings]
[female announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Birmingham, England,
weighing in at 205 pounds, The Bruiserweight, Pete Dunne.
[Vic] It's Pete Dunne, Beth,
who claims to be the best technical wrestler in the world.
He challenged anyone to prove him wrong.
[Beth] There's good reason for that.
Pete began training at the tender age of 12-years old, hunting his dream,
never making provisions for anything other than success,
believing in his craft.
He's broken a lot of dreams and bones on the way to the top.
[Vic] What a way to kick off night one
of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
[Wade] Let me tell you, that anthem
by Alice Cooper's guitarist, Nita Strauss, has really set the scene.
What a way to kick this off, you're right.
The Bruiserweight taking on Kushida in the battle to see
who is the technical mastermind here in NXT.
[Kushida's music plays]
[female announcer] His opponent, from Tokyo, Japan,
weighing in at 192 pounds, Kushida.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Wade, Kushida, not going to back down from a challenge.
Doesn't matter who it comes from.
[commentator Wade] Yes, we've seen it time and time again from Kushida.
He is indeed a prideful man. He loves competition, and it would appear,
he cannot tolerate loudmouths like Pete Dunne.
He's got a point to prove tonight.
[Vic] It was just last week as well
that Kushida refused to break the hoverboard lock.
Dunne couldn't break away in the Battle Royal.
The personal rivalry now between these two superstars,
it led to both their eliminations just one week ago.
[Beth] Think about it, the cold, hard truth
is that Pete Dunne was locked in that hoverboard lock.
He was stuck and he knew it, and that's got to be
rolling around in the back of his mind.
Kushida, in my mind, has the edge in this matchup tonight.
[Vic] A little bit more than meets the eye in this matchup.
-[Wade] Certainly for Dunne-- -[bell rings]
[Vic] Here we go, right off the bat.
Dunne trying to get the submission. Kushida, nice job, able to counter.
Now, Kushida, looking for the arm bar.
[audience chanting "Kushida"]
Kushida trying to hold on, Dunne able to escape for a moment.
[Wade] Here's the fascinating thing we know about Kushida,
needs a small window of opportunity
to lock in one of them cross armbreakers, and this one's over.
[Vic] Wade, what separates these two?
[Wade] Well, it's very difficult to even put a piece of paper between these two
in terms of their technical mastery, definitely the two best in NXT,
but if I had to separate them,
I'd say Kushida enjoys slapping on these torturous holds
in order to win a match. Dunne, on the other hand,
I think winning a match is almost secondary to him.
I think he enjoys hurting and torturing people, the pain.
[Vic] Look at the submission here by Kushida, center of the ring.
Beth, to your point from last week, nowhere for Pete Dunne to go.
Dunne, right now, is getting tied up by Kushida.
[Beth] I agree with you, and I can't believe I'm saying this,
but there's that sadistic edge to Pete Dunne
that brings something different to the table than Kushida,
but I think he is 100% prepared for that.
He knows what he's going to get facing Pete Dunne.
[Vic] Jimmy Smith said Dunne's manipulation of the joints is the key,
as Kushida, again, able to counter Dunne early on.
Bruiserweight now trying to navigate his way free,
and look at the movement by Pete Dunne.
Technical mastery early on between these two superstars.
Dunne had it scouted, had Kushida scouted,
and now with the fingers, in the hand, in the digits.
Oh, no, wait a minute. Dunne, x-plex.
You can see Dunne focusing in on Kushida,
and there's nothing really fancy about Dunne's style.
[Wade] Absolutely, it doesn't have to.
Look at this snap, small joints like the fingers--
Or indeed, hyperextend that elbow,
or pull that shoulder out of the socket, it all has the same effect.
[Beth] Take a look at the effortless ease with which Pete Dunne throws Kushida,
landing hard on the ropes, and then right here,
oh, that hyperextension, all the tendons pushed to the Max.
[Vic] You can hear Kushida writhing in pain.
Dunne looking to lock in yet another submission,
and again, grabbing at the left wrist or hand,
and then a vicious stomp by Pete Dunne.
[Wade] It was really nice from Pete Dunne,
because they were going back and forth with the technical stuff.
Dunne softened him up with that suplex on the apron,
and now he can just pick apart Kushida at will.
Oh, a kick to the face too for good measure.
[Vic] Kushida answering back.
Dunne looking for a TakeOver victory for the fifth straight year,
and this turned in from a technical masterpiece to a slugfest.
[Beth chuckles] Pete Dunne going hard on the forearm.
He's favoring that arm now.
[Vic] Look at the hip toss.
Going for the cartwheel. Dunne had it blocked for a moment.
The quickness, the elusiveness of Kushida.
Dunne rolling to the outside looking to escape.
[audience chanting "Kushida"]
[Vic] NXT Universe on their feet for Kushida.
No one there, Dunne--
Oh! And now focusing is Dunne from the upper body,
now to the lower extremities.
[Wade] Building all the way out onto our entranceway,
but once again, Kushida, too quick, replying with that springboard back elbow.
Look at Kushida, using, Beth, his environment to his advantage.
[Vic] Kushida has ring awareness inside and out.
[Vic] Oh! What a kick by Kushida,
the momentum carrying both back into the squared circle.
[audience chanting "Kushida"]
[Vic] Again, you can just feel the energy--
Dunne though, Dunne trying to lock in the submission.
[Beth] Like an octopus wrapped around the body of Kushida.
[Vic] Dunne, again, with the joint manipulation,
Kushida trying to fight his way out. Kushida now reverses.
[Wade] Oh, what a reversal lock,
but thankfully, then Dunne managed to block it with the other arm.
[Vic] Dunne able to counter with a block,
able to figure out Kushida, who answers back with a kick.
[Beth] The crack of that chop just lighting up something in Kushida.
[Vic] Kushida again, springing in, gets caught.
Dunne with the fingers. Bending the digits. Snapping the fingers.
[Wade] Kushida once again going for that springboard back elbow.
[Vic] Looking for the bitter end, counter by Kushida. Kushida instead--
Oh! Cover. Shoulders down. Center of the ring.
Dunne, able to kick out at two.
Kushida thinking about what he's got to do next.
[audience clapping]
Kushida in control of Pete Dunne.
What a way to kick things off NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
[Wade] Blink and you'll miss it in this one.
The momentum shifting back and forth.
Such is the pace that these two are going at in.
Such is their knowledge of each other's opponent here.
They know immediately how to reverse their favorite moves.
[Vic] A vicious headbutt by Pete Dunne.
Everything, Beth, that Pete Dunne
has done in his career is so malicious.
Look at what Dunne is doing to Kushida.
[Beth] The ring acumen of Pete Dunne,
add to that that he has got into the best shape of his life.
His quickness is unmatched at this moment.
He is working and operating at a level we've never seen him at before.
[Vic] Wade, I want to come back to you.
You talked about both these superstars.
As we take a look at what happened before the commercial break,
the snapping of the fingers. Looking for the bitter end.
Kushida able to counter Dunne, and, boy, was so very close.
Very evenly matched is this matchup,
but by calling yourself the best technical wrestler in the world,
didn't Pete Dunne just put more pressure on himself?
[Wade] He is putting pressure on himself as he goes for--
[Vic] A chook of the leg. Is it enough to put Kushida--
Oh, Kushida kicks out.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Take a look at the Capitol Wrestling Center
here on the USA Network and Peacock
as Pete Dunne focused on Kushida.
No one home. Kushida answers with a another kick,
and now Kushida, right back into this matchup,
looking to hook and now drop Dunne into the submission.
Cross armbreaker connects. Dunne able to roll through the pressure,
reversed, and again a stomp onto the left elbow.
Dunne now trying to transition in his own right.
Double underhook suplex into the cross break.
[Wade] Return the favor back to Kushida.
Kushida managing to get his way out of there.
[Vic] Swing and a miss, right-hand connects and Kushida answers back.
[Beth] This is like a tennis match back and forth.
[Vic] Bam, so evenly matched.
[Wade] Oh my, neither opponent has had
more than 30 seconds of consistent momentum in this one.
[audience chanting "NXT"]
[Vic] You start to wonder for Kushida, the hand,
you can see him trying to shake some feeling back into his fingers
and more pressure on Dunne now in this matchup.
[Wade] Dunne was the one who made boastful claim
of being the best technician on the planet.
He's the reason we are here in this match,
and to be proved wrong by Kushida
will be a massive humiliation that would crush the ego of Dunne.
[Beth] To be fair, Wade, go big or, go home.
Pete Dunne believes that about himself.
He's not out here blowing smoke.
To be honest, in each and every one of his matches, he tends to prove it.
[Vic] Hear that last kick to the bicep
echoing through the Capitol Wrestling Wenter.
That dropkick, pinpoint precision by Kushida.
Kushida is focused on the arms of Pete Dunne,
and Kushida now, at least for the moment, blocking out the pain.
[Wade] Yes, absolutely. Clearly painful on that hand of Kushida
after the attacks from Dunne, but back on top, but how long is the question.
[Vic] He's still in control,
and again, Kushida has scouted Pete Dunne heading into this matchup.
Now, Kushida, the rage coming out.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Capitol Wrestling Center on their feet.
What is on the mind of Kushida?
Hoverboard lock.
Top rope, Kushida off the top.
Hoverboard lock.
[Wade] Locked in right from the ropes here.
Is Dunne going to tap?
[Vic] Look at the body positioning of Kushida.
[Beth] He's right on top of Pete Dunne and following the impact,
driving the air out of Pete Dunne's lungs.
Dunne is in agony.
[Vic] Oh, Dunne, able to fight his way to the bottom rope.
Kushida not letting go.
[Wade] Getting as much bang for his buck.
Locked in again. Both hands tied up.
[audience chanting "tap, tap"]
[Vic] Is Dunne going to tap?
Dunne with his big toe forcing the hold by Kushida.
And what a way to kick off tonight.
#NXTTakeOver trending number one in the United States,
as Kushida trying to prove
he's the best technical wrestler in the world.
Knee across the elbow.
Kushida could be lining up to prove Pete Dunne wrong.
[Wade] Dunne's in a world of trouble here.
Hoverboard lock, locked on, as again.
Pete Dunne meandering his way over to the ropes again.
The referee has to break it.
[Beth] What incredible power as Kushida switching arms.
-[Vic] Shoulders down. -[Beth] This could be it.
Oh, Kushida able to kick out,
and Pete Dunne wisely able to get to the ropes yet again.
[Wade] Well, Kushida is all over Pete Dunne at this point,
but has the damage been done to Dunne's arm?
He is in agony. He can't even stand up at this point.
Focused purely on that left elbow.
[Vic] No half bragging rights because we want to remind the world
NXT moves to Tuesday nights on USA.
This Tuesday, but right now, it's Pete Dunne,
again bending back, bending back the index finger.
The middle finger, and he--
Oh, my gosh, again, just trying to break the fingers of Kushida.
[audience booing]
-[Beth] Dunne has stomped the phalanges. -[Vic] Swing and a miss.
Right hand connects, but again, the fingers and the damage done.
Dunne capitalizing. Third time the kick connects.
[Beth] The bones of Kushida's hands have to be absolutely crushed.
[Wade] Kushida's got nothing left.
[Vic] Dunne trying to lock in the bitter end to Kushida.
Dunne, cover, the count.
Pete Dunne proves to be what he says he is.
[bell rings]
[Pete Dunne's music plays]
[female announcer] Here is your winner, Pete Dunne.
[Vic] That is the best technical wrestler in the world.
[Wade] What a start to this match. Two men truly going toe to toe.
Hold for hold. Kushida gave a fantastic account for himself,
but ultimately, it was Dunne's strategy of softening of the hand of Kushida
which is where Kushida fell apart.
[Vic] I got to correct you,
not hand, hands of Kushida right here.
[Beth] Here's an example, difficult to watch in this moment.
Dunne's wheelhouse right there, resulting in this, Vic.
[Vic] Resulting in both Kushida not able to capitalize after that punch connected,
which opened the door, Beth, for Dunne.
[Beth] The viciousness of Pete Dunne on display right there,
getting advantage of Kushida.
[Vic] Then, just added up
and it would all equal the bitter end for Kushida,
as Pete Dunne proves his squared circle supremacy
here tonight to kick things off on NXT TakeOver: Stand & deliver.
[Beth] Well, and then, action continues here on TakeOver .
You can see NXT women's champion Io Shirai,
someone she has great respect for, Zoey Stark,
as she takes on her most imposing challenger ever,
Raquel González, in tonight's historic main event, Io Shirai.
[Wade] Here is the challenger herself, Raquel González,
squaring off in our main event against Io Shirai,
flanked by her partner in crime, Dakota Kai. Cannot wait for that one.
[Vic] That is our main event, but how about what is coming up next?
Who will earn the opportunity to face Johnny Gargano
tomorrow night in night number two,
as our number one contender Gauntlet match is next.
[Beth] They've got quite the mountain to climb.
Ruff and Scott will start.
Every three minutes, a new man will come up.
The winner of night one will have earned the chance to face Gargano.
It all happens tomorrow, the Gauntlet Eliminator is next.
[soft music]
[Vic] Edge just achieved the impossible. Edge is going to Wrestlemania.
[Edge] I choose Roman Reigns.
[Vic] Edge wants the head of the table on the grandest stage of them all.
A man like you just doesn't stand a chance
against a man like me.
[Vic] The single most dominant force in all of WWE.
Maybe it's time that I remind you just who the hell I am.
[woman] You think you know me.
[Vic] He continues to add to his legacy.
I'm tired of standing on the sidelines.
I'm going to give it everything I've got.
I'm walking out of Wrestlemania as a champion.
I operate in this ring at a higher level.
[Vic] Edge, Roman Reigns, and Daniel Bryan in a triple threat match
for the Universal title at Wrestlemania.
[music]
Wrestlemania exclusively streaming live
right here on Peacock this Saturday and Sunday.
Guys, I got to ask you, and I want to start with Wade.
How do you win a Gauntlet match?
A Gauntletmatch is very, very simple. You need two things.
You need endurance and you need a little bit of luck.
Failing that, you just need to make sure that your name is LA Knight.
Do we have to continue to listen to that, Wade?
He says everything, [Indistinct]
You get a kick back on this or something? A little cash from la LA Knight?
That's a great point actually, Beth.
[Leon Ruff's music plays]
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Well, wait a minute.
Leon Ruff and Isaiah "Swerve,"
these are the first two superstars to enter this Gauntlet match.
[audience booing]
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott taking full advantage,
just like what we saw last week.
[Wade] Hang on a second. Let's not forget it was Leon Ruff
who attacked "Swerve" Scott prior to last week's Battle Royal.
[Vic] Now both superstars going at it.
Fair warning too.
You said, "simple" earlier.
There's nothing simple for either of these two.
[Wade] I don't think the match has even officially started.
I didn't hear the bell ring.
-[Vic] Wait a minute. No, no, no. -[Wade] Oh!
[Vic] We talked about animosity being at an all-time--
[Beth] Oh! What?
[Wade] Leon Ruff is like a cat.
[Vic] Oh, spidey senses flaring up for Leon Ruff.
-[audience cheering] -[referee] Come on, guys.
[Vic] Then again, to Wade's point, this match hasn't begun.
[Beth] Looks like Leon Ruff is prepared to finish it though.
[Vic] Oh, no, no, no. Oh, sternum first.
[referee] Come on.
[Wade] Let's face it.
If either of these two men are going to win this Gauntlet,
they're going to have to be marathon men.
They're just adding to the duration of the match
and the match hasn't started.
[referee] Come on, Swerve. You've only got a start it in here.
[Vic] That's what I was trying to allude to, Wade,
is these two got the hardest odds and the longest odds just to survive this.
Leon Ruff still trying to fight,
but Leon Ruff was attacked before this matchup.
[Beth] Yes, Leon Ruff operating on pure emotion in this moment,
just trying to give it back to Swerve.
[referee] Come on. Get inside the ring. Come on.
[Vic] Well, back on USA Network,
the first two entries into the Gauntlet match are here.
-[bell rings] -[Vic] Finally, this match started.
[Wade] A little pre-battle brawl there.
Swerve again, out on the floor. Ruff too quick for him.
[Beth chuckling] Oh…
[Vic] Much like we saw in the first match--
[Wade] Must've been watching Pete Dunne.
[Vic] Will it work for Leon Ruff?
Oh, no. Scott catching ruff again.
Staring him over the barricade.
[Wade] Ruff coming through with that topeé.
He's 150 pounds, soaking wet.
Did not have the force to take down Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
Look at the grimace on the face of Swerve.
[audience booing]
[Vic] Look, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott is going to have Leon Ruff to himself for now
under three minutes
until the next competitor enters into this Gauntlet Eliminator.
For Scott, Wade,
he believes he's been overlooked here at NXT by superstars like Leon Ruff.
[Wade] It is very, very difficult to disagree with "Swerve" Scott
because let's face it-- He's staring at you again, Vic.
[Beth] I don't like the look on his face there.
[Wade] Let's face it, Ruff walked into NXT,
was handed opportunities from the word go,
Swerve has never been given opportunities.
That is not safe.
[Beth] Oh…
[all] Oh!
[Wade] Down and twisting, cutting up our announce desk.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] It's moves like what we just witnessed.
It's the heart of a champion that Leon Ruff has,
that makes him in this match the only man, Beth,
to hold the North American title, as into the cover to eliminate Scott.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott able to kick out again.
Pinfall elimination, the only way to be eliminated.
[Beth] Wade's speaking a whole lot of baloney
saying Leon Ruff was handed opportunities.
Ruff has earned everything that he's got in that ring,
and you're seeing that right here, what he is capable of.
[Wade] I humbly disagree with you,
but he's doing a heck of a job with Swerve now.
Swerve though, turning the tables in a heartbeat.
Slingshot against the top rope. Let's take another look at this.
[Vic] This was during the commercial break.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott was able to turn things around in his advantage.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, a man on a mission in this matchup.
You wonder though, Beth, for Scott, is it not only--
he just wants to punish Leon Ruff at this point.
[Beth] Yes, we were mentioning before the emotional--
These two men despise each other, they're willing to tear each other apart.
[Vic] I don't know if you noticed,
but Scott literally just pulled Leon Ruff to the middle turnbuckle by his ears.
Now, could be looking to plant Ruff with a piledriver.
What a reversal by Ruff.
[audience cheering]
[Beth] What a breathtaking reversal here.
Leon Ruff using Swerve's momentum against him.
[Vic] Both superstars down.
These are just the first two, as now the countdown begins.
[audience chanting "eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one"]
[Bronson Reed's music plays]
[Vic] We all know based on the eliminations from a week ago,
that it will be Bronson Reed entering this match third.
Now, for Bronson Reed-- Wait a minute. Ruff wasting no time.
[Wade] Oh, what a powerhouse.
Bronson Reed has plucked Ruff out of the air with ease.
[Vic] Whoa.
[Wade] Smarts from "Swerve" Scott there.
[Vic] Scott now, right on top of Bronson Reed.
This has to be the strategy of Scott and Ruff.
Reed's the freshest.
[Beth] He hasn't been giving a chance to get his ring jacket off of him.
[audience chanting "Big Boy season"]
[Vic] Reed now, setting up.
Oh! It's Big Boy season in full effect here in the Capitol Wrestling Center.
Many considered Reed, Wade, the favorite in last week's Battle Royal.
[Wade] Absolutely, for the Battle Royal.
He will be disappointed himself getting the qualifying spot.
He got a man of his size and endurance,
he is never going to be his best friend in this kind of match.
[Vic] Wait a minute. Ruff and Reed working together to take out Scott.
[audience cheering]
[Beth] Surprise, surprise, Wade. I disagree with you.
If you go back to the first Gauntlet Eliminator,
Bronson Reed had quite a strong showing.
Tonight's turning out much the same way.
[Wade] That was a terrible idea from Leon Ruff there.
[all laugh]
[Vic] That was probably even a worse idea for Leon Ruff.
[Wade] That is what you get, pancaked in the middle of the ring, 330 pounds.
[Vic] Now, Ruff's mind might be realigned as Reed now--
[all] Oh!
-[Wade] Let's call this one off. -[Beth] Anybody got a spatula?
[Vic] This certainly, guys, can't feel very good.
[Beth] Take a look at this. Shades of Yokozuna.
Effortless right here, banzai across the chest of Leon Ruff.
[Vic] Bronson Reed close to becoming the North American champion
at TakeOver XXX, as Ruff lands on his feet.
[Wade] How has his sternum not caved in?
[Beth] Not a great strategy there.
-[Vic] Hold on. -[Beth] Uh-oh.
[Vic] Who's got a ticket to ride?
Ruff trying to hold onto the top rope, doing anything he can.
Reed showcasing that strength.
[Wade] Nice.
[audience cheering]
[Beth] Wow. Check out the power of the big boy,
hoisting two bodies simultaneously. One more time.
Look at the height there.
Leon Ruff sent sailing three-quarters across the entire ring.
[Wade] Leon Ruff got launched.
[Vic] An absolute nasty landing for Ruff.
I don't think Scott's going to like the view here,
as again, we are moments away from the next competitor entering the match.
[audience chanting "Five, four, three, two, one"]
[Cameron Grimes' music plays]
[Vic] Much like Reed,
another superstar who is fingertips away from the North American title.
Guys, I don't think Cameron Grimes
is going to be able to buy his way out of this match.
[Wade] The bumpkin billionaire himself, he could buy anything he wants.
[Vic] Grimes, off the momentary distraction.
Scott with a dropkick. A moonsault by Grimes. Reed is down.
Scott Grimes and Ruff may need to start working together to eliminate Reed.
[Beth] That would make sense, wouldn't it?
You see, Cameron Grimes here, again, looking--
[Wade] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Beth] Oh, it looks like a deal has been struck, guys.
[Vic] Now, Cameron Grimes and Swerve working together.
Maybe he can buy a victory in this match, or at least some help.
[Wade] Everybody has a price, a wise man once said.
Apparently, Swerve has a price.
Let's face it. Swerve is still in the match.
It behooves him to team up with Grimes,
and might as well get some money for it too.
[Vic] Scott is still in the match. A matter of fact, no eliminations yet
in this Gauntlet Eliminator to find out who will face Johnny Gargano
tomorrow night for the North American Championship.
[Wade] Let's face it, if there are no eliminations,
we could end up with all six men in the ring
at the same time.
[Vic] Cameron Grimes, and again it's been, Ruff and Swerve
who started this matchup for Ruff. He was jumped out of the gate by Scott
and Ruff now right foot up, Cameron Grimes charges in.
No one home. Ruff connects with a forearm.
[Beth] Leon Ruff that incredible speed--
Oh, those ropes might be slippery from the sweat and body oil.
[Vic] I think it was just Ruff's cat-like agility,
but nothing agile about another rough landing through the eye.
Grimes and Scott again working together, this time though,
Bronson Reed trying to fight both Grimes and Scott off.
Oh, smart strategy by Grimes.
And now, Scott follows up with a boot kick under the jaw.
Reed again is rocked.
[Wade] Smart move. Keep Reed out of the match for as long as you can.
Take care of everyone else, and then focus on the big one.
-[Vic] You got to get Reed in the ring. -[Wade] Worry when it happens.
[Beth] Swerve looking a little cocky in this situation.
[Wade] He's castled over the ringside area.
[Vic] Oh!
Tried to shrink the field, as Grimes and Scott focusing on Leon Ruff.
[Beth] Grimes one of the only two competitors in this matchup
that have experience in a Gauntlet Eliminator.
Grimes going all the way to the end last time.
[Vic] Cameron Grimes trying to do the exact same here tonight.
If he's successful, he might have a date with destiny tomorrow night.
Again, the next competitor about to enter the match.
[audience chanting "Five, four, three, two, one"]
[Dexter Lumis' music plays]
[Vic] We certainly know that Dexter Lumis--
Well, we know his number one fan, Indi Hartwell certainly pulling for him.
-[Beth] Index. -[Wade] Index?
-[Vic] Index. -[Wade] No, is that like Benifer?
[Beth] It's the next best celebrity couple nickname. Index.
[Wade] The guys a creep, Indi needs to stay well clear of this.
[Beth] Don't get in the way of true love, Wade.
[Vic] Dexter Lumis could be going one on one
with Indi Hartwell's mentor tomorrow night.
Johnny Gargano back into the ring, though, Grimes in the outside.
Center of the ring, Leon Ruff.
The first superstar, gone.
[female announcer] Leon Ruff has been eliminated.
[Vic] Dexter Lumis on the ramp now.
Oh, DDT dropping Bronson Reed.
[Beth] Take a look at its deliberate movement from Dexter Lumis.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] We know Lumis wants to get his hands on Johnny Gargano.
He's got to go through the field to get to Johnny Gargano tomorrow--
Oh, old friends reunite.
[Wade] Grimes wants no part of that.
[Vic] Flashbacks to Halloween havoc,
but right now Scott might be having flashbacks of his own.
Taking a nasty ride.
[Wade] A slow methodical pace of Lumis was so effective in there.
[Vic] Whoa!
[Beth] You get a suplex, you get a suplex.
[Vic] Dexter Lumis, not a man of many words. All about action.
Another stiff right hand to the jaw of Scott.
Could you imagine, Dexter Lumis, Johnny Gargano tomorrow night?
[Wade] Absolutely, of course. We've seen those two do battle before,
but once again here just devastating effects from Dexter Lumis.
[Beth] Lumis has cleaned house.
[audience chanting "Dexter Lumis"]
[Vic] Oh, this is what it's about now.
Look at Reed, look at Lumis, both slugging it out.
[Wade] Yes, I know I'm backing on that one, it's a 330-pounder.
[all chuckle]
[Beth] Dexter Lumis might be impervious to pain.
[Vic] Whoa! Lumis trying to lift up Bronson Reed.
Reed, no problem getting Lumis up, who lands on his feet.
Lumis, shot right to the throat. That will stop anyone.
-[Beth] One more time. Whoa! -[Vic] Hoisting up Reed.
[Wade] Oh, my word.
[Beth] The powerful physique of Dexter Lumis.
[Vic] Oh! Grimes, I don't know if that was by default or not,
but both superstars up and over.
[Wade] Crashing and burning on the floor right in front of us.
Not sure who got the worst of that one.
[Vic] Only one superstar left to join the fray
and we all know it was a winner of last week's Battle Royal,
the hottest free agent to come to NXT.
[LA Knight's music plays]
[LA Knight] Let me talk to you.
LA Knight's TakeOver is now official.
Matter of fact, yes.
While I go ahead and help this human piece of waste to the back.
Speaking of guys taking off,
I hear Cameron Grimes wants to take off to the moon
and i'm just the guy to help him, as I pump his ass into deep space.
[audience booing]
I'll put it like this, Dexter Lumis, you're going to paint that picture,
but the only picture he should paint
is him getting dropped on his head, courtesy of LA Knight.
Then Swerve, brother, I hear you're different.
Hey, all--
[Vic] Oh, Bronson Reed had enough of LA Knight.
[Beth] I think we all had enough.
[Wade] Absolutely not, I was enjoying that.
I thought you were out. I didn't mean anything I said.
[LA Knight] I didn't mean anything. I didn't mean it.
Just give me second.
Just give me a second to think about it.
Come on, man. Stop.
Come on man. Come on.
Oh, my god.
Oh…
[Vic] LA Knight taking the worst to wear, as this Gauntlet Eliminator continues.
Only one elimination thus far.
[Beth] That bionic elbow right between the eyes of Cameron Grimes.
[Vic] Bronson Reed really has turned everything into his favor.
[Wade] Of course, he's such a big powerhouse of a man.
Such freakish strength and agility.
LA Knight has to be the favorite in this one.
He won the Gauntlet Qualifying Battle Royal,
got a peach entrance in this one.
He's been laid to waste so far,
and again, Bronson Reed coming back for a little more.
[Beth] Let's not forget LA Knight still has a lot to prove
against superstars like Bronson Reed, who have battle-tested here at NXT.
[Vic] Reed just dropping LA Knight.
We mentioned Bronson Reed was the odds-on favorite last week,
entered this match-up number three in this Gauntlet.
All competitors have now entered.
The last one standing, earns that championship opportunity.
Oh, my god!
[Vic] Back on the USA Network Gauntlet Eliminator continuing.
Reed side steps LA Knight.
[Wade] Oh, yes. That is it.
This is why this man in the building.
LA Knight, the favorite for this.
Oh, beautiful stuff, and the attention-getter, the trendsetter.
This man taking it all the way to the top.
Who's time is it? It's LA Knight's time.
That's why.
[Beth] Wade, you need a cold glass of ice water.
[Wade] I need a cold something, that's for sure.
[inaudible]
[Vic] Oh! Lumis almost with eyes in the back of his head.
Drops and then locks in the silence.
Silence locking on Cameron Grimes.
[Wade] Oh, this has to be it. Grimes out of the--
[Vic] Wait a minute. LA Knight! -[Beth] Hold on.
Rolling through, shoulders down. LA Knight just knocked out Lumis.
[female announcer] Dexter Lumis has been eliminated.
[Wade] Yes, of course, he is. This is the megastar, LA Knight.
You get in his space, you're going to have problems.
[Beth] I'm never going to hear the end of it.
[Vic] Cameron Grimes did not tap out. Grimes is still in the matchup.
Big knee from Scott, though.
Now, Grimes, who just was saved turns things around by LA Knight.
Reed down on that chest tonight. Cover.
-[Wade] No. -[all] Oh!
[Beth laughs]
[female announcer] LA Knight has been eliminated.
[Wade] No!
[Vic] What were you saying, Wade?
[LA Knight] That was three.
[referee] You're out.
I didn't do--
[Vic] Lumis, a little bit of payback on to LA Knight.
Lumis eliminated. Knight eliminated.
Knight going to sleep.
[Beth] Apparently, that's what it takes to shut up LA Knight.
[Wade] God, Lumis really weirds me out.
[Vic] Well, we are down to the final three.
Reed, Scott, and Cameron Grimes, who comes in with that forearm.
[Wade] These three men will go on to NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
night two, tomorrow night
to challenge the North American champion, Johnny Gargano.
[Vic] Isaiah "Swerve" Scott has been in there since the very beginning,
as he is still battling out with Grimes and Reed.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott certainly has stepped up tonight.
[Beth] That's what he's been saying he's going to do.
This is a critical moment in his career, when you talk about future opportunities,
but also shutting up the naysayers.
[Vic] Oh! Kicked didn't connect on Scott. Connected on Reed. Scott now,
trying to take advantage of Cameron Grimes, to hook up Grimes.
Grimes counters, tosses Scott to Reed. Superkick to Reed.
[Wade] Every man for himself and there is point blank.
[Vic] What action!
[all] Oh!
[Vic] Grimes, Scott, Reed, all three, down.
[audience chanting "NXT"]
[Vic] NXT setting the standard for the week, the biggest of the year.
Cameron Grimes connecting with Bronson Reed.
Beth, just take a look at this action.
[Beth] Spectacular opportunistic things.
Check this out, timber.
Bronson Reed crushing the pile of humanity.
[Wade] All three men were right for the pickings,
nobody was able to make a pinfall, so this match continues.
[Vic] Again, Cameron Grimes, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
It was Grimes who put a little bit of money
in the pocket of Scott earlier tonight.
[Beth] You see Bronson Reed yelling, "Bring it on. Give me your best shot."
[Wade] Well, the alliance had broken down, perhaps, they're back together again.
[Vic] Listen to the impact.
[all] Oh!
[Vic] Reed took out Scott, didn't connect with Grimes. Grimes…
[Wade] Oh! Collision course.
[Vic] Oh, Swerve's house, rocked Grimes. Swerve now, trying to capitalize.
Grimes able to counter. Rolling through. Cameron Grimes with the tight--
-No, no, no. -[Wade] Reversal.
[Vic] Scott reversed. Another elimination.
[female announcer] Cameron Grimes has been eliminated.
[Wade] He paid the man.
[Beth] Grimes got out-bamboozled with a handful of tights by Swerve.
[Wade] The price must have gone up mid-match.
[Vic] We are down to the final two.
[audience cheering]
[Beth] Take a look at this maneuver.
Cameron Grimes followed up quickly by Swerve.
You see Swerve got the idea to finish it off,
but Grimes in his attempt to roll up Swerve
with a handful of tights, got it reversed.
Swerve, that alliance fell apart quickly.
[Vic] The referee did not see the tights being grabbed.
Now, going right to the body is Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.
[Wade] Hats off to "Swerve" Scott. He started this matchup.
He never gets handed anything. He always has to do it the hard way,
and that's exactly what he's doing in there tonight,
but this might be over very soon by the looks of this.
[Vic] Tell you, you got to wonder--
Oh, Bronson Reed standing on the top ropes.
Scott now, able to cut Reed off of the pass.
[Wade] All that humanity perched on the top rope.
This is highly dangerous for a man the size of Bronson Reed.
-[Vic] Oh, no, no, no. -[Beth] What's Swerve thinking?
[Vic] There's no way.
[all] Oh! No!
[Vic] The ribs, the back of Bronson Reed.
[Wade] The lower back of 330 pounds of Reed
bouncing off the corner, and right off the top rope.
[audience cheering]
[Beth] Swerve here having a moment, knocking Bronson Reed silly.
It would allow him to get leverage to hoist Reed's body over
and slam on the hardest part of the ring.
[Wade] It's the top of the pelvis, the lower back,
right where the point of that canvas caught Bronson Reed.
This might be a 450 splash.
[Vic] Oh, it's definitely a 450. Is Scott heading tonight too?
Does he have a date with Gargano?
Reed kicks out at two and a half.
[Wade] Reed at the last second, just turned the waist slightly,
perhaps taking the impact.
Check out the turn of Reed on this impact, perhaps, saving himself.
Just a quarter turn-away.
[Beth] Even with all his bodyweight on his shoulders,
surprisingly, Reed was able to kick out somehow.
[Wade] That midsection of Reed is taking a pounding.
[Vic] Scott talking trash to Bronson Reed.
[Wade] House call.
[Vic] House, and there not might be any lights on
in the house that is Bronson Reed.
[Reed] I like that, I want you to come back.
[Vic] Another house call.
[Wade] Oh, you've got to admire the guts and the determination of Bronson Reed.
[referee] Come on, watch the hair, Swerve.
[Vic] Third time, not a charm.
[Wade] Just a little too much smack than it's worth.
Refusing to be denied. This is your moment, Swerve.
[Vic] Trifecta, cover. Scott, is it enough?
Again, how in the hell did Bronson Reed kick out?
[audience cheering]
[Wade] He should be unconscious.
[Vic] Scott absolutely beside himself.
Now, Scott focusing on that lower back,
focusing on the midsection, focusing on the ribs of Bronson Reed.
[Beth] Swerve pivoting his strategy to a submission,
as he has not been able to effectively keep Reed down.
[Vic] He can't keep Reed down, the strength with one arm.
[Wade] Oh!
[Vic] The lights might be out for Scott.
Powerbomb, center of the ring.
Reed, no wasted motion, again, hoisting up Scott.
[all] Whoa!
[Wade] This matchup, turning on the turn. This is it.
[Vic] We know what's next. Reed will not be denied.
[Wade] The greatest move in NXT. Tsunami!
[audience shouts "One, two, three"]
[bell rings]
[Vic] Reed is headed to tomorrow night, and a date with Johnny Gargano.
[Bronson Reed's music plays]
[female announcer] Here is your winner, "The Colossal" Bronson Reed.
[Vic] Bronson Reed survives the field, runs the Gauntlet.
Are we looking into the eyes of the next North American champion?
[Wade] Well, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott had this one in the bag.
How on earth did it slip away from him?
Thee house calls in a row. Anyone else, that was over.
[Beth] Let's take a look at Swerve's efforts early on.
Boom, across the side of Bronson Reed.
For the third time, he was given an attempt.
[Vic] One wasn't enough, Beth.
Two wasn't enough. Three wasn't enough.
We all sat here and collectively came out of our seats.
[Wade] There is something about the durability of this man Reed.
He tastes that opportunity at the North American champion.
Look at this, graceful, but huge impact upon landing.
Nobody, nobody will get up from that.
[bell rings]
[hard rock music]
[Vic] There is the champion who now knows,
tomorrow night, exclusively on Peacock, Johnny Gargano will defend
his North American crown against Bronson Reed.
[Vic] Speaking of championships,
how about what's coming up in just a matter of moments?
Walter, 700 plus days as champion.
Can Tommaso Ciampa turn back the clock to 2018?
Can he beat the unbeatable? NXT UK Championship match next.
[hard rock music]
Come on!
[epic music]
[Walter] The commanding totalitarian presence of The Ring General.
The incredible brutality, the sounds of those impacts.
[Vic] Walter, in one word, unstoppable.
The Ring General is now
the longest reigning NXT United Kingdom champion of all time.
[General] Look the world over and find the next challenger for me.
[Vic] The NXT United Kingdom champion
back on American soil.
[General] Tommaso Ciampa, you were a dominant and a ruthless champion,
but now, you're just a shell of what you once were.
[Vic] Message sent from The Ring General.
[Ciampa] Walter, sometimes in life, we need to be reminded of who we are.
There is special, and then there's Tommaso Ciampa.
[Vic] The most sadistic competitor in NXT.
[Ciampa] I just happen to be
the greatest sports entertainer of all time.
[Walter] Now, you have other priorities in life.
It's not the most important thing in your life anymore.
[Ciampa] The day I went in for neck surgery,
my wife and my baby girl gave me this necklace.
Yes, Walter, I've changed.
I rather be a man who really fights for something,
than a man who fights with nothing to lose any day of the week.
[General] That's the difference between you and me
because my commitment is unreached.
You want to know, Walter, if the blackheart still lives?
You want to know if the psycho killer still lives?
At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, you're going to get your answer,
and it's going to cost you that NXT UK Championship.
One thing will never change.
That is me being the NXT UK champion.
Walter, it's a long, long fall from the top.
[Vic] This is the matchup many have been looking forward to.
Wade, I'll start with you.
Does Ciampa dethrone Walter tonight?
Here's the question. Is the 2018 blackheart Ciampa showing up,
or really, is the other question that does it matter which Ciampa shows up?
Because Walter has been unstoppable in NXT UK.
I think Walter did the unthinkable.
He placed his hands on something that is so meaningful to Ciampa,
and I think, tonight, Ciampa is going to make him pay.
We will find out. Can Tommaso Ciampa turn the clock back
and find that blackheart to once again call himself champion?
COVID-19 changed our way of life,
the way we work, the way we play and the way we live.
Right now, COVID-19 vaccines are available to millions of Americans
and soon, they'll be available for everyone.
Let's get back to our lives and get vaccinated.
Roll up your sleeve and do your part for the ones you love.
This is our shot.
And we can do this together.
[repeated beeping]
[Tommaso Ciampa's theme plays]
[Vic] We are back on the USA Network,
and are we looking at the next United Kingdom champion?
All hail the queen, Teresa Mendoza is finally back to claim her throne.
Don't miss a moment of the must-see final season of Queen of the South,
premieres tonight after NXT on USA.
Beth, you talked about it moments ago on Peacock,
what has Walter woken up in Tommaso Ciampa?
[Beth] Well, Walter put his hands
on the necklace that his daughter and his wife gave him,
it set off a chain of events, gears in motion, unleashed the psycho killer.
Adam and I have known Ciampa for a long time.
You don't understand. As a parent, a gift from your child is like a talisman,
a reminder when the world gets you down,
of who you are getting back up for.
Tonight, your streak ends.
[Vic] Ciampa, very confident right now.
[Wade] I'm going to be honest with you, Beth,
you're proving Walter's point here.
Ciampa's sole focus is no longer competition.
He splits his time with family now.
Walter though is a true competitor,
hasn't allowed the destruction of family to soften him up.
[Walter's theme plays]
[audience booing]
[Vic] Two years, two days as NXT United Kingdom champion,
the longest champion of the modern era.
There has not been a reign of two years as champion in WWE since the 1980s.
[Beth] Unbelievable presence by Walter. I just want to go back quick.
Did you say family softens you up, Wade?
[Wade] Apparently it did with Tommaso Ciampa.
[Beth] Are you joking? Your child isn't a distraction, it drives your heart.
Your child's presence is a primal instinct that nothing else--
Have you ever confronted a mama bear or a papa bear before?
[Wade] No, I avoid the environment, my dear.
[Beth] Well, that's Tommaso Ciampa tonight, papa bear.
He's been slighted by Walter
and I wouldn't be surprised if Ciampa tore him up.
[inaudible]
[audience clapping and cheering]
[bell rings]
[female announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
Introducing the challenger, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
weighing in at 201 pounds, Tommaso Ciampa.
His opponent, from Vienna, Austria, weighing in at 297 pounds,
representing Imperium,
he is the NXT United Kingdom champion, Walter.
[audience booing]
[Vic] Beth, can Tommaso Ciampa climb the mountain that is Walter?
[Beth] Ciampa has to do that tonight.
There's so many doubters all around him saying that--
He said it himself, they consider him a broken man.
Tonight, he is in the best shape of his life.
I mean, look at this man head to toe.
This is the 2018 Tommaso Ciampa, the psycho killer's unleashed.
[Wade] Let's note he is back in trunks for the first time in a long time.
Maybe he really is turning back the clock.
[crowd chants, "Let's go Ciampa"]
[Vic] Eyes of the world on NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver tonight,
including Drew McIntyre, a former NXT champion,
who's just days away from his WWE clash with Bobby Lashley
at Wrestlemania for the WWE title.
He is expecting absolute carnage in this matchup, via social media.
[Wade] He's been in the ring with both men before
and they grew very well. Speaks very highly of the pair of these two.
[Vic] Again, the NXT Universe in this matchup,
right in the corner of Tommaso Ciampa.
Ciampa's got to be worried of the chops of Walter,
the strength of Walter, and Ciampa, in the best shape of his career.
When you talk to him, he knows what he has to do tonight.
He is focused on toppling Walter
and right into the headlock goes Ciampa.
Ciampa, Beth, no stranger.
It's been over 200 days as NXT champion.
[Beth] A championship that he did not physically lose,
and he knows what it takes to get to that point once again.
Ciampa backed up by Walter.
Walter the larger of the two competitors,
called Tommaso Ciampa a shell of himself.
[Wade] Tommaso Ciampa, at the moment, staying clear from those chops of Walter.
[Vic] Look at Ciampa, laying on Walter now,
beating down the champion. This is the old Tommaso Ciampa.
This is the blackheart oozing through the pores.
You wanted this? You want the blackheart?
Come on. Hey, come on.
[Vic] Ciampa picking up--
Oh! Man!
Just like that.
[audience chanting "Walter"]
[Vic] Walter with one chop, changes everything.
[Wade] It was that easy.
Now Walter. Look at Walter, oh my--
[Wade] Treating Tommaso Ciampa like garbage.
[Vic] Listen to this.
And one more for good measure.
[Wade] Walter caught Tommaso Ciampa twice with that chop.
In the build up to this match, Ciampa had no answer,
but finally, we get a response from Ciampa right in front of us.
-[Vic] Right in front of us. -[Wade] I'll move well back away.
-[all] Oh! -[Wade] He's broke our desk.
[Vic] Walter…
literally just put his hand through our table
and now Ciampa, right on top of the champion again.
Ciampa trying to chop down Walter.
[Wade] Look at the state of the desk.
[Vic] Oh, Walter, just the physical presence of Walter.
[Wade] If he does that to our desk, what will it do to a man's chest?
[Beth] Literally like an axe through wood.
Ciampa, the blood being driven out of his body.
[Wade] There's splinters everywhere.
[Vic] Ciampa looking for Willow's bell, trying to hit Willow's bell is Ciampa.
[Wade] He needs to end this one quickly.
[Vic] Walter able to overpower and overmatch Ciampa
all the way across the ring.
Walter continuing to now physically dominate Ciampa.
[referee] Three! Four!
[Vic] The leader of Imperium who believes the mat is sacred, the purist--
Oh! Ciampa able to block the last chop with his elbow.
[Wade] He needed to do something, that was game over if he didn't.
[Vic] Walter now could be wounded after putting his hand through the desk.
Ciampa trying to hoist up Walter. Ciampa trying to hoist up the champion.
[Beth] Too much damage had been done earlier in the match.
[Wade] Walter is too much of a gargantuan.
[Vic] Walter, again, trying his best, but Ciampa, with the injured hand.
Look at the kicks. Relentless is Ciampa.
[Wade] Walter might have a broken metacarpal here.
[Vic] Ciampa, a different man fighting for different things this time around.
[Beth] The relentless attack, we know what's driving him.
[Vic] That boot to the face almost went right through Tommaso Ciampa,
but look at Walter. Walter is wounded.
Look at the welts forming on the chest of the champion,
but you can also see the welts forming under the jaw of the challenger.
[Wade] I don't know if that was strategy or luck on the side of Ciampa,
but he's effectively taken away
one of Walter's biggest piece of artillery, which is those chops.
[Beth] Please, look at this, guys.
The massive hand just chopping the wood of the desk like it was nothing.
[Wade] I been in and around WWE NXT for the past 14 years,
I've never seen that before.
Now, with a half Boston, center of the ring is a huge Walter.
[Vic] He is huge, Walter. Notice Walter, the inability to use his right hand.
Even the slightest touch from Ciampa, Walter's pulling back.
[Wade] He's lost the chop. He's lost all grip strength too.
[Vic] Tommaso Ciampa trying now to fight a little bit underneath.
Another boot connects under the jaw of the challenger.
[Wade] That is one thing he hasn't lost
and that might be his only pathway to attaining the NXT UK Championship here.
[Vic] Just take a look at our table, at this juncture of the night.
[Wade] I've never seen that before, Vic.
Fourteen years in WWE, that has never happened.
[Vic] Walter again imposing his due will.
Over 730 days as champion,
the battles with Tyler Bate, with Dragunov, who have all pushed Walter.
Some have said, Wade, that Ciampa is kind of a combo of both.
[Wade] Bate and Dragunov, you can sum up with the word strength and tenacity.
Ciampa has both in spades, but perhaps edges both in terms of experience.
Not that that's doing him much good at this point in the match.
[Vic] Look at Walter's entire career here in NXT,
whether it's on Black and Gold brand or NXT UK,
I don't believe anyone has been able to damage Walter
the way that Ciampa has in this matchup.
[Beth] Ciampa was perhaps, somebody that Walter was looking past,
you heard at the pre-show saying Ciampa's the next big challenge.
Looking ahead, he was looking to axe Ciampa.
[Vic] Can Tommaso Ciampa re-find that killer instinct?
What a knee by Walter and it buckled the knees of the challenger.
[Wade] The audience here in the Capitol Wrestling Center
making their opinion loud and clear.
Clearly not happy with Walter,
but the respect this man commands around the world--
I've shared locker rooms with this man before over in Europe
and just the fear and respect when he walks in the room,
and this is why he can dominate the best like Ciampa.
[crowd chants, "Let's go, Ciampa"]
[crowd chants, "Let's go, Walter"]
[Vic] NXT Universe trying to rally Tommaso Ciampa.
Ciampa able to duck the shot, turns around with a clothesline.
Walter now rocked for a moment. Ciampa again connects.
[Wade] Ciampa unsteady on his feet though.
Can he follow this up with something big enough to take Walter off his feet?
[all] Oh!
[Beth] You could see the skin across the chest of Walter lit up red.
[Vic] Ciampa continuing to try to chop down Walter.
Can he topple the big man here tonight?
Ciampa again continuing the offensive onslaught onto Walter.
Walter again clocked from behind.
Ciampa trying to run right through the champion.
[Wade] The pace is quickening.
Tommaso Ciampa somehow, from somewhere,
fInding a second or maybe a fifth wind at this point.
[Beth] Walter somehow continuing to stay on his feet.
[Wade] I don't know where Ciampa is getting this endurance from at this point.
-He's running a marathon in there. -[Vic] Boom!
[Beth] Ciampa being a human sledgehammer.
[Vic] Ciampa will not be denied.
[Beth] You guys keeping count?
[Wade] He took about six nails at this point.
Oh! That's all it took, or is it?
-[Vic] Ciampa's back to his feet. -[Wade] Oh!
[Vic] You wanted the 2018 psycho killer? Walter, you got him.
Ciampa hoisting up Walter.
Ciampa driving the champion down.
Cover. Do we have a new champion?
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Tommaso Ciampa looking to become the first superstar
to win the NXT and NXT United Kingdom champions.
[crowd chants, "This is awesome"]
[Vic] This indeed is awesome.
[Beth] No doubt that the fire has been lit in Tommaso Ciampa,
fInding the strength
to hoist the body of Walter in the air and drop him.
[Vic] Ciampa now, a couple of succession of knees,
trying to hook in the fairy tale ending.
Can Ciampa hoist up Walter?
Walter, though, hoisting up the challenger.
Oh! Shoulders down, title on the line.
Ciampa able to roll through, but look at Ciampa, trying not to break the hold.
Walter trying to break it with Walter's hand.
[Wade] Walter cannot get his way out of this.
This is the most precarious position Walter has found himself
in in his entire reign over two years as a champ.
[Vic] Ciampa is energized. Ciampa, oh, my!
I don't believe anyone has ever,
ever been that close to dethroning Walter.
You could've slid a piece of paper under the official's hand.
[Wade] The question is
what on earth can The General Walter do at this point with a limp hand?
-His best weapon is gone. -[Vic] Oh, what a knee.
[Wade] Look at the momentum behind Tommaso Ciampa. Come on, Tommaso.
[Vic] A knee to the side of Walter's face. He's staggering back to his feet.
He caught Ciampa. He caught Ciampa going for the sleeper,
but Ciampa right back to the finger, trying to bend back that injured hand.
Walter having to relinquishing the hold. Walter with one arm.
-[Wade] Back on that move. -[referee] Hands on the rope, Walter.
[Vic] Ciampa gets to the rope, breaks the hold.
-[Wade] German suplex release. -[Vic] What a clothesline.
Walter, after that huge lariat into the cover, Ciampa kicks out.
[Beth] What an incredible moment here.
You see Ciampa dumped high on that neck.
Once again followed up so quickly. It was not enough.
How on earth did Ciampa kick out after that?
[Wade] That hand is in a mess.
Look at the state of Walter, running through that rolodex of moves in his head.
What can he do without the use of that right hand?
[Vic] He's only got one hand, does Walter.
Walter now looking for the powerbomb. Ciampa trying to block it,
but again, Walter's strength, to your point, Wade, and look at the hand.
-[Wade] He gave it away. -[Vic] Ciampa doing anything he can.
Walter, oh, kick to the spine.
Walter right back in with a forearm.
Ciampa staggered now. Another clothesline.
Ciampa looking for the submission.
[Wade] What a wrench on that wrist. The damage, the hand is pulled back.
[Vic] Is Walter going to tap out? Walter center of the ring.
Ciampa's bending. Ciampa's fighting trying to find that killer instinct.
[Beth] Ciampa digging deep and driving, thinking about his daughter,
the disrespect when Walter put his hands on that necklace.
[Vic] Walter able to get to the bottom rope.
Ciampa's still holding on to the fingers, still bending back the hand.
[Wade] He's got a count of five, Vic.
[referee] You alright?
[Vic] Ciampa using every second of that count of five.
[Wade] Walter is in complete disarray. Nobody wrote this one.
This was not in the stars for the evening.
[Beth] Can you believe seeing Walter in the fetal position like this?
[Vic] It certainly feels like 2018.
[Wade] He's totally not covering himself up.
[Vic] Ciampa trying to stay composed.
Does not want to get himself disqualified in this matchup.
[Wade] Ciampa's not even breathing heavy.
[Beth] That's the conditioning.
[Vic] Ciampa again, looking for Willow's bell.
Walter though almost out of desperation.
[Wade] Throws across the top rope there. Just genius from Walter.
He had to pull something out of the bag. He was about to lose the UK Championship.
[Beth] We know the history of injury of Tommaso Ciampa's neck,
and Walter targeting that like a shark to blood.
[Wade] Oh, these left hands might not have as much power as the right,
but simply effective.
The bruising opening up on the chest of Tommaso Ciampa.
[Vic] Ciampa back to the hand. To the hand.
-[Wade] Whoa. -[Vic] Wait now.
[Vic] Challenger relentless.
Walter with one headbutt, rocking back the challenger.
[Beth] Walter is all about quality not quantity.
-[crowd chants, "Let's go, Walter"] -[crowd chants, "Let's go, Ciampa"]
[Vic] Take a look at the Capitol Wrestling Center. NXT TakeOver.
NXT TakeOver, the number one trend right now in the United States.
Can Ciampa prove to be the number one man in the United Kingdom?
He's got to get through Walter who's never lost a one-on-one matchup.
Walter now teetering.
Oh, my god. Ciampa, Ciampa, Ciampa.
Holding onto Walter.
[Wade] Oh!
[Vic] Ciampa into the cover. Two,
Oh! Come on.
[Wade] If that didn't do it, what on earth will put Walter away?
[Beth] Take a look at this spectacular moment.
In mid-air, holding the bodyweight of Walter
with his own weight crashing down, and yet, Walter continues to survive.
[Wade] We are witnessing two beasts colliding in this ring.
[crowd chants, "Fight forever"]
[Vic] "Fight forever" ringing out throughout the Capitol Wrestling Center.
[Vic] It's almost getting inhumane at this point, Vic.
[Beth] I told you this was going to be animalistic, Wade.
[Vic] We know Tommaso Ciampa is battle tested, as is Walter.
Both would have to bring their very best here tonight.
You can see the blood blisters forming on the chest of Walter.
[Wade] There's nothing Walter can do at this point. Agony--
Wait a minute. Busted through that one.
[Vic] Walter able to step through. Walter, though.
Oh! Answering back with the left hand. Ciampa continuing to fight.
[Wade] Those lefts from Walter do not have the same impact as those rights.
[Vic] Walter catching Ciampa.
Walter, now, just trying to keep Ciampa down.
Walter now, looking for the pin, trying to use his size.
Look at the neck, look at the strength. Oh!
[Wade] Oh, the boot on the jaw.
[Vic] Oh! Beth, you brought up the neck surgeries,
the injury history. Walter doesn't care.
Powerbomb.
[Wade] Just a volley of moves,
attacking the upper back and neck of Tommaso Ciampa.
Once again, another powerbomb.
[Vic] Cover. Count. Ciampa kicked out.
[crowd chants, "Ciampa"]
[crowd chants, "This is awesome"]
[Vic] This indeed is awesome.
Oh! Ciampa turned inside out by Walter.
-[Vic] Ciampa back to his feet. -[Wade] Manages to rise again.
Dropped Ciampa, cover, Walter retains.
-[bell rings] -[Walter's music plays]
[female announcer] Here is your winner,
and still the NXT United Kingdom champion,
Walter.
[Vic] You can never question the heart of Tommaso Ciampa
who just left everything in the ring.
[Beth] One of the most stunning, physical encounters
I have ever witnessed on NXT TakeOver.
Both of these men brought it to a new level in the ring tonight.
[Wade] I said that family had made Tommaso Ciampa soft.
I was wrong. Tommaso Ciampa just fought himself through things nobody else would.
[Beth] Speaking of putting something through wood,
let's take a look at this over here.
Boom! You see Walter's hand literally chopping our announce desk in half.
[Wade] Take another glimpse here.
Tommaso Ciampa attacking that right fist of Walter.
[Beth] In this moment here was Ciampa's best opportunity
at besting the NXT UK champion.
In this moment, getting up after everything happening--
just the last second, Walter kicked out.
[Wade] The falling powerbomb attempt, tight pinfall, cover from Walter.
Not enough.
Really questioning what on earth was it going to take to put away Ciampa.
We saw this German suplex followed up by a right hand, bare ball to the chest.
That was finally enough to put away Tommaso Ciampa.
What a game challenger he was.
[Vic] What a match. What a defense for Walter.
Take nothing away from Tommaso Ciampa, as Walter now being flanked by Imperium.
The historic reign of The Ring General continues.
[tension music]
[Beth] Adorable little doggie.
We'll find who Franky Monet is coming up next Tuesday.
[Vic] We are kicking off the biggest week of the year.
As you can see, images from London, England, earlier this week.
The world is ready for Wrestlemania.
Wrestlemania, truly a global phenomenon
and one that has turned into a week-long event.
I want to thank our friends at BT Sport.
Speaking of Wrestlemania, you can only view it exclusively on Peacock.
You can sign up right now. Peacocktv.com/WWE
or make it a little bit easier, take out your phone right now.
Open your camera and take a photo of the QR code.
Scan that QR code at the bottom of your screen.
Get 50% off Peacock premium. That's just $2.50 a month.
[Beth] With Peacock premium,
you'll have full exclusive access to WWE Network including Wrestlemania,
plus hundreds of big movies and shows, Peacock originals, live sports
and so much more, all on Peacock. Sign up now.
[Vic] I can't wait for the grandest stage of them all
this Saturday and Sunday, but how about what's coming up next?
The vacated NXT Tag Team Championship.
One of these three teams will be crowned
our new NXT Tag Team champions in this match next.
Bronson Reed, congratulations.
You just won the Gauntlet Eliminator match.
You're going on to face Johnny Gargano
for the NXT North American Championship tomorrow.
How are you feeling?
I feel fantastic. This has been 14 years of hard work.
Tomorrow night, I'm going to beat Johnny Gargano.
14 years, congratulations. 14 years. What a dream come true.
You had your TakeOver moment. You earned it.
Tomorrow night, tomorrow night, reality is going to hit you
when you get in the ring with the best TakeOver performer of all time.
Tomorrow night, Bronson, it is the biggest match of your life.
You better fill up your gas tank, big boy, because I'm fresh as a daisy.
Congrats. Enjoy the night. Tomorrow, different story.
[Vic] Will Bronson Reed call himself the North American champion?
We're about to find out who will call themselves the new NXT Tag Team champs.
[bell rings]
[female announcer] The following is a triple threat match
for the vacated NXT Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first, Nash Carter, Wes Lee, MSK.
[Vic] They're wild and they're free.
Beth, they may just be the next NXT title holders.
[Beth] I am so excited to see these two back.
Their journey here, how hard they've worked,
cut short, of course, by the Grizzled Young Veterans,
injuring Wes Lee's hand.
Now, they are back to claim what they earned
through their compatible performance in the Dusty Cup.
You may be looking at your NXT Tag Team champions.
[entrance music]
[female announcer] Next, Legado del Fantasma.
[Vic] Huge opportunity for Mendoza, for Wilde. Also for MSK.
Look, like Legado del Fantasma or not,
they have certainly have come together as a duo and a trio
over the last several months.
[Beth] They been hitting their stride, of course, with Escobar at the helmet.
That's what it's all about, bringing the NXT Tag Team championships home
beside the cruiserweight champion, Escobar.
[entrance music]
[female announcer] James Drake and Liverpool's number one, Zack Gibson,
Grizzled Young Veterans.
[hard rock music]
[Vic] Teresa Mendoza is finally back to claim her throne.
Don't miss a moment of the must-see final season of Queen of the South.
Premieres next after NXT on USA.
What a triple threat match we are set for.
[Wada] Really excited to see the Grizzled Young Veterans today.
They took over the NXT social media account,
I was honored they invited me to be the third member
of the Grizzled Young Veterans.
[Beth] How much were they going to pay you?
[Vic] You really don't qualify for the young part of that.
-[Wade] Oh, come on. -[Vic] Triple threat match,
first team pinfall submission earns the championships.
No count-outs, no disqualifications.
Right now, there's Wilde who tags in Mendoza.
As this match-- over the last several weeks,
you talked about the Tag Team titles, Wade.
Have some people forgotten about-- I don't know if Fantasma--
[Wade] Yes, of course. Let's not forget, the finalists of the Dusty Cup
were indeed MSK and the Grizzled Young Veterans.
People have forgotten the fact that Legado del Fantasma,
great semifinalist, they have grown and grown over the past 12 months
under the mentorship of Santos Escobar, and it would behoove them
to fly under the radar and use that to this advantage.
Look at this. What I like about Joaquin Wilde--
[Vic] Oh! Cover by Mendoza, Gibson able to break things up at two.
[Wade] Calls that dance the Papacito dance.
Thinks he's the got guy,
but clearly Zack Gibson wants to take matters into his own hands here.
He goes straight back to that hand
of Wes Lee that was damaged not so long ago.
[Vic] That's right. MSK finally back and feeling healthy and healed,
and there's a lot of unsettled--
Well, there's a lot of things going on between MSK and Grizzled Young Veterans.
[Beth] A lot of turmoil between these two teams,
and let's not forget, this is MSK's very first match of this caliber.
The vacant Tag Team titles have been on the horizon for them for so long.
There's got to be a lot of nerves going through their minds.
[Vic] As the danger of a triple threat match.
You got to have eyes in the back of your head, as Mendoza--
Oh! Gibson able to turn things around.
Cheap shot knocking down Wilde, and just like they always do,
Grizzled Young Veterans trying to capitalize
on their opponents' mistakes, divide and conquer.
[Wade] These two are teamwork personified.
[Vic] Number one trend all night long has been NXT TakeOver.
[Wade] There is no tighter Tag Team than the Grizzled Young Veterans.
[Vic] Nash Carter flying through the air, takes out Gibson,
but James Drake, the legal superstar of the two.
[Beth] James Drake took some time to retool his--
[Vic] Another cover.
[Beth] Training and add 20 pounds of muscle to his physique.
Always looking to improve.
[Vic] We're about to find out who will be the new NXT Tag Team champions
as we move to Tuesdays.
This upcoming Tuesday on USA will be one of these three teams.
Drake with another nasty left hand.
Grizzled Young Veterans, they could join rare air tonight, Beth.
Only the fabulous freebirds have won vacated titles twice.
Of course, we're also mentioning the NXT UK Tag Team titles
Grizzled Young Veterans won while vacated.
[Beth] A phenomenal class of legends to join them,
and the Grizzled Veterans consider themselves legends.
-Wade, you can speak to that. -[Wade] Let's be honest,
they're impressive. They have a great resume.
They've been to the finals of the Dusty Cup twice.
[Vic] Another cover, and another kick out.
[Wade] I think they're going to go one better tonight and win the big one in NXT
and become the new Tag Team champs.
[Vic] Talking about a resume, they made it to the finals.
How about the resume the team that won it? Nash Carter and Wes Lee, MSK.
[Wade] I'm taking nothing away from them,
but you could've split that match by a hair.
There was nothing in it at the end.
[Beth] I think the GYV is intimidated by MSK judging by the fact
that they had to do something dirty
and break Wes Lee's hand to avoid a confrontation.
These Tag Team titles vacated after the injury sustained by Danny Burch.
We know Burch and Lorcan watching somewhere very closely
as again, Legado del Fantasma isolated in this place
into the game plan of Drake and Gibson.
[Wade] There was a lot of chaos
in the beginning of this matchup. Now, the veterans have taken--
[Vic] Another cover, forearm across the face, Carter kicks out at two.
[Wade] They're in complete control.
Legado del Fantasma have been laid to waste, apparently.
Now, it's really turned into a single tag team match at this point.
[Beth] It behooves the GYV to keep that ring cut off
and keep Carter in their corner,
not allowing him to make the tag or allow legado back in the matchup.
There's that nastiness of James Drake and Zack Gibson.
You know, James Drake used to be a real nice boy until he paired up with Gibson,
who got this nasty edge to himself, which I've got to admit, I love it.
[Vic] Looking for a suplex, Carter able to float over,
makes the tag, Wes Lee making his way back in to the midsection.
Take a look at the speed, take a look at the combination offense.
MSK starting to rock and roll in this match.
[Wade] Just an ingenious duo that have taken NXT by storm from the word go.
[Vic] Tag was made, Carter is legal.
Grizzled Young Veterans don't realize it. They may now.
Up and down.
[Beth] Shades of the Hardy Boyz, simple and effective.
[Vic] Wait a minute, back in the ring, Mendoza.
Tag, Wilde's now legal.
Legado del Fantasma picking their moments.
[Wade] High-flying daredevils themselves.
[Vic] Look out for Raúl Mendoza,
he's been waiting a long time for this moment,
as we go back, Nash Carter, up and down.
Not to be outdone, Legado del Fantasma doing the same thing.
Before Raúl Mendoza made his debut in the Cruiserweight Classic,
nearly five years to make it to this stage,
five years of grInding to make it to TakeOver.
There's a lot on the line for Legado del Fantasma.
[Wade] That is indeed a long way,
but look at what happens when you pair up with Santos Escobar.
In my mind, the real cruiserweight champion.
[Beth] Well, that remains up to debate, Wade,
and we'll find out in our ladder match on night two, as Devlin takes on Escobar.
[Vic] Wait a minute, cover. Gibson, quickly,
he saw him coming in the ring to break up that count very quickly.
[referee] Hey, boys. Boys, no.
You're not legal. Come on.
Get out of the ring.
[Vic] Legado del Fantasma taking advantage of their numbers situation on Gibson.
[Wade] Yes, the street mugging, two-on-one on the scalps of Zack.
[Vic] Don't miss a moment on-- we won't leave you,
we'll be here throughout the Peacock--
However, don't miss a second of our action.
Commercial break coming up on USA.
[Vic] As we mentioned, we're not going anywhere here on Peacock.
Float over into the cover,
Mendoza nearly captured the tag team titles
from Legado del Fantasma.
[Beth] Wade, you didn't really like it
when GYV had a little bit of their medicine dished back to them.
[Wade] I'm fine with it. The streets of Liverpool where Gibson grew up,
he's had that before coming out of the pubs there.
I lived in Liverpool, I know all about that.
[Vic] Guys, we need to focus on Legado del Fantasma.
Look at Wilde and Mendoza working as a well-oiled unit.
Into the cover again on Nash Carter. Carter has to kick out at two.
[Beth] Legado has completely changed the landscape of this matchup
in a blink of an eye, taking out two teams.
[Vic] Legado del Fantasma, if you go back to the start of this matchup,
smart strategy, laying and waiting around, finally picked their spot.
Take yourself a little breather.
[Vic] Another cover, and another kick out by Carter.
[Wade] Let the other two teams tear each other apart
and then come in and pick the spoils.
Nash Carter desperate, looking over at Wes Lee.
Take a look, Grizzled Young Veterans, they have been isolated in this matchup.
Is the time now for Mendoza and Wilde?
[audience cheering]
Triple threat match continuing for the vacated NXT Tag Team titles.
Mendoza and Wilde, though, have been on a mission,
have been fluid, have been almost sensational,
have been physically dissecting the competition.
[Wade] Yes, do not sleep on this pair. These two are real contenders here.
[Vic] Look at the quick tags.
[Beth] They've come in with a focus strategy.
They know these other two teams so well.
They're not going to allow them to get an advantage at any point.
[Wade] This is the best this tag team has ever looked.
Legado del Fantasma, count me impressed.
[Beth] This is NXT TakeOver, and everybody is bringing their a game.
[Vic] One more time by Mendoza, and another tag [Indistinct] Wilde.
Another tag from Mendoza. Double suplex.
Nash Carter is being taken to the clinic right now.
Off the moonsault.
Hook of the leg and a near fall,
but, Beth, how much more can Nash Carter have left?
[Beth] I think you have to bring forward
the connection between Carter and Lee, how long they've been friends--
[Vic] Drake from behind, shoulders down.
Another near fall.
[Wade] Almost stealing the match was James Drake there from Raúl Mendoza
after that head of steam that Mendoza had built up.
[Beth] Excellent opportunistic move by Drake, continuing to interject himself.
[Vic] It's the dangers of the triple threat match
in action all over the place.
Finally, Carter makes the tag and in comes Wes Lee,
able to let it now-- No wasted motion.
Lee hitting everything that moves.
Look at that roundhouse kick.
Shots to the body, to the ribs. Combination offense.
Snapmare takes down Drake. Dropkick right to the back.
[Wade] Just no way to block this kind of offense.
[Vic] Caution being thrown to the wind by Wes Lee.
Whoa!
Let's go.
[audience cheering]
[Beth] Talk about amped up.
-[all] Oh! -[Vic] What a kick.
[Wade] Leaping peleé kick from James Drake.
[Vic] Tag is made. In comes Nash Carter.
Carter now, we have seen this in the past, thing of beauty.
Carter connects. Cover, do we have--
Another near-fall, as Drake able to kick out at two.
[Wade] The defiance of physics there from MSK. What an unpredictable duo.
[Beth] This match has my heart beating so fast, Wade.
I can barely keep track.
[Wade] You see Nash calling for that, attempting to pick up James Drake.
A momentary pause
and Zack Gibson, of course, on the outside, up to no good.
We have seen this before from the--
Oh!
[Wade] Knee to the jaw across James Drake.
Now, Carter crawling to make the tag, but Lee, not under the apron.
[Wada] Legado del Fantasma out of nowhere, back to take over complete control.
Twisting suplex there from Raúl Mendoza.
Again, a fresh Wes Lee entering the matchup.
[Vic] Wes Lee, up, two for one.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Now, Lee turns his attention to Drake.
Drake, both men over, out of the corner.
We know about Nash Carter's dad. We know what it means for MSK to succeed.
Gibson with a cheap shot right to the Adam's apple.
[Wade] We know about that, but how good Zack Gibson is too.
We're witnessing it first-hand. Again, perhaps, attacking that hand of Wes Lee.
[Vic] Wait a minute. That that injured hand.
[Wade] He's going to drop them.
-[Beth] No, no, no. -[Vic] Come on. No.
[Wade] Genius.
[Vic] No disqualification. Triple threat rules.
[Wade] The hand of Wes Lee crushed in that turnbuckle.
Now, Zack Gibson attempting to capitalize.
Put him away, Zack.
[Vic] Gibson, now, can physically dissect, can physically dominate Wes Lee.
Nash Carter's down. Mendoza down. Wilde is down.
[Wade] Oh, the shankly gates, shankly gates.
This is how Zack got to win the UK tournament in 2018.
[Vic] Can Wes Lee hold on? Nash Carter trying to interfere.
Drake cutting off Carter. Shankly gates is locked in.
[Wade] MSK tied up, Vic.
[Vic] Pain in the body. Is Lee going to tap?
Lee's going to tap. Lee is going to tap.
Carter got Lee's hand. Carter got Lee's hand.
[Berh] Carter not allowing Lee to tap, the best friend.
[Wade] Lee's trying to tap out. Referee, stop the match.
[Vic] You got to fight it through, Lee.
Shankly gates, I can only imagine the pain shooting through the body.
-[Beth] Side-by-side. -[Vic] Mendoza broke it up.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Mendoza now, dropping Drake. Wilde to the top.
-[Wade] The demolition. -[Vic] Legado!
Mendoza now is in Legado del Fantasma's destiny.
On the hand, that injured hand of Wes Lee.
[audience cheering]
[Wade] Wes Lee is in a complete mess. Everybody else in the match is down.
[Vic] This is the moment. Mendoza, Wilde, cover, count.
Oh! Absolute disbelief.
[Wade] Despondency etched all over the face of Legado del Fantasma.
That is the prize, the NXT Tag title.
They can taste them, but somehow, Wes Lee continues in the matchup.
[Beth] That is what's on the heart and the minds of MSK,
keeping them in this matchup.
[Vic] Again, no count-out, no disqualification
in this triple threat matchup.
[Wade] All six men involved in brawls at this point.
[Vic] Everything starting to break down.
Wait. Is that Drake?
-[all] Oh! -[Vic] Doomsday Device.
[Wade] Topeé Doomsday of sorts. We've seen that before.
[Vic] Mendoza now, up on the shoulders of Carter. Wes Lee.
Mendoza's done for.
[Beth] Mendoza's body crashing to the mat across the ribs and sternum. MSK--
[Wade] MSK is stern. They can barely stand up, if you're asking me.
Grizzled Young Veterans look like the freshest duo.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] The finals of the Dusty Cup revisited.
Who wants it more?
[audience chanting "This is awesome"]
[Vic] How bad do you want it? You got to fight for it.
[Wade] We have ourselves a brawl at this point in the matchup.
You asked me who the best brawlers are, it's Grizzled Young Veterans.
[Beth] To offset it, you've got the electricity of MSK.
[Vic] Looking for the ticket to mayhem, countered by Carter.
Carter goes up, goes--
Oh! Double cutter, a double cutter.
[Wade] Never seen before.
No defense designed for something like that.
[Vic] Carter makes the tag to Wes Lee.
[Wade] MSK is smelling blood.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Wes Lee now, Gibson, nowhere to go.
Lee into the cover, hooks the leg. MSK.
-[audience cheering] -[bell rings]
[MSK's music plays]
[Vic] The dream was surreal.
It had to come true for Lee and Carter.
[Wade] Unbelievable. New NXT Tag Team Champions.
What a chaotic matchup. What a performance from all three teams.
The Grizzled Young Veterans, once again,
millimeters from glory, but this duo who have taken the world by storm
since arriving here in NXT, are finally crowned the new NXT Tag Team champions.
[Vic] Beth, what a journey from MSK.
We got to go back, because Wes Lee had to fight through adversity.
[Beth] You're right. Be coming in with a very specific agenda,
but you see here, the teamwork, the friendship, the rapport.
There is no quit in MSK.
They are there for one another in every moment through all the suffering.
[Wade] Once again, more on the ingenuity.
What a performance from Legado del Fantasma.
This was their moment in the matchup,
where they looked like they were going to take over until of course,
this Doomsday Device from the Grizzled Young Veterans teared them up for good.
[Vic] Now, to be followed up on the other side of the ring,
Mendoza would suffer the same fate as his tag-team partner,
and much like the Dusty Cup finals,
MSK able to rise and overcome the Grizzled Young Veterans
to fulfill their destiny.
[female announcer] Here are your winners
and the new NXT Tag Team champions,
MSK.
[audience chanting "MSK"]
[Vic] What a moment. Let the emotions flow.
We have new NXT Tag Team champion.
[Beth] I'm just so happy, so proud of these guys.
You could see the emotion just pouring out of both of them.
It's the moment they've dreamed of since they were little.
[Vic] The legacy is just beginning for MSK.
[Wade] They are the future, and the future is now. What a duo.
[Vic] What more can we say?
What a night it has been here for night one.
We still have our main event to get to,
but Wade, let's talk about what's going to happen tomorrow night,
exclusively streaming on Peacock.
[Wade] Oh, my word. We saw it earlier tonight,
the winner of the Gauntlet, Bronson Reed goes onto night two.
Tomorrow night, he will challenge the North American champion, Gargano.
[Beth] Speaking of championships,
the firepit wanting to shine on NXT's biggest stage,
can lerae slam the breaks on the Tag Team champion's momentum?
[Vic] Speaking of championships, the NXT Cruiserweight Championship
will be held and suspended high above the ring,
as Santos Escobar goes up against Jordan Devlin
to unify the Cruiserweight Championship.
We will find out once and for all
who is the undisputed NXT Cruiserweight champion of the world.
[Wade] In our co-main event,
the NXT championship on the line.
The undefeated Karrion Korss challenges
the, perhaps, unbeatable, "The Prince" Finn Balor.
[Beth] Of course, our anticipated other co-main event,
the uncontainable rage has rised to this moment.
NXT will not be held liable
when Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly meet
in this unsanctioned matchup tomorrow night, night two.
[pop music]
That's not all guys because Poppy's going to perform live.
Exclusively here, night two on Peacock, Poppy will be in the house.
That's tomorrow night.
How about what's coming up next?
It's our main event, Io Shirai, the Genius of the Sky,
takes on her toughest test to date, in Raquel González.
In our main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one,
it's commercial-free, and it's next.
[male announcer] During the biggest weekend sports entertainment,
the biggest and brightest stars of NXT UK will make their mark.
[Vic] European wrestling history will take place at NXT UK prelude.
[male announcer] The best in the world, Meiko Satomura
teams up with the returning Emilia McKenzie
against the NXT UK Women's champion Kay Lee Ray
and the vIndictive Isla Dawn.
It's NXT UK Prelude,
tomorrow 3 pm est, 8 pm British summer time, streaming on Peacock.
[Raquel] In the past year, Raquel González has changed.
[Beth] Oh my god, it's Raquel González.
[Raquel] I have been running the NXT Women's Division.
[Vic] Power bomb onto Shirai, and Raquel González has won Women's Wargames.
[Wade] Once upon a time, Raquel González was known as the insurance policy,
that performance has her in the stakes of being a mega star
the NXT Women's Division is recognized as the best Women's Division in the world.
[Beth] This makes me so excited to see how far we've come.
No one can compare to Raquel.
She is all muscle and the most dominant force.
[Wade] She is the biggest badass in NXT.
[Vic] Raquel is the last woman standing.
Io Shirai is loca, she is crazy.
The things I've seen her do, it makes sense why she's NXT Women's champion.
[commentator] That is just sadistic, that is mean, that is Io Shirai.
The overall competitor of the year is Io Shirai.
[Wade] Io Shirai takes to the sky and brings down the house.
[Vic] Io Shirai continues to show the NXT Women's division belongs to her.
[Io speakin in a foreign language]
You're looking at the biggest and the baddest woman in this industry.
I want you next.
She made a big mistake by handing me this contract.
Her title reign has an expiration date.
You cannot kill me.
[Wade] You just can't keep Io Shirai down.
What do you have to throw at the NXT Women's champion?
[Beth] Io Shirai continues to forge forward
despite everything González has done to her.
[Raquel] I have turned myself into a beast.
I've beaten the best in NXT.
I am the brick wall that nobody can get through.
[Io speaking in a foreign language]
"And still Women's champion, Io Shirai."
[Vic] It's the main event of night one, González-Shirai for the NXT Women's title.
Ready, girls?
What?
You will not laugh or giggle.
-Let's do this. -Bring it.
Luke and I are teamed in a hotdog eating contest.
Aye, aye, captain.
Oh my.
Whoa! Boom!
[Vic] If you're not excited, you better check your pulse.
You've got to work with what you got and we've got each other.
I knew it the whole time, buddy.
-Wow. -Yeah!
[music]
[Beth] What a huge night it's been.
Here to watch our main event, new signee, "Warrior of the Sun" Sarray
and, of course, a woman that's been at the forefront of the women's evolution,
WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon,
no doubt is excited to see these two women tear it up, as all of us.
[Vic] Can't wait to see Sarray in action,
I'm sure Steph McMahon feels the same way, but--
Wait, it is time for the main event.
[Wade] The biggest match in this lady's career. Raquel González,
can she capture the gold tonight?
[audience booing]
[Vic] To do so, she will have to dethrone the Genius of the Sky.
[audience cheering]
This is what we have been waiting for, Beth, tonight the NXT women's title.
[Beth] It doesn't get any bigger than this, Vic.
Generations of women, and we keep talking about this,
making history over and over.
[Raquel González's music plays]
[Beth] For a moment like this for Raquel González,
she is full of nerves, but full of excitement
because she knows what this means to etch her name in the history books.
[audience booing]
[Vic] Barrett, wherever González goes, destruction surely follows.
[Wade] We have witnessed Raquel González
smash furniture, walls, barricades, and most importantly of all,
every single one of her opponents, she has stepped in the ring with,
and talking about destruction today, will destroy the reign of Io Shirai tonight.
[Vic] Beth, as someone who was physically denominating during her time in the ring,
like in your hall of fame career, is tonight the night for Raquel González?
[Beth] Raquel González has been checking all the boxes
physically, emotionally, mentally.
My heart is telling me this will be her night.
[Io Shirai's music plays]
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Can Io Shirai rise to the occasion once more?
[Beth] We're talking about NXT TakeOver,
where Io Shirai makes moments that live in history forever.
Rising to the occasion is just what she does,
she demanded this opportunity against Raquel González
because she knows the force that González is.
She wants to continue to prove herself
as the most dominant Women's champion in recent history.
[Vic] Just receiving word that WWE Hall of famer, Lita,
has joined our watch along crew.
Everyone has eyes on NXT TakeOver,
everyone's eyes are glued right now on our main event,
highlighting the best Women's division in the world.
[bell rings]
[female announcer] The following contest scheduled for one-fall
is for the NXT Women's Championship.
[audience cheering]
[female announcer] Introducing the challenger,
from Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Raquel González.
[audience booing]
Her opponent from Tokyo, Japan,
she is NXT Women's champion,
io Shirai.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] As you can see the accolades, 300 plus days as NXT Women's champion.
Only two other women have held the title for 300 days in a row,
Women's champion, currently Asuka,
one half of the current WWE Women's Tag Team champion, Shayna Baszler.
[Beth] The tale of the tape is cool and everything,
but I'm looking at the face of Io Shirai,
and there is no place she is more comfortable…
[bell rings]
…or confident than in this ring.
[Vic] Shirai chargingat González,
and it was Shirai that said she will not die.
[Wade] Absolutely not, trying to catch Raquel González cold.
Of course, you would imagine some nerves in the challenger, Raquel González,
biggest match of her career.
González riding that early storm,
and as I would've imagined, taking control of this one.
[Vic] González, of course, has beaten Io Shirai in the past.
Do you think there doubt in the champion right now, Beth?
[Wade] There has to be, take a-- I'm sorry, Beth, what's your opinion?
[Beth] Oh no, no worries, Wade. My opinion is,
obviously, there's got to be some doubt in Io's mind,
because of that one moment.
That's what she's here to vanquish, to eliminate, erase that moment.
[Vic] Whoa. There's the strength of González on display,
but the Genius, Io Shirai using her smarts.
Now, Shirai charging right in,
but again, just being overpowered by González at this moment.
[Wade] González, of course, all power and strength in this one.
Io Shirai claims she can beat González
with a combination of high flying and quickness.
[Vic] For Io Shirai, has to use her quickness,
but we got to remember the X-Factor in Dakota Kai on the outside of the ring.
[Wade] Oh, my word. The powerhouse in the match, Raquel González
already taken off her feet here.
Shirai doing some real damage to Raquel González.
[Beth] We can't forget the physicality that we saw on TV last week
when Raquel González continued to level Io Shirai over and over again
and nothing could keep her down.
[Wade] I got to say, Vic, you mentioned Kai might be the X-Factor in this one.
Remember, Dakota Kai took on Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver 30.
Very close matchup, as we see Raquel González once again,
powering out of this one.
-[Wade] Thrown to the outside. -[Vic] González all the way to the floor.
Io Shirai putting a little separation.
Shirai now, will throw caution to the wind whenever she can.
[audience cheering]
[Wade] Just putting her body on the line
in pursuit of this defense of the NXT Championship.
As I was saying though, Dakota Kai has that-- Oh!
[Vic] Wait a minute.
[Wade] Involving herself in the matchup early on here.
[audience booing]
[Beth] You spoken in repeated, Wade.
[Vic] We can forget about the X-Factor.
Dakota Kai is gone.
Io Shirai, now, somewhat a level playing field.
Shirai, could she capitalize now?
González, a little bit of time, able to regroup.
Shirai not able to connect.
Oh, certainly connected.
[Wade] Swinging pendulum back heel there to the chest of Raquel González.
[Vic] Shirai, no stranger to TakeOver. This, her fourth championship defense.
[Vic] Up and over with the moonsault, wiping out González.
Look, Io Shirai raised some eyebrows calling the challenger a meathead
during the global press conference.
[Wade] Here's the thing, as you see Raquel González once again taking off.
[Vic] Oh! Lawn darting the champion.
[Wade] Shoulder first into that pole.
Io did indeed call Raquel a meathead at the global press conference.
I don't believe a word of that.
That's to me is Shirai showing some nerve,
trying to get under the skin of Raquel González.
[Vic] Another count in the ring and González--
[Wade] Why? Because Io Shirai is nervous. She's scared.
She realizes what a threat Raquel González is.
[Vic] Beth, of course, early on in your career,
you had to step up to the plate. You had your first championship opportunity.
[audience chanting "Let's go Raquel" and "Let's go Io"]
This is González's first opportunity. Do you see any nerves in the challenger,
who again is into a cover and another near-fall?
[Beth] I'm looking at the screen and if she has any nerves,
they're not on display or affecting her performance.
Look, this is the biggest match of her career up to this point.
Let's take a look at this right here.
González's performance, utterly dominant throughout this matchup,
but despite what Shirai's been throwing at her.
You know what? You have to have that self-belief
when you're going into a big matchup like that.
[Wade] Both ladies setting their score out very early.
Exactly what you would expect,
the high-flying ability of the Genius of the Sky,
Io Shirai against the powerhouse, Raquel González.
[Vic] Oh! González hooks the leg
and Shirai able to kick out again at two.
This may be a point of emphasis throughout the night,
González being able to keep her composure as this match carries on.
[Beth] González has had to stew in the fact
of what happened last week, all week thinking about that.
Putting Io Shirai through a wall was not enough to stop her from--
[Vic] Another cover, off the trifecta of elbows,
and a kick-out by Shirai, one more time.
[Vic] González having her way physically now with the champion.
It almost seems that González, Beth, was able to weather that early storm.
[Beth] González, a durable athlete, in spectacular shape herself.
Take a look at the power here, just muscling up Io Shirai.
[Vic] Second time, again, Shirai able to land on her feet.
Shirai, now going to try to chop down González.
Shirai who has carried this Women's Division for nearly a year
has defeated everyone in her path.
Wants to be the best, to continue to be the best,
in the best Women's Division in all the world.
She will literally take on every challenger.
[Beth] You're seeing the best of the best right now.
Hall of famers watching this matchup,
and Shirai's being bent in ways it's not meant to be.
[Wade] Just a torturous hold here from Raquel González.
She has to continue this high-impact offense of Io Shirai.
Take it to the champion.
Take one back step against Io Shirai, and you are done for.
[Vic] Shirai trying to figure out her way to break free.
González, her way to hold on. Up and over again,
Shirai would land on her feet, champion ducks the challenger twice,
González finally grabs hold, Shirai goes up, goes over,
takes out González with a double stomp.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] This is what has made Io Shirai a fighting champion,
the ability to adapt to all challengers.
No matter how strong, no matter how fast,
Io Shirai has always been able to figure out a game plan.
[Beth] Shirai such a compact, versatile athlete.
Take a look at this, mid-air switch and boom, across the sternum of González,
blasting the air out of her lungs.
[Vic] Shirai going around, not able to connect.
Able to, however, take González down with an arm drag.
Will the third time be the charm?
A feint kick right between the eyes.
The Genius of the Sky with the challenger in her sights,
springboard missile dropkick.
[Beth] Did you hear the impact of that dropkick?
[Wade] I'm going to tell you, the pacing of this match is a surprise to me.
That really favors the champion, Io Shirai.
[Vic] Oh! Shirai, pinning combination to retain. González kicks out at two.
[Beth] In this moment, you could see Io Shirai, NXT TakeOver, of course,
trending number one in the United States.
Everybody's watching this.
Io Shirai able to take González off her feet.
[Vic] It's been the number one trend by my watch for nearly two hours
and continuing to tick,
as Io continues to climb all the way to the top rope.
González looking for that one-arm powerbomb.
[Vic] González looking to plant the champion,
who slides out the back door. Looking for the pin, not able to get it.
Crossface by the champion. Crossface locked in on González.
[Wade] Center of the ring too, Raquel González eyeing those ropes,
but must feel like a million miles away in the middle of the ring,
wrenching on that neck.
[Vic] Is González going to tap?
[Beth] The long, tall body of González,
she's got to use those limbs to reach and scramble and claw to get to that rope.
[Vic] Challenger trying to find a way to the bottom rope.
Shirai trying to hold on, trying to pull back González.
She's reaching for the bottom rope. So close is González.
Feeling-- fingertips.
[Wade] Final lunge, just enough to get that giant frame of Raquel González,
but how much damage has been done to the challenger?
[Vic] Io Shirai so close to doing the absolute unthinkable,
making Raquel González tap out. Shirai now on the top rope.
Top rope moonsault.
[Vic] Moonsault onto the stage, onto the ramp.
The heights these two women are willing to go to call themselves champion.
[Wade] Let's be honest, if that was in the middle of the ring,
Raquel González would've been pinned by now.
[referee] All the way back in, io.
[Vic] Again, you can hear the referee using his own discretion.
Pinfall, submission in the ring,
only way Raquel González can call herself champion.
This fight now is spilling throughout the Capitol Wrestling Center.
[Wade] Io Shirai with a splint
delivering double knees to the face of the challenger, Raquel González.
[Beth] Shirai, where she's most comfortable on that top rope.
Spectacular moonsault, leveling the taller opponent,
and then followed up with this wham to the jaw, to level González.
Shirai is out here to prove a point tonight.
[Vic] González just starting.
[Wade] Referee taking a very close look at Raquel González.
She's taking a double-whammy of blows at this point. Oh, my word.
[Vic] Look at Shirai. Oh! The champion willing to destroy herself
to call herself the best damn Women's wrestler in the world.
[Wade] That skull is 20 feet high.
Io Shirai, the Genius of the Sky, laying it all out there.
[Beth] Here, you can see Io Shirai, absolutely relentless with her attack.
There is nothing this woman won't do.
One more angle. My god.
[audience cheering]
[Wade] Oh, there is no price on Earth you could pay me
to jump off something that high onto a steel grate, no less.
[Vic] Peek of that steel grate.
[Beth] You could just hear the impact of those bodies,
elbows, knees, hips crashing on that metal.
[audience cheering]
[Beth] There's no way there's not a broken bone in this equation. My god.
[Wade] Just count the hang-time that Io Shirai had
before impacted a poor Raquel González.
[Vic] Look at Io Shirai, dragging the beaten body of the challenger.
Io Shirai doesn't want a freebie.
She wants to pin Raquel González in the center of the ring.
[Wade] Io Shirai is out of her mind.
Now, perhaps a sitting duck is Raquel González.
[Beth] A familiar sight here.
[Vic] Shirai, top rope, moon over moonsault.
Shirai into the cover.
-What? -[Wade] No!
[Vic] What did we just witness?
[audience chanting "This is awesome"]
[Beth chuckles] What on Earth Is Raquel González made of?
[Vic] This is all about the NXT Women's Championship.
This is NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
The question is, who will be the last one standing at the end of the night?
[Wade] Nobody in NXT has ever
kicked out of Io Shirai's top rope moonsault.
What must be going through the mind of Io Shirai?
Perhaps, it's the prove of Raquel González. González back on top.
[Vic] González now using her strength.
[Wade] Single-arm powerbomb.
[Vic] This time burying the champion on the floor.
González has to get Io Shirai back into the ring,
only way the title can change hands, pinfall, or submission.
[Wade] Well, this is exactly how Raquel González beat Io Shirai
at the Women's Wargames match back in December.
[audience cheering]
Of course, as you mentioned, Vic, redundant outside of the ring,
but now Raquel is stirring.
[Beth] You've got to wonder if all the risk-taking
has taken its toll on Io Shirai's body.
[Vic] González.
[audience cheering]
[Raquel] Shirai, when do you learn to stay down, huh?
What's it going to take, io?
What is it gonna take? You need to learn to stay down.
-[Vic] The defiant champion. -[Wade] Uppercut.
[Vic] What a lariat from González.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] González now turning the champion inside out.
[Wade] González has been knocked silly. Can she get her feet underneath herself?
[Vic] Capitol Wrestling Center on their feet.
González waiting for that one-arm powerbomb
to stake her claim to the Women's title.
Cover. Two.
[bell rings]
[Vic] González makes history.
[Raquel González's music plays]
[female announcer] Here is your winner
and new NXT Women's champion,
Raquel González.
[Vic] González, the first woman ever to be the NXT Women's champion,
and to have worn one half of the NXT women's Tag Team titles.
[Wade] Well, what a reign from io Shirai,
almost a full-year long, taking on all comers,
but this lady Raquel González refused to be denied.
She should have been beaten several times in that matchup,
but not gave up, and we have ourselves a new NXT Women's champion,
and no woman more deserving.
[Beth] Man, I mean, let's take a look one more time at this moment,
that will go down as one of the greatest in Take Over history.
Io Shirai, thinking that she had it all wrapped up here with the moonsault,
but even after everything González endured,
it would not be enough to keep her down.
The aggression would continue to escalate
as González not only kicked out of the moonsault,
but will rally in these last final moments of the matchup.
[Wade] What on earth will it take to stop Raquel González
as we see the final closing moments in this match-up,
the one-arm powerbomb. Nobody's getting up from that.
Io Shirai put away finally after a historic reign.
That, ladies and gentlemen,
is our new NXT Women's champion, Raquel González.
This is my title now. It's my destiny. I told you.
This is mine. Yeah!
Yes. This is my title.
This is mine now. This is my title.
[inaudible]
[Vic] Don't miss, night two of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
[audience chanting "NXT"]
If there is anything like night one, it steps the bar for Wrestlemania week,
but on night one,
the reign of Raquel has begun in NXT.
[audience chanting "NXT"]
Subtitles: Valeria LoZito gun in NXT.