'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NXT TakeOver 31: Damien Priest vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT North American Championship
There was little build heading into the NXT North American Championship match at NXT TakeOver 31. Damian Priest just won this title back at the last event, TakeOver 30, in a five-man Ladder match also featuring Johnny Gargano. Gargano more or less got this opportunity based on his reputation as one of the greatest performers on the TakeOver stage. This match here once again proved why he always delivers on these events.
Gargano and Priest showed off excellent chemistry with one another in this NXT TakeOver 31 opener. Although the babyface and heel alignment may have been off at first glance, they made this work very well. With Johnny playing a sneaky yet smart heel to Priest's badass babyface persona, this encounter was compelling throughout and delivered a hot opener elevated by the vocal Capitol Wrestling Center crowd.
This featured strong performances from both men, with Priest countering One Final Beat into the Reckoning to gain the victory. Gargano added another terrific contest to his legendary TakeOver resume, while Priest established himself as North American Champion with a standout win over a former NXT Champion here at NXT TakeOver 31.
