Loud “10” chants for Dillinger, who comes out in a new ring jacket. Almas comes out sans his La Sombra mask, wearing suspenders and a top hat with a feather in it, all decked in white. They battle on the mat early until we have a stalemate. Roll-up by Dillinger for 2, then he cartwheels to avoid Almas and does the “10” chant. They evade each other back and forth until Almas catches Dillinger with a basement dropkick, followed by a running rana that sends Dillinger outside. Dillinger avoids Almas charging in to dive as Almas catches himself in the ropes like he’s Spiderman. Commentary notes Almas is a former IWGP Intercontinental Champion. Almas handstands on the turnbuckles coming back in, but Dillinger catches him with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a 1 count. Dillinger with a chop, then they head up top. Almas blocks a back superplex and knocks Dillinger off with elbows. Dillinger avoids a moonsault, but Almas lands on his feet and hits a standing moonsault for 2. Almas goes to handstand again on the turnbuckles, but Dillinger drills him while he is upside down with a superkick for a close 2. Down comes the kneepad as Dillinger goes for the Tyebreaker (Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker), but Almas slips out. Almas hits a handspring Pele-style double knee strike to Dillinger, followed by a spike headscissors.
Running Double Knees by Almas in the corner for the win.
Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas by pinfall (Running Corner Double Knees)
Fun debut for the former La Sombra in Andrade Almas, although it appeared that there were a lot of Dillinger supporters in the crowd as they were split during the match. Almas still did enough flashy offense that they wound up taking to him towards the end. Dillinger looked very good in defeat as he is great in his gatekeeper role for the new debuting talent in NXT and is one of the most underrated performers in not just NXT, but WWE main roster as well. Good start to the show.
NXT Tag Team Titles: American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable) (c’s) vs. The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder)
Big reaction for the champions. Gable and Dawson start. Dawson drags him over to his side of the ring and tags in Wilder. Wilder with a shot to the back and a top wristlock, then drives him down. Dawson in, big-time chop to Gable in the corner. Gable fights back, but Dawson keeps control. Dawson with a shoulder knockdown for 2, but then Gable with a series of Ricky Steamboat-style headscissors. Jordan in, big dropkick to Dawson, then one to Wilder. Jordan gets 2 on Dawson. Dawson backs Jordan up to his corner, Wilder tags in, then the two teams square off and begin brawling with one another. Little dosey-doe action until American Alpha has the Revival in stereo Ankle Locks until the Revival gets to the ropes and has to regroup while the crowd loudly chants for the champions. Wilder trips up Jordan, but Jordan with an amateur takedown into a pinning predicament for 2. Gable in as Jordan with a takeover, Gable gets 2. Gable goes to work on Wilder’s arm. Referee doesn’t see an illegal tag by the Revival, allowing them to take control. Gable comes back with a couple of pin attempts on Dawson for 2. Dawson with a big uppercut to Gable, sending him outside, then hits a shot to Jordan. Gable comes back with a double clothesline off the top, followed by stereo dropkicks by the champions, sending the Revival outside, where they have to regroup again. Back in, Gable with a hiptoss to Dawson, but then Wilder hot-shots Gable from outside throat-first across the top rope, allowing Dawson to get 2. Revival unload with shots to Gable in their corner. Dawson with an elbow drop to Gable for 2. Keylock applied by Dawson, crowd wills on Gable. Dawson with a slam, but misses a series of elbow drops as Gable fights back on the Revival. Slingshot Sunset Flip by Gable for 2. Dawson stops a tag to Jordan and hits a spinebuster on Gable for 2. Wilder in as Dawson lifts up Gable and gutbusters him down across Wilder’s knee for 2.
Big uppercut by Wilder, then he goes back to the arm. Gable tries to reach for a tag, but Wilder stops him and places Gable up top. Gable then catches Wilder with an armbar in the ropes before sending them both outside. Dawson in as Gable tries to race back in to make a tag, but Dawson with a chopblock to stop him. Dawson knocks Jordan off the apron, then blind tags in Wilder as the Revival hit a variation of AMW’s Death Sentence for a close 2. Gable fights back, but Dawson gets Wilder back in. Gable constantly evades the Revival and finally tags in Jordan. Dropkick by Jordan to Wilder, Leg Capture Suplex to Dawson, Pancake move to Wilder, straps come down, running shoulder tackle in the corner to Wilder for a close 2. Wilder sends Jordan into the turnbuckles, Dawson blind tags in. Dawson Sunset flips Jordan from up top, then Wilder with a clothesline as Dawson gets a close 2. Big uppercuts by Dawson, Gable blind tags in, Dropkick/German Suplex combo by American Alpha on Dawson for a close 2. “This is Awesome” chants by the crowd. Wilder pulls Jordan off the apron and off the steps. Gable with an Ankle Lock applied on Dawson, but Dawson kicks him off into a shot by Wilder outside. Roll-up with the tights by Dawson, but Gable kicks out! Revival go for a Doomsday double-team on Gable, but Gable catches Dawson off the ropes with a Belly-to-Belly for a close 2. Jordan blind tags in, running shoulder to Wilder, but Dawson sends Gable outside.
Shatter Machine by the Revival to Jordan to regain the titles.
Winners and NEW NXT Tag Team Champions: The Revival by pinfall (Shatter Machine)
American Alpha help each other up, until the debuting Authors of Pain tag-team, who have been on NXT house shows in recent months, run in and lay out American Alpha. WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering makes his way out onto the rampway, looking on approvingly as the crowd chants “Who are you?” at the Authors of Pain
Just another outstanding tag match between these two teams. Tag-team wrestling at its finest. The quick change back to the Revival possibly looks to spell the end for American Alpha in NXT, with a possible main roster call-up looming. Post-match with the debut of the Authors of Pain team, who had been impressive on NXT house shows as of late, with the inclusion of the legendary Paul Ellering as their manager in laying out American Alpha, was a big-time surprise, can’t wait to see what develops going forward.
Austin Aries vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Aries comes out with his ribs taped up, presumably from an injury on a recent live event. Crowd sings along to Nakamura’s theme as the bell sounds, then begins dueling chants for both men. Chain wrestling early, both men avoid strikes from one another, stalemate. Nakamura backs up Aries in the ropes and does the rubbing head in the pecs. Aries avoids a looping stomp and hits a basement dropkick. Aries goes for the Last Chancery, but Nakamura quickly slips out. Aries shoves Nakamura, but Nakamura with knees to the ribs, then applies a cravate. Nakamura with knees in the corner, then does the Vibrating Boot twice. Crowd wants it one more time, but Aries blocks it and hits a kneebreaker, followed by a Dragon Screw.
Aries with a shot to the leg, then a Victim Kick and right hands. Crowd boos Aries. Aries stakes out Nakamura’s leg in the corner, then hits him with a running dropkick. Aries with a face take, then a 2nd Rope uppercut to the back of Nakamura’s neck for 2. Neck vise applied by Aries, crowd wills on Nakamura, but Aries keeps control with a kitchen sink. Aries goes for Senton Atomico, but Nakamura gets the knees up. Aries heads back up top, Top Rope Elbow Drop for 2. Aries goes back to the neck vise, while driving knees between Nakamura’s shoulderblades. “Aries Sucks” chants by the crowd. Crowd continues to sing Nakamura’s them to will him on, but Aries keeps control. Nakamura comes back with a spin wheel kick.
Superman Forearm by Nakamura, followed by a series of chest kicks. Series of knees to the ribs by Nakamura, then he places Aries across the top rope and hits a running knee to the ribs for 2. Aries blocks the Reverse Powerslam and hits a left-handed chop. Aries avoids a head kick, roll-up for 2. Aries with knee strikes to the head, but Nakamura blocks the Last Chancery. Aries with a Rolling Elbow that sends Nakamura outside. Aries with a head of steam and he wipes out Nakamura with the Heat Seeking Missile! Back in, Aries gets a close 2. Nakamura then surprises Aries by taking him down and locking in a Triangle, but Aries gets to the ropes. Pride-style knees by Nakamura, followed by a standing gourdbuster. Nakamura goes for the Boma-Ye, but Aries avoids it and hits the kneebreaker/backdrop driver combo right into the Last Chancery. Nakamura is able to reach the ropes. Nakamura comes back with a push kick, but then Aries with a 2nd Rope Rana. Aries hits the IED dropkick in the corner, then heads up top. Aries goes for the 450, but Nakamura avoids it. Nakamura catches Aries and places him across the ropes, but Aries moves out of the way of the running knee and hits an ear clap. They battle on the apron, with Nakamura hitting an enziguri. Nakamura charges, but Aries catches him with an apron DVD! Referee begins his 10 count and is at 7 when Aries with another head of steam, but Nakamura avoids another Heat Seeking Missile and crashes into the barricade! Back in, Nakamura with a 2nd Rope Boma-Ye and the Reverse Powerslam.
BOMA-YE!! 1-2-3! WOW!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura by pinfall (Boma-Ye)
Very good match between two top performers. This was the Austin Aries I was waiting to see since he came into NXT as up until tonight, his performances felt very flat to me. Its clear as day that Aries is better suited as a heel, which is why this came off so much better here than if it was a straight babyface vs. babyface match. Nakamura is just superb, what else is there to say about him. Great stuff.
NXT Women’s Title: Asuka (c) vs. Nia Jax
Pre-match intros for this one. Nia grabs a hold of Asuka early, blocking Asuka going low and for a German. Nia avoids shots by Asuka and we have a stalemate. Asuka goes to the arm, but Nia with a headbutt and then biels Asuka across the ring. Asuka seems surprised as she goes for more shots, but Nia with shoulders and forearms to her in the corner. Asuka with a leg kick, then she locks Nia in an Octopus. Nia gets out, but Asuka with a spin kick to the ribs. Asuka off the ropes, but Nia catches her with a backbreaker for 2. Nia with a double chickenwing in the ropes, then rubs at the facepaint of Asuka. Asuka tries to fight back, but Nia goes to the back, then locks in a backbreaker stretch. Asuka counters out with a front guilliotine choke, but Nia quickly counters that with a suplex for 2. Asuka with a tilt-a-whirl into a Triangle Choke, but Nia powers her up and Buckle Bombs Asuka to get free. Samoan Bulldozing Butt Smash by Nia in the corner, then she applies a longbow backbreaker to Asuka against the ringpost. Asuka tries to fight back, but to no avail. Bearhug applied by Nia. Asuka tries to Sunset Flip out, but Nia lifts her back up. Asuka takes Nia down and applies a kneebar, but Nia quickly gets to the ropes. Asuka comes back with kicks from underneath, then another spin kick to the ribs, but Nia comes back with the Bearhug Spinebuster. Nia goes for the Force of Greatness Leg Drop, but Asuka moves out of the way, then hits a sliding dropkick. Nia yells that she is the champ, but Asuka fights back, then springs to the middle rope and hits a missile dropkick. Series of backhand shots by Asuka, followed by the running hip attack for 2. Asuka yells out in Japanese and goes for a head kick, but Nia catches it and hits her with a powerbomb for a close 2. Asuka then quickly traps Nia in a Fujiwara Armbar, but Nia shoos her off. Asuka goes for the Asuka Lock, but Nia slips out. Asuka with a big head kick, followed by a big spin kick.
Nia screams out in defiance, but then Asuka with two more big head kicks and a PK to retain the title.
Winner and STILL NXT Women’s Champion: Asuka by pinfall (PK)
Outstanding dynamic in this match that came together better than anyone could have ever hoped. This was Nia Jax’s best performance to date in NXT as for the first time, her presence matched her work in the ring, which had taken a while to come together. Tonight it did and she churned out a great performance. Asuka worked great from underneath and had to literally knock Nia out to beat her as she couldn’t submit her. Superb match.
Main Event in a Steel Cage Match for the NXT Title: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Finn Balor
Balor comes out in his Demon paint, standing behind a fencing, the fencing then comes down as Balor heads to the ring and does his pose on top of the cage. Pre-match intros for this one. Both men feel each other out early. Joe tries to leave the cage, but Balor stops him. Joe with shots to Balor, but Balor blocks being sent into the cage and hits a running dropkick. Joe now blocks being sent into the cage and hits a chop. Balor fights back, hits a flying forearm. Running corner chop by Balor, then another. Third running chop by Balor, then hits an enziguri as Joe went to the 2nd Rope. Balor begins climbing the cage, but Joe stops him and biels Balor into the cage. Joe then biels Balor again into the cage. Series of chest kicks by Joe, but Balor fights back. Joe then comes back with the running corner back elbow/enziguri combo. Joe with facewashes to Balor in the corner, followed by a running one.
Joe gets 2. Balor fights back again, but Joe again biels him into the cage. Joe goes to leave through the door, but Balor stops him. Balor with an enziguri, then goes to leave, but Joe stops him. Joe with a German for 2. Joe goes to climb the cage, but Balor stops him. They battle on the top rope, with Balor sending Joe off the cage, but then Joe with an enziguri that sends himself and Balor crashing down to the mat! Joe gets another 2. Series of forearms by Joe, but Balor avoids a charge and Joe goes into the cage. Balor unloads with shots, then hits a series of running chops with Joe trapped against the cage. Joe avoids another one as Balor goes into the cage. Coquina Clutch applied, but Balor gets out and dropkicks Joe into the cage. Balor climbs the cage right over Joe, but Joe stops him. Balor with a PK from the top rope to Joe, but as Joe goes down, he falls into the ropes, crotching Balor on the ropes in the process. Balor charges at Joe in the corner, but Joe catches him with ST-Joe!
Joe goes for the Muscle Buster, but Balor counters with a Sunset Flip for 2. They trade strikes until Balor nails Joe with a Pele Kick! Dueling chants by the crowd. Balor goes to climb up the cage, but Joe goes up after him. They battle on the top rope again, then Balor takes Joe down with a Super Slingblade! Balor gets a close 2. Another Slingblade by Balor, but Joe avoids the Shotgun Dropkick and hits a back senton. Muscle Buster by Joe, but Balor kicks out! Joe can’t believe it! Joe yells out that he will end Balor as he unloads with front kicks, then goes to Crucifix Bomb Balor into the cage, but Balor slips out and sends Joe face-first off the cage multiple times. Another Slingblade by Balor, followed by two Shotgun Dropkicks in the corner. Balor heads up top and hits the Coup de Grace, but Joe now kicks out! Balor goes for the 1916, but Joe counters into the Coquina Clutch. Balor fights it and springs up the ropes to counter out, then hits a double stomp. Balor looks up and begins to climb the cage, but Joe stops him. Balor kicks him off and heads up the cage. Balor goes to leave, but Joe grabs his foot. Joe sends Balor off the cage and heads up with him.
SUPER MUSCLE BUSTER!!! 1-2-3! WOW!
Winner and STILL NXT Champion: Samoa Joe by pinfall (Super Muscle Buster)
Very good main event. They made the cage an important part of the match, especially as it led to the finish with Joe retaining. It appears Balor is main-roster bound, especially because of the tagline of this show, but time will tell.
Overall, another damn good TakeOver show in front of a hot Full Sail crowd, highly recommend it.
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