NXT TAKEOVER: UNSTOPPABLE - 20th May 2015
The opening video shows legends such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and The Rock putting over NXT, along with multiple other voice overs just mentioning how great NXT is for wrestling. Moving into hype for tonight's main event between NXT Champion Kevin Owens and his former best friend, and the man he beat for the title, Sami Zayn. Zayn injured his shoulder facing John Cena on Raw, but Owens is happy to take the credit and take advantage tonight. It also goes over the NXT Women's championship feud between Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks, with our opener and the NXT Tag Team Championships match also getting a look in.
Four models come out, and the ramp is lit up like a catwalk, they're taking selfies as we await Tyler Breeze. As Breeze gets to the ring we're officially welcomed by our announce team. Rich Brennan, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton. Rich says, unfortunately, we have to start with the note that Hideo Itami was attacked earlier in the parking lot and won't be able to compete. It was captured by a fan. We see the video and he's welcoming Enzo and Cass... I already don't believe it's legit (talking from a “mark” standpoint.) just from common sense, then we hear someone shout for help and the fan rushes over and records Itami lying in pain for a good 5 seconds before security backs him off. Kevin Owens is seen walking past and is about 2-3 feet away from Itami (and conveniently close to the camera) before calling it a shame. Finn Balor's music hits and the fans chant “Finn” before he's through the curtain. He makes his awesome entrance in full Demon get-up and the commentators respectfully stay quiet. It really is something to witness. If you think I'm over-selling it the fans give it TWO “holy shit” chants, and a “that was awesome” upon completion.
TYLER BREEZE VS. FINN BALOR (#1 Contender NXT Championship)
Finn Balor got his championship shot that he earned at TakeOver: Rival back on 25th March (NXT Episode #270 on the WWE Network) and he's getting another chance tonight. The bell rings and Balor gets a headlock, Breeze sends him off the ropes but is tackled down, Balor covers but Breeze immediately kicks out. Breeze backs around the ring avoiding Balor, he backs himself through the ropes and kicks at Balor, so Balor grabs his leg and drags him back into the ring. Finn Balor gets a waistlock but Breeze elbows out, he grabs a headlock and is shoved off the ropes. Breeze knocks Balor down and covers for 1. Tyler Breeze goes back to the headlock with Balor on his knees, but Balor fights to his feet and sends Breeze across the ring. Breeze knocks Balor down but Balor avoids getting covered this time, Breeze avoids the charge grabbing another headlock and takes Balor down to the mat. Balor gets to his feet again and sends Breeze across the ring, Balor goes under and over before helping Breeze with momentum, right into a standing dropkick! Tyler Breeze rolls out of the ring and slides right back in again before Balor has a chance to dive onto him.
I know there's not been a lot to call in this match but Brennan and Graves are more bothered about attire and entrances right now. Balor stops and clubs Breeze across the back and sends him into the corner. Balor chops Breeze across the chest and Breeze takes a walk. Balor re-introduces him to the top turnbuckle but Breeze reverses an irish whip. Balor evades the charge, going to the apron but misses a chop, Tyler Breeze hits a springboard kick off the middle rope, knocking Balor down to the floor. Balor rolls back in after we see a replay and Breeze is right on him with stomps until the referee forces him away. Tyler Breeze brings Balor to his feet and sends him into the corner for more stomps to the midsection. Balor slumps in the corner but fights his way out with right hands. He sends Breeze off the ropes but ducks too early, Breeze hits a neckbreaker for a nearfall. Breeze tells the referee to do his job before going back to kicking Balor, forcing him into the corner. Breeze chokes Balor until the referee backs him off again.
Tyler Breeze hits a standing legdrop and covers, but Balor kicks out at 1, so Breeze goes to a chinlock on the mat. Balor tries to kick his way to the ropes before rolling back to his feet. Breeze pulls the tights to take Balor back down. Finn Balor gets to his feet again and elbows his way free. He sends Breeze off the ropes as the commentators are talking about Kevin Owens taking on Sami Zayn tonight and facing John Cena at Elimination Chamber. Balor rolls through a sunset flip and hits Breeze with a dropkick but can't capitalise. Both men are down, Balor has to drag himself to the corner to get to his feet. Tyler Breeze charges into Balor's boot, and Balor explodes out of the corner with a clothesline. This time it's Breeze getting to his feet in the corner, Balor hits him with a running chop and snapmares him over. Tyler Breeze is sent out of the ring with a dropkick to the skull. Balor vaults over to the apron, hitting Breeze with a double-foot stomp to the back. Breeze is sent in the ring and Balor climbs to the top turnbuckle. Breeze rolls all the way across the ring to avoid the Coup de Grace, forcing Balor to come back down to the mat and giving Breeze some more time.
It doesn't help him much as Finn Balor hits a sharp chop in the corner, getting a loud “woo” chant. Balor sends Breeze into another turnbuckle. Breeze reverses an irish whip but Balor counters it also, Breeze lands perched on the top but Balor follows with a jumping knee! Balor covers 1, 2, no! Balor stalks Breeze setting up for an inverted suplex, but Breeze reverses it, taking Balor over. Breeze hits Balor with a forearm as they get to their feet, Breeze picks up speed running into a slingblade! Balor waits for Breeze to get to his feet in the corner but runs into a Supermodel kick! 1, 2, 2.99 no! They stay down so we can see a replay of the close nearfall, and Breeze starts removing a turnbuckle cover, the referee puts a stop to that so Breeze goes after Balor, across the ring, stomping him in the corner. Tyler Breeze is letting all his frustration out, and the referee backs him off before he's disqualified. Finn Balor ducks the Beauty Shot, but Breeze rolls out of the way of a double-foot stomp, rolling Balor up for a close nearfall. The fans now pretty supportive of Tyler Breeze. Balor rolls Breeze up, but he kicks out, sending Balor into the exposed turnbuckle, Balor stumbles into a Beauty Shot! Breeze covers for another close nearfall.
Tyler Breeze slams his hands on the mat in frustration, as Balor's rolled out of the ring to take a breather on the floor. Breeze takes a lot of time in the ring before going after Balor who's nowhere to be seen, until he hits Breeze with a forearm from nowhere! Finn Balor climbs to the top of the entrance, which is deserving of a “please don't die” chant according to the crowd. Balor takes Breeze out with a flying clothesline! The referee comes down to check on Tyler Breeze, Balor brings him to his feet and rolls him back in the ring. Breeze gets to his feet in one corner as Balor stares from across the ring, Shotgun dropkick sends Breeze into the corner! Balor sends him to the mat and climbs to the top rope, Coup de Grace connects! Finn Balor covers and becomes #1 contender!
WINNER: FINN BALOR
This was a hot way to start the show. Tyler Breeze was able to take most of the match on top, with Balor having to bring some big moves to get back into the match. Once Balor got the momentum he wasn't letting go, getting his second shot at Owens' championship. Although I've never been a fan of the big move, kick out, big move, kick out endings, the outside work softened the blow a bit. WORKRATE: 3.25/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 3.25/5 OVERALL: 6.5/10
Finn Balor celebrates in the ring as we see replays from the match. Kevin Owens is watching from a monitor backstage. “The Mountain” from Game of Thrones, however, saw it from the front row. He's sat next to Stephanie McMahon, that's gotta make Triple H feel good. Then we go to see video footage from NXT's first ever live events in Philadelphia and Albany, New York. Including talking figures such as Mick Foley and Joey Styles.
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