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SummerSlam weekend kicked off with an eventful NXT TakeOver XXX pre-show that saw Breezango defeat Legado del Fantasma and Lorcan & Burch to become No.1 contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championships. NXT TakeOver XXX began with Finn Balor coming out to face Timothy Thatcher.
Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher
The two Superstars were exchanging holds early in the match and Balor was caught in a front face lock before he sent Thatcher over to ropes to the outside. Thatcher locked in the Bow and Arrow submission but Balor got out of it at TakeOver XXX.
Balor managed to stay in control and hit an abdominal stretch before hitting the Coupe de Grace but he missed. Thatcher locked in a single leg crab and Balor managed to reach the ropes. The two traded kicks before Thatcher hit a German Suplex on Balor.
Thatcher went for an ankle lock but Finn rolled him onto his back and nailed him with a double stomp onto his chest. Balor followed it up with the Coupe de Grace and hit the 1916 DDT and finished off Thatcher in the opening match of NXT TakeOver XXX.
Result: Finn Balor def. Timothy Thatcher
Match rating: B
Cameron Grimes vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed vs. Velveteen Dream - Ladder Match for the NXT North American Championship
The Superstars attacked each other right from the bell and Velveteen hit a Famouser on Gargano before clearing the ring. Dream was getting a ladder but Grimes took him out before he and Gargano fought over a ladder.
Priest and Dream set up two ladders and Grimes took them both out before being taken out by Bronson. Reed was dominating after hitting a senton on both Gargano and Dream using a ladder.
Gargano tried climbing the ladder before teaming up with Dream and Grimes for a moment. Gargano turned on Dream before they all went into the corner with ladders and Reed tossed himself onto them at TakeOver XXX.
Cameron Grimes vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed vs. Velveteen Dream - Ladder Match for the NXT North American Championship (contd...)
Gargano was the only one standing after a big brawl broke out but he was taken down by the others before Reed hit a dive and cleared the field. Grimes ended up taking a ladder to the face before Priest used the ladder to jump over the ropes and take everyone out on NXT Takeover XXX.
Grimes climbed the ladder in the ring and Candace LeRae came out on NXT Takeover XXX and dragged him down before teaming up with Johhny Gargano to take out Grimes and the others. She then tried to stop Reed from getting the title and was on Reed's back when he hit a frog splash from the top of the ladder at TakeOver XXX.
They all rallied for the title while Gargano and Reed were down and Dream set up Grimes on a ladder but was taken out by Priest. Gargano powerbombed Grimes into a ladder from the top of another and took him out. Dream sent Gargano into Priest who was lying on a ladder.
Cameron Grimes vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed vs. Velveteen Dream - Ladder Match for the NXT North American Championship (contd...)
Dream was up on the giant ladder before Reed dropped him into the seats. Grimes took out Reed and Gargano took him down before he and Priest were fighting over the title on top of the ladder. Gargano fell and Priest picked up the big win on NXT Takeover XXX.
Result: Damian Priest won the ladder match and is the new NXT North American Champion
Match rating: A
Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee
McAfee was struggling to keep up early on and asked for a time out but was denied. Cole went on the offensive again and McAfee rolled out of the ring to catch a breather as NXT Takeover XXX continued.
Pat and his buddies mocked the Undisputed Era and the UE showed up before McAfee wiped everyone out with a swanton bomb from up high. Back in the ring, Cole got a near fall off a fireman's carry backbreaker.
McAfee was caught on the top rope but somehow backflipped his way the ring after being pushed off, jumped on to the ropes and dropped Cole before almost hitting the punt kick at TakeOver XXX.
Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee (contd...)
McAfee hit his legs on the steel steps and Cole used the opportunity to lock in the Figure-four Leg Lock in the ring. McAfee hit a low kick but the ref missed it. McAfee hit the punt kick but Cole still kicked out at TakeOver XXX.
McAfee tried for a top rope move but was met with a Superkick. Cole hit the Panama City Sunrise and picked up the win at NXT Takeover XXX.
Result: Adam Cole def. Pat McAfee
Match rating: A
Io Shirai (c) vs. Dakota Kai - NXT Women's Championship match
Shirai was in control early on and Raquel Gonzalez distracted her outside the ring and let Dakota get the upper hand. Kai tried to damage Shirai's arms using the ropes before locking in a submission.
Kai got a few nearfalls as she dominated the match by keeping the pressure on Io's injured left elbow. Shirai hit the 619 with one arm and then a dropkick for a near fall of her own as NXT Takeover XXX continued.
Shirai hit some stomps and the knees in the corner before Kai was hung upside down on the ropes for a double stomp.
Io Shirai (c) vs. Dakota Kai - NXT Women's Championship match
Shirai was caught in an armbar and struggled to stay in the match. Kai hit her finisher but Shirai got her leg up on the rope. Kai kicked the ref and knocked him out. Shirai got the pin with an Over the Moonsault but no one was there to count at TakeOver XXX.
Gonzalez came in and took out Shirai but she still kicked out as the referee recovered. Kai was locked in the crossface before Io hit the moonsault and got the win to defend her title at NXT Takeover XXX.
Result: Io Shirai def. Dakota Kai to retain the NXT Women's Championship
Gonzalez attacked Shirai after the match but Rhea Ripley came out and stared her down before she retreated.
Match rating: A
Keith Lee (c) vs. Karrion Kross - NXT Championship match
The main event of NXT Takeover XXX kicked off with Keith Lee pound his fists into Kross right off the bat. The match headed outside and suddenly Kross was in control as Lee crashed into the barricades and hurt his arm.
Keith Lee (c) vs. Karrion Kross - NXT Championship match (contd...)
Back in the ring, Kross was working on the injured arm and was trying to keep Lee down on the mat. Lee managed to powerbomb Kross and regained control of the match. Lee hit a huge powerslam as NXT Takeover XXX continued and Kross came back with the vicious kicks and then a DDT for a near fall.
Kross hit a clothesline and Lee replied with one of his own before they were both down. Lee took the Doomsday Saito Suplex before being locked in the Korss Jacket but Lee somehow recovered.
Lee hit the spirit bomb but Kross kicked out of it. Lee went up top but Kross met him there before hitting the Doomsday Saito Suplex off the top rope to pick up the win at TakeOver XXX and end Lee's reign as NXT Champion!
Result: Karrion Kross def. Keith Lee to become the new NXT Champion
Match rating: A+
PPV Rating: A
A fairly good Takeover XXX saw Damian Priest secured the NXT North American title as well as Shirai's successful defense despite the odds. Balor put on an excellent opening match and Pat McAfee had a little awkward but ultimately enjoyable NXT debut.
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