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It was the final NXT before Takeover: Chicago, and with the card already announced, the final build-up officially began.
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There are many stars who aren't part of NXT Takeover: Chicago this weekend and this week was their chance to stand up and be counted, whilst others took this as the final opportunity to send a message to their upcoming opponents.
War Raiders vs Ricky Martinez and Justin Storm
War Raiders were able to show off the fact that they are one of the only big man teams in WWE who have agility. They took on the unknown team of Ricky Martinez and Justin Storm in a match that was seemingly built to make Hanson and Rowe look like a legitimate threat to the Tag Team Division in the near future.
The crowd was behind the team throughout as they chanted "War" and the painted duo then dominated their opponents and ended the match with a guillotine leg drop from the top rope.
War Raiders defeated Ricky Martinez & Justin Storm
After the match, the team formerly known as War Machine called out TM61 by proclaiming "They call themselves, 'mighty.' We'll show them mighty."
WWE then showed a video package that highlighted the feud between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano before moving onto a sit-down interview where Gargano claimed that it would be Ciampa who is leaving Chicago in an ambulance this weekend.
Kassius Ohno vs EC3
Kassius Ohno hasn't had a great run of form in WWE over the past few weeks and following up on his loss to Tommaso Ciampa, Ohno challenged EC3 to a match this week on NXT where he became another example for EC3 to use when he claims to be the top one per cent in NXT.
Kassius was the one who got in EC3's face before the bell rang on this one, before he then delivered some knife edge chops to the chest and went for a senton, but missed, this was EC3's chance to build some momentum but again Ohno is back on top with a knee to the face.
After taking two sentons in the ring and one on the outside, EC3 makes his way back into the ring, after yanking Ohno's neck across the top rope he is able to hit the One-Percenter for the victory.
EC3 defeated Kassius Ohno
Ohno was on top for most of that match and unable to pick up the win, he will definitely be asking himself some tough questions after that loss.
Bianca Belair vs Aliyah
Bianca Belair's last outing saw her pick up an impressive victory over Candice LeRae, even though she wasn't in the right mindset given the issues between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano. This week Belair was out to send a message to Aliyah so that she could continue to push for that NXT Women's Championship match.
Belair was impressive once again as she used her power and agility to her advantage as she was able to suplex Aliyah from a standing position before she then clean and jerked her off the floor and above her head. She finished the match with a torture rack sit out facebuster to sent a clear message to Shayna Baszler.
Bianca Belair defeated Aliyah
Cathy Kelley was backstage with Dakota Kai who was talking about how close she came to winning the NXT Women's Championship and if she's given another shot then the result will definitely be different. Belair then interrupted and pointed out that the only thing Kai can do is "cry and fail." Kai then challenges Belair to a match next week, which the EST of NXT accepted.
Pete Dunne vs Kyle O'Reilly - United Kingdom Championship Match
Pete Dunne and Adam Cole have had a number of issues in recent weeks but it was Kyle O'Reilly who was given the chance to become the first Canadian United Kingdom Champion this week on NXT.
Dunne is sporting a taped leg, but this doesn't stop The Bruiserweight from showing some interesting technical skill as he and O'Reilly kick of the match with some mat wrestling. This leads to an exchange of pins before Dunne then focuses' his attack on O'Reilly's arm.
O'Reilly works the leg and then the two men trade ankle locks before Dunne ends the sequence with a sit out powerbomb, O'Reilly counters it into a triangle choke but Dunne cartwheels out.
O'Reilly pulls out Dunne's mouthguard and is too busy taunting to take an advantage so Dunne snaps his fingers and delivers The Bitter End to pick up the win and retain his Championship.
Pete Dunne defeated Kyle O' Reilly to retain the United Kingdom Championship
After the match Adam Cole and Roderick Strong attack Dunne until Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch make the save. It's the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships that get the upper hand and throw O'Reilly and Strong out of the ring, sending a direct message to the Champions ahead of their showdown this weekend.
Aleister Black addresses the NXT Universe
Aleister Black faces one of the toughest tests of his career this weekend when he defends his NXT Championship against Lars Sullivan. A few weeks ago Sullivan caught the Champion's Black Mass and delivered the Freak Accident, but Black still looked confident and promised that on Saturday night Lars would "fade to black."
Sullivan then made a beeline for the ring and after taking a number of strikes from the Champion, he hit a vicious lariat followed by THREE Freak Accidents. Lars then carried Black over to the announce table where he stood over him with the NXT Championship. Will this be the scene at NXT Takeover on Saturday night?
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