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NXT wrapped up another incredible Takeover. As always, it's going to be hard for the main roster to top that with the Royal Rumble. Here's what went down to kick off the Rumble weekend!
The Undisputed Era (c) vs War Raiders
The War Raiders made an impressive entrance and when The Undisputed Era began before the bell even rang. The War Raiders stopped them on their tracks and attacked them before the match finally started.
The early going saw The War Raiders dominate. Hanson attempted a suicide dive but he missed and that was clearly a big mistake. Roderick Strong and Kyle O'Reilly began to isolate Rowe until he had an opportunity to tag Hanson in. The champions controlled the match despite this.
The deceptively agile Hanson made his way in and started to take out the champions. He would hit a running splash on both of them. He eventually got neutralized before both teams tagged each other. Roderick Strong would also show an impressive feat of strength as he suplexed Hanson.
O'Reilly splashed on Hanson but it wasn't enough. The crowd chanted "Fight Forever" and after their "High low" got kicked out of for the first time ever, Hanson used his agility to take them both down. Rowe had both of them up and they hit the fallout on O'Reilly to get the win.
The War Raiders def. The Undisputed Era to become the new NXT Tag Team Champions
Kassius Ohno vs Matt Riddle
Matt Riddle started off with a superman punch on the outside. Ohno took control soon after. Riddle made a comeback with open palm strikes but Ohno landed a series of elbows. Riddle ate a brutal knee to the face and was even thrown on the steel steps.
Ohno blocked a suplex and stomped on Riddle's bare feet. Riddle still managed to pull off the suplex and hit the Yes Kicks. Ohno landed an incredible moonsault but it wasn't enough. Riddle caught Ohno in a rear naked submission.
Ohno escaped and Riddle began to elbow Ohno until the veteran was forced to tap to strikes! We've never seen that before in WWE.
Matt Riddle def. Kassius Ohno via submission from strikes
Ricochet (c) vs Johnny Gargano - NXT North American Championship
The crowd chanted "both these guys" in appreciation of what they were about to witness. It didn't take them long to start firing all cylinders. Ricochet offered Johnny Gargano a hand, asking "which" Gargano we're going to see.
They slowed down a bit but work at a good pace, using more technical aspects of their game. Ricochet would land an incredible moonsault and got the crowd going. Ricochet had Gargano in Fireman's carry position but wasn't able to power him down. Gargano tried to hit a hurracanrana but Ricochet landed ON HIS FEET! Fans were stunned, with no idea how it happened.
Gargano made a seamless transition into the Gargano-escape but Ricochet manages to evade it. HE rolls out of the ring and Ricochet hit the most beautiful moonsault you'll ever see. Ricochet even hit the 450 splash but Gargano kicked out.
Gargano gets caught with a suicide dive but spikes Ricochet on the mat with a hurracanrana. Gargano removed the mat and was planning to spike Ricochet on exposed concrete. The referee threatened to DQ him, so he wisely chose to avoid it.
Gargano hit him with a suplex to the concrete then spiked him with a DDT in the ring to pin him.
Johnny Gargano def. Ricochet to become the NEW NXT North American Champion
Shayna Baszler (c) vs Bianca Belair - NXT Women's Championship
Bianca Belair got the advantage in the early going. Shayna Baszler would begin her onslaught and show the ruthlessness that she's displayed as champion before. Belair fought back and outpowered Baszler from the early going.
It was clear that Belair was the better athlete, but Baszler's experience helped her. She wasn't able to judge the distance. Her inexperience began to show as the referee got knocked down and Baszler couldn't get the pin.
The two other horsewomen Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir came in but Belair knocked them both down and slammed Duke onto Shafir. She missed a 450 splash and Baszler immediately locked in the Rear Naked Choke. Belair somehow fought back.
Despite this, it wasn't enough and she passed out, thus ending Belair's undefeated streak.
Shayna Baszler def. Bianca Belair to retain the NXT Women's Championship
A great effort from Belair
Tommaso Ciampa vs Aleister Black - NXT Championship
Aleister Black started off by taking the champion down. The early going of the match saw the champion Tommaso Ciampa work on Aleister Black's knee extensively. Black had to dig deep to fight back, but wasn't able to keep up his usual quick pace.
Ciampa tied Black up into the Tree of Woe and punished him. Black escaped and then dropped Ciampa from the top turnbuckle with a huge kick to his head. Black caught Ciampa with a good kick, A second-wind saw him drop Black and almost took him out with a near-fall. He continued with an attempted Suplex which Ciampa turned into a roll-up.
Black reversed the momentum and tried a Single Leg Crab, but Ciampa managed to get out. Ciampa then took out Black.
Black hit a Jumping knee on Ciampa, but Ciampa returned the favour! Aleister Black got hit with the fairytale ending but he shockingly kicked out. He would fight back and get a black mass, unable to pin. Ciampa hit one more fairytale ending but he kicked out AGAIN! Ciampa went for the third but Black escaped. He tried a Black Mass but was unable to do it due to his knee.
Ciampa hit another fairytale ending to decisively put Black away.
Tommaso Ciampa def. Aleister Black to retain the NXT Championship
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