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Kushida vs Velveteen Dream at NXT TakeOver 31
Velveteen Dream, dressed as Doc from Back to the Future, couldn't even get out of the gate, as Kushida attacked him during his entrance. The Time Splitter of NXT kicked the Vainglorious One around ringside and immediately focused the arm at TakeOver 31.
Dream struggled to get going as a more aggressive Kushida continued to set up for the Hoverboard Lock. Kushida yanked Dream through the ropes for his running armbreaker, leaving Dream grasping his shoulder in an excess amount of pain.
Dream avoided the Hoverboard Lock for a time, but another arm breaker would connect. Dream shoved the referee away, distracting Kushida long enough to get in some offense. As Kushida was sent to the floor, Dream hit a diving elbow drop to the outside. Dream battered Kushida back inside the ring and turned a handspring back elbow into a sleeper attempt at TakeOver 31.
Kushida fought out and fired up, hitting his hip toss/dropkick combination and rocking Dream with a big elbow. After stomping in the face of NXT's former golden boy, Kushida set up Dream in the steps for a big dropkick, crashing his arm between the steps and ring post at TakeOver 31.
Somehow, Dream withstood more punishment and various armbars, managing to hit a Purple Rainmaker. It seemed to hurt him more than his opponent, though, and Kushida kicked out. A second Rainmaker was blocked when Kushida followed him, trapping him in the Hoverboard Lock.
Dream fought for minutes but was ultimately left with nowhere to go in the middle of the ring.
Results: Kushida defeated Velveteen Dream via pinfall at NXT TakeOver 31.
Grade: B
After the match, Kushida further attacked the former NXT North American Champion. Dream was left screaming in agony as Kushida walked off, still furious about the whole match.
An advert played following the match, revealing that NXT would be bringing back Halloween Havoc. The NXT Special will take place on October 28th, with Shotzi Blackheart as the host.
